The Bûrb Blog

Block Parties?

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:18:15 GMT

I remember when I was younger I lived in a great neighborhood! We had the same characters that are in my current neighborhood but people cared. One year a group of people got together and planned a block party! It was so much fun and it was a tradition that continued for years. We didn’t even live in a neighborhood that had an association -- people just wanted to spend time getting to know each other and having fun.

In my current neighborhood, one with an association, I tried to plan a block party for our neighborhood but no one wanted to help out and people pretty much spit in my face for even trying. Luckily, I live at the end of a street with some great people around me so those of us who like each other have a 4^th of July party every year instead.

Funny, every neighbor sends their kids down to see what is going on and other neighbors act hurt that they weren’t invited.

Do you remember having neighborhood socials or block parties as a kid?

CASTING CALL

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:04:59 GMT

Okay, okay! I’ll do it! So many of you send me “hate” mail saying that you hate that I don’t update enough! You want more! More drama, more gossip, more about life in the suburbs! Here’s the scoop:

BLOGGER CASTING CALL

Do you have nicknames for your neighbors?

Have you been accused of being the neighborhood gossip?

Do your neighbors learn more about each other from you then from one another?

You just might be the next blogging star on THE BURB BLOG!

Seeking guest bloggers to write regularly about their life and experiences in the suburbs and with their neighbors! Will you write one or more times per week for appease the readers? I want short stories inspired by your REAL LIFE experiences. You make take an assumed name if desired to protect your identity!

You may be invited to participate in an occasional podcast with a target audience of 20 something women and soccer moms.

This will be an ongoing search so pass it on! Remember, I am not looking for professionals! I want real people who live in the suburbs. Sadly, at this time this is not an income generating blog but who knows what the future holds!

Please email kat@theburbblog.com for application information.

White Trash Mom in the Suburbs!

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:12:22 GMT

On Sunday, Chandra and I interviewed our new friend Michelle, also known as White Trash Mom.

Please check out her new book on Amazon.com and listen to the show!

Can't Get No Satisfaction

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:31:15 GMT

I tried to cross another item off of my 101’s list; #97. Go one month without eating out

and

#4. Exercise 5 times per week for a month.

I thought these two would go hand in hand. After all, if I’m working so hard to get into shape and healthy it would be prudent of me to not go out to eat AND it will help me save money.

All noble thoughts, but for two things; 1. I have been unable schedule wise and vehicle wise to get my 5 days in per week for a month straight and 2. Because my birthday is next week I have free food coming to me from every restaurant in the city! Sadly the coupons all expire next week so I HAVE TO USE THEM! I cannot throw away a deal. It’s just the way I am!

Tacky Lawn Ornaments

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:33:15 GMT

What is with lawn ornaments? Not just any lawn ornaments but(t) THIS lawn ornament!

What is the point? Doesn’t it keep light from getting to your precious plants? Do you think you are tricking the plants into thinking that you are standing there talking to them? Are you obsessed with butts so you need them in your yard? I know that the neighborhood cat lady has cat lawn décor everywhere – because she likes cats.

I like Popsicles so I am going to get a box of 10,000 Popsicle sticks and stick them into the lawn! Oh, and I’m going to paint a giant popsicle on my garage door AND I’m going to get a giant fudgesicle cut out and put it in the garden but it’s going to be a double and have TWO sticks coming out of it!

What kind of lawn ornament would you have?

Just don't say its this one:

Where were you at 3pm on Sunday?

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:20:42 GMT

Have you ever noticed that people give an alibi even when they aren’t suspects?

For example, there has been a rash of break-ins around the neighborhood the past two months. First garages were broken into, then cars, then my home and finally my next door neighbor’s house. Several neighbors came over to my house the day after the final break in and we were sitting around ~~gossiping~~ er, talking. Of course we spoke of the big event: The break in next door!

Little Dog Man – When did it happen?

Kat: Sunday, around 3.

Special GF: Wow. We were out hiking I think.

Special Friend: Yeah, we were hiking from about 1-4 so we were definitely not here.

Little Dog Man – I was at work, I think I got off around 3 so I wasn’t even home yet.

Kat: I was here but I was in my bedroom cleaning.

Somehow I had the weakest alibi! I still think it’s hilarious. These 3 neighbors weren’t the only ones! Everyone had a reason why they weren’t around to do the breaking in!

Image from MS Word. Thanks!

