I love my new job. I am a temp at Freddie Mac. A good description of what I do is File Relocater. I only am filing a little bit of the time but the rest of my time is spent relocating files in the computer. We have received a half dozen pallets of files and so I put them in, assign them to an underwriter and put them in a box. Woo! Sounds horrible doesn't it? Yeah, I thought so too. But then I met the people. Siv is my supervisor but most of my time is spent with three other girls, Jetlina, Saya and Dene.
Jetlina is fabulous. She knows everyone in the place and walking to lunch can take a half an hour. She's a spunky single mom of two. She moved here from Africa and then moved to Germany with the Army. She is a solid, good person and was the first person at Freddie to really take me under her wing.
Saya is the most recent temp. She is from Michigan and wants to be a large animal vet. She's really smart and we have teamed up on killing the pallets of files, one box at a time.
Dene is one of the sassiest people I have ever met. I was dubbed CARMEN (I know...) Diaz on my first day. Dene is Halle Berry, Jetlina is Oprah, Paul is George Clooney and Joe is Will Smith unless he is Dene's bodyguard, in which case he is sexual chocolate. I am pretty sure Joe is embarrassed by this but he holds up pretty well. His two daughters also work for the company and they find it hilarious. It was through Dene's SVU dramatization that I found out why I have a job at Freddie. It turns out that the two temps before me were let go, for stealing, BACON. Yes you read it right, bacon. They were under surveillance for a while and finally were caught. They were given the opportunity to apologize and pay for it and they refused. What a couple of morons.
Nancy and Susan work over by Siv. Paul, Malaka, Javier, Jose, Mike and so many others, are the ones that keep my day rolling along. It takes some very good people to turn the work we are doing into something enjoyable.
I sit at my desk and am constantly hearing laughter and jokes. Everyone likes each other. I am truly grateful for stumbling upon this job. The pay is, well, crap, but it works. The best part is I'm happy to be there. I couldn't ask for much more than that.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Virgnia at last!
I left David and Laura's and headed north. First stop off was to visit Abby. I haven't seen her since the girls came out to San Francisco around Christmas time and was stoked to see what she was up to. Oh crazy chemist lady, you never disappoint!
As most of you know I have now been in Virginia for about a month. It has taken me this long to really feel like I'm here to stay. When I first arrived it felt like a vacation. I have visited out here a few times and always have a blast. The three weeks before David and Lisa left for England didn't let me down.
My original plan was to apply to Wegman's, a grocery store in the area. The fact that it is retail (and retail sucks) completely sucked the wind out of my sails on that one. I just couldn't get myself to call and bug them about work again. Lisa suggested I call our friend Alec's temp agency that he went through in the past. It was the first step in probably one of the smoothest transitions, ever.
I called and made an appointment to interview with them the following day. They hired me after some testing and called me the next day with a job. The job fell through but the day after that they had another one lined up for me. The following week I started working at Freddie Mac. Freddie is a huge underwriting (among other things) company in the area. It's huge.
With the job all set (I will write more about it in a different blog) it was time to enjoy the last few weeks I had with Lisa and David. We really did a lot! Went into Georgetown, drove down to UVA and had brunch at Boar's Head, went to a BBQ and science party in one night, went to a Nationals' game and simply hung out. Every time I am out here we are running around because it's just not possible to fit it all in. It was really nice to be able to go to the park and read or go to watch the NBA playoff games in Pentagon City.
The Nationals game was a lot of fun. Walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th, thank you very much! I can't wait to take my mom to the park to see the Giants in June. I don't know if I can be a Nats fan though. What would I do when the Giants came to town? It's like inviting your husband over to dinner at your boyfriend's house. It just seems wrong. I have decided I need an AL team to get on board with. I love the A's but when push comes to shove, the Giants are my guys and I have to have a team out here or I may go crazy.
Also since I have been here I have started running again. The weather is perfect for it, for now, and so I wanted to get a head start on my marathon training before the real heat hit. That's right, another marathon! The Marine Marathon is in October. Abby is running it and I think that if I train properly, unlike before, I can really do well. Nate said he will fly out and so I am really looking forward to the entire experience.
The last week before David and Lisa left was a complete blur. The last weekend they were here Abby came into town and we all ended up crashing at their hotel room in DC. I think it was when Abby said goodbye to them that it really hit me that they were leaving. The Tuesday before, I met them for dinner in DC at probably the best Mexican joint in the area, Rosa Mexicana. It was pretty damn good if I say so myself. More of a fusion place than the hole in the walls I am used to, but the guacamole and salsa were top notch. Wednesday night was dinner at Lisa's folks' house. Jill and Steve are so great and I was really happy to get to see them. Adrian, David's mom, and Monica, Lisa's sister, were also there. The food was great, of course. Jill is an amazing cook and always goes all out. After dinner we went down to the basement to keep Bella company.
Bella is Lisa and David's cat. The original plan was for her to stay with me at the townhouse. The problem was that Bella hates me. Lisa will deny this, but it's true. She's not a bad cat, and I see her being nice to other people, but the only time she didn't hiss at me when I was within a five foot radius of her was in the basement with Lisa sitting right next to me. Her last night in the townhouse I woke up to her about six inches from my nose. She had her front paws on the couch and I know she was expecting to see Lisa or David there. When I opened my eyes it must have occurred to her that it was me because she hissed right in my face. Honestly, I'm a bit scared of her. I tried being friendly, but there is something about me that just doesn't agree with her. I get it, there are a few people I don't like and really don't have a good reason, so I can't get too upset.
After dinner I followed Lisa and David into DC to meet up with Jeff for a drink and some more goodbyes. I hate goodbyes. They suck. I can't stand dragging them out and so I probably come off a little cold. The alternative is a blubbering mess so I figure people will understand. We hung out for a bit, listening to some pretty good jazz and drinking some pretty good wine. At the curb we went our separate ways. They are now in England and I am so excited for them. David will be back in a few weeks to get Bella and then I won't see them again for quite some time.
Here's to new beginnings!
As most of you know I have now been in Virginia for about a month. It has taken me this long to really feel like I'm here to stay. When I first arrived it felt like a vacation. I have visited out here a few times and always have a blast. The three weeks before David and Lisa left for England didn't let me down.
My original plan was to apply to Wegman's, a grocery store in the area. The fact that it is retail (and retail sucks) completely sucked the wind out of my sails on that one. I just couldn't get myself to call and bug them about work again. Lisa suggested I call our friend Alec's temp agency that he went through in the past. It was the first step in probably one of the smoothest transitions, ever.
I called and made an appointment to interview with them the following day. They hired me after some testing and called me the next day with a job. The job fell through but the day after that they had another one lined up for me. The following week I started working at Freddie Mac. Freddie is a huge underwriting (among other things) company in the area. It's huge.
With the job all set (I will write more about it in a different blog) it was time to enjoy the last few weeks I had with Lisa and David. We really did a lot! Went into Georgetown, drove down to UVA and had brunch at Boar's Head, went to a BBQ and science party in one night, went to a Nationals' game and simply hung out. Every time I am out here we are running around because it's just not possible to fit it all in. It was really nice to be able to go to the park and read or go to watch the NBA playoff games in Pentagon City.
The Nationals game was a lot of fun. Walk off homer in the bottom of the 9th, thank you very much! I can't wait to take my mom to the park to see the Giants in June. I don't know if I can be a Nats fan though. What would I do when the Giants came to town? It's like inviting your husband over to dinner at your boyfriend's house. It just seems wrong. I have decided I need an AL team to get on board with. I love the A's but when push comes to shove, the Giants are my guys and I have to have a team out here or I may go crazy.
Also since I have been here I have started running again. The weather is perfect for it, for now, and so I wanted to get a head start on my marathon training before the real heat hit. That's right, another marathon! The Marine Marathon is in October. Abby is running it and I think that if I train properly, unlike before, I can really do well. Nate said he will fly out and so I am really looking forward to the entire experience.
The last week before David and Lisa left was a complete blur. The last weekend they were here Abby came into town and we all ended up crashing at their hotel room in DC. I think it was when Abby said goodbye to them that it really hit me that they were leaving. The Tuesday before, I met them for dinner in DC at probably the best Mexican joint in the area, Rosa Mexicana. It was pretty damn good if I say so myself. More of a fusion place than the hole in the walls I am used to, but the guacamole and salsa were top notch. Wednesday night was dinner at Lisa's folks' house. Jill and Steve are so great and I was really happy to get to see them. Adrian, David's mom, and Monica, Lisa's sister, were also there. The food was great, of course. Jill is an amazing cook and always goes all out. After dinner we went down to the basement to keep Bella company.
Bella is Lisa and David's cat. The original plan was for her to stay with me at the townhouse. The problem was that Bella hates me. Lisa will deny this, but it's true. She's not a bad cat, and I see her being nice to other people, but the only time she didn't hiss at me when I was within a five foot radius of her was in the basement with Lisa sitting right next to me. Her last night in the townhouse I woke up to her about six inches from my nose. She had her front paws on the couch and I know she was expecting to see Lisa or David there. When I opened my eyes it must have occurred to her that it was me because she hissed right in my face. Honestly, I'm a bit scared of her. I tried being friendly, but there is something about me that just doesn't agree with her. I get it, there are a few people I don't like and really don't have a good reason, so I can't get too upset.
