Random Thoughts

1) Blogging every day? Easier this year. Next year I promise to limit the cutting and pasting of videos.
2) I am grateful for the Internet at work. I spectacularly lost mine this morning, and was I more productive? Not really. Plus I couldn't do much research.
3) In response to a family conversation I heard about second hand? Elaine Loraine.
4) Should Tiger Woods fess up? I'm on the fence on this one.
5) Mom, Dad, Steven? Did you draw names for stockings?
6) Pretty much everyone in DC that I talk to has brought up the couple that crashed the State Dinner. My thoughts? I'm not sure if they should face criminal charges, but wth were they thinking?
7) Ashley, I loved the "Problem Solvers" Episode of 30 Rock. "Sun Tea" was a little bit of a let down, but I'll watch it again.
8) Alright, I really need to get off the computer.
9) When I'm about to leave, I always say "alright"
10. Alright.

30 Rock: Sun Tea

Thoughts:

The Exercise lady on tv sounds like Rachel Dratch.
Okay, these "Welcome to Season 4," "Jack will tell you what to do next" etc. is starting to get old.
Hey, someone on the 30 Rock writing staff must've had a similar experience that I had in Italy!
Kathy Geise's lawyer is Teddy Ruxpin? Awesome.
Dr. Spaceman! Dr. Spaceman!
Poor Bryan
Astronaut Mike Dexter
Overall, this episode was funny, but nothing special. Al Gore saving whales was a great in-joke. Tracey hallucinating on the set of the Cosby show made me smile. However, it was so-so.

Memorable Quotes:

"There are no rules. Like Check-in at an Italian Airport."--Jack
"I love the earth. I have these rare blossoms flown in every day on a private jet. That's the definition of green"-Jack

"What have the children done for us?
Well they make our shoes and wallets."--Kenneth and Jack

"There are no rules. Like Check-in at an Italian sex party."--Jenna

Movie Match-Up

I ended up red-boxing a couple of films this weekend. Both were "Chick-flicks" and both deserved mediocre reviews. Although I didn't feel like I wasted my time (I was knitting), I couldn't decide which film I liked better, so here's the run down.
The films are, "My life in Ruins" starring Nia Vardalos and "New in Town" with Renee Zellweger

Supporting Men: Both films had a well-known actor in a pivotal supporting cast. "My Life" had Richard Dreyfuss as the "funny guy," while "New in Town" had J.K. Simmons as the ornery, caustic plant supervisor. Although Dreyfuss was much warmer, he was actually kind of annoying. I'm racking my brain to think of when Dreyfuss made a film I really liked. I think it's been years. J.K. Simmons rocks the Minnesota accent, and well-isn't annoying.

Winner: "New in Town."

Chemistry: Many couples in romantic couples hook up and you wonder, huh, why did these two get together? In fact, this is probably one of the toughest things in casting a romantic movie (not that I've ever done it) and writing the script. You need two people that you'd actually see together. A lot of "My Life" was the bus driver (Alexis) oogling over Vardalos. However, I'm not sure if they are actually that plausible. Connick and Zellweger however? They fit. There's not fireworks, but they are more like a comfortable pair of shoes. Now, would a vp of a major corporation and a labor union rep actually hook up? Who knows, but it more or less works.

Winner: New in Town

Leading Guy: Okay, Chemistry and leading guy are different categories. We've got Harry Connick Jr (who unfortunately doesn't sing in this film) and Alexis Georgoulis. Alexis is hot, he's really hot, but well, he's got a little Fabianesque look that's a little offputting. Connick is a favorite from way back, he's got a beard which becomes him, he's written into the script as a southerner (guess he couldn't do the Minnesotan accent so well), and well, it's Connick.

Winner: New in Town

Locale: Okay this one is easy. "My Life in Ruins" is set in Greece. "New in Town" is set in Minnesota. In Winter. Um, I'm sure Minnesota is awesome, but I'm going to have to go with "My Life in Ruins."
Winner: My Life in Ruins

Looks like Renee and Harry take it with "New in Town." But um, set your expectations low, and you might enjoy the film!

