Morphing

Do you ever morph into someone else? I remember when I was younger I had to be careful how I spoke. When I was around someone with an accent, after about ten minutes I'd start adapting it a bit, completely unintionally. But they didn't know that and sometimes they would think that I was making fun of them.



Well, being in my current work environment (i.e. one office with about a dozen of us cramped in together and spilling into each other's spaces - no walls), I've started turning into some of my peers. I've started talking like my boss, I've started dressing like a coworker, I've started laughing like another coworker, the list goes on. I noticed this yesterday on my way home when I realized how much the city was smelling. Now, I'm not a smelling type person, but a coworker of mine has a very heightened sense of smell and is always pointing out things. I was thinking how comments like that can greatly effect how you perceive the world.



Speaking of senses, there is a bloody blue bird (don't know if it's an actual blue bird, but it is blue) that does not have a pretty voice and insists on "talking" at dawn each morning which seems to be about 4:30 am these days. But what can you do - the cats get enjoyment out of it so at least someone is benefiting.



And on a last and final note, got a call today from someone I met last year at a conference in Atlanta. He is good friends with my boss (think they might have worked together or gone to school together). Anways, was looking for my boss, but wanted to talk to me as well. Long story short, he put it out there that if I was ever interested in moving to Portland, they would love to have me come work for them. I'm wracking my brain and I think this offer is solely based off of our initial (and only) conversation we had over drinks at the conference one night. It's always nice to know you make a good impression. So that was my pat on the back for the week (and what a tiring week). Looking forward to a bit of a respet (know idea how to spell that word) although I'm still undecided about taking monday off. Will have to see.

More past pics

Today has been a weird energy day. I've been having those tired days (too much work, not enough play), but today has been strange, really exhausted. So I'm on my way out the door on my way home. I'm looking forward to watching the second part of the Masterpiece Theater movie I rented, Shooting the Past. I've really enjoyed it as it's not similar to other Masterpiece episodes (it's not a period piece or a mystery), but it is set in the same locations - a grand old castle estate. It reminds me of an independent BBC film, kindof. I'm right at the point where they are trying to figure out how to keep the enormous collection of photos (thousands, if not millions), as the developers move in, wanting to just destroy them all as that makes the most financial sense (time is money). Anyways, something to look forward to watching tonight while relaxing.



On the bus this morning I realized I never knit a sweater for my friend Jill's baby out in Seatle. Or really, I couldn't remember if I had. And considering her name is Rowan (my favorite brand of yarn and patterns), she has to have a sweater. So to be on the safe side and since I love the pattern and need a break from my current project (and for some reason have been itching to knit baby clothes, hmmm...), I might start the Pea Pod sweater tonight, but for a larger size (think the baby was born last october) . Although, writing this I realize I should use some of my Rowan yarn (except it's itchy) and knit her a Rowan patterned sweater (except I don't have any for babies). Maybe when she's older.



To wrap this up, I thought I'd include a picture that my mom sent today of my brother and I with our cousin, Tyler, taken back during his graduation (I think, actually, it might have been before than on a previous visit - this is why I keep a blog, to keep track of things as my brain is just not on top of these things!) Remember those days when you used to ride on people's shoulders. This picture reminds me of those good old days when it was nice and pleasant and cool.



P.S. I figured out what to do for pictures until I figure out my phone - I have a plan, but will share it with you later.

Catch Up

I realized that I have been leaving things out that I meant to put in so thought I would play a little catch up, so hear go's (starting with last week):



Monday: I never sold the wedgewood. Saturday morning woke up at 6 am like usual, went and moved the car and than went back to bed. By the time I got up, the garage sale was up and running and I realized I hadn't quite reenergized enough to do small talk all morning so bagged the whole event. The box of china remains sitting under my ladder to the loft. Maybe I'll bring them to NYC to the replacement store.



Tuesday: I woke up super early to make my way to the BU campus to answer phones at WBUR.org. The last time I had done this was in San Francisco and it was paper based. It was all high tech, computerized with the headsets to answer the phones. I felt like a telemarketer, except they were calling me. Collected a several thousand dollars before heading off to work.



