One day last week as I was driving to work, I noticed this woman driving aggressively. She was tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, and speeding when she found a little hole. She was driving a small, mid-ranged, silver sedan, and her fancy work clothes were swinging on a hanger hung from one of those convenient hooks that cars sometimes have. I observed her dangerous trip from the time she first passed me on Bragaw as I exited the highway, all the way until we turned onto Northern Lights. I have to admit that I was annoyed by her aggressive behavior.
This type of driving is not the norm here in Alaska. I've noticed that the majority of Alaskans are patient drivers, allowing people into traffic and merging- yes merging! Of course, there are those that don't follow the rules of the road and polite society but as a whole they, no we, are polite drivers. Secretly, I think that all those aggressive drivers must be transplants.
Since I relocated to Alaska, I've learned so much from the people around me. Alaskans seems to have a slower way of life that isn't the norm in the bigger cities I've called home. The rush-rush-rush of the city hasn't made its way to Alaska. People here know that everything will get done in its time. Stressing and rushing doesn't help. It just makes you stressed.
Which brings me back to Ms. Silver Sedan. You may have noticed that I mentioned I observed her erratic, dangerous driving for several miles. This is because, for all her rushing, dangerous driving, and (assumed) stress, she didn't get any further ahead! I just plodded along, obeying the rules of the road, knowing that I would get to work when I got there, all my work would be waiting, and NOTHING bad would happen if I wasn't there exactly at 8:00 am. The world would not stop; no one would die. Best of all, when I got to work, I didn't start my day stressed out and coming down from a self-inflicted adrenaline rush.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Some People Are Characters and What I Learned at Work Today
Note: I wrote this a couple of years ago and never published it.... not sure why but I like the thought, so here it is. :-)
There's commercial for cable TV right now that has the tag line, "Characters Wanted". The point of these ads is that this network has unique characters. Anyway, they have shows with really wonderful, unique characters. They don't just slog through life in an ordinary way but make the ordinary extraordinary.
There's commercial for cable TV right now that has the tag line, "Characters Wanted". The point of these ads is that this network has unique characters. Anyway, they have shows with really wonderful, unique characters. They don't just slog through life in an ordinary way but make the ordinary extraordinary.
In life, some people are characters. Some people have that knack for finding humor in daily life, for retelling a story so that you laugh out loud, or are just so unique that "character" is the only word describes them. Sometimes people mean this in a somewhat negative way but the way I mean is not negative at all. It's totally positive and I'm a bit jealous. I would love to be a character, a person who is just FUN.
Which leads to my dual title. One of the women with whom I have the pleasure to work is a character. She's just so fun to know and always has a way of making me look at things in a new way. In fact, I suspect her entire family is made up of characters. Her mom even recently made a boot for a chicken whose leg was injured! A boot! for a chicken! Awesome! It's because of her that I learned what Schmuck really means. Do you know? I know what we think it means and how we use it, but its true meaning is, well, you can read it about it here.
So, here's to being unique and letting your inner geek arise, or inner book worm, or whatever it is that makes you, you!
So, here's to being unique and letting your inner geek arise, or inner book worm, or whatever it is that makes you, you!
Braveheart News
Well, this will be a short one since I'm at work and don't want to take advantage and I don't have much news.
Braveheart is doing well. He called this morning and chatted. He says he's been very busy but can't really tell much about what he's been doing. So far everyone is safe. He was amazed at the darkness of the night there and the number of stars he can see. He's seen camels carrying sheep and little children! He talked about how different life is for the Afghan people. He said most of them live in mud huts without electricity. He talked about how strange it is not seeing power lines. That's about it. Over time he'll learn more about what he can share and I'll pass on what I can. I'm just glad he's been calling regularly. I always feel such relief when I hear his voice and he sounds good!
Braveheart is doing well. He called this morning and chatted. He says he's been very busy but can't really tell much about what he's been doing. So far everyone is safe. He was amazed at the darkness of the night there and the number of stars he can see. He's seen camels carrying sheep and little children! He talked about how different life is for the Afghan people. He said most of them live in mud huts without electricity. He talked about how strange it is not seeing power lines. That's about it. Over time he'll learn more about what he can share and I'll pass on what I can. I'm just glad he's been calling regularly. I always feel such relief when I hear his voice and he sounds good!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Proud Mamma Moment
Well, Tater quit Burger King several weeks ago and has had difficulty finding another job. However, his search has ended.
