Everyday Adventures

Octopus Costume part 1

2018-02-05T15:21:00.002-08:00

Why an octopus you ask? It's due to a combination of things really. Seeing a dinosaur toy while shopping, loving all costumes "under the sea," and I also had a bunch of orange sparkly fabric left over from a Halloween costume.

I like creating and learning how to do new things. It stretches my thinking into considering ideas I had never thought possible. Costumes are a safe place to experiment to be weird/ wacky/ flashy and frankly, to be absurd. Costume ideas stem from the world of make believe. They are constructed to help bring life to a story or character. If you think of any play, movie, or Disney animated cartoon; they all have characters that are brought to life through their costume. The audience knows who characters are based on their appearances and that can also help shape the magic of turning the story into a reality.

When I was about five or six years old, one of my mom's friends made me a Cinderella costume from scratch. I have two sisters close in age, (that I love dearly) and getting anything handmade just for me was really special. It wasn't expertly crafted with all the hem lines sewed up perfectly and the zipper hidden beneath yards of tulle & silk. It didn't have multiple layers or come with 10 additional accessories. The costume was perfect because it was made special just for me. Knowing the whole time the dress was being made I was thought of put a little bit of magic sewn in. The costume gave me that "Oomph" of confidence to step out and be that beautiful fairy tale princess even if it was only for that one night a year.

As I have gotten older, I had forgotten about the dress and it's magic. I had forgotten my mom's friend, who had taken such time and care to make me something beautiful that my parents could never afford. But in my early twenties I was reminded when a few college friends began making costumes for all of our events.

Hand making all costumes has now become a tradition. Bits and pieces I have pulled from other things over the years, but it means more to have a costume hand made. To me, the magic is in the very threads and right around the next corner is adventure.

So in order for me to continue I'll have to take a quick trip up to my mother's and borrow/ steal one of her sewing machines so I can begin construction on the construction and attachment of the tentacles.......TO BE CONTINUED.

Roadtrip Across America (Idylwild, CA)- 06/21/2011

2011-06-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Fresno is more of a pit stop on our way across the country. The drive from Fresno to Idylwild, CA on the other hand has a lot to be said.

Never taken highway 99 before while heading south, I was surprised at the lush greenery and agriculture that surrounded the highway. The plethora of agriculture companies, ones that I had never heard of, with their combination of fruit and vegetables available, was a bit perplexing that I had never come across them in my local grocery store. Products like Foxy broccoli or even Naples Apples and Pears, were both companies that I had never seen. Such a broad diversity that I never knew existed in my own backyard slightly threw me off guard. This also brought the beginning of the reading the billboards as we drove onward.

Smart ad campaigning on billboards done by beer, soda, and fast food joints try to lure the tired, bored, and unsuspecting drivers from the freeways and into the cool- air conditioned units of sugar and carbohydrate plastic covered goodies lining the marts walls in temptation. It is quite ingenious because of the simplicity that there is nothing else to look at besides the landscape and the every changing billboards. You begin to pass the time by citing, "In only 15 miles... in the next 2 exits..." This exposure not only makes your mind wander, but makes your mouth parched.

Every few hours, we stop for ice. Not water, ICE. Ice is cool, clear, and it will melt in a few minutes and provide cold drinking water. If you purchase a cold water or other beverage, it will grow humid and hot within a few minutes time. Also, between the sweat dripping down your back and legs (even with the air conditioning on full blast) it is important to roll down the windows to merely dry off a bit. Dehydrated, I drank at least 1 gallon of water a day for the rest of our excursion across the country through a hundred plus degree temperatures. Drinking not only out of the necessity to cool off, but of your growing thirst not being used to such a dramatic change from the bay area climate. This dusty dry desert brushed landscape continues as we neared our campsite for the evening.

The wind starts to pick up and brushes against our trailer. This trailer is being pulled by Jon's Ford Ranger. He veers ever so slightly, but this will be a constant as we travel from California to Oklahoma. The wind blowing the trailer around that is.

San Bernadino sitting on the ridge view looking at on the scenery below from 7,000 in elevation one begins to wonder. I know the view is beautiful but why anyone would want to live at the top of this god forsaken place out in a National Park where you are covered in horseflies, mosquito’s, I don't know. It took Jon and I over half an hour just to get to the top of the ridge that was at an uphill incline of about 40 degrees.

