| Funk |
[Dec. 1st, 2009|06:51 pm] |
I am in a funk. I'm not entirely sure why. It's no secret that I am only tolerating work and would like to work for a different sort of company...with a different sort of people. I may be feeling a bit down after our big Gourmet Wake party. I may have post or pre holiday blues. Dustin's accident sure shook me up. I can't put a finger on one source in particular.
I do know this...I haven't left work and gone home and stayed there a whole evening in weeks. I have been away from home a mimimum of eight hours,. usually more like 12 hours, everyday for about 3 weeks straight. I have only taken two vacation days back to back this year and that was during Don's house party last July. The time before that was my father's memorial last fall and when he died in May 2008.
I think I need a sabbatical.
A. |
|
|
| Missing you... |
[Nov. 3rd, 2009|01:00 pm] |
I've been over on facebook lately. A lot lately. I like the immediacy of it and, in all honesty, the fact that it's light weight. I've got enough heavy in my world this year. However I've been missing those of you who have declined to make a facebook appearance to date so I decided to stop in with an update.
I'm still looking for a new position. I have many worries about whether or not I should stay in Human Resources (burn out level is pretty high right now), how much I need to make to take proper care of myself and my house, whether it is important to me to continue supervising others, on and on....I don't really need to be concerned with any of it. There are just that few openings right now in Michigan.
Don and I decided to have a wake for Gourmet Magazine. It is absolutely Don's favorite food magazine (I lean a little closer to Cooking Illustrated) and it put out it's last issue this November. In tribute, we have decided to invite our foodie friends to come create one of the published Thanksgiving menus start to finish. We scheduled the event for the Saturday after Thanksgiving and hope to have a large enough gathering to justify three different desserts. Early replies to the invite look promising. If any of you wants to be in Ann Arbor that weekend and would love to partake (cooking a dish is required) please let us know. Eulogies will be delivered over digestifs and lattes.
We are finally closing in on WindyCon. This will be my first sci/fi/fantasy/fan convention. I've attended a number of Midwest Cons but, with no programming, it's hard to count that weekend as "submerging oneself in the culture." I am looking forward to seeing Pattie and Dave again and some Chilicon friends. I am also looking forward to visiting Grant Achatz's restaurant, Alinea. There is a funny beer commercial out right now that takes a big old poke at Alinea and the like but I'm still looking forward to the experience.
Don and I have been spending time in our yards. Living in Michigan requires the raking of leaves if one has a lawn to maintain. Last year I used my electric lawn mower to mulch all my leaves and put them on the flower beds. The soil appreciates the amendment and the weeds are almost non-existent. This year, Don and I bought a Flowtron 900 Leaf Eating Mulcher. We are dropping all our autumn gold into the hopper and getting lovely mulch out the other end. The flower beds at both our houses will be very happy this year as will the waste collectors who will not have to lift and dispose of 15 to 30 bags of leaves at each of our houses.
I'm still being sucked into paper arts (quilling, scrapbooking and card making). I think it's like kindergarten art class to sit around playing with all that colored paper. I am also in my third year learning the Chen style Tai Chi 108 Long Form. My instructor threatened to graduate me this winter but I am asking him to hold off until spring. I want to be sure I've reached a certain level of competence before I move on in the martial art.
That's it. If you want to find me over at facebook, just use my email to look me up.
Anne |
|
|
| My Mosaic - Thanks Hania! |
[Jul. 8th, 2009|06:24 pm] |
QUESTIONS:
1. What is your name? Anne
2. What is your favorite food? Anything with Garlic
3. What is your hometown? Ypsilanti, MI
4. What is your favorite color? Blue
5. What is your favorite movie? LA Confidential
6. What is your favorite drink? Water
7. What is your dream vacation? Cape Cod
8. What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate Cake
9. What is one word to describe yourself? Sensitive
10. How are you feeling right now? Up
11. What do you love most in the world? Sunshine
12. What do you want to be when you grow up? Joyous
|
|
|
| Columbine |
[Jul. 8th, 2009|05:15 pm] |
I'm reading Columbine by Dave Cullen. It is a detailed account of the Columbine school shooting. Some may be aware that I have a fascination with serial and spree killers. Prior to my career in Human Resources I was a social worker for delinquent teens and my graduate school studies were in the "Juvenile Correctional Counseling" track offered jointly between the Schools of Criminal Justice and Social Work at Michigan State University.
