I haven't shared my thoughts recently, so here are a couple that pop into my head pretty frequently lately:
I do not tolerate incompetence very well. Maybe it's not incompetence. No, it's like a form of incompetence where the person is physically able to perform the task but then they can't comprehend what it is they're supposed to do... I'm not describing this well. Let's just say I do not tolerate incompetence very well. And we'll add in that my expectations of people are too high.
Nail polish is a great accessory. If I didn't have such weak nails I'd wear it all the time.
I think everyone should be allowed a vacation every two to three months. This could actually work, as long as the vacations were staggered.
Silliest question from the airport this month: Woman sits at the gate and asks me, "Is this the jetway we'll be using for the flight?" "Yes," I answer. That's not the silly question. Here it comes. She clearly had to look out the window to see the entire jetway. "Is the plane here yet?" I'm gobsmacked. When she looked out the window she must have noticed that at the end of the jetway was empty space where we were awaiting the plane. I gesture toward the window and in a slight state of confusion respond to her question with, "Ah, no..."
I really want to go see Top Gear. I plan on writing them a letter this month with a few observations and some questions, including whether they'd like to teach an American girl how to drive a "British" car, and that means one fitted with the driving equipment on the wrong side of the car and one with a manual transmission. I think it could be good ratings, especially when I've never driven a stick nor on the wrong side of the road.
Everyone is getting married on July 16. I apparently lost track of time and didn't realize that July 16 is this weekend. Whoa, that was fast.
I need to exercise more, but in order to do that I have to be motivated to exercise. It is quite difficult to want to exercise after standing for six hours. Sitting down just feels so good!
I have not done half the things I was expecting to do this year. It's already half-over!
Allergies this year have been awful. I know I'm not the only one who thinks this.
I would like a dog. I'm narrowing down the right one for me. I have to make sure I don't get the dog before I go on holiday, though; that would just be cruel.
I have many places to visit before the end of September, and I'm running out of time to plan these trips. That was silly of me. I will be doing that this week, I guess.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
And back to days of not working
Work is a little slow at the moment. With my spare time I have been coming up with some great plans and ideas. Lots of movies and doctors appointments and organizing. Maybe some trips.
I saw The King's Speech on Tuesday at 12:30 pm. It was great. There were maybe 20 people in the whole theater, the majority of who were alive to remember King George VI. I got free popcorn thanks to my fabulous Regal Cinemas card. I brought it my illegal Dr. Pepper as well as a couple of snacks (I didn't know I was getting free popcorn). And it was matinee price, which is always a plus.
After seeing the film I decided a couple of things. First, Colin Firth should totally win the Oscar. Second, King George VI (Bertie) is definitely a new hero to add to my list. He not only over came a stutter, but he manned up to fulfilling a role that his brother was too wimpy to take. And Bertie didn't even want to be king, but he knew his duty to his country and his role in the world and did it at a time his country needed him most. By the way, the film makes his brother look like a royal weenie, pardon the pun. And third, Bertie showed his entire family that he was better than them, stronger than them, and truly a great man. At least that's what The King's Speech showed me. It also showed me that I really do think the Queen Mum was a great lady and I wish I could have met her.
I have decided to tell JPMorganChase to suck it. I went to the bank the other day to deposit a check. I went to my bank's branch and used my bank's ATM and my bank card to do it all, and they had the gall to charge me $3 to use the damn thing! Final straw, Chase, final straw. I went inside to an actual teller to complete my transaction and decided as I walked out the door that I was only coming back to close my account. I'm moving to US Bank, and they're going to give me $150 to do it! Suck it, Chase!
I also am going to sell my stocks. I've got a bit, so I'm going to pay off my car and save the leftovers. I'm going through a financial revolution. It appears that becoming an adult is leading to me making adult decisions. Weird.
Finally have the last bit of tax information and I can now submit to get my money back! Woohoo!
I've decided to write to James Franco to see if he'd be willing to finance my education. He seems to value education, as he's going for a PhD himself. I bet at the least he'd get a chuckle out of the request. But maybe he'd appreciate me wanting to become a guidance counselor. Hey, it's worth a shot. I wonder where I find his address...
I really enjoy when police being interviewed on TV make snide remarks. Since it was snowing around here and people weren't driving smart, this one cop made the following remark: "People are just not driving well." Agreed. If you don't know how to drive in snow up or down hills I'd recommend to just not do it.
I want to go see the space shuttle launch in April. I think I'm going to do it.
Reading directions for making corn muffins should be relatively easy, and yet I still didn't read closely enough. I put a full cup of milk into the mix instead of 1/3 cup. And there went one package of Jiffy corn mix, one egg, and one cup of milk down the drain. Food is too expensive to make that mistake again.
Rats love corn bread. They are quite excited that the eventually finished corn muffins got a bit crumbly and now they get to enjoy in the mistake. Rats also like to steal scarves and newspaper for nesting material.
Looking at my living room, I may have come up with a seating solution. Having an overly long living room makes average furniture not work. This means I'm going to probably have to think long and hard before purchasing anything new. And measure first before purchasing.
I plan on next seeing Blue Valentine. I'll probably save it for Monday, since my work week starts tomorrow night and ends Friday night. Maybe I'll go next Thursday or Friday, after my next work week is over. Such decisions.
I also am going to be going down to the Woodburn Outlets for my mom's Coach addiction. It's almost as bad as her Fiesta Ware addiction. At least in this case she's using some well-won monies to purchase her victory purse(s).
I'm really glad Glee got better. That Gwyneth Paltrow episode really turned things around. And though Justin Bieber is pre-pubescent and a little ridiculous, the kid has some talent with those songs of his.
Why did Lady Ga Ga show up in an egg to the Grammy's? I'm not quite sure why I'm asking, but I have to.
I think I'll go to work a little early on Friday to watch AF1 land in PDX. I'll get a Jamba and sit by the windows and watch that 747 touch down. I suppose that depends on if I sit at the right windows.
Rats are quick and stealthy. When you're not watching them they move into another room and start stealing things.
I saw The King's Speech on Tuesday at 12:30 pm. It was great. There were maybe 20 people in the whole theater, the majority of who were alive to remember King George VI. I got free popcorn thanks to my fabulous Regal Cinemas card. I brought it my illegal Dr. Pepper as well as a couple of snacks (I didn't know I was getting free popcorn). And it was matinee price, which is always a plus.
After seeing the film I decided a couple of things. First, Colin Firth should totally win the Oscar. Second, King George VI (Bertie) is definitely a new hero to add to my list. He not only over came a stutter, but he manned up to fulfilling a role that his brother was too wimpy to take. And Bertie didn't even want to be king, but he knew his duty to his country and his role in the world and did it at a time his country needed him most. By the way, the film makes his brother look like a royal weenie, pardon the pun. And third, Bertie showed his entire family that he was better than them, stronger than them, and truly a great man. At least that's what The King's Speech showed me. It also showed me that I really do think the Queen Mum was a great lady and I wish I could have met her.
I have decided to tell JPMorganChase to suck it. I went to the bank the other day to deposit a check. I went to my bank's branch and used my bank's ATM and my bank card to do it all, and they had the gall to charge me $3 to use the damn thing! Final straw, Chase, final straw. I went inside to an actual teller to complete my transaction and decided as I walked out the door that I was only coming back to close my account. I'm moving to US Bank, and they're going to give me $150 to do it! Suck it, Chase!
I also am going to sell my stocks. I've got a bit, so I'm going to pay off my car and save the leftovers. I'm going through a financial revolution. It appears that becoming an adult is leading to me making adult decisions. Weird.
Finally have the last bit of tax information and I can now submit to get my money back! Woohoo!
I've decided to write to James Franco to see if he'd be willing to finance my education. He seems to value education, as he's going for a PhD himself. I bet at the least he'd get a chuckle out of the request. But maybe he'd appreciate me wanting to become a guidance counselor. Hey, it's worth a shot. I wonder where I find his address...
I really enjoy when police being interviewed on TV make snide remarks. Since it was snowing around here and people weren't driving smart, this one cop made the following remark: "People are just not driving well." Agreed. If you don't know how to drive in snow up or down hills I'd recommend to just not do it.
I want to go see the space shuttle launch in April. I think I'm going to do it.
Reading directions for making corn muffins should be relatively easy, and yet I still didn't read closely enough. I put a full cup of milk into the mix instead of 1/3 cup. And there went one package of Jiffy corn mix, one egg, and one cup of milk down the drain. Food is too expensive to make that mistake again.
Rats love corn bread. They are quite excited that the eventually finished corn muffins got a bit crumbly and now they get to enjoy in the mistake. Rats also like to steal scarves and newspaper for nesting material.
Looking at my living room, I may have come up with a seating solution. Having an overly long living room makes average furniture not work. This means I'm going to probably have to think long and hard before purchasing anything new. And measure first before purchasing.
I plan on next seeing Blue Valentine. I'll probably save it for Monday, since my work week starts tomorrow night and ends Friday night. Maybe I'll go next Thursday or Friday, after my next work week is over. Such decisions.
I also am going to be going down to the Woodburn Outlets for my mom's Coach addiction. It's almost as bad as her Fiesta Ware addiction. At least in this case she's using some well-won monies to purchase her victory purse(s).
I'm really glad Glee got better. That Gwyneth Paltrow episode really turned things around. And though Justin Bieber is pre-pubescent and a little ridiculous, the kid has some talent with those songs of his.
Why did Lady Ga Ga show up in an egg to the Grammy's? I'm not quite sure why I'm asking, but I have to.
I think I'll go to work a little early on Friday to watch AF1 land in PDX. I'll get a Jamba and sit by the windows and watch that 747 touch down. I suppose that depends on if I sit at the right windows.
Rats are quick and stealthy. When you're not watching them they move into another room and start stealing things.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
It's back to work I go [observing]
When you don't work for the majority of a month, and the reason for this lack of work is sickness so you weren't having fun while not working, it feels really great to get back to it. And as I've been back for a grand total of two shifts (whoa, Nelly!) it's time for a collection of random observations and notes and bits of information from the airport and more.
The number one flight attendant told me I am what they are looking for in an in-flight Crewmember. That is not the first time I've been told or asked if I was in-flight. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something.
No matter what, people just don't listen. On average there are about five people who arrive late despite telling people when they check in what gate it is and what time to be there. And we do airport paging. And we page people specifically. And we make loud announcements in the gate area. A word to people flying: the information we tell you at check in should not be ignored. Also, please read signs. And papers we give you.
It's amazing how places and people you know pop up at the most random times. While attending a thank you banquet for PDX airport last night a story was told about people I know. The coordinator of this event was sharing stories and emails from customers to the Port and one of them was from someone I went to college with. How can I be sure, you might ask. Well, I cannot officially confirm it without asking to see the email, but the people and places and things in the story sure make it a likely coincidence. It's a sweet story, too; let me share. A 1LT in the Air Force asked PDX to send a 3' by 2' piece of the airport carpet because his fiancee always feels like she's home when she steps off an airplane and sees it. The two of them were down in San Antonio and she was missing home. Yes, the Port sent a piece of carpet to him. And why I think I know this couple is because on the facebook (a useful tool for seeing the lives of those you don't see every day) a while back there was a picture of her sitting on the little piece of blue-green carpet. I'm pretty sure it was them.
