Not that I'm gifted in this area, nor that it's a favorite pastime, however in the few opportunities I've had to invite people to my home in order to provide some relaxing fun and laughter, I have enjoyed it.
Yesterday afternoon Kyle & I hosted our first joint effort of hosting Game Night, redubbed Game Day since it didn't occur at night. Though several of our friends were unable to join us (Sara & Chris were greatly missed, but we're happy the fam got to meet him and realize how much they love him), those who did come brought their game and stories to share.
Leslie D. drove up and Dereck, Austin, and Voss stopped by from the neighborhood. Kyle was thrilled that the girls were outnumbered this time around, since most of our times with friends (at least around U-town) involve him being outnumbered by the female species. Twice this week I have found myself the great minority, in terms of gender, and my husband has had a lot of fun on both of those occasions (mostly because football and games were the focal points of the evenings).
Games played:
- Settlers of Catan (2 new converts)
- Blokus
- Mad Gab
Food eaten:
- chips and salsa
- Dereck's apple pie a la mode
- bacon, ham, and cheese casserole (from Alaina)
It was awesome. Now, I'm not a huge gamer, but it turns out if I'm mentally prepared for an afternoon or evening of gaming, I can totally do it. In fact, Kyle & I even knocked out a round of dominoes after everyone left.
Here's the deal, I don't like entertaining. I don't like being responsible for everyone having fun, but I do so love being with friends and laughing until there are tears or side aches all around. And that's what usually happens with my friends. How lucky am I?!
Yes, it's Friday, so perhaps this will be my only miracle this week, but it's still somewhat significant.
Though I'm not working, I have been super busy this week. I'm working on making my nieces something for Christmas, only it's turning out to be an intense project requiring HOURS in the campus technology center and lots of brain work (like figuring out measurements and sizing and how it's all going to lay out -- much like my quilt and the aprons I sewed last year).
In my focus on getting this stuff done by next Wednesday, I have become a little scattered in other areas of life.
Tuesday after I finished up at the technology center, I stuffed the USB/flash/thumb drive into my jeans pocket, grabbed my bag o' things (VHS tapes, blank DVDs, cassette tapes, blank CDs, pens, papers, and a book to read) and ran out the door so I could get home, changed and to the gym and back before Kyle got home.
Before starting food for dinner, I threw my some clothes in the washer and then went about my way running between the kitchen and computer room doing various things.
An hour later, after switching over my laundry, I found at the bottom of the washer, my USB drive. It'd been through an entire cycle -- my favorite little piece of technology.
Instantly panicking, I pulled the 2 GB memory card out of the card reader and set them on the table, wishing them to be dry and functional. I left them there until this morning.
Crossing my fingers and praying for a miracle, I just hooked them up to my computer and found that I could read it, the files are, indeed, intact, and somehow I just made it through a miracle involving lots of water, a washing machine, and laundry soap.
For an assignment that all 450+ freshmen students had to complete, one of the questions asked them to approach a librarian and ask for a random, unique fact about that person.
Here is the list from which I picked each time I was asked (which was a lot--I actually grew tired of hearing myself say these things):
- I'm claustrophobic
- I broke my finger in intramural football
- I spent a semester in Ireland
- I'm allergic to peanut butter, but it's one of my favorite foods
- I'm the newest married librarian in the building
- I'm legally blind without my contacts or glasses
- I'm the youngest in my family of four kids
- I want to live in Arizona
- I'm the youngest librarian in the building (by nearly 20 years)
- I love going to the dentist and getting my teeth cleaned (which I did this past Tuesday)
- I am a pyromaniac
- I love clocks and maps
- I love reading juvenile literature
- Sometimes I laugh uncontrollably (more now than ever, I'd venture to guess)
- I like to wear skirts (this is very new)
- Peppermint mochas are like Xmas in my mouth all year long...I love them
Feel free to add your own list of my eccentricities as comments on this post. I'd be interested in knowing what other people think is unique/strange about me.
And it is now my duty to share with you six random facts about myself or my life.
1. I love my ab roller. I got it when I was 16 as a Xmas gift, and let me tell you how awesome that gift was. That I still use it 10 years later (oh dear, that's a long time), should be evidence enough. Not that I have rock-hard abs or a 6-pack, but I most definitely enjoy using this in my weekly workout. My time in grad school without it was quite depressing.
2. I love early American culture, as in the pioneer times. Probably from reading and watching Little House on the Prairie and other related time-period books and movies, but I requested a pioneer girl outfit in first grade. Mom made it for me and my first unveiling of this lovely ensemble, complete with bonnet, dress, pinafore, and pantaloons, was my costume for my Betsy Ross oral presentation. We were to dress up like and take on the persona of our report individual, and I chose an early American woman, the one who made the first American flag. I wore this costume for at least 4 years until it was so small and worn that the elastic was no longer useful.
