7.30.2011
3.10.2011
So here I am again, punching the air.
I find myself in this place once every year, I think. This last bout lasted about two years, but a major family altercation took place, as most of you know. When I was in college, the plan was to save a ton of money and go to Europe, possibly teach English somewhere in Italy, Germany, wherever that would take me. I probably would have ended up somewhere I would have been afraid of.
After I graduated I took a job in Leitchfield. This was not Europe. Then the plan became Bowling Green, then Portland, Oregon. Another failed attempt at a dream. I applied for school and everything. Then I moved back to Louisville, decided to go to seminary for music. Then dad passed away and my life changed dramatically.
Then my plan became to move to Denver! So exciting. I have friends there, it's totally dog friendly, the cost of living is similar to Louisville, there is an MLS team, etc, etc, etc. Then, as I visited the first time around, someone asked me questions like "what other schools have you looked at?" Which made me realize I was making a quick decision.
So now I'm here, again. I want to go forward, but I don't want going forward to make me take huge steps back. So I'm forcing myself to wait. Here are my (good?) reasons.
A) I need to take the GRE.
B) I need to explore other schools. I've taken a better look at DePaul recently.
C) I want to do internships with MLS, and all of those would be out of state. That would be easier if I were living close to family because I could count on someone to help me out while I was gone.
D) I want a dog. I have wanted a dog of my own since I was about 11. If I stay here and live with a roommate, I can absolutely afford one. I'm actually in the process of adopting a Weimaraner. The whole dog thing isn't just a 'want' situation, either. At least two people have agreed that it will make my life a bit happier. I go to work, I get frustrated, I come home and stay frustrated. Who doesn't need someone in their life that will love them unless he gets rabies? haha…
E) I'm scared. I want to go go go, but I'm so scared of being alone that it hinders me from living life the way it's intended to be lived. The friends I have in Colorado are married, and they're pretty good at having friends (as most married couples are want to neglect), but I would hate to think I was intruding on their lives or getting on their nerves.
This is officially too long. I'll say this: I'm not ruling out a move to Colorado. I never would. It's the #5 happiest state in the nation. Clearly it's still an option. But for now, I'm staying put. I'm going to set goals and deadlines and I WILL go somewhere. I will. I have to.
11.22.2010
He gives and takes away...
Looked through the pictures on my phone and realized (as I have before) there was a clear gap between photos of my sister and husband in the hospital waiting room and me sitting on the couch with my dad’s dogs. I skim the events of the week leading up to the inevitable and I wonder how stupid (or overly hopeful) we must have seemed to nurses, doctors.
The night I slept in the room with Dad because Janet hadn’t slept at home in weeks. The night (the same night) that I basically stayed awake the entire time, hearing the ventilator scream when it wasn’t working correctly (which is horrifying), praying things I’d never thought I would have to pray.
The night my sister, step-mom and I stayed at the hospital, all together, after a particularly rough emergency surgery. Being incredibly vulnerable, we all knew each-other in a whole new way. We laughed loudly, nervously, in the McDonalds at Kosair.
I think I’m still in a sort of denial. I have been since the day he was put on a ventilator. My dad was big and strong, I knew this. But the (military) men and women who worked with and under him were very concerned, and this threw me for a loop. Do you know my dad? Because he’s better than this. But the men and women kept coming, became family, but I still didn’t understand. He’s strong. (Notice the present tense? Yeah, I didn’t mean to do that. It just happens.)
The day it happened, when all of them were there, in the hospital room. I held my dad’s big, strong hand (and believe me, it was huge), and all I wanted was a squeeze back. The only movement was his chin, which moved with the ventilator.
I want so badly for him to be home. I want to spend Christmas morning eating breakfast with him and my step-mom. I’d give anything to share this new relationship with my step-mom with him, too. I’d give anything to talk to him about our family, and the stupid things I remember about being his daughter. I’d give anything for him to be around when (if) I get married, and when (if) I have kids. I wanted my kids to stare in awe of his size, just like I saw my sister’s kids idolize him. I’d give anything for him to see me be successful. I didn’t want to be a barista in his eyes. I wanted him to be proud. I wanted him to be here, now.
I’m thankful for every moment that I’m told I’m anything like him. I would be elated to have even half of his character.
11.11.2010
I just thought, for those of you who think I'm gone...
- Denver, CO - because Lynsey and Mike live there! And MOUNTAINS! And cold weather!
- Austin, TX - because apparently it's just a bigger, better Louisville with more opportunity...
- New York, NY - because I feel like it's a challenge that I can conquer, and living in New York is something that is either loathed or loved, and I think I might love it?