Last Friday I saw that Game Stop is opening in the mini mall on Elmendorf and recommended that Tater apply. So, he called the number from the sign and spoke to the regional manager. He asked Tater for his resume (how many 17 year olds have a resume???). So, he and I prepared a resume and mailed it off. So either Saturday or Sunday the regional manager calls for a telephone interview. He tells Tater all about the job. Then today he calls and tells Tater to fill out an online application. Not long after he called and told Tater that he had awesome references and offers him the job! All without a face-to-face interview! (I told Tater that his excellent work ethic would benefit him.) So, Tater starts next week. He'll train at one of the existing stores and then work the new Game Stop when it opens the first week of April. I can't believe how much they are paying him- it's enough to make me go "hmm". Maybe I'd like retail work (not!). He seems pretty excited about the job. There aren't too many better jobs for a young video game junkie!
Last Friday I saw that Game Stop is opening in the mini mall on Elmendorf and recommended that Tater apply. So, he called the number from the sign and spoke to the regional manager. He asked Tater for his resume (how many 17 year olds have a resume???). So, he and I prepared a resume and mailed it off. So either Saturday or Sunday the regional manager calls for a telephone interview. He tells Tater all about the job. Then today he calls and tells Tater to fill out an online application. Not long after he called and told Tater that he had awesome references and offers him the job! All without a face-to-face interview! (I told Tater that his excellent work ethic would benefit him.) So, Tater starts next week. He'll train at one of the existing stores and then work the new Game Stop when it opens the first week of April. I can't believe how much they are paying him- it's enough to make me go "hmm". Maybe I'd like retail work (not!). He seems pretty excited about the job. There aren't too many better jobs for a young video game junkie!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Meandering Thoughts
Here in Alaska we are all thrilled that the sun is making its comeback. I'm happy to say that we've actually had bright, sunny days- at least partially sunny. I can't imagine how much more so this annual occurrence was welcomed in the days when people lived in cabins. I long for summer days with open windows, barbecues, and short sleeves. I enjoy the snow but I'm ready now for green and flowers.
Braveheart is settling into life in Afghanistan. He told me the spiders there are enormous. I found out they are called Camel Spiders and are arachnids but not true spiders. They are huge and ugly! I found some videos on YouTube but they aren't fit for a family blog. Soldiers do not censor their language very well when freaked out by a spider! There's not much else to say about Braveheart. He's still learning what he can share, as am I. However, I would like for everyone to pray for his safety. We never know when he's really going to need it!
Tater is gearing up for graduation. He's directionless right now for his future plans. I'm concerned about this because I think a person needs goals or they just flounder in life. I remember how overwhelming life can be at that age and I think the reality of becoming an adult is slowly sinking in. I'm confident he'll find his path shortly.
Strummer is still greatly enjoying guitar and has recently taken up skateboarding. There's a little skate park available on the air force base and he's been spending a great deal of time over there. So far there have been no broken bones.
Sgt Dad is enjoying a lull in travel and he and I plan on taking Math together this summer. We've been out of school so long that a placement test is in order. Fortunately, I already passed but Sgt Dad is going to have to retest or take a developmental course. As I type, he's cramming to retake the test. He's pretty good with mathematical concepts in general and I have every confidence he'll refresh his memory and pass. Tater, by the way, aced the test and placed right into college Algebra. At least we'll have a tutor right in the house!
Braveheart is settling into life in Afghanistan. He told me the spiders there are enormous. I found out they are called Camel Spiders and are arachnids but not true spiders. They are huge and ugly! I found some videos on YouTube but they aren't fit for a family blog. Soldiers do not censor their language very well when freaked out by a spider! There's not much else to say about Braveheart. He's still learning what he can share, as am I. However, I would like for everyone to pray for his safety. We never know when he's really going to need it!
Tater is gearing up for graduation. He's directionless right now for his future plans. I'm concerned about this because I think a person needs goals or they just flounder in life. I remember how overwhelming life can be at that age and I think the reality of becoming an adult is slowly sinking in. I'm confident he'll find his path shortly.
Strummer is still greatly enjoying guitar and has recently taken up skateboarding. There's a little skate park available on the air force base and he's been spending a great deal of time over there. So far there have been no broken bones.
Sgt Dad is enjoying a lull in travel and he and I plan on taking Math together this summer. We've been out of school so long that a placement test is in order. Fortunately, I already passed but Sgt Dad is going to have to retest or take a developmental course. As I type, he's cramming to retake the test. He's pretty good with mathematical concepts in general and I have every confidence he'll refresh his memory and pass. Tater, by the way, aced the test and placed right into college Algebra. At least we'll have a tutor right in the house!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Untitled
My Braveheart has made it to his duty station. He sounds well and I was amazed at the quality of the connection. He didn't have much time to talk and didn't have an address for me yet. He told me that it's going to be a bigger adjustment that he anticipated. One thing he mentioned is that while walking around the base, soldiers are required to keep their hands out of their pockets. I'm looking forward to hearing how life is for him there and can't wait for pictures. I'm doing much better now. However, I better not have any unexpected, uniformed visitors!
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