So I just realized what a negligent blogger I've been. I have every intention of writing the randomness of my day, but at work I hate to log-on and blog (though I will waste my time with online sudoku and crosswords) and often when I get home I hate looking at a computer since I spent most of my day staring at one for work.
I'm going to try and be better about this (for the very few of you who read this thing) much like I'm trying to be better about writing a journal for my own benefit. This is my year of change and improvement (or so I tell myself)and I'm going to put this blog into an area for improvement.
I want to be a better blogger. For me, that means being a well rounded blogger. Not just blogging about frustration and bad stuff, or too focused on the random. I want to try and be like me, honest but with a fair amount of geek/nerd randomness thrown in.
Here's hoping I will be a better blogger! We'll see how it goes. Fun, fun!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Who Doesn't Love a Random Internet Quiz?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Random Political Sighting!
Yes, yes, I have been a naughty blogger. Too many things good, bad and in between have kept me busy enough that posting has fallen by the wayside, but today I had a geektastic moment! I saw a famous political person out and about, and that really never happens to me.
While walking from my apartment to Georgetown I passed Donald Rumsfeld leaving Church. He looks like he always does and when I heard his voice, that was the clincher. It was just kind of surreal. Of all people, Rummy! At a church none the less. Very random, and no, I did not yell anything or heckle hime. The man had left church, and to be honest I was a little excited to see him.
In my 4ish years of DC area living I have only had 2 sightings of the famous, political or otherwise. One sighting was of Anderson Cooper walking in the DuPont. Yes, I was sure it was him and he was dressed casually just out and about. I did a double take, but there was no doubting who it was. In the time after that sighting, I had a drought.
My friend Princezz O'Phun has had many cool sightings. Chelsea Clinton, McCain and many more. DC is so freaking small, that my drought of seeing the famous/important is a bit odd. That will probably change with work and other outings! I will content myself with my Rummy sighting and hope for more excitement down the line. Fun, fun!
While walking from my apartment to Georgetown I passed Donald Rumsfeld leaving Church. He looks like he always does and when I heard his voice, that was the clincher. It was just kind of surreal. Of all people, Rummy! At a church none the less. Very random, and no, I did not yell anything or heckle hime. The man had left church, and to be honest I was a little excited to see him.
In my 4ish years of DC area living I have only had 2 sightings of the famous, political or otherwise. One sighting was of Anderson Cooper walking in the DuPont. Yes, I was sure it was him and he was dressed casually just out and about. I did a double take, but there was no doubting who it was. In the time after that sighting, I had a drought.
My friend Princezz O'Phun has had many cool sightings. Chelsea Clinton, McCain and many more. DC is so freaking small, that my drought of seeing the famous/important is a bit odd. That will probably change with work and other outings! I will content myself with my Rummy sighting and hope for more excitement down the line. Fun, fun!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wow, Time Flies!
I'd say time flies when your having fun, but not all of the last few weeks was a laugh riot. Nothing terrible, just the usual busy, busy! In the last three weeks I've done the following: Moved, unpacked, started a job and in general squeezed in a life.
My move went shockingly well over Labor Day weekend. My job started with few hitches and only a little first day angst. The last few weeks have been a whirl of Federal Govt forms, admin stuff, lots of reports/information to absorb and joining/attending the Govt. Agency gym. Gotta say, being able to hit the gym over lunch or really whenever I think of it is great!!! It's nice to be employed again, and in a place full of benefits and tolerable work environment.
I still need to get a real grocery store run in, but overall being closer to friends and in the city has been good. Can't promise tons of blogging for a while but we'll see!
My move went shockingly well over Labor Day weekend. My job started with few hitches and only a little first day angst. The last few weeks have been a whirl of Federal Govt forms, admin stuff, lots of reports/information to absorb and joining/attending the Govt. Agency gym. Gotta say, being able to hit the gym over lunch or really whenever I think of it is great!!! It's nice to be employed again, and in a place full of benefits and tolerable work environment.
I still need to get a real grocery store run in, but overall being closer to friends and in the city has been good. Can't promise tons of blogging for a while but we'll see!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Moving On: No More Suburbs Just the Swamp!
