What does 'peace' mean to you?

What comes to mind when I ask you what 'peace' means to you?

World peace. . .Inner peace. . .Peace on earth. . .Give peace a chance. All of the above?

When I ponder peace these days and what it means to me, I suppose I'm thinking along the lines of 'inner peace'.

I am happy.

I am calm.

I am content.

I am peaceful.

My experiences--my powerful life experiences--have changed me. I have a perspective about my life that I didn't have as recently as a year ago as I grieved the loss of my sister.

That 'perspective'?

• Don't sweat the small stuff.
• Savor the moments. 
• Pick your battles. 
• You can't change the past. 
• Avoid negativity. 
• Focus on the positive. 

It has become quite simple, really. As a result, I found my happy place in this life. I hope you can, too, because Peace is always beautiful (~Walt Whitman). And peace, for me, means happiness. 

It's Not Just Me

This may be the era of “Hey, look! I can write whatever I want and ‘publish’ it whenever and wherever I want. . .and to hell with this silly notion of editors and peer reviewers and supporting data/references, etc. But I’m really credible, because I have “Influencer” status on LinkedIn. Or I’m a C-level something-or-other at some biggish company you know.” 

In fairness, there are some “Influencers” on LinkedIn who regularly post articles that teach me something and/or that I enjoy reading. Often, however, it seems that I finish an article wondering what on earth the point was. Sometimes I stop following people or reading their articles because the misspelling and grammatical errors are too distracting or because it seems like only half the article is there--the author having failed to fully develop the piece.

Today, I am a little vindicated. Or validated? You choose a word.

I normally don’t care about reading the comments that follow an article. Today, however, after reading something about 401K plans, I was confused and I thought that the commenters might have something to say that would provide clarification.

They clarified and I just chuckled:

• Yeaaaah I'm really not sure what this means.
• One of the worst articles I've read in months.
• This was perhaps the most confusing and atrociously written article I have ever read.

This is just a small sampling. 

Thankyouverymuchcommenters.

It’s not just me. 

Really Really Real

She was 51.

Too young.

There are still days that I just cannot believe that my sister is gone. (6 months later)

In our childhood innocence and in our naïve adulthood, I think we believed we would all grow old together and maybe even die at the exact same time.

The smack of “now there are only 4 of us” hits me every day.

When I think about making sure something gets communicated to the family, there’s always that nagging feeling that I have forgotten someone.

When someone asks me how many siblings I have, it’s hard to answer that now. I haven’t “perfected” or decided how my response should come out.

And then there is the matter of selecting a gravestone. I know. . .maybe we already did that, right? Um, no. It’s hard. It’s all hard. Surreal.

So. . .it’s been decided what type of stone.

Now. . .when will I go and take care of that little detail? I really don’t wanna. Not so much. Cuz that will make it really really real. Again.

Not Perfect

Sitting in the house where I grew up.

Nobody here but me.

Random music selection:  Simple Plan’s “Perfect” (Lyric sample: “Hey, Dad, look at me. Think back and talk to me. Did I grow up according to plan? …. I’m never gonna be good enough for you….I’m sorry I can’t be perfect.”) (And wow. . .I didn’t realize I liked Simple Plan.)

And then I glance at a photo of my parents. Happy and proud mom and dad at my youngest brother’s wedding. Looking in their faces, however, I am wont to reminisce about how I wasn’t perfect.

I was often told while growing up that I had big thighs. “Saddle bags” to be exact.  And criticized for my love of cake—sure to make me an especially big fat-ass.

I wasn’t perfect, but pictures of me during those times would tell the story that I was a hot piece of ass. Too bad I didn’t know it. Nobody ever told me I was beautiful. (that I remember, anyway) I might have used that to my advantage in the world. Or not. I had social anxiety, but that’s a whole other topic.

I wasn’t perfect. I am not perfect. But I now know I was and am beautiful. So there. 

