81/365 - TY
I had no business teaching you. You were the dean of an English department. But there you were, looking for a part-time job that included me training you. We laughed as we went through the motions. You delivered a brilliant lecture that I now copy.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
45 x 365 #80
80/365 - SL
You sat in the living room of a mansion located in a neighborhood of millionaires and swimming pools. We were gathered around you, disciples of a strong woman who made change happen. You told us your story of stalking and rape, you cried, we clapped.
You sat in the living room of a mansion located in a neighborhood of millionaires and swimming pools. We were gathered around you, disciples of a strong woman who made change happen. You told us your story of stalking and rape, you cried, we clapped.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
45 x 365 #79
79/365 - SW
You grew up an outcast, ostracized because of your skin color. By the time I met you, this had manifested itself into drug use and an eating disorder. Your mind was brilliant, but your emotions were weak. Eventually I let you disappear from my world.
You grew up an outcast, ostracized because of your skin color. By the time I met you, this had manifested itself into drug use and an eating disorder. Your mind was brilliant, but your emotions were weak. Eventually I let you disappear from my world.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Choosing or Losing
You know how parents are advised to give their toddlers options so they feel like they have some control over their lives? You can wear the blue sweater or the yellow sweater today. You pick! Like, dude, you gotta wear a sweater, but at least you get to pick the color. I follow a similar logic with my high schoolers. You can either sit down or work on the problem with your group or you can get a detention. You can either stop playing your guitar in class or go see the principal. It's all about choices.
In college, I was in a class called the Philosophy of Punishment with my friend TJC. I am not the most brilliant person in the world, far from it, but I am a hard worker (despite what my performance in graduate school might leave you to believe). This class required you to do two things. Read the assignments before class and listen to the professor, a man I will call Dr. Stuart. If you did these two simple things, As would fall in your lap like rainbows.
Unfortunately, this was difficult for the rest of the class to see. The readings were sort of long and definitely boring. I slogged through them because, hell, I was a mathematics minor and you should have seen some of the stuff I had to read for those classes! Hard work? Not really, but it was definitely a work ethic. Even TJC eventually gave up reading the assignments in lieu of having me summarize them for her in the five minutes right before class. This meant that only TJC and I had any idea of what Dr. Stuart was talking about in any given class period. I think we were the only students whose names Dr. Stuart knew. (Although we passed him once on campus and we yelled his name and he just smiled at us and called us "the smiling girls," so maybe he didn't know our names. We did smile at him all during class. He was adorable.)
We did a bunch of readings one week on free will. The fundamental question seemed to be "does free will exist?" I, of course, went crazy. Of course, I thought then (still do, actually, but I'm a bit less hard core). Sometimes your choices are crappy or crappier, but you always have choice. I did all the readings and I went into class knowing that I had thought about these readings more than anyone else in the class and knowing all the rebuttals to his questions.
Class begins.
Dr. Stuart and I began an earnest discussion. It's as if the rest of the 80 people in the room are not there.
He lays it down. "What if I tell you that your choice is to walk out of the room or fail the class? Do you still have free will?"
Oh, smug I was at 20 years old. I did not consider what an F in a 4-credit class would do to my GPA. My GPA that was required to be over a 3.75 in order to keep my scholarship. "Yes, of course."
"Well?" He smirked at me. He apparently knew. That smirk nearly did me in.
I calmly packed up all my stuff and walked out of the classroom.
TJC told me that Dr. Stuart looked on, his mouth slightly open. He said, "In all my years of teaching, no one who would bother to have this argument has ever walked out. And that's why she's getting an A and no one else in here is."
For the rest of that class period, a time I'd normally be in class, I sat in the quad in front of the union and drank a peach Snapple. I can see myself sitting there, quietly freaking out, wearing that tie dye shirt and dark wide leg jeans, envisioning explaining to my parents that I lost my scholarship because I walked out of a class. Of course, Dr. Stuart wasn't going to fail me, he gave me a well-deserved rainbow A, but I didn't know that at the time.
So, now I am a way less smug teacher of high schoolers. I have a student who is gifted, probably knows more math than I do, and knows that half of the crap I have them do is practice for lower achieving students (read: busy work). He's on to me.
"You can either finish the problem with your group, showing all the work, and receive full credit or you can not help your group, turn this in with just the answer on it, and receive no credit."
Damned if he didn't choose no credit.
I see me in him and I want to hug him, tell him it'll be okay, and that he'll make it. But then I want to tell him that he needs to do more than me, be better than me, because I am a nobody. I've done nothing. He's smarter, he's braver, he's more talented. He can change the world. He needs to be a better team player, he needs to play along with the Dr. Stuarts of the world, he needs to show his work in math class. If only because that's what makes the world go around.
In college, I was in a class called the Philosophy of Punishment with my friend TJC. I am not the most brilliant person in the world, far from it, but I am a hard worker (despite what my performance in graduate school might leave you to believe). This class required you to do two things. Read the assignments before class and listen to the professor, a man I will call Dr. Stuart. If you did these two simple things, As would fall in your lap like rainbows.
Unfortunately, this was difficult for the rest of the class to see. The readings were sort of long and definitely boring. I slogged through them because, hell, I was a mathematics minor and you should have seen some of the stuff I had to read for those classes! Hard work? Not really, but it was definitely a work ethic. Even TJC eventually gave up reading the assignments in lieu of having me summarize them for her in the five minutes right before class. This meant that only TJC and I had any idea of what Dr. Stuart was talking about in any given class period. I think we were the only students whose names Dr. Stuart knew. (Although we passed him once on campus and we yelled his name and he just smiled at us and called us "the smiling girls," so maybe he didn't know our names. We did smile at him all during class. He was adorable.)
We did a bunch of readings one week on free will. The fundamental question seemed to be "does free will exist?" I, of course, went crazy. Of course, I thought then (still do, actually, but I'm a bit less hard core). Sometimes your choices are crappy or crappier, but you always have choice. I did all the readings and I went into class knowing that I had thought about these readings more than anyone else in the class and knowing all the rebuttals to his questions.
Class begins.
Dr. Stuart and I began an earnest discussion. It's as if the rest of the 80 people in the room are not there.
He lays it down. "What if I tell you that your choice is to walk out of the room or fail the class? Do you still have free will?"
Oh, smug I was at 20 years old. I did not consider what an F in a 4-credit class would do to my GPA. My GPA that was required to be over a 3.75 in order to keep my scholarship. "Yes, of course."
"Well?" He smirked at me. He apparently knew. That smirk nearly did me in.
I calmly packed up all my stuff and walked out of the classroom.
TJC told me that Dr. Stuart looked on, his mouth slightly open. He said, "In all my years of teaching, no one who would bother to have this argument has ever walked out. And that's why she's getting an A and no one else in here is."
For the rest of that class period, a time I'd normally be in class, I sat in the quad in front of the union and drank a peach Snapple. I can see myself sitting there, quietly freaking out, wearing that tie dye shirt and dark wide leg jeans, envisioning explaining to my parents that I lost my scholarship because I walked out of a class. Of course, Dr. Stuart wasn't going to fail me, he gave me a well-deserved rainbow A, but I didn't know that at the time.
So, now I am a way less smug teacher of high schoolers. I have a student who is gifted, probably knows more math than I do, and knows that half of the crap I have them do is practice for lower achieving students (read: busy work). He's on to me.
