So I think it's becoming well known around the office that I'll do anything for a free little morsel of a treat. Today a total stranger offered me a large piece of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, and I didn't want to be rude and refuse, so I ate it in 3 seconds. Delicious. I love this new reputation.
Ever notice how hard it is to keep your energy up through the afternoon without a Pepsi? I feel like a tired beast right now, but I'm trying to wean myself from the goodness of that brown liquid. Not so much because it is in the "gray area" for Mormon consumption, but more because I don't think I should be reliant on any substance. If I can go without it, I prove to myself it isn't in control of me. Rather I control it. Bow down to me you dark master.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
My shiny new whistle
Last night for enrichment we learned all about self defense.
One of the officers from the CU police department came to talk to us about sexual assault. He started out by saint that every year there are roughly 40 cases of sexual assault reported on campus. I guess as a general rule only 1 in 10 assaults are actually recorded. Doing the high powered math, that means about 400 times per school year an assault takes place. That's more than 1 girl a day. I was shocked! Then, he said that this was the safest he has ever seen this campus and he's worked here for 27 years. Wholly COW!
He said that it was safe now to be walking around at night on campus.
At BYU my freshmen year we were scared crapless about walking around campus at night and that was BYU, one of the safest places there is.
After his little spiel I raised my hand and asked what the percentage of assaults that involved alcohol was. He said it was upwards of 90%.
After that section we all got up and practiced maneuvers about how to get away from someone who is attacking us.
The first thing we learned was to stick both thumbs into the eye sockets of our attacker and push back them hard enough that they would smear on the back of their skull. I thought that was a bit graphic.
Anyway, someone asked a question about what if you were already on the ground, with someone on top of you.
The person leading the demonstration showed some complex wrestling move with a girl that weighed about 90 lbs.
I just sat there thinking, if some nasty guy was on top of you I sincerely doubt I'd ever be able to do that.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in full support of being able to defend yourself and learning all you can to avoid the situation.
But, if somehow I were the victim of a rape I don't know if I'd be like, "man, if I'd only been able to pull that half nelson on a 200 lb maniac I could have avoided getting raped." Like it was somehow my fault.
The thing that I don't think gets stressed enough at these kind of things is the total and complete innocence of the victim. It doesn't matter if she was drunk, alone and passed out in the middle of a dark park under a bush it was not her fault that someone took advantage of her. She is a victim no matter what.
One of the officers from the CU police department came to talk to us about sexual assault. He started out by saint that every year there are roughly 40 cases of sexual assault reported on campus. I guess as a general rule only 1 in 10 assaults are actually recorded. Doing the high powered math, that means about 400 times per school year an assault takes place. That's more than 1 girl a day. I was shocked! Then, he said that this was the safest he has ever seen this campus and he's worked here for 27 years. Wholly COW!
He said that it was safe now to be walking around at night on campus.
At BYU my freshmen year we were scared crapless about walking around campus at night and that was BYU, one of the safest places there is.
After his little spiel I raised my hand and asked what the percentage of assaults that involved alcohol was. He said it was upwards of 90%.
After that section we all got up and practiced maneuvers about how to get away from someone who is attacking us.
The first thing we learned was to stick both thumbs into the eye sockets of our attacker and push back them hard enough that they would smear on the back of their skull. I thought that was a bit graphic.
Anyway, someone asked a question about what if you were already on the ground, with someone on top of you.
The person leading the demonstration showed some complex wrestling move with a girl that weighed about 90 lbs.
I just sat there thinking, if some nasty guy was on top of you I sincerely doubt I'd ever be able to do that.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in full support of being able to defend yourself and learning all you can to avoid the situation.
But, if somehow I were the victim of a rape I don't know if I'd be like, "man, if I'd only been able to pull that half nelson on a 200 lb maniac I could have avoided getting raped." Like it was somehow my fault.
The thing that I don't think gets stressed enough at these kind of things is the total and complete innocence of the victim. It doesn't matter if she was drunk, alone and passed out in the middle of a dark park under a bush it was not her fault that someone took advantage of her. She is a victim no matter what.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Auntie Marci 37:55-62
55 Yea, verily it is written that when the snow doeth fall, get thee to the mountains and make a gleeful sound. For neither rock nor branch nor small tree doeth corrupt the bases of thy skis if they are built upon the sure foundation of thy faith to survive.
56 If a doubt arises in thy heart as to the expedience of thy venture to the mountain, take no heed to thy worries, for thy skis surely shall be rentals and what damage is irreparable?
57 Thy skis shall be filled, thy tears upon thy clothing shall be mended, and thy poles with angles changed shall remain a testiment to thy steadfastness in the faith that the first trip need only be upon a six-inch base for, low, more snow shall come, as the night followeth the day, yea, it shall come. In great and wonderful whiteness, it shall come.
58 And if it so be that you must sacrifice your bodily parts upon the rocks, let it be said that you were among the first, the craziest to slide effortless to an exhalarating connection with the mountain spirits.
59 Thy bodily parts shall heal upon the passage of time and your faithfulness shall be rewarded upon the mountain with your giggles of delight.
60 For the time shall come when the snow shall melt, and ye shall say unto thyself, whoa is me for I was not first to go to the first resort upon opening and breathe the fresh air and feel the coldness upon my face. For I did sit upon my loins and did waste away the time of my vacation hours.
61 When the mud doeth overtake the slopes and the sky doeth blaze with that bright and powerful snowmelter and skin burner, let not thy lamentations cry, I did not go, I waited, I wasted, I let the days pass. For now there are no more days of whiteness. The hours of my addiction have all passed away and I live in guilt and misery for days spent not skiing, but working.
62 So go, take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take care of itself if ye shall abide in faith and ski today.
56 If a doubt arises in thy heart as to the expedience of thy venture to the mountain, take no heed to thy worries, for thy skis surely shall be rentals and what damage is irreparable?
57 Thy skis shall be filled, thy tears upon thy clothing shall be mended, and thy poles with angles changed shall remain a testiment to thy steadfastness in the faith that the first trip need only be upon a six-inch base for, low, more snow shall come, as the night followeth the day, yea, it shall come. In great and wonderful whiteness, it shall come.
