Got Culture?

You should come to the Detroit Historical Museum's Grand Re-Opening this weekend. Why? We've been closed the past ten weeks upgrading the facility and making it look beautiful. It does - and this weekend is free admission along with free food and fun programs.

You know you don't have anything better to do! Like Sparty tailgates are anything to write home about. ;P And gas is up to twenty cents cheaper per gallon than it is in the Greater Lansing area.

Woodward and Kirby across from the DIA. Make the trip - you won't regret it.

Friday: Noon - 9pm
Saturday: 10am - 5pm
Sunday: Noon - 5pm

Hitting Home

My home is dying, yet at the same time, there are signs of hope. Earlier this week and it seems everyday now, another one of the Big Three announce layoffs, buy-outs, and closings. 105 of 305 years Detroit has survived and succeeded almost solely on the automotive industry, and the jet streams of globalization are blowing in and really truly injuring the city that jumpstarted it all. Call it the invisible hand or my own realization of the global economy, but I don't like it and it scares me. Detroit's my home and my immediate, employable future, and it's dying. What a sad day it will be if that Jap company ousts GM from the number one spot - and it's coming, probably much sooner than I would like to think.

On the other hand, signs of hope springing up around town. The Tigers are in the playoffs for the first time in 19 years. I can't begin to say how excited I am for that team. Talk of the World Series is somewhat bothersome though - partly because there is still a lot of baseball to be played first. I'm not doubting their capabilities and I await the aniticaption of post-season Detroit baseball, but it's a long way away. Don't worry, I say the same thing about hockey playoffs - this isn't me being negative about my Tiggies. Also - the Grand Prix is coming back to Belle Isle. Thanks to Mr. Penske who saw great things when he chaired Detroit's Superbowl committee, he decided to renew the lapsed contract and bring back racing. Yes, it's great. But my museum is on the back side of the island and I don't know what the race track was before. If they race around the whole island, the Dossin might not be able to operate that day. But that's eleven months away and so we will just have to sit tight for awhile on that.

I read the news headlines everyday and I know what is going on in the world. Sometimes I hear a song on the radio that screams patriotism or I see something (a flag at half-staff, a clear blue September day, a low flying airplane, a soldier in uniform, planes practicing maneuvers at Selfridge at all hours of the day) that reminds me of our current state. Images of 9-11 and the war flash through my mind so vividly I am almost distracted from what I am doing. For a little while, that's all I can think about. I often find so much hate within myself for the people that did this to my country that I end up with tears in my eyes. I partly know that we brought this result on ourselves, the big, greedy superpower who needs to spread it's evil way of life on those cultures so completely different than ours it would never stick anyway. I know there are thousands of men and women abroad fighting for American freedom. Until now, it wasn't as personal as it should have been and when that thought actually crossed my mind, I feel like such a horrible person. Thanking God everyday that my brother is out of the Army makes me even more horrible of a person. My tears can't apologize enough for thinking like that. And it doesn't mean I don't care or it doesn't bother me because it does. Now it will bother me more because now it's personal and the war has hit home. It might be awhile before I stop dead in my tracks when I'm reminded of how dangerous a world we live in. I might not pray consciously everyday, but maybe I should make it more of an effort. Until then, all I can do is hope that the election this November drastically turns the table on Iraq and wish it doesn't get worse before it gets better.

A slight pick-me-up of sorts: I've had a rite of passage today. I saw the envelope from "University Advancement" and knew it was U-D bugging for money. The only reason I'm excited about it is because it's my first one. Haha. And no, I'm not giving them any money because every three months for the next seven years, I'll be giving them a rather large repayment. So who knows, in ten or so years when all my loans are paid back, I might consider giving them money because I know it was through other people's donations that I was able to go to that school. Hopefully they don't lose faith in me but I think I have a rather valid excuse - I'm not being some cheapass, I'm just paying back my loans. Pardon my lack of wanting to give more to that school than what I already have too.

Second Best Quote I've Read

"It startled him even more when just after he was awarded the Galatic Institute's Prize for Extreme Cleverness he got lynched by a rampaging mob of respectable physicists who had finally realized that the one thing they really couldn't stand was a smart-ass".


I better be more careful!

Eh, Why Not

I think I got up too early this morning. But nothing wrong with a little extra time to get things going and write another blog about things I've had epiphanies about in the past two hours.

