Saturday, June 30, 2007

Little Things



Sometimes the little things in life puts the wind back in your sails when you need it. I didn't plan much for my Friday night. I had a training class to attend and run some basic errands. Exciting, eh? I came home a little tired and crampy...girl stuff...ugh!! Upon waking up from my nap a friend of mine called me out of the blue to tell me that he and some of my former bar guests were perched up at some other local bar and I should come out and join everyone. And so I did to make a long story short. It was good to see everyone again and share stories about what we have all been up to lately. I've known these old farts about 8 years now...they're like a dysfunctional second family to me in some ways. It was good to check up on these guys, and they were glad to see that I am struggling forward in my new career venture. They have always been supportive in my trials and tribulations and have treated me with respect and admiration compared to other bartenders that have come and gone where I had worked. I was just different. And they were different to me. That's the only way I can really explain it in a short paragraph. Unless you have a few short hours to spare to hear about the Depot...it was truly a one of a kind place.

So I stayed awhile, had a few drinks, got some grub after leaving and came home. Then, some other friends of mine had called with some good news, basically saying hello, how are you, come and visit and so forth. They had moved a couple of months ago and started a new venture. I thought these people would have faded away from my circle of peoples as it sometimes happens in life. Anyway, so that was a good and unexpected call despite my tipsy mentality. We all laughed at my loopiness. I'm glad they made an effort to stay in touch. I will try harder to keep the phone lines open so that we will always remain connected.

Upon my re-grouping, I checked my email and got some extra pics from my Monterey trip from my girlfriend whom I travelled with. She got some really cool pics!! It's nice to share someone else's view of the world and have a little something concrete to capture what they see...I can't wait for my orders to arrive. It will be nice to add to my photo albumn and do something crafty with my treasures. I know it's totally Martha Stewart but I really like pasting pictures in my photo albumns complete with stickers and quotations explaining what was going on at that momment. It's an easy way to tell a story, letting the viewer entertain their imagination.

And here's another kicker...I got a voice mail from another girlfriend who is in Kentucky right now for a couple of months with her job. She has a really unusual job and works primarily at night. Aprile follows horse shows around the Carolinas, Virginia, Kentucky, Florida and basically wherever her clients go, braiding and grooming horses at night before a competitive show. It's a really odd job in a way. She will go into work about 7 or 8 at night braiding several horses throughout the night, returning to her nest for sleep around 8 or 9 the following morning. Weird I know but she busts her ass in more ways than I ever could and has been doing this kind of work for about 20 years. She's an amazing person and doesn't take shit from nobody. Period. I admire her for her tenacity and her doggedness to balance work, family and individuality. She's a really cool person with a really wicked laugh. I love that about her.

So in general, my Friday night has been unusual and surprising. Being that I had tenatively planned on going to my local hang-out, having a drink or two with a nice dinner and coming home to a movie or something. Typical single girl stuff. I'm really too old for the bar hopping scene...I'm over that. I guess there was something else in store for me Friday night. It was a nice reminder that no matter where you are there are people who love and care for you. Last night it felt like it came in a big wave.

Until next time...elizinashe

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Post Vacation Blahs

I've been feeling kinda blue lately. I call it the post-vacation blahs. It's back to work and back to coming home alone. I've missed having my friends here. I wish we could all live closer. Or have more money to travel more often!! Ah, the dream life. I do have friends here, don't get me wrong...but my really super close friends are all spread out and live far away. It's just really hard to meet good people sometimes. And being that I have changed my working habits, my paycheck is rather small compared to the money I brought home from the bar and therefore can't afford to go out as often.
I really like my new endeavor but I worry about my finances like most people, and how I will pay for everything. And really, in order to meet new people, it sometimes costs extra money at some point. So I feel kind of trapped in a way. I would love to join a gym again. I keep my eye out for free drawings of gym memberships in hopes of getting lucky. If I could get out and exercise I'd feel better about myself and be able to think better, make better plans so to speak instead of mulling things over in my head all the time when I'm at home. It helps clearing out all the bugs in my head. The reciever on my stereo officially died a couple of months ago so I've been listening to my music on a single disc portable player that I am just really sick of. I miss my speaker system...a room full of music filling my body and soul. Man did that ever make me happy. I soo hate this little substitute of a stereo. And being that I'm trying to watch my pennies, I'm trying really, really hard not to go out and by a replacement. I have a dentist bill to pay first-yuk!!! It sucks not having insurance right now.
I had a week of fun, friends, over-eating, frequent drinking and buying trinkets and treasures. Now it's back to the real world. Poo!! I want to go back on vacation!! How do you get your
mo-jo back when you've been away having fun?? Suggestions anyone??
I've got two more shifts to work and a training class on Friday and then I will be free until Sunday. The weather has been nice lately so maybe I'll go for a hike or something. Getting out in the woods was always theraputic for me, especially when I find a waterfall. There is just something about water that soothes my soul. That would be a good hit for me to do. Hike. Water. Breathe.
So until next time my readers, who ever you may be...have safe travels and many blessings!!
elizinashe

