Other side of the bathroom wall

Am I the only one creeped out when a low strained voice from the occupant of a neighboring bathroom stall says "Oh, yeah"...

Or when the same voice a minute later starts singing opera?

Where the heck have I been?

Good question.

Since returning from vacation, it's been a bit hectic. Trying to get caught up with and finish the class I'm teaching (and left behind so I could go to Boise)... A trip down to wine country (Walla Walla - not Napa Valley)... And we're moving this weekend.

All things considered... I haven't had much time to blog. I know that's a poor excuse. But Bekah has banned me from the internet until we are in the new house so that I can help pack. (I cheating now... she's asleep)

Speaking of moving... Give me a call if you're free on Saturday.

Boise

I have a love/hate relationship with Boise. Every time I visit the City of Trees, I simultaneously wish I could move back and remember all of the reasons I moved away. I miss the people and the culture, but I despise the climate and scenery. We visit, and Bekah says we should move back down there... but then she says her sister should move back up here. To sum it up: Boise is simultaneously the best and worst place to vacation.

On the plus side...

*This is the first real vacation we've had in a long time. We usually use our vacation to be camp councilors, but that's more work than it is R&R.
* I've continued reading through Velvet Elvis, and the book has continued to challenge my perspectives.
* Yesterday morning Christian randomly said, "a triangle has three sides and three angles, and when you add four that equals seven." He knows has known his shapes as long as he's known how to talk, but the arithmetic is a new thing. I'm amazed that he can do simple math, but can't yet button his own pants.
* Our trip to the zoo was one of the best zoo experiences we've ever had. It was sunny, the kids behaved, most of the animals we out (they often hide), and I took some good pictures. Over all, I'm pleased. (BTW, if bears could ride buses, the sloth bear would ride the short bus.)
* Christian's souvenir from the zoo was a stuffed monkey. He named it Moo.
* I texted a co-worker on Friday to see how my class went without me. In reference to the trainer that was covering for me: "She hasn't said it went badly."
* We had Flying Pie for Dinner last night. Oh how I wish there was a Flying Pie in Coeur d'Alene. (On an odd note: Flying Pie has a 310 pound ball of tin foil in their waiting area. I know some Cd'A locals who could put that tin foil to good use.) If you are visiting Boise - I highly recommend getting some Flying Pie.

On the downside...

*I know I may be the only one who sees this as a downside, but it is hot here.

We're waiting on the day to cool off before doing anything today. Maybe head back to Kathrine Albertsons Park, or head downtown, or keep loafing around with Bekah's older sister.

Mountain Dew has made me bipolar

At the beginning of class yesterday afternoon, I placed my half-consumed Mountain Dew on my desk. Sometime during the next half hour, I misplaced my Mountain Dew. I looked in my office, in my classroom, the breakroom, our operations floor... couldn't find it anywhere. That made me sad.

Two of the students in my class felt bad for me. During our lunch break, they bought me a new Mountain Dew. That made me happy. It really doesn't take much to make me happy; I'm really a simple creature.

Music Catalogs

I have undertaken the immense task of organizing my MP3 collection. Key words: immense and collection. I'm going alphabetically by artist - sorting the stuff I like into playlists/deleting the crap I don't like - and it is going to take a while. I started in July; currently I am only part way through the B's. Any guesses when I'll be done?

The last few weekends have been devoted to sorting through artist's entire catalogs. Two weeks ago it was The Beatles. Last weekend was Beck. This weekend was Ben Folds. Who will it be next weekend?

NO ONE! That's because we'll be on vacation in Boise. My project will continue upon return. Next on my list is Ben Harper.

Worse comes to worst, you can blame my infrequent postings on my music obsessions.

Genius in practice

Now THIS is how you mow a lawn!


(That's B-wack from David Crowder band. I wish I was cool enough to play Wii Tennis while mowing my lawn.)

Tougher in leather

Three posts in four weeks. Is that a good pace for bloggers? That's what I've got going on my newest blog. I don't know if it's a good pace or not, but I feel like I'm off to a good start. That being said, check out that third post. (and see a picture of me in leather pants!)

And while I'm feeling lazy - substituting links to my other blog in lieu of actual content on this blog... allow me to direct you to a recent post on yet another one of my blogs. Enjoy.

Five finger discounts

While teaching my class about some of our promotions, I say - "That will give our customers a five dollar discount."

One of the girls in the class asks - "Isn't that stealing?"

Not who I want for a vice president

While digging around on Snopes, I found a letter written (and confirmed true by Snopes) written by a Wasilla, Alaska resident. The more I know about Sarah Palin, the less I like her.

one of the choicest tidbits was this gem: "She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with indebtedness of over $22 million."

The rest of her letter outlines Sarah's abuse of power, lack of experience, petty and retaliatory political actions, and how little she resembles the social and fiscal conservative the McCain team is trying to make her.

