I am in Louisville. My mind is somewhere else. St. Augustine, specifically. Actually, THE BEACH, specifically.
This week I’ve been concentrating on getting things at work squared away so nothing insane happens while I’m gone. I finished a feature today and now I feel like everything else is downhill from here… until 8:30 when those plane tires leave the runway.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm….
I mentioned this trip during a work gathering today (specifically, an ‘ice cream social’, how awesome is THAT?)…someone asked what I was doing for Derby and I said “leaving town”… and that started the conversation about vacation. It was in a group of young people and they all seemed very impressed that I was taking vacation time to actually GO on vacation. Then I realized they probably can’t afford to take trips to the beach… then I realized I can’t either. (thanks, mom and dad)
I decided to not tell them I’m going on vacation with my parents. For one thing, it makes me seem cooler and more mysterious without that tidbit. For another thing, if I say that, then I also have to give the whole spill about my family and how we’re really close and how my parents are actually two of the coolest people I know, because the inevitable reaction to that news is “oh my gosh, I’m so sorry” or “WHY?”.
Also, I’m starting to realize annual vacations and time together are not on every family’s priority list like it has been for mine. There were plenty of years when I’m sure mom and dad would have rather saved that money, but they know it’s important to recharge and spend time together as a family. Smart people.
Along the same vein, you might not hear from me on this blog for awhile. Sorry peeps… vaca is vaca.
Standby...
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Carrie Underwho?
Before this weekend, I enjoyed Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban equally. I have albums from both in the CD changer in my car right now. I can sing along with most of their tunes (especially the ones on the radio). Clearly, they both had different appeals – with Carrie, I think she’s super-cute, I want to be her friend, I think her outfits are great, I like to sing along with her, etc. with Keith – I like most of his songs, I knew he was a great ‘triple-threat’ (singer-musician-songwriter), yeah, he’s had all the rehab issues, but I won’t write someone off just for that, we all make mistakes, he has a lot of great sunroof-drive fast songs, and, oh yeah, he’s not too hard on the eyes either.
People, I am a changed woman. I went to the Keith Urban/Carrie Underwood concert in
Co-Headliners? I remember when Carrie and Keith (yeah, we’re tight like that) announced their co-headlining “Love, Pain, and the Whole Crazy Carnival Ride Tour” in which they shared equal billing. Both insisted they were ‘co-headliners’, which sounds all nice and warm and fuzzy, but, seriously folks, someone’s gotta go first… which makes them the opening act. So I was curious to see how the concert played out.
Sing-a-long? Why do we sing with them at concerts? I will fully admit that those were the times I was having the most fun, when the whole audience was chiming in to our favorite songs… it’s a great time. But why do we do that? I mean, we don’t go to an orchestra concert and bring our French horns in and play the great Strauss horn licks along with them… we don’t bust our a pas de deux when we go see Swan Lake… in fact, the only other thing I can think of in which we are anywhere near as interactive with the entertainment is at something like Sesame Street Live or the Doodlebops or something.
Also, I need to add something here about my love of the girls who were sitting behind us (me and my friend Ann). They had completely ridiculous conversations that we got to hear… AND, my favorite, they were the types who know all the words to every song and want everyone else to KNOW they know the words to every song, regardless of those music essentials like PITCH or DYNAMIC CONTRAST. What I saying is, they were just plain shouting the words really loudly without actually trying to hit any of the notes. It was awesome.
That last, final, this-is-really-it moment: My favorite part of the concert might have been when he pulled a teenage girl out of the audience who looked like a grunge rocker and had a sign that said “Let me play your guitar” and everyone around her had signs that said “Let her play your guitar” up on the stage and LET HER PLAY HIS GUITAR. Oh, and she was A-W-E-S-O-M-E. Or… it could be the time me and Ann spotted Nicole Kidman in the audience before everyone else. Or maybe the time Keith Urban ran out into the audience and sang part of a song in the midst of a throng of screaming fans, then after his guitar solo, took off the guitar, signed it, and GAVE IT TO SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE. Or when we ALMOST got confetti rained on us. Or the dancing or singing… or amazing instrumental chops… etc.etc…but, no, none of those were my favorite moments.
That came at the end.
First, let me note that this was the LAST CONCERT of the Love, Pain and the Whole Crazy World Tour. 107 shows. This was the LAST ONE. Oh, and they were shooting the whole thing for a DVD. And Nicole Kidman was there (earlier in the encore he introduced her and sang a song to her, so at that point, we were positive she was there, and just off stage).
The last song was my favorite part. Everybody Needs Somebody.
For those of you who aren’t Keith Urban fans or haven’t heard this song (by the way, you have exactly 60 days to remedy that, or ELSE!), I think he wrote it in rehab, for his wife, who stuck by him when we was going through some really tough stuff. It was a great choice to end on, because it’s not one of his best jam-out tunes, which a lot of acts like to end on for obvious reasons. But for the meaning behind it, it was perfect. Its just him, his guitar, his voice, and a little backup from the band.
About halfway through… as I was swaying and clapping, I stopped, when I realized… he was crying. It was so touching. It wasn’t a pitiful kind of crying, and he wasn’t trying to stop. He just kept singing, and let those tears fall in a truly genuine way. And I thought to myself, “I’ve been in that moment.” Not that specific moment, because we all know I have no idea what it’s like to be a superstar and travel all over the world.
But I do know what it feels like to be finishing something that has meant so much to you, something you’ve poured your whole heart and being into, something that has changed your life. You’re exhausted, but you’re exhilarated, and you didn’t expect this moment, but then it hits you and you find your mind going to that place where you realize… it’s the last time. You’ve done it thousands of times and this is the last one. And it’s okay for your mind to wander to that spot, because your body is almost on auto-pilot, and then you don’t WANT to be on auto-pilot because you want to EXPERIENCE the last time… exist in its emotion.
It was genuine. It was human. It was the perfect way to wrap up the tour.
If it wasn’t the last one, I would be telling all of you to go buy tickets immediately. It was the best concert I’ve ever seen.
Also, I was so grateful to have my friend Ann there… she is so much fun and the perfect person to experience all this craziness with.
I’ll think about more from this weekend to write about later in the week, but for now, here are some pics from the concert.
Standby…
Friday, April 25, 2008
I'm schweepy...
Those of you who have known me all my life know I’ve been dealing with allergy issues for almost that entire time. I’ve had countless ear infections (most ending in eardrum ruptures), had tubes in my ears when I was little (hate that waxy stuff for when you go swimming), and have simply been in a continuous state of congestion and runniness, the severity of which depends on the season.
To be honest, I’m just plain ol’ sick of medicating it. I went through a barrage of prescriptions in middle and high school… Claritin and Zyrtec WAY before they were the cool thing to do… Flonase, Astelin, Rhinocort, etc… all before they were available over the counter… and I’m just over it. What was the most frustrating is that after a certain period of time, I couldn’t really even tell they were working anymore, if I EVER could (cough) CLARITIN. (whatever, I’m not bitter)
Anyway, no matter how much I want to ignore my perpetual state of sniffles, it becomes really difficult to do so this time of year. And, I’m on the radio, and it’s not cool to be sniffling on the radio.