One of my first "boyfriends" (at the age of 14) was a kid who came from a family totally unlike mine. His parents were divorced, his mother worked, the kids were latch key even during the evening hours. They lived in a run down rental home. Older neighborhood kids who had their licenses would drop him off at my house. He thought my parents were just so cool. My Dad seemed to enjoy feeding him. Needless to say he got into trouble. He spent time at the juvenile detention facility. My parents were not too worried as I was not inclined to run off and at 14 having a "boyfriend" meant phone calls and hanging out at their house. Or in this case, writing letters to him in lock up. My parents and I talked a lot about his penchant for trouble. I decided back then to go into social work with delinquents. From there it was a short leap to reading everything I could find about Charles Manson and then the Son of Sam (David Berkowitz). It's hard to find a killer with a "normal" childhood. It just does not happen much. And believe me, I'm not necessarily laying blame at the feet of their parents.
If I had a lot of time I might blog about some of the topics that have come up while reading this book. For example: Media frenzies, law enforcement cover-ups, psychopathology and depression in those under the age of 18 and providers avoidance of "labeling" kids, relationships between parents and teens and feelings of helplessness, post traumatic stress disorder, gun laws, evangelical christianity, I could go on and on...
If you think you might be interested in these topics, I recommend the book. Cullen is thorough. He has reached an understanding of Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris; some might be concerned that it reflects some bias. I am not. Interestingly, I read in a news account Cullen suffered some problems while researching and writing the book. He was diagnosed as having post traumatic stress disorder. Cullen did not live or work in the community before this project. He is a journalist so it is definitely written as a research or investigative piece.
I may be back on this topic....
A. |
|
|
| Happy Birthday |
[Jul. 6th, 2009|12:28 pm] |
I understand it's John Donat's birthday.....well Happy Birthday John! I hope you have a great day.
Anne |
|
|
| Midwest Con |
[Jun. 25th, 2009|02:27 pm] |
|
Happy to be heading out tomorrow (Friday) for Midwest Con. I enjoy the relaxed poolside atmosphere. Hoping to join others for ribs on Saturday.....and any ideas for a Friday dinner plan are welcome. A whole weekend to read and play. |
|
|
| (no subject) |
[Jun. 19th, 2009|11:19 am] |
|
Just want to thank you all for your support yesterday. It meant a lot to me. {{Thank you}} |
|
|
| Workplace |
[Jun. 18th, 2009|05:37 pm] |
I work with white people. Lot's of them. No other race or ethnicity. Really. At least not at our corporate headquarters where I am. If that doesn't sound bad enough, I work predominately with other women. There is one man on my floor and several others downstairs in IT and Accounting. (IT is all men. Bet you wouldn't have guessed that!)
A fair majority of the women I work with are also young. Every once in awhile, several of them act like they are in highschool. They swear out loud when angry, they whisper behind other's backs, they go out side doors so they don't have to go by someone's office. They purposely withhold information. Essentially, they decide to exclude someone. They've tried to include me in this nonsense and I've had to consider my response. I'm too damn mature (and old) to act this way not to mention my ("ah hem") professional acumen. But, there is the concern that I have to be able to work with them and can't sit in judgement of them and expect them not to notice. My usual response is to get down to business. I generally am too busy to engage with them and they leave me alone.
Today...they decided I was the target. And it bothered me more than I thought it would. Jeez! I'm 50. This stuff should roll off like water on a duck's back.
So maybe it will be a pedicure and mojito evening.
A. |
|
|
| The day before.... |
[Jun. 8th, 2009|05:17 pm] |
I always like the day before an event. Whether it's Christmas, a birthday, a concert, a trip...the expectations run amok and I feel happiness flow through me. It's nice to anticipate.
Tomorrow is Don's birthday. Tonight I will put on the music and bake. I may even get some present wrapping done in between. The house will smell of bake goods and the table will have festive boxes on it. Different from last year when I had to order a cake because of the sheer number of people I invited over to celebrate his new decade.
