Measure In Love

In December of 2016, I set some resolutions for myself for the new year. Most of them are on my annual list: workout more consistently, save money, read more often, and decrease my soda intake. 

An additional one was added after viewing this photo online. Well, a take on the below idea. 

I, more or less, noted the nuggets of joy that came my way, unexpected things that made me smile.

This has been one of the most rewarding things I've done in recent years... nevermind rewarding resolutions. It forced me to notice the small things, the things that make me smile, the smell of freshly cut grass, crunchy leaves, the glow of white string lights, a strong hand to hold, things and people that I've treasured and enjoyed for years, and new things that I didn't even know I enjoyed until recently like making lil Nutella sandwiches in the wee hours of the morning, and so much more.

If you're looking for something new to do in 2018, I recommend measuring in joy and love (a la RENT).

Uniformity

This morning, I had an interesting experience at a local uniform supply company. My boyfriend's daughters attend/will attend a Catholic school in September. Late last week, he had taken them to get measured for the upcoming year, and I went this morning to pick up their items.

First of all, the parking lot was completely packed. I arrived just ten minutes after they opened the doors, and there was a line out the door and already limited parking. Perhaps a Saturday morning was not the best time to retrieve these items...?

As I walked up to the door, I saw families walking in and out with their kids. Some in pretty summer dresses with elaborate hair bows, others in athletic gear and flip-flops; some Caucasian, some African-American, some Asian, some Latino.

I smiled upon seeing them and noticed that there were two types of children at this particular business this morning. I assume many of these different types of children come through this location with mom or dad annually...maybe kicking and screaming, especially at the end of the summer. I also assume that this uniform supply business is only busy during the month of August.

The first type of child is one that is completely dreading spending a Saturday at the uniform store in preparation of returning back to school. Even though some of their classmates were present, there were youngsters whining, fidgeting, complaining. Some were climbing on the chairs or reading books or watching videos on their parents cell phones to distract them from what was actually happening. I have to say that this was, without a doubt, the majority of the clientele this morning.

The rare alternative is the child that is looking forward to going back to school and enjoys the process of preparing. Those young children are excited to get measured for their new school jumpers, are eager to pick out new backpacks and lunch boxes, and are sitting quietly waiting for their number to be called...like a game. Bingo!

[As an aside, parents walked through the door, saw the lines and the crowd of people waiting for their turn, shook their head or rolled their eyes or looked at their watches, knowing that this process was going to take longer than they anticipated.]

After about 45 minutes of waiting and of people watching (and of blog topic data collecting), my number was called - "white ticket 64". Bingo!

I do have to say that the store, while busy, knew what it's doing and cranked people in and out of that store as quickly as they could without rushing people out.

Once called, my transaction was relatively painless - a few items on back order ensure a return trip in a few weeks. Hooray!

While I was in line to pay for the items, a young girl strayed from the line to check out mini uniforms for dolls. She wanted to share her back-to-school experience with her favorite toy. She was so excited when she recognized her uniform pattern that she yelled, "I found it!" I am happy to say that Mom splurged on this gift for her daughter's doll. Anything to keep kids excited to learn!

I wore uniforms for 13 years throughout my Catholic schooling. I remember my uniforms fondly. For me, not only did they make mornings easier, but it was a way for classmates from different walks of life to come together and get on the same level. 

Very few people would choose school over summer camp or pool parties. That's just a fact. That being said, I always enjoyed back to school shopping at Staples and getting back so I could see my friends more regularly. Oh right...and to learn. 

As for the young girl whose doll will soon match the outfit she wears most often, I predict she will become a teacher herself or a guidance counselor or an accountant or a lawyer or something even greater.

Tardy For The Party

Three things that make me anxious:

3. Conflict
2. Self promotion
1. Being late

Anyone that has traveled with me in any capacity can attest to my number one anxiety.

I like to get to the airport for domestic flights at least two hours in advance. On afternoons that I take the bus or the train from work, I always leave earlier than I need to, and allow too much time to walk a block and board. If I have an appointment or a meeting, I am, many times, there patiently waiting before anyone else.

