Monday, December 19, 2005
this is not me
while showing a client some sample picture options, one came up on the screen that caused everyone in the room to turn and look at me. I sware, this isn't me, but for those of you who know me, it is a little creepy isn't it, how much this resembles me??!!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
blog neglect
Iknow, I know, I have been a bad blog keeper.
Mostly, I just haven't had very much free time, between the holiday and travelling for work a lot lately, blog time has been sparse. Additionally, we have been going thru a lot of org changes and dramas at work recently, and I am hestitant to write too much publicly about it.
I will try to be better :)
Mostly, I just haven't had very much free time, between the holiday and travelling for work a lot lately, blog time has been sparse. Additionally, we have been going thru a lot of org changes and dramas at work recently, and I am hestitant to write too much publicly about it.
I will try to be better :)
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
a light hearted giggle
this is one of the cutest things I have seen in a while!
video: Need a good doctor?
Happy Thanksgiving!
video: Need a good doctor?
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
things I have been thinking about
Your answer, as requested...
Yesterday was not a pleasant day on two fronts:
Professionally, my co-workers and I have been waiting for some big announcements, that supposedly would mean positive changes for us worker bee types. Knowing we had an all staff meeting planned for the morning, we all assumed this is when we would finally hear them, but...not so much. Additionally, the entire message just seemed generally negative to the folks who work their asses off and seemed to depress and irritate most of the staff, which just cast a little dark cloud over the office all day.
Then personally, I became friends with my neighbor "barbie" when I first moved to my little town, that I affectionately call "The U". Without going in to details that would be mean and likely hurtful should she ever come across it, I will just say that she seems to be going through something right now and apparently, quite irrationally has decided to take it out on me. She said some very spiteful and hurtful things to me last night, that were absolutely not justified. And even though a good chunk of them were not only untrue, but totally imagined and I probably shouldn't care... it didn't feel very good. I don't think I can be her friend any longer, and it does make me sad, a little bit like a break up. I hope her life improves and that she stops driving people away who care about her, but I really can't help and will not be abused. So thats, that.
The point being, that all day yesterday I was pretty stressed out and thinking very negative things. By last night, I was physically ill and in tears, it all just snowballed in to bad negative energy creating more bad negative energy and experiences. This morning, I made a decision to let it all go, no matter what, and to concentrate on enjoying my day and feeling grateful for my blessings. Cheerful positive energy creating more cheerful positive energy and occurrences. I am happy to report that it has been a very nice day.
I have recently been reading an interesting book, that emphasizes that what we focus our thoughts on, creates feelings, and thus often creates experiences related to those thoughts and feelings. So, if you focus on unpleasant things, you have more unpleasant experiences and vice versa. Although it sounds and seems simple, it is really quite challenging, if for no other reason than so many of our thoughts are really unconscious and much of our inner dialogue tends to be negative. I have been struggling with all of this a bit lately, in an effort to create a more peaceful and abundant life. I prayed for a sign last night, and this morning I got the quote in my previous post, via email. Probably a coincidence, but it was meaningful to me.
So, I hope you all are thinking happy thoughts, having good experiences and enjoying your life! :O)
Yesterday was not a pleasant day on two fronts:
Professionally, my co-workers and I have been waiting for some big announcements, that supposedly would mean positive changes for us worker bee types. Knowing we had an all staff meeting planned for the morning, we all assumed this is when we would finally hear them, but...not so much. Additionally, the entire message just seemed generally negative to the folks who work their asses off and seemed to depress and irritate most of the staff, which just cast a little dark cloud over the office all day.
Then personally, I became friends with my neighbor "barbie" when I first moved to my little town, that I affectionately call "The U". Without going in to details that would be mean and likely hurtful should she ever come across it, I will just say that she seems to be going through something right now and apparently, quite irrationally has decided to take it out on me. She said some very spiteful and hurtful things to me last night, that were absolutely not justified. And even though a good chunk of them were not only untrue, but totally imagined and I probably shouldn't care... it didn't feel very good. I don't think I can be her friend any longer, and it does make me sad, a little bit like a break up. I hope her life improves and that she stops driving people away who care about her, but I really can't help and will not be abused. So thats, that.
The point being, that all day yesterday I was pretty stressed out and thinking very negative things. By last night, I was physically ill and in tears, it all just snowballed in to bad negative energy creating more bad negative energy and experiences. This morning, I made a decision to let it all go, no matter what, and to concentrate on enjoying my day and feeling grateful for my blessings. Cheerful positive energy creating more cheerful positive energy and occurrences. I am happy to report that it has been a very nice day.
I have recently been reading an interesting book, that emphasizes that what we focus our thoughts on, creates feelings, and thus often creates experiences related to those thoughts and feelings. So, if you focus on unpleasant things, you have more unpleasant experiences and vice versa. Although it sounds and seems simple, it is really quite challenging, if for no other reason than so many of our thoughts are really unconscious and much of our inner dialogue tends to be negative. I have been struggling with all of this a bit lately, in an effort to create a more peaceful and abundant life. I prayed for a sign last night, and this morning I got the quote in my previous post, via email. Probably a coincidence, but it was meaningful to me.
So, I hope you all are thinking happy thoughts, having good experiences and enjoying your life! :O)
best quote of the day
I liked this one a lot and for me it's very timely, so I thought I would share, enjoy! :)
"Throughout all history, the great wise men and teachers, philosophers, and prophets have disagreed with one another on many different things. It is only on this one point that they are in complete and unanimous agreement. - We become what we think about."
"Throughout all history, the great wise men and teachers, philosophers, and prophets have disagreed with one another on many different things. It is only on this one point that they are in complete and unanimous agreement. - We become what we think about."
Earl Nightingale
1921-1989, Author of "The Strangest Secret"
1921-1989, Author of "The Strangest Secret"
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
a halloween tale
no, I didn't make this up
it is dark by the time I get home from work, now that we have "fall-en back" and because of recent events, I am already a bit creeped out at the moment.
When I got home last night, as I was wondering if I would have any real trick-or-treaters, it was already quite dark, the only lights being the outdoor driveway light and my stove light in the kitchen. Being fairly early though, I figured I might still get a few kids and was glad I had remembered to pick up some candy.
There were no treaters as of 9pm, so all candy gets donated to the office.
After making and eating a little dinner, a few phone chats and watching some tv, I decided to go to bed early. My little routine is to turn on the table lamp in my bedroom when I first get home, that way I don't kill myself later by tripping over or walking into something at night when sleepily trying to put myself to bed.
The table lamp was on like always, but when I went to turn on the tv in my bedroom to watch the early news, and it didn't pop on, I immediately noticed that the backyard light wasn't on anymore either. My heart stopped, as that light shines directly on the general area that was broken into a few days ago. Waiting a moment for my heart to start again, it occured to me that most likely I had blown a fuse, and that if the bathroom light didn't come on, then it defiantely was the fuse. When I went to check, the bathroom light did not turn on, nor did anything in my home office which is also on that same fuse.
Great, problem identified. Remedy, so simple, go to the fuse box, flip every damn switch, viola! power. Except that the fuse box is located outside of the house and by now it was just about 10:30. I just couldn't do it, could not bring myself to go outside, because 2 things scared the heck out of me:
1) the slight possibility that maybe I didn't blow a fuse, it was just a trick to get me to go outside, in the dark, by myself
2) or that even if it was actually blown, "they" (the robbers) might still be lurking around outside
And even though it seemed rediculous even to myself, I still couldn't make myself go outside to fix it.
So, I turned the radio on in my bedroom, and went back out to the livingroom to catch the late news. I turned the tv in the livingroom back on and it made a weird sound, then came to life, but the color was all goofy, too green and red and this was the tv I was just watching, and was all fine only 30 - 60 minutes before...and I started thinking that although small, some pretty strange things seemed to be happening. After turning the tv off and on about 5 times and still getting the odd coloring, I called it quits and headed back to bed.
I decided to put a soothing cd in, to help me mellow out and to help me fall asleep by drowning out the nightime noises that only a week ago I found peaceful, but now added to my anxiety. When I put the cd in, I heard it make the normal "whir" sound of starting up and pressed the play button, but instead of soft music, I heard what sounded similar to a muffled version of someone playing a vinyl album on too high a speed.
Ok, that was officially the 3rd somewhat freaky thing to occur within an hour, and I was really starting to feel freaked out. I tried one more cd, and thank all goodness, it worked fine on the first try. This made me feel quite a bit better actually, and I began to relax and get sleepy. I snuggled into my comforter and fell asleep. When the phone rang at 10 till midnight, I about leaped right out of my bed to run screaming from what is beginning to feel like my haunted little house!
It was just my Mom, calling to wish me a happy Halloween, which really was sweet in theory. I didn't have the heart to tell her how much of an ordeal just trying to get to sleep in the first place was, and haven't yet told her about the burglury, so she has no idea how ill timed the call actually was, and would feel so bad if she knew. And although I was feeling a bit cranky about it all for a moment, it sure was nice to receive a happy call from my Mama, wishing me a happy pagan new year and sending me her love.
it is dark by the time I get home from work, now that we have "fall-en back" and because of recent events, I am already a bit creeped out at the moment.
When I got home last night, as I was wondering if I would have any real trick-or-treaters, it was already quite dark, the only lights being the outdoor driveway light and my stove light in the kitchen. Being fairly early though, I figured I might still get a few kids and was glad I had remembered to pick up some candy.
There were no treaters as of 9pm, so all candy gets donated to the office.
After making and eating a little dinner, a few phone chats and watching some tv, I decided to go to bed early. My little routine is to turn on the table lamp in my bedroom when I first get home, that way I don't kill myself later by tripping over or walking into something at night when sleepily trying to put myself to bed.
The table lamp was on like always, but when I went to turn on the tv in my bedroom to watch the early news, and it didn't pop on, I immediately noticed that the backyard light wasn't on anymore either. My heart stopped, as that light shines directly on the general area that was broken into a few days ago. Waiting a moment for my heart to start again, it occured to me that most likely I had blown a fuse, and that if the bathroom light didn't come on, then it defiantely was the fuse. When I went to check, the bathroom light did not turn on, nor did anything in my home office which is also on that same fuse.
Great, problem identified. Remedy, so simple, go to the fuse box, flip every damn switch, viola! power. Except that the fuse box is located outside of the house and by now it was just about 10:30. I just couldn't do it, could not bring myself to go outside, because 2 things scared the heck out of me:
1) the slight possibility that maybe I didn't blow a fuse, it was just a trick to get me to go outside, in the dark, by myself
2) or that even if it was actually blown, "they" (the robbers) might still be lurking around outside
And even though it seemed rediculous even to myself, I still couldn't make myself go outside to fix it.
So, I turned the radio on in my bedroom, and went back out to the livingroom to catch the late news. I turned the tv in the livingroom back on and it made a weird sound, then came to life, but the color was all goofy, too green and red and this was the tv I was just watching, and was all fine only 30 - 60 minutes before...and I started thinking that although small, some pretty strange things seemed to be happening. After turning the tv off and on about 5 times and still getting the odd coloring, I called it quits and headed back to bed.
I decided to put a soothing cd in, to help me mellow out and to help me fall asleep by drowning out the nightime noises that only a week ago I found peaceful, but now added to my anxiety. When I put the cd in, I heard it make the normal "whir" sound of starting up and pressed the play button, but instead of soft music, I heard what sounded similar to a muffled version of someone playing a vinyl album on too high a speed.
Ok, that was officially the 3rd somewhat freaky thing to occur within an hour, and I was really starting to feel freaked out. I tried one more cd, and thank all goodness, it worked fine on the first try. This made me feel quite a bit better actually, and I began to relax and get sleepy. I snuggled into my comforter and fell asleep. When the phone rang at 10 till midnight, I about leaped right out of my bed to run screaming from what is beginning to feel like my haunted little house!
