Forecast is rain all afternoon, and I have to go pick up my bicycle from the bike shop. I guess I'll cover it with a large garbage bag to keep it from getting wet. Anybody know how much damage rain does to your bike? I don't know how to clean and lube it myself, that's why it's at the bike shop in the first place.
Did I mention here that I had a good interview a couple weeks back? Well, result was disappointment. The job went to another person because she had specific experience with their payroll system, which was SAP. But they were very polite and professional about the whole thing. The HR guy was really nice about keeping me informed while they made their decision.
Oh well. Fifth month of unemployment now. it's the economy, stupid.
Our neighbors keep chickens, and today about a dozen of them came up the hill through the woods to our yard while we were out doing yardwork. We went down to their house to tell them, but they weren't home. We sure as heck didn't know how to catch them and get them home, so I was heading over to tell another neighbor about it and ask what to do, and Jay had gone back to our yard, when suddenly I noticed that the chicken coop's door was propped open. Apparently it was okay for the chickens to be out, they'd just never sauntered our way before (that we'd noticed).
As I was heading back up to our house to tell Jay about the coop door, I rounded the corner to our driveway and met an astonishing sight: Jay marching down the driveway clutching a chicken in both hands, with two or three others clucking around his heels. The chicken was so still I thought it was dead for a minute, but apparently, that's just how they react to being picked up. Jay passed me heading for the neighbor's yard, and I tried to herd a few of the stragglers, but they wouldn't be herded, so finally I picked one up, and yes, it went completely still in my hands. It felt to me like it was relaxed, not terrified. Apparently these hens are as tame as dogs, and being picked up and carried feels perfectly safe to them. Huh.
So I guess I'll have to add "chicken wrangler" to my resume.
This came at the very end of the evening -- Jay had bicycled 20 miles, crossing the river in the south to north direction 3 times, and just barely made it to the ferry for the second to last trip of the day at 8 pm. I was *tired* -- maybe that's why I was using the canopy to support myself -- just had one more trip back to do and then I could join Jay on the north bank where he was waiting, camera in hand.
Jay took this tonight while I was volunteering as a deckhand on the 6-8 shift. The big jolt at the end is the result of him backing up and forgetting there was a step behind him.
I have a Google news alert on the phrase "sea otter." Today I got this from the San Diego CityBeat:
"The live sea creature that I do find amazingly delectable is the sea urchin, whose prehistoric-looking spiny shell protects five lobes of gonads—yes, the sex organs. Sea otters and humans alike are attracted to their sweet, creamy flavor and delicate texture that melts on your tongue; it kind of feels and tastes like you’re making out with the ocean."
Hmm. Despite my pretending to be a sea otter, I've never eaten sea urchin. Or abalone, for that matter.
We didn't do much today. Got up, went to church at a United Methodist church a couple towns over where we've attended services about 3 times before. (We are "unchurched", which means without a church home, at the moment, for reasons too lengthy to discuss here.) Afterward, drove around for awhile, then went to a brunch buffet at Butler's, one of the training restaurants of NECI (New England Culinary Institute). They put on a good spread, but I guess I'm getting jaded, having attended it too many times in recent years. I better think of something new to do for Thanksgiving.
Afterward, we came home and went food coma.
I used to be very into assembling Easter baskets, coloring eggs, sometimes even having an egg hunt with The Lemur, aka hubby. Didn't bother this year. I guess you have to grow up sometime. :S
But that ain't the point of the holiday, anyway. Christ is risen, y'all!
Apr. 12th, 2009 @ 07:27 pm
Yesterday I went to the Green Mountain Club headquarters and took an all-day workshop in map & compass reading. It was fun and informative.
I was kind of bored for the first two hours, when we were just looking at maps (mostly topo) and learning how to read them. I already know that pretty well. But when we got to compasses, I immediately learned something important: the function of the little metal wodget on the compass cord. It's a micro-screwdriver to adjust the compass for local magnetic declination! (Geogeeks will understand. If anyone else wants to know, ask & I'll expand in the comments.)
Then when we got outside, it really got interesting. There must be more than one way to navigate with map & compass, but it helped a lot to learn a sequence of actions: Orient the map. Take bearing on map between where you are & desired destination. Follow that bearing. Look for map features on the ground as you go.
It was a good balance between a science and an art, left- and right-brain activity. Fun! I'm hoping to do some more orienteering some time.
