ocd

Let me just tell you...

The girl who usually sits next to me in class was wearing brown shoes with black pants and a navy shirt! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!


It was practically my worst nightmare.


Those color combinations are literally fingernails on a chalkboard to me.




Strange, but true.

ridiculous

I would like to dedicate this post to Mr. Ridiculous Motorcylist.

Allow me to demonstrate what Mr. Ridiculous Motorcyclist looked like through the use of Google Image search...

1) ridiculous long blond soul patch

2) balding dome

3) shoes from Lands End

4) tapered jeans

5) a polo shirt

Now, lest you think I am incredibly shallow, I should explain myself by saying that the reason he was utterly ridiculous is that this 45 yr old balding man in an izod polo shirt, tapered jeans, and lands end all weather mocs with the disgusting long soul patch was riding the DUMBEST motorcycle I have actually seen on the road.

It looked like this:

...except that it was a motorcycle.

And because it was a motorcyle, Mr. Ridiculous Motorcyclist could barely reach the handlebars. I had to wonder Do his arms go numb?

This man was very obviously in smack-dab in the middle of a harrowing mid-life crisis. Let's look at the facts, shall we?

the old part

- ensemble from Lands End (not that I have anything against them, I like Lands End)

- coupled with the balding head

the part trying to be young

- the nasty soul patch

- the chopper with the numbing handle bars

Perhaps you are thinking by now that I am cruel. But really, Mr. Ridiculous Motorcyclist was not only crisis-ing, but he WASNT WEARING A HELMUT.

I feel that makes him open to all mockery.

...plus I am bored at work. That makes nearly everything fair game.

From Baaaaa

From my brother... thought I would share...




So I've always been a little superstitious, as you may well know. And I just wanted to tell you ever since you got me that green coin from china I have always felt when I wore it it brought me YOUR good luck. Well, since I've moved to Ohio I have taken to wearing it every day...and every day I have it on, a bike deal goes through. Today, actually as I sat on the pooper...I remembered how I had always wanted to take that stupid bead the crazy craft-store lady in Eagle suggested I put on there...mostly so it would be the same set-up you had going. So, as I sat on the toilet, I took it off and VERY easily snapped the thin wire holding that bead on, which immediatly confirmed my silly thought to do it because it easily could have fallen off if I rubbed against something, then I would have bad luck for life.

Well...I took it off, just looped it around like you have yours...and not an hour later I got a call from a guy I called FRIDAY for a bike that had it listed in a wide-spread trade newspaper for $600 under our number. Turns out his phone died and he did not have a phone charger cause he lost it, and did not get one till today. He said I was the first to leave a message, so I drove right up. Now it ended up needing a tire....and a minor deduct for some minor cosmetic blemishes, but it still ended up being the most profitable bike I have gotten so far.

Maybe there is some truth to superstition, maybe it is just a goofy way of me liking the fact that you and I though far apart now could be wearing that same coin thing around our neck and it makes me feel closer to home. Either way, I just wanted to tell you the story...and tell you I miss and love you tons. And also to thank you...because somewhere in my silly head I do really feel that this coin brings me your undeniable good luck.

Just wanted to share that with you. And also ask, were you wearing your coin yesterday? Cause if so that would make it even nuttier, not that it matters though it still brought good luck. Anywho...hope this story brings a smile to your face. Print it and share it with mom too she will get a laugh out of it. Love and miss you once again!! Love, Chris







AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Actually, I wasnt wearing the coin, but I thought about wearing it yesterday. I was just too sick. But I think I might just wear it tomorrow...

But it begs the question, if I am wearing the coin, will he have no luck at all, or double the luck? :)

The dream

I had quite the dream on Sat night. It was interesting enough that I felt the need to report it here.


On Friday, Jon and I stayed at Gooch's house, as we were singing in Gooch's brother's wedding on Sat. We slept in his guest bedroom on a big blowup queen sized mattress. And let me tell you, it was like the creme de la creme of blow up mattresses!