So I broke down and bought some over the counter Zyrtec. And now I’m sleepy. And STILL runny and sneezy. Sigh…
Other topics:
Sean Bell verdict: what have we learned? Your credibility drops significantly if you hang out with drug dealers. I’m not saying what the cops did in this case were right or justified, I’m just saying maybe you shouldn’t hang out with convicted drug dealers because a judge is going to go with cops over them every time.
Also, I don’t understand the whole ‘race’ thing here. All these civil rights leaders are outraged and saying that ‘people of color’ can’t get a fair trial and such. Um… TWO of the three police officers are black! I’m really baffled by this. Does it make a black person white if they’re a police officer?
Standby…
To be honest, I’m just plain ol’ sick of medicating it. I went through a barrage of prescriptions in middle and high school… Claritin and Zyrtec WAY before they were the cool thing to do… Flonase, Astelin, Rhinocort, etc… all before they were available over the counter… and I’m just over it. What was the most frustrating is that after a certain period of time, I couldn’t really even tell they were working anymore, if I EVER could (cough) CLARITIN. (whatever, I’m not bitter)
Anyway, no matter how much I want to ignore my perpetual state of sniffles, it becomes really difficult to do so this time of year. And, I’m on the radio, and it’s not cool to be sniffling on the radio.
So I broke down and bought some over the counter Zyrtec. And now I’m sleepy. And STILL runny and sneezy. Sigh…
Other topics:
Sean Bell verdict: what have we learned? Your credibility drops significantly if you hang out with drug dealers. I’m not saying what the cops did in this case were right or justified, I’m just saying maybe you shouldn’t hang out with convicted drug dealers because a judge is going to go with cops over them every time.
Also, I don’t understand the whole ‘race’ thing here. All these civil rights leaders are outraged and saying that ‘people of color’ can’t get a fair trial and such. Um… TWO of the three police officers are black! I’m really baffled by this. Does it make a black person white if they’re a police officer?
Standby…
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Fun Hair = Fun Day
I accidentally got up an hour early this morning.
I know what you’re thinking (‘how is that possible?’).
I usually hit snooze about a billion times every morning. I set the alarm for 7:15… and hit snooze until sometime between 8:15 and 8:30. (don’t try to talk me out of it, it’s how I wake up)
I think my roommate was either excited about work today or misjudged her necessary get-up time this morning, because she was up doing laundry and other LOUD things (just kidding, Viv, love you!) this morning that kept waking me up. Usually I just wake and go right back to sleep, but when my alarm clock went off the second time this morning, I mistook it for the 16th time, looked at the clock and thought I had overslept. Then, about halfway through my shower, I realized it was probably only about 7:30.
There’s no way I’m going back to sleep after taking a shower. So I just went ahead with the getting ready routine, but decided to add time to doing my hair, so it’s super-curly today. (no, mom, not the waves, big ringlet curls) It’s fun because is just getting long enough to do it, and it does take a lot of work, but makes the day more fun.
It’s weird how fun hair can make the day better in general.
Other topics:
Weird guilt marketing: The last few days I’ve been noticing weird messages on public boards. For example, on a TRIMARC board that’s supposed to tell you about traffic delays and AMBER alerts and such… “It’s easier to wear a seat belt than eat a windshield”.
First of all, that is just NOT pleasant. For anyone. I am a very tried and true seat-belt wearer, but I can’t image if I were a seat-belt rebel THAT would change my mind.
Also, on a church marquis, “You better include God in your plans, or you won’t be included in His.”
It’s true. But probably not effective. At least on a marquis. On the OTHER side of scale…
On another church’s marquis, “Single? Lonely? Join us Wednesday nights for warm, caring relationships.”
No, that church. No.
Standby…
I know what you’re thinking (‘how is that possible?’).
I usually hit snooze about a billion times every morning. I set the alarm for 7:15… and hit snooze until sometime between 8:15 and 8:30. (don’t try to talk me out of it, it’s how I wake up)
I think my roommate was either excited about work today or misjudged her necessary get-up time this morning, because she was up doing laundry and other LOUD things (just kidding, Viv, love you!) this morning that kept waking me up. Usually I just wake and go right back to sleep, but when my alarm clock went off the second time this morning, I mistook it for the 16th time, looked at the clock and thought I had overslept. Then, about halfway through my shower, I realized it was probably only about 7:30.
There’s no way I’m going back to sleep after taking a shower. So I just went ahead with the getting ready routine, but decided to add time to doing my hair, so it’s super-curly today. (no, mom, not the waves, big ringlet curls) It’s fun because is just getting long enough to do it, and it does take a lot of work, but makes the day more fun.
It’s weird how fun hair can make the day better in general.
Other topics:
Weird guilt marketing: The last few days I’ve been noticing weird messages on public boards. For example, on a TRIMARC board that’s supposed to tell you about traffic delays and AMBER alerts and such… “It’s easier to wear a seat belt than eat a windshield”.
First of all, that is just NOT pleasant. For anyone. I am a very tried and true seat-belt wearer, but I can’t image if I were a seat-belt rebel THAT would change my mind.
Also, on a church marquis, “You better include God in your plans, or you won’t be included in His.”
It’s true. But probably not effective. At least on a marquis. On the OTHER side of scale…
On another church’s marquis, “Single? Lonely? Join us Wednesday nights for warm, caring relationships.”
No, that church. No.
Standby…
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Keeneland Pics
Here are some of the awesome pics from the trip to Keeneland... since ANN ditched us for her family (YES, I would have done the same thing, but it doesn't mean I can't razz her about it), Vlad got to come and spend the day with his lovely girlfriend (also known as my roommate) Vivian.
Bouncy Viv - this was perhaps my favorite part of the whole trip... Vivie was so excited she would just jump up and down and cheer. It was super cute.
Mom and Dad strategize...
Viv and Vlad try to understand the program... he he
Vivie wins!! (after exactly copying my parents bet) ;)
Mom and Dad win...
David and Katie...
Aren't they cute? :)
Okay! Now I don't have to come up with any poignant thoughts for the day! Brain vacation!
Okay! Now I don't have to come up with any poignant thoughts for the day! Brain vacation!
Oh, right... I still have to work...
Standby...
Monday, April 21, 2008
Old Friends, New Friends, Red Friends, Blue Friends
My camera is having issues… but I WILL get the pictures from the weekend off there… just not sure how yet… maybe a screwdriver? Anyway, I got to hang out this weekend with David and Katie. That’s right, David and Katie of blog fame (note: list of blogs to the right --->).
Here’s the background, for those who don’t know them: David’s family and my family are TIGHT. We grew up together in Ruddles Mills, his dad was our minister, his sister used to babysit me and Jeremy, we went camping, went on vacations together… TIGHT. Then, they moved to North Carolina and we’re still tight, its just a little harder.
