My I are the new owners of a Honda Odyssey. It's a great vehicle. DH and I got the vehicle we wanted with the options we wanted, and we're very happy with it.
However, the car buying experience is highly unpleasant. The bait-and-switch tactics are ridiculous, yet consistent.
Please, please consider designing showrooms that are friendlier to the consumer. For example, the showroom at which we purchased our Odyssey had a children's play area. It had three walls, and the fourth side was open to the showroom. Two feet from the toys was a 2008 Accord. Ummm... kids throw things when they play, they run around and they get loud. My child NEEDED to move and get loud to burn off some energy during the 6+ hours we were there. Having a brand-new vehicle right next to all of that was, quite frankly, dumb. Also, there was one television in the dealership on a Sunday (i.e. football day), so a group of 4 to 5 salesmen were constantly in the children's playroom. My son would eventually get tired of working around them to play and would run the showroom floor. I ran after him, so it became a game. Umm... salespeople, when you see a panic-ed mom running, get out of my way. I do not run in your showroom to entertain you.
How hard is it to have a glass wall with a door? How hard is it to have an extra tv in the breakroom for your salespeople? Can you please ask your employees to stay off the children's tables so the children actually have some room to play?
We ended up walking away with the perfect vehicle for our family yesterday, but I have to say that the birthing process was less aggravating than the car-buying process.
The customer pays for your salary. Keep our needs in mind, please.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Fire
When I was in college, on a frigid night (and I do mean frigid as in twenty to thirty below zero-- I went to school in Minnesota, folks), my apartment burned down. I got a sandwich bag full of smoky-smelling jewelery out of the apartment, and that was it.
Today, it was with a heavy heavy heart that I was reading about the fires in southern California. I've been there. It sucks. (It's weird for a while-- you think, oh I want that CD-- oh yeah, it's toast. You think, where's that picture? Oh yeah, it's ashes.)
As I was reading washingtonpost.com, I discovered that the fires were around San Diego. I have family in that area-- family that I don't talk to. (Bad grammar, I know-- but my point is that they haven't been in my life-- and some have been offensive when they have been in my life-- so I don't bring them into my life.)
I discovered that the town that all of my family lives in has been evacuated. I've had mixed feelings since. I have fond memories of visiting the family place several times when I was young. I'm sad at the thought that it could all go up in smoke. I feel sadness about the feelings they must be having right now. That's about as far as I can go, though. Does it make me want to reconnect with them? No.
Is this bad? Should I be reaching out to them? (This is rhetorical, of course.) Perhaps I should, but I really don't feel the need. I've been hurt so many times that I don't want to stick myself out there again.
In some ways, there is good that comes out of a fire. You truly get a sense of what is important (those that you love) and what is not important (stuff). People that matter surround you and nurture you. People that are buttheads make inappropriate comments. And you realize your own strength.
I know who I love and who loves me. I feel for those that I'm related to, but that's it. I wish them the best.
Today, it was with a heavy heavy heart that I was reading about the fires in southern California. I've been there. It sucks. (It's weird for a while-- you think, oh I want that CD-- oh yeah, it's toast. You think, where's that picture? Oh yeah, it's ashes.)
As I was reading washingtonpost.com, I discovered that the fires were around San Diego. I have family in that area-- family that I don't talk to. (Bad grammar, I know-- but my point is that they haven't been in my life-- and some have been offensive when they have been in my life-- so I don't bring them into my life.)
I discovered that the town that all of my family lives in has been evacuated. I've had mixed feelings since. I have fond memories of visiting the family place several times when I was young. I'm sad at the thought that it could all go up in smoke. I feel sadness about the feelings they must be having right now. That's about as far as I can go, though. Does it make me want to reconnect with them? No.
Is this bad? Should I be reaching out to them? (This is rhetorical, of course.) Perhaps I should, but I really don't feel the need. I've been hurt so many times that I don't want to stick myself out there again.
In some ways, there is good that comes out of a fire. You truly get a sense of what is important (those that you love) and what is not important (stuff). People that matter surround you and nurture you. People that are buttheads make inappropriate comments. And you realize your own strength.
