Waiting…Waiting…Waiting

I’m sitting at my chiropractor’s office writing a blog post. Why? you may ask. Well it’s my punishment for doing a good deed. I of course, talk to everyone and was checking out when the staff mentioned that they had a problem with their wireless. I just happened to have my geeky son with me so I volunteered his services. Duh! It’s never as easy as it seems and I’m still waiting. It’s going on 45 minutes now and I had plans for this morning.

I’ve checked Facebook, surfed the web on my phone and taken a couple of calls about an alarm going off at my parent’s house. Now what?!

What do YOU do when you’re waiting?

Paris 2007

Paris Day 1 – Friday/Saturday

We boarded a plane in Philadelphia and headed to Paris.  We sat next to a couple, Rich and Kristen, who were on their way to Portugal and were trying to learn the language on the way.  They had been to Paris before and were quick to point out that we should plan to eat as many pastries and baguettes as we could since they would never taste the same in the states as they would in Paris.  What good advice!

View from the HotelWe landed in Paris, later than expected but still with enough time left in the day to get a feel for the city.  We checked into our hotel and I, of course, took pictures of the cool buildings that we could see from our window.  There is a beauty to these buildings with their rod iron balconies and flowerboxes.  There are trees growing on balconies and roofs and greenery in places you wouldn’t normally expect.

We could see the Eiffel Tower  – Tour Eiffel – from the street outside our hotel.  Mike thought that it looked close so we should just take a walk and see it.  About 3 miles later after passing UNESCO and numerous other buildings, we were able to see the Eiffel Tower up close. The day was beautiful and sunny with a slight breeze.  It was such a nice day that many people were sunning or having picnics on blankets in the grass by the tower.  What an amazing structure the tower is.  When I looked up at the detail on the arches it made me realize how much you don’t actually see when you are far away.  We walked around the opposite side from where we came in so that we could take a picture (or several) from up higher.  This was when we got our first taste of street vendors.  They would attempt to stop us every few feet trying to sell miniature towers on key chains.   By about the 8th or 9th person, I stopped feeling sorry about saying “No.”  One enterprising vendor laid his selection on the steps of the Ecole Militaire building we were taking pictures from.

Eiffel Tower

Under the bridge over the SeineIt was difficult to get a feel for the city from our location so we decided to take a boat tour on the Seine.  My Dad suggested the Bateaux Mouche tour.  We saw the boat we wanted touring down the river and Mike was convinced that if he just followed it on foot then he would know where it left from so we could go find it.  I wasn’t about to follow a boat the length of the Seine so I took a break and sat on some steps under a bridge by the river.  By this time of day, the weather had gotten quite a bit hotter than I was comfortable with so I was happy to enjoy the breeze by the river while watching the ducks.   After a little while, Mike returned with the exciting news that the boat had turned around and if we hurry, we could follow it.  So armed with our map and good intentions, we set out to find it.  Did I mention that Mike had the map and neither of us had noticed that the name and location of the boat dock was printed on it?  By the time the boat got a head of us a ways, we discovered where we should go and were only what looked like 2 blocks away (yeah, the blocks aren’t really blocks – more 1/2 miles blocks).  What a relief to find the boat, buy the tickets (thankfully they took Visa as we still hadn’t been able to get cash out) and sit down.  We sat at the top of the boat and as it started up we were able to feel the breeze and view various parts of the city at a glance.  Truthfully, I was so exhausted at this point – keep in mind, we had been up almost 24 hours except for the little sleep we were able to get on the plane.  I started to drift off every time they would translate the site we were seeing in another language.  I would wake up when the English started but would drift again as they went through the other languages.  At the end of the boat tour, we decided to stop for a quick bite to eat before trying to find our way back to the hotel for the night.  We found a cute little outdoor café and ate dinner followed by a to-die-for crème brulee.  We were only a few blocks (a mile) away from the Arc de Triomphe so we took a walk to view this amazing structure.  On the way we passed a wall that was a huge advertisement for an espresso bar and it was made up to look like a zipper.  Of course I had to take a picture.  I ran out into the middle of the street to take pictures of the Arc and was able to get three before my camera battery died.  We went under the road and walked over to the arch and looked around for a bit.  At this time, we didn’t go up it since my secondary battery apparently didn’t hold its charge.  We knew we’d be back but this was a good time to head back to the hotel.  I thought that this was also a good time to try the metro – no way was I walking back to the hotel with blisters all over my feet.  The man at the metro station that sold us our tickets was very helpful and told me that my French was very good.  Not sure if that means that every other American he’d seen that day was worse or if he was just trying to be nice.  He told us how to get back to Montparnasse and thankfully it was a straight ride back.  Well, actually the train was straight back but then Mike navigated us to our hotel via the scenic route.  We probably passed our hotel as we walked around in circles.  Finally we found the hotel and we were able to collapse for the night.

