It’s November 14. I just had dinner. Outside. Without a jacket on. AMAZING.
Today’s weather was awesome! Sunny skies, a slight overcast toward the afternoon, and WARM. I got to wear jeans, sandals, no jacket, no sweat, no chill bumps. I’m excited about this, all the while realizing how excited my Seattle friends are for the opening of the ski slopes. So, to all my powder-shredding friends, enjoy! But as for me, I’ll take the sunshine’s warm rays. Don’t mind if I do.
I was invited to attend a football game on Saturday, and I’m so very excited! I’m a huge sports fan, which comes to no surprise to anyone that knows me well. And I’m a full believer in the sports fan first commandment: Thou shalt always wear thy team colors and logo to thine sporting event. In the past, had I suddenly been invited to cheer on a team that I had no team gear for, I would panic and hit the team store, the nearest Fred Meyer/WalMart, or the JC Penny lil boys section to find the said team apparel that fits my fashion taste and my sports fan rules. It’s critical. For the Mariners 2009 season alone I acquired at least 4 new apparel items, over 3 straight days of shopping. I spent amny hours finding the perfect Sounders shirt and scarf. My entire wardrobe consists of crimson and cream. And I don’t believe it just wearing cute-crimson to games. No. You wear the team logo. You be a real fan. I own TShirts to most of my friends colleges (outside of the Big XII, of course). Penn State, SMU, Florida, Gonzaga, Western Michigan, UW…
So I’m going to the SMU game on Saturday. Perfect, I have an SMU shirt from the 2000 game in Shreveport while my brother was in college. So I’m going to the game, and tail gating, and I’m very excited. And what’s the first thing I did? I went to Northpark mall to shop for something to wear. And what do you think I came away with? A royal blue top. To go with the candy apple red lace cami that I already have. And then I panicked. Because I didn’t have any heels to where that matched. It’s SMU football, in Highland Park Dallas, and I’m worried because I couldn’t find a sequins gown to wear, so now I won’t fit in.
Oh Dallas, at least you’ll be sunny in November.
1. It is necessary to wake up at 6:30 in order to be at the fair with a corn dog and beer by 9:45 for an 11:00 kickoff.
2. My apartment carpet is either super cheap, or has never been cleaned. My new vacuum was completely full after its first run.
3. Boots, belt Buckle, jersey, and gnome aren’t enough to bring home a W.
4. Never underestimate the power of paraffin and a great pedicure.
5. There’s a reason chicken thighs are cheaper than chicken breasts.
6. It is impossible for me to get any productive homework done in the comfort of my own home.
7. Watching Brothers and sisters makes me cry every week
8. I’m competitive, I’m an athlete, I believe in rivalries. But even I took a knee and got quiet as a cheerleader when a player got hurt. To hear UT fans cheer in glee for a good two minutes when Sam Bradford went down is absolutely disgusting.
9. Flights to Seattle for the holidays are cheaper than I thought. I think I’m going to book.
10. Folgers really isn’t as good. I officially have a coffee tongue, and I can tell the difference.
11. I think it would have been a lot cooler if the kid was actually in the balloon.
12. If you don’t buy the proper volt/watt lightbulb, it could explode as soon as you turn the switch on.
13. Michael Irving can’t dance quite as well as Emmit Smith.
14. It’s snowing in Boston.
15. The earlier you get to work, the earlier you get to leave.
Tonight I was listening to 99.5 The Wolf front porch show. It’s probably been my favorite radio program for years, and I’m glad to be back in the listening area, with or without an antenna on the XT. I realize that the music that comes on strikes emotion within me more than I care to admit. Sometimes within 3 chords, my heart sinks, my eyes swell, or my smile broadens. The familiarity of a song that I know so well can make me stop conversation, make my hands sweat, or take me back suddenly to another place and time. Texas country does that for me, because it feels like the songs are about me. They’re about my Small town, USA. They’re about my roaming, wandering ways. They’re about my truck, my hunt, my fried chicken, and my romances. They’re about my boots, and my two step, and my wide open sky. They’re about my beer, my team, and my life. They’re about me.
I’m not a musical person. I can’t play an instrument, and I can’t read music (aside from a mean rendition of Boomer Sooner on the recorder). I can’t sing and I can’t keep a tune. But I’m an appreciater. I love dancing along to live music. I love singing along so loudly that I’m hoarse, but the speakers thankfully drown me out. I’m not talented, but I have the love for it. And the emotions that the music brings about in me can often seem so much stronger than any other emotion I’ve ever felt.
So Mom and I are going to Boston soon, in our tradition of “Mom’s Day Weekend.” Since I graduated, our Mom’s Day weekends consist of me, her, and a US city that I have never explored. Since she’s explored them all, she gets to be tour guide. Last year was San Francisco. This year is Boston.
I can’t help it, but the song “Boston” has been in my head all week. It’s a song that off and on through the last few years has hit me for various reasons. Was on a someone’s MySpace page that I used to check in on. Was with me during my Seattle dark times when I wanted to move on. Was on repeat when I met that someone from Boston that I just wanted to be reminded of. And it’s on now, as my pre-game to Mom’s day weekend. It won’t embed, but watch/listen by clicking on youtube link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE0BSJ8h6vc
The basis of the song to me, is much like Chariots of Fire. Just run.
If things aren’t what you want, or if you think you want more somewhere else, just run away. Run to where things are better, run to where things are different, run to where no one knows you. Run so you can leave your fears behind. Run. Run away. Because no one understands. They know my name, but they don’t know me. So I’ll run to where no one knows either. And I can start over.
