I think it’s weird. Not that I like or listen to country music...that’s not weird. What I find odd is that I suddenly pull the country music back out again because I’m going on a roadtrip! Go figure. It must be my travel thing...
So anyway, I’m all packed and ready to head to Michigan with my country tunes in tow. I even put a Reba McEntire CD in the mix, which will remind me of Camp Spearhead with a smile. Of course, I had to bring Abba along as well. See, I can be versatile!
Ahhh...life is good! Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
It’s really happening…
After years of romantically dreaming about castles, zealously reading English novels and watching BBC productions, and serenely picturing myself meandering thecountryside… I’m actually going to be there. I’m going to England. I’ve talked about the idea of this trip for a long time, and I’m finally at the next step. Now, I'm blogging about it.
http://janeaustenhereicome.blogspot.com/
But I am truly doing more than blogging about it. I’m planning it. Two of my friends are already on board with me. Truth is that they kinda started the idea up again, and together we’re planning, scheming and budgeting for a visit to Jane Austen’s world. OK, so England is more than just Jane’s land, but to give credit where it is due, we must confess that Jane definitely has played more than a small role in getting us to cross the Atlantic!
To us, it is also a home to castles and English manors, a place where the tranquil countryside still exists and where history is still very much alive, a birthplace to the tongue we speak and delight in. It’s like coming home in a way. Is it too ridiculous to say that? Oh well, it’s the way I feel...
http://janeaustenhereicome.blogspot.com/
But I am truly doing more than blogging about it. I’m planning it. Two of my friends are already on board with me. Truth is that they kinda started the idea up again, and together we’re planning, scheming and budgeting for a visit to Jane Austen’s world. OK, so England is more than just Jane’s land, but to give credit where it is due, we must confess that Jane definitely has played more than a small role in getting us to cross the Atlantic!
To us, it is also a home to castles and English manors, a place where the tranquil countryside still exists and where history is still very much alive, a birthplace to the tongue we speak and delight in. It’s like coming home in a way. Is it too ridiculous to say that? Oh well, it’s the way I feel...
Friday, October 5, 2007
Working with Accents! Ooooh-la-lah!
It occurred to me today that I am quite blessed. Why? – you may well ask. Well...because I work in a global company, and as such I have daily interaction with people from all over the world. I know people from England, Australia, France, India, the Middle East, China, etc. In any given week, I have lots of global interaction from the 1,000 plus co-workers at my site to thousands more around the world. The president of my division is from France. The CEO over the entire company is from Australia. Yes, I am in a sea of accents, and I like it.
I have a work colleague in France who always inserts a line of French in his emails just to give me a hard time because my French is so rusty. His emails make me laugh as he tries to give me more practice with my poor French. Another colleague is from England. He visits my desk almost weekly with inquiries about something or other. He is always in a good mood and has plenty of British pluck!
I can be down the hall, around the corner and completely out of sight, but when a certain co-worker speaks, I can’t help but smile. His thick Australian accent is hard to miss. And then of course, I can recognize a Canadian accent rather quickly, too. I use to get daily calls from a Canadian colleague at our Saskatchewan office, and I always knew it was him by his hello.
Yes, I count myself fortunate to have the pleasure of mingling with people from all over the globe. It keeps life interesting!
I have a work colleague in France who always inserts a line of French in his emails just to give me a hard time because my French is so rusty. His emails make me laugh as he tries to give me more practice with my poor French. Another colleague is from England. He visits my desk almost weekly with inquiries about something or other. He is always in a good mood and has plenty of British pluck!
I can be down the hall, around the corner and completely out of sight, but when a certain co-worker speaks, I can’t help but smile. His thick Australian accent is hard to miss. And then of course, I can recognize a Canadian accent rather quickly, too. I use to get daily calls from a Canadian colleague at our Saskatchewan office, and I always knew it was him by his hello.
Yes, I count myself fortunate to have the pleasure of mingling with people from all over the globe. It keeps life interesting!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I don’t know why a serial killer is so attractive…
But I have fallen head-over-heels for the show Dexter. It’s a Showtime series I watched last fall, and after gushing about it to a co-worker recently, I re-watched season 1 in anticipation of season 2. The 2nd season starts next weekend, and I am breathlessly eager to see how it all pans out. Yes, I upgraded my cable again just to catch season 2.
The basic premise of the show is that Dexter, a forensic blood spatter expert for the Miami Police Department, takes out serial killers in his own ritualistic style. He hunts serial killers in his spare time, and rather than leave them to at the mercy of the American Legal system, he disposes of them in a more complete fashion--permanently.
Like other serial killers before him, Dexter basically doesn’t feel anything. He fakes his way through life and lives by a code his adopted father instilled in him. He is able to maintain relationships with a sister, Deb (the daughter of his adoptive father) and even a mostly healthy dating relationship with his girlfriend Rita. In an ironic twist, he is a heroic champion to both of them. He’s Deb loving big brother--listening and counseling her on her dating and job woes. And in nearly every episode, he helps Rita out with some problem. Whether it is a custody battle with her abusive ex-husband or an ugly debate with a lousy neighbor, Dexter is Rita's knight in shining armor.
And yet he is such a man--living his life with dark and twisted secrets. If either of the woman in his life knew the truth about him, there relationships with him would definitely change.
As season 1 progressed, I started to note changes in his behavior, a deviation from his “normal emotionless state.” It’s as if he is developing a conscience and starting to care about things, and it’s that character development, that growing vulnerability that keeps me eager with anticipation. Will Dexter be able to keep his secrets from the 2 women in his life? And if these women learn the truth, what will they do? Stay tuned...
The basic premise of the show is that Dexter, a forensic blood spatter expert for the Miami Police Department, takes out serial killers in his own ritualistic style. He hunts serial killers in his spare time, and rather than leave them to at the mercy of the American Legal system, he disposes of them in a more complete fashion--permanently.
Like other serial killers before him, Dexter basically doesn’t feel anything. He fakes his way through life and lives by a code his adopted father instilled in him. He is able to maintain relationships with a sister, Deb (the daughter of his adoptive father) and even a mostly healthy dating relationship with his girlfriend Rita. In an ironic twist, he is a heroic champion to both of them. He’s Deb loving big brother--listening and counseling her on her dating and job woes. And in nearly every episode, he helps Rita out with some problem. Whether it is a custody battle with her abusive ex-husband or an ugly debate with a lousy neighbor, Dexter is Rita's knight in shining armor.
And yet he is such a man--living his life with dark and twisted secrets. If either of the woman in his life knew the truth about him, there relationships with him would definitely change.
As season 1 progressed, I started to note changes in his behavior, a deviation from his “normal emotionless state.” It’s as if he is developing a conscience and starting to care about things, and it’s that character development, that growing vulnerability that keeps me eager with anticipation. Will Dexter be able to keep his secrets from the 2 women in his life? And if these women learn the truth, what will they do? Stay tuned...
Thursday, September 6, 2007
August was for Michigan travel after all, I guess...
I had planned on going to Michigan's Upper Peninsula with 2 girlfriends in August, but we cancelled that sight seeing trip for serveral reasons, and it turned out to be a really smart decision. I had to make 2 other treks up to my home state as it turned out.
First of all, my Mom hurt her back, and so my sister and I went up for a few days to help care for her, my 91-year-old Grandmother, and my Dad who was still recovering from hip replacement surgery a few weeks earlier. We learned later that my Mom has arthritis in her back, and so it is just something she is going to have to watch and take care of. If she over-exerts herself, it can get inflamed and cause horrible pain.
Then last weekend, I went back up to Michigan. My Dad was hospitalized with blood clots in his leg. This happens after he has surgery sometimes. They take him off blood thinners before the surgery, and it takes a while for his blood to get back to where they want it afterwards. He came home on Labor Day, and I stayed until early Wednesday morning and then came back home to Indy. They all seemed to be doing much better when I left. In fact, Tuesday was a lot of fun. We took a "3-hour tour" (a drive that lasted more like 5 hours) North along the Lake Huron coast and got to see lots of my favorite waters, the Great Lakes. (sigh!) So it was a nice stress reliever after our few days of stress and hospital visits, etc.
I'm hoping my next trip to Michigan is just for a fun visit though!
First of all, my Mom hurt her back, and so my sister and I went up for a few days to help care for her, my 91-year-old Grandmother, and my Dad who was still recovering from hip replacement surgery a few weeks earlier. We learned later that my Mom has arthritis in her back, and so it is just something she is going to have to watch and take care of. If she over-exerts herself, it can get inflamed and cause horrible pain.