Also, Mike Irwin, TSA security director at PDX and man whose voice you hear over the speaker system in the airport, is apparently a UP alum. I might have done a little dance at the table when his introduction mentioned this with a "Go Pilots" at the end.
Fred Meyer card holders: if you have one you should use it at participating Shell gas stations. Definitely saved 10 cents today on my gas (BONUS!), which reduced the $3.19 price tag to be a little closer to the Arco down the road's price but with better quality gas. I liked hearing my gas was going to be cheaper. Might mean a bit more shopping at Fred Meyer while gas is so expensive.
I appreciate Oregon's efforts to keep people employed by having someone there to pump gas for people. A little inconvenient at times, but overall I don't mind it and it gives people a job. Maybe more states should do it.
Pets really do have such personalities, don't they? I was driving home from the Bluff and saw this dog playing with his leash, wrapping his foot in the leash to pretend he had an injured foot, trying to pull the lead from his owner's hand so he could go have fun. He was a funny guy (or girl); I bet that pup is a handful at home. Annabel and Buffy have funny little personalities. I wonder if pets - animals in general - think the same of us. I wonder if they think we're crazy. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking all this out loud.
I don't know who to cheer for at the Super Bowl, so I'm going to cheer for whoever wins. Misty liked this idea, too. I think she will be taking my idea and running with it.
Congestion sucks. Ears popping to relieve the congestion is the most amazing thing in the world!
I wonder if the will be airing the Royal Wedding that's coming up in April on American network channels. How does that work when they are ahead of us by eight hours?
It annoys me when I have all but one piece of the puzzle to complete my taxes. I would really like my money back from the government but because I don't have that last stinkin' piece I can't. Stupid stocks.
I think I'm going to have to concede and get a fancier phone. I love my phone and I hoped it would last forever because it's perfect for me. I think the technological age we are in is going to force me away from using my phone. Darn.
A lot of people I know are getting married this year. I'm pretty sure I didn't get the memo.
I need to work more on traveling to see the world's biggest stuff. My "Look what I found!" blog has been inactive way too long. I can visit places, but I need to make sure I have a rat sitter.
The number one flight attendant told me I am what they are looking for in an in-flight Crewmember. That is not the first time I've been told or asked if I was in-flight. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something.
No matter what, people just don't listen. On average there are about five people who arrive late despite telling people when they check in what gate it is and what time to be there. And we do airport paging. And we page people specifically. And we make loud announcements in the gate area. A word to people flying: the information we tell you at check in should not be ignored. Also, please read signs. And papers we give you.
It's amazing how places and people you know pop up at the most random times. While attending a thank you banquet for PDX airport last night a story was told about people I know. The coordinator of this event was sharing stories and emails from customers to the Port and one of them was from someone I went to college with. How can I be sure, you might ask. Well, I cannot officially confirm it without asking to see the email, but the people and places and things in the story sure make it a likely coincidence. It's a sweet story, too; let me share. A 1LT in the Air Force asked PDX to send a 3' by 2' piece of the airport carpet because his fiancee always feels like she's home when she steps off an airplane and sees it. The two of them were down in San Antonio and she was missing home. Yes, the Port sent a piece of carpet to him. And why I think I know this couple is because on the facebook (a useful tool for seeing the lives of those you don't see every day) a while back there was a picture of her sitting on the little piece of blue-green carpet. I'm pretty sure it was them.
Also, Mike Irwin, TSA security director at PDX and man whose voice you hear over the speaker system in the airport, is apparently a UP alum. I might have done a little dance at the table when his introduction mentioned this with a "Go Pilots" at the end.
Fred Meyer card holders: if you have one you should use it at participating Shell gas stations. Definitely saved 10 cents today on my gas (BONUS!), which reduced the $3.19 price tag to be a little closer to the Arco down the road's price but with better quality gas. I liked hearing my gas was going to be cheaper. Might mean a bit more shopping at Fred Meyer while gas is so expensive.
I appreciate Oregon's efforts to keep people employed by having someone there to pump gas for people. A little inconvenient at times, but overall I don't mind it and it gives people a job. Maybe more states should do it.
Pets really do have such personalities, don't they? I was driving home from the Bluff and saw this dog playing with his leash, wrapping his foot in the leash to pretend he had an injured foot, trying to pull the lead from his owner's hand so he could go have fun. He was a funny guy (or girl); I bet that pup is a handful at home. Annabel and Buffy have funny little personalities. I wonder if pets - animals in general - think the same of us. I wonder if they think we're crazy. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking all this out loud.
I don't know who to cheer for at the Super Bowl, so I'm going to cheer for whoever wins. Misty liked this idea, too. I think she will be taking my idea and running with it.
Congestion sucks. Ears popping to relieve the congestion is the most amazing thing in the world!
I wonder if the will be airing the Royal Wedding that's coming up in April on American network channels. How does that work when they are ahead of us by eight hours?
It annoys me when I have all but one piece of the puzzle to complete my taxes. I would really like my money back from the government but because I don't have that last stinkin' piece I can't. Stupid stocks.
I think I'm going to have to concede and get a fancier phone. I love my phone and I hoped it would last forever because it's perfect for me. I think the technological age we are in is going to force me away from using my phone. Darn.
A lot of people I know are getting married this year. I'm pretty sure I didn't get the memo.
I need to work more on traveling to see the world's biggest stuff. My "Look what I found!" blog has been inactive way too long. I can visit places, but I need to make sure I have a rat sitter.
Monday, January 31, 2011
January comes to an end
The last day of the first month in a brand new year. Bittersweet. For those who have been wondering, yes, it is Justin Timberlake's birthday. He be 30. That little bit of information makes me feel old. Why? If anything, I would think he would feel more old than I should. But I feel old because he is a reminder of my youth, listening to *NSYNC tapes in the minivan on the way to school. Those days are gone. That is a horrible way to start out this entry! Perking up, or trying to...
I have not seen much of January. This is what I have done with my time this month:
Started out strong with a couple of adventures. Came back from the Disneyland birthday adventure on the first day of the year (that was something new and different). Went to work for a couple of weeks and then went on a rather impromptu trip to Reno with my mom and brother. Left lots of money in Reno, but had fun and the rest of the trip was relatively cheap. Sounds like a good start to a month, right?
Somewhere between Reno and the next time I was scheduled to work I got sick. And not your average cold because it's that time of the year kind of sick; I got a cold + strep throat from I don't know where. Strep throat: it's miserable. The first time I went to the doctor he didn't even bother to get a swab because he could see it was strep. I then got some antibiotics that weren't working (did you know Azithromycin is only effective on about 40% of the population?) and had to go back to see my regular NP who took one look in my throat and immediately averted her eyes. It was that bad. And painful. And I couldn't breathe through my nose because the congestion level was (and still is!) so high that nothing, I mean NOTHING was working its way through the sinuses. This illness meant I would continue to not be able to go into work for about two weeks.
When I am sick I enjoy laying about. Let's be honest; I enjoy laying about any day of the week when I'm well. This is the first time I've actually laid in bed during an illness. What did I do while in bed? Watched a lot of TV. Lots of movies. The movie I always watch when I'm sick is The Full Monty. I recommend it next time you're under the weather. Started a book that I'll actually finish called The Piano Teacher{. Almost finished a scarf. Did some laundry. Took some naps. Took lots of medicines. And had extended romp time for the ratties because what else was I going to do.
Which brings me to the end of January (today). I have spent quite a bit of the month on airplanes, as well as in bed where there is literally a Kristen-shaped dent in the mattress. Oh! I spent a day in the City (which anyone who's anyone knows means San Francisco). On New Year's Day I was one of the first people inside Disneyland, and literally Megan and I were the first ones to ride Buzz Lightyear's Blaster Game that day. And I did assist in the moving of a dear friend Megan and boyfriend to some new digs. But other than those highlights, I'd say January was the longest month this year so far.
As soon as these ears open up there are big plans for the rest of the year. A new place to visit every month! Well, maybe not new, but definitely an adventure each month to do something and go somewhere. Portland can be quite dreary.
P.S.: If you haven't yet watched IFC's Portlandia, you should get on that. Especially if you've ever lived in Portland or know people from Portland. Adult Hide and Seek League, need I say more. Plus, they get our beloved mayor, Sam Adams, to cameo! And there is a shout out to JetBlue, which always warms my heart.
I have not seen much of January. This is what I have done with my time this month:
Started out strong with a couple of adventures. Came back from the Disneyland birthday adventure on the first day of the year (that was something new and different). Went to work for a couple of weeks and then went on a rather impromptu trip to Reno with my mom and brother. Left lots of money in Reno, but had fun and the rest of the trip was relatively cheap. Sounds like a good start to a month, right?
Somewhere between Reno and the next time I was scheduled to work I got sick. And not your average cold because it's that time of the year kind of sick; I got a cold + strep throat from I don't know where. Strep throat: it's miserable. The first time I went to the doctor he didn't even bother to get a swab because he could see it was strep. I then got some antibiotics that weren't working (did you know Azithromycin is only effective on about 40% of the population?) and had to go back to see my regular NP who took one look in my throat and immediately averted her eyes. It was that bad. And painful. And I couldn't breathe through my nose because the congestion level was (and still is!) so high that nothing, I mean NOTHING was working its way through the sinuses. This illness meant I would continue to not be able to go into work for about two weeks.
When I am sick I enjoy laying about. Let's be honest; I enjoy laying about any day of the week when I'm well. This is the first time I've actually laid in bed during an illness. What did I do while in bed? Watched a lot of TV. Lots of movies. The movie I always watch when I'm sick is The Full Monty. I recommend it next time you're under the weather. Started a book that I'll actually finish called The Piano Teacher{. Almost finished a scarf. Did some laundry. Took some naps. Took lots of medicines. And had extended romp time for the ratties because what else was I going to do.
Which brings me to the end of January (today). I have spent quite a bit of the month on airplanes, as well as in bed where there is literally a Kristen-shaped dent in the mattress. Oh! I spent a day in the City (which anyone who's anyone knows means San Francisco). On New Year's Day I was one of the first people inside Disneyland, and literally Megan and I were the first ones to ride Buzz Lightyear's Blaster Game that day. And I did assist in the moving of a dear friend Megan and boyfriend to some new digs. But other than those highlights, I'd say January was the longest month this year so far.
As soon as these ears open up there are big plans for the rest of the year. A new place to visit every month! Well, maybe not new, but definitely an adventure each month to do something and go somewhere. Portland can be quite dreary.
P.S.: If you haven't yet watched IFC's Portlandia, you should get on that. Especially if you've ever lived in Portland or know people from Portland. Adult Hide and Seek League, need I say more. Plus, they get our beloved mayor, Sam Adams, to cameo! And there is a shout out to JetBlue, which always warms my heart.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The age of Aquarius is over
Apparently someone realized we were using the wrong system for determining astrological... stuff. Instead of 12 signs there were originally 13 in the age of Babylonia. This guy explains it perfectly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLbbhHq_xls"
So, yeah. I don't know what that means for the world. Basically they'll have to reprint everything that has only 12 of the signs of the Zodiac, so yay for the printing and publishing business of the world. And we'll have to ignore everything Cosmo (the lady bible the world over, though I choose not to read it) has ever told us about our horoscope, because those were inaccurate. And our entire existence up to this point has been a lie, so bummer.
