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December 30, 2004
2004 resolution recap
for the last couple of years i've made a point to set resolutions and make sure i recap to see where i've netted out.
i think the key is keeping it simple, and achievable, as a result i'm surprised how they stick in my mind as i go through my year.
so here's my recap for 2004:
1. i resolve to learn to play the drums this year. properly. okay, well...i made a few attempts at starting drum lessons. but for some reason the drum instructors i connected with had a little trouble consistently fitting me into their schedules. of course i don't exactly have the most flexible schedule either. but i have managed to secure a drum set. so baby steps. i'll get them set up. stick my drumsticks in my back pocket. then we'll see.
2. i resolve to strengthen my poor post-injury body to that next year i'll be able to go skiing at least once. i've made some serious progress here. my body is much stronger. i've made it to the gym, and have managed to get myself into those croc charles david heels i refused to get rid of after my accident. perhaps the skiing idea will have to be a little more patient however.
3. i resolve to expand my social network to include more folks with something to say, and more grownup activities. i'm a little tired of waking up on sunday with a hangover and a foggy recollection of discussions about haircuts, second dates and where did you get those shoes?! this has gone very well. i've developed friendships with some of the most amazing people, and kept in touch with the most important people in my life. i'm surrounded by smart, amazing women with whom i can spend time into the wee hours of the morning digging into the things that are truly important. although i still crawl out of bed from time to time with a hangover and foggy recollections of the night before. i'm very pleased that my recollections have significantly more substance.
4. i resolve to travel. this is a long term resolution, but i specifically resolve to go to italy this year. or paris. whichever housing situation works out. ok. i've travelled, but it's pretty much been limited to domestic travels to meetings, tradeshows and family gatherings. unfortunately the whole italy/paris idea didn't happen. but i'm keeping it on the list for 2005. maybe london. we'll see.
5. i resolve to be less cynical about love. i didn't realize how hard this would be. but i've learned some important lessons this year. i've learned to listen more and to be more gentle with my lovers. i've had a few absolutely magical moments that have softened my poor scarred heart. i've managed to open myself up to beautiful people who give far more than they take. who knows, i may get there yet.
Posted by heidijanet at 10:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
what is this christmas?
hanging on the gate
Originally uploaded by in retrospect.
i think that quite possibly the reason that we breed (besides the whole propogation of the species thing) is for moments like this.
as the cynicism sets in, when you've forgotten the simple joys tearing open wrapping paper, how the world should absolutely stop at the sound of a baby's cry, and how to break into dance at the slightest, silliest tune.
lest we forget.
Posted by heidijanet at 10:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 28, 2004
christmas
spending christmas in a subzero climate has been fantastic. i've spent lots of time holding, feeding, dressing and roughhousing with babies. i've been squeezed by dozens of my inebriated in-laws, trudged through snow and ice and torn through more gifts that one person really deserves. i've overslept, overeaten, overdressed and overindulged.
i've finally met, and fallen in love with my new niece sophia, who (in stark contrast to her tasmanian devil of an older sister) does nothing but smile and giggle. and eat.
i've enjoyed myself so much, that i'm psychically digging my heels in at the thought of returning to the left coast tomorrow.
Posted by heidijanet at 10:34 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 22, 2004
frozen
frozen
Originally uploaded by in retrospect.
this. is where i will be tomorrow.
frozen.
i suppose i can now admit that i am the acclimated, thin-blooded californian that the rest of the population points and laughs at in our overbundled selves on the street, scoffs and curses at our ineptness on the highway...and secretly wishes they had the foresight to settle in an area of the country where it rarely dips below 72 degrees. even in december.
Posted by heidijanet at 03:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
little man in the family
as of last night at 7:00pm, i became the proud aunt of a new nephew!!
my little brother shay and his wife shannon welcomed wee fisher brady thomsen into the world.
as my brother kept repeating over and over immediately following the birth, "this is a really big deal. really. just really a big deal."
yes shay, yes it is. i'm so excited!!
Posted by heidijanet at 01:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
second stanza
142 emails
55 pending action items
42 images to cleanup
12 presentations to update
6 co-worker feedback reports
1 self-assessment
1 expense report
1 failed hard drive
0 days left in the office
...and a parTRIDGE in a pear tree.
*whimper*
Posted by heidijanet at 01:23 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 21, 2004
singalong
123 emails
47 pending action items
8 voicemails requiring action
7 1-hour meetings
6 co-worker feedback reports
1 self-assessment
1 expense report
1 day left in the office
...and a parTRIDGE in a pear tree.
merry xmas.
*sigh*
Posted by heidijanet at 03:59 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 20, 2004
fun wih bears
trouble with working too much is i'm forced to cram way too much of my life into a 48 hour period over the weekend. bills, xmas shopping, catching up with friends, wrapping presents etc. etc.
but i did manage a lovely sunday with my friend lynn, we were charged with photographing flat teresa (a la flat stanley) all over the west side and collecting souvenirs for her eight year old niece.
it was the most fun i've had in a long, long time.
Posted by heidijanet at 08:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 16, 2004
wide-awake
every morning on the way to work, i stop in at abbot's habit and get myself a large cup of coffee. it's become a little ritual, i park in the red zone right out front, smile and wave good morning the group of haggard gentlemen smoking and talking politics out front, the baristas inside see me coming in and reach for the large cups before i get to the counter for my "usual".
this morning, tired and strung out from a few intense and stressful weeks...i stumbled up to the counter, leaned over and stopped the barista mid-reach and said, "this morning i'll take a large latte. and make it a double."
my favorite coffee-puller grinned and started whistling times they are a-changin'.
Posted by heidijanet at 09:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 13, 2004
wringing time
i enjoy my work. i really do.
but i must admit, this time of year when i'm putting in 12-15 hour days, i find myself staying up as late as possible. so instead of crawling into bed nice and early so i can get up at the crack of dawn, rested and ready to charge into the next day...
i find myself wringing a couple more hours out of the evening...just to put a little more space between today and tomorrow.
Posted by heidijanet at 11:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
one-woman rebellion
personally protesting the national epidemic of carbohydrate restriction, i just finished an enormous meal of pasta, sourdough bread and sierra nevada pale ale in one sitting.
i believe in some neighborhoods in los angeles, that may just be a punishable offense.
the empowerment is thrilling.
Posted by heidijanet at 12:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 09, 2004
lightheaded
it's unusually overwhelming at work right now. i've been furiously digging through my days in meetings and memos and emails and updates and conference calls rarely leaving the office before 9pm, and most nights closer to 11pm.
feeling a little lightheaded in an early morning meeting, i stopped to wonder why...and realized that i have not eaten...
...since tuesday.
*sigh*
i need a wife.
Posted by heidijanet at 11:00 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 06, 2004
context is everything
Forwarded to me from daniela this morning:
This ad actually ran in The Atlanta Journal newspaper ...
SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, race unimportant. I'm a very good-looking girl who LOVES to; play, take long walks in the woods, hunting, camping, fishing trips, and cozy winter nights by the fire. Really like a man with a pickup truck. A candlelight dinner will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. Kiss me and I'm yours. Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy.
Over 15,000 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society, about an 8-week old black Labrador retriever.
Posted by heidijanet at 09:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 02, 2004
key to happiness
breakthrough methods of measuring quality of life indicate that quality of sleep and sex rank the highest in measuring a woman's enjoyment of life, and surprisingly grocery shopping, cleaning the house and commuting rank the lowest.
well, now that's news indeed.
Posted by heidijanet at 11:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack