The Best Piece of Advice I've Received, and Why "Life Ain't Fair"

My sophomore year in high school, I was given the single best piece of advice that I've ever received.  I had just gotten my midterm grades and was surprised by a lower-than-expected grade (apparently not participating in class can knock you, if your teacher's a douchebag with little man syndrome).  One of the school administrators, and a good friend of my mom's, talked to me about it and said that, while it sucked, it was how the world works.  "Know the code," he said, because "you don't always get to make the rules."  Brilliant!  Thank you John Traynor!  I've used that advice as I've gone through life, and I've kept it in mind as I've dealt with challenging situations in the grown-up world of office politics.  It echoed something my dad has always said, "life ain't fair."

Anyway, why do I mention that?  Well,this week I ran in to a "life ain't fair" situation.  For the first time in well over a year, I had plans to go out with friends on a work-night.  Startling, I know. =)  My husband was going to be home in time to stay with the sleeping Peanut, and I was going to meet the girls at the Garland (which I've shockingly never been to) to see Bridesmaids.  Well, it didn't happen.

It wasn't my husband's fault.  I totally can't even blame him.  It was the fault of this horrible, horrible witch of a woman who's one of his superiors.  She moved his last meeting of the day to 5:30, and he didn't even end up getting home until 9:40.  The movie started at 9.

I get it.  She's a superior.  We have to know the code and play by her rules.  But still!  B1%$# stole my movie night!! It just makes me mad!!

OK, I'm finished venting.

Because I'm thinking about Mr. Traynor's advice and my dad's favorite slogan, here is a jazzy tune, one of dad's favorites, to lighten my mood.  Simon & Garfunkel's "Late in the Evening" from the Concert in Central Park.  I've actually been thinking about this song for a while now, ever since my brother was in town and we all had dinner at mom and dad's house.  We introduced my husband to our family ritual of "music therapy"--playing Simon & Garfunkel cds fairly loudly and spending time together as a family.  Thanks mom & dad!

College fashion is just bad!

Working at a university gives me some insight into the oddities of college fashion.  My conclusions . . . #1 I totally don't understand the fashion choices of these kids, and #2 I am, thus, officially old.  Hey, I remember being in college and wearing jammie pants to class.  Today, jammie pants have been replaced by over-sized sweatpants.  I get.  You're in college, you want to be comfortable, and you don't always want to dress like an adult.  'Nough said.  But can someone explain one major trend to me?  Tie dye.

Courtesy of wabash.edu

Tie dye is ugly!  It wasn't attractive in the 60s.  It wasn't attractive in the late 90s, when I was in high school and made a tie dyed t-shirt in art class.  And it still isn't attractive.  Somebody explain the appeal!

On a similar note, I also don't understand the re-emergence of neon colors, the existence of insanely short shorts (those cannot be comfortable to sit in!), or wearing bedroom slippers outside instead of shoes.

30 Days of Songs or The Gambler is the Only Song I Know All the Words To

I'm totally stealing this from a friend of mine from college who writes her own awesome blog.  She's posting a song a day, but I'm not that patient, so here are all 30 of my selections.

Day 01 – Your favorite song – Landslide by Stevie Nicks.    I love this song, love this song, love this song SO much!  I first discovered it during my senior year in high school, when Fleetwood Mac was doing their big reunion show on VH1 and released their album The Dance.

Day 02 – Your least favorite song – Breathe by Anna Nalick  --  just really, really hate it!

Day 03 – A song that makes you happy – Lovely Day by Bill Withers

Day 04 – A song that makes you sad – I'm Already There by Lonestar.    This song makes me cry every time!  I only need to hear the first few notes, and the tears appear.  Regardless of whether Dan is deployed or not, that's always what I think about.  God damn it, now I'm crying just thinking about it! =)

Day 05 – A song that reminds you of someone – With or Without You by U2.   This was first slow the song that played at the Sadie Hawkins dance my sophomore year in high school.  Well, there were probably others before this, but, by the time we got there, got our pictures, etc, this was the first slow song I got to dance to with the guy I totally liked, Phil.  And my friend Kelly was right there next to me on the dance floor with the guy she totally liked, Curran.  I have no idea where those boys are today, but Kelly and I have stayed friends, and I always think of her when I hear this song. =)

