March 30, 2014

Bus ride?

When I was in college I would take classes in the morning and then go to work in the afternoon and then back to a class at night. 

That bus ride was heaven.  I wouldn't have to concentrate on anything but looking out the window. I loved that bus ride. I only had to pay parking at the college instead of both at the college and the meter on the street. Also I didn't have to drive. Just time for me to contemplate the immenseness of the universe . . . or not.

It was October and it was that drizzling type of rain. Not hard just enough to be damp. I was waiting for the bus to take me back to school. I need to tell you that there are 2 different buses that go the same place but they take 2 different routes and one of them takes an additional 10 minutes. Not too bad. Plus their numbers were really close together. I say this because on this day I got on the wrong bus. I wasn't paying attention and it said Sac State. So off I go or rather on the bus I embarked. 

It was FULL. Only 1 spot to sit and it was in the back of the bus. (Rosa Parks actually entered my mind but I quickly dismissed it as it didn't apply in this situation.) 

So I sat in the one spot there was. Just as I sat down and was swinging my heavy backpack off my shoulder the young man in front of me swung around and said with a very excited tone "Hi there!". Alarm bells immediately went off in my mind. A serious "uttt ohhh" was vibrating somewhere inside. Hoping to be wrong I replied with a nice but distant "Hi" and left it at that. 

Well that wasn't enough . . . no, not at all. He proceeded to tell me all about his life and family, etc. I did decide that he was probably mentally ill and was just released to his family. All throughout this bus ride I was looking out the window saying to myself "Why me?" "What did I do to deserve this?" "Really God I will be good after this. Honest!"  

I did respond to this young man periodically with an apparently attentive "I see." or "Un hunh."  or some other comment.  

Finally after what seemed an eternity - 20 minutes - it was his stop. Read - sigh of relief on my part. But no. One last "Oh nooooooo". He wants me to have his jacket because it's cold outside and raining and I didn't have one. I wanted to keep this jacket with him as he had only a t-shirt so I suggested that he take it and perhaps someone else might need it more than me. He looks out the window and see doesn't see anyone else. I throws the jacket over the seat in front of me and runs off the bus.

I cannot tell you how intense my feelings were. They equal parts relief, angry, tired, frustrated (that I couldn't do more) and overwhelmingly sad for this young man. Then amazingly enough grateful that I was there for some reason. 

I looked around the bus and there were about 3-4 people left on the bus. I never noticed anyone getting off the bus for some reason but it seem logical as I did somewhere in my haze of the ride know that he bus did make it's stops. The man behind me tapped me on the shoulder and all the tension from the ride came out and I not very nicely said "WHAT!!!!!!!" He took 2 steps back and then asked if I was going to use the jacket. I pretty much threw it at him sat "Here it's yours." 

As I got to school that night for my class, which was on counseling techniques, I was relaying my little journey to my classmates. All were awash in empathy for me. The instructor came in and said we had a change in the schedule and we would be discussing the "un hunh" technique of counseling. (There is a technical term but this this common description.) I had to laugh and then relayed my experience and received an A for my handling of the situation. 

Moral of this story is all things happen for a reason. I got on the wrong bus for a reason. I sat next this young man for a reason. Even my reluctance was for a reason. Just goes to show that the destination is not as important as the journey itself. I often reflect on this experience and am humbled again and again.       

March 26, 2014

Just a note here

Just a note here that I am playing with my blog. 

So if you find a different look each day or so don't be put off. I am still learning and I am trying out a few things. I will add different things and then decide that it's too cluttered or find another spot to put that particular widget. 

As you can see I have added an index or pages across the top and changed the look a bit. Now that I have a bunch of posts I can start sorting them and put labels on them so y'all can find them easier. 

I am trying for more pictures and breaking up the paragraphs a bit to make it more easily digestable (is that even a word? It is now.)

So just bear with me here and come along for the ride.

March 25, 2014

Fire! Fire! Not.

I have been in my home for 7 years now. When I bought my home it was brand spankin' new. No one had lived in it. It is awesome. It is mine. Well it is in a new area and one one night I noticed someone was sitting in the car across the vacant lot and on the street. I thought this odd. He stayed there all night and was gone in the morning. Then it happened again. That's it I thought. Alarm now. 

So that is how I decided on my alarm. And I use my alarm. 

Every night and every time I leave I engage my alarm. So far so good. 

Now I also keep my windows open on occasion during the summer months. Heck I am on the 2nd and 3rd floors I should be safe. So I can override those particular windows. 


On the keypad there is the icons for Fire, Police and Ambulance. I had no idea what happens if you press these. Well I found out one night. 



