in defense of teaching

My facebook post on the events in Wisconsin has generated over 50 comments today. Phew.

I applaud my friends and family who stood up for teachers.

First, my friend Tiffany, linked me to this diatribe on teacher pay.

Then, after watching her profession come under attack all day by her daughter's "friends," my mom weighed in and blew all of our socks off. I almost cried when I read this and I have to say how PROUD I am to have been raised by this woman. We've had MANY differences and disagreements over the years, but this is truly amazing. If my facebook wall had a "slow clap" feature, Mom would've totally set it off:

When you say things like "... the average teacher makes $50k per year, with three months of vacation time, during which time they can make more money. It doesn't even mention the fact that most teachers retire comfortably in their mid- to late 50s, a good decade before the general public," it's clear that you have no idea what really goes on with educators.

Yes, it's easy to simplify with a statement like that, but the reality is that salary is based on an 8 hour/185 day a year contract. I challenge you to find any teacher that works an 8 hour day, 185 days a year. Most of my colleagues show up at school around 6:30 a.m., work a full day with the students, stay 'til around 5 or 6 p.m., at which time they take work home with them, unless they have to stay late for school programs or a parent conference.

Oftentimes, phone calls to parents and home visits are made in the evenings. If the parents are divorced, those calls/visits must be made twice - one to each parent. Staff work days are spent in professional development classes, often paid for out of pocket. Materials for things such as bulletin boards, snacks for the kids who come to school without having had breakfast, personal hygiene items for those who go without, and clothing and shoes for kids who's parents can't afford them are paid for by teachers.

I myself have driven kids to the eye doctor, taken sick children home, paid for field trips, bought winter coats and boots, backpacks and pencils, contributed to Thanksgiving baskets...the list goes on and on. I'm not saying this to toot my own horn - in fact, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a teacher who DOESN'T do these things.

Our "three month vacation" is actually MUCH LESS, when you consider the fact that most teachers are paid for ONE day to clean up their classrooms before (as I would imagine you think) dancing out the door to enjoy doing nothing - or god forbid trying to make ends meet by taking a second job - all summer long. The reality is, most work for at least a week afterward because custodial staff has been cut and things like scraping hardened snot off the bottoms of desks and chairs, or shampooing the puke stains out of the carpet are left up to us. It's not unusual to see teachers return to prepare their rooms for the upcoming school year in early to mid-August. And the "vacation time" you talk about? Not really - professional development is required by many states for recertification. Classes must be taken, papers written, homework done, materials bought, again out-of-pocket.

As for the "I pay your salary" argument? Are you kidding me? Keep in mind that WE PAY TAXES, TOO! People seem to forget that. I also pay for YOU to use the highways, get your drivers' license, take the bus. You do not belong to an exclusive taxpayers' club. We ALL belong!

I am NOT your servant - I am a public employee, I work WITH you. Without me, and others like me, we would all be much worse off than you can even begin to imagine.

practice an attitude of gratitude

This was my fortune cookie last night from Lucky Liu's and I really took it to heart today.

The last month has been incredibly rough. My mom lost her job of 15 years, my godfather passed away after a short battle with melanoma, and I got in a car accident at work and now have to deal with both a back injury and fighting an unjust ticket (since when is driving in the shoulder of a two-lane highway legal?).

Thanks to the car accident I also had to put my fitness and weight goals on hold until I start physical therapy and find out how to adjust my exercise plan. Nothing's more frustrating to me at the moment.

BUT the cookie put it all in perspective.

So here's some of the many things I'm grateful for today:

• Getting up early enough this morning to hit Alterra Coffee before work.
• I hurt less today than yesterday and that I wasn't hurt worse in the accident.
• I have the resources, intelligence and gumption to fight my ticket.
• My best friend in the world, Kat, happened to be visiting the day after my wreck and took care of me mentally, physically and spiritually. AND she cleaned my bath tub so I could soak my muscles. She's pretty much amazing.
• Swimming really helped my back out and the WAC and Milwaukee Athletic Club have partnered so I now have access to a pool downtown.
• I was able to donate blood today and that I can be motivated enough by the importance of it to overcome my terrible phobia of needles.
• My #fitmke and dailymile networks rock and have been so encouraging throughout my hiatus from my exercise routine.
• The stars aligning and the Pabst Theater booked the Pavement reunion. Now I can sell my Pitchfork tickets and have an extra weekend in Milwaukee, go to a friend's wedding shower, and support the WMSE Radio Summer Camp.
• Spending quality time with my family this past month.
• My awesome co-workers who bring in treats, entertain me throughout the day, and give me rides home when it rains.
• Reconnecting with childhood, high school and college friends recently. And continuing to make new friends, even with three decades behind me!

Thank you fortune cookie!

PDX Perspective

Arnold Family Photo - June 1, 2010

This weekend I was going to do a lot of things. Explore my hometown more, catch up on blog entries…be productive.

Then on Saturday my family was hit with very sad news at 8:30 in the morning. My godfather, and my dad’s best friend of 40 years, passed away after a short battle with melanoma.

I ran it out while my parents began to grieve. I met up with my little brother, went to LCD Soundsystem with Kat, waited to find out if I’d be making it back to Milwaukee or detouring to DC first. 

Grandma & Me

It was really hard to watch Mom and Dad try and hold it together. I was glad I had pre-existing plans to hang out with Grandma all day on Sunday, three hours north. I tried to take my time in the car to process my own thoughts, memories of growing up with the Fisher family, reflecting on the one-year anniversary of my own father’s heart attack scare…

I tried to hug my parents as much as possible all weekend. I didn’t fight with my mom, which is a miracle in itself. I processed. I made my arrangements to DC (with a couple hiccups). Then on Monday night, before dinner, I checked Facebook. I learned that a good friend’s brother who had been in a coma the past month, passed away.

Argh.

Auntie Meghan & Joey

The weekend wasn’t without joy. I met my friend Lisa’s baby, Joey, and got to hold him until my arm cramped. I spent countless hours with my best friend, Kathleen. I am so grateful for her, I can’t even begin to describe. She amazes me with everything she has done, and all the obstacles and tragedies in her own life that she’s handled. She inspires me to be strong.

Kat, Nathan and me at Coffeetime. Circa 1998. Or on Monday night.

There were the other usual suspects, old and new, woven into the fabric of my trip home: Nathan, Jasmine, Leland, and my brother’s girlfriend, the lovely Nathalie.

I saw the Oregon Coast for the first time in years. It was rainy and blustery, but the ocean still makes me happy. The Pacific really does bring me peace.

Sibling bonding.

And then there was my family. Kevin, my brother, and I had a great sibling-bonding day. Mom and Dad and I existed peacefully in the house. Grandma and I had a blast driving all over the southern Puget Sound looking for farmer’s markets.

I was not “productive” in the sense of creating materials, but I was productive in getting perspective.

I’ve already been reaching a breaking point with my commitments, but this weekend revealed much to me. I need to spend more time with the people that I love and taking care of myself so that I’m here and healthy for the people who love me. We’re all here for just a short time.

I want to spend the summer living life to its fullest. Carpe diem, indeed.

You, Me, AJ Bombers & the Arts...TOMORROW night!

Just a reminder folks, this is it, GO TIME.

In 24 hours I'll be wrapping up my stint Guest Bartending for the Arts @ AJ Bombers. If you haven't already blocked your calendar from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. TOMORROW (Friday). Here's five reasons why you should.

5. Celebrity appearance! The one, the only, Michael L. Arnold, a.k.a. Dad, will be making his first social outing in Milwaukee in three years. Don't miss an insight into where the heck I came from!

4. FREE transportation! AJ Bombers is conveniently located at Water & Knapp, right on the Route 15 bus line. Even more convenient? Tomorrow, in honor of 150 Years of Public Transportation, the Route 15 is FREE all day!

3. World-Famous Food! Food Wars on the Travel Channel filmed at AJ Bombers today, so its burgers will soon be out on the basic cable scene. Order one and wash it down a cold one -- proceeds of your beverage going to the Miller Lite Ride for the Arts.