I know who I love and who loves me. I feel for those that I'm related to, but that's it. I wish them the best.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Cubs... of all sizes
Off we went to Shenandoah National Park this past weekend, despite our sick cub in the backseat. Oh, how he scared us with the low-grade fever, vomiting, and diarrhea-- but when the pediatrician says that we can go as long as we bring back a brochure for him, who are we to question?
We hiked down the Cedar Run trail to see the falls at the bottom. Discovered that we heard no water flowing as we were on our way down and that the rock where the falls were supposed to be was bone dry. Doggone drought. On the way back up, I heard a rustle. I looked to my left to see... a bear cub sprawled on the other side of the ravine. That's when I remembered that I had a bag of homemade granola in the baby backpack. And that cubs have mommies.
So I clapped at DH. Who just kept moving. So I said his name. When he turned around, I pointed and he just looked at me. So I said, "Bear!" in my most urgent tone. We both got moving.
A few hours later, we saw a cub posing for tourists just like Yogi did in the cartoons. I think it was the same goofy adolescent bear that I saw earlier-- I'm sure that he was doing his best 'feed me' look.
Oh, and dining choices near Luray were oh so sparse. Very, very disappointing. I always forget that I was spoiled by the quality of the beef in SD growing up. Not to mention that the Confederate-sympathizing vibe in our restaurant choice was very off-putting. But I forget that I'm south of the Mason-Dixon sometimes.
Random thought of the day: Having a husband that insists on being involved with decorating decisions to the point that I get frustrated and worn down is not fun. Who knew that paint colors could be so stress-inducing?
We hiked down the Cedar Run trail to see the falls at the bottom. Discovered that we heard no water flowing as we were on our way down and that the rock where the falls were supposed to be was bone dry. Doggone drought. On the way back up, I heard a rustle. I looked to my left to see... a bear cub sprawled on the other side of the ravine. That's when I remembered that I had a bag of homemade granola in the baby backpack. And that cubs have mommies.
So I clapped at DH. Who just kept moving. So I said his name. When he turned around, I pointed and he just looked at me. So I said, "Bear!" in my most urgent tone. We both got moving.
A few hours later, we saw a cub posing for tourists just like Yogi did in the cartoons. I think it was the same goofy adolescent bear that I saw earlier-- I'm sure that he was doing his best 'feed me' look.
Oh, and dining choices near Luray were oh so sparse. Very, very disappointing. I always forget that I was spoiled by the quality of the beef in SD growing up. Not to mention that the Confederate-sympathizing vibe in our restaurant choice was very off-putting. But I forget that I'm south of the Mason-Dixon sometimes.
Random thought of the day: Having a husband that insists on being involved with decorating decisions to the point that I get frustrated and worn down is not fun. Who knew that paint colors could be so stress-inducing?
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Wedding planning...
My sister is getting married. Not immediately, but she got engaged over the summer and she's going to get married. (I wonder what catchy blog name I could use for her 'intended.' Maine Native? FBIL for Future Brother-In-Law? FCW for Former Co-Worker? I must think about this on my next commute...)
However, my parents are being buttheads. Yes, that was me, calling out my parents without their knowlege in the blogosphere. (They live in Wyoming, don't have a working computer, let alone internet. But this is awfully cheap therapy, you've got to admit.)
The family found out about my sister's engagement shortly before we arrived in Maine this summer. My dad not-so-jokingly discussed my sister getting married while we were there. Then that passed and I assumed his nudginess had passed.
Oh, no. Turns out they've nudged my sister about every little date twist and turn that has come up. Repeatedly. Unashamedly.
The more I think about this, the more upset I get. My issue is: THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR THE WEDDING. I think the issue can be boiled down to that. So here's a new rule.
Rule: You are not allowed to b*tch about events of major cost for which you are not financially responsible.
Why can't people just be happy, and communicate that? And be supportive?
I don't get it.
And why can't toddlers go to bed without the frolic-ing in the dark?
However, my parents are being buttheads. Yes, that was me, calling out my parents without their knowlege in the blogosphere. (They live in Wyoming, don't have a working computer, let alone internet. But this is awfully cheap therapy, you've got to admit.)
The family found out about my sister's engagement shortly before we arrived in Maine this summer. My dad not-so-jokingly discussed my sister getting married while we were there. Then that passed and I assumed his nudginess had passed.
Oh, no. Turns out they've nudged my sister about every little date twist and turn that has come up. Repeatedly. Unashamedly.
