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May 30, 2006
Malcontent
Whenever I get a little blue, I like to look at possible trips I might take. So this evening, after a refreshing shower and 15 minutes of less-than-productive cleaning, I took to my computer to see what sorts of places I might visit. After much perusing of options, I finally found the trip for me.
For the next couple of days, Gap Adventures is offering 50% off their polar bear expeditions. While the total cost is still pricey (about $2,200 for everything--airfare to Norway, domestic flight to Tromso, the 13-day yacht trip, food, etc.), the package is still pretty amazing. Here's the blurb:
Expedition Spitsbergen: Journey from Oslo, Norway to the northern community of Longyearbyen, on this 13-day voyage of discovery. Expect some fantastic encounters with polar bears, seals, walruses, seabirds, and perhaps the unique Svalbard reindeer. When not keeping an eye out for wildlife, the scenic fjords and glaciers are sure to capture your imagination.
Things I like about this adventure: 1) sunshine always helps to mitigate my feelings of depression, and the sun will be brightly shining 24/7 during the trip. 2) The first couple days also include a swing by the offshore banks where feeding whales frolic. 3) The temperature will be a welcome respite from the heat (even if it's only 2 days into the hot weather) from the nastiness of the D.C. summer.
Of course, the cons are the price (sigh, isn't it always?), the short notice (I have client commitments in June), and the fact that I get violently seasick just standing on the pier near the ocean. So instead of booking a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the polar bears, I think I'll finish putting away the clean laundry and hop into bed. My day starts early tomorrow and promises to be exciting, even without the polar bears.
Posted by madchen at 12:28 AM | Comments (1)May 29, 2006
In the Summertime
Summer in Washington, D.C. arrived this weekend. Last Monday I was complaining about having to wear a sweatshirt during my 8 p.m. softball game...today, I'm preparing to face the next twelve weeks as a sweaty mess.
Of course, the heat coincided with an action-packed weekend adventure. On Friday night, I went to see Ms. Wish to See on her last night of single-ness (well, not really, since she's been living with Mr. Wish to See for the last year, but whatever). A riotous (and slightly tipsy) time was had with Mr. Bad Apologies and Ms. NYC Rouge. I was named an honorary gay (I was likened to a gay man in a woman's body), much champagne was imbibed, and I woke up the next morning to a cheery wedding and slight hangover.
A note on the wedding reception anniversary dance: is it specifically designed to make the single people feel conspicuous? While the original intent is to honor the couples who have been together the longest, what REALLY happens it that the poor single girl at the front table gets to survey the room and see what single guys are available. Let me tell you that the pickings are slim.
From the after-reception party, I quickly repacked my bags and drove a couple of hours to a lake house near Charlottesville, where I spent a truly delightful and relaxing two-and-a-half days with Ms. Secret Blog and her man, along with eleven other couples. Yes, once again Ms. Write Again Soon was the only single person along for the ride. But what a ride it was, with drinking games, softball, speedboat tours of the lake, hours of reading trashy magazines, a winning game of spades, and lots of sunshine. I could definitely use more of those weekends--even if they do poignantly identify me as the "one without a partner".
I got home this afternoon, back to my messy room--which just happens to be about a hundred degrees. My desk looks like a hurricane passed by when I was gone, the toothpaste cap is missing (I shake my fist in the general direction of Ms. Janie and her mother), and I'm not feeling very enthusiastic about starting the week. Alone. In a messy room. And feeling rather sweaty.
Let the summer fun begin.
Posted by madchen at 10:14 PM | Comments (1)May 25, 2006
Disgusting
Is anyone else revoted by the way that Dreamworks movie Over the Hedge is doing promotional advertising?
First of all, the trailer itself makes me believe that the movie is going to be terrible--something on par with the new Star Wars movies (pause for dramatic re-enactment of Darth Vader screaming NOOOOOO! upon learning that his true love Princess Amidala is dead after giving birth in the most implausible labor scene EVER FILMED). This conclusion is a shame, since Shrek, Antz, and Chicken Run were such delightful forays into the world of animated film.