2. Fabulous giveaways! Throughout the night I'll be "auctioning" off prizes including shirts, Brewers tickets, Milwaukee Iron tickets and of course, tickets to United Performing Arts Fund member groups.

1. Great cause! Hopefully I've convinced you that this means a lot to me, but I'm sure the arts mean something to you as well. I'd love for you to leave a blog comment as to why YOU support my efforts.

Can't make it out for the party? You can donate online here.

Hope to see ya at AJ Bombers!

time out thursday: phoenix bound

I may be a little quiet this weekend as I'm heading to add a new state. That's right, I've never been to Arizona, but I couldn't resist the Southwest Airlines intro fare a few months back to take the opportunity to change that.

Originally I'd planned to visit my friend Tonia, but as she has shipped off to ports unknown, my parents are coming down to meet me. I get to spend the afternoon putzing around on the light rail line by myself, then join up with my mom at the airport.

Not sure what's on the agenda for tomorrow, but on Saturday we're going to Flagstaff for the day so we can see the Grand Canyon.

I think it's a pretty incredible year when you get to see the Taj Mahal and the Grand Canyon, if I do say so myself.

thankful tuesdays: second chances

I'm still a little too tired and emotional to write everything out, but I can't let this Tuesday pass by without giving extreme thanks for having a second chance with my dad. On Sunday night I got the call no kid ever wants to get -- that your parent is in the hospital after having a heart attack.

Luckily, my dad had the most minimal kind of heart attack you can have. No permanent damage, no major surgery required, not even technically cardiac arrest. Although there probably wasn't much he could've done to prevent it (he got a clean bill of health at the doctor just a couple weeks ago and has been dieting and exercising), what he DID do when the symptoms started probably saved his life. Instead of ignoring the dizziness and the pain in his shoulder, within a short time after the signs began, Dad asked Mom to drive him to the hospital. SO much less traumatic than the whole collapsing/ambulance calling thing. I guess it's a good thing that the non-dramatic parent had the first life-threatening injury. My mom just falls into people's salads.

Having watch my best friend lose her dad a couple of years ago and a good friend lose her dad just a couple of weeks ago, it would be a disservice to them to NOT pump up my daughter duties. I may be 2,000 miles away, but watch out Dad, I'm stepping it up. Of course, I'm going to have to get creative when the parents go to Italy for a month (fingers-crossed the doctors have tentatively cleared it), but my brother and I can definitely put our heads together.

At any rate, free-form rambling aside, if you have a dad, please go give him a huge hug. Don't wait until Father's Day!

(Oh, and I'm also super thankful for fancy new technology -- who would've thought minor heart surgery would keep my dad at St. Vincent's for a shorter time period than my appendectomy in '94)

midweek check-in: what ever happened to the accidental wisconsinite?

I want to assure you that I am still alive and well.

Spring has truly sprung in Wisconsin, which means I am on the go constantly.

I've been riding my new wheels (although I have to fix a flat) as much as I can, I subbed once (and hope to more) on a volleyball team, and I've been out and about with friends a lot. My friend Ellen was in town from North Carolina last weekend, so we were on the go in the nice weather quite a bit connecting with wonderful old MU pals.

This weekend I'm laying low with the Star Trek crew tomorrow, then Saturday is shaping up to be epic. Becky, Mar and I are attending the Brewers vs. Cubs game with the Marquette Young Alumni Club, then my friend Matt is in town with some buddies for the game, so we'll all rendezvous with his crew at Miller Park and then head over to Mad Planet for the May Get Down. Luckily I don't have to crawl out of bed to participate in Mother's Day activities (and my mom is in a timezone two hours behind), although I should probably stock up on bloody mary supplies as the brunch spots are going to face a mom invasion.

sunday catch up: because my mom told me too

I'm completely exhausted but I got an email from my mom giving me crap about not blogging lately. Excuse me for having a life.

There are actually a TON of issues I want to write about, but I haven't had a freaking ounce of time.

This weekend was packed from start to finish. Began it at 5:15 p.m. on Friday meeting Becky and Maribeth at Lakefront Brewery for the tour and FINALLY a proper fish fry. Had to cut out to bike over to Turner Hall Ballroom to catch the Los Campesinos! show. SO worth the two years I've been waiting to see this band. I was a bit disappointed there weren't more folks there, but the band seemed to still brink the energy to their infectious, joyous indie rock. The encore involved the lead singer and two guitarists jumping into the crowd. Total awesomeness. Flying solo at the show, I indulged in a couple Fatty Boombalatty bottles. I somehow thought it was a good idea to stop at Buckley's for one more afterward. Gotta love the neighborhood bar.

On Saturday I somehow managed to wake up, head spinning, and head out to State Fair Park by 9 a.m. for the Wheel & Sprocket Bike Expo. Luckily I was "car-sitting" for Larissa this weekend, and cheated a bit and drove--instead of biking or busing out there with the oncoming hangover. Why so early? I'd signed up to volunteer with the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. I was really impressed that as a member I got this cool opportunity to volunteer, get a free t-shirt, and a coupon for the expo (which I totally just realized I forgot to use -- d'oh!). But the volunteer opportunity did make me more familiar with the organization I just joined and even more excited about the bike community in this state. [Shameless plug: Don't forget about my upcoming 50 mile ride...please sponsor me here!]

After 3 hours of greeting people at the entrance and handing out Bike Fed flyers, it was time to shop. I've been contemplating getting a road bike for awhile, and well, just looking, okay well testing, wouldn't hurt....
Meet the new member of my family!! Isn't she a beaut?

We took an 11-mile spin yesterday, despite my desperate need for a nap. Rode to Whitefish Bay on the Oak Leaf Trail and back. All in about 50 minutes, with commercial interruptions (phone calls, passing up running friends). My sexy new bike is FREAKING FAST!

Following the bike ride, I had to head out to Waukesha to celebrate my friend Maggie's birthday retro-style at Skateland. Skateland may be as retro looking as can be (grainy cell phone pics may or may not be posted soon), but unfortunately they play modern pop music (I guess in the '80s they were playing modern pop music too, weird realization). One of my friends brought some "liquid enhancement" with her, so we invented the "Slushibu," which consists of Blue Slushie and, well, guess. The highlight of the adventure was requesting a shoutout to Maggie, complete with Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now." A full recap will hopefully come this week. Trust me, after initial apprehension, it was an amazing experience.

I got back downtown in time to meet the March Madness gang at Hooligan's to not watch the rest of UNC's annihilation of Villanova.

Was in bed before midnight and it was nice to wake up refreshed and unhungover, although terribly sore from my ride and skating. Copped out on the stalled Milwaukee Challenge: Church Edition and just hopped over to the Cathedral for Palm Sunday Mass. I mean, what's the point of having a church across the street if you can't roll out of bed and into your Holy Day of Obligation?

After Mass, I packed up my laundry and headed to the 'mat. Sheets, towels and comforters succesfully cleaned. Grabbed cheese for the evening at Beans & Barley and a bagel and Minty Green tea for sustenance at Alterra on Prospect (didn't realize they didn't have a full menu).

Laundry complete I jotted down to Brooke & Craig's to join Becky for a music geeking/dinner party/rock band awesomeness get-together. I have a cold/allergy thing going on, so I rocked R.E.M., Oasis and Nirvana fairly well.

Hope mom and any other fans of The Accidental Wisconsinite are now satiated. Good night!

horn tooting: april fools!

I don't know if it was because I had to get up extra early this morning to take Lars to the airport or what, but I was in a naughty prankster mood all day.

I began my assault of practical jokes at about 7:30 when I texted a few of my friends that I'd made a terrible drunken mistake the night before. Jane and Becky didn't fall for it, but Maribeth and Jason/Yesh did. I just wish I could've seen their faces.

The next victims were my co-workers. My boss and our marketing assistant fell to realistic job-related "fake news." My other co-worker fell for the old "your shoe's untied trick." He tried to get me back by unplugging my keyboard, but felt bad and ruined the prank before it even worked.

Lars and my parents fell this afternoon. I told Lars that I heard there'd be an airport strike on Sunday and I hoped she'd get back to town. My parents were informed that due to my boss being out of town, I was appearing in a segment on MSNBC for my organization.

