This week's solution - cool car goes to the car wash.
Next week - park in the sun.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
conundrum
There's a parking spot in the parking lot near my house that is nicely situated under a tree. When I park under the tree my car is a balmy 98 degrees when I get inside, and the AC kicks in easily. When I don't park under the tree my car is about 4 billion degrees (read: HOT), too hot to hold the steering wheel and the AC struggles along to cool the car down for about 6 minutes. When I park under the tree my car is covered (read: COVERED. read: EVERYWHERE) with tiny speckles of something clear and sticky. When I don't park under the tree my car is as sparkling clean as I left it.
This week's solution - cool car goes to the car wash.
Next week - park in the sun.
This week's solution - cool car goes to the car wash.
Next week - park in the sun.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Texas, we have a problem
So, I have 30 days to "Apply to be a Texan!"
Estimated Costs:
Vehicle Inspection - $40
New Resident Fee - $90
New Texas Title - $30
Vehicle Registration - $75
New Texas Drivers License - $25
Six Months of Car Insurance - $700
Finding a cowboy to pay for all of this - Priceless (well, not entirely, worth about a grand!)
Estimated Costs:
Vehicle Inspection - $40
New Resident Fee - $90
New Texas Title - $30
Vehicle Registration - $75
New Texas Drivers License - $25
Six Months of Car Insurance - $700
Finding a cowboy to pay for all of this - Priceless (well, not entirely, worth about a grand!)
Monday, August 13, 2007
Houston, we have a problem
I've adopted a new policy, of not freaking out until there's a reason to freak out - and even then, if there is nothing I can do, why freak out? I mean, it wastes so much time and energy. Time I'd rather be spending drooling on the couch watching Soap Net's afternoon lineup! Today presented a few different crises, and I successfully held off on the freak-outs!
My cell phone bill arrived last night, all $290 dollars of it. I could have cried my eyes out and run to the nearest pawn shop to sell my ..... (ya, I couldn't figure it out either, I mean, it never came to that though!) I patiently waited until I could call this morning to try and fix it. You see, I had thought to plan ahead, in June I upped my minutes to the next rate plan (double the minutes). I anticipated July and August to be high minute months. Well, seems that someone (at&t is the new cingular) didn't really up my minutes. I was ridiculously over the limit I had. I called, and with some minimal pleading they upped my minutes, applied it retroactively and credited me for the overages. I save $210 dollars, am looking at an $80 phone bill, and wasted no time freaking out!
Once that was taken care of I decided what better to do - I'll bake a cake. After mixing all the cake batter, and preparing the pans, and pouring the batter, I realized that perhaps something was wrong with the oven. I had preheated it to the necessary 350 degrees, but when I opened it, it seemed cool. After I was able to hang onto the heating element comfortably for 5 minutes I decided it definitely wasn't working. I fiddled a bit, and turned up the heat - and eventually got that puppy to heat up. So I baked my cakes. At 550 degrees. For an hour and a half. And I might have taken them out too soon. (for you non-bakers, the cake was supposed to take 35 minutes at 350 - so an hour and a half at 550 is completely absurd. I might have been better if I'd taken AZ's suggestion of leaving them out on the sidewalk...like sun tea. Sun Cake!) A call has been placed to the management, who agrees it's not working, and I'm going to dream of a new oven tonight. (at least I hope that's their plan!)
Now, the impending warrant for my arrest issued by the city of Somerville, I haven't made so much progress on that. But, I'm not freaking out, I doubt they will come deep in the heart to find me, at least not anytime soon.
My cell phone bill arrived last night, all $290 dollars of it. I could have cried my eyes out and run to the nearest pawn shop to sell my ..... (ya, I couldn't figure it out either, I mean, it never came to that though!) I patiently waited until I could call this morning to try and fix it. You see, I had thought to plan ahead, in June I upped my minutes to the next rate plan (double the minutes). I anticipated July and August to be high minute months. Well, seems that someone (at&t is the new cingular) didn't really up my minutes. I was ridiculously over the limit I had. I called, and with some minimal pleading they upped my minutes, applied it retroactively and credited me for the overages. I save $210 dollars, am looking at an $80 phone bill, and wasted no time freaking out!
Once that was taken care of I decided what better to do - I'll bake a cake. After mixing all the cake batter, and preparing the pans, and pouring the batter, I realized that perhaps something was wrong with the oven. I had preheated it to the necessary 350 degrees, but when I opened it, it seemed cool. After I was able to hang onto the heating element comfortably for 5 minutes I decided it definitely wasn't working. I fiddled a bit, and turned up the heat - and eventually got that puppy to heat up. So I baked my cakes. At 550 degrees. For an hour and a half. And I might have taken them out too soon. (for you non-bakers, the cake was supposed to take 35 minutes at 350 - so an hour and a half at 550 is completely absurd. I might have been better if I'd taken AZ's suggestion of leaving them out on the sidewalk...like sun tea. Sun Cake!) A call has been placed to the management, who agrees it's not working, and I'm going to dream of a new oven tonight. (at least I hope that's their plan!)
Now, the impending warrant for my arrest issued by the city of Somerville, I haven't made so much progress on that. But, I'm not freaking out, I doubt they will come deep in the heart to find me, at least not anytime soon.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
day-dream believer
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - sometimes it just doesn't feel like this is my life, it feels like it's just this thing that's happening around me.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
oh, but i am!
taken from yesterday's conversation with my friend Allison:
This is in reference to a comment NH made to me before I left, where he likened me to "one of those cancer-wives who introduces her husband to her hot girlfriends before she goes". I'm happy to be memorialized in Boston, but please remember to visit the grave sometimes - turns out it's kinda fun down here!
"I think he kept the name in your memory.
I mean, not because you're the dead wife."
I mean, not because you're the dead wife."
This is in reference to a comment NH made to me before I left, where he likened me to "one of those cancer-wives who introduces her husband to her hot girlfriends before she goes". I'm happy to be memorialized in Boston, but please remember to visit the grave sometimes - turns out it's kinda fun down here!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
ultimate adhd
This morning I dropped my parents off at the airport (and by "dropped off" I mean, said good-bye to them in the parking lot of their hotel, handed them a map to the airport, and said good luck!) It sounds cruel, let me repaint the picture - they had a rental car to return, and this entire interaction took place through streams of tears! So, I'm not heartless, quite the contrary!
The rest of the day has fabulous activities planned, like laundry, grocery shopping and unpacking. I'm drifting somewhere between unmotivated and restless. There is so much to do, but I keep distracting myself from one task, with another. So it goes something like this:
I get up to go check my laundry in the dryer. I see a pile of Mia's things that can be put away. I pick some up and bring them to a cabinet (intending to go and get the rest). Once in the kitchen I notice that I can move the trash bag closer to the front door. I do that. Then I remember I was going to check my laundry, so out I go. Back in I see the rest of the pile of Mia's stuff, and also some shoes. Where to put shoes? Off to my closet to see where the shoes should go. On my way, I see the bathroom...did I spray Tilex in the shower today? I don't think so. Hmmm, the Tilex is in the kitchen, I should move that. On the way to the kitchen I see Mia's stuff, grab some and put it away. Now, why was I in the kitchen? Back to my room. Oh, Tilex. To the kitchen.
That whole process took about 35 minutes and accomplished putting away two of Mia's things. I'm basically running around in circles, and it can not be the most efficient way to do things. can. not.
I think the laundry is done, which now means it's time for the grocery store - oh joy. I'm going to go there without a list and see what it is I think I need, which is a horrible idea. But at least at the grocery store I can go up and down the aisles in order - instead of run in circles. It'll be a nice change.
and, I never Tilexed the tub. damn.
The rest of the day has fabulous activities planned, like laundry, grocery shopping and unpacking. I'm drifting somewhere between unmotivated and restless. There is so much to do, but I keep distracting myself from one task, with another. So it goes something like this:
I get up to go check my laundry in the dryer. I see a pile of Mia's things that can be put away. I pick some up and bring them to a cabinet (intending to go and get the rest). Once in the kitchen I notice that I can move the trash bag closer to the front door. I do that. Then I remember I was going to check my laundry, so out I go. Back in I see the rest of the pile of Mia's stuff, and also some shoes. Where to put shoes? Off to my closet to see where the shoes should go. On my way, I see the bathroom...did I spray Tilex in the shower today? I don't think so. Hmmm, the Tilex is in the kitchen, I should move that. On the way to the kitchen I see Mia's stuff, grab some and put it away. Now, why was I in the kitchen? Back to my room. Oh, Tilex. To the kitchen.
That whole process took about 35 minutes and accomplished putting away two of Mia's things. I'm basically running around in circles, and it can not be the most efficient way to do things. can. not.
I think the laundry is done, which now means it's time for the grocery store - oh joy. I'm going to go there without a list and see what it is I think I need, which is a horrible idea. But at least at the grocery store I can go up and down the aisles in order - instead of run in circles. It'll be a nice change.
and, I never Tilexed the tub. damn.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
allison, this is for you!
I finally started playing with some of the options on my camera. I took this picture with "color swap" - no photoshop here, my camera is awesome!
And this one was taken using the "color accent" option.
Maybe I should take a photography class! (haha.)
And this one was taken using the "color accent" option.
Maybe I should take a photography class! (haha.)
Monday, August 06, 2007
pop quiz
My mom recently pointed out that I've gone to school in four capitol cities. (Actually, to be accurate, she pointed out that I've lived in 3 capitol cities, and I corrected her and said I'd never lived in one yet, but that I'd been to school in four - not three.) But, regardless, it's true - four capitol cities. Can you name all four?Bonus points if you can name the school and degree that came out of each!
orkin
This morning I woke up, and was a little slow to get ready. I got up and did a few things in the living room and kitchen, and I was
walking back to my room - and I saw the result of Mia's first kill in the apartment. I was, obviously, grossed out. But, happy that she was here to take care of these things!
Maybe my old (sad to write that) roommate is the one who knows best what probably happened when I saw this. But, I screamed. I screamed, and I covered my mouth with my hands, and then I convulsed a little - in extreme disgust. And then I sucked it up and took care of this sucker. Luckily, it was right near the front door...so armed with a few paper towels (to protect me from the bug) I opened the door and brushed him outside. I convulsed again, still disgusted, and used two Lysol wipes to clean the floor where the bug had been. Problem solved. On with my morning.