Day 06 – A song that reminds of you of somewhere – Babylon II by David Gray.    During my semester in London in the fall of 2000, David Gray's White Ladder album was huge!  There were posters and billboards advertising it all over the place.  So, I bought it, and immediately fell in love!  Babylon was the most highly played song off the album, but there are actually 2 versions of the song, and the second one includes the lines "Sunday all the lights of London / Shining, sky is fading red to blue. / I'm kicking through the Autumn leaves / And wondering where it is you might be going to."  Because I had spent the entire fall in London, and seen the autumn leaves, this was just very personal, and it always makes me think of the British capital!

I actually have two other answers to this one.  Option B - Domino by Van Morrison.  It always reminds me, quite fondly, of Taps at Schweitzer because Mike Thompson, who was on patrol with me, had a band that played up there a lot, and they always played that song.  Option C - Whenever I hear Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond I immediately think back to the Bulldog during my college days when it was still just a tavern.  Good times!

Day 07 – A song that reminds you of a certain event – New York by U2.    I'm not sure if this song was ever officially released off of their All That You Can't Leave Behind album, but the morning of Sept. 12, 2001 I remember the DJ on whatever radio station I listened to playing this in tribute to NYC and the attacks.

Day 08 – A song that you know all the words to – The Gambler by Kenny Rogers.    The funny thing about this is that it is honestly the ONLY song I know all of the words to.  And one night when Dan couldn't sleep, I offered to sing him to sleep, like one of my coworkers does for her husband.  So, not knowing any lullabies (this was prior to the peanut baby), I started into The Gambler.  Unfortunately, we both started laughing so much that it didn't help us sleep.

Day 09 – A song that you can dance to – September by Earth Wind & Fire

Day 10 – A song that makes you fall asleep – Make You Feel My Love by Adele.    This is such a beautiful song!  I love it!  And it's not that is necessarily puts me to sleep, it's that it's so soothing, that totally calms me and mellows me out.

Day 11 – A song from your favorite band – Seven Wonders by Fleetwood Mac

Day 12 – A song from a band you hate – Adia by Sarah McLachlin.    I absolutely cannot stand Sarah McLachlin!!  The sound of her voice is so awful to my ears that it actually agitates me!  The answer to this question really could have been any of her stuff, but this is a particularly bad one.

Day 13 – A song that is a guilty pleasure – Crazy by Gnarls Barkley.    Whenever I hear this song, I have to turn it up and sing along!

Day 14 – A song that no one would expect you to love – Live Your Life by TI

Day 15 – A song that describes you – Our Lives by The Calling.    A great song that's really my theme song.  Hey, I'm a positive kinda girl!  "Cause these are the days worth living / These are the years we're given / And these are the moments / These are the times / Let's make the best out of our lives."

Day 16 – A song that you used to love but now hate – This Kiss by Faith Hill

Day 17 – A song that you hear often on the radio – Rich Girl by Hall & Oates and Only the Good Die Young by Billy Joel.    Both of these are old songs, but I swear, I hear them each at least once a week, what the heck?!

Day 18 – A song that you wish you heard on the radio – When You Say Nothing at All by Alison Krause.    This is the song Dan and I danced to at our wedding.  I wish I heard it more.

Day 19 – A song from your favorite album – This Year’s Love by David Gray

Day 20 – A song that you listen to when you’re angry – Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider

Day 21 – A song that you listen to when you’re happy – Don’t Get Me Wrong by The Pretenders

Day 22 – A song that you listen to when you’re sad – When I Fall by Barenaked Ladies

Day 23 – A song that you want to play at your wedding – see day 18, but also Save the Last Dance for Me by The Drifters, which was the final song that played at our reception.

Day 24 – A song that you want to play at your funeral – Into the Mystic by Van Morrison

Day 25 – A song that makes you laugh – Bad Touch by Bloodhound Gang.    This song has a fabulous beat, and it's my favorite song to listen to when I'm shoveling snow in the winter.  No, that's not some sort of sexual euphemism, you sick-o!  Get your mind out of the gutter!  I mean actually shoveling snow.

