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.

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just insane, they better have freakin parachutes or something on that damn ride!



Borrowed from yahoo!

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...

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.

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

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

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!

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!

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)"

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

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.

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."

Happy Holiday

Thank you and Happy Valentines Day to you

xoxoxoxo

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!

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."