OKay peeps. Here's the deal. You Love Me. You Click on Above Banner. It IS that easy. Here's why: I'm a big fan of this band, they have a new CD coming out, and they are running a wee bit of a contest. *If* I can get 25 clicks on said banner, I get a free autographed poster. (if I get 50, I get a CD too!) And YES. I AM that much of a fan-girl. PLEASEEEE? You have to do nothing other than click on this banner. 5 seconds of your time? Send your friends? THANK YOU.

In other news.... what a day. It felt like it was never going to end... had a full day at work, and then a 2 hour staff meeting, then an hour and a half "energy healing" class, right after. Interesting stuff. I'm not sure I subscribe to the whole spiel, but if nothing else, the sort of guided visualization/meditation is very useful for me. Amazing relaxation tool.

And... now... with nothing better to report (maiden voyage of the kayak this weekend, perhaps?), a bike ride tomorrow? ... I"m off to watch my tape of this week's Idol! Waha!!

(go click the graphic, before you read on?)

Tags: energy healing, fangirl, kayak, sister hazel
You might find me at: home...
I'm feeling...: calm
I'm rockin' out to:: Mandolin Moon - SH

OH My... So, I noticed that today is SATURDAY. Hmm. I've been living in a time vortex for a week or so now, as I've been on vacation (I know, poor me)... I guess it's time to slowly readjust to RWT (real-world time) in prep for Monday. Bleh.

May I start by saying WHAT A DAY. Beautiful 65-70 degree weather all afternoon (there is NOTHING like napping in the sun... ahhh..), and promise of more tomorrow.... *this* is how spring should be, and *this* is how ALL my weekends should be! hahaa..... in celebration of this lovely weather, Holly and I are busting out our bikes for our inaugural ride of the season... I'm exciiiited! wee!  As for today... I did NOTHING. haha... stayed up way too late last night (or.. this morning...) with the chill party, generally had a good time... and spent today just napping and reveling in the loveliness of today... walked the dogs, ate with Mom and Allan, and watched The Last King of Scotland , which incidentally, was an interesting movie.

Hmm.... so. yeah. I've got nothing... Other than, my car is clean, the weekend is beautiful, and it's almost KAYAK SEASON! *claps*

okay. I'm done. Really. See people, this is how I know I suffer from S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder)... because as soon as I get large doses of sunshine, not only am I MUCH happier, and much more stress-free.... but also, I may get a little manic about it. Hmmmm.

Off to... read? maybe?

Tags: bikes, kayak, quizzes, sunshine
You might find me at: Home...
I'm feeling...: cheerful
I'm rockin' out to:: Good Times - Aretha!

Random day. My student went home sick early in the day, which left me sort of floating (and not doing much) for the rest of the day... at GROTON, because we were doing a school activity at Boulder Beach (interesting, nice and suprisingly WARM.).... thankfully, I had thought to put my kayak on the car!

So, after school released me at 230ish, I took a little drive, on a quest for a bathroom and sustenence, as I missed lunch, and dinner promised to be a long way off.... and found myself at the Taco Bell/KFC in St. J. Nice drive, actually. I was so confused, but it was a nice drive. Plus, I had a Gordita to carry me through the afternoon, so the world was once again righted.

I had hoped to be able to try a new kayaking spot and put into Lake Groton via Boulder Beach, but the distance to the launch, versus the parking lot was WAY more than I wanted to carry the giant plastic beast, so I wussed out, and drove 10 minutes down the road to Marshfield Dam. Highly enjoyable. Easy launch, nice scenery, and it was still quiet when I launched around 4pm.

So, I paddled out around the "L", found myself a good spot, pulled my book out of its plastic bag, and read (and sunned) happily until the wake from the speed boats would push me to a shore, and I'd paddle back out ... rinse and repeat.... Then, paddled around some more, loaded up, and headed home.

Funny thing though, the alone with my thoughts and the water was a lovely thing. For a long time, before I started reading, I just sort of sat. And thought. And processed. And mapped.... like I do with my students. I have not yet reached my answer, but I do feel as though things are a little more in perspective, which is really nice. If nothing else, I was able to think through *exactly* what I was thinking, and why and really sort of get my mental ducks in order, so at least I can go forth with some clarity on MY end.
The water was just so lulling... I need to live somewhere on the water. I would be SUCH a less stressed out person.

So. Yeah. The rest of the evening, though not what I expected, was fun too... Just chillin' out, maxin', relaxin' all cool...... hahaha

Tags: kayak
You might find me at: my pillows...
I'm feeling...: sleepy
I'm rockin' out to:: Anchored in You - Shawn Mullins

First off, the American voting public (in the context of American Idol) is SERIOUSLY on my shit list. How could they send home the GOOD, rocker guy, and keep that shitty, annoying GIRL - who's had like THREE or four bad weeks in a ROW. *rants and raves*. I'm not impressed, America. Kindly get your shit together (and listen to Simon.).

Anyway. That being said, today was pretty uneventful... SUPER long staff meeting, followed by delayed kayaking... BUT, kayaking nonetheless, and it was actually quite nice.... the weather held, and we actually got some SUN for the latter part of the evening/afternoon (6-745pm).... Very nice.... Sadly, those damn BEAVERS (Timmmmm, you've got to go there with me sometime - You'd love the wildlife) were a pain in the ass.... I wasn't (as far as I could tell) going anywhere NEAR their shit, however, not one, or two, or THREE beavers - but FOUR beavers were appearing and slapping their tails at us..... I tell ya, I needed nooooo further encouragement, I was totally out of there. ahhaha
I'm really looking forward to the weekend, when I can hopefully do a little longer trip .... we shall see. I really love the kayaking though..... it's the water - just being on it is very relaxing for me - the rhythm of the paddling, the splish-splashing.... I dunno. 'Tis good, ya.

Minor annoyance: People who say they're going to call, then don't. Freakin' new housesitting lady, that I'm supposed to start tomorrow evening, was supposed to call me tonight and discuss the key situation. No call. She's LEAVING tomorrow. *sigh*. God damn people. I call her and leave a message. No call. I swear, if she calls me tomorrow and expects me to jump to her beck and call, she's going to have one ruuuude awakening.

PLUS... tomorrow is.... *drumroll*

GAELIC STORM @ Higher Ground!

VERY very VERY very VERY excited. Really grew to love these guys during the Rock Boat... they're really fun performers (similar to how GBS are fun)... AND, everyone's going! Well, Holly was supposed to go, but she had to bail, because she's got an interview late in the day, somewhere down near rutland.... BUT Justa has a ticket (even though she's mad and hasn't spoken to me for a couple of days), my dad's going, Becky is going in Holly's stead, I'm going AND I got tickets for my Mom and Allan as sort of a Mother's Day thing..... SO. Party at higher ground!

On which note, I shall leave you, Journal-Land, in favor of Sleepy Land.... but leave with this parting amusement:

( 25 Signs That Show You've Grown Up )

Tags: concert, gaelic storm, humor, kayak
I'm feeling...: calm
I'm rockin' out to:: I miss my Home - Gaelic Storm

Well, a good weekend, for sure.... I definitely got all kinds of sleep that I had been missing (ahhh, how I love my pillows), and good times were had...
The dancing crew was more abbreviated than initially anticipated, but sometimes, it's good to get back in touch with the basic Fun Crew that's always ready for good times. Small group does not necessarily mean not-fun. PLUS, you all fit in a booth at Denny's at 3am. hahahah...

Today, did some kayaking in Waterbury with Becky... the day turned out just BEAUTIFUL.... it could have been like 5 degrees warmer, but I'm definitely not complaining....we had a few "mis-adventures" involving more angry beavers, and some menacing looking Trout...... BUT... all in all, good times.

Unfortunately, work is not going to be exactly what I had in mind for tomorrow.... another long drive to Morrisville that I wasn't supposed to have to do.... BUT. Such is what it is.... so. Bleh. But it's a Monday, I guess it's allowed to be a little "bleh".

Off to sleep I go, I think...... with hopes of SUNSHINE tomorrow.... *crosses fingers*

Tags: kayak
You might find me at: Home
I'm feeling...: okay
I'm rockin' out to:: Gaelic Storm

okay. So, I would like to start by saying that I think my chair/stool is falling apart underneath me. hahaha.... It's one of those like counter-stool-in-a-box things you get for $40 at Bed and Bath.... and put it together yourself. Which, incidentally was all good at the time. Well. The stool is for my computer... which gets heavy traffic (duh.), so, therefore, does the stool. AND, in the last few week, I've been finding mysterious screws on the floor and stuff..... Only like 2 minutes ago, when I actually HEARD one fall out of somewhere on this chair that I began to worry. Because, in front of me on my shelf is a shot glass of like 6-7 screws that apparantly *SHOULD* be in this chair.... and they're not. And yeah... it's a little wobbly.... but..... Perhaps I should find the little special tool-thingy that came with it, to put them in, before I land on my ASS in the middle of updating? ....


Anyway... on to lesser crisis.... hahaha... Work was okay... tomorrrow I'm training a new guy to work with one of my kids, so THANK GOD I will not have to drive to Morrisville (45 min. drive @ 8am) 3 days a week..... LUCKY ME, the guy I alternate with during the week is OUT this week, which means, until this backup is trained, etc. I'm driving to Morrisville all five days this week. *SIGH* that is my least favorite thing EVER.... however, I will just think of how nice a paycheck FAT with all that milage money will be.......

Highlight of the Day:
After getting out of a meeting a little later than anticipated, I ran home, busted out the kayak (STILL needs a name), hoisted it on the car, strapped the beast down and braved all the construction on RT 2 to meet Timmy at Marshfield Dam.
I get there (later than I anticipated), and see his kayak is missing from his roof, and he's already out on the water, out of sight.... Yikes. Some catching up to do! Well, I struggle getting the kayak off my car (I was the wrong way in the wind, trying to hold a BIG piece of plastic. hahaa), while 8 burly men, fishing watched me. WHAT happened to Chivalry? Or just plain NICE people?!?! Geesh. No thanks to them, I pop in, and paddle like hell (against the wind!) to catch up with Tim and we have a HELLA nice paddle around the lake. I find the water just so soothing, it was a REALLY nice day to wrap up the day.... just sort of relaxes me (even though I am definitely zonked..), and refocuses me.... Nice to get to chit-chat with My Long-Lost Tim, too. ;-)
Paddle-time was followed by a sandwich & yummy coffee ala Danville with Tim, and an uneventful drive home.... All in all, a really nice day. I am more than disappointed that most of the rest of this week is going to be rainy. Bleh.

I tell you, people, I am going to have massive abs and arms and stuff from all this paddling.. hahaa.. just you wait. ;-)

Anyway.... and thus ends my story for today.... I'm tired, I have no clean clothes to wear tomorrow, and ..... yeah. Sleep is near.

G'night alll....

Tags: kayak
I'm feeling...: sleepy