Goofing off, chilling out and appreciating what you’ve got. August 1, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Environment, Family, Lifestyle, Sociology, Travel.2 comments
When I started my travel journey this summer, I knew that at the end of it I would have to eventually find a place to land for awhile. For the most part, I was going to let it be revealed to me by paying attention to signs and symbols. You know, not trying to control it. In the back of my mind though, I secretly knew that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I decided to just re-plot myself in a place where I’d lived before. While I’ve been spending time in New Hampshire, I’ve discovered a place like none other I’ve lived, or maybe have even visited.
Most notable about my time here is the sense of community and family I’ve felt a part of, especially in just a few short weeks. I hadn’t consciously realized it, but suddenly I was a aware that what I’ve really been searching for is a community to belong in. I get that here. And it’s in abundance.
So, I’m going to ride this wave for awhile and see what happens. Yay!
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Fun Friday night house party. Brenda was in rare form!
She is going off about something here. Apparently really funny.
Reunited with her son at the end of the night. “Wait kid, I need me some brownies”
I spent the next day out on this boat. This is the Blackwater River. So beautiful!
CAUTION: The following is a random selection of photos taken among the not so sober.
We take no responsibility for the way we look or behave 
Kelsey and Tyler – a pair of really good people.
Oh, boys and their wrestling. Here is Mike with his brother Matt. At first it looked like Matt, the younger brother, was going to win it.
But then, Mike ended it all in one swoop. haha!
This was the billiard room I woke up in the next morning. This view is from the couch I slept on.
It really was a beautiful room.
A couple of nights later, I went on a 2.25 mile hike and ended up at the base of a water tower. I climbed the water tower, and got some of these views of the Concord area at sunset.
76 very steep and narrow steps up the water tower. But totally worth it
On Cable July 10, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Arts & Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
(photo courtesy of wykc.com)
So, I’ve spent the better part of my last four days in a state of hyper-mediation. That is, my eyes have been stuck in one position – straight on the boob-tube.
I haven’t had cable in the last five years, and now I’ve come to realize how surprisingly inept I’ve been with regard to cable technology. Terms like DVR, TIVO, and HD were never part of my vocabulary, but now I find them rolling off my tongue so easily. HELP ME!!
Even though I know it’s supposed to ease the channel-surfing tendency, the “Guide” button causes me more stress than I think it should. Within 30 seconds I can see a complete list of movies and programs that all sound good to me! So now I’ve started memorizing channel numbers (not just 100 numbers either, more like 500!), and then I utilize the “Last” button during commercial breaks.
The whole thing is seriously ridiculous. Granted, I don’t really have anything to do, or anyone to answer to, and maybe I should embrace my free time by catching up on every BRAVO marathon there is, but I still can’t help feel my brain slipping. I have three books I want to read, and every time I get the urge to pick one up I find myself saying, “Hmm, maybe a new episode of Shear Genius is on.” AAAHHHH!
Alas, I don’t think I’ll be getting cable once I settle into my own space this Fall. Maybe there are some people out there who can balance cable with reading, exercising and work. I can honestly say that I am not one of them.
Glimpses of the tribe June 30, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Family, Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
Growing up in a Cuban family, I’ve experienced all of the identifying characteristics of the culture: traveling in packs, four+ people speaking at the same time, eating lots of heavy food as late in the day as possible, and tons of gossip about each member of the family (present or not).
What makes me the most proud of Cubans, however, is our passion. The same passion that reveals itself when normal people discuss politics comes at the same intensity when Cubans discuss something like buying a pair of shoes. When my non-Cuban friends tell me that I need to tone it down after getting worked up about something small, I always chalk it up to my genes. Still, I could not be more proud to come from a place that cares deeply about everything rather than not having an opinion at all.
Here are some shots from my weekend with my Dad’s side of the family.
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My dad and his sister, my Tia Rose. She’s stoked about learning the treadmill.
With Dad and brother Andrew.
With grandma Lucy. Notice how we’re all looking at different cameras. Even in the digital age, when pictures can be copied and sent easily, Cubans still engage in photo shoots that would make even Annie Liebovitz jealous.
Tia Rose with her daughter Yvonne (my cousin and godmother) and her grandkid Stephanie (my cousin and goddaughter).
Bro and I at a pub in JAX Beach
Andrew and Cousin Matt at JAX Beach. Fun times!
Andrew and Dad’s dog, Zeus.
Krystal Burger June 27, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Sociology.2 comments
(Image courtesy of krystallist.com)
Today I experienced a staple of the fast food scene in the Southeast-Krystal Burger.
The chain was originally founded in 1932 in Chatanooga, TN. The gimmick is basically to serve really tiny burgers on really tiny buns. They do it now with chicken too. Many of you in the Northeast may be familiar with White Castle burgers. The two chains seem to have a North vs. South rivalry going on, even though I’m not sure if White Castle really exists anymore.
I got a classic combo which included four tiny burgers, fries and a drink. The branch we were in had Wi-Fi access too. Such a trip. Apparently, Krystal Burger is a late-night hangout-a magnet for drunk people who need cheap grub.
Not sure if I would eat it again, but I’m glad I at least tried a piece of pop culture.
