For those who wonder where we are in the whole planning process:
[o] My dress is being made by my stepparents, David and Dorita of Reyen Design Studios. They are amazing when it comes to clothing and textiles, the plan for the dress is awesome, and I'm REALLY excited about it! I've done two fittings thus far, will be going back for further fittings sometime in early summer.
[o] I'm currently being persnickety about photographers, going over and over a list our friend Jess made for us. Ryan is mostly letting me make the decision, since I'm the one who cares the most about it. Way I see it, the pictures are very high up on the priority scale, what we'll show our children and grandchildren and so on when they ask about their parents/grandparents/etc. Photographs are the most interesting part of a family's history. They'd better be good!
[o] The save the dates are being printed and will soon be in our hands and ready to be addressed and mailed. We loved Jess's design immediately and look forward to seeing it transformed for the invites and other paper materials for the wedding.
[o] One decision that may not seem huge but kinda is involves the attendant wear. As I mentioned in the last post, the attempt at finding bridesmaid dresses while in Indiana was, well, inconclusive at best. I got so stressed just thinking about it that I couldn't be coherent about it anymore. There was a joke which led to a light bulb moment which led to an agreement: Ryan is handling the bridesmaids' dresses, I'm handling the groomsmens' tuxes. Ryan is much better at, well, clothing in general, while picking out the details for the guys is a much easier prospect for me. We'll be discussing the decisions as we make them and have veto power and so forth, but otherwise we've basically traded responsibilities. As Aurelie, my maid of honor, put it, it may be the best and smartest decision ever and why did no one think of it sooner?
[o] Finally, I've decided that, as much as I've loved reading them over the years, I'm going to put a hiatus on reading the weddings from Off Beat Bride. This isn't really a huge decision in the scheme of things, but I realized that I was taking in the craftiness, DIY expertise, budget genius, and other awesome aspects of these weddings, and turning them into personal guilt trips. Why can't I hand-make all the centerpieces? Why can't I fashion the bouquets and boutonnieres out of old newspapers and chicken wire? Why can't I find a reception hall that's incredibly interesting and entertaining and costs $5? BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHO I AM. Ahem. Sorry. Point is, I'm shifting the focus back from What We Can Do to What We're Doing, which is a little bit harder than it sounds.
There are many other ideas for little details brimming out of my head, but I'm not sure which of them I'll be telling and which will remain surprises, sooo that's all for now! :D
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Trip To End All Trips.
SO.
...YEAH.
...IT'S GONNA BE A LONG ONE, FOLKS.
...NO, SERIOUSLY, REALLY LONG.
I won't even do more than gloss over the time between my last update and The Trip, that it was a time of working and planning and anxiety-ing.
Saturday, March 17th, I did my final packing, had breakfast/left my car with Mom, then got handed off to Ryan to drive me to the train station in Springfield. We had directions, more or less, but we still had a bit of a time finding the station, partly because Massachusetts people don't seem to like giving real directions when asked. Prank ones, yes. Directions that involve looking for a sign that you don't see until you've either taken or driven past the exit in question, yes.
The train trip was fine, although the majority of travel between Albany and Syracuse was very...let's just say I felt like I was in a washing machine. Or riding a mechanical bull on very low level. Train had rhythm.
Syracuse was great. I spent time with my stepparents, meeting their crazy neighbor and helping David shore up the house and trying on different bodice models for Dorita and cooking and writing. It was fun and relaxing and really nice, and probably the easiest part of the whole trip.
Monday, March 19th, David dropped me off for my 9:41pm train to South Bend, which didn't pull in to the station until almost 10:30. I managed to score a seat to myself after a bunch of people got off in Rochester, and even attempted to sleep. This was made difficult by the coughing Amish baby two seats up, the passenger who spent a good 15 minutes arranging her and her companion's luggage in such a way that bumped my seat back almost constantly, her companion's constant coughing, and finally the woman who sat next to me around 3am, holding a small toddler/large baby who was really pissed about being awake that late/early and kept kicking me in the leg. Not hard, but enough to wake me up. Several times.
We got in to South Bend around 9:30am on Tuesday, March 20th. Aurelie picked me up at the train station, and there was a lot of hugging. We went to 933, my first Starbucks where I am friends with the majority of the workers, and there was lots more hugging. BJ and Sameh met us there, and there was even more hugging! Then the four of us attempted to shop for bridesmaid's dresses.
I'm just going to say that it didn't work as well as planned, mostly (but not entirely) because I AM BAD AT THIS. Guys, I really, really suck at being a girl sometimes. Dresses are an especially swampy territory. We tried, some progress was made in terms of style, but otherwise...bleh. BUT it was time spent with three of my best friends in the whole world, so it was still good :) We ended up at the Ireland Starbucks (where I last worked in Indiana), where was a little bit more hugging (they're not really huggers at that store), and the four of us hung out until it was time to go to dinner.
Dinner was....awesome. Almost every single person I like and miss from the area was there (I think there were all of two exceptions), we all ate and drank and laughed and talked and muttered about work and just had a grand old time that no doubt annoyed the crap out of the restaurant staff. I kept looking around saying "I am SO HAPPY right now!" :D
Wednesday, March 21st I spent the morning with Aurelie (who acted as my gracious driver and host), then stole her car when she went in to work. I spent the day driving from Starbucks to Starbucks, Ireland to Ironwood to 933, spending a few hours at each one, writing and chatting and just hanging out. It was undoubtedly the most relaxing day of the entire trip. And I got some writing done!
Thursday, the 22nd (the six-month pre-versary, if it matters ;)), Aurelie worked in the morning while I wrote a bit at The Electric Brew, then we went shopping, me for a dress for the rehearsal dinner on Saturday (which I stupidly didn't pack for), her for work shoes. I lucked out at the very first store we went to, she is still on the hunt. We went to the laundromat, where I washed my traveling clothes and she did homework, then ended up hanging out a bit at the Goshen Starbucks, went to the grocery store for dinner and supplies, then ate and hung out some more before Game Night.
Aurelie and at least two of her friends have a tradition going, where every Thursday they go to someone's apartment and play board and card games. There is also booze involved sometimes. I WANT ONE HERE. Ahem. We started off with Catch Phrase (love it!), then everyone else took a smoke break, and it was so nice outside that it was decided that we would change Game Night into Rove Around Goshen Night. We ended up at Hannah's apartment, drinking and talking and watching someone's second season of Roseanne. It was a good time.
Friday, the 23rd was The Chicago Trip. BJ, Sam, Aurelie, Raequan and I piled into Sameh's car early-ish Friday morning and headed off to The Windy City. The majority of the day was spent at The Fields Museum, which was COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY AWESOME. There were bugs and sarcophagi and stuffed (as in taxidermy) animals and a T-REX SKELETON and a Ghengis Khan exhibit and a 3D movie about the T-Rex skeleton and and and wheeeeeee! I believe I found the Coolest Thing In The World in The Gem Room. First off, I love sparkly gems, so a whole freaking room of them? OH. MAN. Sam and I were such children in there. It was fantastic. Then the opal case had an opalized vertebrate; the cavities in a dinosaur's bone had been filled silica (and silt and stuff) over the centuries, leaving an opalescent cast behind. AN OPAL DINOSAUR BONE. You can stop looking, that's the Coolest Thing Ever.
We left the museum just as it began to rain. BJ and Aurelie stayed under an awning (well, BJ did, Aurelie jumped in puddles) while Sam, Rae and I walked back to the car. We got...SOAKED. I have never been that drenched in my entire life. The hoodie I was wearing did not completely dry out until late Saturday night. OY.
Lunch as at The Chicago Diner, the same place BJ, Sam, Rae and I went last year. It was a must on this trip because we had such a great experience last year. Once again, it was phenomenal. The milkshake was delicious, the amazing waitress from last year remembered us (*swoon!*), and it was all just tasty and awesome.
We stopped at a Starbucks, where Sam and I dozed in the car while the others got drinks, then it was off to the mall, where I was able to find a clutch for the wedding, as well as a few other trinkets, and we all ran around looking at pretties. Then dinner at Wendy's, then home again.
Saturday, March 24th, Sam, BJ, Dustin and I drove down to Indy to hang out before my flight at 6. It took a little while to get going, and a long while to get there, but the time was filled with joking and talking and Weird Al, so it was a fun time :D We went to the mall, which was actually a little disappointing, but still fun, had some lunch, and got ready to cry our eyes out when I had to leave. Then there was panic.
