Hey everybody: don’t forget that it’s National Donut Day. It was started as a Salvation Army fundraiser — you know those photos of girls handing donuts to WWI doughboys? That’s what it’s all about! However, I am too lazy to travel to the Dunkin’ Donuts. Krispy Kremes aren’t exactly thin on the ground around here, but as all right-thinking people know, Krispy Kremes are gross. (Cake, please!) I probably won’t partake.
The least I could do was give you a treat from Guys and Dolls. You know…Salvation Army? Get it? Therefore…
Your Friday musical interlude:
You’re welcome.
Lyric of the day: “we’ll float around, hang out on clouds”
Flashback of the day: Galaga (warning: Java) Oh how the boys loved loved loved to play Galaga.
What’s playing now? Blondie’s “Dreaming,” off Eat to the Beat.
Photo of the day:
“WWJSD?” the transformer box asked.
“I don’t know, maybe buy one of these?” the sidewalk answered.
1. Man oh man and Holy Family is it freaking hot outside. Like, five million degrees with ten thousand percent humidity. Ugh. Too hot to cycle in to work this week; I feel like I’ve been beaten about the head and shoulders just from being outside. It is so exhausting when your body tries and tries and tries to stay cool but just can’t do it. Seriously, it makes me very tired when the weather’s hot. More than you’d think, outweighing even the Vitamin D. Plus, I got a sunburn just from walking six blocks to class last evening. Double ugh. Must remember to carry sunscreen at all times.
2. Speaking of last evening, I met yet another dude named Kevin — a classmate in my Master’s program. Last time I checked, I knew like forty-six dudes named Kevin. OK, not really that many. Maybe seven or eight. But still! It sure seems like a lot. Bonus: they are all nice guys. Is it some sort of rule? I mean, I’ve met nice people named Jim or Sara(h), and also mean ones. Now that I think about it, I know a few Garys, and a lot of Jerrys, and they’re all nice guys too. Hmm.
3. WTF, baseball? I thought the last perfect game was pitched by Kevin Costner! (See? there’s another Kevin! I don’t know him, though.) Well, the last one by a Tiger, anyway. Too bad for young Galarraga, but I am so relieved that he didn’t run from camera to camera, whining about how “he wuz robbed!” Classy! Someone raised him right.
Say what you will about the film (it’s cheesy, but I am a girl),
but that “Clear the Mechanism” trope is cool.
4. Meanwhile, is all this baseball perfection just a warm-up before the arrival of The Real Baseball Jesus? Seriously, Walter Johnson better watch out. (Speaking of The Big Train, I recommend choosing his poster — lower concourse, above first third base, near Ben’s — for your emergency meeting place should you ever get separated at Nationals Park.) I’m getting ready for His arrival by attending the Alexandria Aces opener tomorrow night! Hooray for minor league ball!
5. More people who think photography is, or should be, a crime. As always, they are wrong. Wrong. WRONG.
6. I have waffled back and forth about what my first grad school presentation should be, more times than can possibly be healthy. But today, I think I found a less-boring idea than my previous idea. If it goes well maybe I will use the boring idea for the second presentation. First one is next Friday: wish me luck! I’m going to need it.
7. It is hot!
Lyric of the day: ”the past is gone but something might be found to take its place”
Flashback of the day: The Night Train, Little League Edition
What’s playing now? The Beatles’ “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” off Abbey Road.
So, uh…how was everyone’s Memorial Day? Mine was good. Reno at Dear Old Dad’s put the kibosh on our usual holiday Roast Beast Feast, but the family managed to get together anyhow. That’s always a pleasure. I spent most of the time, however, doing homework (not a pleasure) and then rewarding myself by watching my favorite three war movies of all time: The Dirty Dozen, The Guns of Navarone, and Where Eagles Dare. Hooray! I was too bogged down to catch Rolling Thunder, or the parade. Oh well, they’ll be on again next year.
And since it was Memorial Day, I’d like to give a shout-out to the servicemembers and veterans of my acquaintance. Some are even relatives! Especially Grandpa, Raymond, Tommy, all you Raiders (and your parents), and the late, great Colonel.
So, yes, graduate classes continue apace. I think I’m a bit ahead of the game in one of the two, but a bit behind in the other. We’ll see how that works itself out!
Lyric of the day: “I’ll show you heaven if you let me”
Flashback of the day: Wearing KB’s clothes. Hats, jackets, and most famously, overalls!
What’s playing now? Phoenix’ “Everything is Everything,” off Alphabetical.
