Archive for October, 2007

Well, last night’s sleep was good. It seems I may have just needed to catch up.

So, I got a fast start on my day and have taken full advantage of my time.

• move Fall Homecoming decor into the garage, sorting as I go
• Indi was tethered outside near me and got into something awful
• hiked and walked with Jes and the dogs
• Sam explored a little too far and found herself in the bottom of a creek bed; but, even at the incline and with her size, she found a way out
• bathed Indi at the new Pet Spaw (with two baths in one week, he may think he’s died and gone to hell)
• lunch
• whirlwind cleaning to get stuff off the floor for Dan-o-mite Pest Control to come spray the house
• we had to leave the house, so I took Indi to Dudley’s where we could both sit out on the back porch and I could get work done; he was quite the attention-getter and several people—including some friends—inquired about taking him into their families
• BV QueSt Homecoming wrap-up at Koppe Bridge (yum!)
• back to Northgate with Jessica so she could have dinner and make a couple of Music Festival contacts

Land’s End and LL Bean catalogs arrive on the same day…..thick issues full of sweaters and mittens and things we rarely need down here in Texas.

Though my sleeping meds were working quite well and I could have slept in, today started off with a rush.

• Getting Things Done
• which wasn’t very productive since Indi wanted out 5 times in the first hour of the day; but, it’s chilly and wet outside, so he won’t actually “go”
• some light exercise
• would have done more, but Indi wouldn’t leave me alone; he seems to think I am “mother nature” and can make it stop raining so he can go out
• with Jes’ help, cleaned the dining room, finding places for all the BV QueSt Homecoming and extra As You Wish stuff
• lunch with Jes
• Getting Things Done
• nap
• Getting Things Done
• Brazos Valley College Night – representing the University of Miami

Tonight I had the pleasure of working Brazos Valley College Night. I was there representing my alma mater, the University of Miami (BBA ’93, MSEd ’95). It is always a wonderful experience to talk to perspective students about UM and the city of Miami. More than that, I love talking to parents about my experience there and about all the amazing opportunities the University has to offer.

I also got to socialize a bit with some folks I know:

• Joannie was there representing her school
• Chris was there for his academy
• Michael was there with his daughter looking at colleges
• the Romeros were there helping their daughter research universities
• I saw one person I work with at TEEX from across the room
• I saw a couple of other folks I used to work with on campus

It’s a small, small, world.

The staff who ran the event were top-notch. They were friendly and appreciative of us being there. They were helpful and kind. It was a great event.

After a day of being away from the Internet, I spent about an hour Getting Things Done just catching up on the emails and tasks that came in.

So, here are my accomplishments for today:

• sent Indi next door to play with Buddy
• Getting Things Done
• Wivagg family portrait session
• butterflies abound at the Horticulture Gardens; I must make this an annual pilgrimage
• Getting Things Done
• mow our and Jes’ yards
• (Emil edged and hung lights for Luzaween)
• bathed Indi
• lunch with my Sweetest One
• applied for two jobs
• Getting Things Done
• tickled Luzaween guests to RSVP
• updated my online resume to match the latest version and set re-directs to get there: http://lori.texasbluelime.com
• downloaded free fonts
• inspired by Bryan Person, I started working on my social media resume
• watched Emil play some Lego Star Wars on xbox (pretty funny to see Luke when he meets Yoda)
• more work on the social media resume
• see, I should be cleaning the house, but I’d rather play with my MacBookPro and HTML
• dinner with Emil and Jes
• Getting Things Done

A few nights ago, I had a really, really cool dream. We were driving in the mountains waaaaay up north (Canada? Alaska?) where there is ice year-round. We were in some kind of national park. Along the drive were very distinct “borders” where the topography changed dramatically. First, was a rugged mountain. Next, the road crossed a body of water. Third, we found trees buried in snow. It was almost as if someone had designed this scenic drive like an all-your-eyes-can-handle buffet.

But that’s not the cool part. The road we were one was, except for the bridge, on the ground like any other road  Running along beside us was another road-like structure. It was supported by decorative concrete pillars like you see for many overpasses. Instead of running in a more-or-less straight line, the “road” dipped and climbed, bent and turned, twisted and curved in a beautiful ribbon-like wave as it followed the scenic road.

It gets better: the decorative “road” was made of ice. It was 3-4 feet thick and as wide as a 2-lane scenic road.

But wait, there’s more: large amounts of water ran down the road on all sides (but didn’t spill over the edges or fall to the ground) creating movement.

