February 2013 – anywhere is….

Month: February 2013

Just One of Those Weeks

23 February 2013 / life, pictures, ronni, shenanigans, yoga

It was just one of those weeks. You know the type where it seems like you’re doing ALL THE THINGS ALL DAY LONG but you only check one or two things off the to do list. Or when you get so far in a big project on the computer only for the software you’re using to crash, not only once, but at least five times.

Yes. That really happened.

BUT I eventually got the project done and my recipient is very happy. 🙂 And now, another yoga teacher training milestone is out of the way. Customized yoga is done. Here I am with my student:

nancy is awesome

Not much more to go. I need to attend two thesis presentations, write up my book reviews, write up my private lessons, and turn in my thesis. And my final exam, which hasn’t been announced yet. Closing circle is April 26. That gives me about two months to tie up all the loose ends and finally have that certificate in my hands.

Earlier this week, I got to see a truly disgusting side of humanity but in the next instant, I saw things that were heartwarming and beautiful. It was a week where I felt like I could not get enough to sleep, and a week where a cold decided to come along and make me feel slightly off-kilter and very cranky.

I realized I like Slim Jims.

I got to work at Trisect, which I love. And because I was working on a special project, the proofreader I usually cover for was there. It was awesome to finally meet her. She was really nice, and she has big hair like me. 🙂

Went back to Mysore Tuesday night. I like the evening Mysore and I am thrilled that a Thursday evening Mysore is going to start in a few weeks. At least, that’s the word out on the street. I never expected to like Mysore as much as I do. Believe me, NO ONE is more surprised than I am that I like Mysore as much as I do. I got four more poses on Tuesday, and I think I’ll be here for a while. I’m up to Uttitha Eka Padasana. Yea. I’ll be there for a while. Heh. Funnily enough, I am great at that one. It’s the two before that I suck at. It’s Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana and Utthita Parsvasahita that’s gonna keep kicking my butt, and those come BEFORE Uttitha Eka Padasana. And then once I get those, the next big move is handstand, but before that is Utkatasana, where I’ll be stuck for about 95 years because I cannot do handstand (yet?). It scares the poo out of me. (But I like Utkatasana so I’m OK with that.)

I got to watch the pilot for Golden Boy, which made me happy. I thought that I would miss it because the television premiere is February 26 (you know where I’ll be!) but CBS.com is nice enough to have it streaming now. I am not a huge “cop show” girl but this one is intriguing. I like it and will continue to watch it for the time being.

Yesterday, snow came and that, coupled with usual Chicago Friday rush hour that starts at freaking 1pm, made running errands annoying and frustrating. I’ve gotten spoiled by the new Target in town. Yesterday, we went to a more crowded one and I wanted to smack everyone who kept getting in my way. And that really was almost EVERYONE. It seemed like as soon as I’d go to an empty aisle to look at something, 90,000 other people would need the exact thing I wanted. OR I’d go to an aisle and there would be one person standing right front of the item I needed, and standing SO CLOSE TO THE SHELVES there was no way I could go up and look myself without being a creeper.

I worked the Tantric Restorative workshop last night. Doing the workshops at the West Bucktown location is 99x less stressful than doing them at River West. Except for always worrying about running out of props, but we were actually OK. There were fewer people there, and although the lobby got a little crazy with one class ending, the workshop starting and *another* workshop starting, it was still OK. And the actual workshop itself was great. I almost fell asleep in some of the poses. I know some people DID fall asleep. I might have been one of them.

I was glad to get home, eat some pasta, and read. I’d planned on cleaning the apartment today, but they dropped the bomb yesterday that the manuals were due to our students this coming Thursday. And well, Thursday, I’m going to be playing in Animal Kingdom or something. So I had to get it done today. Which brought on the histrionics when Word kept crashing. And crashing. And crashing. So I used Pages and managed to get it working–although Pages has its own issues. But no matter. It’s done, and I think it looks OK. And Adam ended up doing all the cleaning.

Mercury went into retrograde today, which makes me a little bit nervous, considering I had the computer issue, and I had an issue with one of the games I play causing me to possibly inadvertently spam non-playing FB friends. Folks, I love some of the games on Facebook. They’re mindless and cute and they just help me calm the eff down. But I don’t want to be subjecting people to all of that if they don’t want to be, so I am very careful about filtering my game posts so only fellow players see them, and only sending requests to people I KNOW are active players (and I know this because they send active requests to ME). So when I’m clicking through my requests and realize that the game company has thrown in someone I KNOW doesn’t play but I’ve already clicked it (and didn’t realize it until after the fact), I get really angry. Because that’s bullshit. It’s deceitful and greedy and I can guarantee they’re not getting a dime of my “real money” for doing underhanded crap like that.

