Idaho Gal

Happy Birthday Mack!

2008-07-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight we'll be partaking in these sweet-ass moves. You should be jealous! Very jealous!

What I get to look forward to...

2008-07-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Guess what? A naked man hijacked a bus in Las Vegas yesterday! It's what I get to look forward to on my daily bus ride! I absolutely can't wait!

Facebook requests

2008-07-05T18:47:00.000-07:00

Facebook requests bother me. Especially the kind where I haven't seen or heard from the person since high school. I've recently had two acquaintances from high school request my friendship and I am confused as to what I should do.

When I graduated from high school I never looked back. I danced to the beat of my own drum and my small community knew it. I had no intention of marrying young and popping out babies like many of my friends did. And because of this I can honestly say I've kept in touch with one person from high school and he didn't even graduate with me.

What also interests me is that both of the individuals "requesting" were on my high school reunion committee, the one I was conveniently not invited to. I guess calling my father who still lives in the small-ass town and asking where I could be located was too much work. The snub made me want to totally Romy and Michelle the reunion. It just goes to show that reunions are for the popular crowd. My father urged I not attend anyway (the local newspaper announced it). He felt my accomplishments wouldn't match up with the many children the women I graduated with have had. Where I come from the badges are babies, Bibles, and husbands. No, no, and nope.

So I have not seen or talked to these people, nor would I via Facebook. Even in high school I really wasn't close to them. I'm not into "collecting" friends. In fact the only reason I signed up for Facebook was because my undergraduate students requested it and I felt it might boost my end of the semester evaluations (which it did). So what should I do? I know I'm not alone out there after recently reading this post over at Magic Cookie. Is Facebook something people are now using to reconnect and possibly become better friends? Isn't it just a way to lurk? Am I missing the point? Because I honestly feel like it's more of a "look how many friends I have" thing.

Dear Woosellio,

2008-07-05T18:16:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to Cat Stevens and wondering what you're doing. I finally watched Harold and Maude and know why you like it so much. I like it too. The other day I was wondering if you've grown chest hair yet. I don't really know why I thought about that. I saw Patricia "Awol" Cornwall's Jack the Ripper book today and thought about our crazy trip to Canada. I'm sorry I was such a bitch, you and K didn't deserve it. The Moose Drool is here, it's not too cold, if you want to come over. I'll even wrestle up an actual ashtray for you. Kiss Ocean and Pixel for me.

Love,

Me

Goals

2008-07-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

I have the next week off. Here are my goals:

Clean and sort through the garden shed. I have many pots to get rid of along with the potting soil inside. Thankfully I've already found a home for them.
Pack the hallway books and sort through those I will most likely never read and donate. I feel bad getting rid of books, however space is an issue and I like to have it!
Yard work!
Law School reading list tackled.
Sort through furniture to see what we can do without.
Pack, pack and pack. Cleaning while packing.

It is a lot however I feel that if I get a good start on things then in a month I'll be in a better place when the move occurs. We've accumulated so much in a year and half since we lived in a one bedroom apartment. Now we've got to go from a three bed to a two bedroom and a two car to a single car garage. Ahh the joys of a good challenge.

I think it was time.

2008-07-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

I gave up on a friend today. It was very hard to do but I felt that I just had to let go. The number was deleted from my phone. An e-mail was sent.

I keep telling myself that it's okay to let go of friends. It wasn't a bad argument or anything. I just think it was time to exit stage right. I feel horrible. Not a good way to start a holiday. Not to mention I've got to go and get two shots in an hour, one of which is a tetanus shot which hurts like hell. Not going to be a fun day.

BTT: Holidays

2008-07-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

It’s a holiday weekend here in the U.S., so let’s keep today’s question simple–What are you reading? Anything special? Any particularly juicy summer reading?

