This has kind of been a long, tiring and stressful month.
Broken vehicles, broken laptop, sick goats, medical mishaps, a pack of rampant coyotes, and a bunch of other things have all added up to where we're all exhausted. And next month doesn't look too much better - with Independence Day(4th), the one-year anniversaries of the passing of Skeet(8th) and Sunny(11th), and the three-year anniversary of Sport's passing(17th). And school starts early this year, on the 28th.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Wish I was in D.C.
This time three years ago, I was exploring around the monuments and museums of our nation's capital. It was part of Youth Tour, and our group met up in Oklahoma City on a Friday afternoon to get started.
We got to this hotel where we were all going to stay the night, got registered, and then sat nervously chatting with our parents or observing our fellow travelers while our parents talked to people they knew. Then there were a couple of meetings to sit through and a fancy banquet and posed group photos, all of which were a little awkward and uncomfortable for everybody. We started talking later that night, getting to know each other, and attempting to puzzle out which counties were covered by which co-ops.
The next day, we woke up bright and early, dressed in our matching T-shirts(an old lady commented that we looked like a bunch of penguins), and set off for the airport, where we then nervously went through security and took a quick course in alphabetization of last names. It was a good way to meet people, like Adam, Tauri, Brandi, Aubrey and Lorene. Once we landed in Baltimore, we explored the Harbor, sampled new restaurants that we'd never heard of(like Five Guys), and marveled at all the trees. On getting to D.C. we saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the WWII Memorial, and a statue of Albert Einstein. When we finally got to our hotel(which was FANCY), a bunch of us immediately got in minor trouble for being too loud. There was a piano there in the lobby, and Tosh started playing it, and the rest of us naturally started singing along as soon as we figured out what she was playing. Fun memory.
On Sunday we toured Arlington Cemetery, which was a somber experience, but important. From there we went to the Smithsonian campus, hustling around to see what we could. Will, Brendan, Chrystal, Claire and I examined the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History and were thoroughly confused by what we saw of the Art Museum. We also nearly walked into a gay parade, were sidetracked by PETA advocates(with hilarious results) and merrily iaywalked across busy streets. Some highlights of what I saw included Kermit the Frog, Dorothy's ruby slippers, the flag that flew over Fort McHenry(inspiring Francis Scott Key to pen "The Star-Spangled Banner"), and the Hope Diamond. Our buses then took us to a dinner theater where we saw a musical production of Happy Days, and then back to the hotel to watch the Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
On Monday we attended a meeting with all the other states, took pictures of the White House, ate at Hard Rock Cafe, toured Madame Toussad's wax museum and went to Union Station for a bit(got lost for a bit there) before going for a boat cruise/dance on the impossible-to-pronounce Potomac River. Most of us snapped pictures and compared accents with Minnesotans when we weren't hiding in the corner or swapping pins and stickers.
Tuesday had us going to Mount Vernon(which was cool, but we disliked the tour guide), the Iefferson Monument and the Newseum. Had some bus trouble, as one broke down and the other got kind of lost trying to find us, which delayed our getting to the Marines' Sunset Parade. And it started raining. Like, pouring. Here we were stranded on the side of the highway a thousand miles from home in a massive city, which definitely wasn't in the plans. So we played Ninja to kill time, which was great, and a handful of us were tagged as "the Spider-Monkeys" due to our playing style. (Me, Aubrey, Agatha and Maty).
Wednesday we were shown around the Capitol building and we also saw the Holocaust museum before going shopping and looking around Ford's Theatre.
Thursday most of our Senators and Congressmen spoke to us for a bit and answered our questions, and then it was time to go back to Baltimore to explore the Orioles' home park before getting back on the plane and heading home. Our flight was delayed about an hour due to bad weather, so we passed the time by playing word-games and find-the-stick-figure hiding in the magazine pages.
Once we got home, I wrote a recap of the trip, which was printed in the next month's issue of Oklahoma Living magazine(link can be found here). Some of us met up last summer for a reunion, it was neat to see folks again. And then a couple more of us were interviewed for an Oklahoma Living article on college survival last March, which was a really neat experience. (That story can be found here.)
There's so much I could keep writing, but most people, not having gone on Youth Tour, would get a little bored by my ramblings. So I'll just sum up by saying this: It truly was the experience of a lifetime, and I loved being a part of it. Wish I was there. maybe someday I might get to return to some of those sights we saw.
We got to this hotel where we were all going to stay the night, got registered, and then sat nervously chatting with our parents or observing our fellow travelers while our parents talked to people they knew. Then there were a couple of meetings to sit through and a fancy banquet and posed group photos, all of which were a little awkward and uncomfortable for everybody. We started talking later that night, getting to know each other, and attempting to puzzle out which counties were covered by which co-ops.
The next day, we woke up bright and early, dressed in our matching T-shirts(an old lady commented that we looked like a bunch of penguins), and set off for the airport, where we then nervously went through security and took a quick course in alphabetization of last names. It was a good way to meet people, like Adam, Tauri, Brandi, Aubrey and Lorene. Once we landed in Baltimore, we explored the Harbor, sampled new restaurants that we'd never heard of(like Five Guys), and marveled at all the trees. On getting to D.C. we saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the WWII Memorial, and a statue of Albert Einstein. When we finally got to our hotel(which was FANCY), a bunch of us immediately got in minor trouble for being too loud. There was a piano there in the lobby, and Tosh started playing it, and the rest of us naturally started singing along as soon as we figured out what she was playing. Fun memory.
On Sunday we toured Arlington Cemetery, which was a somber experience, but important. From there we went to the Smithsonian campus, hustling around to see what we could. Will, Brendan, Chrystal, Claire and I examined the Air and Space Museum, the Museum of Natural History and were thoroughly confused by what we saw of the Art Museum. We also nearly walked into a gay parade, were sidetracked by PETA advocates(with hilarious results) and merrily iaywalked across busy streets. Some highlights of what I saw included Kermit the Frog, Dorothy's ruby slippers, the flag that flew over Fort McHenry(inspiring Francis Scott Key to pen "The Star-Spangled Banner"), and the Hope Diamond. Our buses then took us to a dinner theater where we saw a musical production of Happy Days, and then back to the hotel to watch the Dallas Mavericks beat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
On Monday we attended a meeting with all the other states, took pictures of the White House, ate at Hard Rock Cafe, toured Madame Toussad's wax museum and went to Union Station for a bit(got lost for a bit there) before going for a boat cruise/dance on the impossible-to-pronounce Potomac River. Most of us snapped pictures and compared accents with Minnesotans when we weren't hiding in the corner or swapping pins and stickers.
Tuesday had us going to Mount Vernon(which was cool, but we disliked the tour guide), the Iefferson Monument and the Newseum. Had some bus trouble, as one broke down and the other got kind of lost trying to find us, which delayed our getting to the Marines' Sunset Parade. And it started raining. Like, pouring. Here we were stranded on the side of the highway a thousand miles from home in a massive city, which definitely wasn't in the plans. So we played Ninja to kill time, which was great, and a handful of us were tagged as "the Spider-Monkeys" due to our playing style. (Me, Aubrey, Agatha and Maty).
Wednesday we were shown around the Capitol building and we also saw the Holocaust museum before going shopping and looking around Ford's Theatre.
Thursday most of our Senators and Congressmen spoke to us for a bit and answered our questions, and then it was time to go back to Baltimore to explore the Orioles' home park before getting back on the plane and heading home. Our flight was delayed about an hour due to bad weather, so we passed the time by playing word-games and find-the-stick-figure hiding in the magazine pages.
Once we got home, I wrote a recap of the trip, which was printed in the next month's issue of Oklahoma Living magazine(link can be found here). Some of us met up last summer for a reunion, it was neat to see folks again. And then a couple more of us were interviewed for an Oklahoma Living article on college survival last March, which was a really neat experience. (That story can be found here.)
There's so much I could keep writing, but most people, not having gone on Youth Tour, would get a little bored by my ramblings. So I'll just sum up by saying this: It truly was the experience of a lifetime, and I loved being a part of it. Wish I was there. maybe someday I might get to return to some of those sights we saw.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Fill in the Blanks Quiz
The following is one of those fill-in-the-blanks quizzes that used to be so popular as Facebook quizzes a couple years ago. You take your phone or some other music-playing device(in this case, Pandora), and use the song titles as the answers to the questions. Posting because I'm kind of out of ideas for interesting reads.
1 - If somebody asks if you're okay, you say...
"Out of Summertime" - Scotty McCreery.
Strange answer.
2 - How would you describe yourself?
"Moments" - Emerson Drive.
Hmm....it's a great story song, anyway.
3 - What do you like in a girl?
"Draw Me Close" - Kutless.
"Frowns in thought"...this is a sadly appropriate answer to this question, which is why most of modern Christian music is terrible.
4 - What is your life's purpose?
"You're Gonna Miss This" - Trace Adkins.
Don't quite understand how this could work as a life's purpose, but that was the song that came up, so...
5 - What's your life motto?
"Another One Bites the Dust" - Queen.
If that's supposed to be my life motto, then I'll attach a Henry Ford quote onto it: "Success is the progression of going from one failure to the next without losing any of your enthusiasm."
6 - What do your friends think of you?
"So Small" - Carrie Underwood.
All right...
7 - What do your parents think of you?
"Jump" - Van Halen.
This is one of those answers that doesn't make any sense, no matter how hard you struggle to invent a reasonable explanation.
8 - What do you often think about?
"Letters From Home" - John Michael Montgomery.
When in Tahlequah at school, yes, actually.
9 - If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
"Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey.
I'll take it. But how, exactly, are faith and determination superpowers?
10 - What is your life story?
"I Can't Go There" - Kenny Chesney.
Makes sense as an answer. And this song has been stuck in my head all week, for some reason...
11 - What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Famous in a Small Town" - Miranda Lambert.
Sounds like a reasonable goal as far as achievability.
12 - What do you think of when you see someone you like?
"American Honey" - Lady Antebellum.
Okay...? It fits the question, I suppose. This is a nice song to play.
13 - What will you dance to at your wedding?
"The One I Love" - R.E.M.
I don't think that would work too well...
14 - Your biggest fear is...?
"The Government Can" -Tim Hawkins.
This works really well.
15 - Your biggest secret is...?
"Kiss the Girl" - The Little Mermaid soundtrack.
Yeah, sure...
16 - Is there anything you want right now?
"You're My Better Half" - Keith Urban.
I wouldn't mind.
17 - What's your opinion of your friends?
"The Call" - Matt Kennan.
Gosh, that's kinda dark...it's a great story song, though.
18 - You're auditioning for American Idol. Your audition song will be...?
"Pride(In the Name of Love)" - U2.
Weird song choice.
19 - This is the tune that needs to be parodied ASAP:
"It's a Hard-Knock Life" - Annie soundtrack.
No, it doesn't! It's just fine the way it is.
20 - Where would you like to live?
"I Can Only Imagine" - MercyMe.
Yes.
21 - Your instant reaction to tripping:
"Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" - Randy Travis.
Not really...
22 - Your next dog's name:
"What Does the Fox Say?" - Ylvis.
NO.
23 - What type of disaster will you face next?
"My Front Porch Lookin' In" - Lonestar.
This isn't a disaster, but it sounds all right.
24 - Explain the reasoning behind your current relationship status, please.
"Gone Country" - Alan Jackson.
This doesn't answer the question at all.
25 - This song will be played at your funeral.
"Stand By Me" - Otis Redding.
