I don’t know where this came from. I’m feeling a little dark today in light of current events.
1. Never underestimate the ability you have of hurting someone’s feelings, especially at work when they are trying to learn something new. Yelling at people over email because you can is cowardly and mean and the only person who looks bad is you.
2. Never go after someone else’s man. If he cheats on her, he’ll cheat on you and make you feel crazy and irrational.
3. Never trust your ex to take your name off of something involving money. Do it yourself or be damned sure he did it, or you will have to deal with him forever when all you want is to get him out of your life. Then good luck getting a home loan. Stupid turd.
4. Respond when someone says hi to you in the hallway. They are not invisible or nonexistent because you might be in a bad mood. It is amazing what a smile and nod can do.
5. Pay your dues. Nothing's worse than having to hound someone for money they borrowed from you. That goes for your bills, too. If you're in over your head, make a plan so you can get out. Lesson learned from my doomed marriage.
6. Let people have their fair turn. You are not the only person in the parking lot/supermarket line/wherever the hell. In the great scheme of things, a couple more minutes is not a big deal. Cutting people off rude and can be dangerous for them as well as you.
7. Trust your instincts. They are smarter than you. If someone raises your hackles, there is probably a reason. If someone makes you relax, there is probably a reason. Don’t ignore it if some one you know makes you uncomfortable. And if someone makes you happy, don’t push it away.
8. Never take for granted a hot shower or a hot meal. Living in a country with electricity, modern plumbing and an abundance of food is something we should all appreciate. Americans are freaking spoiled, including myself. You should have heard me complain when I had to boil a pot of water for a bath last week!
9. Cherish your friends and family. They could go at any time, no matter how young, how old, how healthy, or how ill. Our family learned that the hard way.
10. Treat animals with kindness. Humans made them dependent, encroached on their homes and in some cases, killed them off completely. They’re just creatures doing their creature errands and there is a 99.9% chance they are doing no harm to you.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Eights
When I was 8, I was in Mrs. Manning’s third grade class. I remember she was really nice and her husband was the Fire Chief for the City of Los Angeles . I learned how to multiply and divide that year, and I learned to make blueberry muffins. I lived in Los Feliz and rode my bicycle around the neighborhood with my friends. I didn’t care about the future because I was enjoying life so much.
When I was 18, I started my first year of college at CSUN. My whole life was ahead of me. I ditched class, partied a lot, and pledged a sorority. I later depledged since it just wasn’t for me and flunked out of school, but it was still a great time. I was trying to find my way and having a good time doing it.
When I was 28, I had been married for seven years. I hated my life. I felt terribly lost and alone in Colorado, even though I had good friends, some of whom I still keep in touch with. I had gone back to school and finished my AA by then and was attending Regis University in pursuit of my BA in Communication. I was almost a straight A student, was heavily involved with the honor society and the Moose Lodge, and had no idea who I was or what I really wanted to do. Communication was just easy, so why not?
I am now 38. I am divorced. I am happy. I know exactly who I am and what I want. I have no problem using the word “I” a hundred times in a paragraph. Keggers have been replaced with dinner parties. My fiancé is a wonderful man who is supportive, kind, and loving. I went back to study Criminal Justice and Forensics and am very excited about the direction in which this could take me. I definitely see myself as a wiser, sadder person than when I was 18 perhaps, but it makes me appreciate my life now even more.
This has been an interesting journey so far. I spent a lot of time looking back and regretting, but the actions I took were relevant at the time and have led me to where I am now. I may not be exactly where I want to be at the moment, but I am proud that I have grabbed life by the reigns and have the confidence, self-awareness, and constitution to ride in the direction I know I want to go.
When I was 18, I started my first year of college at CSUN. My whole life was ahead of me. I ditched class, partied a lot, and pledged a sorority. I later depledged since it just wasn’t for me and flunked out of school, but it was still a great time. I was trying to find my way and having a good time doing it.
When I was 28, I had been married for seven years. I hated my life. I felt terribly lost and alone in Colorado, even though I had good friends, some of whom I still keep in touch with. I had gone back to school and finished my AA by then and was attending Regis University in pursuit of my BA in Communication. I was almost a straight A student, was heavily involved with the honor society and the Moose Lodge, and had no idea who I was or what I really wanted to do. Communication was just easy, so why not?
