yesterday's activities

[littlepoodle]

Crazy week

Monday-Thursday
- participated in the all-day leadership/government seminar I've mentioned a few times. On Monday it ran from 12:45 to 5, and on Wed-Thur it ran from 8:45 to 3
- learned quite a lot about government and politics. We gave impromptu speeches, ran for various offices, debated bills in a mock legislature, listened to several speakers, analyzed & interpreted the U.S. Constitution from different viewpoints, etc.
- attended evening sessions from 3 to 7 on Tuesday and Thursday as well. Much more casual environment (during the actual seminar students were required to dress formally and professionally) and equally fun
- graduation was on Thursday. Students who had been elected to office, which included one friend, gave excellent acceptance speeches. Another friend and I were awarded top students of the class, yay

Friday
- workshop on public speaking from 8:45 to 3
- unfortunately I thought it started at 9:45 and ended up being an hour late, which goes against my entire being but it's fine
- acted as friend's campaign manager while she ran for mayor
- somehow finished one campaign-related project with a good 15-20 minutes to spare and spent the rest of the time chatting about boys
- participated in a crossfire debate about whether guacamole is a smoothie
- gave a semi-impromptu speech (we were allowed seven minutes to plan it out) at the end of the day endorsing friend
- drove home with her to prep for her little bro's 9th birthday party. Other friends from seminar joined us later
- had to leave party early for a three-hour long murder mystery roleplaying game. I didn't survive the night, but I got ice cream out of it so that's a plus
- bed at 1:00, very exhausted
- absolutely loved this week. I feel as though both my confidence and knowledge have grown exponentially. It was a life-changing experience from start to finish

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

leadership/government seminar <snip> - learned quite a lot about government and politics. We gave impromptu speeches, ran for various offices, debated bills in a mock legislature, listened to several speakers, analyzed & interpreted the U.S. Constitution from different viewpoints, etc.

This is great! Both my daughters attended these in high school, and got A LOT out of them. Here, they’re called “YIG” (Youth In Government) Conferences, and are hosted at the State Capitol Building.

ended up being an hour late, which goes against my entire being but it's fine

LOL “goes against my entire being.” I predict this will haunt you for months, but I also predict it will never happen again. The lessons we learn the hard way are often the ones that stick best. And I, too, hate being late. In my world, being “on time” means “30 minutes early.”

participated in a crossfire debate about whether guacamole is a smoothie

LOL again! I love debates like those. When I judge high school tournament rounds in extemp and impromptu debate, my favorites are the ones with resolutions like, “vanilla ice cream is better than chocolate ice cream” and “Disney Princesses are good role models.” (Instead of the more traditional resolutions like, “civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified” and “the United States ought to guarantee universal child care” and “adolescents ought to have the right to make autonomous medical choices.”)

absolutely loved this week. I feel as though both my confidence and knowledge have grown exponentially. It was a life-changing experience from start to finish

I recommend that you write a letter to your teachers & the seminar directors saying this. It will make their day and remind them that their efforts are worthwhile.

Also, I just have to say: you are an amazing young woman and give me hope about future generations! I’m so proud of you!

 

[Cal]

Met with the field tiler about some puddling areas in two of the fields. We’re probably going to need some replacement of some portions of the lines. Aaargh. But at least it seems to be limited to blown tiles on our own property, and we won‘t need to fight with neighbors about it.

 

[littlepoodle]

This is great! Both my daughters attended these in high school, and got A LOT out of them. Here, they’re called “YIG” (Youth In Government) Conferences, and are hosted at the State Capitol Building.

Your daughters are starting to sound a lot like me, lol. The seminar I went to is ordinarily at the State Capitol too, but due to COVID restrictions it was held at a church this year instead.

LOL “goes against my entire being.” I predict this will haunt you for months, but I also predict it will never happen again. The lessons we learn the hard way are often the ones that stick best. And I, too, hate being late. In my world, being “on time” means “30 minutes early.”

Oh it’ll definitely haunt me for months. My definition of “on time” is very similar to yours

LOL again! I love debates like those. When I judge high school tournament rounds in extemp and impromptu debate, my favorites are the ones with resolutions like, “vanilla ice cream is better than chocolate ice cream” and “Disney Princesses are good role models.” (Instead of the more traditional resolutions like, “civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified” and “the United States ought to guarantee universal child care” and “adolescents ought to have the right to make autonomous medical choices.”)

