I Love TSA

Travelling to Florida Friday, going to meet the Captain. I am on a plane oh, about 2x a month it seems. So the security thing? No brainer. [unlike the sweet older lady today who apparently hasn't heard you can't bring bottled water or any liquids over 3.4 ounces through security. She didn't see the 48 signs, hear the 16 announcements, or read a newspaper in the last 3 years since that rule was implemented...]

I get pulled at BWI for what seems a random detailed check. OK no problem, I have time, they're doing their job. So I stand in this funky machine while they take some kind of something - I later decide it was some kind of xray and someone is sitting remotely reviewing it.

Now remember I'm going to see the Captain. So I'm wearing leeeetle white capris, with no pockets, rather nicely fitting if you know what I mean. And a very little sweater cut rather low "my eyes blue" that gets its fair share of, um attention. Sleeveless. And beaded flip flops.

In other words, not a lot of places to hide anything.

So I point to my two bags and random junk on the xray belt and say, "Do you need me to identify my stuff so you can review it?" And Mr. TSA says, "Oh no, just hang here a minute and you'll be done." Then I hear a voice on his radio and he responds, "No - no pockets. Those are buttons." and he smiles and says, "you're free to go."

SO what, I was hiding plastic explosives in my buttons? Perhaps a file in my bra?

I giggled all the way to Florida where I shared my story with the Captain who took one look at my outfit and said, "Oh yeah, you're really hiding a LOT in there!"

The New Pulitzer Winner....

Finally, something worth blogging about.

A colleague sent this link to me today. No kidding, someone actually used a cut-out bear on a news report. Because, yeah, that made the story more believable. Please watch this through - yes that's the reporter running across the yard behind the cutout bear. And look carefully as it "climbs the tree." Are we kindergartners? Oh wait, even they wouldn't believe this.....

The New Pulitzer

Treatise On Warranties and Verbal Guarantees

Are you really stopping to read this? What a boring title. Either you are really bored or a devoted follower. Because I am pretty sure I have none of the latter, trust me, there are more exciting things to do with your life than read a treatise.




Oh but who am I to judge, so read on....



(Yeah I lied, I'm not smart enough to write a treatise anyway)


Back when I got suckered convinced to buy my little blue EOS toy along with the sensible Honda Pilot for the kids (what, I never told the story of buying two cars in one day?)

I also got suckered convinced to buy a "scratch and dent" warranty along with it. For a mere $800 I was "guaranteed" 4 years of door ding and annoying scratch coverage - Bent Rims? Not a problem, new rims delivered. Scrape the side backing out of the garage? No worries, it's covered. Someone park a little too close? Yeah we fix that.

Fast forward 20 months. Right rear wheel-well/fender seems to have a "garage" scrape. No I did not do it but she-who-shall-remain-nameless knows who did.... There are a couple door-dings. The rear has a Parking Scrape from someone who got a little too friendly one Saturday night. Time to invest time for a repair.

Gee, what a surprise, the used car dealer where I bought my cars is out of business in this economy. Not to worry, a call to the 800-number on the warranty and they send a repair man to my house. OH yeah, this is good.

OK maybe not so good. Seems my cute little EOS is a whole lot of plastic. Plastic bumpers that wrap from wheel to wheel. And gee, guess what the warranty doesn't cover? If you guessed bumpers give yourself 5 points.

Fortunately, the lovely young man who came to fix my car is capable, customer-service oriented and, apparently, terrified of lawyers. And he's smart. First he fixed 372 scratches and door-dings I didn't realize I had. Magic? I think so. Something about compound and buffers and perhaps some voo-doo. The car was smokin' oh all except for the large scrape on the right rear fender. Helloo can we say verbal guarantee? Promises? Detrimental reliance? Unjust Enrichment? Consumer Protection Act? FTC? Pissed-off hormonal red-head? (hell one of those has to work, right?)

