Did a little more hiking this morning up at Vedauwoo with Rick and Meggie. This trail (Turtle Rock) was kind of too easy and too short, but it was a nice way to start the day. Never thought I--of all people--would claim a hike was too easy, but it's true. If I didn't have to be at work at 1:00, I would have suggested somewhere else. Still, it was a very pretty location, bugs and all.
After work, had kind of an uneventful afternoon. We tried to buy an atlas with good city maps included, but were unsuccessful. Then I grocery shopped without a list, so I came home with things like shrimp and green salsa, but no toilet paper. Hmm. At least I have the stuff to make my lunch tomorrow.
Finally, I started the first season of Mad Men. I've been looking forward to it, what with it being all critically acclaimed and stuff, but I'm undecided. What I'm sure of is that the raspberry sorbet I had for dessert was FANtastic.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
outside
3 things before bed
1. Dr. Horrible is amusing, in that very particular Whedonesque way. But now I can't get the "Mr. Horrible, Mr. Horrible/telephone call for Mr. Horrible" part of TMBG's "Someone Keeps Moving My Chair" out of my head!
2. Well for a while, I replaced it with ABBA's greatest hits because I saw Mamma Mia tonight. Oh, yeah I did. It was really hard not to sing along to all the songs. And it made me want to dig out ABBA Gold and add it to the car stereo (no one will know if I sing in there).
3. I saw some Shakespeare in the park today (As You Like It). Like Rick said, I'm glad they did it and I'm glad I went. But it wasn't very good. Also, I got three moquito bites on my hip while sitting there in the grass.
2. Well for a while, I replaced it with ABBA's greatest hits because I saw Mamma Mia tonight. Oh, yeah I did. It was really hard not to sing along to all the songs. And it made me want to dig out ABBA Gold and add it to the car stereo (no one will know if I sing in there).
3. I saw some Shakespeare in the park today (As You Like It). Like Rick said, I'm glad they did it and I'm glad I went. But it wasn't very good. Also, I got three moquito bites on my hip while sitting there in the grass.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
pie!
Apple pie is baking in my oven right now, along with two tiny ramekin pies for Rick and me. (The big pie's for a dinner party tomorrow.) The house is really hot, but it's worth it. It smells amazing. I just hope it tastes as wonderful.
I haven't made a pie in a long time. My mom has a rad crust recipe called "never fail pie crust." And it's true--the secret ingredient is a little vinegar, which makes the crust flakier. But this time around, I used Martha Stewart's pate brisee. It turned out really soft, and I was afraid it would be sticky and not roll out nicely. I was wrong, because even though I didn't chill it (oops), it rolled out pretty easily and it was a snap to roll onto the pin to transfer it into the dish. Even so, I'm out of practice, so my crusts are a little messy. We'll call it a rustic look, okay?
As usual, I didn't follow a recipe for the filling, because I'm contrary that way. My preference is for tart apples, so I used granny smiths. Then I just mixed the apple slices with some lemon juice, sugar (many recipes call for a cup, but I use about half that) cinnamon, and a splash of liquor (usually bourbon, but this time vanilla vodka). Then I melted butter in a skillet and cooked up the filling until it was golden brown and the alcohol burned mostly off. That whole shebang went into the crust, and I topped it with the other crust, brushed it with egg yolk & water glaze, sprinkled with a tiny bit more sugar, and cut a couple of vents. Bake at 400 for about 15 minutes or until the crust is golden, then turn down to 350 for another 45-50 minutes or so. Voila!
P.S. This pie would be perfect served with a slice of sharp cheddar and a glass of reisling. But that's just me. I suspect my friends will want it heated with vanilla ice cream.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
working it out
The summer is flying by too quickly. I'm trying to take advantage of it and spend as much time outside as possible. As a result, I keep getting sunburned and mosquito-bitten, but I guess that's an okay trade-off for getting out to hike and bike and walk. On Saturday, I got my dose of sunshine and thin air on the Medicine Bow Peak trail. There were five of us, and we had a pretty great day. While it might not have shown as I was huffing and puffing my way up the mountain, I really enjoyed myself. I managed to take some nice pictures, too.
The other thing I've been doing is ballet class. Today was my second week at the drop-in int/adv class. Basically, it kicks my ass. I feel so weak and off-kilter trying to to anything in combination. It's really disconcerting to have the technique and know how to do the movements but lack the strength to make my body cooperate. And there's something else going on, too. The ballet studio feels kind of like my hometown: familiar and full of memories, but I don't belong there anymore. It was strange to feel more comfortable and strong in the yoga studio last week, even though it's something new. Maybe I should just close the book on ballet for good, even if it is a great workout.
Friday, July 04, 2008
I'm meming again
I saw this at Pop Culture Librarian, and decided to do it. She said I should, so I did. Not that she was talking to me specifically. Anyway.
1. Who was your first prom date?
I never went to the prom. Sophomore year, it wasn't really on my radar. A senior in my drama class asked me, but I wasn't into him or the idea of buying an expensive dress. Then junior and senior year, prom was the same weekend as regionals for crew, so I was out of town and it wasn't an option. And truthfully, I have no idea who I might have gone with even if I was around.
2. Do you still talk to your first love?
Depends on what you mean by first love. First crush? No. First boyfriend? No. First real, adult love? Yeah.
3. What was your first alcoholic drink?
Besides sneaking sips of beer as a little kid, which I've been told I loved to do, I think my first drink was Boone's Farm Wild Island. Classy! The first time I was ever drunk, it was on vodka shots (gross) that cost $1 Canadian at a dance club in Vancouver B.C. when I was 19 and could drink up there legally.
4. What was your first job?
I was a very industrious babysitter as a pre-teen and teen, and made enough money to buy all sorts of ill-conceived fashions. The first job that required W-2s and all that was in the commissary of a summer camp during high school. The bummer about that job was that I crashed my parents' mini-van and everything I earned the whole summer went to pay for the deductable.
5. What was your first car?
I had a 1989 Chevy Cavalier in maroon.
6. Who was the first person to text you today?
Addie.
7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning?
See number 2.
8. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Hansen at Sunnyside Elementary. She was pretty nice, but I don't remember too much from that year. I split the year between two elementary schools, but I don't remember who my teacher was at Garfield. That year's a blur.
9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
It must have been the trip to New York when I was almost two. I have no memory of that trip, but I drowned in a lake and had to be revived. I do remember the drowning nightmares that followed for many years afterward.
10. Who was your first best friend, and are you still friends with him/her?
I guess I had a best friend of sorts as a very small kid, but the first best friend I remember is Amy. We met in elementary school and took ballet classes together for ages. We are still friends, even though we don't talk that often. She's a great person and has a nice husband and three kids. I really admire her.
11. What was your first sport played?
Well, I danced from age two on. Mostly ballet, some tap and jazz, and modern from about age 11 until I quit. The first team sport I did was swimming, but only for a year. Then I did crew for the rest of high school.
12. Where was your first sleepover?
Who knows? My friends and I were always having sleepovers and slumber parties.
13. Who was the first person you talked to today?
Besides myself? The barista who made my latte.
14. Whose wedding were you in the first time?
Amy's, the same Amy who was my first best friend. I was her maid of honor, and her sisters and the groom's sister were bridesmaids. I'm not a huge wedding person, but it was really special to be part of Amy's, because she means so much to me, and I was really happy she was marrying Matt.
15. What was the first thing you did this morning?
Probably rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. Who can remember? The first 30 minutes of any given day, I'm totally zoned out.
16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Def Leppard, on the Hysteria tour, at the Tacoma Dome. Lasers, in the round, with L.A. Guns openining up. Aww, yeah. My mom and my friend Jamie's mom took us and two friends. It was on a school night, we were in ninth grade, and we gleefully wore our t-shirts to school the next day, and were totally exhausted.
17. What was your first tattoo or piercing?
No tattoos. I got my ears pierced when I was five or six--somewhere around there. I had gold, heart-shaped studs.
18. What was the first foreign country you went to?
I can't really count Canada, since I grew up so close and we went to British Columbia like once a year, at least. So I have to say Sweden. We flew through the Netherlands first, but being in the airport doesn't really count.
19. What was your first run-in with the law?
Other than my penchant for speeding tickets, I'm pretty law-abiding. But when I was 14, I did run into a manhunt for a guy who killed somebody near my house. It was the middle of the night, and I had sneaked out of my house alone and was heading up the highway to a boy's house, where many teenagers congregated because of a lack of parental supervision. My regular sneaking-out accomplice lived on the same block, and was supposed to already be there.
So when I saw the roadblock and the cops, I geniusly decided to evade detection by going into the woods. Not a minute later, several men were yelling "freeze!" and shining lights on me. Scared shitless, I froze. They had guns pointed at me! Then, one of them said, all disgusted, "it's a little girl." They were pissed. Evidentally, my white t-shirt, cut-off jeans, and long, blond ponytail matched the description of the perp. Upon questioning, I said I was headed to my friends' house up the street. The police were busy and let me go.
But I didn't get off totally free. No. When I knocked on the basement door, the boy's DAD answered it. Busted! He said he already caught my friend and sent her home, and he said he was going to drive me and three other boys home. He took me home first, but decided not to wake up my parents and just let me sneak back in. In retrospect, that wasn't the best parenting move, since I learned nothing. Well, I never sneaked out alone again, but I still did when I had my accomplice over.
20. When was your first detention?
In sixth grade, I got Saturday school detention for fighting. A boy, with whom I shared mutual hate, flipped up my skirt in the hall when I was at my locker. My response was to grab him, slam him against a locker, and punch him in the face a few times. He didn't get a chance to hit back. We were apprehended by a big old coach, who left bruises on my upper arm from his meaty fist as he dragged me to the principal's office. The boy and I both got detention, and he never got over his beat-down. We didn't have another class together until senior year of high school, and he refused to sit next to me, as the alphabetical chart had placed us. When I told him to get over it, his response was, "never!" Ha.
21. What was the first state you lived in?
Washington. Born and raised. I lived in three different counties, but never lived outside the state until I moved to Wyoming.
22. Who was the first person to break your heart?
See number 2.
23. Who was your first roommate?
Jamie. We shared a studio apartment in the U District, but she really lived with her boyfriend. I had the place to myself. Then we got a really beautiful apartment on Capitol Hill and did live together for real. She's the only roommate I've ever had.
24. Where did you go on your first limo ride?
Limo ride? I think some girlfriends and I had a limo one New Year's, but that might have been a town car. I've ridden in lots of town cars. My parents and I got a limo a few years ago when we took the dinner train.
So, that's it.
1. Who was your first prom date?
I never went to the prom. Sophomore year, it wasn't really on my radar. A senior in my drama class asked me, but I wasn't into him or the idea of buying an expensive dress. Then junior and senior year, prom was the same weekend as regionals for crew, so I was out of town and it wasn't an option. And truthfully, I have no idea who I might have gone with even if I was around.
2. Do you still talk to your first love?
Depends on what you mean by first love. First crush? No. First boyfriend? No. First real, adult love? Yeah.
3. What was your first alcoholic drink?
Besides sneaking sips of beer as a little kid, which I've been told I loved to do, I think my first drink was Boone's Farm Wild Island. Classy! The first time I was ever drunk, it was on vodka shots (gross) that cost $1 Canadian at a dance club in Vancouver B.C. when I was 19 and could drink up there legally.
4. What was your first job?
I was a very industrious babysitter as a pre-teen and teen, and made enough money to buy all sorts of ill-conceived fashions. The first job that required W-2s and all that was in the commissary of a summer camp during high school. The bummer about that job was that I crashed my parents' mini-van and everything I earned the whole summer went to pay for the deductable.
5. What was your first car?
I had a 1989 Chevy Cavalier in maroon.
6. Who was the first person to text you today?
Addie.
7. Who is the first person you thought of this morning?
See number 2.
8. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Hansen at Sunnyside Elementary. She was pretty nice, but I don't remember too much from that year. I split the year between two elementary schools, but I don't remember who my teacher was at Garfield. That year's a blur.
9. Where did you go on your first ride on an airplane?
It must have been the trip to New York when I was almost two. I have no memory of that trip, but I drowned in a lake and had to be revived. I do remember the drowning nightmares that followed for many years afterward.
10. Who was your first best friend, and are you still friends with him/her?
I guess I had a best friend of sorts as a very small kid, but the first best friend I remember is Amy. We met in elementary school and took ballet classes together for ages. We are still friends, even though we don't talk that often. She's a great person and has a nice husband and three kids. I really admire her.
11. What was your first sport played?
Well, I danced from age two on. Mostly ballet, some tap and jazz, and modern from about age 11 until I quit. The first team sport I did was swimming, but only for a year. Then I did crew for the rest of high school.
12. Where was your first sleepover?
Who knows? My friends and I were always having sleepovers and slumber parties.
13. Who was the first person you talked to today?
Besides myself? The barista who made my latte.
14. Whose wedding were you in the first time?
Amy's, the same Amy who was my first best friend. I was her maid of honor, and her sisters and the groom's sister were bridesmaids. I'm not a huge wedding person, but it was really special to be part of Amy's, because she means so much to me, and I was really happy she was marrying Matt.
15. What was the first thing you did this morning?
Probably rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. Who can remember? The first 30 minutes of any given day, I'm totally zoned out.
16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Def Leppard, on the Hysteria tour, at the Tacoma Dome. Lasers, in the round, with L.A. Guns openining up. Aww, yeah. My mom and my friend Jamie's mom took us and two friends. It was on a school night, we were in ninth grade, and we gleefully wore our t-shirts to school the next day, and were totally exhausted.
17. What was your first tattoo or piercing?
No tattoos. I got my ears pierced when I was five or six--somewhere around there. I had gold, heart-shaped studs.
18. What was the first foreign country you went to?
I can't really count Canada, since I grew up so close and we went to British Columbia like once a year, at least. So I have to say Sweden. We flew through the Netherlands first, but being in the airport doesn't really count.
19. What was your first run-in with the law?
Other than my penchant for speeding tickets, I'm pretty law-abiding. But when I was 14, I did run into a manhunt for a guy who killed somebody near my house. It was the middle of the night, and I had sneaked out of my house alone and was heading up the highway to a boy's house, where many teenagers congregated because of a lack of parental supervision. My regular sneaking-out accomplice lived on the same block, and was supposed to already be there.
So when I saw the roadblock and the cops, I geniusly decided to evade detection by going into the woods. Not a minute later, several men were yelling "freeze!" and shining lights on me. Scared shitless, I froze. They had guns pointed at me! Then, one of them said, all disgusted, "it's a little girl." They were pissed. Evidentally, my white t-shirt, cut-off jeans, and long, blond ponytail matched the description of the perp. Upon questioning, I said I was headed to my friends' house up the street. The police were busy and let me go.
But I didn't get off totally free. No. When I knocked on the basement door, the boy's DAD answered it. Busted! He said he already caught my friend and sent her home, and he said he was going to drive me and three other boys home. He took me home first, but decided not to wake up my parents and just let me sneak back in. In retrospect, that wasn't the best parenting move, since I learned nothing. Well, I never sneaked out alone again, but I still did when I had my accomplice over.
20. When was your first detention?
In sixth grade, I got Saturday school detention for fighting. A boy, with whom I shared mutual hate, flipped up my skirt in the hall when I was at my locker. My response was to grab him, slam him against a locker, and punch him in the face a few times. He didn't get a chance to hit back. We were apprehended by a big old coach, who left bruises on my upper arm from his meaty fist as he dragged me to the principal's office. The boy and I both got detention, and he never got over his beat-down. We didn't have another class together until senior year of high school, and he refused to sit next to me, as the alphabetical chart had placed us. When I told him to get over it, his response was, "never!" Ha.
21. What was the first state you lived in?
Washington. Born and raised. I lived in three different counties, but never lived outside the state until I moved to Wyoming.
22. Who was the first person to break your heart?
See number 2.
23. Who was your first roommate?
Jamie. We shared a studio apartment in the U District, but she really lived with her boyfriend. I had the place to myself. Then we got a really beautiful apartment on Capitol Hill and did live together for real. She's the only roommate I've ever had.
24. Where did you go on your first limo ride?
Limo ride? I think some girlfriends and I had a limo one New Year's, but that might have been a town car. I've ridden in lots of town cars. My parents and I got a limo a few years ago when we took the dinner train.
So, that's it.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
vanity
Last night, I was talking to Peter and Rick and one of them said something about it being weird that I take so many photos of myself. I was asked to rate my vanity on a scale of 1-10. I said 8, but not because I think I'm fabulously beautiful or that I admire myself all the time. It's more that it's interesting to see the way I change over time and I am really aware of my looks. I know I'm not alone in this. Spending so much time in front of mirrors in dance classes from the age of two surely feeds into my self-awareness and self-scrutiny. And I see it as a victory of sorts that I'm fairly dispassionate about my level of physical beauty and have a pretty positive body image after all the weird socialization that happens in ballet classes, and just surviving being a teen girl in general.
Another reason I take more pictures is that I've really tried to change my lifestyle over the past year or so, and those changes are visible. Talking about body and weight and fitness is complicated and uncomfortable, but that's something I've been trying to get over. We all have bodies, right? And we all have issues with our bodies, regardless of our shapes or sizes. My own motivation to make a change was based more on feeling better than looking better, but I can't pretend I'm completely unaffected by my looks. But what affects me most is how other people react to my weight loss. I understand that people mean well when they say I look good or exclaim that I've lost "a lot" of weight, but it always makes me wonder what they thought of me before. And back when I was heavier, I didn't even worry about that, so it's almost like I'm retroactively getting my feelings hurt. Again, this stuff is complicated.
But that doesn't mean I don't like the changes I see in myself weekly, if not daily. It feels good to have more energy and actually want to get out and be active without being certain I can't keep up. I like being smaller and realizing I've gone down four (almost five) sizes. Sure, of course that's nice. And maybe taking pictures of myself is part of a bigger commitment to these changes and will help me maintain them.
Rafting on the Snake, July 7, 2007
In the Snowies, May 24, 2008
Another reason I take more pictures is that I've really tried to change my lifestyle over the past year or so, and those changes are visible. Talking about body and weight and fitness is complicated and uncomfortable, but that's something I've been trying to get over. We all have bodies, right? And we all have issues with our bodies, regardless of our shapes or sizes. My own motivation to make a change was based more on feeling better than looking better, but I can't pretend I'm completely unaffected by my looks. But what affects me most is how other people react to my weight loss. I understand that people mean well when they say I look good or exclaim that I've lost "a lot" of weight, but it always makes me wonder what they thought of me before. And back when I was heavier, I didn't even worry about that, so it's almost like I'm retroactively getting my feelings hurt. Again, this stuff is complicated.
But that doesn't mean I don't like the changes I see in myself weekly, if not daily. It feels good to have more energy and actually want to get out and be active without being certain I can't keep up. I like being smaller and realizing I've gone down four (almost five) sizes. Sure, of course that's nice. And maybe taking pictures of myself is part of a bigger commitment to these changes and will help me maintain them.
Rafting on the Snake, July 7, 2007
In the Snowies, May 24, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
summer nights
I can't believe a week passed with no comment from me here. How unlike me! Honestly, it's hard to remember the last week. I know I went to work and got some stuff done, but after that, things start to get a little hazy. Oh, I saw the play last week. And a softball game. Other than that, I'm a blank.
The weekend is more in focus. Today, I was trying to upload my pictures from the weekend, and by sheer stupidity, disconnected my camera from the computer before they actually uploaded and proceeded to delete the entire shebang. I am very annoyed, because I had some nice ones of my friends from Friday night.
Saturday was more chill. I mostly did some laundry around the house while Rick worked on a project in the garage. Then after he left, I took a nap. It was a good nap. Then, Rick and Peter came over and I made very tasty tacos and we all rode our bikes to Bud's Bar for a couple of drinks. The only problem was the ride home. See, I live in a very dark and semi-creepy part of town, while the guys live in the main part of town. They didn't want me to take the lonely dirt trail under the overpass by myself (and neither did I), so I was convinced to ride on the main road. It sucked because I couldn't see anything and was afraid I'd be hit by a car or simply drive off the road and fall into a ditch, not to be found until morning. I'm guessing I won't be doing any more nighttime biking unless I move to town. Scary.
On Sunday, I slept in. After I got up and messed around the house a bit, I rode my bike to Rick's. He drove Peter and me, and the boys' bikes to Curt Gowdy for the day. The guys mountain biked and I hiked around the park. I had a better time than I thought I would. Hiking alone has never appealed to me for a few reasons. First, I grew up hearing about people getting lost or injured at least once a week during the summer. Second, I'm a woman and have been indoctrinated by society to believe that bad things happen to women who do anything alone. And third, where I'm from, people do get robbed/raped/killed while hiking. Not all the time, but it does happen.
But I wasn't freaked out to be alone this time. I think having the guys there made the difference. They weren't right with me, but they knew where I was planning to be and about how long it would be until I was done. I'm not saying I'm ready to go it alone, but I'd do this kind of thing again. And Rick's planning to get people together to climb Medicine Bow peak in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure I'm up to it, but I want to be in the right frame of mind to try.
The weekend is more in focus. Today, I was trying to upload my pictures from the weekend, and by sheer stupidity, disconnected my camera from the computer before they actually uploaded and proceeded to delete the entire shebang. I am very annoyed, because I had some nice ones of my friends from Friday night.
Saturday was more chill. I mostly did some laundry around the house while Rick worked on a project in the garage. Then after he left, I took a nap. It was a good nap. Then, Rick and Peter came over and I made very tasty tacos and we all rode our bikes to Bud's Bar for a couple of drinks. The only problem was the ride home. See, I live in a very dark and semi-creepy part of town, while the guys live in the main part of town. They didn't want me to take the lonely dirt trail under the overpass by myself (and neither did I), so I was convinced to ride on the main road. It sucked because I couldn't see anything and was afraid I'd be hit by a car or simply drive off the road and fall into a ditch, not to be found until morning. I'm guessing I won't be doing any more nighttime biking unless I move to town. Scary.
On Sunday, I slept in. After I got up and messed around the house a bit, I rode my bike to Rick's. He drove Peter and me, and the boys' bikes to Curt Gowdy for the day. The guys mountain biked and I hiked around the park. I had a better time than I thought I would. Hiking alone has never appealed to me for a few reasons. First, I grew up hearing about people getting lost or injured at least once a week during the summer. Second, I'm a woman and have been indoctrinated by society to believe that bad things happen to women who do anything alone. And third, where I'm from, people do get robbed/raped/killed while hiking. Not all the time, but it does happen.
But I wasn't freaked out to be alone this time. I think having the guys there made the difference. They weren't right with me, but they knew where I was planning to be and about how long it would be until I was done. I'm not saying I'm ready to go it alone, but I'd do this kind of thing again. And Rick's planning to get people together to climb Medicine Bow peak in a couple of weeks. I'm not sure I'm up to it, but I want to be in the right frame of mind to try.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
lazy summer
This has been one of those great summer weekends. You know, the kind where nothing's really planned, but it's relaxing and fun things crop up here and there. On Friday, I went out for a couple of drinks, but my interest waned quickly. Rick, Peter, and I decided that a movie was in order, so we saw Get Smart. I didn't have high hopes at all, so I was pleasantly surprised to really enjoy it.
On Saturday morning, I met Rick to plan the big August road trip. We found a Forest Service lookout in Idaho to stay in on our way out. Looks cool, and I'm kind of excited. I rode my bike into town for the first time, and it was much quicker than I expected, taking 17 minutes from my house to Rick's, and I wasn't hurrying at all. I can definitely ride it to work sometimes, which will help me spend less on gas and get a little more exercise at the same time. I just have to figure out how to stop burning the tops of my arms while I ride--I have some seriously dorky tan lines.
Then Miriam and I walked around town a bit, stopping off at the public library's "Book Bash" in the park. The music was kind of good, but we eventually wandered away to get lunch at Fat Burrito. Then we went back to the house, where I crashed hard for two hours, probably because I was sunburned. I finally rode my bike back home, with some wandering about just for fun. I can't quite ride up the ramp to the footbridge because I am weak. But I made it halfway up before having to walk the bike. Maybe by the end of the summer.