Once we finally arrived at our destination for the evening, Thousand Trails. The ranger, a good nature man with a full potbelly warned us, as we crept into our campsite around ten that evening, "Watch out for those rattlesnakes cus they are ornery critters and we have spotted quite a few the last few days. They are just hatching and try to find someplace warm to snuggle up next to." Like my sleeping bag!!! UGH! Nine more days to go until we would make it to Massachusetts.

Roadtrip Across America (Fresno) -06/20/2011

2011-06-20T14:59:00.000-07:00

Day one of our journey began with rising early to pick up the U haul trailer and begin emptying the condo of our belongings into the back of my car, Jon's truck and the closed-in trailer. Packing was a beast! You never expect it to take as long as it does....at least I got a "buns of steal" workout from carrying boxes up and down a flight of stairs. I had spent the last week absently packing stuff into boxes without really thinking how much stuff was still in drawers. After cinching down the last of our possessions with rope ties and tie downs, we checked our walkie-talkie radios and we were off for the miles of road ahead of us. We left driving through mid-evening traffic through Emeryville/ Oakland (an experience with a caravan of Jon's truck and the trailer with me leading the way in my car piled with our bikes on the back.)

Nothing is quite like the traffic that just grows in the bay area. It grows in pockets and then expands and contracts like the inner intestine. People bopping to music and others trying to text on their cellphones while narrowly missing the car in front of them as they dart from one lane to the next. Reliable and ever consistent the traffic hums through, Jon and I should have planned our departure with a little more foresight.

On over towards highway 99 after passing through the hills dotted with the wind turbine farms. Twirling next to the hillside, these windmills are a sight to see in the fading daylight. They gleam in the fading daylight and are almost whimsical as they twirl in the breeze.

Our first bout of construction on the highway hit around Manteca, CA on 99. The sun had set, yet still the valley floor was around a humid 85 degrees. (Little did Jon and I knew what humidity was yet.) The air was thick with the putrid smell of melting asphalt and the fact that even the workers were all wearing respirators made me quickly roll up my down turned windows. Covered in ash and putting through grated and broken up highway we trudged on towards Fresno.

We took lodging for the night at the Renaissance Marriott in Fresno, CA. It included a swimming pool, breakfast & dinner, a full gym, along with a kitchenette and high speed internet for the rooms. Our front receptionist Patrice was amazing and even sent up a copy of my friends & family discount printed out to make our trip easier. THANKS Patrice! My only warning to visitors is to beware of the frogs during the summertime. They are full out in force when it is hot in the summer.

Have you ever noticed that most of Fresno appears to be one long fast food/ shopping chain? While driving through downtown in the evening all I could notice is fast food chains...I think this is going to be an overwhelming theme as we go through....I am looking for the good hometown food!!!

On the radio, Christian music, country, top 40 and a little bit of talk radio during the early morning mid evenings. Not much else in between until you get closer to the main large cities along the routes.

Roadtrip Across America (Introduction)

2011-06-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Driving across the unknown road ways of America is a pilgrimage that many people have taken in their lifetime since the rush for gold paved the way for the Oregon Trail in the mid 1800's. Highways spanning East to West and North to South is a constant reminder of the wonders of the American landscape. At this time in my life, I have the opportunity to see this great country from the roadsides of America. I will be caravanning with my partner Jonathan Haeber from the West to the East Coast. (Jon is a renowned photographer and author. He was recently accepted into the UMASS graduate program, which was one of many reasons for this exploration.) We plan to take 10-11 day across the Southern Midwestern route starting in the San Francisco Bay Area and ending in Amherst, MA. We plan on beginning south down highway 99 to Fresno. Then cutting down towards Palm Springs then cross over from the highway 10 to 17 to highway 40. We will end up continuing to take highway 40 over the remainder of our journey with slight meanderings along the way along the historic route 66. Right now we are looking forward to the open trail blazed before us and the adventures that lay ahead.

From the weird and bizarre, to the mundane and ordinary, I will be attempting to capture the American landscape through the scope of an explorer trying to find sense of American culture along the highways. At the end of our journey I hope to have a deeper understanding of not only what is "American culture along the highways" but what is the motivation behind this culture.

Ladies Man 03.19.11

2011-03-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

Across the room in a small wooden chair, is a man in about his late 20's, early thirties. He is about 6 foot one with long blond hair greased back, slightly overweight with a double chin being attempted to be hidden behind some lamb chops. A long face and a long nose, he reminds me of a civil war soldier who got lost somewhere and is now in a t-shirt in brown which reads, "Ladies Man" with the cartoon Homer Simpson in his underwear standing next to the lettering. It is truly a site to see. Even better is the fact that he has bright red shoes on and is wearing a wedding ring! Ladies watch out because this Casanova is off the market.