This structure was a piece of art, made of all natural materials and set in the park. It was simply breathtaking.

This is by-far, the coolest dream I’ve ever had. I wish I could draw it to show all of you.

So, if you ever see this “natural art” in the background of a mountain scene in a film, let me know; I’ll want to take credit for the idea!

The Red Wasp Film Festival was GREAT. The theme of the night was horror, so there were zombies everywhere.

Over the first few years of this festival, the filmmakers have gotten better and the films have gotten longer. While we all enjoyed so many of the films and even had a hard time voting for just one, the festival ran long for a Friday night (especially after free wine during the VIP party), so by the last film, many of us were dozing off.

We got home pretty late, so I did not take my new “sleepy” drug. Still, I slept like a baby! It was great.

On Friday, Indi had sniffed/pointed at my tennis shoes and then looked at me and barked and begged. In just a couple of days, he has figured out that those shoes mean we are going for a w-a-l-k. Smart cookie. I had to make him wait until our 9am “appointment” with Jes and her dogs.

This morning, he begged and jumped and barked and threw an all-out hissy fit. So, I took him next door to run in Jes’ backyard for a few minutes. While I was there, I helped Cady with the last few things of packing for her trip to Wichita, Kansas with her family.

Next, I loaded up a few things and headed to Brazos Valley Communications to pick up the Jack Jeep for a “personal appearance”. (yep, I’m now a Jack Girl.) I drove the Jeep out to the Caldwell Country car dealership and spent two hours giving away Ren Fest tickets, haircuts, tshirts, stickers, magnets, and “I’m a Jack FM Fan” fans. The guys/girl at the dealership were all really nice. And, it was a beautiful day. Most of all, Jack FM plays good music. So, I had a good time.

When I got back into town, I dropped off the Jeep/stuff and Emil and I headed up to BW3 to watch the Miami/FSU game. We left at half time (game was tied) to go to Mike and Tom’s housewarming and then back to the festival. This time I had “day of charging” fresh batteries and got some wonderful shots of the belly dancers, especially the ones who danced with veils.

The festival ended with the awards for judges favorite, and “up and coming”. The festival’s gift to the crowd was an 84 minute documentary of 9 of the Nobel Prize winners. By that time of the night, we all suffered the same fate as before. We were all sleeping through the documentary. Emil and I dropped off Matt and didn’t get home until after midnight.
It wasn’t until much later in the night that we learned the final score of the Miami game.

“TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Colin McCarthy returned a fumble 27 yards for Miami’s second touchdown in 11 seconds late in the fourth quarter and the Hurricanes beat Florida State 37-29 Saturday.

For the first time since 1977, the rivalry game that helped decide so many national titles during the 1980s and 90s was played with neither team ranked. Fittingly, the Seminoles and ‘Canes combined for nine turnovers, five by FSU.”

C-A-N-E-S Canes!
M—I—A-M-I, Fight, Fight, Fight!

Unfortunately, I didn’t sleep as well as I had the night before. I need to retire early enough to take the drug that keeps me on such a good schedule.

Cotton blooming in large fields along the side of a Texas highway.

The first sign of fall this year was the falling of leaves and acorns. So many acorns! I guess all the rain this year was good for those trees.

Today, for the first time, I heard geese and some other birds migrating. What a nice sound. I never cared much for fall until the last few years. Now, I just love the season!

today was Pro Duc Tive! I love the feeling of getting a lot accomplished.

• worked on the bridal portrait some more
• “hiked” 1.33 miles with Indigo and Jes and Buddy & Samantha
• Getting Things Done
• errands
• deliver the Parents’ Weekend gift certificate to Jule
• take bicycle to bike shop
• buy a people counter
• return a tray to J squared catering
• stop by our new Bead Fountain store
• get an oil change
• upload and order Jae’s bridal portrait
• Getting Things Done
• applied for 9 jobs on campus, thanks to Emil who filtered through to find some that might fit me
• reviewed hate mail from a jerk who has yet to grow up; every step he takes make him look more and more immature and less and less qualified to work with people
• set up for the Red Wasp Film Festival

Tonight, we are attending the VIP party and the first night of the festival with McKinley and Matt. I’m shooting the VIP party and the festival. It’s fun sponsoring such a wonderful event in our community.

I hope the weekend is just as good. I have a gig tomorrow in Caldwell and then the second night of RWFF, so it looks like it will be a fun weekend.