I was trying to override my one window. Now I have done this so many times that I don't have to think about it. But for some reason this one night my fingers did the walking. And sure enough it hit the Fire icon. 

The alarm goes off and it's LOUD!. I am totally flustered. I immediately try to Cancel the alarm. That doesn't work. 

Now you need to know that the closest Fire Station is only a couple a blocks away. By the time that the alarm company calls me I see red lights outside my window. 

Also you need to know that this is about midnight on a Sunday night. I was going to bed so I wasn't exactly dressed for company if you know what I mean. 

I hang up with the alarm company and go running down the stairs to meet the firemen. Flying would more accurately describe my hurry. But half way down I realize I am not appropriately dressed and run back up the stairs to get my robe. Then back down the stairs and run out the door to meet the fire truck.

They were all dressed up and no fire to fight. They had all their gear on and everything. I kind of felt bad that there wasn't any something more substantial then my wandering finger. 

After I finished my story about how I had a wandering finger and begged their forgiveness over and over they finally left chuckling. Hey I know how to make an impression. Plus they were cute. 

So I learned my lesson. I am now very careful. But then it might get a little boring around here and who knows what might happen. 

 


March 24, 2014

Warning! Warning! Warning Will Robinson

That is how I feel. Just like the Robot in Lost in Space with his waving arms and spinning around spouting out the warning to his good buddy Will Robinson. 

I have a really good case of Vertigo. It's that head rush you get when you stand up too fast or get out of bed too quick (not that I could be accused of that at any time in my life). I feel like I am on a twirly ride at an amusement park that wont stop. I have had this for 4 days and this is day 5. 

At first I just thought it would pass. I probably had a bit of some bug that is going around. Days 2 and 3 were much better. It passed when I was vertical. So much so that I went out with a good friend for dinner. I had a really good time. It was a lot of fun. We talked and talked and talked (I know no surprise there). So I wasn't at all surprised that I was tired and a bit hoarse on Day 4. 

Day 4 was the worst. I was so dizzy I couldn't get out of bed until noon. (Again no surprise there.) When I did venture to get up the room really did spin. I was tired but not too tired. I was nautious only because the room was spinning. At this point I was more than a little concerned. I was FREAKING OUT.  

I had already been checking my blood pressure (being the hypochondriac I am) and it was really high. So now I am convinced that I am having a stroke. (Plus I am watching Stories of the ER marathon that had a man with a stoke on it.) I am now really considering going to the ER myself. Do I? Don't I? Back and forth. I started feeling a bit better so I didn't go into the Emergency Room and today I glad I didn't. But still the only thing I could do all day was lay on the sofa and focus on my baby. My baby was whining but I couldn't do anything for him so he finally gave up and laid down next to me. Ahhhhh our critters know.

So now Day 5 dawns. At first I cautiously open my eyes to see what condition the room is in. I see the room stay where it is. Yeah!!!!!! I'm cured!!!!!! Wait . . . oh no I celebrated to early. There it goes. Room spinning Day 5. That's it! Make that appointment. 

So later today we will see if I will be living much longer. 

News at 11.

Update: Well I just have to wait. Positional Benign Vertigo. Great. Medical science can clone a sheep but can't cure my vertigo. Hunh? OK then. 


March 19, 2014

Don't you just hate it when . . .

. . . people stop just in front of you for no reason at all?

The other day I was shopping in the grocery store. Just like all of you I do grocery shopping. I bet I dislike it as much as you do. So my goal is to get in, get out. I know where everything is and I just want to grab and go. Just like in the game shows. You have 30 seconds to get the key ingredients and move on. Unfortunately not everyone is in the same frame of mind. So I had multiple folks just stopping right in front of me to look and decide and calm crying children and . . . Jeez folks. Don't you know that you grab and go?

. . . the car in front of  you is S L O W for no apparent reason?

I was driving to a gathering about 15 miles away. As usual I was a teensy bit late. Not bad for me anyway. But still wanted to get there. There wasn't anyone on the road but the me and the car in front of me. This was a two lane road in the country. Meaning cows were the only other breathing creature (other than me breathing heavy due to screaming to myself "Get a MOVE on!"). The other car was going at least 15 miles per hour UNDER the speed limit. What on earth is up with this?  Maybe it's they are turning soon. Nope. Maybe it's they are looking at the cows. Nope - no head turning. Maybe it's they don't know where they are going. Nope - again no head turning. Maybe it's . . . well I am out of ideas here. It was just annoying and I couldn't get past them either. I had to just deal. Crap!

. . .  when other people just complain?

