#412 I Am The Warrior

I loved high school.  I wasn’t particularly popular.  However, at 6’6”, everyone knew who I was.  Playing on the volleyball and basketball teams helped too.  I never went to parties, instead heading to someone’s house to watch movies or to Noble Roman’s for pizza and breadsticks on the weekends (they have the BEST breadsticks). 

Despite my affinity for high school, I have moved on and don’t live there.  We all know people who are like that.  They have the same hair, dress the same way, or all they talk about is their high school days.  It’s fun to visit now and then, and I do still hang out with high school friends.  Ultimately, we all have moved on. 

I go to the occasional football game each fall.  (Ok, this year I went to four.  A high school friend’s son was a senior on the team so I went to more games than usual).  I also go to maybe one girls basketball game (I have not been to one in a couple years).  I got wind of a 6’5” freshman on the girls team so Melissa (said high school friend) and I went to a game a few weeks ago.  It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a girls team at Warren play that well.  They have a new coach and he’s doing a great job.  Their freshman “big girl” (as I like to call tall basketball players) did well also. She's 6'5".  

Last weekend Melissa and I were at Warren again, and to recognize another former Lady Warrior who is on the 2016 Indiana High School Basketball Silver Anniversary Team.  Shannon played at Warren after I left (1988-1991) and then went on to Purdue.  They introduced her before the varsity girls’ game.  Several of her teammates and friends were there to support her, along with her family. What a fun night!  As is always the case at a reunion game like that, we were too busy catching up with each other to pay a lot of attention to the game (they won by about 30 points). 

After the game we all met at a local pizza place to continue the fun.  We had to get our breadsticks!  (Alas, there is no longer a Noble Romans on our side of town.)  Shannon is a fellow “big girl” at 6’4” so we chatted a bit about clothes and men.  Two hot topics!  Even though the graduation years spanned a few years within our group (‘85 through ‘91) we all had a blast.  Why wouldn’t we?  We are the Warriors!  

#411 The Future's Open Wide

Lately I’ve been in a tiny funk.  I have no reason to be.  I think it’s a combination of no sunlight the past couple of weeks and my period (sorry!).  My alarm goes off in the morning and it seems like it’s still night time.  I want to lay there under the warm covers and listen to Bob and Tom all morning.  But I make myself get up and go to the gym, thinking some physical activity will get me going.  It does.  And the rest of the day I’m ok and somewhat motivated to get things done (I’m also off work this week). 

The other day while driving home from the gym I shot up a prayer to God to help me get out of the funk and help me to improve my outlook.  A short time later one of my favorite songs came on the radio – "I Melt With You" by Modern English.  This song always makes me smile.  I first heard the song when I saw the movie Valley Girl.  It’s one of my favorite movies and Nicholas Cage’s character resembles a boy I had a crush on in college.  Nowadays, I just love the sound of the song and it takes me back to my fun college days. 

I have sung this song hundreds of times but I don’t recall ever focusing in on this line – The future’s open wide.  Pretty timely seeing as tomorrow is New Year’s Day.  Now, I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions – I believe you shouldn’t wait for a certain time of year to make a change.  Make it now.  Now just happens to be the New Year.  

After singing that line I really thought about it.  Yes, I’m 47 and still single, watching seemingly everyone around me get married and/or have kids.  But each day (overcast or not) brings the promise of something new.  Anything can happen. 

After hearing the song I stopped at one of my favorite places (the library) and when I came out and started my car the next lyric I heard was “Yesterday’s gone” from one of Fleetwood Mac’s songs.  Again, very timely. 

The future’s open wide.  Yesterday’s gone.  The sun will come out tomorrow (or the next day).  I will get over my funk.  If you happen to be feeling a little funky yourself, I pray that you look to the future and see the possibilities.  And have a Happy New Year!  

#410 Edam Up

Around the holidays certain “higher-ups” around the office receive gifts.  One year a guy received a live wreath and didn’t want it, so I took it home.  It smelled lovely.  I have seen people receive tins of popcorn, cookies and even a Virginia ham.  I have received a box of oranges and grapefruits for the past 10 years or so in December.  The person who kept me on the mailing list (I haven’t worked with that championship in five or six years now) passed away earlier this year.  He was so thoughtful to keep sending them to me and I will greatly miss him and the fruit. 