OH and also, they recommend that Sagittarius people don’t travel during Mercury retrogrades. This is what the Farmer’s Almanac says:

In Sagittarius: It is not a time to travel, so reschedule or just expect delays, lines, and lost directions. Instead, take care of local affairs. Patience and a sense of humor are needed.

WELL ISN’T THAT JUST FREAKING GREAT. But I’m not going to buy so much into this because I don’t want to be blaming every little silly thing on retrograde and making a big deal out of something that’s probably nothing or just typical annoying things that happen any time one travels.

Anyway, I expected long lines. For some reason, this February has been insane with lines in Magic Kingdom, so *Kanye shrug.* And yeah, we’ll probably get lost in Magic Kingdom, but it’s happened before and we got through it. It’s the delays that have me worried. Well, you know what? I will throw my own retrograde energy into a March 1 Friday night flight delay. That flight back to Chicago can be delayed as long as it freaking wants and I won’t care one happy little bit. And if I have to stay an extra night in Orlando… OH DARN.

I forgot to mention: a couple of weeks ago, someone told me that someone told her that I had a singing voice like an angel. Which is nice to hear but really CANNOT BE RIGHT. She has to be mistaken or have gotten me mixed up with someone else. My voice changed when I was about 12 and hasn’t been that good since. I get lazy and don’t hold keys right or I just get out of my head and sing everything completely WRONG (i.e. 9000 octaves above what it’s supposed to be and off key). Now, when I am paying attention and working hard, I sound OK. But I mean just OK as in, it’s OK to listen to me when I’m in the shower and the water’s running really hard. I can OM like a mofo. But sing? Nah, dude. She had to have been mistaken.

Something else I forgot to mention: One of the 50¢ CDs I got from Half-Price Books was Karsh Kale. I first heard his music by accident, browsing around on emusic.com, and I really liked it! So THAT was a treasure find for sure.

And now I’m calming down by blogging, listening to music, and neurotically arranging folders and files on my computer. Because that’s how people like me feel some sense of order and control in the world.

Oh my God. I think I need to go to bed. I’ve got to sleep off the rest of this cold. Maybe I should go to King Spa and sit in that really hot sauna. That’ll burn the rest of this crap out of my head. And they ARE open 24/7….. yea right. Like I’m going anywhere NOW.

Anyway, tomorrow I’ll be packing and charging various devices. Gonna TRY to make a yoga class too. I need one that’ll kick my ass. There is a vinyasa 2-3 at 11:30am and also one at 5:30pm. I’m going to try to make the 11:30am class. I will be able to do exactly 0% arm balances, but it’ll be fun to try.

OK, OK. TL;DR. Whatever. Night!

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A Million Things To Do, And Yet I Sit Here Blogging….

19 February 2013 / life, pictures, ronni

Because sometimes a girl just has to write, you know?

After weeks of kinda feeling listless and unmotivated, I got busy again. This is what I’ve been up to:

one

Last Tuesday, Aidan flew into town to spend the week with me. We had so much fun together, you guys. We stayed up late almost every night. We went to Fuddrucker’s and Half-Price Books (they have 50¢ CDs you guys!), watched funny YouTube videos, cuddled a lot, and really had a blast. He went back last night. I’m missing him so much. He’ll be back for his spring break, though, and I cannot wait!

two

While he was here, Aidan and I played LOTS of LEGO Harry Potter on the Wii. Remember when I said that Years 1-4 was glitched out? Well somehow it started working right, so Aidan and I played that file and got 100%! The first time I have EVER completely finished a game. We also got 97.7% in Years 5-7 and finished all the freeplay levels. I just need to finish finding all the cool stuff in Hogwarts!

three

I got a new computer. My precious little silver MacBook didn’t die exactly, but she was just not powerful enough for me anymore. I had 4 gigs of memory in her. I’d open up Chrome and email and it would immediately USE ALL THE RAM, and I’d still need to open Word, Adobe, and maybe Photoshop. And oh, don’t forget iTunes and last.fm. Gotta have music when I’m working. It was constantly crawling, and needing to be restarted “because of a problem”.

Seeing as my livelihood is pretty wrapped up in my computer, I knew it was time to get a new one. We ventured out to Microcenter because they sell Macs just a little bit cheaper than Apple does. I knew I needed a machine with more RAM, so I was looking at the 13.3-in. MacBook Pro with 750 gig HD and 8 gigs of RAM. Adam suggested I go for the lower model and we’d just upgrade the RAM ourselves, and I could switch the hard drives in the computers. It’d save me $350. I’d have less HD space, but that’s OK. Once I get this machine cleaned off (I’ve got a LOT of music and Sims stuff, movies, and images that need to be processed and moved), I’ll be fine the the 500 gigs I already have.

At Microcenter, they told me a little secret. The guy encouraged me to upgrade my computer to 16 gigs of RAM. It was only $45 more, and still cheaper than getting the next level up. Mac says the computer is upgradable only to 8 gigs. And I think that’s all they officially support, but apparently, they can all take double what Apple says. So I went for it. Adam did the “surgery” when I got home. I powered up the new machine and I NOTICED A DIFFERENT RIGHT AWAY. The processor is only slightly faster (2.5 GHz compared to 2.4 GHz on my old machine) but the RAM upgrade…it was a GOOD decision. I can have all the programs I need to be opened open, and no crawling or constantly opening and closing programs to free up memory. Happy Ronni is Happy.

(When Aidan heard the total at the register, his eyes bugged out of his head. It was hilarious.)

four

I got a new freelance client! 🙂 I was approached by a company in October (somehow I don’t remember this) about a potential freelance position. They contacted me again a few weeks ago to follow up. I had two interviews/three phone calls. And they offered me the job. I am really excited to work with them because the organizations they work with are doing good things.

five

Tomorrow, I’m doing my third day this week working at Tris3ct. I’m doing a special project for them. I feel like I’ve been there the last 439857498 weeks for a least one day. I’m OK with that. As I said, I love going into that office. Good vibes in there, and free foods and drinks, and nice people.

Thursday is the last day of my Customized Yoga apprenticeship. We’re going to have a pizza party after. I’ll have to remember to take pictures! Friday, I am managing Mia‘s Tantric Restorative workshop. That should be a lot of fun. I haven’t seen Mia in forever; she’s been traveling. It will be so nice to see her again and to take the workshop!

Saturday I will likely being running last minute errands, and Sunday I will be packing because I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK!

And DUDE. LOOK at Orlando’s weather forecast for next week:

Y’all. Here in Chicago it is 14F outside. I am so looking forward to next week’s weather, among a million other things.

I’M GOING TO HAVE TO GET OUT MY SUMMER CLOTHES! 🙂
(at least the tees and tanks!)

But before I take off on a jet plane at Oh God Why O’Clock in the morning (our flight leaves at 6am), I have a crapload of stuff to do here. SO I should stop blogging and get to it.

Here’s a Crookshanks for your viewing pleasure.

‘Til next time….

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Backward and Forward

11 February 2013 / meme, pictures, ronni

Ten years ago, I:
1. Was a new mom.
2. Was freaking out about being a new mom.
3. Also loving being a new mom.

Five years ago, I:
1. Was getting ready to move to Chicago!
2. Was engaged to Adam.
3. Was ready to leave Columbus, Ohio.

One year ago, I:
1. Was preparing for a trip to Disney World.
2. Thinking about yoga teacher training.
3. Starting new/old freelance gigs.

So far this year, I:.
1. Begin my gig as a workshop manager at Moksha.
2. Started Mysore.
3. Became obsessed with a console video game for the first time in many years.

Yesterday, I:
1. Worked and attended a Nicolai Bachman workshop on the Sutras.
2. Watched the Grammys.
3. Ate spaghetti for dinner.

Today, I:
1. Woke up way too early. I went to bed at 11pm, woke up at 130am.
2. Read old blog entries. That’s where I got this meme.
3. May or may not continue my commitment to Mysore.

Tomorrow, I will:
1. See Aidan!!!
2. Hug Aidan.
3. Take a shower or bath.

In one year, I will:
1. Be preparing for another Disney Parks trip.
2. Be preparing to go to South Africa.
3. Be a certified yoga teacher.

In five years, I will:
1. Be a published author.
2. Be five years older.
3. Have a teenager. OMG.

6 Comments

Currently . . .

9 February 2013 / pictures, ronni

I got this idea from Erin who got it from Katie. I like it, so I’m gonna do it too. 🙂

CURRENTLY, I’M:
Sitting here in my PJs listening to music, blogging, and on my way to staying up too late again.

READING:
(just finished) MOCKINGJAY for the 4th time or so. I have a stack of new (to me) books to start, but I’ll probably try to finish 7 CLUES TO WINNING YOU and the one about that girl with the Hungarian uncles with the towers in their garden.

LOVING:

OMG•YUM.

LISTENING TO:
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 soundtrack.

BEHIND ON:
Monthly newsletters for Moksha, retreat center stuff for Moksha, teacher training homework

I NEED TO:
Do that stuff.

OBSESSING OVER:
The LEGO Harry Potter Wii games.
(via)
THEY ARE SO FUN. Probably helps that I have the invincibility cheat. I think I’d be way more frustrated with the game if I didn’t have that. I like to focus on solving the puzzles, not staying alive. I’ve completed both games, but I have to play Years 1-4 again because I screwed it up and caused a glitch. I’m actually OK with this.

FEELING GUILTY ABOUT:
1.) Wanting to play video games instead of doing my work.
2.) Not writing at all.
3.) Sleeping all day and staying up all night.

PROUD OF:
The fact that I tried Mysore last week and actually liked it.

DRINKING:
Nothing at the moment, but I will be making myself a big cup of Tang shortly.

EATING:
Nothing, but I am kind of hungry.

WONDERING:
How do I get more readers for my blog without attracting any haters?

EXCITED FOR:
My upcoming Disney World trip! It’s in 16 days!!!!!

ANNOYED THAT:
1.) When the cats poop, it takes no time for the stink to fill up the house. But it takes forever for the air fresheners/incense/sage to cover it up. And the stink still sometimes manages to break through all that.
2.) That my computer is so old that as soon as I turn it on, all four gigs of memory get sucked up. It’s four years old, and it’s a MacBook, and it still runs OK… but when you’re running on 10mbs of memory all the time, things get bumbled up.

CONSIDERING:
Getting a MacBook Pro. The least expensive model, swapping out the hard drives, and upgrading the memory to 8gigs on my own. Tf I get the computer at Microcenter, that will save me hundreds over just getting the next level model. The only thing is that I’d have to get a new Snow White decal because the one on my computer now doesn’t come off. (OR I could get a Mickey Mouse one….)

NERVOUS ABOUT:
Taxes. Thank God I have a few more months before I have to deal with them.

LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Aidan being here in just a few days! 😀

PLANNING:
My June Disney trip. I’m taking my mom (who has never been) and Aidan, who is soooo excited.

GETTING READY TO:
Publish this, have a snack, read, and go to bed.
Or replay LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4. KIDDING. I plan to do that all day Saturday. 😉

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Sunday Stealing (16)

4 February 2013 / meme, ronni, sunday stealing

1: Do you notice a persons eye color?

Always.

2: White, milk, or dark chocolate mocha?

Dark chocolate, please. Followed by milk chocolate.

3: If you could get a free tattoo, would you do it? What would it be?

Well, the reason I haven’t gotten one yet is that I can’t decide what to get. But if I could get one free, that would be cool.

4: Did you grow up in a small or big town? Did you like it?

I grew up in the city of Cleveland. I liked it OK when I was a little girl, hated it when I was a teenager.

5: Your favorite adult as a child? (and not your parents, if they were your favorite)

My uncle Ervin.

6: What kind of smoothie sounds really good right now?

One without bananas but with other fruits.

7: Most embarrassing moment from your elementary school years?

Didn’t really have any.

8: Most embarrassing moment from your middle school years?

All of them. Middle school sucked.

9: Most embarrassing moment from your high school years?

No comment. 😉

10: Have you ever fired anyone?

No.

11: Have you ever climbed a tree more than twenty feet off the ground?

No.

12: Did you like swinging as a child? Do you still get excited when you see a swing set?

Yes on both counts. 😀

13: If you could have any pet in the world, illegal or not, what would you get?

A giraffe.

14: What’s your favorite place to relax?

Somewhere warm with a nice book.

15: What’s your most favorite part of your personality?

Um…. uh…. I don’t know.

16: Madonna or Lady Gaga? Neither? Both? Who cares?

Madonna. I like Lady Gaga too, though.

17: Have you ever watched the Superbowl all the way through?

Never.

18: Have you ever watched any major sporting event live?

Yes. I’ve been to an NBA game and a MLB game and a soccer game.

19: What’s the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten in your life?

Hmm. That I don’t know. Nothing really stands out to me.

20: Margarine or butter? Which did you grow up with?

Butter, please. Grew up with margarine and only had butter for special occasions. If it was up to me, I’d choose butter every time but Adam likes to get those tubs of vegetable oil margarine things.

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