Both
This morning started off great. After a four-day weekend, I was feeling refreshed, awake, and ready to take on the day of work and class.
This afternoon has me feeling less than great. There are just some discouraging things in life that seem to take over my brain when I'd prefer the fantastic things to take over.
My gut reaction is to complain. Which, I guess, is normal. But then I fight myself, and tell myself not to complain, but rather to think about the good things in my life. Well, I decided to do both.
Complain:
I'm so sick of my mom being sick. If it's not one thing, it's the other. Her life just seems to be getting less and less, but with no end in sight. And is that what I really want? For her life to end? Perhaps. Mostly I just don't want her to be sick anymore. You would think after 7 years (her first diagnosis was December 2002), or 2 years (her terminal diagnosis), I would come to terms with the fact that my mother is dying. Apparently not.
Good things:
I have a loving husband, and wonderful friends and family, so I don't have to go through this alone. (And even if I didn't have them, I would never be alone.) I got to spend time with family this weekend, laughing and celebrating the upcoming wedding of my sister-in-law, a truly joyous occasion. I have everything a girl could ask for and more. A warm house, good food and clean water. A job that makes all of that possible. Life is good.
Look at that. I am feeling a little bit better.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Giving Thanks and Bragging
Yesterday, Kent and I hosted his family for early Thanksgiving. I had to take a picture of the sun rising over our pond/neighborhood. It was a gorgeous start to a wonderful day.
I am very thankful to have Kent's family in my life. We had a great time eating, talking, and laughing. And I made my best apple pie ever. I mean, it tasted great, but it was gorgeous. I took a picture. Kent made fun of me. But look at this thing!
Yesterday, Kent and I hosted his family for early Thanksgiving. I had to take a picture of the sun rising over our pond/neighborhood. It was a gorgeous start to a wonderful day.
I am very thankful to have Kent's family in my life. We had a great time eating, talking, and laughing. And I made my best apple pie ever. I mean, it tasted great, but it was gorgeous. I took a picture. Kent made fun of me. But look at this thing!
So we gave thanks. I bragged about my pie. It was a great day.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The Office Recap Friday
Overall, not my favorite episode. But my husband said the other day that it feels like they're building up to something big. Well, it better be good.
Michael took off to NYC with Oscar, Andy, and Dwight to attend the stockholders meeting. And here's where the original brilliance of the show comes through a little. See, the genius of The Office is that it's totally something that happens to you in your office, just worse. I can't tell you how many times I've worked in an office, been told that I won't get a raise that year, even for cost of living, and then watched as execs jet off to New York or LA or somewhere else for business meetings, spending hundreds of dollars to wine and dine associates while I sit in my cubicle, silently fuming.
Hence why I'm loving Oscar. He gets to say what everyone else is thinking. However, I was really disappointed that my "Dave" moment didn't happen. You know, the movie with Kevin Kline where he pretends to be the President and brings his buddy in to fix the country's budget crisis. But alas, Oscar didn't have the balls, despite Andy egging him on the entire time.
I was a little excited for Jim when he essentially locked Ryan in a closet. Because who hasn't wanted to lock Ryan in a closet? But I'm wondering what's going to come of all this co-manager stuff. Will people actually start to respect Jim? Will it mean that the office won't be as profitable as when Michael is sole manager?
And Recyclops was fun, but I'm a little disappointed that Dwight didn't keep up his hard-core environmental tips and try to start a compost bin in the break room or something.
So what did you think?
Overall, not my favorite episode. But my husband said the other day that it feels like they're building up to something big. Well, it better be good.
Michael took off to NYC with Oscar, Andy, and Dwight to attend the stockholders meeting. And here's where the original brilliance of the show comes through a little. See, the genius of The Office is that it's totally something that happens to you in your office, just worse. I can't tell you how many times I've worked in an office, been told that I won't get a raise that year, even for cost of living, and then watched as execs jet off to New York or LA or somewhere else for business meetings, spending hundreds of dollars to wine and dine associates while I sit in my cubicle, silently fuming.
Hence why I'm loving Oscar. He gets to say what everyone else is thinking. However, I was really disappointed that my "Dave" moment didn't happen. You know, the movie with Kevin Kline where he pretends to be the President and brings his buddy in to fix the country's budget crisis. But alas, Oscar didn't have the balls, despite Andy egging him on the entire time.
I was a little excited for Jim when he essentially locked Ryan in a closet. Because who hasn't wanted to lock Ryan in a closet? But I'm wondering what's going to come of all this co-manager stuff. Will people actually start to respect Jim? Will it mean that the office won't be as profitable as when Michael is sole manager?
And Recyclops was fun, but I'm a little disappointed that Dwight didn't keep up his hard-core environmental tips and try to start a compost bin in the break room or something.
So what did you think?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
NaNoWriMo 2009
My non-Office-related posting has been pretty slow lately. I blame NaNoWriMo.
I signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) for the first time last year and I've done it again this year. It's right about this time (around the 30,000 word mark) that I start to think I'm stupid.
My plot is going nowhere, my characters aren't developing, it's just crap. (No, I'm not looking for someone to tell me "No, it's not, it's good!" It really is crap and I'm okay with that.) See, last year I was a bit under the delusion that I would come up with something that I could revise, rewrite a little, and then get published. Ha.
This year, I'm realizing that it will be many, many NaNoWriMos before I am ready to publish anything. I'm just doing this for the practice of it and the fun of it. At least that's what I keep telling myself.
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Office Recap Friday
Yay! I still don't really have time this week, but I really missed it when I didn't post last week. I love talking about The Office. So here we go.
First, the title. This episode is called "Murder" and I can't help but call it Mukduk. The letter R is just way too menacing for me.
Question: How can you hold triads off until your clan comes?
Jim encouraging Dwight to fight himself was pretty funny, but I'm totally craving some real Jim pranks. (This fight also reminded me of a game my friend Eric told me about called "Head, Gut, Groin." It's essentially exactly what it sounds like. Don't ask.)
Best lines of the night:
"Your feelings journal? You told me to put it in the time capsule."
"Oh, my god, wouldn't that be hil-ar-ious? I'll catch you on the flipity flip."
"That rhymes."
"Tube City. You owe me one."
"Sandwich platter...Baby carrots."
"He lives on Sesame Street, dumb ass."
"Not my fault. I was exposed to Harry Potter."
"CALEB!"
"I have crossbows."
Best accent? Andy. Worst accent? Oscar. (Though no one was very good.) I was laughing so hard when Oscar tried to do a southern accent in his distress about accounting having to freeze all payments. Angela was cracking me up, too, with her Voodoo Mama Juju.
I do think Ryan's clothes are funny (it makes me think that his grandfather passed away and Ryan stole all his stuff). But where was Kelly? I barely noticed her. Maybe she's working on Subtle Sexuality's latest hit. And Creed's little cameo was obvious, but still pretty funny.
Do you think Pam's going to step in and help Erin and Andy out? Pam never really liked Erin, but I think Pam probably likens Erin and Andy to herself and Jim. Oh, and Pam joining the standoff in the conference room was pretty hilarious. I loved the look on her face as she backed out of the conference room and ran for the door.
Jim comparing his co-managership with Michael to being parents was awesome. I do declare.
Do you think Jim is going to tell Pam what David Wallace said?
What do you think will happen to Dunder Mifflin?
Yay! I still don't really have time this week, but I really missed it when I didn't post last week. I love talking about The Office. So here we go.
First, the title. This episode is called "Murder" and I can't help but call it Mukduk. The letter R is just way too menacing for me.
Question: How can you hold triads off until your clan comes?
Jim encouraging Dwight to fight himself was pretty funny, but I'm totally craving some real Jim pranks. (This fight also reminded me of a game my friend Eric told me about called "Head, Gut, Groin." It's essentially exactly what it sounds like. Don't ask.)
Best lines of the night:
"Your feelings journal? You told me to put it in the time capsule."
"Oh, my god, wouldn't that be hil-ar-ious? I'll catch you on the flipity flip."
"That rhymes."
"Tube City. You owe me one."
"Sandwich platter...Baby carrots."
"He lives on Sesame Street, dumb ass."
"Not my fault. I was exposed to Harry Potter."
"CALEB!"
"I have crossbows."
Best accent? Andy. Worst accent? Oscar. (Though no one was very good.) I was laughing so hard when Oscar tried to do a southern accent in his distress about accounting having to freeze all payments. Angela was cracking me up, too, with her Voodoo Mama Juju.
I do think Ryan's clothes are funny (it makes me think that his grandfather passed away and Ryan stole all his stuff). But where was Kelly? I barely noticed her. Maybe she's working on Subtle Sexuality's latest hit. And Creed's little cameo was obvious, but still pretty funny.
Do you think Pam's going to step in and help Erin and Andy out? Pam never really liked Erin, but I think Pam probably likens Erin and Andy to herself and Jim. Oh, and Pam joining the standoff in the conference room was pretty hilarious. I loved the look on her face as she backed out of the conference room and ran for the door.
Jim comparing his co-managership with Michael to being parents was awesome. I do declare.
Do you think Jim is going to tell Pam what David Wallace said?
What do you think will happen to Dunder Mifflin?
Saturday, November 07, 2009
The Realm of Insanity
The other day, my sister and I were chatting online. I always love chatting with my sister, online or in person. But since she's in South Africa and I'm here in Michigan, we are usually typing frantically to each other, trying to keep up with everything we want to say.
