Category: Junk Drawer

The Writing on the Walls Spells ‘Geek’

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment

Dear Blogary,

Last night, before I turned off my bedside light, I listened to my NOAA weather radio/alarm. While listening to the current weather conditions and forecast for the days ahead, I realized (with great clarity) that I really am a geek. I turned off my weather radio and bedside light, snuggling into bed with a smile, fully comfortable with my geekness.

This morning, Blogary, as happens every week day morning, I woke up to my radio alarm, which is set to AM 750 WSB. Though the alarm is set for 6 a.m, I stay in bed until 6:50 a.m., so I can hear Scott Slade speak with Jamie Dupree, their Washington insider. Around 8:20 a.m. this morning, my phone rang. Thanks to caller-ID, I saw the caller was my neighbor calling from her cell phone. I answered the phone, and my neighbor quickly asked, “Is it going to rain on me?”

My neighbor was in the middle of her morning walk with her two girls. She knew, if anyone could tell her about the weather, I could tell her about the weather. And, I quickly assured her, the radar was clear and she would stay dry during her walk. I also informed her that, though it was cloudy, there was only a 30% chance of rain today.

While in school, I was a wallflower. And, while in school, I didn’t much like being a wallflower. However, once I entered college, I found tapping into my confidence and shedding my ‘wallflowerness’ an easier thing to do. I was still different, but I was becoming comfortable with being different. In fact, because I lack subtly, my attempts to be like others seemed klutzy and lacked grace. To this day, if I try to mingle amidst the ‘cool’, I fail miserably. I am not a good faker.

Writer/Actor Simon Pegg's Twitter Picture

Blogary, please don’t take my wallflower snip-it to be full of self-pity and sadness. To the contrary, I love the fact that I am a geek. Oh, and I should clarify, the word ‘geek’, as it pertains to me, is defined as “an enthusiast or expert especially in a technological field or activity.” Though I don’t claim to be an expert, I do claim to have an enthusiasm for weather, astronomy, organic farming and . . . ice cream.

I also have an enthusiasm for talk radio, which makes me roll my eyes as I type. [Even I don’t understand me, all the time.] As a kid, I remember riding in the car with my Dad. My Dad would turn on the radio, setting the volume loud enough to know the radio was playing but not loud enough to hear what was on the radio. So, though I couldn’t hear what was being discussed on the radio, I could tell my Dad had the radio set to a talk show on the AM radio band.

My Dad typically had the radio set to AM 750, though WGST 640 would also be heard on occasion. Anyway, I remember hating talk radio as a kid. And yet today, I prefer talk radio to other types of radio stations; and, I have preferred talk radio for the past 20 years. Perhaps, talk radio has taken preference in my life because when one is working in an office, talk radio seems less distracting than music, as background noise. (Though accessing an AM station within the metal office walls of corporate America is a difficult task in and of itself.)

Regardless of the why, during normal business hours, talk radio plays in my house or streams through my laptop. And, while listening to talk radio, I update my Community Collaborative Rain and Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) account with daily precipitation measurements, monitor the weather via weather.gov and checkout the latest earthquakes tracked by the US Geological Survey. I also check in with NASA and science news.  Did you know the Hubble caught images of a planet being devoured by a star?

Jamie Dupree, Neal Boortz and Royal Marshall at the Democratic National Convention

Blogary, don’t look to me to hear about the latest in entertainment news, unless it involves John Cusack, Ed Norton or Nicolas Cage. [Speaking of John, note to self: Add ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ to Netflix queue, preparing for the DVD release in June.] However, if you want to babble about the weather, science, the politics discussed by Jamie Dupree or the insults/controversy Neal Boortz spewed this week on his talk radio show, I’m your geek. And, I’m a smiling geek. Oh, please don’t talk to me about physics, I don’t have the time or energy for that matter. (hee, hee, just a little attempt at physics humor. I won’t quit my day job, thanks.)

OK, I best get back to my paid gig. Plus, Neal Boortz’s information overload hour will start soon, and I want to listen to Neal and Jamie talk about today’s political headlines.

Love,
Me

Five for Friday

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment

I don’t remember where I was when I first heard “Your Ghost”, by Kristin Hersh (with background vocals by Michael Stipe); but, to this day, that song generates some serious memories and warm fuzzy feelings. *blushes*

I’ve already talked about the power of a song, so I won’t repeat myself  . . . entirely. I continue to be amazed at the power of music and the power of a song. All week, our boys have been singing the songs on The Verve Pipe’s A Family Album. I sent off a Tweet to Kristin Hersh, wondering if she would do a kids’ album.

