Monday, November 17, 2008

South Africa

Recently I have had some false alarms about ticket buying days and prices and such and such (which of course has been stressful and brought about many ansy pants moments), but I can now say that I have some very exciting official news about my flights! I am leaving on January 17th on a plane to Boston (Alaska Air Flight 12), then to Amsterdam (NWA via KLM flight 6038) and then on to Capetown (NWA via KLM Flight 0597). Sooooooo YAY. And the best part is that I get to travel with the one, the only, Sue Taylor. And if that means I ended up paying a couple hundred extra dollars, then so be it, because you don't get a better travel buddy than Sue. I. CAN'T. WAIT.

-C

ps: my return flight (for my visit home) is for August 7th, via Senegal and New York!



His Name is Mbongeni




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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Everybody Farts

Nothing to report from my last few days of early shifts. Just lots of coffee, sore knees, cute boys, fitful naps/nights, one indiana jones movie with the dad, and a basketball tournament for Maria. Pretty much the usual. But I knew it was an exceptionally low stress weekend when the only thing my particularly dysfunctional family fought about (after extened periods of time together) was who farted in the car! :)

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Food Service: The Dish

My Notes so far in the world of Food Service/Customer Service......


1. Clean up after yourself. It continues to blow my mind how incredibly messy people can be. I'm not asking you to do it all, because I understand the idea that I am serving you, but please bus your dishes and try not to let your smear cream cheese and russian dressing over 98.2 percent of the table. Thanks.

2. Have your uber complicated orders ready before you try to relay them to me. I don't mind that you want a veggie sandwhich with extra mayo with an egg on top. I may think its weird but I'm totally willing to do it for you, but don't take 5minutes to explain something that could have taken 9 seconds.

3. Mind the freaking Qeue. Thanks.

4. When it looks like I'm doing something (which actually means I'm doing three things), it's because I AM doing something, so wait your turn, wait in line, and then feel free to ask the person who is actually standing at the register waiting to help you. It's that simple.

5. Food is expensive. Don't try to have a conversation about how expensive our prices are. You are here, you have seen the menu, and are choosing to order something, plus it's paying me, so don't try to get me on your side. 8 dollars is a mother fucking great price for a bagel sandwhich, chips, and a drink/coffee. Plus, have you not SEEN the cost of food right now!?

6. After working in food service, you learn to quickly yet awkwardly close doors, microwaves, shelves, and hold a knife wearing exam gloves.... all at the same time. So when it looks like I just used me elbow and my hip to do something, don't give me a look. It's called multi tasking and it's speeding up your food.

7. Unfortunately the industry tends to attract short term people, because it's not like they offer health care or competitive wages, so despite some lovely hardworking people that I call my coworkers, I also work with a few dimwits. Slow, unloyal, late, excuses excuses, always hungover college students. And I get that you have better things to do, because really, I know the feeling, but please at least act like you care. This is not subway or walmart, you're actually working directly with and for your super sweet and fair boss (and his family). And he happens to be sick right now. So instead of that meaning you don't have an authority figure around to impress, it should mean that you are busting your ass to keep the ship going. Thanks.

8. I have gotten really really used to wearing an apron, and wiping my hands constantly on it (anything, cream cheese, egg, split pea soup, clorox water), that I will go home and be making food/dinner/coffee and will end up with egg whites, peanutbutter and coffee grounds on my jeans. And then I slap myself in the face because I feel so stupid. It happens almost every single day.

9. Do what I say and not what I do, wear good shoes. Its crucial.



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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Faith in the Media: I love Keith!





This gave me goose bumps. Keith Oberman is a A BRAVE brave man, on national television, saying what most of us believe so clearly and eloquently.


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Monday, November 10, 2008

It's Hereditary

Maria: I have to pee.

Me: then go....

Maria: I don't want to. I don't want to get up.

Me: sorry about your luck then I guess.

Maria: yeah.....could you hand me the clear nail polish over there?

Me: No.

Maria: claire, I'm not going to stop takling and let you watch the movie unless you get it for me!!

