June 2008

For some reason I’m not really feeling like I have anything very “post worthy” to say the past few days, despite the great material around me to write about. But you know what that usually means … bullet time.

• Brokeback Mountain was great. Absolutely incredible acting and one of the most touching and genuine films I have seen in a long time. This is going at the top of the favorites list. I now see why it got such good reviews.
• We watch Bucket List last night, which I was thinking should lead to a great post about all the things I want to do with my life; but alas I don’t want to think about things I want to do before I die at this point so that will have to wait. The movie itself was pretty decent. Not as amazing as Jon had hoped but I had lower expectations so I wasn’t too disappointed.
• Plutos and Tutti-Melon for dinner last night. Jon loves me. There’s nothing like a good salad that I have managed to make unhealthy with so much stuff piled on top of it and some good old mochi and yogurt to make for a good Saturday night.
• Stern Grove music festival today. Classical music in the park with friends. Hopefully the weather improves a little (well yanno the sun comes out). Although I’m bummed I can’t take Glory. North Beach festival let me take her. What’s up Stern Grove?

But now it is off to take a walk with Glory before heading off to help at the highschool service and then to church with Jon. Only four more days until my mom comes!

After a long and tiring week at work, a couple happy hours, and not enough time at home this week I figured tonight seemed like the perfect night to spend laying in bed watching tv. Sarah brought her fish Baby over to stay with me while they are in Puerto Rico so Baby, Glory, and I are spending the evening watching Brokeback Mountain. I’ve never seen it and since it is LGBT Pride Weekend it seems like perfect timing. Happy Friday!

From the SFGate today:

Flavor-enhanced Mugabe: All the Zimbabwe president needs to complete his Flavor Flav look is some bling and maybe an oversized clock. Mugabe is sure to extend his decades-long rule after Friday’s one-candidate runoff election. The main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, withdrew from the race because nearly 90 of his supporters have been killed.

Seriously and we wonder why the entire world hates us. Come on San Francisco – you too? Sometimes I really wonder what the media is thinking.

I much preferred this picture from a few days ago:

I mean who doesn’t love a picture of a happy sloth bear riding a bike with its owner? Unfortunately owning the bear is against the wildlife law in India so the two are no longer together. Thankfully someone snapped the happy two (ok well the bear looks happy) before they had to part. Come on SF Gate – let’s stick with animal pictures and not political figures who condone violence against their own people. Ha that bear just cracks me up. I hope it doesn’t wind up coming out that it was really this dude’s five year old dressed up in last year’s Halloween costume.

Another news story of the day – they have caught the suspect in the road rage shooting right down the street from my house. After the shooting and then checking out this map of the homicides in San Francisco in 2007 and thus far in 2008 I’m starting to reconsider my “hood”. Brings a whole new meaning to the “red triangle” since I live pretty smack dab in the middle of it all. I guess it is time to admit that maybe I don’t live in the safest area of town? Nah.

It was very sad though driving past Congdon and Maynard where the dad and his sons were shot by the road rage shooter this past week. People have left flowers on the corner and tied to the street post. There were tv cameras there today. On the way home I drove the other way and tried to convince myself that it was because I didn’t want to see the sad corner instead of the fact that it is now a little scary and ominous to drive past that area. Well and let’s face it that hill is not a great one as it is. I will definitely now think twice and be a much more cautious driver. Take note TJ – no more shaking your arms at people in the Mission.

I’ve been in a super “eh” kinda mood for the past few weeks so it was so nice to have happy hour with SB and TJ tonight and drink our giant margaritas and chat about our lives. It was more Los Cucos than Trudy’s as far as food/drinks/atmosphere goes but good conversation makes all the difference. Oh and they put us in a big half circle booth – score!

One more day at work, one more happy hour tomorrow with ROCK people, and it’s the weekend! Mom comes next week, it’s a four day week and we are off to enjoy the coast, the sun, and the rides of Universal Studios. Plus with so many people out of town (both Caldwells, both Becks, Jon, and I’m sure many more) I’m happy that I get to jump on the vacation bandwagon! It’s not the Outer Banks for two weeks (I’m so jealous Megan!) or Iowa (ha just kidding Kat … I mean that will be fun right) but it will be an awesome four day weekend with my mom and me enjoying California and trying to not pay too much attention to the price of gas.

p.s. (one more) shout out to Ashley U. and your blog!

