Common questions heard in the office before we leave for 20ish days of orientation:
OK, who left the sour (and now moldy) kitchen towels in a cooler to rot for 4 months?
Can we pitch those towels or just wash em'?
Does tray 2 print duplexly or what?
Can the manual feeder tray print a duplex?
Can you walk me through a mail merge once more?
24 January 2012
23 January 2012
05 January 2012
Peeking
A peek into 2004 while cooking dinner in Nigeria: Music on. Dicing onions. Tears streaming. Extremely sensitive eyeball membranes. Pot o' mess is slowly coming to a rolling boil. Music is on in the background. The music is coming from a personal cd player, plugged into a currency stabilizer. Tiny computer speakers plugged in. Musical choices: John Denver, Manu Chao, DMB, Patty Griffin.
A peek into 2012 while cooking dinner in the US: Music on. Dicing onions. Tears streaming. Extremely sensitive eyeball membranes. Pot o' mess is slowly coming to a rolling boil. usic is on in the backgroung. The music is coming from my iphone. Musical choices: Ennio Morricone, Gustavo Santaolalla, and Uh Huh Her.
Life is still good 7 years later.
A peek into 2012 while cooking dinner in the US: Music on. Dicing onions. Tears streaming. Extremely sensitive eyeball membranes. Pot o' mess is slowly coming to a rolling boil. usic is on in the backgroung. The music is coming from my iphone. Musical choices: Ennio Morricone, Gustavo Santaolalla, and Uh Huh Her.
Life is still good 7 years later.
03 January 2012
Please remind me next December
Dear Callie,
Please do more work in December, 2012. Since today was your first day in the office for the new year, you have the following tasks to finish.
2nd mailing. Pastor's mailing. Resource mailing. Retreat mailing. Placing list. Stat sheet. Bingo sheet. Finish session leader scheduling. Make the meal schedule. Make the committees. Make the devotional schedule. Plan workdays. Make thumbnails. Email the newsline blurb. Plan chapel. Plan that thingy for the staff thingy that isn't a retreat.
You need to really get with it.
Sincerely.
xx
Please do more work in December, 2012. Since today was your first day in the office for the new year, you have the following tasks to finish.
2nd mailing. Pastor's mailing. Resource mailing. Retreat mailing. Placing list. Stat sheet. Bingo sheet. Finish session leader scheduling. Make the meal schedule. Make the committees. Make the devotional schedule. Plan workdays. Make thumbnails. Email the newsline blurb. Plan chapel. Plan that thingy for the staff thingy that isn't a retreat.
You need to really get with it.
Sincerely.
xx
02 January 2012
A sickly start
Dec 31: Where were you on January 1, 2011?
Well, I was in Andersonville celebrating at midnight when the ball dropped. We got home around 2am and then I got sick. I landed in a CVS minute-clinic place in Elmhurst because they urgent care places had shoddy websites and misspelled words (really, it made me nervous! if you can spell things on a website correctly, how do I know you won't misdiagnose me?!) So after waiting 90 minutes in line, I got my time with the doctor. We headed home after some soup at the nearby Panera. A sickly start to 2011!
This year, we ushered in 2012 with 3 margaritas and a movie! And no chest infection! Wahooo!
Well, I was in Andersonville celebrating at midnight when the ball dropped. We got home around 2am and then I got sick. I landed in a CVS minute-clinic place in Elmhurst because they urgent care places had shoddy websites and misspelled words (really, it made me nervous! if you can spell things on a website correctly, how do I know you won't misdiagnose me?!) So after waiting 90 minutes in line, I got my time with the doctor. We headed home after some soup at the nearby Panera. A sickly start to 2011!
This year, we ushered in 2012 with 3 margaritas and a movie! And no chest infection! Wahooo!
01 January 2012
Ehh
Dec 30: What aspects of your life do you need to work on?
This one is hard. It should have been an early December post I think! I need to do more things with my family. Better communication, too!
This one is hard. It should have been an early December post I think! I need to do more things with my family. Better communication, too!
29 December 2011
Twitterpated Still!
Dec 29: If 2011 had a hashtag what would it be? Well, I've taken the 25 minutes to condense all of my hashtags from my currygirl twitter account in 2011 right here! My favorite is #twitterpatedstill
28 December 2011
Whereas the author gives up TV
Dec 27: What did you give up?
