How about my fave one from the session?
Fave cause you can't really totally make me out (I like that. Trust me.) and he's in the background doing his usual thing--looking on, with this look on his face like he is up to no good. Which is appropriate cause the whole time he was gaming on being behind the camera instead of in front of it. Right.
Photo by Gerald Pope Photography. Mix fun by your's truly in Picasa 2.
Off to traffic. I mean work.
So I should do a list instead. I know I know.
Was at work today. And the commute is fun. Let. Me. Tell. You. I might have to get road rage awareness classes. or a bus pass. And the links to all the Flex Cars on the East Side.
So at work, here's what I was loving today:
That and the fact that I found a memory card. From the Tibet trip. With so many great photos on it, I can hardly stand myself.
Three minutes are up. Time for fish and chips and So you think you can dance. I love Wednesdays. Two more days until weekend fun in Ocean Shores!
Poppies In the ParkNo. I don't refer to my future husband as it. Though he is also going to Southern California. And Vegas. But we don't talk about that.
I'm referring to that little gadget that this weekend, after driving about aimlessly on one-way streets of hellish downtown Seattle for 45 minutes looking for a place that really was right under my nose, I actually called it (well, the future husband and asked him to put IT on the phone) to find out where in the heck Yahoo Maps was trying to take me.
Now. I've traveled this country over. And over. And over again. Probably about times 3. And each time I printed pages of maps from Yahoo maps on how to get there. And they have NEVER let me down. Not even that one time I took the wrong turn and ended up on the other end of the Peninsula driving to a retreat for EDAN (I could NOT for the life of me remember the name of that student group the other day when reading the Stranger...which also reminds me that I have not had Veggie Pho in...oh...a week now. And. I. Am. Dying. SLOWLY.). I was saying. Driving. Yahoo maps. EDAN--4 hour backtrack. It was gorgeous once I got there. Let me tell you.
All this to say that I plopped down in front of my computer that really isn't backed up with all the stuff I evidently could live with out after all to Google (and by "Google" I mean type in www.yahoo.com and go to yahoo maps) how in the heck I get to Best Buds in Madison Park. Because yes, they may be my wedding flower savior. And I just want flowers anyhow and I saw some gorgeous hydrangeas in their photo in the paper and...I digress.
I sat down to Google/Yahoo it and low and behold, I remembered that I had Robert's car. The one with the gadget in it. That I called this weekend. To tell me how in the heck I get from point a to point b. So I'm going to go to Mike's and get the river rocks I originally wanted instead of the ugly mini seashells I settled for. Then I'm going to Jo's to get the friggin' burlap or something already. Then I'm going to convince myself that yes, yet is is worth it to time it just right to head over to Madison Park on the way to picking up Robert who so graciously let me use his car after I dropped off my car at the body shop for work. Yeah. He does love me. But not enough to leave me the GPS when he goes to So. Cali. Because well, Spokane ain't big enough for me to get lost in. 10 minutes. I'll take under on that one at that. Watch me.
Robert asked me what in the world I was going to do with myself with three weeks of freedom. After Day 1, I was a bit worried. I've managed to build a better to-do list in the meantime and so all is well in "Pretend Stay at Home Mommy to No kiddies World." The biggest problem? I don't like to clean. So much for playing that one off.
In the meantime.
Tons of life going on. Next month, I get married. This month I've had the great fortune of meeting wonderful, regular people moving on to Denver for the National Convention (and yes, that would be the Democrat National Convention for those that had any doubts). This week did bring a lot of come to Jesus talks about finalizing the invite list for said event next month (and the budget, ahem). And I even had half a moment to scrap a bit. And more to come.
So as time goes on, I've had the time to get caught up is the short of it all. And to re-evaluate what it is I love about life and could do without. I love that nothing fell on the "do without" list. Love. That. But also love feeling a lot more balanced.
