Good Friends in the Fan

It was good to be home. With the exception of my adventures in the ghetto-not-so-fabulous Honda (see previous post), the trip home was pretty smooth. I am still not very fond of airports, but I'm sure that's the general concensus of most travelers. I have found it beneficial to look for anything and everything that will keep my mind occupied while in the airport or on the plane. These activities might include crossword puzzles, reading, listening to music, or best of all, people-watching. The most amusing observation I made on this trip occured two minutes before our plane was scheduled to take off from Houston to Baltimore. A boy who was about my age came charging onto the plane and down the aisle, red-faced and out of breath. He threw his bag into the overhead compartment, while making comments under his breath such as, "Whewww", "Oh man", and "Wow". I wondered to myself what this kid's story was.... a delayed flight, a run-in with the airport security, a dispute with his girlfriend while she was dropping him off.... and so on. The girl in front of me was obviously wondering the same thing and asked, "Where did you run from?" The suspension is building. He responds, "The bathroom." I wasn't eavesdropping at this point. He was loud - there was no shame in his game. She gave him a quizzical look and he went on to say, "Well, the bar... and then the bathroom. I just lost track of time." A-ha. Not so exciting, but still amusing. He eventually calmed down and his breathing returned to normal when the flight attendance served him a gin and tonic.

My sisters were so sweet to pick me up in Baltimore at 11:00 on Tuesday night, and I couldn't have been more excited to see them. I got to spend the night at Deirdre's new (and ginormous!) apartment and spend the day with Nana on Wednesday before my lovely road trip to Richmond. It was so good to be back in the Fan. I have missed Richmond and how well I know the city. Never thought I'd say that after I continued to get lost the first three years I lived there. It was good to be with close friends at the bars I know best. Thanks to everyone who came out on such short notice -- Meredith, Brad, Allison, Courtney, Travis, Davis, Joe, Rommi, Elliot, Elizabeth, Katie -- it really was great to be with you guys. And to Meredith, for being such an outstanding host... I love that you love Richmond. And thanks for not being embarassed when I accidentally dressed like a jockey, talked way too loudly, and asked you to keep an eye on the ripples. Glad you're in the family.

After a few drinks at Curbside, I made my way over to Balliceaux with Allison and Brad for Dana's surprise birthday dinner! I was so, so thankful that Dana's boyfriend Nick planned the dinner on a night that I could be there. It's hard knowing that I'm missing out on special events like this while in Texas, so it was nice to be able to make this one. It was a beautifully planned dinner and best of all was the company. It was so nice to be with Dana, Vail, Brad, Allison and friends and to celebrate Dana's birthday all together.

Following a sleepover at Meredith's apartment (safely secured by Papa Johnson), I was on my way home where Mom was waiting to welcome me back to the land of Bodos, Thomas Jefferson, Arches, and wine....

Who Says You Can't Go Home?

I apologize for being out of commission on this blog for over a week now. It's because I've returned to my favorite place in the world.... home. It was quite eventful getting here. For those that have seen or spoken with me this week, you know of the traumatic yet hilarious mode of transportation I was provided with to return to Charlottesville from D.C. Deirdre's '98 Accord. Which had recently been broken into. The not-so-generous thief stole the entire stereo system (it was worth $80 in 2001... can you imagine his excitement when he saw that gem just waiting to be pawned?) and he used the window as his means of entering the car. When I first got into the car, the window was down about 5-6 inches. Bearable. I was more upset about having no music for the ride. I tried Pandora on my phone but it sucked up half of the battery before I got through one song. Great. Deirdre had warned me atleast seven times, "Do NOT put the window any further down. It will NOT go back up." Got it. For the first ten minutes of the drive anyways. Let's be honest, you too would try to roll the window UP, just to see if miracles do exist. Only when I went to see, I accidentally rolled the window DOWN another three inches, followed by "&$^@*!" Okay, understandable. Did I learn my lesson? Of course not. Soon after, I pulled into my Nana's apartment complex where there is a gate requiring you to check in with security. I pull up to the gate and as the security officer walks out of his booth, I start to roll my window down... naturally. As you can imagine, another "*%^$&!" The window is now halfway down. I wasn't looking forward to my drive home, but thankful that I got to spend a few hours with Nana before it was time. We had a great visit, enjoyed a delicious lunch, and I was sad to leave. Besides not wanting to leave Nana, I was also sad to leave because it had started raining now. Again, the window was now halfway down. Nana gave me a pair of gloves and a warm cup of coffee, and both I was very thankful for. Let's just say the ride to Richmond and then the ride to Charlottesville the next morning were both memorable road trips for me. I sent several messages to my sisters saying things like, "This would be funnier if I wasn't alone", "I'm wearing my hood... I look like the uni-bomber", "I'm freezing", "I keep going to turn the music up until I realize there is no stereo", etc. It seemed like the only words of encouragement they could muster up were, "HAHAHAHA", "omg", and "LOL." Especially when I sent this picture to them. It was all worth it in the end. When I got off the exit towards Barracks Road and was heading home on Garth, I finally took off my hood and enjoyed the view. Charlottesville in the Fall is beautiful. More to come!

"I went as far as I could, I tried to find a new face
There isn't one of these lines that I would erase
I left a million mile of memories on that road

It doesn't matter where you are, doesn't matter where you go
If it's a million miles away or just a mile up the road
Take it in, take it with you when you go
Who says you can't go home?

Who says you can't go home?
There's only one place that call me one of their own
Just a hometown boy, born a rollin' stone
Who says you can't go home?"

-Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie

When I choose to go on a diet, or "make a positive lifestyle change" as the most annoying doctor in the world called it because "diets don't work", I crave only one food... and that's pizza. I'm sure there is more than one reason why... besides it being just delicious, I also have a lot of fond memories that happen to include a slice (or two) of pizza. Back when we were younger we would eat at a place called Ginos East in Chicago where we could write on the walls with chalk, and that was always fun for a third grader. And then there was the "Book It!" reading program along with countless softball team parties held at Pizza Hut. Fast forward to college when my sweet friend Tara was kind enough to date a boy who worked the late night delivery shift at Dominoes and we were so fortunate to have a mushroom pizza arrive at our door at 2 am after many nights at Mulligans. And then there's the real reason for writing this blog post. I received an e-mail from Tripadvisor with a list of top 10 pizzerias in the United States. And what do you know, Lombardi's in New York City is #1! I will have to thank my parents for introducing me to this "slice" of Heaven. Oh wow, I just did that. And I'm not deleting it either. For anyone who lives in NYC (Liza, Zach, Monica, and the list goes on...), if you haven't been to Lombardi's, you must go (32 Spring Street)! I went with my family back in high school and then again with a friend a couple years ago... always a memorable trip for my taste buds. In addition to it being just downright good pizza baked in a coal oven, the place has history! It was established as the first pizzeria in the U.S. in 1905 by Gennaro Lombardi, an italian immigrant: "Lombardi's was originally a grocery store, but it soon became a popular stop for workers looking for something to take to work for lunch. Gennaro started selling tomato pies, which were wrapped in paper and tied with a string, and the many workers of Italian descent would take them to the job site. Most could not afford the entire pie, so it was often sold by the piece. There was no set price or size, so you asked for whatever lets say 2 cents would buy and you were given portion of what was equal to the amount offered." That's amore!

Times are Changing

I went to deliver mail to Rob, one of my more alert residents, and heard him laughing from all the way down the hall. I knocked on his door, and there he was just propped up on his bed, watching the television and howling with laughter. I asked him what he was watching, expecting to hear the title of a movie featuring old-time comedic actors such as Cary Grant, Mae West, or the Marx brothers... not so much. He responded, "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle." He could barely get the words out, he was still laughing at a scene from the movie. I stood there stunned for a minute as he went on to say, "Have you seen this?! Ah, it's a classic. A true classic. These guys are HILARIOUS! Think I'll watch it again tonight."

I have no words.

Cougar No More

IT'S FIRASSIC PARK'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

Celebrating tonight at his mexican-themed bash and at Austin City Limits all weekend!

Pictures and stories to come, for sure.

I won't get too cheesy on here but wishing a Happy, Happy Birthday to the best guy I know.

and.... WHO'S IN MY HOUSE!?

