Eye Contact

Today was a beautiful day; sunny, warm, and breezy (that's an understatement).  I went out at lunch to mail something and to escape the office.  It's a change to leave my desk where I eat breakfast and lunch.  I relished it though, the opportunity to take some deep breaths and fill my lungs with fresh cool air that smells of early spring.  That smell that is so hard to describe, the smell of fresh grass and early blooming flowers that are barely fragrant but just enough to sense them.  I miss those days.  A few years ago I walked every lunch, where I'd make my way to one of a few favorite spots to snack and read for 20 minutes and spend the rest of my hour walking.  I have only recently gained the opportunity to continue that routine, and it may perhaps be the thing that saves my sanity, again.

I noticed when I was walking that I do something I may have always known about but not really acknowledged.  When I walk by someone, I tend to give them a small nod and smile...but I almost do it to such a degree that I force them to make eye contact.  Perhaps it stems from my paranoid behavior of scanning anyone I meet on the street so that I may identity them in a police line up.  Or maybe it's my need to be seen and known.  Maybe I am just very kind and I want people to know I am saying hi to them.  Nah, probably not that last one.

Coat Pocket Finds

I was cleaning out my coat so I could wash it (when I wasn't paying attention, it got frigidly cold here in the StL., like Alaska cold, again).

I found the following items in my coat pockets . . .

1 dime

1 nickel

1 ink pen from the Concrete Council

A shopping list (milk, cookies, chips, sodas, salad, micro-bags, yakisoba, dish soap, laundry detergent)

A granola bar wrapper

A piece of paper with the following conversation...

[Eva's handwriting]The kids that filled in at Murphy's Law were 100 times better!

I said is that Adam!? Jami said no, Adam weighs more!

[then in my handwriting] That dude needs to eat some meat, he's freaking SCRAWNY!

Did I Wake Up In Alaska?

I fear I may have accidentally moved to Alaska without knowing I have done so...



[temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit]

WHO AM I?

I am an actor and screenwriter born in New York City.

The first movie I wrote and starred in won Best Picture.

My most famous character now has been in 6 movies.

My second most famous character has been in 4 movies.

Neither character speaks much.

At birth, part of my face was partially paralyzed.

I have a body-focused nutrition company and book.

My nickname is “Sly.”

[Seriously, if you can't get this, you're out of the loop, but I'll be sure to post the answer in the comment section of this blog towards the end of the day]

WORD

alley-oop: A basketball play in which a player catches a pass above the basketball and immediately dunks the ball. "Alley-oop" was first heard by English ears under the big tops of early 20th-century circuses. When acrobats were about to leap to their trapezes, they would often cry the similar sounding French word allez-oop--an interjection meaning roughly "go up". Its latest venue is the half pipe, where skateboarders and snowboarders pull "alley-oop" spinning tricks.

Smart Ass

So far 2010 started out well. It's 3°F outside with a -6° wind chill. This weather made drinking my hot tea quite delightful!

I was a bit disappointed in my word of the day so I decided to register online for my free calendar (that came along with my purchase of the paper kind).

I opted for Smart Ass (though it took some finagling with the site to get around to giving it to me)! Anyway, instead of a word, here's a riddle...

Where Am I?

I am a famous structure in Asia.

Shocking conditions were endured while making me.

I was built by Allied prisoners of war.

The Japanese oversaw my construction.

I was portrayed in a 1957 Oscar-winning movie.

I am in Thailand.

I was destroyed during the war, but was rebuilt.

I am still in use today.

[Just a note from the editor, don't respond with the answer "Thailand", smart ass indeed]

Bye Justin

It's one of those days when the temperature is just about perfect and the sun is shining down to warm the skin as the cool breeze brushes your hair around your face. It was so nice that I got off the train a stop early so I could walk the extra half mile to the building in which my office resides.

I am however a bit saddened today. I've known for some time that my blog crush Justin was up to something. You might recognize that I've had a blog crush for some time as I've written about him for about a half year now. Well today he posted his Two-Weeks Notice. Since initially "meeting" Justin, we've become friends on Facebook so I've been enlightened to his newest adventures which are always seemingly amusing [for example: "I had to stand in a trough to have a shower this morning", or "Anyone know how/where I can become a certified drivers-ed instructor?", and even as simple as "On a bus to London..."]. It'll just be sad to watch him go. I do have to say though, [I hope he reads this], Justin is much braver than I am. It takes a lot of courage to grasp the concept of being unhappy with a career choice; then to leave it behind and try something new. It's scary, and I commend him for his change! So I say good luck to him, but I know his luck from having read his blogs, there's really no point to wishing any luck to him! But he knows he has a pal in St. Louis, and that's just swell for now!