In my last job with the Law School, I loved that I had so many opportunities to do great things personally per the perks--I traveled a lot and could tack on campaigning asides for Obama and meet ups with scrap folks and it was just so darn fun! It wasn't AS fun having to be apolitical though. Sure. There were lots of folks at the school who could proudly wear their affiliation where ever they went. And trust me, anyone who knew anything about me knew who I was for and why they should be for him too (smile). But I couldn't wear an Obama button while standing behind the table. I couldn't email my extensive prospect e-lists and invite them to my events because I would come off as pushing the "ultra liberal/ultra-Seattle" image that we were not so much trying to get away from, but that we very much didn't try to promote 24/7. I respected the need for that, but it was a an interesting balancing act that has been the biggest change I've noticed since joining the ranks of those without health insurance. Albeit, by "choice".
Choice being that since you can't start and stop Cobra at will, I can't sign up to pay for insurance for this month because then I would be double covered when I start the new job. And Robert can't add me to his for a month because we don't have a qualifying event until next month. At which point we get to decide all that married people stuff like how much life insurance to take out on each other. Uh huh.
So I saw a fun (long) post at Heather's blog and at the invite to copy and jump in, figured why the heck not. In your entire life, have you ever...
gone on a blind date? Nope
skipped school? I slept until 2:11 pm one day in high school and freaked out that I had missed class. In college, well, there was a lot of snow and sometimes, well, it was difficult to get motivated to go to a class that I was going to get an automatic A in for my awesomeness anyhow. And then...I woke up.
watched someone die? Miss her everyday.
been to Canada? Eh? Many times.
been to Mexico? Technically...a time or two. I like living in border states evidently.
been to Florida? Yes. Few times when I was on the board for The Box Project. Really great organization.
been on a plane? For a living pretty much. And no, I was never a pilot or a flight attendant.
been lost? Perpetually.
been on the opposite side of the country? Both horizontally and vertically and not just been there, but lived there too (born in TX, lived some in Michigan. Undergrad in NY, Grad school in WA).
gone to Washington, DC? Once. Cannot WAIT to go back.
swam in the ocean? Just the Atlantic and the Pacific. Not a big salty body of water fan.
had your booze taken away by the cops? What is booze?
lettered in a high school sport? I'm so great I lettered without even playing (lettered in Men's Basketball 4 years, Men's Track 1 year, as manager of the team). I did letter for 4 years in Marching Band (smile) and I lettered for 4 years each in Drill Team (as in Dance...I'm from TX people) and for 4 years in Dance itself. Never had a letter jacket or got to wear that dreamy guy's jacket either. Sigh.
cried yourself to sleep? Two times come vividly to mind. Once when for the first time ever, my grandmother left home for a week to visit her daughter/my aunt in NY. I couldn't believe she'd ever go anywhere without me. Then, again, when I returned to NY that late November night in 1999 after being home in El Paso to say goodbye to her as she was moving on. I remember being really stoic most of the time but then falling into bed, looking at the clock and just uncontrollably crying. Come to find out, that was the moment recorded on her death certificate as her time of death. Didn't cry myself to sleep the next day, but did cry all day that I couldn't be there holding her had in the exact moment that she really moved on. Did a whole lot of crying at the end of 1999.
played cops and robbers? I can't remember the exact take, but there was this really neat version of cops and something or another (knowing the nerdy group I hung with, probably like cops and CSI agents) that we played growing up. It was so friggin' FUN!
played dolls? I finally got a Barbie dream house when I was like 10. I would hang out in the garage for hours decorating her house with all sorts of stuff I found around the house...like my mom's mini vases. Shhhh...don't tell anyone.
recently colored with crayons? Nope.
sang Karaoke? I plead the fifth.
paid for a meal with coins only? God I miss Chicos tacos.
done something you told yourself you wouldn't? I'm online am I not?