58 And if it so be that you must sacrifice your bodily parts upon the rocks, let it be said that you were among the first, the craziest to slide effortless to an exhalarating connection with the mountain spirits.
59 Thy bodily parts shall heal upon the passage of time and your faithfulness shall be rewarded upon the mountain with your giggles of delight.
60 For the time shall come when the snow shall melt, and ye shall say unto thyself, whoa is me for I was not first to go to the first resort upon opening and breathe the fresh air and feel the coldness upon my face. For I did sit upon my loins and did waste away the time of my vacation hours.
61 When the mud doeth overtake the slopes and the sky doeth blaze with that bright and powerful snowmelter and skin burner, let not thy lamentations cry, I did not go, I waited, I wasted, I let the days pass. For now there are no more days of whiteness. The hours of my addiction have all passed away and I live in guilt and misery for days spent not skiing, but working.
62 So go, take no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take care of itself if ye shall abide in faith and ski today.
Tales of the Yoga Ball
It was 4 pm and I was sitting impatiently at my desk. As the blue tick marks inched across the monitor I could feel myself physically willing the update of my program to go faster. Didn't it know that I wanted to leave ? After 3 minutes of what seemed to be a stalled out process the room began to darken and all I could focus on was the next little blue tick marks and the deafening constancy of the air vent located directly above my head.
Finally, after what seemed to be ages, the program terminated and released me from my indentured servitude. I grabbed my purse, phone and jacket and flew down the 5 flights of tightly spirally stairs and out the door. I raced through the parking lot and threw my belongings into the car.
Ah, sweet release.
I didn't matter to me what filled the next 16 hours as long as it had nothing to do with a computer or space technology.
As I opened the door to my little house I was overwhelmed by a peaceful sense of isolationism. I was the only one home and no one was due to arrive for hours. I roamed around, left trash from the mail wherever I wanted to and kicking my shoes into the exact center of the room.
I had 3 hours to be by myself and just unwind before FHE was slated to begin.
For FHE I decided that we'd play volleyball, but not just regular volleyball because that requires skill. In an attempt to level the playing field, we would use a yoga ball.
As I stepped up to the serving line all my middle school memories flooded over me. Fear that I wouldn't get it over the net, and even worse, fear that it wouldn't even come close. I whacked the crap out of the big blue mass and sent it sailing. Instant validation that, no, I am not a backward unathletic loser, and yes, I freakin rock at this game.
Aside from the kid who got a sprained ankle, there were relatively few injuries, and no blood whatsoever. I still managed to get smacked in the shoulder and will probably produce a pretty impressive bruise, but all in all, a pretty great FHE.
Even Sarah and Colin came, which made my day.
After FHE I stayed in the parking lot and talked to the ear doctor for quite a while. He is so funny, and really nice, but I am still not really interested in him. This is the trick of dating. You want to spend more time with someone to get to know them. Then, they think you are really interested. Then, after you've spent enough time to really know them you really know that you aren't interested. Then, you have to back out and someone gets hurt. Its usually me.
Finally, after what seemed to be ages, the program terminated and released me from my indentured servitude. I grabbed my purse, phone and jacket and flew down the 5 flights of tightly spirally stairs and out the door. I raced through the parking lot and threw my belongings into the car.
Ah, sweet release.
I didn't matter to me what filled the next 16 hours as long as it had nothing to do with a computer or space technology.
As I opened the door to my little house I was overwhelmed by a peaceful sense of isolationism. I was the only one home and no one was due to arrive for hours. I roamed around, left trash from the mail wherever I wanted to and kicking my shoes into the exact center of the room.
I had 3 hours to be by myself and just unwind before FHE was slated to begin.
For FHE I decided that we'd play volleyball, but not just regular volleyball because that requires skill. In an attempt to level the playing field, we would use a yoga ball.
As I stepped up to the serving line all my middle school memories flooded over me. Fear that I wouldn't get it over the net, and even worse, fear that it wouldn't even come close. I whacked the crap out of the big blue mass and sent it sailing. Instant validation that, no, I am not a backward unathletic loser, and yes, I freakin rock at this game.
Aside from the kid who got a sprained ankle, there were relatively few injuries, and no blood whatsoever. I still managed to get smacked in the shoulder and will probably produce a pretty impressive bruise, but all in all, a pretty great FHE.
Even Sarah and Colin came, which made my day.
After FHE I stayed in the parking lot and talked to the ear doctor for quite a while. He is so funny, and really nice, but I am still not really interested in him. This is the trick of dating. You want to spend more time with someone to get to know them. Then, they think you are really interested. Then, after you've spent enough time to really know them you really know that you aren't interested. Then, you have to back out and someone gets hurt. Its usually me.
Monday, October 18, 2004
So get this
I no longer believe in Karma.
No matter what kind of good deeds you do, sometimes crappy things still happen.
Saturday morning I woke up early and met at the institute to help pick up trash along the stretch of highway that we adopted.
We drove out there and spent the whole morning picking up trash. It was fun to be out there with friends doing something to help. Coolest thing we found: home made bong created from an arrowhead water bottle, blue bic pen and wad of aluminum foil.
(As a sidenote to show what a brat I am, I thought the bong was really funny and asked the ear doctor to keep it out and the whole institute could take a picture of us around it for our scrap book. Like the nice guy that he is, he carried the nasty piece of trash around the whole morning because I asked. When we got back to the parking lot I forgot about it and drove away in a cloud of dust. He'd done that special for me, and I know he probably didn't want to and thought it was gross and I was an ungrateful little punk)
Anyway, I had to be at the nursing home for bingo at 1:30, and didn't leave my house until 1:15, so I was speeding trying to get there on time. I was driving down the newly cleaned highway, admiring our work when I got pulled over by the cop.
I was going 65 in a 50.
In my opinion that really isn't that bad.
The cop said that if I'd hit a biker going that speed he would have died.
I told him that if I'd hit a biker going 50, the speed limit he would have been toast so I don't really see how that particular reason in any way validates the fact that I was getting a ticket.
Anyway, after sitting there thinking for a while I realized that the universe can't be controlled by Karma, because I got a speeding ticket right after picking up trash and before helping old people play bingo.
Things happen to us regardless of what we do. What is in our control is how we react and what we take away from our experiences.