-French Toast Toaster Strudel sounds disgusting and should be, but doesn't taste all that bad. I still think I'll stick my raspberry though in all future events. :)

-I have earrings, a necklace, and make-up on this morning. This means something, since I hardly remember jewlery and rarely use make-up. I hope the Society and this high school appreciate it.

-I blew dry my hair today and I don't know...it looks weird. I'm so used to the curl that I'm not even sure I like it straight anymore. These first few transition weeks always take getting used too.

-I composed an email yesterday about things that have crossed my mind as I'll be running two museums again - and today I found out that it didn't send. And only half of it is in this remote version of Outlook. I'm hoping I have a full draft on the full version at my work computer. But because I worry about things I have no control over too much, I remembered some and email my boss the highlights this morning. Apparently she is back at work today.

-I still have an hour and a half before I have to leave. I think all I can do is read or blog because I'm all dressed up already.

-My friend (a second brother) left me a photo comment on myspace this morning. And bam, insta-tears. Ha. I'm not quite sure why either. It seemed like such a final statement, but we're in a moment between the past and the future (don't say "duh" quite yet) and while that isn't as profound as I wanted it to sound, it just is that. It makes you retrospective really and I'll probably never find the grace with words to begin to describe what I'm thinking. Maybe this will help...

-My cousin and I were talking for a bit after she got home last night and the age thing came up. She said what, you're 22, I said no, 25. Her denial came front and center, and she said no way, you're 25 already? haha. It's funny, I talk about this sometimes with the kids I know. But on my way home I was thinking - I know I look young, although I think this is starting to change too, but that could be about it. I don't act young - I've always acted years older than what I really am. I don't talk young - I use big words sometimes and when I can hold meaningful conversations about things other than what 22 year olds talk about. And I was thinking, there is no way in hell I would want to be that young again. I know it's only three years back, but there is something so satisfying about the knowledge you gain as you get older, and even more so when you can say that you wouldn't want to go back to another time because you're so pleased with the way things are right now. It's another level of maturity or wisdom or inching closer to insanity or the side effects of exhaustion, but it's something - and that picture comment kind of just topped it off.

-Who even would have thought that Myspace would be able to generate such a jumbled thought?

-Is 8:30 yet? I mean seriously, is it?

Safe Travels

I worked eight and a half hours yesterday, excluding an hour for lunch, and still didn't get everything I wanted to done. But I got a lot of it taken care of and so that was a good thing. My supervisor was sick yesterday and so when I was with a larger group of people, they asked, "Well since Kathleen isn't here, does that Amy is going to do it". Ha. Yes, Please! Just give me more hours.

I started off completely shut off from events this week, but that has quickly turned around. A couple weeks ago they decided that I can hang out at the Main in between opening and closing the Dossin. Yesterday, on one of her two phone calls, Kathleen mentioned that Michelle wanted me at the Thursday night event - Thursday night in none other than the VIP opening. I'm excited at where this is leading.

I had an interesting conversation with the marketing guy about what we can do for the Dossin. He says that I know it best and we brainstormed some ideas. I'm excited about that, too. I think they might start to realize that I'm not an idiot and that my ideas are good ones that can benefit the whole organization. Woot!

I left work late and got to my cousin's late, but she said I was fine and told me not worry about it. I hate being late and I felt bad, but I really needed to get those emails sent before I left yesterday. Hanging out with the kids was what I needed, but man, by 8:30 I was starting to feel that 5am wake up and 8.5 hours of hard work. And I slept straight through to my alarm this morning, well, except for a quick few little messages. ;)

Today I have to go solicit young high school students to volunteer at my museum. It's 45 minutes down to Allen Park and the first time I've ever really ventured off the freeways when Downriver. Using my sly city skills, I think I'll be able to survive.

It's finally Tuesday! Yay - super excited for it to be 8:30 tonight so I can leave for Grand Rapids - FINALLY! Geez, it's been ages, dude. This had to have been the longest. five days. ever. (yeah, I'm counting Friday) :P

Byeeee.

Sleepless Nights and Endless Days

I've been up since 5:15 this morning. I tossed and turned until 5:54, when I decided I couldn't stand it anymore, and just got up to start my day. Welcome to the week of the Grand Re-Opening!

