Back from Thanksgiving

So, I just got back from my Thanksgiving trip and it was really quite nice. Mom and I went to the Mrs. Grossman's sticker factory which was a lot of fun! I collected Mrs. Grossman's stickers when I was in elementary school and it was fun to see where they are made. We also went to the Petaluma Historical Society and a bunch of antique stores. Gary fixed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. Mom left early Saturday and just missed seeing Santa come to town on a riverboat. We couldn't really see him because of the crowd. Then, there was a short parade of vintage wagons and people on horses. Gary and I also check out the new de Young museum in Golden Gate park which was wonderful. Can't wait to go back. Now, I just have to get ready for Christmas. Luckily, I only have two presents left to buy. The rest are already wrapped and under the tree!

Ha Ha Vieve...Check it Out!

Guess they didn't have a category for "anthropologist." Sigh.

You Should Get a JD (Juris Doctor)

You're logical, driven, and ruthless.You'd make a mighty fine lawyer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, I will be incommunicado during this particular holiday break but I will catch up with you all after I have stuffed myself with turkey. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of time for friends and family. I know I have a lot to be thankful for.

Ah, the Holidays...

The holidays have arrived and with them comes the inevitable family tension. My little family is in the middle of of some growing pains right now and probably will be for some time. I think that is just a fact of life when you are starting your life with someone and merging two families. My friend Greg has been going through family drama for the last four or five years. And I'm always relieved I don't have to go through that since I really only have two people in my immediate family. But there are still adjustments to be made. My mom, Gary and I are all pretty strong-willed independent people who are set in our ways. We all like things "just so." I think I'm the luckiest of the three because I'm the youngest. That makes me the most flexible. But I have lived alone for eight years and it will be very hard to live with someone. Obviously, I will have to adapt and adjust. Gary has lived alone for over ten years. He's very much a bachelor-type who has a set routine and lives very simply. Without a lot of "stuff." I happen to like "stuff." It comforts me and makes me happy to be surrounded with things that prompt happy memories. When I sit in my Grandfather's chair I am reminded of him and all the times he used to rock me in that chair. When I lay in bed covered by my grandmother's quilt or when I cook using some of her cooking stuff, I think of her and the good times we spent together. It is very meaningful to me.

Gary and my Mom are very similar people. So, of course, they are bound to butt heads occasionally. But it is my fondest wish that they become friends and learn to care about each other. And how to adapt to each other's quirks. Just as I will have adapting to do as well.

It's going to be a long difficult process. But I think we can do it. Maybe it's the "peacemaker" in me. I just like people to get along and when they don't it makes me want to curl up in the fetal position and cover my ears. Seriously. I have never dealt with conflict well between people that I care about. I tend to internalize it and make myself sick over it. But I feel certain that we will come out of the other side of this transition period as a family.

For those of you who have gotten married and been through the whole "blending families" process, any suggestions or thoughts? I'm sure Frank's readers probably would have a few.

Blast from the Past

So, I went to the scrapbook store with my friend Amy yesterday to stock up on some supplies for her baby book. While we were there, I ran into one of my sorority sisters which was completely random. I went to a small school in Texas and our sororites were local. So running into Jenni here is kind of weird. But it was great to see her. Evidently, a few more of my sorority sisters are in town and we're going to get together next month. It will be fun to catch up and see how everyone is doing.

I can't believe I graduated from college eight years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago. And it is kind of sad to think of how few people I keep up with from college. It was definitely an interesting time in my life. The best of times and the worst of times. Still, it's fun to see people again. I hope there will be a few in California as well.

Another Reason Why Work is Tedious and Tiresome

So, yesterday was a cold day. I wore a long sweater over some jeans and my Ugg boots. Now, I am definitely not a person to wear super low rise jeans. These are were just the normal kind. Behind the circulation desk, we have shelves where we put the holds people have requested. My co-worker, Greg, was helping this man at the desk while I was on my hands and knees shelving holds. Well, it turns out the man complained about me because while I was shelving holds, he could see my lower back and the top of my underwear when my sweater rode up a little. Now, I know the sight of white cotton underwear can drive some men mad but really! Why was he even looking at me in the first place? I wasn't helping him. I was just minding my own business. And it wasn't like I had on low rise jeans with a thong sticking out. I was really put out by the whole thing. As if we don't have to deal with enough crazy people at work.

Maybe I'm just easily put out right now because I am sick with a miserable head cold. Maybe going to see Harry Potter tonight will cheer me up.