Today, it felt like I'd slept in really late, so I was surprised to see it was only 8:44 when I got up. I didn't have anything planned and was lazing about with a book and a half-baked idea to gas up the car and grocery shop, when Addie called and asked if I wanted to go with her and Sondra to swim in a reservoir off of 34. So that's what we did, and it was great. The water was c-c-cold, but it felt so good. I took some pictures of the scenery and just had a nice day with fun, laid back people. And hey, Peter just texted, so maybe there will be some more fun to be had before work tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
home again
The weekend trip was really nice. I jammed a lot into a short amount of time, but it was still pretty relaxing. Well, the travel part was anything but relaxing, but the time in the northwest was great. I left kind of in a messy rush on Thursday afternoon. I think I just wasn't ready to make that drive to Denver again so soon after coming back from Loex, because I was really dreading it. Then finding all the outer lots full and having to park in the more expensive "economy" lot was annoying, as was the endless delays at the baggage check and security. What really burned me was that the lines were very short, but the few airline and TSA folks working that day were unable to complete any transaction without much jackassery.
After a very uncomfortable flight jammed next to two space invaders and in front of a screaming toddler, I arrived in Seattle just before midnight. My parents and the dogs were there to greet me and take me home. I have to say that staying at my parents' house is kind of weird. It's not the place I grew up in, nor the house they lived in for about ten years of my adult life (which had been my grandparents'), so I don't really feel connected to it. But my mom always makes an effort to make it fun and comfortable. She fixes up the spare room really nicely and has Kiehl's stuff in the bathroom. It's sweet.
Mom and I spent half the day on Friday at malls. We found a pretty cute dress at Nordstrom and had it taken in a little to fix some gappage issues. There was another dress I would have loved to have also, but I don't really need a nearly $200 silk tank dress for rambling around Laramie. Another weird but nice thing about going home is the sameness, even as new development goes up all around. We saw my favorite eyebrow/facial technician when we were at lunch, and all my favorite salespeople at the Northgate Nordstrom. We started at the closer, less satisfactory store, but ended up heading back to Northgate. There's something comfortable about shopping at the same department store I've been going to since I was a tiny kid.
It was nice not to have to spend the entire day shopping--I was pretty malled-out by noonish. On Friday evening, we chilled out at home, and Mom gave me a spa-style pedicure and manicure, which was amazing. Seriously, it was the same exact thing I've paid $70 for in the past. She even has a paraffin pot and all the same supplies as the spa.
On Saturday, I got to laze around a bit and then go over to see SJ, Pete, and Strudel! SJ made us an amazing green curry for lunch, and we sat outside and watched the chickens cluck around th yard. It was a nice visit and I was sad I couldn't stay longer. I then headed to Melanie's, where we got all dressed up and ran to Ballard to pick up the cupcakes from Cupcake Royale and take them to the wedding site. The wedding was lovely. I loved how relaxed and really personal and fun the whole thing was. I got to see lots of people I miss and just enjoy seeing my friends get married.
THEN, Mel and I got up on Sunday morning and drove down to Portland. We stopped on the way down for lunch at East West in Tacoma. Since Mel started working in Seattle, I have little reason to hit Tacoma, so it's been a while. The food was lovely and the weather was nice, making the rest of the drive even better. We hit Portland around 3pm, too early to check into the White Eagle. We poked around the neighborhood a bit, finding a cute coffee shop for the next morning, the Ethiopian restaurant for dinner later that evening, and the venue for the Old 97's show. Sadly, as it was Sunday, hardly anything was open.
After checking in, we went over to the Widmer Bros. brewery and tried the beer sampler. Vic met up with us for one more beer before we walked up the hill to dinner at Queen of Sheba, which was great. I had a chicken and mushroom dish that was so good I ate a little too much. Vic was able to score a ticket to the sold-out show, so the three of us were able to have a tiny MPHS class of '92 reunion all evening. The Wonder Ballroom is nice, so it really felt like a theater instead of a nightclub. But it was hot as heck in there, so I felt like my jeans were shrinking as I stood there. It would have been fun to hang out a while after the show, but it was late and Vic had to catch the train back to his hotel. How cool is it that he lives in PDX now!
On Monday, Mel and I hit the cute coffee shop for breakfast before beating feet back to Washington. We stopped in Olympia for lunch at the Spar, which was nostalgic for me. I haven't been there since I was a kid, but my grandpa used to take us there. I didn't realize it was a McMenamin's now, but I'm really happy about it. They've saved some really cool properties that might otherwise be long gone. After lunch, we wandered around the historic downtown a little and did some shopping at Compass Rose, which has a lot of the local indie arts and crafts I like. It was so hard not to buy one of Faryn Davis's pieces, which I've admired for a long time. Mel dropped me at Sea-Tac, which was awesome of her. That place is torn up right now. It was hard saying goodbye knowing she's heading for Oxford soon and I won't see her until we're both back in Seattle in August.
Travel home was just as annoying as it was on the way west. Again, very few lines, but inefficient and unhelpful staff. For some reason, all the security lanes were open, but every other metal detector was closed. So two lines of people had to merge together while their stuff went through different x-ray machines. It was a total c.f. My flight was delayed and I had a somewhat upsetting phone conversation while I waited at the gate. Then the luggage took forever to arrive at baggage claim, and by the time I drove onto the interstate, it was almost 10pm. My arrival in Laramie was pretty late, but I had a surprisingly okay time of it this morning.
I just know that while I'm ready to be back here in town for a good while, I'm really missing home. At the same time, I missed this place and the people here while I was away. I just wish coming back had been easier.
After a very uncomfortable flight jammed next to two space invaders and in front of a screaming toddler, I arrived in Seattle just before midnight. My parents and the dogs were there to greet me and take me home. I have to say that staying at my parents' house is kind of weird. It's not the place I grew up in, nor the house they lived in for about ten years of my adult life (which had been my grandparents'), so I don't really feel connected to it. But my mom always makes an effort to make it fun and comfortable. She fixes up the spare room really nicely and has Kiehl's stuff in the bathroom. It's sweet.
Mom and I spent half the day on Friday at malls. We found a pretty cute dress at Nordstrom and had it taken in a little to fix some gappage issues. There was another dress I would have loved to have also, but I don't really need a nearly $200 silk tank dress for rambling around Laramie. Another weird but nice thing about going home is the sameness, even as new development goes up all around. We saw my favorite eyebrow/facial technician when we were at lunch, and all my favorite salespeople at the Northgate Nordstrom. We started at the closer, less satisfactory store, but ended up heading back to Northgate. There's something comfortable about shopping at the same department store I've been going to since I was a tiny kid.
It was nice not to have to spend the entire day shopping--I was pretty malled-out by noonish. On Friday evening, we chilled out at home, and Mom gave me a spa-style pedicure and manicure, which was amazing. Seriously, it was the same exact thing I've paid $70 for in the past. She even has a paraffin pot and all the same supplies as the spa.
On Saturday, I got to laze around a bit and then go over to see SJ, Pete, and Strudel! SJ made us an amazing green curry for lunch, and we sat outside and watched the chickens cluck around th yard. It was a nice visit and I was sad I couldn't stay longer. I then headed to Melanie's, where we got all dressed up and ran to Ballard to pick up the cupcakes from Cupcake Royale and take them to the wedding site. The wedding was lovely. I loved how relaxed and really personal and fun the whole thing was. I got to see lots of people I miss and just enjoy seeing my friends get married.
THEN, Mel and I got up on Sunday morning and drove down to Portland. We stopped on the way down for lunch at East West in Tacoma. Since Mel started working in Seattle, I have little reason to hit Tacoma, so it's been a while. The food was lovely and the weather was nice, making the rest of the drive even better. We hit Portland around 3pm, too early to check into the White Eagle. We poked around the neighborhood a bit, finding a cute coffee shop for the next morning, the Ethiopian restaurant for dinner later that evening, and the venue for the Old 97's show. Sadly, as it was Sunday, hardly anything was open.
After checking in, we went over to the Widmer Bros. brewery and tried the beer sampler. Vic met up with us for one more beer before we walked up the hill to dinner at Queen of Sheba, which was great. I had a chicken and mushroom dish that was so good I ate a little too much. Vic was able to score a ticket to the sold-out show, so the three of us were able to have a tiny MPHS class of '92 reunion all evening. The Wonder Ballroom is nice, so it really felt like a theater instead of a nightclub. But it was hot as heck in there, so I felt like my jeans were shrinking as I stood there. It would have been fun to hang out a while after the show, but it was late and Vic had to catch the train back to his hotel. How cool is it that he lives in PDX now!
On Monday, Mel and I hit the cute coffee shop for breakfast before beating feet back to Washington. We stopped in Olympia for lunch at the Spar, which was nostalgic for me. I haven't been there since I was a kid, but my grandpa used to take us there. I didn't realize it was a McMenamin's now, but I'm really happy about it. They've saved some really cool properties that might otherwise be long gone. After lunch, we wandered around the historic downtown a little and did some shopping at Compass Rose, which has a lot of the local indie arts and crafts I like. It was so hard not to buy one of Faryn Davis's pieces, which I've admired for a long time. Mel dropped me at Sea-Tac, which was awesome of her. That place is torn up right now. It was hard saying goodbye knowing she's heading for Oxford soon and I won't see her until we're both back in Seattle in August.
Travel home was just as annoying as it was on the way west. Again, very few lines, but inefficient and unhelpful staff. For some reason, all the security lanes were open, but every other metal detector was closed. So two lines of people had to merge together while their stuff went through different x-ray machines. It was a total c.f. My flight was delayed and I had a somewhat upsetting phone conversation while I waited at the gate. Then the luggage took forever to arrive at baggage claim, and by the time I drove onto the interstate, it was almost 10pm. My arrival in Laramie was pretty late, but I had a surprisingly okay time of it this morning.
I just know that while I'm ready to be back here in town for a good while, I'm really missing home. At the same time, I missed this place and the people here while I was away. I just wish coming back had been easier.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
we could drown ourselves in a flood of sunshine
It's so pretty today. I was walking back from A&S after lunch with Rick, and Prexy's was so green and the breeze and sun felt so nice. This is totally corny, but my internal soundtrack kicked in and The Posies' "Flood of Sunshine" played in my head.
I considered stopping and taking some pictures, but decided to just enjoy the moment. I did snap a few pics on the porch of A&S, and here's one that's not of Rick's bruised ankle.
Very nice. It should be a great evening for a baseball game.
I considered stopping and taking some pictures, but decided to just enjoy the moment. I did snap a few pics on the porch of A&S, and here's one that's not of Rick's bruised ankle.
Very nice. It should be a great evening for a baseball game.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
the weekend
It was as busy as ever this weekend. On Friday, I joined Peter and friends to help celebrate his one-year anniversary of living in Laramie. It's a big milestone, as I well remember, so going out for drinks is warranted. Only one photo survives from my own first Laramie anniversary, which might be a good thing.
On Saturday, Rick and I co-hosted a barbecue at my place. I don't spend a lot of time at home, let alone have people over, so it was kind of a nice change of pace. We had a good crowd of fun people and lots of tasty food. This picture cracks me up because Amye's getting swarmed by little girls.
The sunset was really pretty that evening, and I managed to snap a couple of shots. People stayed until dark, and seemed to have fun. I did, too.
Then, on Sunday, Peter came over and got my bike road-ready. We took a ride to the Greenbelt, which I didn't realize was so close to my place until Rick told me how to get there the other day.
We tooled around on most of it, but had to go around the section that's underwater right now. By the way, City of Laramie, you need to get some info up online. This is the only map I could come up with and it suxxx. It's nothing new, but I'm always aggravated because the city site is lame and unhelpful, and most businesses here lack even a basic website. Welcome to Laramie, where it's still 1995 in many ways.
Finally, I got to cap off the weekend with the home opener for the Laramie Colts on Sunday night. For two summers, I've been meaning to go to some games, but never got around to it. Baseball's fun, even when the opposing team has trouble fielding the ball. Laramie won over Greeley, 9-4. For once, I forgot to bring my camera because it wasn't in my purse as usual. I had to make do with my phone, which was no match for the safety net in front of us. Ah, well.