After dinner I followed Lisa and David into DC to meet up with Jeff for a drink and some more goodbyes. I hate goodbyes. They suck. I can't stand dragging them out and so I probably come off a little cold. The alternative is a blubbering mess so I figure people will understand. We hung out for a bit, listening to some pretty good jazz and drinking some pretty good wine. At the curb we went our separate ways. They are now in England and I am so excited for them. David will be back in a few weeks to get Bella and then I won't see them again for quite some time.
Here's to new beginnings!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Ladson
On my way to South Carolina I stopped off in Atlanta to visit Roz. Lucky for me, Eddie and Chip were at her place for brunch. I really like hanging out with them. Eddie and Chip remind me a lot of my dad. They are all very smart and every time I talk to them I learn something new. It was a great meal and great company. Roz made sure that I was sent off with food for the road and Chip and Eddie made sure that I had an emergency TV for Virginia. I didn't think it was needed either, but with the tornadoes down south I'm feeling a little better about the yellow TV, flashlight, radio, lamp combo. On my way out of town I stopped by Sweet Water Brewery. Since it was Sunday they were closed, next time.
Pulling up to David and Laura's place felt like home. It is the only place on my entire trip that I had been to before. A couple of years ago I spent Thanksgiving with them. Not to mention that David is my self-appointed guardian and Laura has easily become one of my best friends over the years.
My bonus was to get to see Sierra and Luna. They are David and Laura's sweet Husky pups. Sierra is the nutty spastic, slightly chubby one and Luna is the princess, sleek one with one blue and one brown eye.
The next day David had to go to work so Laura and I went to Dunkin Donuts for some coffee and grub. When David got off of work we went to the set of Army Wives for Laura to fill out some paperwork to be on the show. Then off to Charleston for smoothies and some shopping. It was so nice to chill out and see them. Walking along the pier and down by the market.
For dinner we went out for buffalo wings and trivia. I almost beat David, so close! I got the rib wing combo, damn good!
More than once, or a more times than I can count would be more accurate, they have suggested that I move down there. Someday perhaps. For now I am so excited to be on the same coast as them.
Pulling up to David and Laura's place felt like home. It is the only place on my entire trip that I had been to before. A couple of years ago I spent Thanksgiving with them. Not to mention that David is my self-appointed guardian and Laura has easily become one of my best friends over the years.
My bonus was to get to see Sierra and Luna. They are David and Laura's sweet Husky pups. Sierra is the nutty spastic, slightly chubby one and Luna is the princess, sleek one with one blue and one brown eye.
The next day David had to go to work so Laura and I went to Dunkin Donuts for some coffee and grub. When David got off of work we went to the set of Army Wives for Laura to fill out some paperwork to be on the show. Then off to Charleston for smoothies and some shopping. It was so nice to chill out and see them. Walking along the pier and down by the market.
For dinner we went out for buffalo wings and trivia. I almost beat David, so close! I got the rib wing combo, damn good!
More than once, or a more times than I can count would be more accurate, they have suggested that I move down there. Someday perhaps. For now I am so excited to be on the same coast as them.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Nashville
Nashville was a really exciting stop for me. My friend Megan, and her boyfriend Eric, have a new (6 mo.) baby girl named Panama! When I got there I was greeted by Megan, Panama and the spunky pup, Dulie (I don't know how they spell his name, but it sounds like Julie) at the door. Dulie was very excited and Panama, even though it was after ten, was wide awake!
Megan and I stayed up that night chatting and catching up. We had lots of catching up to do. I haven't seen Megan in years and pretty much everything has changed in both of our lives. They had me staying in Panama's room. It was so nice to snuggle into bed in such a warm place. The home they have built was very soothing after such a long trek.
In the morning we went on a driving tour of Nashville. It's a small city but I really like it. It doesn't look like any of the other cities I passed through. It has a lot of small town traits but also the culture of a big city.
We met up with Eric for lunch at this amazing little sandwich place. Panama was along for the ride the entire day and is such a good baby. Happy and chill. We got along great and I liked getting to know this great little personality. You can get updates and pictures all you want on your friends' lives. You just have to realize that some things, if you don't go and see it for yourself, you will simply miss. Seeing this amazing little girl is something that I am so happy I did not miss.
That night Eric went to work and Megan's parents came over to watch Panama so we could go out and see some of the nightlife that Nashville has to offer. We went to a brewery for dinner (nachos!) and then went over to second fiddle where Eric works. I got to meet a few of their friends and hang out for a bit. It was a blast. We headed back to the house early since I had a long drive in the morning.
When we got back Megan gave me a ton of music! Eric is a song writer (the title link is to his Myspace page) and is very talented. She gave me a bunch of his stuff and then some by other friends of theirs in the area. I listed to it all the way to Charleston the next day.
It was a great visit. I am hoping to get back and maybe take a little trip to Memphis. We were talking about going camping too. I am very excited to get together again soon.
Megan and I stayed up that night chatting and catching up. We had lots of catching up to do. I haven't seen Megan in years and pretty much everything has changed in both of our lives. They had me staying in Panama's room. It was so nice to snuggle into bed in such a warm place. The home they have built was very soothing after such a long trek.
In the morning we went on a driving tour of Nashville. It's a small city but I really like it. It doesn't look like any of the other cities I passed through. It has a lot of small town traits but also the culture of a big city.
We met up with Eric for lunch at this amazing little sandwich place. Panama was along for the ride the entire day and is such a good baby. Happy and chill. We got along great and I liked getting to know this great little personality. You can get updates and pictures all you want on your friends' lives. You just have to realize that some things, if you don't go and see it for yourself, you will simply miss. Seeing this amazing little girl is something that I am so happy I did not miss.
That night Eric went to work and Megan's parents came over to watch Panama so we could go out and see some of the nightlife that Nashville has to offer. We went to a brewery for dinner (nachos!) and then went over to second fiddle where Eric works. I got to meet a few of their friends and hang out for a bit. It was a blast. We headed back to the house early since I had a long drive in the morning.
When we got back Megan gave me a ton of music! Eric is a song writer (the title link is to his Myspace page) and is very talented. She gave me a bunch of his stuff and then some by other friends of theirs in the area. I listed to it all the way to Charleston the next day.
It was a great visit. I am hoping to get back and maybe take a little trip to Memphis. We were talking about going camping too. I am very excited to get together again soon.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Austin
The drive to Austin was only about twelve hours... Or at least it should have been. My lovely GPS decided that the most direct route was through Oklahoma! Stupid Magellan! So I had an extra half an hour tagged onto my already long ass drive.
I didn't mind driving through Texas as much as I thought I would. Now that I have finished my trip I would even say it was one of my favorite stretches. Once you get onto the East Coast there are so many trees that you can't see much beyond the road. They're lovely, but it can get old.
I got into Austin after nine and was excited to see Marc. I met Marc on my way back from David and Lisa's (my friends I am staying with now in Arlington) wedding. We became fast friends and have stayed in touch ever since. This was the first time we had hung out since the day we met.
The next morning was an early one. Poor Marc. I had to get my oil changed and made an early appointment so that it wouldn't interfere with my one full day in Austin. We had breakfast at Denny's while we waited for the car and then decided to go on an adventure. Kayaking? Don't mind if we do! We spent a good hour out on the water, I won't lie to you, chasing turtles off of the shore. It was a hoot! They would jump off of tree branches, logs, whatever, just swan dive into the water. It was good times.
After our kayaking fun I had to go and get a memory card for my new camera. Lame story short: I lost my camera charger and have to order a new one from Olympus since it's an old model. Bought a camera to return once I got to Arlington and the stupid kid didn't bother to tell me that the camera didn't come with one and that the camera itself only had enough memory for ten pictures.
Once we were done with Target, and entirely over our pond water aroma, we went back to the house to shower and take a nice nap. While in Austin I got to crash out on the couch. The couch was the most comfortable couch ever, and I am sure I will have it on my mind when I'm sleeping on the floor for the month after David and Lisa leave.
We woke up from our naps ready for food and fun. Off to downtown Austin! At this point I should probably fill you on the fact that Marc doesn't have a car. I am a big supporter of those that can do without, but this round Marc lost. My car was packed to the gills and so he had the pleasure of being my entertainment while riding around with his knees to his chest in my front seat that was damn near all the way forward.
We had burgers and $2 beers before heading off to the Alamo Drafthouse. This place is fantastic! Two thumbs way up! We got there and it was the Ferris Bueller Quote Along night. They gave us cheat sheets and kazoos (which neither of us could use, we are losers) and in we went. The place serves food and beer. All you have to do is write what you want on a piece of paper and flag it up for the girl to see. It's a great system. I hadn't seen Ferris Bueller in a long time so it was a lot of fun. After that off to a bar/beer garden. We didn't hang out long since we both got shit on by birds, nice.
I called it a night early. With a good 13 hours of driving to look forward to the next day and I definitely didn't want to be falling asleep at the wheel.
I stopped on my way out of town up in Rockwall, TX to have lunch with my friend Troy who Nate and I met in New Orleans doing Habitat. It was a short visit but great to stop in and see what he's up to just the same.
I didn't mind driving through Texas as much as I thought I would. Now that I have finished my trip I would even say it was one of my favorite stretches. Once you get onto the East Coast there are so many trees that you can't see much beyond the road. They're lovely, but it can get old.