Malady from the e-Pulpit

I went to church on Sunday and I'm glad I did because the Bishop was preaching and he did a great job. His sermon was about the Parable of the Talents. For those of you who aren't familiar with the parable, it goes something like this. (I may not have it EXACTLY right but this is the gist) The Master decides to give one servant 7 talents, one servant 2 talents and one servant one talent. He tells them to use the talents wisely while he is gone. When the master returns, the first servant has invested the talents wisely and now has fourteen talents. The second servant also did well and now has four talents. But the third slave buried his talent. He told the master that he knew what a hard and difficult man the master was and he was afraid so he buried the talent. Because of his lack of faith, the third servant was thrown out and cast into darkness.

The bishop pointed out that there is a profound difference in acting out of faith and acting out of fear. If we act out of fear, worrying about retribution or going to "hell" then we are not people of faith. He said that we all need to approach each other with a "hospitality of heart." I really liked that idea. I feel that I don't always treat others with a "hospitality of heart." It is certainly easier for me to do so away from my job. But it's something I need to try and remember in my everyday life.

I have never really believed in the concept of "hell." I only believe in the absence of God. I think the Bishop described it best. He said that the third servant was experiencing a kind of hell being cast into darkness away from the light. It's like standing outside a house where this terrifice party is going on. You see the people laughing and hear the music but you have to stay outside alone. I think that would be my kind of "hell." Knowing what it feels like to be part of God's party but then having to be out alone in the darkness.

Shame on You, Pat Robertson!

In Dover, Pennsylvania , all eight school board members up for re-election were defeated after they all began pushing for intelligent design in schools. This was Pat Robertson's response:

"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God. You just rejected him from your city," Robertson said on the Christian Broadcasting Network's "700 Club."

I am so mad right now that I can barely contain myself. Pat Robertson does not have the right to dictate to people what God thinks or how He/She will respond to things. He is not God's gift to the world and for that man to call himself a Christian is sacrilege.

I don't care where you stand on the intelligent design issue. (personally, I believe in a God-driven and God-created universe but I don't believe that should be taught in schools) However, one thing I think we can all agree on is that Pat Robertson is a no-good bastard. It's people like him that are driving people of faith away from religion.

It's a Small World

My favorite Mexican food restaurant in Denver is called La Fogata. There is a beautiful girl who is a hostess there and I think her mother owns the restaurant. She is always so nice and friendly. Anyway, she was just crowned Miss Colorado and will be going to the Miss USA pageant! Now, I'm not a big fan of pageants but I think it's cool for Jackie and I wish her luck! See her crowing after the link...

http://www.tftj.com/Miss/USA/06States/CO/a_CO.htm

Socialist, Huh?

You are a Social Liberal (65% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (18% permissive) You are best described as a: Socialist Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid Free Online Dating Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Look Out, Muffin!

Inspired by Vieve's work, I thought I'd try my hand.

This is a portrait of my co-worker Karen. I hope I did justice to her buff arms. And also one of Greg.

http://artpad.art.com/?ipe8k211pw3s

http://artpad.art.com/gallery/?ipeemqxzxyk

For some real art, check this out.

"Something Nice" for Gary

Ode to Gary (with apologies to Keats)

My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My head, as though of red wine I had drunk,
Or emptied some dull DVD into my brain
One minute more, and malaise-wards I had sunk:
'Tis not through distress of my happy lot,
But being too happy in my happiness,
That thou, sweet-faced satyr of the wood,
In some melodious plot
Of rain-drenched green, and prairie dogs numberless,
Long for summer and warm days of good.

O for a kiss from Gary! that hath been
Desired a long age in my lonely pilgrim soul,
Tasting of Lagunitas and other alcohol unseen,
hugs, and hand-holding, and untold mirth!
O for the warmth of Gary’s dear mouth!
Full of the true, the loving, the obscene,
With dear bits of stubble on his chin,
And big loud mouth;
That I might drink, and leave this lonely scene,
And then fade away into Disneyland with him:

Fade far away, dissolve, and quite forget
What other people without Gary have never known,
The happiness, the fever, and the joy
Here, where we sit and hear each other laugh;
Where joy shakes a few, glad, golden hairs,
Where my skin grows pale, and wan, and longs for his touch;
Where but to think of being without him is to be full
Of sorrow and despairs;
Where sadness can be seen in my bloodshot eyes,
As this still-new Love makes me feel wonderful.

Soon! Soon! I will fly to thee,
Not carried by United and its partners,
But in the wingless chariot of my car,
Though the snowy passes and long highways:
Already thinking of being with you,
And happily Toulouse is at my side,
Listening closely to the Ipod for company
But here there is no longing left,
For soon I will be in your arms again.