The end result of my weekend outside is below.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
new computer!
Hey, I almost forgot: I got a new computer at work. It's beautiful and I'm in love with it. One day before going to CALC was probably not the best time to have it installed, but I lived through not having a computer for most of a day, and I still got my notes together in time.
shiny new Mac
It's been a while since I had a Mac; I switched to Windows when I bought a laptop when I started library school back in 2002. The OS switch was motivated partially by the iSchool's recommended specs and mostly by sheer cheapness. The O.G. lime iMac I had then was seeming pretty slow by then, but I did write many papers on it, which are lovingly archived on the once-amazing technology called a zip disk. Then, all my jobs have had Windows machines and I just kind of stuck with it and now own three machines I wish I could trade in for one MacBook.
Anyway, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to play with all the software, but I can report that I made a presentation this week and the screen shots and other fussy stuff came together much faster with Grab than Printkey. Sorry, end dorky software talk. But I did play around with Photobooth, which I love. Unfortunately for my flickr friends, this will enable my self-portrait fascination. Expect many photos like the one below.
vanity
Now, if I could only remote desktop, I'd be unstoppable.
shiny new Mac
It's been a while since I had a Mac; I switched to Windows when I bought a laptop when I started library school back in 2002. The OS switch was motivated partially by the iSchool's recommended specs and mostly by sheer cheapness. The O.G. lime iMac I had then was seeming pretty slow by then, but I did write many papers on it, which are lovingly archived on the once-amazing technology called a zip disk. Then, all my jobs have had Windows machines and I just kind of stuck with it and now own three machines I wish I could trade in for one MacBook.
Anyway, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to play with all the software, but I can report that I made a presentation this week and the screen shots and other fussy stuff came together much faster with Grab than Printkey. Sorry, end dorky software talk. But I did play around with Photobooth, which I love. Unfortunately for my flickr friends, this will enable my self-portrait fascination. Expect many photos like the one below.
vanity
Now, if I could only remote desktop, I'd be unstoppable.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
summer?
So, it's been busy around these parts, even after the crazy tornadoes. We made it to Denver on Friday for CALC, and the panel and my presentation both went well. We got some good questions from the audience, which is always great. It was also fun just talking to people between sessions. For me, the day was kind of weird, because we missed the breakfast and opening keynote because we had to drive down that morning, then I was presenting in two of the three sessions. So I only got to attend the luncheon keynote and a program during the final session. It felt like I didn't get a lot out of the day, but I hope my stuff was useful to others. The session I did get to see was fun, though.
I thought I might have a pretty quiet Memorial Day weekend because everybody cleared out of town. But Peter got back from Rio on Saturday, and we drove out to Centennial for an early dinner at the Bear Tree, then drove into the mountains a little because the road was finally open. The snowdrifts are pretty huge. Then on Sunday, we drove to Ft. Collins for lunch and some shopping. I got my third new phone in a month, after the one I got the previous weekend malfunctioned and I couldn't dial a zero. I also got myself a pair of pants on sale.
Monday was pretty quiet, but after going to the grocery store, I ambushed Rick, who had just returned from Casper. Then Tawnya and Will called and suddenly, we had a little gathering for dinner, with Peter joining us in time to finish the game of Trivial Pursuit. That was nice, even though we were grilling on the porch while it rained.
I'm hoping for real summer weather this week and weekend, as I'm planning barbecue on Saturday, and I don't want to end up marooned inside. So I'm getting ready for that.
Loex of the West is next week, so I'm busily working on my program and trying to finish a paper to submit to the proceedings. I've never been to Las Vegas before, so I'm hoping to take lots of pictures and window shop at the fancy stores. Then I have a wedding in Seattle the following weekend, with the added bonus of the Old 97's show in Portland that Sunday. I expect to have my nose to the grindstone a little more than usual to keep up.
I thought I might have a pretty quiet Memorial Day weekend because everybody cleared out of town. But Peter got back from Rio on Saturday, and we drove out to Centennial for an early dinner at the Bear Tree, then drove into the mountains a little because the road was finally open. The snowdrifts are pretty huge. Then on Sunday, we drove to Ft. Collins for lunch and some shopping. I got my third new phone in a month, after the one I got the previous weekend malfunctioned and I couldn't dial a zero. I also got myself a pair of pants on sale.
Monday was pretty quiet, but after going to the grocery store, I ambushed Rick, who had just returned from Casper. Then Tawnya and Will called and suddenly, we had a little gathering for dinner, with Peter joining us in time to finish the game of Trivial Pursuit. That was nice, even though we were grilling on the porch while it rained.
I'm hoping for real summer weather this week and weekend, as I'm planning barbecue on Saturday, and I don't want to end up marooned inside. So I'm getting ready for that.
Loex of the West is next week, so I'm busily working on my program and trying to finish a paper to submit to the proceedings. I've never been to Las Vegas before, so I'm hoping to take lots of pictures and window shop at the fancy stores. Then I have a wedding in Seattle the following weekend, with the added bonus of the Old 97's show in Portland that Sunday. I expect to have my nose to the grindstone a little more than usual to keep up.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
weather weirdness
Confidential to my Laramie stalkers: you already know most of this story.
Okay, earthquakes are no fun, and I've only had to live through a couple of them, but at least you don't wait around for them. Living in Laramie continues to delight. Today, I walked out the front doors of the library on my way home for some late lunch. I stopped on the porch because it was pouring rain and the sky was dark and angry. Just as I was hesitating about walking the block and a half to my car (wearing flip-flops and a lightweight top), the tornado sirens began. As I headed back inside, everybody was being directed to the basement because of the tornado warning.
Crazy. I was luckier than most, because I had my office right there, but still unhappy because all I had on hand to eat was a granola bar and some candy. At least we never lost power. Rick's class was just about to start in the library classroom when the alarms went off, and he held class gathered around one of the study tables downstairs. Seems like most people down there were watching the weather cams and looking for updates. I tried to concentrate and get some work done, but it was hard. After a couple hours and some damage in town, the warning was lifted and the library closed. We took off downtown in search of food, but even the places with power were closed or closing. So Rick was nice and let me eat cold cereal at his house, which was out of power like most of town.
So, five of my colleagues and I were planning to leave for Denver this afternoon for CALC tomorrow. We tried to leave town at 6:oo, thinking the weather would be better, but me being late back to campus and a big hold-up at Burger King (one of the only places in town to get food) delayed us even more. I-80 was really slick with leftover hail, and filled with craziness. Then, near the summit, it was snowing and a thunder and lightning storm at the same time. So we turned back. I'm glad, because even before that, I was freaked. The power's still out at all my friends' places, but for once my inconvenient home in W. Laramie is a plus because I have power and, therefore, internet.
Oh, but it gets better. As I approached my house, I called a colleague who had gone down to Denver earlier. She said the skies there were grey, but the weather was okay. She had to drive through a mess to get there, though. I was still talking to her as I stepped out of my garage onto the walkway. Yeah, in flip-flops onto wet snow. I fell ass-over-tea-kettle and dislocated my shoulder. Because I'm a genius who talks on the phone while carrying a suitcase and looking for my keys. I was able to rotate my arm back into the socket, and it's just sore now. I'm still really cold from laying in a snow/rain puddle while I fixed my arm. Obviously, I can type, so I'll live.
We're planning to leave early tomorrow to get to CALC in time for my first presentation. Yeah, I have two. One of my two co-presenters for the morning panel is ill, so I really don't want to leave the other in a lurch if I can't make it. The afternoon panel is the six of us from my department, so if we can't make it, there will just be one fewer choice that hour. I hope it doesn't come to that, though.
Cass just called and reported that another tornado hit Cheyenne, so it's good we didn't drive right into that cf. As we were turning back to town, I called Rick on his way to Casper to see how he was doing. He said it was just raining, then he lost reception. I think he'll be fine, but it's still scary to have somebody out there on the road tonight. I know my parents (mostly Mom) were freaked out about me all day. It's hard for them to be so far away and watch the news without thinking the worst will happen. Mom thinks I'm going to get stranded and die out on some abandoned highway every time I travel. Or else I'll be eaten by a wild animal, die of hypothermia in the snow, or get nabbed by a random psycho killer-rapist. Now we can add getting sucked away by a tornado to the list of things likely to kill me in Wyoming. Sigh.
Where's my spring, dammit?
Okay, earthquakes are no fun, and I've only had to live through a couple of them, but at least you don't wait around for them. Living in Laramie continues to delight. Today, I walked out the front doors of the library on my way home for some late lunch. I stopped on the porch because it was pouring rain and the sky was dark and angry. Just as I was hesitating about walking the block and a half to my car (wearing flip-flops and a lightweight top), the tornado sirens began. As I headed back inside, everybody was being directed to the basement because of the tornado warning.
Crazy. I was luckier than most, because I had my office right there, but still unhappy because all I had on hand to eat was a granola bar and some candy. At least we never lost power. Rick's class was just about to start in the library classroom when the alarms went off, and he held class gathered around one of the study tables downstairs. Seems like most people down there were watching the weather cams and looking for updates. I tried to concentrate and get some work done, but it was hard. After a couple hours and some damage in town, the warning was lifted and the library closed. We took off downtown in search of food, but even the places with power were closed or closing. So Rick was nice and let me eat cold cereal at his house, which was out of power like most of town.
So, five of my colleagues and I were planning to leave for Denver this afternoon for CALC tomorrow. We tried to leave town at 6:oo, thinking the weather would be better, but me being late back to campus and a big hold-up at Burger King (one of the only places in town to get food) delayed us even more. I-80 was really slick with leftover hail, and filled with craziness. Then, near the summit, it was snowing and a thunder and lightning storm at the same time. So we turned back. I'm glad, because even before that, I was freaked. The power's still out at all my friends' places, but for once my inconvenient home in W. Laramie is a plus because I have power and, therefore, internet.
Oh, but it gets better. As I approached my house, I called a colleague who had gone down to Denver earlier. She said the skies there were grey, but the weather was okay. She had to drive through a mess to get there, though. I was still talking to her as I stepped out of my garage onto the walkway. Yeah, in flip-flops onto wet snow. I fell ass-over-tea-kettle and dislocated my shoulder. Because I'm a genius who talks on the phone while carrying a suitcase and looking for my keys. I was able to rotate my arm back into the socket, and it's just sore now. I'm still really cold from laying in a snow/rain puddle while I fixed my arm. Obviously, I can type, so I'll live.
We're planning to leave early tomorrow to get to CALC in time for my first presentation. Yeah, I have two. One of my two co-presenters for the morning panel is ill, so I really don't want to leave the other in a lurch if I can't make it. The afternoon panel is the six of us from my department, so if we can't make it, there will just be one fewer choice that hour. I hope it doesn't come to that, though.
Cass just called and reported that another tornado hit Cheyenne, so it's good we didn't drive right into that cf. As we were turning back to town, I called Rick on his way to Casper to see how he was doing. He said it was just raining, then he lost reception. I think he'll be fine, but it's still scary to have somebody out there on the road tonight. I know my parents (mostly Mom) were freaked out about me all day. It's hard for them to be so far away and watch the news without thinking the worst will happen. Mom thinks I'm going to get stranded and die out on some abandoned highway every time I travel. Or else I'll be eaten by a wild animal, die of hypothermia in the snow, or get nabbed by a random psycho killer-rapist. Now we can add getting sucked away by a tornado to the list of things likely to kill me in Wyoming. Sigh.
Where's my spring, dammit?
Monday, May 19, 2008
home again
Vacation on the coast was wonderful. We haven't taken a family vacation for a few years, so it was our first with my nephew. It was also the first trip in a long time where I felt truly relaxed. It was fun seeing West and how he's grown and changed since Christmas. At 15 months, he now walks and talks a little. My dad is his favorite person, and it's cool to see my dad in that role. His dad, my grandpa was my best friend when I was little, too.
Spending time on the water was exactly what I've been needing. One night we had a beach fire, and the mist from the ocean spray made my hair get even curlier. I forgot how huge my hair used to be when I lived in the humidity. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and tried to keep the sand out of our food.
