When this Old World....

Week 11 is finished.

Holy Shit.

11 Weeks.

This semester alone, I’ve spent almost 40 nights in a hotel room. (Shout out to all my HIX, HI, CW home away from home hommies.)

I’ve wasted time in 20 different airports----many of them multiple times. (Gotta say Midway and Austin have the best food. San Diego is the worst for food options and electrical outlets---get with the program SD.)

I’ve eaten out for just about 120 meals . (Good Grief. That’s disgusting)

And I’ve still got 3 more weeks to go. (Oye and Wahoo!)

Trust me. In the grand scheme of things, I’m almost done.

However, this is totally one of those weeks where I’m on the verge of some sort of cosmic burnout screaming, “Take me out Coach. Take. Me. Out”

This time of year, these burnouts are normal. They tend to involve gnashing of teeth, blood, violence, etc. etc. etc. I’m practically a walking MMA fighter.

I wouldn’t say it’s just the travel, but the world right now is really weird. The Trayvon Martin story is horrifying me. I’m reading a book by Paul Farmer called, “Pathologies of Power” (everyone should read it) that is haunting me. I’m exhausted all the time and so incredibly ready to be in my bed. At my house. For more then two nights a week.

Is wanting to shut the world away and only catch up on episodes of Grey’s Anatomy or Dance Moms such a bad thing?

Just a note, I always feel incredibly lucky to be doing what I do for a living. Do I get frustrated? All the time. Do I get tired of it? Oh yeah. Do I realize how incredibly awesome and sort of insane my job is? You betcha.

For such a time as this, when everything in me wants to quit the this thing called ‘my life’ I often remind myself of funny moments I’ve had on the road.

For example. The time I got taken off of an airplane in Alaska because they thought I was caring concealed weapons.(I blame Sarah Palin)

Or the time Friend AM and I literally had to flag down a boat with red t-shirts in order to visit a summer camp across a massive lake. And the time we accidentally took a road that led to nowhere because the GPS told us it was a real road (I totally understand all those people who end up in lakes)

Or the time Friend D and I evacuated SB because of wild fires.

Or the time Friends A,J, J2 and I took a taxi to Kansas. Simply because none of us had ever been there.

Or the time I went to Oscar After Parties in Hollywood.

Or the time I hit the pole (twice) and the rear view mirror of my rental car broke in half, but I totally figured out how to snap it back together (girl’s got skills). The Company didn't even notice when I returned it.

Or the time Friends A-Z and I went to Disneyland and rode rides and ate caramel apples and laughed all day long.

Or the time Friend K, A and I ran across bridges in Vancouver. Illegally.

Or the time Friend R and I went to Drag Queen Bingo.

Or the time we all stayed up late, eating, drinking and being merry in a KC diner, in an Los Angeles restaurant, at the Santa Monica pier, in a San Diego wine bar, in a Washington coffee house...

You get the picture.

Sometimes you just need a good memory and a sweet melody to calm you down (a nice, tall glass of red wine doesn’t hurt either).

Tonight’s selection is from The Drifters-“Up on the Roof”

When this old world starts getting me down
And people are just too much for me to face
I climb way up to the top of the stairs
And all my cares just drift right into space

On the roof, the only place I know
Where you just have to wish to make it so…

****Side note: I don’t actually have roof access. If someone out there does and would let me borrow it for an hour or two, I’d be eternally grateful. ****

Only Small Actors....

Today we celebrate "World Theater Day"

Up until a Tony Awards facebook post, I had no idea. (See, social media does have a purpose. How would we know about such important days without it?!)

In case you didn't already know, I’m a bit of a Musical Theater junkie.

I’m not really sure why. I don’t sing (well). I’m not a dramatic actor (my parents may object) I tried ballet for a few years, but traded in my slippers for a baseball mitt (which in return I traded in for a set of ice skates).

However, throw me in the audience of a theater and I’m one happy kid. I don't know what it is. Maybe it's the fact that for 2.5 hours, the world literally is put on hold while the lights are dim. It could be that most shows are fun, they illicit emotion of all kinds. In one matinee, you could be laughing, crying, seeing injustice, all while tap dancing. It could be that, unlike TV, the actors are right there, in the same room, performing a show that they only get one change (at least a night) to get right.

It's so much more risky then whatever comes out of a box.