I am now 38. I am divorced. I am happy. I know exactly who I am and what I want. I have no problem using the word “I” a hundred times in a paragraph. Keggers have been replaced with dinner parties. My fiancé is a wonderful man who is supportive, kind, and loving. I went back to study Criminal Justice and Forensics and am very excited about the direction in which this could take me. I definitely see myself as a wiser, sadder person than when I was 18 perhaps, but it makes me appreciate my life now even more.
This has been an interesting journey so far. I spent a lot of time looking back and regretting, but the actions I took were relevant at the time and have led me to where I am now. I may not be exactly where I want to be at the moment, but I am proud that I have grabbed life by the reigns and have the confidence, self-awareness, and constitution to ride in the direction I know I want to go.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thrown for a Loop
There are times when I am thrown for a complete loop, and I start thinking. I think about issues that probably have no solutions save for my own violent fantasies, and I wonder how things got to be the way they were. Perhaps they were always this way or perhaps there was a catalyst I was unaware of, but I daresay the state of things as they are now started declining way before my time and will continue to do so long after I am gone.
Deciding to leave one’s comfort zone is a big decision, and it can get you into pretty intimidating situations. A good friend of mine wanted to go to a popular spot in town, just to get out, have a drink and see what was out there. The purpose was not to scope men, be seen, or get hit on. We just wanted a to get out of the house after a particularly rough semester for both of us. After driving around looking for parking, we finally headed to the hotel and took the elevator to the top floor. From the elevator, we took the stairs to the roof. On the way, several college-aged looking men with drinks in their hands and privileged sneers on their faces bumped us on their way down – apparently not only did they own the stairwell, but we were invisible as well. I then opened the door to the bar and was completely shocked. We were greeted with the same sneers as the men in the stairwell, and I immediately felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. Blonde bikini-clad college-aged girls were rubbing themselves on various and sundry men of the same age group. They were emaciated, inebriated and didn’t have a single natural breast in their bodies. The guard at the door quickly looked my friend and I up and down and told us it was a private party and we would need to leave. I never felt so relieved in my life. I don’t really believe it was a private party at all, but we obviously didn’t fit in, and frankly, I was glad to get the hell out of there. It made me think of an ex-boyfriend who used to go there all the time and would never take me. Now I know why.
This was the sort of thing you see in the movies, only I wasn’t making the desperate attempt to try to fit in. It made me think about how things were when I went to college. There was my share of frat parties, but nothing like the one I had just glimpsed. I am not someone who is easily shocked, but this threw me for a loop and I was disgusted.
While watching late-night television after I got home, I noticed all the commercials were for either weight loss products, videos of nude college-aged girls (their parents must be very proud) or booty call hotlines and it really made me wonder what the hell was going on. Am I just getting too old? Am I a has-been? Or more like a never-was? Is our society of younger people just that superficial, raunchy and disrespectful? And how sad if they are. I am not thin, rich or beautiful by American standards. I am not into money or possessions that give the illusion of status, and I am certainly not into casual sex or multiple partners. I want so much more than that, and I actually feel a little sorry for those girls at the bar who appear to expect so much less for themselves. They may have men all over them, but I know who really cares about me and I would prefer that any day of the week.
Maybe this is only the beginning of the decline. I don’t know. I just know that I am going to sleep well tonight next to someone who loves me after eating a great cheeseburger. And tomorrow I will go back to work and continue to not live off of daddy's money.
Deciding to leave one’s comfort zone is a big decision, and it can get you into pretty intimidating situations. A good friend of mine wanted to go to a popular spot in town, just to get out, have a drink and see what was out there. The purpose was not to scope men, be seen, or get hit on. We just wanted a to get out of the house after a particularly rough semester for both of us. After driving around looking for parking, we finally headed to the hotel and took the elevator to the top floor. From the elevator, we took the stairs to the roof. On the way, several college-aged looking men with drinks in their hands and privileged sneers on their faces bumped us on their way down – apparently not only did they own the stairwell, but we were invisible as well. I then opened the door to the bar and was completely shocked. We were greeted with the same sneers as the men in the stairwell, and I immediately felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. Blonde bikini-clad college-aged girls were rubbing themselves on various and sundry men of the same age group. They were emaciated, inebriated and didn’t have a single natural breast in their bodies. The guard at the door quickly looked my friend and I up and down and told us it was a private party and we would need to leave. I never felt so relieved in my life. I don’t really believe it was a private party at all, but we obviously didn’t fit in, and frankly, I was glad to get the hell out of there. It made me think of an ex-boyfriend who used to go there all the time and would never take me. Now I know why.