You can read the full letter here. (The first bit sounds like praising support of a wonderful candidate, but then it goes downhill.) While the author of this letter may sound bitter, it brings up a reoccurring theme in Palin's potential to be second in command to the most powerful nation on earth.

Is this the person you want pulling the strings from the Oval Office if John McCain's old age catches up with him?




***And a note for those that claim she's the only candidate with true executive experience and therefore the most qualified candidate to be president (even more so than McCain) just remember that both Bush Jr and Clinton were governors before they became president... that didn't really work out so good for us now, did it?

FOX News' moving target

Has any one noticed that Geraldo Rivera is always in the path of impending doom?

Anytime a destructive hurricane threatens impact with the Gulf Coast, who does FOX News send for on-the-scene reporting to where the storm makes landfall? Geraldo Rivera. A giant tsunami is on a collision course with Santa Monica, who will FOX send to be the man-on-the-beach? Geraldo Rivera. A new breed of man-eating crocodile is discovered in the sewers of New York City, who will FOX send creature hunting in the effluent deep? Geraldo Rivera. Rouge packs of Yellowstone grizzlies ingested a bunch of meth, who will FOX send to go dancing with a bunch of bears desperate for another fix? You guessed it - Geraldo Rivera.

Does the man have a death wish? Or is he really that annoying that FOX News is trying to get rid of him. Firing him takes too much paperwork, and the severance package too costly – eh, just place him in harms way. Statistically speaking, he's bound to get blown away in one eye-of-the-storm or another.

I hope that man's life insurance is paid up.

Real life conversation

An agent in my class had some errands to run during class time, and wanted to know if she could be gone for a couple of hours. I was feeling a bit ornery. Here's how the conversation went.

Her: Nic, what are we doing tomorrow.
Me: I can't tell you.
Her: (Raises eyebrow)
Me: But I can tell you it involves squirrels.
Her: What? (confused look)
Me: Squirrels. We will be playing with squirrels.
Her: (Tilts head to side like a baffled puppy, looks at another agent in the class)
What?
Other agent: He said we're working with squirrels.
Me: (Unable to maintain my blank expression, begin laughing) I was just kidding.
Her: Oh.
Me: Are you going to be gone tomorrow?
Her: No, I just need to leave about 8:30... and be gone for about an hour - hour and a half.
Me: ¿Por qué?
Her: I have some stuff to take care of.
Me: (Tilts head to side like a baffled puppy)
Her: I Just wanted to know what I was going to miss.
Me: OK. Well, we'll be reviewing the final test, going over your scores, practicing special order types, going on a nature walk...
Her: WHAT?!?
Me: A nature walk, we're going on a nature walk.
Her: (Looks at other agent)
Other agent: (Shrugs)
Me: (Poker face increasingly difficult to keep, begin laughing... again) I wasn't serious about that last part.
Her: Oh. (Awkward pause) So, will I be in trouble if I'm gone for a little bit tomorrow.
Me: Absolutely.
Her: Really? Are you serious?
Me: Only as much as I was about the squirrels.

My life in music

Post #2 is up. Check it out.

Two for the post of One

1. I am relaunching one of my given-up-on blogs. It's first incarnation was designed in hopes to shine a light on the things that kept me entertained. After a few posts, I stopped. Well, it's revived... with a few tweaks. I'll be digging up old family photos, telling old stories, and talking about the music that has molded me. (Warning, I walk to the beat of a very different drum.) You can find my first post HERE. Hopefully, I keep this one going.


2. It is not often that I get to pimp a friend's blog... and even more rare that I pimp a blog from a member of my family. My sister-in-law in Boise recently started three blogs (and I thought I was crazy). Check out her main blog, Dancing with Dragons; she's got links to her other two blogs there. And she posts a lot... I'm so excited!

Random thought of the day

If dandelions could breed like animals, ... they'd be doing it like bunnies.

Perfect Protest

The Olympics have begun. Over the last few months, several have urged a boycott. And we've seen many protests during the last few weeks.

Is there reason to protest? Sure. But I do not believe the Chinese government will be swayed by any protest or boycott. So, while noble in intent, protests like the recent demonstration by Brandi Swindell in Tiananmen Square and her urges for boycotts accomplish nothing.

The US (and other nations) should not boycott the Olympics; it would be foolish for any nation to not participate. There is no good reason for fans at home to avoid watching any of the events or ceremonies.

I should clarify one thing. We should protest... but not with "Free Tibet" signs, or boycotts, or chanting, or handing out pamphlets listing the atrocities committed by the Chinese. We should protest through athletic competition.

The best way we could protest China's human rights violations is by going to the games, competing, and kicking China's ass.*




* (please excuse my language... I really couldn't think of a more appropriate expression)