I have a Facebook account. It's like having a superpower, really. I get to peak into all of my friends' lives as though I had x-ray vision, except people are willingly putting up information and the little gossip-monger in me could not be any happier. But I find that sometimes I use this power for evil instead of good.
Shamefully, there are a few people out that provide me with a lot of personal entertainment. When I read that something difficult has occurred in their lives, my mean little heart does a happy dance. If something positive happens to those same people, I feel a vile twisting jab of irritation in my belly. I subversively want to see these people have an epic fail, just so I can laugh and feel vindicated.
Some great person I turned out to be.
In all honesty, sometimes I catch myself doing this and it turns my stomach. I'm a nicer person than this. I can be better than this. When I get really mean, I think about what's going on in my own life and remind myself that bad things can happen to anyone at anytime. Hell, my car just got bashed up by a deer, it's gonna cost me some money to get it fixed...not to mention, I owe $400 to my condo association on January 1st. These are all things I wasn't counting on. It definitely puts a crimp in my 2009 plans for global domination.
Here's the point in my post where I talk about a New Year's Resolution. (...I do solemnly swear that I am up to no good...) I haven't made New Year's Resolution in many years and if I do they are generally something nonspecific about going to the gym more often without any clear goal (that way if I fall off the wagon there's no associated guilt). I think this year, or at least for the first few weeks of January (heh), I should strive to be a nicer person, think more positively about my fellow man, and wish for good things to happen to everyone I know. Here's to a safe, healthy, happy and lucky New Year.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Eh, That's Life!
The other night, I drove down to Youngstown to see some friends I hadn't seen in a very long time. It was fabulous. One of my friends was having her annual Christmas party, and as usual the food was delicious. Her two kids are getting SO big, talking up a storm, and just so friendly.
I ran into a few other friends while I was at her house, so I caught up with them for a little bit and then I left to go meet some other friends.
My friends now live mostly all over the place. Arizona, California, Kansas City, New Mexico. And I live near Cleveland now...and we talk all the time about if we win the lottery, where will we go? Someplace with a better climate, I'm sure! Anyway, it isn't very often that so many of us are in one place at one time and I'd like to thank Matt and Kelly for hosting all of us. I wished that I didn't live so far so I could've indulged in a little bit more wine.
And, further, how grown up is that? You know, drinking wine instead of beer? My boyfriend was going to come down with me but he's been under the weather over the Christmas holiday so unfortunately he stayed home...it was a good thing too because I didn't make it home until about 2:30am.
I would have been home sooner but I had a little incident involving me and a deer going up route 11. That road is dark. I know you can hit a deer in broad daylight but my accident occurred in the dead of night. I saw a deer in my headlights, stomped on the brakes, and still I'm pretty sure my car won...I say this because I didn't stop to check on the deer. I feel badly about that, but what could I have done? I couldn't see anything!
I was about five miles south of 90 at this point and so as soon as I was able to, I stopped at the nearest rest stop, in Austinberg. Just as I was pulling into the gas station, a cop swung in behind me, lights a-flashing. Great. I got all the required items together, rolled my window down, and watched the guy saunter up so he could ask me the questions: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I so wish I could've said "GEE, probably because there's a gaping hole where my headlight used to be!" but instead I told him I'd just hit a deer and was pulling in to check the damage. He still ran my license even though there were tufts of deer hair stuck in the shards of my headlight. The front hood is a little crumpled and dented and there are dents on the front and side fenders. But my car still runs. I was hoping to limp it along one more year and buy a Honda next Christmas...We'll see how much the repairs will be and what the insurance company says.
And still, I can't really get that upset about it. My car is old. I just saw friends I hadn't seen in some cases for several years. It could've been a lot worse. I'd had some good coffee and hilarious conversations. I played euchre. I parked on the front lawn of Kelly and Matt's house because there were so many cars. It was still a great night.
I ran into a few other friends while I was at her house, so I caught up with them for a little bit and then I left to go meet some other friends.
My friends now live mostly all over the place. Arizona, California, Kansas City, New Mexico. And I live near Cleveland now...and we talk all the time about if we win the lottery, where will we go? Someplace with a better climate, I'm sure! Anyway, it isn't very often that so many of us are in one place at one time and I'd like to thank Matt and Kelly for hosting all of us. I wished that I didn't live so far so I could've indulged in a little bit more wine.
And, further, how grown up is that? You know, drinking wine instead of beer? My boyfriend was going to come down with me but he's been under the weather over the Christmas holiday so unfortunately he stayed home...it was a good thing too because I didn't make it home until about 2:30am.
I would have been home sooner but I had a little incident involving me and a deer going up route 11. That road is dark. I know you can hit a deer in broad daylight but my accident occurred in the dead of night. I saw a deer in my headlights, stomped on the brakes, and still I'm pretty sure my car won...I say this because I didn't stop to check on the deer. I feel badly about that, but what could I have done? I couldn't see anything!
I was about five miles south of 90 at this point and so as soon as I was able to, I stopped at the nearest rest stop, in Austinberg. Just as I was pulling into the gas station, a cop swung in behind me, lights a-flashing. Great. I got all the required items together, rolled my window down, and watched the guy saunter up so he could ask me the questions: "Do you know why I pulled you over?"
I so wish I could've said "GEE, probably because there's a gaping hole where my headlight used to be!" but instead I told him I'd just hit a deer and was pulling in to check the damage. He still ran my license even though there were tufts of deer hair stuck in the shards of my headlight. The front hood is a little crumpled and dented and there are dents on the front and side fenders. But my car still runs. I was hoping to limp it along one more year and buy a Honda next Christmas...We'll see how much the repairs will be and what the insurance company says.
And still, I can't really get that upset about it. My car is old. I just saw friends I hadn't seen in some cases for several years. It could've been a lot worse. I'd had some good coffee and hilarious conversations. I played euchre. I parked on the front lawn of Kelly and Matt's house because there were so many cars. It was still a great night.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Somehow He Knows Too!
The other day, Chris and I were going to do some Christmas shopping. I wanted to go to Target, but there were a couple other stores on our list, most of which were further away. As we were driving down the road, Chris asked me which store I wanted to hit first. I said I didn't care but he persisted and I said that we could go to Target or any of the other stores. I mean, it really wasn't a big deal, but really, I wanted to go to Target.
So he says, So you really want to go to Target first. And I said, Well, yeah, but it doesn't really matter. (But it really did, I don't know why) So Chris said that we would go to Target first. I laughed after we had this exchange. How did he know I really wanted to go to Target? Why hadn't I just told him I wanted to go to Target in the first place? Did I somehow luck out (I like to think that I did)?
