Friday, October 21, 2011

::queue and ay

-- Where is your Mother?

I'm pretty sure she's at home, in Holly.
Although she's not watching my niece today so she may be, as my Canadian friends would say, "oot and aboot."
Maybe at Wal*Mart.
Or TJ Maxx. She loves it there.

-- Where is your Father?

My best guess: taking a nap.
He has the weirdest sleep schedule of anyone ever, besides maybe Leonardo da Vinci.
The poor guy has chronic insomnia and wakes up around 2 am every day.
He needs a daily nap.

-- Where were you born?

At McLaren Hospital in Flint, Michigan.
And now I live in Detroit, which is actually
less dangerous than Flint.
Funny how these things pan out.

--How many days until your birthday?

44.
I'm trying to make plans already.
Operative word:
trying.
I hate when people are non-committal jerkfaces.

-- What is the closest orange object to you?

A bottle of leftover Vicodin.
I like to keep it around for emergencies...you know, like those migraines that feel like a wrecking ball slamming against my skull.

-- How many books are in your room?

Not enough.
I have yet to undertake the grandiose task of moving my entire personal library to my new residence.
Dude, it's gonna be rough.

-- Who is your favorite teacher of all time?

Jill Armistead.
She was my favorite literature professor in college.
She had tremendous warmth, compassion, intellect, and a crazy awesome Scottish brogue.
I miss her.

-- Name one of your goals for this year?

I need a job. Jay oh bee.
Also, I'd like to submit a few poems for publication.
But I've been saying that for like five years now, so maybe it's not so likely.

-- What is the biggest trouble you have ever been in?

In 2003, I was in a car accident wherein I dislocated my hip.
Some douchey cop
followed the ambulance to the hospital so he could write me a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt.
Hey, jerkface? My leg is out of its socket. I think I may have learned my lesson.

-- Did you cry when Michael Jackson died?

I did.
I was at a movie with my friend when it happened, and when I got home and saw the news, I cried.
He was sublimely talented and yet so tragically troubled.
The sorrow of it all just kind of crashed into me at that moment.

-- What does your 9th message on your phone say?

"Okay babe"

-- Are you scared about the end of the world?

Not really.
If I thought about it more often, I probably would be.

-- Is there a TV in the room you are in?

Yes.
It's an old-school TV/VCR combo.
I watched
Liar Liar on it the other day.
Good times.

-- Do you usually hold your pee for a long time?

As a matter of fact, yes.
Even though, as an avid
Seinfeld watcher, I did learn from George Costanza that "holding it in is bad for the kidneys."
That guy claimed to read medical journals a lot.

-- Worst feeling in the world?

When I am 100% sure that vomiting is imminent.
I cannot even move.

-- Name something you think is pointless?

Cheerleading.
Also, why do people cheer for games that they're watching on television?
If you're there, in person, it makes sense to voice your encouragement, I suppose... but at home or in a bar, you
know they can't hear you, right?
It's just obnoxious.

-- Favorite fast food restaurant?

Does Panera count?
If not, then I'd have to go with Arby's.
Their chicken salad sandwich is an evil temptress.

-- Did you have a weird dream last night?

Not that I remember.
I have a strange habit of dreaming about famous people, though...like a couple weeks ago in dreamland, I was on a date with Russell Brand.
He was a perfect gentleman.

-- Do you wish at 11:11?

No, I'm not terribly superstitious.
But I think I will certainly enjoy the two occasions of 11:11 on 11/11/11.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

::zuck off

Confession: I have a complicated relationship with Facebook.

I check it several times a day, and can often be spotted on the News Feed uploading photos and videos and such (probably twice as often since the acquisition of my iPhone).

I also see the appeal of shunning it altogether, refusing to allow that sort of access into one's life, because publicizing any personal information is frightening.

Currently, I'm frustrated by some recent changes involving privacy, so I felt like procuring a Motivational Poster.




You're welcome.

Friday, August 26, 2011

::fill-ins

Sometimes, dear readers, a blogger needs a little help.

Hence, the Friday Fill-In.




I can't...

...seem to stop hanging out at Caribou Coffee.