In preparation for law school I'm reading The Brethren by Bob Woodward and A Civil Action by Jonathan Harr. I'm almost finished with the Brethren which discusses the Supreme Court from 1969-1975. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the Supreme Court. Along with interesting cases (Watergate, Roe v. Wade), the personal aspects of the Justices make it an enjoyable read. I haven't started A Civil Action yet but I plan on reading it this weekend. It doesn't look like a difficult book. I'm not particularly fond of the idea of reading it but it has been on several pre-law school reading lists and I picked it up for a buck. My goal for the next week is to knock out some of this boring reading so I can get into something good. Any recommendations on what I should read?

An Ode to Farmer Ted

2008-06-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

I had never seen this movie. Farmer Ted was appalled. According to him the following clip is the only reason to see this movie---Rob Lowe's sexy sax solo.

I just shook my head.

My Hair Debacle

2008-06-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

I did something the other day I have never, EVER done before, I complained to a hair dresser and succeeded with my request! Yeah! I had my haircut and colored almost two weeks ago and walked away extremely dissatisfied. I wanted my roots touched up since I had been long overdue for a coloring and cut. I walked away still with roots. She told me that the sun would lighten my hair. I wanted to tell her that I wasn't throwing money her way for that lovely advice. She complimented the way my hair gradually got lighter toward the ends. I wanted to kill her considering it was obvious that I was not a true, true blond with the way my hair turned out. Who goes to the salon wanting their roots one color and the mid and end sections another? Honestly? I'm not currently in a band* and I'd choose Kool-aid over a salon if I wanted to stand out.
So I called and made another appointment. She admitted that she was unhappy with the lifting process and now I am a much happier blond! My roots match my tips and I didn't hear a word about the sun naturally taking care of my strands. In the end I chose to tip her since she did the right thing by correcting her mistake. I also wanted to pay her for her time since I know what it's like to work in the service field. I appreciated not having to explain in fine detail my disgust and she was very professional. Hooray! I feel so much better!

*Superdrumtastic, my all-drum band, is currently on a hiatus.

I agree..HORRIBLE!

2008-06-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

I could not agree more with this article. The audio clip horribly woke me up yesterday and like someone else I too will never be able to get those three minutes back!

Dork Alert!

2008-06-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

I've warned you! What you're about to read is so utterly dork-ish that you'll be embarrassed for reading it. I've decided to start another online reading group! Before I tell you the book let me first say that I am SOOOOOOOO EXCITED! I've read it before however this time will be better because I'll be simultaneously listening to another well-known academic dissect the book! Farmer Ted is jealous since he won't have time to participate. However he has suggested another reading option...which I'll also try to fit in (blegh!). Feel free to shake your head in disgust.

So what's the book?

Karl Marx's Capital!

You know you're jealous!

Where I've been lately

2008-06-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

So I've been in this strange place lately with respect to blogging. I have one month left before my life is turned upside-down. For starters I'll be moving to Las Vegas and will no longer be able to call Idaho my home. So in order not to confuse people I'll change the title of my blog slightly to something along the lines of "An Idaho Gal in Vegas". Suggestions welcome! While I live mostly in denial deep down I know that my Northern Idaho/Eastern Washington roots will never leave me. Born a redneck always a redneck!
The other aspect is that I'll be beginning law school which some have equated to purgatory. So like other lemmings I started a law school blog to document my specific law school adventures. And I plan on cross-posting so that my personal stories are on both blogs. Anyone interested in reading my law school blog AND respecting my anonymity over at the blog just let me know. I'm very nervous about law school but I'm excited as well. I'm nervous about the work load but excited about the people I'll meet and the opportunities I'll have.

So dear readers I promise you I'll post more but know I feel as if I've fallen through the looking glass. Any advice for packing up a huge house and moving it across state lines?

BTT: Definition

2008-06-26T05:45:00.000-07:00

What, in your opinion, is the definition of a “reader.” A person who indiscriminately reads everything in sight? A person who reads BOOKS? A person who reads, period, no matter what it is? … Or, more specific? Like the specific person who’s reading something you wrote?

