For Lent I gave up chocolate. I know. I do it every year. (It's the one Catholic thing I still do - give up something for Lent.) But I've been feeling so unbelievably horrible for the past few months, I felt like maybe I needed to take it one step further this year.
So....
On Ash Wednesday I gave up chocolate, severely limited my sugar intake to almost nothing, made the move from vegetarian to vegan, and went through a strip-it-down-to-basics three day detox. (Which coincided with the first day of my period. Excellent timing, no?)
Oh. My. Gosh.
Headaches. Jitters. Hungry. Shakiness. Itchiness. (Seriously. I've been itchy. All over. Or maybe the word is prickly. Or itchyprickly. I guess I'm only assuming it's a reaction to the lack of sugar or other random crap being put into my body. Or my body trying to filter all the built up crap out. In this book - which may or may not be written by a crazy person - it mentions itching as a possible side effect that could happen as you change your eating habit and eliminate things that aren't so good for you. But it could be something really awful that I am choosing to ignore. But I digress.) Not to mention flat out grouchy because I'M NOT EATING ANY SUGAR. It's fun. Really fun. But it will get better, right? (Please say yes.)
And did I mention that I registered for The Big Race? As in the same Big Race in which my participation last year was questionable up till the last minute because of the whole knee thing, but then I ran it anyway and my knee totally imploded after that and has never been the same again, causing me to become a person who runs slowly and usually in some degree of pain. That Big Race. I'm doing it this year. Official training starts in a week. We'll see how that goes, huh?
So, yeah. I've got itchy+cranky+knee pain+no sugar. What does that equal? One great big ball of fun.
That's me.
(PS - I'm thinking maybe I need to eat some sugar, still. Not a lot. Maybe some toast with jam. Or a granola bar. Or six. And, I'm totally aware that I won't run Big Race anywhere near where I used to. And I'm okay with that. No. Actually, I'm not. But at least I'm aware of it. I'll figure out how to deal with it later. Whatever. I need to find something to eat. That has some trace amount of sugar in it.)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
You Capture - Shapes
These shapes are comforting to me. I feel comfortable here. Kind of love it here. Okay, I really love it here. And there's good food that I don't have to cook or clean up. And cookies. Goooood cookies. Hubby and I celebrate here; we celebrate things like "it's Saturday" or "I'd like to eat a really good cookie" or "I cleaned the bathroom this morning." This is a good place. These are good shapes. These shapes make me smile. I actually feel happier just looking at the pictures. And happier is good, I think.
See more shapes at Beth's.
See more shapes at Beth's.
Oh. my. gosh. I love these things...
I saw this on Lyndsay's blog (although she saw it somewhere else), and since I absolutely LOVE things like this (you know, lists, surveys, questionnaires, and the like) I kind of HAD to do it. The rule was to put in bold face the things you have done, so...
1. Started your own blog - I think that's kind of obvious, though, isn't it?
2. Slept under the stars - in high school, at cross country camp. Which was outpost camping. We also bathed in the lake and peed in a hole. Good times. Good times.
3. Played in a band - because I assume the fact that I sound JUST LIKE CHER in my car counts as playing in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii (Where's The Brady Bunch when you need them? Their trip rocked!)
5. Watched a meteor shower - although I don't know that I ever actually saw a meteor, but we went to the beach on the night that the news people said there would be a meteor shower, and waited a looooong time.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - if people gave what they could afford to charity, charity would never get much at all, I think.
7. Been to Disneyland - Okay, I've been to Disney World. Does that count? I'm going to say yes.
8. Climbed a mountain - not like, Annapurna or anything like that, but enough to count, I think.
9. Held a praying mantis - I try to not hold bugs. But I did photograph one on my car this past fall.
10. Sang a solo - Of course, since I sound just like Cher in my car!
11. Bungee jumped - Okay, I'm not crazy.
12. Visited Paris - I[m going to count this, even though I never left the airport. The airport where I got yelled at by the French airport worker because they take a loooong time to shuttle you from your plane to the next terminal and I almost missed my flight. I can not see how that was my fault.
13. Watched a lightening storm - whilst cowering behind someone else because I am terrified of weather.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - this, again, might be pushing the boundaries, but...
15. Adopted a child - I had four Cabbage Patch Kids.
16. Had food poisoning - why would I eat poisoned food?
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - I jumped over instead.
