So, Happy Belated Birthday to me! In commemoration of 24 exciting years on earth, I visited my charming, handsome beau, Roberto, in Utica NY. That may not seem like a thrilling destination trip, but I had my share of epic adventures.
RRS #2
So I woke up on Saturday the 19th, ready to go. The news was on (I was in Clayton where there was cable TV) and apparently a crap-ton of snow had just descended upon all of Oneida County, and I bet you wouldn't need three guesses to determine which county I was headed toward. Whatever- I live in Upstate NY, and went to school in Buffalo, so it really couldn't be any worse than anything I'd previously driven in, so I ventured onward, leaving myself enough time to get to the restaurant before Rob got home.
*Prologue* Since Valentine's Day is always a week prior to my birthday I didn't get to see Rob, since he was working and I had school, so we were going to double dip and celebrate both holidays together. My brilliant idea was to surprise him by randomly (to him at least) bursting into song in the middle of dinner. I picked out the song and restaurant, made the CD and the reservation, and was ready to surprise the pants off of him!
Back to the journey...so I'm on the road in Lowville, and the roads aren't GREAT, but they certainly aren't awful. Whilst driving behind a silver Toyota, I find myself second in a very long line of vehicles behind a very slow snow plow. I am the first one to enjoy being behind a plow when in cataclysmic conditions, but on a 55 mph road going 25 mph, I was getting a little restless, as were the eight or so vehicles behind me. The SUV on my tail actually pulled into oncoming traffic for a wee bit to see if he could pass myself, Toyota (that's her name for now) AND the plow. Realizing that that wasn't probably the best idea, I figured I would attempt to make the passing instead, since the vehicle ahead of me wasn't initiating anything. In fact, Toyota had applied the brakes twice while behind the plow, so I was very inclined to think Toyota had vehicle problems. Anyway, before I got the chance to pass, Toyota passed, and I followed. Hooray! The roads were, again, not treacherous, and we drove a comfortable distance apart for the next 20 minutes or so, until we reached the light in Lowville where route 12 takes a right. The light is green. Toyota stops, parks, and gets out of her vehicle, and approaches Pheobe (the name of my PT Cruiser). I'm thinking "Crap, something is wrong with my vehicle and she's going to inform me about it...I hope it's not expensive..." I roll down my window and she says something similar to the following:
"Do you know what tailgating is? Do you realize that you were tailgating me the entire time? Where did you expect me to go? WHERE was I supposed to go? You know, I have two pieces of precious cargo in my car- they are called my children, and I don't feel like sliding off the road and endangering their lives because you don't know how to drive!..."
Ok, woah. Is this really happening? Is this woman REALLY chewing me out for something that A) I didn't realize I was doing because when people are stuck behind slower moving vehicles they tend to be closer together and B) I believe she is exaggerating because I was no closer to her than anyone else was to each other. Woah! So, I calmly interrupt her and say (realizing her intent with the braking)
"I'm sorry, I apologize if you thought I was driving too close. But I also don't think brake-checking me is the way to solve the problem" (Oh yeah, the light is still green)
"I only TAPPED ON THEM!" I think she should have to pay for the portion of my steering wheel that she charred with the flames that erupted from her mouth when she screeched those words.
The rant continues about my poor driving skills, her poor babies (that are sitting in an unlocked, parked Toyota at a green light. What precious cargo.), my insensitivity and accusations of me being the antichrist and eating babies. Okay, I exaggerated some of that, but I definitely got that vibe. So, I interrupt again,
"Again, I aplologize if I was too close to you, but right now we are holding up traffic at a-"
"I DON'T GIVE A SHIT! You need to learn how to freakin' drive! Where on earth was I..."
Wow. Stupid me for trying to be logical. Clearly we can conclude the following from this flamboyant situation:
1) I am a bad driver, and thrive on frightening and endangering the lives of others, especially children.
2) I exhibit signs of road rage. Ha.
3) I am an irrational driver who cannot remain calm, thus resulting in road rage. (See number 2)
Okay, again I am exaggerating, because to be honest this situation plagued me all the way to Utica. I felt like total garbage, and for those of you who know me- you KNOW how bent out of shape I get when I feel like I have upset someone. So I played this awful situation back and forth in my mind, fantasized about saying what I REALLY wanted (and that is why I have a blog) and came to the conclusion that I handled the situation exactly how I wanted to, and should have.
I'm not going to say that I wasn't tailgating her, and I'm not going to say that it was right to do so just because the line of nine or so vehicles behind me were doing the same; I am NOT a perfect driver. However, can we agree that this woman was being really delusional and a little bonkers by getting out of her car and chastising me like a puppy that peed the rug? I mean, she is a LUCKY woman to be able to chew out a driver that pissed her off- how many times do we encounter someone who we think should re-evaluate their ability to operate a vehicle, and we just have to slam on the brakes, honk our horns and deal with it. If we stop and approach everything that we find distasteful in the world with the attitude she exhibited, we're going to find ourselves in a very overprotective, negative, and sometimes just illogical frame of mind. Sometimes it's just best to move on and get over it. So, Toyota, please move on and get over it.
RRS #3
So I get to Utica, and stop at the restaurant to make a reservation and set up the surprise. I picked out a secluded table, dropped off the CD and the valentine, and went on my merry way. I had to stop at Family Dollar to kill some time, and I realized I hadn't gotten Rob a Valentine's day card. Even though it was a good week after the holiday, they still had one card left. It was hot pink and two and a half feet tall. Well, if I'm going to embarrass Rob I might as well go all out, so I bought it.