It was just my Mom, calling to wish me a happy Halloween, which really was sweet in theory. I didn't have the heart to tell her how much of an ordeal just trying to get to sleep in the first place was, and haven't yet told her about the burglury, so she has no idea how ill timed the call actually was, and would feel so bad if she knew. And although I was feeling a bit cranky about it all for a moment, it sure was nice to receive a happy call from my Mama, wishing me a happy pagan new year and sending me her love.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Welcome
welcome to the world Samantha Jane Rurup, we are awfully glad you are here!! Lots of love from your auntie!
Sam arrived at around 1pm, weighing just under 9lbs and was laying peacefully with her Mama last night when they called to let me know she was here :)
Sam arrived at around 1pm, weighing just under 9lbs and was laying peacefully with her Mama last night when they called to let me know she was here :)
trick, no treat
I am ok, but last Wednesday night between 10:30 and 11:30 pm, I was robbed. Someone or ones, broke into my car, into my laundry/storage shed and attempted to break into my house via the back door, they also did much the same to my nextdoor neighbor. It was most likely young teenagers, and not someone wanting to hurt us, but it wasn't a fun experience and it has resulted in my general jumpiness. Even though I live in a very small town, its a fairly rural area, and I live in one of the most remote parts of town. I have always felt so safe there, and I look forward to feeling that way again, because it sure isn't how I am feeling right now. This too shall pass, however investing in a little home security helps :)
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
random
I got an email today, which in itself is not so odd...
but it was written to me in French
and it was referencing a blog site I created last year for the National Write a Novel in a Month Contest - which I had entirely forgotten about (and did not complete beyond the first 5 chapters)
and is written in English...
Once I translated the email in babelfish, it loosley translated into:
"I like this, I am busy now but will come back later to read more, your blog is very pleasant"
How random is that??!
but it was written to me in French
and it was referencing a blog site I created last year for the National Write a Novel in a Month Contest - which I had entirely forgotten about (and did not complete beyond the first 5 chapters)
and is written in English...
Once I translated the email in babelfish, it loosley translated into:
"I like this, I am busy now but will come back later to read more, your blog is very pleasant"
How random is that??!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
clumsy week
evey few years I experience what I call "my clumsy week". It's when for no reason I can determine, that I seem to have an above average number of random "accidents" to my person. Apparently, this is my week.
Friday night, I lost my balance while sitting on a walkway railing at our company party due to a wardrobe malfunction and not only bruised my back pretty good, but also my pride. Saturday night, I somehow misjudged the distance while getting into my car and smacked my head so hard on the door frame that it made an awful sound and I literally saw stars, which has resulted in a nice goose-egg that doesn't feel anything fabulous just above my right ear.
Mostly, I find it fairly amusing, but of course, I would prefer to laugh about other things. To say I am now doing everything VERY carefully, would be an understatement. :) Hope it passes soon :)
Friday night, I lost my balance while sitting on a walkway railing at our company party due to a wardrobe malfunction and not only bruised my back pretty good, but also my pride. Saturday night, I somehow misjudged the distance while getting into my car and smacked my head so hard on the door frame that it made an awful sound and I literally saw stars, which has resulted in a nice goose-egg that doesn't feel anything fabulous just above my right ear.
Mostly, I find it fairly amusing, but of course, I would prefer to laugh about other things. To say I am now doing everything VERY carefully, would be an understatement. :) Hope it passes soon :)
Monday, October 17, 2005
the thunder rolls
An odd storm brews outside, plump grey clouds have been moving in at various speeds all day. It’s got a very tropical feeling to it, as the temperature outside is at least 80 degrees. Quite unusual for this area which generally gets cold weather storms and occasional spring showers.
I can’t even recall a true thunderstorm in the past 2.5 years I have lived here. In fact, I believe that the first seasonal rain was just this time last year, and it definately wasn't warm.
The first drops have just begun to fall as I write this and I cannot ignore the connection of what a mirror it seems to my emotions the past few days. Partly sunny, partly cloudy, possible thunderstorms. Although I am generally pretty happy, I have felt quite oddly melancholy at times for no specific tangible reason I can discern. There are certainly a few things going on that have a stressful quality to them at the moment, but this has felt much deeper and more unfocused.
I hesitate to admit that I actually cried myself to sleep last night, fat hot tears absorbed into the pillow, a frustration and despair that felt a bit overwhelming and even a little scary. I cannot recall the last time I did that. It made me long for the days when my parents could hug and comfort me and I believed them and it made everything alright.
Sometimes it is hard being a grown -up! :)
Friday, October 14, 2005
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Fall-ing
Although we are definately experiencing "Indian Summer" days, I still feel Fall coming on. I can feel it in the light of the day, in the chill of the evening, in my bones. I feel the pull to hibernate, to eat and drink hot things, to ready the house for the coming Winter. In fact, a fire burns in the woodburning stove of my little livingroom as I write this and a cup of hot tea is brewing.
As much as I dearly love the spring and summer, sun girl that I am, I do like Autumn. The colors, the scents, the happy memories. Fall cooking and baking are some of my favorite things about the season. In my kitchen, two small pumpkins await the honor of becoming a delicious from scratch spicy pumpkin pie. Holiday spirit starts to fill the air and I still feel a little bit of that childlike magic thinking about Halloween being just around the corner.
I am ready for hot apple cider, big comfy sweaters, and cozing up to a good book by the fire. And they say we don't have seasons in California :O)
As much as I dearly love the spring and summer, sun girl that I am, I do like Autumn. The colors, the scents, the happy memories. Fall cooking and baking are some of my favorite things about the season. In my kitchen, two small pumpkins await the honor of becoming a delicious from scratch spicy pumpkin pie. Holiday spirit starts to fill the air and I still feel a little bit of that childlike magic thinking about Halloween being just around the corner.
I am ready for hot apple cider, big comfy sweaters, and cozing up to a good book by the fire. And they say we don't have seasons in California :O)
Update to paying it forward
I am very pleased to announce that we raised $7000 for Katrina relief at our fundraiser. :O)
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
paying it forward 2
I received this comment:
At 6:01 PM, Anonymous said...
To this I reply:
I didn't count the tips since we put it all back in, but if I had to guess I would say it was easily more than $500 and probably more like $800
And now a question: before I got involved in the fundraiser or being a bartender?? :)
Thanks for writing! :)
At 6:01 PM, Anonymous said...
How much did you make on tips?
it was just a matter of time before you got involved...
A.
To this I reply:
I didn't count the tips since we put it all back in, but if I had to guess I would say it was easily more than $500 and probably more like $800
And now a question: before I got involved in the fundraiser or being a bartender?? :)
Thanks for writing! :)
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
paying it forward
A good friend organized a fundraiser for the victims of hurricane katrina, which was held this past sunday. The hope was that even though we are a small town, it would be a good turn out.
I was not in a position to contribute much financially at this time, so I volunteered to bartend and donated my tips back into the fund as well.
What a special day! So many people showed up, it was a beautiful sunny day, many people donated food and beverages for purchase, prizes for raffle, tipped us rediculously, danced to the bands who donted their time and talents - it was a caring community in action. I am quite touched by the way this little community comes together to support each other, and even more so to see them do it for those out in the world.
I think everyone had a great time and felt good about being a part of it, I sure did! As the bartender I got to see just about everyone, had practically a front row view to the bands, and felt like I had really helped.
It has been a long time since I worked that hard on my feet, and dealt with that kind of service and the pace it was at, but it was actually fun and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, so much so I wondered if maybe I missed my calling as a bartender. Heh heh!
I was not in a position to contribute much financially at this time, so I volunteered to bartend and donated my tips back into the fund as well.
What a special day! So many people showed up, it was a beautiful sunny day, many people donated food and beverages for purchase, prizes for raffle, tipped us rediculously, danced to the bands who donted their time and talents - it was a caring community in action. I am quite touched by the way this little community comes together to support each other, and even more so to see them do it for those out in the world.
I think everyone had a great time and felt good about being a part of it, I sure did! As the bartender I got to see just about everyone, had practically a front row view to the bands, and felt like I had really helped.
It has been a long time since I worked that hard on my feet, and dealt with that kind of service and the pace it was at, but it was actually fun and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, so much so I wondered if maybe I missed my calling as a bartender. Heh heh!
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Hurricanes & Tornadoes
The images flying around the internet of Hurricane Rita's progress are pretty amazing. One picture I saw earlier this morning (that I can no longer find for some reason) showed a gnarly black sky against some scarily raging waves. It reminded me of the one and only time I have experienced something like that.
I was driving across country, many years ago now and my ex was at the wheel. I slowly began to notice how dark the sky was growing, and commented to him about it.
"I think they say when the sky gets that black a tornado is coming. I can't remember where I heard that, but its the first thing I thought of when I looked at it."
Neither of us took me all that seriously, it was really more of a, "hey listen to what I heard." kind of a thing, because being from California, I really only know about earthquakes.
All of a sudden the semi-truck in front of us (a 3 trailer truck, mind you) wildly swerved across all three lanes as it got blown off the road. I freaked, yelling to my ex to pull off the road and find some shelter, and by some miracle we got off the pavement safely and found a closed but pretty stable freeway-side fruit stand with a large and sturdy looking overhang to park under.
The noise and the sheer strength of the wind was defening and so scary as it whipped around the truck, literally causing the truck to move around and pumping air through an entirely closed vehicle.
Once it passed, we turned on the radio and heard the annoucer say, "A tornado just touched down in Wizard Wells, Texas folks, y'all be careful out there." We waited a while and then decided to get going, but both a little shaken.
I can only imagine how much more scary it is for the people on the Golf Coast facing Rita, and how horrific it was for the people who endured Katrina. If you can spare some time or money to help them out, plese find a reputable charitable organization to donate to. :O)
I was driving across country, many years ago now and my ex was at the wheel. I slowly began to notice how dark the sky was growing, and commented to him about it.
"I think they say when the sky gets that black a tornado is coming. I can't remember where I heard that, but its the first thing I thought of when I looked at it."
Neither of us took me all that seriously, it was really more of a, "hey listen to what I heard." kind of a thing, because being from California, I really only know about earthquakes.
All of a sudden the semi-truck in front of us (a 3 trailer truck, mind you) wildly swerved across all three lanes as it got blown off the road. I freaked, yelling to my ex to pull off the road and find some shelter, and by some miracle we got off the pavement safely and found a closed but pretty stable freeway-side fruit stand with a large and sturdy looking overhang to park under.
The noise and the sheer strength of the wind was defening and so scary as it whipped around the truck, literally causing the truck to move around and pumping air through an entirely closed vehicle.
Once it passed, we turned on the radio and heard the annoucer say, "A tornado just touched down in Wizard Wells, Texas folks, y'all be careful out there." We waited a while and then decided to get going, but both a little shaken.
I can only imagine how much more scary it is for the people on the Golf Coast facing Rita, and how horrific it was for the people who endured Katrina. If you can spare some time or money to help them out, plese find a reputable charitable organization to donate to. :O)
Friday, September 16, 2005
Most Epic Swells of My Lifetime
So we are having the biggest south swells since 1968 according to this mornings surf report . I borrowed the following from www.surfline.com
This is a Surfline Surf Alert for Central California effective 09/11/05
Big South Pacific Swell Brewing!
A very strong storm is now just starting the first stages of its development this morning. This system is currently located in the Southern Ocean midway between New Zealand and Chile, which is a great position in the swell window to send surf to the US West Coast, Hawaii, Baja, Mainland Mexico, and Central America. Current forecasts have this storm deepening to a very-low 954mb central pressure, which should crank up wind speeds into the 50-60 knot range in the swell producing side of the system. To put this in perspective: This SW swell has the potential to be one of the bigger, if not the biggest, swell of the summer.
--Adam
Dude, I just can't wait to go take pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a Surfline Surf Alert for Central California effective 09/11/05
Big South Pacific Swell Brewing!
