Blog Mechanics

Our friend Garret is becoming an expert at the whole blogging thing and at his suggestion I've made the following minor changes: Anonymous comments are allowed now so anyone can comment on a blog post without using the word verification filter. Since I still approve any comments before they are posted, it seemed pointless to add another hoop for people to jump through - and you don't have to create a blogger profile to post one now.

Also, for some reason Garret has been unable to add the blog to those that he 'follows' - but something I did must have corrected the problem, and that feature works now.

That Magic Moment

One of the things that I have missed a lot since moving to Florida was experiencing four distinct seasons. Prior to living here I'd always taken for granted the cycle of the seasons from Winter to Spring to Summer to Fall. But I miss it. Technically we still have four seasons but it really feels like two - the wet season when humidity is high and the days are warm, and the dry season when humidity is low and the days are cool. Florida always seems out of sync with the rest of the country, too. Winter comes very late here and it's hard to get into the spirit of the Holidays when it's 80+ degrees outside, and the short cool days that pass for Winter here are over so very quickly. Spring is even sprung on you before you're ready. I guess this is the draw for many who move to the Sunshine State, but for all the glory of subtropical paradise - I've never really felt at home here.

But twice a year, late in Spring and Fall, I experience an echo of what life was like when I lived north of Florida - in the South, ironically. It's most powerful in Autumn, a magical moment when something within me responds to subtle changes around me and I *know* that Fall has arrived. It always catches me by surprise even though I look forward to it every year. I can't explain it, but there is a miniscule shift in the temperature and humidity, a breeze and an unmistakeable smell in the air that makes me sigh, lifts my spirits and puts a spring in my step, a smile on my face. Suddenly everything clicks into place, and the world around me is finally in sync. No longer do the seasonal decorations in the stores seem out of place. Suddenly even though we're not all wearing sweaters and sipping cocoa here it doesn't seem odd that others in the country are.

I look forward to this moment eagerly. It just feels good. It also stirs up the wanderlust deep within me. It grows stronger every year, this yearning to return to familiar surroundings where not all colorful fall leaves are silk, and where Christmas decorations are less likely to hang from palm trees. Where the Sun and long hot days of Summer are treasured for their brevity rather than grumbled about for their unrelenting, tortuous humidity. Where the first brave flower to poke up it's colorful head is greeted with delight while the chill of winter not yet past fails to beat it down. When this moment comes I am happy but wistful.

It finally happened a few days ago, while I sat on a bench outside of work taking a break from the madness that is retail. A golden, serene, blissful moment in time that changed me. Even my co-workers noticed, smiling as I re-entered the store whistling. So what if we're already taking down the fall decorations and splattering the store with red and green and glitter. Who cares if Santa Claus and snowmen grin luridly at me from every other shelf weeks before Thanksgiving. Today the windows of my house are open, a breeze is blowing, and the rustle of still-green leaves clinging tenaciously to the trees in my yard fills the air. Autumn in Florida - such as it is - has arrived.

Paper Leaves and the Dream Machine

In keeping with the fall season and the ever-present retail push for more sales I had a scheduled Demo of the Cricut Machine at work today. I set up the table and proceeded to make the requisite Halloween-themed scrapbook page, which went smoothly. I'll post a picture of the end result in a later entry - I think it came out nicely. It didn't take long at all, though, and I still had three hours left for the demonstration. For the rest of the 'show' I experimented by using the Cricut machine to cut out leaves from various shades and patterns of paper, scattering them across the table. A fair showing of interested customers kept me pretty busy and I had lots of fun talking about the machine and scrapbooking in general. I sold 2 Cricut machines by the end of the Demo so... not bad.

I absolutely love mine, and hope to get some projects done by Christmas. I have an idea for making paper ornaments this year for the tree. If I manage to pull it off, I'll post some pictures.

Late Cards and Domestic Fish

David turned 49 today, woo hoo! I arranged to have the day off so I'd be available for whatever the birthday boy wanted to do. A good idea in theory, but it turns out he just wanted to go to Outback for dinner and we went so late I could have still worked a closing shift. Ah well, it's the thought that counts right?