After much preparation and anticipation FroggerGirl has officially moved lily pads from the Swamp Suburbs into the Swamp proper! I absolutely hate to move. So much time, money and resources have to be wasted on packing up and hauling my crap from one place to another. On the plus side everything went swimmingly! Only one minor hiccup involving elevators and some fellow tenants trying to poach my reserved move-out/elevator time, but it was amicably resolved and didn't mess with the process too much. Plenty of help provided by friends and while I'm still exhausted from it all, I am moves and that's what's important.
The move has had a funny side effect. I haven't been able to obsess or stress about my first day of work tomorrow because too much else has been going on. Now with about 12 hours until I report to work it's all starting to set in. I'm not stressed, more excited and a touch freaked out, but it's all the natural and good emotions. I've been to focused on unpacking and organizing all of my life so I feel comfortable in my new space...and it's sort of working. Any move makes me feel a bit disjointed. A new building to get used too with different neighbors (one of which is the fantabulous Princezz O'Phun!) and news things to remember. Twice this weekend I had to remind myself I live in the Swamp and switching my route back to my new digs, not the old place in the 'burbs.
So before my total exhaustion sets in I have a few more papers to look over, fill in and in general get myself centered for the big day tomorrow. The lily pad is almost gilded to my satisfaction, so I'm sure before long this will feel like home, which will be very grand indeed!
The move has had a funny side effect. I haven't been able to obsess or stress about my first day of work tomorrow because too much else has been going on. Now with about 12 hours until I report to work it's all starting to set in. I'm not stressed, more excited and a touch freaked out, but it's all the natural and good emotions. I've been to focused on unpacking and organizing all of my life so I feel comfortable in my new space...and it's sort of working. Any move makes me feel a bit disjointed. A new building to get used too with different neighbors (one of which is the fantabulous Princezz O'Phun!) and news things to remember. Twice this weekend I had to remind myself I live in the Swamp and switching my route back to my new digs, not the old place in the 'burbs.
So before my total exhaustion sets in I have a few more papers to look over, fill in and in general get myself centered for the big day tomorrow. The lily pad is almost gilded to my satisfaction, so I'm sure before long this will feel like home, which will be very grand indeed!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Rock on Hillary!
Dude, Hillary....Holy Crap! Good work! I'm not easily moved by Politicians and speeches. Michelle Obama's speech at DNC '08 last night was very good, but Hillary tonight was magic. She hit all the right points and I actually cried...at a speech...by a politician. That kids, does not happen! My friend Politichica is in Denver and texted to tell me she was there in the auditorium and for once I am very jealous that she got to be there in person. Hard to tell what the overall impact of her speech will be with angry Hillary Supporting Dems, but she certainly gave a pretty sweet speech. Now I need to turn off the pundits before the dissect the speech to the point where it looses all meaning.
What I Did on My Summer Vacation!
In honor of school starting here in MD I figure the old stand-by start of school theme was appropriate. I took a weeks vacation to visit home to see family and relax a bit before all of my move into DC, new job and general life craziness kicked in. It was busy, but a nice way to wind down after weeks that had a mixture of anxiety, sickness, happiness and all the other emotions transition creates. So with no further rambling ado:
1.) I ran the 2 mile portion of a charity walk run AND came in 2nd for my age group! Hopefully next year if I'm home at the right time I may be in good enough shape to run the 5 mile race, but the 2 mile length was just perfect this summer! I even averaged the 10 min miles that had eluded me on my other training runs. Very fun!
2.) Attended the 26th annual Thresheree (think antique farm equipment, small town fair vibe) and went to the horse pull. I've been going to the Thresheree with my parents since they discovered it and the horse pull is the highlight. Gorgeous Belgian draft horses pulling weighted sleds. Now, this is not something that holds my attention the whole time, but it is fun to observe. I also got to see the Door County local color, eat some good food and got a sunburn...I could have lived without the sunburn.
3.) Got to spend lots of quality time with my family, especially my ever growing niece and nephew. My nephew at 12 is becoming a gigantaur having attained 5'9" and still growing, which gives him 3 inches on Auntie Froggergirl. Along with Mom (Grandma to the young'uns) Frogger we got to have ice cream, see a movie, visit Bay Beach (I even braved motion sickness to ride the Scat) and in general got some good quality time. I also got to see Sister Flickey (their Mom) and my Grandma Frogger who at almost 98 is still kicking and living in her home like the tiny dynamo she always has been.
