Monday night, relaxing inside while it's frigidly cold outside. The high today was 14 degrees. The low is below zero. Brrrr! To keep warm, I'm watching PBS Antiques Roadshow and surfing the internet. S is playing a high-stakes game of Spider (you know, solitaire).
Monday, February 11, 2008
a cold Monday night
Dragon Mood? -- sipping hot raspberry tea, relaxing
Monday night, relaxing inside while it's frigidly cold outside. The high today was 14 degrees. The low is below zero. Brrrr! To keep warm, I'm watching PBS Antiques Roadshow and surfing the internet. S is playing a high-stakes game of Spider (you know, solitaire).
Monday night, relaxing inside while it's frigidly cold outside. The high today was 14 degrees. The low is below zero. Brrrr! To keep warm, I'm watching PBS Antiques Roadshow and surfing the internet. S is playing a high-stakes game of Spider (you know, solitaire).
Saturday, February 09, 2008
It's all OFFICIAL now!
Dragon Mood? -- eating licorice and still waking up
Yup, it's still sinking in but I'm all OFFICIAL now: a honest-to-goodness, bona fide employee of The Company. (big sigh) WOW!
Mondays and Fridays tend to be the busiest days of the week for me at work. Yesterday was no exception. Work was flying in faster than I could process it or send it back out. And ... Murphy's Law was making an unwelcome appearance in my work universe; anything that could go wrong, did. Suffice to say that by 3:30 p.m., my scheduled time to head home, I was still up to my ears in alligators, beating back the chaos. At 3:45, my phone rings. It's an HR person asking if we can meet in 15 minutes for me to SIGN THE PAPERS? Are you kidding? YOU BET! So-o-ooo, I guess there was a good reason that my workday was chaotic and I was delayed leaving. I filled out forms, printed and signed my name several times over, including the all-important W-4 form. Uncle Sam must have his share.
And, while I haven't blogged about this, another aspect of this, subtle-yet-pretty-darn-important transition is that I AM NO LONGER A CONTRACT WORKER. I am a salaried employee. What does that mean? Well, a very concrete example is that I was ill with the flu on Monday and Tuesday of this week. That would be my second and third day on the payroll with The Company. As a salaried employee, I GOT PAID while at home, laying in my bed with that sledgehammer headache and my roiling, nauseated stomach. Imagine that! In my work universe, that's an UNKNOWN thing! You work, you get paid. You don't work, you don't get paid. That's what I've known for the past eighteen years. Forgive me, dear diary, if this ol' brain still hasn't quite got its figurative arms wrapped around that NEW CONCEPT!
And my apologies for all the CAPS in this post, but this feels BIG, ya know? I've got to express all these feelings somehow!
Yup, it's still sinking in but I'm all OFFICIAL now: a honest-to-goodness, bona fide employee of The Company. (big sigh) WOW!
And, while I haven't blogged about this, another aspect of this, subtle-yet-pretty-darn-important transition is that I AM NO LONGER A CONTRACT WORKER. I am a salaried employee. What does that mean? Well, a very concrete example is that I was ill with the flu on Monday and Tuesday of this week. That would be my second and third day on the payroll with The Company. As a salaried employee, I GOT PAID while at home, laying in my bed with that sledgehammer headache and my roiling, nauseated stomach. Imagine that! In my work universe, that's an UNKNOWN thing! You work, you get paid. You don't work, you don't get paid. That's what I've known for the past eighteen years. Forgive me, dear diary, if this ol' brain still hasn't quite got its figurative arms wrapped around that NEW CONCEPT!
And my apologies for all the CAPS in this post, but this feels BIG, ya know? I've got to express all these feelings somehow!
New-to-me website
Dragon Mood? -- sleepy, waking-up mood
Here's a new-to-me website that I've visited several times in the past week: Unclutterer. It's a blog about living and working in a simpler, uncluttered environment. It's a group blog. Check it out.
Here's a new-to-me website that I've visited several times in the past week: Unclutterer. It's a blog about living and working in a simpler, uncluttered environment. It's a group blog. Check it out.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Opportunities AND Patience
Dragon Mood? -- positive, hopeful
For a little weekend, astrologically-oriented diversion, here are some short-term forecasts for me, myself and I. You know, the three faces of Mary? Forecast to begin this month ... Oh! .... and these are compliments of Astrodienst.
Jupiter trine Jupiter: An opportunity
Beginning of February 2008 until end of September 2008: This influence usually represents a time of optimism and positive thinking in your life. You seem to be at a quiet point of balance that enables you to look over the affairs of your life and get a good perspective on them. Therefore, it is a good time to make long-range plans and to reorganize. You should use this time to gain new perspectives through education or travel or by participating in one of the consciousness raising activities or groups that exist now.
This is a time of psychological and physical equilibrium. If you have recently been ill in either body or mind, this influence will help tremendously with the healing process.
This is also a good time to examine your ideals and your goals, for it may be possible to actualize them in various ways now. At other times there is too much tension in your life or too much resistance from others. If you are involved in any movement for reform, now is a good time to take some positive action. Or you might become more involved in religion or philosophy, because you need to know much that is beyond the apparent order of things.
It is quite possible that you will do nothing during this time, because it gives you a feeling of balance but no drive to do anything in particular. You have an unusual sense of ease and relaxation now. This is also a good time to travel, both for relaxation and for educational reasons.
The important point to remember with this influence is that it is fundamentally an opportunity. You will not feel driven by any energies, nor will you feel any resistance to your efforts to do something. You can make great use of this time, but you have to take the initiative.
Neptune opposition Pluto: Please wait
End of February 2008 until mid December 2009: This influence signifies encounters that cause various aspects of your life to be transformed. Most commonly, this transformation will take the form of disappearances of persons, circumstances or even possessions that you have become used to. You will also encounter forces that try to reveal aspects of your life that you have long kept hidden from yourself. Initially you will probably resist these revelations, believing that they cannot teach you anything very constructive. An influence like this often reveals aspects of ourselves that we have been taught to consider evil or at least negative. These aspects are often a source of positive energy, but because we refuse to acknowledge them, that energy is wasted and is usually out of our control. There will be much psychological compulsiveness at this time, but the less you resist facing yourself, the less difficulty you will have.
On another level you will be shown a spiritual dimension of your existence that can immensely broaden your life and experience, if you are willing to look at it. This dimension may seem so far beyond your ordinary life that you will consider it impossible to accept, but this knowledge is necessary for your growth.
On a practical level, avoid taking at face value any new encounters with persons or circumstances. Even when persons are not trying to deceive you, they may do so unintentionally, because you won't immediately understand what they are really showing you. Until you have arrived at this level of understanding, simply adopt a waiting attitude and commit yourself to as little as possible.
For a little weekend, astrologically-oriented diversion, here are some short-term forecasts for me, myself and I. You know, the three faces of Mary? Forecast to begin this month ... Oh! .... and these are compliments of Astrodienst.
Beginning of February 2008 until end of September 2008: This influence usually represents a time of optimism and positive thinking in your life. You seem to be at a quiet point of balance that enables you to look over the affairs of your life and get a good perspective on them. Therefore, it is a good time to make long-range plans and to reorganize. You should use this time to gain new perspectives through education or travel or by participating in one of the consciousness raising activities or groups that exist now.
This is a time of psychological and physical equilibrium. If you have recently been ill in either body or mind, this influence will help tremendously with the healing process.
This is also a good time to examine your ideals and your goals, for it may be possible to actualize them in various ways now. At other times there is too much tension in your life or too much resistance from others. If you are involved in any movement for reform, now is a good time to take some positive action. Or you might become more involved in religion or philosophy, because you need to know much that is beyond the apparent order of things.
It is quite possible that you will do nothing during this time, because it gives you a feeling of balance but no drive to do anything in particular. You have an unusual sense of ease and relaxation now. This is also a good time to travel, both for relaxation and for educational reasons.
The important point to remember with this influence is that it is fundamentally an opportunity. You will not feel driven by any energies, nor will you feel any resistance to your efforts to do something. You can make great use of this time, but you have to take the initiative.
Neptune opposition Pluto: Please wait
End of February 2008 until mid December 2009: This influence signifies encounters that cause various aspects of your life to be transformed. Most commonly, this transformation will take the form of disappearances of persons, circumstances or even possessions that you have become used to. You will also encounter forces that try to reveal aspects of your life that you have long kept hidden from yourself. Initially you will probably resist these revelations, believing that they cannot teach you anything very constructive. An influence like this often reveals aspects of ourselves that we have been taught to consider evil or at least negative. These aspects are often a source of positive energy, but because we refuse to acknowledge them, that energy is wasted and is usually out of our control. There will be much psychological compulsiveness at this time, but the less you resist facing yourself, the less difficulty you will have.
On another level you will be shown a spiritual dimension of your existence that can immensely broaden your life and experience, if you are willing to look at it. This dimension may seem so far beyond your ordinary life that you will consider it impossible to accept, but this knowledge is necessary for your growth.
On a practical level, avoid taking at face value any new encounters with persons or circumstances. Even when persons are not trying to deceive you, they may do so unintentionally, because you won't immediately understand what they are really showing you. Until you have arrived at this level of understanding, simply adopt a waiting attitude and commit yourself to as little as possible.
Happy Birthday, Aunt Doris!
Dragon Mood? -- cozy & warm on the internet
Saturday morning, once again home amongst the pine trees, now covered in soft, fluffy snow. We had a storm blow through all of lower Michigan yesterday that dumped various amounts of snow: Detroit less, mid-Michigan more. Thankfully, we didn't get hit with the worst of it and I was able to go to work yesterday and drive back here last night.
Today is my Aunt Doris's 84th birthday. So here's a BIG internet-ish, cyber-ific HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her! On a more 'grounded' level, I called her on my cell phone, sang "Happy Birthday" to her and we chatted for 30 minutes or so. It was a good conversation. What a woman! At 84, I'd love to have her spunk, her get-up-and-go, her optimism!
Saturday morning, once again home amongst the pine trees, now covered in soft, fluffy snow. We had a storm blow through all of lower Michigan yesterday that dumped various amounts of snow: Detroit less, mid-Michigan more. Thankfully, we didn't get hit with the worst of it and I was able to go to work yesterday and drive back here last night.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Hoping metamorphosed
Dragon Mood? -- excited, pleased, happy
What I've been hoping for has finally happened? Bush out of office? Nope, we've still got to endure another 11 months 24 days 1 hours 47 minutes 9 seconds of his leadership (see this site). Spartans clinching the Big Ten championship? Nope, but they're definitely on track to do so. My big news is that I got an o-fficial job offer from The Company I've been working for the past seven months -- a bonafide, slightly-more-money offer of direct employment! Whoo-hoo!!
What I've been hoping for has finally happened? Bush out of office? Nope, we've still got to endure another 11 months 24 days 1 hours 47 minutes 9 seconds of his leadership (see this site). Spartans clinching the Big Ten championship? Nope, but they're definitely on track to do so. My big news is that I got an o-fficial job offer from The Company I've been working for the past seven months -- a bonafide, slightly-more-money offer of direct employment! Whoo-hoo!!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Friday post
Halleleujah, it's Friday! This has felt like a lo-o-oooong week and I'm ready for a three-day weekend.
I still have heard nothing from The Company's HR Department regarding being offered a direct position. Everyone I have spoken to forewarned me to expect a long, unpredictable wait. Looks like their predictions may be accurate.
S and I met with our builder on Tuesday night. Other than a few odds and ends, he's pretty well wrapped up the remodeling of the front of our pied-a-terre. It looks fabulous! It really does ... better than I could have imagined or anticipated. The building inspector came by yesterday (Thursday) and put his stamp of approval on it, as well. We'll probably need to pay Paul his last draw here within the week.
Wednesday afternoon, Paul's best buddy, Tim, came by and picked up all the scrap metal left from the remodeling. He was going to take it to a recycling place and hopefully get $100-200 for the lot of it. Tim is unemployed, struggling to make ends meet and we appreciated all his help on the project. I was happy he was willing to haul it all off and also happy to see our driveway, clear and open again.
I'm going to post this now and hopefully I can post again before the day is done!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Welcome email
Ireceived a welcome email the other day; it was entitled "Company Opportunity" and was an invitation to fill out an application for direct employment with The Company that I've been working with for the past seven months.
I went in to my boss's boss's office and thanked him for the opportunity to apply. He encouraged me to fill it out that evening and get it turned in the next morning -- all of which I did.
This morning, I heard from an account executive for the contract house with whom I've been working. He informed that The Company wanted to know what they (the contract house) were paying me. Eek!
I'm feeling excited and yet scared that The Company may extend me an offer that will include a low-ball salary. I'm not quite sure how to handle that. My income has either declined or been flat (and flat with inflation, to my way of thinking, is equivalent to declining) for the past eight years. Talk about the eroding middle-class income! I could be the poster child for that!
I asked for an annual salary that is 20% above what I currently make ... and currently I'm paid strictly as an hourly worker.
I need to talk to some people. Some of my peeps, you know? Get a feel as to what to expect. What's reasonable. What's not. Stay tuned.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Hoping it's not too late to say ...
Dragon Mood? -- rusty and uncertain
Happy New Year to everyone! ....... I have been SO OUT OF IT with regard to blogging, I hardly know where to start. Curious, isn't it, how rusty and unfamiliar my blogging skills have become?
S and I returned from a brief vacation to Washington D.C. early New Year's Eve. We had time to order some Chinese take-out, pick up a couple of videos and settle in for a quiet celebration before 12 inches of snow began to fall. Whew, that was close! We both felt immensely grateful that we didn't have to drive the 570+ miles through snow and slippery roads to get home.
Other updates: I am currently in my seventh month of the new job, in which I am feeling much more confidence, as well as comfortableness with my coworkers. My boss wrote a letter of recommendation that I be hired direct about a month ago. The wheels of the Human Resources Department grind slowly so I've heard nothing yet, but I'm hopeful.
Update on our pied-a-terre: The remodeling that was supposed to take a couple of weeks is now approaching two months. Our builder, Paul, sadly had to layoff his crew for lack of work, so the work is being done by Paul and his friend, Tim. A crew of two builds more slowly than a crew of five or six. Also, Mother Nature has blessed us with several good snowstorms as well as some unusually frigid temperatures that would chase even the hardiest outdoors person inside to a warm room.
Here are a couple of pictures of the latest and greatest on the house:
Suffice to say that we're pleased with the results and dealing with the slowed pace of progress on the house. We're both looking forward to sitting on our new porch when spring arrives!
There's lots more to tell, but I'll call this good for now and hit the "Publish Post" button. It feels good to return to blogging.
Happy New Year to everyone! ....... I have been SO OUT OF IT with regard to blogging, I hardly know where to start. Curious, isn't it, how rusty and unfamiliar my blogging skills have become?
S and I returned from a brief vacation to Washington D.C. early New Year's Eve. We had time to order some Chinese take-out, pick up a couple of videos and settle in for a quiet celebration before 12 inches of snow began to fall. Whew, that was close! We both felt immensely grateful that we didn't have to drive the 570+ miles through snow and slippery roads to get home.
Other updates: I am currently in my seventh month of the new job, in which I am feeling much more confidence, as well as comfortableness with my coworkers. My boss wrote a letter of recommendation that I be hired direct about a month ago. The wheels of the Human Resources Department grind slowly so I've heard nothing yet, but I'm hopeful.
Update on our pied-a-terre: The remodeling that was supposed to take a couple of weeks is now approaching two months. Our builder, Paul, sadly had to layoff his crew for lack of work, so the work is being done by Paul and his friend, Tim. A crew of two builds more slowly than a crew of five or six. Also, Mother Nature has blessed us with several good snowstorms as well as some unusually frigid temperatures that would chase even the hardiest outdoors person inside to a warm room.
Here are a couple of pictures of the latest and greatest on the house:
Suffice to say that we're pleased with the results and dealing with the slowed pace of progress on the house. We're both looking forward to sitting on our new porch when spring arrives!
There's lots more to tell, but I'll call this good for now and hit the "Publish Post" button. It feels good to return to blogging.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Blogging hiatus
I've been on such a blogging hiatus these past two months, I'm feeling incredibly sheepish and a tiny bit intimidated at even posting something ... now. Don't ask me why I haven't blogged. The answer is too simple -- I got a job.
I am now five months plus into my shiny brand-new job and still enjoying it very much. More than anything, I like the variety of my days. And for me, so easily bored, that is huge. There is also a fair amount of repetition in what I do, which also satisfies my need to get into a routine and get better and better at those repetitive tasks. I find satisfaction in that as well.
There has been some talk with both my boss and my boss's boss about hiring me direct. I hope it happens sooner rather than later. The security of a permanent position would feel far better to me than the contract ones I've held for so long.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Vacation
Dragon Mood? -- ???
hello, remember me? I've been gone on a blog-vacation, a lo-o-o-oooong blog vacation but I'm BAAAACK!
hello, remember me? I've been gone on a blog-vacation, a lo-o-o-oooong blog vacation but I'm BAAAACK!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Kind of java person?
Dragon Mood? -- ???
Found this fun little quiz at LutheranChik's "L" Word Diary -- oops, I first typed it "Dairy!" ............... So, what kind of coffee am I?
[Update] And here's S's coffee type (I read her the questions through the window while she smoked and drank coffee out on the backyard patio -- ha-ha):
Found this fun little quiz at LutheranChik's "L" Word Diary -- oops, I first typed it "Dairy!" ............... So, what kind of coffee am I?
| Mary, You Are an Irish Coffee! |
 At your best, you are: wild, spontaneous, and outgoing At your worst, you are: too extreme and reckless You drink coffee when: you want to keep drinking booze Your caffeine addiction level: low |
[Update] And here's S's coffee type (I read her the questions through the window while she smoked and drank coffee out on the backyard patio -- ha-ha):
| S, You Are an Espresso! |
 At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high |
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Job Update ... again
Dragon Mood? -- happy and NOT bored
In the middle of my THIRTEENTH week at my shiny-brand-new job. Thirteen's my lucky number. 'Nuff said.
In the middle of my THIRTEENTH week at my shiny-brand-new job. Thirteen's my lucky number. 'Nuff said.
Oh, deer!*
Dragon Mood? -- did it really happen?
Time has been slipping by, far more quickly than I had realized, since my last post. That post was all about a tree falling on our roof during a destructive storm here in the Motor City.
Sunday night, Mother Nature's second hammer -- so to speak -- fell. Driving home from our friends, J & J, along a two-lane country road, a deer jumped out of nowhere and hit my car, cracked my windshield and tumbled the entire length of my car over the roof. I wasn't hurt. It all happened SO fast, it took more than a few seconds to register what had just happened. The deer's face and then the cracked windshield verified it for me.
My car's in the shop for all of this week and next. The estimate is at around $2400. Ouch! This is one time that you won't hear me bad-mouthing insurance companies ... at least yet!
* With a nod and an apology to mijita, Carolina, for the title.
Time has been slipping by, far more quickly than I had realized, since my last post. That post was all about a tree falling on our roof during a destructive storm here in the Motor City.
My car's in the shop for all of this week and next. The estimate is at around $2400. Ouch! This is one time that you won't hear me bad-mouthing insurance companies ... at least yet!
* With a nod and an apology to mijita, Carolina, for the title.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Wild night
Dragon Mood? -- slightly embattled
While putting together the previous post, I also was watching the local TV weather guy reporting on an oncoming storm. It looked big, substantial and in some areas, downright nasty. Turns out, we got the nasty.
Still at the pied-a-terre in Detroit, S and I heard the distant rumbling of thunder coming closer and closer. We stood outside on our front porch, watching the western sky. S pointed out that the clouds were going one direction and the trees were blowing another. While out there, the wind suddenly picked up speed; the storm was literally "blowing" in.
We headed inside to check the weather report again. S suddenly yelled to open the windows (we had the A/C on) to provide some pressure relief. As I opened the window, another gust blew by. The force of it felt downright scary. The rain was blowing sideways. S ran upstairs to open the windows on both ends of our gable-roof second story. I heard a curious "whooshing" sound and ran to the front door. When I opened the door, there was our street tree, suddenly embracing and enclosing our front porch and the aluminum awning over it. It had blown down on our house! I was stunned!
The rain continued to pour down, sideways, and the wind blew like you see on TV when they're showing hurricanes. Amazing! We wanted to go outside and see what our house looked like, but the rain and the lightning were too much ... so we waited.
We heard a voice yelling, ran to the front window and looked out. Our neighbor, Ryan, was standing there in a windbreaker and flip-flops, drenched. "Are you okay?" he asked. We ran out to join him, but didn't stay long; the rain was still too heavy. And the lightning was still too frequent, one or more strikes a minute.
After a while, we ventured out again, the rain lighter by now, and scoped out our fallen tree and damaged house. The front awning is definitely crunched on one side. The tree was literally lifted up, sod, roots and all, and laid down on our roof. There is a giant earthen bulge in the area between the street and the newly-laid concrete sidewalk, tree still attached to the bulge. Weird-looking!
By 8 or 8:30, we could hear chain saws going in the distance. Shortly after dark, we could see truck lights down at the end of our street. There was a tree across the road there. Just four houses north of us, another tree had been uprooted and laid across the street, grazing and damaging a brand-new Mercedes Benz and some other late-model car. With regard to that, I felt especially fortunate. While the storm was uprooting our tree, my car sat parked on the street, literally within three feet of the destroyed tree. Wow!
After the initial shock, the street acquired almost a party atmosphere. People were walking and bicycling by, stopping to take pictures of our tree and the other ones on our street with their cellphone cameras. People are funny! There were big truck rigs, burly guys with chain saws cutting up the trees blocking the road, the smell of diesel fuel and sawdust everywhere. We talked to city officials hurrying in in their official city pickups, hey, we've got a tree on our roof. They checked it out, said sorry, we've got worse situations that we need to take care of first. We'll be back later.
And they were. Around 3:30 this morning! Yup, a crew of at least 8 to 10 guys and one woman showed up at 3:30 and by 4:30 they were done. The tree was down, the big logs cut and piled alongside the street on the earthen bulge, and all the foliage and debris raked up and fed into a giant wood chipper. S was so envious. She said she'd love to have a chipper that size!
I headed to bed around 5 a.m. I was just starting to drift off when I heard these deep rumbling sounds. I touched S and said, "It's starting to thunder again."
"No," she said, "they're picking up the logs."
I ran to a front window, and sure enough, she was right. There was a huge truck with a giant claw attached to its back. A worker was maneuvering the claw to pick up each 4 to 6-feet-long log and drop it in the back of the truck. Hence, the deep rumbling sounds!
Finally, about 5:30 this morning, I fell asleep. What a night! It's one I won't forget for awhile, you can bet on that!
[I hope to post pictures tomorrow. For now, I'm pooped and still need to drive to the other house, the one with ALL the trees. Ha-ha.]
While putting together the previous post, I also was watching the local TV weather guy reporting on an oncoming storm. It looked big, substantial and in some areas, downright nasty. Turns out, we got the nasty.
We headed inside to check the weather report again. S suddenly yelled to open the windows (we had the A/C on) to provide some pressure relief. As I opened the window, another gust blew by. The force of it felt downright scary. The rain was blowing sideways. S ran upstairs to open the windows on both ends of our gable-roof second story. I heard a curious "whooshing" sound and ran to the front door. When I opened the door, there was our street tree, suddenly embracing and enclosing our front porch and the aluminum awning over it. It had blown down on our house! I was stunned!
The rain continued to pour down, sideways, and the wind blew like you see on TV when they're showing hurricanes. Amazing! We wanted to go outside and see what our house looked like, but the rain and the lightning were too much ... so we waited.
We heard a voice yelling, ran to the front window and looked out. Our neighbor, Ryan, was standing there in a windbreaker and flip-flops, drenched. "Are you okay?" he asked. We ran out to join him, but didn't stay long; the rain was still too heavy. And the lightning was still too frequent, one or more strikes a minute.
After a while, we ventured out again, the rain lighter by now, and scoped out our fallen tree and damaged house. The front awning is definitely crunched on one side. The tree was literally lifted up, sod, roots and all, and laid down on our roof. There is a giant earthen bulge in the area between the street and the newly-laid concrete sidewalk, tree still attached to the bulge. Weird-looking!
By 8 or 8:30, we could hear chain saws going in the distance. Shortly after dark, we could see truck lights down at the end of our street. There was a tree across the road there. Just four houses north of us, another tree had been uprooted and laid across the street, grazing and damaging a brand-new Mercedes Benz and some other late-model car. With regard to that, I felt especially fortunate. While the storm was uprooting our tree, my car sat parked on the street, literally within three feet of the destroyed tree. Wow!
After the initial shock, the street acquired almost a party atmosphere. People were walking and bicycling by, stopping to take pictures of our tree and the other ones on our street with their cellphone cameras. People are funny! There were big truck rigs, burly guys with chain saws cutting up the trees blocking the road, the smell of diesel fuel and sawdust everywhere. We talked to city officials hurrying in in their official city pickups, hey, we've got a tree on our roof. They checked it out, said sorry, we've got worse situations that we need to take care of first. We'll be back later.
And they were. Around 3:30 this morning! Yup, a crew of at least 8 to 10 guys and one woman showed up at 3:30 and by 4:30 they were done. The tree was down, the big logs cut and piled alongside the street on the earthen bulge, and all the foliage and debris raked up and fed into a giant wood chipper. S was so envious. She said she'd love to have a chipper that size!
I headed to bed around 5 a.m. I was just starting to drift off when I heard these deep rumbling sounds. I touched S and said, "It's starting to thunder again."
"No," she said, "they're picking up the logs."
I ran to a front window, and sure enough, she was right. There was a huge truck with a giant claw attached to its back. A worker was maneuvering the claw to pick up each 4 to 6-feet-long log and drop it in the back of the truck. Hence, the deep rumbling sounds!
Finally, about 5:30 this morning, I fell asleep. What a night! It's one I won't forget for awhile, you can bet on that!
[I hope to post pictures tomorrow. For now, I'm pooped and still need to drive to the other house, the one with ALL the trees. Ha-ha.]
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Anticipating September 6th
Dragon Mood? -- remembering & ruminating
September 6th ... did somebody say September 6th? Yeah, somebody did. I heard it at work. In my world, that day will always be Nana's birthday. Nana, my maternal grandmother. I wrote about her here. And here's the ensuing conversation between Me and Myself:
Me: How old would Nana be now?
Myself: 106
Me: 106!
Myself: That's a looong time! (looking up, calculating)
Me: Yeah!
Myself: Well, how old are you now?
Me: I'm 54.
Myself: Yeah, well ... that's a looong time too! You're more than halfway to Nana's current-but-not-here age.
September 6th ... did somebody say September 6th? Yeah, somebody did. I heard it at work. In my world, that day will always be Nana's birthday. Nana, my maternal grandmother. I wrote about her here. And here's the ensuing conversation between Me and Myself:
Myself: 106
Me: 106!
Myself: That's a looong time! (looking up, calculating)
Me: Yeah!
Myself: Well, how old are you now?
Me: I'm 54.
Myself: Yeah, well ... that's a looong time too! You're more than halfway to Nana's current-but-not-here age.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Again, with the positivity!
Dragon Mood? -- attempting to swing BACK to positivity
And now, for more viewing pleasure ... please reference this posting.
And now, for more viewing pleasure ... please reference this posting.
Iraq & Vietnam -- No comparison
Dragon Mood? -- only slightly pissed off
Trying to keep my slightly more positive outlook, but detouring back into some momentary negativity, I heard the Commander-in-Chief-Idiot compare Iraq to Vietnam. And you know what? I don't care. I really don't care about your stupid comparisons.
First of all, I don't believe you. I think you're the ultimate puppet, the talking head -- make that talking EMPTY head -- just parroting what you've been told. Told by the Chief Architect of Lies, Mr. Liar-Himself Rove.
Secondly, if you're a parent who has lost a son or daughter in Iraq, does it comfort you to know that Iraq is like Vietnam? If you're a little kid who's lost his mommy or daddy in Iraq, can that comparison comfort you in the dark of night when you need comforting? I don't think so.
Thirdly, Iraq is engaged in a civil war, a tribal war. We should not be in the middle of a tribal war, between TRIBES, for crying out loud. All they want to do is KILL EACH OTHER!
Take your insipid, smoke-and-mirrors comparisons, Mr. C-I-C-Idiot, and stick them where the sun don't shine!
Trying to keep my slightly more positive outlook, but detouring back into some momentary negativity, I heard the Commander-in-Chief-Idiot compare Iraq to Vietnam. And you know what? I don't care. I really don't care about your stupid comparisons.
Secondly, if you're a parent who has lost a son or daughter in Iraq, does it comfort you to know that Iraq is like Vietnam? If you're a little kid who's lost his mommy or daddy in Iraq, can that comparison comfort you in the dark of night when you need comforting? I don't think so.
Thirdly, Iraq is engaged in a civil war, a tribal war. We should not be in the middle of a tribal war, between TRIBES, for crying out loud. All they want to do is KILL EACH OTHER!
Take your insipid, smoke-and-mirrors comparisons, Mr. C-I-C-Idiot, and stick them where the sun don't shine!
Happy Wendishday!
Dragon Mood? -- positively moody
And on a slightly more positive note, I just wanted to say
...otherwise known as Wednesday.
And on a slightly more positive note, I just wanted to say
H-A-P-P-Y
W-E-N-D-I-S-H-D-A-Y-!-!
W-E-N-D-I-S-H-D-A-Y-!-!
...otherwise known as Wednesday.
Job Update
Dragon Mood? -- catching up
Can you believe it? -- I hardly can. I'm in the middle of the tenth week of my shiny-brand-new job! I've gotten to the point where I can really crank through the easy parts. And even the balancing of several middling-hard tasks, I can manage with a fair amount of composure.
But today was a new high ... and low. I finished transferring a huge amount of data this morning, sent out emails announcing "the data's there" to all the responsible parties ... and by 3 o'clock this afternoon, learned from a gentle messenger that a significant portion of the data was, simply put, crap! ArrrghhH! Talk about disappointed! Talk about embarrassed! Talk about distressed!
Thankfully, my boss set me straight. It's not my job to validate downloaded data, just download it. And the problem didn't start with me. It started at the source of the download ... again, which isn't me.
It's all about me, you see. Or, in this case, not me. And it wasn't ... about me. It was about them, whoever and where ever those ubiquitous, invisible corporate suit-wearing IT persons are!
So ... my boss was gonna fire off a polite but crankily firm email about the poor quality of this data ... with highly informative yet incriminating screen dumps of the poor data quality supplied by me. We need good data! What the hell are you yahoos waiting for?
I love it!
Can you believe it? -- I hardly can. I'm in the middle of the tenth week of my shiny-brand-new job! I've gotten to the point where I can really crank through the easy parts. And even the balancing of several middling-hard tasks, I can manage with a fair amount of composure.
Thankfully, my boss set me straight. It's not my job to validate downloaded data, just download it. And the problem didn't start with me. It started at the source of the download ... again, which isn't me.
It's all about me, you see. Or, in this case, not me. And it wasn't ... about me. It was about them, whoever and where ever those ubiquitous, invisible corporate suit-wearing IT persons are!
So ... my boss was gonna fire off a polite but crankily firm email about the poor quality of this data ... with highly informative yet incriminating screen dumps of the poor data quality supplied by me. We need good data! What the hell are you yahoos waiting for?
I love it!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Yup, this describes it ....
Dragon Mood? -- dreamy
Once upon a time ... after almost a whole bottle of red wine, the world felt like one BIG FAIRY TALE.
From Astrodienst:
Once upon a time ... after almost a whole bottle of red wine, the world felt like one BIG FAIRY TALE.
Dreaminess
This influence stimulates the imagination in a very positive way. Your sensitivity to and awareness of the subtler aspects of the world around you is greatly increased, and your intuition is much stronger than usual. Sometimes this influence accompanies a period of dreaminess, in which you spend much time fantasizing. In your contacts with people, you have a much clearer sense of what is going on in others' minds. If you can keep your perceptions straight in your head, you will be astonished by the insights about people that this influence can bring. However, during this time it is often difficult to keep your intuitions sorted out. Clear thinking is not one of your strong points today, and in fact you should try not to use your rational mind very much. Rely more on your inner senses and feelings.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Why do I feel sad now?
Dragon Mood? -- ???
Today is the midpoint of August. For some reason unknown to me, this time of year always feels rather sad to me.
Today is the midpoint of August. For some reason unknown to me, this time of year always feels rather sad to me.
I remember as a little girl that my grandmother, Nana, always felt sad this time of year. Her husband, Albert, had died on August 25th. Every August she spent grieving his loss.
My sense of August feeling sad probably is a childhood holdover from the end of summer and the fear/anxiety/excitement of returning to school. It's probably that simple.
When I think about September, I think of new beginnings, new shoes, and days that feel like summer but are not.
Yeah, those are definitely holdover feelings from childhood.
Monday, August 13, 2007
from whence he came
Dragon Mood? -- oh, but that this could have happened about six years ago!
All I can say is HALLELEUJAH! The Devil's spawn is returning from whence he came. News media are reporting this morning that Karl Rove is resigning at the end of the month and returning to Texas. ArrrghH!
All I can say is HALLELEUJAH! The Devil's spawn is returning from whence he came. News media are reporting this morning that Karl Rove is resigning at the end of the month and returning to Texas. ArrrghH!
Monday morning update
Dragon Mood? -- waking up
Five-fifty A.M. is not usually a time that LENDS itself to introspection, composition and POSTING, you know?
S is "home," back in the pine trees this morning. She worked diligently last week, working late every night to meet a deadline. Friday, at 7 p.m. the deadline was met and her boss told her to take Monday off. She is happily complying today.
Anyway, I have the house to myself, my hair is washed, so I have some extra time this morning. I'll live life on the edge, whaddaya say and POST?
This morning I begin my NINTH week of my shiny-brand-new job. As I told my dad and step-mom last night, I continued to be amazed -- no, amazed and SURPRISED -- at how much I'm enjoying my new job. I didn't think I would like it this much. Honestly. I was afraid I would get bored. So far -- knock on wood -- that hasn't happened!
My job revolves around moving data. I move data in, I move data out. I move large quantities of CAD data, using the CAD software that I have worked in for over ten years. I also use a number of other software applications, that I jump from back and forth. I now have two PCs at my desk. The IT folks finally loaded a necessary software on Friday on that second computer. Now, I can really multi-task!
Five-fifty A.M. is not usually a time that LENDS itself to introspection, composition and POSTING, you know?
Anyway, I have the house to myself, my hair is washed, so I have some extra time this morning. I'll live life on the edge, whaddaya say and POST?
This morning I begin my NINTH week of my shiny-brand-new job. As I told my dad and step-mom last night, I continued to be amazed -- no, amazed and SURPRISED -- at how much I'm enjoying my new job. I didn't think I would like it this much. Honestly. I was afraid I would get bored. So far -- knock on wood -- that hasn't happened!
My job revolves around moving data. I move data in, I move data out. I move large quantities of CAD data, using the CAD software that I have worked in for over ten years. I also use a number of other software applications, that I jump from back and forth. I now have two PCs at my desk. The IT folks finally loaded a necessary software on Friday on that second computer. Now, I can really multi-task!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Trying to catch up late on a Sunday night
Dragon Mood? -- struggling to find the words
Idon't know why, but I'm having trouble making time to post. I wish when I thought things, I could simply think "POST" and POOF -- a la Harry Potter -- here they would appear!
Unfortunately, it's not quite that easy. And while things haven't been exactly difficult, they have been BUSY!
Since flying to Madison for the weekend (was that really three weeks ago?), I've felt behind. And the faster I try to go, the behinder I feel (...however that old saw goes)? Work is going okay, thank goodness! I've made sure to get enough sleep that I can be alert and function well at work. But after work, I tend to crash; sometimes, just for a half an hour, sometimes longer. I want to blame the humidity that we've been experiencing; but that may simply be an excuse.
Last weekend, I stayed here at the pied-a-terre, while S headed up north with the younger twin, Tim, to load and haul some furniture from her sister's house. I treated myself to a languorous Saturday afternoon trip to IKEA, a jaunt through a Heartland's-version Target and a self-indulgent "I'll-take-some-of-that" and "oh-some-of-that-too" evening meal at a luxe gourmet shop that I rarely visit. I spent way too much money and you know what? I didn't care and I didn't worry about it. I simply gave myself permission to have fun. Which I did.
This past week, however, has been preoccupied with thinking about and starting to get the pied-a-terre ready for our new about-to-be housemate, Erin. Erin is a young woman, beginning grad school at Wayne State, who will live in the pied-a-terre's upstairs while going to school. We found out after the fact that she's a lesbian (where was my gay-dar?). I've painted the linen closet, shuffled shelves and drawers and closets around, attempting to make room for her in the bathroom. S and I moved the treadmill out of the TV room and brought the computer downstairs and into the TV room. I'm sitting here in this new location and I can feel that I'm gonna like the computer in here.
Whew!
You know what? It's gotten late and I need to go to bed!
Maybe more posting tomorrow?
Idon't know why, but I'm having trouble making time to post. I wish when I thought things, I could simply think "POST" and POOF -- a la Harry Potter -- here they would appear!
Since flying to Madison for the weekend (was that really three weeks ago?), I've felt behind. And the faster I try to go, the behinder I feel (...however that old saw goes)? Work is going okay, thank goodness! I've made sure to get enough sleep that I can be alert and function well at work. But after work, I tend to crash; sometimes, just for a half an hour, sometimes longer. I want to blame the humidity that we've been experiencing; but that may simply be an excuse.
Last weekend, I stayed here at the pied-a-terre, while S headed up north with the younger twin, Tim, to load and haul some furniture from her sister's house. I treated myself to a languorous Saturday afternoon trip to IKEA, a jaunt through a Heartland's-version Target and a self-indulgent "I'll-take-some-of-that" and "oh-some-of-that-too" evening meal at a luxe gourmet shop that I rarely visit. I spent way too much money and you know what? I didn't care and I didn't worry about it. I simply gave myself permission to have fun. Which I did.
This past week, however, has been preoccupied with thinking about and starting to get the pied-a-terre ready for our new about-to-be housemate, Erin. Erin is a young woman, beginning grad school at Wayne State, who will live in the pied-a-terre's upstairs while going to school. We found out after the fact that she's a lesbian (where was my gay-dar?). I've painted the linen closet, shuffled shelves and drawers and closets around, attempting to make room for her in the bathroom. S and I moved the treadmill out of the TV room and brought the computer downstairs and into the TV room. I'm sitting here in this new location and I can feel that I'm gonna like the computer in here.
Whew!
You know what? It's gotten late and I need to go to bed!
Maybe more posting tomorrow?
Monday, August 06, 2007
Things I want to write about ....
Dragon Mood? -- decluttering my dragony mind
Istill want to write about S and my weekend in Madison, helping our beautiful daughter, Carolina, move into her new home. Oh yeah!
I want to write about what I did on my summer vacation (ha-ha) this past weekend.
I want to write about our new about-to-be housemate, Erin, who will be moving in in just over a week, dislocated finger and all.
And, I want to say that TODAY is the beginning of my EIGHTH week on the still shiny-brand-new JOB! YAAAAAAAyy!
Istill want to write about S and my weekend in Madison, helping our beautiful daughter, Carolina, move into her new home. Oh yeah!
I want to write about our new about-to-be housemate, Erin, who will be moving in in just over a week, dislocated finger and all.
And, I want to say that TODAY is the beginning of my EIGHTH week on the still shiny-brand-new JOB! YAAAAAAAyy!
Recent reads
Dragon Mood? -- LOVE to read!
Here's what I've been reading this summer ....
Here's what I've been reading this summer ....
- Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card
- Red Prophet by Orson Scott Card
- Prentice Alvin again by Orson Scott Card
- and -- what else? -- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Spelling with flickr
Dragon Mood? -- this dragon LOVES words and spelling!
Please check out the bottom -- the verrrry bottom -- of my blog. Evidence of a new toy: Spelling with Flickr. Found here.
Please check out the bottom -- the verrrry bottom -- of my blog. Evidence of a new toy: Spelling with Flickr. Found here.
Monday, July 23, 2007
In a word, "BYOO-TUH-FULL"
Dragon Mood? -- languorously remembering
BYOO-TUH-FULL is the word for this past weekend. It was a picture-perfect weekend in terms of weather, activities and enjoyment. Settle in and let me tell you ...
S and I had a leisurely leaving of the pied-a-terre on Friday evening. She and I putzed, her outside on our new picnic table, me on the computer. She drank a few beers, I polished off a bottle of Crane Lake Cab. She took a shower and a quick nap. I putzed some more, working on our neighbor, Jan's, resume.
We finally pulled things together about 9 or so and got on the road. S suggested we find a Big Boy and get a Number #1 breakfast. I was hungry myself but wasn't optimistic we would find a Big Boy en route. Amazingly, we did -- off the Novi exit and to the left. We chowed down like truck drivers.
We got back on the road and headed home to the pine trees, now with it quite late. The last half hour of the trip, I was really fighting sleep, a combination of fatigue and all those carbs elevating and then dropping my blood sugar, I'm sure. I had the windows open, the radio cranked up and I was lightly slapping my face just to keep myself awake! Sheesh! Scary drive.
Saturday morning, I slept 'til past ten. I guess I was tired. I showered and headed out to do some errands. I picked up coffee at Horrocks. I also hit their garden center and bought ten little pots of different ornamental grasses -- blue fescue ('Elijah Blue'), some porcupine grass, some grass whose name escapes me now but the variety was 'Karl Forster' and one maiden grass meant to be a specimen in our pied-a-terre backyard. I had fun picking those out! I hit a MacDonalds for one of their new southwest salads (pretty good!) and then headed back to the east side of town.
At Tar-zhay, I bought myself a cute little straw purse on sale ($3.74!), some black trouser socks with bamboo(!) in them and the new Harry Potter book, on sale, for $17-something. I also bought mundane things like toothpaste, a couple of pens and some baby wipes (for us fifty-something babies).
Mid-afternoon, I headed to the hair salon and got my hair cut -- FINALLY! It had been over ten weeks since my last one, and the hair was looking very mop-like. Now, it looks and feels better!
From there, I joined S and we met up with Mark, Lindsey and toddler, Preston, at Reno's outdoor dining area for a late afternoon birthday celebration to mark Mark's 25th birthday. It had been literally months since I had seen them last, so we had a lot of catching up to do. In the five weeks since I started my new job, Mark had lost his. We talked about that, Lindsey's job, as well as all the new and exciting things that Preston is learning or discovered. For a two-and-a-half year old, Preston did amazingly well at the restaurant.
S and I took Preston home with us for the night, while Mark and Lindsey headed off to a party with their friends. Preston and Grandma toddled around the yard, watering the grass, checking out the aluminum fishing boat as well as the kayaks. Preston was very excited and interested in "Grandma's TRUCK!," "Grandma's camper," "Grandma's BOAT!," and "Grandma's kayak." The caps tell you the level of enthusiasm.
Preston finally crashed between 10 and 10:30. After multiple starts and stops, S and I finally got to watch our new copy of "The Big Chill" DVD. Amazingly, that was the first time that S had ever seen the movie in its entirety.
All three of us slept until 9 a.m. Sunday morning. Preston came toddling out of the guest bedroom, looking for the "grandmas" and ready for action. I jumped up and made coffee while S pulled Preston into bed with her for a few minutes of snuggling and then a diaper change. When I checked next, Preston and Grandma were both running around naked, Preston sitting on the potty (and using it!), Grandma pulling on her nylon shorts and a tank top for the day.
We hung out on the deck until Mark and Lindsey showed up. We ate grapes and clementines (I had bought them at Horrocks the day before for Preston -- I didn't know you could get Clementines in summer!), Little Debbie Pecan Pinwheels and some Bob Evans little sausages that Preston insisted on stuffing into his mouth in one bite.
After they left, S and I snoozed on the couch for awhile. It felt like a relaxing, lazy Sunday. Mid-afternoon, we pulled things together and headed over to our friends, J & J, to take our kayaks out on the lake. Like I said earlier, the weather, the temperature, the sky was picture-perfect!
Other than my slipping right into the water on their concrete boat launch (slippery with algae!), and the pleasures of kayaking with a 70-lb wet furball in my kayak, our time out on the water was fun and relaxing. We paddled here, we paddled there, around the lake at J & J's house. We watched people, we watched birds, we listened to the breeze on the water, we heard frogs. Cisco was in dog heaven out there, ears up and on full alert!
We got home shortly after six, I immediately headed for the shower and washed off lake and dog fur. I was on the road to the pied-a-terre before 7. Upon arrival down here, Jan and Tom invited me over for a glass of wine, which I appreciatively accepted. About 9:30, I climbed into bed for a 'date' with Harry P. and friends. Lights out before 10:30. I never heard S come in.
In a word, this weekend was "byoo-tuh-full."
BYOO-TUH-FULL is the word for this past weekend. It was a picture-perfect weekend in terms of weather, activities and enjoyment. Settle in and let me tell you ...
We finally pulled things together about 9 or so and got on the road. S suggested we find a Big Boy and get a Number #1 breakfast. I was hungry myself but wasn't optimistic we would find a Big Boy en route. Amazingly, we did -- off the Novi exit and to the left. We chowed down like truck drivers.
We got back on the road and headed home to the pine trees, now with it quite late. The last half hour of the trip, I was really fighting sleep, a combination of fatigue and all those carbs elevating and then dropping my blood sugar, I'm sure. I had the windows open, the radio cranked up and I was lightly slapping my face just to keep myself awake! Sheesh! Scary drive.
Saturday morning, I slept 'til past ten. I guess I was tired. I showered and headed out to do some errands. I picked up coffee at Horrocks. I also hit their garden center and bought ten little pots of different ornamental grasses -- blue fescue ('Elijah Blue'), some porcupine grass, some grass whose name escapes me now but the variety was 'Karl Forster' and one maiden grass meant to be a specimen in our pied-a-terre backyard. I had fun picking those out! I hit a MacDonalds for one of their new southwest salads (pretty good!) and then headed back to the east side of town.