So Rob finally got home from work, and I gave him his card and he gave me Battlestar Galactica seasons one and two. AMAZING! I told him that we should probably get ready for dinner, and he kept asking where we were going, but I wouldn't tell him. So then my phone rings, and in my fit of laziness I ask Rob to tell me who it is...aaaand it's the restaurant where we are supposed to be dining- no more surprise there. Apparently, the CD I gave them won't work, and I have to give them suggestions on how to fix it in Rob's zero privacy apartment in a discreet enough manner that he won't know what's going on. So I get off the phone and he says "What are you planning?" Fail. I tried to lie my way out of it, but he most definitely wasn't convinced. He had also just helped me figure out how to put AA batteries in the camera I borrowed to document this epic event, so he definitely put two and two together.
So I don't get another phone call from the restaurant, and I hope that means they fixed it, so we headed out to dinner. We hadn't gotten our salads yet, so I figured this was the perfect time to sing. Alas, after I excused myself for the restroom (which I almost never do at dinner) the CD still didn't work, so they said to come back in two minutes and they'd see if they could get it on the bar stereo. Well, halfway through my salad, the bar music cuts out and an obnoxiously loud recording of the song I was to serenade him with blared from the bar. Rob asks me what's going on, and I hastily look at my salad and say "How would I know?" Cover blown. I excuse myself AGAIN (he must think I have IBS...) and the manager decides to set up some dessert wines at the bar and have me do it there. So Rob and I have a seat at the bar, start to sip the wine and...cue music? What...wait! I only have two beats of music before I come in! So I get up, grab the valentine, ask them to start the music over, and serenade him awkwardly at the bar.
So, there was no real surprise, but it worked out and is recorded for your viewing pleasure.
Afterward, we got to enjoy a flaming banana dessert in the company of a very ditzy bartender who asked me, "Wow, so you like, wrote that song for him and performed it for him?" I had to explain that, no, I did not write it, but Elton John did (Your Song), to which she replies to Rob, "Ohhh. You must've felt kind of dumb, you probably should've had, like, an engagement ring ready or something!" Wow...does she want to single-handedly ruin my relationship with her idiotic remarks? We just laughed it off and ignored her.
RRS #4:
So, pretty full weekend, huh? It gets better! Monday was my birthday, and I got to pick whatever we wanted to do that day! So what did I decide to do? Pass out. That's right folks, I straight up fainted on my birthday. Thank goodness Rob was there to (gently) slap me to consciousness (which he still feels really bad about).
Hands down, it was definitely the most memorable birthday I've had. :)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
2010 Engadget Awards
Don't feel bad, I haven't heard of this event either. It was just my unexpected day off and on-line stalking that forced be to run across this topic.
Now, before I begin my dissection of this awards ceremony, I have to start out by saying I hat my 'Shift' key. I have not been able to adequately record my frustrations of said keyboard attachment, but I really can't take it anymore. It's severely busted, and every time I try to fix it (by constantly pressing the key) my computer whigs out with that noise I can only describe as the noise one would hear constantly blaring from the subwoofers of Hell. I swear, no volume control setting made by man can stifle it and it is unpredictable as to when, in my shift pounding frustration, it will occur. Which is nice, because then I only have to poop my pants sometimes.
Anyway, I found this article that discussed the different kinds of technologies used to assist us and how they are rated. Now, me not being a technology buff, I only really recognize some of the categories, but I figured I would share with you the site at which you can visit to vote (useful information), and also my insight as to what some of the winners should be (not useful information). Enjoy!
Cellphone of the Year - So this is obviously biased, but I'd have to say the Samsung Alias 2. This is mainly because, in a fit of frustrated rage, I set mine on top of my car to fix my battery, and thus drove off in my car whilst the Alias 2 was flung off my vehicle into an unknown location. It's like the person you dated, and then they left without having known how you really felt. A very Nicholas Sparks-ish tale...
Smartphone of the Year - The BlackBerry, duh. I believe they have taken it a step FURTHER than smart phone to actually a degree phone, because unless you have a degree you can kiss your chances of ever learning how to use a BlackBerry goodbye.
Desktop of the Year- I didn't know they still made these...
Laptop of the Year- Mac. Mac. Anything Mac.
Netbook of the Year- Mead, 3 subject, college ruled, blue cover with flaps on the inside. Oh, that says Netbook....
Digital Camera of the Year- Anything but the Kodak CD33-1
E-reader of the year - I don't know, I know everyone loves these things and all, but what are we going to do to protest inappropriate texts in the future? Burning Kindles is so NOT going to be as cool as burning books.
Game Console of the Year- Wii.
Game Accessory of the Year- The headset that has now allowed adults to CONVERSE with the children that beat us in Halo.
GPS Device of the Year- Anything that doesn't land me in a small African village while on my way to the mall will do. They're all about the same...unless they've made one that can make a killer latte.
Home Entertainment Device of the Year- American Idol. I don't think there comes a more valid form of Home Entertainment than watching the preliminary rounds of auditions. "PANTS ON THE GROUND!"
Robot of the Year- Okay, this is kind of creepy. A) What constitutes as a robot, and B) Who owns one? Can I just say Bi-centennial man and move on? Thanks.
Storage Device or Technology of the Year- Is it just me, or does this award seem to acknowledge two COMPLETELY different concepts? Storage device- backpack. Technology-Apollo 11. Are these two things similar? I think not.
Wearable Device of the Year- Any cellphone, because let's face it- nobody ever freaking puts them down. They might as well have 50 Cent endorse some kind of ridiculous, tricked out chain for the newest line of phones, because I think the next step is just flat out strapping them to our heads. Might as well make it a fashion statement while we do it.
So...don't let MY well-rounded and extremely thought out opinions influence your decision, vote for yourself!
Now, before I begin my dissection of this awards ceremony, I have to start out by saying I hat my 'Shift' key. I have not been able to adequately record my frustrations of said keyboard attachment, but I really can't take it anymore. It's severely busted, and every time I try to fix it (by constantly pressing the key) my computer whigs out with that noise I can only describe as the noise one would hear constantly blaring from the subwoofers of Hell. I swear, no volume control setting made by man can stifle it and it is unpredictable as to when, in my shift pounding frustration, it will occur. Which is nice, because then I only have to poop my pants sometimes.