I did do something different yesterday, which consisted of going to a food demo show! I've done this once before though never blogged about it. A friend, Kelly S., works at a place called The Kitchen Conservatory. It's a cool place where they sell kitchen/cooking/baking items, but also where they teach cooking classes. What happens at the demo shows I've gone to, she [or the chef of the class] cooks a three course meal (and cocktail) in front of an audience of [at most] 14 people all stationed around a counter where she works. We the audience then get to eat her delicious food! Well, last night's was all about lavender [my favorite smell]. If you ever get the opportunity, please try the Honey-Lavendar Ice Cream. It was divine! You can read all about the stuff we got to try at Kelly's blog found at barbaricgulp.com!

Since I'm around today, I shall share a word...
amish: [urban slang definition] To be completely grounded and deprived of all means of modern technology. [a.k.a my mom]

A New Cooler Week

Here is to hoping the weather guessers have it right and the "heat spell" has subsided!



Different is Not Wrong by Martin Firrell





Pink Zune! What once was my beloved companion has now slung a wrath of fury! I will become a traitor and go the way of Apple you fucking bastard!




Words-
half-your-age-plus-seven: The rule to define the youngest that a romantic interest can be before the relationship is indecent. (ex: if You are 26, you must wait until your romantic interest is 20 (26/2 + 7 =20)!

fivehead: An extremely large forehead. (ex: please refer to any photo of me, I have a giant fivehead often used for odd/unknown men to place their hands and pray, story for another time).

Another Rainy Day

...it's another rainy day in St. Louis. This morning, at approximately 3:30 AM, I was awaken to the sound of ridiculously loud thunder. Took me about a half hour to fall asleep again. I am just so thankful that I was able to go back to sleep!

I think my dreams were very pleasant, but I can't be certain since I no longer recall them. I just know that when I was awaken at 3:30 AM, I recall my dreams as having been pleasant.

I will be posting a blog for HOK soon (hoping today, but this week for sure, waiting for some approvals first). Be sure to stop in and check for it randomly. In fact, just go check it out! HOK Life!

I don't really have much to say right now. If you are my Facebook or Myspace friend, you can go see my pictures that I posted from Indiana.

Word-
absurdicus: Absurd and ridiculous at the same time; insane.

Snow in April

I should have put this in my earlier blog, but I didn't get to it, rather didn't notice until now, BUT, as a commentary on life . . .

It is snowing in St. Louis in April!

Blue Room

So it's Saturday. I got up early to go get some blood work done. I was going to come home and sleep but I just wasn't tired. I played on the Internet, a fave to do, and I'm starting to feel a little sleepy again. I should be napping in no time!

I wish I could say I am in as good a mood as yesterday, but it's just not the case.

Wishy-washy.

It's supposed to snow today. It's so mind boggling because this past week was warm and sunny; now it's gloomy, rainy, and maybe snowy!?! St. Louis weather, if you don't like it, wait ten minutes and it'll change!

I have to clean out the spare bedroom, rather put my crap up in the spare bedroom so that Rachel M. can stay with us next weekend. I'm putting her in the blue room, it's less scary (less sheep), and has the more comfortable bed in my opinion.

Other than that, I don't really have any plans for the weekend. I should use this opportunity wisely, but I won't!

More Things That Get Me By

A continuation of a list of small things that make me happy . . .

breezes
dreamy memories
feeling needed
feeling wanted
randomly buying a gift for someone
randomly receiving a gift from someone
my blankets
my pillows
a mirror's reflections being more beautiful than expected
pale skin
wanting to keep talking to someone
cool breezy weather
crazy socks
New York
serenades
something such as a word, smell, or sight that reminds one of another person, as though life were a memory book
The sun being so bright that it turns my hair into gold
clavicles
pink and green
the sounds that shoes make
closing tired eyes that have awaited sleep
old suitcases
maps
dreams that I never want to wake from
watching some one you adore
having a shoulder to cry on
music
when the bus drivers wave to one another when passing
great hugs
telling the truth all the time
knowing that you are important to someone
seeing some one's face for the first time after having seen then for many years
taking a break from everyone
naps
holding doors open for people
having the door held open for me
finding a journal from years ago, re-reading it, and finding how much or how little has changed
getting to talk to someone you really enjoy talking to
not growing up
going to the graveyard, being completely alone, and being able to cry for whatever reason pleases you
someone dedicating a song to you
my Grinders (shoes)
knowing people that are such great people they deserve everything wonderful the world has to offer
"mate"




[Editor's Note: Content on this list was taken from Steph's original list started prior to 2000].

A True Love Affair

I just got back from my midday walk. It was cold outside, but felt good. I like the way the cold encompasses one's face and numbs the extremities. My eyes even watered a little.