Vanilla ice cream is 100% better than chocolate ice cream, and guacamole is absolutely not a smoothie

I recommend that you write a letter to your teachers & the seminar directors saying this. It will make their day and remind them that their efforts are worthwhile.

This is a great idea! I definitely will.

Also, I just have to say: you are an amazing young woman and give me hope about future generations! I’m so proud of you!

Aww thank you so much! This was really nice to hear!

 

[fascination]

the past week has been a tidal wave of training and discernment regarding which of the 2 new jobs is a fit ...finally it has become clear that one of them is not a fit... so looking forward to life becoming simpler soon....there are actually pages and pages of things to type but I simply dont have the energy for it

 

[fascination]

summary: just returned from driving to see grandson in pacific northwest...first day back to work and in new medical records system.....sooooo gonna be nuts for a while...but a good day and happy that we are going to be able to start in person grief care for people again...also taught yoga class, took a nap and watered my flowers....nice day....grateful

 

[j_alexandra]

Summary since mid-March: FatherCare. Occasional lesson, with endorphin high. Hospitals. Doctors. Home care. More hospitals. Occasional group class, where I am sometimes Demo Dolly, which strokes my ego nicely. More hospitals. You know things are dire when your friends ask why you’re not falling apart, b/c they expect you to be an utter basket case.

Yesterday: California brother arrives. Planned his visit to coincide with Father’s Day. we are hopeful that father will be home from hospital by Sunday.

 

[raindance]

Sending hugs to you and your father, j_alex. Caring for elder parents is not for the faint of heart.

Nice to see you, fasc!

 

[fascination]

taught a cardio and toning class...a fun combo of spin and step followed by fitness ball and weights...when I got home dh was still golfing so I got some time on the deck sunning...cooled off in the pool then we took a nap when he got home...like two old people, one on each sofa in front of TV...had burgers and then some yardwork...ended day with some show on netflix that was made in Israel...sad that one of dtrs new kitties probably has the bad kind of FIP

 

[Cal]

After years of using a tiny "blade" coffee grinder, I splurged yesterday and bought a "burr" coffee grinder. I got it assembled and tried it out just now. I think it's going to be a bit of trial-and-error as to figuring out what coarseness setting I want - I chose the medium setting for "drip" coffee, and it came out much more powdery than I'd expected. But, wow - was it quick!

 

[IndyLady]

Wow, that distinction is way above my pay grade. I drink Maxwell House instant coffee, using water boiled by my hotpot.

(Not a joke)

 

[j_alexandra]

Yesterday:
Treadmill
DF, FB
Write review of show I saw Wednesday; send off to editor
Deal with bills for father's estate (ongoing)
Late lunch or early dinner at favorite Chinese place
Drive to NYC in rush hour in the rain; this is not as bad as I expect
Lincoln Center parking is a flat rate of $49; TDNWMH
Meet editor; see The Skin of Our Teeth; seriously, this was a Pulitzer prize winner in 1943? what the actual
Home late b/c show has 3 acts -- the opposite of most modern theater, which is often 90 minutes/no intermission

 

[j_alexandra]

After years of using a tiny "blade" coffee grinder, I splurged yesterday and bought a "burr" coffee grinder. I got it assembled and tried it out just now. I think it's going to be a bit of trial-and-error as to figuring out what coarseness setting I want - I chose the medium setting for "drip" coffee, and it came out much more powdery than I'd expected. But, wow - was it quick!

I didn't love my burr grinder, and gave it away. Plain old blade grinder worked fine for me. I use a French press, so I got to understand how many seconds to grind for that. Totally different for drip pot.

Which brand burr grinder did you get? Maybe mine was just not good enough.

 

[j_alexandra]

Summary since mid-March: FatherCare. Occasional lesson, with endorphin high. Hospitals. Doctors. Home care. More hospitals. Occasional group class, where I am sometimes Demo Dolly, which strokes my ego nicely. More hospitals. You know things are dire when your friends ask why you’re not falling apart, b/c they expect you to be an utter basket case.

Yesterday: California brother arrives. Planned his visit to coincide with Father’s Day. we are hopeful that father will be home from hospital by Sunday.

Wow, this feels like ancient history. Father was not home in time for Father's Day last year, alas.

 

[Cal]

I didn't love my burr grinder, and gave it away. Plain old blade grinder worked fine for me. I use a French press, so I got to understand how many seconds to grind for that. Totally different for drip pot.

Which brand burr grinder did you get? Maybe mine was just not good enough.

I got a Hamilton-Beach coffee grinder. It was $49.99. It's what they had at Farm & Fleet.