It feels so good to finally, at last, be headed in a positive direction. So much left to do. But the ship has turned.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 07, 2012
Easter Dinner
- Boil brown lentils in water until done. I used 1 1/2 cups (dry) which made 4 1/2 cups cooked. Recipe on the back of the lentil bag. My amounts above required 6 cups water in saucepan, added 1 1/2 cups lentils, brought to boil, reduce to low and cook for 12-15 minutes. Drain.
- Tossed chicken tenderloins in bowl with bit of flour, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder.
- Thinly slice one lemon and one orange, remove seeds. You'll squeeze just a small amount of both in the glaze.
- Make a spicy citrus glaze from olive oil, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, teriyaki sauce, dash of each ground cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, and allspice. Add black pepper, dash chili powder, garlic powder. Bit of water.
- Spray 13X9 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cooked and drained lentils go in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Top lentils with breaded chicken tenderloins.
- Top chicken with thin slices of lemon and oranges across the whole dish.
- Pour spicy citrus glaze evenly over the top of the entire dish.
- Top dish with chopped/sliced almonds.
- Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.
- Remove cover and reduce heat to 300-325 and continue baking for another 45 minutes.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
I'm Hideous......
I'm hideous. Don't look, please don't. I'll never be a model. My closeups for the Abercrombie calendar will never look the same. Photoshop will now become my middle name.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
At 50 an Old Jewish Woman Arises
I just need a bowl of soup. Chicken soup with broth. Kosher chicken. Kosher broth. And a shawl, parasol and poodle. Oh, wait, I've already got the poodle. So, yeah, this will be easier than I had thought. I just need a shawl and parasol. And then I can be the old Jewish woman that I think I'm becoming. Mouthy, opinionated and wanting to stay within my comfort zone.
In spite of thinking that I harbor an adventurous spirit, the older I get, I'm not so sure. I'd like to think that I'm the backpacking type. The kind that could travel through Europe with just me, a backpack, and a crapload of Euros. That's a lot of Euros, in case you're wondering. My alter ego would like to be open to sleeping in hostels instead of fancy 2 1/2 star hotels with thin towels and coffee stains on the drapes. I'd like to believe that I'm open minded and up for anything. Available. Looking for new opportunities and chances to take. But I'm not so sure.
Chatting over Indian food with a good friend last night, this topic of conversation came up. I'm not sure how it turned to me but it did. I don't know if it's age. Or even my job. The more I fly, the more I want to be home. Settled. Comfortable. I like a schedule and routine. I want to do tasks one time. Not two. Doing things right the first time. I'd like to think that I'm flexible and always say "Yes" to change and whatever others ask of me.
But the truth is that I think I'm quite the opposite. Or am I? I'm not sure. Who knows. Is it a middle-age sort of quandary? I find that being flexible and willing to negotiate or do things that I don't want to do is getting harder and harder. I'd be more than happy with my iPad, a recliner, and my coffee. Oh, and the poodle.
In spite of thinking that I harbor an adventurous spirit, the older I get, I'm not so sure. I'd like to think that I'm the backpacking type. The kind that could travel through Europe with just me, a backpack, and a crapload of Euros. That's a lot of Euros, in case you're wondering. My alter ego would like to be open to sleeping in hostels instead of fancy 2 1/2 star hotels with thin towels and coffee stains on the drapes. I'd like to believe that I'm open minded and up for anything. Available. Looking for new opportunities and chances to take. But I'm not so sure.
Chatting over Indian food with a good friend last night, this topic of conversation came up. I'm not sure how it turned to me but it did. I don't know if it's age. Or even my job. The more I fly, the more I want to be home. Settled. Comfortable. I like a schedule and routine. I want to do tasks one time. Not two. Doing things right the first time. I'd like to think that I'm flexible and always say "Yes" to change and whatever others ask of me.
But the truth is that I think I'm quite the opposite. Or am I? I'm not sure. Who knows. Is it a middle-age sort of quandary? I find that being flexible and willing to negotiate or do things that I don't want to do is getting harder and harder. I'd be more than happy with my iPad, a recliner, and my coffee. Oh, and the poodle.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Tallinn, Estonia -- Reflections on the Old and New
The summer of 1986 found me in Tallinn, Estonia, which was part of the U.S.S.R. at that particular time. I wrote about my encounters with the KGB and smuggling Bibles and other items into the former Iron Curtain city several years ago and being followed by the local police. You know, just normal everyday things! I'd go back and read this former article if you haven't already. It has so much to do with this current, particular post.
A few days back, I opened the New York Times travel article to discover that it was calling Tallinn "A European capital of culture....a sense of optimism in the air.....it's citizens are among the continent's most cheerful people." Holy smokes. That's just something else. Who would have ever thought. The article continues on to describe a scant 36 hour whirlwind tour through Tallinn. Eating, touring, visiting, browsing, fashion and, of course, the past. The dark past riddled with watch towers, KGB, underground activities and such. Those are the days I remember. These new days that the New York Times is describing I'm not familiar with.
I decided to check out the hotel that we stayed in while we were there. (Again, read the above article first...) It was the only hotel where tourists could stay at the time. Operated by Intourist, the government agency who oversaw every single person coming into the USSR for tourism purposes. We were only permitted to be in certain places, at certain times, with our assigned tour guide. What I didn't know until today, was that the Viru Hotel actually housed the areas KGB listening post. They used a secured area on the 23rd floor of this hotel for their purposes. I can't remember which floor my room was on. But I remember the warnings about telephones being bugged, two-way mirrors, housekeeping staff who weren't really "housekeeping staff." Check out this article. I was so happy to find it. I also discovered that one of the churches we sang in housed a KGB listening tower in its spire. Fascinating!
