My roomie and I have decided to forgo TV watching on Tuesday nights. I'll also be putting my little laptop away for the day. I was pushing for no TV Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I think my roomie isn't quite ready for such a drastic step.
The idea is to remind ourselves of what the world is like unconnected. Tonight, for example, had both of us on the couch, TV on, and both our laptops out and in use. Seriously, we've been sucked in. So, perhaps tomorrow and the Tuesdays that follow will allow us to take a breather from our electronic connections and allow us the opportunity to strengthen our friendship connection. A little corny, but I'm not feeling very creative tonight.
- theCallowQueen
- In the down-hill tumble of life, I'm okay with the scratches and bruises; it's the broken bones that I'm trying to avoid.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
sadness and rain
In movies and books, when someone is deeply sad or mourning the passing of a loved one, rain is a close companion. Happy days come with warm, shining suns.
I'm a May baby, so it frequently rains on my birthday. And I don't know that I've ever been to a funeral at which I needed an umbrella. Until today.
I got an email this morning that a coworker's husband had passed away. I don't work with this woman directly, but she has a special place in my heart. She worked at my old job when I was an intern. And every time I talk to her she makes me smile and laugh and feel a little more at ease with the fact that the world is a messed up place.
I only met her husband a handful of times. They rode motorcycles across the country. He was the type who would be the first to offer to help you move or repair you fence.
Two weeks ago when I was busy getting ready to go to my conference, he was diagnosed with cancer. I didn't know. After my week in Vegas, I realized I hadn't seen her for a while. But we work on different floors, and our work doesn't overlap. Maybe she was on vacation. I didn't know.
He was 63. They had been married for 42 years. They had two weeks to say goodbye. Two weeks. My heart aches with sadness.
I'm a May baby, so it frequently rains on my birthday. And I don't know that I've ever been to a funeral at which I needed an umbrella. Until today.
I got an email this morning that a coworker's husband had passed away. I don't work with this woman directly, but she has a special place in my heart. She worked at my old job when I was an intern. And every time I talk to her she makes me smile and laugh and feel a little more at ease with the fact that the world is a messed up place.
I only met her husband a handful of times. They rode motorcycles across the country. He was the type who would be the first to offer to help you move or repair you fence.
Two weeks ago when I was busy getting ready to go to my conference, he was diagnosed with cancer. I didn't know. After my week in Vegas, I realized I hadn't seen her for a while. But we work on different floors, and our work doesn't overlap. Maybe she was on vacation. I didn't know.
He was 63. They had been married for 42 years. They had two weeks to say goodbye. Two weeks. My heart aches with sadness.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
time change
In Vegas, my body was on Kansas City time. Now, back in KC, I'm on Vegas time. Sigh. Sleep, when will you become my friend?
On another time note, I'm ahead at work. I know now why I'm such a procrastinator. Being prepared and ahead of things is simply boring.
One of my co-workers has the chance to go to a conference in Korea (South Korea, of course). While I'm jealous as all heck, it would be a great opportunity for her to see a different part of the world. She hasn't been out of the US since she was a kid. The world is an amazing place. I've been lucky to have trekked through a bit of it here and there. I can play nice and be happy for her opportunity. But I'm totally calling dibs on the next work trip out of the US...
On another time note, I'm ahead at work. I know now why I'm such a procrastinator. Being prepared and ahead of things is simply boring.
One of my co-workers has the chance to go to a conference in Korea (South Korea, of course). While I'm jealous as all heck, it would be a great opportunity for her to see a different part of the world. She hasn't been out of the US since she was a kid. The world is an amazing place. I've been lucky to have trekked through a bit of it here and there. I can play nice and be happy for her opportunity. But I'm totally calling dibs on the next work trip out of the US...
Monday, April 23, 2007
las vegas, again
Another year; another big conference in Sin City. The days are filled with press conferences and booth visits. The nights require cocktail parties and receptions. And for some crazy reason I decided to give myself the extra chore of creating a blog for the show.
I dreaded going to Las Vegas. I trudged through though. My silver lining: vacation. Kcprogrammer had never been to Vegas, so he came out on my last day of the conference and we stayed the weekend. I didn't think I'd ever like being in Las Vegas again. I was wrong. We had an absolutely amazing time.
