Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
one of those weeks...
...that you need a month to recover from.
first, let me say that the world got knocked off it's kilter. in the span of 7 days the following deaths have occurred (in no particular order): president hinckley, brad renfro, heath ledger, a friends mother (early 50s), a former co-workers husband (mid-30s), a family friends brother (not positive of the age, but relatively young). not to mention the other family friend, who, late sunday morning fell and broke her ankle, only to return from the hospital, and a short time later, fall again, and break her wrist, and the other family friend who had to have emergency surgery related to a suspected cyst (i believe). world=off kilter.
and before i go on, i should say that my heart goes out to those who have recently been victims of the off kilterness.
as far as the other craziness of the last week, it started with my first event for the new company. and also the biggest event they do. i recognize that i am my own worst critic, but to say that i was disappointed would be an understatement. lots of things i could have and should have done better, and i was more exhausted than i ever remember being. of course, this could have been due to the fact that i was coming down with a mystery illness that would put me in bed for the majority of the week. i'm convinced it's a serious case of bronchitis (i'm overly prone), but 7 year old drew has had identical symptoms and was diagnosed as having a virus. i've been self-medicating with leftover amoxicillin anyway...just in case.
fortunately, my self-criticism of event performance was not mirrored my superiors, and i have been rewarded generously and unexpectedly for a 'job well-done.' yay for my company! my employment there has already been a blessing in so many ways.
and of course, i got to meet cal ripken. those who know how paranoid i am about my height will appreciate this little story...
having had exposure to celebrities before, and more specifically having had photos taken with them, i am very self-conscious about my stature (which in heels, becomes 6'0). in one case i even ducked down for the photo, and the singer was a good sport and stood on his tiptoes.
imagine how happy i was to learn that cal stood at 6'4" and that my concerns would be of no consequence. now...imagine my surprise to find that when i approached him, he paused, looked me in the eye, and then downwards, and commented, 'oh! heels!'
it was not a derogatory comment, yet the fact that he consciously noted my height does not go far in helping me alleviate my issues.
that being said, the photo turned out quite nicely, and i'd be happy to share it...as soon as i get the digital version. for the moment, i have only a 4X6 print, and taking photos of photos just doesn't quite work. however, i have included a shot of most of the onsite staff cheesing it up at registration.
day 3... in heels for 14-18 hour days, and less than 5 hours sleep per night. yeah. that's how we roll.
after completing the event and packing up the materials on sunday morning, i made it home around 11am. i did not leave my bed until the following morning, and i think i was awake for a total of two hours during that time.
i arrived at work on monday morning, planning only to stay for an hour or so to take care of a couple of things, and as i walked in, my boss said simply, 'you look awful. don't log in. go home.'
so i did. i made a more successful attempt at work on tuesday, though only lasted about half a day, which put me out of commission on wednesday. yesterday and today were also short days.
i must admit that i haven't been really sick in some time, so i don't feel that i can complain too much. what i am annoyed with, is the timing....during/after the 'big event', and in the midst of moving preparation. my mind is completely foggy and my body sore and tired, yet, the moving man cometh. or rather...mick is leaving town on sunday, and i need his help, and his truck to move the mattress the fam has so generously bequeathed to me.
by tomorrow night, i hope to be snuggly tucked in in my new home, watching netflix on my new tv (which, as it turns out, has become one more example of how 'frugal' i've become since moving here). frugal is the nice word for cheap. but i digress. to what i'm not sure. but i'm tired, and probably rambling, and when i have my wits about me, may be so disgusted with this post that i just delete it.
yesterday i used the completely wrong word in an email..and it was an embarrassing slip. it took me well over two hours to come up with the right word. i really hate that. and today, when i went to ikea, i'm not exactly sure if i got the right color of the thing i got, because it didn't occur to me to check. and now it's in the new house, and i'm in the old house, and i won't know until tomorrow. and the boxes are so heavy that even if i got the wrong color, i don't know if i can bear to take them back.
but i paid less than 3.00/gal for gas. did i mention that?
first, let me say that the world got knocked off it's kilter. in the span of 7 days the following deaths have occurred (in no particular order): president hinckley, brad renfro, heath ledger, a friends mother (early 50s), a former co-workers husband (mid-30s), a family friends brother (not positive of the age, but relatively young). not to mention the other family friend, who, late sunday morning fell and broke her ankle, only to return from the hospital, and a short time later, fall again, and break her wrist, and the other family friend who had to have emergency surgery related to a suspected cyst (i believe). world=off kilter.
and before i go on, i should say that my heart goes out to those who have recently been victims of the off kilterness.
as far as the other craziness of the last week, it started with my first event for the new company. and also the biggest event they do. i recognize that i am my own worst critic, but to say that i was disappointed would be an understatement. lots of things i could have and should have done better, and i was more exhausted than i ever remember being. of course, this could have been due to the fact that i was coming down with a mystery illness that would put me in bed for the majority of the week. i'm convinced it's a serious case of bronchitis (i'm overly prone), but 7 year old drew has had identical symptoms and was diagnosed as having a virus. i've been self-medicating with leftover amoxicillin anyway...just in case.
