Study Buddies

I rediscovered the UOP library this weekend. The desks are configured a bit differently than they were 7 years ago, but there was something really comforting about going to my "usual" study spot on the 2nd floor. And unlike 7 years ago, I now have wireless internet and text messaging to keep me connected to the "outside" while I get my study on.

Giving In

Guess who has a photo credit on the front page of The Pacifican?

Yes, that would be me; the girl who adamantly refused to be associated with the publication as an undergrad has a "photo courtesy of" cutline in this week's edition. What can I say? 6 years have softened my feelings of animosity.

What year is this again?

Twice this week I saw a girl on campus wearing a giant hot pink wrap, leg warmers, and high heels. Is this a desperate cry for attention or is this really an acceptable form of fashion again.

P.S. On Wednesday the leg warmers were gray, today they were off white. Clearly I'm just jealous that I can't pull off leg warmers. You know I would totally be digging that if I could!

Lucky

I'm sitting at my desk looking out the window at a beautiful redish/purple puffy-clouded sunset. The carillon (bells) are signaling that it's time for me to head home for the evening. It's good to be back at Pacific.

Not Last and Sommer's the Bomb!

Triathlon in a nutshell (for more detail and pics see www.myspace.com/beckyperry)

1. FACT: Did not come in last!
2. Sommer is the bombest sister and friend ever who has mad tire changing skills, except when the tire is totally jacked.
3. Sommer is my hero.
4. Did not come in last!
5. Doing it again this Sunday

Woop! Woop!

Goooo Kevin!!!

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071005/A_NEWS/710050336

Check it out! This was the very first "wish kid" that Justin and I visited. He actually wished for a braille laptop with a GPS system - I'm assuming that it's the same GPS he used to help him on his climb. Hooray!

Crazy Feats of Athleticism - Part Deux

Swimming! Biking! Running! I have approx 2.5 hours of these activities awaiting me tomorrow morning as I undertake my 2nd triathlon - the Tri Girl Tri event in Napa. Unfortunately, between school, work, and teaching there hasn't been a lot of time to train, so I'm a tad anxious. My amazing sister Sommer (who has also been crazy busy with school and student teaching) suggested we shine the event and go shopping instead (a very appealing idea), but we decided to stick it out and show this triathlon who's boss!!!!

(More to come on whether we actually do that or whether we end up wimpering like little girls at the finish line.)

Owned By the Man

That's how I feel about my work life sometimes.

But, I have this little gem at my work station to make me smile:
"Once I am officially regional manager, my first order of business will be to demote Jim Halpert. So I will need a new number two. My ideal choice? Jack Bauer. But he is unavailable. Fictional. And overqualified."
--Dwight K. Schrute

Hey Office fans, it's Thursday! Holla!

Hey a Movie!

Justin and I enjoyed last year's backyard movie night so much that we decided to save up and buy our own "movie night" equipment. With a little help from our friends at Ebay, we now have our very own 9x12 inflatable movie screen a and state of the art dvd player/projector.

We held an informal screening of "The Guardian" this evening with our good friend Nancy, our buddy Brian and his son Levi. It got a little chilly in the backyard, but there are certainly fun times ahead for our little theater!

Next up on the schedule, a TBD showing of The Goonies and a possible Halloween-related flick. Want an invite? Just ask! The Perry Playhouse is open to all!

It's Official

My brain cannot hold any more information.

I'm serious. Nothing else will fit in there.

So I sit here blankly while a huge project deadline looms over me.

Ack!!!

P.S. This post was edited from its orignal condition due to a GLARING grammatical error derived from my overly wrought brain.

Sweet Trinity

Part of volunteering for an organization like Make a Wish is the sad reality that the kids you are working with have serious medical issues.

A few months ago I wrote about sweet little Trinity who we helped with her wish for a backyard playset. Sadly, Trinity passed away a few days ago after undergoing a third surgery to correct her heart defect. Despite my sorrow at the loss of such an amazing and beautiful little girl, I can say with confidence that she now has a perfect body that can run and jump and play with no limitations and I'm sure that she's up there giving someone a run for their money.

