In an email thread between the Fantastic Four and a few life partners, the older sibs and I were debating family political slants and little sister's inability to "Name That Band" when this came up:
Thank you, She Who Is Freakishly Obsessed With All Things Fashion Related. (Her current crush is Native American motif so I thought I'd give her an Indian name.)
Now I'm cracking up because I'm picturing myself getting ready for SLP battle every morning with this song blaring. Flascards? Check. Stickers? Check. Dry Erase pens? Check. Hand sanitizer? You bet your ass, sister. Just risin' up to the challenge of my rival.
Can you tell I have something I should be doing, like studying for a job interview?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Abilify
I ended up going to Anchorage last weekend for part of the SpEd conference and am very happy with my decision. Not only did I get the most kick ass pair of boots, but I went to a really inspiring presentation. The speaker was Jennifer White, director of a company called Able Opportunities. As far as I can gather, because I'm really bad at paying attention to details, her company helps people with disabilities succeed in their environments. Educationally, occupationally, whatever's needed. Actually it's probably more like she teaches the morons in the individual's environment to recognize their abilities and get out of the way of their success. And by morons I mean the very well intentioned, able bodied people who can't really comprehend the world in any way other than their way. Of which I'm one, so don't go getting all offended.
She told the story about a deaf/blind woman the company consulted with to help employ at a hospital. This woman made it her job to put together surgical kits and even modified some of the tubing and such to the surgeon's specifications. Trust me, when you have 8-10 inches of hard plastic tubing being ripped out of body, you really wish someone had taken the time to trim that shit down. Anyhow, when her job was finally outsourced, four departments in the hospital recruited her. Now that's a success story.
The presentation made me think a lot about language therapy tasks for adults with aphasia and also about my friends from BORP (Bay Area Outreach Recreation Program) and how much practice you need to think of the world outside of your own experiences.
So, a weekend well spent, not to mention that I got to go to a cheap theater that serves pizza and beer. Heaven! Saw The Road, pretty damn depressing movie although the kid annoyed the crap out of me. "MAN UP!" That's all I kept thinking. I think maybe they cast the wrong aged kid. That, and I'm a cold hearted bitch with a lump of coal in my chest. Had we established that fact yet?
The BOOTS! They're perfect, like the holy grail for me really. Flats with a round toe, fit like a glove and even though they're tall, they don't flop around my stick legs like a pair of galoshes. Oh yeah!
Oh goodness, I almost forgot the Bacon of the Month. Seawick and I (my friend who I met off the internet and in person one time but still offered up his house for me to stay at and is not a rapist, weirdo or freak) went to dinner at Spenard's Roadhouse and they have a Bacon of the Month. Carmalized bacon with, wait for it.... chocolate sauce. So good. So, so good. Now I'm wondering if I can get back every month. Hmmm, Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey.
She told the story about a deaf/blind woman the company consulted with to help employ at a hospital. This woman made it her job to put together surgical kits and even modified some of the tubing and such to the surgeon's specifications. Trust me, when you have 8-10 inches of hard plastic tubing being ripped out of body, you really wish someone had taken the time to trim that shit down. Anyhow, when her job was finally outsourced, four departments in the hospital recruited her. Now that's a success story.
The presentation made me think a lot about language therapy tasks for adults with aphasia and also about my friends from BORP (Bay Area Outreach Recreation Program) and how much practice you need to think of the world outside of your own experiences.
So, a weekend well spent, not to mention that I got to go to a cheap theater that serves pizza and beer. Heaven! Saw The Road, pretty damn depressing movie although the kid annoyed the crap out of me. "MAN UP!" That's all I kept thinking. I think maybe they cast the wrong aged kid. That, and I'm a cold hearted bitch with a lump of coal in my chest. Had we established that fact yet?
The BOOTS! They're perfect, like the holy grail for me really. Flats with a round toe, fit like a glove and even though they're tall, they don't flop around my stick legs like a pair of galoshes. Oh yeah!
Oh goodness, I almost forgot the Bacon of the Month. Seawick and I (my friend who I met off the internet and in person one time but still offered up his house for me to stay at and is not a rapist, weirdo or freak) went to dinner at Spenard's Roadhouse and they have a Bacon of the Month. Carmalized bacon with, wait for it.... chocolate sauce. So good. So, so good. Now I'm wondering if I can get back every month. Hmmm, Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Another One Bites The Dust
I know, I know. I have been remiss. I don't remember the last time I posted but I know it's been awhile. It seems a lot has happened in a very short time.
It finally happened, grandpa #2 has kicked the old bucket. It's a sore subject and was a long time comin' so let's just leave it at that.
I took an auto maintenance class at a local mechanics shop. A woman technician basically took 6 of us (all women) around a car and explained things no one else has ever bothered to. It was so much info, my brain stopped absorbing. But fun and interesting and that shop will have my business until the day I drag up out of this place.
I fell and cracked my head on the ice. I've feared doing this all winter and now that I did, I finally picked up some cleats. They're sitting in the bag in the back of my truck. No Natasha Richardson here though, aside from a two day headache, I turned out all right. Or at least as well as can be expected. Pretty sure all the brain injuries of the past have already taken their toll. It's funny how a simple sentence like "I hit my head." can bring such violent reactions from people, especially speech pathologists.
