Melanie and I have known each other for nearly 20 years. It all started when I moved to Roseburg halfway through 4th grade and she 'took me under her wing' as our teacher told my parents. We actually only went to school together for 3 months. Besides her family sending her to a different grade school after 4th grade, we were in different districts for junior high and then I moved to Montana before high school. We made an effort to visit each other for the next three years and then after graduation, we both moved to Portland together.
It's hard to say why we've been able to stay friends, but I'm guessing compromise has a lot to do with it. Melanie agreed to pretend we were mermaids needing to search for shell bikinis and I agreed to let her beat me at every possible card game imaginable.
Man, did I hate playing cards with her. And yet, I did it anyway. It was until much later that I realized Melanie wasn't just good at cards, she had stradegy. And that stradegy would later turn out to benefit her in many ways.
She would drop out of college one semester before graduation to take a job at a casino. Working her way up the ranks, she now supervises a security division where she catches cheaters in the act. Her dream job. And it's that dream job that had a contest a few months back. A contest to see who could count cards the fastest. When Melanie won, she was awarded 2 tickets to Las Vegas. And so it was practically fate when she entered the Card Counting Competition at the Bellagio and won. Breaking the record with 7.8 seconds, Melanie won 2 tickets to Vegas for next year's competition, a trophy, digital camcorder and her picture in a major gambling magazine.
Way to go Mel! You can send me a thank you card when you finish signing autographs.
February 13, 2007
February 12, 2007
William Boyd
'The happiness of women when a girlfriend gets a man is not an emotion shared by the other half of the sexual divide.'
Robots are Going to Take Over the World
Just another sign that we will soon be controlled by robots.
February 09, 2007
February 08, 2007
Remember When...
cd's took the place of cassette tapes? I remember thinking "I wonder what will take the place of cds?"
It's so interesting to be on the other side of that question. To know the answer, when I remember thinking the question as if it was yesterday.
It's so interesting to be on the other side of that question. To know the answer, when I remember thinking the question as if it was yesterday.
Drew Barrymore
"But in my early 20s, I realized that what I liked about life was the celebration of it."
February 07, 2007
The Wrong Bus
Around Thanksgiving I went on a fantastic voyage to Lynnwood without intending to. That day was interesting to say the least, and yet somehow I managed to stay in a good mood and chalked it up to another interesting story in the tale of my life.
But after reading this article I decided Jaeyaena Beuraheng's story totally kicked my story's ass.
But after reading this article I decided Jaeyaena Beuraheng's story totally kicked my story's ass.
A Woman Should Have
My friend lilikoi forwarded this poem to me and I wanted to share it.
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....Enough money within her control to move out And rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to See Her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...A youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her Old Age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....One friend who always makes her laugh...And one Who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her Family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, And a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel Honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....A feeling of control over her destiny...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...How to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...HOW TO QUIT A JOB, BREAK UP WITH A LOVER, AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...When to try harder...And WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... That she can't change the length of her calves, The width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...That her childhood may not have been perfect...But it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...What she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...How to live alone...Even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...Whom she can trust, Whom she can't, And why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...Where to go...Be it to her best friend's kitchen table...Or a charming inn in the woods...When her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...What she can and can't accomplish in a day...A month...And a year...
Maya Angelou
February 06, 2007
Greenlake
Logic and I used to live in North Seattle. We settled into Greenwood when we moved here from Florida and stayed for a year until we found our condo. During our time in Greenwood, I was trying to start up my own business and found myself with a very sporadic schedule and a lot of stress. Since Greenlake was only a few miles from my apartment, I would often drive down the hill and jog the 3 mile trail to burn off some steam.
(Greenlake is a beautiful natural park that some even compare to Central Park. They both have gorgeous scenery, walking trails, playing fields and constant bustle. Only, Greenlake is much smaller.)
After Logic and I moved into our condo I found a few new places to jog and even got a gym membership. I rarely find reason to drive up North and haven't jogged Greenlake in over a year. So when I recently scheduled an appointment near there, I wanted to make sure I had enough time to get in a good jog before I headed back into downtown.
I woke up this morning and put on my nicest jogging clothes,(since I work in a relaxed environment, I knew this wouldn't be a problem) packed a water bottle and some gloves and headed off to work. When 12:30 rolled around, my appointment was over and I was at the lake. The sky was overcast but the sun was trying it's hardest to make an appearance. There was a slight breeze and it was around 50 degrees - Perfect jogging weather!
I turned on my iPod and got into a rhythm.
Bebot bebot
Be bebot bebot
Be bebot bebot be
Ikaw ang aking
My feet were moving in time with the music and I was reminded of how much I love my old friend, Greenlake.
(Greenlake is a beautiful natural park that some even compare to Central Park. They both have gorgeous scenery, walking trails, playing fields and constant bustle. Only, Greenlake is much smaller.)
After Logic and I moved into our condo I found a few new places to jog and even got a gym membership. I rarely find reason to drive up North and haven't jogged Greenlake in over a year. So when I recently scheduled an appointment near there, I wanted to make sure I had enough time to get in a good jog before I headed back into downtown.
I woke up this morning and put on my nicest jogging clothes,(since I work in a relaxed environment, I knew this wouldn't be a problem) packed a water bottle and some gloves and headed off to work. When 12:30 rolled around, my appointment was over and I was at the lake. The sky was overcast but the sun was trying it's hardest to make an appearance. There was a slight breeze and it was around 50 degrees - Perfect jogging weather!
I turned on my iPod and got into a rhythm.
Bebot bebot
Be bebot bebot
Be bebot bebot be
Ikaw ang aking
My feet were moving in time with the music and I was reminded of how much I love my old friend, Greenlake.
February 05, 2007
My Take on the Superbowl
My family is very sports-oriented so it came as a relief yesterday when, halfway through the Superbowl, I realized I wouldn't have to console anyone. My dad is from Detroit so his loyalty lies there - Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, Tigers (Lions, Tigers and Bears, oh my!). Logic was born in Utah so he is a die-hard basketball fan and loves the Jazz, but has only come around to liking football in the last few years. Jill is a Chargers fan, and Paige likes players who come from OSU, but doesn't follow a particular team.
Which means there were no Colts fans nor Bears fans that I would have to cheer up at the end of the game.
It was a wonderful feeling.
Which means there were no Colts fans nor Bears fans that I would have to cheer up at the end of the game.
It was a wonderful feeling.
January 31, 2007
The Biggest Mistake I've Ever Made...Today
January rolls around and I start to smell the first scents of spring. Cherry blossoms begin to show and the sky's dismal grey only rears it's ugly head 5 days a week instead of 7. My mood lifts as I anticipate the weather changes and then it hits me - January is also review season.
As much as I try to block it out the remainder of the year, it still comes back. So when the emails started piling up from peers and my manager that entailed all the things I would need to do in order to complete my reviews, my mood deflated again.
I had a three hour timeframe blocked off so I could focus directly on the reviews. I started with my own and knocked that out in 30 minutes (a new record). Then I moved on to my boss'. I went through all the proper channels, sorted through all the proper documents and I felt good about my essays. But as I tried to move onto my peer reviews I realized that I made the catastrophic mistake of sending my boss's review TO MY BOSS!
It was supposed to go to his boss in the name of anonymity but due to an error I could not foresee, it went directly into the lion's den.
Over the course of the next 45 minutes, I scrambled to correct the mistake but to no avail. As my final option, I waited outside my boss's office and nearly tackled him as he exited a meeting. After explaining my situation, I followed him to his desk and watching him return the review to my mailbox and then delete it from his.
I'm sure there's still a way for him to bring that back up on his desktop and it's only a matter of time before he finds sneaky ways to undermine my efforts here until one day I am let go. And all because of the stupid review season!
Damnit! I hate January!!!
As much as I try to block it out the remainder of the year, it still comes back. So when the emails started piling up from peers and my manager that entailed all the things I would need to do in order to complete my reviews, my mood deflated again.
I had a three hour timeframe blocked off so I could focus directly on the reviews. I started with my own and knocked that out in 30 minutes (a new record). Then I moved on to my boss'. I went through all the proper channels, sorted through all the proper documents and I felt good about my essays. But as I tried to move onto my peer reviews I realized that I made the catastrophic mistake of sending my boss's review TO MY BOSS!
It was supposed to go to his boss in the name of anonymity but due to an error I could not foresee, it went directly into the lion's den.
Over the course of the next 45 minutes, I scrambled to correct the mistake but to no avail. As my final option, I waited outside my boss's office and nearly tackled him as he exited a meeting. After explaining my situation, I followed him to his desk and watching him return the review to my mailbox and then delete it from his.
I'm sure there's still a way for him to bring that back up on his desktop and it's only a matter of time before he finds sneaky ways to undermine my efforts here until one day I am let go. And all because of the stupid review season!
Damnit! I hate January!!!
January 30, 2007
Mud Bay Information
I was reading through an almanac that a local pet store, Mud Bay sent out last week. I learned a few things about cats and dogs and thought I'd share.
-Whiskers : Most people know that a cat's whiskers help them sense shifting air currents and the distance of objects but cats also have sensitive carpal hairs on the backs of their front wrists, which help with the reflex that allows them to land on their feet. Dogs have vibrissae too, but it is believed that they do not provide information in the same way that cat whiskers do.
-When a domestic cat goes after mice, about one in three gets results.
- Dogs and cats have a special anatomical feature immediately behind the retina. Composed of a layer of reflective cells, it's called the tapetum lucidum. It collects scattered light and focuses it back to the photoreceptive cells of the retina, thus increasing the dog's light gathering ability by 40%. When light hits the dog or cat's eyes at night and you see red, what you're actually seeing is the tapetum lucidum.
- Taking care of dogs' and cat's teeth and gums can actually contribute to extending their lifespans. When plaque and tartar cause infection and bleeding gums, harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream and can gradually damage the heart, kidneys and liver.
- Dogs smile, but only to people, never to other dogs, because they're copying our human smile. Some breeds, like the Samoyed, are predisposed to smile, and are referred to as "smiley dogs".
- Over 10 different government agencies regulate the pet food industry, but none guarantees that what's on the label is actually what's in the bag (or can) of food. Ultimately, the quality of the food depends upon the integrity of the manufacturer.
- Have a dog who rolls around in the mud? Dogs try to mask their scent with something completely non threatening like a cow pie or a dead fish. As they sneak up on unsuspecting prey, they may imagine a the deer thinking, "Oh, it's just a rotten pile of poo getting closer and closer." Alternatively, a subordinate dog temporarily gains status in the pack when the other dogs stop what they're doing to give her attention, by sniffing her stinky necklace. Dogs in human families are also subordinate, and when they roll in stinkiness, we give them the extended attention of a bath. Finally, dogs get a lot of information from scent. Rolling in smelly stuff may be a way for a dog to take notes, and bring news back to the pack, such as the location of potential food or types of prey.
- A recent Northwestern University study indicates that dogs and people can help each other lose weight. Three groups were compared: people-only, dogs-only, and dogs-with-their-people. Participants in each group were given diet and exercise plans based on body mass index. Results indicate that human-dog teams are more likely to stick with a weight-loss program. 80% of the dogs-and-people group completed the study. Completion rates for other groups were much lower. Participants said that it's simply more fun to exercise with their dogs.
- According to a 2001 study, single people who adopted dogs showed a significant reduction in their blood pressure.
- A 1995 study indicates that both cat and dog owners have less occasion to visit the doctor than people who do not own animals(8% less for dog owners and 12% less for those with cats).
- There's data to indicate that cat and dog owners are less depressed, more able to recover from serious illness, and more likely to have meaningful social relationships than those who have no animals in their lives.
- Children benefit from pets. They are less likely to develop allergies, and tend to be more meotionally stable.
- The average lifespan for an indoor cat is 15 years versus 5 years for a cat that goes outdoors.
- Cats have a Jacobson's organ, also called a vomeronasal organ, above the roof of their mouth, that helps in the detection of scents. Occasionally, you'll see a cat with a gaping mouth, looking like he's just smelled bad cheese. This behavior is called a Flehmen response, and is used to circulate air between the nose and mouth, stimulating the Jacobson's organ.
- When a cat rubs her face on you or other objects (an activity known as 'bunting'), she is leaving scent markers.
-An average dog is capable of distinguishing among more than 200 spoken words. So, even though dogs can't verbalize, it's perlects fair to say that they understand our language. Consider this: a human baby at 13 months can pick out about 100 words.
- Purring is generated by the buildup and sudden release of pressure as a cat's glottis opens and closes, resulting in a rapid separations of the vocal folds that generates the wonderful, soothing sound. The muscles that move the glottis are driven by a neural oscillator that cycles every 30-40 milliseconds.
- Dogs eye color can be either brown or blue while a cat can have shades of yellow, gold, green or blue.
-Whiskers : Most people know that a cat's whiskers help them sense shifting air currents and the distance of objects but cats also have sensitive carpal hairs on the backs of their front wrists, which help with the reflex that allows them to land on their feet. Dogs have vibrissae too, but it is believed that they do not provide information in the same way that cat whiskers do.
-When a domestic cat goes after mice, about one in three gets results.
- Dogs and cats have a special anatomical feature immediately behind the retina. Composed of a layer of reflective cells, it's called the tapetum lucidum. It collects scattered light and focuses it back to the photoreceptive cells of the retina, thus increasing the dog's light gathering ability by 40%. When light hits the dog or cat's eyes at night and you see red, what you're actually seeing is the tapetum lucidum.
- Taking care of dogs' and cat's teeth and gums can actually contribute to extending their lifespans. When plaque and tartar cause infection and bleeding gums, harmful bacteria enter the bloodstream and can gradually damage the heart, kidneys and liver.
- Dogs smile, but only to people, never to other dogs, because they're copying our human smile. Some breeds, like the Samoyed, are predisposed to smile, and are referred to as "smiley dogs".
- Over 10 different government agencies regulate the pet food industry, but none guarantees that what's on the label is actually what's in the bag (or can) of food. Ultimately, the quality of the food depends upon the integrity of the manufacturer.
