March 31, 2004
The Classified Section
Tricia moment of the day... "Hey I want to look at the newspaper about jobs too! Where are they, the Life section?"
March 29, 2004
A Real Slacker
Well this weekend was a hoot. I don't know why a hoot, it's just one of the old lady words that makes you laugh. So that's that. Scooter was really nice and brought up her pretty new slackline. Pretty much its a piece of webbing (ropey like thing) set up between two trees. The point of it is to walk across and use balance. This might look easy my friends, but believe me, it's a bit of a challenge!
Funny story... a young maintenance guy drove by TC4 in his truck and stopped to watch and we asked if he wanted to give it a go. Of course! He ran over and jumped up on it and I swear he did a 360 when he was flung off it. It was hilarious. When we asked if he wanted to try again he replied, "of course, I can't get flung off like that and not try again." It was great. He got up the second time and did pretty well. He was one of those fast stepper types and got decently far. As he was headed out he let us know that it was a lot harder than it looked.
We all did pretty well and I have to tell you it was addicting. The rush you got from it and the pure challenge of it was just great. I really think we could have been out there for hours on end, but we were working. Scoot promised us though that she will bring it up to camp when she comes up. Nice, my goal it to get four or five good steps the next time I'm on it. Yay! Too fun. :o)
Thanks again Scoots! We got some great pics taken by Rae and Scoot too!
March 26, 2004
Clean Air
Well I'm off to camp to work for the weekend. I am excited to go up there and hopefully clear some of my thoughts. It's going to be a pretty chill weekend because it's a Mommy and me weekend, there are only 40 people coming up, and we have a full staff and Bose is volunteering. Maybe I'll have some time to sneak up to Pasole and climb my some of my favorite rocks. Enjoy your weekend and try to get outside sometime too!
March 24, 2004
Random Thoughts
Do you ever get that weird feeling that you aren't you? This is going to be kinda hard for me to explain. I think I never notice it until I feel my true true self. Wow, this isn't going to make much sense, but it's my blog and I'll do what I want to... do what I want to... you would cry too if it happened to you... wait, what was I writing about again? Oh yes, the true self. Maybe I'll google that and see what I find, probably won't though. I also had this dream, well it was a either a dream or I was listening to my radio alarm or dazed out listening to the radio on my way to work, anyway, I don't know if this is real or not, but I swore I heard/dreamt somewhere that this kid got in trouble for wearing pink. They made him go change and he said, well Ryan Seacrest wears pink. Well then the next day like 300 kids wore some sort of pink to school the next day. That was the whole dream, so I think I heard it somewhere on the radio. Anyone want to do the leg work and confirm? Thanks I'd appriciate that.
Wow, this has really turned into one of my most random entries when I actually started it with a point. Back to my point. It's just odd, I mean when I am with certain people or in certain situations I think I act in one sort of manner. Now I do this subconsciously, but I can consciously not like my behavior. Still with me? Me either... well, it was just weird... the whole night I felt like me but then I got in my car and I drove very aggressively, to put it nicely, and it just felt so familiar. Now I don't really know what it reminded me of, but it put me in a place of ease. I felt like I knew myself for those brief moments. Eh... I don't think this came out in a way to portray it best to you, but I think I feel a little better. It's nice to just write about random thoughts.
March 23, 2004
Deanne's SO Cool!
Haha... to fully understand you have to read this...
So I can't scan straight either. If you look REALLY close, you can see a picture of me in there (by the white box)! Deanne... you are MY Martha Stewart... well without all that legal drama going on and stuff. Yah!
March 22, 2004
Huh? I can't hear you
For the past few days our sound on our computer hasn't been working. It hadn't really bothered me until my mom mentioned that she missed it. So of course tonight I go on a little troubleshooting mission. Let's see I went through all of the techie crap. Everything seemed to be working. I even went on the Microsoft Update site and updated a few things. Nothing seemed to be working. Well right before I was going to give up, I pulled out the CPU to wiggle everything around. There it was... the speakers weren't plugged in.
I know, I know, that's supposed to be the FIRST thing you do... I just never understood how when it sits in a little whole in the desk how something can just come unplugged. But it's working now. Don't tell my mom that all I had to do was replug it in... I want to amaze her with my advanced computing skills! BOO YA!
So now I'm enjoying my media player... let's see at the moment its Church by Outkast, next up is Mrs. Steven Rudy. Hahaha... two extremes... it's hard being cool.
