No power

I was startled out of sleep this morning by my alarm (beep...beep...beep). This immediately made me groan because my alarm is programmed for the radio to come on. This annoying beep only makes an appearance when running on battery power. So, despite my grogginess I quickly ascertained my power was out. I did what any reasonable person would do; I hit snooze and made a promise to figure it out later.

The second time my alarm went off (beepbeep...beepbeep...beepbeep), I wondered if I had a working flashlight or if I'd be lighting a million candles to do my makeup, then I hit snooze again.

The alarm went off again (BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP...BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP...BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP) and I realized that in battery mode my alarm gets more and more aggressive about waking me up, so I caved in turned it off and went in search of a working flashlight grumbling the whole way, "I guess I'll get up, but it sure would be nice to have lights instead." I stumbled downstairs where I vaguely remembered leaving a flashlight on the window sill by my sliding glass door, shivering because my furnace is electric. I successfully located the flashlight, verified that it did, indeed, still work and went back upstairs to pull my hair into a bun and throw on makeup that hopefully would not look circus-worthy.

Just as I opened the bathroom door I heard the marvelous sounds. The sound of my CD player starting, the sound of the furnace kicking on, the sounds that I mean I didn't have to go to work looking like a circus freak.

Mr. October

October is the only time I watch baseball. I'm a Yankee fan, and while my family insists that my loyalty and committment lie only with Derek Jeter they are...well, mostly right. However, I do know the rest of the team and support the team as a whole. In fact, I've insisted that my parents watch the entire series. Last night my Mom made this comment:

"Really, I don't like watching baseball, but watching a game with you is certainly entertaining."

True enough, Mom. I yell, I scream and I make up new rules that would offer shorter games with more scoring opportunities (especially those involving said Mr. Jeter...nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Currently, I'm shocked and saddened by their performance the last 3 nights. Come on, boys! Buck up, focus and WIN THIS SERIES!!! You can't count on the "Curse of the Bambino" forever.

...On a side note, I'm also hoping the Houston Astro's can pull out their series.

...They lost last night. A valiant battle, but you can't win them all...still pulling for the Astro's.

A little bit about a lot of stuff

1-My car is fixed (hopefully for the last time). It was a pretty simple (and luckily inexpensive) problem that required a new battery. The problem involved my battery being 6 1/2 years old.

2-My darling 4-week old nephew, Erki, was in the hospital over the weekend for possibly RSV. For some reason they were sent home with a laundry list of symptoms to watch for and the advice that it will likely get worse before it gets better.

3-My parents celebrated my least-favorite-sister-in-law, M's, birthday this weekend. My Mom likes to make the birthday boy/girl their favorite meal and invite the entire family over for cake and ice cream. Prior to the wedding a couple of weeks ago M had not participated in any family activity since the 4th of July. Needless to say, the crowd was awfully small at my folks house. It turned out to be myself, my folks, a younger brother that still lives at home and 1 married sibling and spouse. Considering the overwhelming size of the family it was definitely small. I actually felt a tiny bit bad for her...at the same time I can't help but think if you support the family, the family will support you.

4-Another sister, JL, broke up with her fiancee a few months ago when he kicked her and her 2 small children out of his house. He has now "repented of his sins" and wants her back. Small problem, she is seeing someone else (Someone who is much better suited to her, by the way.) and doesn't want him back. Despite having been told that many, many, many times he continues to send her flowers, gifts etc. Now he's requested a meeting with my father. Go away El, but you can leave me some of your delicious homemade cheesecake on the way out!

5-I spent 6 1/2 hours in a management meeting yesterday. Did we get anything accomplished? Not really, but round 2 is scheduled for November 16th.

6-New books added to my list: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini; Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir

Morning Has Broken

This morning I rolled out of bed a little earlier than normal and for some reason decided to look out my bedroom window. In the 2 1/2 years I've owned this house I can count on 1 hand the times I've looked out the window (generally during a spectacular lightning storm), but something prompted me.

I pulled back the curtain and noticed that there were lights on in every house along the back of my street. Not just here and there, but most lights in every house. It made me wonder what my neighbors think of me. I have a master bathroom that I do the vast majority of "getting ready" in so I never bother to turn on the bedroom light. In fact, I never turn any house lights on in the morning. I run downstairs, dressed and ready, throw breakfast and lunch into a bag and head out the door.

I wonder do the neighbors ever glance out their window and wonder, "Does she ever get up?"

Car Trouble...Again

So, as you may remember my car needed major repairs a little over a month ago...repairs to the tune of nearly $1000. Well, now it has developed an attitude about starting on a regular basis. It started on Monday, worked fine Tuesday and Wednesday, but when I walked out to the parking garage after work today all I heard was "click, click click".