Day 26 – A song that you can play on an instrument – hahaha, I’m not musical

Day 27 – A song that you wish you could play – see Day 26

Day 28 – A song that makes you feel guilty – Motownphilly by Boyz 2 Men.    I know, a random song to make me feel guilty!  Here's the thing, though, in 6th grade, one of my guy friends gave me a Boyz 2 Men tape for my birthday.  I wasn't into them (because I was trying to like grunge, to be cool like my older brother), and I was such a brat that I outright told him I didn't like it!  Michael Patterson, I am so sorry!  To this day, Motownphilly is one of my absolute favorite songs!  I was a brat, and I apologize!

Day 29 – A song from your childhood – Rosanna by Toto

Day 30 – Your favorite song at this time last year – Sara by Fleetwood Mac

Leavenworth, the Bavarian town, not the prison

For my husband's birthday we're taking a little trip to Leavenworth.  That's Leavenworth, WA, not KS.  It's the Bavarian town in the Cascade Mountains, not the state pen!

Courtesy of www.leavenworth.org

Apparently, we're the only 2 people who have never been there!  I'm not really sure, yet, what we're going to do all weekend, sans-Peanut.  Walk around town, of course.  Do some wine tasting.  Play some golf.  I did get a brochure from the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, outlining all the possible stuff to do, so I have a couple of ideas, but there's a lot in there.  I'm curious, what do you recommend we see and do? 

I was told we need to go to Ducks & Drakes, so that's for sure on the list.  What else? Are the old timey photo places worth it?  Which golf course should we play?  And apparently there's a chocolate factory and a beer hall that we need to visit?  I need suggestions!

oh Kenny Loggins, how I miss you!

As a birthday/anniversary/father’s day present for my husband Dan, I volunteered to go through and organize all the music on his external hard drive so that it could be loaded neatly onto his new iPod.  Wow, I had no idea what I was taking on! 

I’m one of those overly organized individuals, and I guess I just assumed that most other people were at least somewhat organized, too.  I should have known better.  He has folders within folders within folders.  He has countless duplicates.  He has some things in mp3 format and some things in mp4.  I could go on and on, but Dan’s lack of musical organization isn’t the point of this post.  The point is: movie soundtracks.

Courtesy of Vinyl Revinyl and this random site

 Growing up in the 80s, there seemed to be countless awesome movie soundtracks.  Footloose, Top Gun, Dirty Dancing, Cocktail, Flashdance, The Big Chill, and I could go on!  The 90s produced just as many rad options, like Dazed and Confused, Empire Records, Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, and Singles.

Courtesy of State of Affairs and Rock on the Net

These albums were fabulous!  And not just one or two songs.  You liked every song on both sides of the tape (or record)!  You probably weren’t allowed to watch the movie when it first came out, but you could listen to the soundtrack with your parents, and everybody liked the music.  Every time my family went on a trip, a movie soundtrack was playing on the car stereo.

So what happened?!  Where are the movie soundtracks these days?  I know the music industry has changed a lot since I was kid—people prefer to buy individual mp3s verses entire albums, but come on, it’s simple marketing!  If the soundtrack sells well, the movie sells well, and vice versa.  And it’s hard to go wrong with a compilation album.  It's a great way to sample artists you don't really know.  Plus, if you like that one song by that one guy on that one soundtrack, you'll probably go buy some of his other stuff.  Maybe it’s just that I come from the “mixed tape” generation, but I miss the popularity of good movie soundtracks.

Booze and Blankets and Pens, oh my!

In honor of Oprah's last show, I thought I would create my own list of favorite things.

courtesy of Oprah

I've never actually watched one of her Favorite Things episodes, but it's my understanding that she shares a bunch of products she loves with her audience.  If I had 50 ba-gillion dollars, like Oprah, I would do that to.  Or at least I'd buy everybody a pitcher of Mac & Jacks.  So here goes, my favorite things . . .

Courtesy of Mac & Jacks

Mac & Jack's African Amber is quite possibly the best beer.  Ever.  Love it!  Nectar from the gods!  Brewed in Kirkland, WA, and only available in a limited number of places.  If you can find it, drink it!  If you live near Kirkland, go to the brewery and get a keg or a growler or 2, since it's not available in stores.