The problem with blow up mattresses, however nice they are, is that if you are sleeping on them with someone else, you invariably sink to the middle. I do not exactly "sleep nice with others", but Jon is usually an exception.

To be honest, I slept hardcore and I dont think I even moved until around 6, when I got up to go to the bathroom. I had asparagus. But that is another story...


So after coming back from the bathroom, I had a hard time sleeping, and we were due to get up soon anyway so that we could trek to the church and sing in the space. I sort of drifted in and out of sleep for awhile. Finally the alarm got up, and because Jon is wonderful, he went to take a shower first, leaving me to sleep.

Right after he left, I fell back asleep, and started to have this dream in real time.

We were at Gooch's, Jon had gone to take a shower. I was waking up, and as I woke up, I thought it was a fantastic idea to join him in the shower. (Feel free to refrain from visuals) Unfortunately, he was already getting out, and I couldnt. So I followed him back into the bedroom.

Enter Josh.

Josh proceeds to begin a conversation with Jon, totally ignoring my existence. I say Josh, go away.

Josh continues to talk to Jon, ignoring me, but now he has a little smirk on his face which shows he is consciously ignoring me.

This REALLY pisses me off. Remember how I said I wanted to go get in the shower with Jon? It was because for some reason in my dream I was super horny. I am not a horny person usually, so do not think that, but I just was in the dream. And at this point, Josh is acting as a total cock-block.

So then I say to Josh, very angrily, Josh, go AWAY, I do not want to see your FACE this morning!!!!

Josh, then, begins to think that perhaps I am serious, but he still ignores me. Then he makes a comment to Jon about me being hormonal!

This puts me over the edge... now that I have been effectively blocked from booty, I am tired, and I am sick (very realistic dream, actually!), I start to get upset.

In my dream, I start doing that lamaze-esque breathing and at this point, Jon comes over to me and says, sweetie, are you crying?

EXCEPT... that that happened in REAL LIFE. Jon comes into the room, hears me breathing like I am crying, and rubs my head saying sweetie, are you crying?

So I wake up... and I am utterly confused... and I start crying for real. And I cant stop! This was like the ultimate blurring of fantasy and reality. I start laughing, while I am sobbing, and doing this crazy breathing, and then Jon starts laughing at me, but is obviously very concerned.

I then proceeded to tell Jon about the dream, and he is more alarmed with how crazy I am because every time I start talking, my eyes water up with tears!!!!




Not only that, but I was kinda pissed at Josh for most of the morning, through certainly no fault of his own!



It was just so crazy. :) And that was my dream.

I think I am in hate with someone.

I think I hate Ted.


I really think I do.


There are not many people out there that I bestow the title of "hated" to, but I think he qualifies.



Many of you out there are scrubs watchers... so think for a moment, if you will, of the Janitor. He is constantly causing trouble for JD for no apparent reason. He is rude, mean, and antagonistic. Of course, the Janitor also has a soft side, he actually wants to be friends with JD, and he does have his nice moments. He is also witty and fun.


Now take that picture, strip away the soft side, niceness, wittiness, and the fun side.

You have Ted.





Every day, Ted wears jeans, a faded blue t shirt, and blue crocs. His hair is the sort of color that blends into his face, so I cannot really tell if he has a beard or mustache, he just looks sharp all over. Of course, I do not like to look at him head on anyway, so maybe that is why I do not really know.

Of course, it is not what Ted wears that gets to me, I am just trying to give you a better visual of this man.


If you remember, last year we had somewhat of a "falling out" when I turned off one of the six rows of lights in the science and math room. I am sorry, I hate fluorescent lights. He confronted another teacher about it, saying that someone could trip and fall.

No offense, but if they tripped and fell because 3 lights out of 18 were off, they deserved it.

The other teacher fought for me, she does not like the lights either. He relented, but made sure to "log it, just in case something did happen, he would not be liable".


My God, man, would you decompress a little bit?

It might be worth mentioning that we had a passive aggressive light war before that. I would turn them off, he would walk by and turn them back on, then I would go turn them off again.