18. Grown your own vegetables - I had the Cabbage Patch Kids indoor garden when I was little. (I really liked Cabbage Patch Kids)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - Not enough time between the arrival of one plane and the take-off of the other.
20. Slept on an overnight train - I've slept on a non-overnight train. I tend to get sleepy in things like trains or cars.
21. Had a pillow fight - I'm a girl. Isn't that in the rule book somewhere?
22. Hitch hiked - Yeah, that just never seemed like a good idea to me.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - Who would EVER do such a thing?
24. Built a snow fort - Ohmygosh! We used to build the coolest snow forts ever on the playground in elementary school!
25. Held a lamb - It was made of butter. And the other one was a stuffed animal.
26. Gone skinny dipping - oh, no one wants to see me do that.
27. Run a Marathon - Big fat happy YES!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - But I looked at a gondola in Indianapolis.
29. Seen a total eclipse - of both the moon and the sun. But not at the same time.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - again, not at the same time.
31. Hit a home run - In gym in college (because I had to take gym in college) the gym teacher refused to let me leave home plate until I hit the ball. I still bear the scars of embarrassment from that dark day.
32. Been on a cruise - two things I don't like: big boats and water.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - But I read the book Yours Till Niagara Falls, Abby in the third grade. I really liked that book, too.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - I was once in the country in which some of my ancestors were born. But not the actual birthplace. That I know of. Because that would be a little freaky if they had been born in my friend's parent's house.
35. Seen an Amish community - Oh, I've been on field trips to Amish communities!
36. Taught yourself a new language - Technically I taught myself. With A LOT of help from Frau.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I'll let you know when this happens. But maybe don't hold your breath, okay?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - But I saw the pictures my aunt took when she was there. And it was just like being there myself.
39. Gone rock climbing - Hubby really wants to go rock climbing some time.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - In all of the books about Michelangelo in my school's library, the librarian made the art teacher draw pants on David with a sharpie. Seriously.
41. Sung karaoke - In my car. Sound like Cher.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - you know, I bet that's one of those things that might not be as impressive as you think it will be. Or I'm just jealous since I've never seen it myself and I'm just telling myself that to make me feel better.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - I'm not sure I'd accept a meal from a stranger in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa - But I'd reeeeeally like to.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - That whole not-sure-I-saw-a-meteor-shower thing. Other times, too....
46. Been transported in an ambulance - I'm pretty happy about that.
47. Had your portrait painted - Does it count if it was in a high school art class?
48. Gone deep sea fishing - still don't like water. And I'm a vegetarian.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - But I've taught about the Sistine Chapel numerous times. And made kids tape paper to the bottom of their desk, lay down on the floor, and draw a picture to get an idea of what that must have been like.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - Just that airport.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Still don't like water.
52. Kissed in the rain - We were in the house at the time, though.
53. Played in the mud - best thing about running in the rain during cross country season in high school.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - I LOVE the drive-in!
55. Been in a movie - Brother-in-Law makes movies, and Hubby was an extra in one of them.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - seen pictures, though.
57. Started a business - I had a lemonade stand as a child.
58. Taken a martial arts class - I try not to yell that much. Or break concrete with my fist.
59. Visited Russia - I bet that would be neat-o.
60. Served at a soup kitchen - I feel guilty saying no to this one.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - and ate a bunch, too.
62. Gone whale watching - I would really like to go whale watching. But I'd need to do that on land, okay.
63. Got flowers for no reason - Hubby is kinda nice like that...
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - they won't take it. Which is fine since I am terrified of needles.
65. Gone sky diving - still not crazy
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - I wanted to, but my friends wouldn't take me. They had had to go on a field trip and it was so awful they refused to go back. I don't blame them.
67. Bounced a check - I admit it, okay?!
68. Flown in a helicopter - I really think this would be a fun thing. But how does one do such a thing?
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - All the ones Sisters didn't ruin or Mom didn't get rid of.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I suck and I've never been to Washington DC. I really want to go, though!
71. Eaten Caviar - still a vegetarian.
72. Pieced a quilt - I've looked at a quilt, piece by piece.
73. Stood in Times Square - I kind of don't really have any desire to do this.
74. Toured the Everglades - try not to go where there's water and alligators.
75. Been fired from a job - I'm really happy to say no.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - London is on my list of places to go, though.