>>Read more about our Paris Trip.

Frustrated with job searching

I know the economy isn’t great right now. I’ve been aware of it for a while but knowing doesn’t really make things easier does it. I’ve spent countless hours searching and applying for jobs, going on interviews, sending thank you notes and waiting to hear anything. Then when I go looking, what do I see? The same job postings for the same positions that I’ve applied for. It is extremely frustrating!  One company even had me waiting while they hired the “team” that I would be working with.  Their offer was so sweet that why wouldn’t I hold out for the job?  Oh I know, it is because they couldn’t get the right people for the team and since the economy is bad, they decided to scrap the whole thing!
So what does an out of work web designer do in between job searches? I do the one thing that I love that doesn’t make me gain weight and allows me to relax.  I take pictures.
I spent some time with a friend who took me up to the mountains of American Fork in Utah.  It was beautiful with the sun shinning and the fresh snow.  The air was crisp with a slight chill but the time I was able to spend shooting pictures and just regrouping was priceless. It always amazes me how much just being out in nature and away from the computer can help me to de-stress. Well, that is until the next crisis happens, or in my case, my garage catching fire.  I’ll write about that later but for now, relax and breathe in the crisp cool air and picture yourself in the mountains with me.

I know the economy isn’t great right now. I’ve been aware of it for a while but knowing doesn’t really make things easier does it. I’ve spent countless hours searching and applying for jobs, going on interviews, sending thank you notes and waiting to hear anything. Then when I go looking, what do I see? The same job postings for the same positions that I’ve applied for. It is extremely frustrating!  One company even had me waiting while they hired the “team” that I would be working with.  Their offer was so sweet that why wouldn’t I hold out for the job?  Oh I know, it is because they couldn’t get the right people for the team and since the economy is bad, they decided to scrap the whole thing!

Sparkling River
Sparkling River

So what does an out of work web designer do in between job searches? I do the one thing that I love that doesn’t make me gain weight and allows me to relax.  I take pictures.

Frozen Lake
Frozen Lake

I spent some time with a friend who took me up to the mountains of American Fork in Utah.  It was beautiful with the sun shinning and the fresh snow.  The air was crisp with a slight chill but the time I was able to spend shooting pictures and just regrouping was priceless. It always amazes me how much just being out in nature and away from the computer can help me to de-stress. Well, that is until the next crisis happens, or in my case, my garage catching fire.  I’ll write about that later but for now, relax and breathe in the crisp cool air and picture yourself in the mountains with me.

Going up American Fork Mountain
Going up American Fork Mountain

Are YOU a Bossy Cow?