Anyhoo, David married Katie about a year and a half ago and I met Katie for the first time about two years ago. We don’t need to get into all the circumstances of that meeting, but let me just say, it was not at all ideal (mostly due to my then-boyfriend), and probably ranks among my top ten regrets in life. (If I lumped it into a broader category (cough) ‘the boyfriend’, it would easily be in the top five). So, I met her that one time and saw her again at her wedding (not a great time to get to know someone), and those were the only times I’d ever seen/met/talked to her.
Well, I’m really glad we got to spend some time together this weekend.
First of all, let me say it was really awesome to see David for an extended period of time. They had luggage issues, which is horrible, BUT it meant I got to hang out with them Friday night too! Anyway, it was great hanging out with David in a relaxed setting, seeing him and Katie together and how they are as a couple, seeing David and my li’l bro in action again… just great. I was thinking about it on the drive back to Louisville: I’ve made several mentions on this very blog about my new friends and how amazing they are and why (all those things are still true), but it was really nice to be reminded about how great old friends are too. The ones that have known you forever, through all of life’s little (or big) challenges, they know where you’re from and they know how you got where you are. You don’t have to chat and chat and chat, silence is okay. It’s just…nice. Nice to be reminded.
Katie. Is. Awesome. Simply delightful. Lovely. Fun. Great. I’m sorry I’m about two years late on this one, David, but GOOD JOB. Don’t blow it.
Also, this makes me even more excited about a work trip I’m taking to Chapel Hill in May, which means I’ll get to see them again soon, without all the we-haven’t-seen-each-other-in-a-long-time weirdness.
While we’re on the subject of old friends, let me just mention my friend Erica. She is one of those soul-mate type friends. We were best friends about ten minutes after meeting each other in middle school and bonding over our mutual challenges in learning to play the French horn and our shared love of Monday Night Football. She just… gets me. And I get her.
(this is going to seem off-subject, but I’m coming back!)
Some of you have called me and heard my outgoing message which says something like, “Hey, this is Steph and THIS is your chance to get on my Top Five Favorite Voicemails List! (beep)”
Many of you laugh or say ‘you’re so funny!’ or something like that… and then leave your message. Not Erica. She plays the game. Every time. And I love it. And I love her for it.
So, here are my top two favorite voice messages:
Number two goes to…. Erica! (by the way, it feels weird called her Erica so many times, we usually call each other ‘chica’) for her rendition of “Cheezy Game Show Announcer Leaves Phones Message”
And the number one spot goes to…. Erica!!!!!!!!!! for her lovely message in “You Are the Best Person in the World”
(by the way, there are three open positions in my Top Five Favorite Voicemails list)
Ahh… old friends. Thanks for reminding me of your awesomeness.
Christmas is coming!
Standby…
Here’s the background, for those who don’t know them: David’s family and my family are TIGHT. We grew up together in Ruddles Mills, his dad was our minister, his sister used to babysit me and Jeremy, we went camping, went on vacations together… TIGHT. Then, they moved to North Carolina and we’re still tight, its just a little harder.
Anyhoo, David married Katie about a year and a half ago and I met Katie for the first time about two years ago. We don’t need to get into all the circumstances of that meeting, but let me just say, it was not at all ideal (mostly due to my then-boyfriend), and probably ranks among my top ten regrets in life. (If I lumped it into a broader category (cough) ‘the boyfriend’, it would easily be in the top five). So, I met her that one time and saw her again at her wedding (not a great time to get to know someone), and those were the only times I’d ever seen/met/talked to her.
Well, I’m really glad we got to spend some time together this weekend.
First of all, let me say it was really awesome to see David for an extended period of time. They had luggage issues, which is horrible, BUT it meant I got to hang out with them Friday night too! Anyway, it was great hanging out with David in a relaxed setting, seeing him and Katie together and how they are as a couple, seeing David and my li’l bro in action again… just great. I was thinking about it on the drive back to Louisville: I’ve made several mentions on this very blog about my new friends and how amazing they are and why (all those things are still true), but it was really nice to be reminded about how great old friends are too. The ones that have known you forever, through all of life’s little (or big) challenges, they know where you’re from and they know how you got where you are. You don’t have to chat and chat and chat, silence is okay. It’s just…nice. Nice to be reminded.
Katie. Is. Awesome. Simply delightful. Lovely. Fun. Great. I’m sorry I’m about two years late on this one, David, but GOOD JOB. Don’t blow it.
Also, this makes me even more excited about a work trip I’m taking to Chapel Hill in May, which means I’ll get to see them again soon, without all the we-haven’t-seen-each-other-in-a-long-time weirdness.
While we’re on the subject of old friends, let me just mention my friend Erica. She is one of those soul-mate type friends. We were best friends about ten minutes after meeting each other in middle school and bonding over our mutual challenges in learning to play the French horn and our shared love of Monday Night Football. She just… gets me. And I get her.
(this is going to seem off-subject, but I’m coming back!)
Some of you have called me and heard my outgoing message which says something like, “Hey, this is Steph and THIS is your chance to get on my Top Five Favorite Voicemails List! (beep)”
Many of you laugh or say ‘you’re so funny!’ or something like that… and then leave your message. Not Erica. She plays the game. Every time. And I love it. And I love her for it.
So, here are my top two favorite voice messages:
Number two goes to…. Erica! (by the way, it feels weird called her Erica so many times, we usually call each other ‘chica’) for her rendition of “Cheezy Game Show Announcer Leaves Phones Message”
And the number one spot goes to…. Erica!!!!!!!!!! for her lovely message in “You Are the Best Person in the World”
(by the way, there are three open positions in my Top Five Favorite Voicemails list)
Ahh… old friends. Thanks for reminding me of your awesomeness.
Christmas is coming!
Standby…
Friday, April 18, 2008
My Earthquake Story
Yes, I felt it. Yes, it woke me up. (yawn) Stop asking me, other Louisvillians.
Okay, here’s the better version:
Sometime after 5:30am…
shaking, shaking, shaking… waking up… confused. Why am I shaking? Am I cold? No… Am I really scared? No… explosion? seizure? Wait, it’s not just me, it’s the bed too… and the room… oh, okay, it’s over. That was weird. I’m sleepy. And I completely awake right now? Okay, I need to memorize the time and I’ll be able to figure it out in the morning…5:38. 5:38. 5:38. 5:38. zzzzzzz…..
Then, sometime around 6:20…
text from mom: are you okay sweetheart?
Ummm… I remember talking to mom last night… she knows I’m okay…
text to mom: yeah…
text from mom: did you feel it?
*click*
I’m gonna be honest, if I HADN’T felt it, I would be unhappy today. I would be jealous of everyone who felt it. We even got a little aftershock… I’m happy with that being all for the next 200 years. I’m done now. Thanks, New Madrid Fault.
Standby...
