tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31989307451498760442024-03-14T22:35:23.273-07:00easily thrilledLaura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-88932951504314869512024-03-14T22:00:00.000-07:002024-03-14T22:00:24.317-07:00Here [I] Go Again<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm moving to Fort Worth, Texas. I don't particularly want to move. I'm not excited about the move. What I've been telling people in regards to my feelings about it, and how I think is the best way to describe it is, I'm at peace with it. It's a little more than base acceptance - although accepting it was the first positive step towards becoming at peace with it. <br /><br />If it's not been stated yet or made evident - Deric and I broke up at the start of this year. Short-lived relationship, for sure. I suppose there were red flags early on which I chose to sidestep. I didn't quite ignore them, but then, he also responded positively when I laid out some boundaries around them, so that seems good and mature. But they were still red flags nonetheless, I suppose in hindsight. Anyways, we fought and that was just about the end. I didn't publish it then, but might as well now... <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2024/01/have-my-cake-and-eat-it-too.html" target="_blank">here's what I wrote that day</a>. He texted a couple days later and I held my stance, and he didn't apologize, so that was that. <br /><br />Not a great start to the year, but also not terrible in light of the uncertainty which became more certain - that I'd be moving to Fort Worth, basically to keep my job. It's not quite that simple, work drama, but I'm definitely making the best choice for me and for the team and the company, I believe. It's just tough because I wasn't quite ready to leave Palmdale - I weirdly like it here and there's still a lot to do in California. I've been trying to knock some of those things off my list before moving. <br /><br />Today, though, a big step forward in the move progress occurred when I finally got an offer on my house. I already have a house I'm under contract for in Texas, but that is contingent on the sale of my house here and it's been a while. So I am relieved, on the one hand, especially because I hate being in limbo and not being able to plan things. But on the other hand, it just made it real, final and eminent. I guess a part of me hoped the contract would expire and I could push the move out a bit, find a different house that I was more excited about. <br /><br />It's not that I have buyer's remorse, I don't think the house I want actually exists and I was perfectly ok with buying a minimally livable house which I could decorate with my own taste. And so much cheaper! But I suppose a part of me still thinks there are better options - either to go cheaper or to go move modern / upgraded. The first house I had put an offer on had a dreamy pool like none other, and while the pricetag was also higher and the commute was painful, I started to fall for that pool. I worry / wonder if I'm going to miss having a hot tub, too, now that I've had one and love it so much. I guess we'll see. <br /><br />Anyways, with an offer now at an acceptable price, the ball is going to start rolling quickly, I think. And that's good because I do want to be with my team, I am struggling to feel engaged in my work from afar and we have some real problems I want to go solve out in Fort Worth and beyond. <br /><br />I think it'll be good to have less expenses - and really, this giant house is far too big for just me. And I think the dating scene will be better, I mean, it can't be worse than Palmdale, right? Swing dance isn't an hour and change away… at least not the place I went to when I was last out there (and going to tomorrow). It'll be an adventure, right? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I
think what I'm going to miss most is the people I've come to know and like
here. I wasn't as well established in San Diego, partially because I lived
there during COVID, and even in Florida and Connecticut, I felt like a stranger
visiting rather than a resident with a life and friends there. Not sure if that
was because I had a significant other and therefore we kept to ourselves, or if
it’s the lack of longevity in those places compared to the ~2.5 years here, or
maybe both plus my efforts to really connect with people this past year. I'll just have to convince them to move to Fort Worth with me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">On to Texas! </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-65136467252483294142024-03-01T19:03:00.000-08:002024-03-04T07:58:48.923-08:00Designing Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Family Room</span></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1701" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EgrlnV_e2KtlSXD9rMcYbEEksSyUIIDRdl8N5w8_BtAxu0-U0CNzk10oK84YAWa-6-ihymEqAN4az6lpiLfAnwh_-mJnl2FIrLCouSfzQrHMW47lLAiKKZQ7rxPeasAXvQPjXAoht0borWazW8UJcUjyXR3ZSVG0NVC9qQTndCh2D62-ag9UYfJBelw0/s320/Bedroom%20view%2021.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-19713016466879654452024-02-18T14:28:00.000-08:002024-02-18T14:34:33.189-08:00Luxe Yosemite<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kqFAYDVple6SUzTS3tkZRPfk15LXPnDwsUp9-FELpTk2UjsxLsNH-JHlCC3tStRWOI0DYyIBQv_fvGAmlWdfGFIMrxvm8fesNISgy9f4GRfzzdksZf-y4cWLDfJ-jBmKqRee0mW4Uv_p6mCqkpibGBzEcua40cYTNdopunYKNlZMlzH0-xyVGntFmIvX/s4080/PXL_20240209_220751929.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kqFAYDVple6SUzTS3tkZRPfk15LXPnDwsUp9-FELpTk2UjsxLsNH-JHlCC3tStRWOI0DYyIBQv_fvGAmlWdfGFIMrxvm8fesNISgy9f4GRfzzdksZf-y4cWLDfJ-jBmKqRee0mW4Uv_p6mCqkpibGBzEcua40cYTNdopunYKNlZMlzH0-xyVGntFmIvX/w320-h242/PXL_20240209_220751929.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">One of my newest life objectives is to see the Milky Way with the baked eye. I mean really see it, like those gorgeous long exposure pictures but irl. I've been searching for opportunities for a few years, missing optimal conditions and being disappointed by the non-results. The now-ex and I had gone up to Yosemite but stayed at an AirBnB in the hills just outside of the park, which I thought would still be close enough but the light pollution from the small town was still too much. We did enjoy a luxurious hot tub outside and listening to the wild turkey calls, and we hiked around the park and climbed a waterfall, so the trip wasn't a let down by my standards, we just failed to see the Milky Way. We also took a trip to Bryce Canyon and had a ton of good hiking fun in that park. We even returned to the park after dark in hopes of seeing the Milky Way, but it was still much a no-go. This past year as a newly single woman, I camped at Amboy Crater twice and booked a stargazing and astrophotography session at the top of the mountain in Maui, still to no avail. The Hawaii native photographer kept commenting how she has never seen the sky this unclear. I assured her, its me, I'm the problem, its me. <br /><br />So now I'm attacking my quest with more intention, trying to have plans to be in a dark sky site for every new moon, or at least the weekend closest to the new moon. January was <a href="http://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2024/01/amboy-crater.html" target="_blank">Amboy Crater again</a>. And while the stars were pretty dazzling at Amboy Crater, I didn't get the full effect I expect from a Milky Way shot. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBi8xDDPySFEPTi59EzRQHV6ZXoQga9sT2JLXLnxjgGQ1fynydHPVP7w_grC_1w0AR-NTfsoQZU3CITyDL0hJh8gqb-NwTch2KcTK_4YORS6KPg5r587S5qrhFjxswJMA89FfbNALXo_tz5YH-rCfgD2xT3jGoD37TtgXuCxx1qCD9Pt1T4XIkfM7ux7b/s4080/PXL_20240210_025253400.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBi8xDDPySFEPTi59EzRQHV6ZXoQga9sT2JLXLnxjgGQ1fynydHPVP7w_grC_1w0AR-NTfsoQZU3CITyDL0hJh8gqb-NwTch2KcTK_4YORS6KPg5r587S5qrhFjxswJMA89FfbNALXo_tz5YH-rCfgD2xT3jGoD37TtgXuCxx1qCD9Pt1T4XIkfM7ux7b/w242-h320/PXL_20240210_025253400.jpg" width="242" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">For February, I made plans to go back to Yosemite, this time staying in the park. There are a number of options and I don't mind roughing it usually, but I do get up and use the bathroom a lot so I wasn't too excited about the cabins that had communal bathrooms some distance away outside. Instead I opted for the high end option at the Ahwahnee. And if you've followed some of my adventures before, you know that when I go high end, I kinda go all out high end. So I booked the King room with a balcony. Usually hotels have several of these types of rooms if they have any. Here, not so much it seems. I'm basing that on the comment the waiter said to me when I gave him my room number to charge to. But I'm jumping ahead, let me get to that later. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">From my home in Palmdale, CA, the drive to Yosemite was just around 6 hours. So, I could easily drive up there early in the day Friday, do some hiking or have down time, stay over night and hopefully get the view I'm after from my balcony, do some hiking in the morning and head </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">home Saturday evening. That was my theory, anyways. And I was glad I planned it that way, because I ended up taking a business / househunting trip leaving early Sunday morning. The Saturday before my Yosemite trip, I checked the weather forecast for Yosemite for my planned trip dates and it showed snow and overcast. I was extremely disappointed, realizing that meant absolutely no chance of a Milky Way appearance, and snow deterred my desire to hike or even drive there. I tried calling to cancel, although I did notice that the reservation said 7 day cancellation policy. Canceling was a no-go, as the somewhat rude personnel informed me on the phone that weather was not a valid reason. So, knowing I wouldn't get my money back, I debated forfeiting it rather than drive up there in the </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w8-2yENEYTPwwGbf-Jpilw3swpp8xpjK6QCwKIwB3klVgv7OyvL4aGn_4pUgYQ-M2T-jcc_haQCMo8Mcs2xD6svmcvruM6zaoIAe4ITKyq5jL2n459mgUbMlbZnpZ73eOwrGEUcDxpQE7CZ8daeerl5QR5MjV6p1G0ngHNPXyeNR7OEogDv_TMT1jr39/s4080/PXL_20240209_215616678.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w8-2yENEYTPwwGbf-Jpilw3swpp8xpjK6QCwKIwB3klVgv7OyvL4aGn_4pUgYQ-M2T-jcc_haQCMo8Mcs2xD6svmcvruM6zaoIAe4ITKyq5jL2n459mgUbMlbZnpZ73eOwrGEUcDxpQE7CZ8daeerl5QR5MjV6p1G0ngHNPXyeNR7OEogDv_TMT1jr39/w320-h242/PXL_20240209_215616678.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">snow by myself and risking wasting my time having a bad time. But as the week went on, the weather forecast changed from snow to just overcast. Still not promising to see any lights in the sky, but at least the danger of icy conditions seemed to lessen. <br /><br />I decided to go and make the most of it, as I am prone to do, even if that meant driving to the lodge, bundling up under the covers and enjoying my view from indoors. Nadine advised me that I might need chains for my tires and indeed I saw some warnings to that effect, but nothing certain. I decided better safe than sorry, so the first thing I did after packing my car up was to stop at Walmart and get chains. I had no idea it was so complicated, but luckily I was able to goggle sufficient (I think) info about my car to get the right set and they were in stock. I never had to use them, so I guess I technically don't know for sure I got the right ones, but we'll just assume I did my diligence. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3ZqjFCBo3fXSm5fCWwzjgD9GoYfXWiDIE3vo2yq_b_yrZkG3FRbvd_c2rSUIzk6NQw56m31nF4qAVeW-M182osFNR1U547M2Bzf2tHrtTTuulW-TWHM0bsG91Z-DhWC_K6Y-XRS53EXmSNGon04w5C2TJ9jTY_a1jNNt0tJzk3aZTew55iG3LqwQA4wp/s4080/PXL_20240209_230031872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3ZqjFCBo3fXSm5fCWwzjgD9GoYfXWiDIE3vo2yq_b_yrZkG3FRbvd_c2rSUIzk6NQw56m31nF4qAVeW-M182osFNR1U547M2Bzf2tHrtTTuulW-TWHM0bsG91Z-DhWC_K6Y-XRS53EXmSNGon04w5C2TJ9jTY_a1jNNt0tJzk3aZTew55iG3LqwQA4wp/s320/PXL_20240209_230031872.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That hurdle seemingly behind me, I headed towards Yosemite. I listened to my <a href="http://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2024/01/audio-books-for-road-trips.html" target="_blank">audiobook</a> for a good portion of the trip (this is a great way to <a href="http://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2024/01/audio-books-for-road-trips.html" target="_blank">make use of your time on long road trips</a>)! It occurred to me, and not sure how it hadn't registered in my brain before, that one of the warnings in the Yosemite park's page was about the influx of traffic due to the February "Firefall." I looked up more information and found that yes, this weekend was the first anticipated possible sighting. The phenomenon lasts only a few moments, and conditions would have to be just right. Some websites said the sky had to be completely void of clouds, which I knew would be unlikely given the overcast forecast. But other sites showed pictures of the Firefall with clouds in the background - so clearly it didn't have to be totally, umm, clear. <br /><br />Not getting my hopes up, I decided to at least try to locate where the possible Firefall would show and do some hiking in and around the area before checking in to my hotel. The websites made it sound like you had to get there really early to "claim your spot" for the viewing, so I didn't want to risk losing my "spot" by checking in to the hotel. Also, I thought there was a good chance that once I was in my room, I wouldn't want to leave my bed. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU18zKcAcZSldr4yYrgIssrTFC-e0dn3lNil6uh0cI1E0bnivgp6HmhThw8tnEGBNloNnYx0XDnZ3m4Us1d-DhwOaXoyjVn8I4-iVYcAmJRofwRFFr-YWYjJlL5thH_MwIGuQ3HqBxLqvTAguTQrM3b3J5_spdhp6rBfHy-0Tc5IFNKYGKeNEXBxy8MXIL/s3840/PXL_20240209_230259350.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU18zKcAcZSldr4yYrgIssrTFC-e0dn3lNil6uh0cI1E0bnivgp6HmhThw8tnEGBNloNnYx0XDnZ3m4Us1d-DhwOaXoyjVn8I4-iVYcAmJRofwRFFr-YWYjJlL5thH_MwIGuQ3HqBxLqvTAguTQrM3b3J5_spdhp6rBfHy-0Tc5IFNKYGKeNEXBxy8MXIL/w200-h150/PXL_20240209_230259350.jpg" width="200" /></a>But it was also chilly outside - there was snow in parts of the park. I put my snow boots on thinking I'd just meander a bit, not quite ready for a full on hike. I ended up meandering for over 3 miles and, not wearing socks, my feet were starting to get a little sore in the boots. As the sunset drew closer, the clouds hadn't budged so I knew it was really unlikely that the Firefall would show at this point. Still, my FOMO (and frankly, not having anything really better to do other than unwind in my hotel room) kept me out there just in case the clouds suddenly parted. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnV-0bbXqv_36Z8V0pq2ZxK6WNrIYbXq8OIAwsxRgi7VuIkQfwnJAn271m2B_ocZ8XPfOQ4xXeLUEfhWGvKu81BERa7lrGSUjrVlL0OH7dutF-ZzasOovDjglgiMwELbcwDt8CiuKvDshy1qXtnV6Ox_aWQMVe8AvrFdUTRqDfuP_fSe2wr8n4UwOkj0j/s4080/PXL_20240209_235838700.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnV-0bbXqv_36Z8V0pq2ZxK6WNrIYbXq8OIAwsxRgi7VuIkQfwnJAn271m2B_ocZ8XPfOQ4xXeLUEfhWGvKu81BERa7lrGSUjrVlL0OH7dutF-ZzasOovDjglgiMwELbcwDt8CiuKvDshy1qXtnV6Ox_aWQMVe8AvrFdUTRqDfuP_fSe2wr8n4UwOkj0j/w242-h320/PXL_20240209_235838700.jpg" width="242" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">For those that do want to pursue the Firefall, here are some tips I learned, at least based on the 2024 season.<br /></span><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Entrance to the park is by reservation only Saturdays and Sundays during the peak Firefall weekends in February. But if you enter Friday as I did and stay at lodging in the park, then you don't have to worry about that. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">It's a 1.5 mile walk (one way) to the designated viewing area from the optimal parking lot. The park had lots of signs stating no stopping along the route to pickup/drop off passengers, but they did make a nice walkway out of half the road. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">The viewing area is a small field so you can bring a chair or blanket to sit on, otherwise you're probably going to be standing for a while and then hiking back the 1.5 miles. </span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XrlMgGmZruSZtTqFxptWit1swJJ9YVcZb5C3VqWBe9i0D75gBaQRSAHwH9OO6VZqcHal4rwKd2QN9N1ztQ1sMAtbTnIBbRoXBk_drJhMKro6y6C9PTtd4iq9c3VonNvoXBa_kS4JLkpomLEx8_lkoC9-huzm-WLanFN3iz5jQLGUpcAE__j4zJWLnaUS/s4080/PXL_20240210_173335392.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XrlMgGmZruSZtTqFxptWit1swJJ9YVcZb5C3VqWBe9i0D75gBaQRSAHwH9OO6VZqcHal4rwKd2QN9N1ztQ1sMAtbTnIBbRoXBk_drJhMKro6y6C9PTtd4iq9c3VonNvoXBa_kS4JLkpomLEx8_lkoC9-huzm-WLanFN3iz5jQLGUpcAE__j4zJWLnaUS/w151-h200/PXL_20240210_173335392.jpg" width="151" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Finally, I made my way to the Ahwahnee. It was valet parking only, so I did my best to juggle all </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">the bags and things I wanted to bring in. I assume, after a 6 hour drive and then hiking and carrying in all my stuff, I must have looked a big frazzled because the front desk personnel did not seem interested in helping me. The keys to the rooms are not like those credit card-like keys that are so common, but rather old-school metal keys which is kind of neat. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAWQRZ1idnUB3Wfy4SZt2EzvrEJBoM2HJSdhDesODuQeK-WEvbPF6ZF4641IsY_Wu9oicvUFHMG0jQx8XGbENZMBB56KbbpCD8P0hWJZU_M-zIS_gUIZWAHKw0LoGL4k5eGWIV-PxL845IpVawB2iOVJAFlTbedFlNxnG87AGimfJ1CrM2_Lk488Nj4Mw/s4080/PXL_20240210_025537595.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAWQRZ1idnUB3Wfy4SZt2EzvrEJBoM2HJSdhDesODuQeK-WEvbPF6ZF4641IsY_Wu9oicvUFHMG0jQx8XGbENZMBB56KbbpCD8P0hWJZU_M-zIS_gUIZWAHKw0LoGL4k5eGWIV-PxL845IpVawB2iOVJAFlTbedFlNxnG87AGimfJ1CrM2_Lk488Nj4Mw/w151-h200/PXL_20240210_025537595.jpg" width="151" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Before heading to my room, I stopped by the Dining Hall hostess and asked if I could get a reservation for about an hour out - she said she'd put me on the wait list and it would be about an hour, so that was perfect. I figured I'd go shower and clean myself up a bit and then have a nice dinner and cocktails. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuk5ecWy06RRSmD-kBy-qwGNsUsLRzHKjnrocWG_ScaQ-40IfxD6CoGMWrBBFgjD2rgO4ESqdd9x5PexfDIXpq9-aP4lUK8dykjzV23QGHpFCXbkaDaQ82dpKn7VLuH7r6kteAQDy6zqfuPAD-jyI7Q1UMIn_7dL5rgkQAgk3HegaI7799bIKz3vx4mr1/s3840/PXL_20240210_025417720.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuk5ecWy06RRSmD-kBy-qwGNsUsLRzHKjnrocWG_ScaQ-40IfxD6CoGMWrBBFgjD2rgO4ESqdd9x5PexfDIXpq9-aP4lUK8dykjzV23QGHpFCXbkaDaQ82dpKn7VLuH7r6kteAQDy6zqfuPAD-jyI7Q1UMIn_7dL5rgkQAgk3HegaI7799bIKz3vx4mr1/w200-h150/PXL_20240210_025417720.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">I took the pretty ancient elevator up to the fourth floor and not too far down its own hallway was my epic room 450. The room itself had a lot of old world charm much like the whole hotel. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWlQrPCbp1DiH4eljBWjNT704qRrZmCMr3TB7HbwUIvPr82asSrDH2A5kiWo7t7lrqUVT78gn8JprWs__E0cLLzW7RwkRKWueSvLZy9FPVFa8zTrVlsxc7YfdGfuUUE91LMyXKCJUYdFkr-SGVefV2dQf76YDa25SAJF8qnO9nSDH0IIfWQk8GaZgY-dx/s4080/PXL_20240210_021318704.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWlQrPCbp1DiH4eljBWjNT704qRrZmCMr3TB7HbwUIvPr82asSrDH2A5kiWo7t7lrqUVT78gn8JprWs__E0cLLzW7RwkRKWueSvLZy9FPVFa8zTrVlsxc7YfdGfuUUE91LMyXKCJUYdFkr-SGVefV2dQf76YDa25SAJF8qnO9nSDH0IIfWQk8GaZgY-dx/w200-h151/PXL_20240210_021318704.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">Not particularly my style, but definitely over-the-top, everywhere you look. <br /><br />It took me a while to negotiate the double dutch doors out to the balcony but that was the biggest surprise. The balcony was GINORMOUS! I mean, this wasn't a 4 x 6 balcony. This was a deck with multiple couches, tables and chairs and gorgeous views 270 degrees. It looked like the outdoor seating area for an entire restaurant or bar. I think it was strangely shared with one other room, but there were no other doors leading to it so at worst it was a giant party balcony shared between two rooms. </span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XpoOiHHuFzBpuUGFr8bRPPQoloIRoFkiq5zyMPcxutBRvNM8gnNcPbhlhasvz657al00GvRp4fu90sj-WdbQB1dtJ6MpuXj9NYkPgHVbjS-VJCD1C39td_mIemgGIbEKZGgBicyGiqu0yvraW4vc-xXp-AA_d5LuktS8mUTSYDTRd9n5iPT2ZhLqnOcG/s4080/PXL_20240210_152511795.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XpoOiHHuFzBpuUGFr8bRPPQoloIRoFkiq5zyMPcxutBRvNM8gnNcPbhlhasvz657al00GvRp4fu90sj-WdbQB1dtJ6MpuXj9NYkPgHVbjS-VJCD1C39td_mIemgGIbEKZGgBicyGiqu0yvraW4vc-xXp-AA_d5LuktS8mUTSYDTRd9n5iPT2ZhLqnOcG/w200-h151/PXL_20240210_152511795.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY9CC9angEsw8EIp-A0fWE7KtdCzwPU_UF6Y55KzTNKrf6F3bahPNAQE2YGCiO6o6etcKXZGrbbrW_v4xyQDvR2sfn3uJ-tBhX7kycnB3IlC_lbGO2v37AIf-WPutDraQv3ju_X6TysuMXbAqIVZCUYc30-rBSSCheZ-cwfjCYQgiKA__kGsWZZRev3bl/s4080/PXL_20240210_021337183.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQY9CC9angEsw8EIp-A0fWE7KtdCzwPU_UF6Y55KzTNKrf6F3bahPNAQE2YGCiO6o6etcKXZGrbbrW_v4xyQDvR2sfn3uJ-tBhX7kycnB3IlC_lbGO2v37AIf-WPutDraQv3ju_X6TysuMXbAqIVZCUYc30-rBSSCheZ-cwfjCYQgiKA__kGsWZZRev3bl/w200-h151/PXL_20240210_021337183.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C38lw1CBvHuN-tjfZmMkubsw9BnkYc2pvzJHDBQnd0c9nEk4EaaQ115y5IXJ3saKhMjMfWlM2JeOmYrHZPxjTP6nlIV2fZYFbJ6wV7nEHEN2AzR0G7vjqmfCXFrLbdW_KMg9VVSAwv8EnvH_3HomOTyVYeSKptnKoGZLjhWbXV_r7uQSLz6-BOPeef26/s4080/PXL_20240210_152617252.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C38lw1CBvHuN-tjfZmMkubsw9BnkYc2pvzJHDBQnd0c9nEk4EaaQ115y5IXJ3saKhMjMfWlM2JeOmYrHZPxjTP6nlIV2fZYFbJ6wV7nEHEN2AzR0G7vjqmfCXFrLbdW_KMg9VVSAwv8EnvH_3HomOTyVYeSKptnKoGZLjhWbXV_r7uQSLz6-BOPeef26/w200-h151/PXL_20240210_152617252.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">I hopped in the shower and got ready to head </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmE2LSkG9_5KXkXRO7VDHIIcjloorC_0jUhKXr2zDhwSW8X7a5P3e2LcErHYM1CC_CJoZqaTsBoVXeJU-X0r9zL_s26tWtoxGP63fEFh8PEV4qJT0-Hr4jrxHWzzLEh9B6Y4iup94WTetq8pO64Gn3she_fwCf96ROa9PugmoLLRbiFzvnJUyxx0ac3BQ/s4080/PXL_20240210_021328625.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmE2LSkG9_5KXkXRO7VDHIIcjloorC_0jUhKXr2zDhwSW8X7a5P3e2LcErHYM1CC_CJoZqaTsBoVXeJU-X0r9zL_s26tWtoxGP63fEFh8PEV4qJT0-Hr4jrxHWzzLEh9B6Y4iup94WTetq8pO64Gn3she_fwCf96ROa9PugmoLLRbiFzvnJUyxx0ac3BQ/w151-h200/PXL_20240210_021328625.jpg" width="151" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">downstairs, figuring I'd go to the gift shop or bar if the restaurant wasn't quite ready. But in perfect timing, the text came through that my table was ready as I was waiting for the elevator. I assumed I had never been in the restaurant before, but </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWPAS1aL3AZgeBUH5aCno9OYjrwaSR8AtFM_RDpvPb_GugeziJ0BoGmOYrZacMAgqhc_g1lAb58yF0wGy0NxhWU1DwxG5CQg6pjRv2JNSobBp-YMZm0wlcdiAuoDBhDMDHy2CKMSZwOg_IA5R9xBjfSGSmBlu380vFbZVuUthry_rz50I6ZPB_sgcOdIK/s4080/PXL_20240210_030221783.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWPAS1aL3AZgeBUH5aCno9OYjrwaSR8AtFM_RDpvPb_GugeziJ0BoGmOYrZacMAgqhc_g1lAb58yF0wGy0NxhWU1DwxG5CQg6pjRv2JNSobBp-YMZm0wlcdiAuoDBhDMDHy2CKMSZwOg_IA5R9xBjfSGSmBlu380vFbZVuUthry_rz50I6ZPB_sgcOdIK/w151-h200/PXL_20240210_030221783.jpg" width="151" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">as soon as I walked in I realized that my ex and I had gone there for lunch in our previous trip to Yosemite. Nevermind that, since I wasn't driving anywhere, I intended to have some delicious cocktails and a nice dinner in this gorgeous hall. And that is exactly what I did! For my first cocktail, I ordered the Inspiration Point. Then I went to the buffet and loaded up my plate. While the food was all good, I have to say that the mac 'n cheese had something a little magical about it and was hands down the best mac 'n cheese I've ever had (and I think I am a bit of a connoisseur, so that is a big statement). <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-45vYsRhQiXY_kUbh9XVj5e9L3wv7jx7SURbNQm86HoUpnFL932fNR2vUmh1opMwT8hXkrHdGL20N0gRUCzslny2f3dNdY3yMsh6-I1TEI7ZbtnrWjsEO4pYaF2QgDlluHlXuRtB2DyroZH6xFpHFCBG2l0bHbmO42ubBrqDMh_gverxIm_1zR4y6UjP/s4080/PXL_20240210_035305583.MP.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-45vYsRhQiXY_kUbh9XVj5e9L3wv7jx7SURbNQm86HoUpnFL932fNR2vUmh1opMwT8hXkrHdGL20N0gRUCzslny2f3dNdY3yMsh6-I1TEI7ZbtnrWjsEO4pYaF2QgDlluHlXuRtB2DyroZH6xFpHFCBG2l0bHbmO42ubBrqDMh_gverxIm_1zR4y6UjP/w151-h200/PXL_20240210_035305583.MP.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br />I went back to get a few things for dessert, and I got my Firefall after all - in the form of a delicious cocktail. It was a hot chocolate spiked with a chili liquor. It was so sweet it was almost hard to drink, but very delicious. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMUSDVJt2FNHTWuDJB_dEPUXJ4nMgnZseslS1vDwKfY8N4YyqtdDRze0oUgkC4gZRnVGcU8uZJw-o70Wp0-uc3kY4wjT30PbTbQ6PbiV6nriywJOWDttbMIbAWPZKjKSNs5PXB3LIE9KxlP2qUnNN6qq87av5wgFOtw0btpEg8jbM8a6U79t8d8aJx5oT/s4080/PXL_20240210_160704345.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMUSDVJt2FNHTWuDJB_dEPUXJ4nMgnZseslS1vDwKfY8N4YyqtdDRze0oUgkC4gZRnVGcU8uZJw-o70Wp0-uc3kY4wjT30PbTbQ6PbiV6nriywJOWDttbMIbAWPZKjKSNs5PXB3LIE9KxlP2qUnNN6qq87av5wgFOtw0btpEg8jbM8a6U79t8d8aJx5oT/w200-h151/PXL_20240210_160704345.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">In the morning, I grabbed a hot chocolate to go from the bar downstairs, and then retreated back to my room. I tried enjoying the breathtaking view on my gigantean balcony, but it was still a bit too chilly to really get comfortable. My windows had fogged up but I was able to wipe it off from the inside, so I enjoyed a not-so-complete view from my bed while I read and did some things on my phone. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGxgsgW8N1hGkuy1lJmaIjHu6UI-8dBnxGFFagX7vxasj4Ac4Cp-9vaNKBv-U20a5C1wZfgHZp7yNHnWatJloqOIIYCEP6mvSBx7BNXZ5dOZJ6TsiFI4Ml3bblR-DDFvbATZQ8dNwNP24jir6BaqSPz10x4D-wCH-UzsKUx2NGDJ1IqWSAYFtMNhsNLcr/s4080/PXL_20240210_171758167.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGxgsgW8N1hGkuy1lJmaIjHu6UI-8dBnxGFFagX7vxasj4Ac4Cp-9vaNKBv-U20a5C1wZfgHZp7yNHnWatJloqOIIYCEP6mvSBx7BNXZ5dOZJ6TsiFI4Ml3bblR-DDFvbATZQ8dNwNP24jir6BaqSPz10x4D-wCH-UzsKUx2NGDJ1IqWSAYFtMNhsNLcr/w151-h200/PXL_20240210_171758167.jpg" width="151" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV4WernmtkFKOQR6e0Eil22D2wvXUNHvTpBggMMgJv5QLxUALqFZGIPpAXXBHi8M5n7ZqMbu8Rth945a9Xpxe0P3Ew3fs78sJzBp3vkyxI1IdT7vk34ndGDlrXZQbrheOLCZBh2uoyqLar4yTooiqnM-DuFtl8OrydBHoeooXk7e5aQZJ5MzRrwJ6-mdi/s4080/PXL_20240210_171905027.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV4WernmtkFKOQR6e0Eil22D2wvXUNHvTpBggMMgJv5QLxUALqFZGIPpAXXBHi8M5n7ZqMbu8Rth945a9Xpxe0P3Ew3fs78sJzBp3vkyxI1IdT7vk34ndGDlrXZQbrheOLCZBh2uoyqLar4yTooiqnM-DuFtl8OrydBHoeooXk7e5aQZJ5MzRrwJ6-mdi/w200-h151/PXL_20240210_171905027.jpg" width="200" /></a>When I was a bit more awake, I decided to explore the hotel a bit more. My first stop was the gift shop, and then I checked out the Solarium and the Mural Room. As it got close to checkout time, I packed my stuff up, checked out and called for my car at the valet. I still drove around quite a bit, still enjoying the park, but didn't feel up for any further hiking. I ended up on the other side of the park and exited that way, which was a little weird but seemed to put me closer to home, so couldn't complain about that. </span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0ZrtvK1VvvgX5IUjuBh0jrPyZ5ErEqzJlRb9PpNdHQct_gf0h5EX7m-b6vXyquT1-BnI1eWTiNt1zBFfutRzq6sHDSTaFmDHNDXpS3Q_23YernbOAu_wju34TjVvjWfK72_fgh7n294MCJ-FWBD6Pl5uigT7SLPAwWwhBgf68rRQvQpUe56IyEw5n3DG/s4080/PXL_20240210_171728632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0ZrtvK1VvvgX5IUjuBh0jrPyZ5ErEqzJlRb9PpNdHQct_gf0h5EX7m-b6vXyquT1-BnI1eWTiNt1zBFfutRzq6sHDSTaFmDHNDXpS3Q_23YernbOAu_wju34TjVvjWfK72_fgh7n294MCJ-FWBD6Pl5uigT7SLPAwWwhBgf68rRQvQpUe56IyEw5n3DG/w320-h242/PXL_20240210_171728632.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Anyways, if you want the most baller balcony ever, go for the "Featured Hotel Rooms - King" and book far in advance. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-80812748570425304712024-01-28T10:33:00.000-08:002024-02-18T11:04:26.532-08:00Audio Books for Road Trips<div class="separator"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: small;"></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: small;">I'm an efficiency-obsessed person by nature and by profession. And I love travel but it pains me how long it takes - all those hours sitting in a vehicle. For me, audiobooks are a great way to pass the time and feel like you're getting something out of those otherwise wasted hours. <br /><br />If you're traveling alone, then honestly just pick whatever audio book you want! But if you're traveling with others, you probably want to find something more agreeable to everyone. <br /><br />There are several ways to get audiobooks. The easiest is probably Audible, which has a huge selection and allows you to purchase the audio books so you have them in your collection permanently. It can also automatically sync and integrate with your Alexa devices to continue the audio book at home. <br /><br /><blockquote>Pro Tip for Audible: If your friends or family also use Audible, they can share a book they've purchased for free to you and vice a versa. This only works once per account combination, but is a great way to save a little money when you have a book recommendation. </blockquote><br />That can add up though so if you're looking for a cheaper option, check out Libby. You'll need a library card from your local library and can browse their selections from the app. The selection can be more limited and you have to wait on other customers for more popular titles, but the app works great with Bluetooth, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. <br /><br /><blockquote>Pro Tip for Libby: You can toggle between multiple libraries. So if you're like me and have lived in multiple places, you can often keep your old library card and use the one for your new location. It is dependent on the library, though, and how they renew their membership. Also, I'm pretty sure the Los Angeles library doesn't check for residence, and that has a huge selection. But I didn't tell you that. </blockquote><br />Through my employer, I also have access to Percipio which is a little clunkier, as well as Coursera and LinkedIn Learning for more academic-style courses. Finally, a last possible option from in the "old days" and less and less of an option now is to borrow physical media CDs from the library or purchase them. Really old school, one of my libraries had a little independent player device for each audio book that connected via a headphone jack. But with Bluetooth and apps so prevelent and becoming moreso, I'd stick to those. <br /><br />Without further ado, here are some audiobook ideas I can recommend for roadtrips that may appeal to all parties. <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwS6akUw-E5J0pccRzAR_hcU631kX21BOAYTMphgAIV4f1p5QvzlEm8QBuJp8Ss5kvk9ebK_lnVNdUXLZ0gfAUMhZJkO7MHh3QEo-DjhIHv8AQ1sMvhmwnxqA14RbkCkwQmHJHWR0xMLLor-lPNiD5hfWq9yLDhrsMmhCJYpOCH1nkKmxhj4N2CPCby5g/s500/Jurassic%20Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwS6akUw-E5J0pccRzAR_hcU631kX21BOAYTMphgAIV4f1p5QvzlEm8QBuJp8Ss5kvk9ebK_lnVNdUXLZ0gfAUMhZJkO7MHh3QEo-DjhIHv8AQ1sMvhmwnxqA14RbkCkwQmHJHWR0xMLLor-lPNiD5hfWq9yLDhrsMmhCJYpOCH1nkKmxhj4N2CPCby5g/w200-h200/Jurassic%20Park.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Jurassic Park</b> - Most people know the movie and it's premise, and could recognize the gorgeous musical theme by legendary composer John Williams. But how many have actually read the original book? This was a good one that my now-ex and I listened to on our <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2015/08/how-to-plan-and-survive-epic-roadtrip.html" target="_blank">epic road trip</a>, and I was surprised he (not being a reader) endured the whole thing. That speaks volumes to its universal appeal. <br /><b><br /></b><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nKKTgI_cbpWURMUniRTkd63q6Ql6OGhI4EueLU6eSQZtDHjFgGC0yc9uyhJCzqfveD-zwJuOYUopnVqggnHz6Haxbjy7RjbzMUb92zp9gVxrgFE3o4VaPpfdTqwSnFXLCHr2RdpYiut5HNtTgVUNaIeAg9Qb4D20jIE5A4SQGea2Ei5gH8v1HE_T8oNt/s500/Cheaper.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nKKTgI_cbpWURMUniRTkd63q6Ql6OGhI4EueLU6eSQZtDHjFgGC0yc9uyhJCzqfveD-zwJuOYUopnVqggnHz6Haxbjy7RjbzMUb92zp9gVxrgFE3o4VaPpfdTqwSnFXLCHr2RdpYiut5HNtTgVUNaIeAg9Qb4D20jIE5A4SQGea2Ei5gH8v1HE_T8oNt/w200-h200/Cheaper.jpg" width="200" /></a></b><b>Cheaper by the Dozen</b> - Nothing like the movies you've seen by the same name (unless you have seen the OG 1950 movie), this book is a true story of the original efficiency expert, Frank Gilbert, who fathered the field in which I now work, Industrial Engineering. As told by two of his children, the tale weaves through the quirky parenting of the dozen Gilbreth children and comically illustrates their parents' great professional achievements. If you're a parent or want to be, there may be some nuggets of wisdom you may take away. <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintQWZA40wZwYATEHQEZ5W96TvnZm1fj9f6d075c8mz3oZO4hSknNir-v1h0tJjTexhYu5Vt9_EcAKUZ3wTnR98ZYov8Bg-hFjIIzYa8lx3c5f_Ft72Andze3UZNkJOYOs8gjvih1kwHVEy9-wmJEm7JD_Bhe5QipEPIMcPmZe1Z92VJHx_khfS5p8KhrE/s500/Life%20Unscheduled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintQWZA40wZwYATEHQEZ5W96TvnZm1fj9f6d075c8mz3oZO4hSknNir-v1h0tJjTexhYu5Vt9_EcAKUZ3wTnR98ZYov8Bg-hFjIIzYa8lx3c5f_Ft72Andze3UZNkJOYOs8gjvih1kwHVEy9-wmJEm7JD_Bhe5QipEPIMcPmZe1Z92VJHx_khfS5p8KhrE/w200-h200/Life%20Unscheduled.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Life, Unscheduled</b> - This is an easy romance read but it describes Idyllwild, an area not too far from my home in Palmdale, in such a blissful way that I took a weekend trip to experience it for myself. I could relate to the main character also in how she schedules things and tries to do it all and how life can be overwhelming sometimes. <br /><br /><b><br /></b><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspTWQM4G7thurM9khrgEHkV6f77cUu5G6scKr79Jy3P2O8-7d9jMQXEyEY-QMr0AEzIpru_jhPS9ymgyB4S4exgL6Jx4b2Z0AS5uAq2gu6y-lEMGhCj-M1suXvbLYdlwK9cWSrZksasPzwswpwZJWfY2Ld1OBC3jY8eG7OW26qDsLqZBMHhXqoCOmpzzp/s500/escape%20artist.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspTWQM4G7thurM9khrgEHkV6f77cUu5G6scKr79Jy3P2O8-7d9jMQXEyEY-QMr0AEzIpru_jhPS9ymgyB4S4exgL6Jx4b2Z0AS5uAq2gu6y-lEMGhCj-M1suXvbLYdlwK9cWSrZksasPzwswpwZJWfY2Ld1OBC3jY8eG7OW26qDsLqZBMHhXqoCOmpzzp/w200-h200/escape%20artist.jpg" width="200" /></a></b><b>The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Warn the World</b> - As the name implies, this is a true story that mostly takes place in the concentration camp and provides some humane insight into how these events could be allowed to happen, as well as the triumph of this escapee who helped shed light on the horrors happening at the end of the train line. Not a cheerful roadtrip read, for sure, but I think it appeals to a broad audience wanting to learn and understand a dark part of our world's history. <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmPcD3W11CsS-J34yS6y3-8nZ4kdQDr0Ia_6ySYlZV9s9W_YH2EK8PpyFDabrbAQWi061M-9Gg9lGTdZ9OyNLSFhuURNxUg27xU2T_Ig9WAEtsm_44DCBHIHMV71DKEmhyphenhyphen7xCMBiPBwxiO3aA3kDN3rWg6hTWDcs4OBT5K0mfknsmNCCks9S3AngIpKEH/s500/Ride%20of%20Lifetime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmPcD3W11CsS-J34yS6y3-8nZ4kdQDr0Ia_6ySYlZV9s9W_YH2EK8PpyFDabrbAQWi061M-9Gg9lGTdZ9OyNLSFhuURNxUg27xU2T_Ig9WAEtsm_44DCBHIHMV71DKEmhyphenhyphen7xCMBiPBwxiO3aA3kDN3rWg6hTWDcs4OBT5K0mfknsmNCCks9S3AngIpKEH/w200-h200/Ride%20of%20Lifetime.