The War Against Sweet Tea Terrorism - Is it a one woman war?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:39:57 GMT

The past few months I’ve been waging a war on Sweet Tea and I think I’ve lost. One of my favorite breakfast places, Chik-Fil-A insists on terrorizing me with Sweet Tea! Until the spring, if I went anywhere and ordered ICED TEA, I was given a plain old, unsweetened glass of goodness. NOW I am asked if I mean Sweetened or Unsweetened! I’ve even altered my ordering and said things like, “REGULAR TEA” or “PLAIN TEA” or “ICED TEA WITH LEMON” (who has sweet tea with lemon?). My efforts are ignored and I’m still asked the ridiculous question exactly like this, dripping with sugar and honey, “Would that be sweetened or UNSWEETENED?”

I don’t know why but I just cannot bring myself to say UNSWEETENED! I think that people who like sweetened should have to specify! Just like Coca Cola, if I wanted DIET, I would say DIET but no, I ordered TEA! Nothing added, nothing taken away! The places that are worst with this are McDonalds and Chik-Fil-A.

Today as I sat in line and fumed I was thinking that Chik-Fil-A, the place that once brought me so much peace and happiness has become like Starbucks! They are so self-righteous and unmovable when it comes to their branding and propagating of society! NO! I don’t want a VENTI UNSWEETENED TEA! I want a regular cup of iced tea!

Can we just decide right now that when someone orders sweet tea, they mean sweet tea and when someone orders ICED tea they mean good tea plain old, regular iced tea?

Fireworks Thieves!

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:49:56 GMT

In our neighborhood, the 4^th of July is kind of like the mid-point of fireworks celebrations. My neighbors start lighting off blazing rockets and buzzing balls of fire a week or two before the 4^th and continue until at least a week or two after. Last year Dog Poop Kid, age 12ish, who would not leave us alone on the 4^th! He lit off our fireworks, ate our food and would not stop bother us to light off more. The next morning he was back at our door asking for leftover fireworks. We gave him some sparklers and bottle rockets to get rid of him but he came back for more. While we were working in the yard we left our garage open and each time we came around he would be picking through the firework box looking for his favorites. Our warnings and threats fell up deaf ears so we’ve had to just keep our garage door closed always.

This year he had a new family on our street to stalk. They had fireworks going off in late June so they were better prey. Apparently word got around the neighborhood pretty quickly because around 2 o’clock in the morning, that neighbor came out to her garage for one last smoke break before bed. When she opened the door from the house, she realized she had left the large garage door open and there was someone in the garage. It wasn't Dog Poop Kid but another 14 year old from down the street.

The kid grabbed a bunch of things and took off. She called the police and long story short, identified him and pressed charges. The parents of this kid thought he was spending the night at the neighbor's house. He was spending the night at the neighbor's house -- just not only at the house that the parents thought.

Howdy Neighbor

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:35:20 GMT

Who are your neighbors? Are they also your friends? Do you have any neighbors who were friends BEFORE they became neighbors? At what point does a neighbor become a friend? At what point does a friend who became a neighbor become just a neighbor?

~~This blog has~~ I have a tendency to get me in trouble so I will start by saying that there have been several instances in the past few years that I have felt hurt and offended and I am going to talk about them today. If this hurts and offends anyone I know, I’m sorry but this is my outlet and sounding board. It keeps me sane.

Note: The most recent portion of this story has been addressed with the friend who hurt my feelings. I just wanted to write about it because it is a suburbs issue and I thought it made for a good blog entry.

A few years ago my BFF known here as DD Momma and I went a show with our other friend from here on out known as…I can’t even think of a nickname for her so we’ll call her Shorty. The show was a bar and it was for some friends of Shorty. DD Momma, Shorty and I were what you might call really good friends. Shorty introduced DD Momma as her neighbor and introduced me as her neighbor’s friend. I was completely offended! I was under the impression that if you had dinners with one another 1-2 times per week, had coffee every week, went shopping together, vacationed together, got someone’s husband a job AND wore my wedding tiara in your wedding, we were friends. I guess only time can tell the true story; Shorty and I are no longer friends in her book OR in my book.

A friend of ours moved into our neighborhood. We’ve always referred to this person either as “our friend” or “our friend and our neighbor” (friend first) or our friend who also happens to be our neighbor. Recently, Jay and I’ve been referred to as “the neighbors” or “his neighbors”.

I want to hear from you! Are you friends with any of your neighbors? Do you refer to them as neighbors or friends?

Suburbs & The City Podcast

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:35:30 GMT

Every week I am a part of a podcast called Suburbs & the City. You can listen to the show by clicking on Podcast on the navigation bar on the left. This week we had our Christmas in July show where we reviewed several products that we love.

Despite great numbers in downloads of our show, no one called in to win the prizes we were giving away! As devastated as we were, it seems our listeners were somewhat devastated also! So, please feel free to make a comment about the show, tell me what prize you want to win and email me your address. I will randomly draw names on August 1st!

My Updated List of 101 Things in 1001 Days

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:11:34 GMT

1. Help out with the youth group 5 times (when Jacob is around).
2. Donate our pledged amount of money to the church
3. Lose 60 pounds.

4. Exercise 5 times per week for a month.

5. Get back into rowing.

~~6. Kick the soda habit in the butt~~

7. Join or begin a walking group

~~8. Find a job that I love (most of the time).~~

9. Buy a 2^nd piece of property.

10. Have a girl’s night out 3 times per month for a year.

11. Live off of my planned budget for 1 consecutive month

12. Pay off all of my credit cards

~~13. Keep my car very clean (spotless) for one month~~

~~14. Get diamond earrings~~

15. Keep up with my oil changes

16. Keep up with the dog’s shots

17. Go to an OSU football game

18. Go to a Colts football game

19. Break a 150 at bowling

20. Attend 2 Alumni rowing events

21. Vote for a president and have 10 great reasons why!

22. Go sailing and be a part of it

23. Keep up with this list at least once per month.

24. 30 consecutive days of no television

25. 10 consecutive days with no internet

26. Sell 100 items on ebay

~~27. Paint the living room~~

~~28. Paint the kitchen~~

29. Paint the master bathroom

30. Finish painting the upstairs bathroom

~~31. Finish painting the downstairs bathroom~~

32. Tile a backsplash in the kitchen

33. Replace the kitchen cabinet doors with some glass

~~34. Re-floor the kitchen~~

~~35. Replace the flooring in the living room/dinning room~~

36. Put up that fence

~~37. Organize the closet~~

38. Get a china hutch

~~39. Organize the game closet~~

~~40. Organize the downstairs closet~~

41. Make my bed everyday for one month

42. Finish one of my books

43. Post one blog per day for 2 consecutive months

44. Write my will.

45. Read 100 books.

46. Visit Greece

47. Visit Australia

48. Go on an out of country trip with my parents again

49. Visit Havasu 2 times per year.

50. Go on a train trip

51. See a Broadway show on Broadway!

52. Geo-cache with Jacob and find 200 more caches

53.Visit Christmas at the Zoo

54. Visit the zoo on a normal day

55. Visit every winery in Indiana

56. Make wine with J

57. Visit 3 art galleries or showings

58. Attend 2 really big concerts

59. Visit the Art Museum each season

60. Attend the theatre (not movie) 5 times

61. Work on at least 4 devotions with Jacob.

62. Attend church activities at least 2 times per month

63. Daily quiet time for one month

64. Find my niche at church (where can I serve/give back)

~~65.~~ ~~Get my degree~~

66. Take a class for fun
67. Learn to dance

68. Transfer 8mm camcorder tapes to digital format
69. Scan and upload photos from mom and dad’s house

70. Scan and upload all of the photos at my house

71. Scan and upload photos from Jacob’s parent’s house
72. Take one photo every day for a year
73. Complete a 26-Things Scavenger Hunt
74. Eat only raw foods for an entire day

75. Volunteer to read at church 5 times

~~76. Visit my old church in Greenwood~~

77. Train for a marathon

78. Complete a marathon

79. Take my heart medication daily.

80. Be active in Partylite for one year or quit.

81. Sleep on the beach

82. Scuba dive with dad

83. Take a hot air balloon ride

~~84. Get a parks pass~~ and USE it!

85. Clean the heck out of the garage and get rid of it all!

~~86. Go snowboarding at least once~~

87. Date night with Jacob 2 times per month

~~88. Find a friend to also make a 101 things list!~~

89. Try 50 new restaurants

90. Interview my grandparents

~~91. Participate in Race for the Cure~~

~~92. Organize my computer files~~

~~93. Back-up everything on my computer~~

~~94. Go ice skating~~

95. Play laser tag

96. Enter something into the state fair

97. Go one month without eating out.

98. Eat one two meals per week at the kitchen table with Jacob.

99. Organize miscellaneous scraps of paper.

100. Organize my recipes.
101. Make a new list of 101 Things to Do & donate $5 to James’ memorial fund for every task on this list that I do not complete.