The sad thing is, if you keep running, you’ll never know what it’s like to share understanding with someone. You’ll never know what it’s like to have someone call you by name, look you in the eye, and know you better than you know yourself. You’ll never know what it’s like to start a new life. You can’t outrun it forever. Because even if your legs are moving and your boxes are moving and your life is moving, your heart manages to be where it belongs.
In the light of the sun, is there anyone? Oh it has begun…
Oh dear you look so lost, eyes are red and tears are shed,
This world you must’ve crossed… you said…
You don’t know me, you don’t even care, oh yeah,
She said
You don’t know me, and you don’t wear my chains… oh yeah,
Essential yet appealed, carry all your thoughts across
An open field,
When flowers gaze at you… they’re not the only ones who cry
When they see you
You said…
You don’t know me, you don’t even care, oh yeah,
She said
You don’t know me, and you don’t wear my chains… oh yeah,
She said I think I’ll go to Boston…
I think I’ll start a new life,
I think I’ll start it over, where no one knows my name,
I’ll get out of California, I’m tired of the weather,
I think I’ll get a lover and fly em out to Spain…
I think I’ll go to Boston,
I think that I’m just tired
I think I need a new town, to leave this all behind…
I think I need a sunrise, I’m tired of the sunset,
I hear it’s nice in the Summer, some snow would be nice… oh yeah,
Boston… where no one knows my name… yeah
Where no one knows my name…
Where no one knows my name…
Yeah Boston…
Where no one knows my name.
As in, tie.
Point Dallas: I got to see my cousin for dinner on Friday night. It was so great to spend time with him and catch up. He just happened to be coming through for the Arkansas v A&M game (WOO PIG SOOIE!). Convenient reunion time. So glad to live here! Point Dallas.
Point Seattle: The preacher on Sunday talked about the children in the kingdom of God and how important their place in the church is. I couldn’t help but think of 5 precious little faces that I love and adore, and left behind. Point Seattle.
Point Dallas: This weekend my 2 best friends from high school are coming to stay! They can’t stay long, only one night, but I can’t remember the last time we had an overnight girl fest. It means so much to me that they are taking the time to come visit. I’m so excited! I can’t wait!! Point Dallas.
Point Seattle: Tonight, I turned on the garbage disposal. There was a spoon in there. Not quite a fork, but I totally missed my roommates. Point Seattle.
Point Dallas: Live country music. It’s very exciting, and it’s here. Kevin Fowler was a great kickoff. Point Dallas.
Point Seattle: Yesterday was the last Mariners game of the season. I felt like I was saying goodbye to SafeCo all over again. My eyes swelled, I wore my M’s jacket, and I bobbled my head in honor of Griffey. Point Seattle.
Really, it has to be the best one. I just got finished watching Grey’s Anatomy (I miss you Seattle!) and Private Practice, and it’s 10:00. Wanna know what’s even better? Conan comes on at 10:30. And the absolute best part of all…ESPN Game Day comes on at 9am. I don’t have to wake up at 7 anymore to have my “breakfast with Kirk”! It’s really fantastic. It’s amazing what that extra hour or two does for me. I love me some central time zone.
Sweat. Coupons. Funnel cake. Fletcher’s corn dogs. Fried Bacon. Fried PB&J. Fried Queso. Fried Butter. Fat people. The tallest amusement park ride in the Western Hemisphere. Pig races. Auto Show. Goat giving birth. And one really tall cowboy. It can only mean one thing.
Texas State Fair.
“6-legged creatures. They are known to attack people in wooded and/or damp areas. They are most commonly found during summertime when grass and weeds grow the heaviest. They bite near the hair follicles and produce red welts which can be very painful and itchy. They usually feed on snakes, birds, and mammals; even humans. They bite humans where clothing fits tightly or in places like waistlines, armpits, and behind the knees. They are not known to carry disease in the United States. When they bite, the symptoms can continue for about a week. If symptoms are not treated, then they become a secondary infection.” What is it?
I’m a victim. After a softball game, I was attacked and didn’t realize it until the next day when the welts appeared. They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and having visited Jerry World, I’d believe it. But the Sasquatch of Texas is invisible and tiny. Only to be seen with a magnifying glass. But they’re real, they’re mean, and they hurt. Chiggers, I’m back.
Praise God I don't look like this, but it happens....
Actually, I don’t think koozies ever went anywhere. But I did. To a koozie-less land. Where cans get warm from the heat in your hand. Where hands get cold from the chill of the can. This week involved two amazing koozie sightings. While in a meeting with my 2nd level manager, I notice he’s drinking his lunchtime coke from a Michelob koozie. This in and of itself is amazing. I can stop writing on this post, and that would be enough for one “whoa” moment.
But then I saw something better. At Grapefest, Grapevine’s wine festival weekend, the vendors and booths were out in full force. Perhaps the most notable and most popular vendor was the local plumber…who was giving away…plungers. Now usually, I wouldn’t be enthused about carrying around a plunger at a wine festival. The two don’t really seem to go hand in hand. But this is Texas. And it’s a recession. And they were free. So, people were carrying plungers at a wine festival. But some took it a step further. Turns out, if you turn the plunger upside down, a cup fits in nicely, and there’s a way around the heat/cold transfer from the can to the hand and back. I couldn’t help it, I stopped and asked two strangers for a picture so that this tale could be believed. So, I bring to you, the PlungerKoozie.
I call this, "Two Strangers and PlungerKoozies"
Now, I couldn’t buy into it. But these two did, and they looked quite happy about it. Who am I to judge? Their drinks stayed cold. And that’s really all that matters.