So let's fast forward to this year.
1) He actually showed me how to use my key card to get into the building. As if I do not understand that you pass it in front of the little black box, it beeps, and then I can open the door. Its not rocket science. And even if it was, I am a scientists!

2) We had the first annual science and math geek-nic yesterday, complete with hot dogs and burgers. We had our supplies lining up along a cubicle which was near the door. It was not a lot of food. It certainly was not in the way. But then he actually cornered kelly about it and said that if there was a fire, people might trip on it. Well guess what, if there is a fire, I would be more worried about forgetting my key card to get out the door than tripping on some hot dog buns!

3) Just now, I come in, I am alone in the little science room. I turned off 6 lights out of 12. Its still plentifully light in this room. I am not bothering anyone. No one minds. Ted walks in... as he is always walking through the building... and TURNS ON THE F-ING LIGHTS! WHY?! WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT?! IT DOES NOT HURT YOU!!!!!




So, I am pretty sure I am in complete hate with Ted. Sure, you should take your job seriously, but he takes it way too seriously. Do you think we are that stupid to trip because of a bottle of salad dressing, or because its not bright as day in here? Oh my goodness.


Hate.

new pics up

Here are some pictures of the drake wedding...

Click ME!



Here are some other pictures you may find amusing...

water and carbon footprints

I have been meaning to write about buying bottled water and the effect it has on the environment for awhile now.

Fortunately for you, this will not be the time.

But it is rather interesting... and something I encourage you to look into. It seems this past week has been the time for news magazines to put forth articles about it... so if you get a chance, check it out.


In other news, I am making cookies.

I decided to make cookies to bring to work tomorrow because it is the first day of school and it is going to suck. Here is my prediction:

Major crash-age with a side of angry students.

Oh, and add a dash of frustrated teachers and parents.


And so, I decided to make the balm of ages: chocolate chip cookies.

My cookies are not nearly as good as my mom's, but she finally told me the secret: she adds extra flour. I have known this for awhile, but I seem to forget every time I try to make chocolate chip cookies on my own. Ahh well. So my cookies are a little flatter. I do not mind, and I actually sort of prefer them that way. We will see what the science dept thinks tomorrow.


Jon is away in Niagra Falls until Thursday, so I have to amuse myself for the next few nights. Its not so terrible, given that I 1) spent the whole weekend with him and 2) like my alone time. Yet, I get bored easily... yet another reason for the cookies.

I was supposed to go over to Josh's to work on 32 Flavors, but I backed out due to how overwhelmingly tired I am. Yet another reason for the cookies.... I get creative and singularly focused when I am tired. I cleaned my room earlier as proof of how tired I am.



Anyway, there is nothing all that new here.

OH! But I wanted to tell everyone 2 wonderful things that I learned from Jon this past week.

1. Reece's Pieces are like small pieces of Reece's peanut butter cups (I never made the connection)

2. Impatients (the plants) have AWESOME seed pods that explode and curl back with the slightest squeeze... talk about the coolest thing ever. Or at least up there on the list.

The conclusion is that although Jon would deny it, he is smart, and he has quite a few things to teach me about. :)

exhausted

Well, since returning from Montana it seems like all I have been doing is going... and at a lightening-fast pace, for sure.

On Friday we had a family dinner as a send-off for my brother, who moved to Cincinatti yesterday. It was really good to sit down together and have a relaxing evening, even if it is sad that he left.

I am proud of him that he was able to pick up and move to a place where he knows no one - it is most certainly an adventure, and one that I think a lot of guys sort of NEED to have. At least, that is my impression. My mom says she expected it more of me than of him... but she is proud, too. It has not sunk in yet that he is gone, but I am sure it will get to me eventually. The part I will miss the most is those late night conversations as we are brushing our teeth or eating a full meal at 11 pm. The hardest part though is the realization that I AM STILL LIVING AT HOME, AND NOW I AM ALL BY MYSELF!!!

Sigh.

Welcome Ericka, cat-lady.