This is what I learned:
The Boulder city police force should take a basic course in physics if they really think a biker could be hit at 50 mph and not be toast.
No matter what kind of good deeds you do, sometimes crappy things still happen.
Saturday morning I woke up early and met at the institute to help pick up trash along the stretch of highway that we adopted.
We drove out there and spent the whole morning picking up trash. It was fun to be out there with friends doing something to help. Coolest thing we found: home made bong created from an arrowhead water bottle, blue bic pen and wad of aluminum foil.
(As a sidenote to show what a brat I am, I thought the bong was really funny and asked the ear doctor to keep it out and the whole institute could take a picture of us around it for our scrap book. Like the nice guy that he is, he carried the nasty piece of trash around the whole morning because I asked. When we got back to the parking lot I forgot about it and drove away in a cloud of dust. He'd done that special for me, and I know he probably didn't want to and thought it was gross and I was an ungrateful little punk)
Anyway, I had to be at the nursing home for bingo at 1:30, and didn't leave my house until 1:15, so I was speeding trying to get there on time. I was driving down the newly cleaned highway, admiring our work when I got pulled over by the cop.
I was going 65 in a 50.
In my opinion that really isn't that bad.
The cop said that if I'd hit a biker going that speed he would have died.
I told him that if I'd hit a biker going 50, the speed limit he would have been toast so I don't really see how that particular reason in any way validates the fact that I was getting a ticket.
Anyway, after sitting there thinking for a while I realized that the universe can't be controlled by Karma, because I got a speeding ticket right after picking up trash and before helping old people play bingo.
Things happen to us regardless of what we do. What is in our control is how we react and what we take away from our experiences.
This is what I learned:
The Boulder city police force should take a basic course in physics if they really think a biker could be hit at 50 mph and not be toast.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
In need of a recharge
Today I took a long lunch and drove around town. It is so pretty here today. While I was out on my drive I heard on the radio that Loveland is opening tomorrow. They are always the first Colorado ski resort to open. They have 3 runs and 1 chair running.
I'm torn.
I'd love to go up and enjoy the very first skiing of the season, but I know its going to be crappy. Do I drive 1.5 hours up to the mountains just to hit rocks and see dirt patches the whole way down?
I think I'd rather wait for a day that will be really great to inaugurate this season.
Funny thing with me and skiing. All summer I hem and haw about getting a season pass. I think in my mind, "will I really use it enough to make it worth my money" and "they are so far away its really a pain to drive all the way up there" and "what if no one wants to go to the places I want to go, am I really willing to spend all that money to do it if I have to go alone?"
Then a day like today hits.
It is clear, sunny, crisp and beautiful and all I wish I was doing is riding up a lift in preparation for a day that the mountain will kick my butt and make me sore and tired the next day.
I loose all control. Suddenly money is not an object, only a means for me to get up there and go whizzing down a beautiful wide groomed run.
Today I bought 3 Copper mountain 4passes (one is for my aunt and cousin who have promised to come ski with me this season).
I think I'll swing by Boulder Ski Deals and buy a new pair of boots after work.
Maybe a new coat?
I've got a problem
I'm torn.
I'd love to go up and enjoy the very first skiing of the season, but I know its going to be crappy. Do I drive 1.5 hours up to the mountains just to hit rocks and see dirt patches the whole way down?
I think I'd rather wait for a day that will be really great to inaugurate this season.
Funny thing with me and skiing. All summer I hem and haw about getting a season pass. I think in my mind, "will I really use it enough to make it worth my money" and "they are so far away its really a pain to drive all the way up there" and "what if no one wants to go to the places I want to go, am I really willing to spend all that money to do it if I have to go alone?"
Then a day like today hits.
It is clear, sunny, crisp and beautiful and all I wish I was doing is riding up a lift in preparation for a day that the mountain will kick my butt and make me sore and tired the next day.
I loose all control. Suddenly money is not an object, only a means for me to get up there and go whizzing down a beautiful wide groomed run.
Today I bought 3 Copper mountain 4passes (one is for my aunt and cousin who have promised to come ski with me this season).
I think I'll swing by Boulder Ski Deals and buy a new pair of boots after work.
Maybe a new coat?
I've got a problem
Ready to be poked
Last night we had a blood drive at our institute building. I really like giving blood. I was always scared of it, and, to be honest, it still kind of freaks me out. It makes me feel like I helped someone else out in some small way and that makes me feel good.
Anyway, I always get a little nervous when I sit in the chair. The guy doing my needle insertion seemed pretty nice, and since I use flirting as a way to calm down I set to work. Pretty soon we were joking around. When he was making that big circle of iodine on my arm he made a joke about that being his target. Immdeiately I was freaked out. The circle was about the size of an orange and my veins I KNOW are not that large. Anyway, I started freaking out, he had to elevate my feet, and I said in a high and wavery voice, "oh no, I'm totally THAT girl."
Anyway, the blood went fine, but slowly. I must have really low blood pressure or something.
After the drive I sat around and chatted with some people. For the first time ever I talked to Kat.
Here's the 411 on Kat:
Anyway, I always get a little nervous when I sit in the chair. The guy doing my needle insertion seemed pretty nice, and since I use flirting as a way to calm down I set to work. Pretty soon we were joking around. When he was making that big circle of iodine on my arm he made a joke about that being his target. Immdeiately I was freaked out. The circle was about the size of an orange and my veins I KNOW are not that large. Anyway, I started freaking out, he had to elevate my feet, and I said in a high and wavery voice, "oh no, I'm totally THAT girl."
Anyway, the blood went fine, but slowly. I must have really low blood pressure or something.
After the drive I sat around and chatted with some people. For the first time ever I talked to Kat.
Here's the 411 on Kat:
- She got her PhD in neroscience (one smart cookie)
- She used to teach sunday school. She was the best teacher I've ever had in my life. She really made me think about stuff.
- She didn't get married until after she got her PhD, so she is one of those cool "you don't have to get married young" kind of people.
- She's way into "crafty" stuff, but not the kind of crafty stuff where you just take your junk and turn it into more junk. She knits and crochets and throws pottery and makes hand dipped chocolates.
- She expresses her emotions by crying.
There are a ton more things, but these things remind me so much of myself that I always thought we could be really good friends.