The more I think about this, the more upset I get. My issue is: THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR THE WEDDING. I think the issue can be boiled down to that. So here's a new rule.
Rule: You are not allowed to b*tch about events of major cost for which you are not financially responsible.
Why can't people just be happy, and communicate that? And be supportive?
I don't get it.
And why can't toddlers go to bed without the frolic-ing in the dark?
Sunday, September 30, 2007
I Need Your Advice
I've gotten about three emails from classmates.com stating that I've gotten three seperate posts to my profile on their website. The deal is that if I wish to see them, I need to pay up. So do I subscribe to their site to see them? Will I see substantive messages or three people that just say hi?
What do you recommend?
What do you recommend?
How do we celebrate an anniversary? With a sore throat!
My husband and I have now been married for a decade. I don't feel old enough to be married for a decade. It's a bit surreal.
We test-drove a Suburban yesterday. It was a two-year-old truck that was very clean except for the... smoky smell inside. We kept telling ourselves that it wasn't that bad, because the XM radio/DVD player/4X4/leather seats were oh so enticing. When we went to a Mexican restaurant right afterward to talk about it, we realized that we were all congested from the cigarette smoke. So we kept talking about it. And we went to a detailing place to see if they thought that they could get the smoky smell out. The man said, "Maybe." A $30,ooo investment into 'maybe' is a bit much for us. Plus, do we really need a Suburban when we could get a minivan that can also haul stuff and get better gas mileage? I'm thinking that an Odyssey or a Sienna is a better choice for us.
Oh, and I still have a sore throat from the Suburban.
We're off to stay in a cabin next weekend. Hiking fun for the family!
We test-drove a Suburban yesterday. It was a two-year-old truck that was very clean except for the... smoky smell inside. We kept telling ourselves that it wasn't that bad, because the XM radio/DVD player/4X4/leather seats were oh so enticing. When we went to a Mexican restaurant right afterward to talk about it, we realized that we were all congested from the cigarette smoke. So we kept talking about it. And we went to a detailing place to see if they thought that they could get the smoky smell out. The man said, "Maybe." A $30,ooo investment into 'maybe' is a bit much for us. Plus, do we really need a Suburban when we could get a minivan that can also haul stuff and get better gas mileage? I'm thinking that an Odyssey or a Sienna is a better choice for us.
Oh, and I still have a sore throat from the Suburban.
We're off to stay in a cabin next weekend. Hiking fun for the family!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
OK, so I skipped a month (or nearly two)
Hi. Me again.
Want an update?
West Coast was a blast. I highly recommend Oregon (yes, Oregon) as a vacation spot.
Returned from the West Coast and was back to work 13 hours after stepping off the plane. Helped to train new teachers, became a mentor, and started setting up the classroom.
Which wasn't ready to my standards, but the kids came anyway. And I started teaching anyway. (They've all been learning anyway, too-- so it's all good.)
We had friends over. Which involved a melting, exfoliating grill (don't ask), appletinis, and bocce-ball stealing toddlers.
More teaching.
We replaced the doorknob of the interior door of Mark's bedroom. The punk had learned how to flip the lever-style doorknob and was able to release himself from his room at his own will to come and scream down the stairway at us. The round doorknob is a gift from heaven.
We rented a Tahoe and got 20 miles to the gallon even with the stuff we hauled(when some of the small SUVs we've been eyeing only get 15 MPG or so)-- who knew? What do exurbians with large cargo capacity purchase? A new grill and a lot of bags of mulch, of course.
Went to Artsfest to get my yearly Good Elephant fix. Happy, happy, happy. This pottery really does speak to me.
Baby screaming. Have a good one.
Want an update?
West Coast was a blast. I highly recommend Oregon (yes, Oregon) as a vacation spot.
Returned from the West Coast and was back to work 13 hours after stepping off the plane. Helped to train new teachers, became a mentor, and started setting up the classroom.
Which wasn't ready to my standards, but the kids came anyway. And I started teaching anyway. (They've all been learning anyway, too-- so it's all good.)
We had friends over. Which involved a melting, exfoliating grill (don't ask), appletinis, and bocce-ball stealing toddlers.
More teaching.