I got into Austin after nine and was excited to see Marc. I met Marc on my way back from David and Lisa's (my friends I am staying with now in Arlington) wedding. We became fast friends and have stayed in touch ever since. This was the first time we had hung out since the day we met.
The next morning was an early one. Poor Marc. I had to get my oil changed and made an early appointment so that it wouldn't interfere with my one full day in Austin. We had breakfast at Denny's while we waited for the car and then decided to go on an adventure. Kayaking? Don't mind if we do! We spent a good hour out on the water, I won't lie to you, chasing turtles off of the shore. It was a hoot! They would jump off of tree branches, logs, whatever, just swan dive into the water. It was good times.
After our kayaking fun I had to go and get a memory card for my new camera. Lame story short: I lost my camera charger and have to order a new one from Olympus since it's an old model. Bought a camera to return once I got to Arlington and the stupid kid didn't bother to tell me that the camera didn't come with one and that the camera itself only had enough memory for ten pictures.
Once we were done with Target, and entirely over our pond water aroma, we went back to the house to shower and take a nice nap. While in Austin I got to crash out on the couch. The couch was the most comfortable couch ever, and I am sure I will have it on my mind when I'm sleeping on the floor for the month after David and Lisa leave.
We woke up from our naps ready for food and fun. Off to downtown Austin! At this point I should probably fill you on the fact that Marc doesn't have a car. I am a big supporter of those that can do without, but this round Marc lost. My car was packed to the gills and so he had the pleasure of being my entertainment while riding around with his knees to his chest in my front seat that was damn near all the way forward.
We had burgers and $2 beers before heading off to the Alamo Drafthouse. This place is fantastic! Two thumbs way up! We got there and it was the Ferris Bueller Quote Along night. They gave us cheat sheets and kazoos (which neither of us could use, we are losers) and in we went. The place serves food and beer. All you have to do is write what you want on a piece of paper and flag it up for the girl to see. It's a great system. I hadn't seen Ferris Bueller in a long time so it was a lot of fun. After that off to a bar/beer garden. We didn't hang out long since we both got shit on by birds, nice.
I called it a night early. With a good 13 hours of driving to look forward to the next day and I definitely didn't want to be falling asleep at the wheel.
I stopped on my way out of town up in Rockwall, TX to have lunch with my friend Troy who Nate and I met in New Orleans doing Habitat. It was a short visit but great to stop in and see what he's up to just the same.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Albuquerque
Most of you have seen my pictures from my adventure but I figured it would be nice to give a little rundown on here as well.
After Yosemite I drove to Flagstaff. I have heard wonderful things about Flagstaff, but I didn't stay more than a night. It was a means to an end to get to Albuquerque. The hotel was good and I slept like a rock after my twelve hour drive.
The next day I woke up a little late and enjoyed my five hour drive to Albuquerque. On the way I ran into two almost interesting things. The first was a meteor crater. I was going to go see it but they were charging $15 and I wasn't buying, so I left. The second was an exit called Buffalo Pasture, or something of the like, and had cattle grates at the bottom. It looked promising. I was wrong. 0 for 2 I continued on to Albuquerque. What a giant city. Holy cow! Big and brown. Not much appealed me. The mountain backdrop was spectacular but the only color on the city itself was the teal paint on the sides of the salmon pink freeways. Ew. (Yes I'm a snob, no I don't care.) It didn't matter much. The city itself was not the destination. I spent a good couple of hours trying to figure out where I should stay. Finally calling up Holiday Inn (they had many hotels in the area) and asking the guy at the front desk which one of their hotels he would park at if he had his life in his car. I settled in pretty early, leaving once to get food, and try to prepare for what was going to be a completely unpredictable experience the next day.
I woke up early with three very specific goals: food, flowers and, God help me! not getting lost. I went to Whole Foods, icky icky. I got some purple tulips, hot food bar grub and a beer. Turning into the cemetery my stomach did flip flops. All I could think is that she must be getting a hell of a kick out of the entire ordeal. The men in the office looked surprised to see a visitor and were very helpful. He drove with me out to the spot. I had given him her mom's name as well since Jasmine said that had helped on the phone. He pointed me to Donna and left. I was kind of happy he wasn't there when I found Karen. It was nice to have that moment by myself. She is about ten feet from the fence, the sidewalk and the road. At least she has somethin' to look at. Sitting down I wasn't really sure what to do next. I'm not big on cemetery visits. Most of my family is scattered in the Bay and I am a strong believer that living your life to the fullest and thinking of those lost at important moments shows greater respect than sitting in front of a chunk of marble being sad.
I started eating my lunch and decided to call Jasmine. A short conversation but it helped get me into a mode where I believed I was actually there. You have to understand, next month, May, it will be eleven years since Karen died. I have pictured being at her grave site a good hundred or so times over the years but I don't know if I ever thought I would get it together and go. Even this time, I can't claim was all about her, obviously I had other motivations for driving to Albuquerque.
I started chatting with her. I don't know if she would approve, probably tell me I'm crazy, but it seemed like the thing to do. After finishing my lunch I opened the beer. Brown bagging it in the cemetery. I'm sure that most of you are making faces at this, but only those who didn't know Karen. She would think it was hilarious. Plus, I am quite sure that we would have enjoyed a brew or two by now if she were still alive. It was hard to leave. I know I probably won't go back. Like I said, I would rather be paying my respects living my life to the fullest, if for no other reason than to give her a good show from where ever she may be watching.
When I left her I went to the only touristy part of Albuquerque I could find, old town. I wanted to find a little nack for me and something for Jasmine as well. I found just what I was looking for in Butch Phillips. Don't get too excited, he's a photographer. He does amazing work and loves what he does. The title is a link to a site with some of his work. I didn't pay those prices for his stuff, be sure, but it's a good idea of his style and skill. With the shopping tied up I went for food. A burger did the trick while watching some bad TV and eventually going to sleep.
Austin, here I come!
After Yosemite I drove to Flagstaff. I have heard wonderful things about Flagstaff, but I didn't stay more than a night. It was a means to an end to get to Albuquerque. The hotel was good and I slept like a rock after my twelve hour drive.
The next day I woke up a little late and enjoyed my five hour drive to Albuquerque. On the way I ran into two almost interesting things. The first was a meteor crater. I was going to go see it but they were charging $15 and I wasn't buying, so I left. The second was an exit called Buffalo Pasture, or something of the like, and had cattle grates at the bottom. It looked promising. I was wrong. 0 for 2 I continued on to Albuquerque. What a giant city. Holy cow! Big and brown. Not much appealed me. The mountain backdrop was spectacular but the only color on the city itself was the teal paint on the sides of the salmon pink freeways. Ew. (Yes I'm a snob, no I don't care.) It didn't matter much. The city itself was not the destination. I spent a good couple of hours trying to figure out where I should stay. Finally calling up Holiday Inn (they had many hotels in the area) and asking the guy at the front desk which one of their hotels he would park at if he had his life in his car. I settled in pretty early, leaving once to get food, and try to prepare for what was going to be a completely unpredictable experience the next day.
I woke up early with three very specific goals: food, flowers and, God help me! not getting lost. I went to Whole Foods, icky icky. I got some purple tulips, hot food bar grub and a beer. Turning into the cemetery my stomach did flip flops. All I could think is that she must be getting a hell of a kick out of the entire ordeal. The men in the office looked surprised to see a visitor and were very helpful. He drove with me out to the spot. I had given him her mom's name as well since Jasmine said that had helped on the phone. He pointed me to Donna and left. I was kind of happy he wasn't there when I found Karen. It was nice to have that moment by myself. She is about ten feet from the fence, the sidewalk and the road. At least she has somethin' to look at. Sitting down I wasn't really sure what to do next. I'm not big on cemetery visits. Most of my family is scattered in the Bay and I am a strong believer that living your life to the fullest and thinking of those lost at important moments shows greater respect than sitting in front of a chunk of marble being sad.
I started eating my lunch and decided to call Jasmine. A short conversation but it helped get me into a mode where I believed I was actually there. You have to understand, next month, May, it will be eleven years since Karen died. I have pictured being at her grave site a good hundred or so times over the years but I don't know if I ever thought I would get it together and go. Even this time, I can't claim was all about her, obviously I had other motivations for driving to Albuquerque.
I started chatting with her. I don't know if she would approve, probably tell me I'm crazy, but it seemed like the thing to do. After finishing my lunch I opened the beer. Brown bagging it in the cemetery. I'm sure that most of you are making faces at this, but only those who didn't know Karen. She would think it was hilarious. Plus, I am quite sure that we would have enjoyed a brew or two by now if she were still alive. It was hard to leave. I know I probably won't go back. Like I said, I would rather be paying my respects living my life to the fullest, if for no other reason than to give her a good show from where ever she may be watching.
When I left her I went to the only touristy part of Albuquerque I could find, old town. I wanted to find a little nack for me and something for Jasmine as well. I found just what I was looking for in Butch Phillips. Don't get too excited, he's a photographer. He does amazing work and loves what he does. The title is a link to a site with some of his work. I didn't pay those prices for his stuff, be sure, but it's a good idea of his style and skill. With the shopping tied up I went for food. A burger did the trick while watching some bad TV and eventually going to sleep.
