Rachel Breidster: Is picking up where she left off yesterday. She also hates writing about herself in the third person and will cease to do so, effective immediately. :)
I: met with the inspector yesterday promptly at 12:30 and he seemed more than happy with the work that was done to the porch. I followed up his visit with a phone call to the bank that went well, and am hopeful that I will get my money back in 7-10 days.
I: had the most delicious lunch ever at Java Jazz cafe in Delmar. Hadn't eaten there in years and had this amazing hummus, avocado, lettuce, tomato, tabouli wrap. So good!
I: can't believe I admitted that when I was in fifth grade I used to pray that I would wake up and look like my barbie doll. Granted the tv show only airs in Albany County, but still, sort of can't believe I would admit that. On the other hand, I am pretty psyched that I am happy enough with where I am now that I wouldn't think twice about saying something like that on air.
I: really wish it would stop raining. This shit is so lame.
I: just got back from getting an amazing massage to address my hamstring and back pain which has been mildly crippling. I wish I could have spent two hours. Or maybe even three.
I: am still in a fair amount of back and rib pain when I'm sitting down and sometimes wish I didn't have such a "desk job."
I: just got the estimate for the spray foam insulation and almost crapped my pants. It seemed like sucha good idea yesterday. And now it seems terrifying. Time to start tallying up costs.
I: am super excited to see a friend for some catching up this afternoon. :) There will be purchasing of socks, running tights, possibly some new heels, and items for the halloween costume. :)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
FB statuses
I mostly work alone. I have some interaction over my cubicle wall with my badass admin who I adore, but for the most part, I spend large chunks of time by myself. During that time, myriad thoughts run through my head- some of which end up as facebook statuses, because due to the nature of my job, I have no one to say them to. Sometimes I wish I could change my status every time I have a new stream of thoughts, but I don't like to do that. So instead, I'm trying to breathe new life back into my blog by making a running tally of my thoughts throughout the day here. Think of it as the FB statuses that never had their chance to shine. . . until now!
Rachel Breidster: Is seriously going through withdrawal from taking a rest day from the gym in the middle of the week. She usually only "rests" on the weekends and feels like she's missing out on a lot of fun and good fitness by taking a rest day. On the other hand, she knows it's healthier and is determined to stay away from that gym today!
Rachel Breidster: Thinks one of the best things that can happen when you turn on your car is that Paul Simon is playing on the radio. Paul Simon is (not surprisingly in my car CD player right now, but it gives me a bit more hope for humanity when djs decide to put it on for the world to hear. Little mother and child reunion anyone?
Rachel Breidster: Doesn't understand why people cut you off making left turns when it's raining outside. Frankly, she doesn't understand why people ever do this (actually, she's pretty sure she understands it- drivers are self-centered idiots who are so arrogant they think everyone else should compensate for their careless and reckless behaviors), but especially in the rain. When the car with the right of way slams on its brakes to avoid hitting you while you're making the left turn you don't really have the time for, you do realize that car will just skid when it's pouring right? Great, now it's raining and your car is crashed. Brilliant.
Rachel Breidster: Thinks she thinks too much.
Rachel Breidster: Is so thrilled that the heat is finally on at the office. She was starting to think that hypothermia was unavoidable!
Rachel Breidster: Decided to wear a red shirt today and stop being afraid to clash her clothing with her hair. The pink has been in her hair for nearly 3 weeks and you can't just eliminate all red and orange from your wardrobe just because you've got some badass pink hair. And, she's glad she did it. Red is almost as fabulous a color as pink!
Rachel Breidster: Just got really exciting news from her boss and feels all warm and fuzzy inside. :)
Rachel Breidster: Has gone way too long without seeing her nephews and really wishes she could see them sooner.
Rachel Breidster: Is getting a massage tonight in hopes that her aching back and hampstrings will be better for her to run this half marathon over the weekend. On that note, Rachel is terrified of running a half marathon this weekend and hopes the blogs she read about training for distance through crossfit were correct. She also hopes it's not cold or rainy, because she seriously might chicken out and quit.
Rachel Breidster: Will update her blog tomorrow with highlights of the previous 24 hour's "status thoughts."
