a delicate system of checks and balances

Halloween offered a particularly memorable bus ride. When we reached UH, the entire freshman class boarded. Meaning, there were four reeling Quailmen, three staggering firefighters, two swimming mermaids, and a plowed ninja turtle who shoved down his pants two empty bottles of Heineken after the bus driver threatened banishment to those with open alcohol containers.

self depreciation is not code-four

I am totally aware the self-depreciation is not an attractive trait. I do not advise or practice it.

But if you do constantly cut yourself down, tear yourself up, rip yourself apart, stop it. People will not know how to give you a pat on the back if you say that your back is hideous.

birthdays, shmirthdays

Lost my umbrella and was soaked when the late bus coasted up my hill. Missed my transfer. Twenty minutes in downpour, bus transfer, late arrival to the movie. Sad film, bawled and shivered in the darkness. Another hour in the rain for a transfer.

By the time I got home I wanted to punch someone.

star struck

Today I got to interview children’s book author, James Rumford:

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=James%20Rumford&page=1

He did two stints in the Peace Corps, speaks many different languages, and illustrates his own books! This makes me a total literary nerd, but I’m star struck. Now I get to write an article for our newsletter about him. Yes, I love my job.

writer's block

I finally have a job that requires me to write articles and stories and I can’t think of a damn thing. I miss the world of creative writing workshops. As much as I complained, it was good to be surrounded by creative, stimulating assignments. And group feedback. These days my writing self is quite blah.

I live vicariously by discussing the lives of others

“What I think,” I said to my friend—we were sitting in front of Safeway munching on pita chips and hummus—“is that they’re either getting married or breaking up.”

“Really?” she replied “Don’t you think you’re being drastic?”

That night they coyly showed me the ring.

Note to self: always go with gut feelings.

The things we do for self confidence

I was blow drying my hair and making all the faces that I make at my reflection when I’m alone. I flatten my nose, bulge my eyes and angle my face. The final mirror reflection that I see before I leave for work is the image of me I will carry around all day long.