Theft from Mama Kat

I didn't play along with the Writer's Workshop last week - just too much other stuff going on. I'm going to play this week, but in the meantime, I'm going to put my post up now.

1.) What is your life's anthem? You know...that song that is ALWAYS in your head. The one you'd go to sing first if someone told you to sing a song right NOW. What is it and what does it mean to you?

I'm kind of random that way. There's usually something floating around in there, and I come up with some strange things. The other day it was "Leavin' On A Jet Plane", but I think that was because I was thinking about Mom and Dad leaving. More often than not I catch myself humming the Smurf song, but I don't think that's a good theme song for my life, either.

Instead, the song that takes me back to really happy times is Bryan Adams, "Summer of '69". I wasn't even born in 69, but the idea of the song works for me. When I hear it, I'm instantly transported back to being 17. 17 was wonderful. I had more of a handle on this whole dating thing, I'd been driving long enough it wasn't new-new any more, and I had my first "boyfriend". He would pick my and my at-the-time BFF up, and we would ride to the lake in the back of his truck. His family had a lake house that I always enjoyed going to. What is with me and water, anyway? She and I would have our traditional meal of a Black Cherry Mystic Juice, and a Slim Jim. Even now, I can feel the sun, feel the wind whipping through my hair. I had no real problems, and it's easy for me to slip back to that happy feeling while I hear the song play.

Isn't it crazy how quickly a song can transport you back to a single frozen moment in time? There are some songs that I just do not listen to - the memories they conjure up are too painful for me to think about. "Who You'd Be Today" by Kenny Chesney is one of those - I just can't do it.

What about you? Is there a song for you? What's the memory that goes along with it?

Better Communication?

You know, when I was a teenager starting out in the dating world, I thought it was awful. It was so hard to figure things out. What if he called and someone was already on the phone? Would he try back? What if he had called and we had just left?

Now, it's a whole other ball game. I have home/cell/work phones, all with voice mail, caller ID, and call waiting. I also have text messaging, a blog, MySpace, Facebook, and yes, I Twitter. You know what? If he doesn't call, it means just that . . . he didn't call, and I know he didn't try to call.

Before you go getting carried away, this isn't about some guy in particular. A friend and I were talking about it earlier today, and so it's just been on my mind. I guess it was about 2 years ago, since it would have been right before M&D left for Texas, that I got a text message asking me to a concert. Do what?? Seriously? I'm as forward minded as the next girl, but please . . . at least pick up the phone, and call!! I promise . . . girls don't bite. Well, we might nibble a little, but we don't bite!

What do you think? Has technology made relationships better, or are we using the added tools as crutches to prevent meaningful connectivity?

Friday Fragments

Yay! Friday is here! While this means I'm now one week closer to my beach trip, it also means that it's time for Friday Fragments . . . short thoughts and posts that don't warrant a whole things by themselves. Shall we get to it?

First of all, I have to start with this, because I just found it. But, isn't this amazing? I have a secret - I love classical piano, and this guy is just amazing. What do you think?


We had one of our big races this previous weekend. Did you know that spending an additional 2 hours in the sun CAN make a difference in how red you get? And as someone who is dark haired/pale skinned, it can make a REALLY big difference? Er, oops.

This week was also the last week of Cub Scouts for the summer. I feel guilty for saying it, but I am SO glad we are done. It's another night of the week that I have back for myself. I'm getting so tired of doing everything for everyone, and scrambling to take care of me. I know it's a burn out thing, and I just need to get over it, but . . .

I miss my friend.

KR is looking at putting together a quick girls trip to the beach for the Kenny Chesney concert. I've seen him in concert before, and he puts on an amazing show, but I'm more looking forward to the quality time/memory building with my friends . . . I hope it all comes together.

Found out my neighbors killed a copperhead in the road in front of my house. YUCK! I don't do snakes and other creepy crawlies.

I'm running on empty when it comes to fragments this week . . . Mrs. 4444, I'll try to do better next time!

Wait . . . Wednesday?

How the HECK did it end up being Wednesday already? I'm confused. On one hand, time seems to be d r a g g i n g by, because there are a couple of big things I'm looking forward to. On the other hand, how is it suddenly Wednesday?

I've been wanting to share some of my adventures from last week, and just didn't have time to do them justice. Well, now I'm going to make the time!

An old friend came up from NC last weekend. This is a person that I knew waaayyy back when I was 17, and have drifted in and out of contact with since. The last time I saw him was the day of my brother's funeral. Strange, I can't remember much past the opening music, but I do remember how I felt when I realized that he was there. Completely overwhelmed. I still remember what he said when I told him I couldn't believe he was there. "Baby girl, where else would I be?" Anyway. I digress.