I guess, logically, it didn't matter where we went but in my irrational little heart it really did matter. And my boyfriend was smart enough and astute enough to pick up on small vocal cues and other nonverbal hints to be able to discern my true intent.
I remember dating my first serious boyfriend years ago. While he was an extremely nice man, he just didn't have that much insight. I wonder now how much that had to do with age and just basic life inexperience as opposed to who he actually was. Is this something men develop after years of studying women? Do only a few men actually get it? Is this something that varies like eyecolor or musical ability? Did I somehow luck out? (I like to think that I did.)
I was tickled by this whole exchange between me and Chris. And I was very pleased. I'm not always the best at communicating what I want because sometimes I don't know what I want right away. But oftentimes I'm leaning in a particular direction. It's nice to know Chris is able to somehow see this.
So he says, So you really want to go to Target first. And I said, Well, yeah, but it doesn't really matter. (But it really did, I don't know why) So Chris said that we would go to Target first. I laughed after we had this exchange. How did he know I really wanted to go to Target? Why hadn't I just told him I wanted to go to Target in the first place? Did I somehow luck out (I like to think that I did)?
I guess, logically, it didn't matter where we went but in my irrational little heart it really did matter. And my boyfriend was smart enough and astute enough to pick up on small vocal cues and other nonverbal hints to be able to discern my true intent.
I remember dating my first serious boyfriend years ago. While he was an extremely nice man, he just didn't have that much insight. I wonder now how much that had to do with age and just basic life inexperience as opposed to who he actually was. Is this something men develop after years of studying women? Do only a few men actually get it? Is this something that varies like eyecolor or musical ability? Did I somehow luck out? (I like to think that I did.)
I was tickled by this whole exchange between me and Chris. And I was very pleased. I'm not always the best at communicating what I want because sometimes I don't know what I want right away. But oftentimes I'm leaning in a particular direction. It's nice to know Chris is able to somehow see this.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Plans for the Next Few Days
I have a trip this afternoon. I've got to leave the house by 12:30 to make my check in of around 2pm...seems like a lot of time but the weather can be a little crazy around here, the roads aren't always clear, traffic around Dead Man's Curve and thru Cleveland, I could miss the empoloyee bus that goes from the parking lot to the airport - any number of things could happen on the way to work, so I like to give myself some extra time to make the 50 mile drive.
I went to the gym yesterday and did an ab workout. I'm a little sore today. I was planning on going again this morning, but it is really cold outside and I've got some packing and organizing to do before I leave. I'm thinking about what I'm going to do tomorrow when I wake up. There's a great little independent coffee house in Edinburgh that I like to go to - yummy chicken, brie, and cranberry paninni with excellent fries. Plus, they've got free wifi. I may run to Marks and Spencer to see if I can throw together a salad and I'm going to try to hit the gym at the hotel. Another thing I want to do is go to The Elephant House cafe.
This cafe is where JK Rowling wrote her Harry Potter novels. And I only recently discovered this! I always regarded the HP books as kind of English and imagined Rowlings as a single mother in England writing these books. It just never occurred to me that she was from this lovely lovely city and now as I sit here dreading yet another trip to EDI, I'm excited all over again. It is not that I hate Edinburgh, quite the opposite. It's one of my favorite places in the world. I'm just tired of it and would like a hot layover in the easter time zone where the sun does not set at four. Never mind. I've done plenty of griping about my schedule, haven't I?
Anyway, my agenda for tomorrow, if I can get my act together, is to find this cafe and take pictures. I have to be sure to pack my camera again too because EDI decks itself out for the Christmas season. I'll need to take a walk to capture all the photo-worthy scenes around the city - it's cold so I'll be sure to pack some warm clothes.
I suppose I should start packing.
I went to the gym yesterday and did an ab workout. I'm a little sore today. I was planning on going again this morning, but it is really cold outside and I've got some packing and organizing to do before I leave. I'm thinking about what I'm going to do tomorrow when I wake up. There's a great little independent coffee house in Edinburgh that I like to go to - yummy chicken, brie, and cranberry paninni with excellent fries. Plus, they've got free wifi. I may run to Marks and Spencer to see if I can throw together a salad and I'm going to try to hit the gym at the hotel. Another thing I want to do is go to The Elephant House cafe.
This cafe is where JK Rowling wrote her Harry Potter novels. And I only recently discovered this! I always regarded the HP books as kind of English and imagined Rowlings as a single mother in England writing these books. It just never occurred to me that she was from this lovely lovely city and now as I sit here dreading yet another trip to EDI, I'm excited all over again. It is not that I hate Edinburgh, quite the opposite. It's one of my favorite places in the world. I'm just tired of it and would like a hot layover in the easter time zone where the sun does not set at four. Never mind. I've done plenty of griping about my schedule, haven't I?
Anyway, my agenda for tomorrow, if I can get my act together, is to find this cafe and take pictures. I have to be sure to pack my camera again too because EDI decks itself out for the Christmas season. I'll need to take a walk to capture all the photo-worthy scenes around the city - it's cold so I'll be sure to pack some warm clothes.
I suppose I should start packing.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Robert Plant Might Not Be So Thankful
I've been super busy, as usual the past few weeks or so. My boyfriend moved in last weekend and happily my two spare bedrooms have been made into rooms for his two kids who will occasionally stay with us. My house actually looks like people live here now, it's got that cozy lived in quality that my first place never really achieved. The only thing it's lacking now is...a Christmas tree.
I'm actually kind of excited this year about Christmas - well, I usually love Christmas, but it's so much cooler now with kids to do stuff with. For instance, I've never much been one for decorating for the holidays but kids...well, they expect it! Of course, I was in for a little sticker shock. Christmas trees are expensive! Holy crap, are they pricey! So, I've been trying to talk Chris into getting a Christmas Bush instead of a tree. We can put some white lights on it and call it Bob, after Robert Plant. We can even get some ornaments for it! And then we can put all the presents under the Christmas Bush and then after Christmas is over we can still have a plant in the house! Which is good because plants moisturize the air and it gets dry in here.
And another thing I'm looking forward to is buying presents. I know Christmas isn't supposed to be about presents but I've got more people in my life now and I want to let them know how much I appreciate them. And my parents are getting into the act now too, which I find so touching - my mom told me she's already getting Chris' kids some things for Christmas. And, of course, there's Chris. I've got a few things in mind for him myself.
Further, my brother Jeff and his wife Catherine are expecting their first child. When they were in town last weekend for our early Thanksgiving celebration they went and registered at Babies R Us for baby shower items. I'm so excited for them and of course I'll want to get them baby stuff. There are so many additions to my family, it's a little overwhelming, in the most awesome way possible.