Friday: Finally got in touch with the person arranging the lecture on Saturday that I was standing in for a coworker. I got off the phone stunned. The audience was up to 75 people and the presentation was to be 2 hours. Remember, at that time I had about 20 minutes worth of slides. I just couldn't believe it - two hours! So friday night I ended up watching three movies back to back to back while preparing slides for the presentation. I realized I was getting better at this as I ended up getting to bed by midnight feeling like I would be in decent shape the next day.



Saturday morning: On my way out the door to the presentation, my one piece of mail was a wonderful package of pictures my Aunt Mary sent on that were from my graduation last year and my brothers graduation this spring. It was nice going through them while on my way to the lecture. There were a lot of great pictures, many candids that really captured people - especially my mom and dad as they look very different (in my eyes) in the posed pictures versus real life. I was able to scan in a couple pictures but made the mistake of taking them home before checking the quality of scans. So here is the only one that really scanned well - but it's a good one of me and my brother. Side note for this picture, I am wearing my tallest boots - 4 plus inches, and Nick is still taller!



Saturday afternoon: Fast forward and the presentation went really well! I wasn't sure how well I would do in front of such a large room but started off polling people about who they were and what level of knowledge they had on the subject and talked about who I was and how I came to be where I was now in life (from civil engineering to green building consultant) and it set a really good tone. Being relaxed I had fun with the presentation and my fear of running out of slides was transformed to running out of time and having to speed up the last part which worked out really well. I got a lot of people come up to me with additional questions and comments and praise. Always nice to hear, especially considering that while presenting, looking out in the audience I couldn't locate a single person even close to my age.



Sunday: Slept, knit, watched the movie Good Girl. Funny side note, the description on the back was completely off base, putting the movie into the genre of a comedy. She cheats on her husband and one of her co-workers dies from eating blackberries and the other one offs himself. The only funny thing was Jennifer Aniston fading into and out of an accent (I think she was trying for midwestern, but it was hard to tell).



Monday: Tried to download my phone pics onto my work computer. Why won't my phone share? I don't know how to get the pictures out of the stupid cell phone (I knew the cell phone was evil). The manual has nothing so will need to go into a T-Mobile place and see if they can help (very doubtful). Was going to clean the office but decided that it was not a job to do at night in the creepy dark.



Tuesday morning: Had a meeting in Watertown, so didn't have to go into work which meant I had a free morning until 9 am. I was going to tackle the office but it's just too scary. Instead I changed my sheets to the nice crisp summer ones (its getting hot and humid, but I won't go there) and tidied up the living room. I'm thinking of having a dinner party sometime next month so am trying to keep things clean (well at least tidy).



And that brings us to now. I need to prepare for a presentation for this evening on top of the normal job stuff so will have to leave you with this quote from the Good Girl description:



...quirky comedy about first encounters and second chances...

Another Sukey_Suzanne!

I just got off the phone with a contractor at work who introduced herself as Sukey. It turns out that on June 23rd in the year of 2006 I finally met anouther Suzanne who uses Sukey as a nick-name. Except she spells it Suki and not sure how she spells Suzanne, so it's not exactly the same, but close enough to go down in the record books!



So dad and I picked up the futon Wednesday and the move was very easy, almost too easy. We were able to take the whole thing apart and bring it up the tricky stairs and put it together in the room. The catch was that it is too big. I mean it fits, it's just that I had it in my head as something smaller and now when I look into that room the scale is just off, kind of like the cabbage, it just doesn't sit quite right. It was only 50 bucks, so will do until I find something I absolutely love. Now I can have guests in the summer (the loft gets really hot) and multiple guests (up to three, maybe even four).



To celebrate, stopped by the library on my way home last night and there were tons of good movies on the shelves. I guess everyone is out enjoying the summer and not renting movies anymore. That back room is a really fun place to hang out in which I hadn't done to date. I turned the fan on, opened the windows, relaxed in the futon, picked up my knitting and watched Nurse Betty (which I always thought had Jim Carrey in, bust must have been thinking of a different movie). What was cool was that lounging in the futon was the perfect angle to watch our squirrel make a nest in one of the trees outside - ripping leaves and small branches off the tree and running up to the next, back and forth.



