Saturday, July 25, 2009
Back in August!
I'm going to be in Westport, WA this week, with very sporadic internet access, so I'm going to have to break up with blogging again for a bit. I'll be back in August! Which is coming up scarily soon.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Back in the biz
I ran six miles today, and I could not be happier about it. Six miles is how far I was running on average, five times a week, a few months ago. Then, while I was training for Bloomsday, my IT band got all sensitive and whiney and started causing me hot, unignorable pain. That was April 15th. It's been more than three months since I've run 6 miles during a single run, and I cannot express how much I've missed my regular running habit. I've been out there over the past month or two, slowly slowly slowly building back up to real running, but it's been different. For one thing, I have to run slowly right now, because that's easier on my leg. I also have to run on pretty flat surfaces, with almost undetectable inclines, which eliminates pretty much every running route I really love.
And even more, oh, I don't know, aggravating about getting back into the running biz, is that fact that my mind can't wander while I'm running like I like it to. I think the thing that has really hooked me on running is the space it's given me to just think, to pound out stress, to let my mind go, without any limitations. Somehow, running makes normal distractions and self-doubting disappear. But now that I'm getting over an injury, I have to think about how my leg is feeling while I'm out. Was that a twinge of pain? Was that a moment of hotness? Is my IT band grinding way too close for comfort over my knee joint? I can't really lose myself in other things because I can't really forget about the little nuances of what my body is actually doing.
The six miles today weren't great thinking time, but I did listen to a This American Life podcast, and I did tour some unexplored neighborhoods, and I did briefly visit a McDonald's, not for a sundae, but for a drink of water from their bathroom sink. I'm sure the manager there is not a big fan of thieves like me, who sneak their giant sweaty tomato faces into the building without bothering to buy even an Egg McMuffin, but I don't care. I used to steal a drink of water from that bathroom two summers ago, while I was training for a marathon, barging in like a hot mess, just like I did today. Stopping at McDonald's felt good, as if I had remembered about an old tradition, something my real runner self would do. Running isn't doing much for my mind yet, but the McDonald's trip bodes well for the future.
And even more, oh, I don't know, aggravating about getting back into the running biz, is that fact that my mind can't wander while I'm running like I like it to. I think the thing that has really hooked me on running is the space it's given me to just think, to pound out stress, to let my mind go, without any limitations. Somehow, running makes normal distractions and self-doubting disappear. But now that I'm getting over an injury, I have to think about how my leg is feeling while I'm out. Was that a twinge of pain? Was that a moment of hotness? Is my IT band grinding way too close for comfort over my knee joint? I can't really lose myself in other things because I can't really forget about the little nuances of what my body is actually doing.
The six miles today weren't great thinking time, but I did listen to a This American Life podcast, and I did tour some unexplored neighborhoods, and I did briefly visit a McDonald's, not for a sundae, but for a drink of water from their bathroom sink. I'm sure the manager there is not a big fan of thieves like me, who sneak their giant sweaty tomato faces into the building without bothering to buy even an Egg McMuffin, but I don't care. I used to steal a drink of water from that bathroom two summers ago, while I was training for a marathon, barging in like a hot mess, just like I did today. Stopping at McDonald's felt good, as if I had remembered about an old tradition, something my real runner self would do. Running isn't doing much for my mind yet, but the McDonald's trip bodes well for the future.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The real thing
What I don't understand is, why, in my Breyer's (allegedly) All Natural Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, is there a deliciously authentic vanilla flavor, and yet there is no vanilla on the ingredient list? The only thing I saw that might be vanilla is "natural flavors," but what are those, really? I'm confused.
And I'm starting to wonder if maybe I just shouldn't eat ice cream as often as I would like to. All of the "light" flavors I like are from Dreyer's and I have recently learned that they all have creepy partially hydrogenated things in them, and this Breyer's thing seems sort of suspicious. Plus, I think I eat too much sugar. There, I said it. I didn't want to have to admit it, but it's true. I'm a health fiend but also a dessert fiend and the more I look at ice cream labels, the more I'm wondering if I've been treating myself to too much of a not-so-good thing.
It probably makes sense that dessert should be more of a real celebration than an every day non-event. I'd probably enjoy it even more if I only had ice cream once a week or something devastating like that. Especially if the ice cream I ate was really, really bad for me and good, like the ice cream from my favorite place, The Scoop. The idea of holding out for the good, real thing, and settling for less of the crap, is one of those little nuggets of smartness that extends way beyond snacks. You can start out thinking about something harmless like ice cream, and then the next thing you know you've entered a vortex and your mind is on your old job and all of life's little papercutting compromises again.