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as a CEO of the Walt Disney Company</b> - A business book the whole family can relate to, this book covers the major decision points and challenges of Bob Iger's command as the head of one of the most beloved brands and companies. <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyiv5Gon5mEirzvMAy1QWdnvfXT7-TgmeXgGK11dQ7fWbPk4VFdca4gtDw9PcipnV1bZ8NgNmsqW_Xx-eFgq6H3WG9DnJiYZE1W52tvfuM43wN8KhExL85XmTEm5v91ygGy3aB9BXZ74rmuYSIII3ziX-EbqnF0yDYxw2S-Y57LC-bs-TLkn3BLq5S4Lr/s500/Perfect%20Year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyiv5Gon5mEirzvMAy1QWdnvfXT7-TgmeXgGK11dQ7fWbPk4VFdca4gtDw9PcipnV1bZ8NgNmsqW_Xx-eFgq6H3WG9DnJiYZE1W52tvfuM43wN8KhExL85XmTEm5v91ygGy3aB9BXZ74rmuYSIII3ziX-EbqnF0yDYxw2S-Y57LC-bs-TLkn3BLq5S4Lr/w200-h200/Perfect%20Year.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Your Perfect Year</b> - Part mystery, part romance novel, this is another easy read of hope and sickness and love. <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9-7irHhLYSOtf8NbZMZUaEzrMNXiNcVeVxr_deD0RgSSuvQRYksgeY5s65TuwpEnpMzfcXx_M8l8eBLXB4L6ZlyMc-TLEsaekzJTslRG1SH4IvL5tLzr_8jEB-VcGfJPND3o3WYF1SIcaRvR9Mkh2n9rwOKivZw98JuV7DiThnKg3PC_I2j0KfhlIhZ2/s500/Drunk%20Tank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9-7irHhLYSOtf8NbZMZUaEzrMNXiNcVeVxr_deD0RgSSuvQRYksgeY5s65TuwpEnpMzfcXx_M8l8eBLXB4L6ZlyMc-TLEsaekzJTslRG1SH4IvL5tLzr_8jEB-VcGfJPND3o3WYF1SIcaRvR9Mkh2n9rwOKivZw98JuV7DiThnKg3PC_I2j0KfhlIhZ2/w200-h200/Drunk%20Tank.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel and Behave</b> - This is a conversation starter with lots of quirky and largely unknown anecdotes of things you wouldn't normally think about. <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4SSQMg75XhZKg-9l3ZYGt0q0sFDXxgA0iSHj3T9DprTKWwITIsM2s9k0S_AaW3G0HeE_pVXndLcB10zO0xT-XigNo6bUAHqr6plHOcTI12S4cwPMICP3q692m3KXMfxR0A5iDPoWtOHEUKrxE0TRfEbywvi_67cdc7WZZToIbPqUdzsA0k6ADgA0kI9v/s500/Blue%20Zones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4SSQMg75XhZKg-9l3ZYGt0q0sFDXxgA0iSHj3T9DprTKWwITIsM2s9k0S_AaW3G0HeE_pVXndLcB10zO0xT-XigNo6bUAHqr6plHOcTI12S4cwPMICP3q692m3KXMfxR0A5iDPoWtOHEUKrxE0TRfEbywvi_67cdc7WZZToIbPqUdzsA0k6ADgA0kI9v/w200-h200/Blue%20Zones.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest</b> - An interesting read about how people live in different regions. This book could also be a good conversation starter and perhaps inspire some lifestyle changes. <br /><br /><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1VtxqGmWuFFjdOY-ROa8Vl4ttF0gbGlTUAgMJfqKukoUhVzkFp3LufYbw6wUVG-G-gVz3Aq7Xk4qxaRuxZfXytImn-lhvOYO405or6UJWZx9bMy6hk-dwGMyjZgcYSfFAwFqwwO4P33dCKdDgokKTYanNEF9N9r9VlKzU4dLxbivwuZDGWmZghEiUiWz/s500/Traffic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1VtxqGmWuFFjdOY-ROa8Vl4ttF0gbGlTUAgMJfqKukoUhVzkFp3LufYbw6wUVG-G-gVz3Aq7Xk4qxaRuxZfXytImn-lhvOYO405or6UJWZx9bMy6hk-dwGMyjZgcYSfFAwFqwwO4P33dCKdDgokKTYanNEF9N9r9VlKzU4dLxbivwuZDGWmZghEiUiWz/w200-h200/Traffic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do and What It Says About Us</b> - I debated putting this one on the list because it could induce more road rage on a road trip, but I really like this book in general and figured some of the insights and applications may be helpful on the road trip. <br /><br /><b>Pimsleur Language Lessons</b> - If you're doing a road trip over a longer time period (i.e. not just a weekend), you may want to consider language lessons. I'm a big fan of Pimsleur - it's all audio so you can do it while you drive. You can get Pimsleur lessons for several languages from the library and/or on Libby. We did this with the Japanese language in preparation for an upcoming trip to Japan. For me, it was more of a review and brushing up, and for him, it was learning for the first time, so we went at his pace and repeated lessons as he felt he needed. But we could practice together afterwards while driving and listening to music. <br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p></div>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-77051395978601541242024-01-07T14:26:00.000-08:002024-01-18T23:35:51.467-08:00Amboy Crater<div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOenmzXGTHisiCF4f2-UqX8xlqAF_PA_qIVApNrcyasoVeI_Gwj3F-5wFSr5pNpd2qPUv6AcpKYirWrwUykM_9qNaBRj60PNFhMWD_mbprfO5P53Xg4gHQpSdn3uZ9XocME1UZ7oEiniZ3N-NVvatp05XRL2JHXryP4NLPmkGRAzclqiZEjf9aNJDZfwM/s4080/PXL_20240106_185239284.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: courier; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOenmzXGTHisiCF4f2-UqX8xlqAF_PA_qIVApNrcyasoVeI_Gwj3F-5wFSr5pNpd2qPUv6AcpKYirWrwUykM_9qNaBRj60PNFhMWD_mbprfO5P53Xg4gHQpSdn3uZ9XocME1UZ7oEiniZ3N-NVvatp05XRL2JHXryP4NLPmkGRAzclqiZEjf9aNJDZfwM/w200-h151/PXL_20240106_185239284.jpg" width="200"></a><span style="font-family: courier;">Just three or four hours east of the Los Angeles area is a quiet dark sky site great for car camping overnight, to view meteor showers or just general stargazing, as well as a unique and uncrowded hike into and/or around a volcanic crater. <br></span></p><blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Note:</b> I hiked here alone, and it is NOT recommended to hike alone. I am an experienced hiker and was equipped with two means of communicating and several survival items as well as plenty of water and snacks. I do not recommend hiking alone. </span></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXtCItPv7yvo_tmdtSVrNFZQDrUSV3G4H7l9FZLhU4JVvBjG4i5wdwLGoxDbW_R2wL2h5KrXZIcfVA-Zs8SKAxdhscLYG-0dQp2GjSDy8X3a2KT7QEhRg6Fcwv4n9QqweCp67s18TdGq4SES_e7I4xKwnIVzI67RLle3uUJ2EQdMdSAEvMtt_wW3x9Yc7/s3840/PXL_20231021_002325911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: courier; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXtCItPv7yvo_tmdtSVrNFZQDrUSV3G4H7l9FZLhU4JVvBjG4i5wdwLGoxDbW_R2wL2h5KrXZIcfVA-Zs8SKAxdhscLYG-0dQp2GjSDy8X3a2KT7QEhRg6Fcwv4n9QqweCp67s18TdGq4SES_e7I4xKwnIVzI67RLle3uUJ2EQdMdSAEvMtt_wW3x9Yc7/w200-h150/PXL_20231021_002325911.jpg" width="200"></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I first went with my friend Nadine in October 2023 and we watched the Orionids. It was very hot when we arrived, but cooled down with the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok_eBiyr8vDmKWDd1ZV0DZXyqrexXT1m4gIsq8G7aq0ql0Z_kQdIXyviUqgKiqMbu9KvLyCpVijGE420w5HKiu3eyEAQy10k1W9Z-rwCwzBBVMtnOyfOCv00oHs6-XjYoa6t65K_0ILjRDDyGXPwxnzZ8UX5lH-pq0dPajtEqtOFDwv_qkKc-fCIsgpus/s4080/PXL_20231021_003417280.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiok_eBiyr8vDmKWDd1ZV0DZXyqrexXT1m4gIsq8G7aq0ql0Z_kQdIXyviUqgKiqMbu9KvLyCpVijGE420w5HKiu3eyEAQy10k1W9Z-rwCwzBBVMtnOyfOCv00oHs6-XjYoa6t65K_0ILjRDDyGXPwxnzZ8UX5lH-pq0dPajtEqtOFDwv_qkKc-fCIsgpus/w200-h151/PXL_20231021_003417280.jpg" width="200"></a>sunset and we were comfortable to slightly chilly as we sat and watched fireballs streak across the sky. The information online had mixed messages as to whether it was okay to car camp at the primary trailhead parking lot, but that's what we did and it seemed fine. There was also a man in a small RV and a couple who rolled in late and set up camp, so we weren't </span><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rlADN2cZgsAzCpwI4HMBL_els7xwWnrg0YnbQMUI3Zu-x2fwNUVky8lf99hrZ8xZRLHTlr7Jwvhg-uJJkhC9VQ1VRfZ25hB9PDLNvpPGs0dI8U1nZkAx8cbyY6Y3vqaBiuoKN6EmoLc55DeTiF4-GRtw2oTZOXdZYgyPHCcaXo1AJeoosYZmzQaTwLhY/s4080/PXL_20231021_012923605~2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rlADN2cZgsAzCpwI4HMBL_els7xwWnrg0YnbQMUI3Zu-x2fwNUVky8lf99hrZ8xZRLHTlr7Jwvhg-uJJkhC9VQ1VRfZ25hB9PDLNvpPGs0dI8U1nZkAx8cbyY6Y3vqaBiuoKN6EmoLc55DeTiF4-GRtw2oTZOXdZYgyPHCcaXo1AJeoosYZmzQaTwLhY/w200-h151/PXL_20231021_012923605~2.jpg" width="200"></a></span><span style="font-family: courier;">alone. I preferred camping there to the overflow parking lot, which the online info consistently says is ok, because there were toilets at the main parking lot. No running water, though, so be sure to always have hand sani or wipes for bathroom breaks. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc3uHYO4djWBTEx5ylMYG-Vqje38AuEY-hyq63Mmxt45n8v0vtaBHhobvpSUiQGQqD_3NW5kaEabzRQ_vDgJCcjN1HWp4YxaxU9iZVbdWT32C5NdQOJfyflsPzH9uItVr4xxVDIoaVBG3JBT7Gch9r1dDb6lW0E2JYpI0raJi70ywE1IXg5CS7i6gTWXp/s4032/IMG_0253.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: courier; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc3uHYO4djWBTEx5ylMYG-Vqje38AuEY-hyq63Mmxt45n8v0vtaBHhobvpSUiQGQqD_3NW5kaEabzRQ_vDgJCcjN1HWp4YxaxU9iZVbdWT32C5NdQOJfyflsPzH9uItVr4xxVDIoaVBG3JBT7Gch9r1dDb6lW0E2JYpI0raJi70ywE1IXg5CS7i6gTWXp/w200-h150/IMG_0253.jpeg" width="200"></a><span style="font-family: courier;">In the morning, I was hoping to do some hiking but Nadine wasn't up for it. So I told her I'd just go a little ways and come back, not wanting to leave her in the heat with nothing to do for too long. Since I could see that nobody had left their vehicles yet in the parking lot, it occurred to me that I was quite totally alone on the hike. I'm used to hiking on trails where there are definitely people ahead and behind me, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu4iI3jwMlVB50IHA0TDG7Yi-42_TwoGxLjVycB2XNSZobrBn8_RO3XnslbnztGgTGl5zL_kQLmvZ4l2zPdKmf2ZOwvA53PSokMlN6Zlxb_WGpNI4kqwAIm8az3D0g2iKYhEV42o9h50eE5pZxolwZ__oHXg5EsTz-0PHHkun6vyVRlznh1WPESdGE0Wy/s4080/PXL_20240106_163527438.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCu4iI3jwMlVB50IHA0TDG7Yi-42_TwoGxLjVycB2XNSZobrBn8_RO3XnslbnztGgTGl5zL_kQLmvZ4l2zPdKmf2ZOwvA53PSokMlN6Zlxb_WGpNI4kqwAIm8az3D0g2iKYhEV42o9h50eE5pZxolwZ__oHXg5EsTz-0PHHkun6vyVRlznh1WPESdGE0Wy/w200-h151/PXL_20240106_163527438.jpg" width="200"></a>and people coming back would be passing me. The eerie feeling of loneliness and the peril of hiking alone was exhilarating and creepy. I never really felt in danger, with two cell phones on different carriers <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN94CkY4TjIYEl2XON1M95MYJTm8RVQBUaWGlpg0079ssMcnPpSvf13PH_N8S1bVskRlBs9pE0roZoI_rZ5fgGVOCLm2xXBr5qz2pUQNiSlFzThraOtPyPlIw5e9nv6K_9IJ-kFGNrWIv27zd-qN7-Ln3cMLtaepYe-0hfJ6vRsk3PQeMdR8HyMC2lEhXI/s4080/PXL_20231021_003500605.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN94CkY4TjIYEl2XON1M95MYJTm8RVQBUaWGlpg0079ssMcnPpSvf13PH_N8S1bVskRlBs9pE0roZoI_rZ5fgGVOCLm2xXBr5qz2pUQNiSlFzThraOtPyPlIw5e9nv6K_9IJ-kFGNrWIv27zd-qN7-Ln3cMLtaepYe-0hfJ6vRsk3PQeMdR8HyMC2lEhXI/w200-h151/PXL_20231021_003500605.jpg" width="200"></a>(personal and work) and knowing Nadine was at the trailhead - certainly if something happened to me I could either contact her or she would eventually come out after me if I didn't return. Still, it was neat to feel like I was the only one on the trail. Of course, I had no idea if people had started after me, and sure enough, I did see people as I returned. Even though it was pleasant when I left the trailhead, it got hotter quickly and I made it only about 3/4 of a mile before turning back, and it got very hot by the time I returned. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyu72dLsqdwb6MfRm8I73KedUgHz8X-NJtlEPAdsDEzN8PRLUwMNvUEsSgGst9iufBgajrj0WpYc-53mlcrHoqiORTUEhPZezjk1gdkTb1UjzMo0UN4w_-cVJtdeSGFUEio2XwKzNwN5L5Y83T5u3uJnYPbcLTVY-hzDr1XDeAnbHZ55JBPHABbezB02X/s4080/PXL_20240106_022100868.NIGHT.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: courier; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyu72dLsqdwb6MfRm8I73KedUgHz8X-NJtlEPAdsDEzN8PRLUwMNvUEsSgGst9iufBgajrj0WpYc-53mlcrHoqiORTUEhPZezjk1gdkTb1UjzMo0UN4w_-cVJtdeSGFUEio2XwKzNwN5L5Y83T5u3uJnYPbcLTVY-hzDr1XDeAnbHZ55JBPHABbezB02X/w242-h320/PXL_20240106_022100868.NIGHT.jpg" width="242"></a><p><span style="font-family: courier;">Since then, I'd been wanting to return when the weather was nicer to do the full hike. I got the chance a couple days ago (camping on Jan 5 and hiking the morning of Jan 6) - purposefully planning it when the moon was minimal and also would rise late in hopes of also seeing the Milky Way as I set up camp and relaxed under the stars. It wasn't as spectacular as the best Milky Way pictures, but sure enough I did see it faintly, and I got a couple decent pictures with my cell phone <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ZQyFCtPFE-MxCmYiEvOFlz7QaVttrY5BLn6FWSOn-eeGvofES_P_1zAdwAk574czhg3IlFjIl7XdePmOofWdFLVBJvUQ8eksOYZLnM3w1JTtC9fuUO22DAKRSttwiSEXEZy5HquldyLECtj6ZjPgaWxGcY2d3tZS90DRLwvUPjbd5sgKQNuLwPspk0q/s4080/PXL_20240106_132004752.NIGHT~2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04ZQyFCtPFE-MxCmYiEvOFlz7QaVttrY5BLn6FWSOn-eeGvofES_P_1zAdwAk574czhg3IlFjIl7XdePmOofWdFLVBJvUQ8eksOYZLnM3w1JTtC9fuUO22DAKRSttwiSEXEZy5HquldyLECtj6ZjPgaWxGcY2d3tZS90DRLwvUPjbd5sgKQNuLwPspk0q/w151-h200/PXL_20240106_132004752.NIGHT~2.jpg" width="151"></a>of Orion's Belt and other stars. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br><br>Because it was cooler, I didn't do my full hatch-tent setup to let the outside air into my car. Instead, I slept in it fully enclosed, but with a view out the top through my sunroof. I was mostly comfortable until about 3 or 4 am when I started to get very cold, and I turned my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0iYtLN3hbDxJdelkub4a8VClf9kwXapUzaiH4kZOA9T0X1SdqD_i46I7qsoqzkub242gGyMyV9epGBDUnWO-6bCNY4pcPbMyacgsACnzsqLE4xpIjCdj4Hwa7AjuAud8HawCzuLthziAPoGMLVBfHahgvpVPuNhum0_GoVsjqKDzXh261vtFTgOjBt8m/s4080/PXL_20240106_151628012.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0iYtLN3hbDxJdelkub4a8VClf9kwXapUzaiH4kZOA9T0X1SdqD_i46I7qsoqzkub242gGyMyV9epGBDUnWO-6bCNY4pcPbMyacgsACnzsqLE4xpIjCdj4Hwa7AjuAud8HawCzuLthziAPoGMLVBfHahgvpVPuNhum0_GoVsjqKDzXh261vtFTgOjBt8m/w200-h151/PXL_20240106_151628012.jpg" width="200"></a>car on temporarily to heat the cabin a bit. I woke up around 7 am as the sun was rising, and while it was still quite chilly, it was so beautiful I was ready to get going. I had a small, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya1Lhxv7yM4asAoJUvhRqEq4sSOdl8lhKS8A1t03n9pfwfqbGR5eMeyEiNGkjpphOD6DCfcEUack44P8dyJa2Y22oQBKNjy5wkuCAZzsVw1x-Y67I5cENPxrj2vnEUML-4WtaL1b_3jVs1UKbuU-UkKeN9GAXUj2d6fEFgjOEf0QXdaok2nbTKNlyif8d/s4032/IMG_0248.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya1Lhxv7yM4asAoJUvhRqEq4sSOdl8lhKS8A1t03n9pfwfqbGR5eMeyEiNGkjpphOD6DCfcEUack44P8dyJa2Y22oQBKNjy5wkuCAZzsVw1x-Y67I5cENPxrj2vnEUML-4WtaL1b_3jVs1UKbuU-UkKeN9GAXUj2d6fEFgjOEf0QXdaok2nbTKNlyif8d/w150-h200/IMG_0248.jpeg" width="150"></a>quick breakfast in my camping chair enjoying the view but sitting still was making me too cold, so I cut it short in favor of starting the hike. It was 40° when I started, and I layered two sweatshirts over my tank top, knowing that I'd like remove one or both sweatshirts as I hiked, and it was easier to wrap <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n7k0fGJoLvJsdZz3wFAN-g9p-z6QULsF3tGyQCqRnc3Iiuelt-rvdEJmXk_MkaYZSpKsTfAQ9F1PphHcqItF8gMBMTEyLuypU5-roIaQvR0XNFbs45K692hT8iVP9pmjiBIegiwR8acsukIzsJK0X0QQsdRamWeoGdf3yuzaFtSM78yz9hplcw3254aV/s4032/IMG_0254.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3n7k0fGJoLvJsdZz3wFAN-g9p-z6QULsF3tGyQCqRnc3Iiuelt-rvdEJmXk_MkaYZSpKsTfAQ9F1PphHcqItF8gMBMTEyLuypU5-roIaQvR0XNFbs45K692hT8iVP9pmjiBIegiwR8acsukIzsJK0X0QQsdRamWeoGdf3yuzaFtSM78yz9hplcw3254aV/w150-h200/IMG_0254.jpeg" width="150"></a>them around my waist than deal with a bulky jacket. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br><br>The hike to the crater is very easy, with a bench at about half a mile (0.47 mi by my tracker) and another "last chance" bench at the end of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6PBNZdHuOceAUif-CfwpXZ-kt940wtYasCwtZMwuhlGy7kapNlBFDPJHf7YO79oOMEGoDx7l9OnHKbdZD7kMF3L1EW-U422lGGVOXAB8S15O3-DL6N6OoahnrIBS3mMG5gXzTLKH-i0pNsDiaCj3zkU5_VNS2TEsnpXFUqr0rwkzoHO6oSh0SIzCKY4W/s4032/IMG_0251.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-6PBNZdHuOceAUif-CfwpXZ-kt940wtYasCwtZMwuhlGy7kapNlBFDPJHf7YO79oOMEGoDx7l9OnHKbdZD7kMF3L1EW-U422lGGVOXAB8S15O3-DL6N6OoahnrIBS3mMG5gXzTLKH-i0pNsDiaCj3zkU5_VNS2TEsnpXFUqr0rwkzoHO6oSh0SIzCKY4W/w200-h150/IMG_0251.jpeg" width="200"></a>the easy part, 1.1 miles from the trailhead. Most of the terrain is packed dirt and sand with sporadic lava rocks, but there are also patches of very loose sand and dirt, much like walking on the beach. There is next to nothing as far as elevation change. There is also zero shade, so </span><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0crFP9-yDIjmfNWuoPrD9-YGqD-5LDNoFm3lnjQBkPMRxN0AGmul2DPeWKqdgACoUrsD5NWM50T3tSPfIDlH98dus_CyYFrM3joA6BhYlfZg6M3mgQG0J28anr2pA1AwW_ceqXHgEIP_z2p6IhNPdad9O2zjgqNknIuE7Dxzw_536QpCp-pNWp0v84Z4y/s4032/IMG_0259.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0crFP9-yDIjmfNWuoPrD9-YGqD-5LDNoFm3lnjQBkPMRxN0AGmul2DPeWKqdgACoUrsD5NWM50T3tSPfIDlH98dus_CyYFrM3joA6BhYlfZg6M3mgQG0J28anr2pA1AwW_ceqXHgEIP_z2p6IhNPdad9O2zjgqNknIuE7Dxzw_536QpCp-pNWp0v84Z4y/w150-h200/IMG_0259.jpeg" width="150"></a></span><span style="font-family: courier;">be prepared to be blasted by the sun. If you're still a Pokemon GO player like me, there are Pokemon on the trail and a stop at the last </span><span style="font-family: courier;">chance bench!</span><span style="font-family: courier;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEUiAEg879bv3p05gDJB3NY3Pi39EaEmaeF-OWqpWUpT6719jvXbBNAgrFVInF2RedAmV_RmHFbGEyRTHaDQ5ZsHK9nllrE-QjatGKheSuydmN_gA0CCLUw-g1u4cYjtsIb618HOmYA8RiIRtNY-rcgE5vd2rdW88kqI_W2_-lhk8TxPxyQu1v94zGnq_/s3840/PXL_20240106_164445343.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEUiAEg879bv3p05gDJB3NY3Pi39EaEmaeF-OWqpWUpT6719jvXbBNAgrFVInF2RedAmV_RmHFbGEyRTHaDQ5ZsHK9nllrE-QjatGKheSuydmN_gA0CCLUw-g1u4cYjtsIb618HOmYA8RiIRtNY-rcgE5vd2rdW88kqI_W2_-lhk8TxPxyQu1v94zGnq_/w200-h150/PXL_20240106_164445343.jpg" width="200"></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br>After the second bench, the hike gets exciting as you wind your way up onto the side of the crater and up and over into it. A half mile past the bench, at 1.6 miles from the </span><span style="font-family: courier;">trailhead, is a three-pronged fork at which you can go straight to basically head directly into the middle of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio51aA3i97KjWDpb2_PkLID71xZBKEcXIs3KyBaXkjYp1qrbk-RRWLqTlrJlMRFcLYXsTnX4PocvApz8sZ2RCaaaco4E6lNqJsPdtvDwtyjNCrl1c5HKtWQkJC486ukGTO8SfVd4WsYoV6TFnOjuizb2Qn0eRP3CP3FZ6KhC-lmR7wURANzwPToDeGaQlj/s4080/PXL_20240106_164732378.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio51aA3i97KjWDpb2_PkLID71xZBKEcXIs3KyBaXkjYp1qrbk-RRWLqTlrJlMRFcLYXsTnX4PocvApz8sZ2RCaaaco4E6lNqJsPdtvDwtyjNCrl1c5HKtWQkJC486ukGTO8SfVd4WsYoV6TFnOjuizb2Qn0eRP3CP3FZ6KhC-lmR7wURANzwPToDeGaQlj/w200-h151/PXL_20240106_164732378.jpg" width="200"></a>crater, or go left or right which will take you in a loop around the rim of the crater to the highest point just under 1000 feet. The Crater Trail taking you into the center is much more moderate and less dangerous, and affords a spectacular 360 view at a saddle point. If you turned around and went back from there, I'd say you thoroughly did the hike and saw what there is to see.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v5D-QHeC-CIeBKmx0xUHJahtb8IGrB62cpb83FpUxzVNHvXgSPlQZhjZD_ezkhqt7l6_-9Fu9Iof-LLDeud16ucUQ6gctQSlVv2NgOcA33IzMnsMdAamXGmnIPIgeHN3igpHOpDTWZdpNeEFF8vJdYjTcGfwvkDrjGMRZGmb0OuyrIofjzPglAnIuSYY/s4080/PXL_20240106_165124614.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: courier; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v5D-QHeC-CIeBKmx0xUHJahtb8IGrB62cpb83FpUxzVNHvXgSPlQZhjZD_ezkhqt7l6_-9Fu9Iof-LLDeud16ucUQ6gctQSlVv2NgOcA33IzMnsMdAamXGmnIPIgeHN3igpHOpDTWZdpNeEFF8vJdYjTcGfwvkDrjGMRZGmb0OuyrIofjzPglAnIuSYY/w200-h151/PXL_20240106_165124614.jpg" width="200"></a><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb5Ksq_PKhsmrAKBnA5K9W7eqV9xPKEJWPyjexsT7HP_GAlIi1GSinTfJB32m4SlM0s4nnodXYyihm__SYwX59OYfzFZXX0gFWSZfvk7Ivi3vpoJxXd_gVDxOZINEUhepyW4AJgiCucXIOt1ip6pi6TSZJVrwPIDcorIFSoB1PThQscoLvf7t53FTJK6g/w200-h151/PXL_20240106_165216389.jpg" width="200"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXoB-LYC1aed4M_urT664_4dbQblM70ZCyCG9WjcgJur-rYQUMDqJCjSNH40EWgK637EwznTH5nvBAts5Vf7LbQ2BAupM9Iok4qxP6ivg3ughYEdSeV6Nzje8F5fAn-tkofbcTZUJkqBk0r7ok8juRva1Wh4MR5FhdOB85nooSKxcOOGduo1kfdvfPX27/s3840/PXL_20240106_165552241.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXoB-LYC1aed4M_urT664_4dbQblM70ZCyCG9WjcgJur-rYQUMDqJCjSNH40EWgK637EwznTH5nvBAts5Vf7LbQ2BAupM9Iok4qxP6ivg3ughYEdSeV6Nzje8F5fAn-tkofbcTZUJkqBk0r7ok8juRva1Wh4MR5FhdOB85nooSKxcOOGduo1kfdvfPX27/w200-h150/PXL_20240106_165552241.jpg" width="200"></a></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">For more advanced hikers with confidence in their ankle strength, the Crater Rim Loop offers a steep change in elevation and unobstructed </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0rXe7v1j04OJ1wi1tWR4lE9LzdaoVXngzI4QeHqQAxZ37od8GCqSzkrCLlzE4QpAwpj_Vj5OpkkArbBjJLkWWDNykqdhVjibgYi0uTQDiUiMY70YTBY-d7uy0Lh9d1ZQWr0JHyu0ZLquxr6Tb2A4eamdZJJuCi1P5gzKzWEugmFg74AsoyvghXmogo4B/s4080/PXL_20240106_165853735.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: courier; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0rXe7v1j04OJ1wi1tWR4lE9LzdaoVXngzI4QeHqQAxZ37od8GCqSzkrCLlzE4QpAwpj_Vj5OpkkArbBjJLkWWDNykqdhVjibgYi0uTQDiUiMY70YTBY-d7uy0Lh9d1ZQWr0JHyu0ZLquxr6Tb2A4eamdZJJuCi1P5gzKzWEugmFg74AsoyvghXmogo4B/w200-h151/PXL_20240106_165853735.jpg" width="200"></a><span style="font-family: courier;">views from the top. I ended up taking the Crater Trail first and then continuing to the other side of the meteor, making my way up to the Crater Rim Loop. At the top, I had trouble deciding which way to turn, but ultimately turned right to hit the highest peak of the hike. I had to be very careful with my foot placement and took my time both going up and down, while along the rim it was fairly easy <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71Ha8SJuRUPOzkCNow6CTlJgCKV6N_0AEHhf8H5YseIjL8EPUqYJUNS9bYAaZrjX6LUaeezCsgy7lvfsyuJgazVKn3SObcWdK2mhlKRjp28VZe1KtxipfE82t_cFzauhekRY4dcHuXi-Hp7RDxxG2gQR72GoIOdLx3cQGxj-rrEug-bRkpXbd1n9iNeat/s3840/PXL_20240106_171549201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71Ha8SJuRUPOzkCNow6CTlJgCKV6N_0AEHhf8H5YseIjL8EPUqYJUNS9bYAaZrjX6LUaeezCsgy7lvfsyuJgazVKn3SObcWdK2mhlKRjp28VZe1KtxipfE82t_cFzauhekRY4dcHuXi-Hp7RDxxG2gQR72GoIOdLx3cQGxj-rrEug-bRkpXbd1n9iNeat/w200-h150/PXL_20240106_171549201.jpg" width="200"></a>going. On the way down, I stopped for a snack to recharge and ensure I had enough energy and strength not to slip, especially since I was by myself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"><br><br> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">On my way down, I finally saw other people on the trail for the first time. Many of them did not have water. Please, people, do NOT go hiking in the desert without water!! Even in the winter, it is very dry and you need to stay hydrated. After making my way down from the crater rim, it was easy going headed back on the same and only trail back to the parking lot. It was about 50° by then so I stripped down to my tank top and had both sweatshirts around my waist - stylish, I know! With the very light breeze, it was perfect hiking weather. I really enjoyed myself but was pretty beat when I finally got back to my car. Luckily, I didn't have much to pack up so I was able to use the bathroom once more and then get on the road home. (And I got home just in time to do Pokemon Go Community Day on my couch - LOL!) <br><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmkw_Wie96eYWIP7-DDzAoCJAKHs4CUUr7EiUKNPH_JM_Z145pByiynPJmo43zkmXEqdmT_p55l8v21wU78cTctXVfPj1dTLZSTrnRBEDxycmfaajtC87rlqHQhno3Y9gh-DhHzOSdwbHa_eYSFc4dx62fAEfzzQytZ3DNjE1vYGFzeBEYu0lmOLIRD5_/s3840/PXL_20240106_175819167~2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmkw_Wie96eYWIP7-DDzAoCJAKHs4CUUr7EiUKNPH_JM_Z145pByiynPJmo43zkmXEqdmT_p55l8v21wU78cTctXVfPj1dTLZSTrnRBEDxycmfaajtC87rlqHQhno3Y9gh-DhHzOSdwbHa_eYSFc4dx62fAEfzzQytZ3DNjE1vYGFzeBEYu0lmOLIRD5_/s320/PXL_20240106_175819167~2.jpg" width="320"></a>It was a great first adventure for the new year! I nearly procrastinated on going, but so glad I pushed myself to do it. It was just an evening and morning - hardly a big time investment relative to the joy and peace I got from it. <br><br></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Recommendations for Amboy Crater<br></span></h3><ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82mUGFrCxb6HVPwspjWrmQEr_6T36MTLxgbQJhewcu_1oQtKY7zG8UH9CylR3OZv0yZ-lsuKkqQic-qkme_aBzvOvtH4Pk6NYErW1LhxFh0v-NhOE3Dc6UuIeJvlMGhjog6apFcbn8oZkKkvyU6t-3WqoVu0_KwnCIL4R4JKGdPtMMR0_7B-sUvMyc4H4/s4080/PXL_20231021_003815911.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: courier; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82mUGFrCxb6HVPwspjWrmQEr_6T36MTLxgbQJhewcu_1oQtKY7zG8UH9CylR3OZv0yZ-lsuKkqQic-qkme_aBzvOvtH4Pk6NYErW1LhxFh0v-NhOE3Dc6UuIeJvlMGhjog6apFcbn8oZkKkvyU6t-3WqoVu0_KwnCIL4R4JKGdPtMMR0_7B-sUvMyc4H4/w200-h151/PXL_20231021_003815911.jpg" width="200"></a><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Set up camp just before sunset and enjoy the stars</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Bring a headlamp as it is very dark and you'll especially want your hands free when going to the bathroom</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Bring hand sani or wipes for using the bathroom</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">The bugs (specifically, tiny, little flies) are incessant at night - you may want to bring bug spray and/or a face net and have weather-appropriate clothes that cover as much as possible</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Bring good hiking shoes with ankle support - lots of opportunities to twist an ankle on the hike</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Bring a hat, sun screen, and lots of water! At least 2 liters of water per person is recommended. Even in the winter, the desert is dry and you need to replace the water you're losing as you hike.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: courier;">Give yourself a few hours to hike it before sunset - you don't want to be caught out there in the dark! </span></li></ul><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-84770503330376820862024-01-01T14:32:00.000-08:002024-03-14T21:55:09.630-07:00Have my cake and eat it, too<p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Happy New Year! I did something that is either fucked up or brilliant. Time will tell, I suppose. <br /><br />My New Year's Eve started out as a pretty chill evening after a day balanced with productivity and relaxation. I was even thinking I'd tell Deric I loved him. Andrew, Sonia, Deric and I went to my favorite local restaurant, Broken Bit, for dinner. Deric had been drinking before the dinner and joined me in drinking cocktails at dinner. After a great meal, we went back to my place for more drinks and to ring in the new year. <br /><br />I knew Deric was drinking too much, and I tried to control the situation, sort of. Control is a whole different topic I should probably write through at some point; it seems that control is pretty important to me in an unhealthy way. But that's for another time. I think last night I may have, whether subconsciously intentional or just through a lack of intention, I let Deric drink too much and get out of hand. What I didn't expect, at least not consciously, was how he would come out with immensely hurtful and misogynistic comments towards Sonia which may have just as well been against me. And there it was, I suppose. The opportunity to fight with him and end things. And we fought. I told him I was "done with this shit." <br /><br />And there it is. Vague enough that this morning I woke up both with a boyfriend and with the notion of being done with him. I have found that having a boyfriend makes me feel peace and puts my mind at ease a bit, but also that I want to be open to finding that really knock-off-my-socks relationship. So my messed up, self-sabotaging subconscious has given me permission to claim a boyfriend to be at peace but also to pursue better, truer love. It's also quite convenient given my job insecurity - if I have to move to Fort Worth or elsewhere this year, it won't be a big heartbreak to leave Deric. It may even give me a second chance with Tommy, since distance was the biggest issue there. <br /><br />I suppose it means I will need to date more in private now, if that's my plan. But truly, I think I was mostly sharing my dating on facebook for Jaiman's benefit so he could see I was not cheating on him emotionally or physically, that I didn't fall directly into my male friends' arms as I think he assumed I would. Now that he's unfriended me, and gosh it's been almost a year, I think it's time to stop worrying about him, stop worrying about men in general, and finally start focusing on me, truly. <br /><br />Oh and as far as the fight, Deric was a freaking idiot and I'll wait for him to decide what's next for us. In the meantime, I feel better than ever, starting off the New Year phenomenally. At peace, with my mind in a good place, and ready to take on 2024. <br /></span></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-28197257925406529332023-12-31T10:26:00.000-08:002023-12-31T10:26:57.500-08:002024: Planning for Me<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Water</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For as long as I can remember, I have been infatuated with water. Maybe it’s a survival instinct, having grown up and then returning in my adult life to desert environments. But I think it's more about the sensory, either soothingly warm or refreshingly cool, the calming sounds, the literal lightness of being in water, that draws me in. As early as I can remember, I think it started with not wanting to transition from childish baths to grown-up showers. But even when I did, I took long showers. My family noticed and made fun of me, but that didn't necessarily deter my behaviors. I remember an early childhood vacation with just me and my parents to Shell Beach in California, my Mom teaching me how to let my feet sink into the sand as the ocean waves rose and ceded around them, and me playing in the pool as long as my parents would allow me to and pushing the boundaries at that. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRfdd1mhIAkcpDSnwxHkV-IQ2n-Nkuy23m7s6K2Ue7Jt4waYb0S3fvP-6IUpbP9IP95EjArMRJ6Kz3n9XsyRzVHOnkUHVu8pXJfuH_NeCu77k_6qJI3S15pBd8zRO64fVhipnjoBd8w_bYHcrfynBLTN34V9C8-Hi1040A6SsnzedFXRQcOBBD8vjWL1Q/s4080/PXL_20230604_000149085.MP.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRfdd1mhIAkcpDSnwxHkV-IQ2n-Nkuy23m7s6K2Ue7Jt4waYb0S3fvP-6IUpbP9IP95EjArMRJ6Kz3n9XsyRzVHOnkUHVu8pXJfuH_NeCu77k_6qJI3S15pBd8zRO64fVhipnjoBd8w_bYHcrfynBLTN34V9C8-Hi1040A6SsnzedFXRQcOBBD8vjWL1Q/s320/PXL_20230604_000149085.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a>I love swimming. Not necessarily swimming for exercise, although I try to do that now when the weather allows. Moreso, I love moving in water. Whether its stretching out and floating, letting the water push me around where it will, or cycling my legs and moving them around while bobbing up and down, or calmly doing the elementary backstroke while taking in the view, I love the feeling of moving in water. I have another childhood memory that encompasses this: while we were moving to New Jersey, my parents and I stayed in a hotel for most of the summer and I met a boy around my age who was also there for a long-term stay. He and I would spend hours in the pool together and, while I may have liked him romantically, I don't recall there ever being anything suggestive in the pool with him. Rather, we put together and perfected what we thought was a pretty neat series of circus-like underwater tricks which we'd perform for unimpressed adults. I think he must have shared my love of the water because we both seemed to think what we were doing was amazing, and it clearly wasn't. In my pool here in Palmdale, I find it absolutely breathtaking (not literally) to see the depth from under the water, see the crazy lines the sun and small waves make on the pool floor, it's like a secret world that's all my own. It's hard to describe but it's just one of those things that absolutely thrills me. Easily thrilled, right?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ztfFpwjf_d9_KgjpsVJnNJRUZJt1glpycj1bSQYbSnsYhx8YXol6OpMeJRAtR3-NM4hvoDV9P-m31TAd5_og6-liAYxaXQ6MzK8MwEj7JZUd6cGrXmlnci8vMKkuLqMlZzLMeMD6D1fTr40TuA6qtIogSXk_5YwHuQhyphenhyphen3chVo_jmcxv1cYKCuwSPf337/s1316/35525276_10109689568558831_2154741704643575808_o.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ztfFpwjf_d9_KgjpsVJnNJRUZJt1glpycj1bSQYbSnsYhx8YXol6OpMeJRAtR3-NM4hvoDV9P-m31TAd5_og6-liAYxaXQ6MzK8MwEj7JZUd6cGrXmlnci8vMKkuLqMlZzLMeMD6D1fTr40TuA6qtIogSXk_5YwHuQhyphenhyphen3chVo_jmcxv1cYKCuwSPf337/s320/35525276_10109689568558831_2154741704643575808_o.jpg" width="156" /></a>I wrote a <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2021/01/makai-toji-abbiocco-my-favorite-places.html" target="_blank">post a couple years ago about my happy places</a> - locations to which I've loved traveling to that make me happy. The three places all have to do with water. Oahu, or Hawaii more generally as I can now count Maui in my travel experience, is lovely because of the beautiful oceans and eternal summer allowing for year-round swimming and walks on the beach. Among many other <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJY1yYpSdEvii40cjkJtWo-TVysfVnohDNacCmli4Rh9EQR8W-FKzsFrGNUPtcMxzqwZE4fqo7eSoc8nwklRpctDFyCSMhrIy5EDxfbKB2Dsaziu_KCYvoR7cIcAi7vCf5_UAF0UjzTuQ97H2Kz5mq-wUq8C4Dxao5eWrA_ihr-tWt5ylkT3LO8Qp-M6h/s5312/20160521_133952.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJY1yYpSdEvii40cjkJtWo-TVysfVnohDNacCmli4Rh9EQR8W-FKzsFrGNUPtcMxzqwZE4fqo7eSoc8nwklRpctDFyCSMhrIy5EDxfbKB2Dsaziu_KCYvoR7cIcAi7vCf5_UAF0UjzTuQ97H2Kz5mq-wUq8C4Dxao5eWrA_ihr-tWt5ylkT3LO8Qp-M6h/w200-h113/20160521_133952.jpg" width="200" /></a>things, I love Japan for its hot springs culture - soaking in an Onsen (hot spring) was a life-changing experience for me and I've been back many times to do just that, and I especially loved my room on the beautiful island of Miyajima which had its own private Onsen. The third location is Venice, which is known for being basically waterlocked and having canals throughout the city and bridges going over the canals. In fact, in one of my favorite pictures from Venice, I'm wearing a shirt that says, "Life is better by the water." <br /><br />When I moved from Arizona to Connecticut, one of the non-negotiables for me was to have a heated pool. I one-upped this when I moved to Florida and got a house right by the beach. I loved walking or running down to the beach, stretching while the sun rose over the ocean or jumping in to the warm, clear water when the weather was good. That beach in PCB is what broke me of my terror of sand, since its sand was clean, thin white "sugar sand" which I learned to tolerate. When we moved to San Diego, I wanted to live downtown and, against my better judgment, did not buy a place with a bathtub, which I very quickly regretted and compensated for by planning my vacations around what kind of baths different places had. </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8kDE4qQuL66VaN5UwLhau5AqBsubbxJxvdA9v0y0qvV8_CphcrkWxv6t_57vMjVGzGuOx1SQ12qdsdveV5_NysfhuiTTzQqGKIdSR_CCkEfXwwO4tXB3YR5jNAfkl9Msa0WGNZlI3OF3X0IG2yD0EatMo1Qthzv0O6kx2ACHSHJRWGubq9D-sStJIVsh/s4080/PXL_20220826_223333188.MP.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8kDE4qQuL66VaN5UwLhau5AqBsubbxJxvdA9v0y0qvV8_CphcrkWxv6t_57vMjVGzGuOx1SQ12qdsdveV5_NysfhuiTTzQqGKIdSR_CCkEfXwwO4tXB3YR5jNAfkl9Msa0WGNZlI3OF3X0IG2yD0EatMo1Qthzv0O6kx2ACHSHJRWGubq9D-sStJIVsh/s320/PXL_20220826_223333188.