My brief respite from wiggling it, just a little bit is explained by an awful awful sickness that I was plagued with for the past week. I was so sick. I don't even like to think about it. No medicine, not even the cough medicine I drank like water, even touched any of my symptoms. I am lucky to be alive.
Beverages I consumed in that period included the aforementioned Tussin Massive Cough (makes ya loopy!) and Emergen-C, cranberry flavor, which many swear by as a way to both feel immediately better and ward off any future demons. While tasty, it seems a little dangerous to send 1,667% of one's recommended daily Vitamin C down the hatch.
Yesterday I went skiing, something I have not attempted for about 10 years, and after the first hour passed (the first hour being much a repeat of what happened 10 years ago, minus the blood), I had a jolly good time. Call me a genuine Washingtonian, minus the bad driving and plus common sense.
The other day I got a spam email to my Yahoo account from Mollymeasor, with the subject line "miserly swamp." It was just too precious to delete. If anyone is looking for a nickname for me, I think Mollymeasor would be a good one.
The only other spam I have been unable to delete went to one of my work accounts, and it was from Saddam Hussein. With the subject line "mother raise." I just can't delete it, I don't know why!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Book #4: What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal
The book: What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller
What is this book about: This book is the accounting of a teacher's affair with one of her students, as told by a fellow teacher.
Why did I read this book: I read this book because the movie on which this book is based just came out to great critical acclaim. I don't like to see movies before I've read the book, and frankly, I get a little offended when the movies comes out at all before I've read the book.
What did I think of this book: This book was excellent, full of beautiful prose and heartbreaking details. The character of Barbara (played by Judi Dench in the film) is one of the most interesting characters I've read lately. Completely realistic and perfectly written.
What was my favorite part of this book: The insights into Barbara. In purporting to write Sheba's tale, she offeres incredible glimpses into her own obsessive mind.
What did I learn from this book: I don't want to say I identified with Barbara, but I understood her more than I'd like to admit. I think I've learned that there are areas in my life that I need to loosen up, or I'm going to end up like her, should I end up a British spinster.
What grade do I give this book: A
What is this book about: This book is the accounting of a teacher's affair with one of her students, as told by a fellow teacher.
Why did I read this book: I read this book because the movie on which this book is based just came out to great critical acclaim. I don't like to see movies before I've read the book, and frankly, I get a little offended when the movies comes out at all before I've read the book.
What did I think of this book: This book was excellent, full of beautiful prose and heartbreaking details. The character of Barbara (played by Judi Dench in the film) is one of the most interesting characters I've read lately. Completely realistic and perfectly written.
What was my favorite part of this book: The insights into Barbara. In purporting to write Sheba's tale, she offeres incredible glimpses into her own obsessive mind.
What did I learn from this book: I don't want to say I identified with Barbara, but I understood her more than I'd like to admit. I think I've learned that there are areas in my life that I need to loosen up, or I'm going to end up like her, should I end up a British spinster.
What grade do I give this book: A
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The bacon and port were good too
Here's what I've had for lunch recently:
Yesterday: I had a bowl of Red Berry Special K cereal. I like having cereal for meals, and I always feel especially good when I make a decision as healthy as Special K, until I realize that the size of my cereal bowls allows me to eat roughly half the box in one bowl. Thus negating any health benefits of eating Special K.
Today: Today I had some leftovers from a special dinner that was prepared for me last night. The dinner was beef tenderloin with roasted shallots, bacon and port. I am not a drug user, but I think that the experience that one gets from doing drugs might be similar to eating this. It was very good. This meal made me realize that I have not been eating enough shallots in my life. Shallots are delicious. This is a shout-out to the shallot. So, if you know how to cook, and you have a few hours to spare, I suggest you make this meal for me.
Yesterday: I had a bowl of Red Berry Special K cereal. I like having cereal for meals, and I always feel especially good when I make a decision as healthy as Special K, until I realize that the size of my cereal bowls allows me to eat roughly half the box in one bowl. Thus negating any health benefits of eating Special K.
Today: Today I had some leftovers from a special dinner that was prepared for me last night. The dinner was beef tenderloin with roasted shallots, bacon and port. I am not a drug user, but I think that the experience that one gets from doing drugs might be similar to eating this. It was very good. This meal made me realize that I have not been eating enough shallots in my life. Shallots are delicious. This is a shout-out to the shallot. So, if you know how to cook, and you have a few hours to spare, I suggest you make this meal for me.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Book #3: King Dork
The book: King Dork by Frank Portman
What is this book about: This book is about a 14-year-old social misfit, who will go to great lengths to describe why he is a misfit. Over the course of reading The Catcher in the Rye for class and creating humorous bands with his friend Sam, he solves mysteries about his dead dad, girls, life, and literature.