fortunately, my self-criticism of event performance was not mirrored my superiors, and i have been rewarded generously and unexpectedly for a 'job well-done.' yay for my company! my employment there has already been a blessing in so many ways.
and of course, i got to meet cal ripken. those who know how paranoid i am about my height will appreciate this little story...
having had exposure to celebrities before, and more specifically having had photos taken with them, i am very self-conscious about my stature (which in heels, becomes 6'0). in one case i even ducked down for the photo, and the singer was a good sport and stood on his tiptoes.
imagine how happy i was to learn that cal stood at 6'4" and that my concerns would be of no consequence. now...imagine my surprise to find that when i approached him, he paused, looked me in the eye, and then downwards, and commented, 'oh! heels!'
it was not a derogatory comment, yet the fact that he consciously noted my height does not go far in helping me alleviate my issues.
that being said, the photo turned out quite nicely, and i'd be happy to share it...as soon as i get the digital version. for the moment, i have only a 4X6 print, and taking photos of photos just doesn't quite work. however, i have included a shot of most of the onsite staff cheesing it up at registration.
day 3... in heels for 14-18 hour days, and less than 5 hours sleep per night. yeah. that's how we roll.after completing the event and packing up the materials on sunday morning, i made it home around 11am. i did not leave my bed until the following morning, and i think i was awake for a total of two hours during that time.
i arrived at work on monday morning, planning only to stay for an hour or so to take care of a couple of things, and as i walked in, my boss said simply, 'you look awful. don't log in. go home.'
so i did. i made a more successful attempt at work on tuesday, though only lasted about half a day, which put me out of commission on wednesday. yesterday and today were also short days.
i must admit that i haven't been really sick in some time, so i don't feel that i can complain too much. what i am annoyed with, is the timing....during/after the 'big event', and in the midst of moving preparation. my mind is completely foggy and my body sore and tired, yet, the moving man cometh. or rather...mick is leaving town on sunday, and i need his help, and his truck to move the mattress the fam has so generously bequeathed to me.
by tomorrow night, i hope to be snuggly tucked in in my new home, watching netflix on my new tv (which, as it turns out, has become one more example of how 'frugal' i've become since moving here). frugal is the nice word for cheap. but i digress. to what i'm not sure. but i'm tired, and probably rambling, and when i have my wits about me, may be so disgusted with this post that i just delete it.
yesterday i used the completely wrong word in an email..and it was an embarrassing slip. it took me well over two hours to come up with the right word. i really hate that. and today, when i went to ikea, i'm not exactly sure if i got the right color of the thing i got, because it didn't occur to me to check. and now it's in the new house, and i'm in the old house, and i won't know until tomorrow. and the boxes are so heavy that even if i got the wrong color, i don't know if i can bear to take them back.
but i paid less than 3.00/gal for gas. did i mention that?
Monday, January 21, 2008
dear santa
i know my letter comes late, and by now you're probably tilted back in that leather recliner you love so much, enjoying mrs. claus' homemade chocolate chip cookies while you catch up on your tivo backlog. and i know that next month the little woman puts you back on 'south beach', and you have very little time to revel in some well-deserved rest (and maybe a hot stone massage or two).
as such, i know what a terrible imposition this must be, but in truth, i've waited until now because i didn't want to add to your overflowing load this holiday season. okay, maybe i waited because i didn't have a list to submit until now. regardless--i hope that, rather than an intrusion, you will view my request (see below) as a demonstration of my affection, regard, and concern for your well-being.
aside from that, the truth is, 2007 was kind of a rough year for me. not to sound ungrateful or anything, 'cuz there were some really good things happening...but also some really hard ones. lots of disappointments. lots of big changes i wasn't ready to make, but made anyway. saying goodbye to friends and family both geographically and temporally. and you know, for the most part, it's all worked out pretty good, but what would really send it over the top is this (see below). i feel certain that i have earned a spot on that 'nice' list of yours, but i have references should you require them.
as always, ever-believing, and eternally grateful,
t
as such, i know what a terrible imposition this must be, but in truth, i've waited until now because i didn't want to add to your overflowing load this holiday season. okay, maybe i waited because i didn't have a list to submit until now. regardless--i hope that, rather than an intrusion, you will view my request (see below) as a demonstration of my affection, regard, and concern for your well-being.
aside from that, the truth is, 2007 was kind of a rough year for me. not to sound ungrateful or anything, 'cuz there were some really good things happening...but also some really hard ones. lots of disappointments. lots of big changes i wasn't ready to make, but made anyway. saying goodbye to friends and family both geographically and temporally. and you know, for the most part, it's all worked out pretty good, but what would really send it over the top is this (see below). i feel certain that i have earned a spot on that 'nice' list of yours, but i have references should you require them.
as always, ever-believing, and eternally grateful,
t
Sunday, January 13, 2008
living the life i've imagined
If one advances confidently in the direction of one's dreams, and endeavors to live the life which one has imagined, one will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
-Henry David Thoreau
it is safe to say that in endeavoring to live the life i've imagined, i have most certainly met with a success unexpected. the last month has been filled with successes, so many in fact, that it has been difficult to know where to start blogging about them.
