My super awesome (but super short) AZ adventure

All I wanted for Christmas was a trip (by myself) to Phoenix to see old friends.  The depression and isolation have been really wearing me down, and I needed a break to restore my sanity.  I finally got my trip at the end of March.  I planned it for that particular time because it was between quarters.  I had no desire to check in with students while on vacation.

Airline seats have remained the same size, but the ass sizes of travelers have increased significantly.  Even as I was squished against the window, I was able to be happy and cheerful.  Here's why.

The return of the Honey Roasted Peanut.  It used to be the only time I was able to get HRP was on a plane.  It made flying super cool.  But now, if I am lucky enough to be served peanuts, they are dry roasted.  Blah.

Thursday night: Bunco then Karaoke.  Who has two thumbs and was the big cash winner?  This girl!  That's right.  I crash the group and take all the money.  Sweet.  Drinks were on me at karaoke.  At karaoke, I was reminded why I never do it.  I would like to take this time to apologize to all the patrons of O'Kelley's for my "singing". 

Friday: Mexican food, pedicures, Happy Hour.  The most common refrain I heard was, "You look exactly the same as you did in high school."  Ummm... well... If they meant when I made and effort and looked like this:

...then I will totally accept the phrase as a compliment.  [The best part about this photo (other than my handsome and charming date/boyfriend) was the dress.  It was a size 3.  It may have been the last time I ever wore size 3, but that's neither here nor there.]  Most of the time in high school, I looked like this:

...only my hair was usually bigger.  Same stupid style, just bigger all around, like a lion's mane.  (Roar!)


Oh, during all of this, the super late nights and lots of socializing, my body was unaware that it was on vacation.  I kept waking up at 5:30.  Pbbbbbtttt!  (I also managed to consume more alcohol in those 5 days than I have in the last six months.)

Saturday: RenFest, In-N-Out Burger, Bogey's.  Going to the RenFest with a kid made me look at the festival in a different way.  I learned all about which shows were appropriate and which were not.  It was also fun going with someone who was dressed up and it wasn't considered geeky in any possible way.

Sunday: Breakfast big enough to choke a horse, Casa de Panichello, Fibber Magee's.  Spent most of the day laughing.  One of the best days I have had... ever.

Before I left on this trip, I wasn't sure if I would be more depressed upon my return.  Having my good friends so far away can be really depressing.  But, depressed I am not.  I am lucky.  Sure, I may not have a crapton of friends, but what I lack in quantity, I more than make up for in quality.  I have found people with whom I can laugh until I cry, cry until I laugh, and completely be myself.  Time and distance hasn't changed any of that, and, for that, I am lucky. And grateful.

I am also lucky and grateful for the three people who were ecstatic for my return home. 

Two of the three insisted on helping me with my suitcase.  Tim wanted to help, but there was no room left on the handle.

Airport silliness

I made it through security ridiculously easy today, but was slowed down by a few things I thought I should share.

First, the TSA agent manning the metal detector was a major dick. He yelled at this mother to remove her infant's sweater, then yelled at the father to place the umbrella stroller on the belt for the scanner. This couple's two older children were petrified to walk through the detector because of this guy.

Second, the same TSA agent made this old man with a prosthetic leg remove his leg and place it on the conveyor belt to be scanned. Then, this poor guy had to hop through the detector, unable to use his cane. The cane had to be scanned, too.

Third, the family of four ahead of me in line apparently had never flown before, or they are unaware of the concept of traveling light. They placed on the belt four giant rolling carry-ons and (I am not making this up) eight additional bins full of purses, laptops, coats, belts, and god knows what. Then, once everything was on the conveyor, they just stood there, thus preventing the rest of us from doing anything. Um, I went to Germany for two months as a teenager, and I didn't take that much crap. I can only imagine where they were going for the weekend.

Enough with the complaining. I'm on vacation now. :)

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Too many?

I'm sitting in the waiting room at my eye doctor. The guy three chairs down pulled out his ipad. Ok. That makes sense. Now, he's reading on his Kindle. I'm guessing he has a high tech phone, too. Does one need this many devices while waiting for the doctor?