"You can either finish the problem with your group, showing all the work, and receive full credit or you can not help your group, turn this in with just the answer on it, and receive no credit."
Damned if he didn't choose no credit.
I see me in him and I want to hug him, tell him it'll be okay, and that he'll make it. But then I want to tell him that he needs to do more than me, be better than me, because I am a nobody. I've done nothing. He's smarter, he's braver, he's more talented. He can change the world. He needs to be a better team player, he needs to play along with the Dr. Stuarts of the world, he needs to show his work in math class. If only because that's what makes the world go around.
45 x 365 #78
78/365 - RE
Dancing, laughing, reading, your life was complete. With an accident and a fire, your life became so difficult. You persevered, but the light was gone from your eyes. Then, one day, I looked more carefully. It was still shining there underneath the sadness and stress.
Dancing, laughing, reading, your life was complete. With an accident and a fire, your life became so difficult. You persevered, but the light was gone from your eyes. Then, one day, I looked more carefully. It was still shining there underneath the sadness and stress.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
45 x 365 - #77
77/365 - KV
They exchanged a look.
"We're going tanning."
Oh. I wouldn't go. Cancer, you know.
"After we'll do dinner."
Oh. I had class.
"Tanning?"
The look again.
"You know, spring break?"
Oh. I wasn't invited. My heart ached.
I'd never broken up with a friend before.
They exchanged a look.
"We're going tanning."
Oh. I wouldn't go. Cancer, you know.
"After we'll do dinner."
Oh. I had class.
"Tanning?"
The look again.
"You know, spring break?"
Oh. I wasn't invited. My heart ached.
I'd never broken up with a friend before.
Monday, January 26, 2009
45 x 365 #76
76/365 - KR
Your dream was to leave the cold. Every time a snowflake fell, your face would too. I get regular updates, so happy with your family and life, but I like to think I feel your desire for a white Christmas once again. Because, really? Georgia?
Your dream was to leave the cold. Every time a snowflake fell, your face would too. I get regular updates, so happy with your family and life, but I like to think I feel your desire for a white Christmas once again. Because, really? Georgia?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
45 x 365 - #75
75/365 - MS
The stories of your hitchhiking, hat wearing, boy crazy days told in your old lady whispery voice. Laughing at our misadventures and even showing up at The Bear Den to sing karaoke with us. Every Christmas, your letter makes me yearn for one more story.
The stories of your hitchhiking, hat wearing, boy crazy days told in your old lady whispery voice. Laughing at our misadventures and even showing up at The Bear Den to sing karaoke with us. Every Christmas, your letter makes me yearn for one more story.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
45 x 365 #74
74/365 - MV
Big and strong, all the guys on the wrestling team called you coach. We organized a blood drive. You wanted to show them all that community was important, but the second the needle entered your arm, your eyes rolled into the back of your head.
Big and strong, all the guys on the wrestling team called you coach. We organized a blood drive. You wanted to show them all that community was important, but the second the needle entered your arm, your eyes rolled into the back of your head.
Friday, January 23, 2009
45 x 365 #73
73/365 - JV
My dad was cruel to you. He said mean things, called you names. This I never knew until I was older. You never let on. You let me into your home, baked me cookies, dried my tears, and showed me how parents could be.
My dad was cruel to you. He said mean things, called you names. This I never knew until I was older. You never let on. You let me into your home, baked me cookies, dried my tears, and showed me how parents could be.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
45 x 365 #72
72/365 - SV
You began dating my best friend. I recoiled. You were not what I imagined for him. I didn't warm up to you until I saw the way you were with those kids. Now I can't imagine anyone else as a better fit for him.
You began dating my best friend. I recoiled. You were not what I imagined for him. I didn't warm up to you until I saw the way you were with those kids. Now I can't imagine anyone else as a better fit for him.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The Girl and Her Skepticism
Obama's To Do List
-Fix economy
-Deal with the trouble in Iraq
-Oh, yeah, don't forget Afghanistan
-Or Israel
-Eat dinner with family
-Do something about international relations
-Especially Russia
-And China
-And Iran
-Tell wife how beautiful she is
-That health care thing
-Discuss the appropriateness of Aretha Franklin's hat around water cooler
-Meet with unhappy veterans' groups
-Clean the air and water
-Just go ahead and walk on water
-Hmmm...Guantanamo? Do something about that brouhaha
-PATRIOT Act?!?!?!?!
-Play Guitar Hero for a few minutes with the girls
-Check Perez just for a second (what did he say about my pimptastic look last night?!)
-Gays - marriage? military? hmmmm...
-Lunch with teachers - NCLB?
-Taxes
-Detroit/auto companies
-crawl under desk for nap and good cry
-redo oath of office (dude, Roberts, really?)
-Humane Society - the girls are really getting antsy about that dog promise
-Stop family violence
-Save the world
-Change all those executive orders
-Meet with tailor to discuss new suits
-Tell Michelle to buy own food to stock WH kitchen - we totally can't afford those bills!
-Campaign finance - McCain might be available for some help
-Letter/text to supporters
-Blackberry - unhackable?
-Internet safety/technology
-Basketball - court in WH?
-Unpack clothes
-DON'T FORGET: SAVE THE WORLD (most important!!)
-Fix economy
-Deal with the trouble in Iraq
-Oh, yeah, don't forget Afghanistan
-Or Israel
-Eat dinner with family
-Do something about international relations
-Especially Russia
-And China
-And Iran
-Tell wife how beautiful she is
-That health care thing
-Discuss the appropriateness of Aretha Franklin's hat around water cooler
-Meet with unhappy veterans' groups
-Clean the air and water
-Just go ahead and walk on water
-Hmmm...Guantanamo? Do something about that brouhaha
-PATRIOT Act?!?!?!?!
-Play Guitar Hero for a few minutes with the girls
-Check Perez just for a second (what did he say about my pimptastic look last night?!)
-Gays - marriage? military? hmmmm...
-Lunch with teachers - NCLB?
-Taxes
-Detroit/auto companies
-crawl under desk for nap and good cry
-redo oath of office (dude, Roberts, really?)
-Humane Society - the girls are really getting antsy about that dog promise
-Stop family violence
-Save the world
-Change all those executive orders
-Meet with tailor to discuss new suits
-Tell Michelle to buy own food to stock WH kitchen - we totally can't afford those bills!
-Campaign finance - McCain might be available for some help
-Letter/text to supporters
-Blackberry - unhackable?
-Internet safety/technology
-Basketball - court in WH?
-Unpack clothes
-DON'T FORGET: SAVE THE WORLD (most important!!)
45 x 365 #71
71/365 - NV
You looked at a picture of yourself in high school, smirked, laughed at your clothes, commented on what an uncool person you'd been. I said nothing, feeling sad. That uncool person? He was my friend. This guy, making fun of himself? I'm not so sure.
You looked at a picture of yourself in high school, smirked, laughed at your clothes, commented on what an uncool person you'd been. I said nothing, feeling sad. That uncool person? He was my friend. This guy, making fun of himself? I'm not so sure.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
45 x 365 #70
70/365 - AG
We knew each other just barely, passing acquaintances really. When I saw you in the coffee shop, you yelled my name in excitement and pressed kisses into my cheeks. That made my day. I held your new baby, shared gossip, and never saw you again.
