More LV Pics

Just a couple more LV pics.  I am still feeling low - trying to get back up to speed. I'm not sure what kicked me in the behind. I don't feel SICK - just like someone took all the oxygen out of the room.  Just what I don't need for a show. Sigh.

And I didn't even take these...blurry, I know, but they are a record of the trip, I guess.

Mr. Yuk

When I came home on Thursday, I was really, really tired and it felt like my luggage was about 50 pounds heavier than it had been when I left.  On Friday, I felt like I was walking through swampland and had a little head rush at one point (in front of someone and I almost fell into a wall - embarrassing). Saturday was kind of iffy. Today, Mr. Yuk was sitting on my chest.  It is a weird sickness - just feel weak and want to sleep all day long (which I did). I canceled rehearsal today and slept some more.  I hope I feel better tomorrow.

L Squared

 This photo is for Cher's Las Vegas show. I took it to send to my friend, Michael, in Sacramento. We bonded over Cher when I was down there last time. "If I could turn back time..."

 This is the night view from my 12th floor window. I meant to take a daytime photo, but I kept getting up and running out because I was on my way to work.

 This is another shot out my window, but showing more of the NYNY building I was in.  My room was on the 12th floor.  I know the pictures aren't great, but they are all I have from this trip. I don't know why I don't take my camera out more often.

Here is the banner at the Keller Auditorium for "The Lion King" in Portland.  I thought I should start training myself to take photos of stuff for the next time I go on a trip - maybe if it is in muscle memory, I won't forget to take good pictures.

Lost Luggage Found!

My suitcase arrived safely in Portland at around 1:30pm today. I had to go to the airport to pick it up to get a $50 travel voucher. Since my work is right near the airport, I decided that would be better than having them deliver it.
I have never had my luggage lost before - it was kind of weird to think my little suitcase was just traveling out there.

I could have slept all day today, by the way. I didn't realize how tired I was. It is good to be home and to see all my familiar faces.

There's No Place Like Home

I overslept this morning. I guess the wake up call doesn't really have a snooze button. I didn't pack my suitcase fully last night because I was so beat, I fell asleep on my bed with my "Lion King" script next to me and the TV on.

The meetings were good, but I should have just sprung for an extra night so that I could chill for the evening. I got to the airport later than I normally would, so I was a little stressed and I'm not feeling that great. My flight was at 8:25 pm and I got the gate at 8:22 pm, just as they were boarding. I had used the red cap for the first (and last) time because the line in the Southwest ticket area was SO FREAKING LONG... Then, they didn't have my luggage after the flight, so I had to go fill out paperwork delayed my arrival home quite a bit.

One thing I need to remember for the future - Reno and Las Vegas are SO DRY. I tend to notice even the slightest bit of dehydration at home and when I go to Reno, I always get really dried out, really fast. I didn't think about it in Vegas. Even though I was drinking water ALL DAY LONG and had bottles of water in my room for the evening and morning, on day two, my nose started bleeding off and on. By the end of the day, I would have sold my soul for some of my water from home. I didn't want to drink too much before getting on the plane because I didn't want to have to run back and forth to the bathroom 12 times on a 2 hour flight.

I'm going to bed.

Day 2 is a Long One

Well, we started the day at 7:30am and went through lunch, had about 30 minutes to freshen up, then dinner and more work. We worked through our "parking lot" issues. I know most of the folks didn't want to do it while we were at dinner, but some of us figured we should take advantage of our time together (and the loosened tongues after a couple of drinks) and discuss.

I got back to the room a few minutes ago, but I have to pack up to check out tomorrow and be ready to work at 7:30am. I'm still a little tired, even though I had a short nap yesterday. Getting up at 2:30am isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Assault on the Senses and Other Things I Notice When I Get Up at 2:30am

First of all, I wish I had the sense God gave a gnat...I got home around 8pm after stopping to pick up some travel essentials from RiteAid on my way home. I had some dinner then I packed. I was done in pretty record time but I felt like I had forgotten something...I didn't - in fact, I'm way over-packed. The problem is when you are at a work function and you have no transportation and no time to yourself, it is more critical to bring all your stuff with you. Also, dress is more casual when you are vacationing.

Anyway, I didn't get to sleep until after 11:45pm so 2:30am rolled around pretty quickly. I got ready, got my ride at 3:30am and arrived at the airport a little after 4am. I didn't know the Southwest ticket counter doesn't even open until 4:30am, anyway. Got through the line and onto the plane where the Southwest guy said, "You fly a lot, don't you? Weren't you just here?" I was, in fact, just there, so I was pretty impressed with the guy.

Flight was uneventful and a little longer than normal (to Sacramento, it is usually about 1.5 hours). I thought I would conk out right away, but it took me an hour to get tired again, took an hour nap and viola! We were approaching Las Vegas. What a strange place! I was hoping for a nice restaurant to sit in and eat breakfast and finish up some work. I forgot that that is PORTLAND International Airport where people go to hang out...Las Vegas airport has a news stand, a Starbucks and some slot machines. They have a shuttle /tram and they want you to go gamble! In the baggage area, they have about 4 giagantor screens and they show all the shows and sights one might be able to partake of while in Las
Vegas. Cher, Cirque du Soliel of various forms, sexy shows I don't want to pay too much attention to, The Lion King, cooking shows...etc. I would love to be able to see "O" which is the water version of Cirque du Soliel...i've heard that one is amazing.

Anyway, it is a lot to take in for a person who has only had about 3.5 hours of sleep...

More later.

Rumpusing off to Vegas

I have to be at the airport at around 4:00am tomorrow morning (about 4 hours from now) and I am all revved up from packing and all that.  This is a business trip - we will be staying in the New York, New York hotel for a couple of days. I will be home late Thursday night and back to the office on Friday.  I have my script and music with me, so I'm ready to rehearse while killing time in the airport for a few hours tomorrow.

Anyway, I will be checking in and if there are problems with the internet, I will do some handwritten posts and put them on the blog when I get back. I think I will be able to do it nightly, though, as I am bringing a netbook and have internet access in the hotel.

Hopefully, I will have an uneventful flight in the morning. Now I'm off to bed. Good night all.