Why did I read this book: Because I read several good reviews of this book last year, and it made it onto a few top-ten books of the year lists.
What did I think of this book: This book was pretty clever. It probably could have been about 50 pages shorter, as the main character repeated himself quite a bit. Although this book is ostensibly a young adult book, it's more for hip mid-twenties folks like myself. I found the main character to be fairly unlikable for most of the book. You kind of understand why he's a social misfit, but then you feel bad that you've labeled him as such, because he is rebelling against society and why can't you see that?!?!?
What was my favorite part of this book: There's a code-cracking scene that made me laugh right out loud (which then went straight into a coughing fit, because I have a bad cough right now, but I tried to laugh through the coughing)
What did I learn from this book: Let's say about half of the descriptions of high school in this book are plausible and happen in real-life to kids. If so, I learned that I had an absolutely magical and wonderful high school experience.
What grade do I give this book: B-
What is this book about: This book is about a 14-year-old social misfit, who will go to great lengths to describe why he is a misfit. Over the course of reading The Catcher in the Rye for class and creating humorous bands with his friend Sam, he solves mysteries about his dead dad, girls, life, and literature.
Why did I read this book: Because I read several good reviews of this book last year, and it made it onto a few top-ten books of the year lists.
What did I think of this book: This book was pretty clever. It probably could have been about 50 pages shorter, as the main character repeated himself quite a bit. Although this book is ostensibly a young adult book, it's more for hip mid-twenties folks like myself. I found the main character to be fairly unlikable for most of the book. You kind of understand why he's a social misfit, but then you feel bad that you've labeled him as such, because he is rebelling against society and why can't you see that?!?!?
What was my favorite part of this book: There's a code-cracking scene that made me laugh right out loud (which then went straight into a coughing fit, because I have a bad cough right now, but I tried to laugh through the coughing)
What did I learn from this book: Let's say about half of the descriptions of high school in this book are plausible and happen in real-life to kids. If so, I learned that I had an absolutely magical and wonderful high school experience.
What grade do I give this book: B-
Book #2: All the Pope's Men
The book: All the Pope's Men by John L. Allen, Jr.
To be fair to my 2007 count, I read about half of this book in 2006. I feel like I've been reading this book forever.
What is this book about: This book aims to shed a light on the inner workings of the Vatican, in order that the greater Catholic church can understand what is going on there. It addresses myths about the Vatican, describes the basic working structure of the people who serve there, delves into Vatican psychology and sociology. It ends with two case studies of misunderstandings between the United States and Rome: the American sexual abuse crisis and the war in Iraq.
Why did I read this book: Because I like learning about popes.
What did I think of this book: This book was just okay. It got pretty boring and dry, and a little obvious in parts, such as the Vatican psychology and sociology chapters. I think people who read this book and are stunned by learning about what the people in the Vatican are like and think, lack a basic understanding of how people are different in different parts of the world.
I think what I was hoping this book would involve was gossip, such as, these are the men who whisper in the JP II's ear, and here's what they're saying, and here are the men who have whispered in other popes' ears. I think the more specific examples and gossip would have made for a more interesting book. In the case studies of the American sexual abuse crisis and the Iraq war, Allen does get into specifics, but doesn't offer any analysis of who is saying what and why. Which is odd, since the two case studies follow about 200 pages of analysis.
What was my favorite part of this book: I liked learning how much people who work in the Vatican make, which is not much. I also liked learning about the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, which is responsible for the care of people who are transient (such as the gypsies in Rome). It is also responsible for the Apostleship of the Sea, which provides pastoral care to sailors. I think I would like to be on that Council, if I were allowed to be on such councils.
What did I learn from this book: If the front cover is to be believed, I learned "the inside story of how the Vatican really thinks." So just ask me, if you have any questions about that.
What grade do I give this book: C-
To be fair to my 2007 count, I read about half of this book in 2006. I feel like I've been reading this book forever.
What is this book about: This book aims to shed a light on the inner workings of the Vatican, in order that the greater Catholic church can understand what is going on there. It addresses myths about the Vatican, describes the basic working structure of the people who serve there, delves into Vatican psychology and sociology. It ends with two case studies of misunderstandings between the United States and Rome: the American sexual abuse crisis and the war in Iraq.
