The job interview went well. The position, dare I say it, would be assistant director. The work sounds interesting, challenging, exciting, stressful. The pay is good, the hours good, the director nice.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves. This could totally go either way. I was the first interviewee in a group of about five. I would really like this job, but I'm trying to remain calm and reasonable.
Oh well. Stop obsessing. We'll see. (Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!!)
Monday, April 30, 2007
Heaven (Monday, April 30)
4:56AM
Mike brought me coffee. I feel as though I barely slept. I want to ride my bicycle before I interview at 10AM.
There is sand in my bed from my walk on the beach last night. I walked for 40 minutes. I thought about ... Heaven. (Blame it on the book I'm reading.) It was a strange thought, foreign. I thought maybe if I am headed to heaven someday and each person's heaven is different, then the beach is my heaven. Not the cold windy beach of last night, though the fresh air felt good, helped me. Warm sand, calm steady ocean. Blue sky, blue sea, yellow sun. That would be my heaven.
It is, after all, my thinking place. Where I go, when I have the presence of mind to make myself go, when I've been holed up for too long, when my thoughts seem on the verge of consuming me, when the stale air feels suffocating. The ocean gives me strength when I feel weak. It gives me focus when I feel distracted. It is a constant, its movements, its noise. It is all-consuming and that ability awes me. I do my best thinking when I walk in the uneven sand. I do my best writing in my head.
I read half a biography yesterday - John Keats. He wished instead of thoughts we had sensations all the time. Scientifically, he pointed out, all thoughts begin as sensations. When my thoughts are too much to bear, the ocean turns them into sensations. And I realize what's real, and what's inconsequential.
"Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be." Kept playing through my heart. This morning, at five to five, when Mike went out to the kitchen I wanted to yell "LOVE ME FOREVER!" Instead I whispered it, to myself. He might have taken it as doubt. To me, it is hope. That this is not too good to be true. How much I love this man. How much he loves me.
Mike left for work at 5:15AM. I read for about 30 minutes, intending to get out of bed about 6AM and go for a walk or a bicycle ride. I fell back asleep.
Mike brought me coffee. I feel as though I barely slept. I want to ride my bicycle before I interview at 10AM.
There is sand in my bed from my walk on the beach last night. I walked for 40 minutes. I thought about ... Heaven. (Blame it on the book I'm reading.) It was a strange thought, foreign. I thought maybe if I am headed to heaven someday and each person's heaven is different, then the beach is my heaven. Not the cold windy beach of last night, though the fresh air felt good, helped me. Warm sand, calm steady ocean. Blue sky, blue sea, yellow sun. That would be my heaven.
It is, after all, my thinking place. Where I go, when I have the presence of mind to make myself go, when I've been holed up for too long, when my thoughts seem on the verge of consuming me, when the stale air feels suffocating. The ocean gives me strength when I feel weak. It gives me focus when I feel distracted. It is a constant, its movements, its noise. It is all-consuming and that ability awes me. I do my best thinking when I walk in the uneven sand. I do my best writing in my head.
I read half a biography yesterday - John Keats. He wished instead of thoughts we had sensations all the time. Scientifically, he pointed out, all thoughts begin as sensations. When my thoughts are too much to bear, the ocean turns them into sensations. And I realize what's real, and what's inconsequential.
"Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be." Kept playing through my heart. This morning, at five to five, when Mike went out to the kitchen I wanted to yell "LOVE ME FOREVER!" Instead I whispered it, to myself. He might have taken it as doubt. To me, it is hope. That this is not too good to be true. How much I love this man. How much he loves me.
Mike left for work at 5:15AM. I read for about 30 minutes, intending to get out of bed about 6AM and go for a walk or a bicycle ride. I fell back asleep.
BEST WINE EVER (Sunday, April 29)
Venatura 2004 Willow Creek Pinot Noir
100% Organic
$15.99 a bottle
Worth every penny
I'm not even exaggerating or using hyperbole or anything: This is the most delicious wine I've ever consumed. Do yourselves a favor and track down a bottle today.
***
According to my car's odometer Mike and I biked 6 miles Saturday morning. Not bad for first bicycle ride in many years.
***
Redwood Coast Music Jazz Festival Headquarters. This is where my interview is. (Not getting ahead of myself, but nice location, on 5th and G, could easily ride my bicycle here.)
100% Organic
$15.99 a bottle
Worth every penny
I'm not even exaggerating or using hyperbole or anything: This is the most delicious wine I've ever consumed. Do yourselves a favor and track down a bottle today.
***
According to my car's odometer Mike and I biked 6 miles Saturday morning. Not bad for first bicycle ride in many years.
***
Redwood Coast Music Jazz Festival Headquarters. This is where my interview is. (Not getting ahead of myself, but nice location, on 5th and G, could easily ride my bicycle here.)
Day in Review (Saturday, April 28)
*Bicycle ride 7:45AM with Mike to Old Towne Coffee and Chocolates
*After Kaya was done with gymnastics the four of us went to Golden Harvest in Arcata for breakfast. The kids both had "hot cakes," Mike had eggs benedict, I had an omelette with spinach, cheddar cheese and black olives. It was quite delicious and a very nice time. Kaya insisted on sitting next to me.
*Then we wandered around the very packed Arcata square/farmers market.
*I saw Laurie's twin up ahead at the farmers market. Same hair, same clothes, same walk, same mannerisms. I kept hoping she'd turn around even though I knew it wasn't her. She never did though. It probably would have ruined the illusion anyway.
*Then we dropped Mike off at work (we left his care there last night) and the kids and I went to the Arcata library, which was tiny, and not well-equipped.
