One of the greatest joys of an office stiff is to find that we have been granted the almost holy three day weekend. With all of our advancements in technology, why we haven't all moved to the four day work week, I cannot comprehend! But I digress.
Day 1 - big bad ugly, target, tour:
I was asked if I would be willing to video tape a surf contest on saturday that is called "the big bad ugly" it is called this because the weather usually really sucks this time of year, and the waves at this one spot do get pretty tall.
So I got my ass up at like 6am - which really is a crime on a weekend morning and dragged myself to get hot drinks before heading over to meet my friends and get to work filming. Although rediculously cold, it was a surprisingly clear and sunny sky, especially considering that the weather guesser said it would rain all day.
After filming for a few hours, the storm began blowing in around us, the clear sky gave way to thick dark clouds crowding in and we could actually see the rain falling out on the ocean horizon. When BAM, insane gusts of wind that were almost too much to stand safely in, huge raindrops that we realized were actually hail upon closer inspection, and just all manor of chaos seemed to just explode out of the sky.
Scrambling to get the electronic equipment out of the water and into a dry place while remaining upright, wrestling with my umbrella against the wind and trying not to fall into a puddle was probably quite a sight, however, it was when the wind brutally ripped the umbrella out of my hand, lifted it high over the spectating crowd and then into the ocean right where the surf competition was happening, that everyone is STILL talking about...
So, fully drenched, wind whipping my wet hair into my face, I made the executive decision to get the hell out of there and told my friend to meet me at my house. We tracked heavy, sandy mud everywhere while trying to get into the house, out of the weather, out of the wet clothes and into dry clothing!
It was at this point that we realized it was only 10:30 in the morning! So, we decided it was a good day for a shopping day at "tarjjjaaay" (Target) but on the way, it began to hail again and we noticed there was actual snow in our hills and we decided to stop at the local restaurant to get something to eat, take pictures of the rare snowy hillside and let the storm pass. It was there that we ran into one of the owners, who is also a friend, and is in the process of building a new business very near to the Target store (about 30 minutes away). We mentioned we were planning a trip out there as soon as we finsihed lunch and invited us to stop by the new place and take a tour of the progress they have made.
They are opening the new place on St. Patrick's Day - appropriate since it is an Irish Pub & Grill. After several hours in Target, a few hundred dollars lighter, and many cabinets heavier, we stuffed everything into the trunk and went to get some dinner. The restaurant we chose is right next to the new place, so we stopped in as soon as we finished eating.
The new place is very cool, it has an antique bar, sidewalk seating, a huge covered outdoor dancefloor and stage, a patio with fire pits and there is just a generally good vibe to place. Add that the owners have been good friends to me, good customers of my side business and have been working night and day to open on time, and it was hard not to be terribly excited for them.
Truthfully, I feel honored that they have shared so much of their dream with me. It was about a year ago that they told me how they have always wanted to own an Irish Pub and then in mid December that they told me that had purchased a new place and that they wanted me to help them. I did a walk through of the building when they closed escrow and here we are less than a month away from the grand opening.
That was day one of the three day weekend!
Day 2 - putter, build, build, build, organize
So, I spent Sautrday building the new shelves I had purchased the day before. My house is very old and the rooms are fairly small, my kitchen us an odd very narrow room with a tiny ancient stove, horribly dark and poorly designed cabinets, faded wood paneling walls, saved only barely by a beautiful bay window that has shelves built in for growing plants indoors at the end closest to the front of the house.
The shelves will serve multiple puposes, storage, decoration, hiding the hideous walls and lightening the room up a bit. It took me all day to put them all together and to get everything I had taken out of the kitchen back in, but I did manage to get it all done. I am quite pleased with the results so far, and very much looking forward to having more time to continue my early spring cleaning.
Day 3 - nada - tea, read a book - fabulous!
