There are scrapes and bruises in interesting places from being dragged over rocks by a big wave.
A chunk of sea shell that was buried in the sole of my left foot has just now been dug out.
I am sunburned over my chest and in an interesting stripe pattern on one leg.
My pedicure is ruined.
And you know what? I couldn't be happier about it!
Much like the ancient Vikings and other warrior cultures give value to the scars of battle that criss cross their bodies, I see the above as indelible marks that remind me that I got to spend the last several days in an oceanfront resort with a set of fun loving friends. There was sand, surf, and shots. I went parasailing for the second time in my life. I saw some new birds, including (now confirmed) frigatebirds. Their were some interesting conversations with Canadians (apparently the entirety of the Canadian population is in Cancun at the moment, or at least that's what it seemed like after meeting the 15th person from there). We even did absolutely nothing except for sitting on a lounge chair watching the ocean.
Beautiful.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Prepare for take off
Flip flops? Check.
Cute dresses/cover ups for beach? Check.
Swim suits? Check.
Toiletry items? Check.
First aid kit? Check.
Cell phone charger? Check.
Pedicure? Check.
A good night's sleep prior to day of travel?
Doh!
Cute dresses/cover ups for beach? Check.
Swim suits? Check.
Toiletry items? Check.
First aid kit? Check.
Cell phone charger? Check.
Pedicure? Check.
A good night's sleep prior to day of travel?
Doh!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Save Tonight
A couple of nights ago I popped in to the DMA to enjoy one of the many fun events that are hosted there periodically. Currently there is an exhibit of art by a gentleman who was a native Texan and is known for his impressionist work, particularly his bluebonnet paintings. It was quite lovely. Of course, I'll freely admit that I primarily went because of the free Starbucks coffee in the atrium where a Texas country swing band was playing. I'm a sucker for fiddles, what can I say? Sadly, I arrived too late to hear the banjo band that played during happy hour.
There is a large staircase that runs alongside the atrium and gives an excellent vantage point to people watch. Normally I don't linger there excessively, but I got caught up by the music and the wonderful bowing technique that the fiddler was using. I was, to be honest, lost in my own little world where the only thing that existed was me watching a band.
That being said, in general the security guards try to keep people moving on the stairs to avoid traffic jams. One of them came up to me and very nicely asked me to either go all the way up or down the stairs, but not to loiter. I immediately trekked up the remaining steps and moved to the overhang where I could continue watching undisturbed. And yes, I did lean on the handrail so I could get a better look over the side of the guardrail.
Much to my chagrin, one of the... art chaperones? You know, the folks that make sure you don't try to touch everything in the galleries? Well, he came up to me in a state of fury and said that this was going to be the second reprimand and any further delinquent activity on my part would earn me an escort out of the museum.
Wow. I've been here before, and have engaged in these behaviours in the past without ever being told by off, much less being threatened by expulsion. Add to that the sudden shattering of my reverie, and I'm sure the expression I gave that gentleman was a classic bewildered and startled Gigi look, likely followed by the sad puppy dog eyes that I at one point used as a weapon of manipulation and defensive measure growing up. After all, no one had said anything about looking over, it was just traffic control that had been the issue, and I had responded immediately. I begged pardon, and moved promptly.
Gotta say, though, I was more than a little annoyed as well as mortified. It made me want to retreat back home, honestly. However, the band was playing a great song that I'm sure I've heard before, and the fiddle player was still going. So, I moved to another vantage point, kept as much distance between me and the glass rail as I could without blocking other people walking by, and proceeded to tap my toes and hum along.
Out of the corner of my eye, what should I see but the gallery guy coming right at me. "Well, crap!" thought I, "Are they seriously going to throw me out for standing here?!"
No, actually. He apologized. He talked to the first guy and realized that I wasn't trying to wilfully disobey instructions, I'm just stupid. It had been a long day, after all, with a lot more people running around than usual, a lot of them being folks who do wilfully disobey. While I don't think I'll ever call him up to go get coffee or anything, when I left he waved good bye and wished me well, and I did the same.
One thing is certain, I'm glad I didn't follow most of my initial instincts. What were they? Well, anyone who knows me knows that I'm very scattered in my thinking. This goes for reactions to threats. Initial instincts included the following:
There is a large staircase that runs alongside the atrium and gives an excellent vantage point to people watch. Normally I don't linger there excessively, but I got caught up by the music and the wonderful bowing technique that the fiddler was using. I was, to be honest, lost in my own little world where the only thing that existed was me watching a band.