TELEVISION. Yep. It's been 5-ish months and it's been pretty ok. I'll watch The Daily Show online here and there, and maybe an NFL game at a wing place if I'm really in a pinch. Overall, it's been pretty nice to have the tv out of the house. I've noticed how I get more done if the tv isn't an option.
Books I've read since:
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay
The Particular Sadness of Lemoncake
My Horizontal Life
Mystic River
Bloodroot
The Art of Fielding
Freedom
Unbearable Lightness
(Most of these are from Dana)
I've also started guitar lessons for the first time in my life. Having a tv would have delayed me practicing my scales and nerdy guitar theory stuff. Now I can read a book instead of practicing my scales! Yea!
TELEVISION. Yep. It's been 5-ish months and it's been pretty ok. I'll watch The Daily Show online here and there, and maybe an NFL game at a wing place if I'm really in a pinch. Overall, it's been pretty nice to have the tv out of the house. I've noticed how I get more done if the tv isn't an option.
Books I've read since:
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay
The Particular Sadness of Lemoncake
My Horizontal Life
Mystic River
Bloodroot
The Art of Fielding
Freedom
Unbearable Lightness
(Most of these are from Dana)
I've also started guitar lessons for the first time in my life. Having a tv would have delayed me practicing my scales and nerdy guitar theory stuff. Now I can read a book instead of practicing my scales! Yea!
Strung
Dec 26: Who surprised you?
Well, we did have that volunteer who strung us along and sent in his travel arrangements prior to orientation. We waited for him at the airport and his mother answered the phone and said, "Oh right, ____ isn't coming. Didn't he tell you?"
Well, we did have that volunteer who strung us along and sent in his travel arrangements prior to orientation. We waited for him at the airport and his mother answered the phone and said, "Oh right, ____ isn't coming. Didn't he tell you?"
27 December 2011
Ketchup
Dec 24: What did you make?
Airport runs. Faith journeys. Campfires. Beans and eggs and tortillas in a big ole' cast iron skillet. Room for a new washer and dryer.
Dec 25: Where did you spend the most time?
Hmm. I feel like i answer these prompts with a hmmm. I spent a lot of time in Schaumburg, Elk Grove and New Windsor. This one was lame!
Airport runs. Faith journeys. Campfires. Beans and eggs and tortillas in a big ole' cast iron skillet. Room for a new washer and dryer.
Dec 25: Where did you spend the most time?
Hmm. I feel like i answer these prompts with a hmmm. I spent a lot of time in Schaumburg, Elk Grove and New Windsor. This one was lame!
24 December 2011
Blogvomit
Blogvomit: To hurriedly catch up on prompts at the end of the year!
Dec 19: What was the best decision you've made this year?
I finally gave up Charlela Lane (the worst street name in all of America that sounds just like an old French whore) and took up with John Smith Dr. From a French whore to a syphilitic guy who loved Pocahontas. Yep!
Dec 20: Who came into your life in 2011?
Hmmm this one is a toughy. I don't like to make too many new friends because I'm weird like that. A whole bunch of new volunteers came into my life. And I'm guessing older volunteers who are done probably left my life too. You win some, you lose some.
Dec 21: What did you learn?
I learned a lot of geography. I can drive from home to New Windsor, MD without a map! I memorized all of the interstates and their corresponding names and numbers this year, finally. (The Eisenhower is known as the Ike and as I-290!)
Dec 22: What gifts did you give? What gifts did you receive?
Disney World! My folks took my brother and his family, plus me to Walt Disney World this week. It was my mom's dream for her grandkids to see Disney for the first time. Receiving the gift of family time was a nice way to end 2011!
I gave a few gifts this year, too! A tent light, fancy chocolates, and some other little items were my highlights this!
Dec 23: What sunrise or sunset was most vivid?
Driving home from Champaign-Urbana to Schaumburg at an early hour 2 weeks back. The sun was just coming up over the horizon and it stayed on my right shoulder the whole drive back.
During summer orientation, we did a footwashing on the back side of the property with the sun slowly sinking down. Feet, grass, basin, towel, sunset. Perfect.
Dec 19: What was the best decision you've made this year?
I finally gave up Charlela Lane (the worst street name in all of America that sounds just like an old French whore) and took up with John Smith Dr. From a French whore to a syphilitic guy who loved Pocahontas. Yep!
Dec 20: Who came into your life in 2011?