Anyway, I found this article that discussed the different kinds of technologies used to assist us and how they are rated. Now, me not being a technology buff, I only really recognize some of the categories, but I figured I would share with you the site at which you can visit to vote (useful information), and also my insight as to what some of the winners should be (not useful information). Enjoy!
Cellphone of the Year - So this is obviously biased, but I'd have to say the Samsung Alias 2. This is mainly because, in a fit of frustrated rage, I set mine on top of my car to fix my battery, and thus drove off in my car whilst the Alias 2 was flung off my vehicle into an unknown location. It's like the person you dated, and then they left without having known how you really felt. A very Nicholas Sparks-ish tale...
Smartphone of the Year - The BlackBerry, duh. I believe they have taken it a step FURTHER than smart phone to actually a degree phone, because unless you have a degree you can kiss your chances of ever learning how to use a BlackBerry goodbye.
Desktop of the Year- I didn't know they still made these...
Laptop of the Year- Mac. Mac. Anything Mac.
Netbook of the Year- Mead, 3 subject, college ruled, blue cover with flaps on the inside. Oh, that says Netbook....
Digital Camera of the Year- Anything but the Kodak CD33-1
E-reader of the year - I don't know, I know everyone loves these things and all, but what are we going to do to protest inappropriate texts in the future? Burning Kindles is so NOT going to be as cool as burning books.
Game Console of the Year- Wii.
Game Accessory of the Year- The headset that has now allowed adults to CONVERSE with the children that beat us in Halo.
GPS Device of the Year- Anything that doesn't land me in a small African village while on my way to the mall will do. They're all about the same...unless they've made one that can make a killer latte.
Home Entertainment Device of the Year- American Idol. I don't think there comes a more valid form of Home Entertainment than watching the preliminary rounds of auditions. "PANTS ON THE GROUND!"
Robot of the Year- Okay, this is kind of creepy. A) What constitutes as a robot, and B) Who owns one? Can I just say Bi-centennial man and move on? Thanks.
Wearable Device of the Year- Any cellphone, because let's face it- nobody ever freaking puts them down. They might as well have 50 Cent endorse some kind of ridiculous, tricked out chain for the newest line of phones, because I think the next step is just flat out strapping them to our heads. Might as well make it a fashion statement while we do it.
So...don't let MY well-rounded and extremely thought out opinions influence your decision, vote for yourself!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Hot Topic #1
So...after about a 5 month hiatus (and some nitpicking about my lack of keeping up) I have a new post to share, hooray! To be perfectly honest, my plate of life has been excessively full (think Chinese buffet-style full) and I haven't had a lot of time to devote to the art of blogging. I make no promises, but I am going to do my best to try and update this beast a little more frequently.
So, what now? I hate writing without a purpose, so I didn't want to just ramblog (ramble-blog, and yes, I made that word up). As much as I know you'd just love to hear about my progress with our high school musical preparations of Guys & Dolls, I figured I'd spare you. What I would like to talk about are some current events that I feel affect not only the world, but myself and my life as well. I hope you enjoy Hot Topic #1.
Yes, you read that correctly, and here's the link to the story: Can I say I'm outraged? No, not really. Not that I'm not upset, but that's not quite the right word to describe it. Disappointed, disgusted, perplexed- the list could go on and on. As a relatively new teacher I have a fairly recent memory of the classes and training I received in order to get my Bachelor's degree, so my reaction to this is more of a: How? How could any certified, reputable teacher not notice what is going on in his classroom? That being said, this Monday is my third and final observation as a first year tenure-track teacher, and in my pre-observation meeting I mentioned that my classroom management is a concern of mine. Before I become labeled a hypocrite, lets put these two situations into perspective.
As a chorus teacher, I often find myself doing two jobs at once: musician, and teacher. Relying on purely voices to create the music in our class, guess who gets to portray (a really REALLY bad impersonation of) Beethoven at the piano? Moi. I love teaching and I love music, but I often find myself struggling to do both justice when faced with my 60+ students in senior high chorus. I can't read piano music, turn pages, adequately listen, conduct, juggle flaming bowling pins AND be a fantastic disciplinarian at the same time. If I could, I could probably have landed a fantastic time slot on America's Got Talent, but it's just not in the cards...
...back to my point. Yes, I struggle to maintain a distraction-free environment while I'm working with my students, but when I see gum chewing- I address it. When I see cell phones- I confiscate them. I have trained myself to be able to know both my students and my environment to a degree that I can spot things while I am simultaneously sucking at piano and listening to my ensemble. Can I also take the time to say that my students ROCK and they usually don't present any catastrophic sorts of problems for me to address in the first place. Let's re-focus, though: 60 14-18 year old co-ed students going through puberty with an often times distracted teacher. It could, at times, get ugly.
Now, let's fast forward to the situation at hand. A second grade classroom in Oakland, California. There were TWO instances found of students performing sexual acts on each other. Really? REALLY?! Like one wasn't enough? The explanation from the teacher was that he did not see it happen, which in all honesty isn't that bad of a response when you think of what circumstances could have been, but is still not an excuse. Not at all. As someone who has willingly chosen to be an instructor, role model, and supervisor of young, impressionable minds it is his responsibility and job to make sure that things like this don't ever even have a foundation to begin, let alone occur in the classroom on two different occasions. There is not one moment where any of those students should have been out of his supervision, and the fact that they were for a long enough period of time to "experiment" is just plain lack of responsibility.