For some reason I feel like this was recently a topic. Oh well. I define a reader as someone who reads for pleasure or enjoyment. While we may all read on a daily basis, whether it's the newspaper, work, e-mail, etc I don't necessarily believe that we are reading because we desire to. So a smidgen of desire is worked into my definition. While I have no children of my own there are many in life. I'm always reading with them and they know that we have to read for at least five minutes without interruptions. Reading is a skill on its way to becoming a reader.

FF: 194

2008-06-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

Appetizer

If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?

Difficult, Antarctica is up there but I think it would have to be Asia. I would love to explore all that China has to offer. I suppose I could if I had the money since I have three friends living over there. Farmer Ted pointed out that I should pick Australia since it's an island and I have thus far only been to islands. An actual continent might throw things off.

Soup

Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?

Mozilla, because all my friends use it. And I love Leechblock which keeps me away from sites I shouldn't be wasting my time on. This will come in handy this fall when law school starts.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?

7---I have a strong aversion to the Civil War, however all else is covered.

Main Course

Finish this sentence: Love is…

a garden. Dig it! (Farmer Ted's addition) All I can think of is Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar

Dessert

Have you ever been in or near a tornado?

No. I'm sure I've had a drink called a tornado though. Does that count?

BTT: Flavor

2008-06-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Think about your favorite authors, your favorite books . . . what is it about them that makes you love them above all the other authors you’ve read? The stories? The characters? The way they appear to relish the taste of words on the tongue? The way they’re unafraid to show the nitty-gritty of life? How they sweep you off to a new, distant place? What is it about those books and authors that makes them resonate with you in ways that other, perfectly good books and authors do not?

This is a truly complicated question. Several books stand out as favorites, all for different reasons. Reflecting on those that come to mind I would have to say that these books resonate with me due to what I was going through at the time I read them. I have fond memories of Anne of Green Gables as a child, most likely because I was coping with my parent's divorce. Anne is a strong, courageous character who overcame obstacles. I'm positive this is why I was drawn to her.
Old Jules by Mari Sandoz reminds me of living with my own angry father. It is one of my favorites because again, if Mari could do it then so can I. I related to many of her experiences even though she lived in the 19th c. When I read it my father was just being diagnosed with kidney failure and thus in need of a lot of assistance.
I have always loved the Harry Potter series because when you listen to them they sound so exciting. I enjoy the feeling of closing my eyes and listening to Harry's adventures. It's an escape from reality unlike any other audiobook I've ever listened to.
I've enjoyed Jeanette Winterson and Jhumpa Lahiri because of the emotion they write into their books. Winterson makes me think about feeling like I never have before, while Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies came at a time in my life where I was feeling lifeless. Reading the emotion helped re-spark life back into me.
Then there are those books like Carson McCullers's The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Carlos Bulosan's America is in the Heart that just remind me of growing up in small town USA. Bulosan because he traveled through the area I grew up in and McCullers because she captured the loneliness small towns often possess. I am proud of myself for not looking back after H.S. graduation. Small town life is just not for me.*

So, the flavor is really just what I'm experiencing in my life at the time I'm reading any book. I'm sure I'm not alone in this as many people read in search for parts of themselves they've never known or explored. I don't need self-help books, just the right book at the right time.

*Small is under 10,000 people. I am perfectly content in a city of 30,000 + or even seven million.

Live from Las Vegas

2008-06-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

We've been here two whole days with two goals: to find a place to live and to see the law school.
Found a house to live in yesterday, AHEM, the very first day we were here. It's cute, has pool access and outside misting system for already spoiled dogs. Today we went to the law school where I received an "eh" tour. The dude, oh wait!, Director of Admissions, did not know how to sell his school. A beautiful law school though. Other perks were partying last night with friends met in line for Purple Reign, the Prince tribute band AND partying with Wayne Brady, who likes to have an entourage of ladies. Our table kept ourselves busy by betting who would be the first person to puke at the table in front of us. It was horribly fun!

Winnings: $5.11
Money spent gambling: 0

I found eleven cents and won five pigs on the free spin! Whoo-hoo!

