I fear I've turned this blog into complaint central, not to mention my movie reviews have run dry. JC and I watched The Lost City the other night just for something different. It's Andy Garcia's directoral debut and I wasn't too disappointed. You may read some surprise into that because I am certainly not an Andy Garcia fan. The most likeable role he's done, in my book, was his role of Arturo Sandoval in that man's bio. pic. Anyway, it was quiet and had a great story. Garcia is obviously proud of his home nation of Cuba and his conflicted feelings are shown, fairly well, in this semi-biographical film. It was worth the rental fee.
That was so not where I was trying to take this entry. This is:
4 THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT ME
Four jobs I have had in my life:
Caretaker for disabled people (me too d!)
case manager
Wal-mart cashier
Telemarketer
Four movies I've watched more than once:
Goonies
Royal Tennenbaums
The Color Purple
Napoleon Dynamite
Four places I have lived:
Salisbury, NC
Durham, NC
Brooklyn, NY
Portland, OR
Four T.V. Shows that I watch:
Heroes
Futurama
King of Queens
Jeopardy!
Four favorite past time activities:
Fun with yarn (crochet/knit)
Read
Watch movies
Take walks with folks
Four places I have been:
Billings, MT (I'm just still amazed at that one...)
San Francisco, CA
Phoenix, AZ
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
People who e-mail me (regularly)
Joshua-Ian
Danette
Maureen
Kronda
Four of my favorite foods:
Ones served during Breakfast
Burritos
Turkey
Mushrooms
Four places I would rather be right now
In our own place
On a beach
Flying somewhere new
In bed
Four things I am looking forward to this year
Visiting folks
My first holiday season with the husband
Routine
more peace
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
w00! the ride never ends. i'm too tired to do any...
w00! the ride never ends. i'm too tired to do anything else but a bullet point update on life thus far. it's been so good talking to you guys and i'm really looking forward to my trip to new york.
*so yeah, i'm going to new york. it's been two and a half years since i've been and that's far too long. going to see my boy B's marriage to his lady. i'm so happy for him. i recall our time at DC37 talking about dating. now look at us...
*I HAVE A JOB! yep, i got an offer today. i'll be working as an Intake Specialist for EAP Consultants, Inc. in Atlanta. strictly phone work, no client interactions, i'm just answering phones and referring to clinicians. for that i get what i made in portland so that's not too shabby considering the lower cost of living. oy. it only took 6 weeks huh? pretty significant to me because that's how long i lived here when i graduated from college. it was miserable then. it hasn't been puppies and rainbows this time but at least i have something.
*the air conditioning went out in my sister's home on sunday so we spent three nights at my mom's house. yep, all of us. she had all her daughters under her roof. i think she was secretly happy about that. she did comment: "i'm supposed to be empty-nesting but i come home and i've got my kids here, their kids, their husbands..." but then she laughed. har. luckily the air came back on yesterday and we're back in the routine.
*i got a library card! not terribly exciting to read about but i am thrilled.
*so far this month atlanta has hit the 100+ temperature mark ten days. on the other days it was over 95. the last time the temp. read in the 80s was july 28th.
*"Get your skate on with the Lord". yes, i am back in the belt. that was painted on the glass door of the rollerskating rink i went to on sunday. jc and i were having a rare date out and decided to try skating. we actually hadn't been skating since our first date so it was pretty cool. oddly, in the last year and half, i've become a better skater while he has deteriorated. it was 'adult night' but that meant "everyone who has skated their whole lives and can do this better than most people walk night" and then there was us. but it was fun and we laughed at the Jesus on skates painting while drinking our diet dr. peppers. good times.
* the husband is down in phoenix for the next five days. i miss him. unfortunately, he gets back the night before i leave. we'll have some fun when i get back ;-)
* speaking of, we will *hopefully* be moving into our place that second weekend in september. more good juju please.
* the nieces are precious! i took more pictures today and hope to post them soon. i just have to find that damn camera cord...
*so yeah, i'm going to new york. it's been two and a half years since i've been and that's far too long. going to see my boy B's marriage to his lady. i'm so happy for him. i recall our time at DC37 talking about dating. now look at us...
*I HAVE A JOB! yep, i got an offer today. i'll be working as an Intake Specialist for EAP Consultants, Inc. in Atlanta. strictly phone work, no client interactions, i'm just answering phones and referring to clinicians. for that i get what i made in portland so that's not too shabby considering the lower cost of living. oy. it only took 6 weeks huh? pretty significant to me because that's how long i lived here when i graduated from college. it was miserable then. it hasn't been puppies and rainbows this time but at least i have something.