We replaced the doorknob of the interior door of Mark's bedroom. The punk had learned how to flip the lever-style doorknob and was able to release himself from his room at his own will to come and scream down the stairway at us. The round doorknob is a gift from heaven.
We rented a Tahoe and got 20 miles to the gallon even with the stuff we hauled(when some of the small SUVs we've been eyeing only get 15 MPG or so)-- who knew? What do exurbians with large cargo capacity purchase? A new grill and a lot of bags of mulch, of course.
Went to Artsfest to get my yearly Good Elephant fix. Happy, happy, happy. This pottery really does speak to me.
Baby screaming. Have a good one.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
This and That...
DH has been working 60-80 hour weeks the past few weeks. It's been stressful, with Mark being in his curious state. DH is ours as of Thursday, though!
We're off to the West Coast later this week! We'll be going to the Oregon coast, Redwood National Park, Crater Lake, Portland, Mt. Hood, the Columbia River gorge, and hopefully Mt. Saint Helens. We got a fancy schmancy baby backpack that we'll be schlepping Mark in for our hikes. We're pretty excited.
My garden has been chugging along, despite incredibly dry weather. (Zucchini, anyone?) I've tried to come up with some profound post about eating local and preserving food-- but it's summer and I can't be profound. All I can come up with is the following:
You think about the resources it takes for low-gas mileage vehicles such as Suburbans and low-wattage lightbulbs. Apply the same logic to your food. I was at my warehouse store recently and saw that the humungo-bag of organic broccoli was from-- China. Think about the resources it takes to haul humungo-bags of organic broccoli halfway around the world! The thing is that it isn't just the broccoli-- peaches from Greece, tomatoes from Italy, grapes from Peru. To boot, I'm surrounded by struggling farms that are progressively falling to developers. By buying local and preserving my own produce, I am conserving precious energy resources and supporting my local economy. That's a very good thing.
I recieved a grant this spring, and I finally finished everything. Happy, happy!
Watching Mark dance 18-month-old style is hilarious. Truly funny, but charming at the same time!
We're off to the West Coast later this week! We'll be going to the Oregon coast, Redwood National Park, Crater Lake, Portland, Mt. Hood, the Columbia River gorge, and hopefully Mt. Saint Helens. We got a fancy schmancy baby backpack that we'll be schlepping Mark in for our hikes. We're pretty excited.
My garden has been chugging along, despite incredibly dry weather. (Zucchini, anyone?) I've tried to come up with some profound post about eating local and preserving food-- but it's summer and I can't be profound. All I can come up with is the following:
You think about the resources it takes for low-gas mileage vehicles such as Suburbans and low-wattage lightbulbs. Apply the same logic to your food. I was at my warehouse store recently and saw that the humungo-bag of organic broccoli was from-- China. Think about the resources it takes to haul humungo-bags of organic broccoli halfway around the world! The thing is that it isn't just the broccoli-- peaches from Greece, tomatoes from Italy, grapes from Peru. To boot, I'm surrounded by struggling farms that are progressively falling to developers. By buying local and preserving my own produce, I am conserving precious energy resources and supporting my local economy. That's a very good thing.
I recieved a grant this spring, and I finally finished everything. Happy, happy!
Watching Mark dance 18-month-old style is hilarious. Truly funny, but charming at the same time!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Naughty!
This is my little guy-- who is making me crazy!!! He got into mischief with our laptop (now non-operational). He figured out how to scale his crib and frolic upstairs as he sees fit. He's been tap-dancing on the dining room and coffee tables.Just when I'm ready to take him in for a trade-in, he flashes a blueberry-stained smile at me.
No fair.
I suppose we'll have to keep him.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Not cool.
I lost one of the stones from my wedding ring.
I know it shouldn't bother me-- it's just a little stone, jewelery stores can order a replacement, yadda yadda.
But I'm upset.
DH and I have been married for almost ten (!) years now.
We knew that this prong had issues.
Gah!
I know it shouldn't bother me-- it's just a little stone, jewelery stores can order a replacement, yadda yadda.
But I'm upset.
DH and I have been married for almost ten (!) years now.
We knew that this prong had issues.
Gah!
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Optimism
I've been wanting to spout off about 'Scooter' Libby, but I can't gripe any more about politics.
