Something I've been meaning to write about was my baptism. Baptism and water were the topics of a January 11 sermon. (Random side note - Jan. 11, 1995, was the date I officially had my first "boyfriend" - how is THAT for crazy lady memory?)
One thing that's often said when someone is baptized is "Remember your baptism." Baptism changes you - not only by the water symbolizing the washing away but by the Spirit literally changing you. So I thought I would reflect on mine. This memory is only what's in my head - although I'm sure I could locate a hard copy diary with notes to REALLY jog my memory, they've been hidden away in a closet until our next move.
I was baptized in ~October 1992 (pre-boy craziness so I don't have the same memory for dates ... although somewhere there's a baptismal certificate with the exact date - I think I'm right about the year). I was eleven - and it was a very conscious decision. My parents made the decision not to christen or baptize me (or my sister) as a baby, leaving it up to me. I respect that a lot, but I'm not sure that's what I'll do with my kids (but that's another entry I guess).
So, OK, I'm eleven, almost twelve. My sister was baptized at the same time, and she was ten. For some reason we had decided that the typical Methodist sprinkling-on-the-head wasn't enough (or maybe the decision was made by someone else, but we more than went along with it). We needed to be DUNKED. So, the pastor baptize us in a church in a nearby town that had a baptismal tank (not sure that's the right word - but there you go). We went after church one Sunday with our family and some of our church friends.
Another girl was also baptized with us (and in a stunning only-in-a-small-town kind of soap opera, she turned out to be the girl who stole that very first boyfriend from me ... well, before I stole him back anyway - again, another post needed if I'm going to delve into that). She was probably nine at the time of our baptisms - definitely two or three years younger than me. Aside from the baptism, the boyfriend and 2 vague childhood memories (one of a trampoline/pimento cheese sandwiches and one of a cardboard box house with a flashlight for a light fixture), this girl who lived in the house behind ours played a very minor role in my life. But she was there and important on this particular day.
My main memory of the event itself - aside from the life changing affect (as much as an 11-yr-old's life can be changed) and soul-filling experience - was after the fact, when my sister and I were changing out of our wet clothes after being submerged. I know that I forgot to pack dry underwear, and for some reason I think my sister did too - although I can't be sure of that. This was before going commando was even an idea in my head, and having just been baptized would I have really gone without undies?! So we (or I, if she had dry undies) made the decision to just wear the wet ones, which of course were so wet the soaked through our jeans. That led the pastor to talk to my mom and me ... in a very joking way saying "I thought I was the only one who would do something like that!"
So how about that? The most vivid memory of the most important day of my life ... is wet underpants.
bang-bang
As thoughts arise during the day I'll add them here, publishing at the end of the day. In reality I could probably do 3-4 poorly thought out, stupid posts each day. I'm always thinking of random stuff to say, but I can't succumb to the tumblr method of blogging, can I??? Meh.
- A call from a good friend lifts my spirits despite some unexpected bad news (resulting from very poor judgment on the part of others outside our control!). She asks "what's been going on?" and my answer is "nothing" and I proceed to rattle off a list of upcoming things - travel, Beth's visit, etc. and realize that things are about to start going on. Nice.
- Uncle Roy sent me a hilarious "copy editor" e-mail full of funny Jay-Leno-esque headlines. I generally don't do forwards (except to re-post some here) - and these were all images that I'm not going to take the time to post... Anyway - I hope you get to see it, and if you want me to send it to you, e-mail me and I will.
- Woah - The Rocky Mountain News is dunzo.
- One of my quotes of the day: Today's scientists have substituted mathematics for experiments, and they wander off through equation after equation, and eventually build a structure which has no relation to reality. -- Nikola Tesla
- My new-ish keyboard that I got for my birthday is already showing signs of wear - the m and n keys are slightly rubbed off on the lower right corners of the letters. Curious. No other keys seem to be affected.
- Gingie uploaded some funny Owen videos for me. Making me excited to go home for Easter (did I mention I bought my tickets - and we'll be celebrating Gran's birthday - woo!)
FWD: Read and Return
I want to live my life in such a way that when my feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says, "Oh no, she's awake!"Each and everyone one of us are going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith.
My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless, and I picked you. Please pass this to at least (4) people you want to be blessed and a copy back to me.
This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.
The prayer:
Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. In Jesus ' precious name... Amen.
(If the Lord lays upon your heart to send this to more than four people, you are truly blessed).
Addictive Personality
I like Twitter. I am not constantly reading it - but from time to time I'll peruse. Twitterfall can be addictive though and fun to watch when you've got a second.
However, when I have a thought, see something cool or whatever - I'll fire off a tweet. But I don't use it so much to converse (I don't know a lot of people who use the service, although the whole point is to meet new people and I don't have qualms about writing/communicating to other twitter-peeps, but I just don't take the time I guess).
Sat in on my first beneficial free webinar (have been to some good paid ones, but the free ones are usually just commercials for the sponsors or otherwise too basic). It was some good stuff. Not sure how I'll be able to implement in my work or if I'll find the time to even bring it up, but there you go. (I also sat in on a not-so-beneficial free webinar today - mostly it was background noise while I continued to work.)
But the webinar is why I have been thinking about twitter I guess.
Two crochet projects:
This is 1/2 of the two blankets I'm making for my grad school friend's twins. This one took forever because of the yarn I chose. And the second blanket will be equally laborious - but too cute, right? The second one will be mostly yellow with small green stripes. We'll see if I can get the second one done before the babies arrive!
This is the bottom of my first attempt at an ABC blanket for my childhood friend's first baby - and I'm going to rip it out and start again because of the wonky corners - I started dropping stitches from the edges - on both sides (even though the left is a little better) - because I'm out of practice in single crochet. Blimey! But this didn't take too long and I want it to be right. Adding the purple on the boxes around the letters is darling, but it makes a TON of ends to weave in ... but I think I'm still going to do it in my second try. I've made this blanket once before, and it took me three first tries to get it right. Hopefully two is a charm for this version. And it's going to be SUPER darling when I'm done.
[I used Picnic on Flickr to edit that second photo ... first time, and it was really great/easy - although of course all I needed to do was crop, but what a great option to not have to crop offline and then re-load/replace a picture once you see it online and see something (like your feet) in the picture]
On my sidebar here I've got shared items from my Google reader. But I am toying with the idea of re-using that content into blog entries ... since I usually make a [snarky] comment about whatever item I'm sharing.
How about these:
However, when I have a thought, see something cool or whatever - I'll fire off a tweet. But I don't use it so much to converse (I don't know a lot of people who use the service, although the whole point is to meet new people and I don't have qualms about writing/communicating to other twitter-peeps, but I just don't take the time I guess).
Sat in on my first beneficial free webinar (have been to some good paid ones, but the free ones are usually just commercials for the sponsors or otherwise too basic). It was some good stuff. Not sure how I'll be able to implement in my work or if I'll find the time to even bring it up, but there you go. (I also sat in on a not-so-beneficial free webinar today - mostly it was background noise while I continued to work.)
But the webinar is why I have been thinking about twitter I guess.
Two crochet projects:
This is 1/2 of the two blankets I'm making for my grad school friend's twins. This one took forever because of the yarn I chose. And the second blanket will be equally laborious - but too cute, right? The second one will be mostly yellow with small green stripes. We'll see if I can get the second one done before the babies arrive!
This is the bottom of my first attempt at an ABC blanket for my childhood friend's first baby - and I'm going to rip it out and start again because of the wonky corners - I started dropping stitches from the edges - on both sides (even though the left is a little better) - because I'm out of practice in single crochet. Blimey! But this didn't take too long and I want it to be right. Adding the purple on the boxes around the letters is darling, but it makes a TON of ends to weave in ... but I think I'm still going to do it in my second try. I've made this blanket once before, and it took me three first tries to get it right. Hopefully two is a charm for this version. And it's going to be SUPER darling when I'm done.
[I used Picnic on Flickr to edit that second photo ... first time, and it was really great/easy - although of course all I needed to do was crop, but what a great option to not have to crop offline and then re-load/replace a picture once you see it online and see something (like your feet) in the picture]
On my sidebar here I've got shared items from my Google reader. But I am toying with the idea of re-using that content into blog entries ... since I usually make a [snarky] comment about whatever item I'm sharing.
How about these:
- Can Blogging Make You Happier? | World of Psychology
"Blogging makes me happier, I think." - Upstate NY Restaurant Examiner: Sonic Drive-Ins finally pull into New York
“OMG OMG OMG - although not like I can get to Ulster County New York... OMG though. OMG - sonic taking over the wooooooooooooooooooorld!” - The Voice - The Man Who Lets the Bedbugs Bite - NYTimes.com
“UGH UGH UGH... "Some bugs were recently collected here in New York, and a journal article reported that they were 300 times more resistant than other bed bugs to one of the common insecticides." OMG!”
Basketball Dreams
My mom told me the craziest story about the high school girls' basketball coach at my HS alma mater. I wonder if it was covered in the local paper or if it's just a small town gossip thing, but yowza.Today Shawn and I went to an NYU women's basketball game - we missed the men's game that was the first part of the double header. They played Emory university. The boys lost by 1 and the girls won by about 10 points. The girls are so unconditioned - they can't fast break or even move on the court as much as I (in my infinite wisdom) think they should be. But they won, so what are you going to do?