Considering I instantly think of Pumbaa getting smashed by all manner of heavy objects whenever I hear this song, seems like a good answer. (I was a 90's kid, it was a short right after the previews before the movie on The Big Green VHS tape.)
26 - If you play an instrument, maybe this song ought to be learned next:
"Don't Forget to Remember Me" - Carrie Underwood.
Maybe...
1 - If somebody asks if you're okay, you say...
"Out of Summertime" - Scotty McCreery.
Strange answer.
2 - How would you describe yourself?
"Moments" - Emerson Drive.
Hmm....it's a great story song, anyway.
3 - What do you like in a girl?
"Draw Me Close" - Kutless.
"Frowns in thought"...this is a sadly appropriate answer to this question, which is why most of modern Christian music is terrible.
4 - What is your life's purpose?
"You're Gonna Miss This" - Trace Adkins.
Don't quite understand how this could work as a life's purpose, but that was the song that came up, so...
5 - What's your life motto?
"Another One Bites the Dust" - Queen.
If that's supposed to be my life motto, then I'll attach a Henry Ford quote onto it: "Success is the progression of going from one failure to the next without losing any of your enthusiasm."
6 - What do your friends think of you?
"So Small" - Carrie Underwood.
All right...
7 - What do your parents think of you?
"Jump" - Van Halen.
This is one of those answers that doesn't make any sense, no matter how hard you struggle to invent a reasonable explanation.
8 - What do you often think about?
"Letters From Home" - John Michael Montgomery.
When in Tahlequah at school, yes, actually.
9 - If you were a superhero, what powers would you have?
"Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey.
I'll take it. But how, exactly, are faith and determination superpowers?
10 - What is your life story?
"I Can't Go There" - Kenny Chesney.
Makes sense as an answer. And this song has been stuck in my head all week, for some reason...
11 - What do you want to be when you grow up?
"Famous in a Small Town" - Miranda Lambert.
Sounds like a reasonable goal as far as achievability.
12 - What do you think of when you see someone you like?
"American Honey" - Lady Antebellum.
Okay...? It fits the question, I suppose. This is a nice song to play.
13 - What will you dance to at your wedding?
"The One I Love" - R.E.M.
I don't think that would work too well...
14 - Your biggest fear is...?
"The Government Can" -Tim Hawkins.
This works really well.
15 - Your biggest secret is...?
"Kiss the Girl" - The Little Mermaid soundtrack.
Yeah, sure...
16 - Is there anything you want right now?
"You're My Better Half" - Keith Urban.
I wouldn't mind.
17 - What's your opinion of your friends?
"The Call" - Matt Kennan.
Gosh, that's kinda dark...it's a great story song, though.
18 - You're auditioning for American Idol. Your audition song will be...?
"Pride(In the Name of Love)" - U2.
Weird song choice.
19 - This is the tune that needs to be parodied ASAP:
"It's a Hard-Knock Life" - Annie soundtrack.
No, it doesn't! It's just fine the way it is.
20 - Where would you like to live?
"I Can Only Imagine" - MercyMe.
Yes.
21 - Your instant reaction to tripping:
"Nothing But the Blood of Jesus" - Randy Travis.
Not really...
22 - Your next dog's name:
"What Does the Fox Say?" - Ylvis.
NO.
23 - What type of disaster will you face next?
"My Front Porch Lookin' In" - Lonestar.
This isn't a disaster, but it sounds all right.
24 - Explain the reasoning behind your current relationship status, please.
"Gone Country" - Alan Jackson.
This doesn't answer the question at all.
25 - This song will be played at your funeral.
"Stand By Me" - Otis Redding.
Considering I instantly think of Pumbaa getting smashed by all manner of heavy objects whenever I hear this song, seems like a good answer. (I was a 90's kid, it was a short right after the previews before the movie on The Big Green VHS tape.)
26 - If you play an instrument, maybe this song ought to be learned next:
"Don't Forget to Remember Me" - Carrie Underwood.
Maybe...
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