I'm actually kind of excited this year about Christmas - well, I usually love Christmas, but it's so much cooler now with kids to do stuff with. For instance, I've never much been one for decorating for the holidays but kids...well, they expect it! Of course, I was in for a little sticker shock. Christmas trees are expensive! Holy crap, are they pricey! So, I've been trying to talk Chris into getting a Christmas Bush instead of a tree. We can put some white lights on it and call it Bob, after Robert Plant. We can even get some ornaments for it! And then we can put all the presents under the Christmas Bush and then after Christmas is over we can still have a plant in the house! Which is good because plants moisturize the air and it gets dry in here.
And another thing I'm looking forward to is buying presents. I know Christmas isn't supposed to be about presents but I've got more people in my life now and I want to let them know how much I appreciate them. And my parents are getting into the act now too, which I find so touching - my mom told me she's already getting Chris' kids some things for Christmas. And, of course, there's Chris. I've got a few things in mind for him myself.
Further, my brother Jeff and his wife Catherine are expecting their first child. When they were in town last weekend for our early Thanksgiving celebration they went and registered at Babies R Us for baby shower items. I'm so excited for them and of course I'll want to get them baby stuff. There are so many additions to my family, it's a little overwhelming, in the most awesome way possible.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
VACATION!
I have big plans for next year.
Chris, my awesome AWESOME boyfriend, is going on my travel pass so he can travel with me. So far, we have talked about going to Scotland and San Fran but I also want to go someplace warm and beachy so I can sit in the sun (covered in sunscreen) and drink fruity alcoholic beverages. We also have plans to go down to Dallas in February to go to my sister in law's baby anti-shower (she doesn't like those goofy games that get played at baby showers and I have to say that I agree with her).
My vacation awards came out for next year too and I actually got everything I wanted. I got the first week in November, the first week in December, and another week in April, about the time my new niece/nephew will come into the world.
The cool thing about my job is that I can often arrange to have large chunks of time off all at once and still work a full schedule. For instance, I can generally put together five or six days off and do a little travelling if I felt like it but since my boyfriend is landlocked until January 1st, I typically stay home with him. Also, I don't actually feel like doing a ton of travelling when I have time off. I want to be home and enjoy my house and my family. But I do want to travel. I just want to take everyone with me!
Tomorrow I leave for Belfast again, so I've got to do some laundry and get organized, make sure I have enough to keep me occupied while I'm there for 48 hours. I really like the hotel in Belfast, they give us an awesome free breakfast and have a great gym, complete with a pool and sauna. There's a movie theatre up the street and lots of places to eat. My crew looks like a fun bunch and I think I'm going to have time to adjust to the time change there so I won't be exhausted when I get home, which incidentally is the same day my brother and his wife arrive in Cleveland for early Thanksgiving. Since my brother and I both have to work November 27th, we've moved my favorite holiday to Sunday, November 23rd. Chris will be there to celebrate too, so all the people I love most in the world will attend. What could be better than that?
Chris, my awesome AWESOME boyfriend, is going on my travel pass so he can travel with me. So far, we have talked about going to Scotland and San Fran but I also want to go someplace warm and beachy so I can sit in the sun (covered in sunscreen) and drink fruity alcoholic beverages. We also have plans to go down to Dallas in February to go to my sister in law's baby anti-shower (she doesn't like those goofy games that get played at baby showers and I have to say that I agree with her).
My vacation awards came out for next year too and I actually got everything I wanted. I got the first week in November, the first week in December, and another week in April, about the time my new niece/nephew will come into the world.
The cool thing about my job is that I can often arrange to have large chunks of time off all at once and still work a full schedule. For instance, I can generally put together five or six days off and do a little travelling if I felt like it but since my boyfriend is landlocked until January 1st, I typically stay home with him. Also, I don't actually feel like doing a ton of travelling when I have time off. I want to be home and enjoy my house and my family. But I do want to travel. I just want to take everyone with me!
Tomorrow I leave for Belfast again, so I've got to do some laundry and get organized, make sure I have enough to keep me occupied while I'm there for 48 hours. I really like the hotel in Belfast, they give us an awesome free breakfast and have a great gym, complete with a pool and sauna. There's a movie theatre up the street and lots of places to eat. My crew looks like a fun bunch and I think I'm going to have time to adjust to the time change there so I won't be exhausted when I get home, which incidentally is the same day my brother and his wife arrive in Cleveland for early Thanksgiving. Since my brother and I both have to work November 27th, we've moved my favorite holiday to Sunday, November 23rd. Chris will be there to celebrate too, so all the people I love most in the world will attend. What could be better than that?
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Gadget Girl
Yay! I just purchased a new computer! Well...a mini-laptop - it's got a nine inch screen and a little keyboard. It's got internal wireless and is preloaded with Windows XP. I got it with a DVD/RW drive so I can watch movies. It should be arriving in a week or so.
I've been doing the international thing for a little more than half a year now, and while I like it okay, I'm not enamored of it. And I think part of the problem is that it's hard to communicate with my family and my boyfriend from the UK. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Edinburgh and Belfast has potential. London is okay and Paris was lovely. It's just...
The sleeping thing is hard. We get to the hotel anywhere from 3am-5am eastern. The UK is five hours ahead of us so it's 8 or 10am there. I go to bed pretty uch as soon as I get in (well, I take a shower first) and I try to sleep for about 6 hours. I wake up mid-afternoon UK time, I try for around 3:30pm (10:30 est). Sometimes I go and sightsee, but mostly I find something to eat and meet up with my crew although I've been making more of an effort lately to use the gym facilities at the hotels to try to get off the ten or so pounds that I've gained over the past year. (BOO!) Lots of beer and lack of excercise are a bad BAD combo.
If I'm lucky, I manage to stay up until 11pm or so and then I wake up for my van at around 6am...for those of you playing along, that's 1am eastern. If I'm not so lucky, I fall asleep at 9:30pm and wake up at 11 or so and then I'm up. All night long. I usually read or watch some tv or wander downstairs to the lobby to use the computer.
I can't telnet on those computers. I have to be relatively quick and considerate of other people who want to use the computer (1 computer for a whole hotel? SUCK!). Plus the computer in EDI has a crappy keyboard which causes a lot of typos.
I've been thinking about this for a while - how can I make myself happier when i'm away from home? I don't feel lonely, I just feel bored. I need some kind of entertainment for all those nights where I just can't sleep. I thought about getting an iphone. I thought about getting an itouch more because it doesn't require a data plan, it only requires wireless access. But I still can't telnet on the itouch. And the mini-laptop? Same price, more functionality. Besides, I already have an ipod video.