It is very rare that I allow myself to just "do nothing," it seems there is a never ending list of things I am always behind on at any given moment. But I decided to think of Monday as a "free" day. It was still pretty cold, but very clear and sunny. I drove into town and got a hot tea and then took out a new book and parked myself on the breaker wall on the beach and read for about 3 hours. It was just so lazy and lovely, and seemed so decadent. As always in a town so small, I ran into several firends and aquaintences along the way and ended up going in to our little bar to have an adult beverage and an appetizer with a couple of friends.
I was home by 5:30pm and decided to make a big batch of chicken tortellini soup, since it seemed like the perfect end to a slightly chilly day. When finished, I ate a big bowl and watched Sunday night TV and promptly fell asleep on the couch!
It was definately one of the nicest, most relaxing weekends I have had in a long time. Again, why can't we go to the four day workweek?
Ciao!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Things in my pocket
Recently, I have unconsciously started the habit of folding things up and placing them into one of my pockets, most often my jeans. By itself, this isn't so bad, especially when its money, it's like your washing machine becomes the magical ATM, but moments ago I made a grim discovery. I was placing my hands into my back pockets as I began a chat with a co-worker and my fingers encountered a papery substance that I then pulled out. I discovered a condensed wad of been through the machine pressed and dried pulp. At first, I chuckled and thought, "oh look, I have accidentally washed something!" and then the realization hit, "oh shit, what did I wash!?"
I conduct a fair amount of my side business networking in my non office hours, and often get potential client phone numbers and email addresses via small pieces of paper that are easily found to scribble quickly on. I do this so often, that I literally have absolutely no idea what or who may have been on this little mashed up wad. Just the deduction alone of trying to figure out, when I last wore these particular jeans prior to washing them will take many more minutes than I have in any given day.
A few times, when this has occasionally happened on the past, I have been fortunate enough to have been able to ever so carefully seperate the pressed sheets and if the implement was a ballpoint pen, recover what was written. The item I found today, sadly, is unrecoverable. The overwhelming feeling that I have lost something important is drving me a little crazy but the idea that I may let a client down or have lost precious business is just making me ill. Argh!! Yet another bad habit I must conquer! :O)
What really floors me about this is that I can't seem to get the most basic cleansing of the most superficial spots on my clothing in my washing machine, yet a carefully folded piece of paper trapped inside of two pieces of clothing comes out pristine.
Unfreakingbelievable!
I conduct a fair amount of my side business networking in my non office hours, and often get potential client phone numbers and email addresses via small pieces of paper that are easily found to scribble quickly on. I do this so often, that I literally have absolutely no idea what or who may have been on this little mashed up wad. Just the deduction alone of trying to figure out, when I last wore these particular jeans prior to washing them will take many more minutes than I have in any given day.
A few times, when this has occasionally happened on the past, I have been fortunate enough to have been able to ever so carefully seperate the pressed sheets and if the implement was a ballpoint pen, recover what was written. The item I found today, sadly, is unrecoverable. The overwhelming feeling that I have lost something important is drving me a little crazy but the idea that I may let a client down or have lost precious business is just making me ill. Argh!! Yet another bad habit I must conquer! :O)
What really floors me about this is that I can't seem to get the most basic cleansing of the most superficial spots on my clothing in my washing machine, yet a carefully folded piece of paper trapped inside of two pieces of clothing comes out pristine.
Unfreakingbelievable!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
the extra large football game
At first, it was a little hard for me to get excited about a superbowl that did not include the Raiders, but I found reasons to support the teams that were going.
Seattle is near and dear to my heart, my Aunt and her family live there and I have visited many times. In fact, I was there visiting a few years ago when they demolished the old superdome, making way for the new one, which seems to have inspired the team.
And Pittsburg is a neighbor to the town where my Stepdad grew up, and he is passionate about the Steelers. My stepdad is a really cool guy, and there isn't much that he really gets excited about, so I was just excited for him.