I'd love to make a trip back there someday. To reflect and remember. And to enjoy the newfound fortune of fashion and food as well. Oh, and I could even go and stay at the newly refurbished Hotel Viru. I'm assuming that they have removed the listening devices from the lamps and vases.
A few days back, I opened the New York Times travel article to discover that it was calling Tallinn "A European capital of culture....a sense of optimism in the air.....it's citizens are among the continent's most cheerful people." Holy smokes. That's just something else. Who would have ever thought. The article continues on to describe a scant 36 hour whirlwind tour through Tallinn. Eating, touring, visiting, browsing, fashion and, of course, the past. The dark past riddled with watch towers, KGB, underground activities and such. Those are the days I remember. These new days that the New York Times is describing I'm not familiar with.
I decided to check out the hotel that we stayed in while we were there. (Again, read the above article first...) It was the only hotel where tourists could stay at the time. Operated by Intourist, the government agency who oversaw every single person coming into the USSR for tourism purposes. We were only permitted to be in certain places, at certain times, with our assigned tour guide. What I didn't know until today, was that the Viru Hotel actually housed the areas KGB listening post. They used a secured area on the 23rd floor of this hotel for their purposes. I can't remember which floor my room was on. But I remember the warnings about telephones being bugged, two-way mirrors, housekeeping staff who weren't really "housekeeping staff." Check out this article. I was so happy to find it. I also discovered that one of the churches we sang in housed a KGB listening tower in its spire. Fascinating!
I'd love to make a trip back there someday. To reflect and remember. And to enjoy the newfound fortune of fashion and food as well. Oh, and I could even go and stay at the newly refurbished Hotel Viru. I'm assuming that they have removed the listening devices from the lamps and vases.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
My Ignorance Is Just As Great As Your Knowledge
"The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant threat winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as great as your knowledge." -- Isaac Asimov
Do you realize that there are people who will read the above quote and not even get it? Not even be able to comprehend it or understand what it means? And then I read that "In Mississippi, 52% of GOP respondents say Obama is Muslim...12% believe he is a Christian and 36% are unsure. In Alabama, 45% of Republicans say Obama is Muslim....14% believe he is a Christian and 41% are unsure." Dare I say that Alabama is smarter than Mississippi? And what about all of the others -- Louisiana, Idaho, Tennessee, Georgia, Utah....shall I go on?
We live in a nation who no longer forms opinions based on fact, the truth. We no longer think. We feel. We believe our ignorance, our sources!, are more important than actual knowledge. And that will be our demise.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Six Degrees of Separation
They say there are six. Degrees of separation, that is. Sometimes I don't think there are that many. And other days, I think there are about a thousand. Today, the degrees of separation were not even in existence.
I was working a San Francisco to Seattle 9:20am departure. I was at the L1 forward boarding door welcoming 124 lovely folks on board. (And their numerous oversized bags as well....did I mention "numerous"?) When what to my wondering eye should appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. No, wait, that's not right. I'm thinking something else...... But what was coming through the door was a very nice gentleman smiling at me and pointing. "Hey, I know you!" He went on with "I was wondering if I was ever going to be on one of your flights......I read your blog!" He was as excited as I was. And I think we were both quite surprised. Irony. Out of the blue. Complete happenstance.
And the story is made even more random because neither of us live in the Bay Area nor in Seattle. He lives way out in the Northeast United States. Visiting family. Working. But, wow, what a morning. I was able to feed and water Bill. A Bailey's Irish Cream and a snack. It's the least I could do. Bill, I loved meeting you. You made my day!
I was working a San Francisco to Seattle 9:20am departure. I was at the L1 forward boarding door welcoming 124 lovely folks on board. (And their numerous oversized bags as well....did I mention "numerous"?) When what to my wondering eye should appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. No, wait, that's not right. I'm thinking something else...... But what was coming through the door was a very nice gentleman smiling at me and pointing. "Hey, I know you!" He went on with "I was wondering if I was ever going to be on one of your flights......I read your blog!" He was as excited as I was. And I think we were both quite surprised. Irony. Out of the blue. Complete happenstance.
And the story is made even more random because neither of us live in the Bay Area nor in Seattle. He lives way out in the Northeast United States. Visiting family. Working. But, wow, what a morning. I was able to feed and water Bill. A Bailey's Irish Cream and a snack. It's the least I could do. Bill, I loved meeting you. You made my day!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
March Madness
I've taken the plunge. I needed just one more Apple product. That's the way they operate, you know....."You just have to have it." And on that note, I will be getting it -- my very first iPad. The New iPad Third Generation arrives at my house this next Friday. I'm hoping it's the right choice. For traveling. I'll leave my laptop at home. But the lack of a full-size keyboard on the iPad is concerning me a little. We'll see. I am very excited, though. And I've done a nice job of tempting LoverBoy as well. He's all of a twitter and going down the "Well, I can't find a decent cover for my iPad 1 so maybe I should sell my old one and get a new one so that I can find a cover for it" trail. Because all of that makes perfect sense. In the Apple world it does.
