Entries Tagged 'Virgin Territory' ↓

I almost broke my face from smiling so hard:

JBelle to her father:

“I want Clinton to win…wait, no I want Obama to win!”

“Why’s that?” he asks.

“Because I want to be the first girl president!”

I cried softly in the dark, slumped in a faded neon green t-shirt, guzzling orange soda. A Boyz II Men ballad blaring through fuzzy-sounding speakers flooded the tinsel strewn cafeteria. Tables were pushed along the wall, the mint and pink stool seats clashing with the decorations selected by a select committee of my classmates. I would like to have been on this homecoming dance planning committee, but I had no idea when those kids were chosen. It was the way those things would often go. Cool things like dance planning or group outings to the teacher’s house on the 4th of July would occur, always with the same rich kids in attendance, and none of the rest of us would be informed.

I cried, but no one noticed in the dark. I hated the slow songs. Even still, when I heard the tempo slow I’d nonchalantly walk around the handful of boys in my classes who might ask me to sway face-to-face with them, trying to catch their eye. They craned their necks to see over my head to the girls who weren’t growing out a short, botched haircut. Eventually I retreated to a chair after purchasing the soda, then sat and watched an 8th grade couple dance really close, chest to chest and crotch to crotch, deeply kissing for minutes with their tongues. They were out of sight of the chaperones, not that they cared. They were staring one another down when they didn’t have their mouths mashed together. He held her head in his hands as he kissed her on the dance floor.

I decided through my tears that a boy would kiss me like that some day, not like a prince kisses his bride and not like the kisses I saw on television, but like that couple who didn’t care if they got caught.

[Inspired by Sarah Brown]

UPDATE: Decided on a place, but the date has changed to SUNDAY, the 28th. Invitations to follow shortly.

Okay, so I want to throw a party for myself. That’s right, on October 28th I’m going to be entering my third decade and soon after moving all the way across the country, and I want to celebrate both those things with friends. I’ve never reserved a private room at a restaurant for a party before, so I’m seeking suggestions.

I’d like to invite about 35 or so people (I think), assuming that 25 will show. I’d like it to be in a not-too-fancy place where everyone would feel comfortable, but not a dive either. The service must be top-notch, because nothing puts a damper on a party more quickly than lack of adult beverages. I’d like for people to be able to move around and mingle easily, but also allow for entree eating for those so inclined. I’m thinking of throwing the party on Saturday, October 27th, around 6 p.m.

Any suggestion on a good place to throw such a party? My house, by then packed up in boxes, is not gonna cut it.

More on Flickr.

• I never heard that line, “This is the 80s, and I’m down wit the ladies,” in “Funky Cold Medina” before. I love it! I’m going to start using that line to reply to questions I don’t know the answer to.
• Every time I see an “I ♥ My Wife” bumper sticker I assume the wife bought it for him and made him put it on his vehicle.

Should I vote in the Nashville mayoral election if I am moving to San Francisco before the end of this year? That is the question I face on this gray and rainy day. I prefer Karl Dean to Roberto Clemente, but is it fair to vote for either if I’m just going to be living in the Bay Area inside 3 months? I’m not sure that it is. I’d really like to see Megan Barry win a seat on the Council, though, so I’m going to cast my ballot anyway. I’ve always enjoyed the Barrys. Plus, I think she’d make a great progressive addition to the World’s Largest City Council. I’ve lived in Nashville for nearly 30 years of my life, so I think the city owes me one last say in the matter. Besides, I’ll be back to visit.

You see, I’ve taken a job with the local CBS affiliate in San Francisco, California, the land of godless liberals who have gay sex on the streets while shooting up. The kind folks at KPIX (whose website was voted best in the state by the Associated Press) recruited me to run a blog aggregator much like the one I used to run at WKRN here in Nashville. I took them up on their offer to fly out for two days to interview, and after some negotiating I agreed to take them up on a full-time position. I’ll be working from within the newsroom Monday through Friday combing through all the blogs updated daily in the Bay Area, highlighting posts I find funny or provocative or insightful or informative. There will also be an automatic aggregator. Many of you may be familiar with the concept.