We knew each other just barely, passing acquaintances really. When I saw you in the coffee shop, you yelled my name in excitement and pressed kisses into my cheeks. That made my day. I held your new baby, shared gossip, and never saw you again.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
45 x 365 #69
69/365 - BS
It was heroic some said. The way you caught that ball for the win. The way you coaxed awesome athletics from the second string. Your glory days. Your girlfriend, sitting in the stands, jersey-clad, covering up bruises from your foot. Did she find it heroic?
It was heroic some said. The way you caught that ball for the win. The way you coaxed awesome athletics from the second string. Your glory days. Your girlfriend, sitting in the stands, jersey-clad, covering up bruises from your foot. Did she find it heroic?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
New Baby Gifts
Earlier this week, a cool person emailed me asking for a list of suggestions for baby shower gifts. Apparently my talk here of Baby Gap has made me an expert. This, combined with the fact that my good friend W just had a baby, led me to believe that maybe other people are interested in some ideas for cool baby shower gifts.
Understand, these are usually supplemental gifts to a really cute, somewhat impractical outfit I buy for babies (complete with gift receipts) from Baby Gap. I like to use Baby Gap because if the parent doesn't agree with me that all babies should be dressed in bibs and onesies, they can always return the items and buy themselves something at Gap.
First up. I love Herbst's Etsy shop. I buy lots of stuff there. Including these soft stacking blocks for babies. I love them. They're great for improving motor skills and they are made of beautiful vintage fabrics. These are $22 and are simply beautiful.
You can never go wrong with some soft wash cloths. These are from nowhiningpleez's Etsy shop. For $4.95, you get a trio of these soft cloths. Quite a bargain if you ask me!
In a similar vein, it is good to give new moms some burp cloths. In a pinch when I'm running out of time, I may go to Target and just pick some up, but those ones are always kind of thin and boring. These are from momsblankies' Etsy shop. I think they are much classier than the ones you'll get at a box store and definitely better quality. $12 for 3 burp cloths. Sign me up!
Bath books are always a big hit. I have a friend who reads her little girl the following Sandra Boynton bath book, Bath Time!, to her twelve-month old every night in the bath. I like that she uses something I gave her at her shower every day. Plus, I really like Rainbow Fish, so I have to say that is an excellent bath book, too. They are wonderful for little babies because they don't tear, kids can chew on them, and, well, they're not exactly reading yet, are they?
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Bath Time! by Sandra Boynton
So, in case you haven't noticed, I like to use Etsy for my shower presents. This is because you can find any difficult to find item you have ever wanted by simply searching the site. Including this rhino onesie I had made for my Bestest Friend when her baby was bellybound. Etsy also has a feature called Alchemy where you can request items be made and a crafty person makes it for you. It's pretty awesome, so if you search the site and can't find it, Alchemy it. This rhino onesie was from YadaYadaYada's Etsy shop (currently available for $10). Apparently this shop is going out of business because of new regulations, so the stuff is heavily discounted. Go forth and buy!!
In case I haven't blogged about it enough, happydaystudio is one of my absolute favorite Etsy shops. Her handmade watercolor greeting cards make me very happy. I love that she has one that is a happy baby card that she will make to your customization. She made one for me (not the one posted below) with a blonde mom and a dark-haired dad with olive skin. It's such a nice touch to tie your present up with such a gorgeous, thoughtful card. $5 at this store.
Another fantastic online resource I like to use is Pipsqueak Boutique. They sell all kinds of fun baby shower gifts, including items that can be personalized. I like the My Very Own Name book (although typically I give it as a baptism or first birthday gift). Customer service is not Pipsqueak Boutique's number one priority, but the quality of their merchandise is first rate.
To suck up to new moms, it's always nice to think about them at showers and not always the new baby. Aimee Gowns makes nursing gowns that are practical and comfortable for when the baby is born and still being a parasite. (Maybe this parasite thing is why I don't have kids?)
Also, sometimes it's nice to buy the diaper bag and fill it up with things the parents might not put on the registry, but will inevitably need - baby utensils, dishes, Tylenol, socks (oh, have I not mentioned socks yet?), the mesh things to put the baby socks in so that they don't get lost in the dryer, rattles, teething rings, etc. I also like to put in gift cards to local stores - Target or the equivalent big box, a local grocery store for those inevitable late night runs for diapers, and gas stations. New parents don't want to leave their damn car with an infant to pay for gas.
Now you have it. My complete list. Well, except for the clothes. Because that's already been done. See here for more details on that.
Understand, these are usually supplemental gifts to a really cute, somewhat impractical outfit I buy for babies (complete with gift receipts) from Baby Gap. I like to use Baby Gap because if the parent doesn't agree with me that all babies should be dressed in bibs and onesies, they can always return the items and buy themselves something at Gap.
First up. I love Herbst's Etsy shop. I buy lots of stuff there. Including these soft stacking blocks for babies. I love them. They're great for improving motor skills and they are made of beautiful vintage fabrics. These are $22 and are simply beautiful.
You can never go wrong with some soft wash cloths. These are from nowhiningpleez's Etsy shop. For $4.95, you get a trio of these soft cloths. Quite a bargain if you ask me!
In a similar vein, it is good to give new moms some burp cloths. In a pinch when I'm running out of time, I may go to Target and just pick some up, but those ones are always kind of thin and boring. These are from momsblankies' Etsy shop. I think they are much classier than the ones you'll get at a box store and definitely better quality. $12 for 3 burp cloths. Sign me up!
Bath books are always a big hit. I have a friend who reads her little girl the following Sandra Boynton bath book, Bath Time!, to her twelve-month old every night in the bath. I like that she uses something I gave her at her shower every day. Plus, I really like Rainbow Fish, so I have to say that is an excellent bath book, too. They are wonderful for little babies because they don't tear, kids can chew on them, and, well, they're not exactly reading yet, are they?
The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Bath Time! by Sandra Boynton
So, in case you haven't noticed, I like to use Etsy for my shower presents. This is because you can find any difficult to find item you have ever wanted by simply searching the site. Including this rhino onesie I had made for my Bestest Friend when her baby was bellybound. Etsy also has a feature called Alchemy where you can request items be made and a crafty person makes it for you. It's pretty awesome, so if you search the site and can't find it, Alchemy it. This rhino onesie was from YadaYadaYada's Etsy shop (currently available for $10). Apparently this shop is going out of business because of new regulations, so the stuff is heavily discounted. Go forth and buy!!
In case I haven't blogged about it enough, happydaystudio is one of my absolute favorite Etsy shops. Her handmade watercolor greeting cards make me very happy. I love that she has one that is a happy baby card that she will make to your customization. She made one for me (not the one posted below) with a blonde mom and a dark-haired dad with olive skin. It's such a nice touch to tie your present up with such a gorgeous, thoughtful card. $5 at this store.
Another fantastic online resource I like to use is Pipsqueak Boutique. They sell all kinds of fun baby shower gifts, including items that can be personalized. I like the My Very Own Name book (although typically I give it as a baptism or first birthday gift). Customer service is not Pipsqueak Boutique's number one priority, but the quality of their merchandise is first rate.
To suck up to new moms, it's always nice to think about them at showers and not always the new baby. Aimee Gowns makes nursing gowns that are practical and comfortable for when the baby is born and still being a parasite. (Maybe this parasite thing is why I don't have kids?)