Austin, here I come!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Last Days in California
I spent the last few days as a California resident running around like a crazy person. I visited my grandma and aunt in Napa one day. Hung out with my neighbors and got to sort out some fun stuff that I got for the fam in Japan.
I was able to go to the best concert EVER with Ms. Shannon! Steve Miller Band played for three straight hours. Bonnie Rait and Joe Satriani were two of many amazing guests that turned the show into a jam session that left me and Shannon mesmerized. Did I mention it was my first time at the Fillmore? Well it was, as ridiculous as it sounds since I lived only a few minutes away. I will be back.
Off to Yosemite with my mom, dad, Nate, Skinner, Yiming and Jon. It was daaaamn cold but I had a wonderful time just the same. Skinner, Jon and Yiming got it late on Friday night and we hung out by the fire for a little while before going to bed. In the morning Jon made breakfast for everyone. We then set off on a hike that was supposed to be six miles. Half way along it started to rain. Good thing Yosemite is amazing rain or shine. As we got within what should have been our "less than a mile to go" marker, we saw a sign that said we had four miles left! We decided to hustle our asses back to the shuttle. When we got there we swore we missed it but that wasn't the case. Thank goodness! When the rain started my dad had bribed us all with dinner at the lodge if we didn't make him go back to the campsite (he and my mom were staying in a tent cabin). We all agreed, no problem!
That night the rain stopped and we were happy to scrap our plans of rummy in the tent. In stead my mom came to the site after my dad went to sleep and we all played with Jon's camera! Yey extended exposures! It was really fun. We all posed in the woods and Jon and my brother ran around with a flash and a yellow light. The results are hard to describe but hopefully Jon will post them soon.
The next morning we had breakfast at the coffee shop as it had started to rain again. After we drove out to Yosemite Falls. And this is where I said goodbye. When Jon, Yiming and Skinner decided to go I knew it was time. Figured balling my goodbyes into one would make them something I could handle and still be in some kind of shape to drive to Flagstaff, ten hours away. Plus if I didn't get on the road soon I would get in way too late to be able to shop around for hotels.
I just have to keep reminding myself... I'll be back.
I was able to go to the best concert EVER with Ms. Shannon! Steve Miller Band played for three straight hours. Bonnie Rait and Joe Satriani were two of many amazing guests that turned the show into a jam session that left me and Shannon mesmerized. Did I mention it was my first time at the Fillmore? Well it was, as ridiculous as it sounds since I lived only a few minutes away. I will be back.
Off to Yosemite with my mom, dad, Nate, Skinner, Yiming and Jon. It was daaaamn cold but I had a wonderful time just the same. Skinner, Jon and Yiming got it late on Friday night and we hung out by the fire for a little while before going to bed. In the morning Jon made breakfast for everyone. We then set off on a hike that was supposed to be six miles. Half way along it started to rain. Good thing Yosemite is amazing rain or shine. As we got within what should have been our "less than a mile to go" marker, we saw a sign that said we had four miles left! We decided to hustle our asses back to the shuttle. When we got there we swore we missed it but that wasn't the case. Thank goodness! When the rain started my dad had bribed us all with dinner at the lodge if we didn't make him go back to the campsite (he and my mom were staying in a tent cabin). We all agreed, no problem!
That night the rain stopped and we were happy to scrap our plans of rummy in the tent. In stead my mom came to the site after my dad went to sleep and we all played with Jon's camera! Yey extended exposures! It was really fun. We all posed in the woods and Jon and my brother ran around with a flash and a yellow light. The results are hard to describe but hopefully Jon will post them soon.
The next morning we had breakfast at the coffee shop as it had started to rain again. After we drove out to Yosemite Falls. And this is where I said goodbye. When Jon, Yiming and Skinner decided to go I knew it was time. Figured balling my goodbyes into one would make them something I could handle and still be in some kind of shape to drive to Flagstaff, ten hours away. Plus if I didn't get on the road soon I would get in way too late to be able to shop around for hotels.
I just have to keep reminding myself... I'll be back.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Japan and Beyond
I got back from Japan yesterday and had a wonderful time! I spent about a week in Hiroshima with my friend Bo, his son Kaya and Kaya's fiance Yoli. Then I moved on to Kyoto where I made some friends at my hostel and we went out to see Fushimi Inari Shrine and Nara the couple of days that I spent with them. Off to Tokyo where I spent my birthday exploring and spent one day in search of Mt. Fuji. Nagoya was my last stop. One day there while I waited to fly out.
http://picasaweb.google.com/pamela.a.jacobsonThere are four albums from Japan. Since I only have a few days until I leave for Virginia I opted to have longer captions on the pictures instead of trying to get a blog out that would do my trip justice. The albums are in reverse order (most recent one first).
Only a slight change of plans for my drive to Virginia. I will no longer be stopping over in Las Vegas. Instead I will be heading straight to Flagstaff. So for everyone who I am visiting, that cannot seem to remember when I'm coming through (Maaaaarrrrrkkkkk... :)), here's a reminder.
March 28th-30th: Yosemite
March 30th-31st: Flagstaff
March 31st-April 2nd: Albuquerque
April 2nd-4th: Austin with a stop off in Rockwall on my way to...
April 4th-6th: Nashville with a stop off in Atlanta on my way to...
April 6th-8th: Ladson with a stop off in North Carolina on my way to...
April 8th: Virginia
Enjoy and I will talk to you all soon! Pam
http://picasaweb.google.com/pamela.a.jacobsonThere are four albums from Japan. Since I only have a few days until I leave for Virginia I opted to have longer captions on the pictures instead of trying to get a blog out that would do my trip justice. The albums are in reverse order (most recent one first).
Only a slight change of plans for my drive to Virginia. I will no longer be stopping over in Las Vegas. Instead I will be heading straight to Flagstaff. So for everyone who I am visiting, that cannot seem to remember when I'm coming through (Maaaaarrrrrkkkkk... :)), here's a reminder.
March 28th-30th: Yosemite
March 30th-31st: Flagstaff
March 31st-April 2nd: Albuquerque
April 2nd-4th: Austin with a stop off in Rockwall on my way to...
April 4th-6th: Nashville with a stop off in Atlanta on my way to...
April 6th-8th: Ladson with a stop off in North Carolina on my way to...
April 8th: Virginia
Enjoy and I will talk to you all soon! Pam
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Atlanta, GA
(title is a link to my photo page)
My family just got back from our last family vacation since, well, we really couldn't tell you when. But unlike all of our other family vacations, this one included more than the immediate family that I have known my entire life.
My family just got back from our last family vacation since, well, we really couldn't tell you when. But unlike all of our other family vacations, this one included more than the immediate family that I have known my entire life.
This weekend we added Helen, Eddie, Jonathan, Barbara, Chip, Amanda, Roz, Mimi, Terry, Pam, Tessa, and Gillian to the mix! If there was ever a chance that my family could be considered dull before, it's gone now. We're still a loud, outspoken, intelligent, independant family that doesn't take ourselves too seriously. We are still a family (from what I could tell in a couple of days) that is lead by women. At least dad and Nate now have Eddie, Chip and Jonathan to double their numbers, but it is no match for the women in our family that grew almost five fold. I was so happy to find that three of the four of the girls, lets call them cousins to keep it simple, are living a mear three hours from my new home in Arlington, while the forth is an easy 10 hour drive to Atlanta. Mimi is in Atlanta and does sound design for the theaters and makes beautiful jewelry. She sells some of it on Etsy.com under the seller name Hummingrose, check it out! Pam is in the process of getting her Phd in American History. This makes her my hero. Here I am dreading the final classes to get my Bachlors, even wondering if it will come together, and she taking it all the way. Tessa and Gillian. Goodness these girls crack me up! Both are fabulously successful and living together in Manhattan. Tessa is in advertising and Gillian is a lawyer. I look at all of them and think of my grandmother smiling down on all of us. Each of us with such different strengths.
Aunt Roz, as I have known her for the past month or so, is my grandmother's aunt. More importantly she was her best friend. Through their friendship she met Vi's uncle who she later married. Before meeting Roz I had heard a few things that made me suspect that her and Vi have much in common. I was delighted to see that this is true. I miss my grandmother more and with each passing year. It seems that I am fortunate enough to share a lot of things with her, more with every year that I grow older, more with every year that my life goes on without her. As much as I loved this discovery, it also made me a little sad. I have never stopped missing her and the feeling of loss became fresh over the weekend. Having us all together would have made her so happy. I clung to that joy.
Before Roz's big 90th birthday party my parents, Nate and I went to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. It was so intense to stand there, just outside of his church, looking at the memorial for MLK as well as Coretta. These people sacrificed so much to do what was right, what is right. There was also a Gandhi room that was so interesting. Old pictures of him from law school etc. It was something that I had wanted to see on my drive to Virginia and am glad that I had a chance to see it with my family instead.
Roz's 90th birthday was a very diverse group of people. Ranging in age from Nate at 22 to Roz and some of her friends at 90 plus. The food was great and the company was even better. I met Marrel who has a son working to help bring education to Africa (http://www.educateafrica.org/), and has been since he was 17 living on a refugee camp in Uganda. Helen was another new addition on Sunday night. She is brassy and definately one to leave an impression.
All in all this was a great way for me to start this giant transition in my life. Most know that my family means the world to me. To have the beginning of new family ties near by helps me decompress a little when thinking about moving so far from home.
