Weekends go too fast...

Weekend just whizzed by again...  Friday, I did leave early, but I took a different path--good thing too.  Hwy 17 was a total mess!  Cars were sliding into eachother in the snow, and the highway was closed for hours.  One of my co-workers thought she would be the clever one and leave at noon before everyone else...  BAD IDEA..  She got trapped up there for hours. 

As I was slowly approaching the mountains, around 3pm, Maria called me on my cell phone to let me know it was closed, so instead of turning back to go through Watsonville/Gilroy route, I decided to be the adventurous one and proceed through Scotts Valley on to Hwy 9.  I cautiously made my way, ready to turn around for a closure, but there was none!  It was actually a pretty smooth drive despite the 15 mph curves on the slick and wet roadway.  Baby slept through the whole ordeal, and I let Andrew play his favorite CD over and over again.... The School Of Rock CD was ringing in my head all afternoon.  Sure, I got home a little later, but I still beat sitting in the snow for two hours.  :) 

Weekend was pretty uneventful..just sitting around by the fireplace, and going up and down  the hill again to drop of Liz at my moms, and bring her back home.  Oh yes, my mother has changed her mind; she NOW wants to go to the Azores...  Okay, now I have to be in "I may go to the Azores frame of mind again..."  I just wish she would stick to one decision.  Before, it was never a hard decision for me to go there.  I mean, money to get there is important, but I always managed to scramble the cash to go.  It's just I'm going to miss husband because he can't go...(it makes me sad...)  I'm torn..I really am.. 

Sunday I went out shopping with Liz to buy something for her father for his birthday.  He called Saturday wanting to speak to her and Andrew, but they weren't around.  He wanted to know the date of Lizzy's graduation, and then he asked if she was graduating high school.  DUH...Hello...don't you know how old your daughter is?  I just told him the date.  When he calls, I don't go off in conversation.  The less I say to him, the quicker it goes, and the faster I can hang up.   I guess he plans to be there at Lizzy's graduation.  Lovely, another awkard moment to look forward to...I can't wait.  Another happy moment to be spoiled my his presence...  His birthday is this week, so I'm not surprised that he called.  He tends to only call his kids around the holidays, their birthdays (which I email to remind him), and around his birthday.  I guess he wants to make sure they don't forget him.  Yeah, good idea bud. 

It's Monday and I'm back at work.  We are suppossed to have a "strike day" this week.  Our union is still fighting with the Board of Supervisors for a decent contract.  While over-hearing the boss lady who works in the next office-----my desk is located in a very stratigic area---a real long strike may occur after the 27th of this month.  Seems like the Board is not nudging for more pay for us; damn them.  I'm sure they got there cost of living increase like months ago.  It's such a joke.  Oh well...I'll strike a day this week..but for the long haul, if it's going to be for a long time--I just don't think so!!

 

Snow in there mountains...

Well, wouldn't you know it, there is actual snow on them mountains!.  No snow was falling when I was driving up Hwy 17, but only a light blanket of snow on the summit and on the trees--very pretty.  They actually reported that there may have snowfall at the beach!?  Um....that hasn't happened yet!  Will it?  I seriously doubt it however, I do remember one winter in particular where there was enough snow in my backyard to actually make a snow ball.  I grew up a few miles away from the beach.  We wrapped our precious snowball with aluminum foil and kept in in the freezer for months until our mother threw it out. 

On the way to work this morning there was a news crew van out there on the summit waiting for the "major snow" to come in.  This is big news apparently.  It always aggravates me when I pass the summit to see a news crew van up there when the weather is especially horrid.  It's like they are just waiting for one us to bang into the cement divider wall, or go down an embankment.  Instead of news crews, why don't you just have some paramedic vans out there with you too!  Well, the big ole' news guy had his story for the day---I saw him film this little family building a snow man.  I think the snow man was approximately, a foot tall if that. 

Apparently, it is REALLY snowing in places up here.  I even heard that they declared it a SNOW DAY in Bonny Doon!  Whoohooo!  I guess the ground hog was right--we are definately having a longer winter this year.  It suppossed to fall snow up in the mountains tonight, so I'm leaving early from work today.  If it's going to snow, I want to see it!  I don't want to be driving in the dark with it! 

Life Out There---Assignment #102

Weekend Assignment #102: Do you honestly think there is life out there in the universe? And if so, what kind of life do you think it is?

Extra Credit: Name your favorite (fictional) alien creature.

