Tooley

My friend The Blaze is moving to Tooele. We make fun of him for this every opportunity we get. The only thing I remember about Tooele is going fishing there, and from a distance seeing the huge crater in the middle of the desert that they saw fit to call a lake. It was a man made reservoir, like so many in Utah, but couldn't they have at least tried to fake the facade a little? Put some trees out there? We now tell Blaze we're going to bring him a fake plug-in fountain and a chia pet as house warming gifts, so it will seem like nature's not so dead out there.

It turns out that in addition to that man-made monstrosity, Tooele also has sky diving. I learned that though Tooele is practically a hole in the ground in the middle of nowhere, not all of it is gross looking--at least not from the sky. Down close it's still not all that pretty, but from the air it's actually gorgeous. I'll still bring a chia pet the next time I go down that way, but my opinion is slightly altered.

The plan was to Sky Dive in Vegas for Fun Week. I'm actually glad we didn't. Though fun, the basis of Fun Week is sporadic--good 'ol not planned--fun. And I like the fact that the things we do are not bringing out the big guns at all. They're mostly cheap and fun mainly only for the ones participating. Anyway, I assumed sky diving would never happen as it was placed in the "things we should do eventually" bin. But my friend Sheidi decided years ago that for her 30th birthday she wanted to go. After my sky diving plans fell through, she asked if I wanted to go with her. I said "heck yeah". It happened to fall on Easter weekend. I worked. But I managed to drag myself out of bed at 230 am, for good old times' sake, and was able to finish up with work by noon. I then drove to Lindon to enjoy Easter festivities with my fam. I kind of thought it was just my immediate family, but it turns out it was the whole McSomethingkins clan. I took loads of pictures of my nieces and nephews mainly, turned down chicken and turkey burgers in better interest of stealing someones hot dog, ate lots of food in general, hid plastic Easter eggs (managing to drop one of them down a water pipe that will likely be launched across the lawn at a later date), and left amid warnings from my sister that "bungee jumping sucked, and falling is not fun."

She was wrong by the way. Sky Diving was something I wanted to try out of curiosity, not really excitement (though I wanted to go when younger), and it wasn't until I was there that any nervousness manifested itself at all. We watched a movie, in which I realized it was more a strategic process than I had thought, signed waivers, waited, then dressed up in funny little suits. I decided to shell out a little extra dough for a cd of pictures taken by some guy with a camera on his head following me around, and I'm glad I did the first time even though I never will again. My tandem master was married, had a slight beer belly (which it turned out made it easier to keep my back arched like a banana like I was supposed to), and looked a lot like my brother-in-law only with long hair and a braid. Sheidi's tandem master was the embodiment of gorgeous and perfect, and I was still bitter even though it was her birthday. He was from South Africa, but I swear the accent sounded more Bulgarian or something, and I hope if I go again I get to go with him because I'd like to be able to do more tricks going down. My guy was quiet, so I was left to freak out on the inside, and he only told me what to do on the plane, which was actually better. We only covered the practice landing once the chute was out.

The plane was small, blue, and there were 5 parachutes on board. We heard a great sky diving joke from my tandem master, and got to see Tooley in all it's majesty from the windows. Then the door opened, I was unsure how to react, and then my feet were hanging over the edge of the door, my belly button was out, my head back, and my arms in a chicken wing position holding the straps of my harness. I didn't do the actual leaning out of the plane, but was instantly aware of how crisp the cold air was from up that high. Breathing through my teeth took some effort. I knew I wouldn't be able to hold my breath the whole time, so I forced the cold air through my lungs. The falling was the most amazing and indescribable feeling. It really doesn't feel like gravity plays much of a role. I've always loved flying in planes and looking down at the little squares of land that look so different at a closer perspective, and here I got to do that only without the confinement of the airplane walls around me. I got to see how blue the sky was around me at the same time I was seeing the landscape below. Also, the sound of the air falling around me completely overpowered my vestibulocochlear nerves. The chute came out--also more fun than your average roller coaster, but hard to peg a description on--and suddenly I could talk and hear normally again. I looked around and saw a large herd of horses by a ravine that looked soooo tiny! I'm pretty sure I screamed with delight, but fortunately my tandem master couldn't actually make sense of them. He then asked me if I wanted to do some spins and turns. I acceded. He gave me hold of the parachute straps and told me to pull my left down as far as it would go, then to pull down my right arm hard and hold it. Afterwards he asked if I was still feeling okay and did I want to do some more. At this point I was having loads of fun and quickly agreed. After a few more tricks it was time to land. I put my legs as high up in the air as I could (which wasn't far because I have no flexibility whatsoever), and his legs hit the ground first and we ended up doing a sitting landing. I was soooooo ready upon landing to go back up.