SuperBowl...what is the big deal?

2011-02-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am a female and no, I do not understand football. The whole thought of a bunch of men clawing at each other over a grass field after a synthetic pig skin just blows my mind. Yes, it is entertaining to see grown men knock each other down in the same brutal fashion as action comics like the great Charlie Chaplin. Maybe that is why you have millions of people sit down and watch the Championship game during "Superbowl weekend." People have house parties with nacho cheese, salsa, and chips with beer and maybe an entree of burgers or pizza. You may have a side dish but watch out to you "Suzy home-makers" if you don't have snacks....the boys will go ape-shit on the beer. Because lets all face it, if we are going to sit down in your living room to watch a game.....there had better be beer. Better yet Suzy- YOU are going to need a stiff drink before the day is through, because let's face it- when your guests leave who is going to have to clean up? Your husband who is passed out in his chair with his pants almost around his ankles? Or is it going to be your daughter trying to sneak out during the third quarter to make out with "Johnny what's his name" up the street, who is in fact threes years older with a motorcycle and tattoo! Nope Suzy....your super- Super Bowl awaits you!

So to all you spouses, partners, and parents enjoy your Super Bowl moments, cause the world is just going to knock you in the gut the next day before you take the long ride back home Monday night.

To all you maids, cleaning services and housewives- I salute you in your endeavors to clean up after "Hurricane SuperBowl." Go TEAM GO!!!

Migraine

2010-11-21T09:26:00.000-08:00

The initial wave descends upon you. It can come at you in one of two waves.

The first is a light pounding headache which increases, not only in pain, but in pressure and force. This builds until it cuts out your ability of to see. Your sight becomes impaired and you can only see the blurred outline of images around. Spots literally come in and out of focus. Any light around burns into the corners of your eyes and physically causes pain. A spiderweb of nerves begins constricting near the back of your eyelids, your mind slowly tightening with every passing moment. You can't do anything but pray that it will go away. That it will go away. Anxiety begins building.

Second wave comes. The anxiety builds and the fear of not being able to have control over yourself ensues. The dry paranoia of fear creeps into your soul like shadows descending into the night. No control. The shadows surges into your left arm and down into your hands. It is tingly as though your limbs are asleep; but it really isn't. Your hand will begin contorting into a form which you can't break out of; hunched over and feeble. Everything gets fuzzy and your head feels heavy. The numbness moves up the arm through your neck to your lips and slides into your tongue where it grasps you mind and makes speech come out in sporadic thoughts.Numbness falls like a dead blanket upon you. It's terrifying. No control. So much pain, and no way to stop it. Tears well up as you realize you can't stop it. It won't stop. Make it stop. Please.... please won't you make the pain stop. Incompatible, I lie down. Coming in and out of consciousness you try regaining control, but you can't. You body won't let you, and you scream inside from the frustration and fear.

Slowly things will come back into focus but the fuzziness remains. Your inability to assess and convey complete thoughts continue. Hungover from the stress, you try to fall asleep so that when you wake up the nightmare might be over. But it is never really over, because you never know when the next migraine will hit.

Activity on the Corner

2010-11-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

There is a gentle dripping outside that is waking the activity outside.

A grumpy old lady passes by with a red rimmed umbrella,

a sour scowl crossed her face and she continues to move down the street.

"Blue Skies nothing but Blue Skies...Blue Skies coming my way."

Yet, the dreary grayness of the day is skewed by the hustle and bustle of
activity on the street.

Walk,

Va-room,

stop,

go.

The melody of the corner is alive with activity.

A Shoppers Impulse

2010-11-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

Sitting on the very top of the corner shelf was a tiny cherry red ball. The red ball shined in the glimmering overhead lighting that beat down upon the hustle-bustle of unsuspecting customers. Almost taunting me in the way which it complacently sat not moving, I stretched out to grasp the tiny product. The ball was about 4 inches in diameter, with what appeared to be a latex type coating encompassed around the rubber like framework. The redness color of the ball was similar to the color of the wagon my younger brother used to pull his toys around with when we were young. Shining slightly when tilting your head from one way to another, one could almost feel the joy foreboding upon its touch. Arm extended, fingers unraveled from a fist tight grip I stretched out to seize the toy. Inhaling slightly, my height deceives me. A couple inches short of obtaining said red bobble, my anxiety over the possible loss quickens slightly and the necessity of owning becomes essential.