Maybe the kids saw it at home. Maybe they saw it on TV. Maybe they really wanted to experiment because they were very curious. All potentially true statements, however, the only definitive "maybe" in this situation is that just MAYBE, that teacher should have kept a close eye on his students. "Not seeing it" is not an excuse. If I assess that there are students missing that should be present, a big 'ol red flag jumps out at me and I take the necessary measures. I don't care how you spin it, he was just plain negligent and should be held responsible for not maybe what the students did, but that they had an opportunity to do so.
The word "teacher" is such an understatement. As I was taught in my methods classes, we wear many hats. We are teachers, but also disciplinarians, counselors, coaches, advisors, mediators, listeners, and supervisors. Any person that thinks for a second that teachers (and their actions, for that matter) do not have a lasting impression on their students need to take a large dose of reality, because this is what we sign up for when we get our degree. We help mold and shape our students to meet future challenges, (oh yes, I did just quote the General Brown mission statemet) and to be positive influences on society. Any lapse in our vigilance, no matter how brief, can have an effect on our students, and I sincerely hope that this teacher takes his (paid!) suspension to start thinking about other career options.
So, what now? I hate writing without a purpose, so I didn't want to just ramblog (ramble-blog, and yes, I made that word up). As much as I know you'd just love to hear about my progress with our high school musical preparations of Guys & Dolls, I figured I'd spare you. What I would like to talk about are some current events that I feel affect not only the world, but myself and my life as well. I hope you enjoy Hot Topic #1.
Teacher Suspended After Second-Graders Perform Sex Acts in Class
Yes, you read that correctly, and here's the link to the story: Can I say I'm outraged? No, not really. Not that I'm not upset, but that's not quite the right word to describe it. Disappointed, disgusted, perplexed- the list could go on and on. As a relatively new teacher I have a fairly recent memory of the classes and training I received in order to get my Bachelor's degree, so my reaction to this is more of a: How? How could any certified, reputable teacher not notice what is going on in his classroom? That being said, this Monday is my third and final observation as a first year tenure-track teacher, and in my pre-observation meeting I mentioned that my classroom management is a concern of mine. Before I become labeled a hypocrite, lets put these two situations into perspective.
As a chorus teacher, I often find myself doing two jobs at once: musician, and teacher. Relying on purely voices to create the music in our class, guess who gets to portray (a really REALLY bad impersonation of) Beethoven at the piano? Moi. I love teaching and I love music, but I often find myself struggling to do both justice when faced with my 60+ students in senior high chorus. I can't read piano music, turn pages, adequately listen, conduct, juggle flaming bowling pins AND be a fantastic disciplinarian at the same time. If I could, I could probably have landed a fantastic time slot on America's Got Talent, but it's just not in the cards...
...back to my point. Yes, I struggle to maintain a distraction-free environment while I'm working with my students, but when I see gum chewing- I address it. When I see cell phones- I confiscate them. I have trained myself to be able to know both my students and my environment to a degree that I can spot things while I am simultaneously sucking at piano and listening to my ensemble. Can I also take the time to say that my students ROCK and they usually don't present any catastrophic sorts of problems for me to address in the first place. Let's re-focus, though: 60 14-18 year old co-ed students going through puberty with an often times distracted teacher. It could, at times, get ugly.
Now, let's fast forward to the situation at hand. A second grade classroom in Oakland, California. There were TWO instances found of students performing sexual acts on each other. Really? REALLY?! Like one wasn't enough? The explanation from the teacher was that he did not see it happen, which in all honesty isn't that bad of a response when you think of what circumstances could have been, but is still not an excuse. Not at all. As someone who has willingly chosen to be an instructor, role model, and supervisor of young, impressionable minds it is his responsibility and job to make sure that things like this don't ever even have a foundation to begin, let alone occur in the classroom on two different occasions. There is not one moment where any of those students should have been out of his supervision, and the fact that they were for a long enough period of time to "experiment" is just plain lack of responsibility.
Maybe the kids saw it at home. Maybe they saw it on TV. Maybe they really wanted to experiment because they were very curious. All potentially true statements, however, the only definitive "maybe" in this situation is that just MAYBE, that teacher should have kept a close eye on his students. "Not seeing it" is not an excuse. If I assess that there are students missing that should be present, a big 'ol red flag jumps out at me and I take the necessary measures. I don't care how you spin it, he was just plain negligent and should be held responsible for not maybe what the students did, but that they had an opportunity to do so.
The word "teacher" is such an understatement. As I was taught in my methods classes, we wear many hats. We are teachers, but also disciplinarians, counselors, coaches, advisors, mediators, listeners, and supervisors. Any person that thinks for a second that teachers (and their actions, for that matter) do not have a lasting impression on their students need to take a large dose of reality, because this is what we sign up for when we get our degree. We help mold and shape our students to meet future challenges, (oh yes, I did just quote the General Brown mission statemet) and to be positive influences on society. Any lapse in our vigilance, no matter how brief, can have an effect on our students, and I sincerely hope that this teacher takes his (paid!) suspension to start thinking about other career options.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ridiculous Random Story #1
Hello again,
Throughout this blog, much like throughout my life, you will probably find a sprinkling of random stories. Some might be recent, or long past, but for one reason or another I have felt the need to bring the story to your attention. Some are clearly more ridiculous than others, but they all make me chuckle in some way. So sit back, relax, and enjoy my first edition of the ridiculous randoms.
Ridiculous Random Story #1- Viggo-tastic
So...the day is like any other day: I'm at my apartment trying to make myself presentable for my alter-ego profession as a hostess/waitress. My mom (who works at the same place as I do) calls:
"Guess who's coming in tonight?"
Me: "The Wilcoxes?" Har har. You've GOT to know these people to find that even slightly humorous.
Mom: "No, Viggo Mortensen! Are you hostessing?"
Me: "Yep."
Mom: "Make sure you look nice"
Thanks, Mom. I'll try not to look skank-tastic for the celebrity who happens to be local. Trying to accomplish this whilst my eye is inflamed, red and irritated thus forcing me to wear glasses from the ninth grade AND wearing a shirt that apparently makes me look like Jason DeRulo proved to be quite a conundrum.