The parents were the hardest to get as I have a general rule about pranking that I don't want it to be within the realm of "jinxing." The easy one to go for is "I sprained my ankle," but since I do that often and don't really want to, it's out. The forbidden joke, which Brooke pulled last year on her mom, is pregnancy. Brooke was doing this in the context of being a newlywed, I would just be screwed (obviously on many levels, couldn't resist the bad pun).

The only person who remotely "got" me was my buddy Mark, who texted that he'd be showing up at our LOST party tonight with three friends, brining pork rinds and malt liquor. It was just a split second of worry, until I texted back "APRIL FOOLS."

social media madness: 25 random things about me

Certainly if you're on Facebook you've seen the phenomena that is the "25 Random Things About Me." Well now that I've been "tagged" multiple times I figured I'd go ahead and do it, when I came home from happy hour this evening. So here's your factoids and I'm only tagging folks who tagged me, because I don't believe in chain mail karma (I guess that's a bonus fact for you!).

1. I moved 2,000 miles away from home, in part to escape my family. The distance has tremendously improved our relationship over the past 10 years. Now my mom joined Facebook and I feel like I'm 17 again, needing to hide everything I'm doing -- even though none of it is bad.

2. One time I came home from college and I forgot I had a mostly-empty pack of Camel Lights in my bag. I tossed them in the garbage in the bathroom I shared with my then adolescent brother. My mom blamed him, he blamed me, I blamed my friend Lisa (one of the friends that was "mom-approved"). I don't smoke anymore. The idea generally disgusts me, unless I'm ridiculously stressed. But I found out my mom sneaks one every now and then.

3. My best friend, Kat, and I have been through things together that would fill a whole week on Lifetime Movie Network. Luckily, we don't think like women who actually buy into LMN, so we've gotten through it all just fine. Also, Kat and I can go for months without communicating (when she was in Germany, pre-prolific internet we'd actually write infrequent letters), but we always slide back into conversation with the greatest of ease.

4. The great love of my life and I never did anything more than accidentally hold hands in the theatre during "Bowling for Columbine." I don't know if it was on purpose or just going for popcorn simultaneously. I thought I'd find out, but then he got a Marcia-Brady looking girlfriend who inexplicably hated me. When I found out they were getting married I reacted like Carrie to the Big & Natasha storyline in "Sex In the City." When I found out via Facebook-stalking that she is pregnant and they've moved back to Milwaukee, I didn't know how to respond because I no longer had an equivalent pop culture reference.

5. I used to be a hopeless romantic (see #4), but I found that makes your heart much easier to smash when things don't work out. After a few rounds of that, I have a heart of steel. My last break up should have devastated me, but I picked up the pieces fairly quickly. I attribute that to the steelheart, the support of my amazing friends and all those who crushed me before. I may have cried over those guys in the past, but I'm kind of grateful to them for making my life a lot easier now.

6. I have traveled many places by myself, but I've gone with a buddy to my two "I" countries: Italy and India. My friend Kristen and I have always talked about going to Iceland for the Airwaves Music Festival (she's been once before). Despite their collapsing economy and government, I think we may just have to go for the trend's sake.

7. Emerging unscathed from corners of the world where the guide books warn me about scammers and pickpockets, I have been robbed twice. My bike was stolen at a jazz festival in Milwaukee's posh Third Ward neighborhood and my purse was stolen at a bar in Wrigleyville, Chicago. The lesson? Beware of yuppies (and Cubs fans).

8. I love my job working for, living and breathing the transit system. I was actually so excited about it when I applied that I barely told a soul because I was terrified of jinxing it. People had been telling me for years to "do what I love," but unfortunately having W as president for most of my adult life put a huge damper on my choices. Once I started promoting public transportation though, I knew what they were talking about. I wanted this job so badly because I felt I could help create change (and this was BEFORE Obama started encouraging everyone to do that). I know it's an uphill battle, but it's easier to fight when you have faith in your cause. I hope I can connect better with the amazingly dedicated community members who fight for this cause, because at the end of the day I'm one of them. I also hope they understand that I don't have a magic wand and that patience is a virtue until the ink is dry on a dedicated funding source. My two main selling points to get the job were: I don't have a car and I'm from Portland, Oregon. Those still hold up both internally and externally.

9. Throughout my tenure as a Wisconsin transplant, I've my Portland roots have earned me cred amongst the following groups over the years: college stoners, music fans, hipsters and transit advocates. Hypothesize what you will about overlap. It also blows people's minds that I was born in Portland, Maine but raised in Portland, Oregon.

10. It's always been a slight fear that I hit my prime at 17, when I appeared on the 1997 Jeopardy! Teen Tournament (and no, I didn't win, but I was an alternate for the second-round, which meant I got a free trip to DC (the first time they took the show on the road) and didn't have to stress about being on national TV again). Yes, I did meet Alex Trebek, but I also met several awesome fellow nerds who I don't really keep in touch with, but a few are Facebook friends. I gave a much better performance on Portland's locally-produced "High Five Academic Challenge." This resulted in my first real date (awful) and meeting one of my good friends freshman year who recognized me in the Cobeen (dorm) cafeteria as "that girl from the High Five commercial." Yes, when you tuned into your syndicated "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" reruns after school, I'd inevitably pop up on the screen buzzing in and saying "Wagner?" This commercial could very well still be running in the greater Portland area. While I never gained fame and glory from my teenage trivia antics, I did land on Varsity College Bowl as a college freshman and would get sporadic freaked out calls from acquaintances when a rerun of Teen Tournament would pop up on the Game Show Network (see #9, Group A).

11. There's apparently a such thing as a "Classic Meghan Story." I believe my retelling of them, after you buy me a pint or two, is only enhanced by my ethnically inherited Irish Gift of Gab. Unfortunately pretty much none of these stories are "family-friendly" (see #1), so as entertaining as they are I think I'd have to publish them under a nom de plume. Still, I don't know if writing them out would translate the nuances of the oral presentation.

12. I have zero interest in going to Germany, but have two friends marrying Germans in Germany in the near future, so I guess I'll go. All of my good friends from high school were fascinated with the place and the language. Kat and Mary Ann both studied there in college, but I never visited. I have a "Classic Meghan Story" about a German exchange student, but you should know you're not going to hear it right now if you've read #11. I do like German film however, with Metropolis, Run Lola Run, and The Lives of Others ranking quite favorably on my list. Of course, most of all I like making fun of Germans -- so Beerfest ranks even higher on my movie list.

13. I'm a little out of control in my film snobbery. Luckily I have an outlet in volunteering for Milwaukee's film festival. I usually am disappointed in buzz movies (i.e. Slumdog Millionaire). I am a firm believer that foreign films more accurately and unapologetically capture the human experience, so I'm always pleasantly surprised when an American film (i.e. The Wrestler) does so as well. My most-hated film of all time is The Notebook, despite having several really good friends who have tried to convince me otherwise. I actually think people claiming it is a good movie only adds fuel to my fire of loathing. I love the classics and am grateful for taking a Hitchcock class in college, even though I ended up only auditing it (thanks to the computers in the brothel that was Cudahy Hall giving my disk a virus and eating my entire final paper). I don't believe in favorites, so I don't have a favorite movie, but All About Eve is pretty well up there.

14. Music snobbery is another one of my traits. I fully credit my college boyfriend, Stew, for defining my indie musical path and my dad for making me appreciate the full unabashed glory of rock n' roll (I went through a phase in high school where I'd come home and rock out by myself to the Led Zeppelin II record every afternoon). I'm fortunate enough to have seen most major musical acts that I've wanted to, traveled to multiple music festivals, and caught amazing indie bands. My last boyfriend, Phil, introduced me to a lot of Milwaukee's local music scene and I'm grateful for that. He also sold me on the importance of donating to community-supported independent radio and really appreciate the magical goodness that is WMSE. My defining music moment though was seeing Arcade Fire OPEN for the now-defunct Unicorns at Mad Planet. There were maybe only 10 people there (this show often is confused with a later packed AF show at Mad Planet after the buzz had started) and we were all drawn from the bar to the stage, gaping in awe at the incredible sound filling the venue. I knew this was special. But not enough to not have the band sign the handmade EP I bought directly from them at the show. I felt then, and still do, that this band is this generation's U2/Radiohead-caliber band.

