Old photos

You know how it is, when you're home for Christmas or any holiday really, and you get bored and start going through old pictures.

Dad brought home four envelopes full of pictures he'd cleaned out of his desk recently - it had been years since the last cleaning.

There were some real gems, I must admit.

Like this one.

Let me explain. Mom made me this outfit. She always used to sew for me. And I'd wear the dresses and skirts and matching hair bows, scottie dog pins, and vests because I loved wearing dresses. (I'm totally not lying). This pioneer outfit was complete with pantaloons, dress, pinafore, and bonnet; I also had soft soled black shoes that I wore with it, because it made me feel closer to nature.
The lovely young ladies in this picture are Leslie (glasses and bolo tie) and Emily (teddy bear brooch). They're thrilled, as you can tell.

I have no idea what year this is, unfortunately. I know that I started wearing this pioneer outfit in second grade, when I did a oral report on Betsy Ross, the woman who made the first American flag. At least I was secure in who I was.

When boredom sets in, it's a dangerous thing in this household

Since we can't celebrate Christmas traditionally until tomorrow (the 26th) - with the presents and huge dinner and all - those of us here wanted to do something special for those who will be joining us.

Leslie had the great idea of a mocumentary, in the vein of Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind. I was hesitant at first, but the more we talked about it, finding a specific topic (our family vacations over the years) and costumes and props, the more I was ready to begin.

We borrowed Evan's video camera (without asking, since the surprise is for he and Em), and we began to film on Christmas Eve. It took all night.

We highlighted four peak family vacations, ending with the one that was the worst by far, which convinced us that our togetherness days were over.

Mom and Dad swear that no one outside our circle of trust can see this - it's blackmail material. I've never done anything this crazy in my life.

The scenes play back in my mind constantly - hilarious.

Little did I know, my father is natural-born actor. He played the deadpan role so well. Mom surprised us, too, with her character. Leslie is like Jimmy Fallon - she laughs when she shouldn't, but somehow it's funnier that way.

Merry Christmas, the Gottschalk way!

Favorite author of the moment

Lois Lowry.

Children's lit author for many decades.

Some of her books:

Number the Stars
The Giver
Gathering Blue
Messenger

I have recently read Number the Stars and Gathering Blue, which are very good. I'm in the middle of Messenger. I love young adult literature.

Maddie Moments

Maddie called my dad tonight. Here's a snippet of the conversation I heard.

"Can Jackson talk to you?" Dad says, "No, he can't honey. He's a cat!"

pause

"Well, I guess he could meow, but he can't really talk because he's just a cat."

Thirty seconds later, Maddie's ADD mind has moved on.

"I'm going to be sick for Christmas," she declared, after coughing into the phone.

1985 Birthday

For those of you who didn't know us (the Gottschalk kids) in the 80's, here's glimpse of what you missed.

My 3rd birthday.

And yes, it looks like the dish on the left has tater tots in it. The plate that we're all touching is our family birthday plate. It says "You Are Special" all around the edge. We still use it.

Friends & Fun

This past weekend I made a trek to Chicago to see some of my favorite people and to meet some new ones.

I can't express how glad I am that I could take the South Shore train rather than drive, and also that Joe's friend had a car up there and was willing to drive so we didn't freeze to death. It was very, very cold up there.

Elaine is such a great planner. She had all these fun things for us to do - perfect things for us in a big city. Cheap movie, free poetry slam in a really cool bar and free tickets into the Pompeii exhibit at the Field museum because of her connections to people in high places, thrift store shopping and used book browsing.

It was so relaxing for me, knowing that I was taken care of and that I wasn't in charge - thank you, Friend.

We also took a mid-day trip to Chinatown on Sunday, following a church service in one of the most beautiful churches (with great music and acousitics) that I've seen in the US, and they go there every week. Kind of jealous.

We had Dim Sum in Chinatown, an experience that will not soon be forgotten. We had mounds of food - oh, it was lovely.

Everyone should take a trip to Chicago a la Elaine & Joe. They know where to go. Thanks, guys. We'll be doing that again.

San Marco's Square, Venice

I came across a book in Walden Books yesterday that had a map of Venice in the front cover. I traced the paths that we walked, finding the random places we ended up.

Look, it's me in my signature jeans with my favorite coat in the world, Charlie.

Milk, toast, anyone?

Last week my boss said something I'd never heard before: the word "milquetoast."

In context, it went something like this:

"He's about as milquetoast as any librarian could ever be."


*Thanks to whomever it was who corrected my ignorance. Post your name next time, okay?

El Finito

Finally finished after 72 hours of chaos. My final project for this semester is completed - to my taste.

Something to be said for that.

And yet...

...why am I not satisfied? Why can I not relax?

Speaking of Ireland

Every night that I walk home from the bus stop, I go through an apartment complex that has a little woods/pond area in the middle. Very peaceful, also a bit creepy at night.

When I get to the part where I'm walking past the creepy woods, I'm always distracted by the smell of burning wood - the peaceful and warm hearth kind of fire smell.

Last night, the smell had a different variation. And I was instantly taken back to our little street in Greystones where the peat fires burned from late October far into the winter.

That familiar pleasant, yet disturbing scent of burning peat moss. It was sweet and rank at the same time, but you always wanted to smell more.

I talk in my sleep. This is a new phenomenon. Elaine, Cat, Joy...why did you people never tell me?

At 6 am this morning, Bertie heard me shout from the next room, "Roberta!" in a scolding tone.

I've never done this before.

Elaine, it reminds me of the demon noise that you thought was coming from me in our tiny little room at the Y in Greystones.

How comforting is it when you stop by a friend's apartment for the first time and find that everything is as it would be, had you lived there, down to the calendars and pictures on the walls.

It's like coming home to a new home. Incredible.