This conversation was particularly awesome. I was in a bit of a mood, which is obvious, but apparently I dragged my sister into it too. I copied our IM transcript just so I could share it with you all.
Enjoy.
Sarah: yesterday in class, my professor was talking about Henry Adams, who was “a descendant of, you know, the famous Adams family”
Sarah: and i snapped my fingers twice.
Sarah: SO funny
Kate: lol
Kate: classic
Sarah: they're creepy and they're spooky
Sarah: mysterious and kooky
Sarah: they're all together ooky
Sarah: the addams family
Kate: you really are a dork. twice my fingers typed fork instead of dork
Kate: you fork
Sarah: lol
Sarah: yikes. i've never been called a utensil before
Kate: you pancake flipper
Kate: you ladle
Sarah: lol
Sarah: i almost said ladle
Kate: you spatula
Sarah: it sounds kind of like an insult
Kate: you can opener
Sarah: slotted spoon!
Sarah: GRATER!
Kate: if anyone else read this...
Sarah: lol
Sarah: this is cracking me up.
Sarah: I'm posting this on my blog.
Kate: come on, all your readers already know you are crazy, but you don't have to drag me into your realm of insanity
Sarah: too late
Sarah: you've been visiting for so long, we've made you an official citizen of the realm.
Welcome, readers, to the realm. Come on in. The water's fine.
The other day, my sister and I were chatting online. I always love chatting with my sister, online or in person. But since she's in South Africa and I'm here in Michigan, we are usually typing frantically to each other, trying to keep up with everything we want to say.
This conversation was particularly awesome. I was in a bit of a mood, which is obvious, but apparently I dragged my sister into it too. I copied our IM transcript just so I could share it with you all.
Enjoy.
Sarah: yesterday in class, my professor was talking about Henry Adams, who was “a descendant of, you know, the famous Adams family”
Sarah: and i snapped my fingers twice.
Sarah: SO funny
Kate: lol
Kate: classic
Sarah: they're creepy and they're spooky
Sarah: mysterious and kooky
Sarah: they're all together ooky
Sarah: the addams family
Kate: you really are a dork. twice my fingers typed fork instead of dork
Kate: you fork
Sarah: lol
Sarah: yikes. i've never been called a utensil before
Kate: you pancake flipper
Kate: you ladle
Sarah: lol
Sarah: i almost said ladle
Kate: you spatula
Sarah: it sounds kind of like an insult
Kate: you can opener
Sarah: slotted spoon!
Sarah: GRATER!
Kate: if anyone else read this...
Sarah: lol
Sarah: this is cracking me up.
Sarah: I'm posting this on my blog.
Kate: come on, all your readers already know you are crazy, but you don't have to drag me into your realm of insanity
Sarah: too late
Sarah: you've been visiting for so long, we've made you an official citizen of the realm.
Welcome, readers, to the realm. Come on in. The water's fine.
Friday, November 06, 2009
The Office Recap Friday
Today is quite a busy day for me, so I'm afraid I won't be posting my typical blog on last night's episode of The Office.
Instead, I leave you with these two things:
1. I would love it if someone would like to fill in for me today. Just email me your thoughts on the episode and I'll post them on my blog. sjbaar@gmail.com
2. In regard to Dwight's continued attempts to sabotage Jim and this new co-managership, Kent said "I feel like this is building to something really, really good."
Hope so. :-)
Today is quite a busy day for me, so I'm afraid I won't be posting my typical blog on last night's episode of The Office.
Instead, I leave you with these two things:
1. I would love it if someone would like to fill in for me today. Just email me your thoughts on the episode and I'll post them on my blog. sjbaar@gmail.com
2. In regard to Dwight's continued attempts to sabotage Jim and this new co-managership, Kent said "I feel like this is building to something really, really good."
Hope so. :-)
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Miscellaneous
Oh, thank goodness. The sun is out in West Michigan today. I had lunch with my dad downtown and snapped this blue, blue, blue sky on my way back up to work. It's so nice to remember that the sky is something other than gray!
October 3, I went to the Hudsonville Ice Cream factory sale and brought home two 3-gallon tubs of ice cream. The first one bit the dust on Sunday. And yes, I took care of it mostly myself. Here's the evidence:
Oh, thank goodness. The sun is out in West Michigan today. I had lunch with my dad downtown and snapped this blue, blue, blue sky on my way back up to work. It's so nice to remember that the sky is something other than gray!
October 3, I went to the Hudsonville Ice Cream factory sale and brought home two 3-gallon tubs of ice cream. The first one bit the dust on Sunday. And yes, I took care of it mostly myself. Here's the evidence:
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