Dear Internets,
I missed you.
Love,
Jane
P.S. I figured this was the easiest way to break the silence.
Showing posts with label distractibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label distractibility. Show all posts
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Lack of internets, lack of interesting...
I haven't had much internet access for the past couple of weeks. The few times I've logged in to Google Reader, I saw the ever-growing number of unread posts, cringed and/or sighed, and immediately closed my browser. It's all just too much to take in. I'm afraid I'll miss something.
My own life has been delightfully dull lately. In fact, this past week when my new employer had me take a "stress levels" test, I realized I'm less anxious and unhappy than I have been in ages.
[True story Internets: contentment does not generally lead me to produce good writing. Apparently, my creative engines run on strife and diet soda.]
Things are about to pick back up; Abe is starting the police academy next week, and I'm settling in to my new schedule working from home. I'm sure I'll get back into a worrying/blogging routine soon enough.
Until then, I think I'm going to enjoy the lull.
My own life has been delightfully dull lately. In fact, this past week when my new employer had me take a "stress levels" test, I realized I'm less anxious and unhappy than I have been in ages.
[True story Internets: contentment does not generally lead me to produce good writing. Apparently, my creative engines run on strife and diet soda.]
Things are about to pick back up; Abe is starting the police academy next week, and I'm settling in to my new schedule working from home. I'm sure I'll get back into a worrying/blogging routine soon enough.
Until then, I think I'm going to enjoy the lull.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Working for the weekend (eventually)
Oh Internets... I am so ready to be done with working a bazillion (OK, 55 or so) hours a week. It's exhausting!
On the other hand, both of my jobs are going really well right now. My current students at my part time job are some of the best I've ever had. One of them even brought me an energy drink this evening (which suggests that even my students think I'm crazy for teaching in the evenings after work.)(This is probably why my brain is wide awake after midnight despite my body's desire to sleep. Darn you, caffeine!)
I really like my new main job so far. Of course, it's hard to say whether my enthusiasm will last. I am fairly distractible, and the newness of anything wears off after a while. (I have a friend who is fond of saying that the best two days of any job are the first day and the last. After all, sooner or later you'll realize that your boss is crazy and/or that some coworker really is going to drink a tuna fish smoothie for lunch.)(Right by your desk.)(Every single day.) But so far, I really enjoy my coworkers and the stuff I've been doing. I actually talk with people regularly throughout the day rather than once or twice a week. It's great.
The downside to all of this working is that I haven't had much time for anything else - Achilles, friends, commenting on blogs, my Netflix queue. Of course, this situation is very temporary, and I mostly feel incredibly lucky to be overemployed after my recent sticky job situation. In a couple of weeks, I'll be back to writing stand up, making boring condo repairs, expanding my knowledge of Japanese film, and beating metaphors to death on this blog and in your comments sections. In the meantime, I'm doing the best I can to enjoy the hustle and bustle while it lasts. As for Achilles - don't worry; he and I commute, run, and eat dinner together most nights. Secretly, I think he's enjoying the opportunity to play a few extra video games while I'm at work.
Anyway, this is all beginning to sound very disjointed. (My brain is ready for sleep. My body is ready for sleep. Now I just need my heart rate to get ready for sleep. No more energy drinks, even to be polite!) I'll be back in full force soon. In the meantime, take care of the Internets and yourself.
On the other hand, both of my jobs are going really well right now. My current students at my part time job are some of the best I've ever had. One of them even brought me an energy drink this evening (which suggests that even my students think I'm crazy for teaching in the evenings after work.)(This is probably why my brain is wide awake after midnight despite my body's desire to sleep. Darn you, caffeine!)
I really like my new main job so far. Of course, it's hard to say whether my enthusiasm will last. I am fairly distractible, and the newness of anything wears off after a while. (I have a friend who is fond of saying that the best two days of any job are the first day and the last. After all, sooner or later you'll realize that your boss is crazy and/or that some coworker really is going to drink a tuna fish smoothie for lunch.)(Right by your desk.)(Every single day.) But so far, I really enjoy my coworkers and the stuff I've been doing. I actually talk with people regularly throughout the day rather than once or twice a week. It's great.
The downside to all of this working is that I haven't had much time for anything else - Achilles, friends, commenting on blogs, my Netflix queue. Of course, this situation is very temporary, and I mostly feel incredibly lucky to be overemployed after my recent sticky job situation. In a couple of weeks, I'll be back to writing stand up, making boring condo repairs, expanding my knowledge of Japanese film, and beating metaphors to death on this blog and in your comments sections. In the meantime, I'm doing the best I can to enjoy the hustle and bustle while it lasts. As for Achilles - don't worry; he and I commute, run, and eat dinner together most nights. Secretly, I think he's enjoying the opportunity to play a few extra video games while I'm at work.
Anyway, this is all beginning to sound very disjointed. (My brain is ready for sleep. My body is ready for sleep. Now I just need my heart rate to get ready for sleep. No more energy drinks, even to be polite!) I'll be back in full force soon. In the meantime, take care of the Internets and yourself.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Miscellany
Random bullet points from the past week that likely won't make it into their own blog posts:
- Achilles cut his thumb on the mandoline. I didn't say I told you so, but I did suggest that we start referring to it as the cornballer.