The Alleged Hit and Run

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:57:52 GMT

Recently our neighborhood had a neighborhood meeting and many interesting things happened. Most interesting was when this lady who I've never seen before told my husband to shut his mouth. I'll explain more of that another time. I didn't know what nickname I could come up with for this woman but we described her to one of our friends in the neighborhood as, "a mean old lady with nice skin". When I showed this friend where she lived he said, "OH! You mean Hit and Run".

Unluckily for her, the grocery store has video surveillance and all of this was caught on tape! Lucky for the owner of the other vehicle, Hit and Run was caught red handed. The legend goes that she was asked to retire from the force and turn in her vehicle. In my version of the story, she had a fe

I must say allegedly all of this happened because I don't know for a fact. This is all from harmless neighborhood "reporting", what some might call GOSSIP! Allegedly "Hit and Run" (as she is now affectionately known) was a former employee of the Sheriffs Department. With this responsibility comes a police car. One day Hit and Run was grocery shopping around the corner from our neighborhood and she backed out into another vehicle, causing heavy damage to the other vehicle. Well, with a name like Hit and Run, you can imagine what she did. w afternoon cocktails.

My experience with this particular grocery store might lend a hand to my version of story.

Oh, How I Long for Summer...

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:43:33 GMT

On Friday, I knew it was the first day of summer break. How did I know? The kids were up playing in the middle of the street until well after MY bedtime and kids were out riding bikes in the street well before I left for work at the butt crack of dawn.

How is it that these kids who look energy starved at 7am when they are waiting on the corner (or in their parent's cars) for the school bus, can be running around the neighborhood like crazy, speed addicts at 6:30am? Ah, I remember, the insta-drug known as summer vacation. I wish I could do more than just remember; I wish I could EXPERIENCE summer again the way that I did when I was younger. Wait, I hear the ice cream man coming down the road! I’ll be back later!

Party Ova' Here!

Thu, 29 May 2008 01:32:07 GMT

As I mentioned this weekend, I graduated from college after trying for 8 years. I’m not saying I went full time or even at all during each of those 8 years but I finally finished! This of course meant that my family and friends would be in town so I had to throw a fabulous party; many of them had never seen my home or the state I lived in.

DD Momma and I went shopping a few weeks before the party and we found a beautiful dress for me and decided NOT to get this dress for either of us.

My good friend Annie who I’ve known since I was in 8^th grade made me a gorgeous invitation/announcement that went out to 250 of my closest friends and family. Her web site is: www.poppylanedesigns.blogspot.com and she designs baby announcements and more!

A cake artist by the name of Jill was hired to create a lovely lopsided cake and 80 cupcakes (when do you cut a cake at an open house?) and they turned out lovely! She has a website also, www.indycakes.com

A keg of beer and tons of wine were ordered. Oh yeah, and a bunch of BBQ beef briscuit and BBQ chopped chicken were ordered from Dicks Bodacious BBQ.

Late Thursday night my mom, dad and sister flew in and spent the night at our house. On Friday morning my sister and husband and a few friends joined me for local wine tasting.

By Friday evening, almost everyone had arrived and we threw a mini party with 25 guests. We ate lasagna, bread, salad and drank gallons of beer, wine and tea.

After the party, my Hetero Life Partner, Kyleen arrived from California. My guest list was complete: Mom, Dad, Sis, Kyleen, Malia, her parents and Sean (the “Male of honor” from my wedding).

On Saturday I had my hair styled and my make up done first thing in the morning.

I hired a woman named Amanda who arrived early to the party and prepared and organized any food that needed to be prepared.

Friends and family helped set up tents and tables and assembled centerpieces that matched the theme “Oh the Places She’ll Go” and then my guests began arriving.

It was so great to see everyone!

The party continued on into the night and then we finally went to bed the next morning.

On Sunday we got up and drove up to where I work so I could show my friends and family around. We got there (45 minute drive) and then I realized I forgot my keys, so we turned around and went home. Yes, I cried.

In the early afternoon we assembled into several vehicles and made our way downtown. A really good friend of mine, one of my only friends from my last 3 years of college, had this super great idea that we put a funny movie theme on our hat. My hat said “Dude” and her hat said “Sweet”. Name that movie ya’ll.

We were a hit. The first graduation was interesting and during the second one I wanted to hurt someone. Badly.

After said boringness, we all ended up at dinner downtown at this amazing restaurant called, Greek Islands. We ate delicious food and drank more wine. Sadly, my husband Jay missed out on the festivities because he had to catch a plane to San Francisco. Opa!

This ended my dream graduation weekend.