In honor of World Theater Day, I figured I better post a little theater love with these three things:

1)Own up to my borderline obsession
2)Reveal Why This Blog is Named "Thoroughly Modern Michelle"
3)Give a Letterman like Shoutout to Some of My Favorite Theater Going Experiences.

This year alone, I’ve seen 3 or 4 shows already (Wild Bride, Mamma Mia, Bring It On, Million Dollar Quartet). I’ve got another 7 or 8 (American Idiot, Book of Mormon, Emotional Creature, Newsies, Evita, End of the Rainbow, Once, A Desert City, Les Mis, Scottsborro Boys, Porgy and Bess…) planned before the end of the summer (Probably more).

I'm not even very sure where this mini obsession came from.

The very first *“real” Broadway show I ever saw was The Phantom of the Opera.
(*Real is defined as “actually on the Great White Way…”)

Cliché. Check.

However, I grew up listening to the soundtrack. My mom loved to play it on tape…and eventually CD. Andrew Lloyd Webber was probably the only theater composer I could name until I was in my 20s.

Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to see a few of my favorite shows and actors. I've gotten pretty creative with finding cheap tickets and using my status as a student---need any tips? Let me know.

As I was creating this blog, I really wanted to secretly pay homage to the theater, but I also wanted to make it applicable to me. Hense Thoroughly Modern Michelle is born.

For those of you who don't know, in 1967 Julie Andrew stared in a movie called, "Thoroughly Modern Millie". It later became a musical staring Sutton Foster. The whole premises and plot of the movie surrounds a young, fearless, ahead of her time woman who is determined really live her life. It's all about her experiencing the world in her own way and finding love when her time is right.

See. If the shoe fits... :)

With that, I bring you my top 10 Favorite Performances: (in no particular order)

1. Follies: Broadway Summer 2011
Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, and in “Follies” I saw this show during its previews and it was so beautiful. It was downright depressing, but that much star power on one state was pretty amazing. And I have loved Bernadette since the 1982 version of Annie. I was lucky enough to meet the entire cast afterward as well.

2. Anything Goes: Broadway Winter 2011
Sutton Foster and Joel Grey= Broadway Royalty
I saw Sutton Foster a few years ago in Seattle during the out of town run of “Young Frankenstein” I had no idea who she was, nor did I really care, but seeing her in this staring role was pretty phenomenal. If there ever was a triple threat, Sutton Foster would be it. She won the Tony for her role as Reno and totally deserved it.

3. Les Miserables: West End, London Spring 2008
This was the first time I had ever seen the show. On a whim, some friends and I got half price tickets right before curtain call. We were so close to the stage that the emotion was oozing. Friend M cried the entire time. No joke. I can't wait to see the show again.

4. Promises, Promises: Broadway Summer 2010
Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes
First of all, I'm a huge Cheno fan. Loved her in Pushing Daisies, Glee, GCB. One of my favorite performances is I've seen of her is the DVD of Candide. I could watch that over and over again. So when I found out she was back on Broadway, I totally had to go. Sean was hilarious, but I didn't think Kristin fit her roll all that well. Still, it was so cool to see her perform in person. I got to meet her at the end of the show as well. (She's so small, so Southern, but so sweet)
Best line of the entire show from Katie Finnary: “Do you like my coat?? It’s Owwweeel.”

5. War Horse, Broadway Winter 2011
I was incredibly skeptial of this before going in. Lifesize puppets? Creepy. However, from the time it started, I was totally involved in the show. I had front row seats and I could practically touch the actors (Peter Hermann---the hot hubby of Mariska Hargitay was one of them. Trust me, not touching was harder then you'd think) It was one of the most amazing pieces of theater I've ever had the privilege of seeing. The movie did not do those horses justice.

But I walked away, in tears (I rarely cry) absolutely loving it. Puppets and all.

6. Next To Normal, Broadway Winter 2010, San Francisco Spring 2011
Oh man. I saw this on Broadway with Marin Mazzie and her husband Jason Danieley. So good. I think it hit a chord with me because of how raw it was and how the topic of Mental Illness was acted out. The music was amazing and the smallness of the Booth theater made the show even more intense.

I saw it again in SF with Alice Ripley---who originated the role. She was so different from Marin. I actually preferred Marin's portrayal, but Alice Ripley brought the crazy (In a really, really good way).

