Susie's Saguaro Life

Exercise in Frustration

2011-06-08T21:21:00.006-07:00

Have you been extremely frustrated lately?
How about extremely tired?
Are you wondering where the eff is the maid and why is the house not magically clean?
Have you noticed the fuel light on but have no desire to pull into a gas station and pump your damn gas?
Do you lie in bed and watch The Today Show and try and forget you need to get to work?
Do you want to go on vacation, like all the time?
Are you watching too much TV?
Or reading in bed?
Or online shopping quite a bit?
Or on FB contstantly?
Think about opening a cafe/flower shop/author/cake decorator?

Me neither. :)

Back Aches and other AZ Ailments

2011-01-16T22:19:00.005-07:00

Meet our new couch. It arrives in a week and I couldn't be happier.

So far, 2011 has had its ups and downs.

The Ups:
A new couch!
My job is going great (but hectic)!
Team Lawrendez is moving along nicely!
We are planning a honeymoon!

The Downs:
My back is killing me. (new couch should help!) I was recently told by a yoga instructor, that if I go to a Chiropractor, I will be taking the easy way out. Well, duh!

After an ugly local election, the winner was shot last week. She is faring well, thank goodness but 6 local Tusconans are now dead. I had a horrible feeling in 2010 that Arizona was going to get worse, not better in 2011. The anger and ugliness is apparent on street corners, with vicious signs and attitudes.

I've been sick everyday this year. The exhaustion is getting to me. My achilles tendon is still swollen, which means exercise and walking are limited. My back pain is terrible and nearly every night I'm sure it's something serious. The other night, I was convinced my kidneys were telling me something.

Now let me tell you why this couch has become so important.

First, it's a major purchase. If you know me, you know I don't care for spending money. I'm pleased to tell you all that DL and I picked this couch in 5 minutes and found a salesperson to tell them to ring it up. The saleswoman asked us to allow her to give the sales spiel as she worried we wouldn't appreciate the deal we were getting. We listened and handed her my debit card.

I'm still deciding on my new year's goals but know that my attitude on purchases will be different:

No longer will I spend hours (sometimes days) shopping online for the cheapest airline ticket. No longer will I drive cross town to see if different stores have a better deal. My time will be valued and I will buy responsibly.

I will purchase things that will improve my home and health. Those are my first two questions when I'm about to purchase something. Why home? With the madness outside my door, my home is more important to me than ever. It provides shelter for two VIP people--my husband and myself! And sometime in 2011, a few other people.

This couch? It will improve my health. My back needs support. It will allow for comfortable lounge time.
This couch? It will provide endless family time!

If you have any lower back exercise suggestions, please pass them along!

Back aches and other AZ ailments...here's hoping Lazy Boy is the answer.

Diamonds? No! Yes!

2010-06-14T17:37:00.005-07:00

DL and I decided to go to the international Tucson Gem Show. On the drive over, I nearly got into an accident when DL said, "Let's look at engagement rings while we are here."

Nearly six months before, DL and I had picked out promise rings while Mom first visited us in Tucson. We found some cool matching rings, picked out our size and exchanged them in our apartment kitchen while she was cooking. She turned around and said, Wait! What just happened? and we all laughed.

Picking out an engagement ring was something I was kind of excited about as a shopping trip but dreaded in terms of picking THE ONE that I will want to wear forever. I am a choosy gal, and I worried that I'd never find a style I'd like.

While we took way too long in our first aisle at the Gem Show, I was feeling pretty confident that we'd both find something. There was a sea of crap amongst many cool things. If I was looking for costume jewelry, I would have walked out with bagfuls. But I was looking for an engagement ring and the pressure was on.

DL likes accessories. He also likes to shop, he takes after his father! Finding something that suits DL was pretty easy. I spotted a jeweler that was dressed a lot like DL and when I saw his name, I recalled that DL had said he liked this dude's stuff before. We went over to the booth and there he was, the jeweler in the flesh with loads of chunky rings for DL to try on. It wasn't a matter of IF it was WHICH one. Lucky bastard.

After getting DL's ring I got a bit mopey. Who me? (smile)

I was having a minor freakout. My future husband has THE RING. Like the one he wants to wear forever. Even if I got him a new one for our 10th anniversary, he'd still want to wear his original. He was in love. This ring was IT. Crap.

So we walked around for what seemed hours. I found plenty I didn't want, plenty I'd wear to a party and plenty pushed on my by jewelers who found out I was looking for an engagement ring. In a auditorium of jewelers, artists, etc, it was surprising on how many were exactly the same. The diamonds were meaningless to me all of a sudden. We went to another auditorium wing and stopped for coffee. It hit me. I didn't want a diamond. I wanted an emerald. We looked through the list of booths and saw the one to go to--the Columbians.

Walking to their booth I was already feeling pretty good. An emerald. Yes. That's what I want. I think. We were offered delicious chocolate from the gent behind the booth and I really was in love. So I asked them to show us what they got. Not too crazy but something cool. They did show us something cool.

Now let me explain something. When folks tell you go to the Diamond District in NYC for the good deal, they mean instead of $20,000 the diamond will only cost $15,000.
At the gem show folks talk about it being so "cheap". Sure, if you want costume jewelry or silver, it's not so bad. But engagement rings with the big emeralds and diamonds had slightly below Diamond District prices. The $20,000 rings were now $12,000. That does sound like a deal but not for the Lawrendez's.

I found a few in our price range that we were excited by. I turned to DL and said, "you know what I really want? My grandmother's ring. But my family doesn't have such a thing."

One of Columbians said, "I have your grandmother's ring" and picked up a ring under the glass display. It was awesome and nearly fit (very unusual for my sausage fingers!). I nearly cried. Really!

So I walked out with a very old ring, worn by some grandma in Columbia for decades. I was elated and so was my "bride" because I stopped moping!

We scrammed out of that huge place and left for a nice lunch. We got our rings and guess what?

My ring has diamonds. Ha ha.I'm such a kook.

The Engagement Story

2010-06-11T17:21:00.005-07:00

DL proposed on my birthday, in our kitchen on one knee with ring in hand.

DL had been asking me what I wanted to do for my b-day for weeks.
As most of you know, I love my b-day. I like to celebrate weeks in advance and weeks after!

However, this year, I wasn't in the mood. I have been very tired, stressed from work and missing my old pals. I didn't want to do anything.

Mom bought me a ticket to Oaktown so we decided to go right after my b-day. I found out later that many people thought DL was going to propose while we were in CA.

Poor DL! He tried so hard to have a romantic night set up but all I wanted to do was get off of work, go to the gym and come home for supper. No romantic dinner or a shower was going to happen when I got home. All I wanted was to sit back, drink a beer and have some pizza. How sophisticated, eh?

When DL and I first met at D & D's house, after the encouragement of Mr. Datt, he got down on one knee and asked me for my number. He had to yell out the question because the music was loud. The music didn't necessarily stop when he asked but it had gone down a bit so everyone heard him asking me for number!

He was shaking so bad, I took the pencil and paper and finished writing my number and handed the paper back. So cute.

DL is a very brave man. He's not afraid to embarrass himself, he's not afraid to be silly, ask questions, laugh out loud and show affection. He blurts out what he wants when most others try so hard to be cool they drag out situations! DL always asked me out on another date before our date was over. I always had plans with him so if I got asked out by anyone else, I wasn't available. Genius!

When DL got down on one knee to propose, I wish I could remember all that he said. It was lovely. I was so distracted by his confidence and strength that I wasn't paying enough attention to his words. Damn it! :)

Three months into dating, DL asked me if I ever wanted to get married. It was smart of him to ask as I've been asked 3 times before and turned them down. I thought I didn't ever want to marry and realized I just knew those gents weren't right for me. DL didn't just want to be married, he wanted me and that statement made all the difference. DL has talked about marriage for nearly two and a half years. There was no doubt that he wanted to marry me and he made sure I knew it so that if I wasn't interested I better speak up.

Some of you have heard me say this, but DL is the "bride" in this story. Although he did the asking, everything else was non-traditional. He wanted a big wedding, a dress, a tux, attendants, family, friends, cake, etc. I have helped plan many weddings. Some of yours, my dear readers and it wasn't that fun. The best moment is when you get the ring, you say your vows and that first dance. Those were always the magic moments for me. As we started to discuss wedding plans, we realized we did not want the same thing. My handsome "bride" and I had to do some major compromising...

A letter to your child

2010-05-03T23:26:00.007-07:00

Hi Friends-
When you were in 7th grade did you have to write a letter to yourself? My class didn't but I know other classes at my school had that assignment. I know what I would have written--hey, man, you are taking things way to seriously and for crissakes get good grades so you can leave Claremont!

I read a letter today from a parent to their future child as part of my adoption class homework. INTENSE. It was to the child they would someday hope to adopt. Writing the letter was meant to interest the biological parent who is deciding on which couple or individual they should consider to be parents of the child amongst a pile of other letters.

I think writing a letter to yourself is a great exercise. Would you ever think you'd be where you are now? Good or bad, life is complicated no matter how hard we try to simplify. BTW, I own three books on simplifing life, countless books on organization and loads of magazines devoted to similar ideals.

We had an assignment that I thought was going to be pretty easy. It was our letter to the birth parent. We did it in one night because we didn't want to fret over every sentence. The letter was meant to say a little about yourself, what hopes you have for your future child and anything else you wanted to say to the parent. The words seemed pretty empty at first. Our first draft was more focused on our hopes and dreams in the most basic way. I was doing the writing and didn't care for the tone I was taking it to. It was a little embarassing actually to sit at the dining table and convey a range of emotions to someone who is in a different place than me and DL. We are excited, anxious, worried and happy to start our family. We are choosing to be in this situation. We are preparing ourselves for a long list of emotions when a child or two comes into our home permanently.

But what of the person on the other end? Someone for a variety of possible reasons is in a situation in which they will not be legally able to raise their child anymore.

So our letter started off with Thank you and ended with Thank you.

--Susie

When pregnant women and mothers with strollers are passing you...

2010-02-21T15:15:00.006-07:00

(Sunday, Feb. 21st)

I wogged a 5K today. Walk + Jog = Wogged.

It's my first 5K that I had planned to jog. I have walked the 5K for breast cancer in GG Park in SF several times. It's cake. This time I thought why not try jogging a mile or so? No training except my usual Zumba workouts, Hip Hop Dance classes and calisthenics. What a sucker I am.

If I was a 75+ year old woman, I might have come in first place if not 2nd. Sadly, I felt like I was the last one to come in.

First 1/4 mile--jogged! Ouch. My lungs.

Second 1/4 mile--walked fast trying to mentally race with a woman in hot pink.

Third 1/4 mile--jogged! Ouch. My legs hate this alot.

Somewhere before the 1 mile marker I grabbed the little cup of water took a tiny sip and GULP! Threw the cup on the ground like everyone else. What is this? A race of litterbugs?

Right before the official 1 mile marker I decided to finish this thing in 45 minutes. 15 minutes a mile is generous. Oh wait, a 5K is just over 3 miles. I already won't make my secret goal. Dammit.

At 1 mile I hear I'm at 15 minutes which is good but I already felt like I was crawling along. Even the "Silver Sneakers" crowd was passing me. What is wrong with my damn legs? An important note here: Silver Sneakers, for those that don't know is a national exercise program for the senior crowd. They have exercises classes at nearly every gym in America and it's cheap if not free due to it being covered by Medicare. Some Silver Sneakers were already on their way back to the finish line and I wasn't even to the half way mark. I was shocked. I learned later that Silver Sneaker participants were only doing a 2K. You can imagine my internal shouts of "what's wrong with you, Susie?" as I see folks in walkers already on their way back as I'm not even close.

When pregnant women or mothers pushing jogging strollers with two kids is passing you up, you're not in the shape you thought you were.

But what a damn beautiful day. The scenary was so lovely with snow on the mountains and the air feeling really clean after the rains. The half way point was upon me in no time. DL was already on his way back as I was near the half way mark and I was wondering if he was in pain like I was. No jogging for me the rest of the race.

We were pretty sore right after the race and pointed out our mistakes. No training. No real warm-up. Uh, what else? It seemed like we had a list that I have now forgotten. At any rate, we discussed future races and if we keep this up, maybe by the time we are 75 we'll hear our name being called for 1st in our age group. Weee! A cap? A water bottle? Awesome!

Friends, I'm not embarrassed to tell you that we wore our race numbers for hours after the race as we went out for brunch. Showing the townspeople, why yes! I can have a stack of pancakes, I did a 5K this morning, what did you do?

Then Monday morning came. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. When you are in pain, you notice how weird your body moves because you can feel your body's muscles screaming. Why why why.

Today is Thursday. The pain in my legs is long gone. I have had numerous dreams this week where I'm running in the fields of Africa (who knows where) and I'm like a giselle. No pain, just enjoying the scenery and I'm freakishly flying along using my own two legs.

The next 5K is in a few weeks. No training. Maybe some new shoes by that time. Plenty of painkillers on hand.

Keep movin'!

Oh right, I'm older now...

2010-02-16T20:35:00.009-07:00

Hi Friends
A depressing event happened to me today (this was weeks ago by now). It's not global folks.

I put in my calendar that by today I would have lost 20 LBS. I looked back at when I entered this and realized I had assumed I'd lose 2 LBS a week.

The sad thing? I had barely lost 2 LBS in a month. I could be hard on myself but it won't work. I could say I tried, which I did, but know that I still enjoyed life and ate well which means sweets were had!

There are so many things to permanently change and do so with a smile. There are also so many things to enjoy just as they are. And the worst--to recognize a self change that will totally suck. Where's my damn positive attitude? It's a teeter totter more than a roller coaster sometimes, isn't it?

As some of you know I jogged/walked my first 5K. My body has recuperated nicely, thank you. No broken bones, blown out knees or achy muscles. Since then I've had a spurt of workout energy, wise eating habits and social sacrifices to take time out for myself and treat my body right. When I'm up, I am UP!

And then I missed a workout, which turned into a week off from working out. No biggie, really but I noticed something terribly wonderful. I have had a hard time sleeping, ate sweets daily and nearly stopped drinking water. Yes, the epiphany has happened--working out means doing right by me! So that was down then UP!

I overheard in the hallways the other day, two men talking about their weight and how it used to be so easy to lose weight. I thought, oh, poor gents. When I got a closer look I realized they were close to my age, if not younger. Oh right. I'm older now. When things were easier to get done, like taking disco naps before parties, getting involved in community work, losing a few LBS, I wasn't doing that. I got little sleep, overly booked myself, sat on the couch alot and worked myself to stressville. BORING.

Sometimes I feel like I'm way behind on this health train, and other times I just remind myself that I at least got a ticket. (pat on the back)

With age, does come wisdom. But oh, to be young again, am I right?

Love you, mean it.

I'm a Widow

2010-02-16T20:15:00.004-07:00

Do you watch Lost? Do you watch Heroes? I don't get it. Either of them. The surest way to set off my beloved is to criticize either of these programs. I accidentally called Heroes "Lost" last week. And when I was corrected I said "same thing" and ouch! The fireworks!

My fave show isn't on tonight. It's not the best show, but I find it inspiring and like to see the progress of those losing weight. Biggest Loser kinda sucks though too, don't get me wrong. The product placement is annoying. The screaming and crying is boring. It's the Olympics and NBC's major coup of getting to cover the boring Winter Olympics means the few shows I watch on the major networks, The Office, 30 Rock and Biggest Loser won't be on. Boo Hoo.

So tonight instead of DL complaining about BL, I'm typing away while that damn Lost show is on.

The popularity of the show is a wonder. How can a confusing show with little to no sex have so many fans? Why isn't it on the SyFy (their spelling not mine) channel? It's only a matter of time, I'm sure. BTW, I have watched Heroes with DL at his request. My numerous questions bothered him so now I watch it nearly every Monday.