Then last weekend, I went back up to Michigan. My Dad was hospitalized with blood clots in his leg. This happens after he has surgery sometimes. They take him off blood thinners before the surgery, and it takes a while for his blood to get back to where they want it afterwards. He came home on Labor Day, and I stayed until early Wednesday morning and then came back home to Indy. They all seemed to be doing much better when I left. In fact, Tuesday was a lot of fun. We took a "3-hour tour" (a drive that lasted more like 5 hours) North along the Lake Huron coast and got to see lots of my favorite waters, the Great Lakes. (sigh!) So it was a nice stress reliever after our few days of stress and hospital visits, etc.
I'm hoping my next trip to Michigan is just for a fun visit though!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Cricket Invasion Continues
OK, I thought we were done with the crickets, and I'm still hopeful that there won't be anymore. BUT, I found 2 more dead crickets in the dining room. This time I am suspicious that their worst enemy helped to deplete them of life.
And who is a cricket's worst enemy, you may ask? Well, we share the same worst enemy -- the spider. So, now I'm concerned that I have some well-fed spider living in my dining room finishing off the half-dead crickets who are dying due to the insect spray. Hmmm...maybe that will eventually kill the spider, too. THAT could work to my advantage.
And who is a cricket's worst enemy, you may ask? Well, we share the same worst enemy -- the spider. So, now I'm concerned that I have some well-fed spider living in my dining room finishing off the half-dead crickets who are dying due to the insect spray. Hmmm...maybe that will eventually kill the spider, too. THAT could work to my advantage.
Seeing Bears and Butterflies
I had a fabulous time with Janet. I really did...even thought it has taken me weeks to finally blog about it. We went to the Indy Zoo and spent a rather hot day there, but it was awesome. A lot of the animals (despite the heat) seemed to be coming up really close to the fences. I got some incredible shots of the Kodiak bears, and normally these bears are sleeping in their caves, etc. During our visit, the bears were hanging out at the fence probably imagining how well we would taste for lunch. YIKES!
After the zoo, we walked through the butterfly conservatory. One of the beautiful blue/purple butterflies landed on my purple shirt and wouldn't leave me alone. It was rather funny. Janet took photos of course, and these 2 young girls kept coming over and checking the butterfly out. They told me I was going to wind up on the news and be famous because of my new butterfly friend. That just made me laugh! Kids just make me smile! I love how they think...
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Janet is Coming! Janet is Coming!!
My niece Janet (17) is coming to spend a few days with her old Aunt Mel this week. It should be a lot of fun! She is bringing her friend Deja with her for a couple of days. I'm eager to meet Deja since I've only heard about her since Janet was in grade school, but we've never met. We're planning to go to the Edinburgh Outlets one day and the Indianapolis Zoo another day.
I'm sure that Janet will want to watch a bunch of movies, too. I'm the corrupting influence there, I guess, since I love movies! WOOHOO!! It should be a fun few days.
I'm sure that Janet will want to watch a bunch of movies, too. I'm the corrupting influence there, I guess, since I love movies! WOOHOO!! It should be a fun few days.
Updated Score: 29 to 3
I think this is the current score. Truth is I feel like I've lost track. I went for nearly 5 days without a sighting, and then BAM! there were 3 more half-dead crickets walking around in my dining room last night. UGH! Just not what I wanted to see after a long day at work...oh well! It could be worse.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tennis, anyone?
When Jordan was at my place visiting, my friend Becky got to spend some time with us, too. One day the 3 of us were in the car, and we got to talking about tennis, and Becky and I discovered that we had something else in common: a love of tennis. Or you could say it is just another area in which Becky tries to copy me! There was the move to the West side of town, the Honda Civic, etc...
Anyway, we talked about how we should play some time, and I mentioned how I needed to buy a tennis raquet. Then we somehow started talking about tennis balls, and both of us exclaimed almost simultaneously that we loved the smell of a fresh can of tennis balls! OK, so maybe that does sound weird now that I see it typed up in black and white... But there is something unique and strangely pleasant about popping off the lid, pulling back the tab and inhaling that fresh scent. Ahhhhhh!!! You should try it some time.
Jordan just thought we were both insane. I don't know...he might have a point there.
Anyway, we talked about how we should play some time, and I mentioned how I needed to buy a tennis raquet. Then we somehow started talking about tennis balls, and both of us exclaimed almost simultaneously that we loved the smell of a fresh can of tennis balls! OK, so maybe that does sound weird now that I see it typed up in black and white... But there is something unique and strangely pleasant about popping off the lid, pulling back the tab and inhaling that fresh scent. Ahhhhhh!!! You should try it some time.
Jordan just thought we were both insane. I don't know...he might have a point there.
Updated Score: 25 to 3
Yes, I still have crickets. They sprayed inside my apartment again on Monday afternoon and the exterminator wrote me a note about it. He asked me to "be patient and give the spray a chance." I think I AM giving the spray a chance.
See, I had called the complex office again last Thursday -- not to complain about the bugspray not working, but to note that the crickets were still getting in. I mean, since they sprayed the first time, I have seen 17 crickets. Now, don't even try to tell me that I had 17 crickets crawling around my apartment that I hadn't noticed before! I don't think so. Where would 17 crickets be hiding? My apartment isn't all that big, you know. So my call to the office was more a request to ask them to check into the windows, the floor, etc. to see if we couldn't solve the problem by keeping the crickets out. But they didn't listen to me, they called the exterminator and had him come out and spray again, which is not what I asked them to do. So I called again on Monday, and they came out Tuesday and resealed the dining room window. I'm keeping my eye out for more crickets. I have had 3 since they resealed the window.
Over all, I think the spray is working great. It either kills them or drugs them up so that they are easier to kill, which are both great side effects. The point is that I feel like I'm getting new crickets still coming into my apartment, and we still haven't solved the riddle as to how they are getting in. So you can spray all you want, but it's not keeping the crickets from coming in. They come in and die, but the point is they still COME IN! UGH!!
See, I had called the complex office again last Thursday -- not to complain about the bugspray not working, but to note that the crickets were still getting in. I mean, since they sprayed the first time, I have seen 17 crickets. Now, don't even try to tell me that I had 17 crickets crawling around my apartment that I hadn't noticed before! I don't think so. Where would 17 crickets be hiding? My apartment isn't all that big, you know. So my call to the office was more a request to ask them to check into the windows, the floor, etc. to see if we couldn't solve the problem by keeping the crickets out. But they didn't listen to me, they called the exterminator and had him come out and spray again, which is not what I asked them to do. So I called again on Monday, and they came out Tuesday and resealed the dining room window. I'm keeping my eye out for more crickets. I have had 3 since they resealed the window.
Over all, I think the spray is working great. It either kills them or drugs them up so that they are easier to kill, which are both great side effects. The point is that I feel like I'm getting new crickets still coming into my apartment, and we still haven't solved the riddle as to how they are getting in. So you can spray all you want, but it's not keeping the crickets from coming in. They come in and die, but the point is they still COME IN! UGH!!
New Rule: Married Men should have to wear their wedding rings!
OK, so maybe this “rule” of mine would never make it in the courts, but I still think it should be a public mandate. I think if you are married, you should identify it and save the rest of us from having to wonder your status. And yes, women should wear their wedding rings, too, but in my casual observations, I must say that I have found more women than man who wear their wedding rings regularly. However, that does not make them exempt from my marriage identification law.
Anyway, there are a couple of men here at work that I have my eye on. I’m not obsessed, in love, stalking or otherwise involved with either of them, but I am curious...curious about their marital state.
One of them spoke in a meeting I was attending about a year ago, and so I know his name and vaguely what he does here. He was an avid user of sarcasm in the meeting, and believe me, I listened intently after the first whammy. I love sarcasm!
The other guy I used to see often in the cafeteria here on-site, but over the last year or so, I’ve been eating outside the company walls most of the time, and so I don’t see him as often. In his case, I don’t know ANYTHING about him really except that I’ve caught him glancing my direction a few times, and I’ve wondered about him. Maybe he is curious about me, too? Or maybe I just look funny, and he can’t help glancing over? HA!
Truth is that this new law of mine would probably not help my situation. If these men are married, then I could remove them from my radar at least. If they are still single, then it doesn’t really change the status quo...I mean, they don’t talk to me or anything as it is, and knowing their status isn’t going to change that. However, maybe I would feel more comfortable about going out of my way to say hello or introducing myself if I knew that I was not going to be seen as the woman hitting on a married man. Now that cracks me up! The idea of me hitting on anyone has me laughing. I’m not sure I’ve ever done that before in my life...it's not really my style. HA!
Anyway, there are a couple of men here at work that I have my eye on. I’m not obsessed, in love, stalking or otherwise involved with either of them, but I am curious...curious about their marital state.
One of them spoke in a meeting I was attending about a year ago, and so I know his name and vaguely what he does here. He was an avid user of sarcasm in the meeting, and believe me, I listened intently after the first whammy. I love sarcasm!