March 18, 2004
Unsung Hero
Well I forgot to add something last night. When I was in the bathroom at Silky's I did a little reading. I'm sure you all have run into some ads from time to time while you are in some random public bathroom (maybe I should contribute to the potty album!), but this one made me laugh...
I mean, I was at a bar. Who's my unsung hero? The DD? Anyway I thought I would share, but I want to say this, if you think I'm your unsung hero, take me out to dinner, spend time with me, call me and tell me a joke, don't go off and buy me a plaque for $19.99!
America = Bad Guinness
Well tonight I went out for St. Patrick's Day. It can't really compare to last year... but happy hour Irish style with my Mary really is hard to compete with. This year Bella, Allison (her nice friend person), and I went to Silky Sullivans for a few drinks. Crazy! This is the bar I used to go to ALL the time! Before I found a steady job a few years ago we could be seen there at least 4 days out of the week. Well for St. Patty's Day, they get out a tent and everything. There was a stupid $5 cover and everything. It was so weird to have to actually have to PAY to be there. Anyway... the night turned out to be cool. We had a few drinks and hung out with some other Silky regulars.... ha, "regulars." I just want to say that I hope those of you I did a little of drunk calling are cool with it. Derek, my phone buddy says hi. He was just amazed that I knew so many people out of the state. Anyway, I should tuck myself into bed now. I have to be at work at 7am, but at least it's Heidi's day to pick up the coffee! :o)
Oh! Almost forgot! Don't drink the Guinness there! They have no clue what they are doing. I've always been told Guinness in the states suck, but when the guy poured me one and gave it to me in 3 seconds from I ordered it, I knew it would be bad news. You have to let the thing sit and do a "two pour." NOT a "two more."
March 17, 2004
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Just wanted to wish everyone a very happy St. Patrick's Day! I am headed out somewhere tonight to have a Guinness. Speaking of those, I haven't had one in America since I have gotten back from my trip to Ireland last October. So I think on that note, I am officially releasing my pictures from my trip. I wanted to wait until I had that one last roll online, but I decided that today was just too perfect of a day to put it off any longer.
Happy birthday to Elizabeth and Allison too!
March 15, 2004
March 12, 2004
Flashback!
Holy Crap! Lindsay Barker! Well you have inspired me to go and dig up some old pictures that are so ugly it's funny. I was such a dork back then, I still am, always will be. I was trying to find some pictures from our pledge years back in like 1990, but I didn't have any luck. But boy ok boy did I find some other great ones.
(On the left is 8th grade '93 and on the right is 7th '92... Sweaters are cool!)
I think I want to get up all my old dance pictures for people to gaze out and cheer you up on a bad day.
Beware ALL! I think I have some embarrassing picture of everyone... well except Alex, well I would have if you wouldn't have kicked me out of the dressing room on your wedding day! Mindy Ruth, I have a few good ones of you. Liz, I totally forgot that your 1998 Christmas card was of your mascot. Crystal, we might not have any pictures of us lately, but I have quite a few from HS and umm... new years. Deanne? Why was I so fascinated by your bedroom back in the day? Hmmm.. oh yah, maybe it was because you had so much random crap stuck to your walls! And I have countless pictures of random RB functions. Anyway, here are just a few REALLY old pics, enjoy!
Deanne and I when we were like 15 or 16.. 1996
Up to no good!
My sister Nikki, the Girl Scout... 1986
One word, sexy
My cousins and I at my Grandparent's 40th anniversary... 1988?
My socks match my dress
My 7th birthday... I'm so CUTE!
Pink AND a dress!
Nathan and I at Baccalaureate 1997... wanted to put this one up just because I miss him...
Best friends
My sister Jenny, me and Julie (my oldest friend ever) somewhere in Belguim 1983
Let us out!
And finally, this one was just too cute to not just show it... the three of us at our first house in Germany 1983...
March 10, 2004
Head or Heart
Well each day new opportunities arise right? And of course they all hit on the same day. So I'm taking a little poll (right Deanne?). Career wise only, should you follow your head or your heart? Do you do what's best for you in the long run and take a chance, or do you do what you know you will love? Essentially, do I stay where I'm at and try to move up in the company, or do i go back to camp? No bias opinions here! Try to be objective. :o)
March 09, 2004
Potty Album?
Well I stumbled on this link when I was on Cheri's page today. It's quite interesting. It's amazing how consistantly the pictures are taken. How many times are you in a public bathroom with your camera? But the idea completely intrigues me for some odd reason.
My personal favorite... January 10th, Rte 6.