77. Broken a bone - knock on wood.
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle - Dad had one when I was small. Mom let him drive me around the yard.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - yet another rockin' Brady Bunch vacation.
80. Published a book - that's Hubby's department. He's got four.
81. Visited the Vatican - looked at more of my aunt's pictures.
82. Bought a brand new car - only if by "new" you mean "used."
83. Walked in Jerusalem - but that is one of the settings in Hubby's first novel.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - and never in the arrest section, either!
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve - I try to not kiss strangers ever.
86. Visited the White House - I just said I've never been to DC. I'm working on it, okay!
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Still a vegetarian.
88. Had chickenpox - in the 5th grade. And I have a pox scar on my thigh. Although I think it just blends in with the stretch marks now.
89. Saved someone’s life - well, that depends on how you look at it...
90. Sat on a jury - I got out of jury duty because I was starting my student teaching.
91. Met someone famous - Jackson Browne saved my life, remember?
92. Joined a book club - I just read the books without the formality of a club.
93. Got a tattoo - got four. I think Mom's still upset about it, too.
94. Had a baby - I've had a baby, like, in my house before. It wasn't my baby, though.
95. Seen the Alamo in person - when I go, I want to make sure to see the basement.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - again with the water?
97. Been involved in a law suit - only a fake one in government class.
98. Owned a cell phone - I even had a bag phone.
99. Been stung by a bee - I was actually stung while I was sleeping. Nice little wake-up, huh?
I so love these things.
1. Started your own blog - I think that's kind of obvious, though, isn't it?
2. Slept under the stars - in high school, at cross country camp. Which was outpost camping. We also bathed in the lake and peed in a hole. Good times. Good times.
3. Played in a band - because I assume the fact that I sound JUST LIKE CHER in my car counts as playing in a band.
4. Visited Hawaii (Where's The Brady Bunch when you need them? Their trip rocked!)
5. Watched a meteor shower - although I don't know that I ever actually saw a meteor, but we went to the beach on the night that the news people said there would be a meteor shower, and waited a looooong time.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity - if people gave what they could afford to charity, charity would never get much at all, I think.
7. Been to Disneyland - Okay, I've been to Disney World. Does that count? I'm going to say yes.
8. Climbed a mountain - not like, Annapurna or anything like that, but enough to count, I think.
9. Held a praying mantis - I try to not hold bugs. But I did photograph one on my car this past fall.
10. Sang a solo - Of course, since I sound just like Cher in my car!
11. Bungee jumped - Okay, I'm not crazy.
12. Visited Paris - I[m going to count this, even though I never left the airport. The airport where I got yelled at by the French airport worker because they take a loooong time to shuttle you from your plane to the next terminal and I almost missed my flight. I can not see how that was my fault.
13. Watched a lightening storm - whilst cowering behind someone else because I am terrified of weather.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - this, again, might be pushing the boundaries, but...
15. Adopted a child - I had four Cabbage Patch Kids.
16. Had food poisoning - why would I eat poisoned food?
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - I jumped over instead.
18. Grown your own vegetables - I had the Cabbage Patch Kids indoor garden when I was little. (I really liked Cabbage Patch Kids)
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - Not enough time between the arrival of one plane and the take-off of the other.
20. Slept on an overnight train - I've slept on a non-overnight train. I tend to get sleepy in things like trains or cars.
21. Had a pillow fight - I'm a girl. Isn't that in the rule book somewhere?
22. Hitch hiked - Yeah, that just never seemed like a good idea to me.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - Who would EVER do such a thing?
24. Built a snow fort - Ohmygosh! We used to build the coolest snow forts ever on the playground in elementary school!
25. Held a lamb - It was made of butter. And the other one was a stuffed animal.
26. Gone skinny dipping - oh, no one wants to see me do that.
27. Run a Marathon - Big fat happy YES!
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - But I looked at a gondola in Indianapolis.
29. Seen a total eclipse - of both the moon and the sun. But not at the same time.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - again, not at the same time.
31. Hit a home run - In gym in college (because I had to take gym in college) the gym teacher refused to let me leave home plate until I hit the ball. I still bear the scars of embarrassment from that dark day.
32. Been on a cruise - two things I don't like: big boats and water.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - But I read the book Yours Till Niagara Falls, Abby in the third grade. I really liked that book, too.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - I was once in the country in which some of my ancestors were born. But not the actual birthplace. That I know of. Because that would be a little freaky if they had been born in my friend's parent's house.