Speaking of the thought that counts, this year the honey did not get any cards on time. Family members and friends called throughout the day to wish him well on the anniversary of his birth - and to inform him that the card was in the mail. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but this year it turns out everybody was late and being the Scorpio that he is - he was bummed. I could tell. In case you're wondering if I bucked the trend and saved the day, I'm afraid not. Yup, I forgot to get him a card in time too. I feel very guilty about that as it is, so save your snarky comments - you didn't do it either.

After checking the coupons for specials, David settled on Outback Steakhouse and off we went. He had the Outback Special (the 9-oz sirloin) and was quite happy with it. I, of course, had to complicate things by ordering fish. I don't get it much at home because David only likes fish if it's square and breaded. So yes, we went to a steakhouse and I wanted fish. The Tilapia in a Crab and Mushroom cream sauce looked good but with all the chemically-laced stuff coming out of China these days I wanted to be sure it wasn't imported. The waiter was completely stumped by the question "is it domestic or imported?" and gaped at me open-mouthed for a beat before asking another server as she passed by. The verdict? "oh geez, I dunno dude..." (run away). "No problem," I say, "I'll just have the Salmon instead." This didn't sit well with our server who was determined to check with the 'Chef'. Sure enough, the Tilapia was declared domestic and served up promptly. I have this image in my head of the 'Chef' saying "I don't friggin' know either, just tell him it is." At any rate, it was tasty and the accompanying grilled asparagus was perfect. I'll let you know if I end up with Melamine Poisoning. ::twitch::

Dinner dispatched, we headed home for some quiet time in front of the TV and take-out Dairy Queen. We live such an exciting life, eh?

Why Did it Have to be Her? (Warning: Politics)

Governor Sarah Palin makes me want to vomit. There. I said it.

I think we're long overdue for a woman in the White House. But why, o why, does the first woman with a chance at it since Geraldine Ferraro have to be THIS woman. A few of the many things about her that make me green around the gills:

- Contrary to what she may think, Pakistan is *not* a 'neighboring country'
- As I've been screaming at Bush on the TV for eight years, it's 'nuclear' not 'nukuler'
- Contrary to what she would like us to think, Russia is not so close you can touch it.
- It is a Governor's right to fire anyone in their administration; but just because you can do a thing does not mean you should. Personal vendettas - however you justify it - do not override a person's right to work and make a living, especially when their job performance is not in question. What will she do with her power if she's a heartbeat away from the Oval Office?
- Trickle-down economics do not significantly benefit the soccer moms she claims to identify with.
- The Katie Couric Interview was scarier than "Saw III" and just as 'cringe-worthy'
- Talking to governments who may threaten our national security 'without preconditions' is not dangerous to our future; it is exactly this sort of sane, measured discussion that is the foundation of diplomacy and may provide alternatives to the armed conflicts that put our soldiers at risk and re-establish the United States of America as the leading democratic force for peace rather than the stubborn, swaggering bully we are becoming.
- There's a place for smarmy, self-righteous smart-asses who throw stones from doorstep of their glass houses, but it's not the White House.
- Given the odds that both presidential candidates might not survive their first term, and her assertion that Senator Obama lacks experience, it is clear that Senator Biden far outstrips Governor Palin when it comes to understanding modern domestic and foreign policy - making him better suited lead the nation from the hot seat.

That's a drop in the bucket, but I have to stop before I spew. Suffice it to say that any hope of my vote for Sentator McCain was dashed by Governor Palin's nomination as VP; I will be voting Obama/Biden in November.

My New Job, and Documenting Your Life

I've started a new job in management with and Arts and Crafts retailer. We've been setting up a new store here in Cape Coral, which opens on August 20. So far I like it, though the pay is crap, and I'm looking forward to settling into the job's regular routine when we open. I've discovered that I'm not 22 anymore, what with all of the lifting and twisting and bending I've been doing to get the place ready. I can't keep up with the 17 year olds we've hired as part-time labor. Actually, I can keep up with them, but when I get home and sit down my body screams bloody murder. Pride is a terrible thing.

