I know, it's been a long time since I've posted. A very long time. I am alive and well, in fact. Learning to deal with conflict ... excited about green grass and flowers and baby geese and not always having to wear my heavy coat and opening the windows ... curious about some work changes and opportunities ... yada yada. Life seems uneventful, yet I have plenty to angst about. I'm trying to learn to be proactive and really handle conflict. It's hard. But I'm also largely very happy.
In other news, we've been doing a bit of spring cleaning, and I'm getting ready to take a (somewhat large) load to the thrift store. I did make note of a few items that seemed most likely to be of interest to someone else. These are free to a good home - let me know if you or anyone you know are interested.![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
eitak3a's bridal shower (although I did clean in case we don't).
In other news, we've been doing a bit of spring cleaning, and I'm getting ready to take a (somewhat large) load to the thrift store. I did make note of a few items that seemed most likely to be of interest to someone else. These are free to a good home - let me know if you or anyone you know are interested.
-
Hoover vacuum - looks used but works great. Probably needs a new bag in the near future. -
Box of leftover white rose floating candles (168 of the little guys, to be exact) - Board games:
Heroscape, Greed Quest, Mystery of the Abbey, King of the Beasts - TI-82 graphing calculator
eitak3a's bridal shower (although I did clean in case we don't).- Mood:
fall down, go boom. - Music:no music, but I just read through months of Sinfest
Last night as I was lying in bed falling asleep, I found myself rehearsing what I would say if a particular person asked me what they had done to hurt me over the past X years.
I then realized that this was a silly and pointless exercise. I'm expecting someone to (essentially) ask me about their character flaws? Who ever asks or wants to hear that? It practically never happens. We avoid it mightily.
Which then made me think of a more useful exercise.
I'm opening up the floor to anonymous comments (yes, please go anonymous). What are the character flaws you see in me?
Please try to make your comments constructive. Friends lock to come if things are said I don't want Google to know, but I'm not uncomfortable with you my friends seeing this. (ETA: I've turned on screening so you don't have to worry about the Google implications of what you say before you say it.)
Thanks.
I then realized that this was a silly and pointless exercise. I'm expecting someone to (essentially) ask me about their character flaws? Who ever asks or wants to hear that? It practically never happens. We avoid it mightily.
Which then made me think of a more useful exercise.
I'm opening up the floor to anonymous comments (yes, please go anonymous). What are the character flaws you see in me?
Please try to make your comments constructive. Friends lock to come if things are said I don't want Google to know, but I'm not uncomfortable with you my friends seeing this. (ETA: I've turned on screening so you don't have to worry about the Google implications of what you say before you say it.)
Thanks.
- Mood:
indescribable - Music:The Fray, "How to Save a Life"
Aww ... I checked Google and, sure enough, someone had my idea before I did.
Anyway,bookaholicgirl has totally earned her d20 patch. :)
Anyway,
bookaholicgirl has totally earned her d20 patch. :)- Mood:
amused. also full. - Music:computer hum
Apparently LiveJournal has cut 12 of 28 U.S. employees and offered them no severance.
I really need to get to backing up this stuff ...
I really need to get to backing up this stuff ...
Inspired by bohemianeditor, I'll jump on the bandwagon. Usually I come out as an INFP sort (like here).
Free Jung Word Test (similar to Myers-Briggs)
personality tests by similarminds.com
Take Free Jung Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com
So that's three different results *today*. Score.
bohemianeditor, I'll jump on the bandwagon. Usually I come out as an INFP sort (like here).| ISFJ - "Conservator". Desires to be of service and to minister to individual needs - very loyal. 13.8% of total population. |
personality tests by similarminds.com
| ESFP - "Entertainer". Radiates attractive warmth and optimism. Smooth, witty, charming, clever. Fun to be with. Very generous. 8.5% of the total population. |
personality tests by similarminds.com
So that's three different results *today*. Score.
- Mood:
malleable
We have a Christmas tree, and it's now been up for a few days. It has a distinctly bovine theme, given our two sets of cow lights and a few ornaments as well (including the cow angel at the top ... well, we needed something to put there :).
So far, the blizzard hasn't gotten us, although it will be interesting to drive to work tomorrow, just as it was Friday. I didn't get irreversibly stuck, at least.
