Robes of Insight

August 8th, 2006

I got the most amazing intangible, totally not there gift ever! You all know I have gotten myself addicted to World of Warcraft. About a week ago I came across these beautiful robes with great stats that would totally rock for my char. They looked so hot on Hylaa, which was a great change from the usual looking priest robes. The robes are a purple item, which means they are epic, rarely seen – which also means, they cost a ton! A week later Brian surprised me by tracking down some of the rare robes and buying them for me. For my fellow WoW addicts, they were 350G! But I love them, my char looks fabulous, has awesome stats and a mana saving click effect and I’m sure I will wear them for a very long time because we all know the devout robe will never drop for me! Have a look at them on the Allakhazam site and my gallery.

Heartache

August 3rd, 2006

I didn’t answer the phone. Four calls I missed. I was at the gym. When I found out what I had missed I cried and cried.

My mom is a really strong and amazing person. She has an incredible tolerance for pain and has always been a hard worker. So today when she decided to tell us that she had been feeling tingling in her chest and arm for three days and wanted to go to the doctor – we were concerned to say the least.

She called me to come get her and take her to the urgent care. My seriously sleep deprived sister with a 3 year old and a 5 week old called me. They called the house, they called the cell. By the time I responded they were already on their way, down the mountain to the er.

Everything with her heart has thankfully checked out completly healthy. She will be following up with her family care doctor to check out some other possible causes.

But I missed their call. The one time they really needed me and I wasn’t there. It breaks my heart.

Very Large Array

August 1st, 2006

This weekend we drove out to the VLA. http://www.nrao.edu/ It was totally awesome, we had the best time. After ditching the idea of a spontaneous trip to Colorado, we (us and A&A) decided on a day trip to the VLA. I’ve been there once before and both times have been equally enjoyable.

The weather on our drive out and while we were there was absolutely gorgeous. The clouds were so many shades of gray – flat, whispy and billowing all at once. The plains were incredibly bright green because of all the rain as of late. At the site, the whiteness and contrast of the radio satellite dishes was remarkable. As we drove back it started to rain heavily. We drove past a gorge coming out of the mountains that was flooding with a massive amount of fast moving water. All the hills around us had so much water coming off of them, that little miniature waterfalls were forming all over the hills. These last two things were amazing sites of nature that I hope to keep firmly pressed in my memories. It was so beautiful.

The concept and the work done at the NRAO is intriguing. I would love to be involved with some of the work that goes on there. I found the visit inspiring and it had a reassuring effect on the classes I have decided to take at UNM this fall. Science has always been an interest of mine and it was great to be exposed again to something like this.

Be sure to check out the great pictures in the gallery!

The Chronicles of Narnia

July 26th, 2006

The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis

Loved it!! I can’t believe I never read it. I don’t know why I never did. All of the stories are wonderful on so many levels. The straight forward wonderful fantasy world that Lewis presents, there is beautiful scenery and unique creatures to imagine galore. The characters are so easy to take in and are very genuine. Then you have the awesome Christian undertones. What I found so incredible about this is that you could read the whole series and not even notice the analogies, or if you were already familiar with Christianity you could see its story and truths shining thru on every page. Another thing I loved was the books invoked emotion. The stories get you involved and I found myself feeling sadness, fear, joy and love right along with the characters.

I think my favorite book in the series is Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The character of Repicheep is so entertaining. The bravest most ethical and forthright mouse you will ever come across. But by far my most favorite part was at the end when Lucy, Edmund and Eustace sail to the end of the world and meet Aslan in a field of lilys. The tenderness and love Lucy shows for Aslan and the utter sorrow she feels at having to leave him is so powerful. It brought me to tears.

I very highly recommend the entire Chronicles of Narnia to all my friends. It is a classic that should not be missed and a must for your library. I would really like to have a beautiful collectors edition for my shelves.

Last Night

July 24th, 2006

Why were you there? How?
You were in my dream last night,
surprised to see you.

You made me giggle.
We wrote notes to each other
on a paper plate.

Inexplicable.
When did I last talk to you?
Were things left unsaid?

Our dream was cut short.
Lots of room left on the plate.
Come see me again.

A friend has taught me,
can’t take dreams at face value
So why were you there?

Bad host!

July 19th, 2006

So my host was having issues for several days…. and some people actually inquired about why my blog was down. Can you believe it?! I still have readers! Woot! I must recommit to posting my wandering thoughts. Today’s random thoughts and events:

  • It is hard to negotiate with a 3 yeard old.
  • Teenage boys have bad BO.
  • I love to wear my St. Patrick’s day shirt even though it is not a green day.
  • I like stir fried bean sprouts.
  • Grinding for rep sucks. Damn those greedy Thorium brothers!
  • Universities have a lot of red tape, but pour on a little sugar and you can easily get what you want.