Friday, February 29, 2008
uNeMpLoYeD?!
There are so many things wrong with the word unemployment. The first, because it's the most obvious to me, has to be the queezy, the floor just dropped away from me and I'm falling into oblivion, feeling I have in my stomach.
The second problem is how unacomplished it sounds. It implies that my intention is to sit on my couch, eat Chili Cheese Fritos and watch reruns of Project Runway all day. I hate it. I even had the lady at Bank of America tell me to just put down my job that I was at for another four days so I could avoid sounding "tacky".
The third question is the very literal meaning of the word. I HAVE NO JOB! I have no income. I have nothing set up for when I get there. There is only so much security that comes with phone interviews.
These problems I have with being unemployed bring on the questions. What did I do? Am I crazy? Why not finish school here? I have a job! I like my job! More importantly, I like the people at my job!
You would have to have known me for at least four years to remember the last time I was unemployed. I was a basket case! Stress bucket! I was a damn wreck. I lost fifteen pounds in about a month and a half and my hair was falling out. It was ugly. Thank goodness for the Elephant Bar? Yeah, thank goodness for the Elephant Bar.
Next up... Wegman's or UPS?
The second problem is how unacomplished it sounds. It implies that my intention is to sit on my couch, eat Chili Cheese Fritos and watch reruns of Project Runway all day. I hate it. I even had the lady at Bank of America tell me to just put down my job that I was at for another four days so I could avoid sounding "tacky".
The third question is the very literal meaning of the word. I HAVE NO JOB! I have no income. I have nothing set up for when I get there. There is only so much security that comes with phone interviews.
These problems I have with being unemployed bring on the questions. What did I do? Am I crazy? Why not finish school here? I have a job! I like my job! More importantly, I like the people at my job!
You would have to have known me for at least four years to remember the last time I was unemployed. I was a basket case! Stress bucket! I was a damn wreck. I lost fifteen pounds in about a month and a half and my hair was falling out. It was ugly. Thank goodness for the Elephant Bar? Yeah, thank goodness for the Elephant Bar.
Next up... Wegman's or UPS?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
My Car Luck
Monday night my new car was broken into. They smashed in the back passenger side window. Gotta love the tweakers. When I got to my car I saw my CDs and my manual on the front seats of my car. Thought it was weird (I have a slight disconnect pre-coffee). I then saw the glass from my window all over my back seat.
Tuesday I went to get it fixed. Hung out at the Borders until I got the call that my car was ready. Went back, they hadn't done anything to it yet. So I decided to go and grab some food. As I walked into Panara a crazy man the manager was trying to escort out decided to start flailing about and smacked me in the head. Damn it! Maybe it will be nice to get back to a place where they hide their crazies in shame instead of embracing them like we do here in San Francisco. We're so used to them here that I didn't even get a free meal. Why? Because we all know the crazies here, and we all know that it's no body's fault.
So Tuesday night they tried to break in again. Excuse me? Yeah, again. They took some kind of pick to the front passenger window. Totally dented and fucked up the paint between the window and the windshield and chipped the window enough for me to have to get a new one. Thank goodness the guy at the glass place was cool and let it all go down as one claim.
I tried to park in the Lucky's garage overnight but it doesn't open until 7 am so I had to risk parking on the street again. Decided to risk getting hit by some idiot and parked on Masonic where I knew there would always be people around to catch someone fucking with my car again.
All in all it has been a bullshit week. I'm quite over it at the moment. Especially after the hours of packing last night and sleeping on the floor. Ug.
In spite of all of the nonsense listed above I have decided that the persistent assault on my car is a good thing. Why? Because I have horrible car luck and I would rather get it out of the way here, with one little broken window, than worry about it driving across country or when I get to Virginia. Why do I feel like something bad happening to my car is a guarantee? Here's why... (in the order that I can think of them off of the top of my head)
1. First accident. Slid my first Sentra under the bumper of a pick-up truck.
2. (2nd Sentra) Was T-ed by a guy in a GT Mustang who ran a stop sign going about 60, getting off of the freeway. My car spun twice and was almost totalled.
3. Dance recital senior year. My car was vandalized. Seats slashed, car trashed, all panels keyed and all tires slashed.
4. Rear ended by a nice big ol' Dodge Ram leaving school.
5. Clipped by a guy who was exiting at Fell Street while I was at a stand still waiting to get onto the bridge. Shattered my side mirror in my face and knocked my back bumper. BONUS: He didn't notice he hit me and didn't have plates yet (the car was a week old) and so I had to chase him through San Francisco until he finally stopped. FARMER'S INSURANCE (aka. The Worst Insurance Co I have ever dealt with) almost didn't cover him because his policy was so new.
6. Rear ended in New Orleans. I got the extra insurance on the rental so we didn't stop. Troy and Nate were scared.
7. Back window broken to steal my stereo in Jill's hood.
8. Backed into at the Benicia Bridge toll booth when the guy forgot his change.
9. Was backed into by a VERY senior couple while I was having my interview at Bank of the West.
10. The front end of my car was clipped by the suspect in a high speed chase through Pleasant Hill.
11. Someone stole my muffler off of my car (but hey, they put the little support straps back on). I didn't notice until I had to have a guy come out to jump my battery. I asked him if he could take a look and see if he knew why my car was running so loud. Could the muffler be broken? (I am not car savvy okay?) He looked under my car and said, "You don't have one."
12. I rear ended a lady. My bad...
13. Someone "Zorro'ed" the side of my car with their keys.
14. Someone side swiped my mom's Pathfinder on Masonic while I was borrowing it.
15. A little old man backed into my car in his minivan in the Villas.
Pretty sure I have forgotten one or two. You get the gist. Send me good vibes! We don't need anymore incidents!
Tuesday I went to get it fixed. Hung out at the Borders until I got the call that my car was ready. Went back, they hadn't done anything to it yet. So I decided to go and grab some food. As I walked into Panara a crazy man the manager was trying to escort out decided to start flailing about and smacked me in the head. Damn it! Maybe it will be nice to get back to a place where they hide their crazies in shame instead of embracing them like we do here in San Francisco. We're so used to them here that I didn't even get a free meal. Why? Because we all know the crazies here, and we all know that it's no body's fault.
So Tuesday night they tried to break in again. Excuse me? Yeah, again. They took some kind of pick to the front passenger window. Totally dented and fucked up the paint between the window and the windshield and chipped the window enough for me to have to get a new one. Thank goodness the guy at the glass place was cool and let it all go down as one claim.
I tried to park in the Lucky's garage overnight but it doesn't open until 7 am so I had to risk parking on the street again. Decided to risk getting hit by some idiot and parked on Masonic where I knew there would always be people around to catch someone fucking with my car again.
All in all it has been a bullshit week. I'm quite over it at the moment. Especially after the hours of packing last night and sleeping on the floor. Ug.
In spite of all of the nonsense listed above I have decided that the persistent assault on my car is a good thing. Why? Because I have horrible car luck and I would rather get it out of the way here, with one little broken window, than worry about it driving across country or when I get to Virginia. Why do I feel like something bad happening to my car is a guarantee? Here's why... (in the order that I can think of them off of the top of my head)
1. First accident. Slid my first Sentra under the bumper of a pick-up truck.
2. (2nd Sentra) Was T-ed by a guy in a GT Mustang who ran a stop sign going about 60, getting off of the freeway. My car spun twice and was almost totalled.
3. Dance recital senior year. My car was vandalized. Seats slashed, car trashed, all panels keyed and all tires slashed.
4. Rear ended by a nice big ol' Dodge Ram leaving school.
5. Clipped by a guy who was exiting at Fell Street while I was at a stand still waiting to get onto the bridge. Shattered my side mirror in my face and knocked my back bumper. BONUS: He didn't notice he hit me and didn't have plates yet (the car was a week old) and so I had to chase him through San Francisco until he finally stopped. FARMER'S INSURANCE (aka. The Worst Insurance Co I have ever dealt with) almost didn't cover him because his policy was so new.
6. Rear ended in New Orleans. I got the extra insurance on the rental so we didn't stop. Troy and Nate were scared.
7. Back window broken to steal my stereo in Jill's hood.
8. Backed into at the Benicia Bridge toll booth when the guy forgot his change.
9. Was backed into by a VERY senior couple while I was having my interview at Bank of the West.
10. The front end of my car was clipped by the suspect in a high speed chase through Pleasant Hill.
11. Someone stole my muffler off of my car (but hey, they put the little support straps back on). I didn't notice until I had to have a guy come out to jump my battery. I asked him if he could take a look and see if he knew why my car was running so loud. Could the muffler be broken? (I am not car savvy okay?) He looked under my car and said, "You don't have one."
12. I rear ended a lady. My bad...
13. Someone "Zorro'ed" the side of my car with their keys.
14. Someone side swiped my mom's Pathfinder on Masonic while I was borrowing it.
15. A little old man backed into my car in his minivan in the Villas.
Pretty sure I have forgotten one or two. You get the gist. Send me good vibes! We don't need anymore incidents!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
ATLANTA, GA?!
Today my list of destinations in March has added one more. This brings my total to five locations that I will be visiting for at least a night.
The list begins with Japan. I will be there from March 10th to the 24th. Since I am yet to really sit down and decide where I want to go in Japan, they are being clustered into one location.
Then for my drive across country I will be visiting Yosemite, Las Vegas and Albuquerque from March 28th through the 31st.