There is ICE on the inside of our door frame, probably put there by the blizzard winds and the breezy gaps around the door. And the heat gets turned up. Thankful for free-to-us heat.
Life is relatively uneventful. We're slowly moving towards cleaning things more and more. There's a stack of boxes by the door, waiting to be given away, and the contents are reasonably put away.
A blog I follow posted a 22-word kid story challenge; here are my two favorites.
So far, the blizzard hasn't gotten us, although it will be interesting to drive to work tomorrow, just as it was Friday. I didn't get irreversibly stuck, at least.
There is ICE on the inside of our door frame, probably put there by the blizzard winds and the breezy gaps around the door. And the heat gets turned up. Thankful for free-to-us heat.
Life is relatively uneventful. We're slowly moving towards cleaning things more and more. There's a stack of boxes by the door, waiting to be given away, and the contents are reasonably put away.
A blog I follow posted a 22-word kid story challenge; here are my two favorites.
- Mood: sleepy
Especially for jadesfire55
They've figured out what the order of ceremonies will be for the inauguration, who will perform, all that jazz. It includes a piece composed for the occasion by John Williams, played by Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and two other guys who would probably be familiar if I were more cultured. :)
The USB drive/lighter ... oh yes, I could wreak havoc with this. BWAHAHA!
- Mood:
playful - Music:Taylor Swift, "Love Story"
"The credit card is the second key source of consumer liquidity, the first being jobs, the Oppenheimer & Co analyst noted." (source)
From Sucks and the City:
So, for all you new mothers who are stressed out enough just caring for your newborn, think of the economy as your vagina after childbirth. Both areas have taken quite a beating and there certainly has been some damage. That's why, whenever you get your investment statements or you're tempted to check out your financial websites to see how you're faring, take the advice your doctor gave you about your nether-regions: DON'T LOOK! Give things some time to heal and with any luck, things will get better and you can take a quick peek. But be realistic about your expectations and don’t expect things to line up they way they did for a good long time.
I think I found a primo geeky vacation spot.
So apparently I was in the Peace Corps. Which meant I took a large bus to a certain intersection where it turned the wrong way, then got off and started hiking for miles with my giant brown backpack (apparently I got buff at it after a while). Part of the road took me through shelves of books (like a library), which was comforting to me. Eventually I reached this really poor, rural school where I taught (and apparently ended up feeding the kids, too).
Perhaps I've been listening too closely tobookaholicgirl's experiences? :)
Perhaps I've been listening too closely to
bookaholicgirl's experiences? :)- Mood: amused
- Music:laundry; Rasmus, "In the Shadows"
Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...
Balanced, Secure, and Realistic.
4 Impressionist, 1 Islamic, 4 Ukiyo-e, -7 Cubist, -8 Abstract and 0 Renaissance!
Impressionism is a movement in French painting, sometimes called optical realism because of its almost scientific interest in the actual visual experience and effect of light and movement on appearance of objects. Impressionist paintings are balanced and use colored shadows, pure color, broken brushstrokes, thick paint, and scenes from everyday life or nature.
People who like Impressionist paintings may not always be what is deemed socially acceptable. They tend to move on their own path without always worrying that it may be offensive to others. They value friendships but because they also value honesty tend to have a few really good friends. They do not, however, like people who are rude and do not appreciate the ideas of others. They are secure enough in themselves that they can listen to the ideas of other people without it affecting their own final decisions. The world for them is not black and white but more in shades of grey and muted colors. They like things to be aesthetically pleasing, not stark and sharp. There are many ways to view things, and the impressionist personality views the world from many different aspects. They enjoy life and try to keep a realistic viewpoint of things, but are not very open to new experiences. If they are content in their lives, they will be more than likely pleased to keep things just the way they are.
Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy
- Mood: sleepy
- Music:The Hat Madders, "Together We Ride"
I had this blindingly obvious idea for a YouTube mashup today. Sure enough, someone had already done it.
- Mood: sleepy
- Music:laundry
Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...
NBDC - The Illusionist
You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that is affected by the details of life. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are highly focused on specific goals or tasks and find meaning in life by pursuing those goals. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow.