What else? I finally turned in my application to the hospital and am awaiting an interview. I'm pretty excited at the prospect of working with adults again but trying not to get my hopes up.
OH! The U.S. government says I am proficient in basic math and alphabetizing skills. I passed my census test with a 98% . The background check may or may not have been as definitive, depending on how deep they dug but I passed. So there's always that.
This weekend I'm going to a Special Education conference in Anchorage. My plane tickets to he 2010 Winter Olympics are purchased. The SAD has tried to make a comeback, but I am savvy now. Music, exercise and friends. I'm back to the exercise after busting out of my pants yesterday. Tonight was pilates and I think I've found the perfect workout for my lame, problematic, noodley, bony body.
No kids for the rest of the week!! I love parent/teacher conference days. Only because I'm not a teacher, I know it's hell for them.
Over 'n out.
It finally happened, grandpa #2 has kicked the old bucket. It's a sore subject and was a long time comin' so let's just leave it at that.
I took an auto maintenance class at a local mechanics shop. A woman technician basically took 6 of us (all women) around a car and explained things no one else has ever bothered to. It was so much info, my brain stopped absorbing. But fun and interesting and that shop will have my business until the day I drag up out of this place.
I fell and cracked my head on the ice. I've feared doing this all winter and now that I did, I finally picked up some cleats. They're sitting in the bag in the back of my truck. No Natasha Richardson here though, aside from a two day headache, I turned out all right. Or at least as well as can be expected. Pretty sure all the brain injuries of the past have already taken their toll. It's funny how a simple sentence like "I hit my head." can bring such violent reactions from people, especially speech pathologists.
What else? I finally turned in my application to the hospital and am awaiting an interview. I'm pretty excited at the prospect of working with adults again but trying not to get my hopes up.
OH! The U.S. government says I am proficient in basic math and alphabetizing skills. I passed my census test with a 98% . The background check may or may not have been as definitive, depending on how deep they dug but I passed. So there's always that.
This weekend I'm going to a Special Education conference in Anchorage. My plane tickets to he 2010 Winter Olympics are purchased. The SAD has tried to make a comeback, but I am savvy now. Music, exercise and friends. I'm back to the exercise after busting out of my pants yesterday. Tonight was pilates and I think I've found the perfect workout for my lame, problematic, noodley, bony body.
No kids for the rest of the week!! I love parent/teacher conference days. Only because I'm not a teacher, I know it's hell for them.
Over 'n out.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
My Life as an SLP
No, not wabbit. It's rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrabbit. RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRabbit!
My least favorite aspect of speech pathology. But, I got an application for the hospital today so there's a chance for a change of focus, at least for the summer.
My least favorite aspect of speech pathology. But, I got an application for the hospital today so there's a chance for a change of focus, at least for the summer.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Winter Beach Walk
How am I supposed to get over my crush on this place?
Looks like tide pools but it's pure ice.
After a couple hours of paperwork on Sunday, I went for a beach walk. I couldn't help but think how the experience could be so much better with someone to share it with. Someone with four legs, a wagging tail and soulful eyes. I let the fantasy rot my brain for the entire weekend before bringing myself back to reality. I reminded myself that that someone would also shed, shit, possibly shred belongings and definitely ruin my streak of commitment dodging. I'm telling myself I'm cured but in reality, I'm on very shaky ground.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Tustamena 200
It's a 200 mile sled dog race on the Kenai and a qualifier for the Iditarod. If, like Big Sister, you've never heard of the Iditarod, you need to get your head out of your ass and watch more of the History Channel.
Here are some photos I managed to take even though my fingers were burning as the frostbite started to settle in. It was a clear, gorgeous day but at 0 degrees, you better have some good gloves. I did not but I wish I had some of these...
Alaskan fashion in action!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Bright Lights, Big City
Went to Anchorage last weekend. Maggie O'Connell and I made the three hour drive on Friday night. It's light now 'til about 5:30 so we got a good chunk of it done before dark. Although not enough to keep me from driving into oncoming traffic at one point. Oops.Had dinner with her friends who were preparing for a 25 mile bike race through a blizzard the next day. Who does that? I have never, ever had many athletic friends and was a little intimidated at being in a roomful of "those types." So impressive.
Then met up with a new friend (good things can come of on-line dating sites). We went with his co-worker to the best gay bar in Anchorage. There are two gay bars in Anchorage.
Between the drag queens, the gaysians doing cheers and the awesome fashion choices, I felt so at home. I could've stayed all night just watching people of all different persuasions doing what they do.
The next day I went to a real mall. In my town, there's only one place to go if you want to go clothes shopping so a mall is a BIG deal. I hit about three stores before I was completely over-stimulated and needed a nap. So old.
When Kelly and Mike got there (6 hr drive from Fairbanks!!), we went to Humpy's Alehouse for dinner and then....on to the BEER FEST! 60 breweries +a tiny glass + a book full of drink tickets = heaven. The best beers were a coffee porter from Midnight Sun brewery and a chocolate stout from Rogue brewery. Total awesomness! I have to go now because Dirty Jobs is on and my boyfriend is in Alaska doin' weird things to a moose.
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