Um. Well. Um. Hunh. Okay then. 

I'm done.


March 17, 2014

A Book for Everything

Sorry Folks. But I have taken a much needed rest. 

But while I was out . . . I went to a local bookstore. Yes they are still around. Ok it was Barnes and Noble. I could spend my entire vacation there. 

I was in the clearance aisles (as usual - looking for a great deal) and something struck me. You can find a book on nearly anything. No matter how the world turns, no matter how much we progress, no matter what new gadget comes along, no matter what new idea is the all the rage, there is one constant. Books. There is a book on anything. 

For example:

If you want to excersize there are books on Pilates and Yoga. Bibles even!

Speaking of Bibles, if you are reading it for the first time again here you go. Now First time and again aren't exactly the same thing in my book but hey...

Now here the help you need to organize your life, get all your ducks in a row, for only $7.98. What a steal.

Which will lead to Reinventing yourself. Coool.

Which will then lead you on the Road to Grace. I also notice it costs less as you go too. 

I don't wish to make fun of this process but I was struck by the fact that there are books on such personal topics. Not that they aren't excellent thoughts and ideas and helpful to those in need but it can be such a personal journey. 

Now this is more in line of what I thought should be in the clearance section. That is the book for me.

So what did I finally end of up purchasing you ask. 

A book on how to blog. We'll see if it helps.









March 12, 2014

Musician

Now that is not an easy word to say. No siree.  That is a difficult word to say. Just ask Elle. She can't say that word to save her life. So let me tell you a little story about a someone who had an itty bitty problem one night. 

So we girls decided to have a bit of good time. We decided it was time to leave the boyfriends at home and shake our tails. So off we go to a dance club. 

We had been to this mighty fine dance club before and we usually have a good time. This night was no different. We took the sister of Elle's boyfriend, who also needed to have a tail shaking good time. 

As the night wore on we attracted our share of very wanted attention. We were lucky enough to have drinks bought for us and had a good time. Well, let me rephrase that. Elle and Carly had a really good time and I (being the self-appointed designated driver) drank soda all night. 

Time to go. I neglected in getting the vehicle keys from Carly earlier in the night. Bad move on my part. At this time I couldn't get the keys away from her. She insisted. To all who are reading - ALWAYS get the keys first. We didn't have far to go but it was still not good move. Carly I apologize.

Carly is driving another friend's big, bada** truck. Elle is in the middle and I am riding shotgun on the passenger side. All is well for the first couple of blocks except... I realize the truck is stuck in the 4-wheel-drive mode. So it's a bit of a monster to handle on city streets. Also, I look behind us and there is a train of cars following us. Evidently the ladies in their joyous time decided to bring the party back to the house. These were all men behind us. I am cringing at this point thinking what are the boyfriend is going to think about this development. 

I decided to deal with that when (if) we get there. 

I say that because Carly took a left corner a bit too sharply. (Understatement here.) I looked out the window and saw the sidewalk. We were on the right two wheels. Before I could even digest that we were in a boatload of trouble (translation: I was in a boatload of trouble) Carly calls out (I kid you not)...

One ...

Two ...

Three ...

LEFT!

We all move left and miraculously we come down on all four wheels. (I personally believe my guardian angel was working overtime and called in the reserves.)

The only bright spot was we lost all the cars behind us. I didn't have to address that other awkward issue. 

We get back to the house and let's just say the boyfriend was not happy. To abate any further hostilities I decided to take Elle back to my place to sleep.

In her inebriated state she insisted she could drive. So I told here if she could say ... (now I had to think of something that was difficult here) I got it ... 

MUSICIAN (she had a crush on the lead singer of the band we saw that night)

If she could say "musician" then I would let her drive. I was in no jeopardy here. I knew this for a fact. I have to admit that her attempts at saying that word were side-splitting. I have rarely ever heard a word so mangled so many times. Finally she gave up and passed out on the sofa. 

It was tough next morning for her but I slept like a baby with a grin on my face.

Moral of this story - GET THE KEYS FIRST! or Designate someone else to drive so I get to have a good time. Take your pick.


 

March 11, 2014

Boys without Shirts, Oh Yeah!

I worked a chicken farm one summer. (Ok it was one day.) But it left an impression. 

I used to visit my family in Iowa. My Uncle's wife's family had a chicken farm. (Awkward way of saying not my blood family but by family by marriage. Which is all the same to me.) I was about 12 or 14 years old. Just discovering boys and other things shall we say. 

The farm had orders to fulfill. So the family all got together and proceeded to fill those orders. 

This is where I wish we could make pictures out of our memories. 