J.D. ME
...we could be twins.
Anywho, so sure enough I get in to work and there's the name on the reservation sheet. "Mortinsen" Uhhh, spell check anyone? Good thing even Viggo isn't privy to the information (be it spelled incorrectly) in our reservation book. As you can imagine, the hired help are buzzing with excitement...other than myself, who was given the daunting task of trying to find a way to seat a party of ten and a party of five on our soaked deck while it is sprinkling out without getting anyone wet. Yay.
So he comes in at 5:52 (for a 5:45 reservation, but who's counting?) and they start to walk slightly past the "Please Wait to be Seated" sign. Come on, he's a CELEBRITY! So I say, "Ahem, two for dinner?" The man speaks 5 languages and he can't read a sign in English? Kidding, kidding. They mention the fact that they have a reservation so I calmly seat them at table 8, the table coveted by many at the Riverside (including the Wilcoxes).
Shortly thereafter, I got to clock out and drink, so we chat at the bar about Viggo. My boss is dying to know where Heraldo (Hidalgo) is. Another regular patron at the bar is trying to figure out this movie Virgil (Viggo) was in where he played a bartender with a secret identity. Meanwhile, my boss is being very persistent about the whereabouts of Hirago (Hidalgo) and where Viggaro (Viggo) keeps him. You can see where this is going. I sure did, so in attempts to save Viggo from 18 ridiculous questions upon leaving the restaurant, I attempt to retrieve the information off my phone...to no avail. I was roaming, so the information did not get to me before Viggo got to the door. As he walks by, the man at the bar struggling to remember the name of film turns to my boss and whispers "Is that him?", to which my boss simply nods. So the man turns to Viggo and shouts from his bar stool, "Hey Virgo! Virgo, come 'ere, I gotta ask you something."
REALLY?! Did he REALLY just call this multi million dollar grossing film star the WRONG NAME and beckon him over to his bar stool? He sure did. Instead of Viggo turning and walking away, since one could only imagine what the intentions of the bar patron were, he politely acknowledges his request and comes over. The man asks him, "What was that movie you were in where you were the bartender with a secret identity?" to which he responds, "A History of Violence", and quietly walks away as the man at the bar turns to us telling us all about the movie and how great it was. Awkward.
The moral of the story is...well, nothing. But I know of many people at a non-celeb status that would have turned and walked away from this very sweet, although maybe a little socially awkward, man at the bar. It just goes to show that kindness and gads of money are not mutually exclusive- although Viggo Mortensen certainly has both.
I'm going to eat a tuna melt now. Ta ta!
Throughout this blog, much like throughout my life, you will probably find a sprinkling of random stories. Some might be recent, or long past, but for one reason or another I have felt the need to bring the story to your attention. Some are clearly more ridiculous than others, but they all make me chuckle in some way. So sit back, relax, and enjoy my first edition of the ridiculous randoms.
Ridiculous Random Story #1- Viggo-tastic
So...the day is like any other day: I'm at my apartment trying to make myself presentable for my alter-ego profession as a hostess/waitress. My mom (who works at the same place as I do) calls:
"Guess who's coming in tonight?"
Me: "The Wilcoxes?" Har har. You've GOT to know these people to find that even slightly humorous.
Mom: "No, Viggo Mortensen! Are you hostessing?"
Me: "Yep."
Mom: "Make sure you look nice"
Thanks, Mom. I'll try not to look skank-tastic for the celebrity who happens to be local. Trying to accomplish this whilst my eye is inflamed, red and irritated thus forcing me to wear glasses from the ninth grade AND wearing a shirt that apparently makes me look like Jason DeRulo proved to be quite a conundrum.
...we could be twins.
Anywho, so sure enough I get in to work and there's the name on the reservation sheet. "Mortinsen" Uhhh, spell check anyone? Good thing even Viggo isn't privy to the information (be it spelled incorrectly) in our reservation book. As you can imagine, the hired help are buzzing with excitement...other than myself, who was given the daunting task of trying to find a way to seat a party of ten and a party of five on our soaked deck while it is sprinkling out without getting anyone wet. Yay.
So he comes in at 5:52 (for a 5:45 reservation, but who's counting?) and they start to walk slightly past the "Please Wait to be Seated" sign. Come on, he's a CELEBRITY! So I say, "Ahem, two for dinner?" The man speaks 5 languages and he can't read a sign in English? Kidding, kidding. They mention the fact that they have a reservation so I calmly seat them at table 8, the table coveted by many at the Riverside (including the Wilcoxes).
Shortly thereafter, I got to clock out and drink, so we chat at the bar about Viggo. My boss is dying to know where Heraldo (Hidalgo) is. Another regular patron at the bar is trying to figure out this movie Virgil (Viggo) was in where he played a bartender with a secret identity. Meanwhile, my boss is being very persistent about the whereabouts of Hirago (Hidalgo) and where Viggaro (Viggo) keeps him. You can see where this is going. I sure did, so in attempts to save Viggo from 18 ridiculous questions upon leaving the restaurant, I attempt to retrieve the information off my phone...to no avail. I was roaming, so the information did not get to me before Viggo got to the door. As he walks by, the man at the bar struggling to remember the name of film turns to my boss and whispers "Is that him?", to which my boss simply nods. So the man turns to Viggo and shouts from his bar stool, "Hey Virgo! Virgo, come 'ere, I gotta ask you something."
... really?
REALLY?! Did he REALLY just call this multi million dollar grossing film star the WRONG NAME and beckon him over to his bar stool? He sure did. Instead of Viggo turning and walking away, since one could only imagine what the intentions of the bar patron were, he politely acknowledges his request and comes over. The man asks him, "What was that movie you were in where you were the bartender with a secret identity?" to which he responds, "A History of Violence", and quietly walks away as the man at the bar turns to us telling us all about the movie and how great it was. Awkward.