- San Diego, CA - because I have imagined myself on the West Coast for some really weird reason... and this seems like the most affordable big city out that way...
- Any suggestions welcomed ;)
- Marketing - Recently I've been thinking this might be good for me... I've had some decent ideas at work and I feel like I could generate more? But, I'm not really into selling things I don't believe in. This makes it hard.
- Photo-journalism - It's more of a dream that I might be successful at photo-journalism. I hear from people (okay, one person who is always a Debbie Downer) that there aren't many stable jobs in this area, and that alone is scary enough to cause me to not be totally gung-ho about it.
- Journalism - It's something I kind of ruled out for a while. But could I be specific and say that I love to write about things that I love - i.e. travelling, music, and lately soccer/futball. I tend to research things to an extent where it seems I've been immersed in the culture for years. But, as the last career choice I listed has the same cons, I'm not so confident I won't be living in a box in Brooklyn, Austin or Denver.
- I've had other ideas in the past, but these are the ones that continue to cycle through my head... What do you think I'd be successful doing?
7.19.2010
You make me new...
I'm glad I was there. I was a little grumpy all week, and that's just part of my emotional silliness. The kids were awesome and hilarious, and I miss 'em. I wish I had a job that allowed me to be there for more of the summer!
7.09.2010
Mr. Luke Sexton
I have had to stop reading and talking about it because it is all way too familiar. Dad was basically in the exact same position, just 53 years down the road and with different causes. We were given the same direction by the doctors. I was asking for those same prayers.
I really, really hope little Luke pulls through.
7.03.2010
I miss him.

Where you at, Bruce? I hope you're living it up as an outside cat, or maybe someone scooped you up and took you home. But for real, I miss you. I need something to sleep on top of me, no matter what position I'm in. I need something to meow forever long meows when I come in the door and walk anywhere near the kitchen. Buh.
As soon as a landlord issued a no pet rule, I get offered about a thousand free cats/dogs.
6.23.2010
Things get on my nerves.
I wish people would pay attention to what's going on before they make comments on public websites. I pretty much never enter a political conversation unless I'm SURE I know what's up. I don't want to make a fool of myself. Apparently there are thousands who are more than willing to do so. Here is what I have to say in response:
A) Obama was not born before Hawaii was a state. End of discussion.
B) The oil spill was not an accident. End of discussion.
C) Oil is part of the CORE of the earth, and will mother nature will NOT clean herself up. End of discussion.
D) Please stop slapping labels on political parties/countries because one or more of that political party has/have said/done ignorant things. End of discussion.
And please, customers of businesses everywhere, do NOT hand employees of said business wet money. It's disgusting. Also, please don't be angry if I can't hold a straight face and/or not dry heave when I'm handling the wet money you just gave me. ha.
In other news, I was called a weed-smoking, unprofessional hippie over the phone tonight by a guy who got a bad drink at a different store. My life is awesome.
6.22.2010
The life of an English Major...
English taught me to analyze, which could have been the best or worst skill set I would ever pick up. Analyzing helps me remember pretty thoroughly what is going down in my life. Recently it has helped me think about the whole Dad situation. Not that it makes me feel much better, but it does calm me to pick apart how I feel and put it into categories, etc. I know I look like some sort of freak... haha...
Another big part of me is a very free spirit, or in some areas, a spirit that longs to have more freedom. I think I'm stuck because I'm afraid of what some of my friends/family will think of me. It's funny, I kind of push the envelope every once in a while, being fully who I am in front of people who haven't been able to put their finger on me yet. I think some might be scared of that, or just confused by it. I feel at home at Heine Brothers, or with Lindsey and Derek, Daphne and Eric (ha, that rhymes!), and a few other places. But sometimes I'll spend time with people I know, but not totally well, but I still love them quite a bit. Here's where the analyzing comes in.
I get forgotten a lot among friends. Sometimes I think it's because I'm unmarried, and un-significant-othered. A lot of times, I'm completely right. I went to Disney World last year for the CCCA Conference with my co-workers... and their wives. I LOVE their wives, don't get me wrong... But, I didn't love going to Disney World as the 5th wheel, and the person everyone was awkwardly trying to figure out how I would end up on a ride... with who??? On more than one occasion I ended up completely alone. I actually went to Downtown Disney, alone. I ate at Ghirardelli's ice cream shop, alone. It sucked.
It left me thinking about why I was ditched, why was I left out? Does my personality get in the way of real conversation? Do I drive a good time into the ground?
Bottom line for me is that I always feel like I'm walking on glass as far as keeping friends goes, and then I start thinking about marriage, and how I will fail in that department, which I will NOT go into.
I need to say something positive... aaaaand it's that I'll be watching the USA world cup game tomorrow... and we better win!