Yesterday I was in one of those moods where everyone was really getting on my nerves, so it helped to just get home early and relax. I always hated that saying people sometimes have posted on their desks: A lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. But I really was getting annoyed that certain people at work weren't ontop of things- which is none of my business when it doesn't involve me, but when it gets passed onto me it just gets tiring after awhile.



Case in point, being me, I said I would help out and take over a presentation for a coworker who won't be able to present after all due to family obligations. Several things to note, it's on Saturday (ugh), it's on residential design (not what I focus on at work - i.e. my knowledge level is low), and it's for an audience of 60 plus architects (yikes). Now my issue is that I have had to do presentations for work before, and really don't feel comfortable winging it with crappy slides, it just doesn't look good. So asked to get the slides and info to be able to prepare some last weekend.



Were do I stand today? After constant pestering I just got the slide show yesterday (in poor shape), a list of the topics to cover (no mention to what knowlege level which is very dicey), and no idea still where I am presenting or more importantly for how long (think it might be an hour, and only have about 15 minutes of info so far).



So what does this mean, you ask? It means that I have been desparately downloading info off the web today, so that I can spend all of tonight and tomorrow morning rushing to try to pull together a descent slide show. Now you know I'm a procrastinator, but not like this. I'm not too happy, especially since I would have enjoyed this opportunity if done properly, and will not be volunteering for something like this anytime soon. So that's my five minutes of venting, thanks for bearing with me. Funny how blogs tend to be outlets for complaints - good release I guess. Well, back to work (which I do enjoy if their was any confusion above).

Still no pics

My goal this week is to get my digital pictures working again which means one of two things:



1- I need to try to download my pictures from my phone onto my new computer at work. Theory being that if it doesn't work on one computer (my laptop) move on to another one. But this means hunting up the cord which is in the dreaded office (the one room I need to tackle- it's the size of a glorified closet but filled with five times its capacity).



2- Give up on the cell phone, even though it is convienent because it is (usually) always with me and dust off the digital camera. The thing sucks batteries like there is no tommorow - really good camera, but it just gobbles up those batteries especially when downloading pictures. I have a card reader/transfer that doesn't work on my laptop anymore, but again, maybe I'll try the computer at work. Same problem, all that stuff is in the dreaded office. It looks like I'll push my way in one way or another.



Hopefully this will result in pictures to show off my latesting knitting accomplishments. This weekend, I kept working on the cable sweater from Rowan. I have been working on it alot and I'm only halfway up the armpit on the back. I still have two fronts (it's a cardigan), two sleeves not to mention the rest of the back. The cables and bead stitching in the cables really slows down the progress, although I have to admit I almost have the pattern memorized which I didn't think ever would happen. One side note, way back when, I twisted one of the small cables the wrong direction and didn't notice until after 20 hours of knitting (ok, less, but I wasn't unraveling or dropping the stitches to go back and fix it). Figured it was a minor error and I could use it to prove that, yes I indeed made this glorious sweater you are drooling over. Well, at lunch, I read a neat little trick at the yarnharlots blog. I might just try it out - it's basically "painting over" the error with a darning needle.



So I took a break and I got inspired and tackled some of my unfinished projects. After catching up on ironing I decided to just skip the blocking (which is what brought the project to a screaming halt anyways, and it's for a baby which in my mind won't know the difference if I blocked it or didn't, hope I'm not wrong) and finished the Pea Pod baby sweater. Ok, I'm not technically done as I still have to sew on the buttons - but it's just buttons. (I can't get the computer to upload the picture right now so provided the link instead). This sweater really suprised me, or rather the yarn I think. I bought the yarn on cones years ago and wasn't wild about the colors anymore - it's a pale lavender and I have another one that is a super pale dusty pink - kindof (they were on sale if that explains it). But it knit up so nicely, I fell in love with it again. And do like the pattern - as you can see it buttons up on the side instead of the center. I think this might be my next project, try to adjust the pattern to make an adult (me) size. We'll have to see as I won't like it if I just cast on more stitches. I like the scale of the front lace work to the rest of the sweater, so would have to adjust that as well.



