About now, my plan was to be arriving at the airport to fly up to northern Cali for my Ph.D. seminar (a week, twice a year. Exhausting, but necessary. I won't complain about a week on a secluded mountain either...)
However, Wednesday night, this beauty of a sky greeted me: They say a ring around the moon means snow or (chilly) rain is coming soon. I discovered, in researching the myth later online, that the effect is caused by thin clouds made of ice crystals twenty thousand feet up. They refract the moonlight, causing rings around the moon.
So? Was it true? Did a ring around the moon mean snow was coming soon?
Well, Thursday, all day Thursday, this was going on outside: It started out with rain awakening me before dawn, slashing against the window with a force that exceeded normal rain drops. That was because each drop had a little heart of ice in it. An hour later, only straight ice. And, after that, snow.
So, now, the roads are covered with ice, then up to a foot of snow. Hmm. I don't think I'll be making it to the airport, 50 miles away.
Last night I got a phone call from Southwest saying that my flight was canceled. They also said to, if possible, call back at another time to rebook because everyone on all the canceled flights (there were a few, I'm assuming) was currently calling to rebook.
No biggie. I put on my heavy socks and waited it out. Besides, what's the point of rescheduling a flight if I won't be able to make it to the airport?
This morning I discovered that the roads should be fully clear by Sunday, and that no flights are available til Monday.
So, Monday it is!
Of course, that's assuming that there's still a spot open on the flights (I haven't called yet.)
We'll see!
This morning's view out the front window: Check out those ice cycles!I won't discuss how during the day Wednesday the temperature was up to 60 degrees. Living inland is weird. Today's quote: I spent a long time trying to find my center until I looked closely at it one night & found it had wheels and moved easily in the slightest breeze. So now I spend less time sitting and more time sailing. — Brian Andreas (Story People)
When T told me the news a few moments ago, I had to sit down. Certainly his voice of sanity and reason will be missed in our topsy turvy world. I have no words other than to quote him: "War itself is the enemy of the human race."
I'm aware that I've been neglecting this blog and I apologize.
In my defense, I've been busier than I can say in one sentence, and I've been thinking hard about blogging! I've got two in my noggin right now, just waiting to zing down to my fingertips, dance on my keyboard, and wiggle their way onto the world wide web... But that doesn't count, does it?
Anyway, in lieu of the actual blog I was going to post today, I'll put an amazing video that my cousin (and journalist extraordinaire) Ispy gifted me with this morning as a surprise. When she came over for dinner and pictures a few nights before T and I drove out of Cali, she asked me what a life coach was (and other similar questions) and I blabbered on, ignoring the camera she happened to have out...
...and the below is what resulted. Yay! And who knew? Beautiful job, Ispy! Thank you!!! Made my day :)
Please ignore the dorky face at the end. Thanksssss.
Today's quote: If you hold on to the handle, she said, it's easier to maintain the illusion of control. But it's more fun if you just let the wind carry you. ~Brian Andreas
That's quite a burden, if you ask me. I'm sure most of us, if we really dive into that question, would laugh nervously and reassure ourselves that, of course not, every little thing shouldn't define us! We're not always on display, right? right?
Well, I think that's a question we all have to answer for ourselves.
I learned in undergrad about a certain psychological fallacy (I forget the name, but remember the point - does that mean I was a good student or a bad one? Let's not take a vote)... Anyway, this belief, that ALL of us hold to some degree, says that, essentially, if we do something mean, it's because we're having a bad day. If someone else does, it's because they're a mean person. Of course, this mostly occurs with people we don't know.
For instance, if your checkout person at the grocery store is rude to you, you'll probably give her a dirty look and walk away thinking what a bitch she was.
BUT, if you're eating at a restaurant and rude to your server because the kitchen messed up your order (which, remember, may have nothing to do with that server at all), and if you realize that you're being rude, you won't admit in your mind to being a jerk, the way you thought your check out person was. Rather, you'll blame it on your day, your mood, low blood sugar, fight you just had with your mother, whatever.
(However, your server will probably chalk it up to you being a jackass. Just sayin. All honesty on this blog!)
So, think for a moment about whether everything you do and say represents who you REALLY are.
I mean, other than being embarrassing, we can't argue that it's not true, right?
