Monday, June 27, 2011

Funny Words

Balm, salve, pomade.

Having showered, I'm applying one of my 22 varieties of body lotions that I've been gifted over the years. You know the kind. The fall back basket of lotions and soaps. I haven't purchased soap in about 4 years. I'm finally down to my last bar of glycerine soap (Cool Dawn scented) and will continue with the almond cherry liquid soap I inherited at a temp assignment about 3 years ago. I was working in the offices of an industrial building and I was so enchanted with their heavy duty dispensed soap (crushed almond shells made it a scrub texture) that the lead mechanic gave me a huge dispenser refill and I've had it in my closet ever since.

The lotions are proving harder to get through. At the moment, freshly showered, I have saturated my body with Cranberry Canneberge body butter from The Body Shop. I am supple. There is no further surface area that requires moisturizing. And nary a dent in the body butter.

If Only that Mockingbird Wouldn't Sing

And so it begins.

There's always one. At the onset of summer, we begin a long-standing tradition in the garden. Right about midnight, a mockingbird begins his repertoire.

He goes through a whole list of various calls, repeatedly, trying one out over and over until he feels like he's perfected it. Then he moves on to another one. That one gets a few minutes of practice, and on to the next. Ad nauseum.

Eventually, the little performer puts his whole symphony together into one continuous string and goes through the whole production, all the way through.

This would be lovely at 2 in the afternoon. At two in the morning, after two hours of learning the pattern, it becomes an OCD-like obsession that needs to be blocked out lest there be a risk of complete insomnia, followed by the impossibility to wake up in any shape to face the day.

Right now, he's at the beginning of his little oeuvre and I am determined to ignore him and fall asleep.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Blah


Kinda squashed today. Kinda dull. Kinda moody. I've been sleepy all day and now that I'm home and can crawl into bed, I just don't wanna. Not that I have anything that I do want to do. Just kinda restless, disquieted.

Blah.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Monday, June 20, 2011

My Little A.D.D. Child

Dear Cleo,

I want to thank you for all that you do. I want you to know that you are appreciated and your efforts do not go unnoticed.

Thank you for barking and scaring away all the bad guys. We are all safer for it.

Thank you for patrolling the perimeter of the yard on a regular basis. It's been years since we've seen an opossum.

Thank you for smelling like corn chips. You're the cleanest smelling dog I've ever had.

Thank you for teaching me how to speak Dog. I know that you have three different stares: one for food, one for water, and one for out.

Thank you for keeping our felines in line. They outnumber the canines, so it's a good thing you push your weight around or we'd really be whipped.

Thank you for peeing far away from the house. Not only do I not have to smell it, but Coco has to get up and go pee over your pee, and sometimes that's all the exercise he gets in the day.

Thank you for leaning up against me when we sit together. You make me feel like you really want to be sure I'm right there with you and I'm not going anywhere without you knowing it.

Thank you for keeping my schedule. We've got our day down to an artform: As soon as you hear the alarm, you leave your bed and cuddle with me while I hit the snooze 6 times; you know to jump back up on the bed after I've made it; after work, you come with me to feed the fish outside; you hang out with me until I turn the lights out and then you go to your own bed.

Lastly, thank you for all that love. How does all that fit inside you? Sometimes there's so much that you wiggle till you look like you're going to explode.

I love you, kiddo.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Les Miserables

That scene, right there...by the time the bishop took in Valjean, I was crying. That's, what? 8 minutes in? I tell ya.

I'd seen a brief report on the new production and wasn't altogether sure I'd like the changes. The original production was so engrained that it's like hearing your favorite song being sung by someone other than the original artist and not liking their version with a flair here or added emphasis there. But I'll give 'em credit. The changes were creative and served to better cradle certain parts.

*Spoiler Alert* If you have tickets to the show, and don’t want to know about the changes in the new production, you may not want to read ahead.

I think that, easily, the most effective change that I saw was the scene in the sewers. The prior production used the rotating stage and lighting that projected grill-like spots of light on the ground. Valjean carried Marius as he walked along the rotating platform and passed these grill spotlights. The setting was clear and we got the gist. But the new production had projected images of underground sewer tunnels that moved along with Valjean, like the blue-screen takes in a movie. What’s more, it wasn’t just one projection, but about four different takes, each time with Valjean shifting how he carried Marius (dragging, hoisted over one shoulder, over both shoulders, and carried in his arms). This approach accomplished the impact of distance and time much more poignantly, emphasizing the magnitude of the effort Valjean went to in saving Marius’s life. Incredibly effective.

The original production was lean on stage sets, which made the barricade stage set an iconic and beloved climax in the story. I distinctly remember that at one of the shows that I went to 20 years ago, when the curtain rose on the scene of the barricades, the audience burst into applause, such was the contrast with the prior sets as well as the recognition that this was the core of the whole story. This new production is much more set-heavy, but also clever about transitioning smoothly from one to another.

Javert’s suicide was one I was looking forward to. The original production had the bridge rail raised behind him as he stood on the platform and flailed. If you were invested in the story (and who wasn’t by then) it was easy to be generous and let your imagination fill in the effect. But I do remember that it was a risky special effect, liable to pull you out of the story for its almost hokey minimal approach. This new production resorted to the same pulling up of the bridge rail, but added the afore-mentioned projection of swirling water and darkness such that it took care of the holes in the original design.

Certainly, after listening to the London cast’s CD for 20 years, I’ve become accustomed to the songs being sung just so. That can’t be helped. I think that the voice that was most notably different was Eponine’s, which I’d grown used to hearing as Frances Ruffelle’s higher and more desperate version. The current actress (Chasten Harmon) has a sort of breathy, deep voice that I didn’t find as vulnerable as the higher notes of actresses past. On the other hand, as much as I’d dreaded anyone even attempting to replace Colm Wilkinson’s voice for me as Valjean, J. Mark McVey had moments when his voice was surprisingly similar, and I have to give him props for his Bring Him Home which is the inevitable compass he was to be measured by, and which always brings the house down.

On the subject of Bring Him Home, I think I’ll always be torn regarding the strength of the musical. On the one hand, the arias are beautiful and emotive. Bring Him Home is easily the most striking of the lot, Eponine’s On My Own is also emotive, and more popularly, thanks to Susan Boyle’s version, I Dreamed a Dream is notable. But for me, the layered songs, the ones that are an ensemble, are much more complex and really do it for me. There’s a strength, an aggression that goes with At the End of the Day, with those women coming together as one voice. Master of the House simply would not be the same if it was only Thernardier singing it. It’s everyone’s joining in that makes it so festive. One Day More is the most complex of all of them, layering everyone’s themes and melding them until they converge so perfectly into one common melody. And of course, Do You Hear the People Sing, which begins so hauntingly then builds, is emotive for the growing voices that it gathers.

For me, the best aria is Bring Him Home, and the best ensemble song is One Day More. I didn’t buy the new CD, mostly because, as I’ve mentioned, I have the original and am enamored with it. My guess is that I’ll be listening to it for quite some time. Last night, as I watched, I kept thinking that I know all the parts and the songs so well, I could very well climb up on that stage with them and join right in. THAT would be fun.

This post is dedicated to my cousin, Rosa, the only other human being on the planet who gets what I'm talking about.

*Image: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/06/theater-review-les-mis%C3%A9rables-at-the-ahmanson-theatre.html


I've Gone and I'm Back

I was this close to calling this a day to stay in bed. I'm somewhat lethargic, and was slow to become vertical this fine day.

But vertical, I am, and finally tied my hair up in a pony tail and set out to the grocery store for this week's oddities:
  • goat milk
  • bananas
  • cheese
  • chocolate chip cookies
  • pistachio gelato
  • orange juice
  • 3 cans of coconut juice
  • yogurt
  • oranges
  • spinach
The goat milk was a curiosity, long awaited. I like it. It has an earthy taste. Sort of nutty or buttery. I don't see me switching over from the cow's stuff, as it is a bit rich and a flavor that takes getting used to. But I do think I'll occasionally buy it as a treat.

The bananas and yogurt are for the daily morning fruit smoothies that I've taken to making now. I have finally gotten serious about cutting out coffee from my mornings. I used to be only an occasional coffee indulger, usually seeing it as a treat, like dessert of some kind. But I've noticed that when I work in places that have coffee at the ready, I tend to help myself, so I've gotten into the habit of drinking coffee as a default move on a more regular basis than I am comfortable with. I've managed to substitute the coffee with green tea, but sometimes I want something more flavorful, hence the smoothies. However, I've noticed that the smoothies are more satisfying and they also take care of the problem of me not getting enough fruit in my diet.