Went to McCormicks and somebody for awesome happy hour tonight with Jon. The prices were pretty much incredible anyway (I mean $2 for appetizers!) and then they took so long that we got it for free, which basically meant that Jon was forced to talk to me for 45 minutes straight Got him just where I wanted him. Ha – but it was really great. Never got my sweet snack though but oh well.

Then we came home and watched In the Shadow of the Moon – the documentary about the guys who went to the moon. It was very well made and very interesting, although rightly put by JB it did seem like we were in science class at times. It’s incredible to think what it must have felt like to be so far away from the other 3 billion people on the planet. I think it would have been too surreal for me.

I wish I could say more about it because the entire movie really did bring some good discussion points to mind – but it also brought on a huge headache so I am going to brush my teeth and go to bed.

p.s. remember Kat how you had that entire wall of your room with wallpaper of the moon and earth when we were kids? crazy.

This awesome article on Gawker today about Managing 20 Somethings: The Real Shit has these great tips about managing an office full of 20-somethings, which let’s face it are totally true:

• Food: Can we get some free food up in here?
• Shut Up: Dude, you are old and we already know how to do this stupid job, so please just shut up.
• Don’t Sweat It: Don’t sweat it, man. We got it all under control. Don’t freak out.
• Money: Pay us more, why don’t you?
• Work: It totally sucks. Nothing you can do about it. Sorry.

I mean the original US News article has much less rude and better put tips but I kinda like Gawker’s tips. Especially “Shut up”.

I will say that I agree 100% with the US News article, which basically puts into words all of the reasons why I get frustrated being a young person in the work force. I’ve tried to put this into words before for the benefit of my boss, especially with my one year performance review already overdue and on the calendar for next week. I think I will likely just print out this article and bring it.

On that note – it is difficult to prepare for a performance review. As a typical 20-something I am spending very little time thinking about “what have I done in the past year that has been good/bad/improving” and more time thinking “what are my plans for the next year?” I think I am really stuck on #3 of the US News list: Add value.

I think that our generation is taught to be such go-getters and to be continually looking forward to the next step that we are constantly double checking that the step we are on now is sufficiently preparing us for getting to the next. We’re a far way from JFK’s “Ask not what your country can do for you…” speech. We are definitely on to “what can my company do for me?”

Oh … and let me use Facebook.

Pertaining to Clinton appealing to Democrats to help her pay off her debt:

No comment, even though what I’m thinking I would like to say to Hill is “sucks bro”.

From the article “Caffeinated Moms Drink Up to Keep Up”:

Seriously? Wow Kat and you thought you were bad with your soda.

This story only needs the headline:

And she is from Colorado.

And last but not least a really sad story with a very disturbing image. This picture was next to the headline:

“Rocky mountain chocolate factory refuses bathroom access to a 5-year old who then has diarrhea in front of them”

I’m never drinking chocolate milk again.

Happy Birthday Milo. In the short time I’ve known you I am glad to say you have only scratched me (that left a mark) once, eaten after me about ten times, and given me the evil eye on several occasions. You also have warmed my lap when I didn’t want to use the naked blanket, amused me with your antics, and become my Facebook friends. Here’s to many more years where you will certainly continue to be in hearty competition with the Milo who is in Heroes for World’s Hottest Male.

So ya birthday party for Anneliese’s cat tonight, which was basically an excuse for a glass of wine, sweets, and American Gladiator: Couples Edition. I still don’t know who wound up winning so TJ I will await the news. “That blue wife sucks.”

Spent a lot of time in the car today so I was able to think about the fact that in only one short week I will not longer be allowed to talk on my phone without a hands free device. Although as my coworker Helene pointed out the law does not pertain to texting while driving, which is still legal. Ha! So more dangerous mode of communication here I come. Just kidding – guess I might have to give in and get one of those dorky ear things. Or I guess I could consider just not being able to talk on my phone in the car? Ha – oh the humor.

So my mom is going to be here next week – which is super exciting. It is also bad news for this week because it is giving me an excuse to let me room fall to pieces. I really need to do some major cleaning – I’ve just been doing upkeep since my last cleaning when Megan and B were here – but now I keep saying to myself “oh I’ll have to do it next week before Mom gets here anyway so I’ll just wait”. Seriously though Megs tonight I found one last hair that you left on my bathroom floor so I couldn’t let that one wait. Don’t worry Mom – major cleaning is going to be in order next Wednesday before you get here. And besides we won’t be here much anyway.

I’ve been not sleeping well lately – which I just can’t seem to figure out. Every night before I go to bed I’m exhausted – I mean I’ve been getting 6-7 hours a night which is the usual but still by the end of the day I’m always falling into bed. But then always around 1 or 2 and then again at just a little after 4 I wake up. It’s happened for the past week or two. Very strange. Plus I’m been sorta emotionally all over the place lately. With the full moon though I’m chalking it up to the possibility that I either am a werewolf or am hearing werewolves. Or likely just too much thinking before bedtime. Thankfully tonight though Glory is sleeping up at the top of the bed all curled up next to me instead of in her normal spot at the bottom keeping my feet warm so here’s to hoping for a good night’s sleep.

Despite the “oh my gosh the East Bay is so far” from Jon, we all car pooled to Oakland this morning to meet Ashlee for the famous Zachary’s pizza. Now I am a thin crust girl myself – I like the crunch – but this was indeed some awesome pizza. Plus we got to go and check out Cloud’s house and I was reminded of what 95 degree weather feels like.

I caught some of the Olympic Trials for gymnastics tonight. I haven’t quite figured it out but I love watching tiny people flip around in the air. Seriously the girl in first place is 4’9″. I was taller than that in like 4th grade. Incredible. They kept playing the Kerri Strug 1996 Olympics vault, which I remember watching. Regardless of the politics of it all I am super excited about this year’s Olympics. There’s nothing like gymnastics, swimming, and competitive badminton to celebrate the best athletes in the world. Hurry up 8-8-08.

Well in true grandma Ashley fashion I am going to turn in for the night. Angie is on vacation this next week so work will probably be crazier than usual (ha ok normally work is not necessarily crazy so maybe it will just be more than a 7 hour day this week?) so I’m enjoying my relaxation this weekend. Plus the heat today just wore me out. Seriously you Texans – how do you do it? Mom I now am remembering how beautiful freon can be. I definitely enjoyed that air conditioner blowing in my car today over and Oakland.

Although the natural air conditioner tonight of the beautiful San Francisco breeze was far better. I think I’ll sleep with the window open tonight.

Just kidding.

Beautiful weather today. I know I say that just about every day but this time it was an early Indian summer day in San Francisco. 80 degrees in the sun. 60 degrees tonight. Right now it’s hovering right around 72 with just a little bit of a breeze and the girls and I are hanging in the backyard. Add to it that we have had amazing sunrises the past couple days, with the full moon still lingering and making me happy that I’m on the road at 5:30 am.
Thanks to the awesome weather I spent the afternoon in the backyard and hanging out with Jon … and playing with iPhoto with Glory. She is clearly in love with me.

I was reflecting a bit today on how I’ve gotten where I am from where I was. Academically I spent at least the last two years of college immersed in the creative world. Looking back I can see how I was being pointed in the right direction.

I was not always so sure if anyone actually goes to college to learn as opposed to going to socialize. It wasn’t until some of my courses in Mesoamerican art that I really “got it” (thank you Professor Guernsey). My favorite classes were always less “artsy” and more “cultural” – a fine mix of imagery and sociology. I was and still am fascinated with power, specifically within politics and religion, and up until about a hundred or so years ago those three things were primarily expressed through the visual arts. Hell we are still using the visual today to display power – we just call it the media and advertising instead.

So there I was and here I am, still fascinated with power but now more focused on shaping today’s society as opposed to studying yesterday’s. I think that human services is an art form in itself, although more Jackson Pollack and less Michaelangelo. Even if not directly working in the arts, I’m pretty convinced that it’s only a small step away.