The thing that bothers me about this - and boy, I loved being a Capricorn, so I'm bummed about that - is it feels like it was a slow news day and someone thought they would change the way the world operates. Does that make sense? It's like when they said Pluto is no longer a planet and that the Triceratops never existed. But what do you mean those things are not true? They have always been true as long as I have been alive. You can't change 25 years of history and knowledge on a whim! Granted, it apparently was researched, but still, that's a tough sell!
In case you're wondering if you have a new star sign, these are the correct ones (because everything was wrong between the time the Babylonians threw out the new/old O word).
NEW ZODIAC SIGN CHART
Capricorn: January 20 to February 16
So, yeah. I don't know what that means for the world. Basically they'll have to reprint everything that has only 12 of the signs of the Zodiac, so yay for the printing and publishing business of the world. And we'll have to ignore everything Cosmo (the lady bible the world over, though I choose not to read it) has ever told us about our horoscope, because those were inaccurate. And our entire existence up to this point has been a lie, so bummer.
The thing that bothers me about this - and boy, I loved being a Capricorn, so I'm bummed about that - is it feels like it was a slow news day and someone thought they would change the way the world operates. Does that make sense? It's like when they said Pluto is no longer a planet and that the Triceratops never existed. But what do you mean those things are not true? They have always been true as long as I have been alive. You can't change 25 years of history and knowledge on a whim! Granted, it apparently was researched, but still, that's a tough sell!
In case you're wondering if you have a new star sign, these are the correct ones (because everything was wrong between the time the Babylonians threw out the new/old O word).
NEW ZODIAC SIGN CHART
Capricorn: January 20 to February 16
Aquarius: February 16 to March 11
Pisces: March 11 to April 18
Aries: April 18 to May 13
Taurus: May 13 to June 21
Gemini: June 21 to July 20
Cancer: July 20 to August 10
Leo: August 10 to September 16
Virgo: September 16 to October 30
Libra: October 30 to November 23
Scorpio: November 23 to November 29
Ophiuchus: November 29 to December 17
Sagittarius: December 17 to January 20Monday, November 8, 2010
Achoo!
Coming home is totally different now than when I was still in college. Now when I come home it's not so much an event, and it usually takes place in the middle of the week. And as a result, I get to sit around my mom's house and watch lots of TV and fumble about the internet.
I am also allergic to California, so I sneeze a lot. I sneeze in the middle of my sleep, which I never do in Portland. And my sneezes are real big, so big I almost threw myself off the couch earlier.
My grandparents are pretty funny. They are packing up their lives into boxes and crates at the moment because in about a month they are moving out of the home they've had for 50+ years and moving into an assisted living facility type apartment complex. Yesterday my mom and I went over to help bring over some things and sort through others. The two are not related; the funny factor and the moving factor. My grandparents are a couple that have been together since the 1950s and I like to watch them interact. I cannot describe it better than they are pretty funny.
I didn't realize the my family collects Christmas creches (nativity scenes) until we went over to help my granma sort through some cupboards in the rumpus room of their house. I wonder if that means that I will carry on the tradition of finding creches and collecting them.
The only bummer about coming home is when no one is around, like most of the work week. My mom is at work and my brother is at work/school. I don't really have access to go visit people if I want to since there are only two cars in residence. I guess I don't really need to go anywhere. I feel a bit useless since I'm so allergic to dust and the State of California that all I can honestly do is sit around and try not to stir the allergens.
Seriously, I cannot stay in the Bay Area for more than a few days or I might lose my voice completely, sneeze myself into a wall, or blow my nose so much I end up without a nose. I find it sad that I can never really come home because of a silly little thing like allergies. Is it pathetic to not be able to do so? And why did I not find this out until I moved to Portland? There is clearly something really gross in the air in California for my eyes to itch so much I rub them like mad during my sleep.
I'm going to miss the old house my grandparents are moving out of. Things look so different without furniture in there. The dining room looks a lot smaller without the whole family around the table for a holiday feast, though it has been quite a few years since a holiday feast has been hosted in that room. And the house looks so different now that they are landscaping the perimeter to sell. I will miss that house, and the memories associated with it.
Did you know sneezing makes you sleepy?
I am also allergic to California, so I sneeze a lot. I sneeze in the middle of my sleep, which I never do in Portland. And my sneezes are real big, so big I almost threw myself off the couch earlier.
My grandparents are pretty funny. They are packing up their lives into boxes and crates at the moment because in about a month they are moving out of the home they've had for 50+ years and moving into an assisted living facility type apartment complex. Yesterday my mom and I went over to help bring over some things and sort through others. The two are not related; the funny factor and the moving factor. My grandparents are a couple that have been together since the 1950s and I like to watch them interact. I cannot describe it better than they are pretty funny.
I didn't realize the my family collects Christmas creches (nativity scenes) until we went over to help my granma sort through some cupboards in the rumpus room of their house. I wonder if that means that I will carry on the tradition of finding creches and collecting them.
The only bummer about coming home is when no one is around, like most of the work week. My mom is at work and my brother is at work/school. I don't really have access to go visit people if I want to since there are only two cars in residence. I guess I don't really need to go anywhere. I feel a bit useless since I'm so allergic to dust and the State of California that all I can honestly do is sit around and try not to stir the allergens.
Seriously, I cannot stay in the Bay Area for more than a few days or I might lose my voice completely, sneeze myself into a wall, or blow my nose so much I end up without a nose. I find it sad that I can never really come home because of a silly little thing like allergies. Is it pathetic to not be able to do so? And why did I not find this out until I moved to Portland? There is clearly something really gross in the air in California for my eyes to itch so much I rub them like mad during my sleep.
I'm going to miss the old house my grandparents are moving out of. Things look so different without furniture in there. The dining room looks a lot smaller without the whole family around the table for a holiday feast, though it has been quite a few years since a holiday feast has been hosted in that room. And the house looks so different now that they are landscaping the perimeter to sell. I will miss that house, and the memories associated with it.
Did you know sneezing makes you sleepy?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Advice from an airline employee
1. Definitely get to the airport at least one hour prior to your flight time. You'll be happy you did.
2. Book directly from the airline. Shop around on other websites if you wish, but then go to whichever airline you want to fly.
3. Booking from a third party website (i.e., Travelocity, Expedia) only leads to headaches. They lie about guarantee-ing you a window or aisle seat; they make it difficult to change flights or do anything; and they are not always the cheapest airfare.
4. Have a valid form of ID. And have it ready at the ticket counter.
5. Bring your itinerary, just in case.
6. Dress in layers. Airports and airplanes are cool; your destination may be warm; you can never predict if you're going to be too cold or too hot.
7. Every airport is different, so not every airport features the same things (i.e., curbside check-in, post office, bag drops). Do not expect the same service at every airport.
8. Do be nice to the people working at the airport. There is no need to get belligerent when things go awry. Sometimes if you're nice to people working at the airport they are really nice back.
9. Always purchase your beverages after proceeding through the security checkpoint. It'd be a bummer to dump that $5.00 latte you just bought because you can't bring liquids through with you.
10. If you are bringing something out of the ordinary or require a service that you're not sure about, you should call the airline. Don't be shy; it's OK. Better to be a well-informed traveler than finding out at the last minute that a bag weighing over 50 pounds cost extra money.
11. A flight may leave at a certain time, but the door to the aircraft will close ten minutes prior to that departure time, at which point it cannot be opened until it lands at its destination. You need to make sure you are there before that door closes.
12. Take personal responsibility. Do not blame the traffic for your late arrival at the airport. Do not blame us that you showed up late. It's not our fault you didn't plan accordingly. It's the cold, hard truth. Hey, the other 100+ people made it in time for the flight.
13. We like to give out wings. It brightens people's day.
14. We may help you with your bag, but we can't do all the work for you.
15. Airports and airlines have their bad days, too. That's what you get when you throw a bunch of different factors into an equation. But we will get you to your destination... somehow... sometime.
2. Book directly from the airline. Shop around on other websites if you wish, but then go to whichever airline you want to fly.
3. Booking from a third party website (i.e., Travelocity, Expedia) only leads to headaches. They lie about guarantee-ing you a window or aisle seat; they make it difficult to change flights or do anything; and they are not always the cheapest airfare.
4. Have a valid form of ID. And have it ready at the ticket counter.
5. Bring your itinerary, just in case.
6. Dress in layers. Airports and airplanes are cool; your destination may be warm; you can never predict if you're going to be too cold or too hot.
7. Every airport is different, so not every airport features the same things (i.e., curbside check-in, post office, bag drops). Do not expect the same service at every airport.
8. Do be nice to the people working at the airport. There is no need to get belligerent when things go awry. Sometimes if you're nice to people working at the airport they are really nice back.
9. Always purchase your beverages after proceeding through the security checkpoint. It'd be a bummer to dump that $5.00 latte you just bought because you can't bring liquids through with you.
10. If you are bringing something out of the ordinary or require a service that you're not sure about, you should call the airline. Don't be shy; it's OK. Better to be a well-informed traveler than finding out at the last minute that a bag weighing over 50 pounds cost extra money.
11. A flight may leave at a certain time, but the door to the aircraft will close ten minutes prior to that departure time, at which point it cannot be opened until it lands at its destination. You need to make sure you are there before that door closes.
12. Take personal responsibility. Do not blame the traffic for your late arrival at the airport. Do not blame us that you showed up late. It's not our fault you didn't plan accordingly. It's the cold, hard truth. Hey, the other 100+ people made it in time for the flight.
13. We like to give out wings. It brightens people's day.
14. We may help you with your bag, but we can't do all the work for you.
15. Airports and airlines have their bad days, too. That's what you get when you throw a bunch of different factors into an equation. But we will get you to your destination... somehow... sometime.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
We celebrate Columbus Day?
I didn't even realize there was a national holiday coming up until I walked by the bank in the airport that advertised being closed on Monday. Why Monday? What's going on that allows for them to close? It's Columbus Day? Uh...
I don't even know what people do to celebrate Columbus Day other than take the day off. Is there some sort of event I should be attending? Do I need to research the origins of Mr. Columbus to know what to do? We don't even know the dude's true nationality - hey, even us Ports have claim to the man.
I understand the general idea about Columbus Day: the "New World" was discovered by accident, but if it wasn't then we wouldn't be here and blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong- love the history behind it all, but my family is relatively new to this country. I'm a first generation on my dad's side, and my mom's family has been here for only about a century (I guess that's a long time). But none of my family has ties to the originating discoverers, unless somehow I'm related to Cristobo or Christopher or whatever you'd like to call him.
And homie found this land by accident! We're celebrating a booboo, folks. I bet we would have bumped into this place a while later. I mean, it's pretty darn big to not run into eventually.
But honestly, what do we DO to celebrate Columbus Day? I think in school we learned about the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, perhaps even coloring in drawings of the ships. We might have made funny hats we thought resembled those worn by Columbus and his crew.
Should we do more? Should we do less? Should we really give bank employees the day off? Not that I don't like a good celebration, but it's one of those holidays that never really got a great footing in American culture other than having it printed on calendars every year. In fact, I'd be more excited to celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving Day, as it appears to be the same day as Columbus Day. Makes sense; Columbus Day is another reminder that we "found" a place already inhabited by many peoples, to which we are grateful.