This was the sort of thing you see in the movies, only I wasn’t making the desperate attempt to try to fit in. It made me think about how things were when I went to college. There was my share of frat parties, but nothing like the one I had just glimpsed. I am not someone who is easily shocked, but this threw me for a loop and I was disgusted.
While watching late-night television after I got home, I noticed all the commercials were for either weight loss products, videos of nude college-aged girls (their parents must be very proud) or booty call hotlines and it really made me wonder what the hell was going on. Am I just getting too old? Am I a has-been? Or more like a never-was? Is our society of younger people just that superficial, raunchy and disrespectful? And how sad if they are. I am not thin, rich or beautiful by American standards. I am not into money or possessions that give the illusion of status, and I am certainly not into casual sex or multiple partners. I want so much more than that, and I actually feel a little sorry for those girls at the bar who appear to expect so much less for themselves. They may have men all over them, but I know who really cares about me and I would prefer that any day of the week.
Maybe this is only the beginning of the decline. I don’t know. I just know that I am going to sleep well tonight next to someone who loves me after eating a great cheeseburger. And tomorrow I will go back to work and continue to not live off of daddy's money.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Gettin' Five In
In an effort to start taking better care of myself, I made a deal with my grief counselor to start eating five fruits and vegetables a day. There are so many types of both that it hasn’t been a problem getting them in at all, provided that I go to the grocery store on a regular basis which is not quite my favorite thing to do. The deal also included reducing my intake of diet pop and having iced tea or water instead, especially in the morning so that the first thing I take in is not a bottle full of chemicals.
The first thing I noticed, eating all the fruits and veggies, was the increase in odd noises from my abdominal area. I didn’t know humans produced those sounds. Somehow I am reminded of an angry sea lion whose afternoon nap in the sun has been disturbed by a fat tourist in black socks and sandals trying to take its picture. Fortunately, I don’t have to attend many meetings.
The second was the attractive array of facial blemishes that appeared seemingly overnight. I chalk it off to detoxing, but I look like a bad connect-the-dots in a coloring book for infants. My friend told me it would even out after she recovered from recoiling in horror. It probably doesn’t help that I am a bit stressed and about to start what is gearing up to be my worst cycle in years. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about.
Yesterday was the first day that I didn’t get all five in since I started more than a week ago. I didn’t prepare anything to bring to work and ate out for lunch and dinner. By bed time, my stomach hurt and was so distended (but Jerry’s Deli pastrami, how I love thee) that I could barely move. I hit the bed, watched episode two of the first season of The Wire, and miserably passed out. In the episode, two of the characters were macking on Chicken McNuggets® and I thought I was going to be sick. I awoke at four with the taste and burning sensation of acid in my throat and swore that I would change my ways.
Today, so far so good. I didn’t have anything to bring, but drank some juice, had a granola bar and will be hitting the grocery store over my lunch break to pick up some healthy foods. Eventually, I will even out and not feel so tired. I may even feel like a normal person one day not have a stomach that sounds like a penguin mating call. For today, I will just concentrate on getting my five in.
The first thing I noticed, eating all the fruits and veggies, was the increase in odd noises from my abdominal area. I didn’t know humans produced those sounds. Somehow I am reminded of an angry sea lion whose afternoon nap in the sun has been disturbed by a fat tourist in black socks and sandals trying to take its picture. Fortunately, I don’t have to attend many meetings.
The second was the attractive array of facial blemishes that appeared seemingly overnight. I chalk it off to detoxing, but I look like a bad connect-the-dots in a coloring book for infants. My friend told me it would even out after she recovered from recoiling in horror. It probably doesn’t help that I am a bit stressed and about to start what is gearing up to be my worst cycle in years. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about.
Yesterday was the first day that I didn’t get all five in since I started more than a week ago. I didn’t prepare anything to bring to work and ate out for lunch and dinner. By bed time, my stomach hurt and was so distended (but Jerry’s Deli pastrami, how I love thee) that I could barely move. I hit the bed, watched episode two of the first season of The Wire, and miserably passed out. In the episode, two of the characters were macking on Chicken McNuggets® and I thought I was going to be sick. I awoke at four with the taste and burning sensation of acid in my throat and swore that I would change my ways.
Today, so far so good. I didn’t have anything to bring, but drank some juice, had a granola bar and will be hitting the grocery store over my lunch break to pick up some healthy foods. Eventually, I will even out and not feel so tired. I may even feel like a normal person one day not have a stomach that sounds like a penguin mating call. For today, I will just concentrate on getting my five in.