Okay, here’s the better version:
Sometime after 5:30am…
shaking, shaking, shaking… waking up… confused. Why am I shaking? Am I cold? No… Am I really scared? No… explosion? seizure? Wait, it’s not just me, it’s the bed too… and the room… oh, okay, it’s over. That was weird. I’m sleepy. And I completely awake right now? Okay, I need to memorize the time and I’ll be able to figure it out in the morning…5:38. 5:38. 5:38. 5:38. zzzzzzz…..
Then, sometime around 6:20…
text from mom: are you okay sweetheart?
Ummm… I remember talking to mom last night… she knows I’m okay…
text to mom: yeah…
text from mom: did you feel it?
*click*
I’m gonna be honest, if I HADN’T felt it, I would be unhappy today. I would be jealous of everyone who felt it. We even got a little aftershock… I’m happy with that being all for the next 200 years. I’m done now. Thanks, New Madrid Fault.
Standby...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
WHAT?!?! TAGGED?? Oh, its just some questions? okay.
Okay, guys, I have some news. Katie has ‘tagged’ me. I’m not completely sure what this means… I feel confident it isn’t contagious. I *think* it means I need to answer these questions…
Four jobs I've had in my life:
1. current – general assignment reporter – public radio… great job, great city, what else can a girl ask for?
2. reporter/producer/jazz host/etc – Morehead State Public Radio – learned everything I needed to get this job, so I can’t complain
3. checker/bagger/UScan operator extraordinaire – Kroger – hey, man, gotta pay for that education
4. distribution center worker – Kentucky Textiles – stayin’ up late to get those shark-skin swimsuits to Olympians! (not joking)
Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Cinderella (this has to be at the top, just from pure volume when I was little. Sorry, Michelle!)2. Singin’ in the Rain
3. An Affair to Remember
4. Casablanca
Four T.V. Shows that I watch:
1. Top Chef
2. The Office
3. What Not to Wear
4. The Amazing Race
Four places I have been:
1. Brazil
2. Belgium
3. Badlands
4. Biesta Key (actually Siesta Key, but I wanted to keep the ‘b’s’)
Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Mama
2. Ann
3. Vivie
4. Rick (he edits my stories)
Four of my favorite foods:
1. strawberries
2. pork chops/mushrooms/rice, made by mama
3. Derby pie
4. naked chicken burrito/black beans/chili corn salsa/cheese/sour cream (Qdoba)
Four Places I would like to visit:
1. Greece
2. Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence are MUSTS)
3. Prague
4. Vienna
Things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. mission trip to Ukraine
2. vacation
3. my mom becoming a brazillionaire
4. my dad keeping me updated on the crazily humongous amounts of ONE THING in his truck… for example, thousands and thousands of empty strawberry pop tart cartons. Fascinating, isn’t it?
Four jobs I've had in my life:
1. current – general assignment reporter – public radio… great job, great city, what else can a girl ask for?
2. reporter/producer/jazz host/etc – Morehead State Public Radio – learned everything I needed to get this job, so I can’t complain
3. checker/bagger/UScan operator extraordinaire – Kroger – hey, man, gotta pay for that education
4. distribution center worker – Kentucky Textiles – stayin’ up late to get those shark-skin swimsuits to Olympians! (not joking)
Four movies I've watched more than once:
1. Cinderella (this has to be at the top, just from pure volume when I was little. Sorry, Michelle!)2. Singin’ in the Rain
3. An Affair to Remember
4. Casablanca
Four T.V. Shows that I watch:
1. Top Chef
2. The Office
3. What Not to Wear
4. The Amazing Race
Four places I have been:
1. Brazil
2. Belgium
3. Badlands
4. Biesta Key (actually Siesta Key, but I wanted to keep the ‘b’s’)
Four People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Mama
2. Ann
3. Vivie
4. Rick (he edits my stories)
Four of my favorite foods:
1. strawberries
2. pork chops/mushrooms/rice, made by mama
3. Derby pie
4. naked chicken burrito/black beans/chili corn salsa/cheese/sour cream (Qdoba)
Four Places I would like to visit:
1. Greece
2. Italy (Rome, Venice, Florence are MUSTS)
3. Prague
4. Vienna
Things I am looking forward to in the coming year:
1. mission trip to Ukraine
2. vacation
3. my mom becoming a brazillionaire
4. my dad keeping me updated on the crazily humongous amounts of ONE THING in his truck… for example, thousands and thousands of empty strawberry pop tart cartons. Fascinating, isn’t it?
What I learn out in 'the field'
I've been spending a lot of time with mental patients. Literally.
I'm working on a feature this week on the difference between living in a mental hospital and living in a group home, both for the person and for the state's budget. But, clearly, if you want to know about that, you could check my radio station's website. What has struck me the most in meeting several people with either developmental disabilities (like down's) or mental health diagnoses (like bi-polar disorder) is that they are extremely affectionate. A met a large group Monday, several of them hugged me (a few even kissed me on the cheek), and then saw them again yesterday and a lot of them were happy to see me again and remembered my name. It was surprising.
I met a young man yesterday who was so excited to meet the 'new girl' and proclaim me 'beautiful' and make everyone else in the room agree with him, we couldn't even get him calmed down until we left the room. Was it a little uncomfortable? Yes. Was that heavily outweighed by a roomful of people saying I'm beautiful over and over and over? Yes.
While I was waiting for that fellow's mother in what I thought was the waiting room (it wasn't)… I overhead this unfortunate conversation:
Girl who works there: yeah, I'm waiting for him to get out, I hope he's learned his lesson this time.
Random guy sitting in the room: well, you've got tons of boys out there!
Girl: yeah, I guess. The last one got out last month, and came after me with a knife, so he’s back in.
Guy: so, now what?
Girl: I don’t know what I’m going to do! This is hard! I mean, first I think I’ve got to figure out which one is this baby’s daddy…
Guy: does the one who got out last month have a job?
Girl: no, he’s not working right now… he’s working on his music…
Etc, etc, etc.
As I stood there, pretending not to listen, but knowing full well they didn’t care if I was listening, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for my life and the circumstances that led me to this life. I was overwhelmed with compassion for her life and whatever circumstances led her to hers. I prayed for God to somehow insert Himself in the middle of all that chaos and show her she’s worth so much more than what’s she’s put herself in the midst of.
I was most alarmed by how far away I felt from her. Usually, when I’m touched by something like that and start to pray for someone I don’t really even know, I feel really close to them, I can put myself in their shoes and really take whatever is happening with them to the Father… I still prayed for her. But I was standing just across a small room from her and felt like I was miles away, like she couldn’t even see me.
On to happier things… on my way to work the last two days, I’ve passed a couple of school buses on the road, and yesterday, I saw a little girl staring absently out the window and we locked eyes for a moment and she waved at me, and I waved back. I remembered all my days of riding the school bus… hours and hours of riding the bus, encompassing the entire district of Bourbon County, just to get about a half mile from the actual school to Nannie and Papaw’s house… I remember seeing young women in their cute cars, singing along to music, with their shiny sunglasses and thinking that was the life. I couldn’t wait to have my own car, drive wherever I wanted in the middle of the day (don’t they have JOBS?), listen to my music however loud I wanted to, and be out in the awesome weather instead of stuck in a classroom all day.