I can't imagine what her family must be going through right now, but I do feel very blessed that I had the opportunity to know her and be a small part of her life.

A watched pot never boils . . .

. . . and similarly, a watched cell phone never rings.

Patience is elusive when you are waiting for a call to come and change your circumstances.

New Phone!

I finally got a new cell phone. The old one bit the dust the other day when I dropped it for like the 1,000th time coming out of work. I love my new phone. It's red. It's shiny. It has a really big colorful screen. But, despite all the love I feel, there are certain nuances that require some adjustment. For example, the space bar on this phone is one key over from what I am used to when texting. This means that I am constantly erasing the plus signs that result when I push the wrong button. ARGH!

I also need a new ringtone. Any fun ideas?

Old, but funny

Because you're never too old to protect yourself from robots.

It's Coming . . .

Two weeks from tonight!

Amazing . . .

. . . that Justin and I have been married for 5 years.

Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen

And I do.
Liberally.
Which is why I came away from a weekend in blazing hot/humid Anaheim area burn-free. I'm glad I finally gave up the dream of being tan. Consider me flying the sunscreen flag - staying UV free and proud!

Back to School

My grad school classes started last night. The professor of my Intro. to Graduate Seminar class, Dr. Dong, was my faculty advisor during my undergraduate years at Pacific. Walking into the WPC - one of the big classroom buildings on campus - was a surreal experience. It's been six years, but some things never change.

Oh, and goodbye social life for the next two years. Grad School is going to be more work than I thought.

It's Not About the Bike (Except When It Is)

I did my first triathlon on Saturday morning - a super sprint in preparation for a sprint distance in October. During this feat of athleticism I discovered that my mountain bike basically sucks when it comes to speed and distance. I must have gotten passed by 30 people (at least). Totally humbling. But, all in all it was a great first effort and I exceeded my expectations and my time goal, so that's all that matters!

Read more about this and see pics of my 10-year high school reunion at www.myspace.com/beckyperry. If you don't have a myspace - get one! It's how all the cool kids keep in touch.

Swim! Bike! Run!

Thanks to some forceful encouragement from my boss, and a need for some "real" training before my sprint triathlon in October, I decided to sign up for a super-sprint triathlon. The distances for each event aren't too long and it'll give me some much-needed practice in transitioning between the swim, the bike, and the run.

I'm nervous! It's my first open water swim and my first time actually "racing" on a bike! I DESPERATELY don't want to come in last. The cool thing: it's on Saturday - the same day as my high school reunion. So, barring injury or disqualification, I can attend my reunion as a "tri-athlete." Woo hoo!

On Second Thought . . .

My next plane ride will be sooner than anticipated. I'll be flying into Long Beach on Saturday, September 1st for the Disneyland Half Marathon. I'm super excited - I just wish I'd actually been training for it.

Dreams (not the Cranberries song)

In the past month I have had at least two dreams where I've either been involved in/or witnessed an airplane crash. Already a nervous flyer, this makes me even less excited to get on a plane - fortunately no flights scheduled in the near future.

I decided to look up "airplane" in one of those online dream dictionaries. This is what it said:

To dream that a plane crashes, suggests that you have set overly high and unrealistic goals for yourself. Your goals may be too high and are impossible to realize. You are in danger of having it come crashing down. Alternatively, your lack of confidence, self-defeating attitude and self-doubt toward the goals you have set for yourself is represented by the crashing airplane; you do not believe in your ability to attain those goals. Loss of power and uncertainty in achieving your goals are also signified.

Sadly, this is strangely accurate and says a lot about what my subconscious is feeling about some recent job changes. Although I have to wonder; where did the research of dreams come from? Is it at all accurate or is it on the same level as astrology?

No Fences

"Jim didn't think in terms of boundaries at all the way the rest of us do. There are always these fences we build around ourselves and our ideas. Jim seemed to have no fences."

--Jon Stone speaking about Jim Henson

"I believe in taking a positive attitude toward the world, toward people, and toward my work. I think I'm here for a purpose. I think it's likely that we all are, but I'm only sure about myself."

--Jim Henson

Pandora's Box

Last week I got moved out of my cozy under-the-radar office in the back of The Record's Circulation Department to new digs (a desk) right outside the Circulation Director's Office. (The jury's still out on whether or not this really was a promotion . . .)

So not the point though.

The point is that this change resulted in an amazing new discovery on my part. You see, my boss highly recommended the MSN Pandora music player. For those of you as clueless as I was, Pandora is a free service where you can type in your favorite music artist and they will start streaming music not only from that musician, but from others that have a similar sound.

IT IS SO AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

For the past few days I have been streaming Switchfoot radio, which gave me some great indie, punk, rock selections. Today, for a nice girl-power, self-esteem boosting change, I typed in one of my favorite pop artists (who I refuse to name out of embarrassment). Cough, Hilary Duff, Cough Cough.

The coolest part of all this is that you get to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to each selection. This helps the music player format even further to your musical tastes. The only bad thing is giving a thumbs up to a song that you know is abysmal, but still love it anyway.

For example, a few minutes ago I gave a thumbs up to a Britney Spears song. For a moment I felt like there could be a programmer in an office somewhere judging me.

Wishes Do Come True!

Hope. Strength. Joy.

The purpose of the Make a Wish Foundation is to provide hope, strength, and joy to kids with life threatening or debilitating illnesses. I have been really lucky to have aligned myself with this awesome organization for the last 3 years. Over the weekend we started a new chapter in San Joaquin County history. Our first Make a Wish radiothon!

For the better part of two days we took over the airwaves of Kat Country 103 in Modesto. I heard stories that made me weep and met tons of amazingly strong wish kids and their families who have been through hell and back. Lauren is 18 and in remission from Leukemia. She is gorgeous and had her wish granted live on air. She left for New York City on Monday and gets to spend 4 fabulous days shopping, sightseeing, and living it up on Broadway! I met Diego who has osteo-something-or-other, a type of cancer that has affected his growth and bone development His wish? Hot wheels! Then there's Gianna who actually gave her wish to the family of the little boy whose donated liver made it possible for her to live. And these are only a few of the stories!

After all was said and done we raised over $90,000, had 10 calls from prospective volunteers, heard from a mom who wants to fundraise at her child's school, had a business offer to sponsor a wish, and got tons of awareness around the Central Valley! I feel so fortunate to have found an organization that I am passionate about and where I can see firsthand what my work is doing. In fact, this Saturday I will be taking 8-year-old Isaac on a shopping spree to Toys R' Us. So you see, wishes do come true!

(Oh, and I got to spend the weekend hanging out with Kitty Cougar. She rocks!)

www.makeawish.org

Ridiculous Optimism

I like to consider myself a happy and optimistic person. I usually take things in stride and find delight in simple things. Unfortunately though, I've noticed that when things happen that don't fit with my plans, my perception tends to skew on the negative. I also get strangely passive aggressive and become highly cynical. Weird. Part of me does it because it's funnier than just passively accepting something that I can't change.

A good friend bought me an awesome book for my birthday. It's called "Before You Leap: A frog's-eye view of life's greatest lessons" and is "written" by my hero, one Kermit T. Frog. Here are a few pearls of wisdom that caused me to stop and re-adjust my attitude.

"I believe that we form our own lives, that we create our own reality and that everything works out for the best. I know I drive some people crazy with what seems to be ridiculous optimism, but it has always worked for me."

"Life is great. But without the bad times, we wouldn't know the difference."

and my favorite . . .
"Always be happy. When people are in a bad mood, the last thing they want to do is hang around with happy people." :)

The world would be a better place if we all thought like Kermit!

Why do they do that?

I don't understand when restaurant servers take mental notes of my order. Am I supposed to be impressed? When you are the type of person that has a lot of variables to their order, you want the server taking copious notes.

Never having worked in the food service industry, perhaps I am unaware of the strategy or reasoning behind this practice.

Please enlighten me.