Unconsciously, I begin slightly hopping up in a pathetic pursuit of obtaining the little red ball. This feeble attempt being unsatisfactory in gaining my prize, I am left with an even stronger burning desire for this common object. Scanning the adjacent aisle for some tool to aid me in my endeavor, I find nothing but Barbie and Bratz dolls lining the very dreary and sad market driven interior shelving. Irritated at not quickly finding a solution, I choose to walk away from my minuscule desire and push onward to the rest of my holiday shopping.

"Stop trying to change me- just love me!"

2010-09-12T16:03:00.001-07:00

There was a time when I thought that I would never try changing someone and just let them be as they are in this world. Unfortunately, I have blindsided myself into thinking that I would do anything but try to change others. Constantly comparing and judging from afar is not only what I do but what has become a hobby- to pick out the different flaws and faults of strangers, dissecting them into categories where I place them predetermined. It is more of something that is about me then what seems to be wrong or at fault with others. Self esteem issues clouded by prejudice and the thought that life is going to happen. Life does not just happen. People have the exact life that they want....if not, they why not do something about it?

Watching students trying to let osmosis take hold of their Sunday, as they push back cups of caffeine, they are concentrating on the tomorrow of tests, papers, and the ever approaching mid semester where their very existence begins to come into perspective. A time in their lives where they are making it or are going to spiral out of the institution that is sucking out their youth and naivety.

At this point, a mid semester spring in a Berkeley coffee shop off San Pablo my partner and I sat together working on another such Sunday afternoon. The rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee and warm cinnamon buns hung in the air. Indie music canvased the scene of graduate students and middle aged hippies engrossed in their literature and laptops. He turned to me and said, "Stop trying to change me- just love me." It was a flat statement with no follow up. I had been criticizing him all week about every tiny detail from his appearance to the way he talked to his friend on the phone. Taken aback to this sudden pent up reaction, I made no response as he went back to his writing. I continued to stare blankly at him, "I'm sorry" was the only response that came. Leaning over, he kissed my forehead then reached out to hold my hand as he continued to work. He loved me for who I was, and for who I tried to be for him. Unconditionally for all my faults, he loved me.

Driving Down the Highway (FICTION)

2010-08-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

My windows are rolled down, strong music with a happenin' beat come streaming over my dashboard. The blur of burning red streak over the dark blue sky as the horizon meets the earths crust. Beauty never really seen inside the city streets blares brightly across the open plain. A deep warmth spreads over me, fulfilled in the moment.

Bright headlights. Quick over correction steering. Heart drops. Screaming. Darkness. Confused I reach up to where Adam had been sitting in the drivers seat. The car is turned on end in some sort of road ditch. The radio is still on playing an old Elvis song. I can't see Adam anywhere and I continue yelling out his name. He never did wear his seat belt and my immediate reaction was to make sure he was still in the car. Knowing now that he is not in the car only makes the throbbing in my head be fully felt. I try to move out of my seat to search for him but I my leg is caught in the twisted metal of the door handle.

"Adam....babe. Adam.....babe are you there?! Adam!"

"Nae! Babe I am right outside.... I am so sorry babe. The cops are on the way to get you the fuck out of there. Are you okay?"

"Where are you? How the fuck do you think I feel you stupid dumb shit?! I am trapped in your fucking beat up car. God damn it."

Nothing from the other end of the car of course. Adam never was one for controversy and knowing the his darling Renae is trapped in his old camry, that she told him last week to get rid of due to some previous issues with the steering....well, it is just not going to make things any better at the moment.

Fighting Oppessive Complusive Disorder

2010-07-19T21:32:00.000-07:00

I am that openly neurotic friend who always needs to make everyone happy. I am coming up to a point in my life to where I have to stop thinking about making others happy with my decisions but making the choices that will lead to happiness in life. My boyfriend plays a huge role in all of this planning....and that is the funny thing, he doesn't really plan. He is wonderfully kind and open to new ideas while at the same time is very focused and brave. He constantly reminds me of the 13 year old boy I had a crush on who would climb to the top of a building just to say that he could. That is Jon almost twenty years later, a dreamer who dares to push the limits. Up to new explorations with a Camera in one hand and his laptop in the other. I micro manage situations down to the point where I am utterly nauseous and don't know what to do besides become anxious and stressed. Where does this need to place everything into a box come from?