Rachel Breidster: Is seriously going through withdrawal from taking a rest day from the gym in the middle of the week. She usually only "rests" on the weekends and feels like she's missing out on a lot of fun and good fitness by taking a rest day. On the other hand, she knows it's healthier and is determined to stay away from that gym today!
Rachel Breidster: Thinks one of the best things that can happen when you turn on your car is that Paul Simon is playing on the radio. Paul Simon is (not surprisingly in my car CD player right now, but it gives me a bit more hope for humanity when djs decide to put it on for the world to hear. Little mother and child reunion anyone?
Rachel Breidster: Doesn't understand why people cut you off making left turns when it's raining outside. Frankly, she doesn't understand why people ever do this (actually, she's pretty sure she understands it- drivers are self-centered idiots who are so arrogant they think everyone else should compensate for their careless and reckless behaviors), but especially in the rain. When the car with the right of way slams on its brakes to avoid hitting you while you're making the left turn you don't really have the time for, you do realize that car will just skid when it's pouring right? Great, now it's raining and your car is crashed. Brilliant.
Rachel Breidster: Thinks she thinks too much.
Rachel Breidster: Is so thrilled that the heat is finally on at the office. She was starting to think that hypothermia was unavoidable!
Rachel Breidster: Decided to wear a red shirt today and stop being afraid to clash her clothing with her hair. The pink has been in her hair for nearly 3 weeks and you can't just eliminate all red and orange from your wardrobe just because you've got some badass pink hair. And, she's glad she did it. Red is almost as fabulous a color as pink!
Rachel Breidster: Just got really exciting news from her boss and feels all warm and fuzzy inside. :)
Rachel Breidster: Has gone way too long without seeing her nephews and really wishes she could see them sooner.
Rachel Breidster: Is getting a massage tonight in hopes that her aching back and hampstrings will be better for her to run this half marathon over the weekend. On that note, Rachel is terrified of running a half marathon this weekend and hopes the blogs she read about training for distance through crossfit were correct. She also hopes it's not cold or rainy, because she seriously might chicken out and quit.
Rachel Breidster: Will update her blog tomorrow with highlights of the previous 24 hour's "status thoughts."
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Being a Homeowner
There's something very empowering about being a homeowner. Something that is hard to describe. I am unsure whether it is the accomplishment of what is so frequently seen as the American dream, or the sense of owning, and therefore being in control of, your own space, or whether it is just being home. We so cherish the idea of having a home- it is, after all, where our hearts are. Whatever it is, I love it.
I was recently talking to a co-worker about being a homeowner and how it has changed my weekends. By this time last year, I'd been out paddling a number of times, hiking, climbing, weekend trips- you name it. People at my last job told me that they looked forward to Mondays to hear about what I had done over the weekend. Now my weekends involve scraping, caulking, painting, mowing, sanding. It's not nearly as glorious, and yet it's still so satisfying.
My kitchen in my apartment was beautiful. Ceramic tiles, new cabinets with shiny knobs. Bright, clean, nicely painted. Here I have the floor that never cleans, no matter how many times you mop it. The walls are half plastic sheets and half bare from our wall paper removal. The appliances are old. The windows should probably be replaced. But it's still my kitchen. Every day I come home to my house.
When I was in an apartment I was very strict about the heat. No heat before November and no heat after April. Do you know I've turned the heat on probably 3 times this May? Because I can. Because it is my house. For some reason it is less of a worry. If I can pay this mortgage, I can pay an extra $50 in heating bills.
I worry a little bit less. It is my home, and if something were to happen, the consequences would be unimaginable, but I worry less. Because it is mine. I answer to myself. And there is something comforting in that. I have so much cleaning to do tonight. And tomorrow night. And the night after. I have to clean my house. Not my apartment that my landlord might see. My house. And I love it.
I was recently talking to a co-worker about being a homeowner and how it has changed my weekends. By this time last year, I'd been out paddling a number of times, hiking, climbing, weekend trips- you name it. People at my last job told me that they looked forward to Mondays to hear about what I had done over the weekend. Now my weekends involve scraping, caulking, painting, mowing, sanding. It's not nearly as glorious, and yet it's still so satisfying.
My kitchen in my apartment was beautiful. Ceramic tiles, new cabinets with shiny knobs. Bright, clean, nicely painted. Here I have the floor that never cleans, no matter how many times you mop it. The walls are half plastic sheets and half bare from our wall paper removal. The appliances are old. The windows should probably be replaced. But it's still my kitchen. Every day I come home to my house.