Ch-Ch-Changes

I've decided that I really like change as long as I like the change that is occurring.

Other than that, change sucks.

Bad Blogger

Well, I have come to the conclusion that I am a bad blogger. I love to read other blogs, but have a very difficult time sitting down and committing to my own.

So, for anyone out there who actually checks in on my blog on a semi-regular basis. SORRY! I'll try to update a little more regularly from now on!

My Super Soul Sucking Sixteen

From ew.com's Popwatch blog in reference to MTV's launch of a website for aspiring "My Super Sweet Sixteen" fameseekers:

"I don't know about you, PopWatchers, but for some reason, I cannot bring myself to click on any of the buttons on the My Super Sweet 16 site. Deep down, I can't shake the fear that I'll open a giant portal to hell on my computer screen, get sucked into a flaming pit, and spend eternity as a foot-servant for one of these pampered, fork-tongued teen-beasts. -- Michael Slezak, ew.com

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

I must confess I have tuned into this trainwreck in the name of television on several occasions, but only because I was looking for The Hills or Made. Much higher quality right? Who's with me?

Update to Observations and Tangents

Well, I reviewed three senior projects last week and was incredibly disappointed. The first girl did hers on becoming a bakery chef. She created a concoction called "Dirt." The recipe for which included vanilla pudding, crushed oreos, and gummy worms all mixed together in a flower pot. Now, I don't fancy myself the cooking/baking expert, but I don't think any of the above ingredients actually require BAKING. Not to mention that the rest of the sub-2 minute presentation didn't appear to have involved any research or effort.

The best of the three presentations was about the life and times of Tupac. The presenter used a tri-fold presentation board with uneven lettering and poorly cut out Internet photos as his "visual aid."

Who will take care of me in my old age?

Observations and Tangents

Thanks to my job at The Record I have paid many visits to elementary, middle, and high school classrooms to do presentations on the newspaper. One consistency I have found in every single classroom is that there is never a clock with the correct time. I have a difficult time understanding how kids (or speakers for that matter) are supposed to keep track of class time without a properly functioning timepiece. It is very disconcerting. Do they just wait for the bell to ring? Does the teacher have to wear a watch? After so many hours in such close proximity are they all functioning on the same internal clock? I don't know the answer, but I do know that it is very problematic if I forget my watch.

On a related note:
Tomorrow I get to sit on a panel to review high school senior project presentations. Let it be known that I LOVE high schoolers (and junior highers for that matter), so I cannot wait to hear what creative things they come up with.

On an additional related note:
I chaired the Lodi Chamber scholarship committee a few weeks ago. We met with six AMAZING high school seniors and were forced to narrow down our choice to three. It's so much fun to see these kids at the cusp of their futures . . . and to wonder if any of them will actually end up in their chosen field after 4-5 years of college.

Tangential Path #1:
Speaking of futures. Back when Sommer was graduating high school and Justin and I were graduating college we used to joke that the favorite question at friends/family get-togethers was "so, what are your plans for after high school/college." We always thought it would be funny to make up some really grandiose or complex answer that would get us off the hook. I had an intern this semester who did exactly that. Her response was "I want to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company."

Hmm.

Can't really compete with that.

I asked her to give me a job.

Professor Perry

I got the graduate assistantship I applied for at UOP, so I get to teach a section of public speaking next semester at UOP.

I

AM

SO

EXCITED!

Don't Make Me Hate You This Summer (at the movies edition)

Special Thanks to Entertainment Weekly for following refresher:

With the summer movie season in full swing, it's a good time to review proper movie theater etiquette:

1) No matter how bad the movie is, no one wants to hear you talk through it.
If you go to the bathroom during the film, you are allowed one 5-second recap upon your return. If you can't hear it or don't "get it," sorry.

2) Try not to laugh when a fellow audience member yells out something funny. You will only encourage him.

3) If you show up after the previews have begun, you've forfeited your right to ask someone — especially an elderly person — to move seats so your six-person party can sit together.

4) While we appreciate you leaving your seat to make that call on your cellphone, we can still hear you if you're standing inside the theater doors. Step outside.

