OK-I sent the offer into the Universe via e-mail-I'd be willing to trade the bike for a Jeep in exchange for utter silence on the matter for now and forever more, amen.
There comes a time when you have to put what you want (a little fun) up against how much worry it will cause. I'm learning that fun needs to be found in activities away from 49th street if I don't want anyone to worry. It's kind of like being gay, only without the sex. Maybe they will have a Deb Pride week or a parade in my honor.
In the movies, if someone gives in, sometimes the other parties say "oh, we were wrong, you should go do what you want to do....." but I'm not holding my breath-yet I will uphold my offer if it is accepted.
My folks are just too old to expect sweeping change-and they are making little changes so now I have to be fucking big and put my own ego on the chopping block too. That probably comes with living in close proximity to one's family, which I haven't done in 20 something years-so forgive me if I have trouble figuring it all out.
In Corporate America we called it picking your battles, and I was a master at it for the most part. We'll see how it works on 49th street.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Stuff and stuff
The Fabulous Jack has unveiled all the creations his adoring fans have designed for him. If you ever need a lift, bookmark this page....it's truly, truly inspiring.
Frieda and Diego have arrived....still no pictures as they are settling in. They are 1/2 Dwarf Burmese pythons-second generation from the jungle. In addition to the Dwarf, Diego is a beautful, almost patternless green, and Frieda is a het Granite. She is as patterned as Diego is patternless.
Bebo is the breeder for these two beauties. They are destined to be two of the most photographed snakes on the planet, but first things first, they must settle in to their new digs.
I'm giving in-I'm going to say it...I'm Depressed....errr, I am having a depressive episode I should say. Somewhere I crossed the line between legitimate responses to to stressful and sad situations and mega changes over the past year, to honest to goodness depression. Unless of course, depression IS a legitimate response....aaaahhhhh-therein lies madness.
Contrary to popular antidepressant ads, I don't sit around all day in an unrecongizeable state. When the parrot makes a farting noise, I do laugh, and it's an honest laugh. But my lack of energy is getting in the way of things I want to do, important things, things of GREAT IMPORT. Ok, that's as far as I'm going with that one-I'm depressed, I'll figure out how to feel better, and when I do, I'll let you know.
Frieda and Diego have arrived....still no pictures as they are settling in. They are 1/2 Dwarf Burmese pythons-second generation from the jungle. In addition to the Dwarf, Diego is a beautful, almost patternless green, and Frieda is a het Granite. She is as patterned as Diego is patternless.
Bebo is the breeder for these two beauties. They are destined to be two of the most photographed snakes on the planet, but first things first, they must settle in to their new digs.
I'm giving in-I'm going to say it...I'm Depressed....errr, I am having a depressive episode I should say. Somewhere I crossed the line between legitimate responses to to stressful and sad situations and mega changes over the past year, to honest to goodness depression. Unless of course, depression IS a legitimate response....aaaahhhhh-therein lies madness.
Contrary to popular antidepressant ads, I don't sit around all day in an unrecongizeable state. When the parrot makes a farting noise, I do laugh, and it's an honest laugh. But my lack of energy is getting in the way of things I want to do, important things, things of GREAT IMPORT. Ok, that's as far as I'm going with that one-I'm depressed, I'll figure out how to feel better, and when I do, I'll let you know.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Animal Wednesday-Shark Week!
In honor of Shark Week (21 year) are my personal best shark photos.
This is unedited-just a pleasant accident. Blacktip.
Another blacktip shot.
Egg case of a horned shark.
Leopard Shark-pretty pretty!
Sand tiger-oooooooooh!
Ok, these were all taken at the Longbeach Aquarium. My batteries were dead the day I went to the Monteray Bay Aquarium and saw the GREAT WHITE SHARK!!!!!!
In honor of shark week, and in preparation for more pictures and other fun adventures, I am enrolled in a scuba certification class this weekend. HAW
This is unedited-just a pleasant accident. Blacktip.
Another blacktip shot.
Egg case of a horned shark.
Leopard Shark-pretty pretty!
Sand tiger-oooooooooh!
Ok, these were all taken at the Longbeach Aquarium. My batteries were dead the day I went to the Monteray Bay Aquarium and saw the GREAT WHITE SHARK!!!!!!
In honor of shark week, and in preparation for more pictures and other fun adventures, I am enrolled in a scuba certification class this weekend. HAW
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tail of the Pouting Parrot
Even though I was only gone for one full day, Oliver went into full blown Parrot Pout. He was icy in his demeanor with bouts of rage. He was clearly very angry that I left.
So I did what I do when anyone else throws a fit-I ignored him. I let him know that I was glad he was here, I missed him, but I didn't stand by his cage and plead for his forgiveness. And, pretty much like everyone else, when he got it out of his system he returned to his silly self.
I wanted to be very careful not to reward his anger-he learns so quickly that when anything new comes up I really have to sit back and consider what the best action is. He keeps me on my toes.
Poor guy was so distraught he wouldn't even dial his telephone. He just looked at me like "you do it, please, I cannot"...it made me giggle.
This morning all seems to be forgiven.
So I did what I do when anyone else throws a fit-I ignored him. I let him know that I was glad he was here, I missed him, but I didn't stand by his cage and plead for his forgiveness. And, pretty much like everyone else, when he got it out of his system he returned to his silly self.
I wanted to be very careful not to reward his anger-he learns so quickly that when anything new comes up I really have to sit back and consider what the best action is. He keeps me on my toes.
Poor guy was so distraught he wouldn't even dial his telephone. He just looked at me like "you do it, please, I cannot"...it made me giggle.
This morning all seems to be forgiven.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Different
Sometimes it really does help just to do things differently. I drove a different way to Dallas, I left the TV off except for Meerkat Manor....(got to check in on the whiskers). I've eaten food I normally don't eat-not food I don't like, just not my first choice from a menu.
I'm dealing with the ever approaching demise of my laptop and the realization that I don't really care much for the desktop. I bought a Mac....something I've wanted forever. I need to keep a windows machine because a great deal of my marketable skills revolve around being current on office programs, but it doesn't have to be either or.
Sadly, I will have to hide the Mac. My brother KNOWS EVERYTHING about computers, even things that probably haven't been thought of yet. Ok, I am exaggerating-he is very knowledgeable, makes his living with them, and is a pretty nice guy. But if Bill says Mac is whack-then Daddy does too, and Mom ......yadda yadda.
So now comes the adult emotional intelligence-I know that I have every right to have a Mac....Bill is entitled to say "I wouldn't have one" and he will....but my elders will not be able to leave it alone, and from henceforth every computer related discussion will come around to "why did you......"
Now the sad part is not that I will hide my little Macbook. The sad part is realizing my parents have progressed to the point where it would truly upset them if they knew I had one. And even sadder that they truly are at a point where they need to be coddled.
But, the good news is I've realized coddling them doesn't have to mean not doing what I want to do-tried that-doesn't work for me.
What an awful thing it must have been raising me. I never do anything in the shadows, and they are the kind of people who really don't want to know.....I think we must have been meant to be together as sort of a yin/yang thing. Essentially, we are everything that annoys us in another human being-only we love each other and not just out of duty. Duty ended eons ago-now our interactions are voluntary and we all know it.
I kicked my own daughter to the curb for drug addiction-if I didn't want to take care of my parents, I wouldn't. Really, the only "have to " is the one that lives inside of me, and that have to is a want to. And they know all too well I don't follow rules and I don't do things I really don't want to do....I'm speaking of overall undertakings. In any undertaking is a series of unpleasant to downright repulsive tasks-but the overall outcome is what I base my decisions on.
I'm getting ready to pack up for the trip out to the snakes and then home-and I'm not a bit sad....Oh, I'd like to stay longer, but I know I can come back, and more importantly, I can pack up some things I've figured out and take with me.
I'm dealing with the ever approaching demise of my laptop and the realization that I don't really care much for the desktop. I bought a Mac....something I've wanted forever. I need to keep a windows machine because a great deal of my marketable skills revolve around being current on office programs, but it doesn't have to be either or.
Sadly, I will have to hide the Mac. My brother KNOWS EVERYTHING about computers, even things that probably haven't been thought of yet. Ok, I am exaggerating-he is very knowledgeable, makes his living with them, and is a pretty nice guy. But if Bill says Mac is whack-then Daddy does too, and Mom ......yadda yadda.
So now comes the adult emotional intelligence-I know that I have every right to have a Mac....Bill is entitled to say "I wouldn't have one" and he will....but my elders will not be able to leave it alone, and from henceforth every computer related discussion will come around to "why did you......"