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Questions

Okay so my college roomie and some of her blog friends have been passing on a series of interview questions that one author asks another author and they have to post their answers on their blog page. Being that I just got back from a wedding trip, complete with a bachelorette party with my own series of questions for all the girls, I should be well seasoned. It's funny how some of the questions I had for the girls are similar to the questions that have been floating around in the blog world. I did not read my questions or anybody else's questions until I got back from my trip. Must have been some vibe going on somewhere. So here it goes....

1. As a child, what was your favorite storybook and why?

The first one that comes to mind is Black Beauty. The one that I remember was a short version but it had lots of colorful pictures and of course 'Beauty' bold and beautiful on the front cover. I was just drawn to that story. I think it was because it was set in the English countryside which sounded sooo dreamy to me. Rolling hills, big houses, big dinner parties and lots of people spending the weekend at your retreat. I remember asking my dad what a 'squire' was,(dad was usually the one who read me that story), and thinking how important and smart a 'squire' must be and would I ever get to meet one?? It was like meeting a famous person or something. I think it was the lavish lifestyle that was surrounded by the horse world and I wanted to be a part of that. I guess I was already thinking 'over the top' at that age. I don't even remember how the story really goes or even ends now that I've grown up. Gee, where does our memory go???

2. If you could go back in time for one day, where would you go and why??

Wow, there are about two time periods that I've always liked. One the 'Roaring Twenties' and two the last Tzar and Tzarina of Russia before they were executed and their country went all to hell. I bet Rasputin was one creepy character!! But if it were just for ONE DAY, I think I'd like to go to Vegas back when the Rat Pack was doing their thing on stage. That must have been one helluva show watching those cats drink and play for an audience without a care in the world. They were pretty much pickled from the start so I can only imagine how the night evolved into one big frat party. That would have been pretty cool. And I could wear something really lavish and sparkly, as the ladies did dress in those days, with big, poofy hair, opera gloves and my cigarette holder!! How fun would that be??

3. You're granted the superpower of your choice. What do you choose and why?

I think it would have to be flying. I can remember as a child when we would visit my grandparents in North Carolina we'd always go into the mountains for a picnic and just some family time. The drive was always beautiful and full of twisty and sometimes steep roads surrounded by endless peaks and valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I would often stare out the window and wonder how do you get to that big mountain over there and what's on the other side?? I wanted to know what was beyond my reach. I thought it would be really cool just to be able to pick up and fly like a bird, fly over to whatever mountain peak you see and land on the ground and go explore all that was around you. And when I was done, then I could fly off to another mountain peak and walk all over that exploring. Whatever was out that window and beyond my reach either by foot or by car, I just wanted to pick up and fly over to it. I knew at a young age that there was sooo much land that has been untouched by man and I wanted to take the first peek. I wondered what kind of animals were around, what color was the dirt, were there flowers and really cold streams? Was there some old mountain man living in the woods somewhere in some sort of cave??? My mind was just full of curiosities...I still have those curious thoughts whenever I'm driving around these mountains. I still want to be able to pick up and fly so that I may explore what's around me.

4. If someone was to make a movie of your life, who would you want to play you?

Wow, this one is tough. Most of the actors I like are way older than me...there isn't anyone in the younger generation that has really impressed me lately. Mmm..I have to think a bit one this one. Although I do like Anna Paquinn. I haven't seen her in alot of stuff lately but what I have seen it smart, versatile and a solid performance. She's a pretty cool chic I guess, she did play Rouge afterall!!!

5. You can invite five living people to meet for dinner. Who would you choose?

First I think I'd have invite my friend Elisa. She is such a wonderful spirit and has grown into such a strong and intelligent woman that I almost envy her. I love her to pieces and she always inspires me in some fashion to challenge myself. She's one of those people when she walks into a room it just becomes a happier place. Plus she's got a wonderful laugh and a twisted sense of humor!!

Then I'd invite my mom's friend Nancy. Now she truly is a wonderful spirit despite all the turmoils in her life. And believe you me she's had plenty of them!! She has her good days and her bad days just like anyone else. She's not immune to depression and crying fits. But still, she manages to keep her creative spirit alive, always has a funny story to tell or has taken in a homeless animal and is just down to earth period. She's a wise old spirit and I feel a great kinship with her. She's another person who inspires me to keep my chin up no matter what.

Next I think I'd invite Anthony Hopkins. I think he's one of those super modest people who is super freakin' smart. Well read, well cultured, well travelled and he can play the piano!!! He must have lots and lots of stories to tell!!! I would love to sit up all night eating and drinking with him and play our favorite piano pieces. Although I know he is way better than I am, but still it certainly is fun to get together with another pianist and gab about who your favorite composer is and what your favorite songs are and what songs you would love to play but can never quite accomplish to master. I think he'd be pretty cool to have around.

Then there's Bob. My super-genius friend who is a bit crazy. Bob is just a really neat person to be around. He's super smart, kind, respectful, really quite essentric and has a wonderful twisted sense of humor. We've had some really ridiculous converations and some really over-the-top momments. Bob has his own downfalls, he's not perfect but I have learned to accept those bad quirks because what it boils down for me is all the good stuff I see about him outweighs the negative. He's been a really good friend to me and saw me through some of my dark days when I was going through some rough waters. He still treated me with unconditional friendship. Bob will always have a gold star in my book.

So now we are to number five. Hmmm...living people right? There is an author by the name of SARK that I think is just wonderful. She has shared her life's struggles and passions in her books for all to read. She's another one of those 'artsy' people who inspire me. She's hard to explain in a way until you read some of her stuff. She's wildly creative and it's taken her along time to finally be in a happy place in her life. I just want to stay up all night with her painting and talk about all of our girly and family struggles. Like I said, you just have to read one of her books to understand what I'm talking about. Look up "Succulent Wild Woman". It's a quick read and very nourishing for the soul.

So there were my five questions. Are your eyes tired?? And so to keep this interview thing going ...
1. Leave me a comment saying "Interview me"
2. I will respond by asking you five questions of my choice.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions of your choice.

Happy Reading!!! elizinashe

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Recovering from the Red Eye



Okay, so I finally made it back from my girly weekend to my humble digs and my two kitties, Hecubus and Gavin, and some warm sticky weather compared to the sunny 70s and cool ocean breezes. It was colder in Monterey than it was here which was a nice change, not that it's unbearable here or anything but it was a refreshing change nonetheless. I will make this a quick post, or at least I will attempt to, I am quite tired right now. We were all on the fast track to pack in as much quality time as possible with the bride and groom, their family, our extended friends and do some sight-seeing before catching a 10pm flight Monday in order to get back home for work on Wed. We did alot in a short amount of time and for 3 women to share a room we got along fabulously!! We all had a lovely time and I feel so very, very blessed to have been in such a relaxing part of our country and watch my friends get married in front of their ecclectic families and friends. I am still on the vacation high and very tired at the same time. I hope to return to that area many times over...I threw lots of pennies in alot of 'wishing wells' if you know what I mean.

I will close this post for the time being. I have many pictures to develop and stories to write and many clothes to wash...yuk. I think my favorite treasure that I found souvinir wise was this picture of this elephant seal that I bought from a local photographer that had his tent set up at some sort of market that had other vendors and some bands playing on our last day. We went to explore the Fisherman's Wharf area and Cannery Row which was pretty cool, but I came across this photo and just had to have it. There was something about this picture that I couldn't pass up. It was as if this elephant seal was flirting with the camera. I find him very handsome and the photographer was very good at capturing that momment. I hope you can see what I am talking about, that is if I can post this photo correctly!!! Ha-ha!! Hope you enjoy!!!! eliz