Monday, March 2, 2009
A Word of Thanks …
... to the little butthole who stole my iPhone on Saturday. You really made my day. I had to cancel my service, cancel the warranty, and go buy another phone, for which I did not get a service discount for. I hope you really enjoy that I cancelled it so quickly that you didn’t even have time to download anything or make any phone calls, little butthole. When the time comes for you, I hope someone takes something away something that you really wanted and worked hard to earn the money for, then get screwed when you try to replace it. I also hope when you try to get it activated, the operator tells you it was stolen and calls you a little butthole. Have fun paying for a charger and earbuds. Fortunately, I didn’t even have it long enough to put on any iTunes, so no free music for you, thieving little butthole. Enjoy.
Oh, and by the way, you’re a little butthole.
Oh, and by the way, you’re a little butthole.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Star Sighting: Wienermobile
On the way to Alhambra the other day, I looked over at some sort of gathering and saw it: the pinnacle of iconic advertising - The Wienermobile! It is shaped like a hot dog on a bun that is used to promote and advertise Oscar Mayer products. The Wienermobile was created in 1936 by Oscar's nephew, Carl G. Mayer, and variants are still used by Oscar Mayer today. Drivers of the Wienermobiles are known as Hotdoggers and often hand out toy whistles shaped as replicas of the Wienermobile, known as Wienerwhistles.
Wienerrific! Now if I only had a huge diced onion and a tub of deli mustard!
Wienerrific! Now if I only had a huge diced onion and a tub of deli mustard!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Why I …
Hate the mechanic who fixed my tire: I blew out on the frigging freeway today. I got the tire fixed YESTERDAY to prevent exactly this from happening. I was driving to work, minding my own freaking business, when my car veered violently to the right and I heard that blown-out tire noise. Fortunately, the cars around me were paying attention and got the heck out of the way before I smashed them, and I was able to pull out of traffic.
Love Progressive Insurance: I called roadside assistance, and they sent someone. It took a while, but they were there and there were no games or bull, and I didn’t have to try and maneuver changing a tire in the middle of the freaking 101 in rush hour.
Love the California Highway Patrol: The officer came up and told me to back the car up and to the right a little to get a little further out of traffic. Because I don’t have the sense God gave a cantaloupe, I couldn’t start the car. Why, you ask? Because I had left the headlights on. So he had to jump the battery. I’m not sure he believed me when I told him I wasn’t normally this stupid.
Love Travis from Road Medic: Once he got there, he had the tire changed in about 17 seconds. Plus, he was polite and cute as a bug. And he apologized that I had to wait so long.
Moral of the story: Don’t be a cheapskate. Just buy a new frigging tire.
Love Progressive Insurance: I called roadside assistance, and they sent someone. It took a while, but they were there and there were no games or bull, and I didn’t have to try and maneuver changing a tire in the middle of the freaking 101 in rush hour.
Love the California Highway Patrol: The officer came up and told me to back the car up and to the right a little to get a little further out of traffic. Because I don’t have the sense God gave a cantaloupe, I couldn’t start the car. Why, you ask? Because I had left the headlights on. So he had to jump the battery. I’m not sure he believed me when I told him I wasn’t normally this stupid.
Love Travis from Road Medic: Once he got there, he had the tire changed in about 17 seconds. Plus, he was polite and cute as a bug. And he apologized that I had to wait so long.
Moral of the story: Don’t be a cheapskate. Just buy a new frigging tire.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Three Minutes
Last night we were all at the hospital, the whole family all in one place, which hardly ever happens. Cristyn was having her baby and the contractions were painful. She squeezed my hands and breathed like she was taught until the pain would pass. They stopped for a few minutes, so I went into the waiting room where everyone was talking and eating, waiting to welcome the baby. Andrew asked me how it was going and I was so surprised and happy to see him. Toni Marie walked in and I hugged her fiercely - it was so nice to see her, too. but when Cristyn walked in the waiting room with the baby in her arms, everything changed.
"We only have three minutes," Toni Marie said, and I grabbed them all, the members of the family hugging us all into a tight little skein. But when we let go, they were gone.
And I woke up this morning sobbing, remembering the car crash. Remembering the news reports and having to call the police to find them. Remembering having to tell my mother.
Remembering that they were dead.
"We only have three minutes," Toni Marie said, and I grabbed them all, the members of the family hugging us all into a tight little skein. But when we let go, they were gone.
And I woke up this morning sobbing, remembering the car crash. Remembering the news reports and having to call the police to find them. Remembering having to tell my mother.
