The Giddy Portion of The Show...

The Saga of Nero Closes

giddygrrl — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:43:21 GMT

O! Hello Tribe... I know there were a couple of people who really enjoyed some of my tales of Nero the tomato plant... I've just posted a final story and photograph of him at www.rufflesandridges.com for those who are interested. I still come over and read stuff on Tribe... once or twice a week... if it is working... I just don't bother to post much here anymore. I don't trust the site, and I have about a billion other things distracting me. It's nothing personal... it's just Tribe. =)

Are You Reading?

giddygrrl — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:17:50 GMT

too lazy to cross post... but I've been posting at: www.rufflesandridges.com eventually, I might even do a Dickens post... but this picture is just too awesome not to share. that's MY BOY! Fascinated by the pretty girl in the window.... "but mommy, how does she get out of there?"

Feinting Friday

giddygrrl — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:44:05 GMT

After 13 years of Renaissance Faire, and five years of Dickens Fair one would think I'd be used to corsets and bodices... one would think I would know my limits and how to eat and drink while wearing such a contraption. Apparently... *shrug*... not so much. want to read more? www.rufflesandridges.com oh yes.. a whole post about Dickens Fair... and maybe next week, I'll tell you what my character name is....

Irony and FYI

giddygrrl — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:56:27 GMT

... but not necessarily in that order.... FYI: I am reading... oh man am I reading. I have been reading as many blogs as I can as often as I can. I don't usually get a chance to comment on everyone's stuff... but trust me, I am laughing, crying, dancing, celebrating, and hugging you all with every word. I am so thankful to be alive right now... to have the ability to spend an evening reading and catching up with all of my friends. Be it silly, poignant, topical, or none of the above... I love seeing your puppies, beards, countdown calendars, borked phones, and everything in between. Also, I had a great, funny moment happen last weekend, and wrote a little post about it.... check it out at www.rufflesandridges.com =)

Confronted with Myself

giddygrrl — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:17:17 GMT

I posted a couple of blogs at www.rufflesandridges.com if you miss me, come read... if not... then why the heck are you bothering to read THIS? der. miss me or not, hope to see you at Dickens!!

This weekend's champagne...

giddygrrl — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:25:05 GMT

...brought to you by the letter "D" and the number 19. Tuesday afternoon after work, I had a voice mail from my attorney. Simply, "call us when you get a chance"... I've been a bit busy, so I figured I'd call Wednesday. As Wednesday came and went, I totally forgot. Today, I glance down at my calendar, and see the number sitting there, so I called during my second period break. Her (paralegal): "did you get it yet?" Me: "I haven't received any mail from you..." Her: "oh.. well the final judgement is in the mail, you should get it today or tomorrow." Me: "well, thank you, but that is somewhat anticlimactic." Her: "usually people are really excited." Me: "don't get me wrong, it's just that I was expecting champagne & confetti." Once I got off the phone I cried some tears of relief... after a year an a half (at least the legal part...), it is finally at an end. I am finally, "officially" divorced. And really, it's funny, as I sat there getting rid of a bit of emotional congestion, I thought, "nothing is technically different than it was yesterday... I don't plan to get married right now, so what does all this actually mean?" It means I am finally, technically "free." One of the biggest differences between my life right now, and my life two years ago is that NOW I have someone I want to share things with. Someone I WANT to share everything with... then... it was someone I HAD to explain myself to. I was driving to faire opening weekend, and thinking (as one will do during a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive), and realized: it is so nice to be driving toward something wonderful, versus driving away from something I want to escape. I've always loved faire, and I've always seen it as coming "home" after a year away... yet, it has always been an escape for me. Not anymore. Faire is a destination, it is driving TO a person and a place I love, versus AWAY from a life I hate. A lot of you said, "I've seen the married Giddy at faire, I'm fully afraid of the Single Giddy at faire." I knew... from the first time I heard that sentiment, that you were wrong. Who you see now, is much closer to who I am... the person who is real inside of me. The Giddy I was before... well, she was the one avoiding and escaping reality, and she was a character. I'm still me, I'm still fun, I'm oh so much happier than I ever have been... I'm also more true to reality. Come by Stromboli/Toad this weekend (I'm not on the counter this year, I'm in the kitchen, but ask for me), I'm bringing a bunch of champagne, I want to do a toast with each and every one of you. It's celebration champagne... meet Giddy... she has a boyfriend she loves dearly (and who is getting to toast with the "special" champagne), she wants you to meet a person who isn't uncomfortable with life anymore. Come meet someone who is fully happy with herself, and is well on the way to being the person I always knew was inside. Here is to being happy with who you are, comfortable in your own skin, and finding others who love you for who you are... no matter how goofy the person you are may be. Cheers.

