I think my need for a new hobby arises from the unproductive summer months. Because I work in academia, there isn't a lot going on in the summer. Once my class ended in July, I haven't had much going on. Now August is almost over, and I've realized that not many exciting summer stuff happened in the last 30 days. Now is the 2 weeks before the beginning of the academic year where the public schools are already in session, my choir has started rehearsing without me (I'm taking a break to focus solely on my MA), and I feel the need to take on a new hobby that fits into my busy schedule.
Such a hobby can have no financial bearing, as, let's face it, I'm working a low paying job and just took out another student loan. My new hobby can also have no time bearing because, let's face it, by expediting my MA, I have less of it. But, I always feel the need to grow in some new way. Someone asked me lately to bartend for a wedding, because they know I am open to new experiences. I don't really want to be a bartender, even for a night, but it might be fun and I might meet new people, and let's face it, I'm not going to take it on professionally.
I should base a new hobby on things I'm already doing. I've been thinking recently about training for a triathlon. Unfortunatley, yours truly doesn't really know swimming strokes and doesn't own a bike. So, I've contacted the Aquatics Director at work about swim lessons, and bf's parents have offered me access to a bike any time I need one. I should take up both offers.
Maybe I'll go out over Labor Day weekend and buy myself a new pair of running shoes, a one-piece suit, and some padded shorts.
Maybe I'm insane, and this new hobby will never take off with the amount of things that are already on my plate this fall. But, damn, I still have 3 weeks of summer left!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Goals for my 29th year
1.) Finish Grad School!
2.) Maintain 127 pounds and learn to swim.
3.) See Ravi Shankar in concert.
4.) Join the 21st century by purchasing a digital camera and an iPod.
2.) Maintain 127 pounds and learn to swim.
3.) See Ravi Shankar in concert.
4.) Join the 21st century by purchasing a digital camera and an iPod.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Vacation for One
I woke up early on my birthday to check out of my canvas cabin in Pescadero and partake of a lovely breakfast. I'd spent the last two days reading, enjoying nature, going on hikes and being massaged, so I thought eating large amounts of eggs with cheese and starchy potatoes was in order. Besides -- it's my birthday, so I can do whatever the hell I want. I was completely on my own schedule, and it was fantastic. Two days was plenty to be alone in the wilderness, and I was ready to leave, but it was very relaxing and pleasant.
I understand that the Cascade Restaurant was greatly understaffed, but I was frustrated by the slow service. I blame this on being there alone. A single person in a restaurant is almost invisible: it's kind of socially unacceptable to eat alone in public, and one person isn't going to leave a large tip. Servers generally want to feed the family of four. It's not too few, it's not too many, they appreciate your help, their bill is significant, etc.
I stood at the front of the restaurant, and observed two female servers buzzing about tables in no particular order. After a few minutes of being patient, I used my womanly figure to get the attention of a "new" (arent' they ALWAYS new!) early-20-something male drink server, who told me I could sit wherever I wanted. He promptly served me coffee and OJ, but told me he didn't know how to take orders yet. (Oh, the double-entendre!)
While reading at my table to pass the time, I realized that I was sitting next to two Italians, so I started listening to their conversation. (It was in ITALIAN! I wasn't spying -- I didn't even understand it.) They were in a hurry to leave, and were having some trouble getting a server's attention, so I used my single-status to strike up a conversation with them. 2 busy Italians + 1 single person = restaurant service. By joining my forces with the Italians, they got to pay and I got to order.
I was proud of myself for going on vacation alone, but there is also power in numbers.
I understand that the Cascade Restaurant was greatly understaffed, but I was frustrated by the slow service. I blame this on being there alone. A single person in a restaurant is almost invisible: it's kind of socially unacceptable to eat alone in public, and one person isn't going to leave a large tip. Servers generally want to feed the family of four. It's not too few, it's not too many, they appreciate your help, their bill is significant, etc.