My new glasses have arrived. My first progressives -- yeah yeah yeah, I know it takes some time to get used to them. Btu I'n huving a ibt of a difiucullt tyme seying throussh thenm. I think they look pretty good but you'll have to be the judge of that. It is my first online glasses ordering. I used a company called Lookmatic. Great customer service. More than happy to do whatever it takes to make it right. I'd recommend them. The top half for distance is great....especially at night....much more crisp and clear. But the bottom reading half is a mess....I'm not sure if it's a matter of me getting used to them or not. But my older straight reading specs were much better.
The Flight Path Debrief program for flight attendants is on a roller coaster ride at this particular point. You remember...the program the took me to Seattle for 69 nights last year. That I devoted hundreds of hours to helping design. Along with 23 others. Thousands of hours and dollars to develop a top-notch grade A program is now in flux. Do we want it? Should we revise it? Let's just say that I'm tired of corporate politics. Let's just say that I'm tired of non-flight attendants thinking that they know what's best for flight attendants. I know, I know....be flexible, nimble, open minded. I'm trying. But I'm more than definitely happy to be back flying full time. Away from the office. Away from the fray of office and corporate life.
There's a new girl in town....and she's sitting on top of our condominium...up on the roof. She's a Davis Vantage Vue weather system. You can now see the weather for our area...our building!....right on the internet. You'll see the new badge on my blog...upper right-hand side. That's the weather for our building. Sort of fun. And the internet link to it is here: http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KORPORTL191.
We're putting together details of our upcoming trip to Ogunquit, Maine, at the end of April. We'll be staying in a B&B in Ogunquit and then visiting our friends Wil and Fritz for a couple of nights. We're also working on details for Bear Week in Provincetown in July.....year four! And I see a road trip maybe next week to Boise for just me and Mason....to see the parents and sister. And maybe help sis get a new laptop up and running. We saw The Descendents last night. Great movie. I had no clue what it was about or even who was in it. That's the third Academy Award nominee that we've seen -- in addition to The Help and The Iron Lady. Sounds like all movies have to begin with the word "The" nowadays.
My new glasses have arrived. My first progressives -- yeah yeah yeah, I know it takes some time to get used to them. Btu I'n huving a ibt of a difiucullt tyme seying throussh thenm. I think they look pretty good but you'll have to be the judge of that. It is my first online glasses ordering. I used a company called Lookmatic. Great customer service. More than happy to do whatever it takes to make it right. I'd recommend them. The top half for distance is great....especially at night....much more crisp and clear. But the bottom reading half is a mess....I'm not sure if it's a matter of me getting used to them or not. But my older straight reading specs were much better.
The Flight Path Debrief program for flight attendants is on a roller coaster ride at this particular point. You remember...the program the took me to Seattle for 69 nights last year. That I devoted hundreds of hours to helping design. Along with 23 others. Thousands of hours and dollars to develop a top-notch grade A program is now in flux. Do we want it? Should we revise it? Let's just say that I'm tired of corporate politics. Let's just say that I'm tired of non-flight attendants thinking that they know what's best for flight attendants. I know, I know....be flexible, nimble, open minded. I'm trying. But I'm more than definitely happy to be back flying full time. Away from the office. Away from the fray of office and corporate life.
There's a new girl in town....and she's sitting on top of our condominium...up on the roof. She's a Davis Vantage Vue weather system. You can now see the weather for our area...our building!....right on the internet. You'll see the new badge on my blog...upper right-hand side. That's the weather for our building. Sort of fun. And the internet link to it is here: http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KORPORTL191.
We're putting together details of our upcoming trip to Ogunquit, Maine, at the end of April. We'll be staying in a B&B in Ogunquit and then visiting our friends Wil and Fritz for a couple of nights. We're also working on details for Bear Week in Provincetown in July.....year four! And I see a road trip maybe next week to Boise for just me and Mason....to see the parents and sister. And maybe help sis get a new laptop up and running. We saw The Descendents last night. Great movie. I had no clue what it was about or even who was in it. That's the third Academy Award nominee that we've seen -- in addition to The Help and The Iron Lady. Sounds like all movies have to begin with the word "The" nowadays.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Meet My Virtual Friend Maureen Walsh
I'd like you to meet my virtual friend Maureen Walsh. She lives in Walla Walla, Washington. The delicious, sweet onion place. Known for their increasing wine country as well. I say "virtual" friend because we've never met. But by golly, we've been awfully awfully close. Last night for example.
We had finished a 14-day of training new flight attendants at our Flight Operations and Training Center near the SeaTac Airport and were back at the airport for our flight to Portland. We had an extra hour so headed to the Pacific Marketplace for some delicious pasta. Sat down. Enjoying. And I'm staring across the table and right over to the neighboring table. At this woman. I knew her. I just knew I did. I stared and stared at her. I think she knew it. Man, for the life of me, I couldn't figure out where. But more than even knowing her, I knew some story about her. Something personal.....something about her family, crying or a heartfelt story of some sort. But I couldn't place her. A passenger of mine? Neighbor? TV personality? Gosh. I just kept staring and even followed behind her as she headed toward the gate areas. It really bothered me until about halfway home, inflight. THAT'S IT!
Maureen Walsh is a Republican congresswoman from Walla Walla, Washington. About three hours drive to the east of us. And I knew her story because I'd heard her story. Recently. A few weeks ago. And you'll hear her story below. She is one of those folks that I admire. She is well deserving of honor and recognition. For her ability to come to beautiful conclusions in her life. For looking out for the equal rights of others.