Last night I invited myself to go up to her house and crochet with her every Tuesday night. I really want to make a cool afghan, and since she is the resident queen of the needles, we decided to start kind of a club of sorts. I hope it works out and is fun.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Dear Person from Penn State
You've been reading my blog for almost 4 months now on almost a daily basis and have yet to leave me a comment. I find it distressing that you know so much about me and I know so little about you. Are you cool? Are you funny? Are you my new stalker?
Per the request of Miss Marinara
So my hometeachers....
The actually aren't MY hometeachers, but my friend Sarah's. They came over to "teach" her on Sunday evening and since I was there I thought I'd sit in.
We all sat down in her living room and I tried to pretend that I actually thought it was going to be worth my time.
First of all I have to back up a bit. One of her hometeachers is an acquaintance of mine...We drove down to the temple a month ago together. He got lost and we were almost too late to the session. We talked about Ayn Rand and Objectivism the whole way and it was really interesting, but he comes off as a pompous jerk who is just really proud about the fact that he's in law school. We also talked about how I want to go to Stanford or Princeton for grad school and he decided that I was really smart (not really true, I'm just a really hard worker with big dreams)
They started off with that obligatory, "so how's everything going in your life" stuff. Sarah chatted for a while. I guess they'd never come to see her before because she was telling them about her major and stuff. When she got around to telling them that she was studying to take the GRE's he interrupted her and said, "well, you do hang out with Colin and Katie, two of the smartest people, so maybe some of that will rub off."
I was floored and not in a good way. Sarah is way smarter than I will ever be. The girl practically has a 4.0 in biochemistry. Plus to intimate that she is the "dumb friend" that only hangs out with us so that our "smartness" rubs off on her mocks the close and sincere friendship that all three of us share.
After they left Sarah and I talked. She thought he was obviously intrigued by me and found her uninteresting. I have two reactions to this:
1) Yippee! Now I have another conceited, unthoughtful, self interested person interested in me. My dream come true.
2) Here's a little tip, pal: Don't offend my friends en route to what you may think is a compliment for me. I'm the most loyal person there is and it really won't impress.
The actually aren't MY hometeachers, but my friend Sarah's. They came over to "teach" her on Sunday evening and since I was there I thought I'd sit in.
We all sat down in her living room and I tried to pretend that I actually thought it was going to be worth my time.
First of all I have to back up a bit. One of her hometeachers is an acquaintance of mine...We drove down to the temple a month ago together. He got lost and we were almost too late to the session. We talked about Ayn Rand and Objectivism the whole way and it was really interesting, but he comes off as a pompous jerk who is just really proud about the fact that he's in law school. We also talked about how I want to go to Stanford or Princeton for grad school and he decided that I was really smart (not really true, I'm just a really hard worker with big dreams)
They started off with that obligatory, "so how's everything going in your life" stuff. Sarah chatted for a while. I guess they'd never come to see her before because she was telling them about her major and stuff. When she got around to telling them that she was studying to take the GRE's he interrupted her and said, "well, you do hang out with Colin and Katie, two of the smartest people, so maybe some of that will rub off."
I was floored and not in a good way. Sarah is way smarter than I will ever be. The girl practically has a 4.0 in biochemistry. Plus to intimate that she is the "dumb friend" that only hangs out with us so that our "smartness" rubs off on her mocks the close and sincere friendship that all three of us share.
After they left Sarah and I talked. She thought he was obviously intrigued by me and found her uninteresting. I have two reactions to this:
1) Yippee! Now I have another conceited, unthoughtful, self interested person interested in me. My dream come true.
2) Here's a little tip, pal: Don't offend my friends en route to what you may think is a compliment for me. I'm the most loyal person there is and it really won't impress.
Big news
Yesterday I went home from work at about noon because my knee hurt so much. I spent the whole day laying on the couch with a bag of frozen corn on my knee watching TV and movies. It was really boring and the highlights consisted of Sarah being the great friend she is and bringing me dinner, and Kirsten coming over to look it over and give me her advice. (since she's practically a practicing physical therapist)
My friends Amy and Brett decided to get engaged on Monday....and they're getting married Nov. 12. Yeah, pretty fast, but it works for them. They've known each other forever and since Amy's parents are here for the month from Saudi Arabia, they decided to just do it ASAP. On one hand I think it is just crazy and insane to do, on the other hand I really admire their can do attitude. If you know its right, and there is nothing holding you back, why wait?
So the ear doctor called me again last night. He's such a nice guy, but I just really am not all that interested in him. We chatted for a while and he asked me out again. The only thing is that I have plans for the next 3 weekends. We decided that we'd hang out next Thursday. This will be good because there will be a lot of down time and momentum can kind of stall out.
Also, this other kid from the ward keeps calling me. He's weird. He suggested that we have a mancala tournament for FHE. To that suggestion I just raised my eyebrows, smiled and said I'd look into it.
This is a really weird situation for me. There are like 4 guys who are calling me, asking me out, being interested and I'm not really interested in any of them. That's never really happened to me before.
My friends Amy and Brett decided to get engaged on Monday....and they're getting married Nov. 12. Yeah, pretty fast, but it works for them. They've known each other forever and since Amy's parents are here for the month from Saudi Arabia, they decided to just do it ASAP. On one hand I think it is just crazy and insane to do, on the other hand I really admire their can do attitude. If you know its right, and there is nothing holding you back, why wait?
So the ear doctor called me again last night. He's such a nice guy, but I just really am not all that interested in him. We chatted for a while and he asked me out again. The only thing is that I have plans for the next 3 weekends. We decided that we'd hang out next Thursday. This will be good because there will be a lot of down time and momentum can kind of stall out.
Also, this other kid from the ward keeps calling me. He's weird. He suggested that we have a mancala tournament for FHE. To that suggestion I just raised my eyebrows, smiled and said I'd look into it.
This is a really weird situation for me. There are like 4 guys who are calling me, asking me out, being interested and I'm not really interested in any of them. That's never really happened to me before.
Monday, October 11, 2004
I hate blogger
Why is it every time I write a really long, interesting, and well written (all in my estimation) post that blogger decides it is the best time move like molasses. Its like blogger knows how impatient I am and can sense the exact moment I will give up and just exit before letting my wonderful new post come up.