So, about now I get into the shower. I stopped to admire my new bathmat and the shower curtain - they are both very nice, and match my bedroom nicely. I'm sure I smiled at my good taste as I stepped into the shower. I do feel, in general, people are most vulnerable when they are in the shower - perhaps the events of the morning would have transpired differently if I had not been in the shower. But, I was. I reached over for the conditioner, and there he was - hiding behind my bottle.
I was immediately out of that shower, shrieking, and dripping everywhere. My gut instinct was to run far away - so I ran, dripping and naked, out of the bathroom, out of my bedroom, and into the kitchen. Once there, I huddled in the corner, convulsing and sobbing. HOW GROSS. And then, I was struck by the awful thought - if I am not watching him, he may get away and I won't know where he is. So, I ran back to the bathroom. I looked at him - in that same place. (I mean, really, at this point he hasn't moved at all, and he might be dead). But, I am still intermittently screaming at him. I decided that I'd be safe standing on the toilet where I could watch him intently, but from a distance. So I stood here, for a while, and calmed down. I decided to call my old roommate, because we've been through things like this before, and I figured she could talk me through it - or at least make me laugh about it. She did.
Now it's time to deal with this bugger, but how? I mean, I didn't want to squish him - under other circumstances I might think he was cute (although, Allison knows I don't touch reptiles...)
but, this morning, in my shower - not cute. I returned to the bathroom armed with a plastic cup. At which point, he was off and running - FAST. All over the tub. And I'm back on the toilet screaming. I decided that the plastic cup would not contain this guy, so I got a glass. And I trapped him in it! Then I left it there, for a long time. I was riddled with guilt that he was suffocating, so I went back to deal with it. I slid some paper under the glass, and then cardboard under that, and then using a hand towel to protect me, I got him out of the bathtub. I ran to the front door and quickly released him. And convulsed in disgust.
About 2 hours later, my dad was leaving the apartment and the lizard came back - bee-line for the bathroom. This time there was much less screaming (but not none), and I grabbed my lizard-catchin'-glass, and I removed him a second time. This time he was released farther from my door.
If he comes back once more, he gets a cage and a name. Any suggestions?
And - the perfect end to a day like this? We tried to go to the Congress Street bridge to see the bats. We didn't see any bats, and I guess I was disappointed, but I think I've had enough critters for one day!
walking back to my room - and I saw the result of Mia's first kill in the apartment. I was, obviously, grossed out. But, happy that she was here to take care of these things!Maybe my old (sad to write that) roommate is the one who knows best what probably happened when I saw this. But, I screamed. I screamed, and I covered my mouth with my hands, and then I convulsed a little - in extreme disgust. And then I sucked it up and took care of this sucker. Luckily, it was right near the front door...so armed with a few paper towels (to protect me from the bug) I opened the door and brushed him outside. I convulsed again, still disgusted, and used two Lysol wipes to clean the floor where the bug had been. Problem solved. On with my morning.
So, about now I get into the shower. I stopped to admire my new bathmat and the shower curtain - they are both very nice, and match my bedroom nicely. I'm sure I smiled at my good taste as I stepped into the shower. I do feel, in general, people are most vulnerable when they are in the shower - perhaps the events of the morning would have transpired differently if I had not been in the shower. But, I was. I reached over for the conditioner, and there he was - hiding behind my bottle.
I was immediately out of that shower, shrieking, and dripping everywhere. My gut instinct was to run far away - so I ran, dripping and naked, out of the bathroom, out of my bedroom, and into the kitchen. Once there, I huddled in the corner, convulsing and sobbing. HOW GROSS. And then, I was struck by the awful thought - if I am not watching him, he may get away and I won't know where he is. So, I ran back to the bathroom. I looked at him - in that same place. (I mean, really, at this point he hasn't moved at all, and he might be dead). But, I am still intermittently screaming at him. I decided that I'd be safe standing on the toilet where I could watch him intently, but from a distance. So I stood here, for a while, and calmed down. I decided to call my old roommate, because we've been through things like this before, and I figured she could talk me through it - or at least make me laugh about it. She did.Now it's time to deal with this bugger, but how? I mean, I didn't want to squish him - under other circumstances I might think he was cute (although, Allison knows I don't touch reptiles...)
but, this morning, in my shower - not cute. I returned to the bathroom armed with a plastic cup. At which point, he was off and running - FAST. All over the tub. And I'm back on the toilet screaming. I decided that the plastic cup would not contain this guy, so I got a glass. And I trapped him in it! Then I left it there, for a long time. I was riddled with guilt that he was suffocating, so I went back to deal with it. I slid some paper under the glass, and then cardboard under that, and then using a hand towel to protect me, I got him out of the bathtub. I ran to the front door and quickly released him. And convulsed in disgust.About 2 hours later, my dad was leaving the apartment and the lizard came back - bee-line for the bathroom. This time there was much less screaming (but not none), and I grabbed my lizard-catchin'-glass, and I removed him a second time. This time he was released farther from my door.
If he comes back once more, he gets a cage and a name. Any suggestions?
And - the perfect end to a day like this? We tried to go to the Congress Street bridge to see the bats. We didn't see any bats, and I guess I was disappointed, but I think I've had enough critters for one day!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
texas or bust
I've arrived safely in Austin, but what an adventure getting down here. And since my mom planned a great road trip and Mia was a fantastic traveler, the six days in the car seemed to fly by.
Here is an account of our trip, taken from another blog I contribute to. Enjoy!
9:43am I am nervous. The apartment is nearly empty, and the pod is still here (it shouldn't be). I'm off to get a check for the washer and dryer I sold.
10:37am I've returned with my check, and am pleasantly surprised to see most of the free stuff I left on the sidewalk is gone. Only the microwave remains. And the pod is still in the driveway.
11:18am All the trash is out of the apartment and Mia is officially being deprived of food. One last trip with 5 bags of clothes to the goodwill drop box!
12:21pm Showered, microwave and pod still present. Carting luggage down to my car. Mia is now officially being deprived of food AND water.
1:02pm The Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy should be about half over by now...wonder how the soon-to-be-Owen Wilson doppelganger is doing?
1:13pm Keyspan does not supply letters of credit, $200 deposit to Austin Electric coming up!! Apartment empty, pod and microwave (you guessed it) still here!
1:32pm Mia is all ready to go, and in true Martinoz fashion, the last thing to get packed is the modem. It strikes me now, I no longer live in Watertown...I don't live in Austin yet...it's confusing. Rhode Island or Bust!
3:11pm If a pod is picked up from a driveway and no one is around to see it, has it really been picked up?! They say that they have my pod...I wonder if the microwave is still there.
3:47pm I've arrived in RI. Day zero, complete. Now off to see the fluffy bunny!
10:07pm Millie has been updated with new software and current maps; hotel confirmations, addresses, phone numbers have been printed; books on CD have been obtained; and lots of kitty cleansing wipes have been stored in the car. I think we're ready for day one!
7/27/07, Day 1. Destination: Washington, D.C.
7:15pm We've arrived in Bristol, Virginia. Now to find dinner...
7:55am I'm up. Mia seemed happy in the hotel all night. We've got a shorter driving day today so we're going to take our time getting out of here!
9:08am A hair-dryer, finally! I haven't used one of these since I packed mine last Sunday night.
10:06am Off for breakfast at the pancake house.
6:43am I'm awake. Today is a bit longer of a day, especially because we want to stop for lunch in Nashville. The rest of TN has a lot to live up to, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Townsend have really been a trip.
7:02am Mia's crying, for really the first time the whole trip. Likely she's hungry, but she's just not getting any food. I feed her each night, when we stop, and that's it. I've learned too much food in a kitty's belly is no match for the car.
9:03am Ate breakfast and on our way. Mileage 16866.
10:10am(Eastern)/9:10am (Central) Crossed into Central Time Zone.
11:37am (Central) Arrived in Nashville, tried to find the BBQ restaurant Neely's - but they have no outdoor seating and it's too hot to leave Mia in the car. Headed elsewhere.
12:04pm (Central) Arrive at the Grand Ole Opry House. Mia fights me a bit on her way out of the car, I've got a scratch down my arm, one on my face, I had a paw in my mouth, and I have a few gashs nicely placed elsewhere - I look like I was in a knife fight. I like it.
1:35pm (Central) Leaving Nashville, headed for Memphis.
3:27pm (Central) This ride is semi-uneventful.
4:57pm (Central) Arrived in Memphis.
5:59pm (Central) I've set up phone, cable, and internet for my apartment in Austin. The guy at the cable company was very friendly...maybe he wants to be my friend? He's currently the only one who knows my new phone number - since I diddn't bother to write it down!
6:03pm (Central) Off to see what the heck is on Beale Street.
Here is an account of our trip, taken from another blog I contribute to. Enjoy!
9:43am I am nervous. The apartment is nearly empty, and the pod is still here (it shouldn't be). I'm off to get a check for the washer and dryer I sold.
10:37am I've returned with my check, and am pleasantly surprised to see most of the free stuff I left on the sidewalk is gone. Only the microwave remains. And the pod is still in the driveway.
11:18am All the trash is out of the apartment and Mia is officially being deprived of food. One last trip with 5 bags of clothes to the goodwill drop box!
12:21pm Showered, microwave and pod still present. Carting luggage down to my car. Mia is now officially being deprived of food AND water.
1:02pm The Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy should be about half over by now...wonder how the soon-to-be-Owen Wilson doppelganger is doing?
1:13pm Keyspan does not supply letters of credit, $200 deposit to Austin Electric coming up!! Apartment empty, pod and microwave (you guessed it) still here!
1:32pm Mia is all ready to go, and in true Martinoz fashion, the last thing to get packed is the modem. It strikes me now, I no longer live in Watertown...I don't live in Austin yet...it's confusing. Rhode Island or Bust!
3:11pm If a pod is picked up from a driveway and no one is around to see it, has it really been picked up?! They say that they have my pod...I wonder if the microwave is still there.
3:47pm I've arrived in RI. Day zero, complete. Now off to see the fluffy bunny!
10:07pm Millie has been updated with new software and current maps; hotel confirmations, addresses, phone numbers have been printed; books on CD have been obtained; and lots of kitty cleansing wipes have been stored in the car. I think we're ready for day one!
7/27/07, Day 1. Destination: Washington, D.C.
7:10am I'm up. Mia's hungry, but no food for her this morning. Busily trying to get everything we need for a five day car adventure.
8:30am And we're off...DC or bust!
9:01am We’ve left our house in RI, all packed in the car, and Mia seems terribly excited! Mileage 15888.
8:30am And we're off...DC or bust!