4.) I got to eat all of my favorite things (and fear not, I kept up my running to counter act the high calorie goodness) like ice cream, the good stuff you only get in WI, which I ate a few times twice in a day. Most critical good food: Cheese Curds! I swear that is the hardest thing about living here in the Swamp, no cheese curds, no squeaky goodness when fresh, no cheese goo when fried. I could happily go my whole life never eating a crab again (the Mid-Atlantic fixture) but the thought of no cheese curds ever again would make me cry!
There were other sundries of fun while I was home, but I hit the big stuff. It was a wonderful time, and while I was home my official Govt Agency job offer came through. I could share that happiness with family and it felt great! Now I get to re-shift, finish packing/moving and all that other good stuff!
1.) I ran the 2 mile portion of a charity walk run AND came in 2nd for my age group! Hopefully next year if I'm home at the right time I may be in good enough shape to run the 5 mile race, but the 2 mile length was just perfect this summer! I even averaged the 10 min miles that had eluded me on my other training runs. Very fun!
2.) Attended the 26th annual Thresheree (think antique farm equipment, small town fair vibe) and went to the horse pull. I've been going to the Thresheree with my parents since they discovered it and the horse pull is the highlight. Gorgeous Belgian draft horses pulling weighted sleds. Now, this is not something that holds my attention the whole time, but it is fun to observe. I also got to see the Door County local color, eat some good food and got a sunburn...I could have lived without the sunburn.
3.) Got to spend lots of quality time with my family, especially my ever growing niece and nephew. My nephew at 12 is becoming a gigantaur having attained 5'9" and still growing, which gives him 3 inches on Auntie Froggergirl. Along with Mom (Grandma to the young'uns) Frogger we got to have ice cream, see a movie, visit Bay Beach (I even braved motion sickness to ride the Scat) and in general got some good quality time. I also got to see Sister Flickey (their Mom) and my Grandma Frogger who at almost 98 is still kicking and living in her home like the tiny dynamo she always has been.
4.) I got to eat all of my favorite things (and fear not, I kept up my running to counter act the high calorie goodness) like ice cream, the good stuff you only get in WI, which I ate a few times twice in a day. Most critical good food: Cheese Curds! I swear that is the hardest thing about living here in the Swamp, no cheese curds, no squeaky goodness when fresh, no cheese goo when fried. I could happily go my whole life never eating a crab again (the Mid-Atlantic fixture) but the thought of no cheese curds ever again would make me cry!
There were other sundries of fun while I was home, but I hit the big stuff. It was a wonderful time, and while I was home my official Govt Agency job offer came through. I could share that happiness with family and it felt great! Now I get to re-shift, finish packing/moving and all that other good stuff!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Chronicle of the Underinsured
I have lamented this before, but until my new job starts I am among the millions of under-insured Americans. When I lost my job the whole $275+ a month to keep my insurance under COBRA seemed so insane and I'd had almost a full year of great health, so I went another route. I knew Government Agency job was lining up, so I decided on a mid-grade deductible on a short term policy, not cheap, but affordable. Now, that $250 a month seems like such a good idea. Doctor visits covered and prescription plan, that just seems like bliss to me!
In the last 2 1/2 weeks I have had to go to the Doctor twice and both times resulted in prescriptions, because I am a lucky, lucky adult who gets ear infections. I have never had a sinus infection, UTI...heck most of the normal adult health gripes I have avoided, yet I get an ailment that little kids get. Seriously, I'm almost 30 and I get ear infections? Urgh!
Two weeks ago I went to the Doctor and once she confirmed the oh so fun diagnosis of infected ears, we went to the next phase: prescriptions! Thanks to overuse of Amoxicillin in my youth, it now does nothing for me. This fact I have told my Doc almost every time antibiotics come up for discussion. What is the most common treatment for ear infections? Amoxicillin. So this time I reminder her, "Do you remember my bronchitis that turned into an ear infection and how useless Amoxicillin was?" She did and so she prescribed Augmentin, whose primary ingredient I come to find out is....Amoxicillin. Now I like my Doc, she is normally so good and cautious with antibiotics (which I totally appreciate) so I figure she prescribed it for a reason, yet I knew within 3 days of finishing the course of drugs that something was still not right.