So, I've never meet Maureen Walsh from Walla Walla, Washington. But gosh, I was damned close. Really, really close in fact. I'm disappointed that I didn't take the step to walk six feet over to her and say hi. I really would like to have given her a big old hug and thanked her. For her life. Her dedication. And love. Oh, and her inspiration too. And her dedication to people over the task.
We had finished a 14-day of training new flight attendants at our Flight Operations and Training Center near the SeaTac Airport and were back at the airport for our flight to Portland. We had an extra hour so headed to the Pacific Marketplace for some delicious pasta. Sat down. Enjoying. And I'm staring across the table and right over to the neighboring table. At this woman. I knew her. I just knew I did. I stared and stared at her. I think she knew it. Man, for the life of me, I couldn't figure out where. But more than even knowing her, I knew some story about her. Something personal.....something about her family, crying or a heartfelt story of some sort. But I couldn't place her. A passenger of mine? Neighbor? TV personality? Gosh. I just kept staring and even followed behind her as she headed toward the gate areas. It really bothered me until about halfway home, inflight. THAT'S IT!
Maureen Walsh is a Republican congresswoman from Walla Walla, Washington. About three hours drive to the east of us. And I knew her story because I'd heard her story. Recently. A few weeks ago. And you'll hear her story below. She is one of those folks that I admire. She is well deserving of honor and recognition. For her ability to come to beautiful conclusions in her life. For looking out for the equal rights of others.
So, I've never meet Maureen Walsh from Walla Walla, Washington. But gosh, I was damned close. Really, really close in fact. I'm disappointed that I didn't take the step to walk six feet over to her and say hi. I really would like to have given her a big old hug and thanked her. For her life. Her dedication. And love. Oh, and her inspiration too. And her dedication to people over the task.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Afterglow
Good lord. Who would have known that turning 50 would be such a crazy time. It started out with almost 20 folks at Happy Hour on last Thursday evening. Migrated to a quieter 6-person coffee on Friday morning. An even more quiet and lovely 3-person dinner and 5-person movie ("The Iron Lady" which I loved). And a 32-person bash on Saturday night hosted by our good friend Alan. And concluded on Sunday with a 12-person brunch and a 25-person Pizza and Piano evening at our condominium. I had phone calls, text messages, emails, "likes" on FB, and wall posts on FB (truly, about 150 of them!) -- from so many of you...and from England, South Africa, and Paris. And I was able to have my very first, live phone call with a longtime reader of my site....the infamous Anne Marie in Philly. She made me feel so good about turning 50! The picture speaks for itself. Cards, cards and more cards. With sentiments. And thoughts. And reflections. And memories. Really good stuff. Thanks to you all. My friends. I appreciated all of your attention so much.
I feel like Mrs. Rich Bitch right now with my state and federal tax returns plus our company's annual performance payout. I've asked for it all in rolls of pennies. It has already been nearly spent. On things like Mason's teeth cleaning, a new home printer, and setting aside some for our annual trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts, this July for Bear Week.
I'm heading to Seattle tomorrow for a day of helping out in yet another brand new class of flight attendants. I help teach the Services Training day -- food, beverages, carts, how to pour drinks and be nice to people day. It's always a lot of fun....but oh so tiring. And the perception is always so strange -- turning into classroom training what I have spent 17 years of my life actually doing in flight. Strange.
The month of March will return me to overnight trips at work. I've been mainly doing turns...where I go out and right back home instead of staying overnight somewhere. I haven't done an overnight away in months -- probably since last November or so. That's one of the great things about my job -- the flexibility, the change, the variety.
February is truly one of my favorite times of year. For more reasons that just my birthday. I love the gentle edging up of temperatures -- we hit 62 yesterday. The crocus are already up and blooming. And the daffodils and tulips will follow shortly. The pink of the flowering cherry trees has been around for about two weeks already. I really dig our temperate climate without giant extremes of hot or cold.
I feel like Mrs. Rich Bitch right now with my state and federal tax returns plus our company's annual performance payout. I've asked for it all in rolls of pennies. It has already been nearly spent. On things like Mason's teeth cleaning, a new home printer, and setting aside some for our annual trip to Provincetown, Massachusetts, this July for Bear Week.
I'm heading to Seattle tomorrow for a day of helping out in yet another brand new class of flight attendants. I help teach the Services Training day -- food, beverages, carts, how to pour drinks and be nice to people day. It's always a lot of fun....but oh so tiring. And the perception is always so strange -- turning into classroom training what I have spent 17 years of my life actually doing in flight. Strange.
The month of March will return me to overnight trips at work. I've been mainly doing turns...where I go out and right back home instead of staying overnight somewhere. I haven't done an overnight away in months -- probably since last November or so. That's one of the great things about my job -- the flexibility, the change, the variety.
