Light in the Darkroom

I can't believe that it is 2009 already...it seems like summertime was just here, or it could be these faux winter days we have been experiencing that have clouded my time perception.

Regardless of where my mind thinks the time is presently there is no denying 2009 is definitely here. Usually I have some inspiring words and some motivational something or other, but unfortunately I am fresh out! The inspiration fairy skipped me this go around so the best I can do is offer you a Happy New Year!

As for myself, I don't do resolutions. My focus for this year, as discussed with a friend, is to have no repeats of mistakes from 2008. I am also trying to keep my temper and anger level at a minimum. That is probably going to be the hardest thing I am attempting to do. Luckily for some it will be a welcomed change. While I cannot commit to being extra nice and smiles and giggles with everyone, I'll make the effort not to be overly mean. This does not mean if I already do not care for you that I am just going to be jumping for joy when you come around but I can be civil at the very least, it won't kill me.

In other news, apparently I am a little directionally challenged when it comes to telling my left from my right. I got in my car this morning and it said check front right tire pressure. Ok it's cold out and dark, but I wanted to do the right thing so I went to the gas station to get some air. My father and I had discussed the scientific mumbo jumbo that goes along with why the tire pressure changes with the temperatures, but I can't remember the exact way that the conversation went so I cannot share that at this moment. Back to the story - so I go to put the air in the tire waited for the thing to make the sound that means it was at 36 and figured it was done. I start the car again and it still says check front right tire pressure. Ok now I'm like what the heck is going on...is the air machine defective? Again, I put more air in the tire that I was certain already had enough air, start the car again and now I have a streaming message....check front right tire pressure....check front left tire pressure. I push the button to see what the numbers are...front left is 48 and front right is 23. I feel really slow at this point because all of this time I have been filling and checking the wrong tire....ARRGGHHH. And sadly I can admit that I should have put air in that tire a while ago because I checked the numbers and it has always been lower than the others, but when I checked it manually with the tire gauge (still the wrong tire) the numbers were fine. I may need to label my hands with a l and r so I can tell the difference in the future, way to go me! Hope that made you chuckle a little...

Have a Great Weekend!

This Christmas was rather interesting, while it was spent with the usual suspects, things were strange...maybe I should say estranged.

If you know me you'll be able to fill in the blanks...

_____ was sick and not able to attend
_____ was just tired of BS and decided not to attend
_____ was still stalkerish and monitoring people
_____ was nice and it was very out of character
_____ was the worker bee as usual, but didn't get angry
_____ was just there walking around with holiday cheer
_____ was happy at first but quickly turned impatient
_____ was dancing around as usual
_____ was uncharacteristically rude and intolerable
_____ was there, ate, laughed, slept

As for me, I obviously played the observant role. I don't know if it is because I am older and there are no little kids in our family at the moment, but the holidays just don't seem as fun as they used to be. I don't think I am so humbug as to deserve a lump of coal but I'm definitely vacationing next year!

I hope everyone had an awesome turkey day! Of course we had some good eats at home and then some questionables at the relatives house, but I won't go into that with great detail. I did experiment this year with sweet potato pie...although not difficult to make, the first one I apparently did not mash the sweet potatoes enough so while it taste good it was a little chunky! The second one I mashed and mashed and mashed...for a while I thought I may have mashed it too much, but it turned out amazing. Needless to say the second one is gone and the chunky masterpiece is still lingering! Someone will eat it I guess...

In other news I am in need of a serious vacation. Anywhere but here is how I'm feeling right about now. Maybe I should shorten the broadness of that...anywhere that is not ridiculously hot(I am a winter baby) and has entertainment. I would like to have a think-less vacation...the less brain power needed the better!

Happy Wednesday!

Well my Wednesday has started off splendid...

1. I left my cell phone at home
2. It feels like a sauna in the office
3. I have a proposal that I need to complete for an 11:30a meeting and I have writers block

Maybe I should have stayed in the bed this morning! Regardless of my laundry list of mishappenings, I do have some musings for today.

~Apparently starting next week there are going to be ads on buses in the District stating, "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake." While I do not have an issue with any religion, we are all free to believe or not believe in whatever we choose, it is a little unsettling to see that type of propaganda during a season that is the celebration of Christ. Seems to be done with a little bad taste in my opinion.

~~CNN put out a list of the top 10 healthiest grocery stores...of course Whole Foods is no.1, no big surprise there, but Safeway made no.2!?! How shocking...I hate Safeway...maybe I should rethink that.

*A side rant (haven't had one in a while) - Men, seriously learn some tact when you approach a woman. Rudeness, touching and persistent harassment are not appealing qualities.

I am soo proud, not only because we have the first African American President in the United States of America, but I feel as though we finally have someone who is for the people of this country. It's been a long 8 years, many times I have not felt very patriotic, but just to see how many votes were cast, people standing in lines in excess of 2 hours, the joy of people of all races celebrating this monumental event, it is truly overwhelming. Words can not express the emotions I have...

It's a Great Day!!

It's finally here! I am excited for a few reasons...

1. After months of anticipation, I now have my opportunity to vote for change ;-)
2. I no longer have to endure election discussions, arguments and breaking news stories which happen to be the same stories that you have already heard
3. There will be regular commercials on tv/radio, never thought I would be happy to see/hear a commercial ever

While the excitement is clear, a little nervousness looms...

1. I can not handle the thought of McCain and Political Barbie being in office
2. I hope everyone votes regardless of how long the lines are
3. Did I say how much I can not handle the thought of McCain/Political Barbie in the White House

With all of that said, make sure you get out there and vote TODAY!

No Vote = No Voice = No Room to Complain

Today, my brother Avery would have been 33 years old. I write his initials and birthday everyday. I try not to forget a lot of things, but I can not remember the date of his death.

I remember that is was seven years ago. I remember when the phone call came. I remember the first person I told and him trying to cheer me up. I remember the road trip to Florida. I remember driving my father, grandmother and sister to St Petersburg. I remember my father telling me to slow down because I was going way too fast. I remember breaking down when we got to St Pete because it finally became real for me that this was actually happening. I remember the blue carpet in the hotel. I remember fighting for my sister to not wear all black like my mother requested. I remember my cousin telling me my brother's other sisters were looking for me. I remember sitting in the car during the wake because I couldn't go in and see him like that. I remember the two hour conversation we had just weeks earlier. I remember wanting to fight his girlfriend/wife because I blamed her. I remember the fake phone number she gave us. I remember sitting on the church steps before the funeral. I remember not walking close to the casket while it was open. I remember the repass and being stared at by his other brothers and sisters. I remember driving back to Tallahassee from St. Pete in the rain. I remember wondering why this had to happen and being angry.

Of all the things I do remember, why can I not recall his date of death?