notes from the spencenator

this about sums it up...

2009-01-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

I'm a fan of gapingvoid.com. Even more so now that he moved and is blogging/drawing from West Texas.

I feel the need to print and hang this in my cube so I can stare aimlessly and ponder when i'm having one of those stress/chaos/panic! moments. It sums things up quite nicely...

for steph

2008-11-18T20:24:00.001-08:00

On November 13, 2008, baby Evan Alexander Athre was born. 6 lbs, 15 oz. On that day, our family forever changed. We joined together to celebrate the newest addition. The first grandchild. A little bundle of joy. My very first nephew. I can't wait to meet him!!

I feel that Harry Connick, Jr. said it best:

Now my heart is music
Such a simple song
Sing it again, the notes never end
This is where I belong

Just the sound of your voice
The light in your eyes
We're so far away from yesterday
Together with a wink and a smile
We go together like a wink and a smile
- "with a wink and a smile"

i'm an aunt!!

2008-11-15T18:57:00.000-08:00

All day Thursday I was distracted by texts, phone calls, IMs, all updating me on the status of the birth of my first nephew.

After 14 hours of labor, Evan Alexander Athre was born by c section.

We're so super excited to welcome him to the family. I can't WAIT to get to Texas for Thanksgiving and meet him. I'm taking my camera - so photos are coming soon.

Welcome to the world Evan Alexander. You're going to LOVE it here.

Jonathan + Crystal

2008-11-15T18:53:00.000-08:00

My friends Jonathan and Crystal are getting married next weekend at the Hollywood Schoolhouse in Woodinville, WA. They're super awesome friends and have a whirlwind romance - completely and totally inspired and led by God.

Last weekend they let me tag along during some wedding planning and I had a chance to poke around the Schoolhouse. As I'm shooting their wedding next weekend, I wanted to see what we had to work with. I'm so excited! The location is just as awesome as they are.

More to come...

i will vote

2008-11-04T15:09:00.000-08:00

i haven't done so yet, but i'm soon heading to my polling place.
i will soon cast my vote on all things federal, state, judicial, etc. that are up for election.

it's crazy to think that tonight will end the seemingly neverending string of campaign ads that have plagued the mainstream media lately.

tonight it will be decided:
an agent for change, or a maverick.
we will soon find out.

you're no one

2008-09-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

if you're not on twitter.
so says this song.

This one's for you, Colleen! :)

DIY firepits: City of Bellevue approved.

2008-09-15T14:51:00.001-07:00

Our housewarming BBQ this weekend was a big success. Much of which can be attributed to the last minute installation of a diy firepit in our backyard.

It brought up a lot of questions; however, about the legality of a firepit within the city limits of Bellevue, WA. Here's the official word from the City of Bellevue, I've bolded and italicized the relevant part (and italicized my comments):

Can I burn outdoors?heck yeah you can. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency regulates indoor and outdoor burning in the urban areas of King County. The Bellevue Fire Department works closely with PSCAA to help enforce regulations specifically concerning outdoor burning. Small, recreational fires are allowed with restrictions. Open burning is prohibited in Bellevue.

Open Burning Defined
The burning of materials wherein products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air without passing through a stack or chimney from an enclosed chamber. Open burning does not include road flares, smudgepots or similar devices associated with safety or occupational uses. A chamber is considered enclosed when, during the time combustion occurs, only apertures, ducts, stacks, flues or chimneys necessary to provide combustion air and permit the escape of exhaust gas are open. Open burning is prohibited at all times within the city limits and other areas served by the Bellevue Fire Department.

Recreational Fires Defined
A small outdoor fire made for pleasure, warmth, cooking or for religious, ceremonial or similar purposes, burning materials other than rubbish, where the fuel being burned is not contained in an incinerator, outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of three feet or less in diameter and two feet or less in height. Fires lit in chimneys, fire pits, fire bowls or similar free-standing devices are also considered “recreational” and should use only charcoal, dried firewood or manufactured logs.

Outside of a PSCAA regulated burn ban, a small "recreational fire" is allowed, without a permit, with the following restrictions: most of which we followed.
1. Shall not be within 25 feet of a structure or any combustible material(s). true.
2. Conditions which would cause a fire to potentially spread within 25 feet of a structure shall be eliminated prior to igniting the fire. done and done.

The burning of yard debris, construction materials or trash is not allowed at any time. The Garbage and Recycling Services web page tells you how debris can be picked up through normal disposal. For more information on indoor and outdoor burning restrictions, call PSCAA at (206) 343-8800.

reduce, reuse, recycle

2008-07-31T13:14:00.001-07:00

i recycle.
i also drive a hybrid.

Further, according to trendcentral's latest News You Need to Know, Seattle, following in the footsteps of countries such as China and Russia, is one of several US cities including San Francisco and LA that has announced plans to fight the plastic bag issue.

Starting on January 1st, 2009, Seattle residents will have to pay a fee of 20 cents for paper or plastic bags. LA also has plans to ban plastic bags by July of 2010, offering consumers a paper or biodegradable bag for 25 cents. Hopefully, this will encourage consumers to bring their own reusable bags, drastically cutting down on both the amount of non-biodegradable wastes and the amount of oil used to produce them.

get out there people. do your part.

Bethany + Scott

2008-07-31T13:02:00.000-07:00

I took my friend Bethany's engagement photos this week.

She and her fiance Scott were truly a joy to be around. They kissed and laughed and loved each other so vibrantly in front of my camera. I can only imagine that their life together will hold much of the same - vibrant love and infectious laughter.

Congratulations you too. I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart.

time flies

2008-07-17T10:51:00.000-07:00

it's the third week of July and i just now changed my calendar.

man, time flies when you're having fun.
or when you're just out of your mind crazy busy...

full story

2008-07-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

perfectly timed quotes are nice.
this one recently came to me by way of the end of the book; the end of an era. or i suppose just a segue to the next chapter.

"my point is that this is not the full story...
full stories are as rare as honesty, as precious as diamonds.
if you are lucky enough to uncover one,
a full story will sit on your brain like lead.
they are difficult.
they are long winded.
they are like stories God tells:
full oy impossibly particular information."