Cut to today. I'm stuck at this useless mandatory training so I can keep my unemployment, I'm in pain and when I call the Doc's office I find out she is out. "Never fear" I'm told, her partner can see me. Now, Doc 2 is qualified, but he is very difficult to understand. His accent is very thick and he is much slower in the exam than my Doc. There was also the fun moment when he jabbed the lovely ear looking devise so far in my ear I shouted out from pain and pulled back. He attributed this to my ear infection, I attributed it with his trying to pierce my eardrum on the stupid ear looker! Not cool!
Now I have the very expensive, but very effective antibiotics, that cost twice as much as the last one (thank you no prescription coverage!) and now for the first time ever, Ear Drops! I fly home to WI for a quick visit this weekend and I knew if I didn't fix this ear thing I would be a screaming mess on the plane....and there is also that whole ear infections can lead to hearing loss thing. I shall happily take my antibiotics and put drops (ewwww....the worst feeling ever) in my ears all in an effort to fix the issue. Now comes the effort to stay healthy until job starts, insurance gets upgraded and I can confidently get meds and care without feeling worse with fear about the bill! Fun, fun!!
In the last 2 1/2 weeks I have had to go to the Doctor twice and both times resulted in prescriptions, because I am a lucky, lucky adult who gets ear infections. I have never had a sinus infection, UTI...heck most of the normal adult health gripes I have avoided, yet I get an ailment that little kids get. Seriously, I'm almost 30 and I get ear infections? Urgh!
Two weeks ago I went to the Doctor and once she confirmed the oh so fun diagnosis of infected ears, we went to the next phase: prescriptions! Thanks to overuse of Amoxicillin in my youth, it now does nothing for me. This fact I have told my Doc almost every time antibiotics come up for discussion. What is the most common treatment for ear infections? Amoxicillin. So this time I reminder her, "Do you remember my bronchitis that turned into an ear infection and how useless Amoxicillin was?" She did and so she prescribed Augmentin, whose primary ingredient I come to find out is....Amoxicillin. Now I like my Doc, she is normally so good and cautious with antibiotics (which I totally appreciate) so I figure she prescribed it for a reason, yet I knew within 3 days of finishing the course of drugs that something was still not right.
Cut to today. I'm stuck at this useless mandatory training so I can keep my unemployment, I'm in pain and when I call the Doc's office I find out she is out. "Never fear" I'm told, her partner can see me. Now, Doc 2 is qualified, but he is very difficult to understand. His accent is very thick and he is much slower in the exam than my Doc. There was also the fun moment when he jabbed the lovely ear looking devise so far in my ear I shouted out from pain and pulled back. He attributed this to my ear infection, I attributed it with his trying to pierce my eardrum on the stupid ear looker! Not cool!
Now I have the very expensive, but very effective antibiotics, that cost twice as much as the last one (thank you no prescription coverage!) and now for the first time ever, Ear Drops! I fly home to WI for a quick visit this weekend and I knew if I didn't fix this ear thing I would be a screaming mess on the plane....and there is also that whole ear infections can lead to hearing loss thing. I shall happily take my antibiotics and put drops (ewwww....the worst feeling ever) in my ears all in an effort to fix the issue. Now comes the effort to stay healthy until job starts, insurance gets upgraded and I can confidently get meds and care without feeling worse with fear about the bill! Fun, fun!!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Olympic Crossroads
I love the Olympics, every 4 (now really 2) years there was the big international spectacle of global unity mixed with competition to watch and enjoy. Always some inspiring story and great feat of physical achievement to view and remember. A event meant to bring hope and peace into an often tense and dangerous world.
I realized last night that 4 years ago when the Athens Summer Games opening ceremonies were on TV, I was busy assembling IKEA furniture in my new apartment. I had just made the big move after Grad School down to the burbs of DC. I was about to start a new job, freaking out after the whole move process as I tried to get organized and adjusted... In general it felt like a major crossroads in my life. I didn't feel confident in myself, I hated the idea of my new job, but wanted to pay the bills and the crossroads made me very uneasy. However, the path I was treading wasn't all bad, just not as direct or clear as I would have liked. Lots of opportunities came and went and adventures were had, but it was so very strange. Now, 4 years later, it's a bit of history repeating itself.