The other guy I used to see often in the cafeteria here on-site, but over the last year or so, I’ve been eating outside the company walls most of the time, and so I don’t see him as often. In his case, I don’t know ANYTHING about him really except that I’ve caught him glancing my direction a few times, and I’ve wondered about him. Maybe he is curious about me, too? Or maybe I just look funny, and he can’t help glancing over? HA!
Truth is that this new law of mine would probably not help my situation. If these men are married, then I could remove them from my radar at least. If they are still single, then it doesn’t really change the status quo...I mean, they don’t talk to me or anything as it is, and knowing their status isn’t going to change that. However, maybe I would feel more comfortable about going out of my way to say hello or introducing myself if I knew that I was not going to be seen as the woman hitting on a married man. Now that cracks me up! The idea of me hitting on anyone has me laughing. I’m not sure I’ve ever done that before in my life...it's not really my style. HA!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Adantages to Living in the City
1. Opportunities to see live shows in music, theatre, etc.
2. Chances to see live sporting events
3. Lots of shopping
4. Lots of art galleries and museums
5. Lots of city parks, the zoo, gardens, etc.
Yes, these are some pretty awesome perks.
Yesterday I went to the qualifying rounds of the RCA Men’s Tennis Tournament with 3 of my girlfriends, and we had a blast. It was my 2nd trek downtown to the courts to see the creme de la creme of tennis play. We had fun sitting in the sun, chatting and observing the games and practice time. It was a pleasant day!
I didn’t see any players I knew my name, but then I know like only 2 current tennis players by name. HA! So, would I have known a famous player if I saw him? Probably not.
2. Chances to see live sporting events
3. Lots of shopping
4. Lots of art galleries and museums
5. Lots of city parks, the zoo, gardens, etc.
Yes, these are some pretty awesome perks.
Yesterday I went to the qualifying rounds of the RCA Men’s Tennis Tournament with 3 of my girlfriends, and we had a blast. It was my 2nd trek downtown to the courts to see the creme de la creme of tennis play. We had fun sitting in the sun, chatting and observing the games and practice time. It was a pleasant day!
I didn’t see any players I knew my name, but then I know like only 2 current tennis players by name. HA! So, would I have known a famous player if I saw him? Probably not.
Book 7: No Spoilers, I Promise!
On a whim, I called my friend Becky on Friday morning and left her a message about posibly going with me on Friday evening/early Saturday morning to wait in line to pick up my reserved copy of Harry Potter. To my shock, she called back and said she was excited about it. So I picked her up at 11 PM on Friday night (which is like 2 hours past her bedtime) and we headed to Borders.
We got there and found hundreds of people ahead of us. They just were handing out wristbands to indicate where you were in line by color. There were 150 people with each different color, and so I got a green band, which meant I was in the 4th group of 150 people. WOW!! And this was just in one of the stores in Indy.
So Becky and I took a walk around the shopping plaza, sat outside in the cool night air and then finally walked around the store while we were waiting for the clock to strike midnight. Then at 12:01 AM, book 7 went on sale. WOOHOO!! When they called for green to start lining up, they also made a call for blue, and then suddenly there were tons of us lined up for the book. At first the lines seemed to move so slowly, but then it starting moving more rapidly and by 1:05 AM, we were headed back to the car. I just HAD to start the book when I got home. I read 2 chapters and headed to bed.
On Saturday, I slept until noon and then ran errands and watched a couple of rented DVDs that needed to go back Saturday night. I started to read the book again around 9 PM, and I read until after midnight and then headed to bed. Well, 4 hours later, I was still wide awake playing book 7 over and over in my head. So at 4:30 AM, I finally got out of bed and headed out to the living room for my favorite chair to read some more. 4 and a half hours later, I realized I wasn't going to make it to the 9:30 AM service at church, and so I kept reading and a hour later, I was done with the book, and it was time to shower and get ready to head to the tennis tournament.
So what did I think of the book? I laughed, I cried, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows lived up to the hype. It was was another excellent reading adventure! I was able to guess at a couple of outcomes in the book, but there were some things that truly surprised me. I would highly recommend it. I would however suggest that you not stay up all night and read it. Get some sleep, but then again, if you are like me, and you get really involved in what you are reading, you might have some insomnia and HAVE to get out of bed and finish the book anyway...
We got there and found hundreds of people ahead of us. They just were handing out wristbands to indicate where you were in line by color. There were 150 people with each different color, and so I got a green band, which meant I was in the 4th group of 150 people. WOW!! And this was just in one of the stores in Indy.
So Becky and I took a walk around the shopping plaza, sat outside in the cool night air and then finally walked around the store while we were waiting for the clock to strike midnight. Then at 12:01 AM, book 7 went on sale. WOOHOO!! When they called for green to start lining up, they also made a call for blue, and then suddenly there were tons of us lined up for the book. At first the lines seemed to move so slowly, but then it starting moving more rapidly and by 1:05 AM, we were headed back to the car. I just HAD to start the book when I got home. I read 2 chapters and headed to bed.
On Saturday, I slept until noon and then ran errands and watched a couple of rented DVDs that needed to go back Saturday night. I started to read the book again around 9 PM, and I read until after midnight and then headed to bed. Well, 4 hours later, I was still wide awake playing book 7 over and over in my head. So at 4:30 AM, I finally got out of bed and headed out to the living room for my favorite chair to read some more. 4 and a half hours later, I realized I wasn't going to make it to the 9:30 AM service at church, and so I kept reading and a hour later, I was done with the book, and it was time to shower and get ready to head to the tennis tournament.
So what did I think of the book? I laughed, I cried, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows lived up to the hype. It was was another excellent reading adventure! I was able to guess at a couple of outcomes in the book, but there were some things that truly surprised me. I would highly recommend it. I would however suggest that you not stay up all night and read it. Get some sleep, but then again, if you are like me, and you get really involved in what you are reading, you might have some insomnia and HAVE to get out of bed and finish the book anyway...
Updated Score: 22 to 3
So I'm still getting an occasional cricket indoors at my place. I submitted another request to have them check that dining room window and wall since I am still primarily spotting the crickets in the dining room. (Fingers crossed!)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Updated Score: 20 to 3
Tuesday and Wednesday, I thought we were cricket-free. Then this morning, I woke up and spotted one in my dining room. He was near death, and so I helped him into the next life rather quickly. But then I got to thinking that I should do a more thorough search again, so I pulled back the blue dining room curtains, and there were 3 more DEAD crickets right there UNDERNEATH the dining room window!
I'm not altogether excited about this latest development. OK, so the insecticide is killing them, but it's not keeping them from getting in. I mean either they are still finding a way inside or all these crickets have been in my apartment for a while now, and they are just good at hiding. That idea wigs me out! Another possibility is that there is a cricket nest in my walls or something...but somehow I just don't want to think about that option either. I'm trying to keep my sanity as long as I can, you know!
I'm not altogether excited about this latest development. OK, so the insecticide is killing them, but it's not keeping them from getting in. I mean either they are still finding a way inside or all these crickets have been in my apartment for a while now, and they are just good at hiding. That idea wigs me out! Another possibility is that there is a cricket nest in my walls or something...but somehow I just don't want to think about that option either. I'm trying to keep my sanity as long as I can, you know!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Current Score: 16 to 3
The bugman sprayed inside and outside my apartment yesterday, and so I went home last night not sure what to expect. Well, for starters, there was a half-dead cricket on the kitchen floor, who quickly got terminated and flushed and re-flushed. I know my life is NOT a horror movie usually, but you have to be sure that the enemy is dead, and in my mind, that 2nd flush keeps them from fighting the current and rising again just like that additional bullet in the head of a serial killer. Come on, you know what I’m talking about. They ALWAYS come back!
Then I began my hunt throughout the rest of the dining room and kitchen. I found 5 more crickets all alive but obviously affected by the bugspray in the dining room. I quickly disposed of them in short order and didn’t find any more on my search. Could it be the end? Had the insecticide solved my problem? One could only hope...
Well, at around 10:30 last night, I spotted another healthy hopping cricket. He was so healthy that he got away from me and my trusty broom, and I couldn’t get him. If he had survived the insecticide or had gotten in after the insecticide was sprayed, that made me angry. And since I was already a bit emotional this week, I burst into tears. I know that bugs shouldn’t make me cry, but I’m just tired of dealing with them. I’m not afraid of crickets, but I’m not an advocate either, and I just want this to be done and over with. I want a solution already. I want to know how they are getting in, how to stop them, etc. You'd think this would be easier to determine than it has been...
I finally drifted off to sleep around 11:30 PM, and then woke up to use the restroom at 12:30 AM. I decided to do a canvas of my territory before going back to bed, and I spotted a healthy cricket heading into the living room. I destroyed it, and am hopeful that it was the same cricket who had escaped my wrath earlier. Somehow I fell back asleep and woke up without any more crickets this morning. WHEW!!