~Zadie Smith, White Teeth

small world

2008-06-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

so, my new roommate's old roommate's girlfriend is a former roommate of one of my girlfriends who might soon be another one of my roommates.

it's a super small world.
what are the odds.
seriously.

too early

2008-06-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

today started a bit too early.

especially considering that I was up and gone before the coffee shop in my building even opened.

but considering that I was up, dressed to impress, at the office early enough to park on level C, built an entire fy09 planning powerpoint deck and chatted it up with Melina - all before my first cup of coffee - i'll say that my ducking out at 4:40 p.m. is completely justified.

can't wait to do it all over again tomorrow. :)

ergo chair

2008-06-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

I feel like I've made it with my new ergonomic chair!

it's like sitting on a cloud, i tell ya. i've thought so since the first time my tooshie ever had the pleasure of landing in one of these amazing things. My friend Mark got his early in my early days here at Waggener - he's been here like 4 years. another colleague received hers after only a few weeks, but was returning after a four-year or so sabatical. my old manager recently received hers, but vacated it when she moved to another office. sad that the chair could not accompany her, but you leave, you lose. ;)

best i can tell it's a mix of seniority and longevity that leads to someone getting an ergo chair, and it looks like today was my day!

i want to take a moment, perched at the perfect height and angle, with the lumbar support positioned ever so perfectly in the small of my back, to say - thank you to all those who knew that my day would come - that i would ever get to fully experience this level of comfort.

here's hoping my productivity increases as my back pain decreases. now if only i could score a cube with a window...

barrel curls

2008-06-17T15:55:00.000-07:00

when i curl my hair, i feel pretty.

and girly.
and fashionable.
and young at heart, even though i'm only 26.

and it kind of trumps my otherwise tired, overworked, dreary days of late and jolts me into some sort of fun, fabulous, freespirited mindset, which makes me sit up straighter and talk smarter, thus generally improving my overall contributions to society.

i should curl my hair more often, i think.

emotions and lessons

2008-06-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

i cried at work today.

it wasn't really a work related whatever that pushed me over the edge, but the feeling that things had gotten so far out of control that i couldn't find it in me to do anything except cry. and call my dad.

upon which the mere act of trying to find the words to explain the situation only made things worse. and made the tears come that much sooner, from a place much deeper. it wasn't about the money. it was then about disappointing my dad, which is my least favorite thing to do. i'd rather do anything else in the world. i know i should know better, and so does he.

i will say that while it hurts my heart to call and ask for the kind of help i called and asked for today, and it hurts my pride to have someone see me cry at work, i am so thankful that i have someone in my life who will help dig me out of whatever i dig myself into.

as kids i suppose we have to learn our own lessons, have to pick ourselves up when we cause ourselves to fall, sure. but the big things, the ones with the deepest rooted lessons... how do we solve these problems?

so i'm standing in this 10-year deep hole, watching it fill up with rain and shit that's downpouring on top of me. and the best thing i did today was call my dad.

the thing about my dad is that he throws the rope first. he helps me dig myself out of the hole. he teaches me the lesson as we're walking back to the house talking about how i got myself there to begin with. i'm so thankful that i have this ridiculously supportive, can-always-call-upon dad who will first throw me the rope.

it never comes without a lesson, be sure. but the lesson only comes when i'm standing out of harm's way. thank you, dad. and happy belated father's day!

campaign 2008

2008-06-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Tim Russert of NBC News has died at the age of 58, the network says.

this is very sad. he was one of, if not my favorite campaign 08 commentator. the 2008 election will not be the same. God speed, Mr. Russert.

insights

2008-06-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

i am a "helping inspirer" according to the Insights Discovery personality test.

in the 19 page explanation of why i am the way i am, it says I'm "warm, open, realistic and radiate optimism."

well, some days, for sure. other days, not so much. it's very insightful, the definition of my insights. the report notes that this should be used to gain a better understanding of my approaches to activities, relationships, and decisions. it would be helpful, i think, if i wore this report around my neck. i also think that finding all this out is half the fun.

i went on a date recently where the guy said, "you have a very unique sense of style." he didn't get to know me very much after that...

plus one

2008-06-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

today is my one year anniversary at the agency.

"i can't believe a year went by so fast"
-Rent

a year ago today i started a new job, in a new industry, in a city that i'd never been to. i powered down my powerbook, started using a tablet pc, freaked out a little because i didn't have a place to live, and embarked on a journey to conquer what's next.

a year later, i'm settling into a groove at work, keeping a pulse on today's youth, exploring the hip new city i now call home, and continuing my yearly tradition of finding a new place to live. and while i haven't yet found a "plus one" to accompany me to parties and weddings and such, i couldn't ask for much more as i hit my "plus one" year in seattle...

coffee

2008-06-10T12:55:00.000-07:00

i have a crush on my barista.

during this very busy season of work - where I'm over-utilized and can't get things done quick enough - coffee is apparently the window to my soul.

communication

2008-03-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

Communication. It's the first thing we really learn in life. Funny thing is, once we grow up, learn our words and really start talking the harder it becomes to know what to say. Or how to ask for what we really need. - Grey's Anatomy

me + you

2008-01-14T21:16:00.000-08:00

hugh's cartoons sometimes hit a nerve. this one struck a chord because there are people with whom i'd like to talk. not conversations that i'm particularly interested in actualy having, but i'd like to talk to them. give my side of the story. one way communication. that's what i need. let's make it happen :)

and yes, i'm talking about you.

fear

2008-01-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

i'm sure i've posted this before, but it seems relevant yet again. so. a repost.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frighten us.

We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own light shine, we unconciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Marianne Williamson

goal for 2008: make it happen.

FotoFriday: Oh sister, don't be troubled...

2007-11-15T23:04:00.000-08:00

Twenty-five,
All of these mixed emotions,
Tangled up in pure confusion,
It’s hard to let go of the past, but it seems,
Easier as time is moving,

Well you said he makes you laugh,
And he makes you happy,
He sees you smiling back,
It is everlasting,
And so he’s tailor made for you,
...
Your persistent beating heart it’s just a start,

And I, have seen you everyday,
You’ve never been like this before,
He’s tailor made, tailor, tailor made,
...
Oh sister, don’t be troubled,
Oh sister, please be calm,
...
And I, have seen you everyday,
You’ve never been like this before,
He’s tailor made, tailor, tailor made.
- Tailor Made by Colbie Caillat

Texas was tailor made for me, it seems. Or maybe I for it.
At any rate, He kissed my cheek, shined upon my shoulders, and inevitably saw me smiling back. "It's is everlasting." "You've never been like this before."
How was I to know, until I left?

Texas, our Texas

2007-11-11T14:45:00.001-08:00

photographia

2007-11-11T10:31:00.001-08:00

that IT guy

2007-11-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

I have a presentation at work today where I'm profiling "that IT guy" as it relates to "that other STB team" (my team). We're four small businesses, and in conjunction with an overview of our businesses, wanted to add a little real world example to further explain how "that other STB team" really can enhance you PR.

Meet Ted.
He works in corporate America for a big time communications provider.

He is by far the coolest guy on the IT team.

He knows how to rock the multi-computer set up, and often takes apart and rebuilds computers just for fun.

He lives in his Mom’s basement (because all the coolest guys do).

He wears Hawaiian shirts - every day, for EVERY occasion.

He drinks Mountain Dew by the big gulp.

His closest friends know him as "HaloTed415" because that - is - his (Xbox Live) name.

Many thanks to my dear Neighbor who,
whenever I start to ask,
obliges before he even knows what I need.

It's not often people have friends like that.
I'm lucky to have found one.

Here's a shout out to you Neighbor.

You rock my world.
:)

more photos on flickr and on vox.

change

2007-10-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

"You see, I know change,
I see change, I embody change.
All we do is change; yeah, I know change.

We are born to change.
We sometimes regard it as a metaphor
that reflects the way things ought to be.

In fact, change takes time.
It exceeds all expectations.
It requires both now, and then.

See although the players change,
the song remains the same.
And the truth is:
you gotta have the balls to change."

--Vinney Jones, Change

This is My Town, nah nah nah nah nah

2007-10-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

October 26, 2007
FotoFriday: This is My Town, nah nah nah nah nah

My heart skips a beat everytime I land in this great city: Fort Worth, Texas. My Town. It’s all so familiar. The faces, the stories, the drive, the weather. The best of my college days, the trials of my first real job, sitting in the back of a cop car almost getting arrested – yes, these memories and more swell my heart with each return to this town. My Town.

Photo courtesy of my favorite fabulous photographer and friend: Mari New web site coming soon: marilynnieves.com

FotoFriday: Change of Scenery

2007-10-18T22:13:00.000-07:00

October 19, 2007
FotoFriday: Change of Scenery

It's amazing what a change of scenery can do. Took this photo just after I returned from my latest worldwide adventure: in Spain.

Of this I'm sure: "returned" is not the right word. I left Texas for two weeks in Spain. After two weeks abroad, I landed in a new life in Seattle. My home airport when I left, was not the one to which I returned.

The town of my new airport, my new life, my new home - it has given me a renewed sense of self. I like the view from here. The scenery is unlike anything I have ever seen.

Foto Friday: Use Protection

2007-10-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

October 12, 2007
FotoFriday: Use Protection

in this day and age, it's risky to be unprotected.

the beginnings of FotoFriday

2007-10-09T15:14:00.000-07:00

I've gotten a little away from the photography thing lately. Mainly because I'm having trouble finding time to breathe, let alone process and upload photos. And honestly, that's a little tragic. I just got myself a new camera, a new city, new accessories for my pup and a brand new batch of inspiration.

That all changes this fall with the beginning of Foto Friday.

Here are the specifics:
what:
a new photo every week of whatever I want.
it can be an original photo (recommended) or a photo that I found and wanted to share (with permission only).
when:
every Friday
where:
photos will be posted online on my blog, on flickr, on vox, twitter, and a print version will be on display in my cube.
I'll probably also include a link on Facebook (link forthcoming), and myspace.
why:
because i'm inspired.

what do you do with your recreational time?

2007-09-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

Last night, at my Bible study, we talked about recreation. We're a bunch of 25-35 year old mostly single people and all have a large chunk of time that we consider "recreational." I define that to mean time that I get to allocate as I want to. Some examples include spending time hiking, climbing, blogging, playing video games, working on the house, etc. We all have ways in which we invest our recreational time.

What we really focused on was: do you feel like God has convicted you in ways in which you're spending your recreation time? When we feel lis conviction the most, and how we focus on using our recreation time productively: to rest, rejuvenate, and reignite our spirits?

At this stage in my life, I invest a significant part of my recreation time back into my work. I am committed to climbing up the learning curve at my office and am really interested in getting a jump on what is slated to be six months of slated transition time. That said, I also get caught up with trips to the dog park, tv shows, hanging out and drinking, sleeping, istock, etc. I really enjoy these things, and to some extent, I have a certain passion for each of them.

None of these activities are particularly bad; however, I do feel convicted sometimes - generally when the time I devote to said activity is taken to an extreme. When I get so caught up in my work that I don't make time to go to church, and when I find myself spending an entire day inside watching tv and sleeping, I really start to think about the giant holes of time I just wasted or experiences I missed out on... And sometimes it spirals out of control: too many late night hours battling in the steel cage lead to a groggy workday, which prompts me to have to take my work home with me, which makes me miss church, which makes me feel crappy, and leads to staying inside all day saturday (and generally sunday) to recover. It's crazy how selfish this is on my part. I think we were all put here with a purpose, and it's in these times that I realize just how much I am not listening to God and working to fulfill His purpose for me.

The leader of our group really made me think when he talked a little bit about this in his own life. He said there was a time in college, when he was spending a good amoung of time focused on climbing: watching others climb, reading climbing magazines, acquiring gear, talking about it, etc. He said he really felt convicted about it, but it was something he was very passionage about. At one point, he prayed that God would give him, for something that would better serve the Lord, the same fire and passion that he had for climbing. Soon after, he started to see that climbing wasn't giving him the same joy it once had, and he found more joy and passion for other things like reading the Word. Amazing. Such a simple demonstration of how God is ever-present and changing our hearts.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
- Matthew 11:28

I have gotten so far away from this. My ever-downward-spiraling circle of laziness and debautchery really is just a means to use my recreational time for me. And of course one thing leads to another over and over again because I often forget or just don't turn to the One who can fulfill my weary and heavy-laden heart. I've gotten so far away from Him. And this is another conversation for another day, but I came here to draw near to the Lord and I really feel like I could not be farther away. And it is at least somewhat evidenced by how I spend my recreational time.

