Voyage

Last day of work today!

Bittersweet.

Bitter because I'll miss everyone and this GORGEOUS campus and such, sweet because of all the deliciousness. Lunches, coffees, etc. in the goodbye-to-a-coworker fashion make me a happy girl with a stomachache :)

Speaking of happiness and tummyaches, we went out for a bon voyage hoorah (#1, that is) last night.

It was at The Arsenal, which is adorable. Yet another place that I wish I would have discovered, oh, two years ago, rather than two days before I pack the car...T and J (ignore the awkward stare...I promise that J TOTALLY knew I was going around, camera in hand...)
Have I mentioned lately that I love love LOVE stringed lights at night? Well, in case I haven't said it, I love them. That's all.We MAY have made a pit stop on the way home...Just fries, please. Oh, and a chocolate shake. Mmmmm. Last trip to In & Out! *tear* (and excuse me, but I just love this picture. Is that chiseled jaw delicious or WHAT) M got a little sleepy and decided to take a yoga-mat-pillowed nap. Er...., I wouldn't do that...Oh well. Germy ignorance is bliss...? What?Yes, STILL in line...Mmmm, chocolate shake...

Today's whiteboard quote (it's a long one, but it'll be the last I ever leave to my hallway peeps so I had to make it good:
"We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

How I Almost Got Run Over by an Insane Waste of (insert basically anything here)

So.

Because my last day here at the office is a week from tomorrow and there is still a stack of at least 100 things to do overflowing my desk, shining with the white of printouts and purple and yellow of file folders (like a sunset but not nearly as pretty...yeah...) and because this is a busy job ANYWAY, not only when I'm #1) trying to wrap all my tasks in little bows without loose ends for those after me and #2) hosting THREE conferences in the last two weeks before my departure (that's right, one today and yesterday, one tomorrow, one next week), and since I'm looking like various degrees of this:Or this, for a pretty blog's sake...

Both images courtesy of google image search for "pulling hair out", by the way

Anywhoo, because of all of those things, I had decided not to post today. No big deal, it's okay to skip it anyway, I said to myself, besides, I'm sure no one will even notice.
But.
Since this happened, and since I have five minutes during which that I should probably step away from the pile on my desk before I lose my mind ("put down the hammer"), I thought I would vent a little.

Wait, what?

Charis, of the life-is-wonderful-1001-ways-to-be-happy-blogging-style is about to vent?

Yeah, it happens sometimes.

So here we go.

Each morning, I arrive to the office bright and early at 7:30am (that is, mind you, after an hour of traffic). I park my lovely little blue saturn (which I'm dropping off at the dealer on Saturday, sniff) across the street from campus and make my way to the office, unlocking doors and turning on lights and all that sort of starting-the-day business. I work the next hour and a half away quietly, and at 9:00am, I make the reverse trip back across campus and scoot my car across the street again, to park in 9:00-4:00 street parking. Quite convenient, as I leave the office at 4:00pm.

During my walk to the car at 9 I do things like make phone calls, listen to the parrots overhead making a racket as usual, or contemplate the meaning of life. You know, the usual.

This morning, I decided to call T and check on his day so far. We're both under a lot of stress about the move and accompanying factors, so I thought I would see how he was doing.

He recounted some morning reading (perhaps we'll have a green check blog post tomorrow because of its craziness, more on that at another time), we discussed healthy eating, escape to Canada, and the food industry's corruption as I made my way across a busyish street towards my parked car. After the busyish larger street, I have to cross a small residential street where I only encounter a car actually driving about, roughly, hmmm, I'd say once every two weeks, maybe once every week and a half.

As I diagonally crossed the little avenue towards my car, head bent towards my phone, key chain out and unlocking the car via keyless entry, I was assaulted with a loud, angry blaring horn blast about five feet away from me and over my left shoulder.

Surprised, incensed, and (not gonna lie) a little scared, I turned around to first of all see what the heck was going on, and second of all to express the ridiculousness of blasting a horn at a person two steps away from their car (not to mention yours).