There are dancers and cheerleaders at the games, and I find myself comparing them to the cheerleaders and dancers of OSU. The OSU girls were always so coifed and made up - heavy make up that was clear to the audience/crowd. Plus the OSU cheer squad had men cheerleaders who made things more interesting and could do more inticrate and higher throws. The NYU dancers though are the ones that really fall flat, imho. They have sloppy ponytails (yeah, I know, look who's talking but I'm not a dancer in front of people) and little make up. A stark contrast to the glittered and curled girls of OSU. BUT I also know there are differences - OSU girls could/were televised (NYU doesn't even have cameras at typical games it seems). Just interesting contrasts.
The NYU pep band played Green Day's "Basketcase." I remember Sarina singing this in the locker room when we were in middle school/early high school. So this song is EASILY before the current NYU undergrads' time. Weird that they play it, at least to me.
And the weirdest/random thought I had while walking to the game was the sudden realization that I couldn't remember the "high five" elements that a good news story needs to have. Wracking my brain and I think I can remember them correctly: News, Scope, Impact, Context and Edge. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's right. For what it's worth.
Now to finish up the first blanket for my friend's twins - it's taken me SO many weeks because I used such small thread. I'm not sure how I'll bring myself to make the mirror image one for the second twin ... but I know I will. I just hope I can get the second one done before the babies come! And I have another project to start and finish for another friend's baby girl - an ABC blanket - before I can get back to the bedspread project...
FWD: Money Angel
A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events,and outcomes.
Can’t hurt… and the picture is precious!
Hope she works for you!!!
You have just been sent a Money angel!
Pass her to two people, and be rich in four days.
Pass her to six then be rich in two days.
I am not joking - you will find an unexpected windfall.
If you delete her, you will never know how she works - she really does
work like magic!
NO Pass Backs. Just pass her on.
Well - maybe a couple people will see this on my blog. :)
Sleeping Beautiful
Take Back NYU! Week - basically a group of student protesters overtook the NYU cafeteria - which is about 3 or 4 blocks from our apartment. (I didn't even know there WAS an NYU cafeteria.) I followed the story on NYU Local - a student-run Web site. It was also on Gawker - some pretty funny snark about the situation.
I'm not officially part of the NYU family, but I reside, for all intents and purposes, on their campus. My sleep was disrupted by the shouts of protest - and it sounded so much like an athletics event. And there's my thought - "A HA!" What NYU students need is a sports team where they can scream and holler together. There are 30K kids here - and they have nothing athletically unifying them. I know this is a middle-of-the-country idea and isn't at all possible here, but that thought came to mind while I laid in bed listening to the roars on Thursday night.
The TBNYU! list of demands were a mix of rational (I guess) and ridiculous. Their first demand was amnesty (Gawker commented - if you want that, stay home, no problem) - but they also wanted something about Gaza and sending old projectors to a school there (???). The main issue, however, seemed to be that they want to see the books - the money.
Here's what I say - you go to a private school. You can go to a state-funded school and find out all about your university finances.
Shawn was surprised that the offending protesters (those who wouldn't leave - just a handful) lost their NYU housing. Guess what? Dorm living isn't a right - it's a privilege and you sign a code of conduct contract. And a two-day protest shutting down a campus building is a clear violation of that contract.
Anyway - I have no business talking about this, but it's happening in my own back yard. I don't understand it all, and I really don't want to. But for once, I find myself on the side of "the man." And just want the whole thing to go away... We'll see.
I got a comment about the Jane Seymour "open hearts" necklace. Here's a picture:
You're telling me that doesn't look like a woman's chest on the top and a woman's behind on the bottom? Yes, spatially I guess it doesn't make sense because the boobs and butt are on opposite sides of a woman - but this is what I see when I look at these pieces of jewelry and it creeps me out a little. I know that says more about me than the jewelry, so there you go.
Moving on.
I'm not officially part of the NYU family, but I reside, for all intents and purposes, on their campus. My sleep was disrupted by the shouts of protest - and it sounded so much like an athletics event. And there's my thought - "A HA!" What NYU students need is a sports team where they can scream and holler together. There are 30K kids here - and they have nothing athletically unifying them. I know this is a middle-of-the-country idea and isn't at all possible here, but that thought came to mind while I laid in bed listening to the roars on Thursday night.
The TBNYU! list of demands were a mix of rational (I guess) and ridiculous. Their first demand was amnesty (Gawker commented - if you want that, stay home, no problem) - but they also wanted something about Gaza and sending old projectors to a school there (???). The main issue, however, seemed to be that they want to see the books - the money.
Here's what I say - you go to a private school. You can go to a state-funded school and find out all about your university finances.
Shawn was surprised that the offending protesters (those who wouldn't leave - just a handful) lost their NYU housing. Guess what? Dorm living isn't a right - it's a privilege and you sign a code of conduct contract. And a two-day protest shutting down a campus building is a clear violation of that contract.
Anyway - I have no business talking about this, but it's happening in my own back yard. I don't understand it all, and I really don't want to. But for once, I find myself on the side of "the man." And just want the whole thing to go away... We'll see.
I got a comment about the Jane Seymour "open hearts" necklace. Here's a picture:
You're telling me that doesn't look like a woman's chest on the top and a woman's behind on the bottom? Yes, spatially I guess it doesn't make sense because the boobs and butt are on opposite sides of a woman - but this is what I see when I look at these pieces of jewelry and it creeps me out a little. I know that says more about me than the jewelry, so there you go.Moving on.
[Review] Eat Pray Love
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth GilbertMy review
rating: 4 of 5 starsI read this book in less than a week - which is how I love to read - swallowing chapters whole. I avoided this book because of its commercial success, but I really shouldn't do that. Things are popular for a reason, and I'm never going to be someone whose tastes veer away from the norm. So, I liked this book a lot - especially the spiritual parts - meditations and such. I need to be more cognizant of my own efforts to love my self. Definitely recommend others read this. Good stuff!
View all my reviews.
sluggiest tuesday ever
Bad things that I've done/have happened SO FAR today:
[In the grand scheme of things, I DO know these are petty, stupid complaints but it's been a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day for me]
- Awoken to intercom buzzer after Shawn has left for work (I know I should have better sleeping habits and be up-and-at-em earlier) - it's the window repair guy, sent to fix the window that's been broken as long as Shawn has lived here and that he reported at that time. No notice that someone was going to come fix it - let alone first thing in the morning.
- I welcome this workman stranger into my home while wearing PJ's and a hastily thrown on sweatshirt to save face (or save something else, if you know what I mean)
- It takes TWO HOURS to fix the window - which involves breaking the window entirely, leaving it effectively open for 1.5 hours (brrr ... and did I mention I was still in my PJ's? hard to get dressed when you live in one room and there's a stranger IN that one room), and an overwhelming chemical smell that he said was the silicon/caulking stuff.
- Two work things that made me want to crawl into a hole - one just a circumstance and the other totally my fault - nothing bad will happen but I just hate it.
[In the grand scheme of things, I DO know these are petty, stupid complaints but it's been a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day for me]
What I Love ...
On Twitter someone suggested posting a picture of something you love on Valentine's ... I couldn't remember my Flickr password to share this one of my Valentine husband and sweet baby nephew - on the Staten Island Ferry last summer. Aren't they CUTE?! My precious moo - hoo's.
Ads I Hate: Open Hearts
I think this jewelry looks like two parts of the female anatomy - boobs and butt. And I think it's gross. (How's that for juvenile and unpersuasive?) The ads themselves rub me the wrong way too - mostly that she's so proud of a swirled mark being turned into jewelry. That said, I loved Dr. Quinn - a favorite show I watched with my grandparents when I was a kid...
Shakesville has a series called "Assvertising" - less about commercials or advertisements that annoy them and more about such things that exploit women/are offensive for some reason. Here's the latest about McDonald's ads targeting Starbucks "elitism" - with links to the previous 41 (!) Ass-vertising posts they've previously done.
Jezebel also has a similar series (Badvertising), which co-incides with my loathing of specific commercials, such as the Oreo Cookie 100 Calorie pack TV ad - which is absolutely insane. (Because really? REALLY? If women want a snack, they'll just go buy it - not chase down a guy in a truck for it - and that's not even the real problem with the ad... Jezebel says it better than me anyway/always).
And in the spirit of not ALWAYS being negative, a couple ads (or at least ad-lines) I've liked recently (literally laughed out loud when I saw both of these):
- Match.com: "I'm just a goof, looking for her ball."
- Monster.com: EMT falls backwards at sight of blood. VO: "Need a new job? We can help."
Good times (or bad, as the case may be).
Thirteen
In honor of Friday the 13th, something scary (image from yesterday, I play around way too much on the computer after work):
Looks like this site could be a way to make digital photos into cartoons (a la our 2008 Christmas Card, although I did that myself in a photo editor)...
Looks like this site could be a way to make digital photos into cartoons (a la our 2008 Christmas Card, although I did that myself in a photo editor)...
Five Simple Things I Like
A post today on Productivity 501 has got me thinking - what are five simple things that I like? And to be honest, this is kind of hard. Not because I want expensive, extravagant or luxury things (give me a bedbug-free life and I'd think I was a queen), but because I am so negative these days. Like wading through murk of my own making - or something like that.1. Webcamming with Owen - did this last night and we had fun stealing each other's noses through the Internet. He was too cute eating his cookies - but he couldn't share, since I'm "just on the computer, silly."