Remembering that they were dead.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Ode to a New Clutch
New clutch, you saved my car
It was on the verge of being replaced
And was working my nerves with its high gas consumption
But you’ve changed that, oh new clutch
And I am grateful.
New clutch, I did not have to manhandle you
Or strain my shoulder to put you in reverse
Or overwork my left pedal foot
Because you run so smoothly
And I am grateful.
New clutch, in conjunction with my new tires
You have saved me from the grief and pain
Of breaking down on the highway
Where no one stops to help except those stupid trucks that are never there
And I am grateful.
New clutch, now I feel safe
On my ridiculous commute
And I avoided having to make car payments
Which pleases me as I am cheap
And I am grateful.
It was on the verge of being replaced
And was working my nerves with its high gas consumption
But you’ve changed that, oh new clutch
And I am grateful.
New clutch, I did not have to manhandle you
Or strain my shoulder to put you in reverse
Or overwork my left pedal foot
Because you run so smoothly
And I am grateful.
New clutch, in conjunction with my new tires
You have saved me from the grief and pain
Of breaking down on the highway
Where no one stops to help except those stupid trucks that are never there
And I am grateful.
New clutch, now I feel safe
On my ridiculous commute
And I avoided having to make car payments
Which pleases me as I am cheap
And I am grateful.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Name That Movie 02/02/09
"I thought you of all people would appreciate efforts to deconstruct the colonialist paternalistic agrarian hierarchy that disenfranchises the Tangata Whenua and erodes the natural resources of Aotearoa."
Things on CNN ...
Things on CNN that Annoy Me
* Jessica Simpson’s weight. Um … why is this national headlines? Will her ass find the answer to world hunger?
* Anything to do with Paris Hilton. What a pity she can’t use all of her fame and money for anything that is relevant to anything.
* Britney Spears’ restraining orders. Stop dating freaks and get your life together!
* Octuplets. Someone at the fertility clinic really messed up.
* Brangelina. They’re not the first people to take care of a lot of kids while juggling careers. Gimme a break.
* Lindsay Lohan/Samantha Ronson. They are the first lesbian couple ever. Or so one would think. Do lesbians consider them a lesbian couple? Or are they an insult to lesbian coupledom?
* Michael Phelps sucking on a bong. The guy just won a boatload of medals, so I say toke up. His crime is being stupid.
Things on CNN that are Cool
* Shoe throwing
* Actual news that doesn’t deal with celebrities
* Coverage of weird crimes
* Obameter
* Anderson Cooper. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing. Just speak to me, oh great one.
That is all.
* Jessica Simpson’s weight. Um … why is this national headlines? Will her ass find the answer to world hunger?
* Anything to do with Paris Hilton. What a pity she can’t use all of her fame and money for anything that is relevant to anything.
* Britney Spears’ restraining orders. Stop dating freaks and get your life together!
* Octuplets. Someone at the fertility clinic really messed up.
* Brangelina. They’re not the first people to take care of a lot of kids while juggling careers. Gimme a break.
* Lindsay Lohan/Samantha Ronson. They are the first lesbian couple ever. Or so one would think. Do lesbians consider them a lesbian couple? Or are they an insult to lesbian coupledom?
* Michael Phelps sucking on a bong. The guy just won a boatload of medals, so I say toke up. His crime is being stupid.
Things on CNN that are Cool
* Shoe throwing
* Actual news that doesn’t deal with celebrities
* Coverage of weird crimes
* Obameter
* Anderson Cooper. It doesn’t matter what he’s doing. Just speak to me, oh great one.
That is all.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Through a Spotted Windshield
The wipers swish across the windshield as the drudge of traffic rolls hesitantly on in the falling rain. Huge trucks zoom by at breakneck speed, causing alarm as my car rocks back and forth and is buried in a veil of filthy mist. I sigh.
I average about 500 miles a week between work, family obligations and appointments, and that’s only if I don’t have anything going on during the weekend. I see a lot through my spotted windshield – a lot of ugliness in human behavior, a lot of stupidity. And an occasional glimpse of courtesy and niceness. On the average, I avoid 4 accidents a day simply by paying attention to others who are driving like idiots, and I hope that I am not an idiot that others have to avoid, although I do have bonehead moments. But I also see a lot of landscapes, some of which are beautiful. If I go the back way (the 118), I pass by orchards which for some reason remind me of the patchwork gardens in that ride at Disneyland. There are a lot of blue skies and pretty clouds. Sometimes someone has a dog who is sticking its head out of the window, dog lips flapping happily in the breeze, a thin line of drool following, or if the dog is little, hanging out in the space between the back seat and the rear windshield, basking in the sun.