The ambience reminds me of "Up North" Michigan, the employees are so friendly and sweet, coffee drinks are delicious, and the free wi-fi is readily accessible, reliable, and very quick.
Lately, it's my favorite hangout.

=====

I can...

...feel myself becoming more and more comfortable with calling Detroit "home."
This summer has solidified its magnetic pull on my spirit.
When I'm gone for too long, I'm homesick for its bipolar beauty.

=====

...__________ made me feel really good this week.

...The end-of-summer party I went to on Monday night made me feel really good this week.
It's an annual gathering hosted by my friend Kathy, and this was the first time I'd been included.
Lots of laughs, adorable cats, good wine, and an experimental Arnold Palmer (iced tea + lemonade) with a splash of gin.
Delicious.

=====

I bought...

...a few (cheap!) books at a Borders close-out sale yesterday.
Garrison Keillor's Good Poems, A.J. Jacobs' The Know-It-All, The Best American Spiritual Writing 2010, and The Electric Guitar: An Ilustrated Guide (a gift for Paul).
Total: $20.24.
Not too shabby, eh?

=====
My car..

...is sadly on its last legs. Last month's visit to the mechanic revealed that the engine cradle had rusted through.
A sturdy sheet of metal is welded on for now, but I know it won't be long.
Car-shopping when you're broke is seriously depressing.

=====

My bedtime ritual includes...

...lying in bed listening to podcasts on my iPhone.
God bless the Stitcher app.

=====

This weekend I will...

...go to see/hear my friend Kim play music in Ann Arbor, enjoy a block party in my neighborhood, and go with some very fun folks to Lake Erie Metropark for some watery shenanigans.

Et tu, dear reader?

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

::LL lessons

Last week, I spent a few more days back at Camp Lake Louise for the first-ever Special Needs week.
Our campers represented a wide range of special needs; Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Cognitive Impairment, etc.

What I was not entirely prepared for was, how much these people would teach me, how attached I would become, how intense our connections would be, or how much I would miss them after they left.

I feel as though I cannot tell stories of the week with words - no matter how finely sculpted - as effectively as my photos can, so I'd like to share a few...

[Also, you may want to listen to this song.]

Clarence, joyful as ever


Steven, Camper Extraordinaire


(Another) Steven, transfixed by the camera :)


Jenni introducing Erin


Campfire song leader, Hannah


Steven paints lovely trees...


...and loves giving kisses


Ron dances with Hannah


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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

::of scales and physicians


I hate scales.

They mock me.

They show me combinations of numbers that lacerate my hard-won confidence and perforate my self-esteem.

They are the first component of the visit to the doctors' office where I have to talk about all the stuff I don't even like to think about.

It deserves a think, I know.

And no one likes to focus on their painful dysfunctions. I know this too.

My doctor did advise me to pray every day for strength to achieve my weight-loss goals.
That's a prescription I can live with.

Friday, August 5, 2011

::grrrreat lakes

It's such a bizarre experience to feel like a tourist in my own home state.

This week, I visited Michigan's west coast for what felt like the very first time.

I was dazzled by the enormity of Lake Michigan, the abundance of windsurfers and toddler tourists, and the sight of such lovely lighthouses.

My friend Ann was gracious enough to invite me along, and we went exploring with cameras in hand.






After lots of emotional stresses lately, it felt so cathartic and cleansing to stand before Lake Michigan, wind hurling my hair every which way, and feel the spray cleansing the darkened, lonely corners of sadness.


Monday, August 1, 2011

::happy thoughts, part one

Today, I feel as though I have a serious case of Church Drama Meeting Hangover.
UGH.

Therefore, I'm choosing to focus on things that make me smile and feel utterly delighted.

Let's start with Wilma, shall we?

Now, the first thing you need to know about Wilma: She. Is. Awesome.
I have known her all of my life.
She's the "Craft Shop Lady" at Camp Lake Louise.
She's 87 years old.
She's been coming to camp for more than 50 summers.
She tools around in a golf cart most of the time these days, offering rides to any and all who seem even remotely in need.

Her kindness, creativity, generosity, and strength are incredible sights to behold.



The following picture is one of my favorite shots EVER.
This is what a wonderful, lighthearted, down-to-earth woman Wilma is...




Sideways hat, gang signs, kickin' shades.

Wilma RULES.


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