2. In the spirit of Valentine's, a smooch from Dr. Walker (and we're talking my husband, not my undergrad English professor who gave me the only B of my OSU career - let's talk irony - but that's another post entirely)
3. A completed crochet project. There is nothing more satisfying than finishing a blanket, especially for a baby, and knowing all the time, love and energy that went into it.
4. Hot black coffee. I have been remiss and not making myself java lately - and I miss it. The dark bitter taste and smooth richness going down my throat.
5. A piece of white page and a freshly sharpened pencil (or full fountain pen). Sure typing and blogging is fun, but there's something comforting and nostalgic about writing in long hand. I take notes and scribble here and here, but I do still make time to write in a regular journal, although they take me longer to finish each book since I supplement with electronic musings. In fact, I finished a beautiful leather-bound book last week - chronicled just under 3 years of my life and was a Valentine's present from Shawn in 2006. I also love a stack of notebook paper - that gave me a thrill even in high school, trying to write stories or notes to the boyfriend.
So I guess it doesn't take much - and this was a good exercise (and my list is confirmed by the fact that the five things - Owen, Shawn, Crochet, Coffee and Writing - are already tags for posts on this blog). You should make a list of five simple things you like too!
FWD: The Banana Test
There is a very, very tall coconut tree and there are 4 animals, a Lion, a Chimpanzee, a Giraffe and a Squirrel.
They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to get a banana off the tree.
Who do you guess will win?
Your answer will reflect your personality.
So think carefully . . .
Try and answer within 30 seconds. Got your answer?
Now scroll down to see the analysis.
If your answer is:
Lion = you're dull.
Chimpanzee = you're dense.
Giraffe = you're a complete moron.
Squirrel = you're hopeless.
A COCONUT TREE DOESN'T HAVE BANANAS.
Obviously you're stressed and overworked.
You should take some time off and rela
They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to get a banana off the tree.
Who do you guess will win?
Your answer will reflect your personality.
So think carefully . . .
Try and answer within 30 seconds. Got your answer?
Now scroll down to see the analysis.
If your answer is:
Lion = you're dull.
Chimpanzee = you're dense.
Giraffe = you're a complete moron.
Squirrel = you're hopeless.
A COCONUT TREE DOESN'T HAVE BANANAS.
Obviously you're stressed and overworked.
You should take some time off and rela
Metallic
Sitting in the apartment/office/home/whatever - and am suddenly overwhelmed by a metallic smell. I've smelled it at least once before - either this week or last - and thought nothing of it. But now my Scooby senses are tingling (that's a thing, right?).Yesterday I went to mail my valentine cards and man got on the elevator on the 4th floor - he was a worker I didn't recognize and had on a white Hazmat-type suit, plus booties over his shoes and a mask. I saw another similarly suited dude at the service entrance to our building when I walked past... I didn't have the nerve to ask them or the doorman what was going on. BUT ...
All I can think is bedbugs on the fourth floor. AND now that I can smell this metallicy awful smell - with the knowledge of the suited workers - I am guessing that the apartment directly beneath ours is being sprayed for bugs, which means, of course, that the bugs that were in our apartment have migrated down. Perhaps this could have been prevented if the apartment below ours had been informed of OUR spraying?
Whatever the case, I find myself more and more disgusted with our building management and the utter disregard for tenants' safety and general well-being. I've been feeling massively depressed for a few days and I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Maybe the chemicals are leeching into my system and making me even sadder then I might normally be. I should get out more, but I've known that for a while.
Horoscope
Ominous? No - because I'm conscious of all my growing frustrations...
You may be more willing to put in extra effort this year to get ahead professionally. Today, however, you might be tired of all the hard work. Pay careful attention to your feelings, for if you are unconscious about any growing frustrations, they can create problems down the road. Holding them in might be okay for a short while, but could lead to unexpressed resentment or even an emotional outburst. Sharing your feelings with a friend now should help to alleviate the tension.
You may be more willing to put in extra effort this year to get ahead professionally. Today, however, you might be tired of all the hard work. Pay careful attention to your feelings, for if you are unconscious about any growing frustrations, they can create problems down the road. Holding them in might be okay for a short while, but could lead to unexpressed resentment or even an emotional outburst. Sharing your feelings with a friend now should help to alleviate the tension.
[Review] Atonement
Atonement by Ian McEwanMy review
rating: 2 of 5 stars
Again, shouldn't have picked a book just because I'd seen the movie. It was well written, I'm sure, but the annoying plot (basically the central THING that happens in the book) drove me crazy and left me trudging through this book - not a good sign. I'd much prefer devouring.
View all my reviews.
Ads I Hate: Valentines
So I'm always making lists, and I started one while watching TV recently of commercials I hate. Thought about making it into a regular feature - since b*tching and moaning are the name of my game. So we'll see. Then I saw this ad on my AOL login screen and thought it deserved a place on the list too. Since it's the week of Valentine's (and why the ad was up in the first place), I thought I'd blog it.
And the reason I hate this ad is NOT because of the sniffle-inducing cat in a weird, non-natural position. It's the fact that Valentine's Day should be a deadline or something for getting a date. I hate, hate, hate it. I can handle the commercialism - God knows our economy needs it - but it's ... implying that a woman's worth is defined, at least on this one day, on whether she has a date WHO WILL SEND HER FLOWERS. Give me a break. Flowers die, which is beside the point. I just think there are more appropriate ways to promote/advertise an online dating service.
~M
And the reason I hate this ad is NOT because of the sniffle-inducing cat in a weird, non-natural position. It's the fact that Valentine's Day should be a deadline or something for getting a date. I hate, hate, hate it. I can handle the commercialism - God knows our economy needs it - but it's ... implying that a woman's worth is defined, at least on this one day, on whether she has a date WHO WILL SEND HER FLOWERS. Give me a break. Flowers die, which is beside the point. I just think there are more appropriate ways to promote/advertise an online dating service.
~M
Domesticity
Have been meaning to do a brain dump. I used to write long updates about my life, what I'd been doing, etc. and send them to people from all aspects of my life (lives perhaps) - but I haven't done that since well before I moved to NYC. Maybe I'm not doing anything? Maybe I let blogging serve as the de facto outlet for such writing? But some people who received the "Mari's So-Called Life" e-mails don't read my blog (or don't have e-mail - my mom printed copies for some of the folks at church).
On the home front, we've been slowly re-setting our apartment for comfort. We finally purchased a new comforter (try sleeping with a throw every night when the temps drop well below freezing) - it's an overpriced thing from the Manhattan K-Mart. But it's sufficient. We also trekked to Ikea last weekend and got a Poang chair. It's black framed with a black cushion. It's a glorified lawn chair, I know, but we got the cheapest model/combination that wasn't hideous, and I've finally got a place to sit besides the bed (Shawn doesn't mind sitting in the office chair, but after sitting in it all day every day, I like a little change of pace for my TV watching and crocheting).
Speaking of TV, I have fallen in love with Friday Night Lights. I mean IN LOVE. It's horrifying actually how much I like this show - it could be on par with my love affair with My So-Called Life. If not, definitely like it as much or more than Felicity. FNL reminds me of the good parts of home and my high school life - athletics, crushes and such. Plus the accents just wrap around my heart. Not sure they're entirely accurate, but maybe someday I'll find out. Keep dreaming.
I've got three big work projects. I could write a lot about work, but I won't.
I don't think the heat is working in our building - or something. I've got the windows closed and it's FREEZING. Generally I have to keep the windows cracked to let out some of the oppressive heat from the radiator - if that's even what it is. Meh.
Tired of writing snippets all day so going to change the time and publish. Grrr.
On the home front, we've been slowly re-setting our apartment for comfort. We finally purchased a new comforter (try sleeping with a throw every night when the temps drop well below freezing) - it's an overpriced thing from the Manhattan K-Mart. But it's sufficient. We also trekked to Ikea last weekend and got a Poang chair. It's black framed with a black cushion. It's a glorified lawn chair, I know, but we got the cheapest model/combination that wasn't hideous, and I've finally got a place to sit besides the bed (Shawn doesn't mind sitting in the office chair, but after sitting in it all day every day, I like a little change of pace for my TV watching and crocheting).
Speaking of TV, I have fallen in love with Friday Night Lights. I mean IN LOVE. It's horrifying actually how much I like this show - it could be on par with my love affair with My So-Called Life. If not, definitely like it as much or more than Felicity. FNL reminds me of the good parts of home and my high school life - athletics, crushes and such. Plus the accents just wrap around my heart. Not sure they're entirely accurate, but maybe someday I'll find out. Keep dreaming.
I've got three big work projects. I could write a lot about work, but I won't.
I don't think the heat is working in our building - or something. I've got the windows closed and it's FREEZING. Generally I have to keep the windows cracked to let out some of the oppressive heat from the radiator - if that's even what it is. Meh.
Tired of writing snippets all day so going to change the time and publish. Grrr.
[Photo] Oldie but Goodie
Man, look at this little kid. This was late 2005 - in a hat I crocheted for him. I made Gran a matching one, which was too small of course. His fit like a glove. I love the toothy smile and the pure joy in his face. I love this kid beyond measure.
Sleep for Cash?
How sad is it that I momentarily considered doing this? (Only problem is I have a day job!)
Just a crazy thing that comes across in my RSS feed and I felt the need to share.
The New Museum seeks participants for Chu Yun performance.