*After an hour at the library, where the kids read Discovery Kids magazines and had me read/look at just about every page of every copy (they read about 10 of them), we left Arcata for the pet store in Eureka. Kaya and Josh ran around saying, "Naomi, look at this. Naomi, look at this!" We viewed, and oohed and ahhed over their baby cuteness as most if not all were very young and fresh in life, numerous birds, fish, and rodents. There was a very big iguana out front surrounded by about 20 billion 10-year-old girl scouts.
*After going to one more pet store AND a toy store, I was beat. We went back home, where Kaya read Scary Stories, and I started my current novel. Josh played X-box.
*Mike got home around 5PM and then we went to Fortuna and sold some glass. Then the four of us went to Round Table for pizza. Kaya insisted on sitting next to me and going with me up to the salad bar. She's such a cutie. I never thought I'd say this, but there was waaaaaaaaaaaay too much cheese on the pizza. The salad bar, though overpriced, was pretty delicious though. Josh was getting pretty crabby/overly hungry, but was better after he had some pizza. Sitting at a family pizza place sharing pizza with this little family that might sort of be mine (a little bit) felt so domestic. And nice.
*We went home and Mike put in a movie. Kaya fell asleep cuddled up next to me. Josh sat on the other couch, and laughed a lot at the movie. We took them after it got over, probably around 9:30PM.
Long day, but a nice one.
*After Kaya was done with gymnastics the four of us went to Golden Harvest in Arcata for breakfast. The kids both had "hot cakes," Mike had eggs benedict, I had an omelette with spinach, cheddar cheese and black olives. It was quite delicious and a very nice time. Kaya insisted on sitting next to me.
*Then we wandered around the very packed Arcata square/farmers market.
*I saw Laurie's twin up ahead at the farmers market. Same hair, same clothes, same walk, same mannerisms. I kept hoping she'd turn around even though I knew it wasn't her. She never did though. It probably would have ruined the illusion anyway.
*Then we dropped Mike off at work (we left his care there last night) and the kids and I went to the Arcata library, which was tiny, and not well-equipped.
*After an hour at the library, where the kids read Discovery Kids magazines and had me read/look at just about every page of every copy (they read about 10 of them), we left Arcata for the pet store in Eureka. Kaya and Josh ran around saying, "Naomi, look at this. Naomi, look at this!" We viewed, and oohed and ahhed over their baby cuteness as most if not all were very young and fresh in life, numerous birds, fish, and rodents. There was a very big iguana out front surrounded by about 20 billion 10-year-old girl scouts.
*After going to one more pet store AND a toy store, I was beat. We went back home, where Kaya read Scary Stories, and I started my current novel. Josh played X-box.
*Mike got home around 5PM and then we went to Fortuna and sold some glass. Then the four of us went to Round Table for pizza. Kaya insisted on sitting next to me and going with me up to the salad bar. She's such a cutie. I never thought I'd say this, but there was waaaaaaaaaaaay too much cheese on the pizza. The salad bar, though overpriced, was pretty delicious though. Josh was getting pretty crabby/overly hungry, but was better after he had some pizza. Sitting at a family pizza place sharing pizza with this little family that might sort of be mine (a little bit) felt so domestic. And nice.
*We went home and Mike put in a movie. Kaya fell asleep cuddled up next to me. Josh sat on the other couch, and laughed a lot at the movie. We took them after it got over, probably around 9:30PM.
Long day, but a nice one.
Bicycle! (Saturday, April 28)
I did it! I rode my bicycle! We were awake early and Josh wasn't getting dropped off until 9AM so we rode our bicycles down to Old Towne at 7:45AM, sat at Old Towne Coffee and Chocolates and shared a cup of coffee and a fresh-from-the-oven apple fritter.
It took 15 minutes to get down there (slightly less) and about 20 minutes to get home (I was burning out). It was very slightly misting, and because of the hour of the weekend morning, traffic was minimal. It wasn't scary like I for some reason thought it would be. It was hard getting up some of the hills though (the hills here are bigger than in Mount Horeb - but I still made it up every one!). It was so much fun though! Now I've officially "earned" a fat bottom girl bicycle riding sticker. If such a thing were to exist.
It took 15 minutes to get down there (slightly less) and about 20 minutes to get home (I was burning out). It was very slightly misting, and because of the hour of the weekend morning, traffic was minimal. It wasn't scary like I for some reason thought it would be. It was hard getting up some of the hills though (the hills here are bigger than in Mount Horeb - but I still made it up every one!). It was so much fun though! Now I've officially "earned" a fat bottom girl bicycle riding sticker. If such a thing were to exist.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Love is My Religion Too!
Ziggy Marley! We got tickets. Yessssss. May 13 in Arcata! I'm so psyched!!!
We missed Stephen Marley and Damian Marley a few weeks ago. But the Marleys all come to Humboldt a lot. So we'll get another chance.
We missed Stephen Marley and Damian Marley a few weeks ago. But the Marleys all come to Humboldt a lot. So we'll get another chance.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Chocolat
So I finished rereading Chocolat. I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it this time so much more than I ever did the first time. The writing is just exquisite. It's very much about food: ingredients, smells, tastes, textures, processes; and how food relates to people, love, laughter, relationships, and what is most important in life. At least, that's what I think. Anyone who loves: food, chocolate, people, love, and laughter should enjoy this book. I would think. Oh, and liking to read is sort of a prerequesite as well (what? not everyone loves to read?!?).
My job interview today went almost too smoothly. I really liked my interviewer. I feel like I asked the right questions, gave the right answers, didn't miss a beat. This isn't like me. So I'm waiting to realize what it is that I missed.