Am I the only one that was a little disappointed after they put out that camera on the planet Mars, and it didn't show any aliens walking around, just rock? 

Seriously though, I really don't know if there are any other life forms out there in our universe or for that matter in the other billion solar systems that are out there.  These intelligent beings may be friendly, they may not be.  They may one day neglect their world, and look for another place to stay--they might like our planet instead, and they might not like to share.  Do I want to be around when this happens?  NO.  I really do think however, that there are somethings we are better off not knowing..(ignorance is bliss) or in other words, I think we just spend a little too much time/money on the "unknown" instead of the concerns of our own planet.  We have some serious problems on this big blue marble we call home.  I really don't want my grandchildren to be forced to live in a different universe if we destroy ours. 

I'm not a science fiction kind of person; so sorry if I burst some bubbles---but let's try to wipe out starvation and proverty on this planet before we start looking for new "life forms".  IF however we find another planet out there, I just hope those beings are friendly.

Extra Credit:  My favorite fictional science fiction person would have to be Han Solo.  He was a rebel, he had a cute sidekick (Chewie) and he was a handsome dude--even when he was frozen. 

Emails from the Azores...

I got a few emails this morning from my cousins in the Azores...  One from my cousin Adelaide, who is like a sister to me, and the one from the Sugar Daddy Fireman, who sent me photos of his family.  The girl with the brown hair is his niece, Francisca, and the blonde is his daughter, Rita.  This picture is so adorable, I just had to to paste it somewhere!

So happens my cousin Adelaide has also been feeling under the weather.  She must home sick, bored to death because it is very rare she has time to email me because she is soooo busy all the time.  She's an elementary teacher and also has two kids.  I am always so happy to get emails from her, but it kind of saddens me too this time.  In the letter she goes on say how excited she was that I would be going there this summer, and how she was planning on doing all these activities together with me and the kids.  I found out this weekend, that I may not actually go afterall.  My mom reported that she needs to repair her roof, and this year might not be a good time for her.  I won't be going if my mom doesn't go, so it might not be until next year.  I really hate putting off things until "next year"...  I haven't been to the Azores, I just realized for a total of SEVEN YEARS already.  That seems like a very long time, doesn't it?   

Still, if I wait until next summer; it may be better off for all concerned.  The baby will be almost 4 by that time, and maybe hubby could actually go with us.  That would be nice.  Maybe this year me and hubby can actually take a REAL vacation-----we never had a honeymoon afterall.  Yes, I've checked Hawaiian cruises already, and they do look like a lot of fun.  But, after getting that email from my cousin---I just feel a little sad and homesick---even though California has always been my HOME, home can be other places that you love, and are loved as well. 

Tierd of feeling SICK

I don't get sick often, but when I do, I really hate the feeling. 

When I'm sick, I'm basically turn into a hunchback, old woman in sweats, roaming back and forth in the house clutching a coffee mug, or I plant myself in front of the couch with a blanket and watch T.V.  There is just so much of Tyra Banks and Oprah that I can really stand.  How do people stand watching T.V. all day?  Judge Judy is mean, and everyone on Jerry Springer is just plain nasty.  Where do they find these people?!  And who gave Flava Flav permission to do a re-cap of the Flavor of Love this past weekend?  I want to know which fool was picked this week!!  Hoops or New York.  Lord have mercy, there are some really stupid people on T.V., and here am I just sucking it all in...  I just feel YUCKY. 

 I first felt sick Saturday evening.  Me and hubby were watching Wedding Crashers.  (Not a movie for kids---you have been warned.)  It had some funny parts, but all the same, I found it a bore.  Hubby fell asleep during the end.  That should tell you something.  Anyways, as I made my way up the stairs to bed; I suddenly found myself so tierd and so dizzy.  I feel asleep like a log, but woke up with plugged ears, dizziness, and nausea.  Lovely.  Good thing I had done the grocery store shopping and cleaned the house earlier Saturday, because Sunday, I felt like the bloated, old woman in the bathrobe.  I watched a lot of T.V., and sat through the Oscars...all of it...  Let me tell you--it was VERY BORING.  I don't know how I sat through it but I did; but it felt like torture at times.  I just couldn't bring myself off the couch--no energy, and frankly, I thought I would throw up if I did.  Oh what a feeling...

