The hamstring is doing a little better today. Happy to report that. : ) Been trying to stretch it as much as possible during work. This makes for some interesting contortions at my desk. My co-workers may start to wander.
Who would've thought that running home during a tame game of co-ed softball could wound me? Getting down on the dance floor at the wedding on Saturday night probably did not help much either but if I had the chance to do it over again I wouldn't change a thing about my ridiculous dance moves! I was also pretty psyched that Roxy requested "Bootylicious" for me! You got to love a couple that has "Pour Some Sugar On Me" as their unofficial wedding song. Priceless!
May try to bike a little more tonight to loosen it up. Hopefully I will avoid the rain storm unlike last night!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Congrats!!!
Best of luck to Neil & Roxann! Great wedding and reception on Saturday! Talk to you guys when you get back from the honeymoon!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
?
Is the key to happiness nothing more than safeguarding yourself from potential harm? Is it more of a defensive tactic than an offensive move forward?
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Longing For The Financial Security of My College Days
I remember about two years ago one of my friends remarking that she was happy that she was out of college because now she was finally making some money and no longer living life as a poor, in debt college student. I was happy for her self-realization but I did not share the same feelings regarding my financial situation. In fact, when I stopped to reflect, I discovered that I think I had more money while IN college.
During the early part of my senior year of high school, when it was getting down to crunch time to decide which college to attend, my parents sat me down and explained how the whole financing of my college education was going to work in our family. I was fortunate. In fact, I realized alot fortunate than most teenagers. My parents informed me that they were going to help me out with the cost of my higher education. I was going to have the same set up that my older brother had years prior. My parents would pay half and it was my responsibility to come up with the other half. They also made it know to me that my brother went to a public school and I was attending a private school so my tuition would be understandable higher. They told me that I would, and had already received some grants and scholarships but that I would also have rely upon other means. And since whoring myself around the streets of downtown and selling weed to burn outs was probably not what they had in mind, I knew that I would be dependent on student loans and getting a job or jobs while at school. After they informed me of the basic odds and ends of our oral contract, I did what any head in the clouds 17 year old would do, I shook my head and agreed without putting much thought into it. And I have to agree, my head could safely remain in those clouds throughout the 4 years that I spent in college.
Shortly after I arrived at college I knew that Dr. Lowe was a cool guy. I met him at preview and from that point I had confidence in my major decision. I knew I wanted to get a campus job. I realized that I would make less doing this than working somewhere off campus but a campus job meant a sense of security and the flexibility to work around my class schedule. Since I was admitted into the honors college writing class, I was able to work in Kelly Lowe's directed writing center on campus. It was a great gig four four years. I got to work around both my classes and cross country/track practice schedule and use my brain. I considered my self to be very lucky because I had some friends that were sweating their asses off working hard manual labor in the cafeteria or mowing the campus lawns while I was sitting in a cushy chair helping students by chopping and dicing their papers. It was a great gig. Not horribly busy (with the exception of right before finals week) but active enough to keep me on my toes and make me feel like I was making a difference in the lives of students. I even got to be student director of the EH100I program my senior year which was a great experience. In addition to this, I was an RA. Over breaks I working as a lifeguard for indoor and outdoor pools
The short end of it was that I was making money, spending money and managing to save some dough. I was not thinking about the student loans that were accumulating. It was good and carefree time. A time when I could pay cash for a videocamera and a case of beer. It was simplistic.
And here I am today five years since graduation with all the added responsibilities of adulthood - rent, car payments and student loans. Not that I would change anything because I had a great college experience and I love living on my own and having a car that I love but having the financial blaahs like so many mid-twenty year olds does have its downfalls.