Just Getting a Few Things Out There

Only a little cranky today. Bitching about it (sort of) may prove therapeutic. Or cathartic. Whatever. Pick your adjective.

Bloggers:  Avoid designing a blog with black background and white font, because it's very hard on the eyes and difficult to read. Especially when those eyes are suffering the effects of aging (affects?). 

Tailgaters: The person in front of you can only go as fast as the car in front of it, asshole.

Writers:  Check your spelling or at the very least have someone proofread or edit for you. For example: Deodorizer is not spelled deoderizer. That said...understand that I reserve the right within my own blog to mutilate all the grammar rules as we know them. Don't judge me. 

Shoppers: If there is an arrow on the pavement in a parking lot it's a signal that you should be traveling in the direction the arrow is pointing. Go with the flow, friends.

Interstate travelers: When other motorists are attempting to merge onto the interstate and there is nobody in the left lane preventing you from changing lanes in order for the merger to...well...merge, MOVE OVER!!! 

Gasoline pumpers:  Pay attention to the warnings at the gas station and avoid putting yourself and the rest of us in danger. Talking on your cell phone while pumping gas is now prohibited. 

Any customer service professional: The economy is bad. I spend a lot of money with your business. Treat me with a little kindness, courtesy, and respect. Say please once in a while. See? I've lowered my standards even. I would settle for manners even once in a while. The point? And this may be a news flash for you: It will be hard for you to find another job if you get fired, because I complained about the way you treated me!!! That's a fact, Jack. And by the way--it would have been nice to know about that discount before I made my purchase decisions...I might have actually spent MORE money! 

Medical professionals: Talk to one another so that you all can avoid giving conflicting medical instructions to the patient!!! Please! And seriously. Lives are literally at stake and some of you don't seem to understand that and it's really no wonder sometimes people die needlessly. 

That is all. 

Oh, Paula

Paula Deen using a sieve to make strawberry puree:  "Now, y'all, I'm just gonna pour this through the seeeeve that I have here." Seeeeve. I am not kidding.

Generally, I let stuff like this slide. There are some cultural nuances with language, etc. here in the South that just aren't worth making a fuss over or offending someone. But I have never heard someone pronounce "sieve" the way Paula did. 

No offense, Paula.  

Shoes

Shoe salesman Overheard in the Dillard's shoe department: 

"Now, this one...the soul is inverted..." (imagine an enthusiastic southern drawl...not unlike Andy Griffith's in his pre-Matlock days) "...and when you wear this shoe all day long, you burn 4 times more calories than when you wear a regular shoe! 4 times more calories!!!" I glanced over...the shoe looked to be made with a material similar to Crocs. I think by "inverted," he meant that the soul was made in such a way that it helped with over-pronating. In any event...4 times more calories?!?! Wow. And seriously? I don't think so.

"Now, this one...doctors send their patients to us for these shoes and people who wear them have been able to correct the problems in their knees and then they don't have to have knee surgery." If only it were as easy as a shoe, right?

Woman on cell phone walking very quickly around the area, taking in the clearance shoe view: 

"Sherry, you just have to get out of there!" Loudly. But in a very "I'm a supportive friend kind of way." 

Shoe saleswoman in reference to a shoe I had in my hand:

"Now, that's a good one." She was very gracious in offering to help me with whatever I wanted to try on. She seemed to be working pretty hard in general. At what I don't know. There was trash all over this shoe department, but I guess I kind of understand since the major shoe clearance at Dillard's is officially underway! I used to live for shoe clearances such as these. Back in the day. 

Floodlights in the ceiling: 

Making it as hot as ever. As hot as they have ever been. Back to the days that this was Hess's and before that, Miller's. Did I mention hot? Not hot enough to keep me from buying my 4th pair of shoes in 3 weeks, however. No. They were not on clearance. I chose a pair of tried and true loafer-like Sperry's. Not on clearance. But pretty darned comfy. 

That is all. 

The day is done...or is it?

The day is almost done according to the clock.