Apr. 12th, 2009 @ 07:06 pm
I took the day off from my part-time job at the Census yesterday to go to a seminar/training day called the "REVIVE! Development Retreat." It was a day of talks about resumes, interviews, and how to get in touch with your vision, reduce stress, etc. Sounds corny, but it was free, so I wasn't about to turn it down. I heard about it from a recruiting firm I'm registered with.
The hosting group was Dale Carnegie Training. I've been a fan of Dale Carnegie since I read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" as a teenager. I think Carnegie had the gift of saying things that were really obviously true about people, but saying them in a way the reader might never have thought of before. I guess that's what any really good self-help book does -- it tells you things you already know, but hadn't realized you knew.
Anyway, the Dale Carnegie speaker was really inspiring; she started the day with a talk about Renewing your Vision. Next we had another speaker talking about networking; she emphasized developing your "elevator speech", and I think I got the idea how to do it. Then the Carnegie speaker again on Interview Attitude. She gave a lot of good ideas how to get psyched when you're on the spot. I also realized I have a LOT of work to do on interviews, figuring out the answers to all the hard questions.
The final speaker of the day was Steve Taubman, a guy who's a bit of a local celebrity, having done stage hypnotism shows around the area for years. It appears he's reinventing himself as a motivational speaker. He's also written a self-help book called "Unhypnosis," based on the idea that we've all been hypnotized by our wrong beliefs since childhood. I was fairly impressed. He's a bit too obviously "canned", working from memory and not connecting with the audience as much as he should, but he's still new at this. He's got some good ideas. He does some of the "restating the obvious" like Dale Carnegie, but he also synthesizes a lot of ideas from religion, philosophy, etc. He's self-made, and I think he shows by example how other people can be.
By end of day, I was wondering who had paid for this whole shebang. It had been free to us, so I figured it was supported by the state or something. Turns out, everyone speaking gave their time for free; the space was free; Green Mountain Coffee even brought in java for free. All donated. What a wonderful gift! There were about 50 people there, I think 90% laid off, the others just thinking about looking. I got some inspiration out of the day. I bet other people did too.
Thank you, Dale Carnegie Training, Steve Taubman, et al. It was a great day.
Apr. 8th, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Distance: 11.1 miles Time: 4 hours Shoes: Brooks walkers with Superfeet insoles Pack: Camelbak Ventoux (3L water)
On Friday, April 3, Jay took the day off work, and I was done at the Census office at 1 pm, so we planned to do a major training walk, despite a forecast of torrential rain. Originally, the plan was to walk home from the Census office, which Jay had done by himself on an earlier occasion. However, he must have decided it would be boring to walk the same route again, because when he picked me up at work, he just started driving and wouldn't tell me where to.
We eventually arrived and parked in Waterbury, a town about 10 miles east of our house (and home of the Ben & Jerry's factory). Vermont State Route 2 goes directly from Waterbury to our house, following the path of the Winooski River. But it's a major road and fairly busy. So, we walked on the other side of the river, on a minor road called River Road in Waterbury and Duxbury Road in Richmond, and unpaved for about half (or more) of that span.
We started walking from Waterbury at about 2:30. The predicted rain hadn't fallen yet, but it was overcast, and we knew it might come anytime. We were lucky, though ... it held off until we were almost home. I don't think I would have been a happy camper if I had gotten soaked. I had an extra warm shirt in my pack, but it could've gotten wet and then I would NOT have been happy. I should plan a little better. My big problem with heat regulation is that if I wear the warm stuff, I get really overheated and then I lose my energy, but sometimes it's hard to put on the warm things when you need them. Well, most of the time while I'm training, it will be warmer & that won't be such a worry.
Mostly, it was a pretty nice, relaxing walk, though in the second half, my feet started to hurt an awful lot. Happily, I didn't blister. The rain held off until about the last mile of our walk, and it didn't cut loose then, just sprinkled us. (We got the torrents later that night.) We were really hustling, that last mile -- just hoping to beat the rain, and fighting footsoreness, both of us. Jay raised some really huge blisters on his toes. But, we got home before 6:30 -- about 4 hours for 11.1 miles. My longest walk yet! I'll be doing 20 miles in no time, I'm sure. ;-)
On Saturday, March 21, it rained cats and dogs. We went to the gym and I did yoga while Jay walked the track. Afterward, we went shoe shopping. That was interesting, because I've never been "professionally" fitted for a pair of athletic shoes before. We went to a store called Fleet Feet, which, although a franchise, has really thorough training for its sales staff. They learn about how to diagnose your gait, whether you over-pronate or -supinate, and what kind of shoes you need to compensate. And they put you on a treadmill to watch how you actually walk. I wound up with a pair of Brooks shoes. They cost more than I've ever paid for athletic shoes before, but as Jay was saying, these shoes will change my life. (Walking hundreds of miles to train for 60 miles in three days, you know.)