No, but seriously, what does a person DO on Columbus Day? Would it be wrong to go look for Halloween costume parts? To take advantage of Columbus Day sales at the mall? Go on with my life as if it were just another day? It's not like there is a moment of silence we hold during Columbus Day... or is there and no one told me? I wouldn't be surprised if no one told me.
And why do only banks and some other select businesses close on Columbus Day? Why isn't there more consistency about how we handle the whole thing? I think I need to go back to fifth grade, - or was it sixth? - and refresh my memory on what the issues of this day are, what I should do to commemorate it, and how to be a better supporter of Columbus Day overall. I mean, I don't think I've ever celebrated Columbus Day other than a special shopping trip to see the sales. In all honestly I forget it exists until I hear someone mention it on TV or the radio or in passing. Should we call it something else? Perhaps Land-ho Day? I see too many jokes arising from that name. Perhaps New Land Day?
Hmm. Just don't know what to do with this information. Maybe I'll practice my Spanish, as that is another possible origin of Colombo. Or maybe he was Italian? French? No one knows! Oh, there are some football games on tomorrow - can't get more celebratory than that!
I don't even know what people do to celebrate Columbus Day other than take the day off. Is there some sort of event I should be attending? Do I need to research the origins of Mr. Columbus to know what to do? We don't even know the dude's true nationality - hey, even us Ports have claim to the man.
I understand the general idea about Columbus Day: the "New World" was discovered by accident, but if it wasn't then we wouldn't be here and blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong- love the history behind it all, but my family is relatively new to this country. I'm a first generation on my dad's side, and my mom's family has been here for only about a century (I guess that's a long time). But none of my family has ties to the originating discoverers, unless somehow I'm related to Cristobo or Christopher or whatever you'd like to call him.
And homie found this land by accident! We're celebrating a booboo, folks. I bet we would have bumped into this place a while later. I mean, it's pretty darn big to not run into eventually.
But honestly, what do we DO to celebrate Columbus Day? I think in school we learned about the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, perhaps even coloring in drawings of the ships. We might have made funny hats we thought resembled those worn by Columbus and his crew.
Should we do more? Should we do less? Should we really give bank employees the day off? Not that I don't like a good celebration, but it's one of those holidays that never really got a great footing in American culture other than having it printed on calendars every year. In fact, I'd be more excited to celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving Day, as it appears to be the same day as Columbus Day. Makes sense; Columbus Day is another reminder that we "found" a place already inhabited by many peoples, to which we are grateful.
No, but seriously, what does a person DO on Columbus Day? Would it be wrong to go look for Halloween costume parts? To take advantage of Columbus Day sales at the mall? Go on with my life as if it were just another day? It's not like there is a moment of silence we hold during Columbus Day... or is there and no one told me? I wouldn't be surprised if no one told me.
And why do only banks and some other select businesses close on Columbus Day? Why isn't there more consistency about how we handle the whole thing? I think I need to go back to fifth grade, - or was it sixth? - and refresh my memory on what the issues of this day are, what I should do to commemorate it, and how to be a better supporter of Columbus Day overall. I mean, I don't think I've ever celebrated Columbus Day other than a special shopping trip to see the sales. In all honestly I forget it exists until I hear someone mention it on TV or the radio or in passing. Should we call it something else? Perhaps Land-ho Day? I see too many jokes arising from that name. Perhaps New Land Day?
Hmm. Just don't know what to do with this information. Maybe I'll practice my Spanish, as that is another possible origin of Colombo. Or maybe he was Italian? French? No one knows! Oh, there are some football games on tomorrow - can't get more celebratory than that!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A movie review: Life As We Know It
Yay! After a couple of misses, Katherine Heigl has a hit on her hands! "Life As We Know It" is definitely a win in my book.
Yes, it's predictable, as most rom-coms are these days, but it was much better than I had expected. I like to think casting Heigl opposite Josh Duhamel had something to do with it, as did the oh-so-adorable triplets that played the baby in the film, and a funny group of supporting players.
The premise of the movie: Holly (Heigl) and Messer (Duhamel) are best friends to a married couple, as well as godparents to their infant daughter. The two send clever quips back and forth at family occasions, make jokes at each others' expense, and instigate trouble whenever the other is around. Tragically, their best friends and parents to the baby girl die in a car accident, leaving little Sophie to be raised by Holly and Messer. Insert all the comedy you can imagine from two people that appear to despise each other forced to live together and raise a child together.
I think what makes this movie good is the chemistry between Heigl and Duhamel. I don't know why it took so long to find a suitable acting partner for Miss Katie, but the casting directors on this one nailed it. Unlike the communication major that I am I wasn't paying attention to who did the casting. I bet I could IMDb it if I put a little effort in to my review. It is also a reflection of the grief and stress and frustration of the situation for these two adults. They are challenged to take care of a baby and live together in a matter of minutes, and the movie follows them on their path to building a relationship and learning how to be a family and how they continue with their lives after the tragedy of losing their best friends.
The supporting cast was also pretty entertaining. You see them on TV and in other movies and think, wow this person is funny, but you don't ever know his or her name. For example, the woman that played Loralei's best friend on Gilmore Girls, she was in it. And a few other familiar faces, but even know I'm having a hard time placing them in the other TV show or movie I remember seeing them in. The neighbors who comment on the steamy sexiness of Messer and the sadness that is Holly who bakes but has no ring on it. The neurotic social worker that comes to visit at the most inconvenient times. The taxi driver/baby sitter (enough said).
Listen, the movie is not Oscar quality; I don't know of one rom-com in the last year or two that would qualify in that category. It is entertaining. It is funny - I snorted a couple of times and the man next to me gave me a strange look. And there were tears because it's very sad when a child is left without both parents. But if you are looking for a movie to enjoy on these cold days of autumn I recommend "Life As We Know It."
Yes, it's predictable, as most rom-coms are these days, but it was much better than I had expected. I like to think casting Heigl opposite Josh Duhamel had something to do with it, as did the oh-so-adorable triplets that played the baby in the film, and a funny group of supporting players.
The premise of the movie: Holly (Heigl) and Messer (Duhamel) are best friends to a married couple, as well as godparents to their infant daughter. The two send clever quips back and forth at family occasions, make jokes at each others' expense, and instigate trouble whenever the other is around. Tragically, their best friends and parents to the baby girl die in a car accident, leaving little Sophie to be raised by Holly and Messer. Insert all the comedy you can imagine from two people that appear to despise each other forced to live together and raise a child together.
I think what makes this movie good is the chemistry between Heigl and Duhamel. I don't know why it took so long to find a suitable acting partner for Miss Katie, but the casting directors on this one nailed it. Unlike the communication major that I am I wasn't paying attention to who did the casting. I bet I could IMDb it if I put a little effort in to my review. It is also a reflection of the grief and stress and frustration of the situation for these two adults. They are challenged to take care of a baby and live together in a matter of minutes, and the movie follows them on their path to building a relationship and learning how to be a family and how they continue with their lives after the tragedy of losing their best friends.
The supporting cast was also pretty entertaining. You see them on TV and in other movies and think, wow this person is funny, but you don't ever know his or her name. For example, the woman that played Loralei's best friend on Gilmore Girls, she was in it. And a few other familiar faces, but even know I'm having a hard time placing them in the other TV show or movie I remember seeing them in. The neighbors who comment on the steamy sexiness of Messer and the sadness that is Holly who bakes but has no ring on it. The neurotic social worker that comes to visit at the most inconvenient times. The taxi driver/baby sitter (enough said).
Listen, the movie is not Oscar quality; I don't know of one rom-com in the last year or two that would qualify in that category. It is entertaining. It is funny - I snorted a couple of times and the man next to me gave me a strange look. And there were tears because it's very sad when a child is left without both parents. But if you are looking for a movie to enjoy on these cold days of autumn I recommend "Life As We Know It."
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Conversations with real Army wives
I recently visited a friend in Tennessee. I went to help with whatever I could and provide her entertainment as she enters her eighth month of pregnancy. She is married to an Army helicopter pilot who is overseas at the moment. He was off-base running missions in the middle of nowhere, and in November he is coming back to Tennessee to be present for the birth of their first child. He will have to return to Afghanistan after the birth.
Every night we had dinner with a few of the other Army wives, their husbands in various stages of deployment.
One was waiting for her husband to come home in a couple of days for his R&R (rest and recuperation), a fact she did not share with her two small children because she wanted to make sure he was actually state-side before getting their hopes up.
One just had a baby five months ago. I'm not sure when her husband was last home, but as with the other wives, she will not see him again until February when he is scheduled to return stateside.
One had spent the last two weeks with her husband and their 1-year-old. My last evening there was my first time meeting her, and she got teary-eyed when the other wives asked how she was doing. For two weeks she spent time with the men of her life, her husband and her son, and now she would have to wait until the beginning of next year to see her husband again. She spends most of her time back home in Chicago while her husband is overseas.
The last wife just bought a new house with her husband, who is not scheduled to deploy until the end of the year. She just got a new promotion on the same day she was planning on quitting because she didn't get to spend enough time with her husband.
These women are extraordinary. All with different personalities, all dealing with the same rotten situation, all sharing the same emotions. It was fascinating to hear them talk about their feelings, their worries, the thoughts that run through their minds. They've created their own support system, beyond that of their own families, because they are all experiencing the same thing. They meet each night for dinner, rotating chefs for every meal, as well as staying in communication throughout the day.
They shared the frustrations they have with family who don't understand the position they are in. They talked about the fear that they will be "that widow" that everyone talks about. They gossiped about some of the other wives who complain on the internet and spread rumors and instigate controversy. They discussed the things their husbands tell them, and the things they know their husbands don't. The traded knowledge about raising their infants, things they came across as their babies got older. They helped each other with problems or answered questions another wife had. They talked about religion, and how life is not up to them to decide. They talked about talking with their husbands, who, though overseas, work very hard at calling and emailing and text messaging their wives and families to let them know they are OK. They discussed what it is to feel the anxiety of learning of a loss in the platoon and not knowing who it is, and trying to get as much information as possible from the few sources that report it, and the looming threat of the military vehicle that could arrive at their doorstep at any time of day with heartbreaking news. They expressed frustration with people who did not understand their lifestyle. They remembered what life was like in the other states their husbands were stationed in, and how different each place was. They listened.
The camaraderie among these very different women was so strong, and though the conversations they have are of a serious nature, but they share their stories and information in a way that is more comforting than worrying. For them to let me sit in and share a few meals with them was a great honor. For me to learn more about their lives and experiences was a great eye opener.
There are some things you talk about with a person who has a loved one in the military, and there are some things you don't. These women will only talk about the "don't" stuff with each other, people who know what it's like, people who can reassure them it will be all right once their husbands return. They don't think about the work their husbands are doing. They look forward to the day they can see their husbands faces and hold their husbands for a good long while. And they all work together to help each other get through it.
Every night we had dinner with a few of the other Army wives, their husbands in various stages of deployment.
One was waiting for her husband to come home in a couple of days for his R&R (rest and recuperation), a fact she did not share with her two small children because she wanted to make sure he was actually state-side before getting their hopes up.
