I've really been phoning it in lately. If that term hasn't appeared on Jesse's blog it certainly should. I'm not going to bother to explain. I just find that I'm out of sorts a lot lately. By that I think I mean that I haven't really wanted to work in a long time. I mean, I go (sometimes) and I do things (sometimes), but I'm not the work horse that I once was. I think it's because I've reached a place where I'm not really digging what I'm doing. I call that place Iowa. I will say no more about it here for fear of the word getting out. The internet grapevine is strong. Plus, it's not really that bad, I just like to exaggerate for attention. I'm a bit of a drama queen in case you haven't noticed. Although, wow, just wow, if you haven't noticed.
Speaking of the internet, if anyone else is watching television lately, what is the deal with all of the shows having weird video games that killers are taking for reality? That's always been surprising to me, the number of shows or movies that will come out at the same time and have the same theme. What is the deal with that? (Did you use the Jerry Seinfeld voice to read that last sentence? If not, go back and do it again.)
Speaking of random transitions between ideas, here's one. I'm writing this post a couple days before posting it. I'm trying to cover all the bases before I leave for my conference on Wednesday (the 14th). I'll be gone until Sunday (the 18th) during which time I will miss Zach's birthday. I miss his birthday every year because of this conference. I have a paper to write, I need to practice what I'm going to say for my poster (which I am presenting at the conference), I need to figure out my comps topics and reading list and make appointments with people, I have to pack, print handouts, buy groceries - in short I have a lot to do. How am I tackling both the bevy of personal as well as professional tasks with which I am faced? I'm writing inane blog entries. That's my solution. That and listing everything I have to do about 5 different ways, just to make sure, you know, I really know what I have to do. I'm not doing it, but I've got it organized and planned really nicely. That should really count for something.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday Brunch with Zach and Rose
On November 11 - Veteran's Day to the common folk - Zach and I celebrated 3 years of sinful bliss. Not that I think it's been sinful, but the alternative descriptor there is "wedded" and it's not been wedded. 3 years ago, he took me out for a nice dinner, a romantic walk and then when we got back to his place there were tea light candles everywhere and music playing and he handed me some Gerbera Daisies and said, "These past few weeks have been wonderful, BUT..." And then he asked me to be his girlfriend. He used the wrong conjunction. But- was not appropriate. I honestly thought for a split second that he was calling it quits with me and really went to a lot of trouble to make it nice (he should have just gotten me a Frostie). But no, he was just nervous.
It's been wonderful ever since. Well, it's been mildly tolerable ever since. Just kidding. We're inseparable. That's what Adam told me many years ago - "I think that when you find the one, you guys will be together all the time." And I was like, "what the hell does that mean?" And he said, "I just think if any guy wants to be with you, he's going to really want to be with you, like all the time." So I guess score one for Adam for predicting the future.
On Sunday we went to brunch at the Iowa City Power Company. It's a restaurant. I know it might not sound like that, but it is. It is also an old power company site that was sold later and turned into a restaurant. It's right on the Iowa River and you can see the river and the pretty bridge while you eat - if you get the good seats - we do because they know quality when it walks in.
We had a really wonderful time. The food was fabulous and the drinks were great. We ate until we could eat no more. Then we went home. Our neighbor, Gary, who is a sweetheart brought us brownies and a card with free movie rentals from Blockbuster in it. It was very thoughtful. He's a thoughtful sort. Then, because it was our anniversary, Zach came to Target with me. I love it when he comes with me, but he hates it. We had a pretty good time though. Got a bunch of cleaning supplies that cost me a fortune and a pair of pants that I will likely wear one time. But they are men's pants and only $10.99, so that's awesome.
We came home and did our chores (laundry, cleaning) and then watched some football, because I can be nice too. Zach told our roommate to move her stuff out of the living room. He said he was nice about it. It was just bothering him. I have more problem with things being dirty, but he has a surprisingly low tolerance for clutter. I figure that the roommates just assume I told him to do it because I'm the resident bitch. But whatever. I was going to tell her that that's his deal, not mine, but I thought...well, I do like it cleaned up too and he was nice about it.