During the early part of my senior year of high school, when it was getting down to crunch time to decide which college to attend, my parents sat me down and explained how the whole financing of my college education was going to work in our family. I was fortunate. In fact, I realized alot fortunate than most teenagers. My parents informed me that they were going to help me out with the cost of my higher education. I was going to have the same set up that my older brother had years prior. My parents would pay half and it was my responsibility to come up with the other half. They also made it know to me that my brother went to a public school and I was attending a private school so my tuition would be understandable higher. They told me that I would, and had already received some grants and scholarships but that I would also have rely upon other means. And since whoring myself around the streets of downtown and selling weed to burn outs was probably not what they had in mind, I knew that I would be dependent on student loans and getting a job or jobs while at school. After they informed me of the basic odds and ends of our oral contract, I did what any head in the clouds 17 year old would do, I shook my head and agreed without putting much thought into it. And I have to agree, my head could safely remain in those clouds throughout the 4 years that I spent in college.
Shortly after I arrived at college I knew that Dr. Lowe was a cool guy. I met him at preview and from that point I had confidence in my major decision. I knew I wanted to get a campus job. I realized that I would make less doing this than working somewhere off campus but a campus job meant a sense of security and the flexibility to work around my class schedule. Since I was admitted into the honors college writing class, I was able to work in Kelly Lowe's directed writing center on campus. It was a great gig four four years. I got to work around both my classes and cross country/track practice schedule and use my brain. I considered my self to be very lucky because I had some friends that were sweating their asses off working hard manual labor in the cafeteria or mowing the campus lawns while I was sitting in a cushy chair helping students by chopping and dicing their papers. It was a great gig. Not horribly busy (with the exception of right before finals week) but active enough to keep me on my toes and make me feel like I was making a difference in the lives of students. I even got to be student director of the EH100I program my senior year which was a great experience. In addition to this, I was an RA. Over breaks I working as a lifeguard for indoor and outdoor pools
The short end of it was that I was making money, spending money and managing to save some dough. I was not thinking about the student loans that were accumulating. It was good and carefree time. A time when I could pay cash for a videocamera and a case of beer. It was simplistic.
And here I am today five years since graduation with all the added responsibilities of adulthood - rent, car payments and student loans. Not that I would change anything because I had a great college experience and I love living on my own and having a car that I love but having the financial blaahs like so many mid-twenty year olds does have its downfalls.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
The Best New Show That Your Ass Better Be Watchin...
"Dead Like Me" on SciFi Tuesday nights. My dad clued me in on this new one. Just started up last Tuesday. Sarcastic eighteen year old girl gets accustomed to her new life as a grim reaper after she dies suddenly by being hit by a toilet seat cover from a Russian spacecraft. Quirky and well written as the protagonists adjusts to her new co-workers and struggling with learning the rules of the after life. Give it a shot, guaranteed to make you laugh. : )
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
A Rough Day On The Range...
As some of you might know, my department at work has been consolidated so everyone is being crosstrained for new duties. I have gone into a more detailed explanation with a few who have seemed interested (or at least did a good job faking interest) but I will not go into all the odds and ends in this email because lets face it, work, for the bulk of us that dwell for eight plus hours in office cubicle land can be stressful and boring to hear about. For that reason, and for my own focus on enjoying my hours outside the confides of the business I will spare you all and just mention one category of my job.
I work in retirement plans for a brokerage firm so naturally my job has me deal with death quite regularly. Many times it happens to the elderly, those in their late 70s, 80s or even beyond. And while I am sure that it is very sad for their families, since we have all experienced the heartbreaking loss of an older relative, it is also somewhat inevitably expected in the great time table of life. The past two days I came across incidents that strayed from this interpretation of the circle of life. One was a mid forty year old man that committed suicide by hanging himself. In the death certificate went into detail about the electric cord that he used and the type of sewer pipe that bared the weight of his body. Although you may try not to paint the mental picture it is near impossible to do so. The second incident occurred when a branch representative called our department to notify us that 3 death beneficiary forms were going to soon be faxed over. She unfortunately did not spare us the details of it being a family of three (mom, dad and son) that were suddenly killed in a car crash. Information like this really makes you evaluate how precious life is.