So, funny store. When we first arrived at the mall, we checked Garmina (the GPS) to see how far away the airport was. 2 miles? Sweet! Plenty of time! It'll take minutes to get there! Spend time in the mall, get in the car, set the GPS...wait, did you check for Indianapolis International Airport, or Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport? Wait, International is actually 18 miles away? And it's 4:45? FUH.
I think the word hysterical is extremely apt for my demeanor for the trip from the mall to the airport. At least I had a delicious cupcake toadd sugar rush to the equation calm me down. :D
The hugs were rushed but still good (WAAAAAA), and I JUST made the flight, by the grace of a wonderful ticket lady who could have just shrugged and said "Hey, not my problem." If I knew her name, I would send her flowers.
The flight went pretty well, although I did keep almost dozing off. Whups. Also, it was a four-hour flight that left at 6 and landed at 6:59. I am endlessly amused by this. Yay time zones!
Landed right on time, rehearsal dinner was an hour in but I could still make it with time to change...except I had to find my baggage that had to be checked at the gate because "the bins were all full" which was BS there were at least a dozen empty spots. Okay, found it, still plenty of time...until I found the line for the shuttles to the Rental Car Place, an entire building with the sole purpose of renting cars, located a short shuttle ride away from the airport. The shuttle ride was less than 15 minutes, but the line to get on the shuttle was gigantic. I got in when it was about three blocks long. THREE BLOCKS LONG. Then the shuttle ride (pro tip, if you're on an extremely crowded bus, standing amongst strangers, with only a pole to try and keep steady, DON'T STAND WITH AN ELBOW OUT. The little teapot pose is INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE SITUATION), then the fair-sized line to get to the counter and rent the car. By the time I was in the car and putting the restaurant into the GPS, it was almost 9. It took almost two hours to go from landing to rental car.
Finally got to the restaurant a bit after 9, albeit still in the t-shirt and jeans I traveled in. Dan didn't care, he was just happy I was there, and hugged me and introduced me and pointed me at the pasta. Now that's a good friend! I met with the rest of the Groom Party, which consisted of myself, Michael (I've known him since middle school, he and Dan met in high school), Jed (Dan's older half-brother and Best Man), and Logan (Dan's boss and good friend). I was introduced, they were all very nice, then they said "So we all have to give speeches tomorrow, not just Jed. And you missed it, but the Bridal Party gave their speeches, and every single one made every single person in the place cry. We are SCREWED."
...wheeee...
I was only there for the very tail end of the rehearsal dinner, but it was really good time, and we of the Groom Party meshed pretty much instantly. It was decided very early on that, with the speeches, Jed was bringing The Ruckus, Michael was bringing the Party, Logan The Thunder, and me The Rage. I was skeptical, but they insisted I'd do fine. Ho-kay.
I dropped Michael off at his hotel, then went to put the address for mine in the GPS...and it didn't know what I was talking about. This number doesn't exist. This road doesn't exist. You crazy, lady. Search for Comfort Inns? Okay, here's allllllll of them, from the UK to every state in the US to some in Australia, listed in random order, go ahead and find yours! :D
...FUH.
So there I was, 10:30 Phoenix time, 1:30 in the morning by the clock in my head, driving up and down University Drive, with an extremely full bladder, awake for 18 hours, unable to find my hotel. Ryan to the rescue! I called him, he was still awake, he eventually managed to figure out where I was ("Wait, there's another West University Drive?" "There's two of them?! Which one am I on?!"), and directed me to my hotel. My hero. :D
Sunday, March 25th, Dan and Kathleen's wedding. It was the best day ever! Honestly!
The Groom Party, Dan, his parents, and his aunt all met up for brunch. It was there Dan gave me my Groom Party gift: a pair of Converse that matched those the guys would be wearing in the wedding. <3 They are my new go-to shoes, because they are HELLA comfortable! And they have a red stripe since their the lady's version, so I'm even snazzier. :D
The Groom Party (minus Logan) went back to Dan's and Kathleen's apartment, where we hung out and walked Lily (their dog, who was lovely if a bit...excited) until 12:30. That's when Logan returned, the singers began to arrive to change and practice, and we got changed. Then it was Stabucks, where we got our fixes, and off to the farm!
First off at the farm was photos! That was actually a lot of fun. Oh, and backstory: Jed had brought a pack of Lord of the Rings Pez dispensers to the bachelor party, letting everyone pick their favorite. I got to pick mine the morning of the wedding. Dan had Smeagol, Logan and Jed had Gandalf and Aragorn (I forget which had which), Michael took Gimli, and I chose Samwise. The first sets of pictures had them showing, either peeking out of the guys' chest pocket or tucked under my dresses strap. We put them away for more serious shots, then convinced the photographer to get some shots of just them. The best one, by far, was the toys lined up in the grass in the same formation we'd been in. I'm framing it!
The day up until the ceremony were pictures, figuring out last-minute sound system and ceremony set-up, keeping Dan pointed away from Kathleen when she was doing pictures with her party, etc. It was basically hours of hanging out, joking, and cussing, while also Getting Shit Done. :D
The ceremony was amazing. The singers, various friends and family members that can sing a capella, were awesome. I've actually had one of them, the best one, the one Dan wrote about the day he met Kathleen, stuck in my head since then. Dan and I smiling at each other when I came down with Kevin (a bridesman) was wonderful. The vows made me cry--hell, everyone cried. And laughed. It was a very silly ceremony as well as romantic and touching and oh god I'm gonna start again.
The reception was crazy fun. The speeches actually went really well. The food was delicious. The music was great. Dan let me change into my Converse. It was great! :D
My favorite moments include:
[o] Quick back story on the first one: Dan and Kathleen are both Theater People. Most of their lives has revolved around being on stage. So. For Logan's speech, The Thunder, he introduced himself, had the guests put down their glasses and stand, and said "Dan, Kathleen, this is your standing ovation." The audience knew what to do. They were both obviously very, very touched. It was perfect.
[o] My speech actually is one of my favorite moments. I kept saying that I didn't have any Rage to bring, so I was changed to The Love, as in it was my job to bring The Love. I talked about how a lot of friendships change over the years, and sometimes they don't last because of time or distance or just the people changing, but with Dan it doesn't matter. I cracked on the last line, when I told Kathleen that I knew she was smart and didn't need to be told how lucky she was, because she was marrying her best friend, and Dan's the best friend a person could ask for. Oh god I'm gonna start again. Moving on!
[o] The first dance. They waltzed perfectly, which is not surprising given their theater background. Then there was a record scratch. Then dance music started, and the choreography began, and I laughed along with everyone else. Then I realized what the song was when they started mouthing along: "We're no strangers to love/You know the rules, and so do I..." THEY RICK-ROLLED THE WEDDING.
[o] Watching Dan and his family on the dance floor. He and his mom dancing to Michael Jackson was awesome, his mom and dad slow-dancing was very sweet, he and Jed...Jed is also a Theater Person, they're both fantastic at improv and just giant hams, so watching them dance to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was something I will NEVER forget!
[o] Dancing. I stopped giving a shit pretty early on, with the help of only a small amount of alcohol (most of the alcohol I consumed was pre-speech. It helped!). Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not prone to being ridiculous in public, in front of strangers. I was ridiculous. I pantomimed "Elephant Love Medley" from Moulin Rouge with Jed. I showed everyone the Fork in the Garbage Disposal dance move. We all rocked out. It was...amazing.
It was...the best time ever. It wasn't until the reception that I really got to meet and get to know the Bridal Party, but we all got along really well. It was decided that the 10 of us (four each party plus bride and groom) HAVE to get together at some point again. Soon. The current ideas are white-water rafting, or renting out a cabin in the Grand Canyon. :D
Sadly, the fun had to end, and I changed and said good bye and left around 10:30. Got the car back, got the airport, boarded my 11:59pm flight, and started my long return back.
It's not really exciting after that. I tried to sleep on both flights and failed, but everything was on time and I'm home now and I got to sleep in my own bed and have time with my Ryan and...I'm really glad to be home.
tl;dr. Great trip having great time with great friends. I would do it again...differently.
Now the unpacking begins...
...YEAH.
...IT'S GONNA BE A LONG ONE, FOLKS.
...NO, SERIOUSLY, REALLY LONG.
