Category Archives: Life

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Fail

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The brother has taught me the very simple term that programmers and internet lovers everywhere make jokes with when someone messes up. “Fail.” That’s it.

There are quite a few things I’ve been failing lately (the usual) , and some I can even forecast:

  • This Blog. I know. Not as quality as it used to be. The no comments is a sign. My less frequent posting is a problem. I’m trying, but life is so random these days.
  • Working Out. Haven’t been in the gym since NYE, and the weights at home aren’t cutting it. The vacations are slowing down my running, since I’m so tired when we get home.
  • Dieting. I have been eating nothing but crap since January too. I don’t even enjoy it. I blame the company and vacations again.
  • Writing. I should do some.
  • Upcoming: No partying until SXSW. We are going skiing again the whole week before I get to Austin. And my drinking buddy and I aren’t going to be able to turn that switch off, not what with the Stella’s calling our names and all.
  • Upcoming: A schedule. We still haven’t made any plans further than one month from now about what to do with ourselves come our next lease being up. Here’s to being spontaneous.
  • Ongoing: Family. As much as I like to talk, I haven’t done any with relations that aren’t visiting me. Shame on me.

Someone needs some help turning this ship around. It’s getting old. Well, on the other hand I’m having the time of my life going out and partying and making friends. I kind of like being lazy. And I AM good at it. Hmm.
fail

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Airporter

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We’ve been a lot lately. In the airport. Traveling. Picking up visitors. Getting rid of those visitors. A lot = over twenty times in the last few months and likely another twenty coming up.

I have to tell you what I like the least. It would be the TSA. I’m not sure that I’m allowed to say that in this medium without getting in trouble, so let’s pretend “TSA” stands for “Tacky-Sweatered-Accountants”…

One place there was a lady in a chair. She was pregnant. That much was obvious. But she felt the need to sit far away from the line and announce to everyone that she couldn’t BEND to lean in and check your things. You had to almost lean over the divider and into the podium thing she wasn’t using. “There’s a BABY in there,” she would announce, in case you thought she was just eating beach balls while she ‘worked’.

One place there were many workers. Maybe 12. In one spot. STANDING. I’ve never seen anyone not work so hard. Wait, that’s not true. I saw one lady READING AN US WEEKLY.

After that, I considered applying. I would totally read Us Weekly for a living. It makes me think of what my Dad would say. “Don’t work too hard,” he’d tell her, and she just wouldn’t get it.

I mentioned to my husband what an insane amount of these people we’ve seen, and he provided me with more fodder for annoyance: the 9/11 bad guys had proper IDs. So what do they solve? And, 6 months after the creation of the “Tacky-Sweatered-Accountants”, they gave out lifetime achievement awards. At expensive parties. The more I think of this, I really need to apply. What am I complaining about? I must just be jealous.

tsa

Wait, where’s his sweater?…

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I Can Only Imagine

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Ever really think about getting old? Like, really really old? But good old? This weekend was my husband’s grandmother’s 90th birthday. We flew out to see the family and have a little party. She’s sharp as a tack. You have to speak up a little, but she can still beat you at pinochle. All of her six children and a huge part of her grandchildren were there. It was so neat to see her so happy.

We got to spend a night out with my FIL (father-in-law) too. He told us so many stories of things he’s experienced, my head was spinning. He saw Liberace. An Sammy Davis Jr. And Elvis. In the front row.
I’ve kept journals semi faithfully since I was a kid. Just a planner where I write down what we go do. I’m convinced that’s the only way I’ll remember anything when I’m well, 40. There was a lot of talk about age, about science and cures and health and living. We might live longer in this generation. We might see more craziness. Will we run out of water? Will it be too hot? It’s funny to think about what has changed in 90 years, and what might change in the next 90.

90 years old

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Executive Summation

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This time last year, I was traveling a foreign land as I celebrated my holidays. This year, what felt even more like a foreign land was in fact, just Southern California.

For three of the last four Thanksgivings, I have kept company of strangers and friends rather than family. While it may not please family to hear it, it’s a tradition of new things that I hope to continue.

For my last two Christmases, I’ve experienced something completely different. Last Christmas Eve, I ate a cup of noodles in the middle of nowhere, New Zealand, and watched tv. This Christmas Eve consisted of “Tamales, Tequila, and Tejano” and opening gifts at midnight. I can only say that the part of my family I have too long over looked made this holiday celebration one of my most memorable.

My Christmas days have included walks on the beach for the last two years, another tradition I wouldn’t complain about continuing. A little pool and darts was more hilarious to be doing Christmas day, and a problem I’d been carrying too long resolved itself for once and for all. It was a great feeling. My friends and family pouring in and teaching me about how able they are to help themselves has made me learn about being a more comfortable hostess, one that wants everyone to always be welcome in her home, whether it’s a mansion or a one room trailer.

Seeing the Holiday Bowl from 4 rows back made me realize how good I have it all over again. The new friends I’ve met make me less scared to put myself out there, to try to be accepted by strangers. And throwing such a diverse group together only gives you more memories to laugh about (ZDL, anyone?)

New Year’s put me smack in the middle of another realization, that without a certain core group of acquaintances (AS-H) in particular, I would have not only never met my husband, but also none of these particularly close friends I know I’m never going to lose.

It’s been a good year here. I can’t wait to see what the next one brings. Except for getting older so soon, I could totally wait on that…

father time

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Christmas Coma

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I’ve got two weeks to go and I don’t know if I’m going to make it! We worked out all week and weekend, double time. We went out Friday to a Christmas party with some friends, where we were all in festive costumes and drinking fancy winter drinks. We met some great new people and had a blast.