But what is REALLY a shame is the advertising. To summarize (via AP):
The cheeky family comedy, from the people behind "Antz" and "Chicken Run," wags its finger at all of us humans for buying more food than we need -- fast food, junk food, food we have delivered because we're too lazy to leave the comfort of our cookie-cutter houses and drive to the grocery store in our gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles, which, like the ever-growing encroachment of suburbia, are contributing to the destruction of the environment the cuddly "Over the Hedge" creatures call home.
We have too much stuff, the film is trying to say, and we continue to acquire more stuff. And yet, off-screen, "Over the Hedge" simultaneously embraces a number of companies that provide such stuff and are helping promote the film through advertising.
Some examples (via Brandweek):
• ConAgra will release movie-themed Act II: Microwave Popcorn and POP material. The company’s Crunch ’n Munch snack will also sport Over the Hedge packaging;
• Chipmaker AMD will run ads on various media tying in with the movie on a global level;
• General Mills’ Trix yogurt will get an Over the Hedge makeover complete with on-pack activity games featuring characters from the movie. TV ads will also support;
• HP will produce a custom-animated TV spot;
• Wal-Mart will run an in-store campaign as well as TV flagging its support of the film;
• Wendy’s will run a Kids’ Meal offer with materials based on characters in the movie.
•The licensing program for the movie, meanwhile, will include a videogame from Activision and Over the Hedge party goods from Hallmark.
I can't say it better than River Front Times:
Product is what we get especially at this time of year, as parents look for air-conditioned destinations at which to dump vacationing kids entertained by anything bright, loud and furry. But Over the Hedge, based on something as insubstantial as a daily newspaper comic strip, bears the special scent of an unhealthy baked good rolled off the assembly line. It arrives in theaters slathered in more endorsements than a NASCAR driver, with its characters appearing in TV ads for everything from Hanes underwear and baked Cheetos to Hewlett-Packard and Oscar Mayer. And the movie, with its warm-'n'-cuddly creatures acting as spokesanimals, is being used to launch Wal-Mart's "Summer Starts Here" campaign. It feels like I've already seen the movie four times, after witnessing the parade of commercials for other junk its characters are pimping.
Amen.
Posted by madchen at 09:34 PM | Comments (1)May 23, 2006
Bump
You know how your day can be going along in a ho-hum-I'm-neither-happy-nor-sad sort of way, with tasks being accomplished and life moving along in an orderly sort of fashion, and then WHAM everything sort of tilts to one side and suddenly you think you are going to vomit?
That's me.
I got a phone call this afternoon which throws everything I thought about my current situation off balance. It's not particularly good news or bad news, just different news. And not even really news, but a new fact to add to a kaleidescope of information in an already complicated situation.
Now I'm in the position of having to make a potentially significant decision based on this new information TONIGHT. But I'm not really sure of what I want. Well, that's not strictly true--I want things to remain as they were this morning, but that is no longer a viable alternative. The way I see it, I now have three options:
Option #1 - Absorb the information and proceed as planned.
Pros - I still get to be involved (albeit in a second-best position), without having to radically change plans. I can always bow out later if I want.
Cons - By going along with the situation, I give up some of the control--and potentially face getting dropped later in the game.
Option #2 - Bow out now.
Pros - I retain the high ground, and get to exercise complete control over the situation.
Cons - I give up what could potentially be a great situation, leaving me with nothing.
Option #3 - Seek more information, and delay making a decision until later.
Pros - I get more time to think about what I really want.
Cons - The extra time may cost me the opportunity, since I'm competing against others.
Yup, I definitely want to vomit.
Posted by madchen at 04:16 PM | Comments (2)May 19, 2006
On the Ride Home from Dinner
Janie, what are you going to be when you grow up?
"A veterinarian."
Oh, so you can take care of puppies and ponies and other animals?
"Yes, I'll take care of all the animals. Except for frogs. They can go to the frog place."
[Silence]
"But I will take care of the tablets."
The what?
"Tablets, the baby frogs."
Posted by madchen at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)May 18, 2006
Happy Birthday To Me
Despite a day full of doubts that my clinical depression has come back (the signs are everywhere, and me with no medical insurance!), I had such a nice time tonight with friends at Jaleo. Good times were had, and an inordinate amount of alcohol (for me, at least) was consumed. I'd write more, but it's taken me a good 10 minutes to type this sentence alone (and I tripped over my shoes getting to the computer) so it's probably best if I just step away entirely.