I won't even do more than gloss over the time between my last update and The Trip, that it was a time of working and planning and anxiety-ing.
Saturday, March 17th, I did my final packing, had breakfast/left my car with Mom, then got handed off to Ryan to drive me to the train station in Springfield. We had directions, more or less, but we still had a bit of a time finding the station, partly because Massachusetts people don't seem to like giving real directions when asked. Prank ones, yes. Directions that involve looking for a sign that you don't see until you've either taken or driven past the exit in question, yes.
The train trip was fine, although the majority of travel between Albany and Syracuse was very...let's just say I felt like I was in a washing machine. Or riding a mechanical bull on very low level. Train had rhythm.
Syracuse was great. I spent time with my stepparents, meeting their crazy neighbor and helping David shore up the house and trying on different bodice models for Dorita and cooking and writing. It was fun and relaxing and really nice, and probably the easiest part of the whole trip.
Monday, March 19th, David dropped me off for my 9:41pm train to South Bend, which didn't pull in to the station until almost 10:30. I managed to score a seat to myself after a bunch of people got off in Rochester, and even attempted to sleep. This was made difficult by the coughing Amish baby two seats up, the passenger who spent a good 15 minutes arranging her and her companion's luggage in such a way that bumped my seat back almost constantly, her companion's constant coughing, and finally the woman who sat next to me around 3am, holding a small toddler/large baby who was really pissed about being awake that late/early and kept kicking me in the leg. Not hard, but enough to wake me up. Several times.
We got in to South Bend around 9:30am on Tuesday, March 20th. Aurelie picked me up at the train station, and there was a lot of hugging. We went to 933, my first Starbucks where I am friends with the majority of the workers, and there was lots more hugging. BJ and Sameh met us there, and there was even more hugging! Then the four of us attempted to shop for bridesmaid's dresses.
I'm just going to say that it didn't work as well as planned, mostly (but not entirely) because I AM BAD AT THIS. Guys, I really, really suck at being a girl sometimes. Dresses are an especially swampy territory. We tried, some progress was made in terms of style, but otherwise...bleh. BUT it was time spent with three of my best friends in the whole world, so it was still good :) We ended up at the Ireland Starbucks (where I last worked in Indiana), where was a little bit more hugging (they're not really huggers at that store), and the four of us hung out until it was time to go to dinner.
Dinner was....awesome. Almost every single person I like and miss from the area was there (I think there were all of two exceptions), we all ate and drank and laughed and talked and muttered about work and just had a grand old time that no doubt annoyed the crap out of the restaurant staff. I kept looking around saying "I am SO HAPPY right now!" :D
Wednesday, March 21st I spent the morning with Aurelie (who acted as my gracious driver and host), then stole her car when she went in to work. I spent the day driving from Starbucks to Starbucks, Ireland to Ironwood to 933, spending a few hours at each one, writing and chatting and just hanging out. It was undoubtedly the most relaxing day of the entire trip. And I got some writing done!
Thursday, the 22nd (the six-month pre-versary, if it matters ;)), Aurelie worked in the morning while I wrote a bit at The Electric Brew, then we went shopping, me for a dress for the rehearsal dinner on Saturday (which I stupidly didn't pack for), her for work shoes. I lucked out at the very first store we went to, she is still on the hunt. We went to the laundromat, where I washed my traveling clothes and she did homework, then ended up hanging out a bit at the Goshen Starbucks, went to the grocery store for dinner and supplies, then ate and hung out some more before Game Night.
Aurelie and at least two of her friends have a tradition going, where every Thursday they go to someone's apartment and play board and card games. There is also booze involved sometimes. I WANT ONE HERE. Ahem. We started off with Catch Phrase (love it!), then everyone else took a smoke break, and it was so nice outside that it was decided that we would change Game Night into Rove Around Goshen Night. We ended up at Hannah's apartment, drinking and talking and watching someone's second season of Roseanne. It was a good time.
Friday, the 23rd was The Chicago Trip. BJ, Sam, Aurelie, Raequan and I piled into Sameh's car early-ish Friday morning and headed off to The Windy City. The majority of the day was spent at The Fields Museum, which was COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY AWESOME. There were bugs and sarcophagi and stuffed (as in taxidermy) animals and a T-REX SKELETON and a Ghengis Khan exhibit and a 3D movie about the T-Rex skeleton and and and wheeeeeee! I believe I found the Coolest Thing In The World in The Gem Room. First off, I love sparkly gems, so a whole freaking room of them? OH. MAN. Sam and I were such children in there. It was fantastic. Then the opal case had an opalized vertebrate; the cavities in a dinosaur's bone had been filled silica (and silt and stuff) over the centuries, leaving an opalescent cast behind. AN OPAL DINOSAUR BONE. You can stop looking, that's the Coolest Thing Ever.
We left the museum just as it began to rain. BJ and Aurelie stayed under an awning (well, BJ did, Aurelie jumped in puddles) while Sam, Rae and I walked back to the car. We got...SOAKED. I have never been that drenched in my entire life. The hoodie I was wearing did not completely dry out until late Saturday night. OY.
Lunch as at The Chicago Diner, the same place BJ, Sam, Rae and I went last year. It was a must on this trip because we had such a great experience last year. Once again, it was phenomenal. The milkshake was delicious, the amazing waitress from last year remembered us (*swoon!*), and it was all just tasty and awesome.
We stopped at a Starbucks, where Sam and I dozed in the car while the others got drinks, then it was off to the mall, where I was able to find a clutch for the wedding, as well as a few other trinkets, and we all ran around looking at pretties. Then dinner at Wendy's, then home again.
Saturday, March 24th, Sam, BJ, Dustin and I drove down to Indy to hang out before my flight at 6. It took a little while to get going, and a long while to get there, but the time was filled with joking and talking and Weird Al, so it was a fun time :D We went to the mall, which was actually a little disappointing, but still fun, had some lunch, and got ready to cry our eyes out when I had to leave. Then there was panic.
So, funny store. When we first arrived at the mall, we checked Garmina (the GPS) to see how far away the airport was. 2 miles? Sweet! Plenty of time! It'll take minutes to get there! Spend time in the mall, get in the car, set the GPS...wait, did you check for Indianapolis International Airport, or Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport? Wait, International is actually 18 miles away? And it's 4:45? FUH.
I think the word hysterical is extremely apt for my demeanor for the trip from the mall to the airport. At least I had a delicious cupcake to
The hugs were rushed but still good (WAAAAAA), and I JUST made the flight, by the grace of a wonderful ticket lady who could have just shrugged and said "Hey, not my problem." If I knew her name, I would send her flowers.
The flight went pretty well, although I did keep almost dozing off. Whups. Also, it was a four-hour flight that left at 6 and landed at 6:59. I am endlessly amused by this. Yay time zones!
Landed right on time, rehearsal dinner was an hour in but I could still make it with time to change...except I had to find my baggage that had to be checked at the gate because "the bins were all full" which was BS there were at least a dozen empty spots. Okay, found it, still plenty of time...until I found the line for the shuttles to the Rental Car Place, an entire building with the sole purpose of renting cars, located a short shuttle ride away from the airport. The shuttle ride was less than 15 minutes, but the line to get on the shuttle was gigantic. I got in when it was about three blocks long. THREE BLOCKS LONG. Then the shuttle ride (pro tip, if you're on an extremely crowded bus, standing amongst strangers, with only a pole to try and keep steady, DON'T STAND WITH AN ELBOW OUT. The little teapot pose is INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE SITUATION), then the fair-sized line to get to the counter and rent the car. By the time I was in the car and putting the restaurant into the GPS, it was almost 9. It took almost two hours to go from landing to rental car.
Finally got to the restaurant a bit after 9, albeit still in the t-shirt and jeans I traveled in. Dan didn't care, he was just happy I was there, and hugged me and introduced me and pointed me at the pasta. Now that's a good friend! I met with the rest of the Groom Party, which consisted of myself, Michael (I've known him since middle school, he and Dan met in high school), Jed (Dan's older half-brother and Best Man), and Logan (Dan's boss and good friend). I was introduced, they were all very nice, then they said "So we all have to give speeches tomorrow, not just Jed. And you missed it, but the Bridal Party gave their speeches, and every single one made every single person in the place cry. We are SCREWED."
...wheeee...
