It's funny, this place. The weather here is consistent day-to-day, same average temperature, same humidity, same afternoon thunderstorms .... yet ....
I find people telling me it is more humid today than yesterday (really? You are that talented as to discern a 1% difference?), more hot (again, a matter of + or - 5 degrees) than x day or bigger thunderstorms than last week.
For me, the real difference has been in the thunderstorms. For one, it rains sideways. Yes, nearly 90 degrees. In Indiana, it rains "south" while here it rains "west to east." Umbrellas are only useful for your head, the rest of you is soaked through.
Also, thunderstorms here seem closer. Like the thunder is 2 feet above your head rather than miles overhead. The first time I heard thunder outside here I probably jumped three feet straight up. It is LOUD.
Living here is a dream come true. I love it ...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Settling in ...
I moved the last of the 'major' boxes to the storage unit this weekend. Sure, there are other things that could be moved there, but honestly, just knowing that the Christmas stuff, the yard stuff and garage stuff is stored is a big relief to me.
The next focus is getting the living room and dining room finished. I should be able to do that in the next few days. I have an entertainment center being delivered on Thursday, so the last of the LR boxes can be emptied at that time -- the DVD player, Wii, movies, etc. that can finally have a place in the house.
The final room to be tackled is the guest room. I have guests (Auntie N and Cousin T) coming in early August, so I know I need to get the guestroom in order by then. I'm hoping things will come together relatively easy. Right now the piles of paperwork (bills, filing, etc.) are getting on my nerves.
In other interesting news, after a number of discussions regarding when I am coming back to Indy, Jason has booked a ticket to Fort Myers. He will come in on Wednesday night and be here through Saturday night. I'm looking forward to seeing him :)
Life is good ... :)
The next focus is getting the living room and dining room finished. I should be able to do that in the next few days. I have an entertainment center being delivered on Thursday, so the last of the LR boxes can be emptied at that time -- the DVD player, Wii, movies, etc. that can finally have a place in the house.
The final room to be tackled is the guest room. I have guests (Auntie N and Cousin T) coming in early August, so I know I need to get the guestroom in order by then. I'm hoping things will come together relatively easy. Right now the piles of paperwork (bills, filing, etc.) are getting on my nerves.
In other interesting news, after a number of discussions regarding when I am coming back to Indy, Jason has booked a ticket to Fort Myers. He will come in on Wednesday night and be here through Saturday night. I'm looking forward to seeing him :)
Life is good ... :)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thriller ...
I don't know about you, but Thriller had to be the most-played album (yes, album) at my house. I got it for Christmas, seems like 4th grade or so, and absolutely wore the vinyl out on that record. I remember nearly all the words to the songs and am still secretly thrilled when an artist samples one of those songs, as I know that they, like me, were similarly influenced by the artist that was Michael Jackson.
It's funny, though, that the first thoughts I had after hearing news of his death (tonight, around 5:30 at Pinchers, a local restaurant) weren't of him. They were of a friend of mine, long since passed. Colleen.
Yes, that's her real name, and she and I were as close of friends as one could get in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. We gradually drifted apart because of differing interests (she was musically gifted [to say the least] while I concentrated on sports) and differing groups of friends. We remained friends, although never as close as we once were.
The year Thriller came out though, we were the best of friends. Sisters in spirit, sisters in heart. We spent hours listening to it up in her room at the farmhouse she grew up in. I remember lying there, on her old wooden floor, just playing that record over and over as we talked about everything under the sun.
Whenever I've heard Thriller since, I've thought of her.
She's been gone now, 12 years this July. If there is anything I've learned from losing her, it is this: there isn't a day that you are guaranteed. Make the most of your life. Live.
RIP Michael. I'll miss your music. You were quite the artist.
And Colleen, wherever you are ... I'm thinking of you. Still miss you.
It's funny, though, that the first thoughts I had after hearing news of his death (tonight, around 5:30 at Pinchers, a local restaurant) weren't of him. They were of a friend of mine, long since passed. Colleen.
Yes, that's her real name, and she and I were as close of friends as one could get in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. We gradually drifted apart because of differing interests (she was musically gifted [to say the least] while I concentrated on sports) and differing groups of friends. We remained friends, although never as close as we once were.
The year Thriller came out though, we were the best of friends. Sisters in spirit, sisters in heart. We spent hours listening to it up in her room at the farmhouse she grew up in. I remember lying there, on her old wooden floor, just playing that record over and over as we talked about everything under the sun.
Whenever I've heard Thriller since, I've thought of her.
She's been gone now, 12 years this July. If there is anything I've learned from losing her, it is this: there isn't a day that you are guaranteed. Make the most of your life. Live.
RIP Michael. I'll miss your music. You were quite the artist.
And Colleen, wherever you are ... I'm thinking of you. Still miss you.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Women & Wine Dinner
Last night I went to a Women & Wine Dinner with my coworker, Mary. Mary is 33, just married and has just joined the college staff in October. She knows what it is like to be the new girl. This is quite comforting to me.