February is truly one of my favorite times of year. For more reasons that just my birthday. I love the gentle edging up of temperatures -- we hit 62 yesterday. The crocus are already up and blooming. And the daffodils and tulips will follow shortly. The pink of the flowering cherry trees has been around for about two weeks already. I really dig our temperate climate without giant extremes of hot or cold.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
The Big 5-0
The good. And the bad. The ups and the downs. Happy and sad times. Like everyone else. I have more aches and pains than I used to. Tummy upset from coffee or creamer or something....more than I used to. I don't sleep as well. I get irritated with stupidity and slow drivers. I used to go to yoga but haven't for a while. But I want to. Does that count? I'm out. And happy. And those certainly count for something. I've learned that some of my ideals early in life were pretty shallow. And I've allowed myself to age pretty gracefully, I guess. There has been a family filled with cancers, Lou Gehrig's disease, alcoholism and drug abuse, suicide, fights and the like. But we're still a pretty tight knit group. I've hated a few times and I've loved a lot. There are friends. Facebook, virtual, and real ones in life. I love nearly all of them. I'm pretty simple. Things that turn me on are the sky, trees, leaves, green grass, rivers and oceans. Things that mean next to nothing to me are sports, big star entertainment, staying out late, partying, and being loud. I'm far more irritated than I used to be and will be glad to tell you exactly the things I will put up with and those that I won't. I can see those things hidden somewhere ahead of me in life that I know I need to connect with but struggle to put into practice. My connection to technology, the internet, and the iPhone has grown. My connection to earth, sky and trees has waned. I don't like it. I know it. I've discovered what I like and what I don't like. I'm pleased with that. Mostly.
And I've got a partner of nearly 15 years who loves me, cares for me, and has allowed us to create a beautiful, successful life together. He's far more than I could have ever asked for. And there's a dog. A mutt. A pooch. Mason. He's a cutie boy. To these two things, I say thank you. For being there for me. For believing in me. Today, at 50. And tomorrow, at 80.
Happy Birthday to me.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Festivities Are About to Begin .........
The festivities are beginning. I've finished an early morning SJC turn and I'm now on vacation. Tonight kicks off an entire weekend of The Big 5-0 Birthday activities. The cards have already begun to roll in. And the chocolate too. The carpets are cleaned (and they match the drapes) for the finale Pizza and Piano Party on Sunday evening. Here's the lineup:
Thursday PM -- Happy Hour at Local Lounge a local gay-owned place that we love hanging at.
Friday AM -- Coffee hour at Three Friends Coffee House in S.E. Portland.
Friday PM -- Dinner at the Daily Grill and then "The Iron Lady" which I've been wanting to see.
Saturday PM -- The Big Bash -- Hosted by my good friend Alan at his beautiful home. He insisted on hosting. I'm blessed.
Sunday AM -- Brunch! At Hob Nob Grille....owned by a fellow flight attendant and her husband.
Sunday PM -- Pizza and Piano Finale at our condo. I've put together a long song list, handed it to my LoverBoy, and demanding that he play his new grand piano for me. The whole evening.
And that's it. That's precisely how my 50th birthday weekend will play out. I mean, for one on his way to middle age (ahem...) it should be a grand celebration. Right?
Thursday PM -- Happy Hour at Local Lounge a local gay-owned place that we love hanging at.
Friday AM -- Coffee hour at Three Friends Coffee House in S.E. Portland.
Friday PM -- Dinner at the Daily Grill and then "The Iron Lady" which I've been wanting to see.
Saturday PM -- The Big Bash -- Hosted by my good friend Alan at his beautiful home. He insisted on hosting. I'm blessed.
Sunday AM -- Brunch! At Hob Nob Grille....owned by a fellow flight attendant and her husband.
Sunday PM -- Pizza and Piano Finale at our condo. I've put together a long song list, handed it to my LoverBoy, and demanding that he play his new grand piano for me. The whole evening.
And that's it. That's precisely how my 50th birthday weekend will play out. I mean, for one on his way to middle age (ahem...) it should be a grand celebration. Right?
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Heart Day
Today is Valentine's Day. One of the holidays that I enjoy more than others. I like this time of year. The beginnings of slight pink flowers appear on trees. And the crocus are already up. And don't get me started on the lamenting of "Oh, poor me, I'm single and don't like this day blah blah blah." I don't buy into it. Your life is what you make of it. Period. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm irritated today. It's increasingly more frequent. I find myself less connected to Mother Earth today than I was even, say, ten years ago. I find that nasty people, irresponsible causes, and stupidity find themselves in my mind more than they should. And that I don't put up with them as much as I should.
Valentine's Day. Today is the day that I was due. Well, more accurately, today is the day that my mother was due with me. But clearly, I needed five more days of sweetening up. And perhaps could have used even more. I feel less enchanted with my life today than I have for a while. I feel a nearly overwhelming need to recenter, rebalance. And to stick close to home. I'm almost in a frenzy to create peace in the dark spots of my heart and mind. It's unsettling.
Today hubby comes home from yet another workweek in Seattle. I've made Valentine's Day dinner reservations at a neighborhood place that we have never been to. It comes with rave reviews. Tomorrow our carpets are being cleaned. Did you know that the "Chem Dry" carpet cleaning systems are actually not chemical-based at all? Me either. They operate without chemicals with a carbonation system -- sort of like putting club soda on a stain to get it out. Same principle. We're trying to get the place in shape for the big birthday weekend coming up. And to celebrate the President's as well.... it is their holiday too.
I remember spending Valentine's Day 2004 in Amsterdam with LoverBoy and my parents. We stayed at a five star hotel right in the center of Amsterdam....Dam Square. It was more than lovely. And I remember Valentine's Day 1994 when I received a phone call at work from my mother. My father had been taken to the hospital. He died 35 days later.