Day One... and then some

giddygrrl — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:55:29 GMT

*picture is TehShortBus "helping" me get my classroom ready* Really, I've been meaning to write about my first day since Monday (the actual first day), but honestly, I haven't had a second to even consider it. But, I decided I wasn't going to bring any work home this evening. I've worked (easily) 10 - 12 hour days every day for the last two weeks, I think it's time to take a minute for myself. And, when I say "for myself" I mean: have a beer and write a blog after working an 11 hour day and spending ANOTHER $50 on supplies for my classroom. When I finally fell into bed Sunday night (yes, I worked from home for a good 5 hours Sunday, and spent 5 hours on Saturday actually in my classroom...then another 2 working at home), I thought I was right on track. Coffee was prepped, alarm was set, I was showered, ShortBus was sleeping. Excellent. When I closed my eyes I figured I was as ready for Day One as I could possibly be, given the very short time I was provided. Flash forward about 7 hours later... I wake up. It is quiet. Too quiet. Alarm hasn't gone off yet. But, something feels off. Look at the clock... 6:15. 45 minutes AFTER I had set my alarm to go off. Damn! I jump out of bed, focused on the ONE thing that is going to save me from going crazy... coffee. Into the kitchen to be greeted by the lovely aroma of fresh brewed coffee. In a now adrenaline infused foggy morning haze of "OMGOMGOMGOMG!" I go straight to the fridge for creamer, turn around and see a beautiful pot of coffee... all over the counter and floor. My persnickety coffee maker had decided it didn't like the way I put the filter in. REALLY? So now I'm late, AND cleaning the kitchen. After a QUICK shower, I decide I should wake Teh ShortBus, so he has a minute to wake up and eat a banana before I shove him off to school. But, he decides he doesn't want to get up. By the time we get to the car, he and I are both crying. Each for very different reasons. I make it to school five minutes before the first bell. Luckily, my first period class, at that point, was two students (now it's up to five). They were so freaked out at being the ONLY two students in the classroom, they didn't seem to notice how discombobulated I was. Long story... um... well long... it has been a great week. Everyone I work with has been really supportive and helpful, my family and friends have been helpful and truly amazing, and I even got to spend a few minutes with CSB this week. I am truly looking forward to tomorrow, and the end of my first week. I kinda feel like once I make it through this first week, it's all down hill from here. Plus, I think a bottle of celebration champagne is in order.

Hey Clare...Bag Porn!

giddygrrl — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:13:19 GMT

So, apparently my mom came across this purse at a garage sale.... I looked it over pretty closely, and it seems to be real (though I'm shocked). Its beautiful. Looks practically brand new. And, its all mine! Kinda cool that the school colors at my new school are red, black, and white. Yes, I haz teh skewl spirit... in style.

Friday Shoe Porn

giddygrrl — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:51:09 GMT

I came across these shoes two days ago and fell in love. My first thought was, "no, I'm not buying shoes because I don't have a ....oh... wait... I do have a job... not only do I have a job, but I have THE job." The one I anticipated, the career I've been working toward... yep, I haz it. For more pictures of the shoes, and a rare shot of the ShortBus's shoes head on over to www.rufflesand ridges.com and I might have said another couple of words... but really, it's all about the shoes. Isn't it?

One Week Later

giddygrrl — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:17:04 GMT

I have been to meetings and workshops galore. I have been going non-stop. So much to do, and so little time. My head is spinning with names and faces that I can't quite seem to match up. My desk is littered with business cards, all with the school district logo. I had to clear a shelf to pile up books, notebooks, folders, and paperwork. The only things I know for sure: *********************** Wanna know what I know? www.rufflesandridges.com for the rest of the story...

Are You Kidding?

giddygrrl — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:16:49 GMT

Yesterday, I got an email asking if I was interested in a teaching positon. They wanted to know if I was available for an interview this morning. Well sure... why not? What the heck can an interview hurt? After a 45 minute panel interview, I was sent outside to wait, and "come back when we call you." After all this time... After every question I've asked myself... I will not ask if this is what I want. Because I know that this is what I need. And, this is what I asked for. You are reading a post from the newest Local High School Special Ed. Math/Science Teacher. They offered me the job on the spot. I have no idea how I got this job. But, I did. I am insanely excited. The classroom is finally mine! Yet, insanely scared. How am I supposed to be prepared to teach a class in less than two weeks? No idea where I go from here, But, confident I can make it.