- I may (or may not) have found a job. It was supposed to be a sure thing, but I was supposed to hear something about this so-called "sure thing" today. So who knows.
- I have seven half-written blog posts that I can't muster the energy to finish. It is amazing how quickly I become apathetic when I spend most of my time with my Netflix queue.
I've been enjoying my time between jobs, but I'm beginning to realize that I really need a little more structure (or structured procrastination) in my days if I'm going to stay productive, at least when it comes to blogging.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The claw end of a hammer
I feel like I'm in the midst of a battle. I need advice.
When I was young, I was a head-in-the-clouds daydreamer with imaginary friends. I read fiction constantly and sculpted tiny animals out of clay. I delighted in anyone who was smart or weird or funny or talkative or thoughtful. By the time I got to high school, I was social butterfly. I joined clubs, made friends, and won awards for graphic design. I cried; I made best friends; I worked on a farm. I was Sensitive, and I was going to make the world a better place.
And yet.
I was also a straight-A student with a strong aptitude for math. When I was in elementary school, I saved most of my allowance for college and (I wish I were joking) retirement. In high school, my realistic and grounded side wrote and pushed through new bylaws for the National Honor Society. I did extremely well academically (despite my propensity for constantly losing important papers and forgetting homework assignments).
The older I got, the more I've felt like two people in one body.
My no-nonsense side got me into excellent colleges (with scholarships). It got me out of bed in the morning and to work on time day after day, year after year, and convinced me follow the rules for setting up IRAs and emergency funds and 401(k)s. It is the reason I have a great resume with upward progression and a decent amount of savings in the bank. My practical side has kept my feet nailed to the floor when my flighty side would have long ago filled me up with helium and carried me off into the clouds in search of something shiny and new.
I've never really trusted my flighty side. In my early and mid twenties, it had a habit of chasing bad boys and butterflies. But while my flighty side has perhaps been what has led me to periods of disorganization and depression, it has always also known what will make me happiest. It never let me get away with saying, "Hey, I know my boss is sort of a sociopath, but a few more months at this job will look great on my resume." Even after some truly awful dates (and, come to think of it, boyfriends) it never let me give up on the idea that one day I would meet a nice guy. It has always been the part of me that has said "Why not just try stand up comedy/horseback riding/making tiny birds for the top of your wedding cupcakes?" My flaky side, especially after a couple of beers, is a lot of fun. Heck, for the most part, Flaky writes this blog.
I was shaken last week when I found out that my position would be eliminated at the beginning of September. I am, after all, a person who plans, who makes lists, who wants to know what is going to happen next. However, I am also a person who enjoys - even thrives on - change. I felt trapped in my old job; it paid well, but I didn't enjoy the work. I spent most of my time alone with computer code that I found neither interesting nor inspiring. I lived for evenings, weekends, and vacations. As upset as I was last week, this week I'm beginning to realize that this job loss may be one of the best things to happen to me this year.
I have several options right now. Older, wiser people and many of my friends have suggested I get a job, in my current field, as soon as possible. Of course, they say, I may have to take a pay cut, but the important thing is to not have any gaps in my resume. My logical, reasonable side thinks they're right. My rational side, has, in fact, already talked me into applying for two jobs that seem somewhat interesting (although I did draw the line at applying for an opening at the organization where my stalker ex-boyfriend works).
Oh, but my flaky side... My flaky side dreams of finding a part time job at a coffee shop to keep me busy and cover my (admittedly low) expenses while I go back to school. (My flaky side, of course, found a perfect part time teaching program I'd planned to apply to long before I'd even caught wind of the layoffs.) Flaky reasons that I can get on Achilles' health insurance plan and count Job #2 as continuous employment, so I won't have to worry that much about a gap in my resume anyway.
Flaky is being awfully darn persuasive. To complicate matters, I got some potentially really exciting (but very tenuous) news about a hobby taking off. At this point, I am afraid to even dream that it might ever be more than a hobby, but right now, I love this hobby. I want to have time for it, and not only for it, but for Achilles, my friends, my nephew and niece, and the myriad other things that keep me sane by pulling me in a million directions. I am, after all, Distractible. I'm afraid that two jobs and school will lead me down the path where dreams go to die.
On one hand, I know that people gain wisdom through experience. The advice I'm receiving about getting a job NOW isn't being given lightly, or because people don't know or care about what's best for me. In fact, a lot of these people have probably spent time chasing dreams that didn't work out. On the other hand, though, I feel like I've been given a fantastic opportunity, and I'm afraid to let it pass me by.
Above all else, I'm tempted to shake myself and tell myself I'm too old to have my gaze so firmly fixed on my navel.
What do you think, Internets?
When I was young, I was a head-in-the-clouds daydreamer with imaginary friends. I read fiction constantly and sculpted tiny animals out of clay. I delighted in anyone who was smart or weird or funny or talkative or thoughtful. By the time I got to high school, I was social butterfly. I joined clubs, made friends, and won awards for graphic design. I cried; I made best friends; I worked on a farm. I was Sensitive, and I was going to make the world a better place.
And yet.
I was also a straight-A student with a strong aptitude for math. When I was in elementary school, I saved most of my allowance for college and (I wish I were joking) retirement. In high school, my realistic and grounded side wrote and pushed through new bylaws for the National Honor Society. I did extremely well academically (despite my propensity for constantly losing important papers and forgetting homework assignments).