Yesterday, wasn't much better.  My poor son turned into my personal slave boy.  "Honey, can you give me a can of 7-Up?"  "Can you throw me that blanket?"  "Can you run upstairs and get me a pillow?"  Poor thing must of wished he went to school afterall.  I stayed home from work, and my son didn't go to school.  My work is close to my son's school, however, work and school is about 20 miles away from where we live.  It involves commuting from San Jose to Santa Cruz, and frankly, I don't think I could have made the drive; over the hill that day.

As I sit here at work, I don't know how I did it this morning; but I did.  If it wasn't for my son's school, I would have probably stayed home, although being sick with a baby, you really can't be sick.  I do not suggest ever emptying a Diaper Genie when you are sick.  I almost fainted.  So, I dropped off Andrew at school, and the baby at my moms, so I could have a "break" at work.  I just hope nobody actually saw me coming in to the building, holding a coffee cup, a liter of 7-Up, and a package of white saltine crackers.  I'm wearing overalls to work.  Sure, I made some people do a double take, but I don't give a rat's ass today.  (Oh dear, I said the A word---how so unlike me.  Suprisingly, I did a lot of work this morning with few interuptions--this is good, but my ears are killing me.  I'm going to make it an early day. 

Assignment 101--Very Hidden Talents

You're up: Share your story of the talent you wish you had (or wish you had more of). Write it up in your journal or blog, and then come back here to leave a link. I'm looking forward to learning more about what talents we all don't have.

Of course, it would be nice to be able to sing, write well, and.... DANCE..  I would love to be a dancer of Carnival!  I think it would make my grandfather so proud up in heaven!! 

Extra Credit Useless Real hidden talent:  I can touch my nose with my tongue.  Something to brag about, I know.  

I just learned something about Carnival, and I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't know it.  The reason being is because my grandfather was an carnival icon of some sort in the Azores, and you would think that his grand-daughter would know a little bit more history on the subject.  This is what I learned today:

I got this from online @ ipanema.com:

"The first records of Carnival festivites in Rio de Janiero date back to 1723.  Immigrants from the Portuguese islands of Azores, Madeira and Cabo Verde introduced here the Entrudo. 

"The idea was basically getting everybody soaked wet.  People would go out in the streets with buckets of water and limes, and everybody would be a potential victim.  Even Emperors took part in the fun.  There's a curious record of a woman being arrested in 1855 for throwing a lime at Dom Pedro I's escorts." 

Leave to the Portuguese to think of this one, hey? 

My mother did mention to me about the water thing, and also of throwing powder at eachother--no mention of limes however.  Another tradition, is dressing up in costumes, and jumping over little camp fires they make on streets.  Yes, I come from a wild crowd. 

Carnival is a little different in the Azores.  It consists of many theatrical plays done to music, usually done with a dramatic and comical twist, with bright and fancy costumes. Unfortunately, my grandfather died when my mother was an infant and could not see her perform.   My mother to this day, can still remember every dress she ever wore on stage.  Being a daughter of the village icon, it was almost expected of her to participate.  Unlike myself, my mom knows how to sing.  I can't.  Nope, I've never been in anything Carnival.  But through this entry, I feellike I am, somehow. 

 Carnival is a tradition that still goes on in the Azores and in the states.  I just got an email from my cousin Rute who informed me that she had been watching dances for 3 days straight.  Of course everyone has a week off during the week before Lent over there.  It is also a time to eat.  EAT and EAT and EAT...  Particulary lots of fattening, sweet things, like homemade donuts, custards, sweet bread...etc.....etc. 

Above is a picture of Carnival in my mom's village of Vila Nova.  Feel free to check out my friend, Mr. Ormond's website. This picture is one found by my cousin Carlos Enes.  I'm guessing this was taken in the late 1920's.  The man in the middle is, Carlos Enes' grandfather and of  my great uncle Tio Janeiro, and the man close behind him in the woman's hat (yes all female characters were played by men at one time) that's Jose Machado de Gloria, my great-uncle's brother-inlaw, and later my step-grandfather.  Above him, in the dark suit, with the dark hat titled to the side, is Jose Machado de Gloria's best friend--my grandfather, Francisco Borges De Melo--aka; "Chico Roico". 