I stood at the front of the restaurant, and observed two female servers buzzing about tables in no particular order. After a few minutes of being patient, I used my womanly figure to get the attention of a "new" (arent' they ALWAYS new!) early-20-something male drink server, who told me I could sit wherever I wanted. He promptly served me coffee and OJ, but told me he didn't know how to take orders yet. (Oh, the double-entendre!)
While reading at my table to pass the time, I realized that I was sitting next to two Italians, so I started listening to their conversation. (It was in ITALIAN! I wasn't spying -- I didn't even understand it.) They were in a hurry to leave, and were having some trouble getting a server's attention, so I used my single-status to strike up a conversation with them. 2 busy Italians + 1 single person = restaurant service. By joining my forces with the Italians, they got to pay and I got to order.
I was proud of myself for going on vacation alone, but there is also power in numbers.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Accomplished :)
I've been off work since last Wednesday, and it feels so good.
I've cleaned my entire apartment in preparation for the new roommate. Mr. Clean is the greatest cleaning agent I have ever found! AND it has a fresh orangy scent! LOVE it. Mr. Clean has been winking at me and giving me his head-bow and it excites me greatly.
The new roommate is mostly moved in now, and we've made some apartment improvements. New Roomie has installed cable. It's the first time in 4 years that I've had cable at my place of residence. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. We have all of the premium channels, and apparently DVR, although I don't know how to access or use it. What does one watch when they have access to 500 channels? They watch "Back to the Future" of course! Right now I'm wondering if we will really have flying cars by 2015. My guess is NO. Also, the references to Texaco and Michael Jackson. Yeah, um...
I've also been filing all of that important stuff that's important, but it piles on a desk. Yes, I have a home filing system now and it's all up to date. Get it!
I drove 4 hours to Santa Rosa yesterday to see an old friend who I studied music with back in Iowa. She's back at our old school, teaching and singing in a group called First Take that does workshops in the summer. The drive was extremely irritating, but it was good to see Kim after 8 years. She's exactly the same, perhaps we are both heavier and more embittered. I also saw a former teacher, who is probably the person most responsible for my moving to the Bay Area. It was funny to see everyone, and a blast from the past, but also kind of sad to know that I don't really "belong" to that scene anymore. It's evolved beyond what it was when I went to school there. Strange feeling.
Exercise has been regular this week. Hiking, running...and there is more to come when I leave tomorrow for the beach! Woo hoo! Hiking and being massaged. Very excited.
Now, I leave you. Hopefully I'll have some reports when I get back. :)
Have a lovely week!
I've cleaned my entire apartment in preparation for the new roommate. Mr. Clean is the greatest cleaning agent I have ever found! AND it has a fresh orangy scent! LOVE it. Mr. Clean has been winking at me and giving me his head-bow and it excites me greatly.
The new roommate is mostly moved in now, and we've made some apartment improvements. New Roomie has installed cable. It's the first time in 4 years that I've had cable at my place of residence. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. We have all of the premium channels, and apparently DVR, although I don't know how to access or use it. What does one watch when they have access to 500 channels? They watch "Back to the Future" of course! Right now I'm wondering if we will really have flying cars by 2015. My guess is NO. Also, the references to Texaco and Michael Jackson. Yeah, um...
I've also been filing all of that important stuff that's important, but it piles on a desk. Yes, I have a home filing system now and it's all up to date. Get it!
I drove 4 hours to Santa Rosa yesterday to see an old friend who I studied music with back in Iowa. She's back at our old school, teaching and singing in a group called First Take that does workshops in the summer. The drive was extremely irritating, but it was good to see Kim after 8 years. She's exactly the same, perhaps we are both heavier and more embittered. I also saw a former teacher, who is probably the person most responsible for my moving to the Bay Area. It was funny to see everyone, and a blast from the past, but also kind of sad to know that I don't really "belong" to that scene anymore. It's evolved beyond what it was when I went to school there. Strange feeling.
Exercise has been regular this week. Hiking, running...and there is more to come when I leave tomorrow for the beach! Woo hoo! Hiking and being massaged. Very excited.
Now, I leave you. Hopefully I'll have some reports when I get back. :)
Have a lovely week!
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