It's also been tempting to go off about global warming with the record temps in the Southwest (not to mention the mid-90s I experienced in Maine) and the Live Earth concert coming up.
I feel a need to look at the glass as half full. I've got a garden that is cranking out the veggies (despite disappointing seed and hungry wildlife). Despite the temper tantrums and dancing on the coffee table (how I wish I was joking), my little guy is growing bigger and doing exactly what a kid his age is supposed to do. My husband and I have our household under control-- we're not in debt and we're saving for retirement.
Everything is good. Which makes me nervous.
I remember a gorgeous morning when I felt like everything was great in the world. It was an absolutely beautiful day, my DH and I were doing well professionally, our families were doing well. As I locked my apartment door that morning, I thought about how lucky and blessed I was.
That morning was September 11, 2001. Within two hours, I would be in a panic because my husband can and does go to the Pentagon and I wasn't sure if he would have gone there without telling me.
He was fine. But ever since then, I get really nervous when things are too good. I get nervous about being an optimist now.
It's also been tempting to go off about global warming with the record temps in the Southwest (not to mention the mid-90s I experienced in Maine) and the Live Earth concert coming up.
I feel a need to look at the glass as half full. I've got a garden that is cranking out the veggies (despite disappointing seed and hungry wildlife). Despite the temper tantrums and dancing on the coffee table (how I wish I was joking), my little guy is growing bigger and doing exactly what a kid his age is supposed to do. My husband and I have our household under control-- we're not in debt and we're saving for retirement.
Everything is good. Which makes me nervous.
I remember a gorgeous morning when I felt like everything was great in the world. It was an absolutely beautiful day, my DH and I were doing well professionally, our families were doing well. As I locked my apartment door that morning, I thought about how lucky and blessed I was.
That morning was September 11, 2001. Within two hours, I would be in a panic because my husband can and does go to the Pentagon and I wasn't sure if he would have gone there without telling me.
He was fine. But ever since then, I get really nervous when things are too good. I get nervous about being an optimist now.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Happy July Fourth!
I love living in a country where I can say what I want to say. I love being able to choose my religion, drive where I want to go, choose how many children I want to have, and all of the other rights I have protected under the Bill of Rights.
I also strongly support those that choose to join the Armed Forces. DH currently has two active duty siblings, and one sibling in the guard.
Freedom is not free, and I want to shout out to those that put their a$$es on the line, every day-- especially right now.
God bless the U.S.A., and those who choose to protect this great country.
I also strongly support those that choose to join the Armed Forces. DH currently has two active duty siblings, and one sibling in the guard.
Freedom is not free, and I want to shout out to those that put their a$$es on the line, every day-- especially right now.
God bless the U.S.A., and those who choose to protect this great country.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Vacation
Well, school is over. I celebrated all of that by: finishing a grad class, volunteering to become a new teacher trainer and work part of my summer break, and completing a grant project at my school.
The first couple of weeks of vacation weren't really vacation.
Then the fun stuff started. DH, Mark, and I took a little jaunt up to Pittsburg to see a ball game. (Vijay Singh sat in front of us as we watched the Pirates beat up on the White Sox during the U.S. Open weekend.)
My parents flew out from WY, and we started their time out here by... immediately driving to the GM U.S. Nationals up in Pennsylvania. I did it for my dad. He's restoring a '66 Chevy Bel Air and was looking for parts. So we went to this gigantic swap meet, and he found a couple of manuals and a die-cast replica. (i.e. It was a bust.) The upside was that we introduced my father to ebay. The only problem is that he refuses to touch computer keys. Thanks to ebay and his computer-literate daughter, he's got three more parts for his restoration. Then we went to Lancaster, PA to go to 'Amish country.' This is funny because my parents have Amish friends in MN-- so I knew that they would understand the absurdity of the area that boasts three outlet malls and the Dutch Wonderland theme park (yes, an Amish theme park).
We then brought my parents down to where we live. My dad completely transformed our garage, which is a very happy thing. DH and my dad insulated our garage and put up organizers to hold all of our garage clutter. (Clutter that we really do NEED, mind you-- we do have two acres of land.) Anyway, I won't trip things as I haul Mark under one arm and groceries in the other hand. They also helped clear some of the forest of weeds that is my garden. (They were rewarded with garden-fresh grilled veggies and zucchini chocolate chip cookies.)