Towards the end of my trip I was going to be stopping into Atlanta to visit a friend and some family that I have never met. Aunt Roz is my Grandma's cousin on my dad's side. Knowing my grandma makes me very excited to meet Aunt Roz. When my mom contacted her to see if she would be available the day I will be driving through, Aunt Roz told my mom about how she wish I could be there for her 90th birthday party on March 2nd and be able to stay for a couple of days. So as an extra bonus my family is now flying to Atlanta March 1st to the 3rd to surprise her.
For fun, and to add to my madness, I decided to look up all of the time differences I will be experiencing in the month of March. Here's how it goes:
San Francisco to Atlanta, March 1st, +3hours
Atlanta to San Francisco, March 3rd, -3hours
San Francisco to Nagoya, March 10th, +17hours
Nagoya to San Francisco, March 24th, -17hours
San Francisco to Yosemite, March 28th, 0hours
Yosemite to Las Vegas, March 30th, 0hours
Las Vegas to Albuquerque, March 31st, +1hour
And by the time I reach Arlington on April 8th I will be another 2 hours ahead. I have a feeling that no matter my travel before the month of March (Europe, Virginia, Florida...) I will be not even remotely close to prepared for the jetlag that is to come.
The list begins with Japan. I will be there from March 10th to the 24th. Since I am yet to really sit down and decide where I want to go in Japan, they are being clustered into one location.
Then for my drive across country I will be visiting Yosemite, Las Vegas and Albuquerque from March 28th through the 31st.
Towards the end of my trip I was going to be stopping into Atlanta to visit a friend and some family that I have never met. Aunt Roz is my Grandma's cousin on my dad's side. Knowing my grandma makes me very excited to meet Aunt Roz. When my mom contacted her to see if she would be available the day I will be driving through, Aunt Roz told my mom about how she wish I could be there for her 90th birthday party on March 2nd and be able to stay for a couple of days. So as an extra bonus my family is now flying to Atlanta March 1st to the 3rd to surprise her.
For fun, and to add to my madness, I decided to look up all of the time differences I will be experiencing in the month of March. Here's how it goes:
San Francisco to Atlanta, March 1st, +3hours
Atlanta to San Francisco, March 3rd, -3hours
San Francisco to Nagoya, March 10th, +17hours
Nagoya to San Francisco, March 24th, -17hours
San Francisco to Yosemite, March 28th, 0hours
Yosemite to Las Vegas, March 30th, 0hours
Las Vegas to Albuquerque, March 31st, +1hour
And by the time I reach Arlington on April 8th I will be another 2 hours ahead. I have a feeling that no matter my travel before the month of March (Europe, Virginia, Florida...) I will be not even remotely close to prepared for the jetlag that is to come.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Destination Virginia (change of plans)
There are a few of you that think this blog will contain the news that I am not leaving after all (Todd...), but in fact I am posting this to tell you just the opposite. I am leaving sooner.
As some of you know, my friend, Lisa, who I was going to be staying with when I moved in August, recently was offered a job (that she had better be gushing with pride over) in England. While this is a wonderful opportunity for her, it was the first wrench in the works for my plans. She leaves in May, and I wouldn't be moving until August.
Next up is Rob, a friend of mine in Colorado, who decided he just had to get married three days before I was scheduled to depart on my big cross country adventure. This would require a three day trip to Colorado before returning for my long ass drive.
Last, but not least, was Jackie who is getting married mid August here in San Francisco. Since the original plan was to take a month to drive across and really get to see this country of mine, I was going to have to find a way to fly back half way there.
Of course I could simply postpone my trip, or ditch the weddings. In my mind neither were an option. A little discouraged, and ignoring the signs that were telling me to hold off on this giant leap I have been so antsy to make, I kept planning.
A little history for this next part:
My landlord is damn useless and has not cashed any of our rent checks for the past six months. Why? Who knows? She doesn't return any phone calls. She doesn't fix what is broken and she won't clean the damn graffiti off of the front of our building.
Skinner, my roommate, wants to get her own place after I leave. Realizing that we are living month to month in our apartment, I suggested that we start looking for a place for her now and simply share the room (and save some cash) before I leave.
The original plan was based on the false-impression (created in my head of course) that I was stuck in my lease until August. With the above events, I realized, I was indeed not stuck anywhere!
Today at work I talked to Patrick, my manager, about my last day. I had planned it around my trip to D.C., to find a neighborhood to shop for an apartment in when I moved out, and the big 2-5 birthday trip to Hiroshima. I wanted my last day to be March 6th and he suggested February 28th, the last day of the month. With this I had to shift everything. I had every intention of getting a job at Whole Foods upon my return to transfer with to VA, and couldn't have an extra week without work because of the change. So the entire trip was bumped up a week.
Now this is where all of the pieces are going to come together. With my trip to Hiroshima ending on March 24th, and without a lease to keep me in San Francisco, why not leave sooner? I could avoid the costs of flying to D.C. before Hiroshima. I could avoid having to deal with getting a new job here and dipping into my savings before the cash flow came. I could move to Virginia with Lisa and David still there. (They haven't heard any of this yet... so it should be a hoot!)
So new plan everyone. March 28th is my date of departure. The route has been cut down quite a bit. So for those of you that I get to see on the way, pay attention :)
March 28th: Drive to Yosemite for the weekend. (Any and all are welcome if you are able to find a campsite. I have not yet.) I am hiking the backside of Half Dome on the 29th and then leaving on the 30th for...
March 30th: Las Vegas! It is only an overnighter but I am so excited to see Sarah, Shanon and the twins!
March 31st: Leave for Albuquerque. This is going to be a great trip. It is my grandma's birthday and I think that driving through the desert with her in my thoughts could be just what I need before reaching my destination. I will be spending the first of April with an old friend. I haven't seen her since she went to New Mexico and I think I will find peace in seeing her resting place.
April 2nd: Austin. That's right Mark, you can't get rid of me that easily! I'm still coming out to crash on your couch. Very exciting, you get me until the 4th... get ready!
April 4th: Nashville with Megan and Panama!! I just recently touched base with Megan again and I am so excited to see her city and her new sweet babe! I get to hang out there (if the new schedule works) until the 6th.
Mid-trek stop: Some of my grandma's cousins live in Atlanta and so I am hoping to stop in for lunch and to meet some family.
April 6th: David, Laura, Sierra and Luna. I'm stoked to see the new house all done up and hang out with a couple of my best friends and their rascally pups for a couple of days.
April 8th I leave for my final destination. Lisa and David in Virginia. I can't wait to see them.
Alright everyone. There you go.
As some of you know, my friend, Lisa, who I was going to be staying with when I moved in August, recently was offered a job (that she had better be gushing with pride over) in England. While this is a wonderful opportunity for her, it was the first wrench in the works for my plans. She leaves in May, and I wouldn't be moving until August.
Next up is Rob, a friend of mine in Colorado, who decided he just had to get married three days before I was scheduled to depart on my big cross country adventure. This would require a three day trip to Colorado before returning for my long ass drive.
Last, but not least, was Jackie who is getting married mid August here in San Francisco. Since the original plan was to take a month to drive across and really get to see this country of mine, I was going to have to find a way to fly back half way there.
Of course I could simply postpone my trip, or ditch the weddings. In my mind neither were an option. A little discouraged, and ignoring the signs that were telling me to hold off on this giant leap I have been so antsy to make, I kept planning.
A little history for this next part:
My landlord is damn useless and has not cashed any of our rent checks for the past six months. Why? Who knows? She doesn't return any phone calls. She doesn't fix what is broken and she won't clean the damn graffiti off of the front of our building.
Skinner, my roommate, wants to get her own place after I leave. Realizing that we are living month to month in our apartment, I suggested that we start looking for a place for her now and simply share the room (and save some cash) before I leave.
The original plan was based on the false-impression (created in my head of course) that I was stuck in my lease until August. With the above events, I realized, I was indeed not stuck anywhere!
Today at work I talked to Patrick, my manager, about my last day. I had planned it around my trip to D.C., to find a neighborhood to shop for an apartment in when I moved out, and the big 2-5 birthday trip to Hiroshima. I wanted my last day to be March 6th and he suggested February 28th, the last day of the month. With this I had to shift everything. I had every intention of getting a job at Whole Foods upon my return to transfer with to VA, and couldn't have an extra week without work because of the change. So the entire trip was bumped up a week.
Now this is where all of the pieces are going to come together. With my trip to Hiroshima ending on March 24th, and without a lease to keep me in San Francisco, why not leave sooner? I could avoid the costs of flying to D.C. before Hiroshima. I could avoid having to deal with getting a new job here and dipping into my savings before the cash flow came. I could move to Virginia with Lisa and David still there. (They haven't heard any of this yet... so it should be a hoot!)
So new plan everyone. March 28th is my date of departure. The route has been cut down quite a bit. So for those of you that I get to see on the way, pay attention :)
March 28th: Drive to Yosemite for the weekend. (Any and all are welcome if you are able to find a campsite. I have not yet.) I am hiking the backside of Half Dome on the 29th and then leaving on the 30th for...
March 30th: Las Vegas! It is only an overnighter but I am so excited to see Sarah, Shanon and the twins!