I will have to pick off where I left off as I have work to get done and Dad is coming to help me pick up a futon tonight, so no staying late for me tonight.

Good Friday

So feeling pretty good today (even though it's supposed to get really hot and, I think, humid today and especially this weekend). I've been keeping busy and feeling like I'm accomplishing tasks - although if you asked me what, I would have to say I'm drawing a blank, but lets not go there - ignorance is bliss after all.





Yesterday, near the end of the day of a not too exciting work reviewing submittals and the such, I got an email for one of the projects I am working on that faced a problem with their indoor air quality testing. Nothing exciting, but it was one of those tasks that made you realize how far you've come in your workplace. I am in a profession where the value provided is always questioned and one of the many battles we face. And, frankly, when I started, I didn't have a large knowledge base in the area I was an "expert on" - therefore lots of learning has been going on these past months. Not only was I able to provide an answer to a very critical situation, I don't think any of the project team, not even the specialist or even my own boss knew the answer. It was nice being at that point of expert knowledge level, just being able to answer without researching the subject- especially for me as my retention level of knowledge seems to have an inverse relationship to my age (i.e. the older I get the less I can remember).





This weekend, my neighbors/landlords are having a "garage sale". I only put it in quotes because, they are selling really nice vintage, antique stuff that Cathy has been collecting over the years, priced higher than that of a typical garage sale. They said I could put some of my stuff in, but it's mostly junky stuff I don't want anymore, and clothes - not really the same class of stuff. However, it dawned on me that this could solve my problem of the family Wedgewood. Dad dumped it on me when I moved to Michigan, but it's not in the best shape and a little girly for me. So after getting approval from the rest of the family to dispose of it I stumbled onto sites that sell replacement china and realized the box of dishes would probably fetch a bit of dough. The issue was shipping and that was where the project stalled. So, hopefully I will be able to find a nice middle ground in regards to cost. The verdict will be in next week. (The picture isn't loading so will have to wait until later when it's less fussy and I'm less impatient).

Random Tuesday...

Here's a bunch of random things:



1. Yesterday, listening to TAL (This American Life) and there was one episode dedicated completely to the work of Scott Carrier, a writer. Great quote that captured that feeling you have sometimes:



I can't tell you about it because talking about fishing is silly, like farting and tap dancing at the same time.



2. This morning, reading on the bus my new issue of Metropolitan Home (it was only $10 for a years subscription, who could resist) and there, on the events page was Lancaster Ohio - had to do a double take (or would it be a double read). There is a Russel Wright exhibit - an early modern designer, at the Decorative Arts Center. By the way, Lancaster is this small town in the middle of Ohio, not very famous, but mom lives there.



3. Later this morning, reading on the subway the same Metropolitan Home, they had an ad at the back for a closet system. I love organizing and we all know closets can get out of hand, but what gets my goat that this closet system displayed had... hold on, I'm counting...

4 shirts

3 skirts

2 pairs of pants

4 jackets

4 pairs of shoes

8 folded shirts/thin sweaters

2 purses

5 boxes

I know that looks like a long list, but look at it again, I bring more stuff on vacation for a week (ok, maybe longer) and this closet is the size of 3 refrigerators! Someone should tell the clothes hanging in that closet that they won't get cooties from touching each other.



4. At lunch, I was surfing the web trying to figure out how to make a solar powered lamp. I have this great sunroom but there is only one outlet. My thoughts were - lots of light (and sun) during the day, no problem - no light or outlets for lamps for the night. So why not rig something up that allows the light from the day provide light for the night - brilliant isn't it? Ok, so I am still a long ways from deciphering how to wire up mini pv panel(s?) and battery and who knows what else, but while trying to get myself some education, I stumbled upon this guys diy contraption - funny, but resourceful.

My friend won!!!