The older I got, the more I've felt like two people in one body.
My no-nonsense side got me into excellent colleges (with scholarships). It got me out of bed in the morning and to work on time day after day, year after year, and convinced me follow the rules for setting up IRAs and emergency funds and 401(k)s. It is the reason I have a great resume with upward progression and a decent amount of savings in the bank. My practical side has kept my feet nailed to the floor when my flighty side would have long ago filled me up with helium and carried me off into the clouds in search of something shiny and new.
I've never really trusted my flighty side. In my early and mid twenties, it had a habit of chasing bad boys and butterflies. But while my flighty side has perhaps been what has led me to periods of disorganization and depression, it has always also known what will make me happiest. It never let me get away with saying, "Hey, I know my boss is sort of a sociopath, but a few more months at this job will look great on my resume." Even after some truly awful dates (and, come to think of it, boyfriends) it never let me give up on the idea that one day I would meet a nice guy. It has always been the part of me that has said "Why not just try stand up comedy/horseback riding/making tiny birds for the top of your wedding cupcakes?" My flaky side, especially after a couple of beers, is a lot of fun. Heck, for the most part, Flaky writes this blog.
I was shaken last week when I found out that my position would be eliminated at the beginning of September. I am, after all, a person who plans, who makes lists, who wants to know what is going to happen next. However, I am also a person who enjoys - even thrives on - change. I felt trapped in my old job; it paid well, but I didn't enjoy the work. I spent most of my time alone with computer code that I found neither interesting nor inspiring. I lived for evenings, weekends, and vacations. As upset as I was last week, this week I'm beginning to realize that this job loss may be one of the best things to happen to me this year.
I have several options right now. Older, wiser people and many of my friends have suggested I get a job, in my current field, as soon as possible. Of course, they say, I may have to take a pay cut, but the important thing is to not have any gaps in my resume. My logical, reasonable side thinks they're right. My rational side, has, in fact, already talked me into applying for two jobs that seem somewhat interesting (although I did draw the line at applying for an opening at the organization where my stalker ex-boyfriend works).
Oh, but my flaky side... My flaky side dreams of finding a part time job at a coffee shop to keep me busy and cover my (admittedly low) expenses while I go back to school. (My flaky side, of course, found a perfect part time teaching program I'd planned to apply to long before I'd even caught wind of the layoffs.) Flaky reasons that I can get on Achilles' health insurance plan and count Job #2 as continuous employment, so I won't have to worry that much about a gap in my resume anyway.
Flaky is being awfully darn persuasive. To complicate matters, I got some potentially really exciting (but very tenuous) news about a hobby taking off. At this point, I am afraid to even dream that it might ever be more than a hobby, but right now, I love this hobby. I want to have time for it, and not only for it, but for Achilles, my friends, my nephew and niece, and the myriad other things that keep me sane by pulling me in a million directions. I am, after all, Distractible. I'm afraid that two jobs and school will lead me down the path where dreams go to die.
On one hand, I know that people gain wisdom through experience. The advice I'm receiving about getting a job NOW isn't being given lightly, or because people don't know or care about what's best for me. In fact, a lot of these people have probably spent time chasing dreams that didn't work out. On the other hand, though, I feel like I've been given a fantastic opportunity, and I'm afraid to let it pass me by.
Above all else, I'm tempted to shake myself and tell myself I'm too old to have my gaze so firmly fixed on my navel.
What do you think, Internets?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Spring cleaning
Dear Internets,
As several of you have noticed, I have a new blog header. I got it from the very talented MiaSpark Designs for a very reasonable price. I heart it lots, and Kayla was great to work with.
I was going to redesign my entire blog after I ordered the new header, but I got... well... distracted. I'll probably get around to fixing things up around here in the next couple of weeks. I want a brighter, cleaner look for the blog. Despite the weirdness and sadness around Austin recently, I really do still believe that 2010 is going to bring about some really positive things, and I'd like this blog's design to reflect that.
***
[I really want to link to our wedding website right now so you can see how far my website design skills have come in the past year, but it's attached to Achilles' and my last names. Therefore, linking to that site is probably not a good idea. Right? Or is it sooooo 2009 of me to think that way?]
***
Not much is new with me. I worked a LOT this weekend, which is good for our budget, but bad for my social life. On Sunday, I went to my second stand-up comedy class. It turns out our final performances are going to be videotaped.
That, my friends, is good news for you.
I hereby promise that, barring some sort of unforeseen disaster (i.e. camera malfunction, major illness that keeps me from performing, etc. - i.e. NOT just embarrassment on my part), I will post the video of my live performance on this blog.
Yikes!
***
Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Internets!
Love,
Jane
As several of you have noticed, I have a new blog header. I got it from the very talented MiaSpark Designs for a very reasonable price. I heart it lots, and Kayla was great to work with.
I was going to redesign my entire blog after I ordered the new header, but I got... well... distracted. I'll probably get around to fixing things up around here in the next couple of weeks. I want a brighter, cleaner look for the blog. Despite the weirdness and sadness around Austin recently, I really do still believe that 2010 is going to bring about some really positive things, and I'd like this blog's design to reflect that.