- Have a dog who rolls around in the mud? Dogs try to mask their scent with something completely non threatening like a cow pie or a dead fish. As they sneak up on unsuspecting prey, they may imagine a the deer thinking, "Oh, it's just a rotten pile of poo getting closer and closer." Alternatively, a subordinate dog temporarily gains status in the pack when the other dogs stop what they're doing to give her attention, by sniffing her stinky necklace. Dogs in human families are also subordinate, and when they roll in stinkiness, we give them the extended attention of a bath. Finally, dogs get a lot of information from scent. Rolling in smelly stuff may be a way for a dog to take notes, and bring news back to the pack, such as the location of potential food or types of prey.
- A recent Northwestern University study indicates that dogs and people can help each other lose weight. Three groups were compared: people-only, dogs-only, and dogs-with-their-people. Participants in each group were given diet and exercise plans based on body mass index. Results indicate that human-dog teams are more likely to stick with a weight-loss program. 80% of the dogs-and-people group completed the study. Completion rates for other groups were much lower. Participants said that it's simply more fun to exercise with their dogs.
- According to a 2001 study, single people who adopted dogs showed a significant reduction in their blood pressure.
- A 1995 study indicates that both cat and dog owners have less occasion to visit the doctor than people who do not own animals(8% less for dog owners and 12% less for those with cats).
- There's data to indicate that cat and dog owners are less depressed, more able to recover from serious illness, and more likely to have meaningful social relationships than those who have no animals in their lives.
- Children benefit from pets. They are less likely to develop allergies, and tend to be more meotionally stable.
- The average lifespan for an indoor cat is 15 years versus 5 years for a cat that goes outdoors.
- Cats have a Jacobson's organ, also called a vomeronasal organ, above the roof of their mouth, that helps in the detection of scents. Occasionally, you'll see a cat with a gaping mouth, looking like he's just smelled bad cheese. This behavior is called a Flehmen response, and is used to circulate air between the nose and mouth, stimulating the Jacobson's organ.
- When a cat rubs her face on you or other objects (an activity known as 'bunting'), she is leaving scent markers.
-An average dog is capable of distinguishing among more than 200 spoken words. So, even though dogs can't verbalize, it's perlects fair to say that they understand our language. Consider this: a human baby at 13 months can pick out about 100 words.
- Purring is generated by the buildup and sudden release of pressure as a cat's glottis opens and closes, resulting in a rapid separations of the vocal folds that generates the wonderful, soothing sound. The muscles that move the glottis are driven by a neural oscillator that cycles every 30-40 milliseconds.
- Dogs eye color can be either brown or blue while a cat can have shades of yellow, gold, green or blue.
January 29, 2007
The New Introvert
I have always been an extrovert. To the point where I sometimes wish I would shut up. Being the youngest of 6 children, I blame it on my ranking. It was my way of trying to prove to everyone that even though my mom (to this day) calls me by my older sister's name, I am an individual.
Being an extrovert (in my case) requires a certain social capability. You have to enjoy other people's company and be entertaining enough to attract some as well. This has never been a problem for me. I would much rather be in a social setting than sitting at home. It really didn't matter what I did - as long as I had a fun story to tell later. (Now I'm starting to wonder if that's actually the writer in me, but I digress.)
But in the last few years since marrying Logic I've seen that for him, being alone can be just as fun. Logic is the epitomy of an introvert. He would rather spend the night at home than out in public anyday. It pains him to be social and after many attempts at trying to 'teach' him, I have claimed defeat. It was when I raised my white flag that I discovered I would have to choose - either I spend less time with him and go do my own thing, or I learn to enjoy his rituals of camping out in the house all weekend.
I decided to compromise. But it wasn't until recently that I learned to be okay with that. Always trying to improve upon the good thing that I am (heehee), I decided to try and figure out why I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the alone time that I had available to me. Was I afraid to spend time in my head? Worried that I would bore myself? I'm not sure. But whatever fear I had, it was way off.
For the past few months I've focused a lot of energy on learning to be okay with myself. Just myself. And I've learned that: I enjoy reading memoirs, writing soothes me, exercise is vital for my mental-health and that I'm not so left-wing-liberal as I thought I was (although, I'm still pretty left-wing-liberal). Once I finally took some time to figure out what all the introverted hype was about, I started to learn things about myself. Things that were muffled by the crowds I used to consume my time in.
I still consider myself an extrovert. Mostly because when I do find myself in the company of others, I can't shut up. But I also learned that there is an introvert living inside me - wanting to read, write and ride my bike all at the same time.
Being an extrovert (in my case) requires a certain social capability. You have to enjoy other people's company and be entertaining enough to attract some as well. This has never been a problem for me. I would much rather be in a social setting than sitting at home. It really didn't matter what I did - as long as I had a fun story to tell later. (Now I'm starting to wonder if that's actually the writer in me, but I digress.)
But in the last few years since marrying Logic I've seen that for him, being alone can be just as fun. Logic is the epitomy of an introvert. He would rather spend the night at home than out in public anyday. It pains him to be social and after many attempts at trying to 'teach' him, I have claimed defeat. It was when I raised my white flag that I discovered I would have to choose - either I spend less time with him and go do my own thing, or I learn to enjoy his rituals of camping out in the house all weekend.
I decided to compromise. But it wasn't until recently that I learned to be okay with that. Always trying to improve upon the good thing that I am (heehee), I decided to try and figure out why I wasn't allowing myself to enjoy the alone time that I had available to me. Was I afraid to spend time in my head? Worried that I would bore myself? I'm not sure. But whatever fear I had, it was way off.
For the past few months I've focused a lot of energy on learning to be okay with myself. Just myself. And I've learned that: I enjoy reading memoirs, writing soothes me, exercise is vital for my mental-health and that I'm not so left-wing-liberal as I thought I was (although, I'm still pretty left-wing-liberal). Once I finally took some time to figure out what all the introverted hype was about, I started to learn things about myself. Things that were muffled by the crowds I used to consume my time in.
I still consider myself an extrovert. Mostly because when I do find myself in the company of others, I can't shut up. But I also learned that there is an introvert living inside me - wanting to read, write and ride my bike all at the same time.
January 23, 2007
Kegger
It was a Friday night and I was working at Pizza Hut. It was my lucky night because I was assigned to clean the bathrooms. This might not sound lucky to you, but whoever was assigned to clean the bathrooms was also the first to go home. This meant I was going to have a Friday night and beer money.
I finished work around 9:00 and rushed over to Bridget's house. We finished primping and began our Montana-esque ritual of cruising Main Street to see who was out and where the party was.
We met up with Trent who was on his way out to Slim's ranch and hopped into the cab of his truck. As we drove down the highway we took in the fresh spring air and sang to Clay Walker's "This Woman and This Man".
After the twenty minute drive and a long jaunt down a gravel road, we made our way through a grove of trees and onto an open plain with a fire in the distance. As our sight adjusted, shadows engulfed the landscape almost as much as empty beer cans.
When we reached the party Trent sauntered over to his friends, all wearing shit-kickers and wranglers topped off with large-rimmed hats, Bridget made her way to a group of guys and I rushed over to the kegs.
The next few hours were a blur of keg stands and dancing. At one point I decided to relieve myself behind a truck so I hopped up on the edge of the bumper and took care of business. It wasn't until I jumped back down that I found myself right in the middle of a cow pie. I slipped through pie after pie and ended up with cow shit in my hair, in my pants and up my back. Not knowing what to do, I stood off in the distance trying to formulate a plan. Seeing a towel in the back of a random truck, I quickly grabbed it and tried to clean up.
With unwarranted confidence I rejoined the group only to find I had done a lousy job of wiping off. So after a few goodbye's, Trent and Bridget piled me into his truck and drove me home.
As soon as we got back to Bridget's house I immediately took a shower and borrowed some clothes. And instead of reliving the ordeal in the morning by having to explain what happened and wash clothes, I instead chose to throw everything away.
As quickly as a hang-over and a trip to the dumpster, the evidence of my embarrassing night was gone. And luckily, the party goers were as drunk as I had been, so the story was never brought up again.
But I sometimes look back on that night when I'm having a rough day and think to myself "at least I'm not covered in cow shit."
I finished work around 9:00 and rushed over to Bridget's house. We finished primping and began our Montana-esque ritual of cruising Main Street to see who was out and where the party was.
We met up with Trent who was on his way out to Slim's ranch and hopped into the cab of his truck. As we drove down the highway we took in the fresh spring air and sang to Clay Walker's "This Woman and This Man".
After the twenty minute drive and a long jaunt down a gravel road, we made our way through a grove of trees and onto an open plain with a fire in the distance. As our sight adjusted, shadows engulfed the landscape almost as much as empty beer cans.
When we reached the party Trent sauntered over to his friends, all wearing shit-kickers and wranglers topped off with large-rimmed hats, Bridget made her way to a group of guys and I rushed over to the kegs.
The next few hours were a blur of keg stands and dancing. At one point I decided to relieve myself behind a truck so I hopped up on the edge of the bumper and took care of business. It wasn't until I jumped back down that I found myself right in the middle of a cow pie. I slipped through pie after pie and ended up with cow shit in my hair, in my pants and up my back. Not knowing what to do, I stood off in the distance trying to formulate a plan. Seeing a towel in the back of a random truck, I quickly grabbed it and tried to clean up.
With unwarranted confidence I rejoined the group only to find I had done a lousy job of wiping off. So after a few goodbye's, Trent and Bridget piled me into his truck and drove me home.
As soon as we got back to Bridget's house I immediately took a shower and borrowed some clothes. And instead of reliving the ordeal in the morning by having to explain what happened and wash clothes, I instead chose to throw everything away.
As quickly as a hang-over and a trip to the dumpster, the evidence of my embarrassing night was gone. And luckily, the party goers were as drunk as I had been, so the story was never brought up again.
But I sometimes look back on that night when I'm having a rough day and think to myself "at least I'm not covered in cow shit."
January 22, 2007
Space
When I was young(er) I used to dream of the big city. My first glimpse was when my family visited my sister Jill in Bakersfield, California. I didn't know any better, so I was impressed (heehee). She had so many friends, fun plans and all the modern conveniences of a mall. The image she reflected made it impossible for a 7 year old girl from small-town Idaho to settle for country life.
As I grew up, I was constantly compared to Jill and I considered it a compliment. I wanted to emulate Jill down to the last detail of being a California girl. But when the time came to move out of my parents house, all the signs pointed to Portland.
Still a big city, I was content. I made friends, had fun plans and even worked at a mall. But after a year Logic got sick and I chose to move closer to him and his family. Two years and a remission later, we moved to Jacksonville, Florida together. We both worked in restaurants and lived the night life that is required in that field. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. Mall, check. Jacksonville had everything I thought I needed in a city. That naive opinion lasted about a year. Logic and I soon became aware of the cultural differences that we had been oblivious to before. Realizing that racism is still alive and well in the South was the largest shock of all. That was something we continued to have a problem with until the day we moved (and after). But there were other things about Jacksonville that we grew tired of. Our friends were casual friends who were around when drinks were prevalent but were conveniently absent when we needed support. Those fun plans we had all the time were wearing thin. The superficiality of our lifestyle became lonely and we soon realized how important family was to us. So once Logic graduated college, we packed up our bags and our cats and got as far away as we could. Seattle, Washington.
Seattle was the opposite of Jacksonville. Not only on the map, but in mentality and lifestyle. It was the largest city in all of the Northwest so we figured we wouldn't be giving up our big city dreams and yet we'd be able to spend more time with family and make closer, better friends.
We settled in to an apartment 2 miles from my brother Tom. And my high school friend was also nearby. We lived the next 2 years with a smirk on our faces. Thinking we'd figured it all out. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. A mall, check. Living closer to family, check.
But as time wore on we discovered that the friends who were most important to us were still too far away. And those fun plans weren't as fun without them. And don't even get me started on the mall. If I lived the rest of my life and never had to go into another mall I'd be content.
Somewhere along the way, the big city lost it's appeal. It slowly turned into streets crawling with strangers, towering buildings that block my sunlight, and a constant reminder that our lives weren't going to have the significance we want them to without much sacrifice. Less friends, less family.
So as Oprah would say, I've come full circle. I've now lived in The Big City for 7 years and I'm starting to think the lucky number 7 is how I should leave it.
As I grew up, I was constantly compared to Jill and I considered it a compliment. I wanted to emulate Jill down to the last detail of being a California girl. But when the time came to move out of my parents house, all the signs pointed to Portland.
Still a big city, I was content. I made friends, had fun plans and even worked at a mall. But after a year Logic got sick and I chose to move closer to him and his family. Two years and a remission later, we moved to Jacksonville, Florida together. We both worked in restaurants and lived the night life that is required in that field. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. Mall, check. Jacksonville had everything I thought I needed in a city. That naive opinion lasted about a year. Logic and I soon became aware of the cultural differences that we had been oblivious to before. Realizing that racism is still alive and well in the South was the largest shock of all. That was something we continued to have a problem with until the day we moved (and after). But there were other things about Jacksonville that we grew tired of. Our friends were casual friends who were around when drinks were prevalent but were conveniently absent when we needed support. Those fun plans we had all the time were wearing thin. The superficiality of our lifestyle became lonely and we soon realized how important family was to us. So once Logic graduated college, we packed up our bags and our cats and got as far away as we could. Seattle, Washington.
Seattle was the opposite of Jacksonville. Not only on the map, but in mentality and lifestyle. It was the largest city in all of the Northwest so we figured we wouldn't be giving up our big city dreams and yet we'd be able to spend more time with family and make closer, better friends.
We settled in to an apartment 2 miles from my brother Tom. And my high school friend was also nearby. We lived the next 2 years with a smirk on our faces. Thinking we'd figured it all out. Friends, check. Fun plans, check. A mall, check. Living closer to family, check.
But as time wore on we discovered that the friends who were most important to us were still too far away. And those fun plans weren't as fun without them. And don't even get me started on the mall. If I lived the rest of my life and never had to go into another mall I'd be content.