Where I've Been

Mon, 26 May 2008 14:29:17 GMT

I really appreciate the reaching out I’ve experienced from this blog. Many of you have commented or emailed me to ask what happened to me. This is some blog lovin’ and I appreciate it! I’ve been here but not on the internet. I’ve been living my life and not writing about it. It’s been pretty hard to get home and blog since my work schedule goes so late every night.

After my California trip I had my wisdom teeth pulled then I began a new job.

Then I had a week in Boston.

Then I graduated from college after 8 or 9 years.

This meant that my friends and family were in town.

Parties; my sister in law graduated, my aunt graduated and some other kids I know are graduating from high school.

Last weekend I ran/walked a ½ marathon.

It’s been a VERY busy two months.

My goal is to write at least 3 times per week, I may have to tell you all about life in the suburbs on the weekends and then post them throughout the week so forgive me. Also, I haven’t really been able to look at anyone else’s blogs so I felt it wasn’t really fair to keep expecting you all to be here reading mine. I’ll try because I love this blog and I love you all!

My Excuses

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:20:22 GMT

I know that I haven’t update at all in two weeks but my life has been a whirlwind! I think that after you get a brief synopsis of my life you will forgive me.

Two weeks ago I finished up at my job at the High School and said “sayonara”! I am thankful for that job because it provided much needed income and when it wasn’t enough, it forced me to work at the Retail Store. At the Retail Store I met a man who spoke of his wonderful job at the Dot Com. This man answered my questions and ultimately referred me to the Dot Com. After clawing my way into an interview, I had 2 more and then found myself hired (this process actually began in January).

After my final day at the High School, my husband and I hosted a party and then I boarded an airplane to California to visit my family. While in California, not only did I see my family, but I spent time with every person I have ever met, well, not really. I wish I had more time to see everyone but I did not have a moment to breath.

After I returned from California, my husband and I drove 9+ hours to Virginia to spend a weekend with my grandparents. Following our return from Virginia, I had four teeth removed from my mouth (wisdom teeth) and spent good parts of the next week in bed. The rest of the time I was working on taxes and paying (well, organizing) bills, hence the need for a job. When I wasn’t in bed or working on paper work, I was visiting all of my other doctors (I decided to get as much out of the way while I could so that I didn’t have to take time off of work for a while). Did I mention that 3 days after my teeth were pulled I had 2 fillings taken care of in the teeth that remained in my mouth?

Monday I started my new job at the Dot Com.

So, this is why I haven’t updated. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? If you do, perhaps there will be more details later…

California Mobile Updates Summary

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:56:51 GMT

My California Trip, Event by Event, 140 Characters at a time. Follow me in real time via Twitter!

Getting ready for bed. Hanging with all my homies before I leave for the week. 11:07 PM March 21, 2008 from web

flight was canceled & NWA treated me badly. Not happy right now. 08:43 AM March 22, 2008 from we

i have a window seat AND aisle seat. REALLY small plane. Not happy. 12:38 PM March 22, 2008 from web

airplane music gives new appreciation to elevator music. I cant wait to be California! 12:50 PM March 22, 2008 from web

tgrrrrr. plane sitting on runway. Capt. declares we might need to return for more fuel if we dont move soon. What else? bring it on! 01:18 PM March 22, 2008 from web

got stuck in another holding pattern but i luckily made my connection in Newark (barely). on my way to the REAL OC! 03:49 PM March 22, 2008 from web

im finally in the oc! now i can relax, enjoy life and stop complaining! 10:08 PM March 22, 2008 from web

Good night my twitter friends! i am in my old room and ready to sleep. 12:37 AM March 23, 2008 from web

at church seeing old friends... 11:23 AM March 23, 2008 from web

weird seeing old youth group kids with kids of their own. Weren't we just playing games yesterday? good 2 be home. 12:03 PM March 23, 2008 from web

Meeting up with high school friend for life, Cela at the old Denny's hangout. Memories... 01:50 PM March 23, 2008 from web

Just had Easter lamb at my aunt Nancy's house. Asparagus, potatoesm salad and peach sorbet with rosewater. 06:12 PM March 23, 2008 from web

almost forgot how to get to Westminster from the 55 freeway... It's been waaaay too long. 06:18 PM March 23, 2008 from web

on the way to see the Lakers at Staples Center with my BFF "Kyleen". 07:51 PM March 23, 2008 from web

watching the lakers but listening to some wench who is annoying and has a shrill stupid voice. 09:17 PM March 23, 2008 from web

the lady in front of me is wearing a mini backpack AND a front fanny pack! Lakers down by 23. 09:56 PM March 23, 2008 from web

Nelly is here at the game. 10:08 PM March 23, 2008 from web

maria sharapova, also at the game. down 10 points 10:19 PM March 23, 2008 from web

down by 7. We can do it! 10:30 PM March 23, 2008 from web

3 more to catch up! 10:35 PM March 23, 2008 from web

101 to 101. 3 minutes to go. 10:56 PM March 23, 2008 from web

Lakers lost but it was a super game... We were winning for a few seconds. 11:16 PM March 23, 2008 from web

Relaxing in a naturally cool house, talking myself into getting ready for another sort of busy day. 08:56 AM March 24, 2008 from

this afternoon i had a lunch date with a friend of mine who also happens to be the mother of a childhood friend. My sister came along too. about 18 hours ago from web

Laying out on the back deck, soaking up more sun than I've had in 7 months... Home, sweet home. about 17 hours ago from web

Ahhh. Nothing like a hot tub after some time sunning on the deck. Yes, I am trying to make you all jealous but especially @themann00. about 16 hours ago from web

Just went on a walk with my sister and the dog we've had for about 18 years. She still looks & acts like a puppy but is skin & bones. about 15 hours ago from

mmmmm. Souplantation thebest restaurant in the world. www.sweettomatoes.com about 13 hours ago from

Just returned home from Starbucks with Tawny, Em and Barbie. Will be dreaming of monkey gang chases. Goodnight friends. about 10 hours ago from web

I'm going to take a morning dip in the hot tub. I wish I could always live at my parents house in SoCal. Starting to hate Indiana even more. about 3 hours ago from web

Just drove the first car that I bought with my own $. 1995 Dodge Neon. The paint is no longer shiny but she moves around ok. about 1 hour ago from web

About to leave the Mecca of free wireless and return to my wirelessless life at my parents house. Woe is me. Big day ahead! 13 minutes ago from web.

The sad state of education in the United States.

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:03:29 GMT

I want to tell you about my 7 months as an adult behind the walls of what some call a high school and what others might call hell. When I came to work on my first day I was excited! I was going to be working among great teachers, smart students AND have the time to finish reading/writing a book or two. After my first week I realized that none of this was true. Well, there were a few great teachers but they weren’t very supportive when I needed help with holding troublesome students accountable for their poor behavior.

I was appalled at how voiceless I really was, shocked at how little it mattered that I even show up each day, distressed at the feelings I felt towards each person that was with me behind these walls. Some people equate the sad state of education with money. I disagree. The sad state of education is apathy. The apathy found in education stems from the apathy that students bring to the table. Where that apathy stems from, I have not a clue.

When I was in high school I may not have been the best student, the most put together, I might have dodge my share of assignments and skipped yours, mine and my neighbors fair share of classes but I still had respect for teachers and school employees. In high school I NEVER treated people the way that I have been treated the past 7 months at this school. I digress. The topic was the sad state of education.

Apathy reaches beyond the students. Staff members are stuck in between the monetary demands of keeping students in school even when they do everything to prove that this is not a place for them and teaching students that their behavior is inappropriate. Short of a school shooting, what else do you need to do to deem yourself ineligible for an education paid for by tax payers?

What can be done about the sad state of education in the US of A?

Image from Microsoft Word.

Spray Paint

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:19:32 GMT

Our neighborhood kids are all interesting characters. On more than one occasion have they shocked us and added a chuckle to our day and on more than one occasion have they irritated us. There is one kid that is so weird that we can’t help but laugh. He is pretty pesky but he has the kindest heart out of all of the kids but he’s just so random!

One night, my husband Jay was outside spray painting a RED bunk bed frame. We were painting it BLACK. Dog Poop Kid (as our friends call him because of our deal with him) came walking up and said, “What are you doing?” and Jay answered that he was painting the bed black. DPK said, “Can I paint my ass red?” Jay just looked at him shocked, then he said, “This is black paint, sorry”.

Allegedly - Life in Little Boxes

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:17:40 GMT

I hope I didn’t sign a confidentiality agreement because here I go. At one time the “Maple Lane Home Owners Association,” of which I am Vice President, had a problem. His name was Crazy Red Car Man. Notice that most of my eccentric neighbors have the word Crazy in their name? It’s not my fault that Scientific Classification puts them in the same species! Crazy Red Car Man allegedly decided to sue the HOA because he wasn’t happy living in the neighborhood.

Allegedly people were putting dog poop in his mail box, being rude to him and talking about him. Allegedly it was because his wife was not born American or was not a white American, I don't know, some silly nonsense that is allegedly untrue and made up. Allegedly he was under the impression that the HOA had a responsibility to make him happy and somehow he was able to get the ACLU to take his case for free.