Driving so much gets hard – hard on your body and hard on your soul. It is three hours of my life every day that I could be doing something else. It is adding to the ultimate destruction of the planet (as well as the padding of my rump). And it gets frustrating when the freeways get jammed and there is no end in sight. But I get to rock out when the music is good, and I get to talk to my mom a lot. Sometimes I just think a lot, too, but more often than not I think of sad things and turn the radio on to distract me.
I pulled into work this morning, grabbed my umbrella and trudged into the office, glad to have made it. And in a few hours, I will trudge back out, ready to do it all over again. Yet I am happy. I have no plans tonight, so I plan to go straight home, make something really nice to eat, and perhaps take a bath with the lavender soap I got for Christmas. A nice cup of tea, my favorite show, and a foot rub later, the Naughty Gato, the Dingo and I will curl up in nocturnal hibernation. Then tomorrow, I will get up and do it all again.
I average about 500 miles a week between work, family obligations and appointments, and that’s only if I don’t have anything going on during the weekend. I see a lot through my spotted windshield – a lot of ugliness in human behavior, a lot of stupidity. And an occasional glimpse of courtesy and niceness. On the average, I avoid 4 accidents a day simply by paying attention to others who are driving like idiots, and I hope that I am not an idiot that others have to avoid, although I do have bonehead moments. But I also see a lot of landscapes, some of which are beautiful. If I go the back way (the 118), I pass by orchards which for some reason remind me of the patchwork gardens in that ride at Disneyland. There are a lot of blue skies and pretty clouds. Sometimes someone has a dog who is sticking its head out of the window, dog lips flapping happily in the breeze, a thin line of drool following, or if the dog is little, hanging out in the space between the back seat and the rear windshield, basking in the sun.
Driving so much gets hard – hard on your body and hard on your soul. It is three hours of my life every day that I could be doing something else. It is adding to the ultimate destruction of the planet (as well as the padding of my rump). And it gets frustrating when the freeways get jammed and there is no end in sight. But I get to rock out when the music is good, and I get to talk to my mom a lot. Sometimes I just think a lot, too, but more often than not I think of sad things and turn the radio on to distract me.
I pulled into work this morning, grabbed my umbrella and trudged into the office, glad to have made it. And in a few hours, I will trudge back out, ready to do it all over again. Yet I am happy. I have no plans tonight, so I plan to go straight home, make something really nice to eat, and perhaps take a bath with the lavender soap I got for Christmas. A nice cup of tea, my favorite show, and a foot rub later, the Naughty Gato, the Dingo and I will curl up in nocturnal hibernation. Then tomorrow, I will get up and do it all again.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Brave New World
People who aren’t idiots did not schedule doctor appointments this morning. However, thanks to the wonders of the internet (and when I get home, the magic of DVR – the best invention ever in my opinion, but I digress), I just watched the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. With tears in my eyes, I listened to the new President speak about th
ings that were, things that are, and things that are yet to be. I have hope in our country for the first time in a long time, and I have hope that he will be able to clean up the mess and get us back in running order.
ings that were, things that are, and things that are yet to be. I have hope in our country for the first time in a long time, and I have hope that he will be able to clean up the mess and get us back in running order.The fact that he is a minority, although a wonderful thing for which I am proud, is not that of which I am most proud. I see a man who understands struggle, has lived the reality of non-traditional family life in America, and who looks out for the little guy. I have not felt that way about our leadership for several years, and I am, again, hopeful. Black or white, Democrat or Republican, rich or poor, we are but one country, nay, one nation, and maybe now we can feel like it again.
Photo from CNN.com
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Countdown to Mexico
In preparation for a trip in April, I want to lose some weight and exercise so that the people don’t try to push me back in the water at the beach and say to each other, “Honey, look, it’s dying!”
Yo-yo dieting and a lack of discipline have been major problems for me pretty much my whole adult life, but today, I commit to myself to do this once and for all. Not just for the trip, but for my overall health and state-of-mind as well. I have been watching this show, “10 Years Younger,” and have come to the realization that I, too, like the masses, am getting older (and have certain materialistic needs, but that is another blog). Now, I don’t think I look old for my age, but I do think I have let myself go and the one resolution I made for myself was to take better care of myself so that I look and feel better. What this show does is take these people, some of whom have really sad stories and are a complete mess, and helps them change by doing such things as having their teeth and skin fixed, helping them pick out more flattering clothes, and updating their hair and makeup. For these people, the benefits are beyond cosmetic help – they regain their confidence and feel like they can operate not just on a normal level, but on a strong, confident level. I want to feel like that.
