I've had kinda a shitty day. Perhaps that was too blunt and pessimistic....I'll put it this way, it could have been better.
I got to work (yes, on a Saturday...sad face) and I had tons of phone calls to make so I was already a bit stressed about that. (Though thank you Mandy for helping me out with this:). Then upon making one of the phone calls, the guy started yelling at me across the phone line about how our hospital's communication has, and I quote, "completely gone down hill." Then he threatened to take all of his pet's records and have them transferred.
I was stunned. I was only the middle man who was asked to make a phone call and see if I could help in any way. I understood his frustration and I would have loved to help him further but him yelling at me was not going to make things better for either one of us. Then (like a complete over-sensitive little girl) I began to cry...on the phone...with Mr. Angry still yelling at me. (How humiliating...and talk about losing my pride.) I will say however, once he heard how upset I was, he did apologize and took the time to tell me it wasn't me he was upset with and yada yada yada. But here's the thing...he knew this before he started yelling at me so why did he have to take it out on me in the first place? I don't understand people's rationale sometimes. I just don't get it. And I know I shouldn't take it personally but I do and I can't help it. I want to help when someone is feeling upset (even if it's not my job to.) And this was one of my favorite clients so that made it even worse....
Next was the humongous dog in room 2 of whom we had never seen before and out-weighed me, not only in size but in strength. I couldn't tell if he wanted to eat me or lick me to death. And he kept barking the whole time when I was trying to get the history from his soft-spoken owner and I had to keep repeating myself and asking her to repeat herself and it was a huge mess. The big (perhaps scary...but actually sweet?...not sure at that point)dog then decided to jump up on the exam table (on his own I might add) and I looked up and saw his big head and tongue (not to mention teeth) right in my face.
Once i finally finished getting a history and going over the treatment plan, I took him back to take his temperature and get his weight and such. And let me just tell you...he was the absolute dumbest, goofiest pit bull I have ever met (and I've met some goofy pits in my time). But he was sweet as anything and all he wanted to do was lick everybody.
Last, but certainly not least....a cat tried to kill me and one of my co-workers. I haven't the energy to tell this tale (no pun intended). But towels, gloves, urine, teeth and claws were all involved.....use your imagination at will.
I love my job, but some days I wish I could go back to retail....though once I did have a guy throw a piece of a fan at me when I was working in customer service....I swear I'm a nice person. The general public just happens to include a bunch of assholes and I apparently have to deal with a lot of them.
I will say, and end this short (hmmmmm perhaps not so short...oops) rant with this: my faith in humanity was completely restored when I went to Target and overheard a little girl talking to her mom about Michael Jackson.
"How many people do you know who can moonwalk like Michael Jackson?" (How. Cute. Is. That?)
I never heard her mom's answer but the fact that this small individual knew who he was made me smile. So I send out a huge "THANK YOU" to the little girl who will help to live out his remembrance.
Maybe at least she won't grow up to be an asshole.....
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wedding planning
When Andrew and I got engaged almost 5 months ago, I was so elated about planning and getting things done and making everything perfect. I became obsessed with wedding magazines and websites and bridal shows. We found our ceremony/reception sight within the first 2 months and soon after, I (or rather my parents:) bought my wedding gown and then we went cake tasting and tried out a caterer. We have already registered at 3 places and we (or rather my parents:) have bought most of the decorations for the reception (i.e. vases, bubbles, guest book and pen, flower girl basket, ect). But now I'm stuck....
I have been communicating with our officiant, who is also the same person who owns the place we are getting married, via email. And we have been going back and forth about prices for the caterer and florist that she sometimes uses for couples who don't want to have to plan everything on their own. We thought we were good on a caterer...but alas, this seems to be a total bust. Apparently Jeanne (our officiant) is concerned that the caterer we were thinking of using won't put on a good "presentation". (What does that mean exactly?....I haven't a clue!) But now she is recommending someone else who has a "great presentation"! and higher quality food and so on and so on. There is one catch however. This particular caterer wants to charge us (or rather my parents) $500 more than the other one....WHAT? I realize that Jeanne is trying to help but seriously? We're (or rather my parents:) running out of money fast.
So I got this information last night and upon waking up this morning, I thought to myself "maybe we should go a different route as far as catering?" But I, never having planned a wedding in my entire life, have no idea how to go about this. So now I have this on the wedding planning plate and I have yet to really find out about what's going on with our potential florist (who might be charging us a fee to speak with her in person...?...Is this customary you ask...again...NO IDEA!!!!).