On Saturday, March 28, we took our first training walk. Leaving one car at the Park & Ride near the interstate, 4.8 miles from our house, we walked home. It wasn't terribly hard -- after all, I've walked that far before. I didn't stretch at the very beginning, but I stopped and stretched a few times on the way, usually when my feet had started to hurt. It helped, even helped right away. The super shoes got their first major use.
On the way home, we passed a neighbor's house who has two donkeys, a camel, a goat, chickens, and a dog. We greeted the critters, but didn't have anything to share with them at the time. After we got home and cleaned up a little, we grabbed a bunch of old carrots from the fridge, jumped in the car, and went back to feed the hoofed beasts. The donkeys snubbed us (wouldn't come over) but the camel, Otis, and the goat, Nicky, enjoyed the snack.
Below: Jay says hello to Otis the camel during our walk.
Otis gives me a kiss, during our walk.
I forgot to mention the hat. That was also acquired during our Fleet Feet outfitting trip. Not only is it Day-Glo, it also has a flashing light on the back for nighttime. :)
We're both signed up to walk the Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3-Day in October (and we're going to serve as support crew for the Boston 3-Day in July) and we both have to raise at least $2,300. Counting matching gifts from Jay's employer that will be released in a couple of months, he's over his minimum -- being notorious on the Net and being shamelessly self-promoting can have advantages. I'm stuck at $500 so far (and that'll be matched by Jay's employer too) because I'm really just getting started and haven't done much to spread the word. It doesn't help that I don't have any co-workers to hit up for donations... yes, I'm still unemployed. I feel a bit jealous of how fast Jay raced to his minimum. It's my competitive instinct coming out, I guess. Jay says that's not wrong, that it's okay to be competitive, and furthermore, he says that now that he's exceeded his minimum he'll try to point any further donors toward my donation link (http://www.the3day.org/goto/carole) instead. But still, I'd rather not ride on his coattails -- I'd like to think of zany, amusing things I can do myself to get the word out and hopefully raise the remaining $1,300 I need to get to my minimum.
Does anyone have any ideas, maybe things that you've seen friends or family or co-workers do for similar events? Suggestions and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Today I joined in a conference call run by the 3-Day people, called a Get Started Meeting. It's an introduction to the whole 3-Day experience, tips about fundraising, training, etc.
I found it surprisingly inspiring. Why surprising? I guess I don't expect canned stuff to touch me, emotionally. But even if the script for the meeting is canned, it's sincere.
Apr. 6th, 2009 @ 10:15 pm
After a 15-minute phone interview, Jay and I just received our crew assignment for the Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day in July. We'll be on Pit Stop Team #5 each day -- the last pit stop of the day. Our job is to pass out drinks and snacks, and also encouragement, to the four thousand walkers as they pass by, having walked about 17 of their 20 miles for the day. It was our first choice for a crew assignment; we figured that anything where we'd be out on the walking route would be more interesting than anything in camp. Besides, we like the idea of giving people the hydration and treats and pats on the back they need to keep going. And it'll give me a chance to see how people look after that much walking -- since I'll be doing it myself in Philly in October!
Jay and I would be very grateful for your support on our fundraising campaign. We each have to raise $2,300 to take part in the Philadelphia walk and we'd like to raise enough to defer the costs of feeding and supporting US in the Boston walk (around $200, I think they said) as well. As you know, I've just started fundraising... hubby started me off with a $500 pledge, which will be matched by his employer, so I'm up to $1000. Many of you gave something to Jay's walk last year, and we appreciate your support. If you can afford to repeat it, please feel free to donate to either of our campaigns, or both. If you haven't given, please think about it. I need your support!
Sometimes your H.P. really puts you exactly where you need to be.
This morning I was feeling really depressed and I didn't want to go to work. I've been depressed for days, and feeling really worthless. Being unemployed can really do a number on your self-esteem.
But I dragged myself into work anyway. And, O wonder of wonders, I actually managed to be useful and got praised for it!