I have never really had a paranoia with death. Yes, it does scare me but I know that it will happen to all of us at sometime. Hopefully later than sooner for those that I care about. Perhaps it is because I have seen it from such a young age. So much in fact that I was shocked when in college one of my friends mentioned that she had never attended a calling hours wake before. From a young age I had been exposed to attending calling hours and funerals. My mom worked closely with a VFW hall where there were many older members. They became like second grandparents to me and I would tote along with my mom when she went to pay her last respects. The back of this hall was also where I saw a murdered prostitute in the dumpster of the cheap motel adjacent to the hall. Death again, but that time it left more of a mark for a long time. It was death in the most grotesque sense that I could imagine. In addition, my parents both had best friends that were funeral directors. Kind of spooky but not as odd as the fact that they also had childhood dogs bearing the name "Tippy" that both, no joke, one day ran away and never returned. When a family member died it was always a tough call to make Dale or Tommy do the arrangements at their respected establishments. However, even with the modest amount of exposure that I have had growing up, it still leaves my stomach turning a little to see life tragically snatched away.
I work in retirement plans for a brokerage firm so naturally my job has me deal with death quite regularly. Many times it happens to the elderly, those in their late 70s, 80s or even beyond. And while I am sure that it is very sad for their families, since we have all experienced the heartbreaking loss of an older relative, it is also somewhat inevitably expected in the great time table of life. The past two days I came across incidents that strayed from this interpretation of the circle of life. One was a mid forty year old man that committed suicide by hanging himself. In the death certificate went into detail about the electric cord that he used and the type of sewer pipe that bared the weight of his body. Although you may try not to paint the mental picture it is near impossible to do so. The second incident occurred when a branch representative called our department to notify us that 3 death beneficiary forms were going to soon be faxed over. She unfortunately did not spare us the details of it being a family of three (mom, dad and son) that were suddenly killed in a car crash. Information like this really makes you evaluate how precious life is.
I have never really had a paranoia with death. Yes, it does scare me but I know that it will happen to all of us at sometime. Hopefully later than sooner for those that I care about. Perhaps it is because I have seen it from such a young age. So much in fact that I was shocked when in college one of my friends mentioned that she had never attended a calling hours wake before. From a young age I had been exposed to attending calling hours and funerals. My mom worked closely with a VFW hall where there were many older members. They became like second grandparents to me and I would tote along with my mom when she went to pay her last respects. The back of this hall was also where I saw a murdered prostitute in the dumpster of the cheap motel adjacent to the hall. Death again, but that time it left more of a mark for a long time. It was death in the most grotesque sense that I could imagine. In addition, my parents both had best friends that were funeral directors. Kind of spooky but not as odd as the fact that they also had childhood dogs bearing the name "Tippy" that both, no joke, one day ran away and never returned. When a family member died it was always a tough call to make Dale or Tommy do the arrangements at their respected establishments. However, even with the modest amount of exposure that I have had growing up, it still leaves my stomach turning a little to see life tragically snatched away.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
More On The Relay...
Other than the rain I think that everything went generally okay for the Relay. I got there a little before 6:00 pm and had to park in the far lot because the closer lots were completely filled. I thought this would be the case since many got there earlier to set up prior to the kick off ceremony at 6:00 pm. I was going to try to get up to Tri-C at 5:00 but with work it was not possible. Although, I did manage to cut out a little earlier from the office.
I had tinkered with the idea of taking a half day on Friday so that I would be able to at least squeeze in a quality nap but that was just not in the cards. However, I did make the decision that proved to be pretty dumb during my lunch break. At around noon I decided to take my sandwich out too my car and maybe try to sneak a little 45 min nap in. Well, due to it being so flipin hot (even after I moved my car to a semi shaded spot) and the persistence of a giant dragon fly to enter through my sunroof, that plan was quickly foiled.
About a half hour after the opening ceremonies the light rain got heavier and lightening and thunder started up. This prompted officials to instruct us to go into Tri-C and wait out the storm since they anticipated it passing quickly. While in the building we quickly found ways to amuse ourselves with Roxann's card animal noise game (see me and I will explain it!) and by doing impromptu dance moves in an open ballet studio. During this time my parents stopped by with some cookies for everyone and a double cheeseburger for me. They rock!