I say patiently because I truly do enjoy being early. I never want people to be waiting on me or for me to miss out on something important. I also never want the aftermath of trying to scramble around for whatever it is I missed. I do not want an inconvenience and I do not want to be thought of as an inconvenience.

For these and other reasons, it made me very nervous that four young ladies, all in Red Sox attire, game tickets in hand, leisurely strolled into the Providence train station the other night at 5:30 p.m. They were going to have a great night. I was jealous and wanted to tag along.

Actually, just knowing that the game started at 7 p.m. in Boston, which is an hour train ride away, made me (and still makes me) a bit frantic. And! At what stop are you getting off? By my calculations, you would need to break the bank to either cab it or Uber it from any of the stops in Boston to the Fenway area.

Why did these ladies look so calm? I should say why did three of the four ladies look so calm? The fourth had a fidget spinner. I know that because it fell out of her purse.

Had it been me, the feeling that I felt putting myself in their shoes while I was sitting on the wooden bench waiting for my train home would have been happening far earlier in the afternoon. Panic starts to set in for me around 4 p.m. at the latest.

Maybe they are not ride-or-die baseball fans. Maybe they don't care about watching the first pitch or listening to the National Anthem being sung. Maybe they don't care to pick up some popcorn or a Fenway frank and a beer before taking their seats.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't, I couldn't be friends with them.

Dearly Beloved

My friend Cindy is insane. Of all the people that she knows in this world, she and her fiance chose me to officiate their wedding ceremony. They are not right in the head.

There is no one less qualified than me. I am a fallen Catholic. I curse. I laugh when people fall. My face gets red and my voice changes when I speak in front of a group; some call it my telephone voice.

That being said, I am also a great friend.

When she called me several months ago to pop the question, I, obviously, said yes. I was very nervous...which was evident by my less-than-confident response...but I agreed. I figured that I had several months to get my nerves in order and write something that would be meaningful for the couple and their guests.

In January, I obtained a certificate online to be an ordained minister. I contacted the town clerk to confirm that this teeny tiny little certificate that took me minimal time to earn was all I needed to make their union legal.

I began putting together the ceremony with help from Cindy, her fiance Brian, and the Internet. I sent her a first draft that, surprisingly, she loved. Minor edits were made before the ceremony and I was well on my way.

I then realized that I would be in every single photo of their wedding ceremony so I went to Rent the Runway to rent designer dress options for the ceremony. After a few shipping delays and switches due to fit, I found a dress that was classy enough to play the role of a minister, but fun enough to be a hit on the dance floor.

The day came. It was gorgeous outside, but I spent much of the afternoon in my hotel room practicing. Without a doubt, I was more nervous than the bride and the groom. While everyone knew that this was my first officiating soiree, I didn't want to mess things up. Not for Cindy.

I am happy to report that things went well! The ceremony was short, but not too short. It was sweet and heartfelt. Guests laughed and cried.

I am thankful that I was able to give the happy couple this gift. More importantly, I was able to get my friend a new last name.

Congratulations to the bride and groom!

Techno...no...no...logy

It is a cold, rainy Friday night in New England and, on the way home from work, I stopped at Redbox to pick up the two movies that I had reserved for myself last night...Masterminds and Patriots Day.

Masterminds
David Ghantt (Zach Galifianakis) is stuck in the monotony of driving an armored truck day in and day out, so when his work crush lures him into the heist of a lifetime, David's all in. Despite a pack of harebrained bandits and an absurdly flawed plan, David manages to steal $17 million, and promptly hands it over to the gang -- who just as promptly double-cross him. Forced to go on the lam, David must dodge the authorities and a hit man, and try to turn the tables on his untrustworthy comrades.

Patriots Day

Tragedy strikes on April 15, 2013, when two bombs explode during the Boston Marathon. In the aftermath of the attack, police Sgt. Tommy Saunders (Mark Wahlberg), FBI Special Agent Richard DesLauriers (Kevin Bacon) and Commissioner Ed Davis (John Goodman) join courageous survivors, first responders and other investigators in a race against the clock to hunt down the suspects and bring them to justice.

For obvious reasons, I was going to watch them in the reverse order.

