While writing this I'm chilling at the SeaTac Airport waiting on my late plane. Thank goodness I overpacked entertaining activities. I not only have to keep occupied for the 4 hour flight now but also for the 2-3 hours at the airport. Gotta love travel! :-)
Sometimes, even when you have time, do you just not feel like posting on your blog? I sat in front of a computer bored most of the day, yet I let posting til now. And, it's about not posting.
I had no ambition today. When you're just not feeling it, do you post something small and/or random? Or, do you just let the day slip away?
As you may or may not know about me, I'm not good at keeping in touch with people. I tend to get caught up in my day-to-day life. More often than not, people call me not I calling them. I think in addition to being wrapped up in myself - which I know is not a good quality - I hesitate at calling people out of fear of interrupting their life. Maybe fear is too strong of a word, but the people I reach out to most often are those whom I know their schedule or I can text confirmation that now is a good time to talk first.
That being said; there is a disconnect in this world - possibly but hopefully not just with me - where people just stop calling/writing/dropping by. I can think of three people instantaneously that have drifted away without notice or reason. Of those three people I know one made the last call to me. I didn't return it for whatever reason. He never called back. Now I don't think I even know his number. He was a colleague from a job who shared an office with me. It wasn't like we dated or were best friends, but he was a friend.
The other two that I'm referencing today puzzle me a bit more. One was a best friend and the other I did date. One week we're talking and/or hanging out and the next week nothing. This nothingness has continued for months. It's to a point that I'm assuming unless we cordially cross paths on a random street later in life the relationship is over. (Please note: I am not denying my role in any relationship, but confused in general on this concept.) Why would you end any relationship with just not talking again?
Has this process been used on anyone else? Have you called once, twice or so many times it's awkward just to give up assuming they'll call when they have a chance only to never hear from them again?
In today's day and age, how can you lose track of anyone? How can it be impossible to keep in touch, especially if that individual is reaching out initially to you?!? What with telephones at home, work and your pocket and computers also at home, work and everywhere else; I'm sure everyone has at least one number to be reached at and/or an email address. And heaven help us if those don't work; last time I checked we still had a US Postal Service which delivers HAND-WRITTEN mail to peoples' homes.
I again admit that I am the epitome of awful at keeping in touch, but I'm saddened by the relationships that have washed away with time and lack of communication and nothing more. It's hard enough to lose people to fights, death, change and every other reason that severs relationships, but to lose more simply because you never talk again leaves a person a little empty and questioning what happened.
Am I the only one to lose friends, colleagues, associates and such to nothingness, or have you to? Any thoughts to this phenomenon?
I'd love to tell you I'm here for a hot interview to add income back to my wilting bank accounts. Unfortunately, that's not the case. I'm here for loyalty and friendship. And, despite the fact that I've lived in Chicago for 7 years or so, this is not a trip for the Mob. :) A manager that I deeply respect asked me to help out at the center in Lynnwood for the week as they are very short-staffed. I can't tell Hilary no. She's the best, and so I'm here back in a glass box.
Other than all the hassle that goes with travel - which is always unavoidable - I'm having a great time. The hotel staff recommended a great place for dinner last night, and today my colleague gave the recommendation to just drive west. As simple as that seems, it was an awesome suggestion.
Last night's dinner was at a place called "The Rock." According to their menu, they have 6 locations in Washington. My geographical knowledge of the state is limited, so as to the other locations in relation to Seattle, I don't know.
The second full day that everyone was here we decided to do something Chicago but also action-packed. That goal lead Ty, Christine, Sami and I to Six Flags, Great America just north of Chicago.
The group needed to sleep in of course, but once we were all showered, fed, lunches packed and backpack packed full of the essentials, we piled into the Neon and headed north. Needless to say I didn't check traffic or construction, so a 45 minute drive took closer to an hour and a half. Don't worry though, the team was in good spirits and didn't whimper too much.
Once there we piled out and skipped the ticket lines. We had been smart enough to but the tickets online (buy 3 get 1 free!). First things first...I got the kiddies smiling at the viewing pool. With four people and a whole amusement park, it can be difficult at times to do what everyone wants. Again everyone was a team player though. We headed for the two-story carousel per Sami's request and followed it up with Superman. Wow! Those are two very different paced rides. I think the line was the worst at Superman. Sami wasn't too sure once strapped in and the seats folded back so we were in flying positions (staring at the ground). There was a bit of concern heading up the starting hill. The ride ended with her saying, "I was so scared I was crying, but I laughed too because it was so much fun!"
Sami was a trooper. We mixed the thrill rides with the more carnival rides. Christine and Ty even allowed for a few log rides. Despite the fact that we packed a lunch, we still splurged on ice cream, churros, pretzals, and cotton candy. Yum!
Everyone had a blast riding the variety of rides. Each of us is a full-blooded adrenaline junkie now, including Sam. Here are a few shots of the day...
The Friday after Sami arrived, we took her to "High School Musical" on Broadway in Chicago. It was a surprise that we had been planning for a little over a month. After our family vacation in Colorado, Sami stayed behind with our Aunt Helen, Uncle James and Cousin Lily. She was there for about a month having fun doing different things. They included learning how to catch honey bees, finding and returning a lost dog, ice skating, pottery making and making a home-movie cooking show.
Well, while I wasn't in competition with Helen and crew, the standards were set high for keeping Sami entertained. These are just a few shots of us wandering Chicago before and after the show which I think she LOVED. :)
Michelle, Sami and I drove in early to walk Michigan Avenue. Susan took the train after work and joined us for a fancy meal right across the street from the theatre. Then us fine ladies walked the city before driving home. I think it might have been the fanciest Friday night Sami has had yet.
Well, if you're wondering why I haven't posted in a while, it's not because I've disappeared on another blogging hiatus. My sister, Sami, flew in from Colorado two Tuesdays ago. We were hanging out with her quite a bit. Then, on the next Sunday, my sister, Christine and her boyfriend, Ty, came down to chill with us as well. So, for close to two weeks we've had house guests. And considering two of them were my sisters and I live with another sister, you can only imagine the chaos and enjoyment for all, including Ty and Susan - the non-blood members of the crazy Jackson Club.
My intentions are to post photos and blurbs about what we did for the last week or so to keep them entertained. This will not include the massive amounts of videos, Gilmore Girl episodes on DVD, or video game playing - just the fun stuff out of the house.
I have pulled all of the photos from my N95 already and organized them to a point. Now I need to decide if I'm going to edit any of them before uploading them to my web album. What do you think? Should I post them raw or pretty?
We'll see.
Sorry for not posting lately. My sisters are in town visiting, and finding time to be on the computer has been next to impossible to find. I'll be sure to fill this up with updates from our activities for the last week or so once I'm back in the swing of things.