15. For someone as "artsy" as I may appear (see 13 & 14), I love sports. I lost my first tooth at a Tacoma Tigers (AAA?) baseball game. I was there with my dad. Despite taking quite the hiatus from baseball, I am now a huge Milwaukee Brewers fan. I believe this was destined to be, because when I was a kid I always chose the Brewers baseball helmet sundae at Baskin Robbins. I'm really glad they half-rock the old logo. Before I moved to Milwaukee there was a huge political debate about the new stadium and I know a lot of very liberal folks who refuse to step foot in Miller Park. I think this is dumb. I also think these people wouldn't be baseball fans anyway, and using politics as an excuse is easier than explaining that you just don't like sports. I challenge these people to start fessing up to the latter, because honestly at this point you just sound like a tool. I do wish I'd gone to a school with a football team, but Marquette Basketball helped me discover my love for the NCAA Tournament. What would my March be without brackets? I have adopted UW-Madison as my football team and love getting the chance to go to Badger games with my friend Cramer. Ten years in Wisconsin has turned me into a Packers fan, but I don't think that transformation will be complete until I make the journey to the Holy Land, aka Lambeau Field.

16. I have not eaten red meat since December 31, 1994. That was a pot roast. It was my New Year's resolution to give up red meat and it stuck. It was supposed to be a stepping stone to going full veg, but the thought of Thanksgiving without turkey really depresses me (even though I've skipped it some years -- see #17). I also love seafood, despite all the mercury. Despite a campaign waged by many to get me to embrace the apparent deliciousness of bacon, I haven't caved. I actually don't think I'll ever eat pork again, because a meat banned by two major religions can't be good for you. I figure I may end up eating beef again, should I ever become pregnant. I think one day I'm just going to yell "THE BABY WANTS STEAK!" and go dive into a hamburger. Right now I can always tell if I get a trace of forbidden meat in my food because my stomach quickly rejects it. It's not pretty.

17. Since 1998, I've only had one Thanksgiving with my family. I've spent one in Southern Illinois with a college friend, two in Northern Michigan with my college boyfriend, three in Wisconsin with friends and/or their families, two in Ozaukee County with my ex-boyfriend, one in Wales & England and one on a train from France to Barcelona with an Australian girl I met that day. The Welsh one is my most memorable. I'd been off exploring in Cardiff all day and returned home to find the 400-year-old farmhouse I'd been staying in filled with a delicious aroma. My friend's mother and aunt had a full spread on the table and invited me to sit down after we all enjoyed a cup of tea. They announced that we'd been having Shepherd's Pie and my stomach churned (see #16), but I was so grateful for their hospitality I decided to suck it up and hope they had good plumbing. They scooped a huge plateful for me, a dark meat swirling around with veggies and flaky crust. It smelled amazing, but I was terrified. I waited for my three dinner companions to take the first bite, took a deep breath and took a nibble. It tasted -- familiar. After my feigned approval, one of the hostesses proudly said, in her lilting accent, "We know it's Thanksgiving in America, so we wanted to make sure you felt at home. We went to the market and found a turkey for the pie!" I immediately dug into my plate and enthusiastically "mmmed", "aaahed, " and exclaimed "this is delicious!" Later on the way to pub I explained to my friend about my eating restrictions. He was incredulous, "So you were just going to get sick?!" I responded with, "Well I didn't want to be rude!" I believe he then commented about Americans being polite at the oddest times.

17. I constantly disagree with Catholicism, but I can't ever see myself switching teams. I do consider myself a very spiritual person, although I don't discuss it often. I am vehemently against evangelizing with hatred (i.e. "you're going to Hell if you don't do this). I don't understand Christians who nitpick passages out of the Bible to throw stones at people who are different from them (gays, those of different faiths). It seems to me they're ignoring the basic teachings of Christ, which in my understanding are love and tolerance. I silently cheer for interfaith dialogue and was impressed that Obama's inauguration speech also gave a shout out to non-believers. Although I've been to some of the most amazing cathedrals and churches in the world (including St. Peter's) as well as on several retreats during my eight years of Catholic school, the most incredible spiritual experience I've ever had was in none of them. It was in Rome, but completely unexpected. My friend and I were on the tour of the catacombs and met a family from Wyoming, a couple from Nebraska, and the couple's friend, a monsignor at Creighton University. After the tour the couple and the monsignor noted that they were going to celebrate the Eucharist in the catacombs. The family from Wyoming kinda freaked out and exited. Andrea and I were like "what the hey?" and stayed on. It was the most intimate experience I have ever had with God and it really sunk in saying the same mass (albeit in a different language) as people 2,000 years prior.

18. I advocate for gay rights, not because I'm gay, but because I feel that no one should be denied the right to the pursuit of happiness, especially when it's written into the Declaration of Independence. I don't understand people that think being gay is a choice either. It's hard for me to comprehend that this country is still restricting people's rights. And it really sickens me when people compare homosexuality (between two consenting adults!!) to pedophilia or bestiality. Again, going back to #17, I can't understand Christians picking random passages out of the scripture instead of going with the overall theme of love and acceptance (and you don't have to love in that way). Gay rights are a human rights issue to me and I'm happy to do what I can for the cause.

19. When I was a child my biggest fear was spontaneous human combustion. Now I think it's either being buried alive (a la Kill Bill Vol. 2) or drowning while trapped in an enclosed space. I don't think either would be very pleasant.

20. I got more out of a few days volunteering for the Obama campaign in the central city (I was eventually moved to my own neighborhood), than out of the months I spent schlepping for the Kerry campaign in the suburbs. To echo my friend Beth's sentiment, "I still stop what I’m doing and smile whenever I hear 'President Obama.'" Reading this article about how he's changing the work environment at the White House, made me smile even more. I love having a cool president!

21. FUEL Milwaukee (formerly Young Professionals of Milwaukee, or YPM), despite all its faults, is a huge factor as to why I've stayed in this town. I have made so many wonderful friends and connections through this organization and don't feel I would be who or where I am today without it. I certainly would not be on the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network-Milwaukee Chapter Board, without having gotten my start with YPM.

22. One not so exactly "family-friendly" tidbit (see #11). I have kissed someone from every civilized continent except South America (although I appreciate Beth's comment that she needs to get there "before cartographers pull a Pluto on Antarctica and it won’t count anymore," I do recognize that it has no native human life). My ongoing joke is always "I need to find a Brazilian and a penguin and be done with it."

23. I have several tracks for my future that I realize are completely unparallel: A) go to graduate school for a joint Urban Planning/Public Administration Master's; B) pay off my debt and save enough to buy a house; C) pay off my debt and save enough to quit work for a year and travel around the world before I'm 35; D) find someone, get married, reproduce. Actually I think D=disgusting at this point in my life. I'd actually rather find someone to travel around the world with me and then go from there. Although a recent joke on that note was "I need to find a guy who would build me the Taj Mahal." Uh, yeah, at this point someone who would pay half my rent after a couple years of dating would be just fine with me.

24. To echo Bill who tagged me, I also rejected the "digital converter box" for my television. I am perfectly fine with utilizing Netflix and watching my shows online. I never personally owned a TV until after college and thus missed some great shows that premiered between 1998 and 2002. Luckily TV on DVD has caught me up on Freaks and Geeks and The West Wing.

25. I am deathly afraid of needles thanks to a rogue phlebotomist during my pre-kindergarten physical. Because of this I've never gotten a tattoo or tried heroin. As traumatic as that phlebotomist was to my childhood development, I am grateful to her now to preventing any missteps in my lifestyle.

daily inspiration: my mom's take on the obama inauguration

Although I'm still processing my thoughts and words on the historic significance of this week, I was thrilled to receive an eloquent essay from my mother about Obama's inauguration. I asked her if I could share with you all, so here's her take:

As I sit here tonight, I find myself reflecting on the events of this day. But I also find myself remembering the events that made this day possible.