One just had a baby five months ago. I'm not sure when her husband was last home, but as with the other wives, she will not see him again until February when he is scheduled to return stateside.
One had spent the last two weeks with her husband and their 1-year-old. My last evening there was my first time meeting her, and she got teary-eyed when the other wives asked how she was doing. For two weeks she spent time with the men of her life, her husband and her son, and now she would have to wait until the beginning of next year to see her husband again. She spends most of her time back home in Chicago while her husband is overseas.
The last wife just bought a new house with her husband, who is not scheduled to deploy until the end of the year. She just got a new promotion on the same day she was planning on quitting because she didn't get to spend enough time with her husband.
These women are extraordinary. All with different personalities, all dealing with the same rotten situation, all sharing the same emotions. It was fascinating to hear them talk about their feelings, their worries, the thoughts that run through their minds. They've created their own support system, beyond that of their own families, because they are all experiencing the same thing. They meet each night for dinner, rotating chefs for every meal, as well as staying in communication throughout the day.
They shared the frustrations they have with family who don't understand the position they are in. They talked about the fear that they will be "that widow" that everyone talks about. They gossiped about some of the other wives who complain on the internet and spread rumors and instigate controversy. They discussed the things their husbands tell them, and the things they know their husbands don't. The traded knowledge about raising their infants, things they came across as their babies got older. They helped each other with problems or answered questions another wife had. They talked about religion, and how life is not up to them to decide. They talked about talking with their husbands, who, though overseas, work very hard at calling and emailing and text messaging their wives and families to let them know they are OK. They discussed what it is to feel the anxiety of learning of a loss in the platoon and not knowing who it is, and trying to get as much information as possible from the few sources that report it, and the looming threat of the military vehicle that could arrive at their doorstep at any time of day with heartbreaking news. They expressed frustration with people who did not understand their lifestyle. They remembered what life was like in the other states their husbands were stationed in, and how different each place was. They listened.
The camaraderie among these very different women was so strong, and though the conversations they have are of a serious nature, but they share their stories and information in a way that is more comforting than worrying. For them to let me sit in and share a few meals with them was a great honor. For me to learn more about their lives and experiences was a great eye opener.
There are some things you talk about with a person who has a loved one in the military, and there are some things you don't. These women will only talk about the "don't" stuff with each other, people who know what it's like, people who can reassure them it will be all right once their husbands return. They don't think about the work their husbands are doing. They look forward to the day they can see their husbands faces and hold their husbands for a good long while. And they all work together to help each other get through it.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
When it rains...
There are nights like tonight when the rain is actually quite soothing. The serenity from the drops falling on the rooftop, the sounds of tires kicking up the water as cars drive by, the general silence in the world because everyone is indoors.
I'm enjoying the quiet and peacefulness that comes from a night like tonight. I hope the sound of the rain will help me to sleep quite well this evening.
I would say this feeling I have does not always come about with the rain. Frequently I think to myself, another soppy night, or guess I'll need warm clothes tomorrow. I'm taking advantage of this great satisfaction with the world that I have right now.
It does rain a lot in Portland - well, the Northwest in general - so I'm taking tonight's enjoyment and running with it, because the rest of the year I will probably not feel this way. Thank you, Saturday night, for providing me with a good rainfall.
I'm enjoying the quiet and peacefulness that comes from a night like tonight. I hope the sound of the rain will help me to sleep quite well this evening.
I would say this feeling I have does not always come about with the rain. Frequently I think to myself, another soppy night, or guess I'll need warm clothes tomorrow. I'm taking advantage of this great satisfaction with the world that I have right now.
It does rain a lot in Portland - well, the Northwest in general - so I'm taking tonight's enjoyment and running with it, because the rest of the year I will probably not feel this way. Thank you, Saturday night, for providing me with a good rainfall.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Planning vacations is hard
I'm planning a big adventure for the big 2-5. I'm going to Disneyland!
However, I am beginning to notice the level of difficulty associated with planning such an epic adventure. The tickets are the easy part. Finding a reasonably priced hotel, figuring out the best time to go, and also scheduling an itinerary... Mom didn't tell me planning a vacation was going to be so hard!
Budget constraints are the main limiting factor. I'm turning 25; I don't have the budget of someone nearing retirement. Plus, I'm working part time, so I don't even have the budget of a full time person.
No worries, though. I may have come up with a solution. You only hit the quarter-century mark once in your life. So why not make a few concessions and spend a little extra on the room? Call it the birthday gift to myself... in addition to the actual Disneyland experience.
The other thing is my birthday falls between two major holidays: Christmas and New Year's. Uh, it's going to be epic in more than just one way, my friends. I have never in my life spent a day in Disneyland between major holidays. I'm pretty excited about the adventures this could lead to.
Plus, we're going to see the world's biggest doughnut, so even better!
I think, yeah, I will use that money from arts and crafts in the Res Life office towards my Southern California adventure. Making decisions is hard.
However, I am beginning to notice the level of difficulty associated with planning such an epic adventure. The tickets are the easy part. Finding a reasonably priced hotel, figuring out the best time to go, and also scheduling an itinerary... Mom didn't tell me planning a vacation was going to be so hard!
Budget constraints are the main limiting factor. I'm turning 25; I don't have the budget of someone nearing retirement. Plus, I'm working part time, so I don't even have the budget of a full time person.
No worries, though. I may have come up with a solution. You only hit the quarter-century mark once in your life. So why not make a few concessions and spend a little extra on the room? Call it the birthday gift to myself... in addition to the actual Disneyland experience.
The other thing is my birthday falls between two major holidays: Christmas and New Year's. Uh, it's going to be epic in more than just one way, my friends. I have never in my life spent a day in Disneyland between major holidays. I'm pretty excited about the adventures this could lead to.
Plus, we're going to see the world's biggest doughnut, so even better!
I think, yeah, I will use that money from arts and crafts in the Res Life office towards my Southern California adventure. Making decisions is hard.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Finnair, you tempt me with your offer
In case you didn't hear, Finnair is looking for four Quality Hunters to travel the globe and report back on all things quality: http://rethinkquality.finnair.com/quality-hunters/
Actually, I don't know if that's really what you'd be doing, but I imagine you'd get some sort of training from them or a list of expectations. It might mean I'd have to get a Twitter account...
Now, I just submitted my application. Why not, right? No commitments right now. It would be super fun. And it could help me to accomplish seeing more of the world's largest things!
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In other random news, I was sent an email from somewhere that wanted me to pre-order my "Belly Bump Ball" by Museum Tour. Imagine a large red inflatable raspberry you would wear around you like a Halloween costume.
It looks pretty fun, but why would you want to pre-order one? I'm guessing if they were out of sumo wrestler outfits you could get the Belly Bump Ball. If my Halloween costume does not work out like I think it will, I may have to invest in this thing and actually be a raspberry instead.
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Sinus infections are a pain in the butt. Well, head, actually, but the saying doesn't say pain in the head. I found out I actually have a pretty bad one. I had a temperature for the first time in a really long time. 100 degrees Fahrenheit! That's pretty high for someone who's average body temperature is right around 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. And I needed to get antibiotics.
I'm not a very good sick person. I don't rest is my problem. There are things I could and should be doing instead of sitting around doing nothing. And drinking all these liquids is out of my norm, as well. I decided that I'm going to kick this sinus infection out of my body as soon as possible, so I'm actually trying to be a good little patient.
I'd say overall, though, I'm pretty good at not infecting other people. I wash my hands regularly, use sterilizing wipes in areas I've been working, and I warn others that I have whatever sickness it is so they are not alarmed in the off chance they catch what I have.
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I've started a new blog about my adventures to see the American originals/roadside attractions I keep looking up. It's called "Look what I found!" and is located at the web address dutysbigtravels.blogspot.com. I finally opened it up after the first BIG adventure to see the world's largest frying pan this past weekend. I now have a running total of three blogs to maintain, but as there have been no major developments in my dating life it's really just the two.
I'm pretty excited about checking all these things out. And my buddy Derek has agreed that one day we shall road trip and look for random roadside attractions. He and his wife, Holly, already saw a couple of items, including the world's largest prairie dog and the world's largest candle. I mean, how awesome is that!
Actually, I don't know if that's really what you'd be doing, but I imagine you'd get some sort of training from them or a list of expectations. It might mean I'd have to get a Twitter account...
Now, I just submitted my application. Why not, right? No commitments right now. It would be super fun. And it could help me to accomplish seeing more of the world's largest things!
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In other random news, I was sent an email from somewhere that wanted me to pre-order my "Belly Bump Ball" by Museum Tour. Imagine a large red inflatable raspberry you would wear around you like a Halloween costume.
It looks pretty fun, but why would you want to pre-order one? I'm guessing if they were out of sumo wrestler outfits you could get the Belly Bump Ball. If my Halloween costume does not work out like I think it will, I may have to invest in this thing and actually be a raspberry instead.
______________________________________________________Sinus infections are a pain in the butt. Well, head, actually, but the saying doesn't say pain in the head. I found out I actually have a pretty bad one. I had a temperature for the first time in a really long time. 100 degrees Fahrenheit! That's pretty high for someone who's average body temperature is right around 97.5 degrees Fahrenheit. And I needed to get antibiotics.
I'm not a very good sick person. I don't rest is my problem. There are things I could and should be doing instead of sitting around doing nothing. And drinking all these liquids is out of my norm, as well. I decided that I'm going to kick this sinus infection out of my body as soon as possible, so I'm actually trying to be a good little patient.
I'd say overall, though, I'm pretty good at not infecting other people. I wash my hands regularly, use sterilizing wipes in areas I've been working, and I warn others that I have whatever sickness it is so they are not alarmed in the off chance they catch what I have.
______________________________________________________
I've started a new blog about my adventures to see the American originals/roadside attractions I keep looking up. It's called "Look what I found!" and is located at the web address dutysbigtravels.blogspot.com. I finally opened it up after the first BIG adventure to see the world's largest frying pan this past weekend. I now have a running total of three blogs to maintain, but as there have been no major developments in my dating life it's really just the two.
I'm pretty excited about checking all these things out. And my buddy Derek has agreed that one day we shall road trip and look for random roadside attractions. He and his wife, Holly, already saw a couple of items, including the world's largest prairie dog and the world's largest candle. I mean, how awesome is that!
Friday, September 10, 2010
A movie review: Easy A
Megan and I went to see this movie the other night at a free screening event, and all I have to say is well done, Sony; great film to produce. Oh, and I may spill some plot lines here, so if you're like me and like to be surprised you will be upset with some of the following information.
Basically the film pays homage to the John Hughes classics of the 80s, as well as another classic film from that decade, Say Anything. In fact, there are many a reference to Mr. Hughes, including a shout out to Ferris Bueller's shower scene with the shampoo mohawk. But it does more than make a few references; "Easy A" is cleverly written in the style of Hughes. If you like a whip-smart teenage girl who is wise beyond her years with her retorts, you'd like Olive. Plus, she's funny. And not just a slapstick version of funny, but the lines written for Olive are witty and intelligent, not something you see a lot of these days.