So, I went into the game feeling like it would be nice if either team won, and it would be a little sad for the losing team. It was a decent game, and I was correct, it was good that the Steelers won and a little sad that Seattle didn't. But the real bummer, is how much controversy has been flying around since. I have seen many stories about how the rules need to change, that Seattle got robbed, that Pittsburg should feel a hollow victory, etc. Since I would have been happy either way, I feel impartial - yes there were some questionable calls, but I am not a referee and I don't have access to the video footage they do, so I have to trust them to do their best. It isn't good for anybody, to Monday morning referee. Instead, why not focus on how to make improvements going forward.
Like making sure the Raiders are at the Super Bowl next year - heh heh :)
Seattle is near and dear to my heart, my Aunt and her family live there and I have visited many times. In fact, I was there visiting a few years ago when they demolished the old superdome, making way for the new one, which seems to have inspired the team.
And Pittsburg is a neighbor to the town where my Stepdad grew up, and he is passionate about the Steelers. My stepdad is a really cool guy, and there isn't much that he really gets excited about, so I was just excited for him.
So, I went into the game feeling like it would be nice if either team won, and it would be a little sad for the losing team. It was a decent game, and I was correct, it was good that the Steelers won and a little sad that Seattle didn't. But the real bummer, is how much controversy has been flying around since. I have seen many stories about how the rules need to change, that Seattle got robbed, that Pittsburg should feel a hollow victory, etc. Since I would have been happy either way, I feel impartial - yes there were some questionable calls, but I am not a referee and I don't have access to the video footage they do, so I have to trust them to do their best. It isn't good for anybody, to Monday morning referee. Instead, why not focus on how to make improvements going forward.
Like making sure the Raiders are at the Super Bowl next year - heh heh :)
Friday, February 03, 2006
When I grow up, I want to be him
The Dali Lama seems to me to be the most peaseful and truly joyful man. Just looking at the happiness radiating in his face makes me smile. I would love to have that serenity and that kind of pure joy.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Why I live here
I woke up yesterday morning in a quiet mood, wanting to do something other than stay at home, but not up for much interaction with others. It seemed like a good Sunday for breakfast, so I called my best friend and asked her if she felt like meeting me. We went to a nicer place that has Sunday brunch past 11am, complete with a grand piano and player and mimosa's. Since were close to my favorite hiking spot, we decided to head out there and do a little walking. It was just an amazing day out there, partly sunny, partly foggy, very still and calm, and so full of beautiful colors, almost every shade of blue, green and grey one could imagine. We walked along the bluff for a while and then found a spot to just kick back and watch the waves - which were huge and spraying water everywhere as it hit the rocks ashore. All told we were probably out there for about 3 hours, and it was just so good for the soul.
Next we decided to drive out to a spot on the other side of the county where you can take a back road out to a cliff that looks out over the entire county in every direction, it was breathtaking. Even with the fog rolling in, there was an incredible beauty to being surrounded by and slightly above marshmellowy clouds. It felt a little bit like stepping into heaven. (see picture above) I think in the future though, it might be better to make that trip in a four wheel drive, as opposed to a Honda Civic. :)
Next we stopped at the grocery store on the way home to get some salad and other items to complete what I had at home to make dinner. To my shock, it was only 5:30pm when I got home. We did all that I described above, and all the driving in between in like 5 hours, and it felt like I had been to 2 different countries. Just one of many reasons that I love living here, that you can do so much, see so much, have so many adventures, in just one day. :)
Friday, January 20, 2006
Holy Canoli!
How did it get to be the end of January already? Time hasn't just been flying, its been evaporating! This will be the first weekend in several that I don't have family visiting, I am not away visiting family or that I am not too ill to go anywhere. I feel like if I blink, its going to be Christmas again already, and I will have no idea how I got to 2007.
I had intended to take a real vacation during the week between Christmas and New Year. You know, the kind where you actually go away, somewhere relaxing and maybe even tropical, with those fancy umbrella beverages and really tan smiling people wandering around...But although I had time off from the office, I had been given good reason to believe that I had better use that time to find new ways to generate income and certainly shouldn't spend any more money...So I didn't go away.