A very strong storm is now just starting the first stages of its development this morning. This system is currently located in the Southern Ocean midway between New Zealand and Chile, which is a great position in the swell window to send surf to the US West Coast, Hawaii, Baja, Mainland Mexico, and Central America. Current forecasts have this storm deepening to a very-low 954mb central pressure, which should crank up wind speeds into the 50-60 knot range in the swell producing side of the system. To put this in perspective: This SW swell has the potential to be one of the bigger, if not the biggest, swell of the summer.
--Adam
Dude, I just can't wait to go take pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, September 12, 2005
Happy Blogiversary!! Born: 9/9/04
It's official, I have been posting here for over a year! For those of you that stay tuned, thanks!
Baby Showers - its raining baby girls
1) Friend and co-worker Erika and hubby are expecting their first child/baby girl - there was a lovely lunchtime shower for her at a local restaurant last wednesday, outdoors next to the creek (and to my total joy 18 women from my office attended
2) My best friend and her hubby are expecting their 3rd child and first girl - Samantha. I attended an equally lovely shower this past saturday to welcome baby Sammy...
3) Where I saw two of my best friends' sister in laws, both with brand new baby girls
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
angel flying too close to the ground
well quite a while back now, i went to see Willie Nelson, and I took some great pictures, but it was the following week that my camera went swimming and I had lost of the photos. One of my friends and fellow attendee's sent me a few pictures this morning. The first one is me and the adorable child that adopted me that day!
Thursday, August 18, 2005
charlottes web
There is a spider that lives inside the sideview mirror of my car. I have never seen it, yet I know it is there because no matter how many times I try to wash it away, a quite large web forms right back over it. I don't know what kind of spider it is, or if it it truly resides there or somewhere else outside the vehicle, at this point I am just praying that it and more of its' kind haven't moved into the interior of the vehicle. I am literally scared to leave my windows open in case they mistakenly view it is an invitation. That is just what I get for living in a rural area I suppose, but it is kind if amusing :O)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
quakes
Ok, the experts (geologists) say I am wrong, but I sware that everytime there is a quake in Japan, we have one in California within a few weeks. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to have an earthquake here - they seriously scare me, but I have noticed this pattern. This morning there was a 7.2 magnitude quake reported in Japan, and it does cause me a little worry...let's hope the experts are right and I am wrong! :O)
Monday, August 15, 2005
spammed
some clever spammer has figured out how to leave huge mass advertising type messages in my blog comments, because of this I am turning off the ability to add comments for a while to discourage them - if you want to comment you will need to use the email link - if you really prefer to remain annonymous than may I suggest that you create a free fake email.
Thanks! :O)
Thanks! :O)
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
overheard in ny
okay, I know I am a serious dork sometimes, and those of you who actually know me can agree.
So I occasionally read "overheard in new york" to kill time or get a laugh when needed, and it occured to me as I was sharing a few of the choice things I overheard on my trip to NYC, that I should submit the 2 that were clearly the oddest.
Earlier today, I remembered that I had submitted them upon my return and went to see if either had been selected and had been posted, and to my geeky joy, one of them was. I have posted the submission below, BUT if you decide to visit the site directly: please note that it is definately not a PG website so visit at your own risk.
So I occasionally read "overheard in new york" to kill time or get a laugh when needed, and it occured to me as I was sharing a few of the choice things I overheard on my trip to NYC, that I should submit the 2 that were clearly the oddest.
Earlier today, I remembered that I had submitted them upon my return and went to see if either had been selected and had been posted, and to my geeky joy, one of them was. I have posted the submission below, BUT if you decide to visit the site directly: please note that it is definately not a PG website so visit at your own risk.
July 13th under "It Didn't Work Out with Wednesday One-liners"
Man on cell: So what has changed from then to now?...of course! The vibrator! So that's it, huh?--Central Park
Overheard by: jeannette
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Thar she blows
The whale watching has been absolutely incredible the past few weeks from our little beach. They have been consistently moving just offshore and are fairly easily spotted even when not breaching. You can tell when they are around because swarms of birds will flock around a spot of water suddenly and then you can see the tell tale spray of the blowhole and then you can see them breach...so massive yet elegant.
A few years ago, I took my nephew out to Monterey for 2 seperate whale watching trips with my nephew, and both times we did not see whales, nor dolphins, nor anything more exciting than a seal or two and he was so disapppointed. I remember one of the tour guides saying that it was hard to catch them out and about sometrimes. I never thought I would be lucky enough to live somewhere that I could walk just barely a city block and see them just cruising by.
Get out your binoculars and head to a California Beach on a migration path, if youre feeling brave - rent a kayak and go play!
A few years ago, I took my nephew out to Monterey for 2 seperate whale watching trips with my nephew, and both times we did not see whales, nor dolphins, nor anything more exciting than a seal or two and he was so disapppointed. I remember one of the tour guides saying that it was hard to catch them out and about sometrimes. I never thought I would be lucky enough to live somewhere that I could walk just barely a city block and see them just cruising by.
Get out your binoculars and head to a California Beach on a migration path, if youre feeling brave - rent a kayak and go play!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
nyc - part 3
I promise part 2 will be up soon, but it requires much concentration and should probably be written and posted outside of the office and since I have been experiencing internet connectivity issues at home for the past 3 weeks and won't be all back together until the weekend. So, it just isn't gonna happen before then, sorry! :O)
So on to Sunday, my whole free day in NYC!
I can hardly believe that I actually did see almost everything I most wanted to, in just a day. I started by walking from my hotel on east 31st street up to broadway. I stopped for an authentic slice of nyc pizza, a true delight and some water before heading to the theatre district/times square and surrounding areas. Wow is times square an eyeful, so many colors, signs, building-size "tv" screens, billboards, and a sea of people (probably mostly tourists like me) everywhere you look, it is almost too much to take in.
I stopped for an ice cream cone from the ice cream man - something I haven't seen in so long, just before entering central park. You could spend a week in central park alone, no joke, to just attempt to see everything.
I decided to try a speed round of the half of the park I was closest to, which coincidentally is the half that had the bulk of things I wanted to see. Aside from the most fabulous people watching ever, it is a simply beautiful place full of beautiful and delightful things:
A bronze statue of Alice in Wonderland
the pond for RC sailboats
the paddle boats and gondolas's for cruising around one of the larger bodies of water in the park the horse drawn carriages and bicycle taxi's
the Shakespeare Garden and castle that is surrounded by the dragonfly preserve
Strawberry, Sheep and various other fields full of people tanning, resting, reading, playing, etc.
"The Ramble" was my favorite, I think. It's just this wild maze-like section of "forrest" that seems straight out of a fairytale.
The baseball diamonds, the carousel, the basketball and volleyball courts
The different landscapes, the bridges and underpasses, the crazy skyscrapers peeking above the treelines
And probably 20 more little things I have already forgotten...
Two words really describe it: lovely and amazing!!
(& remember, this is only half of the friggen park and only what I managed to get to/see!!!)
I then decided to walk back to a restaurant I saw earlier to have dinner. It was on either Broadway or 7th, had an open front with tall tables and was advertising a fresh lobster dinner for a pretty reasonable price. I, of course, ordered the lobster and a nice glass of wine to go with it.
last but not not least, I walked from the restaurant over to the harbor at 42street & 12 to try to catch a ferry. After standing in line for an hour or more only to hear that they had accidentally oversold the tour and therefore I stood in line the whole time for nothing, some divine intervention provided an extra boat at the last minute, so I got to go on the harbor lights tour afterall.
The boat tours the harbor such that you see jersey, the statue of liberty, ellis island, the main bridges and manhatten skyline, lit up for the night. So great, that it was worth standing on my burning feet another 3+ hours.
I took a ton of pictures, which I will post soon.
Upon leaving the boat, I realized there was just no way I could walk back to my hotel, and there wasn't a cab in sight, only limo's and they were not cheap. I found a sweet bike cab driver and asked him for a fair deal and he agreed. I was just so so tired by then, that I probably didn't enjoy that nearly as much as I would have liked to, but I did have a few moments of "how cool is this?!" as the wind whipped thru my hair and people stared and waved as we rode by. It was quite exciting and movielike to be moving through the NYC street out in the open.
I snuck out to by bagels at a corner shop before I went to sleep that night to share with the work family, and packed all of my things so I would be ready when the alarm went off at 4am.
I made it up and to the airport on time, and that my friends, concludes my first trip to NYC!
So on to Sunday, my whole free day in NYC!
I can hardly believe that I actually did see almost everything I most wanted to, in just a day. I started by walking from my hotel on east 31st street up to broadway. I stopped for an authentic slice of nyc pizza, a true delight and some water before heading to the theatre district/times square and surrounding areas. Wow is times square an eyeful, so many colors, signs, building-size "tv" screens, billboards, and a sea of people (probably mostly tourists like me) everywhere you look, it is almost too much to take in.
I stopped for an ice cream cone from the ice cream man - something I haven't seen in so long, just before entering central park. You could spend a week in central park alone, no joke, to just attempt to see everything.
I decided to try a speed round of the half of the park I was closest to, which coincidentally is the half that had the bulk of things I wanted to see. Aside from the most fabulous people watching ever, it is a simply beautiful place full of beautiful and delightful things:
A bronze statue of Alice in Wonderland
the pond for RC sailboats
the paddle boats and gondolas's for cruising around one of the larger bodies of water in the park the horse drawn carriages and bicycle taxi's
the Shakespeare Garden and castle that is surrounded by the dragonfly preserve
Strawberry, Sheep and various other fields full of people tanning, resting, reading, playing, etc.
"The Ramble" was my favorite, I think. It's just this wild maze-like section of "forrest" that seems straight out of a fairytale.
The baseball diamonds, the carousel, the basketball and volleyball courts
The different landscapes, the bridges and underpasses, the crazy skyscrapers peeking above the treelines
And probably 20 more little things I have already forgotten...
Two words really describe it: lovely and amazing!!
(& remember, this is only half of the friggen park and only what I managed to get to/see!!!)
I then decided to walk back to a restaurant I saw earlier to have dinner. It was on either Broadway or 7th, had an open front with tall tables and was advertising a fresh lobster dinner for a pretty reasonable price. I, of course, ordered the lobster and a nice glass of wine to go with it.
last but not not least, I walked from the restaurant over to the harbor at 42street & 12 to try to catch a ferry. After standing in line for an hour or more only to hear that they had accidentally oversold the tour and therefore I stood in line the whole time for nothing, some divine intervention provided an extra boat at the last minute, so I got to go on the harbor lights tour afterall.
The boat tours the harbor such that you see jersey, the statue of liberty, ellis island, the main bridges and manhatten skyline, lit up for the night. So great, that it was worth standing on my burning feet another 3+ hours.
I took a ton of pictures, which I will post soon.
Upon leaving the boat, I realized there was just no way I could walk back to my hotel, and there wasn't a cab in sight, only limo's and they were not cheap. I found a sweet bike cab driver and asked him for a fair deal and he agreed. I was just so so tired by then, that I probably didn't enjoy that nearly as much as I would have liked to, but I did have a few moments of "how cool is this?!" as the wind whipped thru my hair and people stared and waved as we rode by. It was quite exciting and movielike to be moving through the NYC street out in the open.
I snuck out to by bagels at a corner shop before I went to sleep that night to share with the work family, and packed all of my things so I would be ready when the alarm went off at 4am.
I made it up and to the airport on time, and that my friends, concludes my first trip to NYC!
T-I-GG-E-R
I have been quite remiss in not mentioning the passing of my beloved Tigger, although I am sure the character will live on in Disneyland, Tigger without Paul Winchell is just not Tigger to me. Paul's voice was a HUGE part of my childhood, and Tigger has been a constant companion despite my attempts to outgrow him. Paul clearly spent his life entertaining and delighting children worldwide, he will be greatly missed.
"The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things. Thier tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs. they're bouncy, flouncy, pouncy - fun, fun, fun, fun, fun - but the most wonderful thing about Tiggers, is I 'm the only one!"
USA Today Article - This article has a lot of interesting info, I didn't realize he was also a patented inventor!