Monday when it wouldn't start the first time I took it to a shop and had them test the battery, alternator, and starter motor. Everything checked out a-ok. I've kept a battery charger on it overnight, every night, but nothing is quite as much fun as walking back into the building and hunting down burly security guards to push start you.

F-ing car!

Falling Leaves

Tuesday I took the day off work. I lounged around the house all morning and went for a drive up the canyon with R.B. in the afternoon. R.B. is my shooting buddy and originally we were scheduled to shoot. He is also an amateur photographer and wanted to drive the Loop before all the leaves fell off the trees. So, drive the Loop we did.

It is absolutely beautiful up there. Really, really stunning. I think he got some good shots; I’m very much looking forward to seeing them. All in all a terrific day!

Books

Looking back, it’s been a while since I wrote about the books on my list.

I finished:
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
I really enjoyed this fairy tale centered on the “gift” of obedience. The movie...it really sucked.

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
I saw the movie before reading the book and must say I enjoyed both. The key, you understand, is to see a movie based on a book before reading the book. Otherwise, the whole experience is ruined. Loved the book, loved the movie.

I’ve added:
The Bourne Supremacy by Robert Ludlum
I’m actually more than halfway through this one. Not as good as Identity, but still intriguing.

The Bourne Ultimatum by Robert Ludlum
Well, you must read the whole series, right?

Trace by Patricia Cornwell
Her last few “Scarpetta” books have been woefully lacking, but I’m pretty invested in the characters and the series, so I’m giving this one a chance. The tone toward the FBI in her recent books has made me wonder if she, personally, had some falling out with them. Also, it really, REALLY bothers me to see her on the newsmagazines “solving” crimes. No, Patty, I just don’t think so.

Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth continues sitting in the bookcase mocking me. I haven’t read it, but it is still on the list. Since I own a copy it keeps getting pushed back in favor of borrowed or library books. I really will read it eventually. I also purchased two books from the local library “getting rid of old or duplicate book” sale. Both hardback in good condition and they cost me a grand total of $1.25. They are Irish Gold by Andrew Greeley (His first book in the series about the lovely and fey, mystery-solving Irish lass Nuala McGrail and her trusty spear-carrier Dermot Coyne. This one explores who may have murdered Michael Collins.) and The Fourth Protocol by Frederick Forsyth. I don’t remember the plot to this one, but it’s Frederick Forsyth and it was 75 cents. How could I go wrong?

My list seems short, so if you have any suggestions please leave a comment. I’ll be weary of the mystery and international intrigue so please feel free to recommend other genres.

A Wedding to Remember

K&N got married on Friday. It was a lovely reception and fun was had by all. Here’s a little something to add to the “100 things about me” list. I hate photos. Absolutely, positively cannot stand them. I don’t understand photographers...I just don’t understand.

First, it was an LDS Temple wedding, which means if you don’t have a temple recommend you can’t attend the actual ceremony. Many non-LDS get very upset at the idea of this, but in LDS circles that’s just the way it is. Nobody really thinks twice about it. Anyway, the ceremony was at 10:00am. Since I don’t currently have a recommend, I was asked to hold Erki while his parents attended the ceremony. If you ask me, I totally got the better deal. Around 10:30, the bride and groom came out and this is where the families gather ‘round to take pictures. Let me say, it is impossible to take a picture of 70+ people where everyone looks good. Not gonna happen, sister, so spending 10 minutes on setting up the shot isn’t gonna do you any good. Fortunately, pictures requiring my presence were kept to a minimum. I think that was a strategic plan to keep me from dropping the F-bomb at the temple.

After the temple, I went out to brunch with a couple of siblings. Once finished we hooked up with other siblings and went to buy a lovely gift for the newlyweds. We ended up getting a “dirty dartboard” and glow-in-the-dark massage lotion. Heading back to change clothes and get ready for the “formal” wedding pictures we encountered some serious traffic problems. It turns out there were several accidents on an already congested portion of I-15. It took us close to 45 minutes to travel a generally 10-minute distance.

The Reception: everything was lovely, except the pictures. I bonded with K’s sister, L, over our mutual hatred of having our pictures taken and handed out sticks of cinnamon gum to all the wedding party. K’s mom had hired a wedding planner to help with everything and she set up a “family” area where the two families could sit and talk. Mostly, I wandered around talking with the people I knew and stealing mints from the caterer for my nieces and nephews. During the wandering, I was talking to some old family friends when the wedding planner came up and said, “I’m sorry, but you people will have to find somewhere else to visit.” What?! WHAT?! I’m sorry, what did you just say to me?! Needless to say, the wedding planner got a piece of my mind. I basically told her that she was hired by K&N and I was POSITIVE that they would absolutely not appreciate her being rude to their guests. So step off and shut it, lady!

Cutting the cake, throwing the bouquet (which I caught, sort of), and tossing wedding petals as they proceeded to the car. It really was quite a lovely night.