Also, sometimes it's nice to buy the diaper bag and fill it up with things the parents might not put on the registry, but will inevitably need - baby utensils, dishes, Tylenol, socks (oh, have I not mentioned socks yet?), the mesh things to put the baby socks in so that they don't get lost in the dryer, rattles, teething rings, etc. I also like to put in gift cards to local stores - Target or the equivalent big box, a local grocery store for those inevitable late night runs for diapers, and gas stations. New parents don't want to leave their damn car with an infant to pay for gas.
Now you have it. My complete list. Well, except for the clothes. Because that's already been done. See here for more details on that.
45 x 365 #68
68/365 - DV
An unfortunately place birthmark on your face, a weight problem, a defensive nature. I never paid attention, really, but felt your unhappiness. Later, my mom sent me an article from the Maple Valley Press. Did you know this girl? A bullet. A handgun. 22 years.
An unfortunately place birthmark on your face, a weight problem, a defensive nature. I never paid attention, really, but felt your unhappiness. Later, my mom sent me an article from the Maple Valley Press. Did you know this girl? A bullet. A handgun. 22 years.
Friday, January 16, 2009
45 x 365 #67
67/365 - VB
Flighty and fun, but strangely resistant to new ideas. When we changed plans, you momentarily freaked out, but eventually came around. For the rest of the weekend, you bitched about that change in plans. Your sister was embarrassed, but we just continued to mock you.
Flighty and fun, but strangely resistant to new ideas. When we changed plans, you momentarily freaked out, but eventually came around. For the rest of the weekend, you bitched about that change in plans. Your sister was embarrassed, but we just continued to mock you.
And how was your week?
Dear World,
I am not pleased with you right now. I have some gripes and I'd like to air them out here. Then I will put this all behind me and move on, continuing to be my peppy old self again.
I don't mind the cold. I really don't. January sucks and those of us who live in Minnesota just deal with it. What I object to is that everyone expects things to be NORMAL when it is this cold. Look, things aren't normal. I'm slower moving. My car is certainly slower moving (much more so NOW, but that will be a later gripe). Why do you, Dear World, have the same expectations that you did for me in June? The sun sets at 4:30. You expect me to work after this time? Because...really? All I want to do is sleep.
The high school where I work is clearly situated directly above a pipeline to all the germs and diseases and viruses in the CDC. A couple of months ago, we had an outbreak of the chicken pox (seriously? there's a vaccine!!). Earlier this week we got an email from the school nurse notifying us that there were two severe illnesses striking down the children in our midst - a stomach bug that causes 48 hours of severe discomfort and a respiratory bug (her words, not mine) that had caused our principal to lose her voice that takes about three weeks to go away. Her advice? Wash your hands.
So, Dear World, what happened to me? I managed to not wash my hands often enough, I guess. Last night I came home at 5:00 and collapsed into bed where I stayed until 7:00 this morning. I am the proud new inhabitant of some handy dandy respiratory bugs.
Now, I figured this morning when I woke up that I could manage the trip to school (still bitter out there - it's warmer, but it's still -12), teach my two classes, maybe go to Target to get some cough medicine, get to my hair cut (scheduled f0r 2:00 today), and, you know, go home and sleep for the next two days straight.
There was black ice. I knew it. I was going slow, hanging out in the right lane. I'm like an old lady in my two wheel drive truck. I had three car lengths in front of me. A red (orange? who can tell with the vehicles all covered in salt) SUV spins out in the left lane, causing a chain reaction that ends with me, in the right lane, hitting some woman with a suspended license who had come into my lane to avoid other swerving cars in her lane, swerving into the median, and nearly hitting a telephone pole. This is not exactly like the incident in June when Monster's front end got whacked, but similar enough. The driver of the SUV drove away, unscathed.
This time, however, a police officer saw the whole thing. I end up standing on the side of Highway 7 for half an hour, hacking up my lungs, in the -12 degree air. Meanwhile, the woman with the suspended license (and a warrant, I guess) gets to sit in the nice warm police car. A tow truck pulled my truck out of the median, it was pronounced drivable, and I was sent off to do my business.
Now, Dear World, instead of teaching my classes, I am waiting patiently for the insurance company to call me back.
Dear World, I made that appointment for a hair cut to help me with my stress-y January. You are not helping me. Now I have to decide - go to the appointment or not? Take the bus there or get into my dear truck (he's such a good truck - he started EVERY DAMN FREEZING COLD, BELOW ZERO DAY this week) with its ghetto, mangled up face, and drive there, hoping not to get a ticket for driving a safety hazard through the city?
I'm sick. I'm concerned that two accidents (neither one my fault!) in seven months may in some way damage my future insurability or my poor truck. I'm tired.
I have tried to remain upbeat, World, but you are bringing me down. Could you please bring me some good news? Or, at the very least, a brand new puppy?
Yours (much aggrieved),
I am not pleased with you right now. I have some gripes and I'd like to air them out here. Then I will put this all behind me and move on, continuing to be my peppy old self again.
I don't mind the cold. I really don't. January sucks and those of us who live in Minnesota just deal with it. What I object to is that everyone expects things to be NORMAL when it is this cold. Look, things aren't normal. I'm slower moving. My car is certainly slower moving (much more so NOW, but that will be a later gripe). Why do you, Dear World, have the same expectations that you did for me in June? The sun sets at 4:30. You expect me to work after this time? Because...really? All I want to do is sleep.
The high school where I work is clearly situated directly above a pipeline to all the germs and diseases and viruses in the CDC. A couple of months ago, we had an outbreak of the chicken pox (seriously? there's a vaccine!!). Earlier this week we got an email from the school nurse notifying us that there were two severe illnesses striking down the children in our midst - a stomach bug that causes 48 hours of severe discomfort and a respiratory bug (her words, not mine) that had caused our principal to lose her voice that takes about three weeks to go away. Her advice? Wash your hands.
So, Dear World, what happened to me? I managed to not wash my hands often enough, I guess. Last night I came home at 5:00 and collapsed into bed where I stayed until 7:00 this morning. I am the proud new inhabitant of some handy dandy respiratory bugs.
Now, I figured this morning when I woke up that I could manage the trip to school (still bitter out there - it's warmer, but it's still -12), teach my two classes, maybe go to Target to get some cough medicine, get to my hair cut (scheduled f0r 2:00 today), and, you know, go home and sleep for the next two days straight.
There was black ice. I knew it. I was going slow, hanging out in the right lane. I'm like an old lady in my two wheel drive truck. I had three car lengths in front of me. A red (orange? who can tell with the vehicles all covered in salt) SUV spins out in the left lane, causing a chain reaction that ends with me, in the right lane, hitting some woman with a suspended license who had come into my lane to avoid other swerving cars in her lane, swerving into the median, and nearly hitting a telephone pole. This is not exactly like the incident in June when Monster's front end got whacked, but similar enough. The driver of the SUV drove away, unscathed.
This time, however, a police officer saw the whole thing. I end up standing on the side of Highway 7 for half an hour, hacking up my lungs, in the -12 degree air. Meanwhile, the woman with the suspended license (and a warrant, I guess) gets to sit in the nice warm police car. A tow truck pulled my truck out of the median, it was pronounced drivable, and I was sent off to do my business.
