As I've read through old blog posts, it dawned on me that it seems as if I'm writing for an 8th grade English class. I've done poems, repetition, even an acrostic poem. Thanks to all you lurkers for not pointing that out to me! So with keeping in the vein of 8th grade, how about some boring haikus that would garner about a C- for lackluster creativity?
What makes a haiku? Well the first line must have 5 syllables, the 2nd line 7 syllables and the 3rd line 5 syllables.
Orientation
weed walks, food groups, rice rice rice
faith journeys, we go!
Boring breakfast food
soup crackers iced tea thrilling
wishing for crabcakes...
23 April 2010
11 April 2010
A boring post that sounds like I've written it from a bay window in a nursing home.
I went walking in the woods today with a friend, my dog, and her dog. It was one of those glorious spring days that just kinda creeps up on ya. The tiny leaves were finally uncurling on new branches, mud was beginning to slink back in to dirt, and old guys on bikes were wheezing past us trying to regain their 'bicycle shape' they once had last fall. I find that spring is one of my favorite times of year because it feels like I've earned it. 5 months of scraping snow off my car, of taking Eli out for a pee in -10f weather, of simply just having to put on a scarf and hat and coat and dry shoes and socks to get ready to go to work..basically spring is the reward we get for living through the winter and I'm pretty happy about that one.
05 April 2010
Foreshadowing
So as you can guess, Facebook and I are back together. We said some things we didn't mean, we both apologized, and are now working at seeing less of each other. In my last post, I wrote that I hadn't seen some of my 'friends' in year or even decades. I guess that was a little bit of a foreshadowing event because I landed in Milledgeville Friday afternoon for a visitation of our beloved Mr. Hefty. And during the time my brother and I stood in line to see the family, a lot of my old facebook 'friends' came to life because they were standing all around, too.
So Mr. Hefty, thanks for bringing the entire town together last weekend.
Thanks for teaching at least 3 generations of jr. high and high school kids.
Thanks for letting me be the screaming Queen of Hearts in 7th grade.
Thanks for honking and waving as you and Mrs. Hefty drove past as I shot hoops behind the house.
So Mr. Hefty, thanks for bringing the entire town together last weekend.
Thanks for teaching at least 3 generations of jr. high and high school kids.
Thanks for letting me be the screaming Queen of Hearts in 7th grade.
Thanks for honking and waving as you and Mrs. Hefty drove past as I shot hoops behind the house.
08 March 2010
Me and facebook are sorta broken up.
A FACEBOOK FAST.
Not being on facebook is quite nice during this Lenten season.
No updates, group invites, friend requests.
Leaving behind the empty feeling of reading status updates about 'friends.'
Thinking of something clever to write about now lives on inside Twitter where just a few people read what I think.
Forgetting the urge to read about others' lives even though I haven't seen them in
months, days, years, and for the majority of those friends....a decade.
Realizing that the people I want to be connected to are already connected with me whether it's family, co-workers or neighbors. They are in my actual waking life.
Not being on facebook is quite nice during this Lenten season.
No updates, group invites, friend requests.
Leaving behind the empty feeling of reading status updates about 'friends.'
Thinking of something clever to write about now lives on inside Twitter where just a few people read what I think.
Forgetting the urge to read about others' lives even though I haven't seen them in
months, days, years, and for the majority of those friends....a decade.
Realizing that the people I want to be connected to are already connected with me whether it's family, co-workers or neighbors. They are in my actual waking life.
16 February 2010
An acrostic poem based on my groceries of the week.
Dropped
Untouched
Missing a price tag
Precious English Muffins!
Snow keeps things fresh
Thoughts of Matthew 6:25
Eclectic mix of fruit, veggies, and bread
Rescued onions from rotting
Discovering the dumpster gate was unlocked
Investigated the state of rotten strawberries-too moldy for me
Valuable food perched on the dumpster just waiting
Iffy expiration dates have never phased me
No need to buy actual food, when free things sit out back.
Going again on Sunday, 3ish. Wanna come?
Untouched
Missing a price tag
Precious English Muffins!
Snow keeps things fresh
Thoughts of Matthew 6:25
Eclectic mix of fruit, veggies, and bread
Rescued onions from rotting
Discovering the dumpster gate was unlocked
Investigated the state of rotten strawberries-too moldy for me
Valuable food perched on the dumpster just waiting
Iffy expiration dates have never phased me
No need to buy actual food, when free things sit out back.