Then I realized: I made it!! I’m livin’ the dream, man! Who would have thought I would accomplish all my hopes and dreams by the age of 25? Go, me!
Other topics:
Clara update: She is eat, eat, eating now. And she’s moved from dog food in the dog bowl to dog food in the kitty bowl. Yay! She’s also taking more steps toward the old come-see-mommy-at-the-door-when-she-gets-home routine, so that’s nice too.
The Mistress of Spices: I just finished this book a couple days ago. People, go read it immediately.
Let me put it this way: When I finish most books, the really conceited side of myself takes a few notes about what I liked and what I didn’t like and files them away for whenever I write MY book. After THIS book, I don’t think I’ll ever try to write fiction ever again. Or non-fiction for that matter. Nothing I could ever write can compare to this. It’s beautiful. It’s not even the plot (which is still nice), it’s the writing… just beautiful. (picture me, making that weird motion people make when they’ve tasted some really good food, fingertips all together at the mouth, kissing sound, hands moves away from mouth into jazz hands…)
Standby…
Monday, April 14, 2008
I Heart Iams Dog Food
I was working on my taxes on Saturday night…I was in Vivian’s bedroom because that’s where the computer is. I was surprised when I heard a little meow right behind me… the cat had ventured into dog territory, and she didn’t seem to care. So I pulled her up on my lap and loved on her a bit. Several minutes later she jumped down… and I told her bye, assuming she would just make her way back under the bed in my bedroom.
Mere seconds later, I heard the crunch crunch crunch…
What the - ???
I look down, just to my left, on the floor. And there’s Clara, eating. Oh my heart!
Yeah, she’s eating…dog food. Not only that, but dog food that doesn’t belong to her. (duh) A very small voice inside me says to make her stop, because that isn’t her food and it isn’t nice to steal other animal’s food. A much louder voice inside me says ‘yay!!!!!!! Don’t make her stop! Let her eat all night and all day tomorrow!!’
The even better news is that she ate some dog food throughout the day yesterday and this morning.
I put some of the dog food in HER bowl… but she doesn’t seem to care for THAT dog food. So, it seems she likes to steal food from dogs.
Here’s a perfect segue for a new topic: the awesomeness of my roommate, Vivian.
She’s been so great about the cat. She keeps the dog away from her when the cat is clearly upset. And, she’s totally fine with the cat stealing her dog’s food! She’s genuinely happy with me that the cat is eating, she doesn’t care what she’s eating or who is belongs to.
Vivie rocks.
Standby…
Mere seconds later, I heard the crunch crunch crunch…
What the - ???
I look down, just to my left, on the floor. And there’s Clara, eating. Oh my heart!
Yeah, she’s eating…dog food. Not only that, but dog food that doesn’t belong to her. (duh) A very small voice inside me says to make her stop, because that isn’t her food and it isn’t nice to steal other animal’s food. A much louder voice inside me says ‘yay!!!!!!! Don’t make her stop! Let her eat all night and all day tomorrow!!’
The even better news is that she ate some dog food throughout the day yesterday and this morning.
I put some of the dog food in HER bowl… but she doesn’t seem to care for THAT dog food. So, it seems she likes to steal food from dogs.
Here’s a perfect segue for a new topic: the awesomeness of my roommate, Vivian.
She’s been so great about the cat. She keeps the dog away from her when the cat is clearly upset. And, she’s totally fine with the cat stealing her dog’s food! She’s genuinely happy with me that the cat is eating, she doesn’t care what she’s eating or who is belongs to.
Vivie rocks.
Standby…
Friday, April 11, 2008
A Day of Denial
We found our snuggle spot. It has been missing since we moved. Clara had shown signs of getting more okay with the new place before the dog arrived, but we never really got all the way there. For example, she was eating and drinking and using the litter box the first few days after the move, signs she wasn’t having a terrible time with the changes. But, she didn’t sleep on the bed with me, she didn’t climb up onto the couch and demand her snuggle spot, things like that. Those are signs she’s not just ‘okay’ with a place, she likes it.
Her snuggle spot is crucial. It’s really only been the last three years it’s become such a big deal to her… but sometimes if I came home and pittered around the house too long, or starting cooking without sitting down first, she would get really vocal about wanting me to lay on the couch so we could get in some snuggle time. Essentially, I have to be practically lying down on the couch, and she sits on my belly, and extends her front paws up toward my neck. I think she likes it there for a few reasons…1.) usually I’m talking on the phone (yes, to mom) and she likes to feel the vibrations in my chest from my voice…2.) she likes to be IN MY GRILL at all times… and 3.) that is prime petting position, easy for me to reach all her favorite scratching spots.
We hadn’t gotten back there since the move. Until last night.
Last night was awesome. Maybe it was because I was the only one in the apartment, and the dog was in Viv’s bedroom, but for some reason I don’t think so. She seemed truly comfortable. She seemed bright-eyed, loving. She didn’t act like sick Clara. She didn’t show signs of weak Clara. She was just Clara.
We snuggled and watched Top Chef and The Office… she got up and drank some water (no food)…she seemed to retreat back to under my bed… but then came back out and we snuggled some more while I read a book, never stopping the constant stroking of her fur, including the giant bump protruding from her right hip.
Even Vivian, who doesn’t really know Clara that well, said she seemed more like a normal cat, like she wasn’t sick. She’s too weak to jump up in the bed with me, but I lifted her up there and she slept on top of my feet all night long, just like she used to when I was in high school.
It was perfect.
Except… she IS sick. And she ISN’T eating. Those things haven’t changed. But for one, really great night (maybe more?), we could pretend she wasn’t.
Her snuggle spot is crucial. It’s really only been the last three years it’s become such a big deal to her… but sometimes if I came home and pittered around the house too long, or starting cooking without sitting down first, she would get really vocal about wanting me to lay on the couch so we could get in some snuggle time. Essentially, I have to be practically lying down on the couch, and she sits on my belly, and extends her front paws up toward my neck. I think she likes it there for a few reasons…1.) usually I’m talking on the phone (yes, to mom) and she likes to feel the vibrations in my chest from my voice…2.) she likes to be IN MY GRILL at all times… and 3.) that is prime petting position, easy for me to reach all her favorite scratching spots.
We hadn’t gotten back there since the move. Until last night.
Last night was awesome. Maybe it was because I was the only one in the apartment, and the dog was in Viv’s bedroom, but for some reason I don’t think so. She seemed truly comfortable. She seemed bright-eyed, loving. She didn’t act like sick Clara. She didn’t show signs of weak Clara. She was just Clara.
We snuggled and watched Top Chef and The Office… she got up and drank some water (no food)…she seemed to retreat back to under my bed… but then came back out and we snuggled some more while I read a book, never stopping the constant stroking of her fur, including the giant bump protruding from her right hip.