At Tar-zhay, I bought myself a cute little straw purse on sale ($3.74!), some black trouser socks with bamboo(!) in them and the new Harry Potter book, on sale, for $17-something. I also bought mundane things like toothpaste, a couple of pens and some baby wipes (for us fifty-something babies).
Mid-afternoon, I headed to the hair salon and got my hair cut -- FINALLY! It had been over ten weeks since my last one, and the hair was looking very mop-like. Now, it looks and feels better!
From there, I joined S and we met up with Mark, Lindsey and toddler, Preston, at Reno's outdoor dining area for a late afternoon birthday celebration to mark Mark's 25th birthday. It had been literally months since I had seen them last, so we had a lot of catching up to do. In the five weeks since I started my new job, Mark had lost his. We talked about that, Lindsey's job, as well as all the new and exciting things that Preston is learning or discovered. For a two-and-a-half year old, Preston did amazingly well at the restaurant.
S and I took Preston home with us for the night, while Mark and Lindsey headed off to a party with their friends. Preston and Grandma toddled around the yard, watering the grass, checking out the aluminum fishing boat as well as the kayaks. Preston was very excited and interested in "Grandma's TRUCK!," "Grandma's camper," "Grandma's BOAT!," and "Grandma's kayak." The caps tell you the level of enthusiasm.
Preston finally crashed between 10 and 10:30. After multiple starts and stops, S and I finally got to watch our new copy of "The Big Chill" DVD. Amazingly, that was the first time that S had ever seen the movie in its entirety.
All three of us slept until 9 a.m. Sunday morning. Preston came toddling out of the guest bedroom, looking for the "grandmas" and ready for action. I jumped up and made coffee while S pulled Preston into bed with her for a few minutes of snuggling and then a diaper change. When I checked next, Preston and Grandma were both running around naked, Preston sitting on the potty (and using it!), Grandma pulling on her nylon shorts and a tank top for the day.
We hung out on the deck until Mark and Lindsey showed up. We ate grapes and clementines (I had bought them at Horrocks the day before for Preston -- I didn't know you could get Clementines in summer!), Little Debbie Pecan Pinwheels and some Bob Evans little sausages that Preston insisted on stuffing into his mouth in one bite.
After they left, S and I snoozed on the couch for awhile. It felt like a relaxing, lazy Sunday. Mid-afternoon, we pulled things together and headed over to our friends, J & J, to take our kayaks out on the lake. Like I said earlier, the weather, the temperature, the sky was picture-perfect!
Other than my slipping right into the water on their concrete boat launch (slippery with algae!), and the pleasures of kayaking with a 70-lb wet furball in my kayak, our time out on the water was fun and relaxing. We paddled here, we paddled there, around the lake at J & J's house. We watched people, we watched birds, we listened to the breeze on the water, we heard frogs. Cisco was in dog heaven out there, ears up and on full alert!
We got home shortly after six, I immediately headed for the shower and washed off lake and dog fur. I was on the road to the pied-a-terre before 7. Upon arrival down here, Jan and Tom invited me over for a glass of wine, which I appreciatively accepted. About 9:30, I climbed into bed for a 'date' with Harry P. and friends. Lights out before 10:30. I never heard S come in.
In a word, this weekend was "byoo-tuh-full."
Friday, July 20, 2007
Anticipation
Dragon Mood? -- gleeful
A week from tonight (Friday), S and I will be in Chicago, meeting up with my sister, Ruth, and heading north to Madison to see my lovely mijita, Lina. We're gathering to tote boxes, unwrap dishes, paint doors and generally help her move and HOUSEWARM her new little abode.
A week from tonight (Friday), S and I will be in Chicago, meeting up with my sister, Ruth, and heading north to Madison to see my lovely mijita, Lina. We're gathering to tote boxes, unwrap dishes, paint doors and generally help her move and HOUSEWARM her new little abode.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Week FIVE
Dragon Mood? -- thankful and happy
Week five . . . I'm in the middle of week FIVE at my brand new job! I can report -- happily -- that I was busy today and relishing the challenges of my job. HURRAY!
Have I mentioned how THANKFUL I am to have this job?
Week five . . . I'm in the middle of week FIVE at my brand new job! I can report -- happily -- that I was busy today and relishing the challenges of my job. HURRAY!
Sensory and NEW!
Dragon Mood? -- loving sensory things
Can you imagine the pleasure of a BRAND NEW sensory experience at the ripe age of fifty-four? Allow me to enlighten you!
S and I were up north this past weekend (Cisco, too!). Saturday evening, we went to Michelle and Jim's home for supper (Michelle is S's sister). Dinner was fashionably late (ten o'clock), but while dinner cooked, Jim introduced us to this vibrating spider-like contraption that you or another person can use to stroke your hair and scalp. (I thought of YOU, Lina!) It was WONDERFUL! Most relaxing! I think we may have to ask Santa for one in our stocking!
The OTHER sensory experience I had that night was ear candling. I had never heard of it before Saturday night. Simply never heard of it. Jim came out of the bedroom or bathroom with this 10 or 12" long tapered candle-looking like thing. It actually felt like waxed cloth or waxed heavy paper that was spiraled into a long, slender conical shape. You could see through it from one end to the other.
I laid on the sofa on my side with my head relatively horizontal. Jim took a paper plate, made a nickel-sized hole in the center, placed the ear candle through the hole, lit the top of the cone and gently placed it in my ear. I really can't say that I experienced any sounds or smells with the procedure, although after about ten minutes I felt some pressure inside my ear and pushed the ear candle away from my head slightly.
When he was done, he showed me that there was this pale yellowish powder inside the hollow candle. This was (supposedly) the stuff that the ear candle had drawn out of my ear, wax and dirt and dead cells, I guess. I tapped some of it into my hand, smeared it on my palm and smelled it. It smelled waxy and slightly burnt, but it certainly didn't have the smell of the detritus that comes out of one's belly button or behind your ears when you haven't washed for several days. It didn't smell funky at all.
I will admit that I had my reservations about ear candling's efficacy, but I also was enjoying Jim's ministrations. Being the go-for-the-gusto dragon that I am, I asked him if he would do my other ear too? Sure, he replied.
So, he did the other ear, with pretty much the same results. Pale yellowish powder, no funky smell.
When we got home, I googled ear candling and got an EARFUL (ha-ha). Here's what one typical site said:
Can you imagine the pleasure of a BRAND NEW sensory experience at the ripe age of fifty-four? Allow me to enlighten you!
The OTHER sensory experience I had that night was ear candling. I had never heard of it before Saturday night. Simply never heard of it. Jim came out of the bedroom or bathroom with this 10 or 12" long tapered candle-looking like thing. It actually felt like waxed cloth or waxed heavy paper that was spiraled into a long, slender conical shape. You could see through it from one end to the other.
I laid on the sofa on my side with my head relatively horizontal. Jim took a paper plate, made a nickel-sized hole in the center, placed the ear candle through the hole, lit the top of the cone and gently placed it in my ear. I really can't say that I experienced any sounds or smells with the procedure, although after about ten minutes I felt some pressure inside my ear and pushed the ear candle away from my head slightly.
When he was done, he showed me that there was this pale yellowish powder inside the hollow candle. This was (supposedly) the stuff that the ear candle had drawn out of my ear, wax and dirt and dead cells, I guess. I tapped some of it into my hand, smeared it on my palm and smelled it. It smelled waxy and slightly burnt, but it certainly didn't have the smell of the detritus that comes out of one's belly button or behind your ears when you haven't washed for several days. It didn't smell funky at all.
I will admit that I had my reservations about ear candling's efficacy, but I also was enjoying Jim's ministrations. Being the go-for-the-gusto dragon that I am, I asked him if he would do my other ear too? Sure, he replied.
So, he did the other ear, with pretty much the same results. Pale yellowish powder, no funky smell.
When we got home, I googled ear candling and got an EARFUL (ha-ha). Here's what one typical site said:
Why Ear Candling Is Not a Good Idea(sigh) So much for new sensory experiences, huh! I probably won't do any more ear candling. I'm glad I can say that I tried it though. But, then there's that vibrating spider thing ...
"Ear candling," also known as auricular candling or coning, refers to various procedures that involve placing a cone-shaped device in the ear canal and supposedly extracting earwax and other impurities with the help of smoke or a burning wick. The origins of candling are obscure. Ancient Tibet, China, Egypt, the pre-Columbian Americas, and even the mythical city of Atlantis are cited as possible contributors. The procedures supposedly create a low-level vacuum that draws wax and other debris out of the ear canal. Some proponents even claim that impurities are removed from the inner ear, the facial sinuses, or even the brain itself, all of which are somehow connected to the canal.
... Since wax is sticky, the negative pressure needed to pull wax from the canal would have to be so powerful that it would rupture the eardrum in the process. However, candling produces no vacuum. Researchers who measured the pressure during candling of ear models found that no negative pressure was created. The same investigators candled eight ears and found that no ear wax was removed and candle wax was actually deposited in some of them!
The Bottom Line
For most people, ear wax moves along the ear canal and eventually makes it to the outside, taking with it any accumulated dirt or other matter. Compacted ear wax should be removed by a physician or other health professional using legitimate instruments. Candling is both ineffective and dangerous.
Friday, July 13, 2007
A jim-dandy of a word!
From Word of the Day:
triskaidekaphobia \tris-ky-dek-uh-FOH-bee-uh\, noun:
A morbid fear of the number 13 or the date Friday the 13th.
Triskaidekaphobia is from Greek treiskaideka, triskaideka, thirteen (treis, three + kai, and + deka, ten) + phobos, fear.
In Christian countries the number 13 was considered unlucky because there were 13 persons at the Last Supper of Christ. Fridays are also unlucky, because the Crucifixion was on a Friday. Hence a Friday falling on the thirteenth day is regarded as especially unlucky.
Some famous triskaidekaphobes include:
A morbid fear of the number 13 or the date Friday the 13th.
Triskaidekaphobia is from Greek treiskaideka, triskaideka, thirteen (treis, three + kai, and + deka, ten) + phobos, fear.
In Christian countries the number 13 was considered unlucky because there were 13 persons at the Last Supper of Christ. Fridays are also unlucky, because the Crucifixion was on a Friday. Hence a Friday falling on the thirteenth day is regarded as especially unlucky.
Some famous triskaidekaphobes include:
Napoleon
Herbert Hoover
Mark Twain
Richard Wagner
Franklin Roosevelt
Herbert Hoover
Mark Twain
Richard Wagner
Franklin Roosevelt
Have a GREAT day! And I mean it!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Thirteen!
Dragon Mood? -- aquiver
Do you know what tomorrow is? Do you? It's a Friday the Thirteenth! Whoo-hoo! I love 'dose THIRTEENS! My lucky number .... :-)
And Happy Birthday, Mark and Tim! Happy 25th! Love you guys!
Do you know what tomorrow is? Do you? It's a Friday the Thirteenth! Whoo-hoo! I love 'dose THIRTEENS! My lucky number .... :-)
Thankfully coming to a close
Dragon Mood? -- not sad to see it end
As I have referenced many, many times before in this blog, I have been without permanent employment for the past eighteen months. Just since mid-June, have I started a job which hopefully I will work at for a long time to come.
Every Thursday I like to check Astrodienst because they offer astrological horoscopes with more substance, less haranguing for money and what sounds like frequently right-on observations about the possibilities confronting me. Here's one that I've seen for many months and can happily say is just about over:
As I have referenced many, many times before in this blog, I have been without permanent employment for the past eighteen months. Just since mid-June, have I started a job which hopefully I will work at for a long time to come.