Going again on Sunday, 3ish. Wanna come?
29 January 2010
WIFI
This morning I find myself at the office for orientation at a camp in central Florida. You may be asking yourself what does an office at orientation actually look like? Well the 2010 office at camp consists of a laptop, and a picnice table nestled close to the camp manager's house to catch a wifi signal. I head here about once a day to check emails and then wak back up toward the block of rooms where everyone stays. I like the fact that the wifi around here has to be earned. I don't automatically wake up and open my laptop. I have to be intentional about walking down the road to the house to check email. The camp life definitely has its perks!
11 January 2010
A love letter
Dear Aldi,
I hate to cross reference my facebook statuses and my blogideas. Tonight I went to the gym for an hour or so and then I felt too lazy to drive across town to my regular store, Aldi's. Instead I drove a block from the gym to Dominick's. I've been doing my shopping at Aldi's for about 10 months. I used to go to Food 4 Less (yes it's a number 4 instead of the word, and yes that type of thing does bother me. But then the management at F4L changed the layout of the store and I really couldn't take it any longer.) 2 blocks south of Aldi's. But one day, I just decided I'd be super frugal gal (notice gal is actually in the word frugal!) and swallow my pride and see what was new with Aldi's.
I'm actually quite familiar with Aldi's. We've gone there a lot for orientations and such. I also went to the store down in Sterling when I was growing up. I tended to feel pretty embarassed about shopping there but I couldn't really figure out why it was like that. Now as an actual adult, I tend to shop at Aldi's once a week. Yes they don't have every single vegetable, but they definitely have the basics I need (potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, red/green/yellow peppers, mushrooms). Their little wine section rivals the $2 chuck from Trader Joe's. My fave of the month is Winking Owl's Chardonnay.
So anyway, as I was strolling the extra wide aisles of Dominick's tonight with the really sad bastasrd music playing in the background, I realized I missed Aldi's. I missed using my quarter to get an extra clean cart from the section near the door. I missed the quietude of my store. Barry Manilow serenading me in Dominick's just about made me choke up in the ethnic section. I told myself that using my shiny little Dominick's savers card would make up the difference, but in the end I still spent $18 more than my weekly trip to Aldi's.
So in the end, you won my heart and debit card back, Aldi's. I'll see you in a few weeks, with my shiny quarter in hand.
Love,
callie
PS I won't forget my giant ikea bag in my car this time. I promise.
I hate to cross reference my facebook statuses and my blogideas. Tonight I went to the gym for an hour or so and then I felt too lazy to drive across town to my regular store, Aldi's. Instead I drove a block from the gym to Dominick's. I've been doing my shopping at Aldi's for about 10 months. I used to go to Food 4 Less (yes it's a number 4 instead of the word, and yes that type of thing does bother me. But then the management at F4L changed the layout of the store and I really couldn't take it any longer.) 2 blocks south of Aldi's. But one day, I just decided I'd be super frugal gal (notice gal is actually in the word frugal!) and swallow my pride and see what was new with Aldi's.
I'm actually quite familiar with Aldi's. We've gone there a lot for orientations and such. I also went to the store down in Sterling when I was growing up. I tended to feel pretty embarassed about shopping there but I couldn't really figure out why it was like that. Now as an actual adult, I tend to shop at Aldi's once a week. Yes they don't have every single vegetable, but they definitely have the basics I need (potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, red/green/yellow peppers, mushrooms). Their little wine section rivals the $2 chuck from Trader Joe's. My fave of the month is Winking Owl's Chardonnay.
So anyway, as I was strolling the extra wide aisles of Dominick's tonight with the really sad bastasrd music playing in the background, I realized I missed Aldi's. I missed using my quarter to get an extra clean cart from the section near the door. I missed the quietude of my store. Barry Manilow serenading me in Dominick's just about made me choke up in the ethnic section. I told myself that using my shiny little Dominick's savers card would make up the difference, but in the end I still spent $18 more than my weekly trip to Aldi's.
So in the end, you won my heart and debit card back, Aldi's. I'll see you in a few weeks, with my shiny quarter in hand.
Love,
callie
PS I won't forget my giant ikea bag in my car this time. I promise.
05 January 2010
Guitars and such.