Posted by madchen at 10:32 PM | Comments (1)Turnaround
I had a nice lunch date with Mr. OpSec today. He introduced me to a fantastic deli in my town that I didn't even know existed. We had a lovely chat, laughed at the world's foolishness, and discussed fun things to do in the city. I dropped him off at the metro at precisely 4:56 p.m. on my way back home.
At 5:43 p.m., I got this email:
Hello Ms. Write Again Soon,
This is always hard (well it is for me) but I just wanted to let you know that I will be pursuing other matches. I hope you understand and are not upset. I think that is better than me just not writing, or not returning your phone call, or going out again and being deceptive. Thanks so much for your many emails. You are a really great lady. I hope you meet someone special. Thanks again for everything. Happy Birthday!!!
Take Care,
Mr. OpSec
While I certainly appreciate the email (so much better to know where you stand!), I was a little stunned about Mr. OpSec's turnaround time. I mean, geez, take a whole hour to decide I'm not the one, won't you?
Posted by madchen at 01:05 AM | Comments (2)May 17, 2006
Another day, another date
May has been very good to me in terms of dating--something about birthday karma, I think. I was momentarily thrown when tomorrow's hook-up plans were ruined by an unexpected meeting, but quickly recovered with a spontaneous date this afternoon with Mr. OpSec.
Yes, this is a new boy--another left-over from the internet dating world. We have been writing for months, but he only arrived back in the United States a few days ago. Previously deployed to Iraq, he's exactly the type of guy I saw myself with 10 years ago...so it will be interesting to see if my "type" has changed in the last few years.
So what are our plans, you ask? Mr. OpSec will be coming up to Bethesda this afternoon (I *love* that he suggested meeting in my town rather than dragging me down to DC in the middle of the day) and we'll have a late lunch at his favorite deli. Now, normally I would be less than impressed with a *deli* as a first date, but I have to keep reminding myself that he hasn't had access to regular food for over a year and that I should cut him a little slack.
In other Write Again Soon Boy News, emails have been exchanged with Mr. Golf, but no follow-up dates have been set. I'm pretty ambivalent either way, but it's nice to know the well hasn't run dry.
Posted by madchen at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)May 16, 2006
Golf Date
On Sunday, after brunch with the family, I went on a date.
It was the first time I'd been out with Mr. Golf (no need to explain the name, right?). He's a remnant of the internet dating phenomenon (now ended for fiscal responsibility reasons), and a guy I had been casually emailing for several weeks. He meets many of my "ideal guy" criteria--he's smart, funny, financially secure, responsible, etc. And above all, he seemed like a good date. Just look at the examples he suggested for our first outing:
-- Playing golf.
-- Laser tag.
-- Visiting a vineyard.
-- A couples massage (but not in a creepy way).
After some deliberation, we went out on Sunday to play golf, braving the weather (and subsequently getting drizzled on for 8 holes and poured on for the last hole). Mr. Golf was the ultimate gentleman the whole time, and was surprisingly kind and sporting during my terrible plays, even as he managed to hit the green every time. Afterwards, we went to dinner, then parted ways.
So what's my first impression? Well, I'm pretty sure there is no chemistry (at least not on my part), but he is SUPER nice and I think we'll go out again. And I'll definitely play gold again. It's SO fun, and posh, and country-club living! I could definitely get used to door-to-door service, a golf cart, chatting about the course by the fireside afterwards, and the overall feeling of security that a golf course brings. Of course, I'll have to find a sugar daddy to pay for it all. I'm more of a "free community tennis court" sort of girl myself.
Posted by madchen at 12:58 PM | Comments (0)Mother's Day Weekend
On Saturday, I juggled a Mother's Day Tea Party (hosted by the women of the Write Again Soon family) and an evening with the May Birthday Girls. While the timing was a little tight, it went off without a hitch.
