"(his life was)... a total tragedy, but he was better than me at making ice cream". -Tim
(in regards to his jerkfaced manager at DQ)
"they taught me the JDC* style" -Schae (crocheting)
*Juvenile Detention Center
Insecurity is tough, but there is value in learning from others... even if admitting you don't know and messing up what you do know because you're over-worrying means you don't get hired again.
Someone else will like you.
Someone else will like me.
Lot of someone elses like both of us. It'll all shake out. Fear not; Love honestly and remain dedicated to the task.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A deserving porcupine
Don't want to jinx all the happiness, but I'm pretty excited for the next 8 days... friends, family, and a little bit of work. Perfect.
Contrary
My friend, Aaron told me he thought I might like this song:
He's right, but it sort of sounds like heart break.
We had a brief discussion about "letting it go". Letting go of things isn't in the top 10 of my best skills, but I don't really want (to need) any more practice. It's similar to patience in that way.
I used to claim that I didn't believe in time, but if I do, it's for the sake of comfort. It is what is promising us that we're all experiencing the same amount of something. We may feel different than the people next to us and different than we did last hour, but it's just an hour and the next hour will come around in the same amount time.
While I don't believe time heals all wounds, I believe that the right actions over time will. Nothing but infinity lasts forever. This knowledge may not help me set my things down, but I know that in time, they may disappear anyways.
Bright Eyes once told me:
"I let my troubles solve themselves. I used to get involved but I'm just no help"
I like to get involved because I want to be "a part of things," but I know it's a bit in vain. Most of my problems solve themselves better when I stay out of them, and the luggage I'm carrying only leaves on its own accord.
I cut my hair, partly because I needed it gone. I miss my long hair and am letting it grow, but I still want to experiment with other short hair cuts. I'm divided because hair takes a long time to grow and sometimes you don't want to let it go. Sometimes you just want it back.
Contrary to this song and this entry I am feeling a.okay. I have had catch-up conversations with two wonderful friends the past two nights and there is so much excitement in the near future! Yeah, I'm in a good place. Thank you <3
ps. On a completely separate note, I love this woman and I'm totally guilty of this.
He's right, but it sort of sounds like heart break.
We had a brief discussion about "letting it go". Letting go of things isn't in the top 10 of my best skills, but I don't really want (to need) any more practice. It's similar to patience in that way.
I used to claim that I didn't believe in time, but if I do, it's for the sake of comfort. It is what is promising us that we're all experiencing the same amount of something. We may feel different than the people next to us and different than we did last hour, but it's just an hour and the next hour will come around in the same amount time.
While I don't believe time heals all wounds, I believe that the right actions over time will. Nothing but infinity lasts forever. This knowledge may not help me set my things down, but I know that in time, they may disappear anyways.
Bright Eyes once told me:
"I let my troubles solve themselves. I used to get involved but I'm just no help"
I like to get involved because I want to be "a part of things," but I know it's a bit in vain. Most of my problems solve themselves better when I stay out of them, and the luggage I'm carrying only leaves on its own accord.
I cut my hair, partly because I needed it gone. I miss my long hair and am letting it grow, but I still want to experiment with other short hair cuts. I'm divided because hair takes a long time to grow and sometimes you don't want to let it go. Sometimes you just want it back.
Contrary to this song and this entry I am feeling a.okay. I have had catch-up conversations with two wonderful friends the past two nights and there is so much excitement in the near future! Yeah, I'm in a good place. Thank you <3
ps. On a completely separate note, I love this woman and I'm totally guilty of this.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Worth Sharing
Things worth sharing:
1. My friend Jeri sent me the link to this, Digital Theatre. Amazing. Over There is my FAVORITE show that I haven't been a part of!
There's a bit of me that's hesitant, as theatre acting is for the stage, not film and the staging feels differently when you don't get to see the whole stage, but if the directors don't mind... London is so far away, I appreciate them bringing it closer. And, from what I was told once by a man who lived in Northern England, they typically broadcast certain plays on British tv.
2. Lisa, who was in my program last fall, recently posted this on facebook... a whole new, fabulous way to look at Van Gogh.
3. My friend, Greg just posted these stairs on his facebook. For as long as I can remember having a library (floor to ceiling bookcases) filled with books I've read has been on my list of life goals. Book stairs has just replaced it.
4. THIS WOMAN
5. Holidays
6. Chocolate Chip cookies
I almost applied here, but was reminded by my roommate that maybe I didn't want to be delivering cookies in the snow at 2am to drunk, overwhelmed, and/or recently broken-up women**.
**Not to say that those are the only people who'd buy the cookies, but we know that's when we'd be most likely to order them.
1. My friend Jeri sent me the link to this, Digital Theatre. Amazing. Over There is my FAVORITE show that I haven't been a part of!
There's a bit of me that's hesitant, as theatre acting is for the stage, not film and the staging feels differently when you don't get to see the whole stage, but if the directors don't mind... London is so far away, I appreciate them bringing it closer. And, from what I was told once by a man who lived in Northern England, they typically broadcast certain plays on British tv.
2. Lisa, who was in my program last fall, recently posted this on facebook... a whole new, fabulous way to look at Van Gogh.
3. My friend, Greg just posted these stairs on his facebook. For as long as I can remember having a library (floor to ceiling bookcases) filled with books I've read has been on my list of life goals. Book stairs has just replaced it.
4. THIS WOMAN
5. Holidays
6. Chocolate Chip cookies
I almost applied here, but was reminded by my roommate that maybe I didn't want to be delivering cookies in the snow at 2am to drunk, overwhelmed, and/or recently broken-up women**.
**Not to say that those are the only people who'd buy the cookies, but we know that's when we'd be most likely to order them.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
It'll be different in the morning
Had a purposeless day and realized I really want to be a roadie. After realizing I didn't actually know how to make that happened I had an evening with friends. On the train home I began thinking about trying to find a job as a secretary in an upper office. If I made a medium amount of money I could pay off my loans and leave to live off the earth. I arrived home to find the run-a-way and go live in the woods feeling waiting for me.
Not all who wander are lost and not all who are lost wander.
Not all who wander are lost and not all who are lost wander.
Monday, November 15, 2010
My shoes match my watch
Remember when I said I was an emotional marathon watcher? I'm even an emotional marathon reader-abouter. Spencer's just a regular guy, but I understand the silence. The marathon is inevitably something in my future, just not yet.