I'm not quite done, however. I'm taking a psychology class called Life Span Development. A few days ago, I was ready to throw in the towel, because the first few chapters of this textbook read like neurobiology. I guess. I don't do biology. That's why I'm not a doctor. (Now you know.)

So, I stepped away from it. Vented to Shalane. Talked with my advisor and my instructor. 

Attitude adjusted. 

Now, here I sit, enthusiastically working to finish the assignment that got me frustrated in the first place. Until I finish it, however, my day won't really be done. 

For once, I agree with O

O tweeted this morning that she decided to pull her Columbine show for today, because it focused too much on the killers. Good decision. For once, I am on board with her show. Or non-show as it were. 

I don't know that this was put out in the mainstream media anywhere. Were I not on Twitter and clicked on Follow Oprah last night, I may have never know this tidbit of info. 

This speaks for itself

It's Crunchy

From an ad banner for Stacy's Pita Chips on another person's blog:  

It's art at it's crunchiest. 

Really. 

P.S. The point here is that the second "it's" is incorrect. It should be "its"--no apostrophe. 

Really?

My Saturday afternoon: Happily settled at a big corner table in the library forcing myself to do my reading and discussion assignments. (Life Span Development. Blech. So far, it's like Biology to me. Grrr.)

What I don't understand: That the library doesn't seem to be the quiet retreat it once was for serious studying and reading. 

Annoyance #1: Crying child. For about 30 minutes.

Annoyance #2: Girl with a bag of chips. A very loud bag of chips.

Annoyance #3: Man strolling throughout the library...up and down each aisle...having a lengthy conversation on his cell phone. 

So......um......yeah.....I said something to him. And then I was sorry I did...fearful that he might be waiting for me in the parking lot when I left. So, I immediately texted my sister, Lucy, and let her know that if she never heard from me again it was because this guy probably murdered me--totally pissed off that I asked him to finish his call outside. 

Yeah...I asked him to finish his call outside, because I could hear him all over the library. So, he finished his call outside. 

And then he came to voice his displeasure with me. Loudly.

Loud Library Talker (whining): If you have something to say to me, I would appreciate it if you could do it quietly instead of dressing me down in front of the whole library. I don't appreciate how rude you were to me. (and then he stomped his foot like a big baby and put his thumb in his mouth)

Intolerant Study Girl:  Are you kidding me? And you don't think it was rude that you were disruptive? 

Loud Library Talker:  I didn't realize that people could hear me. You're nasty. Nanny nanny boo boo, stick your head in doo doo.  

He really believed people couldn't hear him and that his behavior was acceptable. No apology. No acknowledgement of any wrongdoing. Not that I expected it or wanted it. Of course, I didn't apologize for "dressing him down", either. So, there. We're even. Ha. Ha. 

I just sat there. Sort of shrugged my shoulders. Smirked a little and said, "Really? You really didn't think people could hear you?"

Because common courtesy is no longer expected in this society, there are signs plastered ALL OVER THE LIBRARY kindly asking that cell phone calls be taken outside in consideration of library patrons. In the event that you miss those, self-awareness and common sense are no longer required, either. Just so you know. 

Really.  

P.S. I later decided this man may have been unhappy that he was forced to wear his little 1970's era jogging shorts today. I just happened to be the target of his aggravation.

Bloggertainment?

So...

A five month blogging sabbatical isn't bad. Right? 

I started to delete this whole blog not too long ago with the thought that it was "done" and with the intent to create a new blog with a different "purpose." Like this one ever really had a "purpose?" (Note URL.) As I was paging through old posts, however, I decided that I can be pretty entertaining. (But not after getting sidetracked with trying to figure how to print the whole thing to save it for posterity.)

I guess I did okay. 

I guess I'll keep it. 

I guess I'll find my inner bloggertainer and get back to it. 

 

Turkey Day

What a feast!

We had the pleasure of meeting some of Andrew & Kristi's friends.

