just laura

Wednesday night’s concert at the zoo was pretty great. I was impressed to learn that all 100% of ticket prices go to an animal of the artist’s choice (Aimee Mann picked giraffe’s at the night’s lucky creature – not surprising since Aimee is pretty thin, with a long, lanky body herself). I was kind of hesitant when I first got the ticket, knowing she’s not the most upbeat performer. However, she put out four albums with Till Tuesday, and four solo albums after that, and songs on both I Am Sam and Magnolia, so I figured she’s have to be good live if she’s still going this strong for so long. Once the sun went down she was pretty personable, told a few funny stories, and played some great music. Apparently she used to have the biggest crush on the guy from Oasis – too funny. However, the crush was over in an instant when she finally met him in real life one day (prompting her to write the song “You Can Make A Killing” about them). She also played a cover of Coldplay’s big hit, so that was entertaining too. All in all, a lovely show. :)

Last night Dieter and I joined a few of his high school friends for a yummy, over indulgent dinner at the amazing Cafe Flora. Wing lives here in Seattle, but Amy (Marta’s big sister) and husband Dan were in town visiting for the week. We started with coconut tofu lettuce wraps, followed by soup and salad, and my main course was gluten free vegan Chantaboon noodles and summer rolls (Chantaboon noodles, ginger cilantro pistou, Asian vegetables & apricots stir fried in black bean chili oil, fresh summer rolls, caramel ginger dipping sauce and guava berry coulis). Yum! Dieter and I split a lavender, white chocolate crème brulee for dessert… wow!

Also wow: Wing just signed on a condo this week, and will be moving in to his new place very soon! Apparently it’s got a touch of 70s still in it, including some marbled tiled mirrors… quite funky! Can’t wait to check out the new place and see what he does with it. (Wing’s a great artist, so I’m expecting great things!). Coincidentally, his new condo is just about a 1.25 miles north of Moses and Laura’s new house… on the very same street! Charles also bought a condo this month in Austin, and Lis and Andy just bought a house in Seattle. Hmmm… not sure if the market is that great, people’s jobs are that great, or if we’re just getting to that point in our “adult” lives where buying houses is the thing to do. Either way, while I’d be hip with buying a place someday, it won’t be happening until I find out whether or not I’m still employed at the end of August.

And those two posts bring us up to today. :) Today I’m heading down to Portland where I’ll be attending (and speaking at!!) a conference about national service. I’ve been invited to speak at a few conferences this year, and while I’m not really hip on the public speaking thing, I know it’d be good publicity for my program, and it’d be good professional growth for me. The last ones I was invited to speak at were in San Diego and Chicago… I’m much rather be flown to either of those place, but sadly those dates didn’t work out. However, this week’s conference in Portland actually fit in my schedule, so off I go to the lovely Rose City. Guess I should get off the computer and start looking for something acceptable to wear. Speaking of… this week the temperatures were in the 80s and 90s… making me protest finding professional clothes when it’s 90 and your home and offices don’t have AC. (I’m always tempted to bring a bikini to work and buy a baby pool for the office… alas, it’d be fun but I’m not sure how I’d get it filled… the kitchen is way on the other side of the building). Guess it’s something to ponder while I’m driving to Portland tonight. Hope everyone’s well!

I survived two highway closures and two accidents blocking the roadway and made it into Portland after a long 4 hour drive. I’m now happily at the conference… well, actually, I’ve happily survived day one of the conference and am now off to a pub to socialize with other program directors from around Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Idaho. I’ll probably leave there early to hit Whole Foods (breakfast and lunch are provided at the conference, but my options are limited since I can’t eat meat or wheat). Hope everyone is well. Happy Monday!

I’m back from the conference and am working like crazy trying to complete a grant application, do end of year reporting, plan the fall’s training calendar, and prepare for my one week UW graduate class next week. In non-work news, I hung out with Dieter and Andrew this week for the first time this summer. Crazy. Seems like I used to hang out with Andrew all the time, but it’s definitely been a while. He’s actually leaving for the Netherlands in a few weeks to study abroad for the semester, so it might be quite a while before I see him again. (There’s a party tonight I could hit, but I’ll likely be working). In other people traveling news, my dad is in Sturgis this week for the big annual Harley-Davidson rally. Dad’s not a biker by any stretch (he’s a retired engineer), but Grandpa lives in Sturgis so it’s hard to resist a trip to see the spectacle while getting the added bonus of seeing family at the same time. I’d love to go check out the rally someday, and I’d love to visit the Netherlands someday. Both seem like they’d be quite entertaining! I’d love to check out Burning Man someday too… it’s coming up in just a few short weeks. This year over Labor Day I’ll be in Eugene for Meghan’s wedding, so no Burning Man for me. There’s always next year though, so hopefully one of these years I’ll slow down and have a chance to travel to some of these festivals. :)