Good things take time, and effort, and they usually aren't ready the second you want them, which is also a good thing. Almost every need or want can be met almost within minutes, at least in my little corner of the world, and I think it conditions us to think that we shouldn't have to work hard for anything. Thus, helicopter moms, canned beans, and Netflix. Not bad things necessarily - canned beans and Netflix are my daily bread. But in addition to all of the other bad things it leads to, choosing stuff just because it's convenient means settling when it comes to quality and, ultimately, real satisfaction.
Maybe tomorrow I won't have any ice cream at all. But it's just as likely that I'll give in to a sudden urge for a McDonald's sundae.
And I'm starting to wonder if maybe I just shouldn't eat ice cream as often as I would like to. All of the "light" flavors I like are from Dreyer's and I have recently learned that they all have creepy partially hydrogenated things in them, and this Breyer's thing seems sort of suspicious. Plus, I think I eat too much sugar. There, I said it. I didn't want to have to admit it, but it's true. I'm a health fiend but also a dessert fiend and the more I look at ice cream labels, the more I'm wondering if I've been treating myself to too much of a not-so-good thing.
It probably makes sense that dessert should be more of a real celebration than an every day non-event. I'd probably enjoy it even more if I only had ice cream once a week or something devastating like that. Especially if the ice cream I ate was really, really bad for me and good, like the ice cream from my favorite place, The Scoop. The idea of holding out for the good, real thing, and settling for less of the crap, is one of those little nuggets of smartness that extends way beyond snacks. You can start out thinking about something harmless like ice cream, and then the next thing you know you've entered a vortex and your mind is on your old job and all of life's little papercutting compromises again.
Good things take time, and effort, and they usually aren't ready the second you want them, which is also a good thing. Almost every need or want can be met almost within minutes, at least in my little corner of the world, and I think it conditions us to think that we shouldn't have to work hard for anything. Thus, helicopter moms, canned beans, and Netflix. Not bad things necessarily - canned beans and Netflix are my daily bread. But in addition to all of the other bad things it leads to, choosing stuff just because it's convenient means settling when it comes to quality and, ultimately, real satisfaction.
Maybe tomorrow I won't have any ice cream at all. But it's just as likely that I'll give in to a sudden urge for a McDonald's sundae.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Anniversary
I realized today that I completely forgot about my one year anniversary of quitting being a corporate drone. The last day of my five years at the bank was July 9, 2008. It is so funny that just one year later my whole old life seems like so long ago. Quitting my job was terrifying. I wanted to quit for years before I actually did it, and even after I gave my notice I kept doubting myself. Steadiness and security are pretty important to me. Trading my good-paying full time job (with benefits and 401k) for a not-so-good-paying part time job with no benefits, plus going back to school full time, seemed almost impossibly risky. I knew that I was doing the right thing, but I was really scared about what would happen.
I'm still a little worried about what's going to happen, because I'm not sure what exactly I'm going to do when I am officially a Master of Creative Writing next June. But I know for absolute sure that my frame of mind is infinitely better than it was before I started this whole irresponsible lifestyle. I love getting to experience summertime - reading outside at coffee shops, obsessing about summer salads, knowing I can go out of town for a week without it meaning that I won't be able to take a single day off at Christmas. There is flexibility and give in my life now; I'm busier than I was a year ago, but time can expand and collapse without regard to the boundaries of my old 8+ hour days of dissatisfying work. I still feel kind of ominously unsettled, but now it's because I want to be a good writer and I don't quite know how, instead of before, when it was because I wanted to live a fulfilling life, but couldn't do that with the job I was too scared to leave. I don't really know what I'm doing with my life, but I'm not disappointed with myself anymore.