Premise: Emma Stone plays Olive, a girl who lies about losing her virginity but then becomes the butt of the joke in her high school's rumor mill. The lies get worse and worse as she tries to help out the "lower class" of Southern California public high school society: nerds, wimps, a gay friend. And it just keeps getting worse for poor Olive. And so, because she's a funny girl and appreciates a good cultural reference, and because her English class is studying "The Scarlet Letter," Olive takes it upon herself to wear Hester Prynn's letter around campus on a newly skanked-up wardrobe, taking on the world of high school gossip and drama. She does solve the problem of the continuous rumor mill by addressing her peers online (because kids take to the internet instead of sending memos to the class), and she rides off into the sunset with the guy on a lawnmower, fists pumped into the air a la Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club.
The best part about the movie, though, would have to be the casting. Oh, how I love the casting! Emma Stone, first of all - how adorable is she? - is perfect as Olive, though I didn't really think the name fit the character. It probably helps that Stone appears to have a quirky sense of humor. Her parents were played by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson. Even more perfect! I wanted them to be my parents after I left the movie. I mean, spelling out a dirty word in your peas because you don't want your younger brother to know the word - c'mon. Too good. They played those roles perfectly. It could also have been how the characters were written, but give credit where credit is due: both actors are way under used and super good. Penn Badgley of "Gossip Girl" fame plays Woodchuck Todd, the looove interest. It would probably have been more believable to have him still in high school if he didn't look to be in his early 20s, but he was still very excellent in the role. And Amanda Bynes, who retired but didn't retire and maybe this was her last movie pre-retirement, anyway... she's in it, too. But again, she's 24, too, and talk about overkill on the make-up. She's still damn funny, but it's weird to see her in a high school role again. I think Hollywood needs to figure out a way to hire some actual teenagers for teenage roles, but I guess they would not cast people if they did not fit the part. At least they weren't 30-year-olds trying to pull off 18. And Thomas Hayden Church and Lisa Kudrow as faculty members? Yes, please. Awesome.
I think the most concerning part of the film, though it is very smart and clever and funny, is the truth behind the high school rumor mill, especially these days. This poor girl isn't even across the school courtyard and already half the school has heard she's lost her virginity. And even when she tries to tell her best friend the truth, her friend believes the rumors more than the truth. It's seriously bad out there, and these kids have no self-esteem already, so of course their going to team up and join the flock in making sure they are not the victims of a cruel cruel rumor-fueled world. What with gossip feeding the American economy - tell me you didn't notice Lindsey Lohan making the evening news a couple of weeks ago, taking priority over a tragic day overseas in the Middle East - and the internet and text messaging as the wave of the future, it's going to be a different world when our kids are in school.
Oh, and in case you're wondering where the name of the movie comes from, A is the letter poor Hester Prynn gets to wear on her chest, carrying her bastard baby around town, getting judged by everyone else about what kind of person she is. And Easy would be in reference to how easy it is for people to believe Olive has become a slut; also in reference to a lady or gentleman who has the sex with whomever whenever they want.
Basically, I'm saying this is a flick you could see in the movie theater and not be disappointed about paying the money for it. If you went to a matinee, it'd be cheaper, but I'd say I might even wait for an evening ticket... no, I'm more a matinee person anyway. I was laughing a good part of the time and there were parts I wished I wasn't so I could hear the dialogue because it was so smart, but then I wouldn't have been laughing and it was very funny, so that would have been a bummer. Perhaps when it comes out to a smaller theater - you know, the kind that's $3 a ticket - I'd even see it again.
Basically the film pays homage to the John Hughes classics of the 80s, as well as another classic film from that decade, Say Anything. In fact, there are many a reference to Mr. Hughes, including a shout out to Ferris Bueller's shower scene with the shampoo mohawk. But it does more than make a few references; "Easy A" is cleverly written in the style of Hughes. If you like a whip-smart teenage girl who is wise beyond her years with her retorts, you'd like Olive. Plus, she's funny. And not just a slapstick version of funny, but the lines written for Olive are witty and intelligent, not something you see a lot of these days.
Premise: Emma Stone plays Olive, a girl who lies about losing her virginity but then becomes the butt of the joke in her high school's rumor mill. The lies get worse and worse as she tries to help out the "lower class" of Southern California public high school society: nerds, wimps, a gay friend. And it just keeps getting worse for poor Olive. And so, because she's a funny girl and appreciates a good cultural reference, and because her English class is studying "The Scarlet Letter," Olive takes it upon herself to wear Hester Prynn's letter around campus on a newly skanked-up wardrobe, taking on the world of high school gossip and drama. She does solve the problem of the continuous rumor mill by addressing her peers online (because kids take to the internet instead of sending memos to the class), and she rides off into the sunset with the guy on a lawnmower, fists pumped into the air a la Judd Nelson in The Breakfast Club.
The best part about the movie, though, would have to be the casting. Oh, how I love the casting! Emma Stone, first of all - how adorable is she? - is perfect as Olive, though I didn't really think the name fit the character. It probably helps that Stone appears to have a quirky sense of humor. Her parents were played by Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson. Even more perfect! I wanted them to be my parents after I left the movie. I mean, spelling out a dirty word in your peas because you don't want your younger brother to know the word - c'mon. Too good. They played those roles perfectly. It could also have been how the characters were written, but give credit where credit is due: both actors are way under used and super good. Penn Badgley of "Gossip Girl" fame plays Woodchuck Todd, the looove interest. It would probably have been more believable to have him still in high school if he didn't look to be in his early 20s, but he was still very excellent in the role. And Amanda Bynes, who retired but didn't retire and maybe this was her last movie pre-retirement, anyway... she's in it, too. But again, she's 24, too, and talk about overkill on the make-up. She's still damn funny, but it's weird to see her in a high school role again. I think Hollywood needs to figure out a way to hire some actual teenagers for teenage roles, but I guess they would not cast people if they did not fit the part. At least they weren't 30-year-olds trying to pull off 18. And Thomas Hayden Church and Lisa Kudrow as faculty members? Yes, please. Awesome.
I think the most concerning part of the film, though it is very smart and clever and funny, is the truth behind the high school rumor mill, especially these days. This poor girl isn't even across the school courtyard and already half the school has heard she's lost her virginity. And even when she tries to tell her best friend the truth, her friend believes the rumors more than the truth. It's seriously bad out there, and these kids have no self-esteem already, so of course their going to team up and join the flock in making sure they are not the victims of a cruel cruel rumor-fueled world. What with gossip feeding the American economy - tell me you didn't notice Lindsey Lohan making the evening news a couple of weeks ago, taking priority over a tragic day overseas in the Middle East - and the internet and text messaging as the wave of the future, it's going to be a different world when our kids are in school.
Oh, and in case you're wondering where the name of the movie comes from, A is the letter poor Hester Prynn gets to wear on her chest, carrying her bastard baby around town, getting judged by everyone else about what kind of person she is. And Easy would be in reference to how easy it is for people to believe Olive has become a slut; also in reference to a lady or gentleman who has the sex with whomever whenever they want.
Basically, I'm saying this is a flick you could see in the movie theater and not be disappointed about paying the money for it. If you went to a matinee, it'd be cheaper, but I'd say I might even wait for an evening ticket... no, I'm more a matinee person anyway. I was laughing a good part of the time and there were parts I wished I wasn't so I could hear the dialogue because it was so smart, but then I wouldn't have been laughing and it was very funny, so that would have been a bummer. Perhaps when it comes out to a smaller theater - you know, the kind that's $3 a ticket - I'd even see it again.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A collection of random observations
Apparently I am following my own blog. I do not know how I managed to do this, but I also do not know how to un-follow myself. For the record, I really only have two followers for this blog.
A lot of people sleep in the airport. I assume they are either waiting for their flight, have a lay-over, or are really tired. I'm surprised they are actually able to get some rest. I don't think I could sleep in the terminal: all those lights, noises, the potential of someone stealing your bag.
I saw a couple meeting at the car wash across the street. I don't know why the car wash was chosen as the destination of their rendezvous, but to each his or her own. I know this was a lover's reunion because the lady pulled into the car wash like a mad woman, got out of her car, and immediately run-jump-hugged the man. It was kind of sweet. I imagine they were forbidden lovers and the car wash was the only way they could meet each other.
It's so relaxing to not have to work seven days a week. I'm feeling a little confused as to what I should do with all this extra time. I did laundry on Sunday after work. Yesterday I did some shredding and actually cooked myself dinner. Today I think I might lounge about because I can. Actually, I've got a project to finish, as well as updating my Netflix queue. It's such a hard life...
Official date of commencement for seeing the American originals is in two Sundays. I think that would by Sunday, September 12. Going to see the world's largest frying pan, followed by the world's largest squirting clam, and returning home in time to see the season finale of True Blood.
Though others disagree, I think this season of True Blood is taking the most creative liberties from the book it is meant to follow. In fact, I think I am most correct because these last two episodes are not even plot lines in any of the books! Also, the book series is far more violent than the television show, and the show has had exploding heads and people getting their faces punched into oblivion.
I'm pretty bummed that this summer only resulted in a total of seven days of hot weather. It's been a very cold summer here in Portland.
Apparently I provide great humor to my coworkers. I got really excited that we had paper towels to bring up to the ticket counter and they laughed. I was beyond confused that the time clock wasn't working the other day, and the confusion inhibited my abilities to form complete sentences. I've always got a song in my head, but that's nothing new. From what I understand, I am funny because I do not say things in a way that another person would say them. It's hard to explain. You will have to be present for such a situation in order to understand, unless you know me, in which case you know. It also helps when I mean to say something in complete innocence, but due to modern society's mind being in the gutter 89% of the time it can be interpreted as inappropriate to others.
One day at work we found what appeared to be a dirty love letter. Someone had written a poem by E.E. Cummings inside a card. We didn't know what the poem was, but when I was asked to read the poem aloud by another crew member I told him it would not be airport appropriate. He agreed after he began to read the poem over my shoulder, and we were both relieved to not have the passengers of PDX hear the dirty words someone did not intend to leave the hands of the recipient.
Today is the last day of August. There are only four months left in the year. When did that happen? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was getting interviewed by Elise the recruiter for a job? I cannot believe the year has moved this fast. Perhaps it moved slower when I was unemployed because I had nothing else to do but watch the days slug by. Now I focus on making sure I know my work schedule and planning ahead for vacations.
A lot of people sleep in the airport. I assume they are either waiting for their flight, have a lay-over, or are really tired. I'm surprised they are actually able to get some rest. I don't think I could sleep in the terminal: all those lights, noises, the potential of someone stealing your bag.
I saw a couple meeting at the car wash across the street. I don't know why the car wash was chosen as the destination of their rendezvous, but to each his or her own. I know this was a lover's reunion because the lady pulled into the car wash like a mad woman, got out of her car, and immediately run-jump-hugged the man. It was kind of sweet. I imagine they were forbidden lovers and the car wash was the only way they could meet each other.
It's so relaxing to not have to work seven days a week. I'm feeling a little confused as to what I should do with all this extra time. I did laundry on Sunday after work. Yesterday I did some shredding and actually cooked myself dinner. Today I think I might lounge about because I can. Actually, I've got a project to finish, as well as updating my Netflix queue. It's such a hard life...
Official date of commencement for seeing the American originals is in two Sundays. I think that would by Sunday, September 12. Going to see the world's largest frying pan, followed by the world's largest squirting clam, and returning home in time to see the season finale of True Blood.