This will in no way be as good as the original. My second attempt never is as good as the first.
This weekend I did the following:
This will in no way be as good as the original. My second attempt never is as good as the first.
This weekend I did the following:
- Friday night slumber party with the girls during which we paid homage to the great artists of our generation including, but not limited to, the following: Debbie Gibson, Lisa Loeb, New Kids on the Block and Whitesnake.
- Saturday I got my friend Kirsten (the mail man's sister) flowers and balloons because she took her PT board exam
- Volunteered at the nursing home playing bingo. I never won which makes me think that the old ladies were somehow cheating to win the scary stuffed animals and broken lamps.
- Went to a housewarming party where I had to tread the line between being friendly and making sure my friend knew I'm not really interested in him "that" way.
- Got accosted by bleeding heart tree huggers who wanted me to miss out on seeing the elephants at the circus. Some people have seen Dumbo a few too many times.
- Went to the circus with a really nice guy who will hence forth be referred to as ear doctor because he is studying audiology at CU. He reminds me of my friend Alan from school, so I instantly felt comfortable around him.
- Made orange rolls for family dinner.
- Found out family dinner was cancelled.
- Cursed my friends for not being considerate enough to call and tell me that dinner had been cancelled before I woke up 1.5 hours early to start making said orange rolls.
- Ate so many orange rolls I was ill.
- Thought of my Aunt Sandy and how much she loved the rolls and how much I am really going to miss her at Thanksgiving this year.
- Had dinner with Sarah and Colin.
- Got offended by the hometeachers.
- Went over to the Boy's house for dessert.
- Fell asleep reading with my contacts in.
That about sums up the weekend.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
I am a lucky, lucky girl
Just so that they whole internet knows, today is the third day in a row that I've scammed free lunch! Pretty impressive, huh.
Unfortunate Side Effects
So I really like writing this blog. I think it is a good exercise for me to practice my writing, because in general I consider myself a typical engineer with poor verbal skills.
The thing is, I spend half an hour trying to think of the interesting things in my day to write about. Then, after I've hashed through all the even remotely interesting events I figure I've told them all. The result of this mentality is that I am actually growing more distant from people who don't read my blog. When they ask me what's going on in my life I can't think of anything new to tell because I've already told everything to my blog.
So I guess, if you miss out on reading this, you're probably going to miss out on a lot that is happening with me.
Although, now that I think about it, if you're reading this you probably aren't the person I need to be explaining this to.
Oh, no, now that I've confessed this to my blog I probably won't tell the people who aren't getting the stories about it.
They'll be in the dark about being in the dark.
Viscious cycle.
The thing is, I spend half an hour trying to think of the interesting things in my day to write about. Then, after I've hashed through all the even remotely interesting events I figure I've told them all. The result of this mentality is that I am actually growing more distant from people who don't read my blog. When they ask me what's going on in my life I can't think of anything new to tell because I've already told everything to my blog.
So I guess, if you miss out on reading this, you're probably going to miss out on a lot that is happening with me.
Although, now that I think about it, if you're reading this you probably aren't the person I need to be explaining this to.
Oh, no, now that I've confessed this to my blog I probably won't tell the people who aren't getting the stories about it.
They'll be in the dark about being in the dark.
Viscious cycle.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
23 going on 14
So today my co-worker asked me if I liked this guy that we work with. It totally reminded me of middle school.
You know, when you liked someone (person A), but were so scared of rejection that you sent your friend (person B) to slyly ask their friend (person C) what person A would do if you (person D) ever asked them out. It was confusing and difficult and in the end it was a miracle if through all the chain of communication you and person A ever ended up having your parents drop you off at the mall at the same time.
Well, I'm 23 now and this morning felt like I was playing that same old game.
Lame.
Also, last night at FHE I had totally prepared myself to ask this guy to go to the circus with me on Saturday night, but when I got there and saw him I wimped out. I'm pretty sure that if he doesn't already have plans, he would totally want to go out with me, but I just didn't feel like putting all the effort in to actually ask him out. I guess I'm just lazy. Maybe if I get my friend to go up to him and ask him what he would say if I hypothetically asked him out for Saturday. Now there's a thought....
You know, when you liked someone (person A), but were so scared of rejection that you sent your friend (person B) to slyly ask their friend (person C) what person A would do if you (person D) ever asked them out. It was confusing and difficult and in the end it was a miracle if through all the chain of communication you and person A ever ended up having your parents drop you off at the mall at the same time.
Well, I'm 23 now and this morning felt like I was playing that same old game.
Lame.
Also, last night at FHE I had totally prepared myself to ask this guy to go to the circus with me on Saturday night, but when I got there and saw him I wimped out. I'm pretty sure that if he doesn't already have plans, he would totally want to go out with me, but I just didn't feel like putting all the effort in to actually ask him out. I guess I'm just lazy. Maybe if I get my friend to go up to him and ask him what he would say if I hypothetically asked him out for Saturday. Now there's a thought....
Every day comedians
So in the past couple of days some people have said some really funny things unintentionally:
1. My sister's roommate Heather was telling about this guy that she knows. I guess he was born in Italy, but moved over to the states when he was 4. She was describing how you could hardly tell that he'd been born over seas because he was as American as the come. She said, "he only lived over there when he was little, so he hadn't really become italicized." So he didn't walk at a slant and have curly ends?
2. My grandma is a really into gardening. Sunday I went over to visit her, and she was really excited about the new tool she bought. She was describing it to me and said, "it's a long pole with a hooker on it." I didn't think you could buy those at the hardware store, I thought they were more of a strip club or hip hop artist living room kind of thing.
3. Last night an ambulance was speeding past our house and my roommate said, "Something good's not happening." I'm pretty sure she meant to say, "something not good is happening" but the way she said it made me think maybe she had some kind of psychic fortune telling powers. Maybe I should have her read my tarot cards or something.
1. My sister's roommate Heather was telling about this guy that she knows. I guess he was born in Italy, but moved over to the states when he was 4. She was describing how you could hardly tell that he'd been born over seas because he was as American as the come. She said, "he only lived over there when he was little, so he hadn't really become italicized." So he didn't walk at a slant and have curly ends?