Conversation heard on the bus, Tues evening:

student 1 - Her family lives way far away from here.
student 2 - in indiana?
student 1 - yeah, but in the norther corners or something. really far.
student 2 - probably not on the chicago side.
student 1 - yeah, probably more on the new york side.

Now I don't claim to be a geography genius, but last time I checked, Indiana didn't have a New York side. In fact, at least two states (and Canada, depending on whether you go due East or Northeast) usually separate us from NY state.

Ask Bertie. She is from NY state, and I'm pretty sure it takes her over 7 hours to get home. I understand the desire to pass over Ohio and even Pennsylvania. They are terrors to drive through, such boring landscape and such wide states.

But Indiana does not have a New York side. Just wanted Dumb & Dumber to know that.

Oh, and having family within the state of Indiana does not qualify them for living really far away. Oregon is really far away, as is Maine (which is where one of my friends is from). But not within Indiana. Nope. Try again.

Tom Collins

Jesse L. Martin (he's the one in the middle) is my new favorite guy.

As Detective Ed Green on Law & Order (the original), he has proven to be a good actor. But that's all I knew about him until last night.

When he appeared as Tom Collins in RENT, I almost died. And through research I discovered he was cast in the original broadway production of RENT. He is the original Tom Collins. Amazing! His voice...I've been hearing his voice for years on the cd I had, and I never realized it.

Brilliant!

Go see RENT. Everyone. It speaks to the greater humanity in all of us.

An end to the confusion that is Wednesday night class

Instructor: "This is like metadata for dummies."

As if we all should know what she's talking about.

Erin mutters, "Thanks a lot."

Winter Journey

Two years ago on this very day, Elaine and I embarked on what would be the greatest adventure of my life.

We flew from Dublin to Heathrow, ran through the airport and barely made our flight to Rome. Took a shuttle from the airport to a random street in the middle of Rome and were turned loose by our bus driver who knew no English and was not helpful.

That's how it began.

Mid-week was the coldest day ever. We were in Venice, and we couldn't feel anything beyond the immediate core of our bodies. We stopped for some hot chocolate (with nasty rum) after getting lost in the narrow streets and finding treasures amidst the open markets. We were too cheap to buy food, so we froze and walked all day long.

I'll never forget that trip - the people we met - the creepy Roman waiter who gave us, first, a free dinner of bread and water, and the next night free lemon Pledge liqueur and sang Italian love songs to us - the awesome place we stayed in Venice - the creepy one in Rome - San Marcos Square - the Trevi Fountain - the Forum - the celestial voices of the mass taking place in the Pantheon when we arrived - St. Peter's Basilica and all of the dead, glass-encased popes - the new facets of my allergic reaction to peanut butter - the only food I'd brought with me to eat - red, swollen, itchy face, eyes, legs, arms. I could go on for days.

Venice decorated for Christmas.

I miss you, Friend, and our adventures - whether in Italy (no David in Florence?) or just to Helping Hands on Saturday mornings.

Here's to us! And our Italian adventure two years ago today!

Lunch conversation over the weekend

Mom: Maybe I can get some silicone shots up here [pointing to her exposed ribs and her clavical], to fill in between my ribs. But then again, it might create more problems...Yeah, we used to call her four eyes, now we call her...

Dad: Alright. That's enough! Never thought I'd have to say that to you two.

I was, meanwhile, choking on my sandwich.

Saturdays that matter

Rarely do I have a Saturday that means anything.

I usually sleep in, do homework, and don't leave the house.

Even though I didn't feel like doing much today, it was a busy day.

This morning was the annual Dick Gottschalk Memorial 5k Run/Walk in Rochester. I love participating in this every year - not just because I get to see my amazing cousin, Allie, and her brother Zac - but also because I am giving money to the Cancer Society so they can research to help save people like my uncle Dick, who died 15 years ago of brain cancer. I don't ever do much that makes a lasting difference, but this means so much to me, and it's helping such a great cause, even if it is just fifteen bucks.

While I was walking the race - which was disappointing because I love to run it, but I've been dealing with cyatica for a month and haven't been able to train - I was able to converse with the Judge in town, who happens to also be a great friend of my dad's and my roommate's father. We had a lovely time.

After the race, I went to an old friend's house. Her baby is 7 months old now, and standing up and chewing on everything (even my scarf - sorry Emma). I love reconnecting with them every so often. It's comforting to know old friends do remain, sometimes anyway.

Then, before making it home, I hit up another old friend's house. His puppy - a pit bull - is precious and a bit cantankerous. He's such a good friend, so close to my heart, that I am delighted every time I get to hang out with him.

All of this was relaxing and helped to calm me down from my annoyed self of the past few days. And after a steamy shower, finishing up some laundry, and a favorite childhood movie, I feel ready to end my semester on an up-swing.

Thanks, friends - old and new.

Advice

I'd like some advice.

It's no news to anyone who knows me that I'm a selfish person. Really. Partly, it goes with my personality - as you can learn from reading the Enneagram books - but mostly, I think, it's a personal problem that I need to deal with.

Every year, I think I take positive steps toward getting away from the Lana who was so self-absorbed that she made me sick. But I'm far from ridding myself of her.

Ask any of my friends, they will agree.

I don't think that I ask their opinions on how I can change this. So, Friends, what do you think? Any ideas?

Tips on How to Be a Good Friend are welcome. Tips on How to Be Friendly and not Scary, are also welcome.

My boss told me this past week that of all the students hired this term, I'm the scariest. He went on to say that no one knows where I'm coming from - they don't know what I'm thinking and can't guess what I'm going to say.

Friends, am I that scary? What can I do to be more approachable.

I'm serious, I'd like to hear suggestions.

I miss you, my dear friends. Can't wait to hear from you.