Though others disagree, I think this season of True Blood is taking the most creative liberties from the book it is meant to follow. In fact, I think I am most correct because these last two episodes are not even plot lines in any of the books! Also, the book series is far more violent than the television show, and the show has had exploding heads and people getting their faces punched into oblivion.
I'm pretty bummed that this summer only resulted in a total of seven days of hot weather. It's been a very cold summer here in Portland.
Apparently I provide great humor to my coworkers. I got really excited that we had paper towels to bring up to the ticket counter and they laughed. I was beyond confused that the time clock wasn't working the other day, and the confusion inhibited my abilities to form complete sentences. I've always got a song in my head, but that's nothing new. From what I understand, I am funny because I do not say things in a way that another person would say them. It's hard to explain. You will have to be present for such a situation in order to understand, unless you know me, in which case you know. It also helps when I mean to say something in complete innocence, but due to modern society's mind being in the gutter 89% of the time it can be interpreted as inappropriate to others.
One day at work we found what appeared to be a dirty love letter. Someone had written a poem by E.E. Cummings inside a card. We didn't know what the poem was, but when I was asked to read the poem aloud by another crew member I told him it would not be airport appropriate. He agreed after he began to read the poem over my shoulder, and we were both relieved to not have the passengers of PDX hear the dirty words someone did not intend to leave the hands of the recipient.
Today is the last day of August. There are only four months left in the year. When did that happen? Wasn't it just yesterday that I was getting interviewed by Elise the recruiter for a job? I cannot believe the year has moved this fast. Perhaps it moved slower when I was unemployed because I had nothing else to do but watch the days slug by. Now I focus on making sure I know my work schedule and planning ahead for vacations.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Complaints department
I'm sorry for the tirades, y'all. I swear, I'm trying not to complain too much. A few things have irritated me, therefore I needed to get them off my proverbial chest, and my blog is closer than my paper journal.
I think things will be more cheery in a couple of weeks. I plan on starting my tour of the world's largest next month, as well as a trip to Nashville. I will also be catching up on my sleep and resting my feet some more, so hopefully I won't be such a crabby old lady.
Also, there hasn't been too much excitement or novelty, and I can only blog about that which I encounter on a daily basis.
I think things will be more cheery in a couple of weeks. I plan on starting my tour of the world's largest next month, as well as a trip to Nashville. I will also be catching up on my sleep and resting my feet some more, so hopefully I won't be such a crabby old lady.
Also, there hasn't been too much excitement or novelty, and I can only blog about that which I encounter on a daily basis.
On a day when I am angry
This doesn't happen very often. I blame today's anger on a combination of factors, not least of which is exhaustion. The other factors would be greedy self-centered Customers and stupid idiots (yes, I do realize that is a redundant thing to call someone).
I am a very intelligent person. I may play dumb, and I may be oblivious to some things, but when it comes down to it I am pretty smart (even quick witted on occasion). When I'm tired from seven days a week of work, my brain may not operate on the same level it usually does, but I can still formulate coherent sentences and express my point clearly.
Annoyance number one: Customer is trying to check-in at the kiosk, and it's not working. "Could someone come here and help me?" she asked in a not-nice tone. I go over to see if I can help. "You know, if you're dropping off bags you should get in line anyway because you'll need to come and get your bags tagged by us." "Well," she said, "can you bring someone up here to work on this problem?" Seriously? "Well, we're a smaller station so we don't have a tech department here to help, but like I said, if you'd just get in line we'll take care of you." At no point was the invitation to come to the front of the line offered, bypassing all the other Customers waiting to check-in for the same flight. "Ma'am, I said for you to go to the back of the line. These people have all been waiting to check-in and drop off bags." "Well, I just need to drop off my bag and the kiosk wasn't working." "Yes," I said, " but I told you to go get in line. These..." I got cut-off by her incessant yapping. "Listen, I'm only going to do this one time," I begin, my tone stern and unconcerned with her present situation. "I'm going to check you in and take your bags, but you need to know that these other people have been waiting in line to do the same thing, for the same flight that you are trying to check-in for." I continue to check the woman and her daughter, who has a dumbfounded look upon her pre-teen face, and they refuse make eye contact with me. As the gentleman checking in next to them said, "She knows what she's doing." Making a fool of herself, and showing the rest of the people who will be spending 2 1/2 hours in a confined place with them angry at the two of them, in case you were wondering what he meant by that statement. Before the mother and daughter team leaves my counter, I reiterate to them, "In Portland, we check in at the kiosk and then get in line, like everyone else, to drop off our bags, like everyone, because everyone is trying to get to the same flight."
Now, if the line wasn't already beginning to wrap around to the other airline space, and if we didn't have to check these people in within thirty minutes , I would have made her go to the back of the line. Having worked with this type of person before, I knew that trying to argue with her and trying to get her to go to the back of the line would take more time than I had at that moment. I made the executive decision to check her in though I didn't want to reward her behavior. In fact, I wanted to drag her to the back of the line myself. I apologize to those Customers who had been waiting in line much longer than she and were not happy about her. I hope they saw the woman as the person to blame and not me. But they probably blame me for appeasing her childish behavior. I probably would have blamed me in their position. But I'm blaming this woman for putting me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. However, I did enjoy lecturing her in front of so many people, like shaming a puppy, though she wasn't as cute as a puppy.
Annoyance number two: Every year before school starts up, students on campus prepare welcome signs for incoming freshpeople to see on their approach to the University. It's something the halls do to make these people and their parents feel special, and is NOT by any means a publicity stunt, even though the signs are entertaining. Apparently the Marketing department thinks these signs are intended for the latter purpose. And apparently the person in charge of heading up these signs is an idiot. The boss and I met with the idiot and his crony a few weeks ago and expected certain things to transpire as a result of the meeting. Apparently they thought we were indifferent to the whole thing. Idiots. When we say, "the RAs do not have the time to be part of an organized effort to make signs," it literally means that the RAs don't have the time to go off their schedule. And when we say, "these signs are an organic development that the students felt their was a need for," it does not mean you can hire a bunch of students to do a craft chore. Basically, Marketing thought we didn't do a good enough job and took that "chore" away from us.
Point about the RAs: they are not student workers but employees of the University that go through an extensive training. They do not get to be bossed around by a different department that doesn't understand a thing we do in Residence Life. Point about the signs: they are not a chore. They are the efforts of students on campus who know what it feels like the see their residence hall's name on the drive in to campus. Making a bunch of generic signs like a chore you've been tasked with is not the same as putting some soul into the welcome; If you don't get that, you never will. P.S.: You should really listen to what people are telling you instead of just doing WTF you feel like. I don't know how many times "the RAs cannot come together to make signs not because they don't want to but because they don't have the time" can be said before a person realizes they are being a jerk.
I seriously felt like punching someone after that second situation. I don't get angry very easily. Few things set me in a bad mood. One of those things happens to be greedy rule breakers. Another one of those things is when people take a sweet tradition and turn it into a corporate project. I wanted to scream at both culprits, but I had to reign in my anger and try not have my signs of frustration heard.
I also blame the fact that I haven't had a day off since July 28 and won't have a day off until August 30. That is going to be one beautiful day off.
For future reference, do not make me angry when I am exhausted. It's not pretty. You'll be lucky if I keep my temper in check. I'm Portuguese - we don't hide our emotions easily. And for future reference, if you know you're wrong or you know you're an idiot, I'd much rather you admit it and do what's right.
And I'm usually such a lovely, bubbly person!
I am a very intelligent person. I may play dumb, and I may be oblivious to some things, but when it comes down to it I am pretty smart (even quick witted on occasion). When I'm tired from seven days a week of work, my brain may not operate on the same level it usually does, but I can still formulate coherent sentences and express my point clearly.
Annoyance number one: Customer is trying to check-in at the kiosk, and it's not working. "Could someone come here and help me?" she asked in a not-nice tone. I go over to see if I can help. "You know, if you're dropping off bags you should get in line anyway because you'll need to come and get your bags tagged by us." "Well," she said, "can you bring someone up here to work on this problem?" Seriously? "Well, we're a smaller station so we don't have a tech department here to help, but like I said, if you'd just get in line we'll take care of you." At no point was the invitation to come to the front of the line offered, bypassing all the other Customers waiting to check-in for the same flight. "Ma'am, I said for you to go to the back of the line. These people have all been waiting to check-in and drop off bags." "Well, I just need to drop off my bag and the kiosk wasn't working." "Yes," I said, " but I told you to go get in line. These..." I got cut-off by her incessant yapping. "Listen, I'm only going to do this one time," I begin, my tone stern and unconcerned with her present situation. "I'm going to check you in and take your bags, but you need to know that these other people have been waiting in line to do the same thing, for the same flight that you are trying to check-in for." I continue to check the woman and her daughter, who has a dumbfounded look upon her pre-teen face, and they refuse make eye contact with me. As the gentleman checking in next to them said, "She knows what she's doing." Making a fool of herself, and showing the rest of the people who will be spending 2 1/2 hours in a confined place with them angry at the two of them, in case you were wondering what he meant by that statement. Before the mother and daughter team leaves my counter, I reiterate to them, "In Portland, we check in at the kiosk and then get in line, like everyone else, to drop off our bags, like everyone, because everyone is trying to get to the same flight."
Now, if the line wasn't already beginning to wrap around to the other airline space, and if we didn't have to check these people in within thirty minutes , I would have made her go to the back of the line. Having worked with this type of person before, I knew that trying to argue with her and trying to get her to go to the back of the line would take more time than I had at that moment. I made the executive decision to check her in though I didn't want to reward her behavior. In fact, I wanted to drag her to the back of the line myself. I apologize to those Customers who had been waiting in line much longer than she and were not happy about her. I hope they saw the woman as the person to blame and not me. But they probably blame me for appeasing her childish behavior. I probably would have blamed me in their position. But I'm blaming this woman for putting me in a bad mood for the rest of the day. However, I did enjoy lecturing her in front of so many people, like shaming a puppy, though she wasn't as cute as a puppy.
Annoyance number two: Every year before school starts up, students on campus prepare welcome signs for incoming freshpeople to see on their approach to the University. It's something the halls do to make these people and their parents feel special, and is NOT by any means a publicity stunt, even though the signs are entertaining. Apparently the Marketing department thinks these signs are intended for the latter purpose. And apparently the person in charge of heading up these signs is an idiot. The boss and I met with the idiot and his crony a few weeks ago and expected certain things to transpire as a result of the meeting. Apparently they thought we were indifferent to the whole thing. Idiots. When we say, "the RAs do not have the time to be part of an organized effort to make signs," it literally means that the RAs don't have the time to go off their schedule. And when we say, "these signs are an organic development that the students felt their was a need for," it does not mean you can hire a bunch of students to do a craft chore. Basically, Marketing thought we didn't do a good enough job and took that "chore" away from us.
Point about the RAs: they are not student workers but employees of the University that go through an extensive training. They do not get to be bossed around by a different department that doesn't understand a thing we do in Residence Life. Point about the signs: they are not a chore. They are the efforts of students on campus who know what it feels like the see their residence hall's name on the drive in to campus. Making a bunch of generic signs like a chore you've been tasked with is not the same as putting some soul into the welcome; If you don't get that, you never will. P.S.: You should really listen to what people are telling you instead of just doing WTF you feel like. I don't know how many times "the RAs cannot come together to make signs not because they don't want to but because they don't have the time" can be said before a person realizes they are being a jerk.