Somewhere along the way, the big city lost it's appeal. It slowly turned into streets crawling with strangers, towering buildings that block my sunlight, and a constant reminder that our lives weren't going to have the significance we want them to without much sacrifice. Less friends, less family.
So as Oprah would say, I've come full circle. I've now lived in The Big City for 7 years and I'm starting to think the lucky number 7 is how I should leave it.
January 18, 2007
Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History
This is a quote from Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. I read it in a book by Maria Shriver and it got me thinking about the women who didn't behave well, and for whom I am very grateful.
The topic reminded me of my friend's blog. Uppity Rib has a section called "Hall of Femme" and it seems appropriate to link to that. Enjoy.
The topic reminded me of my friend's blog. Uppity Rib has a section called "Hall of Femme" and it seems appropriate to link to that. Enjoy.
Snoqualmie Falls
This is a picture I took from above Snoqualmie Falls last weekend. You can't see it in this picture, but it's snowing. It was absolutely beautiful to see everything covered in white.
January 17, 2007
For Anyone Who Is Engaged
 |
Questions Couples Should Ask (Or Wish They Had) Before Marrying
Relationship experts report that too many couples fail to ask each other critical questions before marrying. Here are a few key ones that couples should consider asking:
1) Have we discussed whether or not to have children, and if the answer is yes, who is going to be the primary care giver?
2) Do we have a clear idea of each other’s financial obligations and goals, and do our ideas about spending and saving mesh?
3) Have we discussed our expectations for how the household will be maintained, and are we in agreement on who will manage the chores?
4) Have we fully disclosed our health histories, both physical and mental?
5) Is my partner affectionate to the degree that I expect?
6) Can we comfortably and openly discuss our sexual needs, preferences and fears?
7) Will there be a television in the bedroom?
8) Do we truly listen to each other and fairly consider one another’s ideas and complaints?
9) Have we reached a clear understanding of each other’s spiritual beliefs and needs, and have we discussed when and how our children will be exposed to religious/moral education?
10) Do we like and respect each other’s friends?
11) Do we value and respect each other’s parents, and is either of us concerned about whether the parents will interfere with the relationship?
12) What does my family do that annoys you?
13) Are there some things that you and I are NOT prepared to give up in the marriage?
14) If one of us were to be offered a career opportunity in a location far from the other’s family, are we prepared to move?
15) Does each of us feel fully confident in the other’s commitment to the marriage and believe that the bond can survive whatever challenges we may face?
January 12, 2007
"Christian Activists Blast O'Brien Sketch"
Life Decisions International (LDI), a Washington DC-based group that has attempted to organize boycotts against companies that contribute to Planned Parenthood, has lashed out at the broadcast networks for allowing "programming that blatantly mocks Christianity." The group wasted no time denouncing Wednesday night/Thursday morning's episode of Late Night With Conan O'Brien, in which the host introduced a new character, "the homophobic country-western singer," who sang: "Oh I love you Jesus / But only as a friend. / You touched my heart but I hope / That's where the touchin' ends. / You're always lookin' over me / When I need a higher power. / But you better look at somethin' else / When I'm in the shower." In a statement, LDI President Douglas R. Scott, Jr. said, "The idea that anyone would think about the Son of God in this way is simply appalling. The inferences that permeate the song are utterly disgusting." Likewise, last month Scott fired off a letter to CBS after an episode of Two and a Half Men, in which the Charlie Sheen character sang to the melody of Joy to the World: "Joy to the world / I'm getting laid / I'm getting laid tonight. / We'll light the Yule log / Deck the halls / And then we'll play / Some jingle balls." Scott said at the time that the song could be retitled "Joy to Fornication," adding, "CBS has allowed a song about the most precious, sacred and significant moment in history to be turned into a song about having sex outside of marriage."
Where does the first amendment come into play? And why do Christians believe they are always the target? Some people have their heads so far up their ass that they don't see the humor in anything!~ article from contactmusic.com
WP
Last weekend was one of the most relaxing of my life.
Logic and I met up with Kenny and Mel and spent the weekend in a cabin on the lake at Willamette Pass.
Typically, I love to ski. But last weekend I chose quality time with Mel in the cabin over the slopes. We played Oh Shit and Cranium and even went for two snowshoe expeditions.
It was wonderful to be in the company of true friends and to be surrounded by such natural beauty. I can't wait to do it again next year.
January 11, 2007
Blink
This week has been interesting. I haven't been overly busy, but my mind has been. I apologize for my quick posts, but my brain has been otherwise occupied.
Today I'm listening to the audiobook Blink. It's keeping me entertained and I'm learning a lot about the subconscious.
Due to a phrase Malcolm Gladwell uses ("The Warren G Harding Error", which means he attributes Harding's success and popularity to his commanding physical appearance and deep gravelly speaking voice) I learned that Harding was suspected of being involved in the KKK.
Just a random little nugget for you...
Okay, back to my book.
Today I'm listening to the audiobook Blink. It's keeping me entertained and I'm learning a lot about the subconscious.
Due to a phrase Malcolm Gladwell uses ("The Warren G Harding Error", which means he attributes Harding's success and popularity to his commanding physical appearance and deep gravelly speaking voice) I learned that Harding was suspected of being involved in the KKK.
Just a random little nugget for you...
Okay, back to my book.
January 10, 2007
What's Your Real Age?
If you're up for it, here's the questionaire.
~As a 27 year old, I was pleased to learn my real age is 23.9!!
~As a 27 year old, I was pleased to learn my real age is 23.9!!
January 09, 2007
Brain Waves
The song "What You Soul Sings" by Massive Attack triggered something in my brain that made me think of a newscast on msnbc.com from a few months back. It was a health related story regarding brainwaves and how your brain makes it's own music that, once discovered, can be used to calm you down or energize you.
After watching that story, I wondered if people are prone to liking certain types of music because it is similar to the music your brain makes? What do you think?
After watching that story, I wondered if people are prone to liking certain types of music because it is similar to the music your brain makes? What do you think?
Stream of Consciousness
I want to move.
I want to live someplace with sunshine. I
want to be near family.
I want to be near friends.
What if moving doesn't make me happy?
What if I get there and find myself in the same predicament I'm in now?
I'll at least be near family and friends.
I'll have a house.
I'll have the freedom to go on vacations to places other than where my family lives.
I can feel safe again.
I can find my happiness there.
And if worse comes to worse, I can move again.
I don't want to move again.
I want to find a place that I can grow roots.
A place where I can plant a lilac tree.
And have a deck that overlooks the greenery.
I want to know that if I run out of change the day before payday I can go to my in-law's for dinner.
I don't want to sit in my condo every night and watch t.v. anymore.
I'm perpetuating the cycle of loneliness.
I want to live someplace with sunshine. I
want to be near family.
I want to be near friends.
What if moving doesn't make me happy?
What if I get there and find myself in the same predicament I'm in now?
I'll at least be near family and friends.
I'll have a house.
I'll have the freedom to go on vacations to places other than where my family lives.
I can feel safe again.
I can find my happiness there.
And if worse comes to worse, I can move again.
I don't want to move again.
I want to find a place that I can grow roots.
A place where I can plant a lilac tree.
And have a deck that overlooks the greenery.
I want to know that if I run out of change the day before payday I can go to my in-law's for dinner.
I don't want to sit in my condo every night and watch t.v. anymore.
I'm perpetuating the cycle of loneliness.
January 08, 2007
January 03, 2007
Leaving My Childhood Behind
After high school I spent the majority of my summer in Lewistown. Having said that, I don't remember most of it. But as the summer came to an end, my parents drove me 7 hours Northwest to Kalispell where I would spend the next 2 weeks babysitting my nieces and sharing some quality sister-time with Laurie. It was my farewell trip.
Spending time with Laurie was something I'd become accustomed to. Afterall, I'd spent the last 5 summers at her house. Helping her with Kinlie and Hanna, being lazy, jogging, working odd jobs, watching entirely too much MTV and appreciating time away from my parents. At the end of the summer, my parents would drive back up to get me and I'd be on my way home just in time for the next school year.
But this year was different. September rolled around, and my parents drove back up from Lewistown to see me off. They would leave me at the gates of the Missoula airport and I would be on my way. I would land in Portland and be greeted by another sister, Paige.
My life before me, I was so full of excitement and anticipation.
Spending time with Laurie was something I'd become accustomed to. Afterall, I'd spent the last 5 summers at her house. Helping her with Kinlie and Hanna, being lazy, jogging, working odd jobs, watching entirely too much MTV and appreciating time away from my parents. At the end of the summer, my parents would drive back up to get me and I'd be on my way home just in time for the next school year.
But this year was different. September rolled around, and my parents drove back up from Lewistown to see me off. They would leave me at the gates of the Missoula airport and I would be on my way. I would land in Portland and be greeted by another sister, Paige.
My life before me, I was so full of excitement and anticipation.
David Bach's Live Rich Factor
I found this article by David Bach and wanted to pass it along. David is an inspiration to me, having written multiple books on investing and even coming to my work to talk. I hope you enjoy these questions and find them to be a helpful way to kick off your new year with a bang.
Five Principles for Happiness in 2007
Make a list of all your personal and financial if-onlys. For example, "If only I had saved more money. If only I hadn't quit that job. If only I hadn't taken the job I have." You get the idea.
After reading the list aloud to yourself, get rid of it. Let it all go by literally burning the list (safely). Now you're ready for a fresh start in 2007 -- a new beginning.
Principle 2: Get Connected with Your Truth
I suggest writing your (honest) answers to the following questions in a new journal for the new year:
- What makes you happy at work?
- What makes you happy at home?
- What makes you happy with your friends and family?
- What makes you happy when you're by yourself?
- What do you love to do?
- What would you do with your life today if you weren't afraid of failure?
- What's not working in your life?
- What are you currently doing that prevents you from experiencing joy?
- What's working in your life?
- Who's not working in your life?
- Who in your life is subtracting value from and adding misery to it?
- Can you fix any of these relationships, or should you let them go from your life?
- What relationships are working in your life?
- If we were getting together one year from today, what would have to happen for you to be able to tell me that you now have more joy in your life?
- What's the single most important thing you've learned about yourself as a result of answering these questions?
You'll find that by putting your answers down on paper, they'll become clear more quickly and the actions you need to take more obvious and easier to initiate.
Principle 3: Stop Judging Yourself
Be nicer to yourself in 2007. Many people talk to themselves in a way they would never accept from a stranger, friend, or loved one. If this describes you, try stopping the negative conversations you have with yourself immediately.
For one week, simply commit to saying "stop it" when you think a negative thought about yourself. If you're in the habit of saying negative things to yourself, you'll find this is one of the most difficult exercises you'll ever do. Carry a notepad with you and make a mark each time you catch yourself thinking negatively. You'll find that as the days go by, your negative thinking can quickly be reduced.
Principle 4: Stop Judging Others
It's hard to be joyful when you're always judging others. In fact, it's close to impossible. Judging others creates a huge amount of stress in our lives. It affects our marriages and our relationships with our kids as well as the way we relate to friends, co-workers, and society in general.
We're not here to judge one another.
The next time you find yourself upset at someone or some situation, catch yourself and ask, "Are you judging?" Judging others is often an unconscious habit. But it's a habit that can be changed the moment you decide to stop doing it.
Principle 5 : Pursue Fun with a Vengeance
It's OK to pursue fun. It's what children do. My greatest joy these days is the simple pleasure of playing with my three-year-old son, Jack.
This holiday season with Jack taught me the simple power of pursuing fun -- again and again. What was fun for Jack this Christmas? It turns out it wasn't the Big Wheel that my wife, Michelle, and I stayed up so late building on Christmas Eve. And it wasn't the Star Wars Lego toy (although he was pretty excited about that).
Instead, what Jack found the most fun was a new game I made up to keep him entertained. The game was called Geronimo -- and it involved Jack jumping from the bed onto a stack of pillows yelling "Geronimo!" This silly little game ended up bringing us both hours of fun. The price of the game: nothing. The fun: priceless. And the laughs? Endless.
Why do we stop pursing fun as we get older? Fun shouldn't be squeezed into a few weeks of vacation each year. And it shouldn't be squeezed into the last chapter of your life when you "get to" retire. Fun deserves to be a part of your life now -- in 2007.
But fun doesn't just happen. You have to make it a priority in your life or it'll go missing. Life's too short to not have it.
So here's to a fun, happy, and healthy New Year. Cheers!
~ this post courtosy of yahoo.comJanuary 02, 2007
Break Time
I have been a little down at work lately. And after a long talk with Logic last night, I've decided to try and change some things. Things within my day that might make a difference in my attitude. For one, I never take a break. Not sure why, but I never get around to leaving my desk. So I am choosing to not only leave my desk twice a day, but to also go outside - regardless of the weather.
I guess you could call this a New Years resolution, although an odd one. Who resolves to leave their work desk more?
Anyway, today being the first day of the rest of my life, I promptly got off my ass at 10:00 this morning and did a loop around the block. At 3:00 I stepped outside for the same loop when I was suddenly compelled to call my sister and brighten her day.
I dialed her number, and as soon as she answered the phone I broke in with the reason for my call. I kept things short and sweet. Only taking enough time to give her 2 reasons why I love her. She nearly started crying. I reminded her this was to cheer her up and then requested she call someone else and do the same thing.
It was a pretty great break. Maybe I'll do the same for someone else tomorrow.
I guess you could call this a New Years resolution, although an odd one. Who resolves to leave their work desk more?
Anyway, today being the first day of the rest of my life, I promptly got off my ass at 10:00 this morning and did a loop around the block. At 3:00 I stepped outside for the same loop when I was suddenly compelled to call my sister and brighten her day.
I dialed her number, and as soon as she answered the phone I broke in with the reason for my call. I kept things short and sweet. Only taking enough time to give her 2 reasons why I love her. She nearly started crying. I reminded her this was to cheer her up and then requested she call someone else and do the same thing.
It was a pretty great break. Maybe I'll do the same for someone else tomorrow.