That said, admitting it, is the first step towards recovery, right?

where are they now?

2007-09-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Social media has done wonders in terms of reacquainting with old friends. Between facebook, myspace, linkedin, flickr, etc. it's no longer all that difficult to keep in touch with random people from college, high school, or junior high even.

Today I had a thought about this guy that I hung around with in college. For a little while there, we were almost joined at the hip. So I'm a stalker and googled him. It came up with a few results, only a page and a half. But in that page and a half, those 16 results, only one of them correctly identified him. And it was from college. Now this guy was kind of a big guy on campus his last year or two, and I'm fairly certain he's making a splash where ever he is now, but really? No results?

He hasn't joined up on facebook or linkedin or anything? And where are all those college references that I'm relatively certain should be included? What happened to this kid?

Anyway - what that really makes me think about it this. Once the social networking and genereal Web 2.0 stuff began to saturate the market and I jumped on board, how would I go about wiping my slate clean? How could I essentially erase my existence from google for example? If I wanted to disappear into the woodwork, I suggest that I'd first have to lay off the twitter, but really...how does that happen?

And mr. random college friend who was once one of my best friends, wherever you are, I hope you're well. :)

BOA: I loathe you!!

2007-09-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

I don't have the most money in the world, I'll admit. And since my move, things are kind of tight financially. That said, I paid my rent and some necessary bills from my last pay check, which drained just about all my funds.

No worries, I had a paycheck to deposit.

Friday night I dropped it in the ATM.

Saturday, I made a few purchases because my parents were in town and I wanted to treat a couple times, which was nice I think. Anyway, I tried to pull money out of an ATM on Saturday and it denied me because of insufficient funds. Weird.

So I checked my account online. My transaction and all subsequent transactions were pending. Pending I thought meant that they'd all post to the account on tuesday and it'd all even out again.

no so you f*cking bank of america pieholes. Today I checked the account. BOA posted all the withdrawls on Tuesday. Charged me THREE $35 overdraft fees in addition to a $20 overdraft charge, and a $10 overdraft protection charge. WTH? protection from what?

My deposit - that i made friday night - posted on Wednesday.

No big deal. I'll just call them. Their customer service people are generally pretty customer centric. But no, this Dorian (the highest level of supervisor I could get to within the company - or so says Mr. Dorian himself, which i completely don't believe because he's no where near that good) says that since all the charges are valid, and I knowingly made them, that the overdraft fees are valid too.
me: Are you kidding?
Dorian: no.
me: What then would you do Dorian?
Dorian: I might consider opening up an additional line of credit to protect me from such fees in the future. Or, moving forward, i wouldn't make charges that I didn't have the money in my account to cover.

oh you little best customer service representative in the business. i bow down to your commitment to your customers and thank you for your advice. Since i already said additional line of credit, which you did not pull from, what now? would you just lay down and let BOA take you for what little money you have?

i hate you bank of america.
and you will lose my business because of this.
and while it may not be much, i do not deserve to be treated this way.
give some credit to your customers man, we choose you. we want you on our side.
you screwed up when you said that the vendors that we buy from are more important to you than we are.
you need to get your priorities in order.
because that shit don't fly.

regularly scheduled programming

2007-08-28T10:33:00.000-07:00

So, I moved here. I live here now actually. And while I am not going to backtrack and fill in the gaps from my fabulous Spanish adventures, my lovely little sister's visit, and the college-esque experiences I've had lately with some of my condo-mates, I'm starting to find my groove.

And so, here I sit. In my cube with my tall non-fat, no whip, pumpkin spice latte - on it's first day of the season - a diet coke waiting patiently in the wing, and my to do list right at my left-hand's beck and call. Most exciting thing for today:

6:40 p.m. parents arrive at SeaTac.

oh gee I can't wait to see them and introduce them to my regularly scheduled new life.

a Spence in Seattle

2007-06-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

so it's official. i live here now.

and so i've been out trying to take it all in.

i'm not going to lie, i'm a little lonely here, but behind a camera the city looks bright.
now if i can just get keys to my new place so i can do some laundry and my stuff delivered so i can start unpacking, i'll be on my way.

today i had lunch all by myself. at a restaurant. with a waiter. i'm certain it's never happened before, but i did it. and i'm certain that i'll do it again before i find my life, and/or some new friends in my new town.

place

2007-06-12T11:44:00.000-07:00

it's all falling into place.

in fact, I found a place to live.

so now, much of the anxiety has subsided, and i'm as excited as ever to move.

it does help that they've sent me flowers twice now, and G sent my passport and I should be good to go by noon. I've met several more people, remembered their names, have lunch plans and am looking forward to drinks and appetizers with the team this evening.

it's a good day.

I'm finding my place here.

life moves

2007-06-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it." - Ferris Bueller's Day Off

i can count the hours until my life changes big time.
...almost on one hand.
i cleaned out my office. i organized my computer. i shared all the right files. i danced at my parties. people have been notified. the papers have been signed. the keys almost turned in.
when i look around here at my office, it looks empty. it looks ready for the next lucky soul to jump in here and make their mark on this place.

i can't wait to see it. it's going to be quite a sight.
but until then, like right now rather... i'm stopped. and looking around at the remains of life that i've lived for the last four years, and spent the four before that preparing for.

the moment is going to pass soon. and things are going to start spinning again.