Directly behind me, in a beat up little gray honda or something (I couldn't really tell the color or the make right away, there wasn't much paint left and the horrificalness of the whole spectacle somewhat blinded me) was a sour-faced man, probably about my parents' age, with a badly balding head and a scowl.

As I said sharply "I'm crossing the street!", because clearly he took me as being out for a pleasant stroll, notwithstanding the keys in my hand held up to a car 1.7 feet away from me that I was directly walking to, and because clearly he was the type of person who has the emotion (and perhaps total) maturity of a toddler so that's how you must speak to them, he snapped "blahblahridiculousness your time!" and zoomed off.

I would like to note first of all, that he didn't meet my eyes for more than a split second. It's a little different when the object of your random act of hatred (which is probably one of many) turns around and looks you in the eye, huh? During the rest of his momentary rant his eyes ran around like frightened mice, although his voice sounded slightly more sure of itself. Only slightly. Either way, the lazer beams of Charis' eyes strike again, as a man at least double her age tries to take her down in a staring contest. Bad idea, Sir.

But okay. To be fair, I wasn't exactly scurrying. Considering that what I've roughly translated his gibberish to mean is something like "you're taking your time!" or "quit taking your time!" or something about gathering moments for my own personal use rather than donating them to kind individuals like himself in general, I get it. I was walking diagonally, and not all that quickly. I wasn't strolling, but I certainly would have crossed faster if I had known that there was someone waiting.

However, this brings me to my next point. OBVIOUSLY he had zoomed around the corner like a bat out of the 8th circle of hell, because I never heard a thing until his horn was shouting at me. I would have known he was there by the sound of his clanking and banging engine, surely, if he had done anything other than take the turn at no way near a safe speed and expect to be able to press harder onto the gas pedal on the straightaway of the street immediately after the turn, rather than wait for a pedestrian.

So I apologize that I don't have a psychic ability to spot a lunatic coming towards me from 200 paces. I'll work on it, Sir.

And finally, I think we should have a moment of silence for this poor soul. After my heart returned to its normal beating pace and pattern, I started for a moment to wish for the bad karma to hit him that, a second later, I realized has certainly already hit him, probably did years ago, and that those hits obviously keep coming. A happy person who leads a fulfilled life would not sling hatred like that at someone that could have, in another circumstance, been introduced to him as a friend of his offspring. But let's be honest, his gaze would never have traveled closer to my face than 6.5 inches below it anyway. He's obvious a very respectful and mature person. I'm sure his life totally rocks too. Because of course that type of behavior comes from a stand-up kind of guy who only makes good decisions...

Of course, that is unless he is one of the many Southern California residents who are perfectly nice in person but morph into fire breathing demons when put behind a wheel and on a highway...because that certainly happens.

But that's a post for another day.

Have I mentioned that I cannot wait to leave?

Today's whiteboard quote:
"Begin at once to live and count each day as a separate life."
~Seneca

Mountains Afire

Things remain smoky in SoCal, y'all.

I drive in to work each morning expecting to see green mountains welcoming me, and am instead welcomed by mounds of gray-brown smoke covering the horizon in front of a red sun rising.

When I open my car door in Pasadena the smell of campfires and wood stoves greets me.

One of my coworkers told me of a highway wreathed in fire as she drove East on Sunday night, and another is still out of town because his lungs won't be able to handle the smoke if he returns now..

The landscapers on campus are wearing bandannas over their faces (why they aren't at home is what I want to know...it's all fun and games til someone collapses and you get sued, campus powers-that-be...)

Since yesterday the air has been muggy and we're thanking heaven for the bit of humidity that arrived last night. Hopefully it'll help stop the fires.
Tuesday two firefighters died when their truck plunged 800 feet into a ravine. They were speeding down a mountain, trying to get away from the fire racing toward their backs.

This morning I heard that two other firefighters died because some yahoo decided to play the arsonist in the midst of all this craziness....I have no words.

