friends

I had a housewarming party last year that turned into a friend appreciation party.  I told my guests that I brought them together to thank them for their support through my move and a rough life transition.  Then I gave them the chance to do the same thing for some of their friends via photo message.  I set up a tripod, camera, and lights in front of my favorite blue chair.  On the coffee table in front of the chair was a stack of blank paper and Sharpie markers.  They could write an “I’m-thinking-of-you-note” to anyone. That night I posted the photos to my flickr account and sent my guests the link so they could forward their message to the recipient.

I got a little carried away and sent the joking message above to residents I was an RA for my junior year of college (yeah, we’re still BFF).

I was expecting some sort of comical response, but not what I got: a care package showed up on my doorstep soon after the party.  The contents consisted of a box of brownie mix and the reply photo message above.  I later found out that the girlfriend of the guy on the right willing wrote my name on his ass.  That’s true love.

The bare-bottom-duo now grace my fridge’s collage-style wall of fame/shame.  It is a frequent source of smiles and spurts of laughter.

I spent most of my workday on Friday on the phone selling tickets to last night’s DinnerWorks Gala Dinner.  I did better than I expected; so well in fact, my boss told me to pick which of the 15 tables I wanted to sit at with my guests.  Of course I picked the table that came packaged with a creative activity.  My choice was a creation designed by a group of art students at St X high school.  The ceramic dishes by Neil Patterson inspired the students to make our table into an art studio: flatware doubled as paintbrushes, the place mats were painting palates, our chairs were drawing benches, and every place setting had a small easel in front of it.  The students left instructions for us to draw our table companions.  There was some resistance at first, but by the time the serving staff brought dinner, the newly budding artists were scrambling to find room on the table that didn’t interfer with their artmaking.

I had an absolute blast and was incredibly impressed that my friends came together at the last minute to support the exhibit and LVAA.  It was one of those times where I said to myself, “I can’t believe I’m getting paid for this.”

To begin with, today’s word of the day email put a huge smile on my face when I got up:

“audacious: 1 : daring, bold; 2 : insolent; 3 : marked by originality and verve”

The next highlight was the birthday love that found its way to my desk at the office, which was followed by the surprise of actually being able to leave the office early as planned.

Then mom and I were off to Z Spa for massages. It’s amazing how relaxing pushing and moving muscles around can be.

My evening consisted of girlfriends, carry out Vietnamese dinner, three Homemade Pie Kitchen cakes (with no plates), and watching “the Office” via Hulu.com and a projector. It.was.awesome!

One last highlight: Although I’m not a fan of horoscopes, I was super glad to get this one from a friend via Facebook:

“Happy birthday, Capricorn! You’re often seen as the Rock of Gibraltar by loved ones and close associates. Your words of wisdom have helped many a friend through rough times. Benevolent and selfless, you’ll form many strong friendships in your lifetime. The coming year is the payback …  Read Moreyear. A heavenly reward will transform an area of your life for the better. Get ready for good things to start happening.”

Hell yeah! ’twas a good day!

I work with a very kind-hearted, quite man who makes me think of the quote, “Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.”

Last week Keith observed, without comment, myself and another co-worker get buried under an unusual mound of work. I got comments from other co-workers like, “you look a little tired,” but Keith’s acknowledgment of our stress was far more thoughtful. We got to our desks Friday morning to find gifts awaiting us. Mine included a mouse-pad that me makes me laugh every time I see it, a miniature version of my favorite animal, and a key-chain size etch-and-sketch.  It’s amazing what a difference such little acts of kindness can make in your day. Keith is very much appreciated.

It was also nice to see my paycheck right next to the gifts

27 years ago today this world was gifted with the birth of a very special person (both in the serious and humorous sense).  I wish everyone had a Colleen Rosshirt in their life.  It’s great to have her as a constant among all of the fluctuating chaos.  Regardless of what unknown variables are going on, she’s always there for:

• sending cards that I consider laminating
• voice mails that make me laugh so hard people look at me funny
• brainstorming great ideas we never finish (ie starting a summer youth camp Colleen and Ashley style), but will someday
• co-creating the most unbelievable, laugh-’til-it-hurts stories
• spontaneous craft time
• screening potential boyfriends
• board games (and if none are available, making one)
• being a trustworthy guardian of my deepest secrets (at least until I’m 50 she says)
• telling me the truth no matter what
• helping me dream and stay on track

Yeah, she’s great.  Happy Birthday girl!

My very best friend came down from Cincinnati to spend New Year’s Eve with me.  Before we went out for the evening, we were hanging out at my apartment and she asked me if I still had the plastic toy horses she sent in a care package years ago.

See, Colleen and I long ago decided we were going to make a Kentucky Derby board game.  We spent a considerable amount of time designing the game board and coming up with rules.  We never got around to making game pieces.  She later mailed a hodge-podge of quirky stuff to me, included a tube full of plastic miniature horses and a card explaining she had found the missing component to our game at a Cracker Barrel.  She named the gray one “Gallop,” which the card stated only eats double-stuffed Oreos (the card will forever remain on my fridge).

While she was staying in my guest room (aka the pull-out bed in the living room), she hid eight of the plastic horses around my apartment.  I’ve only found five so far, including Gallop.  That’s right, we’re twenty-something going on thirteen (and proud!)

Last year (wow, it feels good to say that), I developed a rather nasty tendency to be anxious and wound up.  To make matters worse, I had lost a familiar outlet for relieving it, so the tension really grew like a weed.  Luckily, a few weeks back I discovered an unexpected way of letting some of it go in the form of listening to jazz music.  Well, not just any jazz; I went to hear my dear friend Harry Pickens play at U of L.  My breath and thoughts slowed down, I felt calm, and later noticed I was smiling.  I actually felt I had gained some energy when I left.  Aaaaaah!  THANK YOU HARRY!!!

Harry Pickens on youtube

I met with a good friend/mentor today for a marathon session about what-ails-Ashley.  The economy came up as it relates to professional next steps.  He asked me what I was afraid of.  I said, among other things, “security.”  He responded by quoting Helen Keller:

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature…. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

No other holiday can hold a candle to Halloween! It’s a shame we don’t dress in hysterical costumes, give treats away to strangers, and illuminate weird carved faces into root vegetables more often. I should also add to the activities list: dance to sassy pop songs choreographed by amateur dancers who took a dance class once in college. Hey look, I got the shimmy down! Thanks Erin for the lesson.

You can see all of the photos from last night’s festivities here.

A few of my favorite things about this weekend: 1) A meeting of Obama shirts at a friend’s party. 2) Before seeing Otella, this sunset that would have taken your breath away as well. 3) A finished 4′ x 6′ commission for Oxfam America.