We have a new printer....an Epson Workforce 645.....a real gem. I love it. Fits nicely where it needs to in our tiny condo. Works well. Wireless. And with E-Print (or Air Print??) meaning that I can email any document I want to -- from anywhere in the world -- and it will print on my home printer. And only $99. Our taxes were done last Friday....cha' ching. Combine the tax refund with our employer's profit sharing dollars, and we should be sitting pretty on the last day of February or so. That is, until we spend it. But it'll feel good for a day or two.
Sorry kids I'm all over the map today. My lower back is aching worse than it has in a year or more. So much so that I can't even get my socks on without a ton of pain. Moving quite slowly and carefully. but today is better than yesterday so that's good. Wishing you all a happy heart day.
Valentine's Day. Today is the day that I was due. Well, more accurately, today is the day that my mother was due with me. But clearly, I needed five more days of sweetening up. And perhaps could have used even more. I feel less enchanted with my life today than I have for a while. I feel a nearly overwhelming need to recenter, rebalance. And to stick close to home. I'm almost in a frenzy to create peace in the dark spots of my heart and mind. It's unsettling.
Today hubby comes home from yet another workweek in Seattle. I've made Valentine's Day dinner reservations at a neighborhood place that we have never been to. It comes with rave reviews. Tomorrow our carpets are being cleaned. Did you know that the "Chem Dry" carpet cleaning systems are actually not chemical-based at all? Me either. They operate without chemicals with a carbonation system -- sort of like putting club soda on a stain to get it out. Same principle. We're trying to get the place in shape for the big birthday weekend coming up. And to celebrate the President's as well.... it is their holiday too.
I remember spending Valentine's Day 2004 in Amsterdam with LoverBoy and my parents. We stayed at a five star hotel right in the center of Amsterdam....Dam Square. It was more than lovely. And I remember Valentine's Day 1994 when I received a phone call at work from my mother. My father had been taken to the hospital. He died 35 days later.
We have a new printer....an Epson Workforce 645.....a real gem. I love it. Fits nicely where it needs to in our tiny condo. Works well. Wireless. And with E-Print (or Air Print??) meaning that I can email any document I want to -- from anywhere in the world -- and it will print on my home printer. And only $99. Our taxes were done last Friday....cha' ching. Combine the tax refund with our employer's profit sharing dollars, and we should be sitting pretty on the last day of February or so. That is, until we spend it. But it'll feel good for a day or two.
Sorry kids I'm all over the map today. My lower back is aching worse than it has in a year or more. So much so that I can't even get my socks on without a ton of pain. Moving quite slowly and carefully. but today is better than yesterday so that's good. Wishing you all a happy heart day.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Are They Solid Gold ??
"Hey, can I ask you a question," he pointed up to me from his aisle seat in 16D. His grandmother was next to him. And his younger brother, maybe five years old or so on the window seat. And his redneck daddy across the aisle, on my right, in 16C.
Sure, I told him. He wanted to know if my wings were solid gold. The wings on my uniform. The wings that every crew member in the world gets when they graduate flight attendant training. They are one's claim to fame. I've had mine for 17 years or so. No, I told him, they weren't solid gold. I knelt down in the aisle in between him and his dad across the aisle. I told him they were some sort of heavy metal but not gold. But that they weren't plastic either. He asked if he could touch them. Sure. And he did. He loved that.
He then asked about the small pin that sits just above my wings. I told him it was my years of service pin. He said, "Are those diamonds?" Why, yes, yes they are. The kid apparently has a good eye for the finer things in life, even at age eight or so. He wanted to know what those meant. I told him that meant that I'd been here for between 15-20 years. And that when I hit 20 years, they would switch to rubies. Wow. That was pretty cool, he said.
I asked him what he was doing 17 years ago when I started flying. He giggled. His redneck papa is staring me down but good. And not redneck in a good sort of way, may I add. Quite clearly, daddy didn't know what to think of me. That's a common thought when others observe me. I asked him how old he thought I was. "Umm, maybe 40....but no more," he answered. Good boy. Really good kid, I told him. I liked him even more.
I told him that I would be 50 years old this very week. Man oh man, his eyes got big and he pointed at me. "You don't look over 40......45 at the very most," he clarified. And with that, his younger brother on the window seat pointed at me and said "42!"
This is the beginning of the end of my '40s. One week from today I will reach 50.....certainly midlife.
Sure, I told him. He wanted to know if my wings were solid gold. The wings on my uniform. The wings that every crew member in the world gets when they graduate flight attendant training. They are one's claim to fame. I've had mine for 17 years or so. No, I told him, they weren't solid gold. I knelt down in the aisle in between him and his dad across the aisle. I told him they were some sort of heavy metal but not gold. But that they weren't plastic either. He asked if he could touch them. Sure. And he did. He loved that.
He then asked about the small pin that sits just above my wings. I told him it was my years of service pin. He said, "Are those diamonds?" Why, yes, yes they are. The kid apparently has a good eye for the finer things in life, even at age eight or so. He wanted to know what those meant. I told him that meant that I'd been here for between 15-20 years. And that when I hit 20 years, they would switch to rubies. Wow. That was pretty cool, he said.
I asked him what he was doing 17 years ago when I started flying. He giggled. His redneck papa is staring me down but good. And not redneck in a good sort of way, may I add. Quite clearly, daddy didn't know what to think of me. That's a common thought when others observe me. I asked him how old he thought I was. "Umm, maybe 40....but no more," he answered. Good boy. Really good kid, I told him. I liked him even more.
I told him that I would be 50 years old this very week. Man oh man, his eyes got big and he pointed at me. "You don't look over 40......45 at the very most," he clarified. And with that, his younger brother on the window seat pointed at me and said "42!"
