A list of annoyances

Actually, just three things right now. I don't want to get all carried away with what bothers me, because I certainly don't want to get myself all worked up about it.

"I was just going to say..." I sit in class, and a nice discussion is going on. A question is asked, and hands are raised. The first words out of nearly everyone's mouth? "I was just going to say..." I know you're going to speak. You were called on weren't you? You have something to say, just say it. If you really must preface your comment with something unnecessary, at least say something along the lines of "I was just thinking..." I would really like to know that you were thinking before you opened your mouth.

Make your point already! I might be a little bit impatient at times. But when you finally get past your little preface, informing us that you are going to speak, just say what you have to say. Tell one story, give me one example and then apply it. I really don't want to hear about everything that might possibly remotely be connected. Just make your point and wrap it up.

Not being able to sign into my blog. There is a certain number of websites that are blocked on my computer at work. Somehow, blogger.com is one of them. It really bothers me that there is somehow content that gets the attention of the blocker. I have one more thing to try, and then I am out of ideas. I can look at any of the blogs, but I can't sign in. And without a computer at home, I have to visit my parents and borrow their computer. Not that that is really a hardship, but I have things to do most nights.

The Map

This map is a limited edition print of a map that was gifted to the wonderful people who helped designed the new message boards at theonering.net. I had left the unframed print at my parents' house when I moved, because I had no safe place for it at my new apartment. My parents surprised me by getting it framed. I had gone to their house for dinner, and all of a sudden, there was my map, sitting just inside the door. They told me that they had intended to hang it up and see if I noticed it.

I was so excited to take my map home, and so eager to see it on the wall, that as soon as I got home that night, I put two hangers in the wall and hung it up. The only problem with my enthusiasm is that it was midnight, and I got to meet my upstairs neighbor. Oops, at least he was very polite about it.

Here's the map:

Here's the close-up of the corner. I love the distressed wood. The matting looks somewhat like sparkly gold, and I think goes well with the red tones of the map.

Here's a picture of my name and my neighbors.

It’s the simple things in life that make me happy.

(Note: This post is an experience that took place on Monday, 31 March 2008.)

I’m on my lunch break and going for a little drive. It’s a beautiful day, with a nice breeze coming in through the windows of my car. I love letting my hair get tossed by the wind. It really can tangle up the ends, but it’s a glorious feeling.

I park my car and go for a bit of a walk. There’s not all that much traffic downtown at 12:30 in the afternoon. I cross the street and enjoy having the sidewalks to myself. This solitary walk is very rare. Usually this path is filled with people, all anxious to get into the same place, the building to my left. There isn’t much shade down this sidewalk, but the wind is still blowing, which makes this little lunchtime walk a very nice thing indeed.

I look up and see that the façade of the building doesn’t seem to have changed since the last time I saw it. It’s comforting to see it, to know that in just one week I’ll be going inside.

I reach the end of the building, and turn left to continue following it. I finally reach the window and make my request. The package is too big to fit in the small window opening, so I go to the lobby to meet the woman so she can hand it over. The woman hands me my package and tells me to enjoy it. I am very happy as I thank her for her help.

I turn around and retrace my steps to my car. I feel the contents through the wrapping, and my happiness increases. I’m so glad to have finally gotten this! I want to open it, but I decide to wait until I’m in the car.

As I walk back around the building, I catch glimpses of the interior through the windows. I wish I could go in, but I will in just a week. I am so looking forwards to that.

I get to my car, and open the package. I see the books and the other inserts in the package. I pull out the letter, and skim that. Oh! I have to get back to work, I can read this later.

The wind is still blowing, my hair still getting tossed around, and my package is on the passenger seat. I get back to the office, and pull out the contents. Oh, I don’t know how to say just how happy I am right now.