I’LL HAVE A BLOODY MARY, A STEAK SANDWICH AAAND A STEAK SANDWICH
Easier than writing lots of individual emailsArchive for November, 2007
FUSION
If you watch Ace of Cakes (and you should every once in a while) and you watch the Office (and you should, regularly), you will quickly realize that the briliantly fictitious character Toby, from the Office, seems to be based on the real life man, Geof from Ace of Cakes. Geof is Duff’s right hand man, but talks JUST like Toby. Whoa. It’s amazing how art imitates life… 
DON’T MESS WITH THE USPS
OK, much to my shigrin, I learned that the United States Postal Service shows NO MERCY when it comes to PO BOXES. Apparently, I hadn’t checked my mail since late October. I guess, in that time frame, my PO BOX renewal fee notice was given and eventually due…I never knew because I didn’t check my mail.
So, today, I innocently skipped along to my PO BOX and was startled when my key didn’t work. I asked the nice lady behind the counter…she said that the PO BOX lady means business. I missed the cut-off by 2 days…in those 2 days, she’d already closed out my box, sent all my mail to ‘return to sender’ and changed my lock. Huh. So, the moral of the story is to check your mail regularly.
By the way, if you have snail mailed me anything in the last 6 weeks (to my PO BOX), I didn’t get it. Sorry.
BLOWIN’..MY..MIND
I just got back from taking a night class at nearby placerita jr high school. It was ‘Algebra Refresher For Parents’. As you may (or may not) know, I am not a parent. I am, however, a substitute teacher and often I am substitue teaching math classes. ‘Substitute TEACHING.’ The phrase indicates that the substitue is a replacement for the regular teacher and is therefore replacing what the regular teacher does: which is TEACH.
Well, standing in an 8th grade Algebra class and bluffing my way through the instruction portion by having the ’smart kid’ be teacher for a day can only last for so long and certainly does not constitute TEACHING (it’s more like a substitute manager…that’s what my title should actually be). So, while real estate is slower and I’ve got a wee bit of time on my hands, here and there, I figured I would better myself and take a refresher course. It was BLOWIN’ my mind! It was so fun and makes me want to retake all of my education from approx 3rd grade to present OVER again. A few summers ago, Ken announced that Kristin and I would be taking ’summer school’ and learning algebra principles with him at home…we laughed and ate more ice cream. Now, fatter and not smarter, I curse myself for not taking advantage of the fount of knowledge that I let slip through my fingers and blow away to Hanford.
Well, today is a new day and as the principal of La Mesa always says,
Q- ‘What type of day is it?’
A-’It’s a GREEEEAT day for learning!’
(side note: the parents that showed up to the refresher course…just a grown up version of the kid classroom. Every kid-type was represented…but as adults…jocks, nerds, cool, divas, flyin’ under the radar, class clown, etc. Fascinating.)
CHRISTMAS LETTER PET PEEVES-REVISITED
So, I wrote a post a while back about my pet peeves in Christmas Letters. To my surprise it’s one of THE most clicked through posts (per my wordpress stats). Since it’s that time of year when people are writing their Family Christmas Letters etc., it seemed appropriate to re-post…CLICK HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL POST (please remember, I LOVE getting the letters/cards, but read the post for maximum joy giving tactics!)
Here are the cliff notes, though
-Pictures should include ALL family members, not just pets and/or children
-Even if it’s one line, write something personal
-Be brief; give highlights only
-Include all contact info so that recipient can reply someday
-No glitter in envelopes
Happy Communicating this Christmas season!
30 ROCK AND ME
Do you know the show 30 Rock? Well, I actually think it surpasses The Office. I have my reasons, but this post is about something else.
So, back in ‘91, I went to Ireland and met tons of people from around the U.S. (and ireland, of course). I stayed in touch with many of them and later got to visit too. So, back in ‘92 I went to New York to be on a talk show and visit some of my new travel buddies. Blah, blah, blah…my friend’s dad worked at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (which we went to). Months later, she mailed me something from her dad’s office…I just found it last night….now I feel like I’m so relevant to the genuis of 30 Rock…
CAN I GET A ‘WHA-WHA’?!