This is the beginning of the end of my '40s. One week from today I will reach 50.....certainly midlife.
Thursday, February 09, 2012
The Letter
So, here's the deal.....I've spent a good portion of my last year helping design a project for my employer. Flight Path Debrief for Flight Attendants. I've mentioned it more than once here. Honest to god, hundreds of hours. All last summer spent in an office in Seattle. Several hundred ideas, suggestions, "spaghetti on the wall" as we've called it -- tossing out ideas and thoughts and what may or may not work. It's mandatory training. The morning portion is all-employee -- 150 employees from all work groups. The afternoon sessions are broken out into one's own division....mine being Flight Attendants. And it's the afternoon Flight Attendant piece that I've helped design and am now an occasional facilitator.
It's playing out very, very well. There have been a lot of laughs and plenty of tears as we FAs learn things about other areas of our company. Things we don't typically know or are a part of. There are some parts that are introspective....from both a professional and personal level. Examination. Looking inside. I like it when people are functioning at their best as human beings. And that's where this program is designed to take us. It's part historical. Part motivational. And there is this little section that we've called "The Letter." It's no longer being used. But we tested it with a wide variety of test groups for many months. We modified it, changed it, softened it, soothed it. We changed our facilitator notes and what direction it was that we wanted FAs to "go" in their minds and hearts. Honestly, it was a great piece. A prodding piece. A poking piece. Made to make us think, consider. And I like that kind of thing -- that keeps me well rounded, thinking, using my head, and propels me forward. But clearly not all FAs like that sort of thing. I've already made it clear that we are an unusual group. Set in our ways, don't like change, demand flexibility, picky, get irritated by things like "I'll have a black coffee." Only to be met three rows later with a wave of the hand and a "I'll need a cream and four sugars." Those things continue to confound the wise. We exist in a world of shallow talk and chit chat with passengers. Nothing overly indepth. Surface.
So when a piece like "The Letter" is presented, we're taken aback. Shocked. Surprised. Which is exactly what the piece was designed to do. But it was intended to lead us in a positive direction. Not a negative direction. The section played out quite powerfully in a positive way to most. "Life changing, powerful, really made me consider, etc" are a few of the comments. But then there is this group of folks who are stuck. In the past. With what has happened to them over the years. The victims. With having been down this "company kool aid" trail before. They don't like management. They don't like people with good attitudes. They don't like coworkers who are friendly or go out of their way to help others. They live with an "Us" and "Them" mentality. And for those folks, the letter incited rage. Upset. Anger. Two wild extremes depending upon the type of person The Letter was presented to.
The Letter was a fake letter which explained that our company had been purchased by an investor. Assets were to be liquidated. Employees could reapply if they cared to. No one's jobs were preserved. It said nothing about "You're fired" or "You're a bad employee." But, you see, that's how we FAs work. We think we know better. We exist in a land of rumors and half-truths. We are not well connected to an accurate line of information. The funny thing is that about 95% of the negative comments came from those who had not even attended the program yet. Rumors. What they thought they knew. What they had heard from others. That's what they based their reactions on. And that I do not respect nor place any value on.
Really? Seriously? You haven't even experienced it yet and you're already red faced and irritated? Is that really the type of human being you are? Umm humm. It is. The Letter was designed to encourage a "What Would You Do" sort of dialog. What would you do tomorrow if this happened to you today? Who would you tell first? Do you have a plan? Are you prepared? It was to encourage ideas and thoughts from others. To help us get ourselves in line if we are ever purchased, or merged, or or or.
So, I made a Facebook entry the other night saying that I was facilitating Flight Path the following day and how excited I was to do so. My first and only comment was from a coworker who has never once made a comment on my FB page. But with regard to this, she did. I didn't like the comment, felt it rude and inappropriate for someone else to be making on MY page with MY excitement about the following day. Most of us would never do that. But that's the way she works. I removed it and messaged her to tell her why I had done it. Here is the dialog:
ME: Hi there. I removed your comment about the "Stupid Firing Letter." I felt it personally offensive. I helped develop the Flight Path program. I'm 100% invested in it. And it's tough to hear those sorts of half-cocked, uninformed comments from those who haven't even been to the program yet. I'm more than happy to chat anytime about the letter or anything else in the program. The letter had nothing to do with being fired. That's what rumors do for our lives. They create an unbalance, unfair, air of negativity that is not based on truth. Let me know if you have any questions.
HER: You weren't here in 85 when I received an unfair, negative letter to come back to work or I WAS fired.Unchanged in my opinion and what seems to be the same of an overwhelming majority of people that have gone to your mandatory program,Also a letter from our CEO (Bruce Kennedy)that we were all a bunch of ingrates and we were lucky to have a job instead of a Christmas card or bonus.You say I'm uninformed but maybe it was ____ and your team that were uninformed about how touchy this letter would be.I've run this idea by family friends that run corporations and they were appalled at this idea of trying making an employee feel grateful for their job by "picturing their life without this job. "So I feel your attack is personally offensive, as well-Respectively yours-
"Respectively yours"? Really? So, I went to bed. I tossed and turned. Upset. By her blue-collar bully ignorance. The uninformed who think they know it all. Those who actually know 10% but speak like they know 110%. And she continued to message me because I was in bed and failed to respond to her as quickly as she thought I should have:
HER: Nothing?Would you like me to form it in a question? It's obvious that you have gotten alot of heat for this but do you honestly feel that none of the negative feedback is valid?