That being said, in general the security guards try to keep people moving on the stairs to avoid traffic jams. One of them came up to me and very nicely asked me to either go all the way up or down the stairs, but not to loiter. I immediately trekked up the remaining steps and moved to the overhang where I could continue watching undisturbed. And yes, I did lean on the handrail so I could get a better look over the side of the guardrail.
Much to my chagrin, one of the... art chaperones? You know, the folks that make sure you don't try to touch everything in the galleries? Well, he came up to me in a state of fury and said that this was going to be the second reprimand and any further delinquent activity on my part would earn me an escort out of the museum.
Wow. I've been here before, and have engaged in these behaviours in the past without ever being told by off, much less being threatened by expulsion. Add to that the sudden shattering of my reverie, and I'm sure the expression I gave that gentleman was a classic bewildered and startled Gigi look, likely followed by the sad puppy dog eyes that I at one point used as a weapon of manipulation and defensive measure growing up. After all, no one had said anything about looking over, it was just traffic control that had been the issue, and I had responded immediately. I begged pardon, and moved promptly.
Gotta say, though, I was more than a little annoyed as well as mortified. It made me want to retreat back home, honestly. However, the band was playing a great song that I'm sure I've heard before, and the fiddle player was still going. So, I moved to another vantage point, kept as much distance between me and the glass rail as I could without blocking other people walking by, and proceeded to tap my toes and hum along.
Out of the corner of my eye, what should I see but the gallery guy coming right at me. "Well, crap!" thought I, "Are they seriously going to throw me out for standing here?!"
No, actually. He apologized. He talked to the first guy and realized that I wasn't trying to wilfully disobey instructions, I'm just stupid. It had been a long day, after all, with a lot more people running around than usual, a lot of them being folks who do wilfully disobey. While I don't think I'll ever call him up to go get coffee or anything, when I left he waved good bye and wished me well, and I did the same.
One thing is certain, I'm glad I didn't follow most of my initial instincts. What were they? Well, anyone who knows me knows that I'm very scattered in my thinking. This goes for reactions to threats. Initial instincts included the following:
- Leaving the museum angrily, as stated above
- Crying
- Beginning a protracted debate on what exactly the first guy had said
- Losing my temper and refusing to move
- Pretending I didn't understand English
Yes, all those options ran through my head in the span of a second. The music saved me, though. Because, seriously, when there's a fiddler around to listen to, you do what you have to do to make sure you don't blow that chance.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Speaking of work
He definitely seems to enjoy himself at work, but I'd like to think that it's possible to enjoy yourself without being indescribably evil in the process.
Oh, and congratulations to me on my 100th blog, yay!
Oh, and congratulations to me on my 100th blog, yay!
Whistle while you work
It's been over 6 months since I've done a lick of the work I spent about 7 years of my life getting ready for, but that time is coming to an end. By next week, I'll be donning my white coat, putting my PDA and stethoscope in my pockets, and then spending a good percentage of my time back in the hospital. Not a bad thing, as 6 (really, almost 7 months) without income is kind of worrisome.
Has my time been well spent? Well, I think so. Ok, so I spent almost a full month of that time playing Warcraft. I enjoy the meditative quality of playing the game, interacting with others, the inevitable trash talking, and I have a jolly fun level 70 troll hunter to show for it.
I've traveled, too. Ireland, Spain, and one final international trip to Mexico before I start. Plus I got to spend some time traveling within my homeland to visit family and friends. So I went from having never been to Europe to going twice in 4 months, which makes me happy.
Books and movies occupied a good portion of my time, and Half Price Books is definitely one of my favorite haunts. I never feel too guilty for reading something from cover to cover there considering the amount of books I've sold in the past for a pittance that later moved for quite a bit more. That being said, I have bought several books from there, so don't go thinking I'm not supporting my favorite business. Plus, they sell coffee. You think I don't get some whenever I go? You would be wrong, my friend.
A good percentage of my time was spent in the company of my friends, be it during some of the above or while lounging on sofas watching TV. Lots of great times have been spent eating, singing, drinking, dancing, or even just doing absolutely nothing. Nothing is one of the easiest and hardest things to do, but I consider myself quite good at it. Well, sometimes, at least.
