Dreaming big for the journey

December 6 Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial?

•••

I like to learn. After I’d worked at my old job for a year, I was eligible for tuition reimbursement. This was a big perk to staying at the job — that’s how much I wanted to take design classes (for free!). In the year leading up to this, I requested course catalogs from design and publishing schools in the city and would carefully highlight every class I wanted to take. Sometimes I would highlight and then flag. Then plan in my head when I could take what. New catalogs came three times a year and I did the same thing every. single. time. Even though the all same classes were offered. That’s how exciting this was for me.

My first semester, I enrolled in a typography class. The next semester I took a letterpress class (which was fun because I made T-shirts!). But leading up to my lay off in August, work was so stressful this year that I was only able to fit in a two-weekend class, which just wasn’t enough learning for me.

So I enrolled in some e-courses, for fun. The first was Marisa of Creative Thursday’s class, In the Fishbowl: Life as an Artist. At this point, I was just dipping my toes into the online world…not posting on the blog very much (not even telling many people about it), not sure what direction I wanted to take in my creative world or how to get there. The online community was incredibly supportive and encouraging. Right as the course wrapped up, I was laid off. Which felt like some sort of connection I couldn’t forsee but found comfort in. Marisa was also the one who introduced me to video blogs, which became a large part of my five week travels after I lost my job.

A few weeks before I was laid off (and still had a regular paycheck!), I enrolled in another e-course, Mondo Beyondo: An online class about dreaming big, with Jen Lemen and Andrea Scher. Unintentionally the most amazing thing I could do. Two weeks after I lost my job, this class started and along with it lots of thinking about what I really wanted to do in life. The lessons, love notes and podcasts were exactly what I needed as I entered this new phase of life — this very big unknown, filled with as much possibility as I’d allow. I didn’t take as much advantage of the course and community as I would’ve liked since I was traveling, so I signed up again for the January session (thank you alumni rate).

As for an official workshop though…I have that to look forward to in February. I’m taking Jen Lee’s Companions for the Journey: A Voice and Story Retreat in Brooklyn. I think it’s going to be magical and I’m really looking forward to having the benefit of in-person instruction and community. There is solid chance I will cry at some point during the retreat (good tears though) because I know it’s going to be that amazing and transformative. And we have tickets to see “Wicked” on Broadway. I get giddy just thinking about it.

Happy birthday to me…

December 5 Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world? Who was there? What was the highlight of the night?

•••

My birthday was two weeks after I lost my job, so I was still dealing with a lot of emotions (i.e. spending my days in bed watching the entire “Mad Men” series, wondering if I’d have to live in a van by the river, being referred for my first freelance position, deciding to travel for five weeks…)

Birthdays are a pretty good excuse to get friends together to begin with, but my recent lay off was icing on the (birthday) cake. Friends from college and work all came out to my neighborhood (this rarely happens. another birthday perk) for an evening at the new beer garden.

Even though I sweat a lot and ran into my landlord (”Do your parents know you’re out tonight?” “Umm, yeah…”), it was one of those perfect moments — a wonderful summer evening with people you adore, when you are completely happy and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else (even if that place had air conditioning). The night was made even more delightful when my former coworkers brought treats, including pans of homemade brownies. And even though it was a beer garden, I was able to enjoy sangria (I did, however, try some beer, though one was mixed with lemonade and the other was raspberry flavored).

The Middle Place

December 4 What book — fiction or non — touched you? Where were you when you read it?

•••

It’s hard to remember the books I’ve read this year because nearly all were checked out from the library and aren’t sitting on my bookshelf to remind me. Before I moved to New York, I never used the library. Books were like my friends and I wanted my favorites surrounding me at all times. But I started running out of room and didn’t want to spend the money and the NYPL turned out to be awesome. Problem solved.

One of the few books I did actually buy this year was Kelly Corrigan’s “The Middle Place,” which is about her battle with breast cancer. My mom mentioned she’d read it and sent a video link to part of a book lecture by the author. I loved her voice and writing style immediately.

I bought the book on a Saturday morning in May. I was sick and had to miss a 10K race in Central Park, so I went to Borders to cheer myself up. Then I spent the day in bed reading — surrounded by Kleenax, cough drops and Vitamin Water. As I read the book, I wanted to be her best friend (my mom did too). She’s funny, honest, imperfect. This is the kind of book you don’t want to put down, but force yourself to because you don’t want to finish it yet. When I finally did finish the book, I cried and then just sat on my bed for awhile letting her story soak in.

The Best of 2009

I’ve noticed quite a buzz online about the Best of 2009 Blog Challenge and figured I should join in (albeit a tad tardy). It’s similar to National Blog Posting Month (one post a day), but this has prompts (which is always nice, especially when they don’t suck).

You can read the background and view the schedule on Gwen Bell’s website.