December 28, 2006
Pay It Forward
Did you watch Oprah's season premiere this year? If you did, you saw that her yearly surprise was not to give cars to everyone in the audience. Instead she chose to 'pay it forward'. She gave everyone in her audience $1000 with the understanding that they would, in turn, give it to someone else.
Some people sat in grocery store parking lots and gave cash to strangers, others donated to their favorite cause. But even as I watched the show and saw how inspired some of the people were, I couldn't decide what I would do if given that opportunity.
Last night I figured it out.
Logic and I have had a movie sitting on our t.v. for a few weeks now. With all the renovation and family visits we haven't had time to relax and watch much of anything. But last night we finally sat down to watch An Inconvenient Truth.
If you haven't seen the movie, I would highly recommend it - regardless of your political affiliation. If you've seen it, I would highly recomment that you tell someone to see it.
If I had a thousand dollars to give away, I would buy 50 copies of that movie and give them to strangers. And hope that after they watched it, they would pass it along until everyone had seen it.
Some people sat in grocery store parking lots and gave cash to strangers, others donated to their favorite cause. But even as I watched the show and saw how inspired some of the people were, I couldn't decide what I would do if given that opportunity.
Last night I figured it out.
Logic and I have had a movie sitting on our t.v. for a few weeks now. With all the renovation and family visits we haven't had time to relax and watch much of anything. But last night we finally sat down to watch An Inconvenient Truth.
If you haven't seen the movie, I would highly recommend it - regardless of your political affiliation. If you've seen it, I would highly recomment that you tell someone to see it.
If I had a thousand dollars to give away, I would buy 50 copies of that movie and give them to strangers. And hope that after they watched it, they would pass it along until everyone had seen it.
December 27, 2006
New Years
I once heard that whomever you find yourself with on midnight of New Years Eve will be a significant person in your life throughout the following year. Since I consider myself somewhat superstitious (not sure I believe in superstitions, but try to follow them just in case they're real), I try to set my evening up accordingly.
In the past I haven't always been successful in being with the people I'd prefer to spend the next year with. There were times when hard partying got in the way. And others where geography was a problem. But this year I have the opportunity to spend the evening with Logic, Paige and her family and my parents.
I'm putting a lot of importance on being with all of them this New Year. Probably setting myself up for disappointment but hey, if the superstition isn't true at least I get to spend New Years Eve with some of my favorite people!
In the past I haven't always been successful in being with the people I'd prefer to spend the next year with. There were times when hard partying got in the way. And others where geography was a problem. But this year I have the opportunity to spend the evening with Logic, Paige and her family and my parents.
I'm putting a lot of importance on being with all of them this New Year. Probably setting myself up for disappointment but hey, if the superstition isn't true at least I get to spend New Years Eve with some of my favorite people!
December 26, 2006
No, My Husband Doesn't Beat Me. I Really Did Fall Down The Stairs.
It was Friday afternoon and we finally reached the rental car office. My dad and I were ascending the parking garage when sirens and lights started flashing. We parked on the 6th floor and as we stepped out of my car a loud voice came over the intercom: "an emergency has been reported. please evacuate the building immediately!"
We headed for the stairwell and hurried down the stairs. Lights were alternating colors and the sirens were still in full force. As we turned the corner near the 4th floor I misstepped and my left heel caught my right cuff. I searched for the railing. Nothing.
As I dove head-first down the flight of stairs I instinctively curled up and protected my head. In the moment I felt like a stunt double in an action-packed adventure. But when my body hit the landing I realized this was no movie.
My dad rushed down the stairs and helped me to my feet. We reached the street to find the entire block being evacuated. We saw a hotel a few blocks away and pushed through the crowd.
After reaching the hotel I made my way to the lady's room and stopped in front of the mirror. My knees were bleeding and I was already starting to bruise on my legs. I also had a small bump forming above my right eyebrow but other than that I seemed to be in good shape.
I finished cleaning up and returned to my dad. We left the hotel and saw that the parking garage was no longer on lock-down. We shuffled back up the street and rented our car.
It wasn't until I got home and saw my mom that I started to cry. The realization of what could have happened came rushing down my face.
We headed for the stairwell and hurried down the stairs. Lights were alternating colors and the sirens were still in full force. As we turned the corner near the 4th floor I misstepped and my left heel caught my right cuff. I searched for the railing. Nothing.
As I dove head-first down the flight of stairs I instinctively curled up and protected my head. In the moment I felt like a stunt double in an action-packed adventure. But when my body hit the landing I realized this was no movie.
My dad rushed down the stairs and helped me to my feet. We reached the street to find the entire block being evacuated. We saw a hotel a few blocks away and pushed through the crowd.
After reaching the hotel I made my way to the lady's room and stopped in front of the mirror. My knees were bleeding and I was already starting to bruise on my legs. I also had a small bump forming above my right eyebrow but other than that I seemed to be in good shape.
I finished cleaning up and returned to my dad. We left the hotel and saw that the parking garage was no longer on lock-down. We shuffled back up the street and rented our car.
It wasn't until I got home and saw my mom that I started to cry. The realization of what could have happened came rushing down my face.
December 22, 2006
Quirks
In the hopes that this blog will stir some creative juices, I've decided to copy Lachlan and list 6 of my quirks.
1) I have to close my closet door before I go to sleep. Otherwise, I will wake up and make boogy-monsters out of a coat, some skis and a box of books.
2) I like things to be symmetrical. As an example: if I do sit ups with my feet in the air and one leg is crossing the other, I have to stop halfway through and switch my legs.
3) I'm not sure where this one comes from ~ I prefer to do chores when no one else is around. I can't decide if it's because I don't want a critique or if I prefer to make it look effortless.
4) I often do ballet exercises in my living room when no one is around.
5) I like to steal clothes from my dad and wear them until they're rags.
6) I have a favorite spoon. Here's where it gets interesting: I refuse to use it everytime because I don't want to wear it out. But whenever I randomly pick it out of the drawer I get excited.
1) I have to close my closet door before I go to sleep. Otherwise, I will wake up and make boogy-monsters out of a coat, some skis and a box of books.
2) I like things to be symmetrical. As an example: if I do sit ups with my feet in the air and one leg is crossing the other, I have to stop halfway through and switch my legs.
3) I'm not sure where this one comes from ~ I prefer to do chores when no one else is around. I can't decide if it's because I don't want a critique or if I prefer to make it look effortless.
4) I often do ballet exercises in my living room when no one is around.
5) I like to steal clothes from my dad and wear them until they're rags.
6) I have a favorite spoon. Here's where it gets interesting: I refuse to use it everytime because I don't want to wear it out. But whenever I randomly pick it out of the drawer I get excited.
December 21, 2006
Backfire
Paige and I pride ourselves on giving good gifts. We slave over lists, the internet, and more lists until we're convinced that the recipient will be pleased with what we got for them.
We don't expect everyone else to work as dilligently as we do, but we expect some effort. And the idea of family members not getting gifts due to another's lack of initiative has led us to extend our efforts for other members of the family.
It wasn't until last year that we realized our other 2 sisters were taking advantage of the situation and waiting for us to do their shopping for them. This angered both of us and we decided not to help them out this year. With the exception of having them go in on one gift with me, I deliberately made sure to do the rest of my shopping with only me in mind. I thought I'd handled the situation rather well, even referring them to each other in the hopes that they'd work on things themselves.
But yesterday, as my Mom and I were in Pier One we received a call from not just one, but both holiday-shopping-impaired sisters asking mom to help them with their gift giving. And since Mom is in Seattle with me, I will be helping her help my sister's give gifts. How did this happen?
We don't expect everyone else to work as dilligently as we do, but we expect some effort. And the idea of family members not getting gifts due to another's lack of initiative has led us to extend our efforts for other members of the family.
It wasn't until last year that we realized our other 2 sisters were taking advantage of the situation and waiting for us to do their shopping for them. This angered both of us and we decided not to help them out this year. With the exception of having them go in on one gift with me, I deliberately made sure to do the rest of my shopping with only me in mind. I thought I'd handled the situation rather well, even referring them to each other in the hopes that they'd work on things themselves.
But yesterday, as my Mom and I were in Pier One we received a call from not just one, but both holiday-shopping-impaired sisters asking mom to help them with their gift giving. And since Mom is in Seattle with me, I will be helping her help my sister's give gifts. How did this happen?
December 19, 2006
What Upsets Me More Than Anything
I am a very empathetic person. I feel other people's emotions as if they were my own. This has been a burden all my life. And a great source of anxiety for me.
Recently I've been making a conscious effort to seperate myself from other people's emotions and to try and focus on what *I* am feeling. But today I had a relapse.
I'd been doing so well. On the drive home from work I could hear about Logic's stressful day without it affecting my mood. I could even read the news again without getting worked up. But when I spoke to my brother this morning I couldn't help but get upset.
To give you a little backstory, Kihl was adopted from Korea when he was 5. He witnessed his mother's death and remembers being abandoned by his father. Moving to America wasn't much easier. He grew up in a small town in Idaho where his peers thought it was funny to call him racial names.
I don't blame him for being edgy and closed off. But as much as I understand his resentment for what he went through, I get fed up when he decides to take it out on our parents.
Kihl is 10 years older than I am. He is a responsible person. He has a nice apartment close to downtown that is bigger than my condo. And yet he never offers to have our parents stay with him when they visit. In fact, in the 3 times they've been here, they haven't even seen his place. He typically stops by my place to say hi and occassionally takes our parents out to dinner. But that is the extent of it. So when my parents suggested coming to the Northwest for Christmas I immediately knew we would need to push our renovations into fast-forward.
I have no problem with that. I love having my parents around and cherish any time I get to spend with them. As the weeks turned into days and our cement flooring turned into maple, Logic and I got increasingly excited to show my parents all the work we've put into our place.
Since Kihl has Tuesdays off, the plan was to have him pick our parents up at the airport around 3:00. Logic and I would meet up with them at a restaurant downtown for a 7:oo reservation and then take them home with us afterward. This would give me time to work a few extra hours while they spent time with Kihl and Logic would be able to attend his office holiday party.
So when I received a call from Kihl this morning, I was expecting a brief update about our dinner reservation. But instead, he mentioned dropping our parents off at my condo straight from the airport. I honestly thought he was kidding because this is typical humor for him. But when my mom called from the San Francisco Airport to confirm that their next flight was on time she mentioned that she'd see me when I got home.
Surprised to hear that, I had to get confirmation from her that Kihl was serious about taking them to my empty condo. She reiterated his story, only with pain in her voice. I suggested that he may have been kidding, but if he wasn't that I'd leave work and head home to greet them.
Our phone call ended and I went back to work. Only I couldn't concentrate. My mom's voice kept repeating in my head. I could feel how upset she was. The kind of pain you feel when your child hurts you.
I called Logic because I was upset. Then he got upset. Not only did he hate the idea of them sitting at our place by themselves but he resented the fact that he'd worked so hard on our place and wasnt' even going to get the reward of seeing their faces when they got there. He asked that I call Kihl back and confirm the plans so we could make alternate arrangements if necessary.
So I called Kihl.
I said: "were you serious about dropping Mom and Dad off at my condo straight for the airport?" Kihl: "yeah. I thought they might like to relax and freshen up before dinner."
me: "you think our parents would rather sit in an empty condo than spend an afternoon with you? they came up here to see you too, you know?"
Kihl: "if you don't want me to take them to your place I won't."
me: "I don't want you to. But if you are too busy to spend time with them, you could drop them off at my office because I would be more than happy to hang out with them."
Kihl: "okay, well I'll figure something out."
me: "will you call me when you know what you're doing?"
Kihl: "okay, bye."
As I got off the phone, I could feel the tears welling up and my face getting hotter.
He can stand me up all he wants. Make an effort to spend the holidays with his girlfriend's family, and not ours. Whatever. But don't be a jerk to our parents.
Recently I've been making a conscious effort to seperate myself from other people's emotions and to try and focus on what *I* am feeling. But today I had a relapse.
I'd been doing so well. On the drive home from work I could hear about Logic's stressful day without it affecting my mood. I could even read the news again without getting worked up. But when I spoke to my brother this morning I couldn't help but get upset.
To give you a little backstory, Kihl was adopted from Korea when he was 5. He witnessed his mother's death and remembers being abandoned by his father. Moving to America wasn't much easier. He grew up in a small town in Idaho where his peers thought it was funny to call him racial names.
I don't blame him for being edgy and closed off. But as much as I understand his resentment for what he went through, I get fed up when he decides to take it out on our parents.
Kihl is 10 years older than I am. He is a responsible person. He has a nice apartment close to downtown that is bigger than my condo. And yet he never offers to have our parents stay with him when they visit. In fact, in the 3 times they've been here, they haven't even seen his place. He typically stops by my place to say hi and occassionally takes our parents out to dinner. But that is the extent of it. So when my parents suggested coming to the Northwest for Christmas I immediately knew we would need to push our renovations into fast-forward.
I have no problem with that. I love having my parents around and cherish any time I get to spend with them. As the weeks turned into days and our cement flooring turned into maple, Logic and I got increasingly excited to show my parents all the work we've put into our place.
Since Kihl has Tuesdays off, the plan was to have him pick our parents up at the airport around 3:00. Logic and I would meet up with them at a restaurant downtown for a 7:oo reservation and then take them home with us afterward. This would give me time to work a few extra hours while they spent time with Kihl and Logic would be able to attend his office holiday party.
So when I received a call from Kihl this morning, I was expecting a brief update about our dinner reservation. But instead, he mentioned dropping our parents off at my condo straight from the airport. I honestly thought he was kidding because this is typical humor for him. But when my mom called from the San Francisco Airport to confirm that their next flight was on time she mentioned that she'd see me when I got home.
Surprised to hear that, I had to get confirmation from her that Kihl was serious about taking them to my empty condo. She reiterated his story, only with pain in her voice. I suggested that he may have been kidding, but if he wasn't that I'd leave work and head home to greet them.
Our phone call ended and I went back to work. Only I couldn't concentrate. My mom's voice kept repeating in my head. I could feel how upset she was. The kind of pain you feel when your child hurts you.