After two short days of home-based fun, it was up to Maine to see my sister and her fiance. We went to L.L. Bean, Camden, and Acadia, which were fun. There was also two days of spa-stuff. (It was HOT in Maine, though! I was really surprised by the temperatures!)
I knew that Mark would have trouble re-adjusting to life without people laughing at his antics, snuggling with his parents every night, and having one nap instead of two, daily.
Anyway, Mark was very vocal as we attempted to put him to sleep tonight. We'll see how the adjustment goes.
The first couple of weeks of vacation weren't really vacation.
Then the fun stuff started. DH, Mark, and I took a little jaunt up to Pittsburg to see a ball game. (Vijay Singh sat in front of us as we watched the Pirates beat up on the White Sox during the U.S. Open weekend.)
My parents flew out from WY, and we started their time out here by... immediately driving to the GM U.S. Nationals up in Pennsylvania. I did it for my dad. He's restoring a '66 Chevy Bel Air and was looking for parts. So we went to this gigantic swap meet, and he found a couple of manuals and a die-cast replica. (i.e. It was a bust.) The upside was that we introduced my father to ebay. The only problem is that he refuses to touch computer keys. Thanks to ebay and his computer-literate daughter, he's got three more parts for his restoration. Then we went to Lancaster, PA to go to 'Amish country.' This is funny because my parents have Amish friends in MN-- so I knew that they would understand the absurdity of the area that boasts three outlet malls and the Dutch Wonderland theme park (yes, an Amish theme park).
We then brought my parents down to where we live. My dad completely transformed our garage, which is a very happy thing. DH and my dad insulated our garage and put up organizers to hold all of our garage clutter. (Clutter that we really do NEED, mind you-- we do have two acres of land.) Anyway, I won't trip things as I haul Mark under one arm and groceries in the other hand. They also helped clear some of the forest of weeds that is my garden. (They were rewarded with garden-fresh grilled veggies and zucchini chocolate chip cookies.)
After two short days of home-based fun, it was up to Maine to see my sister and her fiance. We went to L.L. Bean, Camden, and Acadia, which were fun. There was also two days of spa-stuff. (It was HOT in Maine, though! I was really surprised by the temperatures!)
I knew that Mark would have trouble re-adjusting to life without people laughing at his antics, snuggling with his parents every night, and having one nap instead of two, daily.
Anyway, Mark was very vocal as we attempted to put him to sleep tonight. We'll see how the adjustment goes.
Friday, June 01, 2007
You know it's been a long school year...
I've had a tough week. It's now June.
I can count the number of days with kids on one hand.
It's time. Bring on the pool, drinks on ice, and sunscreen.
Thank goodness.
I can count the number of days with kids on one hand.
It's time. Bring on the pool, drinks on ice, and sunscreen.
Thank goodness.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Everything's Growing
Here's the Cheeto-smeared face of my favorite boy in the world. In his hands is a tasty bit from the garden-- Carouby de Maussane, of course!Seriously, though-- it's a snow pea. And of course there's a story behind it!!
I took the advice of DH's mom and aunt and ordered seed this year rather than buying mine at Target. Now, I'm talking Grandmas with more gardening experience than years I've been alive-- each. However, the company they recommended sent me awful seed. As in half of the seeds germinated and grew (I'm used to about an 80%-success rate). Thank goodness I was still tempted by the Target seed. This was a Sean Conway heirloom snow pea that called my name. I answered.
Carouby de Maussane did not disappoint. These are the lovliest peas I've ever eaten. I started popping these in my mouth as I was picking. Yum, yum, yummy.
I was planning on sharing my garden veggies. Now I'm feeling a bit selfish.
P.S. The boy is getting huge. He talks (saying 'they koo' for thank you), crawls on top of the furniture (even training his peer, the little punk), and runs everywhere he wants to go. It's weird-- I'm either totally enthralled with him or repulsed by his punkiness. Summer's going to be fun, though.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Perspective
An aspect of my undergraduate work in history that I absolutely adored was looking at an event from a variety of perspectives and divining out the truth hidden in the subjectivity.