For this weekend, I’m just excited that I’m finally going to get to see Kim Z! She’s been in town from Dallas on a client project, but works crazy hours just like me. Sadly, they never let her out of the office, but this weekend she’s finally able to steal away for a night so we’re going out! Too bad Brian and Stacy will be out of town… it’d be fun to have other UT folks join us. Of course, Brian and Stacy just got engaged, so I guess a well deserved vacation isn’t too unheard of. :)

Anyway, that’s enough babble for me. Hope everyone is well. Take care!

According to MSN, these are the top high school movies of all time.

10. Rock n Roll High School (1979)

9. High School Confidential (1958)

8. Heathers (1989)

7. Grease (1978)

6. Carrie (1976)

5. Donnie Darko (2001)

4. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

3. Dazed and Confused (1993)

2. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

1. Rushmore (1999)

Hmm… I’ve never seen Rock n Roll HS, HS Confidential, or Donnie Darko, but I definitely loved the rest (Rushmore, Heathers, and Fast Times are some of my favorites!). Am I alone in thinking The Breakfast Club should be added to this top 10 list?

So I think I’ve decided on Thailand for my upcoming vacation sometime in September or October. I’d like to go sooner than later, but a) it’s currently the rainy season and b) I still don’t know if I have a job or not and c) I don’t want to buy tickets until after I find out about my employment status. I should find out sometime in the next three weeks whether I’m employed after August 31st, so if I still have a job, I’ll probably just go for about a week. If my grant is cut and I’m unemployed, then I plan to take a few weeks to go explore and travel.

Funny enough, I actually saw Jane at Dave and Dave’s party this weekend, and got to pump her for info about her past trips to Thailand. (The party, btw, was busted by the police around 2am! Too funny… I haven’t been at a party busted by the police in many, many moons! Reminded me of being back in college). It was a pretty exciting night… and not just because I got to see Jane and get busted by the police. In addition to that excitement, I finally got to meet up with Kim Z! She’s been working at a client here since January and we finally got to do dinner (Thai in Fremont, yummy!). She and I are on two different career tracks, but both had common issues with working too much. C’est la vie. Either way, it was great to see her, catch up, and swap stories. Hopefully it won’t be another eight months before we get to hang out again!

Did I mention I went out to dinner with Dieter and his dad who’s in town for the week? The polenta with wild mushrooms was quite yummy, but I found myself with my foot in my mouth for much of the evening, saying something stupid and then hoping his Dad didn’t think I was stupid or ungrateful. Both of his parents (and all of his family) have always been super nice to me, and I’m not generally too self conscious, so it was kind of an odd feeling to feel so inadequate. Quite bizarre. To make matters worse, I went home feeling like I had an alien fighting combat in my belly. Probably not painful like Mary’s twins, but quite painful none the less. Haven’t felt pain like that since back in the food allergy/yucky cramps days… and a day later it wasn’t entirely gone.

All of that doesn’t matter though, because today was a good day. I’m taking a graduate class at the UW Evans School on program evaluation and sustainability, and it’s fun to get back in the education groove, even if just for a short while. We have to do case assignments, and I like having to think and debate and being able to share insight with others about why they need to reevaluate their programs/focus/tools/etc. Makes me kind of miss school (though I could do without the late night stay up till 3am reading thing). Kind of makes me miss consulting too, but don’t get me wrong. Consulting was fun when it was the problem solving, but I’m not about to go back to a tech company and be forced into a job meant for a code monkey. For this week though, I am enjoying the student life. Hmmm… or maybe I’m enjoying the seeing the student life while hanging out on campus. So many young attractive folks… you just don’t see that much in my nonprofit. Mostly older women, lots of grey hair, and very questionable fashion. ;)

This weekend I’m working Friday, but not working Friday night. I’m also working Sat and Sun, but will be taking time away on Sat night to go out and do a little socializing. Friday night is the long awaited Bjork show and I’m quite excited! I really dig her music and movies, and have never gotten to see her live! I have many fond memories of many Bjork songs… Freshman year my gay RA would take us residents out to his favorite dance clubs and we loved Bjork. I remember driving along in his Jeep on the way to go dancing, with Allan in the car too, singing “It’s Oh So Quiet” at the top of our lungs! Ah Kevin… you were so good to me! What a great RA… he’d take me shopping and give me candid advice (oh girl, you do not want that!! or oh baby, you’re so fabulous in that!). We’d also go out to eat at restaurants with good people watching so we could discuss all of the boys that walked by. We’d use our combined gaydar and I’d claim half the men and he’d claim the other half. His parties were fun. His apartment was a love den. And we’d usually be able to use “floor activity funds” to purchase concert tickets for me, Kevin and a few friends. So fabulous!