7. Wicked, San Francisco Summer 2010 (twice).
Two different casts, One fun show. Wicked gets a bit of a bad rap amongst the Theater community. Sure, it isn't the most thoughtful night of theater. Sure, it's a bit silly. But that's what makes it so much fun. I loved the Wizard of Oz and really enjoyed seeing the supposed backstory. Come on, everyone knows a Glinda and everyone knows an Elfie. I swear, I played the soundtrack continuously for a month. Maybe two.

8. My Fair Lady, Indianapolis Spring 2008 (I think).
I didn't necessarily love the touring show, but the British actress who played Eliza, Lisa O'Hare, was such a standout that I'd love to see her on stage again.

9. Rent, San Diego Fall 2010.
What a show. I saw the movie and didn't really like it, but I'm glad I saw it live. There's something that happens in a theater when certain subjects are brought up. I love that moment after something tragic happens and you feel like the air in the entire theater has been sucked out. Rent offers that more then once.

10. Annie Get Your Gun, Broadway Summer 2001
This is the second show I saw on Broadway. I was in the very last row, sitting next to a really nice Irish family who offered me Irish Toffee. (I totally took it and it was really good) This musical was just so fun. I had a really good time---and side note: Nick Jonas of the the JoBro fame was playing one of the little kids. Still have that playbill to prove it.

Honorable Mention: Sister Act. The Lion King. Phantom in London.

So Close. Sort Of.

I'm a mere 4 weeks from work travel season being over. A month may still seem long, but after 10 weeks away this semester alone, another 4 isn't so bad (clearly trying to convince myself).

However, this time of year a few things happen:

1. My body starts to feel incredibly crummy. The eating out, the long airplane rides, the constant meshing to different hotel room beds has finally caught up with me. I feel like a blob 24/7.

2. I literally, constantly, all the time, forget what day it is. With the new territory, it's even worse, now I no longer know what time it is.

(And I'm always missing my favorite shows. I still don't understand Central Time).

3. Morning pep talks become more regular. It takes just a little bit more effort for me to get psyched for the day.

4.Constant Euphoria. Because the end is in sight.

I can't even begin to describe how thankful I am that this semester is coming to a close. It's been a great season, but I am Exhausted.

With a capital E.

At the end of every semester I gear up for a bit of a travel detox. End of the school year is always a bit more drastic and I think I'll take it a bit further.

I usually spend about 3-4 weeks physically detoxing. This includes:

1)Working out like mad (morning run, evening strength training)

2)Eating mostly raw, fresh food.I always start with a 3 day liquid slim down, then fill my body with salads, fruit and healthy proteins/grains for the next couple of weeks. Limited eating out and little to no alcohol(I don't know, this may not be all that healthy. But it makes me feel so much better).

I won't lie though, it totally takes me a bit longer to ween off sugar. J'adore Sugar and I cheat every once in awhile.

Essentially, I become a monster for about a week, but after that, I'm good as gold.

This summer, I'm also trying to be more conscious of not only how I treat my body, but how I treat my finances, my relationships and my environment.

Color me a hippie.

You know you belong to the land…and The Land We Belong to is Grand…

“O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A…..Oklahoma. OK.”

7 days now. 7 days that song has been stuck in my head. 7.

Week 8 brought on a new state for me (something that is oddly enough, a bit of a rarity these days).

Oklahoma. Land of Wheat, Chic-Fila, Kristin Chenoweth and the OKC Thunder (formally known as the Seattle Sonics…but whatever. People apologized to me for “stealing the team” when they heard I was from Seattle. Huh.)

For some reason, I have always wanted to go to Oklahoma. People didn’t understand why. I didn’t understand why. Just out of curiosity I guess.

However, I must say, I really liked it there. You know how when you visit a flyover state, a lot of times this conversation comes up:

P1:“Oh, I went to__________________ last week.”
P2:“How was it?”
P1:“Well, it was pretty boring, not much to do, but the people were AMAZING. So friendly. Nicest people I’ve ever met.”

It’s usually an accurate statement, but in a way, it is almost like we use the “People were great” method to not only be a little bit nicer, but it also puts a positive spin on any less then par location.

Kind of like the “compliment/criticism sandwich”

Except, this time it was really true. I have never encountered a nicer group of upstanding citizens. There must be a nice vitamin being put into the water.