Sheidi landed soon after, and it turns out that her tandem master went a little wild with the tricks, which was her fault for asking him to. I have an iron stomach, and therefore was instantly a little more jealous, but Sheidi apparently does not have an iron stomach and was white as a sheet. It turns out the only thing that kept her from hurling was thinking about how hot South Africa was, and how embarrassed she'd be to spew on him. She was then sick to the point of wanting to die for the next 3 hours. We went to see Blades of Glory, mainly because she drove and wouldn't have been able to right after that, and I have no night vision, so there you go. Sheidi's brother and sister-in-law surprised her by coming to see the whole thing, and it was he that paid for our movie tickets. And the popcorn that I largely devoured. It was funny, cheesy, and down right wrong at points, but I enjoyed the movie.

And that was sky diving. I absolutely fell in love with it, and am ready to go with anyone anytime soon. That means you Pinkie. And I only have to go tandem once more in the next 30 days to be able to go solo the next time. This could totally become a regular, and very expensive, hobby. Now I will proceed to the slideshow portion of the evening.

This was the exit. That was the plane. And everything around us was blue and gorgeous. The second is of me and my tandom master falling. The reserve chute is out so we wouldn't continue to fall faster and faster, but we were still falling. The smiley faces were placed there by me in the interest of privacy, in regards to one's alias. If you could see our faces, you would know how fast we were falling, because the skin on our cheeks were being pushed up.

A lovely view of the falling from above, and now you really can see Tooley in all its glory, but sadly not the horses from that far. Finally you have the landing. That white little tent dome is where you actually get suited up.

Good 'Ol So Jo

So I'm stuck in the South of Jordan today. Last night I decided to come up to return my library books and stuff, and to watch the Office at Frogkisser's house, and the thought came to me, "I wonder if Wal-Mart has any Easter candy left". Easter candy is my favorite candy of the year. I made the necessary waylay to Wally. Upon entering the parking lot, going straight mind you, I managed to hit the curb running parallel with my car--don't ask me how--and then my beloved tire was gone. Apparently it was one of the new ones my dad had gotten. Huge gash, and I managed to destroy the rim. I should have known that candy would be my down fall. I elevated my car with my jack, called my dad, then went into the store and bought candy. I looked at tires, but I had no idea what I was doing, and it turns out it wouldn't have done much good. I came out and my dad was unscrewing the rim bolts, and I need a new rim which we have to get at a wrecking yard on account of my car being so old. So that's what my poppy and I will be doing today when he gets off work at 430. Until then I'm stuck at my parent's house.

On hearing the news that I would be stuck here, I said, "ah dangit". Poppy replied, "you can 'ah dangit' all you want, but it's your own fault". I replied that I knew it was my own fault, but that wasn't going to stop me from 'ah dangit-ing.' He then told me I was free to 'ah dangit' all I like. I did so, then went over to Frogkisser's. I stole nerds and a peanut butter cup egg from their coffee table bowl, then watched 30 Rock and The Office. Then I went to Smiths to buy a toothbrush. I ended up with those little floss sticks--because I've decided to give the standing New Year's resolution another shot, the biggest bottle of Listerine I've ever seen attached to a little bottle of pre-brush whitening stuff (?), toothpaste with baking soda--because I love how it makes my mouth feel, a double pack of contact soln, face wash, a contact case, and about 25 bucks more of Easter candy. They had a huge shopping cart full of Cadburry mini eggs, the likes of which I'd never seen in such quantity. I have the biggest weakness for those things. I got home to discover that I had somehow not bought the toothbrush I picked out. I went back to get it. The thing cost me almost 5 bucks. I could have gone with another, but I had a really good feeling about this particular toothbrush. It has a tongue cleaner, and grips beautifully, and oh that arch! I've got to say, totally worth the money. I've become very attached. I might throw it a toothbrush christening party. Between that bliss and the fact that I got to sleep on my Queen bed in my old bedroom...I wasn't so sad about the tire thing.

Yesterday I totally loafed about my house all day. It was my first "Off Day" so because I have this wheeze and cough I slept in, then washed everything I own. I then proceeded to put my clothes on hangers and place them in the closet, which is the step that usually thwarts me. My room is much cleaner now, and would have reached Enlightenment by now if I wasn't stuck here. We talked about Buddhism and Enlightenment in my World Religions Institute class yesterday. I need to remember to go get a free Koran at the student center on Thursday. So now I'm just enjoying my time home alone with the Internet at my fingers, and my digital camera at my side. I've got to say, it looks gorgeous outside. I really wish I could be at my house right now utilizing my new pottery wheel. Fortunately I brought homework and a book of leisure. I could probably wash my car with a flat tire. I'll run close by errands with my spare--which is not fit for freeway speeds. And I'll figure out how to download pictures from sky diving for my next post.