It's so rare that a supervisor praises you for *anything*, but this supe went out of his way, TWICE, to tell me how helpful I'd been. And this was just for writing him a couple of nice, neat lists when he needed them.
I think this supe goes right to the hall of fame. And I think the H.P. gets thanks and praise for putting me in the way of a self-esteem boost just when I desperately needed one.
See, I don't really believe in God. But that doesn't mean I don't recognize a gift from providence when I see one.
Jay's been preaching the virtues of getting a lot of exercise and setting ambitious personal fitness goals for years, and especially since he signed up for the Washington Breast Cancer 3-Day last year. He lost tons of weight and got in much better shape AND raised $3,800 for breast cancer research. And predictably, Jay being Jay, the moment he got back from the event he started trying to get me to take part this year.
I initially agreed to work with him in Boston in July as crew for the 2009 Boston 3-Day walk. No walking, no fundraising commitment, but still I'd be involved with the event, running a break station each day or helping with camp logistics or whatever they assign us to.
Lately, though, we've been walking a lot on the indoor track at our local gym and I've had to come face to face with how out of shape I really am. I walked six miles (and Jay walked eight) on the track on Saturday and I just felt sick and wrung out afterwards. That's crazy -- I should be just getting warmed up after a paltry six miles. I'm only 38.
So I agreed to sign up to walk the Philadephia Breast Cancer 3-Day this October -- Jay and his walking partner, Sandy (an old college friend who lives near DC) are already signed up. I was wary about the fundraising commitment of $2,300 but Jay promised he'd help me and do everything he could to help beat the bushes for donations. With matching gifts from various employers involved, the goal probably is doable, soft economy or not.
But I have to be honest -- it's not just about the fundraising. It's about making a positive change in my life, getting fit and in shape and losing weight and setting an ambitious goal and then doing everything I can to make that goal come to pass. I guess this means that when Jay heads out on Saturdays and Sundays all summer long for his 10-mile and 15-mile and 20-mile training walks, hydration pack on his back, I'll be right there alongside him.
It goes without saying that I would be very grateful for any and all donations that people reading this would be willing to send in. All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to the charity sponsoring the event, the Susan G. Komen foundation, which has an impressive record of bang-for-the-buck where sponsored research is concerned. The link to donate is http://www.the3day.org/goto/carole -- and thank you very much for any and all donations. You have my vow that I'll take this commitment very seriously.
Today I was offered a temporary, full-time job working for the U.S. Census. This was a surprise, because when I took their test a few weeks ago, we were told that almost all the jobs were part-time. Also, I was expecting field work, but this is an office job.
It doesn't pay very much, but I am allowed to collect partial unemployment. The main reason I took it isn't the money, but to keep busy. Sitting at home day after day has been driving me crazy.
The job starts this coming Monday and lasts for eight weeks.
So, today's my third day unemployed. Yesterday, I called the state office and filed a claim. It wasn't too bad. Only took about 45 minutes, including hold time.
Today at 5:30, I'm going to the town hall in the next town over to take a test for Census jobs. The jobs they are hiring for right now sound kind of interesting: they are doing address verification -- going around the streets making sure all the houses are in the Census database. Less mind-numbing than sitting in people's living rooms, going through the entire questionnaire with them. I don't anticipate any difficulty with the test. :)
Needless to say, I'm checking the job listings. I'm also signed up with Spherion, a placement agency. I hope something surfaces soon. In the meantime, I'm doing a lot of cleaning up files and unfinished jobs around the house.
Also, I'm in the final week of rehearsals for Gospelfest, a concert of gospel music held annually at Burlington's Flynn Theater. This concert is sponsored by the New Alpha Missionary Baptist Church, an African-American congregation (and as far as I know, the only one in the area). I am a member of the Burlington Ecumenical Choir, which basically means anyone who wants to sing in Gospelfest and will show up for the rehearsals. There are people of all faiths, including independent. For me, it means a really uplifting spiritual experience. It's a crossover into a culture very unlike my own staid, reserved Protestant upbringing. The concert is on Sunday at 5 pm -- if you live in the area, please consider coming!
We're on our way to Bennington to meet up with my brother and sis-in-law, Glenn and Natalie, and to see the play in which my s-i-l is appearing. It's an adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities for four actors. I'm really looking forward to the play. Last year we saw Natalie in a similar adaptation of Hard Times, and it was really well done.
Oct. 18th, 2008 @ 12:28 pm
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