I was only there for the very tail end of the rehearsal dinner, but it was really good time, and we of the Groom Party meshed pretty much instantly. It was decided very early on that, with the speeches, Jed was bringing The Ruckus, Michael was bringing the Party, Logan The Thunder, and me The Rage. I was skeptical, but they insisted I'd do fine. Ho-kay.
I dropped Michael off at his hotel, then went to put the address for mine in the GPS...and it didn't know what I was talking about. This number doesn't exist. This road doesn't exist. You crazy, lady. Search for Comfort Inns? Okay, here's allllllll of them, from the UK to every state in the US to some in Australia, listed in random order, go ahead and find yours! :D
...FUH.
So there I was, 10:30 Phoenix time, 1:30 in the morning by the clock in my head, driving up and down University Drive, with an extremely full bladder, awake for 18 hours, unable to find my hotel. Ryan to the rescue! I called him, he was still awake, he eventually managed to figure out where I was ("Wait, there's another West University Drive?" "There's two of them?! Which one am I on?!"), and directed me to my hotel. My hero. :D
Sunday, March 25th, Dan and Kathleen's wedding. It was the best day ever! Honestly!
The Groom Party, Dan, his parents, and his aunt all met up for brunch. It was there Dan gave me my Groom Party gift: a pair of Converse that matched those the guys would be wearing in the wedding. <3 They are my new go-to shoes, because they are HELLA comfortable! And they have a red stripe since their the lady's version, so I'm even snazzier. :D
The Groom Party (minus Logan) went back to Dan's and Kathleen's apartment, where we hung out and walked Lily (their dog, who was lovely if a bit...excited) until 12:30. That's when Logan returned, the singers began to arrive to change and practice, and we got changed. Then it was Stabucks, where we got our fixes, and off to the farm!
First off at the farm was photos! That was actually a lot of fun. Oh, and backstory: Jed had brought a pack of Lord of the Rings Pez dispensers to the bachelor party, letting everyone pick their favorite. I got to pick mine the morning of the wedding. Dan had Smeagol, Logan and Jed had Gandalf and Aragorn (I forget which had which), Michael took Gimli, and I chose Samwise. The first sets of pictures had them showing, either peeking out of the guys' chest pocket or tucked under my dresses strap. We put them away for more serious shots, then convinced the photographer to get some shots of just them. The best one, by far, was the toys lined up in the grass in the same formation we'd been in. I'm framing it!
The day up until the ceremony were pictures, figuring out last-minute sound system and ceremony set-up, keeping Dan pointed away from Kathleen when she was doing pictures with her party, etc. It was basically hours of hanging out, joking, and cussing, while also Getting Shit Done. :D
The ceremony was amazing. The singers, various friends and family members that can sing a capella, were awesome. I've actually had one of them, the best one, the one Dan wrote about the day he met Kathleen, stuck in my head since then. Dan and I smiling at each other when I came down with Kevin (a bridesman) was wonderful. The vows made me cry--hell, everyone cried. And laughed. It was a very silly ceremony as well as romantic and touching and oh god I'm gonna start again.
The reception was crazy fun. The speeches actually went really well. The food was delicious. The music was great. Dan let me change into my Converse. It was great! :D
My favorite moments include:
[o] Quick back story on the first one: Dan and Kathleen are both Theater People. Most of their lives has revolved around being on stage. So. For Logan's speech, The Thunder, he introduced himself, had the guests put down their glasses and stand, and said "Dan, Kathleen, this is your standing ovation." The audience knew what to do. They were both obviously very, very touched. It was perfect.
[o] My speech actually is one of my favorite moments. I kept saying that I didn't have any Rage to bring, so I was changed to The Love, as in it was my job to bring The Love. I talked about how a lot of friendships change over the years, and sometimes they don't last because of time or distance or just the people changing, but with Dan it doesn't matter. I cracked on the last line, when I told Kathleen that I knew she was smart and didn't need to be told how lucky she was, because she was marrying her best friend, and Dan's the best friend a person could ask for. Oh god I'm gonna start again. Moving on!
[o] The first dance. They waltzed perfectly, which is not surprising given their theater background. Then there was a record scratch. Then dance music started, and the choreography began, and I laughed along with everyone else. Then I realized what the song was when they started mouthing along: "We're no strangers to love/You know the rules, and so do I..." THEY RICK-ROLLED THE WEDDING.
[o] Watching Dan and his family on the dance floor. He and his mom dancing to Michael Jackson was awesome, his mom and dad slow-dancing was very sweet, he and Jed...Jed is also a Theater Person, they're both fantastic at improv and just giant hams, so watching them dance to "Total Eclipse of the Heart" was something I will NEVER forget!
[o] Dancing. I stopped giving a shit pretty early on, with the help of only a small amount of alcohol (most of the alcohol I consumed was pre-speech. It helped!). Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not prone to being ridiculous in public, in front of strangers. I was ridiculous. I pantomimed "Elephant Love Medley" from Moulin Rouge with Jed. I showed everyone the Fork in the Garbage Disposal dance move. We all rocked out. It was...amazing.
It was...the best time ever. It wasn't until the reception that I really got to meet and get to know the Bridal Party, but we all got along really well. It was decided that the 10 of us (four each party plus bride and groom) HAVE to get together at some point again. Soon. The current ideas are white-water rafting, or renting out a cabin in the Grand Canyon. :D
Sadly, the fun had to end, and I changed and said good bye and left around 10:30. Got the car back, got the airport, boarded my 11:59pm flight, and started my long return back.
It's not really exciting after that. I tried to sleep on both flights and failed, but everything was on time and I'm home now and I got to sleep in my own bed and have time with my Ryan and...I'm really glad to be home.
tl;dr. Great trip having great time with great friends. I would do it again...differently.
Now the unpacking begins...
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Post Written Monday Night and Tuesday Morning. Please Excuse Tense Slips.
Okay. What the hell.
This is what's going on. My to do list, more or less:
[o] Today I may be driving my mother to the doctor to get a steroid injection in her spine. I don't remember the exact problem with her spine, only that it's related to sciatica, and what it means is that her brain is being told that her leg is very badly hurt, even though her leg is fine. The only way to make it not hurt is the knock-out category of painkillers, and the aforementioned steroid shot, which is basically a miracle.
[o] Today I'm also being fitted tomorrow for a groomswoman's dress for my friend Dan's wedding in March. The dress was thankfully delivered a full month before expected, so I'm just hoping the alterations don't take too long.
[o] I also need to buy shoes for this wedding, as well as start an intense search for shoes for my own wedding
[o] My next fitting needs to be done while I'm wearing whatever I'll be wearing the day of. That means shoes and "bridal underwear." So that's another intense search I've gotta get on.
[o] I also need to, y'know, buy the tickets for the March wedding. I'm combining that trip with a trip to New York (the aforementioned dress fitting) and Indiana (I MISS MAH PEOPLEZ). I'm doing that right this moment, and let me tell you, it's...ridonkulous. All the flights from Indiana to Arizona involve spending twelve hours traveling, sometimes to cities across the country from either destination. Spending an entire day just traveling (and waiting to travel) makes the effort of maximizing quality time in either state an impossible mission. Fun.
[o] The current plan is take a train from Springfield to Syracuse, spend a day there, take a train from Syracuse to South Bend, spend a few days there, fly to Arizona, attend the wedding, fly home to Connecticut. Hopefully these last two things will also be done with Ryan, who may have to fly out immediately after work on Saturday, then fly home as soon as the reception ends on Sunday, since his work has vacation black out starting early March going until mid May. OY.
[o] Aaaand...tickets purchased! At least from Connecticut to Arizona. Still need everything from there on--rental car, hotel room, tickets home--but I couldn't take any more prices and times and whatnot, so that's enough for one night!
[o] We found a wedding venue, which has caused the planning to pick up a bit of speed. The venue includes the ceremony site and catering, but we still need to plan out the ceremony and pick the entrees, not to mention the cake, finish the guest list, find a photographer, find a DJ, contact the Justice of the Peace, figure out the centerpieces, etc etc etc. We couldn't do a whole hell of a lot without a venue, and now that we have one, there are no more excuses. It's time for full-on wedding planning!