Happiness from HOPE Revolution

From Bint

Saying Goodbye

One of the women from the telecourse I took this fall passed away recently.  She was in her 80s and was the kind of person I aspire to be - she was loving, courageous, outrageous, unafraid and a host of other wonderful qualities.  She made a deep impression on all of us as we navigated our coursework that was all about grabbing onto life and really living, embodying our own stories.

If you are interested in some inspiration, read Patti Digh's comments here.  She was able to capture Celeste's spirit and nature and our affection for her in her words.

I have a card from Celeste sitting on my desk at work.  She sent me a card that said, "Leap and the net will appear", which is one of my favorite quotes.  She had an uncanny way of SEEING people - everyone in our group received an individual card from Celeste that really got to the essence of the person, even though most of us never met in person - we were all on a teleconference together.

I thank Patti and David Robinson for facilitating the group that gave us the opportunity to meet Celeste and to be inspired by her. I thank Celeste for seeing our essence. Tonight, I will raise a glass in celebration of her life.  May we all become more like Celeste.

Relief Comes Just In Time

This week has been strange and challenging.  Luckily, today was Friday and the week is OVER!  I went to Interpreter Professional Happy Hour and talked with a bunch of people - nice to feel like an actual person.

On my way to the event, I was rear-ended, which made me that much more determined to get there and try to have a good time.  The woman who hit me was young and said she saw the light change to green and just hit the accelerator. There didn't seem to be any damage, but I did get her information, just in case. I'm feeling a little stiff today, but hopefully that will be the extent of it.  When it happened, I was REALLY MAD and then as I was getting out of the car, I realized that this stuff happens and I just got a piece of paper and a pen and the interaction was easy and brief. It is so not worth the energy that it takes to be mad about stuff that is done and that I have no control over.

Anyway, I hope this weekend is a rejuvinating - I'm running on fumes and I have a trip next week and the show the following week. I think I need to go see a movie...

Off My Game

This has been a weird week of wearing too many metaphorical hats. I don't know if I'm coming or going, if I'm the interpreter or in charge of everything. I'm just coming back from a trip and getting ready to go on one.  My brain feels like all the power has been turned off each night and I have to totally disconnect and limit all stimulation. My back is hurting some and I just feel all discombobulated.  I know it will all be fine. Hopefully, after a brain-free weekend, I will feel better. Right now, a little bit light-headed, so I'm off to watch my favorite episode of "Friends" and then go to bed.  It is "The One Where Everyone Finds Out" about Chandler and Monica.  "They don't know we know they know we know." Hee hee.

Flowers for birthday :)

Here are some photos from a floral bouquet we had at dinner party when I was in Sacramento. Delicious dinner, beautiful flowers, fun friends laughing hysterically while playing "Apples to Apples".

"To Sir, With Love"

Ahh, GLEE finally sang THE BEST song, "To Sir, With Love" on the show tonight. I love their version of "Don't Stop Believing", but this was particularly fitting and I even teared up a little. Something about teacher worship just gets me. I LOVE teachers!

So, here is Sydney Poitier dancing and then Lulu singing the original:


And the whole song with Lulu from 1967:

Weird Day

Today was one of those weird days when everything just felt "off" - not bad, not upsetting, just "off". I couldn't quite get my equilibrium all day. And that lasted ALL DAY LONG. Very frustrating.

I had a few minutes today when I wondered if I had been promoted to my level of incompetence. I know I'm not incompetent, but I feel overwhelmed by all the things I don't know how to do and the things I don't even know how to start asking about. I sometimes get really frustrated with myself and feel like maybe I'm just a cry-baby or a wuss or something. At some point, reality came back and I just talked myself down.

So, I'm glad the day is over. Tomorrow will be a new day.

Sunday, Sunday

I did relatively nothing yesterday, so today, I had to get my behind in gear. Listening to "The Lion King", getting my script ready for rehearsal, going to rehearsal. Worked on cleaning out my car, although I didn't finish (it was raining too hard to finish).  I wanted to go to the movies today but rehearsal was at the time I usually like to go, so I gave it a miss.

I'm also reading a good book right now, although I haven't made any progress in it this weekend. Will take some time this week to read more. Looking forward to doing some art when the show is done - I'd like to think I might do some before then, but I know I won't.

Getting ready to buy a ticket to Las Vegas for a work trip. It is funny how I can go for months and months and not travel anywhere and then I will take a trip that generates a bunch more trips. Vegas will be short - a few days, but it will be good to see some of my colleagues in person. Some notables will be missing, but life must go on.

Also, a woman from my LIAV telecourse passed away last week. She was a firecracker and lived her life so fully we were all just amazed by her. I am saddened by her death but glad I had the chance to know someone who was so full of life. Celeste, wherever you are, thanks for your courage and your participation in our group. I am richer having known you.

Trip Pics

The first photos are the view from our hotel window in the Hyatt Hotel on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. 

We went to the Exploratorium, a hands-on science museum where the energy and number of unsupervised children wore us out after about 2 hours.

Then we drove the scenic route through the Presidio (took me a while to get my camera out for that). We got stuck behind a student driver who was literally driving about 10 miles per hour. The backup behind them got longer and longer and longer. We finally pulled over and let everyone pass and took a detour for a while.  We went up the hill to the Legion of Honor, but we didn't go in.

We went to the beach (I guess I never really thought of San Francisco being on the beach...I'd been on the ferry from Oakland, but I didn't think about the ocean being right there. We saw lots of giant container ships off the coast. They moved really fast considering how large they were. I didn't get any photos of those.  

Then we went to Moroccan food for a birthday celebration. The restaurant was called El Mansour. We had superb food and even more superb service from a lovely gentleman who had a very sexy and deep voice. He talked to us about buying his own lamb from the halal butcher and described all the dishes in detail. He was quite yummy and I wanted to take him home with us.  My favorite food was the chicken with honey and prunes (delicious) and the Bastela du Chef (pastry with chicken, almonts and an assortment of spices). 

The tiles are the mosaic on either side of the doorway to the restaurant. I am a terrible photographer (I'm trying to get better) but I wanted to remember how beautiful it was out there.  This was the first full day.  That night, after a full day of eating, we drove back to Sacramento for the rest of my stay.

Hood Strawberries - Yum!

One of my favorite things about summer is buying fresh Hood and Puget strawberries from a farm down the road from me. They always have the cleanest and most delicious berries. This year, it has been a tough year for strawberries because it is so wet right now. There is a fear that many of the strawberries won't make it.