I was excited when I received a message back from Kristin, letting me know she recorded an album with her kids in the late 90s. The album, “Murder, Misery and then Goodnight” was not in my collection, but it is now. (Thank you iTunes!) And, don’t let the title of the album deter you from sharing it with the kids, after all the lyrics to the popular lullaby ‘Rock-a-bye baby’ aren’t exactly happy.

Psst… here’s her ‘Your Ghost’ song from ‘Hips and Makers’:

***

While busy doing everything and anything, with the exception of what needed to get done, I stumbled upon a website that sells watches for charity. Have I mentioned I love watches? Have I mentioned orange is my favorite color? Well, let me tell you now, I love watches, and orange is my favorite color.

So, when I stumbled upon HopeWatch, I was so excited. This was a perfect opportunity for  me to rationalize spending money we don’t have to give to the greater good. And yes, I did rationalize the purchase, and I encourage you to check out the HopeWatch website, and ‘watch’ as they give back to the communities in need.

***

When the boys started using the potty, I rejoiced in the fact that we no longer had to buy diapers. When the boys moved into real beds, I rejoiced in the fact that we no longer had to deal with cribs. When the boys were able to dress themselves, I cried.

Joe, when he was 2yrs old, holding Giraffey tight. Today, as a 5yr old, he holds Giraffey the exact same way.

When I was done crying, I was on-call and ready to jump into action, if they ever requested my help. (And, I secretly hoped (and still hope) that they would ask for my help.) I was happy this week, when Charlie asked me to help him get ready for bed. As I was putting on his shirt, it dawned on me: we are nearing the end of the ‘T’ stage.

My days of buying clothes based on their age are ending. *sigh* Joe barely fits into 5T, and Charlie is nearly maxed on his 4Ts. This is serious stuff, folks. I’m not ready for big kid clothes. Kindergarten in August – and now big kid clothes? At least Joe still sleeps with his ‘Giraffey’. I don’t even want to think about the first night he goes without it.

***

In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones says, “Why’d it have to be snakes.” Indiana Jones was not fond of snakes. Me? I love snakes.

This week, we spent one evening at our neighbor’s house. The kids had a blast having a water gun fight. Truth be told, the Dads had a blast, too. While the kids soaked themselves, my neighbor ordered pizza. When the delivery man drove up with the pizza, Noreen said to the kids, “Guys, don’t squirt the pizza man.” He thanked her.

We all sat on the driveway to eat our pizza dinner, while laughing and enjoying the evening. After dinner, the kids played for a bit longer, but the time came when we had to pack up and head home. I folded the chair I was using, walked into the garage to put the chair away, and noticed a very large – very large – Rat snake. Did I mention it was very large?

The kids gathered around to see the snake, and I was giddy with excitement. Long story short (too late), Rob and I were able to get the snake out of the garage. We watched as it made its way down the front yard and start ‘climbing’ up a tree. Which brings me to another snake story . . .

Two years ago, we were (again) hanging out with our next door neighbors. Jim, Rob and I were sitting on the front lawn, while the boys played. Suddenly, these critters start falling from the sky. Literally. We were started, and we did not know from where the critters were coming. One dropped right in front of me, and it started oddly and quickly crawling towards me. I screamed and stood up, quickly.

We soon realized what was happening. Flying squirrels. Flying squirrels were ‘flying’ and jumping out of a tree. It was the oddest thing. And, when a flying squirrel is on the ground running, it looks like a bat. Again – odd. But really, those critters are cute.

We wondered why the squirrels were jumping and flying from their home, so we walked over to the tree. As we got closer to the tree, we saw the source of the scurry. A long, black Rat snake had made its way up the tree and close to the hole, where the flying squirrels lived.  Who knows, perhaps the snake we saw this week was the same one we saw two years ago. Clearly, based on its size, the snake has done well for itself.

***

And finally, today, the boys and I bid adieu to Michelle, their swim teacher. Joe and Charlie had their final swim lesson today. *sigh* Yet another stage in life has come and gone.

Joe, Michelle (the swim teacher) and Charlie

The boys and I have truly enjoyed the past four weeks, going to swim lessons Monday through Friday. From watching the initial fear of swimming change to a confidence and ability to swim to the car-ride conversations and singing of songs, we had a great time.

Both the boys and I had tears in our eyes, as we drove away from Michelle’s house one last time. However, we quickly recovered, listening to “Wake Up!” (Track 1 on The Verve Pipe’s Family Album). See?! Music has power. May your weekend be full of fun and music. Be sure to make time to sing a little song and do a little jig. Why not start your weekend off right by listening to this:

Oh me, oh my! What alot of distractions go by!