At this very moment, sitting on my desk is a faded blue ribbon. The front says, ‘Tabernacle Baptist School Field Day- FIRST’ with a little jogger at the bottom. The back says, ‘Winner- Anne Neylan (6) 17′3“. Event- Shot, 5-6th. Date-6/11/85″ Translation: In 6th grade, I won first place in the shot-put throw on Track & Field Day! As I recall, I held that record for years.
A few clarifications: 1) I went by ‘Anne’ from the 1st grade -7th grade. The first day of 8th grade, I realized ‘Sam’ was cool again. 2) In 6th grade, I ranked 1st place for BOTH the shot put AND the discus. . . I just can’t find the ribbon for the discus.
Amen.
CLEANING OUT BOXES=TREASURES
There will be many random posts coming, mainly because I have an ongoing project of cleaning out memorabilia boxes. So, this Thanksgiving, following my beloved tradition, I spent it alone and loving it…I decided to spend a portion of my day tackling the boxes ranging from 1985-1991ish…oh, the treasures!!!
As I sifted through boxes of my past, I learned alot today…
-We worked much harder with paper/pen than kids do today to ‘pass notes’. Texting is so much easier.
-I too, composed a ‘Top guys’ list with my best friend…when we were freshmen in HS (and it’s typed)
-I was a VERY naughty child in school…I have a stack of progress reports, notes to parents, etc. oops
-I have received hundreds of cards over the years. I am very loved. Some consistent senders: my aunt Colleen, my mom, my dad (which actually dispelled a few erroneous memories), my uncle Tony, my best friend from junior high Becca…
-I had long seasons of consistent international correspondence (friends I met in Ireland and Jamaica)
-I was much thinner than I actually thought I was…I used to think I was really fat…now I wish I was as thin as I was back then
Of course, there’s MUCH much more, but I’ll leave you with this…
1) Here’s me in 1989 going to a black tie event. Where was the event..on the set of Moonlighting? Kristin, I’m particularly looking forward to your commentary.
2) Apparently we had daily ‘journal writings’ in English class. Reading through a few of mine, one could conclude that I had issues. Here’s one that I thought was telling (and I quote),
“3/14/90
All things work together for the good for those who love the Lord & are called according to his people…This is what we’re writing on today, but ya know, there’s a setback happening here. I’m not real big on the Lord right now. I’m not sure I want to be a Christian, but I won’t walk on the edge. SO I need to decide…will I be wordly or will I be Godly?”
Huh. It only took about 5 more years before I made the decision. While life didn’t get easier after that, it did reveal meaning and joy…due to the grace of Christ’s shed blood on the cross. I’m thankful.
there are more boxes…stay tuned…
LOGAN WALDECK’S ARTWORK
OK, the quick version is this:
I went to college with Dan & Cindy Waldeck (they’re awesome). I recently lived with Ken & Kristin (who are also friends with the Waldecks from college and most recently at Placerita Baptist Church) and from whom I would get updates on the Waldecks daughter, Logan. Last year, Logan died. She was young and sweet and wonderful in a zillion ways…her funeral testified to how God can use a child for His purposes. Leading up to her eternal glory, she received amazing care at the Pediatric Oncology clinic in Kaiser Woodland Hills. The Waldecks built a very tender relationship with the staff there. Cindy has maintained the relationship and in an effort to continue being a light to them, came up with this very cool idea….please be a part of it…
To raise money for the current patients, Logan’s artwork is on sale (CLICK HERE for pics and prices). All the proceeds (minus S/H) will go to the current patients in the Pediatric Oncology unit for Christmas presents. I just think it’s so cool that, the Waldecks, parents who could choose to focus on themselves in the wake of losing a child, instead turn around and use it as an opportunity to share the love of Christ. and do it in a way that honors their daughter too! God’s grace is big!
So, if you’d like to enjoy Logan’s handiwork or you think someone else would (hint: Christmas present), CLICK HERE and get to it!
ODIN-MY, HOW YOU’VE GROWN
As you all know, I am not a huge animal lover. I do, however, enjoy beefy dogs over 75lbs. That weight qualifies them as a real dog, in my book. At 8 weeks old, Odin hails to grow to about 130lbs….as real dogs do. Does anyone want to acknowledge how adorable this Odin is? I can’t wait to see him in December! I hope he doesn’t pee on the guest bed again (where I sleep when I’m up north).
ON THE COUNT OF THREE
Are looking for the best photographer, ever?
The newly engaged, Matt Floreen, is the BEST.
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT HIS WORK.
Honestly, he’s so impressive and I feel like I rarely give that kind of endorsement. The only thing that surpasses his keen eye for color, composition, tone, etc. is his genuine humility and kindness. I’ve worked with a multitude of photgraphers in my day. Every time I work with Matt it makes me wish I needed to hire a photographer every single day, just so that I could work with him. He’s professional, he’s capable, he’s reasonable, he’s trustworthy…and he’s an outstanding photographer!
WAR SCHOOL VS. WAR DANCE
This week was filled with lots of subbing. There is a particular group of 8th grade students that I am so discouraged by: by their disrespect, their excess, their lack of morality, but mostly their general lack of fear and gratitude. For the first time in 3 years, I punished the whole class for continued behavior on the part of about 2/3 of the kids. So, going from the shameful reality of the public school system into the theatre to watch War Dance……..well, wow….perspective.
War Dance is a film that documents the story of kids from Northern Uganda who compete for the 1st time in the Ugandan national dance competition. They are the underdogs and favored to lose, but their spirit of perseverence and excellence and their deep kindness and gratitude is a stark and inspiring contrast to the 8th grade class at La Mesa Jr High (and the Ugandan kids were all survivors of child soldiery and/or being orphaned by the LRA crimes).
PLEASE go see this movie…you will be so amazed and moved. I don’t know long it will be in select theatres, so check the theatre list and plan to see it. It’s worth it. I’ve still got thoughts swirling in my mind.
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN AN 8TH GRADER?
This is an actual class conversation today in an 8th grade math class.
Student A: Miss Neylan, what’s your theory on why the Hindenburg exploded?
Me: Well, I don’t really have a theory, but I’m pretty sure scientists speculate it’s because certain gases mixed together that weren’t supposed to. Does anyone else know more about it?
Student B: Supposedly it’s because when hydrogen mixes with (something that I can’t remember) then it explodes. But that theory has been challenged
Me: Hmmm. Who knew? I’m not really up on my Hindenburg trivia.
Student C: Miss Neylan, what’s a Hindenburg?
Me: Does anyone think they can explain it? (lots of hands go up)
Student D: (blah, blah, blah, blah…..attempting to explain it)
Me: Do you know what time frame in history this happened?
Student D: (sweet as can be) uuuum, yah, it was during the black and white times
Me: excuse me? wait. did you just say ‘during the black and white times’? (smirking) ok, hold on. I’m writing that on the board because you just won ‘quote of the day’. You realize that they did live in color back in the 1930s?
Student D: (giggling bashfully) you know what I mean, Miss Neylan…in the black and white times. I think it happened in the 1800s.
SOAPY ROOM
Why, after a few hours, does my room smell like soap?
Yuck. ’Dial’ to be exact…my most hated soap brand.
Holly swears that it doesn’t ever smell like soap, but it does.
why?
PT 3-SUBBING IN ALL ITS GLORY
Soooo, I am debating whether or not to just make a page for some of these Subbing Highlights.
Two weeks ago, I subbed 3 days in High School English classes (AP Juniors and sophmore English) at Valencia High. There are many many things that I’d love to share, but it seems that it’s too much.
Below are excerpts from an assignment that I give entitled ‘10 Things About Myself That Miss Neylan Might Find Interesting…and she doesn’t care about your favorite color’...ANd, I have one called ‘If we could have a conversation or a discussion, here’s what I’d like to talk about’.
I will copy some of them word for word (including spelling) and I will alternate colors per author. Sadly, their progression of thought is some of the best stuff, but it’s waaaay too much to log here….as you read, please note the insight into our youth…So, here goes (see if you can tell the distinction between Read the rest of this entry »
SANTA CLARITA TRANSIT
My aunt Colleen taught me (and most of my cousins) alot about being adventurous, about being capable, and about trying things. Every summer she would buy all the kids their own bus pass and take them around Walnut Creek on field trips (only after they’d done their chores and some reading and writing). She’d take them to local museums, the library, the park for picnics, art festivals…whatever could be accessed by the Livorna 102 bus and that would be edifying and fun. They learned about initiative, appropriate independence, how to utilize resources and how to learn within your surroundings! I wonder if it had anything to do with why almost all of us have traveled internationally, why all of us enjoy people (more or less), and why all of us can problem-solve (some more than others). Who knows, but I do know that she contributed to a foundational perspective for most of us. And, she’s just ONE of our teachers. Man, it’s cool to be a Driscoll!
I’ve lived in SCV since ‘95…really? really. About 2 years ago it dawned on me that I’d never taken the city bus whilst being a resident. How rude. So, I’d mention it to friends and try to drum up some interest and was usually laughed at. Well, today I went for a brisk walk around my neighborhood (pretending to exercise) and on the first lap, passed a man. On my 2nd lap, that same man was boarding a city bus. I went home and showered and looked up the SCV transit schedule on-line and packed my little green travel back-pack. With 4 quarters in hand, I boarded the ‘4′, asked for a transfer (just in case), and then nestled in with my notebook, my pen and my eager-to-observe eyes and spirit!
It was so fun! For just $1 and 1.5 hours of my time, I was able to take about 6 pages of observations, I was brought to tears a few times, was humbled and convicted by some of the people/scenery, was very relaxed, had a few conversations with fellow SCVians, was reminded how easy my life is and how hard some others lives are, and concluded that the bus is full of opportunities to see life from a different perspective, enjoy the city that I’m usually speeding through behind my wheel, and mostly that riding the bus is full of lots of opportunities to lend a hand, offer a smile, and to be kind to my fellow neighbor.
I recommend it. I think we should always be looking for ways to keep ourselves relevant. If you’re straying from communal relevance, ride the bus around town.
HOLLYWOOD CHURCH
So, a fantastic college friend (Sarah Barksdale) moved back from Mobile Alabama (and I’m lame and still haven’t gone down to see her) and her husband started a church in Hollywood (the same church that the Ikegams now go to).
I was checking out their siteand encourage you to watch this ’street interview’ video that they did in Hollywood. It’s just a reminder that the world is lost and needs to gratefully receive the grace & forgiveness of Jesus Christ! Will people know about it from us? Are we effective ambassadors of Him or are we effective ambasadors of ourselves and the world?
CLICK HERE to watch
SUB-CULTURE
So, in the last 2 days, I’ve read 3 posts (of friends) that have hailed the Starbuck’s holiday (aka Christmas) flavors return. I never knew that people yearned for them so much (or at least enough to write posts about them).
Who knew? (not me, apparently)
BACK ON MARKET (BOM)
My listing on Trevino just fell out of escrow today..buyer lost his job. Soooo, the fully remodeled bargain is now available again…Here’s the VIRTUAL TOUR
And then email me if you or someone you know might love to buy it!
WHAT’S GOING ON?
Ok, readers. I’m in a new phase. For the last couple of months I have been DVRing and watching the show FRASIER. I absolutely love it. There’s so much about it that appeals to me (not the worldly philosophy stuff, of course…actually, I probably like it so much because of how much they make fun of the worldy philosophies), but that’s not my purpose for this post.
Whilst watching this new beloved show, I usually fast forward as many commercials as possible (praise the LORD for DVR). However, sometimes I just let it run as I work on the computer or whatever. I’ve been flabbergasted and saddened about the relentless programming regarding psychics…they seem to be taking over the world as they run multiple ads during one half hour show. Did you know there’s now a reality show called America’s Psychic Challenge. Really? Really. The lastest episode commercial is advertising a competition that requires the psychic contestants determining how a particular unknown victim was murdered. Really? That’s an elimination competition? I mean it took me about 4 years to get on board with the innane Survivor challenges and now you want me to buy the value of a ‘psychic’ guessing murderers?
Stop it.
WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS TO ANIMALS?
So, I was locking the front door of one of my listings. When I turned around, I noticed a cat half-way down the stairs, all fluffy headed and fluffy tailed, crouched down and hissing at me…as if my mere existence was a looming threat. I rolled my eyes, muttered some ’I hate cats’ stuff and continued to lock the door. As I made my way down the stairs, the cat slinked down one stair at a time, still hissing…that’s when I saw why the cat might have been so upset…now, my camera phone could not capture the depth of the insidiousness of what it’s human caregivers did to it (click on it for a larger view), but here’s a pic that makes me wish Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and George had been there…
POSTS GALORE
I have several posts brewing in my bulb these days. I hope to get them written soon. Here are some topics, all woven with ponderings of God and His purposes:
-Subbing Highlights: students contributions for ‘Things About My Life That Miss Neylan Might Find Interesting (my favorite color, and similiar things, do not interest her)’; Class discussions/interactions-Hilarious, Spiritual and Otherwise; ‘There Are Such Things As Stupid Questions and Don’t Ask Me Any of Them’; Why Subbing For Special Ed Is Really So Special
-Life Keeps Happening: I ran into the beloved Ashley Murray the other day at Wal-Mart and had an awesome conversation amidst the hair accessories aisle; I spoke with Ryan Kendrick the other night and later he texted me the test results for his mom’s biopsy (you should call him); I got a call from an old college friend, Jason Austin, we talked and laughed and laughed and marveled (he has 5 children!)
-This Weekend: This Saturday the Worship Team has rehearsal; A bunch of us are going to a concert this Saturday night featuring my Uncle Paul Marshall and my Cousin Pete Huttlinger! I think it might be another fun family reunion (family and friends!)…in Culver City!
-Post-Buckweed Fire: Did I do a post about our Worship Team drummer’s house burning down in the fire? Greg & Mary Smith got to experience the ‘it will all burn like wood, hay, and stubble’ promise. Go to their website for more info www.DudeWheresMyHouse.com (I’m not joking…and neither are they, mostly).
-My Life As A Seinfeld Episode: The cat that unprovokedly afronted me while I was leaving one of my listings (that post will include a picture of the disgusting creature)
-Recent Phase: Why I LOVE the show ‘Frasier’ these days
If any of these topics are more interesting than others, let me know.
PCC-CORONA’S FINEST CONTEST…VOTE NOW!
So, every year The Flowers host a Pumpkin Carving Contest…some of the entrants are people like Scott Burns, Jessi Gates, The Boys, Maddie Burns, Ken & Beth and many others…and each year it gets more and more amazing! Please view them all (and note the ingenuis ideas…here are some titles of the voteables!
“Pagans”,”A Church”, “Mummy-Mia Pumpkin-Pia”, “A Lonely Tree”, “A River Runs Through It”, “Elephant”, “The Death of Death in the Death of Blinky”, “Emoticon” , “The Happiest Pumpkin on Earth”, “A Self-Portrait”, “Transformers” , “Pumpkin Scholar with Teeth” , “Pumpkin with the Flu”, “Awesome Pumpkin”, “Hand Print”, “Skyline”, “Cow Jumping Over the Moon” , “Shocked” , “ARGHH” , “Scary Beast” , “Nice Shades”, “Cannibal Pumpkin” , “Africa” , “Smoldering Hope” , “I-Pumpkin” “Stick-Your-Tongue-Out-Pumpkin”
So, CLICK HERE to view the masterpieces…and then please vote! Voting closes Wednesday November 7th! So DO IT!