Now, Dear World, instead of teaching my classes, I am waiting patiently for the insurance company to call me back.
Dear World, I made that appointment for a hair cut to help me with my stress-y January. You are not helping me. Now I have to decide - go to the appointment or not? Take the bus there or get into my dear truck (he's such a good truck - he started EVERY DAMN FREEZING COLD, BELOW ZERO DAY this week) with its ghetto, mangled up face, and drive there, hoping not to get a ticket for driving a safety hazard through the city?
I'm sick. I'm concerned that two accidents (neither one my fault!) in seven months may in some way damage my future insurability or my poor truck. I'm tired.
I have tried to remain upbeat, World, but you are bringing me down. Could you please bring me some good news? Or, at the very least, a brand new puppy?
Yours (much aggrieved),
Thursday, January 15, 2009
45 x 365 #66
66/365 - MF
Every girl dreams she can change the bad boy. When you rode up on your motorcycle, all leathered up, I wanted you to be mine. You only wanted one thing from me, though. After I provided it for you, you vanished, never heard from again.
Every girl dreams she can change the bad boy. When you rode up on your motorcycle, all leathered up, I wanted you to be mine. You only wanted one thing from me, though. After I provided it for you, you vanished, never heard from again.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
45 x 365 #65
65/365 - TS
As roommates went, you were a good one. Quiet, cleanish, rarely home. But because of that last quality, I never knew you. Did you have a girlfriend? Siblings? Dreams? Hopes? What was your favorite dinner? I never asked, we never talked, and now I wonder.
As roommates went, you were a good one. Quiet, cleanish, rarely home. But because of that last quality, I never knew you. Did you have a girlfriend? Siblings? Dreams? Hopes? What was your favorite dinner? I never asked, we never talked, and now I wonder.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Officially Drained
Last night I came home, made a phone call, and collapsed into bed, crying.
There is nothing wrong.
There is nothing right.
The high temperature here barely creeps above the zero mark. I don't mind the cold, honestly, but I don't know what to do or say when it is clear the guy in the grocery store parking lot has no place to go. I slipped him my last $5 cash, but I couldn't look him in the eye.
I haven't been alone in my own home for weeks. I am used to alone time. I want to listen to NPR without the gently mockery. I want to watch The Bachelor without the snarky commentary. I love him, I love his smartassness, but sometimes, I want to enjoy my popular culture without having to critique it.
My bookshelf is empty of new books. I have a couple of gift cards from Christmas, but getting to the bookstore in this weather seems like such an effort. Yet, when I arrive home, there is nothing I want more than to curl up and read that book.
The cat I am catsitting meows pitifully each time I walk into the door. I want to do more than check her water, give her food, pet her for twenty seconds, and leave. I want to play with her. I want to sit on the couch and take a nap with her. I don't have time for her.
The last time I got my hair cut was in April. The energy of making the appointment and actually going to the appointment seems like the energy it might take to set off a nuclear warhead.
I am tired. Next week, however, a new quarter begins and my workload will be cut in half. I will then be the happiest girl in the world. And will stop whining, I promise.
There is nothing wrong.
There is nothing right.
The high temperature here barely creeps above the zero mark. I don't mind the cold, honestly, but I don't know what to do or say when it is clear the guy in the grocery store parking lot has no place to go. I slipped him my last $5 cash, but I couldn't look him in the eye.
I haven't been alone in my own home for weeks. I am used to alone time. I want to listen to NPR without the gently mockery. I want to watch The Bachelor without the snarky commentary. I love him, I love his smartassness, but sometimes, I want to enjoy my popular culture without having to critique it.
My bookshelf is empty of new books. I have a couple of gift cards from Christmas, but getting to the bookstore in this weather seems like such an effort. Yet, when I arrive home, there is nothing I want more than to curl up and read that book.
The cat I am catsitting meows pitifully each time I walk into the door. I want to do more than check her water, give her food, pet her for twenty seconds, and leave. I want to play with her. I want to sit on the couch and take a nap with her. I don't have time for her.
The last time I got my hair cut was in April. The energy of making the appointment and actually going to the appointment seems like the energy it might take to set off a nuclear warhead.
I am tired. Next week, however, a new quarter begins and my workload will be cut in half. I will then be the happiest girl in the world. And will stop whining, I promise.
45 x 365 #64
64/365 - AK
Everyone was dressed in dark, attempting to blend. You walked in wearing a red suit, daring anyone to say something. Everyone spoke in hushed tones, needing to impress with brilliant ideas. I heard your laugh over everything else and knew you weren't impressed at all.
Everyone was dressed in dark, attempting to blend. You walked in wearing a red suit, daring anyone to say something. Everyone spoke in hushed tones, needing to impress with brilliant ideas. I heard your laugh over everything else and knew you weren't impressed at all.
Monday, January 12, 2009
45 x 365 #63
63/365 - GN
You create a vacuum of seriousness at all events. I call you the Black Hole at parties. No matter how celebratory the rest of the group is, over in whatever far corner you have tucked yourself famine, war, and economic distress are topics de rigueur.
You create a vacuum of seriousness at all events. I call you the Black Hole at parties. No matter how celebratory the rest of the group is, over in whatever far corner you have tucked yourself famine, war, and economic distress are topics de rigueur.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
45 x 365 #62
62/365 - KG
My own parents are hoarders. So when I walked into your apartment for the first time, I recognized the signs. I also recognized the embarrassment and said not a word. I wish I had. I wish I had gotten you help before your baby was born.
My own parents are hoarders. So when I walked into your apartment for the first time, I recognized the signs. I also recognized the embarrassment and said not a word. I wish I had. I wish I had gotten you help before your baby was born.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
45 x 365 - #61
61/365 - CG
At first I thought your self-depreciating was amusing, if undeservedly hard on yourself. Later, I behaved badly and apologized, but you refused my apology. I was partly to blame, yes, but your reaction marked you as unfair to everyone around. Undeservedly hard no longer.
At first I thought your self-depreciating was amusing, if undeservedly hard on yourself. Later, I behaved badly and apologized, but you refused my apology. I was partly to blame, yes, but your reaction marked you as unfair to everyone around. Undeservedly hard no longer.
Friday, January 09, 2009
45 x 365 #60
60/365 - TN
I can't put my finger on it. Is it your sleazestache? Is it your inability to see that the golf themed bathroom decor is tacky? Is it your lack of dancing and enthusiasm at weddings? Whatever the reason may be, I don't really like you.
I can't put my finger on it. Is it your sleazestache? Is it your inability to see that the golf themed bathroom decor is tacky? Is it your lack of dancing and enthusiasm at weddings? Whatever the reason may be, I don't really like you.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
45 x 365 #59
59/365 - LC
Your laugh is piercingly loud. Sometimes I want to cover my ears, but I couldn't do that to you. One of the few people who stood up to him on my behalf, took me away from that. Your loudness is one of your best assets.
Your laugh is piercingly loud. Sometimes I want to cover my ears, but I couldn't do that to you. One of the few people who stood up to him on my behalf, took me away from that. Your loudness is one of your best assets.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
45 x 365 #58
58/365 - KB
The words blurred together. If I didn't leave soon, I would fall asleep.
You poked your head in.
"Busy?"
We both laughed.
We went to a school, library, and shelter that afternoon. You taught me that the job was about our community, not that office.
