Tuesday, May 30, 2006

INSPIRED BY RYAN

1.) I am rather impatient - especially with myself other people (Other people are allowed to make mistakes, but I have it in my head that I have to be perfect).

2.) I don't trust anything popular. If everyone else is doing it, then it's probably something that I don't want to do. Other cultres are cool - I love to learn about different people.

3.) I play violin/cello/viola/piano - but not as well as I'd like. Sight-reading is evil.

4.) Profanity makes me laugh - deep down I think I'm uncomfortable with it and laugh as a coping mechanism. If you say a naughty word, I'll probably giggle.

5.) TV bores me. Sometimes I need to kill off a few brain cells, but most of what I see on television is awful. I'm 30 years old - but love to watch Arthur on PBS.

6.) I like to bicycle and play with the dog (dog play includes walking, frisbee, and sometimes running in the field at the park). I'm a baby-geocacher (see button to left).

7.) I like cottage cheese too. (Ramen noodles not so much).

8.) I've taken the beginning downhill skiing lesson three times from three different instructors and I'm still pretty terrible. Some people just aren't supposed to be downhill skiers.

9.) My roommate from college now lives in Colorado. But before you become a Colorado music teacher there you might want to read about Tresa Waggoner.

10.) I tend to get defensive at the slightest criticism. I need to fix that.

Monday, May 29, 2006

LIFE IS GOOD

1. It has been a beautiful holiday weekend.
Warm, breazy, sunny, and just a little bit humid.
Really, who could ask for anything more?
Life is good.

2. T'was my first "No Responsibilities Weekend" in ages
(and I took full advantage of it!)
Playing, bicycling, loading, kyaking, long dinners with family, sunsets, reading, sleeping, and drippy ice cream cones.
Life is good!

3. And, for those of you who have suffered with me through too many interivews and whiny job-related posts -- I have been offered (and accepted) a Full-time position. Details will come tomorrow or the next day (after I inform the real-live people who need to know).
Life is very good.

Sunday, May 28, 2006

BOOK REVIEW

I’m not sure how The Assistant first came to my attention.
Maybe Amazon recommended it.
Maybe it was in the paper or on a blog.
Maybe a friend mentioned it - It doesn’t matter.
The point is I put it on my library list and checked it out.
Mistake

* * *


I don’t do well with scary or violent movies, and even less well with scary/violent stories.
Too much empathy plus overactive imagination equals nightmares.
Even now as a so-called “grown up” I avoid ghost stories and movies that have blood and gore.
(Yes, I’m a whimp, and I miss out on a lot movies because of my whimpiness).

* * *


The Assistant starts out all warm and fuzzy -
A magician is performing at a children’s hospital.
He’s an excellent magician with a great girlfriend and a happy cozy life as a hotshot lawyer.
Somehow we go from warm fuzzy magic show to international spies crawling around the train station with intestines falling out.
(And then there’s a few torture scenes vivid enough to make a person physically ill)

* * *


This is the worst book I’ve read in a long time
Besides the blood and gore it’s just dumb
(Really, what kind of spy would go to a safe house and not bother to notice if he was being followed?)
And while I can allow for a certain suspension of disbelief – using magical illusions and The President’s kid to trick the bad guys are just too much.

It's only May, but I'm ready to officially declare The Assistant the worst book of the year. (And woe to the person who recomended it to me).

Saturday, May 27, 2006

DEAR 'OLE DAD CONVERSATION

Dad: You need to know that I've been elected to consistory again.

Me: In that case, I should probably tell you that I'm pregnant. . . . Will that get you un-elected?

Dad: It's too late. I already told them I was committing random arson, having an affair, kicking puppies, and stealing from the offering. And they picked me anyway.


* * *

For those of you who don't know - The Consistory is the boys club that supposedly runs a church. (Imagine the worst of religion and the worst of politics morphing together into a mass of late-night meetings, headaches, agruments, ulcers, and other bad things). It's tough on Dear 'ole Dad, as well as his family.

Also, those of you who aren't used to Julie/Dad humor should know that I'm not pregnant. (Unless of course you are a member of Dear 'ole Dad's church - in which case I'm a pregnant, crack addicted, athiest, who helps my father in his orphan-thieving, puppy-kicking adventures).

* * *


This is where I ought to insert a nice descriptive editorial so you all know how I really feel about church governance.
Alas, it's already past my bedtime,
And I'm rather tired.
Dear readers, consider yourself spared!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

QUOTE

Nothing in life is more remarkable than the unnecessary anxiety which we endure, and generally create ourselves
- Benjamin Disraeli

Monday, May 22, 2006

HOW LUCKY I AM

I got my 5 year Girl Scout Pin tonight
Some of you have been Girl Scouts forever and got your 5 year pin when you were 5 years old.
But I still think it's kinda cool.