Listen, do I ask questions during sports shows? No. Do I mind sport shows? No? I'm not a sports widow, and for that I'm grateful. I am the geeky equivalent. I'm a Lost Widow.

Until Project Runway, my dear friends, here's to Millionaire Matchmaker reruns.

Love you, meant it, from your Fierce Friend!

-S

What Makes You Cry?

2010-02-09T22:55:00.003-07:00

Hi Friends-

I was thinking the other day about my dearest friend Dee as I was watching a commercial. I thought to myself, Oh Dee must be crying right now. I can't remember the commercial but it was touching and knowing Dee, she found it touching enough to shed some tears.

What makes you cry? Sports drama makes me cry. When the Saints were about to win, I started crying. I then felt bad for the Colts coach, a rookie who made it to the Superbowl. Oh the drama, The drama of Peyton Manning playing against his home town team, the joy that New Orleans and Louisiana would feel once they won, the terrible pain they would have felt if they had lost. I love sports.

The wedding of Pam and Jim's from the Office got me choked up. Finding out a friend's whole life is topsy turvy, new highs, new lows. My sister crying while talking about her job (The Hernandez Girls cry when we get super mad). Finding out a pal's baby was born. The immediacy of seeing new baby online and the smiles on everyone's faces. I also cry when I think about or see baby pics of DL. You would too if you saw them, I promise.

Talk to you later,
Susie

Indoor Picnic

2009-12-15T15:24:00.003-07:00

Hi Friends--

The TUPICS 2nd ever picnic will be indoors.
Can you believe it? It's cold out here in Tucson!

The theme is Brunch and it's at my house.
Suggestions welcome!!!

I'll be posting up the menus with pics if any were taken from every picnic.

Be good,
S

Why can't they change?

2009-12-10T13:28:00.005-07:00

Friends-
I was at an industry meeting in Florida and was talking to a gent that has moved alot, worked in many offices and has seen a lot of disfunction.

He gave sage advise that I feel is my duty to share with you, my do-gooders of America.

There's always that "one" in the office (he said this applies to family too). Guess what? You can't change them. When dealing with a family member or coworker that just doesn't jive with your ways of working, agree to yourself that you can't change everybody nor should you try.

You can spend a lot of time trying to get people fired up and it might work too, but as soon as you leave their sight, they revert to their old ways. Do you have the energy to keep unmotivated people fired up? Your boss would probably say no. Find folks who are fired up and work on projects with them. (BTW, I had a hard time believing this and kept arguing about it. I concede.)

Complainers rarely do anything to fix the problem. (then what would they do?) Be the fixer only when it really affects you or matters to you. There's no sense in getting in the way of a complainer. They will tire you out. If you complain alot at your work, don't think you are the "rebel". You are just the complainer. If you are working on fixing the issue, you won't have time to complain.

Thoughts? Further words of wisdom? :)

Another person told me while we escaped at the bar to "Just be yourself" and "It's okay to be selfish". Men as mentors? Interesting.

New 'Do - I even got compliments from myself!

2009-12-08T16:23:00.008-07:00

Hi Friends-

I've been thinking about this alot lately.
Should I change my blog "skin"?

I can't tell you how hard it is to make a decision on changing the background of ones blog.
I went with a Blogger template for now. Getting myself used to the transition of possibly a new blog 'do.

Speaking of hairdo's--The other day I went to the salon to get my hair dyed and reminded my nice hairdresser to please leave my skunk like gray streak in. She remembered of course but for some reason I'm paranoid that the time I don't say it, she will forget.

Why is it so important to have a gray streak? Because I have had the same hairdo for years. Long, curly/wavy and dark dark brown. I enjoy the new compliments and laugh at the shock when someone notices it for the first time. They always think I didn't know it was there and perhaps they are telling me something new. It's cute. I like it alot. I am in need of some mature status while I continue to wear my sneakers to work.

Since moving to AZ, my hair has gotten straighter. I trim it regularly so it will "lose weight" and get a little bounce back. It works for a few weeks and then it slowly gets straight again. Most of the time when my hair gets done, the hairdresser straightens it. This has happened to me for years by all sorts of hairdressors. They always think I want straight hair. My new dresser used to just do it till one day I asked her why she doesn't dry it curly for me. She then made it Chaka Khan curly. I couldn't see what was coming from each side of me. It was weird.

Last week I asked her to blow dry it completely because it was freezing cold outside. She asked if she can blow it out straight and I said sure. I gotta say, it was nice. It was so soft and so smooth. I even got compliments from myself. :)

My life with a new 'do. Thank god it can all be changed with a push of a button or a wash.

Love you,

Susie

Food Societies

2009-12-03T19:29:00.006-07:00

Hi Friends-

I started a picnic society recently and it's fun. I call it TUPICS (awfully close the toothpicks) for short.

We have had one trial run picnic so far. It was a good to have a small, trustworthy core group. We pointed out the flaws and successes. We talked about future locations, future menus, future guests and then quickly moved along to dating, life and home.

Tonight I decided I also want to start a dinner society. We have a new table! It was a long road. Mom weighed in and talked us right out of a modern round table from Ikea pointing out that we could get it, but it probably wouldn't make it on our next move (years from now). She was right. Suddenly DL and I were on this kick asking ourselves -- is this the table that maybe our future child will inherit? (By the way, we started asking ourselves that question about everything--will this plate make it the next 20 years? No? Pass!)

I had a bee in my bonnet about a round table. I love round tables. But a lot of them look kinda country-kitchen. Pass.

What did we end up with? It's not at all what DL and I had planned on getting but we were dazzled by the size (seats 12), the heft and the quick delivery. As I type I sit at our new table. We haven't eaten dinner at home at the table in years. You did not misread the sentence. Years. In a matter of minutes we will be having our inaugural dinner on our new table. The table that you dear friends will join us for years to come because I've decided that we need to really celebrate tables and eat at them more often. Not just at restaurants, but at home. Your home or my home, whichever!

The Tucson Picnic Society will celebrate outdoor dining, the Dinner Society will celebrate table dining. LOVE It.

And love you.

I'm ugly under pressure...

2009-09-28T11:34:00.006-07:00

Hi Friends-

For weeks I've had very good things happen all at once. All of the events took a lot of prep time and having them happen all together has me tossed around like some hard So Cal waves.

When I'm under pressure, I have a very short fuse. You know this. Well, most of you know this. I can't get caught up in the little details that one or two folks are bound to need. Can't they just figure it OUT? This is all set off by lack of sleep, lack of help, and a loss of memory that my doctor says comes from exhaustion. I can't remember words that would really help the person who needs details figure it all out.

My September consisted of a new partnership with the county library system, a business trip that required hours and hours of prep (40 hours on top of work, etc), packing for a move, a new tenant, a long awaited week long vacation, colleague breakdowns and finally a major move into our new house.

I'm exhausted. But these are all good things. Even the colleague breakdown, because it finally happened and it's done.

I just aired a show called Killer Stress. It's a killer! After watching it, I realized I rarely get stressed about bad things. I stress about dumb things. It's very annoying. Maybe for a few weeks a year I worry seriously about money. (I just used up all my savings on my CA mortgage because the market for rentals spiked in Oakland and therefore, I had trouble finding a good tenant. A very good tenant was found and the pressure was immediately lifted. I calculated how many months it would take to build up the savings for my mortgage for another rainy day, hopefully years away from now.) I can usually calm myself down by telling myself that the problem isn't that big. My supposed lack of organizer is my true killah!

I get stressed because I get caught up in the minutia of details. It's really nerves from the opportunities and striving towards perfection. I want no problems but by thinking of it and preparing for it, I sometimes create a problem. People say the way a couple handles a pet will reflect parenting. The way we handle the stress of a move could tell each of us how we can handle life issues together.

My poor partner! I do feel bad for him at times as I have been spoiled by friends with near ESP in terms of knowing what I meant, what I need and having hours of conversation in "code" with little details and super fast. When I start a business, it will be you, dear friends, that I will count to help get it off the ground. You are among the creative and fastest and smartest people I know.

In terms of years and experience, DL in comparison with Dee, LR, KB, Jay, Fischer, KGH, JH and the list goes on, has had few opportunities to handle me while I'm under pressure.

I think I'll put on Under Pressure (queen) and let DL play it loud whenever appropriate. Which seems like a lot these days.

Stay tuned,
Susie

paint colors and bedspreads

2009-09-14T21:40:00.002-07:00

hi friends-

I think I want a very different bedroom. We are venturing into exciting territory: bedroom design!

DL and I came to an agreement on a bedspread but realized the colors may be hard to compliment.

We have some alternatives that of course I can't find now but will show you similar ideas.

We both agreed to some kind of shiny silver/gray, brown and light gray colors. If we go totally gray we may have gray, orange and white decor. So many options!

Let me know your thoughts:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=115423&RN=27

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=118341&RN=27

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=10&startValue=1&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=16400137&parentid=A_FURN_BEDDING&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority,-product.startDate&navCount=75&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=A_FURN_BEDDING&popId=APARTMENT_FURNISH&prepushId=

I wish I had (fill in the blank)

2009-08-27T17:54:00.004-07:00

It's happened to me. I actually regret not doing something in my youth! Not just one thing but a few things. I think I've had this twinge of regret before but I suppressed it. With my new age comes new wisdom. It's okay to regret a few things. You just didn't know, I tell myself.

I'm not staying up nights worrying about these things I didn't do or in some cases did do. I can calm myself down immediately with the old, Well then I wouldn't have met X and then met Y and got to go to That City and wound up in This City.

I regret not examining my regrets earlier. You know how you realize you've been holding things in, like say your stomach for years and for a second you let it out and it's like sweet relief. But then it's sad, because you think, Why? Why have I been holding it in? Then you feel regret that you've been wasting precious time worrying about something that in the scheme of things wasn't that important.

The pain started when a friend confided that they had wished they had a kid earlier. What was the big deal? What were they waiting for? Well for one, your beau at the time was lame. Maybe you were waiting for an ideal mate? No, she says. She was just afraid of not having enough money. I certainly understand that. I started thinking what do I secretly regret. Not having a kid and regretting it in silence is pretty huge. So I started thinking...and it wasn't pretty.

My first regret was dropping out of sports. I'm not really sure why I stopped but now wish I was in shape enough to be on a team of some sort. I'm sure I still could and who knows? Maybe in a few months, you'll be reading about my new team on this blog? When I stopped I suddenly had more time on my hands and that meant more time feeling bad. My family gains weight very easily and it's a lifelong struggle to try and be healthy let alone keep the pounds off. Most of my family have not been lucky. The spiral of quitting wasn't noticeable to me for decades. I can really say that I went from having an active to sedentary lifestyle in a day. Yes, friends, it true. And now it bugs me. I forgot till my Mom mentioned it the other day...I was very good at all the teams I was on: soccer, baseball then softball, water polo and volleyball. I just stopped.

My second regret was not traveling more when I was younger. I went on great trips and now I realize that things were so much cheaper then and I should have kept going. I never went on long trips for months like I had dreamed. I held myself back thinking I'd be poor when I returned. So what? I didn't have much to lose then. Now I'm going to have to wait as I'm in my career mode right now. I finally left North America this year, thanks to a wedding and travel partner who agreed to check out Argentina before heading home! Thanks DL!

I'm going to stop before I go on and list little regrets that aren't very important. Word of warning: when you start to think of regrets from the past, it takes awhile to forgive yourself and just let it go.

I wish I could get through that process faster. (smile)

Peace and Love,

Susie

My latest addictions

2009-07-28T16:01:00.005-07:00

The Julie & Julia movie! I can't wait to see it. The first time I met Julia I got really choked up. She was at a PBS conference and was talking about her first season on TV. It was really incredible and I realized that she started something HUGE. We are in full on Julia Childs excitement here at the station.

I just starting airing a newly released Julia and Jacques cooking show on Mondays and folks are going nuts for it. There are two pledge shows coming up and in honor of the greatest cooking show host and memorable chef, we are having all kinds of promotions and member giveaways!
Yippee!

House Hunting! When I first considering buying in CA, I was very lucky and found the place to buy in one afternoon thanks to Heather S. my realtor and friend. Now in Tucson, I am having the typical first time buyer experience without being the buyer. DL and I are going to start going to Open Houses! How fun it is to get ideas for a new house. We have been looking online for awhile to get an idea of what we like, what we don't and what's out there in our price range.

My Ipod Touch. My favorite apps are Bubble Pop, Lose IT! (a food tracker!), Facebook, Pandora and Rain Maker (has different rain storms sounds to help relax).

Fruit. I realized the other day that I rarely eat fruit. And of course always have sweets. I thought I'd try and eat 3-4 servings of fruit to see if it cut down on my need for sweets. It hasn't completely but I gotta tell you, eating sweet delicious fruit has been a tasty addiction. I am digging nectarines, oranges and bananas. DL and I have been having almond milk-banana-peanut butter-honey smoothies as dessert and it rocks! Try it!

Bedspreads. We need a proper bedspread/duvet cover but I don't want to buy one till we move. So I'm on the hunt (online) of finding inspiration. If you had a chance to watch the TV video I posted a few days ago for A Moment of Luxury, you know why. Relaxing in a grown up bedroom would be my moment of luxury! Wouldn't you know it, now that I'm ready for a grown up room it can't be pink because I share a room. It will be interesting to see what we agree upon.

Menus. Maybe it's Julia, maybe it's food tracking, maybe it's the budgeting for a house. Maybe it's all of it! Lately I have been planning our weekly menu including a night to go out to eat and a night for leftovers, at least one night Vegetarian and one with delicious meat. It's fun to pour over magazines and online recipes for ideas, make out a grocery list and know what I'm having each night for supper. Half of the work is thinking right when you get home about what to have. With our menu, we already know and sometimes DL will start getting it ready before I get home and sometimes he has it all ready when I get home. It's really improved our variety in foods, saved us money from not eating out as much or buying things we never use, and the routine has been great. We are a fairly routine-less family so having this one thing figured out is nice.

Bon Appetit!

Susie

The Fashion Show

2009-07-27T12:04:00.002-07:00

I didn't realize the show had ended and that a winner was announced!

Thoughts from my fellow Project Runway fans?

Wish List

2009-07-24T17:38:00.003-07:00

Wishes that can come true:

I wish I liked poetry enough to read it more often.
I wish I was laughing right now. Riiiight NOW.
I wish camping was more enjoyable as it is a nice concept.
I wish I was meeting you for coffee tomorrow morning. We'd have a nice chat.
I wish I told people I was grateful for their actions more often.
I wish I didn't feel the need to get everything done before going out to have fun.
I wish I called people more. Facebook is my tool of communication way too much.

Things I have no control over but wish for:

I wish I had more vacation time accured. (the travel wish list for the moment: alaska)
I wish things were more fair.
I wish people worked as hard as they said they do.
I wish sailor pants would make a comeback.

I wish your wishes came true.

I heart my job, Part I

2009-07-23T13:06:00.002-07:00

Today I heart my job because I'm doing a bunch of TV screening. I'm watching shows and new season sneak peeks to consider for one of my schedules.

Check out a series I'm considering for broadcast. I can't show you the sneak peek but I can show you from the last season. It's called A Moment of Luxury.

Here are a slew of clips to watch from the show's website:
http://momentofluxury.com/Television.aspx?VideoName=0

I met this host at a conference in his hospitality suite. It had the finest decor and appetizers than all other suites I went into that night.

When I seem something like this, I think, I want that job situation! I'd love to be amongst these designers from all over the world and to walk the streets and look at the architecture. Ahhh.
Second best, I guess, is to watch a show about such people that this host knows and I don't!