The Olympics will start this evening and before they are over my life will have changed again. After a few months of crazy and the last four years spent trying to be an adult and building towards the better job and life choices, things are finally falling into place. Before the end of the month I will be moving again, this time into DC to be closer to friends and more connected to life, work and in general a better place for me right now. I'm in the final stages of being employed again, this time in a job that fits my interests and education, a first since moving to DC. I'm 29 and it feels like I'm finally entering adulthood. This time my crossroads doesn't seem so scary and awful. No matter what I'm heading in a better direction. I've learned and grown in the last few years and I finally feel like my life is getting itself ordered and on the right track. My confidence is back and after weathering this phase of upheaval and unemployment, I feel stronger and better than I have in years. Physically, I'm better and making my health and physique a priority so that I can build the long life full of vitality and strength that I want for myself. 30 will be here before I know it, and even that doesn't scare me because it's a number I can't avoid and it will be wonderful too, so long as I make it that way!
Tomorrow I will watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and do it with a smile. It's a nice bookend, the Olympics were a backdrop when I first started my DC adventure and now they will mark the next phase of the journey. This phase will be even more exciting than the last. Even with a world full of uncertainty I feel hopeful. There may be war and pain in the world, but there is also peace and unity, so I'll focus on those happier ideals as the fuel for the hope I need to keep moving forward. So hope, don't fail me now because there is still a lot to do and I need you more than ever!
I realized last night that 4 years ago when the Athens Summer Games opening ceremonies were on TV, I was busy assembling IKEA furniture in my new apartment. I had just made the big move after Grad School down to the burbs of DC. I was about to start a new job, freaking out after the whole move process as I tried to get organized and adjusted... In general it felt like a major crossroads in my life. I didn't feel confident in myself, I hated the idea of my new job, but wanted to pay the bills and the crossroads made me very uneasy. However, the path I was treading wasn't all bad, just not as direct or clear as I would have liked. Lots of opportunities came and went and adventures were had, but it was so very strange. Now, 4 years later, it's a bit of history repeating itself.
The Olympics will start this evening and before they are over my life will have changed again. After a few months of crazy and the last four years spent trying to be an adult and building towards the better job and life choices, things are finally falling into place. Before the end of the month I will be moving again, this time into DC to be closer to friends and more connected to life, work and in general a better place for me right now. I'm in the final stages of being employed again, this time in a job that fits my interests and education, a first since moving to DC. I'm 29 and it feels like I'm finally entering adulthood. This time my crossroads doesn't seem so scary and awful. No matter what I'm heading in a better direction. I've learned and grown in the last few years and I finally feel like my life is getting itself ordered and on the right track. My confidence is back and after weathering this phase of upheaval and unemployment, I feel stronger and better than I have in years. Physically, I'm better and making my health and physique a priority so that I can build the long life full of vitality and strength that I want for myself. 30 will be here before I know it, and even that doesn't scare me because it's a number I can't avoid and it will be wonderful too, so long as I make it that way!
Tomorrow I will watch the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and do it with a smile. It's a nice bookend, the Olympics were a backdrop when I first started my DC adventure and now they will mark the next phase of the journey. This phase will be even more exciting than the last. Even with a world full of uncertainty I feel hopeful. There may be war and pain in the world, but there is also peace and unity, so I'll focus on those happier ideals as the fuel for the hope I need to keep moving forward. So hope, don't fail me now because there is still a lot to do and I need you more than ever!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Favre: No, you do not get a do over!
Ummm, Brett Favre all I can say to you is, "What the hell?" Dude you retired! Don't you remember? The tearful press conference, the goodbye to Green Bay? You actually made grown men (and of course women) of WI and all other Packer lovers cry for you! They were happy to see you go so that you can retire and our team can move on. Don't you remember? Your old, have some lingering injuries, and despite your boffo performance last year, you are often a hit or miss guy. So you retired of your own free will, and now you want a do over? Really? I mean, your a good guy, and you'd probably get a street in Green Bay named after you if you stayed retired, but come on!