Paul Winchell aka Tigger - Dec. 21, 1922-June 26, 2006
"The wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things. Thier tops are made out of rubber, their bottoms are made out of springs. they're bouncy, flouncy, pouncy - fun, fun, fun, fun, fun - but the most wonderful thing about Tiggers, is I 'm the only one!"
USA Today Article - This article has a lot of interesting info, I didn't realize he was also a patented inventor!
Paul Winchell aka Tigger - Dec. 21, 1922-June 26, 2006
Saturday, July 02, 2005
nyc - part one
Although I was supposed to land at 9:30, I did not arrive until well after midnight, due to weather delays. So many little things have already happened that feel significant.
I met so many nice people on the way here, even though it was a long freakin trip it really wasn't that bad. The shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel was probably the most heinous part of it all. I was so scared, the guy was tilting around corners like you can't believe!
This whole trip has brought up a lot of thougts, all the business travel I used to do, the places I have been, the places I still want to go. I am not scared anymore to travel by myself, although its certainly always nicer when you are sharing the experience in real time.
I decided to go down to the hotel bar once I got settled in at the hotel, upon arriving last night, because I was all weirdly hyper from travelling and it seemed a shame to be in NYC and just go straight to bed - a nightcap seemed pretty appropriate.
Of course, I started talking to the bartender, "Bay" and she introduced me to the other people in there, who happened to be her friends. I met like 10 people including some fellow Californians that stopped in while I was there. Everyone was just so nice, and the people watching has been FAB-U-LOUS!
Basically what it has brought up is that I need to travel, I love going new places, seeing new things, meeting new people, soaking up native culture - I forgot just how important it is to me, how much it inspires and excites me.
At one time, it was the life I was building, both before and during my previous engagement, but I lost my way when we split up and it has taken over 10 years to rediscover this part of my path. I am not lamenting it, because I wouldn't be who and where I am now. I wouldn't have the knowledge, the career and expereinces it brought, nor the 6 years I spent with the man I fell in love with later, and even though none of those things has turned out the way I thought, and I had to let go of that love as well, I can see that each thing leads to another, and it is all important. And that in many ways, we are all rebuilding our life, all the time.
Interestingly, I had an experience tonight that illustrated what my life would have been like if I would have married and stayed that course, and it was very reassuring to realize it may have quite a bit less than stellar after all.
Part two - coming soon!
I met so many nice people on the way here, even though it was a long freakin trip it really wasn't that bad. The shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel was probably the most heinous part of it all. I was so scared, the guy was tilting around corners like you can't believe!
This whole trip has brought up a lot of thougts, all the business travel I used to do, the places I have been, the places I still want to go. I am not scared anymore to travel by myself, although its certainly always nicer when you are sharing the experience in real time.
I decided to go down to the hotel bar once I got settled in at the hotel, upon arriving last night, because I was all weirdly hyper from travelling and it seemed a shame to be in NYC and just go straight to bed - a nightcap seemed pretty appropriate.
Of course, I started talking to the bartender, "Bay" and she introduced me to the other people in there, who happened to be her friends. I met like 10 people including some fellow Californians that stopped in while I was there. Everyone was just so nice, and the people watching has been FAB-U-LOUS!
Basically what it has brought up is that I need to travel, I love going new places, seeing new things, meeting new people, soaking up native culture - I forgot just how important it is to me, how much it inspires and excites me.
At one time, it was the life I was building, both before and during my previous engagement, but I lost my way when we split up and it has taken over 10 years to rediscover this part of my path. I am not lamenting it, because I wouldn't be who and where I am now. I wouldn't have the knowledge, the career and expereinces it brought, nor the 6 years I spent with the man I fell in love with later, and even though none of those things has turned out the way I thought, and I had to let go of that love as well, I can see that each thing leads to another, and it is all important. And that in many ways, we are all rebuilding our life, all the time.
Interestingly, I had an experience tonight that illustrated what my life would have been like if I would have married and stayed that course, and it was very reassuring to realize it may have quite a bit less than stellar after all.
Part two - coming soon!
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
sailing
I went sailing on a 42 foot sailboat last sunday, a last minute invite. It was really quite something, and the detailed work that goes into the whole thing is a little daunting. I enjoyed it because I do love to be on the water, but somehow it left me with the feeling that it is not only not much "fun" to own a sailboat but also quite a bit of work and a very significant expense.
Part of this is that I go into what I call a "water coma" whenever I get on or near large bodies of water - I just get really quiet (yes, there are times I am quiet) and super relaxed, so the idea that I need to stay super vigilant and complete multiple tasks just doesn't jibe (excuse the pun). Another part is that the owner of the boat was a pretty serious fellow and I tend to think of being on the water as a recreatinal activity. It is cool that you could pretty much go anywhere, and that fuel is rarely necessary and it is its own little community. The jury is still out until I have more experiences, I think.
I learned a fair amount about how to sail, got to steer the boat for a while and met some really nice people. It was a really lovely sunny day, and I am grateful I got to spend it bobbing around.
Part of this is that I go into what I call a "water coma" whenever I get on or near large bodies of water - I just get really quiet (yes, there are times I am quiet) and super relaxed, so the idea that I need to stay super vigilant and complete multiple tasks just doesn't jibe (excuse the pun). Another part is that the owner of the boat was a pretty serious fellow and I tend to think of being on the water as a recreatinal activity. It is cool that you could pretty much go anywhere, and that fuel is rarely necessary and it is its own little community. The jury is still out until I have more experiences, I think.
I learned a fair amount about how to sail, got to steer the boat for a while and met some really nice people. It was a really lovely sunny day, and I am grateful I got to spend it bobbing around.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
that really chaps my hide
i just found out today that am going to new york city on the 4th of july weekend for work, but i get a whole day to explore and I will be back home in time for the fireworks and rowdiest festivities. even though i have done lots of business travel, and a little bit of vacation travel (not as much as i would like!) i have never been to new york before and i am pretty excited. i will be staying at what looks like online, to be a very nice hotel in manhattan. wow, it probably shouldn't be a big deal but writing that i will be in manhattan just seems a little surreal.
i don't know how much time things will take but i am hoping to cram in a lot in a day, ideally i would like to see ellis island, the statue of liberty, the empire state building, central park and walk as much of the city as i can.
i am thinking this could justify my purchase of a new (replacement) camera so that i can take a boatload of photos while there, man, i am already taking them in my minds eye. sweet!
i don't know how much time things will take but i am hoping to cram in a lot in a day, ideally i would like to see ellis island, the statue of liberty, the empire state building, central park and walk as much of the city as i can.
i am thinking this could justify my purchase of a new (replacement) camera so that i can take a boatload of photos while there, man, i am already taking them in my minds eye. sweet!
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
time and transition
I have lived in my little beach town for just over a year now and in the general area for just over two. I love my little house, my little community and my little town. Change is challenging, even when you bring about the changes yourself. Building a whole new life, from scratch, has certainly been full of experiences and I am hardly "done." I am grateful for so much and there is much more to create.
Much of it has turned out very differently than I planned, something I should be quite used to by now. Overall though, as I reflect, I think that I am happier and healthier in this environment than I was before. I miss people and places of my life before very much, I am more restricted than I thought I would be and I wish I was not still struggling with some of the things I find myself battling, but I have always felt a deep connection to this area, even att he worst moments, it brings me peace just to look around and as the anniversary has just passed I just had to say: it sure is good to be home.
Much of it has turned out very differently than I planned, something I should be quite used to by now. Overall though, as I reflect, I think that I am happier and healthier in this environment than I was before. I miss people and places of my life before very much, I am more restricted than I thought I would be and I wish I was not still struggling with some of the things I find myself battling, but I have always felt a deep connection to this area, even att he worst moments, it brings me peace just to look around and as the anniversary has just passed I just had to say: it sure is good to be home.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
half a work week in one day
I had to meet with two seperate clients down south on tuesday. i was travelling with 3 other co-workers and we left at 5:30am in hopes of reaching desination 1 by 10am, which required that i arise at 4am to get to the office in time since i live about 40 minutes away.
Some friends talked me into going out for ONE drink on Monday night after work, which of course turned into me dragging my ass home at around 10:30, smacking myself upside the head 'cause I was only going to get about 4 hours of sleep, but almost worth it because it was a good time.
The road trip down south was fairly decent and uneventful, except for the brief stop at mickey d's for breakfast which led to the discovery of the turbo leaf blower cleverly disguised as a hand dryer in the restrooms and the mysterious coffee gnome that kept projectile spitting one co-workers coffee right out of his cup at random intervals for no findable reason, which happened just after the epic cream fight with the cashier who just could not understand my response to her question of how many creams I would like, which was "many", requiring me to actually have to say "ok, like 3 each?" Apparently I violated some major mickey d's cream quota!
Generally the client meetings went well, and we wrapped up just in time to jump into full blown LA traffic - ok, I am sorry, but seriously how and why does anyone live there, its just awful. I would hurt someone if I had to face that every day. It took 2 and a half, long painful hours to go about 70 miles at which point we decided to pull over and get some dinner. Dinner was really nice, and very pleasant.
On the road back home after dinner, I am driving and at about 9pm as we are on 101 near Rincon, with the pacific ocean stretched out on the left, we get a phone call from one co-workers wife, we in the car hear this: (his side of the conversation only)
"what!?"
"oh ya, right."
"the whole west coast, sure."
"really?"
"down to mexico?"
"shit, ok, i'll call you back."
At which point he explains to us what the rest of the world home in front of the TV already knew, that there was a big quake off the norcal coast and a tsunami was possible, folks had been evacuated and the entire california and oregon coast was on alert. This is not good news when you have a mountain on one side, the ocean on the other and no place to go to get away from it. We try not to panic, and find a local news station on the radio. Very shortly thereafter, we find out that the quake happened about 2 hours previously and there are no signs of a tsunami and that the whole thing will likely be called off, quite a relief, but what a bizarre 15 minutes or so!
I finally arrived home about a quarter to midnight, sleep is sooooo good!
Some friends talked me into going out for ONE drink on Monday night after work, which of course turned into me dragging my ass home at around 10:30, smacking myself upside the head 'cause I was only going to get about 4 hours of sleep, but almost worth it because it was a good time.
The road trip down south was fairly decent and uneventful, except for the brief stop at mickey d's for breakfast which led to the discovery of the turbo leaf blower cleverly disguised as a hand dryer in the restrooms and the mysterious coffee gnome that kept projectile spitting one co-workers coffee right out of his cup at random intervals for no findable reason, which happened just after the epic cream fight with the cashier who just could not understand my response to her question of how many creams I would like, which was "many", requiring me to actually have to say "ok, like 3 each?" Apparently I violated some major mickey d's cream quota!
Generally the client meetings went well, and we wrapped up just in time to jump into full blown LA traffic - ok, I am sorry, but seriously how and why does anyone live there, its just awful. I would hurt someone if I had to face that every day. It took 2 and a half, long painful hours to go about 70 miles at which point we decided to pull over and get some dinner. Dinner was really nice, and very pleasant.
On the road back home after dinner, I am driving and at about 9pm as we are on 101 near Rincon, with the pacific ocean stretched out on the left, we get a phone call from one co-workers wife, we in the car hear this: (his side of the conversation only)
"what!?"
"oh ya, right."
"the whole west coast, sure."
"really?"
"down to mexico?"
"shit, ok, i'll call you back."
At which point he explains to us what the rest of the world home in front of the TV already knew, that there was a big quake off the norcal coast and a tsunami was possible, folks had been evacuated and the entire california and oregon coast was on alert. This is not good news when you have a mountain on one side, the ocean on the other and no place to go to get away from it. We try not to panic, and find a local news station on the radio. Very shortly thereafter, we find out that the quake happened about 2 hours previously and there are no signs of a tsunami and that the whole thing will likely be called off, quite a relief, but what a bizarre 15 minutes or so!
I finally arrived home about a quarter to midnight, sleep is sooooo good!