I also remember one special day I came home from class when Kevin was working the front desk. He grabbed my hand, said “Come here!” and pulled me into the supply closet to the side of the office. He locked the door, proceeded to undo his belt (“Odd,” I thought), and then started to unzip his pants (“Kevin, you’re gay” – out loud this time!). When he dropped his drawers completely, I was a bit startled, but then he turned around to show me the new Tigger tattoo he’d gotten on his arse. Too funny!

I have tons of positive Bjork memories. In fact, the more I think of Bjork, the more I think of gay men I love. MS introduced me to the most fabulous music video of all time… Bjork’s “All Is Full Of Love.” Wow! Who knew machines could be quite so erotic?? And then of course JD and I saw Dancer In The Dark when it was out in the theatres when we were out on a vacation one year. It made me break down and cry, right there in that dingy movie theater. Oh Bjork! How I love thee!

Hmmm… anyone local up for some great 70s icons still touring? Heart and Cheap Trick will both will be playing in Seattle in the next month and I think I’ll be getting a pair of cheap tickets to each show. Anyone want to join me for either show?? Let me know ASAP! :)

Bjork only spoke 4 times at tonight’s show: three times she meekly said “thank you” and once she said “that was the first time we’ve ever played it live.”

* She didn’t play any “hits.”

* She was barefoot in a black bodysuit with pink-ish tutu looking skirt.

* She barely played for an hour (ie. she ended her set 45 minutes early).

* I was excited to hear “All Is Full Of Love,” but admit I’d have been excited to see more personality, a longer show, and an encore.

* I’m trying not too be too disappointed… who knows? Maybe she had cramps or something, and singing was painful? Not entirely sure…

On a more exciting note, I ran into Colby and his friend Conrad at the show. Hadn’t seen him in a few months so was cool to catch up.

Tomorrow I’m hoping to catch the Asylum Street Spankers show at the Tractor. They’re one of my favorite Austin bands, and it’s Stanley’s last show with the band, and I’d like to go and wish him well. Anyone want to join me? I have an extra free ticket?

This weekend was another spent at the office on both Sat and Sun. I did manage to get out last night in time to see Andrew and Becky at their goodbye party before they move to the Netherlands this month. Sadly, I missed Moses and Laura’s house warming BBQ and missed the 7pm Spankers show too. I was able to catch part of their late show, but only got to see the tail end. Today I was hoping to finish work by 6pm to hit Chuck’s BBQ, but like Moses’ BBQ yesterday, that didn’t happen. Argh! I’m ready to be done with working so much!

Last night’s 3 hours of sleep were enough to get me by so I was awake and alert to lead our new team training and orientation today. :) The verdict on the new folks: all are very cool! It’s such a fun time of the year to finally be able to put a face to the voices I’ve interviewed and chatted with over the phone for the past few months. Two more days of orientation then I finally get a little break when they go start at their sites! Whew! It’s all slowly coming together.

I just hired the final person for my 2003-04 team! Wohoo!! I really DO deserve a vacation! :)

Caroline is going to come with me to the Cheap Trick concert on Monday! Wohoo!

Last night’s blogger meetup was a good time as always, and Jake has the complete listing of those in attendance. I know I went to the blogger meetup back in April, but can’t remember if I’d been to another since then. Anyway, I saw many familiar folks from our Seattle blogging family, and met a few new folks as well. Special props and massive thanks go out to tyd and John for organizing a little get-to-know-you activity. They even had toys for everyone and grand prizes for winners with the most exciting answer. My question was an easy one, and I won the most amazing grand prize ever imaginable: a garden gnome! Yes, my first little gnome friend will now have a new friend to play with while I’m away at work. Photos to be posted soon! Thanks again tyd and John!

I just got a note in my Inbox from our Executive Director back in Baltimore. I opened it up, saw the first line, and felt my heart beating like crazy. Today was supposed to be the announcement of our grant (and then, consequently, the continuation of my job or my pending unemployed state). Needless to say, my heart’s still beating quickly while I type this. The first line started with the words “Unfortunately, I am sad to report that…” Of course, that’s enough to scare anyone. Luckily, it must have been her version of a lame joke. She was apparently sad to report that we didn’t hear anything yet. Geez… I was guessing she was sad to report we were all unemployed. Luckily, or not so luckily for those of us with our jobs in limbo, we get to wait another day or another week before we find out. Argh. Ah well… I guess semi-employed is better than not employed at all. Right? Maybe?