[o] My hours have begun to back up at work, thank God! The reasons behind my getting unlucky with hours for January were explained, and none of them were really about me, which was good to know. Also good to know is that I can handle openings, as I covered one on Sunday and didn't die, which means once winter is really and truly over, I can open up my availability for those. I just know that if I opted to do opens now, that's when the snow would start, and there'd be at least one morning when I'd be scheduled to open, my driveway would be suicide, and I'd screw over the whole store for the whole day. I do not want to be That Worker, you know?
[o] Closes are still out, though, since that's the only time of day I'm guaranteed to have with Ryan. I think that's a good enough reason on it's own, but add in the fact that we need a ton of time to plan a freaking wedding, and I think that's justifiable, yeah?
[o] February is here, March is slowly approaching, and I need to get my act together for the wall at my store this time, or else just give up on being a professional entirely. Of course, Dad's place currently has no power, and that's where the printer is, so...maybe it's a sign?
[o] I did attempt a Photo A Day Challenge, again, and didn't make it past the third day. I could blame my schedule, and it'd be accurate, but there's always a ton of shit going on, I'm always exhausted, so what does that mean for wanting to make photography a priority? I'm currently putting a lot of energy into making writing a priority, carving out time for it when I can, but photography isn't as simple. I always have a notebook, writing implements, and my iPad with a keyboard all in my purse, so I can sit down just about anywhere and get some writing done. It isn't as easy with photography, although I do carry a camera everywhere. There's also editing, and posting if I want people to see it, and pricing and printing and shipping if I want people to buy it.
[o] The point is, I'm feeling discouraged. But I'm not out of the game yet! I am going to bust my ass to get photos up in my store for March, with corresponding items for sale in my Etsy store. I'll see what happens from there.
[o] At least I am being creative with writing, and working on a cross-stitch project whenever we watch something at home in the evenings, so that's good :)
[o] And now I'm just rambling when I need to get going. Today is breakfast, possibly chauffeuring Mom, getting fitted, getting emissions done on my car, going to the store, going to the dry-cleaners, and possibly getting laundry done. And that's just the first of three days off!
This is what's going on. My to do list, more or less:
[o] Today I may be driving my mother to the doctor to get a steroid injection in her spine. I don't remember the exact problem with her spine, only that it's related to sciatica, and what it means is that her brain is being told that her leg is very badly hurt, even though her leg is fine. The only way to make it not hurt is the knock-out category of painkillers, and the aforementioned steroid shot, which is basically a miracle.
[o] Today I'm also being fitted tomorrow for a groomswoman's dress for my friend Dan's wedding in March. The dress was thankfully delivered a full month before expected, so I'm just hoping the alterations don't take too long.
[o] I also need to buy shoes for this wedding, as well as start an intense search for shoes for my own wedding
[o] My next fitting needs to be done while I'm wearing whatever I'll be wearing the day of. That means shoes and "bridal underwear." So that's another intense search I've gotta get on.
[o] I also need to, y'know, buy the tickets for the March wedding. I'm combining that trip with a trip to New York (the aforementioned dress fitting) and Indiana (I MISS MAH PEOPLEZ). I'm doing that right this moment, and let me tell you, it's...ridonkulous. All the flights from Indiana to Arizona involve spending twelve hours traveling, sometimes to cities across the country from either destination. Spending an entire day just traveling (and waiting to travel) makes the effort of maximizing quality time in either state an impossible mission. Fun.
[o] The current plan is take a train from Springfield to Syracuse, spend a day there, take a train from Syracuse to South Bend, spend a few days there, fly to Arizona, attend the wedding, fly home to Connecticut. Hopefully these last two things will also be done with Ryan, who may have to fly out immediately after work on Saturday, then fly home as soon as the reception ends on Sunday, since his work has vacation black out starting early March going until mid May. OY.
[o] Aaaand...tickets purchased! At least from Connecticut to Arizona. Still need everything from there on--rental car, hotel room, tickets home--but I couldn't take any more prices and times and whatnot, so that's enough for one night!
[o] We found a wedding venue, which has caused the planning to pick up a bit of speed. The venue includes the ceremony site and catering, but we still need to plan out the ceremony and pick the entrees, not to mention the cake, finish the guest list, find a photographer, find a DJ, contact the Justice of the Peace, figure out the centerpieces, etc etc etc. We couldn't do a whole hell of a lot without a venue, and now that we have one, there are no more excuses. It's time for full-on wedding planning!
[o] My hours have begun to back up at work, thank God! The reasons behind my getting unlucky with hours for January were explained, and none of them were really about me, which was good to know. Also good to know is that I can handle openings, as I covered one on Sunday and didn't die, which means once winter is really and truly over, I can open up my availability for those. I just know that if I opted to do opens now, that's when the snow would start, and there'd be at least one morning when I'd be scheduled to open, my driveway would be suicide, and I'd screw over the whole store for the whole day. I do not want to be That Worker, you know?
[o] Closes are still out, though, since that's the only time of day I'm guaranteed to have with Ryan. I think that's a good enough reason on it's own, but add in the fact that we need a ton of time to plan a freaking wedding, and I think that's justifiable, yeah?
[o] February is here, March is slowly approaching, and I need to get my act together for the wall at my store this time, or else just give up on being a professional entirely. Of course, Dad's place currently has no power, and that's where the printer is, so...maybe it's a sign?
[o] I did attempt a Photo A Day Challenge, again, and didn't make it past the third day. I could blame my schedule, and it'd be accurate, but there's always a ton of shit going on, I'm always exhausted, so what does that mean for wanting to make photography a priority? I'm currently putting a lot of energy into making writing a priority, carving out time for it when I can, but photography isn't as simple. I always have a notebook, writing implements, and my iPad with a keyboard all in my purse, so I can sit down just about anywhere and get some writing done. It isn't as easy with photography, although I do carry a camera everywhere. There's also editing, and posting if I want people to see it, and pricing and printing and shipping if I want people to buy it.
[o] The point is, I'm feeling discouraged. But I'm not out of the game yet! I am going to bust my ass to get photos up in my store for March, with corresponding items for sale in my Etsy store. I'll see what happens from there.
[o] At least I am being creative with writing, and working on a cross-stitch project whenever we watch something at home in the evenings, so that's good :)
[o] And now I'm just rambling when I need to get going. Today is breakfast, possibly chauffeuring Mom, getting fitted, getting emissions done on my car, going to the store, going to the dry-cleaners, and possibly getting laundry done. And that's just the first of three days off!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Spending And Giving And Eating, Oh My!
I haven't posted in, well, too long, and since today's chore plans are currently on hold for an undetermined period of time, why not post now!
What's new? Well, lots, I guess. I mean, most of a month and a whole holiday has gone by since I last posted. What couldn't be new?
Christmas was pretty great! At all three gift-exchanging events, I found myself looking forward more to the reactions of people I/we gave presents to, than to my own presents. Does make me a grown up? Anyway, everyone seemed to be genuinely surprised and happy with their gifts, which made me VERY happy! :) We also got spoiled, between three sets of parents! The two biggest items were a small Weber grill and a cordless drill, from Ryan's dad and my mother, respectively. Both are going to be very well-loved, I can tell.
The two days of Christmas was also laden with delicious food: Christmas morning at Kerry and Mary's (eggs, french toast, raisin toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, coffee, juice), Christmas dinner at Gail and Jon's (turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, squash, peas, gravy, pumpkin pie and ice cream for dessert), then day-after-Christmas supper at Mom's with Dad (hearty beef stew and biscuits, with pumpkin cheesecake, pecan-pumpkin-sweet potato pie, and chocolate chip banana bread for dessert) (Mom's house had more dessert than regular food, what a surprise).
Yesterday the gifting fun continued, between Ryan and I. We dropped my car off at Best Buy to get my new car stereo installed, then went off to Verizon to get Ry a new phone, and back to Best Buy to get him a music player. By the end of the night we were both rife with shiny new distractions that make pretty sounds and pretty lights :D
(Unfortunately, they didn't have the right spacers for my new speakers, but I can still listen to the stereo itself through my factory speakers until the new spacers get installed sometime next week. I actually kind of like this series of steps up: factory sound, Kenwood sound on factory speakers, Kenwood sound on Kenwood speakers. Comparing is fun!)