Even Vivian, who doesn’t really know Clara that well, said she seemed more like a normal cat, like she wasn’t sick. She’s too weak to jump up in the bed with me, but I lifted her up there and she slept on top of my feet all night long, just like she used to when I was in high school.
It was perfect.
Except… she IS sick. And she ISN’T eating. Those things haven’t changed. But for one, really great night (maybe more?), we could pretend she wasn’t.
Standby...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The strange things that bring us together
Holding in an outburst of tears for a whole day is quite exhausting. Once I got to let it out last night, I actually felt pretty good. Then I slept and slept and slept and today I feel like I didn’t sleep at all. My eyes are sort of in that in-between place, where they want to be closed, but have to be open. Actually, now that I think about it, my whole body is in that place.
As I shared the news with my closest friends and family yesterday, I realized this kind of story hits all of us in different ways. I shared tears with so many of you yesterday… some because you know Clara and know what she’s meant to my life… some of you because it reminds you a little too much of some lucky animals who’ve held that spot in your lives… some of you just because you know how sad I am. Thanks for sharing those tender moments with me, friends. It’s helping me realize this is just part of life. It isn’t really an assault from the universe onto me (though it feels like it sometimes).
As I shared the news with my closest friends and family yesterday, I realized this kind of story hits all of us in different ways. I shared tears with so many of you yesterday… some because you know Clara and know what she’s meant to my life… some of you because it reminds you a little too much of some lucky animals who’ve held that spot in your lives… some of you just because you know how sad I am. Thanks for sharing those tender moments with me, friends. It’s helping me realize this is just part of life. It isn’t really an assault from the universe onto me (though it feels like it sometimes).
Okay, let’s do some other topics:
Tiny pretties from Spring: I was driving on east Broadway today, the part in the original Highlands, and there are a number of trees there (not sure what kind) with those tiny, pretty white flowers… the kind that take your breath away when you see a whole row of them, gleaming white or pink against the red brick of the buildings. As I was stopped next to them, a swirling wind picked up and blew the petals all over the place… it felt like it was snowing… the petals were even swirling on the surface of the street in front of me. It was a quick moment, but it felt like a warm, safe blanket around me in the middle of the day. Ahhh, spring.
Things I learn from my friends:
from Ann: It’s important to keep some sort of attention-getting device in your purse for when someone brings up something awkward in a large group of people.
Okay, that one deserves a little explanation:
I left work yesterday (remember: emotionally exhausting day of tears) and drove home to where Bible study (and all my Bible study friends) were waiting for me. I cried a little in the car on the way there, but nothing like the Niagara Falls of tears that was just waiting for later… and, really, I didn’t want to spill my guts to the whole group. I’d already told my closest friends, who already knew Clara had a vet’s appointment that day, and that is enough for now.
So, Ann checks with me when I get there and asks if I want to talk about it. I’m still trying to get to a place where I’m not going to cry so I shake my head ‘no’ and she gets it. I sit down and felt like the whole room was swirling around me… people were chatting, grabbing food, yelling across the room to each other. It was fine, I just needed a minute to zone out, vibe myself into social readiness, and move into a time in which I could study God’s Word without being completely distracted.
(Let me stop here for a moment to say that I love my friend Katie. She did nothing wrong in this story, it was just a perfect example of the exact wrong moment to bring something up.)
As I’m focusing on not crying, Katie (who is sitting right next to me, and didn’t know about the day’s sad kitty news) says “I was just telling a friend of mine this week about Clara, how is she doing?”
I couldn’t even look at her. I looked everywhere in the room BUT her. I couldn’t form the sentence that would convey to her the truth and yet wouldn’t make me cry. Somehow, I think I chose the words “Not……very…….well…..” and I was going to try to keep going, feeling the eyes of several people on me, when at that exact moment, Ann pulled something out of her purse and held it up.
“Hey everyone! Look at this gift card! I got it for Christmas and already used the money but I kept it because it’s shiny and lights up! Look!”
It was perfect. I’ve got to get one of those.
Standby…
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Not a warm and fuzzy day
** If you read this blog just for giggles, that’s fine. Just don’t read this one **
I got some bad news from the vet today. Clara has a giant fibrosarcoma tumor. I’ve spent the day teetering on the brink of a total collapse into a rumpled mound of tears. There’s basically nothing to do about it… a surgery would likely not be successful, would cost $4500, would remove about a third of her body mass, and would include an incision the length of her entire body. The only option is to wait for her to get too sick and make that terrible, terrible decision. I’m sure I’ll write a lot more about her whenever we get to that point.
Right now, I can’t think about it too much. But I think the next few days (weeks?) (months?) will be terrible to watch.
So I’ve been half in my work today, half in that place.
Then, on All Things Considered, there was a lady who just won a special election for a Congressional seat. She survived Jonestown. In that, she’d gone there with her boss, a Congressman, to check on what was up, got there at the epitome of ‘the wrong time’, and was shot five times at point blank range and left for dead. And, she says, that’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to her. It was when her husband was in a car accident, brain-dead, had to choose when to take him off life-support, had to pick her their kindergarten-age child to say goodbye to his father, and was three-months pregnant with their second child. Um… yeah. Perspective, people.
It doesn’t mean this is going to be easy. Clara has been a GREAT pet. GREAT for the time she’s been in my life. No more right now because I can’t cry right now.
It also means YOU are going to have to put up with a lot of this…
I got some bad news from the vet today. Clara has a giant fibrosarcoma tumor. I’ve spent the day teetering on the brink of a total collapse into a rumpled mound of tears. There’s basically nothing to do about it… a surgery would likely not be successful, would cost $4500, would remove about a third of her body mass, and would include an incision the length of her entire body. The only option is to wait for her to get too sick and make that terrible, terrible decision. I’m sure I’ll write a lot more about her whenever we get to that point.
Right now, I can’t think about it too much. But I think the next few days (weeks?) (months?) will be terrible to watch.
So I’ve been half in my work today, half in that place.
Then, on All Things Considered, there was a lady who just won a special election for a Congressional seat. She survived Jonestown. In that, she’d gone there with her boss, a Congressman, to check on what was up, got there at the epitome of ‘the wrong time’, and was shot five times at point blank range and left for dead. And, she says, that’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to her. It was when her husband was in a car accident, brain-dead, had to choose when to take him off life-support, had to pick her their kindergarten-age child to say goodbye to his father, and was three-months pregnant with their second child. Um… yeah. Perspective, people.
It doesn’t mean this is going to be easy. Clara has been a GREAT pet. GREAT for the time she’s been in my life. No more right now because I can’t cry right now.
It also means YOU are going to have to put up with a lot of this…
And one of my personal favorites…
Thanks, friends. I write when I’m emotional. Sorry bout that.
Standby…
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
It doesn't take perfection
I met with my Big Brothers Big Sisters case worker this morning for an annual review of how things are going with my little sister.