Photo of the day:
WWII Memorial, Veteran's Day 2007
UPDATE: I’d like to add a special thank-you to that Army officer who explained the civilian chain of command to a foreign tourist on the bus a few years ago. “What if you don’t like the government, or the orders you are given? I mean, you have the weapons, right?” she asked. “Well, ma’am, that’s not really a concern. Our oath is to the Constitution, not the government.” She was dumbfounded.
It’s Memorial Day weekend! (Er, almost.) This is the time of year I dread. It means that the hot weather has arrived, and I don’t like summer!
Me:Summer :: Newman:Jerry
Indeed, this week it’s been quite steamy here in our nation’s capital, and last night the holiday weekend started with a thunderclap…the first of the summer thunderstorms rang in the season!
So, I guess it’s time to break out my elaborate air-conditioning strategy once again. In general, it works like this: maximize the time in air-conditioned spaces, and minimize the time between them, while at the same time minimizing sun exposure. And of course, there’s a sub-strategy for transitioning between indoor spaces and out. Too dramatic a temperature differential, and the world goes green before my eyes. Not a good sign. On top of which: I’m covered in milky-white skin and I’d like to keep it that way! Once you’ve had a second-degree sunburn, you tend to get a little skittish about going to the beach.
Yeah, that’s right. Now that I’m a grown-up, I don’t go to the beach, like, ever. I don’t go to the amusement park either, or do most of those other summery-outdoorsy-type things most people do. When the weather gets hot my body works extra-hard to cool down, but it can never catch up. Let me tell you, there’s pretty much no fun in that.
Summer’s arrival isn’t all bad news, though. Pools are open! (The one at my house — indoors, natch — opens tomorrow, in fact.) Outdoor movies are shown all over town! I get to wear comfy sundresses or skirts pretty much every day! Weather permitting, it’s time to bike to work once again! Friday traffic is really light from now till Labor Day! I can do my grad-school reading on the balcony after work!
For those of you who have been waiting since last fall for summer to arrive once again: congratulations. For those of you who are, like me, actually sane, just remember that it’s only a few months till the welcome relief of autumn. We can do it!
End rant.
Lyric of the day: “without you next to me, I toss and turn like the sea”
Flashback of the day: us kids riding our bikes down to the LI Sound.
What’s playing now? Pearl Jam’s “Last Kiss,” off Rearviewmirror.
…that means my prom dress is, too. Holy cow. Last weekend I was on the phone with AKW, who just attended her own senior prom. She thought it was hilarious and cute that I still have my prom dress, sun stains and all. Oh well…what can I say? TAW’s birthday always brings out the nostalgia. I guess said nostalgia’s my mechanism to stay sane — because I’m reminded how weird it is to be both an elder sibling and an only child, at the same time.
Anyhoodle. The years go by; some things change radically, like: my income, or my career path, or where I live. Others don’t change at all: I still adore the Jerrys, MS is still my BFF, Holy Cow milkshakes are still delicious, and evidently my hair still smells good.
Oh. My. God. TAW is now 21. She could already vote, or marry, or play the Lotto, or join the Army. But now she can do all those things after she buys me a beer!
I can’t believe that so many years have gone by. I always feel just a little extra-old on TAW’s birthday, because while she was busy making the world a little brighter by getting born, I was busy going to the senior prom.
And so, after a grand night of dyable shoes on a riverboat cruise, I came home to find That Evil Man in the dining room, with his pot of coffee and his pack of cigarettes, as was his wont. He said, “Oh, uh, your father called. Something about a baby?”
“What?! Was the baby born?!”
“Meh. Call him back!”
That’s how I got the news. The wonderful, awesome news. Poor Dear Old Dad was half asleep, but he managed to tell me the details. Needless to say, I couldn’t wait to meet my new sibling. And ever since the the day we did, we’ve been the best of friends.
It’s been a joy and a privilege to watch her grow through all the years of questions, phone calls, visits, concerts, movies, meals, day trips. She’s kept me young. She’s kept me apprised of what-the-kids-are-calling-it-these-days. She’s kept me laughing. She’s a treasure. Smart, funny, a trip to be around, beautiful, loving. Not to mention, she’s a fantastic cook! I hope I’ve been there for her if she ever needed me, and of course I always will be.
Congratulations on your birthday, and I wish you many happy returns of the day. I love you more than you can possibly know.
Lyric of the day: “she just wanders around unaffected by the winter winds, yeah”
Flashback of the day: Singing “Rubber Duckie” at the dinner table
What’s playing now? Shinedown’s “The Crow and the Butterfly,” off Sound of Madness.
Sad news: Slipknot bassist Paul Gray was found dead in an Iowa hotel room on Monday. Just last week the world lost Ronnie James Dio. And of course you all know that I was very concerned about Bret Michaels recently. Metal, in all its forms, is having a rough time these days.