Monday, June 13, 2005
"U" all day
I treated a friend to a lovely sunday brunch in honor of his birthday yesterday out in the cam, the breakfast was seriously yummy, as were the accompanying fresh fruit, morning pastries, coffee and mimosa's, all enjoyed in a lushly forrested creekside sunstreaked outdoor patio.
We then decided to drive up the coast a bit to check out the swells, and the sweet sets that were rolling in. We stopped at several local surf spots and ended up at "the cove" a few miles north.
While walking along the beach at the cove we ran into some other friends, fellow U's, and as we chatted about this and that 3 dolphins leaped out of the water right in front of me, they were only maybe 30 feet away, in surprisingly shallow water and so unbelievably beautiful, sleek and graceful. I have never seen dolphins so close to shore here, I was so amazed and excited! It is unbelievably difficult to describe something like that and the feelings that go with it.
Just. Awesome.
We topped the day off by calling a bunch of friends to gather for a good old fashioned beach bonfire complete with guitars, drums, beverages and lots of snacks. We sat around the fire, toasted marshmellows, sang some songs and made some up, laughed and laughed and laughed.
Simply a beautiful day.
We then decided to drive up the coast a bit to check out the swells, and the sweet sets that were rolling in. We stopped at several local surf spots and ended up at "the cove" a few miles north.
While walking along the beach at the cove we ran into some other friends, fellow U's, and as we chatted about this and that 3 dolphins leaped out of the water right in front of me, they were only maybe 30 feet away, in surprisingly shallow water and so unbelievably beautiful, sleek and graceful. I have never seen dolphins so close to shore here, I was so amazed and excited! It is unbelievably difficult to describe something like that and the feelings that go with it.
Just. Awesome.
We topped the day off by calling a bunch of friends to gather for a good old fashioned beach bonfire complete with guitars, drums, beverages and lots of snacks. We sat around the fire, toasted marshmellows, sang some songs and made some up, laughed and laughed and laughed.
Simply a beautiful day.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Happy Birthday Tissa
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Tissa, happy birthday to yououououououououuouou! Let's go have some Royal Tea to celebrate!! :O)
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
update to: deep thoughts/journey's end
I was telling a friend over the weekend about my reaction to the Journey's End sign. I thought her comments were noteworthy. This post will likely make little sense if you have not read the previous one.
She said that she has seen the sign also and they she actually had a different perspective, that to her it meant that they were travellers, and that the house is where they come to rest in between. Basically that at the end of each journey they return there.
I thought it was a cool take on the whole deal and I thought it was good to hear another view and it made me feel more positive about it, like I can walk by the house again without feeling so heavy. It also made me realize that although a bit morose, my reaction and subsequent thoughts had value for me, and relate to where I am in my life and the things on my mind, and my plans and goals. Reaffirming for me my belief that things happen for a reason, in the time and way they are meant to.
Thanks D for a fresh perspective, for a lovely chat, a great glass of wine, a little too much sun, for making me feel welcome, and for a really nice day.
She said that she has seen the sign also and they she actually had a different perspective, that to her it meant that they were travellers, and that the house is where they come to rest in between. Basically that at the end of each journey they return there.
I thought it was a cool take on the whole deal and I thought it was good to hear another view and it made me feel more positive about it, like I can walk by the house again without feeling so heavy. It also made me realize that although a bit morose, my reaction and subsequent thoughts had value for me, and relate to where I am in my life and the things on my mind, and my plans and goals. Reaffirming for me my belief that things happen for a reason, in the time and way they are meant to.
Thanks D for a fresh perspective, for a lovely chat, a great glass of wine, a little too much sun, for making me feel welcome, and for a really nice day.
Monday, June 06, 2005
that's amore
Italian Cuisine and Italian Heritage have been frequent topics of discussion lately. I miss the monthly Italian club dinners my *Nonu used to take us to, and I sure miss my Nonu even more.
I think one of the things I miss most is his gentle simplicity and how that represented Italy and being Italian to me. He was endlessly patient, kind, funny, so loving, thoughtful and generous. He loved to garden, grew much of his own food, loved light but tasty dishes and loved having the family over for a traditional Italian meal.
The thing is, like any place, the food and the culture may have similarities but differ region to region, and change once Americanized. My family comes from Northern Italy, the dishes my family made were so much lighter than most of what is served in restaurants here today, and were full of love, cherished for hours and often eaten outdoors with music playing in the background. Our tradition most closely resembles what a precious few places call "family style"
I miss those happy simple meals and all the family that has since passed. I look forward to passing on some of those traditions and telling the stories I was told, and the details I remember.
Salute!
*(Nonu is Piedmontese for Grandfather, in my case, my great grandfather)
I think one of the things I miss most is his gentle simplicity and how that represented Italy and being Italian to me. He was endlessly patient, kind, funny, so loving, thoughtful and generous. He loved to garden, grew much of his own food, loved light but tasty dishes and loved having the family over for a traditional Italian meal.
The thing is, like any place, the food and the culture may have similarities but differ region to region, and change once Americanized. My family comes from Northern Italy, the dishes my family made were so much lighter than most of what is served in restaurants here today, and were full of love, cherished for hours and often eaten outdoors with music playing in the background. Our tradition most closely resembles what a precious few places call "family style"
I miss those happy simple meals and all the family that has since passed. I look forward to passing on some of those traditions and telling the stories I was told, and the details I remember.
Salute!
*(Nonu is Piedmontese for Grandfather, in my case, my great grandfather)
Is my face red...
Approximately four hours of gardening and girl talk in the bright sun yesterday leaves me a fully baked crispy critter complete with contrasting thin white half circle lines from the rims of my sunglasses just above my cheekbones. Somehow it seems evenly distributed on my face but is more prominent on my left side when looking at my arms and legs. Oddly and very luckily, I don't feel much discomfort, heat yes, pain low.
I would love to show you a picture, but I would have to go back in time and not watch (to my utter horror) my camera falling out of my pocket and right into the ocean last week while taking new sunset pictures, in order to do that. Yes, I am deeply saddened by the sudden demise of my very cherished digital camera, amplified by my inability to easily replace it any time soon...oh camera, I hardly knew ye...
Wear sunscreen! :)
I would love to show you a picture, but I would have to go back in time and not watch (to my utter horror) my camera falling out of my pocket and right into the ocean last week while taking new sunset pictures, in order to do that. Yes, I am deeply saddened by the sudden demise of my very cherished digital camera, amplified by my inability to easily replace it any time soon...oh camera, I hardly knew ye...
Wear sunscreen! :)
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
3 whole days
I almost feel guilty that I didn't go more places, do more things, drink more cocktails...mostly I puttered - one of my most favorite things in the world. I am an excellent putterer, seriously world class and I could have won a gold medal this weekend.
There were only two major diversions: The Blues Festival & The Neighbors BBQ
The Blues Fest was rockin'! An entire day of great music, beautiful weather, good company & cold beer. Yup - fabulous!
The neighbors BBQ was sunny, smiley and oh so yummy! New favorite bread for BBQ's is sourdough covered with butter, bleu cheese and garlic - heaven! New favorite blender drink - mangoes with rum - tasteEE!
It was like being on vacation without having to really go anywhere!
There were only two major diversions: The Blues Festival & The Neighbors BBQ
The Blues Fest was rockin'! An entire day of great music, beautiful weather, good company & cold beer. Yup - fabulous!
The neighbors BBQ was sunny, smiley and oh so yummy! New favorite bread for BBQ's is sourdough covered with butter, bleu cheese and garlic - heaven! New favorite blender drink - mangoes with rum - tasteEE!
It was like being on vacation without having to really go anywhere!
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
best quote of the day
AJB to MM: Wow! You look pretty good for a Vegas weekend! When I come back from Vegas, I come back all older and thrashed. I mean, all you have to do is just sit there and play cards and they just keep brining you drinks, it's awesome!
Monday, May 23, 2005
kayaking
things I learned from kayaking on the ocean this weekend:
Tie your kayak to something before you leave it somewhere, this ensures you will not come back from dinner to find it floating away.
Also tie your paddle to something, like maybe your kayak - its odd how fast those two items can get separated from each other and how fast those little paddles can sink and/or float away.
Do not attempt to do very much other than paddle while in choppy water, your devoted concentration will keep you dry....well um dry-er and nearer to your group but most importantly - away from large moving watercraft.
The pier posts are actually much narrower than they appear from above.
Be sure to borrow a Kayak you can actually carry and that you can afford to replace in case it does float not into the retrievable back bay when you don't tie it down - but actually out to sea.
Apparently there actually is a graceful way to get onto shore through the waves without flipping you and your kayak over, if you are wearing a white shirt, a woman and plan to go anywhere in public immediately following, you may want to have someone show you how to do this before you go out...or bring cash to buy a new shirt once you get there.
If you must bring anything with you, put it into a waterproof container, especially your towel which becomes rather unusable once wet.
There is little else so peaceful and beautiful than floating on a wave in the hot summer sun! :)
Tie your kayak to something before you leave it somewhere, this ensures you will not come back from dinner to find it floating away.
Also tie your paddle to something, like maybe your kayak - its odd how fast those two items can get separated from each other and how fast those little paddles can sink and/or float away.
Do not attempt to do very much other than paddle while in choppy water, your devoted concentration will keep you dry....well um dry-er and nearer to your group but most importantly - away from large moving watercraft.
The pier posts are actually much narrower than they appear from above.
Be sure to borrow a Kayak you can actually carry and that you can afford to replace in case it does float not into the retrievable back bay when you don't tie it down - but actually out to sea.
Apparently there actually is a graceful way to get onto shore through the waves without flipping you and your kayak over, if you are wearing a white shirt, a woman and plan to go anywhere in public immediately following, you may want to have someone show you how to do this before you go out...or bring cash to buy a new shirt once you get there.
If you must bring anything with you, put it into a waterproof container, especially your towel which becomes rather unusable once wet.
There is little else so peaceful and beautiful than floating on a wave in the hot summer sun! :)
Thursday, May 19, 2005
characters
js: the parade is classic also
jc: what kind of parade is it?
js: umm well, its kinda like a "normal" small town parade, but then also full of characters and sometimes town drunks, and well, its just sort of a spectacle
jc: haha, i'm trying to figure out if you are one of the characters or one of the town drunks...
Now THATS funny!
jc: what kind of parade is it?
js: umm well, its kinda like a "normal" small town parade, but then also full of characters and sometimes town drunks, and well, its just sort of a spectacle
jc: haha, i'm trying to figure out if you are one of the characters or one of the town drunks...
Now THATS funny!
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
update: random bit
Well, thanks to a very observant reader (you know who you are)- I actually can provide an answer to what happened to little Elian:
"Elian Gonzalez addresses Cubans"
One note though, after reading the article its tough not to think, "hmmmm, propaganda much?" But hey, glad the kids alright.
"Elian Gonzalez addresses Cubans"
One note though, after reading the article its tough not to think, "hmmmm, propaganda much?" But hey, glad the kids alright.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
soundtrack
the two most annoying, recurring but somehow addicting songs right now are
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
Lonely - Akon
if you hear one of these songs, prepare to find it haunting you for several days...you will be assiimilated, resistance is futile :)
Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
Lonely - Akon
if you hear one of these songs, prepare to find it haunting you for several days...you will be assiimilated, resistance is futile :)
random bit
Occasionally I catch myself thinking of the oddest things!
Recently the following item crossed my mind:
What happened to Elian Gonzales? Remember the poor Cuban kid whose Mother died trying to bring him to freedom and he was given back to his Father in Cuba? I don't pretend to have any idea what the right thing to do was there, but man did it take up the TV for days and days, and now, nothing - nada. Where is he, how is he? Its odd, our total obsession with something that ultimately we must not care about all that much, or we wouldn't just entirely forget about it...
Recently the following item crossed my mind:
What happened to Elian Gonzales? Remember the poor Cuban kid whose Mother died trying to bring him to freedom and he was given back to his Father in Cuba? I don't pretend to have any idea what the right thing to do was there, but man did it take up the TV for days and days, and now, nothing - nada. Where is he, how is he? Its odd, our total obsession with something that ultimately we must not care about all that much, or we wouldn't just entirely forget about it...