Happy Birthday Little Man

giddygrrl — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:14:58 GMT

What a difference four years makes. I considered doing a recap of his "birth story," but really... I don't think we need to go there. He was about 9 pounds... and took his time. Now he's about 35 pounds, and seems to always be in a hurry. Just in time for his fourth birthday, he learned to pronounce "TH" properly. So, he was "free years old" all year long... now that he's four, well let's just say I'm having a hard time not teaching him to say he's "Thor." Purely for the funny. Just the other day he asked me if I knew what a black light was for. In typical distracted mommy fashion, I said, "no, what is a black light for?" He replied, "When it's on, it's for DANCING!" Indeed it is. During the first year of his life I couldn't wait to hear him speak. He showed personality and style all his own from day one, and I was dying to hear it come out. I have to say, I was right to be impatient, there is nothing in the world like hearing him say, "I love you mommy." So many things go into being a mom. Every day I learn something new... about myself, about my boy, about the world... some days I learn a lot of things. Every day is an adventure. So, Happy Birthday to you ShortBus. May the sun shine bright, the laughter be plentiful, and the learning endless. I love you more than you know, kiddo.

Medjool

giddygrrl — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:02:47 GMT

Last Friday night, I had the opportunity to adventure into San Francisco's Mission district, and have a couple of drinks at Medjool. If you ever have the chance to drop in, definitely do. But, don't just hang out downstairs... venture up to the roof. I know I should have looked at the menu, as a matter of fact, I was dying to. But, I was kinda hungry, and didn't want to order some amazing overpriced dish. Judging by other people's responses to the menu, and the girl who brought Popeye's... Read more at www.rufflesandridges.com

Too Much Information

giddygrrl — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 00:37:11 GMT

I finally did a "100 Things About Me" meme. It took way too long. In the process of doing it, I thought of other things I wouldn't mind "100" listing about. So I decided I would do a link so those lists wouldn't take up space on my blog. It will not be updated so very often, but as ideas and "things" come up... I'll make other lists. I'm actually working on a couple now. I'll comment as those things get posted (if they do). This is not why I haven't posted in a week. I haven't posted because I've had a bit of writer's block. But, I've been given a little trick to help out with that (thank you CSB), and I had a great weekend, so I'll write something that actually qualifies as a post soon. For now, if you are interested, I give you the first post on the 100 Things page: http://giddys100things.blogspot.com/

A Word About a Word

giddygrrl — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:24:17 GMT

The word is "Breathe." And, it is one of my biggest pet peeves. You take a deep BREATH before diving in a pool. "She lost her temper and apologized in the same BREATH." This is a Noun. When you inhale and exhale, you BREATHE. "Dragons BREATHE fire." This is a Verb. You do NOT say, "I took a deep breathe," nor do you say, "I felt like I couldn't breath." So, PLEASE don't write it that way. Unless, of course, you are trying to send me into an apoplectic fit. Thank you. you may now return you to your regularly scheduled interwebs browsing.

Camp Lazy... or How I Spent The Rest of the Weekend

giddygrrl — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:34:24 GMT

After barely sleeping Friday night, I woke up Saturday morning feeling... well, perhaps it would be easier to say that I woke up NOT feeling hungover. Just tired. Seriously. Tired. By mid-morning, we had dubbed Saturday "Camp Lazy." The weather was perfect, and as the four of us who were still struggling to wake up dozed and giggled in the swing in CamiKaos's back yard, Dr. Normal (Mr. Kaos, Cami's husband) appeared. Doc: Is there any Cava [Champagne] left? Cami: I don't think so. Giddy: Yes, actually, I think there is a bottle left in the cooler. Want to know what we did with said bottle and how the rest of our weekend was spent: www.rufflesandridges.com champagne, wii, tiki drinks, bacon, and happy surprises abound.... go. read.