Hmmm this one is a toughy. I don't like to make too many new friends because I'm weird like that. A whole bunch of new volunteers came into my life. And I'm guessing older volunteers who are done probably left my life too. You win some, you lose some.
Dec 21: What did you learn?
I learned a lot of geography. I can drive from home to New Windsor, MD without a map! I memorized all of the interstates and their corresponding names and numbers this year, finally. (The Eisenhower is known as the Ike and as I-290!)
Dec 22: What gifts did you give? What gifts did you receive?
Disney World! My folks took my brother and his family, plus me to Walt Disney World this week. It was my mom's dream for her grandkids to see Disney for the first time. Receiving the gift of family time was a nice way to end 2011!
I gave a few gifts this year, too! A tent light, fancy chocolates, and some other little items were my highlights this!
Dec 23: What sunrise or sunset was most vivid?
Driving home from Champaign-Urbana to Schaumburg at an early hour 2 weeks back. The sun was just coming up over the horizon and it stayed on my right shoulder the whole drive back.
During summer orientation, we did a footwashing on the back side of the property with the sun slowly sinking down. Feet, grass, basin, towel, sunset. Perfect.
18 December 2011
SHOES.
When were you the angriest?
Funniest you should ask this. I'm on the way to Disney today. How could I ever be angry knowing that Disney was waiting for me in late December? There's a little bit of Zwick anger in my mom and brother. How do I know? A few dents in walls, a few storming off's after broken down lawn mowers in the yard. And for me, I did throw my shoes at the floor last month. One at a time. As hard as I could. One bounced back and hit me in the shin. The other sorta hit a sleeping dog. I'm better now, I promise. But really, have you seen the traffic on Gold Rd lately? Could people just make an attempt at using a turn signal? Ok I'm done.
Funniest you should ask this. I'm on the way to Disney today. How could I ever be angry knowing that Disney was waiting for me in late December? There's a little bit of Zwick anger in my mom and brother. How do I know? A few dents in walls, a few storming off's after broken down lawn mowers in the yard. And for me, I did throw my shoes at the floor last month. One at a time. As hard as I could. One bounced back and hit me in the shin. The other sorta hit a sleeping dog. I'm better now, I promise. But really, have you seen the traffic on Gold Rd lately? Could people just make an attempt at using a turn signal? Ok I'm done.
17 December 2011
Working through their shit
When do I see God at work?
Wow! It seems weird to tell God when and where I saw him/it at work. Like, he's a construction worker and I saw him out on the tollway waving people through the zone safely. Mostly, I saw a lot of groups of people come together* and work through their shit** together for 3 week chunks of time. Giving each other EYES OF COMPASSION, washing feet, talking for hours into the night about the possibilities in life. That's the good stuff that happens regardless of what antics BVS staff has in store.
*together = sleeping, eating, praying, traveling, discussing, complaining, discerning, singing, weeping, complaining, wondering, dropoffdaying
**this may be the first time I've cussed in this blog
Wow! It seems weird to tell God when and where I saw him/it at work. Like, he's a construction worker and I saw him out on the tollway waving people through the zone safely. Mostly, I saw a lot of groups of people come together* and work through their shit** together for 3 week chunks of time. Giving each other EYES OF COMPASSION, washing feet, talking for hours into the night about the possibilities in life. That's the good stuff that happens regardless of what antics BVS staff has in store.
*together = sleeping, eating, praying, traveling, discussing, complaining, discerning, singing, weeping, complaining, wondering, dropoffdaying
**this may be the first time I've cussed in this blog
16 December 2011
Short & Sweet, with a wick
When was I spontaneous?
Ummm. Barreling down I-70 toward Ohio. Veering off to the Candle Outlet near Richmond. Crystal had a look of shock on her face that I actually stopped for something more than gas and a bathroom break.
Ummm. Barreling down I-70 toward Ohio. Veering off to the Candle Outlet near Richmond. Crystal had a look of shock on her face that I actually stopped for something more than gas and a bathroom break.
15 December 2011
If you say struggles enough times, it's a really weird word.
When did you struggle?
Hmmm. My, what a lovely, happy question! It seems like only yesterday I was writing about taking the easy way. And now I have to ponder the idea of struggle. I looked up the definition. I read the etymology. (I really like to know the stories behind the words.) I used it in a sentence. I repeated it back to myself. I was in my own spelling bee and I was winning! And in those 4 minutes of not writing about a struggle I faced, I've got nothing. I guess one of my struggles is not recognizing the past stuggles I've faced. Power struggles, traffic/commute struggles, work struggles, I've had them this year. And when I think of them, it just sounds complainy.
Hmmm. My, what a lovely, happy question! It seems like only yesterday I was writing about taking the easy way. And now I have to ponder the idea of struggle. I looked up the definition. I read the etymology. (I really like to know the stories behind the words.) I used it in a sentence. I repeated it back to myself. I was in my own spelling bee and I was winning! And in those 4 minutes of not writing about a struggle I faced, I've got nothing. I guess one of my struggles is not recognizing the past stuggles I've faced. Power struggles, traffic/commute struggles, work struggles, I've had them this year. And when I think of them, it just sounds complainy.
14 December 2011
El Tunco!
Where did you find the best cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice)?
El Tunco is a tiny little surfing on the Pacific coast of El Salvador. When we visited there in the spring, I had the best liquados! Of course the smoothies at the little place near Sarah's home and school ranked right up there as well! Mmmmmhmmmmm!
El Tunco is a tiny little surfing on the Pacific coast of El Salvador. When we visited there in the spring, I had the best liquados! Of course the smoothies at the little place near Sarah's home and school ranked right up there as well! Mmmmmhmmmmm!
13 December 2011
BROTHER BEAR
What cracked you up?
I've never posted video to my blog so let's see if this works. Here's the funniest pitbull in my life, Eli. He can go from snoring and twitching in his sleep to running laps in the condo in about 10 seconds. Eli is about 6 years old but he still acts like a puppy.
12 December 2011
11 December 2011
Grand Rapids
What rocked your world, changed your life, shifted the ground beneath your feet?
This event definitely left a mark on me. To think that a person like me was being followed, watched, and put in danger because of a biblical difference really made me quite nervous to be at Annual Conference. I found myself thinking a lot more about my safety, about who knows and who doesn't. I'm glad conference is behind me and that I came away from it all pretty wrecked, but loved by my close circle.
10 December 2011
Sunrise! Sunset!
When did I take the easy way?
Hmmmm. Another toughy. I don't get a lot of chances to take the easy way. The best time to take the easy way is during the last day of orientation. This year, I've got to fly home instead of driving 700 miles across the country. It's sort of a sweet delight to get to O'hare and be home and comfy before sunset. It probably won't happen too many times in 2012 (except for Summer! Yippy!), but I'll take that easy way every time.
Hmmmm. Another toughy. I don't get a lot of chances to take the easy way. The best time to take the easy way is during the last day of orientation. This year, I've got to fly home instead of driving 700 miles across the country. It's sort of a sweet delight to get to O'hare and be home and comfy before sunset. It probably won't happen too many times in 2012 (except for Summer! Yippy!), but I'll take that easy way every time.
09 December 2011
Can you reach earthly nirvana?
What was your favorite blog post that you read or wrote?
Recently, I've really loved web comics. I have a certain few that I check on a daily or monthly basis. But the most memorable one I've read lately is from Lucy Knisley. I do a lot of silent time in short bursts during orientation, and this one pretty much explains everyone in the room trying to quiet their mind.
http://comics.lucyknisley.com/2011/10/celestial-vs-terrestrial/
Recently, I've really loved web comics. I have a certain few that I check on a daily or monthly basis. But the most memorable one I've read lately is from Lucy Knisley. I do a lot of silent time in short bursts during orientation, and this one pretty much explains everyone in the room trying to quiet their mind.
http://comics.lucyknisley.com/2011/10/celestial-vs-terrestrial/
08 December 2011
You can't always get what you want....
Where did you spend your money?
Interesting prompt for today. I've really tried to live way below my means and save a considerable amount of money from each paycheck. The website that's really peaked my interest in personal finance is www.getrichslowly.org. I've topped off my pension designations and also quit using a credit card. Living debt free isn't always 'roller-coaster thrilling,' but I've had a lot of fun doing the things that I plan for, instead of mindless shopping.
So, to better answer the question, I guess I'd rather share where I haven't spent my money.
--No more magazine subscriptions.
--Hardly any music bought on iTunes.
--No fancy car washes anymore.
--No clothes or shoe shopping without a plan and a fistful of coupons.
--No fancy grocery store shopping: No Dominicks, Safeway, or Whole Foods.