Must Be Santa!

What better way to usher in the Christmas Season with  Bob Dylan wearing a wig, appearing half drunk at a party singing a polka?  Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Any Way the Wind Blows

Apparently this cover of "Bohemian Rhapsody" is flooding the internets, but wow. Have you ever seen a better cover of the song? I'm not sure it's possible. A new favorite from the Muppets, that's for sure.


Favorite moments:
Animal singing Mama...and Dada
Eating the rats
Miss Piggy
Bleeker's final "meep!"
Video Conferencing!

Charlie Darwin

Today is the 150th anniversary of “Origin of Species,” by Charles Darwin. Few if any books changed the world like Darwin’s volume. Personally, I have no problem with the ideas Darwin introduced. If anything, I feel a little sorry for the man who perhaps is even more controversial now then he was while he was living. Earlier this year The Low Anthem’s put out a single about the ideas that Charlie Darwin put forward. The song is quite possibly one of the most beautiful singles of the year, and one that makes you think. The video fits the song perfectly, I think. Here’s the video and lyrics:


Charlie Darwin by The Low Anthem

Set the sails I feel the winds a'stirring

Toward the bright horizon set the way

Cast your wreckless dreams upon our Mayflower

Haven from the world and her decay

And who could heed the words of Charlie Darwin

Fighting for a system built to fail

Spooning water from their broken vessels

As far as I can see there is no land

Oh my god, the water's all around us

Oh my god, it's all around

And who could heed the words of Charlie Darwin

The lords of war just profit from decay

And trade their children's promise for the jingle

The way we trade our hard earned time for pay

Oh my god, the water's cold and shapeless

Oh my god, it's all around

Oh my god, life is cold and formless

Oh my god, it's all around

Procrasti-knitting

 

Instead of cleaning, updating the resume or blogging I knitted this:

 

while watching this:  

All Quiet on the Ant Front

This past summer Kelli and I were assaulted, ambushed, and became prisoners in our own apartment. Okay, it wasn't quite that bad--or was it?
Our onslaught began in May. One morning I ambled into the kitchen and noticed a string of ants from the kitchen window leading directly to the sugar bowl. I scooped the ants out, tried to move the sugar bowl but the end result? By that afternoon the sugar was dumped and the bowl ended up in the dishwasher.
Shortly after, Kelli bought a package of red velvet whoopie pies. That night after getting home late, she decided to have a midnight whoopie pie snack. She bit into the whoopie pie, and realized that something was moving in her mouth and on her arm. She looked down and realized the pie was moving. The ants had swarmed the whoopie pies. The whoopie pies were dumped and shortly thereafter moved into the dumpster outside.*
The rest of the summer was a series of skirmishes against the ants. The ants would swarm inside the dishwasher whenever I didn't completely clean out the dish I used to store ice cream base. Occasionally, I'd find a lone piece of sugared cereal on the cupboard that was almost black from the ants on top of it. The only place in the house that was safe from the ants? The fridge and the microwave.
We tried several natural remedies, ant traps, and other tricks. We found that Terro traps work great. They aren't very aesthetic, as they are clear traps, but they seem to deter the little beasties. Keeping the kitchen spotless as well as bleaching down surfaces works well too.
Now that it's November, I haven't seen a sugar ant in the kitchen for a month. I'm hoping the quiet lasts, but I have a feeling we'll be facing off against the little guys next summer.








*I received permission to tell this story

Pyramid

Last February my roommate Kelli, her brother Chris and I went to the Yucatan Peninsula. I compiled all of our pictures and realized that between the three of us we took 100 pictures of the great pyramid at Chichen Itza. Here's almost 30 of them. In our defense, it was an incredible pyramid.

States I've Visited

I like keeping track periodically of the States I've visited. I'm of the persuasion that airports don't count, (there's a longstanding disagreement between my parents about whether airport visits count when tallying how many states you've been to--and me bringing it up might spark another chapter of that mini-argument).
Anyway, I located on this blog where I tallied up how many states I've been to in 2005, and then did it again today. I try to not just cross a state's border but have a "quality" experience in each state-a memory to remember. One things for certain, if I ever get a chance to drive cross-country, I'll be able to knock out the majority of the states I'm missing in just a day or two.

July 2005

November 2009

Bio-Diversity!!

Found on Abstract City

Wordless

Link via Old School Acres

Shiny Happy Feminists.

I've been meaning to post about Beth Palmer's Editorial piece in Mormon Times entitled "Feminism Equals Happiness" since shortly after the article was published, but I decided to let the Op-Ed's piece simmer in my brain for a few weeks before speaking out.

There are many inaccuracies in the Op-Ed, not to mention false assumptions about Feminism. In the past 20 years, The Feminist Movement has been given the straw man treatment by Limbaugh and others, so much so that Ms. Palmer bought into a commonly held falsity about feminism by stating,

"Like, for instance, its [The Feminist Movement] initial tacit implication that
in order for women to have worth they had to be just like men. "

The quote above is bull. The goal of the feminist movement was to give women equal opportunities. But be just like men? No.

The inspiration of Ms. Palmer’s article was a Time Magazine piece which analyzes (as much as you can analyze) whether or not women are happier during the past 40 years. Ms. Palmer talks about the article and makes the observation that,

"None of which, mind you, is really feminism's fault; it just comes as no
surprise to me to hear that the movement didn't end up being the key to
happiness."

Okay, so she’s asserting her that the object of feminism was to make people happier. That’s an interesting perspective on feminism. Especially since the Time Magazine article she got the idea for her article stated the following:

We looked across all sectors — young vs. old, kids or no kids, married or not
married, education, no education, working or not working — and it stayed the
same," he says of the data. "But there are a few ways to look at it," he adds.
"As Susan Faludi said, the women's movement wasn't about happiness."

I wonder if Ms. Palmer even read the original article completely? Now, I don’t want to attack her, just because I don’t agree with her. She does make some valid points in her Op-Ed piece. She recognized the strides that have been made to even up the playing field for women. However, many women and men I’ve known are hesitant to call themselves feminists because the word has become dirty in today’s vernacular. I don’t fault those who believe that at all. Maybe I’m the one who is confused. Who knows?

But Ms. Palmer goes further to give us her definition of happiness. Now, there's books and books exploring how to be happy. Everyone alive probably has a little different definition of happiness, and that’s totally cool. Ms. Palmer states:

"See, as tantalizing as it may be to think that happiness comes as the product
of a social movement, or a career, or limitless opportunities, it's still not
the truth. Happiness lies a lot deeper than that, and it's very often tied up in
things that have very little to do with us. "

Not to turn a feminist rant into a philosophical debate, but to me, happiness starts with us, not things that have very little to do with us. Happiness begins with attitude, determination and aligning with what you value most with how you spend your time.

*Amelia has a great post about this article.
*MFranti discusses this article also.
Ash had a great post about feminism this week too

Jeremiah Johnson

This afternoon I told two of my co-workers I finally sat down and watched "Jeremiah Johnson." One of them said, "Isn't it the best western without Indians?" Then he stopped, when I just looked at him, and he said "Oh yeah, well it's different than John Wayne Movies.
Jeremiah Johnson, a 1972 film based on a true story about a man who came to the Rockies Mountains to become a mountain man. He's inept at first, but through the help of a couple of friends, but learns the ropes of making a living from the Mountains. A series of tragic events changed the tone of the film which I didn't entirely like. However, all in all, the film was one I'm glad I finally sat down to watch.
Filmed entirely in Utah, the film is gorgeous. I cracked up a little at one scene that had to be filmed at the shores of Deer Creek Reservoir (you can see where the Heber Creeper Railroad line is), not far from the Highway. Part of the opening scene is filmed just below the Flaming Gorge Down which was fun to see.