The Perception Personality Types:
- Mood:
eating
I've been pretty impressed by the past two days of heavy rain. The pond out back has been growing. Turns out there was a reason it was impressive:
Much drier weather is coming to the Midwest allowing the flood waters to recede.This is probably as close as I want to be to a hurricane.
The moisture from Tropical Storm Lowell in the eastern Pacific Ocean flowed through the region Friday and Saturday dropping up to 10 inches of rain. On Sunday the remnants of Hurricane Ike poured through the region with a quick-hitting downpour that tallied 1 to 4 inches.
Many streams and rivers have flooded or will flood through the first half of the upcoming week as a result of the one-two tropical punch of Lowell and Ike. (source)
- Mood:
calm
So I haven't posted in a while. A few things have happened. ... Like I'm married now, live in a new place, got my first decent vacation since I've been working at my job, have a new name, etc.
I suppose I should share with you some of the story.
Planning the wedding was, ah, interesting, given how much of the spring I spent travelling. My fiancé did a lot of organizational work, a lot of the asking of our friends "would you be willing to ...?" Which was a very good thing indeed. We had a lot of help from very kind people. (And it was probably good in terms of personal growth that it pushed against my general fear of asking people for things.)
For those of you who don't want to hear the whole thing in minute detail, here are some of the highlights:
Wins:
I suppose I can tell you a little about the honeymoon, as well. We spent two days in town at a nice little bed and breakfast, then went up north to Munising to hang out in nature (with a hotel room!). The bed and breakfast was duly beautiful, and I was incredibly nervous, but calmed down quite a bit pretty quickly. And that's as detailed as we'll get here. ( Yet you can read on! )
Speaking of ending, I should end this post before I start curing insomnia. I hope you are all well. Things are pretty good with us. We've been busy trying to get the apartment to look like people live here and not just boxes ... working on expressing gratitude (aka. notes to people) ... working on work, unfortunately (like I said, didn't want to come back from vacation). We've also gotten some good time to spend with people. And been to a board gaming convention, at which we cleaned up. The $20 admission was really an investment, between our two door prizes and three tournament wins. One of which, I am happy to say, was mine! Very fun.
Anyhow, seriously, I'm going to bed now. I hope you are well, not too wet, etc.
[* Should you want to go to the secret Yooper spot yourself: Take M-28 west through Munising to Christmas. Make a right on Reindeer Run just past Foggy's. Drive to the end of the road (~2.4 mi). The very last dirt track you see on your left before the road ends is the one you want - turn left (or come back to it if you miss it). The dirt track twists and curves and is crazy bumpy, but you should reach a clearing after about 2 mi.]
I suppose I should share with you some of the story.
Planning the wedding was, ah, interesting, given how much of the spring I spent travelling. My fiancé did a lot of organizational work, a lot of the asking of our friends "would you be willing to ...?" Which was a very good thing indeed. We had a lot of help from very kind people. (And it was probably good in terms of personal growth that it pushed against my general fear of asking people for things.)
For those of you who don't want to hear the whole thing in minute detail, here are some of the highlights:
Wins:
- Location: old refurbished opera house on a river with nice gardens.
- The dress - think ren faire long poet sleeves at the elbows, light beading around the bodice, simple bottom (not really a train). Bridesmaids' dresses were equally of the "dressy yet laid back" look, kind of Grecian. Navy blue dresses with white rose bouquets and me in my white dress with my navy blue bouquet did, in fact, look as awesome as I thought it might. (I realized afterward that my flowers had been spray-painted; I didn't care. Good enough for Alice in Wonderland - good enough for me. Apparently nature really doesn't do navy blue so much.)
- We got a *lot* of help from our friends, including doing my hair (it stayed curly!) and makeup, playing the harp, singing/playing guitar, making hundreds of cupcakes, decorating the facility, figuring out the arch, MCing the reception, collecting everyone's photos, and much more. Our friends made the day work in so many ways. We benefited so much from their kindness
- Yes, cupcakes. Not massive monocake. And we cut them with firstcrusader's orc-slaying knife, just like we joked about. And I got to kiss over them, like I wanted.