Courtesy of Rain or Shine Kids

The Woo Bee all-weather blanket from Rain or Shine Kids is so great!  It's wind-proof and water-proof on one side and then snuggly and fleecy on the other.  So flippin' awesome for a cold weather climate.  It was a splurge, but totally, totally worth it!  It kept the peanut warm and dry, even in very cold temps this winter!

Courtesy of Gold Peak

I love sweet tea, and Gold Peak's is super yummy.  I had only seen it in restaurants, but now it's available by the bottle in grocery stores.

Courtesy of Dry Fly

Dry Fly is another regional spirit producer.  The distillery is right here in Spokane, and their products can be found at most local bars, etc.  Being a gin drinker, I totally support them.  Their gin has a really nice citrus-y flavor.

Courtesy of Puma

I'm a sneaker girl.  I love, love, love wearing kicks, and these are my all time favorites!  I've had my Puma Californias for a long time, and they're getting close to dying which is super sad because Puma doesn't make this style anymore.  Maybe they'll bring them back.

Courtesy of Visit Savannah

Savannah, GA is one of the awesomest, most chill places ever.  It has fabulous old architecture, beautiful parks, leafy boulevards, and fun bars and restaurants.  If you haven't been there, go.  Go now.  Make sure to hit up Wet Willy's, Bar Bar, Forsythe Park, and Tybee Island.  And watch out for all those army boys. =)  So much fun!

Courtesy of Neutrogena

Neutrogena makes great stuff, and this lip balm is wonderful!  I don't do lipstick, so this is my new favorite lip stuff.  It's not sticky or goopy, and it doesn't have a strong flavor/scent.

Courtesy of Kirkland

I'm totally addicted to Kirkland's dried Mangoes and Berries!  It became my go-to snack when I gave up cookies, etc. during Lent.  Yummy, yummy, yummy.  Plus, come on, who doesn't love Costco?!

Courtesy of Pilot

Everybody needs a good pen, and my favorite is the Pilot G-2 in blue.

If you haven't tried these products, you should.  Again, I wish I had Oprah's money to get this stuff for everybody I know, but I don't.  Sorry about that.  Hey Oprah, wanna buy some sweet stuff for me and my friends?

Yes, the cardigan is required

Courtesy of Wheelock College Library blog

When most people think of librarians, a certain image pops into their minds: old lady, gray hair in a bun, glasses perched on the end of her nose, a stern look on her face, and of course, a cardigan sweater.  As a library worker (I don't have my MLS, so I can't technically call myself a librarian) and an avid wearer of cardigans, I just want to take a moment to dispel this myth.  Not all of us are cranky, old ladies with buns.

Courtesy of iheartdaily.com

That being said, unfortunately, many librarians are not what the average person would call snappy dressers.  I say this because earlier this week, I attended a library workshop and was reminded of the frump factor that often accompanies library science.  In fact, looking around at the other ladies (and few guys) at the lecture, I felt unusually fashionable.

You see, I don't consider myself all that fashionable most days.  I prefer to wear comfortable shoes and carry purses that don't resemble large pieces of luggage.  I have a handful of fashionable items, but I rarely mange to coordinate them all together.  However, many of my coworkers and I would be first in line to grace the covers of the fashion magazines in comparison to some of our frumpier compatriots.

Let me just paint you a picture . . . pants that are at least 2 inches above the ankles, yet not intended to be capris or cropped; sack-like jumpers; socks with cats on them; t-shirts, sweaters, scarves, and bags that say things like "I [heart] books" or "bibliophile" or the like (because apparently these ladies did not get the memo that you don't wear the t-shirt of the band you're going to see).  Anyway, I think you get the idea.  All I'm saying is TLC's What Not to Wear could change some lives if they had a booth at most library conferences.  Especially if the minimum of what they did was provide some conditioner and a little mascara.

Happy Mother's Day

This is my first mother's day, and thus far, honestly, it's not really all that different from any other day.  My husband gave me a card, as did the Peanut--she even signed it all by herself, thanks to husband! =)  What I'm coming to understand, though, is that (not surprisingly) my mom was totally right.  My whole life, my mom has always said that every day is mother's day.