I know exactly why I couldn't sleep until my alarm (set for 6:30 this morning)...I have a gripe list about a mile long about things at the Dossin this weekend and questions I need answers to before we re-open. I feel like I'm still way out of the loop with much of the information and I just don't like that feeling. Today will be a long day too - I have a shitload of stuff in my car from this weekend and so I have to unpack that, my normal 10:30 meeting and another one at noon, training on the exhibits, timecards to sort through and calculate (which I think my idiots messed up on again), copies to make for my community outreach in Allen Park tomorrow, First Aid kits to sort through and place in the museum, and the list will go on and on until I go absolutely insane. Just so you know, that is way past crazy and not in a way that can be taken lightly either. And I'm forcing myself to at least get out of the building for a half hour for a lunch break, but this won't be until after my meetings.

I'll probably end up being at work between 7:30 and 8 this morning and staying until about 5 tonight. This might seem normal to some of you office-dwellers, but my office Mondays are only required to be seven hours. It shouldn't be a big deal though, my weekend days are always upwards of eight hours straight. At least today I get a lunch.

Um, I think that's it for now. After work I'm off to babysit my little cousins, which short of a trip to Lansing might be just what I need right now. Especially after what I am only anticipating be a hellish - yet hopefully successful - day in the cubes.

What a weekend

I'm getting hits from San Francisco, so I guess I better make it worth it for those checking in for their dose of trickery. ;)

Managing this weekend was a bit irritating. I had a keen eye after walking into a trashed museum on Saturday morning. Everything was pissing me off everywhere I turned. I don't know what kind of trustee meetings or board meetings were there during the week, but they had no idea how to close up after they were done. And it really bothers me when I walk into my Dossin on the weekend and find it not the way I left it on Sunday. Argh! So anyways, work was work, and next weekend is showtime as the Main re-opens after the makeover. It's exciting, and I'm quite looking forward to captaining two buildings again. I'm getting a bit stir-crazy at the helm of just one.

It was my last Saturday getting off at 4:30 too. I went 'home'. I settled in and after dinner watched some Mythbusters (total shout-out to my travelling boyfriend there) before Sparty/Irish football and Tiggies baseball. It was fun watching the 15-4 game take off in the first four innings. Thank goodness for picture-in-picture. It was fun. All I was missing was Hockey Night in Canada and Brian. If I had those two things, it would have been a night made in heaven. So half of that wasn't all that bad.

Worked late at the Dossin on Sunday. I think it would entail some of the sorts of things I would be doing if I am offered more hours. It wasn't horrible. Got to tell the story of the Gothic Room a little bit and promote the upcoming weekend at the museum downtown. Fun, tiring, and after a 9 hour day, I was ready to check out. I've never had to close that museum by myself before; I always have someone else with me. So that aspect was a little freaky, but it was all good. So that was that.

On the way home I checked my voicemail (most of the Dossin is a dead zone) and it was from my cousin. So because she is the one person I have no problem babysitting for, I'm going to test run Monday nights for awhile. Her divorce has been finalized for a few months now, but her ex is being a jerk to her and while she tries to re-gain control of her situation. She has a class on Monday nights and I'm going to help her out with that. And it's just until December. And it's for family. And it will be great to spend more time with Will and Emma. So, for right now, it's all right.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day at the museum - lots to do and get organized for. Tuesday is it and the week's activities begin with media day - for most of my Lansing readers that won't mean much, but when I find some stories online, I'll link you to them so you can read what people are saying. Wednesday is members/volunteer opening; Thursday is VIP night, and Friday is showtime. Those coming to ball games this weekend should come a couple hours early and tour the museum. It looks great and it's FREE. That makes everything even better.

Someone found my site through a google search with the following words: "'kirk maltby' edmonton arrest". hahaha. A post from March I wrote after a hockey game popped up. That's interesting.

Think that's all for now. I'm crazy busy this week, might not get another chance to post until Wednesday. Have a good week until then, readers. Bye for now.

Are snakes on your plane?

I drove three-quarters the way across the state of Michigan on a dying cell phone battery. That's not so smart. And I had to get off 96 and take a self-imposed detour (rather than sit in one-lane traffic jam because of construction) through Lansing. It even amazes myself that I was able to pull off such a feat, but I made it back to the freeways and home safely. I got robbed at the Sunaco in Okemos though - damn little town gas stations that can hike up the price of gas. Honestly. Argh. And in the past two days, I've driven about 300 miles. My car turned three months old last Friday without much fanfare, and then only because I was camping in Ludington, but it already has almost 9,000 miles on it. Yay for new cars and long distance driving. It can be scary at times, but it's all very much worth it.