If you are wondering why I said I wasn’t cut out for moderating a community blog site, only to take this job 8 weeks later, you likely aren’t the only one. I asked myself that question many times in determining whether to pack up The Boyfriend and the dogs and move 800+ miles to one of the most expensive places in the country. But, luckily, I learned from my very public mistakes made at NiT, and I’ve taken them to heart. This new venture will be less about me. I’m not that interesting anyway. What I mean to say, though, is that I will put less of myself “out there” and concentrate more on building a vibrant blogging community in what is already one of the most wired places on earth. Also, there were some behind-the-scenes issues going on at the old station that I never felt the need to air publicly that had a lot to do with my decision to leave. I denied it at the time, because the pain from The Situation was so overwhelming that that was easy to do. But it was a factor. Also, the area out there is just different. My “radical liberalism” that makes me, according to the locals, “as far left as you’ll find on the internet” would not raise an eyebrow where I’m going. Crusades by blogging GOP mouthpieces when I dare state that Gitmo detainees might not be guilty (of what they were never charged with) won’t set off a firestorm. I’ve always been a liberal in a Republican oasis, but now I’ll be more conservative than most just be virtue of my home state. I relish the thought.

But that site isn’t about politics. It’s about the people of the Bay Area. It’s about mothers and strippers and activists and students. It’s going to be what San Franciscans are talking about, so to speak. I’m thrilled at the idea of getting back into the newsroom. There is a hum in the newsroom, a sense of urgency and excitement that comes with daily turns and breaking news. This one happens to be filled with smart, engaging people who seem excited about the new media possibilities that await them. (Or, the ones I met at least.)

And I’m so excited about living in my favorite place on earth. The weather is phenomenal all year long, the people are diverse, the art scene is incredible (indie and foreign films in the theatre ’til my heart’s content!) and the opportunities are endless. There is a magic to that place, and I’m about to become a part of it. It hasn’t exactly been easy to absorb.

I’m going to miss my friends and family like crazy. I’ve lived here my entire life, so all my roots are here. But I’ve always wanted this. I used to drive down the long stretches of bending roads in Ashland City dreaming of taking the subway. The BART is close enough (and now I’m going to sell my car!). Long ago my “about page” on this blog said that I’d be moving to the Big City very soon. It was up there forever then I took it down one day, resigned that it would never happen. It’s back now and better than ever.

We haven’t decided yet on the timing, but I’m leaving no sooner than 6 weeks from now. I want to get together with many of you before I go for drinks and hugs. And mailing addresses. I’ll be 30 in October and everything I have ever known is here. I’m going to be homesick for a while I’m sure. But I can’t think of a place I’d rather be homesick in.

P.S. In the time since leaving WKRN I have been working as a copy writer at Magazines.com. I just want to take this space to thank the generous and jovial people who make up that great place. They took me on as one of the family–even if I was the black sheep–and made me feel very appreciated. And I learned so much in my time there. I’d recommend it as an awesome place to work for any copy writer in the area who wanted to earn a competitive salary while building what will be a world-class brand one day. It’s an exciting place to work, so if you are interested in doing that, please let me know.

In a previous episode I told you about Almost Home Pet Farm, where Tootie and Cooper lived while we were away. We called the house this morning from Denver to get directions once again to the rather remote doggie destination, when the assistant answered the phone. She kindly gave me directions, and told me that “Tootie is just a little snugglebunny.” They both slept next to her, one nearly atop the other.

When we got there she had all the other dogs in the house but ours. We pulled up the long gravel drive to see them both paws up, looking over the deck. The assistant quickly came out to greet us, along with one slick little escape artist named Seamus who bounded over the gate like a bunny. We ignored the ignore rule (as usual) and gave them lots of lovin’ right on the face. Tootie about busted my lip she kissed me so hard.

We hit the car to head back home, finally, and within minutes they were both dead asleep. They came home, and immediately hit the hay. Cooper has apparently had too much social interaction because he was all, “See ya later, I’m gonna nap where y’all aren’t.” Tootie managed to stir a bit ago, maybe for some water, after which she slowly wandered back where I was. I was sitting in the floor, so I called her over to me for a rub. Usually it can be a struggle to keep her from climbing all over me when I get down on her level like that (The assistant said, “Man, she is all elbows.”) Tonight she just walked over and pressed her head against my chest. She stood there, practically sleeping standing up. I pushed her into her crate, and we haven’t heard a peep from either of them since.