Verses

Dança da Ana. First dança written by Chico Roico. 1917:

          Mestre
Boa tarde queremos dar
É o ponto principal
A todos os presentes
Gozando o carnaval

          O Mestre faz o namoro
Ó Ana pede ao pai
Pode ele não gostar
Irmos nós os dois
Num instante passear

          Filha ao pai
Ó papai dai-me licênça
Eu nada me demoro
Eu faço a vontade ao Mestre
Coração a que adoro

          Pai
Vai lá passear pequena
Maldades nunca deixes
Olha se houver novidades
Tu no resto não te queixes

          Dançarino
O pai queria que a gente
A trata-se a mil geitos
Agora de braço dado
Já não apanha defeitos

          Ana
Eu ando aqui passeando
É pela vontade de três
É do papai, mestre, e minha
Não se encomodem vocês

          Dançarino
Tanto o pai como a filha
A vista de tanto povo
Não juizo que enxa
A casca dum fraco ovo

          Pai
Pequena tira o bracinho
Fica o braço espendente
Não te faças muito tola
Não me arreganhes o dente

          Mestre
Ao patifos se repetem
As palavras agora ouvi
Termina-se a dança já
Cada um cuida de si

          Dançarinos
Não pensamos que o nosso mestre
Fica-se tão irado
Pedimos todos com geito
Deveras ser perdoado

          Mestre
Já qie me pedem perdão
Tudo se perdoará
Mas se tornar a repetir
Eu não sei o que será

Vila Nova, (Terceira) 1917.

I knew about the Azoreans bringing Carnival here to the states.  That is what my grandfather did, but to Brazil too?  Gosh, you learn something everyday, I just don't remember any festivals of carnival where the women and men were half naked in the streets.  That would cause quite a stir with the older crowd villagers, although I will say, those old ladies sure enjoy watching those raunchy novela soap operas from Brasil... 

QUE LEGAL!!!!   OI OI OI!!!! 

Phones & Misplaced Calls---Sometimes...

I remember, years and years ago, I was on date with some idiot.  He wanted to make me dinner.  A  neighbor suddenly came by and needed his help with something or another next door.  I waited in his kitchen until he came back.  While I was there, snooping around his dirty kitchen,  the phone rings.  I didn't feel comfortable answering the phone, so I let the answsering machine pick up the call.  Suddenly I heard a girl leave a message, asking if this guy had changed his mind and decided to go to Tahoe with her this weekend.  Interesting, I thought.  So, the idiot soon comes back, and I tell him that he got this call.  He listens to the message, laughs and simply laughs it off, with no explanation or anything.  I didn't ask either, so I make the mental note and I keep to myself.  I didn't know him that well, so why get upset, right?  This was before I knew that his  home was also refuge for  displaced, on the verge of criminal women  haven. I think I was the only female he ever dated who didn't have a jail record of some sort.  What could he have possibly seen in me anyway? 

 I  remember calling him one day, only to have one of these displaced women answer the phone.  I asked for him, and she asked me to call again and leave a message on the machine.  Which I did.  I made another mental note.  I should have known that he was already a two-timing idiot after the time I got that call from his cell phone.  I get a call at 11:30 pm at night from his cell.  Apparently, he had my number on speed dial, and he had mistakenly hit the button on his phone while he was at some mountain bar with this other chick.  It was a sign from God that I should have paid closer attention to.  I sat there on my couch, patiently listening.  I could hear  the music coming out of a juke box (Smooth by Rob Thomas...yeah I remember it like yesterday) and over  the music I could also barely hear him talk.  The other voice was obviously a drunk giggling woman.  Hmm...    I felt  a little better, (a little) after he informed me that his new "girlfriend" hit him on the head with a phone, and  of course after the 2 large pineapple and ham pizza delivery to his house. 

While I was dating my husband, I somehow mistakenlymisdialed a number and may have almost got someone in trouble.  A woman answered the phone.  Hmmm, I thought. 

"Is Rich there?" I ask. 

Silence

"Yes... (pregnant pause), Um, who is this?" the woman asks.

Silence

"This is Julie."

Silence

Okay, this feels really awkward right now, so I repeat the phone number to her.  "Did I dial the right number?"

Suddenly I hear laughter.  I had dialed the wrong number.  Wheeww...  That was a bit scary.  Richard is a very common name. 

Just the other day my husband's cell phone rang.  I went to answer it. 

"Hello!" It was an older sounding  woman.  She seemed to recognize my voice.  She asks:  "Do you think Rich could drive me to work tomorrow?"

Pregnant pause, on my part.

"Is this Ashley?" she asks.

"Um, no, I think you have the wrong number." 

Nope, my name isn't Ashley, or Maureen for that matter.  Is there anything worse than getting mail addressed to your husband's ex-wife?