Good news on the job front: there is a slight possibility that I'll be offered more hours that could equate to full-time workload. My boss said by October, and by October it is. But I can't be excited about it because it hasn't been talked through yet or approved, it's just an option that is out there. I'll keep you posted. I'm also official at the museum now. I have business cards. It's exciting, these are my first batch of business cards. And they look so pretty with the logo and everything. :)

This is my last weekend at the Dossin and I'm not even sure I'll be there all day both days, there will probably be work to do that the Main.

I wrote this just for the enjoyment of one traveler stuck on the runway in Grand Rapids since Chicago is closed. You can thank me later. ;)

Byebye.

Fall is Upon Us

I can sleep on my right side again. This makes me happy. My bruise is also turning into deep black and yellows, which is actually really nasty, but is a sign that my internal bleeding is healing itself. It still hurts when I put too much pressure on it sometimes, but not often, and I think the swelling may have started to subside. Driving might not be as painful today as it has been, especially when I turn left. Stop laughing at me, it really did hurt!

It's pre-season hockey and I realized I don't care anything about the Wings. This may have come earlier when Kenny thought it would be a grand idea to bring Dom back. It could have came when Stevie decided to retire and Shanny (though I wasn't a Shanny fan) left town. It might have happened a year ago when Mac was fired. And it all was summed up after I went to that training meeting last week and decided that I just couldn't go through on more seasons of ushering. I don't know the roster and probably won't pay any more attention to them as what I read in the headlines when I read the daily paper. I'm a hockey fan, not a Wings fan...it's time to get back in touch with that side and pay attention to the league more this year. Even though I think I'm shaping up to be more of a Flyers fan, I still have to have a favorite Western Conference team, and to that I say:

SomeThings Worth Writing About

It was a fun weekend camping. I even have a survivor story. It's more fun to illustrate it this way than with extra words in a paragraph form. Enjoy following along. I hope it does it justice.

Narrow bike paths = a bad thing.
Old people that use the whole path with their bikes from 1950 = a bad thing.
Dirt at the end of unevenly finished path = a bad thing.
Not having full control of roller blades = a bad thing.
Going downhill with no control = a bad thing.
Kicking your legs out as you fall down = a good thing.
Not falling on the bike and opting to fall on your own = a thoughtful thing.
Strong boyfriend to pull you back up = a great thing.
Not gushing out blood = a very good thing.
Insta-bruise = eh.
Trying to walk back with your hip joint bruised = a bad thing.
Collapsing in the tent = a good thing.
Thoughtful boyfriend to wash away the dirt and get ice = a grateful thing.
Taking a picture so you can see your leg after ice has been on it = bring on the tears (and headache)!
Finding drugs = a good thing.
Not being able to go tubing since you can't walk = a somewhat guilty thing, since it's an annual adventure.
Succumbing to sleep from pain and drugs = a good thing.
Getting up and starting the rum and coke treatment = a yummmy, feel better thing.
Getting pinched in the exact spot of the injury = insta-tears.
Walking around like Greg House = an empathetic thing.
Planning the ultimate revenge = a bitterness thing.
Not being able to put any pressure on your right leg = a painful thing.
Not being able to sleep on your right side = an irritating thing.
Retaining the limp = an aching reminder thing.
Having the bruise the size of a baseball on your right thigh for the unforeseeable future = the best souvenir for a first ever roller blade crash.
Recounting the story by way of an extended Mastercard commercial = priceless.

For anything else, I have camping pics posted at my webshots.

I'm back

I have a great story to tell - but right now I have to go get my haircut. Yay!

Priorities are a bitch to deal with sometimes. ;) Especially when it involves waiting for fun camping stories. hahahaha.

I really am done

The meeting last night made me realize that I will not be able to survive a whole other hockey season. I don't have the same spirit I did when I first started (I'm not a Wings fan anymore, McCarty is long gone, I'm not driving ten minutes down the Lodge to get to work from school anymore, etc. etc. ) and so instead of working half the season or a measely 18 games like last year, I don't think I'm even going to get started. It's not a bad thing. All the great ones have the foresight to know they won't make it the whole year, and instead of giving a half ass effort just hang them up. It's the right thing to do. It's the only thing to do to save my sanity.

So that was fun while it lasted. I might miss it, but the bad outweighs the good; the aggravating more than the happiness, it's time to go. But I'll be back.

Bring on the January 2nd tickets. I know the best place to stand in the joint.

I QUIT!