Just a crazy thing that comes across in my RSS feed and I felt the need to share.
ball-ocks
Went to the gym last night for the first time since the Great Ice Skating Debacle of Aught Nine. It hurt, but not really bad. And the way I was compensating for my knee did a number on my calf muscle. But the good news is, I got some exercise. I'm walking almost normally - and feeling pretty good. Probably flat walking would be the thing to do for now - instead of the elliptical which requires a little more joint movement (or am I imagining that?) ... It's a start.
Tonight our plans are to attend an NYU basketball game. They're held at our gym - so I've seen snippets while stretching and so-forth. It's a girls' game at 6 and then the boys at 8. Out the door.
Tonight our plans are to attend an NYU basketball game. They're held at our gym - so I've seen snippets while stretching and so-forth. It's a girls' game at 6 and then the boys at 8. Out the door.
One Word [Meme]
USING ONLY ONE WORD
Where is your cell phone?
desk
Your significant other?
shawnee-poo
Your hair?
frizzled
Your mother?
blonde
Your father?
crazy
Your favorite thing?
TV
Your dream last night?
hairy
Your favorite drink?
coffee
Your dream/goal?
babies!
What room are you in?
bed/living/office/dining
Your hobby?
crochet
Your fear?
bedbugs
Where do you want to be in 6 yrs?
family
Where were you last night?
home
Something that you aren't?
calm
Muffins?
chocolate
Wish list item?
chair
Last thing you did?
swig
What are you wearing?
clothes
TV?
overindulgence
Your pets?
nada
Friends?
distant
Your life?
plod
Your mood?
apprehensive
Missing someone?
owen
Drinking?
soda
Smoking?
never
Your car?
nada
Something you're not wearing?
diamond
Your favorite store?
WALLY'S
Your favorite color?
purple
When is the last time you cried?
sunday
Who will resend this?
nada
Where do you go to over & over?
bathroom
Five people who email me regularly?
oneword?
My favorite place to eat?
cozy's
Favorite place I'd like to be right now?
Oklahoma
Four people I think will respond
nada
One TV show I watch all the time: House
Where is your cell phone?
desk
Your significant other?
shawnee-poo
Your hair?
frizzled
Your mother?
blonde
Your father?
crazy
Your favorite thing?
TV
Your dream last night?
hairy
Your favorite drink?
coffee
Your dream/goal?
babies!
What room are you in?
bed/living/office/dining
Your hobby?
crochet
Your fear?
bedbugs
Where do you want to be in 6 yrs?
family
Where were you last night?
home
Something that you aren't?
calm
Muffins?
chocolate
Wish list item?
chair
Last thing you did?
swig
What are you wearing?
clothes
TV?
overindulgence
Your pets?
nada
Friends?
distant
Your life?
plod
Your mood?
apprehensive
Missing someone?
owen
Drinking?
soda
Smoking?
never
Your car?
nada
Something you're not wearing?
diamond
Your favorite store?
WALLY'S
Your favorite color?
purple
When is the last time you cried?
sunday
Who will resend this?
nada
Where do you go to over & over?
bathroom
Five people who email me regularly?
oneword?
My favorite place to eat?
cozy's
Favorite place I'd like to be right now?
Oklahoma
Four people I think will respond
nada
One TV show I watch all the time: House
Bee Positive
i wrote the title for this post, then i did a Google image search - thought i'd get a nice fat bumble bee picture or something... but turns out there's a T-shirt design "Bee Positive" - you can get it at WrongTees apparently.we all know i'm not the most optimistic person. i wouldn't say i'm unhappy, but i tend to look on the dark side more than the bright. i also have a tendency to be real snippy - even to strangers.
when we went to see Gran Torino this weekend (and AGAIN i'll recommend it) - i got really huffy with a Staples employee when we stopped in to replace my ink cartridge. all because she wouldn't give me the $3 rebate for my old one. they've given it to me in the past, but maybe their policy has changed. i just kept the old cartridge and went on, but not before acting completely insane and pouty. i mean, come on!
then on the way out of the movie, we were going out the exit. this theater blocks off its exits - and makes people go around the corner to enter the building. someone walked up to me while i was exiting and i stood in her way like i was throwing a block in football - and then she side stepped me and i pulled my left (bad) foot behind me and tried to CLOSE THE DOOR ON HER. what kind of person does this? i wasn't fast enough/she was too fast and got around me and in the out door, but come on. why do i have to have these knee jerk reactions that cause me to be a visible *itch to folks?
could it be that NYC has seeped into me? no, since i've been this way long before i moved here. also, i can be a charmer. i really know i can. and i can make fabulous impressions on strangers - i don't have to be the snarly crank pot that i sometimes unleash on the world.
i want a positive outlook. i don't want to let things get to me - either things from strangers OR from people i know, including work related hassles that i don't handle well. and being removed from people doesn't give me opportunity to interact and really improve my relational skills. so i don't know if working from home does more harm than good.
but i'll always always always be, the GRETCH, unfortunately.
End of Weekend-itis
USA usually has a marathon of House every Sunday night. This weekend they've got a stupid "Super Bowl withdrawal" movie block. Whatevs. I've already seen almost all the eps anyway. Meh.Saw Gran Torino this afternoon. Wowza. I mean, I thought I would like it, but something about it... I don't know. Reminds me. I'd recommend it for sure.
The "chew chew" spoon pictured is $17, which cracks me up. It's basically a spoon with a wooden train stuck on the end (and it's "removable" so it really probably is just a hold drilled in the toy for the spoon space). Owen might like it, but it's not worth $17! Plus he's a big boy now!
I'm back into crocheting - started on the first of two "mirror" blankets (the finished blankets will be the same but opposite) for a set of twins coming to one of my friends. I failed on my purple wool hat (bought the yarn at Hobby Lobby and carried it all the way back to NYC ... and it's just not working out) - maybe I'll froggit (i.e. ripp-it, ripp-it).
I haven't finished my book this week - Atonement - because I've seen the movie and know what's coming and it just made me mad in the movie, so I'm sure the same will be true for the book. WHY do I do this to myself? Pick books?! Grrrr.
I guess I'll get back to crocheting. I still have a list of posts to work on, but honestly ... not sure where my heart is.
Complimentary
I received two complements (compliments?) yesterday. One about my skin, one about my sweater. Surprisingly, both were horrid - my skin is all dry and flaky and the sweater makes me look dowdy/matronly. But whatever floats your boat I guess.
what i did yesterday (or Mari on a train)
So - I took the train to DC yesterday. It was a last minute thing, and in retrospect I really should stay at least one night, to break up the loooong rides. BUT with my bum knee and the physical issue of carrying a suitcase (even a rolly one) was more than I could handle on short notice, so down and back it was.
When I arrived at Union Station, it was jam packed. I mean JAM packed. Showing how much I know, yesterday was the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, and DC was filled with protesters. I would guess that everyone I saw was a Pro-Life person, judging by their T-shirts, signs, stickers, etc. But maybe the supporters were just gathering elsewhere. They were mostly very young people (and very white). It caught me off guard AND made my taxi ride turn into a 45 minute ordeal - taking 15 minutes to get away from Union Station because of the crowds of oblivious people wandering in and out of traffic.
I didn't twitter at all yesterday, didn't write anything ... not even anything for work, unless you count the few emails I got in before I left (about 1 hour of online work time) or when I was in the office (for about 1.5 hours of online work time). And my knee is hurting more. I need more Motrin, and I am tweaking a muscle in my left leg because of the way I'm hobbling. If it's not one thing, it's 20 others.
At least it's almost the weekend. ONWARD.
When I arrived at Union Station, it was jam packed. I mean JAM packed. Showing how much I know, yesterday was the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, and DC was filled with protesters. I would guess that everyone I saw was a Pro-Life person, judging by their T-shirts, signs, stickers, etc. But maybe the supporters were just gathering elsewhere. They were mostly very young people (and very white). It caught me off guard AND made my taxi ride turn into a 45 minute ordeal - taking 15 minutes to get away from Union Station because of the crowds of oblivious people wandering in and out of traffic.
I didn't twitter at all yesterday, didn't write anything ... not even anything for work, unless you count the few emails I got in before I left (about 1 hour of online work time) or when I was in the office (for about 1.5 hours of online work time). And my knee is hurting more. I need more Motrin, and I am tweaking a muscle in my left leg because of the way I'm hobbling. If it's not one thing, it's 20 others.
At least it's almost the weekend. ONWARD.
My LTE Never Published
Re: Getting the Bedbugs Out
Dear Editors:
Thank you for your continuing coverage of the bedbug epidemic.
I agree with your list of items our city officials must press for to fight bedbugs. I'd like to add one more: owners and superintendents must be open and honest with tenants about bedbug treatments.
After living in our Manhattan studio for a year, I began having a severe allergic skin reaction. Six weeks and many dermatologist visits later, I discovered bedbugs were the culprit, despite my husband not being affected. Mystery solved, the excruciating extermination process began.
We have discovered at least one apartment on our floor and several others in the building received bedbug treatment before us. Tenants are not notified of others' treatment, which drive bugs into other parts of the building. My six-week skin mystery was a direct result of management keeping the bedbug secret.
We shouldn't have to fight bureaucracy in addition to the bedbugs.
~Marilyn Walker
Dear Editors:
Thank you for your continuing coverage of the bedbug epidemic.
I agree with your list of items our city officials must press for to fight bedbugs. I'd like to add one more: owners and superintendents must be open and honest with tenants about bedbug treatments.