*the air conditioning went out in my sister's home on sunday so we spent three nights at my mom's house. yep, all of us. she had all her daughters under her roof. i think she was secretly happy about that. she did comment: "i'm supposed to be empty-nesting but i come home and i've got my kids here, their kids, their husbands..." but then she laughed. har. luckily the air came back on yesterday and we're back in the routine.
*i got a library card! not terribly exciting to read about but i am thrilled.
*so far this month atlanta has hit the 100+ temperature mark ten days. on the other days it was over 95. the last time the temp. read in the 80s was july 28th.
*"Get your skate on with the Lord". yes, i am back in the belt. that was painted on the glass door of the rollerskating rink i went to on sunday. jc and i were having a rare date out and decided to try skating. we actually hadn't been skating since our first date so it was pretty cool. oddly, in the last year and half, i've become a better skater while he has deteriorated. it was 'adult night' but that meant "everyone who has skated their whole lives and can do this better than most people walk night" and then there was us. but it was fun and we laughed at the Jesus on skates painting while drinking our diet dr. peppers. good times.
* the husband is down in phoenix for the next five days. i miss him. unfortunately, he gets back the night before i leave. we'll have some fun when i get back ;-)
* speaking of, we will *hopefully* be moving into our place that second weekend in september. more good juju please.
* the nieces are precious! i took more pictures today and hope to post them soon. i just have to find that damn camera cord...
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
calling all good vibe givers
As my sister says, "And so..." I have an interview on Friday with an EAP company. I submitted my resume the first week I got here. I didn't think that I would be called at all but I figured what the hell. Well, they called yesterday, screened me and forwarded me on with a promise of someone getting back to me. That person did today and I'm going on Friday. As I said, send me all the good vibes you can. Thanks!
In other news, I'm feeling beat down with fatigue and the sniffles. My sister told me in the middle of the night that she felt that she had feelings of pressure in her chest. Off we went to the ER. Luckily, we went to the hospital our mom works at and she was still there. That helped us get through straightaway and luckily we weren't there too long. The official diagnosis was inflammation of where the sternum joins the ribs. Yikes. She got some drugs and we left. And. I. had. Waffle. House. Hash browns. If you've never had some scattered, smothered and covered hash browns then I feel a little bad for you. However, I can't eat that stuff as much as I used to, thankfully, so I enjoyed what I did have.
Things remain tense in our wait for a position to come to one or both of us. I've been meditating on gratitude and asking for answers. I can say I can truly see now how our presence here has greatly helped my family. Of course, if we weren't here certain situations would have played out anyway but I can't deny the great help we've been. I know you're never supposed to do things expecting something back and I certainly don't act with that expectation but I am hoping some that comes back to us.
Until later...
In other news, I'm feeling beat down with fatigue and the sniffles. My sister told me in the middle of the night that she felt that she had feelings of pressure in her chest. Off we went to the ER. Luckily, we went to the hospital our mom works at and she was still there. That helped us get through straightaway and luckily we weren't there too long. The official diagnosis was inflammation of where the sternum joins the ribs. Yikes. She got some drugs and we left. And. I. had. Waffle. House. Hash browns. If you've never had some scattered, smothered and covered hash browns then I feel a little bad for you. However, I can't eat that stuff as much as I used to, thankfully, so I enjoyed what I did have.
Things remain tense in our wait for a position to come to one or both of us. I've been meditating on gratitude and asking for answers. I can say I can truly see now how our presence here has greatly helped my family. Of course, if we weren't here certain situations would have played out anyway but I can't deny the great help we've been. I know you're never supposed to do things expecting something back and I certainly don't act with that expectation but I am hoping some that comes back to us.
Until later...
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
through the fire
As my beautiful twin nieces celebrate their 3rd week out of the womb, JC and I celebrate our 4th week in the ATL. "News" continues it's roller coaster route. The interview that JC had on Monday was, in his words, "the best interview I've ever had". Wow. That man is to let the chosen candidate know on Friday. To say we're anxious is putting about where it needs to be. *Grin*. I mean, seriously, I've taken up running! What's that about?!
My news is more of a mixed bag. The SW prn referral has yet to pan out. I've let a message twice with the hiring entity to no avail. I'm now greatly suspicious of social workers down here. Hmph! On the other hand, my sister got us on as subs since she knows the HR director of the county's education board. It's good to have connections. I can't begin that until September but at least it's money coming in. Sadly, subbing everyday will also pay more than my previous job did. Tsk.
What else? Nothing. We say a couple of movies which I will review eventually. Otherwise we've got a little routine that I'm not finding altogether awful anymore. We've given ourselves until 9/30. If nothing substantial comes our way by then, well....