She said she'll let me know on Monday either way. I felt like we had a connection. I'll be sad, but accepting, if I find out she really wasn't too keen on me. On account of the "it went too smoothly" thing.
Oh and I have that other job interview on Monday. That one is the one I'm soooooooo excited about. I hope it pans out to be what I want!
Tomorrow's plans are exciting: Josh comes over at 9AM, Kaya comes over at 10AM after her gymnastics practice is done; then the four of us will go to the Arcata farmers market (no rain in the forecast!). After that, I will drop Mike off at work, and Kaya, Josh and I will go to the Arcata library. I haven't been to that one yet.
It'll be interesting to see how things go when it is the three of us and their dad is not there. I work really hard not to mother them, as I am not their mother. I attempt the "fun but not overbearing aunt" relationship. Kaya clings to my side and they finally call me by name, even if Josh thinks he's hilaaaaarious to mispronounce it and then laugh every time (every time!). A few weeks back I dug out some books I loved as an older kid that I still have and that seemed to be the turning point for the three of us. Pretty soon, I was sitting outside reading a book when I found myself flanked by one Josh and one Kaya, each saying "Here, read this," and showing me various pages in my books I lent them. It was a very nice moment.
My job interview today went almost too smoothly. I really liked my interviewer. I feel like I asked the right questions, gave the right answers, didn't miss a beat. This isn't like me. So I'm waiting to realize what it is that I missed.
She said she'll let me know on Monday either way. I felt like we had a connection. I'll be sad, but accepting, if I find out she really wasn't too keen on me. On account of the "it went too smoothly" thing.
Oh and I have that other job interview on Monday. That one is the one I'm soooooooo excited about. I hope it pans out to be what I want!
Tomorrow's plans are exciting: Josh comes over at 9AM, Kaya comes over at 10AM after her gymnastics practice is done; then the four of us will go to the Arcata farmers market (no rain in the forecast!). After that, I will drop Mike off at work, and Kaya, Josh and I will go to the Arcata library. I haven't been to that one yet.
It'll be interesting to see how things go when it is the three of us and their dad is not there. I work really hard not to mother them, as I am not their mother. I attempt the "fun but not overbearing aunt" relationship. Kaya clings to my side and they finally call me by name, even if Josh thinks he's hilaaaaarious to mispronounce it and then laugh every time (every time!). A few weeks back I dug out some books I loved as an older kid that I still have and that seemed to be the turning point for the three of us. Pretty soon, I was sitting outside reading a book when I found myself flanked by one Josh and one Kaya, each saying "Here, read this," and showing me various pages in my books I lent them. It was a very nice moment.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I'm in Danger of Drowning in Job Interviews...
... ok not yet. But I have another job interview, tomorrow, in addition to the one on Monday, two different companies now... and counting ...
I'm unstoppable!
I'm unstoppable!
Yes, I Realize This Constitutes Bragging, and Well, I Don't Care
So I emailed a former English teacher from (technical) college. I asked her if she 1) remembered me from the time I was her student in 2000 and 2) if I could use her as a job reference (again - I believe she's been on my resume since 2000, and has been a reference for at least two other jobs).
This is my teacher's reply, verbatim:
"What good news! Of course I remember you. You are indelibly imprinted in my mind as my BEST student in 20 years of teaching at MATC. I would be happy to serve as a reference.
"I wish you the very best and hope you will continue to let me know what you are doing. I'll be happy to help in any way I can. Best of luck, JS"
Thissomademywholeweeklikeyoudontevenknow.
This is my teacher's reply, verbatim:
"What good news! Of course I remember you. You are indelibly imprinted in my mind as my BEST student in 20 years of teaching at MATC. I would be happy to serve as a reference.
"I wish you the very best and hope you will continue to let me know what you are doing. I'll be happy to help in any way I can. Best of luck, JS"
Thissomademywholeweeklikeyoudontevenknow.
Pretend Job Announcement
Since I can't really say anything, this is really sort of a fake blog post. But what I can say is that I have a follow-up interview on Monday, and I really hope it all goes well!
Not being able to tell you all about this is killing me. I'm actually dying of silence. They say curiosity killed the cat. Well, for Me, SILENCE.
(But, oh yeah, Woot Woot, me!)
Not being able to tell you all about this is killing me. I'm actually dying of silence. They say curiosity killed the cat. Well, for Me, SILENCE.
(But, oh yeah, Woot Woot, me!)
Important Hamster Update
Hamster did get his food but I never saw him take it. After he cursed at me from inside his coconut house he hid in his corner like the lazy uninterested little fattie that he is, feigning disinterest no doubt. (Are rodents capable of feigning things?) I noticed a few hours later it was down. I saw his fat little cheeks packed full as he sat in the corner wenched behind his water bottle and munched away, with this self-satisfied smugness painted on his face as his leery eyes watched me watching him.
I could have projected a little on that last bit...
I could have projected a little on that last bit...
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
A Fake Study in Rodents:
My hamster is the most confused he's ever been. He knows there's something he wants* at the top of his woodchip structure, he may or may not know he climbs said wood structure constantly, and he is maniacally running and jumping around uselessly in an apparent effort to retrieve the something.
Also, he periodically stops to clean and groom himself.
Lesson: If you can't figure something out you may as well at least look good doing (or not doing) it.
+++++
Five minutes later: Food still at very top of woodchip structure. Hamster is inside coconut house cleaning himself ferociously and making noises I believe to be swear words.
*food
Also, he periodically stops to clean and groom himself.
Lesson: If you can't figure something out you may as well at least look good doing (or not doing) it.