9:01am We’ve left our house in RI, all packed in the car, and Mia seems terribly excited! Mileage 15888.
11:07am We’re in NYC, driving through the
4:57pm Blogging from the road, are you catching this? I finally gave my mom a chance to drive...so here's what you've all been waiting for! We're on 81 South in VA, at exit 150B
7:15pm We've arrived in Bristol, Virginia. Now to find dinner...
7:55am I'm up. Mia seemed happy in the hotel all night. We've got a shorter driving day today so we're going to take our time getting out of here!
9:08am A hair-dryer, finally! I haven't used one of these since I packed mine last Sunday night.
10:06am Off for breakfast at the pancake house.
11:25am After breakfast, gas and a trip to Wal-mart we’re off! Mileage 16677.
turn, it was an important one, so I did cut someone off pretty bad. Got the
2:21pm Inside a gift shop at the Smoky Mountain Welcome Center. There is music playing, and the refrain of the current song is "...nothing but the blood of Jesus..." ahhh, the South!
7/30/07, Day 4. Destination: Memphis, TN
6:43am I'm awake. Today is a bit longer of a day, especially because we want to stop for lunch in Nashville. The rest of TN has a lot to live up to, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and Townsend have really been a trip.
7:02am Mia's crying, for really the first time the whole trip. Likely she's hungry, but she's just not getting any food. I feed her each night, when we stop, and that's it. I've learned too much food in a kitty's belly is no match for the car.
9:03am Ate breakfast and on our way. Mileage 16866.
10:10am(Eastern)/9:10am (Central) Crossed into Central Time Zone.
11:37am (Central) Arrived in Nashville, tried to find the BBQ restaurant Neely's - but they have no outdoor seating and it's too hot to leave Mia in the car. Headed elsewhere.
12:04pm (Central) Arrive at the Grand Ole Opry House. Mia fights me a bit on her way out of the car, I've got a scratch down my arm, one on my face, I had a paw in my mouth, and I have a few gashs nicely placed elsewhere - I look like I was in a knife fight. I like it.
1:35pm (Central) Leaving Nashville, headed for Memphis.
3:27pm (Central) This ride is semi-uneventful.
4:57pm (Central) Arrived in Memphis.
5:59pm (Central) I've set up phone, cable, and internet for my apartment in Austin. The guy at the cable company was very friendly...maybe he wants to be my friend? He's currently the only one who knows my new phone number - since I diddn't bother to write it down!
6:03pm (Central) Off to see what the heck is on Beale Street.
7/31/07, Day 5. Destination: Dallas, TX.
5:05am Mia is up and lonely. She won't stop crying. CNN seems to help.
7:02am I'm up, and tired. We're off early today - lots of stops.
7:39am We're leaving the hotel, have gotten gas and are on the way to the first very important stop. Mileage 17312.
8:33am We've made the pilgrimage to Graceland. They open early in the morning to view the grave sites, so we walked up to see them. I was surprised by the non-garishness of the exterior of Graceland. We did not go inside, I'm sure that's where the good stuff is.
8:45am Welcome to Arkansas. I asked why it was pronounced "arkansaw" but spelled A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S. Apparently the General Assembly agreed (by vote) to pronounce it "arkansaw" - weird.
11:00am Arrived in Little Rock for lunch. We drove on Bill Clinton Avenue, and found River Front Market. Mia sat outside with us, and attracted many comments from passersby. This area of Little Rock seems really cute, and everyone is so friendly - I'm not sure I can handle the Southern Hospitality, sometimes I just want to buy a sandwich without having a full out conversation.
12:19pm Leaving Little Rock on the way to Texarkana. At this point I've begun to tune out Millie's voice and I did not hear her tell me to bear right. I went left - towards Mississippi. But, Millie did not take offense and got us back on track.
2:30pm In Texas.
2:31pm In Arkansas.
2:32pm Texas
2:33pm Arkansas. We are in Texarkana, a town in both Texas and Arkansas, and keep going in and out of the states. We stopped at the "Ace of Clubs House" and also the Post Office, the only US post office that straddles two states.
3:28pm Really in Texas. The sky is bluer.
3:46pm Passing Exit 201 on US 30, for New Boston.
6:15pm 7 more miles. And we've hit rush hour traffic. It is pretty annoying.
6:47pm We've arrived at our hotel, not a minute too soon! Mia seems unaffected, but I am happy to be out of the car.
5:05am Mia is up and lonely. She won't stop crying. CNN seems to help.
7:02am I'm up, and tired. We're off early today - lots of stops.
7:39am We're leaving the hotel, have gotten gas and are on the way to the first very important stop. Mileage 17312.
8:33am We've made the pilgrimage to Graceland. They open early in the morning to view the grave sites, so we walked up to see them. I was surprised by the non-garishness of the exterior of Graceland. We did not go inside, I'm sure that's where the good stuff is.8:45am Welcome to Arkansas. I asked why it was pronounced "arkansaw" but spelled A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S. Apparently the General Assembly agreed (by vote) to pronounce it "arkansaw" - weird.
11:00am Arrived in Little Rock for lunch. We drove on Bill Clinton Avenue, and found River Front Market. Mia sat outside with us, and attracted many comments from passersby. This area of Little Rock seems really cute, and everyone is so friendly - I'm not sure I can handle the Southern Hospitality, sometimes I just want to buy a sandwich without having a full out conversation.
12:19pm Leaving Little Rock on the way to Texarkana. At this point I've begun to tune out Millie's voice and I did not hear her tell me to bear right. I went left - towards Mississippi. But, Millie did not take offense and got us back on track.
2:30pm In Texas.
2:31pm In Arkansas.
2:32pm Texas
2:33pm Arkansas. We are in Texarkana, a town in both Texas and Arkansas, and keep going in and out of the states. We stopped at the "Ace of Clubs House" and also the Post Office, the only US post office that straddles two states.
3:28pm Really in Texas. The sky is bluer.
3:46pm Passing Exit 201 on US 30, for New Boston.
6:15pm 7 more miles. And we've hit rush hour traffic. It is pretty annoying.
6:47pm We've arrived at our hotel, not a minute too soon! Mia seems unaffected, but I am happy to be out of the car.
7:03am I'm awake, and into the shower. We're heading to Austin today, and it's a short day, but we've got an exciting excursion this morning.
8:35am After some hotel breakfast we're off - heading to South Fork Ranch in Parker Texas.
9:02am We're the first, and only people here, at the ranch where the show Dallas was taped. Who shot J.R.? I don't know, I'm not sure I ever saw the show
...but whoever shot J.R., shot him here!
9:47am I'm corrected. Whoever shot J.R. shot him on a sound stage in California. They were only allowed to shot exterior shots here, nothing inside, and only during the months of June, July and August. We've learned about all the camera tricks (large mirrors and wide angle lenses make their small pool look Olympic-sized; a powdery substance laid on the asphalt driveway makes it look like it's a dusty dirt road!)
11:26am We're back from the ranch, picked up Mia, and away we go. To Austin. Mileage 17821.
2:13pm We've stopped for lunch in Waco, Texas.
3:03pm We've heard from my Dad, he's landed in Austin. We're about an hour out - so even with our 5 day head start, he beat us.
4:15pm We're here. We arrived in Austin and I let out a huge sigh. Mostly because I had to take a leak for the last 20 miles...it was starting to hurt. Mileage 18038.
and for those of you who like visual aids:
And thus concludes my trip to Texas. Thanks for giving me something to do each day.
8:35am After some hotel breakfast we're off - heading to South Fork Ranch in Parker Texas.
9:02am We're the first, and only people here, at the ranch where the show Dallas was taped. Who shot J.R.? I don't know, I'm not sure I ever saw the show
...but whoever shot J.R., shot him here!9:47am I'm corrected. Whoever shot J.R. shot him on a sound stage in California. They were only allowed to shot exterior shots here, nothing inside, and only during the months of June, July and August. We've learned about all the camera tricks (large mirrors and wide angle lenses make their small pool look Olympic-sized; a powdery substance laid on the asphalt driveway makes it look like it's a dusty dirt road!)
11:26am We're back from the ranch, picked up Mia, and away we go. To Austin. Mileage 17821.
2:13pm We've stopped for lunch in Waco, Texas.
3:03pm We've heard from my Dad, he's landed in Austin. We're about an hour out - so even with our 5 day head start, he beat us.
4:15pm We're here. We arrived in Austin and I let out a huge sigh. Mostly because I had to take a leak for the last 20 miles...it was starting to hurt. Mileage 18038.
and for those of you who like visual aids:
And thus concludes my trip to Texas. Thanks for giving me something to do each day.Over and out!
Friday, August 03, 2007
key day
So far today I've signed my new lease, and the pod with my stuff has been delivered. I'll get the key sometime around 3:30!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
vogue
I haven't yet decided if burnt orange is my color - but I have a piece of fleece that color now. We raided the campus store today, it looked like a longhorn blew up in there. I mean, they have longhorn everything. Seriously, EVERYTHING!
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
southern hospitality
I don't think I'm the first one to notice that the South is very different from the North. Or that New England is a strange little place that somehow exists in a very unique way. But, they sure are different. Let me start with, people in Virginia, Tennessee, and Arkansas definitely merge onto the highway differently. I can't say they are bad at it, it's just different. It took me a while to figure out. While, in my mind, I was giving them a perfect hole to slip into - about 7 Boston cars would have zipped into the hole I left. But, no, down south, no zipping in. There was a strange waiting game, where they slowed down to get behind me. So I learned, to not really slow down - maybe speed up.
The other thing that is different - sex. Never have I thought so much about premarital sex. But, all throughout Tennessee there were these billboards, trying to prevent premarital sex. One had the picture of a pregnancy test and said "Here's one test you don't want your kids to pass". And the website was something like www.waitformarriage.com (but it wasn't that, but it was close). My other favorite had a set of wedding bands and said "The Only Real Sex Symbol". Really?! Now scattered amongst all of these billboards were others for the millions of 24-hour Adult Bookstores, and Sex Toy Stores, and the like. I've never seen such mixed messages.
But, what I can get used to is the "Southern Hospitality" - people are just legitimately friendly. I mean, maybe they're just bored - but they're not bored and grumpy. I've had some great conversations with people everywhere, a woman in the rest area, the clerk at a store, a billion waitresses, a woman who was waiting in line for a sandwich with me, another woman in the bathroom, people in our hotels, people in the parking lots. Everywhere. All the time. They are a'talkin'. And holding doors. Lots of door holding. It makes me smile.