We did venture outside again for about an hour to do some walking but had to return because the once clearing sky was turning gray yet again. All of the rain caused the grass to be extremely muddy. It was not that big of a deal when on the concrete circle but it did cause problems when walking back and forth from our tent. It was impossible to not have your feet or some part of your legs caked with mud. Neil, Chris, Vicky and Rox kept joking about the possibility of mud wrestling. I am sure that would've got some donations! : )
I had tinkered with the idea of taking a half day on Friday so that I would be able to at least squeeze in a quality nap but that was just not in the cards. However, I did make the decision that proved to be pretty dumb during my lunch break. At around noon I decided to take my sandwich out too my car and maybe try to sneak a little 45 min nap in. Well, due to it being so flipin hot (even after I moved my car to a semi shaded spot) and the persistence of a giant dragon fly to enter through my sunroof, that plan was quickly foiled.
About a half hour after the opening ceremonies the light rain got heavier and lightening and thunder started up. This prompted officials to instruct us to go into Tri-C and wait out the storm since they anticipated it passing quickly. While in the building we quickly found ways to amuse ourselves with Roxann's card animal noise game (see me and I will explain it!) and by doing impromptu dance moves in an open ballet studio. During this time my parents stopped by with some cookies for everyone and a double cheeseburger for me. They rock!
We did venture outside again for about an hour to do some walking but had to return because the once clearing sky was turning gray yet again. All of the rain caused the grass to be extremely muddy. It was not that big of a deal when on the concrete circle but it did cause problems when walking back and forth from our tent. It was impossible to not have your feet or some part of your legs caked with mud. Neil, Chris, Vicky and Rox kept joking about the possibility of mud wrestling. I am sure that would've got some donations! : )
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Relay For Life
Okay, I crashed for a few hours so I think I am recovered and good to go yet again.
: ) From 6 pm yesterday evening till about 9 am this morning (the closing ceremonies concluded a little earlier although I was not complaining because I was pretty beat by this point) I participated on the Parma Jaycees' Relay For Life Team which was hosted around the make shift concrete circle around the pond at Tri-C's Western Campus.
Overall, it was such an awesome experience! I guess though I need to apologize to the ones I either texted or called freakishly late or early in the wee hours. Opps! I guess I lost track of that whole time concept! I have lots of funny things that I want to write about but not enough time to jot them down during this sitting. But the one thing that I did want to comment on was how difficult it was to function on lack of sleep. By the time the event ended I had been awake for about 26 hours straight. I must say that I think that is the longest that my body has ever functioned without sleep. Yes, a new record! Although, it was a record that I do not want to attempt to break anytime in the near future. As we were either walking around the track or chilling out in our tent one of my friends said that this has to be easier than running a marathon. I totally disagree with her on that point. Although running one is difficult, it is still a heck of a lot shorter time wise. Also, training for a marathon gets your body used to the conditions you will have to deal with on race day. There was no way for me to train in a healthy way for this event which tested me physically and mentally. Well, more to come, I am off to enjoy the rest of my night!
: ) From 6 pm yesterday evening till about 9 am this morning (the closing ceremonies concluded a little earlier although I was not complaining because I was pretty beat by this point) I participated on the Parma Jaycees' Relay For Life Team which was hosted around the make shift concrete circle around the pond at Tri-C's Western Campus.
Overall, it was such an awesome experience! I guess though I need to apologize to the ones I either texted or called freakishly late or early in the wee hours. Opps! I guess I lost track of that whole time concept! I have lots of funny things that I want to write about but not enough time to jot them down during this sitting. But the one thing that I did want to comment on was how difficult it was to function on lack of sleep. By the time the event ended I had been awake for about 26 hours straight. I must say that I think that is the longest that my body has ever functioned without sleep. Yes, a new record! Although, it was a record that I do not want to attempt to break anytime in the near future. As we were either walking around the track or chilling out in our tent one of my friends said that this has to be easier than running a marathon. I totally disagree with her on that point. Although running one is difficult, it is still a heck of a lot shorter time wise. Also, training for a marathon gets your body used to the conditions you will have to deal with on race day. There was no way for me to train in a healthy way for this event which tested me physically and mentally. Well, more to come, I am off to enjoy the rest of my night!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
What To Do When The Candles Are All Lit (continued)...