Why did I read this book: Because I like learning about popes.
What did I think of this book: This book was just okay. It got pretty boring and dry, and a little obvious in parts, such as the Vatican psychology and sociology chapters. I think people who read this book and are stunned by learning about what the people in the Vatican are like and think, lack a basic understanding of how people are different in different parts of the world.
I think what I was hoping this book would involve was gossip, such as, these are the men who whisper in the JP II's ear, and here's what they're saying, and here are the men who have whispered in other popes' ears. I think the more specific examples and gossip would have made for a more interesting book. In the case studies of the American sexual abuse crisis and the Iraq war, Allen does get into specifics, but doesn't offer any analysis of who is saying what and why. Which is odd, since the two case studies follow about 200 pages of analysis.
What was my favorite part of this book: I liked learning how much people who work in the Vatican make, which is not much. I also liked learning about the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, which is responsible for the care of people who are transient (such as the gypsies in Rome). It is also responsible for the Apostleship of the Sea, which provides pastoral care to sailors. I think I would like to be on that Council, if I were allowed to be on such councils.
What did I learn from this book: If the front cover is to be believed, I learned "the inside story of how the Vatican really thinks." So just ask me, if you have any questions about that.
What grade do I give this book: C-
Sunday, January 14, 2007
I still haven't found what I'm looking for
Today I had my favorite fast food meal of all time, which is of course the Wendy's Spicy Chicken Sandwich (no lettuce on the sandwich) Combo.
Then I tried to do some shopping, which was mainly filled with disappointments. The disappointments included the Seahawks losing the playoff game to Chicago while I was in Fred Meyer (Fred Meyer announced that anti-depressants would be half-price in the pharmacy)and failing to find most of the things I was looking for. These things included a belt, a shower curtain, stationary, a biography of Pete Seeger and various CD's. Not finding the CD's was possibly most disturbing of all, because I went to Easy Street Records, which is my favorite record store and usually unfailingly reliable in terms of stock and price. But even they let me down. I'm not too worried, though, because I know a place, and that place is Amazon. Although my beltless situation is getting pretty dire as well.
Regardless, today was still a nice day. I drove around listening to Emmylou Harris and looking at the snow. Some of the things that I did manage to find were a t-shirt, cereal, Chlorox wipes, earrings, and shampoo/conditioner that promises that my hair won't get poofy as it dries.
Then I tried to do some shopping, which was mainly filled with disappointments. The disappointments included the Seahawks losing the playoff game to Chicago while I was in Fred Meyer (Fred Meyer announced that anti-depressants would be half-price in the pharmacy)and failing to find most of the things I was looking for. These things included a belt, a shower curtain, stationary, a biography of Pete Seeger and various CD's. Not finding the CD's was possibly most disturbing of all, because I went to Easy Street Records, which is my favorite record store and usually unfailingly reliable in terms of stock and price. But even they let me down. I'm not too worried, though, because I know a place, and that place is Amazon. Although my beltless situation is getting pretty dire as well.
Regardless, today was still a nice day. I drove around listening to Emmylou Harris and looking at the snow. Some of the things that I did manage to find were a t-shirt, cereal, Chlorox wipes, earrings, and shampoo/conditioner that promises that my hair won't get poofy as it dries.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
C'mon let's be friends
One of the original ideas for this blog was to discuss beverages that I consumed in the course of my day. If you know me at all, you know that I love to consume liquid calories, and while food in my apartment is hit-and-miss, my fridge is usually full of various things to drink.
So today I had three different coffees. I am lucky to be alive because two is enough to give me the jitters and the caffeine nausea.
1. No-whip non-fat mocha, circa 8 am----For a long time I resisted changing the milk in a morning mocha, because in drinking a mocha, I was already admitting that I liked chocolate and was likely leading an unhealthy lifestyle. Could whole milk and whipped cream really be that bad to add? Well, apparently, yes. You gotta change the milk and hope the Starbucks people don't judge you too much.
2. Sugarfree cinnamon dolce latte, circa 10:45 am (I was still very tired and could barely keep my eyes open)---This is the current Starbucks specialty beverage. The cinnamon was a little much for me, too sweet. It is hard to imagine how it might taste if it hadn't been the sugarfree syrup. I think if I am going to consume that much cinnamon, then it should be a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
3. Vanilla latte, circa 6:30 pm---Tonight was bev night, so Matthew and I met for some bevs, as is our custom. I will probably explain this tradition more later. We went to Uptown Espresso in Queen Anne and had vanilla lattes, and worked on Matthew's short story. This might have been my favorite coffee of the day, although probably not a good idea to drink it right after going to the gym. Which is what I did. Uptown Espresso is the home of the velvet foam.