FF:193

2008-06-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Appetizer

Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?

At the moment? Pessimist. We're moving to a new city, new state, and I'm very nervous. My nerves have been causing me to be a pessimist lately.

Soup

What is your favorite color of ink to write with?

I have no preference in ink. I tend to prefer cheap freebie pens over nicer ones. I probably don't have to ever buy a pen with the number I have in my house. They just seem to accumulate over time. However if it's a pencil then I prefer Ticonderoga pencils above all else.

Salad

How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

Occasionally I will pay for them but for the most part I do them myself. When I was a full time floral designer I gave myself one weekly due to standing on my feet all day and using my hands. The knives we would use dried out my skin and my cuticles were always dry. I find that a good scrub, some cuticle oil and a rich lotion do the trick for me.

Main Course

Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

No.

Dessert

In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?

Well, we have two laptops and a desktop. The laptops are everywhere in the house. The desktop stays in our bedroom where we also use it to watch movies and online television. We have really bad reception for digital television and don't watch enough tv to pay for cable. It's nice and easy since we have a wireless mouse and wireless keyboard. If I wanted to surf the net in bed I can.

BTT: Clubbing

2008-06-12T06:37:00.000-07:00

A combo of two suggestions by: Heidi and by litlove

Have you ever been a member of a book club? How did your group choose (ot, if you haven’t been, what do you think is the best way to choose) the next book and who would lead discussion?

Do you feel more or less likely to appreciate books if you are obliged to read them for book groups rather than choosing them of your own free will? Does knowing they are going to be read as part of a group affect the reading experience?

I have never been a member of a book club. I just don't have the time for one. I also think I'm too selfish since I tend to read books I like and frequently pause my reading or switch when a book is getting boring. (I find that my reading moods change often.) I do however enjoy discussing books with others as I often find different insights and perspectives. One aspect of book clubs that deters me is the idea that the group is telling me how to feel about a book. I'm not interested in , for example, Oprah telling me the reasons why I should relish her latest book choice.
I don't think I would appreciate books if I was obliged to read them. I'm thinking about my English courses in college and how I loathed having to read certain books because they were required. I'd much rather read a book because I wanted to as it makes reading it more enjoyable.

Sexing the Cherry

2008-06-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to read this book for years. I bought it in 2000 after reading Winterson's The Passion, which I love. However, I don't get Sexing the Cherry. I read it carefully, as I do with all of Winterson's writing, because she tends to hide themes and play with words. Her style fascinates and challenges me as a reader. But as I finished this one I felt empty. I suppose this is ok since I'm not bound to enjoy every book I read, but after seeing this book on the 1001 books you should read before death I couldn't help but be disappointed. The story is somewhat post-modern, with aspects of magical realism however I wouldn't label it that. Oh well, at least it's off my To Be Read in 2008 list.

FF 192

2008-06-06T07:50:00.000-07:00

Appetizer

When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

Pouring into a glass with ice. I prefer glass to plastic if offered plastic I usually turn it down.

Soup

What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

We don't watch tv unless the show is posted online. Sorry, but no tv in our house.

Salad

Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

Brilliant? I think the way Walt Disney World was built one story above ground is genius. I think the movie Amelie is pretty darn close. I think Farmer Ted can act like a genius some days. But brilliant? I'd have to say my dogs. They are brilliant at begging and getting to sleep on the bed--which is hard since one is a Great Dane and the other a Lab.

Main Course

Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

Yes. When I worked for the State I wasn't allowed to and Farmer Ted isn't allowed to either which sucks. I don't work very far from home so in the long run I really wouldn't save much gas. We probably drive ten miles total in an average day.

Dessert

If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

I was just explaining to Farmer Ted that I had a boyfriend who would wear a superhero cape around. His superhero name was "Scirocco Danger" and he was 25 when we dated. He was a true child at heart. I couldn't think of anything, so I asked Farmer Ted. He suggested General Disarray. I'm not going to ask why, but I do know that it's a South Park character. I think I like my mild attempt of "Dancing Queen" much better. I'll admit that my robot dance is really coming together. Street performers beware!

