This is from our new camera that we bought last fall. Scott took it to work soon thereafter and tested it out on the streets of downtown Salt Lake. I think it's a great photo.
6 years ago
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The 4x4 tag
I have never been tagged (which is fine by me) and I thought this seemed easy enough, so here's the lucky picture...
This is from our new camera that we bought last fall. Scott took it to work soon thereafter and tested it out on the streets of downtown Salt Lake. I think it's a great photo.
This is from our new camera that we bought last fall. Scott took it to work soon thereafter and tested it out on the streets of downtown Salt Lake. I think it's a great photo.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Just another day on my block
As I walked back to the office from lunch today I saw a man sleeping face down on the sidewalk, which isn't abnormal. However, what I did find strange was that he was only wearing one shoe and his torso was lying on half of a paper plate that had once held a meal. Also, it was 3pm. Also, he was wearing a very clean, white, fluffy zip-up (resembling polar bear fur) that was being soiled by the plate of old food. He looked peaceful enough and I didn't really give him a second thought...until now. If he's still there in that same position when I leave work in 2 hours, I guess I'll nudge him with my foot. No, that's dangerous. What if he were to snap back like a sleeping python... I could watch him from a few feet away to see if he's breathing. Yeah, that's what I'll do.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Scott in Kitchen
Making Mac n' Cheese. It was not intended for me, but I hogged most of it anyway. Typical. 
Rummaging. Highly skilled at this activity. I believe he looks for the food he wants to find despite knowing full well that it is not there. Although, moreso than before, those foods are appearing...much to his happiness.Eight weeks' reflection
None of my fears about living in San Francisco have come true, and I'm pretty confident that they never will. I was really nervous about getting lost in the city (I actually just had a dream about it this weekend -- I feel asleep on a bus and went way past my stop and didn't know where I was, but then walked across the street to find Amanda T., Jamie M., Ashley [S.] and Eliza S. just hanging around...weird) but fortunately I haven't. I may have been confused by the busses at times, but I've always made it home without major difficulty. Hooray!
What else was I afraid of? Leaving family and friends. I do miss Utah and all of the friends and family we got to see on a regular basis, but we've been up to Citrus Heights to visit my family twice and I've loved every minute of it. However, the weekends always go by so fast and I never seem to get to spend time with other friends in the area that I'd love to see.
Blog reading has been a good way to stay up on friends and family, but some family blogs (ahem...Monte Bello) have not been updated frequently enough to satiate my desire for photos and stories.
I have adjusted to my job over the last two weeks or so in a way that makes me NOT want to jump out of a second story window anymore. That's big news. I also passed my California driver's license written exam this morning with flying colors...something that has been hanging over my head since we moved here.
Scott is working as hard as ever to stay ahead in all of his classes (because just staying current with the syllabi is not enough) and keep up with the many projects he has taken on. To date, he is working on his own 1st year short doc, completing a doc from his previous job in Salt Lake, starting a new doc for the donor of his very nice camera, and conceptualizing a few docs for a local television station in San Francisco called Current TV. How does he do it...?
What else was I afraid of? Leaving family and friends. I do miss Utah and all of the friends and family we got to see on a regular basis, but we've been up to Citrus Heights to visit my family twice and I've loved every minute of it. However, the weekends always go by so fast and I never seem to get to spend time with other friends in the area that I'd love to see.
Blog reading has been a good way to stay up on friends and family, but some family blogs (ahem...Monte Bello) have not been updated frequently enough to satiate my desire for photos and stories.
I have adjusted to my job over the last two weeks or so in a way that makes me NOT want to jump out of a second story window anymore. That's big news. I also passed my California driver's license written exam this morning with flying colors...something that has been hanging over my head since we moved here.
Scott is working as hard as ever to stay ahead in all of his classes (because just staying current with the syllabi is not enough) and keep up with the many projects he has taken on. To date, he is working on his own 1st year short doc, completing a doc from his previous job in Salt Lake, starting a new doc for the donor of his very nice camera, and conceptualizing a few docs for a local television station in San Francisco called Current TV. How does he do it...?