Enjoying first s'more at the beach
The sunsets were lovely, and one evening we sat on the promenade and watched. I took too many photos, but it was cool.
Beautiful sky
Contemplating touching a hermit crab
Spending time on the water was exactly what I've been needing. One night we had a beach fire, and the mist from the ocean spray made my hair get even curlier. I forgot how huge my hair used to be when I lived in the humidity. We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and tried to keep the sand out of our food.
Enjoying first s'more at the beach
The sunsets were lovely, and one evening we sat on the promenade and watched. I took too many photos, but it was cool.
Beautiful sky
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
rollin' along
Some of us went roller skating again last night. I think I've found my skating partners for the summer and beyond, which is pretty awesome. While I'm definitely rusty, I'm really having fun at the rink and am improving every time I go. Last night, I made my first attempt at skating backward, which I never even used to do as a kid. My crossover turns are still pretty awkward, partly because of the terrible floor condition and having to dodge children who aren't watching where they're going, but mostly because I just need more practice.
I'm considering using some of the stimulus package to buy a pair of skates. It would be nice to have some that really fit, and I wouldn't have to pay the extra couple of bucks to rent each time. But last night my rental skates were a little cooler than usual. Check out the Pac-man laces!
What I really should have been doing last night is finishing laundry and packing for vacation and/or working on my results and discussion sections of my paper. I'm flying back to the PNW for a vacation on the Oregon coast! Things I'm looking forward to: family, being at sea level, eating lots of seafood, walking on the beach, humidity, and not worrying about work (much) for a while week!
I'm considering using some of the stimulus package to buy a pair of skates. It would be nice to have some that really fit, and I wouldn't have to pay the extra couple of bucks to rent each time. But last night my rental skates were a little cooler than usual. Check out the Pac-man laces!
What I really should have been doing last night is finishing laundry and packing for vacation and/or working on my results and discussion sections of my paper. I'm flying back to the PNW for a vacation on the Oregon coast! Things I'm looking forward to: family, being at sea level, eating lots of seafood, walking on the beach, humidity, and not worrying about work (much) for a while week!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Cinco de Mayo
Tonight after class, Rick and I tried unsuccessfully to get some people together for drinks. Instead, the two of us had some dinner at the local Mexican restaurant. Cinco de Mayo is a weird holiday. Seems like most Americans think of it either as Mexican Independence (it's not) or an excuse to drink lots of cerveza and/or tequila (I guess it is). Today, all I could tell Rick is that I knew it was the anniversary of Mexico defeating the French in a battle sometime in the 17th century. So much for my education in world history, right?
I ate too much food and drank half a margarita. So, the evening was kind of tame, but okay. It was pretty nice to be home early, especially after a jam-packed weekend of shopping, barbequing, roller derby, too much driving, homework, and the Sunday evening movie (Persepolis). All of it was fun/good, but I'm tired.
I ate too much food and drank half a margarita. So, the evening was kind of tame, but okay. It was pretty nice to be home early, especially after a jam-packed weekend of shopping, barbequing, roller derby, too much driving, homework, and the Sunday evening movie (Persepolis). All of it was fun/good, but I'm tired.
Friday, May 02, 2008
stormy night
I just got home, after staying out way too late for a school night. I'm tired, but it's so windy that my whole house is shaking and the wind is whistling and rumbling so loudly I wonder if I'll be able to sleep. Garbage cans are banging around and something big just flew down the street. Storms are cool, but this one is kind of scary.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
rollin' rollin' rollin'
It's been a pretty great weekend. On Friday, Rick organized some roller skating. Wendy and Tawnya came, too, and we rocked Skyline Skate with our 30somthing powers of awesome. This time, I was almost able to do the crossover on the corners. I also got to practice my agility as I avoided running over tiny children just learning to skate, as well as some pre-teen girls who inexplicably sat down in a circle right in the middle of the floor. Man, I miss the Skate Inn and its army of whistle-bearing floor patrollers. They really kept things organized. Skyline is kind of a CF, with no adherence to skate etiquette at all.
Then on Saturday, skate-or-die weekend continued with a visit from the Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, who came to Laramie for an exhibition bout, the Contenders v. the Others. It was a little disappointing that so few people came out, but it was really fun. We screamed as loud as we could for our chosen team, the Others (in black). I hadn't ever seen the RMRGs before, but quickly picked out some gals to root for.
Of course I could not resist getting my picture taken with a favorite rollergirl, Annia LateHer, after the match was over.
I'm planning to go to next week's bout in Denver, too. Laramie people, are you ready to caravan down?
Then on Saturday, skate-or-die weekend continued with a visit from the Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, who came to Laramie for an exhibition bout, the Contenders v. the Others. It was a little disappointing that so few people came out, but it was really fun. We screamed as loud as we could for our chosen team, the Others (in black). I hadn't ever seen the RMRGs before, but quickly picked out some gals to root for.
Of course I could not resist getting my picture taken with a favorite rollergirl, Annia LateHer, after the match was over.
I'm planning to go to next week's bout in Denver, too. Laramie people, are you ready to caravan down?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Vic is in the house!
My birthday came and went and it was fun. I've been a terrible blogger lately and might or might not get back to those stories.
But the big news is that my pal Vic is in Laramie! I've known Vic since middle school, but I think we really became friends in 9th or 10th grade math class. Also, he made me laugh every day in College Prep English. It's been way too long since we lived in the same state and about a year since we've been able to hang out. He's on a western supertrip; Missoula to Seattle to Denver to Laramie. I'm glad he worked me into the big adventure. We have some fun stuff planned for the next coupe of days before he heads back to Montana.
I love it when people come to visit me in Laramie! It's not exactly in the neighborhood of anything else, so it can take some convincing. I need to figure out some fun stuff to do while Vic's here, but I'm not too worried. He has a lot of interests, so he's pretty easy to entertain.
Expect pictures!
But the big news is that my pal Vic is in Laramie! I've known Vic since middle school, but I think we really became friends in 9th or 10th grade math class. Also, he made me laugh every day in College Prep English. It's been way too long since we lived in the same state and about a year since we've been able to hang out. He's on a western supertrip; Missoula to Seattle to Denver to Laramie. I'm glad he worked me into the big adventure. We have some fun stuff planned for the next coupe of days before he heads back to Montana.
I love it when people come to visit me in Laramie! It's not exactly in the neighborhood of anything else, so it can take some convincing. I need to figure out some fun stuff to do while Vic's here, but I'm not too worried. He has a lot of interests, so he's pretty easy to entertain.
Expect pictures!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
more firsts
I was just saying that I've done a lot of things for the first time lately. Friday it was going to Saratoga to the hot springs. Rick and I went over after work, and it was a nice way to end the week. We ran into some friends of his while we were soaking (boiling) in the pool, which was a pleasant surprise. The water was hotter than I expected, but it didn't make me as tired as I thought it would. As a bonus, long car trips are fun, especially with a friend. I like the time and space to just talk about what's going on, both in our lives and in our heads.
Another first for me this weekend was snowshoeing. I don't do a lot of outdoorsy stuff because I don't know what I'm doing and I don't have the right clothes or any gear. But Melissa convinced me to give it a shot this afternoon, and I'm glad I did. She and the others were skiing while I was on snowshoes and it worked out nicely. I always underestimate myself, thinking I'll never be able to keep up or that I'll suck at that kind of thing. It felt great to be outside in the snow for a couple of hours, working hard enough that I was pretty hot and sweaty. I'm pleasantly sore in a couple of places now and wondering if I'll manage to get out and try it all again soon. I hope so.
Another first for me this weekend was snowshoeing. I don't do a lot of outdoorsy stuff because I don't know what I'm doing and I don't have the right clothes or any gear. But Melissa convinced me to give it a shot this afternoon, and I'm glad I did. She and the others were skiing while I was on snowshoes and it worked out nicely. I always underestimate myself, thinking I'll never be able to keep up or that I'll suck at that kind of thing. It felt great to be outside in the snow for a couple of hours, working hard enough that I was pretty hot and sweaty. I'm pleasantly sore in a couple of places now and wondering if I'll manage to get out and try it all again soon. I hope so.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
"it's complicated"
That's one of the Facebook relationship statuses available. The other day, I decided that maybe it really isn't that complicated, so I changed my status, forgetting that profile changes get published in the news feed. Friends have contacted me, wondering what's up. The answer is: nothing new. I'm just trying to describe things as they are, rather than how I'd been confusing them.
Life in general is busy and uncertain right now. I've been wanting to move closer to work for a while, and thought I had a plan and a roommate in place a few days ago. After some thought, and more honest assessment of the realities, that's not going to work out. It's cool. I'll stay put for a little longer and keep looking for a new place on my own. I felt a considerable amount of relief once we reached the decision not to move.
All sorts of plans I had are falling through, which is frustrating and disappointing, but I'll manage. I have to reassess what's important to me and go from there. I've been thinking a lot about my life here in this town that I'm starting to get to know. It's weird and isolated, and I sometimes want nothing more than to just go back to the coast, where it's safe and known and filled with friends and family. But sometimes it feels like home here, one I've actually made for myself. It's not perfect, but I'm trying.
Life in general is busy and uncertain right now. I've been wanting to move closer to work for a while, and thought I had a plan and a roommate in place a few days ago. After some thought, and more honest assessment of the realities, that's not going to work out. It's cool. I'll stay put for a little longer and keep looking for a new place on my own. I felt a considerable amount of relief once we reached the decision not to move.
All sorts of plans I had are falling through, which is frustrating and disappointing, but I'll manage. I have to reassess what's important to me and go from there. I've been thinking a lot about my life here in this town that I'm starting to get to know. It's weird and isolated, and I sometimes want nothing more than to just go back to the coast, where it's safe and known and filled with friends and family. But sometimes it feels like home here, one I've actually made for myself. It's not perfect, but I'm trying.
Monday, March 24, 2008
armchair critic
I watch a lot more movies than I used to, thanks in part to the film series in town, but also because I upped my Netflix account to keep me stocked with something at nearly all times. This has led to me finally getting around to some of the critical favorites from the past couple of years. My reactions have been mixed, to say the least. Last night, I watched Junebug. I thought it was supposed to be funny, and it's only 106 minutes long, so that was a selling point. Holy cats! That was probably the longest 106 minutes I've ever endured.
I didn't hate Junebug, but I didn't like it, either. Amy Adams was charming, and I understand why she got attention from this movie, but she was really the only thing enjoyable for me. All of the acting was great, actually. It's just that the characters got no development and there was no discernible story there. The George character was a total cipher, though the actor did a good job with what he had. A film can be plot-driven, or it can be character-driven, but it should be one or the other, in my opinion. This one was neither. Bah.
I didn't hate Junebug, but I didn't like it, either. Amy Adams was charming, and I understand why she got attention from this movie, but she was really the only thing enjoyable for me. All of the acting was great, actually. It's just that the characters got no development and there was no discernible story there. The George character was a total cipher, though the actor did a good job with what he had. A film can be plot-driven, or it can be character-driven, but it should be one or the other, in my opinion. This one was neither. Bah.
Friday, March 21, 2008
good times
I went to Casper today for a work thing, which meant that I sat alone in the car for around six hours today. The university car I was issued had a tape deck instead of a CD player, so I spent my entire commute listening to public radio. I used to flip back and forth between KUOW and KEXP during my long commutes back in WA, but it only takes me ten minutes each way now. So it was kind of a nice change of pace to hear entire programs again. Also, I feel like I learned something about the sub-prime mortgage crisis and hedge funds this afternoon.
The drive back to Laramie was really pretty, but very windy. All that sitting made me restless, so it was nice to walk downtown, even though it was pretty dang cold and windy on the trip down. Rick and I checked out the new Thai place, which we've been waiting for for months. So has the rest of Laramie, judging from the crowd. The food was good and it felt really good to have Thai as an option again. Except for the summer roll appetizer, we ordered dishes neither of us had tried before, which was fun. We had the masaman shrimp with avocado and cashews and the chicken pad woon sen. Both were excellent, but I'm definitely having the masaman curry again. No photos this time, because I was too wrapped up in eating to remember.