My new laptop should be arriving in a week or so and I can't wait!
I've been doing the international thing for a little more than half a year now, and while I like it okay, I'm not enamored of it. And I think part of the problem is that it's hard to communicate with my family and my boyfriend from the UK. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Edinburgh and Belfast has potential. London is okay and Paris was lovely. It's just...
The sleeping thing is hard. We get to the hotel anywhere from 3am-5am eastern. The UK is five hours ahead of us so it's 8 or 10am there. I go to bed pretty uch as soon as I get in (well, I take a shower first) and I try to sleep for about 6 hours. I wake up mid-afternoon UK time, I try for around 3:30pm (10:30 est). Sometimes I go and sightsee, but mostly I find something to eat and meet up with my crew although I've been making more of an effort lately to use the gym facilities at the hotels to try to get off the ten or so pounds that I've gained over the past year. (BOO!) Lots of beer and lack of excercise are a bad BAD combo.
If I'm lucky, I manage to stay up until 11pm or so and then I wake up for my van at around 6am...for those of you playing along, that's 1am eastern. If I'm not so lucky, I fall asleep at 9:30pm and wake up at 11 or so and then I'm up. All night long. I usually read or watch some tv or wander downstairs to the lobby to use the computer.
I can't telnet on those computers. I have to be relatively quick and considerate of other people who want to use the computer (1 computer for a whole hotel? SUCK!). Plus the computer in EDI has a crappy keyboard which causes a lot of typos.
I've been thinking about this for a while - how can I make myself happier when i'm away from home? I don't feel lonely, I just feel bored. I need some kind of entertainment for all those nights where I just can't sleep. I thought about getting an iphone. I thought about getting an itouch more because it doesn't require a data plan, it only requires wireless access. But I still can't telnet on the itouch. And the mini-laptop? Same price, more functionality. Besides, I already have an ipod video.
My new laptop should be arriving in a week or so and I can't wait!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Pride
Oh my God. I am absolutely thrilled. I am not a religious person but I just feel like I should thank God because for the first time in about 8 years I feel like I can be proud of my country, and I am proud to be an American.
There are people out there who feel like they've woken to a scary new world and to this I say why? Why? Does the current administration not scare the absolute bejesus out of you? From the collapsing economy to the global imperialism, the lying and deceit that has been the hallmark of the Bush administration, the loss of our rights because of so-called Patriot Act - none of this scares you? Instead you are scared because a *GASP* black man will be taking office? That's what scares you? Never mind that he's capable, intelligent, has an illustrious education, has commercial success as well as private success, including a happy marriage and beautiful children...he's somehow terrifying because...? Well, I just don't get that attitude at all.
I am ecstatic. I feel such positive energy and hope for our future. I am proud to say I voted for Barack Obama and that my voice was heard amidst the clamor of this election year. Congratulations to Barack Obama, future President of the United States of America.
There are people out there who feel like they've woken to a scary new world and to this I say why? Why? Does the current administration not scare the absolute bejesus out of you? From the collapsing economy to the global imperialism, the lying and deceit that has been the hallmark of the Bush administration, the loss of our rights because of so-called Patriot Act - none of this scares you? Instead you are scared because a *GASP* black man will be taking office? That's what scares you? Never mind that he's capable, intelligent, has an illustrious education, has commercial success as well as private success, including a happy marriage and beautiful children...he's somehow terrifying because...? Well, I just don't get that attitude at all.
I am ecstatic. I feel such positive energy and hope for our future. I am proud to say I voted for Barack Obama and that my voice was heard amidst the clamor of this election year. Congratulations to Barack Obama, future President of the United States of America.
Happy Halloween!
Guess what I bought yesterday as an early birthday present to myself?
Isn't it pretty? I think I caught my boyfriend petting it a few times. (LG 37 inch HDTV, 1080p) Eventually I'll be hanging it on my wall. We attempted to do it last night, but it's actually a bit more complicated then I thought. I mean, I'm a girl with a powerdrill. I was sure it would be something I could handle but I read the directions and installation requires a level and a ratchet (wratchet?) which are tools that I don't have (yet). And it came with so many different screws and bolts that I just couldn't deal with it so instead we put it on the mount and (gently) placed it on my IKEA table that doesn't match anything.
And anyway, being that it's Halloween, my vacation, AND my birthday weekend, I look like this:
Isn't it pretty? I think I caught my boyfriend petting it a few times. (LG 37 inch HDTV, 1080p) Eventually I'll be hanging it on my wall. We attempted to do it last night, but it's actually a bit more complicated then I thought. I mean, I'm a girl with a powerdrill. I was sure it would be something I could handle but I read the directions and installation requires a level and a ratchet (wratchet?) which are tools that I don't have (yet). And it came with so many different screws and bolts that I just couldn't deal with it so instead we put it on the mount and (gently) placed it on my IKEA table that doesn't match anything.
And anyway, being that it's Halloween, my vacation, AND my birthday weekend, I look like this:
My boyfriend took this *almost* stealth shot of me, but I caught the movement out of the corner of my eye. This must be the look that I give people when I'm pissed. No wonder people are often scared of me! Notice how he was kind enough to get the toilet paper that I've been using as tissues to blow my nose in the frame? Yeah, I'm one hot sick mama.
I'm kind of excited about tonight though. I'm having my parents over for dinner and my mom is going to help with all the trick or treaters - this will be my first real Halloween in my new house (which is almost one year old!).
Anyway, I'm kind of stressing about what to make for dinner and I'm contemplating a run to Heinen's for some pre-made yumminess that I can just throw into the oven to heat up. My dad loves pasta. Chris offered to make his excellent version of Alice Springs Chicken...I'm torn. I don't know what to do. I'm not the world's best entertainer.
In keeping with my new tv, I had to call my cable company (actually its AT&T Uverse and I've honestly been reasonably pleased with the service) to get the Hi-Def stations. It's an upgrade. I also got HBO too. It's time to stop living like a barbarian!
Anyway, hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The Theme of Today's Post is "Offensive"
I'm not the only person getting tired of the presidential election campaigning, but my experience has an extra dash of spicy irritation. Namely, the Scots.
Scottish people are avidly following this election, as I imagine are citizens of many other nations. Interestingly, I don't give a toss about elections for Parliament in England or other parts of the UK (probably because it has zero effect on my life).