30 Rock: Into the Crevasse

Memorable Quotes

"Another Successful interaction with a man."--Liz

Last weekend I picked up this girl after practicing Jedi Moves at Prospect Park. Took her home on the handlebars of my bike, snuck her inside past my mom, she sees my mint condition Hell boy action figure and she starts quoting your damn book."--Frank

"I did Big Sister in College. That little girl taught me how to use tampons."--Liz

"Punish You? I've always wanted to film a student werewolf movie in Iceland where I'm filling in last minute for Victoria Beckham."

"It was a year ago that you kicked me to the curb. I began plotting my revenge that very day. I knew I needed to align myself with something bigger than GE and since American Idol's not on until January, that left the United States Government."--

"You probably don't know this, because you've never played a moonologist, but werewolves only come out at night.--Janna
Yes I remember that from the Thriller Video.--Liz
Too soon."--Tracy
"Volunteers need to adopt a dog, it's like God backwards."--Sign

"All I need from you is one idea that's as good as the lightbulb."--Jack

"Since I have neither the time or the energy, to pretend your problem is a real problem, I will cut the baby in half."--Jack

Random Thoughts

Dr. Spaceman has a book?!? Oh, look at Chris Parnell's cute mug! :30 seconds in and this episode rocks.

Mr. Geiss is a Fonzie fan.

A bus to Washington? The JC Penney's lapel cover?

"Doin' the Microwave..jabba wabba wabba"

Pants for Zoo animals and Big Brother, huh?

Will Arnett! Will Arnett!

Will Arnett is BFF with Malia? Awesome.

"I will adopt all of them."

7 minutes in, and this episode is even more hectic than usual.

Laser shield, cold pizza, laser gun, Gay Ireland. I love when Will Arnett and Jack confront each other.

Seriously, Arnett and Baldwin confronting each other is awesome.

Wow, talk about a hilariously silly episode. Great episode!

Smokey?

I thought you were going to blog today for me.

decompressing

I somehow worked 11 hours on my regularly scheduled day off today. I'm still here at work but off the clock, and taking a few minutes before I catch the train to go to a party tonight on my way home. This week has been something else. I'm coordinating a walking event for 250 employees. We've never done anything like this before, and the response has been phenomenal. Registration closed this afternoon and I spent this early evening tying up loose ends for the event.
Even though I was busy with the walking event, Jane Goodall was here today so I took time out to listen to her speak about endangered species. Being in the same room as Dame Jane Goodall? Absolutely inspiring. Her lecture was great, and the room was packed. She greeted us with how chimpanzees greet each other, which was simply awesome. She talked a little about her work and her latest book. Although there was one question posed to Dr. Goodall that was well, out of this planet (she was asked how researchers should respond to aliens visiting this planet-I kid you not), one of my favorite parts of her lecture was when a 8 or 9 year old asked her how she came to do the research she did. Dr. Goodall replied that when she was a little girl, she had a crush on Tarzan and was absolutely crushed that he married Jane, but she was convinced that she would visit Africa. She said that even though this was World War 2 Europe and her family didn't even have enough money for a bicycle, she was a girl, and Africa was considered the "Dark Continent" still, she had a supportive mother who told her that anything was possible. Although Dr. Goodall talked about the dire straits the planet was in, she also brought a message of hope that inspired me and others I spoke with to be better.

Speaking of mothers; Yes mom, the Departmental award idea I had last week for members of the public was presented to it's first recipient, Dr. Goodall, by the Secretary. No, I didn't get to meet her, although I could have. I was asked by the Secretary's photographer (I'm not name dropping, I've just worked in the building for 7 years so I know people) if I wanted my picture with her, but I didn't want to stand in line and needed to get back to the walking challenge registration. And, I might've had a momentary lapse of shyness.

Books I've Read in 2009: Part 1

"Blood Meridian: Or the Evening Redness in the West," by Cormac McCarthy

Out of Cormac McCarthy's books (even The Road), this book is often called his masterpiece, and perhaps the most difficult to read. One of Cormac McCarthy's themes is kindness juxtaposed with violence, but this book takes it up a notch. One reviewer admitted that McCarthy is a genius, but wondered if McCarthy was mentally sane after reading this book. And after reading it, it's a valid thought. Blood Meridian is a Western, and tells the story of a 14 year old boy thrown into a gang of scalpers on the Mexican Border. His main antagonist is Judge Holden, a 7' tall man who is a murderer, child molestor, and..you get the idea. The story follows the two main characters through a period of several decades-juxtaposing pure evil with humanity.

I can't say I'd recommend this to anyone, in fact I'd tell anyone to be sure they can handle violence.


I enjoyed this book. The author is a cousin of my mom's, and he writes pretty well.

"Cold Train Coming" by Larry Barkdull

Cold Train Coming is the story of two boys living in a small western railroad town. They end up taking care of a dog who lives at the train station who has been there since his owner's body was taken away to family back east several years before. The dog waits for every train, waiting for the owner. The boy's story becomes entangled with the dog's and it makes for a quick, enjoyable book.

"The Partly Cloudy Patriot" by Sarah Vowell

Essays by Sarah Vowell, there's a lot of history and commentary in this books. The type of fun, random, obscure history that makes you go huh, that I didn't know.

I like Vowell, definitely better than Sedaris and maybe almost as well as Klosterman. This book has some great essays, but is dated.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson Book 1)by Louise Rennison

Bridget Jones ruined chick-lit (and I liked Bridget Jones). That being said, it was actually a pretty cute lil' book. I just couldn't get into this story.

"God a Biography" By Jack Miles

Finally finished this one. Great, thought-provoking literary critique of the God of the Old Testament. This book was eye opening and changed my perspective of God.

The Deed of Gifts Was Many Gifts of War*

Veteran's Day is kind of a tough holiday for me. Personally, the hippie in me would rather there only be one holiday for Veterans and another to honor our dead. But the amateur historian in me agrees that we should have holidays that have their origin in the Civil War and World War I. We are a country beget out of war, and if it wasn't for war (and a crazy English king), life as we know it might be very different.
Living and working where I do, I've been to the Vietnam Memorial several times on or the week of Veteran's Day. Walking along that wall; catching glimpses of a generation lost through pictures, letters to the deceased from family and loved ones, cigarettes, and other memorabilia left at the wall. Then there's the people; walking shoulder to shoulder with veterans standing at the wall looking a little lost and seeing families, loved ones embrace their vets and the groups of vets there with their fallen friends and family. The sense of loss? Almost palpable.
But after the emotional toll the wall takes, I always try to visit President Lincoln in his Greek temple. I look for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. step where he delivered the beautiful and prophetic, "I Have a Dream," address on my way up and think about the significance of that speech. Then when I reach the top, I spend a few minutes gazing at Mr. Lincoln, read the speeches on the wall and gaze at the city. I think briefly of the movie, "The Wedding Crashers," but mostly try to process again all I've seen and felt and give thanks for this great, young, country of mine.
In recent years, my thoughts on Veteran's Day drift to my youngest brother. He's an officer in the Army and is on active duty. I'm very proud of him and the choice he made to serve in this army.

Smokey, Steve, and my dad at Steven's Commision Ceremony. December, 2007.

*A line from "The Gift Outright" by Robert Frost

Hooked

One of my favorite "viral" videos of all-time? David Hasselhoff's Hooked on a Feeling. Just thinking about that video brings a smile to my face. Now, here's another video from the Hoff, not nearly as memorable as "Hooked on a Feeling, but still a few goofy parts.