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The bonus of living in San Diego was that we were very close to the ocean and when I went for my morning run in Balboa Park - one of the best venues for running in my experience - I could soak up that ocean air and it made me feel so good. Having learned my lessons, the house I bought in Palmdale has a heated pool, a hot tub, and a nice size soaking bathtub in the master, in addition to regular showers and tubs. Many people have commented on how I'm practically living in a resort, and I tend to agree, it's just about perfect, or at least as perfect as it can be in Palmdale, California. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxhxeKTARcfsdHWrmZkk2CX8HzrNYKzgYq5Rscn8H8BJv0_yIEgMQj_ZLyFXnaXeHPFKHG2c2PT0hcdxACnHtG_SSpCUdXIXBV3eT8eXAxS9OK9poTMbXeowNHGWe1sSLBsn59Hj1O6bpilqAGrLCErEbEiV9-19vKsN-c37jxYxF333AM4AJUQa_BBt2/s4080/PXL_20230205_035657795.NIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: arial; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhxhxeKTARcfsdHWrmZkk2CX8HzrNYKzgYq5Rscn8H8BJv0_yIEgMQj_ZLyFXnaXeHPFKHG2c2PT0hcdxACnHtG_SSpCUdXIXBV3eT8eXAxS9OK9poTMbXeowNHGWe1sSLBsn59Hj1O6bpilqAGrLCErEbEiV9-19vKsN-c37jxYxF333AM4AJUQa_BBt2/w151-h200/PXL_20230205_035657795.NIGHT.jpg" width="151" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Unlike most people, I can spend hours in the hot tub. I especially enjoy my own private hot tub in the cold of the desert winter - going out there weekend mornings and watching the sunrise in my hot tub is my own private zen paradise. I'll often be weirdly productive in the hot tub - I'll bring my breakfast, listen to my audiobook or do some writing, sometimes I'll even bring my work laptop out with me and knock out computer based trainings that I'm required to do. <br /><br />I like being on boats - cruise ships or speed boats or ferries or jet skis. Not only do they afford me the chance to bring back that never-dying song, "I'm on a Boat" by Lonely Island, but I just love the feeling of floating or crashing through waves, whichever the case may be. Even though sometimes it makes me motion sick, I still love it. I'm down for whale watching tours even if we don't see whales, because being on the water makes me so happy. And, I'm usually pretty lucky when it comes to wildlife sightings so we usually see something cool. Queue video of mama and baby humpback whale coming within feet of our snorkeling tour boat this past week. AMAZING! </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDEkWU5EQxxIB0Pymg0sSM81I9TkSZyWdU9ik26HVJ0guYAobSqVjSPDvzwD3JI8oYrRUlQt0zNCpWOMHtatblqjmHBBrHxptuk-THQ_qAgW2UVJCRjdOfltefuq6DB_mnju1TjHVFuAsWJoJQ4LfD3N3ZLriQB55cL23J3k7IN3wcfp9bTTN9bq3-dUF/s3984/EVELYN%20(9).JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3984" data-original-width="2656" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDEkWU5EQxxIB0Pymg0sSM81I9TkSZyWdU9ik26HVJ0guYAobSqVjSPDvzwD3JI8oYrRUlQt0zNCpWOMHtatblqjmHBBrHxptuk-THQ_qAgW2UVJCRjdOfltefuq6DB_mnju1TjHVFuAsWJoJQ4LfD3N3ZLriQB55cL23J3k7IN3wcfp9bTTN9bq3-dUF/w133-h200/EVELYN%20(9).JPG" width="133" /></a>When I'm on the beach or in the ocean, I feel like I'm more myself - even though I hate sand. I feel healthy, like I can breathe better, figuratively and literally/physically. I can meditate on the ocean surf crashing on the beach, rising and falling, and that relieves the inner turmoil in my head and the physical pain from migraine. I can float comfortably when I'm in the ocean, and I am comfortable swimming as needed. I enjoy snorkeling when the water is clear, and I <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyFTKlLRv3Wx71qG_3Pg3omD51UluRyNJDSJgAe3SK15QWBqBYgNNLave_VumvtFJ1jh7g-suah2yc48AhmHz9yBgOXTPOb45Yp0jXGbEHVUKX-lZFYIY_71tQJplirxJEAXUNGGlabLxs40Casf7bobJOhx9Dms_V-WTbCP6Uoj1P52MkAJeb6tEY5GU/s4000/MCC04753.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2676" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyFTKlLRv3Wx71qG_3Pg3omD51UluRyNJDSJgAe3SK15QWBqBYgNNLave_VumvtFJ1jh7g-suah2yc48AhmHz9yBgOXTPOb45Yp0jXGbEHVUKX-lZFYIY_71tQJplirxJEAXUNGGlabLxs40Casf7bobJOhx9Dms_V-WTbCP6Uoj1P52MkAJeb6tEY5GU/w134-h200/MCC04753.jpg" width="134" /></a>have had some extraordinary experiences with sea turtles or <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2017/11/cairns-great-barrier-reef-aussie.html" target="_blank">in the Great Barrier Reef</a>, and most recently at Molokini Crater which has visibility up to 150 or 200 feet! <br /><br />It makes me think that my life needs more beach in it. I'm like Ken from the Barbie movie, I just Beach. I don't lifeguard, and I'm not a surfer, I Beach, and I'm good at it. I've been living in Los Angeles County for over two years but have only gone out to the beach a handful of times, twice just to see the airshow and not actually, you know, beach. Being in Maui the last couple weeks has reminded me how much I love the ocean, </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwnt0Z5W7G1x-BJ3slNGaCOFY1VYrHjdeQ0Ao8HLkupZuOKQguJn_oQGXa5vvIHaywKgHNGLCTBQDr1Sx6fVhOyDaV7h1yYo6t5bsCh9rxDdjI2FQUVEZwqPDGYsXqGr8eJQtOWS-a0jSkv3-ZLA7OTi8uJiTSyit-CG35W53M9kuf5Yv07Zmd1Lzqcm0/s3264/IMG_20200124_101453.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwnt0Z5W7G1x-BJ3slNGaCOFY1VYrHjdeQ0Ao8HLkupZuOKQguJn_oQGXa5vvIHaywKgHNGLCTBQDr1Sx6fVhOyDaV7h1yYo6t5bsCh9rxDdjI2FQUVEZwqPDGYsXqGr8eJQtOWS-a0jSkv3-ZLA7OTi8uJiTSyit-CG35W53M9kuf5Yv07Zmd1Lzqcm0/s320/IMG_20200124_101453.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: arial;">and I think I'd be most happy living at a beach. Whether that's a Florida beach or California, or Hawaii or Australia or some other wild destination, I don't think it matters. As long as I can beach. And in the meantime, I will enjoy both my pool and hot tub, and should probably make the most of my proximity to the LA area beaches. Afterall, I used to drive 6 hours from Arizona for the chance to see a beach like that, what's an hour or two on the weekend compared to that?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finding Me</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I feel like 2023 was a lot about finding myself again after the decade-long relationship. I tend to like what my significant other likes, so long as I tolerated it before, and so being intertwined for so many years has made me wonder what parts of our lives were me and what parts were him. <br /><br />Returning to swing dancing was a really big thing for me in 2023, and I'm so glad for it. It's still not convenient in any way, but every time I go, even if I wasn't feeling it, I end up deciding it was worth it. The irony is that my ex- and I had met swing dancing, so you'd think that wouldn't be something he'd have taken me away from. But in our breakup I learned he was still, STILL holding onto this wild idea that I had cheated and would continue to cheat with another swing dancer I had been seeing before him, even though I had never once cheated on him and stopped talking to the guy once I found out how much it upset my ex- that we were still friends. Insane, right? <br /><br />I doubled-down on my love for Lego, I guess that's staying. That was one in which my ex- and I sort of enabled and magnified in each other's habits, so I wasn't sure if it was mine solely after the breakup, but I also recall that I did love Lego before I met him, and I have continued to enjoy building when I make time to do so, so I'm claiming it. <br /><br />Walking outdoors has been another thing I continue to return to. I was never stopped from doing that per se in my relationship, but it got more challenging when I was torn between that and spending time with him, or just so exhausted that the simple distraction of the TV shows was enough to deflate any motivation I had in me. <br /><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Resolutions for 2024</span></h3><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This has been a long, winding and perhaps somewhat disconnected path to get to where I want to go in 2024. Having learned some devastating news related to work a couple weeks ago, I already know that my job, work life and potentially living location may be in flux next year, and I'm living with a lot of uncertainty going into the new year. I often take inspiration from Pantone's Color of the Year and their description of their selection, but this year I found it too soft and uninspiring for the way I plan to take on the year I turn 40. I am not ready to let life just pass me by, I want to maintain and double down on the themes I started in 2023: living with intention, getting into space and nature, reconnecting deeply and creating ease in my life. But I also don't want to "just" do those things again. I was reminded whole on my vacation in Maui that family time is fun but not to lose myself or forget to carve out time for me to relax, and that was much needed then and will likely be needed over and over again on 2024. <br /><br />I feel like all signs point me to water, and I need to find myself, no, make myself, live with water as a prominent part of my life, whatever that means. And now that I've rediscovered what I love, I want to do more of that. I want to write more, and I want to lose the weight. I am frustrated that the Milky Way has alluded me when I seek it out, and it makes me want to see it even more. I don't know how I'm going to accomplish all the things I want to do, but I know I want to make things happen in 2024. I want to be the person who I envision for myself. I want to make me who I imagine I could be. <br /><br />I feel like I'm still rebuilding my life and making me. When you make something, you usually don't just wing it, you have a plan. So I think what I can do, right here, in 2023, to make sure I feel good about 2024 in a year from now, is to make a plan. I've also found that planning a vacation or roadtrip, even if its short, has been therapeutic for me. So I think my general theme for 2024 is to plan time for me. And the specifics are: <br /><br />Have a Plan for Every New Moon<br />Make Plans to Write Each Month<br />Plan for Swing Dance<br />Get to the Water<br />Fix What's Broken<br />Spend Less<br />Eat Well<br />Move</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy New Year, everyone, and I hope you find inspiration in these posts and have a fantastic 2024! <br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-734111965119169172023-12-30T12:29:00.000-08:002023-12-30T12:29:59.525-08:00A Year in Review: 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp7EMAUSQsvehI9N_tgT436GcKSq2XEm8JEHDShjK-yvJaZyDQ0vX_TCGHPsCzcuYuHAlL3FtZQv6D-MMbAgtynKNZ60SwieqhNI1tQ0JRVgyOVqGobv2x03BUew4OkfdkwwLVwI3SMInWqkAk2ChuCRfrbpy034epzu91rRyLK9s4spdpwb7F7aro67t/s974/2023%20a.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="856" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp7EMAUSQsvehI9N_tgT436GcKSq2XEm8JEHDShjK-yvJaZyDQ0vX_TCGHPsCzcuYuHAlL3FtZQv6D-MMbAgtynKNZ60SwieqhNI1tQ0JRVgyOVqGobv2x03BUew4OkfdkwwLVwI3SMInWqkAk2ChuCRfrbpy034epzu91rRyLK9s4spdpwb7F7aro67t/w176-h200/2023%20a.png" width="176" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I set out at the beginning of this year to focus on four themes, which I'll summarize as: <br />(1) Live intentionally<br />(2) Re/connect deeply<br />(3) Get outdoors & "into" space<br />(4) Create ease<br /><br />These four items have been starring at me from my little letterboard on my mantle, in plain view when I'm sitting in my favorite recliner sofa seat and where any guests can easily see it. I think I've done a pretty damn good job of all of them, although of course I could always do more. <br /><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtPE1wBsll8l_2oT8vpiL4U2-daMH6GcnCkCEQUPSHEtvj8urYouFrmO5u8L9CIbm6Gm8rWV-Usnq5zK_-_IhNTDCDy5U-yKV3sHtgHBcfDnUEDJsADb5wDrciGlKngH_BCBlkj6cs8dlATvYrSMqrDCsD5_aiHQNi4030JEF4oR_1nhzM2usHBnoDKK_/s4080/PXL_20230210_061932634.NIGHT.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtPE1wBsll8l_2oT8vpiL4U2-daMH6GcnCkCEQUPSHEtvj8urYouFrmO5u8L9CIbm6Gm8rWV-Usnq5zK_-_IhNTDCDy5U-yKV3sHtgHBcfDnUEDJsADb5wDrciGlKngH_BCBlkj6cs8dlATvYrSMqrDCsD5_aiHQNi4030JEF4oR_1nhzM2usHBnoDKK_/w200-h151/PXL_20230210_061932634.NIGHT.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Live intentionally</span><br /></h4><h3><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h3><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I started this year with a bad boss and was able to secure a position with a fantastic manager. That was a big deal for me; although it was a very tough decision in the moment, as time went on it proved to be one of the best decisions I could have made. Some ideas I had originated when I set my 2023 themes were also directly accomplished. I bought land, specifically 2.5 acre in the Mojave desert - I just absolutely fell in love with the location, situated just up to a mountain and looking down on the valley but isolated </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc5IJWIthiNXAa43Pd293OV7fY8RNAWB5_m4PajN2iguYd75EShbSoc9avw_6O5aIdzn-crLfvua1dwgVdqz8Z_z8qBK-GmmfcUxkmVfPAWiHDcFKlr4wHusNDD9hV63eEcgYn-uewZuLKpfWElHcyK8uXVD6Em9OSTOxgv829LxdA2iOAH3bfisHn3lx/s3840/PXL_20231125_085853436.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGc5IJWIthiNXAa43Pd293OV7fY8RNAWB5_m4PajN2iguYd75EShbSoc9avw_6O5aIdzn-crLfvua1dwgVdqz8Z_z8qBK-GmmfcUxkmVfPAWiHDcFKlr4wHusNDD9hV63eEcgYn-uewZuLKpfWElHcyK8uXVD6Em9OSTOxgv829LxdA2iOAH3bfisHn3lx/w200-h150/PXL_20231125_085853436.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">enough I could camp there and not see a single soul. Book and plan a vacation also was done in spades, I'd say. I just came back from a terrific holiday in Maui with my </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">whole family, which I had largely coordinated. I had also had a great time in </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Las Vegas with A.J. while we were seeing each other, and then with Deric shortly after we</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> became a couple. A fantastic trip to Colorado in August ties to the next theme, reconnecting with a childhood friend, Laura. I spent over a week in North Carolina with my sister, continuing our </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujC1ufV2oiYyvD9S6iuH7Lkk9eFvp4LpnE10a2ciLN3KlCDP4hgjORvD7vCgjc8RQxvC1z235MekYAI1VrpoxLTHnyvPfmIXVTlR0nnhYR1dNYkji9MOAwvIBsthAq6hp7SMBwfTYIxymrbxodbhKmyfZsg2UzOThRThUChJDH4weAyhEDgACeMzKYhzh/s3840/PXL_20231107_223722691.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujC1ufV2oiYyvD9S6iuH7Lkk9eFvp4LpnE10a2ciLN3KlCDP4hgjORvD7vCgjc8RQxvC1z235MekYAI1VrpoxLTHnyvPfmIXVTlR0nnhYR1dNYkji9MOAwvIBsthAq6hp7SMBwfTYIxymrbxodbhKmyfZsg2UzOThRThUChJDH4weAyhEDgACeMzKYhzh/w200-h150/PXL_20231107_223722691.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">tradition of being the first to visit when one of us moves. I completed my downstairs bathroom wallpapering and installed a new light, and completed my master WC wallpapering. Some of the other ideas, though, weren't accomplished or adhered to, such as increasing my health routine discipline, having a mindfulness weekend retreat and a blog-a-thon. I'd still like to do those things regularly, and they would probably be good for my stress and health as I face new uncertainties next year. <br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Re/connect deeply</span><br /></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bV46k74AtHV5YWkyYG4lZx0k7Tx2CpP6e7YcKWx81YDzIRp-1slxO3ZMN00XRmBYOlaSXirpFzvVBLBtki1oJ5dppevRX8dzaf0i5JxqY-3ueV6XLPGUnG97nQ1Zy3G_nEv8O_w0ttd8iBGi4HJhlQMKivxsZuKB7GaGVWEwbY6EPOIcqub2gSVTVVQa/s3840/PXL_20230827_152305644.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bV46k74AtHV5YWkyYG4lZx0k7Tx2CpP6e7YcKWx81YDzIRp-1slxO3ZMN00XRmBYOlaSXirpFzvVBLBtki1oJ5dppevRX8dzaf0i5JxqY-3ueV6XLPGUnG97nQ1Zy3G_nEv8O_w0ttd8iBGi4HJhlQMKivxsZuKB7GaGVWEwbY6EPOIcqub2gSVTVVQa/s320/PXL_20230827_152305644.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've never been very good at maintaining relationships, but I did make an effort this year. The most triumphant being spending a week or so with my childhood friend, Laura, in her home in Colorado Springs. We had been friends in first and second grade, she lived only a few houses away from me, but after I moved away and even when I moved back, we had never really been close. We even went to the same high school and our circles of friends loosely intersected, but her and I were mostly acquaintances I'd say. Through one positive example in a world of negatives, I would credit social media for helping us to reconnect, as we followed each others' adventures and talked about getting back together some time, and this was the year I finally made good on that notion. I think we were both a little nervous about suddenly spending so much time together after years of barely knowing each other, but we had a brilliantly hilarious time and vowed not to wait so long to do it again. I also tried reconnecting with long-time friend and short-lived romantic partner, Rick, and we did have dinner one night while I was in Arizona for a charity walk I've tried to do with Allison most years, but that relationship still feels strained. It was great, of course, to see Allison, and she's another one I’d like to be a better friend to. Also on that visit, I went to swing dance </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcI59ktYP7kedQst-tiDN__BUSSy_V6CpSj-9EgifjyNsGXagI1cuNxGyMfBAsXve_Ehqd2Ka4w0rZElGAN9FafsGJJkDXlOtzHEKUjDXz6ghQ1QNr290CLxJAddSPeeK4oFlB-64-xfwNGLfMo657sv6eQxvHL5Tomqtssk5d389G64prqtYzKMwt5Vh/s2048/FB_IMG_1693731692708.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBcI59ktYP7kedQst-tiDN__BUSSy_V6CpSj-9EgifjyNsGXagI1cuNxGyMfBAsXve_Ehqd2Ka4w0rZElGAN9FafsGJJkDXlOtzHEKUjDXz6ghQ1QNr290CLxJAddSPeeK4oFlB-64-xfwNGLfMo657sv6eQxvHL5Tomqtssk5d389G64prqtYzKMwt5Vh/s320/FB_IMG_1693731692708.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">with my favorite instructors, and they made me feel like a celebrity returning home. One of my previously favorite dance partners there, Miguel, encouraged me to go to Camp Hollywood and I knew I should, since dancing was also a thing I was investing more of my time into. I am so glad he encouraged me to do - it was amazing and I'm already booked for next year. <br /><br />I also did a lot of dating this year, trying to find my next Mr. Right and it's been tougher than I imagined. I've had a lot of great memories and far too many <br />heartbreaking let downs. When I started this blog long ago, it was a dating blog, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2netztjofA5oGTLGOVN77NMnRFX2dqSEli3Gda7V7RG1J5ad2JEh-Ai57JzI6WdZzPENu7tg50HVIEJHpdh5tpzRTT0VDMZ8KuEdLvOsP_8PwurrzenzfKZ7VezIn5DnPgR16Fpoo9dNJhWQRADx7HrFWP1jiwsa7SyRhAQoryDNZCrE95r5KDRloL-0/s3840/PXL_20231125_041144602.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2netztjofA5oGTLGOVN77NMnRFX2dqSEli3Gda7V7RG1J5ad2JEh-Ai57JzI6WdZzPENu7tg50HVIEJHpdh5tpzRTT0VDMZ8KuEdLvOsP_8PwurrzenzfKZ7VezIn5DnPgR16Fpoo9dNJhWQRADx7HrFWP1jiwsa7SyRhAQoryDNZCrE95r5KDRloL-0/w200-h150/PXL_20231125_041144602.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">and I thought it would be fun to return it to one being single, but when I reflect on it, dating was fun back then and it has a more serious tone to it now. I'm not dating to make fun of it, I want to find my someone and that doesn't feel like something I want to poke fun at. Well, after months of ups and downs on the dating front, I am now with Deric, who may not be perfect, but he's at least my Mr. Right Now. <br /><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Get outdoors and "into" space</span><br /></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I never imagined how much of nature and space I would do this year. Shortly after the year started, by mere happenstance as far as I can tell, I saw a post - was it an </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEsesYjNGFPimWkY1y5PglWJzsND3n1jhatjzxpOF5qUnea_yMhYYmfwER0xG4eZE5Uc3FRxQStB5tV-dV9pIiyBSq2kKVFIO0_QDOPe91cW9iBXvoZKFLclpJfHhpZRz_-OHOAoaV7CgpAkk20JjTO_VjseZJLUmGPKMTEpfvXuQ-Q_FKNyXydIKWeMD/s3840/PXL_20230407_222711716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEsesYjNGFPimWkY1y5PglWJzsND3n1jhatjzxpOF5qUnea_yMhYYmfwER0xG4eZE5Uc3FRxQStB5tV-dV9pIiyBSq2kKVFIO0_QDOPe91cW9iBXvoZKFLclpJfHhpZRz_-OHOAoaV7CgpAkk20JjTO_VjseZJLUmGPKMTEpfvXuQ-Q_FKNyXydIKWeMD/w200-h150/PXL_20230407_222711716.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>ad? - inviting volunteers to support the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. I knew about the reserve - my sister and I had visited it out of season but I had missed the blooms the prior year. I mentioned it to one of my employees who happened to be traveling for work with me when I saw the post, and she got so excited about it I cemented the idea in my head that this would be a great thing to do. And it was! I loved my trailwatch shifts - four hours, and I usually hiked about 5 miles, stopping to educate guests or take pictures for them. It was a great way to get my butt out of the house and into nature, and I intend to do it as long as I live here. I even got to bring several friends and employees out with me! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvDl4QTFu9sZPuXvzfWLPdAtjf-AoHiU68_AAexhS5x8RJ8ofAakl9anN8yAAJP4BcPVdPB2cUysd1IONokPtN6qNzas6OKZIjJVq2-tUK04hZulQMFAWtw7Mi21Sn3b7GED6T6O37i4IzF0ZDHeNAhcj5-qcvMw5AX6CgMCF69DJQ9MZxlOD5X9iaZeC/s2048/above.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvDl4QTFu9sZPuXvzfWLPdAtjf-AoHiU68_AAexhS5x8RJ8ofAakl9anN8yAAJP4BcPVdPB2cUysd1IONokPtN6qNzas6OKZIjJVq2-tUK04hZulQMFAWtw7Mi21Sn3b7GED6T6O37i4IzF0ZDHeNAhcj5-qcvMw5AX6CgMCF69DJQ9MZxlOD5X9iaZeC/w200-h150/above.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I did also do the space-y things I wanted to do - I visited the Griffith Observatory as a sort-of date with Kevin during one of their events, Above, and started watching their monthly show All Space Considered. I also managed to finagle a private tour of the Lockheed Martin Space site in Littleton, Colorado during my personal trip there. <br /><br />I also set out on several stargazing quests. In late January and early February, I was watching weather and visibility to find a time when I could perhaps see the green comet. Conditions were poor over and over again, until finally, towards the end of its time in our sky, I camped out on my land in Mojave and was able to <span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACahQD69yz_3dxkov0YqFyFtDgLDhyphenhyphen1uGsRCYdORTLa0cnliQ8SiQKkqceyJpmrIhidKgmkovbyO-5XnMzV-EgpnQBq0xNmxch4XV-cwC5svjgPbtpo4vTttVDAKy6LEMcvCMyW7kgTp6Hmy4HOmEqi0f7hlUWpSGfgf5j5n6rlpX_aXgl5EQVZY6n9oD/s3840/PXL_20231021_002325911.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACahQD69yz_3dxkov0YqFyFtDgLDhyphenhyphen1uGsRCYdORTLa0cnliQ8SiQKkqceyJpmrIhidKgmkovbyO-5XnMzV-EgpnQBq0xNmxch4XV-cwC5svjgPbtpo4vTttVDAKy6LEMcvCMyW7kgTp6Hmy4HOmEqi0f7hlUWpSGfgf5j5n6rlpX_aXgl5EQVZY6n9oD/w200-h150/PXL_20231021_002325911.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">capture a view of it through my binoculars. Later in the year, Nadine and I camped out at Amboy Crater and watched the Perseids and Orionids meteor showers, catching dozens of shooting stars and one fantastic fireball. I was not so fortunate in my last attempt - I had booked a private stargazing and astrophotography tour in Maui but when we climbed to the summit at 10,000 feet, the stars were barely out and were quickly covered up - no such luck at capturing the Milky Way as is usual up there. Nevertheless, I learned quite a bit about the relationship between the Hawaiians and the stars, how they navigated by the stars and drew the first celestial maps, and all stars have a Hawaiian name as homage to their contributions. <br /><br /></span><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Create ease</span><br /></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I probably did the least of this - certainly not all the things I aspired to do. But I have utilized AI and automation in ways to make my life better, and that was the objective of the theme. <br /><br /></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Life List Update</span><br /></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">While many things went well this year, I was worried that this would be the first year since I started my Life List in which I wouldn't have completed at least one thing from my list. Many years I complete several items all in one big vacation, or I complete a few items from various little efforts. To be fair, many of the easier ones are completed and that leaves more difficult ones or items that are specific to a location to which I haven't yet traveled. But, after my nephew joined me in Maui, we decided to go hiking on Haleakala. So I made the trek in the convertible once again through the twists and turns, but this time in the daylight and with company, and when we stopped in the visitor center we learned that the local Ne ne birds are the most endangered species of goose. We spotted several of them both while hiking and while driving, and managed to take a few blurry pictures of them, which I'll consider as checking off Life List item #93: Photograph an endangered species. So not a minute too soon, December 21st was the day that ensured this was not the year in which I didn't complete something from my Life List. <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQaMQlTj9yPbhzjOxQvG__oNXIbp0AeMtevAN2oQKLQIjjfgzAwz5id8T07euI7xhiwp2JIZc82krP81n216960ud2Q5zSUB5I9P9_bycE_MrJfvpn8BvbV3OAQLBoJa2_FMZXqqj82DSx5KseEJpYd2wI2noNTn_5Q8DbZ8rMT7aVJCqT6JU_VMksWYl/s1280/IMG_0771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQaMQlTj9yPbhzjOxQvG__oNXIbp0AeMtevAN2oQKLQIjjfgzAwz5id8T07euI7xhiwp2JIZc82krP81n216960ud2Q5zSUB5I9P9_bycE_MrJfvpn8BvbV3OAQLBoJa2_FMZXqqj82DSx5KseEJpYd2wI2noNTn_5Q8DbZ8rMT7aVJCqT6JU_VMksWYl/w200-h150/IMG_0771.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr-4RAVsXw3nL9PVUbvXal2uY9zqWDG9bP0Uu3_gHW3xmsQq0P31ELY6Pj0irrKtd0ZUrUqcVy9LJteF5yuvcbZd4eaTa8rCzfiCN8LEJo9_rDkfXHgoEqe60oIx1HAsC-nps0We9NxM_Qh0Xx_cXvK3fA9NkysxL1AmCJWg1dHYPStQz6R3zvye-EVtE/s598/PXL_20231221_223801739~2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="366" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEr-4RAVsXw3nL9PVUbvXal2uY9zqWDG9bP0Uu3_gHW3xmsQq0P31ELY6Pj0irrKtd0ZUrUqcVy9LJteF5yuvcbZd4eaTa8rCzfiCN8LEJo9_rDkfXHgoEqe60oIx1HAsC-nps0We9NxM_Qh0Xx_cXvK3fA9NkysxL1AmCJWg1dHYPStQz6R3zvye-EVtE/w123-h200/PXL_20231221_223801739~2.jpg" width="123" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYQaMQlTj9yPbhzjOxQvG__oNXIbp0AeMtevAN2oQKLQIjjfgzAwz5id8T07euI7xhiwp2JIZc82krP81n216960ud2Q5zSUB5I9P9_bycE_MrJfvpn8BvbV3OAQLBoJa2_FMZXqqj82DSx5KseEJpYd2wI2noNTn_5Q8DbZ8rMT7aVJCqT6JU_VMksWYl/s1280/IMG_0771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIooVVQAJ5uiUjOt2emrMNvhq33LXqkCcx-J9jo-nkVJ1jcRfLUHUFQz0GTat1RmpN17nWrD-NZOYDiKLwBGShhZ4sjgyXv6dJt2ru0Z3Ik93U3nmayX-5bv9u1qCFIdldKZpFnskGOlx4S5V8-L9chI71_b-lktjvgCFUqeYNgKoqNkgzQIrNHisNQQzL/s318/PXL_20231221_223800386~2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="318" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIooVVQAJ5uiUjOt2emrMNvhq33LXqkCcx-J9jo-nkVJ1jcRfLUHUFQz0GTat1RmpN17nWrD-NZOYDiKLwBGShhZ4sjgyXv6dJt2ru0Z3Ik93U3nmayX-5bv9u1qCFIdldKZpFnskGOlx4S5V8-L9chI71_b-lktjvgCFUqeYNgKoqNkgzQIrNHisNQQzL/w200-h157/PXL_20231221_223800386~2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Final reflections</span><br /></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There have been many years with drastic changes in jobs and where I lived, but this year seems like even more change even though I stayed put in Palmdale. Starting with ending a nearly 10 year relationship, reconnecting with old friends, a small job change, investing in my swing dancing like I hadn't in several years, and really just finding myself again has been tumultuous. I'm not sure that I've fully found myself yet, but perhaps that is an ongoing journey always. I've cried a lot, sometimes for silly reasons, sometimes because life is just stupid hard, and sometimes for no real <br />reason at all. But I've also had the best of people around me and great times, amazingly beautiful moments and laughter that made my cheeks hurt. And I guess that's what life is all about, isn't it? As the last year fully in my 30's, I can definitely say that I lived. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1JUlv_rOF44Bpi_BUq3e9L0b9A9iYXqVFK3t-N1K7s2Dz5xJhHXh7AeuaTXwfcUHRA1y2Qq-9icAPnvDE-V9vL_EwlrPNZK9wBQpQuWagSoNhxr0jRyxWwmqoEoL7P-dFy3OWQlAuWJLtr-szBjyfed417F0TlhbHM4zkEfLk3xHv2OQoitIq9v4Kxtk/s3840/PXL_20231225_030126489.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1JUlv_rOF44Bpi_BUq3e9L0b9A9iYXqVFK3t-N1K7s2Dz5xJhHXh7AeuaTXwfcUHRA1y2Qq-9icAPnvDE-V9vL_EwlrPNZK9wBQpQuWagSoNhxr0jRyxWwmqoEoL7P-dFy3OWQlAuWJLtr-szBjyfed417F0TlhbHM4zkEfLk3xHv2OQoitIq9v4Kxtk/w300-h400/PXL_20231225_030126489.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-38174575880559324902023-12-09T16:53:00.000-08:002023-12-09T16:53:42.852-08:00A Junior High Love Story<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For my own silly personal reasons, I've been lugging around a bunch of old 3.5" floppy disks from move to move, anticipating that some day I'd get a disk drive to read them and download anything good off of them. Well, there were definitely some gems in there. Here's a story I wrote about one of my first boyfriends, from junior high school. </span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: times;">May 11, 1996 <br /></span></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">It all
started on May 10th, 1996.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think this
was the best night of my life, so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is a tale of both happiness and sadness, romance and hate,
regretting and forgetting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All in a
period of two hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know, one day, I
will be digging through my papers and see this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will laugh and remember and maybe even cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will stop and reread this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here it goes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">I was
getting ready to go to another chorus skating party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was going to be a drag, I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lauren is the main partier, and she couldn't
make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, maybe I shouldn't go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the most that will happen is that I'll see Kevin and Liz kiss or hug and
I'll see them having fun being a couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I'll either ask Kevin or another boy to skate with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He'll say no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I'll cry for ten minutes and end up skating with Jenny or Cindy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We'll do the Hocky Pocky, YMCA, A
Very Simple Dance, and all the while I'll be loud and obnoxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was really going to be a bore and the
only reason why I was going, is because he'll be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ear Boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Brian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, recently,
we've been sitting closer together, hanging out more together, laughing
together, the kind of stuff that hints we might like each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn't only him, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was me, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked him and I would die to go out with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think tonight I'll make this
goal: Not to ask any boy to skate with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just go with the flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hang
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No lovie-dovie stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe my rubber chicken will have some fun
with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I packed my rubber chicken,
money and I went into the family room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">"Okay,
I'm ready to go, Christy."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said
to my sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got back from college
just yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">"Ask
Linda if she'll take you."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
tramped upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called to
Linda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked me to ask Christy to take me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I'll never get a ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe this isn't such a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Christy and she got up, obviously
annoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">We got
into the car when she asked, "Okay, do you know where this place
is?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought she knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sighed and said, "I guess." </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">It was
hectic trying to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me
I had ten minutes and if we couldn't find it, we'd go home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, we didn't miss a single turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we were both aggravated, we got
there.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">I skated
a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is coming, I
realized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, Brian wouldn't let me
down, would he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He'll come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still, he is my best male friend and I wasn't going to blow it by asking
him to skate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he arrived I was
relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We'll have a good time, I
assured myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">I good
time, indeed, as I soon found out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
raced a little and he came up to me and said, "Laura, can I ask you a
question?"</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">"Sure"
I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sure it would be something
not important, like what I was having for dinner or what a rubber chicken is.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">"Will
you skate with me for the couples' skate?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was stunned but not surprised at the question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been waiting for something like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why hadn't I seen it coming?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why else would he have asked me if I was
going to the skating party?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to
prepare himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">Yet, I
quickly responded with an excited "Yes."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think, I can't remember but I think, he
then said cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still shocked by
it and my response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the song
was really good because people were cheering now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was cheering loudest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not for the song, for the current exciting
point in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I screamed, "Yea!