I met so many wonderful, random individuals. They were all so shocked that I was traveling alone (I tried not to tell them that it was a regular occurrence). They couldn’t believe I was living in California (apparently CA is considered a different planet). More often then not, they wanted to take a moment to pray for my safety (In the midst of God’s Country). I got invited to a Basketball game, frozen yogurt, to someone’s house. One lady, Friend D even asked me over to meet her single sons.

It’s a shame I was in such a time crunch.

As I drove from OKC to the University I was visiting, I realized that OK is actually quite beautiful. It’s incredibly flat. You can see for miles around, but the landscape, especially close to sunset is lovely.

I had dinner the first night at this place called “Pops” It’s apparently a well known establishment on Route 66. There were over 200 different kinds of sodas. Insane. There was even the country’s largest soda bottle. It was a whopping 60 feet tall.

(Gotta hook the tourists in somehow I guess….FYI Oklahoma: It totally worked).

While I spent most of my time in Stillwater, I did get the chance to stop at the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial & Museum.

It was pretty amazing.

I was about 12 years old when the bombing happened and although I remember the news coverage and the stories on television, I don’t think I really understood what that moment meant.

The museum was so well done. It really helped me understand what the months and years after the bombing were like for OKC. They saved a lot of the rubble and items found within the rubble. Keys, shoes, glasses, purses. Things that even 17 years later have gone unclaimed. Things that were owned once by survivors and those killed in the attack.

Some of the most heartbreaking displays were the individual photos and belongings of the children that were killed. I don’t understand what kind of person can justify to himself that it is okay to purposely hurt innocent people.

Sick.

The outdoor memorial was beautiful. It was a park, with a reflection pool. To one side of the pool are 168 chairs for each of the people who died that day. There are tiny chairs for the children.

The place was so somber and peaceful. It is hard to believe that an event so tragic happened there.

The end of the week also brought me back to Texas. I got to visit one of my favorite Universities and that’s always a nice way to end a busy week.

The perfect Sunday

I haven't lived full-time in Washington for about 6 years, but I'm a Seattle girl at heart. I love the rain. People may judge me for making said statement. You know who you are (Californians), but I find the dreary weather calming.

(Disclaimer: As long as I'm inside. If I'm outside for some reason, I just wet and upset.)

Not only does the rain offer a free car wash, (silver lining stretch?) it also gives me a good reason to sit inside and participate in quiet, rainy day activities.

Like studying for school, catching up on work or just vegging on the couch. I decided that after a date with the gym, an afternoon at Starbucks was calling me. I love hanging out at my local coffee house, not only getting things done, but just people watching as well. With the heavy travel season upon me, it was nice to just sort of breathe for a second.

With my Latte in hand, I parked myself for the day (oddly enough, at the sbux on Park St.) A travel-less Sunday is a bit of a luxury in my world, so I try not to work too much, but there were a few things job wise that I really wanted to get done before tomorrow. I also just started the second semester of grad school yesterday, so my main goal was to get a bit of reading done.

I am so excited for this semester. I'm taking two classes again: Immigration and Forced Displacement and Multiculturalism in a Global World.

Quite the mouthful.

Heartspots #2: Kyoto Japan

I know I'm going a little crazy with the posts today. I'm not going to lie. This one was already written, canned and ready to go. However, I felt like it was appropriate today because March 11th marks the 1 year anniversary of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

****

A few years ago, I had the privilege of living in one of the most interesting and absurd countries I’ve ever been to.

Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun.

Home to Sushi, Harajuku Girls (real ones, not Gwen Stefani knock-offs) Ichiro, J-Pop and the Bullet Train.

Deciding to teach English in Japan was one of the most random and unplanned things I’ve ever done. I’d been pretty out of luck when it came to finding a job in International Education and was trying to figure out ways to get myself abroad again.

Right before Christmas in Dec. 2005, I had just finished reading the book “Memoirs of a Geisha”. The movie had just come out as well and after viewing it, I went home, googled (did we ‘google’ back then??) “Teaching in Japan,” found a company (Nova) and applied that night.

Turns out, three weeks later, Nova was going to be in the Seattle area conducting interviews.

Funny how things work out.

By May, I was living in Takarazuka, Japan (Home of the all Female review) teaching English 36 hours a week and spending as much time as I could travelling around the country.