Can you believe it?! John won the Tony last night for best performing actor in a musical - yes that is the top award and he beat out veterns and celebs like Harry Connick Jr. Jersy Boys did great, winning top awards like best musical and best actor and best featured actor.



So I have been waiting to watch the Tony's for weeks now- having thought it was on last month and calling a friend to tivo it for me at the time. The whole time, one of the promos has been showing teasing shots of John performing. So last night I'm doing laundry, running up and down to the basement during commercial breaks.



First, let me say I'm not that great a fan of award shows, they don't really keep my interest. After about a half hour of watching, I realized they don't really do a lot of seat shots showing the actors watching the performance. Jersy Boys did a number, and there John was on stage in front of thousands, millions. It was great, I can't wait to go see the show, but our plan to buy last minute tickets might not work out so well now. By 10 pm, I was getting tired (it was a "school night" after all). I was putting the clean sheets away while listening and suddenly heard Jersy Boys winner for best actor. It wasn't John, and I couldn't believe I had just missed it. It turned out his costar won. But I swear I didn't hear John's name which I thought I would have keyed in on. I kept watching in case, and a good thing as it turns out what I thought I had missed was actually the equivalent of best supporting actor (oscars) and not best actor.



So in the last fifteen minutes of the show, they have Glenn Close and Sydney Poitter read off the nominees and there is a shot of John waiting to hear the verdict. I didn't think he would get it as they did just award best supporting actor to his show - not likely they would give two to the same show - but I was wrong! I even teared up when I heard he won (I think I'm premenstraul right now). He went up and gave an interesting acceptance speech about his dad - the kind I like (I don't like the thank you list of names). And there you have it - he won - the guy I went to senior prom with, and hung out with and new ages ago. In a way it's my little time in the spotlights - I've told everyone today that my friend won the Tony and get a chill when I saw his picture in the paper (front page on USA today!) Well, that is that and I am off to lunch in the park with friends.



P.S. He's the one in the "center" - second from the left.

One of those weeks

So this week has been me trying to recover from getting smacked by a pole (look at the picture again). Between being bombarded both at work and home, I didn't have a chance. Of course, I suffer from the trait of downplaying the demands in life and thinking I should be able to deal. But having house guests for 14 days straight and dealing with over a dozen projects (6 would be pushing it) and training two and half new people (we have a new intern), it's not unreasonable.



I took care of my last family obligation last weekend and am planning a very low key, reenergizing, sleep fest this weekend. Of course I hope to catch up on chores - laundry, kitty litter, dealing with the mass of "stuff" in the loft (I swear it is procrating and multiplying on it's own), but in a fun, unrushed way.



So last weekend is worth mentioning - I visited dad and Barbro since Karin, my step-sister was in town. My brother and his girlfriend made it up and we all met up to watch the Strolling of the Heifers - in the rain. Basically it is what it sounds like - a parade of farm cows, floats, and marching bands. The name is more fun than the event, but maybe that's because I was cold and wet and tired.



In a more upbeat note, I am excited to watch the Tony's this sunday (on CBS). A good friend from highschool (who I of course lost touch with - you know I how I am) is in a very successful musical - the Jersey Boys. He's been nominated for best actor, the musical for best musical, and they will be performing. Exciting - go John (lloyd Young)! I'll be keeping the fingers crossed. I've rented Love's Labour's Lost to get in the mood (the library didn't have much of a selection last night). We'll have to see how it all turns out.

Numa, Numa

Ok, so this is last year's news, but I was out of the loop. A coworker forwarded me this clip and it is hilarious - and catchy. For those of you with slow internet connections, you won't be able to enjoy the clip, but basically it is of this teenager, Gary Brolsma, from New Jersy who is lipsyncing on his web-cam to this Romanian song, Numa Numa. It gained widespread popularity, so much so that Gary was a star and was on Good Morning America, the Tonight Show and more.





With this popularity, spin-offs were made, one by some students from British Columbia that is equally hilarious but in a completely different way. It's more like a music video. It had me cracking up at work.





So, take a break and check out the two videos and have a laugh on me. If you want to learn more, read the wikpedia entry. Enjoy!