That was awesome!"</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">I told
Kevin about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried not to confront
Brian about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, Kevin didn't
realize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made it obvious that he knew
and was stunned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed back and
forth from Brian to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he grinned
his funky grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a weirdo!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">Apparently,
someone else wanted to skate with Brian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I knew Brian would say sorry and skate with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, he would not miss this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to track her to tell her that he was
reserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Liz and she hunted her
down for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pretty sure Brian and
I were doing the same thing all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think we both wanted to eat after we had skated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sit down together after being worn
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn't eat yet, I didn't eat
yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the DJ when a couples dance
was coming on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said the next one
would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Liz so she and Kevin
could come out, then I looked for Brian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He skated with the other girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At a time like this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WHY?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
started to cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I automatically hid in
the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's not a permanent
hiding place because eventually, someone would come in and pity me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone will hug me, but I'd go on crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to wash my face, only to start crying
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I'd expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katie came in and saw me crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone, and I do mean everyone, gathered
around me at one point, except HER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was having to much fun with Brian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">I soon
heard that Brian was waiting for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm
going to blow it, I thought miserably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He can't see me like this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must
have a really big rash on my face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
the girls consistently pulled on me to go until I yelled NO! and started crying
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They realized they weren't going
to get me out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they brought him
IN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They forced him in and I covered my
face. No, he can't see me like this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
looked up to see him looking right back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got up reluctantly and he gently took my hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went out and skated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt sad because everyone saw me like this,
yet, I felt happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone knew about
me crying and what had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprisingly,
no one starred at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were happy to
see me finally hold his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do my
friends have to be so helpful?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d skate, we’d eat, we’d most
likely go out.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">It was
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We skated together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We raced together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was so funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a fairy
tale that had ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happily ever
after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until the word spread that SHE
was crying because he wouldn’t skate with her, AGAIN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This made him feel really uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happily never after?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll kill her, I thought.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">We
decided to skate one more song and then I’d hand him over to HER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later after the party, she said thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still mad, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think it made Brian and I more
comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the story of Kevin,
dear Kevin came to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a way to end
the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, though he had major
problems of his own, he only made it more perfect more Brian and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked me if I’d go out with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He asked me why I didn’t ask him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I looked at him sternly and said, “Kevin, of all people you should know
that I have had terrible luck with boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told me he would tell Brian to ask me out because I would say yes.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-22446644183485620172023-11-26T21:40:00.000-08:002023-11-26T22:13:37.530-08:00A Plunge Pool, a View and a Butler: My Weekend in a Bungalow Suite at Cosmopolitan<div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-fPu_JrLwA5WqXxwQiBw217lBboKs8tGYrRKdS6vZn9Yd88sJ-AfPOMhvZLd42tTXK_bIHvJRNdg1vIoHhr3lXPWzmD-yP1qo_5X2r4qeRp080KqmA9HhoZO1QN_cSWwRYfSEVwJtIhAcajM2O7r1EazvJmEHxpUSqUJM5lLHngfPU9Qndj-A4z_dPlq/s4080/PXL_20231124_233442218.jpg" style="clear: right; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-fPu_JrLwA5WqXxwQiBw217lBboKs8tGYrRKdS6vZn9Yd88sJ-AfPOMhvZLd42tTXK_bIHvJRNdg1vIoHhr3lXPWzmD-yP1qo_5X2r4qeRp080KqmA9HhoZO1QN_cSWwRYfSEVwJtIhAcajM2O7r1EazvJmEHxpUSqUJM5lLHngfPU9Qndj-A4z_dPlq/s320/PXL_20231124_233442218.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lounge area on the first floor of the suite<br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">TL;DR<br /></span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pros: The Bungalow Suite is an extraordinary space for a luxurious, relaxing vacation in, and would also make for a great space to have a small party in, although there is only one bed so guests would have to stay elsewhere. The outdoor spaces would be better utilized in warmer weather. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Cons: The butler service was a letdown and not worth the expense. The views were not as advertised, nor were they as brilliant as less expensive rooms.<br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Bru_0rDQFopIC7wcQ1FZL2MBjRPpP92q7QHobQ5gaYEGgucRB7Q1TcAmxSf5JVnVMZzncC20S5LE2IYAiguiMKOJ6wU_2pcPTblegfOlGVQ6G9av8EOIre9WIYgbtfY8Fe0_CXr7wZPqM9783R8v9AsS2-9wDu9ydXRs5a7-IJs8S_qFuJm0I4iuj8R2/s2037/cosmo%20packages%202023.png" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2037" data-original-width="1055" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Bru_0rDQFopIC7wcQ1FZL2MBjRPpP92q7QHobQ5gaYEGgucRB7Q1TcAmxSf5JVnVMZzncC20S5LE2IYAiguiMKOJ6wU_2pcPTblegfOlGVQ6G9av8EOIre9WIYgbtfY8Fe0_CXr7wZPqM9783R8v9AsS2-9wDu9ydXRs5a7-IJs8S_qFuJm0I4iuj8R2/w104-h200/cosmo%20packages%202023.png" width="104" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Package options</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pre-game Experience</span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After booking the room, I received an email asking me which of three packages I would like. I discussed it with my new beau as we made plans for the weekend, and we agreed on the Wine & Champagne package. The email also directed us to check in at the Autograph Lounge which, when entering the lobby from the Chelsea Tower parking, is just to the right of the main front desk. We were able to bypass a really extensive line by doing, although there was still small line in the lounge. There was a Starbucks coffee machine in there and we were given complimentary bottles of water. <br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Space</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first floor of the Bungalow consists of a bar area, full bathroom, a lounge area with TV and a small outdoor patio. The bathroom has a shower with a large overhead rainfall shower head, a sink and a separate toilet room, as well as a small coat closet. While I realize I more than paid for them, the frugal part of me really appreciated the large and plentiful toiletries.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The lounge area was spacious and had plenty of seating on the curvy built-in couches which conveniently had some flat surfaces behind them which I utilized to put drinks on. I was also able to find a power outlet on the floor right next to the chaise-like end of the couch so I could charge my phones while still using them on couch. I will say, though, it wasn't super comfortable and my beau and I struggled to cuddle comfortably while watching TV. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The
bar area includes a sink, a microwave and a small fridge which was
partially stocked, but our butler reassured us that it was not weight
sensored so we could move things to make room for leftovers, etc. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The first floor patio used to overlook the pool but had since been walled in, so it was a convenient little space for my beau to smoke but that's about all it was good for. Especially given the better outdoor spaces on the third floor… </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bv6P4uu2z19a5-dOdFJs8xS_DKmSIQR_dOO3SZBdp98UAV_PD9bCJcmIMmfPJgd0-GT-oWdtC4-N4lW4gW7EC5i2SSYCy7aUj1HcPc-V8dHCP5dAwCbME4NXHSWhCSaQo5Efnd92HGXBOM1jxGwzdWTDH_V3X8alPAV0lA46LGsCL0Z80N2tT73MwShX/s4080/PXL_20231124_233201591.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bv6P4uu2z19a5-dOdFJs8xS_DKmSIQR_dOO3SZBdp98UAV_PD9bCJcmIMmfPJgd0-GT-oWdtC4-N4lW4gW7EC5i2SSYCy7aUj1HcPc-V8dHCP5dAwCbME4NXHSWhCSaQo5Efnd92HGXBOM1jxGwzdWTDH_V3X8alPAV0lA46LGsCL0Z80N2tT73MwShX/w151-h200/PXL_20231124_233201591.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Second floor (vanity)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The second floor could be considered almost a walk-through master suite. In the area with the stair cases leading to the first and third floors, there was a funky little sofa and a large vanity. </span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiGauEjL4isBQKVDeKhV-0MSrZIXkR8SIodKgqIaCIxOkjUeHCTgdNQ7nFHTq39fnKcvGDPLtyUgE7gkFQ9jFtNrhHtW9ox1DKCSh-U4ZYukfhJ-9sHL7FVptWmQcvpw-NczJeRmQDh1kvu_XNGrZ-vQ1DjbuoHypbMCyWI4n1yxE8XJFZ6IqhE0BwH7H/s4080/PXL_20231124_232957754.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiGauEjL4isBQKVDeKhV-0MSrZIXkR8SIodKgqIaCIxOkjUeHCTgdNQ7nFHTq39fnKcvGDPLtyUgE7gkFQ9jFtNrhHtW9ox1DKCSh-U4ZYukfhJ-9sHL7FVptWmQcvpw-NczJeRmQDh1kvu_XNGrZ-vQ1DjbuoHypbMCyWI4n1yxE8XJFZ6IqhE0BwH7H/s320/PXL_20231124_232957754.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bedroom with partially obstructed view of Dayclub</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On one side of that center room was the bedroom which overlooked the pool area and still retained visibility to the party going on during the day there - and our butler told us they can see in so if we want privacy, best to close the curtains with the iPad that runs the whole place. There was a spacious closet and two luggage racks, and the closet light turns on when the door is opened. A bit hilariously, the TV was mounted on a partial wall which could swing out to provide better visibility or put back to have more space in the room. Behind that swinging TV wall was a small nook with drawers and the safe.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCzsO9zquHV9_bmQkDX-Gn5wapH96LQ5O2G45McDexL2H0U-0o5bYXOJkI4jiLDfvNxxUssoOgYwwqRvnh8yWWVMVaR90NhPBF0flQWyzf3GL6a6OaqgVIu8x8el7yRMnURbKlubTZya6TrYIkOC7b0duRBLMuxjpDjOW3Ha4c1adpjKLghvTW2xJOjqT/s4080/PXL_20231124_233230595.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCzsO9zquHV9_bmQkDX-Gn5wapH96LQ5O2G45McDexL2H0U-0o5bYXOJkI4jiLDfvNxxUssoOgYwwqRvnh8yWWVMVaR90NhPBF0flQWyzf3GL6a6OaqgVIu8x8el7yRMnURbKlubTZya6TrYIkOC7b0duRBLMuxjpDjOW3Ha4c1adpjKLghvTW2xJOjqT/s320/PXL_20231124_233230595.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Third floor patio with view of Bellagio fountains</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Going up one more floor, there wasn't much of an indoor space - although given the cool temperatures around the time of our visit, that became a very important little indoor space for me. It was merely a small tiled area with no furniture, and two doors leading to the outdoor spaces. One space was the rooftop heated plunge pool with whirlpool jets. Again, it used to overlook the main pool but given the time of year and cool temperatures, the main pool had been covered with a tent to keep the warmth in, and that cover largely blocked our view, although a small part of the pool area could be observed at just the right angles between the building and the cover. The other outdoor space was a generous balcony featuring many seating options, a TV, and what I believe to be the most spectacular view in Las Vegas - overlooking the fountains of Bellagio, with many of the Las Vegas icons and lights visible beyond that. The seating included one sizable sofa, two armchairs and a dining set. There was also a counter with a sink, and a large ottoman that could double for a coffee table. Had the weather been warmer, I would have spent much more time up there watching TV and/or reading. <br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Butler Experience</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsXaa2NKihR1JmCgWPnJhw8NlcQ7CrqLk5yEswNZkufgUWp-rO4PWEhjxkr9du3MC_mgJHo1zVdsKGlh5QjWkKCbt3jR6j4En2SZlmgI1r58F-out2egXnE78VExCy2XV36EQecazpvmKjhM_VOsYpzNDBcyyO94fJZ5BPAwrQshLqHf9ZTm7vaFikZVD/s4080/PXL_20231124_233719894.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsXaa2NKihR1JmCgWPnJhw8NlcQ7CrqLk5yEswNZkufgUWp-rO4PWEhjxkr9du3MC_mgJHo1zVdsKGlh5QjWkKCbt3jR6j4En2SZlmgI1r58F-out2egXnE78VExCy2XV36EQecazpvmKjhM_VOsYpzNDBcyyO94fJZ5BPAwrQshLqHf9ZTm7vaFikZVD/w200-h151/PXL_20231124_233719894.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wine & Champagne presentation</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As mentioned a few times already, the room came with 24 hour butler service, which was not clearly explained so I got the deets for you here. When checking in, we were asked if we wanted the butler to meet us there in the Autograph Lounge, presumably to escort us through the hotel to our rooms, or if we wanted him to meet us in the room. I felt confident I could navigate the hotel, having stayed there many times before, and didn't really want to wait anymore, so I opted to have him meet us in the room. We were given great directions and were on our way.<br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wZzdnTblyajvs9QdMcMU_rw5wEQOzIX3tb43pABxBlRgsPrFL2HoatoIOLjbFrnAdaYwin-Ap8yEUyDxkAGKRDDuBzmoj3BEne2b6NRiJ_LFsJiMBECD4lq3H1bHlLfezZhAGlynmU1XWkwAp8KI417nDI3a0w7N22Ohk91VftUHTLNbMp5kD0O-xvdn/s4080/PXL_20231124_233433478.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wZzdnTblyajvs9QdMcMU_rw5wEQOzIX3tb43pABxBlRgsPrFL2HoatoIOLjbFrnAdaYwin-Ap8yEUyDxkAGKRDDuBzmoj3BEne2b6NRiJ_LFsJiMBECD4lq3H1bHlLfezZhAGlynmU1XWkwAp8KI417nDI3a0w7N22Ohk91VftUHTLNbMp5kD0O-xvdn/w242-h320/PXL_20231124_233433478.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">First floor bar area </span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Entering the room, our butler, Joey, was there preparing the bottles from our wine & champagne package, but stopped what he was doing as we entered to give us a rundown of a few things. He said that we'd have to have housekeeping and to do the spa service (I didn't quite grasp what he said the first time, so I clarified later and it was related to the plunge pool upstairs being a commercially operated pool so it had to be checked/serviced daily), and asked if there was a particular time we wanted to do that. I wasn't in a mental place to make decisions, so he said just to call and schedule it when we knew. </span><h3 style="text-align: left;"></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He then took us on a tour of the place, giving us instructions and tips along the way so we knew how everything worked (for example, the lights and shades are controlled on the iPad, and to go out to the plunge pool, you had to hold a button on the wall and push the door open at the same time, and there's a privacy setting if you don't want housekeeping or butlers to enter). <br /><br />After the tour was complete, I lingered upstairs to take some pictures while Joey busied himself with finishing setting up the bottles for us. Before leaving us upstairs, though, he offered to make dinner reservations for us, which we weren't ready to decide upon yet, and let us know that any time we needed anything, just hit the bowtie on the phone to get a butler. <br /><br />I didn't make it back downstairs before Joey departed, so we got ourselves settled in a little bit, popped open the bottle of champagne and checked out the restaurant options shown on the TV. We decided we wanted to go to the tapas place, and I realized I still wasn't quite sure what to do with the butler so figured I'd bring him back in to investigate further. It was about 5 pm at this point. So I hit the bowite button and was connected with an operator and requested a butler come to the room. Joey was there in no time, and rang the doorbell before letting himself in and politely checking that he was good to enter. I told him we had decided on the tapas place and wanted him to make a reservation for us, although he wasn't familiar so we had to look it up to get him the actual restaurant name. Once we confirmed the restaurant, he asked what time and I said 6:30 or 7 would be great. He said that we can wait for a phone call to confirm once he gets the reservation. <br /><br />I then sheepishly admitted I didn't know what butlers could do for us so asked what kinds of things we could ask for, and he explained a bit more that we could have him get things for us or schedule things for us. My beau asked if he could bring us a six pack of Stella Artois, and schedule to have coffee brought in at 8 am, and Joey confirmed yes to both. My beau asked about pricing - especially if it was marked up. Joey said there was a $7 charge per request, so if we want multiple requests, its more cost effective to do them all at once, but that the items we requested would be at cost. He had me sold! We also talked about the spa for massages, and I inquired if we could do a couples' massage which he wasn't sure about, so he said he would check on the pricing and if they could do that. He alluded to some other butler probably being the one who would bring the six pack and that he'd be back bringing coffee in the morning, so I presumed that meant it was the end of his shift and time for the nighttime butler to start. <br /><br />What followed were a few successive letdowns. First, we got no call confirming the dinner reservation, and the beer took quite a while to get there. Meanwhile, I happened to look at my email and noticed that a massage with couples' massage fee had been booked for us - and at a time that would not work for our plans. But nothing on dinner. I started getting anxious and considered calling to get a status update, but I didn't want to be "that lady". So I refrained, but it started to feel like we were trapped in the room, and I wanted to eat. <br /><br />Finally, a little after 6:15, the doorbell rang and another butler asked if he could come in. He came bearing both the beer we ordered and good news on dinner when I inquired - indeed we had a reservation at 6:30! I mean, that was good news, but not a lot of notice! He had me sign for the beer - which was much more than the cost of a 6 pack and a $7 fee, it was like a $7 fee plus a few on top of that fee and then other fees and somehow equaled $80 or something ridiculous. He then asked if we wanted him to escort us to the restaurant and I said yes, partially because I wanted to make sure we got there on time and didn't get lost, and partially because, hey, we have a butler, and maybe he can even get us something special if he's escorting us. So he said he'd come back at 6:27 to bring us there, and I went upstairs to change into something a little nicer. When he came back, and he was perfectly on time, as we were walking to the restaurant, I also asked if the massage appointment could be moved to a later time as the time booked conflicted with literally the one plan we had for the weekend - a lunch reservation at Hell's Kitchen. <br /><br />He walked fast and realized he had to slow down from his normal crazy pace to escort us at a more comfortable pace, and then talked to the hostesses at the restaurant once we arrived. That didn't seem to do much because we still had to then check-in with them, and he left us there. The hostess confirmed we were checked in and indicated to wait for our name to be called. As we returned from dinner, the butler stopped us and advised that there were no other available times for the massage, so I asked him then to just cancel. <br /><br />I felt quite burned by the cost of the 6 pack and the time it took to get, and the fact that the massage had been booked without my consent, so I decided I was probably pretty close to done using this butler service. I mean, I guess the assumption is people booking this room have money to burn so it would be fine, but to me, the room was one thing but the service was just not worth it. I knew the coffee was still scheduled for the morning and decided to let that be, but dreading seeing how much that was going to set me back. <br /><br />Indeed, very timely, Joey came just before 8 am, and let himself in while we were still in bed. He set up the coffee pot with the requested creamer and sugars and the works, along with that lovely bill. I think it was about $40. We mulled about and I checked my email and saw one massage appointment was cancelled but nothing on the second or the couples' massage fee. <br /><br />So, later that morning, since we had our lunch reservation at 11:45 at Hell's Kitchen, I used the bowtie to call and first ask about canceling the other massage - to which the operator thankfully said she had noticed that and had already confirmed both were cancelled - and then to confirm that they could come do the housekeeping and spa maintenance around that time since we'd be leaving for lunch. <br /><br />As we walked down the hall leaving for lunch, the housekeeper asked if she could go in now and I confirmed yes we were out for a while. <br /><br />We didn't realize the butler would bring coffee the second morning, but he did, and just in time because my beau was about to call for it anyways. <br /><br />So on the butler thing, I would say, things were not very clear, I was not happy with the speed or communication and feel quite burned by what I was told and what actually happened. If you don't care about wasting hundreds of dollars, it was convenient to have someone to go get things - I imagined sending them off to get my frozen Baja Blast with tequila at the Taco Bell Cantina across the street and getting a pie from Secret Pizza so we don't have to stand around and wait for it - but to me it just wasn't worth it. <br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Experiencing the Amenities</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've already put some commentary into my description of the space, so here I'll just do some highlights and lowlights. <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw8dTgoGoe4vh4U6JZh3AEEy3T6xH_wPuWJYyQ57YFR0dRwkGoVzDHL4xREmyrZSONfEvEb97xbL6geP3Fv9gzYSt6mm7Oj1Dy1QrDarOMeYFpVvUFeMlvuq_6m2GjSYUnXJf9mgm_QWcD7UPX37rF3UNjjpxojs1gAVR6QpaO7niBq3LPaqKJQ2Qhg3M/s4080/PXL_20231125_160826145.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw8dTgoGoe4vh4U6JZh3AEEy3T6xH_wPuWJYyQ57YFR0dRwkGoVzDHL4xREmyrZSONfEvEb97xbL6geP3Fv9gzYSt6mm7Oj1Dy1QrDarOMeYFpVvUFeMlvuq_6m2GjSYUnXJf9mgm_QWcD7UPX37rF3UNjjpxojs1gAVR6QpaO7niBq3LPaqKJQ2Qhg3M/w151-h200/PXL_20231125_160826145.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bathtub filing from ceiling</span></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHESoWJ-CUGzY84yf1GaHxF7__sXm27GX_gZG-SGkJ1MNyXSNEYSjfqafmGz7mQbP-HfSjIsF0qFmz8SV3IaYYBL1q-_RNxPPinHmeYRCiOh51tcmCmAq_Y-B9PQ9tYm2659yXbQzf9dRTLpmbG4WatZE0ietSvQj32MdF75pGl9uabFTiQat405RlKri/s4080/PXL_20231125_160835910.MP.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHESoWJ-CUGzY84yf1GaHxF7__sXm27GX_gZG-SGkJ1MNyXSNEYSjfqafmGz7mQbP-HfSjIsF0qFmz8SV3IaYYBL1q-_RNxPPinHmeYRCiOh51tcmCmAq_Y-B9PQ9tYm2659yXbQzf9dRTLpmbG4WatZE0ietSvQj32MdF75pGl9uabFTiQat405RlKri/w200-h151/PXL_20231125_160835910.MP.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Detail of bathtub</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On the plus side, I fell in love with the bathtub in the master bathroom - and I am a self-proclaimed connoisseur of bathtubs. It was the perfect shape, and very easy to move around and get comfortable in, even for someone of my (larger) size. While my beau didn't join me, it seemed like there was plenty of room for two to sit on opposing sides and intermingling legs, and that would be very comfortable, even with the water running since the water filled from the ceiling in the center of the tub. The only drawback was that I never got the jets to work, I ended up turning on the steamer by accident trying to get the jets going - steamer was cool but was unequivocally not the jets I was hoping for. </span><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMkygnwHVOzJn-czaKDShzxKqGdT4TtHCsFv3moi3Csik6P2BEIg87Yup-FCk-8F-TxGDLZFF4o95QTyiyphAWfYOIFFl72PSBMJsV6EAr85bwVUplONkAKcS13SCb7yX_nLbYaAmVZNKYIgpcF1lQUbDIetQEYPfi9GN0v6tIYvG5-c5e6akvBHAF4sU/s4080/PXL_20231124_232906207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMkygnwHVOzJn-czaKDShzxKqGdT4TtHCsFv3moi3Csik6P2BEIg87Yup-FCk-8F-TxGDLZFF4o95QTyiyphAWfYOIFFl72PSBMJsV6EAr85bwVUplONkAKcS13SCb7yX_nLbYaAmVZNKYIgpcF1lQUbDIetQEYPfi9GN0v6tIYvG5-c5e6akvBHAF4sU/w151-h200/PXL_20231124_232906207.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Massive shower</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I also thoroughly enjoyed the shower in the master bathroom. Again, with room enough for two (or more, my goodness), it had not one but two massive rainfall shower heads, and then a handheld sprayer in the middle, along with a spacious bench, and a steamer/sauna feature. I turned it all on and had a glorious shower, even using the bench to shave my legs not because I really needed to shave but because I wanted to see how comfortable it was to do so, and it was absolutely perfection. The water was plenty hot and I had to turn it down from scorching, and eventually made the water cool as the steamer warmed up my body. I think it is probably the closest thing to a perfect dream bathroom that I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing or even seeing. <br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt_UznVhANwNBLCaS1SvPy5hCMBSju0bcc8kFwvz4hNfNHryJnC9ormg1l109h0-3-L70O1JMDKzqfRzjU6XEnQRV7DFG2GGIwd0Cs4BVoJb9Px9-SWZngNltRor0_7Ch5D9pQG_oD2AKqrsETQkiZBGsoBymvYT4teHJ946f0mQ_w74Otn7WKpsveuH1/s4080/PXL_20231124_233242455.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt_UznVhANwNBLCaS1SvPy5hCMBSju0bcc8kFwvz4hNfNHryJnC9ormg1l109h0-3-L70O1JMDKzqfRzjU6XEnQRV7DFG2GGIwd0Cs4BVoJb9Px9-SWZngNltRor0_7Ch5D9pQG_oD2AKqrsETQkiZBGsoBymvYT4teHJ946f0mQ_w74Otn7WKpsveuH1/w200-h151/PXL_20231124_233242455.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Plunge pool with obstructed view</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">On the downside, I guess the plunge pool is really just a heated pool and not really a hot tub per se. The timer only went up to 30 minutes and anyone who knows me well knows I can spend hours and hours in a hot tub or bath, so a 30 minute timer meant I had the leave the relative warmth to brave the cold and wind to turn it back on again. And when my beau joined me, he pointed out that it really wasn't that hot - it was warm enough to be comfortable but it was so cold outside that the relative warmth wasn't enough to keep all of our bodies warm when parts were sticking out. The view was very boring, I wish we could have been more a part of the party at the Marquee Dayclub like the website advertised. Not a single person seemed to have spotted us, given the large tent that blocked 95% of the view, and more importantly, we couldn't watch unless we were at just the right angle, but we were subjected to the music in the tub and in the room. </span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLSjpJ7Yo2m8zwKnDbTzvuGx7BpoBwr_9xKfkURMqeUcIxVLuSIfuz_y4DdrLix4fFIpYOifqOlV_xjAcofehVQVzwgx2XLoCKbHRBSJp5SuQpc6AoaBkSDo_JYgxMvoMtqlJHifIaRxLhsPo14RYZ461BK2cqSoFGQ5Se1IKHjJ2KgLP7xiTX8jdj93f/s3276/PXL_20231125_223115909.PANO.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="3276" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLSjpJ7Yo2m8zwKnDbTzvuGx7BpoBwr_9xKfkURMqeUcIxVLuSIfuz_y4DdrLix4fFIpYOifqOlV_xjAcofehVQVzwgx2XLoCKbHRBSJp5SuQpc6AoaBkSDo_JYgxMvoMtqlJHifIaRxLhsPo14RYZ461BK2cqSoFGQ5Se1IKHjJ2KgLP7xiTX8jdj93f/w320-h153/PXL_20231125_223115909.PANO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">View of TV and fountains from couch</span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The other upstairs outdoor space was quite nice, as I mentioned earlier, I would have spent more time there had it not been so cold. But given that the bungalows are all on the 17th floor, we couldn't see the new Sphere like I could from my favorite (much more affordable) rooms with the fountain view. Additionally, the furniture wasn't oriented to view the fountains so I had to move things around to get the right view. It was cool that there was a TV out there. <br /><br />Watching TV in bed was very comfortable, and I liked the ability to turn everything off with one button so I didn't feel bad leaving stuff on all night or running up and down the stairs to turn things off. <br /><br />We were also warned that music from Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub can be heard from inside of the Bungalow, which was absolutely true during the Dayclub - the TV couldn't drown out the sound, but thankfully we really couldn't hear the Nightclub when we wanted to sleep. See the "IMPORTANT NOTE" at the bottom of this post for all the warnings that came with this room. <br /><br />Another warning was that outside food and beverage is strictly not permitted on the property, which the butler almost immediately refuted and proved to be inaccurate from my experience also, so don't worry about that one. <br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Conclusion</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I love the Cosmopolitan and despite some setbacks, it will still remain my favorite hotel in Las Vegas. I will likely not book this room again in the foreseeable future, but I am glad I did it this one time. The only caveat to that statement is that I will be forever reminiscing and pining for that freaking bathtub and shower - they truly were the stars of the show and made my weekend, as weird as that may sound - at least until I can build my dream house to include a bathroom with those dimensions and amenities almost to a tee. I often joke that I don't care to travel as much these days because my home amenities are so luxurious, and this is one example where that proves to be false, at least when it comes to the master bathroom. If you are going to Vegas to go out and do things, I don't think the room is worth it - this is a really a room you want to be spending your time in, not out. <br /><br />The butler service was a fun but very expensive bit of an experience, and I guess on the whole I liked it, but in all the ways that I am spendy, I am also frugal when it comes to excessive fees and I felt like they went too far with this one for me to fully enjoy and appreciate it. <br /><br /></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Appendix</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Is that a thing one does for blog posts? I'm going with it; here are details of the package options and the warnings. <br /><br /><blockquote>Package A:<br /><br />LIQUOR PACKAGE<br />Your choice of two (2) of the following bottles:<br />- 1 Bottle of Vodka<br />- 1 Bottle of Bourbon<br />- 1 Bottle of Whiskey<br />- 1 Bottle of Tequila<br /><br />Package B:<br />WINE & CHAMPAGNE PACKAGE<br />The Wine & Champagne Package includes all three of the below:<br />- 1 bottle of Champagne<br />- 1 bottle of White Wine<br />- 1 bottle of Cabernet<br /><br />Package C:<br />SOFT BEVERAGE PACKAGE<br />Includes the below, non-alcoholic beverages<br />- 8 Sodas<br />- Freshly tapped coconuts<br />- 10 Fiji Waters<br />- 2 Fresh Juices<br /><br /><br />IMPORTANT NOTE: <br />-Bungalow Suites are located next to the Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub, and please note that everyone must be 21 or older to be in the room<br /><br />-Bungalow Suites do not offer direct access to Marquee Nightclub or Dayclub<br /><br />-Music from Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub can be heard from inside of the Bungalow during Marquee’s business hours. Please visit their website for current hours of operation<br /><br />-Incidental deposit of $1,000 per night will be collected at check-in. Any unused portion is refunded at check out<br /><br />-Outside food and beverage is prohibited in all rooms and suites<br /><br />-Limit of 10 people inside the Bungalow at a time; Maximum 3 guests for sleeping<br /><br />-The suite will be provided with Butler Service, and outside food and beverage is strictly not permitted on the property - we would be most happy to provide you with a menu to order appetizers and beverages upon request.<br /><br />-Please understand there are no exceptions to these guidelines</blockquote><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-13895454517402606602023-11-19T08:09:00.000-08:002023-12-09T08:13:10.393-08:00It's Deric!<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">The one whom I almost ditched… <br /><br />I met Deric through the dating app Hinge. As it just so happened, he was the third first date (from Hinge) in a single weekend - something I didn't mean to do but just kind of fell into place. The first date was Friday night with Yusuke, a very Japanese guy trying to make a go of some sort of fashion reselling business. The second first date was Saturday night at my usual swing dance venue in Pasadena - Mike was going to meet me at Lindy Groove the following Thursday for our first date, but I think he got eager and moved it up to Saturday. <br /><br />Both dates went - well - for the most part. Yusuke was much as I expected - I could see a potential relationship with him but it would take a loooooong time to get there. Mike was ready to dive right in, it was all about me. I didn't like that he didn't want to dance with anyone else, even my friend; we're at a social dance, we should be social, not all intertwined in one another. I let it go on the basis that it was our first date, but made certain to clarify it is absolutely my intention to not just dance with him in the future, and I hope he would do the same. <br /><br />I was least excited about Deric, because of two factors. For one, his messages were strange and confusing, obviously he was bad at English but there was something more. And on the other hand, his profile pictures weren't too flattering so I wasn't sure I'd be attracted to him. I nearly called the whole thing off, but I decided that I always tout the importance of meeting in person to know for sure, so why would this be any different? <br /><br />Deric definitely got "the rose" for the weekend (to answer what my friend Laura asked), because he surprised me with his good looks and great conversation. Far from what the pictures showed, he was hot! And I understood his English much better with the context of intonation, etc. He was great. When we ended the night with a small kiss, I think he had doubts that I wanted to see him again. But I did! <br /><br />Since then, I'd gone out with Mike once more and then invited him over for a cuddle session. The second date didn't go much better, in fact, I started to get annoyed with his physical affection, so my thought was that in the privacy and comfort of my home, maybe I'd feel better with him all over me. I did not. I was so annoyed by him, and I think he knew it. We texted once or twice more and I think he got the hint when I wasn't initiating texts anymore. <br /><br />I’d also invited Yusuke to my house for Halloween, unintentionally, but he got excited about the prospect of learning a new-to-him American tradition. So, he was going to come over and hand out candy to the kids with me and then join me in the hot tub afterwards. But, he was so late that the candy handouts were over by the time he arrived and we merely spent some time in the hot tub before he invited himself to spend the night. I thought that was odd - much more assertive than I expected. We cuddled, made out a little bit, and that was about it. Halfway through the night, neither of us could sleep so he left. <br /><br />I'd also gone out with Deric twice more, and went to his house a couple times. The last time (prior to this weekend) I had gone to his house was after getting rid of Mike. I was so ick by the whole thing that all I wanted was to curl up with Deric, so I told him I was making hot chocolate and coming over and he was good with that like that's totally normal. Later that week, I treated him to Broken Bit and he came over to my house for the first time. I don't think he was very impressed. <br /><br />The next day I was gone on a personal trip that segued into a business trip without coming home, so I was gone for a good two and a half weeks. I texted Deric almost daily, and he was sweet and supportive, not needy at all but letting me know he cared and missed me. All I wanted was to be back with him - the last week in Fort Worth was awful. <br /><br />I got off the plane on Friday and let him know when I was home. He was working but when he was off he invited me over so he could cook for me. I brought my overnight bag anticipating he'd invite me to stay over, which he did. Not only that, but he cut a rose off his tree for me. And, he asked the first/small big question - were we together now? Yes, I wanted him and nobody else. Wasn't that all I had wanted the last two weeks? Yes, absolutely yes. <br /><br />We clarified some other things about our relationship - not having kids, for one. It was good. We were having a good, adult conversation and readying ourselves for our happy ever after. <br /><br />Then almost immediately, we had our first fight. He said things that implied he wasn't attracted to me, like I used to be sexy and what happened and why didn't anyone tell me? And then he tried to tell me how to lose weight, like it's so simple, just cut out soda and drink more black coffee. What?!? I got upset, I tried telling him not to push those buttons but he pushed, and I packed up to leave when he stopped me and apologized and said he wouldn't talk about it anymore. <br /><br />We got tipsy and eventually went to bed. The next morning, we slept in until after 9, and I got up to get some water and heard my phone ding with a text. I figured I'd just check it for a few and go back to bed. It was a family text, and I chimed in. Deric came out and asked if I was up, and started busying himself in the kitchen. I told him I don't drink coffee, so he made me hot chocolate for my hangover headache. We sat and talked for a little bit, both of us quite drowsy still, and I told him we could go back to bed, and he jumped at the chance. We stayed in bed until after 11, or at least I did. At one point I was waiting for him to come back to bed and realized he was probably waiting for me to get up. So I did and he just seemed like a dog happy to its owner kind of happy to see me. He asked if he could take me out to breakfast when I was ready. I got ready quickly and we were off in his cute little BMW. <br /><br />After breakfast, he agreed to come to my place and hang out - he wanted a lazy day and I wanted to do some laundry so I put on some binge TV and did some laundry and light chores while he hung out on the couch, eventually falling asleep. I put on the ASU football game since he was asleep, but we were losing so terribly, I didn't care to finish it when he woke up. <br /><br />I absolutely love cuddling with him. He lets me run my hands up and down his chest under his shirt and I am addicted to it. There are definitely things I'm concerned about. I don't know how long it will last, but he is definitely my for now someone. And I almost didn't even meet him. <br /> </span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-55868047754360470772023-07-28T22:33:00.000-07:002024-03-14T22:34:23.973-07:00A Dating Update<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Let's see, Kevin 1 and I continued to struggle reconciling so that seems over. Kevin 2 ghosted me right before our Las Vegas trip, so I ended up canceling. Tall, boring Brandon actually has made repeat appearances. He's a total bore but we both seem to have mutually agreed to use each other without saying it. Francisco also reappeared briefly, and then slithered back into the shadows. Marathon runner Andrew and I took some distance and sort of faded. I ended things more formally the last time he reached out. Hollywood Justin tried gaslighting me - he's so shady and ghosty - I told him I don't trust him and he never responded, so I guess that's over. <br /><br />And now, for AJ of NASA JPL. <br /><br />It was a rocky start to AJ's and my first date. I met him through the Hinge app after changing my location to Pasadena, reasoning that I'm in Pasadena once or twice a week typically for swing dancing. Some percentage of the reason he connected with me was because of my job. I told him fairly quickly that I wasn't actually in Pasadena and he understood. He comes up to Edwards Air Force Base on a fairly regular basis so my locale isn't actually too out of the way for him on those days. In fact, we agreed it was rather convenient that I could potentially crash after swing dance with him in Pasadena and he could stay with me when he has back-to-back days in the desert. Anyways, due to miscommunication or really lack of clarification, he ended up at the Lucky Luke's in Lancaster while I was awaiting him at the one in Palmdale. He quickly joined me though. From there, it was a lot of shop talk and I wasn't sure I would be interested if that was all there was. But we eventually got off the topic of airplanes and it went better from there. <br /><br />Because there was no food at Lucky Luke's, he asked if we could go to Yard House to grab a bite before he headed home. It was a Monday night and I wasn't too keen on staying out late, but I was enjoying him and had at least a little attraction to him. So I acquiesced, and we ate at Yard House. We wrapped up the first date with a simple peck kiss which was both absolutely perfect for a first date, and leaving me wanting a little more. <br /><br />His next visit to the area was Thursday, but I also had a goodbye happy hour for an employee I wanted to attend and my last lindy hop class in Pasadena that night. I sort of talked myself out of going to class, and he agreed to meet me at the happy hour. We had a good time there and headed back to my place. We immediately assumed a cuddle position while I queued up some Ted Lasso, and, well, he spent the night and it was pretty great. <br /></span><br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-66402170031834011582023-07-09T08:14:00.000-07:002023-12-09T08:34:08.079-08:00In Pursuit of Happiness<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Is happiness a goal? A state which is necessarily temporary? A way of living? <br /><br />I can't remember a time I wasn't yearning for something that would make me happy. That's not to say I've lived an unhappy life. Rather, I think I've been generally grateful and upbeat and joyful about life. But it's always felt like it was part of a journey to an ultimate goal, rather than an enduring contentedness.