+++++
Five minutes later: Food still at very top of woodchip structure. Hamster is inside coconut house cleaning himself ferociously and making noises I believe to be swear words.
*food
Ask a Stupid Question... (Replication of an Actual Conversation)
A few weeks back:
Naomi: The flies here are Massive! Aren't the flies very big, Mike?
Mike:
Naomi: I just can't get over how big the flies are.
Mike:
Naomi: In Wisconsin the flies this big are blue and they bite.
Mike:
Naomi: Do the flies here bite?
Mike: Probably only if you let them...*
Um.
*indicative of our normal conversations. what can this mean!? that i blibber-blabber too much about nonsense? ... ... ... ... nawwwwwwwwwwww, couldn't be.
Naomi: The flies here are Massive! Aren't the flies very big, Mike?
Mike:
Naomi: I just can't get over how big the flies are.
Mike:
Naomi: In Wisconsin the flies this big are blue and they bite.
Mike:
Naomi: Do the flies here bite?
Mike: Probably only if you let them...*
Um.
*indicative of our normal conversations. what can this mean!? that i blibber-blabber too much about nonsense? ... ... ... ... nawwwwwwwwwwww, couldn't be.
Beware of Inner Peace!
I found this sheet of paper my sister gave me when we were volunteering together. I like what it says:
Symptoms of Inner Peace
Some signs and symptoms of inner peace
Tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fear based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
Loss of interest in judging other people.
Loss of interest in judging self.
Loss of interest interpreting the actions of others.
Loss of interest in conflict.
Loss of ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom!)
Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Contended feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes from the heart.
Increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
Increased susceptibility to love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
If you have all or even most of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of PEACE may be so far advanced as to not be curable! If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting several of these symptoms, remain exposed only at your own risk. This condition of PEACE is probably in its infectious stage.
Symptoms of Inner Peace
Some signs and symptoms of inner peace
Tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fear based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
Loss of interest in judging other people.
Loss of interest in judging self.
Loss of interest interpreting the actions of others.
Loss of interest in conflict.
Loss of ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom!)
Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Contended feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling through the eyes from the heart.
Increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
Increased susceptibility to love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.
If you have all or even most of the above symptoms, please be advised that your condition of PEACE may be so far advanced as to not be curable! If you are exposed to anyone exhibiting several of these symptoms, remain exposed only at your own risk. This condition of PEACE is probably in its infectious stage.
Don't Believe the Hype
Guys, I know they are super popular all across the US and beyond, but colds are just not cool.
I guess that saying is pretty dead on when you apply it to a cold. What's that saying? Just because something is popular doesn't make it right? Or something...?
Yeah. I've just about gone through an entire box of kleenexes and yet my nose will not stop running. This so sucks.
At least my spirits are high. Yeah, Cold, take that. You can't bring me down!
I guess that saying is pretty dead on when you apply it to a cold. What's that saying? Just because something is popular doesn't make it right? Or something...?
Yeah. I've just about gone through an entire box of kleenexes and yet my nose will not stop running. This so sucks.
At least my spirits are high. Yeah, Cold, take that. You can't bring me down!
Is "Dream Job" an Oxymoron?
OK, well I can't really elaborate, which hurts me so much more than it hurts you, as I CLEARLY love to elaborate on every stupid thing!
But anyway, the point is: I might have just scored the most awesome job. But I can't say more than that! ACK! But I want to! But I can't!
Anyway, just thought I'd check in and let y'all know I'm on my way. :-)
But anyway, the point is: I might have just scored the most awesome job. But I can't say more than that! ACK! But I want to! But I can't!
Anyway, just thought I'd check in and let y'all know I'm on my way. :-)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Oops, My Rock Jokes are Foiled!
Those aren't even rocks on those picture blogs from yesterday. It is a tree stump. A washed-up tree stump. And I so knew that! Doh.
Monday, April 23, 2007
My Hamster is Funny
My hamster is mostly boring all the time. Shocking, I know. It said on the box that he would do tricks. Just kidding...it just said "This Way Up."
But here I provide two exhibits of Hamster providing "entertainment" (think of it as real live Discovery Channel, or something).
a) he is way too fat to fit in this spot, but yet he manages to squish himself in there and then get sorta stuck:
b) he is now climbing from the top of his coconut house onto the woodchip "castle" that Kaya made for him (which he will then proceed to topple off, look confused/like a rodent, and then repeat):
See? Who needs TV?
But here I provide two exhibits of Hamster providing "entertainment" (think of it as real live Discovery Channel, or something).
a) he is way too fat to fit in this spot, but yet he manages to squish himself in there and then get sorta stuck:
b) he is now climbing from the top of his coconut house onto the woodchip "castle" that Kaya made for him (which he will then proceed to topple off, look confused/like a rodent, and then repeat):
See? Who needs TV?
Sunday, April 22, 2007
The Beaches
So I went to Clam Beach on Friday. I really liked it there. I don't have pictures. But I took plenty of pictures at Clam Beach when Mike and I went there in January. It's much warmer there now though. Either way, I forgot how pleasant it was there. The sand is smoother and I could see it being one that you would go to for sunbathing activities (i.e. lying on a beach towel with a book and soaking up the sun).
Thursday I went to Samoa Dunes, which is my "usual" beach (it's the closest one to my house). I am going to ride my bicycle there ASAP. It should be about a 25-minute bicycle ride.
Today we are going to a beach in Loleta. I forget the name of the beach. But it's a really pretty one. Loleta, incidentally, is where the cheese factory is located. Mmmmmmm. They have free samples, like 30-something of them. And the cheese is definitely just as good as in Wisconsin. Yes, I realize this is, like, blasphemy or something. Well. I just say it like I see it.