Home on the range

I just returned to New York after an 11-day trip to Kansas City for Thanksgiving (amazing how easy it is to find more affordable flights when you’re not worried about vacation days anymore!) My fam said funny things, which I kept track of because I like to write down good quotes. Here are some highlights:

Me: Mom, look at all your Facebook messages!
Mom (covers computer screen): UH. PRIVATE!
(yes, my mom is on Facebook and we just became friends. She wasn’t too subtle about me needing to friend her. Watch what you say on my wall!)

Sister: The reason I moved to San Diego was because I got locked out of my car in a snowstorm.
Mom: I didn’t know that…

Dad about 6-month old Zoe, who is going to puppy school: You have to invite her up on your lap.
Me: That’s like vampires when you have to invite them into your home.
Dad: Zoe, I’m inviting you over here. Jacky is not.

Sister explaining why she forgot something: My mind is a galaxy.

Me, turning up radio for Miley Cyrus song
Mom: How old are you again? 11? 12?

Grandpa to waitress after we’d been ignored: I’m going to trip you if you don’t get over here.

Mom to barking dogs as she lets them in the backyard: Go tell your friends all about it.

Sister: I get bored if I don’t take a nap.

Baby bliss

Two of my former coworkers had babies while I was traveling. It was torture to hear about the babies, see their adorable pictures but not be able to hold them. Growing up, my mom and I were the baby hogs of the family, sneaking off into another room so we could have one of my cousins to ourselves. My youngest cousin is now in seventh grade, so I’ve been suffering baby withdrawal for a very long time. I was finally able to meet the little ones this week. It was even more wonderful than I expected.

On Monday, I met Maxwell Theodore. He wasn’t even two weeks old. I was kind of afraid of hurting him since it’s been so long since I’ve held a newborn. He was so light and little and moved his arms around in funny positions. I also finally learned what this “Boppy” thing was. I am now a fan.

(What I’m thinking: “I wonder if your parents will notice if I run away with you…”)

On Friday, I met my name twin, Jack William. He’s a little older than a month and was really alert. I like to think he was recognizing me after hearing my voice nearly every day for six months.

(left: An undeniable connection. right: Raising the roof.)

I loved all the little noises Jack made while he wiggled around. I can’t be for certain, but I’m pretty sure he asked me to be his best friend and mentioned that he wants me to come over and play a lot. Our first order of business will be choreographing dance moves to one of his favorite songs, “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus.

Jacky Carter, Judge of Facts

I’d planned on having all my recaps of Costa Rica up by now, but my plans were rudely interrupted after being called in for jury duty. I received my original summons in July but decided I’d use my one postponement. It was summer and I just didn’t feel like it. Plus, they let you pick when you’d rather have it. I thought October was a solid choice.

As a stand-by juror, I was supposed to call in after 5 p.m. every day for a week to see if I’d be needed the next day. The idea of this annoyed the crap out of me. Lunch plans and meeting babies were put on hold. A few friends had jury duty recently, so I assumed I’d go in for a day or two like they did, then be dismissed.

Ha. Totally wrong.

I had to report Tuesday morning at 8:30. The central waiting room had wi-fi, which obviously made me happy. I was able to read e-mails and blogs that I hadn’t had time to that morning because I had to be there so early and I had no idea how the commute would be.

The theme of the day was waiting. We waited to hear what was going on. We waited for the TV to come back on. We waited while officers and our leader lady collected our summons (and boy was there mass confusion about what to tear off and who should hold onto their summons). It was such a process with so many people, and I couldn’t imagine having to deal with that every. single. day. At one point, while leader lady was taking attendance for a group, and people weren’t responding to their names, she bellowed “Say ‘here’ like you’re proud of the name your momma gave you.” It made us laugh.

Finally the first group of potential jurors was called early, just to get people out of the central waiting room because it’d become standing room only. About 45 minutes later the second group was called. The whole time the announcer called names, I repeated Destiny Child’s “Say my name” in my head, willing my name to be called so I could just get on with my day.

Surprisingly, it worked. Our group of 75 was taken down the street to the court house, where we then waited in the hallway for more than an hour before being let in the court room. Sixteen people were then randomly picked to fill the jurors box for questions. A couple were quickly let go and I was drawn to replace one.

Before I know it, after I’ve told all the people related to the case everywhere I’ve lived and for how long, what I do, whether I have children and confirmed that I understand common sense, I was one of three jurors picked. Minutes after I’d heard my name, I was being sworn in as Juror Number Three. It took two more days to fill the rest of spots, though we often had no idea what was going on. Sometimes we watched the rest of the process. Sometimes we were sent into a room with no explanation of why we were waiting there or when our court officer would be back for us. I joked we should bring games, solely to see our court officer’s reaction to opening the door to a game of Twister. I also tried to initiate some group bonding on the elevator as we crammed in to the leave building, hollering “Group 23 in the house!” That seemed to go over pretty well.

I have no idea what’s in store for me (besides going all day without Internet, a true struggle for me), but I hope to be able to share more insight once the process is over. For now, I’ve been sworn to secrecy. Which is a weird feeling.

It’s a good thing

Since I’ve been back in New York, people have asked what I’m up to as an unemployed person. My first week back after traveling, I was bored out of my mind (and not enjoying all the unpacking/reorganizing of my room and closet after being gone five weeks). But then things like this happen, when I go see Martha Stewart just because she’s famous and I don’t have anywhere to be at 5 p.m.

(After the photographers took pictures of her holding her new books — shouting things like “Martha, look to your right please. Please Martha, right. Look to the right.” “Over here Martha! Your right, just could you maybe hold the books the other way?” — she whipped out her camera and took pictures of them. For her blog. Apparently Martha gets a kick out of the number of page views her “little personal blog” gets. I can’t remember if it was 7,000 a day or 7 million a month, but it was crazy.)

(As much as I wanted her “Encyclopedia of Crafts,” I couldn’t justify spending $35 when it’s only $20 on Amazon.)

Her book signing was at the new Michael’s craft store opening on the Upper West Side. This is a huge development in the craft world, as the only other store nearby is in Queens. But this new one. Holy cow. It’s insane. The aisles are entirely too small and all the employees drove me crazy, but the stuff that was stocked made me want to go on a shopping spree. Because who doesn’t need a $124.99 paper cutter?

Inside the actors studio

One summer in college, my life revolved around the Bravo channel — two “West Wing” episodes in the morning, one in the evening and another at night (though I generally would only catch 75 percent of them. Hello. Summer job). When I wasn’t watching Rob Lowe be beautiful and funny, and admiring Martin Sheen’s perfectly coiffed hair, I discovered other shows on Bravo, like “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” and James Lipton’s “Inside the Actors Studio.” Before that I had only seen Will Ferrell mock James Lipton on “Saturday Night Live.” I had no idea how dead-on the impersonation was — the massive stack of index cards detailing everything in the guest’s life; the rhythm and inflection that Lipton uses in asking questions and making statements; the slightly ridiculous wording and analogies. It was brilliant.

I’d camp out in the basement during an “Actors Studio” marathon with pen and paper to jot down good quotes. I became so engulfed in the show that I started talking about “the craft” of acting.* People didn’t really care though. I was entranced by Angelina Jolie’s honesty, transparency and beauty. Robin Williams made me laugh so hard I cried from his spontaneity (”Baby Jesus loves you!“) And, at least for the episode, Lipton was able to keep Tom Cruise’s crazy away. Thankfully I had one friend who watched the show so I didn’t feel like such a weirdo, because most everyone else in my life had never even heard of it.

*I think my appreciation of “the craft” explains why I became so caught up in the Writers Guild strikes in fall 2007/winter 2008. I checked the website multiple times a day to find out the time and location of the next picket. Then I’d calculate whether I had time to go watch during my lunch break. Coworkers joined me a couple times and I always had my camera on hand, ready to document the celebrities. It was a famous person dream for me. I saw Seth Meyers from “SNL,” soap opera stars, actors I recognized but whose names escaped me and Ron Howard. (I was speechless.) Unfortunately, I never made it on the same days that Tina Fey, Robin Williams or Juliane Moore were picketing. While the Guild posted locations ahead of time, they never include the star lineup, much to my disappointment.

At the end of each episode, Lipton asks his guests the same 10 questions. I always looked forward to the responses and couldn’t help but constantly revise my answers too, delusionallly hoping that one day I’d be sitting across from him, answering them in person (I have no aspirations of acting or directing, so I’m not sure how I thought this would happen). Most of my answers have changed since the first few times I thought about them, but here’s where I’m at now:

What is your favorite word? For its meaning: grace. For the sound: Mesopotamia (sixth grade social studies anyone?). It’s just really fun to say.
What is your least favorite word? Retarded
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Coffee, sunshine, running, a good night’s sleep, laughter, conversations when you lose track of time
What turns you off? Inefficiency, lack of authenticity, being inconsiderate
What is your favorite curse word? WTF
What sound or noise do you love? A breeze rustling through trees
What sound or noise do you hate? Cars honking
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Dancer, largely in part to my summer obsession with the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” and in no part because I actually have any talent
What profession would you not like to do? Sales
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “It’s OK.”

Beating a bad day one thank you note at a time

I have a post up on This Ordinary Day today. When I was trying to brainstorm ideas for the title, these phrases crossed my mind. And the comment about watering your flowers in this article about prioritizing captures the same sentiment too. Alas, I ended up with “Thank You.”