6.09.2010
If you're feelin' what I'm feelin' c'mon...
I'm trying to figure out a few things:
A) Why can't I go to sleep before 4 am for the past two weeks? Why am I WIDE AWAKE right now???
B) What to do with the rest of my life.
C) How to get myself back into the routine of a normal person.
D) If I'll ever meet the other people in these condos that stay up as late as I do.
I've had this strange obsession with music lately that I'm pretty okay with. There are certain bands that make me feel good on the inside. I can totally imagine myself at an outdoor arena with a beer (or in my case, a cider/or something more tastey... I just say beer so I don't break the vibe you're getting, since I know I'm the only one in my circle of friends that doesn't really care for it... back to what I'm saying in 3, 2, ...) in my hand, surrounded by dreamers like myself. I wrote on Tumblr how I was upset with myself for screwing up all of my chances at a good music festival this summer, which was kind of a goal for me to accomplish in 2010. Too late! Too much to do! Boo. I'm crossing my fingers that WFPK will pull off an amazing Waterfront Wednesday in July or August. Last August's Old Crow/Felice Brothers/Justin Townes Earle/Gillian and Dave show will be hard to top. I'm ready, FPK. Bring it on.
Bands I've just discovered that I'm looking forward to listening more to include: Delta Spirit, Grizzly Bear, Vandaveer, and Zeus.
A new website I'm obsessed with is La Blogoteque. Amazing stuff! It's quite a few videos of quite a few bands (and I mean quite a FEW) playing uncut street-ish shows that are extremely entertaining. Mostly because you get a peak at what most of the bands/artists are like in a fairly intimate setting.
One last note:
Every time I watch a video of Vampire Weekend, the only thing I'm really interested in seeing is their drummer (who seems to have the most entertaining enthusiasm of all of them). I continue to get more and more frustrated because he shows up in about 5% of EVERY video!!! No matter what it is! A Take Away Show, a live recording, anything! What the heck, people?
I'm a slightly happy girl tonight after not getting accosted while waiting 45 minutes for the train to move - my brother talked to me on the phone the entire time (which is a very rare occurrence, believe me) - and sitting at 4 am, outside, watching the storm. I love my porch.
5.25.2010
This might be awkward...
…since I’m pretty sure my step-mom keeps up with me now. I’ve said it before, but I’m pretty glad that we have a tighter relationship now, because I’m pretty sure I would still be in a state of severe anger and confusion from the events of October through December, had we not become real friends.
Saturday we took a road trip to Ikea. I look forward to time minus TV with Janet because it results in me learning a lot about Dad, his relationship with Janet, and (funny, but true) his relationship and feelings toward Whitney and myself. It’s crazy how little we know. He was so humble, and I find it incredible that he had the character I’ve been hoping to gain for so long (and I had no idea…). I feel like we learned so much in the week after December 12th that it was hard for us to get a grip on what had happened. How can you be sad when you’re so proud? But there are days I wish I had been less distant and more interested in our conversations.
Anyway! Janet and I talked about how dad was told by a high school counselor that he’d never amount to anything (and I don’t even remember what the idea was, or how this story even came up). She told me about how he would give a speech at an event, and when he’d sit down he’d recall what his counselor told him, and wish that the counselor could see him in that moment.
Now, this is a big deal for me, because I’m pretty sure I’ve not told a soul this… but writing in my own presence seems easier than speaking to someone else in person. The last thing I said to my dad, before we made the decision to let him go (those words alone haunt me) was that I hoped I could amount to even half the person he was (and is!). I hate that I would have never said that to him in any other situation. I hate that I didn’t know him as well in that moment as I would in the days following. A couple of months later I stood over his grave and cried because I needed answers and advice. I still feel like I want to call and talk about what I want to do.
Lately the only two things that stress me out are thinking about all that has conspired in the last few months, and how I feel like I need to get the ball rolling in the right direction for the future of me. Really, I think I’m scared of making career decisions because of that. I think I’m scared that I’ll be a disappointment to dad if I make the wrong decision. I don’t want to be a failure, and I have no goals because of that. That leaves me in a position to feel comfortable where I am, even if I’m miserable (which I’m not, currently, but there is no way I’m going to stay in a place getting paid minimum wage for a very long time).
So, dad, what do you think? I’m pretty sure he’d be taking business classes right now if he were around. I had considered going to U of L, and it would have been cool to have been there at the same time.
5.17.2010
Are you for real?

I've noticed a guy that comes into Heine every day that I work... And last night he bought a bag of chips while Bob was cleaning the bathrooms - mostly just to tell me that my face has "very nice features" and that I'm "very attractive."