Here's the one and only Hoff:


I need to up my a-game if I'm going to blog another 18 days. It's only the 10th of the month and I'm bringing back Hasselhoff. Oy

You may have noticed these the past 3 or 4 days on Google or blogs such my brother's and his wife. What better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street? Personally, I can't remember the first time I watched Sesame Street or the Muppets. I'm told Kermit was my favorite, which is about right (I've always done his little laugh and just realized it a few years ago) but each of the Muppets (maybe even Elmo..Maybe) have places in my heart. Even today, I'll occasionally watch Sesame Street excerpts online. Then there's all the lessons they've taught millions of children throughout the world. Pretty incredible. Jim Henson, wherever you are, thanks again!

30 Rock: Season 4

I haven't "reviewed" an episode of 30 Rock since March 2. I've got a little case of bronchitis and I'm trying to fill a void that used to be filled by baseball (sad, but true)--- so here's my review of the season premiere. And yes, this may be the only episode I've watched so far.

<

Memorable Quotes

"Hello everyone, I'm so happy to see all of you and welcome you to Season 4, which is the number one restaurant in New York," --Jack

"I can't eat these, I'm a foodie."--Tracy

"The best way for a female to get heat in this industry is to record a country album or have a lesbian relationship."--Jenna

"We'll trick those race car lovin' wide loads into watchin' your lefty homoerotic propoganda hour yet!-Jack
Well, you don't just like anybody, do you?"-Liz
"Well..." --Jack

"We're reaching out to the rest of the country. Our new mammogram machine is called Get 'er done 2000."--Jack

"Excuse me sir, do you want to hold hands with a black millionaire?"--Tracy?

"Pete and I are intercoursing each other."--Liz

"I don't need this job. I can get a job tomorrow in the air force."--Josh

"Once I'm vested, I'm outta here." --Dot Com

"Tell me what to do.....Nixon."--Jack

Where's the bar?-Jack
"There's a bar in the shower that was installed by the previous tenant. He still died in there though." --Kenneth
When people look at you, they see who they want to be. When people look at me they see who they are.
Sir, you look like the mall santas when they come back from lunch."--Jack

"Kiss my a$$ new york, it's tennis night!--Jenna

"Step into the light, Lemon, there's nothing wrong with being fun and popular and giving people what they want. Ladies and gentlemen-- Jay Leno."--Jack

Thoughts:
Season 4! Season 4! Jack's intro was pretty much awesome. Why is Alec Baldwin so hilarious?
Oh, Tracy's stand up? Awesome.
Oh, Jenna.
Tracy actually burning money? Nice.
Oh, Jack just said Comrade Obama. Nice.
Is Kenneth speaking Pig Latin?
Oh, love the Payroll Department!!
Hmm, Pete and Liz are "great" at lying.
Moby is a dear friend of Tracy's?
Josh! He was finally mentioned!
Jack is Mr. America. Yes, he is.
I always like when the Private Investigator shows up, or should we say, "The Chameleon."
Pete and Liz are still great at lying. Awkward.
The rubber chicken hanging on the wall of the writers room? Kind of cool.
Pete's wife's proposition. Even more awkward.
The lead-in to Josh? That was great. Everyone helping him with the table? Nice. I'm a tiny bit sad to see Josh go however.
Mall Santas?
Private Investigator guy in a wig? Silly fun.
Poor Kenneth, but the scenes between Jack and Kenneth are some of the best on the show.
Ah, Tennis night.

All in all this episode wasn't bad. Not one of my top ten, but still a lot of fun, and as always-a great mix of low and highbrow comedy. The last line by Jack? Awesome.

Let's end this post with, "Tennis Night!"

Great Full

Last night I read an article about a women who was diagnosed with MS.  She wallowed in a state of misery until a friend told her that the only way she could heal was to reach out to others.  This friend told her to give away 29 gifts in 29 days.  The women continued to feel sorry for herself, but tucked the advice away and eventually tried it. Lo, and behold she started to feel better.  She then went on to create a website and wrote a book about this piece of advice.  Oh sure, she's not cured-she has an uncurable disease- but she's managing her disease better, and able to live with it-and the attitude change contributed. 