The moral of the story is...well, nothing. But I know of many people at a non-celeb status that would have turned and walked away from this very sweet, although maybe a little socially awkward, man at the bar. It just goes to show that kindness and gads of money are not mutually exclusive- although Viggo Mortensen certainly has both.
I'm going to eat a tuna melt now. Ta ta!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
One chapter ends, another begins...
Hello there,
Web-logging, or blogging- as it's more commonly known as, is something that has intrigued me since the ancient days of MySpace when I was in middle school. Never having the guts to actually start one, I guess you could say this is my feeble attempt to live vicariously through the internet. Having prefaced you with that, I can now update you on the goings on in my life and in my cluttered little head.
The title of this post is what I consider a pretty standard comment used when something in life doesn't go exactly as you had planned. Well, it's no exception in this situation.
For those of you who know me pretty well, you know that up until very recently I was a very active participant in the Miss America Organization, as a competitor on the local level. Well, once at the state level, but we won't go there quite yet. At the ripe age of 17, and as an up and coming high school senior, I made the decision to compete in scholarship pageants for the MAO. 6 years, 12 pageants, innumerable friendships $1,000+ in scholarship money, and several Miss Congeniality awards later I have no regrets (well, maybe the red lipstick choice for evening wear in '05...) and owe so much of who I have become to this organization. I had the thrilling opportunity to become Miss Thousand Islands in 2008, and represent my hometown at the Miss New York State pageant.
*DISCLAIMER* I could probably create another whole entire blog based just on my pageantry experiences, but as a retiree, that's not what I wanted my blog to be about, so you may now sigh with relief. I can't in good conscience, though, try to document how I got where I am without mentioning a good deal of it, so you'll have to bear with me there.
As I continued competing after I had crowned my successor, the lovely Kristan Lettiere, I realized something about the other titles that horrified me- I didn't want them! Please do not interpret this information any other way than it is meant to be. Miss Finger Lakes, Miss Southeast NY, Miss Western NY, and Miss Lancaster were all PHENOMENAL pageants that made me a well rounded contestant and helped me grow in the organization. However, the more I competed (and continued to place) the more I felt I was taking a spot away and, had the balloting gone another way, potentially taking a title away from a girl who wanted it more and could do the title more justice than I could. It was then I decided that Miss Thousand Islands 2011 would be my last pageant, regardless of eligibility.
Well, I'd like to close this chapter with, "I won again, and got to represent my hometown my last year of eligibility..." yadda yadda yadda. Well, that's a no go, and I would be downright lying if I said I wasn't disappointed about that. I honestly worked as hard as I could have, and the answer to the age old question, "What could I have done better?" was blatantly. "Nothing."
After I got over the fact that a hobby that took up 1/4 of my existence and ALL of my adult life was now over, I was able to put things into perspective, and I came up with this: MY. LIFE. ROCKS. It really and truly does. I have a wonderful relationship with my mother, friends that would (and did) stand by me no matter what, a great relationship with God and my church, a FANTASTIC full-time job with students I adore and colleagues that make getting up at 6:00 am worth it, and a relationship with someone who I can't even BEGIN to describe with words and properly do justice. I guess what I'm trying to say is, how much good stuff can I hog in life before I have to actually say, "Nah, that's alright. Let someone ELSE have something good once in awhile. I've filled my quota."? Well, that answer came to me clear as day the evening of August 14th, 2010. Maybe I worked my butt off, wanted it the most, and was the most ready...and maybe not. The point is I may have wanted to win, but I didn't NEED to win. I grew so much in my year as a titleholder, and when I start to get down on myself about not winning the coveted title again, I think to myself about all the other girls I competed with over the years who were more than worthy of a crown, but for one reason or another, never got one.
With all of this pageant rambling, I think now would be a more than appropriate time to give a huge congratulations to Morgan Bocciolatt. I have competed with her for years, and she has a heart as gold as her shiny beautiful hair. :) I know she will do the Thousand Islands justice, and I look forward to being able to work with her this year as I start my journey on the Miss Thousands Islands Board of Directors! Come on, you knew I couldn't say goodbye to pageantry for good, right? Hee hee! Anyway, Morgan has so much to offer, and I wish her the best. Her crowning face will forever be stuck in my mind! =^O Haha, or something like that.
Okay, almost done. Promise. I think this next part is extremely important: thank yous. For anyone who has ever been to a pageant, you have most definitely heard the infamous "farewell speech". Since I can't deliver a formal one on stage, I feel it a huge obligation to thank those that helped me in my pageant career. I'ma try to do this in chronological order, y'all.
Barry Pratt- for getting me involved in my first pageant, despite my scoffs and rolled eyes. You are the catalyst that jump-started my pageant career, so thank you.
Ann Walck-Iannotta- Your boobs look real. (Haha, inside joke people) You have always been the pageant "big sister" I needed, and my crowning was roughly 4000 times more special because you were the one doing it. Thanks a million for all the support and kind words.
Mary Brabant- From day 1 you were there, supporting me telling me I should have won EVERY pageant (even though we both know I was way off a lot of the time, lol) I'll never forget the rings you'd buy me after every pageant, and how I proudly flaunted my "engagement ring" at the state pageant JUST so that people would ask me if I had a fiancee so I could tell them the REAL story. And remember prepping me for Miss Lancaster after I had gotten dumped? Haha, what a mess! You are the absolute best and I am so proud to call you my best friend.
All my friends that ever attended a pageant- Megan, Sarah, Janelle, Andy, Tiffany, Dan, Lorah, Clay, Fran, Jude, Rob- Anyone I forgot I apologize. You guys put up with a lot to watch me lose, more often than not. 'Nuff said.