So today I start at ground zero. Day One. The beginning. No more Jimmy Dean sausage, no more Twisted Sister. (And if you get that reference, you are my new hero.) Diet, exercise, a little pampering, and no more excuses. Normally I would go celebrate with a cheeseburger, but today, GRAPES! I always did know how to party.
Yo-yo dieting and a lack of discipline have been major problems for me pretty much my whole adult life, but today, I commit to myself to do this once and for all. Not just for the trip, but for my overall health and state-of-mind as well. I have been watching this show, “10 Years Younger,” and have come to the realization that I, too, like the masses, am getting older (and have certain materialistic needs, but that is another blog). Now, I don’t think I look old for my age, but I do think I have let myself go and the one resolution I made for myself was to take better care of myself so that I look and feel better. What this show does is take these people, some of whom have really sad stories and are a complete mess, and helps them change by doing such things as having their teeth and skin fixed, helping them pick out more flattering clothes, and updating their hair and makeup. For these people, the benefits are beyond cosmetic help – they regain their confidence and feel like they can operate not just on a normal level, but on a strong, confident level. I want to feel like that.
So today I start at ground zero. Day One. The beginning. No more Jimmy Dean sausage, no more Twisted Sister. (And if you get that reference, you are my new hero.) Diet, exercise, a little pampering, and no more excuses. Normally I would go celebrate with a cheeseburger, but today, GRAPES! I always did know how to party.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Star Sighting: Sydney Poitier
I can now add Sydney Poitier to my list. The star of such classics as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "To Sir With Love," and "They Call Me MISTER TIbbs!" apparently goes to the same medical center as I do.Whenever I see celebrities I never acknowledge that I know who they are, but he caught me looking and smiled at me. I thought that was nice.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
2008 Photo Rodeo
The Best of 2008
A haughty sea lion under the pier at Pismo Beach.
A haughty sea lion under the pier at Pismo Beach.
Sumo Tour '08! The first time in L.A. in 27 years.
On the road to Vegas.
Beautiful Mammoth Lake.
Gentler than a lot of people I know.
Foul-tempered fowl.
A giraffe micro.
My bad-ass turtle Jethro.
My first Lakers game.
The Naughty Gato strikes in 3, 2, 1 ... Friday, January 9, 2009
Another Shaker
We had a bit of a jolt last night at 7:50 Pacific. It was originally thought to be a 5.0, but I heard somewhere that it was a 4.5er. Since my complex was on rollers, it was an odd back and forth kind of thing. Being a SoCal native, earthquakes have never bothered me much, but the gato sure got scared!
The Old Dingo and I were having some pizza with Naughty Gato laying on the other side of the table. All of a sudden he jumped up and the table started rolling and for a moment I thought it was just his fat arse causing the movement. When I realized it was a quake, I grabbed him so he wouldn't freak out and hurt himself, then after a few seconds it stopped. He then proceeded to his food bowl and ate like nothing ever happened. What a funny pet.
At any rate, nothing broken, nothing maimed. I hope no one else suffered any damage. California dreamin', see.
The Old Dingo and I were having some pizza with Naughty Gato laying on the other side of the table. All of a sudden he jumped up and the table started rolling and for a moment I thought it was just his fat arse causing the movement. When I realized it was a quake, I grabbed him so he wouldn't freak out and hurt himself, then after a few seconds it stopped. He then proceeded to his food bowl and ate like nothing ever happened. What a funny pet.
At any rate, nothing broken, nothing maimed. I hope no one else suffered any damage. California dreamin', see.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A New Year - A New Blog
Welcome to my new blog! I was out of the saddle for some time, but wanted to get back into it as life has had a lot of ups and downs lately. I am a big proponent of top 10 lists, but in the interest of time, today’s will be a Top Five.
The 2008 Top Five (in no particular order)
1. The election of our first African-American President of the United States. I think his election goes way beyond race, though. The masses (of REAL people, NOT Wall Street people) have been clamoring for change for some time, and our voices have been finally heard. I think a huge message has been sent about how the everyday Joe feels unrepresented by his government. It is the proudest I have been of our country for a long time and I can’t wait until the Inauguration.
2. My engagement. Ok, not as big a deal as the presidency per se, but important to me. I love the Dingo and together we are very happy. My friend and I were talking about how there is the nerd and the free spirit in the relationship, and I determined that I am definitely the nerd. The Dingo has shown me what a truly loving, respected, and cherished relationship can be like, and that is something I simply have not had before.