Sing, Sing, Sing

I've blogged about the innocence of the sing-alongs that I currently do with my elderpals and how I've often wondered what my generation's sing-alongs will look like, or sound like rather, when I get to be their age. Of course I don't picture myself as a resident attending the sing-along, but as the volunteer who is 85 years old and still singing at the top of her lungs, twirling men around in their wheelchairs, and giving the other ladies high-fives when I do. I like to set my hopes high. But in all seriousness, it has always amazed me how a resident with dementia may not know the ages of their children or where their room is, yet they they can recite every single word to the song, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart". It got me thinking about the songs from our generation that will remain engraved in our memory....

I play a game with my elderpals called "Finish The Lyric" where I give them the first few words of a line from a well-known song and they complete it. For example...

Don't sit under the apple tree..... with anyone else but me.

I'm gonna sit right down.... and write myself a letter.

Casey did waltz.... with a strawberry blonde.

When I grow too old.... to dream.

Those are a few of their classics. Their songs were so simple, so sweet.

Now let's play "Finish The Lyric" for our generation....

I saw the sign.... and it opened up my eyes.

Don't go chasing.... waterfalls.

I hope you had the.... time of your life.

I've got friends.... in low places.

Billy Jean is..... not my lover.

I get knocked down.... but I get up again.

It's just another.... Manic Monday.

Total eclipse.... of the heart.

Ooh Aah.... just a little bit.

Semi-charmed kind.... of life.

Jump around, jump around.... jump up, jump up, and get down.

Baby got... back.

We are living in a material world.... and I am a material girl.

100 percent.... pure love.

If wishes were trees... then trees would be falling.

Straight up now tell me... is it gonna be you and me together (oh, oh, oh).

All that she wants... is another baby.

So many songs, so little time. Now I want you all to leave a comment and share a few lyrics that you know you'll never forget! I look forward to singing Ace of Base with some of you when we're in our eighties.

A Time to Laugh, A Time to Cry

My Mom really wants me to write a book one day. I hope I actually do it. I don't have the writing skills to write, publish, and make money off a book... but I sure as heck have the material for one. I owe that to my elderpals. Like that? I was g-chatting with my friend Mike last week and this new term of endearment just flowed straight from my fingertips to the keyboard. Sure beats old folks or elderly residents. Bo-ring. Anyways, my elderpals have kept me on my toes this week... enjoy.

(During a trivia group)

Jaclyn: Who was famous for saying, "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Jimmy: My first wife.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Jimmy: I've got one for ya. It's not one that would be appropriate for church.

Jaclyn: I'm scared.

Jimmy: What's the difference between mashed potatoes and pea soup?

Jaclyn: I don't know... what?

Jimmy: Anyone can mash potatoes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

(During a word game)

Sally: Another word for donkey...
George: Ass!

Jaclyn: Well, that does work. I will write it up there real small.

(2 minutes later)

Rob: What does that small word say up there?

George: Ass!

Roy: It's true. You never notice the small ones, do you?

(During the same word game)

Jaclyn: Well there's also Esther's Follies... the comedy club downtown.

Rob: Oh yes, that place is SO smokey.

Jaclyn: Oh really? I haven't been there before, thanks for the warning.

Rob: It's not the kind of smoke you're thinking of.

(I'm now picturing smoke as in fog machines...)

Rob: It's WEED!

Jaclyn: Oh.

Rob: I don't know how there's not more cops in there.

Sally: Yeah, and knowing my luck, they'd bust the place the one night I was there.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

And to end on a sweet one... I was sitting with Eleanor as she was getting ready for brunch, and she was taking her time combing her hair, putting her lipstick on, and making sure she looked presentable. As she glanced at her reflection, I commented on how nice she looked and she replied, "Honey, I sometimes look in the mirror and think, "Oh! Now where did you come from?" We grabbed hands, and she told me that despite her changed reflection, she wouldn't change a thing about the life she has lived.

There are so many negative circumstances associated with the aging process - change of physical condition, altered mental status, loss of family and friends, change of environment, and the list goes on... it can be hard to see all the beauty that comes with old age. In my eyes, the aging process truly is a magnificent thing.