I know that, for my part, it's not easy to admit that when I don't rush through my morning showers, it indicates that I'm selfish. Not that, at that moment when I could be pulling the razor up my leg more quickly, I'm consciously thinking about how the next person may run out of hot water, but the answer is, yes, I do know that's a possibility. I'm not thinking about it, but the knowledge is is my noggin somewhere. So, if I admit that I take showers that are more lengthy than they need to be, which I do, I must also admit that I'm selfish. (that gives me room to grow, and a piece of humble pie to eat. Both good things in the end)
Of course, this goes both ways, and it means that you can be extra proud of the kind and selfless things you do on a daily basis, large and small. Some people occasionally pay the road toll or pay for the fast food order of the person behind them in line, who they've never met. I LOVE that idea. Some give to people on the street asking for money (a sticky subject, to be sure, but the way I think about it is, if I can spare a dollar, why not? Sure, they may just be going to buy booze, but to be completely honest, if I were where they are I may want to get obliterated too...just trying to be fair. Also, don't forget that a huge percentage of the homeless that you see in those situations aren't mentally sound by current standards. Makes things more complicated, no?)
Anyway, just some thoughts for you. So, today, as you go about your routine, do it as if someone were watching every decision you make, trying to decipher what kind of person you are. I guarantee that, if you do, you'll sleep more soundly tonight :)
Today's quote: My grandma used to plant tomato seedlings in tin cans from tomato sauce & puree & crushed tomatoes she got from the Italian restaurant by her house, but she always soaked the labels off first. I don't want them to be anxious about the future, she said. It's not healthy. — Brian Andreas
How big WAS it, really? This is what the Guardian says:
The Haiti earthquake was magnitude 7, which releases the energy equivalent of several nuclear bombs. The United States Geological Survey estimates magnitude 7 as equivalent to about half a million tons of high explosive. Each increase of 1 in the magnitude scale is equivalent to 30 times more energy, so this one was only one thousandth of the energy of the magnitude 9.3 earthquake that struck Banda Aceh, in Indonesia, in 2004 and triggered a devastating tsunami. Apparently, they haven't had an earthquake this big in 250 years.
What can you do to help? I know that it's easy for some of us to say "oh yeah, that sucks" and feel a little sorry but not really do anything.
Well, I'm sure that if you stop by Starbucks a few times a week, you can afford to send $5 to help. That could do more than you realize - think food for children, bandages, etc. Your $5 can go a long way. Be crazy and send $20, even. Here are some sites:
You can text "YELE" to 501501 to donate that $5 (it will show up on your cell phone bill for this month), or go to Yele's site instead.
You can donate $10 by texting "Haiti" to 90999 via the American Red cross, or of course go to their site.
Why not help? No matter the struggles in your life, I guarantee you that if you're reading my blog, you have it better than some of the people down here, right now, in this moment. You can help them. Why in the world wouldn't you?
today's quote:
12:27
fredodupoux:
edge seems to be working on some digicel handsets downtown port au prince is lost dust and rumbles
Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:27 fredodupoux
12:29
RAMhaiti:
we're back on line..went to St Gerard Church..people are trapped in the school..others are dead in the rubble
Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:29 RAMhaiti
12:29
fredodupoux:
every other house is on the ground. people are terrified and have no hope.#haiti #eq
Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:29 fredodupoux
12:30
RAMhaiti:
the Carrefour Feuilles area is destroyed..government buildings:Palace Justice, Palace, DGI are destroyed
Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:30 RAMhaiti
12:30
RAMhaiti:
there is no police presence..there is no UN presence in the Carrefour Feuilles area..people are trying to take care of themselves
Wednesday January 13, 2010 12:30 RAMhaiti
12:33
RAMhaiti:
rows of buildings have collapsed..there is no sign of official help anywhere in this area
I think Thursdays may be the best days of the week. Unless, of course, you have a presentation, or paper, or date you don't want to go on that falls on the Friday afterward. But, barring those things, I like Thursdays. What can I say? I'm an anticipation person.
Next week we go on another giant road trip. Fun times ahead! I'll keep you posted ;)
I won't discuss how during the day Wednesday the temperature was up to 60 degrees. Living inland is weird.