The orange and coconut juices are simply because I don't drink soft drinks so I have to get creative about what i can find to drink that's refreshing. I've always defaulted to iced teas and juices.

I'm gonna have a salad now.

Friday, June 17, 2011

The Best Breakfast in the World

Yesterday was a bad day at work. Usually a calm person, by the end of the day, my emotions were getting the best of me and I was using my resources (wonderful colleagues/friends) to vent and keep from completely imploding. People were predictably supportive, encouraging, patient. The 10-hour day closed with me going home to get some distance and start over.

This morning I was determined to hunker down and get many of my tasks off my desk, completed and crossed off my list. I could no longer stomach external factors slowing my own progress and success. I knew that this was going to be the day I would have to close my office door.

It may sound like a small detail, but it isn't. We have such a small cast of characters that everyone is very openly in everyone else's business. The few of us who have offices, always have our doors open. There's an unspoken pattern that the only time for closed doors is in the interest of a conference call on speaker phone, so as not to annoy others, and when there is a delicate matter to discuss, usually bad news of some kind. In the past, when discussing the amount of work on my desk, Main Boss has suggested that I close my door and just not take calls or interruptions. I know he means well, allowing me to isolate myself, but I see it as an unrealistic strategy. The fact is, every department is in some way connected to and dependent on the work that I do. Sales wants to know if we're on schedule for shipments. Shipping often relays info about incoming or outgoing deliveries or shortages. Production often needs to reconcile discrepancies in inventory. Accounting needs my signature or has external mail to disseminate. Phone calls and emails just add to the endless ways I get side-tracked and detoured on a daily basis. I know that I need to be accessible.

But this morning, I had made up my mind. I had to put my own responsibilities first, get a few projects done, and get back ahead of the game instead of working in panic mode. I was closing my door. I still felt bad doing it, thinking that everyone would wonder what was wrong, so I just called out, "I love you all, I just have a lot to do today, so I'm closing the door." This made everyone chuckle and I knew we'd be alright.

I got started, the bitterness of the day before still hoovering over my mood. Just looking at some of my files brought up irritations as I attacked them. I turned on the iPod to listen for something calming, and went about my work.

15 minutes into my work day, I got a knock at the door. Yep. This is how it was going to be. 7:15, interruption number one. I looked up and saw through the glass wall panel that it was the lab guy who I consider a friend and had been part of my support system the day before. I waved him in. He walked in, set an aluminum foil covered plate on my desk and walked back out, closing the door behind him. I smiled and thanked him, telling him to hold on while I grabbed one muffin or whatever was under there and gave him back the plate. We often show up with a box of donuts, croissants, cookies or treats of any kind to share with everyone in the kitchen. I assumed this was the same except that I noticed that the plate was hot in my hands. He was long gone by the time I'd managed to pry the aluminum off, to find the most incredible surprise:

Remember this?: Foodie on a Mission

Well, under all that foil was a great big plate of prosciutto and goat cheese omelet with rosemary potatoes. Still hot from the stove. I was absolutely flabbergasted. And laughing. I'd mentioned my obsession with this particular breakfast enough times that it was a running joke. Once in a while I'd pipe up with, "I could really use a prosciutto and goat cheese omelet with rosemary potatoes right now." I didn't think anyone was paying attention, and that it was just a source of humor. Turns out, as I came out of my office to thank him and answer questions about, "Hey, what did he give you?" that another colleague had also written the exact menu on a sticky note and hidden it under her keyboard, hoping to some day come across the establishment that could finally make that happen for me.

Everyone thought it was a really cool thing to do, as did I, thanking him, not just for the amazing amount of thought, effort, and care that went into this gift, but for turning my mood completely around and reminding me that I really do work with some great people.

I was encouraged by everyone to enjoy my breakfast since the only real boss that would be in that day wasn't due for another couple of hours. So, for the rest of the morning, I worked through files and munched on the best breakfast in the world.

I did spend the rest of the day with the door closed, but the usual crowd came by on and off, coming in and chatting or looking out my window, then leaving again and closing the door behind them. The dynamic is lovely. They knew the closed door wasn't for them, that they were welcomed into my office always, and felt free to let themselves in with a quick knock. I did get much done, compared to the day prior.

But mostly, I was reminded that I have people on my side just as much as I am on their side and that we all want very much to be successful at what we do and like to work together to make that happen. And that we appreciate each other. Today I felt appreciated.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Darn That Bad Apple...

I do like my job.

I work with some pretty exceptional people and my position is such that it allows for both analytical thinking as well as variety in problem solving. Two things that keep me mentally stimulated and, therefore, invested.

We're a relatively young crowd, averaging in the 30s, and that's from the production line right up to the owner of the company. What this means is that we all come to the table with a tendency to think creatively and acknowledge more than one solution for any given challenge. We don't operate on traditional limitations.

At the same time, it's a small enough company that we all wear many hats which requires flexibility and some fast thinking. Truth be told, it's a sink-or-swim kind of place. There is little to no training for any given position, requiring everyone to be of the pro-active type, resourceful and independent. It's not the kind of place where you can sit on a problem and hope someone else resolves it. Gotta get your hands dirty. We're constantly and speedily moving forward, forward, forward. If you don't hold on, you could get whiplash.

What this means is that it takes all of about 4 hours to size someone up. Constant contact and collaboration with many departments means that you get to know your colleagues very quickly and to identify your resources right away. This also means that the weak link gets flagged like a young wildebeest to a pride of lions.

For the most part, I'm a passive person. I tend to get my cues externally. I'm perfectly content to stay in the background and work in a team. However, if the moment calls for it, I have no hesitation in picking up the reigns of a situation, bringing out the Alpha in me. It's all about the balance in a room. If there's an Alpha in charge, I can defer. If one is needed, I can step up.

The part I'm not proud about is that if there's an Omega involved, the Alpha in me becomes acutely aware. I swear, it has to be chemical because as much as I'm a relatively amiable person to deal with, I have no tolerance for weakness.

Today was about dealing with incompetence that was doubly irksome because it was incompetence from an Omega. This kind of combination has a mortifying result for me. It brings out the worst in me. Not in behavior, but in mindset. What I mean is that I don't like who I am and how I think about the person. I find that it is easy for me to be dismissive of him, assigning no redeemable value, whatsoever. I know this is an unfair conclusion, I'm rational enough to know that this is inaccurate, unfair, and ungenerous of me. I do acknowledge that. But, like I said, it seems to be purely chemical, emotionally, and then the flames get fanned with the incompetence.

Today was frustrating. I like my job. I like the people I work with. But there's a wrench in the system and I have little patience for such nonsense.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Eleven

I'm behind in my writing by about eleven post entries. I've been making notes in my purse notepad, in order to remind myself to write about this, that, or the other, as my days come and go. For whatever reason, though, I seem to go into some kind of comatose state once I get home.

It's a phase, I know. It'll go away and I'll go back to spewing nonsense in no time at all. But this in-between state that I find myself in, makes no sense to me. On the one hand, the words are swimming, on the other hand, I seem to not have the focus enough to put them down on paper, even if just in draft form.

I'm such a weirdo. Even I don't get me.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

It's Not About the Number of Candles



Have you seen those commercials about the immature cheeses? They have a guy with a clip board standing over a wheel of cheese. The cheese proceeds to make obnoxious comments or crack dumb jokes. The same happens at the second visit of the clip board guy and then, finally, the cheese strikes a conversation about philosophy or something (don't quote me on that).

I like that idea. I like the idea of hiding obnoxious cheese away until it has fully matured.

I think we should do that with people.


*Copyright infringement not intended. If anything this is free advertising for Cheez-It, and I do love the darned things.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Good For Me

I'm so very proud of myself.

1st of the month and I've:
- Budgeted
- Set up daily, weekly, monthly tasks on Outlook
- Run my monthly scan for viruses (on the computer, not on me)
- Am about to do my monthly back up of my files to my external hard drive

I am, effectively, beginning to run my personal life as meticulously as I've run my professional life. If you recall, this was a plan that I had hoped to get underway at the beginning of Lent. I wrote about it in Set in Ash, and had not reported back.

This is actually good timing, as I've taken on a couple of extra projects that I was sort of starting to drop the ball on and it's about time I just scheduled them into my weekly calendar so that I can focus.

*Image: onlytheblogknowsbrooklyn.com