Guess who is coming back Monday with some Factory/Dealer match paint and a few tricks up his sleeve to fix the little - ahem - scuff mark on the fender?

I love a smart and scared subcontractor with a sense of justice....

TRYING to Notice things Like A Lunar Eclipse

While not blogging this summer I have been focusing on other things. Repositioning my mind, my spirit.

Yes stopping to smell the Roses.

Cleaning out Clutter and Closets and Crap.

(Note to all and Google and etc, I Borrowed this Google Image of Clutter, my house is not yet that bad....)

And so Tonight the Captain said, "Lunar Eclipse." Because the Captain is all stars and moons and pays attention to stuff like that. He was going to take his local crew for a moonlight sail to watch the eclipse. I was happy for him but yes a little blue because I wanted to be there not here. But Oh well. So I followed Captain's Orders and googled "lunar eclipse time washington DC" and all variations thereof, but could not figure out what time I could see the eclipse.

(Ok ok I swiped this one, too, from Google)

Then I had a brain storm, Go Outside and Look for the Moon.

And I saw clouds.

OH well, I'd rather be here anyway.....

They Call This Security

After a year of walking past the kiosks every few weeks in the Airport, I finally succumbed to a Southwest Visa card - looks like I will continue to need to fly south ;-)

Tonight I made the obligatory call to activate the card. Surprisingly, a human answered the phone! In activating the card, I gave a password - let's say "SMITH." So 13 seconds later I said, "Can I change the email address on the card because I gave an incorrect address when I signed up." And the lovely young man with a clipped English/Indian accent, dutifully reading from his script said, "I will need you to verify your password in order to change that information."

Huh? You mean the password I just made up 15.5 seconds ago? OK. I'm pretty sure I remember - it's SMITH. Yep, everything's secure. I'm me - still.

And so it goes....

And Then we were in Navalmoral

I wrote this from Spain but it never posted. So here it is, a little late......

I admit it may not look like much. It is but a small town in the countryside of Spain. Population 17,500. The town dates wayyyy back, like most towns in Spain probably do. It is an important "way point" for travelers both north and south as well as east west. But for me? Coming into this town? It was so much more.....
As we approached the town, I had very strange feelings. Things looked a little different, but mostly I recognized them. Part of me was the girl who left 12 years ago, the girl who was rejected, unloved, facing divorce with 2 small 4 year old kids and no job or career. The Girl who thought Spain would be a great job opportunity for the Ex and a fun opportunity for the family. It was those things but it was also the end of the Relationship (ok so it took 11 more years to really do the deed, but Spain? Was the End). It was in Spain where he first told me he didn't love me. It was Spain where we sat at the table and divided our stuff. Spain where we fought the most. Spain where I tried to be so many things and failed at all of them.



But this was a new person entering an old town. I am not the Girl who left; I am the Woman who is returning to share an adventure with her teenagers. And as we got closer to our old friends' new house (God Bless GPS) there was nothing but excitement.

OK we are a little older, a little heavier, but the smiles? Just as big. And the laughter? Even grander. It was so exciting to see their new, finished house; the house they dreamed of when we lived in Spain and indeed, the house they started building when we were there. Every knook and cranny was full of beauty and thought. Tinin did most of it himself - three floors of living, the bottom floor a large room for living during the summer when it's 110 degrees (there is no air conditioning in Spain), the middle floor a complete apartment for his parents, the top floor a 4 bedroom apartment for his family. It is truly magnificant.