Things we have yet to accomplish: going to the dentist. This really can't be put off any longer, you hear me Scott? I'm scheduling an appointment for us today.
Friday, October 17, 2008
An interview between games of Spider Solitaire
me: I should interview you
for the blog. ready? good.
Mallory: haha
what do you think of this suit http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?pid=5878660024006&cid=37912
me: um...I'm in the middle of an interview right now.
How do you feel about Oprah?
Mallory: truth be told i feel nothing for her
she was the commencement speaker at stanford this year and i thought to myself, who cares? what does she know about anything? what does she know about besides pregnant men and dr. phil. two things i despise
me: i like it (the suit).
next question.
Are you willing to get another cat?
Mallory: are you asking because you want another one to roll around with on the floor
two is not enough for you
me: that's gross.
next question.
Mallory: do i look at pictures of cute kittens on the internet who have no home and wish that i could help them, yes. do i actually want another cat to clean up after in a place with hardwood floors where you can actually see all the hair, litter and dander, no.
me: good answer, except for the first part, that's weird.
Mallory: why is that sad
people send e-mails around the office all the time about cats needing homes
me: why is that sad? because it is.
that's ridiculous and non-work related
Mallory: fine you heartless homeless kitty hater
next question
me: wait, i don't understand. didn't you ask me why it's sad?
Mallory: i meant weird
moving on
me: ok. What change would you like to see in yourself?
Mallory: where to start? I'd like to return to the days of our childhood when i used to be motivated and driven (although I would not like to return to my mullet, thick rimmed plastic glasses or oversized looney toons sweatshirt)
me: good answer
Mallory: so sad: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/09/BU6413DQQO.DTL
i love those iced animal cookies
me: next question.
Mallory: k
me: hmmm....
Who has been the biggest influence on you throughout your life?
Mallory: oh you're getting all seeeeeerious now
i'd have to say Billy Ray Cyrus. he's shown that you can have a mullet for many years and still come back from that and have a succesful and happy life
me: has he had a successful life recently? starring in his daughter's successful TV show, does that count?
Mallory: i think he's rolling in money now. so yes
me: ok. $$= success
Mallory: if oprah has taught me anything, then yes, that is true
me: fair enough
do you have any questions for me?
Mallory: yes
me: no you don't.
Mallory: are you nervous that your child will really have french fries for fingers? cause i gotta admit, i am a little bit
me: psh...of course not.
back to me.
me: What did you eat for lunch today?
Mallory: blue cheese hamburger and a side salad
me: do you feel good about that?
Mallory: i feel less hungry, but i wouldn't say good
me: i see. Are you having digestional issues?
Mallory: not today... yet
huzzzzah
me: next question.
Why do you say "Huzzzzah"?
Mallory: i like z's and its better than hooray
for the blog. ready? good.
Mallory: haha
what do you think of this suit http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?pid=5878660024006&cid=37912
me: um...I'm in the middle of an interview right now.
How do you feel about Oprah?
Mallory: truth be told i feel nothing for her
she was the commencement speaker at stanford this year and i thought to myself, who cares? what does she know about anything? what does she know about besides pregnant men and dr. phil. two things i despise
me: i like it (the suit).
next question.
Are you willing to get another cat?
Mallory: are you asking because you want another one to roll around with on the floor
two is not enough for you
me: that's gross.
next question.
Mallory: do i look at pictures of cute kittens on the internet who have no home and wish that i could help them, yes. do i actually want another cat to clean up after in a place with hardwood floors where you can actually see all the hair, litter and dander, no.
me: good answer, except for the first part, that's weird.
Mallory: why is that sad
people send e-mails around the office all the time about cats needing homes
me: why is that sad? because it is.
that's ridiculous and non-work related
Mallory: fine you heartless homeless kitty hater
next question
me: wait, i don't understand. didn't you ask me why it's sad?