Communication. It's the first thing we really learn in life. Funny thing is, once we grow up, learn our words and really start talking the harder it becomes to know what to say. Or how to ask for what we really need. - Grey's Anatomy

to relieve the anxiety

2007-06-06T16:22:00.000-07:00

so it's no secret that i have a lot of anxiety about my next new chapter in life. in fact, i'm hard pressed to supress my anxiety at times and it often spills over into downright emotional teary outbursts. so, in an attempt to keep the stress levels down, i'm doing a bit of treadmill time...and a little bit of photo processing.

here are some new ones of Ingrea:

she's oh so very promising and has a bright future ahead of her.
here's her complete set on flickr...and for sale on iStock.

also, check her out on MM

365

2007-06-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

so i've been doing the 365 day challenge on flickr. i'm on day 75 or almost 80 i think.

i have moments of complete inability to take photos and these last few weeks have completely been saturated with those moments, but i ask you this. please don't kick me out of this challenge. please allow me, with all of my current life changes, to be able to take photos when i can/feel pretty. i promise to give a good story and entertain as much as possible.

watch this space.
that's all i'm asking.

may 31

2007-05-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

it's always been a defining day. from high school graduations to the end of maymesters to the day my professional world culminates with the event that pretty much defines my career.
tomorrow [today] may 31 is my day.
the food has been ordered.
the entertainment booked.
the programs printed.
the speeches written.
the suit pressed.
the trophies acquired.
the staff ready.

we're ready.

i'm ready.
it's going to be a big big day.
from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. i will work to execute my mayor's global business awards.
at 2 p.m. i will go home, pick up my pup and take one giant leap towards my future...

it's going to be grand.

MGBA: My Grandios Business Adventure

2007-05-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

tomorrow is my big day.
i'm not sure we have everything ready.
the curtain goes up at 11:30 a.m.

we'll see how much sleep I get tonight.

good news: after this...there are only a few days of vacation and a bunch of thank you notes standing in my way. :)

protocol

2007-05-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

hello international visitors to fort worth.
thank you for coming to my mayor's global business awards.
we are happy to have you.

i'm sorry that we don't have enough room in the luncheon room...you're going to need to sit here in the red-headed stepchild room.

oh. and we ran out of food...but we've ordered some quality waterburgers for you.

enjoy.

the journey

2007-05-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

applying for jobs is a journey.
...a journey i can control at least some part of.

finding a job is a completely different journey.
one that i can't at all control.
i've found lots of jobs in the past few months, but none of them have really found me.

but there's this one.
and i'm going to be one of their journeypersons.
it is out of control.

for me, though, right now, it's not about control.

it's all about the journey.

Beijing

2006-05-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

Without the towering skyscrapers, and the really really fast paced business environment, all of which were built in the last 10 years that was Shanghai, Beijing is the ancient city of China. The government is more present, the smells are different, the culture is more "official," the writing has more strokes, the markets are more regulated. It's interesting. At first, I was a little disappointed. But there's more to this city than I see from our bus window. I'm impressed by what is happening inside the buildings that can be no higher than 52 stories.

The hotel. Just a couple of notes here. The bathroom in my room is the greatest thing I've encountered here by way of washrooms. And while airconditioning here wouldn't really be considered air conditioning in the states...it's pretty non existent most times and probably regulated at about 79 degrees otherwise...but it's FREEZING at the hotel. Every bit of this hotel is cold.

The market. OK. It's not an open air market, it's more like a shopping mall. Floors and floors and FLOORS of vendors and shops just begging you to come in and take a look. The basement houses a seafood restaurant (wouldn't dare eat there) that floods the building with smells that are all but wonderful, but the shopping. The pearls, the silk, the suits, the whateverelseunderthesun that you could think of buying makes the experience worth it. One of my guys had 2 suits tailor made for him in about a day and a half. He got measured on the spot (at about 8 p.m.) and by 7:30 a.m. the next morning (yesterday) they were at the hotel with the suit roughed out. Last night when we got back from dinner, they were there with the finished products. Amazing. And about $100 each. Now if he can get a tailormade suit for $100, then I definitely overpaid for my necklace.

Two dinners and drinks to come...but I must get ready for my day.
Don't let me forget...and I have pictures this time!!

But oh: http://www.wfaa.com/china and www.fortworthchamber.com/blog and if there's anything on www.dfw.com I can pull that website up from here sadly.

So. ya'll check that out and I"ll be back.

p.s.

2006-05-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

GO MAVERICKS!!!

bound for Beijing

2006-05-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

The week progresses...

As Monday turns into tuesday and into 4 a.m. on wednesday I'm thinking about how much catching up I have to do. There are things I need to do, things I need to buy, things I need to tell you, pictures I need to take, phone calls to make, etc. And that's not even considering what madd crazy catching up I have to do once I get home...

I thought I was going to have loads more time. Maybe the jetlag is setting in, maybe the days are just shorter over here in Asia. Maybe I just have too much to do, but ultimately, taking time to breathe in the fresh air (read: smog) and the experience are on the list. One of our guys just mentioned that he thought this would be more of a vacation. Guess that means I'm doing my job as it's to make sure this is way more than a vacation...

But today, we're on the way to the great wall. Things have been coordinated, things have been executed and we're bound for Beijing... So far today: u pat 4 a.m. to be downstairs to meet breakfast at 4:40, to check out, make sure everyone's awake, pick up the coffee, double check the luggage, tip the bellman, bus to airport, check in, waiting in line, another busines, wait, board plane, wait longer and it's now 10 a.m. and the boys sitting next to me are having way too much fun! We're all together here on this here flight and honestly, it's funny to have my first class boys crammed in the economy cabin. And in China, green beans are a breakfast food...weird huh?

Anyway. Last night we were hosted by ChinaVest, a consulting company from what I can tell that will help you deal in China in addition to market research and such. I met a guy last night from LA who, last June, quite his job at an advertising agency and moved to Shanghai. He was about my age. Mr. Theleen, our host, referenced the younger generation (standing before him at the reception during the remarks) and how we're going to be the ones to run the world next and how it couldn't be a more capable generation and we're such a massive talent pool and the like. I was surrounded by the youngest, most dynamic, interesting and captivated individuals under the age of 30 and I was honored to be a part of that reference and conversation.

Monday in Chinatown

2006-05-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

So. Bright and early we set up a breakfast entitled “doing business in china” hosted by Mission Foods here in Shanghai. Interestingly enough, this is indeed the tortilla factory that has major operations in Dallas, throughout the United States and in Mexico. The two representatives were candid about their conversation about the establishment, the strategic plan and the business that is their business in Shanghai. One of the guys, young guy, spoke fluent English, Spanish and Mandarin. Quite a selling point for a Mexican company proactively breaking into the Chinese market. Did you know that they don’t really have a need for tortillas here? It’s true, but these guys are making one and that’s fascinating to me and to our delegation. I also thought it interesting that they conduct their everyday business, here in China, primarily in Spanish.