Karaoke? Of course, every Monday. Amy and I were the reliable standbys, with frequent appearances by Karrie and Alicia, as well as various other friendly faces who would come out periodically. We are undoubtedly one of the best karaoke audiences on Earth. I'm proud to say, even JuJuBe took part, although at a different venue from our norm.
So, will things change when work starts? Hell yeah. But I've got a handle on at least some of the things that make me happy, and I'm not going to let go. Because one of the things I've learned from watching others and my own experience is that life is a hell of a lot more than work. I like what I do, but that doesn't mean that I forgo the life outside of my job. After all, I want to be happy while I'm there, and even more so when I leave.
Has my time been well spent? Well, I think so. Ok, so I spent almost a full month of that time playing Warcraft. I enjoy the meditative quality of playing the game, interacting with others, the inevitable trash talking, and I have a jolly fun level 70 troll hunter to show for it.
I've traveled, too. Ireland, Spain, and one final international trip to Mexico before I start. Plus I got to spend some time traveling within my homeland to visit family and friends. So I went from having never been to Europe to going twice in 4 months, which makes me happy.
Books and movies occupied a good portion of my time, and Half Price Books is definitely one of my favorite haunts. I never feel too guilty for reading something from cover to cover there considering the amount of books I've sold in the past for a pittance that later moved for quite a bit more. That being said, I have bought several books from there, so don't go thinking I'm not supporting my favorite business. Plus, they sell coffee. You think I don't get some whenever I go? You would be wrong, my friend.
A good percentage of my time was spent in the company of my friends, be it during some of the above or while lounging on sofas watching TV. Lots of great times have been spent eating, singing, drinking, dancing, or even just doing absolutely nothing. Nothing is one of the easiest and hardest things to do, but I consider myself quite good at it. Well, sometimes, at least.
Karaoke? Of course, every Monday. Amy and I were the reliable standbys, with frequent appearances by Karrie and Alicia, as well as various other friendly faces who would come out periodically. We are undoubtedly one of the best karaoke audiences on Earth. I'm proud to say, even JuJuBe took part, although at a different venue from our norm.
So, will things change when work starts? Hell yeah. But I've got a handle on at least some of the things that make me happy, and I'm not going to let go. Because one of the things I've learned from watching others and my own experience is that life is a hell of a lot more than work. I like what I do, but that doesn't mean that I forgo the life outside of my job. After all, I want to be happy while I'm there, and even more so when I leave.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Last Lecture
It's a long video, but well worth it. I might add more thoughts stemming from watching this later, but for now I'm still thinking about it.
The Bird Whistler
While spending the day outside yesterday, I also took the opportunity to do some bird watching in between opportunities to use THE CLAW.
I love this time of year. All our native songbirds are nesting, everyone's singing to either show off or tell off, and the trees aren't fully leafed out yet making spotting them slightly easier than later in the summer.
At one point, I heard a little guy way up in the canopy singing an unfamiliar tune. I have no idea what he was, but he was tiny, so I'm guessing... a warbler? A kinglet? His posture seemed wrong for a wren, but I am still in the dark. In a lame effort to induce him to come closer, I began attempts to imitate his song.
You know, it wasn't the best thing ever, but it wasn't bad, either. I can do a pretty good cardinal, I was once able to fool my ornithology teacher with my screech owl, and I can hack my way through some of the more basic songs. Alicia started cracking up because it sounded like the bird and I were having a conversation at one point. Perhaps we were, but who knows what I was saying. The identity of that bird will likely continue to torment me for weeks.
I love this time of year. All our native songbirds are nesting, everyone's singing to either show off or tell off, and the trees aren't fully leafed out yet making spotting them slightly easier than later in the summer.
At one point, I heard a little guy way up in the canopy singing an unfamiliar tune. I have no idea what he was, but he was tiny, so I'm guessing... a warbler? A kinglet? His posture seemed wrong for a wren, but I am still in the dark. In a lame effort to induce him to come closer, I began attempts to imitate his song.
You know, it wasn't the best thing ever, but it wasn't bad, either. I can do a pretty good cardinal, I was once able to fool my ornithology teacher with my screech owl, and I can hack my way through some of the more basic songs. Alicia started cracking up because it sounded like the bird and I were having a conversation at one point. Perhaps we were, but who knows what I was saying. The identity of that bird will likely continue to torment me for weeks.
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