I fucking hate working at the Joe. I hate it. If they don't give me a good reason to stay tonight at this retarded training meeting, particularly in the way of a two dollar pay raise, I'm not going back. We're Olympia now, come on, Mr. Illitch, you can afford it. You fucking prick bastard. You and your company.

The happy ending: I get to escape to a Great Lake this weekend and don't have to work. Woot!

That idea alone makes all this fuss over not having any casual clothes whatsoever in my wardrobe seem almost silly to get worked up about. I must be crazy.

Rain, rain go away

I have to go to a baseball game

A time to reflect

It's been five years since the lifestyles of every American has changed. Some changes have been for the better despite slight inconveniences, like airport security. Some changes have been for the worse and leave us torn between the pride of our history, respect of our armed forces, and the shame of our political system, like the war. Some of us still shudder when there is a low-flying airplane or when the jets are flying at odd hours at the local National Guard base. Some can't go in high buildings. Some have forgotten the moments and feelings of uncertainity, thinking that because there are thousands of men and women fighting and dying on foreign soil, that we are safe again. Maybe some never allowed the impact to sink into their souls, because doing so would make that individual a victim - something we, every American, was, on that Tuesday morning five years ago.

I woke up to a beautiful, sunny morning dreadfully awaiting a dentist appointment; I went to bed afraid to close my eyes. I woke up excited because I only had eleven more months before I turned 21; I went to bed praying that I actually see that birthday. I kept the TV on for days, slept for brief periods of time to Peter Jennings' voice. If anything else happened, I thought, I owed it to the people who died to know about it immediately. Every eleventh was a chip off my shoulders, until that last month. August 11 came and went and I turned 21. It took ages until it was September 11. Then it all hit.

I didn't cry much when it happened. I was confused and scared. I didn't know what the impact would be of such a horrific event happening on American soil. I became empathetic to those who lived through events of great surprise and horror: Pearl Harbor, Normandy, the Blitzkrieg, the bombing of London, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, etc. 9-11 was a wake-up call to get my priorities in order. In 2001, I was working at dead-end job I hated. In 2002, I found myself back at school, my second semester on the road to finishing my degree after a 1.5 year hiatus. Columbine took me away from wanting to be a teacher once and 9-11 drove me back to it. (As I got further along in the program, I realized it wasn't for me afterall because I disagree with too many of the politics of it all, but that doesn't really matter.) The morning of the first anniversary, I devotely watched CNN. I cried. I finally let myself feel the agony. The final bricks were lifted off my shoulders. Then I went to school and didn't allow the terrorists to win. Again. I woke up crying and sad. I went to bed with a smile on my face and excited. That night I got a phone call from the Joe and Sept 11 is my hire date and when my career as an usher began. It was a bad day turned good. There is always a happy ending.

I'm smarter than I was then. I'm more empathetic and keen on my surroundings. I don't use the 't' word to describe feelings on that day because then I think they won; they didn't. I still think it will happen again. Sometimes, I think about it when I'm in the Joe - so close to the Ambassador Bridge and with so many people - but the hope and thought Jack Bauer will come save me pulls me through. With a history degree I realize that we cannot yet analyze September 11 in its full extent because we are still too close to it and coping with the aftermath. It will be years until we realize the impact, and one day today won't be so somber and it will be a passing news clip like December 7 is now. Is that when we as a nation will be healed?

It's a day to reflect, to remember. Don't forget and don't take your freedoms for granted. People kill for it.

A time to blog

I might as well get some of my blogging out of the way tonight. Tomorrow's will have a different tone and mood.

I decided very early this morning that I wasn't really going to do much work at the museum today. As I was drinking a spot of tea in the pilothouse this morning because I got there early and had everything under control, I decided I was just going to be a figurehead today. The on-duty manager who is there but doesn't really do anything. And hey, that's okay, because I'm in charge and people work for me. So yay for me having the upper hand and control. It's fun. I got work done, but it was more setting up the building because I won't be there next weekend. While doing this, I realized that: a) I am a very nice person, especially when it matters most, b) no matter how aggravated I get, support is always appreciated, c) I have the ability to tell visitors complete bullshit, but in a way that sounds professional and believable, and d) I am an uber-organized individual and "such a teacher."