The other thing that is different - sex. Never have I thought so much about premarital sex. But, all throughout Tennessee there were these billboards, trying to prevent premarital sex. One had the picture of a pregnancy test and said "Here's one test you don't want your kids to pass". And the website was something like www.waitformarriage.com (but it wasn't that, but it was close). My other favorite had a set of wedding bands and said "The Only Real Sex Symbol". Really?! Now scattered amongst all of these billboards were others for the millions of 24-hour Adult Bookstores, and Sex Toy Stores, and the like. I've never seen such mixed messages.
But, what I can get used to is the "Southern Hospitality" - people are just legitimately friendly. I mean, maybe they're just bored - but they're not bored and grumpy. I've had some great conversations with people everywhere, a woman in the rest area, the clerk at a store, a billion waitresses, a woman who was waiting in line for a sandwich with me, another woman in the bathroom, people in our hotels, people in the parking lots. Everywhere. All the time. They are a'talkin'. And holding doors. Lots of door holding. It makes me smile.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
trouble with numbers
Yes, there have been problems.
Hostess at the restaurant: “how many?”
Me: “3”
Me: “no, 4, sorry”
Me: “wait, 3…sorry”
Me: “um, us”(pointing to me, my mom, and Anne).
Hostess: “ya”
Hostess(to Anne now): “It’s a 15 minute wait – is that ok?”
Me: “Thirty-thousand feet”
Mom: “umm”
Me: “I mean, Thirty…Hundred”
Mom: “uh, ya”
Millie: Exit 13
Gladys: Exit 6
Me: Exit 1B?
Friday, July 27, 2007
where in Boston is Carmen San Diego?
There were lots of things I was supposed to do to get ready to go…I mean, lots. One of the things my mom kept telling me to do was to go to AAA and get some maps. We have Millie, and we have printed out directions from her GPS, but…we wanted maps too. Well, I never got there. I hate to say I forgot, because I didn’t. I just never made time, or found time, or however it went down. I thought it was alright, since I do have an atlas in my car. So we’re about 20 minutes in to the trip and my mom pulls out the atlas. About 10 minutes later she decides to find where in CT we are. Well, that’s when we realize that my
Thursday, July 26, 2007
cypress
I spent the morning doing some last minute errands, and by 1:30 I had left my apartment, sparkling clean and completely empty, and was heading to RI. By the time it came to leave I was itching to go...it had just been too long of a build-up, to much of a good-bye, too slow of a ripping off of the band-aid. The thing that pissed me off the most about the whole ordeal, how freaking wasteful moving is. I threw out perfectly good things because I didn't need them. Food, lots of food was tossed. It began to make me a little sick, just chucking everything. So I began loading my car up with things I thought I could unload on my parents. Like yogurt. And cherries. And spackle.
The stuff I packed into the pod on Monday was supposed to be picked up yesterday - but that didn't happen quite as planned. It was successfully picked up this afternoon. I was hoping that the extra time would allow me to shop for cool new things I needed, since there is extra room in the pod. You know, things like dishes, or pots and pans, or pillows. But, that didn't happen quite as planned. I did add 3 or 4 more things this morning. 8 rolls of paper towels, 6 rolls of toilet paper, paper bowls, paper plates, and plastic cups. I didn't want to waste them, so now I am paying to ship these things 2000 miles!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
solo
Last week, while home alone and pretending to pack, I think I had a little psychotic break. The cable was busted, so I called the cable company trying to get it fixed - yes, fixed for about 4 days until I have to have it canceled. They sent a cable guy over to check it out. The guy that showed up had actually been here twice before, he remembered me, and he's very nice. I was apparently excited to have some company and someone to talk to, I think at one point I offered to make him a sandwich - truly, a sandwich...for the cable guy. In the end, it turns out I unplugged one of the cable wires, which is why it wasn't working. He plugged it back in and everything was fine. Honestly, I didn't KNOW I unplugged it - but I can't be sure that I didn't do it all subconsciously, looking for a friend...
Hmmm, today the phone seems to be acting up...I hope the phone man is nice!
Hmmm, today the phone seems to be acting up...I hope the phone man is nice!
Friday, July 20, 2007
omission
Those of you who know me may have noticed a lot of big news left off the blog. And in fact, those of you who don't know me may have just noticed lots of time between posts. I blame it all on the copious amounts of denial I've been living in.
I left my job a week ago and have been packing up my apartment in preparation for a move to Austin, Texas. I hear that Austin is the only place in Texas to go - so I'm going. Well that, and I'll be attending the University of Texas at Austin for graduate school. I decided the commute from Boston was a bit too far! Everyone asks me if I'm excited, and I have my standard answers, that are shades of the truth. My repertoire includes: "Yes, I'm excited, but there is so much to do!", "It's sad to leave, but I'll be happy once I'm down there!", "Austin is a great city!", "Yes, I am happy with the choice I made!", "Oh, I leave next week. It's so soon, I'm not quite ready, but it sure is exciting."
There are few people who've heard the real answers, those are people who are going through a similar thing...and after testing each other out a bit, we ease into the actual truth. Afraid of what is actually going through our heads. Afraid that we may be alone in thinking...
No. I'm not excited. I'm terrified. Yes, it's a big move, yes it's far, yes I don't know anyone. These things frighten me. But I'll get over those. Yes, I'm sad to leave behind my friends, yes I'm nervous of how the distance will change things, yes I'm afraid of being replaced. But I'll learn to handle that. It's terrifying to think I've committed to do something for a substantial period of time that I'm not totally sure of. No, I don't know what I want to do, no I can't tell you what I want to be, no I'm not always sure why I am doing this. Those things - are terrifying. But, I'm comforted in the thought that everyone else I know headed off on a similar venture has faced the same. I've focused so much on the "moving", trying to cope with that - I've left so much of the "future" wrapped up in my nice little package of denial. And while I choose to ignore it, I ignore it knowing it's there.
Its scary to think that I'm so unsure of what I'm getting into and for what reasons. I mean, it makes sense to me as something to do, and there are small goals along the way. But to say I really understand how it will fit into the grand scheme of my life, I don't. To say that it was worth it to pick up and move, leaving a happy little life behind, I can't. To say that I'll be better off for it in the end, how would I even know.
So I sit here, in an empty apartment, boxes that I hope will fit into the pod on Monday and a cat that is slowly becoming psychotic surround me, and I'm terrified. I'm terrified in a way that I can't even share with anyone. A sort of terrified that likely has some excitement buried under it, a sort of terrified that is likely going to be ok one day...but today, I can't see any of that. I see my empty apartment and nothing familiar in front of me. Today, the terrified is winning.
I left my job a week ago and have been packing up my apartment in preparation for a move to Austin, Texas. I hear that Austin is the only place in Texas to go - so I'm going. Well that, and I'll be attending the University of Texas at Austin for graduate school. I decided the commute from Boston was a bit too far! Everyone asks me if I'm excited, and I have my standard answers, that are shades of the truth. My repertoire includes: "Yes, I'm excited, but there is so much to do!", "It's sad to leave, but I'll be happy once I'm down there!", "Austin is a great city!", "Yes, I am happy with the choice I made!", "Oh, I leave next week. It's so soon, I'm not quite ready, but it sure is exciting."
There are few people who've heard the real answers, those are people who are going through a similar thing...and after testing each other out a bit, we ease into the actual truth. Afraid of what is actually going through our heads. Afraid that we may be alone in thinking...
No. I'm not excited. I'm terrified. Yes, it's a big move, yes it's far, yes I don't know anyone. These things frighten me. But I'll get over those. Yes, I'm sad to leave behind my friends, yes I'm nervous of how the distance will change things, yes I'm afraid of being replaced. But I'll learn to handle that. It's terrifying to think I've committed to do something for a substantial period of time that I'm not totally sure of. No, I don't know what I want to do, no I can't tell you what I want to be, no I'm not always sure why I am doing this. Those things - are terrifying. But, I'm comforted in the thought that everyone else I know headed off on a similar venture has faced the same. I've focused so much on the "moving", trying to cope with that - I've left so much of the "future" wrapped up in my nice little package of denial. And while I choose to ignore it, I ignore it knowing it's there.
Its scary to think that I'm so unsure of what I'm getting into and for what reasons. I mean, it makes sense to me as something to do, and there are small goals along the way. But to say I really understand how it will fit into the grand scheme of my life, I don't. To say that it was worth it to pick up and move, leaving a happy little life behind, I can't. To say that I'll be better off for it in the end, how would I even know.
So I sit here, in an empty apartment, boxes that I hope will fit into the pod on Monday and a cat that is slowly becoming psychotic surround me, and I'm terrified. I'm terrified in a way that I can't even share with anyone. A sort of terrified that likely has some excitement buried under it, a sort of terrified that is likely going to be ok one day...but today, I can't see any of that. I see my empty apartment and nothing familiar in front of me. Today, the terrified is winning.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
pusher
One of the benefits of being over 21, you can buy your own cough medicine! I wonder, then, is it illegal to buy cough medicine for minors? What if it's a minor in need? Either way, I'm happy to oblige - kids out there, if you need cough medicine, you can call on me!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
rulez!
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Tuesday, July 03, 2007
listening
Grey Street - Dave Matthews Band
Oh look at how she listens
She says nothing of what she thinks
She just goes stumbling through her memories
Staring out on to Grey Street
She thinks, “Hey,
How did I come to this?
I dream myself a thousand times around the world,
But I can’t get out of this place”
There’s an emptiness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
But all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
How she wishes it was different
She prays to God most every night
And though she swears it doesn’t listen
There’s still a hope in her it might
She says, “I pray
But they fall on deaf ears,
Am I supposed to take it on myself?
To get out of this place”
There’s loneliness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now
It feels like cold blue ice in her heart
When all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
There’s a stranger speaks outside her door
Says take what you can from your dreams
Make them as real as anything
It’d take the work out of the courage
But she says, “Please
There’s a crazy man that’s creeping outside my door,
I live on the corner of Grey Street and the end of the world”
There’s an emptiness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now
It’s more like cold blue ice in her heart
She feels like kicking out all the windows
And setting fire to this life
She could change everything about her using colors bold and bright
But all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
It breaks her heart
To grey
Oh look at how she listens
She says nothing of what she thinks
She just goes stumbling through her memories
Staring out on to Grey Street
She thinks, “Hey,
How did I come to this?