I was fortunate enough to watch some of the inauguration, but the business of teaching was what needed to be done. However, today everything felt different. Today I was inspired to become a better teacher. Because the future for those I teach is now very real. No longer will I think of a child as just another student who, though full of potential, may not succeed in life because of the color of his skin or her gender. I can truly say for the first time in my career I can look at each student – black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, bi-racial, male or female and think: anything is possible for this child. Anything!

As I stop to think about this day, I am jolted by the realization that is a family of color at home in the White House tonight! There is a man who will wake up tomorrow morning and begin leading what again can become the greatest country in the world. With this man’s guidance, we will be inspired to walk behind him – no WITH him – to build a better America than ever before. He will inspire us to become not only once-again proud Americans, but better people, stronger people, responsible people.

Of course, this would never have been possible without those who stood, and sometimes died, before him. How fitting that he should use Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King as is role models. How fitting that he has called us to service like John F. Kennedy. How wonderful that we feel so inspired to listen, and do.

There were other people of course, perhaps not so great, perhaps just ordinary people, who were just as instrumental in bringing about this day. The children of slaves who continued to labor, making minimum wage, or less, yet quietly instilled a work ethic in their children and their children’s children. The woman who was just too damned tired to walk all the way to the back of the bus. The civil rights workers who stood up for what they knew was right. The African immigrant who came to this country, fell in love and married with a white woman, and produced an extraordinary man. The women who, in the sixties, began to speak up that yes, while their roles of child rearing and homemaking were indeed important, they could do other things just as well, and made all things possible for my generation and those of my daughter’s. These people sometimes quietly, sometimes quite loudly worked for change. But change did come.

I grew up in a time when I would visit the south, and saw the “whites only” signs on the drinking fountains, the front doors of restaurants, the restrooms, and accepted this as just the way it was. I grew up in a time when the “N” word was commonplace. I grew up in a time when young girls were told they couldn’t go to college – that they were just going to get married and raise a family anyway. I grew up in a time when people would’ve laughed heartily if a young black boy said that he would president someday.

Thank God those days are gone – forever! Thank God I was able to see this change. Yes, I can reflect, but I can also look forward to a future that is bright with possibilities as we all move in a new direction. I can hardly wait!

Thanks Mom for sharing! And thanks for making sure I grew up with an open mind, so that I to could celebrate the joy and triumph of the American people this week.

I'll just add that I had the same thought on Tuesday morning when I saw a young mother board the bus with her toddler son. I teared up looking at that kid and realizing "Oh my God, he's never going to know a time where he would have completely dismissed the thought of ever being President of the United States."

As a woman, President Obama (I smile ever time I type or see that) has pleased me this week, sticking up for my rights. He repealed the Global Gag Rule which stripped developing countries of critical reproductive health assistance (you can thank him here). Additionally, the Senate quickly passed the Lilly Ledbetter Act, a critical piece of wage discrimination legislation.

Of course, I'm pretty happy about sticking up for the constitution and closing down the torture chambers of Gitmo. And despite the inherited mess of outdated equipment, the embrace of technology the administration has already shown by overhauling the White House website and including a BLOG!

monday munchies: 2008 in food

It seems ironic that one of my last meals of the year was at Cubanitas.

Don't get me wrong. The meal was fantastic. Our appetizer of plaintains and guacamole, my arroz con pollo and mojito -- all top quality. And I am forever grateful to my friend Larissa for the treat, since I am still walletless until tomorrow.

The irony lies in the fact that 2008 was the year I discovered the joys and the importance of eating locally.

It began back in March when my friends and I decided to experiment with Community Supported Agriculture. We went to an open house at the Urban Ecology Center and selected Rare Earth Farm to fill our fresh produce needs for the summer. Little did I know how that would set the course of my life.

Suddenly I learned to love vegetables. I learned new recipes and learned how to save what I wasn't using. I didn't do as much of this as I could have. But I was learning. I learned to freeze. I was inspired to make stocks and freeze those. I really got into it. More than my fellow sharemates. I ended up renewing with a friend with a similar passion for fresh food for next year.

Around the same time I tried my hand at balcony gardening. This was also an educational process. I succeeded until the drought hit in August. Then I got lazy with maintenance. Next year.

My kinetic interests led to self-education through reading. Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Vegetable Miracle inspired me to get serious about this stuff. Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food is slightly cracked open, but when I finish will probably shape my views going into '09. I found loads of other bloggers facing my same challenges and triumphs, especially through my participation in the Eat Local Challenge.

Yes, I began to participate both on and offline in the world of food. I joined the Southeastern Wisconsin chapter of Slow Food. I attended incredible events like the Milwaukee Public Market's Moo & Brew and the Slow Food Flooded Farms Fundraiser at La Merenda.

I regularly hit up my neighborhood farmer's market. At the end of the season I discovered the Fondy Farmers Market, where I'll definitely go next year. I also have my hopes set on returning to Growing Power.

Diets never worked for me, I never cared about the scientific impact of the food. I've lost weight however, eating healthier by caring about the cultural and economic impact of the morsels I'm consuming.

My awareness of food has changed my spheres in 2008. I'm glad people are listening to me, even if they are not changing their own habits. Talking about it definitely paid off under the Christmas tree, as I could not be more excited to receive a pressure cooker, a food mill and the world's greatest potato peeler this year.

2009 local eating, here I come!

globetrotting: tourist in my hometown - pt III

Saturday started with a last-minute coffee date.

Before my nap on Friday afternoon, I'd noticed on Facebook that my friend Carrie was in town. Carrie moved to Portland from Milwaukee last summer and became my first Milwaukee-friend in Oregon. She and her fiance live in the Mt. Tabor neighborhood of SE Portland. I met her over there at Albina Press, a clean, minimalist coffee shop with a nice low-key feel. I ordered a mocha, which may have been near perfect. Right temp, texture and even steam-art. I think I had a Malkmus-sighting while retrieving my beverage, but didn't want to embarrass self by pointing to Carrie. The place was too spartan and I feared my echo marring my cred. Also, pretty much everyone in Portland looks like Stephen Malkmus, so there's a very strong possibility it was just your average Hawthorne Hipster.

Carrie and I had a nice time catching up. I learned about her new job and her adjustment to the Pacific Northwest. We comiserated about the piss-poor snow management. She hadn't been able to get fresh produce for days -- not exactly helpful for a vegetarian. Thanks to the melt she was going to venture to shop in the 'burbs that afternoon so our visit was a short one. My next agenda item was to meet up with my brother for lunch.

Unfortunately the brother was not answering his phone, but luckily I had my laptop on hand so I did some internet errands and enjoyed a cup of Morroccan Mint tea while waiting for a call back. I finally connected and found out that he forgot about our lunch plans. I drove the short distance to his place and he'd decided we could go somewhere near his work before he had to report at 3. Starving by that point, I was happy with the plan.

The place he wanted to go was closed, so we ended up at Laurelwood Public House & Brewery in the Hollywood District. Parking was a little tricky, especially with Rudolph taking up space:

From the accidental wisconsinite

I ordered the Build Your Own Burger since I was allowed to pick a turkey burger (I wish more places in Milwaukee would warm up to this substitution), and added sharp cheddar, sauteed mushrooms, tomato, lettuce and onion. Opted for the side of fries. I washed down my meal with a seasonal Vinter Varmer. Kevin got the Chicken Caesar Wrap and a Space Stout. Everything was excellent and I'd recommend this dining option to even the most casual Portland visitor. For a hungry, rainy Saturday afternoon it hit the spot.

I dropped the bro off at work and connected with my best friend Kat, who had been snowed in for most of my visit. I finally got to give Kat the bracelet I bought her at Art Vs. Craft. Of course, it didn't hold a candle to the hand-sewn apron she made for me out of a recycled pro-choice Oregon t-shirt and plaid fabric.

We decided to swing by Mary Ann's parents' house for their holiday party, since their daughter was stuck in Canada thanks to the toxic combo of bad weather and airlines. We had a nice visit with her mom, some Christmasy snacks, and caught up with each other. We just wish Mary Ann had been there!