When I was in an apartment I was very strict about the heat. No heat before November and no heat after April. Do you know I've turned the heat on probably 3 times this May? Because I can. Because it is my house. For some reason it is less of a worry. If I can pay this mortgage, I can pay an extra $50 in heating bills.
I worry a little bit less. It is my home, and if something were to happen, the consequences would be unimaginable, but I worry less. Because it is mine. I answer to myself. And there is something comforting in that. I have so much cleaning to do tonight. And tomorrow night. And the night after. I have to clean my house. Not my apartment that my landlord might see. My house. And I love it.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Is there such a thing as too much grammar snobbery?
So I'm a self-proclaimed grammar snob. At times I make mistakes, as do most people; however, I am frequently appalled by the failure to master even the most basic of principles of grammar. Recently, one of my biggest pet peeves has been noticing the correlation between people who discuss how ignorant others are, and the lack of grammatical correctness of those people. This slays me.
Frequently it takes place in the form of hatred of one minority group or another. One week it could be immigrants. The next week it is black people. Essentially anyone who could challenge the status quo and voices an opinion that is different than what is seen as the norm is labeled as, "uneducated."
The labelers, on the other hand, aren't making much of a case for themselves. I recently participated in a Facebook dialogue in which people were disparaging the poor, based on a misrepresentation of what poverty in America looks like. The folks railing about the poor made the following types of statements:
This is what's wrong with are nation. . . (our)
There is way more people like that then you think. . . (are, than)
When you vote for people you should have to fill out a survey that your educated. . . (you're)
(About a black woman) They should send her back to Mexico. . .
I am your sister, so you no where I stand. . . (know)
Okay, so am I a total snob, or is it safe to generalize here and say that most people who are discriminatory and hateful are just plain ignorant? Anyone else see this correlation in their lives?
Frequently it takes place in the form of hatred of one minority group or another. One week it could be immigrants. The next week it is black people. Essentially anyone who could challenge the status quo and voices an opinion that is different than what is seen as the norm is labeled as, "uneducated."
The labelers, on the other hand, aren't making much of a case for themselves. I recently participated in a Facebook dialogue in which people were disparaging the poor, based on a misrepresentation of what poverty in America looks like. The folks railing about the poor made the following types of statements:
This is what's wrong with are nation. . . (our)
There is way more people like that then you think. . . (are, than)
When you vote for people you should have to fill out a survey that your educated. . . (you're)
(About a black woman) They should send her back to Mexico. . .
I am your sister, so you no where I stand. . . (know)
Okay, so am I a total snob, or is it safe to generalize here and say that most people who are discriminatory and hateful are just plain ignorant? Anyone else see this correlation in their lives?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
so much to do, so little to say
It strikes me as odd that I have been so busy, have had so many things going on, and yet I don't feel like I have very much to blog about.
So I'm just checking in to say that I am still here, One of these days I will write something. Soon. I promise.
In the meantime, here's the news. I own a home. And I love it. I'm in Baltimore for work. And I love that too. It's getting warmer, and that weather, well, it's beyond love.
Hope there's sunshine in your world.
So I'm just checking in to say that I am still here, One of these days I will write something. Soon. I promise.
In the meantime, here's the news. I own a home. And I love it. I'm in Baltimore for work. And I love that too. It's getting warmer, and that weather, well, it's beyond love.
Hope there's sunshine in your world.
Monday, February 22, 2010
everyone else is doing it. . .
So I wake up to my radio show. I drive listening to my radio show. And I'm not immune to the catchy headlines that pop up after I sign out of my email.
Everyone's talking about Tiger Woods. And the apology.
I'll admit- I didn't watch the apology. Didn't listen to the apology. In fact, I didn't even search it out to see a written transcript of the apology.
On the one hand, I feel like I need to apologize for my lack of attention to the apology. On the other hand, I will not apologize, because I have a good reason for not watching/listening/reading.
I don't care.
There. I said it. Can't take it back. Seriously, I don't care.
Do I know who Tiger is? Sure. Am I glad he is a kick ass golfer? Sure I suppose- although I'm not real big into golf. Did he provide some good discussion materials on race and ethnicity and identification in racial sociology classes in college? Sure. Who could pass up the chance to talk about identifying as Cablinasian?