So, the score now stands at 16-3: 16 executions to 3 escapes. I’m a bit anxious as to what I will find when I return home this evening. I hope to be cricket-free, but I’m not confident yet. I called the maintenance office and have requested they look at my dining room window and possibly make sure it is airtight, etc. I’m convinced that the crickets are getting into my house through either the dining room floor or the window. The bug man says they typically come underneath doors, but I’ve yet to spot one near either of my doors, but I’ve killed most of the crickets right there near the window. Coincidence? Hmmmmm...What do I know? I just live there!
Then I began my hunt throughout the rest of the dining room and kitchen. I found 5 more crickets all alive but obviously affected by the bugspray in the dining room. I quickly disposed of them in short order and didn’t find any more on my search. Could it be the end? Had the insecticide solved my problem? One could only hope...
Well, at around 10:30 last night, I spotted another healthy hopping cricket. He was so healthy that he got away from me and my trusty broom, and I couldn’t get him. If he had survived the insecticide or had gotten in after the insecticide was sprayed, that made me angry. And since I was already a bit emotional this week, I burst into tears. I know that bugs shouldn’t make me cry, but I’m just tired of dealing with them. I’m not afraid of crickets, but I’m not an advocate either, and I just want this to be done and over with. I want a solution already. I want to know how they are getting in, how to stop them, etc. You'd think this would be easier to determine than it has been...
I finally drifted off to sleep around 11:30 PM, and then woke up to use the restroom at 12:30 AM. I decided to do a canvas of my territory before going back to bed, and I spotted a healthy cricket heading into the living room. I destroyed it, and am hopeful that it was the same cricket who had escaped my wrath earlier. Somehow I fell back asleep and woke up without any more crickets this morning. WHEW!!
So, the score now stands at 16-3: 16 executions to 3 escapes. I’m a bit anxious as to what I will find when I return home this evening. I hope to be cricket-free, but I’m not confident yet. I called the maintenance office and have requested they look at my dining room window and possibly make sure it is airtight, etc. I’m convinced that the crickets are getting into my house through either the dining room floor or the window. The bug man says they typically come underneath doors, but I’ve yet to spot one near either of my doors, but I’ve killed most of the crickets right there near the window. Coincidence? Hmmmmm...What do I know? I just live there!
Friday, July 13, 2007
I seem to be a magnet for weird apartment issues, especially when it comes to other species.
First there was the time a bird got into my apartment through the disconnected dryer vent. I came home one evening to find that I had HAD a visitor flying, pooping and making mayhem in my little home for hours, and she was still there. I felt like the 3 bears dealing with Goldilocks. I promptly called the management, and they came over with a butterfly net and blanket and rescued my visitor. They also covered the dryer vent so she and her friends would NOT return. I remember the hours of cleaning afterwards. Armed with my ever-attractive domestic yellow gloves, I scrubbed my apartment clean, washed linens until the wee hours of the morning and carefully checked out all my furniture and other belongings for evidence of bird droppings. I next requesteed that my carpets be steam cleaned. Amazingly, I survived without getting the bird flu.
Now, I’ve never considered myself a biologist or someone who could possibly discover a new species, but I did find myself in the position of having to call maintenance to report that I had bugs living in my fridge and freezer. I know--what kind of bug could possibly live in that environment, right? Well, I still don't have a clue. What I did know at the time was that I had killed several of these strange creatures, and I wanted to know what to do next. So they came over, checked things out and told me that they didn’t see any bugs in my fridge or freezer. A couple of days later, I had killed a few more, and so I called them back to report it again. The next day at work, I got a call from the office. They still hadn’t spotted any bugs in my fridge, but they curiously suggested that I must have been seeing pieces of fridge/freezer insulation floating around, and so they had opted to replace my refrigerator and that should solve the problem. It did solve the problem—no more bugs! But since when does insulation have 6 legs and a pair of wings? A couple of weeks afterwards, I spotted one of the same bugs on my car window...now I thought about collecting he/she as evidence, but I resisted the urge. I decided that didn’t want to have a bug named after me due to my discovery. Besides, I knew in my heart that I certainly had NOT been killing pieces of insulation, and that was all that mattered.
In the next apartment, there was the invasion of the pill bugs or sow bugs. These crunchy little creatures were literally swarming into the large 2-bedroom apartment I was sharing with my sister. Not only did we find them crawling all over our floor, but if you lifted or moved any furniture, you would find several or many of them there, mostly dead. I’m not afraid of the pill bug, but it was the sheer number of them that got annoying. My sister and I were vacuuming almost daily to just keep our floors clear and free of the bugs. We made numerous calls to management to get it resolved. They tried several different types of insecticides, and eventually one of them did the trick. No more pill bugs.
Of course, I have had bird issues in my current apartment as well. Ingenious as they are, these birds have somehow maneuvered a way to live somewhere between my 2nd floor ceiling and the apartment above me. I could hear them regularly during the spring months that year, and believe me, baby birds can squawk rather loudly in the morning when they are hungry. Well, the maintenance office just didn’t believe me. “We don’t have bird problems, Ma’am.” So, I did some investigating on my own one day, and I spotted a small mother bird towing a worm in her beak and going into a tiny outside vent up near my apartment outside wall. So I called maintenance again, and this time they climbed a ladder along the brick wall and sure enough, they found the bird and her nest. They removed the bird and sealed off the vent with a screen. Now somehow I heard that familiar squawk again this spring for a few weeks, but I opted not to call it in.
And more recently, I’ve been sharing my apartment with crickets. Yes, crickets! I spotted 1 in my dining room earlier this week and quickly dispersed of him. Then a couple of hours later, I spotted another in the dining room, and so again, I discarded of him as well. I tried to tell myself that it was just a fluke, but already I had a nagging suspicion that it wasn’t a chance encounter. But then I had a full day without any cricket sightings, and so I started to wonder if it had been a fluke after all. However, I got up yesterday morning, and I had a new boundless jumper in my bathroom. I tried to terminate him, but he escaped his death sentence for the time being. Then last night, before going to bed, I laid 3 more crickets to rest. It had officially become a full-scale operation now. 1 or 2 crickets--seemed like a fluke, and maybe just maybe they followed me in through the door. 5 or 6 crickets--that is an enemy raid! So I’ve called maintenance to report it, and we’ll see what the outcome is.
I’m hoping to have a cricket-free weekend, but don’t hold your breath. And if one more person tries to tell me that having lots of crickets is a sign of good luck, I’m going to scream! If you had large jumping insects hopping all over your furniture and floors, you might just think differently...Trust me!
Now, I’ve never considered myself a biologist or someone who could possibly discover a new species, but I did find myself in the position of having to call maintenance to report that I had bugs living in my fridge and freezer. I know--what kind of bug could possibly live in that environment, right? Well, I still don't have a clue. What I did know at the time was that I had killed several of these strange creatures, and I wanted to know what to do next. So they came over, checked things out and told me that they didn’t see any bugs in my fridge or freezer. A couple of days later, I had killed a few more, and so I called them back to report it again. The next day at work, I got a call from the office. They still hadn’t spotted any bugs in my fridge, but they curiously suggested that I must have been seeing pieces of fridge/freezer insulation floating around, and so they had opted to replace my refrigerator and that should solve the problem. It did solve the problem—no more bugs! But since when does insulation have 6 legs and a pair of wings? A couple of weeks afterwards, I spotted one of the same bugs on my car window...now I thought about collecting he/she as evidence, but I resisted the urge. I decided that didn’t want to have a bug named after me due to my discovery. Besides, I knew in my heart that I certainly had NOT been killing pieces of insulation, and that was all that mattered.
In the next apartment, there was the invasion of the pill bugs or sow bugs. These crunchy little creatures were literally swarming into the large 2-bedroom apartment I was sharing with my sister. Not only did we find them crawling all over our floor, but if you lifted or moved any furniture, you would find several or many of them there, mostly dead. I’m not afraid of the pill bug, but it was the sheer number of them that got annoying. My sister and I were vacuuming almost daily to just keep our floors clear and free of the bugs. We made numerous calls to management to get it resolved. They tried several different types of insecticides, and eventually one of them did the trick. No more pill bugs.
Of course, I have had bird issues in my current apartment as well. Ingenious as they are, these birds have somehow maneuvered a way to live somewhere between my 2nd floor ceiling and the apartment above me. I could hear them regularly during the spring months that year, and believe me, baby birds can squawk rather loudly in the morning when they are hungry. Well, the maintenance office just didn’t believe me. “We don’t have bird problems, Ma’am.” So, I did some investigating on my own one day, and I spotted a small mother bird towing a worm in her beak and going into a tiny outside vent up near my apartment outside wall. So I called maintenance again, and this time they climbed a ladder along the brick wall and sure enough, they found the bird and her nest. They removed the bird and sealed off the vent with a screen. Now somehow I heard that familiar squawk again this spring for a few weeks, but I opted not to call it in.