Here are some pics of the first batch! They were delicious!

Twenty-five Years Running

This October is the 25th Anniversary of the opening of "Les Miserables" in London. I have been listening to the original London Cast recording since March 1986 when one of my friends introduced Roby and I to the music. I remember listening to "At the End of the Day" and wondering what we were listening to. Then "I Dreamed a Dream" warmed me up to it. I didn't like "Lovely Ladies" at first because it sounded so rough (at the time, I didn't know it was supposed to be.

On October 3, 2010, there will be three productions of "Les Miserables" in London at the same time - one at the Barbican, one at the Queen's Theatre and one concert celebration at O2. I am thinking about going. when they had their 10 year anniversary concert, I said I wanted to go to the 20 year concert, but I didn't know about it...I'm going to see if it is even possible to get tickets. It's good to dream, right?

Here's a link to the pre-event publicity.

Short and Sweet

I just need to hook up the camera and upload the pics so that I can post on the trip. Gonna try to do that tonight or tomorrow. Off to dinner tho.

More later.

Back to Real Life

Made it back to work today - I am feeling good and had good energy levels, so it seems like I took the little vacation at just the right time. It was easier to go back to work having had a day off yesterday to just relax a little and do what I needed to do.

One strange thing in the past week or so, though - I have been having these little deja vu moments. I can only remember one from SF, but today, I had this very strong feeling of a moment, but I couldn't place where or how or why I was feeling like I had been there/done that before. I also have been having strange dreams. Last night I dreamed about high school people and yet we were all adults at this age that we really are now. And people were there who have not been in the picture for many, many moons. Very odd.

I was going to post trip photos today, but I left my camera at work today. I will do it tomorrow.

I wonder if I will ever be able to just write a regular post again instead of these little stream-of-conciousness ditties I have been doing lately. I guess it doesn't really matter, either way, but sometimes I feel like I have the attention span of a gnat. I'm working on it, though. I am reading a book that is actually holding my attention, so that is a step in the right direction. I just have to build the reading muscle back up - I think that will also help me retrain my brain to focus. I don't have to jump up every time I hear a bell ring anymore - the job I do is very different now from when I started.

I am doing Nablopomo for June, by the way. The topic is NOW. Now, I leave you so that I can go to bed.

Memorial Day Miscellaneous Stuff

First off, please take a moment to go read this post at 37Days. It made me cry and remember my dad's fierce response to Memorial Day. He remembered being spat on and yelled at and treated poorly when he came home from Vietnam. I know the memory of that was burned in his mind forever and it pained him until he died.

My mom and I went to see "Letters to Juliet" today (thumbs up, by the way). I saw two powerful trailers - totally different kinds of films, but both made me curious. One was just a regular movie with Zac Efron (I know, I know) called "Charlie St. Cloud". I think he has potential - kind of like Ashton Kutcher. The other film, "Waiting for Superman" is a documentary about the Seed School in Washington, D.C. I saw a report about it last week - they hold a lottery drawing to choose the students who will enroll the following year. I'm going to pledge to see it. Below is the trailer I saw today:



I have never made such a smart decision as coming home on Sunday! The airports were quiet in Sacramento and Portland (quieter in Sacramento). The traffic was calm. Today, right around the time I would have been coming home, a tree fell on the freeway and blocked the eastbound lanes. I would not have been a happy camper. Just having the extra time was such a relief and I also felt like I had a day of vacation that didn't involve running around or being "on". For me, it doesn't matter how close you are with people - when you are staying together, there is an element of being "on" to make sure we get along and have a good time. I'm a big believer in "off" time, too. I'm glad I had it.

Home, Jeeves

Luckily, I packed everything last night, so that when I got up today, I didn't have to rush around packing and miss just being with my friends. While I was packing, I found a 1937 Buffalo nickel - kind of exciting, even though I have no idea if it is worth anything or not. I just think it is cool to have something that has been around that long.

Went to lunch with my hosts and a couple of other friends. We laughed and laughed again today. We went to Ruen Thai in Roseville (I think). The poor woman there was SLAMMED for the Sunday lunch of Memorial Day weekend. She was gracious and we tried to be as flexible as we could. The food was great (VERY SPICY) and I tasted some of the best Thai fried rice I have ever had. It was a lovely way to end the trip.

Then, off to the airport. I got there with plenty of time - it was the perfect plan to travel just off the holiday - both on the way and back, the airports were really pretty quiet and I didn't feel like I had to run around or stand in endless lines. Sat and read, watched some TV. Slept on the plane.

Home. Ahh. Familiar food and drink. My bed. Good. (I've had a rumbly in my tumbly with all the water and food that I don't normally eat. I hate being "sensitive".) All in all, a great trip. :)

Set In My Ways

It is so funny how we get set in our ways and we don't even realize how much until we are plopped down in different circumstances. Everything is different when you are away from home. For me, it isn't even so much how mentally I am set in my ways - it is more the physical. The water I drink when I'm away affects me, the food, the access to a car so that if I have a need, I can take care of it independently - no help needed, no conversation needed.

The brands of food, the kinds of produce, the type of pop or water - even the names of stores are different. Smart and Final. That's the name of a store here. It just cracks me up. And BevMo (Beverages and More). Who'd have thunk?

Anyway, having a good time. Watching lots of Glee, talking Broadway, getting ready for the Tony awards soon. Movies, friends, lots of laughter. It's a very good thing.

Birthday Mission Accomplished

We had a great day yesterday and I even took pictures. I'm sure some of them are crappy, but I will post what I can when I get home. Lovely brunch at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, drove the scenic route to the Exploratorium.

Note that if you want to go to a hands-on museum for science in the middle of the day in May on a week day, you will encounter LARGE numbers of school children who are barely supervised.

After the Exploratorium, a drive through the Presidio and on the scenic route around San Franscisco. We ended up at a lovely place near the ocean for some beverages and a little nibble before heading off to Morrocan food. I don't remember the name of the restaurant, but I have a photo. :) Took a couple of hours for dinner, then drove back through the city to head "home" to Sacramento. Got home around 10:30pm with enough time to wach some "GLEE"! Yay!

Today, lunch with a friend and more fun - maybe a movie. Who knows!

Ta ta for now.