One of my favorite places to visit was Kyoto. It was about a 2 hour train ride from where I was living and I would go up for a day or two each month. Such a history filled city, Kyoto fascinated me with its Temples, Geisha districts, festivals and traditions. I could spend countless hours roaming the city. It was also the place I felt the most like a White Celebrity. I had many photo requests whenever I was there. I got really good at modeling the peace sign.

There were always women walking around in Kimono. The air smelled like incense and baked goods. School children in uniforms were always making their way to and from the temples. I’m guessing to pray for exams and other teenage woes.

Every afternoon, shop owners would begin to clean the sidewalk outside of their stores, water would flow into the streets and I always remember slipping around in my flipflops.

There’s a saying in Kyoto that if one spots a Geisha, good luck will follow them. It sort of became a ongoing game of Where’s Waldo. We rarely spotted one, but there were a few times when my friends and I would be wandering down one of the small hidden streets and catch a glimpse of these beautifully made up women.

Kyoto had so many amazing places to visit: The Golden Pagoda, various other districts, but my favorite was just outside of the city. A temple called Fushimi Inari. I always went here if I just needed a moment of calm. It was a place that I could go to and clear my head, think, breath. The temple was surrounded by bright red Tori----Gateways that led through a forest. You could walk for what felt like miles.

Kyoto is one of those places that no matter how many times you visit, you never see everything. I even had the chance to Geisha-ize myself:

A Toast to the Ladies.....

"Women's Rights are Human Rights. Human Right's are Women's Rights"
Hillary Clinton, 1995 UN Speech in Beijing

This week is one to be celebrated. No, it's not the end of travel season. No, it's not the end of the school year. This week, we cheered on ourselves and our fellow ladies during International Women's Week.

As ladies, I don't think we know when to stop doing. We are always trying to do something, save someone, make something. Sometimes we just need to pause. To take a moment to not only recognize ourselves, but recognize the amazing things we are accomplishing and the footprints each of us, in our own ways, are leaving on this world. I figured I'd put off this week's travel blog and take a moment to give a shout out to some of the women who have had an impact in my life.

It would be wrong of me to say I got to where I am today simply by myself. There have been many people in my life who not only encouraged me, but challenged me. Loved me, but kept me grounded, mentored me, pushed me and even a few who made me trip now and then.

There are a lot of women I admire. The list is not conclusive--it's constantly growing. It's filled with people close to me, people far away, women I've never met and some who know me better then I know myself.

First and foremost, of course, I'm going to say my Mother. As she likes to say, she gave me life. The lady raised me to become the woman I am today. She (along with Pops) instilled in me a quiet confidence and an independent streak. She put up with the growing pains of my childhood (there weren't that many...right Mom?) She laughed with me, cried with me and rejoiced with me. She taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to it---And she was right.

Except for math.

If you're shocked I put HRC on this list, clearly you don't know me well enough. Hillary and I go way back. I was in 4th grade the first time I wrote her. It was for a school project. We had to write letters to the White House. I still remember what mine said:

Dear Mrs. Clinton,

How are you? I think you are cool. Can Chelsea have sleepovers at the White House? Why do you have a cat? You should really consider getting a dog. They're better.

Sincerely,
Michelle Walters, age 10.

I got sent back a packet of Washington DC "Trading Cards" that had photos and "stats" of politicians.

Tax Dollars at work. Go figure.

I grew up during the Bill Clinton Era. Hillary was always in the picture. Not standing quietly behind him, but at his side. A partner. More often I remember all of the criticism HRC received rather then the praise. I remember thinking, man, the world has got it out for this woman. She always pushed boundaries and fought for what she believed in. When she ran for President, I, along with a lot of other young women were right there supporting her. I'd do it again in a heart beat.

I couldn't have a "Girl Power" post without including one of the most awesome Girl's on the planet. My BFF ABV.


BFF ABV and I met a million years ago. On the first day of Middle School. In Band Class (Yes. We've always been that cool). We were flute players. She was a girl. So was I.

The rest, as they say, is history. We grew up together, survived MS, HS and College together. We're practically tying up our 20's together. BFF ABV and I may be in different stages of our lives right now, but that's okay. We've always been able to find our way back.

