Popsie

Popsie is my grandfather, he's my father's step-dad. He's full-blooded Italian. Allegedly, his family stowed away on a ship from Sicily and jumped ship in New York Harbor. (I say allegedly because the only person we have to support this story is indeed Popsie himself who had not yet graced the world with his presence.) He's an interesting man. To use the term, "You just never know what he's going to say," does not even begin to explain some of the comments that have come from this man. He and Pearl (my grandmother, we call her Granny, not Pearl) moved in with my parents in October of 2003 from Baltimore, Maryland where he'd inhabited all of his days. He's a good man though. He married my grandmother, a widow with three young children many years ago. He is an interesting addition to our family. Most of Popsie's "words of wisdom" and "insights into our soul" come after dinner while we're still sitting around the table, although there are the rare moments when you are found trapped in a conversation that's going downhill quickly. While some of you've heard a few of the comments Popsie has shared with me (and others), I decided it was time to share them with the world, enjoy!

While at dinner on night Popsie looks at my mother and says (as if I'm not sitting at the table), "You know Becky, she has really nice hair if she's just brush it once in a while." To which I replied, "Well, sometimes I just get busy and it just takes too long. I mean it's windy outside, maybe I'll just have the wind blow through my hair."

Jodie and Ashley were visiting one weekend and Popsie asks, "Well, what I want to know is, when are you girls going to get married?" J and A said, "Well, we don't know, I guess we haven't found the right guy yet." Popsie replied, "You know I hear all these girls talk about waiting around for 'the one'...it will be dooms day before he comes! You need to find a guy who will marry you and get married. You know, a guy who won't beat you much."

Another weekend when Jodie was visiting Popsie cornered me downstairs (with Jodie listening at the top of the stairs) and said, "You know it's good to have friends but you have to be careful when you bring them home. Company is expensive. You have to feed 'em, clean up after 'em, they use your water...they're expensive."

A few years ago my parents gave my grandparents a new clock for their kitchen; however, the clock was a little bigger than their original one. Popsie's response to the clock was, "Won't it take it longer to go around because it's bigger?"

Popsie said the other night, "You know what they say, the older you get the wiser you are, and then you just get stupid. Well, I think I'm a little bit of both."

I would give you some sort of introduction but I did not receive one during the original conversation. Today at lunch Popsie said, "He was a musician. Used to sing that song (Popsie singing) 'I see you babe' you know 'I see you babe'. It was a big hit. He and his wife sang it. Then, he learned how to ski. Shame on him. He went skiing and never came back. Went off the side of a mountain. He was a singer, a senator and a comedian." And that is the true story of Sonny Bono.

Popsie was giving economic advice at the dinner table a few nights ago. He used to go to the track a lot when he was younger. He said, "These guys up there, they wouldn't have no food or money for rent. They'd spend it all. Not me. I never did that. I invested my money."

While there are MANY more comments Popsie has said throughout my life that have left me to wonder, just wonder, I believe this final one goes above and beyond what I ever dreamed possible. After finding out I am moving to Washington D.C. and telling me that now I can marry a senator (to which I nearly throw up after getting a vision of Strom Thurmond) Popsie continues by sharing something I believe each of us can learn from and take with us. He said, "Now all you have to do is do your work and don't mess witd anybodies. You get messed in witd the wrong people you know like the Mob they really mess you up and they'll kill ya, shoot you and won't think nothing about it."

I will leave you with those thoughts.

A Day That Will Live in Infamy...

When I applied for a summer internship at the White House (oh, by the way for those of you who don't know, I applied for a summer internship at the White House in March) I never dreamed it would be such a complicated process (meeting with heads of state, dinners at the WH, coffee with the twins...man are they crazy...oh and sleep-overs in the Lincoln Bedroom...all I gotta say is it was all OUT OF CONTROL...and all of you thought I was just working at home). The whole process of looking for a job/internship has been a difficult one (and one I will have to resume in just a month or two, but I've gotten ahead of myself).

A brief (well kind of, really it could be longer) synopsis of the torrid affair:

In April I realized it's difficult to get a position if the people offering them have not actually received your application (some sort of faxing mishap), so I was forced to reapply for the internship (now insert fall for summer in the first line). Months passed...literally...in July I have a phone interview with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives...just one month passes this time. While in Kentucky I received a call from The White House Drug Policy Office, the Drug Czar if you will. Brooke, an actual paid employee, asked if I would be interested in interning for their office. I explained the situation and then contacted the OFBCI.

Christopher, an actual paid OFBCI employee, responds to my email by saying that although he enjoyed talking with me and looking over my application all their internship positions were filled. Needless to say, I called Brooke back. On the 8th we do an "informal" interview over the phone and the waiting begins again...although at this point I see just how applicable the words Drug Czar are in everyday conversation (example: "Hey, how's it going?" Me-"Well, I'm good the White House called me today, yeah the Drug Czar's office..."...on Wednesday I receive a call from Annie at the Department of Commerce asking if I am interested in filing out their internship application...sure, what else do I have to do...it's completed Sunday. Monday I hear from Brooke again. She explains that they really like me in her office and are really interested in having me intern with them...writing opinion editorials, doing research and promoting their prevention programs...and they "will find a place for me in their office."

Word is now spread across this great land that the possibility is greater (often times possibility is left out and emphatic responses are given) that I will indeed move to Washington D.C. in the coming weeks and begin working for the Bush Administration (White House is again used in everyday conversation). Then, around 1:29PM today I receive a call (it was a message left on my phone) from Brooke, Drug Czar girl, who informs me that they "are having some issues with their internship program...and all the positions are seemingly full at the time". For about an hour and a half I just kind am in a bit of shock at my desk...my hopes and dreams are dashed. Then, the sounds of "Springtime" begin to ring through my cell phone...it's Annie...after asking me about my involvement in College Republicans (shout out to Sutton) she offers me the position in the Advancement Office for the Secretary of Commerce!!! Yeah.