I can still see ...
  • the yard that the chickens met their final squawks
  • the "men" performing those deeds 
  • my innocent eyes opening up when I knew where the phrase "running around like a chicken with your head cut off" meant
  • the kitchen where all the women sat to clean and process the birds after the men were through with them
Now I say "men" but what I really mean is "males" in our current day vernacular. Because "men" means any male over 10 or so, and there were teenage boys there along with their parents, uncles and grandfathers.

I remember sitting at a table and told to clean a the bird. I had no idea what that meant. "I am a city girl" I wanted to cry. Thank goodness my Aunt took pity on me and showed me what to do. 

My cousin Nettie, who was my age, and I traded off duties. Cleaning is where one of us would pull out the pin feathers by hand using pliers. Then make it look like the chicken you get at the grocery store. So I was on pin feather duty to start with and Nettie was cutting. 

I remember feeling like I was a part of the family as I listened to "women" chatter. It was a warm feeling. I had a job and I did my part. Until... I was asked - since I was the visitor - which chickens we should cook for dinner (translation: lunch). 

Hunh?  

What? 

Like I know a good one from a not so good one? 

Did I mention I love my Aunt?  She came to my rescue so many times. This time was no exception. She said to me, in a lowered voice, "just pick 2". I love you Aunt Jesse. I picked the two I was working on. Done. Solved. 

Now, this is what I was NOT prepared for. Seriously traditional roles here. When it came time for dinner (read lunch) the call went out to the men it was time to eat. And they came filing in. They sat at the dinner table and filled each seat. I was wondering where was I going to sit? There isn't a spot left. 

My Aunt came to my rescue again and gave me plates of food to put on the table and then told me to fill the water glasses. I was to continue doing this until the men are done and then we women can eat. 

WHAT? 

The men eat first? 

We don't eat together? 

This is .... 

This is ... 

So medieval. 

Hunh?

We worked just as hard as they did. Granted it wasn't outside but ... 

Crap!  

I'm hungry!

My feminist diatribe was definitely at work here. This is so not fair. We worked hard too, I whined to myself. 

I think I pouted the whole time. 

There was hardly a word spoken and the men ate their meal in about 10 minutes and left without a word. 

Not a "Thank you that was good." 

Not even a "Thanks!" 

Nothing. 

Ungrateful louts. 

My Aunt explained that is how it's done. There. The end. Did I mention I am city girl and we eat together in the city? 

Now the good part.

My teenage boy cousins had to go and bring in the bales of hay from adjacent field. Nettie and I went along to be basically ballast and sit on the bales of hay as they drove along and grabbed them from the field with the flatbed attached to the tractor. 

Did I mention that I have some really good looking cousins? 

I was very content to just sit there on the bales of hay and watch my men cousins do all that work. Watch them with their shirts off in the afternoon sun, glistening with sweat and watching those muscles work. Again I wish I could produce pictures from my memory. 

Until Nettie decided to rock the boat - literally. 

She thought it would be funny if we rocked a bale off the back of the flatbed. And off we went. We then yelled for our cousins to come by and pick us up. Instead - all they did was hand us the hooks and told us to put the bale of hay back on the flatbed ourselves. A bale of hay is HEAVY. It took us both to get it back on as they watched and laughed at us. 

Finally they took pity on us and put the bale back on the flatbed. I think they just didn't want to wait in the hot sun any longer. 

I do have to admit though, I often remember those boys - out in the mid-day heat working at bringing those bales in and I have a nice smile on my face for a while.  

March 7, 2014

Being Female doesn't always work.

A friend of mine put a joke about a police woman on Facebook the other day. It reminded me of a time that I actually tried to use my femaleness to my advantage to get out of speeding ticket.

My friend Elle and I were on a road trip. We were driving down Interstate 5 (I5). Now for those of you who don't know, I5 runs North/South from Mexico to Canada.


Through the central valley of California through the middle of Oregon and on through the middle of Washington to Canada. It's pretty dang straight and in parts monotonous.  Very monotonous. Boring. I think you get the idea. 



We were driving along a stretch that was particularly boring. The view around the area was pretty but it's so straight that it can get to you. There was a military convoy in front of us. I just wanted to get going. I was on a roll. I don't want to go the speed of a turtle. This convoy of Army trucks were just crawling along. I spotted a section that I could pass them and sped on by. Being pretty young and carefree I waved to the soldiers and blew kisses at them and generally having some fun. 



Then I saw that vision that No one wants to see in the rear view mirror. Yep. The red lights of the CHP (California Highway Patrol). 