Mission accomplished with the kickass dog boarding place, but I’m a little bummed that they are out of commission. I missed them so much, I wouldn’t mind a little elbow right about now.

The boyfriend and I are going on a mini-vacation to San Francisco, which means we have to board the dogs. This is the first time we’ve ever had to do that. I’m already anxious as it is, but leaving my dogs behind for three days to be locked in a cage while I galavant in California drives my nervousness up to neurotic levels. I wanted to find a place that would actually be fun for them and not stressful, so I lucked into finding Almost Home Pet Farm by doing a simple Google search. I read about their facility–no kennels, mountainside to roam, sleep where ever they want, romp with 15 or more dogs–it all sounded like a dream doggie vacation.

I called Friday night to schedule our audition for the mutts. You have to drive down with your pets for an initial visit to see if they will get along with the rest of the pups, and to make sure they are not manic or aggressive or otherwise risky to take on. There are no kennels or runs at Almost Home Pet Farm, so they have to make sure your dog is well socialized and adjusted. Tootie took a large dump in the driveway and Cooper drooled everywhere, so obviously they passed with flying colors. The place is great–really remote (an hour drive away in Carthage!) with tons of room for them to run and jump and hump and play. There are large leather couches and big comfy beds for sleeping. They also get homemade organic treats.

Oh, and that’s another thing. The Almost Home Pet Farm is a hippy sort of place that requires, unless under special circumstances, that your pets be fed holistic foods. Holistic meaning all natural, no fillers like corn or other empty carbs, with most of the product being animal protein. The owner of the Pet Farm likens it to not allowing the children in her day care to gorge on candy all day. Once she requested that all dogs switch to the higher protein foods she saw behavioral changes in the animals that convinced her never to go back to Pedigree or even the “premium” brands like Eukeneuba. Tootie and Cooper are both overweight, with the blonde one being heavy enough for the vet to call her a 7 on a scale of 1-10 fatness. So, we decided to give the holistic food a shot. It’s a little more than twice as expensive, but they don’t need to eat as much, since they feel satiated longer due to the high protein content. It supposedly reduces shedding and barking and overexcitability, so I was willing to try it out. And besides, the owner of the Pet Farm wasn’t selling these products, I had to go make a special trip out to Berry Hill to get the stuff. No commission at stake in this case.

The dogs seem to love it. I chose the Azmira brand, Classic Formula, because it has 8% fat whereas other brands had 11% or more. They don’t usually get excited by dry food, but this stuff they gobble right up. And if the benefits are a less barky dog who doesn’t shed like it’s going out of style, I’m all for it.

We’ll be gone for just three days. The dogs will be blissed out at The Farm. I doubt they’ll miss us a bit.

So, I decided to start putting more effort into what I wear. I’ve always sucked at shopping, loathed ironing and shied away from sticking out. I like weird stuff, but I don’t know what to do with it. Well, I’m just saying to hell with it, and wearing whatever I think looks good. I doubt I’ll get too outrageous, I’ve just never been the sort, but I’m tired of playing it soooo safe.

I love what so many of the lovely ladies who contribute to the wardrobe_remix on Flickr wear. I get some great inspiration from those fashionable little hotties. So, I decided to join up. I won’t post to it every day, to be sure, since my solid t-shirt and jeans with chucks will still come back to haunt me on a regular basis, but I’m going to put a little effort forth. Might as well share. [My first submission is really, really dark. I’ll figure out the lighting thing eventually.]

So, this morning I got up and plugged in the hot rollers. I laugh every time I use them, because that is such a below the Mason-Dixon type of thing to do, but I have hair curlier than the giant waves those rollers give me. I use those, and it actually straightens my hair, comparatively. Way easier than blowing it out. Anyway, I did my hair and put on a favorite swirly skirt and some new wedges I got at the Rivergate Target. I was bloated, but looking good. Feeling fine. I snapped a pic or twelve, grabbed my purse, flounced my hair then walked out the front door only to fall down the stairs. My swirly skirt went flying, as did my file full of one-pagers and best practices. Miraculously, nothing was broken or bleeding, and I was able to gather myself rather quickly. Since I wasn’t in pain I was able to laugh and remember why I wore those Converse lace-ups all the time in the first place.

This is my sister’s new puppy. It is her first ever dog. The Mus has been assimilated.