Speaking of cats though, its a blessing he is leaving because hopefully now Lily will not be so undeniably fat (she is fed too much!) and she will sleep with me on a more regular basis. Yes, we compete for my cat's love, even though I know she loves me best.


Anyway, after dinner, I went over to Jon's house. It was nice to have some time by ourselves after having not really seen much of each other all week.

Sat, the two of us and Josh drove to Hershey and went to the park with Les, Ben, and Nick. It was really fun... especially the people watching. My favorite coaster there is Lightening Racer... I think that is what it is called, anyway. It is the one where you can either be on Lightening or on Thunder. Lightening always wins, just so you know. :) It is one of the few wooden roller coasters that I do not get an instant headache on.
We spent all day at the park and watched fireworks before we left. Technically, I guess, we had left, but we pulled over on the side of the road in front of the "no stopping, standing, parking" sign. shrug. It was worth it!

We spent the night at a Comfort Inn, I think. Because checkout was early, we went to see SuperBad at 10:30 in the morning... after being rudely awoken by Josh. ;) We had some more time to kill, so we went to Arbys (mmmm) and then to Nick's house.

We made it to the wedding like 2 minutes before Jen walked down the aisle. We sat in the back, but that was not so terrible, as we were the first to see how utterly stunning Jen looked! The wedding was in the grand lobby of the Hershey Theater. It felt small, but there were actually about 160 people at the wedding itself. The ceremony was short and sweet (preferred by most men I know) and nicely done. The recepetion was at Hotel Hershey, which was gorgeous!

Overall, everything was, well, perfect. Even if it is hard to admit, Jen and Pete are great together in their golden-ness. :) Sickening... but perfect. :) It was also WONDERFUL to see so many Pennharmonics! Penns old and new had a bit of a reunion, and we actually took up about 4 of the 20 tables there. Thats like 20% Penns! Awesome!

My table consisted of Brad and Carolyn, Jamie and Amy, and Sita and Dan... and Jon and I of course. As soon as Jon left, Dan was like sooo... what is going on....?
I really like the fact that Jon was there for the Penns years, so its probably less awkward for him to be around all of them, and its nicer for me too because I do not feel the need to babysit him in any way. I mean, I never really feel that need anyway, but its nicer when he actually knows a lot of the people, or at least has come into contact with them. I hope that does not sound bad, but I am sure that you understand.

The dinner ran very long, as it was a full sit-down with an appetizer, salad, soup, main, and dessert courses. All pretty delicious, as was expected. I even ate the lobster bisque! However, it also meant the dancing did not get underway until around 9... and we needed to leave around 10 so that we could drive home. That was unfortunate, but it encourages me to make more time for Penns gatherings in the future, especially as I get to know people more.

Overall, a great weekend. Jon and I slept in til about 11 today and make some french toast for breakfast. Unfortunately, I am now at work.... stupid Labor Day.

Here is my schedule though for the week....

Tuesday: school, arrange with Josh after school, do some grad school reading
Wed: school, class 4 to 5
Thur: school
Fri: school
Sat: work at hospital
Sun: church, possibly PAPA?



Oh... by the way...

Feel free to wish me good luck at being the director for Project Philly Winter (to be renamed as soon as someone comes up with a cool name). The group will run from about Oct to April and exist primarily to record whatever music comes our way. Josh has been trying to talk me into it for awhile now since no one else showed the remotest of interest... and since I have been teetering back and forth about PAPA... and because I have control issues... directorship seemed like a good idea.

It makes me VERY NERVOUS because I have never directed anything musical and it combines the only two things I ever really get nervous at: teaching and music. Eep!

But everyone who has known about it thinks its very cool that I am going to direct, and seem to be in support of it. It is not one of those... "Oh.... thats, um... great." types of things. Still, I need some luck and hopefully I will be able to keep my sanity as I add yet one more thing to my heavy plate. What can I say, my eyes have always been bigger than my stomach.


Which makes a disgusting visual if you think about it.


Anyway, back to work I suppose. Happy Labor Day!