Shall we start explaining these in order? Some of these might have more than one part.
a) There was a dad in the museum today with his two sons. They were having a blast in going through everything. The dad was actually explaining to them what some of the things were and they were thoroughly enjoying the entire museum. There is a penny machine in the Dossin and the boys asked what that did and if they could have one. I was nearby making a list (to be explained later) and heard him say no. I took off for the office and got a couple of the smashed pennies (there are tons back there). I went up to the dad and asked if it was okay if I gave them the coins and he agreed. The kids were thrilled to get them. I think I might have convinced them on getting a membership and wished them a fun afternoon as they were going home to watch football (I didn't even turn green with envy!). It was fun and I was really happy to make the kids' day and see such excitement at all parts of the museum.
a) There are volunteers coming this week to clean both the inside and outside of the museum. I left a note to the ones cleaning the outside of the building that warranted me being called "so nice" by my docent. I just had to laugh. This is what my note was about: we have muskrats on Belle Isle. There are a couple borrows on the museum grounds and I left a note indicating where they are and asked them to please not fill the holes or disturb the ground. While this makes me sound like a crazy, enviro-friendly hippy freak, I'm not at all. And I'm sure they could find their way out if their homes were covered up, but I don't know and I don't want them sufficating under the foundation of my building. So really, this "so nice" gesture is out of total greed. Ha.
b) There was a miscommunication whether it be intentional or on purpose in my household yesterday morning. I don't know which or really even care. But my mom said to me this morning that I need to call because I "work on Belle Isle where people are abducted and beaten and murdered and thrown to the side of the road." My verbal reply: "thanks, mom." My thought process: I'm already on high alert when I'm on the island because it is Belle Isle; I'm not a flipping idiot, mom, I know this already; Thanks for making me even more paranoid than what I already could be; I know the inner roads of the island, the location of the police station, and between my smarts - I could either outsmart or outwit most anyone - and Bauer moves, could probably stand a chance; I would so rather be getting talked to by someone else's mom who still thinks I'm too quiet and weirded out by whatever to be comfortable. All this after waking up only five hours of sleep. I wanted to cry. And when I told my dad what my mom told me, I almost did. Then I sped to Tim Horton's and got some damn caffeine in my system.
Later in the day, both parents showed up at the Dossin and looked around. I thought it was just going to be my dad by the sounds of it. I knew my mom wasn't nearly as interested or even wanted to be there, but I took it with a grain of salt and thanked them. It is nice to have that support, especially when I work in a place (or two or three) that I can be so passionate about.
c) People ask why we don't have things. I can give a legitimate and true story as to why. Then I can give out the name and contact information of other staff members who might be able to better answer their questions while pulling this fabricated idea about future exhibits out of my ass and sounding believable about it. Considering I can't lie worth a damn, this shows that when you're the authority figure, you have control and people will believe you. It's an amazing thing.
d) My organization knows no bounds. I made a list of chores the volunteers can do to clean up the museum and organized it by area of the building. Then I organized the cleaning stuff and left a note on the doors and other areas as to what was where. Ha. I'm sure they could have opened it and figured it out themselves, but hey, I'm just trying to make it easier on them. :)
d) My teacher side prevails yet again, only this time, I'm calling myself out on it. I'm not going to be there this weekend and so I wrote my VSAs a note about what they can work on and I even pulled out the proper paperwork and envelopes they'll need, like they've never done it before. Ha. As I was writing all these notes, I totally felt like a teacher leaving notes for a sub. I thought it was kind of funny.

Somewhere, someone is growing impatient and wants to read this. Not bad for a day's work being nothing more than a figurehead, eh?

I'm off to read some books now.

Culture Shock

The more time I spend out and about in Lansing, the more I realize that it's really nothing like Detroit at all. I suppose essentially they are two cities with almost the same work ethic, but I'm not entirely sure. I guess all I really wanted to do was use essentially in a sentence since it took me about five trys to remember how to spell it. And I really don't have any idea how to compare the social class makeup of these two cities. I do, however, know things are very different. How?

People are nice in this mid-Michigan area. It throws me off. Way off. People you don't know say hi to you and almost go out of their way to do so. I try to at least smile back when I'm not thrown completely off guard. Afterward, I crinkle my face and wonder why they did that. It kinda freaks me out. Even though I worked in retail, I never said hi to anyone. In fact, it's only at the Joe that I make it an effort to be nice to others - maybe then it's because I know they are always watching. Or it could just be the magic of the place. Who knows.

I lied - I also say hi to some of the people in my museums. But not all of them and not all the time. So let's just say it really is just the Joe.