The blog that the bit about Spencer is written on, is a blog I learned about through my friend, Heather. There are a zillion and one mother blogs out there, but these are the two I read and find interesting outside of a child-raising sense... which gets a little old when you don't actually have kids. Heather has a great way of focusing not only on being a mother, but of experiencing and loving extended family and the experiences of life. "The Mother Runner" helps me remember I can go running. I don't, but I know I can. If I had a routine I'd rename my blog, not the living bean, but Running in the Grown Up's World. It's different here.
The blog that the bit about Spencer is written on, is a blog I learned about through my friend, Heather. There are a zillion and one mother blogs out there, but these are the two I read and find interesting outside of a child-raising sense... which gets a little old when you don't actually have kids. Heather has a great way of focusing not only on being a mother, but of experiencing and loving extended family and the experiences of life. "The Mother Runner" helps me remember I can go running. I don't, but I know I can. If I had a routine I'd rename my blog, not the living bean, but Running in the Grown Up's World. It's different here.
Take It
Dexter makes my nerves jumpy, but I watch it anyways.
I sometimes wonder if they write the cliff hanger first. Ahhh. I would've been able to sleep easier if it weren't for the last 3 minutes.
I sometimes wonder if they write the cliff hanger first. Ahhh. I would've been able to sleep easier if it weren't for the last 3 minutes.
0-point Week
The options for titles for this post are numerous, but the moral of the story is I need a 0-point week this week. I cannot remember the last time I ate this much food in one weekend. Even when I was in Texas in March I didn't eat this much. And now, at 1am [and 2:30am when I finished typing] I feel full. The chocolate chips I just had probably helped it. Although, let's rewind to get a full week in review.
Monday: work and interview [for a job I decided during the interview I didn't want]
The working was great! It was my first time getting to actually hang instruments in a New York theater that required more than a house ladder. In fact, they required an incredibly rickety old 'cherry picker'. I have never been in one quite this... unstable? It also required you to hand pump it up at about 1-2" a pump so we left it at full height and climbed the ladder [attached] up to it. That said, it was one of the first times that when someone else went to go do it, and got nervous, they told that person not to worry about it because I'd go up. It was reverse freshman year and fabulous. That said, I think I missed out on a lot of learning by having people eager to take over things during college. That was then and this is now though so I'll digress.
I love organizing and paperwork, but I had REALLY missed lights.
Tuesday: interview and additional work
There was actually an additional call which I was able to attend a portion of. Yay! I had an interview in the morning and in the afternoon so I just worked between them. I know I didn't get the job that the first interview was for and I was pretty disappointed about it. It was a solid few days of work and for a project I thought sounded really cool. That said, there are plenty of qualified people out there and when it comes down to it, I'm kind of mediocre. I'm great in that I'm focused, friendly, and get things done, but I'm not the speediest, strongest, or most knowledgeable and I understand that. Things take time.
Wednesday: networking
I went to an open house for a theatre company with a school. Meh. I don't know if I'm really at a place where I want to network in a networking setting. To do so well you really have to know what you want and what you offer. I know those things, but I'm not sure which things to showcase in such a setting. And, there were a variety of people there for different reasons and it just wasn't for me.
Afterward I had some thai at Tara's Thai [I'm trying to do better remembering the names of places where I eat] with a friend and I must admit, I get so excited to see new friend(s)' living arrangements! This friend lives near St. Mark's and it was so exciting to see. I wish it wouldn't be weird to take pictures so I could sort of compare and contrast and show you... There are so many worlds in each of the five boroughs that it almost amazes me that there are even more worlds within those worlds... neighborhoods and homes and rooms...
Thursday: being mopey, followed by margaritas
Thursday averaged out to being an okay day, but it was another one of those Ahhhhh! sort of days. I'm truly working on my professional patience, but budget sheets can make that hard to do. This was the day that I found out I didn't get the one Tuesday job and I had really begun to be enthusiastic about it. I also was working on a cover letter for a job I thought I really wanted and my computer froze... multiple times... while trying to save. It was discouraging. Luckily, my fabulous friend Sally and I got together and went to the Blockhead's on the UES and my day was saved. We sat at a 6 person table with couples on either sides. One was on a fabulously awkward first date. I ate too many chips and got a slight brain freeze, but just being around a friend's good energy made the cover letter issue become a little less important... you know, in the scheme of things.
Friday: Yay!
I finished the cover letter that I'd written [3+xs] the day before. I ended up hand-writing it the last time the day before and then just typed it Friday. I love paper. I actually need new notebooks... small and legal size.
My brother arrived around lunch time. We had lunch and then journeyed off to the American Museum of Natural History. All this time and I'd never made it to the New York Natural History museum. I've been to London's and D.C.'s [just 2 weeks ago] and now New York's. I've spent between 2-5 hours in each of them so not enough to see everything in any of the museums, but I think I prefer London's. Both the displays and the cards were the most interesting. It was incredibly interactive and directed at various learning types. I think New York's had a lot of potential, but some sections could use revamping and the lack of context made it difficult for someone with my learning styles to remember much. That said, I enjoyed my time and still learned things!
We returned to Spanish Harlem and I made, what I thought, was a delicious version of this Cajun Pork and Pasta recipe.
Of course, I had a little extra meat, used different pasta, added a fair amount of extra Cajun [when you love it, you love it], was lacking zucchini, didn't have red beans, didn't have a can of diced tomatoes so diced one of my roommates' and hoped for the best- knowing it was more, and wasn't sure what exaaaactly hot pepper sauce was so added some chili garlic thing my roommate had and just added more Cajun. I drank a full glass of milk after dinner just to calm down the Cajun lining my mouth, but I'd totally make it again.
Following dinner Cameron, Lindsay, Justin, and I played Uno [everyone won at least once except me] followed by Scattergories, during which I redeemed myself. Laughter, alcohol, games, friends... my favorite kind of night. I could be completely wrong, but it seemed like everyone else was fairly content with the evening's going ons as well.
Saturday:
My brother, Justin and I slept in a bit and then met an Undergrad friend of his and her husband for lunch. I thought we were having lunch right away so didn't bother with breakfast. It was a mistake as we wandered around Chelsea Market and then the High Line. I also hadn't brought my work things with me so I needed to leave by 2:15 in order to get back in time. I was a little stressed as a result and didn't enjoy the High Line as much as I usually might. It's still pretty wonderful and I recommend a stroll along it to anyone.
We ended up eating lunch at a place just off of the current ending to the high line, around 19th-ish? I can't remember the name of the place off the top of my head, but I will say that I order a hamburg that came with pineapple on top... not a bad idea. Juicy. I would've preferred it sliced thinner so it would've been easier to eat, but it was still quite enjoyable. More and more I'm understanding so many people's desire to make the perfect hamburger. There are so many options it's understandable why there are so many restaurants that focus specifically on hamburgers. It's not even just a question of what to put on it, but what to put in it. Mmmmm...