People are losing lives and homes, and animals are too.What is there to do? Nothing, at this point. Pray for rain, I suppose. Just goes to show you that we may not be as in control as we think....so be thankful for the joys in your life...

Today's whiteboard quote:
"A single sunbeam is enough to drive away many shadows."
~St. Francis of Assisi

Socal Soak up the Sunday

Malibu, CA

After grabbing smoothies to fight the sun-drunkenness dehydration (I still had a "hangover" by 5...)

T's Overlook

And just in case anyone wonders if we can see smoke from the fires burning here...

(these were taken from the 405 at about 3:30 yesterday afternoon)

Today's whiteboard quote:
"If one is out of touch with oneself, then one cannot touch others."
~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Weekend in Pictures

(Above: video chatting with the PA folks on Sunday evening)

Friday night karaoke

(no explanation needed for this, obviously)

(M and I at our booth at the Gas Lite in Santa Monica)

(A half hour later he MAY have sang Dancing in the Dark and I MAY have been onstage with him, Courtney Cox style)

(so ashamed....)

Saturday

(with friends a la maison RB on Saturday night)

Sunday

(he gets to eat a muffin, drink a coffee and read an interesting book (Blink, if you're curious). I get to read the DSM-IV desk reference and drink...hot...water. So much fun.)

Today's whiteboard quote:
"In order to be a realist you must believe in miracles."
~David Bon Gurion

ps: This is a 4-day work week for me. I'll tell you why tomorrow.
pps: I'll finally let go of my soon-to-be awesomeness that I've been talking about for awhile, this week. Wednesday, I think...

And All Good Things Will Be Yours

So last night, after a half hour drive and 20 minute walk, T and I discovered that all of our traveling was for naught...because the pier concert was canceled.

Oh well! Got a little exercise and car dancing out of the deal. I won't complain.

Besides, today's Friday. How can it not be that all is right in the world (or at least, in the world of week days?)

And to finish up my recap of last weekend, here are some pics of our afternoon in Manhattan Beach...

Manhattan Beach Creamery = Love.

Enjoying a heritage cookie. hehe (get it?).

Awesome almost-sunset views and beautiful houses to ogle...

All in all, a success!

Happy Friday! Here's today's whiteboard quote:
"LIVING
Fear less, hope more,
eat less, chew more,
whine less, breathe more,
talk less, say more,
love more,
and all good things
will be yours."
~Swedish Proverb

One more thing: did you know that all week I've been posting from beyond the grave? Go see, and make sure you watch til the very end (after the credits).

Roaring 20's

This past Saturday night, we were invited to a friend's themed birthday party. Since she was saying goodbye to her 20's, she decided to roar them out (get it? Roaring 20's? Yes, I know I make horrifical jokes).
The roomies, minus my sister (who was gone on a wine-tasting adventure that afternoon) got into the spirit with our costumes.The boys were more authentic than I, wearing actual bygone fashions. T had a pinstriped 3-piecer from who knows when, worn by family patriarchs that came before (seen in this post minus the jacket, this is SoCal after all, he would've not-so spontaneously combusted if he'd worn all three pieces). He lent B, whose wardrobe is refreshingly simple (but does not period-costumes make) some other old-fashioned digs left over from family too (vest, suspenders, etc).

As for me, here's my costume breakdown:- strapless black beaded thriftstore dress (under $5. Oh yes, it was. I also scored an Express white lacy a-line knee-length strapless weekend dress for $6 on that trip. Love it)
- jewelry (pearls, diamonds, chains, etc) from my jewelry box, sis's jewelry box, and Target (maybe a Walgreens sparkly hair clip or two)
- shoes, my closet. The dress was floor-length, who cared. But, if you're curious, they were black open-toed pumps with an ankle strap
- feather boa, Michael's craft store
- one gazillion hair pins to sport the faux-short pin-curl 'do, TargetI think that's it! I watched some YouTube tutorials and educated myself on how to rock it flapper style, and in the end, the whole thing came together nicely, if I do say so myself.