Happiness. Anticipation. |
|
|
| Getting to know people... |
[May. 18th, 2009|06:28 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
I have met quite a few people since meeting Don. For a man who is rather taciturn at times he sure knows a lot of folks. So many, in so many places, that it has taken quite awhile for me to get to know them. Two years ago he introduced me to Mike Glicksohn and Susan Manchester (I know each and everyone of you know them). After five or six opportunities to talk with them at social events, I was happy to join Don on a trip to Toronto this last weekend to stay with them for a couple days.
We had a very nice time. Mike and Susan are really caring hosts....who cook up a storm. I don't think I will ever make asparagus again without adding ginger slices and I predict Mike's marinated salmon will be on my table many times in the future. We had fun playing games of Farkle, Apples to Apples, and Boggle. Susan now has a multi-hued blue budgie, Skye, who taught Don not to put a finger in his cage. The four of us tackled the Boston Globe crossword puzzle that we agreed was oddly written. It was fun to see who pulled which odd fact out of their memory banks (do you know what Mummers are? Susan does.) We talked about gardening, teaching, books, parties, people, art, Toronto...I even got a dose of those "old fan days" stories from the three of them.
We battled the rain on Saturday and checked out the St. Lawrence Market. I wouldn't mind spending more time there just people watching. (Last time we were in Toronto, Don and I checked out the outdoor market and Chinatown...I liked that too!). We hauled out the umbrellas and went down Bloor street to check out the deli's, produce sellers, plant sellers, bakers, the liquor store with Mike's Vodka Mojitos (why vodka?), the specialty import shops. What a great neighborhood!
Susan is getting ready for her now annual art show and sale. As soon as the school year ends the two of them are off to England to visit friends. Rumor has it they will be in Michigan in July when we will see them again.
I'm already looking forward to it!
Anne |
|
|
| Catching Up on Things That Make Me Happy #6 |
[Apr. 28th, 2009|06:06 pm] |
My girlfriend, who is fond of saying, "disheveled is a good look for me," had to get cleaned up (and by that I really mean glammed up a bit) and get her picture taken this last weekend. She looked stunning. And it showed in her picture. And I was really happy for her when I saw the look on her face. She appreciated herself in a different way in that moment. |
|
|
| Things that make me Happy - Day 4 |
[Apr. 23rd, 2009|05:43 pm] |
Okay, I couldn't do this 8 days in a row. I'm just not that religious about the internet. However, I am continuing with my happiness anyway....
Day 4: Fresh Paint. I hate the smell and usually do not look forward to the actual task of painting. However, the feeling of accomplishment when finished is top notch. A freshly painted wall is a beautiful canvas. |
|
|
| Things That Make Me Happy - Day 3 |
[Apr. 17th, 2009|10:30 am] |
Opening the windows on that first day in late March or early April and feeling sun warmed air hit your skin.
Ahhh.
A. |
|
|
| Eight Days of Happy |
[Apr. 15th, 2009|05:52 pm] |
From ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) maiac For eight days, post something that makes you happy.
Day Number One goes to: Don Wenzel because he can make me laugh like no other.
|
|
|
| Gratitude |
[Apr. 10th, 2009|05:20 pm] |
Most people can't make it through a day without a complaint. Most people easily make it through a day without expressing gratitude. Looking for ways to put gratitude first. Thinking of ways to express gratitude.
A. |
|
|
| With thanks to Jeffrey... |
[Mar. 27th, 2009|05:35 pm] |
The Yahoo! Movies editorial staff has created this handy checklist to track the 100 movies you must see before you die (released before March 2009). I have bolded (and perhaps commentated) on the ones I have seen.
12 Angry Men (1957) - I still say, it’s overrated.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) – Don made sure I didn’t die without this experience.
400 Blows (1959)
8 1/2 (1963) -
The African Queen (1952) –
Alien (1979) –
All About Eve (1950) -
Annie Hall (1977) – during my adoration of Woody phase….which ended abruptly
Apocalypse Now (1979) –
The Battle of Algiers (1967)
The Bicycle Thief (1948) –
Blade Runner (1982) -. Love it. Will watch repeatedly
Blazing Saddles (1974) – Turned out to be a “classic” but I barely remember much about it.
Blow Up (1966) -
Blue Velvet (1986) – creeeeeepeeee.