After living in our Manhattan studio for a year, I began having a severe allergic skin reaction. Six weeks and many dermatologist visits later, I discovered bedbugs were the culprit, despite my husband not being affected. Mystery solved, the excruciating extermination process began.
We have discovered at least one apartment on our floor and several others in the building received bedbug treatment before us. Tenants are not notified of others' treatment, which drive bugs into other parts of the building. My six-week skin mystery was a direct result of management keeping the bedbug secret.
We shouldn't have to fight bureaucracy in addition to the bedbugs.
~Marilyn Walker
At Last...
I could watch this all day: Obamas' First Dance. I can't embed it - probably smart of ABC to send ppl to their site. But anyway, I'll be floating to "At Last" in my head for at least today... maybe longer, but we'll see how work goes.
Most Depressing Day in History?!
That's what the UK's Daily Mail is saying:
Article via Jezebel
I guess lucky for Americans, many of us get the day off. Although this day is the same for me - at my computer, checking e-mail and doing a few things. BUT I slept in and will probably try to go out (for the first time in DAYS since my knee injury). So I'm not feeling any more depressed than normal (which isn't saying that much I guess).If you woke up feeling blue today then the chances are you are not alone. For Monday, January 19, 2009, is going to be the most depressing day in history, according to experts.
Cold weather, fading Christmas memories and broken New Year resolutions mean this period is usually miserable, but the effects of the economic downturn makes this year worse than ever.
Millions will feel so glum they will decide to stay in bed and up to a quarter of workers are expected to call in sick, research suggests. Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall has devised a mathematical formula that pinpoints today as Blue Monday.
Article via Jezebel
[Review] Shopgirl
Shopgirl: A Novella by Steve MartinMy review
rating: 2 of 5 starsA quick read, which makes sense what with it being a novella. I saw the movie when it came out, as I'm a HUGE Claire Danes fan (stemming from MSCL days). The book was OK, but not overwhelming or offering any insight into myself, which I guess would be my criteria for something special.
View all my reviews.
Knee Jerk
I feel like a jerk - a big useless pansy jerk. But let's re-cap yesterday's trip to the ER, which when you think about it, makes ice skating the most expensive NYC-activity in which I have partaken (and I've got tickets to West Side Story in March!)...
I woke up and the knee was swollen and I couldn't walk at all. I was crying and the whole thing was just embarrassing. Shawn had to help me put on my socks! After some bickering and online searching we decided to go to an "in network" ER. there aren't any walk-in clinics in our insurance network, and the NYU university health center is for students only if you can believe that crap.
I woke up and the knee was swollen and I couldn't walk at all. I was crying and the whole thing was just embarrassing. Shawn had to help me put on my socks! After some bickering and online searching we decided to go to an "in network" ER. there aren't any walk-in clinics in our insurance network, and the NYU university health center is for students only if you can believe that crap.
So it was snowing and colder than a witches you-know-what, and I'm hobbling/hopping on one foot in the icy streets while he gets a cab. The end result was a day (a good 5 hours anyway) in the ER/fast track section (where I continued to take work calls, as I had three conference calls scheduled AND was really sitting and waiting for most of the time anyway). They took X-rays (nothing broken), gave me a scrip for Vicodin, wrapped up the knee and gave me crutches. At least now I can get around (and I have more in common with Dr. House* than just my dry wit!)
I am taking a lot of ibuprofen/Motrin - which seems to help. And I took Vicodin last night, but when I woke up this morning I thought I was going to throw up** - I got super pale and had to lie down and sleep for another 45 minutes. Once I ate lunch I felt better, but by now the Vicodin should definitely be out of my system. SO I don't know if I'll chance that again tonight or just stick with the Motrin.
All of this proves that NYC hates me and wants me to leave. I would oblige, but still waiting to hear on job opportunities for my husband. Praying we go somewhere near one set of parents.
~mari (adding sig to this entry to give clear definition for the asterisk/footnotes)
*The actor who plays House, the GENIUS Hugh Laurie, will appear on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight - as part of "The Band from TV" - a band created by Greg Grunberg, actor on Heroes and Felicity.
**I promise this is NOT morning sickness. I can't handle another rumor flying about me like that - although I'm sure those will be relentless until there's actually some TRUTH to that!
FWD: This is beautiful
Another Forward - it may be the pain in my knee, the chill in the air or my general attitude - but I did tear up at this.
This is beautiful!
She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?'
The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'
Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?'
The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.'
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.
The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, ' Mom , I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom .' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.'
Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.
The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.
She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:
'Dear Mom ,
I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always love you, Mom , even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a lit tle boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.
Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.. God said fo r me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom , no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?
Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.
This is beautiful!
She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: 'How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?'
The surgeon said, 'I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it.'
Sally said, 'Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? Where were you, God, when my son needed you?'
The surgeon asked, 'Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.'
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. 'Would you like a lock of his hair?' the nurse asked. Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.
The mother said, 'It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. 'I said no at first, but Jimmy said, ' Mom , I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom .' She went on, 'My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could.'
Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.
The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.
She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She lay down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:
'Dear Mom ,
I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say 'I Love You'. I will always love you, Mom , even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a lit tle boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know.
Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you.. God said fo r me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'where was He when I needed him?' 'God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom , no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore the cancer is all gone.. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?
Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.
Update: I'll Never Be a Figure Skater ... Or a Hockey Player
Here's the story as I'm telling my coworkers, more or less:I should have KNOWN better than to try to have NYC-fun. Last night we went ice skating in central park, with the tall buildings around us, it was gorgeous. Shawn and I had never done it before, so we were clinging to the wall.
I used to roller skate a lot as a kid, and I was getting the hang of the ice, moving away from the wall a bit to move around stragglers, etc. When I did that on the end of my 4th round, a faster skater swooshed by me (at least that’s the story I’m telling) and I lost my balance, lunging toward the wall and falling on my knee while my leg kind of twisted out…
Once I got off the rink I was able to walk/limp to the bus stop (no way was I taking the subway with all the stairs). This morning it was hurting SO bad and was so swollen – I couldn’t even move around our dinky apartment with Shawn’s help…
So we went to the ER and I now have crutches and know it isn’t broken. If it’s not better in a week I’ll follow up.
This makes three giant “only in New York” horror stories – the bedbugs, Waldorf shooting and the ice skating that led to an ER visit… This city is truly trying to tell me something… :-P
UPDATE - thanks to Holly who points out I never say WHAT is swollen and hurt - it's my left knee...
Bad Idea
Skating was the worst idea ever. It was almost fun until I fell. Now it's going to turn into a medical nightmare, as I can't even walk or hop around the apartment (am moving about in my rolly chair as much as I can and holding onto other things to get to the bathroom). The pain is excruciating, the knee is swollen somewhat, although no bruising that i can see, unless it's on the back of the knee. i probably should have gone to the doctor last night when i could still walk a little. instead i took the bus and walked back here.
i can't even get to the kitchen if i want breakfast. i doubt i could make it over to the window to open the shades - apparently it's snowing outside.
it's really cold here too. i don't know how i'm going to get down to the lobby to even get a taxi to go where we need to go. Apparently we need to go to the ER at St. Vincent's. I'm sure that will be a hell of a time.
this is the most humiliating and painful thing that's happened to me. it's less of a pain in the ass than bedbugs i guess, but a solid second place. (and i had a spot on my jaw yesterday that looked suspiciously like a bedbug bite. so i'm not convinced that saga is over yet)
i don't even know how i'm going to get dressed. there's no comfortable position - right now i'm in the rolly chair with my legs propped up on a dining chair - so at least my knee is higher than my waist (is it supposed to be higher than my heart? if so, i'm screwed b/c i have no way to do that unless i lie flat on my back).
i have a busy afternoon full of meetings. i just can't believe my luck. NYC really hates me, and as we all know, I hate it right back.
i can't even get to the kitchen if i want breakfast. i doubt i could make it over to the window to open the shades - apparently it's snowing outside.
it's really cold here too. i don't know how i'm going to get down to the lobby to even get a taxi to go where we need to go. Apparently we need to go to the ER at St. Vincent's. I'm sure that will be a hell of a time.
this is the most humiliating and painful thing that's happened to me. it's less of a pain in the ass than bedbugs i guess, but a solid second place. (and i had a spot on my jaw yesterday that looked suspiciously like a bedbug bite. so i'm not convinced that saga is over yet)
i don't even know how i'm going to get dressed. there's no comfortable position - right now i'm in the rolly chair with my legs propped up on a dining chair - so at least my knee is higher than my waist (is it supposed to be higher than my heart? if so, i'm screwed b/c i have no way to do that unless i lie flat on my back).
i have a busy afternoon full of meetings. i just can't believe my luck. NYC really hates me, and as we all know, I hate it right back.
Christmas Gift Joy
Christmas 2008 was good to me!Pictured at left, I'm enjoying my new TV headphones in the NYC. OH YEAH, thanks to Shawn's mom, Dale, I can now watch TV without disturbing Shawn. A gift that keeps on giving ... to both of us!