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Getting Girly

So I have a friend who is getting married next weekend in Monterrey, California. I leave early Thursday morning and I just can't wait. Elisa used to live here in town and we'd get together every Monday night for 'girls night'. It was such a blessing for us both. We'd do a variety of things from shopping for a new blouse and blazer for a promotion that she was interviewing for, to drinks and treats, to finger painting and listening to music, to going for a drive while one of us was bitching and crying, or whatever the hell we felt like doing for that night. As long as we got to see each other to 'dish' and spill our guts out as we were growing into women with all of our girly insecurities still haunting us. It was a night we both looked forward to. And sometimes our other friend Jessica would join us if she wasn't traveling with her job. But alas, Elisa got a different kind of promotion and moved to San Francisco. That's been almost two years now and we still miss having our 'girls night'. Needless to say I am more than excited to see my friend again.
What's really cool is that two of our other girlfriends will be joining in on this trip. It's going to be one big girl fest. I've been on the hunt for the perfect dress for the occasion without going overboard, picking up some feminine-like tops, small purses and all that other girly stuff. Now I know some of you are probably rolling your eyes right now, but if you knew me, this is a big thing for me...I actually want to dress up a bit. I am such a jeans and t-shirt person. I love wearing my sandals this time of year. I'm fairly casual. Dressing appropriately for work is an effort for me. But this is a special occasion and I'm looking forward to getting away for a while, wearing something that makes me feel pretty and watch my girlfriend get married. There is just a certain vibe about this trip that makes me feel good all over. It will give me a good excuse for actually looking and feeling like a young woman. ( I guess you could call it an ego boost for myself) . So I am getting back in touch with my girly side and want to be a little fashion savy. I want to have a pedicure, put color back in my hair, wear some jewlry and look pretty again. It's like I am rediscovering my womanhood. Perhaps I'm growing up some more. And so to close this entry...I'm still learning about me. elizinashe

Thursday, June 7, 2007

My New Boyfriend Blog






I love that I have created my own blog. It's like a new boyfriend. I must give credit to my college roomie as she is the one who inspired me to follow in her footsteps and make one for myself. She's always been more computer savy than I and way more of a creative writer than I am but nonetheless, I saw her page and thought, 'hey, how do I do that?' I knew that this was something that I wanted to do for me, and have some sort of an audience in an annonymous sort of way. I was growing tired of my journal and needed another source of inspiration. So now I have made my own little blog page, a 'new boyfriend 'if you will, that I can shape and mold the way I want, something that I look forward to spending time with and a place to share my feelings and insecurities and feel good about the end results. For the last few days I've just looked up my blog page just to look at it. It really is quite lovely I think, of course I am a little biased. But it is a lovely pinkish page with a wonderful picture of some nuns with beer on the table and a random old man in the background. It looks like they were having a great time. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall at that party. If I can find a way of putting something 'sparkly' to put on my background I'd do it, being that I have always liked glittery kinds of things. It's just add more festivity to the occasion. I usually look up my blog before and even after my working day as it always brings a smile on my face. my own little blog. I feel so proud of myself, corny I know but it's just so cool. I stayed up late one night scanning some old pictures so that I can post them on my page when I feel the need. My mind is just abuzz of stuff I want to put on my postings. It's my new obsession and a healthy one at that I guess...almost better than a 'real boyfriend'. Can't wait until my next 'date'.

elizinashe

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Quizzes

So I've been farting around on the blogspot thing taking a variety of quizzes out of curiosity and also in hopes that there would be one sliver of info that would be new to myself or learn something new about myself when in all actuality I pretty much know who I really am, with the exception that I am a Betty Grable in the pin-up world. Anyway...but in the great search of 'who am I supposed to be' I've already known for the most part, what all that entails. I'm scattered, impulsive but am able to focus when something really gets my brain intrigued, I'm laid back but have a serious mind, get bored easily in a relationship so therefore I need someone who likes adventure, the outdoors, travel, etc. I'm open to meetings lots of different people but I am hard to know on the inside, I am a private person but must get out of the house and do something. I'm a deep thinker and have a rather wise mind for a person of my background and age but love the ridiculous like an immature school girl. I'm able to finish tasks at home in the late night hours when I feel peaceful, do not like early mornings and have vivid dreams that I'm not quite sure what they are always about. I'm indecisive and interested in everything which makes it hard to follow through projects, ideas, classes, etc. I am loving, careful and devoted to the ones I love and cherish and I'm always there to encourage or cheer my friends, co-workers and family. So, I guess I'm an okay person and I'm not as neurotic as I think I am. So I'm just going to give up on taking any kind of personality quizzes, career quizzes, what my sign and birthdate says about me, blah,blah,blah...I'm okay and that's all I need to know. So from now on, I'm going to do my level best to not worry about how I am going to accomplish what I want in my life and just go for it. Sometimes the mistakes you make in life lead you to a wonderful door that is meant to be the one you open.

I'll end this with a wonderful quote that I have on some cards I have. Hope you don't find it too corny but it is a nice inspiration for all to read. Hope you enjoy. elizinashe


dance
as though no one is watching you
love
as though you have never been hurt before
sing
as though no one can hear you
live
as though heaven is on earth.
souza