Jennifer Stehlar- You taught me how to "work an audience" and gave me such helpful pointers. There's NO way I would have placed at Miss WNY without your help. Hey, ever since then I NEVER didn't make top 5 in a local- the adivce must've been pretty darn good! ;)
The Miss TI Board- Your help was imperative toward me being a functioning human being the year that I won. Your generosity and organization has helped all the contestants feel prepared and ready to do their best come time for the pageant. You guys help run the longest running local in NY, and it shows. I look forward to working with you all this year :)
All my pageant sistas- Stacey, Vicky, Kristan, Kieren, Ann, Kristina, Morgan, Carissa, and SO MANY others: We all know what it's like competing, and your support and sisterhood keep me going. I'm so proud to say I have made so many friends while competing, and you all have a special place in my heart.
My one and only pageant roomie (Amy, if you couldn't figure it out, lol)- I can't possibly write in a blog all of the memories we've shared and how close we've become through pageantry. You are like a sister to me, and your love and support (and your family's as well) has helped me tremendously. From your mom ironing my swimsuit, or your sisters cleaning out our dressing room space, or us rehearsing swimsuit in our pageant run-way apartment, we have created some insanely fun memories together. I am so looking forward to watching you at state AGAIN this year :) and I can't wait for you to age out so we can start our own pageant consulting business. I LOVE YOU! JAI HO!
Sue, Gary, and Shelby- Is it a coincidence that EVERY time I hear a Miss TI farewell speech people can't seem to thank you enough for all you do? You are either great brainwashers OR truly phenomenal people. I'll go with the latter. :) I can't say how much of an asset you've been to me not only in my year of service, but in my personal life as well. You have taught me more about responsibility, organization, commitment, companionship, shoes, hair and wardrobe than I ever thought I'd need to know. I'm proud to say that for the first time, as a 23 year old woman, I am now capable of doing my own hair and make-up. Who'd have thunk THAT would have ever been possible? You guys truly are THE BEST and don't ever forget it, or I'll have my mom make you EXTRA spicy Bloody Marys. Haha. XOXO
Momma D- You are the definition of the COOLEST mom, which also makes you the coolest pageant mom. For reals, ask Sue, Shelby & Gary. Between the excessively long pageant interview questions, discounted pageant gowns, NON-discounted pageant gowns, slim-fast, pageant chats, trips ALL over to pick me up from God only knows where, hair styling opinions (yeah, I know you hate the poof), make up choices (red lipstick is a no-no) and everything else, you have been there for me. You haven't always told me what I wanted to hear (you look awesome in your swimsuit) but what I needed to hear (you know you would look better if you dropped 5 pounds) but ALWAYS in a supportive, nurturing way. You didn't want me to be good, you wanted me to be the best I could be. I'm so glad I've gotten to share this journey with you, and your support and love has grounded me and meant more to me than I could ever say. Most moms whine about forking over cash for soccer cleats, but you undertook the biggest commitment of all and never once complained about it. I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be. :)
Well now that I got that out of the way, and wasted some tissues, I can now forge ahead in my blog-tastic rantings. Thanks for putting up with the lengthy, cathartic pageant post, and I hope you enjoy keeping up with me.
Much love,
Corri
Web-logging, or blogging- as it's more commonly known as, is something that has intrigued me since the ancient days of MySpace when I was in middle school. Never having the guts to actually start one, I guess you could say this is my feeble attempt to live vicariously through the internet. Having prefaced you with that, I can now update you on the goings on in my life and in my cluttered little head.
The title of this post is what I consider a pretty standard comment used when something in life doesn't go exactly as you had planned. Well, it's no exception in this situation.
For those of you who know me pretty well, you know that up until very recently I was a very active participant in the Miss America Organization, as a competitor on the local level. Well, once at the state level, but we won't go there quite yet. At the ripe age of 17, and as an up and coming high school senior, I made the decision to compete in scholarship pageants for the MAO. 6 years, 12 pageants, innumerable friendships $1,000+ in scholarship money, and several Miss Congeniality awards later I have no regrets (well, maybe the red lipstick choice for evening wear in '05...) and owe so much of who I have become to this organization. I had the thrilling opportunity to become Miss Thousand Islands in 2008, and represent my hometown at the Miss New York State pageant.
*DISCLAIMER* I could probably create another whole entire blog based just on my pageantry experiences, but as a retiree, that's not what I wanted my blog to be about, so you may now sigh with relief. I can't in good conscience, though, try to document how I got where I am without mentioning a good deal of it, so you'll have to bear with me there.
As I continued competing after I had crowned my successor, the lovely Kristan Lettiere, I realized something about the other titles that horrified me- I didn't want them! Please do not interpret this information any other way than it is meant to be. Miss Finger Lakes, Miss Southeast NY, Miss Western NY, and Miss Lancaster were all PHENOMENAL pageants that made me a well rounded contestant and helped me grow in the organization. However, the more I competed (and continued to place) the more I felt I was taking a spot away and, had the balloting gone another way, potentially taking a title away from a girl who wanted it more and could do the title more justice than I could. It was then I decided that Miss Thousand Islands 2011 would be my last pageant, regardless of eligibility.
Well, I'd like to close this chapter with, "I won again, and got to represent my hometown my last year of eligibility..." yadda yadda yadda. Well, that's a no go, and I would be downright lying if I said I wasn't disappointed about that. I honestly worked as hard as I could have, and the answer to the age old question, "What could I have done better?" was blatantly. "Nothing."