At right, a picture of me in the Walkers' basement in Danville as we opened our gifts. I'm holding up another favorite gift from Dale - my projection alarm clock! I got my cousin Matt one last year, and was a little jealous when he was trying it out. But I never got around to buying one for myself. Shawn thinks it's ridiculous BUT I had to throw away my alarm clock because it was right in the bedbug infestation (that's right - they can live inside electronics ... one more TMI thing you didn't want to know about the little critters). And I love being able to push a button and see the time. PLUS it has an inside thermometer, so I can always tell what the temp is in our apartment, something I haven't had the luxury of knowing since I moved here - since my inside thermometer was misplaced in the move. Am I easy to please or what?Not to be outdone, my mommy got me some great gifts too - including a stocking stuffed "plum full" of goodies. One of my favorite things, which I use every time I go outside, are my mittens. They're mittens that flip back to let your fingers work when you're inside, but flip down over your fingers to keep those digits toasty warm. And they're PURPLE. Does my mama know me? I also got a digital photo/media player that will be excellent once I really get into it. Mama filled it with pictures from Holly's wedding, so I'm thinking I will unload those to my computer and send them to the blushing bride...
I haven't taken pics of the gifts from my mom, mostly because my camera was pointed at the O-man while we were in Oklahoma.Can you see why? He's just the MOST precious little thing. This is actually his fifth Christmas (and my 29th!). Here he's seen posing with his gift from Uncle Shawn - an educational toy that teaches shapes. It was the first present Owen opened during this round of present opening and he was SO excited about it - saying "Exactly what I wanted!"
Shawn doesn't believe that, but it's TRUE.
PS I'm setting this post to publish automatically in the morning. What, did you think I was an early bird or something? Bish pls.
[Photo] Owen Jay
Couldn't resist - one more Owen pic... Man, Braum's is good! And that's a good shot of Sideburn Willy.
Tales from the Library
My library stories could never top my mom's, but this one was pretty good.
Last Saturday I went to the library and trudged through the snow to pick up a book (previously reviewed Moose). While in line, a little girl and her brother were handing out slips of paper to patrons. They explained that they were tickets to next week's circus.
Their mom was in line in front of me, and I could gather that the girl's name was Erin (she was probably 6 or 7) and the boy's name was Nicholson (!) (he was probably 3-4).
While I continued to wait, with my two new circus tickets, Erin and I had this conversation:
E: "Guess what I've got on under here?" indicating under her sweater.
M: "I don't know, what?"
E: "A BATHING SUIT!" cracking herself up
M: "WHAT?! Are you going swimming in this weather?" laughingly as well
E: "No way!"
Then Erin's mom said they had done "summertime in wintertime" earlier that morning. I told her I had seen that very thing on a Little Bill episode not too long ago. She laughed at that, and we moved on.
Kind of sweet, and reminds me of my deep desire to be a mom myself. And makes me miss Owen like nobody's business (because without him I wouldn't know who Little Bill is, not to mention Thomas, Bob and Pinky Dinky Doo)...
Last Saturday I went to the library and trudged through the snow to pick up a book (previously reviewed Moose). While in line, a little girl and her brother were handing out slips of paper to patrons. They explained that they were tickets to next week's circus.
Their mom was in line in front of me, and I could gather that the girl's name was Erin (she was probably 6 or 7) and the boy's name was Nicholson (!) (he was probably 3-4).
While I continued to wait, with my two new circus tickets, Erin and I had this conversation:
E: "Guess what I've got on under here?" indicating under her sweater.
M: "I don't know, what?"
E: "A BATHING SUIT!" cracking herself up
M: "WHAT?! Are you going swimming in this weather?" laughingly as well
E: "No way!"
Then Erin's mom said they had done "summertime in wintertime" earlier that morning. I told her I had seen that very thing on a Little Bill episode not too long ago. She laughed at that, and we moved on.Kind of sweet, and reminds me of my deep desire to be a mom myself. And makes me miss Owen like nobody's business (because without him I wouldn't know who Little Bill is, not to mention Thomas, Bob and Pinky Dinky Doo)...
New York Times: Bedbugs
Right - there's an editorial in today's New York Times about bedbugs (thanks to my boss' boss for pointing it out to me - gotta love it when someone sees bedbugs they think of me!).
I submitted a 150 word letter to the editor. I should hear within seven days whether they're going to publish it. And if not, I'll be free to post it here. Writing so briefly was a CHALLENGE to say the least - so I wrote first and then chopped and edited to get it down. Kind of fun. I forgot how much I missed ... oh wait, I do that kind of thing every month with our newsletter. Nevermind. :)
Anyway, the article is about the lack of help people can get for bedbugs - i.e. no one agency has all the information you need... I can attest to that. PLUS looking online can just make your heart sink, because you end up with horror stories and such. An excerpt from the editorial (which you should really read!!!)
I submitted a 150 word letter to the editor. I should hear within seven days whether they're going to publish it. And if not, I'll be free to post it here. Writing so briefly was a CHALLENGE to say the least - so I wrote first and then chopped and edited to get it down. Kind of fun. I forgot how much I missed ... oh wait, I do that kind of thing every month with our newsletter. Nevermind. :)
Anyway, the article is about the lack of help people can get for bedbugs - i.e. no one agency has all the information you need... I can attest to that. PLUS looking online can just make your heart sink, because you end up with horror stories and such. An excerpt from the editorial (which you should really read!!!)
Complaints about bed bugs in New York City are rising steadily. As any health official can attest, the only good thing about these nighttime pests is that they don’t seem to cause disease. That doesn’t count panic attacks and the outsize frustration for residents who try to get help from a maze of local and state bureaucracies.Unrelated update: I'm expecting to go ice skating tonight for the first time. Here's hoping I don't fall and re-injure my back (it's been feeling a little twingy this week - maybe has to do with the cold weather?)...
FWD: Coffee Filters
Below is a forward. I like some of the ideas and wanted to keep them at hand w/o having to save the e-mail. Thanks Mama!Coffee filters ..who knew! And you can buy 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for ...yep, a dollar! COFFEE FILTERS: Not just for making coffee...
1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave. Coffee filters make excellent covers.
2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they'll leave windows sparkling.
3. Protect China. Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.
4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.
5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.
9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.
11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.
12. Put a few on a plate and put your fried bacon, French fries, chicken fingers, etc., on them. Soaks out all the grease.
[Review] Moose
Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp by Stephanie KleinMy review
rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book made me hungry, I can't lie. I read Stephanie Klein's blog - but had never read the archives to really get what she writes about, etc. It was a fast read - picked it up from the library yesterday, finished this afternoon. I guess that's what lazy snowy cold weekends are for. Definitely more than just a fat camp memoir. I liked it. (How's that for insight?!)
View all my reviews.
Outside the snow is falling...
... and no one's calling 'you-hoo'
Things got sorted out with my work problems - I had to get a new CMS log-in created, someone had transposed some numbers in the IP-reroute of the microsite, and all should be well. There's still the issue of the admin side of our secondary site not showing up anything ... but I've been assured a solution is forthcoming.
About to head to the library - in the snow - DAZZLING - about a 15 minute walk, blugh. Then thinking a trek to the gym and finally home to hunker down. The storm is really supposed to hit late this afternoon and evening, It's almost 2, so I'd better get a move on.
~M
Things got sorted out with my work problems - I had to get a new CMS log-in created, someone had transposed some numbers in the IP-reroute of the microsite, and all should be well. There's still the issue of the admin side of our secondary site not showing up anything ... but I've been assured a solution is forthcoming.
About to head to the library - in the snow - DAZZLING - about a 15 minute walk, blugh. Then thinking a trek to the gym and finally home to hunker down. The storm is really supposed to hit late this afternoon and evening, It's almost 2, so I'd better get a move on.
~M
Nothing Is Working...
I can't log into my work's website content management system. Pretty problematic. Everyone else seems to have no trouble, SO I'm packing up this afternoon to try out working at Starbucks. If I still can't access it from there, then I'll know it's more than just me ... but I don't know where I'll go to find access. (The CMS login worked for me up until Wednesday, it was only yesterday that I started having a problem - and we've reset the router, modem and tried different configurations and computers to see if we could connect - No, sir)
Of COURSE, I've got a TON of web work to do in preparation for next Wednesday - a release and added content to the site ... so I'm losing time because of whatever the problem is. So solution needs to come to me soon. Grrr.
Another work website lets me log in, but it doesn't have any content on the admin side (although the front ends of all sites are working OK, which is good). I am three weeks behind on updating the contact information on that site - just because the admin site itself was messed up b/c of PHP upgrades/roll backs and what-have-you.
Our URL masks a subsite - basically a group/social networking site - and no one outside of the office network (including me) can see it - and I can't get answers/clarification as to why this might be happening. Maybe has something to do with DNS - maybe not. I feel ignored by the web and IT people who work for RA. Does everything I'm involved with technically have to turn to dust?!
Gone to the gym a few times this week, and planning to go again tonight. Scheduling is hard. I'll never be someone who hops out of bed, and working from home, my mornings are SLOW to start. SO I have been going to the gym after work, which really impedes my ability to make dinner, since by the time I get back it's after 7 pm and I'm weak and wobbly. Maybe I'll resolve my issues and get a better schedule, or at least be less weak and plan meals better. I REALLY wish I had my crock pot - it's in my bedroom at my mom's house, probably in the closet or something. Blurgh.
OK, am going to do a little photo editing/resizing and then am going to bundle up (baby, it's COLD outside ... and snow expected tomorrow!) and head to Starbucks in hopes of connecting and getting some web work done. (posting the resized images is only PART of the plan - oiy)
~mari.
Of COURSE, I've got a TON of web work to do in preparation for next Wednesday - a release and added content to the site ... so I'm losing time because of whatever the problem is. So solution needs to come to me soon. Grrr.