I dream myself a thousand times around the world,
But I can’t get out of this place”
There’s an emptiness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
But all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
How she wishes it was different
She prays to God most every night
And though she swears it doesn’t listen
There’s still a hope in her it might
She says, “I pray
But they fall on deaf ears,
Am I supposed to take it on myself?
To get out of this place”
There’s loneliness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now
It feels like cold blue ice in her heart
When all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
There’s a stranger speaks outside her door
Says take what you can from your dreams
Make them as real as anything
It’d take the work out of the courage
But she says, “Please
There’s a crazy man that’s creeping outside my door,
I live on the corner of Grey Street and the end of the world”
There’s an emptiness inside her
And she’d do anything to fill it in
And though it’s red blood bleeding from her now
It’s more like cold blue ice in her heart
She feels like kicking out all the windows
And setting fire to this life
She could change everything about her using colors bold and bright
But all the colors mix together - to grey
And it breaks her heart
It breaks her heart
To grey
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
ssshhh!
It's been well documented that I am not really soft-spoken. I'm not rude, but I'm loud. I'll admit it. I do know HOW to be quiet, and I am in most of the appropriate times. But my indoor voice is a little raised from others, and my outdoor voice - whoa!
I was in Target yesterday, buying an umbrella, face wash, and a card. I was walking down the main aisle, there was a woman in front of me. She turned down the same side aisle I was going to turn down. I turned down the aisle because it dead ended at the face wash. She stopped. I stopped.
She said: "Oh, go ahead" and motioned for me to go.
So I said: "Oh, I'm just looking" and motioned toward the products in front of me.
She replied: "Oh, I just wanted you to go in front of me. With the clip-clopping and all. It's so loud" As she said 'clip-clopping', she motioned towards my feet and turned her mouth in disgust.
I wanted to say: "LOUD?! You ain't heard NOTHING yet!" But I just turned back to the face wash, because clearly she's deranged - like I'd be any quieter in front of her.
I was in Target yesterday, buying an umbrella, face wash, and a card. I was walking down the main aisle, there was a woman in front of me. She turned down the same side aisle I was going to turn down. I turned down the aisle because it dead ended at the face wash. She stopped. I stopped.
She said: "Oh, go ahead" and motioned for me to go.
So I said: "Oh, I'm just looking" and motioned toward the products in front of me.
She replied: "Oh, I just wanted you to go in front of me. With the clip-clopping and all. It's so loud" As she said 'clip-clopping', she motioned towards my feet and turned her mouth in disgust.
I wanted to say: "LOUD?! You ain't heard NOTHING yet!" But I just turned back to the face wash, because clearly she's deranged - like I'd be any quieter in front of her.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
aminals
There are days when we - we being my roommate and I - sit in our living room and hear noises. My cat, she hears them too. She's a little more excited by them, she'll chase the noise around. We, we're a little more scared of it. One morning as I was getting ready for work I heard one of these noises, and I attributed it to my cat, clawing at something in the living room. She doesn't usually claw at things, so I was annoyed, and in my annoyance I just kept yelling to her "MIA!" "MMMIIIIIAAA!" "STOP IT". She didn't. So I went out to the living room to see exactly what she was doing. On my way out of my bedroom I saw Mia, curled up at the end of my bed. Then I heard that noise again. I apologized to Mia.
I believe it to be squirrels. In the roof. I think they have gotten in from outside and run around. They run all over, and even up and down the walls sometimes. I don't think they live in there all the time, because days go by without the noise.
One morning I was startled awake by the squirrel, in the roof above my bed. I sat there for an hour or so listening to him run all over my ceiling, up and down the wall between my room and the bathroom. I sat there envisioning this squirrel chewing in to my room from the ceiling. What will we do when that happens?!
Last week I was trying to get some things out of our storage crawl space. It's this enormous space off of the living room that we've jam-packed with boxes. I needed a few of them out of there. My roommate and I had agreed that we should go in there only when we are both home - for fear of bugs or whatnot. So I told her that I was going in there and she should come out if she hears screaming. And inside I went. I was way back, maneuvering things around to get at what I needed when I saw something disturbing. I started to scream a little, and I tried desperately to get out quickly - but I had barricaded myself in there pretty well. I come tumbling out and slammed the door and moved something in front of it. My roommate, meanwhile, is rushing out to the living room to see what disaster has happened. I'm sure she expected to see a swarm of spiders, or a line of ants, but she saw nothing. She asked what happened and I told her what I saw. All of my books, nibbled all down the sides. All of my manila envelopes with old class notes, chewed through. One of the reasons I love my roommate is that she and I think so much a like most of the time. She instantly freaked out and said, "What if the animal is still in there? What if it's in some of our boxes? What if it gets in here?" Exactly my point, hence the screaming and the running.
The next day a friend of mine came over to pull out my boxes. He was very nice to help, it was hot in that crawl space, and he's not short like me. He was under advisement that if an animal got out of there into our apartment he was responsible to remove it. Once all 6 of my boxes were pulled out I made him check them all for animals or bugs. He found none. So I sent him on his way!
I believe it to be squirrels. In the roof. I think they have gotten in from outside and run around. They run all over, and even up and down the walls sometimes. I don't think they live in there all the time, because days go by without the noise.
One morning I was startled awake by the squirrel, in the roof above my bed. I sat there for an hour or so listening to him run all over my ceiling, up and down the wall between my room and the bathroom. I sat there envisioning this squirrel chewing in to my room from the ceiling. What will we do when that happens?!
Last week I was trying to get some things out of our storage crawl space. It's this enormous space off of the living room that we've jam-packed with boxes. I needed a few of them out of there. My roommate and I had agreed that we should go in there only when we are both home - for fear of bugs or whatnot. So I told her that I was going in there and she should come out if she hears screaming. And inside I went. I was way back, maneuvering things around to get at what I needed when I saw something disturbing. I started to scream a little, and I tried desperately to get out quickly - but I had barricaded myself in there pretty well. I come tumbling out and slammed the door and moved something in front of it. My roommate, meanwhile, is rushing out to the living room to see what disaster has happened. I'm sure she expected to see a swarm of spiders, or a line of ants, but she saw nothing. She asked what happened and I told her what I saw. All of my books, nibbled all down the sides. All of my manila envelopes with old class notes, chewed through. One of the reasons I love my roommate is that she and I think so much a like most of the time. She instantly freaked out and said, "What if the animal is still in there? What if it's in some of our boxes? What if it gets in here?" Exactly my point, hence the screaming and the running.
The next day a friend of mine came over to pull out my boxes. He was very nice to help, it was hot in that crawl space, and he's not short like me. He was under advisement that if an animal got out of there into our apartment he was responsible to remove it. Once all 6 of my boxes were pulled out I made him check them all for animals or bugs. He found none. So I sent him on his way!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Caution: Contents Hot
This morning I was running a few errands on my way to work, the bank, CVS, and Whole Foods. A few of my friends and I often eat lunch at Whole Foods and knowing that I was going there I had asked a friend of mine if I should pick anything up for him. He requested soup (as usual) and told me he wanted Butternut Squash, Shrimp Bisque, or Carrot soup - in that order.
I got there and had a bit of time to kill before the bank (next door) was opened, so I milled around. There was no soup out yet, it was too early, so I got myself a banana-chocolate chip muffin and went to drool on the bakery display. On my way back from the bakery I noticed they were bringing out the soups. So I waited as the man put all the bins in their place and then began putting out signs. I asked "Do you have Butternut Squash today?" He said yes, and put a ladle in the Butternut Squash soup container for me. He then said, "Careful, it's hot!"
I began to ladle the soup into my soup cup and I spilled some - all down my thumb. It was HOT. In fact, it was scalding. my thumb. And I stood there, dumbfounded, unsure of what to do. Because I don't eat butternut squash soup. But it was on my thumb, burning it, while I watched. With no other course of action, I shoved my thumb into my mouth.
I left Whole Foods with a burnt thumb, the after taste of butternut squash, and a smushed banana-chocolate chip muffin. No where to go but up!
I got there and had a bit of time to kill before the bank (next door) was opened, so I milled around. There was no soup out yet, it was too early, so I got myself a banana-chocolate chip muffin and went to drool on the bakery display. On my way back from the bakery I noticed they were bringing out the soups. So I waited as the man put all the bins in their place and then began putting out signs. I asked "Do you have Butternut Squash today?" He said yes, and put a ladle in the Butternut Squash soup container for me. He then said, "Careful, it's hot!"
I began to ladle the soup into my soup cup and I spilled some - all down my thumb. It was HOT. In fact, it was scalding. my thumb. And I stood there, dumbfounded, unsure of what to do. Because I don't eat butternut squash soup. But it was on my thumb, burning it, while I watched. With no other course of action, I shoved my thumb into my mouth.
I left Whole Foods with a burnt thumb, the after taste of butternut squash, and a smushed banana-chocolate chip muffin. No where to go but up!
Monday, April 30, 2007
it's like riding a bike
I want to extend a thanks to my pals Allison and Chris, who put up with me on Saturday! They took me out, and taught me to ride a bike. When I was leaving my house on Saturday and told my roommate I was going to learn how to ride a bike she asked, "You never learned how to ride a bike?" So, let me start at the beginning.
When I was younger I had a big wheel - you remember big wheels, right? I didn't have the Knight Rider one, I don't think that I wanted the Knight Rider one even. I had a Kermit the Frog one - I loved Kermie. But, I used to remove Kermie from the front, and stick him on the side (the little pole that held him on the front fit into the hole in the handle bars) and I would ride around the driveway talking to Kermie (and calling him Kitt). I progressed up to a shiny red tricycle. I used to ride this up and down the driveway, sometimes standing on the back and pushing with one foot, like it was a scooter. Then I got a bike. It was purple. It said Buttercup on it. It was a bike with training wheels, and I think if I had my way it would have stayed a bike with training wheels until now. But I didn't have it my way. One day my dad made the training wheels lopsided, so I could learn to not use them. And then, one day, they were gone.
I was never one of those kids who rode my bike everywhere. I rode it up the driveway, and back. I rode it to the corner (our house is the last one on the street) and back. I was a daredevil, sometimes I went around the corner...but never to the next. We lived at the bottom of a few great big hills, I rarely ventured over those. One time, we were vacationing on Block Island, and had rented bikes. This was way back before "helmet laws" - back when us kids used to sit, unbuckled, in the front seat of a car while playing with BB guns. After a full day of riding and swimming at the beach we were headed back to return the rented bikes. Like any tired 10 year old I was begging my mom to let me take off the stupid, itchy, hot, too big helmet. She finally gave in. It was about this time that fell off. I'm going to save the details of this story - because they are good enough to warrant their own post - but let's just fast-forward to the end.