Basically, the Secretary's domestic and international travel is in my hands now. I will begin after Labor Day. On the drive home from work I just screamed with excitement. Then, considered pulling over and jumping around on the side of the road only to remember that other cars were around me and could harm my person.

While it's not my dream job (anything with the word "unpaid" before it fails to qualify) it's pretty close to it, and above all else I know it's a miracle of God...Heather-He parted the sea again!

When the summer's through...

So, I've decided one post about every eleven days isn't so bad.

"Don't you just love New York in the Fall." I do...well at least I like Lawrenceville (or wherever I'm residing) in the fall. Jackets, hoodies, long-sleeves...I love them all! The good news is it's almost upon us.

One of the best things about the fall is school supplies. I know, this probably makes me a "certified dork" in the words of Justin Belsly, but so does having a blog (also words of Belz). It's true though...what other time of the year can you get a box of Crayola markers for 38 cents or (as is celebrated in the great state of Georgia) enjoy Tax Free Weekend? That's right my out-of-state friends....tax free meaning no sales tax.

(Sorry Tennessee friends. If tax free came to your state the entire economy would crumble...but hey at least you don't have to pay state tax...right? Yeah, I know you're still bitter that you pay the equivalent of a tithe to the church every time you buy People Magazine or a bottle of Coke. )

Tax Free Weekend is such a big deal here in the ATL that "live team coverage" is required on radio and television stations. (It's okay to laugh audibly, I did when I heard it on the radio.) Apparently people in Georgia don't realize this is only about 6% off given the item you're purchasing is not actually on sale.

This year though has not served to bring the same "Back to School Savings" I've enjoyed in the past. Much of this is due to the fact that I am not actually going back to school. It's true, for the first time in 17 years I will not make my pilgrimage to a classroom, instead I will fight through traffic every morning, make my way to good old T & L (work...for those of you unfamiliar with my current place of employment) and enjoy (my new addiction) two cups of coffee. Although, I am basically addicted to the chocolate flavored creamer used in my coffee (I'm okay with admitting it, although I refuse to seek help...I can quit any time I want). Yes friends, I enjoy the true half and half...that being half a cup of coffee with half a cup of chocolate creamer....So, I will amend my previous comment...I have one cup of coffee and one cup of creamer. This fall I will also await the arrival of "a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils" just to usher in the great season! (I think that's a pretty good hint for any of you desperately searching for something to send me.)

Those of you in love with summer can hold on to it for a couple of more weeks while the rest of us press on and fight the good fight until tank tops are replaced by hoodies and I can finally justify (based on weather conditions) to my friend's mom (I won't embarrass her by plastering her name across the internet) wearing the jean jacket I've worn all summer.

Wildcat Country

Currently I am residing in the great land of Kentucky, Morganfield to be exact. As many of you know, Jodie (my college roommate) just arrived home on Sunday from a summer doing Centrifuge. I had the privilege (mainly by asking) of going with her parents to pick her up. She had a great time (but now that she's back you can get updates from her directly, her cell number is....just kidding, this is the internet).

I always look forward to coming to this small (very small...did I mention it is small?) corner of the world. Sleep is only required because our days are so action packed with television watching, movie going and eating (oh you definitely eat at the Curtis').

One of the highlights of this trip is that we celebrated Jodie's birthday yesterday. Yes, she's 22. You people don't really realize the suffering I face from December to August. While I am only a few months older than Jodie, she reminds me throughout every month. Comments like, "I'm a spring chicken," to which I respond, "You're more like a spring rat," come at least once a month. So, I live for these next four (or so) months until the cycle of age sarcasm resumes.

Oh, the celebration. Well, Tuesday we went to dinner with Jodie's family and the neighbor ("the grazer") who frequents the Curtis house in search of food when his wife leaves him with Lean Cuisines. (His wife was gone again.) Yesterday though, we were found having little to no sense of moderation (for any of you who've had the privilege of living with us I know this comes as no surprise). First, we both got our hair cut. It worked out better for some than for others but is not horrible at all.

After the haircutting mishap (of sorts) we headed for the movies. For those of you unfamiliar with Morganfield (basically everyone) you must drive at least 30 minutes to see a movie, but typically 45. We did the 45 trip. Evansville, Indiana was our home for most of the day yesterday. We saw four movies (yes I did say four). Between the hours of 11:50 am to 9:30 pm (with the exception of commuting time and a brief stop at Olive Garden for lunch where I did indeed have them sing to Jodie in spite of the fact we were the only two there) we were in the theater. The playlist included Must Love Dogs, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Madagascar and Batman Begins. All were good, however, the highlight of Madagascar was the fact that we took the cake from Olive Garden in hidden in Jodie's purse and ate it with plastic ware from the Garden.

Upon arrival to Jodie's house we enjoyed what was left of her birthday cake (half was given to the neighbors and her brother, who'd already left) and Jodie opened presents. The gift opening was a bit different given her parents didn't so much have her anything so they wrapped things from around the house. Yes, a picture of a deer that her dad won at some golf tournament (not too much of a prize if you ask me), stationary that her mom received for doing a shower and a candle from the "re-gift" drawer that had a tag hanging off that said "thank you". (I would like to note at this point that gifts were received from friends and she will be going shopping with her parents for her birthday.)

Today we are headed for another adventure. The Pasta House at the mall in Paducah is apparently calling our name (although the voice sounds strangely like Kari Barnhart's...people love seeing their full name on the internet).

A brief update: the wait is still on in the job/internship market, I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.