People Watching

Flying back to Seattle today. I have a long layover in Minneapolis, so I'm getting an opportunity to do something I love. People watching. My first memory of this is sitting with my dad on the beach in the fall. They'd pushed the sand up into big dunes for the winter. The beach isn't as busy, but it's my favorite time at the beach. It's cooler, there aren't as many people, and it seems more peaceful to me. It's also the time when some interesting people come to the beach. My first experience with people watching was complete.

Flying always leads to some entertaining times people watching. So far, a couple of stories are standing out.

First, in the restroom, with a mom and her daughter in the 2 stalls next to mine. The girl is screaming at her mom because the toilet paper is apparently stuck in the holder and she can't get any out. The mom is telling her to hold on. The girl keeps screaming, and the mom keeps telling her to hold on until she's finished. Then, the screaming ceases. The girl picked up the toilet paper scraps from the floor, and then told her mom that she didn't need help anymore.

Now, I'm sitting in the airport, drawing all sorts of looks and comments as people see my cat sitting next to me in the concourse. It's very entertaining. Traveling with animals in tow has drawn some interesting comments, looks, etc. The couple sitting next to me on this last flight were enthralled with my cat and even more amazed that I had a dog along. The woman was also apparently in the restroom with me, as she kept telling me that she thought she heard a cat meowing, but couldn't believe there'd be one there. A family of 4 just came up and petted my cat through her carrier. The little boy told me all about his gray kitty at home that would grow up to be just like mine.

Did you know that there's a bike cop in the airport? I've never seen a bike cop inside an airport before. He keeps riding past, on the carpet, weaving in and out of the masses.

And, to clear up some alarm and misunderstanding regarding the ER topic from the last post...First, my dad is fine. No need to worry. The misunderstanding is regarding my last ER visit with my parents prior to this last excursion. That's either when I broke my wrist or passed out from dehydration. I've been to the ER on my own since. Twice, I think, now that I'm thinking about. Once 3 years ago for abdominal pain in which I learned first hand the wonders of lidocaine and once a couple of months ago for accidental exposure at work in which I got trach secretions in my eye. Say it with me, people...Nasty.

Good things can happen in ER visits, and that will be a story for another time...

Some Firsts and Two Questions

It's been an interesting trip back home thus far, full of new and exciting adventures, good, not-so-good, and indifferent. A not all inclusive list includes:

- The first flight I've taken on my own, Seattle to St. Louis with a layover in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I didn't do it the easy way, but I definitely did it the story telling way. My first flight on my lonesome, and I did it with my cat and dog in tow. The cat flew in the cabin in her carrier under the seat. The dog flew with my luggage. A very scared dog. He was shaking when I dropped him off, and he was still shaking when I picked him up at the other end. Poor puppy.

- My first speeding ticket. Coming back from visiting friends in Iowa, I got pulled over doing 78 in a 65. The state trooper asks, "Is there any justifiable reason?" So, my question for anyone reading this...Is there a justifiable reason for speeding and what is it?

- My first visit to the ER with my parents. Not when I was in need of medical attention, but when my dad was. Interesting having those positions reversed. The last time we went to the ER was either when I broke my wrist sliding into 3rd base or when I passed out from being dehydrated. I can't remember which one was last. Last night, we went because my dad couldn't breathe. He's doing fine, but definitely a different position to be in, taking your parent to the ER.

- My first visit to the tattoo studio with the intention of getting a tattoo. I've been to my share of studios already as I have my share of piercings. Never a tattoo. I've always been very hesitant to get a tattoo. The whole permanent thing was just too much for me. Now, I have an idea that I'm comfortable with, is original, and something I'm ok with being on my body permanently. I went with my friend who is no stranger to the tattoo studios and is friends with the tattoo artist. We talked about my idea, I got approval for the general idea, and we started talking about the details. The question he wanted to know..."Am I a girly girl or butch?" To those who know me, I'm curious. How would you answer that question?

Those are the firsts and questions that I'm sharing tonight. Enjoy, and let me know the answers to those 2 questions.

Whirlwind

My assignment in Oregon is winding quickly to a close. Which means I have one full day of work left and less than 48 hours to pack all my worldly belongings into my car, ship things to my folks, clean my apartment, and say goodbye to life as I've known it for the last 4 months. Odd. It's a strange job, this traveling gig. Have I mentioned that I have hardly packed a thing?

Apropos

Sometimes, songs just strike a chord. This week, I've had an interesting encounter with my past, and this song has stuck with me all week. It's from the Indigo Girls.

Let Me Go Easy

Come pleasure me again. I'm so tired of digging in.

I've done my share, don't need to win, just let me go easy.

For two years my body fights. At this point it don't seem right.

Just to do it out of spite and keep hanging on.

Go on let me go easy.

Won't you let me go easy, you let me go right now.

I see the numbers dwindling, of my enemies and my friends.

And still I know it never ends, so I'm passing you this torch.

Fight the greed and the federals. Fight the need and the toxic spills.

Drink from that wishing well, but may it never quench your thirst.

Let me go easy.Go on let me go easy.

Won't you let me go easy,you let me go right now.

Let me go easy.Go on let me go easy.

Won't you let me go easy,you let me go right now.

So when you get to Ladenville, 'fore the tears and the fare thee wells,

for a moment stand real still and you'll feel me moving on.

You go ahead with your plans, you won't be seeing me again,

but you'll feel me in the hand, the hand that holds the plough.

Let me go easy.Go on let me go easy.

Won't you let me go easy,you let me go right now.

Let me go easy.Go on let me go easy.

Won't you let me go easy,you let me go right now.

Oregon Coast

What took so long?

I've been a couple hours (ok, 3 hours) from the coast for the last 3.5 months. Why haven't I made the trip before? I attempted to once and got lost trying to find the scenic route through the mountains to the ocean. Then, I guess I got too busy exploring other things. I should have gone earlier.

This time, we just took the highway. We went through the tip of the California Redwoods. Absolutely amazing. My imagination didn't even touch the size of those trees after actually seeing them in real life. Unfortunately, no pictures of the redwoods.

Drove up the coast a bit, and found a wonderful beach. My first ocean view in over a year, and my, oh my, was it a beautiful view. Every time I see the ocean again, I remember how much I miss it.

Comments from Portland

I made a trip to Portland last weekend. Oh, what an amazing city! I could easily see myself living there. It's almost perfect. Small, with funky neighborhoods, but still has that big city feel, yet I managed to get around with minimal difficulty. Two stories that stand out in my mind to share...

I was walking down the side street off a busy shopping area heading to the car when a car full of girls drives by me. One of them rolls down her window and shouts at me. "Cool pants!" Any city in which some random girl likes my pants enough to say so out of her moving car is alright by me.

The other comment just illustrates the city atomsphere. Maybe I'm missing a city too much after living in this more rural area that I'm in right now. You be the judge. It's Sunday morning, and I'm in the streetcar heading downtown. There's, perhaps, 4 people on the car besides my friend and I. We're standing by the doors, which are 2 double doors, and we are not blocking them be any means. A person could, in fact, comfortably hold onto the rails on either side of the door. My friend and I are getting off in 2 stops. An older lady and her gentleman friend move to get off the train at the next stop. My friend and I don't move. They both can easily get on and off the streetcar and hold the rails on either side of the door. The lady body checks me, and then yells at me as she's getting off the car. "You wouldn't move for someone that's old enough to be your grandma." So, first of all, she was not any where near old enough to be my grandmother. Second, there was no need for me to move as she had easy access to the door and the hand rails. Ah, my city visit was complete as I got properly scolded for no good reason.

Portland...I had so much fun that I'm going back this weekend.

P.S. Jeff, if you're reading this, I visited Mount Tabor while there. One of the only cities with an extinct volcano within its boundaries and made into a beautiful city park.

Alarm Clock Radio

I have no idea what radio station I listen to. When I moved, I plugged in my alarm clock and turned on the radio when I was setting the alarm. Whatever radio station it was set on came through clear, with no static, and wasn't something I considered offensive. And, as luck would have it, when the alarm went off in the morning, I awoke to the news and the weather report. Perfect.

Perfect, that is, until this week. Let's remember what time of the year it is. It is November. It is NOT yet even Thanksgiving. I know it is in a couple of days, but it has not passed yet.

So, why, oh why, am I waking each morning to Christmas carols???

Unbelievable Snippets

I am a traveling health care professional currently on assignment on the West coast. I also have a nose piercing. This is background for the stories I'm sharing tonight.

I was working with a 70 something year old female who'd just had surgery. She was quizzing me about my nose piercing. Usually, at this point, I try to redirect the conversation AWAY from this. Coming from the conservative Midwest, nose piercings aren't regarded highly by the elderly. This lady was not being redirected. She wanted to know EVERYTHING. How was it done? Did it hurt? Did it get infected? Could you choose between a stud or a hoop? Then, she tells me that she's thinking about getting her nose pierced. I was floored. That's right. This 70 something lady wanted a nose ring. Wow. She wanted a nose ring. Unbelievable.

The second and final story for the evening is regarding an 80 something year old male who'd broken his leg. It's pretty common for me to work with older people after they've broken their legs. Usually, they break their hips falling in some way or another. Not this gentleman. Nope. He broke his leg while doing a motocross race. Wow. A motocross race. Unbelievable.

Only on the West coast.

Monster Trucks

A girlfriend and I went to a Monster Truck Challenge last night. Neither of us had ever been to one. My girlfriend is a huge fan of big trucks. The bigger, the better. What better place to go, then, than a monster truck challenge? I just figured I could get some good pictures. (This one is taken with my camera phone. I forgot my real camera. Definitely not the best quality.)



Before heading out for the evening, we'd called a couple of others who had expressed some interest in going with us. My girlfriend also called a guy friend she's interested in, but who's currently unavailable. The conversation went something like this:

A: "Whatcha doing tonight?"

Guy: "Just hanging out. How about you?"

A: "Heading to the Monster Truck Challenge. Wanna go?"

Guy: "NO!" Emphatically spoken, no hesitation, in a "What in the hell are you thinking?" tone.

For the rest of the evening, with any yes/no questions, the answer, as you might guess, was always an "are-you-crazy?", unflinching NO response.

What are friends for?

"What? You can't afford a coat with sleeves?"

It was a little cold the other morning as my dog and I headed out for our morning run. Probably in the upper 30's. Not bad. It was supposed to be in the 60's for the day. A crisp autumn start for the morning. A couple of people were actually warming up their cars before going to work. I didn't think it was that cold.

I took my dog out once again before leaving for the day. Still a little chilly. I could see my breath. I grabbed a vest before making the daily jaunt to work. I didn't think it was that cold.

I walk into the office at work with my hands wrapped around a steaming cup of chai.

"What? You can't afford a coat with sleeves?" was how I was greeted to start the work day.

I laugh and look at a coworker who also hails from a colder climate. She shakes her head. These California boys...They don't even come out of the house if it's below freezing.