My mom treated my middle sister and me to a pedicure today. Actually, my pedicure is payment for my helping my mother figure out her palm pilot. As I have never owned (nor do I want to- it's the other piece of technology I'm not all that into. The other? The microwave.) a palm pilot, I'm glad I got the pedicure first. After looking it over though, I realized it's not all that difficult; just a little synching up with her laptop and she'll be good to go.
Alright, well, the heat index was 109 today and I was D-Y-I-N-G! So now I'm going to bed. Possibly nude...hmmm....
My news is more of a mixed bag. The SW prn referral has yet to pan out. I've let a message twice with the hiring entity to no avail. I'm now greatly suspicious of social workers down here. Hmph! On the other hand, my sister got us on as subs since she knows the HR director of the county's education board. It's good to have connections. I can't begin that until September but at least it's money coming in. Sadly, subbing everyday will also pay more than my previous job did. Tsk.
What else? Nothing. We say a couple of movies which I will review eventually. Otherwise we've got a little routine that I'm not finding altogether awful anymore. We've given ourselves until 9/30. If nothing substantial comes our way by then, well....
My mom treated my middle sister and me to a pedicure today. Actually, my pedicure is payment for my helping my mother figure out her palm pilot. As I have never owned (nor do I want to- it's the other piece of technology I'm not all that into. The other? The microwave.) a palm pilot, I'm glad I got the pedicure first. After looking it over though, I realized it's not all that difficult; just a little synching up with her laptop and she'll be good to go.
Alright, well, the heat index was 109 today and I was D-Y-I-N-G! So now I'm going to bed. Possibly nude...hmmm....
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
"You're the biggest poser of all"
Wild Hogs. Ok, in a moment of boredom and desperation for something to do the husband and I went to local dollar theatre (seriously, just $1 on Tuesday and $1.25 all other days) and this was our best option. Eh.
What we see here is the disjointed, rushed together story of four middle aged men in need of some excitement in their lives. They belong to their own "motorcycle gang" called the "Wild Hogs". They take a short ride every Sudnay to the nearest bar, drink and recall the good ol' days. They're each depressed with the status quo so they decide to take a road trip on their motorcycles, heading to the Pacific from Cincinnati, Ohio.
This movie has been done before with so many different age groups, races, genders, etc. and this movie did not shine amongst other notables like "Thelma & Louise" or "Broken Flowers" or most similar to what I think they were honoring "Easy Rider". The movie even features a cameo by Peter Fonda. I hope he was paid well.
I can't completely complain because it was $1 but if I had paid more I would've been upset. Oh, the movie, right. Well, along the way they each learn a valuable lesson that will make them a better person when they get back to Ohio. That is, oddly, except for John Travolta's character, Woody. He finally confesses SPOILER to the guys that he's getting divorced, is broke and has lost his house. This is never mentioned in the end. Truthfully, his acting is so over-the-top bad you don't really care.
D.
As I said, thank you God for broke down, cheap theatres.
What we see here is the disjointed, rushed together story of four middle aged men in need of some excitement in their lives. They belong to their own "motorcycle gang" called the "Wild Hogs". They take a short ride every Sudnay to the nearest bar, drink and recall the good ol' days. They're each depressed with the status quo so they decide to take a road trip on their motorcycles, heading to the Pacific from Cincinnati, Ohio.
This movie has been done before with so many different age groups, races, genders, etc. and this movie did not shine amongst other notables like "Thelma & Louise" or "Broken Flowers" or most similar to what I think they were honoring "Easy Rider". The movie even features a cameo by Peter Fonda. I hope he was paid well.
I can't completely complain because it was $1 but if I had paid more I would've been upset. Oh, the movie, right. Well, along the way they each learn a valuable lesson that will make them a better person when they get back to Ohio. That is, oddly, except for John Travolta's character, Woody. He finally confesses SPOILER to the guys that he's getting divorced, is broke and has lost his house. This is never mentioned in the end. Truthfully, his acting is so over-the-top bad you don't really care.
D.
As I said, thank you God for broke down, cheap theatres.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
"Your birthday is 4/15/71"
Bourne Ultimatum. A lazy Sunday morning found me in a multiplex with my sister, her daughter and her daughter's caretaker. The daughter and daughter's caretaker were supposed to be seeing "Ratatouille" but I got the times/theatres mixed up. My niece was happier sitting with all of us anyway and I could not stomach the idea of seeing a rat run around in people's food. Yuck.