So anyway. I'm supposed to be doing my yoga and then showering and getting ready to go. So that means I gotta go. We didn't go to Mike's friends' house last night but we are going this afternoon. They live in Loleta. :-)
Have a pretty day, y'all. It's 80 in Wisconsin, I noticed. Slightly jealous. It's 50-something here. But sunny.
Thursday I went to Samoa Dunes, which is my "usual" beach (it's the closest one to my house). I am going to ride my bicycle there ASAP. It should be about a 25-minute bicycle ride.
Today we are going to a beach in Loleta. I forget the name of the beach. But it's a really pretty one. Loleta, incidentally, is where the cheese factory is located. Mmmmmmm. They have free samples, like 30-something of them. And the cheese is definitely just as good as in Wisconsin. Yes, I realize this is, like, blasphemy or something. Well. I just say it like I see it.
So anyway. I'm supposed to be doing my yoga and then showering and getting ready to go. So that means I gotta go. We didn't go to Mike's friends' house last night but we are going this afternoon. They live in Loleta. :-)
Have a pretty day, y'all. It's 80 in Wisconsin, I noticed. Slightly jealous. It's 50-something here. But sunny.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
100% Chance of a Weather Prediction
So tonight there is a 100% chance of rain. I hope that is more accurate than the 90% chance forecast of two days ago. Just for the sake of weather forecasters' dignity everywhere, of course.
Though the other day it DID seem as though whomever is in charge of the weather reads my blog. I walked my bicycle outside and was literally swinging my leg over to climb on and it started to rain. Six hours later.
It never did thunderstorm though. There were actually "Severe Weather Warnings" of thunderstorms for Thursday. Apparently thunderstorms are a very big deal here, what with winds coming off the Pacific Ocean and what-not. People were simultaneously relieved and disappointed when no thunderstorms transpired.
Though the other day it DID seem as though whomever is in charge of the weather reads my blog. I walked my bicycle outside and was literally swinging my leg over to climb on and it started to rain. Six hours later.
It never did thunderstorm though. There were actually "Severe Weather Warnings" of thunderstorms for Thursday. Apparently thunderstorms are a very big deal here, what with winds coming off the Pacific Ocean and what-not. People were simultaneously relieved and disappointed when no thunderstorms transpired.
Ick
I feel increasingly icked out by all the chemicals in everything I own: lotions, shampoos, hair dyes, soaps, face wash, toothpaste! Not to even mention foods! What about toilet paper!?
Oh my gosh, it's so overwhelming.
(That's why it's a good thing that one of my "mottos" is "Do what you can.")
P.S. The other day we bought chlorine-free toilet paper made out of 80% post consumer recycled paper. It's not much different than other toilet paper and was actually cheaper by a long shot than the other brands. That's moving in the right direction, I think.
Edited to add: I think I got that toilet paper thing wrong. It's 100% recycled paper, 80% post consumer content, whatever that means. No dyes and bleaches to be flushed into the water system.
Oh my gosh, it's so overwhelming.
(That's why it's a good thing that one of my "mottos" is "Do what you can.")
P.S. The other day we bought chlorine-free toilet paper made out of 80% post consumer recycled paper. It's not much different than other toilet paper and was actually cheaper by a long shot than the other brands. That's moving in the right direction, I think.
Edited to add: I think I got that toilet paper thing wrong. It's 100% recycled paper, 80% post consumer content, whatever that means. No dyes and bleaches to be flushed into the water system.
On the Daily
I walk on the daily. I try to keep up with my yoga too. A few times a week. I'm getting increasingly better at my vinyasa. I enjoy the way my body feels.
What? What's that, you say? I'm supposed to be working on my job search right now, not blogging?
Well aren't you just no fun.
What? What's that, you say? I'm supposed to be working on my job search right now, not blogging?
Well aren't you just no fun.
Googling How to Start a Zine Yields Undesirable Results
So after I reviewed Off the Map I started to think that I wanted to start a zine. I've got something to say, right? Um. Well. I guess I DO say it regardless of whether or not it's worthwhile to listen to. So zine time, right!? Well let's just hold on, young one. Look it up on the internet or something. Don't be so rash.
So I googled "how to start a zine." There were some very good points. Among them:
"Ask yourself, 'Do I have anything new to say? Do I know new ways to say them? Do I have any talent? Can I write better than your average college graduate? Can I draw a straight line...consistently? Do I have superior taste and sense of design?'"
Then it says if you answer yes to ALL the questions you should then proceed to ask 20 people who will tell you the truth. People don't even tell themselves the truth, let alone other people! And I have to find 20 of those honest types who are willing to be brutally honest.
So...guess I'm not going to write a zine then... (I definitely can't draw a straight line.)
So I googled "how to start a zine." There were some very good points. Among them:
"Ask yourself, 'Do I have anything new to say? Do I know new ways to say them? Do I have any talent? Can I write better than your average college graduate? Can I draw a straight line...consistently? Do I have superior taste and sense of design?'"
Then it says if you answer yes to ALL the questions you should then proceed to ask 20 people who will tell you the truth. People don't even tell themselves the truth, let alone other people! And I have to find 20 of those honest types who are willing to be brutally honest.
So...guess I'm not going to write a zine then... (I definitely can't draw a straight line.)
Another Rainy Saturday
So it's raining again on a Saturday. We went to the farmers market anyway. For a little while. It was still going in spite of the rain. There was even a band playing.
What I learned is that fruit is not in season here. But lots of herbs and greenery and flowers are. And leeks!