The wretchedness that is patchouli oil June 19, 2008
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Sociology.5 comments
(Image courtesy of indiamart.com)
I would just like to take a moment to discuss how much patchouli oil makes me want to vomit.
The scent of the oil itself isn’t so bad, but when it’s mixed in with days of stank body odor and sweat, I begin to feel my stomach turn upside down. Linnea’s Cafe (a quirky downtown San Luis Obispo coffee shop with lots of character) has always been a great place for me to do my writing. But as I sit here now, I am overcome with the scent of patchouli and B.O. What makes this time so especially awful is the fact that it’s a hot day. GAG ME!
What’s up with not taking a quick shower anyway? Okay, so you want to conserve water – then at least jump in the ocean!!
The internet makes me a better friend. December 11, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Millennials, Sociology.add a comment
Life should be simple, but sometimes maintaining friendships is really difficult, especially when the people you love are far away. But keeping in touch and making the effort to send a little e-mail really goes a long way in this day in age.
There are arguments that the internet has made us a little more cold, or a little less personal. I disagree. Sometimes the internet has given me the courage to say things, or ask questions that I probably wouldn’t have the nerve to say face to face. I think this is better than not saying anything at all. Also, through the internet I have stayed in contact with people from elementary school! Social networking sites allow us to easily stay updated with our friends’ lives, and even provides us with features that secure our privacy – just in case that high school stalker boy suddenly contacts you.
This is all so much better than our parents’ way of keeping in touch with their old friends. It seems so ridiculous now to have to find a piece of paper, write “Hey, how are you doing?” and then purchase a stamp and make sure it gets into the mailbox. What’s a mailbox anyway?
Penn State students mock Virginia Tech shooting victims for Halloween… December 8, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Millennials, Sociology, U.S. and World News.5 comments
[photos courtesy of drudgereport.com]
I just read an article about two Penn State students who decided to dress up as Virginia Tech shooting victims for Halloween. WHAT????????????Not just because I am a graduate of a Virginia University, but because I am a human being, I am appalled and disgusted about this. What if your sibling, friend, child, was one of these victims? Would you just write it off as Freedom of Speech?
One of the Penn State students basically explains that he and his friend have a reputation for outrageous costumes on campus and they needed to uphold their standard of pushing the envelope for shock value. What selfish bastards!!! He goes on to say that this is about “a bunch of college students who now think it’s trendy to be upset about their friends getting killed.”
Um, excuse me Mr. Turdball, but last time I checked grief was a natural human emotion that no one really wants to feel, but happens instinctually. Doesn’t it seem that these two are somehow jealous of what happened at VT? It’s almost as if they want the same attention, but without the pain. And by the way, what the hell ever happened to dressing up as a super hero for Halloween!?
The new “Bonnie and Clyde” and entitlement in America December 7, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Lifestyle, Millennials, Sociology.1 comment so far
[photo courtesy of abcnews.com]
Your family is well-off because daddy is a plastic surgeon and you’re a senior in college about to take advantage of career opportunities that many in this country dream of – what do you do next? Team up with your financial analyst boyfriend and steal thousands of dollars from your friends and neighbors, of course!
Jocelyn Kirsch and Eddie Anderton are an example of the kind of greed in this country that is making us sick. This greed is the kind that keeps us searching outside, instead of inside of ourselves, for happiness.
Has anyone else noticed the “Paris Hilton syndrome” that is taking over our young people’s brains? The lust and desire for material possessions and fame increases, while the standards of hard work and creativity diminsh.
Who is to blame for this? Is there a solution? Can we rationalize this somehow?
I hope these two spoiled brats are made into an example and that they get severely punished.
What’s for lunch? December 4, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Health and Well-Being, Lifestyle, Sociology.add a comment
[Image courtesy of timeinc.net]
Since I get an hour for lunch every day, and home is just a 10 minute bike ride from my office, I try to eat in as many days out of the week as possible. But, with all the great places to eat in downtown San Luis Obispo, it makes the choice each day very hard to make.
I don’t know about you, but lunch is the sneakiest robber of my money. Even if I decide just to drink a smoothie, Jamba Juice manages to pull a good chunk from my budget each month.
And then there’s the dilemma of deciding exactly what to eat. If I eat at home, the options are less satisfying – usually leftovers or a traditional turkey on wheat sandwich. That’s why I have a hard time eating at a deli-I feel bad spending the money when I know I have the ingredients at home to make the same thing. If I do eat downtown, it’s usually Thai, Sushi, or a juicy hamburger.
Do any of you pack your lunches, and if so, when do you get the time to pack it? Do you trust your office’s community fridge?
What about those of you who don’t eat lunch on your break? I know some people who go to the gym for their hour. How the heck does that work?
Bra questions for the ladies, and others who like to wear them December 4, 2007
Posted by NettyD in Health and Well-Being, Lifestyle, Sociology.add a comment
[photo courtesy of moonlightmoments.co.uk]
So, how much are you willing to spend on a bra?Do you have a collection of bras ranging from “the one I wear to clean the house,” to “the little black dress bra?”How long do you keep a bra?It seems that these answers should be alike for all of us, but I’m always amazed at some women’s answers. Our Mamas didn’t really teach us all the same way. Is there a standard regiment for bra maintenance?
