Wow. . .Samantha posted this link on her blog, which she got on another person's blog. It really is an amazing site:
http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com/
It really makes you think.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Did Someone Get That Plate #?
Ok, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I hate this freaking state because I never had allergies until I moved here. They have been especially bad for us transplants lately and mine have turned in a nice infection. Perfect timing since I was going to drive up to PA tomorrow for my niece's graduation on Thursday. No way that is gonna happen when it hurts to blink. You know it's bad when your eyeballs hurt. Guess I'll just leave early on Thursday. Yes, I did go to the doctor and got some good meds that should kick this puppy outta me. That and I need some sleep. Sounds like a good idea so I'm gonna go do that. Cheers.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Memorial Day
Ok, so, I was wondering what I could say today. And then I got to thinking about how tomorrow is Memorial Day and how Samantha mentioned the war on her blog. . . . At first I was going to say something in tribute for all of our armed forces personnel. But then I thought, well, there is a lot of that. I do appreciate all of the work that they do and I am very proud to teach a speech class at the army base here in Columbia (Fort Jackson). My current students are all great and 98% of them are military personnel. My thoughts wandered over the whole meaning of Memorial Day and how it can also be for something more personal. . .a time to remember those you love. So, I thought that I would combine those two ideas into a little mini tribute to my three older brothers. Our father had given each of my brothers the choice between college or military after high school. They each chose a branch of the military and so I thought that I would share with you all their boot camp graduation photos of a time long ago when they wanted to serve their country.
John 1980
John is 10.5 years older than me. He had really wanted to go into the Air Force and be a pilot but he has an astigmatism and so they wouldn't take him. So, his next choice was the Marines and he shipped off for Parris Island, SC, a year after graduation. I didn't get to go to this one because my parents didn't want to pull me out of school (he graduated in September). But they apparently had a great time. I remember my mother saying how shocked she was at the change in John: he'd gone from long hair and laissez-faire to buzz cut and disciplined. He kept calling her ma'am and her response was, "I am not a ma'am, I am your mother!" lol Of course, she did like it that some of his buddies couldn't believe that she was old enough to be his mother. John almost ended up in Beirut (I believe that was where) but a bombing occurred at the place where they were to be stationed and so he stayed in the States. He was stationed in Yuma, AZ, but the constant running took a toll on his knees and he ended up with a medical discharge. I am fairly sure that John would have made a good career out of it otherwise.
Chuck 1981
Chuck (named Charles like our father but he needed a nickname to avoid confusion) went right into the Navy after he graduated. In fact, he was part of the PA Governer's special unit (or something like that) and we went to Harrisburg to see him sworn in before he was shipped off to Orlando for boot camp. Chuck basically went through a similar training that you'll find in the movie, An Officer and a Gentleman. I got to go to his graduation ceremony but don't really remember much of it other than being impressed with the soldiers dress and skills and the ceremony. What I remember most is my first trip to Disney World because Chuck took me on all of the scary rides (Space Mountain, etc. -- give me a break, I was ten). He soon began his long career (he is still in) of hopping around the globe. I still have all of the letters that he ever wrote to me. And those from his wife, Lolita (we call her Jane), whom he met through some friends in the Philippines. Chuck also went to college but I think that the Navy is his true career. After all, he keeps reinlisting. He did go to the Gulf for Desert Storm and has been over to visit the troops for the current war over there but he is not in the line of fire. Currently stationed in Guam, I have no idea when he will join us civvies back here.
James 1983
Chuck was so happy with the Navy that I think Jim decided to follow suit. I would have to ask someone else what his reasoning had really been for the Navy but you can tell by the picture that he seemed happy with the choice at the time. Unlike some extreme changes in John and Chuck, Jim seemed to stay pretty much the same. I think that this was probably what caused him to be unsure about a military career in the long run. I do know that he had an incident when he was on a ship. . .there was some kind of wreck and his ship had to transport the bodies of those lost. Jim got duty over watching the bodies and whole situation was very traumatic for him. He fulfilled his 4 years and was a civvie for a while but he did give the military life another try. Unfortunately, it wasn't much better for him the second time. He just didn't have the same mentality as Chuck to pursue the Navy as a career nor did he take advantage of the chance for a college education. But I know that if he had been needed somewhere to fight, he would have gone. He was proud to have served and to have followed in his big brothers' footsteps.
I am proud of my brothers for serving in the military. I am glad that none of them has been on any front lines (Chuck has come the closest to such action) like our Uncle Bill who served two tours in Vietnam or our Uncle Irvin who served in WWII. Our uncles probably helped influence my brothers into their military over college choices. Our father didn't join because he was asthmatic but he did instill in all of us a sense of pride and loyalty. I had thought that I would follow Chuck into the Navy at one point and be an MP or a JAG but, in the end for various reasons, I obviously went the college route. They are encouraging their children to pursue either course (military and/or college) and are doing their best to pass on the values and lessons that they have learned in the military. Can I get a Hoorah for our troops?
John 1980
John is 10.5 years older than me. He had really wanted to go into the Air Force and be a pilot but he has an astigmatism and so they wouldn't take him. So, his next choice was the Marines and he shipped off for Parris Island, SC, a year after graduation. I didn't get to go to this one because my parents didn't want to pull me out of school (he graduated in September). But they apparently had a great time. I remember my mother saying how shocked she was at the change in John: he'd gone from long hair and laissez-faire to buzz cut and disciplined. He kept calling her ma'am and her response was, "I am not a ma'am, I am your mother!" lol Of course, she did like it that some of his buddies couldn't believe that she was old enough to be his mother. John almost ended up in Beirut (I believe that was where) but a bombing occurred at the place where they were to be stationed and so he stayed in the States. He was stationed in Yuma, AZ, but the constant running took a toll on his knees and he ended up with a medical discharge. I am fairly sure that John would have made a good career out of it otherwise.
Chuck 1981
Chuck (named Charles like our father but he needed a nickname to avoid confusion) went right into the Navy after he graduated. In fact, he was part of the PA Governer's special unit (or something like that) and we went to Harrisburg to see him sworn in before he was shipped off to Orlando for boot camp. Chuck basically went through a similar training that you'll find in the movie, An Officer and a Gentleman. I got to go to his graduation ceremony but don't really remember much of it other than being impressed with the soldiers dress and skills and the ceremony. What I remember most is my first trip to Disney World because Chuck took me on all of the scary rides (Space Mountain, etc. -- give me a break, I was ten). He soon began his long career (he is still in) of hopping around the globe. I still have all of the letters that he ever wrote to me. And those from his wife, Lolita (we call her Jane), whom he met through some friends in the Philippines. Chuck also went to college but I think that the Navy is his true career. After all, he keeps reinlisting. He did go to the Gulf for Desert Storm and has been over to visit the troops for the current war over there but he is not in the line of fire. Currently stationed in Guam, I have no idea when he will join us civvies back here.
James 1983
Chuck was so happy with the Navy that I think Jim decided to follow suit. I would have to ask someone else what his reasoning had really been for the Navy but you can tell by the picture that he seemed happy with the choice at the time. Unlike some extreme changes in John and Chuck, Jim seemed to stay pretty much the same. I think that this was probably what caused him to be unsure about a military career in the long run. I do know that he had an incident when he was on a ship. . .there was some kind of wreck and his ship had to transport the bodies of those lost. Jim got duty over watching the bodies and whole situation was very traumatic for him. He fulfilled his 4 years and was a civvie for a while but he did give the military life another try. Unfortunately, it wasn't much better for him the second time. He just didn't have the same mentality as Chuck to pursue the Navy as a career nor did he take advantage of the chance for a college education. But I know that if he had been needed somewhere to fight, he would have gone. He was proud to have served and to have followed in his big brothers' footsteps.
I am proud of my brothers for serving in the military. I am glad that none of them has been on any front lines (Chuck has come the closest to such action) like our Uncle Bill who served two tours in Vietnam or our Uncle Irvin who served in WWII. Our uncles probably helped influence my brothers into their military over college choices. Our father didn't join because he was asthmatic but he did instill in all of us a sense of pride and loyalty. I had thought that I would follow Chuck into the Navy at one point and be an MP or a JAG but, in the end for various reasons, I obviously went the college route. They are encouraging their children to pursue either course (military and/or college) and are doing their best to pass on the values and lessons that they have learned in the military. Can I get a Hoorah for our troops?