Other beverages I consumed today include orange juice, Diet Coke, and water. Tonight, though, waiting in the mail, was my Group Health insurance magazine. The lead article was how bad it is to drink beverages that are not water (especially in winter, when so many are drawn to hot chocolates, ciders, etc). That made me feel just great.
So today I had three different coffees. I am lucky to be alive because two is enough to give me the jitters and the caffeine nausea.
1. No-whip non-fat mocha, circa 8 am----For a long time I resisted changing the milk in a morning mocha, because in drinking a mocha, I was already admitting that I liked chocolate and was likely leading an unhealthy lifestyle. Could whole milk and whipped cream really be that bad to add? Well, apparently, yes. You gotta change the milk and hope the Starbucks people don't judge you too much.
2. Sugarfree cinnamon dolce latte, circa 10:45 am (I was still very tired and could barely keep my eyes open)---This is the current Starbucks specialty beverage. The cinnamon was a little much for me, too sweet. It is hard to imagine how it might taste if it hadn't been the sugarfree syrup. I think if I am going to consume that much cinnamon, then it should be a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
3. Vanilla latte, circa 6:30 pm---Tonight was bev night, so Matthew and I met for some bevs, as is our custom. I will probably explain this tradition more later. We went to Uptown Espresso in Queen Anne and had vanilla lattes, and worked on Matthew's short story. This might have been my favorite coffee of the day, although probably not a good idea to drink it right after going to the gym. Which is what I did. Uptown Espresso is the home of the velvet foam.
Other beverages I consumed today include orange juice, Diet Coke, and water. Tonight, though, waiting in the mail, was my Group Health insurance magazine. The lead article was how bad it is to drink beverages that are not water (especially in winter, when so many are drawn to hot chocolates, ciders, etc). That made me feel just great.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Book #1: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
The book: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Why did I read this book: Because it seemed like a good book for a long plane ride, which I had earlier this week. Also, because I have to be ready for the release of HP7, whenever that should occur. What I have been doing since Harry Potter started is really spacing the books out, so that I would never have to be in the position of just waiting til the next one came out. But you know when the last one comes out, everyone is going to announce what happens, so one basically has to read the book on the day it comes out to avoid spoilers. For example, I knew the ending of this book months ago, and I will tell you, I did not enjoy reading this book knowing what was going to happen. So now I am ready to buy HP7 when it comes out, and then I will retire to my bunker.
What did I think of this book: This was a really wonderful book. Couldn't put it down. This series really had the potential to go downhill, I think....with each book being so long, it could have gotten old or frustrating. But it's still really great and perfectly written. I will admit I was a little bored at the beginning, with the same pattern of Harry at home, then Harry's trip to Hogwarts, then Hogwarts starts, etc. but then it was into the thick of things and WHOOSH.
What was my favorite part of this book: While all the young people's romances were fun and heartbreaking at the same time, I liked that Harry got to spend so much time with Dumbledore in this book. It was time for Harry and Dumbledore to be doing some serious debriefing on Voldemort. Yeah, that's right, I said it.
What did I learn from this book: I learned who the Half Blood Prince was, and also, I learned about Voldemort. Just like Harry.
What grade do I give this book: A
Why did I read this book: Because it seemed like a good book for a long plane ride, which I had earlier this week. Also, because I have to be ready for the release of HP7, whenever that should occur. What I have been doing since Harry Potter started is really spacing the books out, so that I would never have to be in the position of just waiting til the next one came out. But you know when the last one comes out, everyone is going to announce what happens, so one basically has to read the book on the day it comes out to avoid spoilers. For example, I knew the ending of this book months ago, and I will tell you, I did not enjoy reading this book knowing what was going to happen. So now I am ready to buy HP7 when it comes out, and then I will retire to my bunker.
What did I think of this book: This was a really wonderful book. Couldn't put it down. This series really had the potential to go downhill, I think....with each book being so long, it could have gotten old or frustrating. But it's still really great and perfectly written. I will admit I was a little bored at the beginning, with the same pattern of Harry at home, then Harry's trip to Hogwarts, then Hogwarts starts, etc. but then it was into the thick of things and WHOOSH.