I'm not the biggest football fan ever, but I love and will forever be a fan of the Packers. Mama and Papa Frogger gifting the Frogger Kids with Packer Stock back when Lambeau was being improved and while my stock is symbolic at best, it still makes me linked to the team and it's a nice feeling. Favre, you are making me feel not so nice. You had your time in the sun, and it was great! Now, you just seem like a spoilsport who dragged your team and fans through the wringer for nothing. I mean geez!
I kind of wish I knew some good sports cliches to wrap this up...so in stead I shall give a virtual raspberry to Brett. :-p "Pthppppppppppppppp!!!!" I know, I'm super mature. ;-)
I'm not the biggest football fan ever, but I love and will forever be a fan of the Packers. Mama and Papa Frogger gifting the Frogger Kids with Packer Stock back when Lambeau was being improved and while my stock is symbolic at best, it still makes me linked to the team and it's a nice feeling. Favre, you are making me feel not so nice. You had your time in the sun, and it was great! Now, you just seem like a spoilsport who dragged your team and fans through the wringer for nothing. I mean geez!
I kind of wish I knew some good sports cliches to wrap this up...so in stead I shall give a virtual raspberry to Brett. :-p "Pthppppppppppppppp!!!!" I know, I'm super mature. ;-)
Back on Track? Geting there....I think...
I've had a kind of nutty week (and some change) since my last post. I fell like I'm switching to the right track after a month of upheaval, and that is a nice feeling, but also a bit odd.
Last Thursday I made a bit of an ass of myself after being given not quite official notice that I (probably) got my Government job. When my friend Defence Guru passed on the good word I started to jump around like a total idiot on the sidewalks of Mt. Pleasant, getting me more than a few looks that clearly said, "What the hell is she doing?". All I can say in my defense is, I have been watching a lot of The Price is Right and finding out job news was kind of like winning the always popular new car. The only down side to all of this was is I still have to wait for my official notice and it is just killing me! I want to be able to take a jump back to the old Wisconsin Lillypad for a visit before I start working and the sooner my notice comes the better. I haven't seen any Frogger Family in 6 months so a quick visit before the rest of my month goes crazy would be nice.
Adding to my nuttiness is that after my looking at places in DC and starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, I had success. In fact, in less than 24 hours I applied to a new apartment, was approved, gave my notice on my current place, booked the truck to move (over Labor Day Weekend, blah!) and sent out the call for moving help. The building is great, my dear friend the Princezz O'Phun lives there and it will be very convenient for work, friends and DC city life. Again, there is the downside of having to pack/move. I really hate the moving process, but after 4 years of living in the burbs it's time to make the change. This weekend I already made some progress in the organizing/purging process and I have plenty of time to pack and prep for the move.
In general this feels like a very strange, but good time. I've been a bit better at creating structure and feeling productive. Today I restarted Week 6 of my running program (again) and it felt so good to be back running. I hit Whole Foods for a tasty salad and picked up yummy desert too as a reward for my hard work lately. I've lost over 15 lbs since June and I feel great! Despite all of the craziness, things are coming together the way they are supposed to. It makes me feel like the Little Engine That Could getting over the hill and starting the next phase of my journey ready adn willing to face what's coming and knowing things will work out, someway or another!
Last Thursday I made a bit of an ass of myself after being given not quite official notice that I (probably) got my Government job. When my friend Defence Guru passed on the good word I started to jump around like a total idiot on the sidewalks of Mt. Pleasant, getting me more than a few looks that clearly said, "What the hell is she doing?". All I can say in my defense is, I have been watching a lot of The Price is Right and finding out job news was kind of like winning the always popular new car. The only down side to all of this was is I still have to wait for my official notice and it is just killing me! I want to be able to take a jump back to the old Wisconsin Lillypad for a visit before I start working and the sooner my notice comes the better. I haven't seen any Frogger Family in 6 months so a quick visit before the rest of my month goes crazy would be nice.