And where my money has gone this year:
Tithing. Camping trips. Overnights with the Mexis. Glasses & Contacts. Dentist!
Interesting prompt for today. I've really tried to live way below my means and save a considerable amount of money from each paycheck. The website that's really peaked my interest in personal finance is www.getrichslowly.org. I've topped off my pension designations and also quit using a credit card. Living debt free isn't always 'roller-coaster thrilling,' but I've had a lot of fun doing the things that I plan for, instead of mindless shopping.
So, to better answer the question, I guess I'd rather share where I haven't spent my money.
--No more magazine subscriptions.
--Hardly any music bought on iTunes.
--No fancy car washes anymore.
--No clothes or shoe shopping without a plan and a fistful of coupons.
--No fancy grocery store shopping: No Dominicks, Safeway, or Whole Foods.
And where my money has gone this year:
Tithing. Camping trips. Overnights with the Mexis. Glasses & Contacts. Dentist!
07 December 2011
Chicken and Thunder
What astonished you?
I had to look up astonish this morning. I knew the word's meaning but I was curious about the root of the word.[To strike with lightning] And that got me thinking about camping. Crystal and I camped once a month from May to September this year. Our first camping experience in May was the coldest and rainiest we experienced. Since the word astonish has it's root in lightning, I'd have to say it was the quite astonishing to have a park ranger tell us to evacuate our tents and move to safer spots to ride out a massive storm picking up speed on Lake Michigan (we were about 200 feet from the shore). Alas, we arrived safely at a chicken joint in Wisconsin!
06 December 2011
I am, I said
When did you celebrate?
Back in the day I used to go to Murphy's with my 2 neighbors who lived in my building in Champaign. One was a grad student and one was a singer/actress. We'd go to Murph's for Leinie's and cheap burgers on weekends and throw some dice. Some of my favorite mugs in my place are from Murphy's. We'd also go there for the jukebox. I believe it was the only establishment that had Neil Diamond's hits readily available for play. The last time I was in Murphy's was in the fall of 2001. Fast forward to last night! My friend, the grad student, became my friend, Dr. Hughes! The celebrating that we did last night was a mini-reunion of sorts. We told all the old stories in the beginning that I remembered. Then we got into the minor ones that I sort of remember. Celebrating Dr. Hughes' success was a great reminder to me that friendships can start in all sorts of places, even dingy apartment complexes. Here's to you, Dr. & Mrs. Hughes.
And you ask, what Neil Diamond song did we play the most? This one!
I Am, I Said:
LA's fine, the sun shines most the time
The feeling is laid back
Palm trees grow and the rents are low
But you know I keep thinking about
Making my way back
Well, I'm New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I'm lost between two shores
LA's fine, but it ain't home
New York's home but it ain't mine no more
I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
Leavin' me lonely still
Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a king
And then became one
Well, except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about me, the story's the same one
But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I've tried but it won't let me go
And I'm not a man who likes to swear
But I've never cared for the sound of being alone
I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
I am, I said
I am, I cried
I am...
Back in the day I used to go to Murphy's with my 2 neighbors who lived in my building in Champaign. One was a grad student and one was a singer/actress. We'd go to Murph's for Leinie's and cheap burgers on weekends and throw some dice. Some of my favorite mugs in my place are from Murphy's. We'd also go there for the jukebox. I believe it was the only establishment that had Neil Diamond's hits readily available for play. The last time I was in Murphy's was in the fall of 2001. Fast forward to last night! My friend, the grad student, became my friend, Dr. Hughes! The celebrating that we did last night was a mini-reunion of sorts. We told all the old stories in the beginning that I remembered. Then we got into the minor ones that I sort of remember. Celebrating Dr. Hughes' success was a great reminder to me that friendships can start in all sorts of places, even dingy apartment complexes. Here's to you, Dr. & Mrs. Hughes.
And you ask, what Neil Diamond song did we play the most? This one!
LA's fine, the sun shines most the time
The feeling is laid back
Palm trees grow and the rents are low
But you know I keep thinking about
Making my way back
Well, I'm New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I'm lost between two shores
LA's fine, but it ain't home
New York's home but it ain't mine no more
I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
Leavin' me lonely still
Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a king
And then became one
Well, except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about me, the story's the same one
But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I've tried but it won't let me go
And I'm not a man who likes to swear
But I've never cared for the sound of being alone
I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
I am, I said
I am, I cried
I am...
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