Nevertheless, the truth is, I don't care that he cheated on his wife. And honestly, I'm not sure that you should care either.
Actually, I don't really care when anyone cheats on his wife. Or husband for that matter. As long as I am not the cheater or the cheatee, I don't really see how it's any of my business. I stand by the same argument with our former president. In fact, I would even say the same thing for Senator Craig who had his little gay escapade in the airport bathroom. (Although I do think it's somewhat gratifying when the gay haters turn out to be the gayest gays ever.)
But seriously, why do we care? Why does Tiger need to apologize to the public? Does he owe Elin an apology? Sure, if she wants one. He fucked up. He hurt her. But he didn't hurt me. And I don't see how he really hurt the rest of the public either. In fact, I might go so far as to say, at this point, we- the public- have hurt him more, by continually broadcasting all of the sordid details in the spotlight. Maybe we owe him an apology . . .
Then there are the people who say, but children look up to him. Yep. I hear that. [Note: I am not a parent, but the remainder of this paragraph assumes my hypothetical parenthood.] If I had kids and they were into golf, I would probably let them know about Tiger- this bad-ass golfer with a funky name. But that's about it. He's a golfer. And as far as I've heard, he's still a pretty bad-ass golfer. If my kids wanted to look up to a golfer; here's Tiger. A writer; here's Margaret Atwood. A political scholar; Noam Chomsky. But if they wanted someone to look up to for morals or virtues; here's your family. And the Dalai Lama. Because here's the thing. I can't golf. And if one day I go out to a par three somewhere, and I can't even get the ball in the hole after 10 tries, I don't think I owe my kids or the public an apology. I am not a golfer. I am an educator, an artist, and a parent. Everything else is just extra. And as a parent, isn't it my responsibility to teach children boundaries? Tiger is a golfer, not a superhero. No one can be everything. These are lessons children need to learn- shouldn't parents be teaching them?
Also, there are the mistresses who say they are owed apologies. Let me get this one straight. You slept with a married man, and you want an apology? What? I don't follow.
Don't get me wrong. There are bad people out there. There are even good people who do bad things. And when people (good or bad) do bad things, I think they owe an apology to the people they hurt. Car accidents, plagiarism, assault, lying. All hurtful things. All deserving of apologies for sure. But apologies to the people they've hurt. Not to the people who just can't take their eyes off of the train wreck.
One last thought. There are apparently quite a few people out there who, "Don't believe in infidelity." These folks are very upset with Tiger for this reason. I find this hard to believe. There are certainly things I don't believe in- the tooth fairy is a good example. But I don't believe in the tooth fairy because I have yet to see any proof that he exists. In fact, I've seen evidence to the contrary. This leads me to believe that the tooth fairy does not exist. How can one not believe in infidelity? It's everywhere! Look around. People cheat- believe it! You don't have to encourage it, or even support it, but I would strongly advise you to believe it. Seriously, it's out there.
My apologies to anyone who is inadvertently hurt by this message. . .
Everyone's talking about Tiger Woods. And the apology.
I'll admit- I didn't watch the apology. Didn't listen to the apology. In fact, I didn't even search it out to see a written transcript of the apology.
On the one hand, I feel like I need to apologize for my lack of attention to the apology. On the other hand, I will not apologize, because I have a good reason for not watching/listening/reading.
I don't care.
There. I said it. Can't take it back. Seriously, I don't care.
Do I know who Tiger is? Sure. Am I glad he is a kick ass golfer? Sure I suppose- although I'm not real big into golf. Did he provide some good discussion materials on race and ethnicity and identification in racial sociology classes in college? Sure. Who could pass up the chance to talk about identifying as Cablinasian?
Nevertheless, the truth is, I don't care that he cheated on his wife. And honestly, I'm not sure that you should care either.
Actually, I don't really care when anyone cheats on his wife. Or husband for that matter. As long as I am not the cheater or the cheatee, I don't really see how it's any of my business. I stand by the same argument with our former president. In fact, I would even say the same thing for Senator Craig who had his little gay escapade in the airport bathroom. (Although I do think it's somewhat gratifying when the gay haters turn out to be the gayest gays ever.)