Day in the City

It is B.'s birthday. First a brunch at the Hyatt hotel with a FANTASTIC waitress, then a little work (boo) on the computer at .50 a minute (I'm keeping this short). Next, off to the Exploratorium (?) - I have to admit ignorance, but it is the birthday wish. We may end up at Ghiradelli Square at some point...who knows.

More later. :)

Safe and Sound

Flew out to Sacramento and arrived safe and sound. Met by friends, new haircuts, American Idol chat, GLEE talk and a drive to San Francisco. Ate at the Blue Frog (they even have frog legs, but I didn't eat those). Then into the city at the Embarcadero Hyatt Hotel. Very fancy.

Tuesday Tidbits

**I was digging around for something over the weekend and I found the little Max figure that I photographed for the banner of the blog. I haven't really paid attention to it for a long time other than the photo. Turns out it is really only about 6 inches tall - if that! I was so surprised when I saw it - his personality is so big and the photos are so close that the figure lives in my mind as a much larger piece. It's funny how our mind can trick us that way.

**I totally should have packed tonight but I watched "American Idol" and "Glee" and totally loved them. I love the guy who plays Kurt on "Glee" and I thought the show was particularly powerful tonight. I didn't love that they had Idina Menzel sing "Funny Girl" - I didn't think it worked in that particular context. I'm not a Lady Gaga fan, either, but I thought they did some great stuff tonight. I was particularly impressed with the girl who plays Santana. I thought she sounded great.

**Can I just say that I can't wait until the FCC decides on the VRS reimbursement rates? The politics are exhausting. I can't wait to be done.

**I'm excited to go on vacation - I'm going to have time to READ and not feel guilty! I love that. I haven't decided what I'm going to bring to read. I'm trying to travel light, so I have to actually decide on something. I'm going to bring my Kindle, too, but I'm not sure I have what I want on there.

**Vacations are GOOD. I'm going to take a beach vacation during the summer - this is more of a mini-vacation. Can't have too many of those. I have three weeks of time off coming to me, so I'm happy to use some of it.

**I'm loving "Friends" right now. Each time I watch the series, I find new things that are so funny or a new character to focus on. I don't have a favorite character, but right now, I'm watching Chandler a lot. I also love the whole thing when Joey doesn't know how to use the air quotes, "I'm sorry". Hee hee. I love that. I know you have to know what I'm talking about to think it is funny, but trust me, it is FUNNY. I was a late-comer to the "Friends" party, but I'm totally on board now.

**Good night, friends. More tomorrow.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Did I mention that I am going out of town on Wednesday? Means I have all kinds of stuff to do to get ready. Luckily, this trip is for PLEASURE only. My friend's birthday! We are going to SF and we are going to play and then go home and play and watch GLEE and maybe go to the movies and other fun stuff.

I will be posting, never fear. :) I have a commitment to myself.

Sunday, Again? Already?

Where does the time go?  I thought I would get all this stuff done this weekend (every weekend) and I didn't!  Now it is 9:33pm and I am thinking of all the lists of things I wanted to accomplish this weekend and about my trip and what I need to do to prepare.  Instead of doing that, I am half-watching the Brooks and Dunn tribute and typing this post.

I don't know ANY Brooks and Dunn music, to be utterly truthful, but I wanted to see/hear Jennifer Hudson (who sang beautifully and looked beautiful) and Carrie Underwood (looked great and sang beautifully). Taylor Swift also sang and that was the first time I have ever heard her sing without flinching...

I think I am seriously going to start writing lists of what I want to do each day. Not a general list - those are always so freaking long that I get intimidated after the first day when I only get 3-4 things marked off (I always manage to do a bunch of things that I didn't think to put on the list). I think if I have a plan, maybe I will be better about executing it?

I'm always torn - I really need the rejuvenation of a quiet weekend and I like to do a few things for myself, but I get frustrated that I didn't get more stuff done. I will find a balance. I just have to MAKE it balance. I can do it!

Feeding the Broadway Beast

I somehow ended up on YouTube tonight. :) 

Found this great version of "I Dreamed a Dream" sung by Andrea McArdle.  She played the original "Annie" on Broadway and this is one of my very favorite Broadway songs. Great combo.


And here is Andrea McArdle in "Annie" back in the late 1970s or early 1980s.


"Annie" was the first musical I fell in love with when I was 12 years old. I kept checking the album out from our school library. Every week, I would take it back, dreading the day someone would have a hold on it. No one ever did, so I had it for months. Then finally, at some point, I had a copy of my own. I'm sure it was a Christmas or birthday gift, much to my sister's dismay. I sang all the songs and listened to it incessantly.  Little did I know how well Broadway tunes carry or how the clarity of a Broadway voice can pierce through walls, other music and try the patience of everyone else in the household. Little did I know that Broadway music would ultimately be my music of choice and would play such an important part in my world.

Right now, I am listening to "The Lion King" in preparation for the show in late June. Only one of the 5 CDs in my car CD changer is pop music - all the others are Broadway shows.

Gift Giving

So, I'm stepping out on a ledge here...on a topic that is kind of silly, but it has been bothering me.  Here goes...

I have noticed over the years that gift-giving has become much more difficult. I'm not sure what it is.  Is it that I was more confident in my ability to buy something that people would like?  Is it that I just bought whatever seemed good and didn't pay attention to what people would like?  Is it that now I'm just more concerned about making people happy?  I have no idea, but I know that gift giving, which I LOVE, had been more of a challenge as I get older.

When I was younger, Roby and I just bought stuff for each other all the time. Sometimes just goofy little things, sometimes things the other person had been dying to have. We just took such pleasure in gifting each other. Later, I was friends with a person who insisted that we come to a spending amount agreement - "what if one person spends a lot and the other person doesn't spend as much?" It was a little odd and uncomfortable. One time, with $3.98 left of my agreed upon $50, I ended up buying a bag of Skittles and a glass jar to put them in. I felt like I should include the receipts as proof that I spent the whole amount.

The next gift-influencer was a person who told me that they "hated the obligatory gift-giving that was associated with holidays like Christmas and birthdays". Instead of asking questions (which would have helped), I then spun into the self-questioning. "What if I find something they like? Do they like presents at all? What if they don't like it? If I give them a present, will they feel like I am obligating them to reciprocate? If I find something they might like but it is too close to a holiday, should I wait to give it to them until the holiday is farther away?" This definitely had a negative impact on my willingness to put myself out there.