Then, I went to work. Yay! I love being an electrician. I only was able to put four hours in, but that was enough for my weak little arms. While I could have and would have kept working and my weakness never [very rarely?] gets in the way of accomplishing anything, holding 50' cables and fixtures about your head for four hours will get you... especially if you're on a wobbly ladder so all of your muscles are tensed up anyways. That said, I really liked the people in the place that I worked and would like to return. I have a feeling that don't do a lot of overhiring, but it was a good Saturday afternoon.
Following work I re-met up with my brother at a little place called Resto on East 29th. His whole reasoning for coming into town was for a friend's birthday. Said friend lives in Norway and was celebrating his 40th birthday party. Gasp, I know, but he looked 28 so we all look passed it. Someone said it was the ideal black/asian mix. I don't know if that was his total background, but I have heard such mixes don't age. Sadly I can't contribute to that mix for any future generations. Anyways...
There were about 20+ of us and we did what they called a "Large Format Feast". Essentially you eat a whole animal. Darryl wanted goat and goats are lean so we, as a group, consumed two entire goats. In case you have a weak stomach, I'll spare you all of the details, but for those of you who are curious: yes, there were eyes and tongue and the heads were presented, but no there were no testicles. There was a tiny bit of vegetables: broccoli and brussel sprouts included here and there, but for the most part it was just a lot of meat... and some delicious beer. Prior to dinner I drank a delicious Belgium bottled beer called 'La Botteresse'. Mmmmm. Dinner was followed by one of the best chocolate cakes I've tasted in America and I had enough to celebrate Darryl's birthday, my birthday [dinner was a bday present from my brother], and my Dad's birthday [which is today 11/14]. Happy Birthday everyone! We then moved locations and had more good conversation and I mostly just wanted to lay down. I had had some fuller beers and a lot of goat and cake. By the time we arrived home and approached 4am, I was quite ready for bed.
Oh! And, while I was out I, thanks to my handy dandy phone, I looked up the regional results and was absolutely THRILLED to discover that the Hope Girls' Cross Country team had advanced to Nationals as a team and Nate Love [25:20 in an 8k] had advanced as an individual. I believe, to advance as an individual you have to be in the top 7 of runners not on a team to advance... brutal. I'm not sure what you know about times, but all 7 of my women ran sub23 6ks. I hate to admit it, but I don't know if I ever even saw that as a realistic dream-goal for myself. I believe sub24 was the dreamer number for me.
Sunday:
Justin asked me for a recommendation for lunch.. we were to meet up with his friend Eric, whose house I've actually been to! Although, to be honest, I rarely remember if I'm remembering people correctly, so I had to check and make sure he lived in Houston when I'd re-met him the evening before. I try, I really do make an effort to remember people. *sigh*
So, despite my stomach's desires, instinct was to suggest Lucky's... my favorite veggie burger place in Manhattan. I hear their regular burgers are also absolutely delicious. I thought it was just to be the three of us, but there ended up being 10. If I'd known I would've warned everyone that the ambiance is... bright. Very red. Very yellow. Afterward we conversed a bit more and I spent most of the time making faces at Claire, the baby. I said goodbye to my brother and the Texans and went home to reunite with my roommate who had beautifully cleaned the apartment. I appreciated it and then took a nap.
Long story short: Life's pretty fabulous and I should probably try to consume more salads this week.
I listen to this song more than anyone should:
pt
Every time they say "baby girl" I think of my friend Joe. MGMT... Joe... who else makes me internally laugh when they say it?
Monday: work and interview [for a job I decided during the interview I didn't want]
The working was great! It was my first time getting to actually hang instruments in a New York theater that required more than a house ladder. In fact, they required an incredibly rickety old 'cherry picker'. I have never been in one quite this... unstable? It also required you to hand pump it up at about 1-2" a pump so we left it at full height and climbed the ladder [attached] up to it. That said, it was one of the first times that when someone else went to go do it, and got nervous, they told that person not to worry about it because I'd go up. It was reverse freshman year and fabulous. That said, I think I missed out on a lot of learning by having people eager to take over things during college. That was then and this is now though so I'll digress.
I love organizing and paperwork, but I had REALLY missed lights.
Tuesday: interview and additional work
There was actually an additional call which I was able to attend a portion of. Yay! I had an interview in the morning and in the afternoon so I just worked between them. I know I didn't get the job that the first interview was for and I was pretty disappointed about it. It was a solid few days of work and for a project I thought sounded really cool. That said, there are plenty of qualified people out there and when it comes down to it, I'm kind of mediocre. I'm great in that I'm focused, friendly, and get things done, but I'm not the speediest, strongest, or most knowledgeable and I understand that. Things take time.
Wednesday: networking
I went to an open house for a theatre company with a school. Meh. I don't know if I'm really at a place where I want to network in a networking setting. To do so well you really have to know what you want and what you offer. I know those things, but I'm not sure which things to showcase in such a setting. And, there were a variety of people there for different reasons and it just wasn't for me.
Afterward I had some thai at Tara's Thai [I'm trying to do better remembering the names of places where I eat] with a friend and I must admit, I get so excited to see new friend(s)' living arrangements! This friend lives near St. Mark's and it was so exciting to see. I wish it wouldn't be weird to take pictures so I could sort of compare and contrast and show you... There are so many worlds in each of the five boroughs that it almost amazes me that there are even more worlds within those worlds... neighborhoods and homes and rooms...
Thursday: being mopey, followed by margaritas
Thursday averaged out to being an okay day, but it was another one of those Ahhhhh! sort of days. I'm truly working on my professional patience, but budget sheets can make that hard to do. This was the day that I found out I didn't get the one Tuesday job and I had really begun to be enthusiastic about it. I also was working on a cover letter for a job I thought I really wanted and my computer froze... multiple times... while trying to save. It was discouraging. Luckily, my fabulous friend Sally and I got together and went to the Blockhead's on the UES and my day was saved. We sat at a 6 person table with couples on either sides. One was on a fabulously awkward first date. I ate too many chips and got a slight brain freeze, but just being around a friend's good energy made the cover letter issue become a little less important... you know, in the scheme of things.
Friday: Yay!
I finished the cover letter that I'd written [3+xs] the day before. I ended up hand-writing it the last time the day before and then just typed it Friday. I love paper. I actually need new notebooks... small and legal size.
My brother arrived around lunch time. We had lunch and then journeyed off to the American Museum of Natural History. All this time and I'd never made it to the New York Natural History museum. I've been to London's and D.C.'s [just 2 weeks ago] and now New York's. I've spent between 2-5 hours in each of them so not enough to see everything in any of the museums, but I think I prefer London's. Both the displays and the cards were the most interesting. It was incredibly interactive and directed at various learning types. I think New York's had a lot of potential, but some sections could use revamping and the lack of context made it difficult for someone with my learning styles to remember much. That said, I enjoyed my time and still learned things!
We returned to Spanish Harlem and I made, what I thought, was a delicious version of this Cajun Pork and Pasta recipe.
Of course, I had a little extra meat, used different pasta, added a fair amount of extra Cajun [when you love it, you love it], was lacking zucchini, didn't have red beans, didn't have a can of diced tomatoes so diced one of my roommates' and hoped for the best- knowing it was more, and wasn't sure what exaaaactly hot pepper sauce was so added some chili garlic thing my roommate had and just added more Cajun. I drank a full glass of milk after dinner just to calm down the Cajun lining my mouth, but I'd totally make it again.
Following dinner Cameron, Lindsay, Justin, and I played Uno [everyone won at least once except me] followed by Scattergories, during which I redeemed myself. Laughter, alcohol, games, friends... my favorite kind of night. I could be completely wrong, but it seemed like everyone else was fairly content with the evening's going ons as well.
Saturday:
My brother, Justin and I slept in a bit and then met an Undergrad friend of his and her husband for lunch. I thought we were having lunch right away so didn't bother with breakfast. It was a mistake as we wandered around Chelsea Market and then the High Line. I also hadn't brought my work things with me so I needed to leave by 2:15 in order to get back in time. I was a little stressed as a result and didn't enjoy the High Line as much as I usually might. It's still pretty wonderful and I recommend a stroll along it to anyone.
We ended up eating lunch at a place just off of the current ending to the high line, around 19th-ish? I can't remember the name of the place off the top of my head, but I will say that I order a hamburg that came with pineapple on top... not a bad idea. Juicy. I would've preferred it sliced thinner so it would've been easier to eat, but it was still quite enjoyable. More and more I'm understanding so many people's desire to make the perfect hamburger. There are so many options it's understandable why there are so many restaurants that focus specifically on hamburgers. It's not even just a question of what to put on it, but what to put in it. Mmmmm...
Then, I went to work. Yay! I love being an electrician. I only was able to put four hours in, but that was enough for my weak little arms. While I could have and would have kept working and my weakness never [very rarely?] gets in the way of accomplishing anything, holding 50' cables and fixtures about your head for four hours will get you... especially if you're on a wobbly ladder so all of your muscles are tensed up anyways. That said, I really liked the people in the place that I worked and would like to return. I have a feeling that don't do a lot of overhiring, but it was a good Saturday afternoon.
Following work I re-met up with my brother at a little place called Resto on East 29th. His whole reasoning for coming into town was for a friend's birthday. Said friend lives in Norway and was celebrating his 40th birthday party. Gasp, I know, but he looked 28 so we all look passed it. Someone said it was the ideal black/asian mix. I don't know if that was his total background, but I have heard such mixes don't age. Sadly I can't contribute to that mix for any future generations. Anyways...
There were about 20+ of us and we did what they called a "Large Format Feast". Essentially you eat a whole animal. Darryl wanted goat and goats are lean so we, as a group, consumed two entire goats. In case you have a weak stomach, I'll spare you all of the details, but for those of you who are curious: yes, there were eyes and tongue and the heads were presented, but no there were no testicles. There was a tiny bit of vegetables: broccoli and brussel sprouts included here and there, but for the most part it was just a lot of meat... and some delicious beer. Prior to dinner I drank a delicious Belgium bottled beer called 'La Botteresse'. Mmmmm. Dinner was followed by one of the best chocolate cakes I've tasted in America and I had enough to celebrate Darryl's birthday, my birthday [dinner was a bday present from my brother], and my Dad's birthday [which is today 11/14]. Happy Birthday everyone! We then moved locations and had more good conversation and I mostly just wanted to lay down. I had had some fuller beers and a lot of goat and cake. By the time we arrived home and approached 4am, I was quite ready for bed.
Oh! And, while I was out I, thanks to my handy dandy phone, I looked up the regional results and was absolutely THRILLED to discover that the Hope Girls' Cross Country team had advanced to Nationals as a team and Nate Love [25:20 in an 8k] had advanced as an individual. I believe, to advance as an individual you have to be in the top 7 of runners not on a team to advance... brutal. I'm not sure what you know about times, but all 7 of my women ran sub23 6ks. I hate to admit it, but I don't know if I ever even saw that as a realistic dream-goal for myself. I believe sub24 was the dreamer number for me.
Sunday:
Justin asked me for a recommendation for lunch.. we were to meet up with his friend Eric, whose house I've actually been to! Although, to be honest, I rarely remember if I'm remembering people correctly, so I had to check and make sure he lived in Houston when I'd re-met him the evening before. I try, I really do make an effort to remember people. *sigh*
So, despite my stomach's desires, instinct was to suggest Lucky's... my favorite veggie burger place in Manhattan. I hear their regular burgers are also absolutely delicious. I thought it was just to be the three of us, but there ended up being 10. If I'd known I would've warned everyone that the ambiance is... bright. Very red. Very yellow. Afterward we conversed a bit more and I spent most of the time making faces at Claire, the baby. I said goodbye to my brother and the Texans and went home to reunite with my roommate who had beautifully cleaned the apartment. I appreciated it and then took a nap.
Long story short: Life's pretty fabulous and I should probably try to consume more salads this week.
I listen to this song more than anyone should:
pt
Every time they say "baby girl" I think of my friend Joe. MGMT... Joe... who else makes me internally laugh when they say it?
Friday, November 12, 2010
Dinner Table
Cindy McCain Slams DADT - The Daily Beast
My friend, Anne had shared the above on link her facebook and I posted the following response. I then removed it as I didn't know if I felt secure enough in my wording to have it be presented on her facebook. So, here it is for you, an audience that I know a little more about.
It's not often that I defend anyone who leads a GOP filibuster against removing DADT, but I wouldn't be too worried about their dinner table. Sen. McCain has said he'd support it once the top military [later adding the bit about- within a ...well-conducted study] said it was a good idea. Of course, I know he still has expressed additional concerns that now might not be the right time to remove the ban, but hopefully he'll stick to what he had repeated so many other times. I, unlike him, think the ideal time to repeal the ban would've been the day after it passed, but no one asked me :)
In his hesitation to be pro-ban-removal I have to try and remember that there's a difference between what you 'feel is right' and what policies you support that have a lasting effect on your career [Oooh politics] and the millions of people who have protected, and will continue to protect, your country in the future. And, his fumbling in answering questions makes me wonder how much he just got picked to be the face of this because he has always been looked upon as a guy who knows his military, not because he felt that passionately about it.