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment

Dear Blogary,

My head is pounding, my body is tense and my mind is overwhelmed with random thoughts, anxieties and nonsense. I read a quote this morning, “Don’t tell me that worry doesn’t do any good. I know better. The things I worry about don’t happen.” I find that quote very funny, as I can relate to worrying. And really, I don’t think the quote has anything to do with this post. I’m not sure what my topic is for this post.

Blogary, according to my cycle calendar, I am in the two week crazy period. Perhaps the head is pounding due to PMS. Perhaps the head is pounding due to the overwhelming sense of stress I feel. Perhaps the head is pounding due to the tension. I haven’t a clue. And, when I try to sit in silence, my mind does not cooperate. I am trying to figure out what is getting to me so greatly, but seriously – the voices will not hush.

I had a moment of clarity, as I turned on Good Morning America to watch the cast of Modern Family. I love that show. The chemistry on that show resembles the chemistry of The Carol Burnett Show. Gosh – if Modern Family was a live show, it would be incredible! Perhaps Carol will guest star on Modern Family w/Tim Conway and Vicki Lawrence. Oh, they could appear as the “Mama’s Family” characters. ACK. I must Tweet the cast and creators to share my idea.

[Note the sense of ‘urgency’ to share my Modern Family idea with the world. Much like the urge to Google something instantly, when you are curious about this or that thing.]

In other news, or simply because I find it hard to stay on any one thought for a prolonged period of time, I’ve received some feedback from my arguing post. It’s nice to know my posts are being read. In addition, it is nice when folks take the time to express their opinion. Thanks folks! I hope you’ll continue to check my blog and read a post or five. And as always, comments are welcome.

The radio is playing in the background, TweetDeck is open on my laptop and beeping every time a new Tweet is received, my instant messenger application is open and notifying me of instant messages and I have two email applications open and receiving emails. Distracted much? Stimulated much? Is it possible my multi-tasking is a source of the tension, headache and stress? Naaaaah.

Blogary, why do some people boast about the fact that they are able to multi-task? And, why do we feel the need to multi-task? I love writing, yet I find I become distracted by checking the blog stats to see if anyone is reading. I love reading Tweets, yet I find myself replying to tweets with utter nonsense, and then I find myself checking to see if I received a response from my response. My email is open all day – Monday through Friday, and I spend countless minutes/hours refreshing to see if I have received any emails. Multi-tasker or obsessed? Or obsessed with multi-tasking?

Blogary, keep in mind, I work from home. In a feeble attempt to rationalize my many open applications, I mention the fact that my boss frequently uses instant message and email to reach me. But, let’s be honest, the majority of the applications open on my laptop are used for personal reasons. The addiction and distraction is maddening. Happily, I am becoming less and less active on Facebook. I still update  my status, but I don’t actively participate in posts, etc. as much as I have in the past. (Well, not every hour of the day, anyway.)

While I believe the many computer applications I use create a bit of tension during my day, I am also feeling anxious about other things. We received Joe’s paperwork for the Montessori school. Woo hoo! As I type, I have butterflies of excitement in my belly. Then I immediately switch to tension, as I wonder what I will do to ensure we have the money needed to keep Joe enrolled in the private school. I will get a second job, that fact is for certain. But, until I focus on the job search, the anxiety comes and goes fairly regularly.

Much like my eating issues, I find when I panic about us not having enough money, I go through a spending splurge. It’s like the minute you start a diet and crave all the crap in the world. Well, we really need to watch our pennies, and finding restraint to buy the littlest thing is driving me bonkers! And, these are things I would have no interest in buying, if I were not stressed and anxious. Case in point? Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream. Ok. That’s not true. I’d buy that stressed or not stressed. Fortunately, Ben & Jerry’s was on sale today; not that I bought any – or did I?

I should probably hold off publishing this post until Friday, due to the randomness of my thoughts. Meh. I won’t wait. Goodness knows, I’ll have no problem being random come Friday. And, while I am being random . . .

Twitter is truly addicting. Addicting and amazing. I am amazed how celebrities will respond to the ‘Tweets’ from non-celebrities. I have received a few direct messages from folks who are in the public eye. And, I admit, I find getting a direct message from a celebrity is a pretty cool thing. Twitter has a way of bringing folks together and generating a sense of normalcy. Normalcy is not the right word, and really – I find Twitter encourages stalking, to a point. Still, having someone ‘famous’ respond to me about what I tweeted makes me think of them as just another person – no better, no worse. In addition, because I am able to reach out via Tweeting, I feel as though any pedestals I may have had them on are gone, because these folks are just normal folks. Well, Cher is still on a pedestal.

Anyway, I think I am done here. Perhaps I should try to ween myself off some of the open applications each day. Right. I’ll start that the day I give up Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. No worries, I’ll tweet, email, update my status and send out an IM when it happens! Stay tuned.

Love,
Me