And more recently, I’ve been sharing my apartment with crickets. Yes, crickets! I spotted 1 in my dining room earlier this week and quickly dispersed of him. Then a couple of hours later, I spotted another in the dining room, and so again, I discarded of him as well. I tried to tell myself that it was just a fluke, but already I had a nagging suspicion that it wasn’t a chance encounter. But then I had a full day without any cricket sightings, and so I started to wonder if it had been a fluke after all. However, I got up yesterday morning, and I had a new boundless jumper in my bathroom. I tried to terminate him, but he escaped his death sentence for the time being. Then last night, before going to bed, I laid 3 more crickets to rest. It had officially become a full-scale operation now. 1 or 2 crickets--seemed like a fluke, and maybe just maybe they followed me in through the door. 5 or 6 crickets--that is an enemy raid! So I’ve called maintenance to report it, and we’ll see what the outcome is.
I’m hoping to have a cricket-free weekend, but don’t hold your breath. And if one more person tries to tell me that having lots of crickets is a sign of good luck, I’m going to scream! If you had large jumping insects hopping all over your furniture and floors, you might just think differently...Trust me!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
No Spoilers here, I promise!
Last night, I enjoyed my trek on my own to the theatre to see the latest Harry Potter film. I laughed, I sighed, I delighted in the ride! I know...some people think these movies and books are pure evil. There are people in my own circle that are shocked to learn I am such a big fan, but while I may disagree with their opinions, they are certainly entitled to them.
As for me, I might not practice magic or fly on a broom, but I confess with a twinkle in my eye, that I love the books. I’ve enjoyed reading and re-reading them and am eagerly awaiting the final book in the series, book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Why am I such a fan? Well, the author has such a vivid imagination, and each character is written with such detail and credibility. The events and people in the books capture your imagination just like Tolkien’s characters in Lord of the Rings. You enter that world with the author, and you feel like you are part of the story. You become a fellow student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry along with Harry, Hermione and Ron.
It feels alive and real to the readers, which is probably one of the biggest arguments I have heard against the books. There is some concern that kids today have trouble separating reality from fiction. Personally, I don’t buy that argument! I think children today are more exposed to violence, fantasy, etc. in every day life, in schools, on the big screen and televisions, in the news and other media, in games and video games. Children are much more exposed than I was as a child, and they were exposed before Harry Potter came on the scene. Sure, there may be some children that struggle with determining what is real or not, but this is not a new problem. And it certainly didn’t start with J. K. Rowling’s books!
When I was a kid, the Smurfs and Dungeons and Dragons were targets of similar debate. Every Saturday, my sister and I would watch the Smurfs and enjoy them along with the other Saturday morning cartoons. For those of you who missed the 70’s and 80’s, there used to be regular cartoon programs on Saturday mornings just for kids rather than all the news shows, etc. Imagine that! So anyway, the Smurfs were lovable tiny blue creatures that were always doing good, working together and fighting against the twisted Gargamel and his feline friend, Azrael. I don’t recall the biggest argument against the Smurfs really. I remember it having to do something with the names for Gargamel and Azrael being evil or representing some dark cause, and then there was something about the Smurfs themselves being part of some secret Communist propaganda. Now that just makes me laugh! It was a cartoon, people, and I certainly I didn’t feel compelled to become a Communist due to my exposure.
As for Dungeons and Dragons, I don’t know much about it at all, and so I certainly won’t go into any arguments for or against it here. However, I do believe that it along with any other game, pleasure or hobby needs to be enjoyed without excess or obsession. But isn’t that just plain common sense and part of personal responsibility?
As for Harry Potter, I admit that the books have gotten darker and more grown up with each new volume, but then, that seems quite natural to me. After all, the characters in the book are growing up as are the readers who have followed them from the first volume. And as for the darkness, well, the truth is that the adversaries in the books are growing in numbers and gaining strength just like the "bad guys" did in the Lord of the Rings series. Things always get darkest right before the end, and characters get stretched to the max right before the final climax when the ultimate battle happens, or all is revealed, etc. It makes sense to me…but then, remember, I’m rather scary myself. After all, I have a twinkle in my eye!
As for me, I might not practice magic or fly on a broom, but I confess with a twinkle in my eye, that I love the books. I’ve enjoyed reading and re-reading them and am eagerly awaiting the final book in the series, book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Why am I such a fan? Well, the author has such a vivid imagination, and each character is written with such detail and credibility. The events and people in the books capture your imagination just like Tolkien’s characters in Lord of the Rings. You enter that world with the author, and you feel like you are part of the story. You become a fellow student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry along with Harry, Hermione and Ron.
It feels alive and real to the readers, which is probably one of the biggest arguments I have heard against the books. There is some concern that kids today have trouble separating reality from fiction. Personally, I don’t buy that argument! I think children today are more exposed to violence, fantasy, etc. in every day life, in schools, on the big screen and televisions, in the news and other media, in games and video games. Children are much more exposed than I was as a child, and they were exposed before Harry Potter came on the scene. Sure, there may be some children that struggle with determining what is real or not, but this is not a new problem. And it certainly didn’t start with J. K. Rowling’s books!
When I was a kid, the Smurfs and Dungeons and Dragons were targets of similar debate. Every Saturday, my sister and I would watch the Smurfs and enjoy them along with the other Saturday morning cartoons. For those of you who missed the 70’s and 80’s, there used to be regular cartoon programs on Saturday mornings just for kids rather than all the news shows, etc. Imagine that! So anyway, the Smurfs were lovable tiny blue creatures that were always doing good, working together and fighting against the twisted Gargamel and his feline friend, Azrael. I don’t recall the biggest argument against the Smurfs really. I remember it having to do something with the names for Gargamel and Azrael being evil or representing some dark cause, and then there was something about the Smurfs themselves being part of some secret Communist propaganda. Now that just makes me laugh! It was a cartoon, people, and I certainly I didn’t feel compelled to become a Communist due to my exposure.
As for Dungeons and Dragons, I don’t know much about it at all, and so I certainly won’t go into any arguments for or against it here. However, I do believe that it along with any other game, pleasure or hobby needs to be enjoyed without excess or obsession. But isn’t that just plain common sense and part of personal responsibility?
As for Harry Potter, I admit that the books have gotten darker and more grown up with each new volume, but then, that seems quite natural to me. After all, the characters in the book are growing up as are the readers who have followed them from the first volume. And as for the darkness, well, the truth is that the adversaries in the books are growing in numbers and gaining strength just like the "bad guys" did in the Lord of the Rings series. Things always get darkest right before the end, and characters get stretched to the max right before the final climax when the ultimate battle happens, or all is revealed, etc. It makes sense to me…but then, remember, I’m rather scary myself. After all, I have a twinkle in my eye!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Family Fun
Here is a picture of my 5 nieces and 3 nephews on July 4th this year: Carianne, Janet, Grace, Caitlynne, Caleb, Cera, Jordan and Jacob. It was fun to see all of them on the 4th. I love each of them and their distinctive personalities.
Is it Bad to be proud I'm single?
After all, ANY ONE can make it in a pair, but there are only a few of us that can stand alone.
I caught myself thinking this the other day, and I started to laugh. When did I start thinking that my singleness was a badge of courage? You know, like a badge I keep in my purse ready to whip out at the right moment and say:
Please remain calm, folks. I’m SINGLE. I can handle this. See my badge!
It is a positive thing that I’m not moping about in shame because I don’t have a life partner. Sorry, Jane Austen, but I don’t think I could have handled your time period when it was shameful to be unmarried still at 25 let alone 33. And I must say that I’m glad of my independence. I like living alone and am pleased that I’ve formed my own “family” in the people around me. However, I hardly think I’m supposed to be wearing my singleness like a medal of honor or a pageant sash either. There has to be balance somewhere.
The truth is that I seem to have lost some respect for the institution of marriage, and that’s a bit concerning to me. Somehow being out on my own for 10+ years seems to have warped my view. It’s as if I have taken marriage off the pedestal now, which is not altogether a bad thing since I used to revere it more than I should have. But now, marriage has been thrown to the curb and replaced by something else on the pedestal entirely—PRIDE at the status quo.
LORD, help me to respect the institution of marriage even if it’s not for me!
I caught myself thinking this the other day, and I started to laugh. When did I start thinking that my singleness was a badge of courage? You know, like a badge I keep in my purse ready to whip out at the right moment and say:
Please remain calm, folks. I’m SINGLE. I can handle this. See my badge!