Mother's Day
I had not visited home in a pretty long time, my Mother was thrilled that I was going to visit for the holiday. She brought my sweet little Grandma out to brunch with us, who has been suffering with dementia at the least and Alzheimers at the worst.
I have gotten pretty used to her relentless repeated questions, heartbreaking and frusterating at times, but manageable. However, I was not prepared for the newest symptom, where sweet little granny says something absolutely outrageous.
For example, at one point she leans over to me and says"Hey, I have to tell you something Grandma to Granddaughter" (that should have been my first clue - she has never called herself grandma ever) when I leaned over she motioned to come even closer and said "this isn't for them" waving at the rest of my family.
The she says, completely matter of factly, "You know, you are gorgeous and you could make a lot of money, if you know what I mean..." then she winked and laughed, as I tried to process that my Italian Catholic Grandmother just told me I should probably get a job in the oldest profession in the world! Priceless
I have gotten pretty used to her relentless repeated questions, heartbreaking and frusterating at times, but manageable. However, I was not prepared for the newest symptom, where sweet little granny says something absolutely outrageous.
For example, at one point she leans over to me and says"Hey, I have to tell you something Grandma to Granddaughter" (that should have been my first clue - she has never called herself grandma ever) when I leaned over she motioned to come even closer and said "this isn't for them" waving at the rest of my family.
The she says, completely matter of factly, "You know, you are gorgeous and you could make a lot of money, if you know what I mean..." then she winked and laughed, as I tried to process that my Italian Catholic Grandmother just told me I should probably get a job in the oldest profession in the world! Priceless
Friday, May 13, 2005
flickr
So, I have been slowly uploading my mass of photos into flickr, working my way mostly from most recent backwards, its definately fun, but it makes me realize how many pictures I have and I am not even that good about taking pictures!
I posted a little flash app that Flickr offers, that show some of my uploaded pictures but it doesn't seem to show them all (and it said it would so I am confused) only the first 20 or so most recent...a bit frusterating...
Anyway, you may enjoy taking a look or may find some fun creating your own account, explore and enjoy! Happy Friday
- Love, me
I posted a little flash app that Flickr offers, that show some of my uploaded pictures but it doesn't seem to show them all (and it said it would so I am confused) only the first 20 or so most recent...a bit frusterating...
Anyway, you may enjoy taking a look or may find some fun creating your own account, explore and enjoy! Happy Friday
- Love, me
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy
I think I must put a warning here: this is not a lighthearted entry, so read at your own risk.
As I was walking back to my car the other night, I passed a house which had a sign out front that read "Journey's End." As I read it, it literally felt like I had the wind knocked out of me, and could not shake the thought that what that sign really meant is: "this is where we have come to die." It freaked me out, and not just a little.
I do not consider myself a morbid person or one who is overly concerned or focused on death, (in fact it is entirely possible that I actually unconsciously go out of my way to avoid any thought of death at all, mine or anyone else's) so it seemed odd to me that it hit me that way and that hard, but it did. I have never given any thought to where I want to die, I am always much more focused on where and how I want to live.
And then the following occured to me:
I consciously chose to live where I reside currently and aside from the possibilities of some occasional travel or winning a villa in some exotic country, I plan to live here always...uhhh, for the rest of my life...and man that is HUGE...the friends I have made so far and will make here are likely the people I am going to grow old with, share the events of my life with, attend weddings and funerals with, that I am going to bury and/or they are going to bury me. THIS, IS MY LIFE, it may change by unforseen events or people coming into it, sure, but just as much as that house and those occupants, I have generally seemed to arrived at both my journey's new beginning and also perhaps its end.
Like most people, I expect that I thought I would grow old with my husband and children and probably not very far from where I was raised, while staying connected to my family and friends.
Reasonable yes, likely to happen? No.
Why? Because, I don't have a husband or children, and realistically I may not ever have them.
I don't write that in a self pitying way, I write it as the simple fact that it is. At one time that statement was too painful to even utter, but recently I have come to not only accept how things have turned out but even to embrace them enough to wonder if they might have been a blessing.
I have a loving, but fractured family, that has been plagued by loss and illness and does not have many members left. And I have some wonderful friends that I cherish with all of my heart as much as my family. There is no dwelling that exists from my childhood that really feels like home, so in that way, I do feel a bit like an orphan. So I created my own home, in a place that feels like a part of me, and have been trying to carve out a life for myself here that I am excited about living while filling it with people and experiences that are good and meaningful, even without "the American dream".
Journey's End - huh.
As I was walking back to my car the other night, I passed a house which had a sign out front that read "Journey's End." As I read it, it literally felt like I had the wind knocked out of me, and could not shake the thought that what that sign really meant is: "this is where we have come to die." It freaked me out, and not just a little.
I do not consider myself a morbid person or one who is overly concerned or focused on death, (in fact it is entirely possible that I actually unconsciously go out of my way to avoid any thought of death at all, mine or anyone else's) so it seemed odd to me that it hit me that way and that hard, but it did. I have never given any thought to where I want to die, I am always much more focused on where and how I want to live.
And then the following occured to me:
I consciously chose to live where I reside currently and aside from the possibilities of some occasional travel or winning a villa in some exotic country, I plan to live here always...uhhh, for the rest of my life...and man that is HUGE...the friends I have made so far and will make here are likely the people I am going to grow old with, share the events of my life with, attend weddings and funerals with, that I am going to bury and/or they are going to bury me. THIS, IS MY LIFE, it may change by unforseen events or people coming into it, sure, but just as much as that house and those occupants, I have generally seemed to arrived at both my journey's new beginning and also perhaps its end.
Like most people, I expect that I thought I would grow old with my husband and children and probably not very far from where I was raised, while staying connected to my family and friends.
Reasonable yes, likely to happen? No.
Why? Because, I don't have a husband or children, and realistically I may not ever have them.
I don't write that in a self pitying way, I write it as the simple fact that it is. At one time that statement was too painful to even utter, but recently I have come to not only accept how things have turned out but even to embrace them enough to wonder if they might have been a blessing.
I have a loving, but fractured family, that has been plagued by loss and illness and does not have many members left. And I have some wonderful friends that I cherish with all of my heart as much as my family. There is no dwelling that exists from my childhood that really feels like home, so in that way, I do feel a bit like an orphan. So I created my own home, in a place that feels like a part of me, and have been trying to carve out a life for myself here that I am excited about living while filling it with people and experiences that are good and meaningful, even without "the American dream".
Journey's End - huh.
Monday, May 02, 2005
Whiskey River Take My Mind...
Willie Nelson played at the Pozo Saloon yesterday, it was a beautiful day and a great concert. He sang my favorite songs, and my most favorite song and it was a little slice of heaven on earth.
I got to dance with 4 year old Orion, one of the cutest children I have ever seen, who decided upon meeting me that we were going to be friends and hung out with me all day. I bought a Willie tank top and I got to wear the cowboy hat Willie Nelson gave my Dad 30 years ago that my Dad finally gave to me...EPIC!
Pozo is out in the middle of nowhere, a historical landmark because it was once a stagecoach stop, several of us locals decided to rent a bus so we wouldn't have to worry about driving, getting lost, or drinking. I really hardly knew most of the people who took the bus with me, but I made a few new friends with a few of the gals who live in my town and went.
It was an amazing Sunday!
Monday, April 18, 2005
packing it in
If you think I can pack a lot into a day, you would blown away by how much can happen in a weekend!
I was mostly about serious spring cleaning this weekend, my sunroom (which is almost all windows including the roof & is located at the back of the house overlooking the creek & leading to the deck) is now cleared out and ready for hosting summer BBQ's, lazy afternoons, arts and crafts or the very rare afternoon catnap.
It was quite a process & though it all looks very nice right now, it has caused a fair amount of chaos throughout the rest of the house which will have to be handled sooner than later. I cannot wait to have a yard sale with all of the stuff I am ready to let go of - a little cash & a lot more room - total bonus.
This large purging also required sorting through a lot of photos and cards and miscellaneous notebooks, schoolbooks and pieces of paper - much memory laning. I found pictures of my maters degree graduation, of my last day at acer, of a baseball game with medchannel co-workers at the new Pac Bell Park when it opened, so many other ones I had completely forgot I had. It made me nostalgic, for people and places and times of my life. It brought smiles and tears and groans and caused a flood of little flashbacks. I do live a very full life, it may not always be exaclty the way I would like it to be, but I have been able to do a lot, meet a lot of different people, go a lot of places and appreciate the experiences.
To the many many people who have been a part of my life, thank you for making it richer.
Peace and love!
I was mostly about serious spring cleaning this weekend, my sunroom (which is almost all windows including the roof & is located at the back of the house overlooking the creek & leading to the deck) is now cleared out and ready for hosting summer BBQ's, lazy afternoons, arts and crafts or the very rare afternoon catnap.
It was quite a process & though it all looks very nice right now, it has caused a fair amount of chaos throughout the rest of the house which will have to be handled sooner than later. I cannot wait to have a yard sale with all of the stuff I am ready to let go of - a little cash & a lot more room - total bonus.
This large purging also required sorting through a lot of photos and cards and miscellaneous notebooks, schoolbooks and pieces of paper - much memory laning. I found pictures of my maters degree graduation, of my last day at acer, of a baseball game with medchannel co-workers at the new Pac Bell Park when it opened, so many other ones I had completely forgot I had. It made me nostalgic, for people and places and times of my life. It brought smiles and tears and groans and caused a flood of little flashbacks. I do live a very full life, it may not always be exaclty the way I would like it to be, but I have been able to do a lot, meet a lot of different people, go a lot of places and appreciate the experiences.
To the many many people who have been a part of my life, thank you for making it richer.
Peace and love!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Have a Heart
This little guy and his family are facing a huge health crisis, please send your love and prayers, and when the times comes, anything you can spare to help him get a new heart. thanks!!
Galen Dahl
Galen Dahl
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
mariposa reina - queen of the flutterby's
There are thousands, perhaps millions of butterflies, EVERYWHERE today. No joke, no exaggeration - about 60 per minute are currently passing due North outside of the window at work and are basically swarming the air - I have NEVER seen anything like this in my life, and I absolutely love and always notice butterflies. Happy Spring!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
soundtrack
seems like almost every day a random song or snippet of song, will pop into my head and then stick around.
Often, there is a direct correlation such as a song playing in the store that I heard without really hearing, but sometimes...no clue.
Today's song for example, I believe I know from my childhood and I think comes from a Shirley Temple movie I saw once, why it popped in today, and why it stuck with me, I don't know...but here goes:
"I'm laughin'
and i got nothin to laugh about
if I can laugh, sing, dance and shout
sister so can you"
picture a Gone With the Wind style "Mamie" singing in a gloriously big and beautiful voice
ya - i don't know either - but there it is
Often, there is a direct correlation such as a song playing in the store that I heard without really hearing, but sometimes...no clue.
Today's song for example, I believe I know from my childhood and I think comes from a Shirley Temple movie I saw once, why it popped in today, and why it stuck with me, I don't know...but here goes:
"I'm laughin'
and i got nothin to laugh about
if I can laugh, sing, dance and shout
sister so can you"
picture a Gone With the Wind style "Mamie" singing in a gloriously big and beautiful voice
ya - i don't know either - but there it is
Creakin' part 2
two things that do not rock about creekin':
1) mosquito bites (yes I will get insect reppellent)
2) poison ivy - itchy, itchy, itchy!!!
1) mosquito bites (yes I will get insect reppellent)
2) poison ivy - itchy, itchy, itchy!!!
Monday, March 28, 2005
Creekin'
Because of a major deadline and a business trip, I have been feeling lucky to get 5 hours sleep a night over the past few weeks and spent unbelievable amounts of time in the car and sitting in meetings. Which has resulted in the most acute desire to be outside and in motion.
