me & me

I abandoned my friend Sara at the Old Venice Pub a few nights ago and when I got back to the table she had drawn this on her "things to do" list. I think it's pretty cool and I was impressed that instead of getting annoyed that it took me 30 minutes to go to the bathroom (I ran into someone I hadn't seen in 15 years) she used her time productively and drew me a creepy illustration. I'll miss Sara. She's a good time.

good point

I was standing in the kitchen doing dishes when dad came up to me and announced, "You're really going to miss me in Senegal."
This was true, but as far as conversations go it was an unusual intro.
"I know," I agreed, wondering where this was going. "But what makes you say that?"
"Because you won't have my lightening-quick wit to bounce ideas of off," he said. "Think about it."

Seriously, don’t…

I’ve become quite the prolific blogger. All of my several readers will remember yesterday’s post about going to California to visit my brother and two former roommates, some of my favorite people in the world.

One of these favorite people, Jackie (and mind you I might have knocked out three in one visit but this is a short list), has raised a good point about blog posts. It’s important to keep in mind that with the exception of Richie and Robin, who are both professional bloggers, my friends are not the most tech-savvy group*.

Jackie might be the most shining example of tech-mediocrity. She told me she didn’t know what a blog was until I told her I had one. I was appalled at how in-the-know she wasn’t, but to be fair she had to remind me once the Cubs were a baseball team based in Chicago, so I guess we all have our strengths.

All in all, Jackie’s pretty bright and had no trouble hopping on and even left a comment. That’s when she noticed the weak link:

your blog is great.  but I don't like that everybody can read what I post.  I want to write some things that i don't want others to read.  is that possible? if not, you will just have to get used to being embarrassed on your blog.

People, do not leave embarrassing comments. In fact, if you can’t help yourself, don’t leave comments at all. Limit yourself to e-mail because if you screw up I will ban you, don’t think I won’t.

Jackie, you are especially notorious for this sort of thing. One time, while we were in college staying at Ben’s cabin in Huntingdon, I told her about a hugely embarrassing something that had happened to me the night before. Instead of commiserating, Jackie started laughing hysterically and said something along the lines of, “I can’t keep that a secret. It’s too funny, you can’t ask that of me.” **

Again, use e-mail. It’s ecm154@gmail.com, it’s not that hard.

*There are a few exceptions to this statement, but two make up roughly half my readership and deserve a disclaimer:
Jake – your looked really secretive playing with that new laptop you got over Christmas. Maybe you’re a computer whiz, I couldn’t tell.
Meg - you might be another exception. You tried explaining several times, but I'm still not sure what it is you do for a living.

**As for the above anecdote, Jackie told everyone. Fair enough, she wasn't malicious about it and I totally would have done the same thing.

A little sad...

My brother Andrew just stopped in at work - Juno & Jove for those of you who are interested - because he's painting the new store space. (another plug - use Bluewater Painting for all your Venice and Sarasota painting needs). I see him every few weeks or so during work hours and it always makes my day.

I moved back to Florida in Aug. 2006 to be closer to family and because I got a better job. The job was a bad idea (this was pre-Juno & Jove), but being near family has been worth it. The best part might be Jake and Charleigh, my 4 and 2-year-old nephew and niece. They change quickly at this age, so I get a little teary when I think about what I'll miss while I'm away. Well, not actual tears - but I definitely get sad and know I'll cry later. Maybe I'll even tell you about it.

The ever practical Grayson tried to make me feel better by reminding me I'll be gone so long Jake and Charleigh will probably forget who I am.

Okay ... I really am at work. Boss, if you are reading this don't worry, it only took three minutes to write.

Competitive blogs

This is my third blog entry and again all I want to write about is my blog. In fact, I think about the blog more than I think about actually going to Senegal. I talk about it more too. I just got back from a great trip to visit my brother and college roommates in California and it was one of the first things I mentioned. Here is the conversation I had with Grayson within minutes of him picking me up at the airport:

me: I’ve got a blog.
G: No you don’t.
me: I’m serious. I have a blog. It’s emilyinsengal.com, go check it out.
G: Seriously? You’re not joking?
me: It wouldn’t be a very good joke. You really don’t believe me?
G: I mean – really? Because we just aren’t a blog family, you know?

After that there were a few miles of me being defensive and him laughing at me. A similar thing happened with Andrew and Julie (brother and sister – but all my readers know that).

On the other hand my mom stayed up late last night reading other volunteer blogs because mine wasn’t informative enough. I could hear her yelling/reading them aloud to my dad in the next room. Mom thinks my blog is a great idea and wants to read more about my feelings/preparations. Dad, predictably, has no opinion. 

Since I haven’t left yet I have been talking about feelings/preparations with mom. At this point I think talking should still be the preferred mode of communication. I love you mom.  It was fun chatting with you while I packed last night.