However, when I meet the locals, the first question they ask me after they've ascertained I'm not Australian (?) is who I'm voting for in the upcoming election. They're completely fascinated. They seem to uniformly believe that Americans are stupid because of George Bush. I keep having to remind them that 50% (or more) of us did NOT vote for Bush. More distressing still is the seeming widely held belief that the US government was actually responsible for 9/11 and that our government somehow orchestrated the whole thing, just as we apparently deliberately orchestrated the whole banking industry meltdown so that we could purposely take down the rest of the world in a global recession.
I hope that I'm just meeting local freaks and not people who are voicing the common opinion. Either way, it's pretty offensive, at least the 9/11 part. I really hate talking to conspiracy theorist freaks. They are SO SURE of themselves. They speak like they truly know all the facts. It's like when my brother Matt says "Trust me!" and I immediately don't.
My question is, when did America turn off our beacon in the night?
Which brings me to a conversation that I had with a pilot I was flying with recently. We were in Scotland and had just been accosted by a local who wanted to know (of course) who we were voting for. El Capitan said that he sort of liked Obama but that the rest of his party scared the sh*t out of him. I rolled my eyes so hard that I got a little dizzy and immediately felt compelled to tell him that HIS party scared the crap out of me. Then he decided to tell us all how he felt about the media:
"I went to engineering school. Now, my friends who weren't so good with numbers and couldn't handle all the math, they decided to go get an MBA. Now, those guys that still couldn't handle all that math, you know what they decided to do?? They decided to go Journalism school! They became journalists! I think journalists have ZERO intelligence! They are SO DUMB! They write the exact opposite of things I have truly experienced!"
Well, maybe. But honestly, I found this beyond the pale, for about a million reasons, but mostly because I majored in journalism for a semester or two, I have a brother who IS a member of the so-called 'dumb' media and probably went to a better university than El Capitan, and further, I (mostly) believe what our left-leaning media says (with a few healthy pinches of salt thrown in rather than the requisite grain).
So, I'm sick of feeling offended and would like for people to stop being so up-front with their yahoo opinions. Frankly, just shut up. You all sound like idiots.
Scottish people are avidly following this election, as I imagine are citizens of many other nations. Interestingly, I don't give a toss about elections for Parliament in England or other parts of the UK (probably because it has zero effect on my life).
However, when I meet the locals, the first question they ask me after they've ascertained I'm not Australian (?) is who I'm voting for in the upcoming election. They're completely fascinated. They seem to uniformly believe that Americans are stupid because of George Bush. I keep having to remind them that 50% (or more) of us did NOT vote for Bush. More distressing still is the seeming widely held belief that the US government was actually responsible for 9/11 and that our government somehow orchestrated the whole thing, just as we apparently deliberately orchestrated the whole banking industry meltdown so that we could purposely take down the rest of the world in a global recession.
I hope that I'm just meeting local freaks and not people who are voicing the common opinion. Either way, it's pretty offensive, at least the 9/11 part. I really hate talking to conspiracy theorist freaks. They are SO SURE of themselves. They speak like they truly know all the facts. It's like when my brother Matt says "Trust me!" and I immediately don't.
My question is, when did America turn off our beacon in the night?
Which brings me to a conversation that I had with a pilot I was flying with recently. We were in Scotland and had just been accosted by a local who wanted to know (of course) who we were voting for. El Capitan said that he sort of liked Obama but that the rest of his party scared the sh*t out of him. I rolled my eyes so hard that I got a little dizzy and immediately felt compelled to tell him that HIS party scared the crap out of me. Then he decided to tell us all how he felt about the media:
"I went to engineering school. Now, my friends who weren't so good with numbers and couldn't handle all the math, they decided to go get an MBA. Now, those guys that still couldn't handle all that math, you know what they decided to do?? They decided to go Journalism school! They became journalists! I think journalists have ZERO intelligence! They are SO DUMB! They write the exact opposite of things I have truly experienced!"
Well, maybe. But honestly, I found this beyond the pale, for about a million reasons, but mostly because I majored in journalism for a semester or two, I have a brother who IS a member of the so-called 'dumb' media and probably went to a better university than El Capitan, and further, I (mostly) believe what our left-leaning media says (with a few healthy pinches of salt thrown in rather than the requisite grain).
So, I'm sick of feeling offended and would like for people to stop being so up-front with their yahoo opinions. Frankly, just shut up. You all sound like idiots.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I'm in the middle of reading a book right now called "The Year of Living Biblically" by AJ Jacobs. Now, I know my brother might read this (hi Jeff!) and I'm wondering if I should have underlined the title of the book instead of put quotes around it. I can't remember, and honestly, I don't really care that much but it's something my brother would know, as he's a real writer for the AP Wire.
Anyway, "The Year of Living Biblically" is about a guy who decides that he's going to try to live according to the rules of the Bible, you guessed it, for one year. And he doesn't mean just the Ten Commandments, he means the obscure rules, too, like the one that prohibits wearing clothes with mixed cloth like wool and linen. Or the other one that says your clothing has to be adorned with fringe.
Jacobs starts out as an agnostic who is uncomfortable with religion but as the book progresses he starts to feel a little bit more spiritual and more at home with praying. The Bible says that men should not cut their facial hair, so he grows a giant, unkempt beard. One of the Ten Commandments prohibits lying, so he's almost painfully truthful. For instance, there is a memorable scene where he and his wife are out to dinner and an old friend she hasn't seen in a long time runs into them. The friend tries to arrange a playdate but Jacobs tells her he'd rather not because he just doesn't have the time. His wife is pretty furious.
Oh, I forgot to mention he has a wife and son. The Bible also says to be fruitful and multiply and the couple happily comply as they are trying to expand their family. Unfortunately, they are running into a little bit of difficulty and decide to try in vitro fertilization.
Now, the whole time I'm reading this book, I'm heartily amused. An agnostic myself, I do find some of the rules in the Bible (there are, according to Jacobs, over 700) sort of ridiculous. Like the fringe wearing, or the facial hair. I also think that if I was married to an obsessive compulsive freak like Jacobs, I'd get a quickie divorce so fast Britany Spears would be jealous. My boyfriend grew a goatee and after two days, I was like, dude, please shave!
Furthering the insanity, Jacobs at one point decides to build a hut in his living room to help him celebrate Sukkoth, which is a Jewish holiday that focusses on remembering the hardships the people of Israel suffered as slaves in Egypt. I understand the purpose of this holiday but I gotta say I'd be pretty annoyed if my husband decided to build and live in a hut in the living room for a week.