I walked to my bench. It's a nice seat located in the grassy area between the Old Courthouse and Interstate. My bench is the Northeastern one! I like that it faces the Old Courthouse. I could have chosen the bench across from it and faced the Arch; but I just love the way the Old Courthouse proudly sits on its well groomed piece of land with something of a modern city sprouted up around it.

I particularly like to go to this location because no one is there. Sometimes its nice to people watch, for which I have alternate locations. For getting away from reality, this bench is the only bench that will do! In fact yesterday, I was forced by grounds crews to go somewhere else. I walked to the Arch and sat, rather laid back and rested my head on some steps behind me. Fortunately the weather is cold enough that there were no tourists! I have to admit that watching the river was a bit calming.

So back to my original story: I sat at my bench today with wind lightly whisping my hair around. I just sat there quietly singing along to my music, which was a mixture due to the fact my Zune was on shuffle where I skipped anything classical because I wanted to sing along. I had a brief fleeting thought that I should write down a note on things that make me happy. I can think of at least three: coldness on face, light winds that whisp my hair just right so I can smell it and feel it brush against my face, and quietly singing aloud to music. Considering my lack of finding much enjoyment with anything lately, it was nice to have that 'happy' thought; fleeting as it may have been.

But seriously back to my original story: As I got up to walk back to my office building, my Zune stopped working. It just stopped. This of course made me freeze in place, reach into my pocket, and gently caress and hold my Zune. I turned her little power button on, and she started up but had forgotten what she was doing. It's okay though, I far too often lose my train of thought! I think she may have been cold, so I held her the rest of the way back to my desk.

The whole ordeal made me laugh to myself, and perhaps even out loud! Point is: I always have music playing. It's either piped to my ears through headphones, or played on speakers, or in the car. The few times I don't listen to music would be when I sleep or watch TV/YouTube/etc. BUT, sometimes I still have my headphones on when I fall asleep, so there's something to be said about that! I know there are times when I don't listen to music, but they are far and few between! I do not know how people get through the days without music. If I don't have music, I sing! It may not be good, in fact it may be terrible, but it's music I like none the less! Very often, I dance too! I have silly sort of dances that I do like a hybrid skank-twist, or my shuffle-skanking! I also waltz, but I do the real thing with my imaginary partner, I didn't make that one up!! I'd make someone really waltz with me, but none of the boys I hang around with know how to waltz! Besides, they are all way too concerned about what people think that they'd be too embarrassed to dance with me!

Back to the original story: I have to say that on this walk back, I did not do any dancing, but a lot of little head tilts. I walked the long way back just to maximize my away time. I got back, and here I am, blogging. I'm extremely sleepy and I need to clean my desk up while waiting for "things" to happen. I also need to make a shopping list of pie ingredients!

You might be wondering where the story went. It started as a story and then just stopped being anything of consequence. I guess I never had a story. I just wanted to say I love music. And as I leave you now, I'm skanking in my desk chair to the Specials (a true love affair)!

Sheep

I typically have all sorts of ideas of things I want to blog about, but I never write them down so I of course never have them when I need them. So Eva, being the trusty mate she is mentioned that I should write about Friday the 13th! Ooohhh! Ah, but that should very well be tomorrow's topic! So Eva, still being the trusty mate she is told me to write about Spring being just around the corner, and to some how incorporate sheep. ALAS, EUREKA, YOHO! Great idea I say! So that shall be my topic!

Yesterday I sent a blurb from my cell phone to my blog so that I could get in writing how much I loved yesterday's weather. Most people, I would guess anyway, probably loathe the dreary weather of late winter and early spring where thunderstorms loom and the sun hides away with random peeks into the world. The air is chilly and often bittered with winds, the skies look scary, and the ground stays wet and soggy. While I could probably do without the muddy mess, I love the rest of the weather situation. I don't mind summer, and I don't mind winter, and I surely don't mind the spice scented fall; but this weather where I feel like I am in Ireland, is wonderful. I love it! I love when things that appear to be dead start to awaken with small green growth, and the early blooming flowers poke their little heads out of the soil. It is literally just around the corner. It seems like forever since it was last here, but yet time seemed to fly by. All I know is that little blasted groundhog claimed that since he saw his shadow (which I still haven't figured out, please enlighten me) we will be having several more weeks of winter. Well, if yesterday was an indication that Winter is tired of being here and Spring is trying to bust in, stick that in your pipe and smoke it mister groundhog!

Now, I said I would also get sheep in here. Well of course I would, I those little dudes are awesome! So here I am talking about sheep, the coolest animals around that provide us with cozy wool! Make a new friend, go to a petting zoo and feed the fella's!