Me: No. I'm comfy.

Maria: Gawd Claire, its right there!

Me: well, you wouldn't get the forks earlier!

Maria: but they were all the way upstairs!

Me: Well I cooked for you!

Me: Why are we all so motherfucking lazy!?

Maria: I don't know, but I'm still NOT getting up to pee!


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Sunday, November 9, 2008

One of those things.....

.....that I will always want to be able to do. And despite having a guitar that I own, I still haven't had the discipline to sit down and leeeaarrrrnnn more than one chord. I might just need to take a class. But this picture, that we featured on the picture blog this weekend, renews my inspiration to learn guitar. It's a life goal. Bear with me.





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Saturday, November 8, 2008

You Heard it Here First, Edition XII

I just did a little dance around in my pjs because I have the house to myself. Well really, I've had the house to myself since wednesday, and crucial to this euphoria is that I finally have internet, found a way to reach the chord to the couch and am having a glass of wine while blogging and watching the third season of Weeds. Mmmmm Yeah. This used to be a common occurance, when my mother actually had wireless and throughout my many many evenings at Palio coffee in SE Portland. But since I've been home there isn't much time or room for this kind of relaxation. The kind only several nonproductive hours on the internet can bring. So, with all of this time, comes many many googled searches of a song that came up on my ipod that I forgot I loved, songs that my bosses Ipod played while making dough (a mormon with suprisingly good music taste), or songs I've just generally been meaning to look up. Here comes another Music Blog full of totally righteous stuff. Listen up!


1. So my first venture in this edition, was to look into the band "Guided by Voices" because someone had the audacity to claim it was the best band to have ever existed. So in order to see what exactly they meant by that, I looked into their history and music and blah blah and basically found that they were so many things throughout the years, with different people, names, sounds, etc. So.... I gave up. Cause I'm lazy like that. And just not that interested in their music, although I'll leave that up to subjective review, because apparently they are considered very influential. So instead, I found a song with the same name as one of theirs, called "I am a Scientist" except its by The Dandy Warhols and its weird, but good weird. And The Dandy Warhols are one of those bands that I see on the telephone pole posters of Southeast Portland and I immediately think "you know, I'm just not cool enough for that". Whether I'm right or wrong, here's the song.





2. I've featured Rachael Yamagata here before, and I really really like her. Like girl crush. And so it's rather fitting that I found this one while catching up on the 5th season of the L Word with Sarah the other day. She's got a wraspy like voice, with awesome guitar skills, one of those albums that I might actually go and buy (but would rather have on vinyl). Lovely stuff. Her latest is "Elephants" but some of my other favorites are "the other side", "worn me down", and "I wish you love".





3. This is an old favorite that I've rediscovered. The album that features this song is the only CD that both Jesus the cook at Ole Ole and I could agree upon, so it was a frequent listen back in the day. And it's by Third Eye Blind. And if that doesn't bring you back to 6th grade, I don't know what will. Did I mention how sexy this song is? In a weird 90s rock kind of way, I find it incredibly romantic. It's called "I Want You" (forgive me for the terrible youtube, but it was the only nonlive coverage that wasn't someone's creepy home video montage).





4. Semi Precious Weapons is the band (and yes they do channel Shiny Toy Guns as wuold be expected by their name) and the song is called Magnetic Baby. It's glam rock the max and it fucking Rocks! A bunch of dudes in New York that are not afraid to get dressed up, wear tons of makeup, and look feirce? My kind of boys! And you know what? It's true......It's not my fault I look better in a party dress! :)





5. Speaking of slightly dj-inspired psychadellic glam rock, Shiny Toy Guns have a new album. And since they are such a hodge podeg of voices and sounds, there's really something for everyone. And we've been listening to it a ton at work. It makes me feel as if I'm right back in the Farmhouse, its senior year, and we're planning a fabulous party (complete with songs like this) that will most likely produce some ridiculous quotes, that will need to be put up on our quote door. I dont know. Just maybe. :) One of their new songs, called "I owe you a love song" (featured below), is probably my favorite, but I also reccomend "Ricochet" and "You are the One". It's very Kink Fm from portland mixed with madonna mixed with lady gaga, cough Ali cough.