Then there are the flower haters. I used to love to just get some flowers or a balloon for someone, but then I met a bunch of people who don't like to get flowers for various reasons.

Maybe I shouldn't worry about any of this. Gift-giving is an act of friendship and I guess if I want to do it, I should just do it and not worry about all the other stuff. Unfortunately, not worrying is not in my nature. I worry that people won't like it, already have it, will be irritated. It might be the wrong color or brand or edition. It isn't the perfect thing...Aaarrgghh! It shouldn't be this hard.

Anyway, I did overcome my fears for a friend this week and decided to just try. I think the success was in the fact that there was giftage and that I made an attempt to get them gifties that were in the realm of their interests. That's really all I can do. And hope that they know that the gifts are from the heart and that the intentions are good.

Dirty Litte Secret

So, I saw a BIZARRO video on Facebook tonight, but it inspired me to reflect on the topic of Texting while driving.

Back when I first started the job I'm at now, I was given a smart phone and expected to be "on call" pretty much all the time. That lasted for several years, but I think the first year was the most intense. I was hired to work as the swing shift supervisor and I worked from 3:30 PM to 12:00 AM. The emails and phone calls and AIMS started early in the day and there were many days when I was driving to work and the phone would ring, the AIM would go off and I would pull over. I had a number of conversations with people and I would let them know that I needed to get back on the road and they would marvel that I wasn't texting while driving or calling them while on the road.

I know the exact moment that I gave in to the pressure. The very first time I had to fly down to Headquarters. The flight was booked for me and I arrived and got my rental car. I had NO IDEA where I was but had directions from a fellow supervisor who lived in the area. I was driving along and my AIM kept going off while I was looking at my directions (saved on my sidekick). As I'm driving, I'm seeing AIMs that say, "Where are you? We have a meeting in 10 minutes." Now, they had booked my flight and had the itinerary. They lived in Sacramento and knew that it took at least 30 minutes to get from the airport to headquarters. They also knew that my flight didn't land until 11:00am and yet they planned a meeting for like 11:30am, not taking into account that I had to take a shuttle to get a rental car. I started AIMing with them while on a strange road in a strange city driving a strange car. What an idiot! By the grace of God or sheer dumb luck or SOMETHING, I wasn't hurt.

During the time I was there, all week, I rode in cars with people who texted while driving and talking to me and sometimes, there was even signing involved in the conversations. It seemed like it was a normal progression and they all seemed comfortable and GOOD at it...I was a little freaked (I NEVER texted while anyone was in the car with me), but I didn't say anything.

After that, it just felt like it was expected that I would respond immediately. I took my sidekick everywhere and always answered as quickly as possible. I actually got "pretty good" at doing it - meaning I don't think I killed anyone.  No one made me do it - there was just some implicit agreement that it was "the thing to do" to ensure that I was always in touch with my staff, my supervisors, the business, etc.

A couple of years ago (I don't know when exactly), the state of Washington (where I work) banned talking on cell phones without a hands-free device - it was a secondary offense, but it basically meant you can't text because you can't have your cell in your hands while driving. I found the provided earbud so that if I was on a call, I didn't have to hold my phone, but it pretty much ended texting in the car for me and I try to only talk on the phone briefly or if there is some kind of conference call. On conference calls, I dial and join before I start and mute myself. The beauty is that if it gets intense or something is happening in traffic, I just pull the earbud out and ignore the call.

I immediately felt such a sense of relief when I gave myself permission NOT TO text and talk on the phone in the car. I regained my peace and quiet in the car on the way home and that pressure of feeling like I am always "ON" had decreased dramatically. I tried texting a couple of times, briefly WAY after I stopped doing it - I'm sure I thought it was some kind of emergency - but I hadn't use the skill in so long, it was actually really difficult, so it made me even more nervous. Now, I just keep my phone in my purse and that way I'm not even tempted to use it. Sometimes, I have to make a call, but I use my earbuds and speed dial.  Otherwise, it stays all zipped up in my bag until I arrive at my destination.

As I see more and more conversation about texting and driving and  more tragic outcomes because we are all so distracted and deluded into thinking we CAN text and control a ton of moving metal at the same time, I am proud of myself. I'm glad I didn't just stop doing it because Oprah asked me to or because someone died in my sphere (although this is a good reason to stop). It is nice to know, for once, that common sense can really prevail. Now, I just hope it catches on.

So, there you go. My dirty little secret.

Multitasking or Multidistracting?

Today, I started doing about 100 things and then the phone rang or I got an AIM or an email and I diverted to the new thing which then led to being diverted to the new thing.  By the end of the day, I had worked on at least 3 big projects but didn't complete any of them. Luckily, I made progress and none of them are due tomorrow...

I have to go back to that Yale professor's book...I think it is called "Happy" or something like that...He did a lecture on PBS (I think I posted about it...I will have to look it up) and talked about how our IQ drops 10 points when we are multitasking. I know that the perception is that people who can super-duper multi-task are more productive and more successful, but I KNOW that I am more productive, accurate and clearheaded when I can focus on one thing at a time.

When I first started this job, I felt like I had suddenly developed ADD or something...the layers of multitasking, the fast pace of change and technology seemed related to the job, but I realize now that we were just on the cutting edge. Working in the telecommunications field in a specialized area just means we were facing some of those issues earlier than the mainstream. In the beginning, it was fun to have a smart phone, to have AIM and email and phone and text with a pop out keyboard and to have instant access to communication. Now, five years later, I can't wait to unplug when I get home.

On the way out of the office today, I decided I was going to make a list of all the daily things I need to do and then a list of projects and a list of things I WANT to do. Then I'm going to come up with some kind of plan to try to limit the unnecessary distractions. The phone is always going to ring and people will need to talk, but there are some distractions I can work to minimize so that I can regain some sense of sanity.

Oh - completely off topic - bought plane tickets to go to Sacramento to visit my friends. I can't wait!! There for a few days of R&R, then back to start rehearsals for "The Lion King". Yay!

Boxed In

I have been feeling lately a little boxed in both here and in my Facebook world.  Facebook really isn't a place I feel comfortable sharing anything too personal - I have a weird mix of old friends and new, work folks, clients old and new, family, etc.  Feels too volatile to be super expressive there.  The sense I have here is not quite the same.  It all goes back to that idea that only about 10% of our lives are really blogworthy.  That is a tiny percent for me...cuz there isn't that much going on aside from work.  I don't want to talk about work here. Hence my conundrum.