Then, we went ice skating! Remember how I didn't fall down at all when I went roller skating a few weeks back? Well, tonight was a completely different story. It was my first time ever ice skating, and I was terrible. It was nice, though. Rick managed to stay on his feet the whole time, even when I crashed into him. I kind of hugged the wall for a while, and then got a little braver. I started to feel like I was getting it, but after I fell down a handful of times, I got too stiff to really do more. I lasted about 40 minutes, minus a few minutes here and there when I took a breather. The end result is two bruised knees, a pretty banged-up right hip and thigh, a sore bottom, and a slightly worse-for-wear right hand, wrist, and elbow. But it's cool. I'd definitely go again--after all, my technique can only improve, right?
The drive back to Laramie was really pretty, but very windy. All that sitting made me restless, so it was nice to walk downtown, even though it was pretty dang cold and windy on the trip down. Rick and I checked out the new Thai place, which we've been waiting for for months. So has the rest of Laramie, judging from the crowd. The food was good and it felt really good to have Thai as an option again. Except for the summer roll appetizer, we ordered dishes neither of us had tried before, which was fun. We had the masaman shrimp with avocado and cashews and the chicken pad woon sen. Both were excellent, but I'm definitely having the masaman curry again. No photos this time, because I was too wrapped up in eating to remember.
Then, we went ice skating! Remember how I didn't fall down at all when I went roller skating a few weeks back? Well, tonight was a completely different story. It was my first time ever ice skating, and I was terrible. It was nice, though. Rick managed to stay on his feet the whole time, even when I crashed into him. I kind of hugged the wall for a while, and then got a little braver. I started to feel like I was getting it, but after I fell down a handful of times, I got too stiff to really do more. I lasted about 40 minutes, minus a few minutes here and there when I took a breather. The end result is two bruised knees, a pretty banged-up right hip and thigh, a sore bottom, and a slightly worse-for-wear right hand, wrist, and elbow. But it's cool. I'd definitely go again--after all, my technique can only improve, right?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
photoblogging Friday
As Rick reported, Friday was a heck of a lot better than Thursday. We decided to go ahead and go see Obama. The milder weather and larger venue made me hopeful that it would be a more pleasant time in line, and I was correct. When we got there, the line was longer than the previous day, but it was really moving. The crowd seemed more cheerful, too. Cass sort of summarized the whole thing, but if you know anything about me, you know I have to have my own say.
Here's my team on Friday:
He likes to make that face.
There were lots of people in the Arena Auditorium. After living here a while, it's kind of exciting to see that many people all in one place. Of course, if I went to sporting events, this wouldn't be so unusual.
Obama worked the stage. He did a nice job, but I was disappointed he didn't tailor his message to Wyoming. All my friends have already hear me gripe about this.
After the big Obama show, we met up with a few other people and had some beers and snacks before the Ok Go show. It was pretty decent. They had some cool videos playing in the background, too.
Then I was very tired and went to bed in preparation for caucusing on Saturday morning. Watch me get all political!
Here's my team on Friday:
He likes to make that face.
There were lots of people in the Arena Auditorium. After living here a while, it's kind of exciting to see that many people all in one place. Of course, if I went to sporting events, this wouldn't be so unusual.
Obama worked the stage. He did a nice job, but I was disappointed he didn't tailor his message to Wyoming. All my friends have already hear me gripe about this.
After the big Obama show, we met up with a few other people and had some beers and snacks before the Ok Go show. It was pretty decent. They had some cool videos playing in the background, too.
Then I was very tired and went to bed in preparation for caucusing on Saturday morning. Watch me get all political!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Photoblogging Clinton
You might have heard that the race for the Democratic nomination is pretty tight. You also might have heard that both candidates are actually visiting blood-red Wyoming, in the desperate hope that our 18 delegates will make a difference. If course, this is all very last-minute, so when I heard yesterday about Bill Clinton visiting Laramie today (Hillary will be in Cheyenne tomorrow) and Barack Obama coming Friday, I decided to try to make it work, even though it meant double-booking myself with a play and a concert on the respective nights.
It all started out great. My plan was unstoppable. Doors were to open for Clinton at 4:00pm, an hour before the show. I was a little concerned about trying to do two events back-to-back, but it seemed okay because the gym and the theatre are so close together. I parked my car over there at lunch and made the walk back over around 3:30. By 3:45, I was in line, and it looked like only a couple hundred people were in front of me. Cass and Rick joined me not too long afterward.
Look how excited we are! You can't tell from the pictures, but it was crazy cold and windy outside. It's so freaking sunny in Wyoming. I'm incognito in my ski hat. People who know me will realize this is an unusual look for Kaijsa.
Yay! Doors are opening any minute! Actually, not really. We stood outside until after 5:00, freezing our asses (and faces) off while the line inched forward very slowly. Then, miraculously, the line really started moving and we made our way into the building.
See these faces? These are the faces of people who waited for over an hour in the cold, only to have the doors shut on them when they were only 20 people back from the front of the line. The gym is supposed to hold 1200 people, and it's hard to believe that many were in front of us.
We were directed into the field house, where it was alleged that an overflow area with a "data feed" was set up. Does this look set up to you? The data feed was really just audio over the PA.
None of us were impressed, so we bailed. Rick and I went to Fat Burrito for dinner before the play, and subsequently wasted another hour waiting around for the tickets to go on sale before learning there were no actual tickets and no real organization (the theme for the evening). So we ran out and grabbed a quick hot beverage before the show, which turned out to be the highlight of the evening. The beverage, I mean, not the show. The show was uneven, but mercifully short. So there's that.
Turns out that Ok Go requested a later start time tomorrow night because of the Obama rally, so who knows how the evening will turn out. All I know is that I'm not going to stand outside in the cold again when I could be inside getting some actual work done in my office. I'm still planning to caucus on Saturday morning, but I'm a little burned on the campaign rallies.
Check out Rick's version of the evening here.
It all started out great. My plan was unstoppable. Doors were to open for Clinton at 4:00pm, an hour before the show. I was a little concerned about trying to do two events back-to-back, but it seemed okay because the gym and the theatre are so close together. I parked my car over there at lunch and made the walk back over around 3:30. By 3:45, I was in line, and it looked like only a couple hundred people were in front of me. Cass and Rick joined me not too long afterward.
Look how excited we are! You can't tell from the pictures, but it was crazy cold and windy outside. It's so freaking sunny in Wyoming. I'm incognito in my ski hat. People who know me will realize this is an unusual look for Kaijsa.
Yay! Doors are opening any minute! Actually, not really. We stood outside until after 5:00, freezing our asses (and faces) off while the line inched forward very slowly. Then, miraculously, the line really started moving and we made our way into the building.
See these faces? These are the faces of people who waited for over an hour in the cold, only to have the doors shut on them when they were only 20 people back from the front of the line. The gym is supposed to hold 1200 people, and it's hard to believe that many were in front of us.
We were directed into the field house, where it was alleged that an overflow area with a "data feed" was set up. Does this look set up to you? The data feed was really just audio over the PA.
None of us were impressed, so we bailed. Rick and I went to Fat Burrito for dinner before the play, and subsequently wasted another hour waiting around for the tickets to go on sale before learning there were no actual tickets and no real organization (the theme for the evening). So we ran out and grabbed a quick hot beverage before the show, which turned out to be the highlight of the evening. The beverage, I mean, not the show. The show was uneven, but mercifully short. So there's that.
Turns out that Ok Go requested a later start time tomorrow night because of the Obama rally, so who knows how the evening will turn out. All I know is that I'm not going to stand outside in the cold again when I could be inside getting some actual work done in my office. I'm still planning to caucus on Saturday morning, but I'm a little burned on the campaign rallies.
Check out Rick's version of the evening here.
Friday, February 29, 2008
the moviegoer
I went to a film on campus tonight. I can't remember the title and I'm too lazy to look it up right now, but it was a Bollywood film from 2001. I was expecting it to be pretty long, because the flyer said 7-10pm, but we didn't get out of there until a few minutes before 11pm. Even with an intermission and a couple of pauses to fix the subtitles, that's about three big production numbers too long. It was good, though. I really did get caught up in the family drama and at least twice, I got a tiny bit misty.
What I really should have done tonight is gather and organize my stuff for the swap tomorrow evening and finish my handout for classes tomorrow morning. I guess I'm getting up really early to make sure I have enough time to fill my gas tank (the light came on during my drive home), get coffee, finish and proof the handout before printing it, and arrange the tables in the classroom. Oh, and maybe eat breakfast. If only I could get in the breakfast habit, I think my quality of life would improve by 50%.
So tired.
What I really should have done tonight is gather and organize my stuff for the swap tomorrow evening and finish my handout for classes tomorrow morning. I guess I'm getting up really early to make sure I have enough time to fill my gas tank (the light came on during my drive home), get coffee, finish and proof the handout before printing it, and arrange the tables in the classroom. Oh, and maybe eat breakfast. If only I could get in the breakfast habit, I think my quality of life would improve by 50%.
So tired.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Roller Skate Skinny
Empty rink
I went roller skating tonight, for the first time in probably twenty years. Wow, twenty years ago was 1988 and I was 14 then. I am old. It was weird at first and I thought I might not be able to do it, but I managed to figure it out and not fall down. The newfangled skates are weird, though. They were like hockey skates or something and were hard to maneuver. Next time I think I'll ask for the old-fashioned kind, which I saw they also had.
There were only about ten kids at the rink when the three of us got there a little more than an hour before closing. The gal checking us in only charged us $3 because it was so late. It was weird to go roller skating and have it not be at the Marysville Skate Inn, where I spent so many Friday nights when I was in middle school. This place was a lot smaller, with a concrete floor instead of wood, and it didn't have as many tables or as fancy a snack bar and games area. I remember buying red ropes and drinking Green River while checking out boys and gossiping with friends. I used to be pretty good at skating and could go backward and do a couple of little tricks. This time, I couldn't even do that crossover thing that makes it easy to go around the corners really fast.
Skating used muscles I must be neglecting, because I'm a little sore. My thighs and knees are sore and so are my feet (I now have a blister on one instep). That's to be expected, but what surprised me was how much core strength it takes to balance and move forward at the same time. So, yet more motivation for getting stronger. My unlimited Netflix account is allowing me to stream as many movies as I want, and the other day I realized how many workout videos are available. So that's my new plan, to add in some strengthening exercise to augment the walking, which I've slacked off on during the cold. Maybe I'll go skating again, too.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
speed demon
A colleague and I went down to Denver on Friday for a roundtable discussion with some academic librarians from other schools in the region. I drove us in a university car and we left insanely early in the morning. Right before we got to Cheyenne, I got pulled over. The trooper gave me a fun ticket in the amount of $180. Nice. He claims I was going 94 in a 75, but I'm skeptical. I was definitely going 85, but I never hit 90. What can you do, though? So, I guess I'm spending my clothing budget on a speeding ticket. I'll have to wear too-big pants for a while longer.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
sleep deficit
What do you do when you can't sleep? I suffer from insomnia, which gets worse with stress or upheaval. To combat this, I've tried to follow the advice of The Experts, who say it's best to keep television and other activities out of the bedroom. Since I quit using my laptop, reading, or working in bed, I have seen an improvement in my ability to fall asleep at night. But following the rules forces me to get out of bed when sleep won't come or is interrupted by anxiety dreams. This was the case this morning around 5am, which isn't early to be up for some people, but when you fall asleep at 1am, it's pretty crummy.
To pass the time, I often catch up on music blogs. Bonus for you, because I can pass on all the good stuff I find.
To pass the time, I often catch up on music blogs. Bonus for you, because I can pass on all the good stuff I find.
- Lamestain has a post on Hammerbox, an old PNW favorite that was gone before its time. I can't tell you how many times I listened to "When 3 is 2" from their first record and danced around my bedroom like a lunatic, back when I was in high school.
- The Music Slut posted about a band called Boulevard that sounds right up my ally, describing their sound as "a wet dream involving Depeche Mode, Fischerspooner, T. Rex, ABBA, Junior Boys & The Rapture." OMG. The linked track, "Disco Lite," is pretty good. I'll have to hear more.