But, I don't know, I've never met the guy and I can't tell the future.
My friend, Anne had shared the above on link her facebook and I posted the following response. I then removed it as I didn't know if I felt secure enough in my wording to have it be presented on her facebook. So, here it is for you, an audience that I know a little more about.
It's not often that I defend anyone who leads a GOP filibuster against removing DADT, but I wouldn't be too worried about their dinner table. Sen. McCain has said he'd support it once the top military [later adding the bit about- within a ...well-conducted study] said it was a good idea. Of course, I know he still has expressed additional concerns that now might not be the right time to remove the ban, but hopefully he'll stick to what he had repeated so many other times. I, unlike him, think the ideal time to repeal the ban would've been the day after it passed, but no one asked me :)
In his hesitation to be pro-ban-removal I have to try and remember that there's a difference between what you 'feel is right' and what policies you support that have a lasting effect on your career [Oooh politics] and the millions of people who have protected, and will continue to protect, your country in the future. And, his fumbling in answering questions makes me wonder how much he just got picked to be the face of this because he has always been looked upon as a guy who knows his military, not because he felt that passionately about it.
But, I don't know, I've never met the guy and I can't tell the future.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Things I Don't Understand
This will be a repeat title.
Warning: Over-analyzer in full force for the rest of this post...
Thing 1 [that should be thing 11]
I like the song, but why would 11 be lonely? Being sad is one thing, but it shouldn't be LONELY. 11 is two 1s joined together to make something greater, but maintaining their own individual identities. Isn't that the ideal relationship of the mainstream of the current generation?
Warning: Over-analyzer in full force for the rest of this post...
Thing 1 [that should be thing 11]
I like the song, but why would 11 be lonely? Being sad is one thing, but it shouldn't be LONELY. 11 is two 1s joined together to make something greater, but maintaining their own individual identities. Isn't that the ideal relationship of the mainstream of the current generation?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Some things
Some things I'd tell you now or at some point earlier this week if you were a short-distance friend:
Marathons make me cry. Always. I've never been to one without crying.
I want to train for and run one with one of my previous running partners :( I don't want new ones. Well, kind of.
Today is day number 3 of wearing Nana Mae's [I think it was hers] necklace. People of all varieties compliment it, which gives me a feeling of confidence.
I'm going to be [somewhat intentionally] late, but I don't know if this is a fashionably late type of event. Either way I'm super nervous, but I'm going. Maybe I should be in a profession that requires less networking.
...
....
Okay, got it. Putting my shoes on.
Marathons make me cry. Always. I've never been to one without crying.
I want to train for and run one with one of my previous running partners :( I don't want new ones. Well, kind of.
Today is day number 3 of wearing Nana Mae's [I think it was hers] necklace. People of all varieties compliment it, which gives me a feeling of confidence.
I'm going to be [somewhat intentionally] late, but I don't know if this is a fashionably late type of event. Either way I'm super nervous, but I'm going. Maybe I should be in a profession that requires less networking.
...
....
Okay, got it. Putting my shoes on.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Not a dependent*
Before you read this. 2am talk on taxes. I just reread this and is missing parts of the train of my thought. I'm going to post it anyways because I like the idea of being able to trace my growth. I can't wait until I'm smarter than this.
For the most part these days, I'm an independent contractor.
What does that mean?
It means that people pay me per job and the government doesn't collect taxes on my income until later. At that point I have to pay them all that I owe them.
What else does that mean?
Tax time seems a little extra scary at this point
So, what? Now you're all against taxes?
No. I'm not against taxes. I don't think highest necessities such as food [actually food's the only thing I can think of right now] should be taxed, but I am okay with most other things being taxed because I want everyone to have libraries, fire departments, someone to call when you hear something outside and it's sort of scary, and a safety net** so you don't have to beg on the streets.
Where are you going with this?
Oh right. So as I've been thinking about the income I've made so far this year and will hopefully make from now until April, I've been trying to think about what I need to do so I can pay the correct amount in April. How do I know what the correct amount to save is? So, I've begun reading the IRS's webpage. It's not confusing and yet it is. You think something is so very clear, but then all of a sudden you start second guessing yourself... the way you did in middle school with the teacher whom you knew ALWAYS put trick questions on the quiz. So, I re-pulled out Cap & Compass's "life after school. explained. the definitive reference guide". I truly believe that this book should be mandatory reading before anyone is allowed to graduate or leave school early.
Now, I'd be a liar if I claimed it made all my tax questions simple, but it does fill in a lot of things you manage to forget, not pay attention to, or just never learn.
Example 1:
HMO vs. PPO vs. POS
Uhh... POS stands for Point of Service... not Piece of Shit.
How do you decide which health insurance to go with? That is, after your parents stop covering for you.
Over the summer I had to look for my own health insurance and nothing made me want health care for everyone more than that. That, and why wouldn't we want everyone to have health care? Lindsay, Cameron, and I had a discussion about such and I might change my mind tomorrow, but doesn't it make more sense than welfare? I mean, isn't getting our limbs sewn back on and our pneumonia taken care of slightly more important than that cell phone? I mean... kind of?
Example 2.
W-4 forms.
We all put a 0 in the form so the government takes more money and we get a refund, but why does Uncle Sam get to make interest on our money? Shouldn't we put that money in an account and make at least a .02% interest and then pay it back. Okay, okay, I know why we do it, but when it comes down to the numbers, you put down a 0 in bottom half of the W-4 form and the government collects the interest?
Of course, if the possibility of having to pay extra later is intimidating [and it is] than maybe putting down a 0 is a best idea and consider the interest a donation. If you're like me and your taxes are so tiny that your interest would be approximately 4 cents... than maybe you're better off. Unless of course, that 4 cents is an exaggeration and either way, every penny counts.
I suppose the point of this entry is to say: try and be informed. And, once you're informed, try to help others. It wasn't until my senior year of college [just in time] that I was taught to check my tax bracket before accepting a promotion. I may make less money due to tax increases. Yes, maybe that's not a big concern for me right now, but it's something to be attentive to.
I was originally going to compile some of my findings on independent contractor taxes and deductions, but the post has gotten a bit long. Moral of the story... read up. Find out what you're getting yourself into when you graduate. The book I have is tiny. I could read (and comprehend) it in its entirety in a couple of hours. And, while the IRS page may look really boring, it's worth looking up who you are.