I finally bought a pair of knee high rubber boots so that I could start hiking the gorgeous creek that runs through my backyard. We know that Native Americans roamed all over the land we live on, and many people have found artifacts. After a good rain is the best time to find things because the water loosens everything up and brings it downstream.
Just being out, on a semi sunny day was pretty cool all by itself, but I also found several pieces of abalone shell that are soooo beautiful and indicative of an old Chumash campsite. It was so much fun to explore, to imagine the people who lived here before me, to connect for a moment the past and present. Some people believe that Chumash means "Seashell People" and I definatley agree its very possible.
I finally bought a pair of knee high rubber boots so that I could start hiking the gorgeous creek that runs through my backyard. We know that Native Americans roamed all over the land we live on, and many people have found artifacts. After a good rain is the best time to find things because the water loosens everything up and brings it downstream.
Just being out, on a semi sunny day was pretty cool all by itself, but I also found several pieces of abalone shell that are soooo beautiful and indicative of an old Chumash campsite. It was so much fun to explore, to imagine the people who lived here before me, to connect for a moment the past and present. Some people believe that Chumash means "Seashell People" and I definatley agree its very possible.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Disgusting!
At some point we are going to have to admit that:
a) there isn't enough oil in the world the way we use it
b) good alternatives exist and have been available
I am just disgusted, and not JUST about the beauty that will be destroyed. The dependence on foreign oil isn't the problem, the problem is the dependence on a limited substance that is no longer even necessary.
Alternatives abound, here are a few links:
Biodiesel
Diesel & Hybrids
Veggie Fuel
Senate OKs Alaska wildlife refuge drilling
| Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
In a major victory for President Bush's energy policy, the Senate voted Wednesday to open Alaska's wildlife refuge to oil drilling. The 51-to-49 Senate vote moves the prospect of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) closer to reality after two decades of debate. It comes as oil and gas prices are approaching new highs.........click here for more
Sunday, March 13, 2005
wheel of fortune
er, well, the "mobile wheel" anyway, blew into our area on Saturday looking for contestants and causing quite a crowd. Now, I admit, I did think it sounded like a good time - which is why I went, but I was wholly unprepared for the full force of adoration some folks have for that show.
I mean, it wasn't even Pat & Vanna hosting, it was scary lounge-act Pat & Vanna wanna-be's . At least if it was Pat & Vanna I could justify some of the exuberance I witnessed- although I am not a big fan of either specifically, I can appreciate a celebrity as much as the next gal, and I used to get a kick out of Chuck Woolery. I ran into him in Hawaii once, it was totally surreal to see Chuck Woolery at breakfast.
The poor sucker I talked into going with me, really was a good sport about it all. Especially considering we began the adventure with a sincere explaination of how there was zero intention of going anywhere near the wheel freakfest, but then accompanied me anyway, at the last minute, for reasons I may never know. I probably am now forever indebted, because between the utter lameness of the event generally, the wheel-fevered retired folks, and the odd swarms of flying bugs that just would not go away - it sadly, did suck, beyond all measure.
I am pretty sure that people shouting "WHEEL" "OF" "FORTUNE" with reckless abandon has scarred me for life... :O) I'd like a Z please...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I would like to say the days bizarre events ended there, but...ummmmm...no... I offered to buy said friend a beer for putting up with the wheel of fortune nonsense, which was immediately met with much gratitude. (Most likely because it was a clear indication that we were actually leaving wheel of boring.) So, we decided to go to a downtown bar a few bocks from the wheel deal. It turned out that we knew the bartenders mother, so then enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her as we sat and chatted and did a little people watching.
At one point, as she was telling us a story, I glanced up at a couple that was sitting further down the bar. The woman was sort of rolling her head forward as if falling asleep in class, but on a barstool. I made eye contact witht the bartender and motioned in their direction. She glanced over and looked at me like, "Oh crap, what do I do?" She is a brand new bartender at a bar that only serves beer and this was her first encounter with someone completely trashed.
Suddenly, the woman stood up, but couldn't find a fixed point she was so out of focus. She lunged forward and stumbled up against the bar. The man she was with (who did not seem really drunk) got up to help her and they bumbled outside. She fell in the street between two parked cars about 5 steps outside the door, at which point I told the bartender she should call 911. We helped the woman back into the bar, got her some water and waited for someone to show up. They did, police, fire department, and ambulance with paramedics - who discovered that the woman has a heart condition and was drinking while on medication and they would be taking her to the hospital, and she would likely be fine after treatment. At which point, we looked at each other and said at the same time, "Let's get back home."
It may only be 25 miles away, but it is its own little world, our home sweet home. Nothing much really happens in our little town, if you blink, you could miss it, but it is unbelievably beautiful, simple and safe. It has become a part of me, I feel a deep unexplainable connection that no other place on earth has ever inspired before. I feel like I am OF here, and at times even leaving just to go 25 miles north to work is actually a bit painful, as though I am tearing myself away, as silly as that may seem.
I mean, it wasn't even Pat & Vanna hosting, it was scary lounge-act Pat & Vanna wanna-be's . At least if it was Pat & Vanna I could justify some of the exuberance I witnessed- although I am not a big fan of either specifically, I can appreciate a celebrity as much as the next gal, and I used to get a kick out of Chuck Woolery. I ran into him in Hawaii once, it was totally surreal to see Chuck Woolery at breakfast.
The poor sucker I talked into going with me, really was a good sport about it all. Especially considering we began the adventure with a sincere explaination of how there was zero intention of going anywhere near the wheel freakfest, but then accompanied me anyway, at the last minute, for reasons I may never know. I probably am now forever indebted, because between the utter lameness of the event generally, the wheel-fevered retired folks, and the odd swarms of flying bugs that just would not go away - it sadly, did suck, beyond all measure.
I am pretty sure that people shouting "WHEEL" "OF" "FORTUNE" with reckless abandon has scarred me for life... :O) I'd like a Z please...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I would like to say the days bizarre events ended there, but...ummmmm...no... I offered to buy said friend a beer for putting up with the wheel of fortune nonsense, which was immediately met with much gratitude. (Most likely because it was a clear indication that we were actually leaving wheel of boring.) So, we decided to go to a downtown bar a few bocks from the wheel deal. It turned out that we knew the bartenders mother, so then enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her as we sat and chatted and did a little people watching.
At one point, as she was telling us a story, I glanced up at a couple that was sitting further down the bar. The woman was sort of rolling her head forward as if falling asleep in class, but on a barstool. I made eye contact witht the bartender and motioned in their direction. She glanced over and looked at me like, "Oh crap, what do I do?" She is a brand new bartender at a bar that only serves beer and this was her first encounter with someone completely trashed.
Suddenly, the woman stood up, but couldn't find a fixed point she was so out of focus. She lunged forward and stumbled up against the bar. The man she was with (who did not seem really drunk) got up to help her and they bumbled outside. She fell in the street between two parked cars about 5 steps outside the door, at which point I told the bartender she should call 911. We helped the woman back into the bar, got her some water and waited for someone to show up. They did, police, fire department, and ambulance with paramedics - who discovered that the woman has a heart condition and was drinking while on medication and they would be taking her to the hospital, and she would likely be fine after treatment. At which point, we looked at each other and said at the same time, "Let's get back home."
It may only be 25 miles away, but it is its own little world, our home sweet home. Nothing much really happens in our little town, if you blink, you could miss it, but it is unbelievably beautiful, simple and safe. It has become a part of me, I feel a deep unexplainable connection that no other place on earth has ever inspired before. I feel like I am OF here, and at times even leaving just to go 25 miles north to work is actually a bit painful, as though I am tearing myself away, as silly as that may seem.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is just insane, they better have freakin parachutes or something on that damn ride!
Borrowed from yahoo!
Borrowed from yahoo!
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
the birthday desk
I finally got the pictures together to post of my birthday present from my co-workers this is what I saw when I got to my desk
the picture I didn't get
At least 3 people asked me this weekend if I had seen the beautiful rainbow over our ocean at sunset on Friday, and then went on to explain in tantilizing but painful details about how beautiful it actually was, and how at one point it became a double rainbow.
I did not witness this seemingly perfect moment, I was either still at work or not close enough to home yet to see it. Every time I think of it, I have that twisting in the wind feeling, like I have lost something forever.
Realistically, it was only another sunset, another rainbow, more special only because they so rarely appear at the same time. But I missed it, like so many things that happen every day around me. I cannot shake the feeling that everything is all wrong, we have created a monstor that has enslaved us and ensures that we rarely enjoy JUST BEING ALIVE. Life moves at an incredible pace and I just keep feeling like I am missing it...
I did not witness this seemingly perfect moment, I was either still at work or not close enough to home yet to see it. Every time I think of it, I have that twisting in the wind feeling, like I have lost something forever.
Realistically, it was only another sunset, another rainbow, more special only because they so rarely appear at the same time. But I missed it, like so many things that happen every day around me. I cannot shake the feeling that everything is all wrong, we have created a monstor that has enslaved us and ensures that we rarely enjoy JUST BEING ALIVE. Life moves at an incredible pace and I just keep feeling like I am missing it...
horse meat = horse feathers
my brother left me a message the other day - he was apparently driving near an area we spent a lot of time growing up and called to tell me that he remembers our Dad telling us that Burger King served horsemeat in their hamburgers (it was just one of those dumb things you tease kids about innocently) but it stuck with my brother, and he called to say that some 20 years later he still can't really eat Burger King food, even though he knows that it isn't true.
It is funny the things that stick with kids, that make an impression. It is funny that we will hold on to things from childhood that we now know are completely unfounded.
I will not eat brown eggs. I am a total freak about organics and I cannot bring myself to eat anything other than a plain white egg. Why? Because when I was about 10, I ate a brown egg before going the movies, where I then ate peanut butter cups and half way through the movie I got violently ill. I was convinced it was the brown eggs, and have never knowingly eaten another one. I didn't eat peanut butter cups for a long time either, but those are such tempting little yummies I managed to get over them.
It is funny the things that stick with kids, that make an impression. It is funny that we will hold on to things from childhood that we now know are completely unfounded.
I will not eat brown eggs. I am a total freak about organics and I cannot bring myself to eat anything other than a plain white egg. Why? Because when I was about 10, I ate a brown egg before going the movies, where I then ate peanut butter cups and half way through the movie I got violently ill. I was convinced it was the brown eggs, and have never knowingly eaten another one. I didn't eat peanut butter cups for a long time either, but those are such tempting little yummies I managed to get over them.
A good quote
"One day at a time - this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone: and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."
Ida Scott Taylor
1820-1915, Author
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha - kidding right?
"Bush tack on Social Security: Be flexible, patient"
from the Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0304/p03s01-uspo.html
from the Christian Science Monitor
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0304/p03s01-uspo.html
the final frontier
Our universe is quite beautiful
" This photograph released in 2003, taken by NASA (news - web sites)'s Hubble Space Telescope (news - web sites)'s Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in 1999, captures a small region within M17, a hotbed of star formation. The uncertain fate of the Hubble Space Telescope, whose images have helped unravel some of the universe's deepest mysteries, has sparked debate in the US Congress and the scientific community due to the growing costs of keeping it among the stars." (AFP/NASA/HO/file) & borrowed from Yahoo!
" This photograph released in 2003, taken by NASA (news - web sites)'s Hubble Space Telescope (news - web sites)'s Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in 1999, captures a small region within M17, a hotbed of star formation. The uncertain fate of the Hubble Space Telescope, whose images have helped unravel some of the universe's deepest mysteries, has sparked debate in the US Congress and the scientific community due to the growing costs of keeping it among the stars." (AFP/NASA/HO/file) & borrowed from Yahoo!
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Did I move to Seattle?
A new storm is blowing in, it seems like it has mostly been raining since December. A news report the other night said we have had more than twice our average rain for this time of year and that Seattle has had less than half of their average for this time of year...weird!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Soooo cute!
What a little cutie this peach blossom is!