35. Seen an Amish community - Oh, I've been on field trips to Amish communities!
36. Taught yourself a new language - Technically I taught myself. With A LOT of help from Frau.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I'll let you know when this happens. But maybe don't hold your breath, okay?
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - But I saw the pictures my aunt took when she was there. And it was just like being there myself.
39. Gone rock climbing - Hubby really wants to go rock climbing some time.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - In all of the books about Michelangelo in my school's library, the librarian made the art teacher draw pants on David with a sharpie. Seriously.
41. Sung karaoke - In my car. Sound like Cher.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - you know, I bet that's one of those things that might not be as impressive as you think it will be. Or I'm just jealous since I've never seen it myself and I'm just telling myself that to make me feel better.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - I'm not sure I'd accept a meal from a stranger in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa - But I'd reeeeeally like to.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - That whole not-sure-I-saw-a-meteor-shower thing. Other times, too....
46. Been transported in an ambulance - I'm pretty happy about that.
47. Had your portrait painted - Does it count if it was in a high school art class?
48. Gone deep sea fishing - still don't like water. And I'm a vegetarian.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person - But I've taught about the Sistine Chapel numerous times. And made kids tape paper to the bottom of their desk, lay down on the floor, and draw a picture to get an idea of what that must have been like.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - Just that airport.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Still don't like water.
52. Kissed in the rain - We were in the house at the time, though.
53. Played in the mud - best thing about running in the rain during cross country season in high school.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater - I LOVE the drive-in!
55. Been in a movie - Brother-in-Law makes movies, and Hubby was an extra in one of them.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China - seen pictures, though.
57. Started a business - I had a lemonade stand as a child.
58. Taken a martial arts class - I try not to yell that much. Or break concrete with my fist.
59. Visited Russia - I bet that would be neat-o.
60. Served at a soup kitchen - I feel guilty saying no to this one.
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - and ate a bunch, too.
62. Gone whale watching - I would really like to go whale watching. But I'd need to do that on land, okay.
63. Got flowers for no reason - Hubby is kinda nice like that...
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - they won't take it. Which is fine since I am terrified of needles.
65. Gone sky diving - still not crazy
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - I wanted to, but my friends wouldn't take me. They had had to go on a field trip and it was so awful they refused to go back. I don't blame them.
67. Bounced a check - I admit it, okay?!
68. Flown in a helicopter - I really think this would be a fun thing. But how does one do such a thing?
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - All the ones Sisters didn't ruin or Mom didn't get rid of.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I suck and I've never been to Washington DC. I really want to go, though!
71. Eaten Caviar - still a vegetarian.
72. Pieced a quilt - I've looked at a quilt, piece by piece.
73. Stood in Times Square - I kind of don't really have any desire to do this.
74. Toured the Everglades - try not to go where there's water and alligators.
75. Been fired from a job - I'm really happy to say no.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - London is on my list of places to go, though.
77. Broken a bone - knock on wood.
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle - Dad had one when I was small. Mom let him drive me around the yard.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - yet another rockin' Brady Bunch vacation.
80. Published a book - that's Hubby's department. He's got four.
81. Visited the Vatican - looked at more of my aunt's pictures.
82. Bought a brand new car - only if by "new" you mean "used."
83. Walked in Jerusalem - but that is one of the settings in Hubby's first novel.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - and never in the arrest section, either!
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve - I try to not kiss strangers ever.
86. Visited the White House - I just said I've never been to DC. I'm working on it, okay!
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Still a vegetarian.
88. Had chickenpox - in the 5th grade. And I have a pox scar on my thigh. Although I think it just blends in with the stretch marks now.
89. Saved someone’s life - well, that depends on how you look at it...
90. Sat on a jury - I got out of jury duty because I was starting my student teaching.
91. Met someone famous - Jackson Browne saved my life, remember?
92. Joined a book club - I just read the books without the formality of a club.
93. Got a tattoo - got four. I think Mom's still upset about it, too.
94. Had a baby - I've had a baby, like, in my house before. It wasn't my baby, though.
95. Seen the Alamo in person - when I go, I want to make sure to see the basement.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - again with the water?
97. Been involved in a law suit - only a fake one in government class.
98. Owned a cell phone - I even had a bag phone.
99. Been stung by a bee - I was actually stung while I was sleeping. Nice little wake-up, huh?
I so love these things.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Once more, with feeling
It was Molly who drew the line. I know this. Before I even open the tattered cover, I know this is the very first thing I will be told. And I know exactly where it will lead. And everything that will follow.
