Happy Birthday to Becktile

2006-06-29 - 8:46 p.m.

A day late and a dollar short, that's me!

The Boy came to visit. He's coming back soon! I was going to visit this weekend, but UNITED AIRLINES IS THE DEVIL!

Cheap flights this weekend, because they're overbooking like crazy. And when I say cheap? I lie! LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE.

$416 is not cheap to fly from here to Pittsburgh. But that's what it was on Tuesday. And when I tried to purchase said overpriced ticket? there were NO seats left to chose from. Ok, there was one. On the connecting flight TO Pittsburgh, which means I wouldn't have made the flight anyway.

Isn't this illegal somehow?

I know, go check the statutes, it's not.

Sigh.

Anyway... Midsummer reviews went very well. My scar from the treadmill throwing me is fading (did I mention this?). There are toy accordions here, and kids like them.... Ummm... Pick a topic, I promise I'll write about it!

Reunions

2006-06-18 - 11:59 a.m.

First off, how strange it is to me that amalah and I graduated the same year of high school. She's all mommy and stuff. I just thought she must be older than me, dunno.

I read her post on her high school reunion and was triplely glad I didn't go back to my 10th year reunion. For as much as I can relate to not fitting in, I also had this huge "I so TOO belong here" in a different way.

When you're in a private school and you're the scholarship kid, it's not fun. It's even less fun when the only other scholarship kids are all another race than you (and everyone else in the school), and so they bond and don't really want to have anything to do with anyone else. Add to that my dislike for athletics, my overwhelming shyness (People in my school really, no really, thought I was mute. As in, I had a physical disability.), and general anger issues.

My parents got hauled in a lot because the school was worried I would "do something." I'm assuming, mainly because I am female, that they thought I would kill myself. I didn't wear all black, like a lot of kids, nor did I do drugs or really anything very interesting whatsoever. But I also didn't really talk to anyone. Why should I? These kids were getting Porshe 911's for their 16th birthdays and flying to Europe for Spring Break. It wasn't the world I went home to.

See, most people would say, "you're married, you're happy with your life, you're on a great career path." And yes, I am so grateful for these things. But going to school with the Lucky Sperm Club (yay, mom making me laugh) makes you realize there are a bunch of people out there that no matter how much you accomplish, they don't get it. And fair enough, I was lucky in the genetic pool to get the brains I did, and the family I did to push me to use it. But I didn't grow up going to the "Club" for dinner twice a week and complaining that my parents had the audacity to buy me a Saturn for my 16th rather than a Jag, like I asked. (Notice I didn't say "sweet" 16th.)

So instead of getting depressed and feeling bad about myself, as I would around these people, no matter how happy I am with my life, I'll just go visit the teachers when I go back home.

They're the people I liked anyway.

Not Enough Hours in the Day

2006-06-05 - 9:35 p.m.

There just aren't. I had an entry for Saturday, but I got pulled away from writing it. Why? Because I was going to see some stand-up comedy. Not bad, either!

Life is busy here. Which is good. It's actually a little taxing for someone who is used to spending most nights at home, chilling and working on her little projects. So, yes, I have more of a life in a town where I don't really know anyone.

To answer questions: X-men 3 was good. I liked it a lot and hope they continue the movie empire. Of course, I want them to bring back the cartoon, too, but what do you expect from a fan?

Then what have I been doing? Well, all sorts of stuff, really. I went to the comedy club and saw Tom Simmons. Some other guys, as well. Oddly enough, I went with one of the Boy's exes. We tend to get along with each other's old flames. Guess that makes sense, since we get along with each other's friends, too. This one is a sweetheart with not enough self-confidence. Yes, even worse than me. :) Her friend who came, too, is awesome. I hope I get to see them again soon.

Then, after getting back at what seemed like 5am to my old body (it was 1am), I got up at 7am to go to church so I could go to Grand Old Days with the in-laws.

I am not good without sleep. I don't know why. I am terrified of having kids for this specific reason. But I stumbled through mass and grocery shopping and several hours of a really cute local fair. It's got a parade down one of the main streets of St. Paul and lots of bad food. My nephews really liked this dude dressed up like a chicken in generic "martial arts" attire. The little guy cried when we had to say "bye-bye" to the chicken. Then, I went back to the host parents and slept for a few hours.

Ok, I don't know if it's that it's rather warm on the second floor or that the Boy's not around or that it's bright in the room or what. But I really am having trouble sleeping in the room. The house is quiet, I have a fan going, and it's just not happening. I think it's more that my mind is racing. Wednesday, I'll have to take my car into the shop to get something fixed, and I need to get the oil changed soon, too. There's so much going on all the time, I feel like I'm going to fall over. And everytime I think I'll catch up on sleep, it never happens. I need to remember to put some pants in the Dryel bag tomorrow morning because I'll be out late tomorrow night for work stuff, and I just wish someone would be here to help me remember. But such is life without the Boy to pick up on my shortcomings.

Notice the countdown on the sidebar. Yep, I miss him.

I better go to sleep before I turn into a pumpkin. Good night everyone.

Eulogy for a Wedding DJ

2006-06-02 - 5:28 p.m.

(I'm cheating, but I have enough for two entries, and you should just be happy I'm writing!)

We had a really great DJ for our wedding. Played everything we wanted, didn't hit on anyone inappropriately, was discreet and didn't blast the music too loudly. Had something for every age.

Our DJ was an iPod.

I had the idea a long time before, and the Boy and our parents chipped in for it for a Christmas present. I dutifully used one of the law database providers to get points, so we got all the songs legally and for free. We did have some moments of panic because someone forgot the cable to connect the iPod to the speakers we rented, but luckily, my uncle had a spare in his car. (Yes, my uncle does stuff like this ALL the time.)

Then, I got into audiobooks, and the iPod was again my friend. I got all these comedy skits and songs and books on my iPod. This summer, riding the light rail (Minnesota metro train) and being susceptible to motion sickness, I've used my iPod every day to pass the hour there and back. It's done several road trips, and, well, become a good part of our lives. Like a mix CD, but even more so.

Yesterday, the iPod started to play a song for a few seconds, then go to the next song. I figured the hard drive was having problems, so I turned it off and back on.

Unhappy screen of death.

I could get into all of what went on, but I have to say, I was actually pretty attached to the stupid thing. When I got to the Apple store that night (yes, I went on a Friday night to a store to get my iPod fixed. If that doesn't tell you how I felt, nothing will.), the "genius" (that's their title, leave me be) told me that it was pretty much a done deal. He worked on it for a while, but, alas, it was hung up and I've heard a busted hard drive before myself.

As well, the Boy even bought a cover for the iPod. I'll admit something he doesn't know, now that it doesn't matter. He bought a purple cover, because, as you can tell, I love the color. As a case? I HATED the case. But I loved it, because the Boy remembered what color I liked and thought he'd get me a surprise. And that makes so much more the difference.

The warranty? Had expired last Christmas. Yeah, the one time we didn't by an extended warranty? I know. Me, too.

So, I got a new iPod. I know. I feel completely shallow and stupid. I got a student discount and a "recycle" discount (any student who has a working or non-working iPod can get this discount if they bring in their iPod). I got a nano, as well, since it's the cheaper one out there and I don't need a video player right now. And I will be using this every single day, no doubt. It will be great for the road trip back to Pittsburgh, to Buffalo, and probably next spring as well.

There's a cheap side to me, who is angry I had to buy something new when I didn't want to. There is an emotional side to me that wants the iPod I had for my wedding, that held all the songs and stupid Thundercats outtakes and all that stuff that I cared about on one device. And there's a practical side to me that says that the Boy and I are VERY lucky right now. We only have to pay for our apartment back in Pittsburgh, because the host family is AMAZING. We only have one car right now, because Pittsburgh has good public transportation. And we're pulling in enough money at this point that the nano isn't completely stupid.

So yes, I've just spent money on a flashy new device. I bought something I didn't NEED. And that bothers me a great deal. But if I had to pick between going to fancy restaurants or having an iPod, I'd pick the iPod. Movies or an iPod? Same thing. So I guess we all have our priorities.

Rest in Peace, Wedding DJ. You were well-loved.

Minneconsin

2006-05-25 - 9:28 p.m.

I am alive. I apologize if I made anyone worry, but it's hard to get a high speed internet connection out here in the frozen tundra of...

Ok, I'm not actually going to go that route. First, it's too easy. Minneapolis has suburbs that go on forEVER, and there are many people, and the temperature was in the 80's today. Which may have been warmer than Pittsburgh.

Oh, right.

I'm in Minneapolis for the summer now. I will be here for the next 10 weeks. The Boy is in Pittsburgh. I'm working at a firm here. That's the only time it will be mentioned.

Other stuff. Hmmm... My nephews? Are the most precious adorable children ever. My "host family" is awesome and puts up with the idea of high speed internet access in their house for me. I do actually need it for doing other websites, and this way, the Boy and I can see each other on web cams. Yay! Any good clients for that, guys?

I got kick-ass grades for the semester. As people from school may be reading this blog now, I won't be announcing them online here anymore. But they were much better than last semester, which I will credit with no one dying in my family.

Hmmm....

KERRY SHOULD VISIT ME.

As should anyone else who loves me. The Boy comes out in 29 days. Yay! I'm seeing X-men this weekend. Yes, this is a brain dump of an entry, but I haven't been able to talk to you all in so long. Also, the host family reads this blog, so they should be amused that they now have the names. Host sister is moving back from China at the end of July. That will be fun, but strange, since I've never lived in a house with anyone younger than me before.

No, really. Roommates, yes. Family setting, no.

I'm going to try a new thing every week here. Today was cutting people off. Here, it's apparently not just acceptable, but the only way to get into another lane. See! Minneconsin, not Lake Woebegone (spelling is optional when you're tired).

Well, I need to iron and take a shower. Hope this fills you all in on some of it. Questions are encouraged, and I might even respond to comments now!

Minneapolis Monday - DC Monday - 2007-08-06
Okay - 2007-08-02
The End is Here - 2007-07-26
Two Years - 2007-07-23
Screaming to a Halt - 2007-07-21

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