the most recent success is that of having found a place to live. i have been so blessed to have such wonderful extended family members who have welcomed me into their home, and allowed me time to get my bearings. and it seems it is finally all coming together. this week, i visited three houses with open rooms, and any one of them would have been a good option--so much so that it made the decision difficult. ultimately, i decided on one that i absolutely fell in love with. the house itself is quite large, and is the kind of place that i would be proud to have family and friends come to visit (hint hint). the fact that it is a 1/2 mile from the beach certainly doesn't hurt.
when i consider that several years ago, i came to huntington beach for work, and verbalized that were i ever to move to california, i would live here, i can think of no better example of living the life i've imagined. in my wildest dreams, i could not have guessed that that would become my reality only a few years later. and yet sometime in the near future, i see a bike. a bike with a basket, loaded with beach towels, snacks and some good reading material. this bike will be pink, and i will be on it on a beautiful saturday afternoon.
another great success was my time at home over the holidays. in fact, it may have been one of the most perfect family 'reunions' one has a right to hope for. though an exception must be made for the time and emotion spent coping with and healing from cyra's passing (made all too clear again by going home), it was truly a joyful time, full of laughter and love. the family was all together again for the first time in a long time, and my 11 days back in virginia flew far more quickly than i would have liked or expected.
the time was passed at various family gatherings, at kate's home, at the chapman's, and even at williamsburg and jamestown for a little sightseeing. a detailed recapping would take far too long, but the many many pictures taken by both dylan and i tell the story well. these are some of my faves:
kate's christmas party provided a wonderful opportunity to spend
quality time with both her and kendyl (aka cutest neice ever)
the most recent success is that of having found a place to live. i have been so blessed to have such wonderful extended family members who have welcomed me into their home, and allowed me time to get my bearings. and it seems it is finally all coming together. this week, i visited three houses with open rooms, and any one of them would have been a good option--so much so that it made the decision difficult. ultimately, i decided on one that i absolutely fell in love with. the house itself is quite large, and is the kind of place that i would be proud to have family and friends come to visit (hint hint). the fact that it is a 1/2 mile from the beach certainly doesn't hurt.
when i consider that several years ago, i came to huntington beach for work, and verbalized that were i ever to move to california, i would live here, i can think of no better example of living the life i've imagined. in my wildest dreams, i could not have guessed that that would become my reality only a few years later. and yet sometime in the near future, i see a bike. a bike with a basket, loaded with beach towels, snacks and some good reading material. this bike will be pink, and i will be on it on a beautiful saturday afternoon.
another great success was my time at home over the holidays. in fact, it may have been one of the most perfect family 'reunions' one has a right to hope for. though an exception must be made for the time and emotion spent coping with and healing from cyra's passing (made all too clear again by going home), it was truly a joyful time, full of laughter and love. the family was all together again for the first time in a long time, and my 11 days back in virginia flew far more quickly than i would have liked or expected.
the time was passed at various family gatherings, at kate's home, at the chapman's, and even at williamsburg and jamestown for a little sightseeing. a detailed recapping would take far too long, but the many many pictures taken by both dylan and i tell the story well. these are some of my faves:
kate's christmas party provided a wonderful opportunity to spendquality time with both her and kendyl (aka cutest neice ever)
christmas eve was spent with the chapman's--a tradition so old that no one can exactly remember when it started..13 years? 14? who knows. what is certain is that the nativity cast is ever changing, although the christmas chimes all stay the same. this year, with kelly's presence, the va (which, in this case is an abbreviation of my last name, not the state from whence we hail) women deigned to sing together. it was not the only memorable musical performance of the evening, as dylan, dad's, john's, and lynn's '12 days of christmas' rendition will not be soon forgotten.
we spent part of christmas at mom and dad's, part at the movie theater (national treasure 2), andpart at kate's, with an interlude for dinner with our long-time family friends, the kidds.
it was a full and wonderfully happy day.
on the day after christmas, mom and dad, dylan and kelly, and myself headed south to do some sightseeing. the first day was spent in williamsburg, and although rainy, we enjoyed wandering the historic streets and shops. our evening was spent on a candlelight tour of the governor's mansion, which concluded with a dance exhibition of sorts, most amusing was kelly being pulled from her seat to participate, and watching her try to very quickly learn the steps!
day 2 began with a stop at the cape henry lighthouse. it afforded me another stamp in my national passport, and in fact, added another passport to the collection, the lighthouse passport. dad and i have an ever-evolving unofficial competition going...
after cape henry, we took the ferry over to jamestown, where we spent the remainder of the day wandering both the new visitor's center (ahoy, matey) and the historic site. it's been many years since i have visited jamestown, and the sunny day provided a great opportunity to relive a piece of history and spend time with the family.
since the family was altogether again, we couldn't miss the opportunity for family portraits.
and though limited, there was a little time for seeing friends. i can't explain why, but anne and i both love the middle picture. my thighs, and her mouth. some things are simply unexplainable.my time at home was entirely too short, but coming back to california has been rewarding. new friends are in the making, and come february 1st, i'll be ensconced in my new home.
here's to living the life i've imagined!
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