I know that sounds really cheesy, but truthfully, every day I get to spend with the Peanut is special.  Seeing her smile and giggle, the way she grips my finger, her cute little chatter, it's all so amazing, and I gave life to this child!

But this morning, I was reminded of one of my most favorite things about being a mom.  When I was feeding the Peanut breakfast in her high chair, I was sitting in a chair, facing her.  This is our normal protocol.  I'll put my feet on the bottom rung of her chair (and I totally don't even understand this low rung because if the kid's feet can rest on that, they shouldn't be in a friggin' high chair, but that's another story!), and as she eats, the Peanut presses her little feet against my knees.

Courtesy of Prices Prices.com

It's random, but I love it!  To me, it's a sign of her love and affection.  She's not kicking me away, she's making contact to say, "hey ma, I love you, thanks for grub, nom, nom, nom."

I'm sure every mom has something random and special like that.  A certain sign that makes them smile and laugh and know the love of their child.  This is just one of mine.

Happy mother's day everyone!!

Not so extreme couponing

Coupons and saving money seem to be really hip right now.  There's a tv show on TLC about it.  And there are countless websites and blogs about it.  I grew up watching my mom clip coupons from the Sunday paper, and I've actually done it for years.  But now, with all these new sites, many of which post updates on facebook, so I don't have to actually go to the sites each day, it's so much easier!  Thus, I've decided to up my couponing ante.

Courtesy of Color-Coded

As of April 1, I started keeping track (on a spreadsheet--yes, I'm that nerdy) of how much money I was saving by clipping coupons and paying attention to in-store discounts and deals.  I am by no means an extreme couponer!!  I only clip coupons for the stuff I would be buying anyway.  And I rarely buy in bulk.  In my mind, there is no need to continually have 8 bottles of mustard or the like on hand!  Plus, we just don't have the storage space.

Anyway, by the end of April, I had saved $160.47.  That's pretty impressive, if you ask me.

Keeping track of this has really become a fun challenge.  How much can I save in one transaction?  Can I print the same coupon several times?  And at the end of the month, I'm putting half of the total amount saved in the Peanut's college fund, so this fun challenge really does have a purpose.

A razor scooter, really?!

Working at a university has led me to believe that #1) I really have become a grown-up (aka "old"), and #2) I don't think I'll ever understand college kids.  Why do so many of them ride around on razor scooters?!  Don't they understand how dorky they look?  Do they really believe that the scooter gets them to class or the COG faster?  I really feel like pulling these kids aside and telling them to stop it with the scooters already.  You look silly!  If you're a little kid, a razor scooter = totally fine.  If you're in college, a razor scooter = ridiculously lame!

Courtesy of wdok radio.

Although, I have to admit, one of the funniest things I've ever seen was a girl on her scooter trying to go over a speed bump and totally wiping out.  Funny stuff!!

Speaking of speed bumps, I hate the things!  Normally, I just blast on through them (much to my husband's dismay), but this afternoon I was thwarted in attempt to do so.  The two cars in front of me both insisted on coming to a complete stop before going over each speed bump. WTH?!  Why?  Speed bumps are there to suggest that you slow down.  You're not required to stop!  Seriously irritating!

Reading for fun, what a novel idea

Sorry for the bad pun.  I couldn't resist.  Anyway, since I am pretty much done with my masters classes, I finally have the time to read for fun again, and I'm absolutely loving it!!  Well, let me clarify . . . I'm still taking a class this semester, but I really just don't give a hoot about it, and I'm not doing any of the reading for it, so for the last 7 weeks, I've been reading for fun.

Courtesy of A Moment of Happiness

 
So far, I've made it through 3 and a half of the 5 Percy Jackson books (see the side bar).  Super fun!  Thanks to Lorraine Tauiliili for loaning me your books.  I never knew Greek mythology could be fun.  Not sure what I'm going to read next.  Suggestions?

Making an Effort

I created my original blog almost 2 years ago for a class project.  It was fun, but after I "turned it in," so to speak, I pretty much abandoned it.  Well, I've recently started reading a handful of blogs, and in the vein of ego-centrism, I've decided to maybe give this blogging thing a try.  So, here we go . . . Missy's random thoughts on a not-entirely regular basis.  Just a warning, at least at first, a lot of these posts may be ideas borrowed from other people.