In My World

July 11th, 2006

Nothing much going on here. It had been busy at work tonight but slowed down now. Figured I should post sooomething since I haven’t in forever. I’m trying to decide with some friends if we should attend our 10 year high school reunion coming up next month. I guess it would be interesting to go to. It seems very poorly planned though and I’m not even sure how to RSVP or how much it costs. I know a date, time and place. So we’ll see…. Any of you guys go to your reunions?

In WoW news – I have hit level 52 and am almost to 53! I got to put on the first piece of my devout set which is awesome. What is really exciting to me is that I can start going on 1 or 2 of the near end game instances that I have heard about all along. I am really excited to get even a few more levels on me so I can go to all the end game instances with all the other levels 60’s that I know and others just in my guild.

I also added some pictures to my gallery finally. I still have a lot more I want to get all catalogued there. Check it out!

6/26 7:22pm

June 27th, 2006

Yay! Woo! My new nephew is here!! He is so so cute. My sister and the baby are doing really great. I can’t wait to see him again tomorrow. In the mean time… gotta catch up on sleep! Welcome baby, I promise to spoil you just as much as the first nephew!

Eric Michael
6/26/06
7lbs 1oz, 20″

Wedding Crashers… Kinda

June 18th, 2006
On Friday night we crashed a 40th Anniversary party with A&A. It was fabulous, we had a great time! Now how did we get there…. Friday was Audra’s birthday so we got together to celebrate. First we ate at her favorite sushi place, Yen Ching. Personally I think Sushi is gross, but luckily they also have many other tasty dishes. After dinner we were heading over to Sandia Casino to listen to a band play. Before we went over I decided we better go home and change, which ended up being a very good thing considering the environment we ended up in. A&A had met the drummer of this band when they were at Grandma’s Sound & Music, where Anthony was purchasing a new drum set. Apparently he and this drummer were doing some comparison shopping together and music chat, which led to the invitation to come watch his band perform at the casino. We were all under the impression they would be playing in the lounge of the casino. Low and behold though, they were playing at a private party, which they invited us in to. It turned out to be a lovely 40th anniversary celebration for a cute old couple. It was hilarious. We sat down at a table with Uncle Lenny, who eyed us suspiciously, and continued to have a ball and be the last ones out! I would guess there were about 75 people there. So while we could blend in some what, all of those 75 people were apparently close family and friends of the couple. They had the place all decorated with old wedding photos, and advertisements from the era the couple was married. We got there when the family was talking up at the front about their beloved parents/grandparents. Then they did some games. A door prize for the couple married the longest (I think it was 49 years) and a door prize for the couple married the shortest. Well we couldn’t resist, A&A raised their hands proud and proclaimed their 3 months of marriage. As they were awarded the door prize for the newest newlyweds, the family member running the show said “Wow 3 months, way in the back there. How is that?” We were busting up! Luckily he moved on and didn’t focus to much on figuring out who exactly we were. Home made CD’s were also handed out to all the guests. I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but I think it is full of old pictures. The 40th anniversary groom then sang some songs for his lovely wife, along with his two brothers. At last it was time for the band to start. They filled the evening with 50’s and 60’s songs and we filled the evening cheering them on and dancing with the family. Fifty percent of the family cleared out almost immediately when the band started, but we were not deterred. As the band wrapped up and we thanked them for a fabulous showing, some family member organizer encouraged us to take some of the center pieces. So we walked out with roses and card board replicas of pink Ford Thunderbirds. We finished the night off with drinks and munchies at F&H. A great evening that we won’t soon forget. And now we have new stories to tell! Happy 40th LeeRoy & Mary!

Lazy Days

June 8th, 2006

Nothing much has been going on to write about. I am settling in to working this swing shift, which I will be staying on for a while. There are some nice things about it. I like feeling like I have all day off, but still getting a pay check. When I come in to work it isn’t usually very busy. When it is busy the time goes by fast and when it is slow I get to visit with my co-workers or catch up on some reading. Right now I am reading The Chronicles of Narnia. Can you believe I’ve never read this? Those of you that know me, know I love to read and do it all the time reading several books simultaneously. I’ve always been that way, yet some how this classic never made it in the rounds. I’m really enjoying it so far – but how could I not, it is C.S. Lewis after all.

I’ve also been perusing the UNM catalog again. I am obsessed with reading that thing. I think at one point or another I’ve wanted every degree program detailed in there. A part of me wouldn’t mind being a professional student. Here’s the latest three things I am considering…. MA in Organizational Learning & Instructional Technology, Secondary Education Licensure, BS in Biology (maybe bio-chem or molecular biology). Any of those sound particularly like something I should pursue? I’m open to all opinions here!

This Saturday is a formal dinner and dance event for my company. I’m excited because I get to wear the cute dress from Anthony & Audra’s wedding again. I love that dress. I got new shoes and earings to go with it, but other than that I am already set. It will be nice to hang out with my friends from work that I don’t get to see as often as I would like anymore. Looking forward to some good laughs, great company and some two steppin’ fun with my friend Shawn who dances like a pro.