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?
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