Another work website lets me log in, but it doesn't have any content on the admin side (although the front ends of all sites are working OK, which is good). I am three weeks behind on updating the contact information on that site - just because the admin site itself was messed up b/c of PHP upgrades/roll backs and what-have-you.
Our URL masks a subsite - basically a group/social networking site - and no one outside of the office network (including me) can see it - and I can't get answers/clarification as to why this might be happening. Maybe has something to do with DNS - maybe not. I feel ignored by the web and IT people who work for RA. Does everything I'm involved with technically have to turn to dust?!
Gone to the gym a few times this week, and planning to go again tonight. Scheduling is hard. I'll never be someone who hops out of bed, and working from home, my mornings are SLOW to start. SO I have been going to the gym after work, which really impedes my ability to make dinner, since by the time I get back it's after 7 pm and I'm weak and wobbly. Maybe I'll resolve my issues and get a better schedule, or at least be less weak and plan meals better. I REALLY wish I had my crock pot - it's in my bedroom at my mom's house, probably in the closet or something. Blurgh.
OK, am going to do a little photo editing/resizing and then am going to bundle up (baby, it's COLD outside ... and snow expected tomorrow!) and head to Starbucks in hopes of connecting and getting some web work done. (posting the resized images is only PART of the plan - oiy)
~mari.
Cheese Wagon!
Q: What does Uncle Shawn say when he sees a yellow school bus?
A: He says, 'Hey, there goes a CHEESE wagon!'
Hysterical laughter... Who knew Owen would think that was so funny?!
A: He says, 'Hey, there goes a CHEESE wagon!'
Hysterical laughter... Who knew Owen would think that was so funny?!
[PHOTOS] Owen Max!
Corn on the Cob at Chili's - Lawton, OK
Asleep in the basket at Hobby Lobby - Lawton, OK
Spaghetti at Olive Garden - Wichita Falls, TX
[PHOTO] Does This Come With Film?
Does This Come With Film?
Originally uploaded by silvermari
I love this photo - and we loved giving her this gift!!! Looking forward to MANY photos from Dale!
Ideas for Posts Runneth Over
After the hiatus of travel, I have lots of material to write. But no time to write it... So I'm going to do some bullets, some of which will hopefully inspire me to write full posts ... if not, they can be memory joggers for myself when i'm looking back on this blog. So, in no particular order, my holiday in bullets:
- The sweetest five year old ever telling me about her new "princess diarrhea" when she meant princess diary. Man, I had fun playing with her and seeing GIRL toys!
- Playing Wii bowling
- Snuggling on the air mattress
- A goodbye smooch at the airport - was a really good kiss
- Baking cookies at Dale's ... and realizing all the things she needs to have a cookie-friendly kitchen (uh, timer anyone?! and a big, big bowl?)
- Watching movies at Diannia's - HEART ATTACK (seriously, she called it when an old guy grabbed his ELBOW that he was having a heart attack!)
- Crazily searching for wifi in Danville when Dale's internet went out (when in reality it was just the faulty wires)
- Three words: Super China Buffet (pronounced like Jimmy's last name)
- Seeing our Christmas card cartoons, 2007 crocheted wreath ornaments with our pictures and wedding bell favors in everyone's houses
- Church in Danville - friendly folks, and at Christmas Eve service - the MOST embroidered Christmas-themed vests and shirts I've ever seen assembled in one place
- Chickens, geese and turkeys under the water tower near the church
- Silent night - singing while the candles were lit
- Dale's description of communion - very visceral
- The sweet little girl in a Santa dress who made faces and me and Shawn during the CE service
- The boob cup in Steve's basement - and Robbie pointing it out to me and Shawn ... NICE
- Shopping with Dale - including a 30 minute interlude at Belk's where we brainstormed ideas for Shawn gifts
- The Legion Christmas party - too smoky
- All the fast food stops and stores in Danville (did I mention they now have a Sonic?! HUZZAH) ... Papa John's pizza
- Watching a movie with Dale that had VERY graphic scenes (FYI leave the "uncut" versions of R rated movies for home viewing!)
- Cooking dinner at Dale's on Xmas Eve - steak, rolls, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole
- Dale's Ephemera Encyclopedia - now I hear the word everywhere and am becoming obsessed (or maybe I always was and just didn't have the WORD for it)
- Juggling Owen's head (so funny and probably bad for his spine ... never again)
- Patty cake variation: "Roll 'em, roll 'em, roll 'em, THROW 'EM IN A PAN!" where the last part is screamed while throwing up Owen's hands ...
- Great discovery set - too much fun (Thomas is havin' a whale of a time, he's trapped inside a disused mine; He's rockin and rollin down the flooded track; We just can't say when he's comin' baaaaack)
- Wall E and Kung Fu Panda (although I slept through 2/3 of KFP - LOVED Wall-E)
- Boo hoo Choo Choo, don't be afraid of the dark ... part of the "Thomas and the Jet Engine" DVD I bought Owen ... Auntie M is a sucker for that sweet face!
- Dancin on New Year's Eve to the original Armadillo Express
- Owen snoozin' with 15 minutes left in 2008 (no new year's kiss at all!)
- The MOST talkative cabbie in the universe. I could only hear every 3rd word he said ... and I'm pretty sure he ignored my responses. Made for an unbearably long ride - plus he went the long way to get to our apartment ...
- Forget snakes on a plane - there was a DOG on my plane... in my row in fact. UGH.
- My small roll-y luggage was too fat to fit in the overhead bins - so I ended up checking it. But checking plane side meant no $15 fee. So there's that
Inner Life in Ladies Home Journal
An article in Ladies Home Journal, "Why Gum Makes You More Alert." says studies have shown chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain. After 20 minutes of chewing, alertness goes up by almost 19 percent! It also lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol by about 16 percent.
Read an eHow article about gum.
Now if only something could be done about my TMJ from all that chewing.
Read an eHow article about gum.
Now if only something could be done about my TMJ from all that chewing.
[Review] Revolutionary Road
Revolutionary Road by Richard YatesMy review
rating: 3 of 5 starsI long for suburbia, but not the unhappiness that seems to surround the characters in this book. It was a fast read, and I hated that Kate and Leo were on the cover. I read it on a plane - so I guess I am what I wish not to be - someone who reads books only when there's a movie made about them (or something like that).
View all my reviews.
Dunkin Donuts Free Coffee Sample
Am currently enjoying home brewed Fresh Direct brand coffee - but will let you know how my free sample from DD turns out (via Wise Bread - takes 7 weeks for delivery).
Real post pending ... am also contemplating a New Year letter to non-blog readers (i.e. my mom's church friends) - with a story like bedbugs and a Waldorf Astoria shooting, seems fitting, but we'll see. So little time, and so little concentration on my part. (Concentrate is a word Owen knows - what a silly little kid!)
~M.
goodbye to the old
today is new year's eve! huzzah.
we have mini plans - going to hang out with Gran a bit - go to the church festivities, then my dad's band is playing in medicine park (where uncle shawn and i had our mini honeymoon stay in a cabin) so we'll go to that - then back to beth-a-roo's for some mac & cheese (homemade) and chicken bites (via walmart - prepurchased) and maybe a drink or two and a movie before ringing in 2009. placing bets on whether o-man will stay awake? safe money's on YES. he's quite the night owl.
los tres amigos today - the place where uncle shawn got cheese sauce dumped on his head the first dinner out with my family ... didn't scare him away though! (this was pre-pre-engagement) - then wayne's for a vanilla diet coke - a lawton-only restaurant similar to sonic, only different. nom nom nom.
missing my new year's kiss, but i guess i'll get that on jan. 4 in the evening once i make it back to bed bug city. YIPE!
~marilyn jean...
PS - Rumor dispelled: I am NOT pregnant, despite rumors to the contrary (that's right - someone told me they'd heard from someone at church that i was expecting ... uh, news to me)..
we have mini plans - going to hang out with Gran a bit - go to the church festivities, then my dad's band is playing in medicine park (where uncle shawn and i had our mini honeymoon stay in a cabin) so we'll go to that - then back to beth-a-roo's for some mac & cheese (homemade) and chicken bites (via walmart - prepurchased) and maybe a drink or two and a movie before ringing in 2009. placing bets on whether o-man will stay awake? safe money's on YES. he's quite the night owl.
los tres amigos today - the place where uncle shawn got cheese sauce dumped on his head the first dinner out with my family ... didn't scare him away though! (this was pre-pre-engagement) - then wayne's for a vanilla diet coke - a lawton-only restaurant similar to sonic, only different. nom nom nom.
missing my new year's kiss, but i guess i'll get that on jan. 4 in the evening once i make it back to bed bug city. YIPE!
~marilyn jean...