Mallory: i meant weird
moving on
me: ok. What change would you like to see in yourself?
Mallory: where to start? I'd like to return to the days of our childhood when i used to be motivated and driven (although I would not like to return to my mullet, thick rimmed plastic glasses or oversized looney toons sweatshirt)
me: good answer
Mallory: so sad: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/09/BU6413DQQO.DTL
i love those iced animal cookies
me: next question.
Mallory: k
me: hmmm....
Who has been the biggest influence on you throughout your life?
Mallory: oh you're getting all seeeeeerious now
i'd have to say Billy Ray Cyrus. he's shown that you can have a mullet for many years and still come back from that and have a succesful and happy life
me: has he had a successful life recently? starring in his daughter's successful TV show, does that count?
Mallory: i think he's rolling in money now. so yes
me: ok. $$= success
Mallory: if oprah has taught me anything, then yes, that is true
me: fair enough
do you have any questions for me?
Mallory: yes
me: no you don't.
Mallory: are you nervous that your child will really have french fries for fingers? cause i gotta admit, i am a little bit
me: psh...of course not.
back to me.
me: What did you eat for lunch today?
Mallory: blue cheese hamburger and a side salad
me: do you feel good about that?
Mallory: i feel less hungry, but i wouldn't say good
me: i see. Are you having digestional issues?
Mallory: not today... yet
huzzzzah
me: next question.
Why do you say "Huzzzzah"?
Mallory: i like z's and its better than hooray
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
On the train to Baby City
Let's talk about being pregnant and how this all happened (if you have physiological questions, that is NOT an area we will be tackling here...). Early in the summer Scott and I decided that we were ready to start a family. Most of our friends weren't successful in getting pregnant for at least a few months or more. Naturally, we thought that this would be the case with us so we decided to start trying a little early, anticipating it would take a few months. So, bing bang bong...we get pregnant the first try. Unbeknownst to me, I was pregnant throughout the big move to San Francisco. Fortunately, I wasn't getting sick.
The move went well and we were settling in without too much trouble. In the back of my head I had been keeping track of whether or not I was "late". I had a pregnancy test in the bathroom and I was pretty eager to use it. But I didn't want to check too early because I thought we couldn't possibly be pregnant yet, so I waited as long as I could before the "not knowing" would kill me. And of course, it was positive. As a side note, this was within ONE week of moving to SF. Eek. Quite a bit of change to take in all at once.
Soon thereafter, I became noticably tired and nauseated on a regular basis. I was waking up at 5am to get to work by 7am and I was eating once every hour in order not to feel disgusting. So, what happens when you eat once every hour from 5am to 9pm on a daily basis? Oh, and you aren't really exercising anymore... You guessed it! You get fatter. But hey, I'm pregnant so I can get fat, right? Yeeeeah, that doesn't make me feel any better. I've purchased a few new clothes that allow for some "wiggle room" if you will, so I'm feeling less pinched in....hooray. I still struggle daily to accept this new pregnant body and just enjoy the experience. So if you hear me whining about my weight, please ignore me.
I'm approximately 12 weeks along (that's 3 months for all of you math flunkees) and can't wait for the next 6 months to come and go. Scott came to my first ultrasound last week and filmed the entire experience. He wants to post some of the video here, but I feel kind of weird about it because I HATE seeing myself on camera. I may let him, we'll see.
Thank you for all of your congratulations and well wishes. We miss all of you who are far away and think of you often.
The move went well and we were settling in without too much trouble. In the back of my head I had been keeping track of whether or not I was "late". I had a pregnancy test in the bathroom and I was pretty eager to use it. But I didn't want to check too early because I thought we couldn't possibly be pregnant yet, so I waited as long as I could before the "not knowing" would kill me. And of course, it was positive. As a side note, this was within ONE week of moving to SF. Eek. Quite a bit of change to take in all at once.
Soon thereafter, I became noticably tired and nauseated on a regular basis. I was waking up at 5am to get to work by 7am and I was eating once every hour in order not to feel disgusting. So, what happens when you eat once every hour from 5am to 9pm on a daily basis? Oh, and you aren't really exercising anymore... You guessed it! You get fatter. But hey, I'm pregnant so I can get fat, right? Yeeeeah, that doesn't make me feel any better. I've purchased a few new clothes that allow for some "wiggle room" if you will, so I'm feeling less pinched in....hooray. I still struggle daily to accept this new pregnant body and just enjoy the experience. So if you hear me whining about my weight, please ignore me.
I'm approximately 12 weeks along (that's 3 months for all of you math flunkees) and can't wait for the next 6 months to come and go. Scott came to my first ultrasound last week and filmed the entire experience. He wants to post some of the video here, but I feel kind of weird about it because I HATE seeing myself on camera. I may let him, we'll see.
Thank you for all of your congratulations and well wishes. We miss all of you who are far away and think of you often.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Chicken, my nemesis.
Chicken, you are always rearing your ugly head (...or thigh or breast) and ruining my meals. You know, like today when I thought that I was enjoying a nice curry, and without notice I ate something cheeewy and striiiiingy, not the potato I had supposed it to be. Chicken. I fight the fight and try to finish the meals you're out to thwart, but I don't always succeed. The only battles I win without hesitation are when you're in your weaker state: dry, grilled and nearly burnt. You are so deformed and unrecognizable at this point that I eagerly masticate you into an oblivion. I know that you are a friend to many and are thought to be the least offensive protein by most humans, but you repulse me. I wish it didn't have to be this way. But just look at yourself, your veins, your white, fatty bits... How do you sleep at night?
"Options?"
Mallory: dude the kids in the car when you called me just cracked me up
sounded like devil children
me: really? they do that all the time. annoying.
true dat
Mallory: you poor thing... so how is the real job going?
haven't heard much about it
me: um, i dont get to do it much when I'm working here all the time. But i like it.
I look forward to having that as my only job.
Mallory: i see
me: i am job.
I AM JOB.
Mallory: well not that you should be irresponsible and quit everything because you don't like it, but this is a little over the top
yes, you are Mrs. doubtfire
saggy fake boobs and all
me: hahaha. At least I’m not depressed about it anymore. And I don’t get daily headaches
I just found a job for compassionate egg donors
…..
you are working, and I am talking to myself.
Mallory: hahaha i'm here
the egg donor requirement is that you must be compassionate?
hahaha
me: its a serious job...i found a legit website
http://www.givinghopellc.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html
Mallory: people used to advertise in the Stanford newspaper (assuming the pool of people reading would be really smart)
they would offer up to 50,000 for the right donor
me: I have about a million eggs
thats crazy
Mallory: but the desriptions are sometimes funny
me: these req's are really general
Mallory: i think because people who can't have the kids themselves want the kids to be like them
so one i read asked for like a red headed half asian jew
me: yeah, that makes sense
Mallory: I was like COME ON
me: NO WAY
Mallory: like that person exists
me: HAHAHAHAHA
Mallory: do you really want a kid out there that you don't know
weirdo
i have moral objections to it
me: why not, its helpful to people who cant have kids
Mallory: i'm so hoity toity
me: what moral objections?
Mallory: true, but would you be selling them?
me: selling kids?
Mallory: I feel like its one thing for me to give an egg to say, you or my sister
me: mm hmm
Mallory: but it seems weird to sell it someone i don't know and would have no connection to. Like god didn't give me eggs and the ability to have children so i could sell it to someone i don't know
me: weeeell......