OK OK. I know what you're thinking. I'm being a completely selfish "bridezilla" because only a couple of things have not gone according to plan. But here me out. About 2 months ago, Jenn (my matron of honor:) and I started looking for bridesmaids dresses. We went to the David's Bridal here in Raleigh and let me just say...so not impressed!!! The lady who "took care of us" was completely distracted the whole time and acted as though we were an inconvenience. Jenn tried on several dresses and yipee!!!! we found the right one! It was the perfect length and color and everything! The lady of course wanted to know what size we needed to order, blah blah blah but we wanted to wait it out. She seemed extremely annoyed and thrust-ed her business card in my face (that of which I tore up when we got back to the car and placed in my wedding planning scrapbook once we got back home). But it was all good. We had found the bridesmaids dresses! One more thing to check off of the list.
So all of this being said, in my excitement, I went online to admire the dress once again and send a picture out to all of the rest of my lovely bridesmaids, then I noticed one small, minor, but particularly important detail. The dress was not listed as being available in the color I wanted....."that can't be right?" I thought to myself. "I'll just call them tomorrow...."
I made the call on my lunch break the next day and immediately was put on hold after telling the person on the other line my dilemma. I was forced to listen to horrible R & B elevator music (who knew they made such a thing?) and was finally (5 minutes later) asked AGAIN what it was I was holding for. (I believe the second time someone got on the phone, it was a different person than the first time).
"So what did you need?"
I sighed. And told the second employee what I was inquiring about.
"Oh..." (LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG PAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE......) "Hold on a minute..."
More elevator music....but staying calm.
Five minutes later. "Yeah. We have that dress (this was the first girl I spoke with....).
"I know. But do you have it in that color?"
"Oh, let me go see..."
"Wait!"...but she was gone and I was talking to the horrid music.
Five more minutes pass and I'm about to hang up when the girl gets back on the line. "Yeah, we don't have that dress in that color."
Long pause. "OK then. Well I guess I won't be shopping at your store again!!!!!" And I hung up.....
Yes. I know I know. This was so completely immature but the bitch had it coming. That's all I have to say.....I mean seriously? Isn't it their job to make sure each of their potential shoppers have a good experience? I used to work in customer service and even though I couldn't always provide what the customer wanted, I at least tried to help them leave happy and satisfied. I swear, the words, "thank you" and "I apologize" really go a long way with most people. That's all I'm saying...that's all I was asking...but no. Everyone at the David's Bridal in Raleigh is a bitch. Fair and square.....but that's all I have to say about that.
So this was the beginning of what feels like a long streak of negatives in the wedding planning department. Jenn and I tried again to look at another boutique and at least they were nice but they didn't have what I wanted. (Who knew this would be so hard?)
And I went to order my wedding invitations this morning and found that they have been discontinued...(are. you. kidding. me?)
OK. Be calm. I have several months to get everything in order. But I'm really starting to wonder.....
Maybe we should elope.....?
I have been communicating with our officiant, who is also the same person who owns the place we are getting married, via email. And we have been going back and forth about prices for the caterer and florist that she sometimes uses for couples who don't want to have to plan everything on their own. We thought we were good on a caterer...but alas, this seems to be a total bust. Apparently Jeanne (our officiant) is concerned that the caterer we were thinking of using won't put on a good "presentation". (What does that mean exactly?....I haven't a clue!) But now she is recommending someone else who has a "great presentation"! and higher quality food and so on and so on. There is one catch however. This particular caterer wants to charge us (or rather my parents) $500 more than the other one....WHAT? I realize that Jeanne is trying to help but seriously? We're (or rather my parents:) running out of money fast.
So I got this information last night and upon waking up this morning, I thought to myself "maybe we should go a different route as far as catering?" But I, never having planned a wedding in my entire life, have no idea how to go about this. So now I have this on the wedding planning plate and I have yet to really find out about what's going on with our potential florist (who might be charging us a fee to speak with her in person...?...Is this customary you ask...again...NO IDEA!!!!).
OK OK. I know what you're thinking. I'm being a completely selfish "bridezilla" because only a couple of things have not gone according to plan. But here me out. About 2 months ago, Jenn (my matron of honor:) and I started looking for bridesmaids dresses. We went to the David's Bridal here in Raleigh and let me just say...so not impressed!!! The lady who "took care of us" was completely distracted the whole time and acted as though we were an inconvenience. Jenn tried on several dresses and yipee!!!! we found the right one! It was the perfect length and color and everything! The lady of course wanted to know what size we needed to order, blah blah blah but we wanted to wait it out. She seemed extremely annoyed and thrust-ed her business card in my face (that of which I tore up when we got back to the car and placed in my wedding planning scrapbook once we got back home). But it was all good. We had found the bridesmaids dresses! One more thing to check off of the list.
So all of this being said, in my excitement, I went online to admire the dress once again and send a picture out to all of the rest of my lovely bridesmaids, then I noticed one small, minor, but particularly important detail. The dress was not listed as being available in the color I wanted....."that can't be right?" I thought to myself. "I'll just call them tomorrow...."