You could save some money on taxes and put that money into a charity because if we don't want the government to become a charity, then we should support those who are. Actually, scratch that. That was just a jab. We should support charities and we should support ourselves. Remember, "WE the people..."
Footnotes*** on a blog. Really?
*except for health insurance
**I've been thinking about food stamps lately as I make a very small amount of money, but have come to the conclusion that they should only be a safety net for when otherwise you'd eat nothing... not otherwise you wouldn't eat your daily servings of fruit and veggies because then you couldn't buy something else that you don't absolutely, positively need. After all, the government... "the man" you're taking from... is really just us.
***Left foot, right foot
Feet, feet, feet
How many, many feet you meet.
For the most part these days, I'm an independent contractor.
What does that mean?
It means that people pay me per job and the government doesn't collect taxes on my income until later. At that point I have to pay them all that I owe them.
What else does that mean?
Tax time seems a little extra scary at this point
So, what? Now you're all against taxes?
No. I'm not against taxes. I don't think highest necessities such as food [actually food's the only thing I can think of right now] should be taxed, but I am okay with most other things being taxed because I want everyone to have libraries, fire departments, someone to call when you hear something outside and it's sort of scary, and a safety net** so you don't have to beg on the streets.
Where are you going with this?
Oh right. So as I've been thinking about the income I've made so far this year and will hopefully make from now until April, I've been trying to think about what I need to do so I can pay the correct amount in April. How do I know what the correct amount to save is? So, I've begun reading the IRS's webpage. It's not confusing and yet it is. You think something is so very clear, but then all of a sudden you start second guessing yourself... the way you did in middle school with the teacher whom you knew ALWAYS put trick questions on the quiz. So, I re-pulled out Cap & Compass's "life after school. explained. the definitive reference guide". I truly believe that this book should be mandatory reading before anyone is allowed to graduate or leave school early.
Now, I'd be a liar if I claimed it made all my tax questions simple, but it does fill in a lot of things you manage to forget, not pay attention to, or just never learn.
Example 1:
HMO vs. PPO vs. POS
Uhh... POS stands for Point of Service... not Piece of Shit.
How do you decide which health insurance to go with? That is, after your parents stop covering for you.
Over the summer I had to look for my own health insurance and nothing made me want health care for everyone more than that. That, and why wouldn't we want everyone to have health care? Lindsay, Cameron, and I had a discussion about such and I might change my mind tomorrow, but doesn't it make more sense than welfare? I mean, isn't getting our limbs sewn back on and our pneumonia taken care of slightly more important than that cell phone? I mean... kind of?
Example 2.
W-4 forms.
We all put a 0 in the form so the government takes more money and we get a refund, but why does Uncle Sam get to make interest on our money? Shouldn't we put that money in an account and make at least a .02% interest and then pay it back. Okay, okay, I know why we do it, but when it comes down to the numbers, you put down a 0 in bottom half of the W-4 form and the government collects the interest?
Of course, if the possibility of having to pay extra later is intimidating [and it is] than maybe putting down a 0 is a best idea and consider the interest a donation. If you're like me and your taxes are so tiny that your interest would be approximately 4 cents... than maybe you're better off. Unless of course, that 4 cents is an exaggeration and either way, every penny counts.
I suppose the point of this entry is to say: try and be informed. And, once you're informed, try to help others. It wasn't until my senior year of college [just in time] that I was taught to check my tax bracket before accepting a promotion. I may make less money due to tax increases. Yes, maybe that's not a big concern for me right now, but it's something to be attentive to.
I was originally going to compile some of my findings on independent contractor taxes and deductions, but the post has gotten a bit long. Moral of the story... read up. Find out what you're getting yourself into when you graduate. The book I have is tiny. I could read (and comprehend) it in its entirety in a couple of hours. And, while the IRS page may look really boring, it's worth looking up who you are.
You could save some money on taxes and put that money into a charity because if we don't want the government to become a charity, then we should support those who are. Actually, scratch that. That was just a jab. We should support charities and we should support ourselves. Remember, "WE the people..."
Footnotes*** on a blog. Really?
*except for health insurance
**I've been thinking about food stamps lately as I make a very small amount of money, but have come to the conclusion that they should only be a safety net for when otherwise you'd eat nothing... not otherwise you wouldn't eat your daily servings of fruit and veggies because then you couldn't buy something else that you don't absolutely, positively need. After all, the government... "the man" you're taking from... is really just us.
***Left foot, right foot
Feet, feet, feet
How many, many feet you meet.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Away from the feeling of being alone
I remember that feeling. How beautiful. Sometimes it amazes me how many of us feel exactly the same, just decades or continents apart.
And you know, even when there's no love, love involved, a simple phone call really can make a beautiful difference in your day.
I pretty wonderfully blessed.
BLASTED review
I know the writer of this review of BLASTED and I wish I could see the show myself. This play is unbelievably brilliant...
But keep your eyes out for the reviewer's writing in the future. She gives me hope in American writing.
But keep your eyes out for the reviewer's writing in the future. She gives me hope in American writing.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Figuring Things Out
Recovering from such a fabulous weekend has not been easy. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't as sleep deprived as some other years and there was no hangover or even slight dehydration, but as soon as Monday hit I felt behind and a little lost. I cleaned up the kitchen a bit and looked at jobs, but mostly I just stayed in bed.
Tuesday was an improvement with four resumes/cover letters going out and departure from the house Tuesday night! I went to see "Wasteland" with an actor from the last show I worked on; it was wonderful. If you have the chance to see it I recommend it... or at least do a bit of research on Vik Munez. The power of art, and even more so, the power of community, is beautiful.
On the way home there was a jovial bunch of kids talking and one brought up "The Sound of Music" and some singing occurred. It was much better than what is typically sung on the subway (by riders and by people looking for money) so I instantly knew they were performance majors. I then caught a glance of the one guy's bag that said 'Weathervane Playhouse'. Yup, he was from Akron and goes to school in Oberlin. Cue 'It's a Small World After All' round 4512.
Today has been another day of job searching in my PJs. I'm a bit lost with what I should do. I've applied to quite a few jobs that interest me and I'm perfectly qualified for, but nothing's looking promising. What do I do? It seems logical to get some sort of temporary position. However, I have yet to find a temporary position that doesn't require you to work over Thanksgiving weekend. I really wouldn't mind working over Thanksgiving weekend except I have already committed to going to Ohio over the Holiday and Macy's just isn't going to pay enough to justify giving up that plane ticket. I would apply to more of the box office/ushering/FOH jobs, but I already have committed to a Nov/Dec show that shows 3 Wed-Sunday weekends that would inevitably interfere with every other job. This leaves me to get a position for during the day. Now, as it stands now, I'd eventually like to be a producing director, but most assistant positions that seem to lead that way haven't been sending me positive vibes. So, I feel as though I might need to be looking for internship number 8, but the question is, 'Is that financially a realistic option?'. It depends on what happens with my evenings in January and I can't afford to wait. Do you see where this is going?