Adding to my nuttiness is that after my looking at places in DC and starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, I had success. In fact, in less than 24 hours I applied to a new apartment, was approved, gave my notice on my current place, booked the truck to move (over Labor Day Weekend, blah!) and sent out the call for moving help. The building is great, my dear friend the Princezz O'Phun lives there and it will be very convenient for work, friends and DC city life. Again, there is the downside of having to pack/move. I really hate the moving process, but after 4 years of living in the burbs it's time to make the change. This weekend I already made some progress in the organizing/purging process and I have plenty of time to pack and prep for the move.
In general this feels like a very strange, but good time. I've been a bit better at creating structure and feeling productive. Today I restarted Week 6 of my running program (again) and it felt so good to be back running. I hit Whole Foods for a tasty salad and picked up yummy desert too as a reward for my hard work lately. I've lost over 15 lbs since June and I feel great! Despite all of the craziness, things are coming together the way they are supposed to. It makes me feel like the Little Engine That Could getting over the hill and starting the next phase of my journey ready adn willing to face what's coming and knowing things will work out, someway or another!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Structure: My Missing Link?
So in the last few weeks the one thing that has been really bugging me is my lack of structure. Freedom is fun and all, but it has it's place, like on vacation or if you ever get truly financially independent. For my personality, I do like some level of routine and responsibility and that is sorely lacking these days. Structure and routine are with us our whole lives. When you are young structure comes from parents and of course school with extracurriculars. As you get older work sets the structure because it takes up the majority of your weekly time, friends and family fill the gaps.
Well, my no work has led progressively to less and less structure. Today I realized that has been factor in any funks I've been having. Last week really messed things up with being sick, interview stress and of course Mr. Man's situation. The sick part made me tired, cranky and threw off my morning run routine. All the other stress and busyness just compounded my structureless mess!
Today I've made a resolution of sorts: Get control of the day! No more oversleeping and getting hypnotized by daytime TV. I was able to restart week 6 of running with no ill effects, which is the cornerstone of routine re-establishment plan. Since job search is still part of my day I will do that early, and then by God I'm going to start using my time better. There will be visits to museums and parks. DC summer is pretty wicked unpleasant, but my building has a pool, so I should utilize it. There are still movies to see and books to read. Really plenty of things are out there for me to enjoy and to help structure my day more.
Getting control of the day will be a challenge, but it has to happen. If I'm going to be out of work I might as well enjoy some of this time. Sometime in the next few weeks I will get a job offer and then work will be back to help enforce structure. In the mean time I need to be a wee bit more motivated to set my own structure. Better to enjoy my time than be be annoyed by it!
Well, my no work has led progressively to less and less structure. Today I realized that has been factor in any funks I've been having. Last week really messed things up with being sick, interview stress and of course Mr. Man's situation. The sick part made me tired, cranky and threw off my morning run routine. All the other stress and busyness just compounded my structureless mess!
Today I've made a resolution of sorts: Get control of the day! No more oversleeping and getting hypnotized by daytime TV. I was able to restart week 6 of running with no ill effects, which is the cornerstone of routine re-establishment plan. Since job search is still part of my day I will do that early, and then by God I'm going to start using my time better. There will be visits to museums and parks. DC summer is pretty wicked unpleasant, but my building has a pool, so I should utilize it. There are still movies to see and books to read. Really plenty of things are out there for me to enjoy and to help structure my day more.
Getting control of the day will be a challenge, but it has to happen. If I'm going to be out of work I might as well enjoy some of this time. Sometime in the next few weeks I will get a job offer and then work will be back to help enforce structure. In the mean time I need to be a wee bit more motivated to set my own structure. Better to enjoy my time than be be annoyed by it!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Midwestern Crisis Response Team Activate!
So the last week has been more than a bit nutty. Good and bad blurred together and it's been a lot for me to process. One of the funnier things to come out of this whole experience was the reaffirmation that being from the Midwest gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I see how my fellow WI kids all pulled together to help our friend, and more importantly, the way in which we are driven to help.
Upon sharing the news of Mr. Man's attack and hospitalization with PolitiChica we realized we had a similar response mechanism. What should we do? The answer: Cook. PolitiChica was ready to break out the casserole and hotdish makings and I was ready to start baking a cake. Why? Because that is what you do to help those in pain. You feed them and care for them so they can focus on what is important. That can be grief around a funeral, healing after an accident, whatever the situation calls for. Mr. Man's broken jaw and the upheaval around where his family was staying made feeding the problem a bit tricky, but the sentiment was what counted. We wanted to help ease the pain and offer comfort, mind you in the form of food, but that is just what we were raised to do.