March 07, 2004
Still Tweaking
Well as you noticed... I have a new look. I wanted something a little brighter and this is what I got. So much thanks goes out to Deanne! She rocks and did the text in the header. I was inspired by this graphic to do the background of the header. You all are seriously lucky I didn't make this more obnoxious! :o)
limits
My weekend went pretty well, but somehow I just need to re-examine my limits. Dang... I'm not 19 anymore. I don't even know what to say about it either. Last night gave me a whole new insight on myself though. I need control. My mind will always be strong I think in any situation and that's good because it keeps me out of trouble, but that can also be super freaky when I feel my mind is starting to separate from my body. I don't know if that makes any sense, but mind over matter right? I can't just let go... I can't just enjoy. I think this goes for anything in my life. I have to weigh everything out. I'm not a romantic, always a realist.
All this does confuse me a whole lot though. I'm so easy-going. Complicated situations stimulate me. I like a challenge. The challenge of my internal self though, is a constant struggle... don't like that too much, but who does?
March 04, 2004
Where I've been
Well I stole this from Deanne who got it from Dan Sinclair who got it from Art Fernandez, but actually Alex gave it to her two months ago and she just rediscovered it on Dan's site that again got it from Art who she thinks originally got it from Alex. Haha... still with me? If not, read Deanne's explaination...
Anyway, I decided to make the map twice. The first one is a map of every state I have been to and the second is the ones I actually remember. You have to know that I was born in Oklahoma and lived in Ohio as well and we drove across the country to get to both from California.
create your own personalized map of the USA
I'm still hoping to get to DC this spring... :o)
Teens
Well today Heidi and I sat down a started working on the Teen Program. It was a lot of fun trying to come up with some ideas how to put it into action. I hope it all pans out. We do work really well together and hopefully we can get our punk junior high kids a little more involved and excited to be there.
She's also setting up a meeting with the Executive Director. We are going to pitch our program to her and hopefully she will approve all our ideas and give us the freedom to do some fundraising. I think this is going to be my way to get a shoe into the Administrative side of the club. The ED really likes Heidi and they have a very good rapport. I'll keep you all updated, but hopefully it will be a lot of fun and a huge resume and confidence boost.
March 03, 2004
Googled
Well I thought it might be interesting to post some of the popular searches on Google since I have been getting a few random hits every now and then. So below is what I found. I thought it was quite interesting comparing the UK to the US too. I know I'm going to hear from Alex about this one... I was oddly laughing at the thought so many Britts were searching for pancakes until I figured out what Shrove Tuesday was... but it's just interesting to see that we are both centered on entertainment and sports. I think we could have all guessed that one. I hope next week tops are the election. We can only hope right?
www.google.com
Top 10 Gaining Queries
Week Ending Mar. 1, 2004
1. howard stern
2. oscars
3. haiti
4. charlize theron
5. ash wednesday
6. passion of the christ
7. tyra banks
8. lord of the rings
9. bubba the love sponge
10. diego luna
www.google.co.uk
Top 10 Gaining Queries
Week Ending Mar. 1, 2004
1. leap year
2. peter andres
3. pancakes
4. pop art
5. formula 1
6. beckham
7. met office
8. liverpool fc
9. rugby
10. shrove tuesday
March 02, 2004
Dr. Seuss
Well today is Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday. Well IF he was still alive. My mom never read any of his books to us, but thats okay beacuse this morning Heidi read Oh, the Places You'll Go! to me. She's such the good reader. (Yes, Heidi is Tigger and my 26 year old boss). Anyway, after reading it we discussed each page and how it really does have insight. I think I'm in the "waiting room" and she is on the page after that one. But here it is for you all to enjoy. :o)
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don' t
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't.
Because, sometimes, they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike
and I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
---Dr. Seuss
March 01, 2004
Wow...
I need out... can't believe it but already less than 48 hours and my mom has thrown a temper tantrum. Yes and I do mean a tantrum. She gets mad and walks out of the room and slams the door to her room. I'm just the ungrateful child.
Our communication is just plain awful. I don't think she realizes that after I get home from work in the morning I just want to be left alone. I just had to answer 800 questions from kids and them pulling me in every direction, I don't need one more on my back when I walk in the door. So of course, we fight. I most likely don't communicate with her in a positive manner either. It just gets so tiresome having to pretend to be chipper and interested in some of her things when she catches me at the worst time ever. Well that and, I don't think it's actually a good idea to say blah blah blah to my mom anymore. I had just better keep that one in my head.
It's all about diplomacy.
elasticsof: as Wynn Catlin once said, Diplomacy is the art of saying "nice doggie" until you can find a rock.