I called Logic because I was upset. Then he got upset. Not only did he hate the idea of them sitting at our place by themselves but he resented the fact that he'd worked so hard on our place and wasnt' even going to get the reward of seeing their faces when they got there. He asked that I call Kihl back and confirm the plans so we could make alternate arrangements if necessary.
So I called Kihl.
I said: "were you serious about dropping Mom and Dad off at my condo straight for the airport?" Kihl: "yeah. I thought they might like to relax and freshen up before dinner."
me: "you think our parents would rather sit in an empty condo than spend an afternoon with you? they came up here to see you too, you know?"
Kihl: "if you don't want me to take them to your place I won't."
me: "I don't want you to. But if you are too busy to spend time with them, you could drop them off at my office because I would be more than happy to hang out with them."
Kihl: "okay, well I'll figure something out."
me: "will you call me when you know what you're doing?"
Kihl: "okay, bye."
As I got off the phone, I could feel the tears welling up and my face getting hotter.
He can stand me up all he wants. Make an effort to spend the holidays with his girlfriend's family, and not ours. Whatever. But don't be a jerk to our parents.
December 17, 2006
Suppose I Never Met You
Logic: Would I still have moved to Portland after high school? Would I still be out partying and on a path of self-destruction? How would I have learned about love? And how it feels to be respected? Would I have become a nanny and gone off to college right away? Would I (gasp) have stayed in Montana? (I don't think so... just being hypothetical, you know). Would we have met later on in life? And if so, would we have liked each other? Been in a position to be together?
I sure hope so. Thank you for being my husband.
Paige: I would have been 10 years younger than my closest sibling and could have virtually been raised as an only child. You were the reason I wanted to do and be. Your opinion mattered most to me. Who would I have looked up to if I didn't know you? Would my view of the world be the same? Afterall, because of you (and I guess, partially Tom) I was aware of the world, not just my corner of it, at a very young age. Would I be close to our family? The age seperation seems extreme without you to balance us out. Thank you for being my sister.
Renee: What would high school have been like? If you hadn't surprised me by coming by with your new car, would I have gotten out of my depression? Would I have continued to gain weight if you hadn't kept me so busy? Would I have ever dated Steve? Gone to Cecil's funeral? Met Daniel (with whom I am also still good friends with)? I'm glad I'll never know. Thank you for being my friend.
Kelly: I wouldn't be blogging today. You introduced me to blogging and reminded me how much I enjoy writing. Thank you.
I sure hope so. Thank you for being my husband.
Paige: I would have been 10 years younger than my closest sibling and could have virtually been raised as an only child. You were the reason I wanted to do and be. Your opinion mattered most to me. Who would I have looked up to if I didn't know you? Would my view of the world be the same? Afterall, because of you (and I guess, partially Tom) I was aware of the world, not just my corner of it, at a very young age. Would I be close to our family? The age seperation seems extreme without you to balance us out. Thank you for being my sister.
Renee: What would high school have been like? If you hadn't surprised me by coming by with your new car, would I have gotten out of my depression? Would I have continued to gain weight if you hadn't kept me so busy? Would I have ever dated Steve? Gone to Cecil's funeral? Met Daniel (with whom I am also still good friends with)? I'm glad I'll never know. Thank you for being my friend.
Kelly: I wouldn't be blogging today. You introduced me to blogging and reminded me how much I enjoy writing. Thank you.
The Best News I've Ever Heard
My parents are flying in on Tuesday and will be staying with Logic and I for 4 days. We live in a one bedroom condo that is approximately 650 square feet. It's a little "cozy" for the 2 of us, but we've grown accustomed to it and find that we really don't need any more space. That is, unless we have company.
We typically give our bedroom to whomever is staying with us so they can have some privacy and be somewhat isolated from our daily routines. My parents will refuse this. They will end up sleeping on our air mattress in the dining room.
The sleeping arrangements most likely won't affect them much. They wake at the crack of dawn and enjoy pampering their kids. I'm sure I'll wake up to fresh coffee, hot pancakes and newly starched clothing. Not to mention a good back scratch from my dad and a cheerful "good morning!" and a kiss on the forehead from my mom.
Even though they are the most accommodating people, I want to make sure they are comfortable. And due to a recent storm (which I'm sure you have heard about) I was concerned that they'd be sleeping in a corner next to our yet-to-be-installed kitchen sink and piles of maple flooring.
When the storm hit I wasn't so much concerned about having to eat jerky for a few days or huddling next to the fire, but how we were going to manage to get the house in order without our power tools. Our bedroom was still empty. No furniture, no flooring. And our kitchen didn't have any counters or (as I previously stated) a sink.
Luckily, Logic was able to install the counter before the power went out but the bedroom was still vacant. The power went out around 11:00 on Thursday night and reluctantly came back on Saturday afternoon. So for 2 days we sat in anticipation. Yesterday morning Logic finally had enough. He decided he would start to lay the maple in our bedroom and customize the panels by sawing them by hand. In the meantime, knowing I couldn't do much to help, I decided to go to the gym.
As I was walking down the street from my car I got a text message saying "POWER!".
That had to be the best news I've ever heard! I cannot tell you how relieved I was to know we still had a fighting chance of getting things done before Tuesday.
~ as a footnote: I did continue to remind myself that we were still very fortunate. Even without power, we had a roof over our heads and said roof did not have a tree in it.
We typically give our bedroom to whomever is staying with us so they can have some privacy and be somewhat isolated from our daily routines. My parents will refuse this. They will end up sleeping on our air mattress in the dining room.
The sleeping arrangements most likely won't affect them much. They wake at the crack of dawn and enjoy pampering their kids. I'm sure I'll wake up to fresh coffee, hot pancakes and newly starched clothing. Not to mention a good back scratch from my dad and a cheerful "good morning!" and a kiss on the forehead from my mom.
Even though they are the most accommodating people, I want to make sure they are comfortable. And due to a recent storm (which I'm sure you have heard about) I was concerned that they'd be sleeping in a corner next to our yet-to-be-installed kitchen sink and piles of maple flooring.
When the storm hit I wasn't so much concerned about having to eat jerky for a few days or huddling next to the fire, but how we were going to manage to get the house in order without our power tools. Our bedroom was still empty. No furniture, no flooring. And our kitchen didn't have any counters or (as I previously stated) a sink.
Luckily, Logic was able to install the counter before the power went out but the bedroom was still vacant. The power went out around 11:00 on Thursday night and reluctantly came back on Saturday afternoon. So for 2 days we sat in anticipation. Yesterday morning Logic finally had enough. He decided he would start to lay the maple in our bedroom and customize the panels by sawing them by hand. In the meantime, knowing I couldn't do much to help, I decided to go to the gym.
As I was walking down the street from my car I got a text message saying "POWER!".
That had to be the best news I've ever heard! I cannot tell you how relieved I was to know we still had a fighting chance of getting things done before Tuesday.
~ as a footnote: I did continue to remind myself that we were still very fortunate. Even without power, we had a roof over our heads and said roof did not have a tree in it.
Would You Believe?
Fark.com had a link to 2spare.com that outlined some very strange coincidences. These were some of my favorites:
Mark Twain was born on the day of the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1835, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910. He himself predicted this in 1909, when he said: "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it."
In 1979, the German magazine - Das Besteran - ran a writing competition. Readers sent in unusual stories, but they had to be based on true incidents. The winner, Walter Kellner of Munich, had his story published . He wrote about a time when he was flying a Cessna 421 between Sardinia and Sicily. He encountered engine trouble at sea, landed in the water, spent some time in an emergency dinghy and was then rescued. This story was spotted by an Austrian, also named Walter Kellner, who said that the German Kellner had plagiarized the story. The Austrian Kellner said that he had flown a Cessna 421 over the same sea, experienced engine trouble and was forced to land in Sardinia. It was essentially the same story, with a slightly different ending. The magazine checked both stories, and both turned out to be true, even though they were nearly identical.
On July 28th 1900, the King of Italy Umberto I was having dinner in a restaurant in the city of Monza. It turned out later that the restaurant's owner looked identical to the king. The restaurant owner's name was Umberto, his wife's name was the same as the queen's and the restaurant was opened on the same date as the king's inauguration. The Restaurant-owner Umberto was shot dead the next day. So was King Umberto.
On the 26th November, 1911, three men were hanged at Greenberry Hill in London after being convicted of the murder of Sir Edmund Berry. Their names were Green, Berry and Hill.
The British actor Anthony Hopkins [who shot to fame as Hannibal Lecter] was delighted to hear that he had landed a leading role in a film based on the book The Girl From Petrovka by George Feifer. A few days after signing the contract, Hopkins travelled to London to buy a copy of the book. He tried several bookshops, but there wasn't one to be had. Waiting at Leicester Square underground for his train home, he noticed a book apparently discarded on a bench. Incredibly, it was The Girl From Petrovka. That in itself would have been coincidence enough but in fact it was merely the beginning of an extraordinary chain of events. Two years later, in the middle of filming in Vienna, Hopkins was visited by George Feifer, the author. Feifer mentioned that he did not have a copy of his own book. He had lent the last one - containing his own annotations - to a friend who had lost it somewhere in London. With mounting astonishment, Hopkins handed Feifer the book he had found. 'Is this the one?' he asked, 'with the notes scribbled in the margins?' It was the same book.
A British officer, Major Summerford, while fighting in the fields of Flanders in February 1918 was knocked off his horse by a flash of lightning and paralyzed from the waist down. Summerford retired and moved to Vancouver. One day in 1924, as he fished alongside a river, lightning hit the tree he was sitting under and paralyzed his right side. Two years later Summerford was sufficiently recovered that he was able to take walks in a local park. He was walking there one summer day in 1930 when a lightning bolt smashed into him, permanently paralyzing him. He died two years later. But lightning sought him out one last time. Four years later, during a storm, lightning struck a cemetery and destroyed a tombstone. The deceased buried here? Major Summerford.
In 1899 a bolt of lightning killed a man as he stood in his backyard in Taranto, Italy.
Thirty years later his son was killed in the same way and in the same place.
On October 8, 1949, Rolla Primarda, the grandson of the first victim and the son of the second, became the third.
~thank you 2spare
Mark Twain was born on the day of the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1835, and died on the day of its next appearance in 1910. He himself predicted this in 1909, when he said: "I came in with Halley's Comet in 1835. It is coming again next year, and I expect to go out with it."
In 1979, the German magazine - Das Besteran - ran a writing competition. Readers sent in unusual stories, but they had to be based on true incidents. The winner, Walter Kellner of Munich, had his story published . He wrote about a time when he was flying a Cessna 421 between Sardinia and Sicily. He encountered engine trouble at sea, landed in the water, spent some time in an emergency dinghy and was then rescued. This story was spotted by an Austrian, also named Walter Kellner, who said that the German Kellner had plagiarized the story. The Austrian Kellner said that he had flown a Cessna 421 over the same sea, experienced engine trouble and was forced to land in Sardinia. It was essentially the same story, with a slightly different ending. The magazine checked both stories, and both turned out to be true, even though they were nearly identical.
On July 28th 1900, the King of Italy Umberto I was having dinner in a restaurant in the city of Monza. It turned out later that the restaurant's owner looked identical to the king. The restaurant owner's name was Umberto, his wife's name was the same as the queen's and the restaurant was opened on the same date as the king's inauguration. The Restaurant-owner Umberto was shot dead the next day. So was King Umberto.
On the 26th November, 1911, three men were hanged at Greenberry Hill in London after being convicted of the murder of Sir Edmund Berry. Their names were Green, Berry and Hill.
The British actor Anthony Hopkins [who shot to fame as Hannibal Lecter] was delighted to hear that he had landed a leading role in a film based on the book The Girl From Petrovka by George Feifer. A few days after signing the contract, Hopkins travelled to London to buy a copy of the book. He tried several bookshops, but there wasn't one to be had. Waiting at Leicester Square underground for his train home, he noticed a book apparently discarded on a bench. Incredibly, it was The Girl From Petrovka. That in itself would have been coincidence enough but in fact it was merely the beginning of an extraordinary chain of events. Two years later, in the middle of filming in Vienna, Hopkins was visited by George Feifer, the author. Feifer mentioned that he did not have a copy of his own book. He had lent the last one - containing his own annotations - to a friend who had lost it somewhere in London. With mounting astonishment, Hopkins handed Feifer the book he had found. 'Is this the one?' he asked, 'with the notes scribbled in the margins?' It was the same book.
A British officer, Major Summerford, while fighting in the fields of Flanders in February 1918 was knocked off his horse by a flash of lightning and paralyzed from the waist down. Summerford retired and moved to Vancouver. One day in 1924, as he fished alongside a river, lightning hit the tree he was sitting under and paralyzed his right side. Two years later Summerford was sufficiently recovered that he was able to take walks in a local park. He was walking there one summer day in 1930 when a lightning bolt smashed into him, permanently paralyzing him. He died two years later. But lightning sought him out one last time. Four years later, during a storm, lightning struck a cemetery and destroyed a tombstone. The deceased buried here? Major Summerford.
In 1899 a bolt of lightning killed a man as he stood in his backyard in Taranto, Italy.
Thirty years later his son was killed in the same way and in the same place.
On October 8, 1949, Rolla Primarda, the grandson of the first victim and the son of the second, became the third.
~thank you 2spare
December 14, 2006
Highway to Heaven
There was a show called Highway to Heaven that was on in the mid-80s. It featured Michael Landon and Victor French as best friends who solved people's problems. Oh yeah, and Michael's character was an angel.
This was one of my favorite shows. I even thought about buying the dvds recently but decided the show is better in my memory. (I have a feeling I wouldn't like it too much if I saw it now.)
But like I said, I loved that show! I can remember most of the epidodes. There was one where a family adopted a child from Asia only to later discover she was biologically linked to her adoptive father. The show focused on racial differences and dealing with prejudice.