In other news, I'm still trying to keep up the exercise and diet routine. The past week was pretty rough, I had a few days where I woke up feeling kinda weak and underpowered, then the two days of holiday food and not moving a whole lot. Aside from those two days, the diet thing is going pretty smoothly. I eat a LOT of yogurt (mostly Greek), lots of fruit, I've gotten better about veggies and salads, and I'm keeping the big carb meals to dinner, to fuel the next morning's work out. After four-ish days of little to no exercise, I'm slowly ramping my way back up to Lots Of Hooping, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to keep it ramped once the holidays are done and the new year has officially started.
Speaking of which! This may be my last post of 2011, so I may as well talk about resolutions, eh? I have a few little ones, but they stem off of the big one:
Don't waste time.
Before Ryan has an aneurysm and Dad starts gibbering, let me explain what I mean by "wasting time." I DON'T mean writing, reading, taking pictures, playing with Photoshop, video games, socializing, or even staring at a screen or into space. Sometimes, I desperately need any or all of those things to decompress, to let some steam evaporate before it escapes as tears or whining. What I DO mean by "wasting time" is dithering about, going in circles, getting stuck in cycles, being frozen in indecision because I feel like any of the things I just listed IS wasting time and I SHOULD (dirty word!) be cleaning or organizing or erranding or some other Productive Thing.
I've got a lot of shit to do this year. I have quite a few trips to New York for my dress, a trip to Arizona for a wedding, I promised I'd go back to Indiana sometime this year, getting serious with my novel, getting serious with my shop, and, oh yeah, MY OWN WEDDING, plus working full time (possibly two jobs in the summer) and hooping my ass off and still being as social as possible before some of my friends fly off to other places. I won't have time to curl up into a ball and cry because I want to relax with Mario Kart but there are dirty dishes in existence. I have to re-categorize my mind so that anything that helps me relax and keep things in perspective and keep my physical and mental energy up is listed under Productive Things.
So. Anyway. That's most of the new stuff. There's a few other bits, but they mostly revolve around money and To Do lists and minor personal drama, so I won't get into it now, okay?
If you read this before the 31st, I wish you a fun-filled New Year's! May the worst day of the next year be equal to the best day of the last! Cheers!
What's new? Well, lots, I guess. I mean, most of a month and a whole holiday has gone by since I last posted. What couldn't be new?
Christmas was pretty great! At all three gift-exchanging events, I found myself looking forward more to the reactions of people I/we gave presents to, than to my own presents. Does make me a grown up? Anyway, everyone seemed to be genuinely surprised and happy with their gifts, which made me VERY happy! :) We also got spoiled, between three sets of parents! The two biggest items were a small Weber grill and a cordless drill, from Ryan's dad and my mother, respectively. Both are going to be very well-loved, I can tell.
The two days of Christmas was also laden with delicious food: Christmas morning at Kerry and Mary's (eggs, french toast, raisin toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, coffee, juice), Christmas dinner at Gail and Jon's (turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, squash, peas, gravy, pumpkin pie and ice cream for dessert), then day-after-Christmas supper at Mom's with Dad (hearty beef stew and biscuits, with pumpkin cheesecake, pecan-pumpkin-sweet potato pie, and chocolate chip banana bread for dessert) (Mom's house had more dessert than regular food, what a surprise).
Yesterday the gifting fun continued, between Ryan and I. We dropped my car off at Best Buy to get my new car stereo installed, then went off to Verizon to get Ry a new phone, and back to Best Buy to get him a music player. By the end of the night we were both rife with shiny new distractions that make pretty sounds and pretty lights :D
(Unfortunately, they didn't have the right spacers for my new speakers, but I can still listen to the stereo itself through my factory speakers until the new spacers get installed sometime next week. I actually kind of like this series of steps up: factory sound, Kenwood sound on factory speakers, Kenwood sound on Kenwood speakers. Comparing is fun!)
In other news, I'm still trying to keep up the exercise and diet routine. The past week was pretty rough, I had a few days where I woke up feeling kinda weak and underpowered, then the two days of holiday food and not moving a whole lot. Aside from those two days, the diet thing is going pretty smoothly. I eat a LOT of yogurt (mostly Greek), lots of fruit, I've gotten better about veggies and salads, and I'm keeping the big carb meals to dinner, to fuel the next morning's work out. After four-ish days of little to no exercise, I'm slowly ramping my way back up to Lots Of Hooping, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to keep it ramped once the holidays are done and the new year has officially started.
Speaking of which! This may be my last post of 2011, so I may as well talk about resolutions, eh? I have a few little ones, but they stem off of the big one:
Don't waste time.
Before Ryan has an aneurysm and Dad starts gibbering, let me explain what I mean by "wasting time." I DON'T mean writing, reading, taking pictures, playing with Photoshop, video games, socializing, or even staring at a screen or into space. Sometimes, I desperately need any or all of those things to decompress, to let some steam evaporate before it escapes as tears or whining. What I DO mean by "wasting time" is dithering about, going in circles, getting stuck in cycles, being frozen in indecision because I feel like any of the things I just listed IS wasting time and I SHOULD (dirty word!) be cleaning or organizing or erranding or some other Productive Thing.
I've got a lot of shit to do this year. I have quite a few trips to New York for my dress, a trip to Arizona for a wedding, I promised I'd go back to Indiana sometime this year, getting serious with my novel, getting serious with my shop, and, oh yeah, MY OWN WEDDING, plus working full time (possibly two jobs in the summer) and hooping my ass off and still being as social as possible before some of my friends fly off to other places. I won't have time to curl up into a ball and cry because I want to relax with Mario Kart but there are dirty dishes in existence. I have to re-categorize my mind so that anything that helps me relax and keep things in perspective and keep my physical and mental energy up is listed under Productive Things.
So. Anyway. That's most of the new stuff. There's a few other bits, but they mostly revolve around money and To Do lists and minor personal drama, so I won't get into it now, okay?
If you read this before the 31st, I wish you a fun-filled New Year's! May the worst day of the next year be equal to the best day of the last! Cheers!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Progress Report!
Since I wrote last week, the following things have happened:
[o] I've started hula hooping
[o] I've agreed to change my "show" month at the store to January if the January artist agrees to the trade, due to horrid planning and technical difficulties
[o] I've started hooping
[o] I've hit my weight loss goal
[o] I've met and talked to author Wally Lamb twice
[o] I've started hooping
The Photo Thing:
I can't remember if I mentioned it here, but back in October, I asked my boss about the possibility of having my photography up on a "show wall" in the back of our store. He said "You want December?" and I jumped at it. I then spent November freaking out about everything else in my life except the photography, and when it came down to the wire, I went over to Dad's house to select and print the photos...and his printer stopped working.
We bought a new one, but it isn't installed yet, plus finding the time to print them all and to drive to Hartford to get good but inexpensive frames has been completely impossible thus far (partly, again, due to my failure at planning). I told my boss that I would be very late at best, and is January taken? He groaned and said yes, he gave it to a customer named Jorge, but he would ask Jorge if he would be able to get his picture up and be willing to switch. I haven't heard back from Boss Man about that just yet, but I've been off the past two days, so that's not surprising.
The Wally Lamb Thing:
Not all of you reading may know who Wally Lamb is, so I'll tell you: he's an author from Connecticut, whose sons I went to school with, whose books have been on the New York Times Bestsellers list and Oprah's Book Club, whose books I devour and adore (despite my inherent belief that Mr. Lamb creates a long list of all the horrible things that can happen to his characters and then throws darts at it). His books are beyond absorbing, his characters are wondrously fleshed out, his use of language is magical, and, overall, reading his books is like falling into a movie, or a long-running TV show, or just into the character's life. He's written four wonderful and addictive books, has a wonderful and talented family, and, unless I'm mistaken, makes his living through his writing. In other words, he, as well as the other authors on my Top Five list, is who I want to be when I grow up.
And he came into my store. TWICE.
The first time, it was busy enough that I was taking names for each drink. When I asked him for his, he said "Wally," and I had a moment of "...Wait." I squinted at him, thought it might be him, wrote his name down while deciding I wasn't going to ask in case it wasn't and I embarrassed myself, decided to hell with it, and asked him. AND IT WAS HIM. And I immediately started gushing, I am such a huge fan of yours books, I've read them all, oh wow, smiling like an idiot, in case you couldn't tell from my writing right now I'm STILL really excited that I got to meet him. He told me it was sweet of me to tell him, and was very nice, and went on his way.