It is a positive thing that I’m not moping about in shame because I don’t have a life partner. Sorry, Jane Austen, but I don’t think I could have handled your time period when it was shameful to be unmarried still at 25 let alone 33. And I must say that I’m glad of my independence. I like living alone and am pleased that I’ve formed my own “family” in the people around me. However, I hardly think I’m supposed to be wearing my singleness like a medal of honor or a pageant sash either. There has to be balance somewhere.
The truth is that I seem to have lost some respect for the institution of marriage, and that’s a bit concerning to me. Somehow being out on my own for 10+ years seems to have warped my view. It’s as if I have taken marriage off the pedestal now, which is not altogether a bad thing since I used to revere it more than I should have. But now, marriage has been thrown to the curb and replaced by something else on the pedestal entirely—PRIDE at the status quo.
LORD, help me to respect the institution of marriage even if it’s not for me!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Visit with Jordan
I did enjoy having my 13-year-old nephew Jordan with me for 5 days. We had a lot of fun. He’s all boy, and so there were lots of action movies. We hit the theatres on Saturday morning for LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD. It was pretty good actually, and the fact that I had Bruce Willis to gaze at on the big screen was a plus. We finished up our day of fun with a hike in Holliday Park, where we took a “tan test” photo to demonstrate how we don’t look like we’re related at all...Guess which hand/arm is mine!
My friend Becky and I took Jordan to an Indianapolis Indians game on Sunday afternoon. You Know Who got royally sunburned despite several layers of sunscreen. I just can’t win in the sun…It was a hot day, but Becky, Jordan and I enjoyed the game despite the heat. I found that having 2 frozen icees helped!
One of the Richmond Braves, Doug Clark, really had a great day. He hit 2 homeruns and became Becky’s hero in the process. We always pick our favorite players when we go to a game. Becky did like one of the Indians for about 5 minutes. His name was Russ Johnson, but he was soon abandoned for this Clark guy. It was sad really. She was cheering for the other side most of the game! However, Russ Johnson did redeem himself by hitting the game-winning hit, and so the Indians won their game, which was nice, and Jordan and I were just glad that Clark was on the losing side...LOSER!
On Tuesday, Jordan and I went to Conner Prairie. It was my first visit. I enjoyed touring the old buildings, playing 1886 baseball, learning the history of central Indiana, participating in the Glorious 4th Celebration, etc. It was great fun listening to all the political speeches and patriotic songs as the people in costumes held their own celebration. They read the Declaration of Independence in the 1886 town. It was rather stirring to hear it read aloud and chuckle as they talked about the new states that had joined the union and how the Declaration was only 60 years old. That document is actually rather incredible, and when is the last time you just took the time to read it? So all in all, I liked Conner Prairie; however, I think I’ve been spoiled by the incredible Greenfield Village in Michigan. I love that place, and Conner Prairie just is NOT Greenfield Village.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Jordan's Visit
My 13-year old nephew, Jordan Scott Alan Richard Robert Squdge-mudge Bradley, is coming to spend 5 days with his old Aunt Mel. He called me this morning to let me know he had arrived at my place and was about to start exploring my cable and On Demand features on my TV, which made me laugh. He then proceeded to ask me what I did when I was at work anyway. So I went into my 2-minute spiel about my job, and at the end, he was silent for a bit, and then said, “So you have like a boring job, don’t you?” I told him NO, and that I actually liked my job, but he didn’t seem convinced. HA!
Tonight, I’m not sure what we’ll be doing to get the fun started. Tomorrow, we’re planning to go the early showing of the new DIE HARD movie. Not quite like Jane Austen or a Merchant-Ivory production, but I like Bruce Willis , and so I’ll enjoy the movie for reasons of my own! And yes, Aunt Mel is cheap. The $4 movie tickets before noon on the weekend sound like a winner!
On Sunday, we’ll attend church in the morning and go to an afternoon Indianapolis Indians game with my friend Becky. Monday and Tuesday, we’re planning to visit the Indianapolis Zoo and Conner Prairie, too. All in all, it’s going to be a jam-packed few days. I’ll probably need a vacation from my vacation...but I am really looking forward to these days with Jordan. He’s growing up so fast (already 5 inches taller than me) as it is, and so I’m going to enjoy these precious moments on my own with him while I have them! WOOHOO!!
Tonight, I’m not sure what we’ll be doing to get the fun started. Tomorrow, we’re planning to go the early showing of the new DIE HARD movie. Not quite like Jane Austen or a Merchant-Ivory production, but I like Bruce Willis , and so I’ll enjoy the movie for reasons of my own! And yes, Aunt Mel is cheap. The $4 movie tickets before noon on the weekend sound like a winner!
On Sunday, we’ll attend church in the morning and go to an afternoon Indianapolis Indians game with my friend Becky. Monday and Tuesday, we’re planning to visit the Indianapolis Zoo and Conner Prairie, too. All in all, it’s going to be a jam-packed few days. I’ll probably need a vacation from my vacation...but I am really looking forward to these days with Jordan. He’s growing up so fast (already 5 inches taller than me) as it is, and so I’m going to enjoy these precious moments on my own with him while I have them! WOOHOO!!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Saying goodbyes are never easy...
But it must really be hard to say goodbye to a young little life that has barely begun. My friend Ro lost her 7-week-old baby this week. Yalaina Simone was born about 2 months premature due to complications, and she gave quite a fight to survive. Every time the doctors and nurses were ready to give up, she'd rebound and prove them wrong. But this last time, she was't able to pull through. It's so very sad.
She is survived by her loving parents, Ro and Eric, and her two older siblings, Emmi and Bubby. She was well-loved and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she and her story touched.
She is survived by her loving parents, Ro and Eric, and her two older siblings, Emmi and Bubby. She was well-loved and will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she and her story touched.
Monday, June 25, 2007
I just have to laugh...
For the last couple of months now, I’ve been talking about my upcoming trip to the Dayton Art Institute. It was to be my last viewing of the beautiful man that worked there as a security guard. I wanted to just visit, see him one last time and forget my silly crush of the fair Adonis. My friends were plotting and planning what they were going to say to him to find out his status—i.e. married, single, etc. And another friend had been rehearsing the potential conversation she planned to have with him, in the hopes of obtaining a picture of him.
Well as luck, fate, karma or divine intervention would have it--he was NOT there on Saturday. There were no sightings, no conversations, no pictures of random security guards, and no mayhem. And I for one, found it absolutely hilarious! I think it makes for a better story, don’t you?
I mean for over a year now, I’ve been crushing about this guy I saw on only those two prior occasions. For me, he summed up everything I hadn’t been able to define before--my type. [And of course, by type here, we are going with the shallow ATTRACTION type and not looking at any other qualifications.] If someone asked me to describe my ideal, I’d tell them to go to Dayton and look this man up. Now, I didn’t talk about him constantly. In fact there were periods when I didn’t even think about him at all. This wasn’t an obsession or an unhealthy fantasy. It was a little memory that made me smile when I recalled it.
And my friends have been totally supportive of it. They’ve talked about him, offered to go to Dayton with me, and planned their weekend around this daytrip. I think they were just as excited if not more so than I was.
All that anticipation and planning, all the daydreaming and waiting, and GUESS WHAT--he’s not there! Of course, there were several schools of thought on the fact that he was MIA: 1. He doesn’t work there anymore; 2. Maybe he was just an employee during the big Princess Diana exhibit last year; 3. He had the day off, etc.
But all I wanted to do was LAUGH...laugh because I’d been imagining how it would be to see him one more time and because all the planning and forethought in the world can’t make life turn out exactly as we imagine it will. Laugh because I am blessed to have such great friends who were willing to give up most of their daylight hours to travel 5 miles roundtrip to Dayton, OH, just in hopes of seeing a man that made me smile. Laugh because of the irony of the situation and how I think it’s a better story because we did NOT see him.
Why is it a better story because there was no sighting of this dreamy man? Because it’s a funny story that I convinced my friends to drive 2.5 hours away from their homes on a Saturday just on the chance that we might see him, and when we got there, he wasn’t there. That has to make you chuckle. But we still had fun! We had a great day--enjoying the peaceful ride as Jessica drove us to Dayton, having a leisurely lunch complete with yummy homemade pies, touring the art institute and introducing Becky to another one of Monet’s waterlilly pieces, watching Sara and Kristen sketch faces in the kids’ center, etc. Yes, it was an awesome day despite the missing man!
And maybe the truth is...that the dream of him is better than the man himself! I mean, maybe if we had talked to him, we would have encountered another JERK OR then again, he might have been like the nicest guy in the world! Maybe we would have discovered that he was married, engaged or dating a beautiful Amazonian model goddess OR then again, he might have been desperately searching our globe for a short, overweight, Anglophile female who loves long walks in the shade! [sigh!] No matter, I think it turned out for the best, and for now, I'm not planning any further trips to Dayton. Well, not right away at least...
Well as luck, fate, karma or divine intervention would have it--he was NOT there on Saturday. There were no sightings, no conversations, no pictures of random security guards, and no mayhem. And I for one, found it absolutely hilarious! I think it makes for a better story, don’t you?
I mean for over a year now, I’ve been crushing about this guy I saw on only those two prior occasions. For me, he summed up everything I hadn’t been able to define before--my type. [And of course, by type here, we are going with the shallow ATTRACTION type and not looking at any other qualifications.] If someone asked me to describe my ideal, I’d tell them to go to Dayton and look this man up. Now, I didn’t talk about him constantly. In fact there were periods when I didn’t even think about him at all. This wasn’t an obsession or an unhealthy fantasy. It was a little memory that made me smile when I recalled it.
And my friends have been totally supportive of it. They’ve talked about him, offered to go to Dayton with me, and planned their weekend around this daytrip. I think they were just as excited if not more so than I was.
All that anticipation and planning, all the daydreaming and waiting, and GUESS WHAT--he’s not there! Of course, there were several schools of thought on the fact that he was MIA: 1. He doesn’t work there anymore; 2. Maybe he was just an employee during the big Princess Diana exhibit last year; 3. He had the day off, etc.
But all I wanted to do was LAUGH...laugh because I’d been imagining how it would be to see him one more time and because all the planning and forethought in the world can’t make life turn out exactly as we imagine it will. Laugh because I am blessed to have such great friends who were willing to give up most of their daylight hours to travel 5 miles roundtrip to Dayton, OH, just in hopes of seeing a man that made me smile. Laugh because of the irony of the situation and how I think it’s a better story because we did NOT see him.
Why is it a better story because there was no sighting of this dreamy man? Because it’s a funny story that I convinced my friends to drive 2.5 hours away from their homes on a Saturday just on the chance that we might see him, and when we got there, he wasn’t there. That has to make you chuckle. But we still had fun! We had a great day--enjoying the peaceful ride as Jessica drove us to Dayton, having a leisurely lunch complete with yummy homemade pies, touring the art institute and introducing Becky to another one of Monet’s waterlilly pieces, watching Sara and Kristen sketch faces in the kids’ center, etc. Yes, it was an awesome day despite the missing man!
And maybe the truth is...that the dream of him is better than the man himself! I mean, maybe if we had talked to him, we would have encountered another JERK OR then again, he might have been like the nicest guy in the world! Maybe we would have discovered that he was married, engaged or dating a beautiful Amazonian model goddess OR then again, he might have been desperately searching our globe for a short, overweight, Anglophile female who loves long walks in the shade! [sigh!] No matter, I think it turned out for the best, and for now, I'm not planning any further trips to Dayton. Well, not right away at least...
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Asking the Tough Questions
I found out late last week that I was on the interview team for a new hire and that the interviews were starting this week. Let me just say that I’ve learned how very interesting it can be on the OTHER SIDE of the table. It’s not a cake walk to lead an interview. You have to prepare ahead of time, but also be ready to revise your questions on the fly. You have to monitor and assess body language as well as control the discussion and be ready to answer questions yourself. And once the interview ends, your work is only just beginning. Next you have to critique the “performance,” meet with other members of the team and make some judgment calls all based on a couple of sheets of paper and a 30-minute interview. Not an easy task! I guess it can be intimidating on both sides of the table….
I must confess that this new experience has made me highly curious. I think I’d like to see a video of my interview for my current job. I wish I could see how I behaved, how nervous or fidgety I was, whether or not I was myself, etc. Did I talk much? Did I respond to questions well? Did I show any confidence? I mean, I must have exhibited something positive because they hired me, after all.
I don’t really know any one who LIKES interviews. I think they do get easier with time, but it is still not something the majority of us really look forward to. OK, so I guess I’d choose an interview over a dental cleaning. WOW! That’s saying something. 10 years ago, I would have chosen the dental chair without any hesitation...
I must confess that this new experience has made me highly curious. I think I’d like to see a video of my interview for my current job. I wish I could see how I behaved, how nervous or fidgety I was, whether or not I was myself, etc. Did I talk much? Did I respond to questions well? Did I show any confidence? I mean, I must have exhibited something positive because they hired me, after all.
I don’t really know any one who LIKES interviews. I think they do get easier with time, but it is still not something the majority of us really look forward to. OK, so I guess I’d choose an interview over a dental cleaning. WOW! That’s saying something. 10 years ago, I would have chosen the dental chair without any hesitation...
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Listening to an Old Friend
Last Saturday, I briefly went through the Castleton Mall with my friends, Becky and Sara. As we walked through the Von Maur store, I couldn’t help but be impressed by the fact that they had a man playing the piano as they patrons shopped. I must say it was all very pleasant!
It was also a clear indication that I shouldn’t be shopping there...I mean as much as it impressed me that they could afford to pay a man to play the piano to add to the enjoyment of the shopping experience, it was also a blatant sign that I was out of place. I mean, you don’t see that at Wal-mart, Target or Costco, which is a shame really. They should consider it.
Anyway, he was busy playing as we entered the mall. And then later as we headed for the exits, I spotted him heading back to the piano to play some more tunes. What would he play next, I wondered. We continued on our way out the door, and then, just then, I heard it--those all too familiar bars of music drifted across space to me, calling to me softly, gently but undeniably drawing me back. This was no careless tune, no frivoulous melody. This was my song, my very own MOONLIGHT SONATA!
I caught my breath and stopped in my tracks. I turned politely to my friends and dared to ask that we delay our departure for just a moment or two while I reveled in the haunting sounds of an old dear friend. They obliged me, and so I meandered back towards the music through the shoes and accessories department, as I listened to Beethoven’s lilting refrain yet again. It is still pure magic. All to soon, the delicious song was over, and we headed back out into the world of Saturday errands. (sigh!)
Yes, my tastes in music have changed over the years, but some things never change. Beethoven still speaks to me like none other...
It was also a clear indication that I shouldn’t be shopping there...I mean as much as it impressed me that they could afford to pay a man to play the piano to add to the enjoyment of the shopping experience, it was also a blatant sign that I was out of place. I mean, you don’t see that at Wal-mart, Target or Costco, which is a shame really. They should consider it.
Anyway, he was busy playing as we entered the mall. And then later as we headed for the exits, I spotted him heading back to the piano to play some more tunes. What would he play next, I wondered. We continued on our way out the door, and then, just then, I heard it--those all too familiar bars of music drifted across space to me, calling to me softly, gently but undeniably drawing me back. This was no careless tune, no frivoulous melody. This was my song, my very own MOONLIGHT SONATA!
I caught my breath and stopped in my tracks. I turned politely to my friends and dared to ask that we delay our departure for just a moment or two while I reveled in the haunting sounds of an old dear friend. They obliged me, and so I meandered back towards the music through the shoes and accessories department, as I listened to Beethoven’s lilting refrain yet again. It is still pure magic. All to soon, the delicious song was over, and we headed back out into the world of Saturday errands. (sigh!)
Yes, my tastes in music have changed over the years, but some things never change. Beethoven still speaks to me like none other...
Monday, June 18, 2007
Number 9...
My sister is expecting baby number 3 in February of next year, and I am so excited. I am elated! Delighted! Ecstatic! 238 days to go, but it’s always worth the wait. I love being an Aunt. It’s a wonderful experience…
I first became an aunt, one week shy of my 16th birthday when my brother Steve and his wife Tara gave birth to Janet Renee. It was so cool to be an Aunt in high school. My sister and I were on top of the world at being such young aunts. And then 4 years later, I got a call from my family while a sophomore in college that Janet had a new baby brother, Jordan Scott.
Soon after Jordan’s arrival, my brother Chuck and his wife Lisa had a son of their own, Caleb Richard. A couple of years later, the delightful Caitlynne Rae was added to their family followed by the incorrigible Carianne Rose and the sweet, shy Cera Ruth.
In 2002, I was away at a weekend singles retreat while my sister Barbara started in with her labor. I drove home to Indianapolis that Sunday and packed an overnight bag and headed to Kokomo. I got there just a couple of hours before Jacob Edward made his way into the world. And nearly 3 years later, Grace Anna was born.
And now there is another precious sweet child on the way, and I find myself giddy with anticipation. Life is good!
I first became an aunt, one week shy of my 16th birthday when my brother Steve and his wife Tara gave birth to Janet Renee. It was so cool to be an Aunt in high school. My sister and I were on top of the world at being such young aunts. And then 4 years later, I got a call from my family while a sophomore in college that Janet had a new baby brother, Jordan Scott.
Soon after Jordan’s arrival, my brother Chuck and his wife Lisa had a son of their own, Caleb Richard. A couple of years later, the delightful Caitlynne Rae was added to their family followed by the incorrigible Carianne Rose and the sweet, shy Cera Ruth.
In 2002, I was away at a weekend singles retreat while my sister Barbara started in with her labor. I drove home to Indianapolis that Sunday and packed an overnight bag and headed to Kokomo. I got there just a couple of hours before Jacob Edward made his way into the world. And nearly 3 years later, Grace Anna was born.
And now there is another precious sweet child on the way, and I find myself giddy with anticipation. Life is good!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Forgive the Shy Smile…
But next weekend, we’re going back to Dayton, where I hope to see “Mr. Clean” security guard and say goodbye to my year-long obsession with him as an ideal! So forgive the silly grin, I can’t seem to let it go.
There is a great deal of “risk” here as to whether or not I see him. What if he got another job and has moved on? What if he is off next Saturday? What if he has some slimy, model-like, anorexic girlfriend attached to his arm? [OK, let’s not go there! Think happy thoughts...]
The plan is for me to see him one last time, sigh a little bit, wipe the drool off my chin and let go of the memory. Let go of those brief short nanoseconds when our eyes met, and for a fraction of an instant, I glimpsed his soul. [WOW! That’s good. I like that...let me write that down.] I guess it's just time to say goodbye.
Of course, if my 4 single girlfriends have anything to do with it, there will be more than gawking across the room. Kristen is planning to strike up a conversation with him and ask if she can take his picture. She’s already working on a story about a friend that visited the art institute last year and commented on the hot security guard she saw there. [Hopefully he’ll be oblivious to THAT friend standing right behind Kristen, trying to keep from giggling like she’s 14 or running away from sheer embarrassment!] And who knows what other schemes Jessica, Sara and Becky are working on now...
All right, I realize that married people might think single people are silly sometimes. After all, we have so much freedom, so much time, SO MUCH...and yet, we're always looking for more. But it’s rough out there on your own. It can be brutal. And trust me, if you were 33, single, romantic and desperate for a love to call your own, you’d find yourself clinging to a dream some days just because you can. After all...
"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all..."
[Thanks, Emily]
There is a great deal of “risk” here as to whether or not I see him. What if he got another job and has moved on? What if he is off next Saturday? What if he has some slimy, model-like, anorexic girlfriend attached to his arm? [OK, let’s not go there! Think happy thoughts...]
The plan is for me to see him one last time, sigh a little bit, wipe the drool off my chin and let go of the memory. Let go of those brief short nanoseconds when our eyes met, and for a fraction of an instant, I glimpsed his soul. [WOW! That’s good. I like that...let me write that down.] I guess it's just time to say goodbye.
Of course, if my 4 single girlfriends have anything to do with it, there will be more than gawking across the room. Kristen is planning to strike up a conversation with him and ask if she can take his picture. She’s already working on a story about a friend that visited the art institute last year and commented on the hot security guard she saw there. [Hopefully he’ll be oblivious to THAT friend standing right behind Kristen, trying to keep from giggling like she’s 14 or running away from sheer embarrassment!] And who knows what other schemes Jessica, Sara and Becky are working on now...
All right, I realize that married people might think single people are silly sometimes. After all, we have so much freedom, so much time, SO MUCH...and yet, we're always looking for more. But it’s rough out there on your own. It can be brutal. And trust me, if you were 33, single, romantic and desperate for a love to call your own, you’d find yourself clinging to a dream some days just because you can. After all...
"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune--without the words,
And never stops at all..."
[Thanks, Emily]
Monday, May 21, 2007
April/May Recap
Biltmore was amazing! I came back so psyched about it...even talking about getting a job there giving tours. My highlight of the trip was taking the Rooftop Tour while my friends did a winery tour/tasting. They had a blast at the winery, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself on the rooftop tour. I took loads of pictures and got different views this time. As the guide lead the tour, I kept saying to myself “I could do this.” Yes, I could!
The rest of April and now most of May have just flown by. I’m so busy at work that there is little time for else, and my blog, family and friends have suffered because of it. Seriously, I work 9-11 hour days throughout the week and often come in on weekends, too. I’m still working the two different positions and trying to keep both things moving on both desks! Lots of shuffling to do...
Just in the last couple of weeks, I would say that I am definitely noting how much all of this has taken its toll on my mental and physical state. You can only burn a candle at both ends for so long, I guess. I’m whipped. I feel like I don’t care as much as I should about certain things. I’m anxious at times about other matters, and carefree or snippy at other times. I’m ready for some rest. I’m not the best me I can be—that is for sure. I’m very much ready for my office cohort to come back from maternity leave. These past 4 months have been a real learning experience, and I wouldn’t change the learning aspect. It is just the sheer volume of work that is starting to over-tax me. I’m ready for a “less is more” scenario.
I’ve even been contemplating a vacation all on my own. I’ve traveled alone before, but it’s always been to see friends or relatives. I’d travel to Tennessee to visit my Aunt Laura or drive to Pennsylvania to visit friends. But here I am actually fantasizing about a trip alone to a beach or something. That’s not like me. I usually want to get away to DO THINGS. I like to see the water and visit new places, but the key is that my idea of a vacation usually involves going places. I like to explore new territory, museums, nature, etc. And here I am pondering an actual relaxing vacation at the seashore reading and writing in a lawn chair. It’s a bit of a crazy thought for me. I’m sure the moment will pass, and I'll return to my normal self...
Monday, April 9, 2007
Weekend Get-away
What could be more romantic than spending a long 4-day weekend at Biltmore! (Sigh!) Sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Touring the estate, meandering along the garden paths,sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the view, etc. It’s all good stuff! But what if you don’t have someone special of your own?
Skip the romance and go anyway! So Howard (my imaginary companion of 12 years) and I are leaving for Biltmore on Wednesday evening with 2 of my girlfriends, Kristen and Jessica. I’m psyched, elated and delighted. I need this get-away rather desperately.
We’re spending Wednesday evening in Louisville, Kentucky (pronounced “Lou-ullll-vulle”) with our friend Stephanie who lives there, and then Thursday morning, we’re heading on to North Carolina. We have the unlimited Biltmore passes, which will allow us lots of access to all the Biltmore sites during our stay, and I get giddy just thinking about it. I’ll get to see my favorite turtle fountain and hang out under the grape arbor. I’ll get to wander among the flowerbeds and savor the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. And then there is the house…I love it. The library is my favorite room with its secret access from the upper story bedrooms, the magnificent fireplace and spiral staircases, and the thousands of volumes that would make any literature nut’s heart skip a beat.
Yes, I feel like I’m going home, in a way. This will be my 4th Biltmore excursion. I guess you could call me a fan…
It’s time to start packing!
Skip the romance and go anyway! So Howard (my imaginary companion of 12 years) and I are leaving for Biltmore on Wednesday evening with 2 of my girlfriends, Kristen and Jessica. I’m psyched, elated and delighted. I need this get-away rather desperately.
We’re spending Wednesday evening in Louisville, Kentucky (pronounced “Lou-ullll-vulle”) with our friend Stephanie who lives there, and then Thursday morning, we’re heading on to North Carolina. We have the unlimited Biltmore passes, which will allow us lots of access to all the Biltmore sites during our stay, and I get giddy just thinking about it. I’ll get to see my favorite turtle fountain and hang out under the grape arbor. I’ll get to wander among the flowerbeds and savor the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. And then there is the house…I love it. The library is my favorite room with its secret access from the upper story bedrooms, the magnificent fireplace and spiral staircases, and the thousands of volumes that would make any literature nut’s heart skip a beat.
Yes, I feel like I’m going home, in a way. This will be my 4th Biltmore excursion. I guess you could call me a fan…
It’s time to start packing!
Abandonment Issues!
I understand I’ve given a couple of people a complex what with my lack of keeping up with friends and family like I have lately. But it hasn't been intentional abandonment...I'm just running on fumes here.
Since returning from Christmas vacation in January, my job has stepped up to hyper busy mode. In early February, just when I thought things were going to start calming down, my co-worker Michele got put on bedrest – 2 and ½ months before her pregnancy due date. So, I became known as “Michelanie” and have been doing both jobs ever since, and the madness hasn’t slowed down a bit.
Michele finally gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last week, and so I am starting to count down the days until her return. June 4th will be here before we know it! But until then, I’m not anticipating a big change in my communication habits. HA!
Since returning from Christmas vacation in January, my job has stepped up to hyper busy mode. In early February, just when I thought things were going to start calming down, my co-worker Michele got put on bedrest – 2 and ½ months before her pregnancy due date. So, I became known as “Michelanie” and have been doing both jobs ever since, and the madness hasn’t slowed down a bit.
Michele finally gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last week, and so I am starting to count down the days until her return. June 4th will be here before we know it! But until then, I’m not anticipating a big change in my communication habits. HA!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)