Thursday, January 26, 2012

High Anxiety

I'm an overly anxious person.  Anyone that knows me will vouch it's the truth.  I think things through nine ways to Sunday, then I think them through again.  I'm not spontaneous.  I have to be able to wrap my limited brain mind around something.  Yes, it's a horrible flaw I live with.

Back in December, while consumed with the dread and anxiety of Christmas, I received  some mail I had known was coming all year, my drivers license renewal.  Oh, goody, something else to heighten my anxiety.

Two of the kids said, Mom, don't sweat it, just do it online.  That sounded promising.  I allowed Christmas to be done, before trying to tackle another stress.  Guess what, I didn't qualify to renew online... of course.  It couldn't be that simple.  Six years prior, I was able to renew by mail.  It had been twelve years since I had to brave it in person, pass a vision test and have my mug shot taken.

On Monday the weather was nice and we were expecting less than nice weather for the next few days.  Since hubby was off, we decided Monday would be the best day to brave it.

Most people wouldn't give this a second thought.  I'm not most people.  I don't know what it's like where you are, but in my area the DPS office is a zoo.  An overcrowded zoo.  I was not going to go there without a gun alone.

Upon arrival at the DPS office, the sign said to check in at the desk before standing in any line, which I did.  She asked for my license and gave me a number, then she informed us it would be a 2 1/2 hour wait.  Hubby asked if I wanted to wait that long, or come back another day.  OH, HECK NO, I'M HERE NOW AND I DON'T WANT TO COME BACK.  THERE'S NO GUARANTEE IT WOULDN'T BE JUST AS BAD, OR WORSE, THE NEXT TIME.  So, we found a spot by the wall to stand.

Just a hair before the 2 hour mark, they called my number.  I walked around to the counter, took care of the first part, AND THEN SHE TOLD ME TO PUT MY FACE ON THAT AWFUL VISION MACHINE, THAT EVERY TOM, DICK, HARRY AND HELEN, HAD HAD THEIR FACE ON.  I had already thought of that one.  I whipped out my towel and covered where my face had to contact the contaminated machine... AND PASSED!  Whew!

Then she took my mug shot, which we will NOT discuss and handed me a printout of my temporary license.

I had done it!  The rest of the day I kept saying how excited I was that it was over.  Hubby got sick of hearing it and finally told me if I said it again, he was going to smack me, and he didn't mean a kiss.  I said it and he smacked me on my broadest target and I actually let him get away with it, I was that relieved.

Today, during a slack in the rain, hubby walked outside to check the mail.  I heard laughing and figured he was chatting with someone outside.  He stepped in the house, still laughing and said, "You aren't going to believe this!"  It took about a half a second, before I said... "You better not tell me I got a jury summons!"

Sure enough, I did!




Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Mr. Music

I loved you before I even knew you
You needed me and I needed you more
You loved music...
Loved to be outside...
Still, there was music
You braved the slide...
Braved the dreaded pitching machine...
Braved the hospital...
Braved the waves...
And still there was music...
And music
May there always be music in your life!


"Happy 35th Birthday, RJ!"

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

No Way, Yes Weah

Hubby and I went to what I call the "Big City" the other night, to visit and have dinner with Middle Son and his girlfriend.  We don't go very often and sometimes things change from visit to visit.
  
I admire artistic people, whether their talents are painting, photography, writing, decorating, or any number of things that I believe take skill and talent.  Even parenting takes a certain amount of skill and talent, especially survival skills.  I lacked a lot of talent in this area, however, I was able to achieve a few survival skills I still find useful.

Okay, I'm wandering and getting off track, sorry.

So, on our little trip to the Big City, we were almost to Middle Sons place, when I saw something that wasn't there before.  On the side of a building was new artwork.  The entire side of the building.  Have you ever tried to paint on a textured surface?  It isn't easy.  Not only is it not easy, this art was on the side of a building that wasn't tiny and had to require some type of scaffolding, out in the elements to boot.  I have no idea how he was able to make the outlines look smooth and not wiggly.  No idea.

I snapped a photo as we rounded the corner, then snapped another when we were able to stop in front of it for a second.  My photos don't do it justice.  The first one we were moving and the second one I could only get a portion of.


 
 A few days later, I emailed my Youngest Son a copy of the photo, showing him that I was using the camera he had given me for Christmas.  He emailed me back that the artwork looked like the same style his friend Rene does.  I mentioned today that I was thinking of posting it to the blog and did it belong to Rene.  He said it didn't, but that it belonged to a friend of Rene's and even sent me a link to a short video of the artist.


Regardless of the type of art you are drawn to, this artwork took talent, skill and a lot of time.  I have a deep appreciation for that!

Thank you, Daniel "Weah" Anguilu!