Anyway. Meetings started right off the bat and the coordination looks good. The translators and drivers all have signs of their translatees/passengers’ names which is good for me and my guys as it was kind of hectic for a few minutes. But ultimately, it all worked out, it’s all working out rather and we’re making deals and kicking butt and all the like.

I had to buy a cell phone yesterday. That was quite an experience. Most of the people I’ve encountered up to this point, including the ones at the hotel, speak sufficient English. The cell phone people were not so educated. It was an interesting transaction – and as I was at a mall, which seemed void of westerners – I didn’t find the help I needed. I found myself slipping into Spanish just to see if that helped, but apparently not. But ultimately, I have a cell phone now and I have a good story about how I got one. I’ll tell you later when you’re oogling over my new toy. It was the cheapest one (I think) and it’s probably still light-years ahead of the States’.

Dinner Monday night was at M on the Bund, which was all sorts of delightful. Had the fog lifted a little more, the pictures would have been even more fabulous, but we weren’t so lucky. We were joined by a few select invitees who garnered connections with our group one way or another. One young gentleman was from Fort Worth…that was his connection. He lives on the ground in Shanghai and is fluent in Mandarin. He took a class his senior year at Harvard, which he made sure to tell everyone who asked, and I found it endearing at first, but kinda tedious as the evening progressed. Maybe it’s because I wish I was fluent in another language, living in another country and all that jazz. Hmm.. I’m going to need to work on selling my belongings and up and moving.

...Shanghai Sunday

2006-05-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

The Buddhist temple. The really fancy traditional Chinese lunch. The Brits. The Bund. The Kites. The Market. The tea. The Market. The guide. The city.

Sunday was a “free” day in Shanghai with a guided tour (kinda) and a sponsored lunch. In them morning we walked through the temple, where the incense captivated both my mind and my senses. It was a smell that I would have liked to follow me all day…as some of the other places were not so…fresh. There were loads and loads of tourists at the temple and I kept wondering how the Chinese could worship amid so many tourists.

We then headed to the Bund, the place along the river, where we strolled the morning into afternoon and tried to avoid the peddlers selling kites, mont bloncs, watermelon and glasses that would have been perfect for a night on the town with Mr. Mears and LucAss. Pretty much the most amazing views of the city I could have asked for. Next time I’ll ask for a little less haze, but the vibrance of the city was definitely alive on the Bund.

Oldham Li and Nie (several Brit lawyers) sponsored our lunch at the finest restaurant in Shanghai (apparently) on Sunday where the conversation started with business (surprisingly as it generally ends with business after several meetings) and ended with tales of fake-personal-enhanced jokes about timbuctu. The Chivas (the recommended fee for international lawyers – 4 bottles that were presented as a gift) was opened and more than sufficiently disposed of during this four-hour meal that could only be described as one of the coolest, tastiest, interestingest meals of my life. Favorite dish of the several courses…little baby shrimp the size of my thumbnail still bearing the shells and the eyeballs of the little creatures. One of the lawyers said I could deshell, but I hesitated since it was so tiny, but upon the encouragement of my boss and Mr. Bradbury, I tried it whole and it was fantastic. So, shell it NO, I’ll have it whole.J

We later found ourselves market shopping for knock-off goods where I acquired a Chanel bag, two pairs of sunglasses: Chanel and Gucci, several silk scarves, a whole lotta tea and a Chinese fan. I didn’t need it, I didn’t even want it really, but I couldn’t help myself….I got lost in the moment. Which luckily we had a nice gentleman who established himself with us at one of the first shops and guided us through the ENTIRE market looking for whatever we wanted…he took us to his sister’s shop for the bag, which was in a house up four flights of stairs…that dagmar and I hesitated to go in but decided was safe after some others in our group came down the stairs…we let Jack guide us into several shops of that nature. (Mom don’t listen…) down little back alleys completely void of westerners and up five or six flights of the tiniest stairs in the world where each room was filled with contraband for sale at the cheapest places. At the end of the day, we decided to tip Jack for his troubles and for getting us out alive. He didn’t want to, but we insisted. He really did help us score the goods. The real goods….I guess.

Like nothing else I’ve ever seen in the world……

first glimpses of Shanghai

2006-05-20T02:40:00.000-07:00

Only since about 1979 has Shanghai and ultimately China begun opening its door to the rest of the world. Shanghai was once the economic financial center of China and during WWII shut their doors and business stopped. Apparently this first image is a constant sight around the city. There are almost more cranes than there are buildings. Well, not quite...but almost...

These are from my hotel room window. This isn't even downtown Shanghai. Just amazing.

travel thoughts

2006-05-20T01:56:00.000-07:00

moments after i got my key to the hotel, the alarm on my cellie went off reminding me to WAKE UP RIGHT NOW to prepare and leave for the airport. 24 hours later, I'm just getting here. Recap of the last 24 hours...

----------- 11:42 p.m. Friday, (texas), 12:42 p.m., Saturday (china) 1092 km away -----------

So according to my inflight flight map I think we’ll be landing in about an hour and fifteen minutes… But it’s cycling through the Chinese version so I can’t be sure. My language skills aren’t quite up to par…

Fun cities of note on my map: Ulan Bator, Seoul, Beijing/Shanghai (finally) and Dalian, which keeps making me think of the Dali Lama for one reason or another. Anyway. Here’s also a shout out to the Phillippines…since it’s so close…