Today I bought my ticket to head to Minnesota and Wisconsin in October! Captain Mike is getting married to lovely Elizabeth in just 44 short days, and then I’ll do a quick side trip to Wisconsin to visit Mary and the twin baby girls! I’ll also get to see a few of the Texas crowd up in MN, including Chuck and (I think) Chris, Alyssa, and Kat. :) Should be a fun reunion weekend all around!

Finally… we have something to go on! I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am to finally find out! I’d been holding off on so many things, not sure if I should buy this, plan that, order this, arrange that, go on vacation, visit friends, do anything! It’s hard managing a team not knowing if I’d have said team in a few weeks. However, I finally got word this afternoon from the government that we were awarded the grant!! It’s not for the full amount… it’s about a 22% cut. (This is not bad at all… especially considering about 54% of the programs applying got zip-zilch-zero funding this year!) So, yes, I have a job for another year, and my new recruits have jobs, and our sites have members, and the kids have people to help them through difficulties, and the families have support and connections to resources!! Wohoo! Of course, this means I won’t be able to do a long trip to Thailand right now. Maybe a shorter weeklong trip sometime in September? Any suggestions? Suz and Beal have both expressed interest, so I might even have traveling buddies! Current trips planned:

Oct – wedding weekend in MN, 1.5 days in WI (less than a week)

Nov – trip with Charles to Hawaii (less than a week)

Nov- Family Thanksgiving somewhere (less than a week)

I’m thankful for everyone who’s been patient with me during this period of uncertainty… having to read on and on about the job situation! I can finally stop now and attempt to have a balanced life once again! (Crazy idea!). Take care all! Do tell me what you’re thankful for this week…

I finally posted and linked some photos from May, June, and July:

King County Fair and Logging Competition

4th of July in North Carolina

Meghan’s Bridal Shower in Tacoma

Northwest Folklife Festival

Trip to Carmel, California

Enjoy!

Did you know that Cheap Trick has between 30 and 40 gold and platinum singles and albums worldwide? Did you know they’ve been around as a band, with all four original members, since 1971? Did you know Caroline and I saw them play last night at the EMP?

It’s true, and it was quite a fun show! We were there rocking out for concert that VH1 recorded and will be shown on TV on Oct 14. Be sure to look for us in the crowd… I was in a purple tanktop, and Caroline was in a blue sleeveless shirt. :) We’ll be the screaming girls up front, stage left.

We also were at the EMP for the filming of Robert Randolph and the Family Band, which will air on VH1 on Oct 7. You probably don’t watch that show though… we’ll be the two girls in front dancing like idots. The lead singer stood in front of us, pointed directly to me and Caroline, and made us learn “his” dance step – the March. Needless to say, I felt like a big ol’ dork, but did it anyway since the camera guy was standing a few feet away with the lens focused right on us. Argh. Anyway, be sure to find something else to do on Oct 7 besides watch VH1. I wouldn’t want you to have to see us looking so silly on film. :)

So Dieter’s boss loves him and thinks he’s pretty great. In fact, this week Dieter’s boss called him up and asked him to take her niece out for a night on the town!! Quiet an entertaining request by a boss, if I may say so! Even more entertaining is knowing that Dieter that is almost 10 years older than the niece (who’s still in high school)! Sadly (or fortunately depending on your interest in HS girls), when he got over the initial shock, agreed, and actually called up the niece, she ended up denying him and was super embarrassed that her aunt would ever make such a request! Funny stuff! :)

While I’m swamped at work, I won’t be working at all this weekend. I won’t be spending time with Marta who flew to town, I won’t be hanging with John Dunn or Beal who wanted to visit this weekend, and I won’t be attending Bumbershoot this year either (sorry REM and Bonnie Raitt). Nope, I’ll get to explore Eugene, Oregon and see my family as my cousin Meghan is getting married! Yeah Meghan! I’ve never been to Eugene, but it produced fabulous guys like Moses and the world’s best salsa (Emerald Valley), so it’s already pretty darn important in my book. :) Yeah, I’m a little bummed that I won’t get to see folks or check out the bands, but weddings are pretty important stuff, so I’m glad to be invited to share in Meghan and Vince’s special day. (I’m also interested in finding the salsa factory and eating till I burst!). Wish me luck fitting into my dress after the salsa is devoured!

What are y’all up to this weekend? Hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend!