Oblivious is my maiden name

With everything that the office people at the school district have to do, there are bound to be a few mistakes along the way, and sooner or later one of those mistakes will involve me. My turn came around this year, but I think the part that amuses me most about this is that it wasn't until school was out and I was no longer supposed to wear my ID badge (I only wore it a few times during the year, I am such a slacker!) that I noticed I had gotten married. I wish I had been invited. At the very least I should have been told about it, then I could have at least sent myself a wedding present. Honestly! I am so rude sometimes. Next time I get married I will have to make sure I brush up on my etiquette.

Week one

As of 12 o'clock this afternoon, it has officially been one week since school got out, and boy oh boy have I enjoyed it! The freedom... (happy sigh). I celebrated by not going to the gym at 4am, staying up till almost dawn to finish a book, and not setting my alarm clock. It has been lovely. Of course, I have been productive (somewhat...).

I went on my first hike of the summer (6 miles!) with my sister and another friend. Perfect day for it too, breezy, cool, light rain at times... very pleasant. I also went on another short morning hike with my sister (2 miles) and wound up doing a bit of trail running. Much fun!! I ran the down hill parts, so it didn't feel like running, it felt more like falling - it was GREAT!

I have also been working on finishing up my bathroom - I got all the varnishing and painting done that I could. Now all I have to do is cut the last cabinet door, stain and varnish it, and my bathroom will be done! So exciting!!

And of course, I have been busy collecting everything I need to pack for Costa Rica. That is quite the challenge for me, I tend to forget things every time I travel, and where we will be gone for two and a half weeks I am checking every list I can, and soliciting hints from all friends who know more than me. The fun part is going to be fitting everything into my (NEW!!) backpack. We are packing light, and not taking any checked luggage so we can bash around the country un-hindered. Hopefully we will be able to find some extra space on the way back for souvenirs!

Halitosis of the intellect...

I am no longer surprised at the state that Idaho's schools are in. All you have to do is listen to those who are running for the local school board to find out some of the prevailing ideas. One gentleman, who shall remain nameless, from nearby town was recently quoted in the local newspaper as saying the following:

"Teachers didn't get in the profession to get rich, so they should have no problem with a 10% pay cut to start."

"Teachers need to teach differently than they did back in 1963 when I graduated."

"The teachers will continue to teach regardless of what they're paid, so why pay them that much?"

That really just says it all. Naturally he voted against the levy (proud of it too!). Thankfully he didn't win a seat on the school board, but the attitude towards education explains a lot, and leaves you feeling a bit sad.

I'm slightly bored, so here's some nonsense.

I have decided that my iPod has an attitude. Though I haven’t named it (I don’t even name my car), it seems to have a bit of the Herbie spirit; friendly, but with a sarcastic streak a mile wide. Bizarre, I know. And I am only half serious, but the coincidences make me giggle.

The first hint of personality bubbled to the surface as I was hiking with my sister last spring. We had both received iPods for Christmas and were jamming out to our respective playlists as we pushed our way to the top.  Arriving at the top, we stopped to rest, and were both singing along with whatever happened to be playing in our heads. All of a sudden, at exactly the same time, we both started singing the opening lines of Jason Mraz’s “Live High.”  Weird. 

A few weeks ago I went out on the track for the first time after a long winter being stuck behind a treadmill to work on running in the real world. My goal for the day was 4 miles (not all running, but as much as possible), and I (of course) had my headphones in trying to keep my mind off my burning lungs. As I lumbered forward to begin my last lap, my iPod decided to question my ability. Blaring into my ears came the query “Can you stay strong? Can you go on? Christy are you doin’ ok?”  I laughed so hard I almost tripped. But it made my last lap fly by.

After that last dig at me I decided to have some fun and try the iPod quiz that has been floating around facebook for the last little while. Not to post as a note – just for kicks. Because I have so much music, I decided to do it four or five times, by genre instead of all at once (otherwise answers might include 3 Nephi 4, or Adagio in G Minor). By and large, most of the answers were nonsense (What is 2 + 2? Let It Go), but there were a few that were fit so perfectly or were so funny, I just had to share them here.