RIP, guys, and the rest of you: please stay healthy! If you don’t, then the care I expend on this head-bang-worthy head of hair might all be for naught. And that would be a shame.
Lyric of the day: “I only wish you weren’t my friend, then I could hurt you in the end”
Flashback of the day: Dennis, jealous of my hair, banged his head with such enthusiasm that he lost a tooth on the dance floor
What’s playing now? The Clash’s “Rock the Casbah,” off Combat Rock.
Weekend Update! Yeah, I know, it’s already the end of Thursday. What can I say, last week was a busy one, so I’m tired! Wednesday I got my acceptance notice, and then promptly went off on a mini-vacay to the old hometown for a belated Mother’s Day trip and the continuation of Visiting Spring 2010.
During the course of the weekend:
1,000 miles were put on my car, 300 of which were me, chauffeur. (Chauffeuse?) Country life!
“The Chauffeur” was whistled in a dark parking lot. Holy Cow milkshakes (yes, plural; chocolate, obvs.) were enjoyed. Locals were spotted in the line; bro-hugs and air-kisses.
Pizza pies were eaten and beers, poured out by a fun bartender who thought it was somehow hilarious that I was buying a round, were imbibed.
A game of 8-ball was played. I lost, badly. (Next time, man…it’s ON! OK, probably not.)
Numerous galleries were visited. It was good to be able to see art without negative connotations.
Stars were gazed upon.
Detours were taken.
Movies were viewed. One, hilarious and awesomely bad (now, every time I see a group of villains chortling villainously, I will want to shout out, “SILENCE!” but no one would get it), and one a classic noir.
Every door was opened for me in proper gentlemanlike fashion (a girl can get used to that, fast), but not an eyebrow was raised when I laid down on the sidewalk to take a photograph in the middle of Germantown. Though later, “Are you gonna climb on top of that van to get that shot?”
Lilacs were busting out in full glory.
More than once KT and I looked at each other and basically said, “God damn, Catskills! Why you gotta be so beautiful this year?!” Almost unbelievably gorgeous.
I won’t even start on the rainbow that MS and I spotted on our way back from Holy Cow.
Or the astounding Frederic Church-esque sunsets over the river.
And I got a present.
Did I mention the visits to Holy Cow?
All in all, a great, relaxing, long weekend spent feeling like i was stopped at the top of the Ferris wheel with my favorite people.
Lyric of the day: “If you’re wondering, if I want you to…I want you to”
Flashback of the day: Two Beeps For The Chicken
What’s playing now? Too Much Joy’s “Mrs. Now,” off …finally.
Well, I always said I wouldn’t do it, but it is really true. I am actually going back to school. Boy, I’ll bet my dad never imagined he’d have all three girls in college at once, eh? At least he doesn’t have to pay for me…this time.
Georgetown University seal
Yes, amazingly, Georgetown has let me in to their Masters in Technology Management program. Basically, it’s like an MBA for IT professionals. Why am I doing it? Well, I’ve hit the wall as a self-taught developer and I don’t want to be a developer for the long term any more, really, anyway. It’s still enjoyable, which is why I can do things like post my photos, and post to this blog (which of course I know you all totally love, right?) or DC Metblogs, or, you know, my job without going insane. I’d like to keep it that way!
But, at the same time (as I was explaining to KT last weekend), the reason that I don’t, for example, get around to finishing my photography workflow in a reasonable amount of time is because the absolute last thing I want to do at the end of the day is look at a computer. At least, not for the amount of time that’s needed to do it properly. Hell, even culling shots is like torture. A different work track might help me to come at things in a new way, which improves work life, home life, social life…it’s all good!
I spent enough time in badly managed organizations (The Firm, I am looking at you) to know what I want to do. Basically, people need to understand that 1) sometimes the correct answer is “no,” and 2) if you’re going to have an expectation of service or a policy need, then you need to actually have a process or policy in place! And actually use/enforce it. Not doing so leads to confusion, mistakes, and poor performance; everybody loses. So…no more of that! I will put a stop to it all! Assuming I pass, of course.
Summer classes (I’m taking 2) start on Tuesday. Wish me luck, peoples!
this makes me want to go home & watch toy soldiers and play "spot the kevin shirt," except i don't have a copy of it. http://digs.by/9f4fbc17 hours ago
@tonigm in the immortal words of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "fire bad. tree pretty." 19 hours ago
@Mike_Doughty_ Let's all sing "Right Kind of Love," and "I Love Your Smile," and you can do the David Silver voiceovers 19 hours ago