It is my understanding that Crazy Red Car Man lives on a VERY diverse street and it is these very same neighbors who are making him feel unhappy. It is also my understanding that this man offered to settle out of court if either the neighbors OR the Association would buy his house from him (yeah, right!). It is my understanding that the case was thrown out of court. In the meantime our association paid thousands to tens of thousands in legal fees even though this was allegedly a bogus lawsuit.

To all of you who hate living in an associated neighborhood: MOVE! To all of you who think that the HOA has a responsibility to make your life enjoyable when the fact that it isn’t enjoyable is directly related to your inability to get along with people: MOVE! IT’S YOUR PROBLEM AND IT WILL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE WOODS!

Unbeknownst to them, photo is courtesy of Microsoft Word.

I'm Seeing Green and Sadly It's Not Money

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:39:55 GMT

Last night my husband Jay and I had a great time with about 10 or so of our friends. Oh yeah, and probably a few thousand others. Just like last year, we went to a German bar in the city called the Rathskellar. We drank beer and cider (don't worry kids, only one each), ate pretzels with hot mustard (sooo much horseradish that my sinuses are punishing me this morning) and then danced and hung out for about 5 hours before moving the party to Denny's. While we were at the Rathskellar, we enjoyed a musical performance by a group called POLKABOY. If you ever have the opportunity to see them, you must!

Recently, the city drained the canals for the purpose of cleaning. It was the first time in 20 years, "City officials say crews have used vacuums to remove 367 semi trailer loads of sludge and waste from the canal since cleanup work began in November" and it cost nearly half a million dollars!

Yesterday, Jay and I went to the canal for our annual photo opportunity. They had refilled the canals and as usual, the water was dyed green for the holiday. Almost every year I have visited Chicago within weeks of the 17th and their river is still green. We are really happy that the same tradition takes place here in our home town. Hope you enjoy the photos of the newly "renovated" canals. Doesn't look like we'll be getting to Chicago this month, but who needs to with the new Ikea opening in Ohio!?

Raaaawwwrr! I got a job offer!

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:36:05 GMT

Let me give you a little break down of my current state of mind, or rather how I got there.

In beginning to mid-January I met someone while working my seasonal turned part-time position at big clothing store chain. He was an employee of a company that I’ve used in job searches. I asked for advice on entry level positions, asked a little about the company and then asked how to apply. He gave me some information and later I submitted by resume and cover letter to him.

No one called.

I wrote and asked for a contact so that I could call.

I called, I left a message, I called, I called, I called, I called, I called, I called, I left a message. This went on for over a month. No one called me back. Finally, during one of my random phone calls, a very nice woman answered. I professionally begged her to agree to take another look at my resume. She did. She didn’t like it. I told her about a job that I had held years ago and not listed on my resume. She said I should update it and include that job. I agreed and begged for her email address so I could send it directly to her.

The next day she called. Two days later she interviewed me. Three business days later I had my first in person interview. Two hours later I had a phone call. Two business days later I had my second in person interview. Two hours later I had a job! Three weeks from now I start said job and in between I need to wrap up my time at my current job, travel home to visit my parents, thoroughly clean my house, go shopping, etc!

I am so very proud to work for this amazing Dot Com Company. They seem to treat their people well, appreciate them, recognize their excellence and have super ideas that really, really help people. I could get a job working for many companies but this is a company I am truly proud to say I am part of!

What do you say that we cross #8 (Find a job that I love (most of the time)) off of the old list of 101 Things in 1001 Days?

So, my state of mind is joyous, sleepless, excited and tummy aching. Oh, and can I tell you that they have free fountain coke all day long in our office... Don’t worry, I will not give in! I still have a few weeks to finish working out my withdrawals!

Image found on Google.com

A Day of Almost There

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:34:56 GMT

Just a little update on my list of 101 Things to do in 1001 Days; I haven’t abandoned it! I am in between about 5-10 different items on the list. I have started several but haven’t completed them. For instance: I am trying to find a job that I love most of the time, I am pretty much done painting the kitchen and we pretty much have a new kitchen and living room floor. I just really, really want to try to complete these projects before I cross them off. Sounds fair, right?

In other list updates, I am reading a new book, “A New Earth” by Eckard Tolle. This is going towards #45, Read 100 Books. I really tried to keep my Car clean for a month (2/14) but 4 days before completion, I decided I was too tired to take everything in and I allowed my papers to get all scattered. I’ll really try again, starting tomorrow.