:)

What is your moment of luxury?
-Susie

DL's finally posting

2009-07-21T18:31:00.003-07:00

Read about DL and my South American adventures! DL is finally posting the days!
http://dlatlarge.blogspot.com/

Hugs to you all,
S

Too hot and that's okay!

2009-07-13T15:53:00.009-07:00

Hi Friends-
Well, it's offically hotter than hell in Tucson.
The temps are rising to 106 sometimes 109.

Last night the Cowboy Junkies were in town and DL and I went to see them along with some pals. The lead singer (BTW, god blessed her voice--it's sounds tremendous) said that she couldn't get over how hot it was when they were in their tour bus. She didn't really get to cool off before the show and drank water like no other singer has before. She was like a wilting flower which goes well with their melocholy music.

I was freezing at the concert. My arms nearly had icicles coming down. It was so cold inside that when we walked out it was cold from the air conditioning blasting from the doors. It took a few steps for us to realize that yes, it was still warm out. 11 PM and it felt like the perfect summer temperature! By the time we got dropped off I was thawed out and our home set for 78 degrees felt awesome.

The best reasons about the Hades like temperatures is the clothes, the need for resting and the pleasure of drinks. We have a frig full of cold drinks on hand at all times. Nonalcoholic most of them! I wear skirts and dresses all the time. Yippee! I rarely did that in SF. Best of all, everyone takes it very easy come lunchtime till 3 or 4 PM. It's too hot to do anything but rest.

It's so nice! Laying around is totally excusable because it's hot outside.

:)

DL and I are in the early stages of looking for a house. I toss around the idea of having a pool. The pros are obvious--hello? a pool! The cons are tricky--cleaning, the expense when its working, the expense when it's not--those are nothing to sneeze at. On hot days like today, I'd give anything to jump into a cold pool in my very own home!

TV watchers--

2009-07-13T15:47:00.001-07:00

You gotta read Dee's latest blog entry!!!!

Warning: it's raunchy!

http://glitteringobsessions.blogspot.com/2009/07/oh-so-raunchy-im-laughing-my-head-off.html

The Real Housewives

2009-07-10T11:04:00.002-07:00

Last night I shut off the TV because I was super tired but also because there was nothing on but angry shows. There was that news program hosted by the lady who sounds a lot like Nancy Grace and has a slew of guests yelling at one another. There was some entertainment news show who was reporting on Michael Jackson--I need a break from the drama.

Then there was some reunion of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Now I caught most of the two part final reunion and thought that maybe there was a Part III. Nope.

Bravo must be so desperate for summer programming that they are rolling out behind the scenes arguments, boring footage that didn't make it into the original show but wheeled it out now so they'd keep the franchise going, and then slapped it all together with the host giving pithy comments in between and using repeat footage from the show to gel it all together.

The Real Housewives have gotten real ugly.

Manners 101

2009-07-08T16:53:00.002-07:00

I got one of the best things in the mail today. It's from Clifford the Big Red Dog. I got a cute stuffed toy from them but that's not the good part. They also included a CD that has 15 songs about manners. Yes! I actually yelled out Yes! when I read the titles.

Have I told you all about mediocre kid rearing? I think so. If not, in brief I am concerned with this epidemic of parents overly complimenting their children on basic actions thus raising a child that will 1) not try very hard for important things and 2) have an overboard ego leading to an adult that doesn't want to try hard, expects attention when they do things that adults should be expected to do, and will be unable to share praise, expectations or themselves. These kids will not make for a stronger world. I see this a lot with parents who might have stumbled into their role a little too early in their own emotional age and try very hard to be a friend to their 8 year old versus being a parent. No goddamn boundaries.

Besides overindulged kids another thing I seem to encounter alot is children with no manners. I'm sure you have stories to tell. I used to think that kids with no manners have guilty parents. Maybe they are divorced? Maybe they are single and don't want to deal? Seeing my newly single cousin and her 3 children recently made me think that it has to be laziness on the parents part. My cousin is not lazy and she had her kids in line! They have great manners and are happy, funny and caring. I am so proud to have them in my family.

We all have had experience with the children who demand attention, are greatly impatient when someone else is talking and the list of bad manners goes on. I have recently encountered the parents who don't seem to mind if someone else could take over the parenting. If an adult is around, they stop being the parent and hope that the others will discipline their child. I often feel like an ass when I find myself speaking to their child in a parental way. I'm not a parent. And how are they to know that I did this for a reason? I was taught in my early 20's that this was a no-no. Some of you might be the very parents who told me, "I can discipline my own child" and I immediately stepped away. I guess those days are moving away.

All of this makes me think that if I stand here judgementally looking at bad parenting, I will be cursed if/when I have a child of my own. What if I'm a lazy parent? DL and I both could be lazy. Yikes! What if I have that bad mannered child and am completely clueless about it? Would you tell me? I can tell you I do not tell people that their kid is rude. I just don't hang out with that kid.

What if I have the kid who is mean? Which is worse? Okay okay okay. I better stop thinking about this. It's my own personal nightmare. :)

I leave you with top 15 songs on manners, by the Clifford the Big Red Dog folks:
- Pardon Me, Clifford
- Show Proper Respect
- Please and Thank You
- Whoever Can be Trusted
- Be Kind
- Clifford Said, "I'll Go After You"
- The Mexican Hat Dance (not sure how this is about manners!--it's a song that involves throwing your hat on the ground!)
- Mother May I Play with Clifford
- Say I'm Sorry
- Little Drops of Water
- The Wheels on the Bus (maybe the shushing baby part is about manners?)
- April Showers
- Look Both Ways
- Donkey Riding (what the...)
- Go In and Out the Window

$14 lunches and 10% off retail

2009-06-16T16:41:00.007-07:00

Friends,

Since the economic downturn I've taken notice to a daily occurence happening in my email.

Until now, I never really given much thought to the amount of email I get that is basically trying to get me to spend my money. I realized today that I am signed up to a lot of e-newsletters that send me deals for things I wouldn't buy now or even need. (Need? Uh, ignore that statement!)

Lately I've received more encouragement to shop, eat out and travel due to sales. Has this been happening to you? Is the whole world on sale?

Companies need my business so they are offering me discounts--some are a joke--10%, $14 lunches, more chances to earn miles by taking more trips. Say what? These are not deals that I find worth pulling out my debit card. There was one today that I nearly yelled out "wow". But I don't need it. Oh goodness but it's sooo cheap. Kinda.

I did something today that I have never done before. I deleted a slew of emails without even reading it. Pottery Barn, William Sonoma, Coldwater Creek (millionth sale going on this month!), Torrid, Home Depot and all my airline memberships didn't get my click-through. They will no doubt tell me tomorrow how that there is only 4 days left to buy something that until that moment, I didn't want and now it's an additional 10% off.

I do want to tell some of them that these aren't real discounts. Folks, a $14 lunch in Tucson is not a deal. Buying a $100 outdoor umbrella at Home Depot doesn't seem like a steal. New pots at William Sonoma? No thanks.

Advertising is coming to my mailbox everyday and before I started budgeting myself, I would spend time online "window shopping" and thinking of purchases I "needed to get" over the weekend. TV commercials are just noise to me but emails until today were getting my undivided attention.

I think I'm growing up.

Workplace Epidemic

2009-06-12T10:49:00.006-07:00

I've been giving work a lot of thought lately. Not about my work in particular but the idea of a workplace.

It is like having a family. There's the person who doesn't listen, the person who is always late and the person who thinks they are the boss. You spend a lot of time with them, hopefully making important and smart decisions.

I've been reading about the latest "workplace epidemic". I think it's that people aren't trained well anymore and that leaders are slowly becoming less leader-like. But according to articles I've been reading, the latest "epidemic" depends on which publication you are readying. Less men at the workplace is an "epidemic". Stress of course is up there. Lack of organization. Lack of cross department knowledge. People have niche themselves to limited information. Unstable work longevity is an epidemic--people aren't staying long enough at a company to see projects through and newbies aren't learning the company history.

Lately, I hear about or experience behavior that surprises me. This was at your JOB? Say what? I can hear CatFisch now about manners. That is truly been an epidemic for years. I blame the first dotcom rush--it was like that Pleasure Island in Pinocchio minus the donkeys and lack of schooling. After the burst came an army of slightly younger staff with dotcom expectations for a quick rise to the top. If salary wasn't increased and promotions weren't given after a few months, attitudes went sour and they were looking for new jobs.

Besides unrealistic expectations, what has really happened in the workplace is lack of mentorship. From lack of a mentor, one never learns how to communicate well, organize themselves or respect people and their time and work. I'm not being ageist. I think there are plenty of young mentors out there. But they got mentored from someone and that person was older.

Back to family...the difference between your family and your colleagues is that you get paid to deal with colleagues. :) But seriously, the difference is really that your family knows you, or at least shares a history where, for the most part, your foibles and your parents and siblings foibles are forgivable. With colleagues, people can be less lenient.

I can go on about this topic. Really, I could. It's just so interesting to think about the function of a workplace. It's kind of crazy to think that people from different backgrounds, not trained to work together, not interested in looking at what's been done for years, are all trying to make something happen. And then there's the people who just "punch in".

Right?

Resisting

2009-06-02T22:25:00.002-07:00

I feel so grown up. I just can't wait to tell you all--I'm shouting it out to the world!

I resisted a new reality show, folks. Several pals have told me to check out their latest guilty pleasure--Get Me Out of Here, I Am A Celebrity--and I have strongly resisted.

It actually wasn't that hard to do. I decided that after The Hills ended with Ms. LC, I wouldn't add a new show. Why? Because I decided that letting these people into my life is a waste. I was watching the second to last show of The Hills and I thought, what goddamn idiots. And I'm a fool for watching a teenager show (though most viewers I know are in their 30s and 40s) when there's perfectly good Housewives programs to watch. Ha ha.

The Hills is basically ending. The young woman it was based on from another "reality show" is leaving the show. In MTV's grasp at keeping the show going they are bringing a really uninteresting "character" from the previous "reality show" that never was on The Hills before.

So a girl who didn't get invited to star in The Hills is brought in because the main character is leaving. And this new character has been quoted as saying that MTV needed her to bring story and drama to the show. Ay yi yi. It's so not a reality show. When your tummy starts to hurt from watching a show because the characters are disgusting, it's time to stop.

I actually made the same decision about the Housewives of New Jersey but DL and I have found ourselves bored enough to watch it. We haven't been up to date, but more than one has been screened. How bored where we? It was hot outside and it was the midday weekend. 'Nuff said!

Uh, aren't you excited by my news?

It's kind of a huge deal. Really! :)

What did I get done instead? Laundry, phone calls to family and organized a tiny bit my property costs.

Hugs not drugs,

Susie

relax and try not to think about it

2009-05-30T14:52:00.004-07:00

DL and I have work to do this weekend. Job work plus housework. Today we decided to take it easy and have fun.

We went to the gym, got in a good workout. We went to our breakfast place and lazily ate eggs, drank coffee and chatted about movies. We then saw that Sunshine Cleaning was playing at the movie theater next door and just dashed on in. It was good but not as funny as you think a film would be with two great actresses and a Crime Scene cleaning service. We got out at 2 PM and wondered what else could we do. A light trip to Trader Joes and a short car ride later we are now home.

It's hard to "relax" when your home office is in eyesight and you see papers and bills and oh my. Too many things to do. It's hard to have fun when you are completely stressed about things that happened this week at work. Layoffs at DL's job, people going off the deep end at my job. It's hard to remain calm when no one else seems to be.

The movie was a pretty good break but a few times my mind wandered to the calls I didn't make regarding my CA property management office. The emails that went unanswered regarding my soon to be empty studio and how much was this going to cost?

This antsy feeling has been with me many times in my life. How many movies have suffered from my lack of attention and overwhelming thoughts of boyfriends, roommates, papers, lack of money, friends, car trouble, parent trouble, and things I must get done as soon as the movie is over? Countless films are half remembered because of my inability to turn the chore-worry list off. I still don't know what happened in whole chunks of Say Anything because a song in the movie made me think about unrequited love. I snapped out of it when John Cusack came back with a funny line and the audience was laughing. Tried to catch up with the story but probably should watch it sometime to see what funny lines I missed. Pride and Prejudice never lasts with me either as it reminds of a fight I had with a friend who was important at the time but don't remember how I knew her now or even her last name!

My point is I'm trying to have a relaxing day and in doing so, can't stop thinking of my lists of things to do. Sunday was chosen to get SH*T done and who wants to bet I'll be in the mood to play?

Minds are a funny thing...

Susie

Last night not right

2009-05-27T13:05:00.006-07:00

Stress levels are up again and this time it's not just me. This I know for sure!

I couldn't sleep last night. I had the feeling that I was going to oversleep but didn't have any meetings or unusual deadlines this morning.

Does it seem like the whole world is having a hard time completing things? And they are not happy that their deadline passed and X didn't get done till the last minute? Can everyone just relax for a second? Play nice with others?

In my personal life, I just had a relaxing and eventful weekend with my sis and Rod.
DL and I were kinda low yesterday missing them both terribly. As soon as I got home late last night, my home reality set in. One weekend I spent having fun and taking it easy and many projects and to do's loomed their ugly head on a Tuesday night at 10:30 PM.

My tenant is moving out. She is way overwhelmed about it. I am too. And it doubled when she started telling me what she still had to get done. OMG, moving from afar must suck (her homebase is Seattle). Neither one of us wants her to leave but due to the economy, she's gotta give up the cool studio in Oakland. THIS MONTH.

My car insurance is about to be re-upped and DL can get me on his low paying insurance. We gotta get that done. That has a ripple effect that I dare not type, but will! New license plate and drivers license will have to get done too. Suddenly May is over, man. What happened?

I've got home office organizing to do. Mail to open. Letters to write. Calls to you way past overdue.

One step at a time, I guess. When did we get ourselves into a lifestyle that one must stay on top of all the little things in order to save ourselves from a tsunami of paper, email, calls, chores, etc?
Is this my new adult life? Is it going to get worse? I need a distraction from myself.

:)

Susie

Bowing to Bowie

2009-05-19T15:34:00.003-07:00

My all time fave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQFuNHCMF2Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhSYbRiYwTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8v486aUYu0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bed-pnf6oGY

Driving around Claremont, CA
Stereo blasting with the same five cassettes of Bowie and Queen
Dee in the car and bored but happy

Absence of Music and B'more epiphanies

2009-05-18T16:15:00.007-07:00

Have you discovered Pandora? I love it and listened to it religiously the first month I was exposed to it. I just realized that I haven't been listening to music and how far away I've been from my tunes.

I used to listen to David Bowie as if my life depended on it. I had nearly all his albums and a few Japanese exports. He died for me when Blue Jean came out.

I went on a business trip recently and brought my Ipod shuffle. It had a few tunes and spanish language lessons on it. Remnants from our trip to Argentina and Chile. The lessons were too easy to help me brush up on anything and the music didn't keep my attention. The in-flight movie was He's Just Not Into You and I am just not into that movie. I no longer read novels and I haven't found a short story writer to love in years. Raymond Carver was my last crush. That's been ages ago. (got a recommendation for the summer?) With nothing to busy my mind I turned to in-flight magazines--the main stories were about technology, the city of Houston and the perfect burger. My other option was the shopping mall magazine and how many times can one look at a sumo coffee table?

What happened to me? I was perfectly satisfied to just sit on the plane and think about people, my house, work, my next vacation.

I had several epiphanies while on this trip. Mostly about work so I won't bore you with too many details. Here are some of the personal life realizations I stumbled upon while in Baltimore:

-I worry about what I eat but still eat the things I'm worried about. What the...?

-I CAN be a morning workout person--thank you Sree for helping me figure this out!

-I fell in love with water again--I can't drink enough of it!

-I need to do some serious music exploration!

-Magazines count as reading but I need something more to chew on!