And that was about it. We hung out at home and I continued my streak of not working. We enjoyed each other's company and it was a lovely day. Start choir of angels now.
It's been wonderful ever since. Well, it's been mildly tolerable ever since. Just kidding. We're inseparable. That's what Adam told me many years ago - "I think that when you find the one, you guys will be together all the time." And I was like, "what the hell does that mean?" And he said, "I just think if any guy wants to be with you, he's going to really want to be with you, like all the time." So I guess score one for Adam for predicting the future.
On Sunday we went to brunch at the Iowa City Power Company. It's a restaurant. I know it might not sound like that, but it is. It is also an old power company site that was sold later and turned into a restaurant. It's right on the Iowa River and you can see the river and the pretty bridge while you eat - if you get the good seats - we do because they know quality when it walks in.
We had a really wonderful time. The food was fabulous and the drinks were great. We ate until we could eat no more. Then we went home. Our neighbor, Gary, who is a sweetheart brought us brownies and a card with free movie rentals from Blockbuster in it. It was very thoughtful. He's a thoughtful sort. Then, because it was our anniversary, Zach came to Target with me. I love it when he comes with me, but he hates it. We had a pretty good time though. Got a bunch of cleaning supplies that cost me a fortune and a pair of pants that I will likely wear one time. But they are men's pants and only $10.99, so that's awesome.
We came home and did our chores (laundry, cleaning) and then watched some football, because I can be nice too. Zach told our roommate to move her stuff out of the living room. He said he was nice about it. It was just bothering him. I have more problem with things being dirty, but he has a surprisingly low tolerance for clutter. I figure that the roommates just assume I told him to do it because I'm the resident bitch. But whatever. I was going to tell her that that's his deal, not mine, but I thought...well, I do like it cleaned up too and he was nice about it.
And that was about it. We hung out at home and I continued my streak of not working. We enjoyed each other's company and it was a lovely day. Start choir of angels now.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Perhaps the best thing today...
On the nature show we were just watching there was a zoologist named....
Mike Cock.
That's what the announcer said. We both heard it. That's awesome.
Mike Cock.
That's what the announcer said. We both heard it. That's awesome.
That's not fun...that's Littering
The title is an inside joke. I'll let you in on it though because I like you. Zach and I went to the football game on Saturday because a) I love football b) I love huge crowds of drunk people and c) I love sitting outside in cold, windy weather. As we were sitting outside the stadium (because we didn't have tickets, just a need to party) an empty popcorn cup came fluttering down over the side of the wall and sort of floated in the air for a bit. Zach said, "That's fun." To which I replied, "That's not fun, that's littering." The preceding pretty much sums up our world views.
So we went to the football game on Saturday. We walked the mile and change to the stadium and hung out for a bit and watched the game and talked to people. Our neighbors go all the time, so we met up with them for a bit. It was pretty standard and routine. Well, I have no idea really if it was standard and routine as I have never been to a sporting event at a college ever. Never. Not in undergrad, not in the first part of Graduate school, not as a kid. No interest. But damn if I am not a supportive partner. So if Zach wants to go, I go. And I only bitched a little bit. Not even enough to be annoying, just enough to convey what a nice person I was for going along with his plans. He is so lucky.
At the game I was hit on by a 50 year old man wearing a hawk mask ("we" are the Hawkeyes afterall). He wasn't wearing it at the time he was hitting on me. It was just resting on top of his head. Did I mention he was super drunk? Well, he was and he kept asking if I wanted to give him a colonoscopy. Because my neighbor said I was going to be a doctor (the real kind, not an MD) and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Then he wanted to know if I could cure A.D.D. I told him I wasn't even that kind of psychologist. But he was not to be deterred. He wanted me to take off my sunglasses because "those are too big" and he wanted to see my eyes. I told him no. Then he showed me a swimsuit calendar and told me, "Oh that's where I know you from, see, on the cover." He tried to pull up my coat to get a look at my ass. Oh yes, and when we first met, he made me hug him and then tried to keep an arm around me. And I'm sure you know how much I love to be touched by strangers. I got away from him as fast as I could and told Zach what happened. I didn't want my honor defended. I mostly just wanted assurance that I wasn't going to catch any diseases off of the hug or anything. Zach got pissed though. I told him not to say anything, but he ended up going over and saying a few words. They guy asked, "Are you giving me shit?" And then something else. Zach wanted to kick his ass, but violence is never the answer, so we left. I'm not sure why people think that drunk = act like an asshole, but that's what so often happens. That's not fun, that's assault.