<br /><br />Growing up, I had an obsession with boys and being in a relationship. While in college, it was, just get the degree and get a job and a house and a dog and be an adult. While early in my career, and perhaps the strangest way my yearning showed through, I would hear a voice talking about me in the future, that, "She makes over $100,000 a year." That was the goal, to make 6 figures. Even despite having read that once people reach about $70k in annual income, their happiness decreases the more they make beyond that. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwfyoEbx4X44K2u4UoFxXI9XOFGDemSNqINBZHztDJq6vo9ENicQVjvzkG19LyBgIeI2s3SiEtC31MXinO87fQVbYO_xtIDsUciVqBNWWBSle9bH4BSOzL8KqaqCLBGV3AXNoqba8R4nBIlIMZOQjT37Uq6AlD_pjnKaacX5eRf5aOQbism_zdlVUpJMw/s960/niagara%20view.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwfyoEbx4X44K2u4UoFxXI9XOFGDemSNqINBZHztDJq6vo9ENicQVjvzkG19LyBgIeI2s3SiEtC31MXinO87fQVbYO_xtIDsUciVqBNWWBSle9bH4BSOzL8KqaqCLBGV3AXNoqba8R4nBIlIMZOQjT37Uq6AlD_pjnKaacX5eRf5aOQbism_zdlVUpJMw/s320/niagara%20view.jpg" width="320" /></a>I definitely lived beyond my means a bit early in my adulthood, in order to continue re-upping on that desire to be happy. There was a point I hit where I knew something had to give. I owned a house, I had the dog, I had a steady boyfriend, a good job, was making $85k a year. I remember being so stressed about money because I knew I was living beyond my means but it was like I couldn't stop. We'd go on these elaborate vacations and I justified it by saying that you never regret investing in travel and experiences. But at one point, the shit hit the fan when my <br />credit cards were maxed out and I couldn't pay for the hotel mid-trip. Did we go to a cheaper hotel? No, we enjoyed our luxe room with a view, and I just borrowed from him until I could move money around sufficiently. I got smarter after that, but also, my career took off and I didn't have to be too accountable for long term financial responsibility because I started making so much more. <br /><br />Having lived in several states and cities over the past decade, and being again in a position where I can decide my own fate, I can confidently say that I'm happy with my current location. My house is big, maybe a little too big, but I'd much rather than that the opposite - living in that cramped condo in San Diego helped me realize that. I just had my niece and her seven friends come stay, and there was room enough for all without being too cramped - hell we could have accommodated at least two or three more people. I am so grateful I have a pool and a hot tub of my own - that makes a world of difference compared to an apartment pool with its uncertain cleaning schedule and having to contend with neighbor kids for serious pool time. Making this home be my haven has brought me lots of joy. I am financially stable, for sure, with over $200k in annual income, a small passive income, and a very comfortable savings buffer. But now I'm missing one very seemingly important part of my happiness formula - a romantic partner. After nearly 10 years together, Jaiman and I called it quits in January, and my attempts at finding love via the Hinge app and other organic means have been all but fruitful. I've helped to fill the gap (or distract myself from it) by doubling down on my other relationships - friendships with colleagues or former coworkers, my family, reconnecting with old friends - and putting myself in situations to forge new relationships with common interests, namely going out swing dancing and taking lindy hop lessons. <br /><br />I realized about a month ago that I was also trying to fill the void with retail therapy (usually online retail - which means I wasn't even getting the benefit of the walking). Over spending and living beyond my means became a concern for me, even at this elevated income (partially because of the big mortgage payment and the new car payment). So, I went cold turkey in June and am continuing in July, refraining from buying extraneous "things" that I don't need. Truly, I have a giant house full of stuff, I'm not needing much of anything in the way of more stuff. <br /><br />Long before Jaiman and I called it quits, though, I was investing a lot of my reading time on the pursuit of happiness, or the formula for happiness. And was left, well, wanting, and still pursuing. Most of the literature I devoured told of gratitude being the key to success, or being present and practicing mindfulness, or giving to or helping others, as the secrets of life and happiness. Those ideas have never scratched the itch for me. I've always had this nagging feeling that happiness can be achieved by a set of things plus relationships. And that belief has driven me both to have fulfilling relationships and to purchase things that will make my life easier and happier. Like the big house with the double kitchen island to allow me to cook more (ha!) and the private pool and 3-car garage. And truly, I know now that my outdoor pool isn't optimal - it needs to be heated with excessive energy to be of use many months of the year, and is always getting bugs and leaves in it. Wouldn't an indoor pool be even better? Then I'd truly be happy. This pursuit seems to keep going, but I still somehow believe that the optimal life is somehow around the corner. Once I get these 35 things, then I can really enjoy life and be happy. <br /><br />And while I can't say I have all the things I've ever wanted, I have a lot, and I am grateful, and I am happy most of the time. But now without that romantic partner in my life, I feel a major loss. It makes me resent Jaiman to an extent - why did he have to be so awful in the end? Why couldn't he have shaped up to be the man I wanted him to be? Or even that he claimed he wanted to be? Why did I spend (waste?) 10 years of my life with someone who wasn't going to work out in the end? I am appreciative of the fun times we had and memories we made, I wouldn't have done most of those things without a romantic partner. And yet, now that he's gone, I'm a little mad about it. I thought it would be easier to fill that hole in my life, or that I'd find joy in being by myself and doing my own thing and that I'd be okay. I knew it wouldn't be wholly easy, but I just thought it would be easier. <br /><br />The dozen or so half-started relationships that have flopped since the breakup have made me start to wonder if it's me. And specifically, I wonder how much my weight plays into it. I can take some great selfies that I feel good about, but sometimes I see a picture of me and it's not flattering and I realize just how awfully big I am and that makes me very unhappy. Is that what is keeping me from finding a great guy? It probably doesn't help, of that I am sure. Swing dancing, too, I can feel people not wanting to dance with me because of my size and appearance. I also sweat like crazy which may not necessarily have to do with my weight, but again, doesn't help. <br /><br />So losing weight, like almost every other fucking time of my life, seems like it should be a priority. If I can't be happy without a man, and if I can't land a man without losing weight, than obviously losing weight will help me get a man and ultimately make me happy, right? But of course, easier said than done. I've struggled with my weight for all of eternity it seems. And yes, it probably played a big part in my happiness equation even before the breakup - being able to find clothes that feel good and sitting comfortably in airplane seats are aspirations that have been bringing me down in recent years. <br /><br />But beyond my physical appearance, I wonder if my approach to life and relationships is wrong or if I'm just in a weird dating population (age and geographic location) or what. Like I said, I thought it'd be easier, so why haven't I landed at least a short-term relationship yet? I keep trying to tell myself that the universe is just clearing things out of the way for me to meet the right person. But my impatience grows and it is especially painful that I have one thing I really want to do with a romantic partner - go to Vegas - and planned it with two different partners who both fell through. If I can't count on a romantic partner any time soon, do I need to change my desire? Will that scratch the itch? <br /><br />So the latest book I've been reading (listening to) is called "The Gap and the Gain" and it is a pretty simple concept in theory - focus on the progress and the good things instead of focusing on what you don't have (the gap). It's a new take on the same old mindfulness and gratitude concept, I suppose. But the reframing has at least piqued my interest and attention. However, I've struggled to work through it because the gap I most focus on now is the lack of a romantic partner and there's no progress to be had against that. Sure, I can focus on my big glorious house and the friendships I have and blah blah blah. But none of that is "gain" against my goal of having a happy romantic relationship. <br /><br />I do like the section that says you can define your own success criteria. These were the examples given (and gawd are they so much what I aspire to…)<br /> </span></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I know I'm being successful when:</span></p><ol style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I can wake up every day and ask, "What would I like to do today?"</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My passive revenue exceeds my lifestyle needs.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I can live anywhere in the world I choose.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm working on projects that excite me and allow me to do my best work.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I can disappear for several months with no effect on my income.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There are no whiny people in my life.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I wear my watch for curiosity only.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have no time obligations or deadlines.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I wear whatever I want all the time.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I can quit any time.</span> </li></ol><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />The other major thing I've struggled with, although its subtle, is that I'm not sure what I like anymore, versus what "we" liked as a couple. In other words, untangling myself from Jaiman, what do I like that wasn't me adapting to his likes? Like I said, it's a subtle thing, it may even seem moot, like dummy, just go do what makes you happy and if something isn't making you happy anymore than stop doing it. But in some cases, I actually don't even know if it makes me happy. That's weird, right? So I don't even know where to start. I don't know what I would like to do today. I don't know where to disappear to or within. I don't know what to wear. I'm not really curious enough to do anything thoroughly. Is that depression? I hope not… I don't think so. <br /><br />The most glaring examples are roller coasters, Lego and Disney. Those are three areas that Jaiman was obsessed with, and I know I had a liking of them before. But are they my passions? Did Jaiman bring that passion out of me? Or did I pursue them because "we" liked them? If there was something I didn't like before Jaiman and liked while we were together, that would seem pretty clear cut. But Disney and roller coasters were likes before, just not obsessions or passions - or were they? <br /><br />Disney - I loved the classic Disney animations like Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin - I had lots of toys with them and even wrote to Mattel once suggesting they make Polly Pockets with Disney themes once (they claimed they couldn't give me credit but later did something very similar). But I also hadn't been to Disneyland since I was a kid until Jaiman took me. So am I a real Disney fan? Or did I get aboard the train? <br /><br />Lego - Jaiman claims I enabled him, so this may be on me. I've continued building Lego and even hosting a build party, so I guess Lego is a passion of mine. I started playing with Lego as an adult while dating Rick, and went to Legoland at least once before meeting Jaiman. <br /><br />Roller coasters - I remember being obsessed with the Loch Ness Monster ride at Busch Gardens when I was a kid. What a disappointment it was when Jaiman and I went on our big roller coaster road trip and road it again - it was dilapidated and rough and not nearly as thrilling as other rides I've come to enjoy. My weight has largely deterred me recently from going to Six Flags and the like, but if my size wasn't an issue, would I spend a day at a theme park riding coasters again? I think so, but I do feel like it was such a part of Jaiman's personality that it will always be twinged with remorse. <br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCYudBfusE8GxiRdCxRwqUyRrgKl3-yBJT_zL_0q4a9zw7dfgjXWVG2Y8VfdteRftfPpY5VqQQe6KiuYQYPakYdgjKJX7sPmctbIRIwo1IqLd6_A3BYg9hSANZQvyDV9PNlxkzy56nhOvC2rVQxTWUoDeQrLtiDCiupfHIFj-zBYda6bfkB_NALji57L7/s960/Arcosanti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: helvetica; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCYudBfusE8GxiRdCxRwqUyRrgKl3-yBJT_zL_0q4a9zw7dfgjXWVG2Y8VfdteRftfPpY5VqQQe6KiuYQYPakYdgjKJX7sPmctbIRIwo1IqLd6_A3BYg9hSANZQvyDV9PNlxkzy56nhOvC2rVQxTWUoDeQrLtiDCiupfHIFj-zBYda6bfkB_NALji57L7/s320/Arcosanti.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've long been fascinated and intrigued by the different ways people live, especially those at the extremes of wealth, modernism and technological advances (and the lack thereof in all cases). I think this goes hand-in-hand with my pursuit of happiness - what is the formula other people have found? What of those can I apply to make <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2014/09/utopia.html" target="_blank">my little utopia</a>? This is why I am equally intrigued by the fictional characters in the Hunger Games living in the Capital and in the Districts. I simultaneously desire a life of The Great Gatsby and the life of the <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2017/03/arcosanti-for-today.html" target="_blank">artisans at Arcosanti</a>, and just as much want to live in a world where Jurassic World is a real (but much safer) possibility. I invest efforts in learning about technological advances to understand how they will improve our lives in the future, such as <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2014/06/lessons-for-beginner-in-3d-printing.html" target="_blank">3D printing</a>, wearable technologies, <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/search?q=autonomous" target="_blank">autonomous vehicles</a> and <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-voice-activated-speaker-does-not.html" target="_blank">smart home devices</a>. How people lived in the Blue Zones is instructive for people wanting to understand how to live long lives, but I question how fulfilling those lives are versus, say, those in the happiest countries. The true story of <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2017/05/arizona-bucket-list.html" target="_blank">Biosphere 2</a> is one of both hard work and an isolated version of an ideal utopia, at least until peoples' personalities got involved. In the introductory scenes of the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie, Sonic shows how he's carved out a life in his little cave in a small rural town and pretending to make friends with the people there, but that his life was merely existence until he actually befriended one of the townspeople. <br /><br />And so, a lot of times I like to think about what my perfect life / utopia / home would look like. I think now it would look something like: <br /> </span><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Money and my physicality does not prevent me from doing whatever I want to do.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have a life partner who shares my interests and enjoys adventures with me. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have minimal chores that are made easier by technology and my home setup.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have rich relationships with friends and family. </span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-9512383963709374972023-05-29T16:48:00.003-07:002023-05-29T16:48:48.859-07:00How It's Going: Almost June 2023<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">The breakup at the beginning of the year was inevitable and I knew that going into the new year. When it happened, it wasn't how or when I had foreseen it. The timing was close to right, but how it went down was a huge shock - I was trying to make it amicable and calm, knowing it was the right thing to do and I had left nothing on the table as far as ways to repair the decade-long relationship, but he wouldn't have it. No, he went off like a crazy person, bringing up ancient history that I'm not even convinced wasn't entirely made up in his attempt to prove he was a victim, blaming me for everything, of course, and projecting his guilt onto me via ill-founded and inaccurate accusations of cheating. Nevertheless trying to find the silver lining in all things, I end that story always with the conclusion that it makes it very easy not to second guess the breakup or try to get back together. I do think it's a little bananas that after spending nearly every day with him for 10 years, he and I have no exchanged a word, a text, a comment, nothing. It's done-zo and that's obviously a good thing. <br /><br />Except it means I'm alone. I have this great big house which I love, and a pool and a hot tub I frequent, and all these big plans to go here and do that. But I'm so alone. I've never been good at being a friend or keeping friends so I don't have many, and I haven't done much in the way of making new friends locally. All of the people I could even call my friend here are colleagues, employees of mine or former colleagues. In fact, even people I consider friends "back home" in Arizona are mostly former colleagues. And, I mean, I guess that's ok, right? We spend so much time at work it's good to have friends there and it makes sense when strong relationships are forged there. But even my closest of friends aren't, like, best friends or besties. I almost never talk to my childhood friends, when we do it's usually just exchanged comments on facebook. <br /><br />My sister loves being single, or at least that's what she'd have everyone believe, but her being single and me being single are so different - she was married, she had someone to whom she said, "I do," and she got a son of it and she's the best at keeping old friends and making new ones. On top of that, she is at least somewhat introverted in that she loves her "me time" whereas I could have zero of that and be the happiest person alive. She is a good person for me to talk to about these things, and she encourages me to go to the movies or dinner by myself, but I don't think she appreciates how much more lonely I am without a committed relationship. I love being around people, well at least people I enjoy and whom I can stand, and I can be judgey which is why I'm not a big life long friender. That is also why I vowed to connect more and connect more deeply this year - I knew I'd need friends and I know I need to be a better one. <br /><br />Oh and a new job. Boy, people really show you their true colors when they have nothing to lose, right? My old boss held nothing back once I told him I was leaving. Just like my breakup, he has made it very clear I made the right choice. My new boss seems great, my local team is great, I might have some work to do on some of my other new employees but that's ok. Getting away from a diminishing manager was an important thing to do for myself, and while my old team was pretty heartbroken over me leaving, as was I, they understood, perhaps more than me at times, why I had to make the change. <br /><br />I always like to do one or two life list things per year, and the last few years have been really hard with the COVID pandemic, so I feel like I should be trying to make up for that lost time this year. But alas, many of the items remaining on my life list are either quite difficult or require travel, and I'm just not up for doing a ton of travel alone.<br /><br />Post-breakup I dove in pretty quickly to the dating scene, had a few homeruns but lost each game. I am just about over dating, and yet I still am unhappy with being alone, so I'm definitely in a funk in a big, bad way. Not dangerous or anything, just out of it. The dark thoughts do creep in, even knowing what I know now about my ex- and how he viewed our relationship, I still sometimes voyage into the land of, "What if I just pretended that none of that happened and had him come back and just idlily stayed around to make plans with and stuff?" It's stupid, and I know logically that nothing good could come from that line of thinking. And yet, there it is. These jerks on the dating app all claim not to be like the rest and they all end up ghosting me, gaslighting me or, most kindly, deciding to go separate ways. Yet I feel like I'm lowering my standards to date them, and they are the ones largely doing to leaving/ghosting. I don't get it. I don't get how guys can be so cruel, and I don't get what the fucking point is in dating someone, saying you want to meet up, and then not showing. Like, isn't the point of dating to meet people and go on dates and see what happens? It's just so… I don't know, depressing? Disparaging? Disappointing. Consistently and thoroughly disappointing. <br /><br />So I started going swing dancing again. It's a weird "again" because when I used to go swing dancing, it was in Arizona. After years of dancing there, I had a number of friendly faces and regular dance partners. But also, my main dance partner was, alas, my now ex-. So going dancing "again" isn't like I'm returning to something I know well. I know how to dance, at least the basics, I've gotten a bit rusty on my Lindy Hop and have no idea if I could follow Balboa right now. But I don't know the people, I don't have a consistent partner, and the structure of the dance is a bit weird, too. <br /><br />Like, at Kat's Korner in Arizona, we always did a celebration dance for people with birthdays or celebrating something else special, or visiting from out of town. Then we'd do the snowball, in which a few couples start and every few moments or so the announcer would call for them to find a new partner who isn't dancing yet, until everyone is dancing ideally. We'd also do the Shim Sham, a semi-choreographed mostly solo dance that everyone could join in and do, a little like the Electric Slide but, you know, not that. Sometimes we'd do other similarly somewhat familiar choreographed dances, such as Tranky Doo or the Big Apple. I really want to do one of those again. But alas, at this place in Pasadena, they don't do the celebration dance and they don't do any of the choreographed dances. Instead, they do what they call a "disco" in which they play a (non-disco) pop song and just follow along as someone semi-makes up dance moves, kinda like doing a jazzercise workout video or something. They do the snowball after that, so there's that at least, although even that they do a little weird and I don't like it. It's fine. It's fine. <br /><br />The bigger thing, I think, is just the not knowing people. The second time I went, some of the leads recognized me and the familiarity started to blossom into me getting asked to dance more, which was great. I went this past weekend, though, and there were less familiar faces as such I got asked to dance less, and didn't even have the courage for whatever reason to ask some of the dancers I wanted to dance with. It certainly didn't help, this past weekend, that a guy I had been talking to for a week or so was planning on meeting me there for our first date - and despite saying he was almost home and lived 5 minutes away around 8 pm, he never showed, and I never heard from him after that. So, yeah, even going back to swing dancing has been, not a complete disappointment, but definitely sort of rough. It's also over an hour away which means it's a big commitment for me to go. There's another venue in Pasadena on Thursday nights and that just seems almost impossible after working a 10+ hour day on Thursday, but I hear that's a better venue and I want to go, in theory. <br /><br />A month or two ago, I visited Arizona primarily to support a charity walk which I've done for years with my friend and former colleague, Allison. During my visit, I also made a point to go swing dancing on my home turf, albeit a different venue (tear) than what I had known for the prior 12 years. The familiar faces and welcoming recognition more than made up for the unfamiliar new-to-me venue, and I had a blast, truly. A few of the leads I danced with also strongly encouraged me to go to Camp Hollywood this year, an event I have never attended except for participating in the virtual event a few years ago during the worst of COVID. I was super hesitant and nervous about it, still am, but the encouragement from them and the reminder for myself that this is the kind of thing I want to do more of left me little choice but to register and make plans to attend. I'm also now considering if I should go back to Arizona for some of the events like Swingdependance and a new event in Tucson right around my Dad's birthday weekend. <br /><br />I'm definitely in a funk, but in reviewing what I set out to do in 2023 at the start of the year, I am finding a little bit of encouragement and comfort knowing that I have completed many of those things already. Let's take a quick inventory. <br /><br />Life: Be an active participant<br />• Buy my land - Done! <br />• Increase discipline in health routines - eh, kinda? <br />• Have a mindfulness weekend retreat - planned and then skipped, wah wah<br /> • Do that regularly<br />• Have a blog-a-thon to write about topics already started<br />• Book/plan vacation - Done, at least mostly - Hawaii for Christmas, plus some other smaller trips are in the works too! Planning trips is therapy for me. <br />• Complete >1 from room renovation - Done, at least mostly. Did some finishing touches on the downstairs full bath, and mostly finished wallpapering and putting new fixtures in the downstairs half bath. Really it just needs some pictures on the walls or something, otherwise it's done. Master water closet's next! <br /><br />Nature: Go deeper into outer space <br />• Listen to Planetary Radio podcast when available - Listened at least once, not sure where I lost track of this one, will have to check. <br />• Watch All Space Considered monthly - I do watch this regularly now, and want to go in person sometime soon. <br />• Visit the Griffith Observatory - Done! Went to a weird show called Above with a date, it was interesting, not sure I'd do that again necessarily, but maybe for some other event or show. <br />As a bonus, not related to space but related to nature, I volunteered at the local Poppy Reserve and did several trail watch hikes out there, and learned a lot about local wild flowers. Getting out into nature was great for me, and I should probably keep that up. <br /><br />Celebration: Re-build the lost connections<br />• Start daily journal even if 3-sentence recap - I tried, but I tend to not write for a while and then play catch up and try to write something. I'll keep trying. <br />• Plan for and stay on top of sending birthday, anniversary, holiday cards <br />• Seek advice and ask curious questions of people in my life <br /><br />Empowerment: Create (and use) the tools to get out of my own way<br />• Auto-add/update calendar with activities of interest - Partially done, got it add ISS passes to my calendar. <br />• Utilize AI and scripting to hone trends and market gaps<br />• 3D print some useful items - I tried, 3d printers hate me, I swear! My filament got jammed and I gave up. <br />• Invest in architecture software and education, and design home of the future<br />• Influence recruiting at work via communications team<br />• Develop better graphics and display for my Show Mode<br /><br />Well, one of my trips I'm planning is intended to help me reconnect with some old friends, and based on what I've done a lot of and not done enough of, it seems like the connecting thing is one of the areas I need to focus in on more. <br /><br />As far as accomplishing some things from my Life List, here are some ideas I think are doable still this year:<br />10 Ride a penny-farthing bicycle<br />12 Ride a recumbent bicycle<br />20 Watch a fire-dancing show at Burning Man<br />30 Catch a fish<br />52 Press grapes into wine with my bare feet<br />81 Be an extra in a movie<br />98 Send in a postsecret<br />103 Drive a race car around a real track<br />114 Eat at a Shenanigans<br />119 Learn to use a slide rule<br />147 Time Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park<br /><br /><br />I feel like, rather than blessings, I need to count my activities or achievements to remind myself that this year has not been a total bust. Here it goes: <br /><br /> • I hiked around Vasquez Rocks with my colleague Josh - getting him out of the house was a freaking achievement in and of itself! We did about 1.86 miles. <br /><br /> • I volunteered for 5 shifts of trail watch duty and the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserves, totaling over 24 miles of hiking, plus took my friend Andrew and a love interest also named Andrew for one hike there, as well as some of my employees another time. <br /><br /> • I volunteered for the second year in a row to be a mentor for the Aerospace Robotics Competition sponsored by my company, working with high school students to build, fly and program a drone. My team failed for the second year in a row, but I still helped quite a bit at the competition, and recruited some of my employees to help out, and that always feels good. <br /><br /> • I've gone swing dancing four times (thrice in Pasadena and once in Arizona) and did a charity walk in Arizona. <br /><br /> • I went to see Six the Musical with my friend Andrew (although it was supposed to be with a guy I was seeing - Justin - but he started getting flakey so I guess I told him off(?)). <br /><br /> • I got a new job and subsequent pay raise. <br /><br /> • I did some wallpapering and home reno stuff to improve my home. <br /><br /> • I upgraded my pool system so I can heat my pool, and have loved swimming in 86 degree water - especially when walking/running has been hard on my body lately so swimming is a great exercise alternative. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;"> • </span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">I bought land in Mojave, CA and camped out there to pursue the green meteor earlier this year. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: small;">Considering everything, that's a pretty healthy list of achievements. I guess I'm not as much in a rut as I thought I was. But, now I'm even more enthuse'd about the upcoming things. <br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-39057192699244759492023-05-06T13:21:00.001-07:002023-05-06T13:21:10.057-07:00It's May!<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/25/00/33/22284026/5/1200x0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="800" height="192" src="https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/25/00/33/22284026/5/1200x0.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Once upon a time, I started this blog after a relationship break-up, and in part, to catalog the quirky adventures of dating. I had given up on love at that time, to be honest, which was both sort of sad and a little liberating. No longer did I have to go on dates and wonder if he could be the one, nor did I see weird yellow flags as setting a precedent that I should address. I went with whatever, so long as it didn't cross a hard line for me, and let the ridiculousness unfold. It was funny the bizarre things my dates would subject me to, and I considered it my duty to share it with the world, or at least document it for my future amusement, on this blog. <br /><br />Then, the unexpected happened. I found a guy who wasn't ridiculous or bizarre. We had an instant mutual attraction and neither of us wasted a second dancing around our feelings towards one another. He seemed to be nearly perfect by my definition - tall, liked musicals, football, basketball and swing dancing - a rare combination. He often seemed to read my mind - mentioning his desire to go to massage school, for example - I had told my roommate I would love to find a guy who wanted to study massage, I'd pay for his schooling if it meant massages for life. I had some hesitations about him - I mean, I just recently given up on love - and I was worried he might fall harder for me than I for him, and I'd break his heart. But I rationalized that I had hesitated too often before, and the window of opportunity seemed to have passed, and I didn’t want to repeat that mistake. So we dove headfirst into a nearly 10 year relationship. <br /><br />We had a very long, happy "honeymoon" phase - we rarely fought and we loved doing everything together all the time. We had amazing adventures and were the envy of our friends on facebook. As I met his family, they would always comment that they felt they knew me already from facebook. And the rest is history… <br /><br />Fast forward to around 2021 - 2022. The relationship had soured. He said some things I could not get passed. I was frustrated with him. We still did fun things, but we were fighting a lot. It felt to me that he had become spoiled by my supporting him financially as he supported me in other ways through a number of geographic moves for my job. While I stand by my decision to do so, I think it changed our dynamic in his mind, and he became a different person. We tried addressing things, and he claimed to be committed to fixing what was broken, but now I see he was already too gone. A few specific incidents made it very apparent that we were not working, and I knew we had to end things. <br /><br />With such a long time put into our relationship, I felt I owed it to him to end things amicably. That was I tried to do. To my surprise, 10 years of hate and bizarre accusations spewed out of him until I didn't ever want to see his face again. Cheating, really? He thought this was about me seeing someone else. But like Ingrid Andress' song, "I Think You're Seeing Someone Else", actually I was seeing someone else. I was holding onto the instant love and perfect chemistry of years ago. He had become someone different without my realizing it. Not better, like in the song. No, I had become more financially stable and more grounded, he seemed to have diverted and gone backwards. He was blaming me for him not finishing college or having a career, villainizing me with this made up affair he thought I had been having for 10 years, even bringing up my last boyfriend and accusing me of cheating on him, acting like I didn't make every geographic move with his concurrence, and on and on. I didn't know what to make of it at the time. Later, when I found his OnlyFans subscriptions, things started to click that he was projecting his guilt onto me and hoping I was cheating. Then I did what should have been a bad idea - looked through old videos and photos of us when we were happy early on - and it ended up being quite therapeutic because he was unrecognizable in those photos and videos. It made me realize I had not been dating the same guy for the last 9+ years. I was dating a great love, and more recently, I was dating a self-righteous fixed mindset monster. The man I fell in love with had died years ago, I'm not sure when, but he was no longer there. <br /><br />That was in January, and as you can imagine, it's taken a minute to process all of this. I didn't process it all well, either. Shortly before Valentine's I read about a zoo that would, for a charitable donation, name a cockroach or a rat after your ex- and then feed it to the animals. I splurged for the video package and wrote a script that cut to the core of the idiocy that was the end of our relationship. Hey, it was for charity, right? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UVGVNo6SyAo" width="320" youtube-src-id="UVGVNo6SyAo"></iframe></div><br /><br /><br />That's not to say I've been wallowing in sorrow since January. I've just not sat myself down and done a lot of self-reflecting. Instead, I've kept myself crazy busy. I volunteered at the </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIjqeIVMTnWgt55QFe-lD43nqbJhcqwaQ1uuetdRqT2-vNv8TveSnB7nEqw1JpCsuaBfIPZKfLCqFCnS1aK8cq6oJnExa7SUtgShkIE2cDrspZzQxTR4onXAP9DoUdBO6garZNwyX_LmuTLmb5KCbmsi7ty9bA49qhUQwsVwIOm47xk3EwZkPq6RPgg/s3840/PXL_20230317_173205466.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRIjqeIVMTnWgt55QFe-lD43nqbJhcqwaQ1uuetdRqT2-vNv8TveSnB7nEqw1JpCsuaBfIPZKfLCqFCnS1aK8cq6oJnExa7SUtgShkIE2cDrspZzQxTR4onXAP9DoUdBO6garZNwyX_LmuTLmb5KCbmsi7ty9bA49qhUQwsVwIOm47xk3EwZkPq6RPgg/s320/PXL_20230317_173205466.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve as a docent and did regular trail watch to keep people off the poppies and educate them on the different types of flowers and wildlife (which I had to learn about myself). It was a great way to get my butt out of the house and hike many miles. I also volunteered for the Aerospace <br />Robotics Competition as a mentor to a high school team again. I started swing dancing again, practicing at home and going to Pasadena for the dances. I've been doing some home renovation stuff. And traveling - I went to Arizona for the Purple Stride and swing danced out there on my home turf. I cut and donated my hair. And seeking, interviewing for, and securing a new job (still at the same company). Yep, I've kept myself busy, but that’s not all I've been up to… <br /><br />Dating - so many dates. I wasn't going to do the dating app thing, I was going to find comfort in doing my own thing and allow for the potential for something spontaneous to happen. But one weak moment one lonely evening and I had a full profile, and then the guys started pouring in. <br /><br />And so, my blog is nearly ready to return to its original glory, talking about all the craziness of dating life. But it's already May!! I have so much to catch up on. <br /><br />I was first excited about Nick - an Aussie who loved D&D. I wasn't so sure I'd be attracted to him based on his profile pictures, but when I met him, instant attraction. Not to mention we had had great conversation for weeks leading up to the first date. He broke it off a few days after, to my great disappointment. I know it was short and I shouldn’t have been upset, but I really liked him. <br /><br />Then there was Cole, we talked a ton on the phone and texted a lot and then he ghosted me for a while. We never met but still message from time to time. Weird, right? <br /><br />Jimmy - the jerk - stood me up. We chatted and then made arrangements for a date and he texted me about it that day, and that he was on his way, and all the way to the point of, "I'm in the parking lot," and then never showed. Why are people so cruel? I ate a disappointing dinner by myself that night.<br /><br />Francisco works at Virgin Galactic (one of the common themes dating in this area is lots of engineers in my field, gotta be careful, I've found coworkers and stuff already)… He claimed he didn't want a hook up but he ghosted me after our first date so I'm going to go ahead and call him a big fat liar. <br /><br />Then there was Dani, who used the sweetest words in his texts to me, calling me Queen and the like. The texting made more sense when I met him and realized he was not an native English speaker. We went on a few dates and I learned he was Iranian but trying to make it as an engineer in my field - and struggling because he is unable to give up his Iranian citizenship but that is preventing him from getting certain accesses. One night we had a discussion that felt too much like I was dating one of my (bad) employees and I decided it wasn't for me so I called it off. </span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dreamy Jay as I
called him seemed very hook-up oriented but he was so good looking in
his pictures I was willing to risk it. We talked for weeks and made
tentative plans several times that never worked out, and it just sort of
drifted off until he created a new profile and came up in my
recommendations, but he had changed his name and used different pics so I
wasn't sure - I liked him and then he confirmed he was the same guy.