Confinements
Valid during many months: During this time you may have fewer resources available for doing what you want, and you may have to focus the available resources on more restricted and concentrated objectives. The effects of this influence are several. First, structure in your life will change significantly, but not suddenly or without warning. The changes brought about during this time are inherent in what is being changed, if you look carefully. It is rather like an inevitable conclusion of a situation. During this period some things will come to an end or an old order of life will cease. On a metaphysical level, this influence means that factors are now being incorporated into the structure of your life that will later bring about evolution and growth. This process involves getting rid of old structures. What happens now will have great consequences in fourteen years.
On a material level, this influence often causes financial problems or other kinds of shortages. Sometimes government or other officials will impose heavy burdens that greatly restrict your freedom of movement. It is also possible that some incident or accident may affect your health and thereby restrict your freedom of movement.
All of these effects confine your energies so that later they can be focused upon matters that will require your full attention. If your energy is spread too thin, later crises will be much more difficult to bear. Then you will have to go through a most unpleasant house- cleaning of everything in your life that interferes with your natural pattern of evolution.
As you are more and more restricted by circumstances and the need to use your resources conservatively, do not simply hold in your energies. Build new structures to correct the problems you face now, and concentrate all your energy on bringing about necessary evolution in your life.
Transit selected for today (by user):
Saturn Conjunction Pluto SaturnConjunctionPluto,
activity period from beginning of October 2006 until 17 July 2007.
I didn't know how to spell my own name!
Dragon Mood? -- chagrined!
Feeling both quite smart and quite dumb at the moment. I got an email from the developer of Pictobrowser asking about my previous post.
After a couple of emails back and forth, he ("d" as in Diego?) said "oh, wait! your Flickr userName is "calypso Dragon 13"
Uh ... yeah, it is but I didn't know it would accept the spaces and the caps! Duh, I am CHAGRINED!
So, here's another SHOUT-OUT to Pictobrowser. It's one darn cool and simply ELEGANT widget!
Oh yeah ... I forgot about the photos. These are from March, 2007, when most of us gathered in Chicago to celebrate St. Paddy's Day and watch college basketball like there's no tomorrow! Can't wait for next year!
UPDATE: His name is Diebo Bauducco. Here's his website. He's obviously one bad-ass designer and coder. Talent!
Feeling both quite smart and quite dumb at the moment. I got an email from the developer of Pictobrowser asking about my previous post.
Uh ... yeah, it is but I didn't know it would accept the spaces and the caps! Duh, I am CHAGRINED!
So, here's another SHOUT-OUT to Pictobrowser. It's one darn cool and simply ELEGANT widget!
Oh yeah ... I forgot about the photos. These are from March, 2007, when most of us gathered in Chicago to celebrate St. Paddy's Day and watch college basketball like there's no tomorrow! Can't wait for next year!
UPDATE: His name is Diebo Bauducco. Here's his website. He's obviously one bad-ass designer and coder. Talent!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
The coolest widget
Dragon Mood? -- excited in a cyber-geekish sort of way?
Once upon a time, there was this cool widget called Pictobrowser that displays Flickr photos in -- did I say how cool it was? -- the coolest way. But I couldn't get the damn thing to work for me. Hah ... until I resorted to copying someone ELSE'S html code from their page source and substituting my own Flickr userID and set number. Sheesh! So much for ease and user friendliness!
Heh-heh, heh-heh .... but it WORKS!
Once upon a time, there was this cool widget called Pictobrowser that displays Flickr photos in -- did I say how cool it was? -- the coolest way. But I couldn't get the damn thing to work for me. Hah ... until I resorted to copying someone ELSE'S html code from their page source and substituting my own Flickr userID and set number. Sheesh! So much for ease and user friendliness!
Monday, July 09, 2007
Week FOUR
Dragon Mood? -- thankful and happy
HEY . . . . I started my FOURTH week at my still-shiny-new job today. Things are going well. I like my job. My only regret is that I don't get to surf and blog on the internet while I'm at work. Damn! What an inhibiting rule! Don't they know that us Sagittarians like our FREEDOM?
HEY . . . . I started my FOURTH week at my still-shiny-new job today. Things are going well. I like my job. My only regret is that I don't get to surf and blog on the internet while I'm at work. Damn! What an inhibiting rule! Don't they know that us Sagittarians like our FREEDOM?
My new word
Dragon Mood? -- etymologically creative
It's Monday night, S and I are both back here at the pied-a-terre ... and I'm just PER-PLUNKED! My new word. It's derivation makes no sense, but it rolls nicely around in the mouth and the tongue, so I'm stickin' with it. PER-PLUNKED!
What does it mean?
Hmm .... (thinkin')
Kind of Monday-night tired, a mite crabby with the heat and looking forward to swishing my feet around under cool, cotton sheets.
That's PER-PLUNKED!
At least for THIS day!
It's Monday night, S and I are both back here at the pied-a-terre ... and I'm just PER-PLUNKED! My new word. It's derivation makes no sense, but it rolls nicely around in the mouth and the tongue, so I'm stickin' with it. PER-PLUNKED!
Hmm .... (thinkin')
Kind of Monday-night tired, a mite crabby with the heat and looking forward to swishing my feet around under cool, cotton sheets.
That's PER-PLUNKED!
At least for THIS day!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Memorable Fourth of July nights
Dragon Mood? -- happy and tired
Ten twenty-six, Fourth of July night and things are a-boomin' and a-poppin' around here. Anybody and everybody who's got fireworks is out settin' 'em off! Happy FOURTH of July, everybody!
I'm back here at the pied-a-terre, gettin' ready to head to bed ... so I can be ready to head to WORK tomorrow morning. Driving down here this evening, I was reminiscing and remembering some memorable Fourth of July nights that S and I've had together.
Like the Fourth up in Copper Harbor, at the national park. We were camping in the playground of the park, it was so insanely full! We watched fireworks, drank beer and played cribbage until four in the morning. Then we hiked a ways to a park bathroom to pee, brush our teeth and get ready for bed ... and some weirdo teenage kid was peeping in the women's bathroom. Scared the sh*t out of us!
Like the Fourth, driving through western South Dakota on the freeway, observing one little rural town after another's fireworks displays from a distance. It felt intimate and distant at the same time and I felt so happy and proud to be American that night.
Like the Fourth last year. We were at Riverfront Park in Lansing, with two of S's three sons, two wives, one grandbaby. It was Preston's first Fourth as a toddler and Mark held him in his arms, oohing and aahing with each poof and pffft and fizzle of the fireworks.
Sweet memories!
And tonight, I'm thinking of my sweetie at home in the pines. And my sweet kidlets down on the farm in Texas, with my sister and my dad and my aunts and uncles and cousins. Ohh, I bet they're having a good time! Drinkin' and playin' Spite and Malice. Maybe shootin' off some fireworks? Maybe watching the stars in that Texas night sky that seems to go on forever and ever?
Ten twenty-six, Fourth of July night and things are a-boomin' and a-poppin' around here. Anybody and everybody who's got fireworks is out settin' 'em off! Happy FOURTH of July, everybody!
Like the Fourth up in Copper Harbor, at the national park. We were camping in the playground of the park, it was so insanely full! We watched fireworks, drank beer and played cribbage until four in the morning. Then we hiked a ways to a park bathroom to pee, brush our teeth and get ready for bed ... and some weirdo teenage kid was peeping in the women's bathroom. Scared the sh*t out of us!
Like the Fourth, driving through western South Dakota on the freeway, observing one little rural town after another's fireworks displays from a distance. It felt intimate and distant at the same time and I felt so happy and proud to be American that night.
Like the Fourth last year. We were at Riverfront Park in Lansing, with two of S's three sons, two wives, one grandbaby. It was Preston's first Fourth as a toddler and Mark held him in his arms, oohing and aahing with each poof and pffft and fizzle of the fireworks.
Sweet memories!
And tonight, I'm thinking of my sweetie at home in the pines. And my sweet kidlets down on the farm in Texas, with my sister and my dad and my aunts and uncles and cousins. Ohh, I bet they're having a good time! Drinkin' and playin' Spite and Malice. Maybe shootin' off some fireworks? Maybe watching the stars in that Texas night sky that seems to go on forever and ever?
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Insomnia ... AGAIN!
Dragon Mood? -- rubbing her sleepy dragon eyes sleepily
While my dear partner, S, is 75 miles away -- on vacation(!) -- I'm here, at the pied-a-terre, supposedly working, er, make that, supposedly SLEEPING ... but I'm not sleeping well when my bedpartner is 75 miles away and it is now 5 minutes to 4. Four A.M.! Grrr ... I don't LIKE having insomnia!
P.S. Just call me 
... AND ... 
I think Punkymoods needs to add an emoticon for INSOMNIA!
While my dear partner, S, is 75 miles away -- on vacation(!) -- I'm here, at the pied-a-terre, supposedly working, er, make that, supposedly SLEEPING ... but I'm not sleeping well when my bedpartner is 75 miles away and it is now 5 minutes to 4. Four A.M.! Grrr ... I don't LIKE having insomnia!
... AND ... I think Punkymoods needs to add an emoticon for INSOMNIA!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Hello, Goodbye
Dragon Mood? -- feeling the emotional highs and lows of beginnings and endings
Hello, July; Goodbye, June! I'm getting ready to head to bed and realized this will be my last opportunity to post here in June. This working stuff is seriously cutting into my blogging time!
Here in Motown, the-powers-that-be always have Fourth of July fireworks the week before the Fourth of July. Don't ask me why? Because people want to party with the Windsor folks while it's still June? I dunno!
Anyway, with S on vacation at our other house, I was here alone last night for the fireworks. I got my jammies on, turned off the lights and sat in the darkened TV room, watching the spectacular fireworks display over the Detroit River. Despite my 54 years, I felt thrilled and excited along with sentimental and patriotic and joyous. Imagine that -- all from fireworks!
Here's just one (small) sample of the stunning display we all got to watch!
This photo was taken by photographer, John T. Greilick, of the Detroit News.
Hello, July; Goodbye, June! I'm getting ready to head to bed and realized this will be my last opportunity to post here in June. This working stuff is seriously cutting into my blogging time!
Anyway, with S on vacation at our other house, I was here alone last night for the fireworks. I got my jammies on, turned off the lights and sat in the darkened TV room, watching the spectacular fireworks display over the Detroit River. Despite my 54 years, I felt thrilled and excited along with sentimental and patriotic and joyous. Imagine that -- all from fireworks!
Here's just one (small) sample of the stunning display we all got to watch!
This photo was taken by photographer, John T. Greilick, of the Detroit News.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
About the science of gaydar
Dragon Mood? -- enthused
Get up, go now and read this article on homosexuality. I heard the author speak about it today on NPR as I was driving home from work. It's entitled "The Science of Gaydar," which is a bit misleading because it's about so much more than simply gaydar.
Go read it. You won't be sorry!
Get up, go now and read this article on homosexuality. I heard the author speak about it today on NPR as I was driving home from work. It's entitled "The Science of Gaydar," which is a bit misleading because it's about so much more than simply gaydar.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Startin' up Week TWO!
Dragon Mood? -- reminding my dragon self about that first paycheck that's about to come!
While my honey is on vacation (boo-hoo boo-hoo), I played like one of the seven Dwarfs, donned my work duds and headed off to the salt mines. "Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work I go ..." Damn, it's tough to work when others are playing. But damn, it's even harder to complain about having a job after wanting one for so-o-ooo long!
While my honey is on vacation (boo-hoo boo-hoo), I played like one of the seven Dwarfs, donned my work duds and headed off to the salt mines. "Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work I go ..." Damn, it's tough to work when others are playing. But damn, it's even harder to complain about having a job after wanting one for so-o-ooo long!
It's not EASY being green
Dragon Mood? -- froggily and dragonly happy
When I saw this "personality test," I couldn't resist! Who can resist the MUPPETS, for crying out loud?