I am about to embark on a very telling time in my life and I am not sure how I am going to take the first step. It kind of feels like a house of cards but at the same time the strength and love of Jon is what keeps me grounded. I feel as though the last year I have been struggling through this veil of illusions and I am trying to break out and into what life really is all about. It alludes me.

Losing a Job

2010-07-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

The unemployment rate is up to 12.3% in the State of California alone right now. (California: Department of Development Employment) Those of us who have jobs are thankful to be in and have whatever job it is and others of us who have been laid off, fired, or just plain can't get employed are having a tough time finding a job. Especially if they are looking for a job that: is in their field of interest, pays well, (some form of health insurance), near their residence and has a competent set of people in management...overall it seems pretty impossible. Over a year ago I was watching the Jay Leno show and the guest star of the evening was the Vice Presidential nominee Joe Biden.

What drove more of America to wake up and pay attention more to the presidential campaigns was that people were more concerned with how they were going to put food on the table due to unemployment and raising a family with no health insurance, no savings, and no way of receiving some sort of relief from the anxiety of getting an income.

Humans have the uncontrollable need to label and to find reason in their circumstances and the world around them. From a very young age the need to ask (why?) and to question becomes innate part of their instincts. However as we grow older, especially Americans, we stop questioning those of authority and take for granted that the situation that we are in is how it should be. A lot of us, especially at work are either too lazy or too afraid to stand up vs. the status quo and say what is either bothering us or what you believe needs to be changed. Looking at Enron, the slogan was (Ask Why?) so how did 30,000+ not see that their company was going bankrupt. Was it simply stupidity or did they all assume the "Don't ask, don't tell" ostrich in the sand approach?

Dinning as a Family

2010-07-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

Sitting outside of a coffee shop in Berkeley, Ca I overheard two girls having trying to figure out their latest dilemma."I am trying to not spend money....I have been out to eat I think almost every day this week. I think I will just have dinner tonight at home. What are you going to make for dinner tonight?"

My mother would have an entire weeks worth of dinners planned out and go out shopping either midday on Sundays or mid morning Monday to purchase groceries for the rest of the week. She would tote along my sisters and I through the weaving aisles of the over abundance of food, keeping an eagle eye on my younger sister who always seemed to get lost. Each of us climbing over the cart we would suddenly dart of to find some new bright tasty looking box of food we just had to have. My mother on the other hand had different plans most of the time. First stop was always produce and veggies (My mom has always had an insatiable love of most fruits, especially peaches and plums right off the tree in the summer; and to this day she will still eat her cantaloupe with salt.) then we would walk past the meat and dairy before careening through the aisles of boxed, canned, and frozen foods. It is amazing to me even now when we went to the supermarket (FOODMAX) and there are these aisles of food towering over you. All brightly labeled and promising "natural richness," and "home grown goodness."

I am torn by this image in three ways: One of my fondest memories is dancing with my sisters through these long lanes, pestering my mother as she is checking off her list of items to stock the fridge for the week. The second is my revulsion that even in California of all places, most grocery stores are over 2/3rds stacked with food from a box or frozen. The third is how thankful I was in high school when I discovered how fortunate I am to have always been provided for as a child. There was never a time where my family went hungry. Every night my mother or father prepared a meal for the family and we sat down together to eat. This was our ritual. My father worked during the day and my mother usually worked at night when we were younger. It was the one time even as my sisters and I grew older that we were able to sit down, and come together as a family. ( Not only that but we never seemed to be able to leave the table as we grew older without laughing so hard that at least one, if not all of us girls were rolling off our chairs and onto the floor.)

Overhearing those two girls discuss what to have for dinner, I hope that they go home and make a meal, have it together and discuss their day and there hopes for the future. So many of us are far from home and the littlest comfort of preparing a meal and sharing it with others can be the most gratifying act you do all day.

Best wishes and happy dinning!

Sunday Morning Ride

2010-06-20T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning, sleeping in late with no obligations, worries or cares. My hand stretches out to lift the drapes having the sunshine peak into my bedroom and bring in the day. I recoil slightly and sink deeper into my sheets. Normally, my phone sounds the alarm and automatically I jump into the shower and race out the front door. My sheets are wrapped around me, so warm and soft- why can't it be a dark and dreary day. Never can I lay in bed on one of those bright blue mornings- I always feel guilty for wasting such beautiful weather and my inner clock won't let me go back to sleep with the sun shinning. After a few minutes of contemplation, I stretched out again for my phone and began getting ready for the day. Checking to make sure I haven't missed any calls, I playfully rock my boyfriend awake. Lazily he groans and stretches signaling his acknowledgment that he is being summoned awake. Finally after two or three more tries he is meekly roused and on his feet strapping on his shoes for a morning ride.

