anywhere is…. – Page 294 – my scramblings & ramblings

I LOVE the Ohio State Fair!! (Pictures)

13 August 2005 / friends, ohio, ohio state fair, pictures, videos, yay

I had such an amazing time at the Fair today! We didn’t get there ’til really late. It was hot and crowded. Not horribly, though. Heh. Bob, Chris, Aidan and I got there first. They parked us with the campers which I thought was really weird, but whatever. After a few failed attempts, we finally made our way into the fair. We went in through a side entrance and totally could have gotten away with not paying–had we not pre-bought our tickets at Kroger! HAHA. Irony, such a funny thing, eh?

So we got something to drink and floated through the Commercial building. It was crowded but air-conditioned at least. Then Aidan got really mad and hungry so we left to get him some food. Craig called while we were at the stand, saying he’d arrived with Theresa and Tom. They met us there. And we went on from there. 🙂

We ate and rode and laughed and got rained on. Total blast. 😀

You guys will be so proud of me. Remember the video of the crazy ride from a couple of entries ago? I GOT ON IT TODAY! Yes, I rode the Power Surge. Craig paid for me, Bob, and Tom to ride it, so we did.

OH EM GEE IT WAS THE KEWLEST RIDE EVAR!!!11ONEone!

Seriously, it kicked some serious bootay. It was just… so random. Lots of flipping and turning and you really have no idea where you’re going or anything. It was fantastic!!! I was very mildly dizzy when I got off, and I was over it in about 15 seconds.

I guess after Mission Space (at Disneyworld), these rides are nothing, hahaha.

Bob and I also rode the Orbiter and the Scrambler. The Scrambler is the longest ride evarrrrr. Totally awesome. I am so glad I have a friend who will ride all those crazy twisty-turny rides with me. Tina didn’t show up, so I was so happy when Bob was willing to join me, yay. Next year, he and I are getting the wristbands and going ride crazy. THAT will be sweeeet.

I have tons of pictures and some video too, so I guess I should go ahead and get to ’em, huh? 🙂

Bob and me on The Orbiter!!! WOOHOO!!!

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It’s Saturday! (Pictures)

13 August 2005 / pictures

Saturday at last. I must be getting spoiled by the AC because it’s bloody hot outside. Chris mentioned going to the zoo, but there is no way I could handle too much of the heat. Ack. No fun at all. We’re purposely going to the Fair in the evening to avoid much of the hotness. A huge group of us are heading out there. I’m looking forward to it, especially since Tina is going. She’s the only one who’ll ride all those crazy twisty rides with me so YAY.

I noticed a lack of Tilt-A-Whirl and Scrambler when I was there last week. I’m hoping it was merely an oversight on my part. I mean, a Fair with no Scrambler and Tilt-A-Whirl? What the hell?

Anyway, here are a few pictures I took today with my new camera. 🙂 YAY!

Me, using the “Portrait” setting. 🙂
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Every New Beginning Is Some Other Beginning’s End (Pictures)

12 August 2005 / ohio state fair, pictures, videos

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. I haven’t had the time/heart/energy to write anything here in a while. But I’m back, for a bit at least.

Last week, I said goodbye to Tyler as he headed off to Denver. Then Chris and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. He let me choose. He sent me this paper called “The Princess Package,” and let me choose the place to eat and other activities. We ate dinner at The Melting Pot. It was good, but the dessert was heavenly. Cookies and cream chocolate fondue with marshmallow. All sorts of goodies to dip in. I want more NOW!

HEY LOCALS!!! WHO IS UP FOR GOING WITH ME TO THE MELTING POT AT EASTON FOR DESSERT? IT’S $14 AND WE CAN SPLIT THE COST. IT IS SOOO WORTH IT!!!

After dinner, I spent the evening in Barnes and Noble. Mmmm. Grabbed the latest Sophie Kinsella book, a 2006 planner, and a Yoga book. I LOVE that store so much and their discount card too! 🙂

Quote(s) of the Week:
“I’ll just go back on steroids!”
“What does he think I am, his little bitch?”

Tuesday was the Wildwood Arts Fest (Grove talent show). It was fantastic. Lots of singing, funnies, stories, photos. The best part was Aidan, I must admit. He was so cute, dancing and laughing and stealing the shows. Great times, man. Great times. 🙂 And as usual, it was great seeing my friends. Happy Birthday to Monica (bluemo84), she is 21 now HEY!!

Saw a couple having a heated fight in the parking lot of Applebees. It was intense. I felt sorry for the girl, she was pregnant and emotional and crying. The guy was floundering, didn’t know what to do b/c she was so angry. I wanted to take him and tell him “Just nod and say ‘You’re right. It’ll all be okay.'” Heh.

Today was my last day at Nationwide. It was a bit bittersweet. I turned in my badge and desk keys and my parking transponder. I took one last sweep around my desk and hoped I didn’t leave anything. I cleaned out my computer and turned off all the lights and realized I wouldn’t be coming back. Yesterday I’d taken all my stuff down to the car. I’d managed to smash everything into two boxes and a bag.

My team gave me a $150 gift card to Best Buy, so I put it towards the purchase of this:

Oh yes. I am quite happy. 🙂 I can add lenses to it (YAY) and do loads of other stuff. I can’t wait to take it to Disneyland!!! ºOº

They also got me a $50 gift certificate to Scrapbook Groupies. OH YEAH, baby!!!!!! More scrapbooking goodies. Now if only I’d get to work on an actual book… I think my Disney ones are next.

Yesterday, the team took me out to Max & Erma’s for lunch. I am addicted to their BBQ Bacon burgers. I mean YUM.

We got this new bacon, Maple Cured or something. It is the best bacon I’ve ever tasted and it makes the house smell like pancakes. It’s amazing. I have been on a super duper bacon kick lately.

Ack. So many goodbyes. One friend moved to Denver, one to New York. I said goodbye to a lot of people at work today. So many hugs. One of the admins totally cried. I didn’t get to hug everyone that I wanted to. Stupid meetings. It’s kind of weird, saying goodbye. I took those people’s presence in my life for granted and now I am leaving. I choked up a bit today, but I didn’t cry.

It’s very draining to say goodbye and I don’t doubt that was part of the reason I’ve been so tired lately. But now it’s time to move on. I start my new job Monday. Abbie emailed me and told me that they set up my computer today!!!!! EEEK! This is REAL!!! I’m an EDITOR!! YAY!

I went to the Fair last Saturday and it was so much fun. I ate a Philly Cheesesteak, french fries, corn, and a deep fried Twinkie. Yummy!!! I’m thinking that might have to be the plan tomorrow. A bunch of us are supposed to be going around 4ish or so. I rode this crazy thing called the Orbiter. It was sweet and I only got a little dizzy on it. It was totally worth it. I hope some of the people we’re with tomorrow are willing to go on those crazy rides with me. It’s more fun when you have someone to share it with.

You guys have to check out these two videos I took at the Fair, though:

Aidan On The BIG Slide: Click (4 megabyte download)
CRAZY RIDE (Power Surge): Click (12 megabyte download)
(For those of you who download and watch the 2nd video, which of you would or has ridden a ride like that? What was it like?)

I am pretty sure I’m going to the Fair again tomorrow. Anyone interested in joining me? Hit me up. You know where to find me.

Anyway, I’m sure you guys are more interested in the pictures (teehee), so here you go:

Here I am at the Fair with a Fisher Price Rescue Hero
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First Assignment Returned!

8 August 2005 / writing

I got the first assignment returned from Lauren (laurenbarnholdt). I am excited by her suggestions and looking forward to revising. Yes, I really am! Revising is the most fun part for me!

It really is good to get other opinions and critiques–they always think of things that can really help the novel along. I’ve learned to have an open mind.

That little insecure me wants to poke her little head up and fight it, though. I hear the little voice saying: “you’re really not that good. look at all the work you have to do.”

So I say to the mean little me:

BE QUIET. I’m going to make this book shine and I’m going to get published so poop on you!

And all is well again.

First drafts are never perfect.
I now have a lot to go on.
I KNOW I’m a good writer.
I just have to stop thinking that I need to have everything perfect on the first go round.

And… I am not going for a 100,000 word novel with this one. 65,000 or so probably. I think that will take the pressure off and get them cranked out more quickly. I don’t want to compromise the quality of the writing, though.