Then we went and ate Mexican food and then we went home. It was a pretty good day considering.
I'll tell you about our Anniversary (which was on Sunday - 3 years!) in the next installment. I have to go take a few deeps breaths into a paper bag so I can calm down. All the "not working" can be hard on you after awhile.
So we went to the football game on Saturday. We walked the mile and change to the stadium and hung out for a bit and watched the game and talked to people. Our neighbors go all the time, so we met up with them for a bit. It was pretty standard and routine. Well, I have no idea really if it was standard and routine as I have never been to a sporting event at a college ever. Never. Not in undergrad, not in the first part of Graduate school, not as a kid. No interest. But damn if I am not a supportive partner. So if Zach wants to go, I go. And I only bitched a little bit. Not even enough to be annoying, just enough to convey what a nice person I was for going along with his plans. He is so lucky.
At the game I was hit on by a 50 year old man wearing a hawk mask ("we" are the Hawkeyes afterall). He wasn't wearing it at the time he was hitting on me. It was just resting on top of his head. Did I mention he was super drunk? Well, he was and he kept asking if I wanted to give him a colonoscopy. Because my neighbor said I was going to be a doctor (the real kind, not an MD) and he wouldn't take no for an answer. Then he wanted to know if I could cure A.D.D. I told him I wasn't even that kind of psychologist. But he was not to be deterred. He wanted me to take off my sunglasses because "those are too big" and he wanted to see my eyes. I told him no. Then he showed me a swimsuit calendar and told me, "Oh that's where I know you from, see, on the cover." He tried to pull up my coat to get a look at my ass. Oh yes, and when we first met, he made me hug him and then tried to keep an arm around me. And I'm sure you know how much I love to be touched by strangers. I got away from him as fast as I could and told Zach what happened. I didn't want my honor defended. I mostly just wanted assurance that I wasn't going to catch any diseases off of the hug or anything. Zach got pissed though. I told him not to say anything, but he ended up going over and saying a few words. They guy asked, "Are you giving me shit?" And then something else. Zach wanted to kick his ass, but violence is never the answer, so we left. I'm not sure why people think that drunk = act like an asshole, but that's what so often happens. That's not fun, that's assault.
Then we went and ate Mexican food and then we went home. It was a pretty good day considering.
I'll tell you about our Anniversary (which was on Sunday - 3 years!) in the next installment. I have to go take a few deeps breaths into a paper bag so I can calm down. All the "not working" can be hard on you after awhile.
Friday, November 9, 2007
A Quickie with all the Usual Promises
Hi All (read: Jesse),
I just wanted to give a quick update and promise that I will write more later. I really, really will!
I recently took up charity work. About 7 months ago I decided to become a pen pal for a lucky prisoner inside the "Big House". It was a task that combined all my loves - writing "real" letters (not electronic) and helping out someone less fortunate but with whom I would never have personal contact. I got involved with a prisoner pen pal program and started writing. Just for you sensation-seekers - our relationship is strictly platonic- he seems to be a really interesting guy and was only in for a petty, white collar crime anyway.
Even more recently he was paroled and decided to get into the digital age. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much money yet and his halfway house only has a computer with dial-up and a long-line of people waiting to use it. So, he's asked me if he can guest blog for me. I think that would be awesome and I think you'll all like him too. Anyway, he said he sent me the letter, so hopefully soon it will arrive and I can post it here for you.
Other than that, I've got a couple other posts in the works. I'll get on that ASAP.
Best,
Your Blogger
I just wanted to give a quick update and promise that I will write more later. I really, really will!