5) If you're one of only a few people in a theater, do not sit directly in front of one of them. Even in stadium seating.

6) Do not spend five minutes looking through your bag for something after the movie starts. It's dark. You're not going to find it.

7) Open the candy quickly. Yes, it will be loud, but only for a second. As opposed to what happens if you try to do it slowly. And you make noise anyway. And your friends feel the need to laugh at you.

--My own personal additions

8) If it is occupied, under no circumstances should your foot come in contact with the chair in front of you. Chair kickers are the worst!

9) Do not bring your small child or baby to a late night showing of any film. There's nothing worse than having an epic film or summer blockbuster ruined by crying, incessant chatter/whining, or frolicking in the aisles.
(Clearly I'm not a mom yet.)

Anything I missed? Have fun at the movies this summer!

RIP Big Red

Justin's loyal Ford Ranger was the innocent victim of a traffic incident on Tuesday.

The Ranger sustained fatal injuries.

Justin's were less serious, but still got him an exciting ambulance ride to the emergency room at Dameron.

We mourn the loss of our red friend.

The driveway doesn't look the same without him in it.

The Library

I love to read.

Unfortunately, you would never know it because I make so little time in my life for recreational reading.

When I was a kid I would check out stacks of books from the Yuba County Library, so excited at the prospects that awaited me there.

I rediscovered that excitement yesterday at the Cesar Chavez branch of the San Joaquin County Library. Sure, I'd been there before. I even have my own library card. But it is very rare that I remember it as an option.

Needless to say, I totally geeked out at the library. My first stop was the children's side. A little embarrassing for a grown woman to check out a book over there, but I had been longing to revisit an old favorite by Louisa May Alcott. (Not Little Women.) I also stopped by the main library to pick up The Kite Runner. (I know, I know, I'm a little late coming to the table on this one.)

The best part is - they were free! And now I have poolside reading material for my cruise this weekend. Hooray!

Mix Tapes

I just have to share my great love of the mix tape (CD doesn't have the same ring to it), a process much expediated by fabulous "new" technology from itunes.

Thanks to my amazing sister Som (she of the aforementioned leopard print ballet flats) and the always-helpful itunes I now have a plethora of stellar songs for the road trip preceding Nancy and I's cruise adventure in Mexico.

Just a few of my road trip picks (in no particular order):
1. My Lovin (Never Gonna Get it) - En Vogue
2. Motownphilly - Boyz II Men
3. In da Club - 50 Cent
4. I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
5. Interstate Love Song - Stone Temple Pilots
6. Groove is in the Heart - Deelite
7. California - Phantom Planet
8. This Ain't a Scene (It's an Arms Race) - Fall Out Boy
9. Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
10. Ain't Goin' Down Til the Sun Comes Up - Garth Brooks
And quite possibly . . . a selection by favorite tween queen Hilary Duff.

With the possible exception of the STP song, somewhere out there my dear friend Chris is dying inside.

Kermit is NOT Sad

Kermit is not SAD. A little pensive maybe, but sad . . . no.

Poser Doughnuts

The other night, on the way back from a bike ride to the gym, Justin decided he needed to stop for a snack at Krispy Kreme. Little did we know they now have a "healthy" alternative.

The Whole Wheat Glazed Doughnut.

This "healthy" little treat packs an artery-friendly 180 calories/11 grams of fat. As opposed to the regular glazed donut which weighs in at 200 calories/12 grams of fat.

I must say (with complete and utter sarcasm), that the 20-calorie difference would really make me feel a whole lot better about myself.

People! Don't fall for the marketing lies. Know your doughnut nutrition facts before indulging in a lackluster, pseudo-healthy, poser doughnut experience. It's only 20 calories, so go for the full-fat options with gusto!

But of course I don't eat doughnuts.

Only carrots.

And celery.

And the occasional ice cube.

Goodbye Lil' Buddy

(In the good 'ol days.)


Well, the inevitable finally happened.

After 1 year, 10 months, and 13 days together, our goldfish Binky left us for that giant fishbowl in the sky.