The Letter section has been changed. Redeveloped. And it is working just fine. Good dialog. Good discussion. But definitely lacks the punch and power of The Letter. It was just way too far to ask some folks to travel in their heads. They just couldn't do it. Most of us could, a vocal minority could not.
So that's how my week's gone. How about yours?
It's playing out very, very well. There have been a lot of laughs and plenty of tears as we FAs learn things about other areas of our company. Things we don't typically know or are a part of. There are some parts that are introspective....from both a professional and personal level. Examination. Looking inside. I like it when people are functioning at their best as human beings. And that's where this program is designed to take us. It's part historical. Part motivational. And there is this little section that we've called "The Letter." It's no longer being used. But we tested it with a wide variety of test groups for many months. We modified it, changed it, softened it, soothed it. We changed our facilitator notes and what direction it was that we wanted FAs to "go" in their minds and hearts. Honestly, it was a great piece. A prodding piece. A poking piece. Made to make us think, consider. And I like that kind of thing -- that keeps me well rounded, thinking, using my head, and propels me forward. But clearly not all FAs like that sort of thing. I've already made it clear that we are an unusual group. Set in our ways, don't like change, demand flexibility, picky, get irritated by things like "I'll have a black coffee." Only to be met three rows later with a wave of the hand and a "I'll need a cream and four sugars." Those things continue to confound the wise. We exist in a world of shallow talk and chit chat with passengers. Nothing overly indepth. Surface.
So when a piece like "The Letter" is presented, we're taken aback. Shocked. Surprised. Which is exactly what the piece was designed to do. But it was intended to lead us in a positive direction. Not a negative direction. The section played out quite powerfully in a positive way to most. "Life changing, powerful, really made me consider, etc" are a few of the comments. But then there is this group of folks who are stuck. In the past. With what has happened to them over the years. The victims. With having been down this "company kool aid" trail before. They don't like management. They don't like people with good attitudes. They don't like coworkers who are friendly or go out of their way to help others. They live with an "Us" and "Them" mentality. And for those folks, the letter incited rage. Upset. Anger. Two wild extremes depending upon the type of person The Letter was presented to.
The Letter was a fake letter which explained that our company had been purchased by an investor. Assets were to be liquidated. Employees could reapply if they cared to. No one's jobs were preserved. It said nothing about "You're fired" or "You're a bad employee." But, you see, that's how we FAs work. We think we know better. We exist in a land of rumors and half-truths. We are not well connected to an accurate line of information. The funny thing is that about 95% of the negative comments came from those who had not even attended the program yet. Rumors. What they thought they knew. What they had heard from others. That's what they based their reactions on. And that I do not respect nor place any value on.
Really? Seriously? You haven't even experienced it yet and you're already red faced and irritated? Is that really the type of human being you are? Umm humm. It is. The Letter was designed to encourage a "What Would You Do" sort of dialog. What would you do tomorrow if this happened to you today? Who would you tell first? Do you have a plan? Are you prepared? It was to encourage ideas and thoughts from others. To help us get ourselves in line if we are ever purchased, or merged, or or or.
So, I made a Facebook entry the other night saying that I was facilitating Flight Path the following day and how excited I was to do so. My first and only comment was from a coworker who has never once made a comment on my FB page. But with regard to this, she did. I didn't like the comment, felt it rude and inappropriate for someone else to be making on MY page with MY excitement about the following day. Most of us would never do that. But that's the way she works. I removed it and messaged her to tell her why I had done it. Here is the dialog:
ME: Hi there. I removed your comment about the "Stupid Firing Letter." I felt it personally offensive. I helped develop the Flight Path program. I'm 100% invested in it. And it's tough to hear those sorts of half-cocked, uninformed comments from those who haven't even been to the program yet. I'm more than happy to chat anytime about the letter or anything else in the program. The letter had nothing to do with being fired. That's what rumors do for our lives. They create an unbalance, unfair, air of negativity that is not based on truth. Let me know if you have any questions.
HER: You weren't here in 85 when I received an unfair, negative letter to come back to work or I WAS fired.Unchanged in my opinion and what seems to be the same of an overwhelming majority of people that have gone to your mandatory program,Also a letter from our CEO (Bruce Kennedy)that we were all a bunch of ingrates and we were lucky to have a job instead of a Christmas card or bonus.You say I'm uninformed but maybe it was ____ and your team that were uninformed about how touchy this letter would be.I've run this idea by family friends that run corporations and they were appalled at this idea of trying making an employee feel grateful for their job by "picturing their life without this job. "So I feel your attack is personally offensive, as well-Respectively yours-
"Respectively yours"? Really? So, I went to bed. I tossed and turned. Upset. By her blue-collar bully ignorance. The uninformed who think they know it all. Those who actually know 10% but speak like they know 110%. And she continued to message me because I was in bed and failed to respond to her as quickly as she thought I should have:
HER: Nothing?Would you like me to form it in a question? It's obvious that you have gotten alot of heat for this but do you honestly feel that none of the negative feedback is valid?
The Letter section has been changed. Redeveloped. And it is working just fine. Good dialog. Good discussion. But definitely lacks the punch and power of The Letter. It was just way too far to ask some folks to travel in their heads. They just couldn't do it. Most of us could, a vocal minority could not.
So that's how my week's gone. How about yours?
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