BFF ABV is probably the funniest and most grown up person I know. She is so incredibly beautiful and talented. Smart, yet down to earth, filled with potential and a kindness not many people have...and while I can't cook to save my life, let me tell you, BFF ABV can make a mean meal. Girl got skills. I'll probably never win an Oscar, so BFF ABV, this is as close to a public shout out as it's gonna get.

From the time I was about 14 years old. I wanted to be Katie Couric. I mean, look at the photo. I went to the Today Show with a sign that said "When I grow up, I'm going to be the next Katie."

(Geek)

That woman was one of the first people outside of my personal circle that I hero-ized. I pretended to be her in the mirror. During college, whenever I worked on Cable News, I emulated her way of speech, tried to channel her on-air confidence. She is the reason I studied Communications at WSU.

Even though I clearly never pursued Broadcasting, I still admire her and everything she has accomplished.

Last, but not least, My Aunt RTG. Aunt RTG passed away a few years ago after a battle with Cancer. Aunt RTG is one of the most courageous, bravest and strongest women I've ever have the privilege of knowing.

Like I said, these are just a few, and to all the rest of my soul sisters out there, I raise my glass to you.

Travel Week 7: Hump Week!

First of all, this week also deserves a shout out because it is Week 7...Week 7 means I'm halfway done with Work Travel.

TG4W7.

Bizarre Week Part Deux.

WOW (Week of Weird) started out with me getting called "Kiddo" by the SWA flight Attendent.

I still don't know what to do with that.

In her defense, on flight days I'm usually in a ponytail without any makeup on.

But kiddo...Really?

Chances are I was probably older then her too.

(This is where I hear my mother's voice chiming in: "You'll love it when you're 40. You really will...")

After getting called the nickname of a 5 year old, I found myself in El Paso, TX. Home to UTEP, Designer Cowboy Boots and the man who was executed in Huntsville (see last post). The city is in the midst of what I'd consider a desert. As I was looking out the window on my SWA flight in, I couldn't believe how dry, desolate and barren the area is. El Paso is so far out there that it is not even in the same time zone as the rest of the state.

Texas should just sell it back to Mexico.
(No offense El Paso, just saying, it makes more sense).

When I had made plans to visit the campus, I didn't really think about the close proximity to Mexico. More importantly Juarez Mexico. One of the most dangerous cities and drug capitals in the world. I'd heard stories about Juarez from Friend J's father---a LA times photographer who spent time document the Drug Wars down there.

It's downright bat shit crazy. Stray bullets are known to fly into town and on campus. People are desperate to cross the border. What used to be a friendly border town that catered to tourists has become a hotspot for drugs and murder.

As I was driving to my hotel, I looked to the left of the freeway and saw groupings of dirty, rundown, small houses.

My first thought was that this couldn't possibly be the United States.

I quickly found out that I was right.

It was Mexico.

Right there.

To my left.

Insane.

I'm currently in an Immigration and Forced Displacement class at school and a few weeks ago, we did a lesson on Borders. Physical Borders, Invisible Borders, Borders we self create and Borders that are created through governments.

We discussed how some borders are difficult to see, even if you know subconsciously that they are there. Some borders are so prevalent that you can't not notice them.

The border between Mexico and the US is one of those.

Though there may not be a wall or a gate---there is a clear line that states "Mexico Here" It could also be called the line between the Haves and the Have Nots.

Growing up so close to the Canadian border, I was used to crossing into another country. However, the Canadian border is so pleasant. There's a park to hang out in and some Arches to take photos in front of.

The Mexican Border (I accidentally found myself down there)is a bridge that has no welcoming features at all---just a big sign that practically shouts, "Turn Back Now!"


I pretty much stayed close to my hotel and campus. At least it was Oscars night, so I had something to keep me entertained. I also had a few chances to use my Spanish and got some Amazing Mexican food.

Meeting went really well, we're going to see a lot of growth. I was in El Paso for less then 24 hours, but I really regret not finding myself some custom made cowboy boots.


Week of Weird (You could also insert: weird or what?!?) continued in Houston...which wasn't so bizarre as it was downright humid.

(My hair hates me right now.)

I'm really trying to like Houston (I don't really like it). People say its a great place (People lie). Maybe it'll grow on me.

I did get a few fantastic meetings in on the work scene. But I also got to reunionize with one of my very favorites: Friend J. Friend J and I haven't seen each other for a few years. But Friend J makes me laugh a lot. I even got to get some much needed doggy kisses from her two puppy dogs.