So tonight, I reveal my American Idol preference for lack of a better topic.  I love LEE!! I have liked him since the beginning and I really hope he will win, but at least go to the finals.

So, there you go.  That is the part of the 10% of my day that I can share.

Book Commitment

I have narrowed down my options for the book that is going to jump start my reading again. All the selections have been nearby for quite some time but when I approached them today, they gave a good "Read Me" vibe.  Right now, I'm not looking for the most literary book in the world - just something that will hold my attention for longer than 5 seconds. So...drum roll please...

1. The Twilight books (sometimes reading something I have already read is a good place to start...I have only read them once)
2. Heat Stoke by Rachel Caine- book 2 in a series. I like series books...
3. Harry Potter books - especially the last book. I have only read that one once and have listened to it on tape about 3-4 times.
4. Alice by Sara Flanigan (I prefer "Sudie and Simpson" but I can't find my copy.
5.  The Freedom Writers' Diaries

I think these should provide enough diversity to spark that reading energy in me. I miss reading so much and I'm trying to figure out what it is that stops me from reading when it was such a big part of my life and my relaxation. I think maybe one of the problems is that I don't often feel like I can relax. I'm always thinking that I "should be" doing something. I think I just have to start making a plan - a list. If I accomplish what I need to (important and urgent) then I can take that time for myself and do what I enjoy. It isn't like I'm using the time WELL now - I'm not.

So, this is the plan. Starting now.

Dreaming of BookFest!

I have been thinking about books a lot lately and BookFest, in particular.  I haven't been reading my 30 minutes a day lately and I want to change that. I was thinking that I should start just reading my BookFest books and plow through them one by one until I'm done. I haven't been good about making the time and making sure that I use the time for the things I want to do (need to do).

I think that is one reason why I have committed to writing here on a daily basis - it would be easy to just let it go some days, but I don't take/make time for the things that are really important to me. I know that I will often sit down and intend to read but end up watching some crappy television show instead. I'm not a TV hater, but I also know that there are lots of things that would "feed" me better than some random show that I barely even like.

I'm going to take a look at some of the books I have laying around and formulate some plan...I wish I knew how to make some of the cool badges that people make for challenges online - I would make my own little badge. That's ok, though. I will make my commitment once I make a plan. I just know I need to add something else to my world right now.

And then, in June or July - BOOKFEST!! Yay! I think this year, my books will all be books I want to read this summer. That would be cool! A big pile of "Must Read Right Away". :) I can't wait.

"The Invention of Lying"

I watched the Ricky Gervais/Jennifer Garner movie called, "The Invention of Lying". The basic premise is that no one has ever told a lie (and everyone over-shares). Suddenly, one day, Ricky Gervais' character tells the first lie out of desperation. Since no one has ever lied before, everyone believes everything he says. The good news, even though he does lie for his own benefit sometimes, mostly, he has a conscience.

One of the lies that he tells is about what happens to us after we die. His mother is told she will die that evening and she is afraid of just entering the vast nothingness, so he tells her about "heaven" only he doesn't call it that.

I was moved by this movie unexpectedly. It made me think about all the parents who don't tell their kids about Santa or the Tooth Fairy because they don't want to "lie". This movie brings to light the idea that if we weren't able to talk about things that haven't happened or things we don't know about or to lie, we wouldn't have stories or hope or purpose or movies or love or churches or...or...or...

Great cast. Nice bit of hope and humanity. Funny in parts. Sweet.

Broke My Word to Myself

I was really going to go to the interpreter gathering...I was...but I worked so late and I knew a bunch of people who were otherwise engaged and I didn't go. I hate that...I should have just gone by for a little while.

It's been a long week with scheduling and all.

Tonight, I am reminded of a song from the tv show "Fame": "Friday night, gonna be all right. Gonna be all right, now baby." It has been playing in my head all day. Must mean something - like how glad I am to have a couple of days off!

Jean Meet Wall

I hit the overwhelmed wall again today. I feel the weight of my responsibilites and commitments as heavily as can be. Some days, I just feel like I'm hanging on to everything by my toenails. The feeling will pass, but it is just getting through the days before it does...

I remembered fondly the days when I was a barista and how much I enjoyed that - looking into a mirror and chatting with the customers as I made their cappuccino with whole milk (this was in the old days - pre-Starbucks, pre-half-caf, non-fat soy latte with 3 shots of chocolate pudding and a shot of tequila...Simpler coffee times. :)

Anyway, I had a little cry-fest at my desk and that was cathartic enough to get through the rest of the day. The chaos in the industry is getting to me a little - just all the noise and conversation about all the crazy stuff. Even if you don't take any of it too seriously, it still adds up to a cacophony and that can give you a headache sometimes.

Good news: tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!

Jury Duty

I forgot to report back on Jury Duty. I was called to Jury Duty for yesterday and I went. There was a huge long line to get into the courthouse because they don't open until 7:45am but they want everyone in by 8:00am...seemed a little weird when they called 353 people and only had one door open.

Anyway, we all assembled in the Jury room and filled out all the appropriate paperwork, watched the video and the first group was called. Of course, I was called into the first group, but we had to wait a while before any movement occurred. I pulled out my WordSearch and started working on it. To my left, a nice young woman who apparently married too young, had a child, got divorced and is now dating an older man she met at work. To my right, a woman I spotted immediately when she entered the space. Her energy (and voice) took up a lot of space in the room. She was loudly talking to the woman in charge about not knowing something about being there on time or something. Then, when I took all my paperwork up front, I took my purse with me and she promptly took my seat. She left one between herself and the young mother, so I sat there as the room was filling up quickly. Big energy woman then proceeded to call at least 3 people from her workplace to announce that she had just found out the night before that she had jury duty and she wasn't going to make it in for her shift. To be honest, I couldn't wait to go be in the courtroom to escape her phone calls.

I was a little disappointed that I wasn't selected to be on a jury, but I know it was for the best for me since I had a ton of work to do. I made it back to work and I was able to put in a full day in addition to the jury duty. I did my civic duty, even if I didn't have the opportunity to be involved in a trial. Honestly, I don't really need more responsibility in my life, so I'm fine with it.

Comfort Food Part Deux - the Photos!