Goof. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">There
was a doctor named Nick who I met once, and without either of us saying
anything, we mutually stopped talking after that. The chemistry was
just not there. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I met KoiGoi against my better judgment, and was instantly happily surprised by how attracted I was when he walked in, but the conversation was terrible and I ended things after. But because I was attracted to his height, I temporarily started filtering on height to find other tall guys. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My tall filter caught 6'4" Aaron. He was so weirdly bad at communicating, I tried so hard with him and I don’t know why. I guess I was attracted to him and he wasn't in my industry so there's that. We went on a few dates and then he disappeared for several weeks and acted like it wasn't a big deal when he did start responding again. I may have acted out to cause a little drama and he freaked out and ended things, which was a huge overreaction in my opinion but probably good to fail fast in that case. <br /><br />Then there was 6'5" Brandon, super sweet via text but horribly awkward in person. It was not going to work with him, but I went on a couple dates to try and he disappeared, probably for the better also. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My filter also got me 6'8" Jesse, with whom I've tried to connect in person several times and it keeps not working out. He's a fitness trainer but works like four other jobs and is just too busy probably to date someone like me. But I'd still like to meet him in person, because, I mean, 6'8"! <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While seeing those rando's throughout and talking to several others that never really went anywhere, there have been four guys - yes, four - who I've seen more consistently and hopefully. Two of them are named Kevin, just to make things confusing, so I call them Kevin 1 and Kevin 2, and then there's Andrew who also can be confusing as he shares the name of my best local friend, and then there's Justin from Hollywood. <br /><br />My first date with Kevin 1 was fun and cute - we went to a taco food truck - his idea, and he ordered for us in Spanish which I found weirdly attractive. As we were eating, the spice was obviously getting to him and he looked over to me and asked, "You're pretty good with spice, huh?" And I had to think for a moment to even register that the tacos had a kick to them. Meanwhile he was drenched in sweat and his nose was running. I thought that was funny. My friend Andrew and I were supposed to go to a show at the Griffith Observatory</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdL8TPE2Nl9dPCQFywgE6WEy4Unhw7WD7YaL55H2IVEty43cJv1HWsYD_aAfLBaVqslnAIr82aCAmMcumcKHzreD1vf0eo6cyEmAMS1MVOH9LrjoAa8TV0XMlX5d-2jyC9fu_tLeZ6uI8A4460XEp9dwBcqNvsd19NCSa4RyDIAyGlitj6HNCNPLTXw/s2048/333217743_1294229974460852_399825310321155605_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdL8TPE2Nl9dPCQFywgE6WEy4Unhw7WD7YaL55H2IVEty43cJv1HWsYD_aAfLBaVqslnAIr82aCAmMcumcKHzreD1vf0eo6cyEmAMS1MVOH9LrjoAa8TV0XMlX5d-2jyC9fu_tLeZ6uI8A4460XEp9dwBcqNvsd19NCSa4RyDIAyGlitj6HNCNPLTXw/s320/333217743_1294229974460852_399825310321155605_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">, and at the last minute he </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">realized he had made plans with a woman he was seeing. I told him I'd see if I </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">could get Kevin 1 to go with me and he agreed. I liked that he was willing to be a little spontaneous and do something completely out of the norm for him. He was the perfect date, we took selfies and fun pictures and he was just sweet and all about me the whole time. I loved how he touched me in public, not too sensual but enough for me to feel like I was his. There was a lot of promise early on, but then he had a lot of drama in his personal life and I didn't get to see him for 6+ weeks, and we got angry with each other. We reconciled a couple weeks later, and have gone out a few times since. Of all the guys I'm seeing right now, he's the one I have the most feelings for and most hope for, but there's that lingering drama that threatens it. We're planning a weekend getaway to Las Vegas in June. I may or may not have bought a $1000 bottle of tequila he wanted. What is wrong with me? <br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPBj-8oMA4cdFjt4mL_3SgF28z1hlzMK9tZxI-U-IQsk_85ZoGcfEqpwMvwygFRfjlEYTtpeDwEYdIA8jQUh5GUipNJBzimOt0pBsuA6nyfkFsrLu5AzpoU4s7VY6a-TMNyx63d3CUwPOhSU1AAJYRdVhvmNl7nmGEZv7MnUxcYK8FDY9Rm24YC6T_w/s3840/PXL_20230318_033603338.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPBj-8oMA4cdFjt4mL_3SgF28z1hlzMK9tZxI-U-IQsk_85ZoGcfEqpwMvwygFRfjlEYTtpeDwEYdIA8jQUh5GUipNJBzimOt0pBsuA6nyfkFsrLu5AzpoU4s7VY6a-TMNyx63d3CUwPOhSU1AAJYRdVhvmNl7nmGEZv7MnUxcYK8FDY9Rm24YC6T_w/w200-h150/PXL_20230318_033603338.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dating Kevin 2 is wild. I thought he was pretty innocent and over-achiever, goody-two-shoes type, but once he let down his guard I found a very emo, anti-establishment, anti-everything, party animal. It first came out on St Patrick's Day with Andrew and </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCyCXXq6rTU-OjvnrKhCuvCN3KxZLgPQyOGRh_ucmRjWdkvJMACevrb-Of2u7CqRssy_yREDGZ5J1cP4Vk35I487i6potaumMnGL3LSYqKgybYapokrcVxtWoAiZ7qOFRIj731TRU82xsLl0MGrBAl_JXS9g_bNI2iNDLN2n6vvVGu5QRyfkdDHNQ9A/s3840/PXL_20230318_184713801.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCyCXXq6rTU-OjvnrKhCuvCN3KxZLgPQyOGRh_ucmRjWdkvJMACevrb-Of2u7CqRssy_yREDGZ5J1cP4Vk35I487i6potaumMnGL3LSYqKgybYapokrcVxtWoAiZ7qOFRIj731TRU82xsLl0MGrBAl_JXS9g_bNI2iNDLN2n6vvVGu5QRyfkdDHNQ9A/w200-h150/PXL_20230318_184713801.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">his woman friend, and got really ugly the next day at the zoo when he said all these animals should kill themselves rather than be locked up for people to look at them. I told him that day that I was never going to take him out anywhere again, and he </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">apologized, but I've held true to that. I still spend time with him in private, but I don't really see it going anywhere. He's great to cuddle up for a movie though. <br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1OKmcJJsYQaBe079D0HdayYT4_U_aXnQLrhoWBzHK3hz4i2k0ImEY-fcJWAsJ_auaWTRfA8Fa3epc_otxIrXt7oSUKw6GKlJCvnDKpRsRQv_EzLOUmpIsD-G75VIT-JMQGDY2I6IKsibIYKPsMUb4n5vBPs7M3PPPuArcTU-NUgeNzg3w6MrPBcGPQ/s3840/PXL_20230326_173422745.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz1OKmcJJsYQaBe079D0HdayYT4_U_aXnQLrhoWBzHK3hz4i2k0ImEY-fcJWAsJ_auaWTRfA8Fa3epc_otxIrXt7oSUKw6GKlJCvnDKpRsRQv_EzLOUmpIsD-G75VIT-JMQGDY2I6IKsibIYKPsMUb4n5vBPs7M3PPPuArcTU-NUgeNzg3w6MrPBcGPQ/s320/PXL_20230326_173422745.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Andrew just completed his third marathon, has a</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> cute dog and a busted truck. He works for his grandma as an accountant. He's usually down for anything I suggest, but his personal life drama prevents him sometimes. I think early on he was intimidated by my profession and was trying to impress me, and since then he's calmed down and our conversations flow really well. <br /><br />If anyone accused me of having a type, Justin would break that mold. He's the epitome of Hollywood, but we have a great time when we're together even though we have almost nothing in common. He calls me "boo" and we just really click. The distance makes it hard to see each other regularly, but we make it work from time to time. <br /><br />So I think that kind of catches us up. I still can't believe it's May already. I start my new job in a couple weeks, although truth be told my new manager is sucking me in as fast as he can. I'm so completely sad to be leaving my team. I wasn't going to accept the job because of them. It was a surprise to me, when I tried to write my decline letter, I talked myself into accepting because the new manager has done so much to make me feel valued, and my current manager and director were so luke warm about losing me. I didn't think being valued mattered that much to me, until it was clear. <br /><br />Besides my very busy dating life, I've mostly been trying to live up to my four principles for 2023, which I've summed up on my letterboard as: live intentionally, (re-)connect deeply, get outdoors and 'into' space, and create ease. It's been an adjustment to be single again, but I know its for the best - he made it very easy to not have second thoughts - and I'm just figuring out how to find myself again. <br /></span><br /></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-90567963061332364392023-01-22T13:36:00.001-08:002023-05-06T13:36:49.035-07:00The Self Talk I Need Right Now<p>
</p><p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: We made so many
great memories together. It's sad to throw that away.</p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: Those are
my memories to keep, regardless of the relationship. His passive aggression
made all those things about him, too. I was happy being single before him.
Comical, even, to write about going on bad dates. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: He did make my
life easier in some ways. He was there when I got home from work, he cooked
dinner, did the dishes. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: He didn't
do those things reliably, and it was never enough. The house was rarely clean
unless I started cleaning. We'd run out of clean forks all the time. The food
he made got lazier and less healthy. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: We enjoyed
spending time together. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: Apparently
not. He resented me that whole time. And his laziness often superseded my
motivation to do home improvement projects or go out. I've been finding more
peace, creativity and motivation when I'm by myself. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: I loved him so
much. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: He was
suspicious and resentful of me - for 10 years! </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: I was stupid not
to break up with him earlier. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: He held
things in and lied to me. I couldn't possibly have known it was this bad. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: The transition
is going to be hard. There are so many things I relied on him for, and now I
have to do those things myself. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: But I don't
have to go through it alone. And I also had to nag him to do things, which is a
huge mental burden that will be lifted with this change. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: I feel like I
threw away a decade of my life in this pointless, unappreciative relationship.
Who knows who I could have been with during that time? </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: I did great
things during that time, and my relationship did not hold me back from those
things. As always, I made the most of it, and I came out on top. It's his loss
that he can't appreciate all the things I did for him and how I tried to help
him. Better to cut my losses than try to make it work with someone so
completely stuck on his own selfish perspective. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Me: Now I'm the
villain in his history. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">Also me: I, and the
people who care about me, know better. And that's all that matters. </p>
Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-16712059882877865832023-01-20T13:35:00.001-08:002023-05-06T13:35:52.921-07:00Three Reasons (It's Over)<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> I don't trust you -
you've betrayed my trust and haven't earned it back. You don't do what you say
you'll do, you "forget" too conveniently, you withhold important
information because you'd rather postpone the conflict, your actions don't
match your words, you show bad judgment which costs me money and sometimes
scares me. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I don't feel
appreciated and I do feel taken advantage of. I don't like nagging you but you
often leave me little choice, and you don't even do the bare minimum. You
misinterpret my words and actions to make things my problem. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">What I believe to be
your fixed mindset is too engrained its hurtful. I can't live with the burden
that you blame me for you not finishing college. The mental gymnastics to twist
something so inconsistent with my person to suit your needs is inconceivable
and unacceptable in my life. You aren't showing any signs of self-reflection,
you see the errors in everyone else's ways but your own. </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">I had hoped to help
you, but you aren't getting better. You bring me down, and you too easily get
annoyed by me. It hurts to love you, I don't want to keep going through the
motions of faking it, so I'd rather you leave than suffer anymore. </p>
Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-3578490457516604172023-01-13T13:33:00.000-08:002023-05-06T13:33:45.595-07:00Other Intriguing Uses of AI: Envisioning Something New<p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Prompt: </span></b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Design a new sport unlike any in current existence </span><br /><b><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />AI:</span></b> Here is a description of a new sport that is unlike any currently in existence:<br /><br /> "Skyball"<br /><br />Skyball is a team sport played on a circular field with a high ceiling. The objective of the game is to score points by throwing a ball through a hoop located on the ceiling of the field. Each team has three players on the field at a time, and the ball is advanced by throwing it to teammates or bouncing it off the walls or floor. The ball can only be held for a limited amount of time before it must be passed or shot.<br /><br />The field is divided into three sections: the outer rim, the middle ring, and the inner circle. Each section has its own hoop, with the inner circle hoop being worth the most points. Players are allowed to move freely throughout the field, but they must stay within their designated section when attempting to score.<br /><br />Skyball combines elements of basketball, soccer, and handball, and requires players to have a high level of agility, coordination, and strategic thinking. The fast-paced and high-scoring nature of the game makes it exciting to watch and play.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Prompt:</b> From Bill Gates' book The Road Ahead, which predictions have not yet come true but still seem likely? </span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">AI:</span></b> In his book "The Road Ahead," Bill Gates makes a number of predictions about the future of technology and society. It's difficult to say which of these predictions have not yet come true, as the book was published in 1995 and many of the predictions are still in the process of being realized.</p><p>Some of the predictions that Gates makes in the book that may still be in the process of coming true include:</p><ol><li><p>The rise of the internet: Gates predicts that the internet will become an increasingly important part of daily life and will transform the way we communicate, learn, and do business. While the internet has certainly become a central part of modern life, it is still evolving and its full potential has not yet been realized.</p></li><li><p>The proliferation of personal computers: Gates predicts that personal computers will become more powerful and widely available, and that they will be used for a wide range of applications. While personal computers have certainly become more powerful and widely available, they are still a relatively new technology and it is possible that they could continue to evolve and be used in new and unexpected ways.</p></li><li><p>The development of artificial intelligence: Gates predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) will become increasingly sophisticated and will be used to automate a wide range of tasks. While AI has made significant progress in recent years, it is still in the early stages of development and it is possible that it could continue to evolve and be used in new and unexpected ways.</p></li><li><p>The rise of digital media: Gates predicts that digital media will become more prevalent and will change the way we consume and create content. While digital media has certainly become more prevalent, it is still evolving and it is possible that it could continue to change the way we consume and create content in the future.</p></li></ol><p>Overall, it is difficult to say which of Gates' predictions have not yet come true, as many of them are still in the process of being realized.</p></div></div></div>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-531017207011409382022-12-28T09:28:00.003-08:002022-12-28T11:46:25.453-08:00Looking to 2023: Life, Nature, Celebration, Empowerment<div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It has been a few years since I've set real New Year's Resolutions; in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are just trying focused on survival, making it through, looking forward to an uncertain unknown when maybe life will be better again. The pandemic isn't really over, but we're kind of over it, and the world has almost returned to some semblance of normal, if not a modified new normal which is much of the old but with scars and small reminders of the virus. Instead of </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVZdVB_tFAJYrZqcxdW-dlI5kJ_Xs3NRAsvmDDWltRFLguSYvPfnZ8SvGymOPDi--_vsS3rQlPEOg6ccdfJap85EZYy0PvLxf452hJ_EZLtumx1Nx3cvwO3bjeN6GNuDaPeiFsefrMPE_6lB3PN2liiTOUNo52q-5rqTe56DNsmdfGGQ2Rx8bpzYisg/s1280/magentaverse.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1280" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVZdVB_tFAJYrZqcxdW-dlI5kJ_Xs3NRAsvmDDWltRFLguSYvPfnZ8SvGymOPDi--_vsS3rQlPEOg6ccdfJap85EZYy0PvLxf452hJ_EZLtumx1Nx3cvwO3bjeN6GNuDaPeiFsefrMPE_6lB3PN2liiTOUNo52q-5rqTe56DNsmdfGGQ2Rx8bpzYisg/s320/magentaverse.png" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">resolutions, which so often go uncompleted or forgotten, themes and direction are often more lasting. I often take inspiration from <a href="https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2023" target="_blank">Pantone's announcement of the new Color of the Year</a>, with Pantone's vivid and almost anamorphic descriptions of a (usually) singular color answering the question, what does the world need right now? </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2023's Color of the Year is <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/645606-2023-color-year-coty-by-lowa84" target="_blank">Viva Magenta</a>, which has even in the name a mantra of life and celebration. Pantone's description of it as the choice for 2023 includes words and notions such as "rooted in nature", "a new signal of strength", "pure joy" and "experimentation and self-expression without restraint," rebellious and audacious. Right now, I feel almost none of those things, and so it’s like the color is calling to me to demand more of my self, my life, my abilities and my vision. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">One very compelling line from Pantone is, "In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real." I recently saw on Twitter a prompt asking what the most impactful technology was in 2022, and I without even looking at the responses, I considered it for a moment and was certain that <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2022/12/ai-bucket-lists.html" target="_blank">2022 was the year of Artificial Intelligence</a>. AI has made some really interesting leaps this year; I've seen the impacts at my work, played around with novel AI apps and read some fascinating stories about AI advancements. In a job market where it seems like there just aren't enough interested and qualified workers to do the work, one must at some point consider how we utilize our current knowledge workers to do more, and telling them to work harder is simply not an option, so amending their abilities with technology like AI seems like the only path forward. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkTKr6A1nTZmdvzADdcNrcPsDaeYdtnmwfQ8qlKUtRDERONczFc73QUVb26zzQcmgZCPw1iEynSTfBepbDzEYBlkl_Pp0tS0tw0tXMT9BX485uD9uGT18pT3fRE_jLCDCjOvFJMehi9YANXUSn6hnXITqW2g0mZcMLKMOWH1FoIFH0aKKhCSypvLZdw/s1276/magenta%20turtle.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1276" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkTKr6A1nTZmdvzADdcNrcPsDaeYdtnmwfQ8qlKUtRDERONczFc73QUVb26zzQcmgZCPw1iEynSTfBepbDzEYBlkl_Pp0tS0tw0tXMT9BX485uD9uGT18pT3fRE_jLCDCjOvFJMehi9YANXUSn6hnXITqW2g0mZcMLKMOWH1FoIFH0aKKhCSypvLZdw/s320/magenta%20turtle.png" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yet, as Pantone reminds us, we want to live in the real world. Technology like AR and the metaverse has not (yet) absorbed us into its hold in a semi-permanent obsessive state, and we're already seeing the seeds of people wanting more, wanting reality, wanting nature, not tech, to absorb them. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The theme of empowerment speaks both to the amazing technologies now at our fingertips and the sense of choice people have discovered through the pandemic - having had too much time perhaps to consider what it is we really want in life and adjusting values accordingly, make it difficult, especially in the workplace, to return to what once was normal. Yet that empowerment seems to be tinged with a sense of unknowing - we can make our own choices but what if we're wrong? And I think the inspiration of returning to nature provides the safety net we need to move forward despite the self-doubt. Indeed, the closing line of Pantone's description is that the color, "invoking the forces of nature… galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength." </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Taking my queues from the colorful description of an otherwise medium-dark red, and my own observations and desires, I wonder aloud here what I should strive for in 2023. Rather than a list of things to do or end goals to achieve, I have described here themes to work on with some specific ideas on how to feel I've grown in those areas. <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghe-VRV0hirWX-JIyT7iUsxq72P1VMijRnkkl7fymYWMMMhjbnfFBmdpmVBqfnUU2rt56rcTvbxTrZgV1xEw1SM1oKTQYIfO3igzDcpohWdY-MckbrHQfCF-6lTeOc3bv1euH1UZUgfSxNkgj9-e-Z6ZnJqdj6_IorS8mex7L_8OF08ef_ITxvVlX9w/s1249/magenta%20dance.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="586" data-original-width="1249" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghe-VRV0hirWX-JIyT7iUsxq72P1VMijRnkkl7fymYWMMMhjbnfFBmdpmVBqfnUU2rt56rcTvbxTrZgV1xEw1SM1oKTQYIfO3igzDcpohWdY-MckbrHQfCF-6lTeOc3bv1euH1UZUgfSxNkgj9-e-Z6ZnJqdj6_IorS8mex7L_8OF08ef_ITxvVlX9w/s320/magenta%20dance.png" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Life: Be an active participant</span></h4></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I feel like I've struggled recently with how my life has been going, and the last couple years has felt like my hands aren't on the steering wheel. Circumstances have led to the feeling of being defeated, like things aren't in my control, and I lack the willpower to change things or to fight for what I want. It requires much less resistance to go with the flow and let things happen to me. I remember being so motivated, intentional, ambitious and active in my 20s and I think the thing that scared me the most about my 30s was that I could never be that good again. And perhaps I let that fear become my reality instead of fighting against that notion and raising the bar for myself. Rather than be a passive observer of my life passing before me, there are a few things I need to be more intentional about, and I need to get over myself and my desire for motivation in order to do those things. I feel like I lack purpose, but celebrating life should be purpose enough, and especially rebounding from the pandemic, having a home I feel comfortable in and a job which allows work/life balance, perhaps this is the perfect time to take back my life's direction. </span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Buy my land</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Increase discipline in health routines</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Have a mindfulness weekend retreat</span></li><ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Do that regularly</span></li></ul><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Have a blog-a-thon to write about topics already started</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Book/plan vacation</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Complete >1 from room renovation <br /></span></li></ul><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b> </b></span></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEGrZwV5Tbt5EJFm2AKN-QIz24mJgmXCHzvPT_BqujQQzyWUPG_YDwlPxxfsRbChqU18kuswz4i5b4pvk8ZqnA5KvwF9qtV5kYFFq1GyNZjW222UfAWAtVg3pD6Jo5e4y6xZSTRHOCJ7PhQmp9G_Bv3u0el82AQSJV1Ypz2IKoNsHRyfgOBFC7JzxIQ/s1536/wonder_1672249650076.jpg.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEGrZwV5Tbt5EJFm2AKN-QIz24mJgmXCHzvPT_BqujQQzyWUPG_YDwlPxxfsRbChqU18kuswz4i5b4pvk8ZqnA5KvwF9qtV5kYFFq1GyNZjW222UfAWAtVg3pD6Jo5e4y6xZSTRHOCJ7PhQmp9G_Bv3u0el82AQSJV1Ypz2IKoNsHRyfgOBFC7JzxIQ/w133-h200/wonder_1672249650076.jpg.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Nature: Go deeper into outer space</b> </span></h4></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><span style="font-family: verdana;">Space has always been a very casual interest for me, and I've been blessed with many opportunities to explore it in depth which I may not have taken full advantage of in hindsight. I'd like to take a more active interest and utilize the local Griffith Observatory as a support mechanism to do so. Starting with, first and foremost, making an effort to watch the monthly virtual program and an initial visit to the observatory to take in the museum and telescope usage. Ironically, this idea came to me when I asked an <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2022/12/ai-bucket-lists.html" target="_blank">AI chatbot, ChatGPT, to create a Los Angeles bucket list</a>. Or perhaps it is not ironic, but compelling, that AI can amend our knowledge of the world around us and the immediate things to empower us to be better versions of ourselves. </span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Listen to Planetary Radio podcast when available</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Watch All Space Considered monthly</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Visit the Griffith Observatory</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Celebration: Re-build the lost connections</span></h4></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I think of celebrating, I think of being around people, and that is another thing the pandemic took from us. Technology, especially social media, hinted at <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmp7IuUjY-WnOnTUJqxHdJRl_Zajs3Zt5fwQ_aD4wMD9VjfeKN2xLBBk59U5FNEUvQhVIXZca_cZgUsXeUt3thS8ek5xV8JeStvufff1gZ4T4SSivxZKtZNtl8QVjWWyfTxat0qKC4ywi4KjwEjVwlKrduzK75wtTg9o4mC-ov1LPGHkUnqPFBGIeIA/s793/magenta%20concert.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="793" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmp7IuUjY-WnOnTUJqxHdJRl_Zajs3Zt5fwQ_aD4wMD9VjfeKN2xLBBk59U5FNEUvQhVIXZca_cZgUsXeUt3thS8ek5xV8JeStvufff1gZ4T4SSivxZKtZNtl8QVjWWyfTxat0qKC4ywi4KjwEjVwlKrduzK75wtTg9o4mC-ov1LPGHkUnqPFBGIeIA/s320/magenta%20concert.png" width="320" /></a></div>bringing us closer together while they somehow isolated us more, and I have a strong desire to reconnect with people on a human level, even if I don't quite know how. There are so many wonderful people I've had in my life who may have become relegated to being facebook friends and not much else, and I want to try to re-build those even if it means facing a lot of potential rejection. As joked about recently, it can't be Christmas every day, we have to have the lows in order to celebrate the highs, and I want to bring those highs back. I also want to recoup the connection to writing, journaling and capturing my own life, work and dreams. </span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Start daily journal even if 3-sentence recap</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Plan for and stay on top of sending birthday, anniversary, holiday cards</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Seek advice and ask curious questions of people in my life</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Empowerment: Create (and use) the tools to get out of my own way</span></h4></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I recently reviewed the ideas from Bill Gates' "The Road Ahead" from 1995, when the Internet was still a fledgling place for researchers and scientists and "The Information Superhighway" carried promise which has largely been fulfilled in ways <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIvqeXGw6LZ_f4s5Rkk4R9sjdK1kqGRv1PmOa5ggPiJx9ouO7YDpvXd4NI-VD0bCYdOS8yxRea2g5JJtv7V4xCYguCQCKvLlNoQrH6dIjQC_I6Y9djofhQvnujHa4ZMYRVCGadBc6cIkqHPR6XG_GmZI_f-8PypUoS8tKq_MEPO_RxFQg_rnH3ajbsA/s1258/magenta%20tech.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="1258" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIvqeXGw6LZ_f4s5Rkk4R9sjdK1kqGRv1PmOa5ggPiJx9ouO7YDpvXd4NI-VD0bCYdOS8yxRea2g5JJtv7V4xCYguCQCKvLlNoQrH6dIjQC_I6Y9djofhQvnujHa4ZMYRVCGadBc6cIkqHPR6XG_GmZI_f-8PypUoS8tKq_MEPO_RxFQg_rnH3ajbsA/s320/magenta%20tech.png" width="320" /></a></div>any futurist struggled to foresee. It reminded me of how far we've come, but also, what elements have yet to really come to fruition as predicted. I think the technology is here, but we have to figure out how best to use it. Truly, that has been a philosophy of mine for years, and only becomes truer with more technological advances. The better tech we have in our palms, the harder it is to discern between the best ways to use it and the easiest ways to use it, the latter of which is a trap, what many books and articles are warning us against. While Viva Magenta is a lot about getting back to nature and drawing inspiration from nature, I think it also is about carving our path in this world of technology, which is to say that it doesn't have to work against us but in fact can aide us in our desire to connect with nature and being our best in our own nature. That is what futurists envisioned as these new technologies emerged, and that is for us individually to choose with intention on when and how technology serves us. </span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Auto-add/update calendar wit</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9og0cmXfwLhPye0PFYB6tEdkY06GoF3jm9S8bO3PeS4ddaYM6yXRRUeBE8ih5zah1TXLPnhz7igGhhNf0AF8z5LMWkOY-erR2byI2iu_giKMW-qAUu8JGAQVjo1tMYbOTz4CIMAwubqEeZaTpOzu3LTOgtzM9FbD55EbSdDYQMVql2dvlICxbC9e_Qw/s1024/wonder_1672250015258.jpg.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9og0cmXfwLhPye0PFYB6tEdkY06GoF3jm9S8bO3PeS4ddaYM6yXRRUeBE8ih5zah1TXLPnhz7igGhhNf0AF8z5LMWkOY-erR2byI2iu_giKMW-qAUu8JGAQVjo1tMYbOTz4CIMAwubqEeZaTpOzu3LTOgtzM9FbD55EbSdDYQMVql2dvlICxbC9e_Qw/w200-h200/wonder_1672250015258.jpg.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">h activities of interest</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Utilize AI and scripting to hone trends and market gaps</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> 3D print some useful items</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Invest in architecture software and education, and design home of the future</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Influence recruiting at work via communications team - consider TikTok channel</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Develop better graphics and display for my Show Mode</span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope you find some inspiration, or considerations, for the coming year. With all the hopes and aspirations, be kind to yourself, be generous with others, and make 2023 a great year in your own way!</span></div>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-16719793712067982082022-12-23T11:43:00.000-08:002022-12-28T11:46:59.632-08:00These AI-Generated Bucket Lists Inspired Me<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpQdN_HgvIPSOxKGizrAsac8F-YPiRKUQIYebJXBRuteYYZFSszfoYy0vAI9jDPhCC1mz_c9RSdjkGYM6gZfjaseXWFXgB1dfVcZPs_RM7KfFwehhb3YlEhTr5Cz1upQmqhjqJ7Kb8URzgAGAlSC1sAPSJ1BtvIyQjPt6_bNvgJgsCm6F0ab36oplRg/s2048/wonder_1672254840787.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitpQdN_HgvIPSOxKGizrAsac8F-YPiRKUQIYebJXBRuteYYZFSszfoYy0vAI9jDPhCC1mz_c9RSdjkGYM6gZfjaseXWFXgB1dfVcZPs_RM7KfFwehhb3YlEhTr5Cz1upQmqhjqJ7Kb8URzgAGAlSC1sAPSJ1BtvIyQjPt6_bNvgJgsCm6F0ab36oplRg/w200-h200/wonder_1672254840787.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">A question was recently posed on Twitter: "What was the most impactful technology of 2022?" and I mentally answered almost instinctively: Artificial Intelligence. While AI has been in development for years and theorized about for decades and even centuries, and is far from the Promised Land of AI even today, I think it made some huge strides in 2022 and also made its way into the public's hands like never before this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPZaYbg-tF34mOAJaNqwLjHeHfuaH1QExmtcgOmb5XOObRzsWNJTzrsN86rhiLLn09w-dPUMQaktFySuPR62dVOyVjyMC7mdxZNi9gxUi93e_rK9NhpocZfUwojsSWyFByPQl98yxe55ZHO7s8uI-M919evBhOJOCHkUy4ksRYA5t5eL3bkyd0Tj5lQ/s2048/wonder_1670802434609.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPZaYbg-tF34mOAJaNqwLjHeHfuaH1QExmtcgOmb5XOObRzsWNJTzrsN86rhiLLn09w-dPUMQaktFySuPR62dVOyVjyMC7mdxZNi9gxUi93e_rK9NhpocZfUwojsSWyFByPQl98yxe55ZHO7s8uI-M919evBhOJOCHkUy4ksRYA5t5eL3bkyd0Tj5lQ/w200-h200/wonder_1670802434609.jpg" width="200" /></a></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">From AI-generated artwork based on user inputs, AI </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">morphing selfies into cartoon characters and other stylized self-portraits, to virtual AI "friends" and chatbots to help with anxiety and other wellness concerns, articles surfacing of AI bots having self-realization and sharing </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">human-like beliefs, it just seems to have dominated the technology conversation this year. Most recently, however, my employee turned me onto ChatGPT which writes </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">lengthy bits based on prompts, including writing code or blog posts. Don't worry, I have no intention of </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuX4WohbVh0VugbJI1o6tZdbpa80GOJk8MConmUEhijJtg6cmW8PQtXIbUdVjqIsN2LuBhuPpxaY2GvD7qj1J3PJp71Q2yoGSySZB0AdMWRMMS-Yl5XfhuTa5Uel1QH1kPN0Ch98uZwQGqc5CueB3O8hgB_YnSkEKrJGWhub88FMU6Ysb63IScskEkw/s2048/wonder_1670784757551.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuX4WohbVh0VugbJI1o6tZdbpa80GOJk8MConmUEhijJtg6cmW8PQtXIbUdVjqIsN2LuBhuPpxaY2GvD7qj1J3PJp71Q2yoGSySZB0AdMWRMMS-Yl5XfhuTa5Uel1QH1kPN0Ch98uZwQGqc5CueB3O8hgB_YnSkEKrJGWhub88FMU6Ysb63IScskEkw/w200-h200/wonder_1670784757551.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">using it to write my blog posts here, except as excerpts to demonstrate the technology's prowess and shortcomings. While ChatGPT has known and stated limitations (especially that the data is only current up to 2021), I wanted to share some of the most interesting bits I got out of it (so far). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Below are the prompts and responses I got from ChatGPT regarding bucket lists. Before presenting the lists, I want to share a few insights that really struck me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First of all, I've lived in LA County for over a year and a half, and love space, and I had no awareness or consideration of the Griffith Observatory until this list. This opened up a whole rabbit hole for me of podcasts and planning a trip to the observatory and consideration of becoming a member. All because the AI generated a list which I hadn't yet seen. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Much of the California Bucket List resonated with me, having either done them intentionally as part of my Life List or as part of my California Bucket List to take advantage of our time here. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This sort of resource could be a jumping off point for when we move to a new location, generating local and regional bucket lists as well as interest-based bucket lists within a geographic region. The results are both impressively accurate and incredibly compelling and actionable. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope these lists inspire you as well, and if you want to try creating your own, check out <a href="https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/" target="_blank">ChatGPT</a> while it is available to the public! <br /></span></p><div class="w-full border-b border-black/10 dark:border-gray-900/50 text-gray-800 dark:text-gray-100 group dark:bg-gray-800"><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative flex"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: initial; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: initial;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: initial; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; width: initial;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></span></span></span></div></div><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Make a bucket list for the Antelope Valley area in California</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are ten ideas for a bucket list for the Antelope Valley area in California:</span></p><ol><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hike through the Mojave Desert and see the famous rock formations at Devil's Punchbowl.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve and see the fields of wild poppies in bloom.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a tour of the Antelope Valley Indian Museum and learn about the indigenous history of the area.