The words blurred together. If I didn't leave soon, I would fall asleep.
You poked your head in.
"Busy?"
We both laughed.
We went to a school, library, and shelter that afternoon. You taught me that the job was about our community, not that office.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
45 x 365 #57
57/365 - CO
You took your fake eye out at the table while eating spaghetti. When one of the cousins ran to the bathroom in disgust, you laughed. Your cruelty cut me. The story is often retold with a mixture of laughter and discouragement. Some people never change.
You took your fake eye out at the table while eating spaghetti. When one of the cousins ran to the bathroom in disgust, you laughed. Your cruelty cut me. The story is often retold with a mixture of laughter and discouragement. Some people never change.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Holiday Music
Holiday Itinerary for NGS and BB:
Dec. 22 - Drive to Quad Cities, Iowa
Dec. 26 - Drive to Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dec. 29 - Drive to Columbus, Ohio
Dec. 31 - Drive to Quad Cities, Iowa
Jan. 1 - Drive to Minneapolis, Minnesota
I do not recommend this itinerary to anyone riding in a car with a person who does not like to listen to TALK while driving. This means no NPR, no books on tape, no news updates...who travels like this? (I love my husband, but if there was any possible way to rewire his brain so nothing else changed but this...I'm pretty sure I would!)
Anyway, as I boycott anything with an i in front of it (ipod, itunes, ihateyouapple), this means we were effectively stuck listening to the radio. When driving through the midwest, your options for radio stations include god rock, classic rock, talk, top 40 (but seriously, I don't know those songs), and country. Once in a great while you will find an "oldies" station and those will be clung to, but generally speaking, we listen to country. I have a love/hate with country music radio. I love that it exists. I hate that it picks twenty songs and puts them in constant rotation.
Here are the dozen songs we heard over and over and over and over and over (and over!) again on our trip. They will forever be ingrained in my head as Christmas 2008.
1) "She Wouldn't Be Gone" - Blake Shelton
Basically this guy is a dick to his girlfriend (wife?) and then goes crazy when she leaves. I say he deserves everything he gets and there's nothing in the song that makes me feel sympathy for the narrator. So...after the first couple of times of trying to warm up to this song, I'd usually flick it off.
2) "Just a Dream" - Carrie Underwood
First of all, I find the switching of narrators too confusing in this song. It's in third person except for the chorus, which is in first person. Am I the only one who finds this distracting? Switching pronouns is too much for some of us to handle people!! The melodrama of this song is okay for me, but proved too much for the boy after about the fifth time. Oh, and if they were "merely" engaged, she wouldn't get the flag at the funeral, his next of kin (probably a parent) would.
*We also heard "Jesus Take the Wheel" a few times on this trip. The first time BB heard the chorus he started laughing. "That sounds like a brilliant plan."
3) "In Color" - Jamey Johnson
I appreciate a good story song. I like this one. I wish I hadn't heard it two dozen times in a row, but I like this song. It tells a simple tale in a simple way.
4) "I'll Walk" - Bucky Covington
Bucky and I go way back. My antipathy has been well documented. This song does not help matters. Melodrama from Carrie Underwood I'll take. She's a 25 year old female. Melodrama from Bucky Covington is unacceptable. He's in his 30s and should damn well know better. This songs sucks worse than the Philadelphia Eagles.
5) "Already Gone" - Sugarland
I love Jennifer Nettles' (Nettles's? screw possessives) voice. It's spectacular. I would have listened to this song every single time it came on the radio and turned it up if the boy had not been with me. He is not so much a lover. Sooo...split decision on this one folks.
6) "Anything Goes" - Randy Houser
Randy who? That's what you're thinking. That's right? Apparently he's a songwriter who's tyring to make it big with a generic, run of the mill sounding, awkwardly lyricized song. Good luck Randy!
7) "Chicken Fried" - Zac Brown Band
I heard an interview with the lead singer of this group and they said that they sat down and wrote a song that included everything that made them happy. Seriously. They wrote a song filled with cliches. And that means, of course, it makes me happy. Even the boy would occasionally bob his head. It's cheesy and they throw this patriotic part in the middle that doesn't really make sense (be patriotic by all means, but don't make it an afterthought!), but overall it's a classic, trite country song. But I don't have a lot of faith that we'll ever hear another Zac Brown Band song on the charts again.
8) "Country Boy" - Alan Jackson
I think AJ is a classy, stand-up guy. But his song quality has been getting weaker and weaker with every passing release. Retire with dignity, man. This song is awful. Whoever is calling and requesting this song, please stop!
9) "Cowgirls Don't Cry" - Brooks and Dunn (featuring Reba McEntire)
Huh. I hate to pick on the legends. This song was written by Reba, apparently. She sings the final chorus (which is supposed to be what a man was saying when he died so it's an odd choice to have a female vocalizing it). It's kind of a boring, super repetitive song. I think the chorus is sung like 80 gazillion times. Please stop the pain. "If You See Him/If You See Her" is a much better Brooks and Dunn/Reba collaboration. Please play that in place of this awful song.
10) "God Love Her" - Toby Keith
I am a little ashamed to say this, but I love Toby Keith's music. Look, I don't agree with his politics and I know he's a bit of a jerkhead, but boy's got some chops. He is, rather single-handedly, keeping honky tonk music alive and on the charts. Say what you will about his extracurriculars, he knows music. This song...I couldn't help but sing along. Neither could the boy. We're not proud of it, but if you saw a gold pickup truck driving down I-35, I-94, I-74, or I-75 with two people screaming out the lyrics to some song riding in it, that was probably us singing this song.
11) "Roll with Me" - Montgomery Gentry
The first line of this song always sucks me in and makes me think they're going to play Gary Allan's "Bourbon Borderline" (my love for this song is recorded in this entry), but then they go and mess it all up by playing this boring song. I can't even remember what my major criticisms of the song were - probably just that it made me yawn and want to nap each time it came over the airwaves.
12) Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney/Taylor Swift anything
With the exception of "She Can't Be Really Gone" by Tim McGraw and anything my girl Taylor sings, these songs were immediately turned off. When McGraw and Chesney first began their overtaking of country music, I broke up with the radio for a bit. I have not warmed up to them. Can someone send a memo about the overplaying of these sappy, barely capable of a single octave, one note artists?
Dec. 22 - Drive to Quad Cities, Iowa
Dec. 26 - Drive to Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dec. 29 - Drive to Columbus, Ohio
Dec. 31 - Drive to Quad Cities, Iowa
Jan. 1 - Drive to Minneapolis, Minnesota
I do not recommend this itinerary to anyone riding in a car with a person who does not like to listen to TALK while driving. This means no NPR, no books on tape, no news updates...who travels like this? (I love my husband, but if there was any possible way to rewire his brain so nothing else changed but this...I'm pretty sure I would!)
Anyway, as I boycott anything with an i in front of it (ipod, itunes, ihateyouapple), this means we were effectively stuck listening to the radio. When driving through the midwest, your options for radio stations include god rock, classic rock, talk, top 40 (but seriously, I don't know those songs), and country. Once in a great while you will find an "oldies" station and those will be clung to, but generally speaking, we listen to country. I have a love/hate with country music radio. I love that it exists. I hate that it picks twenty songs and puts them in constant rotation.
