Author: sychela

Categories
"Other people" Awesome Love

Love comes in all forms, I guess

In 2009, shortly after Drew and I got engaged and set a date, we Googled that date to see what other historic events would be happening that day. We found the wedding myspace page of another couple, who would be getting married on the same day.

Let’s break it down. Let’s start with “wedding myspace page.”

The crazy-in-love kids appeared to be in their early 20s, living somewhere in the middle of the country. They have a pet sugar glider, and (I think I remember) some Confederate flags. They were planning on the theme of their wedding being “roses,” and planned that “Olive Garden will cater,” and they were going to charge people $400 to attend to help pay for it.

We laughed about it for an afternoon and then mostly forgot about it, until a couple weeks ago when we decided to try to find them and see if they were still together. It was ridiculously easy (as in, a single Google search) to find their myspace page – which is a special page made for both of them and their wedding. From there, it was also easy to find their personal pages.

We found more pictures of them and “blog posts,” which were mostly just boring internet memes asking the same questions over and over again. Many, many references to “going out and getting more cigs.” And then jackpot! Wedding pictures.

We spent much more time looking at all three pages – the wedding page and the personal pages – and then we tried to find them on Facebook. (No luck.) And we are just lame, bored 20-somethings! Can you imagine what we could accomplish with some actual stalker skills and possibly a dash of hacker skills?

I don’t really want to admit how much time we spent reading and laughing, but it was a great little bonding experience. And I guess the lesson learned here is: love comes in all forms. Here is a couple who probably doesn’t have the idea of the “sanctity of marriage” that we have, or that I think more people should have. But they’re still together! And they seem super happy! (Even if neither of them have jobs, or possibly have graduated from high school.)

So congratulations, P and M! Married over 2 years (their wedding date apparently changed from ours) and still going strong! Here’s to 50 more years!

Categories
Being a girl cars Friends Love

Riding in cars with boys (in other cars)

Last night, while driving home from Redding, Megan and I found ourselves tearing down the freeway at 70 mph, somewhere near Benicia, around 11:00pm. A car pulled up next to us and honked, and when Megan looked over, the driver made several “call me” motions. She just said, “What are you doing? Keep your hands on the wheel!” Then I passed a car and that Casanova car had to fall back, but a minute later they pulled up next to her again. Her new friend made more faces and gestures at her (nothing crude), and she just couldn’t stop laughing. The third time it happened, she pointed to her engagement ring, and he made a, “Okay, I’ll back off!” gesture and pulled away.

It was maybe the highlight of the drive home. Maybe not, actually, when I think about it. But it was a nice little few minutes.

But here’s my question: What was he trying to achieve? What would be the ideal outcome of that scenario for him? Was she supposed to scribble her number on a piece of paper? Gesture for them to get off at the next exit so we could all hang out? Take her top off? I mean, I know it’s just having some fun, but really, what did he want from her?

Categories
Awesome Dreams Friends Theatre Work

A Week In Review

How can life have gotten so away from me? Here are the things I intended to write about this week:

Sunday
I worked at our New Works Festival, which was awesome – I watched 2 shows and then the Meet the Artists panel, and there was a food truck there, serving up delicious Asian tacos! Could my day get any better? Yes it can! Because late Sunday night I picked up Megan at the airport!

Monday
Megan’s dress fitting in San Francisco! So fun. Then Drew and I hit Costco and I picked up my brand new card.

Also of note, today, while waiting at a stoplight, I heard a giant crash. The light turned green and I pulled away, looked in the rearview mirror and saw the car right behind me pulling over. I’m pretty sure someone rear-ended them. I was so grateful it wasn’t me.

Tuesday
Sam and I went to a yoga class. We spent the first 10 minutes sitting criss cross applesauce while the instructor had us “feel the universe” and read us the longest Carl Sagan quote ever. Then we did 45 minutes of yoga. Then we laid on the ground in corpse pose, but with our limbs flailed out to more fully “embrace the universe,” while she reread the longest Carl Sagan quote ever. I like the parts of yoga where you move through fluid stretches. But I don’t like all the politics that comes with us.

Also, most exercise classes make me feel all strong and healthy. Yoga makes me feel roly-poly and incompetent. Plus, I can’t help but notice all the long, lean people around me. (Including the 7-months pregnant woman in the front row.)

Wednesday
Jonathan and I went to Google for a seminar on using Google Apps for businesses. Then we had a brief tour of the campus with a friend of his who works there. Did you know that food there is free? We had frozen yogurt and sandwiches. Also, they have a slide, cool art everywhere, and one of those treadmill swimming pools. Also, I couldn’t take many pictures because it’s not really allowed. But I did make this Google Doodle on a little artsy kiosk.

Google was kinda amazing. I have never really wanted to work there, but after seeing the campus, which is really very college-y, but with a side of cutting edge and more responsibility…I so want to work there. I’m not sure how anyone ever gets anything done. Not when you can go to breakdance class or take a walk outside or go have the deli people make you yet another sandwich!

But I just keep telling myself, I have nothing to offer Google. They are not looking for someone with my skills. Better to just visit people who work on the campus, than keep hoping to somehow get a job there.

They say that the reason they provide so much on campus (and I love that it is called “the campus”), is so that their employees never have to leave, and can work 80-hour weeks. Well, if I was single and career-minded, I would totally love to devote 12 hours of my day to Google.

Google bikes are everywhere! And you just take one when it's available. If it's broken or needs maintenance, you remove the seat and put it in the basket, and someone comes and fixes it.
The "Android" section of the campus has several large dessert sculptures.
Categories
Awesome Being a girl Exercise Nonfiction Self improvement

Tips For The First Spin Class

Yesterday I finally attended my first spin class. This is what I said to my co-workers as I was leaving work to head to the gym:

“It sounds fun! I mean it can’t be that hard, right?”

At least I sort of knew at the time I was going to have to eat those words later – but I did think, how hard can biking be? It’s just biking. It’s not like I have to jump around waving weights around my head. It’s just legs.

Well, I was wrong. It’s not just legs. And it is hard.

Here are some hints, if you’re thinking of attempting this for the first time:

1. The seat is not comfortable. This is probably because you’re supposed to be up off of it for most of the class. If, like me, you sat out some of the standing-up sections, be prepared for a slightly sore behind the next day. (I ended up wadding up my towel and awkwardly stuffing it underneath myself at one point. It helped, moderately.)

2. When you sit on the bike for the first time, and it spins really easily, and you’re like, “This is awesome”? Look down. That little knob puts more tension on. You’ll spend most of the class with it tightened. Get ready. Enjoy the no-tension while you can.

3. An hour of watching Law & Order flies by. An hour of spin, not so much. At some point (for me it was 10 minutes in), you’ll start to think the clock might be broken. It’s not.

4. Related to #3, the first half hour is a lot slower than the second half hour. Stick it out.

5. When your badass intructor says, “Remember, everyone can go at their own pace at any time,” he may be talking to you. You’re allowed to ease off on the tension if you’re dying, and as long as you’re still pushing yourself, you’re still good.

6. It seems to me that this is the kind of thing where you show fast improvement, especially at the beginning. I found the standing up portions difficult in the first half hour, but much easier in the second half hour. I’m excited for my next class, to see how much easier the entire thing will be. (#WishfulThinking?)

7. If you find yourself plotting ways to get out of the room before the hour is up (my best plan was to fake losing a contact, then scoop up my keys and bolt for the door), just stare at the tramp stamp on the girl in front of you and keep going. You can do it!

Categories
Drew Sleep talking

One Dozen Sleep Talkings, Ah-ah-ah

Drew: Oh.
Me: (thinking) Awww…that was cute.
Drew: R.
Me: (thinking) He’s clearly not talking to me at all.
Drew: 2.
Me: (thinking) Possibly he’s spelling out some kind of code?
Drew: So I guess… *sigh* He’s your enemy. (pause) Yeah.
Me: LOL
Drew: Hmm?

Adorable!

Categories
Nonfiction Not awesome

Fail/winning

I’m just barely missing all my big milestones!

-2 years back in California (July 24th)
-200,000 miles on my car (I’m a couple hundred past it)
-15,000 blog views (15,146 now)

All good things to celebrate – all things I let sneak past me.

Categories
Exercise Friends Self improvement

Be as much of all that you can be

I am always the most motivated late at night. When I’m lying there waiting to fall asleep (which could take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and a half), that’s when I think of all the things I am sure to accomplish. That’s where the Atkins idea was born (after many, many failed plans). That’s when I’m sure I’m going to get up early and hit the gym. That’s when I psych myself into thinking I can totally wear heels to work.

But the next morning is when I remember that Atkins sucks, I’m so tired and this bed is so warm and the gym is so far away through the fog, and who am I kidding? I totally have no skills for wearing heels, and I’ll probably fall down the stairs and that will be hella embarrassing.

Last week I made the late night decision to sign back up for Weight Watchers. I also made a late night decision to change my gym membership so I can go to any 24 Hour Fitness (for the last year I’ve just had access to one club).

So that’s my new plan. So far it’s going pretty well. Plus, I have the iPhone now so I can use the WW mobile app, which is helpful, I guess? Also the 24 HF app. I like the way those apps look sitting next to each other.

Tomorrow my friend Sam and I are going to a gym that’s near my work and her house. We’re going to try some class that I’ve never tried before. It’s sort of making me nervous. But I think it’ll be easier to go after work, and especially with a friend. And their class schedule is so much better than my home gym’s schedule! – now maybe I’ll be able to make it to a spin class, which I have still not accomplished.

Anyway, wish me luck. I have one wedding in 2 months, and then another one in 3 months, so my plan is to look awesome for both of them. Now that I’ve lined up the tools – I just have implement them.

Categories
Awesome Being a girl Books Drew Friends

Girls dressing like boys

I started reading the Alanna books recently, by Tamora Pierce.

I remember reading the first book when I was a tween (or so), and I remember liking it, but also, the only thing I could remember was that she was dressed like a boy, and couldn’t go swimming with the other boys, and also, when she “becomes a woman” things get awkward.

