Talk Thursday - Wide Open Spaces

I toyed with this topic - I love Wide Open Spaces by the Dixie Chicks. When it came out it so reminded me of me as a young willful kid - "I know how to do it better than you." Of course, that is so not true, yet in a way it is.

Today I got tickets to see that jazz great (and Boise/Capitol High native) Curtis Stigers. I'm going with friend Shawn since The Husband will be out of town - getting to join him for a couple of days in Reno later in the week, yay!

I posted a while back the boys and I got to sit by Curtis at Gernika and I ogled him (subtly) because he is a) gorgeous and b) talented.

Just so you have a frame of reference, really the first time I really saw much of Curtis, he looked like this:



The last time I saw Curtis, (I've seen him sing a couple of times in the interim) he looked like this:



It's interesting how this mirrors "Wide Open Spaces" - you start out this kid who knows it all, and you end up 25 years later this wiser, happier person who STILL, STILL, sings the same tune. In a way. And you can still look really good - even with gray hair.

Really looking forward to seeing him Monday.

Talk Thursday - Progressions

Life is weird sometimes. Well, if you're me, it's weird all the time, but that's another story for another Talk Thursday.

One of the reasons I didn't write over the summer is I was just working through stuff. I keep thinking "You're in your 40's, you're supposed to have this all figured out." But I don't, and I keep working at it. I've been frustrated because I don't have a job I love. I love where I live, and when we moved back I remember telling TH "I can hate my job or I can hate where I live, but I can't hate both, I'll never make it." In some ways this is true. I couldn't. But I find disliking one or the other very disheartening. Don Quixote, quit tilting at windmills.

I've been trying to find paths in which I can feel fulfilled in different ways at my output, even if it's not output I get paid for. That's a bit challenging given that I do have a job, a family and I'm trying to get a professional certification that's good for the resume if not much else.

Today a few weird things happened. Two of them positive, one not in a way but a way that made me thoughtful. Today was truly a progression for me, and that's not an experience I've had in a while.

First, when I got to work, I had a message from @wallypingel on Twitter asking me if I'd be interested in providing a female sports/Packers perspective to his blog, PocketDoppler.com. I "met" Wally through CheeseheadTV and he has some people he collaborates on this site, which definitely has content of interest to me. I thought for a couple of hours - I love to write, I've been told I'm good at it professionally but for entertainment? Whew. But, I was thinking yesterday that I would love to do something like be a professional sportswriter, or a blogger that became financially solvent for it. Aaron Nagler from CheeseheadTv was featured in the New York Times yesterday along with his partner in crime Corey Behnke. They don't do this for a living. YET. But I think they might pull it off. I don't think I ever would but I thought - what the hell? So I'm going to have a weekly post for Wally unless he thinks I suck at writing. In which case you will never hear another mention of this again.

Second - had a great lunch with the colleague who's daughter is attending school with Big Bit and we found out that we had much in common - we both love Craig Ferguson, we both have surreptitious piles of "important" papers on various counter corners in our house, our college freshmen both break our hearts occasionally - you name it. The progression part though is that she had a project that she needed help with that was up my alley - how our company could use social media. I jumped at the chance because whether it results in advancement or not, I knew I would enjoy it and it IS professionally related output. Yay!

The last thing was sad in a way, and yes, in a minor way, but still. Greg Bedard from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, my Twitter buddy that came to see TH and I in Seattle, is leaving Wisconsin and moving to work for the Boston Globe as their premier NFL writer. Very cool for Greg, he's from the region and loves the Red Sox, but I was momentarily crushed, because he and I chatter about things every so often that are much beyond the Packers. Real Housewives of... (he and his wife love it, I DO NOT get it at all), last night we chatted about the Rutgers student's suicide because Greg went to Rutgers and I knew he'd be crushed, and other things now and again. Then I stopped and thought - you know, if I have any kind of connection in reality here to this very nice man, it's not going to stop because he leaves Wisconsin. Not like he lives next door to me in Boise, after all. And if we don't keep chattering, I know it was part of his professional obligation to talk to fans but he did it like a gentleman and that in this day and age is refreshing.

So - some new things for me to do, to think about, to write about and hopefully they'll result in some personal growth and accentuate the good things that seem to be brewing or already exist in my life. Start being appreciative, damn it. (I remind myself.)

Epic Fail, and other updates

I have been a total sloth in my posting. I haven't "Talk Thursday"d, I haven't randomly rambled, I haven't done anything.

But, I have news to report. Today, my firstborn got an acceptance letter from the College of Idaho, the fine establishment I attended for only a semester, then was stupid enough to leave. And a scholarship. A good one. Not a great one, but one that levels the playing field with his other two options. Which means he really has OPTIONS. (Oh, and a much better one than I got when I went there.) Yeah!