I'm still a little worried about what's going to happen, because I'm not sure what exactly I'm going to do when I am officially a Master of Creative Writing next June. But I know for absolute sure that my frame of mind is infinitely better than it was before I started this whole irresponsible lifestyle. I love getting to experience summertime - reading outside at coffee shops, obsessing about summer salads, knowing I can go out of town for a week without it meaning that I won't be able to take a single day off at Christmas. There is flexibility and give in my life now; I'm busier than I was a year ago, but time can expand and collapse without regard to the boundaries of my old 8+ hour days of dissatisfying work. I still feel kind of ominously unsettled, but now it's because I want to be a good writer and I don't quite know how, instead of before, when it was because I wanted to live a fulfilling life, but couldn't do that with the job I was too scared to leave. I don't really know what I'm doing with my life, but I'm not disappointed with myself anymore.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Acclimating
Something unthinkable is happening: I am getting used to how hot it gets in the summers here. It gets really hot. I know we are lucky because there's not a lot of humidity in Spokane, but that has not made much difference to my level of contentedness in years past. I hate being hot, hate feeling like I have to hide in the basement, and hate when I don't feel capable of doing anything but lying still and breathing, because all other options would be sweaty and uncomfortable. And even though lying still and breathing are very appropriate for these evil summertimes, the heat makes sleeping very difficult. There have been lots of nights in years past when before bed I stuck my head under the bathtub spout (is that a real term?) so that I could go to sleep with wet hair and feel less stifled. I also used to chase Emmy around the yard with the hose (set to 'mist'; she is a very dainty lady, after all, and not at all interested in being hit with big scary drops of water) so that she could also go to bed with pleasantly wet hair.
But, I realized today that it was 84 degrees in my living room, and I was just sitting here, reading, computing, tidying, just like a regular human being. I made dinner on the stove, as if I weren't living in an oven. I seriously considered it when my friend asked me if I would go running with her tomorrow, IN THE AFTERNOON (a.k.a., when it will be approximately 96 degrees outside). But I am not completely insane. I still told her no.
But, I realized today that it was 84 degrees in my living room, and I was just sitting here, reading, computing, tidying, just like a regular human being. I made dinner on the stove, as if I weren't living in an oven. I seriously considered it when my friend asked me if I would go running with her tomorrow, IN THE AFTERNOON (a.k.a., when it will be approximately 96 degrees outside). But I am not completely insane. I still told her no.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Couldn't resist
So, I gave in to my guilty pleasure and did a survey, and it took a long time and I'm tired and it's not even fun/funny! Deal with it!
1. First thing you wash in the shower? Hair.
2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Blue.
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Yes.
4. Do you plan outfits? seriously? Um, yes? Seriously. Not every day or anything. But sometimes.
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Oh, you mean RIGHT now? Tired, stuffed up, thirsty.
6. What’s the closest thing to you that's red? A throw pillow! Right on top of my lap!
7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having: Shut up, I won't. I don't remember any recent dreams.
8. Did you meet anybody new today? Um...no. I talked to a gazillion people but they were all people I knew. A little girl was at my office and kept sneaking around the corner by my desk and spying on me, but we never met. It was corporate espionage, pure and simple.
9. What are you craving right now? Sleep.
10. Do you floss daily? Oh yes. Every day. It's very important to me. Did you know you're supposed to floss before you brush your teeth, not after? Totally true!
11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Ahh! Someone was eating what smelled like a bowl of hot cabbage at my work today and it was sicko.
12. Are you emotional? No, only if you push me to the edge of tiredness and stress. Then I am emotional AND irrational.
13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? That sounds horrible. No. Don't waste my time.
14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Lick. Who wants to stick their teeth into that? A waste of deliciousness.
15. Do you like your hair? Nope! It is in a horrible, awkward, geeky growing out phase. The ends are nasty, the ends don't match the roots, and I do not know how to style it. It is a sad situation.
16. Do you like yourself? Generally.
17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? Hmm, I was not expecting to get that offer. I guess so?
18. What are you listening to right now? Thirteen Going on Thirty is on in the background. I guess I'm in the midst of a Jennifer Garner obsession.
19. Are your parents strict? Honestly, I don't really know. I didn't really push the limits much.
20. Would you go sky diving? No! Unless I went on the Amazing Race. If I were brave enough to go on the show, I'd know skydiving might be a part of it, and I would want to die inside but would have to agree to sky dive in tandem with someone. Eee I don't want to!
21. Do you like cottage cheese? Oh, no. I've tried. Cottage cheese should not exist.
22. Have you ever met a celebrity? Heyoooooo! Arsenio Hall!
23. Do you rent movies often? Yes. And TV shows on DVD.
24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? My wedding ring. My glimmering shimmering eyes.
25. How many countries have you visited? 6
26. Have you made a prank phone call? Yes.
27. Have you ever been on a train? Yes.
28. Brown or white eggs? I like the look of brown eggshells.
29. Do you have a cell-phone? Yes. I had the worst phone in the world for a while, a white Chocolate phone that was embarrassingly faulty. It really messed with me and was always beeping in my ear and showing me weird screens. Now I have a delightful cell-phone (why are we hyphenating this, survey? you weirdo!) with a full text keyboard. Whoop!