Then he came in again a few days later, AND HE REMEMBERED ME. He said "You were the one who likes my books, right? I have some out in the car, which one would you like?" I did that stupid gushy smile again and said "Oh, I think I have them all, unless there's another one that I've missed?" And he mentioned his Christmas one, and I was all oh yeah, my mother gave me that one for Christmas last year, and he smiled and was nice again and went on his merry way again and I realized half an hour later WAIT DID HE JUST OFFER ME A BOOK AND I WAS DUMB ENOUGH TO BASICALLY TURN HIM DOWN?
FOR EFFS SAKE RUTH.
Ahem. After the first time he came in, I went straight to my old room at my mom's house after work and got I Know This Much Is True off the shelf. I'm devouring it for I think the third time ever, and I plan on keeping it near the register every time I'm working from now on just in case he comes in again and I have the chance to ask for his signature. And tell him that he's basically one of my idols and I'm so glad he's nice and didn't shatter my dreams by being a jerk.
Okay. Done now. Man I hope he doesn't stumble on this somehow and think I'm a creepy stalker.
The Weight Thing:
I discovered this morning, not half an hour ago, that I hit my goal on the Wii Fit Plus a full three days ahead of schedule. Whee! I'm just shy off 155, in a healthy BMI range (at least according to the machine) (yes I know BMIs aren't a good form of measurement) (for the record I'm 5'6" go do your own calculations if you want), and my next goal is to love five pounds in the next month.
My goal with the exercising and eating better is not to lose a bunch of weight and be thin. All I really want is to be strong and flexible, to have energy and stamina, and just be healthy overall. I'm not going to lie and say that I wouldn't mind parts of me being a bit smaller, I do have some vanity when it comes to my tum and how clothes fit me and all that. But, again, the goal is not to be able to fit into a size 0 skinny jean and only eat croutons. I've been enjoying my new diet made up almost entirely by yogurt, fruit, and salad, with the occasional hunk of meat, slab of cheese, or glass of boozahol.
The Weight Thing is directly related to The Hooping Thing:
Dad gave me his old hula hoop about a month ago. It's not your typical hula hoop that you pick up at the toy store; he made this one himself from flexible plumber's pipe. It's a little bigger and a bit heavier than your average toy store hoop, which somehow makes it simultaneously easier and more physically demanding to get it spinning and keep it going. I started last Thursday, skipped Friday when I could feel a bruised ring around my waist, then started again on Saturday and haven't skipped a day since. Thursday through Monday were 10 minutes, Tuesday was 15 minutes, and yesterday was 20, plus at least half an hour in Mom's garage just trying to teach myself some simple hand tricks.
It makes me sweat from head to toe, works every muscle group from my shoulders down to my calves, and is SO. MUCH. FUN. It makes me wish I had more open indoor space to play in, though I am thankful that our living room, with the sofa pushed back is juuuuust enough room to do the basic hoop.
I'm addicted! And I plan on either decorating this one at the next get-together thrown by one of my Dad's friends/one of my regular customers, Cherese, or getting another one to decorate as this one is a bit beat up from being a practice hoop. I worked on some simple tricks yesterday, as I said, and I plan on watching more videos and practicing some more until I can purposefully hoop around my hips and knees, get it on and off me fluidly with it still spinning, learn how to step through it gracefully, etc and do it all without having to stop to fetch the hoop back from the other side of the room.
WHEE!
Yesterday was the Get Things Done Day Off, filled with laundry and shopping and other chores and errands. Some spilled into today, as will happen, but the basic plan for Effing Relax Day Off is:
[o] exercise
[o] shower
[o] eat
[o] Post Office
[o] Stephanie
[o] read more I Know This Much Is True to get myself in a good-writing groove
[o] settle down somewhere to whack at my story until Nacho time
([o] while keeping an eye on the weather)
Aaaaaand OFF I go!
[o] I've started hula hooping
[o] I've agreed to change my "show" month at the store to January if the January artist agrees to the trade, due to horrid planning and technical difficulties
[o] I've started hooping
[o] I've hit my weight loss goal
[o] I've met and talked to author Wally Lamb twice
[o] I've started hooping
The Photo Thing:
I can't remember if I mentioned it here, but back in October, I asked my boss about the possibility of having my photography up on a "show wall" in the back of our store. He said "You want December?" and I jumped at it. I then spent November freaking out about everything else in my life except the photography, and when it came down to the wire, I went over to Dad's house to select and print the photos...and his printer stopped working.
We bought a new one, but it isn't installed yet, plus finding the time to print them all and to drive to Hartford to get good but inexpensive frames has been completely impossible thus far (partly, again, due to my failure at planning). I told my boss that I would be very late at best, and is January taken? He groaned and said yes, he gave it to a customer named Jorge, but he would ask Jorge if he would be able to get his picture up and be willing to switch. I haven't heard back from Boss Man about that just yet, but I've been off the past two days, so that's not surprising.
The Wally Lamb Thing:
Not all of you reading may know who Wally Lamb is, so I'll tell you: he's an author from Connecticut, whose sons I went to school with, whose books have been on the New York Times Bestsellers list and Oprah's Book Club, whose books I devour and adore (despite my inherent belief that Mr. Lamb creates a long list of all the horrible things that can happen to his characters and then throws darts at it). His books are beyond absorbing, his characters are wondrously fleshed out, his use of language is magical, and, overall, reading his books is like falling into a movie, or a long-running TV show, or just into the character's life. He's written four wonderful and addictive books, has a wonderful and talented family, and, unless I'm mistaken, makes his living through his writing. In other words, he, as well as the other authors on my Top Five list, is who I want to be when I grow up.
And he came into my store. TWICE.
The first time, it was busy enough that I was taking names for each drink. When I asked him for his, he said "Wally," and I had a moment of "...Wait." I squinted at him, thought it might be him, wrote his name down while deciding I wasn't going to ask in case it wasn't and I embarrassed myself, decided to hell with it, and asked him. AND IT WAS HIM. And I immediately started gushing, I am such a huge fan of yours books, I've read them all, oh wow, smiling like an idiot, in case you couldn't tell from my writing right now I'm STILL really excited that I got to meet him. He told me it was sweet of me to tell him, and was very nice, and went on his way.
Then he came in again a few days later, AND HE REMEMBERED ME. He said "You were the one who likes my books, right? I have some out in the car, which one would you like?" I did that stupid gushy smile again and said "Oh, I think I have them all, unless there's another one that I've missed?" And he mentioned his Christmas one, and I was all oh yeah, my mother gave me that one for Christmas last year, and he smiled and was nice again and went on his merry way again and I realized half an hour later WAIT DID HE JUST OFFER ME A BOOK AND I WAS DUMB ENOUGH TO BASICALLY TURN HIM DOWN?
FOR EFFS SAKE RUTH.
Ahem. After the first time he came in, I went straight to my old room at my mom's house after work and got I Know This Much Is True off the shelf. I'm devouring it for I think the third time ever, and I plan on keeping it near the register every time I'm working from now on just in case he comes in again and I have the chance to ask for his signature. And tell him that he's basically one of my idols and I'm so glad he's nice and didn't shatter my dreams by being a jerk.
Okay. Done now. Man I hope he doesn't stumble on this somehow and think I'm a creepy stalker.
The Weight Thing:
I discovered this morning, not half an hour ago, that I hit my goal on the Wii Fit Plus a full three days ahead of schedule. Whee! I'm just shy off 155, in a healthy BMI range (at least according to the machine) (yes I know BMIs aren't a good form of measurement) (for the record I'm 5'6" go do your own calculations if you want), and my next goal is to love five pounds in the next month.
My goal with the exercising and eating better is not to lose a bunch of weight and be thin. All I really want is to be strong and flexible, to have energy and stamina, and just be healthy overall. I'm not going to lie and say that I wouldn't mind parts of me being a bit smaller, I do have some vanity when it comes to my tum and how clothes fit me and all that. But, again, the goal is not to be able to fit into a size 0 skinny jean and only eat croutons. I've been enjoying my new diet made up almost entirely by yogurt, fruit, and salad, with the occasional hunk of meat, slab of cheese, or glass of boozahol.
The Weight Thing is directly related to The Hooping Thing:
Dad gave me his old hula hoop about a month ago. It's not your typical hula hoop that you pick up at the toy store; he made this one himself from flexible plumber's pipe. It's a little bigger and a bit heavier than your average toy store hoop, which somehow makes it simultaneously easier and more physically demanding to get it spinning and keep it going. I started last Thursday, skipped Friday when I could feel a bruised ring around my waist, then started again on Saturday and haven't skipped a day since. Thursday through Monday were 10 minutes, Tuesday was 15 minutes, and yesterday was 20, plus at least half an hour in Mom's garage just trying to teach myself some simple hand tricks.