Back to the reason why I decided to blog while hiding from harsh world: So I was walking in one of the malls I went today and one of the guys standing in a cell phone booth called me over and tried to get me to convert to his company. I'm happy with what I have, but I think the loyal ties might sever soon if it means saving money. But I'm not sure yet, I have do some number crunching and see if it would all be worth it. But it threw me way off. Even working in a mall, I never saw this done. I'm just way not used to people being nice to one another.

And I'm not used to the way people drive over here either. There is a calm sense about it with no rage or no rush. It really trips me out sometimes. And it's really hard to adjust my unquestionable, jerky city driving while over here. I'm not sure I like that. But I envy the relaxed tone in which these people drive. It's really quite amazing.

The towns are something too. I'm a city girl, born and bred in the big, bad D. My great-grandmother lived in Roscommon, about 3 hours or so up I-75, so when I'm off the freeway and get to drive through some of these little towns, set up so innocently and sweetly, I'm instantly transformed to a simpler time in my life. But then I look up and there is either a four way stop or I'm about to hit a run-a-way cow or baby Sparty. Opps!

I know somewhere beneath the scar tissue of being "downtown way too long, and in retail, and working with little kids, and drunken idiots" that I am still a nice person. Sometimes, it even shows through. And sometimes when it does, I surprise even myself. But when I gallivant among the outskirts of Michigan's capital city, I'm no where near as nice as these people and I realize that I am too damaged to ever be repaired. But maybe I was never this wholesome to begin with.

It's a good thing, not a bad thing. If I weren't so set on my impatient city lifestyle I might even be jealous. But maybe I am anyway.

worthless part-timing attitude

I'm selfish sometimes. I also know that despite any other notions, the world does not always revolve around me. So will you tell me why my feelings get hurt when I read something like this: "you need not be here for any of the events." Yes, I'm part-time. Yes, I'm there only one day a week with them. Yes, I'm a pain in their asses because I ask too many questions because I am not informed about anything. Yes, the week of September 25 is going to be huge and historical. And no, I don't get to be a part of it.

Instead my only duties that week are to go to a high school in Allen Park to talk up the youth volunteer program. This shouldn't be meant as a bad thing, after all it will help constitute my business card titles (weekend manager/youth volunteer coordinator), but still, there is nothing else. I wasn't asking to stumble through the VIP event/opening or even that of the media, but rather just a simple evening for members and volunteers to come check out the new digs. And to my grandest delight and most sound prediction, I am stationed at the big D that weekend, only left to imagine the festivities on Woodward. But that's okay, someone's gotta run the Dossin, it might as well be me. I do it best.

Someday, maybe, my sacrifices will pay off and appreciation shown. But maybe only someday.

What kind of Tuesday is it?

House Tuesday!

As I was stuck in usual funk driving eastbound on I-96 and realized it was House Tuesday, it made me smile. That rarity almost made my whole day. And I'm pretty sure it will until 8:00, when I am watching my favorite doctor in all his glory - or unglory, as last season's cliffhanger left us wondering. Anyway, you should watch it or the wrath of House be upon you.

Other blogworthy thoughts as of late:

I ate three meals today. That in itself is almost worthy of not only my blog, but also CNN's attention. But really, it's weird I ate so much, and no, it doesn't make me feel better.

I got lots of sympathy in the office today when I said that I practically slept all day yesterday because I had a killer headache. I don't like people feeling sorry for me, but I know they were more empathetic than anything. Of course, I only told two people, so what the hell do I know. I do like knowing that I'll be taken care of, though it makes me feel really horrible when I can't do anything to make it better and steal them away from precious family time. :(

It took a lot not to turn on westbound 94 when I got on the freeway after work tonight. Instead I took the dreadful trek out to the eastside, very lucky not to run out of gas on the way. That would have been a fun adventure.

I changed my mind and my rankings. And since I remembered there is football nearly everyday of the week this season, I'm not a lost cause. Well, just for the college kids, but that's okay. The Steelers start off the pro season on Thursday. Charlie Batch is starting. I didn't go to Eastern the same time Charlie was there, but didn't attend that long after, and while working one event he was there. Nice guy. Really nice car. And the only reason why I even admit to going to that wretched university. I know, my taste in football players isn't nearly as good as hockey, but it doesn't matter. I rank at football 8; hockey 10; baseball 9; and the only basketball I'll watch is college, maybe that gets about a 5. So I'm a sports nut. I can't help that I'm just that cool.