30. Do you use Chap Stick? Yeah dude.
31. Do you own a gun? Who are you talking to? No!
32. Can you use chop sticks? If I have to. I want the ones that they make for babies, where the ends are permanently attached for easy breezy chopsticking.
33. Who are you going to be with tonight? Brad, Emmy, Sidney Bristow.
34. Are you too forgiving? No.
35. Ever been in love? Yes.
36. What is your best (good) friend(s) doing tomorrow? Working.
37. Ever have cream puffs? No? I don't like things with creamy centers. Not even the world's best and most precious eclair.
38. Last time you cried? I don't remember, but today I coughed so hard that my eyes watered and made me look like I'd been having an emotional breakdown.
39. What was the last question you asked? What are you doing tomorrow?
40. Favorite time of the year? I like when seasons turn; the beginning of each one is perfect and refreshing.
41. Do you have any tattoos? No, no, no. I'm afraid of needles and long-term decisions.
42. Are you sarcastic? Yes, sometimes. I don't think I pull off sarcasm very attractively, though.
43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? No. No thanks.
44. Ever walked into a wall? Not completely. I bang my shoulders into door frames all the time. I have man shoulders but my brain never remembers about them.
45. Favorite color? Green.
46. Have you ever slapped someone? Probably? I'm sure I've slapped my brother. I've done some shin kicking in my day too.
47. Is your hair curly? Wavy when air dried. Curly never.
48. What was the last CD you bought? Um, I don't know. I should know. The CD I've been meaning to listen to a lot (but have not yet been) is Manchester Orchestra.
49. Do looks matter? Well, yes.
50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? Once a cheater, always a cheater! That's from Friends, and it's a line that is stuck in my brain. Thank you, Ross and Rachel! With enough time and wisdom, I think it is possible to forgive most things.
51. Is your phone bill sky high? No? What a weird question.
52. Do you like your life right now? I love the summertime! Except that my house is so toasty.
53. Do you sleep with the TV on? No, I hate that. Only if I fall asleep on the couch temporarily.
54. Can you handle the truth? Yes? Can you ask me meaningless questions in the form of iconic movie lines?
55. Do you have good vision? Oh yes. Glasses free since 1980!
56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Yes. Dislike.
57. How often do you talk on the phone? Occasionally. I kind of hate my phone. I almost never have my ringer turned on, and I don't like answering it.
58. The last person you held hands with? Brad. And Emmy and I hold hands a lot.
59. What are you wearing right now? Lounge wear. A leisure suit.
60. What is your favorite animal? Dog. Emmy has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of dogs. I want all of them to be my buddy.
61. Where was your profile picture taken at? Um, is this a Facebook question? On a boat. Never thought I'd be on a bo-oat!
62. Can you hula hoop? Yes.
63. Do you have a job? Yes.
64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Coffee.
65. Have you ever crawled through a window? It seems impossible that I wouldn't have done this, but I can't remember having to. I remember locking Danyeal, Marty, and myself out of my apartment a few years ago, but Marty saved the day by crawling through the bathroom window that time. He came in through the bathroom window.
1. First thing you wash in the shower? Hair.
2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Blue.
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Yes.
4. Do you plan outfits? seriously? Um, yes? Seriously. Not every day or anything. But sometimes.
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Oh, you mean RIGHT now? Tired, stuffed up, thirsty.
6. What’s the closest thing to you that's red? A throw pillow! Right on top of my lap!
7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having: Shut up, I won't. I don't remember any recent dreams.
8. Did you meet anybody new today? Um...no. I talked to a gazillion people but they were all people I knew. A little girl was at my office and kept sneaking around the corner by my desk and spying on me, but we never met. It was corporate espionage, pure and simple.
9. What are you craving right now? Sleep.
10. Do you floss daily? Oh yes. Every day. It's very important to me. Did you know you're supposed to floss before you brush your teeth, not after? Totally true!
11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Ahh! Someone was eating what smelled like a bowl of hot cabbage at my work today and it was sicko.
12. Are you emotional? No, only if you push me to the edge of tiredness and stress. Then I am emotional AND irrational.
13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? That sounds horrible. No. Don't waste my time.
14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Lick. Who wants to stick their teeth into that? A waste of deliciousness.
15. Do you like your hair? Nope! It is in a horrible, awkward, geeky growing out phase. The ends are nasty, the ends don't match the roots, and I do not know how to style it. It is a sad situation.
16. Do you like yourself? Generally.
17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? Hmm, I was not expecting to get that offer. I guess so?