March 31st: Leave for Albuquerque. This is going to be a great trip. It is my grandma's birthday and I think that driving through the desert with her in my thoughts could be just what I need before reaching my destination. I will be spending the first of April with an old friend. I haven't seen her since she went to New Mexico and I think I will find peace in seeing her resting place.
April 2nd: Austin. That's right Mark, you can't get rid of me that easily! I'm still coming out to crash on your couch. Very exciting, you get me until the 4th... get ready!
April 4th: Nashville with Megan and Panama!! I just recently touched base with Megan again and I am so excited to see her city and her new sweet babe! I get to hang out there (if the new schedule works) until the 6th.
Mid-trek stop: Some of my grandma's cousins live in Atlanta and so I am hoping to stop in for lunch and to meet some family.
April 6th: David, Laura, Sierra and Luna. I'm stoked to see the new house all done up and hang out with a couple of my best friends and their rascally pups for a couple of days.
April 8th I leave for my final destination. Lisa and David in Virginia. I can't wait to see them.
Alright everyone. There you go.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Memories That Will Never Be
I had moved this blog over from my Facebook for safe keeping. I didn't intend to post it (as you might have noticed it has just surfaced now, at the end of February, but is dated quite earlier). I hung out with a couple of friends of mine last night and found out that one of my friend's former students had jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. I thought that I had heard about the person from someone else, but it turns out that two teenagers had jumped last year. So I decided to post this again, for all to read.
We all have lost. Losing someone so young is not comprehensible. It should never be something that you can understand. Losing someone to suicide is something that should leave you feeling helpless, and a little empty, always. It is a mark on your life that should never fade. Not because there is anything you could have done. That I have come to accept, there was little any of us could have done, but because experiencing someone losing all faith and hope in life should forever shift your foundation and alter your reality.
So I post this to say you are not alone. We're all in it together. And together, with lessons learned, perhaps we can recognize the signs and help those contemplating their end to realize that the faith and hope they are looking for is in themselves and in those that love them. And together we can also support those who will, inevitably, suffer this great tragedy.
After over ten years I will be visiting Karen's final resting place. I am hoping to find some peace in my heart there, for myself, as well as for her. Wishing you all peace.
May 23, 2007
The day is almost done and it feels like such a blur. Ten years have past but if I close my eyes the moment sneaks back in as though it were yesterday. Thinking back on my past ten years of life I cannot imagine how it could possibly have stayed so vivid.
I remember hearing the words from Jasmine down in her yard. She said them so matter-of-factly before taking a drag off of her cigarette. I smiled. I have always felt guilty about that smile. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t feeling an ounce of joy. It didn’t occur to me until a few years had past that I was in shock. Ten years later and I don’t think I would react any differently. At twenty four I am still as ill prepared as I was at fourteen for such devastating news.
I remember who I was with. I remember going downstairs to find my friends’ parents in the living room with my mom trying to figure out how to tell us. I do not remember anything from my life in those few months that did not have a direct connection to Karen. There was no room in my consciousness for anything else. It was not just coping with the loss of a friend, grieving is not something that you have to learn how to do, that part came naturally. It was coming to terms with never knowing why. Suicide comes with about a million different versions of the question why. To this day I have not a single answer.
We have all heard it in a time of loss, “Time will ease your pain/Time heals all/Just give it some time/It will be easier with time.”. Each year I wake up on May 23rd hoping that this is true, giving myself a moment to see how it will feel this year. I never have really felt much in that moment. At least not the stabbing pain that there should be. An ache in my stomach and a feeling of dread is as close as I ever get to the agony that is warranted. It is entirely possible that the loss was such a shock to my system that, to this day, I remain numb.
This year was different. Last night I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t sleep at all. For the first time in a couple years I cried for her. This year the day hit me like an eighteen wheeler. I woke up and was grateful for the dark. I wasn’t ready for the sun yet.
Thinking back on many of the different moments of hope, fear, sadness and excitement I have felt over the past ten years I became completely overwhelmed with the fact that she will never have those moments. She will never have a sense of independence with her first job and her first apartment. She will never have that warm ball of pride in her stomach with her first purchase using her first paycheck that is no ones but her own. She will never be able to appreciate the pure joy of grocery shopping on payday after over a week of nothing but pasta. She will never have a great love, a real relationship. She will never have that amazing feeling when the hopelessness of a devastating heartbreak is lifted with the potential of a new love.
After ten years something else has happened. The little bits of memories that fade with each passing day have now turned into a significant block, and I feel as though I‘m losing her. I remember more details about the days following her death than I do about the days we spent together while she was alive. I have forgotten her voice. How awful. The first picture of her face that I see in my head is one of a girl in a baby blue box with silver angels on the corners. I desperately wish it was one of her smile wearing her blue lipstick.
I never mourned her the way she deserved to be because I had no idea what she had really given up, neither did she. This year was different. This year I cried for her and all she will never see and do, for all that we will never see and do together and for all of my lost memories.
We miss you dear friend.
Karen Striplin
February 23, 1983-May 23 1997
We all have lost. Losing someone so young is not comprehensible. It should never be something that you can understand. Losing someone to suicide is something that should leave you feeling helpless, and a little empty, always. It is a mark on your life that should never fade. Not because there is anything you could have done. That I have come to accept, there was little any of us could have done, but because experiencing someone losing all faith and hope in life should forever shift your foundation and alter your reality.
So I post this to say you are not alone. We're all in it together. And together, with lessons learned, perhaps we can recognize the signs and help those contemplating their end to realize that the faith and hope they are looking for is in themselves and in those that love them. And together we can also support those who will, inevitably, suffer this great tragedy.
After over ten years I will be visiting Karen's final resting place. I am hoping to find some peace in my heart there, for myself, as well as for her. Wishing you all peace.
May 23, 2007
The day is almost done and it feels like such a blur. Ten years have past but if I close my eyes the moment sneaks back in as though it were yesterday. Thinking back on my past ten years of life I cannot imagine how it could possibly have stayed so vivid.
I remember hearing the words from Jasmine down in her yard. She said them so matter-of-factly before taking a drag off of her cigarette. I smiled. I have always felt guilty about that smile. I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t feeling an ounce of joy. It didn’t occur to me until a few years had past that I was in shock. Ten years later and I don’t think I would react any differently. At twenty four I am still as ill prepared as I was at fourteen for such devastating news.
I remember who I was with. I remember going downstairs to find my friends’ parents in the living room with my mom trying to figure out how to tell us. I do not remember anything from my life in those few months that did not have a direct connection to Karen. There was no room in my consciousness for anything else. It was not just coping with the loss of a friend, grieving is not something that you have to learn how to do, that part came naturally. It was coming to terms with never knowing why. Suicide comes with about a million different versions of the question why. To this day I have not a single answer.
We have all heard it in a time of loss, “Time will ease your pain/Time heals all/Just give it some time/It will be easier with time.”. Each year I wake up on May 23rd hoping that this is true, giving myself a moment to see how it will feel this year. I never have really felt much in that moment. At least not the stabbing pain that there should be. An ache in my stomach and a feeling of dread is as close as I ever get to the agony that is warranted. It is entirely possible that the loss was such a shock to my system that, to this day, I remain numb.
This year was different. Last night I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t sleep at all. For the first time in a couple years I cried for her. This year the day hit me like an eighteen wheeler. I woke up and was grateful for the dark. I wasn’t ready for the sun yet.
Thinking back on many of the different moments of hope, fear, sadness and excitement I have felt over the past ten years I became completely overwhelmed with the fact that she will never have those moments. She will never have a sense of independence with her first job and her first apartment. She will never have that warm ball of pride in her stomach with her first purchase using her first paycheck that is no ones but her own. She will never be able to appreciate the pure joy of grocery shopping on payday after over a week of nothing but pasta. She will never have a great love, a real relationship. She will never have that amazing feeling when the hopelessness of a devastating heartbreak is lifted with the potential of a new love.
After ten years something else has happened. The little bits of memories that fade with each passing day have now turned into a significant block, and I feel as though I‘m losing her. I remember more details about the days following her death than I do about the days we spent together while she was alive. I have forgotten her voice. How awful. The first picture of her face that I see in my head is one of a girl in a baby blue box with silver angels on the corners. I desperately wish it was one of her smile wearing her blue lipstick.
I never mourned her the way she deserved to be because I had no idea what she had really given up, neither did she. This year was different. This year I cried for her and all she will never see and do, for all that we will never see and do together and for all of my lost memories.
We miss you dear friend.
Karen Striplin
February 23, 1983-May 23 1997
Monday, December 3, 2007
Las Vegas Marathon
Yesterday I ran the Las Vegas Marathon with my brother, Nate, and my friend Sarah. Jessie and Danielle bust out the half. It started as Sarah's 25th birthday party and ended up being one of the most self realizing days of my life.
I met Nate at SFO on Friday and after an hour delay we were off.
Once in Las Vegas we checked into the Luxor Hotel and changed to go to the Expo where we needed to sign up to run the marathon. First we went to register and get our bibs, shirts and goodie bags.
Then we met up with Sarah and Danielle to shop around before going back to the hotel to get ready to go out.
That night we met up with Mr. Mark (Mark, Sarah and I used to work at Bank of the West in Concord together back in the day) and his softball team for dinner. Good food and good people made for a great time before heading to the Hard Rock Cafe to gamble and get a little rowdy.