But I’m reading them again now on the insistence of a reader friend of mine, who recently handed me an oversized gift bag filled with Tamora Pierce books for 12-year-olds. But we like them because of their strong female protagonists, who make smart, level-headed decisions.

Anyway, I just wanted to point out that the illustrator for this edition of these books does a great job getting in the feeling of the book, the horse, the cat, the purple fog that is her magic, whatever – but CANNOT seem to capture a facial expression.

Behold:

This just cracks me up. I have to get Drew to make the face on the cover of the third book, and get a picture of it. It’s perfect.

I also noticed that they’ve redone the books (a couple times) with more badass covers. Like so:

Darker, and “cooler,” and possibly more representative of the actual feel of the books. I guess maybe I’m paying more attention to stuff like this, as I get more comfortable and familiar with my job.

Got a great YA novel recommendation? Leave it here for me! (It definitely doesn’t have to be fantasy.)

Categories
Beginnings Nonfiction Self improvement Work

Just Me & My Fear Of Heights

Yesterday afternoon I went with a couple co-workers to hang twinkle lights in the trees outside the theatre we perform in. Our New Works Festival is coming up in a week or so (eek) and twinkle lights are kind of a tradition. Anyway, hanging lights in the trees required ladders.

I kind of have a ladder phobia. These were relatively small ladders, and I was going up only a couple steps, so it was okay. But in general, I do not like ladders.

Ladders can fall over. Ladders could slip on the ground and slide out from under you. Ladders can be placed unsteadily on grass and tip you off.

Being a stage manager, I’ve been in contact with a lot of ladders. Usually I don’t have to be the one climbing them though – luckily that is normally someone else’s job – like the lighting people. God bless you, lighting people, and your CRAZY LONG ladders that you balance on unsteady rails in the air, and then scale like you have no fear. God bless you also with your scaffolding that you build as you climb it (I’m looking at you, Marin), and your genies. Ugh.

In New York I worked on a show where, to get to the booth, I had to climb a ladder affixed to the wall. I spent the entire 4-week run convinced I was going to slip one day and fall and die. Then someone told me that it wasn’t that high, and I probably wouldn’t die, which alleviated some of my stress. But I’m still grateful that I will never, ever have to set foot in that theatre again – it was one of the three worst spaces I’ve ever worked in.

I don’t mind being up in the air – as long as I’m on something sturdy, permanent, and preferably not see-through. I would definitely like to try out that glass walkway thing that goes out over the Grand Canyon, but I’m pretty sure it would scare the bejeezus out of me. But you know, in a fun way.

Maybe this fear came from my family’s infamous tree house story – my dad is probably rolling his eyes at the fact that I am bringing this up – but when my brother and I were kids, we were building this AWESOME tree house out in our back-backyard. For a little while, it was just a platform in the tree, and Robb and I used to climb up the ladder (see? no fear then) and spy on the neighbors while they lounged in their random hot tub. One day, as my dad, Robb and I were up there working on adding walls or something, the whole thing collapsed and dumped us out of the tree. We were all totally fine, and although we talked about rebuilding it, we never actually got around to it.

Possibly that’s when I started being wary of heights and ladders and genies and other things like that.

Anyway, I made it through yesterday afternoon: 
working with the scary, scary 6′-ladder and the towering, monstrous pretty purple trees, and the muy peligroso twinkle lights. I stayed off the ladder as much as possible and just climbed around on the benches under the trees. No biggie.

And hopefully now the courtyard will be gorgeous and lure in many, many ticket buyers. I guess it’s all in a day’s work.

If you feel like commenting, tell me the ridiculous thing you’re afraid of! Backstory speculation is welcome, but not necessary.

Categories
Not awesome Work

The tin is there to hold in the spam – potpourri

I just noticed this comment in my spam filter:

Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! “England and America are two countries separated by the same language.” by George Bernard Shaw.

This person had googled “parachuting dogs” and found my 60s post. So I guess it might not be spam.

I don’t know what I’ve been doing lately, but it hasn’t been writing. Or going to the gym. But I definitely feel like I’ve been busy!

I did just finish The Help last night, and I loved it and would highly recommend it to all. Next up on my reading list is Bossypants by Tina Fey.

Last Friday we saw Tales of the City at ACT in San Francisco – I really enjoyed the show. But I think their marketing is bad. Based on the poster, I was picturing a 40s film noir, not a musical, and really boring. But the show reminds me of nothing more than The Wedding Singer – totally fun, funny, entertaining, and the 3 hours flies by. I’m really glad we went before it closes (this weekend). It definitely feels like a new musical – there is work they can do on it – but I had a great time.

On Saturday I got to go shopping for bridesmaid dresses for the second wedding I’m in this fall. It went well, and we picked a dress that all three bridesmaids can wear. So that feels like a good accomplishment.

On Sunday I went to Lakeport for the afternoon to hang out with my parents, and they bought me lunch, but then they tricked me and had me go through about seven boxes of Stuff From My Past. I thought that would be it, but apparently there is still more. Sheesh.

BUT, this means I am rife with poetry from middle school, and embarrassing adolescent pictures. Also plenty of pictures of cats. We had A LOT of cats. Anyway, there is blog fodder in there, I know it.