***
[I really want to link to our wedding website right now so you can see how far my website design skills have come in the past year, but it's attached to Achilles' and my last names. Therefore, linking to that site is probably not a good idea. Right? Or is it sooooo 2009 of me to think that way?]
***
Not much is new with me. I worked a LOT this weekend, which is good for our budget, but bad for my social life. On Sunday, I went to my second stand-up comedy class. It turns out our final performances are going to be videotaped.
That, my friends, is good news for you.
I hereby promise that, barring some sort of unforeseen disaster (i.e. camera malfunction, major illness that keeps me from performing, etc. - i.e. NOT just embarrassment on my part), I will post the video of my live performance on this blog.
Yikes!
***
Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Internets!
Love,
Jane
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Eating the elephant
Dear Internets,
So. I sort of lied about being back, huh? I did read all 749 posts in my Google Reader, although I didn't comment on most of them (because I'm not a robot, that's why)(sorry about that). It turns out they were mostly about how people either love or hate Christmas. Go figure.
I haven't been writing (or exercising or eating particularly well) because my brain has been a scrambled mess. My brain has been a scrambled mess because I haven't been writing (or exercising or cooking). It's a vicious cycle. (Rawr.) It's possibly also some mild form of SAD since this seems to happen to me every year. I know that's weird, since I live in the sunbelt and all, but I can't help butwonder be a hypochondriac.
Anyway, I'm going to attempt to defrag my brain by writing a huge monster update. Hopefully, we can all move on and I can get back to posting about breakfast tacos ASAP.
Thanksgiving
Food. Lots of it. Lots of family asking about the wedding. Lots of anxiety. Moving on.
Tahoe
It is interesting to travel with a large group of friends. Apparently the family you choose can be just as overly dramatic as the family you're born into. Overall, though, the trip was wonderful. I went snowboarding, my friends made me 29 cupcakes with candles on my birthday, and we danced and sang along so enthusiastically to a mid/late-90's alt rock cover band that the band thanked us (and only us) personally after the show. It was fantastic.
My Birthday
29. Bleh. What can I say about 29? I guess at least it's a prime number (but it's not nearly as good as being perfect). It was great to spend time with my friends in Tahoe, and I'm incredibly lucky to have the life I have, but I really just don't enjoy getting older anymore.
Snowboarding
Normally, I'm the person getting whacked in the face with a soccer ball or tripping down the bowling alley, but I actually seem to have some natural talent for snowboarding. Achilles and I are even thinking of heading to Whistler for our honeymoon. (Note to self: try finding sports that aren't so expensive.) My bruises are finally starting to heal. (Re: bruises. I know, I know. But I said that I had some natural talent, not that I'd morphed into a different person.)
Ghost Posts
To everyone who emailed me about writing a ghost post while I was on vacation - I am so very sorry I didn't get back to anyone. I was a nervous wreck. If you are still interested, please let me know.
The Wedding
Does anyone even want to hear about this? I know I don't. However, I may or may not have biggish news about the wedding (depending on how Achilles' and my families react to our new plans). I don't want to jinx anything, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut.
***
Well, that was really lame and not much of a monster post at all. I can't believe I've been avoiding this for so long. I hope you've had a fantastical month so far, Internets, and I hope you'll forgive me for being a little bit of a whackadoodle.
Love,
Jane
So. I sort of lied about being back, huh? I did read all 749 posts in my Google Reader, although I didn't comment on most of them (because I'm not a robot, that's why)(sorry about that). It turns out they were mostly about how people either love or hate Christmas. Go figure.
I haven't been writing (or exercising or eating particularly well) because my brain has been a scrambled mess. My brain has been a scrambled mess because I haven't been writing (or exercising or cooking). It's a vicious cycle. (Rawr.) It's possibly also some mild form of SAD since this seems to happen to me every year. I know that's weird, since I live in the sunbelt and all, but I can't help but
Anyway, I'm going to attempt to defrag my brain by writing a huge monster update. Hopefully, we can all move on and I can get back to posting about breakfast tacos ASAP.
Thanksgiving
Food. Lots of it. Lots of family asking about the wedding. Lots of anxiety. Moving on.
Tahoe
It is interesting to travel with a large group of friends. Apparently the family you choose can be just as overly dramatic as the family you're born into. Overall, though, the trip was wonderful. I went snowboarding, my friends made me 29 cupcakes with candles on my birthday, and we danced and sang along so enthusiastically to a mid/late-90's alt rock cover band that the band thanked us (and only us) personally after the show. It was fantastic.
My Birthday
29. Bleh. What can I say about 29? I guess at least it's a prime number (but it's not nearly as good as being perfect). It was great to spend time with my friends in Tahoe, and I'm incredibly lucky to have the life I have, but I really just don't enjoy getting older anymore.
Snowboarding
Normally, I'm the person getting whacked in the face with a soccer ball or tripping down the bowling alley, but I actually seem to have some natural talent for snowboarding. Achilles and I are even thinking of heading to Whistler for our honeymoon. (Note to self: try finding sports that aren't so expensive.) My bruises are finally starting to heal. (Re: bruises. I know, I know. But I said that I had some natural talent, not that I'd morphed into a different person.)
Ghost Posts
To everyone who emailed me about writing a ghost post while I was on vacation - I am so very sorry I didn't get back to anyone. I was a nervous wreck. If you are still interested, please let me know.
The Wedding
Does anyone even want to hear about this? I know I don't. However, I may or may not have biggish news about the wedding (depending on how Achilles' and my families react to our new plans). I don't want to jinx anything, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut.
***
Well, that was really lame and not much of a monster post at all. I can't believe I've been avoiding this for so long. I hope you've had a fantastical month so far, Internets, and I hope you'll forgive me for being a little bit of a whackadoodle.
Love,
Jane
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Stalky stalk stalk
Dear Internets,
So it appears that I don't have meningitis (which, logical or not, was my first thought when I woke up with a stiff neck)(I'm glad I'm not the only one whose brain works that way). I guess I just slept in a strange position or something. Anyhoodles.
I found a former coworker's blog (we worked together almost 9 years ago) and have been reading her archives all afternoon. It is so weird. I normally don't feel creepy reading blogs - after all, the writer decides what they do and don't publish - but reading J's blog makes me feel like a total stalker. Even though we haven't talked for several years, there's a weird sense of familiarity. I have eaten lunch with some of the people she talks about. We shop at some of the same grocery stores. Her voice as a writer is so similar to the way she was when I knew her: open, dry, sarcastic, matter-of-fact.
I wonder if she'd censor herself if she knew I was reading her blog (answer: probably not). I wonder how many acquaintances from my past have found my blog (answer: I don't want to think about it).
Thinking about all this has put me in a kind of weird mood. I should probably just stop reading, but that is unlikely to happen. Oh well.
I hope your day has been less weird than mine Internets.
Love,
Jane
So it appears that I don't have meningitis (which, logical or not, was my first thought when I woke up with a stiff neck)(I'm glad I'm not the only one whose brain works that way). I guess I just slept in a strange position or something. Anyhoodles.
I found a former coworker's blog (we worked together almost 9 years ago) and have been reading her archives all afternoon. It is so weird. I normally don't feel creepy reading blogs - after all, the writer decides what they do and don't publish - but reading J's blog makes me feel like a total stalker. Even though we haven't talked for several years, there's a weird sense of familiarity. I have eaten lunch with some of the people she talks about. We shop at some of the same grocery stores. Her voice as a writer is so similar to the way she was when I knew her: open, dry, sarcastic, matter-of-fact.
I wonder if she'd censor herself if she knew I was reading her blog (answer: probably not). I wonder how many acquaintances from my past have found my blog (answer: I don't want to think about it).
Thinking about all this has put me in a kind of weird mood. I should probably just stop reading, but that is unlikely to happen. Oh well.
I hope your day has been less weird than mine Internets.
Love,
Jane
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Potato, egg and cheese. Just a suggestion.
Dear Universe,
It has been a while since you sent me breakfast tacos. I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but I'm just sayin... A couple of tacos might be nice.
Still a huge fan,
Jane
***
Dear Daylight Saving Time,
You know how much I love you. It is so nice to leave work at the end of the day and actually see the sun still shining. I'm really going to miss that. While this extra hour of sleep and sunshine in the morning are not too shabby, I'm glad you'll make it back in time for the wedding.
See you next March.
Kisses,
Jane
***
Dear Birthday,
You are only 29 days away. Please stop that. I don't think I'm ready to be 29 yet.
Love,
Jane
***
Dear guy driving while talking on his cell phone,
I know I sometimes say I'd rather not turn 29 or 30, but they are just jokes. I do not actually want to get run over. Please hang up, drive, and watch for pedestrians.
Thanks,
Jane
It has been a while since you sent me breakfast tacos. I don't want to tell you how to do your job, but I'm just sayin... A couple of tacos might be nice.
Still a huge fan,
Jane
***
Dear Daylight Saving Time,
You know how much I love you. It is so nice to leave work at the end of the day and actually see the sun still shining. I'm really going to miss that. While this extra hour of sleep and sunshine in the morning are not too shabby, I'm glad you'll make it back in time for the wedding.
See you next March.
Kisses,
Jane
***
Dear Birthday,
You are only 29 days away. Please stop that. I don't think I'm ready to be 29 yet.
Love,
Jane
***
Dear guy driving while talking on his cell phone,
I know I sometimes say I'd rather not turn 29 or 30, but they are just jokes. I do not actually want to get run over. Please hang up, drive, and watch for pedestrians.
Thanks,
Jane
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Of dust and mud and poop
Dear Internets,
Over the past few months, I've been obsessed with the U.S. Drought Monitor website. Particularly, I've been obsessed with watching the drought severity in Texas.
As it has (finally) started raining again this fall, it has been nice to watch the part of the map over Travis County (Austin) get progressively lighter in color, rather than stay dark brown week after week like it did this summer. It has also been nice to watch the grass get greener and to see actual wildlife around occasionally.
Since I took horseback riding back up this summer, I've been taking a lesson once or twice a month at a riding stable near my house. The only downside to all the rain we've been having is that my lessons have been frequently canceled due to the rain.
This week, the weather and my schedule finally matched up, and I was able to go out for a trail ride. My riding instructor warned me that most of the ground was fairly dry, but that there were a couple of places where it was soupy so I should be careful.
I watched my step as I went to get Bart, the old gelding used for lessons. Most of the ground in his pen was fairly squishy, so I did my best to step on the dry parts. Just as I was about to reach Bart, I stepped on what I thought was a small, dry piece of manure. Then I learned a horrible lesson.
Apparently damp manure expands in size (a lot). As soon as I put my weight down on my foot, the ground collapsed beneath my feet, and I sank about a foot and a half into manure. I was literally knee-deep in poo.
It wasn't the best way to start the weekend, I suppose, but after I got myself out of the poop, we actually had a pretty fun trail ride. And now I know better than to toss the "knee deep in poo" expression around cavalierly, lest karma decide to teach me another lesson.
Have a wonderful weekend Internets!
Love,
Jane
Over the past few months, I've been obsessed with the U.S. Drought Monitor website. Particularly, I've been obsessed with watching the drought severity in Texas.
As it has (finally) started raining again this fall, it has been nice to watch the part of the map over Travis County (Austin) get progressively lighter in color, rather than stay dark brown week after week like it did this summer. It has also been nice to watch the grass get greener and to see actual wildlife around occasionally.
Since I took horseback riding back up this summer, I've been taking a lesson once or twice a month at a riding stable near my house. The only downside to all the rain we've been having is that my lessons have been frequently canceled due to the rain.
This week, the weather and my schedule finally matched up, and I was able to go out for a trail ride. My riding instructor warned me that most of the ground was fairly dry, but that there were a couple of places where it was soupy so I should be careful.
I watched my step as I went to get Bart, the old gelding used for lessons. Most of the ground in his pen was fairly squishy, so I did my best to step on the dry parts. Just as I was about to reach Bart, I stepped on what I thought was a small, dry piece of manure. Then I learned a horrible lesson.
Apparently damp manure expands in size (a lot). As soon as I put my weight down on my foot, the ground collapsed beneath my feet, and I sank about a foot and a half into manure. I was literally knee-deep in poo.
It wasn't the best way to start the weekend, I suppose, but after I got myself out of the poop, we actually had a pretty fun trail ride. And now I know better than to toss the "knee deep in poo" expression around cavalierly, lest karma decide to teach me another lesson.
Have a wonderful weekend Internets!
Love,
Jane
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday Wedding Weecap
Dear Internets,
I don't want to annoy anyone by talking too much about wedding stuff on this blog. But since a few people asked for details, I figured I'd give a quick update.
We have a location (Zilker Clubhouse - I've wanted to get married there since I was 17, and it overlooks the park where Achilles proposed) and a date (3/27/2010). I picked out my dress yesterday.
Here's the dress I almost bought* - I love it, but it is just too formal for me. Maybe someday I'll win an Academy Award or something and wear a fancy dress like this, only without the train, because that would just be weird.
Or maybe I'll just stick to making cupcakes and getting distracted by butterflies. Anyhoodles.
Happy Wednesday!
Love,
Jane
*OK, so technically, I *did* buy the dress, decided I had made the wrong decision when everyone told me they liked the other (polar opposite) finalist better, freaked out, and begged (nicely) to be allowed to exchange it for the other dress. I hope this will be my one and only "Bridezilla" moment. I am going to send cookies and a gift card to the saleslady who helped me to thank her for putting up with my Crazy. She was a sweatheart.
I don't want to annoy anyone by talking too much about wedding stuff on this blog. But since a few people asked for details, I figured I'd give a quick update.
We have a location (Zilker Clubhouse - I've wanted to get married there since I was 17, and it overlooks the park where Achilles proposed) and a date (3/27/2010). I picked out my dress yesterday.
Here's the dress I almost bought* - I love it, but it is just too formal for me. Maybe someday I'll win an Academy Award or something and wear a fancy dress like this, only without the train, because that would just be weird.
Or maybe I'll just stick to making cupcakes and getting distracted by butterflies. Anyhoodles.
Happy Wednesday!
Love,
Jane
*OK, so technically, I *did* buy the dress, decided I had made the wrong decision when everyone told me they liked the other (polar opposite) finalist better, freaked out, and begged (nicely) to be allowed to exchange it for the other dress. I hope this will be my one and only "Bridezilla" moment. I am going to send cookies and a gift card to the saleslady who helped me to thank her for putting up with my Crazy. She was a sweatheart.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A distractible person probably invented paisley print, though
Dear Internets,
Sometimes being distractible has its disadvantages. Say, for example, that you're at your second job and you meet the teacher from the class before you - a shaggy-haired (male) hipster in a long paisley print skirt. And you're trying to concentrate on what he's saying about 18th century German philosophy and manga, but all you can really think about is what a *fantastic* addition he'd make to your trivia team, and how you'd kind of like a tailored shirt made out of the paisley print skirt fabric. And you're wishing you could bring that up without 1.) seeming totally awkward, and 2.) making the guy think you're hitting on him, because he strikes you as a bit socially awkward himself, and you're afraid that all the resulting awkwardness would result in a rip in the time-space continuum, and you really don't want to get sucked into some sort of alternate universe, because who would feed your dog?
That is why it is better to be a person who can focus, Internets. If I could actually focus, *I* might be a good addition to my trivia team. Oh well.
Love,
Jane
Sometimes being distractible has its disadvantages. Say, for example, that you're at your second job and you meet the teacher from the class before you - a shaggy-haired (male) hipster in a long paisley print skirt. And you're trying to concentrate on what he's saying about 18th century German philosophy and manga, but all you can really think about is what a *fantastic* addition he'd make to your trivia team, and how you'd kind of like a tailored shirt made out of the paisley print skirt fabric. And you're wishing you could bring that up without 1.) seeming totally awkward, and 2.) making the guy think you're hitting on him, because he strikes you as a bit socially awkward himself, and you're afraid that all the resulting awkwardness would result in a rip in the time-space continuum, and you really don't want to get sucked into some sort of alternate universe, because who would feed your dog?
That is why it is better to be a person who can focus, Internets. If I could actually focus, *I* might be a good addition to my trivia team. Oh well.
Love,
Jane
Friday, August 28, 2009
It's Fridaaaay!
Dear Internets,
I am sorry for all the bullet post-y posts lately, but I have been distracted. Go figure. This is what has been on my mind:
Love,
Jane
I am sorry for all the bullet post-y posts lately, but I have been distracted. Go figure. This is what has been on my mind:
- I had a nightmare last night about health care reform. I didn't even think I *thought* much about health care reform, but in my dream, I was positive that if I could just get Hillary Clinton and Kay Bailey Hutchison together, they could fix everything. And I was *really* worried about it. SO WEIRD. Must be the zeitgeist or something.
- I kind of want to buy some clothes from Old Navy. However, I just went through all my stuff and donated about two file boxes worth of clothes, movies, etc. to Goodwill. I also threw out a bunch of old socks and underoosies. Should I let myself become accustomed to the empty space, or should I buy myself a couple of new things?
- I got some new rain boots. Overly optimistic? Perhaps, but I had been eying these boots for over a year, and finally found them on sale for 60% off. And El Nino's coming this fall, which should hopefully make it rain a lot. But now I have no idea how to wear them! I have
fairlyscary wide calves, so I'm pretty sure the whole "skinny jeans tucked into the boots" look won't work for me. Halp! - Is it normal to have extreme anxiety about mailing packages? I have no anxiety about receiving packages, but something about mailing them makes me very antsy.
- I just picked up a bunch more hours at job #2. Which... I know! I was so happy to have a break. I'm ridiculous. But they are very manipulative.
Love,
Jane
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Curiosity killed the Jane
Dear Internets,
In the past two days, I have almost committed two completely different random acts of curiosity that (apparently) could have resulted in government officials with guns and warrants busting down my door. I really need to remember that just because I *can* figure out how to do something doesn't mean I should actually do it. Darn me and my and my ability to always find the work-around I wasn't supposed to know about!
(I should probably not ever be allowed to have a job that gives me any responsibility or access to anything important. Actually, I probably shouldn't even be allowed near a computer...)
It kind of reminds me of a story one of my high school teachers told. Apparently, he and some friends figured out how to convert semi-automatic rifles into fully-automatic rifles (um.... I guess the best explanation I can give you is "this is Texas..?"). He said they came very close to being hauled off by ATF agents. Fortunately the agents realized (in Mr. R's words) that they "were just a bunch of dumbass kids who didn't know any better."
Just goes to show you that you that it is possible to accidentally land yourself in federal prison. Say no to the shiny buttons kids!
Love always,
Jane
In the past two days, I have almost committed two completely different random acts of curiosity that (apparently) could have resulted in government officials with guns and warrants busting down my door. I really need to remember that just because I *can* figure out how to do something doesn't mean I should actually do it. Darn me and my and my ability to always find the work-around I wasn't supposed to know about!
(I should probably not ever be allowed to have a job that gives me any responsibility or access to anything important. Actually, I probably shouldn't even be allowed near a computer...)
It kind of reminds me of a story one of my high school teachers told. Apparently, he and some friends figured out how to convert semi-automatic rifles into fully-automatic rifles (um.... I guess the best explanation I can give you is "this is Texas..?"). He said they came very close to being hauled off by ATF agents. Fortunately the agents realized (in Mr. R's words) that they "were just a bunch of dumbass kids who didn't know any better."
Just goes to show you that you that it is possible to accidentally land yourself in federal prison. Say no to the shiny buttons kids!
Love always,
Jane
Friday, February 20, 2009
I speak softly and carry a big stick
Dear Internets,
I saw this on Gretchen's blog. It was a great way to spend 20 minutes on a Friday afternoon.
Behold:
I think it's a good look for me.
Love,
Jane
I saw this on Gretchen's blog. It was a great way to spend 20 minutes on a Friday afternoon.
Behold:
I think it's a good look for me.
Love,
Jane
Friday, January 16, 2009
Better than marshmallows
Dear Internets,
Feeling bored with your interior decorating? Also slightly hungry? May I suggest, the Hamburger Bed:
I'll stop now, before I start making inappropriate fast food related puns.
Love,
Jane
Feeling bored with your interior decorating? Also slightly hungry? May I suggest, the Hamburger Bed:
I'll stop now, before I start making inappropriate fast food related puns.
Love,
Jane
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Debating about debating
Dear Internets,
I read an interesting article yesterday in the NY Times about the autism debate. In particular, this quote jumped out at me:
What do you think, Internets?
