Soaring Part 1

For graduation my dad bought me a gift certificate for the Spokane Soaring Society. You sit in a little glider plane that's towed up about 3000 feet or so and then release to ride the air currents. It was pretty awesome. (At least until my stomach had had enough, which is weird for me. I NEVER get car sick or motion sickness.) I didn't actually get sick but I was feeling queasy enough that the pilot headed back sooner than we otherwise would have.

Still, absolutely a memorable experience. Thanks Dad!

Here's some pictures I took. I'll be getting more from my dad in the next few days of me in/next to the glider.

This is the plane that towed us up.
This is the glider I rode in.
The Cockpit
The view

Hugs

I saw this video on Mine to Thine and it made me think about an experience I had. I and a few friends were camping out at the Gorge for Creation 2000 when I was in junior high school. It was HOT, the showers were freezing, drinking water stayed cold for seconds only, and using the outhouse was a horrific and traumatizing experience every time. It was a three day weekend and by morning number two, I was cranky.

I rolled out of my sleeping bag, donned a pair of sandals and went shuffling off to the outhouse, still in my pajamas, contemplating the niceties of civilization [plumbing, for instance] and I must have been scowling. Or frowning. Because as I was about to walk by a gaggle of [very cute] boys one of them says, "Aww, someone needs a hug."

And before I knew it there were about four [very cute] guys giving me a group hug. How could that not make me smile?

I have no idea who they were, and I never saw them again but I remember the hug and it still makes me smile.

Early Morning Shenanigans

I currently have a friend staying with me a few weeks while she's looking for her own place. I live in a small, one-bedroom apartment so this means she's sleeping in the living room. This morning I had to work at Dark'o'clock and I made darn sure that my coffee pot was set to go off and be ready for me when I crawled made my way to the kitchen.

I grabbed my enormous plastic coffee mug [about 32 oz., no joke] and filled it by the light of my refrigerator so as not to wake my guest. From there I tip-toed to the bathroom [did I mention it was dark] thinking 'Wow, it would really suck if I dropped this...'

And then...guess what I did.

I. Dropped. My. Coffee.

Just as I was about to set it on the bathroom counter I lost my grip [or something?] and fumbled, trying to catch it [which of course made it worse]. Luckily most of the coffee fell into the sink and down the drain but because I fumbled trying to catch it in my zombie-like stupor surprise, it had splattered all over the walls, sink, toilette, bathtub and my floor. And I giggled. How could I not?

I asked my friend later if she heard any of the commotion and she hadn't, she'd been dead asleep. Figures.

Note to Self, hold coffee with both hands next time.

What a tease

I ordered a book and a movie from www.amazon.com last Wednesday and qualified for their free shipping. This means that the items will be shipped together and at the speed of a slug crawling uphill. I checked the status this morning and was elated to find that my package was in transit [somewhere areound Illinois] ...and then I glanced down and saw the arrival date. Friday. Ugh.

If I wasn't being a cheepskate I would probably have it tomorrow.

:(

Side Note:

After a persistently hot, dry summer it's suddenly cooled off these last few days. It's 62 degrees out right now, the air is crisp and smells like the promise of rain. I know it's only a teaser, mother nature is baiting me, and Autumn [my favorite season] wont truly begin for at least another month. But its nice. It makes me happy.

I'm ready for hot cider, scarves, sweaters, and the bright colored leaves.


Oh and happy VGNO!

But it's a Classic...

"'And I pray one prayer--I repeat it till my tongue stiffens--Catherine Earnshaw, may you not rest as long as I am living; you said I killed you--haunt me, then! The murdered DO haunt their murderers, I believe. I know that ghosts HAVE wandered on earth. Be with me always--take any form--drive me mad! only DO not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I CANNOT live without my life! I CANNOT live without my soul!'"

- Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights, Ch. 16


This last weekend I reread Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I'd read it almost ten years ago so I'd forgotten most of the story. I usually avoid books that I think will be painful or disturbing but this one's a classic so I read it again. I'd forgotten how dark and twisted it was. The main characters make you want to scream up till the end where the author attempts to turn the story around with a happy ending (which is kind of like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.)

Still, it's a great book. But now I feel the need to read something bright and happy. Maybe Pride and Prejudice (even though I just read it not too long ago). I could use a stroll in the park with Mr. Darcy.

;)

Hello, Mr. President

Between working and shopping at the grocery store I work at I think I spend enough time there. So it irks me to no end when I dream about being there. But last night I had a dream that the President came in [he bought something like a coke and some peanuts] and we had a short and awkward conversation that went something like this.

Me: How are you today?

The President: Good, thank you, and you?

Me: Good. Good.

The President: Good. It's all good. Well...not THAT good. (he smiles and I think he's talking about recession)

Me: (I shrug and bite back a smart-ass comment about politicians talking in circles while he walks away) Have a nice day.

Then in my dream I started chiding myself and telling myself that of all the people I have meaningless conversations with every day, why was it so weird to have a meaningless conversation with the man that runs the country?

It was actually pretty funny, I woke up laughing. I guess you had to be there.

This and That

Things I don’t understand:

• Men in kilts
• Why most women absolutely cannot put on mascara with their mouth shut but I can [maybe it’s my super power]
• People that wear flip-flops in sub-freezing temperatures
• Why I always seem to lose chap stick before I use it all up
• How ladybugs get into my apartment
• Infomercials
• The phrase: “For Pete’s sake!” Who is Pete?
• Leg/arm warmers
• What happened to the other sock [one of life’s greatest mysteries]
• Boys in skinny jeans…why?
• Why later shifts feel longer



Tidbits:

Today my official Bachelor's degree arrived. [Hurray!] And for the record, it's prettier than I thought it would be. Imagine my horror then to discover that I do not have a frame it will fit into.

Drat.

It's been pretty hot in these here parts but today, just now, it's raining! This is good news for the grass/plant life, those of us with allergies, and those of us who love the smell of rain. There also is an accompanying light show and what my family calls "Thunder-Boomers."

So...I'm gonna go watch for lightning.

This is Totally Blogworthy

A friend sent me this on facebook and it's just great. Watch.



It's too bad I have no rhythm because I'd totally do this if I ever got married. What a fun way to mix up the traditional wedding.

Home Sweet Home

• rediscovering an old favorite [CD/book/movie]
  
• being able to sit and enjoy a cup [or two] of coffee without being in a hurry to go somewhere/do something
  
• flipping through magazines/reading a good book
  
• a good, hot shower after camping or a day at the lake
• coming home after being away
• sleeping in my own bed
• the way dogs get excited to see you EVERY TIME you walk through the door
• my air conditioner [ha.]