2. My grandma is a really into gardening. Sunday I went over to visit her, and she was really excited about the new tool she bought. She was describing it to me and said, "it's a long pole with a hooker on it." I didn't think you could buy those at the hardware store, I thought they were more of a strip club or hip hop artist living room kind of thing.
3. Last night an ambulance was speeding past our house and my roommate said, "Something good's not happening." I'm pretty sure she meant to say, "something not good is happening" but the way she said it made me think maybe she had some kind of psychic fortune telling powers. Maybe I should have her read my tarot cards or something.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Its the little things...
That get me every time.
About a week ago we got a free newspaper delivered to our condo. Instead of delivering it on our front porch, they just dropped it off in the back right in front of our garage. Every day for the last week I've run over it about 4 times a day, leaving for work, coming home from work, leaving to hang out, coming home to sleep, and even though it is annoying, I don't bend, pick it up and throw it away in the dumpster that is literally 4 feet away from it. I don't know why, I just don't. Maybe somewhere in my mind I hope that Amy (my roommate) will pick it up and throw it away. She probably thinks the same thing.
Another thing: I've lived in Colorado for almost a year and a half now and I still have yet to get my Colorado drivers license. I know exactly where to go, and if I strategically plan my timing, it really wouldn't take more that 20 minutes to just go get my photo taken and become a responsible citizen of the state. But, alas, I don't do it.
As a final testament to my inability to handle the minutiae of my life, my fouton is still being held together with a screwdriver. I lost the little metal dowel that was supposed to hold it upright, and, having no other material just laying around, I grabbed my roommate's Phillips screwdriver and rammed it into place. It works like a dream, and is actually really handy because now we always know where the screwdriver is. The only thing is, it looks really strange just sitting there, protruding from the back of my furniture.
I don't know why I don't just take an hour between standing at the fridge and realizing I have nothing to eat besides year old mayonnaise and half a jar of marichino cherries and that all important rerun episode of Friends to go out and do these things, but I don't. I am an enigma.
About a week ago we got a free newspaper delivered to our condo. Instead of delivering it on our front porch, they just dropped it off in the back right in front of our garage. Every day for the last week I've run over it about 4 times a day, leaving for work, coming home from work, leaving to hang out, coming home to sleep, and even though it is annoying, I don't bend, pick it up and throw it away in the dumpster that is literally 4 feet away from it. I don't know why, I just don't. Maybe somewhere in my mind I hope that Amy (my roommate) will pick it up and throw it away. She probably thinks the same thing.
Another thing: I've lived in Colorado for almost a year and a half now and I still have yet to get my Colorado drivers license. I know exactly where to go, and if I strategically plan my timing, it really wouldn't take more that 20 minutes to just go get my photo taken and become a responsible citizen of the state. But, alas, I don't do it.
As a final testament to my inability to handle the minutiae of my life, my fouton is still being held together with a screwdriver. I lost the little metal dowel that was supposed to hold it upright, and, having no other material just laying around, I grabbed my roommate's Phillips screwdriver and rammed it into place. It works like a dream, and is actually really handy because now we always know where the screwdriver is. The only thing is, it looks really strange just sitting there, protruding from the back of my furniture.
I don't know why I don't just take an hour between standing at the fridge and realizing I have nothing to eat besides year old mayonnaise and half a jar of marichino cherries and that all important rerun episode of Friends to go out and do these things, but I don't. I am an enigma.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Mad scientist with one googly eye
I am the oldest cousin on my mom's side. Tyler, my cousin who is slightly younger, and I were the best of pals, confidants, and more often than not, conspirators in dastardly plots. We perfected the manipulation of the younger siblings and cousins. We were the brains behind many activities that generated parental and grand parental frustration: hanging from the stairs upside down in the basement, tearing the sofas apart to make mazes and play gerbals, using paper towels and plaster of pairs to make masks that ripped eyebrows off in their removal, ect.
Every summer we would all congregate at my grandparents house for a week of pre-adolescent capers. We would usually spend all day at a sports camp, hosted by BYU, or some other kind of summer camp designed to give parents who are accustomed to a whole kid-free day a break from the constant requirement of child entertainment.
The most memorable summer was when Tyler and I were enrolled in a science camp.
(I know you are thinking, "this girl is the biggest nerd ever" but I don't care. It's true, I am a nerd, I've embraced it and am learning to love it)
Anyway, the name of the camp was "beef heart, sheep eye and cow tongue." Within a week we were planning on dissecting all of these things. In retrospect, I think that is really gross, but at the time I was so excited I could barely contain myself.
On the first day of class we showed up and were given a white box. On the top of the box there was a black and white label with a cartoon of a cow looking very happy (clearly he no one told him that we would be cutting out his tongue and very carefully filleting it) and our names written in black Sharpie marker. The box was a foot and a half square and about 8 inches deep. I opened it and was thrilled by its contents: rubber gloves, test tubes, tongs, goggles, a lab coat, a rack to hold out test tubes and a spiral bound book filled with experiments we could do at home.
I'm sure the class was really interesting, and I even remember bringing home the lens of a sheep's eye to show my grandma, but the best thing Tyler and I got out of that class was the box of scientific treasures.
The best experiment we ever did, was on my sister. We made her eat a whole sleeve of saltine crackers, and then pee into a cup. We then did experiments on it to determine what she had eaten. I guess it was a redundant experiment because we knew in advance what she'd eaten.
Anyway, the love of doing experiments has stuck with me.
My latest experiment is more in the social arena than in the scientific.
I've decided that I am going out to dinner with a different person once a week. I'm starting with the girls in my social circle that I don't really know all that well. I think it is really important to make really connections with people instead of just hanging out in a group. I want them to know that I care about them and I am there if they have a problem. Its always fun to do things as a big group, but it is only one-on-one that you really get to know someone and really become friends.
Anyway, last night I went out with Em. She is such an interesting girl, and surprisingly a lot like me. She went to BYU and understands the importance of working hard and doing things well. I was a little apprehensive because she dated the mail man (from about two months ago) and almost married the kid before I hung out with him. I didn't know what she thought about the whole thing. Anyway, I was dumb to think that she'd care at all about that stuff. It was a really fun night and it prompted me to make an addendum to my experiment.