What was my favorite part of this book: While all the young people's romances were fun and heartbreaking at the same time, I liked that Harry got to spend so much time with Dumbledore in this book. It was time for Harry and Dumbledore to be doing some serious debriefing on Voldemort. Yeah, that's right, I said it.
What did I learn from this book: I learned who the Half Blood Prince was, and also, I learned about Voldemort. Just like Harry.
What grade do I give this book: A
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Tonight I think I'm gonna go downtown
Today has already been a pretty big day for me, because for the first time in who knows how long, I was able to do a headstand in yoga class. For a full two seconds, before falling right over. But it didn't hurt. Falling is part of life. Those are the kinds of things I learn in yoga class.
I just counted all the unread books in my apartment, of which there are about 230. Almost 100 are in the kitchen cabinets alone! I counted because I have been having a little internal discussion with myself about how many books I should try to read this year. 50 is a nice, round, big number, but, if last year is any example, then there will be weeks when the only reading I get done will be on the bus. Plus I have all those magazines to read. Last year I read about 20 books, not counting the children's books I read on the side sometimes. So I think I'm going to say that I am shooting for 35 this year, but in my heart of hearts, I hope to get to 50. You will know by whether I start reading a lot of short books near the end of the year.
Speaking of books I read in 2006, the following were my favorite 3:
1. Woody Guthrie - A Life by Joe Klein
2. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
3. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Anyways, plan to see reviews of the books I read, as I work my way to 35 (50).
I just counted all the unread books in my apartment, of which there are about 230. Almost 100 are in the kitchen cabinets alone! I counted because I have been having a little internal discussion with myself about how many books I should try to read this year. 50 is a nice, round, big number, but, if last year is any example, then there will be weeks when the only reading I get done will be on the bus. Plus I have all those magazines to read. Last year I read about 20 books, not counting the children's books I read on the side sometimes. So I think I'm going to say that I am shooting for 35 this year, but in my heart of hearts, I hope to get to 50. You will know by whether I start reading a lot of short books near the end of the year.
Speaking of books I read in 2006, the following were my favorite 3:
1. Woody Guthrie - A Life by Joe Klein
2. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
3. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Anyways, plan to see reviews of the books I read, as I work my way to 35 (50).
Friday, January 5, 2007
Worms don't dance
I generally think talking about dreams is boring, but on blogs, everything is boring, so here's what I dreamt last night:
Somehow I got the job of being Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's nanny. They liked that I treated them like regular people, and also, the baby (Shiloh) absolutely loved me. Unfortunately, as happens with most nannies, the dad started hitting on me. It was nice, but I had the feeling that Angelina would knife me if she found out. At this point, I woke myself up with my loud breathing (I am a little congested and my nostrils were making some weird wheezing sounds).
Luckily, I fell right back to sleep and right back to the same dream. Unluckily, Brangelina had adopted another baby in the time that I was awake. This fourth kid was just a head. It was part of their quest to adopt every single kind of baby in the world. So they just adopted a head. The rest of the body was blown off in a landmine. The head would just sit on the coffee table, and it was still a little bloody in the back. The head would try to talk, but it couldn't make any sounds, so it would just mouth things at me. It was creepy. So, despite being this kid's nanny, I just played with the other kids, and even one of the other kids was kind of mean to the baby head.
Then, I was helping Brangelina take all the kids to the movies, and who do we run into but Jennifer Aniston. It's the first time she has seen Brangelina with the kids, and understandably, she is shaken. She is so upset that this giant orange cat jumps out of her purse and she doesn't even notice. So I save the cat for her and give her a hug.
That is all I remember from this dream. There are many life lessons and keys to my personality in this dream, but I don't have time to go into them here.
Somehow I got the job of being Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's nanny. They liked that I treated them like regular people, and also, the baby (Shiloh) absolutely loved me. Unfortunately, as happens with most nannies, the dad started hitting on me. It was nice, but I had the feeling that Angelina would knife me if she found out. At this point, I woke myself up with my loud breathing (I am a little congested and my nostrils were making some weird wheezing sounds).
Luckily, I fell right back to sleep and right back to the same dream. Unluckily, Brangelina had adopted another baby in the time that I was awake. This fourth kid was just a head. It was part of their quest to adopt every single kind of baby in the world. So they just adopted a head. The rest of the body was blown off in a landmine. The head would just sit on the coffee table, and it was still a little bloody in the back. The head would try to talk, but it couldn't make any sounds, so it would just mouth things at me. It was creepy. So, despite being this kid's nanny, I just played with the other kids, and even one of the other kids was kind of mean to the baby head.