I recently took up charity work. About 7 months ago I decided to become a pen pal for a lucky prisoner inside the "Big House". It was a task that combined all my loves - writing "real" letters (not electronic) and helping out someone less fortunate but with whom I would never have personal contact. I got involved with a prisoner pen pal program and started writing. Just for you sensation-seekers - our relationship is strictly platonic- he seems to be a really interesting guy and was only in for a petty, white collar crime anyway.
Even more recently he was paroled and decided to get into the digital age. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much money yet and his halfway house only has a computer with dial-up and a long-line of people waiting to use it. So, he's asked me if he can guest blog for me. I think that would be awesome and I think you'll all like him too. Anyway, he said he sent me the letter, so hopefully soon it will arrive and I can post it here for you.
Other than that, I've got a couple other posts in the works. I'll get on that ASAP.
Best,
Your Blogger
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday? - The Over the Hills and Through the Woods Addition
As in...Over the hills and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go....YEA!
I'm currently in
Why am I at my Grandma's? And why, especially, was I at my Grandma's on a Thursday? Well, that's because I told my advisor to take this job and...no, not really. I did tell him that I wanted a break and he was very understanding. He's come to the realization that everyone who has known me for more than 2 months has - A Happy Rose is a Good Rose. A Happy Rose is a valuable commodity- because just like momma- if Rose isn't happy ain't nobody happy. So I took off yesterday and today and Zach and I drove out to Grandma's. 235 miles of pure bliss and music. We listened to various music the entire time. It was a nice trip out here. I was soooooooo happy to be going Zach only got yelled at once. That's pretty good. He was happy too, thus proving the above point.
When we arrived yesterday Grandma was hard at work baking fresh bread. She loves to bake it for me, and I'm not going to lie to you, I love eating it. Fantastic. We had warm rolls with olive oil and salt and pepper and the some with lunch meat. Why am I detailing the food? I don't know either. Then we hung out for a bit. And then last night I went bowling with Grandma in the church basement. They have a 4 lane bowling alley there we didn't just break in and start chucking balls at things. It's funny. They have a bar, tvs, 4 lanes, bowling ball racks. And it's all in the Catholic church's school building. How awesome is that? We bowled three games. I got to bowl because 1 woman was absent. I did alright, certainly not recording breaking. 115, 89 and 110 in case you were wondering. I hurt my thumb because the ball didn't really fit and was sort of rough, so I got a blister, but it was worth it. It was really funny too because Grandma was yelling at me to, "throw the ball in front of you, you're throwing it to the side." I was sort of thrown off by that. I'm kinda glad I didn't play sports as a child with my Grandma there because she would have scared the hell out of me. She's all about the tough love.
Today- Friday- I went with my Aunt Marybeth to lunch, Target and Walgreens. My favorite places. It was a lot of fun. Zach did a bunch of chores for my Grandma because she likes nothing more than to have a boy to boss around the house. Whatever, I told him he could come to lunch and hang out and he opted out. I don't think he minded too much. Poor bastard.
Tonight we made pumpkin seeds, watched the Dog Whisperer and now I'm going to bed. If you've seen the Dog Whisperer than it might amuse you to know that Zach is trying Cesar's techniques on me. It doesn't amuse me, but I'm guessing that other people sympathize with him and think it's an awesome idea. Good for you all. Just keep repeating the mantra, "A Happy Rose is a Happy _______ (fill in your own name here)."
In other news - Big Congratulations go out to one Sara Lance - who should now be addressed as Dr. Lance.
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Weekend - Campfire Tale Edition Part 3
Last we left off. It was morning. FINALLY! And we were woken up by gun shots. Fine. Whatever. At this point, I'd welcome the sweet release of death, such is the agony of camping.
And that's when it hit me. The sudden desperate urge to go the bathroom. The kind of bathroom that you can't do for at least 100 yards from a water supply. Now they have bathrooms at the camp grounds. Nice ones. With running water and everything, but the only problem is, they are far away. We started walking to the bathrooms. And it started to become clear to me that I was going to have an accident of epic proportions if I didn't get going faster. We finally made it up to the car and I told Zach that I needed him to drive me the rest of the way to the bathrooms (they were on the road ahead of us). And then I looked the car and noticed the layer of ice that had formed during the night.