Back at their room we classed it up swiggin' Absolut and Diet Coke out of the bottle. We went down for everyone to gamble. Danielle won $100 and Nate, well, Nate cashed out, but he got to gamble for the first time since his 21st birthday. We made some friends at the bar with a few Philly boys and hung out until there was only one thing left to do... dance! 
I met Nate at SFO on Friday and after an hour delay we were off.
Once in Las Vegas we checked into the Luxor Hotel and changed to go to the Expo where we needed to sign up to run the marathon. First we went to register and get our bibs, shirts and goodie bags.
Then we met up with Sarah and Danielle to shop around before going back to the hotel to get ready to go out.That night we met up with Mr. Mark (Mark, Sarah and I used to work at Bank of the West in Concord together back in the day) and his softball team for dinner. Good food and good people made for a great time before heading to the Hard Rock Cafe to gamble and get a little rowdy.
Back at their room we classed it up swiggin' Absolut and Diet Coke out of the bottle. We went down for everyone to gamble. Danielle won $100 and Nate, well, Nate cashed out, but he got to gamble for the first time since his 21st birthday. We made some friends at the bar with a few Philly boys and hung out until there was only one thing left to do... dance! At the club we realized that Danielle lost her ID so we ditched the boys, got some food and crashed instead.
Saturday was a lazy day. Time to rest up for the marathon. Nate and I went out to dinner for our carb-fest at seven. By seven thirty I was in the middle of my salad and had an epiphany! How amazing would it be to eat my seafood risotto in my pj's watching TV? We got our food to go and went back to the room to get to bed early for our big day the next morning.
Five AM, holy shit! Time to get up and get ready to run.
We got dressed and went to meet up with the rest of the gang. Walking to the starting line Elvis welcomed us over the stereo, as well of the hundreds of Elvises that turned out to win the Guiness Book record for most Elvises to run a marathon. Robin Leach sent us on our way with a splash of fireworks.
The five of us started together. Running down The Strip past Blue Man Group and all of the glitter of Vegas. After the first mile we stopped to stretch and Nate split off on his own. I wasn't sure how he would do pacing himself but I should have known he would do great.
I ran with Sarah, Jessie and Danielle until Sarah had to rock the Port-O. Off we went on our own ways to face the open desert. It didn't take long before Baldwin caught me. The pace was good and I ran for the first eleven miles without stopping. God it felt amazing! Walking for 30 seconds to a minute at a time at the water stops helped me not burn out but slowed me down a bit. Sarah eventually ran on ahead and I was alone to let my mind wonder with the music blaring through my headphones. Through mile 17 we went back and forth passing each other and then she was on her way.
My legs started to burn. My joints were tight and the sun was bright. Only nine miles to go... ONLY? I ran off and on (more on than off. In the end I ran around 23 miles total) to mile 20. When I saw the mile 20 I knew I wanted it. Suddenly I knew I didn't just want to try, I wanted to get it, and I wanted to get it in under 6 hours... run!
The only way to get my legs to go was to go up on my toes and lean forward giving them an ultimatum: run, or eat pavement.
Mile 24 made me want to do cartwheels. I had 40 minutes to get there at the six hour marker. I thought the guy running next to me was going to collapse with laughter as I did my "lean forward and run" routine. Move your ass, move your ass, move your ass... Go! I ran in spurts and walked as fast as I could. I have never had to dig so deep inside of my being to get something done. It took everything I had, and I didn't hesitate for a moment to give it all.
I forgot that there is a ".2" at the end of the "26" so when I saw the 26 mile marker and no one there I choked up, and started running like I had been at mile eight. God I'm not finished yet! When I saw the finish line I started to cry. The wave of emotion was so intense. Every time I thought of the marathon, while I was training, the moment at the finish line never crossed my mind. Maybe I didn't really think that I would finish. Yet here I was, 26.2 miles later, finishing a full marathon in 5 hours 45 minutes. When I saw everyone at the finish line Sarah's eyes caught mine and we both lost it. Crossing the finish line they put a medal around my neck and handed me a rose. Oh my God, this is real.
Sarah finished ten minutes ahead of me and Nate, the freak of nature that he is, finished in four and a quarter hours. It is a great thing for us all to share and I am so proud of them.
After we got all of our stuff together Mike and Donna (Sarah's parents) took us to get some food. It was neat to see people walking around wearing their medals. We all had the same "I just ran further than any human body was ever made to run" limp and couldn't help but smile at one another.
After brunch we went back to the room, showered and slept. We went to dinner for Baldwin's birthday and then Nate and I had to get to the airport.
Saturday was a lazy day. Time to rest up for the marathon. Nate and I went out to dinner for our carb-fest at seven. By seven thirty I was in the middle of my salad and had an epiphany! How amazing would it be to eat my seafood risotto in my pj's watching TV? We got our food to go and went back to the room to get to bed early for our big day the next morning.
Five AM, holy shit! Time to get up and get ready to run.
We got dressed and went to meet up with the rest of the gang. Walking to the starting line Elvis welcomed us over the stereo, as well of the hundreds of Elvises that turned out to win the Guiness Book record for most Elvises to run a marathon. Robin Leach sent us on our way with a splash of fireworks.
The five of us started together. Running down The Strip past Blue Man Group and all of the glitter of Vegas. After the first mile we stopped to stretch and Nate split off on his own. I wasn't sure how he would do pacing himself but I should have known he would do great.I ran with Sarah, Jessie and Danielle until Sarah had to rock the Port-O. Off we went on our own ways to face the open desert. It didn't take long before Baldwin caught me. The pace was good and I ran for the first eleven miles without stopping. God it felt amazing! Walking for 30 seconds to a minute at a time at the water stops helped me not burn out but slowed me down a bit. Sarah eventually ran on ahead and I was alone to let my mind wonder with the music blaring through my headphones. Through mile 17 we went back and forth passing each other and then she was on her way.My legs started to burn. My joints were tight and the sun was bright. Only nine miles to go... ONLY? I ran off and on (more on than off. In the end I ran around 23 miles total) to mile 20. When I saw the mile 20 I knew I wanted it. Suddenly I knew I didn't just want to try, I wanted to get it, and I wanted to get it in under 6 hours... run!
The only way to get my legs to go was to go up on my toes and lean forward giving them an ultimatum: run, or eat pavement.
Mile 24 made me want to do cartwheels. I had 40 minutes to get there at the six hour marker. I thought the guy running next to me was going to collapse with laughter as I did my "lean forward and run" routine. Move your ass, move your ass, move your ass... Go! I ran in spurts and walked as fast as I could. I have never had to dig so deep inside of my being to get something done. It took everything I had, and I didn't hesitate for a moment to give it all.
I forgot that there is a ".2" at the end of the "26" so when I saw the 26 mile marker and no one there I choked up, and started running like I had been at mile eight. God I'm not finished yet! When I saw the finish line I started to cry. The wave of emotion was so intense. Every time I thought of the marathon, while I was training, the moment at the finish line never crossed my mind. Maybe I didn't really think that I would finish. Yet here I was, 26.2 miles later, finishing a full marathon in 5 hours 45 minutes. When I saw everyone at the finish line Sarah's eyes caught mine and we both lost it. Crossing the finish line they put a medal around my neck and handed me a rose. Oh my God, this is real.
Sarah finished ten minutes ahead of me and Nate, the freak of nature that he is, finished in four and a quarter hours. It is a great thing for us all to share and I am so proud of them.After we got all of our stuff together Mike and Donna (Sarah's parents) took us to get some food. It was neat to see people walking around wearing their medals. We all had the same "I just ran further than any human body was ever made to run" limp and couldn't help but smile at one another.After brunch we went back to the room, showered and slept. We went to dinner for Baldwin's birthday and then Nate and I had to get to the airport.
Today I have pain like nothing I have ever felt. I hurt. I hurt really bad. My muscles are getting better (the sudden muscle spasms in my legs that threaten to topple me over are fewer and further between and I can bend my knees again). My ankle is soooo fucked up! Wow! I didn't know I could have done it so dirty and still been able to stand let alone finished the race. I was wrong, ha ha! I can feel the tendinitis in my left ankle, that hindered my training a couple of months ago, all throughout my foot now. The tendinitis in my hip from my Elephant Bar days is back and I am pretty sure my right big toe nail is comin' off. All of this is overshadowed by this ridiculous feeling of accomplishment I have. I can't help but smile through the exhaustion of two hours of sleep and the intense workout of yesterday.
Nate says he would never do it again. I will. I will train easier but longer and fully intend to chip away at my time with every go at it. In the mean time it is great to know that five or even ten Ks won't be a problem and will even be something that I will enjoy to do in the future.
I know that this was my accomplishment. I took those 55 thousand steps (I wore a pedometer my mom gave me just to see) all on my own. But I have to thank Baldwin for planting the idea as a possibility. I would have never done it on my own.
**More pictures in my Picasa album linked below.**
Nate says he would never do it again. I will. I will train easier but longer and fully intend to chip away at my time with every go at it. In the mean time it is great to know that five or even ten Ks won't be a problem and will even be something that I will enjoy to do in the future.
I know that this was my accomplishment. I took those 55 thousand steps (I wore a pedometer my mom gave me just to see) all on my own. But I have to thank Baldwin for planting the idea as a possibility. I would have never done it on my own.
**More pictures in my Picasa album linked below.**
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