Here are the dozen songs we heard over and over and over and over and over (and over!) again on our trip. They will forever be ingrained in my head as Christmas 2008.
1) "She Wouldn't Be Gone" - Blake Shelton
Basically this guy is a dick to his girlfriend (wife?) and then goes crazy when she leaves. I say he deserves everything he gets and there's nothing in the song that makes me feel sympathy for the narrator. So...after the first couple of times of trying to warm up to this song, I'd usually flick it off.
2) "Just a Dream" - Carrie Underwood
First of all, I find the switching of narrators too confusing in this song. It's in third person except for the chorus, which is in first person. Am I the only one who finds this distracting? Switching pronouns is too much for some of us to handle people!! The melodrama of this song is okay for me, but proved too much for the boy after about the fifth time. Oh, and if they were "merely" engaged, she wouldn't get the flag at the funeral, his next of kin (probably a parent) would.
*We also heard "Jesus Take the Wheel" a few times on this trip. The first time BB heard the chorus he started laughing. "That sounds like a brilliant plan."
3) "In Color" - Jamey Johnson
I appreciate a good story song. I like this one. I wish I hadn't heard it two dozen times in a row, but I like this song. It tells a simple tale in a simple way.
4) "I'll Walk" - Bucky Covington
Bucky and I go way back. My antipathy has been well documented. This song does not help matters. Melodrama from Carrie Underwood I'll take. She's a 25 year old female. Melodrama from Bucky Covington is unacceptable. He's in his 30s and should damn well know better. This songs sucks worse than the Philadelphia Eagles.
5) "Already Gone" - Sugarland
I love Jennifer Nettles' (Nettles's? screw possessives) voice. It's spectacular. I would have listened to this song every single time it came on the radio and turned it up if the boy had not been with me. He is not so much a lover. Sooo...split decision on this one folks.
6) "Anything Goes" - Randy Houser
Randy who? That's what you're thinking. That's right? Apparently he's a songwriter who's tyring to make it big with a generic, run of the mill sounding, awkwardly lyricized song. Good luck Randy!
7) "Chicken Fried" - Zac Brown Band
I heard an interview with the lead singer of this group and they said that they sat down and wrote a song that included everything that made them happy. Seriously. They wrote a song filled with cliches. And that means, of course, it makes me happy. Even the boy would occasionally bob his head. It's cheesy and they throw this patriotic part in the middle that doesn't really make sense (be patriotic by all means, but don't make it an afterthought!), but overall it's a classic, trite country song. But I don't have a lot of faith that we'll ever hear another Zac Brown Band song on the charts again.
8) "Country Boy" - Alan Jackson
I think AJ is a classy, stand-up guy. But his song quality has been getting weaker and weaker with every passing release. Retire with dignity, man. This song is awful. Whoever is calling and requesting this song, please stop!
9) "Cowgirls Don't Cry" - Brooks and Dunn (featuring Reba McEntire)
Huh. I hate to pick on the legends. This song was written by Reba, apparently. She sings the final chorus (which is supposed to be what a man was saying when he died so it's an odd choice to have a female vocalizing it). It's kind of a boring, super repetitive song. I think the chorus is sung like 80 gazillion times. Please stop the pain. "If You See Him/If You See Her" is a much better Brooks and Dunn/Reba collaboration. Please play that in place of this awful song.
10) "God Love Her" - Toby Keith
I am a little ashamed to say this, but I love Toby Keith's music. Look, I don't agree with his politics and I know he's a bit of a jerkhead, but boy's got some chops. He is, rather single-handedly, keeping honky tonk music alive and on the charts. Say what you will about his extracurriculars, he knows music. This song...I couldn't help but sing along. Neither could the boy. We're not proud of it, but if you saw a gold pickup truck driving down I-35, I-94, I-74, or I-75 with two people screaming out the lyrics to some song riding in it, that was probably us singing this song.
11) "Roll with Me" - Montgomery Gentry
The first line of this song always sucks me in and makes me think they're going to play Gary Allan's "Bourbon Borderline" (my love for this song is recorded in this entry), but then they go and mess it all up by playing this boring song. I can't even remember what my major criticisms of the song were - probably just that it made me yawn and want to nap each time it came over the airwaves.
12) Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney/Taylor Swift anything
With the exception of "She Can't Be Really Gone" by Tim McGraw and anything my girl Taylor sings, these songs were immediately turned off. When McGraw and Chesney first began their overtaking of country music, I broke up with the radio for a bit. I have not warmed up to them. Can someone send a memo about the overplaying of these sappy, barely capable of a single octave, one note artists?
45 x 365 - #56
56/365 - TK
The bickering between the two of you never stopped. You cheated. She found out. Your family was destroyed. Now you are disgustingly sweet together with your hand holding and couples therapy. Now she's going to have TWO (!) babies. You don't deserve her, her babies, her love.
The bickering between the two of you never stopped. You cheated. She found out. Your family was destroyed. Now you are disgustingly sweet together with your hand holding and couples therapy. Now she's going to have TWO (!) babies. You don't deserve her, her babies, her love.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
45 x 365 #55
55/365 - RH
The first time I saw you in an elevator, you looked at me like I was a piece of meat. I judged you chauvinistic instantly, but was proven wrong by your persuasively written feminist tracts. Lesson learned. Do not judge a book by elevator behavior.
The first time I saw you in an elevator, you looked at me like I was a piece of meat. I judged you chauvinistic instantly, but was proven wrong by your persuasively written feminist tracts. Lesson learned. Do not judge a book by elevator behavior.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Dear Tony
Dear Tony Dungy,
I want you to know that I had a sign all made up that said "Go Tony" for today's game against the San Diego Chargers. I want you to know that before the game started, I made my licorice spice tea, curled up under a fleece blanket on the couch, smiled at my little sign, and prepared to watch your team kick the crap out of the Chargers.
I also want you to know that when the game ended up going into overtime, I had to leave the room. I couldn't take the stress and I started chewing my nails. I wanted to be there to cheer you and Payton and Adam and all my other Colts on, but I failed you. I went into our office and wrote a lesson plan to keep my mind off the stressful nature of the playoffs. I want you to know that I will never do that again. When you lost that game, I knew deep in my heart that it was my fault because I left the room.
I know you are considering retiring after this season. I hope that you don't. You are the classiest coach in football and I love watching you week after week. Please don't let this defeat (to the Chargers! ergh!) have anything to do with your decision. After all, this defeat was caused by me choking at the end of your playoff game - it had nothing to do with your coaching and everything to do with me leaving the room. Please don't retire! We need you! The NFL needs you to set an example of how a coach should act and be.
I'm sorry I have failed you, Tony. But thank you for being everything a real man, a real coach, and a real person should be.
Your Fan Forever,
P. S. If you do end up coming back next year, can we get some new people to help you decide on challenges? You are not so good with the throwing of the red flag and it's starting to grate on my nerves!!
****************************
I have decided that I'm going to enter this into Scribbit's Write-Away contest this month, because it fits so well with her theme of "The Finish Line." I hope it's not the actual finish line for Tony Dungy, but this year's season is officially over for the Colts.
I want you to know that I had a sign all made up that said "Go Tony" for today's game against the San Diego Chargers. I want you to know that before the game started, I made my licorice spice tea, curled up under a fleece blanket on the couch, smiled at my little sign, and prepared to watch your team kick the crap out of the Chargers.
I also want you to know that when the game ended up going into overtime, I had to leave the room. I couldn't take the stress and I started chewing my nails. I wanted to be there to cheer you and Payton and Adam and all my other Colts on, but I failed you. I went into our office and wrote a lesson plan to keep my mind off the stressful nature of the playoffs. I want you to know that I will never do that again. When you lost that game, I knew deep in my heart that it was my fault because I left the room.
I know you are considering retiring after this season. I hope that you don't. You are the classiest coach in football and I love watching you week after week. Please don't let this defeat (to the Chargers! ergh!) have anything to do with your decision. After all, this defeat was caused by me choking at the end of your playoff game - it had nothing to do with your coaching and everything to do with me leaving the room. Please don't retire! We need you! The NFL needs you to set an example of how a coach should act and be.
I'm sorry I have failed you, Tony. But thank you for being everything a real man, a real coach, and a real person should be.
Your Fan Forever,
P. S. If you do end up coming back next year, can we get some new people to help you decide on challenges? You are not so good with the throwing of the red flag and it's starting to grate on my nerves!!
****************************
I have decided that I'm going to enter this into Scribbit's Write-Away contest this month, because it fits so well with her theme of "The Finish Line." I hope it's not the actual finish line for Tony Dungy, but this year's season is officially over for the Colts.
45 x 365 #54
54/365 - GC
You married her within six months of her widowhood. People raised eyebrows, but your love for her was palpable. You held her when she cried, paid the bills she couldn't face, and held her hand during sad movies. Those people who judged - they didn't see.
You married her within six months of her widowhood. People raised eyebrows, but your love for her was palpable. You held her when she cried, paid the bills she couldn't face, and held her hand during sad movies. Those people who judged - they didn't see.
Friday, January 02, 2009
The Year in Review or Why Our Wedding Rocked
Everyone's doing this, so I thought I'd join in, just because I don't really have the energy to report on our holiday events. The stories will trickle in from these last two weeks, but here's something to reorient me to writing complete sentences.
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Got married.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I never make resolutions. However, I'm going to try really hard to be nicer next year - nicer in my thoughts, actions, and writing.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Let's not talk about the large number of babies that descended upon us in the last year. I may end up at the Baby Gap web site again and I don't think I can afford that right now.
4. Did anyone close to you die? No, but my uncle died and we did make a trip out to Pennsylvania for the funeral.
5. What countries did you visit? Stayed in this year.
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Job security.
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 24, the day we got married.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Planning the wedding while working three jobs. I know I almost lost my mind here, but our wedding was so moving and so us that, in all modesty, I have to say it was the best wedding ever.
9. What was your biggest failure? Let's not talk about my lack of writing on the dissertation. It's too distressing.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Oh, of course. I had the kidney stone in March and broke my hand in November. Both remarkably fun events, I assure you.
11. What was the best thing you bought? My new boots! Seriously, I haven't written about them, but I had been stalking them at Macy's for months. I went in, petted them and tried them on, over and over again. But they were just too expensive to justify. But then, Macy's had a designer shoe sale (25% off!) and then 10% off that if you signed up for a Macy's credit card, so I did. And these boots were still more expensive than any other footwear I've ever owned, but they are beautiful and comfortable and well worth it.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? The guests at our wedding who made it memorable and fun. The manager at our site, the bartender, AND our photographer all commented on how fabulous our guests were. They danced, had a good time, were lovely to all the folks working the wedding, and were the best wedding guests a couple could ask for.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? All the people shouting "oil, baby, oil" at the Republican convention. I can't tell you how disturbing it was.
14. Where did most of your money go? The wedding and groceries.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The wedding. If I had known all my answers would be about the wedding, I could have saved you all the time of reading this and simply directed you to some wedding posts.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008? "Nothing Matters When We're Dancing" by the Magnetic Fields. It was the first song we danced to at our wedding and it is super duper sweet.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? fatter; let's just say that getting married has been delightful for my food intake!
c) richer or poorer? about the same
18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Working on my dissertation.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Dreaming dreams that my fiance was going to die.
20. How did you spend Christmas? At my in-laws' house.
21. Did you fall in love in 2008? I fall in love with my dear husband more every day. That's schmaltzy and sort of nauseating, but so true. Even right now, as he's catching up on the Fail Blog and he's laughing so hard he has tears in his eyes, it's hard not to think that I am the luckiest woman in the world for managing to convince this man that he has to hang out with me for the rest of our lives.
22. What was your favorite TV program? Sunday night football of course! John Madden, will you come to dinner sometime? And talk about how things are ticky-tack?
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Sarah Palin.
24. What was the best book you read? Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life. This book had a huge impact on what I buy at the grocery store and how I consider food. We are very foodcentric in our household and this book only cemented that fact even more so.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Taylor Swift!! On Christmas Eve, I totally squeed with BB's 13-year old cousin when she opened up a gift to find the new TS album. We immediately ran off into the bedroom together to listen as the rest of the family looked on in bemusement.
26. What did you want and get? A wonderful, patient, loving husband who was with me through all the holidays. (And an engagement ring I can wear!! We got it fixed!! And it's still gold!)
27. What did you want and not get? A vacuum cleaner. I'm going to have to buy one for myself,I am guessing. My boys in Detroit winning ONE game. A new Bowling Green State University lunch bag.
28. What was your favorite film of this year? WALL-E, hands down. Although Bolt comes in second.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I babysat on my birthday and went out to dinner with the boy. I was 29.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Progress on my dissertation.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Sleeved dresses!!
32. What kept you sane? The boy. John Madden. Green tea. Working out. Etsy. Sleeping in on Sundays. Cheese.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? I must admit that most of my crushes are football crushes. John Madden, of course. Tony Dungy. Drew Brees. The Manning brothers, although they could certainly use a trip to a barber shop.
34. What political issue stirred you the most? Gay marriage. I can get worked up like you wouldn't believe over this. It's a civil rights issue and I hope that someday everyone will be allowed equal rights and get the same benefits, both administratively and symbolically, that I am able to share with my husband. It's just plain ridiculous that we have a stratified system based on intolerance, ignorance, and injustice.
35. Who did you miss? My bestest friend. I wish she lived here and I could see her every day. I worry about her, I miss her, and I love her. Please come live here!!
36. Who was the best new person you met? LBI. I have to say she was the cutest, tiniest baby I have ever held and as she gets bigger every time I see her, she changes so much it's remarkable.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Sometimes it's best to shut the hell up.
45 x 365 #53
53/365 - SH
I fell in love with you while I dated him. The dating didn't work out. I sobbed on you, knowing our relationship was over. I sent you a Christmas card one year later. You never sent one back. This time of year, I'm sad again.
I fell in love with you while I dated him. The dating didn't work out. I sobbed on you, knowing our relationship was over. I sent you a Christmas card one year later. You never sent one back. This time of year, I'm sad again.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
45 x 365 #52
52/365 - BB
You were a melancholy teenager who accepted motherhood young. When times got tough, your kids got taken away, but you fought hard to get them back. I remember thinking there was more to you underneath that surface and I was glad you proved me right.
You were a melancholy teenager who accepted motherhood young. When times got tough, your kids got taken away, but you fought hard to get them back. I remember thinking there was more to you underneath that surface and I was glad you proved me right.
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