After I got over the fact that a hobby that took up 1/4 of my existence and ALL of my adult life was now over, I was able to put things into perspective, and I came up with this: MY. LIFE. ROCKS. It really and truly does. I have a wonderful relationship with my mother, friends that would (and did) stand by me no matter what, a great relationship with God and my church, a FANTASTIC full-time job with students I adore and colleagues that make getting up at 6:00 am worth it, and a relationship with someone who I can't even BEGIN to describe with words and properly do justice. I guess what I'm trying to say is, how much good stuff can I hog in life before I have to actually say, "Nah, that's alright. Let someone ELSE have something good once in awhile. I've filled my quota."? Well, that answer came to me clear as day the evening of August 14th, 2010. Maybe I worked my butt off, wanted it the most, and was the most ready...and maybe not. The point is I may have wanted to win, but I didn't NEED to win. I grew so much in my year as a titleholder, and when I start to get down on myself about not winning the coveted title again, I think to myself about all the other girls I competed with over the years who were more than worthy of a crown, but for one reason or another, never got one.
With all of this pageant rambling, I think now would be a more than appropriate time to give a huge congratulations to Morgan Bocciolatt. I have competed with her for years, and she has a heart as gold as her shiny beautiful hair. :) I know she will do the Thousand Islands justice, and I look forward to being able to work with her this year as I start my journey on the Miss Thousands Islands Board of Directors! Come on, you knew I couldn't say goodbye to pageantry for good, right? Hee hee! Anyway, Morgan has so much to offer, and I wish her the best. Her crowning face will forever be stuck in my mind! =^O Haha, or something like that.
Okay, almost done. Promise. I think this next part is extremely important: thank yous. For anyone who has ever been to a pageant, you have most definitely heard the infamous "farewell speech". Since I can't deliver a formal one on stage, I feel it a huge obligation to thank those that helped me in my pageant career. I'ma try to do this in chronological order, y'all.
Barry Pratt- for getting me involved in my first pageant, despite my scoffs and rolled eyes. You are the catalyst that jump-started my pageant career, so thank you.
Ann Walck-Iannotta- Your boobs look real. (Haha, inside joke people) You have always been the pageant "big sister" I needed, and my crowning was roughly 4000 times more special because you were the one doing it. Thanks a million for all the support and kind words.
Mary Brabant- From day 1 you were there, supporting me telling me I should have won EVERY pageant (even though we both know I was way off a lot of the time, lol) I'll never forget the rings you'd buy me after every pageant, and how I proudly flaunted my "engagement ring" at the state pageant JUST so that people would ask me if I had a fiancee so I could tell them the REAL story. And remember prepping me for Miss Lancaster after I had gotten dumped? Haha, what a mess! You are the absolute best and I am so proud to call you my best friend.
All my friends that ever attended a pageant- Megan, Sarah, Janelle, Andy, Tiffany, Dan, Lorah, Clay, Fran, Jude, Rob- Anyone I forgot I apologize. You guys put up with a lot to watch me lose, more often than not. 'Nuff said.
Jennifer Stehlar- You taught me how to "work an audience" and gave me such helpful pointers. There's NO way I would have placed at Miss WNY without your help. Hey, ever since then I NEVER didn't make top 5 in a local- the adivce must've been pretty darn good! ;)
The Miss TI Board- Your help was imperative toward me being a functioning human being the year that I won. Your generosity and organization has helped all the contestants feel prepared and ready to do their best come time for the pageant. You guys help run the longest running local in NY, and it shows. I look forward to working with you all this year :)
All my pageant sistas- Stacey, Vicky, Kristan, Kieren, Ann, Kristina, Morgan, Carissa, and SO MANY others: We all know what it's like competing, and your support and sisterhood keep me going. I'm so proud to say I have made so many friends while competing, and you all have a special place in my heart.
My one and only pageant roomie (Amy, if you couldn't figure it out, lol)- I can't possibly write in a blog all of the memories we've shared and how close we've become through pageantry. You are like a sister to me, and your love and support (and your family's as well) has helped me tremendously. From your mom ironing my swimsuit, or your sisters cleaning out our dressing room space, or us rehearsing swimsuit in our pageant run-way apartment, we have created some insanely fun memories together. I am so looking forward to watching you at state AGAIN this year :) and I can't wait for you to age out so we can start our own pageant consulting business. I LOVE YOU! JAI HO!
Sue, Gary, and Shelby- Is it a coincidence that EVERY time I hear a Miss TI farewell speech people can't seem to thank you enough for all you do? You are either great brainwashers OR truly phenomenal people. I'll go with the latter. :) I can't say how much of an asset you've been to me not only in my year of service, but in my personal life as well. You have taught me more about responsibility, organization, commitment, companionship, shoes, hair and wardrobe than I ever thought I'd need to know. I'm proud to say that for the first time, as a 23 year old woman, I am now capable of doing my own hair and make-up. Who'd have thunk THAT would have ever been possible? You guys truly are THE BEST and don't ever forget it, or I'll have my mom make you EXTRA spicy Bloody Marys. Haha. XOXO
Momma D- You are the definition of the COOLEST mom, which also makes you the coolest pageant mom. For reals, ask Sue, Shelby & Gary. Between the excessively long pageant interview questions, discounted pageant gowns, NON-discounted pageant gowns, slim-fast, pageant chats, trips ALL over to pick me up from God only knows where, hair styling opinions (yeah, I know you hate the poof), make up choices (red lipstick is a no-no) and everything else, you have been there for me. You haven't always told me what I wanted to hear (you look awesome in your swimsuit) but what I needed to hear (you know you would look better if you dropped 5 pounds) but ALWAYS in a supportive, nurturing way. You didn't want me to be good, you wanted me to be the best I could be. I'm so glad I've gotten to share this journey with you, and your support and love has grounded me and meant more to me than I could ever say. Most moms whine about forking over cash for soccer cleats, but you undertook the biggest commitment of all and never once complained about it. I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be. :)
Well now that I got that out of the way, and wasted some tissues, I can now forge ahead in my blog-tastic rantings. Thanks for putting up with the lengthy, cathartic pageant post, and I hope you enjoy keeping up with me.
Much love,
Corri
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