...And so we were off.

The 3 of us drove over to Venice Beach, where the b-day shindig was held at The Garter. I'd never been there before, and I must say, it was adorable. Perfect for the party's theme. There was also a we're-so-cool door line outside when we left, so I guess other folks agree with me.

T and I got our drinks, said hello to the folks we knew, and snuck over to a corner where we flirted with each other and people watched and got approached by one or two folks who told us how awesome we looked (total ego-booster, that). In line for the bathroom, I talked for a few to a girl who was attending a 80's party on the same night. She said our theme was cooler, and to be honest. I agreed.

Was that wrong?

But to be fair, theirs was probably easier to dress in accordance to. So perhaps it evens out, all things considered.

Anyway, then I went back to another corner with T (this time by a fake fireplace), and we continued to be anti-social. This was broken by merging with the writhing throng (okay, that throng part was only after 11:30pm) in dance-floor stints to the occasional college-throwback rap song, and plenty of MJ.

With the birthday girl:
With two wax statues that I could've sworn were originally my escorts to and from the event:
We left at about 12:30. Early, yes. And yes, we're old at heart I suppose and the next thing will be the cane to walk with down the broken sidewalks of Lincoln, but judging how T and I mostly just wanted to talk to each other, I have to wonder, what's the point of going out at all?

#1) You know who you're going home with at the end of the night.
#2) You don't need to get wizasted to have a good time, and you don't particularly enjoy the icy drinks being spilled down your bare shoulders by those who do need to.

#3) Correct me if I'm wrong, but these days I value my weekends and miss them when I'm out of commision until 3pm like I was the next day...

However, doing it once in a while rocks, and also reminds you why nights at home with some Well Red and dark chocolate, followed by sweetly energetic and productive (not to mention better-feeling than the undead way you would have if you'd gone out the night before) mornings can't be beat.

Anyway, so we loaded up and drove back to RB, changed into pj's,
And B made us vegan nachos.
Which were delicious.

The End.

Today's whiteboard quote:
"When we tell stories, or when we try to verbalize our experiences, we take our paths towards understanding."
~Edwidge Danticat

Why yes, I will have another glass...

This weekend the boys and I are going wine tasting. It will be delicious. B has volunteered to be the chauffeur (boo on having to work bright and early on Sunday), and M will unfortunately be out of town (Coachella. I decided not to go when I realized that I knew about 2.3 of the songs that only 1 of the bands performing there had released... perhaps I should listen to newer music, eh?)

I am very familiar with this wine tasting phenomenon. Heck, why else would you want to live in CA? Last summer M and I went up to Napa Valley for a day of touring the gorgeous wineries, which was fun, but a smidge too much driving (4 hours on Fri, then 4 hours again on Sun...no thanks). Then, last summer when my fantabulous friend Bebe came to visit (who I am designing wedding invitations for as we speak, er, type...so much fun!) we did some awesome wine tasting in a small but amazing winery right here in Pasadena...

He even let us go into the back room and see the wine-in-progress. Very interesting. I don't remember a bit.

But, a 2 hour drive up to Santa Barbara on Saturday morning, then a return on Sunday morning, sounds just about perfect! Not long enough to irk me (that's my commute every day! T can go to sleep and I can listen to

- which is my current audio book. It's great! I highly recommend it. And not only because the girl reading it has the most authentic Southern accent. I feel like I'm back home again when those stretched out vowels resound through my car. I mean "threeew my cawer"...)

So there are high hopes for this Saturday. The high hopes for Sunday will be beach sun drunkenness. No, not from alcohol. From UV rays. You know what I mean.

And I'm also gonna try to fit in some school work, some reorganizing in our still-unpacked library, and 2 large paintings for my Dad's new living room up in northern CA....hmm I think I may have to restructure priorities. Those boxes just might stay packed for one more week...

So that's what I'm looking forward to today! It's Wed, plenty late enough to eagerly anticipate the weekend, I say.

And a great hump day to you too!