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) – The true story is better….but the movie is darned good too.
Breathless (1960)
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) – Watched this in 5th grade after getting my tonsils out.
Bringing Up Baby (1938) -
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) – I liked Thelma and Louise better.
Casablanca (1942) –
Chinatown (1974) –
Citizen Kane (1941) – Freshman year….thought I should see it. Now I can say I did.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) –
Die Hard (1988) – I love this movie too…because I love witty rapartee
Do the Right Thing (1989) – Wonder if this one stands the test of time?
Double Indemnity (1944) – Late night video binge during the 80s.
Dr. Strangelove (1964) – Hated it. Still don’t think I would like it much. So I’m a philistine.
Duck Soup (1933) – Writing class freshman year. Culture of the depression years.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - Disliked all the fake endings.
Enter the Dragon (1973) -
The Exorcist (1973) – saw it as an adult years later, still creepy.
Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982) – I have to see this one for sure.
The French Connection (1971) -
The Godfather (1972) - Don and I went to the “art” theater to see this…really held up well.
The Godfather, Part II (1974) -
Goldfinger (1964) – No interest.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1968) -
Goodfellas (1990) -
The Graduate (1967) –
Grand Illusion (1938) -
Groundhog Day (1993) – I didn’t like it the first time I saw it but changed my mind on round two.
A Hard Day's Night (1964) –
In the Mood For Love (2001)
It Happened One Night (1934) – Same writing class, freshman year.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) – Don’t like it, never will, and I’m a Christmas nut.
Jaws (1975) – Will watch it over and over.
King Kong (1933) – That writing class once again.
The Lady Eve (1941)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962) – My sister loved it and I refused to follow in her footsteps as a pre-teen.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) –
M (1931) -
M*A*S*H (1970) – Different than the series…
The Maltese Falcon (1941) – Less impressed than most.
The Matrix (1999) – Loved it.
Modern Times (1936) -
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – It’s not a vorpal bunny.
National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) –the 70’s were nothing like the 50s.
Network (1976) – Nosferatu (1922) -
On the Waterfront (1954) -
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) – Very good.
Paths of Glory (1958) –
Princess Mononoke (1999) -.
Psycho (1960) – Read the screen play in college…just recently saw it.
Pulp Fiction (1994) – Thought this was quite original
Raging Bull (1980) –
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) – Just don’t see the second one.
Raise the Red Lantern (1992) -
Rashomon (1951) -
Rear Window (1954) – Only Jimmy Stewart I like.
Rebel Without a Cause (1955) -
Rocky (1976) – I cheered along with everyone.
Roman Holiday (1953) -
Saving Private Ryan (1998) – Love this movie. Doesn’t do well in your living room…it’s a movie house experience.
Schindler's List (1993) – Couldn’t bring myself to see it.
The Searchers (1956) -
Seven Samurai (1954) -
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Another film I backed away from because of anxiety.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Excellent. Watched at home, on TV, with the sun shining in the windows.
Singin' in the Rain (1952) – My roommate made me do it.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) – Mom took me.
Some Like It Hot (1959) – Funny.
The Sound of Music (1965) – Hate this movie…have never made it through.
Star Wars (1977) – the reinvention of the movies
Sunset Blvd. (1950) -
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) –
The Third Man (1949) -
This is Spinal Tap (1984) – Very different for 1984…very. And funny.
Titanic (1997) – Didn’t think I would like it as much as I did. Hype be damned.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) -
Toy Story (1995) -
The Usual Suspects (1995) – I really want to see this one.
Vertigo (1958) – That same late night movie binge in the 80s.
When Harry Met Sally… (1989) Funny and very true.
Wild Strawberries (1957)
Wings of Desire (1988) -
The Wizard of Oz (1939) – “I promise I won’t have bad dreams!”
Women On the Verge of Nervous Breakdown (1988)
The World of Apu (1959) |
|
|
| Writer's Block: Priorities |
[Mar. 3rd, 2009|05:50 pm] |
There are really quite a lot of qualities that go into being a good significant other. It's a hard job really. But, if forced to pick just one I would say "honesty" also.
Anne |
|
|
| navigation |
| [ |
viewing |
| |
most recent entries |
] |
| [ |
go |
| |
earlier |
] |
| |
|
|