Many times we hold on to the certain ideas. We focus on them a great deal, wish for the thoughts to turn into realities and maybe, perhaps even pray that one day all of our efforts will turn into success and we will get what we so badly think we need. And with enough personal attention, these dilemmas even have the slight chance of developing into obsessions. While, even though they can serve as a distraction, can also be harmful if there really is a truly slim chance that the dreamer can turn their wish into a reality. Symbolically, every thought we have about this goal, every amount of effort applied is, in turn, a candle being lit....
What To Do When The Candles Are All Lit?
Okay, for the first time in too long I actually sat down to do some serious writing last night. A very good thing for me considering that recently I have been looking for every excuse not to do so. Time to get back into the swing of things and stop being so lazy when it comes to effort. A recent event has prompted me to skeleton construct an essay tentatively entitled the same as this post. I have alot of thinking/deciding to do with this particular piece so I will have to see how things develop. Hopefully, I will keep postings on my blog.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Way To Go Cousin! Want To teach Me A Little?
From the front page of today's Cleveland Plain Dealer. Apparrently, golf talent is not gentic....
1 round, 2 holes-in-one for 8-year-old
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Mary Schmitt Boyer
Plain Dealer Reporter
Harrison Vonderau pulled out his pitching wedge, took his aim, swung his club and watched the golf ball fly. It bounced on the green and rolled 20 feet into the cup 76 yards away.
Harrison, 8, and his father, Dave, started screaming and jumping up and down.
"We almost fell down we were so excited," Dave Vonderau said. "I never had a hole-in-one, but I was happy to watch his."
So how did Harrison celebrate his ace?
He made another one with the same ball and his 9-iron 20 minutes later.
"It was unbelievable," said Jeff Staker, the pro at the Washington Golf Learning Center in Newburgh Heights, where Harrison and his dad competed in the Pee Wee Division of the Cleveland Metroparks Father/Son Tournament on Saturday.
Not only did they win the alternate-shot, nine-hole event with a 1-under-par 28, but they also became the first golfers in their division to break par since the tournament began in 1991.
1 round, 2 holes-in-one for 8-year-old
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Mary Schmitt Boyer
Plain Dealer Reporter
Harrison Vonderau pulled out his pitching wedge, took his aim, swung his club and watched the golf ball fly. It bounced on the green and rolled 20 feet into the cup 76 yards away.
Harrison, 8, and his father, Dave, started screaming and jumping up and down.
"We almost fell down we were so excited," Dave Vonderau said. "I never had a hole-in-one, but I was happy to watch his."
So how did Harrison celebrate his ace?
He made another one with the same ball and his 9-iron 20 minutes later.
"It was unbelievable," said Jeff Staker, the pro at the Washington Golf Learning Center in Newburgh Heights, where Harrison and his dad competed in the Pee Wee Division of the Cleveland Metroparks Father/Son Tournament on Saturday.
Not only did they win the alternate-shot, nine-hole event with a 1-under-par 28, but they also became the first golfers in their division to break par since the tournament began in 1991.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Roxy's Bachelorette Party Check List...
1.) Drink out of a mini penis straw (CHECK).
2.) Sing a horrible version of Linda Ronstadt's "Long, Long Time." Although, I did give the bar patrons a fore warning that it was going to be bad because I am tone deaf but I do love that song. Regardless, ma and pa would've been proud because they have been fans of the Queen of the Blue Bayou for decades. I also was supported by a back up dancer and my friends doing the fake lighter sway (CHECK).