Ahhh. My toothbrush surrounded by a heavenly glow. it's like the flash on my camera knew.

I Shouldn't Be Allowed To Think At 4 In The Morning

So I haven't had much time of late to write stuff while at work, and since I lack the Internet at home, that means I couldn't write at all. Or I forgot to. And I've also recently been waking up later (between 5-7 am) to get to work, and I've found that there is always more to do there the later one goes.

Now suddenly I'm at work and it's 430 am...I got here at 230. I've built my runs, I've volume checked one, and I'm waiting for the calibrators that never came in last night to come in. I can't really do much till they do. I have little things here and there to do, but I don't really feel like doing them right at this moment, and the sooner I do the more bored I'll become. I came in early today solely to leave early. Being the Saturday before Easter, my family is getting together, but I work. But I'd like to spend some time with them before I possibly die sky diving, which is where I have to be at 5 pm, and thus I need to leave work in time to get to my sister's by noon. I don't think I will--die that is--but if I do, Aaron can be "kind of" sad.

One might be wondering, what does she possibly have to say of import right now that would justify a post? Sadly the answer is das nichts. Although I think I may leave work momentarily soonish to get myself a caffeine and donut.

The Shins and My Elbow

Okay, it's tomorrow now; of yesterday at least.

So we went to the Shins concert that weekend, which I didn't take the time to write about in my last post. That's why I planned on writing the next day. But then I didn't.

Even better, it's now the 3rd of April, which is an even longer amount of time from when I wrote the above than the time that elapsed between when I wrote the above and when I wrote the below. Regardless, now you can view it in its full glory:

The concert was great. I was slightly disappointed Viva Voce was not able to make it, because they are a really great band, and I think of all the opening shows one could see...they'd make a good one. However, I'm pretty sure the actual band played longer because they had no opening band. Anyway, James Mercer sounds just as amazing live as on any album; he really has an outstanding voice. Plus the guitarist and bassist on the left were jamming out, and it was fun to watch them...they were obviously having fun. Plus they were both pretty short, so they were adorable enough to want to take them home and tote them around in a wagon. And the one--at certain points--went over and played keyboard, and when he did he had a tiny maraca. We were sitting up on the balcony, which you can do if you're of drinking age. This is good because the venue is an awful place to see anything if you're on the floor. We managed to get the back rail, which goes up about 7 feet, and has a board that sits atop the rail, which is what we actually sat on. But we were the highest up when it came to anyone in that place, so there was no way to not see. We were also positioned directly in front of the stage, but not directly, a little to the left, but still in perfect view of. The balcony is really pretty close to the stage as well. Without a doubt worth the 27 bucks. And then I leaned forward to talk to someone, and managed to lean right off the rail. Amazingly enough I did not break my neck from suddenly falling 7 feet. And I landed on my feet, unhurt, with the exception of a fairly insignificant scrape on my elbow pit.

Afterwards we went to Maza, which has delightful food. I think it's a Greek theme, or maybe just Mediterranean. Is Greek a Mediterranean subclass? I had something with rice and lamb in it, and wow was that lamb good. I've only had it one other time where I truly enjoyed it, and it was during Ramadan by someone who slaughtered their own. The Baklava was a little dry, but not terrible--I've just had better.

And that was the concert that went down forever ago.

A Tit For Tat. (I think I know what that means, I just hope it doesn't sound dirty)

So a lot has happened as of late.

First things first: I decided to audit my Advanced Anatomy class, which basically means I'm still taking it, but I won't be graded. This is excellent because I would most surely fail the class, but I love it and am learning a ton. I have a good friend at work with 3 very smart med school student friends, and they all got C's in this class. Since I am currently applying to the Med Tech program, my grades still matter at this point, so I would hate to screw up my GPA and chances of getting in with a class I don't technically need to take but am for fun. However, I do still get to go to all the labs, which means I still have to do my homework, so as to learn and not look like an idiot in front of all the TAs and other students when we present our diagnosis's for the problems.