This afternoon, I was told to call my 88 year old Grandmother to get the final score for the South Summit Football Game (My "baby" cousin is on the team and they're in the playoffs).  I didn't want to because she can't hear well, and it was an effort to talk today.  But I swallowed my self-centeredness and gave her a call. As I was talking to my grandma, she told me "I don't understand football well, but I'm going to get the hang of the game."  My grandma's mental capacity isn't what it used to be, and even though this cousin isn't the first family member to play high school football (both of her sons played, and she used to go to BYU games with us sometimes), I really admired her attitude. 

This isn't the only story I have of my grandma and attitude or of determination.  Oh no, I could fill a book, or at least a novella with stories, but it struck me today that even though she's not the same as she was, one of the things that she's still got is her attitude and determination.  That's pretty cool, if you ask me. 

My grandma and grandpa with 3 of her 5 children.  My mom is the girl my grandma is holding, the other girl is my Aunt Hannah and the little boy that seems to be talking to the toy car is my Uncle John. The other 2 boys hadn't been born yet, I'm guessing. I believe my grandma is about 35 in this picture.

 

 

 

 

Jane Goodall and Pedometers: Just another week in the office

I don't think I talk about my job much here on the blog.  I work in Human Resources for the Department of the Interior (Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs etc).  At least that's what I tell most people.  I've had this job for four years, and just a year ago both my mother and best friend asked me...now what is it that you do again?  Needless to say, the explanation took several minutes.  Either or I'm not eloquent, or it's kind of complicated. 

Anyway, my office is the Policy and Guidance office for Human Resources for the Department of the Interior and we're under the Policy, Management and Budget Assistant Secretary and part of the Office of the Secretary (that might be too much Fed govt. lingo right there, oops).  We don't actually process human resource actions, each of my counterparts in my office are responsible over Human Resource programs.  I'm over Work-Life programs (health benefits, awards, leave, childcare subsidy, wellness etc.).  If any of the bureau or office Human Resource Offices of the Department (see incomplete list in the first sentence) have any policy or procedure questions, they come to my office.  My office also works closely with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).  When OPM needs data for their annual reports to Congress, they come to my coworkers and I to get the data from the bureaus and offices.  If there's new laws or policy issued from OPM, my office issues the data to OPM.  In addition to these tasks, we also issue Department Specific policy and procedure, as needed.  A lot of my time is spent writing policy and making sure it follows OPM guidance, the Code of federal regulations and Public Law. 

As the Awards Coordinator for the Department, I don the event coordinator cap twice a year.  I'm in charge of two Secretarial events a year, one is a formal event, and the other is a few hours before the fireworks on the 4th of July.  The formal event takes several months of planning, and I work with 50-75 people to pull off the event. I also answer random awards questions, and "consult" about awards during the year.  Just yesterday, I was asked about how the Department could honor Jane Goodall. 

Since the Obama Administration took office in January, I've been even busier than I was before.  Wellness and work-life has been a focus, and we're working on several initiatives that will benefit not only the Department but the Federal Government  and the American Public.

One of the initiatives we've been working on is a wellness-campus project.  Three Government agencies are consolidating their services (which will save money) and also working together to provide more wellness services to employees so the workforce will be healthier, more productive, and retain employees etc.  Interior's kick-off for the wellness campus is a 5 week team walking challenge which I'm coordinating.  The challenge might be considered "fluff" but I think it'll be successful, and people will get into it. 

Anyway, here's a lot more than you'll ever want to know about my job, I'm sure.  Needless to say, I enjoy it most days. I've learned a ton, and working at Interior is challenging, that's for sure. I am lucky enough to work with a lot of great, great people and it's a pleasure to serve the employees of the Department of the Interior.  

Cheap Music?