I need to get my haircut, but I'm afraid. It's grown out and is growing ever more annoying to me, but after the fiasco last year, I'm not so willing to get it cut. I've had repair cuts since then, but this will be the first time that I think I can actually cut it all. Blah. And why is it that it's less frizzy with no gel in it than it is with frizz-control gel. The only difference is that my curls are not as well defined. Hm. Go figure.

Yeah, I really just went from ranking sports to talking about getting my haircut. That's funny.

I nearly blew up at work today. After the full staff meeting (first one I've attended since May something), I went back to my cubicle really angry. Our re-opening events start in three weeks. I still don't have my schedule. I promptly emailed my boss saying that I felt out of the loop and she needed to answer some questions for me. I listed about four or five main complaints and then went on to talk about the youth volunteer program. I've been after her for at least two weeks to figure out my schedule; now I'm pissed. Yes, I'm only part-time, but what the hell. I would like to a part of the re-opening festivities, or at least invited, largely because I think I'm going to be stationed at the Dossin when all the fun is going to be had on Woodward.

I've been putting of deciding about my schedule for too long, and now I have to decide under pressure. I could be called to sub starting tomorrow, however realistic or unrealistic that is, I don't know. I haven't made up my mind about what days I would be available to sub yet. I think I only want to teach twice a week, therefore leaving me two days free. Chances are I won't care about my nights once hockey starts up. One month from today! I'm so ready, already. Bring it. Oh wait, no, that was the Stanley Cup rally, wasn't it. Ha.

I need to do cell phone shopping. Why don't we add shoes to the mix and let me enter the fifth layer of hell now. There are few things I hate shopping for more than those two things. Blah.

If I had other things to say, I forgot them. Either that or my head still hurts too much to think straight. I think I'm going to go get some magic drugs and then be back in time for House. :)

Tapping into my pharmacy

I'm going to start taking Claritin or any other variety of allergy/sinus meds I have in my pharmacy again. It's very possible these headaches are caused by outdoor allergins and today I can feel it: my face hurts. My sinus cavity is yelling at me to try to make it feel better. I really hopes this helps.

Now I'm off to prepare for any emergent disasters that await me at my museums - my most favorite thoughts on a Saturday morning. ;)

My head still hurts

Why is this? Could be for any number of reasons, let's see if any jump out more than others:

I don't eat very good. I just a) don't have time (especially on the weekends), b) am not always hungry, c) don't always have food accessible to me (especially on the weekends), and/or d) can't eat a lot at one time anymore.
I've been cutting back my caffeine intake and it's been messing with me head, man. Caffeine is a drug, my body needs to re-adjust to it. Blah, withdrawals suck.
Not only do I yell at bad drivers, I myself am a bad driver. Really kinda sucks when I see others demonstrate the behavior I so often bitch about, only to realize that I do the same things sometimes. I'm not a hyprocrit if I admit to it. :P
When I come back to my parents after being in Lansing, but particularly after being in Boston, I'm not this feels like home anymore. In fact, I get such a miserable funk when I have to be here that alone could be the sole cause of these unbearable things.
I had to go to the store today to pick up a paycheck.
I cannot say no even though I know it is against my better well-being. While I was picking up my paycheck, I agreed to help with the mannequins for the Holiday preview floorset.
I had to stand in line at a bank, on the 1st, on a Friday, on a holiday weekend, with only three tellers. WTF?
I was around cigarette smoke yesterday.
I checked my work email this afternoon.
It's September now. The main museum re-opens in 28 days. I still don't know my schedule, but things are filling up fast.
The week of Sept 11 is pretty much shot and after that it will impossible to book me. Better luck next month.
Stephie and Cole are going through Pastor's classes and will be baptized soon. Their mom knows I have the 17th off, and while it would have rearranged my schedule, I was willing to sacrifice. But she didn't schedule the baptism then. I then suggested to my mom that it be done on Christmas Eve. That is probably the next time I'll be in that church. Thanks, I can tell being made a Godmother to your child really matters. It's not a Catholic church and kids are older when they're baptized, but she's been talking about this since I was at Eastern. What the hell takes seven years to get your shit together?
Trying to make a list of headache triggers while doing at least 15 other things at once and not using bullets to organize my thoughts.

If these are just my tension headaches, then I have too much stress in my life right now. But I don't actually see any of these going away in the near future. So bring on the drugs!

I can take advantage of a holiday this time around because it falls on a Monday. Yay! But I still have to work Sat and Sun.