Saturday we went to MK’s work party, which, while less exciting than everyone hoped, was lovely, and MK finally met people he goes in to work with. During market hours no one talks, so it’s the first time in a month he’s said hello to some of these guys.

We also knocked out a little more shopping after deciding we’re no longer at the college-poor age where we could pretend we didn’t know we were supposed to send gifts, being far away from everyone we’ve milked that maybe 5 extra years already…

And we’re having company! Tons and tons of Christmas, Holiday Bowl, New Year’s company. Just thinking about it is making me lazy. Our place is rivaling it’s post Vegas messiness and we’ve been avoiding it. The invitations to hang out and exploring San Diego are so much more fun.

giraffe coldI’ve actually had a giant head cold, which is the dumbest thing that can happen to you when you live somewhere that’s 65 degrees every day. I thought I conquered it like a week ago but more than likely all the going out didn’t help. I was stuck drinking hot tea at the bar.

How are you at Christmas shopping? I’ve bought myself too many things, I am apparently a giant selfish brat. I just want to make sure I get remembered…MK is forcing me to wrap some workout stuff I got, apparently it was one of his planned gifts for me, he was a little grouchy when I came home with it, even though I let him know it was on sale and really I was just helping him out. Didn’t work.

www.michigan-pku.org

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Turkey Talk

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Gobble, gobble, gobble…no, not like a turkey, about turkey.

This morning the radio show prank called the Butterball help line right when my little radio alarm went off. I wish I could wake up laughing that hard every morning. “What exactly is a giblet?”

MK and I literally spent 30$ on this embarrassing list: a cooked turkey (like, just the meat), a bag of salad, a can of cranberry, cooked potatoes, pre-made gravy, stuffing, beans, a roll of pastries, two cooked pies, and fat free cool whip.

I would maybe some years ago mind sharing that with you, but I feel like we’re on vacation. It’s going to be just us, and we don’t eat much. Or want to spend all day cooking. It’s supposed to be really nice, and we’re planning a walk on the beach. We might go see a movie, I did it once with friends and thought it was hilarious.

Sure, I miss my family and all the food being made for me and sleeping in front of the TV and, well, that’s all we used to do…but I guess we have to start our own traditions. If the premade turkey is good, MK and I have decided that’s a good tradition. Jayne is having ham, I like that too. Sybotee is on a road trip. Tradition doesn’t have to dictate your good time. So what are your big plans?

thanksgiving food
www.jupiterimages.com

NANO TOTAL: 10162 words. Over a hump!
NaBlo Day 21: Check.

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Coming Soon – The Thankful Challenge

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What a neat idea. As suggested here, I’m going to make a list of 100 things that I am thankful for and reveal it to you around Thanksgiving. It’s under construction, and not as easy as I thought, even though I have everything in the world to be thankful for. I’m having issues with putting “mom” three times and trying not to brag. And being too silly. Thankful I’m not a turkey?

😉

We are all so blessed and I think this is a fun way to spread the love and happiness this holiday. Stay tuned!

 

NANO TOTAL: 9900 words.
NaBlo Day 17: Check.

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That’s A Wrap

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That’s the trip! It was a blast. We’ve been here about a week now. I’ve enjoyed runs on the beach, settling in to our new place, exploring La Jolla, mansion ogling, spending Halloween downtown in San Diego (as a pirate) and making new friends. The view of crashing waves is remarkably calming and centering. The ability to drive a minute and run as far as I want on the sand hasn’t quite registered with me, everywhere you look there’s amazing beauty. No wonder everyone here is so happy.

I have to completely admit my preconceived notions were a little off, and that’s a good thing. I can’t wait for some (female) visitors so I can explore the tons and tons of shopping. I’ve got my laptop out in the office space, patio doors open, and I’m ready to write. This week is going to fly by.

In other news, I’ve planned a trip to Austin a week from today, and will fly from there to Vegas for the weekend. For your general information, it’s practically free to fly from SD to LV, so if you’re planning an outing anytime, invite me, I’ll say yes. And have some extra gambling (who am I kidding, shopping) money to play with.

What else? We found the Patriots bar for the game Sunday, and they happen to make a great Bloody Mary. I can’t think of what more I need.

sunset.jpg

NANO TOTAL: 3014 words.
NaBlo Day 6: Check.

Unknown's avatar

Thank You

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We appreciate all your well wishes and concern. Fortunately, MK and I are no where near San Diego yet. We drove through OR yesterday and spent the night in Eugene, taking our time. Today we hope to make it to San Fransisco and then San Diego by Friday. We’re hoping that things are fine by then, and if not, maybe we can be of some help.

road trip driving
www.catawba.k12.nc.us

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These Things Kill

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There are a couple things right now I’m pretty sure are contributing to my death. As in, getting me closer to, sooner than is appropriate.

  • The water. The little filter must be out on the fridge, it tastes funny. Not as bad as the tap water, but I’m considering buying some bottled. Not to mention I drink too much of it and then feel bloated.
  • The Red Sox. Did they have to drag that out like that? Stressful. And it means I’ll have to watch more baseball.
  • Caffeine. I’ve had so little for so long, but for some reason lately have been pounding cups of coffee and Enviga. And getting the jitters. No more tolerance.
  • Lysol Disinfectant Wipes. This is basically just me complaining about cleaning.
  • The neighbors. I am most certainly not getting enough sleep to be prepared for my journey what with the obnoxious partiers this weekend. And last weekend. They’re total drug bingers, because they never went to sleep. It stayed noisy.

Isn’t that a lethal combination? I’m all jittery, tummy hurting, sleepy, and still have to get us out of here! Feel sorry for me, and I’ll add you to my will…

pity party of one
www.vintagefilm.typepad.com


Drama queen pity party, blanket for one, please.