But I open the cover anyway, settle into my chair, and begin reading.
I've read Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die at least once a year since the fourth grade. Sometimes (usually) more. I blame Meg for this. Meg (Molly's younger sister), somehow, got me long before I was ever able to articulate "me" on my own. Long before I realized that I should articulate "me"on my own.
When I read "being both determined and unsure at the same time is what makes me the way I am, I think: hasty, impetuous, sometimes angry over nothing, often miserable about everything," and only three pages into the book, no less, I knew my fourth grade self had found a kindred soul in Meg Chalmers. The girl who felt most comfortable behind her camera's lens, who wanted the familiarity of home, who envied her older sister, who craved a tiny little space just for herself, who was unsure and strong all at the same time.
She does what needs to be done. She handles the situations she must. She learns to love who she is.
Maybe I wasn't exactly like her, but I could see glimpses of myself in her. I aspired to her.
Maybe I still do.
And when Will Banks calls her beautiful, I never fail to cry.
*******
tell it to me tuesdays
But I open the cover anyway, settle into my chair, and begin reading.
I've read Lois Lowry's A Summer to Die at least once a year since the fourth grade. Sometimes (usually) more. I blame Meg for this. Meg (Molly's younger sister), somehow, got me long before I was ever able to articulate "me" on my own. Long before I realized that I should articulate "me"on my own.
When I read "being both determined and unsure at the same time is what makes me the way I am, I think: hasty, impetuous, sometimes angry over nothing, often miserable about everything," and only three pages into the book, no less, I knew my fourth grade self had found a kindred soul in Meg Chalmers. The girl who felt most comfortable behind her camera's lens, who wanted the familiarity of home, who envied her older sister, who craved a tiny little space just for herself, who was unsure and strong all at the same time.
She does what needs to be done. She handles the situations she must. She learns to love who she is.
Maybe I wasn't exactly like her, but I could see glimpses of myself in her. I aspired to her.
Maybe I still do.
And when Will Banks calls her beautiful, I never fail to cry.
*******
tell it to me tuesdays
Friday, February 19, 2010
A Major Award!
Heidi at Flicker's Lair has bestowed upon me the Beautiful Blogger Award!
This boggles my mind a bit, because "beautiful" is not a word normally associated with me, but I am honored, nonetheless. Thank you, Heidi!
I would love to copy the image into this post, but my technological skills just aren't that sharp. So I'll just skip to the next part....
Seven Facts About Me:
1. I once had an email argument with Henry Rollins. I did not want to have an email argument with Henry Rollins. I love Henry Rollins. I'm not actually sure how it happened.... I had given a letter writing assignment to my students. Everyone was writing to someone "famous" and then would share anything they received in reply. I tend to do assignments with my students, so I wrote to Henry Rollins, because he seemed likely to reply. (Why I thought that, I don't know. I just did.) So I found an email address and sent a little note explaining that I was a teacher and the basics of the assignment, and asked if he would please send some sort of acknowledgment. Just something along the lines of "Hey kids, study hard and be good." He replied wanting more specifics of what I was asking for, I replied to that with more explanation, he still didn't understand... And, somehow, we wound up in an email argument. I used to have the whole thing saved on my work computer, but then I got a new work computer, and the whole thing was lost in the shuffle. That made me a little sad, because that's probably the only contact I'll ever have with Henry Rollins.
2. When my goddaughter was born, I bought her a onesie at an REM concert. She was born premature, so it took her awhile to fit into it. And when she finally did, her mom, Best Friend, brought her to see me at work, so she could show me how awesome she looked. I took pictures of her, dancing in her totally cool REM onesie. (It had a bunny on it!) And I sent those pictures to REM, relating the story of my goddaughter, her birth and what an amazing kid she was growing in to. And REM sent me a package in return with a new t-shirt for her and a letter saying that she rocks. Gotta love that Michael Stipe.
3. One of the coolest moments of my life was sitting on an airplane pointed toward Boston, with Best Friend on one side of me and Hubby on the other.