Along with the standard "Manager of the Day" duties, I'll be responsible for the Scrapbooking department and a few others. I love scrapbooking... I just never seem to have enough time to do as much of it as I'd like. The store carries a lot of really neat stuff that I feel like I have to have too. Thank God for direct deposit or I'll never make it out of the store on payday with any money left for inconsequential things like food. There are two types of scrapbookers - those who make scrapbooks and those who collect scrapbooking supplies. I want to be the former, but am in danger of being the later.

I have so much memorabilia collected over the years, and scads of pictures in boxes and albums and on CD's and hard drives that are waiting for me to go through and organize. That's a big enough task before adding in design and embellishment. The results are so satisfying, though, that it's more than worth the effort.

Mr. and Mr. Recreational vehicle are wrapping up their preparations before heading starting their 6-month trek across the wilderness. It's only a matter of time now - but isn't is always?

Freedom, the Open Road, and Mixed Emotions

How dare you leave me! I hope you have the time of your life. I"m jealous as hell.

When the couple with whom David and I most often socialize were recently stricken by a double layoff that rendered them both jobless and with a hefty mortgage, we were very concerned. They have a very nice home in a very nice neighborhood, the kind of people who make good living look easy. But they worked hard to get there, and in these uncertain economic times all of that suddenly seemed to be in jeopardy. Imagine our surprise when they came up with an unconventional solution: Sell the house, buy an RV, and do some traveling for 6 months before settling in another part of the country with better job opportunities.

How did they come to this decision? I'm sure I only know part of their motivation, if for no other reason than perhaps they're not entirely conscious of it themselves - not completely. But one of them got a good severance package when his branch closed and he was laid off. Then there was the fact that they'd intended to move into less expensive digs anyway. So they went ahead and put the house on the market, accepted a lower offer than they would have originally, and instead of buying a house opted for a home on wheels and put most of their belongings in storage. Pretty radical. It's not permanent by any means, they're simply taking the scenic route to a new life in another city. Visit some relatives and friends, see a bit of the country on the way. 6 months, tops. If it were anyone else I'd think it was a very good idea.

Here's the problem: I don't want them to go. I take it very personally that they would even consider leaving us here on our own, to find someone else to hang out with. We've got other friends, sure, and we love them and enjoy their company. But it's no disservice to those friends to say that we connected the most with Mr. and Mr. Recreational Vehicle. In many ways we're natured alike, and our differences are complimentary for the most part. Now they're abandoning us, or so it feels. They've not left yet, and somehow I already feel completely bereft, like an unexpected death has occurred. It's totally irrational and a bit dramatic I confess. We'll stay in touch via phone calls and Emails and blogs - I'm confident. I think. We've known and loved one of them for more than 17 years, and have come to know and love his partner for the last 9 years. Of course we'll stay in touch. Right?

In fairness, though, we've been talking about moving out of the area ourselves. For a long time now - though we've been dragging our feet. So we would have been leaving them. But now the shoe's on the other foot, and damn it... I wasn't prepared. It all seems to have happened so quickly I can hardly be expected to adjust. Perhaps this turn of events will motivate us to speed up our own relocation to the mountains of Asheville, NC and start anew. Perhaps this will energize us, break us out of the holding pattern we've been in the last couple of years. Perhaps. I hope so. Maybe. I mean, I just started a new job, and the housing market is still bad, and... and... and.... And I'm terrified that we'll still be here treading water 5 years from now. Trapped.

Did I mention that I'm jealous as hell? I'm not even prepared to be gracious about it. They're going to be doing some really amazing things, stuff that I've always wanted to do - and they'll be doing it in style. Their biggest challenge will be trying to figure out how long to stay in one place, and where they'll go next. They've had to simplify and pare down in order to accommodate RV living, and even that has its draw for me. They've decided to stay at gay campgrounds whenever possible, and meet all sorts of interesting people. Enjoying the Grand Canyon more than you thought you would? Another gay RV couple just pulled into camp and you hit it off? No problem, stay another day. Or three. Why not? I hate them.

I wish for them the most amazing experiences as they make this journey together, and I fervently hope that an equally amazing life awaits them at the end of it. They deserve it, because they are amazing people. I love what they are doing. But I don't have to like it.