What would describe your personality? Anything But Ordinary - Avril Lavigne

What do you want to be when you grow up? Be a Catholic - Forbidden Broadway (showtunes)

What do your parents think of you? Poor Little Fool - Ricky Nelson (oldies)

What do your friends think of you? Friends in Low Places - Garth Brooks (country) & Trouble is a Friend - Lenka

How will you die? Running with Knives - David Hopkins

Will you ever get married? Empty Apartment - Yellowcard

What will they play at your funeral? I Am Not Yet Dead - Spamalot (showtunes), & Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

What do you like in a guy? All the Small Things - Blink 182

What is your biggest secret? Things I'll Never Say - Avril Lavigne

What is one thing you regret? I Shot the Sheriff - Bob Marley (reggae)

What makes you cry? Monday, Monday - The Mamas & The Papas (oldies)

What makes you laugh? Stuff and Nonsense - Missy Higgins

Kind of reminds me of playing with a magic 8 ball, but far more amusing. 

Ocupational Hazards

Self mutilationEven short fingernails do damage (see the nose). Good thing I don't wear jewelry!

TMII work with teenage boys. 'Nuff said.

Dangerous environments

Yup. Been there, done that. Interpreting on the slopes can be crazy!

The man in the moon

I took a walk this morning with the man in the moon. He was quite the gentleman, quiet and polite, just sitting there watching the sunrise with me and keeping me company.

With today being Earth Day, I decided to celebrate a bit and instead of driving to the gym, I walked the long way to work (it takes about an hour and a half). It was a beautiful morning that smelled like spring. Watching the sunrise was thrilling - I love seeing the clouds change from pewterish silver, to a milky mother-of-pearl,  and then gold and opalescent. 

I didn't expect to run into anyone this morning, but I got a lovely surprise when I looked up, and saw the moon watching the sunrise with me. Ok, ok, in all honesty, it was just Venus passing behind the crescent moon, but looking at the picture (it was brighter than that this morning) you can kind of see what I mean. It looks like some cartoon moon face (Venus being the nose), watching the horizon. I have to admit, the picture doesn't quite capture what I saw this morning. What with the different lighting and the cloud distortions... it had me giggling most of the morning. As they say... simple minds and all that.

Drumroll please...

Way back in October of last year I asked for a bit of advice from my more tech savvy friends and family about what kind of computer I should upgrade too, a Mac or a PC.  The opinions that resulted were incredibly fun, and luckily did not open the predicted can of worms. Since then I have done lots of researching, and debating, and agonizing, and wishing.... but no deciding.

By not deciding, I realize that I have been cruel to you all, and kept you all worried about my eternal soul... for this I sincerely apologize and beg forgiveness.

Now, to satisfy your burning curiosity, I present my decision :)

I want an iMac. I have learned the basics of navigating a Mac, and while I have a ways to go before becoming proficient, I like it enough to want to give it a shot.  I like the look and feel of it, I can live with the price, I love the huge memory and the part where the hardware and the software are all made by the same people, but I think thing that sold me at the end was the iPhoto software. 

With all the scanning I do, and the thousands of old family photos that I store, I love what I will be able to do using iPhoto, and the MANY different ways that I can organize my photos. Organizing with faces is what got me really excited, especially after spending three hours going through my entire collection trying to find every last picture of my Grandma for someone.  What a mind numbing process. Imagine being able to find every picture of your favorite cousin with the touch of a button. Happy sigh...

Right now though, I am facing reality. I will have to save for a while before I can make this purchase. Sadness. Till then, I will just have to live with the frustration of the 'thermal events,' dwindling memory, and crashes that plague my computer. But the fact that my car didn't need expensive repairs, and that I will be getting my track paycheck in a few months puts me a few steps closer to computer nirvana. (And yes Ben, I would LOVE to take advantage of your student discount once I get my money saved!)

Bliss.

(Those of you who now believe I am going to computer hell are welcome to present additional arguments to try and save me.)