4. The first time I ever saw U2 in concert, I really thought it would be nice to meet the band after the show. So I decided, as my friends and I were walking out of the (outdoor) venue, that maybe I'd just try opening some doors and see what happened. My theory was that they couldn't actually kill me, so what was the worst that could happen? Turns out that the worst that could happen is that a big guy steps into your path and says "Where do you think you're going?" and you say "Could you tell me where the bathroom is?" and they escort you out the door.
5. In college I made a U2 fanzine (I'm a raging dork. Shut up.) and one of my covers was featured in the official U2 publication. (Okay, so maybe "featured" in the wrong word, but they showed the cover of my fanzine by the list of all the U2 fanzines you could order, from all over the world.)
6. I love toast with butter and jam.
7. At the age of 5, I knew every single word to Paradise By the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf and all of the choreography for Proud Mary by Tina Turner. (And I will rock those for you right now, if you'd like!)
And it is with love that I pass this award along to my (Bacardi) Mama.
This boggles my mind a bit, because "beautiful" is not a word normally associated with me, but I am honored, nonetheless. Thank you, Heidi!
I would love to copy the image into this post, but my technological skills just aren't that sharp. So I'll just skip to the next part....Seven Facts About Me:
1. I once had an email argument with Henry Rollins. I did not want to have an email argument with Henry Rollins. I love Henry Rollins. I'm not actually sure how it happened.... I had given a letter writing assignment to my students. Everyone was writing to someone "famous" and then would share anything they received in reply. I tend to do assignments with my students, so I wrote to Henry Rollins, because he seemed likely to reply. (Why I thought that, I don't know. I just did.) So I found an email address and sent a little note explaining that I was a teacher and the basics of the assignment, and asked if he would please send some sort of acknowledgment. Just something along the lines of "Hey kids, study hard and be good." He replied wanting more specifics of what I was asking for, I replied to that with more explanation, he still didn't understand... And, somehow, we wound up in an email argument. I used to have the whole thing saved on my work computer, but then I got a new work computer, and the whole thing was lost in the shuffle. That made me a little sad, because that's probably the only contact I'll ever have with Henry Rollins.
2. When my goddaughter was born, I bought her a onesie at an REM concert. She was born premature, so it took her awhile to fit into it. And when she finally did, her mom, Best Friend, brought her to see me at work, so she could show me how awesome she looked. I took pictures of her, dancing in her totally cool REM onesie. (It had a bunny on it!) And I sent those pictures to REM, relating the story of my goddaughter, her birth and what an amazing kid she was growing in to. And REM sent me a package in return with a new t-shirt for her and a letter saying that she rocks. Gotta love that Michael Stipe.
3. One of the coolest moments of my life was sitting on an airplane pointed toward Boston, with Best Friend on one side of me and Hubby on the other.
4. The first time I ever saw U2 in concert, I really thought it would be nice to meet the band after the show. So I decided, as my friends and I were walking out of the (outdoor) venue, that maybe I'd just try opening some doors and see what happened. My theory was that they couldn't actually kill me, so what was the worst that could happen? Turns out that the worst that could happen is that a big guy steps into your path and says "Where do you think you're going?" and you say "Could you tell me where the bathroom is?" and they escort you out the door.
5. In college I made a U2 fanzine (I'm a raging dork. Shut up.) and one of my covers was featured in the official U2 publication. (Okay, so maybe "featured" in the wrong word, but they showed the cover of my fanzine by the list of all the U2 fanzines you could order, from all over the world.)
6. I love toast with butter and jam.
7. At the age of 5, I knew every single word to Paradise By the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf and all of the choreography for Proud Mary by Tina Turner. (And I will rock those for you right now, if you'd like!)
And it is with love that I pass this award along to my (Bacardi) Mama.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I wish I could say....
I wish I could say just the exact right thing to make everything all better. To make things easier, happier, smoother. Not to get things back to the way they were, but actually make them better.
I wish I knew what to say to solve the problems. Really solve them, so that changes were made, instead of band-aids applied.
I wish I could say just exactly what I really and truly think, and what I really and truly mean. With no holds barred. But I know that wouldn't solve any problems at all.
So instead, I'll just keep my mouth shut.
*****
tell it to me tuesdays
I wish I knew what to say to solve the problems. Really solve them, so that changes were made, instead of band-aids applied.
I wish I could say just exactly what I really and truly think, and what I really and truly mean. With no holds barred. But I know that wouldn't solve any problems at all.
So instead, I'll just keep my mouth shut.
*****
tell it to me tuesdays
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