Random Stuff from My Life

Saturday, October 31, 2009

All Hallow's Eve

Okay, I think I'm over the hump with the Facebook addiction. I still feel compelled to check other people's activities every 20 minutes, but I'm no longer obsessed with updating my own status. That's progress, right?

An acquaintance passed away a week or so ago, and her memorial service is today. Yes, on Halloween. Apparently we're supposed to go in costume. This should be interesting. The last lesbian funeral we went to was four hours long! Can't anybody just wear black, cry and read the Twenty-third Psalm anymore?

After that, I guess we'll see if the neighbor kids come over to trick-or-treat, and then we might head to the bar. There's supposed to be some costume contest, and since we're already dressing up for the funeral... That's a weird sentence, huh?

Anyway, I now have a job interview before we leave for Australia, so I'm kind of nervous about that. I'm also suffering from anxiety about impending travel withdrawal, as our Australia trip is the last thing we have planned (and if I actually get the job, we won't have time to travel for awhile; but if I don't, we won't be able to AFFORD to travel until we pay off Australia). So, I booked a hotel room in Portland for the first weekend in March. Gives me something to look forward to, but I can cancel up to 24 hours in advance if I need to.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Nobody told me it was going to be this hard

Well, I managed to avoid the first two stations along the whole Sunday afternoon nap/coffee/no sleep tonight vicious cycle. How? By spending the entire afternoon shopping. And I do mean shopping, with relatively little buying.

Why the intensive shopping? Because we are going to Australia. "But you've been overseas before," you say. "What makes this trip different/special?" I guess it would be a nasty combination of two factors: my job and the airline industry.

You see, due to budget cuts, I actually need to remain reasonably reachable this time around (unlike past trips off the continent) because there's no one else to reach. So, I'm taking the Blackberry, which is on the GSM network (as opposed to our CDMA cell phones) and thus will work Down Under. The problem is that Australia has a different electrical current. So... how am I supposed to CHARGE the stupid Blackberry? Thus online research, followed by a trip to Radio Shack.

Issue #2: Since we are traveling domestically before our international flight, we are stuck with the latest airline innovation - checked baggage fees! In other words, we've got to figure out how to pack for Los Angeles, Wichita and Melbourne (i.e., three seasons) in one carry-on bag apiece. That - plus the havoc visited upon our bag the last time we paid the baggage fee - means that we also needed to buy new luggage. But not just any luggage, mind you: we needed to find that perfect combination of cheap, roomy enough for the aforementioned packing challenge, and small enough to be considered "carry-on" on the prop planes that will begin and end this journey. Plus, it must roll to avoid strain on The Husband's neck.

In the end, I think we got things that will address both of these dilemmas, though neither is an ideal solution. I'm still worried about the digital camera not holding a charge for the entire time we're in the world of 220v plugs, but we've survived with 35mm disposables before. As long as we get pics of the penguins, I'll live.

I also found a nice pocket-sized Lonely Planet guide to Melbourne with a map, which will save on space and assist with the packing. And Mom's Christmas present will fit in the bag yet leave space for an Aussie souvenir in its stead.

This trip just seems to require more intricate planning than in the past. Better be worth it!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Why I need a job

Whenever I'm working, I'm too busy to do anything at home. Whenever I'm not working, we're traveling like mad men and I need a vacation by the time I get back to work. Today, for Indigenous Peoples' Columbus Thanksgiving (Canada) Day of La Raza, I got a reminder of how I fare when I truly don't have anything planned. And boys and girls, it is not a pretty sight.

I did manage to take a shower and put on clothes, but it is now 3:30 p.m. and I have yet to breathe outdoor air. Not even an excuse to walk to the mailbox, so I'll stay glued to the computer ALL DAY LONG. I did manage to find this and this. (I still can't decide if I like the Shakira song or not, but I'm leaning towards yes now.) Plus, there were those 200+ spam e-mails that I hadn't gone through since returning from vacation two weeks ago.

Oh well, I went to a park on Saturday. That counts, right?

Sunday, October 04, 2009

You're kidding, right?

It's October. You're kidding, right? Less than a month 'til I'm 39!

It's almost five in the evening. You're kidding, right? I guess that's because I violated my "no naps on Sundays" rule. But in my defense, I REALLY needed one after the physical and emotional exhaustion of helping all weekend with our church's big anniversary party.

I still have stuff to do before Monday morning. You're kidding, right? I mean, other than eat dinner and veg out in front of the TV...

Two of K-State's last three games have been decided by less than a field goal. You're kidding, right? At least this weekend was a W.

Next weekend I have three whole days off with NO plans. PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE NOT KIDDING!