He found me on Facebook, and long story short, ended up here last weekend. So, a full decade since I last saw him. And you know what? He's like a version 2.0. All the stuff you loved the first time around, just improved. It was awesome. Pictures? I thought you would never ask!

Monday, I took him to the Bridge. Come on, the county is named for the place, so of course we had to go visit. It's unique to us, so I wanted to show it off. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I loved the stroll up to the waterfall. Minus the giant bug trying to munch on my neck, it was . . . memorable.

He kept bragging about what a fabulous cook he was, so I figured it was time to have some proof. After a decidedly domestic trip to K-Roger's, we came home and I was banished from my own kitchen. Believe me, it was SO worth it. See?

Grilled chicken with homemade Tzatziki sauce, Greek salad, Cous-cous, and grape leaves. Slurp. There wasn't any left to be shared with Britney!

Here in my fabulous county, we have an interesting artist. He does fiberglass creations for zoo's, etc. Spare creations have a way of finding their way into the public. Us county-ites are rather used to is. Superman on top of the courthouse? Mr. Cline's been at it again. Hippopotamus in that yard? No big deal. One of my favorite "creations" is Foamhenge, about 10 minutes from my house. I mean, seriously? It's awesome - So, of course we had to stop in and take a look. Here's me, at Foamhenge . . .

After visiting Foamhenge, we were off to catch up with Michelle, Henry and the little girl. My friend had wanted to introduce me to the magic that is sushi. I really wanted to like it, since it was obvious he was crazy about the stuff, and to myself, I vowed to at least try everything that was put in front of me. We started easy, with seaweed salad, and graduated to spicy tuna (yumm!), and my personal favorite, the "Best Friend". I think that was spicy tuna with shrimp tempura. I think. I tried the baby octopus (again, yum, if you can get past the fact that it's, well, baby octopus). Then, came this:

Whoa. Yeah, raw. And you know what? Amazingly delicious! I loved it. I had been determined to *like* the sushi, even if I didn't, and I really did. A lot. But, since I've done crazier things to impress boys, when I learned that he hadn't even tried the next dish, and since my dear, sweet, best friend's husband was pushing for us to try, I had to give it a go.

Yeah. That's a raw egg. Quail, to be exact, served on roe, wrapped with seaweed. And roe, for you non-sushi people? Fish eggs. I only ate/choked down one, and the taste was actually good. Texture, not so much. But you know what? I went from beginner to advanced in one seating, and I can honestly say, been there, done that, and I don't have to do it again!

As far as visits go, it was awesome. And, I can't wait for the next one . . . . catch up was fantastic!!!

Memorial Day Monday

It's Monday. It's evening, and it's pouring down rain. You know what I did today? I walked my dog. I did laundry. I sent flirty messages on my phone. But the most important thing I did?

I thought about Sidney. I thought about him, over in the sandbox, doing his thing because he believes in it. And, I thought about how he doesn't tell him Mom the big parts of his job, because he doesn't want her to worry. I thought about his girlfriend, Katie, and how they are so excited to get back to each other. It's thanks to people like Sidney, that I get to sit on my front porch and listen to the rainstorm.

A year or so ago, I had the privilege of attending a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. The sky was crystal blue, a balmy 75 degrees - comfortable, for September at our nation's capital. I watched as a good man, a good soldier, a loved man was put to rest with all the pomp and circumstance that he deserved. Not only that, but I was able to walk, briefly, and see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Everyone should have the privilege to see the sacrifice that has been made for us.

To all the active military people, to the retired, the deceased, all of them. Thank you.

Better Memories

So, I'll post more about some of my adventures this week, along with pictures, but here's my thought for today.

There's an episode in S&TC where Carrie is dumped on a Post-It note. It said, "I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me." The day goes on with her saying, "This can't be the day I get dumped on a Post-It." Later, she's arrested for allegedly smoking, and the officer is asked if he can let her go since the day was so bad. It ends up with him letting her off the hook, and instead of it being the day she got dumped, it becomes the day she almost got arrested. Anyway.

I have this shirt that I love. I was wearing it for the first time when he told me that he was leaving for NC. As a result, every time I wear it, there's this tinge of a reminder about that. No good. I wore it this week when I went to sushi for the first time. Now, instead of it being the shirt I got that news in, it's now the shirt I was wearing when I ate a quail egg. Raw. Trust me, it's such a better memory!!

Vacation

I'm not posting, 'cause I'm on VACATION! My friend is in from out of town . . . catch up is AWESOME.