18. What are you listening to right now? Thirteen Going on Thirty is on in the background. I guess I'm in the midst of a Jennifer Garner obsession.
19. Are your parents strict? Honestly, I don't really know. I didn't really push the limits much.
20. Would you go sky diving? No! Unless I went on the Amazing Race. If I were brave enough to go on the show, I'd know skydiving might be a part of it, and I would want to die inside but would have to agree to sky dive in tandem with someone. Eee I don't want to!
21. Do you like cottage cheese? Oh, no. I've tried. Cottage cheese should not exist.
22. Have you ever met a celebrity? Heyoooooo! Arsenio Hall!
23. Do you rent movies often? Yes. And TV shows on DVD.
24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? My wedding ring. My glimmering shimmering eyes.
25. How many countries have you visited? 6
26. Have you made a prank phone call? Yes.
27. Have you ever been on a train? Yes.
28. Brown or white eggs? I like the look of brown eggshells.
29. Do you have a cell-phone? Yes. I had the worst phone in the world for a while, a white Chocolate phone that was embarrassingly faulty. It really messed with me and was always beeping in my ear and showing me weird screens. Now I have a delightful cell-phone (why are we hyphenating this, survey? you weirdo!) with a full text keyboard. Whoop!
30. Do you use Chap Stick? Yeah dude.
31. Do you own a gun? Who are you talking to? No!
32. Can you use chop sticks? If I have to. I want the ones that they make for babies, where the ends are permanently attached for easy breezy chopsticking.
33. Who are you going to be with tonight? Brad, Emmy, Sidney Bristow.
34. Are you too forgiving? No.
35. Ever been in love? Yes.
36. What is your best (good) friend(s) doing tomorrow? Working.
37. Ever have cream puffs? No? I don't like things with creamy centers. Not even the world's best and most precious eclair.
38. Last time you cried? I don't remember, but today I coughed so hard that my eyes watered and made me look like I'd been having an emotional breakdown.
39. What was the last question you asked? What are you doing tomorrow?
40. Favorite time of the year? I like when seasons turn; the beginning of each one is perfect and refreshing.
41. Do you have any tattoos? No, no, no. I'm afraid of needles and long-term decisions.
42. Are you sarcastic? Yes, sometimes. I don't think I pull off sarcasm very attractively, though.
43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? No. No thanks.
44. Ever walked into a wall? Not completely. I bang my shoulders into door frames all the time. I have man shoulders but my brain never remembers about them.
45. Favorite color? Green.
46. Have you ever slapped someone? Probably? I'm sure I've slapped my brother. I've done some shin kicking in my day too.
47. Is your hair curly? Wavy when air dried. Curly never.
48. What was the last CD you bought? Um, I don't know. I should know. The CD I've been meaning to listen to a lot (but have not yet been) is Manchester Orchestra.
49. Do looks matter? Well, yes.
50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? Once a cheater, always a cheater! That's from Friends, and it's a line that is stuck in my brain. Thank you, Ross and Rachel! With enough time and wisdom, I think it is possible to forgive most things.
51. Is your phone bill sky high? No? What a weird question.
52. Do you like your life right now? I love the summertime! Except that my house is so toasty.
53. Do you sleep with the TV on? No, I hate that. Only if I fall asleep on the couch temporarily.
54. Can you handle the truth? Yes? Can you ask me meaningless questions in the form of iconic movie lines?
55. Do you have good vision? Oh yes. Glasses free since 1980!
56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Yes. Dislike.
57. How often do you talk on the phone? Occasionally. I kind of hate my phone. I almost never have my ringer turned on, and I don't like answering it.
58. The last person you held hands with? Brad. And Emmy and I hold hands a lot.
59. What are you wearing right now? Lounge wear. A leisure suit.
60. What is your favorite animal? Dog. Emmy has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of dogs. I want all of them to be my buddy.
61. Where was your profile picture taken at? Um, is this a Facebook question? On a boat. Never thought I'd be on a bo-oat!
62. Can you hula hoop? Yes.
63. Do you have a job? Yes.
64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Coffee.
65. Have you ever crawled through a window? It seems impossible that I wouldn't have done this, but I can't remember having to. I remember locking Danyeal, Marty, and myself out of my apartment a few years ago, but Marty saved the day by crawling through the bathroom window that time. He came in through the bathroom window.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Two thoughts
It's late and I have to get up early, and I have only two thoughts:
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is much better the second time around.
2. I am in love with Alias, and don't know if I have a bigger crush on Sidney Bristow or Jennifer Garner.
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is much better the second time around.
