Why in the world would I have this High School Cheer running through my head when I woke up this morning? It wasn't even a cheer from my High School! It belongs/belonged to the Monroe WA High School Bearcats whose colors are funnily enough orange & black.
Orange & Black Attack ATTACK Orange & Black Attack ATTACK Who Attack? We Attack Orange & Black Attack ATTACK!
I think there must be something seriously wrong with my brain to come up with this in the wee hours of the morning...
We did have a little cheer of our own for them...something about the bear kitty boys, but alas that is another story.
Anyone who has spent time around one of us Hoppers will know this truth to be self evident. We often break out into song or quote a line from a movie - and you will have NO idea what happened or why. It's just us...it's how we roll.
Most of us...missing Jerry, who wasn't born yet, and Dad who always took the pictures.
For instance ask Diane Salts about the time I started to sing greatbig gobs of greasy grimy gopher guts at a race meet. Even I don't remember what prompted that one, but it was a real show stopper. Or I will say "I can remember lots of things" and my sister will yet out..."16 Candles!" This is one of my favorites as everyone was forgetting Sam's Birthday and that has happened to me more than once. We all seem to have this odd character trait and everyone plays along. When someone blurts out a piece of dialog it could be from a movie, song, TV show, '60s cartoon show, basically just about anything and the others are suppose to tell you where it comes from. It's a fun Hopper Family Game that can be played anywhere and needs no props...just an agile mind that holds on to trivia and minutiae like a huge sponge. If my sister said "El Kabong" or "Size Of A Camel" everyone would know she was quoting Quick Draw McGraw. Or should Jeff say "Beware the Monkey" we know that is from the Chinese Calendar for Tigers - Jeff is a Tiger as you may have deduced. See below
The Year of the Tiger Is there a creature on the planet more magnificent than the Tiger. We think not, and that’s not even our sign. On our Chinese restaurant menu today, here’s how they describe the Tiger: If you were born in the years 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 or 1998, you’re a Tiger. Tiger people are aggressive, courageous, candid and sensitive. Look to the Horse and Dog for happiness. Beware of the Monkey.
Well...you get the picture. So next time this happens to you do NOT fret...this is just a Hopper Thing and you will soon be returned to your regular programming.
I finally got tired of "wishing" I could still run...So I laced up my new ASICs and started back on the Runner's World Beginners 5k workout. It takes you from -0- to running a 5k in 8 weeks. I completed this workout in 2010 and was able to run a few 5k's before I tripped over my dogs and needed to have my 3rd knee surgery...
How sweet it would be to run like this again!
Finish of the 4 x 100 meter Relay at Everett Community College 1979
So, two years later I start again. I know I will never sprint like in that photo above (notice we won!)...but I should be able to jog a few miles. My real goal is to run a half marathon, but that was my goal last time and look where it got me...I nearly died trying. Ha!
Before my first 5k in 2010, Bellingham Bay Marathon - a few pounds heavier and 30 years later...
In order for me to drive to work on Tuesdays? I decided to find out this morning.
The street where I live...
It is actually harder than you think to keep count...listening to music, swearing at the car next to you as they drink coffe/talk on the phone/put on eye makeup, and just plain old lack of focus. I can get distracted by the goofiest things. Not to mention dodging Microsoft shuttle busses and bicycle riders...
In front of the next building over from my office...
OK...now for the numbers. On Tuesday I have to attend a meeting with one of our Distributors, so this counts the stop lights from my home...to their office...and then to my office.
Are you ready now? There are 53 stop lights between my home and Arrow Electronics in Bellevue WA. There are a total of 69 stoplights to travel from my home to Arrow and then to my office. And this is NOT big city driving folks. I knew it was a lot...but not this many.
I have been thinking about this for a long while now. When the Dixie Chicks made their comment about being embarrassed to be from the same state as George W. Bush they were absolutely vilified. They lost their career, received death threats, and had little to no support from the other country music artists. In fact many were very outspoken against them.
"Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas" Natalie Maines March 10, 2003
Flash forward to the political discourse in America today. The visuals and verbiage being used against Barack Obama and his family are abhorent to me and really should be to most americans as this is our President. You don't have to like him, you don't have to agree with him, but you should have respect for the office. I disliked President Bush, but I respected the office he held.
Remember...all the Dixie Chicks said was they were embarrassed to be from the same state...It seems to be one of those do as I say and not as I do moments in US history. How sad.
Free speech is all well and good as long as you are a Conservative. Anyone on the other side may be shot on sight. I am very proud of these 3 women who took on all comers and did not back down from the repercussions of this one statement. Actually I'm proud as hell!
Sometimes you do have to laugh at how poorly these chuckleheads spell....showing their ignorance and stupidity to the whole wide world.
I don't have any answers, but I do know that I am ashamed of some of our fellow Americans right about now.
I had the chance to spend time with a couple of my friends from school over the weekend. We're talking all the way back to 3rd grade when I met Dawn and a little later for Mary. I have the good fortune to see Dawn on a pretty regular basis, but it has been several years since I saw Mary - it may have been our 30 year High School Reunion in fact. That was 2008. In fact at the BBQ on Sunday there were 4 of us who graduated High School together. Having friends who have known me for so long is a great blessing. You can just be yourself - they have pretty much seen you in all of your incarnations and like you anyway.
We laughed...they made jam...and we had a wonderful time. Here's to good friends...without them life would be so much less.
Fresh From The Farm Strawberries
Bubbling Hot Blueberries Almost Ready...
Another Batch Completed
Hope it isn't another 4 years before we are all together again.