- We cut out the traditional idea of "favors," replacing it with blueberry fortune cookies, a few Hershey's kisses (did I mention we were rocking the blue/silver theme?), and notes to everyone present sharing memories, how much they meant to us, etc. This was actually our favorite part, even though it consumed my life until like the week before the wedding. Totally worth it.
- We traded the unity candle ceremony (not much recommended for outdoor weddings - the wind can wreck your symbolism) for a unity sand ceremony. And revised the pastor's bit to suit it. And gave him details about how we met so he could share them.
- No glass clinking for kisses - people had to get up and share stories about us. We got some great ones: heartfelt, funny, random. The biggest surprise? My boss getting up (in front of almost all of my coworkers, mind you) and giving a speech about how I'm everyone's favorite person at [company]. I was touched that he'd say something so nice ... and after I got over my shock, a little embarrassed for him/my coworkers there.
- $0.89 on Amazon for an MP3 of "It's Raining Men"? So worth it. :)
- Scheduling an outdoor wedding for noon in August, thereby causing mass sunburns ... particularly when we went around releasing people (instead of, say, an indoor receiving line).
- Not really getting to talk to a number of people, including my first college roommate, a number of other people I rarely see, and bookbird, who came 1300 miles to share the day with me. I felt pretty lousy about that.
- Outdoor sound system (well, microphone) not working well.
- The timing of the day - I felt like I ran from activity to activity until we left, and we still didn't have time for everything we wanted to do (more people to talk to, more fun photos, etc.)
- Staining my dress before I even walked down the aisle (stupid screen door), not that anyone seemed to notice.
I suppose I can tell you a little about the honeymoon, as well. We spent two days in town at a nice little bed and breakfast, then went up north to Munising to hang out in nature (with a hotel room!). The bed and breakfast was duly beautiful, and I was incredibly nervous, but calmed down quite a bit pretty quickly. And that's as detailed as we'll get here. ( Yet you can read on! )
Speaking of ending, I should end this post before I start curing insomnia. I hope you are all well. Things are pretty good with us. We've been busy trying to get the apartment to look like people live here and not just boxes ... working on expressing gratitude (aka. notes to people) ... working on work, unfortunately (like I said, didn't want to come back from vacation). We've also gotten some good time to spend with people. And been to a board gaming convention, at which we cleaned up. The $20 admission was really an investment, between our two door prizes and three tournament wins. One of which, I am happy to say, was mine! Very fun.
Anyhow, seriously, I'm going to bed now. I hope you are well, not too wet, etc.
[* Should you want to go to the secret Yooper spot yourself: Take M-28 west through Munising to Christmas. Make a right on Reindeer Run just past Foggy's. Drive to the end of the road (~2.4 mi). The very last dirt track you see on your left before the road ends is the one you want - turn left (or come back to it if you miss it). The dirt track twists and curves and is crazy bumpy, but you should reach a clearing after about 2 mi.]
- Mood: content
- Music:husband's video game - Bioshock?
This is not the update you're looking for ... that will come soon. In the meanwhile, e-mail me if you want wedding photo links. :)
"There's been so much that I've learned along the way. I've learned that love is colorblind, and how to pray ... and that emotions are controlled from deep inside. But what I learned the most was how to swallow pride ..." – Blessid Union of Souls, "Lucky to Be Here"
"But man needs to be triply protected by humility if he is to eat the bread of angels [friendship] without risk." - C.S. Lewis, _The Four Loves_
"But man needs to be triply protected by humility if he is to eat the bread of angels [friendship] without risk." - C.S. Lewis, _The Four Loves_
- Mood: hungry
"If we must lose wife or husband when we live to our highest right, we lose an unhappy marriage as well, and we gain ourselves. But if a marriage is born between two already self-discovered, what a lovely adventure begins, hurricanes and all." – Richard Bach (author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, which I have yet to read)
"You know what makes people cranky married people? WEDDINGS!"
I am still alive, though I haven't posted in ages. Life is exceedingly insane, and I'm going to be very busy for the next month-ish.
But then ... things should calm down. :)
I hope all is well with you.
I am still alive, though I haven't posted in ages. Life is exceedingly insane, and I'm going to be very busy for the next month-ish.
But then ... things should calm down. :)
I hope all is well with you.
- Mood:
tired - Music:lovely box fan