Four hours of sweeping, baking, vacuuming, washing dishes, and making tiny sandwiches paid off when 2 dozen people showed up to celebrate Mother's Day. Half of the group was my friends (and their mothers) and the other half was my mom's friends (and their kids). Jess came along for the ride, but didn't have any guests of her own (except for Janie, who by herself is enough of a guest for anyone to handle). We sipped tea, ate quiche, nibbled lady fingers, and generally caught up on everyone's news. Of particular note was the just-noticed ability of our men to pull together an "afternoon tea" look that was both manly and sophisticated, yet with a touch of tea-time panache. Well done indeed.
Of course, the tea ran over its anticipated schedule (how could it not, with such delightful guests?) and I had only 2 minutes to change out of my dress into jeans and a sweater for my evening with Ms. ADA (two times in one weekend!) and Ms. Fomer Co-Worker and Current Poker-Playing Friend (PPF from now on) of sushi and basketball.
We drove down to the Verizon Center and caught a meal of sushi and tapas at Sushi Go Round and Tapas, a weird combination I know. Nonetheless, it was delicious and a perfect start to the evening. We delved into gossipy things (like girls do) and confirmed that we are, undoubtedly, far more perfect than the average person on the street.
We finished up the evening at the Mystics pre-season game. Ms. ADA has season tickets--perhaps the best seats in the entire place, so we had the perfect view to watch the Mystics beat the Houston Comets. I'm not a huge basketball fan, so I probably missed a lot of the more technical aspects of the game, but I thoroughly enjoyed it anyway. And no matter what everyone else thinks, I stand by my comment that a constantly moving basket would enliven the game. When the NBA finally decides to try it, I want everyone to remember that *I* was the originator of that idea.
Posted by madchen at 11:57 AM | Comments (0)Pre-Birthday Fun
On Friday I met up with birthday-girl Ms. ADA for a day of merriment. We had originally planned a morning of frivolity and an afternoon of culture, but quickly decided that an extended shoe-shopping excursion would have to bump the Museum of Women in the Arts to another day. Fine by me!
Three pairs of shoes (gorgeous, prancing, summer shoes) from DSW, a smattering of free-trade jewelry (via Ten Thousand Villages), and stationary and books (via Politics and Prose) later, we were ready for the highlight of the day:
Dinner at Restaurant Nora.
Ms. ADA had received a $200 gift certificate to Nora's and, boy, we were keen to spend it. We both tried the Tasting Menu--consisting of a 4-course trip to heaven. The wait staff was incredible, we were showered with complimentary beverages to celebrate the birthday girl's special day, and the ambiance was lovely. Sigh. We were completely satiated when we left, sure that any food we consumed in the next week would taste like sand in comparison.
From there we drove back up to Silver Spring to see Akeelah and the Bee, again courtesy of Ms. ADA's gift certificate prowess. While slightly over the top, I reveled in the feel-good-ness of the whole thing--while simultaneously feeling stupid for not even recognizing 90% of the spelling words. I highly recommend it for children and adults of all ages.
Our day of fun ended near midnight, when I sleepily crawled into bed with a full stomach and a floor surrounded by the rewards of my shopping spree. Birthdays really should come more than once a year.
Posted by madchen at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)This One Is for Bastish
As I turned on my computer this morning and hoped that it would work as successfully as yesterday's foray into the shake-and-pray method of computer repair, I was having mixed feelings about writing in my blog.
Write Again Soon has gone through several iterations, and I'm feeling like it might be time for another transition. At first, the blog was just a way to keep my friends and family informed about my activities in Sweden. Inspired by Ms. Wish to See, several of the group of high school friends had created blogs, and it seemed an ideal switch from the masses of group emails that had cluttered our inboxes since graduation.
Midway through my time in Sweden, I started using Write Again Soon to do some creative writing, and to get more introspective about life. Looking over some of those entries, I can see that some of my best (and alternately my most pathetic) writing comes during these times of self-reflection.
At the same time, I dabbled in commentary, with my thoughts on books, movies, theatre, and the occasional political outrage. Pretty dry stuff, but I occasionally enjoy going back and looking at all the books I've read on my way to reading 1,000 books (#2 on my list of 50 Things to Do Before I Die).
I've also done a lot of writing about my travels, and in March added a photoblog feature where I've posted the best pictures from around the world (and my backyard).