As we streak out into the midday sky on bikes, my boyfriend blazing the trail a block ahead. (Most mornings he is thoroughly focused and then he gets distracted checking out buildings along the way and narrowly misses cars coming on the main thoroughfare of traffic. ) The simplest act of riding bikes around a city (any city really) is a completely different viewpoint from driving your car or walking on foot. The world is not only accessible, but you have the generous opportunity to see more of it. It is invigorating to feel the world passing almost through you as each new moment you find yourself in another world.

These are my favorite moments currently of solitude. The requirement to concentrate on only the moment at hand rather the world passing by around you. Riding through the city requires a certain amount of concentration which I feel liberates the rider with a sense of peace. Quite reflection in the morning air with the world blurring by in the methodical rhythm of your bike tire spokes.

Obama Oval Office Adress

2010-06-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

"Greater opportunities incur greater risk " which means that the days of cheap and effective oil is up. This speech this evening by the President of the United States was stirring, moving, and motivating that the time to embrace clean energy in now. BP is being held completely responsible for the compensatory damage costs to the surrounding areas that are being affected by the oil spill. (Though is seems as though this is more of a environmental catastrophe that is only going to get worse as the hurricane season draws nearer.) The entire development of the surge of oil in the Gulf is just astounding and those of us who are not part of the affected areas are dumbfounded at the toll that is being waged right off the coast of the Gulf. I understand the necessity of talking about the fisherman blessing but the President lost a lot of listeners during the ending. The devastation is incomprehensible and yet in order for us to overcome this disaster we must join together and act. By not acting, by not contributing in some way in the effort to assist the Gulf would be turning our shoulder and acting as though the negligence on the part of this international company never happened. The effects of their misconduct will withstand for years and affect the entire nation. Hurricane Katrina was bad.... 9/11 was a problem.....the BP oil spill is a tragedy.

Photography: How does it make you feel?

2010-06-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Photography is the capture of a moment in a refractive lens that burns the image on a disc/ memory card/ carbon film. It is the art or process of producing images of objects on photosensitive surfaces. Photography today is everywhere in the world carried around by explorers and tourist to the happy-go-lucky teenager who takes pictures of themselves to post on Facebook. It is a medium to be "artistic" or merely to capture a moment without having to put it into words. Photography can free and light hearten or an eye opening door unto the realities of the world that we live. Just as picking up a pencil and writing out a novel or brushstrokes across a canvas is a way to express yourself, a camera can also be that tool to construct your next masterpiece. So whether you are feeling creative or just want to remember what expression your son had when he took his first step across the back patio, go out- grab your camera and start shooting.

Office Chatter

2010-06-07T21:40:00.000-07:00

I leaned over to my co-worker and let him know that I was a curious and noisy person. "Is Shelia a curious person?" I logged in remotely in order to work alongside Richard and was conveniently commandeering Shelia's desktop as she was out of the office today. Shelia had been with the firm for only a few weeks. A quite and slightly reserved person in a high powered, male, testoster-roni type of profession, she seemed like a confidant. "Not quite sure, I don't really talk to her that much." His desk is less than a foot away alongside.

"What! You don't really talk to her? She is practically another appendage and you don't talk to her? Where is she today? What is her life's ambition? Where is she from? Does she have brother's and sisters? At least give the poor woman some polite conversation." A blank stare glances back at me.

"Do you ever just sit still?"

Sunday Afternoon

2010-06-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

Introduction:

Out into the world I come with my head held high and full of aspiration and sense of accomplishment. My foot sticks into the sidewalk and I fall flat on my face. No warning...just splat on the concrete. Laughing at my own inability to judge my own surroundings, as though I am a 7 year old who just skinned their knee, I gather myself together and continue to trudge the rest of the way to a nearby coffee shop. (Yes, this happens quite often that I fall down for no apparent reason.) Sitting down I look around fervently for the nearest outlet to "plug into life" and order a beverage, so as not to appear ungrateful for the space and utilities. Positioning myself with a quick sigh, I begin my own reflection on how we live, laugh, and love.