I said then something I thought I would never say, "Zach I think I'm just going to go right here and we're going to have to figure out how to clean it up later."
Zach said, "Just get in." And then proceeded to drive me to the bathroom on the gravel road with his head out the window because he couldn't see out the windshield. He pulled up the bathrooms, I jumped out of the car and made it. Just in the nick of time. Is it any wonder that I love this man? He's my hero. He made it possible for me to maintain some dignity after I kept him up half the night with the fear that we were going to be killed for our pelts. I love you, Zach. You poor bastard.
As we quietly drove back to camp, I thought, "yeah, it's definitely time to go." I asked Zach if we could just get the hell out of there and I promised to buy him the best breakfast ever with tons of coffee if we could please, please just pack up and get out. So we did. In record time. Under an hour and we were out of there. We had to make a bunch of fun trips to the car. With all the stuff. Uphill. On the way out we saw a buck, who didn't fear us in the least. He just stared us down as we walked by. And I saw two female deer. Who were blocking my path to the car. At this point, I was so desperate to get out of there that I would have been willing to fight deer. They were on the path in front of me and just stood there. I kept walking and when I got closer I just said, "Get the hell out of my way, you Bambis" (yes, I know, Bambi was a boy deer, but whatever). The one stamped its foot at me, but then they left.
Finally, we escaped and drove to a cafe for breakfast. It was pretty nice. We almost got the buffet, but I decided I'd overindulged enough. After that it was home to a nice long hot shower. Then bed for a nap. I was so sore from carrying all that stuff and sleeping on the ground. Awesome. The trip really made me appreciate that I don't have to live in the woods. Thank you ancestors for figuring out electricity, plumbing and sound structural principles, that I may sit in the lap of luxury away from scary things that go bump in the night.
The End
And that's when it hit me. The sudden desperate urge to go the bathroom. The kind of bathroom that you can't do for at least 100 yards from a water supply. Now they have bathrooms at the camp grounds. Nice ones. With running water and everything, but the only problem is, they are far away. We started walking to the bathrooms. And it started to become clear to me that I was going to have an accident of epic proportions if I didn't get going faster. We finally made it up to the car and I told Zach that I needed him to drive me the rest of the way to the bathrooms (they were on the road ahead of us). And then I looked the car and noticed the layer of ice that had formed during the night.
I said then something I thought I would never say, "Zach I think I'm just going to go right here and we're going to have to figure out how to clean it up later."
Zach said, "Just get in." And then proceeded to drive me to the bathroom on the gravel road with his head out the window because he couldn't see out the windshield. He pulled up the bathrooms, I jumped out of the car and made it. Just in the nick of time. Is it any wonder that I love this man? He's my hero. He made it possible for me to maintain some dignity after I kept him up half the night with the fear that we were going to be killed for our pelts. I love you, Zach. You poor bastard.
As we quietly drove back to camp, I thought, "yeah, it's definitely time to go." I asked Zach if we could just get the hell out of there and I promised to buy him the best breakfast ever with tons of coffee if we could please, please just pack up and get out. So we did. In record time. Under an hour and we were out of there. We had to make a bunch of fun trips to the car. With all the stuff. Uphill. On the way out we saw a buck, who didn't fear us in the least. He just stared us down as we walked by. And I saw two female deer. Who were blocking my path to the car. At this point, I was so desperate to get out of there that I would have been willing to fight deer. They were on the path in front of me and just stood there. I kept walking and when I got closer I just said, "Get the hell out of my way, you Bambis" (yes, I know, Bambi was a boy deer, but whatever). The one stamped its foot at me, but then they left.
Finally, we escaped and drove to a cafe for breakfast. It was pretty nice. We almost got the buffet, but I decided I'd overindulged enough. After that it was home to a nice long hot shower. Then bed for a nap. I was so sore from carrying all that stuff and sleeping on the ground. Awesome. The trip really made me appreciate that I don't have to live in the woods. Thank you ancestors for figuring out electricity, plumbing and sound structural principles, that I may sit in the lap of luxury away from scary things that go bump in the night.
The End
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