-No matter how different you think you are, people your age are going through the same things you are. Their ideas or problems might be more complex or simple but the issues are still the same. I heard over and over from folks my age (newly 40) that they are focused on "being someone" or "doing something" of significance. Remember when all you worried about was being the smartest in the classroom? In a decade, we will all be thinking of our legacy. What will people remember about me? That's the next step. I'm there as they say, about "being someone". It's not about money or skills but about usefulness. Am I doing my part? What part am I talking about here?

Love your life and smile often.

-Susie

Can a Cookie Count as Breakfast

2009-05-08T07:32:00.006-07:00

I guess if I have to ask, I know the answer. If I typed A Cookie Counts then you would all know my feelings on the matter.

I'm a saboteur. I do well with eating right, exercising and drinking my 4-8 glasses of water (CatFisch!) but then success happens and I blow it all away with licorice, cookies or some such nonsense.

I don't beat myself up about it. I just never understand how the "I want a cake or cookie for breakfast" feeling sets in. I can only blame self sabotage.

Need I be good all the time? Why do I think that eating bad is a treat?

I'm bored with my breakfast options-yogurts, cereals, toasts with protein-spreads (peanut butter is the best), fruits, cottage cheese, oatmeal, oatmeal, oatmeal and the occasional boiled egg. I want a donut, muffin that is really a piece of cake, a nice scone with my milky coffee.

So boredom is one reason I stray away.

The success of feeling good from eating right doesn't always carry me along. I get stressed (aha!) and that jar of mini candy bars I have successfully avoided for a week are calling me. I don't stop myself and say, wait a minute. Aren't you feeling pretty good? You are doing great! If I am telling myself to stop and think about it, I am ignoring myself.

We had some work drama yesterday within a week of week stress--by the time 5:30 rolled around I was standing next to the jar talking to a colleague about what he's worried about (job loss, etc) and my hand went into that jar. Many times. Not 10 times but more than twice!

So stress can ruin my success but so can nothing at all. I always manage to stop short on certain goals of mine. There are plenty of accomplishments I have to be proud of. I'm doing things that I have always wanted to do and am doing them extremely well.

The reality is that I don't take care of myself as well as I should. I know better, which makes it all the more sad, really. I need a jump start but it doesn't always come. Why is it that bad only has instant gratification and good does not?

Maybe the best answer is to work it off. That is something I can do and don't do enough of during my week. CatFisch is the healthiest person I know (well, not right THIS moment) and she's not a workout fiend but does move around. She eats well all the time. Drinks her water. She never seems bored with it. I think I better interview her on this!

I got an IPod Touch for my b-day from DL. I found a free application for it called Lose It! and it's cool. I track what I eat, which has always helped me in eating right when I do it and counts my calories, protein, fiber and other items for the day. It then tells me to log in my weight and keeps track of loss or gains. I maintained my weight the first week and have lost ever since.

The nice thing about tracking is that if I do have a muffin for breakfast, I remember the high calories the rest of the day. I do! Or I just chalk it up for that day and get better the next day. I have always been able to get over myself when I have a slip. What's interesting is that I tend to slip right after I have confirmation that I have lost weight.

Sabotage.

It's breakfast time...stay tuned!

Couch Time and Face Time

2009-05-05T21:31:00.005-07:00

7 PM rush home. Biggest Loser was holy smokes. Emotional. Psychological. And I'm hoping more than ever that Tara wins!

9 PM don't move. Do not change the channel! Law & Order's SVU is complicated! Young girl getting beaten by someone and she won't tell who. She gets arrested for sending nude photos of herself via cell phone. It gets sent along to entire student body. Teens are so whack!

10 PM bravo. This may be the last season of Real Housewives of NYC I will watch. That show makes my tummy hurt. I am starting to dislike them all.

The fun part? Chatting with Dee online while watching TV. It's like sitting next to her at her house every Tuesday. Now I just need LR and I'm all set.

The new way of spending time with pals. Online chatting while watching the same show. It's better than nothing but not as good as hearing their voice on the phone. When I first moved here, Deb, Dee and I called about 5 times every time Project Runway was on. We would call during commercial breaks. While on speaker phone, I could hear the TV commercial in the background, Dee's dogs plodding along the house and occasionally Punk walking into the room to say hey. DL would be listening the whole time, laughing at our conversation but listening intently nonetheless.

Late at night I often catch Soph in Alaska on Skype. We instant message silly questions and dream about her visiting Tucson and my visit to AK next year with my family. We have talked online with cameras and everything and got a tour of their new place in Anchorage.

More and more non verbal communication seems to be the only way I have been able to get a hold of anyone.

Text. IM. Skype chat. Emails. Now a blog. Well at least you get a pic every so often. Enjoy the "face time" while I'm doing couch time.

More and more I watch TV like I'm spending time with a friend. It helps me not think or feel worried about work, budget cuts, etc. But watching TV just makes me feel the same feelings but with make believe scenarios. I'm still antsy, but not from work or not having talked to you in a long time. Law & Order makes me antsy.

An annoying coworker? Well Housewives has annoying characters. I just don't know them and I don't have to deal with them for more than the hour they are on my TV.

Couch time now means avoiding other things.

Face time now means communicating through other means.

Ay yi yi.

Hugs

Susie

mother's day weekend

2009-04-27T12:57:00.005-07:00

Hi Friends-

Why do we think brunch when we think Mother's Day? I like brunch but I'm not sure it's what I'd want to as a gift to celebrate me. Mom's out there...speak up!

Mom came to visit this weekend. She arrived Friday and immediately rested on the couch. She also apparently complimented DL on his healthy glow and then asked "when are you marrying my daughter?" If you know Emma, you know this is out of character. I think she shocked herself! DL answered appropriately and Ma was satisfied and then a little embarrased that she even asked.

I was excited to see my Mom, as I haven't seen her for a few months and distance did make the heart grow fonder. We had her all to ourselves--no sibs, no beau--and although we would love to see Deb and Pablo (mom's beau), we were especially excited to have just her. I asked DL to hint around that her Mexican lasagna would be most welcome but he chickened out. He saw that she was a little tired and just couldn't do it. They did get started on cooking a big batch of beans for me though and when I got home it smelled so good!

We took Mom to a popular Mex restaurant called Mi Nidito in South Tucson. Yes, I will take you there when you come. Folks wait in long lines to eat here and we were not disappointed. While waiting for a table we all stood outside and enjoyed the warm weather and the cool wind. It's still nice in Tucson and we were all grateful that it wasn't too hot for Mom. Mi Nidito is like LA-style Mexican food-huge platters, plenty of cheese in the refried beans and the rice is nice and dry. The tortillas are large and the soda was HUGE. DL tried Chile Colorado for the first time and liked it.

Later we went back home and relaxed. I honestly don't remember the rest of the night, I was so tired. Oh wait! How could I forget? We went to the store to get the ingredients for Mexican lasagna. Those of you who have had Emma's cooking know that she could not leave my house till she made us a batch!

Saturday was our busy day. We folded Mom into our normal morning routine. Coffee-Gym-brunch. We took Mom to our exercise dance class called Zumba which she loved. Later we ate a big breakfast at the Good Egg. The last time Mom and Pablo were here, they ate at the Good Egg everyday. It's a good place and the french toast is so delicious.

To aid in digestion, we walked into a little store so I could show DL a oversized chair (Dee the one you and I saw last weekend!). Mom bought it johnny-on-the-spot. It was even more on sale and she knew it would be perfect in the house. Thank you Emma! We went home to rest and wait for the chair that never arrived. Oye! All was not lost though, folks. For three hours we sat around playing on laptops, watching bad TV and sipping on tea and water. It was nice, actually.

Later we took Mom to the Apple Store to introduce her to Ipods. She wants one. I don't think so. The new ones have too many bells and whistles. My Ma just needs to listen to music. I mainly showed her the shuffles and I'm still not sure it's simple enough. It is kinda weird if you think about--you plug it in, you move music to it and then it plays it for you? Try explaining to someone who listens to music on the radio about the concept of 1) listening to music from your computer and 2) using a small device to listen to music. She got it eventually but when I showed her the regular Ipods I think her head was about to blow. I mean, with an Ipod it's so customized (your lists within lists) that it's not easy to just listen. We all agreed that she should chew on the idea and then make a decision.

Dinner was at Zinburger. Their specialty are Kobe beef burgers and gorgeous milk shakes. Yes, I will take you there when you get here. Not much else to say except we ate well, dammit!

Tucson has an International Mariachi Festival. What a cool night we had, hanging out in a huge park with hundreds of Latinos listening to mariachi. Lots of yelps and whistles! We ran into my Dad there and no, a police report was not filed. There were no punches drawn, folks. My parents have grown up. (insert smile here) Mom started a mariachi after-school program with her beau and some other school adminstrators in CA so I knew she'd dig the festival. She knew a lot of the songs and thought the bands were really good.

Later that night (I mean late, folks!), Mom and DL made Mexican lasagna. Ahhh, a whole panful was made just for future meals! Yippeeeeee! We already had some on Sunday night and cried from the spicy heat and good flavors!

Sunday was Mother's Day for Emma. We treated her to a spa treatment at Spa One and brunch at the Hotel Congress. Mom has never had hot rock treatments and was sure she wouldn't like it! She was a little nervous about it at first but I told her to just try it and she was glad she did. It sounded like heaven. I'm a member at Spa One which means I get massages once a month and have never tried their extra treatments. Yup, I was nervous she was going to hate the whole thing and it was a long session! She looked great when she got out of her massage so I was relieved! http://www.spaone.com/servicesMassage.aspx

The Hotel Congress has a nice bar and Mom ordered a bloody mary while we waited for a seat at the Cup Cafe. We found out they have a Bloody Mary Bar--meaning you build it yourself. No wonder the restaurant was so loud. The Mary's were getting everyone buzzed. Yes, I will take you there! I have never had breakfast at the hotel but knew their dinners and lunches were good. (We took Dee, Deb and nephew there last weekend) Breakfast is the BEST time to go. Our food was so good we couldn't stop talking about it.

Mom and I killed time at Target, never a disappointing trip, and then I dropped her off at the airport. Waaah.

There were two cool things that happened about this trip: My Mom and DL love eachother and it really shows. They have a good time with one another and it made the whole weekend that much more fun.

The other thing is that my Mom talked alot about her siblings and her parents. She has a lot of siblings and doesn't see or talk to them all for different reasons. The mariachi festival reminded her of my Tia Chuy who used to sing alot of rancheras. Certain dishes we ate reminded her of mi abuela, who we all remember as a phenomenal cook. She talked about working as a child and how she defied her parents and DID NOT share half her earnings.

It was a good weekend.

Well my friends, and mothers (yes, plural!), thanks for reading.

Love to you!
Susie

I can't tonight...my show is on

2009-04-23T18:23:00.004-07:00

Hi Friends-
Just when I think I've got a handle on my TV viewing, I realize I got some kind of "must see" tv nearly every night.

Monday -- I hope for MTV repeats and try and get DL off Heroes (when is that show over?)

Tuesday--Don't talk to me. I'm watching Biggest Loser. Oh wait, now Law & Order SVU is on. Have I seen this one? No? Great! Yes? Uhhh, I don't remember how it ends.

Wednesday--DL's night. But Law & Order is on somewhere on TV and I aim to find it. Somehow I end up on the couch all night, laptop by my side whilst channel surfing.

Thursday--30 Rock and whatever is on before and after. It's an accident! I watch till it's time to get to bed!

Friday--Nothing but the TV is on! Again!

Saturday--Save me from myself. Please!

Sunday--Isn't Cold Case on? No? Are you sure? Let's see what's on. Luckily DL and I are at Pops and Annie's house for most of the night. Saved by Sunday Supper!

I have a very large TV in my office. It has all 6 of my channels on at once and once it's after 5 PM or so I see what other stations are doing. Oh, I guess I could watch Oprah, but honestly, I don't know what time she's on. I do watch The Family Guy because it's always on. Let me tell you, my colleagues are often stunned when they walk into my office. The Family Guy is surely the antithesis of PBS programming!

Well Friends, if you read my past posts, you know I'm trying to manage life a bit more than normal. Being 40 and all, there's more to life I realize. Like you, my friend. But not tonight...my shows are on!

There are moments when we must relax, get our mind off of the daily grind, etc. TV is certainly a fave past time of mine! But now I'm realizing I can't possibly accomplish some personal goals if I'm lying on the couch all the time.

I don't know where I put my checkbook but I do know where the remote is. That's saying something.

Stay tuned!
Susie

New List

2009-04-22T16:59:00.004-07:00

Hi Friends-

Every year I give myself a few goals for the new year. My birthday is a marker for me to review the list and decide what is a dud and what will remain.

What the hell were my goals for 2009? Where did I put the little old list? Surely "organization" was at the top because typical of this year so far, I cannot locate my damn list due to piles of paper and forgetfulness.

For my new decade, I thought I'd add on 7 long term goals. Five seemed too short, ten seemed ridiculous. So, here's my 40's focus:

Goal #1-educate myself about retirement
Goal #2-drop some bad for me habits, recognize and do more of the good ones (vague I know, but it's too boring to expand on now--all involves health!)
Goal #3-become a parent or drop the subject
Goal #4-get married or commit to lifelong relationship with DL. BTW, Dee says that if I ever marry, all the gals that I stood next to for their ceremonies MUST plan out mine. I will do nothing but show up and look extra cute. I like this idea.
Goal #5-commit to international travel
Goal #6-commit to speaking Spanish
Goal #7-do more crafts, art and add on more hobbies

In 10 years most if not all should be accomplished or a lifelong habit.

Now to only find my damn 2009 list...I know "organize" had to be on it and I'm sure a few of the 40's focus items are on it as well.

I should add--Do not buy any new books on organization to the list. Seems shameful to waste the money!

Enjoy yourself!
Susie

First party in Tucson

2009-04-20T10:12:00.003-07:00

Well Friends-

Dee and Deb with nephew in tow came to Tookson!

We had our first party in Tucson! Celebrated my 40th with a few new friends, some fave coworkers and of course my dearest pal Dee! Dee's b-day was on the 18th, Deb's was a week ago, Dee and Deb had their 1 yr. wedding anniversary--so there was loads to celebrate all weekend long.

Thursday night they arrived. A bit tired but excited to be out of the car and into our house. DL immediately poured his homemade beer and the weekend started.

Dinner was at a BBQ place called Brushfire! I'll take you there when you get here. http://www.brushfirebbq.com/index.shtml
I gave up soda for lent and got into iced tea. They have delish sweetened tea that they brew themselves. OMG. Too GOOD. But do I g0 for the iced tea? Uh, no. The ribs and chicken are my fave things to get. They smoke the meats really well which I appreciate because I don't like too saucy of BBQ.

Friday we took them to The Good Egg. Deb H can attest--this place has a great breakfast menu. And they give you large drinks to go for fweeeeee! After breakfast Deb and nephew went to the gun shootin' range while Dee and I did what we do best-shopped. We planned the menu, figured out decorations and spent the day slowly getting ready for the party. DL brought me fave cake--white cake, chocolate frosting and raspberry filling and also made his Aunt Rita's spaghetti.

In Tucson, folks come a little late. So by 7:10 the usual "no one is coming to my party" feeling started to come on. By 7:30 the door wouldn't stop ringing. I had a great time being hostess, Dee and Deb had a great time taking centerstage. DL's beer? The hit of the party (besides Deb's dirty jokes). This will be my sangria summer! Dee made a huge batch for the party and we were surprised on how easy it was!

Eren made me love lentils--she brought her homemade curry lentils and also these super cholatey brownie bites with raspberry. Annie brought our one million "forget me" things--ice bucket, ice, ice chest and then made a refreshing strawberry, goat cheese salad with balsamic dressing. Perfect salad for a party y'all. Try it!