Have you wanted to make yourself small again? When I play the guitar when no one is around, I play it with my ear resting on the body. I can hear all the vibrations of the strings together. I can imagine that's what Beethoven did just to feel the vibrations when he was growing deaf. Whenever I hear Sweet Lorraine by Patty Griffin, I can almost feel each strum and rhythm,as if I was a little enough camp inside the guitar!
04 January 2010
2010. This decade's gonna be great.
Did you notice that I didn't finish the Best 09 blog-month-thing? I love not having to follow through with every little minute (my-newt) thing!
27 December 2009
Spike 2010
Social web moment: Many firsts came to me this year, related to online community building. First, in early January, my mother friended me on facebook. It was a big step! Then, this Christmas my entire family got hooked into Skype (my dad calls it Spike). Hello out there to Memphis and Somerville! Wahooooo!
26 December 2009
Dean House 2.0
Insight moment or Epiphany of the Year:
My moment of the year occurred to me in early August in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It came to me while sitting the front porch on an old house. My vision was that BVS moved from Elgin to Harrisonburg. BVS bought an old house and converted certain rooms to offices. Then, when orientations were in session, it was converted over to a meeting area. And when nothing was going on, it was the house that I lived in and took care of while nothing major was going on. Maybe one day it will come to be!
My moment of the year occurred to me in early August in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It came to me while sitting the front porch on an old house. My vision was that BVS moved from Elgin to Harrisonburg. BVS bought an old house and converted certain rooms to offices. Then, when orientations were in session, it was converted over to a meeting area. And when nothing was going on, it was the house that I lived in and took care of while nothing major was going on. Maybe one day it will come to be!
25 December 2009
LAME!
Gift: What's a gift you gave yourself that keeps on giving?
Whoa. This one seems entirely hoaky. Long walks at sunset? A gorgeous morning view from my ugly balcony? Nope. The gift I gave myself that makes my heart swell and soon is my amazing and humble grapefruit knife! I use it daily during the week at lunchtime and it just makes my soul sing....lalalalalala!
Whoa. This one seems entirely hoaky. Long walks at sunset? A gorgeous morning view from my ugly balcony? Nope. The gift I gave myself that makes my heart swell and soon is my amazing and humble grapefruit knife! I use it daily during the week at lunchtime and it just makes my soul sing....lalalalalala!
24 December 2009
Do be do be Do
Learning experience. What was a lesson you learned this year that changed you?
I think B__ would agree that 2009 was the year that I learned how to do my job. It's as short and sweet as that. B__ helped think through logistical issues related to volunteers, housing, transportation, meals, and finances. In the end, I figured out how to do what I do without her prompting! Wahooooo! Independence!
I think B__ would agree that 2009 was the year that I learned how to do my job. It's as short and sweet as that. B__ helped think through logistical issues related to volunteers, housing, transportation, meals, and finances. In the end, I figured out how to do what I do without her prompting! Wahooooo! Independence!
23 December 2009
Apps of the Year for Wasting Time
Web tool: It came into your work flow this year and now you couldn't live without it. It has simplified or improved your online experience.
I don't know if I have a certain web tool, but I definitely have some favorite apps for my ipod touch.
Line Up is one that I tend to play in my head before I go to sleep. It has that Tetris effect!
I don't know if I have a certain web tool, but I definitely have some favorite apps for my ipod touch.
Line Up is one that I tend to play in my head before I go to sleep. It has that Tetris effect!
Tap Word is the other app that passes the time for me when I'm traveling or just trying to unwind!
22 December 2009
Huck
Start-up of the Year: What's a business you've found this year that you just adore?
I asked Eli this question today and he had a lot of good businesses to suggest.
I also asked him if he wanted to be a guest blogger for today's post, but he chose to curl up and promptly fall asleep. Eli's top notch choice for business of the year is....drum roll please...
West Paw Design This is the company that supplies the super strong balls that Eli chomps on for hours everyday. I think they're great, personally. I've spent about $35 this year on 2 balls. Some would say that's a bit to pricey but for me and the things in the apt, Eli hasn't chewed a Christmas ornament, a flip flop, or even a plant on the coffee table.
Thanks West Paw Design for keeping Eli occupied and all of my belongings unchewed!
I asked Eli this question today and he had a lot of good businesses to suggest.
