Crazy to be Me's Weblog

What was I thinking?!?!  I have to pick a project of the “antiquities” and critique it answering six questions.

One of the projects I’m considering is not as old as some (ie. Great Wall of China, Pyramids, etc), but it is of regional importance.  C&O Canal Towpath.  I think this is old enough because another on the initial list is the Transcontinental Railroad – and that’s not that old either.

I’ll let you know how it goes – and maybe I’ll bore you with the results.  Maybe not, depends on my grade.

While waiting in line (for three hours) on Inauguration Day, in the freezing cold (they say the wind chill was 14 degrees! and I agree) – an ambulance needed to get down E Street – thus having to cross 10th St (the one I was on).

Prior to this point, the crowd in line had basically stopped the flow of foot traffic crossing east to west on E St.  It was too disruptive and squishy and those on the end started telling people they had to go around (thus the occasional chant “GO A-ROUND”).  It seemed to be working then the sounds of an ambulance could be heard chirping down E St. coming towards us.  After the utter disbelief of the crowd dissipated and we realized that he really wanted to come thru – the crowd oh-so slowly parted a few feet in front of me.

The ambulance drove very slowly – I’m surprised that there were no screams of people’s toes being run over.  As the ambulance cleared the other side, he sped up a little and a small group of folks were running behind the bus as fast as the could to get through before the end closed up and swallowed them up (the vision of the Egyptians and the Red Sea comes to mind). 

It was a comic sight to see these folks running along behind the ambulance while watching the crowd getting ready to close in.  Kudos to those folks for seizing the moment, getting across and giving the rest of us a little laugh!

These portraits were commissioned by the Ali Center in Louisville, KY.  They were unveiled at the Kentucky State Society Bluegrass Ball on Monday night. 

Two images of greatness.  Great men, great moments.

THEY GOT OUT (for the first time) AND WALKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING WE WERE IN!!!!!!

It was SO awesome!

I’ll tell more about the weekend later.  It included two Balls and a long time(3 hours) in line with probably 10-15 thousand of my closest friends.

Amazing weekend!  Now the work begins for EVERYONE!

I’m not going to put the # of days in the year anymore – we all know how many there are, right?

This was a cool evening last Spring (I think) when this artist projected imaged on the National Cathedral in Washington DC.  It was very cool.

Yup, I’m a day behind – but whatever – maybe I can post a photo a day for half of the year; ‘cuz I gotta take a vaca every so often too. 

Anyhow – today features “Alien kitty!!”  Don’t look in to his eyes, if you do – I’m not responsible. 

I survived a wide reaching reduction in force at work today.  Every time my phone rang, I jumped.  While my closest colleague and I are still employed, our team lost two members – one laid off and one re-org’ed to another group.  One of my closest friends was laid off but she has a great attitude. 

The day has been very long.  This afternoon my cell phone rang and it was my boss.  My heart sank but it was about a meeting to let us know what had happened.  While there was relief, there was also sadness.  Hard to be truly happy on a day like today.

So, I am safe for today and this round is over.  I offer these prayers for all impacted today – and that means everyone at my company that did not stick up their hand and say “Pick me, pick me!”  There were a few folks in that category and for them I wish them much success and happiness as they chose a new beginning.

Prayer on Being Made Redundant

“Redundant” – the word says it all –

“useless, unnecessary, without purpose, surplus to requirements.”

Thank you, Heavenly Father, that in the middle of the sadness, the anger, the uncertainty, the pain, I can talk to you.

Hear me as I cry out in confusion,

help me to think clearly,

and calm my soul.

As life carries on,

may I know your presence with me

each and every day.

And as I look to the future,

help me to look for fresh opportunities, for new directions.

Guide me by your Spirit,

and show me your path,

Through Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen.

Prayer for Those Remaining in the Workplace

Life has changed:

Colleagues have gone – redundant, out of work.

Suddenly, what seemed so secure is now so very fragile.

It’s hard to know what I feel:

Sadness, certainly,

Guilt, almost, at still having a job to go to,

And fear of the future:

Who will be next?

How will I cope with the increased pressure of work?

Lord Jesus, in the midst of this uncertainty, help me to keep going:

To work to the best of my ability,

Taking each day at a time,

And taking time each day to walk with you

For you are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen.

My parents made this doll house about 20 years ago.  For the past three months, it has been in my basement as Mum stayed here waiting to move in to her new place.  It’ll move down there soon – maybe even end of the week.

She moved out of my house today.  Her stuff arrived Thursday and we have been wading through boxes since then.  We are far enough along (maybe half way through the boxes – lots more to do)  that she packed her bags and toothbrush and we took all of her stuff to the new place.  She was anxious to start sleeping there – in her bed, with her stuff around her.  I can understand that…

I really hope she is happy there!  My house is kinda weird right now.  It’s a weird I’m okay with and it won’t take long to get used to it!

This is not quite up to date, I have Arizona and New Mexico now - but I’m still missing Hawaii.  Does anyone have one?  Also, anyone have a spare Alaska?  Need one for my Mum.

Aftermath of 43 years living in the same house – yard sale, donations and trash.