On Saturday, Dee and sis bought my spa treatments for my b-day (thanks Webbie!!) and Dee and I spent our B-day tradition at the spa. Nice. I got a scalp treatment--it's heaven folks. If you like someone rubbing your head, get this treatment. And they put hot oil conditioner in. Mmmm.
Lunch was at Hotel Congress. I needed a burger as I was starving and realized a bit hungover! Then we all took a nice drive to San Xavier Mission. It's gorgeous and I cannot go there enough. The views of Tucson are spectacular and the mission itself is so white on the outside and then an explosion of color on the inside. http://www.sanxaviermission.org/
We were too full to get ourselves Navajo fried bread which is a first for me!

Later we rested at home and layed around the living room watching movies. I loved having everyone just hanging out, eating leftover party food and just having a good time.

But then Sunday came. boo hooo. Hung around sipping coffee, they slowly packed and Deb helped DL with a few house chores. She's so effing handy! Pops and Annie invited us over for brunch which of course we accepted. Pops garden is a thing to see and Annie's cooking is the bomb. We have sunday supper with Dad and Anne so DL and I knew it was going to be goood!

So what was on the menu?
Egg casserole with cheeses and chili's
Shrimp, avocado and cactus tostadas!
Coffee
Champagne
Mango juice
OJ
Pan dulce--all kinds
Corn and flour tortillas
Fruit salad with basil

The Tucson heat was starting to pick up on Sunday. We ate outside and in the shade were all comfortable but the second a toe was out in the full sun-hotcha cha cha. It was about 90 yesterday. Still good to sit outside as there was a slight cool breeze and the shade made it way cooler.

Well friends, this is were things started to get a little sad. DL and I knew they had to leave, Annie loaded up the Cali crew with some treats and next thing I knew my Dee was being driven away. Waaaaah.

DL teared up. I teared up. We had a few hugs and tried to go on with our day. Shopping was on my list of "to-do's" but it wasn't much fun. The champagne hangover was upon me and I had to be put down for a nap.

Until the next visitor, DL and I will keep a firm upper lip. When is our next visitor, you ask? Friday. My Mommy is coming for a visit. She cannot get enough of Tucson!!

Love,
S

on the eve of 40...

2009-04-14T16:13:00.003-07:00

on the eve of 40 years under my never used belt, there's no shortage of good memories, what ifs and I can't waits...

Good Memories (not in this order, just by flash)
-Dee and Deb's big party (met DL, met Deb's friends, CatFisch was rumored my GF!)
-Dinner with Robs and Van at French restaurant while gypsy music played on
-First time I went to Tommy's with Dee, Dev, Jim D, Matt
-Brunch at Dee's
-Craft night in Claremont with Dee, Ann, Aubs, Denine
-Catching salmon in AK with June
-Karaoke with Lana
-Meeting Martin (Hil's beau) for the first time and him saying, Well aren't you just a little cup of sugar
-The Movie Club
-Robs wedding weekend--The Hernandez Method used outside of my family
-Too many memories with DL in our short 2 years
-Finding out I got a new job (ITVS and telling Noles, AZPM and telling DL)
-Petaluma
-Holding Soph for the first time
-Austin with Patch and Dee (Patch RIP)
- Sad but glad I knew them: All the friends and family, lost along the way
-Deb & Dee's wedding!
-Benjamin, my cutie!
-Holding Marissa's hand--The Descent scared the hell out of us both
----what are yours?

What Ifs-
I *got* that job in ATL?
I didn't go to Deb and Dee's big party?
I didn't go to SSU?
I stayed in VA after High School?
Oh this is not fun...never mind on the What If's!

I Can't Wait-
-For my next vacation
-To turn 40!
-To get home tonight
-To see you again!

Love to you all,
S

VH-1 80's one hit wonders

2009-04-13T20:40:00.004-07:00

DL and I spent a restful hour watching VH-1's One hit Wonders of the 80's on Sunday while waiting for Mom and Dad Lawrence to arrive for Easter Supper.

What I took away from watching this show was that there were some really good songs in the 80's. I don't just mean Michael Jackson and those crappy but peppy songs we'd all dance to at the Cat Club on Thursdays.

Haircut 100? Awesome. Dexy's Midnight Runners. Flock of Seagulls.

Modern English of course. I'll stop the World (and melt with you) is still one of my fave songs!

Big Country. 'Til Tuesday. Aimee Mann still rocks it.

Madness. My first High School concert. I went on a school night--the first day of school I was on cloud nine that I was going to see Madness at the Hollywood Palladium that night.

There were of course terrible songs on that list.

One band and their one song brings me back to Senior Year at Herndon High School.

Debbie and I went there for one school year. The best and worst year of my school career.

Deb, do you know the song? It was an old song to us, in CA it had come and gone. But in VA it was a "hot hit" to every man, woman and child. The Georgia Satellites--Keep Your Hands to Yourself.

Yuck. The second I hear that whiny "I've got money in my pocket" my ears bleed.

I always went to high school dances when we went to good ole' Claremont High. In VA, I just couldn't get into it. The dancing wasn't as fun and the kids would arrive drunk and couldn't hold their liquor.

I kept yelling at the TV when bands I liked made it to the list-hey, they had a more than one hot song!- but then realized that it was untrue. I just knew of the album and liked more than one song.

I got one more take-away from that show. Words to live by, really. It's better to be a one-hit wonder, than no wonder at all.

Happy Spring to you.

advice please

2009-04-09T21:10:00.002-07:00

hey pals-

my event planning friend in petaluma, ms. kelin backman is working on this too--what should I serve at my casual 40th b-day party?

it's outside in my backyard, must be low stress but good food. what decorations would you do?

for most of the people coming over, it will be there very first time at my house, the very first time I'm hosting and for some reason I'm a little nervous!

not to mention I'm going to be 40!

thoughts?

Iowa? Iowa!

2009-04-03T16:45:00.004-07:00

I don't have much to say except, who knew this was coming?
Wippppeeee!

Check out the court's reaction in the USA Today article! The pic is great!
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/religion/post/2009/04/65056205/1

I found this while searching for responses re: the ruling from religious leaders. It tells me who the folks are who are willing to say Amen! This is great and who are the naysayers.

--Susie

"One of these days, I'm going to get Organazized"

2009-04-01T18:15:00.004-07:00

No, I'm not in a Travis Bickle (sp?) mood.

I will not go all "Taxi Driver" this week.

I'm in a self loathing mood with my terrible office organization skills. I was born to have a great assistant.

This past winter holiday, my sister and sister in law called me organized. I was shocked. They complimented me on my box list, my packing and planning for our great move to Tucson.

I was coo-coo for the lists, etc but was so disgusted with the number of stuff I had that I ignored my own success with organization. I often feel when I'm packing a great sadness for my piles of "stuff" and the fact that a lot of it was never used, never put away and will never be thrown out.

I have such trouble getting rid of stuff or finding a place for it all. Today, I moved a meeting to a different location so that they would not see the state of my office. I'm that embarrassed. Some of you had the rare peak of my overly papered office in SF and shouldn't be surprised to hear it's worse here in Tucson!

The realization that I'm surrounded literally by paper hits me when I get home. Our shred pile is big, the mail is all over the place and I hold on to many useless receipts in my jewelry box, near my bed, in my wallet, in my car, and on the kitchen table.

Never before have I wished for a personal assistant more than I do now. I want to hire a housekeeper so at least my home life is in order but I think I need to do some work around the house first. Crazy right? Dumb. Yes. I get it. Even as I type it, it doesn't sound right.

Oh, this office. I inherited boxes of audience research, boxes of DVDs, press releases and post cards about shows the station already aired. I have an extra desk in here that goes unused except to lay more paper on. I have two empty file cabinets that I don't want in here and guess what? One of the drawers doesn't even open. My desk is covered and stacked with paper. I know where everything is though. I do have that. I've got that going for me.

With the hope of office organization also comes the hope for clear minded-ness, higher productivity and improved mood. If my office was clean, I could get more work done. If my desk was clear, I could easily sit at my desk and just think. People would walk in and start talking vs. look around and decide if they want to sit down or keep standing to speed up the meeting. That's untrue. They still come in and talk my ear off. I work with world travelers. They have seen it all.

As I type this I think, "hey, I could have used this time to straighten out my desk, delete some emails and maybe screen a new TV show".

Or I could have gone out to get another coffee and take a little break. That's more like it.

Well kids, thanks for letting me vent. I have inspired myself to spend 15 minutes to go through my mail and clear away some paper piles for recycling or filing.

Be good! If you're bad, don't get caught!

-Susie

should i be concerned?

2009-03-31T21:43:00.003-07:00

Is this a dysfunctional moment or truly a postmodern relationship?

DL and I are sitting next to one another on the couch with our laptops on both surfing the next while watching Law and Order SVU.

Finally signed up for Skype, y'all!

My ID XXXXX --ask me in email please. Forgot this was public!

I know. Too cute!

Daily Outfit

2009-03-31T17:55:00.002-07:00

I stumbled upon this woman's flickr account while searching for pink cupcakes (you don't do this?).

Check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/violetunderfoot/sets/72157594461612316/with/346981824/

There's something sweet about her outfits, completely dipped in craft and burning man.

new computer...finally

2009-03-30T20:38:00.002-07:00

Hi Friends!

I have a new computer and I'm thrilled. Happy b-day to me!

Yippee!

I decided on getting a laptop. Thanks for your input Lala and Dee, I broke down and joined the laptop nation. I'm later getting myself a monitor so I can do some editing, etc on a "big screen". My laptop will then be my CPU. Yippeee.

Anyone use ichat? I'm setting up a SKYPE account. Let me know if you use either one.

Where am I now? Happily on the couch next to my DL while he watches a TV show that I have zero interest in. When is this Heroes program over? :)

How the Mighty have Fallen

2009-03-27T11:38:00.002-07:00

Well Friends,

You'll hear more about my vacation to South America in later post. DL uploaded most of our pics and I just need to do some light editing and type up the adventures for you right here. Pics will also be on Facebook. Yet another reason to sign up if you haven't already! :)

Lent proved to be a challenge while on vacation. There are camps that believe you cannot eat red meat ever on Fridays while in Lent. There are camps who say you get Sundays off BUT you must do Lent an extra week (to Easter). There are also camps who say you end Lent on Palm Sunday. I don't know what camp I'm in but no matter what, I gotta add 5 days.

That's right. On 5 separate occasions I indulged. I admitted in previous postings that while in Argentina I was breaking my "no red meat" rule. Had to. At the wedding of Richard O'C and Roby H, I just had to have cake. That's bad luck not to have their wedding cake, y'all. So I already came into the vacation with some moments that I will have "grace".

As a reminder, I said I would give up sweets, crackers/chips, red meat and soda.

On vacation, I didn't indulge for 5 entire days, it was 5 occasions. Pretty good. PRETTY good, right?

On the trip, I decided that perhaps I would just exchange pizza for red meat. The joke was on me. Buenos Aires has a major Italian influence and that meant that their pizza was authentic and kicka**. Holy smokes. It was incredible. Forgive me Lent, I went back on my own new rules within hours of making the proclamation.

So friends, I did fall but not that hard. But oh, how weak I was in the moment.

I also fell more for DL, my light and love of my life. That's for another posting!

Big hug,
Susie

Countdown to vacay

2009-03-05T15:02:00.003-07:00

hi friends-

the countdown to a vacation is slowing coming up. just a few more days.
Yipppeeee!

in the meantime, the work reality is enormous. with each person coming into my office to chat, and every call from someone who needs some "info", i'm starting to sweat!
when time is tight, I can't even capitalize the necessary letters.

:)

it's 3 PM. I haven't had lunch but am oddly okay. I will go out and forge a meal soon, i promise.

lent is doing well. I was tricked by a colleague all this week. he kept telling me i could eat from my "do not eat" list on the weekends because it's off for lent. that's a lie. Then he told me that Sundays are off because it's the lord's day and if you count the days between Ash Wednesday to Easter, it's more than 40 days.

hope springs eternal. I was on cloud 7, 8 and 9 thinking I could enjoy cake this weekend. Darnit. I am a sucker when it comes to lent!

I am confessing to you dear friends about a few slips.

1) accidentally had a sweet at my dad's. we were talking and out of habit, I went to his "goodie" shelf and popped a sugary crispy thing in my mouth.

2) i took a sip of DL's mocha. It was good.

3) I took a bite of someone's bready savory thing and it had beef on it! it was GOOOOD.

4) I have been getting these slushy fruit things and believe they are made of major corn syrup by products. I'm told it's allowed but between you and me, I think it's a cheat. And delicious!!!
http://www.eegees.com/

In Argentina I'm having beef. I am telling everyone this now.

In Chile, I'm having sweets as one must when they are at a wedding. Which I will be in Santiago.

For now, i'm off to go get a non-soda, non-sweet, non-red meat, non-chip lunch. Not that hard, to tell you the truth.

hugs not drugs,
Susie

Texas Music Cafe

2009-03-02T08:59:00.007-07:00

This series is new to me, many some of you have heard of it or even seen it. Now in it's seventh season, I've been slowly watching this first episode. Check it out:

http://www.texasmusiccafe.com/player/player.cfm?video_id=8&current_zone=2

lol video--give it a sec

2009-02-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

first dance at a wedding

http://www.parkwayreststop.com/archives/2937

Day One

2009-02-25T14:24:00.004-07:00

Day One, so far not in fetal position.

Woke up at 6ish to drop off my dear Gramps to airport with POPS and DL.

G got a little agro when he couldn't locate his driver's license, which I feel is a proper response when you are at the ticket counter and cannot locate this item!

My first day of Lent. Wanted a muffin, scone, donut or something cake-y and sweet for breakfast. Not my normal choice but at 6 in the AM I was kinda wanting one!

We went to our fave breakfast place after the airport trip and I had my first test. Normally I order pancakes or french toast with my eggs and bacon.

No red meat. Bacon isn't red meat but I kinda throw that in the category of red meat=unhealthy meat option.

No pancakes as it requires syrup. No french toast for the same reason.

So breakfast day one was toast, sausage (pork), eggs, tabasco and coffee with skim milk.

Delish but not french toast. That's what my POPS got instead. Hrumph!

I'm having lunch now. I know, it's late but dang, that breakfast was HUGE.

Chinese food with chicken and veggies over chow mein. Delish again. Normally I would get a diet soda but I held off and had water instead.

I realized two things today: I nickle and dime myself with sugar throughout my day, everyday.

And I also noticed that I really don't drink enough water. I'm not crazy about juice and diet soda isn't an option so coffee and water will be my new go to drinks.

That's me and my food and my Lent willpower thus far.

Thanks for listening!

Countdown to Lent

2009-02-23T16:20:00.004-07:00

Countdown to Lent.
No soda.
No sweets.
No red meat.
No chips.

Diet coke by my side.
Jar of chocolate at the desk outside my office.
Nacho's with colleagues tomorrow.
Ice cream, my sweet ice cream. In my freezer at home.
Thinking of alternatives.
Sweet vitamin C chewables my new dessert.
Yogurt.
Fruit juice. Blech.
Fish. Fish. Fish. Turkey then chicken.
New best friend? Eggs, I'm sure.
Eggs, frozen fruit pureed with plain yogurt and coffee.
Iced coffee.
No half and half. Just skim.
Blueish white milk.

This will be a breeze.

TV

2009-02-19T17:23:00.002-07:00

Who is watching Biggest Loser?
How about Top Chef?
Lemme know. I want to get updates from someone while DL and I are in Chile in March.

Love,
Susie

Turning Catholic

2009-02-19T16:56:00.005-07:00

Friends,
As many of you know, my b-day is very important to me. It's more important than Thanksgiving and Halloween. Yes, I did just type that in my blog.