Notes from the 14 hour flight to Shanghai and over all 22 hour travel day that has been today…and apparently tomorrow:
– Follicle mistakes. Piloting our first plane this morning was a young man with hair plugs. And while I have to thank him tremendously for his safe flight from DFW to Chicago, I have to just mention, gentlemen, that hairplugs are not really ever a good idea. Bald is better.
– DFW International Terminal D is really one of the neatest places I’ve ever flown out of. With all the hype and the grandness of international flights and particularly this flight…direct from Chicago to Shanghai I wondered why Chicago and not DFW. I’m still figuring it out…by process of elimination, but I can tell you it’s not because their airport is cooler. Yes thank you for the admiral’s club, but have you seen DFW’s new terminal? It’s amazing. My opinion…this flight should originate there…even if just for aesthetic reasons…and I’m bias I know, I know.
– Subtitles. In-flight flicks are cool, and the “tv” channels have definitely improved since my last 777 adventure, as CSI and I Love Lucy are now choices, but subtitles are even better. Not that I have any idea what it’s saying or I’m learning anything, but I’m starting to familiarize myself with the look of the language.
– Turbulance. At this very moment…like right now…there’s turbulance. Like crazy turbulance that’s like…and I won’t bring it up by name as I pray that we won’t meet their end..but turbulance like one of my favorite Wednesday night tv shows…you know what I’m talking about. I know you do…
– Food. So far there’s always been an Asian flare to the food. Two options…none vegetarian…but pork always seems to be present. Interestingly enough…three meals on an airplane in one day, in one sitting, is too many. I’m getting ready for some real something or other that’s not airplane food. My plastic knife just doesn’t cut it. I wonder what they get in first class…I see the multiple bottles of wine that’s being offered and I wonder why international flights no longer offer free alcohol. Tragic.

Okay. 42 minutes remain. I start looking for a place to stow my luggage as I’ve changed seats and inevitably have to pee…again. (*:) to mom*)

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

----------- 4:56 p.m. Friday, 19 May, somewhere in the Northern Hemi -----------

According to my internal computer clock it’s five ‘til five in the afternoon. They’ve shut up the airplane and served us dinner about 4 hours ago and are trying to make us sleep. Gotta love it when the flight attendant comes around and requests that you not open the window… okay, but seriously, it’s brighter than the dickens outside. And the guy sitting to my left keeps peeking.

JJJ, my original seat is next to a very nice gentleman, I forget his name, but he reminds me of your dad….and for more than just the obvious reasons of being Asian. He’s so respectful. And he’s friendly and he smiles and wipes everything down with a disinfecting wipe first. It makes me chuckle. And then he neatly packages away the used wipe and goes on about his business. He also has a special pair of footie socks that he put on just minutes after we took off….you can tell he’s done this before.

So, trying to divide my time among all my onboard activities, I have:
– taken pictures out the window…although I’m sitting over the wing so they’re kinda boring and I had to stop as I got a little freaked out when we started flying through clouds that were moving so fast and were soooooo close.
– Slept (through Heath Ledger nonetheless)
– Compiled my master schedule for the week
– Had dinner (but seriously at like 1:30 p.m. realworldtime)
– 36 ounces of water already on this flight alone and not a lick of alcohol mom J and walked around the plane a couple times…confined to my class of course because they’ve blocked off the business class with a towel….so, yes, we’re little children back here in economy I guess…
– Checked out the duty-free onboard, which…eh…doesn’t do much for me…
– Also, there’s a big article on China in the American Way magazine this month. Probably initiated by the new service to Shanghai, but still. I haven’t read the whole thing, but did you know that since the liberalization of China’s economy in 1978, more than half a trillion dollars of foreign investment alone has poured in… “Just in Shanghai, the hub of the country’s economic activity, there were 14,000 wholly foreign-owned companies at the end of 2003, as well as 13,000 more underwritten by foreign money. Crazy. I’m sitting next to one of our guys who would like to be one of those companies and give some of his money. I wonder why he’s not in first class…

-----------

greetings from the windy city

2006-05-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

so it is becoming increasingly apparant just how far networking will take you. our delegation was greeted just off the little tiny plane in chicago by an American Airlines representative who led us up to the admiral's club for the short 30 minutes that we're waiting before our next flight. I suppose that waiting in the crowded airport just wouldn't do. Many of my delegats have been here before and toss around thoughts of the 'good ol days' when they'd overlook the chicago skyline with a cigar in hand and ponder the next of many flights that would take them to their final destination. I, interestingly enough, just stand googley eyed at the opportunities that present themselves as a result of just simply asking the right person.

can't tell how windy this city is from here, but from what I can tell, iit's partly cloudy, about 78 degrees and a perfect launching ground for what comes next...

a whole new ancient world...

2006-05-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

tomorrow 4:30 a.m.
i'm gonna board the first of two planes that will take me to the ancient world. with a digi rebel, powerbook and cell phone in hand, i'll guide 20 businessmen to meetings with potential clients and then take off to see a whole new world.

what should I buy? what shoes should I wear? what if it's raining? should I blog? do people read blogs? did the media pick up my press releases? did i remember to pack my passport? did i even start packing yet? hmm...nope.

anyway. i hear there's a typhoon (typhoon chanchu) off the coast of hong kong. and while I'm not going there, that could dampen my plans...BUT oh BUT WAIT. I can't wait. I'm so excited that I even got my very first photography lesson. you'll be interested to know that i shall try to take at least some pictures NOT in "dummy mode"...because apparently that's what I'd been doing...

newspaper issues

2006-05-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

the wright debate...

2005-12-21T11:32:00.000-08:00

"It is not about low fares; rather it is about one airline that has built a monopoly at Dallas Love Field as a result of the Wright Amendment and which now wants to get rid of it in order to further expand its monopoly and, thereby, discourage its low-fare competitors from serving or expanding service at DFW.

"It is about one airline that wishes the elimination of a law in order to serve its singular corporate interest. It is about one airline that betrayed the community in which its corporate home exists."

quoted by voornstar

references

2005-12-15T11:48:00.000-08:00

since apparently only about 35% of the internet isn't porn, it is sometimes difficult to come across exactly what you're looking for. Famous speeches - just for reference - can be found here

my birthday...

2005-12-14T10:06:00.000-08:00

I know what you can get me for my birthday –

A betafish and a little plant to go on top
You may remember that my other fishiepoo, Jax, passed away a week before Thanksgiving.

I have concluded that his death came as a result of too much food and not enough Jax.

Rest assured that the next beta to reside comfortably in my office – and I shall call him Jaxon – will not meet the same end.