This third installment of the Bourne series is based on Jason Bourne seeking the people who began the CIA covert 'Treadstone'. He is eager to find his true identity...again. Before I was so judgemental, I let myself drift into the story. It was not awful. He's being tracked by an evil CIA agent played by David Straitharn, of "Good Night and Good Luck" fame. He's great as the man without a conscience, willing to go down with his sinking ship of a program. Joan Allen and Julia Stiles reprise their roles from "The Bourne Supremacy".
The action is stellar and Matt Damon was terrific as the stoic, confused, highly motivated Jason Bourne. I find his Jason Bourne a sympathetic character. Without revealing anything, I found the ending a little lacking in his reaction to the truth. You let me know what you think, eh?
I've been hearing they're thinking of turning the series into a long running "Bond 007" type of franchise. I'm not so sure that'd be a wise decision but this movie was definitely number one at the box office for a reason.
B+
This third installment of the Bourne series is based on Jason Bourne seeking the people who began the CIA covert 'Treadstone'. He is eager to find his true identity...again. Before I was so judgemental, I let myself drift into the story. It was not awful. He's being tracked by an evil CIA agent played by David Straitharn, of "Good Night and Good Luck" fame. He's great as the man without a conscience, willing to go down with his sinking ship of a program. Joan Allen and Julia Stiles reprise their roles from "The Bourne Supremacy".
The action is stellar and Matt Damon was terrific as the stoic, confused, highly motivated Jason Bourne. I find his Jason Bourne a sympathetic character. Without revealing anything, I found the ending a little lacking in his reaction to the truth. You let me know what you think, eh?
I've been hearing they're thinking of turning the series into a long running "Bond 007" type of franchise. I'm not so sure that'd be a wise decision but this movie was definitely number one at the box office for a reason.
B+
Upswing
Things are in an upswing in the continual bipolar-esque life of job hunting. I had my meeting with social work prn and she was really supportive. We had a good chat about social work, east v. west coast and racism. I believe she finds me fascinating because of my perspective on different parts of country. Anyway, she found a possible match for me. It's a part-time position doing community counseling. Much like the other lead I had but I like that this is a start-up program with only fourteen clients. There's the potential to go full-time but I'm satisfied with twenty hours because it's, sadly, only a couple of hundred less than what I made in my last full-time job. Sigh.
The husband had an interview that he said went very well. As we approached the highway leaving the interview, he got a call for another interview on Monday. So, indeed, there is an upswing in activity.
We're off this afternoon to take some tests for teaching. My brother came in last night and we stayed up playing 500. He's hilarious! We're going to have a good ol' southern cookout this afternoon. I'm preparing deviled eggs. Yum!
Much love to my Rockaway girls! I looked at the scrapbook this morning and I managed not to cry but my heart is definitely still touched.
Hugs!
The husband had an interview that he said went very well. As we approached the highway leaving the interview, he got a call for another interview on Monday. So, indeed, there is an upswing in activity.
We're off this afternoon to take some tests for teaching. My brother came in last night and we stayed up playing 500. He's hilarious! We're going to have a good ol' southern cookout this afternoon. I'm preparing deviled eggs. Yum!
Much love to my Rockaway girls! I looked at the scrapbook this morning and I managed not to cry but my heart is definitely still touched.
Hugs!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
one mile
i ran that today. without stopping. go me! go me!
hey- it may not sound like much but i am not lying when i say i have not run that far for that long since 1992.
damn.
hey- it may not sound like much but i am not lying when i say i have not run that far for that long since 1992.
damn.
i just don't know
As JC and I have marked our three week stay in Georgia (coincidentally this is the amount of time it took us to find work in Portland when we both moved there) we find ourselves sitting on our bed with little to do.
My super fast job offer seems to have disappeared as I have not heard from the man since. JC's sure-fire hire at my sister's old school did disappear as the school lost one hundred students and therefore his position. To call this time a test would be accurate. However, what I find most interesting is that we, as a couple 'we', are doing better than ever. I suppose I can only speak for myself but there were times that I just could not imagine I could ever constantly be with someone. People tended to annoy me after a few days together. I never imagined weathering such a move and transient existence with someone else! Well, now I know. That's half the battle, right?
My super fast job offer seems to have disappeared as I have not heard from the man since. JC's sure-fire hire at my sister's old school did disappear as the school lost one hundred students and therefore his position. To call this time a test would be accurate. However, what I find most interesting is that we, as a couple 'we', are doing better than ever. I suppose I can only speak for myself but there were times that I just could not imagine I could ever constantly be with someone. People tended to annoy me after a few days together. I never imagined weathering such a move and transient existence with someone else! Well, now I know. That's half the battle, right?
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