As we were leaving work last night, I asked her if she knew of any cool places to hang out to meet people. Seeing as the boxes in my house are beginning to have personalities, likes and dislikes and different speaking voices, I figured it was time to get out and meet people before I completely cracked.
It was held in downtown Fort Myers, at a bar/restaurant called H2. The chef paired the four courses with the four wines and all told it was $40. Quite a bargain, IMHO, as it was terrific food and spectacular wine. There was even a rose which was not what one typically thinks of when 'rose' is mentioned ... it was complex and crisp, with no hint of residual sugars. Quite delicious!
(Hendry winery, from CA.)
Met some lovely older women, one of which confessed that she had just had breast implants put in last week after having a double mastectomy. She had named the "girls" Thelma and Louise and said she was quite delighted with them.
I really felt at home last night and actually felt like I am beginning to belong here.
As we were leaving work last night, I asked her if she knew of any cool places to hang out to meet people. Seeing as the boxes in my house are beginning to have personalities, likes and dislikes and different speaking voices, I figured it was time to get out and meet people before I completely cracked.
It was held in downtown Fort Myers, at a bar/restaurant called H2. The chef paired the four courses with the four wines and all told it was $40. Quite a bargain, IMHO, as it was terrific food and spectacular wine. There was even a rose which was not what one typically thinks of when 'rose' is mentioned ... it was complex and crisp, with no hint of residual sugars. Quite delicious!
(Hendry winery, from CA.)
Met some lovely older women, one of which confessed that she had just had breast implants put in last week after having a double mastectomy. She had named the "girls" Thelma and Louise and said she was quite delighted with them.
I really felt at home last night and actually felt like I am beginning to belong here.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
And She's Back ...
A few observations to get me going blogging again:
1. On my third day here, I ran some errands and got some shopping done. At the Dollar Tree store, I was in line ahead of a woman and her niece (?). The niece is maybe 19 or so, woman maybe in her 40s. Both look rode hard and put away wet. The niece is pointing out things that her dad might want for Father's Day and the woman says (and I quote): "I am already buying lighters for you to give to him for Father's Day. He will really like that."
2. Palm trees come in many shapes, sizes and styles. There are as many varieties of palm as there are what I'll call normal midwestern trees. I am endlessly fascinated by all of them.
3. Pre-owned, consignment and used furniture (depends on the quality/price as to what a store sells or calls it) is big business here. Huge.
4. Recycling is mandatory here. Plastics 1-7, paper, glass, metals. You name it, they recycle it.
5. It isn't the humidity, it is the heat. The humidity is similar to Indiana in July/August. It is the 95+ degree days that are killing me. I get most of my tasks done in the morning or afternoon/evening. Mid-day is for napping or quiet tasks.
6. I wear SPF 70 every day and I am developing a tan. I actually have a line where my watch sits on my arm.
7. The cats love it here. Cleo has napped in the sun several days and is literally hot to the touch when she wakes up. Caesar likes to watch the geckos and birds.
8. There is a roller derby here. I am going to a bout on Sunday night. It does not appear to be as popular as in Indy, but still worth a check.
9. The ocean temperature here is 90 degrees. The pool temperature is 92 degrees. I am not about to investigate the hot tub.
10. Working 7.5 hour days again is quite nice.
1. On my third day here, I ran some errands and got some shopping done. At the Dollar Tree store, I was in line ahead of a woman and her niece (?). The niece is maybe 19 or so, woman maybe in her 40s. Both look rode hard and put away wet. The niece is pointing out things that her dad might want for Father's Day and the woman says (and I quote): "I am already buying lighters for you to give to him for Father's Day. He will really like that."
2. Palm trees come in many shapes, sizes and styles. There are as many varieties of palm as there are what I'll call normal midwestern trees. I am endlessly fascinated by all of them.
3. Pre-owned, consignment and used furniture (depends on the quality/price as to what a store sells or calls it) is big business here. Huge.
4. Recycling is mandatory here. Plastics 1-7, paper, glass, metals. You name it, they recycle it.
5. It isn't the humidity, it is the heat. The humidity is similar to Indiana in July/August. It is the 95+ degree days that are killing me. I get most of my tasks done in the morning or afternoon/evening. Mid-day is for napping or quiet tasks.
6. I wear SPF 70 every day and I am developing a tan. I actually have a line where my watch sits on my arm.
7. The cats love it here. Cleo has napped in the sun several days and is literally hot to the touch when she wakes up. Caesar likes to watch the geckos and birds.
8. There is a roller derby here. I am going to a bout on Sunday night. It does not appear to be as popular as in Indy, but still worth a check.
9. The ocean temperature here is 90 degrees. The pool temperature is 92 degrees. I am not about to investigate the hot tub.
10. Working 7.5 hour days again is quite nice.
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