Now that I'm back in the United States (even after being here almost a year, it still seems like a fresh start somehow), I struggle to find the right tone. A daily recitation of my activities doesn't seem too interesting (although Mr. Bastish somehow thinks of Write Again Soon as a treat--"like chocolate for dessert"). And writing about the saucy side of life seems to be risking my mother's mental health (although now that she's officially boycotting this blog, I suppose it's not hurting anyone). I don't have a strong interest in turning Write Again Soon into a pure commentary (I have neither the time, nor the expertise) or pure creative writing (because I'm terrible at it).
So what should I do? Does a good blog need a theme? Can it be all over the place? Chime in, dear reader.
Posted by madchen at 10:49 AM | Comments (4)May 15, 2006
Live Blogging
(This post was written on my mom's computer, propped up next to my old laptop.)
I've been waiting oh-so-patiently for my new laptop to arrive. For the most part, I've been very lucky. On the other hand, my lack of easy access to my Outlook calendar and address book is putting a serious crimp in my ability to conduct the Big Idea and my social life in any sort of normal routine.
Just for kicks, I took the suggestion of a friend and gave my old computer (sitting very sullenly on the corner of my desk) a good shake--just to see what would happen. And LO AND BEHOLD--it works again! Well, it's seems to be starting up.
And now programs are even running!
And the internet works!
And Outlook works!
Miracle of miracles, can it be so?
Amazing--should I shut it down or keep it running?
How long will this wonderous fix last before the next crash?
Quickly reviewing my Outlook calendar...hmm, looks like I haven't missed anything too critical. Phone numbers, check. Important dates, check. Everything neatly exported, check.
What does this all mean? Well, by the end of the week I'll have two laptops, which means I can use the new one exclusively for work (and deduct it as a business expense!).
Interesting.
Posted by madchen at 02:10 PM | Comments (1)May 09, 2006
Boycott
Two things of note happened today:
1. My computer crashed this afternoon. Kaput. After a rousing evening of poker, I'll be spending the remaining hours of my night reinstalling the operating system in what will probably be a futile effort at salvaging the scraps of my career. No, it's not really that bad, since I did a complete system back-up on Sunday night. But still, it's very irritating and potentially very expensive (suggestions for new laptops are welcome).
2. My mother announced her decision to boycott this blog, since it pains her to see me throwing myself away in a friend with benefits arrangement that will so clearly end in my utter downfall. She was reluctant to even discuss why FWB has potential benefits, and how I might not be a complete idiot for choosing to pursue this route, so we're left with her all teary-eyed and me feeling like a bad daughter who didn't get to have her say in the matter.
How will these two events affect the future of Write Again Soon? Well, in the short term, I probably won't be updating as frequently--at least until I get the computer thing straightened out. And second, I think I'll keep my FWB issues to myself. It's just not worth the family angst.
Posted by madchen at 06:22 PM | Comments (4)Books I Read in April
How Soccer Explains the World : An Unlikely Theory of Globalization
by Franklin Foer
From Publishers Weekly: Foer, a New Republic editor, scores a game-winning goal with this analysis of the interchange between soccer and the new global economy. The subtitle is a bit misleading, though: he doesn't really use soccer to develop a theory; instead, he focuses on how examining soccer in different countries allows us to understand how international forces affect politics and life around the globe. The book is full of colorful reporting, strong characters and insightful analysis: In one of the most compelling chapters, Foer shows how a soccer thug in Serbia helped to organize troops who committed atrocities in the Balkan War—by the end of the war, the thug's men, with the acquiescence of Serbian leaders, had killed at least 2,000 Croats and Bosnians. Then he bought his own soccer club and, before he was gunned down in 2000, intimidated other teams into losing. Most of the stories aren't as gruesome, but they're equally fascinating. The crude hatred, racism and anti-Semitism on display in many soccer stadiums is simply amazing, and Foer offers context for them, including how current economic conditions are affecting these manifestations. In Scotland, the management of some teams have kept religious hatreds alive in order to sell tickets and team merchandise. But Foer, a diehard soccer enthusiast, is no anti-globalist. In Iran, for example, he depicts how soccer works as a modernizing force: thousands of women forced police to allow them into a men's-only stadium to celebrate the national team's triumph in an international match. One doesn't have to be a soccer fan to truly appreciate this absorbing book.