We also had the pleasure of eating way too much really really good food. The Adams Chefs served several homemade dishes like a sausage and wild rice dressing, grilled broccoli with olive oil and garlic, mac 'n cheese made with monterey jack & cheddar cheeses, and a perfectly mesquite smoked turkey. Guest contributions to the menu were delicious, too, and included a fabulous ham, a pork loin, green bean casserole, and baked apples. That's certainly not a complete accounting of the extensive menu. Everything was soooooooo good.

Entertainment included Guitar Hero (GH). Hannah and I played the roles of spectators for some of the challenged GH performers. Later, we played a Wii trivia game.

Aside from awesome food and great company, the other highlight of the day was that we didnt' have to call the fire department. When finishing up the sweet potatoes, the marshmallows went up in flames. It was quite the bonfire.

Wine Country and Mud Pits and Andrew's New Girlfriend

Departure time: 11:15am

Finished getting lost with the help of sophisticated satellite GPS technology: 12:45pm

Understand this: residential location approximately 20 minutes to Firestone Vineyard.

California Wine Country Resident (CWCR) facilitated off-road scenic adventure today. California Tourist (CT) patiently trusted CWCR and Mr. Garmin (manufacturer of said sophisticated GPS device).

CWCR: There is more oil field than vineyard right now.

Mrs. CWCR: Didn't we pass that cow already?

CT's Daughter: I've gotta pee.

CWCR: Hold up. (Reprograms GPS then turns around...following new GPS directions.)

CT: Um. I don't think you're supposed to go up there.

CWCR: Damn GPS says to go there.

CT: Well...Um...I think the GPS is wrong. That's not a road. I'll bet if you get up close, the sign on that gate says, "Turn around or we will shoot you."

CWCR: Hmmm...Maybe I better go back.

The "ground" is awfully soft underneath the car. As CWCR backs up, there are noticeable ruts in the MUD. Wheels start to spin...ruts get deeper...back end is sliding.

CWCR: Engaging traction control.

We are lucky to have gotten out of there. We had no cell phone signals and were afraid some homesteaders might show up with their shotguns to run us off. Even if we had cell coverage, I'm not sure it would have really been helpful. If the GPS didn't know where we were then emergency personnel certainly wouldn't.

CWCR: This concludes the scenic drive portion of our day.

Great experience at Firestone Vineyard. Very personable wine-taster-hostess-person, so we had a really nice visit while learning about the wines we were tasting.

Beckmen Vineyard wine-taster-hostess-person wanted CWCR.

CWCR: Really? I seriously don't notice stuff like that.

CT's daughter: Um, yeah...she wouldn't really talk to us much, but as soon as you walked in she got sparkles in her eyes.

Mrs. CWCR: Yeah, I thought I was gonna have to jump over that counter and stab that tart. (Not the term originally used. Censored for delicate sensibilities.)

CWCR: She was just bein' friendly.

Mrs. CWCR: I will show her friendly.

After a visit to Solvang where we enjoyed some kettle corn and assorted chocolate delights, we headed to Nipomo for an awesome steak dinner at Jocko's.

It was a good day catching up on family news, lots of laughs, great scenery, good wine, and awesome food.

Adventures with Christine & Hannah

Day 1

1. No sleep. (Okay...I concede that perhaps I "napped" for an hour when I finally finished laundry & packing--the hour before having to get up at 4:30am.)

2. Fun at Starbucks in the Atlanta airport. (I swear it was like the old SNL Belushi & Aykroyd cheeseburger skit. That story can be a whole other post. Suffice to say we had a good laugh.)

3. Longest flight ever. (4+ hours)(Good thing I brought so much reading material with me. Okay, not really...I mean I had plenty of reading material, but I was too sleepy....and there was too much noise...but the time passing was made easier by numerous naps and satellite TV)(And, man were there a lot of kids on that flight.)(And, wow...I hope everyone's coughing and sneezing and hacking wasn't the contagious kind.)