Then again, when I think about it, what I really want to do is encourage the growth of more communal atmospheres in order to fight loneliness so, maybe I just need to broaden my search. It's not so much an issue of lowering standards as it is widening them.
In other news, my parents sent me chocolate and even though it was WW, I still ate waaaay too much of it this afternoon. Time to curl up in bed and get back to the job search.
Tuesday was an improvement with four resumes/cover letters going out and departure from the house Tuesday night! I went to see "Wasteland" with an actor from the last show I worked on; it was wonderful. If you have the chance to see it I recommend it... or at least do a bit of research on Vik Munez. The power of art, and even more so, the power of community, is beautiful.
On the way home there was a jovial bunch of kids talking and one brought up "The Sound of Music" and some singing occurred. It was much better than what is typically sung on the subway (by riders and by people looking for money) so I instantly knew they were performance majors. I then caught a glance of the one guy's bag that said 'Weathervane Playhouse'. Yup, he was from Akron and goes to school in Oberlin. Cue 'It's a Small World After All' round 4512.
Today has been another day of job searching in my PJs. I'm a bit lost with what I should do. I've applied to quite a few jobs that interest me and I'm perfectly qualified for, but nothing's looking promising. What do I do? It seems logical to get some sort of temporary position. However, I have yet to find a temporary position that doesn't require you to work over Thanksgiving weekend. I really wouldn't mind working over Thanksgiving weekend except I have already committed to going to Ohio over the Holiday and Macy's just isn't going to pay enough to justify giving up that plane ticket. I would apply to more of the box office/ushering/FOH jobs, but I already have committed to a Nov/Dec show that shows 3 Wed-Sunday weekends that would inevitably interfere with every other job. This leaves me to get a position for during the day. Now, as it stands now, I'd eventually like to be a producing director, but most assistant positions that seem to lead that way haven't been sending me positive vibes. So, I feel as though I might need to be looking for internship number 8, but the question is, 'Is that financially a realistic option?'. It depends on what happens with my evenings in January and I can't afford to wait. Do you see where this is going?
Then again, when I think about it, what I really want to do is encourage the growth of more communal atmospheres in order to fight loneliness so, maybe I just need to broaden my search. It's not so much an issue of lowering standards as it is widening them.
In other news, my parents sent me chocolate and even though it was WW, I still ate waaaay too much of it this afternoon. Time to curl up in bed and get back to the job search.
Halloween Part 2: Flower Bed in NYC
Sunday morning I boarded another 10:00 am Megabus and journeyed back to my City. I didn't nap as much on this leg of the journey as the two girls in the seats across from mine talked about relatively nothing for majority of the trip. Karma... I know. Why did no one mention this to me at the time?
I limped my way back to my apartment [heels and pinky toes don't get on well with new shoes] and saw a fair number of kids trick-or-treating in my neighborhood. They mostly go to the businesses. It's incredibly interesting to me all the different ways there are to trick-or-treat. When I was younger I thought it was only a door-to-door thing. When I was much younger my parents might have taken me to something else, but I don't remember trunk-or-treats or businesses. I got back to 345, showered, and got ready for Halloween.
My roommate, Lindsay [pictured above as the Little Mermaid] and I went down to the East Village Halloween Parade, which is one of the few Halloween Parades that draws way more college aged+ viewers than children. I had haphazardly put together my 'flower bed' costume and it was rarely visible as it, as many Halloweens previous, was too cold.
Before the parade ended I made my way to '305' [throwback to last Fall] to meet up with a few friends for dinner, followed by karaoke.
It's so much fun being friends with musically inclined people! There was also a bowl of candy at a table near the door, probably left over from earlier trick-or-treaters, which we adopted :) It was a fabulous night and I returned home happy.
I limped my way back to my apartment [heels and pinky toes don't get on well with new shoes] and saw a fair number of kids trick-or-treating in my neighborhood. They mostly go to the businesses. It's incredibly interesting to me all the different ways there are to trick-or-treat. When I was younger I thought it was only a door-to-door thing. When I was much younger my parents might have taken me to something else, but I don't remember trunk-or-treats or businesses. I got back to 345, showered, and got ready for Halloween.
My roommate, Lindsay [pictured above as the Little Mermaid] and I went down to the East Village Halloween Parade, which is one of the few Halloween Parades that draws way more college aged+ viewers than children. I had haphazardly put together my 'flower bed' costume and it was rarely visible as it, as many Halloweens previous, was too cold.
Before the parade ended I made my way to '305' [throwback to last Fall] to meet up with a few friends for dinner, followed by karaoke.
It's so much fun being friends with musically inclined people! There was also a bowl of candy at a table near the door, probably left over from earlier trick-or-treaters, which we adopted :) It was a fabulous night and I returned home happy.
Halloween: Peter Pan in DC
Halloween is my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong, I understand the sanctity of Easter, the fireworks that accompany the 4th of July, the green beer that accompanies St. Patrick's Day and the joy of giving of Christmas, but when it comes down to it, no other holiday gives you as much room to be completely ridiculous.
This Halloween was, like so many others, absolutely wonderful. Friday morning I boarded a bus to Washington DC and arrived in time to look around a DC library and wander about the Natural History Museum. I love well-written display cards. I was a little disappointed by a few of the patrons of the museums, but over all it was nice to see people in the museum. Example of disappointment:
Granddaughter (age aprx. 9-11): I don't think we evolved from apes...
Grandmother: No, we probably didn't.
Granddaughter: I definitely don't look like that!
Grandmother: I would sure hope not!
Did we not read the exhibit? We share what percent of DNA with them? Did you see those hip bones in the previous room? I'm not saying we all have to agree with the theory, but at least encourage the kid to see how our structures are very similar. Whether you believe in evolution or not, you can't deny that our bone, muscle, and DNA structures are very, very close. I think we often make misreading or mistyping mistakes that make us appear much less intelligent that we are. Grammatical errors and gaps in education are one thing... staring at an exhibit and saying it's wrong because you don't want to think you look like an ape? I don't know what to do with that.
At 5:30 they kicked us all out and I walked about the National Mall and stopped by where the Colbert/Stewart stage was being set up. I shared some decent conversation and decided that traveling a crazy distance to do.... anything isn't that special. Most people do it at some point or another. 12 hour bus rides... 14 hour car rides... weird people in big cities... crazy people in small towns... we all encounter them. I used to say I'd do pretty much anything for the story, but I'm thinking about retracting that. Someone else already did it and told the story better. I suppose what I want to say is I'll do most anything for the adventure.