Comfort Food

I'm not much of a cook. I think cooking is fascinating, but I never really learned to cook anything fancy or interesting. I have ventured into culinary land a few times, but I'm really a better helper. I was Roby's detail person - he made the pasta and the sauce and I stuffed the tortellini and rolled the ends. He made the chocolate cake and I painted the chocolate leaves...

There is one thing I can cook though. When people ask me about my favorite food, I often will say Thai food or Indian food or something like that. In truth, my very favorite food, the thing that I want to eat when I'm sick or depressed or just sick of all the other food I could eat but am not in the mood for, is macaroni and tomato sauce. And it is NOT Spaghetti!

Macaroni and tomato sauce (we just called it macaroni when I was a kid) was my family's version of macaroni and cheese. We were not big cheese eaters, so this fit the bill much better. It is simple - some macaroni that is al dente, some tomato juice and tomato sauce, some salt and pepper and maybe some fritos for crunch. Ahh. The perfect meal. I have photos which I will post when I am done throwing a tantrum that it wont work RIGHT NOW!!!  GRRR!!

A Tempest

The world feels a little like a tempest right now...I have this mental image of everything swirling and careening around me, furniture lifting off the floor, water flowing up and down, tornados swirling, volcanos spewing, thick gooey oil pouring out of a hole in the ocean. The more the spewing and swirling, the more I still I am tempted to become. Breathing in and out.

The unrest in my professional world is a strong, black cloud. It makes me miss the "good old days" when I was "just" an interpreter. The political unrest and all the ecological problems and ideological disagreements make it hard to just BE.

Nothing happened in particular today - the air is heavy with anticipation and speculation. It is like walking a mine field. Step carefully, answer carefully, if you put your foot down too hard or in the wrong place, stand there - very still - until you can figure out how to ease away and hope you don't set off some inadvertant explosion while you are trying to get away.

And I have jury duty tomorrow.

Who Votes for 4 Day Work Weeks?

I do! I do!  The first day of the weekend is merely about recouperation. It mostly consists of me avoiding human contact if at all possible.  The second day can be wanderings, socialness or rehearsal, but then the need is for the all-powerful third day where I can actually get some stuff done and not feel like I misused my "off" time for non-paid work-like endeavors. I wish the idea would take off, but it just really hasn't (at least where I work).

On a different note, had a nice Mother's Day. Took my mom to see "Oceans" which was quite good and I would highly recommend seeing it in the theatre for the full sound and visual affect. Then a lovely dinner at China Bay with a friend and my mom. Best food we have had there in a long time - the chefs were cooking it all special for the moms out there.

All in all, a good day.

Fleeting Ideas

I always think about all these good things to write about when I am out of the house, driving down the road or at work or when I'm in the store or someplace where I can't write my idea down and then, when I get home, I forget. I had an idea today, but it went that way, too.

Ran some errands, prepared for Mother's Day a bit, did some work, did some art, took a nap today. Nothing too exciting. I found an online course I am thinking about taking - with SARK. I love her books, but I'm reluctant to sign up for another weekly call commitment, although this one is at a better time than my other telecourse (which was so worth it!!). I am still pondering, so I will keep the blog posted about it.

Anyway, that's all I know today. I'm feeling like I'm in a blog rut, so I'm looking for things to spice it up. We'll see what happens, right?

!!I just remembered one of the things I was thinking about!! I was in the car today listening to the radio and I heard an interview with Elie Wiesel. At first, I didn't know if it was him (although I thought it was from his voice) and I kept listening. He is such a profound person. He moved me to tears by some of the things he was saying. I will look for the podcast of the interview...

One thing that struck me in the interview was when the interviewer (David Bender, I believe) asked Professor Wiesel how we can impact the next generation when they have no Holocaust/Shoah Survivors to speak to in person - how can we tell the story so that they don't forget history? Professor Wiesel said, "When you listen to a witness, you become a witness." I realized how true that is in so many ways and yet, it is another place that people are afraid to take responsibility in their lives many times.

Sage Advisor

Today was the "Signing Professions Career Fair". I really enjoyed being there and seeing the students who are just on the verge of graduating and going out into the world. They are so eager and fresh.

In a revisit of a theme I brought up a couple of posts ago, I realized while I was there that I was kind of one of the "old sages". I heard at least 50 times, "Everybody knows Jean." Then, the dean of my department came to me and let me know that he had an invitation to an event for me - the college is giving service awards and this year is my 15th year of service there. Isn't that wild? It is hard to imagine teaching for 15 years, but it is true.

The other great thing that happened today was that I received an incredible compliment. A person who was in a situation where I interpreted told me that my work was "a class above" the other interpreters they had worked with in the past in a specific situation. I was really honored and gratified to hear it. Since I don't interpret all day and only take select jobs, I have worried about the quality of the work I am doing. The person doesn't know sign language but has had lots of experience working with interpreters, so I felt there was some validity to their opinion. I'm not saying I am the best interpreter ever, but I was pleased to know that the work I did was satisfactory and that the person felt they were getting the information and intention in a way that they haven't before. (I don't know if that makes sense...)

Excitement for this weekend - I am going to try to make that Greek Lemon/Egg soup. Avgolemono Lemon Egg Soup. Yay! I love it. If you have never tried it, go to Alexis! They make some good soup. I miss going there - it has been a long time.

Back to Creating

I'm hoping to take some time this weekend to work on a new Art Journal. It is interesting to see that each one has its own distinct personality. I guess that is natural based on the color, mood, style of collage. I haven't completed any of them yet - they are all works in progress, but I think I have an idea for this new one that will take things in a whole different direction. I'm excited to start.

Tomorrow's to do list: Go to Craft Warehouse and buy double sided craft tape (Tombo Mono?). I got halted in doing some of the collage because I ran out of adhesive - once you use the double sided tape, glue stick just doesn't do it...

I think this journal is going to be painted all pink...maybe some of the yellow. Or maybe I will see if there are any neon colored watercolors. That might be fun...

Anyway, that's the plan for now. And something for Mother's Day. I think I may take my mom to see the movie "Earth" that is out. (Or did I imagine that?)

"Old Reliable"

Appropriately, I watched a Buffy episode called, "Doppelgangland". Usually, when I watch this episode, I'm more focused on the part where Willow's doppelganger is pulled from an alternate universe...this time, not so much.