3. Gato! So I got this cat, see, and he is me in feline form. He looks so innocent and sweet when he sleeps. And then he wakes up – God help us all! The creature has perfected the art of doorstop sproinging, human stomach landing and scalp biting and is a prolific waste producer also. If there were cat roller derby, he would be involved. Best of all, he is a world champion wrestler and biter of toes!
4. The Lakers. My grandfather is such a huge fan that when he was sick in the hospital, he would not take his morphine until the Lakers game was over. When they went into overtime, I thought he was going to faint, but he sent the nurse away until the game was done. This season I was able to take him to his first Lakers game ever at the Staples Center. Since he is in a wheelchair, we got better seats than the tickets were for, so that was awesome. While we were waiting in the Facilities area, they gave him a free t-shirt and magazine, too! He was like a little kid when the game started, yelling, banging his noisemakers together, and pointing that ridiculous foam finger. What a great time we had. He didn’t get out of bed for the next two days.
5. Going back to school. I like where I work, and I am happy that I have a good job, but I have come to the realization that I want to do something else. Last semester, I started studying Criminal Justice and am transferring to Rio Hondo for Spring semester to get my certificate in Forensic Science. It will probably take three semesters. When I started, I was worried about getting back into study mode, but discovered that it is much easier this time around than it was for my first degree. My life had become so stagnant, and halfway through the year I realized I had done none of the things that I wanted to, so here we are. Today I go to orientation and meet with a counselor since there is no way in hell I am taking English or Math 101 ever again. No, thank you!
On a more serious note, there were some bad things that happened, too, but that is for another day. I hope to focus more on positive things this year and try to learn from the negative. Although it has been really difficult and there were times when I felt my sanity slowly slipping into the abyss of madness, things are good today, so I am running with it. Actually I am kind of chubby, so I’m not running anywhere, but would you like to mosey with me?
The 2008 Top Five (in no particular order)
1. The election of our first African-American President of the United States. I think his election goes way beyond race, though. The masses (of REAL people, NOT Wall Street people) have been clamoring for change for some time, and our voices have been finally heard. I think a huge message has been sent about how the everyday Joe feels unrepresented by his government. It is the proudest I have been of our country for a long time and I can’t wait until the Inauguration.
2. My engagement. Ok, not as big a deal as the presidency per se, but important to me. I love the Dingo and together we are very happy. My friend and I were talking about how there is the nerd and the free spirit in the relationship, and I determined that I am definitely the nerd. The Dingo has shown me what a truly loving, respected, and cherished relationship can be like, and that is something I simply have not had before.
3. Gato! So I got this cat, see, and he is me in feline form. He looks so innocent and sweet when he sleeps. And then he wakes up – God help us all! The creature has perfected the art of doorstop sproinging, human stomach landing and scalp biting and is a prolific waste producer also. If there were cat roller derby, he would be involved. Best of all, he is a world champion wrestler and biter of toes!
4. The Lakers. My grandfather is such a huge fan that when he was sick in the hospital, he would not take his morphine until the Lakers game was over. When they went into overtime, I thought he was going to faint, but he sent the nurse away until the game was done. This season I was able to take him to his first Lakers game ever at the Staples Center. Since he is in a wheelchair, we got better seats than the tickets were for, so that was awesome. While we were waiting in the Facilities area, they gave him a free t-shirt and magazine, too! He was like a little kid when the game started, yelling, banging his noisemakers together, and pointing that ridiculous foam finger. What a great time we had. He didn’t get out of bed for the next two days.
5. Going back to school. I like where I work, and I am happy that I have a good job, but I have come to the realization that I want to do something else. Last semester, I started studying Criminal Justice and am transferring to Rio Hondo for Spring semester to get my certificate in Forensic Science. It will probably take three semesters. When I started, I was worried about getting back into study mode, but discovered that it is much easier this time around than it was for my first degree. My life had become so stagnant, and halfway through the year I realized I had done none of the things that I wanted to, so here we are. Today I go to orientation and meet with a counselor since there is no way in hell I am taking English or Math 101 ever again. No, thank you!
On a more serious note, there were some bad things that happened, too, but that is for another day. I hope to focus more on positive things this year and try to learn from the negative. Although it has been really difficult and there were times when I felt my sanity slowly slipping into the abyss of madness, things are good today, so I am running with it. Actually I am kind of chubby, so I’m not running anywhere, but would you like to mosey with me?
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