BTT: Trends

2008-06-05T05:41:00.000-07:00

Have your book-tastes changed over the years? More fiction? Less? Books that are darker and more serious? Lighter and more frivolous? Challenging? Easy? How-to books over novels? Mysteries over Romance?

Oh my goodness yes! I used to only read non-fiction and memoirs. Now I read a lot more fiction. I also read more than I did ten years ago. I would say that the books I've been reading are more challenging since I've been reading more classic literature. I still don't read many grocery-store novels, mysteries, romance, etc but that doesn't mean that I won't start someday. I've been enjoying my time with fiction but I usually read a non-fiction book alongside the fiction. I think this keeps me a little grounded in my reading. In general, I just don't know what I would do without a good book.

Those two...

2008-06-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

Today would have been my parent's 30th wedding anniversary and of course, I called to remind them of it. My mother, eh...she remembered. My father's response was was, "Oh. So I could have been out of jail by now if I had just shot her."

Thanks Dad. You always know how to redneck things up for us.

A presented challenge

2008-06-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

School is out which means I'm on to new odds and ends jobs this summer before I begin law school. One is as a math tutor. On Friday Farmer Ted and I headed over to the home where I'll tutor for a fine feast of food, friends and fun. The house is stunning. The yard is fabulous and the homemade sangria was heavenly.
I've known this family for the past year and they have been absolutely wonderful to me. So when they asked if I would tutor their daughter I had no reservations. I had been told that Mr. S is a wine connoisseur and Mrs. S an excellent chef. I was and am excited to spend two evenings each week with them. Especially now that Farmer Ted is studying for the Nevada bar exam.

However a new challenge presented itself to me.

Mr. S was telling us wine stories and I briefly mentioned that I grew up in Washington's wine country. I told him about my aversion toward some wines due to a childhood of drinking diluted wine since we couldn't afford juice. Yep. My mother would dilute the wine we received from the wineries we sold our grapes to and serve it for dinner. My parents really don't drink and in the 80's there was a lot of shitty wine. It worked well as a juice substitute and I'm positive us kids willingly went to sleep on our own.

So Mr. S presented me with a challenge; to learn to enjoy wine. Was he serious? Yes. I start my wine appreciation course tomorrow with a man who knows way too much about wine. It will be interesting to see if I can tutor while wine-ing. I still can't believe they're going to pay me to do this.

Blast From the Past #5

2008-06-01T14:26:00.000-07:00

Sept. 28, 1993

Dear K,

How's it goin? Buenos Dias? Como esta? Muy Bien. I learned that in Spanish. We won our first game. We won 20-6 against Interlake. We play Newport next. There is going to be a retreat Oct. 8-10 at Lazy F! I'll send you a copy. Come if you can. Cale will be there. My picture is wierd. The guy said here look this way, and my eyes are totally off. I'm getting new songs for my drums: Jeremy, Would, Stairway to Heaven, D'ver Maker, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Sorry so short!

Love,
J

P.S. Don't care for looks. I wanna have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul. I want you to notice when I'm not around. So fuckin special. I wish I were special, but I'm a creep. I'm a riddle. What the hell am I doin here. I don't belong here.

Farmer Ted's thought process

2008-05-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Farmer Ted's godson's 3rd birthday is this weekend. However an actual celebration will be postponed until July, to which Farmer Ted had this comic response:

I hope you are not planning to delay Cosmo’s actual birthday because I happen to know that he is counting down the days until he is able to legally visit the Cactus (and Graineys at 1 AM, of course). Presently, we are at 6573. This would be very disappointing to him and would force him to go to the black market for Cactus-entrance credentials (Nevada or otherwise).

On the other hand, delaying a birthday would be pretty sweet to me. I propose that I will delay my next birthday until 2491, which, not coincidentally, is the same date the Buck Rogers emerged from some sort of stasis on the TV show named after him.