Saturday, May 20, 2006

YOUTHFUL GRACE FROM THE WATER

If you were to translate my full name (from Latin, Hebrew and Dutch, into English) it would come out as "Youthful Grace From the Water"

The "youthful" part is right on.
The "graceful" part - not so much.
And those of you who have seen me swim know how silly "From the Water" is.

I'm happy to play in the water, but I'm a horrible swimmer. My first year of camp counseloring, I failed the deep water swim test (which was sort of embarrassing, but gave me an instant bond with any camper who didn't pass the deep water swim test - solidarity in the shallow end!)

Someday I probably ought to take swim lessons - but I hate getting my face wet. (Wet for a second or two while you jump into the lake is ok - but putting your head underwater and keeping it there is just craziness!)

Youthful Grace From the Water - it makes me giggle!

Friday, May 19, 2006

YIPEE!

I'm a day late on this post (sorry!)
But I just have to brag about someone who completely and absolutely deserves to be bragged about!

Long time readers may remember the amazing Delfi (who got a 106% on her first EMT test, and even started a blog, after a little bit of prompting!

Anyway, the whole world needs to know that *MY* delfi graduated from Paramedic School last night! And I am so very proud of her.

Back in the day, when ER wasn't the stupidest thing on television (and was actually something worth watching) Delfi and I would email a Friday morning review (or even a Thursday night review if we had strong opinions that couldn't wait until morning).

But then ER got really dumb, and I stopped watching. (And, based on the promos, it looks like they've gotten even dumber in the last few years. Someone just needs to pull the plug - it's the only humane thing left to do!)

Anyway, here's a public CONGRATULATIONS to the life saving Delfi. I'm thrilled to call you my friend and there's a happy chatty email coming to you this weekend! I hope you had a marvelous gradulation (and I'll be sending happy thoughts your way on June 2/3!

WELCOME HOME

He still has a visiting nurse stoping by for the next few weeks - but he's home!

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

MY HEREO

My brother Phil is my new hereo.
Phil announced that he has declared his major - philosophy.
I've always known he had philosophical interests, but a philosophy major???
The boy is just too smart for me.
But that's not why he is my hereo.
* * *


I know most of you get by with significantly less sleep than I; For some folks, six hours is a luxury. But I am the type of person who requires 8+ hours of sleep a night. I'm a sleeper!

The last three weeks have been busy/moderately stressful (work events, baby-madness, grant review, etc.) and I've been getting less than my RDA of sleep.

Last night, I was FINALLY able to get to bed early. I hit the pillow hard and zonked out. Alas, a few hours later the phone rang with a baby-emergency. "Julie, can you come sit with Miller while we take care of Anderson?"

Phil jumped in and volunteered before I could get out of bed. Because of Phil I slept (and slept and slept) for 10 hours. Phil is my hereo!

Saturday, May 13, 2006

WELCOME TO THE 21ST CENTURARY

Those of you who care already know.
And those who don't know probably don't care.
But as of last night Anderson Fletcher VW is wireless!
(No oxygen, no monitors, and no IV!!!!!)

Mom and baby should come home some time next week. Life is good.
And I'm feeling a little drained

Thursday, May 11, 2006

JK Rowling has trouble finding paper, so her fans bought it for her. I wonder if that could work for me. Hey, you know what's really hard to find around here? Scotch, kine bud and hundred dollar bills. I mean, I've looked everywhere!

Via BookSlut

Monday, May 08, 2006

FASCISM



Via Eduwonk

Sunday, May 07, 2006

WELCOME!

Anderson Fletcher VW arrived early this monring -
A little small, and still a little early, but the kid's a fighter!

Anderson surprised everyone by breathing on his own for a few hours (However the excitement of being born and breathing wore him out and they decided to help him out with a ventalator. The nurses expect that he'll come of it sometime tonight!

We aren't able to hold him yet, but I did rub his arm and tell him how proud I am of him!
Here's the obligatory photo -

Friday, May 05, 2006

CINCO de TULIP MAYO TIME . . .

Happy Tulip Time!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

(What does a Cinco De Mayo Tulip festival look like? I think Poffergies and tacos could be a mighty nice combintation!)

For you internet strangers that don't know me, I am the grinch of Tulip Time. I hate the crowds, the lingering smell of grease in the air, and the stupid costumes. (But the lighted Volks parade is pretty cool, and so are the tulips!)