Portland, Camp Naughty, & Strange Love

giddygrrl — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:29:42 GMT

If divorce has taught me one thing (and it's actually taught me several things), it is that people are nice. Over those 12 - 15 years, I didn't spend a lot of time with other people, I didn't go many places, and I really didn't have the opportunity to allow people to do nice things for me. I took care of myself, and made sure I didn't "impose" on anyone, or get in any one's way. I rarely asked for so much as a glass of water (I can get it myself)... in fact, unless I needed something heavy lifted, I really didn't ask for help. At this point in my life, not only am I working on "asking" for things, but also just allowing people to do nice, helpful things for me.... Continued at: www.rufflesandridges.com *photo is CamiKaos (www.camikaos.com) and Miss Burrows (arandproud.blogspot.com/) our camp naughty counselors.*

Friday Shoe Porn

giddygrrl — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:15:08 GMT

You know you want it. But, you have to wait... until 8am Friday... Then you have to go to www.rufflesandridges.com to see it.... because I'll be in Portland, and it will be posting all by its lil 'ol self over there. Yes. I'm evil... waddaya gonna do? spank me? *************************************** ... upon my return from Portland expect a post about Camp Naughty, Bondage Tape, s'mores for whores... and oh so much more. Don't worry, I'll get pictures!

The Continuing Saga of Nero

giddygrrl — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:37:15 GMT

You may remember the little tomato plant I purchased for The ShortBus. The tomato plant he named Nero (NOT Nemo like the fish, but Nero like the Emperor... I know...). Nero lived in the house for a few weeks, moving from room to room, chasing the sunlight, living the sweet life of central air and consistent watering. I was afraid to put Nero outside because every other plant I've had here that has lived outside, I've killed. But, Nero began to look a little sad. He longed for the freedom and fresh air that only the out-of-doors could provide. And, no matter what music I played for him, no matter how many horror stories I told him about "the outside world" (cue dramatic music), he continued to droop and wilt under the oppression that is a roof. Right around the time I figured he was doomed, I had smothered him with my over-protectiveness and over-mothering..... ***************************************************************************************************************************************************** The rest of the story (and several pictures AND a link to an amazing plant food) can be found here: http://www.rufflesandridges.com/ *****************************************************************************************************************************************************

I am OFFICIALLY Naughty

giddygrrl — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:44:19 GMT

So, I briefly mentioned a trip to Camp Naughty (http://campnaughty.blogspot.com/) in a previous post (http://rufflesandridges.blogspot.com/2008/05/pointing-fingers.html), and there were a couple of people who commented that I couldn't actually say "Camp Naughty" and then not tell what it is. Basically, it is going to be me and 6 other female bloggers (I believe they are all in the Portland area), meeting up in Portland for an evening of ...um... well, I'm not entirely sure what it is we're doing, but I know there will be drinks and laughter involved, so I'm there. Plus, it gives me a chance to see a friend I haven't seen since high school, and meet her family (SO excited to see CamiKaos -www.camikaos.com- again after all these years). Not only that, but it will be a new adventure for me, as I've never traveled out of state alone before. I shouldn't have, but I picked up a new laptop for the occasion. I mean really, did you think I could travel out of state and NOT bring technology with me? So, yes, they'll be streaming it (see the Camp Naughty site for upcoming details)... and I'll likely Twitter in updates. (Edit: I heard that the links aren't working, I'll check them tomorrow, but for now they work from here: http://rufflesandridges.blogspot.com/)

Attack of the Chloe Monster

giddygrrl — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:42:32 GMT

I was 19 years old, my roommate's girlfriend announces that her cat is pregnant, and asks me if I want a kitten. Ex-husband (at the time he was 'boyfriend') says no... is adamant about it... we are NOT getting a pet. I look at her and say, "if one of the kittens is black with blue eyes, I'll take it." I thought, no way that's going to happen. I mean, how common could it possibly be? A couple of months later, she shows up on the doorstep with a kitten. Solid black, bright blue eyes, and I have a new pet (though, after about 2 months, when her eyes changed to green, I told her I had been tricked, and I wanted a refund... unfortunately, there are no refunds on things which are free). Chloe was a ball of energy, and feisty... she had to be, living in that house with all those guys, constantly roughhousing... she filled the role of dog for quite a while. She was one of those cats that would come streaking into the room from nowhere, climb the drapes, then jump from the top and run out of the room again. More than once, I remember looking at whoever was sitting next to me, and saying, "did that just happen? crazy cat." Every night (from her first night with me), she would curl up at my chest, and fall asleep purring loud enough to keep the neighborhood awake. The one time she ran away, I was heartbroken. Two and a half weeks later I got a call at work, "I think I have your cat." She was two miles away, and had been living in someone's backyard, I was so relieved that she was alive that I sat down in a stranger's back yard and cried. From that day on, she was an outdoor cat. Still friendly and loving, she never left the yard or garage, but she wanted nothing to do with being in the house. She lived 14 years. Kinda makes me feel old to think that my first pet (after moving out of my parents house) died of "natural causes." Makes me sad to find out a week later from my 3 1/2 year old.