When I saw this "personality test," I couldn't resist! Who can resist the MUPPETS, for crying out loud?
| You Are Kermit |
 Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know. You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems. Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green. Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies! |
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A memory dummy!
Dragon Mood? -- chagrined at my sisterly faux pas
Duh ... sometimes, I am such a dumkopf, I could smack myself upside the head! I spoke to my sister, Ruth, an hour or so ago ... we didn't talk long, but I totally forgot to wish her and her husband, Paul a ...
Duh ... sometimes, I am such a dumkopf, I could smack myself upside the head! I spoke to my sister, Ruth, an hour or so ago ... we didn't talk long, but I totally forgot to wish her and her husband, Paul a ...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary!
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Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary!
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Thursday, June 21, 2007
Summer Solstice!
Dragon Mood? -- welcoming this warm, wonderful season
And I would be totally remiss if I didn't note that today is the Summer Solstice, the first day of summer.
Get outside!
Stare at the stars!
Howl at the moon!
Enjoy the summer!
And I would be totally remiss if I didn't note that today is the Summer Solstice, the first day of summer.
Solstice comes from the Latin (sol, sun; sistit, stands).
For several days before and after each solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky—that is, its noontime elevation does not seem to change.
For several days before and after each solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky—that is, its noontime elevation does not seem to change.
Stare at the stars!
Howl at the moon!
Enjoy the summer!
Tomorrow is FIVE days!
Dragon Mood? -- embracing the dare-I-say joyful anticipation?
So tomorrow I complete my first week on the new job. (sigh) Yeah, the first week is tough! So much pent-up anticipation and energy and yet not enough knowledge or experience to apply it! ArrrghhH!
My boss has either spent enough time with me or directed others my way that I'm getting the clear sense that once I am in the swing of things, I am going to be very busy. Some of it will be daily grind sort of stuff, some of it will involve assessing and responding to exception-to-the-rules sort of situations.
And this all has to do with managing a "conduit" of data between this new company of mine (hee-hee, feels funny to say that) and BIG companies we serve.
I feel a surprising sense of happy anticipation as I embrace this new work journey. I want to do a good job for these folks, for this company ... and I want to do well for myself, make myself proud too.
UPDATE: Interestingly, after I posted this, I went to Astrodienst to check my horoscope. Here's what was posted for me today:
So tomorrow I complete my first week on the new job. (sigh) Yeah, the first week is tough! So much pent-up anticipation and energy and yet not enough knowledge or experience to apply it! ArrrghhH!
And this all has to do with managing a "conduit" of data between this new company of mine (hee-hee, feels funny to say that) and BIG companies we serve.
I feel a surprising sense of happy anticipation as I embrace this new work journey. I want to do a good job for these folks, for this company ... and I want to do well for myself, make myself proud too.
UPDATE: Interestingly, after I posted this, I went to Astrodienst to check my horoscope. Here's what was posted for me today:
Enlarging your scope
In most areas of your life, you are able to act much more decisively than usual, especially in dealing with others. You know where you stand, and you ask others to let you know where they stand. And despite your self-assertiveness, you are able to create a balance in a group so that everyone benefits from working together and no one feels dissatisfied.
Under this influence you will want to enlarge the scope of your activities somewhat. It will not be enough to express your energies as you have in the past. At this time you want to find new expressions, and you will look for people to share in this. For this reason you want to be with active people who have enough energy to go along with your plans. On the physical level, this is usually a period of good health.
Monday, June 18, 2007
First day on the new job
Dragon Mood? -- merrily singing "Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work I go ..."
Here's the short and sweet on my first day at the new job. I got my ID badge, my parking badge, read, re-read and dilly-dallied over a 68-page PowerPoint presentation -- yes, it was just as bad as you might be imagining it to be -- and then read a 30-page (give or take a few pages) Word document on data standards. Killing me with a thousand pinpricks would be less painful!
Tomorrow will be better. I know it will!
Here's the short and sweet on my first day at the new job. I got my ID badge, my parking badge, read, re-read and dilly-dallied over a 68-page PowerPoint presentation -- yes, it was just as bad as you might be imagining it to be -- and then read a 30-page (give or take a few pages) Word document on data standards. Killing me with a thousand pinpricks would be less painful!
Unexpectedly pissed off!
Dragon Mood? -- pissed off and unexpectedly so!
I stumbled upon one of these light, entertaining "What are you?-" sort of blog tests. But I wasn't expecting to come off as The Middle Finger ... and I wasn't expecting how pissed off it makes me feel! So there!
I'm chalking these results up to 18 months of insecure, impermanent or non-existent employment. I'm NOT The Middle Finger, dammit! I'm just experiencing a little residual anger, humiliation and rage, that's all!
I stumbled upon one of these light, entertaining "What are you?-" sort of blog tests. But I wasn't expecting to come off as The Middle Finger ... and I wasn't expecting how pissed off it makes me feel! So there!
| You Are the Middle Finger |
 A bit fragile and dependent on your friends, you're not nearly as hostile as you seem. You are balanced, easy to get along with, and quite serious. However, you can get angry and fed up with those around you. And you aren't afraid to show it! You get along well with: The Index Finger Stay away from: The Pinky |
I'm chalking these results up to 18 months of insecure, impermanent or non-existent employment. I'm NOT The Middle Finger, dammit! I'm just experiencing a little residual anger, humiliation and rage, that's all!
Friday, June 15, 2007
The goose that lays the golden egg
Dragon Mood? -- ???
My honey, S, and I have talked about this new era for us, with my starting this job only three days from now. Given how many people are looking for jobs and how scarce jobs are these days (in this neck of the woods, anyway), we have agreed that I need to treat this job like it's gold, like it's the goose that lays the golden egg, our meal ticket, our ticket to Easy Street ... let's see, how many more similes do I need to use? You get the picture, right?
So I'm prepared to do that. Yup, I am.
I'm just wondering though ... will I ever have time again to blog? Will I?
Is this another thing that I need to let go, to mourn, to grieve? (heavy sigh)
Stay tuned.
My honey, S, and I have talked about this new era for us, with my starting this job only three days from now. Given how many people are looking for jobs and how scarce jobs are these days (in this neck of the woods, anyway), we have agreed that I need to treat this job like it's gold, like it's the goose that lays the golden egg, our meal ticket, our ticket to Easy Street ... let's see, how many more similes do I need to use? You get the picture, right?
I'm just wondering though ... will I ever have time again to blog? Will I?
Is this another thing that I need to let go, to mourn, to grieve? (heavy sigh)
Stay tuned.
The emotional reverberations
Dragon Mood? -- a bit bewildered
In a previous post, I alluded to "swinging" emotions.
From the giddiness of my initial reaction, I retreated into this almost turtle-like shell of feeling almost nothing. I kept telling people that I am slow to react to events, but even I was amazed at how it didn't feel real, it didn't feel like something that was happening to me and I wondered how long it would take to feel something.
Tuesday, after our whirlwind weekend of constant socializing, I was simply tired. Both physically, mentally and emotionally. I just wanted to sleep. The warm, humid temperatures of June only added to my desire to cocoon and sleep.
The past three days, that has abated somewhat, only to be replaced with this anxiety about my first day on the job, next Monday. Understandable, right?
But, I've also been experiencing sadness, a sense of loss of freedom, almost a grief at the prospect of being "back in the harness," losing my ability to do what I want when I want ... now that I have a job. Imagine going from high anxiety about the lack of a job, the inability to get a job, and the incumbent financial worries that go along with that -- not to mention the loss of health care insurance -- now to feeling sadness and grief that I'm hooked, I'm harnessed, I'm trapped back in the worker bee mode. Waaahh! I've lost freedom that I may never have again!
Is this normal? ... even close to normal? Or am I simply crazy?
In a previous post, I alluded to "swinging" emotions.
Tuesday, after our whirlwind weekend of constant socializing, I was simply tired. Both physically, mentally and emotionally. I just wanted to sleep. The warm, humid temperatures of June only added to my desire to cocoon and sleep.
The past three days, that has abated somewhat, only to be replaced with this anxiety about my first day on the job, next Monday. Understandable, right?
But, I've also been experiencing sadness, a sense of loss of freedom, almost a grief at the prospect of being "back in the harness," losing my ability to do what I want when I want ... now that I have a job. Imagine going from high anxiety about the lack of a job, the inability to get a job, and the incumbent financial worries that go along with that -- not to mention the loss of health care insurance -- now to feeling sadness and grief that I'm hooked, I'm harnessed, I'm trapped back in the worker bee mode. Waaahh! I've lost freedom that I may never have again!
Is this normal? ... even close to normal? Or am I simply crazy?
June weekend recap
Dragon Mood? -- catching up
Much has happened over this past week and curiously, I simply haven't felt like blogging about it. After having received the news of finally, finally securing a job, my mind has been in a whirl and my emotions have been swinging around enough to make my mind look like it's been sitting still.
Here's a recap of this past weekend's events:
Much has happened over this past week and curiously, I simply haven't felt like blogging about it. After having received the news of finally, finally securing a job, my mind has been in a whirl and my emotions have been swinging around enough to make my mind look like it's been sitting still.
- Friday evening, my sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Paul, as well as their three children, Aaron, Luke and Jess drove up from Chicago to spend the weekend. Friday evening, we drank wine, ate munchies, ordered pizza, exchanged stories, and toasted ME on the occasion of my new job. Jess, Luke and Aaron also surprised their parents with the news of an informal 30th anniversary party.
- Saturday was a day of errands, scurrying around buying cards (belated graduation for Jess, anniversary for Ruth & Paul, Father's Day for Dad, belated birthday card for Joanne) and small gifts, such as they were. While I now have a job, I still don't have any money coming in right now and it felt very odd to allow myself the freedom to spend money. What a curious feeling!
- Ruth & Paul's party began at 5, but I arrived at John & Kari's lovely home in DeWitt around 4. Ruth, in particular, felt a bit discombobulated at not being involved in party and food preparations -- she was told to "get out of the kitchen." Well!
Aaron, Luke and Jess did a great job of putting the party together. I know it's something they're unaccustomed to, but they did a bang-up job! John & Kari are gracious hosts and put everyone at their ease.
It was enjoyable to see people whom I hadn't seen for quite a while. S and I visited with Ruth's good friend, Anne, a retired attorney now living in Birmingham, Michigan. It felt good to be open about our relationship with her. Paul's dad, Roy, was giving away as well as selling copies of his new book, a first volume (of many) on preaching guides based on the church year. If you're not Lutheran, don't worry if you don't understand. It's all very detailed and parochial. Roy was understandably proud of his efforts.
Luke and his Aunt Mary finally had their drinking time! We worked on three bottles of wine through the evening. We did have some help killing off the old soldiers, but I took precautions to drink loads of water and a piece of bread when I got home. - Sunday morning I was moving slow, but drove into town to meet Aaron at his grandparents' home to pick up some large terra cotta pots that nobody seemed to want and had been languishing there. Aaron did the heavy lifting while I stood by.
Shortly later, everyone else joined us after finishing the church service they had attended. We all said our round of good-byes and I left.
S and I prepared to head up north to attend Dobie's visitation. We took a brief nap, showered, dressed, loaded up the car and the dog and left about 4. We arrived there after six and paid our respects at the funeral home. Surprisingly, mutual friends of ours, Michelle and Sue, had also driven up for the visitation -- people we haven't seen since December -- so we got to visit and catch up with them as well.
We finished the day by arriving at the home of S's sister, Michelle, and her husband, Jim, to spend the night. I showered, said my good-nights and crashed. S and Michelle sat up and visited for a while. - Monday morning, S and I dressed, left Cisco with Michelle, and headed back down US-27 to attend the funeral. Kevin made some absolutely delicious Bloody Mary's for us to drink later in the day ... but we all got a pre-funeral taste of their spicy, vodka-infused lusciousness!