On the bright side, just not commuting to and going into the office was a nice little break, and I somehow managed to stay fairly cheerful even with the threat of losing my job upon returning. On the less bright side, it does not appear that I was given the correct facts which is mostly a blessing but also a bit of a bummer (all things considered), and I find myself fully embedded back into the daily grind without the benefit of a much needed and dreamed about get-a-way.
Which is probably why I got so frelling sick as soon as I returned to work, a person can only do and take so much before the body says "uncle"! This is a nasty flu that's been going around, it lasts a good couple of weeks, so make sure you are taking your vitamins and washing your hands.
As always, I still managed to experience the interesting. I'll have to go all the way back to December 1 to catch it all up, since I wasn't very diligent in recording the holiday events this year.
Annual Holiday Parade:
I think this was the most festive and definitely held the most true holiday feeling I had all season. There is something good about wrapping up, standing outside among your community, drinking hot chocolate, singing cheesy songs and watching little kids have a blast. It was however, really cold, so we were about to call it an evening when we ran into some friends, which led to a fun night out, where I ran into several more people I know, met some very nice new folks and re-connected with a friend from college I didn't even know lived here. It was all just very holiday.
Annual Lighted Boat Parade:
I love the boat parade, it is probably my favorite holiday happening, but certainly one of them. It was little this year, not very many boats, but still so beautiful to watch the lights glide across the water. We tried something new this year, and went to a small wine and cheese event a local wine shop was putting on that has a large window right on the water parade path. It was fun, and the people were very nice, but I felt a little too removed from it all. Much like going to a baseball game and sitting in a luxury box, you are just too far away from the real action. Next year, I think we will have to go back to outdoor viewing.
Annual Locals Holiday Party:
I think its quite safe to say that a good time was had by all. There was much merriment, dancing and local bonding. There is video evidence, 2 hours of blackmail worthy footage, and I somehow ended up getting volunteered to edit it - since I am one of the few people who has a clue about what should be removed to protect the innocent and the wicked for that matter. I can safely say that if it were to get out in its present state, I am safe, as I was both only drinking lightly and was wisely avoiding the camera like the plague :)
Christmas with the family:
It was nice to be home at Christmas and to be with my family. As always, every plan changed, chaos ruled and drama occurred, and yet, it was still lovely. I felt like I actually got to spend some real quality time with each set of parents, with my brother and with my grandma. Grandma is really losing it now, she can't remember what my name is or how I am related to her, but she seems to still be able to recognize that she knows and loves me, at least. It is a sad disease in many ways, but I have to say that she seems generally happy, doesn't seem to miss what she is missing and that is a comfort.
Two gifts that I received were really special to me and must be mentioned:
a) my great grandmothers pasta maker from Italy
b) the epic "rock star" suit I have been begging my father to give me for 20+ years
New Years Eve:
I decided that NYE was the most perfect occasion to wear the jacket of the epic rock star suit mentioned above. It is amazing how a piece of clothing can create a feeling, something about that jacket is truly magical and that is how I felt wearing it. It is not so much that any one thing particularly special happened, it was just a whole evening of joyful occurences. I love that end of the year, new beginning feeling, it is the best!
Last, but not least, my birthday:
I was still pretty ill and just not feeling very festive about it this year and even with that, my friends and family made it very special. My brother sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that just made my day, my co-workers took me out for a great lunch, both sets of parents got a visit in and some friends kidnapped me to champagne brunch on the following Sunday. What more could a girl ask for!!
And on that note, I am signing off and heading out to my weekend. Have a great weekend all!!
I had intended to take a real vacation during the week between Christmas and New Year. You know, the kind where you actually go away, somewhere relaxing and maybe even tropical, with those fancy umbrella beverages and really tan smiling people wandering around...But although I had time off from the office, I had been given good reason to believe that I had better use that time to find new ways to generate income and certainly shouldn't spend any more money...So I didn't go away.