How did I get to this topic? Because it's coming up! 4-0 is coming up!

But really, it does tie in to Catholicism. No, DL has not talked me into going to church. Is that what churches are called in Catholic speak? I'm seriously asking? Is it a temple? NO! My goodness, my brain is not working today.

Anyhoo, no I haven't been to confession, etc. BUT I have somehow been convinced to do something completely Ca-Ra-ZEE!

Lent!

I didn't know that Lent lasted so damn long. It's until Easter, which is close to my B-day (see the connection). I am going to try to cut out the following for the long period of Lent time:

Sweets--chocolate, cake, ice cream--my true love
Soda--no more diet cokes--but club soda is cool
Chips--I could really care less but my colleagues enjoy "nacho wednesdays" and now I like chips!
Half and Half--switch to non fat milk or 1% if that's the only option
Red Meat--hello fish, turkey and chicken along with veggie dinners!

We shall see. I'm looking forward to the challenge and finding creative ways to enjoy dessert without processed sugar being involved.

Hugs to you,
Susie

P.S. Who would do such a thing as to convince me to go along with the plan? My very enthusiastic coworker! She is way too militant for me. I just know she will have an easy time while my other coworker and I languish!

Hankering for a Hamburger

2009-02-10T11:48:00.003-07:00

There's an exercise on FB that one must think of 25 random things about themselves. Dee's was pretty funny and I am proud to say I knew about most of the things she put on there. Even in randomness, I know her so well.

Ever since I read her list, I have been craving hamburgers. Why? Dee was a veggie for many years--not just college years, folks, but for 20 or so years. Now she loves meat. She LOVES meat. So do I.

I still remember the moment I decided to eat meat. I had just returned to Sonoma County from a short summer break and Krista P. invited me to a BBQ. She was a veg last time we ate together and weeks later she wasn't! I got to the BBQ and asked her what she was going to have, assuming that my creative veg friend had made some clever grilled cheese sandwich over the Q. She then told me she was having a burger and my eyes nearly bugged out of my head.

Folks, this was before veggie burgers and portabellos came to Safeway and health food stores had gross options (in my opinion). Whenever we went to BBQ's we had grilled buns, mayo and mustard with warm lettuce and cold cheese and called it lunch while everyone else enjoyed their meat products. She got tired of the second class BBQ meal and just asked the grill master, "put cheese on my burger, will ya?" It was at a family BBQ and I imagined that her conservative family broke out in applause. Krista told me that her summer had been delicious and right then and there, at her church's BBQ, I decided I was going to return to the land of meat. No, I didn't get sick. Yes, I didn't eat meat for a few days after but definitely put it back in my mix of meals.

For those who have known me the past 10 years, only know me as a meat eater. I try to eat free range and I will go out of my way to buy great beef, but will definitely eat a hot dog with you anytime.

It's 1PM here in Tucson and I'm hungry.

I think I'll get fries today too. Maybe even an diet coke or root beer. Oh yeah!

At the UofA, there's several places to get a burger. Yes, there's many fast food options but there's also cafeterias (two) with grills who will make yours fresh to order.

Funny enough, Dr. Andrew Weil is housed at the UofA campus. Amongst the unhealthy food options here on campus is the leading health guru. He's the guy who coined the phrase "integrative medicine" and lectures all over the world on breathing, vegetarian diets and holistic medical care. As a university employee I get invited to his lunchtime lectures, pamphlets from his office and emails on living a healthy lifestyle.

Last night I read Dee's Facebook posting. Last night I also got Dr. Weil's email on how to slowly bring a vegetarian diet to your lifestyle and forwarded it to DL. In my email sent to DL I also said something like, "hey, we can do this!". In principle, I'd like to eat less meat and have many vegetarian dinners a week.

Which is why I'm going to have a burger for lunch. :)

Yours,

Susie

Tea time wtih staff

2009-01-28T18:18:00.006-07:00

I took my staff for yearly tea. It's my way of saying Thanks and Happy New year.
Except it was not in San Francisco, but in Tucson. And it was with new staff. Luckily M and L liked it quite a bit so I can continue the tradition.

Discovered a new love in Tucson. Can't wait to take Dee when she gets here!

Check it out: http://www.chantillytearoom.com/

The tea choices were crazy. The desserts were divine, lunch was crazy good.

I've decided to revamp my previous Tea House idea--instead of making it doily and mismatched china, I've decided that it must resemble someone's library or "study". Lots of leather, dark paneling and butler type service. What say you?

Still some scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, but also sausages, cheeses and the like.

My tea house name could be called:

The Study.
Butler and Maid.
The Lady and the Gent.

Anyone?

Happy New Year!

2009-01-26T22:16:00.005-07:00

Hi Friends-
I went through the effort of buying special Chinese New Year envelopes and forgot to give them out. I hope you all were able to indulge in some festivities this weekend.

Lately I've been missing CA produce. I cannot find good veggies or fruits in this damn town. Annie introduced DL and I to this huge international market called 17th St Market. Can't wait to take you when you come to visit. It's unbelievably huge and has a decent section of organic produce. You know how TJ's and Safe--- have just "okay" produce sections? This place doesn't mess around. It's bigger, more organic variety and has international things you didn't know you needed in your life.

The candy section was scattered around the store so yes, we indulged. So many Ritter Sport bars, Italian candies, Japanese Jellies and Chinese rice paper treats.

You know how sometimes you feel like you are Debbie Downer in a world of Hanna Sunshines?
I'm not Debbie Downer! I'm Hanna Sunshine! Wait? Now I'm Debbie Downer? Dammit!
DAMMIT!

Love to you all,
S

My day=no fun

2009-01-22T11:52:00.005-07:00

Get up in the morning.
Use restroom than quickly go back to bed in hopes for a few more minutes of rest.
Get up for the day.
Debate on showering.
Still leave for work at same old time as if primped all morning. No signs of primping appear.
Drop off car. Say good morning to Grandfather. No time to get coffee, running late for the millionth meeting this month.
Drop off briefcase in office and dash to meeting.
Where's my personal assistant with my coffee? Don't have a personal assistant.
Finally get to office for work day.
Turn on office TV to see all 6 stations at once. Turn on computer if hadn't done so already.
Where the EFF is my coffee?
Sort through emails, voicemails, to do list, piles of DVDS to watch and my staff has questions.
Remember to eat breakfast but forgot to bring it. Go out to grab something.
Forgot to get coffee!!!!!!
Go to two more meetings before lunch hour.
Watch TV during lunch hour.
Eat later, once crowds die down.
Drink first glass of water for the day. Might be only glass of the day.
Get asked to a few more meetings.
Stop people in the hall to narrow down why the meetings are happening.
Check email.
Eat proper lunch. Remembered to get coffee.
Talk to staff and catch up on the day's work.
Return one phone call that leads to much follow up.
Follow up on meeting tasks from morning or days ago.
Sip remainder of cold coffee.
DL calls. Try and be friendly.
Late afternoon meetings.
Check voicemail.
Check email.
Try and tick off things from to do list so tomorrow new things can be added.
Answer the phone that is now ringing and ringing.
It's about follow up from earlier meeting.
DL calls again. When are you coming home?
Last one to leave office. Walk through campus at night.
Walk to Dad's house.
Say good night to Grandfather.
Drive home while calling a friend only to leave a message.
Cook supper, help cook supper or enjoy supper. Depending on DL's time.
Sit on couch and watch TV.
Sit on couch and play videogames.
Do dishes.
Do laundry.
Try and review mail.
Put away a few clothes from the morning's preparation.
Bed by 10PM.
Try not to think about work.
Sleep by 11 PM.
Wake up at 4 to use restroom.
Restless till 7 and get up to use restroom again.
Go back to bed before alarm goes off.
Get up for the day.

The Day After

2008-12-26T12:23:00.002-07:00

Well friends, our odds were against us but we faired well! Not one Hernandez had any probelms getting here. We had some delays but still got in to CT at the time we thought and that's amazing! To think of those folks in Chicago, sleeping on cots and waiting to get to their destination only to have to turn around again is painful.

Many of you know my family doesn't "exchange presents" but we do buy stocking stuffers. The items still add up and I leave with loads of presents each year. I'm angling for Zero gifts next year. My campaign is goin well thus far. Wish me luck.

Oh goodness, are my nieces and nephews funny. I'm jotting done the quotes for future blog hilarity. The highlight by far is my youngest nephew Lou who is the baby and knows it. He is full of silly antics, quotables and is not a yeller or screamer. Phew.

Well, one of the tykes is asking me to hold him so I will. He says Merry Christmas!

Too many social engagements...does that sound familiar?

2008-12-15T20:36:00.004-07:00

Well, I still don't have a lot of friends but managed to fill my social card pretty well.

Friday evening DL and I got dressed to the nines for my company's board of director's party.
It was in a lovely historic hotel called the Arizona Inn. I'm going to take DL out there sometime for brunch. When Dee and Deb get into town, we'll test out the swank bar!

Then we headed out for Rocky and Mel's family dinner. They got married the very next day and Annie and Pops hosted a delish steak dinner at Pinnacle Peak. Another place to take my meat-eating pals! Yippeee.

Saturday we got an early start putting the finishing touches on the house (well, it wasn't perfect but perfectly okay!), baked some scones and quiche. We then all caravaned to the wedding. It was at Mel's grandma's house. Funny enough, DL and I were listening to a George Lopez comedy CD and he had thing running joke about Mexican backyard weddings. Hysterical.

Later that night we dashed on over to my cute colleague Ms. Lili's house. Her husband is not only cool and handsome but is a caterer. Hello. I am still full. :)

Sunday evening I had the opportunity to go to a awards banquet for the YWCA. Very cool night honoring women of Tucson. It's impressive how many incredible things get done in this town. Tucson is a woman powered city and it's pretty cool to be sitting next to so many heads of this and that. This woman I sat next to has had about a million lives in her time and she was filled with incredible advice for me.

1) It's never to late to change you life
2) New beginnings happen all the time
3) You network your ass off and try your damndest to remember names (big problem!)
4) Get politically active now
5) You can get anything you as long as you are smarter than hell
6) Always help children

Imagine how inspired I felt only to get home and fret about my to do list.
I can't seem to make this list go away. The few things I've taken care of populated itself to something else.

Maybe I should stop watching so much TV?
Maybe I should do this, maybe I should do that.

Well, I'm happy to report I got to chat with Dee for a generous amount of time.
I'm also happy to report that DL and I are hosting his parents this weekend and that should be a blast! DL's daddy is turning 70! Yippeee!

I also decided to ask for help in organizing my office. And I am going to get a housecleaner in once a month.

Battery dying, gotta run...

do yourself a favor

2008-12-08T10:23:00.000-07:00

If you love pink...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/becheery/

oh these are so cute!!!!!

This week's agenda

2008-12-08T09:54:00.004-07:00

Ay yi yi. I didn't get anything done this weekend as I had hoped and now my list of "to do's" looks more like a conference agenda. I did have a nice relaxing time visiting the in-laws. I got DL's mom a really pretty purple scarf and she dug it. We also took them to see Australia. If you are looking for a epic movie with adventure, tears and who knew? a hunky leading man, go see Australia.

DL's parents gave him their slightly used car. It's a nice ride. We drove home seperately in our Toyotas and rolled right to Dad's house for Sunday supper. I took my "men" to supper last night and we then finished watching Godfather II. Who are my "men"? Dad, Grandpa and DL were taken out to Guero's a local Mexican restaurant chain that is off the hook. I couldn't tell if the women staring at me were jealous or felt sorry for me.

Here's my "I need to take care of this now" list:
bills
dust bunnies
self--the gym called, they thanked me for giving them money and never using the gym. :)
the little work "to do's"
send car to "spa"--needs repairing and tune up
banking--got a few checks that I still haven't deposited!
xmas card list
donation piles
shred documents
iron clothes for various events taking place this week--Rocky's wedding, Family Dinner, Work Xmas party

Wish me luck friends. I'm this close to hiring a housecleaner so at least my surroundings are organized when I'm not.

Hugs,
S

Two Two Two Celebrations

2008-12-05T15:06:00.003-07:00

Hi Kids-

For our 2nd year anniversary we celebrated twice!

DL took me out for supper at a local wine bistro.
We've been eating in alot lately so getting dressed up, going out and leisurely taking our time with the meal and wine was pretty sweet. DL got steak and I got pork loin. Oh, how I coveted his steak. I got one bite and instantly regretted my menu choice.

We agreed to no presents and your friend Jackass Susie neglected to even go out and get a card. I'm a jerk, I know. DL is known now as the "card" giver. He gives me thoughtful cards enough for me to appreciate it but not so frequently that it's lost it's luster.

I had a surprise for him, though. He got our Anniversary Night but I got the surprise date. DL and I went to our first West Coast Swing lesson last night. First yours truly took him to a nice, not so fancy supper at this place that has incredible bread and desserts (what else can you ask for?). Afterwards I shepherded my cutie to the Tucson Women's Center for dance lessons.

West Coast Swing is the type of dancing you can do to bluesy-rock songs. Our teachers put on Melissa Etheridge quite a bit. Who knew you can swing to her music? I didn't! We had a great night and DL wants to continue the classes each week. That's my boyfriend!

This weekend we are celebrating Donna's B-day (DL's mom) and spending the weekend in Sierra Vista. I'll probably start making Xmas cards that in the end, will never send out. Ah, last year Dee held a tea/dessert/xmas card afternoon party and I loved it. This year I'll be sitting at Donna's kitchen table getting the family cards out. Maybe.

Later cool cats!
-Susie

The Lawrendez Challenge and TV appearances

2008-12-03T17:37:00.003-07:00

The Lawrendez Challenge went well. By Sunday evening I was exhausted and my legs were sore. Mucho leg focus was done throughout the Challenge!

I think Deb and DL would agree--We got ourselves a new T-day Weekend tradition!!!!!

As Deb would say, I've come full circle. I was the solo Pledge talent on Monday for KUAT's Ch. 6 pledge drive. I think I did pretty well. I have never used a teleprompter and that was kinda stressful. I pitched for Love Songs of the 50's and 60's (yes, you read right) and Change Your Brain, Change Your Life. Apparently I read fast, am adorably flawed and "pick" lousy pledge shows according to one viewer. Well, she was heartbroken that our Pledge drive interrupted Antiques Roadshow. Such is the life of Pledge drives.

By the way, at my station, I am not the one who picks the Pledge shows. A talented team handles that and they specialize in all things pledgy in Tucson. The real problem the viewer had was that she thought I made the show itself and didn't like the bands that were chosen for the show. Ah, people are funny...

Going out with my baby

2008-12-03T17:26:00.002-07:00

Yippeee! DL and I have been dating for 2 years.

Can you believe it? I know. Me too. I KNOW.

Cat-Fisch and D&D--you should be on our date tonight.

I'm taking DL out for a surprise tomorrow night. It's his turn tonight, my turn on Thursday.

I won't tease anymore and type that pics are "on the way". I have been completely lame with taking pics and uploading them to the blog. Sorry y'all.

Yours,
Susie

Long delay

2008-11-27T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hi my friends-
I haven't been able to catch my breath since my trip to Houston.

Where did I leave this last? Did I tell you that my Mommy came to Tucson? She's a miracle worker and so is her perfect partner Paul. DL and I had a great visit with them.

On their last day in Tucson, I had to fly out to Houston. It was a long trip but great to see my old pals. Everyone was super excited to see me since I changed jobs and were only to happy to tell me all the dirt I wasn't allowed to know before!

Now I'm back, behind in work, housecleaning and writing. DL and I are about to celebrate our 2nd year anniversary on Dec. 5th. He had to remind me. No frowny faces please! I'm bad with dates other than my own b-day. You should all know that he's a super star boyfriend and I've been blessed with life in Tucson.

Deb is here for T-day. She's making her famous mashed potatoes. I'm thrilled that she's here.

We are having a Lawrendez Challenge this 4-day weekend. Exercise and other physical activity is expected throughout the day. So far, DL, Deb and I are the only ones doing the challenge. So far, so good. DL and I went on a cool bike ride this morning. Who knows what the three of us will do tomorrow.

Next trip is Connecticut. Then Tampa for work. Then Chile for Richard and Robertha's wedding! Yippeeeeeeeee!

What did you make for your communal Thanksgiving? I made cranberry sauce. DL made apple pie (homemade, y'all!) and salad.

Big hug...
S

Leather and Lace video

2008-11-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

Someone sent this to me.

Will Ferrel is all over youtube!

half funny
half good
not bad at all

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlLzAWUY6Xo

Feeling really far away

2008-11-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

So far from Heaven--I'm in Houston. Let's see...

Mom was our first guest in Tucson. Her beau came too and they have a lot of energy and were a lot of fun.

They pretty much packed up our house in Oakland and unpacked it in Tucson. I can't get over how much organizing and unpacking they did around the house. DL and I are now washer and dryer owners! Mom bought us a set! Yippppeeee. Pics of their visit to Tucson will be posted soon. Possibly on DL@Large blog, or on my blog. Stay tuned.

I got up early today for my business trip. I'll be in Houston for the week. Mom and her beau left after I was on my flight so DL is home alone.

Since DL and I have moved to Tucson, whenever I'm on a trip I feel really far away from our friends, family etc. Today Randall and Fam left for England. Dee, Deb, LR and I haven't spoken on the phone in a while. Someone just told me they are getting divorced. I then go into a spiral. "I haven't seen X in sooo long". You can insert your name here. If you don't live in Tucson, I haven't seen you in ages. I miss you. I'm a little homesick as I sit in this Houston hotel. I'm homesick for you, not exactly a "home". I'm here for a week. A week seems very long.

I wish I could be several places. Just a "hi, what's going on?" type check in would be greatly satisfying. Las Vegas, Oakland, Anchorage, Boston, London, Tucson (of course!) and San Francisco. I know I can't be everywhere and the phone is sometimes not that satisfying. I just need to see you all.

I think I'll sign up for Skype. Are you on it yet?

Love,
S

I voted!

2008-11-02T22:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning I voted. It took about 8 minutes to vote. AZ has about 10 propositions that are just bananas. I took the time to read, study, figure out who wrote each one and why they wanted it and decided 99% of them deserved a no vote. I'm outraged at the money spent on promoting these lousy propositions!

The station is doing live election coverage. I'm not sure if I'm working on the show. If I don't need to, we may be hitting the streets to see what Tucson does on election night!

Crossing fingers that come Wednesday, 90% of the lousy propositions get dismissed and that no funny business has happened around the presidential election!

Later friends,
S

Voting

2008-10-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

Voting. Take 1.
Yeah, I can vote anytime I wish! There is a poll right here on campus.
Oh I love working at a University!

Voting. Take 2.
Rats. I don't want to spend my lunch hour in this line.
The campus early voting line is now over 2 hours wait.
Should have gone earlier with DL when the line was long, but not as long as it is now. I believe he waited for one hour.
Should have done mail-in.
Might have to just do it tomorrow morning, while folks sleep off their Halloween hangover.

Voting. Take 3.
Did a "walk by" the voting poll. Ay yi yi. Why are kids still on campus on Friday, Halloween?
Shouldn't they be getting ready for their slutty halloween costumes and drinking?
Why didn't I do mail-in?
The Starbucks line is shorter than this. And more efficient!

new friend, new slang terms

2008-10-30T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Pals-

I met someone a few weeks ago and we finally had supper last night The Cup, which is part of The Hotel Congress. http://www.hotelcongress.com/cup/

T is an "over sharer" and works on border issues in rural Southern Arizona and on "tribal nations". Tribal nations is the new term for Indian reservations. You probably already knew that, but I didn't!

She's got loads of slang terms that I plan on using in my vocab. She's from Sebastopol, parents were biker types, she lived all over CA. We met at an ethnic media summit and connected immediately.

Sadly, she's moving. She just got engaged and her fiance lives in IN. So her new life will be jetting back and forth from Indiana and Arizona.

When I first met her I called Dee and told her I just met her new best friend. If they meet, I'll lose my slot on Dee's list, I'm sure. So they will never meet! :)

The big P question

2008-10-27T17:04:00.000-07:00

How many times in your life have you been asked if you have kids when you don't? I bet some of you have been asked how many, when folks see you with just one? Is that true or am I just around people who think that they should spend their time pushing women into having multiples?

Mother's Day used to annoy me in my early thirties because of the wishful assumption that people had that I was a mother. And when they would realize I wasn't, they say, "Well, someday!" I got over it eventually because I can be a mom and sometimes a child. Depends on who I'm with. (Deb and Cat Fisch!)

When I was a girl I didn't want kids. I didn't want to be a mom, for fear I'd be mean. I actually told a girl when I was in 6th grade that I couldn't. I told her that I found out "a long time ago and I might adopt when I'm 40 after I go to college and have my own business". Forty was a magic number. Guess how old I will be come April 15th?

My extended family has a lot of young mothers. By the time they will get to their thirties, they will be a lot like their parents--working very hard for little pay with three or more kids. My aunts learned not to ask me when I was going to have a kid. However, they never stopped asking about marriage, even when they thought I was gay. It took awhile but they realized that a lot of the cousins in my age group weren't getting married at a young age and weren't having kids at 18. We were a college clique and so they placed their pressure on the younger kids.

My little brother and his g-f just had a baby. I overheard some women ask when she was going to have another. Their baby is less than 4 months old. My bro is not even 30. What is the rush, I wonder? I don't think they are even thinking about more kids, but it's weird to me that people would think that's okay to just say it to them.

Is it just me?

Now I get these questions, "So do you think you'll be able to get pregnant?
Oh, you don't have kids? Are you going to adopt soon? Aren't you getting old? Oh, I couldn't be like you, I don't want to be old when they turn 20."

I have to believe that these strangers, and yes, sometimes loved ones, say this to me because they believe that parenthood is wonderful. I certainly hope they don't believe that a child will bring purpose to my life. There's a lot of purpose in my life now. I try and life purposefully.

I do want to admit one thing though. IF I did have kids, I think I'd like more than one. And I don't have to birth any. Why? Because I think sibling-hood is cool. I loved being part of a gang for life! Parents, schmarents. I will also tell you, dear pals, that I have always felt in my gut that I wouldn't need kids because I would be raising a friend's kid or two. I think I saw too many movies where the parents were no longer available and the kids had to fend for themselves till a cool aunt or friend took over. That was ME! Sure at first I'd make a slew of mistakes and the kids would educate me, the never-been-a-mother person on scheduling pick ups from soccer practice and showers. I'd have to learn that popcorn and wine aren't a proper dinner for folks under 25. :)

That's my musings for the day. Gotta dash. A snickers and coffee dinner await. KIDDING.
S

Radio Pledge and other musings

2008-10-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well my Sunday Pledge session went well, I think. I nearly cursed at one point because I didn't realize that my colleague was cueing me to speak next. Ay yi yi.

We actually had to pledge for two different stations. Did I mention that earlier? I'm not sure.
One was for our NPR station, the other was for our Classical station. I was on pins and needles whenever we were speaking about Classical because of my lack of knowledge. But it turned out to be the easiest to talk about because those listeners are rabid about their (insert composer here)! Sometimes we only had 30 seconds to sign off from NPR and switch to Classical. My cheat sheets were everywhere and sometimes fell to the ground.

We had a lot of fun and towards the end, I finally felt comfortable speaking. On the NPR side, I completely lucked out. I had to pitch during Prairie Home Companion, not a personal fave, but obviously a NPR darling, and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. Sometimes when we came in for the pledge break, we were laughing so hard from WWDTM, that we had to take a moment to compose ourselves.

DL texted me while I was on the air, with words of encouragement. Funny enough, Dad and Anne were listening but they didn't know it was me talking!

I flew out for South Carolina on Monday at the crack of dawn. I had the middle seats on both legs of my trip to SC. Ugh. I went to be on a judging panel in Columbia. My main requests were for BBQ, fried chicken and sweet tea. I got all those things and more. SC BBQ is vinegar or mustard base vs. ketchup. It took my tastebuds a bit to get used to that flavor but eventually I loved it.
I also got fried green tomatoes, smoked pork chops, grits!, shrimp, collard greens and ambrosia with the coconut and mandarin oranges. OMG. Too delicious!

Columbia's capital building just took down the confederate flag. Weird, right? Some restaurants put up confederate flags in protest. Instead of the American flag you could possibly go down a street and see a slew of confederate flags. It's so creepy. Politically speaking, you can see that there are true southern liberals and extreme-right conservatives in that town. We didn't get to tour any other parts of SC because we were busy working, but in Columbia you could see that it's changing and some of the old timers love it and some just hate it.

On my way back home, I got the usual "so where are you from?" questions on my flights. I stumbled each time. I forgot--I'm now from Tucson. On my layover in Atlanta, I had 30 minutes to get to a different terminal. I raced off the plane, went to the monitors and my flight wasn't on the screen. I freaked! I was this close to storming over the help desk when I realized that I was looking for Oakland NOT Tucson. Smile. It is now funny. My heart stopping in ATL is funny.

I sat next to a military person. They were everywhere. Most didn't speak and were polite when the elderly ladies shook their hands and thanked them. My guy was kinda frumpy and in plain clothes so he didn't get any attention. He asked what I did and he got very excited. He wanted me to know that he watched Jane Austen religiously. He also asked about upcoming Masterpiece Theater programs. I then shared my M&M's.

Hugs,
Susie

Where am I and what time is it?

2008-10-17T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks-

Did you know that Arizona does not participate in the time change? So half of the year I will be in the Pacific Time Zone and the other half I'll be in Mountain. Confusing? Yes! Try scheduling 6 channels with time change. It's terribly confusing.

I missed half of an important conference call today because someone here told me we were in Mountain. As I was talking to someone on the east coast, they mentioned the time and I looked at my clock and realized HOLY CRAP, I'm late to me call. I thought I had a half an hour before the call was to start and instead I was half an hour late. Ay yi yi.

So Sunday I will not be on 10 AM to 1 PM MT, I'll be on PT. Cornfused? Me too.

In November I'll be in MT.

On the radio!

2008-10-16T13:34:00.000-07:00

Help.

I had a panic attack at work today. I agreed to be talent on Arizona Public Media's radio pledge drive this Sunday and in my rehearsal I froze up. I have never had this feeling before and nearly ran out of the booth room.

My shift is this Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM mountain time. You can hear me try and pull it off on AZPM.org's website.

We have those friends who constantly repeat what they heard on NPR. Oh, where are they now? Suddenly I couldn't recall one single radio show, or one fond moment. All I could think of is the Alice Cooper rock n roll radio show I have grown to love and listen to every night. But that's not public radio. Help! Help!

The Forty-Niner rides in Tucson

2008-10-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

My bike! My beautiful 49-er bike has arrived.

DL and I rode around campus Sunday afternoon. We went to a cafe, did some house hunting, bank errands and cruised around centro with our bikes.

We also rode over to Dad and Anne's to head out to Tucson Meet Yourself. The locals call it Tucson Eat Yourself because the main goal is to eat your way around the festival. There were loads of local artisans and cuisines from around the world.

I had Chicken Adobo with rice, Navajo fry bread with honey, some red Jamaican drink that was spicy like ginger and sweet like hibiscus. DL and I shared a Navajo taco too. We saw Hawaiian dancers, Irish steppers, Swedish folk dancers and Russian folk dancers. The art I liked the most were the pinata makers, the iranian painters (very intricate), and the lowrider bikes.

Have you ever heard of water drumming? Me neither till Tucson Meet Yourself. It's cool and quite clever. You cut out the bottom of a gourd so that it's like a bowl. In a large tub of water, put the gourd open side down so that the rounded bottom is facing you and is floating on the water.
Just drum it baby. The sound is really gorgeous. Forgive me, there's so many tribes around here I actually can't remember which tribe created this. DL do you remember?

Love,
S

Project Runway's Finale tonight

2008-10-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, this blog is turning more into an electronic ode to Project Runway, but I gotta say it's just so good. In between screening independent works, some good, mostly bad, it's refreshing to just dive into the show I love. And it's only Wednesdays.

Well DL will certainly mention that it's more than Wednesdays. I've been known to watch the repeats on a slow TV night. Ah, I'm gonna miss PR. I am not sure we'll have Lifetime and so, this just may be my last hurrah on the show. You'll miss it too, I guarantee it.

Love,
S

Project Runway thoughts?

2008-10-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'm sad about J going home but do think his wedding dress and bridesmaid gown were the weakest. He's consistently sloppy, but so gosh darn lovable it was hard to see him go.

How CUTE is Tim Gunn? I laughed and cried all because of Tim. I love him.

Will there be a reunion show? Thoughts on wedding dresses from last night's shows?

Destination Anchorage!

2008-10-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

L and her girls made it to AK! Yippeee!

My weekend

2008-10-06T17:10:00.001-07:00

Looked for airline tickets (see previous blog regarding ordeal)
Brunch on Saturday with Dave, my fave Tucson person!
Whined about bike still not here!
Errands that are too boring to list.
reForm Art show with Eren and Ari then late night run to South Tucson* for Mexican food. http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Arts/Content?oid=oid:116403
Sunday pastries and coffee with Ann H from Claremont, now of Tucson!
Pima County Library book sale--Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prairie books purchased!
Finally bought one bookcase, two lamps and reorganized our office. House slowly improving.
Sunday supper at Dad's without Dad. Annie outdid herself again!

* South Tucson is an interesting little town. And I do mean little--it's only 1 mile by 1 mile and has it's own mayor and everything. According to an intoxicated pal, it was established for the locals so they didn't have to go all the way to Mexico for their bad bad behaviour. Insert bad behaviour here. I state that the information was supplied to me by an intoxicated pal, in case you know the real history and tell me different. At any rate, we had a good time getting a "tour" of S. Tucson in the wee hours.

hugs not drugs,

Time is money

2008-10-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Do you shop around so much for something that by the time you purchase it, the joy is gone? The finale falls to a quiet thud?

Friends, I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say I've spent 4 hours looking for a decent rate roundtrip ticket for my family holiday vacation. Ay yi yi. Do I spend $650 to get there at an okay time but come home at a dreadful time? If I go on this airline I'll have to pay a baggage charge for every suitcase. What about the gifts?

I finally punched in my CC number and feel sick. Had I just bought the ticket within the first hour, how much money would it have cost me?

Airline tickets are expensive. Add in the taxes, fees and baggage charge at the airport and how much money are you really saving by shopping around? It seems like you do save something. Till you press send. I'm being generous with myself by admitting to 4 hours. It might be more like 6. Almost a day at the office.

Sure, I'm getting frequent flier miles. That's not much of a prize. I did manage to get the price down on some no name travel website but just by a hair. So I sit here, in my PJ's since 7 AM, finally "biting the bullet" and overpaying on a ticket that I gotta believe was less than that first night I did some airfare searching.

If I paid myself those missed hours...you see where this is going. Don't think about it, right? I should stop. It's done. Next time. All those things I've already said to myself. I'm sleepy, I'm hungry and luckily coffee is nearly in my hands.

Sometimes, something you need to buy will just cost more than you like. So, maybe I shouldn't go if I think the price is that much? Well, that price is too expensive. I need to see my family! Sometimes, no matter how much you shop around, you really aren't saving yourself that much because time is money.

Love you,
S

What's going to happen on Project Runway??????

2008-10-01T20:51:00.000-07:00

I am going to be on TV tonight and am conflicted. Project Runway will still be on when my segment airs.

PR is getting to be a nailbiter. Kenley might be gone tonight!

Stress--a not so silent killer

2008-09-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

Are you stressed? I am in the TV biz, so I'm not sure I should say this but I think TV makes people more stressed out.

PBS has truly been my respite these days. The news is smarter and less sensational, the cooking shows are not competitive, the dramas are not so real and with pleasant accents so it's not as harsh and I can't stand antiques, but I've been willing to watch that program as well.

I attempted to watch the broadcast news today to check in about that Wall Street bailout bill that was vetoed today. The news was given so badly that I could barely stay tuned to hear what the EFF happened.

Stress is everywhere and doesn't it seem like we make it worse than it really is? I don't want to live in a bubble but gosh darnit! It's so noisy out here sometimes!

I heard about a documentary based on a book that is called Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers.

I encourage you to take this quiz. I don't mean to stress you out, but stress can kill!

I scored 60%. Not so great. Oh wait, I shouldn't put that stress on myself! :O)

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/stress-quiz.html

Cat Fisch needn't worry about me!

2008-09-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

My Jewish mother Cat Fisch would gently tell me to bring a wrap, a sweater or jacket while I lived in the Bay Area. I usually was ill prepared for the weather in SF and Oakland and she often had a spare warm item for me to borrow when we stepped out of the office and into the cold, foggy city streets.

In Tucson, I'm rarely ill prepared for the weather. I never bring a jacket because I don't need one, always have a sun hat in my car and finally learned to keep an umbrella in my trunk. Today, Cat Fisch would be proud! The morning sun was beaming bright and a warm rain was out. I got out of the car, grabbed my big red umbrella (I think a gift from Cath) and without a jacket or sweater, I walked onto campus and to the station perfectly comfortable.

Tonight as I headed out, the sun was going down, the air was still quite warm (80's) and the softest warm rain was coming down. I looked around at the many college kids and locals jogging, walking, biking and just doing stuff outdoors. I was the only one with an umbrella and realized it wasn't neccessary. Trust me it wasn't peer pressure that made me put my umbrella away. Guys, because of the warm weather, the rain felt great and it dried fairly quickly so when I arrived to my car, I was not wet, damp or nothing. It's so nice!

But best of all, dear friends, are the rainbows. Yes, plural. It was a great sunny, rainy day that kicked off my weekend.

Later!

Single Gal's Supper

2008-09-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

Many of us are familiar with what they call the Single Gal's Supper--popcorn and a glass a wine. Well, my new "single gal" supper is cereal. Mmm.

Don't worry, this isn't a posting about my recent cereal suppers at home on the couch. This is better. Guess what they have here, close to my office?

The Cereal Boxx, a cereal cafe.

Yes, it is worthy of a posting, I promise. I wish I could tell you all about this in person so you can hear my excitement.

They have oatmeal, cold cereal, granola, yogurt parfaits, belgium waffles and egg fritatas. And tea, coffee, and the standard cafe item--free wifi.

Lately I've not been hungry in the morning. I try and chomp on some fruit but that doesn't always happen. DL puts a yogurt in my briefcase and normally I forget about it and then that night I realize it's been out all day. Yuck. So today I had a New Hire Orientation and it was from 1:30 till god knows how long. I had a small cup of coffee and a piece of zuccini bread around 10 AM while in a meeting. Not that satisfying but got me through some long hours. By 1, I realized I was going to be useless at the orientation if I didn't eat.

Like all my meetings, it takes at least 10 minutes or more to walk across campus to get where I need to go. So I knew I was going to be screwed if I didn't get something quick to eat and somewhat healthy. Right next to an Aveda salon, the UA bookstore and a Marriott, there she was--this little cereal place.

I ended up getting a yogurt parfait called The Elvis. It wasn't thee healthiest option but damn good.

Vanilla Yogurt
Peanut Butter Cap N Crunch
Bananas
Honey

When I got to orientation and whipped out my parfait, quite a few people asked me where I got it. Check it out, it's a cereal bar so it's got loads of different choices of milks, cereals and toppings.

And they are open nearly all day. Oh yeah!

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike

2008-09-24T16:26:00.000-07:00

I had a great bike that I never rode. It sat outside in my Oakland balcony getting rusty and dusty. It was a cherry red Schwinn 3 speed cruiser with white wall tires.

I tried to order a similar bike a few weekends ago. A bike shop took my dough but couldn't get the bike ordered. So the journey continued for thee cutest cruiser I could find. In the meantime, DL rides nearly every morning enjoying his bike.

Well finally today my order went through and it's not what I thought I'd get.

First I wanted this black and white cruiser with a special front light. That was a bit too much and the chance of it getting stolen at the UA was pretty high.

Then, I ordered a toned down version of that bike. Schwinn was OUT of them. I'd have to wait a month and a half for it to come in. No no no. Then I almost ordered some other Schwinn but I tossed and turned all night because deep down, it wasn't "my" bike.

It didn't occur to me to look at other brands. Folks around here really love bikes so I got a lot of brand names thrown at me and I would nod then quietly go to my computer and look up the bikes they were talking about. Two were sticking out for me: Electra and Nirve.

After several calls with our local bike shop manager, I finally got "my" bike ordered.

Check her out!

http://www.nirve.com/mens.asp?cat=cruiser&cid=546

Don't worry, friends. I have a helmet, I will buy a good headlight and backlight and possibly consider reflective clothing. It's dark in Tucson!

Hugs,

The Hernandez Girls ROCK...

2008-09-22T21:45:00.000-07:00

Can't remember the hit song, but do remember the fun time. DL's uploads have been located!!

Overnight with the Folks

2008-09-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

DL and I went to visit his folks in Sierra Vista this weekend. I had a long week, filled with many hours of work, lunch meetings, and moving furniture in my office. I needed some lazy time and wasn't too sure that I would get that in Sierra Vista. I did nothing but eat, sit and sleep. Ahhhh.

The drive, like most anywhere in these parts, was GORGEOUS. Did we take pics? No, we were too busy looking around and listening to Imad's roadtrip CD he made for us. It's a roadtrip fave now.

See the pic? That scary unmanned thing flew right above us and really low to the ground. DL scared the HECK out of me when he spotted it. It's got a scary name too, a Predator. Geez. It's huge. There's a military base, Fort Huachuca, nearby so it was on a training flight (hopefully). DL says that Fort Huachuca was where the buffalo soldiers were based in the wild west and that it's where Army intelligence training takes place.

A lot of biker-types, military folks and retirees live in the Sierra Vista area. I suspect militia types as well, as Border Patrol was everywhere. Sierra Vista is a new senior development with about 55,000 residents. Some of the nearby towns have 4000. So, as we got closer to DL's parents house, the people watching was getting to be interesting.

The visit was mainly spent indoors, chatting with the folks and overeating on Herb's incredible meals. Oh, my tummy. I made DL put on some music so we can get some energy in the house or I would have fallen asleep by 8 PM. It's a higher elevation than Tucson (which is higher than the Bay Area) and I was pooped the entire time. I needed some music! DL put on Michael Buble' and it was a good match for us 4, as we all had to agree, that kid can sing.

The next morning we were going to head off to Bisbee but DL's mom wasn't feeling well so we decided to stay local while she rested. We went to a country kitchen type restaurant and I'm kicking myself for not knowing the name. There are so few locally owned restaurants around there, it really represented what the community was about. There were the retirees. There were the bikers. There were the military folks off-duty (the only people of color I saw around). Oh and then there were the folks either running away from the law or thought they should be the law (border militia), I couldn't tell.

We sat next to a large group of "after church" retirees. The ladies sat at one end of the table and the men on the other. The men folk chatted about Reagan, The War (not sure which one), and finances. The women chatted about Gary Cooper which somehow led to how hot Antonio Banderas was. They got quite loud as the "who's the hottest actor" chattering went on. The waitress told us that they were a church group that comes every Sunday.

Picture a young family walking in. The parents in matching outfits and their two little girls dressed in pink. The girls were letting their parents know what they wanted for breakfast before they even got to the table. We could have been anywhere, really. Except, and you knew this was coming, that the parents were so terribly opposite of their kids. The mom was wearing a black t-shirt with army fatigues pants. The dad was wearing a black t-shirt with a scary death skull image that had a arizona state flag bandana around it's mouth. Also with fatigues. By their unkept hair we knew they were not military and later Dad told me they were probably one of the border patrol militia. That's kind of their uniform. The bikers were in traditional mullet-bandana-sleeveless shirt garb and were all a little dusty from being out on the open road.

On our way back to Tucson, we did have to stop for border patrol. It was no biggie but it's just a bit alarming to me. I know this happens in California, but up north, we just never ran into these things.

DL's dad is an excellent cook and if I had the recipes for the lunch and dinner we had, I'd share it with you dear friends. I am going to get DL's Grandma's cookie recipe and will pass that down when I get it. Oh man, they were so good.

Lana is moving to Alaska and she and her girls leave Thursday. Bon Voyage Lana, Ophie and Coco! Don't leave Jeff with too much work to do! DL and I can't wait to see the Ramos-Auburn family in AK.

One last Sierra Vista story. DL's parents head to Tucson every so often on this bus that takes them and a gang of seniors to one of the casinos. The big news around town, that made headlines in their local paper, is that this couple that got pulled over by Border Patrol on that bus got arrested later that week for embezzlement. So the "Aussies" as they were known, apparently embezzled money from an Austin TX hospital shop over several years and the crime caught up with them in Sierra Vista. See? Criminals do hide out here. It's like Alaska, you never know people's past and you know not to ask. :)

Hugs for now.

S

P.R. discussion...then Top Designer

2008-09-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

RIP Big Daddy. But first, PR.

Okay, fellow fans. What the EFF?

That was a great challenge last night! Some of the designers focused on the wrong transformation---it wasn't just about getting a job, or starting a profession, it was about changing their whole look. Jerell and Korto (spelling?) did the best jobs. The teacher's jacket sucked but the cute little dress worked for me. I didn't think it needed to be in the bottom. Suede's jacket was terrible but worse yet, his dress looked like a Ross Dress for Less reject. No thanks. Joe's was bad, but to be honest, I thought Suede's was worse.

But moving along to the real b-fest. Kenley remains to be a one trick pony and is increasingly RUDE. I can't believe no one told her to shove it on last night's show after her rude behavior on the runway. And her "model" was right there with her laughing while Joe was getting critiqued. Kenley's dress bored me, and was so happy that Jerell won again. (pronounced a-gain!)

I missed what will happen next week but DL informed me that it will be goooood. A hip hop challenge? Awesome. Can't wait to see what Kenley creates! :)

Now to the heartbreak of the night. Oh, oh oh. Poor Big Daddy. I thought for sure the designers who had to work with Andre were going to be out. I am crushed that sweet old Big Daddy is out. When he and Wisit were paired up I thought it was going to be a match made in heaven and that they were going to blow everyone away. They did get a challenging designer but that's not the only reason why they blew it. The judges said it best, Jeffrey was the wrong client for those designers.

What the EFF is going on with that annoying guy Eddie? He gets a little too much airtime and commentary as far as I'm concerned. And I'm sorry, is Shazira still on the show? How did that happen? I thought the wrong designer went home! Shazira and Nathan's window was confusing. (By the way, I believe Jonathan Adler said, Color me confused! and I'm going to start to use that in my everyday conversation!)

Daniel's designers, Preston and the wife of what's-his-face did an incredible job. Their window was lovely. In fact, I was torn as to who should win. What did you think? I mean, Daniel's dress was better, right? But gosh, the butterflies were cool in Sweet Pea's window.

Anyhoo, I miss watching PR with my girls. Somehow we missed eachother last night! That won't happen again! (pronounced a-gain!)

Love,

S

Our first two weeks..

2008-09-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Loves,

I thought I'd start a Google Blog for my pals. I hope some of you start one too. Lana is moving to Alaska, Randall and Stuart may be moving across the pond, and who knows, maybe you'll be moving to Tucson. (smile)

Sorry for the lack of pics, friends. We haven't come close to finishing the unpacking and somewhere, in one of these boxes, is my camera battery charger. Everything has a ripple effect. Once I find the charger, I can charge the batteries, which means I can start snapping away the pics and you can see our place.

We left on a Saturday (the day after our last of of work!) from R and S's house. Thanks for the incredible send off D & D, Deb, Benj, Ma, Paul, Cath, Jas and our hosts whom I love dearly. We arrived on a Sunday and slept over at Dad and Annie's. Annie made an incredible meal. It was our first home cooked meal in nearly two weeks. Rocky, his g-friend, and the kids were there and it was a nice welcome to our new hometown. Our stuff arrived Tuesday, which meant DL and I had a full day to shop, get to know the town and goof off.

Some of you know that we were really worried about loading the car and we didn't think that all our stuff we didn't put on the moving truck was going to make it in! We ended up donating a big, fully usable TV and a cool bike. We left behind records and a nice closet organizer. When our dear friend Deb helped load up our car that fateful Saturday AM, we had oodles of room. D'oh!

So our first full day in Tucson was spent replacing our TV and getting new closet organizers. We also bought our first bed together! Hello queen size bed!

Our stuff arrived Tuesday late evening. By the time all of our stuff got unloaded from the truck, DL and I made sure the guest bed was made, the TV area was set up and we crashed.

Our first week here was spent slowly unpacking, going to movies, getting haircuts, eating at home, eating out, and figuring out the best coffee places. Our new coffee place is a local shop called Ike's. Our new fave movie house is called The Loft. It's kind of like The Parkway but a little cleaner.

My talented Tucson friends Ari and Eren have been good about telling us about fun events. Eren took DL and I out on our first Friday night to a cocktail party. Pretty weird to go somewhere and not know a soul. When was the last time you did that? It turned out to be a good party for me to go to as a lot of the people there were professors of the New Media department or worked in media.

DL has officially worked one week at home. He did pretty well for the most part. He got a little lonely I think and unfortunately, I came home a little late and went to bed early. His work is pretty solitary so phone calls to our house are encouraged! I gotta say, his home office space rocks. We dig it quite a bit! And he will admit that getting up, having a nice breakfast, going for a stroll during lunch and not having a commute is pretty great.

I had a fun first week. I've been learning so much stuff that I've been going to bed at 10 PM each night, or near there, and fall asleep the second I hit the bed. I have a lot to learn and walk out each day completely invigorated by all the new things I'm being schooled on! But I also am wiped from all the stuff my brain has had to cram in 8 hours.

We are getting ready to head out to a gallery for an exhibit so I gotta wrap this up.

A few last details:

Shoes--None of my shoes are very good for all the walking I need to do inside the station and across the campus! Help! Anyone have any suggestions for cute, comfy shoes?

Parking--I was so spoiled in SF for work. Campus parking is suppose to be a nightmare so I've been parking at Dad's this whole week. He lives at the mouth of the main campus and it's not that far, but I'm not used to the walking. I wore wedgies on one of my first days and by the time I got off of work and realized I had to WALK to Dad's, my dogs nearly started crying.

Clothes--Folks dress casually in Tucson but in the office, most of the women dress a bit executive casual. (My term, not sure if you all know what I mean by this though!) My clothes don't work in the heat (high 80's) and they aren't quite right for the office. Voleine--I need some clothing suggestions!

People--You wouldn't believe how many people have said to DL and I, "Welcome to Tucson".
The friendliness is unreal!

Space--We have two bedrooms. We moved from a 600 square foot studio in Oakland to a 2 bedroom just over 1200 square feet in Tucson. I realized tonight that I tend to ask DL, "What are you doing? Can you come over here? Where are you?" about ten times each evening. I'm sure I'll be used to it in a month and will be wanting more space! :)

I sure miss you all. Please tell me what you are up to when you get a chance!