That said, I must say that I have really enjoyed watching Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima. I remember that my fellow history students and I would always rag on the historical inaccuracy of popular movies. (So much so that I was was a horrible partner to watch a historic movie with. To the point that I once made an absolute a$$ of myself in a movie theater in Pretoria, South Africa watching Mel Gibson's The Patriot. I was every bit the ugly American that evening as I loudly grouched to my husband about historical inaccuracy every five minutes.) These two movies show how horrible war is-- from every perspective. Dead sons are dead sons. No child should die in a war, and no mother should be crying over a flag-draped coffin.
God bless all of the soldiers stationed in harm's way. And may God bless DH's brother, who is off to Iraq in July.
That said, I must say that I have really enjoyed watching Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima. I remember that my fellow history students and I would always rag on the historical inaccuracy of popular movies. (So much so that I was was a horrible partner to watch a historic movie with. To the point that I once made an absolute a$$ of myself in a movie theater in Pretoria, South Africa watching Mel Gibson's The Patriot. I was every bit the ugly American that evening as I loudly grouched to my husband about historical inaccuracy every five minutes.) These two movies show how horrible war is-- from every perspective. Dead sons are dead sons. No child should die in a war, and no mother should be crying over a flag-draped coffin.
God bless all of the soldiers stationed in harm's way. And may God bless DH's brother, who is off to Iraq in July.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Mixed Feelings...
I had a strange experience last week and I'm finally ready to blog about it. I live about 12 miles from where I work. My school is in a cute, nice neighborhood surrounded by a farmer's market, a Panera, a nice gourmet food and liquor store, and other niceties. I live south of this area and daily I drive through an area that is struggling economically. I realize that this area has seen gentrification, so I've always made a point to patronize these businesses despite the drug and crime reputation it has.
Last week, I stopped and decided to get a pizza for dinner. I parked in a drug store parking lot, got out the baby, walked to the pizza place, and ordered my pizza. Mark and I then walked over to the drug store and shopped while the pizza was being made. I finished shopping, put the bags in my trunk, and walked back to get my pizza. I waited for a bit once I got inside and made small talk with the lady in line in front of me. She and I chatted about kids, and all of a sudden one of the employees came around the counter to hand me the pizza. Meanwhile, she walked out. As I left, pizza in one hand, baby and purse in the other, I saw the lady talking with a man underneath the sign for the pizza place.
I walked back to my car, put the pizza and my purse in the front seat, closed the door, and began putting Mark in his carseat. You know when you can tell you're being watched and/or someone is approaching you from behind? I got a strong sense of that as I finished buckling Mark in, so I quickly finished and shut the door. As I stood up, the lady I had spoken to previously was right there and the man she'd been talking to was watching her and I from across the parking lot. Freaked me out. She told me that she was homeless and that the pizza place gives out messed-up pizzas to the homeless but that they didn't have any at this time. She didn't have anything to eat. At this point, I begin offering the pizza. She went on with her plea and I continued offering (probably sounding like an idiot-- It's a large! It's got everything on it!).
She finally took the pizza and she hugged me. I hustled my behind out of there.
On my way home, I was still freaked out. I was angry that I'd lost my dinner (I stopped and got a pizza for a reason). I felt violated and threatened. Yes, I offered up the pizza. But when a lady with broken front teeth comes up from behind me while I'm securing my 16-month old and she has a male acquaintance watching nearby, I'm feeling vulnerable.
I'm now ticked. I feel like I got hustled. I'm not going back into that area, especially because this all happened in broad daylight, at about 5:00 P.M. I don't feel safe there.
The scary thing is that it could have been much, much worse.
What do you think?
Last week, I stopped and decided to get a pizza for dinner. I parked in a drug store parking lot, got out the baby, walked to the pizza place, and ordered my pizza. Mark and I then walked over to the drug store and shopped while the pizza was being made. I finished shopping, put the bags in my trunk, and walked back to get my pizza. I waited for a bit once I got inside and made small talk with the lady in line in front of me. She and I chatted about kids, and all of a sudden one of the employees came around the counter to hand me the pizza. Meanwhile, she walked out. As I left, pizza in one hand, baby and purse in the other, I saw the lady talking with a man underneath the sign for the pizza place.