I also asked him if he wanted to be a guest blogger for today's post, but he chose to curl up and promptly fall asleep. Eli's top notch choice for business of the year is....drum roll please...
West Paw Design This is the company that supplies the super strong balls that Eli chomps on for hours everyday. I think they're great, personally. I've spent about $35 this year on 2 balls. Some would say that's a bit to pricey but for me and the things in the apt, Eli hasn't chewed a Christmas ornament, a flip flop, or even a plant on the coffee table.
Thanks West Paw Design for keeping Eli occupied and all of my belongings unchewed!
21 December 2009
Run Bike Run
Project! What did you start this year that you're proud of?
I'm a little uncomfortable with how the above sentence ended with a preposition, but I'll let it slide this time. I think the biggest project that I've attempted and have had success at is RUNNING (ok biking, too)! (Please say that sentence as if Forrest Gump was yelling in your ear.) I started running & biking this summer after a really great orientation in Harrisonburg. Running in the morning is quite a drag, I've discovered. I'd have to say that running at sunset in August and September are really the best moments. Most of the best sunsets I've seen of 2009 have been while huffing and puffing around the 14 blocks that make up my never changing route. Besides running, I've been able to get on my old blue bike a few times a week before the seasons changed. My longest ride was 13 miles, but I never did ride out to Elgin and back. There's always next year!
I'm a little uncomfortable with how the above sentence ended with a preposition, but I'll let it slide this time. I think the biggest project that I've attempted and have had success at is RUNNING (ok biking, too)! (Please say that sentence as if Forrest Gump was yelling in your ear.) I started running & biking this summer after a really great orientation in Harrisonburg. Running in the morning is quite a drag, I've discovered. I'd have to say that running at sunset in August and September are really the best moments. Most of the best sunsets I've seen of 2009 have been while huffing and puffing around the 14 blocks that make up my never changing route. Besides running, I've been able to get on my old blue bike a few times a week before the seasons changed. My longest ride was 13 miles, but I never did ride out to Elgin and back. There's always next year!
20 December 2009
!Personas nuevas!
New Person of the Year:
Well golly gee, this could be a hard one. I hate to offend anyone. So I'll just list a few:
Larry & Penny: They live downstairs and grew the most fantastic tomatoes this summer. My parking spot is right in front of their apt where the tomatoes grew. I had serious thoughts on how to steal one in the dewy morning, but instead Larry gave me a few before I had to steal any.
Sue: She's the really neat older lady at church who I aspire to be. She's a master knitter, works with refugees, and says really well thought out prayers on the spot. We sometimes wear the same blue sweater to church and I don't feel embarassed at all.
Anna: A colleague at work. My boss Dan says we have similar senses of sarcasm. We're going to Mexico with 2 other colleagues in March! Fiesta ahora!
I wonder who the new folks are I'll meet in 2010!
Well golly gee, this could be a hard one. I hate to offend anyone. So I'll just list a few:
Larry & Penny: They live downstairs and grew the most fantastic tomatoes this summer. My parking spot is right in front of their apt where the tomatoes grew. I had serious thoughts on how to steal one in the dewy morning, but instead Larry gave me a few before I had to steal any.
Sue: She's the really neat older lady at church who I aspire to be. She's a master knitter, works with refugees, and says really well thought out prayers on the spot. We sometimes wear the same blue sweater to church and I don't feel embarassed at all.
Anna: A colleague at work. My boss Dan says we have similar senses of sarcasm. We're going to Mexico with 2 other colleagues in March! Fiesta ahora!
I wonder who the new folks are I'll meet in 2010!
19 December 2009
Easy Peasy.
Car ride. What did you see? How did it smell? Did you eat anything as you drove there? Who were you with?
January: Chicago to Atlanta, Atlanta to Orlando.
Orlando to Miami.
Miami to Orlando.
February: Orlando to Decatur, AL.
Decatur, AL to Chicago.
May: Chicago to Harrisonburg.
Harrisonburg to DC.
DC to Chicago.
July: Chicago to Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg to DC
DC to Harrisonburg.
August: Harrisonburg to Chicago.
September: Chicago to Maryland.
Maryland to Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg to Maryland.
October: Maryland to Chicago.
November: Chicago to Durham, NC.
Durham to Chicago
December: Chicago to Decatur, AL.
Decatur to Memphis.
Memphis to Decatur.
Decatur to Nashville.