My Review: I have no knowledge of soccer, which makes it a bit of a mystery to explain why I picked up this book at Barnes and Noble a couple of months ago. When I finally started reading it, I was immediately engrossed--this is exactly the sort of book that makes political science interesting. Even though I didn't get any of the actual soccer techniques, I was totally caught up in the fan analysis, the collusion with government officials, and the inter-racial aspects of today's soccer teams. Highly recommended.
Also, I'm in the process of listening to Cloud Atlas on audiobook, but it's taking me FOREVER...review to follow.
Zoundry Trial
When I moved this blog over from Live Journal to Living Dot, one of the things I missed the most was the easy-to-do formatting. Like *I* know how to write HTML code for a table!
Anyway, I'm very pleased to now use Zoundry, at least I think so. It seems like it will let me do lots of neat things. But as I recall how many software packages I've downloaded thinking my life would be revolutionized, perhaps I should try it for a bit before I send glowing praise into the blogosphere.
Potential things I like:
- Bulleted lists! Who-hoo, this would make me SO happy.
- Fancy fonts.
- Colors!
May 08, 2006
#23 -- Make Ice Cream By Hand
Thanks to the best present ever from Ms. Wish To See, I have now accomplished THREE things on my list of 50 Things To Do Before I Die. That's right, I've made ice cream by hand.
Dip into a sweet, cold bowl of homemade ice cream after a long day of hiking or on a hot day at the beach. Fill the bottom of this durable, lightweight Lexan® plastic ball with ice and rock salt, add ice cream ingredients to the top and just shake, pass or roll the ball around your campsite. In 20 minutes, scoop out about a pint of ice cream.
The "make by hand" part involved 10 minutes of Janie rolling the ball around the dining room floor, and then an additional 10 minutes of us rolling it back and forth. Quiet, it is not. Delicious, it definitely is. The four of us managed to down a whole quart of vanilla hazelnut with chocolate chips in a single sitting.
Posted by madchen at 11:01 PM | Comments (2)Weekend Update
This weekend was chock full of adventure. In no particular order...
I saw the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble at GMU Center for the Arts. It was billed as follows:
The dancers of Nrityagram live in isolation, immersing themselves in a holistic approach to Indian mythology, Sanskrit poetry, yoga, and the martial arts. Sacred Space adds a sensuous and feminine aura to the classical dance once performed in Hindu temples.
What we got was second row center seats to see six incredible agile and lithe women contort themselves into Bollywood-meets-Hindu-mythology fun. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, even as I cursed the Radha-Krishna love story as evidence that women throughout history have welcomed back men who have "obviously been with other women" and are able to live happily ever after. Not setting a very high standard, are we?
Fortunately, I was able to put my bitterness aside to partake in some Clarendon Grill fun. I'd only been there once before, but it seems like the place to be for good cover bands and cheap alcohol (and by cheap, I mean that I manage to never have to buy my own beer--thank you, men of Arlington). On Friday night, the band One Stop was playing--a group that I know by association, and thus ended up hanging out with about a dozen former high school classmates, all of whom are delightful individuals. I was carefully watched over by The Boy (the other half of a good friend whose blog remains shrouded in mystery), and managed to wake up the next morning sober but with a crick in my neck from the dancing. Clearly, I'm getting too old for these shenanigans--and can't wait to go again.
The rest of the weekend was a mix of family domesticity and carnal amusement. In a weird sort of twisted family unit, I found myself grocery shopping with Janie and Jess's boyfriend (Jess being struck down with some malady resembling the plague), and then going to the track to read a book with Janie, who--in between pretending to hit homeruns and round the softball bases--managed to cheer for all the runners as they rounded our corner of the track.
And to all my loyal and curious readers, I'll also share the fact that this weekend I had my first encounter with Mr. Friends with Benefits (well, our first encounter since the arrangement went into effect). I'll spare you the details (Happy Mother's Day, mom), but I spent today with a smile on my face.
Posted by madchen at 09:55 PM | Comments (1)May 04, 2006
My Life
My life is mornings when I work for hours in front of my computer, clad only in my pajamas. A cat is usually snuggled somewhere close by, and I listen to NPR podcasts as I type away. I might take a break to let in the Safeway grocery delivery person, but it's usually a quiet time to reflect on the hours to come.