2. I am in love with Alias, and don't know if I have a bigger crush on Sidney Bristow or Jennifer Garner.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Rodeo cowgirl
Last week I mentioned that I had written an article about local rodeos for Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living magazine. The July/August issue is on newsstands now, and the article is also available online. It's an ok read if you care about things like saddle bronc riding and tie down roping, and an even better one if you're more interested in the semi-unknown, totally old-timey yet modernly multitasking rodeo subculture that's quietly existing all around us. Who knew?!
PS: I could not love it more that blogger tells me that it is "Done spellchecking" every time I ask it to look for spelling errors. I feel like I just got done taking my OWLs.
PS: I could not love it more that blogger tells me that it is "Done spellchecking" every time I ask it to look for spelling errors. I feel like I just got done taking my OWLs.
Summer reading
My goal is to start posting some book reviews soon. I checked out (another) big stack of books from the library today. I don't know when exactly it is that I think I'm going to read them all, with a lot a lot a lot of work to do this week and Westport coming up very soon, but I just can't resist library books. As soon as I see something interesting, I grab it, because it's free! And because it's a book! And because just having a big fat pile of them around makes me feel smarter.
Books currently in my stack of summer reading material:
Books currently in my stack of summer reading material:
- Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, Anne Lamott
- The Undertaking, Thomas Lynch
- I Feel Bad About My Neck, Nora Ephron
- Julie and Julia, Julie Powell
- Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs, Chuck Klosterman
- Jesus Wants to Save Christians, Rob Bell and Don Golden
- Ex Libris, Anne Fadiman
- Everything is Illuminated, Jonathan Safron Foer
- The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Diaz
- Gilead, Marilynne Robinson
Friday, July 17, 2009
Taming the beast
While Emmy and I were out prancing (as we refer to our walks) in the hot hot heat tonight, we crossed paths with a little boy and his dad, who were on bicycles. We paused to let them pass by. And then I heard the boy say this: "Dad, look! It's a baby wolf!" My wild, ferocious little Em. The wolf dog is currently curled up and sound asleep, in my bed.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Hogwarts explosion
So, Harry Potter. Well. I've seen the movies at midnight opening night several times, and this was by far the most intense pre-Potter experience. Danyeal and I drove down to River Park Square at 10, thinking that was more than early enough for even the most popular midnight movie. By the time we got there, though, the theater was already a Hogwarts explosion. There were people everywhere -- every one of the 17 (I think) theaters was set to start showing the movie at precisely 12:01, and our assigned theater, 17, was completely packed with people. Billions of seats had been reserved by coats, bags, and broomsticks. We had a group of four, and there were no groups of four seats to be found anywhere. After scavenging for a while and covering random groups of two and three seats with our sweatshirts and purses and stuff, Autumn found a much much much less crowded theater, lucky number 12, so we just ignored the fact that our tickets had assigned us to a certain room and headed down there. By the time the movie started, even theater 12 was completely packed. I think the entire place was sold out.
A few highlights of the pre-movie experience:
Of course, I am an old lady and did take a few teeny tiny catnaps from time to time, so to be fair, I should (and will) watch the whole thing again. There are a few things I liked a lot: Ron Weasley, who was a fine and hilarious specimen throughout; Horace Slughorn, who was way more likeable that I'd ever imagined while reading; and hunchback Harry on his lucky day.
A few highlights of the pre-movie experience:
- 10 zillion people running around from theater to theater, wearing 10 zillion awesome costumes
- ranking our favorite Harry Potter books, movies, and moments -- and gasping when I saw Danyeal's shocking book rankings (The Goblet of Fire as the number one choice?! I did not see that coming)
- playing a Harry Potter version of "would you?" (or, our favorite adaptation, "Kiss or Push?")
- Autumn watching a teeny little bit of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on her portable DVD player
- Popping DayQuil at 11 in an attempt to fight off a giant coughing/running nose/sneezing catastrophe
Of course, I am an old lady and did take a few teeny tiny catnaps from time to time, so to be fair, I should (and will) watch the whole thing again. There are a few things I liked a lot: Ron Weasley, who was a fine and hilarious specimen throughout; Horace Slughorn, who was way more likeable that I'd ever imagined while reading; and hunchback Harry on his lucky day.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
I'm waiting
More details about last night's Harry Potter extravaganza are coming soon! But, I've decided that I am not going to blog again until Danyeal leaves another comment. Posting every day is not all that big a reward in an of itself, as it turns out. I need the feedback of my 1.5 readers! So, I'm waiting.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
nerds
So, tonight is a big night. Why? Harry Potter! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince! I will be on my way to the theater for a midnight showing before long, which means I'll be staying up until 3 in the morning for the first time in a verrrry long while. I wanted to take 12 espresso shots at the stroke of midnight in order to stay awake, but that big baby of a coffee shop, Starbucks, is apparently only open until 9. Home brew it is!