On the bright side, just not commuting to and going into the office was a nice little break, and I somehow managed to stay fairly cheerful even with the threat of losing my job upon returning. On the less bright side, it does not appear that I was given the correct facts which is mostly a blessing but also a bit of a bummer (all things considered), and I find myself fully embedded back into the daily grind without the benefit of a much needed and dreamed about get-a-way.
Which is probably why I got so frelling sick as soon as I returned to work, a person can only do and take so much before the body says "uncle"! This is a nasty flu that's been going around, it lasts a good couple of weeks, so make sure you are taking your vitamins and washing your hands.
As always, I still managed to experience the interesting. I'll have to go all the way back to December 1 to catch it all up, since I wasn't very diligent in recording the holiday events this year.
Annual Holiday Parade:
I think this was the most festive and definitely held the most true holiday feeling I had all season. There is something good about wrapping up, standing outside among your community, drinking hot chocolate, singing cheesy songs and watching little kids have a blast. It was however, really cold, so we were about to call it an evening when we ran into some friends, which led to a fun night out, where I ran into several more people I know, met some very nice new folks and re-connected with a friend from college I didn't even know lived here. It was all just very holiday.
Annual Lighted Boat Parade:
I love the boat parade, it is probably my favorite holiday happening, but certainly one of them. It was little this year, not very many boats, but still so beautiful to watch the lights glide across the water. We tried something new this year, and went to a small wine and cheese event a local wine shop was putting on that has a large window right on the water parade path. It was fun, and the people were very nice, but I felt a little too removed from it all. Much like going to a baseball game and sitting in a luxury box, you are just too far away from the real action. Next year, I think we will have to go back to outdoor viewing.
Annual Locals Holiday Party:
I think its quite safe to say that a good time was had by all. There was much merriment, dancing and local bonding. There is video evidence, 2 hours of blackmail worthy footage, and I somehow ended up getting volunteered to edit it - since I am one of the few people who has a clue about what should be removed to protect the innocent and the wicked for that matter. I can safely say that if it were to get out in its present state, I am safe, as I was both only drinking lightly and was wisely avoiding the camera like the plague :)
Christmas with the family:
It was nice to be home at Christmas and to be with my family. As always, every plan changed, chaos ruled and drama occurred, and yet, it was still lovely. I felt like I actually got to spend some real quality time with each set of parents, with my brother and with my grandma. Grandma is really losing it now, she can't remember what my name is or how I am related to her, but she seems to still be able to recognize that she knows and loves me, at least. It is a sad disease in many ways, but I have to say that she seems generally happy, doesn't seem to miss what she is missing and that is a comfort.
Two gifts that I received were really special to me and must be mentioned:
a) my great grandmothers pasta maker from Italy
b) the epic "rock star" suit I have been begging my father to give me for 20+ years
New Years Eve:
I decided that NYE was the most perfect occasion to wear the jacket of the epic rock star suit mentioned above. It is amazing how a piece of clothing can create a feeling, something about that jacket is truly magical and that is how I felt wearing it. It is not so much that any one thing particularly special happened, it was just a whole evening of joyful occurences. I love that end of the year, new beginning feeling, it is the best!
Last, but not least, my birthday:
I was still pretty ill and just not feeling very festive about it this year and even with that, my friends and family made it very special. My brother sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that just made my day, my co-workers took me out for a great lunch, both sets of parents got a visit in and some friends kidnapped me to champagne brunch on the following Sunday. What more could a girl ask for!!
And on that note, I am signing off and heading out to my weekend. Have a great weekend all!!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Happy New Year and all that
Happy New Year!!
I haven't posted much because I took a vacation from work between Christmas and New Years Day, it was good to have a break, its been a while since I have taken time off. Then my parents were down here visiting and I got the flu the second day they were here and have been more or less down for the count since, so I haven't been on the computer much in the past 2+ weeks, for the first time in years! But, I think maybe it was good to take a break from it too :O)
I haven't really made any resolutions, but I do have high hopes for this year and a few tentative plans for things I would like to accomplish. So, cheers - here's hoping its the beginning of a great new year for all and that all our hopes and dreams come true!
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.
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