After the party Kat and I stopped over at my parents' house so I could pack a little for my flight the next day. Locking ourselves up in my room and giggling never gets old, even after 14 1/2 years.

Eventually it was time for the caravan to leave from the Arnold abode and head back across town to my brother's work. This time to eat and be entertained by the Tony Starlight's Christmas Show. You see, my brother works at a pretty hip joint, Tony Starlight's Supper Club & Lounge, which features live entertainment while you eat. On Saturdays that entertainment is Tony Starlight, my brother's comedian/lounge singer boss. You're guaranteed to have a great time when you go. During the rest of the week they have live jazz and big band and other hip surprises and delights.

Because I had been grazing all day, I ordered light for dinner. I got a garden salad and then the tomato soup and grilled cheese combo. Mom got the chicken pesto pasta, which she scarfed because it was so delicious. My dad got the prime rib special and Kat opted for the award-winning burger. Everything I ordered tasted great, but the soup was VERY spicy. Prepping me for India, I suppose. For dessert I chipped away at the world's largest tiramisu and sipped on a potent Starlight Coffee.

From Dining Out

We stayed for both sets of the show and were thoroughly entertained. A wonderful way to spend the last night in town with loved ones.

globetrotting: tourist in my hometown - pt II

As per holiday tradition, Friday night was my "unofficial" JHS reunion. This is a group of us Freaks & Geeks, some of whom weren't really even close in high school, but we seem to make better adults than teenagers. Thanks to the magic of social media, we've reconnected and get together when we're all home at Christmas.

Since not many of stayed in Portland (Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago seem to have been hot landing spots), we generally end up in a centralized location in Northwest or the Pearl District of Portland. The Pearl District is an interesting concept for me, as it seriously DID NOT EXIST up until a few years ago. Now it defines the sleek hipness of the city. I struggle with this. I'm sure there's Milwaukeeans who may feel the same way about the Third Ward, but that was already shifting when I moved here (although my favorite vintage store, Marlene's Touch of Class, was one of the early victims of its transformation).

This was the first year I was able to make the dinner portion of the reunion, and I'm certainly glad. We met up at 50 Plates on 13th Street in "the Pearl." Apparently the owners donate quite a bit of cash to our high school, so that's how our friend Ryan had heard of it. Since I didn't make a donation this year (save for the money spent on the Official 10-Year Reunion), I figure eating a tasty meal could count toward my support of overprivileged children (just being snarky, I really appreciate my education). Dinner ended up just being three of us, as many people were snowed in still. Luckily Ryan, Sheila and I had hung out in Chicago last month, so we skipped right past the small talk. And focused on the important things like wine and food.

They'd already ordered a bottle by the time my parents dropped me off (just like high school, well except for the wine and posh restaurant part). I believe it was a Pinot Noir, but don't quote me on that. But I'm fairly certain it was from Oswego Hills winery. I'm 100% certain it was delicious.

Similar to our meal in Chicago, this one was also communal. We started with a round of appetizers, including chicken-fried oysters and Castroville artichoke rolls. I would recommend both. Round Two was salads, accompanied by fresh bread -- choice of buttermilk biscuit or sourdough roll. I began with the biscuit, which melted on my tongue with hardly a crumble. I believe we had the R&R salad, with apples and Rogue blue cheese -- though I'm not entirely sure. We also shared a smaller one with mandarin oranges. The larger salad was a bit heavy on the dressing, but otherwise you can't go wrong with blue cheese crumbles -- even if they aren't from Wisconsin.

Selecting a sourdough roll (prefered the biscuit) accompaniment, I dove into the shared entrees -- the Mac 'N' Cheese ('N' Chicken 'N' Fennel) and some sort of scallop and clam dish that I can't find on the online menu.  The MNC was good (the chicken-fennel sausage inside the noodle was a unique touch), but honestly nothing is ever going to top The Social for me (although Triskele's comes close). However, I wish I could find the name of our seafood dish as it was DIVINE. Sea scallops surrounded by steamed clams bathed in a creamy wine sauce. The scallop was the kind you dream about making on your own. Perfectly browned, not too squishy, flavored just right. Mmmmm.

Next up dessert. We selected the Lemon Meringue Bread Pudding and some sort of Pistachio Cake. We wanted to try the S'mores Fondue, but they were out of marshmallows (a lot of restaurant deliveries were held up thanks to the snow). The bread pudding wasn't much to look at presentation wise, but tastewise I couldn't get enough. It was like a sesational custardy lemon bar. I normally don't like pistachios other than directly from the shell, but the cake convinced me otherwise. Maybe just because it was so pretty.

From Dining Out

At some point during dessert Ryan had to run off, so Sheila and I stayed until the last crumb and then walked over to the next meeting point -- Life of Riley Tavern on 10th. Our classmate Adam and his wife were already there, so our group claimed the nice couch area to set up camp for the others.

Generally the crowd is fairly large, but unfortunately due to the weather we were only about 10-15 strong this year. My dear friend Mary Ann didn't even make it out of Canada thanks to the snow, and best pal Kat didn't make it off her hill. Luckily our foursome's other partner in crime, Marley, made it with her entourage for a little while. The small number made it a really eclectic group. I got to catch up with my friend Lindsey (we have totally become best online pals in the past couple of years thanks to our common interests in cooking and biking) on cooking and biking. My friend Sam showed me the "secret" more bar-y downstairs of the joint. Our classmate Mike arrived and left without saying much. My friend John and I once again rehashed watching the same video repeatedly in Mr. Schaal's biology class. Our classmate Matt told stories about his international and local stalkers.

The biggest surprise of the night for everyone was the appearance of our classmate, and my former co-editor of The Jesuit Crusader, Tucker. I joked that he crawled out of his enigma cave and decided to don us with his presence. My friend Monica, who was snowed in, later commented on my Facebook how disappointed she was to miss the Hailey's comet of classmate appearances. I think our astonishment with this classmate is that he's been able to channel the alternativeness from teenhood into a successful creative career as an adult. My angsty creativity dissapated, but his landed a short story in Best New American Voices.

Kat said the biggest surprise for her at our "real" reunion was how nice everybody was. Since most of the individuals at our "un-real" reunion were pretty nice in high school already, everyone meshes incredibly well as adults. These are all people I'd love to actually hang out with if we lived in the same cities. For someone who considered herself an "outsider" in high school, it's nice to know that a decade later I can relate to people with whom I co-existed for four years on the same plane, but never let into my space.

I digress. The majority of my blog readers are never going to hang with the Jesuit High School Class of 1998. But they may go drinking in Portland. That said, the Life of Riley is not a place to get blitzed. In fact, stick with beer to get more bang for your buck as the alcohol pours were abysmal and the cocktail waitresses neglectful. The speciality cocktails were tasty though. I started with a Pomengranate Hot Toddy and also had a Lake Como Martini, before switching to underpoured Vodka Tonics. I ended my evening with a Fox Barrel Hard Cider. Normally all that booze-switching would make me ill, but since there wasn't much alcohol in the drinks between the beer and the wine I wound up fine the next day.

The night ended rather late and I'm sure my parents are as grateful as I am to Ryan for dropping me home on his way to do the same for Sheila, who forgot we lived so close.

...Saturday's adventures to continue in a new post...
...For Friday's Day activities, click here...

globetrotting: tourist in my hometown - pt I

Friday began with a quest for a famous doughnut.

Being from Portland I am constantly barraged with questions in the Midwest of "weird" Oregon stuff that's been glorified in the national media and/or cable television. It seems the Food Network and the Travel Channel have both highlighted Voodoo Doughnut in recent years. I think that's the #1 question I receive when I tell people I'm a Portland native these days: "Have you been to that Voodoo Doughnut place?" (So different from the questions I used to be asked in college...I guess I'm getting old).

No, I hadn't been. Neither had my mother. So we decided to trek downtown and see what all the fuss was about.

You see, even though I am "from" Portland (from age 11-18), I grew up in the west suburban part of the city and wasn't "allowed" downtown until maybe my senior year of high school. I moved away as soon as possible and only really explore the city in my short visits here. Thus, there are a lot of landmark Portland experiences that I've not been privy to, although I've definitely covered more insider ground than most Midwesterners.

At any rate, Dad dropped Mom and I off at the Sunset Transit Center to catch the MAX to downtown Portland. After some fun mother-daughter drama, I successfully purchased two TriMet all-day passes for us for $4.75 each (although the machine didn't allow me to select quantity on those, I had to buy one and then the other, kind of a pain in the butt). Bypassing the coffee kiosk open for thirsty commuters, we headed down the platform to wait for a train.

Admittedly, I don't take public transportation often enough when I come to Portland. The transit center is about a mile from the homestead and my friends are spread far and wide across the greater metro area. Even though the suburbs are accessible by the wonders of TriMet, my time is often stretched to get from one side of town to the other. It was wonderful to have urban center focused plans on Friday to take full advantage of Portland's top-notch system. If I lived here I would definitely not have a vehicle. My brother is 26 and like many other Portlanders has never even gotten his driver's license. I'm a tad envious of him, as when I was growing up here the westside lines to my parents' neck of the woods were still being built. I wonder what my high school life would have been like with light rail as an option.

Another thing about Portland transit is seeing people from all walks of life taking it. Case in point: walking into the transit center we were passed by a pickup with a McCain/Palin sticker and then a station wagon with an Obama '08 sticker. God bless Oregon Republicans (it may be a surprise to outsiders, but there are several). They truly have embraced public transportation. My father is a corporate conservative, and he doesn't even blink an eye when it comes to light rail, streetcars, commuter rail, etc. In fact, he gets excited about it. The economic development that has occurred here because of the transportation infrastructure is indisputable. What is going to take for Southeastern Wisconsinites to "get it"?

Sigh.

The ride down to the Skidmore Fountain stop was quite pleasant, especially as we were entertained by the cutest Asian kids ever across the aisle from us. How could you not smile at two brothers making themselves giggle in two different languages? Awww.

Unfortunately the trek from Skidmore to Voodoo Doughnut was not an easy one. Portland's idiotic snow management philosophy (let it warm up and melt) made the sidewalks an obstacle course, even on a 45 degree day. I'd made the mistake of not wearing my boots and quickly found my socks and shoes soaked to the core. I'm not kidding, some enterprising Wisconsinite could've made enough to retire on by slapping together a private snow removal company for the Oregonians over their freak snowy December. Honestly, I have no idea how anyone in a wheelchair could possibly get around even a week after the snow ended. Considering grocery stores and restaurants weren't even getting their deliveries until yesterday.

We located our doughnuts, but first swung into the US Bank building to hit an ATM and try and do a money exchange for my trip. I used the ATM, but we could not find the actual bank in the building. Very strange. Opting to try post-sugar, we headed to the sweet spot -- Voodoo Doughnut.

One of the "things" about Voodoo Doughnut (which I just realized is abbreviated "VD," kind of gross considering they do weddings), is their funkily named (Triple Chocolate Penetration) and quirkily combined (bacon maple bar) concoctions. I decided to go with the classic "Blood-filled Voodoo Doughnut." My mom really wanted to order the "Cock-n-Balls," but was too embarrassed to say it, so she tried for the peppermint sprinkle (a Christmas special). They were out of that so she ended up with a chocolate glazed. My little guy, impaled by a pretzel stick, adorned with a pentagram and filled with "bloody" raspberry deliciousness, was definitely worth the journey. I don't know if Mom felt the same way, but I would definitely return on a future visit downtown. The place is open 24-hours, so I could go whenever the mood strikes.

Quest completed, we tried fruitlessly to go find some rupees for my impending trip. I resolved that I will just pay the outrageous change fee at the Newark airport, and then hit up an ATM quickly in Delhi. Yes, I realized I should've addressed the money issue much sooner, but I've been spoiled by the accessibility of the euro. Although we didn't find rupees, we did find a beautiful US Bank location on 6th and Oak. I always loved being surprised by historic architecture. They just don't build 'em like they used to.

Although we really wanted to take a ride on the Portland streetcar, we couldn't figure out a place to go, so Mom and I just decided to trudge up Burnside to Powell's City of Books. I could really spend all day in Powell's, but we only stayed for about 1/2 hour as it was pretty crowded the day after Christmas. I picked up a gift for a friend who ended up being iced-in, a new neck wallet and a flexi-map of Delhi. I also bought a Powell's reusable bag. Powell's truly does have a book and section for everyone and while I perusing the women's travel section, I spotted the most amazingly titled book in the abutting gay travel section: How to Say "Fabulous!" in 8 Different Languages: A Travel Phrase Book for Gay Men. Seriously, fabulous.

Following my travels through "travel," I located Mother in the poetry area and we headed across the street to Rocco's Pizza. I remember coming here a few times a child, but Mom apparently blocked those memories. Regardless, they have huge tasty slices and I wanted one. Packed with hungry locals and tourists trying to get out the rain, Rocco's seemed a hot spot to be that day. Mother ordered a slice of cheese and I got the special, The Slick Dawg, with tomato, spinach and feta. Mine wasn't going to be up for a few minutes, but the incredibly stoned cashier promised me that when it did arrive it would be "hot AND awesome."

Hot and awesome it was, and well-fed, Mom and I walked back to Morrison to catch the MAX home. All that eating and touristing made a gal sleepy and I decided to take a nap before continuing my Portland adventures.

...To be continued, following my flight home to Milwaukee...

thank you santa!

I do appreciate that I'm very blessed when it comes to giving and receiving on Christmas. I recognize that this is a year of redepression and a lot of people did not get to celebrate Christmas with the usual commercial gusto. (Although, um, I think Jesus would be down with that, even if the retailers aren't).

That said, I'm excited to finally be able to tell you how I succeeded at keeping local for gifts this year, and how my family, after nearly 30 years, is finally figuring out appropriate presents for me.

My first Portland gift exchange was on Christmas Eve, when I headed over to my friend Lisa's that evening. Lisa and I typically are Midnight Mass buddies, but with Snowmaggedon in the Portland-area, my pops was worried about me being out after the roads had iced over. We had a nice visit earlier instead. I gave her Jeez-Its sticky notes that I found at Beans & Barley the other day. They were a big hit, as I'd suspected. Lisa learned to knit this year (what's with all these people getting married and learning to knit?) and made me a cute little scarf. She also threw in a DVD of Strange Brew, I suspect because my friends here still haven't fully comprehended that the Midwest is not Canada.

Our family Christmas Eve tradition is my dad reading A Visit from St. Nicholas (or 'Twas The Night Before Christmas as our tattered '80s illustrated version is titled), and my mom, brother and I pantomiming along taking full artistic license to bastardize Clement C. Moore's work with references to sex (breast of the new-fallen snow), drugs (pipe, snow) and '60s dance moves (turned with a jerk). We used to also open one gift, but that's been replaced my brother rushing out the door to go hang out with his friends. A new tradition that began last year (when our oven blew out) is getting dinner at Mazatlan Mexican family restaurant. Unfortunately I couldn't eat too much this year (although the tortilla soup I had was amazing) because of a late lunch at McMenamin's Oak Hills Pub earlier in the day (thank you Northwest Airlines for getting me in an hour and a half late, unfed--jerks).

At any rate, Christmas morning we now have one more gift to open. It was a great Christmas morning this year too.

First, what I gave the fam:

• Kevin (my brother) got the exhibition book and DVD from the Milwaukee Art Museum's Act/React exhibit that I attended earlier this month. I am very interested to see how it's packaged together.
• Kevin's friend Vince joined us this year, so I gave him some Freudian Slips (Beans & Barley) also from I had in my Santa sack.
• Dad received the super-deluxe DVD of Led Zeppelin's The Song Remains the Same, which I picked up at Atomic Records.
• The PostSecret book I so sneakily mentioned from my trip to Harry W. Schwartz Books? That went to mom this year.

Now, some highlights of what I am sooo grateful that the fam gave me:

• A BEAUTIFUL backpack (all the bells and whistles -- wheels, front straps, detachable day pack) for my impending trip.
• IOUs for a pressure cooker (I can can!) and a food mill to be shipped to my Milwaukee pad
• A gift card for the Pabst Theater!
• A Ped Egg!
• A super comfy fleece and a biking windbreaker from Columbia Sportswear
• The most amazing potato peeler I've ever seen-- a regift from my dad's client (to whom I'm ethically opposed after reading Fast Food Nation, but damn, this potato peeler is AMAZING).
• A nice little stipend for my travels
• Some iTunes credits from my bro
• A gift that could only come from my weird-sense-of-humour family: a "build your own boyfriend" magnet set from my Aunt Peggy. This is how we deal with break-ups in my clan.

After the long drive up to Washington, we do another exchange at Grandma's house. I bought her some bracelets from Vieux et Nouveau Boutique in Milwaukee that are elegant, but can be slipped on since toggles and clasps are hard for her.

Grandma got me a Target giftcard, socks (I requested those after she asked me to give her something tangible to wrap for me), and a subscription to Taste of Home magazine which mysteriously started showing up at my house last week. I love that my family is embracing my interest in cooking! My Aunt Cindy gave me lavender sheets from the Puyallup Fair, an Avon (she is an Avon lady) bath salt, and an ornament with my name on it. This was vast improvement over the XXXL Snoopy pajamas I received last year. (Un?)Fortunately the "early birthday present" Avon light-up holiday house she tried to pawn off (I mean, give) me wouldn't exactly fit in my luggage, so I think my brother got stuck with it instead. A perfect complement to the singing anamatronic penguins he ended up with in '07.

Dinner was delicious and I got to overindulge in my favorite dish -- Grandma's Raspberry Jello Pretzel Salad. While I avoided the ham, I narrowly dodged digesting bacon in the broccoli salad. The turkey, mashed potatoes, yam/sweet potatoes and stuffing/dressing were all mighty tasty though!

It was great to visit with my most wonderful Grandma on earth, and not so great to constantly tune out other people -- who despite having laryngitis still managed to attempt to dominate the conversation. It is fabulous to see the coordinated response effort from the rest of us when those folks say things like how LGBT people having kids is "disgusting." I do have to credit this ignorant individual with being the perfect antedote to keep my mother and I from fighting. It's easy to get along when you're fighting hatred and intolerance together.

Because there's nothing like bringing up hatred and intolerance at the Christmas dinner table.

Okay, soapbox done. My time with Grandma is always too short. My parents will see her in a couple of weeks when she comes down for the rescheduled Neil Diamond concert. I don't know if I will get the chance to visit until next Christmas. I'd love to come out for my cousin's high school graduation in June, but with two unscheduled out-of-town (and country) weddings on the horizon, my travel plans after India are all up in the air.

After several hugs goodbye, we were back on the road. I rolled in around 10 p.m. and woke up way too early this morning. I'm off for a little "tourist in your own town" excursion with the parentals and then I forsee a nap in my future. Perhaps I will snuggle down in my Christmas fleece jacket!

I know that the holidays are always a mix of joy and annoyance for everyone, but I really am truly grateful to have a loving family to spend time with on them. I am so thankful for all the wonderful presents I received and glad my mother encourages donating the presents I don't want to the needy instead of regifting or returning. She often just takes things directly to her school and discreetly sends home with the low-income kids.

Someone in an apartment in Cedar Mill is going to have some lovely lavender sheets come 2009!

What did you give/get this year? How do you handle those "colorful" family members?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I may post later today, but need to hit the kitchen momentarily to whip up some mashed potatoes and "something with brussel sprouts."

However, I just wanted to once again say "Thank You" to everyone who has positively impacted my life in the past year. I realize that I am truly blessed to have decent health (and healthcare), a job that I love and look forward to going to each day and above and beyond wonderful friends and family.

THANK YOU.

I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving. Enjoy the gobbler!

thankful tuesdays: india prep edition

Hard to believe I'm leaving in just a few weeks!

• I can't say it enough...thanks to HMOm for giving me a boost for the prep costs. As you will see below, the costs of my immunizations were drastically reduced, but HMOm told me to put the money toward travel insurance and my visa.
• Thanks to Dr. Bonner, the doctor at the Aurora Travel Clinic. He advised that I did not need one of the shot series I'd been calculating in, so I only had to go back to him yesterday and now I'm set for the trip.
• Thanks to my travel buddy Jason who made all of our hotel reservations yesterday.
• Thanks to my co-workers who are putting up with all my India chatter.
• In non-India news, thanks to Maribeth for going to Eurydice with me on Sunday.
• Thanks to all the friends I caught up with last week. Courtney and Maggie for a lovely dinner at Transfer last Wednesday, followed by Brooke, Craig, Neil, Kelly and Becky at Craig's birthday party. The symphony crew on Thursday. Sharon, Margaret and Monica at Hotel Metro on Friday.
• Thanks to Larissa for making sure I've been up and at 'em the past two mornings.

What are you thankful for this week?

daily inspiration: paying it forward

Yesterday I got the best email, completely out of the blue.

Let's rewind the clock shall we? Well over a year ago (September 7, 2007 to be exact, always good to have an event to recall the date...in this case it was the Cedar Block Weird Science event.), my friend's sister was in town from San Francisco with her girlfriend. As I remember, they'd both just graduated from college and were in that career search mode.

That was still when I was miserable at my former job and at the time considering my options for a westward move to the Bay Area. After seeing plenty of jobs come across the Young Non-Profit Professionals Network-Milwaukee Chapter listserv, I joined the San Francisco YNPN list as well. Even after I found my wonderful current job, I remained on the list, because I find it interesting to see what's going on in the sector in other cities (yeah, I'm a nerd).

Anyway, some months after the science fair I saw a job come across the SF listserv that sounded perfect for my friend's sister's girlfriend (FSGF) (who did not see Ferris pass out at 31 flavors last night), based on the brief conversation we'd had that evening. I forwarded to my friend to pass along. I think a few months later he'd mentioned that she had been interviewing, but that was the last I'd heard of it, until yesterday.

Yesterday I got the best email, completely out of the blue.

It was from FSGF thanking me for pointing her in the direction of that job. Some highlights...

...I wanted to let you know that when you passed along that job description i decided to apply for it and after 2 months of interviews i finally got it. i've been working there ever since july of this year and it's been the most amazing step in my career...

...the funny thing is, before you had sent that job posting i had already heard of [the organization] and i had just finished up going to one of their coach trainings. after the training ended, the two trainers asked me if i was interested in possibly working with them to do trainings. that was an entirely different job opportunity but once you passed along the other job description i was so intrigued and it ended up being the dream job for me.

i had to write you and thank you for being so thoughtful to pass that along. i can't imagine not having found this job!!!!

The email seriously made my month. Being the type of person who is always trying to make connections, I was totally happy to have passed that job along through the grapevine. If someone talks to me about something they are passionate about and I run into something that fits that passion down the line, even if I only met them briefly, I want to make that connection. Why? Because I'd want someone to do that for me.

You can't create change by remaining in your own little world.

So, to FSGF, you're welcome. It was my pleasure to send it along. And if it took two minutes for me to read an email, forward it and write a quick note as to why I was doing so, in order for you to have an "amazing step in your career." Those two minutes were totally worth it. Plus, it sounds like you're working for an incredible organization. Best of luck!

****

Today, I got another great email as well. I need to not check my inbox without a ball of tissues.

This one was from my mom who learned how to read blogs this year (and use gmail and I think reader -- good job Mom!). She's been reading mine this week and all of my consternation about finding money to cover my shots.

Well, let's just say my HMOm is covering what my HMO isn't -- 80% of the cost.

I could not be more grateful. Or humbled.

She said it was because I never ask for money, I always try to find a way to make it work. This is true and this is why I'm in credit card debt, while I know a few other people my age who just go to the Bank of Mom & Dad.

Apparently the money came from the "Grampy" fund. So thanks to my crotchety late grandfather, who I think may have gone to India during WWII. He went to China, but maybe India too? Regardless, I'm sure the army paid for his immunizations.

At any rate, HMOm insured her way into a good nursing home one day. Or at least insured that her daughter will not bring some tropical disease to the dinner table when she visits in 2009.