Danyeal and I came up with a list of essential Harry Potter prefunk activities that we've been checking off over the past few hours. So far, we have watched part of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, gone on a Harry Potter dog walk, and had a race where we each did a (3-D!) Harry Potter puzzle as fast as we could while listening to wizard rock (Danyeal kicked the crap out of me). Soon, we'll slip into something more comfortable (our super hip Kingsley Shacklebot t-shirts) and go to the theater to meet Autumn and wait in line with all the nerds. Oh yes, that includes us.
Danyeal and I came up with a list of essential Harry Potter prefunk activities that we've been checking off over the past few hours. So far, we have watched part of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, gone on a Harry Potter dog walk, and had a race where we each did a (3-D!) Harry Potter puzzle as fast as we could while listening to wizard rock (Danyeal kicked the crap out of me). Soon, we'll slip into something more comfortable (our super hip Kingsley Shacklebot t-shirts) and go to the theater to meet Autumn and wait in line with all the nerds. Oh yes, that includes us.
Monday, July 13, 2009
dress-up
I'm just drinking tea (ew!) and trying to get over being sick before tomorrow night, when I'm going to see Harry Potter at midnight! And, I will be wearing an awesome t-shirt, featuring Kingsley Shacklebot (and that is not a typo). I'm not especially into dressing up for events, big or small, but my t-shirt (thanks Beth!) really makes me laugh, and I'm excited.
So, the question is: when is the last time you dressed up (not dressed NICE, mind you), and what did you wear?
So, the question is: when is the last time you dressed up (not dressed NICE, mind you), and what did you wear?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
allow me to mesmerize you daily
I should also say that it is funny that I apologized for not posting yesterday, without explaining that I had decided to post every day. Which is something that I only committed to two people over email. I think blogging every day might help me get in the habit of writing every day. Plus, it's fun, most of the time. Plus, my life is fascinating. Tonight I watched 45 minutes of The Parent Trap.
grorry
I forgot to post yesterday! But posting so very early on a weekend morning should make up for it. I have a lot of readers clamoring for my posts. Anyway, this will be short. I didn't blog yesterday because I am sick! With a cold. In July. It is so lame. Plus, it was about 8 billion degrees in our house last night and I could hardly breathe out my nose and it was practically impossible to sleep, plus I didn't want to take any cold medicine because I had to get up at 5:15 this morning to take Brad to the airport. I knew from past experience that I would have still felt drugged and grorry, a.k.a. groggy, when I woke up, which is bad for driving. So now I'm just sitting here like a zombie eating cereal and trying to lower the temperature in the house. Each degree lower is a victory. I've made it from 78 to 75, so that's three small groggy celebrations so far.
One topic I forgot to include on my list of essay ideas is the elements of story, and what makes us interested in those particular elements. For example, foreshadowing. What makes readers look for foreshadowing in stories (consciously or not)? The more I read and really study writing, the more I notice that even in the most diverse writing, the same elements are there again and again. So, why? I've got some ideas.
One topic I forgot to include on my list of essay ideas is the elements of story, and what makes us interested in those particular elements. For example, foreshadowing. What makes readers look for foreshadowing in stories (consciously or not)? The more I read and really study writing, the more I notice that even in the most diverse writing, the same elements are there again and again. So, why? I've got some ideas.
Friday, July 10, 2009
getting down to business
My goal this summer was to lounge a lot and to work a little and to write most of my thesis, or at least a draft of most of the essays that will be in it. I am good at lounging and working but I suck at writing. In the first couple of weeks of summer I wrote an article for Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living magazine about rodeos, which I knew nothing about going in and which required tons of research. Doing the article was a great experience but it burned me out on writing for a while, because I had just finished my first year of grad school before I started the article and was already feeling pretty tired. I didn't write much at all for a little while after that.
And regarding lounging: I've learned that I'm probably never going to be someone who has long unmarked spans of time stretching out ahead. Being interested in lots of things and liking lots of people and wanting to go to lots of places will always keep something out ahead of me. This summer, so far, has been good and relaxing and full of fun people and time to read magazines and ride my bike to The Scoop for ice cream. But it's also been full of work projects and article writing and people visiting and mission trip planning and traveling. I say yes to doing lots of things, and every week there's something going on, and it makes it hard to find some sort of routine to do any real writing.