Which brings me back to he and his wife's difficulty getting pregnant. I gotta say, Jacobs gets pretty obnoxious with all the rule following. He decides that he's not allowed to sit anywhere a woman has sat because if she's menstruating she's technically unclean. If he were to sit in the same seat a menstruating woman had sat in, he would take on her impurity. So to solve this problem he begins to carry around something called a Handy Seat which is like a cane that can be transformed into a three-legged stool. He gets a Handy Seat after his wife gets annoyed with him and sits in every seat in the house while he's out. He takes the Handy Seat everywhere.
My point is, no wonder they can't get pregnant! Who'd want to be with someone so obnoxious?? And it's not like Jacobs really is religious - this is all an experiment so he can write a book. Previously, he wrote a book called "Know-it-All" about himself reading the Encylopedia Britannica. I can't help thinking what an insufferable bore this man must be in real life. I hope he spends the next year making it up to his wife. In fact, that should be his next book - "My Year of Making it Up to My Wife for Being Such a Selfish Ass."
But anyway, the book is actually quite amusing and really interesting. Not only does it explore the eccentric parts of the Bible, Jacobs assembles a board of religious advisers from many different backgrounds, retired Christian pastors, Jewish rabbis from ultra-Orthodox to fairly progressive, as well as other scholars who help explain to him why such strange rules exist in the Bible. And, very occasionally, there aren't any answers or explanations.
I guess it really is what it is, right?
Anyway, "The Year of Living Biblically" is about a guy who decides that he's going to try to live according to the rules of the Bible, you guessed it, for one year. And he doesn't mean just the Ten Commandments, he means the obscure rules, too, like the one that prohibits wearing clothes with mixed cloth like wool and linen. Or the other one that says your clothing has to be adorned with fringe.
Jacobs starts out as an agnostic who is uncomfortable with religion but as the book progresses he starts to feel a little bit more spiritual and more at home with praying. The Bible says that men should not cut their facial hair, so he grows a giant, unkempt beard. One of the Ten Commandments prohibits lying, so he's almost painfully truthful. For instance, there is a memorable scene where he and his wife are out to dinner and an old friend she hasn't seen in a long time runs into them. The friend tries to arrange a playdate but Jacobs tells her he'd rather not because he just doesn't have the time. His wife is pretty furious.
Oh, I forgot to mention he has a wife and son. The Bible also says to be fruitful and multiply and the couple happily comply as they are trying to expand their family. Unfortunately, they are running into a little bit of difficulty and decide to try in vitro fertilization.
Now, the whole time I'm reading this book, I'm heartily amused. An agnostic myself, I do find some of the rules in the Bible (there are, according to Jacobs, over 700) sort of ridiculous. Like the fringe wearing, or the facial hair. I also think that if I was married to an obsessive compulsive freak like Jacobs, I'd get a quickie divorce so fast Britany Spears would be jealous. My boyfriend grew a goatee and after two days, I was like, dude, please shave!
Furthering the insanity, Jacobs at one point decides to build a hut in his living room to help him celebrate Sukkoth, which is a Jewish holiday that focusses on remembering the hardships the people of Israel suffered as slaves in Egypt. I understand the purpose of this holiday but I gotta say I'd be pretty annoyed if my husband decided to build and live in a hut in the living room for a week.
Which brings me back to he and his wife's difficulty getting pregnant. I gotta say, Jacobs gets pretty obnoxious with all the rule following. He decides that he's not allowed to sit anywhere a woman has sat because if she's menstruating she's technically unclean. If he were to sit in the same seat a menstruating woman had sat in, he would take on her impurity. So to solve this problem he begins to carry around something called a Handy Seat which is like a cane that can be transformed into a three-legged stool. He gets a Handy Seat after his wife gets annoyed with him and sits in every seat in the house while he's out. He takes the Handy Seat everywhere.
My point is, no wonder they can't get pregnant! Who'd want to be with someone so obnoxious?? And it's not like Jacobs really is religious - this is all an experiment so he can write a book. Previously, he wrote a book called "Know-it-All" about himself reading the Encylopedia Britannica. I can't help thinking what an insufferable bore this man must be in real life. I hope he spends the next year making it up to his wife. In fact, that should be his next book - "My Year of Making it Up to My Wife for Being Such a Selfish Ass."
But anyway, the book is actually quite amusing and really interesting. Not only does it explore the eccentric parts of the Bible, Jacobs assembles a board of religious advisers from many different backgrounds, retired Christian pastors, Jewish rabbis from ultra-Orthodox to fairly progressive, as well as other scholars who help explain to him why such strange rules exist in the Bible. And, very occasionally, there aren't any answers or explanations.
I guess it really is what it is, right?
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
NO COFFEE FOR YOU
Those of you who know me know that I'm quite protective of my coffee. It's my very own ambrosia, that without which I cannot start my day. I have been known to yell at people who accidentally (?) put their trash in my coffee - SERIOUSLY HOW DOES ONE DO THIS? I still don't understand.
Denizens of the UK have an occasionally poor understanding of customer service. I woke up late yesterday and wandered over to Starbucks on The Royal Mile in EDI for my daily infusion. When I walked back to my hotel, I noticed some friends sitting in the bar. Coffee in hand, I walked over to say hi and promptly sat down at the bar to join the conversation.
Unfortunately, the mid-20's bartender took issues with my cup of coffee. "You can't drink that in here," she said.
"What? Why not?" I ask.
"You can't drink that in here, you have to go over there."
"What if I buy something?" My brows are furrowed in puzzlement.
"You still can't drink it in here." She's insistent.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
Finally she loses her temper. "It's not MY rule," she fumes.
Embarassed, I put on my coat and leave. I'm outraged. I'm not about to throw away my coffee, that I paid one pound seventy pence for just for the so-called privilege of sitting in your crappy bar. (That's over $3 in American money - yes, for a cup of coffee. I'm talking a simple cup of coffee, not a frou frou frappe, latte, or cappucino, just a simple cup of joe.)
I don't understand this rule. It just seems so weird to me - you can't drink coffee from another store in this establishment. Do you want my business at all? If you had let me sit there and drink my coffee the likelihood that I would buy a drink probably would have gone up, thereby making money for your establishment. I mean, what kind of ridiculous rule is this to enforce? There are rules that you kind of let people bend - like when we tell people it's time to turn off their electronic devices, we give them a few minutes to finish their conversations on their cellphones or pretend to not notice that they are still fiddling with their Blackberries. (Frankly it's hard to care that much about these rules - we've told you a bazillion times to turn it off, we've explained the reasoning but I'm not the freaking police and I can't arrest you if you break these rules) Seriously, if it had been me working the bar, I would have just ignored the coffee cup and if questioned about it later, I'd deny that I saw anything. HELLO.