6. Great voice alert! Haunting voice alert! Her name is Sonya Kitchell and is positively lovely. Her album "This Storm" actually comes out recently, and she channels (although through her own unique style) June Carter, Brandi Carlisle, and Norah Jones. Her song "Here to There" is on the radio right now (and featured below), but her other one titled "Running" is stunning (and now has a radio station on my Pandora account) she's just the right amount of soul-time that I often need at about 10:34 when I can't fall asleep.






7. And for a little throw back to the 80s, which is always a great thing to do when looking for covers or songs you wished you could remember to download, here's a classic song by Crowded House called "Don't Dream its Over". It reminds me of everything Lloyd Dobbler, and it's got the perfect touch of corny, kind of like how you feel when you hear a Phil Collins song on the radio and secretly love it :)





I could go ON. On and on. Seriously I have a gigantic list, but I will get this out there for all of my 3 readers to look up and obsess over. But don't you worry your collective cute little tushes, I will have more up tomorrow or monday.




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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Election Day 08 - Let Us Summon A New Spirit

My experience yesterday was, like many of you who support the admirable man that is Barack Obama, extremely exciting and momentous. But despite the usual day of working, staying plugged into cnn.com and NPR, and constant gleeful conversations with friends and family, I was stuck in a room for 16 hours working as poll worker. And despite it feeling as if two days had gone by, it was one of the most amazing and rewarding experiences of my life. It was cliche and heartwearming to watch first time voters react with glee when I tell them that 'yes you can vote, regardless of changing your address 6 months ago, come right over her and I'll help you". Seeing the 'usuals' walk right in, grab their ballot and wave at the poll workers they've known for years as they walk out. We got our fair share of crazies, and even a guy who felt the need to tell me how high he was (I don't know WHAT that was about, but whatev). Most of all, I will remember the philosophical conversations I had with my parish deacon as we volunteered, reminding me why I swing so widly over to the Jesuit mindset of Catholicism, why I love living in Seattle, and when all else fails to pass the time, rubberbands are a useful means of play/war. And even though I am devestated by the passing of Proposition 8 in California, yesterday proves that change really is upon us, moderates have their shit cut out for them, and Democrats are now back on top. Things can only get better. Wooot.


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Monday, November 3, 2008

It's Almost Over

On the eve of the most important political day of my adult life (because really, the bush years are actively being purged from everyone's memory and I did not find his election in any way important at the age I was when it happened), I thought it would be a good time for an update blog, as well as an explanation for my lack of blogging. I thought to myself, "oh you'll be online a ton when you're home cause theres actually internet at the house, unlike your house in portland". I was totally wrong in thinking that because, as I've recently found out, my mother has a control freak monopoly on the computer in the evenings that results in lots of bitching and moaning in the "I have to support this family" theme. So I tend to nod and agree yet secretly know that its because she doesn't understand computers and so her e-charting for her work takes twice as long. Sorry to break it to you mom, but you're computer illiterate. It's easier when you accept it. Anyyyyways, that whole situation plus the fact that I am a giant ball of stress the past week (that gets me thinking about jumping into a hole and drinking orange soda and nerds, god i love leftover halloween crap!), makes me not too keen or able to spend a lot of time online. Various family issues, that I would rather not divulge on here, make for a whole heck of a lot of emotional purging/cleansing/thinkig/crying episodes and I just can't be clever after those. Regardles, I have many 'from the world of food service' blogs stored away in my head and I am having music withdrawal because of the limited music at work, so a GIANT edition of "you heard it here first" is in the works. And speaking of 'on the edge of your seat' :) (and to bring it back full circle to the election) I am working the polls tomorrow at Ballard Community Center, so if you're in the area (even if its not your polling site) come on down and visit!

PS: Here's a teaser of the music blog, and my favorite song of the moment that will make you jiggle in your seat! It's from the recent Michael Cera movie Soundtrack and it's called Lover, by Devendra Banhart.





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