ben folds way to normal

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I've been listening to this the past week. I love Ben Folds. To me he is a great mix of Elton John, Billy Joel and Joe Jackson. He is a good storyteller and I like his self-deprecating humor. He tackles serious subjects as well as light hearted songs with equal aplomb. I like his range of serious versus light-hearted songs.

I know Way to Normal came out month ago but I just got around to listening to it. I like to burn a disk then listen to it in my car until I know the album back to front and back again. Though I tend to not notice how the songs load and end up burning the disk with the wrong song order. Sometimes it matters. I think it did here since Cologne (seeds version) and Cologne (piano orchestra version) play back to back on my disk. I couldn't figure it out the first time I heard it. Is this the same song? It seems a little different but the words seem the same. (I don't print anything for the CD so I am listening blind.)

After listening for a week, my favorite songs are Hiroshima, Cologne (seeds version), Free Coffee & Effington. Four stars.

arrival

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to read the first part of this story, click here: the decision

There were only 7 of us going on the trip, 6 students and Fred, our professor. Michael, Teré and I took a plane from Detroit to London. Then another to Frankfort. In Frankfort, we met Fred, Lori & Brad. Lori had her 100 pack of xacto blades confiscated by security. The next leg was much different. Even though it was still Pan Am, it looked and felt like we travelled back in time about 20 years. The plane was old and worn. The crew was old and worn as well as Polish. I would soon learn that everything was old and worn in Poland, even the new stuff.The flight was uneventful, the arrival, not so much. There was no jetway so we had to walk down the stairs outside, in the cold. It was February. At the top of the stairs was an armed guard counting the number of people who got off the plane. We walked into the terminal and collected our luggage. There were no carts so we had to carry, kick or drag it all ourselves across the dirty floor. We stood in queues in front of steel gray doors lining a tall wall that did not reach the ceiling. You walked through and realized you were in sort of a no man's land with another row of doors in front of you. This new wall also did not reach the ceiling but was too high to jump. And as the heavy door slammed shut behind you, you got this feeling there was no turning back. No escape until you served your time. Some of the polish professors and students met us once we were through customs. We then got on a bus and travelled to our dorm. I looked out at the gray. Not only was the February weather gray, but so was the city. Most of the buildings were built after the war. But they were falling apart. What did I expect?We pulled up to our dorm and I was happily surprised by this cheery yellow building. It didn't look new, but well-kept and nice. That old saying is true: Don't judge a book by its cover. The memory of the lobby has faded over time. I remember dirty beige. An elevator that mostly didn't work. Some phone booths that usually stood empty. Nothing cheery or inviting.We trudged up the stairs and there were plenty of people to help with the luggage. Bradley & Michael would have their own suite on the second (first) floor. The four of us girls would have a suite on the third (second) floor. Lori & Teré would share a room and I would share with Noppawan who would be arriving soon from Thailand.Each suite contained 2 bedrooms with 2 single beds, 2 bookshelves and one armoire. There was small bath, shower and sink but no toilet, and another room which had a counter and some cabinets. The communal toilets were down the hall to the left. The communal kitchens were down the hall to the right. There were no refrigerators, you had to buy what you needed each day.I should also note that the sheets threw us for a loop. There was a flat sheet and another sheet that seemed more like a pocket. But it wasn't big enough the slip over the mattress. How long did we go before we figured out that it was a duvet and we were supposed to fold those scratchy wool blankets inside and use the flat sheet on the mattress?One thing I regret was not taking more photos of everything. But I only had 16 or 18 rolls of film for 4 months. I had to ration it. Why would I want a reminder of all that gray?

garage sale

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I had a garage sale today. It wasn't my idea. Two weeks ago, my neighbors said they were going to have a garage sale and suggested I do one as well. Luckily, there wasn't much to do since I had most of the stuff still packed up from the last garage sale in late 2007. It's scrapbook stuff, older stuff that didn't sell online.

I emailed a couple of my friends and they told some friends, so I didn't have to advertise. I told my friends it began at 8 am and they told their friends it began at 9 am so they could have a head start. Nice.

Before I started, I needed some caffeine. (I was up some of the night coughing.) I ran to Starbucks and saw one friend waiting for me in the street. It was 7:45. One of L's friends showed up a few minutes later. I was glad I got set up the day before.

