So someone in our condo complex passed away last week, and unfortunately his body had to "be discovered." That meant one of the neighbors called the police for a welfare check after enough flies collected in the unit to concern them.
What a sad way to go that you are that much of a recluse that no one notices when you are gone. I have no idea who lived in that unit (it was a building over, so I don't see those neighbors too often), but it makes me sad for the person living their life in that condo. Once we knew that the unit was unoccupied, Mike and I looked through the second bedroom window (which had its shades partly open). Apparently this person was a bit of a hoarder, but a hoarder of books. The second bedroom was piles and piles of books everywhere.
The fact that this person was an avid reader made me even more sad, because I felt some sort of connection (albeit really tiny).
One really gross thing about this whole mess is that after the body was removed (by the police and hazmat) nothing else has been done with the unit. There are still flies, a neighbor said there was a rat and the above neighbors claim there is still an odor.
You would think the HOA, even if this was a rented unit, would be able to contact either the owner (if the deceased was not the owner) or at least an alternate contact (as HOA papers require all the owners to have).
I'll be very sad to think that this person owned the unit and had no alternative contacts. What will happen then? What happens to those people who honestly die so very alone?
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thursday, July 22, 2010
My Eurotrip...
While my Euro trip is quickly coming to an end, here is a map of all the driving that was done! 1 day, 16 hours!!!! The dots represent cities we visited. I will have a lengthy post with photos about my adventures in the next week or so! I have one more full day here in Regensburg and I return on Saturday. It's been so fun!!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Hockey, Canada and the Olympics
I really enjoyed the Winter Olympics this year and found myself more tuned into the games than I have been in the past.
After the tragic beginning with the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, I was unable to watch any luge, bobsled, skeleton or any sport on that track without cringing. It was just too sad.
Hockey, while I didn't watch a ton of the games, was what I was most aware of thanks to my husband's obsession. When the U.S. beat the Canadian team I was in shock and had such high hopes for our team.
Today, those dreams were crushed as Sidney Crosby, Canada's Golden Boy, brings them to victory once again. The U.S. players and goalie Ryan Miller really had a go at victory though, tying the game in the last 25 seconds of regulation play. It was an exciting game to say the least, but in the end Canada won.
The thing that bothered me the most was how much time the announcers and the camera man spent praising Crosby for his overtime goal win when he hadn't had a single point in the past two games before this. The camera was literally fixed on Crosby's face during the entire celebration on the ice, which I felt was unfair to the rest of the Canadian team. The TEAM won the gold medal, not just Sidney Crosby.
So now I am being bored to death by the closing ceremonies as I watch this, I watched the entire opening ceremonies just two weeks ago.
One interesting article I read was how the olympics in Vancouver have been one blunder after another, including death, bad weather, mistake during opening ceremonies etc. I found it interesting. Why the Olympics Have Been Bad for Canada.
Now I'm not saying the olympics were a bad thing for Canada, it brought them so many great things. The article just brought up things I didn't always notice.
One thing I hated about this olympics was NBC's covereage of it. Sports that were originally scheduled to be on one channel, ended up on another channel. Rarely was a sport actually live (for the west coast) and there was a tape delay for the west coast. What gives?! Finally we have an event in OUR TIME ZONE and we don't get to see anything in real time. Absolutely ridiculous.
So the olympics is over now, I am sad that I did not visit Vancouver as two of Mike's friends did, but I do hope to visit a Winter Olympics sometime in the future. I hear it is an experience not to be missed.
After the tragic beginning with the death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, I was unable to watch any luge, bobsled, skeleton or any sport on that track without cringing. It was just too sad.
Hockey, while I didn't watch a ton of the games, was what I was most aware of thanks to my husband's obsession. When the U.S. beat the Canadian team I was in shock and had such high hopes for our team.
Today, those dreams were crushed as Sidney Crosby, Canada's Golden Boy, brings them to victory once again. The U.S. players and goalie Ryan Miller really had a go at victory though, tying the game in the last 25 seconds of regulation play. It was an exciting game to say the least, but in the end Canada won.
The thing that bothered me the most was how much time the announcers and the camera man spent praising Crosby for his overtime goal win when he hadn't had a single point in the past two games before this. The camera was literally fixed on Crosby's face during the entire celebration on the ice, which I felt was unfair to the rest of the Canadian team. The TEAM won the gold medal, not just Sidney Crosby.
So now I am being bored to death by the closing ceremonies as I watch this, I watched the entire opening ceremonies just two weeks ago.
One interesting article I read was how the olympics in Vancouver have been one blunder after another, including death, bad weather, mistake during opening ceremonies etc. I found it interesting. Why the Olympics Have Been Bad for Canada.
Now I'm not saying the olympics were a bad thing for Canada, it brought them so many great things. The article just brought up things I didn't always notice.
One thing I hated about this olympics was NBC's covereage of it. Sports that were originally scheduled to be on one channel, ended up on another channel. Rarely was a sport actually live (for the west coast) and there was a tape delay for the west coast. What gives?! Finally we have an event in OUR TIME ZONE and we don't get to see anything in real time. Absolutely ridiculous.
So the olympics is over now, I am sad that I did not visit Vancouver as two of Mike's friends did, but I do hope to visit a Winter Olympics sometime in the future. I hear it is an experience not to be missed.
More movies, less reading
So I spent another weekend watching more movies, while I should have been reading. My excuse this weekend? I had horrible headaches each morning which worsened every time I tried to read.
As of tonight, I have now seen nine of the ten films nominated for Best Film for the Academy Awards.
I started off this weekend watching Inglourious Bastards. For as much as I dislike Brad Pitt, I really did enjoy this movie. A lot. I would have to say this would have my vote for best film, hands down. I was also surprised I liked it as much as I really did not appreciate the Kill Bill movies by Quentin Tarantino. I'm a sucker for Nazi-related films though.
The next day I watched Precious. Let me just tell you, gearing up to watch this movie was difficult because I knew it was going to be depressing. I had such a hard time starting the two-hour long heart wrencher. And boy did it live up to what I had heard. Great acting, good plot but my goodness was it just completely sad. Things just kept getting worse and worse for the character. The best part about this movie was its realism. There was no happy ending and that suited me just fine. I guess the semi-happy ending was that we saw her smile in the end.
Mike and I went out on a date night on Saturday night and we watched Shutter Island. I thought this movie was good, but it had me trying to figure it out from the get go. It played many mind tricks and had you leaving the theatre still thinking about the plot. Which story line did you choose to believe? I like a movie that makes you think. Leonardo DiCaprio was great in the film, the music was a bit dramatic (though that is Scorsese for you) and I'm not sure Mark Rufalo fit into the film well.
The last movie I saw this weekend was Pixar's latest Up. It was very cute and very Disney, but I was excited to see an original story line (not a recycled fairytale). It definitely pulled at the heartstrings and was just a heartwarming story overall.
So all that is left for me to see this award season is A Single Man, which I have not heard very much about so I'll be interested to see how I like it. I hear the acting is worth watching it alone.
As of tonight, I have now seen nine of the ten films nominated for Best Film for the Academy Awards.
I started off this weekend watching Inglourious Bastards. For as much as I dislike Brad Pitt, I really did enjoy this movie. A lot. I would have to say this would have my vote for best film, hands down. I was also surprised I liked it as much as I really did not appreciate the Kill Bill movies by Quentin Tarantino. I'm a sucker for Nazi-related films though.
The next day I watched Precious. Let me just tell you, gearing up to watch this movie was difficult because I knew it was going to be depressing. I had such a hard time starting the two-hour long heart wrencher. And boy did it live up to what I had heard. Great acting, good plot but my goodness was it just completely sad. Things just kept getting worse and worse for the character. The best part about this movie was its realism. There was no happy ending and that suited me just fine. I guess the semi-happy ending was that we saw her smile in the end.
Mike and I went out on a date night on Saturday night and we watched Shutter Island. I thought this movie was good, but it had me trying to figure it out from the get go. It played many mind tricks and had you leaving the theatre still thinking about the plot. Which story line did you choose to believe? I like a movie that makes you think. Leonardo DiCaprio was great in the film, the music was a bit dramatic (though that is Scorsese for you) and I'm not sure Mark Rufalo fit into the film well.
The last movie I saw this weekend was Pixar's latest Up. It was very cute and very Disney, but I was excited to see an original story line (not a recycled fairytale). It definitely pulled at the heartstrings and was just a heartwarming story overall.
So all that is left for me to see this award season is A Single Man, which I have not heard very much about so I'll be interested to see how I like it. I hear the acting is worth watching it alone.
Monday, October 26, 2009
A flower in the desert
I’ve been neglecting my blog lately but I’ve been doing really well.
In life I find we get so caught up with what is wrong with this or what we are upset about, that we take very little time to appreciate the little things that make us happy.
Driving on my way home from work I concentrated on what has been making me happy and it was a very pleasant drive.
Things that make me happy:
• Cold, crisp autumn days
• Salmon-colored sunsets
• Driving with the windows down
• Singing and rocking out in my car
• Working in the suburbs
• Picturing my future
• The sky at twilight
• Reading a great book
• Finding Matte at a café in San Francisco yesterday
Now the list could go on and on, but these were just a few things that have made me happy lately.
I’ve been pretty involved with Kiwanis lately, which is nice, but I keep having that nagging feeling that I could be doing more.
A week ago at our staff meeting this man came and spoke to us (in French, as someone translated for him) about this amazing work he is doing with disabled people in Africa. Apparently they are the most shunned people and their disabilities break families apart because usually shortly after the disabled person is born, the father leaves the family because he feels that he has failed them in some way. This man talked about how he took the most inept people (disabled) and gave them purpose, found some sort of talent in each one of them. He spoke of the amazing change it brought to the communities and the families as these people where transformed – fathers come back and the community has something to stand behind.
“Even a flower can bloom in the most barren desert,” he said.
He didn’t speak very much English, but before he left our office (sometime after the staff meeting) he made it a point to go around to every person’s desk, shake his or her hand and say that quote in English to us.
His visit has touched us very deeply and I can’t shake the feeling that I want to do more to touch people’s lives. I don’t know what it is yet, but I know I want to do more to give back.
Recently, while covering a story involving some junior high girls, I was reminded that junior high girls are of an age where I no longer find kids annoying. I actually found it quite refreshing to be among the students and I think I want to do something more with girls who are that age. Being in junior high was a very difficult time for me, as I am sure it is with many girls.
Maybe I’ll become a tutor, but I’d rather interact with these girls at a social level. Help them somehow that way. There are a couple of avenues I am looking into – but that is what I am set out to do right now.
I know it sounds dumb but I want to help someone bloom. I can think of several people in my life who have helped me bloom, but I want to be that for someone else.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Bad, horrible moment in fashion
So Lauren and I went on our annual San Francisco shopping trip. The day was.... interesting. I was completely visually assaulted.
Really the 80's had to come back? Really? SO HORRIBLE.
This is the first time I have ever been shopping and felt like I am too old to buy into it anymore.
Check out these photos of some of the "fashion" I witnessed. Man models can't even make this crap look decent.
Am I just getting too old, or am I right? The 80s and the 90s should never be repeated. And repeating them does not make you fashionable. Acid washed jeans? Seriously?
The worst 80s offense was when I saw an 80s almost Jazzercise-esque display.
Layering neon colors did not look good then and it looks even more ridiculous now, unless you are wearing it as a Halloween costume. This was so offensive I had to capture it with my camera.
But I believe the worst of the worst was caught by Lauren on her phone.
Leggings are awful awful awful! Especially when they are on 40 somethings trying to act young. And if you are going to wear them, please, for the sake of the people standing or walking behind you, COVER YOUR ASS! No one likes panty lines.
Really the 80's had to come back? Really? SO HORRIBLE.
This is the first time I have ever been shopping and felt like I am too old to buy into it anymore.
Check out these photos of some of the "fashion" I witnessed. Man models can't even make this crap look decent.
Am I just getting too old, or am I right? The 80s and the 90s should never be repeated. And repeating them does not make you fashionable. Acid washed jeans? Seriously?
The worst 80s offense was when I saw an 80s almost Jazzercise-esque display.
Layering neon colors did not look good then and it looks even more ridiculous now, unless you are wearing it as a Halloween costume. This was so offensive I had to capture it with my camera.
But I believe the worst of the worst was caught by Lauren on her phone.
Leggings are awful awful awful! Especially when they are on 40 somethings trying to act young. And if you are going to wear them, please, for the sake of the people standing or walking behind you, COVER YOUR ASS! No one likes panty lines.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
On my to see/read list
So sorry I haven't been updating my blog, I've been lazy.
I'm using this post as a list of movies I want to see this summer and a list of books on my to read list.
Movies:
My Life in Ruins, June 5, trailer: This looks cute and will have many shots of Greece, which I LOVE.
The Proposal, June 19, trailer: This looks goofy and I haven't seen a Sandra Bullock flick in forever!
My Sister's Keeper, June 26, trailer: I teared up just watching the trailer. I somewhat question the choice of Diaz as the mother, but it won't keep me away from the theatre.
The Ugly Truth, July 24, trailer: Sorry, but who doesn't love Katherine Heigl?
Funny People, July 31, trailer: This looks decent, I'll be interested to see the supporting comedy and if they can pull it off.
Julie & Julia, August 7, trailer: Amy Adams and Meryl Streep together again?! Yes please. Plus cooking unhealthy food with no experience, so great.
Post Grad, August 21, trailer: Alexis Bledel, enough said. Plus, no one makes movies about how bleak life looks right after you graduate college. It's about time.
Books on my to read list (more so I don't forget what I want to read):
"My Sister's Keeper," By Judy Picoult: I have to read this before I see the movie, so it's been bumped up to the next book I am reading.
"Firefly Lane," By Kristin Hannah: Picked this up at Target. Looks like a nice, light summer read.
"The Man of My Dreams," By Curtis Sittenfeld: Currently devouring Sittenfeld's third novel loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. I missed this book when it came out (her second novel) and I love everything by this author, so will have to read this one.
"The Soloist," By Steve Lopez: Heard nothing but good thing about this book.
I'm using this post as a list of movies I want to see this summer and a list of books on my to read list.
Movies:
My Life in Ruins, June 5, trailer: This looks cute and will have many shots of Greece, which I LOVE.
The Proposal, June 19, trailer: This looks goofy and I haven't seen a Sandra Bullock flick in forever!
My Sister's Keeper, June 26, trailer: I teared up just watching the trailer. I somewhat question the choice of Diaz as the mother, but it won't keep me away from the theatre.
The Ugly Truth, July 24, trailer: Sorry, but who doesn't love Katherine Heigl?
Funny People, July 31, trailer: This looks decent, I'll be interested to see the supporting comedy and if they can pull it off.
Julie & Julia, August 7, trailer: Amy Adams and Meryl Streep together again?! Yes please. Plus cooking unhealthy food with no experience, so great.
Post Grad, August 21, trailer: Alexis Bledel, enough said. Plus, no one makes movies about how bleak life looks right after you graduate college. It's about time.
Books on my to read list (more so I don't forget what I want to read):
"My Sister's Keeper," By Judy Picoult: I have to read this before I see the movie, so it's been bumped up to the next book I am reading.
"Firefly Lane," By Kristin Hannah: Picked this up at Target. Looks like a nice, light summer read.
"The Man of My Dreams," By Curtis Sittenfeld: Currently devouring Sittenfeld's third novel loosely based on the life of Laura Bush. I missed this book when it came out (her second novel) and I love everything by this author, so will have to read this one.
"The Soloist," By Steve Lopez: Heard nothing but good thing about this book.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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