Eventually I wandered down to "My Brother's Place" where I met a few more crazies and then met up with my good friend from college, Joe for one of the best (beer) happy hours in DC.
We caught up, wandered around the National Mall, returned to the stage being set up, waved to the camera,
and journeyed on the Red Line to his [now former] place of residence where I met one of the interesting people he lives with... one of their cats and the dog! I don't necessarily want a dog of my own at this stage of my life [too much commitment], but other people have some pretty fabulous ones. Joe walked with me through the cold back to the Metro where I took that fabulous red line to the other side of the city to stay with my friend from high school, Lizzy!
Inevitably we stayed up talking so despite a bit of sleeping in, the next morning showed up early. After a bit of cereal and tea, we journeyed off to "The Rally" with about 215,000 of our closest friends [according to an aerial analysis by AirPhotosLive.com for CBS News]... or maybe a few less friends and a lot more people just like us who are surface-ly informed and mostly just trying have a fun Saturday when we don't have to work.
The Rally was a bit different than I imagined it might be. I definitely thought there'd be more comedic political talk, but it was more 1 part Roots, 1 part musical guest, 1 part commentary of the current people in the news, and 1 part Stewart/Colbert banter. I would've like a bit more political banter, but I did managed to see [or hear] Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, the Mythbusters, The ROots, Don Novello, R2D2, Cat Stevens/Yusuf, OZZY [my 8th grade bf with OZZY tattooed on knuckles would've been jealous], the O'Jays [in their white suits.... mmmmmm], Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Oliver [I busted out my Peter Pan costume at the same time, Yusuf [Cat Stevens... I didn't cry during Peace Train, no, no, why would I have teared up?], and... a few others live so I'm not going complain. And, I will note that while I didn't have a sign, I did wear my "No Keg Left Behind" Mayday 2010 t-shirt.
Afterward Lizzy and I met up with Joe and oddly enough I stayed the calmest in the crowds [and without prescriptions...]. We had some supper and beverage and all was well. It was a bit chilly by this point so we had some hot chocolate, journeyed about some lower-priced clothing store and then headed off to watch the Oregon Duck's place. They won. It was a fabulous game. I also won... tied for third place in a costume contest [out of more than 4 people] and went home with $25... which covered my drinks and part of lunch. Yay! The grown-ups were tired so we went home after the game. It was probably for the best as I had a four and a half hour bus trip the next day followed by NYC Halloween.
Sans the unemployment part, my life is pretty amazing.
This Halloween was, like so many others, absolutely wonderful. Friday morning I boarded a bus to Washington DC and arrived in time to look around a DC library and wander about the Natural History Museum. I love well-written display cards. I was a little disappointed by a few of the patrons of the museums, but over all it was nice to see people in the museum. Example of disappointment:
Granddaughter (age aprx. 9-11): I don't think we evolved from apes...
Grandmother: No, we probably didn't.
Granddaughter: I definitely don't look like that!
Grandmother: I would sure hope not!
Did we not read the exhibit? We share what percent of DNA with them? Did you see those hip bones in the previous room? I'm not saying we all have to agree with the theory, but at least encourage the kid to see how our structures are very similar. Whether you believe in evolution or not, you can't deny that our bone, muscle, and DNA structures are very, very close. I think we often make misreading or mistyping mistakes that make us appear much less intelligent that we are. Grammatical errors and gaps in education are one thing... staring at an exhibit and saying it's wrong because you don't want to think you look like an ape? I don't know what to do with that.
At 5:30 they kicked us all out and I walked about the National Mall and stopped by where the Colbert/Stewart stage was being set up. I shared some decent conversation and decided that traveling a crazy distance to do.... anything isn't that special. Most people do it at some point or another. 12 hour bus rides... 14 hour car rides... weird people in big cities... crazy people in small towns... we all encounter them. I used to say I'd do pretty much anything for the story, but I'm thinking about retracting that. Someone else already did it and told the story better. I suppose what I want to say is I'll do most anything for the adventure.
Eventually I wandered down to "My Brother's Place" where I met a few more crazies and then met up with my good friend from college, Joe for one of the best (beer) happy hours in DC.
We caught up, wandered around the National Mall, returned to the stage being set up, waved to the camera,
and journeyed on the Red Line to his [now former] place of residence where I met one of the interesting people he lives with... one of their cats and the dog! I don't necessarily want a dog of my own at this stage of my life [too much commitment], but other people have some pretty fabulous ones. Joe walked with me through the cold back to the Metro where I took that fabulous red line to the other side of the city to stay with my friend from high school, Lizzy!
Inevitably we stayed up talking so despite a bit of sleeping in, the next morning showed up early. After a bit of cereal and tea, we journeyed off to "The Rally" with about 215,000 of our closest friends [according to an aerial analysis by AirPhotosLive.com for CBS News]... or maybe a few less friends and a lot more people just like us who are surface-ly informed and mostly just trying have a fun Saturday when we don't have to work.
The Rally was a bit different than I imagined it might be. I definitely thought there'd be more comedic political talk, but it was more 1 part Roots, 1 part musical guest, 1 part commentary of the current people in the news, and 1 part Stewart/Colbert banter. I would've like a bit more political banter, but I did managed to see [or hear] Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, the Mythbusters, The ROots, Don Novello, R2D2, Cat Stevens/Yusuf, OZZY [my 8th grade bf with OZZY tattooed on knuckles would've been jealous], the O'Jays [in their white suits.... mmmmmm], Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Oliver [I busted out my Peter Pan costume at the same time, Yusuf [Cat Stevens... I didn't cry during Peace Train, no, no, why would I have teared up?], and... a few others live so I'm not going complain. And, I will note that while I didn't have a sign, I did wear my "No Keg Left Behind" Mayday 2010 t-shirt.
Afterward Lizzy and I met up with Joe and oddly enough I stayed the calmest in the crowds [and without prescriptions...]. We had some supper and beverage and all was well. It was a bit chilly by this point so we had some hot chocolate, journeyed about some lower-priced clothing store and then headed off to watch the Oregon Duck's place. They won. It was a fabulous game. I also won... tied for third place in a costume contest [out of more than 4 people] and went home with $25... which covered my drinks and part of lunch. Yay! The grown-ups were tired so we went home after the game. It was probably for the best as I had a four and a half hour bus trip the next day followed by NYC Halloween.
Sans the unemployment part, my life is pretty amazing.
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