3.) Attempt to play mediator between Roxy and heavy set local bar lady because her boy friend showed Roxy his penis on her territory. "Sorry Miss. You are being a good sport. I know we are being loud and annoying but we will be gone after a few songs and then you can go about resuming your "I love this bar" mentality after we have moved on to a new local bar for a few drinks (CHECK).
4.) Get asked by a creepy and overly hairy man in a tank top to remove my bra and hang it with the rest of the intimate trophies on the wall of fame. Sorry man, it is a Victoria Secret and my amount of fabric can't hold a flame to some of the double Ds sported up there (CHECK: or maybe this does not count as a check since I decided to decline and keep my girls supported for the rest of the evening)
5.) Drink a Bud Light way too fast and feel an instant "I'm gonna hurl wave" (CHECK).
6.) Contacts, glasses... Still hot stuff (CHECK).
7.) Discuss thesis subjects with another English Lit geek while feeling a good buzz from a cherry bomb shot (CHECK).
8.) Get sassed by the McDonalds drive-thru worker while attempting to get fries for a car load of greasy food craving ladies (CHECK).
9.) Break the seal and have to pee alot (CHECK).
10.) Avoid the next day hang over syndrome by taking a vitamin B complex prior to drinking (CHECK : )).
2.) Sing a horrible version of Linda Ronstadt's "Long, Long Time." Although, I did give the bar patrons a fore warning that it was going to be bad because I am tone deaf but I do love that song. Regardless, ma and pa would've been proud because they have been fans of the Queen of the Blue Bayou for decades. I also was supported by a back up dancer and my friends doing the fake lighter sway (CHECK).
3.) Attempt to play mediator between Roxy and heavy set local bar lady because her boy friend showed Roxy his penis on her territory. "Sorry Miss. You are being a good sport. I know we are being loud and annoying but we will be gone after a few songs and then you can go about resuming your "I love this bar" mentality after we have moved on to a new local bar for a few drinks (CHECK).
4.) Get asked by a creepy and overly hairy man in a tank top to remove my bra and hang it with the rest of the intimate trophies on the wall of fame. Sorry man, it is a Victoria Secret and my amount of fabric can't hold a flame to some of the double Ds sported up there (CHECK: or maybe this does not count as a check since I decided to decline and keep my girls supported for the rest of the evening)
5.) Drink a Bud Light way too fast and feel an instant "I'm gonna hurl wave" (CHECK).
6.) Contacts, glasses... Still hot stuff (CHECK).
7.) Discuss thesis subjects with another English Lit geek while feeling a good buzz from a cherry bomb shot (CHECK).
8.) Get sassed by the McDonalds drive-thru worker while attempting to get fries for a car load of greasy food craving ladies (CHECK).
9.) Break the seal and have to pee alot (CHECK).
10.) Avoid the next day hang over syndrome by taking a vitamin B complex prior to drinking (CHECK : )).
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Some Things I Learned From Helping Work The City of Parma Parade This Morning...
No group or person wants to follow the horses.
There will always be a h.s marching band controversy on which band gets to go first.
Holiday parades may be the only time when it is acceptable for children to pick up candy from the ground that was tossed by strangers and enjoy consumption.
The people that have no part nor want to have any part in helping to plan or assist with the parade will be the most vocal complainers.
Neil has a whole bunch of patience.
There will always be a h.s marching band controversy on which band gets to go first.
Holiday parades may be the only time when it is acceptable for children to pick up candy from the ground that was tossed by strangers and enjoy consumption.
The people that have no part nor want to have any part in helping to plan or assist with the parade will be the most vocal complainers.
Neil has a whole bunch of patience.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Oh, So Now I Can See Clearly Now (No need to stop the techno jives)...
I love ELO. Too bad I can't rely on their lyrics sooner instead of wasting 4 to 5 being frustrating and dellusional. Good thing I got my head together just in time for back yard bbq!
"So let her/him go don't start spoiling the show, it's a bad dream..."
"So let her/him go don't start spoiling the show, it's a bad dream..."
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