cheated on an exam? Taken someone else's answers? Please. Do you know where I went to high school? In college, one of my study partners cheated off of me. I was smitten with the fact that anyone would even think I was smart enough to study with (it was a math class, I have SERIOUS math anxiety issues...and yes...yes I DID want to be a geneticist...what. of. it.), let alone copy off of. Anyhow, got JA'd for that and cleared of all wrong doing. The Princeton Mascot incident is an entirely different story. And not an exam. So I'll plead the fifth there too.
made prank phone calls? Nope. But did do the "you call him, no you call him, okay I'll call him, OH GOD HE ANSWERED HANG UP THE PHONE!!" bit. Sorry Eddie and Jeremy (smile). It was all Beverly's fault.
laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? Nope. Laughed till I about choked myself, but no liquid nostril fun.
caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes. And I know you snowbound folks think this is so not a big deal but honestly. Honestly. This is one of the most absolutely amazing firsts of my life. Remember, I'm from the desert where we don't get snow. Okay. That and I've always been a late bloomer. I know this.
danced in the rain? Yep--floods more like it. Out on Atlas. In El Paso. It is a warm rain day here in Seattle and it reminds me of being home in El Paso.
written a letter to Santa Claus? Yes
been kissed under the mistletoe? Yes!
watched the sunrise with someone you care about? Yes. Virtually at that (smile). Was never a "stay on the phone all hours" type, but one night in high school I recall staying up all night on the phone with a certain "Chef" in Austin (who was in El Paso at the time) and having my mom be all "Are you serious? You stayed up all night? You're going to see him in like 3 minutes for band practice." Tsk, tsk, tsk...like you get to talk at band practice.
been arrested? Not that I recall. Which is kind of scary that I had to give half a thought to that.
blown bubbles? Gum and soapy ones.
gone ice-skating. Almost. But then pitched a fit or had to work or something and so missed out. Can't believe I lived in NY for 5-6 years and never once made it to the rink. Uhg.
been skinny dipping outdoors? No.
had a nickname? Yes. And to be quite frank, I can't recall how the hell Divine came about. Some not so flattering and downright derogatory, others just innocent and obvious.
been to Africa? Almost. Times 2. Before I die. I promise.
eaten cookies for dinner? lol...I know a certain someone who has cupcakes for dinner. me, I tend to either need something full out or nothing at all.
been on TV? Yep. Local TV in high school for being one of those "good high school kids doing amazing things" (all because I was leaving town for college...okay okay...I was a nerd so I was like a National Coca-Cola Scholar--which actually got me on CNN as well...for my first time), in college, I hit CNN again for a pageant (I know I know...remember, I'm Texan).
stolen any traffic signs? Never. Do you know how big those things are?
been in a car accident? A few. I know. But when we were really young, we had this red car (Vero remembers that one) and we were on our way home on a rainy day. We spun out. I freaked out. No one was hurt. Once I was finally driving, I came around a corner in Ithaca one snowy night and spun out. My bumper rested right up against the bumper of another car. So lightly that it didn't even tap off the snow. Which was a good thing because I did this right in front of a cop. Then my ex backed his car out of the garage into my car and most recently, a Seattle Waste Management truck sideswiped me coming into my lane. No weather on that last one. Go figure.
What is your....
mother's name? Gerri (smile).
favorite drink? Water with lots of lemon. Or if I'm in one of my infamous food cycles, Jones Creme Soda.
favorite alcohol? like rubbing? I'm kidding. I love great, thick, heady red wine. Syrahs and Cab Sauvs mostly...just depends on the mood.
birthplace? Texan
favorite vacation spot? Anywhere I've not been before that has something to take a picture of.
favorite salad dressing? Balsamic vinegar
favorite pie? Apple of course
favorite number? 3
favorite movie? This one is hard. I LOVE movies. Couldn't even begin to pick just one. Off the top of my head, the first ones that come to mind: Shawshank Redemption, Babel, Kite Runner, Imitation of Life, Schindler's List, Color Purple, Minority Report, Closer, Cast Away, I am Legend, Office Space, Fargo, A Perfect Murder, A Civil Action, Gone in 60 Seconds, Apollo 13
favorite holiday? Uhhhg...hate not getting to be with family so holidays are a chore now. Trying to make everyone happy and pleasing no one in the process. Can't wait to have kids and start another family unit and get to do all sorts of traditions and stuff. At that point, I think Thanksgiving will be my fave holiday again.