"A young child dressed as a peach blossom performs for the public prior to Chinese New Year at a huge shopping complex on the waterfront of Hong Kong. Chinese across the world embraced the rooster and bade farewell to the monkey as Lunar New Year was ushered in with temple fairs and family reunions.(Yahoo!/AFP/Mike Clarke)"
"A young child dressed as a peach blossom performs for the public prior to Chinese New Year at a huge shopping complex on the waterfront of Hong Kong. Chinese across the world embraced the rooster and bade farewell to the monkey as Lunar New Year was ushered in with temple fairs and family reunions.(Yahoo!/AFP/Mike Clarke)"
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Bonus Day!
The past few days have been full of good news for me, and I am so grateful. Those of you who know me personally, know that my family and I have been through a tremendously long and challenging past few years. Good news is always welcome! :O)
I received word today that my thesis was officially accepted and I should receive my Masters degree diploma this year. I have worked very hard on my thesis and had a strange series of mishaps that almost kept me from completing it. It is important to me for many reasons, probably the most important is that it marks off another huge thing I took on, and actually saw thru to completion, something that has always been difficult for me. It also means that I won't have these school loans hanging over my head for nothing and that I might actually be able to start angling my education more towards my livelihood, and that would be fabulous.
To every single one of you, thank you, because if you are reading this you have contributed.
Lots of love - jls
I received word today that my thesis was officially accepted and I should receive my Masters degree diploma this year. I have worked very hard on my thesis and had a strange series of mishaps that almost kept me from completing it. It is important to me for many reasons, probably the most important is that it marks off another huge thing I took on, and actually saw thru to completion, something that has always been difficult for me. It also means that I won't have these school loans hanging over my head for nothing and that I might actually be able to start angling my education more towards my livelihood, and that would be fabulous.
To every single one of you, thank you, because if you are reading this you have contributed.
Lots of love - jls
wish upon my star
jeannette lorraine
I received a star today, it is located in the constellation of Capricorn
"This constellation has been recognized since Babylonian times. It is generally depicted as a goat with a fish tail, although the name literally means horned goat. It is usually associated with the greek god, Pan.
I received a star today, it is located in the constellation of Capricorn
"This constellation has been recognized since Babylonian times. It is generally depicted as a goat with a fish tail, although the name literally means horned goat. It is usually associated with the greek god, Pan.
Capricorn is one of the most ancient constellations, despite the fact that its stars are rather faint. Also, the stars do not look so much like a goat at first glance. Capricorn is easiest to see in August."
Monday, February 14, 2005
Friday, February 11, 2005
TGIF
It has been a super long week, travelling for business, fighting my way thru impossible new deadlines, and not getting much sleep. I am quite grateful for a weekend where there is at least the possibility of rest.
I am having internet connectivity issues @ home also, which is my excuse for so little posting the past month.
Happy Friday!
I am having internet connectivity issues @ home also, which is my excuse for so little posting the past month.
Happy Friday!
Monday, February 07, 2005
Best Quotes
The annual locals only party was held last Tuesday at my favorite spot. Some notable quotes:
CC: "Keds are hot!"
GG: "My last name is the best you could hope for."
FL: "Okay, are you asking?"
SJ: "Let's play tennis."
"Happy Birthday Toke!"
CN: "Someone knows one of my brothers really well?"
GG: "You need to make up your mind, beeeyotch!"
W1: "You know, he isn't wearing anything under that kilt."
W2: "How do you know?"
W1: "That guy just lifted it to make sure."
TK: "Seriously, you should always wear a Fedora."
CC: "Keds are hot!"
GG: "My last name is the best you could hope for."
FL: "Okay, are you asking?"
SJ: "Let's play tennis."
"Happy Birthday Toke!"
CN: "Someone knows one of my brothers really well?"
GG: "You need to make up your mind, beeeyotch!"
W1: "You know, he isn't wearing anything under that kilt."
W2: "How do you know?"
W1: "That guy just lifted it to make sure."
TK: "Seriously, you should always wear a Fedora."
Monday, January 31, 2005
How the bleep did it get to be February?
I am taking the realization that tommorrow is February 1st, pretty hard - where did January go? The first month of the year is over, it makes me feel like I am already behind, like when you wake up at noon on a saturday and feel like the whole day is pretty much over...
Time moves so fast now, it is true that it seems to accelerate as I age, and I find that pretty scary!
Time moves so fast now, it is true that it seems to accelerate as I age, and I find that pretty scary!
Friday, January 21, 2005
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
winding down
the birthday festivities are winding down, it's practically been a a whole birthday month of celebration, much to my surprise. A few people really went out of their way to make it a special birthday for me, and it is appreciated more than they will likely ever know.
My family also went to a lot of trouble to make it special: phone calls, cards, presents, flowers and best of all, visits, and that was the hard part of it all, letting them go back home :O)
My family also went to a lot of trouble to make it special: phone calls, cards, presents, flowers and best of all, visits, and that was the hard part of it all, letting them go back home :O)
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
At my desk
Last summer, after finishing a huge project, the company sent the team out for lunch and bowling. I took a picture of this sign, and hung it at my desk, bullet number 3 just cracks me up :O)
Monday, January 10, 2005
rain, rain, go away
I am beginning to get really sick of the rain, it seems like it hasn't stopped for weeks now, and c'mon I am a sunny california girl who requires a certain level of the suns warmth and light to maintain my cheer.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
I cant believe I forgot this!
My Dad just refuses to get a Christmas tree, every year we mention it, every year we go without a tree. Honestly, its okay with me generally, they are nice and all, but living tree's are expensive and killing a tree for a few weeks pleasure just doesn't really feel right to me anymore either, so I don't pick on him much about it.
However, this year we had a lot of people coming over for Christmas Day and I'd like to share a little conversation.
I am in the back seat of my Dad's new truck (very comfy and very nice) and he is driving myself, and my Stepmom to my Stepsisters for Christmas Eve dinner.
P: We have to get a Christmas tree, we are having a Christmas party for goodness sake!
D: No, we do not need a tree.
P: We NEED a tree.
D: Where are we going to put a tree? There is no room, so no tree... you tell me where you want to put the tree, and we will go get one
At this point, I snort with laughter, as does my Stepmom, and my Dad suddenly realizes what he has just said, when I say, I think she knows exactly where she would like to stick it! :O)
However, this year we had a lot of people coming over for Christmas Day and I'd like to share a little conversation.
I am in the back seat of my Dad's new truck (very comfy and very nice) and he is driving myself, and my Stepmom to my Stepsisters for Christmas Eve dinner.
P: We have to get a Christmas tree, we are having a Christmas party for goodness sake!
D: No, we do not need a tree.
P: We NEED a tree.
D: Where are we going to put a tree? There is no room, so no tree... you tell me where you want to put the tree, and we will go get one
At this point, I snort with laughter, as does my Stepmom, and my Dad suddenly realizes what he has just said, when I say, I think she knows exactly where she would like to stick it! :O)
Saturday, January 01, 2005
new years day & the polar bears
The first thing I did New Years Day was go out for breakfast, because really, there just isn't too much better than a hot yummy breakfast you didn't have to make yourself and don't have to clean up.
We sat at the counter because it was busy, and I was too hungry to wait for a table. The waitress came over and whispered that she wanted to put our order in right away so that we would beat the 2 large parties of 6 each that had just been seated, to make sure that we would be able to eat without waiting for them first. (so nice!!)
It seemed like she brought it out to us before we even handed back the menu's, and we chit chatted with other locals at the counter while we ate, the bulk of the comments made were between huge mouthfuls, gulps of creamy coffee and related to how frelling fabulous a good hot breakfast is.
As we were finishing up, we realized we only had an hour before the annual polar bear dip, so we decided to head directly to the pier. Parking was crazy, so many people in such a small area, but seriously membership has its privledges and I got the choice secret spot right outside Schooners, simply because I live here and I can. :O)
Barbie tried to talk me into participating (ie: jumping into the freezing ocean without a wetsuit and dipping my head under water with a bunch of townies and tourists alike), but I repeatedly explained how that just wasn't going to happen this year. I did volunteer to watch her clothing and hand her a towel however, if she chose to do so. I then promtly climed the life guard tower for a good view.
What a site the whole thing was! I kept kicking myself for not thinking to bring the camera with me before we left for breakfast, but I was thinking that I would return home first. This also explains why I was wearing a Tigger thermal pajama top in public, which thankfully there is no evidence of.
Many different people had on various crazy costumes, santa shorts and hats, bathrobes, bathing suits, speedos (seriously guys, don't ever wear speedos - no longer doubt that they do freak us the hell out), board shorts, matching outfits, and there was even a hat that looked like a condom. People of all ages and backgrounds, groups, families, friends and loners standing around waiting to jump in when signalled. The pier and retaining walls were full of spectators and cameras, visitors and locals. The sun even came out for a few minutes! The countdown began, people started removing heavier clothing, suddenly there was a rush of movement, lots of shrieking as the cold water hit and little masses of people plunged into the water.
Its just a little town, much larger polar bear dips happen in big cities, but it was a profound moment: all the people gathered together, a cleansing ritual for a new year, a few moments of sun and community. Simply, nice.
Barbie came back to the tower for the towel, where a nice fireman used his jacket to shield her while she changed into her dry clothes. And then we had to warm up, so it was time for a little embibement and socializing at Schooners. The atmosphere was very festive, everyone seemed to be smiling and happy to be out. The windows that face the water were wide open and the breeze was floating in as everyone laughed and chatted and shouted happy new year across the room to friends they hadn't seen the night before.
Next year, I just may have to jump in :O)
We sat at the counter because it was busy, and I was too hungry to wait for a table. The waitress came over and whispered that she wanted to put our order in right away so that we would beat the 2 large parties of 6 each that had just been seated, to make sure that we would be able to eat without waiting for them first. (so nice!!)
It seemed like she brought it out to us before we even handed back the menu's, and we chit chatted with other locals at the counter while we ate, the bulk of the comments made were between huge mouthfuls, gulps of creamy coffee and related to how frelling fabulous a good hot breakfast is.
As we were finishing up, we realized we only had an hour before the annual polar bear dip, so we decided to head directly to the pier. Parking was crazy, so many people in such a small area, but seriously membership has its privledges and I got the choice secret spot right outside Schooners, simply because I live here and I can. :O)
Barbie tried to talk me into participating (ie: jumping into the freezing ocean without a wetsuit and dipping my head under water with a bunch of townies and tourists alike), but I repeatedly explained how that just wasn't going to happen this year. I did volunteer to watch her clothing and hand her a towel however, if she chose to do so. I then promtly climed the life guard tower for a good view.
What a site the whole thing was! I kept kicking myself for not thinking to bring the camera with me before we left for breakfast, but I was thinking that I would return home first. This also explains why I was wearing a Tigger thermal pajama top in public, which thankfully there is no evidence of.
Many different people had on various crazy costumes, santa shorts and hats, bathrobes, bathing suits, speedos (seriously guys, don't ever wear speedos - no longer doubt that they do freak us the hell out), board shorts, matching outfits, and there was even a hat that looked like a condom. People of all ages and backgrounds, groups, families, friends and loners standing around waiting to jump in when signalled. The pier and retaining walls were full of spectators and cameras, visitors and locals. The sun even came out for a few minutes! The countdown began, people started removing heavier clothing, suddenly there was a rush of movement, lots of shrieking as the cold water hit and little masses of people plunged into the water.
Its just a little town, much larger polar bear dips happen in big cities, but it was a profound moment: all the people gathered together, a cleansing ritual for a new year, a few moments of sun and community. Simply, nice.
Barbie came back to the tower for the towel, where a nice fireman used his jacket to shield her while she changed into her dry clothes. And then we had to warm up, so it was time for a little embibement and socializing at Schooners. The atmosphere was very festive, everyone seemed to be smiling and happy to be out. The windows that face the water were wide open and the breeze was floating in as everyone laughed and chatted and shouted happy new year across the room to friends they hadn't seen the night before.
Next year, I just may have to jump in :O)
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