4. Stupid Vegas airport. Had to change airlines here--yes, we knew in advance. The signage to our concourse was practically non-existent, airport security staff was not very helpful (though those other two people were very kind). Even after the train and figuring out where to go, it was a long walk and we had to go through security again. My travel partner was a little disgruntled and we all know how cheerful she normally is. She had to go potty, so was growing a little impatient waiting for the very very careful TSA folks to do their jobs.)(And, no, I didn't play the slots...gambling does not appeal me to at all...okay, except when the lottery jackpot is in the hundreds of millions, then I might buy a ticket...or when I'm contemplating another career change...or when Shalane proposes a bet about how low the Dow will go...or wants to wager on weight loss.)

5. Aaaah...the Santa Barbara airport (if you want to call it that) was a welcome anti-climax to the day. Big warm Andrew & Kristi hugs...so glad to finally wrap my arms these two after waiting so long to finally take this trip.

6. Fresh seafood dinner at Brophy Brothers in Santa Barbara Harbor. I had Seafood Portofino (shrimp & scallops in a creamy sauce served over a 23-person serving of pasta...it was a lot of pasta people...and no, I didn't eat it all). Hannah had Ahi tuna which was also delicious. We all shared a calimari appetizer--most tender calimari on the planet. Deeelish! Afterwards, a nice walk on the jetty (not to be confused with a pier...Andrew seized the teachable moment and explained that a jetty is more like a breakwall, but you can walk on it.).

The weather was drizzly and cloudy, but who noticed? I mean really. We were really just happy to be together.

Today, plans are to sample some wine making efforts in the area, visit Solvang, and then have dinner at Jocko's for steak. Might need rehab by the end of the day.

Bond. James Bond.

Daniel Craig's portrayal of Bond: cold, edgy, steely, hot.

Normally, I am not the least bit attracted to a blue-eyed blonde-haired man. Daniel Craig has changed all of that for me. This man exudes I-Don't-Know-What on the big screen and I was more than happy to spend 1 hour and 48 minutes admiring his beauty.

At one point, after a long action sequence involving sweat and dirt and more dirt and sweat:

Shalane: He needs a shower.

OO7 Lover: No he doesn't.

There was a plot? Yes, there was a plot. It involved good triumphing over evil and some revenge accompanied by some dry humor and...did I mention the scenery wasn't so bad?

I will have to go see it again, though, because we saw this opening weekend and by the time we got to the theater the "I can see the screen fine from here" seats were mostly taken or saved (perhaps another rant for another time). So, we sat in the third row. It was a little hard to see everything on the screen and take it all in. Still, at such close range, it was easy to see those amazing icey blue eyes...the rock hard abs...and admire the confidence that is OO7.

Dinner wasn't so bad, either. I had prime rib with 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon. Mmmm. Mmmm. Good.

Just a Minute...

The holidays usually hold at least one constant for me: I get sick.

My being sick during the holidays holds a few constants: it is inconvenient and it is difficult to be seen by my own primary care doctor.

My current malady comes with no surprises in these respects. I have had a pain on the right side of my throat since Monday. It's not even a sore throat kind of sore...it has hurt and seems to be deep down inside my ear. My doctor is on medical leave which means I'd have to see another doctor in the group. This is not necessarily a problem--the problem would be in how soon I could have gotten an appointment, whether or not it was convenient for me, and whether or not they would again offer me an appointment with the incompetent nurse practitioner on staff who I refuse to see.

Being seen, diagnosed, treated, and cured must all take place before 7:30am Tuesday morning when our plane takes off. So, in the interest of catering to myself and making my healthcare convenient for me by our Tuesday departure, I decided to go to the CVS Minute Clinic. It's close by and the hours are convenient (open late and open on weekends).