There are animals all around us. The personalities of children closely resemble animals that most of us are familiar with: the Tasmanian devil, bossy cow, chameleon, donkey, monkey and the doe.  Even if we don’t have animals of our own, we still come in contact with some of these animals when we least expect it. I will classify the six animal categories that I come in contact with weekly. Maybe some of you will recognize these animals. Perhaps you’ve seen them on your weekly outings.
Imagine that you are at the grocery store minding your own business and picking out the brightest red strawberries. Suddenly out of nowhere, you hear a high-pitched scream. The noise is so intense that you feel as if you should now have holes in your eardrums. You grab your head and let your strawberries fall to the floor. “What was that horrible noise,” you ask yourself once the noise has ceased. After picking up your now bruised strawberries, you peak around the corner into the next isle. There in a cart is a beautiful blonde child with the sweetest looking face and big, blue eyes, holding a box of Lucking Charms. Who would ever suspect that this beautiful creature is a Tasmanian devil?
<strong>The Tasmanian devil</strong>: This animal appears as a good-natured, wonderful child until he wants something that he sees. When that all-important item is seen, a loud piercing scream can be heard from one end of the store to another. This child will get what he wants just so that the parent of the Tasmanian devil can avoid embarrassment as well as the inevitable headache that can follow one of the outbursts. The Tasmanian devil does not limit outbursts to stores. These high-pitched screams can be heard in various neighborhoods as well as within the confines of one’s own home.
<strong>The Bossy Cow</strong>: The bossy cow is not quite as obvious as the Tasmanian devil but can be just as treacherous to control. Many oldest children fit into this category. This child tends to tell everyone around her what to do and how to do it. This child will always believe that he knows best and won’t hesitate to tell you so. This child can quote statistics that will sometimes surprise adults as well as make them feel uneducated. In a family situation, where many bossy cows may exist, big problems can occur. I have seen these types of problems first hand when my own family is together. In my family we have three generations of bossy cows. We also have bossy cows that have married into the family. Other animals tend to hide when this herd gets going.
<strong>The Donkey</strong>:  This child is the epitome of the phrase “stubborn as a mule”. When the donkey is asked to perform a task that he finds unworthy of his efforts, a great braying can be heard. Sometimes referred to as whining, braying can last for quite a long time. You may have recognized the braying in a sibling or a child. This is the child that when asked to clean his room, sits on the floor and says, “But I don’t want to.” The word is “want” is drawn out and spoken in a very nasal tone when vocalized. If a bossy cow mother has a donkey for a child, many stressful moments can occur.
<strong>The Monkey</strong>: The monkey often appears as an easygoing child with a generally happy temperament.  He can be often seen playing outside. The monkey is commonly good at sports and enjoys most outdoor activities. The monkey takes pleasure in many adventures. Unfortunately, when the monkey has gone through his repertoire of activities, he can be often found repeating his mantra. “There’s nothing to do” can be heard over and over again from the monkey. This is especially true in the summer months.
<strong>The Chameleon</strong>: As the name suggests, this child is a master of disguise. He can blend into his environment and appear to be one thing while carrying the traits of a completely opposite personality. Teachers praise this child for the wonderful organizational skills and work habits he has. The neat way that he keeps his desk will often be mentioned, sometimes in reverence. When at home, the chameleon often cannot find his belongings and keeps his room in total disorder. The chameleon’s clothes and personal items can frequently be found scattered throughout the house. When asked to clean his room, the chameleon can sometimes be found lying in the middle of the floor trying to blend into his surroundings so as not to be seen, as a way to get out of digging through the piles to find the floor.
<strong>The Doe</strong>: More often that not, this child is female. In rare instances a male counterpart can be found. This is the most pleasant of thee animals I’ve categorized. The doe usually had big eyes and a sweet disposition. This child is able to convince anyone around her that she should have anything she wants with hardly a word. This child is the easiest to give in to and the hardest to refuse.
As parents, aunts, uncles, brothers or sisters, we are likely to come in contact with at least one of these animals in our lifetimes. The next time you hear the high-pitched scream of the Tasmanian devil or the braying sound of the Donkey, just remember: it is a jungle out there. It is up to us to be prepared.
How do you know if you're a bossy cow?
How do you know if you're a bossy cow?