Now the sad part is not that I will hide my little Macbook. The sad part is realizing my parents have progressed to the point where it would truly upset them if they knew I had one. And even sadder that they truly are at a point where they need to be coddled.
But, the good news is I've realized coddling them doesn't have to mean not doing what I want to do-tried that-doesn't work for me.
What an awful thing it must have been raising me. I never do anything in the shadows, and they are the kind of people who really don't want to know.....I think we must have been meant to be together as sort of a yin/yang thing. Essentially, we are everything that annoys us in another human being-only we love each other and not just out of duty. Duty ended eons ago-now our interactions are voluntary and we all know it.
I kicked my own daughter to the curb for drug addiction-if I didn't want to take care of my parents, I wouldn't. Really, the only "have to " is the one that lives inside of me, and that have to is a want to. And they know all too well I don't follow rules and I don't do things I really don't want to do....I'm speaking of overall undertakings. In any undertaking is a series of unpleasant to downright repulsive tasks-but the overall outcome is what I base my decisions on.
I'm getting ready to pack up for the trip out to the snakes and then home-and I'm not a bit sad....Oh, I'd like to stay longer, but I know I can come back, and more importantly, I can pack up some things I've figured out and take with me.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Get Thee to a Spa
I've been practicing the what can I do right NOW idea this week. One of the things I really need right now is a vacation, but I can't get away for any length of time. So, I approached it with what CAN I do?
It was weird, because many of the things I came up with I felt were shorter versions of what I really wanted to do-then it hit me-if I do something for two days now it doesn't mean I can't do it for 2 weeks later if i want to and if I have time.
So, I present to you, Deb's Big Get Away Weekend.
Friday-head for Dallas-stopping at GW Animal Park for a long long visit with the tigers and lions and big snakes......stop at Outlet Mall for a little retail therapy. Friday afternoon-Check in Cooper Aerobic Center Lodge.....Naptime, then pool time.
Saturday morning 8 am (ok booking last minute you don't get the best times) Facial
9 am Hot Stone Massage
10 am-most likely a nap, maybe the pool. The rest of the day is napping, pool, walking, workout, napping, pool, reading. workout....you get the idea? 24 hours of nothing but reading, writing and working out.
Sunday morning-leisurely breakfast, check out, head to Kaufman to pick up a python. Spend Sunday afternoon visiting with snake friend and looking and photographing a marvelous collection of burmese pythons, help clean cages, etc. Hell on earth for some of you, heaven for me.
Sunday evening-head for home.
Now, I drive between OKC and Dallas like most people drive to Walmart-but my point is, I haven't done it in awhile. I always balance the cost of any weekend vs. 4 days in Cancun and maybe that has been a mistake. Cancun is cheap and I love it, but I can't be out of pocket for that long right now....and going to Dallas won't mean Cancun won't still be there later.
The fact that I even have to think that lets me know it's past time to get away.
It was weird, because many of the things I came up with I felt were shorter versions of what I really wanted to do-then it hit me-if I do something for two days now it doesn't mean I can't do it for 2 weeks later if i want to and if I have time.
So, I present to you, Deb's Big Get Away Weekend.
Friday-head for Dallas-stopping at GW Animal Park for a long long visit with the tigers and lions and big snakes......stop at Outlet Mall for a little retail therapy. Friday afternoon-Check in Cooper Aerobic Center Lodge.....Naptime, then pool time.
Saturday morning 8 am (ok booking last minute you don't get the best times) Facial
9 am Hot Stone Massage
10 am-most likely a nap, maybe the pool. The rest of the day is napping, pool, walking, workout, napping, pool, reading. workout....you get the idea? 24 hours of nothing but reading, writing and working out.
Sunday morning-leisurely breakfast, check out, head to Kaufman to pick up a python. Spend Sunday afternoon visiting with snake friend and looking and photographing a marvelous collection of burmese pythons, help clean cages, etc. Hell on earth for some of you, heaven for me.
Sunday evening-head for home.
Now, I drive between OKC and Dallas like most people drive to Walmart-but my point is, I haven't done it in awhile. I always balance the cost of any weekend vs. 4 days in Cancun and maybe that has been a mistake. Cancun is cheap and I love it, but I can't be out of pocket for that long right now....and going to Dallas won't mean Cancun won't still be there later.
The fact that I even have to think that lets me know it's past time to get away.
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