- KEXP is torturing me with news about festivals I can't afford to attend. It doesn't happen often, but I sometimes do kick myself for not selling out to the man. Leonard Cohen is playing Glastonbury. Huh. SXSW has every Next Big Thing slated to play, of course.
Monday, February 11, 2008
quirk
Even though I don't have cable, I can catch enough television online to be pretty aware of what's going on. Lately I've noticed that television has become quirkier. I'm not anti-quirk, by any means. I loved Twin Peaks back in the day, and really liked some short-lived shows like Wonderfalls and Joan of Arcadia, which each had a supernatural quirk. While I liked them, mainstream audiences thought they were too weird and they were canceled.
I'm not sure what changed, but now this stuff is all the rage. These days, it seems like half the programs on television are mining this trope. Pushing Daisies has a guy who can bring back the dead with one touch, and kill them forever with a second. Chuck has a guy who downloaded a supercomputer into his brain (remember Jake 2.0 and his nanites?). Reaper is about a kid whose parents sold his soul to the devil. Don't forget Heroes, which is populated with all manner of folks with special powers. And now Eli Stone has a lawyer who sees visions that lead him to help his clients, perhaps thanks to a brain aneurysm (is that what was wrong with Ally McBeal, too?).
What's going on here? And why can't I enjoy this new crop of quirky entertainment? It only seems to work for me when it fits into sci-fi/fantasy or spy genres. So yes, I like Chuck. Heroes was good at first, though it's become ponderous lately. But the rest of it gets on my nerves. I'm not talking about dramas like Medium, where the supernatural element is played straight. Too bad Journeyman was so boring, because that could have been kind of cool. What bothers me is the wink-wink quirkiness that seems designed to show how cool and clever the writers are. It's a tone issue, I think, and it makes me crazy. I can hardly stand Ugly Betty for this reason.
So I've been watching trashy soaps instead, like Cashmere Mafia and Lipstick Jungle because they have new episodes and to fill the void left by Dirty Sexy Money. And that's also unsatisfying, in a different way. If there's a point all this, I can't remember it.
I'm not sure what changed, but now this stuff is all the rage. These days, it seems like half the programs on television are mining this trope. Pushing Daisies has a guy who can bring back the dead with one touch, and kill them forever with a second. Chuck has a guy who downloaded a supercomputer into his brain (remember Jake 2.0 and his nanites?). Reaper is about a kid whose parents sold his soul to the devil. Don't forget Heroes, which is populated with all manner of folks with special powers. And now Eli Stone has a lawyer who sees visions that lead him to help his clients, perhaps thanks to a brain aneurysm (is that what was wrong with Ally McBeal, too?).
What's going on here? And why can't I enjoy this new crop of quirky entertainment? It only seems to work for me when it fits into sci-fi/fantasy or spy genres. So yes, I like Chuck. Heroes was good at first, though it's become ponderous lately. But the rest of it gets on my nerves. I'm not talking about dramas like Medium, where the supernatural element is played straight. Too bad Journeyman was so boring, because that could have been kind of cool. What bothers me is the wink-wink quirkiness that seems designed to show how cool and clever the writers are. It's a tone issue, I think, and it makes me crazy. I can hardly stand Ugly Betty for this reason.
So I've been watching trashy soaps instead, like Cashmere Mafia and Lipstick Jungle because they have new episodes and to fill the void left by Dirty Sexy Money. And that's also unsatisfying, in a different way. If there's a point all this, I can't remember it.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
quotation
"Even more, I had never meant to love him. One thing I truly knew - knew it in the pit of my stomach, in the center of my bones, knew it from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, knew it deep in my empty chest - was how love gave someone the power to break you.
I'd been broken beyond repair."
— Stephenie Meyer (New Moon)
Found on Goodreads.
I'd been broken beyond repair."
— Stephenie Meyer (New Moon)
Found on Goodreads.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
leap year!
Hey, did you know it's leap year? Woot! Whatever will I do with my one extra day? It's hard to believe we're already into February, and this short month will probably fly by before I know it.
I had a really good weekend. Friday, I went to the art museum reception, which I try to hit every time. This time was special because it was the student juried exhibit, and I'm all about that. After, some friends and I went for a quick drink and then out for sushi dinner bonanza. Seriously, Cass and I commented a few times that it was like a taste of home (the 206). We ordered crazy amounts of food, and the chef also sent over an amazing sashimi platter. We of course got a bunch of rolls, and one of our party commented that we certainly had a theme going when he noticed we had, among other rolls, Boy Friend, Rainbow, and Crunchy Sexy. We also had 911, which nearly made me die when I shoved a piece in my mouth, hot sauce-side-first. It was a really fun night.
Then on Saturday, it was Thai dinner night with a fun group of people. We cooked up fun stuff and ate and had good conversation for a couple of hours. Everything was so, so good. And now I crave more Thai iced coffee, which I made for the first time after loving it for years. We definitely need to do it again.
After all that, Sunday was a more low-key affair. I stayed in pajamas until after noon, when I was shamed into dressing and going to the library to work on lit review stuff for the class Rick and I are taking this semester. It's nice to be taking it with a friend, because I stay on task better that way. The other people in the class are nice, too. I think it's good for my brain to take a class outside my discipline background but within my professional interests. And it can't hurt that it will help me do a better job with research.
Note to self: order The English Patient from Prospector and find my copy of Running in the Family and re-read it.
I had a really good weekend. Friday, I went to the art museum reception, which I try to hit every time. This time was special because it was the student juried exhibit, and I'm all about that. After, some friends and I went for a quick drink and then out for sushi dinner bonanza. Seriously, Cass and I commented a few times that it was like a taste of home (the 206). We ordered crazy amounts of food, and the chef also sent over an amazing sashimi platter. We of course got a bunch of rolls, and one of our party commented that we certainly had a theme going when he noticed we had, among other rolls, Boy Friend, Rainbow, and Crunchy Sexy. We also had 911, which nearly made me die when I shoved a piece in my mouth, hot sauce-side-first. It was a really fun night.
Then on Saturday, it was Thai dinner night with a fun group of people. We cooked up fun stuff and ate and had good conversation for a couple of hours. Everything was so, so good. And now I crave more Thai iced coffee, which I made for the first time after loving it for years. We definitely need to do it again.
After all that, Sunday was a more low-key affair. I stayed in pajamas until after noon, when I was shamed into dressing and going to the library to work on lit review stuff for the class Rick and I are taking this semester. It's nice to be taking it with a friend, because I stay on task better that way. The other people in the class are nice, too. I think it's good for my brain to take a class outside my discipline background but within my professional interests. And it can't hurt that it will help me do a better job with research.
Note to self: order The English Patient from Prospector and find my copy of Running in the Family and re-read it.
new snow
A light snow fell during the evening tonight. It was different than the snow that came down last night and on and off all day. Tonight, it looked like the city was covered in glitter. I was driving home just before midnight and I wished so much I could capture how beautiful it was.
Monday, January 28, 2008
mmmm...pizza
So after class tonight, I gave in to an offer of pizza. I haven't been eating it much at all for several months and must have forgotten that the last time we got some, I suffered. And so I suffer again. It's just an upset stomach (which could be partially blamed on the bourbon and vanilla coke, I guess), but I hesitate to lay down in bed for fear of the almighty acid reflux monster.
We also watched Army of Darkness, which has been on my list for a while and sadly did not live up to expectations. I wouldn't say I'm a huge Bruce Campbell fan or anything, but I have seen one of the Evil Dead movies and enjoyed Bubba Ho-Tep quite a bit. I actually went to that with Pete and one of his friends during library school, when I didn't know him all that well and before he became my favorite partner-in-crime's companion. Anyway, my point is that we watched the end of the State of the Union address afterwards, and that was funnier than the movie.
Finally, after a long conversation about research and publishing, etc., I came home to find my first Early Reviewer book in the mailbox, so I'll need to read that and post a review soon. Between that, everything I have checked out from the library; the stacks of unread books in my house; the fifteen or so new books I picked up at Midwinter; the books publishers have started mailing to me for no apparent reason other than maybe they know I'm a librarian (although they come to my house and my librarian stuff comes to work); all the essays and chapters I'm looking at for the composition reader; and the book I just got for a discussion group next month, I think I'm set for reading materials for a while. Also, I have a healthy supply of journal articles stacked up in my office. But hey, I posted on the book blog for the first time this year, although I know I read something else and just can't remember what now. Maybe something on a plane? Hmm.
We also watched Army of Darkness, which has been on my list for a while and sadly did not live up to expectations. I wouldn't say I'm a huge Bruce Campbell fan or anything, but I have seen one of the Evil Dead movies and enjoyed Bubba Ho-Tep quite a bit. I actually went to that with Pete and one of his friends during library school, when I didn't know him all that well and before he became my favorite partner-in-crime's companion. Anyway, my point is that we watched the end of the State of the Union address afterwards, and that was funnier than the movie.
Finally, after a long conversation about research and publishing, etc., I came home to find my first Early Reviewer book in the mailbox, so I'll need to read that and post a review soon. Between that, everything I have checked out from the library; the stacks of unread books in my house; the fifteen or so new books I picked up at Midwinter; the books publishers have started mailing to me for no apparent reason other than maybe they know I'm a librarian (although they come to my house and my librarian stuff comes to work); all the essays and chapters I'm looking at for the composition reader; and the book I just got for a discussion group next month, I think I'm set for reading materials for a while. Also, I have a healthy supply of journal articles stacked up in my office. But hey, I posted on the book blog for the first time this year, although I know I read something else and just can't remember what now. Maybe something on a plane? Hmm.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
phone home
It's amazing how important a phone call can be. Talking to a good friend can, if not make the hard stuff go away, at least put it into perspective a little. It's easy to go too long between conversations, to neglect that connection. I need to be better about that.
Friday, January 25, 2008
music for the masses
So, I'm totally a music freak. This is no secret. What I'm not is any sort of scene-y hipster, who keeps up with the latest, most edgy stuff. I don't understand Animal Collective. Even more accessible stuff is sometimes beyond me. For years and years I almost, but didn't quite embrace Modest Mouse. I have no patience for most prog-rock and anything remotely jam-bandy makes me crazy. So I know what I like, and I like pop music. Like, a lot.
LCD Soundsystem made my best-of list and I consider them extremely listenable. So I was amused by this post, defending Sound of Silver from its inclusion on a list of "10 Unlistenable Albums Lying Hipsters Put on Year-End Lists to Appear Cool." These lists are always interesting to me because I usually like one or two of the bands included (see also: Grizzly Bear, The Knife). Whatever. It's funny. And what do I know? After all, I'm currently listening to Sir Mix-a-lot's "My Posse's on Broadway." My last.fm profile is so weird.
What I really need right now is something new to listen to. The new Interpol is in my library requests, so there's that.
LCD Soundsystem made my best-of list and I consider them extremely listenable. So I was amused by this post, defending Sound of Silver from its inclusion on a list of "10 Unlistenable Albums Lying Hipsters Put on Year-End Lists to Appear Cool." These lists are always interesting to me because I usually like one or two of the bands included (see also: Grizzly Bear, The Knife). Whatever. It's funny. And what do I know? After all, I'm currently listening to Sir Mix-a-lot's "My Posse's on Broadway." My last.fm profile is so weird.
What I really need right now is something new to listen to. The new Interpol is in my library requests, so there's that.
Monday, January 21, 2008
cartoon logic
I'm watching Ratatouille, which resulted in the following conversation.
Kaijsa: So, he's an American rat living in Paris?
Rick: No, he just doesn't have a strong accent
Kaijsa: Okay
Sometimes I over think these things.
Kaijsa: So, he's an American rat living in Paris?
Rick: No, he just doesn't have a strong accent
Kaijsa: Okay
Sometimes I over think these things.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
2008, isn't it great?