Okay, onto the word of the day . . .
cankles: A pair of legs that have no defined end of the calf area as well as no defined beginning of the ankle area. Does not only refer to fatty legs, but also shapeless legs. My trusty mate Eva thinks she has cankles.

Weather

Today's weather is awesome for me..gloomy..rainy & overcast..50's. I thought it was worth the mental note on screen!

Cowboys

Another weekend gone and a new week ahead, I wish I could say I felt better. I can’t say that I feel awful but my throat is still sore and my sinuses feel packed and achy. The fluctuation in the weather is surely a good part of the sinus problem. I like the cold and I like the warmth, I just want one season though. Not a full year of seasons in one week. Living in St. Louis though, I don’t know that I’ll ever experience normal weather seasons. I suppose though, to see the silver lining, I get an opportunity to wear a broader range of clothing and shoes.

So to move onto other topics, this weekend was crazy. I had thought my sister Holly was going out Friday and I made plans with her for that day. I had forgotten that my husband was already going out with his friends, so I told him I’d meet up with him at some point in the evening. Come to find out, my sister was never going out on Friday, she was going out Saturday, and I was already out of town for that day. I am really out of it these days, so that sucked! I hung out with Chris and his friends; they seemed to have a lot of fun, Chris was all jacked up on rum and cola. Saturday we (Chris, mom, and I) drove up north to Lostant for Aunt Laura’s 50 Birthday party. It was a surprise party thrown by her daughters Betsy and Sarah. I made a lot of mental notes about that evening and I wanted to share a couple. First, these farm boys up north sure do know their cowboy look; flannel shirts, thigh tight jeans, big belt buckles, cowboy boots, and big ol’ cowboy hats. I wanted to take a photo of all the boys out on the porch because it was a sight to see! I didn’t though, so not to offend them. Second mental note was about the condition of Grandpa. He’s my only true blood grandparent remaining, and in my eyes he’s invincible. He’s the guy that walked me down the aisle, he’s the guy that spanked my bottom when I got in trouble at his house as a child, he’s the guy I play cards with at holidays. I never see him as old or perishable. But at the party he’d had a sciatic nerve problem so he was in a lot of pain. It was cold in northern Illinois and he’d left his jacket in the car. It was horrible to sit and watch him shake because of the cold. He refused to let me get his jacket for him; he is after all very independent. I asked my Uncle Kirk that lives with him part of the time if he did this often and he said that he’s starting to see age in his father after all these years. I tried to ignore the sadness I felt when I saw Grandpa in pain. That was difficult to do!

In some other topics to discuss, Shane got his phone back, Mike got out of the hospital, Eva opened a Facebook account, I started setting up my HOK Blogger information, and I got back to normal on my laundry schedule! With that, I am moving on to the words of the day and weekend.

Homoblivious: Not having the ability to recognize homosexuals as being homosexual; lack of gaydar. In Use: He was so homoblivious that he didn’t know that guy was coming on to him. For those of you that know Toddy Bear, I believe he is homoblivious.

Master of One’s Domain: The ability to go long periods of time without sexual self-gratification. In use: He is the master of his domain; he can go for months at a time.

It's a nice day out ...

I'm sitting inside, staring at the computer with much to vent about but no ability to do so at the moment. There is a time for venting at work and then there is a time for venting at home. This is a home moment.

It's a beautiful day out and I should enjoy the weather, but the moment I go outside, it's over; motivation is gone and the desire to be outside overwhelms me. I have to avoid the temptation, sort of like avoiding a giant slice of chocolate cheesecake with caramel!

I can say on a totally different note though, that the earthquakes we recently had (still having) at least made this a good month. Month=April. 'Twas my first earthquake of any significance. I don't use joyous to sound negative, rather scientific, but this was a joyous occasion. If you ever want to talk earthquakes, ring me up, I will chat until you are sick!

It's not that I have ADD or anything, but I need to change the subject a couple more times, so here is a new topic: I was reading my friend's (Mike) blog and he writes so well, it makes me jealous that I can not only write that poetically, but that I can't release emotion or feelings in such a way. If something doesn't spew as out mathematical or logical, there is no point. That can be so frustrating.

Again new topic: I made dog shampoo yesterday, with vinegar, water, dish soap, and glycerin. The dogs do not smell like wet dogs, or like vinegar! It's so cool! Really dude, try it, 1 pint of everything except glycerin, you only need 4 oz or that stuff. I also added some drops of lavender oil to my mix, and it smells awesome. I love lavender, my favorite smell!

Vegas is fun. I miss the dogs. The air is dry. Badger was up $800, then lost it all playing slots. I'm just down, cause I shop.