My life is afternoons replete with conference calls, a life of trying to keep in touch with people around the globe. Between trying to generate some business, work with potential partners, find sponsors for a Big Idea project, stay current with my Sweden classmates, and maintain some semblance of a social life--I'm not succeeding at many. Jack of all trades, master of none.
My life is sitting in front of the computer at night, trying to catch up on all the projects that *seemed* like such a good idea when they presented themselves, but now might just be the time suck that drags me under. Tools and services that once promised to track my time/expenses, streamline my workload, refinance my mortgage, and **add an inch overnight!!** have no place here.
My life is random opportunities to spend money...or not. I might spend 25 minutes talking to the Cingular man about abandoning Verizon to upgrade to a Treo and then realize the utter irony of committing to a phone plan whose annual cost equals exactly what I've made this year through the Big Idea. Or I might spend an hour shopping at the mall, picking out three shirts, one pair of pants, and one pair of shorts, wander around looking for an open register to plunk down my credit card, and then stop mid-stride, hang up the clothes on a spare rack, and exit the store empty-handed. These times make me very proud, and give me an ounce of justification for the pedicure that I splurged on later that day.
My life is good friends whose schedules seem to be specifically designed to conflict with mine. For all the flexibility that the Big Idea offers, it somehow inevitably requires a conference call during the ONE time a group lunch is planned. Or a networking happy hour (in which I plaster on my *oh so happy to meet you let me tell you about my Big Idea and how I can help you be a richer, happier, more fulfilled person* face and hand out business cards) during the one time spontaneous fun is offered.
My life is blazing confidence and raging doubt, blistering pride and dark self-loathing. My life is nonstop work and hours at the duck pond. My life is 5-year old kissed and friendly benefits. My life is exciting and mundane, reckless and timid, stubborn and meek--but it's mine to do with as I choose.
Posted by madchen at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)May 02, 2006
Afternoon walk
Because of an unexpected hole in my schedule, I took the opportunity today to walk around and do a little photography. I'm always so jealous of Mr. Bastish, who seems to come up with great photos every day. I, on the other hand, seem to be solely capable of capturing Janie's frolicking in the sprinkler. And the occasional gaggle of geese.
Incidentally, the geese pictures would be much more impressive if you could see me edging closer and closer to a very protective set of geese parents with only my non-zoom lens and a desperate determination to see how close I could get before being chased away shrieking into the bright afternoon.
Click on the picture above to see the entire album of photos.
May 01, 2006
Looking out my window this evening...
...I can see three bunny rabbits frolicking in the grass. Two deer are nibbling at the grass in one corner of the yard. At least six different species of birds are perched on various oak trees, with squirrels chasing each other up the stout trunks. It's a lot like a Disney movie.
Specifically, the part right before the hunter kills Bambi's mother.
Posted by madchen at 06:53 PM | Comments (0)Picking Up
The last two weeks have given me hope that the Big Idea can sustain itself past June. As you'll recall, dear reader, the plan for 2006 was to pursue the Big Idea full-force until July 1, at which time I would re-evaluate the financial, social, and overall worth of pursuing it full time into the indefinite future. As June had approached, I'd been getting a little nervous--seeing a lot of new contacts and projects, but not necessarily any money coming in to the coffers. Well, although I won't be cashing in my first million (or even making enough to pay rent on a modest studio in Bethesda), there have been several small assignments that, at the very least, will help me break even. So hooray!
An unfortunate side effect of all that new work is a somewhat lacking blogging record. Now whenever I sit down at the computer I feel compelled to follow-up on emails, do some research, or clean up a draft report. And when I do find some time to goof off (I didn't work at all this weekend and it was sheer bliss), I quickly develop an addition. Thanks, mom.
All this is to say that I don't have anything particularly interesting to write about this morning. Ms. Janie is going to her very first dentist appointment at noon, and I'll be meeting everyone for a celebratory lunch afterwards. Subsequently, I expect to be back at my computer, slaving away over the Big Idea. Which (secretly), I still rather enjoy.
Posted by madchen at 09:50 AM | Comments (0)