This was the basis for most of the shows. It was like an After School Special on crack (wait! that's the tagline for Strangers with Candy. Nevermind.) There was always a lesson in the show. Either I'd learn about overcoming racism or what it would be like for a man to inhabit a woman's body (I don't lie). But the episode that sticks out most in my mind is when Johnathon (Landon's character) and Mark(French's character) were helping an elderly woman. She was having hysterical fits - claiming to have a snake in her toilet. Only, whenever someone came over to look for a snake they couldn't find anything.
Well, there's a scene where Victor's character is calming her down after she claims to see the snake and he has his back to the toilet. Something catches his eye and he turns around to see the snake slithering out of the toilet toward him.
I must have been about 6 when I saw that episode. It was the kind of show that my parents approved of because of it's religious base but I don't think they anticipated the kind of fear that epidosde would evoke.
For months afterward I would refuse to go to the bathroom by myself. At first my family appeased me but after a while no one was willing to follow me into the bathroom just to make sure a snake wasn't in the toilet. So I had to resort to other means of protection. Like constantly stopping to jump up and look in the toilet. Eventually I calmed down and only turned around occasionally to make sure the coast was still clear. But this fear stuck with me for years.
I even did research on the subject. I learned that snakes have been known to get into septic tanks in rural areas but that the odds of having a snake getting in your toilet are very slim. This only alliviated my fears slightly. After all, I go camping a good deal and have been known to visit Montana. But for the most part, this fear is no longer a part of my daily life.
Then I read this.
This was one of my favorite shows. I even thought about buying the dvds recently but decided the show is better in my memory. (I have a feeling I wouldn't like it too much if I saw it now.)
But like I said, I loved that show! I can remember most of the epidodes. There was one where a family adopted a child from Asia only to later discover she was biologically linked to her adoptive father. The show focused on racial differences and dealing with prejudice.
This was the basis for most of the shows. It was like an After School Special on crack (wait! that's the tagline for Strangers with Candy. Nevermind.) There was always a lesson in the show. Either I'd learn about overcoming racism or what it would be like for a man to inhabit a woman's body (I don't lie). But the episode that sticks out most in my mind is when Johnathon (Landon's character) and Mark(French's character) were helping an elderly woman. She was having hysterical fits - claiming to have a snake in her toilet. Only, whenever someone came over to look for a snake they couldn't find anything.
Well, there's a scene where Victor's character is calming her down after she claims to see the snake and he has his back to the toilet. Something catches his eye and he turns around to see the snake slithering out of the toilet toward him.
I must have been about 6 when I saw that episode. It was the kind of show that my parents approved of because of it's religious base but I don't think they anticipated the kind of fear that epidosde would evoke.
For months afterward I would refuse to go to the bathroom by myself. At first my family appeased me but after a while no one was willing to follow me into the bathroom just to make sure a snake wasn't in the toilet. So I had to resort to other means of protection. Like constantly stopping to jump up and look in the toilet. Eventually I calmed down and only turned around occasionally to make sure the coast was still clear. But this fear stuck with me for years.
I even did research on the subject. I learned that snakes have been known to get into septic tanks in rural areas but that the odds of having a snake getting in your toilet are very slim. This only alliviated my fears slightly. After all, I go camping a good deal and have been known to visit Montana. But for the most part, this fear is no longer a part of my daily life.
Then I read this.
Sentimental
A scent in the air. A song. The taste of something. All these things can trigger memories. One small thing can bring me right back to a time and place I've been before.
Today I am wearing a lush wool scarf that probably weighs 5 pounds. It's a mixture of caramel and cream and has tassles at the bottom. It is the thickest, longest scarf I have ever seen and it keeps me as warm as a sweater.
I get a lot of compliments on it. Either because people can tell that it was made by hand or because they wish they were as warm. But when I see this scarf it takes me back to living in Jacksonville. Yes, this scarf reminds me of Florida. And here's why:
I was working at Citibank. My cube was in a large room with about 50 other employees. The cube walls were low so I could see people from aisles away. During the early morning or the late evening (depending on which shift I was working) I could talk to Jaime about her cartoon drawings or to Donna about her daughter's wedding. I made some friends there, all of whom I learned a lot from but it wasn't everyday that someone went out of their way to show me they cared too.
I was preparing for a holiday trip to Oregon and thought it would be fun to knit a scarf for myself. I brought the yarn into work one morning and as I tried to follow the instructions and loop the yarn I was brutally reminded that I am not crafty. I tried and tried again with no luck. Finally, after about 20 minutes of pretending I gave up.
Donna noticed that I was having difficulty and we started talking about knitting. She was a typical grandma in the sense that she liked to nurture and spent much of her time doing things for others. She could sense my frustration and offered to make my scarf for me.
Looking back I should have put up more of a fight. Her gesture was a big one. She must have spent a week straight working on that scarf. When she brought it into work I hope the look on my face showed her how much I appreciated it. It was the most beautiful scard I'd ever seen.
Today I am wearing a lush wool scarf that probably weighs 5 pounds. It's a mixture of caramel and cream and has tassles at the bottom. It is the thickest, longest scarf I have ever seen and it keeps me as warm as a sweater.
I get a lot of compliments on it. Either because people can tell that it was made by hand or because they wish they were as warm. But when I see this scarf it takes me back to living in Jacksonville. Yes, this scarf reminds me of Florida. And here's why:
I was working at Citibank. My cube was in a large room with about 50 other employees. The cube walls were low so I could see people from aisles away. During the early morning or the late evening (depending on which shift I was working) I could talk to Jaime about her cartoon drawings or to Donna about her daughter's wedding. I made some friends there, all of whom I learned a lot from but it wasn't everyday that someone went out of their way to show me they cared too.
I was preparing for a holiday trip to Oregon and thought it would be fun to knit a scarf for myself. I brought the yarn into work one morning and as I tried to follow the instructions and loop the yarn I was brutally reminded that I am not crafty. I tried and tried again with no luck. Finally, after about 20 minutes of pretending I gave up.
Donna noticed that I was having difficulty and we started talking about knitting. She was a typical grandma in the sense that she liked to nurture and spent much of her time doing things for others. She could sense my frustration and offered to make my scarf for me.
Looking back I should have put up more of a fight. Her gesture was a big one. She must have spent a week straight working on that scarf. When she brought it into work I hope the look on my face showed her how much I appreciated it. It was the most beautiful scard I'd ever seen.
December 11, 2006
33 Names of Things You Never Knew had Names
- AGLET - The plain or ornamental covering on the end of a shoelace.
- ARMSAYE - The armhole in clothing.
- CHANKING - Spat-out food, such as rinds or pits.
- COLUMELLA NASI - The bottom part of the nose between the nostrils.
- DRAGÉES - Small beadlike pieces of candy, usually silver-coloured, used for decorating cookies, cakes and sundaes.
- FEAT - A dangling curl of hair.
- FERRULE - The metal band on a pencil that holds the eraser in place.
- HARP - The small metal hoop that supports a lampshade.
- HEMIDEMISEMIQUAVER - A 64th note. (A 32nd is a demisemiquaver, and a 16th note is a semiquaver.)
- JARNS,
- NITTLES,
- GRAWLIX,
- and QUIMP - Various squiggles used to denote cussing in comic books.
- KEEPER - The loop on a belt that keeps the end in place after it has passed through the buckle.
- KICK or PUNT - The indentation at the bottom of some wine bottles. It gives added strength to the bottle but lessens its holding capacity.
- LIRIPIPE - The long tail on a graduate's academic hood.
- MINIMUS - The little finger or toe.
- NEF - An ornamental stand in the shape of a ship.
- OBDORMITION - The numbness caused by pressure on a nerve; when a limb is `asleep'.
- OCTOTHORPE - The symbol `#' on a telephone handset. Bell Labs' engineer Don Macpherson created the word in the 1960s by combining octo-, as in eight, with the name of one of his favourite athletes, 1912 Olympic decathlon champion Jim Thorpe.
- OPHRYON - The space between the eyebrows on a line with the top of the eye sockets.
- PEEN - The end of a hammer head opposite the striking face.
- PHOSPHENES - The lights you see when you close your eyes hard. Technically the luminous impressions are due to the excitation of the retina caused by pressure on the eyeball.
- PURLICUE - The space between the thumb and extended forefinger.
- RASCETA - Creases on the inside of the wrist.
- ROWEL - The revolving star on the back of a cowboy's spurs.
- SADDLE - The rounded part on the top of a matchbook.
- SCROOP - The rustle of silk.
- SNORKEL BOX - A mailbox with a protruding receiver to allow people to deposit mail without leaving their cars.
- SPRAINTS - Otter dung.
- TANG - The projecting prong on a tool or instrument.
- WAMBLE - Stomach rumbling.
- ZARF - A holder for a handleless coffee cup.
December 10, 2006
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Here I am at work on my day off. The guilt of not helping my "team" during the holiday and not doing enough around the house while Logic slaves over new countertops and flooring forced me to get off my lazy ass and come in for a few hours today.
I'm not happy about it. I know I'm just making it harder on myself since I'm already burnt out. And yet I'm here. It's only been 2 hours but I feel like I've been here all day. Guess 3 hours will be my limit today.
I still have so much I want to do today. I need to hit the gym after this. Not only for my mental sanity but to burn off some work-related aggression. Then I need to get some holiday shopping done. Which unfortunately means I'll be entering the mouth of the beast (aka the mall) to find a few last-minute things. And after that, I have to head home and do laundry so I have something to wear tomorrow.
This Sunday blows.
I'm not happy about it. I know I'm just making it harder on myself since I'm already burnt out. And yet I'm here. It's only been 2 hours but I feel like I've been here all day. Guess 3 hours will be my limit today.
I still have so much I want to do today. I need to hit the gym after this. Not only for my mental sanity but to burn off some work-related aggression. Then I need to get some holiday shopping done. Which unfortunately means I'll be entering the mouth of the beast (aka the mall) to find a few last-minute things. And after that, I have to head home and do laundry so I have something to wear tomorrow.
This Sunday blows.
December 08, 2006
Underneath My Keyboard
Does your keyboard look like this?
Mine wishes it was that clean. Being the multi-tasker that I am, I tend to eat at my desk while I work. This has led to a keyboard tray filled with powdered sugar, parmesan cheese, and bread crumbs. And I just cleaned it a few weeks ago. I'm a disgusting eater!
December 07, 2006
Holiday OT
I'm sneaky and I didn't even realize it.
My boss asked me to "volunteer" for some overtime this week so I offered up 2 extra hours tomorrow, knowing that Logic had the afternoon off and carpooling wouldn't be an issue.
All morning I've been psyching myself up for a long day tomorrow. Thinking of different things I can do to get myself through the day. Then I received an email reminding me of our team's Happy Hour tomorrow at 4:00.
I giggled conspiratorally. Tomorrow won't be so bad afterall.
My boss asked me to "volunteer" for some overtime this week so I offered up 2 extra hours tomorrow, knowing that Logic had the afternoon off and carpooling wouldn't be an issue.
All morning I've been psyching myself up for a long day tomorrow. Thinking of different things I can do to get myself through the day. Then I received an email reminding me of our team's Happy Hour tomorrow at 4:00.
I giggled conspiratorally. Tomorrow won't be so bad afterall.
December 06, 2006
Group Outting
Last month I received an email from my boss asking me to organize a function for my office. Since I used to be the Event Coordinator at Buca di Beppo (for a total of four months) I thought I'd set up dinner there and have everyone walk over to Jillian's Pool Hall afterward.
The event was last night and everything went according to plan. Dinner was good and conversation was fun. I learned a lot about my co-workers (like that my boss's name is Jason. Who knew?) and that I'm a pretty good air-hockey player. But mostly, I learned that the people I work with aren't as foreign to me as I'd thought.
Being in the tech industry often times leaves me feeling insecure about my computer-related knowledge and my lack of desire to remain in this field for life. But last night proved to me that a lot of people are here for the same reason I am - it's stable. Everyone has a passion and last night I got to see that. Being reassured of that motivated me to focus more of my energy on my passions. This blog being one of them.
The event was last night and everything went according to plan. Dinner was good and conversation was fun. I learned a lot about my co-workers (like that my boss's name is Jason. Who knew?) and that I'm a pretty good air-hockey player. But mostly, I learned that the people I work with aren't as foreign to me as I'd thought.
Being in the tech industry often times leaves me feeling insecure about my computer-related knowledge and my lack of desire to remain in this field for life. But last night proved to me that a lot of people are here for the same reason I am - it's stable. Everyone has a passion and last night I got to see that. Being reassured of that motivated me to focus more of my energy on my passions. This blog being one of them.
December 05, 2006
Lilikoi
Tomorrow is a very tumultuous day in the history of Amaya. It's the day my dear friend Lilikoi got married. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE her husband and am so happy for them. But 3 years ago, as she was preparing to walk down the aisle, I was no where to be found. You see, she had flown from Hawaii to Florida for my wedding only a few months prior but due to some complications I wasn't able to make it to hers.
I had a very tough decision to make. Should I fly to Hawaii for one of my best friend's weddings? Or to Oregon to meet my new neice? Ultimately, I chose Oregon. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but I stick by it. Allison has become such a huge part of my heart and I am so grateful to have been there right after she was born.
Even though I have my neice's birthday to celebrate, this time of year makes me sad because I am reminded that I missed Lili's wedding. It wasn't only the day that I missed out on, but the months leading up to and after. Her feelings were so hurt when I told her I wouldn't be coming. So hurt because she thought I didn't put the same priority on our friendship that she'd did. We didn't talk for over a year.
I continued to email/write/call her but to no avail. I guess my persistance was an attempt to show her that she was (is) so important to me and that I wasn't willing to give up.
6 months after her wedding, as Logic and I were preparing to move across the country I wrote her a long letter telling her how important she still was to me and that I would continue to let her know what's going on in my life. A few months after that, I got a reply.
It was one of the happiest days of my life. That letter was the first step in resurrecting an important relationship that I hold very dear to my heart. And everytime she emails/writes/calls me, it's as if I'm getting that reply all over again.
~lili, I am so grateful for your friendship. And I will always regret not being there for your wedding. I love you and I hope you have a very Happy Anniversary this Thursday.