The practical aspects of our Midwestern minds came out too. I have this thing about flowers, I hate to give them. They are often expensive and, well, they die. The only time I will gladly give flowers or donate towards them is for a funeral. For some reason in that circumstance of death and remembrance flowers seem right, but otherwise I'm not a big fan. With this whole Mr. Man situation I didn't want to give flowers. He couldn't really have them in his room, and, well, they die! Mr. Man was upset because he thought his watch was stolen. Practical, happy, something useful...so PolitiChica and I got a watch. Mr. Man was thrilled and it was a nice feeling. Another WI friend was trying to think of a gift for Mr. Man and also wanted to avoid flowers. He is also focusing on the practical and kind categories for gifts. We want to give something, but usefulness is our guiding light.
The Midwestern Crisis Response Team (MCRT for short) has now moved onto what we can do for our friend once he is released from the hospital. His jaw is wired shut for the next 4-8 weeks, so that means all sustenance will come through a straw. Yum, yum, fun, fun, liquid diet! That means, our goal is to switch back to feeding the situation so he can focus on healing. Soup recipes that can be blended are being searched out, ideas for nutrient additives to help Mr. Man (who is very tiny already) keep on some weight and get healing nutrition are being researched. In short we are in full care giving mode. No MCRT member wants to smother Mr. Man, but we are ready and willing to do what has to be done and that makes my heart feel lighter than it has in a while.
It also gives me comfort to know that even though I am far away from my home base and family, the MCRT will be there for me too. This post is not a slam on any other region of the US. I know warm fuzzy folks on the East and West coasts and Southern Hospitality is legendary. However, to me, the Midwestern ethos is very special and unique and I wouldn't switch my upbringing or my Midwestern people for anything!
Upon sharing the news of Mr. Man's attack and hospitalization with PolitiChica we realized we had a similar response mechanism. What should we do? The answer: Cook. PolitiChica was ready to break out the casserole and hotdish makings and I was ready to start baking a cake. Why? Because that is what you do to help those in pain. You feed them and care for them so they can focus on what is important. That can be grief around a funeral, healing after an accident, whatever the situation calls for. Mr. Man's broken jaw and the upheaval around where his family was staying made feeding the problem a bit tricky, but the sentiment was what counted. We wanted to help ease the pain and offer comfort, mind you in the form of food, but that is just what we were raised to do.
The practical aspects of our Midwestern minds came out too. I have this thing about flowers, I hate to give them. They are often expensive and, well, they die. The only time I will gladly give flowers or donate towards them is for a funeral. For some reason in that circumstance of death and remembrance flowers seem right, but otherwise I'm not a big fan. With this whole Mr. Man situation I didn't want to give flowers. He couldn't really have them in his room, and, well, they die! Mr. Man was upset because he thought his watch was stolen. Practical, happy, something useful...so PolitiChica and I got a watch. Mr. Man was thrilled and it was a nice feeling. Another WI friend was trying to think of a gift for Mr. Man and also wanted to avoid flowers. He is also focusing on the practical and kind categories for gifts. We want to give something, but usefulness is our guiding light.
The Midwestern Crisis Response Team (MCRT for short) has now moved onto what we can do for our friend once he is released from the hospital. His jaw is wired shut for the next 4-8 weeks, so that means all sustenance will come through a straw. Yum, yum, fun, fun, liquid diet! That means, our goal is to switch back to feeding the situation so he can focus on healing. Soup recipes that can be blended are being searched out, ideas for nutrient additives to help Mr. Man (who is very tiny already) keep on some weight and get healing nutrition are being researched. In short we are in full care giving mode. No MCRT member wants to smother Mr. Man, but we are ready and willing to do what has to be done and that makes my heart feel lighter than it has in a while.
It also gives me comfort to know that even though I am far away from my home base and family, the MCRT will be there for me too. This post is not a slam on any other region of the US. I know warm fuzzy folks on the East and West coasts and Southern Hospitality is legendary. However, to me, the Midwestern ethos is very special and unique and I wouldn't switch my upbringing or my Midwestern people for anything!
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