Denizens of the UK have an occasionally poor understanding of customer service. I woke up late yesterday and wandered over to Starbucks on The Royal Mile in EDI for my daily infusion. When I walked back to my hotel, I noticed some friends sitting in the bar. Coffee in hand, I walked over to say hi and promptly sat down at the bar to join the conversation.
Unfortunately, the mid-20's bartender took issues with my cup of coffee. "You can't drink that in here," she said.
"What? Why not?" I ask.
"You can't drink that in here, you have to go over there."
"What if I buy something?" My brows are furrowed in puzzlement.
"You still can't drink it in here." She's insistent.
"You've gotta be kidding me."
Finally she loses her temper. "It's not MY rule," she fumes.
Embarassed, I put on my coat and leave. I'm outraged. I'm not about to throw away my coffee, that I paid one pound seventy pence for just for the so-called privilege of sitting in your crappy bar. (That's over $3 in American money - yes, for a cup of coffee. I'm talking a simple cup of coffee, not a frou frou frappe, latte, or cappucino, just a simple cup of joe.)
I don't understand this rule. It just seems so weird to me - you can't drink coffee from another store in this establishment. Do you want my business at all? If you had let me sit there and drink my coffee the likelihood that I would buy a drink probably would have gone up, thereby making money for your establishment. I mean, what kind of ridiculous rule is this to enforce? There are rules that you kind of let people bend - like when we tell people it's time to turn off their electronic devices, we give them a few minutes to finish their conversations on their cellphones or pretend to not notice that they are still fiddling with their Blackberries. (Frankly it's hard to care that much about these rules - we've told you a bazillion times to turn it off, we've explained the reasoning but I'm not the freaking police and I can't arrest you if you break these rules) Seriously, if it had been me working the bar, I would have just ignored the coffee cup and if questioned about it later, I'd deny that I saw anything. HELLO.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I Climbed a Mountain (Sort Of)
Finally, finally I climbed Arthur's Seat this past time in Edinburgh. I'm quite proud of myself. I'm no athlete. I'm occasionally a gymrat but I'm currently in a slump so I'm not in the best shape. However, I was still able to climb on up.
I started out slowly, but quickly felt more confident and picked up some speed. Of course, then the ground started to get a bit steeper. I tried to keep the pace but I swear it felt like my heart was gonna pop out of my chest and I had to slow down. Occasionally I would stop and take some pictures.
At the top, I ran into some other Americans who were taking pictures. I asked if they'd take mine (because you need proof that you did these things!) so we all played musical cameras. It was windy and beautiful, with late afternoon sunshine flooding over us. I looked over at the next mountain, could barely make people out who had walked up to the top and thought to myself, next time.
The walk down, while less arduous physically, certainly was fraught with it's own dangers. I took mincing baby steps down due to the steepness of the path, afraid to go faster because I knew I'd pitch forward and fall flat on my face. Meanwhile, athletic runners passed me going up and I marvelled at their conditioning. Would that EVER be me? I doubt it.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Football Americain
Last night my family went to the Browns - Giants game. Now, we are from New York and my father has been a lifelong Giants fan. He and my brother showed up to the stadium in their Giants regalia - my dad wore an old Shockey jersey and Jeff was a little more muted with a light gray and blue sweatshirt that a little more subtly indicated his allegiance. Honestly, I was a little worried about how my father would be recieved by 80,000 drunk Browns fans, because they can be a bit scary at times. I've seen Browns fans pick fights with Steelers fans just for wearing Pittsburgh jerseys.
My dad, thankfully, is a pretty good natured and affable guy. Takes an awful lot to set him off. Plus he's a big dude and while he's in his 50's, I can't imagine anyone would want to really mess with him. He got a few comments but I think that most people were expecting such a blowout that no one really gave him a hard time. In fact, most fans woud make a comment and then sidle up to him to whisper in his ear what he thought the point spread was going to be. Winslow was in the hospital, Jurevicius is physically unable to perform (what does THAT mean?)...everyone expected to lose.
So when Cleveland scored that first field goal, we were kind of astonished. And that was just the beginning. The Browns actually smoked the Giants. SMOKED THEM. It was genuinely amazing. People were cheering and jumping for joy. Perfect strangers were high-fiving eachother, drunks were barking (nothing unusual here), and for once Cleveland had something to celebrate.
My dad, thankfully, is a pretty good natured and affable guy. Takes an awful lot to set him off. Plus he's a big dude and while he's in his 50's, I can't imagine anyone would want to really mess with him. He got a few comments but I think that most people were expecting such a blowout that no one really gave him a hard time. In fact, most fans woud make a comment and then sidle up to him to whisper in his ear what he thought the point spread was going to be. Winslow was in the hospital, Jurevicius is physically unable to perform (what does THAT mean?)...everyone expected to lose.
So when Cleveland scored that first field goal, we were kind of astonished. And that was just the beginning. The Browns actually smoked the Giants. SMOKED THEM. It was genuinely amazing. People were cheering and jumping for joy. Perfect strangers were high-fiving eachother, drunks were barking (nothing unusual here), and for once Cleveland had something to celebrate.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Want vs. Need
After a summer of denying myself, I've been on a spending spree. In this economic downturn, it's probably not the best idea, but I WANT THINGS. For instance, I've been shopping for a flatscreen LCD HDTV. There are a lot of things to consider. For instance, brand, price, 720 vs. 1180p. Ideally, I'd like to get something I can finance at 0% interest for 12 months and 0 payments. I like to conserve my cash. I always figure I can roll the whole balance over to a 0% interest credit card or something before the terms are up. I just paid off my washer and dryer.
So yeah, an LCD HDTV. I want 37 inches. And of course, when buying these large ticket items, you can't forget the accoutrements that you'll need, like the wall mounts which can be another $100 or so. And if I don't want to wallmount, I have to get an entertainment center. What I'd like to do is get the tv and then get two leaning bookshelves to put on either side. Then I can get a table to put underneath where I can place the cable box and DVD player.
I also need to put shades up in the other two bedrooms in my house. My boyfriend is going to move in, and he'll be bringing a queen bed and some other furniture, so I'm trying to hold off until I can see what I've got but it's hard. I want everything NOW.
In the meantime I've gotten a second job at a makeup store. Once I slake my makeup and hairproduct thirst (which will hopefully happen soon because I've been going nuts with Paul Mitchell and Smashbox) I hope I can put the extra cash towards stuff for my house. I hate dipping into my savings, especially now, for anything.