So I hope next Saturday the farmers market will be full of sunshine. Because that is always more fun. I'm anticipating making this a weekly event, spending Saturday mornings at the Arcata farmers market. It runs through November 17.
In other news, I'm still trying to finish my resume. It is so boring. I wish someone would just hand me a job on a silver spoon. What? That doesn't happen? Darn.
Well I've got 8-10 jobs that sound interesting and 2-3 that I would really really really really (really) love to have. So I have to get this resume done. Just suck it up, Naomi. That's what grown-ups do.
We are going to Mike's friends' house tonight. I'm excited. We stay in way too much.
What I learned is that fruit is not in season here. But lots of herbs and greenery and flowers are. And leeks!
So I hope next Saturday the farmers market will be full of sunshine. Because that is always more fun. I'm anticipating making this a weekly event, spending Saturday mornings at the Arcata farmers market. It runs through November 17.
In other news, I'm still trying to finish my resume. It is so boring. I wish someone would just hand me a job on a silver spoon. What? That doesn't happen? Darn.
Well I've got 8-10 jobs that sound interesting and 2-3 that I would really really really really (really) love to have. So I have to get this resume done. Just suck it up, Naomi. That's what grown-ups do.
We are going to Mike's friends' house tonight. I'm excited. We stay in way too much.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
ps
I have a job interview on Tuesday. Yay, right? I've now reentered the ranks of adulthood. Or something.
Also, I applied for a library card! And the library here is so cool! I was supposed to have a California driver's license and/or utility or phone bill with my name on it to be eligible, but I have none of those things. So they are mailing me the card to my address to prove I live here. Whatever works.
I went for about five long walks today. I'm about to embark on a bicycle ride, unless when I go outside in the next five seconds it's raining. Which it could be. There's a chance, a 90% one. Which apparently means: NOTHING.
Also, I applied for a library card! And the library here is so cool! I was supposed to have a California driver's license and/or utility or phone bill with my name on it to be eligible, but I have none of those things. So they are mailing me the card to my address to prove I live here. Whatever works.
I went for about five long walks today. I'm about to embark on a bicycle ride, unless when I go outside in the next five seconds it's raining. Which it could be. There's a chance, a 90% one. Which apparently means: NOTHING.
90% Chance We're Lying, Misinformed, or Just Don't Care
The weather forecast for today said 90% chance of rain, and 60% chance of thunderstorms. I've been outside all day and there has been no rain and definitely no thunderstorms.
How can "90% chance of rain" mean "it might or might not rain?"
This baffles me. (Not that I'm complaining about nice, sunny weather or anything. It's just, well how can a girl plan with weather forecasts like this!?)
How can "90% chance of rain" mean "it might or might not rain?"
This baffles me. (Not that I'm complaining about nice, sunny weather or anything. It's just, well how can a girl plan with weather forecasts like this!?)
Monday, April 16, 2007
Anarchy! (a small attempt at a book review)
"Book" (Zine) "Review:" Off the Map (by Hib and Kika)
This was a zine written by two girls who spent a summer backpacking and squatting across Europe. This book changed my life and I really can't tell you why, though I do know it's in part due to the absolutely gorgeous (in my opinion) language/writing and in part it just taught me a different way to view the world. (Also, I should add that had it not been for my friend Laurie bestowing me with this book as a gift, I may have gone through life never knowing about it. So I'm ever grateful to her for this.)
My friend (Laurie) said when our friend (Malka) read this, she (Malka) felt like they (the book's heroines) were just mooching, expecting others to take care of them, give them handouts.
I didn't feel that way at all. Instead, I felt they had to trust in a system that possibly wasn't there (anarchy, specifically this definition: a theory that regards the absence of all direct or coercive government as a political ideal and that proposes the cooperative and voluntary association of individuals and groups as the principal mode of organized society). There were many uncertain nights where the late hour pressed in on them and they still didn't know where they were sleeping. They spent many a night in a yard or field under the great big sky full of stars, which may sound fun in a story, but the reality of that can be scary and icky.
I think the purpose of the book/zine was to tell what happens when you dream and hope, and when you try to find, and have to count on, human goodness. They found it. They always were appreciative. But they got burned a lot too; were treated less than human for how they looked; had too many instances of stumbling uncomfortably, painfully even, through the cities trying to find a semi-private place to relieve themselves because no businesses would let them use their toilets and washrooms. If someone did accommodate them they counted their pennies and bought a coffee, if it was someone's home they went above and beyond cleaning up after themselves and did dishes and housework, earning their keep.
I guess mostly I think what they did was very brave, and if they made an entire life out of it instead of a summer then I would argue that it was mooching. What they had to do, asking for people's help, having limited ways with which to repay, relying on human kindness, I personally would have a very hard time swallowing my pride and doing. I know it was a choice they made, a conscious decision, but to me it was a study in human nature, and a very beautiful one at that.
[gets off soapbox now, puts it away for a while]
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Fruits and Veggies, When Do They Grow? (Saturday, April 14)
I don't even know WHAT fruits and veggies are in season WHEN!! This is upsetting to me.
"That's what farmers markets are for," says Mike.
Oh, yeah. Farmers markets.
I bet I can buy those cloth bags that fold up really nicely to place in my messenger bag so I can STOP collecting plastic bags too.
So I look up Humboldt Farmers Markets on the IntraWeb. I find out there is one at Arcata Plaza (the lovely square I dig so much) Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM, starting this Saturday! And we plan to go. But then it rains and rains and rains. :-(
If I'm really itching to go before next weekend there's a very small one on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 in Fortuna which is only about 10 miles south of Eureka.