Also, I'm cross training at work up front. I finally feel like a well rounded technician. Instead of solely being a bench technician I can now answer phones and answer client questions about tests, find out turn around times, I can split samples, do buckets (bringing samples into lab), storage (sending samples out of lab and into storage), put away samples, sit up front, write non-allergen excepts, deal with the problem box, inventory, call logging...the list goes on and on. I feel less useless, but it's nice because even though I know how to do everything now, I won't have to deal with it on a daily basis.

Yeah, just a short one for now. I'm been very busy as of late, so my thoughts are scattered. I'll probably write more tomorrow.

How can you get happier than pink words?

So my last post was freaking depressing, so I'm here to remedy that.

I have a test on Thursday; I'm not panicked yet, but I'm sure it will come. For right now I'm really happy. My break down is over, and with it came clarity. I think somewhere in the last year I became really happy with myself. I don't mean I'm perfect or anything; in fact I'm quite the opposite, but I like myself enough to see my flaws and want to fix them. I don't feel as selfish or as introverted or as self conscious as I once was. I like my life, I like the people in it, and I'm enjoying the now. My break down is past history. I realize that most history is in the past, but I refuse to rephrase my latter statement.

FYI: I dropped my stats class. I don't mean to sound mean (if you know what I mean), but I'm pretty sure I got on the short bus when I should've found the right bus stop before taking a trip. It all reminds me of elementary school, when they put me in Resource for a week, then took me out again. I had trouble concentrating in elementary school. Given any sort of push to achieve I excelled at whatever we were doing (seriously, I'm not boasting; I could fly to the moon on a freakin' concession stand if I put my mind to it), but I lost interest and became bored with things very easy. I'm pretty sure I had the "shy" variety of ADD, because I was super quiet. Anyway, they gave me candy and pencils with cool erasers, and I got to play computer learning games, and was given special attention...I loved Resource (If that's what it means to be "special," sign me up). Only they decided I was too smart and after a week of heaven, and I returned to the "normal" class. Back to the future (hey, I think I finally understand why they named that movie that), turns out I needed to take the 1070 stats class, not 1040, for any sort of Health related major. Amazing what a difference lies in only 30 degrees of college level difficulty. That class was cake. I didn't study and I nailed the midterm. Then I dropped the class, because I need to focus on Advanced Anatomy, which is the most challenging embarkment I've ever endeavored to take off on. *hehehe* "Off on." You'd never know I minored in English.

Anyway, it'll be hard just to pass the class, and I plan on passing, so I think I'll be spending more time in the lab, and reviewing old stuff I wish I'd retained, and new stuff that refuses to stop coming. But I'm still excited about learning. I think I'll be better at whatever comes next for this experience.

On another note, I had a great week off. I fully mean to write about it soon, but so far I already have a list of unfinished topics I need to write about. Like fun week for instance, as well as my "best ofs." I'll get around to it all eventually, and be ready to be amazed when I do.

Thought Vomit

I feel like I need an out-vent, and unfortunately this is it. I kind of feel weird about writing about my feelings, but I don't really have anywhere else to put them right now. Normally I would turn to my family. I know that regardless of what kind of a person I am at the time, I know they love me for me, and not just when I'm pleasant. I guess I don't really feel that way around anyone else. But something happened last week that down right scared me more than anything has in my life. I'm used to being able to go to my parents with my problems; we've always had a very open relationship. What I'm not used to is the opposite occurring. I feel so weak most of the time, and suddenly to have someone you look to as your rock turn around and lean so much on you...I wasn't sure how to respond, I just knew I needed to. I felt inadequate and weak, but I did what I could, then worried about what I couldn't. My mom told me she was proud of me and the person I've become, and I just stood there and thought about how truly imperfect I really am, and how sad I was that I couldn't be better for them.

So here I am now and besides that moment, just about everything else that could go wrong this week did. Both machines were down at work, and I was putting in severe overtime. I felt disappointment in myself regarding school, I inadvertently hurt my roommate's feelings, and I really just felt like there was no one I could turn to with my frustrations.

Saturday came and I was finally looking forward to being able to hang out with people. I felt so alone this past week, and I just needed to be around anyone. I think the meat loaf was the only good part of my day unfortunately. I ended up feeling like a friend of convenience--One people are happy to hang out with when I'm in an upstanding mood, but when I'm sad or unhappy I don't think I have many people who are willing to still be around me, or who care if I'm not around. So my day ended with me feeling abandoned, sitting in my car outside of my house, crying for 2o minutes. I'm a baby, I know it, but I'm okay with it. I'm not saying my feelings were correct, but I couldn't make myself feel differently in my solitary state. I don't know, I guess it's just hard to count on people outside of yourself, and it's really unfair to them doing so a lot of the time. I hate being a burden. Hopefully this week can't get worse.