Nashville to Chicago!
January: Chicago to Atlanta, Atlanta to Orlando.
Orlando to Miami.
Miami to Orlando.
February: Orlando to Decatur, AL.
Decatur, AL to Chicago.
May: Chicago to Harrisonburg.
Harrisonburg to DC.
DC to Chicago.
July: Chicago to Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg to DC
DC to Harrisonburg.
August: Harrisonburg to Chicago.
September: Chicago to Maryland.
Maryland to Harrisburg, PA
Harrisburg to Maryland.
October: Maryland to Chicago.
November: Chicago to Durham, NC.
Durham to Chicago
December: Chicago to Decatur, AL.
Decatur to Memphis.
Memphis to Decatur.
Decatur to Nashville.
Nashville to Chicago!
18 December 2009
HE should be happy.
Shop. Online or offline, where did you spend most of you mad money this year?
This one is sorta interesting. Being all sorts of frugal & brethren kind of makes me not want to answer this question. I think bragging about the money one spends is contrary to the way I intend to live. But I'll give you this, Happy Elephant is doing quite well nowadays. I've bought a lot of panang curries along the way.
This one is sorta interesting. Being all sorts of frugal & brethren kind of makes me not want to answer this question. I think bragging about the money one spends is contrary to the way I intend to live. But I'll give you this, Happy Elephant is doing quite well nowadays. I've bought a lot of panang curries along the way.
17 December 2009
Peace of Christ
Word or Phrase: A word that encapsulates your year.
I've been going to a little church down the road from my place on most Sundays I'm in town. What I like about the place is when we do the passing of the peace. Everyone stands up in the middle of the service and shakes hands or hugs each other and says, "Peace." or "Peace of Christ." Our group just doesn't stand around and do it. Everyone gets into the aisles and this informal clockwise sweeping of peace comes over everyone. It's sorta neato.
I've been going to a little church down the road from my place on most Sundays I'm in town. What I like about the place is when we do the passing of the peace. Everyone stands up in the middle of the service and shakes hands or hugs each other and says, "Peace." or "Peace of Christ." Our group just doesn't stand around and do it. Everyone gets into the aisles and this informal clockwise sweeping of peace comes over everyone. It's sorta neato.
16 December 2009
Neighbor of the Year!
Today's blogging prompt is kinda lame: Tea of the Year. Instead I think I'll write on the best neighbor of the year. Some of you could probably guess the answer. My neighbor of the year award goes to Joe Perez! He's kind of like my divorced husband who takes care of Eli, my dog, when I travel for huge chunks of a month. Joe loves Eli as much as I do and that's hard to find in a divorcee nowadays!
15 December 2009
Pernod
Best packaging of 2009: Have you had Pernod? Chances are you slim that you've had it. It's a strong lil liquor that tastes like a black jelly bean on fire. Pernod is the brand, but the common name would be pastis. It's also the cousin to the Greek version of ouzo or Turkish raki or even the Italian sambucco.The label is of classique French design. The bottle is standard green. So for the record, the packaging isn't so slick, but the label makes me grin every time. Come on over, and I'll pour you a glass!
14 December 2009
13 December 2009
4 feet to the west.
The Best Change you made to the place you live:
Easy cheesy: I moved apartments this year. From 307 to 305, it was literally across the hall. Come visit, won't you?
Easy cheesy: I moved apartments this year. From 307 to 305, it was literally across the hall. Come visit, won't you?
12 December 2009
Palak Paneer
New Food:
Another toughy for me. Most food isn't so new to me. I've done the traditionally 'new foods' for awhile: Ethiopian, Cuban, Thai, Mexican, heck, even Nigerian food. The one that really comes to mind is this little place in St. Charles, Taste of the Himilayas. I'd have to strongly recommend the buffet so you can sample everything, nimble here and there, and then finally gorge yourself on the best dishes. But if you're feeling saucy, try the palak paneer just for me.
Another toughy for me. Most food isn't so new to me. I've done the traditionally 'new foods' for awhile: Ethiopian, Cuban, Thai, Mexican, heck, even Nigerian food. The one that really comes to mind is this little place in St. Charles, Taste of the Himilayas. I'd have to strongly recommend the buffet so you can sample everything, nimble here and there, and then finally gorge yourself on the best dishes. But if you're feeling saucy, try the palak paneer just for me.
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