Oh yeah, and it's not that no one tried to teach me. It's that I never paid attention. But better late than never, right? I'm looking forward to finding out what food is in season when and where. I'm ready for my education now.
~~~{~~@
So I'm listening to a song about summer, and there are lots of them, and then I wonder: WHY do things always seem easiser in the summer time? Because they do. Most of the time.
~~~{~~@
Just across the street, G Street, from the cold dark studio where talented artists create their hearts' desires, plus a little bit of livelihood, there is a sanctuary. A wildlife sanctuary, complete with flora galore, benches attached to plaques dedicated to loved ones, peace and quiet and sounds of nature, and of course, wildlife. The sun sparkles on the No Name Pond, which is filled with white birds. Not ducks that I can tell. I could almost read my book but for the biting wind that turns the pages haphazardly and without warning, never waiting for me to finish the page. I wonder if on warmer, stiller days this might be my bench, my writer's bench, because after all don't true writers need a place, a quiet place to collect their thoughts? A place they can go to again and again and connect with something real? And what better place than a sanctuary?
~~~{~~@
As I was walking:
I stopped for a snake, who was crossing the footpath. It was red, black, and white; small. I gasped. It was harmless. It took its time, slithering across as if I wasn't there.
~~~{~~@
When driving to get coffee I explained to Mike that the reason I hate four-way stops so much is because I have the attention span of Tweety Bird.
He laughed for a very long time.
Now he won't stop calling me Tweety Bird.
"That's what farmers markets are for," says Mike.
Oh, yeah. Farmers markets.
I bet I can buy those cloth bags that fold up really nicely to place in my messenger bag so I can STOP collecting plastic bags too.
So I look up Humboldt Farmers Markets on the IntraWeb. I find out there is one at Arcata Plaza (the lovely square I dig so much) Saturdays from 9AM to 1PM, starting this Saturday! And we plan to go. But then it rains and rains and rains. :-(
If I'm really itching to go before next weekend there's a very small one on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 in Fortuna which is only about 10 miles south of Eureka.
Oh yeah, and it's not that no one tried to teach me. It's that I never paid attention. But better late than never, right? I'm looking forward to finding out what food is in season when and where. I'm ready for my education now.
~~~{~~@
So I'm listening to a song about summer, and there are lots of them, and then I wonder: WHY do things always seem easiser in the summer time? Because they do. Most of the time.
~~~{~~@
Just across the street, G Street, from the cold dark studio where talented artists create their hearts' desires, plus a little bit of livelihood, there is a sanctuary. A wildlife sanctuary, complete with flora galore, benches attached to plaques dedicated to loved ones, peace and quiet and sounds of nature, and of course, wildlife. The sun sparkles on the No Name Pond, which is filled with white birds. Not ducks that I can tell. I could almost read my book but for the biting wind that turns the pages haphazardly and without warning, never waiting for me to finish the page. I wonder if on warmer, stiller days this might be my bench, my writer's bench, because after all don't true writers need a place, a quiet place to collect their thoughts? A place they can go to again and again and connect with something real? And what better place than a sanctuary?
~~~{~~@
As I was walking:
I stopped for a snake, who was crossing the footpath. It was red, black, and white; small. I gasped. It was harmless. It took its time, slithering across as if I wasn't there.
~~~{~~@
When driving to get coffee I explained to Mike that the reason I hate four-way stops so much is because I have the attention span of Tweety Bird.
He laughed for a very long time.
Now he won't stop calling me Tweety Bird.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Choice Fatigue
I know some of my friends have read a particular book on the paradox of choice, and while I haven't personally read that book, I came across in my current read this information, which I think is similar in concept, and something I can personally agree with. I want to share it with you:
*According to happiness researchers (yes, there are experts who measure happiness), we are less happy than we used to be. There are a number of well-studied and well-documented reasons for this, and a few obvious ones (famine, poverty, disease, and war, anyone?), but surprisingly, a leading cause of unhappiness, at least in developed nations, appears to be our overabundance of choice. In the last few decades, rates of depression have dramatically increased worldwide, a curve that corresponds with the upsurge in choice, indicating perhaps that having too many options fosters stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
"Choice fatigue" seems counterintuitive, because choice is good, right? Well, not so fast. Our consumer culture is relentless, and the more choices we have - the more information we're bombarded with - the more effort we invest in evaluating our options, and the more likely we are to be dissatisfied with the outcome.
The more options we're given, the poorer our decision-making abilities become. Most of us hate making trade-offs and will avoid making choices until we absolutely have to; the decision-making process is fraught with bad feelings from the start. At the same time, most of us are bad at dealing with uncertainty and at estimating odds, especially since we often don't possess enough information to properly calculate probabilities. After spending so much time weighing trade-offs and trying to sift through a deluge of information, our expectations rise so high that we often end up disappointed when the outcome is not as perfect as we had hoped. Consumer satisfaction is nothing more than the miracle of reality matching our expectations.
What's worse, we often adapt to our overabundance of choices by picking things haphazardly and acquiring more than we need. The more we own, the more we get used to all of the stuff surrounding us, and the less special it feels. That's not to say that the only remedy for choice fatigue is getting rid of choice altogether. Rather, we need to find ways to maintain a level head when making choices, and to keep a healthy distance between the destabilizing allure of advertising and ourselves.