I speak highly of my little Jax and remember our good times with longing as my eyes sometimes look to the bowl and marbles still sitting on my bookcase. I believe I have learned from my mistakes as a fish owner and am ready, willing and able to accept yet another one to call my own…

Just thought you might need an idea or something.

technologically unsavvy

2005-12-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

iStock help...

a new website to promote international business in fort worth.
we're still working on schemes and colors, etc. but you get the idea...
When we're done, this will be one of the most resourceful business websites to date.
But right now I need some images...

the holidays

2005-11-26T06:17:00.000-08:00

oh the sounds of the holidays. I arrived to my parents' new home Sunday p.m. for two full days with just them...no sisters, no g-ma; just me, the rents and about 150 boxes. we tackled a lot in just two short days including on day one, the emergency room. then my sisters arrived. one by one. and by turkey day, we were just about ready to call it a good ol' fashioned american holiday. but turkey day night, on our way to see the movie that defined our generation, the shit hit the fan and we had to blow off the movie and call in reinforcements - the rents. friday started with a bang as the rents, with my sisters in tow, headed to the beach for a throw down/therapy session so we could continue our holiday in peace.

does the holiday season ever come and go without tensions running high and tears flowing at least once? this year, i am happy to say, we did not wind up chasing one of the many dogs down the street because someone left the gate/door open...something which is increasingly knocking on tradition's door.

the stuffing was perfect, and there seemed to be plenty for leftovers, which isn't always the case, so that's good. and RENT was just about the greatest thing on the big screen these days. seriously, i saw the show in London years ago, and i've had the soundtrack for about six years, but the movie... and i don't say this often, the movie was amazing. a.m.a.z.i.n.g. i will see it again. i will buy it the day it comes out. i will be one of those psycho fans who tries to get all my friends to go see this movie... the actual review will come later as I'm thinking my plane is about to board.

that's another thing. southwest flights. i don't want to knock it before i fly it, but i really am a big fan of assigned seats and arranged boarding. this whole wait in line, get the best seats really drives me crazy. i'm not a fan of lines. i read somewhere once that one thing that defines third-world countries is the amount of times they spend waiting in lines. and in my opinion, all the seats on southwest are about the same. they are all cramped, they only serve the beverage in the cup, you don't get the can, the swa faces are all friendly and they are one of the few arlines that still serve peanuts...and for that we thank them, but that's no reason to stand in line 45 minutes before the plane is scheduled to board. and it's raining right now. so they flight is pretty much gonna be delayed.

maybe not.

i'm off to fly the friendly skies.

and because it's somewhat relevant - WRIGHT is Right!! www.keepdfwstrong.com

happy thanksgiving

stock. istock.

2005-11-18T07:35:00.000-08:00

the greatest of all the stock photography sites: istockphoto for a mere $1-$3 you can download top-tier stock photography. and with the forums, the designer's network, the design and images of the week, it's sure to spark creative genius within. check it out. it's addictive. it's glorious. it's cheap. it's istockphoto.com

he got a cd

2005-10-25T18:42:00.000-07:00

he doesn't return phone calls until weeks later, and he has a less than enthusiastic attitude when he does. so that's really unacceptable. we chalk it up to graduate school. he is...we're not.

so what did we decide to do? make a mixed cd. :) that brightens the day of all. at least it did ours... and we sent starbucks and marble slab gift certs assuming that he's listen to the cd on the way to starbucks and break up the supposed studying with a little marble slab. then, maybe, if we're lucky, he'd call us during those times and be more enthusiastic than he was the last time he called...

at any rate, how did he manage to get presents out of not calling us back?

interesting.

is it though?

2005-10-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

The closer I look, the more disorganized it seems. And because I'm an organizational maniac - everywhere except my bedroom, which is always in disarray - I see places to step in an undishevel the disheveled.

A servant at heart and a control freak in nature, I sometimes overstep my bounds. And when my ultimate goal is to serve and support, I oft forget that not everyone supports my vision and enjoys my organizational control. But it does most certainly lead me to small offices where everything needs someone to be accountable.

That's how it is around here. Small office. Generally, a staff of four; now a staff of three. Every moment brings a new task and requires weeks of intense work. From web sites to Korean visitors, thank you letters to database creation, marketing materials to plugged up toilets, I'm there to make sure that it gets done and gets done right.

And, for the record, I'd rather sit at my office all night, but still walk into the meeting prepared, than go out drinking the night before, shower, makeup and body spray my way to an illprepared adventure. It's just not who I am.

I am not like all, and I am not better than you, but we are different. And when it comes down to whether or not I'll wear my contacts to work, it really is a day by day, moment by moment decision. Today...the answer is no.

productivity?

2005-10-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

What a week of productivity last week was. The roommate and I decided that we weren't accomplishing everything that we could...we were working below a normal productivity rate. "Almost 67% of the American workforce work below a 75% productivity rate*." We made it a point to work above this rate every day that week...and rewarded ourselves with dinner and a trip to Elizabethtown.

We had been looking forward to it since the preview aired enough times for us to remember. It was to be a phenomenal movie, and an awesome night - one to celebrate a week of productivity that was unlike any other - one for the record books. Cameron Crowe would certainly not lead us astray. The anticipation was intense...

...and in the end, I think that was the downfall. The anticipation was too much for the screen-projected film. Orlando, sure he bestills my heart, but I had hoped for a tear or two. On the verge at one time or another, Crowe moved to new moments before the fullness of my emotion was realized. Anyway - it left little to be desired but another two hours of Bloom.

At the same time, after two dates, an organized office, 99.9% clean laundry, two new bookshelves and the removal of my desk, I think that productivity prevailed this week. Next time the productivity should be enough.

The idea of productivity however is one that should not be taken lightly. When entering into a pact of productivity, consider the rewards and weigh and appropriate them against the costs of anticipation. Maybe then the review would be better.

* these statistics are in no way scientifically measured. It's just how we feel sometimes.

introduction

2005-10-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

i've read and critically analyzed a lot lately and in drawing conclusions, for me or the roommate, it is clear that critical thinking is the way of the world. how do you practice thinking critically... read and write. a lot. so here's my practicum. indeed... you've stumbled into the practice pages of my life and my, uh, my political career...