9.23.2009
9.18.2009
Why my next tattoo will be the Chicago skyline
No, seriously, I saw some guy who had an arm band and it looked like the skyline of a city. I didn't get to check it out enough to ascertain what city or ask where he got it done but it made me think that this is what I want next.
See, I love Chicago. Chicago with it's crazy high sales tax and ridiculous politicians. Chicago with it's toasty summers and chilly winters. Chicago where my car gets stolen and broken into. It's a city. That's part of the hazard.
But last night, oh, last night. Last night the Joffrey Ballet performed for free downtown. It was crazy crowded and I didn't leave work early enough so I didn't get to the seat that was being saved for me and then had to be given up at the last minute. Instead I stood and watched and it was gorgeous. Last Friday was a free performance by the Lyric Opera. Also lovely. Even though I left earlier, I wandered around Millennium Park and took pictures of the evening while listening to strains of Tannhauser.
The other night as I returned home from work there were three children in the courtyard of my building, clearly immigrants who did not speak much English. I suspect they are from Ethiopia. But they were so happy to be outside and they waived and said "hello!" and helped me open the door. I chatted with the oldest - she said her name was Helen - and asked where she lived. And I love that about Chicago too. Someday I just want to sit in my courtyard and take pictures of the people who live in my building. We are our own great big salad.
There is just so much beauty crammed in to the city. Lots of ugly too. But I'm trying to see the beauty. And sometimes that means I have to keep looking up. Or maybe it means wearing a remembrance that the skyline contains all these wonderful and dreadful things.
See, I love Chicago. Chicago with it's crazy high sales tax and ridiculous politicians. Chicago with it's toasty summers and chilly winters. Chicago where my car gets stolen and broken into. It's a city. That's part of the hazard.
But last night, oh, last night. Last night the Joffrey Ballet performed for free downtown. It was crazy crowded and I didn't leave work early enough so I didn't get to the seat that was being saved for me and then had to be given up at the last minute. Instead I stood and watched and it was gorgeous. Last Friday was a free performance by the Lyric Opera. Also lovely. Even though I left earlier, I wandered around Millennium Park and took pictures of the evening while listening to strains of Tannhauser.
The other night as I returned home from work there were three children in the courtyard of my building, clearly immigrants who did not speak much English. I suspect they are from Ethiopia. But they were so happy to be outside and they waived and said "hello!" and helped me open the door. I chatted with the oldest - she said her name was Helen - and asked where she lived. And I love that about Chicago too. Someday I just want to sit in my courtyard and take pictures of the people who live in my building. We are our own great big salad.
There is just so much beauty crammed in to the city. Lots of ugly too. But I'm trying to see the beauty. And sometimes that means I have to keep looking up. Or maybe it means wearing a remembrance that the skyline contains all these wonderful and dreadful things.
9.16.2009
9.15.2009
She's One (year older)
Lots of music for Jen's birthday. The U2 concert Saturday night. Big band music Sunday afternoon. Some singing after dinner. Good thing she likes music.
Happy birthday day once again Jenaroo.
Happy birthday day once again Jenaroo.
9.14.2009
She's One!
Here's one of the birthday girls from the weekend!
Dad wanted her to have a football. Yes, it's pink and flowery, but a football.
Mom wanted her to have music. So it's a tiger bell/xylophone/piano toy. She loved it.
Folks were asked to not bring gifts but instead bring a picture of a baby because she loves to look at pictures of other babies. Her mom would show them to her and she'd grab at them and look at them. Clearly a great idea.
Mom put them all in an album for her to look through. She was enjoying it for sure.
It's hard to believe she's one.
9.10.2009
Babies always makes me happier
Sorry for the silence. The past few days have been trying emotionally. I'm feeling distant from folks which is never fun. And this reception thing. Hoo boy. That is... well, also trying. I'm starting to resent the wedding which I don't want to do. So I'm trying to work through that. It's just a lot of money (two plane tickets, decent gift, invitations, clothes, ordination, etc.) and feels like a lot of time is going/has gone into the dual events and I just really want it to be done. Really.
My lovely new car also decided to not start two days last week. Once on Sunday afternoon. And because I just didn't know if it was the battery or not (it wouldn't turn over at all but the radio and lights still worked?), I thought I needed a tow and I decided to wait until Monday morning so that they could tow it to my regular mechanic in case it was more than a battery issue. My mechanic is within walking distance of my work so it's terribly convenient. Monday morning, I waited about an hour longer than they said I would have to wait. And the guys who came were sketchy and then said "well all you need is a jump" so jumped it was and off I went. But then Friday it again wouldn't start. So I called again for a jump and drove it in to my mechanic. A new alternator. I was not excited but it was done so that I wouldn't need to get a jump every two or three days to get to work. But I am very glad to have emergency roadside service with my insurance.