And, I must admit, listening to him talk, I was suddenly sixteen again, looking at a letter and reading the words "The College of Idaho is pleased to inform you you've been accepted for admission as a freshment for the fall of 1983 semester". Or something along those lines. And knowing, suddenly, that you have a future. And options.

Folks, it's a great feeling. For both of us.

Now to see what he ends up getting from everyone. I may end up disappointed from my own selfish perspective. But I think he got some idea of what you can accomplish in life if you take college seriously. More seriously than I did, for sure.

Isn't it great, parents, when you get that just blissfully happy feeling for your children?

The Speech

Okay, my political leanings aren't much of a secret. And I think that's okay. But, I really relate the following because I was so proud of Little Bit that I wanted to burst.

Mom: "Sweetie, did you watch the President's speech today in school?"

Little Bit: "Yes, Mom, we watched it during Music class."

Mom: "What did you think?" (secretly thinking he'd shrug his shoulders and say "whatever")

LB: "It was very interesting, Mom. Even the President, when he was little, felt alone and lonely at school, just like me, but he grew up to be President."

Mom: "Do you feel like that any more? Alone and lonely?"

LB: "Not here, Mom. I feel good here. And I liked that speech."

Awesome.

It's Finally Summer

I can tell summer is finally, finally, here. I'm actually outside much of the time, which wasn't the case in Utah (when you live in the 'burbs where it's 100 degrees or feels like it and there's no shade or real river to cool down in, you don't go out. Trust me). Therefore I'm not blogging much, or commenting on others much (but I do check them). Facebook updates are easy and quick and then I'm out the door again.

We are still working on the boys' bathroom (the project that will never end). I think it's getting done Sunday or TH will be banned from watching NASCAR. That ought to motivate him.

I've managed to sprain my ankle (getting up from lunch, it sucks to get old) and then resprain it walking to my car at work (did I mention it sucks to get old?) but I won't let it deter me from being out, walking, riding a bike etc. Which is probably why I sprained it again. I did buy a brace last night in a nod to getting old and needing to heal.

Our activities so far this summer? Little Bit got to go to an air show in...shudder...Utah. I didn't take him though (Pattie did)so he didn't experience the hives and hyperventilation that would have accompanied his mother's re-entry to the state. And he got to see Grandpa, Pattie and Jazzie in addition to other extended family types. He's enjoying his first real summer break ever.

Of course, TH, Big Bit and I got to see Rick Springfield as well as catch up with a couple of my old Reno friends, Alynn & Stephanie. That was fun. Unfortunately Rick didn't get as close as last time I saw him, so I don't have as good a picture. But Big Bit got to see a bunch of screaming 40 year olds pretend they were age 17 again. Which is never boring. I think he laughed a lot.






We got to see Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, which we hadn't in years.








Big Bit looks so grown up. I hate it.






We've been to the first two Alive After Fives. I absolutely love this event, which is free each Wednesday (at 5, duh) in downtown Boise and gives you the opportunity to listen to interesting music, watch VERY interesting people (the guy in the dress who dances the whole evening, for instance) and for Little Bit to get very, very wet. He almost got to be on the Channel 2 news as well except for the idiots showed the guy in the dress instead of cute kids.







The garden is planted (yay!) and the Irises have bloomed, and faded, but I did get some pictures.

And, we've been enjoying this new visitor to our house, however, the bush he prefers is losing its blossoms so we're going to have to put a feeder out. He's just too much fun to watch - I don't want to lose him.

How is your summer going so far?

It's 63 Degrees

Must work, must work, must work....

Oh hell, if I can skate out of here early, I'm doing it. Even if I only have 10 hours of time off built up.

It's the first day of spring and it feels like it - and the next several days are supposed to be crappy.

Have a good weekend!

Happy Birthday

Update - per t2ed - since my real computer is not yet operational, I can't scan and publish an embarassing photo. However, I find this one of "Diddy" very fun indeed. So here's a photo to accompany the post.

Happy Birthday to my firstborn, Big Bit - who is 17 years old on February 5.

Damn, I'm old.

But I am so proud of you, my little Big One!

What Barack and Joe Said

Whether you agree with them or not, these men have a heavy burden to bear as we move out of these hard times. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with them and with the United States of America.

I am in tears to think that when I was born, Martin Luther King Jr. was only a year away from death for being a black man that believed we should all be treated alike. When Barack Obama was born, blacks could still not go to some areas of Washington, D.C. Even though he had a red-headed Irish American mom, he would have been excluded, and she would have been permitted to enter. How sad.

This has probably tied, if not exceeded, the moon landing for the most amazing thing that's happened in my lifetime. I am glad my children are growing up in a country where really, almost anything is possible. We've still got a few hurdles, but it's coming along nicely.

That is all.

I Hate Crowds

Okay, so I'm from Idaho. I'm my father's daughter. I hate crowds. I don't mind being in a big city, I can handle being in line at Disneyland, but I hate the crush of people, not being able to walk freely.

Keep in mind those facts as you view the video below. It's a long video, but if you get through about 3 minutes you will see the hideous crush of people on the Thames on New Year's Eve as the fireworks happen. I love fireworks, this will be my 14th wedding anniversary and we'll be in London, the Husband, the Bits and I, so I'm not complaining, per se. I'm not. But I may need to ward off a panic attack.

Wow. Just Wow.

The promised pictures from Winter Garden Aglow! I have got to figure out this camera - hell, we've only had it like three years and I have no idea how to take pictures with a manual setting. Only three weeks to London, better get the book out!




The pictures I can take don't do it justice. The lights were pretty and despite the cop out of the Botanical Society to some sort of pressure - NO MULLED WINE! - it was a lovely night and we will be excited to back in the summer and see the new Lewis and Clark area - full of indigineous plants the explorers found when they came to Idaho. We could see enough to be impressed.





Oh, and now to the reason I say...Wow. Just Wow. Today has been a day it has, in the clan of the foundindaho. We bought a house today. They took the offer, which was something of a surprise. We've had our eye on this house since before we moved and it's dropped mucho in price. We offered even less and they took it.


Oh, and TH got his job offer today! He starts January 5, and gets to work from home after training near Seattle for a few weeks. I am feeling blessed, and grateful, and now must go off and have a wonderful glass of Kenwood Jack London Syrah and say "Thanks Be to God". And thanks to all of you, and you know who you are, for putting up with the last three years with me and mine. They haven't been easy, always, but they suddenly have become very much worth it.

After all, fifth generation Idahoans (like the one shown below) must grow up at home. My great-great grandmother didn't cross the Snake in a covered wagon in danger so I could live in Utah, for heaven's sake.



Happy holidays, everyone.

Thanks

Okay, so probably it's a typical blog topic either the day before or day of Thanksgiving, but I have much to be thankful for (thanks to a fellow blogger for reminding me of that) - the week has been super-stressful with trying to close on the house sale, waiting to see if TH gets his job, realizing how much money it cost us to move back (OUCH!!) and so on.

Yet, as I drove to work today I just had to smile. There's so many reasons why:

• I don't live in Utah anymore. Thank you, Dear Jesus (I am not being sarcasting there, please note).
• I live in Boise, with everything to offer only minutes away.
• TH, I and the Bits are healthy. The rest of the family's either healthy or taking steps to be so.
• We have our Margarita back (dog, not drink, though we like both).
• We're going to London in December.
• We get to see a vast majority of our family tomorrow.
• The Jets beat the Titans and lead their division.
• The Packers suck and Ted Thompson will be fired.
• Basketball season is coming and I can open a can of whoop ass on the BSU fans all over town (and in Washington).
• A whole lot of political stuff that just makes people crazy, so 'nuff said.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and please remember what you are thankful for.

WE SOLD THE HOUSE

AND IT CLOSES IN 12 DAYS.

Guess TH and I had better really get everything out of there tomorrow. Holy Cow!

Happy Happy Joy Joy, Happy Happy Joy Joy....

Weekend Update

Thoughts:

The Packers officially suck. I hope they lose the rest of their games this year so Ted Thompson gets his booty fired. He deserves it. "We don't need Brett Favre...nooooo..."

The Jets are doing pretty damn well. Given the fact that TH's ultimate boss at his soon to be ex-place of employment is now threatening to fire people who screw up (because they're so severely understaffed people are tired and angry and screwing up) is the Rams' biggest fan...it just makes the Jets' a--kicking of them today that much more favorable. You go, Mr. Favre. Even if you are washed up.

Jeff Gordon is a damn fine race car driver and should have finished better than 5th in NASCAR. Maybe next year.

I hate the housing market in Utah and I want someone to buy our house so we can breathe a little. PLEASE? If you know anyone who needs a really cool house in a really conservative neighborhood, give me a yell.

I am glad to be home. Even if I'm broke. I'm glad to be employed at a place that seems calm and serene even in the midst of a crisis. And I'm very, very glad to be in a country that can see past the color of someone's skin, or their gender for that matter, when they vote. Despite differences of opinion, the good old USA rocks. Seriously.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled rants.

'Nuff Said

It's My Birthday!

I refuse to say how old I am, but suffice it to say that many years ago today a 4th generation Idahoan was born in "Twin" (that's for Shinshige) and it's quite nice to celebrate my day in Idaho again! Even if I have to work on my birthday for the first time in eons.

Thanks to Dad and Pattie for the gift card, Mom and the Aunt for watching Little Bit while TH was in Utah! Tonight - drinks and snacks at Murphy's with the gang and Big Bit arrives on the "big airplane" where he lives when he's not with us (that's what Little Bit used to think when he was a toddler. He'd see a Southwest jet, point at it and say "Bubba's up there").

Then on to Halloween! Seriously, can things get any better? Oh, yes, TH can get the job some guy at a software company contacted him about this week. It would be simply awesome, and at least it's lovely that someone contacted him when they heard he was coming back because they had a job in mind. A nice compliment.

Have a good day everyone!

BatKid! And More.

BatKid was out in full force this weekend in anticipation of his Boo at the Zoo haul. We didn't get to spend as much time there as we hoped, but we scored a year membership, so we'll be back to see more of the animals.

Many years ago, we began going to Boo at the Zoo, taking Big Bit in his Simba costume (Lion King) etc., and there were people there, but nothing like now. They were limiting tickets to 13,000. I don't think they quite sold out, but it was truly insane. Even worse than the last time we went, which was I think three years ago. At any rate, it was worth it, because BatKid was in his element and we were at a nice zoo, which is adding giraffes and lions! I remember when the most exciting thing there was a porcupine.

BatKid in various poses:


First, battling EvilCat in the privacy of his home (EvilCat as opposed to Catwoman):



Next:

I'm wondering why I can't see my enemy? Where did they go? Oh, my mask is in my eyes:



What else? I took some pictures of the leaves turning from the sixth floor of my employer. Kind of pretty. (Note, I am on the first floor. I am okay with that, I hate heights).

Pretty huh?

Next up - I have a birthday, Big Bit is here for Halloween (he got to go to the Obama rally in Reno Saturday, whether you agree with the man or not, seeing him in person is a historic moment) and then as to the weekend, TH comes home for 10 days Wednesday night and we have a big yummy dinner at Epi's Basque Restaurant in Meridian Saturday night. Celebrating Mom's birthday, mine and just being home.

Miss Cocoa the dog is out of the hospital and doing well so far....Dad has to go to Utah for an appointment Thursday and to see what's next...

Oh, and TH might be working at Bogus Basin ski resort for the winter. He has a 2nd interview Saturday. Getting hired could pay the rent and get him a free ski pass - and then we are all good until April. Fingers crossed, please!

The Most Beautiful Sight I've Ever Seen

Since I'm on my old crappy laptop you'd have to click on the pic to blow it up, but there's the "Welcome to Idaho" sign!

First weeks' observations:

Things are weird in Idaho, too. I always knew that, but it's now reassuringly weird instead of control freakingly weird.

There is a melting pot of election signs in my neighborhood. Obama, Ron Paul and McCain. It feels good to be in a mixture instead of a one party ticket (and I would mean that even if it was my party).

Mom's pooch, Cocoa, is not well still and is headed to a specialist here in Boise tomorrow. Prayers for that neurotic, yet sweet Lab that is our Margarita's sister.

Got to see my Grandma today, yay! She is up at my aunt's and it was good to see her, though just briefly today. (P.S., my aunt is the best ever, she's going to watch Little Bit while TH finishes up his job. I owe her big time).

The trees are turning on the Greenbelt. Going up to the Donnalama's office tomorrow to get some pics - she looks towards Julia Davis Park and the Depot. I can't complain though, I turn around and look at the Foothills. But she's got the better view.

Oh and my DSL is finally working, as is the cable. We might actually live here in a few more days. Yay! Yay!

I know the honeymoon won't last forever and I'll have some 'splainin' to do on some subject but for now all is good!

Pics of Little Bit at Boo at the Zoo coming Sunday. It's fun and we haven't been in eons. Yay again!

My Own Private Idaho

Amazing...it's really happening.

And in celebration, I give you the B-52s. This was the first time I heard my home state immortalized in song (I guess the state song "Here We Have Idaho" escaped me until later)...I was SO impressed that cool people with funky hairdos even knew the name of where I lived. (Sorry, for those of you with a Lego fetish, this video contains real live people. But Lego videos rock too.)

I'm really glad it isn't my own Private Idaho (Shiggy's in Idaho now, and we're glad to have him!) - all of you are invited to partake for at least a visit to my fair homeland, because if you read this, you are someone I'm more than happy to share space with.

After two years that in many ways have felt like a wilderness (often, I admit, of my own making) I am happy and humbled to get to go home, and after twenty some years (no snickers about my age!) I'm still a Wildcat from Filer High dancing in a miniskirt to this very tune, somewhere in my mind.

Home...ahhhhhh....