I did take $500 out of my savings to keep handy for groceries and gas, just in case the nationalization of the banking system causes some screwups with the electronics, but I honestly don't think it will happen. I'm not worried I'm going to lose my bank savings (unlike my 401k) but I think if there's a momentary blip, at least I can still pay cash for gas and food.
But, oh, the stuff I want. A new pair of heels for work. Straight Works PM hair gel. Exuviance skincare. A haircut. Clothing. Purses from Banana Republic. Furniture. A hairdryer. STUFF. I want it all. Oh, and a puppy. Heh.
I have wants...and the only thing that is preventing me from running out and getting, well, EVERYTHING, is that I don't need most of this stuff. If I were to prioritize, I'd get socks and clothes first And then maybe a haircut. And then MAYBE the bookshelves because they are on sale. And after that...I'll wait until I see a good price. I could even wait until January 1st when stores are trying to get rid of their inventories. I'll have to wait and see, because, truly, I don't need any of this stuff. I just want it real bad.
So yeah, an LCD HDTV. I want 37 inches. And of course, when buying these large ticket items, you can't forget the accoutrements that you'll need, like the wall mounts which can be another $100 or so. And if I don't want to wallmount, I have to get an entertainment center. What I'd like to do is get the tv and then get two leaning bookshelves to put on either side. Then I can get a table to put underneath where I can place the cable box and DVD player.
I also need to put shades up in the other two bedrooms in my house. My boyfriend is going to move in, and he'll be bringing a queen bed and some other furniture, so I'm trying to hold off until I can see what I've got but it's hard. I want everything NOW.
In the meantime I've gotten a second job at a makeup store. Once I slake my makeup and hairproduct thirst (which will hopefully happen soon because I've been going nuts with Paul Mitchell and Smashbox) I hope I can put the extra cash towards stuff for my house. I hate dipping into my savings, especially now, for anything.
I did take $500 out of my savings to keep handy for groceries and gas, just in case the nationalization of the banking system causes some screwups with the electronics, but I honestly don't think it will happen. I'm not worried I'm going to lose my bank savings (unlike my 401k) but I think if there's a momentary blip, at least I can still pay cash for gas and food.
But, oh, the stuff I want. A new pair of heels for work. Straight Works PM hair gel. Exuviance skincare. A haircut. Clothing. Purses from Banana Republic. Furniture. A hairdryer. STUFF. I want it all. Oh, and a puppy. Heh.
I have wants...and the only thing that is preventing me from running out and getting, well, EVERYTHING, is that I don't need most of this stuff. If I were to prioritize, I'd get socks and clothes first And then maybe a haircut. And then MAYBE the bookshelves because they are on sale. And after that...I'll wait until I see a good price. I could even wait until January 1st when stores are trying to get rid of their inventories. I'll have to wait and see, because, truly, I don't need any of this stuff. I just want it real bad.
Room Confusion
Lately, I've been staying at the same hotel. I've been there five times in September and twice already in October. I keep getting the same room or a room thats down the same corridor. I immediately take a left after I get out of the elevator and then I hook an immediate right. My room is the first room on the right. It's automatic now.
The last time I stayed at this hotel, I was given a different room on a different floor, but I still thought that I was in the old room. I'd get off the elevator, hook a left and then a right, put my key into the cardreader and stare befuddled when the little light on the door lock flashed red instead of the usual green. I'd run my card through the cardreader a couple more times, irritation and confusion radiating from me, and then I had the 'a-ha!' moment. Oh, riiiight, this is not my room! Sheepishly, I'd go back the way I came and go to the right room.
It's important to me to develop a routine. I love to see new cities but I know I'm missing cool sight-seeing opportunities. For instance, when I'm in Vegas, I like to get up, run over to Starbuck's for some java, then on over to Terrible Mike's for breakfast (dude, you cannot beat $4.30 breakfasts - scrambled eggs, ham, hashbrowns, and toast). In Paris, I liked to walk over to Starbucks and then meander slowly back to the hotel. I also didn't mind walking over to the Jardins de Tuileries (well, I didn't really walk over there - I took the Metro because it's a bit of a haul). There is a huge fountain that people gather around, dragging over a lawn chair and reading or talking. It's a spectacular garden. I have similar routines in Seattle and San Francisco.
Mostly, my routines revolve around the obtaining of some coffee. In San Fran, there is a cafe about five blocks from the hotel that has excellent takeaway food. And the walk is always incredibly refreshing - the air is often cool and humid, usually there is a brisk wind blowing down those steep, skyscraped hills.
I kind of miss flying domestically, honestly. I love Edinburgh, it's truly a lovely city, and honestly I haven't hit Amsterdam yet, Brussels, Geneva or any Italian city. But there's nothing like San Fran, or Vegas, or Seattle, or San Diego. And it's so much easier to keep in touch with my family. I don't feel jetlagged. So, yes, so far I prefer American cities. And American coffee.
The last time I stayed at this hotel, I was given a different room on a different floor, but I still thought that I was in the old room. I'd get off the elevator, hook a left and then a right, put my key into the cardreader and stare befuddled when the little light on the door lock flashed red instead of the usual green. I'd run my card through the cardreader a couple more times, irritation and confusion radiating from me, and then I had the 'a-ha!' moment. Oh, riiiight, this is not my room! Sheepishly, I'd go back the way I came and go to the right room.
It's important to me to develop a routine. I love to see new cities but I know I'm missing cool sight-seeing opportunities. For instance, when I'm in Vegas, I like to get up, run over to Starbuck's for some java, then on over to Terrible Mike's for breakfast (dude, you cannot beat $4.30 breakfasts - scrambled eggs, ham, hashbrowns, and toast). In Paris, I liked to walk over to Starbucks and then meander slowly back to the hotel. I also didn't mind walking over to the Jardins de Tuileries (well, I didn't really walk over there - I took the Metro because it's a bit of a haul). There is a huge fountain that people gather around, dragging over a lawn chair and reading or talking. It's a spectacular garden. I have similar routines in Seattle and San Francisco.
Mostly, my routines revolve around the obtaining of some coffee. In San Fran, there is a cafe about five blocks from the hotel that has excellent takeaway food. And the walk is always incredibly refreshing - the air is often cool and humid, usually there is a brisk wind blowing down those steep, skyscraped hills.
I kind of miss flying domestically, honestly. I love Edinburgh, it's truly a lovely city, and honestly I haven't hit Amsterdam yet, Brussels, Geneva or any Italian city. But there's nothing like San Fran, or Vegas, or Seattle, or San Diego. And it's so much easier to keep in touch with my family. I don't feel jetlagged. So, yes, so far I prefer American cities. And American coffee.
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