I can't believe the new year is already here. It took longer than expected, but I arrived in Laramie yesterday sometime after noon. I got to Denver on Sunday morning, and Rick picked me up at the airport. It was a gorgeous day. We drove up to Fort Collins, with the intention of grabbing lunch, doing a tiny bit of shopping, and getting back on the road. A storm came through and closed the highways, which changed our plans somewhat. After killing time by going to a movie (National Treasure 2, which was "eh"), the road reports were still all bad news and we had to stay the night. It was fun, in a snow-day kind of way. I like hotels.
So we rolled into town almost a day later than planned and it was suddenly New Year's Eve. I didn't have any grand plans and ended up tagging along with Rick to a party where I only knew the hostess. All her guests were nice and we had fun playing games until the big countdown. This is my first New Year in Laramie, so I'm missing the fun party I usually go to on New Year's Day. It feels kind of weird, but I felt like I needed to get back here and have a little time before going back to work.
Now that the holidays are over--well, almost over, since there's a birthday today--I'm hit with the reality of all I need to do. Time is seeming to go by so quickly lately and stuff is piling up, both literally and figuratively. I guess I need a plan. Spring semester should be busy, but less so than fall, which was kind of crazy. I'm trying to take a research methods class, but I didn't really get my act together until right before my vacation, so I'm really hoping the class isn't already full.
I'm thinking that it would be good for me to take a class again and try to be disciplined about keeping up. Also, descriptive research methods could come in pretty handy for assessment projects at work. If I can't get into the class, I'm going to be annoyed, because I will have wasted my $50 registration fee, but I guess I could take something else or wait until next semester.
There are a million other things on my plate right now. Midwinter is coming up amazingly soon. I've never been to Philadelphia, but I don't know if I'll have time to see anything in that short amount of time. We're getting there on Friday and leaving Monday, and my schedule is already too booked. As long as I get to my three committee meetings, I guess the rest is extra. Librarians, let me know if you'll be there, because I'm really hoping I can catch up with my long-distance friends. Internet friends, this means you, too.
Happy New Year!
So we rolled into town almost a day later than planned and it was suddenly New Year's Eve. I didn't have any grand plans and ended up tagging along with Rick to a party where I only knew the hostess. All her guests were nice and we had fun playing games until the big countdown. This is my first New Year in Laramie, so I'm missing the fun party I usually go to on New Year's Day. It feels kind of weird, but I felt like I needed to get back here and have a little time before going back to work.
Now that the holidays are over--well, almost over, since there's a birthday today--I'm hit with the reality of all I need to do. Time is seeming to go by so quickly lately and stuff is piling up, both literally and figuratively. I guess I need a plan. Spring semester should be busy, but less so than fall, which was kind of crazy. I'm trying to take a research methods class, but I didn't really get my act together until right before my vacation, so I'm really hoping the class isn't already full.
I'm thinking that it would be good for me to take a class again and try to be disciplined about keeping up. Also, descriptive research methods could come in pretty handy for assessment projects at work. If I can't get into the class, I'm going to be annoyed, because I will have wasted my $50 registration fee, but I guess I could take something else or wait until next semester.
There are a million other things on my plate right now. Midwinter is coming up amazingly soon. I've never been to Philadelphia, but I don't know if I'll have time to see anything in that short amount of time. We're getting there on Friday and leaving Monday, and my schedule is already too booked. As long as I get to my three committee meetings, I guess the rest is extra. Librarians, let me know if you'll be there, because I'm really hoping I can catch up with my long-distance friends. Internet friends, this means you, too.
Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Bests of 2007
I can't believe it's been a whole year since I did this. It feels weird to be making appointments for 2008 already, but the year is almost over. My list of categories changed a little from last time. Enjoy!
Best Albums
This list looks similar to last year, as Arcade Fire and Band of Horses made both lists. Because they RULE. There was massive amounts of good stuff out this year, but these were on repeat at Rancho Kaijsa.
Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
Band of Horses, Cease to Begin
Feist, The Reminder
LCD Soundsystem, The Sound of Silver
Best Live Shows
A shorter list than last year, but that's probably because I only hit one day at Bumbershoot and kept missing out on fun shows in Denver because of weather, bad timing, or sheer laziness on my part. Why didn't I go to Monolith again?
Arcade Fire with LCD Soundsystem @ Red Rocks (September 17)
Silversun Pickups with Sea Wolf @ Ogden Theater (July 30)
Best Films
Between the film series, upping the netflix, and actually going to see a few new releases, I watched a bunch of movies this year. Very uncharacteristic, but more fun. These aren't necessesarily the best movies of the year, but rather those that came out in 07 that I most enjoyed.
Once
Knocked Up and its little brother, Superbad
My Best Friend
The Namesake
Best Television
Yeah, I'm going there.
30 Rock (technically came out in 2006, but so worth mentioning)
Gossip Girl (glossy teen soap perfection!)
Best Books
After I couldn't name any noteworthy books from 2006, I started a reading blog. Keeping track of this kind of thing is good for me, I find. This year I read a lot of good stuff, much of it new. I'm only listing books that came out in 2007.
Sherman Alexie, Flight
Sherman Alexie, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Jonathan Franzen, The Discomfort Zone: A Personal History
E. Lockhart, Dramarama
Cathleen Schine, The New Yorkers
Aoibheann Sweeney, Among Other Things, I've Taken Up Smoking
Tia Williams, The It Chicks
There were lots of other "bests" this year, too complicated to mention. It was my first full year in my new state. I visited Seattle six times in 2007, but this was also the year I really came to think of Laramie as my home. And for the first time, I'll be there to ring in the new year. I don't know what new things 2008 will bring, so I'm going into it feeling hopeful. Happy New Year!
Best Albums
This list looks similar to last year, as Arcade Fire and Band of Horses made both lists. Because they RULE. There was massive amounts of good stuff out this year, but these were on repeat at Rancho Kaijsa.
Arcade Fire, Neon Bible
Band of Horses, Cease to Begin
Feist, The Reminder
LCD Soundsystem, The Sound of Silver
Best Live Shows
A shorter list than last year, but that's probably because I only hit one day at Bumbershoot and kept missing out on fun shows in Denver because of weather, bad timing, or sheer laziness on my part. Why didn't I go to Monolith again?
Arcade Fire with LCD Soundsystem @ Red Rocks (September 17)
Silversun Pickups with Sea Wolf @ Ogden Theater (July 30)
Best Films
Between the film series, upping the netflix, and actually going to see a few new releases, I watched a bunch of movies this year. Very uncharacteristic, but more fun. These aren't necessesarily the best movies of the year, but rather those that came out in 07 that I most enjoyed.
Once
Knocked Up and its little brother, Superbad
My Best Friend
The Namesake
Best Television
Yeah, I'm going there.
30 Rock (technically came out in 2006, but so worth mentioning)
Gossip Girl (glossy teen soap perfection!)
Best Books
After I couldn't name any noteworthy books from 2006, I started a reading blog. Keeping track of this kind of thing is good for me, I find. This year I read a lot of good stuff, much of it new. I'm only listing books that came out in 2007.
Sherman Alexie, Flight
Sherman Alexie, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Jonathan Franzen, The Discomfort Zone: A Personal History
E. Lockhart, Dramarama
Cathleen Schine, The New Yorkers
Aoibheann Sweeney, Among Other Things, I've Taken Up Smoking
Tia Williams, The It Chicks
There were lots of other "bests" this year, too complicated to mention. It was my first full year in my new state. I visited Seattle six times in 2007, but this was also the year I really came to think of Laramie as my home. And for the first time, I'll be there to ring in the new year. I don't know what new things 2008 will bring, so I'm going into it feeling hopeful. Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
snuggly
I don't usually like flannel sheets, but my parents' house is heated entirely by two gas stoves and the bedroom I'm in is the farthest away. So, yay, flannel sheets! I miss my down duvet, though.
Getting here took a little longer than it should have, but the folks at Alaska know how to deal with delays and keep passengers from getting the crazy. Our plane was around 90 minutes late to arrive, but being given hot coffee and cookies immediately upon boarding was a nice distraction.
I read an entire J.A. Jance mystery (I didn't even know she had a new series) while waiting to board and for the first hour of the flight, but slept the remaining two hours. It's weird how I never used to sleep on planes and now I have a hard time staying awake on them. Well, I guess I have a hard time staying awake whenever I'm sitting still, unless I have somebody with me. Forget watching DVDs at home alone. Instant snoozing.
As soon as I got off the plane in Seattle, I felt like I was in a sauna. The lovely humidity made it seem really warm. But that same humidity made me really cold when I got outside. It's like coming out of the shower and standing around all damp. Brr.
I'm super tired and have to get up kind of early to drop off Mom to babysit the nephew. This will give me her car all day. Then I meet up with Mel at U Village and we head down to a friend's place for dinner with girlfriends. The holiday revelry has begun!
Getting here took a little longer than it should have, but the folks at Alaska know how to deal with delays and keep passengers from getting the crazy. Our plane was around 90 minutes late to arrive, but being given hot coffee and cookies immediately upon boarding was a nice distraction.
I read an entire J.A. Jance mystery (I didn't even know she had a new series) while waiting to board and for the first hour of the flight, but slept the remaining two hours. It's weird how I never used to sleep on planes and now I have a hard time staying awake on them. Well, I guess I have a hard time staying awake whenever I'm sitting still, unless I have somebody with me. Forget watching DVDs at home alone. Instant snoozing.
As soon as I got off the plane in Seattle, I felt like I was in a sauna. The lovely humidity made it seem really warm. But that same humidity made me really cold when I got outside. It's like coming out of the shower and standing around all damp. Brr.
I'm super tired and have to get up kind of early to drop off Mom to babysit the nephew. This will give me her car all day. Then I meet up with Mel at U Village and we head down to a friend's place for dinner with girlfriends. The holiday revelry has begun!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Holiday houseguest
Today I heard from Melanie that Ed arrived in Jackson Hole last night. He's on his big, cross-country expedition. I told her to let him know he could stay over with me if he decided to take I-80 to Nebraska and points beyond, and he did! He called when he hit Rawlins and arrived in Laramie at around 9:30 tonight.
We didn't have a lot of time, but I did take him to the Buckhorn Bar--he asked for the "most Laramie" bar--and drove around the campus a little bit. Of course, it's Monday night and it's after finals, so the place was pretty dead, but it was a nice time. It's fun to see the reaction my Seattle friends have when they get charged $3 for a pint of microbrew. They're expecting it to be $7.
It's a rare evening when I'm home, and it's even rarer for me to have company over here. So it's extra fun when I have an actual houseguest. I love that I've now had four Seattle friends come visit me in Wyoming. I love seeing them and catching up, but it's also nice to share the town with them. I think It helps them understand why it's becoming, if not home-home, a home of my own making. There's something to be said for coming to a new place alone and starting a whole new life. Not that it's been easy, but I've really become attached to the people here and the place itself. My mom was shocked over Thanksgiving when I said I was glad to be going home, meaning Laramie. I think it hit her that I'm not just staying here; I really do live here.
So anyway, Ed's taking off early in the morning. I need to actually get my lazy self up so I can make some coffee and breakfast to send him off well, then finish packing for my journey west. It's hard to believe I'll be in Seattle by 9pm PST tomorrow!
We didn't have a lot of time, but I did take him to the Buckhorn Bar--he asked for the "most Laramie" bar--and drove around the campus a little bit. Of course, it's Monday night and it's after finals, so the place was pretty dead, but it was a nice time. It's fun to see the reaction my Seattle friends have when they get charged $3 for a pint of microbrew. They're expecting it to be $7.
It's a rare evening when I'm home, and it's even rarer for me to have company over here. So it's extra fun when I have an actual houseguest. I love that I've now had four Seattle friends come visit me in Wyoming. I love seeing them and catching up, but it's also nice to share the town with them. I think It helps them understand why it's becoming, if not home-home, a home of my own making. There's something to be said for coming to a new place alone and starting a whole new life. Not that it's been easy, but I've really become attached to the people here and the place itself. My mom was shocked over Thanksgiving when I said I was glad to be going home, meaning Laramie. I think it hit her that I'm not just staying here; I really do live here.
So anyway, Ed's taking off early in the morning. I need to actually get my lazy self up so I can make some coffee and breakfast to send him off well, then finish packing for my journey west. It's hard to believe I'll be in Seattle by 9pm PST tomorrow!
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