Mallory: and then what if the kid comes back to find you like 20 years down the road
me: no way
eew
Mallory: yeah I’ve heard of guys who sold a ton of their sperm to a bank to make money in college and then years later had the kid come back and find them because they want to know who their parents really are
it just seems weird
me: hmmmm
why you got to fill me up with stupid sense
Mallory: but you just don't know where your egg will go i don't think
me: fine fine fine fine fine
Mallory: but sure go ahead and sell your eggs
i don't care :]
me: i wont
Mallory: the funny thing is the only reason i have anything to say about it is because i saw how much money you could make doing it here and i mentioned it to sky once and he freaked out
so i've thought about it
one tiny egg i won't even miss
for 25,000 bucks
nice tradeoff
me: what? they were offering 5000.
25,000 is way more tempting
Mallory: yeah they offer that much here
:]
its crazy. i think they're way more specific though and they want you to have a specific IQ
me: yikes
Mallory: i'm sure you'd qualify
but thats why they offer so much
me: here's a great job: Have you spent time in the SL County Jail? We'll pay you to tell us!
Mallory: and because people here are rich
hahhaa
just lie
sounded like devil children
me: really? they do that all the time. annoying.
true dat
Mallory: you poor thing... so how is the real job going?
haven't heard much about it
me: um, i dont get to do it much when I'm working here all the time. But i like it.
I look forward to having that as my only job.
Mallory: i see
me: i am job.
I AM JOB.
Mallory: well not that you should be irresponsible and quit everything because you don't like it, but this is a little over the top
yes, you are Mrs. doubtfire
saggy fake boobs and all
me: hahaha. At least I’m not depressed about it anymore. And I don’t get daily headaches
I just found a job for compassionate egg donors
…..
you are working, and I am talking to myself.
Mallory: hahaha i'm here
the egg donor requirement is that you must be compassionate?
hahaha
me: its a serious job...i found a legit website
http://www.givinghopellc.com/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html
Mallory: people used to advertise in the Stanford newspaper (assuming the pool of people reading would be really smart)
they would offer up to 50,000 for the right donor
me: I have about a million eggs
thats crazy
Mallory: but the desriptions are sometimes funny
me: these req's are really general
Mallory: i think because people who can't have the kids themselves want the kids to be like them
so one i read asked for like a red headed half asian jew
me: yeah, that makes sense
Mallory: I was like COME ON
me: NO WAY
Mallory: like that person exists
me: HAHAHAHAHA
Mallory: do you really want a kid out there that you don't know
weirdo
i have moral objections to it
me: why not, its helpful to people who cant have kids
Mallory: i'm so hoity toity
me: what moral objections?
Mallory: true, but would you be selling them?
me: selling kids?
Mallory: I feel like its one thing for me to give an egg to say, you or my sister
me: mm hmm
Mallory: but it seems weird to sell it someone i don't know and would have no connection to. Like god didn't give me eggs and the ability to have children so i could sell it to someone i don't know
me: weeeell......
Mallory: and then what if the kid comes back to find you like 20 years down the road
me: no way
eew
Mallory: yeah I’ve heard of guys who sold a ton of their sperm to a bank to make money in college and then years later had the kid come back and find them because they want to know who their parents really are
it just seems weird
me: hmmmm
why you got to fill me up with stupid sense
Mallory: but you just don't know where your egg will go i don't think
me: fine fine fine fine fine
Mallory: but sure go ahead and sell your eggs
i don't care :]
me: i wont
Mallory: the funny thing is the only reason i have anything to say about it is because i saw how much money you could make doing it here and i mentioned it to sky once and he freaked out
so i've thought about it
one tiny egg i won't even miss
for 25,000 bucks
nice tradeoff
me: what? they were offering 5000.
25,000 is way more tempting
Mallory: yeah they offer that much here
:]
its crazy. i think they're way more specific though and they want you to have a specific IQ
me: yikes
Mallory: i'm sure you'd qualify
but thats why they offer so much
me: here's a great job: Have you spent time in the SL County Jail? We'll pay you to tell us!
Mallory: and because people here are rich
hahhaa
just lie
Still grateful
"Brats v. Sandwiches"
me: this nanny job is right up there with Hogi Yogi
Mallory: wouldn't you say it is worse than hogi yogi?
maybe you get paid more
but i know you love making sandwhiches
me: i do.