I had a very tough decision to make. Should I fly to Hawaii for one of my best friend's weddings? Or to Oregon to meet my new neice? Ultimately, I chose Oregon. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but I stick by it. Allison has become such a huge part of my heart and I am so grateful to have been there right after she was born.
Even though I have my neice's birthday to celebrate, this time of year makes me sad because I am reminded that I missed Lili's wedding. It wasn't only the day that I missed out on, but the months leading up to and after. Her feelings were so hurt when I told her I wouldn't be coming. So hurt because she thought I didn't put the same priority on our friendship that she'd did. We didn't talk for over a year.
I continued to email/write/call her but to no avail. I guess my persistance was an attempt to show her that she was (is) so important to me and that I wasn't willing to give up.
6 months after her wedding, as Logic and I were preparing to move across the country I wrote her a long letter telling her how important she still was to me and that I would continue to let her know what's going on in my life. A few months after that, I got a reply.
It was one of the happiest days of my life. That letter was the first step in resurrecting an important relationship that I hold very dear to my heart. And everytime she emails/writes/calls me, it's as if I'm getting that reply all over again.
~lili, I am so grateful for your friendship. And I will always regret not being there for your wedding. I love you and I hope you have a very Happy Anniversary this Thursday.
December 04, 2006
Against the Flow
In the last few years I've felt a shift. A shift in my priorities, beliefs and goals. It's because of this shift that I find myself going against the flow this time of year.
I no longer find comfort in the holiday season. I partially blame cnn for that. It's hard to appreciate unwarranted, highly expensive "wants" when the other 2/3's of the world are fighting for fresh water. Anderson Cooper isn't helping this isse - I find him fascinating and his editorials across the sea have opened my eyes to a lot of the world's problems.
But it isn't just the global issue that has me weary of Christmas. My religious beliefs have changed and that leaves me feeling empty and confused this time of year. And what's worse is that most American's, regardless of their religious standpoint, spend Christmas focusing on gifts. So even if I don't believe in Christ I'm expected to buy gifts for family and friends. Which leads me to wonder 'for what'? Sure, I want to show my loved ones that I care for them. But do I really need to max out my credit card to do that? And on top of that, most of my family is very religious so I find this season to be one of explainations and misunderstandings.
Things would be much easier if I just didn't care. But I find myself getting worked up over this. Not to say that I am selfish and don't like to buy things for the people I love, but I just don't want to spend all of my money on expected gifts for a season I don't believe in. I'd much rather be putting that money somewhere else - like donating it to a charity I support, or saving up for a new car, or being able to finish renovations on my house.
I get so stressed out during the Christmas season. How do I prioritize my life, stand by my beliefs, and reach my goals when I can't even stand up for myself? What would Jesus do?
I no longer find comfort in the holiday season. I partially blame cnn for that. It's hard to appreciate unwarranted, highly expensive "wants" when the other 2/3's of the world are fighting for fresh water. Anderson Cooper isn't helping this isse - I find him fascinating and his editorials across the sea have opened my eyes to a lot of the world's problems.
But it isn't just the global issue that has me weary of Christmas. My religious beliefs have changed and that leaves me feeling empty and confused this time of year. And what's worse is that most American's, regardless of their religious standpoint, spend Christmas focusing on gifts. So even if I don't believe in Christ I'm expected to buy gifts for family and friends. Which leads me to wonder 'for what'? Sure, I want to show my loved ones that I care for them. But do I really need to max out my credit card to do that? And on top of that, most of my family is very religious so I find this season to be one of explainations and misunderstandings.
Things would be much easier if I just didn't care. But I find myself getting worked up over this. Not to say that I am selfish and don't like to buy things for the people I love, but I just don't want to spend all of my money on expected gifts for a season I don't believe in. I'd much rather be putting that money somewhere else - like donating it to a charity I support, or saving up for a new car, or being able to finish renovations on my house.
I get so stressed out during the Christmas season. How do I prioritize my life, stand by my beliefs, and reach my goals when I can't even stand up for myself? What would Jesus do?
December 01, 2006
Dear Allison
I'm sorry I won't be coming to your house this weekend. I really wanted to spend your 3rd birthday with you. You are one of my favorite people and I always love playing with you.
It just wasn't in the cards for me to come. Besides the car trouble I've dealt with this week, I'm also feeling stressed out about the holiday season and getting my condo back together before Grandma and Grandpa come. On top of that, we might get another snow storm tonight and I'm not comfortable driving my problem-ridden car to your house.
But please know that I'll be thinking of you often this weekend. And I'll try to call you tomorrow so we can talk.
I sure do love you! Have a very Happy Birthday!
Love, Your Auntie
It just wasn't in the cards for me to come. Besides the car trouble I've dealt with this week, I'm also feeling stressed out about the holiday season and getting my condo back together before Grandma and Grandpa come. On top of that, we might get another snow storm tonight and I'm not comfortable driving my problem-ridden car to your house.
But please know that I'll be thinking of you often this weekend. And I'll try to call you tomorrow so we can talk.
I sure do love you! Have a very Happy Birthday!
Love, Your Auntie
November 30, 2006
PomaPoopoo
I just tried pomegranate juice for the first time. letmetellyou that shit is nasty! If I'd wanted prune juice I would have bought prune juice. This is complete trickery on the part of the juice makers!!
November 29, 2006
Bad Judgement
Halfway through my second doughnut I knew I was going to regret it.
Why did I finish eating it?
Why did I finish eating it?
Wednesday Schmidnesday
I'm done with Wednesday. It just gets in the way of the weekend. Always slowing my week down. I think it might be my least favorite day of the week. Yes, even worse than Monday.
Monday still has lingering memories of the weekend. And I'm usually asleep until noon on Mondays anyway, so it's really like having a half day.
Tuesday is fairly nice. It's that wonderful day that verifies you made it safely through Monday. An indication that you are one step closer to freedom.
But Wednesday might as well be Monday itself. "Oh, I'm hump day, oh". That's basically like telling me that to get past Wednesday I need to climb a large hill. Tuesday didn't make me exercise. Where does Wednesday get off telling me what to do?
~for the record, I enjoy Thursday a great deal. It's gone down in stature since the departure of FRIENDS but at least I have Grey's Anatomy to look forward to.
And who doesn't like Friday? You'd have to be silly to pick on Friday.
Monday still has lingering memories of the weekend. And I'm usually asleep until noon on Mondays anyway, so it's really like having a half day.
Tuesday is fairly nice. It's that wonderful day that verifies you made it safely through Monday. An indication that you are one step closer to freedom.
But Wednesday might as well be Monday itself. "Oh, I'm hump day, oh". That's basically like telling me that to get past Wednesday I need to climb a large hill. Tuesday didn't make me exercise. Where does Wednesday get off telling me what to do?
~for the record, I enjoy Thursday a great deal. It's gone down in stature since the departure of FRIENDS but at least I have Grey's Anatomy to look forward to.
And who doesn't like Friday? You'd have to be silly to pick on Friday.
November 28, 2006
The Nine
I'm sad to report one of my new favorite shows "The Nine" has been cancelled due to poor ratings. Only slightly less upsetting is the cancellation of "6 Degrees". I thought both of these shows were smart and entertaining. But who am I to judge? I liked Arrested Development.
If You Have Difficulty Breathing or Your Eyes Puff Up...
Please come back and see us.
This is what the nurse told me after I received my flu shot this morning. Nothing like adding a little anxiety to the flu season.
This is what the nurse told me after I received my flu shot this morning. Nothing like adding a little anxiety to the flu season.
November 25, 2006
November 24, 2006
My Wednesday Adventure
After working late on Tuesday I figured I deserved to leave early on Wednesday and take a trip to the gym. My friend, Daniel planned to meet me in front of the cardio machines at 3:30 and we'd work out until Logic got off work at 5:00. So I left the office at 3:00 and walked down the block to the bus stop.
As I reached the sidewalk I saw a bus approaching and thought to myself, "eh, no need to rush, I have a half hour to get there." I would mosey to the stop and wait another 20 minutes for a bus. When one would finally arrive, half the inhabitants of Seattle would get on with me. And the rest of Seattle would get on at the next stop.
This posed a problem for people at future stops. Our driver would stop long enough to tell people we were full and see if anyone needed to get off. When we finally got near the gym I leaned over and pressed the signal to get off at the next stop. The gentleman next to me noticed I would be trying to get off and awkwardly smiled. I replied with "this should be fun."
My stop came and went. The busdriver drove right past it. Even with the signal on. Now, normally this wouldn't be a big deal but my stop happened to be the last stop in Seattle. I hitched a ride through town on an express bus to Lynnwood so by missing the stop I was left no choice but to take the scenic and holiday-weekend-gridlock-filled trip to a suburb 15 miles north of Seattle.
The man next to me kept me distracted by talking about the downfall of public transit as we slowly lurched to my new and unplanned destination. 40 minutes later we would arrive at the Lynnwood Park and Ride and I would make my way to the driver. After explaining what happened (in a very polite manner, I might add) the asshole managed to direct me to another platform so I could get back to the city without even apologizing or making eye contact! Once off the bus I waited another 10 minutes for my return transit to arrive. By the time I got off the bus in Seattle it was after 5.
Since Logic had been off work for a while (his boss ended up surprising him by letting everyone leave at 3:30), he chose to hang out at a local bar instead of driving home just to drive back into the city and get me. (He actually offered to come get me in Lynnwood, but because of traffic I knew his efforts would be in vain.)
I finally met up with him at our car around 5:30 and drove home. What a weird day.
As I reached the sidewalk I saw a bus approaching and thought to myself, "eh, no need to rush, I have a half hour to get there." I would mosey to the stop and wait another 20 minutes for a bus. When one would finally arrive, half the inhabitants of Seattle would get on with me. And the rest of Seattle would get on at the next stop.
This posed a problem for people at future stops. Our driver would stop long enough to tell people we were full and see if anyone needed to get off. When we finally got near the gym I leaned over and pressed the signal to get off at the next stop. The gentleman next to me noticed I would be trying to get off and awkwardly smiled. I replied with "this should be fun."
My stop came and went. The busdriver drove right past it. Even with the signal on. Now, normally this wouldn't be a big deal but my stop happened to be the last stop in Seattle. I hitched a ride through town on an express bus to Lynnwood so by missing the stop I was left no choice but to take the scenic and holiday-weekend-gridlock-filled trip to a suburb 15 miles north of Seattle.
The man next to me kept me distracted by talking about the downfall of public transit as we slowly lurched to my new and unplanned destination. 40 minutes later we would arrive at the Lynnwood Park and Ride and I would make my way to the driver. After explaining what happened (in a very polite manner, I might add) the asshole managed to direct me to another platform so I could get back to the city without even apologizing or making eye contact! Once off the bus I waited another 10 minutes for my return transit to arrive. By the time I got off the bus in Seattle it was after 5.
Since Logic had been off work for a while (his boss ended up surprising him by letting everyone leave at 3:30), he chose to hang out at a local bar instead of driving home just to drive back into the city and get me. (He actually offered to come get me in Lynnwood, but because of traffic I knew his efforts would be in vain.)
I finally met up with him at our car around 5:30 and drove home. What a weird day.
The Meaning of Thanksgiving
Now, I'm sure some of you think you know what the meaning of Thanksgiving is. Pilgrims and Native Americans. Yada, yada, yada. But I'm here to tell you that the TRUE meaning of Thanksgiving comes in the shape of a football. A Detroit Lions football, to be exact. At least, this is the reason my family celebrates turkey day.
As my father has explained many times over, the last Thursday in November is our way of giving thanks for the game Detroit hosts every year (since 1934). He does a much better job of explaining it but the basic gist is that we throw a feast in the hopes that the Lions will actually win a game.
So every year, he gets up early and prepares the sacrificial turkey. We all slave away in the kitchen making side dishes and desserts. All in the hopes that we'll have reason to celebrate. Our cooking half-time occurs when the game starts. We sit in anticipation. Hoping the Turkey Gods will smile on us for our contribution.
Most of the time, we end up eating our meal around a sad, quiet table of mourning fans. But on the rare occasion that the Lions win - we have one hell of a party. Regardless of whether we win or lose, we will go on. And we will continue to cheer for the Detroit Lions.
As my father has explained many times over, the last Thursday in November is our way of giving thanks for the game Detroit hosts every year (since 1934). He does a much better job of explaining it but the basic gist is that we throw a feast in the hopes that the Lions will actually win a game.
So every year, he gets up early and prepares the sacrificial turkey. We all slave away in the kitchen making side dishes and desserts. All in the hopes that we'll have reason to celebrate. Our cooking half-time occurs when the game starts. We sit in anticipation. Hoping the Turkey Gods will smile on us for our contribution.
Most of the time, we end up eating our meal around a sad, quiet table of mourning fans. But on the rare occasion that the Lions win - we have one hell of a party. Regardless of whether we win or lose, we will go on. And we will continue to cheer for the Detroit Lions.
November 22, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving
This year has been busy for Logic and I. Besides the renovation, we've traveled around the northwest quite a bit. Seeing family mostly. I couldn't think of a better way to spend my time, and yet I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving at home - just the 2 of us.
I'm not sure what we'll spend the day doing. Possibly cooking (or as Logic joked this morning - driving to Denny's), possibly working on the floors or, if we can detach ourselves from the mess that we call a home, lounging around.
Regardless of what we choose to do, I will be thankful to share a cozy day inside with Logic.
What are you thankful for?
I'm not sure what we'll spend the day doing. Possibly cooking (or as Logic joked this morning - driving to Denny's), possibly working on the floors or, if we can detach ourselves from the mess that we call a home, lounging around.
Regardless of what we choose to do, I will be thankful to share a cozy day inside with Logic.
What are you thankful for?
November 21, 2006
Recommended Usage
I'm guessing a vitamin would not help maintain my health if I choked on it.
(Insert image of Amaya popping a vitamin C in her mouth as she hums "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down" followed by loud hacking noises.)
Amaya's Obituary:
Death by Vitamin
(Insert image of Amaya popping a vitamin C in her mouth as she hums "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down" followed by loud hacking noises.)
Amaya's Obituary:
Death by Vitamin
Arrested Development
Tobias Fünke: [footage of Tobias trying on a Speedo with his cut-offs on] Excuse me, do these effectively hide my thunder?
- I received all three seasons of Arrested Development on dvd today!
- I received all three seasons of Arrested Development on dvd today!
November 20, 2006
Here I Am
Just got back from a long weekend at the Oregon Coast. There was shopping, walking along the beach, getting caught by a sneaker wave, scaring the poodle, relaxing in front of the fire, exploring tide pools and eating fresh seafood.
I took entirely too many pictures of the ocean. I'll sift through the mediocrity and include one soon.
I took entirely too many pictures of the ocean. I'll sift through the mediocrity and include one soon.
November 16, 2006
Don't Forget To Vote
No, I'm not in a time warp. I realize the election was over a week ago. I'm referring to this.
I'm enjoying the process of researching each location and then voting on which 7 wonders should be the new Wonders of the World.
I do find it amusing that Petra is in the same category with the Statue of Liberty though. Don't let my opinion sway you.. I just thought it was a silly.
I'm enjoying the process of researching each location and then voting on which 7 wonders should be the new Wonders of the World.
I do find it amusing that Petra is in the same category with the Statue of Liberty though. Don't let my opinion sway you.. I just thought it was a silly.
November 15, 2006
On the Edge of Your Seat
You poor things!
I ask for suggestions regarding my brother-in-law's birthday gift and then I leave you hanging. Just waiting around to hear what I decided.
Well, here it is -
I got him a dress shirt. I know, very exciting.
I'm also getting him some of his favorite candy. Does that make it more interesting?
I ask for suggestions regarding my brother-in-law's birthday gift and then I leave you hanging. Just waiting around to hear what I decided.
Well, here it is -
I got him a dress shirt. I know, very exciting.
I'm also getting him some of his favorite candy. Does that make it more interesting?
The Kitchen
Our renovation has reached a milestone!
We are still months and months from completion, but Logic finished the hardwood floors in the kitchen on Monday night and we were able to finally install our new appliances last night!
Once the computer agrees to download pictures again I'll be sure to show some (and pics of the babies for Syd).
We are still months and months from completion, but Logic finished the hardwood floors in the kitchen on Monday night and we were able to finally install our new appliances last night!
Once the computer agrees to download pictures again I'll be sure to show some (and pics of the babies for Syd).
November 14, 2006
Private Space Exploration
I watched a show on the Discovery Channel this weekend about private industry leaders using their money to promote space exploration. Everyone from Richard Branson to Jeff Bezos is hopping on the space bandwagon. Their hope - to bring space to everyone.
There's no turning back and things will continue to progress but in my opinion, space exploration becoming something of a tourist attraction is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it's very exciting... the thought of discovering what else is out there and allowing the 'common man' the opportunity to see things that only billionaires and NASA/etc have had the luxury of seeing.
But I can't help but think we don't deserve the 'get out of jail free' card that we're searching for.
Consider the damage we are doing to our own planet. Do we really want to litter space too (more than we already are)? Maybe we just need to find alternate solutions to the problems we've already created.
What do you think?
There's no turning back and things will continue to progress but in my opinion, space exploration becoming something of a tourist attraction is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it's very exciting... the thought of discovering what else is out there and allowing the 'common man' the opportunity to see things that only billionaires and NASA/etc have had the luxury of seeing.
But I can't help but think we don't deserve the 'get out of jail free' card that we're searching for.
Consider the damage we are doing to our own planet. Do we really want to litter space too (more than we already are)? Maybe we just need to find alternate solutions to the problems we've already created.
What do you think?
November 13, 2006
Tranny Service
Logic has today off and was spending his morning prepping the living room for the maple floor we're (er, he) is laying. He brought the saw back upstairs (we moved it downstairs while my babies were here) and as he did, he dropped wood shavings all along the stairwell.
Deciding to be a good neighbor, he got out the shopvac and took it to the hallway - making sure to leave our condo unlocked.
Once in the stairwell, he remembered the extension cord was in the garage and went outside to get it. Only, he forgot to prop the outside door open so when he returned from the garage he found himself locked out.
I left my office to save the day since all our neighbors had left for work and Logic was outside in the cold. I took my usual route and as I drove down 4th Ave S I noticed a sign for King's Transmission that said, "Tranny Service". Now, I'm not sure if that was intentional or not - but I laughed all the way home.
Deciding to be a good neighbor, he got out the shopvac and took it to the hallway - making sure to leave our condo unlocked.
Once in the stairwell, he remembered the extension cord was in the garage and went outside to get it. Only, he forgot to prop the outside door open so when he returned from the garage he found himself locked out.
I left my office to save the day since all our neighbors had left for work and Logic was outside in the cold. I took my usual route and as I drove down 4th Ave S I noticed a sign for King's Transmission that said, "Tranny Service". Now, I'm not sure if that was intentional or not - but I laughed all the way home.
November 10, 2006
My Babies Are Coming!
Paige and her husband are coming up this weekend!! And bringing their babies! Allison will be 3 in a month and Isaiah just turned 6 months. I can hardly wait to play and cuddle.
If you're lucky, you might get to see pictures.
If you're lucky, you might get to see pictures.
November 09, 2006
A Pattern
Have you noticed that I go days without posting and then write 3 or 4 blogs in one day? I guess the flood gates are open today -
Anyway, I just finished watching the newest episode of The Nine. What a great show! I'm so glad that it's online because I am getting too old to stay up until 11:00 on a weeknight. If you get the chance, you should check it out.
Anyway, I just finished watching the newest episode of The Nine. What a great show! I'm so glad that it's online because I am getting too old to stay up until 11:00 on a weeknight. If you get the chance, you should check it out.
Comparison
People continue to compare KFed to Vanilla Ice.
That's a little harsh, don't you think?
Vanilla Ice wasn't THAT bad.
Gift Ideas
What do you get someone who has everything?
My brother-in-law is celebrating his birthday next Tuesday and he and my sister will be spending this weekend with Logic and I.
I want to have his gift ready to open when they get here. But I have NO idea what to get him. And my sister is having a hard time giving suggestions. Please help!
Here is some background info on him:
He is a computer programmer
He loves Oregon State University and owns multiple OSU shirts/accessories
He has nearly every cd/dvd ever made
He knows everything about everything and wins at anything he plays
He is a dad to a 2 year old daughter and a 6 month old son
He collects baseballs (but I'm not sure which ones he has already)
He loves woodworking/tools and makes his own pens
He has his own website where he sells tools
He's a good photographer who enjoys framing his own work and has a few cameras
He rarely drinks alcohol or coffee and enjoys a good Pepsi or Mountain Dew
He makes a mean batch of sugar cookies
He is a Dodger's fan
See where I'm coming from here? I typically pride myself on being a good gift giver. But I'm stumped. Anything you can come up with would be so helpful!
My brother-in-law is celebrating his birthday next Tuesday and he and my sister will be spending this weekend with Logic and I.
I want to have his gift ready to open when they get here. But I have NO idea what to get him. And my sister is having a hard time giving suggestions. Please help!
Here is some background info on him:
He is a computer programmer
He loves Oregon State University and owns multiple OSU shirts/accessories
He has nearly every cd/dvd ever made
He knows everything about everything and wins at anything he plays
He is a dad to a 2 year old daughter and a 6 month old son
He collects baseballs (but I'm not sure which ones he has already)
He loves woodworking/tools and makes his own pens
He has his own website where he sells tools
He's a good photographer who enjoys framing his own work and has a few cameras
He rarely drinks alcohol or coffee and enjoys a good Pepsi or Mountain Dew
He makes a mean batch of sugar cookies
He is a Dodger's fan
See where I'm coming from here? I typically pride myself on being a good gift giver. But I'm stumped. Anything you can come up with would be so helpful!
November 08, 2006
Something to Look Forward To
Since I will be working this Thanksgiving, Logic and I are meeting up with his family at the Oregon Coast to celebrate the holiday a week beforehand.
This is where we'll be staying. Doesn't it look relaxing?
This is where we'll be staying. Doesn't it look relaxing?
Blogroll
Is back in effect. If you don't see your blog on there it's because I don't like you. j/k I probably forgot.
Last Night's Meeting
I left work early yesterday and drove up to the UW campus to meet with an advisor in the English department. What I expected to be a typical counseling session turned into a great conversation about my future.
Maria was surprised to find FCCJ on my transcripts since she worked at that exact campus in Florida for nearly 15 years. After reminiscing about our Jacksonville experiences we were both put at ease. Our conversation covered education, personal goals and the mentality of 'the grass is always greener on the other side'. She reminded me that life is too short to wait around for happiness. I need to find it in my daily life and continue to strive toward my goals at the same time.
After an hour and half, I walked out of the building feeling like I'd just had a great chat with my mom. It was refreshing to hear about her life experience and to talk to someone who understands what I'm going through and where I want to be.
To top it off, she emailed me this morning to thank me for our talk and to remind me that she will help in any way she can.
Maria was surprised to find FCCJ on my transcripts since she worked at that exact campus in Florida for nearly 15 years. After reminiscing about our Jacksonville experiences we were both put at ease. Our conversation covered education, personal goals and the mentality of 'the grass is always greener on the other side'. She reminded me that life is too short to wait around for happiness. I need to find it in my daily life and continue to strive toward my goals at the same time.
After an hour and half, I walked out of the building feeling like I'd just had a great chat with my mom. It was refreshing to hear about her life experience and to talk to someone who understands what I'm going through and where I want to be.
To top it off, she emailed me this morning to thank me for our talk and to remind me that she will help in any way she can.
November 07, 2006
Confinement
Last night Logic and I were literally confined to our bedroom. He had the day off and started putting a sealant on the floors around noon. The sealant goes under the hardwood we're installing and it had to sit for 12 hours before we could walk on it. So after applying the sealant, he cornered himself in the bedroom with our two cats and a stockpile of necessities.
Necessities like cat food, the litter box, DVD's, our computer, water, and his cell phone.
He called me about 15 minutes before I left work to advise me that I needed to call him when I got home because he would have to help me get in the house.
Once there, he met me at the door and grabbed my purse, dinner and the mail from my hands. Then he helped me leap from the doorway to the bathroom. After that he showed me how to hang from the doorframe and swing from the bathroom to our bedroom. Since it was my first attempt, I under-estimated the momentum needed and he had to grab me by the waist to prevent me from falling face-first into the wet floor.
The actual confinement was kind of fun. In a strange way it almost felt like we were camping. We had everything we needed and getting to a bathroom was a challenge.
This whole renovation process has been quite an ordeal. For me, it's been a lesson in patience and for Logic it's been a lesson in dealing with me and my lack of patience. I'm starting to think that programs for engaged couples are going about their lesson plan the wrong way. They need to put couples in high-stress situations like home renovation and if they succeed without killing each other then they know they can make it through anything.
Necessities like cat food, the litter box, DVD's, our computer, water, and his cell phone.
He called me about 15 minutes before I left work to advise me that I needed to call him when I got home because he would have to help me get in the house.
Once there, he met me at the door and grabbed my purse, dinner and the mail from my hands. Then he helped me leap from the doorway to the bathroom. After that he showed me how to hang from the doorframe and swing from the bathroom to our bedroom. Since it was my first attempt, I under-estimated the momentum needed and he had to grab me by the waist to prevent me from falling face-first into the wet floor.
The actual confinement was kind of fun. In a strange way it almost felt like we were camping. We had everything we needed and getting to a bathroom was a challenge.
This whole renovation process has been quite an ordeal. For me, it's been a lesson in patience and for Logic it's been a lesson in dealing with me and my lack of patience. I'm starting to think that programs for engaged couples are going about their lesson plan the wrong way. They need to put couples in high-stress situations like home renovation and if they succeed without killing each other then they know they can make it through anything.
November 01, 2006
Empathy
My mom just called to say that she and my dad are driving to Texas to see my grandma. Grandma is back in the hospital for the 2nd time in a month and things are progressively getting worse.
I have never been very close to my mom's mom. She's a fun and sassy woman and she did a damn good job raising my mom and her 6 younger siblings, but my unhappiness today comes mostly from the fact that I can't even imagine what this must be like for my mom.
I have always had a morbid fascination with death. And an over-active imagination. Oh, and I can't forget that inflated empathy. When someone says, "Imagine how that would make you feel" I can honestly say that I do that; sometimes without even wanting to. I've gone through the deaths of all my loved ones. Planning out what it would be like, how I would react and how it would affect my life and the lives of their other loved ones.
I sometimes think this is a defense mechanism, to somehow prepare myself for the inevitable. But this 'talent' tends to get me worked up. And so here I am, getting worked up. Imagining what life would be like without my mom. Or dad, for that matter. From what I've heard, it creates a hole in your heart that is unrepairable. A numbness and loneliness that is never ending. So I try to imagine what that would feel like. That gaping hole in my heart.
Sadly, I doubt this training is going to help in the least when that moment arrives.
I have never been very close to my mom's mom. She's a fun and sassy woman and she did a damn good job raising my mom and her 6 younger siblings, but my unhappiness today comes mostly from the fact that I can't even imagine what this must be like for my mom.
I have always had a morbid fascination with death. And an over-active imagination. Oh, and I can't forget that inflated empathy. When someone says, "Imagine how that would make you feel" I can honestly say that I do that; sometimes without even wanting to. I've gone through the deaths of all my loved ones. Planning out what it would be like, how I would react and how it would affect my life and the lives of their other loved ones.
I sometimes think this is a defense mechanism, to somehow prepare myself for the inevitable. But this 'talent' tends to get me worked up. And so here I am, getting worked up. Imagining what life would be like without my mom. Or dad, for that matter. From what I've heard, it creates a hole in your heart that is unrepairable. A numbness and loneliness that is never ending. So I try to imagine what that would feel like. That gaping hole in my heart.
Sadly, I doubt this training is going to help in the least when that moment arrives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)