Mila and I spent an afternoon, just the two of us, enjoying the bottom floor, drinking diet coke and talking about the old times, the times since the old times, the future times. And yes we did this all in Spanish. She is a wonderful teacher and very patient with me. Talking with her helped me to let go of the girl I was 12 years ago. And she shared with me something so direct, so Mila, it let me close the book on the old, bad Spanish memories. We didn't really talk much about Ken and me - she was not the least bit surprised by the divorce and she could sense that I had moved past it. But we were talking about her and Tinin and life in general. And she said this - both in English and Spanish to make sure I "got it." Mila is a very direct person. She holds nothing back. And she is very smart and very opinionated in a way that is endearing because she doesn't belittle your point of view, she just let's you know she has one of her own. She said, "Here's what I think of your relationship with Ken. This is what we all thought: he was the kind of guy who wanted to have a beautiful wife to take out when he went out. And when he got home from work, you are there taking care of the kids and the house and better have dinner on the table. And he doesn't want to hear what you have to say. He doesn't appreciate you. You were a Thing to him. Am I right?" And I said, "Well he wasn't that bad really. He has a lot of good qualities." And she just looked at me like, "Yeah right." And she said, "you know, we never really liked him...."

And isn't that sad? Because he could be a really nice guy. But somehow they saw what I refused to see back then. And so, little by little, I can let things go. And instead enjoy today. This is what today brings:

Here the nearly-grown face of the lovely 4 year old child we left 12 years ago and last saw last summer when she came to the states. She is beautiful, funny, gracious, loving. The kids were so excited to see her again.



And here? The "new" edition to the family - an exceedingly bright, energetic young lady,10 years old. She is a fabulous Spanish teacher and has the natural ability to pronounce English words correctly.

Tomorrow we leave this family and go off on more adventures in Spain. The kids will ultimately return to stay with our friends for a couple more weeks, but I must go home and get back to work. I am truly sad to leave this place. I feel like there's so much more I want to do. It has been amazing to wander the streets and revisit old shops and people I knew so long ago. It has been interesting to show the kids where they went to school and where we lived. They remember almost nothing.

This time instead of tears and fears of the future, I take with me good memories, possibilities, futures. Tinin and Mila have an amazing relationship. They have created for themselves a wonderful life in this tiny, somewhat remote Spanish town. They have faced challenges together and overcome them. When he comes home from work, he gives her a real hello kiss. When we are wandering around sightseeing and they have a moment alone, they take the opportunity to embrace and enjoy each other. They tease each other at home and love each other completely. It is something so rare and something I have spent much time contemplating. And it has enlightened me. I now know why I am compelled to move to Florida.

My life in Washington is a machine. I work my butt off when I don't have the kids and tire my brain out when I do have the kids trying to juggle everything. I don't live life so much as I survive life. But life doesn't have to be this way. I am hoping that a life change will allow me to experience life, not just survive it. Oh Florida is not Spain. There won't be guaranteed socialistic employment. There won't be long siestas and 6 hour work days. There won't be sleeping until noon and wandering the streets until after midnight (Ok maybe we can do this sometimes). But perhaps I can find a balance. Perhaps I can find a place where the people are happier, the living is more open, the life a tad slower. Perhaps I can live life and experience every day instead of being glad when the day is over and I can retreat to my bed.

Perhaps.

Treading Water

Many of you may be wondering if this Blog is still active - that's a good question.

Last week some things rocked my world - tragic accidents, loss of people who shaped much of my childhood, a friend losing her husband in a car accident, big changes at work.

So I wrote nothing.

And I went sailing.

I spent the weekend lazing about in the Bay, talking about life, getting a little too much sun, and drinking champagne. It was so perfect.

And now I am contemplating lots of things, not the least of which is, "Do I have time for this blog?"

My Blog friends have been an amazing source of support, entertainment, comfort and encouragement over the last 14 months. At the moment I am overwhelmed with work, life, and contemplations to put it out there in the blog. Plus, knowing Ken reads this, sometimes I am not ready to share my personal thoughts with him. He insists on trespassing in my life. I could make this blog private, but choose not to do that either.

So my faithful bloggy buddies, for the moment I am not sure where this is going. And I miss reading all your blogs, too. Truth be told, I just haven't had time.

Thanks to all for your concern, your emails, your support. I hope to post some this coming weekend when I am looking forward to a little "ME" time.