Mallory: which i also spelled wrong
me: i actually love eating them, i make them all the time. its not as bad as Hogi Yogi. i dont mop here in front of people and wear a stupid hat.
Mallory: but you get dish cleaning items thrown at you
i want to make an after school special about your nannying job
me: true
haha
Mallory: when you break through these kids hardened exterioors
me: it is more hostile than HY, and just about as degrading
Mallory: like mrs. doubtfire
without the cross dressing
me: or with it. i should watch that for pointers
Mallory: that might make them respect you more
if you showed up dressed like mr. belvedere
me: thats the best idea
Mallory: its true
Friday, October 3, 2008
Why I should be grateful for my current job...
This is the beginning of a series of posts about my previous nightmare job as a nanny (if I actually stick to it, I'm pretty good at being flakey when it comes to doing anything routinely on this blog). Some will be reflections on experiences I had and some, like today, will just be excerpts of online chat conversations. Perhaps this will afford some insight into why I dislike teenagers.
Background
Position - nanny
When - June 2007 through November 2007
Why - I needed more money and could only work 3, yes 3, hours a week at my real professional job. Ridiculous.
Who - Two boys: 12 and 15. Both adopted.
Where - "The Avenues", Utah
3:31 PM Mallory: sup
me: hi. i have a 12 year old shining a laser beam at my forehead. two more months...two more months
3:32 PM Mallory: hahaah
me: laugh all you will
Mallory: i'm laughing in a pitying sort of way
3:33 PM me: i was trying to ask the 15 year old a question but he wouldn't answer so i said, "I'm trying to ask you a question, Turner." His response, "I'm trying to ignore you."
lovely
3:34 PM Mallory: at least he's witty
and non-violent
me: is he witty? I hadnt noticed.
3:35 PM the cycle begins again. I search craigslist, feel like i want to quit. Find nothing tempting to switch to, give up job search, resign myself to being a nanny.
3:36 PM Mallory: this is how people get stuck in dead end jobs
3:37 PM the barrier to looking for a new job is too high
me: yes...
Background
Position - nanny
When - June 2007 through November 2007
Why - I needed more money and could only work 3, yes 3, hours a week at my real professional job. Ridiculous.
Who - Two boys: 12 and 15. Both adopted.
Where - "The Avenues", Utah
"THE JOB SEARCH"
3:30 PM me: hey3:31 PM Mallory: sup
me: hi. i have a 12 year old shining a laser beam at my forehead. two more months...two more months
3:32 PM Mallory: hahaah
me: laugh all you will
Mallory: i'm laughing in a pitying sort of way
3:33 PM me: i was trying to ask the 15 year old a question but he wouldn't answer so i said, "I'm trying to ask you a question, Turner." His response, "I'm trying to ignore you."
lovely
3:34 PM Mallory: at least he's witty
and non-violent
me: is he witty? I hadnt noticed.
3:35 PM the cycle begins again. I search craigslist, feel like i want to quit. Find nothing tempting to switch to, give up job search, resign myself to being a nanny.
3:36 PM Mallory: this is how people get stuck in dead end jobs
3:37 PM the barrier to looking for a new job is too high
me: yes...
Scott has been working for weeks on a scholarship application that is due today, a scholarship that would totally change our financial future. He is completely drained by the meticulous process and the paperwork he has had to fill out. Just this morning he is putting the final touches on it before he mails it off to DC. Everyone needs to send him good vibes today so that he has the energy to get it all done. And maybe some good vibes in general so that he'll be chosen for the scholarship. He totally deserves it. Plus, I want to go on a huge shopping spree and buy ridiculously unnecessary items. A few cars, an old Haitian lady, dinosaur bones, a flea circus, a collector's edition Marky Mark poster, one of those contraptions that you strap your ankles into and hang upside down from, a harp...
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