I had a great experience! I was seen by a family nurse practitioner (FNP). Based on my previous experiences with FNPs (I have been misdiagnosed and even had something very serious overlooked.), I typically am not excited about seeing another one. This FNP was wonderful: he listened, he was thorough, he asked lots of questions, he listened some more, and he was not in a hurry. This was, perhaps, the most thorough screening for an ear infection I've ever had: he looked in my ears with the otoscope...he then used the otoscope with the air bulb to see how my ear drums reacted to the air pressure...he did look at my throat--not red at all...gave me a little hearing test...asked me to rate my pain...describe my pain & the pressure I felt in my ear...listened patiently as I repeatedly and in different ways explained my pain. He was very sympathetic to my impending air travel plight. (Would we call that a "flight plight?" Ha. I'm funny.) He finally concluded that, yes, I probably have an ear infection and prescribed an antiobiotic.

I am already feeling a little better. I hope I am significantly better in the morning. My plans for starting to pack (organize, do laundry, clean the house, etc.) have been waylayed with things like resting and napping. You just gotta give in to your body sometimes and let it heal.

I'm glad I tried the Minute Clinic. The quality of care I received today was very good. I'm glad I have a good and convenient alternative when it is difficult to get into my own doctor or whomever may be covering for him. (Plus! They will send a report of the visit to my doctor.)

I had a good customer service experience

So...I went online to schedule a Citi card payment the other day. First thing I noticed? My due date was 7 days earlier than it has been for the last few months.

Okay...my bad. I should have looked at the statement when I received it. I would have known.

But...how often does a credit card company just change your due date like that. My first thought was, "Hey! What a great way to ensure that I violate my terms so that you can raise my incredibly low interest rate."

Well...though I was hesitant, I called customer service. You see...the last time I called, I spent an inordinate amount of time on the call, because 1) my first customer service rep did not know the answer to my questions and he was not even understanding me and, of course, I was not understanding him. English clearly not his first language. Then, 2) after insisting that I speak with a manager, I spoke with a "Customer Account Manager." Not really a manager, but at least someone who took ownership...of course, the ownership she took was to such an extreme that she refused to transfer me to anyone else. She couldn't answer my question, either, except to read to me what I already knew. I have a Upromise card which pays me to use it and applies a percentage of every purchase to my SallieMae student loan. I received a letter saying that Upromise selected a different bank to be the "card" people. I had a few questions...nobody could answer them. 30 minutes on this call which was full of frustration, bad communication, and no satisfaction. My questions were never really answered.

Anyway...

I called customer service about the due date change. I expressed my concern that I would be penalized with not only a late fee, but an interest rate increase for being late with my payment.

Joe American very quickly and efficiently handled my concerns. He asked if I could hold a moment. I did. He returned and explained that since I'd been paying my account balance in full and early, that the system defaulted to a shorter grace period and an earlier due date. He went on to say that many customers doing the same thing have routinely asked that grace periods and due dates be changed in this way, so the Citi account system was programmed to "just change it" when certain account paying behavior is detected.

He also informed me that he suppressed the late fee, extended my grace period back to what it was, and adjusted my account to the former due date.

Very efficient. Very pleasant. Very friendly and kind this Joe American. Less than 5 minutes. That is good customer service.

What?

What? It's November 19...already??? And only 2 posts so far this month?

Many things are cooking in my head (as Hannah would say).

First...must report on the Quantum of Solace viewing. I think you know how I feel about Daniel Craig...Stay tuned for that report, because if you don't know or don't remember how I feel about Daniel Craig then this post will make it perfectly clear.

Second...must figure out how to do the mobile blogging thing from my BBerry. Hannah and I are headed west in 6 short days...I figure short blog posts along the way is a good way to document the ensuing fun!

Thanksgiving week will be spent in the Central Coast area of California. We are landing in Santa Barbara...staying in Santa Maria...visiting assorted locations. I wish time would allow for a full tour of the entire west coast as we've got peeps from San Diego to Seattle (about 1300 miles in between those places). Plus, I really would like to visit the Redwood Forest. I've sung about it so many times, I feel like I owe it to the forest to see it...meet it...become its friend. Alas and alack...it will not be possible. It's a big coast and time is short.

More to come, my friends.