It makes me sweat from head to toe, works every muscle group from my shoulders down to my calves, and is SO. MUCH. FUN. It makes me wish I had more open indoor space to play in, though I am thankful that our living room, with the sofa pushed back is juuuuust enough room to do the basic hoop.
I'm addicted! And I plan on either decorating this one at the next get-together thrown by one of my Dad's friends/one of my regular customers, Cherese, or getting another one to decorate as this one is a bit beat up from being a practice hoop. I worked on some simple tricks yesterday, as I said, and I plan on watching more videos and practicing some more until I can purposefully hoop around my hips and knees, get it on and off me fluidly with it still spinning, learn how to step through it gracefully, etc and do it all without having to stop to fetch the hoop back from the other side of the room.
WHEE!
Yesterday was the Get Things Done Day Off, filled with laundry and shopping and other chores and errands. Some spilled into today, as will happen, but the basic plan for Effing Relax Day Off is:
[o] exercise
[o] shower
[o] eat
[o] Post Office
[o] Stephanie
[o] read more I Know This Much Is True to get myself in a good-writing groove
[o] settle down somewhere to whack at my story until Nacho time
([o] while keeping an eye on the weather)
Aaaaaand OFF I go!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
How Many People Complain About Failing At Nerdery?
The following conversation happened last night via Facebook:
I kinda whipped up that last comment at the moment, but I've been realizing how true it is.
I wear gaming t-shirts and have a wish list of geek-themed accessories (Mario star earrings, companion cube necklace, etc), but I've barely played any video games. I played a couple of Super Marios on my Gameboy--an original one, the big gray brick, my first game player of any kind until I was gifted a Game Cube six or seven years ago. I've played through the Halos and the Half-Lifes. I've done multiplayer in games like Call of Duty and MarioKart. I've started Final Fantasy III and Pokemon: Diamond multiple times, only to get bored of the repetitive playing styles and quit. And, of course, I have a couple of mid- and high-level characters in World of Warcraft. But ask me anything about the mechanics of WoW, test my memory on the storyline in any of the Halo or Half-Life games, and I fail. I have a shirt from Dear Friends, a concert of Final Fantasy music that Ryan attended years ago and gave me a t-shirt from, and whenever I wear it in public I get a couple of people fanboy/fangirling over it...and I have to admit that I didn't actually go, and I wouldn't have truly appreciated it if I had.
I stopped pursuing the idea of being an copyeditor when I realized that I didn't know enough of the rules of grammar and syntax to really be good at it. I still get stuck on who/whom, lie/lay, affect/effect, etc etc. I still use "them" when referring to a single theoretical person*. If there existed a test to qualify for being a true grammar nerd, I am sure I would not pass it with flying colors. I may not fail it, but I wouldn't get a very high score, either.
If someone were to ask me what camera settings I use for my photography, or wanted to discuss great artists of any medium, I'd have no satisfactory response for them (*see). I'm winging it without technical knowledge or inspirational reference. And don't get me started on printing or framing, something I'll be doing in the next few days only with my father's help. I squeal over camera-themed accessories and half the things over at Photojojo, but I don't feel worthy of wearing or using them.
I feel like a poser. A fake. A fraud.
And whenever I try to study the little details that would, in my mind, legitimize my nerdgirl/grammar nerd/artist status--studying Strunk & White or my camera manual or WoW guides--it just doesn't work. Instead of sticking, all the information slides off my brain as if it were covered in Teflon. I can repeat, I can take notes, I can make cheat sheets, but nothing stays.
Why does it matter? Partly because I have issues that make me think I can't assert myself as a "real" nerd or photographer unless I'm Official Expert. Partly because I know that learning these things would help me enjoy the activities more. Knowing the mechanics and ratios in WoW would allow me to be a more active player, knowing how all the buttons and settings on my cameras work would lead to better art, etc.
Then, of course, there's the tie-in to my ongoing identity crisis where I want to feel solid behind the roles I want to play in my life and the values I want to stand behind...and to some people, nerd and artist may not be important parts of an identity. To me, they are, because I can feel they're part of who I am. But I'm failing at them (at least in my mind).
So...what to do?
I kinda whipped up that last comment at the moment, but I've been realizing how true it is.
I wear gaming t-shirts and have a wish list of geek-themed accessories (Mario star earrings, companion cube necklace, etc), but I've barely played any video games. I played a couple of Super Marios on my Gameboy--an original one, the big gray brick, my first game player of any kind until I was gifted a Game Cube six or seven years ago. I've played through the Halos and the Half-Lifes. I've done multiplayer in games like Call of Duty and MarioKart. I've started Final Fantasy III and Pokemon: Diamond multiple times, only to get bored of the repetitive playing styles and quit. And, of course, I have a couple of mid- and high-level characters in World of Warcraft. But ask me anything about the mechanics of WoW, test my memory on the storyline in any of the Halo or Half-Life games, and I fail. I have a shirt from Dear Friends, a concert of Final Fantasy music that Ryan attended years ago and gave me a t-shirt from, and whenever I wear it in public I get a couple of people fanboy/fangirling over it...and I have to admit that I didn't actually go, and I wouldn't have truly appreciated it if I had.
I stopped pursuing the idea of being an copyeditor when I realized that I didn't know enough of the rules of grammar and syntax to really be good at it. I still get stuck on who/whom, lie/lay, affect/effect, etc etc. I still use "them" when referring to a single theoretical person*. If there existed a test to qualify for being a true grammar nerd, I am sure I would not pass it with flying colors. I may not fail it, but I wouldn't get a very high score, either.
If someone were to ask me what camera settings I use for my photography, or wanted to discuss great artists of any medium, I'd have no satisfactory response for them (*see). I'm winging it without technical knowledge or inspirational reference. And don't get me started on printing or framing, something I'll be doing in the next few days only with my father's help. I squeal over camera-themed accessories and half the things over at Photojojo, but I don't feel worthy of wearing or using them.
I feel like a poser. A fake. A fraud.
And whenever I try to study the little details that would, in my mind, legitimize my nerdgirl/grammar nerd/artist status--studying Strunk & White or my camera manual or WoW guides--it just doesn't work. Instead of sticking, all the information slides off my brain as if it were covered in Teflon. I can repeat, I can take notes, I can make cheat sheets, but nothing stays.
Why does it matter? Partly because I have issues that make me think I can't assert myself as a "real" nerd or photographer unless I'm Official Expert. Partly because I know that learning these things would help me enjoy the activities more. Knowing the mechanics and ratios in WoW would allow me to be a more active player, knowing how all the buttons and settings on my cameras work would lead to better art, etc.
Then, of course, there's the tie-in to my ongoing identity crisis where I want to feel solid behind the roles I want to play in my life and the values I want to stand behind...and to some people, nerd and artist may not be important parts of an identity. To me, they are, because I can feel they're part of who I am. But I'm failing at them (at least in my mind).
So...what to do?
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Things I Am Thankful For:
(in no particular order)
-that I have a job
-that I really like my job and those I work with
-that Ryan found a job
-that Ryan found a job that probably won't make him miserable
-that both of our jobs offer health insurance
-that all my parents are (relatively) happy and (relatively) healthy
-that I have many friends in many states that remind me on a regular basis that I'm loved and accepted
-that I have a place to live and food to eat and gas to put in my car
-that we have a wedding to pay for
-and, now, money to plan it with!
-that Ryan and I are both making good changes to our life to be happier and healthier
-that tonight's meal went off without any crucial hitches
-that even my gray clouds have silver linings
:)
-that I have a job
-that I really like my job and those I work with
-that Ryan found a job
-that Ryan found a job that probably won't make him miserable
-that both of our jobs offer health insurance
-that all my parents are (relatively) happy and (relatively) healthy
-that I have many friends in many states that remind me on a regular basis that I'm loved and accepted
-that I have a place to live and food to eat and gas to put in my car
-that we have a wedding to pay for
-and, now, money to plan it with!
-that Ryan and I are both making good changes to our life to be happier and healthier
-that tonight's meal went off without any crucial hitches
-that even my gray clouds have silver linings
:)
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