How things were going inside my head while I was waiting for her to show up:
“Things have been kind of rough the last few months with little sister. She’s getting to that age where she’s starting to act out…and I haven’t really been great at responding appropriately. Maybe her grandmother isn’t pleased with how I’ve been talking to her about anger management. Maybe she thinks I’m boring because now I’m always asking her about how school is going and how she’s treating her teachers.
Why can’t I be cooler to talk to for a little kid? They probably asked to end the match yesterday when they met with the case worker. The case worker probably won’t even let me get another match since I was no good at this one. I’ll be shunned from Big Brothers Big Sisters. They’ll call church and advise them to never let me work with the 4th graders ever again….”
Then the case worker arrived, we talked about ‘the rules’ again, got new rules for overnight stays (still not sure that’s a good idea), etc. I had to fill out a bunch of papers about how my little sister has changed since I’ve known her and how the BBBS staff is doing… then, she showed me a form my little sister had to fill out.
“Do you like your Big? (in her very distinct, 11-year-old handwriting) YES!
What are your favorite things to do with your Big? Play tennis, bowl, see Alvin and the Chipmunks, go to IMAX, get ice cream, go to the radio station, sing, (etc. pretty much everything we’ve ever done together)
What is your favorite thing about your Big? She’s awesome! We’re so much alike well not really sort of”
There was a lot more, but you get the idea.
I guess the key is really just being there for her. It’s not really about saying the right thing always or knowing exactly how to respond when she says something insane like “I yelled at my teacher and called her stupid today.” Even though I WANT to respond the perfect way and say the right things… sometimes it’s just about showing her that someone else in the world cares about her and wants her to do well.
Also, I’ve been really, really wanting her to read Little Women, but right now she says she only reads Scooby Doo ‘books’. Maybe I can get her to watch the movie first….hmmmm.
Standby...
How things were going inside my head while I was waiting for her to show up:
“Things have been kind of rough the last few months with little sister. She’s getting to that age where she’s starting to act out…and I haven’t really been great at responding appropriately. Maybe her grandmother isn’t pleased with how I’ve been talking to her about anger management. Maybe she thinks I’m boring because now I’m always asking her about how school is going and how she’s treating her teachers.
Why can’t I be cooler to talk to for a little kid? They probably asked to end the match yesterday when they met with the case worker. The case worker probably won’t even let me get another match since I was no good at this one. I’ll be shunned from Big Brothers Big Sisters. They’ll call church and advise them to never let me work with the 4th graders ever again….”
Then the case worker arrived, we talked about ‘the rules’ again, got new rules for overnight stays (still not sure that’s a good idea), etc. I had to fill out a bunch of papers about how my little sister has changed since I’ve known her and how the BBBS staff is doing… then, she showed me a form my little sister had to fill out.
“Do you like your Big? (in her very distinct, 11-year-old handwriting) YES!
What are your favorite things to do with your Big? Play tennis, bowl, see Alvin and the Chipmunks, go to IMAX, get ice cream, go to the radio station, sing, (etc. pretty much everything we’ve ever done together)
What is your favorite thing about your Big? She’s awesome! We’re so much alike well not really sort of”
There was a lot more, but you get the idea.
I guess the key is really just being there for her. It’s not really about saying the right thing always or knowing exactly how to respond when she says something insane like “I yelled at my teacher and called her stupid today.” Even though I WANT to respond the perfect way and say the right things… sometimes it’s just about showing her that someone else in the world cares about her and wants her to do well.
Also, I’ve been really, really wanting her to read Little Women, but right now she says she only reads Scooby Doo ‘books’. Maybe I can get her to watch the movie first….hmmmm.
Standby...
Monday, April 7, 2008
How I know it's Spring...
1.) Spring colors on my toes
2.) Bleachers appear on Broadway (for the Pegasus Parade)
3.) Sunroof!
4.) No jacket this morning
5.) Free baseball tickets available
Other topics:
Bugs Bunny on Broadway: Me and the four most beautiful women in Louisville went to this show on Saturday. It was basically Bugs Bunny cartoons on a big screen at the Louisville Palace, and the Louisville Orchestra played the music for the cartoons. It…was… awesome.
Also, we all left there wanting to buy Looney Tunes on DVD for our (possible) future children. Yes, it’s a great way to introduce children to REAL ‘classical’ music… there are a number of scores written just for those cartoons, but many of them are arrangements of some of the greatest music from some of the best composers of all time. Wagner. Rossini. Wagner. J I’m kinda partial to Wagner… he writes great horn licks.
Not only that, but I couldn’t help but notice that EVERYONE there was having a great time. I ended up sitting next to a little girl whose dad was in the orchestra and we were laughing at all the same things. It’s not like there are ‘adult’ jokes and ‘kid’ jokes in these cartoons. We ALL like them in all the same places because they’re just outright funny. I remember thinking it would have been a really nice outing for a family with a couple of young children who maybe don’t all like the same things and don’t share a lot of experiences like that together.
I need to get Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 on DVD before I start thinking about Looney Tunes, but they’re definitely on my list now. Mom’s got Veggie Tales covered.
Happy Birthday Aunt Carrie!: You are an amazing person and I’m so proud of you!
Standby…
2.) Bleachers appear on Broadway (for the Pegasus Parade)
3.) Sunroof!
4.) No jacket this morning
5.) Free baseball tickets available
Other topics:
Bugs Bunny on Broadway: Me and the four most beautiful women in Louisville went to this show on Saturday. It was basically Bugs Bunny cartoons on a big screen at the Louisville Palace, and the Louisville Orchestra played the music for the cartoons. It…was… awesome.
Also, we all left there wanting to buy Looney Tunes on DVD for our (possible) future children. Yes, it’s a great way to introduce children to REAL ‘classical’ music… there are a number of scores written just for those cartoons, but many of them are arrangements of some of the greatest music from some of the best composers of all time. Wagner. Rossini. Wagner. J I’m kinda partial to Wagner… he writes great horn licks.
Not only that, but I couldn’t help but notice that EVERYONE there was having a great time. I ended up sitting next to a little girl whose dad was in the orchestra and we were laughing at all the same things. It’s not like there are ‘adult’ jokes and ‘kid’ jokes in these cartoons. We ALL like them in all the same places because they’re just outright funny. I remember thinking it would have been a really nice outing for a family with a couple of young children who maybe don’t all like the same things and don’t share a lot of experiences like that together.
I need to get Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 on DVD before I start thinking about Looney Tunes, but they’re definitely on my list now. Mom’s got Veggie Tales covered.
Happy Birthday Aunt Carrie!: You are an amazing person and I’m so proud of you!
Standby…
Saturday, April 5, 2008
The Pictures are Here! The Pictures are Here!
Hey gang -
After some much needed leisure and rest time, I'm ready for some serious blogging. First things first. Pictures of the new place:
Let me just say I LOVE the colors and the way they all look together... here's a closer look at the much-talked-about 'art project':
As you can see, it clearly looks like a novice did this, but I think it's got a little charm. The best compliment I got from it was when my friend Katie saw it, she said, "Did Ann do that?" :)
The second-best compliment was when my mom asked me to paint something for her house. Which I'm pretty jazzed about.