The latest gift to hit the office was a 3 lb. cannonball of Edam cheese from Mississippi State University.  A co-worker sent me a message to come and get some cheese this past Monday.  For three days days Kerstin and I have ventured to the other side of the building to have an afternoon snack of either cheese and crackers or cheese and bread. 

Today (Thursday) I sent my usual message to the keeper of the cheese asking if she had taken it out of the refrigerator.  I recently learned that cheese is best when it’s been out of the refrigerator for an hour or so.  The flavors are better.  I was aghast when my friend replied “It’s gone”.  What?  What do you mean, gone?  There was half a ball of cheese left yesterday!  Who ate all the cheese?  Who moved my cheese?  She forgot to put the cheese away when she left work last night and then called security to tell him to throw it away.  Pardon me?  Throw it away?!  Who does that?  Cheese is a hearty food and will definitely not go bad overnight.  You may have to cut some hardened cheese off the top, but it would still be good.  I was distraught. 

When I delivered the bad news to Kerstin she felt the same way.  My hope is that the security guy looked at half ball of beautiful Edam cheese and took it home with him and it’s not rotting in the back of a Ray’s trash truck. 

I was looking forward to several more days of our “cheese runs.”  (Which is a very ironic thing to call it, since cheese does the opposite of giving you the runs.)  Now I am back to peanut butter on bread for my afternoon snack.  So long, Edam.  It was nice to know you.  Parting is such sweet sorrow.  

#409 Comedic/Musical Geniuses

In one weekend I saw two (well, possibly three) geniuses.  The first was Ronnie Milsap.  I first saw him in 2007 as the second opener for George Strait (the first opener?  Taylor Swift.).  My friend Kelly went with me and she would always say “He’s a musical genius” when talking about Ronnie. 

I heard he was on his farewell tour and just had to see him one more time.  He didn’t disappoint.  There is not enough time for him to sing all of his hits, so he did a lot of medleys, but was a really good show.  He told a story about attending a school for the blind as a child.  He received music lessons for 12 years at that school and he loved music so much he told his counselor he wanted to be a professional musician.  His counselor told him he couldn’t do that and tried to steer him to other professions. 

Not long after he attended a Ray Charles concert.  He was able to meet Ray backstage and told him he was a huge fan, and that he, too, wanted to be a professional musician, but everyone told him he couldn’t.  Ray asked him to play for him.  After Ronnie finished, Ray asked him, “Do you love it?”  Ronnie answered, “I do!”  and Ray told him to follow his dream.  And he certainly did! 

The next night I saw Martin Short and Steve Martin.  My brother and sister-in-law had already bought tickets so I bought a single ticket in the balcony.  (Not much leg room in the first row of the second section!)  It was an incredible show. 

A little friendly banter

Stepbrother of Jesus

Pretty Little One

  

I do like Steve Martin and think he is very talented, but I am mainly smitten with Martin Short.  I first saw him on Saturday Night Live as Ed Grimley.  I loved him so much then that I dressed as Ed Grimley for Halloween in college.  How many 19 year-old young women would do that?  I walked around with a wire hanger as a triangle and no one knew who I was.  So sad!  

Yes, the girl on my left is dressed like a box of tampons.  

One of my all-time favorite SNL skits is Martin and Harry Shearer as synchronized swimmers.  That is just pure genius.  Martin has seemingly not aged in all these years.  Ok, I was sitting in the balcony so I couldn’t see the wrinkles, but he bounced around with the energy of a 25 year-old with his typical knock-kneed dances. 

Two of my favorite geniuses in two nights.  I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, I must say!

#408 Chicago, That Toddlin' Town

I have been to Chicago twice this year.  The first time was in April with the girls (Krista, Julie and Michelle).  I had a free night stay at a hotel so we made a quick weekend.  We drove in Saturday morning and left the next afternoon.  Well, Julie left that night, but that’s another story. 

This trip consisted of a walk along the Chicago Lakefront Trail (love Lake Michigan!), Navy Pier (we rode the Ferris wheel!), shopping (Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx, Tumi among others) and eating (most notably Miller’s Pub). 

I must share one story about my lunch at Miller’s.  I had the Greek-Style Chicken.  It was really good and was a LOT of food.  So much that I left with a large doggie bag (I hate wasting food).  Which wasn’t a problem until we decided to check out NFL Draft Town.  It was free to get in but there were signs posted that you could not bring in any outside food.  The chicken was in a container at the bottom of my bag with my newly purchased Nike sneakers on top.  As I went through the line the guy felt the bottom of my bag and asked what it was.  I lowered my voice and said that I had just come from Miller’s and I was carrying half a chicken.  I told him I was incredibly full and promised  I wouldn’t open it inside.  He smiled and let me in.  Yes!  I saved my chicken!  (Which I ate later as a snack.)  

It was a fun trip but went by much too fast.  I felt badly for Julie, as she needed to be back for a meeting Sunday morning, only to text us Sunday saying the meeting was cancelled.  Bastards! 

My advice to anyone driving into Chicago – reserve your parking space in advance using SpotHero.  I found a garage a short walk from our hotel and it was way cheaper than doing it on-site.  You do have to choose your in and out times, but it worked great for us. 

  

The next trip was still a weekend, but a longer one.  This time it was Krista, Julie and me.  We visited my friend Keith and his wife Denise who live just outside Chicago.  Keith was generous enough to invite me to a Cubs game (my first!) and let me bring a couple friends.    

I must admit I’m not much of a baseball fan.  I went to high school games because I had a crush on the shortstop.  I also went to some games in college simply because it was free and a fun thing to do on a spring afternoon.  Pro baseball?  Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.  Ok, I like my Indianapolis Indians and they have a beautiful ballpark but I usually find other things I’d rather do. I suppose everyone needs to go to one Major League baseball game in their lifetime and the Cubs isn’t a bad place to start. 

We went to a Friday afternoon game.  The day, game and company were perfect!  Keith’s seats are amazing!    

Keith had invited two other friend, Don and Jennifer, and it was fun to meet them.  I was “forced” to buy a beer and had some kind of cider.  Really good!  I was informed that at the top of every inning we had to drink so I nursed my beer for almost the entire game.  We also celebrated Don’s recent birthday.  (Thanks to Keith for our borrowed Cubs gear!)  

After the game we hit The Cubby Bear for a drink while waiting for Denise to join us, then walked a short way for dinner at a great Mexican place.  Again, lots of food but very good.  We got back to Keith’s house around 11 p.m. 

I must back up a bit to Friday morning and talk about Keith’s family.  We arrived at their house late Thursday night so went right to bed.  The next morning we met Keith’s daughter and niece in the kitchen.  We also met Zeus, their two-year old golden.  Such a great dog!  Ok, back to the family.  We chatted with Renee and Monica, and then more family arrived – Denise’s sister, Teresa, and her mom, Helen.  O.M.G.  It is an understatement to say that the kitchen was roaring with laughter.  They are all hilarious! 

Back to Saturday – we drove to Wisconsin to take a boat ride around Geneva Lake.  Keith’s friend was kind enough to take us all out on his boat.  It was another beautiful day!  We each picked out the house we wanted but couldn’t afford.  After a late lunch at Chuck's Lakeshore Inn, we stopped near Racine to pay a quick visit to one of my friends, Gwendolyn, and her family.  (A "feeling normal" visit for me!)  It’s been a few years since I’d seen them and this time got to meet their one-year old daughter.  Adorable!  We had a fun time playing Wizard and hillbilly golf before heading back to Keith’s.    

We took a slight detour after we spotted the Mars Cheese Castle. You know of no such place, you may say to yourself.  As did I before I walked across the moat to cheese paradise.  Words cannot describe my delight in being surrounded by cheese.  I am a fan of all kinds of cheese, but particularly love a good smoked Gouda and a dill Havarti (of which Keith and I discovered we buy the same type from Aldi).  I walked out of there with a solid cheese knife.   

We continued the fun just a bit more Sunday by stopping at Arlington Race Track for a couple hours.  I didn’t bet but Krista came close to winning on the two races she bet on.  I had a yummy Bloody Mary.  Again, they “made” me drink!  I didn’t mind so much though.  Finally headed home in the afternoon. 

What a great weekend!  Keith and Denise are new friends (I’ve known them almost two years now) and I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again, either in Indy or Chicago. 

A side note about Denise – I have found someone who loves Halloween as much as (or maybe more) than I do!  She showed me pictures of her work costumes the past few years and they are stellar!  She definitely would have won in my office.  Very creative and fun, that Denise. 

Here’s to two great weekends and hanging out with new and old friends!

#407 Guy vs. Man

Over the summer I met someone of the opposite sex who was tall, attractive and interesting.  He asked for my number and we spent a little bit of time together.  Then I never heard from him again.  But that is beside the point.  When I told my friend Alyce about meeting him, I stopped myself and thought about what I was about to say.  I usually tell people that I met a guy.  This guy, however, was over 50.  Therefore I felt compelled to tell her that I met a man.  Why?  I still refer to myself as a girl, as do I refer to my friends of various ages (some of whom are north of 50).    

Today I read an article in the Huffington Post that triggered my memory on this topic.  And confirmed my thoughts on dating older men now that I am approaching 50. 

I feel a bit like Peter Pan at times, especially since I don’t have the husband and/or kids that most of female society does.  I have no one to worry about except myself.  Sure, I care about my family and friends, and have concern for them, but I don’t have to take care of anyone or check with anyone to see if it’s ok that I buy something or go somewhere.  I just do it.  Same as I always have.  (For the record, I do WANT that, it just hasn’t happened.)

Even though I am relatively youthful and can fly off to Neverland at a moment’s notice, I do understand that my potential suitors’ age range is going up.  Even though I still find all ages of men attractive, I know that guys even in their late 30s are going to think I’m too old for them.  (I’m sure they have been thinking this longer than care to admit).  Sigh.

At age 28 I went out with a guy who was 36.  I remember telling my friends incredulously, “In four years he will be 40!”  Then in my mid-30s I dated a man with children.  We didn’t date long so I didn’t get the full experience of what all of that entails, but I could sense that things were shifting.  Young children.  Exes.  Now it’s moving to kids in college or grown children. 

My age “rule” was stolen from a former co-worker Crissy (see Post No. 26).  I have re-told one story from that post, so won’t go into great detail.  It’s just strange that my age range now is 37-57, fast approaching 60.  Although Kenny Aronoff is 62 and I LOVE him. 

My ultimate feeling about age is that it really doesn’t matter.  When you click with someone, who cares how old they are?  (Well, it must be legal.)  And as for what to call them – man or guy, I may flip flop on that.  It’s a hard one to figure out, man.    

#406 Kick It

I’m a positive person and like to keep things positive on my blog, but something happened to me over the weekend that is still bothering me. 

While running errands Sunday afternoon I drove west on Washington Street and turned right onto Ritter.  I had just turned the corner when four people started walking across the street.  The middle of the street.  No crosswalk, no pedestrian walkway.  They slowly wandered across the street with no care in the world that a car might drive over them.  I stopped and waited patiently.  Oh I was perturbed, but had no reaction.  The last two decided to walk back across from whence they came.  For some reason they couldn’t make up their mind what they wanted to do.  I finally honked at them to get out of the road since I had the right of way. 

They finally finished crossing to meet their friends but were not happy that I had honked.  As I proceeded to drive by them, one of the boys kicked my car on the driver’s side.  Yes, he KICKED MY CAR.  I stomped on the brakes, put the car in park and got out to inspect the damage.  The kick had made a loud noise and I just knew there was a mark of some kind.  Miraculously, there was no permanent mark, just a smudge of dirt. 

They had continued walking down the street so after I looked at my car, I looked up at them.  Well, glared at them is more like it.  I heard the girl say, “I don’t care about that car!”  Seeing no damage, I got back in the car and drove away.  As I did so, I started thinking, “That’s where some people get shot.”  What if they thought I was coming after them and shot at me?  I was shaking, partly because I was so angry.  If there had been any kind of mark, I would have called 911. 

I kept thinking about the altercation the rest of the day.  The thing that bothers me the most is that these kids have no consideration of others.  They don’t care about anyone but themselves.  They don’t care that they are walking in the middle of the street possibly in front of a car.  They know that the car will stop so they don’t get hit.  (I hope they all do stop.)  They don’t care that they are making someone wait in the street, possibly to get hit by another car from behind.  And they certainly don’t care about other people’s property.  They kicked MY car because THEY got mad that I honked at them while standing in the middle of a STREET.  WTF? 

I’m not saying all kids are like this, but it’s sad that a lot of them are like this.  They just don’t care.  There are no consequences.  That’s why a lot of them shoot each other.  They made me mad so I’ll just shoot them.  So what? 

After my nerves finally calmed down, all I could do was say a prayer for these kids.  Maybe they feel like nobody cares about them, so why should they care.  It’s so frustrating. 

Be careful out there.  Be careful who you honk at.  I will try to be a bit more patient.  But I can only take so much.  I have no fun ending for this story; I just pray that these kids have a good ending to their story, wherever it takes them.