This time, my favorite exchange was:

"XANDER
Willow! Did you remember to tape
Biography last friday?

WILLOW
Uh huh.

BUFFY
(to Xander)
What did I tell you? Old reliable.

WILLOW
(bitterly)
Oh, thanks!

BUFFY
What?

WILLOW
Old reliable? Yeah, great!
There's a sexy nickname.

BUFFY
Oh, Will, I didn't mean --

WILLOW
No, it's fine. I'm old reliable.

XANDER
She just meant, you know, the geyser.
You're like a geyser of fun that goes
off at regular intervals.

WILLOW
That's old faithful.

XANDER
Isn't that the dog that the guy has
to shoot --

WILLOW
That's old Yeller.

BUFFY
Xander, I beg you not to help me.
(to Will)
Will, I didn't mean it in a bad way.
I think it's good to be reliable.

WILLOW
Well maybe I don't wanna be reliable
all the time. Maybe I'm not just
doormat... person. Homework Gal.

XANDER
I'm thinking nervestrike.

She's up and ready to head inside. Starts in, turns back.

WILLOW
Maybe I'll change my look.
Or cut class. You don't know.
(holds up banana)
And I'm eating this banana.
Lunchtime be damned!"

Some days, it is hard to be reliable. 'Nuf said.

Yawp! and Gleek!

A couple of weeks ago, I drove through the Vista Ridge tunnel on the freeway and saw the giant "I Love Vera" written out on the tiles of the tunnel. A couple of days later, it was smudged out - the tunnel hadn't been cleaned, someone had just wiped out the lettering. I don't know why, but I thought it was sad. Then sometime last week, right below the place where the lettering had been wiped out, "Love Vera" was written out again. Yesterday, it was erased.

As I was driving through the tunnel today, I remembered that about three years ago, someone had written "YAWP!!!" in the eastbound tunnel and it stayed there for more than a month. Every day, as I drove through the tunnel on the way to work, I would think, "YAWP!!!" as in "I sound my barbaric yawp" from "The Dead Poet's Society" (well, really, Walt Whitman, but you know what I mean...)

I present you with "Yawp":


Also, I decided that I am a Gleek. Yes, in addition to my Buffy affinity, I am a devoted "Glee" fan. Tonight, as I was listening to "Total Eclipse of the Heart", I felt that same fluttering excitement that I feel when I am going to the theatre. There is something so brave to me about singing, I think. Music elicits such an emotional response anyway, then when you add these universal (if exaggerated) themes of fitting in, longing, finding yourself, finding your niche, the price of popularity, etc., it just couldn't really get any better. (I'm sure it could, but I can't think how right now...) So, from now on if you hear a squealing scream on Tuesdsay evenings that sounds like, "GLEEEEEEEK!!!", you will know it is me.

For the record, favorite "Glee" song is still the first one they did - "Don't Stop Believing".

What a Relief!

I was reading another blog yesterday and they brilliantly explained why blogging can be difficult sometimes. I was relieved to know that I was not the only one who thought some of these thoughts:

(forgive me if I misquote the stats...)
40% of your life is too personal to be put out on the internet in blogform
40% is too complicated or would take too long to get into and there just aren't enough hours in the day
10% of your life is just too dang boring to be believed which leaves
10% that is really available to talk about.

Then there is the whole "coming up with an idea for a post" issue. I bought a book on lists, but many of the lists fit into the first 80% listed above. I have looked at journal prompts, but I am never inspired to write anything good there...I wonder if that is a defense? When I was in high school, we had a daily journal prompt in my journalism class and I just did these stream-of-conciousness writings. I wonder if I have too many blocks and defenses built up against writing that way now.

Anyway, that's what I was thinking about as I was trying to come up with a post for today.

Mostly, today was too boring to be believed or too complicated and/or personal to be included. Either way, not too exciting for anyone reading.

Little Goals

I realized late today that I really accomplished very little this weekend. It wasn't because I didn't want to - I just never got myself in gear. I had a bunch of things I wanted to do, more things that I needed to do and several things that I had to do. I won't say that I got NOTHING done, but it was, all in all, a very unproductive weekend.

I think for next weekend, I will be making a list. This weekend, little ideas, memories of things I wanted to accomplish flittered across my mind and then I would sit down to write them or to look something up and it would not be there. I am reinstating my rule that I should always have paper and pen with me, no matter where I go or what I do.

May is going to be a productive month. I have decided to make it so.

Expert, Me?

I got an email today from an interpreting student. They were referred to me so that they could do an interview about theatrical interpreting - specifically musical theatre. I was struck by some of the questions that they asked and I was left in a pensive mood.

I can clearly remember the first artistic signing I ever saw. A woman (unfortunately, I don't know her name) came to our ITP class and interpreted "Grandma's Featherbed" and "The Eagle and the Hawk". I had never seen signing like that before and had never seen signing combined with music. I was fascinated and at the same time, I never thought I would ever do anything like that. When I was in the interpreter training program, I was voted "Least Likely to Appear Onstage for Any Reason, Including Sweeping". I hated being in front of the class, I hated doing the improv acting class (although I loved watching the others do it). Strange how I ever managed to become an interpreter. When I took ASL and Process tests where I was videotaped, my arms would get these purple splotches on them and my hands would shake. I was always so nervous and afraid of making mistakes.

Tonight as I answered questions about working as a performance interpreter - my passion and motivation - I was struck by the idea that someone actually wanted to know what I had to say about the topic. Don't misunderstand me...I have been asked about performance work and theatre for many years - I have presented about it and I have taught a few workshops. I KNOW that I have a ton of experience. It was just one of those funny moments when you realize - "this person might quote me in their research paper. How weird is that?"

I think this is one of the issues surrounding leadership in the world right now - a group of us coming up in the world who NEVER IMAGINED ourselves taking on the mantle of responsibility, leadership, ownership, expertise, etc. I always steered away from Boards and running for things because I have never felt "ready" - I still don't. But then I realized that you are never "ready" until you are doing whatever it is you need to learn how to do. My generation is now approaching (if not arriving) the place where we need to step up and mentor, teach, take responsibility and pass along some knowledge.

Fascinating. If I had only known, I would have paid more attention to how the leaders led me. I was so fortunate in the mentors and leaders who had a hand in my career and life and I wish I had paid more attention to that part of their involvement.