PS - Rumor dispelled: I am NOT pregnant, despite rumors to the contrary (that's right - someone told me they'd heard from someone at church that i was expecting ... uh, news to me)..
post-Holiday
just a few days left in 2008, which has been a whale of a year.
i made notes about my Danville holiday experience - a first newlywed christmas/our first christmas as Dr. and Mrs. so i could do a whole SERIES of posts about that.
i need to keep notes about my Oklahoma experience as well - i'm at Beth's apartment right now, waiting for her to bring me lunch, with Wall-E on the TV for Owen and working away on the January e-newsletter. pain in the ... but it's getting done. need to work on Feb line up and a few other maintenance things - then will be done for the year. Holla.
plan to go to Hobby Lobby this evening - SO looking forward to that. am planning to crochet myself a floppy-ish hat - sort of a beret, hard to describe. have a pattern and will post pics upon completion. i haven't completed anything in a long while because i'm still working away on the bedspread, and even that is slow going because of the bedbug situation and no good place to crochet at home.
weird to spend so much time away from shawn - but that's a post on its own.
dur. ~m.
i made notes about my Danville holiday experience - a first newlywed christmas/our first christmas as Dr. and Mrs. so i could do a whole SERIES of posts about that.
i need to keep notes about my Oklahoma experience as well - i'm at Beth's apartment right now, waiting for her to bring me lunch, with Wall-E on the TV for Owen and working away on the January e-newsletter. pain in the ... but it's getting done. need to work on Feb line up and a few other maintenance things - then will be done for the year. Holla.
plan to go to Hobby Lobby this evening - SO looking forward to that. am planning to crochet myself a floppy-ish hat - sort of a beret, hard to describe. have a pattern and will post pics upon completion. i haven't completed anything in a long while because i'm still working away on the bedspread, and even that is slow going because of the bedbug situation and no good place to crochet at home.
weird to spend so much time away from shawn - but that's a post on its own.
dur. ~m.
chilled to the bone
colder here than i expected. i didn't bring enough sweaters (basically because they're bulky and i was trying to pack light). oh well - going shopping today and hope to find some presents to myself!
as shawn says, no matter how crowded it is here during christmas shopping time, it will never be as bad as a regular day in NYC - or the worst was the day after thanksgiving when beth and i went to macy's - as in THE macy's. oiy. goodtimes and good memories.
guess i'll get going and hope to find some sustenance/lunch soon too.
funtimes! ~mari.
as shawn says, no matter how crowded it is here during christmas shopping time, it will never be as bad as a regular day in NYC - or the worst was the day after thanksgiving when beth and i went to macy's - as in THE macy's. oiy. goodtimes and good memories.
guess i'll get going and hope to find some sustenance/lunch soon too.
funtimes! ~mari.
Re-worked
DANVILLE, Va.--I was supposed to be working in my in-laws' basement. But, of course, with my previously mentioned country-song luck, the internet at their house is on the fritz - and I've been forced to seek wifi elsewhere.
First I spent a couple hours at Starbucks - about 15 minutes from their house. These southern people are SERIOUSLY nice. I can't remember hearing baristas be that nice - I guess the grumpy stereotype doesn't always have to be true!
Then Shawn brought me to the Mount Hermon Public Library - a branch near their home - that has wifi. It's pretty quiet. There's no table, so I'm sitting in a "comfy" chair with my laptop heating my legs to about 300 degrees (I'm known to exaggerate of course). And of course the system keeps bumping me off and requiring re-logging in. And usually when I'm in the middle of something - not sure if I hit a wrong key to refresh it or what. It's a totally insecure network anyway and if I had any skills I could access it without the login. But whatever.
But I'm sitting here - listening to some Christmas music and my view is of their wall of DVDs - they've got some good/new ones - Baby Mama, Wall-E, Forbidden Kingdom, Battlestar Gallactica, Veronica Mars, Heroes, Coupling (!), etc., etc. Wishing I had such a branch library near me - behind me is a rack of latest magazines - I would love to spend a few hours perusing the women's magazines. Something about those ... I just adore them!
A lot of things going on today at work, and I'm envisioning some work falling on me tomorrow (not a problem if I have internet access at the inlaws' - although I cannot and will not stay online all day - and I won't make the trek around the city of Danville to find free wifi) - and I worked this weekend - probably about 45 minutes of work total. Not exactly my idea for a fun Saturday break, but whatever.
Gonna stop diverting even bits of attention to this - have been writing this for a long while, a few sentences at a time. Am ready for 5:30... We have our Evans family christmas party at 6. OIY!
First I spent a couple hours at Starbucks - about 15 minutes from their house. These southern people are SERIOUSLY nice. I can't remember hearing baristas be that nice - I guess the grumpy stereotype doesn't always have to be true!
Then Shawn brought me to the Mount Hermon Public Library - a branch near their home - that has wifi. It's pretty quiet. There's no table, so I'm sitting in a "comfy" chair with my laptop heating my legs to about 300 degrees (I'm known to exaggerate of course). And of course the system keeps bumping me off and requiring re-logging in. And usually when I'm in the middle of something - not sure if I hit a wrong key to refresh it or what. It's a totally insecure network anyway and if I had any skills I could access it without the login. But whatever.
But I'm sitting here - listening to some Christmas music and my view is of their wall of DVDs - they've got some good/new ones - Baby Mama, Wall-E, Forbidden Kingdom, Battlestar Gallactica, Veronica Mars, Heroes, Coupling (!), etc., etc. Wishing I had such a branch library near me - behind me is a rack of latest magazines - I would love to spend a few hours perusing the women's magazines. Something about those ... I just adore them!
A lot of things going on today at work, and I'm envisioning some work falling on me tomorrow (not a problem if I have internet access at the inlaws' - although I cannot and will not stay online all day - and I won't make the trek around the city of Danville to find free wifi) - and I worked this weekend - probably about 45 minutes of work total. Not exactly my idea for a fun Saturday break, but whatever.
Gonna stop diverting even bits of attention to this - have been writing this for a long while, a few sentences at a time. Am ready for 5:30... We have our Evans family christmas party at 6. OIY!
Danville Has a Sonic
ALERT ALERT ALERT
My husband's hometown now has a Sonic restaurant - so my time here is so much happier. Also, Claritin may be working to stop my symptoms of allergic reaction to his family cat.
Christmas MIRACLES!
~m
My husband's hometown now has a Sonic restaurant - so my time here is so much happier. Also, Claritin may be working to stop my symptoms of allergic reaction to his family cat.
Christmas MIRACLES!
~m
k thx bai
Prayers for safe travel and on-time departures much appreciated. Car to the airport coming at 9:30... snow has stopped. Amtrak was sold out anyway - here's hoping.
Shawn's got the dadgum windows taped open - so it is colder than a ... well you know.
See you on the flip side, assuming we can flip.
Bah humbugs still lingering, but pressing on.
Shawn's got the dadgum windows taped open - so it is colder than a ... well you know.
See you on the flip side, assuming we can flip.
Bah humbugs still lingering, but pressing on.
whether, weather?
I guess this is what you'd call a Nor'easter. Blugh.Snow started this morning - snowed all through the day then turned into sleet. Major airline delays. Our flight is scheduled for tomorrow at about 11 am. It's a direct flight to Raleigh, but then another hour plus drive to Danville.
US Airways will allow us to change our plans BUT the flight has to be taken within seven days of the original travel (i.e. would have to be by next Saturday) - and that's not really happening. Maybe I'm misunderstanding their rules, but that's how it seemed.
If US Airways would just give us a credit to use on our next flight, we could just get Amtrak tickets and be directly in Danville in about 9 hours - not bad, especially when considering delays and other nonsense could have us at the airport at least that long ... perish the thought.
But who knows - maybe we'll wake up tomorrow and it won't be so bad ??? Somehow I doubt my luck would be that good.
WHAT IS IT NEW YORK?!?!?! Do you want me gone or are you trying to trap me here?
My to-do list in preparing for the trip, one way or another we'll get out of here.
- Sew button on coat (that's right, a button fell off the other day - am I cursed, unlucky or just really ... I don't even know the right word?!) - done
- Pack toiletries and make up - including the 3-1-1 airline regulation baggie (ugh) - done
- Pack USB stick for work - in progress
- Load iPod with latest podcasts - done
- Find backpack (done - woo hoo!) and pack it as carry on (in lieu of purse and with my laptop bag stuffed inside it) - backpack will make trudging with laptop MUCH easier - plus I've got my new Samsonite rolling suitcase carry on, so I'll be within the 2-item limit if we fly. Huzzah! - few last minute things to add
- Get cash
- Light cleaning
- Put away Christmas decorations (semi-done)
BAH HUMBUG has been my battle cry today - I hope this weekend it is better.
~mari.
Photo from Flickr - peterjr1961
Sweeeeeet
Sweet peanut butter kiss cookies - yum!
My free "luggage tag" turned out to be a travel wallet! WOAH! I had been looking for these forever for my sister (I got her something else, although she doesn't read this blog, let's keep it a secret anyway) - but I love this - AND it has purple on the inside, so I'd say it's meant to be!
I love HARO! What what. Cover says "high maintenance doesn't begin to cover it." how appropros!
My free "luggage tag" turned out to be a travel wallet! WOAH! I had been looking for these forever for my sister (I got her something else, although she doesn't read this blog, let's keep it a secret anyway) - but I love this - AND it has purple on the inside, so I'd say it's meant to be!
I love HARO! What what. Cover says "high maintenance doesn't begin to cover it." how appropros!
Real 400:
DRAT - there was a rogue duplicate draft throwing off my entry count. 400 isn't even that much. I've twittered 428 times as of this moment, and I started that in July!
About to have the phone call/meeting to discuss how 6-7 people are going to organize and run a monthly meeting. Recipe for disaster.
~m
About to have the phone call/meeting to discuss how 6-7 people are going to organize and run a monthly meeting. Recipe for disaster.
~m
Haiku for a Luggage Tag
@skydiver did a mini-contest today - the first 10 people to write a haiku about his Help a Reporter Out site won a luggage tag. I was #2 with my haiku:
Help a reporter
Be a top expert on call
Reap the accolades
Bully for me!
Help a reporter
Be a top expert on call
Reap the accolades
Bully for me!
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