Chandra and I went bowling but I haven’t quite beaten a 150 at bowling (#19). I got a 115, sounds like 150 but not quite.

I’ve also visited a few restaurants towards my 50 new restaurants (#89). Recently, okay a while back, Special Friend, Special GF, Jay and I went to a place called Ichiban. It was delicious and expensive. We sat in a booth with a cut out in the floor so we appeared to have our legs crossed under the table, eating on cushions on the floor but it was actually just a form of a chair. I tried an avocado roll, not quite sushi but still yummy.

I’ve also visited a restaurant called the Trojan Horse, a Mexican restaurant called Los Rancheros and a Mediterranean restaurant called Santorini’s.

Today is my 2nd in person interview for the big Dot Com Company. I cannot wait to find out if I have the job or not. I’ve really enjoyed the interview process and the people I’ve met have been exceptional. I haven’t really been nervous for my interviews at all but I have been nervous about whether I’ll get the job or not. I’m aware that if it’s not the right thing, it won’t work out but still, a girl can hope that her intuition is accurate!

Hopefully in the next few days I’ll be able to officially cross a few things off!

Daylight Play Time & Eyeglass Suprise

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:46:20 GMT

I love Daylight Saving Time. Chances are that if you are reading this, you are one of the American’s who also loves DST because according to the Department of Transportation Poll, American’s LOVE their Daylight Saving Time.

With all that I hear about it while living in Indiana, I thought that the poll would go the other way but apparently, only Indianaians are grumpy about increased sunshine time, fewer traffic accidents and increased voter turnout (webexhibits.org). It was during my stay here that law brought DST back to Indiana, one of two states holding out against DST. Growing up in Southern California, I loved DST and time change for two reasons.

Number one was that we were expected to be inside just before dark and let me tell you that DST brought at least a million more minutes of play time; bike riding, tag, playing house, swimming and just all around good times.

Number two was that there was a really, really, really good chance that mom and dad would forget to change the clocks and we would get to miss church because when we arrived, church was over! This also equaled more play time and less sit still time (I am aware that the hour or two of missed church did not really equal play time because in all reality we lost that hour in our sleep but the ratio of awake time to play time was totally in my favor on that day. So, mathematically this does make sense).

I cannot go a week in this new state that I call home without hearing someone grumbling about the merits of changing time. It’s an all out battle where even the finest people bring out newspaper reports of DST actually meaning higher energy usage and blah, blah, blah. In my mind, if DST does indeed save energy that’s just an added benefit. For me, it’s still all about playtime!

It’s about knowing that when I get off of work there will still be several hours of daylight to sit outside and drink tea in the warm shade. It’s about knowing that if I want to, I can work in my garden, walk the dog, ride my bike or gossip with my neighbors and it’s going to be light outside. It’s about getting my daily dose of vitamins from the sun, you know, the vitamins that I’ve been deprived of during the stupid, long, cold winters that keep people inside? Maybe people in Indiana just hate the sun…

Let me explain to you about this photo. Yesterday, KC, Corndog and I

were driving around town trying to find the perfect interview ensemble and KC noticed this. The front of the building and signage at Eyeglass World had fallen off of the front of the building and dragged the roof with it. It all came crashing down on this poor little white car. Since nobody was hurt I get to tell you that it was awesome looking and laughable! Yes, I did get out because after all, I am MEDIA! I have a blog!

This led to many puns and jokes in our car, KC is brilliant. My favorite was, “I bet they didn’t see that coming”. We’re still trying to figure out the best one for the roof retina (retaining) water. Also, it took place while most children were in school so there were no pupils harmed.

I Hate (okay, I'm not a hater so I seriously, strongly dislike) Smokers!

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:07:11 GMT

The process of installing our new living room floor included removing the existing carpet, pad, carpet nail strip and baseboards.

Yesterday, while I was sweeping the cement slab that we are about to lay wood flooring on top of, I ran across some paper sticking out of the bottom of the wall. Keep in mind that this was a brand new house when we moved into. It was built by the “professionals” that Beazer homes hires and sub-contracts.

I pulled on the paper and this is what came out of the wall! A cigarette box!

I seriously hate smokers. They believe that the world is their trash can; throwing cigarettes out of their car windows, stomping their butts out on my sidewalk, leaving their cigarettes in my lawn and now, leaving their empty boxes in my WALLS? Okay, maybe I am being a bit harsh. I now apologize to any of you who are smokers who do not throw your butts anywhere except for the trash. To the rest of you, you suck!