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go stargazing at the Prime Desert Woodland Preserve, which has some of the darkest skies in the area.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds and see a rodeo, concert, or other event.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a hot air balloon ride and get a bird's eye view of the valley.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go rock climbing at the Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Antelope Valley Mall and shop at the various stores and restaurants.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go fishing at Lake Elizabeth or one of the other local lakes.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Antelope Valley Winery and taste some of the local wines.</span></p></li></ol><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are many other exciting activities and attractions in the Antelope Valley area, so this list is just a starting point. Whether you're interested in outdoor adventures, history, culture, or just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful landscape, there's something for everyone in this diverse region of California.</span></p></div></div></div><div class="w-full border-b border-black/10 dark:border-gray-900/50 text-gray-800 dark:text-gray-100 group dark:bg-gray-800"><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative flex"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: initial; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; width: initial;"><span style="background: none; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: initial; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; width: initial;"><br /></span><span style="background: none; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: initial; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; width: initial;"><br /></span><span><!--more--></span><span style="background: none; border: 0px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: initial; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; opacity: 1; padding: 0px; width: initial;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Make a bucket list for the Los Angeles area</span></div></div></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are ten ideas for a bucket list for the Los Angeles area:</span></p><ol><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Griffith Observatory and see the stars from the rooftop telescopes.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hike to the Hollywood Sign and take a photo with the iconic landmark.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go to the beach and soak up the sun on Santa Monica Pier or Venice Beach.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Getty Center and see the impressive art collection and gardens.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a tour of the Warner Bros. Studio and see where your favorite TV shows and movies are made.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go shopping on Rodeo Drive and window shop at the high-end designer stores.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">See a show at the Hollywood Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater with a variety of musical performances.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Griffith Park Zoo and see the animals up close.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go to a Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium and cheer on the home team.</span></p></li><li><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explore the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and see the diverse collection of art and artifacts.</span></p></li></ol><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is just a small sampling of the many exciting activities and attractions available in the Los Angeles area. Whether you're interested in culture, history, sports, or just soaking up the sunny California vibe, there's something for everyone in this vibrant city.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Create a California bucket list</span></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here is a list of activities and experiences that could be included on a California bucket list:</span></p><ol><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hike through the Redwood Forest in Humboldt County</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explore the beaches and boardwalks of Los Angeles and Santa Monica</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and stop at Big Sur</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a wine-tasting tour through Napa Valley</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the theme parks in Southern California, including Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go skiing or snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada mountains</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a hot air balloon ride over Temecula Valley</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a surf lesson in San Diego or Huntington Beach</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the world-famous farmers market at the Ferry Building in San Francisco</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a trip to San Francisco's Alcatraz Island and learn about its history as a federal prison</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the museums and galleries of San Francisco's Mission District</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go on a whale-watching tour off the coast of San Diego or Monterey</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a boat tour through the scenic waterways of the Delta region</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea and walk along its charming main street</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explore the diverse neighborhoods and cuisines of Los Angeles, including Koreatown, Little Tokyo, and Chinatown</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the California missions and learn about the state's history and cultural heritage</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go stargazing in the desert at Joshua Tree National Park.</span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Create a bucket list for roller coaster enthusiasts</span></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><ol><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">ride the tallest roller coaster in the world, the Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">experience the fastest roller coaster in the world, the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">try out the longest roller coaster in the world, the Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land in Mie Prefecture, Japan</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">visit Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, known as the "roller coaster capital of the world" with over 70 rides</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">ride the famous wooden roller coaster, the Cyclone, at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">thrill-seek on the inverted roller coaster, Batman: The Ride, at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">brave the looping roller coaster, the Demon, at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">take a spin on the spinning roller coaster, the Tony Hawk's Big Spin, at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">go on a European adventure and ride the oldest operating roller coaster in the world, the Leap-the-Dips at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">check out the latest and greatest roller coasters at theme parks around the world, such as the Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, and the Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.</span></li></ol><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Create a bucket list for space enthusiasts</span></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><ol><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit a space center or museum, such as the Kennedy Space Center in Florida or the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Attend a rocket launch in person, such as those at the Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">View a meteor shower from a dark sky location, such as a national park or observatory.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a virtual reality tour of the International Space Station or visit a planetarium to learn more about our solar system and beyond.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Learn about the history of space exploration and the contributions of important figures like Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, and Yuri Gagarin.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Read about the latest developments in space exploration and technology, such as the search for exoplanets and the development of reusable rockets.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Attend a space-themed event, such as a space conference or star party.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Participate in a space-related educational program or workshop, such as a space camp or STEM program.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Learn about space tourism and consider booking a trip to space with a private spaceflight company, such as Blue Origin or SpaceX.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Consider studying a related field, such as astrophysics, aerospace engineering, or planetary science, to further your knowledge and potentially contribute to the future of space exploration.</span></li></ol></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What are the top 10 space events predicted for 2023? </span></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's difficult for me to predict which specific space events will occur in 2023, as there are many variables that can impact the timing and progress of space missions and projects. However, some of the most anticipated space events for 2023 could potentially include:</span></p><ol><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The launch of NASA's Europa Clipper mission, which will study the ice-covered moon of Jupiter in search of signs of life.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first crewed mission to the moon under NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land humans on the lunar south pole by 2024.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which will be the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope and will be capable of studying exoplanets and other distant objects.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The launch of the Chinese Space Station, which is currently under construction and is expected to be fully operational in the coming years.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The continued development of private spaceflight companies, such as Blue Origin and SpaceX, with potential launches and milestones in the coming year.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The launch of the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite, which will study the oceans and monitor sea level rise.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The continued exploration of Mars by NASA's Perseverance rover and other spacecraft, with the possibility of new discoveries and insights about the Red Planet.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The continued operation of the International Space Station, with the possibility of new crew rotations and scientific experiments being conducted on board.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The launch of new satellite constellations, such as Starlink and Project Kuiper, which will provide internet connectivity from space.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">The potential for new partnerships and collaborations in the space industry, such as those between government agencies and private companies.</span></li></ol></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Generate a bucket list for theme park enthusiasts near the Los Angeles area</span></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><ol><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit Disneyland in Anaheim, the original Disney theme park and home to classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Check out Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, which features movie-themed rides and attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and The Simpsons Ride.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Head to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia for thrill-seeking roller coasters like the X2 and Superman: Escape from Krypton.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Spend a day at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, which offers a mix of thrill rides, family-friendly attractions, and live entertainment.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a trip to Legoland California in Carlsbad, a theme park specifically designed for kids with LEGO-themed rides and attractions.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go on a safari adventure at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, which offers drive-through and walk-through exhibits featuring animals from around the world.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explore the world of science and technology at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, which features interactive exhibits and the Space Shuttle Endeavour.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Have a splash at Raging Waters in San Dimas, a water park featuring multiple pools, slides, and attractions for all ages.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Go on a Hollywood tour and visit famous landmarks like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Griffith Observatory.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit SeaWorld San Diego in Mission Bay for a mix of aquatic animal exhibits, thrill rides, and live shows.</span></li></ol></div></div></div></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><div class="relative flex w-[calc(100%-50px)] md:flex-col lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]"><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><span style="font-family: verdana;">generate a bucket list for a futurist in los angeles county</span></div></div></div><div class="text-base gap-4 md:gap-6 m-auto md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-2xl xl:max-w-3xl p-4 md:py-6 flex lg:px-0"><div class="w-[30px] flex flex-col relative items-end"><div class="relative h-[30px] w-[30px] p-1 rounded-sm text-white flex items-center justify-center" style="background-color: #10a37f;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><svg class="h-6 w-6" fill="none" height="41" stroke-width="1.5" viewbox="0 0 41 41" width="41" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg></span></div></div></div><div class="flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3"><div class="min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap"><div class="markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light"><ol><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Getty Center in Los Angeles, which features contemporary art and architecture and offers stunning views of the city.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a tour of SpaceX in Hawthorne, where you can learn about the company's plans for space travel and exploration.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Attend a event or conference on futurism or technology, such as the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas or the Singularity University Summit in San Francisco.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the California Science Center in Los Angeles, which features interactive exhibits on science and technology and is home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explore the futuristic architecture and design of the Walt Disney Concert hall in downtown Los Angeles.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Check out the Zero Net Energy Center in Davis, which showcases sustainable and energy-efficient building design and technology.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Visit the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, which features a collection of rare books, art, and botanical gardens.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take a tour of the JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) in Pasadena, where you can learn about the latest developments in space exploration and technology.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Attend a lecture or workshop on artificial intelligence or robotics at a local university or tech company.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Explore the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, which features a collection of modern and contemporary art and design.</span></li></ol></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p></div></div></div><p></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-23186395588391516722022-11-20T17:25:00.003-08:002022-11-20T17:32:07.881-08:00DIY Christmas: Stockings Sew Easy! <div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzW2xXSHjerVdf1LfAfJ23hqdv7d-kY8xVzVKEIJHct7JoVKp4l1qTGvE0ZTfVIkhosoUlyi9OHMQVFht6412ghiOp-Q8FQld_g4utCTXf6y-2_Qe4SjNjkQ2nfWSnAZmINFoN-E4CbPgmxyZ0MeiZO6G4GoyDzR3rsBUkLWaaGm4CRd3ENENAWrlBw/s1385/elf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1385" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzW2xXSHjerVdf1LfAfJ23hqdv7d-kY8xVzVKEIJHct7JoVKp4l1qTGvE0ZTfVIkhosoUlyi9OHMQVFht6412ghiOp-Q8FQld_g4utCTXf6y-2_Qe4SjNjkQ2nfWSnAZmINFoN-E4CbPgmxyZ0MeiZO6G4GoyDzR3rsBUkLWaaGm4CRd3ENENAWrlBw/w640-h162/elf.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv1AGpj6BndKPUZBQbgZsTs72pb11c5E2KQX6RNbh5LdYPrCSYfH11G8B7KbAy-AKidjXYT0PRPY7t2iRzwQNbDn6hh_ctqK-pqByCXwVx-K_9nOEwj3UjOWKRPdAW8CLRY14ri2eM2D5ObRdS6AgjnuOEGYD9x5yNw2YmqsCrFJLdJEmLLHj7q3Qbg/s4080/PXL_20221114_130126599.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv1AGpj6BndKPUZBQbgZsTs72pb11c5E2KQX6RNbh5LdYPrCSYfH11G8B7KbAy-AKidjXYT0PRPY7t2iRzwQNbDn6hh_ctqK-pqByCXwVx-K_9nOEwj3UjOWKRPdAW8CLRY14ri2eM2D5ObRdS6AgjnuOEGYD9x5yNw2YmqsCrFJLdJEmLLHj7q3Qbg/w400-h301/PXL_20221114_130126599.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am a little obsessed with my homemade stockings inspired by the movie,
Elf. This was my first time making my own stockings and I was surprised
how easy they were! </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Briefly, the steps I took:</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Fold the fabric in half and cut the shapes using a general pattern or reference, such that there are two pieces which are mirror images of each other. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sew across the white fur on both "outside" faces of the fabrics. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Place the outsides facing each other and pin in place. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sew around the sides and flip inside out when done - just like making a pillow! That way, my imperfect sewing is concealed inside, and all you see on the outside are nice seams. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hot glue decorations - ribbons, belt, bows, etc. Highly recommend this instead of trying to sew decorations on. It seemed to work really well!</span></span></li></ol><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since I had so much fun making these (and honestly, am really proud at how they turned out), I started brainstorming other designs I could make. Take a look at some of my other ideas! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">If you prefer the original Jovie color scheme: <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFDdnOT817P1vzpInNsUundmS77l2_eHh-rogCqZ1TS38xRiX1ujMeB8fa4Oqv15rNrdZUMP6IxHXm5yc0OQCVvIfv--k4gBbFd2xHTkfjBpthxBzyn6x8wrBSpqKjPEKM4fARBd7pfjQ8FfB_oiJBzSrs4P-vkbJmp44sGB2zPE5dIMC3ZuCjyOFSg/s2246/elf%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="2246" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFDdnOT817P1vzpInNsUundmS77l2_eHh-rogCqZ1TS38xRiX1ujMeB8fa4Oqv15rNrdZUMP6IxHXm5yc0OQCVvIfv--k4gBbFd2xHTkfjBpthxBzyn6x8wrBSpqKjPEKM4fARBd7pfjQ8FfB_oiJBzSrs4P-vkbJmp44sGB2zPE5dIMC3ZuCjyOFSg/w400-h127/elf%202.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">More "Elf" ideas (if you have more humans raised by humans):</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3ehp8RjASGArJNOIXlnlGShBb2qFll2eMC0m_QnqFKwJMzAG1_CaZ7dBRmpdTnSuOEZNHmqNSGp5lF5Z5QZRoxFV2arNAS4Dc0HJ-lJT0YT7Hi06XU9TBYEXGCEEfH2QLD0cVN4XGcx8fiOAr9UO-1v9iM6Po9VeBYVjd8GZZpnkNxvOJSMPB2UNSw/s3938/elf%203.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="3938" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3ehp8RjASGArJNOIXlnlGShBb2qFll2eMC0m_QnqFKwJMzAG1_CaZ7dBRmpdTnSuOEZNHmqNSGp5lF5Z5QZRoxFV2arNAS4Dc0HJ-lJT0YT7Hi06XU9TBYEXGCEEfH2QLD0cVN4XGcx8fiOAr9UO-1v9iM6Po9VeBYVjd8GZZpnkNxvOJSMPB2UNSw/w640-h118/elf%203.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">...and some more because I just couldn't stop... <br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pi5XTJ25nH9fI84GeogMlr_HxQAdMNale3Flb9gC1AKZz3iizibm8XDDwWLUeo2R7mYV-1hJGsCWEfVMgygqSChzuDoJL2UShCvLuJ7sCg8OPE6IYvyFUKkBLxhnVNDsithg3ayVeWeLKFu_Kbs3zoTsZrlgeEBCbL2sqdiGwgYO7a4nIFnPG2eXhQ/s3159/elf%204.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="3159" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6pi5XTJ25nH9fI84GeogMlr_HxQAdMNale3Flb9gC1AKZz3iizibm8XDDwWLUeo2R7mYV-1hJGsCWEfVMgygqSChzuDoJL2UShCvLuJ7sCg8OPE6IYvyFUKkBLxhnVNDsithg3ayVeWeLKFu_Kbs3zoTsZrlgeEBCbL2sqdiGwgYO7a4nIFnPG2eXhQ/w640-h132/elf%204.png" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Okay, enough of "Elf", what else we got? How about stockings for Lego fans? <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/62185-building-bricks-by-lowa84 " target="_blank">Get the fabrics here.</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTgeeUfq5jKMkhs2vrLktW5uxkvy86Q8aHg6jGmreZJ7-7iXQeML6IA3zP2cHjB80ZxNEKPZ3BYgOYKZI-PlGS1OhHT79j-H4u1hnQIP-l0J33GKmv_H1gzmpj5WD934ODkCe7kMBvy_CX4FnEfcZWg2xSb9gjkw0vRXgFx235PmC8UaFiADi--qDFQ/s688/Lego%20stockings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="286" data-original-width="688" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFTgeeUfq5jKMkhs2vrLktW5uxkvy86Q8aHg6jGmreZJ7-7iXQeML6IA3zP2cHjB80ZxNEKPZ3BYgOYKZI-PlGS1OhHT79j-H4u1hnQIP-l0J33GKmv_H1gzmpj5WD934ODkCe7kMBvy_CX4FnEfcZWg2xSb9gjkw0vRXgFx235PmC8UaFiADi--qDFQ/w400-h166/Lego%20stockings.png" width="400" /> </a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've always adored the patterns from Moana! They could be turned into unique stockings for fans! Check them out in my <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/130809-dress-up-time-by-lowa84" target="_blank">Dress Up Time collection </a><a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/130809-dress-up-time-by-lowa84">here</a>.<br /></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3i-cHxLF5zOOGeprhU-aEFDEq1WJjDKZVe_aF9TBfVTz0d7LCjHLxnKJ7TpN2wEVb8B2Merb6lyeccqsyv_ksUreT-W5Rvlqvy1Qo-ExsnHGT8QQOIj6V3WmcMARqlgBROAysse_WVit-dYRb-XvwfbvdCBRaug1D9U4XDsxoCanhC8PU9zXlFcO0A/s777/Moana%20sstockings.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="777" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3i-cHxLF5zOOGeprhU-aEFDEq1WJjDKZVe_aF9TBfVTz0d7LCjHLxnKJ7TpN2wEVb8B2Merb6lyeccqsyv_ksUreT-W5Rvlqvy1Qo-ExsnHGT8QQOIj6V3WmcMARqlgBROAysse_WVit-dYRb-XvwfbvdCBRaug1D9U4XDsxoCanhC8PU9zXlFcO0A/s320/Moana%20sstockings.png" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking of Disney, I plan on making a pullstring backpack with my <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/365149-fan-collections-by-lowa84" target="_blank">Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout -inspired fabric</a>, but it could also make a funky stocking!Or use some <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/561665-obscure-writing-by-lowa84" target="_blank">Tivan-style writing from the Obscure Writing collection</a>. <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tqhD1lRLnuBOF6r85QEPBdyA5PnkEXsjflS54Lt7yvtB_JBwp2kHzM-UYaxjmA4JsUzyIXisHBiL61x51aHfPlg-ipuBqTD_Yazhvz-VYl0E7ubvzIyYTnc7-jLLSmPCqqB_se0v66fKZD2L_XgSHLls-dT_cb2rspBRF8wOZCwbArQlvO7yORLE1g/s1831/Mission%20Breakout.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="1831" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1tqhD1lRLnuBOF6r85QEPBdyA5PnkEXsjflS54Lt7yvtB_JBwp2kHzM-UYaxjmA4JsUzyIXisHBiL61x51aHfPlg-ipuBqTD_Yazhvz-VYl0E7ubvzIyYTnc7-jLLSmPCqqB_se0v66fKZD2L_XgSHLls-dT_cb2rspBRF8wOZCwbArQlvO7yORLE1g/w640-h240/Mission%20Breakout.png" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc38fQbTw--tYm_lFSi9vaMwV7PUHPEF0zkVGRmgipr6HQUfOXfOurWW8Am5eaPpuugNL7uubyNRryQLW0JxF5jSSGVxiR4Lel-IEMo3gypBxiyKEQegpQhpC6k-aIGlozEa5YkGf9JWLvLWN7IcyepYoP9JbBYP7Cc_MDO8O6Ii9_CRkzJsoc-fEAw/s535/giraffe%20stocking.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqc38fQbTw--tYm_lFSi9vaMwV7PUHPEF0zkVGRmgipr6HQUfOXfOurWW8Am5eaPpuugNL7uubyNRryQLW0JxF5jSSGVxiR4Lel-IEMo3gypBxiyKEQegpQhpC6k-aIGlozEa5YkGf9JWLvLWN7IcyepYoP9JbBYP7Cc_MDO8O6Ii9_CRkzJsoc-fEAw/s320/giraffe%20stocking.png" width="189" /></a></span></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">While there are plenty leopard print designs out there, have you ever seen a giraffe print stocking? Me neither! That's one reason I started my <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/592726-you-animal-by-lowa84" target="_blank">"You Animal" collection </a>- to bring more representation and variation to the animal print options! <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br />The Pantone Color of the Year for 2023 hasn't been announced yet, but it is anticipated to be "Digital Lavender". You can be very fashion forward with these <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/collections/645606-2023-color-year-coty-by-lowa84" target="_blank">Digital Lavender patterns</a> hanging from your fireplace this year! <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WAYexoGcxVFJc2zhDsPv8ZV1Ib1HBxyKSnlLIitYwGU8Y5tlOOQEb0sgG_kkrqenSNZsSoyDZUe_Z1snPVmDKHWLHlWCVti_M8VukgNwUtmNmnhe_EWpkl7KXox0qczUNS1_xusxgQDNCV3i13BbuLaB8i9zgPgMzC44MUvDTr7HIUmb672_a8iI1g/s484/Pantone%202023%20COTY.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="292" data-original-width="484" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-WAYexoGcxVFJc2zhDsPv8ZV1Ib1HBxyKSnlLIitYwGU8Y5tlOOQEb0sgG_kkrqenSNZsSoyDZUe_Z1snPVmDKHWLHlWCVti_M8VukgNwUtmNmnhe_EWpkl7KXox0qczUNS1_xusxgQDNCV3i13BbuLaB8i9zgPgMzC44MUvDTr7HIUmb672_a8iI1g/w400-h241/Pantone%202023%20COTY.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span><p></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-5415096223894296192022-11-03T23:08:00.002-07:002022-11-03T23:08:17.567-07:00Tennes-see the Highlights<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">For 10 days in September, Jaiman and I visited my sister, Christy, in and around her new home near Nashville, Tennessee. We knocked out some Life List things in the area, ate too much, slept too little, laughed until our eyes teared up and our cheeks hurt, and made ridiculously fun memories and new inside jokes. It was a refreshing break from the stress of a relocation and new job for Christy and a new (stress-inducing) manager for me. Often, when in a slump, just planning a trip is therapeutic, and that was definitely the case with this one. Nashville had, at one time, been a planned destination for us sisters and friends prior to any of us living there, but that trip was spoiled, along with so many other things, with COVID-19. So, actually going on this trip was all the more wonderful! Beyond that, this itinerary could even serve as a Nashville / Tennessee Bucket List! <br /><br />We flew from LAX on Christy's birthday, and had just a little bit of downtime after landing before we gussied up for dinner and our first Nashville adventure - a show at the Grand Ole Opry featuring a favorite country star of Christy's, Brad Paisley. We had dinner at Paula Dean's where we ordered a number of country-style comfort food which immediately set the tone for our extended trip. Eating too much food, also, established a general theme for the indulgence that is all too typical when the three of us travel together. </span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_MvXw0ZoqPISmFhIasHFQSmI_LhfehyDxxrmjqtQeDg0OxXoY1s9QrAuVdlj7eFRx42bQpHiEhAcEP7EM7aCkcJj_d5Pd_DC1VndyEk6L6Xw8DBfiErxsJLVLrSr03B_as7d_1fGk-w4K4hGHCuHdPrXt6moB1WbpM54D17egLOvFYhJPaxYeofJaQ/s3840/PXL_20220916_235741109.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_MvXw0ZoqPISmFhIasHFQSmI_LhfehyDxxrmjqtQeDg0OxXoY1s9QrAuVdlj7eFRx42bQpHiEhAcEP7EM7aCkcJj_d5Pd_DC1VndyEk6L6Xw8DBfiErxsJLVLrSr03B_as7d_1fGk-w4K4hGHCuHdPrXt6moB1WbpM54D17egLOvFYhJPaxYeofJaQ/s320/PXL_20220916_235741109.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Laura's Life List #51 - Attend a performance at the Grand Ole Opry</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Getting to the Grand Ole Opry and parking was super easy, and there were lots of great photo ops on the outside. Once in, we scoured the gift shop which had a ton of selections, and then grabbed some beers and drinks for the show. Christy had gotten us fantastic seats in the front row of the balcony, where we sat in church pews which has a kind of hilarious feel. Country music isn't really my thing, but live music is (almost) always fun. We really enjoyed the first few performers and got to see a first-timer's Opry debut which was super neat. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwz-50gweAkYcqAJJc7uy7wLrm70DZ0qN5IhJXLqlDjaYKi7L-V-JFe3DPSqqfjkMsHzY8GjtucOtHv1nlP-Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNvEQfoLbET4UQcQqbL7r_U1MkcMhNOAvbsZqx1FHQ41cI1afvqeGA_Cs2U9li8dmbQXEB7I_jX3PONHTS7LdvFioGnkCk1WWQG-nYienRYoqC_O_AyGtLr_hQghuvcgGWVbpzpLgOEJCWeLiybAUrZPi7YffmVQFvXpClmQlt_jzQuf3NaKzytYFTw/s4080/PXL_20220917_012953017.MP.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNvEQfoLbET4UQcQqbL7r_U1MkcMhNOAvbsZqx1FHQ41cI1afvqeGA_Cs2U9li8dmbQXEB7I_jX3PONHTS7LdvFioGnkCk1WWQG-nYienRYoqC_O_AyGtLr_hQghuvcgGWVbpzpLgOEJCWeLiybAUrZPi7YffmVQFvXpClmQlt_jzQuf3NaKzytYFTw/w151-h200/PXL_20220917_012953017.MP.jpg" width="151" /></a></span></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before the headliner, Brad Paisley, came on, this goofy trio of older men dressed in chaps came out and sang very Western songs, called Riders in the Sky. One, and for the life of me, I never figured out which one, would periodically whistle and scream "yaaaaah".After the song was over, they bantered a bit and commented on the *whistle* "yaaaah" and then tried it out in "Danny Boy" to the roaring laughter of the audience. Brad Paisley did his thing, including bringing a charity auction winner on stage to sing with him, who was so nervous he was practically crying and sweat through his entire outfit. All in all, it was a fantastic night and great way to kick off our time in Tennessee. <br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pJxOeVkgm-1csTEhPt1CmxnmxaA8UOPsBTL4fWOOeRMSh2wpjPihTrZ-jDlJwCACw9HU12x6wOb40k6GKa2pNXXqLlqpcLc-ip4iIR92b3KAoVa5wTJqaQPoP_oTvI5qevPX51r1V24lQrRJGhpxyfPISl1OCBwHo08-Kdfab5WgFY7tW5pddeOOiQ/s3840/PXL_20220917_143026998~2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pJxOeVkgm-1csTEhPt1CmxnmxaA8UOPsBTL4fWOOeRMSh2wpjPihTrZ-jDlJwCACw9HU12x6wOb40k6GKa2pNXXqLlqpcLc-ip4iIR92b3KAoVa5wTJqaQPoP_oTvI5qevPX51r1V24lQrRJGhpxyfPISl1OCBwHo08-Kdfab5WgFY7tW5pddeOOiQ/s320/PXL_20220917_143026998~2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Jaiman's Life List - Dollywood</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pushing through our sleep deprivation, we started out early and headed to Dollywood. We rode just about all the rides, and enjoyed the multitudes of Halloween decorations around the park, including fake jack-o-lanterns which all sorts of fun patterns and themes. We rode Blazing Fury, Dragonflier, FireChaser Express, Lightning Rod, Mystery Mine, Tennessee Tornado, Thunderhead, Wild Eagle, and the water ride Daredevil Falls. As the day wound down, Jaiman and Christy got the infamous cinnamon bread <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdYYoM_EpjzXg90UKcRh1aEV-DZ2g4WvzoBS8xrQCFVXPKWzzkHib26R8uatsdwuguWxa_SlQOJwzVtMKfRcftD6vtlq73LWcRNV0GZej05qoEm1c7_zGDDeDOVzxZV2KBGj-ONW6IiVzgX8dcIlhhfkGUBBJ4POdB0T9rxnEEK1xWPxBxIDrLh83cA/s4080/PXL_20220917_153246575.MP.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdYYoM_EpjzXg90UKcRh1aEV-DZ2g4WvzoBS8xrQCFVXPKWzzkHib26R8uatsdwuguWxa_SlQOJwzVtMKfRcftD6vtlq73LWcRNV0GZej05qoEm1c7_zGDDeDOVzxZV2KBGj-ONW6IiVzgX8dcIlhhfkGUBBJ4POdB0T9rxnEEK1xWPxBxIDrLh83cA/w151-h200/PXL_20220917_153246575.MP.jpg" width="151" /></a>and I got the amusement park obligatory Dippin' Dots. We did some shopping and headed out to grab some dinner and find our AirBnB for the night. A local car show made it difficult to find a place to eat and traffic exhausted our patience, so we opted for our first-ever visit to the oft-ignored Shone's chain. All things considered, we concluded it wasn't too bad - "better than awful!" We found our way to the AirBnB and after exploring the adorable little cabin, we passed out pretty quickly. <br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anakeesta </span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WuTFdNoTw9H2eR6IyuPOue7I3rRUsTkxIJlZyjO3KMCdjiUOvb_A_HL32AKuoTRlMBqqN4KU_o8eN74ktFMVrq1Pym8Nen9UtH9a3DXUh7aUiBR09S9q54aws9GQUzE_pYjdgGRmZm1gdR_oC1RCeyatHygjSr9ny0nQi0OqGhMWEpag2yK5F6OBVg/s3840/PXL_20220918_175145211~2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WuTFdNoTw9H2eR6IyuPOue7I3rRUsTkxIJlZyjO3KMCdjiUOvb_A_HL32AKuoTRlMBqqN4KU_o8eN74ktFMVrq1Pym8Nen9UtH9a3DXUh7aUiBR09S9q54aws9GQUzE_pYjdgGRmZm1gdR_oC1RCeyatHygjSr9ny0nQi0OqGhMWEpag2yK5F6OBVg/s320/PXL_20220918_175145211~2.jpg" width="320" /></a>We stayed in the Pigeon Forge area after Dollywood so that we could have a short trip to Anakeesta. The wait was exponentially shorter for the bench-style chair lifts versus the enclosed gondolas. We had hoped to do the alpine coaster but our weight precluded us from doing that. Nevertheless, the drinks flowed, the rope bridges and obstacle course was hilarious, we shopped and dined and had a fabulous time. After leaving the park, we found a wine tasting room serving cotton candy wine, which we obviously had to taste, and proceeded to buy several bottles to take back to Christy's. All things in the area done, we headed back to Christy's apartment outside of Nashville. <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxIw8h7kXItuRabZG6C-1l6ksdoAbQ4px9-dyQA_jGSwC_qqr2qGhqoY0A-pK5XSEiOZK0srefIrpl1lF1e7A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Work-cation</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christy went into work Monday and Tuesday, while I stayed and worked remotely from the apartment. Monday night we attempted to get into the Bluebird Café where many aspiring musicians get their big break. We didn't make it in for seating, but they did let us in to stand for the length of a song for the experience. We dined at a steakhouse nearby since we didn't get in for dinner. Tuesday night we had burritos from some place called Bubacakbooboo or something like that for dinner. Wednesday was a little different in that I went in to work with Christy and started the morning off with a two hour Excel class for her team and several other party crashers from various functions of the mining company she works for. It went smashingly well, and while I could have taught all day with such a fun and engaged group, we wrapped and I took the car back to start my work day. Jaiman and I picked Christy up at the end of the day and went to the winery near her work for dinner and drinks. We took Thursday off, and Christy took Friday off (I have Fridays off all the time). <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhyCKP6Dt6uvP93YlB96VukW3il--zWjgtHjlUnmV9NaTMBpvdELZahQTna2diXLusPXVgbfVKU8QOllYK3E8UbtsjXKfWOJWKTP_bpYQrh7vOSla4KAstsvaOVzJxkc8TpP9LEeAGgTruQYLNfVl-KIXGuZIis9W6tSjll0Nf_MfV7WrMOLMzv3gUA/s4080/PXL_20220922_163514237.MP.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhyCKP6Dt6uvP93YlB96VukW3il--zWjgtHjlUnmV9NaTMBpvdELZahQTna2diXLusPXVgbfVKU8QOllYK3E8UbtsjXKfWOJWKTP_bpYQrh7vOSla4KAstsvaOVzJxkc8TpP9LEeAGgTruQYLNfVl-KIXGuZIis9W6tSjll0Nf_MfV7WrMOLMzv3gUA/s320/PXL_20220922_163514237.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a>Loveless Café</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thursday morning was a perfect time to grab brunch at the adorable and tasty Loveless Café. After putting our names in, we did some shopping and took silly pictures around the property and then got seated soon enough. The food surpassed our expectations, and the ambience was just right. Definitely recommend making the trip out to that restaurant. <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzt_26udPvLVMBfpT_4eWkx-vKlIytdYr2P4jtLTATNrho3yoeCXCd-y7aOdkB1mBuOBfHDlaeSTaf__d-1jxcPqZbiMqNaGGJVKGGh12nz77uHRxNJ_EAAiw1_jm247b8kGK31PGYOpBBW1R_wWVMJur4nVyx8lOz8ssR8QF7t_dLwWR0hzWUa0ZNw/s3840/PXL_20220922_181313220.MP.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzt_26udPvLVMBfpT_4eWkx-vKlIytdYr2P4jtLTATNrho3yoeCXCd-y7aOdkB1mBuOBfHDlaeSTaf__d-1jxcPqZbiMqNaGGJVKGGh12nz77uHRxNJ_EAAiw1_jm247b8kGK31PGYOpBBW1R_wWVMJur4nVyx8lOz8ssR8QF7t_dLwWR0hzWUa0ZNw/w200-h150/PXL_20220922_181313220.MP.jpg" width="200" /></a>Parthenon</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">It may not be a Nashville icon, but there is a full-scale Parthenon replica is a pretty interesting visit and photo op. We didn't go inside but it seems like its an art museum. Playing with the pillars and shadows and statues outside was sufficient for our amusements. <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kayne Prime</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the best steak in town is found at this classy restaurant. Jaiman got the last of the semi-annual shipment of a very special Japanese wagyu ribeye of which only 1600 cows in the world can produce apparently. Obviously, we were sold. Christy also got a wagyu flight of sorts. It was pretty unbelievable! <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Honky Tonks on Broadway</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgjdZ4Eix3CPiSR_-Ayvp_1VZS9EqsnWxYKoG5q_mCAWdQsvOZOEvVRHq39QxS7RnlcMmtcygg4yF6nUXl_v6YBuPiiW3mrnoKc3b7xRPnCXak-RgqbMmHMk37SvachPqc_S7TkN_648imc9-ET67B4S06SKswL1pjURlnPoe4ak2JmHRPSYevAkeTg/s3840/PXL_20220923_025652437.