But seriously, why do we care? Why does Tiger need to apologize to the public? Does he owe Elin an apology? Sure, if she wants one. He fucked up. He hurt her. But he didn't hurt me. And I don't see how he really hurt the rest of the public either. In fact, I might go so far as to say, at this point, we- the public- have hurt him more, by continually broadcasting all of the sordid details in the spotlight. Maybe we owe him an apology . . .
Then there are the people who say, but children look up to him. Yep. I hear that. [Note: I am not a parent, but the remainder of this paragraph assumes my hypothetical parenthood.] If I had kids and they were into golf, I would probably let them know about Tiger- this bad-ass golfer with a funky name. But that's about it. He's a golfer. And as far as I've heard, he's still a pretty bad-ass golfer. If my kids wanted to look up to a golfer; here's Tiger. A writer; here's Margaret Atwood. A political scholar; Noam Chomsky. But if they wanted someone to look up to for morals or virtues; here's your family. And the Dalai Lama. Because here's the thing. I can't golf. And if one day I go out to a par three somewhere, and I can't even get the ball in the hole after 10 tries, I don't think I owe my kids or the public an apology. I am not a golfer. I am an educator, an artist, and a parent. Everything else is just extra. And as a parent, isn't it my responsibility to teach children boundaries? Tiger is a golfer, not a superhero. No one can be everything. These are lessons children need to learn- shouldn't parents be teaching them?
Also, there are the mistresses who say they are owed apologies. Let me get this one straight. You slept with a married man, and you want an apology? What? I don't follow.
Don't get me wrong. There are bad people out there. There are even good people who do bad things. And when people (good or bad) do bad things, I think they owe an apology to the people they hurt. Car accidents, plagiarism, assault, lying. All hurtful things. All deserving of apologies for sure. But apologies to the people they've hurt. Not to the people who just can't take their eyes off of the train wreck.
One last thought. There are apparently quite a few people out there who, "Don't believe in infidelity." These folks are very upset with Tiger for this reason. I find this hard to believe. There are certainly things I don't believe in- the tooth fairy is a good example. But I don't believe in the tooth fairy because I have yet to see any proof that he exists. In fact, I've seen evidence to the contrary. This leads me to believe that the tooth fairy does not exist. How can one not believe in infidelity? It's everywhere! Look around. People cheat- believe it! You don't have to encourage it, or even support it, but I would strongly advise you to believe it. Seriously, it's out there.
My apologies to anyone who is inadvertently hurt by this message. . .
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Lyrics we'll never get right
I posted a comment on FB about songs that you've been singing your entire life. . . only to find out you've been singing the wrong words!
Below is a list of mistakes I've made at one point or another. I'm really looking forward to hearing from others . . .
1. There's this girl that's been on mind. All the time. Stu stu studio. . . (Phil Collins)
2. Blinded by the light. Wrapped up like a douche another runner in the night. . . (Manfred Mann)
3. I'll get over you. I know I will. I'll pretend my shit's not stinking. . . (Go West/ New Found Glory)
4. Might as well face it you're a dick dick in love. . . (Robert Palmer)
5. You spin my head right round, right round like a razor bladey. . . (Dead or Alive)
6. And we're gonna lift you up. And we're gonna let you down. And we're gonna run around and hurt you. . . (Rick Astley)
7. He tells me in his bad news boys, "Come on honey, let's go makes some noise". . . just another manic monday. . . (Bangles)
There's definitely more- these are just a few to get you started. What songs did you sing incorrectly?
Below is a list of mistakes I've made at one point or another. I'm really looking forward to hearing from others . . .
1. There's this girl that's been on mind. All the time. Stu stu studio. . . (Phil Collins)
2. Blinded by the light. Wrapped up like a douche another runner in the night. . . (Manfred Mann)
3. I'll get over you. I know I will. I'll pretend my shit's not stinking. . . (Go West/ New Found Glory)
4. Might as well face it you're a dick dick in love. . . (Robert Palmer)
5. You spin my head right round, right round like a razor bladey. . . (Dead or Alive)
6. And we're gonna lift you up. And we're gonna let you down. And we're gonna run around and hurt you. . . (Rick Astley)
7. He tells me in his bad news boys, "Come on honey, let's go makes some noise". . . just another manic monday. . . (Bangles)
There's definitely more- these are just a few to get you started. What songs did you sing incorrectly?
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