Binky was a good little goldfish, far surpassing our expectations of him. We gave him such a throwaway moniker because we didn't anticipate he and his partner Winky lasting more than a few weeks in our new fish tank. They surprised us all. From Winky's suicide attempt back in the Summer of 2005, through a move to a new home, through countless forgotten feedings and long vacations, we have been a family.

So, we say goodbye to you Binky. Thanks for being our pet. Now we flush.

Binky Perry
5/14/05 - 3/27/07
Binky was preceeded in death by his cousins Mr. Sucky and Mr. Sucky 2. He is survived by his brother Winky.

I can see my toes!!!

I can't tell you how excited I've been about this recent turn in the weather! I've actually gone hose-less these past two days for work. I'm sure my co-workers' retinas are less than pleased with this new development.

Look at my fun pink toes. Yay for spring! :)

And the winner is . . .

I had the opportunity to stretch my brain a little bit last Friday night as a member of Team Record in the Library and Literacy Foundation's annual Trivia Bee.

For my first time out at "the Bee," I think we did an excellent job, coming in 6th out of 39 teams. The theme was "California Dreamin'" and the highlight of the night was the Veronica Mars-themed question. Only one of my favorite shows EVER! I'm happy to report that ours was probably the only one in the field of teams to answer that question correctly.

See, watching excessive amounts of TV does pay off!*

Fortunately I was joined by teammates Jack Jacobs and Phyllis Orosco who more than helped carry us to our almost-victory.

*As a sidenote: I've totally been weaning myself off TV the past couple of months. I've actually let several episodes of Lost, Prison Break, 24, and Veronica Mars pile up in my Media Center. I'm gearing up for the fall when I won't be able to watch due to Grad School. (Fingers crossed that UOP lets me back in!)

Monterey!

Earlier this month, we had the chance to spend the weekend in Monterey with our good friends Ryan and Freida Child. We hit the coast with them a few years ago for a now infamous whale watching trip. This trip wasn't nearly as eventful, but we still had a great time relaxing by the ocean. And of course hitting up our favorite Italian restaurant in Carmel - Little Napoli - now in an even bigger and better location!

Starbucks - How I Miss Thee!

So . . . I gave up Starbucks for Lent.

I'm not sure if sharing that information negates the whole point of the Lenten sacrifice, but I'm having a moment of weakness and I felt the need to blog.

It's been nearly three weeks since I enjoyed my last Starbucks Iced Chai Latte and Lemon Scone. (Which I have capitalized because of it's extreme level of deliciousness.) I've almost given up my quest on more than one occasion; justifying my failure with the following excuses:

a) I'm not Catholic, so it doesn't count anyway.
b) God doesn't really care if I go to Starbucks.
c) To heck with sacrifice! I really deserve a little Starbucks comfort food today.

Fortunately I am strong and I have perservered in my abstinence. I don't believe that participating in Lent makes me a better Christian, but I do feel that a little sacrifice in the name of Jesus (even something as simple as my twice a week Starbucks habit) will allow God to shower His blessings upon me in a greater way.

And so I labor on. For another 4 LONG weeks.

P.S. This is nothing like the year Justin and I gave up starches! You'd be amazed at just how many things contain starch.

Madam Chairperson

I am the chair of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce School Relations Committee. I only mention this because at today's meeting a really exciting thing happened.

They gave me a gavel.

I actually felt giddy with power.

Everything but the bathroom sink

Our cute kitten Zippy recently found a new hang out spot. Yesterday I came into the bathroom to wash my hands and discovered this:

Best Sister EVER!

I got the greatest package in the mail this week.

Super fun leopard print ballet flats!

Courtesy of my favorite sister Som.

Hold Music

I'm listening to some really good "on-hold" music waiting for someone to take my call at Barnes and Noble.

I wish I knew who it was.

It sounds like Frou Frou.

Blogs are fun!

First Post

I hearby dedicate this first post to my sarcastic superhero friend Chris.

Because he is the only one that will read it.

:)