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgjdZ4Eix3CPiSR_-Ayvp_1VZS9EqsnWxYKoG5q_mCAWdQsvOZOEvVRHq39QxS7RnlcMmtcygg4yF6nUXl_v6YBuPiiW3mrnoKc3b7xRPnCXak-RgqbMmHMk37SvachPqc_S7TkN_648imc9-ET67B4S06SKswL1pjURlnPoe4ak2JmHRPSYevAkeTg/s320/PXL_20220923_025652437.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJJDUykcKz4l43YdZVS7I39QGyCz5WREndX2uvzOdTv-JZPCcdocYDD_41l-6GByK_pDW4gGM0nRDYUq73FrAE29j16x96MK2_xthyhiP5IFlHy_DSaB2F35qMJ_EuNnBcUGLnFb2yzksyiJZaUmXA0mQmigMvp_9XdWrND04v-qOIPxbMgAC-TuwiA/s4080/PXL_20220923_010521926.MP.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJJDUykcKz4l43YdZVS7I39QGyCz5WREndX2uvzOdTv-JZPCcdocYDD_41l-6GByK_pDW4gGM0nRDYUq73FrAE29j16x96MK2_xthyhiP5IFlHy_DSaB2F35qMJ_EuNnBcUGLnFb2yzksyiJZaUmXA0mQmigMvp_9XdWrND04v-qOIPxbMgAC-TuwiA/w151-h200/PXL_20220923_010521926.MP.jpg" width="151" /></a>Not to be overcome by sleep yet, we took to the street for some barhopping good times. We made our way first into Kid Rock’s Big A, and stood in the crowd rocking out to the adorable live band playing. Then we moved on to Luke Bryan's Luke 32 Bridge. There, we scored some cocktails and a couple seats, and comfortable enjoyed the sights and sounds of a most beautiful guitar player and singer making eyes at Christy. Since he failed to propose to her after several songs and drinks, we moved on. Tootsie's seemed like a must, so we grabbed drinks and propped <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-en7QUcJ4aoSIvWjXxEZxJ0qAVYezRjjw4jFpbl4j1Ysjx_sMJD9nAOe94YUnzizXpjd8xvpDhujUk9Nb30wnDXojRrUGlpc2_YbdIfHzVxMEBAX05uOhztD5yRtT57Dee5VRD5AJi_Y4-Ol9AN6F3fHvgYBZkhnWpyMzQLgaTMmXFS-fYbx9TWyPsA/s4080/PXL_20220923_015608941.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-en7QUcJ4aoSIvWjXxEZxJ0qAVYezRjjw4jFpbl4j1Ysjx_sMJD9nAOe94YUnzizXpjd8xvpDhujUk9Nb30wnDXojRrUGlpc2_YbdIfHzVxMEBAX05uOhztD5yRtT57Dee5VRD5AJi_Y4-Ol9AN6F3fHvgYBZkhnWpyMzQLgaTMmXFS-fYbx9TWyPsA/w200-h151/PXL_20220923_015608941.jpg" width="200" /></a>ourselves on some bar stools there for a bit. We popped into one or two more and finally called it a night. <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">A day in at last</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">We stayed in for the most part on Friday, drinking our sweet strawberry wine and watching Hocus Pocus. Our attempt to get candied ribs from the Candied Rib place was foiled by the fact that they did not yet have candying abilities or ribs, but that didn't stop us from getting some pretty decent barbecue from the place. More drinks - mead and martinis - were had back at home, and Mongolian barbecue for dinner. <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tennessee Railroad Museum Train Robbery Excursion Ride</span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIIZPZR4ILISIzLyUUnRgwCTapzQEnkawamcaXwUFYJlysQckZzRc_t-kjwM3wKehY8W7ZrwNTwtpfUlAEaSQ2zP9SRfVNt6DbsSDWpkTKD4ckEKu__eREhEG0R4yDuPynSrmUgf7F2kLUShoXh8iUceL317_hbFShLpwe0Qix3bp7XVC5MJjDDEu7Q/s4080/PXL_20220924_162645878.MP.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIIZPZR4ILISIzLyUUnRgwCTapzQEnkawamcaXwUFYJlysQckZzRc_t-kjwM3wKehY8W7ZrwNTwtpfUlAEaSQ2zP9SRfVNt6DbsSDWpkTKD4ckEKu__eREhEG0R4yDuPynSrmUgf7F2kLUShoXh8iUceL317_hbFShLpwe0Qix3bp7XVC5MJjDDEu7Q/w151-h200/PXL_20220924_162645878.MP.jpg" width="151" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlNnIp9ctHH7OX3c_LlQQtKhPBUNEzX-9nvIqHi35fFyUY7ti8R7CvEJ-S1xKVlZ-dAByQ8i2WX61BM50YuMyBArXbeO5MLvQ7EWillQR4gKMQykDvnajBLGdwt6wYGWf94IB8qUvQI-E8GWtepn0jzeau5QeIUWqgw2Ma8M-uwSLhgd1gsxJsk_IAA/s3840/PXL_20220924_163658459.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="3840" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLlNnIp9ctHH7OX3c_LlQQtKhPBUNEzX-9nvIqHi35fFyUY7ti8R7CvEJ-S1xKVlZ-dAByQ8i2WX61BM50YuMyBArXbeO5MLvQ7EWillQR4gKMQykDvnajBLGdwt6wYGWf94IB8qUvQI-E8GWtepn0jzeau5QeIUWqgw2Ma8M-uwSLhgd1gsxJsk_IAA/w200-h150/PXL_20220924_163658459.jpg" width="200" /></a>As our visit winded down, we did a silly train ride with a volunteer-based acting troop that "robbed" us for charity. The train was very cool, but the experience left us a little wanting. Nevertheless, food and drinks were had, and with great company, good times were had. Wine slushies and the macarons from Christy's apartment coffee shop made the day completely indulgent. <br /><br /></span></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;">Prince's (Nashville) Hot Chicken </span></span></h4><h4><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></h4><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYFefYt-hyWAkMXU9O47_uSl2MAt0INjenEFQMh5zB_Rrmu7t3P_FaK6SdKoCmvYJePDoeRhTzFaVrw0Ap8aViaQvUOd15QclQU0qJ5cS4cwkTpiNtekw9cx642FELOo9xVbnTZodTHi7XM7rSuHn5L98T63sNWoN2qCkZBGGjYsH8_bTAdVBCDfw8g/s4080/PXL_20220924_233901120.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYFefYt-hyWAkMXU9O47_uSl2MAt0INjenEFQMh5zB_Rrmu7t3P_FaK6SdKoCmvYJePDoeRhTzFaVrw0Ap8aViaQvUOd15QclQU0qJ5cS4cwkTpiNtekw9cx642FELOo9xVbnTZodTHi7XM7rSuHn5L98T63sNWoN2qCkZBGGjYsH8_bTAdVBCDfw8g/s320/PXL_20220924_233901120.jpg" width="241" /></a>For a spice lover like me, a trip to Nashville could hardly be complete without some hot chicken. Since I'd had Haddie B's a couple times previously, Prince's was a must. It's hard to compare, but from my amateur point of view, Prince's seems like the real deal. Get it, if you dare! </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Well, that about wrapped up our trip. Nashville was great, and I am so grateful I got to spend the time with my sister, as she may be moving to Knoxville next. Such is the life of great managers seeking great work environments, I suppose! Cheers to promotions, living life to the fullest and adventuring with loved ones. <br /></span></span></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-15250473694735985912022-09-11T15:37:00.005-07:002022-09-11T15:42:25.925-07:00New(-ish) Hidden Mickeys at Disneyland 2022<div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-adults-are-interested-if-you-don-t-play-down-to-the-little-2-or-3-year-olds-or-talk-walt-disney-105-65-40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="800" height="222" src="https://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-adults-are-interested-if-you-don-t-play-down-to-the-little-2-or-3-year-olds-or-talk-walt-disney-105-65-40.jpg" width="472" /></a></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of the magical and whimsical things adults love about Disney movies and theme parks is that they aren't just made for kids - there are references and subtleties that really only speak to the adult mind, or take repetition and minute attention to uncover. These mysterious gems can reveal themselves after the 20th time watching a favorite film, or elude us despite spending hours in a queue. They are generically known as Easter Eggs, and specific to Disneyland, we know there are hundreds of Hidden Mickeys. <br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51njTExGSIL.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="219" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51njTExGSIL.jpg" width="88" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />There are some great <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Disneylands-Hidden-Mickeys-Disneyland-Resorts-ebook/dp/B081LN3TDL/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank">reference books available on Kindle</a> that detail the vast majority of known Hidden Mickeys, and I strongly recommend them. (You can get hard copies too, but I recommend the Kindle version because you can always have them with you on your phone, making it very easy to pop open in a queue so you can see what to look forward to for the current and next attraction. Also, many Hidden Mickeys in that book are at the start of the queues, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead towards your next destination.) <br /><br />This post will not be a repeat of those you can find with the help of those books, but rather, amend the Disneyland book due to the new attractions and park updates which have brought forth new opportunities for crafty Imagineers to work in new Hidden Mickeys, and for regular visitors like my boyfriend and myself to discover them. <br /><br />First, however, I'd like to outline what we consider to qualify as a legitimate Hidden Mickey. Because some are more obvious than others, there have been many a Mickey which was questionable as we observed and debated. So, here are the rules we play by in our quest for identifying Hidden Mickeys: <br /></span></span><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. The most common Hidden Mickeys are signified by three circles (outlined or filled / found objects), two smaller ones for the ears and one larger one for the head. However, two ears over an arch like a Mickey ears hat are acceptable. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">2.</span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The ears must be proportional to the head and at the approximate angle. In other words, three same-sized circles do not a Mickey make. </span></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFsqAWWl37VB7Oqm2fnJlYQhwCeudYgwB4XlfjTLrkRWwz4hpFRl1PFXu4p2tKJlhOTbIviogFsCg-gX-9od7ihgPPYRyHuVxCc-wd4pbUQSYH7TKann6pGWkflRQQhQb3Gx-zznR9g6aaitstNr638TIy1fayM7nRI5sA3jxbOVWhw91pIgtj5dXng/s1333/Hidden%20Mickey%20qual.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1333" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFsqAWWl37VB7Oqm2fnJlYQhwCeudYgwB4XlfjTLrkRWwz4hpFRl1PFXu4p2tKJlhOTbIviogFsCg-gX-9od7ihgPPYRyHuVxCc-wd4pbUQSYH7TKann6pGWkflRQQhQb3Gx-zznR9g6aaitstNr638TIy1fayM7nRI5sA3jxbOVWhw91pIgtj5dXng/w400-h241/Hidden%20Mickey%20qual.png" width="400" /></a></span></div><br /><p></p><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Minimal separation between the circles for the ears and the circle for the head is acceptable, as long as the proportion and angles are accurate. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Repeats of the Mickey shape are no longer hidden unless they are truly well disguised (i.e. it takes a long look before you realize there's a Mickey there). </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Mickey can be oriented in any direction, could be upside down from the perspective you're allowed! </span></span></div></blockquote><div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. A Mickey which has lots of detail, accurate coloration and is a prominent figure in whatever structure or piece it is in is not hidden. </span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Alright, so here are the new Hidden Mickeys I believe I've uncovered in Disneyland and California Adventure. <br /><br /></span></span><p></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Queue of Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy's Edge: We often start our day by rope-dropping Rise of the Resistance, so this is a great place to start at Disneyland. At the start of the queue inside the rock formations, look right, there's a cutout that looks like Mickey when you get to the correct angle. <br /><br /></span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVJz7nCjBQ4UsMCD0L3zwo5ndhLGFdDVgHdvzxDOIHfSPyRiJX2oB-9SJjnC-DB3l42FYr10DQ4akT2pq2vE4ncIuwCYF_sLDfKcDpuN9YqTf7ZcXAzHHsGqa0FTf2bg9q1rgM7jkqEMfmpst3iG4KSpKiBLavRryZNWlQklygSYuRtCS_YVZk0lsdA/s914/hidden%20mickey.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="688" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVJz7nCjBQ4UsMCD0L3zwo5ndhLGFdDVgHdvzxDOIHfSPyRiJX2oB-9SJjnC-DB3l42FYr10DQ4akT2pq2vE4ncIuwCYF_sLDfKcDpuN9YqTf7ZcXAzHHsGqa0FTf2bg9q1rgM7jkqEMfmpst3iG4KSpKiBLavRryZNWlQklygSYuRtCS_YVZk0lsdA/s320/hidden%20mickey.jpg" width="241" /></a></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Central Plaza: There's a pond near the entry to Frontierland from the Central Plaza. If you look across the pond to rocks along the edge, there's one set of rocks which looks like a pretty well-proportioned Mickey. <br /><br /></span></span></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;">Avengers Campus' WebSlingers queue: This new attraction had to have a throwback to the Mouse, and indeed, but I knew it wouldn't be as literal as other Hidden Mickeys, likely. While in the queue, take a look around and find the electrical box decorations between the colored brick wall and grey brick wall. The blocky screws seem to form Mickey proportions. </span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />Bonus: Otherwise unreported Easter Egg from a recent Pixar film! <br /><br /><blockquote>I don't talk about my day job very often on here, but it is not often when the specific knowledge from my work relates to my Disney fandom. One of the products I support at work is the F-22 fighter jet. As I was re-watching Soul one day, I caught a glimpse of a fighter jet that looked awfully familiar. There's a scene in the montage of the main character trying different theoretical "sparks", where a rocket launches. In the foreground on the right side of the screen, there's an airplane. So get this, I think it's an F-22, and the character's called... 22! <br /></blockquote></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrCRq2hw8iZMjcac38_wa6OCTWjI3YQcwdGgW4C3jZNHRJeBeWHG_k4JH8U2qXb_30nJSw7PgBHpEdd_o2gnIAk1VVzVQcX0x7RSdrHBZdsDaGMLJ6xdo4J0hD50SxancvOhFKKlUA5qKf4ABnj87vYAE_hls2hqWlpbVwWBU8bRK-28sQEQRKvCg3A/s1920/f22%20in%20soul.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1920" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrCRq2hw8iZMjcac38_wa6OCTWjI3YQcwdGgW4C3jZNHRJeBeWHG_k4JH8U2qXb_30nJSw7PgBHpEdd_o2gnIAk1VVzVQcX0x7RSdrHBZdsDaGMLJ6xdo4J0hD50SxancvOhFKKlUA5qKf4ABnj87vYAE_hls2hqWlpbVwWBU8bRK-28sQEQRKvCg3A/w400-h209/f22%20in%20soul.png" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><blockquote>A
Google image search confirmed it as an F-22, but I haven't seen anyone
else confirm this Easter Egg, so, you saw it here first! Actually, I saw it on April 22, '22 in <a href="https://twitter.com/Lowa84/status/1517629552645734401" target="_blank">this tweet</a>. <br /></blockquote></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><p></p></div>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-7871934875749647792022-07-24T14:34:00.002-07:002023-05-06T13:34:59.175-07:00May Be The End<p> You know what? Maybe you're right. Maybe this is the end. Because even when I was trying to help you see how you're hurting me, you somehow managed to BLAME ME for it. So, maybe it's hopeless. Am I thrilled with everything I've ever done? No, of course not. But I've also put up with a lot of shit. The eye-rolling when I remind you to do something that will help you with YOUR goal. Letting to live with me for zero rent for months or years, in exchange for a limited amount of housework and cooking. When I was single before we met, I had given up on love. I had thought that I had achieved so much success and all I wanted was someone to share it with. I think the issue is that my sharing had no bounds, and you took full advantage of that. Did I let you? Sure I did. I excuse it as exhaustion from work, I don't have any energy to fight you. But I'm not sure I'm right about that. You've been passive aggressive in so many ways, I wonder if this was another mental trick you're playing on me. You may not even realize it. Somehow, I have let you walk all over me while I'm too exhausted or confused or befuddled to fight it. <br /><br />Andrew's relationship with Tiffany is very instructive. It's not the same, but it has similarities. He has been dealing with a ton of crap at work, and having broken up with his last girlfriend, Tiffany managed to snake her way into the position. Andrew allowed it, of course, but even as Tiffany dreamed she could demand Andrew stay here in California, and Andrew insisted he would not, she still somehow became a "love" for him. <br /><br />Way back in the day, I had pretty shallow criteria for a boyfriend. I wanted him to be tall, like swing dancing, musicals and football, and you fit the bill. Before that, I thought I wanted someone more ambitious, to challenge me, be my other half in a power couple. I know and am grateful that I've been able to move around the country for my job due in large part to the fact that you didn't have a really important job - most of the time you were generally pretty stoked about quitting, even if you weren't sure what you wanted to do. And you helped with the moves, which was super helpful for me. <br /><br />I guess I'm at a loss now, because none of that other stuff seems super important, whether you like the same things that I do or whatever. I mean, we rarely swing dance anymore, and even that feels like a "chore" I am making you do. We haven't gone to a football game in forever, partially due to COVID but even before then we weren't doing a lot of it, and I actually found weekends plopped in front of the couch watching football to be far too much, too boring, too unproductive, too lazy and the season seemed to last too long. We have gone to see musicals, and I do value that, and your knowledge of the performers. <br /><br />What seems to be important now is you being a partner and I don't think you've been like that in a long time. I really honestly struggle to remember our first year or two, because it felt like a permanent state of honeymoon fever, we were inseparable and I don't think we fought much. We managed to go on this massively long road trip together without killing each other. <br /><br />I still want someone to travel with and have fun with on the weekends. Maybe I like being in a relationship because it guarantees a friend and travel buddy, and maybe that's not the right reason to be in a relationship. But honestly, even that has been bothering me - when we're travelling it seems so hard to get you out of bed some mornings - unless it's a theme park and then you are up at the crack of dawn to rope drop. When we were with my family most recently in North Carolina, and the trip pivoted because of Matthew's injury, you seemed to want to make it all about you somehow. It was very selfish. We overrode you, to be sure, but I just couldn't even believe you would suggest things that put your interests ahead of what the group wanted or needed to do. <br /><br />So I'm sitting trying to think if I'm going to regret breaking up with you. Will my life be that much worse off that I'll want you to come back? I'll probably read more, with the TV not always being on. I would hopefully exercise more, not needing to tiptoe around your sleep schedule and again not being deterred by the TV being on. But I would be lonely. I won't have someone guaranteed to go out to dinner with. I'll have to make plans with friends and colleagues. I won't have someone to give me back massages and foot massages - I'll have to go back to Massage Envy or another place for that. I won't have dinner ready-made for me when I walk in the door, I'll have to plan and cook my own meals - it will probably be a lot more microwaveable stuff. I won't have someone doing the dishes, so I'll have to do that on my own, which sucks because I know that will hurt my back. I won't have someone taking care of spiders and bugs, so I'll have to be brave and toughen up a little. I'll need to hire a gardener and a pool guy, because I know I won't keep that stuff maintained on my own. I'll have an extra empty room, maybe I'll get a roommate? But that would be weird - most people I work with are lower levels and moving in with a "boss" might be strange. I'll probably listen to Christmas music sooner and much more often. <br /><br />But it will be lonely. I won't have someone to vent to when I get home. I won't have someone to plan weekends with, or projects, or tell about my next crazy idea. <br /><br />You help me decompress by choosing entertainment things so I don't have to navigate or think through that. That helps. But I also have a big mental burden in carrying all the mental lists of chores, plans, schedules, helping you to achieve your professed goals. <br /><br />It's kind of ironic timing to break up now. I had visited San Fran a couple times before meeting you, and that was one of those things we always talked about doing, so that you would have a better experience. We just finally went. To me, some of it was repeating the experience with the new person in my life, although we did do some things that were new to me. <br /><br /></p>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3198930745149876044.post-72399056826968626132022-07-24T11:10:00.003-07:002022-07-24T11:10:42.295-07:00How To: Custom Curtains<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0mPKGKixrJgj-xkytP1qWhemim_DzSXrKidApr2pqnhaBvdUnUhxviYyY4KvOGwxj7lYlEiA5HFZNYq_QujQVxv-VxPQYDj438Sug8Szp4D-KVUjx4IDyx_xJvgJHIHJdTdv9wwUlX5J3_pE502B2cpzNNmOo_0SdjpvoQNpbcqWfJNOtwIwFB59tg/s4080/PXL_20220717_001247340.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0mPKGKixrJgj-xkytP1qWhemim_DzSXrKidApr2pqnhaBvdUnUhxviYyY4KvOGwxj7lYlEiA5HFZNYq_QujQVxv-VxPQYDj438Sug8Szp4D-KVUjx4IDyx_xJvgJHIHJdTdv9wwUlX5J3_pE502B2cpzNNmOo_0SdjpvoQNpbcqWfJNOtwIwFB59tg/w301-h400/PXL_20220717_001247340.jpg" width="301" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One of the aspects of the "Long Tail" which the Internet and companies like ebay, Etsy and now Spoonflower ushered in is that there is almost no limit to the ability to find (or make) exactly what you want. In other words, if you can dream it, you can find it (or make it with relative ease). Taking advantage of this, I'm going to talk to you today about designing and buying or making custom curtains. Curtains are, I think, an underrated opportunity in a room to bring a real splash of color, personality, and theming to a space. <br /><br />In a recent blog, I shared with you <a href="http://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/2022/07/how-to-lego-mural.html" target="_blank">how to design and paint a giant Lego mural</a>, a project I undertook as part of my own home project to transform my unused dining room into a Lego gallery! The next phase in my project was to make curtains. While I kept the mural fairly neutral, using only shades of gray, so that the Lego projects themselves would pop, I don't intend to have anything in front of the window so the curtains could afford to be a bit more </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/ed/8f/74/ed8f74fca709c17d52fb24f6293b2b5f.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="473" height="200" src="https://i.pinimg.com/474x/ed/8f/74/ed8f74fca709c17d52fb24f6293b2b5f.jpg" width="173" /></a></span>bold. I'm leaning towards a gray with yellow accents color scheme here, so naturally, I put that pop of yellow in my curtains. <br /></span><br /></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For reference, here's an inspiration picture I am using. While I'm not going to mimic anything specific in it, I like the modern, adult look of the color scheme. My worry is that Lego lends itself to a childish look with the primary colors - yellow, blue and red, being predominant brick colors in most Lego-themed rooms (and indeed at Legoland and Lego stores, etc). I don't have kids - by choice - and therefore I want my Lego gallery to have a little bit of class and maturity about it. <br /><br />Alright, back to the curtains. I actually got the idea of the fabric design while designing my mural wall. As with <a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/search?q=powerpoint" target="_blank">all my designs</a>, I had started with sketches (<a href="https://easilythrilled.blogspot.com/search?q=powerpoint" target="_blank">in PowerPoint, my design hack tool of choice</a>) to play with the look and feel of various ideas. So the "winning" design for my mural easily translated to a design I could upload into my <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/lowa84" target="_blank">Spoonflower shop</a> and buy. <br /></span><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Pick a Design, Have it Made</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">For the less handy/DIY people out there, this could be where the blog stops. Spoonflower has an array of home goods that can be custom made with any of the 1000s of designs on the site. It is a bit more expensive, than, say, curtains you might find at Ikea or Target, but you get to have the EXACT design and dimensions you want. You can simply browse the Spoonflower fabric designs, and when you find a design you like, straight from a fabric page, click the link that says "Also available in Wallpaper & Home Decor", as shown here.</span><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRRYlCYCHSU6UkIGcMhMVleorfCQ2B7jUwIVn8sZDZUg5dgNFZqSil3rF-mIBC_R7IFoyiFo7XueBNn_A6nsUuLFqnk2ssfzPeGs3YJPsNSmvrzxY--8L1DUOCFd9cA2ioMsdEo9ZQGLRbb3QC1TYafcxDQXwiIF19Plo_R_ZADGowsfcbwL8yRrWtQ/s640/image002.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="640" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRRYlCYCHSU6UkIGcMhMVleorfCQ2B7jUwIVn8sZDZUg5dgNFZqSil3rF-mIBC_R7IFoyiFo7XueBNn_A6nsUuLFqnk2ssfzPeGs3YJPsNSmvrzxY--8L1DUOCFd9cA2ioMsdEo9ZQGLRbb3QC1TYafcxDQXwiIF19Plo_R_ZADGowsfcbwL8yRrWtQ/w640-h208/image002.png" width="640" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />Alternatively, grab the fabric design number from the URL, as shown above, and add it to this URL:<br />https://www.spoonflower.com/en/products/</span><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42u_3ixcc6u4e_RyNCZbv42t7WEDQI1OHvy2Wssoyx-caeQgbCFPI-HV_ZGjR6g_o8FltutGE-rFX0OUt8X-SKMY5XY7j7T0D3KzJ0Ptt4gEkx4i5hTpkhH12GyGLM521UtxlQNgyx7NPp7w-9AsdGnDHNyisvEvCnWxsXS0-pk5YCPKpdj7SF3wIYw/s640/image003.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="640" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42u_3ixcc6u4e_RyNCZbv42t7WEDQI1OHvy2Wssoyx-caeQgbCFPI-HV_ZGjR6g_o8FltutGE-rFX0OUt8X-SKMY5XY7j7T0D3KzJ0Ptt4gEkx4i5hTpkhH12GyGLM521UtxlQNgyx7NPp7w-9AsdGnDHNyisvEvCnWxsXS0-pk5YCPKpdj7SF3wIYw/w640-h246/image003.png" width="640" /></a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the above example, it would be https://www.spoonflower.com/en/products/645453 and<br />would look like this: </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOk0KL9-89peTYZUE3J58Zs0fW5k-hdKVg9wPuYIU43W1Yg8uQ3h84bxNnIRb0hq_XwkU22gxgjgzU1zRfVssD2eBmP_IhzfuVr2ZszVGWwSt6uyrebRZ54AP-nMrav0aVaoYVqpcI0bI8CjnBioytP15df0x-dC5ZVPCa2K2dAtZBeLYDehCEEz7KA/s640/image004.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="317" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOk0KL9-89peTYZUE3J58Zs0fW5k-hdKVg9wPuYIU43W1Yg8uQ3h84bxNnIRb0hq_XwkU22gxgjgzU1zRfVssD2eBmP_IhzfuVr2ZszVGWwSt6uyrebRZ54AP-nMrav0aVaoYVqpcI0bI8CjnBioytP15df0x-dC5ZVPCa2K2dAtZBeLYDehCEEz7KA/w318-h640/image004.png" width="318" /></a><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Make a Design, Have it Made</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can take it one step further without being handy still, and upload your own design, and do the same thing! Now, if you're not experienced in designing fabrics, I would strongly recommend that you proof the fabric first ($5 or less per proof, depending on how many you buy), before investing in the full set of curtains or other products. <br /><br />One of the best things about buying from the Spoonflower products is that the curtains come with both rod pocket and tab hanging options (one on each end). So you get some flexibility in how your curtains will hang, and can even change it up later if you want a slightly different look. <br /><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Sew it Yourself</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Whether you're picking a design someone made on Spoonflower, or designing it yourself, the rest of this post will talk about the ease of sewing fabric into curtains yourself. For this project, I used my own design "Yellow Brick Road" and bought 6 yards (56" x 216") of Cypress Cotton Canvas. (Fabric page here: <a href="https://www.spoonflower.com/designs/13210876-yellow-brick-road-by-lowa84">https://www.spoonflower.com/designs/13210876-yellow-brick-road-by-lowa84</a>) <br /><br />For comparison of cost, two 96" panels would have cost $288 from the Spoonflower products page (using the same material - you could also save some by switching to Linen Cotton Canvas). My purchase of raw fabric set me back $204. If you are using someone else's design, it will cost a little more because that designer gets the commission - in this case, instead of paying myself commission, Spoonflower simply knocks that off the price since I was the designer. <br /><br />Since I already have a sewing machine and all other supplies, I saved about $84 by making the curtains myself. If you're thinking about buying a sewing machine and all the associated supplies ONLY for this project, the savings might not be worth it. But, I also would vouch for the impressive power of inspiration that comes from a small, successful project. I'm a big believer that people enjoy things more when they make them themselves, and that seeing your handiwork empowers and inspires you to do more. If you're a first time crafter and you might want to do more in the future, I say go for it!! Making matching pillows, hand towels, table runners and all sorts of others things are just as easy (or maybe easier)!! <br /><br />Alright, back to curtains again (also - don't laugh at my craft room, I haven't painted or redone it yet, so it still has awful pink paint from the previous owner's granddaughter, complete with a cringey "Live Laugh Love motif on the wall"). One last thing - I'm going to share here what I actually did, which I'll refer to as "my hack", as well as what the expert advice says. The expert advice should in theory result in a more finished look, especially on the back of the curtains. For my purposes, I have blinds behind the curtains also, and I was a little nervous with sewing such thick fabric, so I went with a less polished look in the back, which still looks great from the front. <br /><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Step 1: Cut the fabric to size</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YItx96sZWGc32Cbr6MY_sUcPJVTUUx4fmYFMtiSyDKMrLrF13yP0QX57Lj1ZDWUwdmWIG11I2I8rx8BaXHXe8H2u6LHTvw--uAf_B9bvNPc3klNLiR3q6_dtiwWREMC6xYRulIkZaETayPVTfEmm_Pfg5-qsTMlFUetErAimKIE9Foz3EK4jQY7vfA/s1975/PXL_20220716_145138395.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1975" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YItx96sZWGc32Cbr6MY_sUcPJVTUUx4fmYFMtiSyDKMrLrF13yP0QX57Lj1ZDWUwdmWIG11I2I8rx8BaXHXe8H2u6LHTvw--uAf_B9bvNPc3klNLiR3q6_dtiwWREMC6xYRulIkZaETayPVTfEmm_Pfg5-qsTMlFUetErAimKIE9Foz3EK4jQY7vfA/s320/PXL_20220716_145138395.jpg" width="320" /></a>Getting started on a new project, especially if it feels a little daunting, is often the hardest part. Once you've measured your windows and decided how big you want the curtains, measure out how much you need from the fabric. <br /><br />Another consideration before you start cutting is how you want to attach the curtains to the rods. If you use Clip on Rings, you just need to sew a straight panel. Loops or tabs that extend beyond the curtain panel are another approach, and you'll need to consider how to incorporate those into the top of your curtain (a great tutorial for that is here: https://www.onlinefabricstore.com/makersmill/how-to-make-tab-top-curtains/). A fairly straight-forward approach is to leave the sides of your top stich open and put the rod through the entire thing - that's a rod pocket design. For my hack, I made loops or tabs but hid them behind the top of the curtains so they aren't visible from the front. <br /><br />You'll want to give yourself at least four inches on the bottom and at least two inches on the top, plus and inch or two on both sides (so make sure to double whatever you choose for the sides). Cut the fabric into the rough size panels. <br />When you get fabric from Spoonflower, you'll have some white borders around the design. You'll want to trim this off. <br /><br />For reference, the windows I'm covering span a total of 62" across, and 70" tall. Hanging just above them and reaching close to the ground, the 96" length was the look I opted for. <br /><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Step 2: Sew the sides of the panels</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha_7w6Y8kH3AzrBsqNY3l_YbHL31bO1hSMkFNukURQzPUR1RQHxsjQstkycNij44pc1eUqR2xJDQgqwon0hVrf5rrxGdcKmi2wRD6DStDHcJNX0v9widodGzD5p6k2fNTWEtKkAmDGLd0Tsou1QZ8Qjwz09V8h0hrh8xy8XmZlev-mtG-6Gxz_wdyLg/s4080/PXL_20220716_225040385.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha_7w6Y8kH3AzrBsqNY3l_YbHL31bO1hSMkFNukURQzPUR1RQHxsjQstkycNij44pc1eUqR2xJDQgqwon0hVrf5rrxGdcKmi2wRD6DStDHcJNX0v9widodGzD5p6k2fNTWEtKkAmDGLd0Tsou1QZ8Qjwz09V8h0hrh8xy8XmZlev-mtG-6Gxz_wdyLg/s320/PXL_20220716_225040385.jpg" width="241" /></a>Using an iron and pins, fold each side of each panel down about an inch, and iron that seam to make it nice and crisp. The experts recommend you fold the fabric over once more and do that again, however, my hack got away with just one fold on each side. <br /><br />Curtains are great sewing projects because they involve a lot of straight stiches. Once you have your sides pinned and ironed down (pin optional, but I preferred it given the bulky material and sheer length of the hem), simply sew as straight as you can along the fabric fold. Truth be told, if you're worried about getting this absolutely straight, I'd advice not to stress to much. The finished product is so much bigger than these small lines, that it will be hard to notice minor flaws like that from afar - and most of your guests won't be examining the stitch lines along every seam - I hope. <br /><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Step 3: Make the loops / tabs and sew the top</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHvPx1yYDNWV-JmB2xuZ3vGHOQSAwdJSlrM3p_G2OZHTbEmNECMqKLlqFUkSvknvVq7NSqd2kP0TDSREvGjE0WdjI_Es60tcb7P1yfHhdErvDHIoJr6tcG8P_YyGObs_bjqGtMDhzTizzAek7X21NvVFBI_ONBQF6wKvaPwC1-daVoqZOM8IEiVupJw/s4080/PXL_20220716_212543095.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHvPx1yYDNWV-JmB2xuZ3vGHOQSAwdJSlrM3p_G2OZHTbEmNECMqKLlqFUkSvknvVq7NSqd2kP0TDSREvGjE0WdjI_Es60tcb7P1yfHhdErvDHIoJr6tcG8P_YyGObs_bjqGtMDhzTizzAek7X21NvVFBI_ONBQF6wKvaPwC1-daVoqZOM8IEiVupJw/s320/PXL_20220716_212543095.jpg" width="320" /></a>Again, this part will vary depending on which style you want. I used some of the white border fabric, and cut 10 evenly sized strips about 5 inches long and 2 inches wide. They don't have to be perfect, in my hack. <br /><br />Taking the top of the panel and folding it down a couple inches, just as you did on the sides but with a little more length, I also pinned the loops down so that the tops of the loops were just below the fold. After pinning and ironing all of that, I again just sewed a straight line across, making sure that the loops were straight as I got to them. <br /><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Step 4: Pin and sew the bottom </span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Since in my hack I winged it a little bit, decided to get the bottom length just right, I would hang the curtains to see just how much to fold. So I hung the curtains, selected the length and pinned them right there while they were still hanging. Then I brought them back to my craft room and ironed that fold as before, adding additional pins. While I did this for both panels, it may be most important to do this on the second one, to make sure it lines up with the first. <br /><br />After ironing and sewing, the final sewing begins, once again straight across, like an old pro by now. <br /><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Step 5: Hang the final curtains gloriously and admire your work</span></h3><h3><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></h3><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime9txgkyDxhDm02PRxa0JCqYio4bN91ZCU2sJdrutVH1FgJGuilZ5NfTHe1Ek4NH33UhtZXSX-PmumJWyRnTdRIy8GNjYQbCkQ13fsQEQ1QCjGozB_LqEkjplHWpCpwjgKowK9bmms-jaUco1RI5pwNcxpFG7q137kCCW3lDvliDllaCZTu9t-sWJEg/s4080/PXL_20220716_221949536.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime9txgkyDxhDm02PRxa0JCqYio4bN91ZCU2sJdrutVH1FgJGuilZ5NfTHe1Ek4NH33UhtZXSX-PmumJWyRnTdRIy8GNjYQbCkQ13fsQEQ1QCjGozB_LqEkjplHWpCpwjgKowK9bmms-jaUco1RI5pwNcxpFG7q137kCCW3lDvliDllaCZTu9t-sWJEg/s320/PXL_20220716_221949536.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: helvetica;">With the tab arrangement I used, simply sliding them onto the curtain rod made them look a little frumpy, but it was an easy adjustment to get the top of the curtains to stand up right. Additionally, I adjusted and played with the pleats to make them hang right. In the end, none of the hack choices I made seemed to show or make much of a difference. The bright, bold yellow makes a real statement in the gray room, and I'm darn happy about it. <br /><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><br /></span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaN1WzwhaXXkpXS9ohCVOHrqkp4zJKs10i2qh5YThNtIz_bVlxORWmgIRUmUPAr1LWuF2NsT7lMzAxrMyJiayCIUKuCiWG9HAvxtaN0HxLPI_w4d-gQbyOd_jXRh-_3uzUSip5PQ1u0rtG-vXpR2ZlIxseaC8SymZd7JdKX97LNvirV9tI-QUsm-r9A/s4080/PXL_20220717_001501244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjaN1WzwhaXXkpXS9ohCVOHrqkp4zJKs10i2qh5YThNtIz_bVlxORWmgIRUmUPAr1LWuF2NsT7lMzAxrMyJiayCIUKuCiWG9HAvxtaN0HxLPI_w4d-gQbyOd_jXRh-_3uzUSip5PQ1u0rtG-vXpR2ZlIxseaC8SymZd7JdKX97LNvirV9tI-QUsm-r9A/s320/PXL_20220717_001501244.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1PrLjZ4-zAAR6mOVKzeBy3VqnlCQyKy9UKa1TB2uElh-pKBsX5Fh6-mEkkCSN8-C_EcOi5zmmDUFOuDLzqXJYeS2TTszp7J0BFV8OtpDHRN8_jR6ijtTVdwEIJ6I-2-LRbcVgqvu2zctSgypvGaWSQc9g6bSgvn66WoqxZSiEyNQPUYpSYeGOFF_mg/s4080/PXL_20220717_001441875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1PrLjZ4-zAAR6mOVKzeBy3VqnlCQyKy9UKa1TB2uElh-pKBsX5Fh6-mEkkCSN8-C_EcOi5zmmDUFOuDLzqXJYeS2TTszp7J0BFV8OtpDHRN8_jR6ijtTVdwEIJ6I-2-LRbcVgqvu2zctSgypvGaWSQc9g6bSgvn66WoqxZSiEyNQPUYpSYeGOFF_mg/s320/PXL_20220717_001441875.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggtB44bmoWxCasS7kseQj_aD80mizntgXP-kMbbnLe5EObJII7MUvGcIToe2cVznE7uu8knYv_nFqkSqWyopZ11UIjr9Srx_DvJauiL1bA5m_ZBYBKcrK60Edh1lq53iERtlX-b-oYnv3tpfTUBQNNroEQtbFvobtpwnHkOP-iPCwjv7Su3Q9eSK4MA/s4080/PXL_20220717_001715894.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiggtB44bmoWxCasS7kseQj_aD80mizntgXP-kMbbnLe5EObJII7MUvGcIToe2cVznE7uu8knYv_nFqkSqWyopZ11UIjr9Srx_DvJauiL1bA5m_ZBYBKcrK60Edh1lq53iERtlX-b-oYnv3tpfTUBQNNroEQtbFvobtpwnHkOP-iPCwjv7Su3Q9eSK4MA/s320/PXL_20220717_001715894.jpg" width="241" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Laura Wingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02283750317613943502noreply@blogger.com0