When buying music, I prefer cd's to buying mp3's online. However, Amazon has a new promotion of 50 albums a month for $5 each that's a cheap way to expand a music catalog. The 50 CD's aren't the bottom of the bargain bin. There's no Weird Al Greatest Hits Volume four here. No, rather there's a pretty diverse of new stuff, classics that range from Nat King Cole to Yo Gabba Gabba! There's Bowie, the latest Jay-Z Album and even a decent selection of recent Indy Rock Albums. Some of my recommendations are:

Cash: The Best of the Sun Years
If you don't own any Johnny Cash, the most influential and groundbreaking music of his career happened while he recorded at Sun Records. This album has 25 singles (25 singles for 5 bucks!) and covers the classics as well as lesser known music. Here's a 23 year old Johnny Cash singing one of my favorite songs from the Sun Years:


Blitzen Trappers "Furr"
One of my favorite albums from 2008 is Blitzen Trappers, "Furr." Many of the tracks on this Indy-Rock album would be at home on a '70s folk-rock album. Here's Blitzen Trappers performing the title track on Conan:


The Gaslight Anthem:"The '59 Sound"
I adore this album. I've been listening to it regularly for a year, and it's still one of my "go to" albums. The Gaslight Anthem is from Jersey-and sound like the progeny of Springsteen, but it totally works for them. If you haven't heard this album yet, check it out!



Amazon's Promotion

Other album highlights are:
The Heartless Bastards "The Mountain"-Perhaps the Bastards weakest album, however it still showcases the lead singers incredible rock god voice
The Crane Wife by the Decemberists is a classic

Wordless

Pajama Pants!

Last year when I was in the hospital, I only owned two pairs of pajama pants. Although I was wearing a gown, hospitals in November are chilly-and gowns are cold. Needless to say, when I got out of the hospital (and washed those pants the next day), I told myself I'd own five pairs of pajama bottoms. Kind of an irrational thought, but one I decided to carry out. Because I own a sewing machine, I decided to make those pants. I've made a pair here and there, retired the original pajama bottoms, and now own five pairs. The first pair or two were serviceable, but by no means fine quality sewing-even though pajama pants are simple to make. One pair I've had to go back and reinforce the butt-another pair shredded in the dryer, I didn't read the washing instructions on the material which said hand wash only. But the last four pairs I've made aren't too bad. Here's a picture.


I'm doing everything I can to stay out of the hospital this fall short of being bubble joy or being accused of being OCD, but it feels good to have this goal completed and more options of pants for lounging!

I've sewed other things in the past twelve months-table cloths, curtains, a few bags-enough that I'm pretty sure I'm up for more difficult projects. I even cut out the material for a skirt for work-but I'm terrified about starting it. Who knew that a pile of fabric could be so intimidating?

Game 4

Last night I finally went to bed a little after 11:00 and missed the 9th inning of Game 4 of the World Series. Although I'm probably functioning better than I would be if I stayed up, I missed A-Rod finally showing us all how talented he is in the post-season, and maybe even more importantly, Johnny Damon's 2 stolen bases. Johnny Damon stole my heart years ago during the tragic 2004 post season. When he became a Yankee in 2005, it was an early birthday Christmas Present to yours truly. I even blogged about it here.

Last night, with the score tied and 2 out, Damon got on base, stole second, kept his head up as he was stealing second and realized that the Phillies had shifted so there was no one on third, and he could out run the nearby infielders. He then took third-putting himself in easy scoring position when Alex R. got a base hit. MLB makes embedding actual game play tough, so I wasn't able to find an embeddable version online, but here's a link to video of the stolen bases.
Tonight? You better believe I'm staying up for the whole game.

NaBloPoMo 2009

I've been thinking about doing the NaBloPoMo challenge again this year. Last year was brutal, mostly because I was sick the entire month of November, but blogging each day for the month was rewarding. Today while in church, I decided to go for the challenge and outlined ideas for posts. So, bear with me-29 posts to go!