I seriously felt like punching someone after that second situation. I don't get angry very easily. Few things set me in a bad mood. One of those things happens to be greedy rule breakers. Another one of those things is when people take a sweet tradition and turn it into a corporate project. I wanted to scream at both culprits, but I had to reign in my anger and try not have my signs of frustration heard.
I also blame the fact that I haven't had a day off since July 28 and won't have a day off until August 30. That is going to be one beautiful day off.
For future reference, do not make me angry when I am exhausted. It's not pretty. You'll be lucky if I keep my temper in check. I'm Portuguese - we don't hide our emotions easily. And for future reference, if you know you're wrong or you know you're an idiot, I'd much rather you admit it and do what's right.
And I'm usually such a lovely, bubbly person!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Seven days a week
What was I thinking when I signed up for this? I apparently decided that working seven days a week was going to be no big deal.
Let's just say I'm really looking forward to September...
I work five days at JetBlue and five days at Res Life. Wednesday through Sunday I work at the airport; Monday through Friday I work at Res Life. I don't know if you caught on, but the overlap does not work in my favor. I work at least 10 hours a day three days out of the week, which probably wouldn't be so bad if it was all in one place and also if I wasn't up at 3:20 am.
Saturday and Sunday I get home from JetBlue and just relax. I sit on the couch for a while, with my feet up, taking in some television entertainment. Monday and Tuesday I sleep in and get back the hours of sleep I lose the rest of the week. I show up in the Res Life office a little crazy with all the rest I got the nights before. But those three days in the middle are pure torture.
I keep forgetting what day of the week it is. For the record, today is Thursday. I'm afraid at some point I will forget to show up at one of the two jobs.
I did do this to myself. I picked up Sundays at the airport because we are short staffed and need the help, and I don't mind getting a little extra cash to be honest. I said yes to helping in Res Life because they are my buddies and asked if I'd be willing to help out in August - the busiest month of the year - since there are no student workers and the AHD usually there is busy with training. I guess I didn't realize I was setting myself up for an entire month without a weekend.
For future reference, one cannot fully rest nor maintain one's house or refrigerator when one does not have enough time to do so. Also, one becomes very good at squeezing errands into smaller time frames as a result of one's overindulgence in work.
The perk to working the second job is that the month's worth of work will pay for my car insurance coming up next month, as well as the badly needed work shoes I purchased today for the airport.
Vacations and adventures must be postponed until next month is the only bummer. I could have really used a trip to Hawai'i this month, too. Darn.
Let's just say I'm really looking forward to September...
I work five days at JetBlue and five days at Res Life. Wednesday through Sunday I work at the airport; Monday through Friday I work at Res Life. I don't know if you caught on, but the overlap does not work in my favor. I work at least 10 hours a day three days out of the week, which probably wouldn't be so bad if it was all in one place and also if I wasn't up at 3:20 am.
Saturday and Sunday I get home from JetBlue and just relax. I sit on the couch for a while, with my feet up, taking in some television entertainment. Monday and Tuesday I sleep in and get back the hours of sleep I lose the rest of the week. I show up in the Res Life office a little crazy with all the rest I got the nights before. But those three days in the middle are pure torture.
I keep forgetting what day of the week it is. For the record, today is Thursday. I'm afraid at some point I will forget to show up at one of the two jobs.
I did do this to myself. I picked up Sundays at the airport because we are short staffed and need the help, and I don't mind getting a little extra cash to be honest. I said yes to helping in Res Life because they are my buddies and asked if I'd be willing to help out in August - the busiest month of the year - since there are no student workers and the AHD usually there is busy with training. I guess I didn't realize I was setting myself up for an entire month without a weekend.
For future reference, one cannot fully rest nor maintain one's house or refrigerator when one does not have enough time to do so. Also, one becomes very good at squeezing errands into smaller time frames as a result of one's overindulgence in work.
The perk to working the second job is that the month's worth of work will pay for my car insurance coming up next month, as well as the badly needed work shoes I purchased today for the airport.
Vacations and adventures must be postponed until next month is the only bummer. I could have really used a trip to Hawai'i this month, too. Darn.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The helicopter parent
We have long known about these parents who are too involved in their child's everyday activities. They hover over their son or daughter, waiting for the moment when they will need mommy or daddy to solve the problem for them. It's all about insecurity, mostly on the part of the parent, and for those of us who have been involved in education it's getting a little old.
We no longer call them the helicopter parents, hovering over their beloved babies and making sure the kids never have to fend for themselves; the helicopter has become the bulldozer.
The bulldozer parent. It's very appropriate for today's world. This new breed of parent pushes their way into every situation to make sure that everything goes just as they planned... and by "they" we're talking about the parent, not the kids (the kids frequently don't really care). Bulldozer parents even push themselves into situations when nothing is wrong yet.
I spent 20 minutes today talking with one such mother. Nothing I could say would make her feel better about the situation. It wasn't even a situation warranting immediate attention. In summation of our conversation, her fear is that her son's roommate is too outgoing and won't help her very shy son adapt to college life. She thought it was a "red flag" that the roommate might not like video games as much, and she wondered who in their right mind was responsible for this situation. I had to explain to her the other side of the situation, and possible reasons why the future roommate did or said something, not the least of which was that maybe he wants to have some say in what goes on in their shared living space. I should have said, maybe it's a good idea that your son has someone that's more outgoing to show him a different side of life.
Seriously? First, your son hasn't even met this other kid, so hold off on assumptions. Second, your son is going to be living in the room, not you. And finally, you're going to have to let go at some point, and now is a good time to start.
I'm going to be blunt with all the parents out there in a panic that their child's first college experiences aren't going to be perfect: YOUR CHILD'S FIRST COLLEGE EXPERIENCES AREN'T GOING TO BE PERFECT. There is no way to plan for every situation. Half of the fun of college is experiencing new things. It's called a learning experience because you have to make accommodations when things don't go how you expected them, and you learn new things about yourself. If you expect it to be perfect you're going to be sorely disappointed. And the fact that they aren't perfect experiences now will make them great stories in the future when he or she is looking back on college.
And for the record: We get phone calls like this all the time. You're situation is not unique. And please stop making yourselves crazy. You are making us crazy as a result. We do note when crazy parents or students call the offices so we can keep an eye on you.
We no longer call them the helicopter parents, hovering over their beloved babies and making sure the kids never have to fend for themselves; the helicopter has become the bulldozer.
The bulldozer parent. It's very appropriate for today's world. This new breed of parent pushes their way into every situation to make sure that everything goes just as they planned... and by "they" we're talking about the parent, not the kids (the kids frequently don't really care). Bulldozer parents even push themselves into situations when nothing is wrong yet.
I spent 20 minutes today talking with one such mother. Nothing I could say would make her feel better about the situation. It wasn't even a situation warranting immediate attention. In summation of our conversation, her fear is that her son's roommate is too outgoing and won't help her very shy son adapt to college life. She thought it was a "red flag" that the roommate might not like video games as much, and she wondered who in their right mind was responsible for this situation. I had to explain to her the other side of the situation, and possible reasons why the future roommate did or said something, not the least of which was that maybe he wants to have some say in what goes on in their shared living space. I should have said, maybe it's a good idea that your son has someone that's more outgoing to show him a different side of life.
Seriously? First, your son hasn't even met this other kid, so hold off on assumptions. Second, your son is going to be living in the room, not you. And finally, you're going to have to let go at some point, and now is a good time to start.
I'm going to be blunt with all the parents out there in a panic that their child's first college experiences aren't going to be perfect: YOUR CHILD'S FIRST COLLEGE EXPERIENCES AREN'T GOING TO BE PERFECT. There is no way to plan for every situation. Half of the fun of college is experiencing new things. It's called a learning experience because you have to make accommodations when things don't go how you expected them, and you learn new things about yourself. If you expect it to be perfect you're going to be sorely disappointed. And the fact that they aren't perfect experiences now will make them great stories in the future when he or she is looking back on college.
And for the record: We get phone calls like this all the time. You're situation is not unique. And please stop making yourselves crazy. You are making us crazy as a result. We do note when crazy parents or students call the offices so we can keep an eye on you.
Friday, August 6, 2010
World's biggest... strawberry?
I have plans for an epic adventure.
Here is the background on the situation: Back in the 1990s, a John Travolta movie took a fallen angel on a road trip across the country with a bunch of reporters and a beloved pet. Travolta danced and smelled like cookies, Andie McDowell sang about pie, and I think the beloved pet might have died... Well, that movie was "Michael," and if it wasn't already one of the best movies I've ever seen, what makes it even better is the fact that Michael insists they visit the world's largest ball of twine and an collection of other "world's largest" sculptures on their trek across the country. Thus inspired my goal of doing the same (because who wouldn't want to see the world's largest ball of twine?!).
When I went home a couple of weekends ago my mom had this clipping waiting for me with... you'll never believe it... that's right! It was a clipping of "American originals," large sculptures from every state inspired to bring tourism to the farthest reaches of our country. I took this to be a sign that my adventures should begin as soon as possible.
I have decided my tour of these American originals, including the world's largest strawberry, will begin next month at the latest. I have apparently gone more crazy than usual and decided to work seven days a week during the month of August, finding it difficult to plan an adventure to see the world's largest cowboy boots in Seattle amid the shifts I work at the airport and my afternoons spent in the Office of Residence Life. But know that these adventures will begin soon, and they will be epic.
In fact, I believe that there is a percentage of people that are interested in achieving the same goal. When looking for more than just one of the world's largest in each state, I came across this: http://www.worldslargestdoc.com/. Apparently they are making a documentary about the efforts of small towns to attract tourists by building these monuments.
I wonder if there is a book on these landmarks...
Here is the background on the situation: Back in the 1990s, a John Travolta movie took a fallen angel on a road trip across the country with a bunch of reporters and a beloved pet. Travolta danced and smelled like cookies, Andie McDowell sang about pie, and I think the beloved pet might have died... Well, that movie was "Michael," and if it wasn't already one of the best movies I've ever seen, what makes it even better is the fact that Michael insists they visit the world's largest ball of twine and an collection of other "world's largest" sculptures on their trek across the country. Thus inspired my goal of doing the same (because who wouldn't want to see the world's largest ball of twine?!).
When I went home a couple of weekends ago my mom had this clipping waiting for me with... you'll never believe it... that's right! It was a clipping of "American originals," large sculptures from every state inspired to bring tourism to the farthest reaches of our country. I took this to be a sign that my adventures should begin as soon as possible.
I have decided my tour of these American originals, including the world's largest strawberry, will begin next month at the latest. I have apparently gone more crazy than usual and decided to work seven days a week during the month of August, finding it difficult to plan an adventure to see the world's largest cowboy boots in Seattle amid the shifts I work at the airport and my afternoons spent in the Office of Residence Life. But know that these adventures will begin soon, and they will be epic.
In fact, I believe that there is a percentage of people that are interested in achieving the same goal. When looking for more than just one of the world's largest in each state, I came across this: http://www.worldslargestdoc.com/. Apparently they are making a documentary about the efforts of small towns to attract tourists by building these monuments.
I wonder if there is a book on these landmarks...
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