3. I hate large groups of people. Sometimes, when I walk into a room filled with 15+ people, I will immediately start sweating. Nervous sweating. And I take note of every escape -- doors, windows, bathrooms -- in case I need it.
4. Contrary to popular belief, I do enjoy trying new things from time to time. Maybe one new thing per year. It could be a food, an experience, a place, etc. This year, however, has been the year for new experiences and new things, in general. I went skiing. I fell in love. I visited a wild cat rescue center. I got engaged. I spent a week at the beach with my dear Sara. I got married. I tried asparagus for the first time in about 15 years, and I liked it. I went to Costa Rica, somewhere I've always wanted to visit, but hadn't yet ventured to. I bought a king-sized bed. As one might expect, I kind of feel like this is a huge list for one year. Lots of changes and new, yet ongoing experiences. Perhaps this is some sort of an indication why it's been a bit challenging for me to grasp onto and embrace the newness.
5. I'm addicted to water. And to chocolate. This is what one of my Bloomington friends dubbed "The Lana Diet". It includes remarkable amounts of water and equally astounding amounts of chocolate. But I'm happy people, so SEE, there's the "Lana Diet" difference. I'm happy. Not starving. Not pale and wan. HAPPY! And my cells are each, individually, applauding their well-watered existence.
6. I am fully and totally ridiculous. While I work very hard to maintain a logical, rational, and "with-it" demeanor and existence, I am constantly finding myself doing, saying, and simply being ridiculous. Whether it's flipping out for no reason (just ask Kyle) or running into corners, door jambs, or tables, everything I do is couched in ludicrousness. A friend asked last night, "Have you ever thought about being a stand up comic," and I assured her that I would be a flop. Despite my detestation of public speaking, when comedy is needed, I have none. And when it is totally inappropriate, it overflows from me.
Whereas I used to take myself way too seriously in middle and high school, now I have awakened from that unreality to find myself nearly incapable of being serious. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, you decide as you interact with me. All in all, I think I'm in a better place now than I was at 18, but perhaps I should poll my parents and siblings who were forced to put up with me during that time.
There you have it. I have produced my six random facts. I don't know if they are interesting, but it's all I have. Again, when forced into something, I am generally incapable of successfully producing.
More on the honeymoon to come. My muse has been sleeping for weeks, trying to catch up on her beauty sleep this last month. Soon to arise, however, and astound you all!
Starting January first, my life began spinning out of control. I cannot explain all of the things that have been going on, but I will say that I've reconnected with several friends I haven't seen in forever (Kate, Leslie), I've had more fun and ended up more random places (skiing in Michigan, vacationing in Florida) in one month than is typical for a January.
But the insanity doesn't end. Every weekend from now until who knows when, I'm sure to be busy, to be driving somewhere. Not that I'm complaining, oh, because I'm most assuredly not. I'm just saying...
I haven't gotten much sleep. I've lost 5 lbs in a week. I can't concentrate at work or at home, and it's starting to throw me completely off kilter. I have an important job situation coming up here in a week, and I need to be at my brightest and most impressive. However, I can't find the motivation to make the necessary preparations. I just don't care about this anymore.
Today I am the most tired I've been in weeks. But I'm on my way home to see Aaron, my military friend, who's on leave. Feels like I haven't seen him in a year and I don't know when I'll get another chance. Tonight's it. I'm going.
Despite my best intentions, I am really not sure if I can make it back to my area for church tomorrow. I really want to, I love this church and being a part of it has changed my life, my perspective, in a number of ways. But, as I'm nearly falling asleep as I type this, I'm not positive I'll be able to drive three hours tonight and spend quality time with my Aaron. (sigh)
I feel like I need three whole days to recover my stabilization, my sleep patterns, and my scheduled life.
But the truth is, I wouldn't change my present situation for anything.
Figure that one out.
New favorite winter vacation spot: Ft. Myers, Florida
New favorite automobile: '58 Chevy Corvette
New favorite song: One Sweet Love by Sara Bareilles
(who is, incidentally, my new favorite artist)
Best lyrics of the song:
"Your unexpected love provides my solitary's suicide...
The time that I've taken
I pray is not wasted.
Have I already tasted
my piece of one sweet love?
Ready and waiting
for a heart worth the breaking.
But I'd settle for an honest mistake in
the name of One sweet love."
(the rest of lyrics)
New favorite person: I'll let you guys decide
Monday night at work, Danny and I always find something random online.
This week it revolves around a regional small community theatre group and their spring program.
The musical is called: Reefer Madness: The Musical
An excerpt from the description:
"One toke can turn even a good-hearted, God-fearing All-American kid into a raving lunatic obsessed with sex and violence...and singing and dancing."
I've got to see this.
