Oklahoma's downright enchanting to me these days. The air's getting colder, the sun's setting earlier and I can finally get away with wearing a hoodie in the mornings. Fall in New Mexico is sort of like a week-long change, it's like one day you wake up and it's officially Fall. Oklahoma eases into its seasons and for some reason, it's absolutely intoxicating for me. I've been doing lots of driving with my window down, with ruins my hair since I need a haircut pretty badly, but I'm not really here to impress anyone.
On that note, Labor Day weekend was splendid, at least compared to Memorial Day. One things for sure, I ate like a champ. Sunday night, I went to Tyler and Laura's wedding shower and there was so much food, I might have gotten a little sick. But it was all so good! Other friend Murf moved just down the street and invited me and Chelsey over for chili potatoes tonight. It's been a long time since I've eaten so well, I've been on a mac n cheese/ramen budget these days.
Digital trinkets:
One thing's certain, this is Chelsey's pose of choice when the camera comes out at Edna's.
After the wedding shower, Tyler and Laura headed out with Laura's school mate Sa to a White Party, since you know, Sunday was the last day you can wear white. It got pretty intense and we bailed early, but we dressed for the occasion.
I grew up around the Kennedys. I think one of the first "adult" books I read was a biography of JFK. I spent hours flipping through a photo book of Jackie Kennedy. I was always fixated on them, the idea of this perfect American family; such history, such tradition. While most 9 year girls I knew wanted to be Toni Braxton or Whitney Houston, I wanted to be a Kennedy.
The Kennedys are the reason I fell in love with politics. I wanted to understand them and that meant understanding politics. Mom & Dad set up the framework, sure, but what actually got me there was having a face to match. And I really do love politics. So much so, that when I was asked to work a Senator, regardless of much that Senator's political affiliation didn't match mine, I still felt a sense of duty to it; this was a chance for me, little old me, to make even a hair of difference, like the people I had read about. In fact, I don't think I can find myself happy in a job that doesn't include public service.
So, when the last member of the triumvirate joined his brothers, I got a tad emotional. It really is the end of an era.
And on a much less serious note...
Possums.
Chelsey saw one in the backyard about a week ago. Possums are things of foreign myth to this New Mexican and I'm very, very excited to spot one on my own. Chelsey tells me that they are very nasty creatures (evidence above). I'd still like to pet one.
If that scared you, I'll make up for it with adorable pictures of my wonderdog taking a bath and jumping on the couch. Proud parent, am I.
I've been going through old pictures lately, getting new computers set up and such. This one really struck me; the only thing I could think of when I saw it was, "God. I really miss that girl." Not that things are horrible now, not that things were great then, I guess I'm having a little difficulty identifying with the former versions of myself. Sometimes, I see my life in blocks instead of a line.
We decided the puppy needed a super Oklahoma name, since she's an Okie at heart (although, me and Chelsey have decided to teach her commands in Spanish and Latin, as well as plain English). We thought and thought about what to call her. We looked through lists of local Oklahoma celebrities, famous western cowgirls, street names, counties... pretty much anything. And then it sort of hit us like a brick.
Oklahoma, the Musical.
We named her Gertie Cummins. She's like the Janice of the musical. We picked it because we liked the sound of it, and now, more and more, she's exhibiting such Gertie-like characteristics. She's a loud mouth, and she MUST be the center of attention. But, what 10 week old puppy doesn't?
She's such a puppy. She loves her toys so much. And she bites feet like she's trying to herd people together. We took her to Lake Hefner the other night and she ran right into the water. She's absolutely fearless, unless it involves cars, and that's a phobia I'm glad she has. She'll ride in them just fine, but when it comes to walking next to them, she's ridden with anxiety.
It's exhausting, watching her every move. But I love the little pile of cuddle and urine. And she loves us too. I feel like a mommyblogger right now. And I worry that one day, Gertie will say, "Mom, why did you post pictures of my butt on the internet?". But until then, puppy pictures GALORE on this page of the internet.
But did you notice anything about the photo quality in that last picture? Like it might have possibly been taken in Photobooth?
It was.
I'm now the proud owner of not one, but TWO new Apples. Excessive? Oh, I tend to agree, but logically, it works out. Laptop's for when I start school again and the many traveling adventures I plan on taking in the next few years. Desktop's for storage and various creative projects. Dudes, after YEARS of absense, Final Cut Pro is up and working again. Remember when I pierced all of you for a stop motion movie that I never made? Well, now I shall make it!
It's very, very exciting to have a massive, new creative outlet again. And to have a laptop with a working "S" key that can run more than one application at a time. And on top of all of that, a puppy too. Life is new, new, new and full of stuff, stuff, stuff. But quite honestly, life feels a little like a Danny Winn song. If you know what I mean.
Job-stuff is still questionable. What I've got is only temporary and I interviewed for permanent on Friday. However, the state of Oklahoma has awesome merit tests and if you don't test high enough, you're out of the game. So, even though the supervisors love me and I'm super-good at my job, I probably won't get it. We shall see, though. If not, I'll probably start substitute teaching. And won't that be an adventure in blogging!
Someone very, very mean left me in an alley last night. Luckily, a very nice lady who owns a local gallery found me and my siblings, took us to a vet and found us new homes. My new home is with two ladies in a fancy condo. So far, I like it. I already know where my food bowl is and that if I beg for food, I won't get it. I also tuck my tail between my legs when I eat. I have no idea why I do that.
I have no idea why I do that. But most importantly, I need a name. If my naming is left up to my mother Cat, she'll name me Gihad or Martha 'Grab my balls' Washington in Full Effect. Save me from such a fate.
The workforce welcomed me back (finally) on Tuesday for yet another job I can't blog about. I think that I'll just have to accept the fact that I'll never be allowed to blog about another job ever again. But, so far, so good. It keeps me busy, if not a little mind-numb, but the days go by quick. It's in Midwest City, a whole 19 miles from where I live in OKC. Right now, that doesn't bother me, but it might start to get on my nerves in a while. It's nice to have a routine again.
By far, the worst part is getting up early. The Sunday before I started, Chelsey and I decided that buying a 20 pack of Miller Lite at 1:30am and killing it by sunrise was a great idea. An even better idea was going to the diner down the street, still drunk, and getting biscuits and non-chocolate gravy at 9am. Well, it was totally awesome, but as if my sleep schedule wasn't bad enough, that absolutely ruined it.
I can tell you that there was a chocolate party in the building I work on Friday. No reason, just a bunch of people decided to bring in chocolate. Dudes in Oklahoma like to eat. Someone brought in chocolate gravy, which completely blew my mind. I had no idea such a thing existed. Turns out, it's super popular in the south; people serve it over biscuits and dip bacon in it. WHAT. I guess it's sort of like when I try to explain xeroscaping or swamp coolers to people here. It just doesn't make sense. Now, the most important question: how was it? Well, I didn't dip any bacon in it, but it was pretty much like eating a chocolate muffin. With butter. I guess if people can deep fry twinkies, they can make chocolate gravy.
I'm too close for comfort to age 30. New Mexico is home but I'm finally tough enough to love living in the midwest. I've got a film degree that I never apply in my professional life but I'd never trade it in for a different one. I love the basics; good music, good food, good movies and good books. But I'll stop almost anything for good company. I can't shut up about the Thunder, especially Serge Ibaka. I'm hopelessy awkward. I only hope you think it's adorable.