So, while I was walking Emmy tonight, I had an idea: I should set a deadline for my next essay. I should give myself two weeks, which is how long I had to write my rodeo article, which was fairly long and very research intensive, so I know it's doable. And to keep myself accountable, I'll let you read it. If you read this blog and want to read my essay two weeks from now, post a comment telling me so, and I'll email it to you when it's finished. It probably won't be a perfect flawless gem like me, but it will at least be a pretty good draft.
And, as another attempt to help myself stay on track, here are some of the topics I'm hoping to write about this summer, in the form of personal essays, profiles, and research-based pieces. The list is kind of cryptic, but not to worry; I know what it all means.
And regarding lounging: I've learned that I'm probably never going to be someone who has long unmarked spans of time stretching out ahead. Being interested in lots of things and liking lots of people and wanting to go to lots of places will always keep something out ahead of me. This summer, so far, has been good and relaxing and full of fun people and time to read magazines and ride my bike to The Scoop for ice cream. But it's also been full of work projects and article writing and people visiting and mission trip planning and traveling. I say yes to doing lots of things, and every week there's something going on, and it makes it hard to find some sort of routine to do any real writing.
So, while I was walking Emmy tonight, I had an idea: I should set a deadline for my next essay. I should give myself two weeks, which is how long I had to write my rodeo article, which was fairly long and very research intensive, so I know it's doable. And to keep myself accountable, I'll let you read it. If you read this blog and want to read my essay two weeks from now, post a comment telling me so, and I'll email it to you when it's finished. It probably won't be a perfect flawless gem like me, but it will at least be a pretty good draft.
And, as another attempt to help myself stay on track, here are some of the topics I'm hoping to write about this summer, in the form of personal essays, profiles, and research-based pieces. The list is kind of cryptic, but not to worry; I know what it all means.
- serial hobbyism
- vegetarianism, and my growing numbers of vegetarian friends
- movement and thought, and how they're connected
- working at a bank
- working at a church
- piano lessons
- longtime friends (and maybe high school reunions)
- writing about the secret world of rodeo
- the moment I knew I'd become an adult
Thursday, July 09, 2009
silent stalking
This is where Emmy spends about 50 to 75 percent of her waking hours, usually looking out the window. Often peering intently into pitch blackness in hopes of spying a kitty.
Last week we caught Emmy out in the backyard, very still and statue-like, clearly stalking something. She was staring at the neighbor's hedge, where a neighborhood cat likes to lounge around. This particular cat and Emmy are bigtime frenemies. The cat drives Emmy crazy, and she either silently prepares to hunt it or screeches and cries and runs around, devastated that they can't be together (or that she can't hold the kitty oh so gently in her little dog fangs). On this particular night, she was focused on very still, intense stalking. I looked at the cat, and it was also focused on still, intense stalking. There are birds living in the hedge where the cat was. Lots and lots and lots of birds that usually poop on our car. The cat fixed its eyes on the depths of bird land, in the center of the hedge, and Emmy fixed her eyes on the cat. And I fixed my eyes on Jesus. Just kidding. I mean Emmy.
And then! The cat leaped into the air, landed on the on the hedge, and then vanished into the neighbor's backyard. Emmy went berserk and screamed and cried and shrieked and ran into the house to see if the cat was perchance now just casually sitting outside a different window. But the cat wasn't, because THEN it came silently strolling out from the bottom of the hedge, with a small bird in its mouth. Emmy panicked (maybe nervous for her bird friend?) and knocked over the fan pictured above. It made a ginormous crash, but Emmy was not bothered by that one bit.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
series finale
I love Gilmore Girls, and I own most of the seasons -- but not season 7, a.k.a. the final season, a.k.a. the season where the show's creators left the show because they couldn't negotiate a contract for the rest of the series, a.k.a. where everything got kinda ridiculous.
Spoiler alert!
Spoiler alert!
- Lorelei marries Christopher and they get divorced!
- Suki gets pregnant because Jackson never told her he didn't actually get the vasectomy he'd promised! And Lorelai talks her into being excited about the baby!
- Logan proposes to Rory at a fancy pants graduation party Richard and Emily throw for her. After Richard and Emily sing a duet (which is awesome--no complaints). Rory agonizes over what to do and finally decides she's not ready to get married. Logan says he won't do long distance. And all of the sudden they are broken up and we never see Logan again! Ever! He's out of there! No arguing, no pleading, no crying. So professional, those two.
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