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Little drummer boy

Flynn received a toy drum for his birthday two months ago. The drum is incredibly sturdy, able to withstand his exuberance. His new thing is to have jam session after he wakes in the morning. He crawls out of bed to fetch his drum and mp3 player. He returns to bed, turns on the music, and plays along with the songs. Today, in true rock star form, when the song ended, I heard him say, "Thank you, thank you!"

Awesome!

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Drake's latest obsession

Monster trucks haven't fully fallen out of favor with Drake.  He's just moved on and broadened his obsessions horizons.  Yes, he asks to play the Wii every day, but what has really captured his interest is Ninja Warrior. 

For those unfamiliar with the show, it's the most insanely difficult obstacle course ever created.  Only three people in the show's history have ever completed all four stages.  Why do the Japanese love crazy obstacles?  Not sure.  But, this one is serious.  It isn't MXC or Wipeout.  It's really, really serious.  And, the contestants are in amazing physical condition.  I don't think they win anything except glory and honor.

NW has made it's way into Drake's heart, and into his play time.  We were at the park, and he was climbing a rope ladder.  He shouts to me, "Look, Mommy, I'm competing!"  He reached the top and pumped his fists in the air, knowing he had achieved Total Victory (just like on NW).

The funniest incorporation of NW comes during "quiet" time.  (Quiet... that's funny.)  He changes his room around to create an obstacle course.  He leaps off of furniture and runs around.  (He shouldn't be flushed after resting.) 

He turned an IKEA step stool into a trampoline.  You know, the cheap white plastic thing that retails for $3.  One of the obstacles in NW is called the Spider Jump.  Contestants run and jump onto a small trampoline.  This then launches the guy between two structures, where he supports himself using only his hands and feet.  Drake was recreating the Spider Jump.  I could hear a whump... WHUMP.  Then I heard it again.  The last time-  whump... WHUMP... thwack!  "Ow!  Mommy, I hurt myself."  (stifle giggle)  "What happened, kiddo?"  "I hit the wall."  Yup, that happens.

Tim had an interesting observation about the show.  In the American version (American Ninja Warrior), most of the contestants are 24 and, for some odd reason, work in IT.  In the Japanese version, the ages are all over place, and the careers are just as varied.  There are a lot of professional athletes.  I didn't know one could be a professional trampolinist in Japan.  That's pretty awesome.  

Another observation.  There is a female version of NW.  The course isn't as difficult, but it is still challenging.  90% of the Japanese women competing are really good looking.  And, they are in amazing physical shape.  In America, the women in that type of physical form aren't nearly as hot.  I wonder why that is?

The first (of many, I'm sure) swear word

Last week, we enjoyed copious amounts of snow.  The boys and I went tromping around in it.  In some places, the snow reached as high as the top of Flynn's boots.  Snowballs were made and thrown.  A tiny snowman was stomped into oblivion.  Good times were had be all.

After outdoor snowy time, the three of us came in to enjoy some hot chocolate.  Flynn, being Flynn, spilled his all over the table and floor.  As I was reaching for a paper towel, Drake says,

"Oh, damn it."

I wasn't sure how to respond.  I remember all of the advice says to not freak out, or laugh, or respond in any way, really.  I said to him, "Um, Drake, what did you just say?"  

"I said damn it."

I remained calm, trying not to laugh.  "I thought so."  I proceeded to tell him that damn was a grown-up word and that he should use darn.  He didn't seem too excited about that.  Such is life.  I'm sure I'll be hearing more in the future.  I'm surprised he made it this long.

Details, Shmetails

Tim will tell you, details are not my strong suit. You would think as an English teacher that I would pay attention to such things. And, you would be wrong. I claim it's because I am grading, not proofreading. After 10 years of this, I can skim an essay and give an accurate grading assessment. Skimming is a great skill to possess, but it can bite you in the ass. I am so pre-programmed to skim that I gloss over important details, like "take with food" or "add eggs last".

This post is not about my lack of attention to detail; it's about a future student. I received a panicky email from a woman enrolled in my class for spring term. She was freaking out because she didn't have access to the course online. I responded that the course will open one week before classes start, which will be March 28. Her reply was that she should have had access on the 21st, since it was March 28. My reply: today is February 28.

I have lost days before, but never a whole month.

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