While this is all very awkward and I responded with "Thank you! .95 cents please..."
.... it does make a girl feel good.
I know I promised pictures of my home, but since all of my memory cards are full, this picture will have to suffice for now...
5.10.2010
You're not where you belong.
I've moved into a part of town that is so much more colorful and diverse. I actually like what I see when I walk down the street. I love not driving for a full day!
All of this is bittersweet, though. I put myself into too much last week, and I didn't realize until I left Gap (for the last time) last Tuesday how overwhelming it would be. It seems really dramatic, I know, but I guess the events in the last few months make me feel entitled to a little bit of thinking too hard about things. I think for the most part it is hard for me to stop staying with Janet. I think we both grew from that experience of being together (albeit some nights we were just sleeping in the same house, not even crossing paths) during a time when we both needed someone to be around.
By the time I left for work Tuesday, knowing that it was my last day at Gap, I really hadn't put much thought into what it would be like to know I was never going back for anything more than buying clothes. There were a few moments even Tuesday that reminded me why I didn't want to be there anymore (i.e. asking a question to several people who completely ignored that I even spoke, etc...), but there were at least a couple of moments that made me feel a little sad about leaving. There are just a small handful of people that I'll miss. Other than that, I have a feeling I'll be completely forgotten soon enough. I think what made me feel so weird about leaving was knowing that the most stressful and difficult few months of my life had just unfolded while I was working there.
Things are starting to get positive, though. I'm going to Cape Cod in August (woohoo!!!) and working a week of camp in July with the Coomers, whom I love, and hopefully making a trip to Colorado, but only if the Curry's are willing to take me in...
Next post will contain pictures of said new digs.
You're right, Lynsey... Love wins.
4.21.2010
Complete Bull.
I just read through most of this thread, which clears up the rumor that Quills is a religious affiliated coffee shop. It shows that the owner stated otherwise, but that he has no problem drawing that crowd among others. It seems like way more people in Louisville (than I figured) are completely single-minded about anti-Christianity. I sort of understand the concept of Secular Humanism, and I get why people are into it, sure. But why is the point of humanity to prove everyone wrong??? It seems like what everyone looks for in life is happiness, but I guess in order to gain that you have to put someone else down. I learned in grade school, my friends, that is not the case.
Also, I love that people think that Christianity is the "enemy" of "free thought and liberal existence..." - I guess we're not free to think that God exists? Man. That's pretty limiting, I'd say.
Sorry for the steam.
4.13.2010
4.12.2010
Samrt.
I'm sorry if I've recently subjected you to bad stories that have no tie to anything we've talked about recently.
I usually don't share my opinions because I feel like I'm uneducated. Unfortunately there are people who ask me what I think, and then I feel either like a jerk, unintentionally close-minded, or like I don't really make much sense. The latter is mostly true.
This week has been weird. I'm super stuttery and nervous, and I haven't been able to pin-point a reason for that.
Newsflash: I'm getting inked with family on Wednesday. I never thought I'd make something like this a family affair, but it will be cool.
2.28.2010
Well, that was a bust...
Anyway, this week was horrid, and I won't go into a lot of detail. It's weird how I don't realize how raw my emotions really are until I'm stressed again. Big time stressed.
It sucks to be judged by someone you've never judged. It also sucks to watch someone extremely wholesome and awesome be brought down while his/her incredible reputation fades. I hate not being able to fix something (particularly this one thing), and anything I do just makes me look bad... well, at least to one person. I hate, hate, hate feeling like I'm losing a really good friend over something she didn't cause. All that aside, this last week, and especially yesterday, made me feel like maybe I SHOULDN'T be the only family member not on some sort of anti-anxiety med.
On a better note, I got to hang out with my incredibly cute niece and nephew today, and tomorrow I get to hang out with my other nephews. Thank God for non-dramatic people.
2.25.2010
Swearsies.
SO! My cat got out the other day. I haven't found him yet. He's an indoor-only cat who is scared as hell of traffic, and we live about 40 feet from the wall of I-264. That's not a joke, and I'm not exaggerating. I want him to be safe and warm! I called the humane society today and they told me they had just received a black stray cat, but they didn't know the gender. They told me to look at their website for a picture, and I really honestly think it's him. The spot on it's chest is identical to Bruce's.
Other stressful things are happening. I think typing it out will just heighten the stress. Ew.
I have recently fallen in love with the following:
-The Buried Life of MTV fame. It's amazing.
-Sleeping in beds with dogs.
-Not snow. Or shoveling it.
2.03.2010
I'm being sneaky...
Secrets, secrets are no fun, unless you are the secretive one!
I'm not telling anytime soon, either. :D