Then, I was helping Brangelina take all the kids to the movies, and who do we run into but Jennifer Aniston. It's the first time she has seen Brangelina with the kids, and understandably, she is shaken. She is so upset that this giant orange cat jumps out of her purse and she doesn't even notice. So I save the cat for her and give her a hug.
That is all I remember from this dream. There are many life lessons and keys to my personality in this dream, but I don't have time to go into them here.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
in the bloghouse
Why Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Might Just Be the Worst Airport in the Country
Look, I can't claim to have been to every airport in the country, but in the past calendar year, I have done a fair share of flying. Today, I am ready to announce my belief that the Atlanta airport is the worst airport in the country.
I have had four layovers in Atlanta in the past two months. I sorta looked forward to them, as I have nostalgia for Atlanta and the years that I lived there. And I always forget how awful it is til I get there, so I have to experience the disappointment over and over. First, it is always so so crowded, and no matter where you are going, or where you have been, you are going to have to get on the stupid train.
But what really makes me mad are the televisions that are all over the airport. They show CNN, or some airport version of CNN, where the only commercials are for Atlanta and Georgia tourism. A television here or there is okay, and I will admit that I enjoyed some President Ford funeral coverage today, but these tv's are EVERYWHERE, which makes the Atlanta airport a bit of a loud place, and there is no quiet place to sit and read, or listen to music. That would be enough, except, the airport is also playing hits of the 70's, in addition to the television. The 70's hits are accompanied by all-airport announcements, like, hey, we put new tile down in this airport! Then, there are the announcements that are just for the airline that one is flying on, but since so much is already going on, pretty loudly to boot, the announcements are pretty hard to hear. It's loud. In case I didn't get the point across.
Maybe I am too sensitive, but that is just too many stimuli, especially for an airport, where we should all be quietly preparing for our airplane rides and maybe enjoying some fast food. Quietly.
Question: If you saw me sitting in an exit row, would you be nervous, knowing that I had to open a door and potentially save your life?
Answer: You shouldn't be, because I am super strong.
So here is my blog. I have discussed with many people what this blog might cover (at one point, it was going to be exclusively dedicated to what I ate for lunch on that particular day) but this post doesn't cover any of the things that I originally envisioned, so we'll have to see what it becomes. I do believe though, that one's personal life is usually too boring or too politically sensitive to blog about, and one's work life is much the same. So I don't plan to blog about those.
Look, I can't claim to have been to every airport in the country, but in the past calendar year, I have done a fair share of flying. Today, I am ready to announce my belief that the Atlanta airport is the worst airport in the country.
I have had four layovers in Atlanta in the past two months. I sorta looked forward to them, as I have nostalgia for Atlanta and the years that I lived there. And I always forget how awful it is til I get there, so I have to experience the disappointment over and over. First, it is always so so crowded, and no matter where you are going, or where you have been, you are going to have to get on the stupid train.
But what really makes me mad are the televisions that are all over the airport. They show CNN, or some airport version of CNN, where the only commercials are for Atlanta and Georgia tourism. A television here or there is okay, and I will admit that I enjoyed some President Ford funeral coverage today, but these tv's are EVERYWHERE, which makes the Atlanta airport a bit of a loud place, and there is no quiet place to sit and read, or listen to music. That would be enough, except, the airport is also playing hits of the 70's, in addition to the television. The 70's hits are accompanied by all-airport announcements, like, hey, we put new tile down in this airport! Then, there are the announcements that are just for the airline that one is flying on, but since so much is already going on, pretty loudly to boot, the announcements are pretty hard to hear. It's loud. In case I didn't get the point across.
Maybe I am too sensitive, but that is just too many stimuli, especially for an airport, where we should all be quietly preparing for our airplane rides and maybe enjoying some fast food. Quietly.
Question: If you saw me sitting in an exit row, would you be nervous, knowing that I had to open a door and potentially save your life?
Answer: You shouldn't be, because I am super strong.
So here is my blog. I have discussed with many people what this blog might cover (at one point, it was going to be exclusively dedicated to what I ate for lunch on that particular day) but this post doesn't cover any of the things that I originally envisioned, so we'll have to see what it becomes. I do believe though, that one's personal life is usually too boring or too politically sensitive to blog about, and one's work life is much the same. So I don't plan to blog about those.
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