For the next 2 hours, it was busy. Then the main group of women had to leave to take their daughters to dance class. A few were going to First Watch for a late breakfast and invited me. It would have been good especially since my dad is here to watch the boys. But it was only 9:30 and I had planned to stay open until noon.

It was busier than I expected. A couple people came back for a second go at the goods. And H came back with a breakfast from First Watch for me. Sweet. (I gave my dad the bacon.)

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I would have closed up early but one woman, a friend of L's came back and bought a bunch more. I made $310, well $307 after I gave the quarters to the boys.

I will have to make up some more paper packets for the next sale.

trying not to buy

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Even before the economy took a nose dive, I realized the need to curtail my own spending. The problem is that it's a hard habit to break. It helps that I am reduced to using my debit card instead of credit. (yes, I am paying off too much credit debt as well)
But expenses keep cropping up like the way the boys keep growing and needing new clothes. And I have certain standards like buying decent things not cheap. (label snob? sort of) The boys and I wear Birkenstocks. I do save some money by getting them the Birkis which are waterproof and cheaper. But finding a decent selection in the US is hard at best and much more expensive. Even then, there few styles for boys. I was quite surprised when Ryan chose camo.

I probably should be doing Damn Ramsey but there is some excuse not to. I know that he basically says to eliminate your credit cards and debt. Don't use credit cards. And have an emergency fund. I'm just not ready live out of a packet of envelopes even if his logic is sound.

Meanwhile, I no longer go out to lunch everyday. I eat at home. My lunches are better and healthier and cheaper. And when I shop online, I fill my cart up then leave the site. If I really need something, I will be back. If it was just fun to look, then no harm was done.

stubborn

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Maybe I should have titled this "stubborn, part 4,586" but I haven't kept tract how many times Ryan's obstinateness has frustrated me to no end. I tend to try to block those instances out so I don't dwell on them and go insane.

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Anyway, the boys got new shoes yesterday. Years ago when they go new shoes, they would not wear them right away. They would sit for a few days or weeks until the boys were ready to put them on. OK, no big deal. Recently, the boys will wear their new shoes right away. Well, Andy won't wear new sandals until school is out, he prefers his sneakers. But his feet must have really grown because he chose his new sandals today. With socks.

And this made Ryan upset. But he couldn't express himself so it took some moping and pouting and guesswork until I figured it out. Ryan wanted to wear his new shoes today but didn't want Andy to wear his. Well, Andy wants to wear his new shoes, they feel better. Ryan actually said he would stay home, something he never does.

I gave Ryan some choices: 1) wear his new shoes and stop moping; 2) wear Andy's old sneakers; 3) wear his old shoes until next week. He wore his old sandals even though they are too small and cracking.

Stubborn.

tables are turning

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After Gail died, the boys and I went up to Brighton for a few weeks every summer. I took the time to be very lazy and let dad take care of things. He didn't seem to mind and I used this time to recharge myself. After being on 24/7, it was nice to let someone else take the reins for a while. I wasn't completely selfish but I didn't help out much with the housework.

When my dad comes down for the winter, he does help out a lot. This year I notice he is doing less and resting more. And the selfish 4 year old inside me is stamping my foot saying it isn't fair. Why should I have to do it all myself? Then I smack myself and realize how petulant I sound.

I see him slowing down and I hate it. Because I am the youngest of 5, I feel I am not ready for this.

My father turned 80 years old in December. He is generally healthy though he suffers from asthma and takes medication for high blood pressure. Recently he has been having flair ups of his colitis. He did see my doctor down here who referred him to a gastroenterologist but dad is waiting until he goes to Georgia. Charlie, my brother in law, suffers from Crohn's which is similar to colitis and my dad would prefer to see Charlie's doctor. I have to admit that Nancy, my sister, is better at nagging dad about getting things taken care of.

My friend T's mother has diabetes. She lost her leg to the disease and still doesn't follow doctor's orders. I wonder if it is because her husband is a doctor and she likes to be contrary. T is also the youngest child and has a young daughter. Instead of getting help from her parents, she is the one providing relief. She is even moving back to our home town so she can be closer.

Welcome to the sandwich generation.