About the Food

giddygrrl — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:05:06 GMT

My first memory of a KitchenAid is of sitting in my maternal grandmother's (that would be my Nana's) kitchen watching the mixer spin round and round, while she did other prep work. I remember fresh whipped cream, fresh home-made pasta, food with such flavor... tastes I couldn't even begin to appreciate in elementary school. My grandfather sauteing mushrooms to go over the tender, juicy steaks he was grilling, big steaming bowls of baked potatoes, dishes with pristine white sour cream, creamy yellow butter, and vivid green chives. My Nana had a "gourmet shop" (at least that's what we always called it), a kitschy little store in Vacaville that sold all kinds of appliances and cookbooks for "gourmet cooking". But, what I remember most clearly is... For the rest of this post click the link: http://rufflesandridges.blogspot.com/

Wanna Read My Blog?

giddygrrl — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:28:31 GMT

Wanna know what's going on with this picture? I'm so tired of trying to post something, and having tribe die. I may not bother to cross-post for a while. Come visit: http://rufflesandridges.blogspot.com/ And hey, leave a comment while you're there! I'll check in here more often when Tribe decides to play nice. For now... if I wanna be frustrated with the interwebs, I'll go read the news.

He will be missed.

giddygrrl — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:00:41 GMT

I remember sitting next to my dad on the couch... both of us howling with laughter... one of the few things he and I agreed upon in my teen years. The man was the funny, in every sense of the phrase. The man had great things to say: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrXvDXVhqfU He had a brilliant mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KReZyAZLI0&feature=related He will be missed. George Carlin...may he rest in peace... and I hope he gets to haunt everyone he wants to in the afterlife. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25322638/

Virtuality (or: Shut Up and Talk to Me!)

giddygrrl — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:12:24 GMT

All day... ALL. DAY. I've been trying to figure out what I was going to write. Since I've found it is difficult for me to write while I'm happy, I've found I'm writing less. Because, I am happy. Honestly, I don't even know how to explain it to myself, let alone put it into words to describe it to other people. But, that's not what I came here to write about. Because, this evening I read something that bothered me, and so, I came here to write about what other people write. Yes, I know the interwebs provide us a bit of anonymity... and some people feel that since they are writing from a distance they can say whatever they want to say. But, if you are writing in a public forum, e.g., a blog, you know who is watching you, that strangers will see what you have to say, and you know that the people who care about you most are reading. You also know that the person your writing is directed toward will understand exactly what you are trying to say to them. When I write something, directed specifically at someone, even if I know that no one in the world but that person is going to get it, I at LEAST know THAT person is going to get it, no matter how subtle I am attempting to be. I've been called out for specific sentences or wording, people are smart, and they know when you are talking about them. For example; what I'm writing right now. I know this will be understood by exactly who I am writing it for (actually, by my calculations, there will be two who get it - and no, I will not answer any questions about it, I'm not sure I should be writing it...let alone even ought to discuss it, just take it for what it is). People, I beg of you, if you have something to say to someone, say it. Not in writing, in a blog or email, but in real life... because, yes, real life, and face to face conversations still exist, and are important. Say it before it's too late. Say it out loud, before the words change in their meaning. Say it in person, while you have the chance. Say it in person, where inflection and tone have a chance to help make your words more significant. Say it while it still has the appropriate meaning, and before it's hurtful. Because at some point, it will be too late. At some point you will have missed your chance. And, there is no going back. When you've missed your chance, and have been told as much, its time to suck it up and move on. Too late is too late, but that is another blog for another time... And, on that note, once you have missed your chance to say those words, IMHO it is just plain mean to say them after the fact. If you want to call someone out on their intentions, or question their character, call them (on the PHONE), or visit them, do it! But, don't just write something on the internet knowing it will make them experience emotion... and thus contact you. And, you know later when they bring up what you've written you can say, "oh no, that wasn't about you, how could you think that was about you?" I'm sorry, but that is the chickenshit way to go about it. I don't care what has happened to you or in your life; the interwebs, IM, text messaging, email, NONE of that is a replacement for true human companionship and interaction. Reality happens outside of our computers. Virtuality happens within them. Be sure you know the difference. I realize this post is hypocritical. That was kind of the point. If you have a problem with it, call me. Let's chat about it. Or come over, we'll have a drink and a face-to-face conversation.