I am going to try to open up to these people; let them see my weaknesses as well as my strengths. I have a really hard time admitting that things don't always go as planned for me. I hate admitting that I get lonely.
So that is my latest experiment. I have no idea what the goal is, and no way to measure the findings, but at least it is in action. It should be interesting, even though there is no dissection involved.
Every summer we would all congregate at my grandparents house for a week of pre-adolescent capers. We would usually spend all day at a sports camp, hosted by BYU, or some other kind of summer camp designed to give parents who are accustomed to a whole kid-free day a break from the constant requirement of child entertainment.
The most memorable summer was when Tyler and I were enrolled in a science camp.
(I know you are thinking, "this girl is the biggest nerd ever" but I don't care. It's true, I am a nerd, I've embraced it and am learning to love it)
Anyway, the name of the camp was "beef heart, sheep eye and cow tongue." Within a week we were planning on dissecting all of these things. In retrospect, I think that is really gross, but at the time I was so excited I could barely contain myself.
On the first day of class we showed up and were given a white box. On the top of the box there was a black and white label with a cartoon of a cow looking very happy (clearly he no one told him that we would be cutting out his tongue and very carefully filleting it) and our names written in black Sharpie marker. The box was a foot and a half square and about 8 inches deep. I opened it and was thrilled by its contents: rubber gloves, test tubes, tongs, goggles, a lab coat, a rack to hold out test tubes and a spiral bound book filled with experiments we could do at home.
I'm sure the class was really interesting, and I even remember bringing home the lens of a sheep's eye to show my grandma, but the best thing Tyler and I got out of that class was the box of scientific treasures.
The best experiment we ever did, was on my sister. We made her eat a whole sleeve of saltine crackers, and then pee into a cup. We then did experiments on it to determine what she had eaten. I guess it was a redundant experiment because we knew in advance what she'd eaten.
Anyway, the love of doing experiments has stuck with me.
My latest experiment is more in the social arena than in the scientific.
I've decided that I am going out to dinner with a different person once a week. I'm starting with the girls in my social circle that I don't really know all that well. I think it is really important to make really connections with people instead of just hanging out in a group. I want them to know that I care about them and I am there if they have a problem. Its always fun to do things as a big group, but it is only one-on-one that you really get to know someone and really become friends.
Anyway, last night I went out with Em. She is such an interesting girl, and surprisingly a lot like me. She went to BYU and understands the importance of working hard and doing things well. I was a little apprehensive because she dated the mail man (from about two months ago) and almost married the kid before I hung out with him. I didn't know what she thought about the whole thing. Anyway, I was dumb to think that she'd care at all about that stuff. It was a really fun night and it prompted me to make an addendum to my experiment.
I am going to try to open up to these people; let them see my weaknesses as well as my strengths. I have a really hard time admitting that things don't always go as planned for me. I hate admitting that I get lonely.
So that is my latest experiment. I have no idea what the goal is, and no way to measure the findings, but at least it is in action. It should be interesting, even though there is no dissection involved.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Changing of the Guard
I like musicals. Growing up my mom, my sister and I would routinely curl up under two inch thick blankets, turn on a great Rogers and Hammerstein classic and get lost in a world where people break into song and choreographed dancing at the drop of a hat. My dad would retire to the basement and watch a football game and (I'm sure) wonder how he was going to make it through life surrounded by so much estrogen.
Anyway, I have practically every song from the more popular musicals memorized. I always thought they were entertaining because they were a break from reality.
Bad news, I am a character in a musical.
Alright, so I don't burst into song about how the butter ran out or have a mental breakdown when someone leaves time on the mircowave (wait a minute), but I do have certain "tendencies."
Have you ever seen South Pacific? At one point in the show the main character gets her heart broken and there is a shower scene where she is shampooing her hair and singing, "gotta get that man right outta my hair."
Well, last night was my final rinse of all the crappy stuff I've been going through.
I bailed out on FHE (I know I shouldn't have, but I didn't really want to see anybody), and went to Wal-Mart. Now, usually I hate Wal-Mart, but they have cheap fabric and for my "shampooing" I needed lots of fabric.
I bought tons of fabric to really decorate my room.
I moved into my new place last May and haven't gotten around to really making it my personal space. I've never been able to stand white walls, but they wouldn't let me paint at this new place. Out of laziness and frustration I just decided to put up with it.
Also, I felt to busy to really dedicate time to doing it. I always felt like I needed to be out hanging out with people to fill my time. You know how it is; when you break up with someone all the sudden you have tons of time and you don't know what to do with it all. You're used to spending all that time with someone else, so it is hard to just be on your own again. I've been struggling with this since May, but last night I washed that all out.
I turned off my phone and spent the whole night by myself re-doing my room. Actually, I didn't re-do it so much as do it, since I hadn't really done more that unpack my boxes since May.
Anyway, now my room looks great and feels like a place I want to just hang out.
I'm glad I finally "washed that man right outta my hair."
Anyway, I have practically every song from the more popular musicals memorized. I always thought they were entertaining because they were a break from reality.
Bad news, I am a character in a musical.
Alright, so I don't burst into song about how the butter ran out or have a mental breakdown when someone leaves time on the mircowave (wait a minute), but I do have certain "tendencies."
Have you ever seen South Pacific? At one point in the show the main character gets her heart broken and there is a shower scene where she is shampooing her hair and singing, "gotta get that man right outta my hair."
Well, last night was my final rinse of all the crappy stuff I've been going through.
I bailed out on FHE (I know I shouldn't have, but I didn't really want to see anybody), and went to Wal-Mart. Now, usually I hate Wal-Mart, but they have cheap fabric and for my "shampooing" I needed lots of fabric.
I bought tons of fabric to really decorate my room.
I moved into my new place last May and haven't gotten around to really making it my personal space. I've never been able to stand white walls, but they wouldn't let me paint at this new place. Out of laziness and frustration I just decided to put up with it.
Also, I felt to busy to really dedicate time to doing it. I always felt like I needed to be out hanging out with people to fill my time. You know how it is; when you break up with someone all the sudden you have tons of time and you don't know what to do with it all. You're used to spending all that time with someone else, so it is hard to just be on your own again. I've been struggling with this since May, but last night I washed that all out.
