Corndog

I started school yesterday, and it wasn't the doom and gloom I had anticipated.Yes I will be busy and yes it will be hard, but ultimately I'm hopefuly that school is a good thing for me. This morning I'm simultaneously doing laundry and research and know the laundry knows it's being neglected. In my lexical studying, though I keep thinking about a dream I had this morning right before I got up. I was helping a friend by working at her family's corndog/hotdog stand. The stand was made of yellow metal and was standing fifty feet above ground on yellow metal poles and stands. I remember having to climb up a yellow metal ladder that looked like a fire escape, but kept changing as the dream progressed. Out of nowhere there was a huge rush of cars encircling the stand all wanting a hotdog and none phased by the long wait that ensued. I volunteered myself and my new notebook for the job of going to each group and taking their orders. I've worked in restaurants and corndog stands before, but these customers took an uncustomary time to order and had difficulty deciding the name their group should be under. I was a nervous helper because I didn't know the menu and was skiddish around the car loads of people. They kept waiting and waiting, as if they decided to camp out. And I kept thinking of corndogs. I hope this comes across as hilarious for some of you. I have no idea how this dream links to my recent reentry into Biblical Studies.

Oh Snow, Did you have to go?

Here it is, folks, a photo of the "Winter Blast" that hit Portland this week. More accurately this is a photo of the view from our dining room. That is my car. It is covered in snow. The only sad part is that this view has drastically changed as the snow has mostly melted and rain and has set in. More accurately mist has set in and the mossy trees and green grass make my views feel sort of "Lord of the Rings"-y. So I'm feeling a bit mysterious and a bit on edge because school was set to start and didn't. Now I have all this "school" energy pent up with no outlet. We'll see if I can make it through the weekend without breaking down and reading the beginning of my book for Reformation/Post-Reformation Theology.

for the higher ups

So, I'm set now for a promotion and promotional training at work, but before that can take place I need to go through something called a "Calibration Interview." My manager promised to get me ready for it and reassured me it would alright. Then today at work our district manager was in and before I left to go home she told me this: Yes you can do the work of a shift supervisor but you need to think about why you want to do it. My answer? I'm not quite sure yet. Other than a nice raise and a chance to exercise some of my leadership skills, I'm not feeling a genuine desire to climb that step up. Work is work. I like it, but I also like not feeling panicked about school and church and friends and family. I like work, but I'm not laying down on the tracks for it. I can think of lots of good interview answers on why I really want this job. The thing is I'm not so sure that I do. When I started my barista adventures I told myself there would be no moving up and then here I am readying myself for an interview with professional dress, cheesy answers and a coffee tasting. It may be that I'm just psyching myself out. A job is job is a job and a raise is a good thing. I just wish I didn't have to fake passion about something I'm not all that passionate about.

i want to wash my hands my feet my hair in snow...

One thing I enjoy about winter is how cozy and warm my bed becomes, an oasis of warmth in our drafty 60-degree apartment. The problem is I struggle to leave that oasis although if I could will it I would be up at 6:30am washing dishes and changing the world. By 7:50am I was more seriously considering the plan to be up at 7:30 and looking through the slats of our blinds what was that falling from the sky but big fluffy flakes of snow! I jumped (well actually I think I still layed in bed a minute longer) otu of bed and looked out the window. It's snowing! In Portland! Snow! And school will be canceled! Hooray. The sad part was that Jon had already driven off to work and there would be no one to share this snow day with.

So, I read for a bit, drank some tea, called my Mom, cleaned our spare room, watched the news. They are calling it "Winter Blast" because Apocalypse Now was taken and boy do I feel sorry for the rookie news anchors who are stationed at street corners around the city telling the viewers at home how stinking cold this "Winter Blast" is. My plan is to leave my car buried and because I don't have homework I may watch a movie or continue dusting the house. Nevertheless, I can't help but feel a bit closer to my MidWestern roots.

Here are somethings to look forward to soon on this little blog of mine:
News of how I will be responsible and diligent this semester. I'm calling the beginnnig of this semester: "Winter Blast of Biblical Studies."

Also, I'll try and post a photo of all this gorgeous white snow.

Ciao!

Last night my fellow barista, Aja was taking in the furniture at the end of the evening (we were both working if that clears things up a bit) and witnessed a vw station wagon careen into a parked car smashing its back end. He screamed a bit. We were both confused and Aja added that perhaps the driver has fallen asleep? Strange. Then as we were leaving an undercover Camero cop pulled over a truck. Walking to my car I took the risk and jay-walked.

That's just a bit of work anecdote and lead to a bigger topic. It is extremely likely that I'm moving up the coporate ladder in the near future with the promotion to Shift Supervisor. This is exciting, mostly for the pay raise and opportunity for more hours when school's out and another opportunity to flex my leadership skills. Before I can start training I have an interview with the district manager (annager?) which I'm promised is not intense or taxing and I should do just fine. We'll see. I was told by a friend who endured the aforementioned interview that it did not go well. The downfall was when she was asked if she has ever broken a rule and she didn't answer no. This question has been plaguing me at work as I think through all small rules I'm breaking or possibly breaking. I'll let you know how it goes, although it won't be until February. Until then I'll just be making drinks and pushing buttons like any ole barista.

Minimum Wage

I sneezed today at work, which shouldn't be a big deal. The woman across the counter and the woman behind her looked horrified. I even aimed for my sleeve instead of using my hand. Still they looked at me, their barista, in shock. I tried to brush it off (the stigma of sneezing and not some residue of the sneeze) by making joke.

Me: Oh, I must still have some of California in me.
Horrified Woman: California? (puzzled)
Me: Or maybe the dogs at the house we were staying at.
HW: Ah, animal allergies. They can last for days after exposure.
Me: Ha. Oh. (nervous, bewildered laugh while thinking "Who says animal allergies?")

Who are these people? Right around the holidays we swore all the crazies were out and coming into our store, telling us about the Yuletide, buys small cups of "fresh brewed coffee," gaping their mouths. I think we are still realizing we live in the city where there are random crazy people instead of the one crazy man or woman in town named _____. At least I'm still getting used to it.

the numbers add up

Hi guys and girls and ladies and gentlemen. I hope you are enjoying 2007. I toasted in the new year with my husband, jon, and our friend andy. right before we counted down (using footage from three hours before taped in new york which really seemed unfair and like they were trying to pass off old business as new business like we couldn't tell that the ball wasn't dropping live) i made the comment that i didn't want it to be 2007 because i don't like odd numbers. and i don't. when i set my alarm for the morning i always pick something even and more interesting. 6:32am not 6:30am, for example. the odd thing about that is that 47 is one of my favorite numbers. i feel like it has a good personality. a little mischevious at times, but it gets by. i bet there's a scientist studying the subjective perception of numbers. maybe a sociologist. all that to say, welcome to the new year. i'll be in california for the next few days and with free wi-fi and a laptop i'm sure i'll be posting again soon. possibly some photos, too. have a good day my friend.