I walked back to my car, put the pizza and my purse in the front seat, closed the door, and began putting Mark in his carseat. You know when you can tell you're being watched and/or someone is approaching you from behind? I got a strong sense of that as I finished buckling Mark in, so I quickly finished and shut the door. As I stood up, the lady I had spoken to previously was right there and the man she'd been talking to was watching her and I from across the parking lot. Freaked me out. She told me that she was homeless and that the pizza place gives out messed-up pizzas to the homeless but that they didn't have any at this time. She didn't have anything to eat. At this point, I begin offering the pizza. She went on with her plea and I continued offering (probably sounding like an idiot-- It's a large! It's got everything on it!).
She finally took the pizza and she hugged me. I hustled my behind out of there.
On my way home, I was still freaked out. I was angry that I'd lost my dinner (I stopped and got a pizza for a reason). I felt violated and threatened. Yes, I offered up the pizza. But when a lady with broken front teeth comes up from behind me while I'm securing my 16-month old and she has a male acquaintance watching nearby, I'm feeling vulnerable.
I'm now ticked. I feel like I got hustled. I'm not going back into that area, especially because this all happened in broad daylight, at about 5:00 P.M. I don't feel safe there.
The scary thing is that it could have been much, much worse.
What do you think?
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wow... It's May!
The May/June schedule came out today. It's exciting, yet scary to think that another school year is coming to a close. In some ways, thank goodness. (That is in the 'I'm ready to be done with keeping track of 28 kids all the time') Otherwise, I think, already? (Most are fun, including my four-!- ADHD students.)
I've already started on some of my summer projects. The office is being painted a milk chocolate brown. DH isn't fond of it, but I'm working on him. I think I can get him to come around. We're also working on replacing the temporary paper blinds in our windows with actual blinds. (It feels a little surreal when you've had leather furniture for a while, but not real window treatments.) Little by little, bit by bit.
I've already started on some of my summer projects. The office is being painted a milk chocolate brown. DH isn't fond of it, but I'm working on him. I think I can get him to come around. We're also working on replacing the temporary paper blinds in our windows with actual blinds. (It feels a little surreal when you've had leather furniture for a while, but not real window treatments.) Little by little, bit by bit.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
OK, I'm officially old...
My DH and I have been discussing the new vehicle purchase for a while now. As I said in my last post, we've been discussing the MDX, Pilot, and Suburban. Phil test-drove the Pilot and Ridgeline, and his general impression was, "Meh."
We talked about buying my parent's Suburban and driving it out here. Then they traded it off for a Yukon Denali on Wednesday night. (Yes, my parents are blingin' in a Denali. It's a strange world, folks.)
So, DH and I went and made a major purchase today. So what was it?
A John Deere.
Yes, people, I own a John Deere. And it's actually pretty cool. We had looked online at 'our lawn and gardening needs,' and my assessment was that we needed more than the basic riding lawnmower. We have two acres, part of our property lies on a slope, and I want to be able to haul bags of mulch, topsoil, and compost around. DH wants to be able to till, aerate, dethatch, and push snow with it. So we went with an upgraded X540 from 2006. We would have paid roughly $2400 more by going with the '07 model. (And it's a tractor, not a car!) I was relieved that we finally had a riding mower, so DH would quit whining about the push mower.
Then I rode it. Wow. Powerful and quick. It used to take us about 3+ hours to mow our lawn. Now it will take an hour. My husband's honey-do list is going to get longer!
We talked about buying my parent's Suburban and driving it out here. Then they traded it off for a Yukon Denali on Wednesday night. (Yes, my parents are blingin' in a Denali. It's a strange world, folks.)
So, DH and I went and made a major purchase today. So what was it?
A John Deere.
Yes, people, I own a John Deere. And it's actually pretty cool. We had looked online at 'our lawn and gardening needs,' and my assessment was that we needed more than the basic riding lawnmower. We have two acres, part of our property lies on a slope, and I want to be able to haul bags of mulch, topsoil, and compost around. DH wants to be able to till, aerate, dethatch, and push snow with it. So we went with an upgraded X540 from 2006. We would have paid roughly $2400 more by going with the '07 model. (And it's a tractor, not a car!) I was relieved that we finally had a riding mower, so DH would quit whining about the push mower.
Then I rode it. Wow. Powerful and quick. It used to take us about 3+ hours to mow our lawn. Now it will take an hour. My husband's honey-do list is going to get longer!
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