I turned off my phone and spent the whole night by myself re-doing my room. Actually, I didn't re-do it so much as do it, since I hadn't really done more that unpack my boxes since May.
Anyway, now my room looks great and feels like a place I want to just hang out.
I'm glad I finally "washed that man right outta my hair."
Friday, September 24, 2004
An ode to Norah
No other Thursday
could be half so grand
as yesterday's was,
throughout all the land.
After leaving work early
I chanced to walk
Down Pearl Street in Boulder
past bums, street performers, and artistic renderings in chalk.
I went to my store,
Common Era, its name,
But found no good deals,
A crying shame.
The day was so nice
the weather so fair
I kept my spirits up;
Felt the breeze in my hair.
I went to another place,
Abercrombie by name
And found some shirts to die for
Playing the capitalist, consumer game.
As I left the store
with a feeling of triumph,
I noticed a girl:
Covered in tattoos and piercings, looking definant
She noticed my bag,
then my Norstrom pants and Jcrew sweater
I'm sure she thought
that her choice in life was better.
Hopped in my car,
Raced home like a jet
I was going to have
the best night of my week yet.
My friend Derek and I
had great plans ahead
I grew giddy as I realized
what would happen before I returned to my bed.
We drove out to Red Rocks
the best venue ever
We sat in anticipation
He tried to be clever
The show started up
Norah looked like a dream
When she sang "Don't miss you at all"
I thought my heart would scream
The night was cold,
Freezing in fact,
But she still did an encore
She's a complete class act.
As we drove home from the show
I took a moment to think
Of all the great people I've known, loved, and learned from
And my fears started to shrink
My life is great,
I've got great friends who care
Norah Jones will never know
Of what her concert made me aware.
could be half so grand
as yesterday's was,
throughout all the land.
After leaving work early
I chanced to walk
Down Pearl Street in Boulder
past bums, street performers, and artistic renderings in chalk.
I went to my store,
Common Era, its name,
But found no good deals,
A crying shame.
The day was so nice
the weather so fair
I kept my spirits up;
Felt the breeze in my hair.
I went to another place,
Abercrombie by name
And found some shirts to die for
Playing the capitalist, consumer game.
As I left the store
with a feeling of triumph,
I noticed a girl:
Covered in tattoos and piercings, looking definant
She noticed my bag,
then my Norstrom pants and Jcrew sweater
I'm sure she thought
that her choice in life was better.
Hopped in my car,
Raced home like a jet
I was going to have
the best night of my week yet.
My friend Derek and I
had great plans ahead
I grew giddy as I realized
what would happen before I returned to my bed.
We drove out to Red Rocks
the best venue ever
We sat in anticipation
He tried to be clever
The show started up
Norah looked like a dream
When she sang "Don't miss you at all"
I thought my heart would scream
The night was cold,
Freezing in fact,
But she still did an encore
She's a complete class act.
As we drove home from the show
I took a moment to think
Of all the great people I've known, loved, and learned from
And my fears started to shrink
My life is great,
I've got great friends who care
Norah Jones will never know
Of what her concert made me aware.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Gettin the Digits
Last night my new friend Brittany and I went out for dinner.
Brittany is a beautiful girl,
And a sorority girl in the most popular house on campus,
And a CU cheerleader (or was up until this year).
Anyway, we went to dinner and had a great conversation.
After we'd paid for dinner, we were getting all our stuff together to leave, and our waiter stopped us.
For a moment I was afraid that we hadn't paid enough or something, but then he says to Britt,"I never do this, but you just have a really great smile." And hands her his number written on a coaster.
I was floored, and so was she.
It was right out of a movie. Who does that in real life? Who does that ever really happen to?
After dinner I went to institute. Just before class I noticed this kid that I've talked to maybe twice. He's new to Boulder, and seems kind of quiet, but really really nice. Anyway, emboldened by our experience at the restaurant, I just walked right up to him and asked him for his number. I figured that he might want to hang out and meet some new people some time. Anyway, when I asked him he was really pretty shocked. He asked me if I was actually going to use it, and I said of course I was. Then I asked him if that was okay (fearing that I may have been slightly forward or something). He said sure.
It was a really great class, and afterward the teacher (Bro. Peterson) asked me to come up and talk to him. I guess his wife knows a girl who needs a friend (not in a pathetic, "I'm a loser and no one likes me" way, but more in a "I'm new to the area and want to get to know people way"). Anyway, I was so flattered that he thought of me. He said that I was always really friendly and know how to make people feel cared for. That made me feel all good inside.
After class Sarah and I stood out in the drizzle in the parking lot and talked for a while. She is the best friend a girl could have and knows just how to make me feel better. She's the best.
Brittany is a beautiful girl,
And a sorority girl in the most popular house on campus,
And a CU cheerleader (or was up until this year).
Anyway, we went to dinner and had a great conversation.
After we'd paid for dinner, we were getting all our stuff together to leave, and our waiter stopped us.
For a moment I was afraid that we hadn't paid enough or something, but then he says to Britt,"I never do this, but you just have a really great smile." And hands her his number written on a coaster.
I was floored, and so was she.
It was right out of a movie. Who does that in real life? Who does that ever really happen to?
After dinner I went to institute. Just before class I noticed this kid that I've talked to maybe twice. He's new to Boulder, and seems kind of quiet, but really really nice. Anyway, emboldened by our experience at the restaurant, I just walked right up to him and asked him for his number. I figured that he might want to hang out and meet some new people some time. Anyway, when I asked him he was really pretty shocked. He asked me if I was actually going to use it, and I said of course I was. Then I asked him if that was okay (fearing that I may have been slightly forward or something). He said sure.
It was a really great class, and afterward the teacher (Bro. Peterson) asked me to come up and talk to him. I guess his wife knows a girl who needs a friend (not in a pathetic, "I'm a loser and no one likes me" way, but more in a "I'm new to the area and want to get to know people way"). Anyway, I was so flattered that he thought of me. He said that I was always really friendly and know how to make people feel cared for. That made me feel all good inside.
After class Sarah and I stood out in the drizzle in the parking lot and talked for a while. She is the best friend a girl could have and knows just how to make me feel better. She's the best.
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