(*from Worldchanging, p.33-34)
*According to happiness researchers (yes, there are experts who measure happiness), we are less happy than we used to be. There are a number of well-studied and well-documented reasons for this, and a few obvious ones (famine, poverty, disease, and war, anyone?), but surprisingly, a leading cause of unhappiness, at least in developed nations, appears to be our overabundance of choice. In the last few decades, rates of depression have dramatically increased worldwide, a curve that corresponds with the upsurge in choice, indicating perhaps that having too many options fosters stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
"Choice fatigue" seems counterintuitive, because choice is good, right? Well, not so fast. Our consumer culture is relentless, and the more choices we have - the more information we're bombarded with - the more effort we invest in evaluating our options, and the more likely we are to be dissatisfied with the outcome.
The more options we're given, the poorer our decision-making abilities become. Most of us hate making trade-offs and will avoid making choices until we absolutely have to; the decision-making process is fraught with bad feelings from the start. At the same time, most of us are bad at dealing with uncertainty and at estimating odds, especially since we often don't possess enough information to properly calculate probabilities. After spending so much time weighing trade-offs and trying to sift through a deluge of information, our expectations rise so high that we often end up disappointed when the outcome is not as perfect as we had hoped. Consumer satisfaction is nothing more than the miracle of reality matching our expectations.
What's worse, we often adapt to our overabundance of choices by picking things haphazardly and acquiring more than we need. The more we own, the more we get used to all of the stuff surrounding us, and the less special it feels. That's not to say that the only remedy for choice fatigue is getting rid of choice altogether. Rather, we need to find ways to maintain a level head when making choices, and to keep a healthy distance between the destabilizing allure of advertising and ourselves.
(*from Worldchanging, p.33-34)
Freecycle
I'm sure everyone knows about Freecycle.org, but just in the off-chance you don't, here is some most worthwhile information:
*What do we get when we combine the gift economy, sustainable thinking, and craigslist.com? Freecycle.org, a fantastic "reverse eBay" for the stuff we no longer want.
The premise is simple: you join a "freecycling" e-mail listserv for your local community, on which people proffer the things they might otherwise take to the dump, give to charity, or simply leave on the curb. At last count, there were hundreds of such lists set up, in communities large and small.
The Internet is terrific at making markets more efficient, and there is indeed a market for many things we would otherwise throw away. Sure, you could post that box of random computer cables on eBay, but your time is frankly better spent doing other things. All you really care about is keeping those cables from ending up in a landfill. If someone is willing to show up and take them away, even if they use just one, the result is still a reduction in waste. Furthermore, if they use just that one cable, then sell the rest on eBay for a profit, all the better for them. Anything to keep the cables from the landfill. This is a stellar example of win-win thinking.
(*from Worldchanging, p.33)
*What do we get when we combine the gift economy, sustainable thinking, and craigslist.com? Freecycle.org, a fantastic "reverse eBay" for the stuff we no longer want.
The premise is simple: you join a "freecycling" e-mail listserv for your local community, on which people proffer the things they might otherwise take to the dump, give to charity, or simply leave on the curb. At last count, there were hundreds of such lists set up, in communities large and small.
The Internet is terrific at making markets more efficient, and there is indeed a market for many things we would otherwise throw away. Sure, you could post that box of random computer cables on eBay, but your time is frankly better spent doing other things. All you really care about is keeping those cables from ending up in a landfill. If someone is willing to show up and take them away, even if they use just one, the result is still a reduction in waste. Furthermore, if they use just that one cable, then sell the rest on eBay for a profit, all the better for them. Anything to keep the cables from the landfill. This is a stellar example of win-win thinking.
(*from Worldchanging, p.33)
I Love This Tree in My Backyard
Its leaves are red. It's so pretty.
After all the rain yesterday, the sky is so blue today:
And the grass is so green (and the dog is so dead):
Don't worry, Mia's not really dead:
After all the rain yesterday, the sky is so blue today:
And the grass is so green (and the dog is so dead):
Don't worry, Mia's not really dead:
Yesterday (A Short, Illustrated Story)
Yesterday, I went to work with Mike, again:
To protect your eyes when watching someone work with the flame:
You have to wear glasses sort of like this (but it's better/more comfortable if they are not being held together with tape):
Mike made lots of neat stuff:
It rained for much of the day:
We were happy in spite of the rain (and the blurriness):
Later, the rain stopped, and the sky looked like this:
All in all, it was a pretty good day. (The End.)
To protect your eyes when watching someone work with the flame:
You have to wear glasses sort of like this (but it's better/more comfortable if they are not being held together with tape):
Mike made lots of neat stuff:
It rained for much of the day:
We were happy in spite of the rain (and the blurriness):
Later, the rain stopped, and the sky looked like this:
All in all, it was a pretty good day. (The End.)
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
SNOW!
Not here, Sillies. In Wisconsin!!! And a lot of it too!!!
It may appear that I'm rubbing it in, but mostly I just feel for the fine folk in Wisconsin who should not have a huge snow storm in the almost-middle-of April! And also, I am GLAD I'm not in snow right now!
It is, however, raining here in Eureka. Raining hard. Like too hard to go for a walk. So everything isn't just dandy here. But still better than snow.
It may appear that I'm rubbing it in, but mostly I just feel for the fine folk in Wisconsin who should not have a huge snow storm in the almost-middle-of April! And also, I am GLAD I'm not in snow right now!
It is, however, raining here in Eureka. Raining hard. Like too hard to go for a walk. So everything isn't just dandy here. But still better than snow.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
I Prove Myself Right (Or Wrong) Plus a Few More Flowers
Just like I thought, I have no sense of distance, which means not at all like I thought, the walk the other rainy night was actually 4-5 miles, not 1 or 2 or more or less... or whatever I said.
Plus here are some pictures I took of our morning walk to the store:
(I know it's blurry but I still really like it.)
Plus here are some pictures I took of our morning walk to the store:
(I know it's blurry but I still really like it.)
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