Love,
Jane
*For one thing, I don't want to start talking about kids and give my ovaries any ideas.
I read an interesting article yesterday in the NY Times about the autism debate. In particular, this quote jumped out at me:
[Dr. Nancy J. Minshew] blamed journalists for “creating a conspiracy where there was none.” By acting as if there were two legitimate sides to the autism debate, she said, “the media has fed on this — it’s great for ratings.”While I'm not interested in starting an autism/vaccine debate on this blog*, I found the quote really intriguing. It made me wonder if other "hot issues" are amplified by the media's (in my opinion, generally legitimate) need to present both sides to issues. Maybe there aren't that many people who think, for example, that homosexuality is a choice, or that global warming is some weird government conspiracy to help polar bears steal Alaska. This was an interesting paradigm shift for me.
What do you think, Internets?
Love,
Jane
*For one thing, I don't want to start talking about kids and give my ovaries any ideas.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Bullet Points of Sleepiness
Dear Internets,
I'm sleepy today, so you get bullet points. Yay bullet points! Right? Sigh...
j
I'm sleepy today, so you get bullet points. Yay bullet points! Right? Sigh...
- Watching Bailey play outside yesterday made me really want to buy a house with a yard.
- Sadly, I think it's condo city for the Distractible family for the foreseeable future.
- Anyway, I think if we had a yard, Achilles would want to get a German Shepherd puppy, and I'm kind of intimidated by German Shepherds.
- Also, German Shepherds are *really* hairy.
- Cold fronts make me sleepy.
- I want to go see my nephew at lunch, but I'm kind of afraid he'll knock me down.
- Shush up, he's really strong for a 2-year-old.
- Despite being sleepy, I feel oddly compelled to do the "Single Ladies" dance around my office. I think that might perk me up.
- I'm probably sleepy because I haven't been eating well. I need to remember to take time to take care of myself.
- I think I may have watched too much Oprah over the holiday break.
- I also may have watched too much HGTV over the break. I have a strong desire to scrape down all the popcorn texture from my ceilings, and then re-texture and repaint them. I am not sure this is within my capabilities as a do-it-yourself-er.
- Should I go on an Alaskan cruise with my parents, grandma, and aunt this spring?
j
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Love notes
Dear Donuts,
Shhh.... You don't have to tell anyone about our secret rendezvous. It'll just be between us.
Love,
Jane
***
Dear Pants,
Please stop inching up around my ankles to reveal my bumblebee socks. It's probably not professional.
Love,
Jane
***
Dear Bailey,
I'm glad you enjoyed being dropped off at the house with the giant yard this morning. Please don't bark all day.
Love,
Mama
***
Dear Jane,
Please stop referring to yourself as your dog's "mama." It's pretty effing creepy. Your boyfriend reads this blog.
Sincerely,
The Universe
***
Dear Universe,
Please send more donuts.
Love,
Jane
Shhh.... You don't have to tell anyone about our secret rendezvous. It'll just be between us.
Love,
Jane
***
Dear Pants,
Please stop inching up around my ankles to reveal my bumblebee socks. It's probably not professional.
Love,
Jane
***
Dear Bailey,
I'm glad you enjoyed being dropped off at the house with the giant yard this morning. Please don't bark all day.
Love,
Mama
***
Dear Jane,
Please stop referring to yourself as your dog's "mama." It's pretty effing creepy. Your boyfriend reads this blog.
Sincerely,
The Universe
***
Dear Universe,
Please send more donuts.
Love,
Jane
Friday, December 19, 2008
I am a silly goat
Dear Internets,
You know I love bullet points, especially when I'm feeling extra distracted. Things that are keeping my mind occupied today:
Love,
Jane
*If I could figure out a way to send the chocolate milk bath in the mail without it breaking and getting everywhere, I would send some to you, Internets.** It's HEAVENLY.
**Seriously... I am open to suggestions.
You know I love bullet points, especially when I'm feeling extra distracted. Things that are keeping my mind occupied today:
- Whether or not I should start another blog (I have a good idea, but 2 blogs + 2 jobs = too much?)
- My two week vacation that starts in a few hours (that I don't have to use vacation days for! SCORE!)
- How much I love the "chocolate milk bath" I made for Christmas presents this year (it smells like you're swimming in hot cocoa)*
- How amazing my 2 1/2 year-old nephew's communication skills are, even if he sometimes uses those skills to communicate that he doesn't especially want Aunt Jane around that much
- What I should pack for my weekend mini-vacation
- How lucky I am to have such awesome friends and family
- How I wish I had taken better pictures of my friend Lyn's Christmas gifts
- How excited I am to have TWO WEEKS OFF! I seriously want to jump around and sing and dance. And I'm not exactly the world's bounciest person.
- How awesome it is to hang out with other bloggers and find out that they are as awesome in person as they are on their blogs.
- How weird it is that one of the top Google search terms leading people to my blog this month was "meth." Sorry dears, but I do not have drugs here.
Love,
Jane
*If I could figure out a way to send the chocolate milk bath in the mail without it breaking and getting everywhere, I would send some to you, Internets.** It's HEAVENLY.
**Seriously... I am open to suggestions.
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