Stitches. in. my. head.
After I was healed, like any good mother, my mom wanted to make sure I wasn't ruined on bike riding forever. She would suggest that I ride to a friends, or go down the street. I used to ride to the corner, hide my bike in the bushes, go for a walk, and then pick up my bike and ride home. After a while of doing this, I think I just dropped the act. I eventually got too big for the purple bike that said Buttercup. Years later I used my own money to buy a pair of rollerblades. I used to use these inside of our cluttered 2 car garage.
So, back to Allison and Chris. Basically they had to deal with me - someone who has never used a bike (or similar thing) to do anything useful or even exciting. Ever. I was using my mom's old bike (circa 1974) - made by Panasonic. It's a great bike. If I were about 3 inches taller it would be awesome. As it is though, the seat is as low as possible and it's a tad too high. The three of us spent about 45 minutes going in circles around a playground where there was a baseball game going on. And when I say circles, let me point out that we surely stopped EACH TIME we made a complete circle. One time I was following Allison, and she kept going. I remember I said "oh, around again?" I proudly announce each time I was able to shift the gears (which I never really knew if I did right) and use the brake (singular because one didn't work!) Then - we rode up the street for ice cream.
And my neuroses about eating an ice cream cone are worse (right, Al?) so I'll stop now.
THANKS GUYS!
When I was younger I had a big wheel - you remember big wheels, right? I didn't have the Knight Rider one, I don't think that I wanted the Knight Rider one even. I had a Kermit the Frog one - I loved Kermie. But, I used to remove Kermie from the front, and stick him on the side (the little pole that held him on the front fit into the hole in the handle bars) and I would ride around the driveway talking to Kermie (and calling him Kitt). I progressed up to a shiny red tricycle. I used to ride this up and down the driveway, sometimes standing on the back and pushing with one foot, like it was a scooter. Then I got a bike. It was purple. It said Buttercup on it. It was a bike with training wheels, and I think if I had my way it would have stayed a bike with training wheels until now. But I didn't have it my way. One day my dad made the training wheels lopsided, so I could learn to not use them. And then, one day, they were gone.
I was never one of those kids who rode my bike everywhere. I rode it up the driveway, and back. I rode it to the corner (our house is the last one on the street) and back. I was a daredevil, sometimes I went around the corner...but never to the next. We lived at the bottom of a few great big hills, I rarely ventured over those. One time, we were vacationing on Block Island, and had rented bikes. This was way back before "helmet laws" - back when us kids used to sit, unbuckled, in the front seat of a car while playing with BB guns. After a full day of riding and swimming at the beach we were headed back to return the rented bikes. Like any tired 10 year old I was begging my mom to let me take off the stupid, itchy, hot, too big helmet. She finally gave in. It was about this time that fell off. I'm going to save the details of this story - because they are good enough to warrant their own post - but let's just fast-forward to the end.
Stitches. in. my. head.
After I was healed, like any good mother, my mom wanted to make sure I wasn't ruined on bike riding forever. She would suggest that I ride to a friends, or go down the street. I used to ride to the corner, hide my bike in the bushes, go for a walk, and then pick up my bike and ride home. After a while of doing this, I think I just dropped the act. I eventually got too big for the purple bike that said Buttercup. Years later I used my own money to buy a pair of rollerblades. I used to use these inside of our cluttered 2 car garage.
So, back to Allison and Chris. Basically they had to deal with me - someone who has never used a bike (or similar thing) to do anything useful or even exciting. Ever. I was using my mom's old bike (circa 1974) - made by Panasonic. It's a great bike. If I were about 3 inches taller it would be awesome. As it is though, the seat is as low as possible and it's a tad too high. The three of us spent about 45 minutes going in circles around a playground where there was a baseball game going on. And when I say circles, let me point out that we surely stopped EACH TIME we made a complete circle. One time I was following Allison, and she kept going. I remember I said "oh, around again?" I proudly announce each time I was able to shift the gears (which I never really knew if I did right) and use the brake (singular because one didn't work!) Then - we rode up the street for ice cream.
And my neuroses about eating an ice cream cone are worse (right, Al?) so I'll stop now.
THANKS GUYS!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Update
On Monday I wrote about the make-out session that I witnessed at work, and made claims that it's always exciting where I work. On Tuesday a super-computer that we have blew up. Well, OK, it "caught fire" - there was some faulty wiring, and it caused some power component of the machine to ignite. Pyrotechnics are fun. I was blamed for the excitement, I'm always blamed when something happens to this particular computer. A legacy I hope to be known for long after I am gone from here.
And today, during our Brainmap seminar, I won a pineapple.
And today, during our Brainmap seminar, I won a pineapple.
Monday, April 16, 2007
fast times at ridgemont high
I work in a somewhat large building, about 10 stories, full of various types of scientists. There are lots of people in the building all doing research of various types on various topics. Somehow though, there never ceases to be excitement in the building, like the day there was a bomb scare. Last week I had plans to have lunch with a friend of mine. After we walked out of the cafeteria, with our lunches in hand, we had to search for a table. This activity always puts me back in the lunch room in high school, where you desperately scan the crowd to try and find your friends, or a table you can sit at, anywhere.
Today I was innocently walking downstairs to meet another friend for a snack. I walked out one door into a common area (with lots of tables for people to eat at) and I see two people "going at it". I don't want to simply say that they were kissing, I mean this was "Saturday night at the disco" quality making out.
At 3pm. At work. At a lunch table.
I did what anyone would do, I stopped and starred. I starred from a few different angles trying to see if I knew who it was. I mean, it's my opinion that if you are going to make out here, then I have every right to stare. I proceeded to go downstairs, where I told my friend (in my ever-so-soft indoor voice) that "there are totally two people making out up there!" When he asked where, I then pointed (loudly), and the two of us burst out laughing. I'm not sure who made more of a scene - the two of us pointing and laughing, or the two people "getting busy" upstairs.
Either way, the conclusion is the same. Scientists are fun.
Today I was innocently walking downstairs to meet another friend for a snack. I walked out one door into a common area (with lots of tables for people to eat at) and I see two people "going at it". I don't want to simply say that they were kissing, I mean this was "Saturday night at the disco" quality making out.
At 3pm. At work. At a lunch table.
I did what anyone would do, I stopped and starred. I starred from a few different angles trying to see if I knew who it was. I mean, it's my opinion that if you are going to make out here, then I have every right to stare. I proceeded to go downstairs, where I told my friend (in my ever-so-soft indoor voice) that "there are totally two people making out up there!" When he asked where, I then pointed (loudly), and the two of us burst out laughing. I'm not sure who made more of a scene - the two of us pointing and laughing, or the two people "getting busy" upstairs.
Either way, the conclusion is the same. Scientists are fun.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Sunday, April 01, 2007
The captain has turned on the fasten seatbelts sign
1/8/2007
BOS STL BOS CMH STL BOS LGA RDU LGA BOS ORD SDU LAX BOS AUS JFK BOS STL AUSORD CDI ORD BOS
3/31/2007
4/1/2007
BOS STL BOS CMH STL BOS LGA RDU LGA BOS ORD SDU LAX BOS AUS JFK BOS STL AUS
4/1/2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
red, gold and green...
1. I was driving on the MassPike, and my lane was ending. I admittedly squeezed over with little warning, but the car behind me was pretty far back there - and I had plenty of room/time to safely join his lane. He honked, and I waved, apologetically. But, no harm done. However, he was unhappy. He drove up very close to my bumper. Then he pulled to my left lane and got very close to me. Then he pulled in front of me and kept slowing and speeding up. Then we came to the toll. He went through one station, to my left, I went through another. He finished first. And waited... By the time I pulled out he swerved into my lane, then back to his, then back to mine, then back to his, all the while chucking me the bird. After this, he sped off - flashing his NY license plates in my face. * Just up the road a cop who had seen this display pulled him over for reckless driving and gave him a pretty hefty ticket.
2. I was at a movie theater with some friends, the theater was packed as it was a free premier, and it was close to the time the movie would start. I had to use the restroom so I quickly got up to find it. There was no one in either of the two stalls when I went in. I used the last little scrap of toilet paper while I was in there. When I came out, someone was just about to come out of the other stall and two women were waiting. I said to the woman who was first "There is no toilet paper left in this stall so you might want to grab some from the other stall first" She looked at me, didn't say thank you, and when the other stall was free rushed in. She, however, did not grab some toilet paper, she shut the door and used the stall - not even allowing the other woman waiting in line to grab some paper. * On her way out of the bathroom she stepped in a suspicious puddle that cemented a long trail of toilet paper to the bottom of her shoe that everyone laughed and pointed at for the remainder of the evening.
3. I was at the grocery store and I watched in horror as this one man, with a cart load of groceries barreled his way through a crowd of people. We were all milling about trying to determine which lane to use, because one of the self-checkout lanes was not working, and one of the other lanes seemed like it WOULD work, but the light was off, so we were basically trying to make a group decision as to what to do. There were 3 or 4 of us, and only a handful of items each. This man with his cart stormed right through us and up to the self-checkout lane in question. The rest of us then went off in search of other lanes. * After struggling through the self-checkout lane that wouldn't work properly, this man's grocery bag ripped and his grapes went all over the parking lot.
*the endings may or may not be true, but I have to believe that karma will come around and bite these people sooner or later!
2. I was at a movie theater with some friends, the theater was packed as it was a free premier, and it was close to the time the movie would start. I had to use the restroom so I quickly got up to find it. There was no one in either of the two stalls when I went in. I used the last little scrap of toilet paper while I was in there. When I came out, someone was just about to come out of the other stall and two women were waiting. I said to the woman who was first "There is no toilet paper left in this stall so you might want to grab some from the other stall first" She looked at me, didn't say thank you, and when the other stall was free rushed in. She, however, did not grab some toilet paper, she shut the door and used the stall - not even allowing the other woman waiting in line to grab some paper. * On her way out of the bathroom she stepped in a suspicious puddle that cemented a long trail of toilet paper to the bottom of her shoe that everyone laughed and pointed at for the remainder of the evening.