I pulled over to the side of the road and got my license and registration out. Feeling pretty good with myself after passing a bunch of smiling and whooping soldiers I decided to try a nice coquettish smile and bat my eyelashes and generally play the female card to get out of the ticket. 

I was practicing and getting ready. I asked Elle if she thought it would work. She looked back and said "I don't think so." Oh ye of little faith I thought. Watch me. I'll do it. 

I turned around and started in on my eye-lash batting and ...

You guessed it. It was a female CHP officer. My face fell and I felt a million ways foolish. Elle, being my friend, just started laughing. 

After signing for the speeding ticket and getting on my way - and coming back to pick up Elle from the side of the road that I dumped her on - not really but thought about it, I went on my merry way. Behind the convoy that had passed up while I was getting my ticket. 

Being female just doesn't always work. 

 

March 6, 2014

Oops! My PHONE!

I haven't posted in a few days. Sorry for that. But I was at a seminar yesterday. It was informative. It was all day. It was eventful. Of course, I was there. He He.

The seminar was at a hotel at UC Davis Medical Center. For those of you who don't know, that is the MAIN hospital in our area. It is HUGE!. It's a teaching hospital and the Shriner's Hospital is right next to it but now it's in the middle of the complex. It has grown so much and parking SUCKS. I forgot that fact by the way. Took me 20 minute to find a parking place. 

All is well throughout the morning. I had put in my order for lunch first thing. Just a turkey sandwich. Nothing difficult. Lunch comes around, I go to pick up my lunch and there is a problem. Everyone is nervous. I patiently wait for my lunch. But they say it will be a few minutes. No problem I will wait. They bring it out and apologize profusely for the error and do I want anything else on the house. I am fine. Say so and eat my lunch. I don't even know what the problem was. The sandwich was really good. But then I was offered free coffee (Starbuck's), free cookies, free chips, etc. And kept being offered despite my repeated replies that all is well. Now this I can get used too. 

I use the facilities before going into the afternoon session. Before I could perform any duties I had the most feared thing happen. Yep. My cell phone fell in the .... let's just say it, the toilet. I saw it falling and was helpless to do anything about it. It made that plop noise too. All the while I started the rant of "No No No NO NO NOOOOO !!!!!!"

Yes there were other people in the restroom. I know they heard me. No one came to my aid tho. I really don't blame them. So I then steel myself and reach in to grab my phone and sure enough the $5 bill I was going to use for my lunch (which was already paid for thank goodness) fell in the same place. Rats!!!  Now I am fishing both out and drying both. 

I finally get everything as dry as I can and move to the classroom for the afternoon session. All is going along to plan. Then all of the sudden a waterfall that I hadn't notice before starts pouring right over my table that I am sitting.  It's wasn't just drips. It was a full blown bucket of water coming through the overhead light. Splashing as it hits the table. I guess I am bound to be having an issue with water that day. 

But then water and electrical things don't go together and the light starts to spark and pop all the while the water is still gush out. I hear a muffled scream (not me but someone else not even near this event) and we all move. Credit to the instructor - he just moves the table and keeps on going. Fairly quickly all is well - the light stops it popping and sparking, the waterfall dries up and we move along. 

What an eventful day. I just bring that in folks I guess.

March 3, 2014

Award show craze

So everyone is talking about the Oscars today. Yes I watched them. Just like all you out there that are denying you watched but did secretly. I know who you are.

I watch Award Shows in general. Just like most all women. I watch for the dresses. I admit it. I love to see what the latest trend is. Who looks like a knock-out in that latest designer and who needs to be knocked-out.  

I imagine what I would wear should I have an invitation to walk any red carpet. Of course I have 5 feet of legs and weigh 100 pounds dripping wet. Not to mention that a top designer is a close personal friend and I have $1,000,000 worth of jewels hanging from various body parts.

I imagine a that I would wear a princess dress just like something a starlet wore last night. Then I see another beautiful star walk down the carpet and I imagine the one shoulder number with the side slit in gold shimmery material. A truly stunning number that one. Then it's a Hold-the-presses time as that sleeveless ivory exquisite and dreamy dress (do I even dare call it just a dress) comes down the ruby red carpet hanging on that A List star. Not to mention those designer shoes and handbag to match. Does that A list star even deserve to wear such a creation as this. NO. But I do.

I walk down the carpet and smile at all the people and give innumerable interviews to the media and I stand there in MY dress with all the flashbulbs going off. Smiling knowing that I am the most honored woman there. 

Then the most aweful thing happens. Yep, you guessed it. I wake up. Just in time to see the real stars walk the carpet. <sigh>  Someday.