Yawn
It's late and my nightowl self is just not hopping along. Tony asked me to switch shifts with him so he could pick his wife up early from the airport and I was cool with that. So, it's been a long day for me since I was up at 8a (and got home at 11:30p last night from work). I didn't have an 8hr shift because we were soooooo dead. So, I wandered the mall -- something I haven't done in months. There's a new store that has really cool clothes and I found some neat stuff. Actually treated myself to a cool top for when I go to Philly next weekend. It's a really great green. . .bustier-type bodice with straps. Gonna look even better when I get my hair done on Monday. ;o)
Anyway, must work again tomorrow so I'll try and think of something fun for here to write about. Right now my brain is too fried and I need sleep. Hugs.
Anyway, must work again tomorrow so I'll try and think of something fun for here to write about. Right now my brain is too fried and I need sleep. Hugs.
Friday, May 27, 2005
Lost Friends
Well, this little musing is going to take a slightly different turn than I had expected when I woke up this morning. You see, last night I sent this blog link to all of my friends (it's a daunting number and one reason I gave into such a public display of myself) and family. One "friend" has me blocked from sending her emails. Why this surprised me, I don't know since we haven't talked for months and things were not going well when we stopped communicating. The story is a long one and one that most people in my life know. For those of you who don't, suffice it to say that we were friends for 11 years but near the end (for now I must think of it as truly ended), there were obstacles that neither of us could get past to allow us to continue being friends like we were.
I have heard that, as adults, we are lucky to have one or two really close friends with whom we can share everything. As kids we would call them our best friends. I have never completely liked that phrase unless I could say, "one of my best friends," because I consider myself to have more than one who fits in that category. I won't even try and list them here because I know that I would forget someone and tick them off. lol I am constantly fascinated with how human relationships work (hence it showing up in my dissertation, a subject for another day). Each and every one of my friendships is precious to me and they are all unique even though some have similarities of context. I tend to hold on to friends for as long as I can. And I never forget anyone even when there has been no contact for a while.
If you look at the comments from the last entry, you'll see two names. Samantha is my newest friend and I already consider her a dear one. We are still testing out the waters but have discovered a lot of connections. It's fun. The other is Rose. We went to high school together (my God, has it been 16 years since we graduated?!?) and have managed to remain good friends even though we tend to fall off the face of the earth every now and then. But when we reconnect, it's always as if the time never went by. One or both of us apologizes for being slack, we catch up, and we move on with where we are. No worries. I have gotten used to that because most of the people in my life are always elsewhere. (I'll do an email tangent another time.)
Anyway, I thought that was what was going on with the other friend. Even though we'd been having problems, I thought we'd just stepped away from each other for a while because of various things. Guess I was wrong. It makes me sad. I could push the issue but I'll let her go since that is what she seems to want. At least I have memories -- good and bad -- to cherish even if I have lost the friend.
I have heard that, as adults, we are lucky to have one or two really close friends with whom we can share everything. As kids we would call them our best friends. I have never completely liked that phrase unless I could say, "one of my best friends," because I consider myself to have more than one who fits in that category. I won't even try and list them here because I know that I would forget someone and tick them off. lol I am constantly fascinated with how human relationships work (hence it showing up in my dissertation, a subject for another day). Each and every one of my friendships is precious to me and they are all unique even though some have similarities of context. I tend to hold on to friends for as long as I can. And I never forget anyone even when there has been no contact for a while.
If you look at the comments from the last entry, you'll see two names. Samantha is my newest friend and I already consider her a dear one. We are still testing out the waters but have discovered a lot of connections. It's fun. The other is Rose. We went to high school together (my God, has it been 16 years since we graduated?!?) and have managed to remain good friends even though we tend to fall off the face of the earth every now and then. But when we reconnect, it's always as if the time never went by. One or both of us apologizes for being slack, we catch up, and we move on with where we are. No worries. I have gotten used to that because most of the people in my life are always elsewhere. (I'll do an email tangent another time.)