favorite food? Chicos Tacos
favorite day of the week? Probably Wednesday...psychological halfway point.
favorite brand of body wash? Olay Body Creme Ribbons with Almond Oil. Dear sweet Lord.
favorite toothpaste? Anything non-whitening. Yeah...good luck on that in the toothpaste aisle.
favorite smell? Vanilla or rain in the desert.
Do you have any...tattoos? Nope
body piercings? Ears
Do you drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door.
What do you do to relax? Read hang out watching trash tv with R.
How do you see yourself in 10 years? With babies, living in the burbs, active in my community, balanced, peaceful.
Happy 50th Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater! These are the times I wish I lived in NYC. As it is, I'll just have to crash on in to visit Rachel or something (smile).
Day 2...or almost Day 1. All depends on how you look at it.
Lots of life going on around these parts lately. Lots of photos, lots of life and nametags and roles and thoughts and links to think about and...just lots.
So some interactive lists are in order here:
Selectively Unemployed.
I am BLESSED to be in a position to willingly be selectively unemployed.
Friday, May 30 was my last official day with Seattle University. I will go back for a few follow up items, and I have some work at my new position to do this week. But I am so absolutely amazed how everything always works out. Absolutely amazed. So what will I do?
Well there are lots of tiny things like taking the time to slow down and document life. All the tiny details like the Spring that may never come to SEA and JDRF's Beat the Bridge.
I will probably take a lot of time to work on all things political. Those who know me know that I'm pretty passionate about politics. Sure, by nature that means I support a particular candidate (smile), but beyond even that, I just LOVE getting people involved in the process again. Love that people have found their voices.
Speaking of Politics.
Yes. I am running for National Delegate for Obama. You can read more about that and why at my Profile Blog. 
But beyond that, you know that I've been glued to CNN--yesterday the DNC Rules Committee met to figure out a compromise on Michigan. Pretty much Florida is as it is. Michigan well. We just get to a point where I have my own struggles absolutely knowing, from a bigger picture stance, that it isn't always worth winning the battle at the expense of the war. Those are my thoughts on that.
Reading
I love to read. The latest batch to arrive--something inspirational/how to. Something step by step (wedding makeup and all). And something thought provoking. Which, of course, makes me now want more. Lots more. Great place to go for lots more? Hamilton Books of course. Why? Because there are tons of bargain books on stuff you'd never think to buy. I became hip to this discount offering in my last job (well, my last LAST job) when I was at SPSCC and had to be able to stock a whole Diversity Center on like $200 worth of funding. Craziness. I know. But I did it. Through Hamilton of course. And so now some of the other titles I think I might pick up this week from them? Hmmm...
 | Cuttin' Up: Wit and Wisdom From Black Barber Shops by Craig Marberry Read more about this book... |
 | Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the Making of the Black Middle Class by Larry Tye Read more about this book... |
 | Andrew Carnegie by David Nasaw Read more about this book... |
 | Oskar Schindler: The Untold Account of His Life, Wartime Activites, and the True Story Behind the List by David Crowe Read more about this book... |
 | When the Astors Owned New York: Blue Bloods and Grand Hotels in a Gilded Age by Justin Kaplan Read more about this book... |
 | Good in a Room: How to Sell Yourself (and Your Ideas) and Win Over Any Audience by Stephanie Palmer Read more about this book... |
And so you have it for now. Have a friend coming over for a movie shortly. Should probably order some groceries tonight for delivery tomorrow (LOVE that I'll be home to be able to pick a cheaper/free/bigger window of delivery time). Play more with blog updates (I have a hundred and two of them so...)
Till next time.