Here's some more of the bedroom:
And the bathroom:
And a great story about the bathroom: you may have noticed from previous posts that my mom isn't wild about the shower curtain. She wants me to get a new one. I really love the shower curtain and was excited to get it next to chocolate walls. So for weeks we were jabbing at each other with little comments about how terrible the shower curtain is, or how she's going to get me a new one, or how cute its going to be once the room is done.
So, on moving day, mom shows up with a pretty large gift bag, and says is a 'housewarming gift'. I just give her a look and say, "If this is a shower curtain..." And it wasn't. In fact, it was the opposite. It was new towels in all the shades of the shower curtain I love.
That mom. She's so unpredictable. And lovely.
So, now that we're past the whole painting/decorating/arranging thing, I can tell you I really like it here. It takes me a few minutes more to get to work, but I think it's totally worth it. The only drawback so far is that the cat hasn't seemed to settle in at all. And it's mostly because of the dog.
Clara was okay for the first few days because my roomie Vivian was on a road trip and took the dog with her, so Clara seemed to adjust pretty quickly to that scenario. But once the dog got back, she just doesn't seem very comfortable and she isn't eating well. So I went to Feeder's Supply (the pet lover's store) and got her some vitamin gel that I rub into her paw so she'll eat that until she gets her appetite back.
The BEST thing about the new living situation is the new roommate. It's awesome having someone around, to talk to about your day and share funny stories. It's kind of funny that I'm talking about this this week because we haven't really gotten to hang out much. She just got back Wednesday and was exhausted from the trip, I was in the middle of fund drive at work and had to work at 5am Wednesday and then the late shift on Friday. So it hasn't really been the best first-week-of-roomie, but I can already tell its going to be great.
Other topics:
Leatherheads: Me and Viv went to see it last night. I didn't like it as much as a wanted to. I can't really put my finger on why. It was a little too goofy in the wrong way. Not enough about football.
Membership drive: Every time Membership Drive comes around, I dread it. Every time Membership Drive is over, I wonder why I dreaded it so much. I mean, yeah, it's a lot of extra work. And, yeah, it's mentally exhausting to be on live radio, trying to stay on point and working with pitch partner for four or five hours. And, yeah, everyone is a little fried at the end of it.
But every time it reminds me that I really am doing something I believe in. And not many people can say that.
It reminds me that we have awesome listeners to voluntarily give us money (who DOES that?) to keep doing what we're doing. It's a really strange business model, but it works for us because our listeners are amazing.
And, hey, we get a lot of free food. Most of it is quite yummy.
Things I learn from my friends:
from Viv: apparently, it's a little crazy to buy a 30-year savings bond. That doesn't happen much I guess.
Standby...
After some much needed leisure and rest time, I'm ready for some serious blogging. First things first. Pictures of the new place:
Let me just say I LOVE the colors and the way they all look together... here's a closer look at the much-talked-about 'art project':
As you can see, it clearly looks like a novice did this, but I think it's got a little charm. The best compliment I got from it was when my friend Katie saw it, she said, "Did Ann do that?" :)The second-best compliment was when my mom asked me to paint something for her house. Which I'm pretty jazzed about.
Here's some more of the bedroom:
And the bathroom:
And a great story about the bathroom: you may have noticed from previous posts that my mom isn't wild about the shower curtain. She wants me to get a new one. I really love the shower curtain and was excited to get it next to chocolate walls. So for weeks we were jabbing at each other with little comments about how terrible the shower curtain is, or how she's going to get me a new one, or how cute its going to be once the room is done.
So, on moving day, mom shows up with a pretty large gift bag, and says is a 'housewarming gift'. I just give her a look and say, "If this is a shower curtain..." And it wasn't. In fact, it was the opposite. It was new towels in all the shades of the shower curtain I love.
That mom. She's so unpredictable. And lovely.
So, now that we're past the whole painting/decorating/arranging thing, I can tell you I really like it here. It takes me a few minutes more to get to work, but I think it's totally worth it. The only drawback so far is that the cat hasn't seemed to settle in at all. And it's mostly because of the dog.
Clara was okay for the first few days because my roomie Vivian was on a road trip and took the dog with her, so Clara seemed to adjust pretty quickly to that scenario. But once the dog got back, she just doesn't seem very comfortable and she isn't eating well. So I went to Feeder's Supply (the pet lover's store) and got her some vitamin gel that I rub into her paw so she'll eat that until she gets her appetite back.
The BEST thing about the new living situation is the new roommate. It's awesome having someone around, to talk to about your day and share funny stories. It's kind of funny that I'm talking about this this week because we haven't really gotten to hang out much. She just got back Wednesday and was exhausted from the trip, I was in the middle of fund drive at work and had to work at 5am Wednesday and then the late shift on Friday. So it hasn't really been the best first-week-of-roomie, but I can already tell its going to be great.
Other topics:
Leatherheads: Me and Viv went to see it last night. I didn't like it as much as a wanted to. I can't really put my finger on why. It was a little too goofy in the wrong way. Not enough about football.
Membership drive: Every time Membership Drive comes around, I dread it. Every time Membership Drive is over, I wonder why I dreaded it so much. I mean, yeah, it's a lot of extra work. And, yeah, it's mentally exhausting to be on live radio, trying to stay on point and working with pitch partner for four or five hours. And, yeah, everyone is a little fried at the end of it.
But every time it reminds me that I really am doing something I believe in. And not many people can say that.
It reminds me that we have awesome listeners to voluntarily give us money (who DOES that?) to keep doing what we're doing. It's a really strange business model, but it works for us because our listeners are amazing.
And, hey, we get a lot of free food. Most of it is quite yummy.
Things I learn from my friends:
from Viv: apparently, it's a little crazy to buy a 30-year savings bond. That doesn't happen much I guess.
Standby...
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Pitch Haze
Pitch Haze
I don’t know if you know this, but you should support your public radio station. It’s because of you we can bring you shows like State of Affairs and Fresh Air. Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to bring you the news coverage you deserve. We’re a community here and we’re depending on you to make the decision to because a part of our station.
Oh, wait. I’m NOT on the air right now? WHAT?!?!
Sorry, guys, it’s Membership Drive Week. You really should support your public radio station, though.
I MEANT to have pics of the new place available today, but I don’t. Sorry.
Um….one word: Leatherheads.
Okay, two words: Leatherheads. Friday.
Standby…
I don’t know if you know this, but you should support your public radio station. It’s because of you we can bring you shows like State of Affairs and Fresh Air. Without your support, we wouldn’t be able to bring you the news coverage you deserve. We’re a community here and we’re depending on you to make the decision to because a part of our station.
Oh, wait. I’m NOT on the air right now? WHAT?!?!
Sorry, guys, it’s Membership Drive Week. You really should support your public radio station, though.
I MEANT to have pics of the new place available today, but I don’t. Sorry.
Um….one word: Leatherheads.
Okay, two words: Leatherheads. Friday.
Standby…
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