3. I was at the grocery store and I watched in horror as this one man, with a cart load of groceries barreled his way through a crowd of people. We were all milling about trying to determine which lane to use, because one of the self-checkout lanes was not working, and one of the other lanes seemed like it WOULD work, but the light was off, so we were basically trying to make a group decision as to what to do. There were 3 or 4 of us, and only a handful of items each. This man with his cart stormed right through us and up to the self-checkout lane in question. The rest of us then went off in search of other lanes. * After struggling through the self-checkout lane that wouldn't work properly, this man's grocery bag ripped and his grapes went all over the parking lot.
*the endings may or may not be true, but I have to believe that karma will come around and bite these people sooner or later!
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
approaching exit five
I went to high school in Providence, RI - about an hour from the town I grew up in. In general, I consider myself fortunate to have been able to go to that school; it was a wonderful school and a really great place for me to be. On top of the financial burden of sending me to school there, my parents also willingly supported the distance burdens that we picked up. I had to get to school after all. And someone had to get me there. Most of the time it was my mom, she got up early in the morning and drove me a whopping 25 minutes up I-95 to East Greenwich (exit 8), where I caught the bus. Then she turned immediately around to drive all the way back to go to work (exit 2). She'd work a full day, and leave to drive back up to East Greenwich to pick me up (exit 8), and we'd drive home (exit 1) together. When I think back to those times, now that I have a full time job, I hate myself for the times I stood there silently cursing her for making me wait a few minutes at the bus stop for her to arrive. I feel so ungrateful. Besides the time commitment, and the frequent gas station stops, I must add that she made all four of these daily trips basically alone.
My morning schedule went something like:
wake up, eat, brush teeth, get dressed, grab bag, pile into car.
This generally took a total of 25 minutes, and is interspersed with my dad gently telling my mom and I that we'd better hurry because we were late, as the two of us ran around looking for keys, or sneakers, or a notebook, or homework that was misplaced from the night before. Once I was piled into the car, I went to sleep. Seriously. Sometimes before we were out of the driveway. Most times before we were off our street.
It was a similar thing in the afternoons, I would get off the bus and hop in the car. Zzzzzzz. Seriously. Sometimes without saying Hi probably. What can I say, I was sleepy?!
My poor mother. But, I while I was awake I really enjoyed these times riding with her. We had fun. I remember one morning when we were listening to the radio and Tubthumping by Chumbawumba came on the radio. It was nothing special, but I remember it so clearly - we were just passing the Bess Eaton on Rte 3 and we both laughed about how ridiculous the name of the song, the name of the group, and the lyrics were (and then I likely went to sleep). I remember listening to Jones and Joan on 93.3, and tying to predict whether we'd miss the bus. I remember the crazy Wednesday afternoons where she probably wished I slept and I most definitely did not - choreographing complete dances while still buckled up (read, LOTS of hand motions!) And I remember approaching exit five.
My mom blogged about this today. In case you didn't click that link and read it, she said, about me, "She has grown into a wonderfully talented woman. But, for just a brief moment today she was that child in school, traveling with me up the highway." The fact that I grew into a wonderfully talented woman is not really a huge surprise to me - I have two wonderfully talented, generous, kind, supportive parents as role models. A bit of that was bound to rub off. But, I remember the days of riding with her to school as some of the happiest times I can think of.
Hey Mom, wanna drive me to work in the morning?? I've been especially tired lately, and could use the nap! hehehe. love you!
My morning schedule went something like:
wake up, eat, brush teeth, get dressed, grab bag, pile into car.
This generally took a total of 25 minutes, and is interspersed with my dad gently telling my mom and I that we'd better hurry because we were late, as the two of us ran around looking for keys, or sneakers, or a notebook, or homework that was misplaced from the night before. Once I was piled into the car, I went to sleep. Seriously. Sometimes before we were out of the driveway. Most times before we were off our street.
It was a similar thing in the afternoons, I would get off the bus and hop in the car. Zzzzzzz. Seriously. Sometimes without saying Hi probably. What can I say, I was sleepy?!
My poor mother. But, I while I was awake I really enjoyed these times riding with her. We had fun. I remember one morning when we were listening to the radio and Tubthumping by Chumbawumba came on the radio. It was nothing special, but I remember it so clearly - we were just passing the Bess Eaton on Rte 3 and we both laughed about how ridiculous the name of the song, the name of the group, and the lyrics were (and then I likely went to sleep). I remember listening to Jones and Joan on 93.3, and tying to predict whether we'd miss the bus. I remember the crazy Wednesday afternoons where she probably wished I slept and I most definitely did not - choreographing complete dances while still buckled up (read, LOTS of hand motions!) And I remember approaching exit five.
My mom blogged about this today. In case you didn't click that link and read it, she said, about me, "She has grown into a wonderfully talented woman. But, for just a brief moment today she was that child in school, traveling with me up the highway." The fact that I grew into a wonderfully talented woman is not really a huge surprise to me - I have two wonderfully talented, generous, kind, supportive parents as role models. A bit of that was bound to rub off. But, I remember the days of riding with her to school as some of the happiest times I can think of.
Hey Mom, wanna drive me to work in the morning?? I've been especially tired lately, and could use the nap! hehehe. love you!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Echo, Echo
When you think of an echo, do you picture a small person standing at a big cliff yelling into the abyss, and the abyss yelling back? That's what I picture.
I don't picture that annoying black spot (or blue if your eyes are closed) that clouds your vision after you stare into a bright light. I also don't picture the after taste of strawberries. Nor do I picture the throbbing sensation that remains after someone pokes you where you are bruised. But - aren't these all echoes? Just not the auditory kind.
I don't picture that annoying black spot (or blue if your eyes are closed) that clouds your vision after you stare into a bright light. I also don't picture the after taste of strawberries. Nor do I picture the throbbing sensation that remains after someone pokes you where you are bruised. But - aren't these all echoes? Just not the auditory kind.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Sunday, Bloody Sunday
It's a rare day when I have nothing to do, especially early in the morning. But Sunday, I had nothing to do. I mean, I had to teach math at 3, and a jazz dinner show to go to at 6, but basically that's nothing. I could sleep in. And I did. I woke up at 11:45, which is so unlike me. Who knew that I would only have about 35 minutes of peace in the whole day? I certainly didn't. I got out of bed, turned on my computer, checked my email, switched on the TV, and could almost taste the bagel with cream cheese and strawberry jam that I was about to make. I could almost taste it. Who knew I never would? I certainly didn't.
I'm going to warn you now, I am not going to spare any details. You've been warned.
I got the bagels out of the freezer, those mini Thomas' bagels that are pre-sliced, I freeze them so they last longer. I grabbed a knife, a huge serrated steak knife, because it was one that was clean. I held my bagel over the sink, you know so the crumbs wouldn't get everywhere, easy clean-up. The frozen bagel offered a bit of resistance, and so I pushed with my super-human strength, right into my finger. I'm not talking straight down though, more at an angle parallel to the surface of my finger, creating a flap of skin about the size (thickness to) of a dime hanging from my finger. It took me a while to see how big it was because the first thing I did was drop the knife and bagel into the sink and run to the bathroom. In hindsight, I'm not sure why. I ran to the bathroom to use the sink. I was already standing right at a sink. But, I went to the bathroom. I instinctively ran my finger under water - OW! Not smart. So I grabbed some toilet paper and began to wrap my finger up. Blood was pouring out. More blood than I would have liked to have seen. I wrapped and wrapped. I decided to apply pressure and put my finger over my head. At this point I began pacing around, wincing, and freaking out. On one of my laps around the apartment I passed the bathroom and saw that I had gotten blood everywhere, so with my finger still wrapped and bleeding above my head I pulled out the Clorox spray and a sponge and began cleaning it up. I mean, you gotta stay ahead of the mess.
I decided I needed to tell someone, anyone, what was happening - in case I passed out and died from blood loss, maybe someone would know. As I had mentioned I had already turned on my computer, it was sitting right there with my email open and google chat on. I had this conversation with a friend online:
me: ijust totslly sliced my finger open.....
me: no i think mine is a bit worse
Eventually my roommate came home and my friend Melanie came over with first aid supplies (and ice cream, thanks Mel!) My roommates insurance has a 24-hour nurse hotline to call, so I called it. I was then subjected to a slew of questions that ranged from typical, "what's your DOB?" to abnormal, "have you successfully removed the knife from your finger?", to the absurd "And you are sure the cut is not to your eyelid or abdomen?" After about ten minutes on the phone, it was decided I should, in fact, see a doctor. So about an hour and a half after the incident Melanie and I headed off to the hospital. Now, if you've read this far I should point out - I HATE HOSPITALS. Also, I hate needles, pain, blood, really, just about anything that was happening.
I'm going to warn you now, I am not going to spare any details. You've been warned.
I got the bagels out of the freezer, those mini Thomas' bagels that are pre-sliced, I freeze them so they last longer. I grabbed a knife, a huge serrated steak knife, because it was one that was clean. I held my bagel over the sink, you know so the crumbs wouldn't get everywhere, easy clean-up. The frozen bagel offered a bit of resistance, and so I pushed with my super-human strength, right into my finger. I'm not talking straight down though, more at an angle parallel to the surface of my finger, creating a flap of skin about the size (thickness to) of a dime hanging from my finger. It took me a while to see how big it was because the first thing I did was drop the knife and bagel into the sink and run to the bathroom. In hindsight, I'm not sure why. I ran to the bathroom to use the sink. I was already standing right at a sink. But, I went to the bathroom. I instinctively ran my finger under water - OW! Not smart. So I grabbed some toilet paper and began to wrap my finger up. Blood was pouring out. More blood than I would have liked to have seen. I wrapped and wrapped. I decided to apply pressure and put my finger over my head. At this point I began pacing around, wincing, and freaking out. On one of my laps around the apartment I passed the bathroom and saw that I had gotten blood everywhere, so with my finger still wrapped and bleeding above my head I pulled out the Clorox spray and a sponge and began cleaning it up. I mean, you gotta stay ahead of the mess.
I decided I needed to tell someone, anyone, what was happening - in case I passed out and died from blood loss, maybe someone would know. As I had mentioned I had already turned on my computer, it was sitting right there with my email open and google chat on. I had this conversation with a friend online:
me: ijust totslly sliced my finger open.....
owwwwwwwwww
Him: i know how that goes for sure
[my friend had recently sliced his finger, but one band aid fixed that]me: no i think mine is a bit worse
there is blood everywhere....
oart of my finger might be missing...
im not sure a band aid is going to work
Him: you got a hospital you can go to?
do you need an ambulance?
me: no ambulence...
ok, so my mom isnt home.
how do i make it stop bleeding....
Him: well you can still type, so I'm not that worried about you
[little did he know that I was mopping up my blood as I typed. People, I am hard core!]Eventually my roommate came home and my friend Melanie came over with first aid supplies (and ice cream, thanks Mel!) My roommates insurance has a 24-hour nurse hotline to call, so I called it. I was then subjected to a slew of questions that ranged from typical, "what's your DOB?" to abnormal, "have you successfully removed the knife from your finger?", to the absurd "And you are sure the cut is not to your eyelid or abdomen?" After about ten minutes on the phone, it was decided I should, in fact, see a doctor. So about an hour and a half after the incident Melanie and I headed off to the hospital. Now, if you've read this far I should point out - I HATE HOSPITALS. Also, I hate needles, pain, blood, really, just about anything that was happening.
Monday, February 19, 2007
thats just the way it is
There are really only two good things that can result from a trip to the ER.
a.) your doctor is hot
b.) they send you home with pain medication
and I got neither. the glimmer of one, but in the end - neither.
more to come...
a.) your doctor is hot
b.) they send you home with pain medication
and I got neither. the glimmer of one, but in the end - neither.
more to come...
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Hello, McFly!
Sometimes I forget to remember that this is my life, and not something that is just happening around me.
kids these days....
I was at the gym last week (that's not the news...) and while I was running on the elliptical trainer I was also watching the news. It happened to be a PBS news broadcast, I could not clearly see the other TV that was carrying CBS Evening News. This broadcast covered a wide variety of topics, including the Boston Bomb Scare, but the story that disturbed me most was one about the planet Pluto.
Let me interrupt by saying that I am a "scientist" in that I've spent the past 12 or so years focusing on subjects that are heavily in the science field. My young, girly exterior makes it difficult for people to see me as intelligent sometimes, but I tend to be - here is a description my friend Anne has left on my friendster page "She may be blond, short, and have a high-pitched voice but under that exterior lies a tough, wildly-brainy woman." I'm not sure I would say wildly-brainy, but it's not unlike me to think critically.
The story about the planet Pluto involved a discussion about whether there were 8 or 9 planets. Whether we should count Pluto as a planet, or listen to the astronomers who say that it is not a planet. The part that was the most disturbing was that they showed a bunch of 5th graders, and 5th grade teachers, who were actively mourning the loss of Pluto as a planet. The teachers were saying that they would teach that there were 9 planets because "that's the way they were taught it". There were children who reacted with tears at the thought of Pluto not being a planet because they had "always known it as a planet". What are we teaching kids with this sort of reaction - that science is static, unchanging, concrete? This is exactly the wrong message. Science is a very fluid and living entity. Things change, all the time. They progress, and regress, and move sideways - but they always change. I hate to think of what it would be like if they didn't, would we all still be living on a flat, dark world simply because that's the way it had always been.
I don't expect everyone to grow up with a passion for science, but if we're no longer teaching children that change is a possibility, how can they possibly grow up to change the world. And if they aren't going to change it...who is?
Let me interrupt by saying that I am a "scientist" in that I've spent the past 12 or so years focusing on subjects that are heavily in the science field. My young, girly exterior makes it difficult for people to see me as intelligent sometimes, but I tend to be - here is a description my friend Anne has left on my friendster page "She may be blond, short, and have a high-pitched voice but under that exterior lies a tough, wildly-brainy woman." I'm not sure I would say wildly-brainy, but it's not unlike me to think critically.
The story about the planet Pluto involved a discussion about whether there were 8 or 9 planets. Whether we should count Pluto as a planet, or listen to the astronomers who say that it is not a planet. The part that was the most disturbing was that they showed a bunch of 5th graders, and 5th grade teachers, who were actively mourning the loss of Pluto as a planet. The teachers were saying that they would teach that there were 9 planets because "that's the way they were taught it". There were children who reacted with tears at the thought of Pluto not being a planet because they had "always known it as a planet". What are we teaching kids with this sort of reaction - that science is static, unchanging, concrete? This is exactly the wrong message. Science is a very fluid and living entity. Things change, all the time. They progress, and regress, and move sideways - but they always change. I hate to think of what it would be like if they didn't, would we all still be living on a flat, dark world simply because that's the way it had always been.
I don't expect everyone to grow up with a passion for science, but if we're no longer teaching children that change is a possibility, how can they possibly grow up to change the world. And if they aren't going to change it...who is?
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
shoulda
...before I used the 'self-cleaning' option on my oven, I should have located our fire extinguisher.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Out of Range
It's funny how something so little can quickly bring you back. I am in a great mood this morning. As I was leaving the house I flipped open my old binder of CDs and grabbed one at random. I'm not even sure what made me do this - for those of you who don't know me, my CD collection is HORRIBLE. My car was broken into a few times during college, and all my CDs stolen each time. I gave up on replacing them. And now with my emusic.com subscription, I don't need CDs.
I ended up grabbing one that used to be a favorite of mine. Used to be. A long time ago. Back when I was different. I've been thinking for a long time how different I am now. I mean, I still look the way I did when I was five. But there are some things about me that are just really different, even from just 3 years ago. It may be hard for anyone else to notice, but I notice, all the time. And so often I forget how I used to be, as if "she" is one of those sadly lost college friends or something. But, in an instant, this CD gave me a glimpse of who I was...and it was nice. I remembered about a thousand different times when I listened to each song, memories that shouldn't be so difficult to conjure up. I almost didn't want to get out of the car!
"somebody do something, anything soon. I know I can't be the only whatever I am in the room. so why am I so lonely? why am I so tired? I need company. I need backup. I need to be inspired."
I ended up grabbing one that used to be a favorite of mine. Used to be. A long time ago. Back when I was different. I've been thinking for a long time how different I am now. I mean, I still look the way I did when I was five. But there are some things about me that are just really different, even from just 3 years ago. It may be hard for anyone else to notice, but I notice, all the time. And so often I forget how I used to be, as if "she" is one of those sadly lost college friends or something. But, in an instant, this CD gave me a glimpse of who I was...and it was nice. I remembered about a thousand different times when I listened to each song, memories that shouldn't be so difficult to conjure up. I almost didn't want to get out of the car!
"somebody do something, anything soon. I know I can't be the only whatever I am in the room. so why am I so lonely? why am I so tired? I need company. I need backup. I need to be inspired."
Thursday, January 18, 2007
listening
I wish I was a punk rocker (with flowers in my hair) - Sandi Thom
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
When the head of state didn't play guitar
Not everybody drove a car
When music really mattered and when radio was king
When accountants didn't have control
And the media couldn't buy your soul
And computers were still scary and we didn't know everything
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
When pop stars still remained a myth
And ignorance could still be bliss
And when god saved the queen she turned a whiter shade of pale
My mom and dad were in their teens
And anarchy was still a dream
And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
When record shops were still on top
And vinyl was all that they stocked
And the super info highway was still drifting out in space
Kids were wearing hand me downs
And playing games meant kick arounds
And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
When the head of state didn't play guitar
Not everybody drove a car
When music really mattered and when radio was king
When accountants didn't have control
And the media couldn't buy your soul
And computers were still scary and we didn't know everything
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
When pop stars still remained a myth
And ignorance could still be bliss
And when god saved the queen she turned a whiter shade of pale
My mom and dad were in their teens
And anarchy was still a dream
And the only way to stay in touch was a letter in the mail
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
When record shops were still on top
And vinyl was all that they stocked
And the super info highway was still drifting out in space
Kids were wearing hand me downs
And playing games meant kick arounds
And footballers still had long hair and dirt across their face
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
In '77 and '69 revolution was in the air
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
I was born too late into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair
Monday, January 01, 2007
12...11...10...8...
I'm not a huge New Years Eve fan - I mean don't get me wrong, I love watching the ball drop, but I totally despise the day. It's one of those holidays where you are required to find these great plans, right, because your whole year will be ruined if you aren't exactly in the right place, with exactly the right person, with the worlds best new years kiss - right?! It's a totally absurd concept, but it's the way it is.
I had no real plans, up until New Year's Eve eve I wasn't even sure what state I would be in, which was making it very difficult to make plans. I came back to Boston, from my parent's house in Rhode Island, at about 4 in the afternoon on New Years Eve. I was exhausted and had no desire to go anywhere. I turned on the Law and Order: SVU marathon and proceeded to fall asleep on the couch. After a mini-nap I woke up to a few text messages inviting me to a few various parties. I decided that perhaps going out was better than staying in.
I went up and met my friends Allison and Chris, who were eating dinner and drinking beers with their friends Brian and Claudia. We spent the before-midnight portion of the night watching these DVDs that Allison and Chris have, of a show that was on TV only one year and i had never heard of, but that was really funny. At about midnight-minus-7-minutes we stopped and started watching the Dick Clark/Ryan Seacrest coverage of Times Square. We (and by we I mean Chris) successfully opened a bottle of champagne (that was a present to me from a lab at MIT). It was then that we realized that we had no noise makers, and wanted some, so we did what anyone would have done - we created our New Years Eve band. Everyone had their own instrument and we counted down. We watched as Dick Clark messed up the countdown, as Ryan Seacrest tried to kiss Christina Aquilera, and as everyone said "Happy 2007!" To which my friend Chris said "oh, it wasn't already 2007?"
I had no real plans, up until New Year's Eve eve I wasn't even sure what state I would be in, which was making it very difficult to make plans. I came back to Boston, from my parent's house in Rhode Island, at about 4 in the afternoon on New Years Eve. I was exhausted and had no desire to go anywhere. I turned on the Law and Order: SVU marathon and proceeded to fall asleep on the couch. After a mini-nap I woke up to a few text messages inviting me to a few various parties. I decided that perhaps going out was better than staying in.
I went up and met my friends Allison and Chris, who were eating dinner and drinking beers with their friends Brian and Claudia. We spent the before-midnight portion of the night watching these DVDs that Allison and Chris have, of a show that was on TV only one year and i had never heard of, but that was really funny. At about midnight-minus-7-minutes we stopped and started watching the Dick Clark/Ryan Seacrest coverage of Times Square. We (and by we I mean Chris) successfully opened a bottle of champagne (that was a present to me from a lab at MIT). It was then that we realized that we had no noise makers, and wanted some, so we did what anyone would have done - we created our New Years Eve band. Everyone had their own instrument and we counted down. We watched as Dick Clark messed up the countdown, as Ryan Seacrest tried to kiss Christina Aquilera, and as everyone said "Happy 2007!" To which my friend Chris said "oh, it wasn't already 2007?"
Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy new year!
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