The funeral was well-attended and many people recounted loving memories of Dobie. As I had feared, there was an incident regarding who constituted family when it came time for seating the family. Thankfully, there were enough people who recognize Joanne as Jeanne's partner and also recognize her significant contributions over these past months, that Joanne sat in the first row, right next to Jeanne through the service -- as she should have. - We finished up the day by driving back north to change our clothes, visit with Michelle for about an hour, pack up the dog and head back downstate. We first visited our home in the pines, switched bags and clothes and cars, and then drove the second leg of the journey back here to our pied-a-terre in the city. Whew! Such a lot of driving!
Friday, June 08, 2007
Good news, good news
Dragon Mood? -- doing dragon hops & squeals!
Finally, finally ... I have GOOD NEWS to report! I got a job and start Monday, June 18th. I'm so ecstatic, so elated, I can hardly see straight! Halleleujah!
That's what I am!
Finally, finally ... I have GOOD NEWS to report! I got a job and start Monday, June 18th. I'm so ecstatic, so elated, I can hardly see straight! Halleleujah!
That's what I am!
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Reflections on Dobie
Dragon Mood? -- the anticipatory waiting is past; now, it's sadly waiting
Earlier this week, I had contemplated writing a blog post about waiting. I was in a waiting mode about a prospective job. S and I were in a waiting mode, wondering about Dobie.
Dobie, Jeanne's father, aged 102, was beginning to decline. Jeanne's partner and our good friend, Joanne, had called us Sunday to forewarn us. He had stopped eating, his breathing had become erratic and the family had called Hospice for intervention. Today Joanne called again to say that Dobie had "passed on," this morning around 7. Jeanne and Joanne and all of Jeanne's family, all of their waiting was over. Our waiting was over. Most importantly though, Dobie's waiting was over.
S and I had the privilege over these past three-and-a-half months to have a number of meals with Dobie, Jeanne and Joanne. It's remarkable to see someone who is that aged, to watch their eyes, to look at their skin, to hear them engage in conversation and interact with others. They have lived so long, have witnessed so much, experienced so many things, from a common-sense standpoint, you would think you'd feel some aura or wellspring of fullness, completeness, overflow -- you know?
But I didn't experience that sensation around Dobie. He felt small, frail and rather diminished. Though his mind was generally quite sharp, he had lost much of his hearing which in turn, inhibited conversation and was quite isolating for him, I imagine. I never saw him walk further than from his bedroom to his Lazyboy chair and then onto the dining room table. He went from walking slowly to walking tentatively to sometimes shuffling.
Rather than having things to look forward to, virtually all of Dobie's conversations centered around the past and past events. Most of my conversations with him were focused on events of the 1920s, 30s and 40s. We rarely spoke about current events. He seemed disinterested in politics or social issues or even the weather. If we talked about the weather, it prompted him to remember some past weather event.
What is that like, to grow so old, to become so "used up" that there's very little left? Is it painful or simply boring? Do you care or is it easier to disengage? Do you patiently bide your time, waiting your turn to die? Better to wholeheartedly ignore the inevitable? Is that what old age is about?
S and I tried several times to "get inside" Dobie's head, but typical of many elderly people, particularly men, he was not given to personal reflection or observations. One time, S asked him point-blank for some general advice and Dobie's response ended with, "Keep your mouth shut!" We were a bit stunned at the harshness of his words, given that he appeared such a gentle and unintimidating individual. Perhaps we never knew the real Dobie. Maybe, that part of him had already disappeared, already used up?
Dobie's life, his very personhood remains something of a mystery. We can neither add to his life nor take anything away. It is what it is. And it is not ours to embellish, to diminish, nor to judge.
Good-bye Dobie. Godspeed. It was great to know you.
Earlier this week, I had contemplated writing a blog post about waiting. I was in a waiting mode about a prospective job. S and I were in a waiting mode, wondering about Dobie.
S and I had the privilege over these past three-and-a-half months to have a number of meals with Dobie, Jeanne and Joanne. It's remarkable to see someone who is that aged, to watch their eyes, to look at their skin, to hear them engage in conversation and interact with others. They have lived so long, have witnessed so much, experienced so many things, from a common-sense standpoint, you would think you'd feel some aura or wellspring of fullness, completeness, overflow -- you know?
But I didn't experience that sensation around Dobie. He felt small, frail and rather diminished. Though his mind was generally quite sharp, he had lost much of his hearing which in turn, inhibited conversation and was quite isolating for him, I imagine. I never saw him walk further than from his bedroom to his Lazyboy chair and then onto the dining room table. He went from walking slowly to walking tentatively to sometimes shuffling.
Rather than having things to look forward to, virtually all of Dobie's conversations centered around the past and past events. Most of my conversations with him were focused on events of the 1920s, 30s and 40s. We rarely spoke about current events. He seemed disinterested in politics or social issues or even the weather. If we talked about the weather, it prompted him to remember some past weather event.
What is that like, to grow so old, to become so "used up" that there's very little left? Is it painful or simply boring? Do you care or is it easier to disengage? Do you patiently bide your time, waiting your turn to die? Better to wholeheartedly ignore the inevitable? Is that what old age is about?
S and I tried several times to "get inside" Dobie's head, but typical of many elderly people, particularly men, he was not given to personal reflection or observations. One time, S asked him point-blank for some general advice and Dobie's response ended with, "Keep your mouth shut!" We were a bit stunned at the harshness of his words, given that he appeared such a gentle and unintimidating individual. Perhaps we never knew the real Dobie. Maybe, that part of him had already disappeared, already used up?
Dobie's life, his very personhood remains something of a mystery. We can neither add to his life nor take anything away. It is what it is. And it is not ours to embellish, to diminish, nor to judge.
Good-bye Dobie. Godspeed. It was great to know you.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Apocalyptic reading
Dragon Mood? -- remembering
While awaiting a much-anticipated phone call, I watched Oprah today. She interviewed Cormac McCarthy, a well-known and respected American author who is intensely private. He has just written a book called The Road, described as a post-apocalyptic novel. My ears immediately perked up.
When I was either a senior in high school or maybe a freshman in college, I read another post-apocalyptic book called A Canticle for Liebowitz. Here's a synopsis of it:
Now, I'm debating on whether I want to read McCarthy's book or not. I think so.
While awaiting a much-anticipated phone call, I watched Oprah today. She interviewed Cormac McCarthy, a well-known and respected American author who is intensely private. He has just written a book called The Road, described as a post-apocalyptic novel. My ears immediately perked up.
Walter M. Miller's acclaimed SF classic A Canticle for Leibowitz opens with the accidental excavation of a holy artifact: a creased, brittle memo scrawled by the hand of the blessed Saint Leibowitz, that reads: "Pound pastrami, can kraut, six bagels--bring home for Emma." To the Brothers of Saint Leibowitz, this sacred shopping list penned by an obscure, 20th-century engineer is a symbol of hope from the distant past, from before the Simplification, the fiery atomic holocaust that plunged the earth into darkness and ignorance. As 1984 cautioned against Stalinism, so 1959's A Canticle for Leibowitz warns of the threat and implications of nuclear annihilation. Following a cloister of monks in their Utah abbey over some six or seven hundred years, the funny but bleak Canticle tackles the sociological and religious implications of the cyclical rise and fall of civilization, questioning whether humanity can hope for more than repeating its own history. Divided into three sections--Fiat Homo (Let There Be Man), Fiat Lux (Let There Be Light), and Fiat Voluntas Tua (Thy Will Be Done)--Canticle is steeped in Catholicism and Latin, exploring the fascinating, seemingly capricious process of how and why a person is canonized. --Paul HughesFor whatever reason, that book has always stuck with me. It left a deep and abiding impression on me. It was dark and depressing, but I felt compelled to read it to the end. Even the ending was dark and depressing. Ohh!
Now, I'm debating on whether I want to read McCarthy's book or not. I think so.
Monday, June 04, 2007
5 5 5 _
Halfway through the year .... and here's where I'm headed.
NO, not to five-hundred and five ... but to FIFTY-FIVE!
As our good friend and neighbor, Jan, would say, "Double-NICKELS!"
NO, not to five-hundred and five ... but to FIFTY-FIVE!
As our good friend and neighbor, Jan, would say, "Double-NICKELS!"
Weekend catchup
Dragon Mood? -- remembering
This past weekend feels somewhat like a dream ... hazy, blurred, slow-motion.
Compared to the last four weekends, this one was slow! We didn't head up north for more handicap-ramp-building, but stayed "at home" in the pine forest, amazed at the quantity of pine pollen that coats all surfaces with its fluorescent green. Windshields sported films of green, deck chairs looked like green aliens had plopped in them, even puddles of standing water looked like brackish swamps. Yup, it's definitely pine pollen time.
Saturday was a chore day. I ran numerous errands, buying copious quantities of coffee at Horrocks, grass seed, caulk, dog food at Soldans -- you know, all the fun stuff you can't way to buy!?! S mowed the grass, a huge chore anytime, but made even larger when it's warm and humid. She looked more than a mite wilted when I found her at home, mowing done, drinking a beer. She cut the grass as low as possible and it looked lush and inviting and like a park!
Saturday evening we "treated" ourselves to a carry-out dinner from Woody's that included kibbeh sandwiches, spicy hummus and six stuffed grape leaves. Oh yes, and we splurged and bought a small container of deep-red, pickled turnips as well as a small container of fresh olives. Yum! We hit the video store and rented three DVDs, all light, fluffy comedies for our Saturday "date night" entertainment.
Sunday? Well, Sunday was supposed to be a highly productive day which slowly melted into a barely productive day with lots of staring out the window as rain, rain and more rain fell. Don't get me wrong -- it was absolutely lovely to watch and to listen to -- I was mesmerized. A whole day of dreamy, dreamy dreaminess!
This past weekend feels somewhat like a dream ... hazy, blurred, slow-motion.
Saturday was a chore day. I ran numerous errands, buying copious quantities of coffee at Horrocks, grass seed, caulk, dog food at Soldans -- you know, all the fun stuff you can't way to buy!?! S mowed the grass, a huge chore anytime, but made even larger when it's warm and humid. She looked more than a mite wilted when I found her at home, mowing done, drinking a beer. She cut the grass as low as possible and it looked lush and inviting and like a park!
Saturday evening we "treated" ourselves to a carry-out dinner from Woody's that included kibbeh sandwiches, spicy hummus and six stuffed grape leaves. Oh yes, and we splurged and bought a small container of deep-red, pickled turnips as well as a small container of fresh olives. Yum! We hit the video store and rented three DVDs, all light, fluffy comedies for our Saturday "date night" entertainment.
Sunday? Well, Sunday was supposed to be a highly productive day which slowly melted into a barely productive day with lots of staring out the window as rain, rain and more rain fell. Don't get me wrong -- it was absolutely lovely to watch and to listen to -- I was mesmerized. A whole day of dreamy, dreamy dreaminess!
Wrong ... again!
Dragon Mood? -- chagrined?
"Wrong ... again!" is becoming a too-regular theme in my life ... especially recently. You know how I noted here that I didn't think I'd hear from a certain employer again? Well, I was wrong. Thankfully!
I meet with them again today for a second interview, for a second position. Personally, I don't think I'm all that well-qualified for the job, but what do I know? Obviously, this whole unemployment thing has skewed my perspective on me, my qualifications, my abilities and particularly my self-confidence in ways I never saw coming! ArrrghhH!
Call me
"Wrong ... again!" is becoming a too-regular theme in my life ... especially recently. You know how I noted here that I didn't think I'd hear from a certain employer again? Well, I was wrong. Thankfully!
Call me
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