Did I mention I'm sitting in on a class? Sitting in observing two of my co-workers in their teaching styles because I might be teaching a class (holy sh*t! i might be teaching a class - at a university!) next semester. So Saturday morning I was at school. Observing. Which isn't how I particularly like to spend my Saturday mornings. Ah well...
I just felt morose the rest of the weekend and into the beginning of the week. But last night a friend shared some good news. He and his partner have had trouble getting pregnant, did the whole fertility thing and have moved on to the adoption route. They've completed their home study and have been approved for foster parenting here in IL. And now, after all that rough work, she is pregnant!
Added to that, Melanie-Peal became an aunt to a wee baby boy last night.
And Heidi and Eric have a court date to finalize the adoption of gorgeous baby E.
And Saturday is the first birthday of a friend's little girl. So I'm hoping for some actual baby snuggling.
My lovely new car also decided to not start two days last week. Once on Sunday afternoon. And because I just didn't know if it was the battery or not (it wouldn't turn over at all but the radio and lights still worked?), I thought I needed a tow and I decided to wait until Monday morning so that they could tow it to my regular mechanic in case it was more than a battery issue. My mechanic is within walking distance of my work so it's terribly convenient. Monday morning, I waited about an hour longer than they said I would have to wait. And the guys who came were sketchy and then said "well all you need is a jump" so jumped it was and off I went. But then Friday it again wouldn't start. So I called again for a jump and drove it in to my mechanic. A new alternator. I was not excited but it was done so that I wouldn't need to get a jump every two or three days to get to work. But I am very glad to have emergency roadside service with my insurance.
Did I mention I'm sitting in on a class? Sitting in observing two of my co-workers in their teaching styles because I might be teaching a class (holy sh*t! i might be teaching a class - at a university!) next semester. So Saturday morning I was at school. Observing. Which isn't how I particularly like to spend my Saturday mornings. Ah well...
I just felt morose the rest of the weekend and into the beginning of the week. But last night a friend shared some good news. He and his partner have had trouble getting pregnant, did the whole fertility thing and have moved on to the adoption route. They've completed their home study and have been approved for foster parenting here in IL. And now, after all that rough work, she is pregnant!
Added to that, Melanie-Peal became an aunt to a wee baby boy last night.
And Heidi and Eric have a court date to finalize the adoption of gorgeous baby E.
And Saturday is the first birthday of a friend's little girl. So I'm hoping for some actual baby snuggling.
9.01.2009
PTSD
The craziness of the last few weeks has ended. I'm losing about 20 hours of vacation because I didn't manage to get enough this past year. OK - maybe it's a little less. I'm really bad about sending in my vacation sheets. Which reminds me - I should send in my August one...
Well, that's done.
So orientations are done. Done! Until the beginning of next month. And then we'll try to convince folks that they really want to start in October (Why would anyone want to start in October?) so that we have a few more new students to claim in our numbers. And then the end of November into December sees the whole system rebooted.
I've stopped avoiding my mother. I just smile and nod and say "OK" when she asks me questions. Suddenly we've gone from a fancy sit down dinner type reception to BBQ and paper plates. On the other side of the phone I just shake my head and wonder where it all went. Of course this means that a lot more of it will be DIY. Which means that I'll be working my ass off when I get to Texas in November. And let me think - oh yeah - I just did that a month ago for the actual event.
Added to the problem is the lack of vegan options in the area of the world where my parents live. I don't know what's going to happen for Thanksgiving or the reception.
I still have to make and send out the invitations. Of course, that presupposes that I have addresses.
Someone please send me some cheese to go with this whine!
Well, that's done.
So orientations are done. Done! Until the beginning of next month. And then we'll try to convince folks that they really want to start in October (Why would anyone want to start in October?) so that we have a few more new students to claim in our numbers. And then the end of November into December sees the whole system rebooted.
I've stopped avoiding my mother. I just smile and nod and say "OK" when she asks me questions. Suddenly we've gone from a fancy sit down dinner type reception to BBQ and paper plates. On the other side of the phone I just shake my head and wonder where it all went. Of course this means that a lot more of it will be DIY. Which means that I'll be working my ass off when I get to Texas in November. And let me think - oh yeah - I just did that a month ago for the actual event.
Added to the problem is the lack of vegan options in the area of the world where my parents live. I don't know what's going to happen for Thanksgiving or the reception.
I still have to make and send out the invitations. Of course, that presupposes that I have addresses.
Someone please send me some cheese to go with this whine!
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