I made the call on my lunch break the next day and immediately was put on hold after telling the person on the other line my dilemma. I was forced to listen to horrible R & B elevator music (who knew they made such a thing?) and was finally (5 minutes later) asked AGAIN what it was I was holding for. (I believe the second time someone got on the phone, it was a different person than the first time).
"So what did you need?"
I sighed. And told the second employee what I was inquiring about.
"Oh..." (LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG PAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSE......) "Hold on a minute..."
More elevator music....but staying calm.
Five minutes later. "Yeah. We have that dress (this was the first girl I spoke with....).
"I know. But do you have it in that color?"
"Oh, let me go see..."
"Wait!"...but she was gone and I was talking to the horrid music.
Five more minutes pass and I'm about to hang up when the girl gets back on the line. "Yeah, we don't have that dress in that color."
Long pause. "OK then. Well I guess I won't be shopping at your store again!!!!!" And I hung up.....
Yes. I know I know. This was so completely immature but the bitch had it coming. That's all I have to say.....I mean seriously? Isn't it their job to make sure each of their potential shoppers have a good experience? I used to work in customer service and even though I couldn't always provide what the customer wanted, I at least tried to help them leave happy and satisfied. I swear, the words, "thank you" and "I apologize" really go a long way with most people. That's all I'm saying...that's all I was asking...but no. Everyone at the David's Bridal in Raleigh is a bitch. Fair and square.....but that's all I have to say about that.
So this was the beginning of what feels like a long streak of negatives in the wedding planning department. Jenn and I tried again to look at another boutique and at least they were nice but they didn't have what I wanted. (Who knew this would be so hard?)
And I went to order my wedding invitations this morning and found that they have been discontinued...(are. you. kidding. me?)
OK. Be calm. I have several months to get everything in order. But I'm really starting to wonder.....
Maybe we should elope.....?
If I were a super hero...I would be...?
Invisible....
Do you ever go out in public and feel invisible to everyone outside enjoying life around you? I often have moments like in the first Princess Diaries movie when people kept sitting on her because they didn't see her there...And sometimes, I even find myself staring at someone I see on the street and having the empty thought that they can't see me because I'm not truly there.
It's like I'm living outside of myself and I can't quite conjure up the thought that someone else might take the time out of their busy life to notice me. I often feel left out in social situations and I wonder if it's just me being paranoid or if there is really something to this. I mean, I chose to be the way I am to an extent, but i don't think any of us truly choose to be an outsider on purpose.
I hear bits and pieces of peoples' conversations that involve underlying racism, politics and going to the next Kenny Chesney concert. (I don't even know who Kenny Chesney is!?!!) I'm not judging. I'm only pointing out that I have nothing in common with these people. My handful of friends is exactly that...only a handful and we don't always agree on everything (who does?) but we at least respect each others opinions and views on life.
I was heart broken the other day when I heard someone say that "Protesters against the war don't care about the danger soldiers embrace. All they care about is starting another uproar and doing drugs and being lazy...." Or something to that affect. I couldn't believe this point of view, though I really did try to see that side of the picture. The truth is I have friends who are soldiers and those who are against war. I am in fact, one of those protesters...and yet, i have never done drugs and I'm NOT lazy...at least I don't think I am. What a sad point of view to have when one can't even comprehend a solution that succeeds death and violence....
Sometimes I feel so alone and I can't even begin to fathom what it feels like to be "normal". But maybe it is normal to feel this way on occasion? But I guess just once, it would be nice to feel like I fit in somewhere outside of my own home...it would be nice not to always feel so....
invisible...
Do you ever go out in public and feel invisible to everyone outside enjoying life around you? I often have moments like in the first Princess Diaries movie when people kept sitting on her because they didn't see her there...And sometimes, I even find myself staring at someone I see on the street and having the empty thought that they can't see me because I'm not truly there.
It's like I'm living outside of myself and I can't quite conjure up the thought that someone else might take the time out of their busy life to notice me. I often feel left out in social situations and I wonder if it's just me being paranoid or if there is really something to this. I mean, I chose to be the way I am to an extent, but i don't think any of us truly choose to be an outsider on purpose.
I hear bits and pieces of peoples' conversations that involve underlying racism, politics and going to the next Kenny Chesney concert. (I don't even know who Kenny Chesney is!?!!) I'm not judging. I'm only pointing out that I have nothing in common with these people. My handful of friends is exactly that...only a handful and we don't always agree on everything (who does?) but we at least respect each others opinions and views on life.
I was heart broken the other day when I heard someone say that "Protesters against the war don't care about the danger soldiers embrace. All they care about is starting another uproar and doing drugs and being lazy...." Or something to that affect. I couldn't believe this point of view, though I really did try to see that side of the picture. The truth is I have friends who are soldiers and those who are against war. I am in fact, one of those protesters...and yet, i have never done drugs and I'm NOT lazy...at least I don't think I am. What a sad point of view to have when one can't even comprehend a solution that succeeds death and violence....
Sometimes I feel so alone and I can't even begin to fathom what it feels like to be "normal". But maybe it is normal to feel this way on occasion? But I guess just once, it would be nice to feel like I fit in somewhere outside of my own home...it would be nice not to always feel so....
invisible...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Top 10 things that cheer me up on a rainy day:
10) Well, in all honesty, I like the rain, especially when it's late at night and I can hear it tap tap tapping on the window panes. It relaxes me and makes me feel safe inside our cute little townhouse, snuggled up under the covers with Leira curled up right between Andrew and I. This is what life is all about.
9) Staying in and eating junk food, watching old movies and laughing until I cry (or vis-versa depending on the flick). There are just some movies that I can watch over and over again and never get enough.
Some that immediately come to mind: Breakfast At Tiffanys, While You Were Sleeping, 13 Going on 30, Harry Potter.....and so on and so on
8) Taking a nap. Let's be honest, any day that I actually get a chance to do this is a good day:). I totally took this for granted when I was little. I wanted to spend every moment I could wide awake in the hopes that i would never miss anything. But these days, a nap picks me up just like that and I'm ready to conquer the world once again. Without such naps...i can still conquer the world...only a bit more sluggishly.
7) Having the extra time to "stalk" people on Myspace and Facebook. Don't judge! We all do it and you know it!!! What better way to keep up with ex's and old "friends" from high school than to check out their recent updates and statuses and pictures without having to actually TALK to them?!?! GENIUS! And my happiness increases in points each time I come across an old classmate who is now fat....that's right. I am woman hear me roar! Grr...
6) Rearranging furniture. I go through spring cleaning more than the average person. I like to have little changes around me such as moving the couch an inch to the left or moving bookcases from one corner to another. It makes me feel refreshed. And it also helps me to feel like my life is not at a stand still. I think in some cultures, this is called Feng Shui.....in my culture, I like to call it "Mary's bored and needs something to do so she's going to move things around until she gets tired or distracted by the task of doing something else."
5) Baking cookies. I love the smell of fresh baked cookies!!! Especially on a rainy day. It's like the extra rain smell adds to the flavor or something. I can't quite describe it. Just trust me on this: Chocolate+rain= yummy yummy goodness.
4) Watching the rain from our bay window in the front of the house with a kitty on my lap (or 2 or 3 and so on and so on:). This is pure bliss. Nothing can quite take the place of this....hee that rhymed!
3) Playing with the dog. Andrew and I have this game we play with Leira where we'll chase her up and down the stairs and all around the house. We'll go in separate directions in order to confuse her (which really doesn't take much) and sometimes we'll hide behind a closed door to see if she notices. This is a very fun and cheap form of entertainment. Ah. The classic moments that make up our lives.
2) Staying in my pajamas all day. Do I really need to say more than this?
1) Reading a good book or 2 (most likely of the memoir or vampire/witch/werewolf persuasion as of late...depending on the mood). Quiet time+a fantastic read= happiness and pure content.
9) Staying in and eating junk food, watching old movies and laughing until I cry (or vis-versa depending on the flick). There are just some movies that I can watch over and over again and never get enough.
Some that immediately come to mind: Breakfast At Tiffanys, While You Were Sleeping, 13 Going on 30, Harry Potter.....and so on and so on
8) Taking a nap. Let's be honest, any day that I actually get a chance to do this is a good day:). I totally took this for granted when I was little. I wanted to spend every moment I could wide awake in the hopes that i would never miss anything. But these days, a nap picks me up just like that and I'm ready to conquer the world once again. Without such naps...i can still conquer the world...only a bit more sluggishly.
7) Having the extra time to "stalk" people on Myspace and Facebook. Don't judge! We all do it and you know it!!! What better way to keep up with ex's and old "friends" from high school than to check out their recent updates and statuses and pictures without having to actually TALK to them?!?! GENIUS! And my happiness increases in points each time I come across an old classmate who is now fat....that's right. I am woman hear me roar! Grr...
6) Rearranging furniture. I go through spring cleaning more than the average person. I like to have little changes around me such as moving the couch an inch to the left or moving bookcases from one corner to another. It makes me feel refreshed. And it also helps me to feel like my life is not at a stand still. I think in some cultures, this is called Feng Shui.....in my culture, I like to call it "Mary's bored and needs something to do so she's going to move things around until she gets tired or distracted by the task of doing something else."
5) Baking cookies. I love the smell of fresh baked cookies!!! Especially on a rainy day. It's like the extra rain smell adds to the flavor or something. I can't quite describe it. Just trust me on this: Chocolate+rain= yummy yummy goodness.
4) Watching the rain from our bay window in the front of the house with a kitty on my lap (or 2 or 3 and so on and so on:). This is pure bliss. Nothing can quite take the place of this....hee that rhymed!
3) Playing with the dog. Andrew and I have this game we play with Leira where we'll chase her up and down the stairs and all around the house. We'll go in separate directions in order to confuse her (which really doesn't take much) and sometimes we'll hide behind a closed door to see if she notices. This is a very fun and cheap form of entertainment. Ah. The classic moments that make up our lives.
2) Staying in my pajamas all day. Do I really need to say more than this?
1) Reading a good book or 2 (most likely of the memoir or vampire/witch/werewolf persuasion as of late...depending on the mood). Quiet time+a fantastic read= happiness and pure content.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Letter to our cats.
Dear Lorelai, Tuna, Phoebe, Dip and Bianca,
I have finally come to the conclusion that if I were ever to happen to pass away in my sleep, you would still find a need to sit on my head, bite on my ears and scratch at my face during the wee hours of the morning.
The coroner would see these scratches and bite marks and suspect foul play, only to discover that these injuries were made after I had indeed died.
It is not that I do not think you care for me as your mother. It is just my feeling that you care more about food when it is breakfast or dinner time. I do not take offense to this.
However in retrospect, I would like you to all to consider why there are times when, instead of getting fed immediately, you get tricked and sent out of the bedroom without getting fed first. This is not because I do not love you. It's because at the time my priorities = sleep first, feed cats later.
Also, I want to make the comment that you have officially brainwashed dear, sweet Andrew into believing that he is your slave. I know this because he actually made that very comment to me the other morning when I was half asleep and wondering why my head felt so heavy (Thank you Lorelai for that).
Let me just say that neither Andrew nor I are your slaves. I know this might be hard to accept. But life is hard.
Get over it.
Should any of these thoughts need to be discussed further, we would be more than happy to listen to your questions/comments/complaints. But in the mean time, please keep this thought in mind each morning before you start screaming, clawing, climbing and sitting on people's heads....
Stop it.
Yours Truly,
Mary and Andrew
I have finally come to the conclusion that if I were ever to happen to pass away in my sleep, you would still find a need to sit on my head, bite on my ears and scratch at my face during the wee hours of the morning.
The coroner would see these scratches and bite marks and suspect foul play, only to discover that these injuries were made after I had indeed died.
It is not that I do not think you care for me as your mother. It is just my feeling that you care more about food when it is breakfast or dinner time. I do not take offense to this.
However in retrospect, I would like you to all to consider why there are times when, instead of getting fed immediately, you get tricked and sent out of the bedroom without getting fed first. This is not because I do not love you. It's because at the time my priorities = sleep first, feed cats later.
Also, I want to make the comment that you have officially brainwashed dear, sweet Andrew into believing that he is your slave. I know this because he actually made that very comment to me the other morning when I was half asleep and wondering why my head felt so heavy (Thank you Lorelai for that).
Let me just say that neither Andrew nor I are your slaves. I know this might be hard to accept. But life is hard.
Get over it.
Should any of these thoughts need to be discussed further, we would be more than happy to listen to your questions/comments/complaints. But in the mean time, please keep this thought in mind each morning before you start screaming, clawing, climbing and sitting on people's heads....
Stop it.
Yours Truly,
Mary and Andrew
Addition...
So I have another addition to add to my top 10 blonde moments! (That would make 11 right?)
The other night several weeks ago, Andrew and I were standing in the hall talking about going to see Joan Jett (Let me just say, we did and it. was. awesome!) But anyway, we were standing there talking about it and Andrew mentioned that the concert was going to be in Downtown Raleigh on Saturday during "Downtown After 5" (This is a typical summer thing in Raleigh where they hold live music downtown and such.) I then proceeded to ask Andrew (and was completely serious at the time...)
"What time does downtown after 5 start?.......
Ahem.
I never said I was a genius.
The other night several weeks ago, Andrew and I were standing in the hall talking about going to see Joan Jett (Let me just say, we did and it. was. awesome!) But anyway, we were standing there talking about it and Andrew mentioned that the concert was going to be in Downtown Raleigh on Saturday during "Downtown After 5" (This is a typical summer thing in Raleigh where they hold live music downtown and such.) I then proceeded to ask Andrew (and was completely serious at the time...)
"What time does downtown after 5 start?.......
Ahem.
I never said I was a genius.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Heroes
We all have a hero or two right? For whatever reason, we often put certain people up on a pedastool because he or she inspires us in some way or another.
I was introduced to one of my heroes several years ago during my Women In Literature class. It was custom for our teacher to start off each class with one of her favorite songs to try to get us into the mood.
When she played "When I Was A Boy" by Dar Williams, I remember sitting there, listening to the lyrics, anxious to know who this musician was and how on earth I had never heard of her before. I was so excited! I mean, I have always been a huge fan of music and I love love love to "discover" new artists, especially those that aren't "famous" in the pop-culture sort of way. This woman's lyrics were so endearing. And it was like she was inside my head.
My teacher then played another song by Dar called "The Babysitter's Here" and I was hooked! It was that same sort of feeling one gets when he or she finds a four leave clover out in the backyard. I couldn't wait to find and buy and listen to everything this person had ever written.
It's not everyday that you find an artist who is so diverse in the subjects she writes about; from childhood to being a woman to rivers to science experiments, politics, the environment...all of the subjects I personally hold so dear.
From that day forth, she has been an inspiration in my life.
A few years ago, I was able to go see her in concert at the Orangepeel in Asheville. I. Was. So. Excited!!!! The guy I was dating at the time (he who shall not be named...little inside joke there), and I arrived extra early so that we could get a good seat. I was jumping up and down from anticipation and acting like a complete freak/stalker and he was complaining about the girls standing in front of us.
"They better sit down when Dar comes out!'
In my head I was thinking....Who does he think he is calling Dar Williams by her first name? I mean really! She's DAR WILLIAMS!
I ignored him...come to think of it, I did that a lot...hmmmmm...hindsight's 20 20.
But anyway. The crowd goes silent and she arrives on stage. I am taking in the moment when suddenly I hear "he who shall not be named" screaming at the girls in front of us because they haven't sat down yet...
I.Could Have Died.
And there was Dar Williams, a bit distracted and she heard him and asked him what was wrong.
"Don't you think it's rude Dar when you arrive early to a show and people come and stand in front of you blocking your view?"
There he was calling her by her first name again. Thoughts of murder were running through my mind....this was my idol. And he was ruining it!
But because she's Dar Williams, she simply exclaimed "It's only rude if the people who showed up early are upset by the ones who showed up later and stood in front of them..."
The girls immediately sat down and the show began.
It. Was Perfect.
There she was, singing all of the songs I knew and it was over much to soon. We were yelling and clapping and screaming "Encore! Encore!!!"
And she finally came back out.
Within the first note, I knew what song it was and I started jumping up and down. She was playing "The Babysitter's Here".
Oh. My. God! Incredible!!!
I looked over at "he who shall not be named" and....
The bastard was crying...
CRYING!!!!!
Seriously!
How selfish can one be to put me in the position of having to "take care" of him once again during a true historic moment in my life.
Did I mention he was a bastard?
But the concert came and went and it would be a few years until I had another chance to see my inspiration play once more.
That time came only a few weeks ago when my mom sent me (because she's awesome like that:) an email informing me that Dar Williams would be playing a show during Bele Chere this year...for free!!!! And outdoors!
Finding this out was like being told I would be able to go back in time and experience Woodstock '69.
Only better.
So Andrew and I immediately decided that we could not miss this show. I had to be there!
She was playing on a Friday night and I had to be at work early on Saturday but I knew it would be worth it. I mean. We're talking Dar Williams!!!!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!
We drove to Asheville Thursday night and spent Friday morning and afternoon with my parents. Then we headed out to Downtown Asheville where the event was to take place. We walked around some. (I've always loved Bele Chere and I hadn't been in a few years and Andrew had never been so he was excited as well). We stopped by the booth I used to always work at during my more pronounced "hippy" days and I saw a friend of mine I used to work with. Then we headed to the stage.
A whole hour early.
What? I wanted to get a good spot.
We plastered ourselves directly in front of the stage and waited.
And waited......
And waited...................
I was starting to get a little antsy when I looked up and saw her.
There she was. On stage. Doing her own sound check (how cool is that?). And she was eating.
"Oh my God!!! Look Andrew she's eating! I got a picture of her eating!"
Did I mention I'm just a bit spastic?
Andrew just laughed and smiled at me because he's wonderful and he would have been the same way should it have been Jim James from My Morning Jacket eating right before his eyes.
I will just mention here, this normal everyday activity may not seem so exciting to a normal person.
I'm not normal.
And seeing Dar Williams chew her food right there in front of me was magical.
Simply magical.
Then the concert began...and let me just say.
Best. Concert. EVER!!!
She played every single one of my favorite songs, old and new and she was so great with the audience. She even took several requests. The kicker of it all was that she played "The Babysitter's Here" and when I looked over at Andrew....
HE WASN"T CRYING!
Because he.....IS NOT....a bastard:).
Other than this, my favorite part was when she strummed the first note of "When I Was A Boy" and I was taken back to being in that classroom once again, hearing her music and lyrics for the very first time. This woman was the whole reason I ever picked up a guitar in the first place.
And alas. Again. It was over much too soon.
I was grinning from ear to ear and bouncing up and down and I noticed a few people walking back stage. I looked at Andrew and we followed suit.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting but suddenly Dar Williams was standing right in front of our small group and asking us casually if we could walk around to the other side.
I was a zombie. I just followed and it was like watching everything around me in slow motion. The gate opened slowly and the security guard stepped out and said "Just don't crowd her." And this is when it hit me...
I was about to meet Dar Williams. My hero. My idol. My favorite-est "star" in the whole wide world.
I say this with complete elegance.....
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!!!!!!!!!"
Ahem.
I stood there shaking, trying to figure out exactly what I was going to say when Andrew, lovely fiance' that he is, stepped out and got her attention,
"Dar. I want you to meet your biggest fan Mary." (It's ok that Andrew called her by her first name because she and I were about to become best friends and start touring together anyway!)
I looked at her. She looked at me and she said "Nice to meet you Mary." And held out her hand.
I shook her hand and said......
"Bllehew hwhkksj dsahdksjaklkl;"......
Yeah....I couldn't tell you what that means either.
However she did seem to understand somehow that I wanted her autograph as I handed her a random piece of paper I had found in my purse in a nice, cave-man like manner.
I do remember spastic-ly asking her if I could have my picture taken with her and she said "Oh! Of course! Who's taking it?"
It took me a second to find Andrew because to be honest in the whole moment, I had forgotten anyone else was there....
But he was standing there waiting for the moment. I smiled my biggest smile and he took the picture.
I looked at Dar (remember...we're best friends now so I can call her that) and said "Thank you." And then....
I think I hugged her....
Yep. I'm pretty sure I did. (Sadly. I don't really remember....?) But yeah. I think I hugged her.
Did I mention how spastic I am?
When Andrew and I walked away (let's be honest...he walked, I skipped and jumped and acted like a 5 year old again screaming "I just met Dar Williams! I just met Dar Williams!".....can you say restraining order?....that poor girl...),But I knew I would never forget that moment.
Thank you Dar Williams for putting up with your fans...both normal and crazy. You truly are the best and we love you!!!!
Andrew and I awaiting the concert to begin.
Dar Williams eating!!!!! So exciting!!!
I love this shot! (Thanks Andrew for being the photographer during this ultra-cool event!)
The moment....
I was introduced to one of my heroes several years ago during my Women In Literature class. It was custom for our teacher to start off each class with one of her favorite songs to try to get us into the mood.
When she played "When I Was A Boy" by Dar Williams, I remember sitting there, listening to the lyrics, anxious to know who this musician was and how on earth I had never heard of her before. I was so excited! I mean, I have always been a huge fan of music and I love love love to "discover" new artists, especially those that aren't "famous" in the pop-culture sort of way. This woman's lyrics were so endearing. And it was like she was inside my head.
My teacher then played another song by Dar called "The Babysitter's Here" and I was hooked! It was that same sort of feeling one gets when he or she finds a four leave clover out in the backyard. I couldn't wait to find and buy and listen to everything this person had ever written.
It's not everyday that you find an artist who is so diverse in the subjects she writes about; from childhood to being a woman to rivers to science experiments, politics, the environment...all of the subjects I personally hold so dear.
From that day forth, she has been an inspiration in my life.
A few years ago, I was able to go see her in concert at the Orangepeel in Asheville. I. Was. So. Excited!!!! The guy I was dating at the time (he who shall not be named...little inside joke there), and I arrived extra early so that we could get a good seat. I was jumping up and down from anticipation and acting like a complete freak/stalker and he was complaining about the girls standing in front of us.
"They better sit down when Dar comes out!'
In my head I was thinking....Who does he think he is calling Dar Williams by her first name? I mean really! She's DAR WILLIAMS!
I ignored him...come to think of it, I did that a lot...hmmmmm...hindsight's 20 20.
But anyway. The crowd goes silent and she arrives on stage. I am taking in the moment when suddenly I hear "he who shall not be named" screaming at the girls in front of us because they haven't sat down yet...
I.Could Have Died.
And there was Dar Williams, a bit distracted and she heard him and asked him what was wrong.
"Don't you think it's rude Dar when you arrive early to a show and people come and stand in front of you blocking your view?"
There he was calling her by her first name again. Thoughts of murder were running through my mind....this was my idol. And he was ruining it!
But because she's Dar Williams, she simply exclaimed "It's only rude if the people who showed up early are upset by the ones who showed up later and stood in front of them..."
The girls immediately sat down and the show began.
It. Was Perfect.
There she was, singing all of the songs I knew and it was over much to soon. We were yelling and clapping and screaming "Encore! Encore!!!"
And she finally came back out.
Within the first note, I knew what song it was and I started jumping up and down. She was playing "The Babysitter's Here".
Oh. My. God! Incredible!!!
I looked over at "he who shall not be named" and....
The bastard was crying...
CRYING!!!!!
Seriously!
How selfish can one be to put me in the position of having to "take care" of him once again during a true historic moment in my life.
Did I mention he was a bastard?
But the concert came and went and it would be a few years until I had another chance to see my inspiration play once more.
That time came only a few weeks ago when my mom sent me (because she's awesome like that:) an email informing me that Dar Williams would be playing a show during Bele Chere this year...for free!!!! And outdoors!
Finding this out was like being told I would be able to go back in time and experience Woodstock '69.
Only better.
So Andrew and I immediately decided that we could not miss this show. I had to be there!
She was playing on a Friday night and I had to be at work early on Saturday but I knew it would be worth it. I mean. We're talking Dar Williams!!!!
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!
We drove to Asheville Thursday night and spent Friday morning and afternoon with my parents. Then we headed out to Downtown Asheville where the event was to take place. We walked around some. (I've always loved Bele Chere and I hadn't been in a few years and Andrew had never been so he was excited as well). We stopped by the booth I used to always work at during my more pronounced "hippy" days and I saw a friend of mine I used to work with. Then we headed to the stage.
A whole hour early.
What? I wanted to get a good spot.
We plastered ourselves directly in front of the stage and waited.
And waited......
And waited...................
I was starting to get a little antsy when I looked up and saw her.
There she was. On stage. Doing her own sound check (how cool is that?). And she was eating.
"Oh my God!!! Look Andrew she's eating! I got a picture of her eating!"
Did I mention I'm just a bit spastic?
Andrew just laughed and smiled at me because he's wonderful and he would have been the same way should it have been Jim James from My Morning Jacket eating right before his eyes.
I will just mention here, this normal everyday activity may not seem so exciting to a normal person.
I'm not normal.
And seeing Dar Williams chew her food right there in front of me was magical.
Simply magical.
Then the concert began...and let me just say.
Best. Concert. EVER!!!
She played every single one of my favorite songs, old and new and she was so great with the audience. She even took several requests. The kicker of it all was that she played "The Babysitter's Here" and when I looked over at Andrew....
HE WASN"T CRYING!
Because he.....IS NOT....a bastard:).
Other than this, my favorite part was when she strummed the first note of "When I Was A Boy" and I was taken back to being in that classroom once again, hearing her music and lyrics for the very first time. This woman was the whole reason I ever picked up a guitar in the first place.
And alas. Again. It was over much too soon.
I was grinning from ear to ear and bouncing up and down and I noticed a few people walking back stage. I looked at Andrew and we followed suit.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting but suddenly Dar Williams was standing right in front of our small group and asking us casually if we could walk around to the other side.
I was a zombie. I just followed and it was like watching everything around me in slow motion. The gate opened slowly and the security guard stepped out and said "Just don't crowd her." And this is when it hit me...
I was about to meet Dar Williams. My hero. My idol. My favorite-est "star" in the whole wide world.
I say this with complete elegance.....
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!!!!!!!!!"
Ahem.
I stood there shaking, trying to figure out exactly what I was going to say when Andrew, lovely fiance' that he is, stepped out and got her attention,
"Dar. I want you to meet your biggest fan Mary." (It's ok that Andrew called her by her first name because she and I were about to become best friends and start touring together anyway!)
I looked at her. She looked at me and she said "Nice to meet you Mary." And held out her hand.
I shook her hand and said......
"Bllehew hwhkksj dsahdksjaklkl;"......
Yeah....I couldn't tell you what that means either.
However she did seem to understand somehow that I wanted her autograph as I handed her a random piece of paper I had found in my purse in a nice, cave-man like manner.
I do remember spastic-ly asking her if I could have my picture taken with her and she said "Oh! Of course! Who's taking it?"
It took me a second to find Andrew because to be honest in the whole moment, I had forgotten anyone else was there....
But he was standing there waiting for the moment. I smiled my biggest smile and he took the picture.
I looked at Dar (remember...we're best friends now so I can call her that) and said "Thank you." And then....
I think I hugged her....
Yep. I'm pretty sure I did. (Sadly. I don't really remember....?) But yeah. I think I hugged her.
Did I mention how spastic I am?
When Andrew and I walked away (let's be honest...he walked, I skipped and jumped and acted like a 5 year old again screaming "I just met Dar Williams! I just met Dar Williams!".....can you say restraining order?....that poor girl...),But I knew I would never forget that moment.
Thank you Dar Williams for putting up with your fans...both normal and crazy. You truly are the best and we love you!!!!
Andrew and I awaiting the concert to begin.
Dar Williams eating!!!!! So exciting!!!
I love this shot! (Thanks Andrew for being the photographer during this ultra-cool event!)
The moment....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)