I sat in traffic for a while on the way home due to the weather and I had to run two errands prior to picking the movies up at the kiosk outside the local supermarket. The minute I walked into my condo, I made my way to the TV. 

I reached down to my VCR / DVD combo and took out The Simpsons Movie. Yes, I said VCR / DVD combo. Well, it seems my lack of technology has finally caught up with me. I initially thought that the DVD was defective. Then, I tried the second one...same thing. (So glad I wasted $3.22 for the rentals.)

Then, I put The Simpsons Movie back in the machine and still nothing. Say what? It's not a Redbox DVDs...it's...me?

Perhaps it's time to upgrade? 

Well, good thing I have a backup plan. Library books it is. 

Where Is My Brain?

Last week, I, along with everyone else in the state, went to the grocery store before another New England snow storm. I needed some staples to get me through a snowy day or two.

After selecting too many items for the red handheld basket that I grabbed on my way into the store, I went to the self-checkout aisle, scanned all my items, and requested cash back. I bagged my items, paid and took my receipt, and made my way towards the cold Rhode Island air.

It wasn't long before I hit the sidewalk that I realized that my $40 cash back was still in the change dispensary.

I quickly turned around and entered through the exit, manually pulling both doors open. I nearly ran over an employee and a store customer to get back to where I had checked out.

I excused myself, and said in a panicked tone, "I forgot my cash back!"

Luckily, my money was still there. Phew! I would've been really upset if I paid $70 for some bananas, rice, chicken, cereal, iced tea, butter, and vegetables.

Sometimes I swear that my brain is broken.

2016: A Retrospective

Wow...I'm exhausted. 2016 was quite the year. I don't know about you, but when I go back through my calendar, and take a look at what I have done and seen and experienced and accomplished in 365 days, I smile and feel proud...and tired.

2016, I'm actually sad to leave you behind. Before you are totally out of the rear view mirror, let's take a ride down memory lane, shall we?

In no particular order, I have...
* seen and felt Joy (the former starring Jennifer Lawrence)
* been snowed out of NYC, sadly
* shared meals and drinks with the best of the best
* showered Tristen, Katrina, and Jenny with love and best wishes for their next adventures
* disregarded all sorts of acceptable hygiene standards during Girls Weekend down the Cape
* "ran" two 5ks
* cheered at PawSox games at McCoy, Sox games at Fenway, and Revs games at Gillette
* taken a pole dancing class in...Vegas? No. NYC? No. Portland, ME, of all places
* spent all of my saved HSA dollars to get a scar on my left arm and the pity of loved ones
* been named Blue Angel of the Year for my work in the community
* been entertained by Dave Matthews Band, World Premier Band, TransMission, Wayz and Means, Elf the Musical, Disaster, An Act of God, and La Reve 
* said goodbye to Big Papi...and cried on the way to and from the game in the car...while listening to One Moment In Time 
* danced at the weddings of Marissa and Adam, Katrina and Corey, and Jenny and Marco
* interacted with plenty of animals at
Roger Williams Zoo, The Big E, and OKCupid
* proudly voted for Hillary...and I'd do it again
* upheld longtime traditions at The Fort
* developed a healthy obsession with Scientology

I hope that 2017 is super competitive and tries to beat out this past year.

May you all have a happy and healthy 2017!

Burst Bubble

All of us have had our sights on something for hours or days or months or even years, and just when you think you have it within your grasp, it slips away. The bubble bursts.

Sometimes it is a promotion, a new relationship, a new home, or a big, lofty personal goal.

Other times, it's a burrito bowl.

I woke up this morning craving a burrito bowl...badly. As a responsible, sensible adult, I held off until late afternoon before placing an online order to be picked up an hour or so later.

After placing my dream order, I changed and freshened up before venturing out into the winter cold, and happily exited my condo. I made two quick stops before hopping on 95 South.

I made my way towards the holy grail and as I pulled into the parking lot, I quickly got discouraged and annoyed. The restaurant was dark. Closed.

Why would the restaurant app allow me to place an online order if the restaurant wasn't open? Why weren't holiday hours posted within their app site? Don't they know that I passed two other tasty Mexican restaurants to get to them?

Maybe it's the universe holding a Mexican food intervention for me...?