We took a helicopter ride over the Hoover Dam and down into the Grand Canyon. It wasn't a cheap excursion, but the experience was priceless.
Cirque was great as usual. And we went to see the Anthony Cools Experiment at Paris Las Vegas. It's not a big show, but one that should be on your must-see list. He hypnotizes volunteers from the audience creating one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. The only caveat here is that the humor is crude. Kcprogrammer bought the video of the show we saw, so you can check that out sometime if you're curious...
I dreaded going to Las Vegas. I trudged through though. My silver lining: vacation. Kcprogrammer had never been to Vegas, so he came out on my last day of the conference and we stayed the weekend. I didn't think I'd ever like being in Las Vegas again. I was wrong. We had an absolutely amazing time.
We took a helicopter ride over the Hoover Dam and down into the Grand Canyon. It wasn't a cheap excursion, but the experience was priceless.
Cirque was great as usual. And we went to see the Anthony Cools Experiment at Paris Las Vegas. It's not a big show, but one that should be on your must-see list. He hypnotizes volunteers from the audience creating one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. The only caveat here is that the humor is crude. Kcprogrammer bought the video of the show we saw, so you can check that out sometime if you're curious...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
weight lifting
I've been busy these past few months. Busy putting out the two biggest issues of the year for the magazine. Busy working on my largest freelance project to date. Busy dealing with migraines. Busy busy busy. And then, all at once, I wasn't. The weights lifted. And I didn't quite know what to do with myself.
And I also started weightlifting. The Kansas City Corporate Challenge is coming up in May, and I get to be the mandatory, token female on my work's three-person weightlifting team. My goal is modest. I'd like to be able to lift 100 pounds. Right now, I can lift 85 pounds. I wasn't put on the team because of my amazing strength, mind you. I was put on the team because I said I'd do it if no other females signed up. But still, I'd be proud of myself if I could reach 100.
When I was at the mall today, I couldn't help but try on a few swimsuits. They had those Miraclesuits that promise to make you look 10 pounds lighter. And they do, to a degree. The problem is that if the top of you looks smaller, then your thighs look absolutely mammoth beneath to your 10-pound lighter torso. Seriously, I looked down at my thighs and thought that it must be a trick mirror. Those must have been the thighs of the woman on the other side of the stall in the changing room. And again the repeat offenders showed up: my too-big boobs and my nonexistent butt. I really hate shopping sometimes.
But the weight of time presses on me. I only have a few more days before I leave for Vegas. I need to somehow cobble together professional outfits that are still comfortable. My booth visits in the four massive exhibit halls is the most physically demanding part of my job. And this is when they expect me to wear dress shoes? Last year, I lost feeling in the tip of my big toe for two months after the conference. A good, new pair of black shoes is at the top of my shopping list.
And I also started weightlifting. The Kansas City Corporate Challenge is coming up in May, and I get to be the mandatory, token female on my work's three-person weightlifting team. My goal is modest. I'd like to be able to lift 100 pounds. Right now, I can lift 85 pounds. I wasn't put on the team because of my amazing strength, mind you. I was put on the team because I said I'd do it if no other females signed up. But still, I'd be proud of myself if I could reach 100.
When I was at the mall today, I couldn't help but try on a few swimsuits. They had those Miraclesuits that promise to make you look 10 pounds lighter. And they do, to a degree. The problem is that if the top of you looks smaller, then your thighs look absolutely mammoth beneath to your 10-pound lighter torso. Seriously, I looked down at my thighs and thought that it must be a trick mirror. Those must have been the thighs of the woman on the other side of the stall in the changing room. And again the repeat offenders showed up: my too-big boobs and my nonexistent butt. I really hate shopping sometimes.
But the weight of time presses on me. I only have a few more days before I leave for Vegas. I need to somehow cobble together professional outfits that are still comfortable. My booth visits in the four massive exhibit halls is the most physically demanding part of my job. And this is when they expect me to wear dress shoes? Last year, I lost feeling in the tip of my big toe for two months after the conference. A good, new pair of black shoes is at the top of my shopping list.
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