There are animals all around us. The personalities of children closely resemble animals that most of us are familiar with: the Tasmanian devil, bossy cow, chameleon, donkey, monkey and the doe.  Even if we don’t have animals of our own, we still come in contact with some of these animals when we least expect it. I will classify the six animal categories that I come in contact with weekly. Maybe some of you will recognize these animals. Perhaps you’ve seen them on your weekly outings.

Imagine that you are at the grocery store minding your own business and picking out the brightest red strawberries. Suddenly out of nowhere, you hear a high-pitched scream. The noise is so intense that you feel as if you should now have holes in your eardrums. You grab your head and let your strawberries fall to the floor. “What was that horrible noise,” you ask yourself once the noise has ceased. After picking up your now bruised strawberries, you peak around the corner into the next isle. There in a cart is a beautiful blonde child with the sweetest looking face and big, blue eyes, holding a box of Lucking Charms. Who would ever suspect that this beautiful creature is a Tasmanian devil?

The Tasmanian devil: This animal appears as a good-natured, wonderful child until he wants something that he sees. When that all-important item is seen, a loud piercing scream can be heard from one end of the store to another. This child will get what he wants just so that the parent of the Tasmanian devil can avoid embarrassment as well as the inevitable headache that can follow one of the outbursts. The Tasmanian devil does not limit outbursts to stores. These high-pitched screams can be heard in various neighborhoods as well as within the confines of one’s own home.

The Bossy Cow: The bossy cow is not quite as obvious as the Tasmanian devil but can be just as treacherous to control. Many oldest children fit into this category. This child tends to tell everyone around her what to do and how to do it. This child will always believe that he knows best and won’t hesitate to tell you so. This child can quote statistics that will sometimes surprise adults as well as make them feel uneducated. In a family situation, where many bossy cows may exist, big problems can occur. I have seen these types of problems first hand when my own family is together. In my family we have three generations of bossy cows. We also have bossy cows that have married into the family. Other animals tend to hide when this herd gets going.

The Donkey:  This child is the epitome of the phrase “stubborn as a mule”. When the donkey is asked to perform a task that he finds unworthy of his efforts, a great braying can be heard. Sometimes referred to as whining, braying can last for quite a long time. You may have recognized the braying in a sibling or a child. This is the child that when asked to clean his room, sits on the floor and says, “But I don’t want to.” The word is “want” is drawn out and spoken in a very nasal tone when vocalized. If a bossy cow mother has a donkey for a child, many stressful moments can occur.

The Monkey: The monkey often appears as an easygoing child with a generally happy temperament.  He can be often seen playing outside. The monkey is commonly good at sports and enjoys most outdoor activities. The monkey takes pleasure in many adventures. Unfortunately, when the monkey has gone through his repertoire of activities, he can be often found repeating his mantra. “There’s nothing to do” can be heard over and over again from the monkey. This is especially true in the summer months.

The Chameleon: As the name suggests, this child is a master of disguise. He can blend into his environment and appear to be one thing while carrying the traits of a completely opposite personality. Teachers praise this child for the wonderful organizational skills and work habits he has. The neat way that he keeps his desk will often be mentioned, sometimes in reverence. When at home, the chameleon often cannot find his belongings and keeps his room in total disorder. The chameleon’s clothes and personal items can frequently be found scattered throughout the house. When asked to clean his room, the chameleon can sometimes be found lying in the middle of the floor trying to blend into his surroundings so as not to be seen, as a way to get out of digging through the piles to find the floor.

The Doe: More often that not, this child is female. In rare instances a male counterpart can be found. This is the most pleasant of thee animals I’ve categorized. The doe usually had big eyes and a sweet disposition. This child is able to convince anyone around her that she should have anything she wants with hardly a word. This child is the easiest to give in to and the hardest to refuse.

As parents, aunts, uncles, brothers or sisters, we are likely to come in contact with at least one of these animals in our lifetimes. The next time you hear the high-pitched scream of the Tasmanian devil or the braying sound of the Donkey, just remember: it is a jungle out there. It is up to us to be prepared.