Anyway, I thought that was what was going on with the other friend. Even though we'd been having problems, I thought we'd just stepped away from each other for a while because of various things. Guess I was wrong. It makes me sad. I could push the issue but I'll let her go since that is what she seems to want. At least I have memories -- good and bad -- to cherish even if I have lost the friend.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Caption Game
You know. . .I really don't recommend getting hyper at midnight. Doesn't help with the sleep process when you have to get up early the next day. Of course, talking about what made you hyper at such an hour can help keep you awake when work is boring. What was so fun last night? Well, read the first blog and you'll have an idea. Sam and I were having a rip roaring time amusing each other. What is the contest? Our favorite fansite (for Gerard Butler) has something that they call the Caption Game. The object is to take one of the listed pics of GB and add a funny caption. Well, the admin has decided that the site is going to host a contest for this ( if you go to the GB.net link, you'll see). Let me see if I can link you an example below:
(in a Jamaican accent) "First you got to bat yo eyes like dis. You have to pucker up yo lips like dis. . ." (frogs sing. . .shalalala you gotta kiss de girl)
Ok, not my best one but it was the first ever that I created. I may include more later. Sam also has one on her blog that's pretty funny.
Anyway, today was loooong. For those who don't know, I have a part-time job in a bookstore. Pretty cool. Well, the manager, Tony, asked me to work this morning so he wouldn't have to work a double because he gave the assistant manger, Jessica, off for her bday (isn't he sweet?). I had ordered a cake for her before I knew this so, after he got in, I rushed to get some lunch, buy the cake, and get back to meet up with her and some of our co-workers. I got the cake from a Publix grocery store. Let me tell you. . .it was beautiful. If you look them up on the web, they have a whole thing where you can set up what you want on your cake and print it out so you can just give them the info. Very cool. I got her the basket weave cake (white basket). It was kind of like one that Jessica thought was cool in a wedding cake book. Then I rushed to teach class (my main job for USC when I'm not in PhD student mode) and that went well. Heard some interesting speeches (it's a basic public communications course). Didn't think I would last but it's all good. Obviously, if I'm up late again (get used to it, I'm a night owl. . .hence morning work is ugh to me). Now I am writing to you while listening to my friends, Shawnna and Beth speak on the phone (modern technology is great. . .threeway calling. . .get your mind out of the gutter). Of course, now we are talking about one-night stands. . .but I'll save that for another day.
(in a Jamaican accent) "First you got to bat yo eyes like dis. You have to pucker up yo lips like dis. . ." (frogs sing. . .shalalala you gotta kiss de girl)
Ok, not my best one but it was the first ever that I created. I may include more later. Sam also has one on her blog that's pretty funny.
Anyway, today was loooong. For those who don't know, I have a part-time job in a bookstore. Pretty cool. Well, the manager, Tony, asked me to work this morning so he wouldn't have to work a double because he gave the assistant manger, Jessica, off for her bday (isn't he sweet?). I had ordered a cake for her before I knew this so, after he got in, I rushed to get some lunch, buy the cake, and get back to meet up with her and some of our co-workers. I got the cake from a Publix grocery store. Let me tell you. . .it was beautiful. If you look them up on the web, they have a whole thing where you can set up what you want on your cake and print it out so you can just give them the info. Very cool. I got her the basket weave cake (white basket). It was kind of like one that Jessica thought was cool in a wedding cake book. Then I rushed to teach class (my main job for USC when I'm not in PhD student mode) and that went well. Heard some interesting speeches (it's a basic public communications course). Didn't think I would last but it's all good. Obviously, if I'm up late again (get used to it, I'm a night owl. . .hence morning work is ugh to me). Now I am writing to you while listening to my friends, Shawnna and Beth speak on the phone (modern technology is great. . .threeway calling. . .get your mind out of the gutter). Of course, now we are talking about one-night stands. . .but I'll save that for another day.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Welcome
Hi, all. Obviously this is my very first post. I have been trying to decide what to write for this opening and just cannot come up with something ultra witty. I would like to thank my friend, Samantha Reynolds, for introducing me to blogging. I would have procrastinated more about posting but she's been bugging me. We are currently on the phone trying to come up with entries for a contest. Creativity at its best. . .late at night. I cannot guarantee any kind of coherency between posting subjects or daily entries but I will try my best on the latter. Overall, I hope you enjoy this blog and my ramblings. If nothing else, I hope you are amused. Cheers.
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