Head First

I am diving back into Real Life.

Or trying to, anyway. You know, in the moments I can tear myself away from looking at other people's camp photos on Facebook.

DM came over on Monday night and I made dinner. Aside from my elation at eating something that did not originate from a can, seeing him again was great. All the chemistry is still there. We had a bit of a stilted heart-to-heart in which I discovered (somewhat to my relief) that he is not perfect--that he in fact shares many of the same flaws inherent in pretty much every guy I date--but it's early days... we'll see if those flaws turn out to be of the emotionally crippling variety. Fingers crossed that they do not, as (though I am loathe to admit it for fear of jinxing myself) I am actually excited about this one. It's been awhile since that has happened, and it would be a pleasant change of pace if that excitement didn't blow up in my face.

You hear that Universe? Just sayin'...

After a greasy diner breakfast-for-lunch the following day, I bid him adieu at the subway (he kissed me on the sidewalk and I didn't squirm! This is progress people!), then decided to plunge feet first (head first would be a bit painful) into my Avon Walk training (go here! give me money!! only $440 left to raise!!) by taking 10 mile walk down the Hudson River Greenway, which--barring a slightly smelly stretch under the highway around 135th St--is just beautiful! I fully plan on making this a regular route. This time I just walked to 135th and back (about 8 miles total) and then hiked up and around Fort Tryon Park. Next time I might take the subway down to Battery Park and then walk the 11 miles back. I am excited!!

After my walk I stopped on my favourite lawn in the Park for a stretch, with the result that I'm not as stiff as I thought I'd be today. Still, I'm heading out to Bikram Yoga in a few for some deep stretching and a whole lot of sweat. Again... excited!!

I've updated my resume and am once again on the hunt for teaching work. I start back at the restaurant next week, but would love to be able to stop waiting tables entirely. I also need to get in gear and start studying for the GRE as I only have 3 months to compile my PhD applications, and if I hope to get into Ivy League School That Only Accepts Two Applicants Per Year, I had best get my arse in gear!

Like I said. Head First.

It's the only way to go.

"Guys...? Do you think it would be dangerous if i taped my nostrils shut?" *

* Uttered by one of my campers after lights out. Miss her already.

Hello there beautiful people. Have you missed me?

Well, to be honest, you may be missing me a bit longer. My body is back in the Real World, but much of my brain is still back at Camp. I have a feeling it may stay that way for awhile, much as it did after Uganda, or last Summer's travel bonanza.

In the mean time, what little mental capacity I was able to stow in my somehow-15-lbs-overweight-luggage will be dedicated to:

• Training and raising money for the Avon Walk. (Click the link and give me money! Thousands of women will thank you!).
• Preparing for an interview/audition for a teaching position so I can do as little waitressing as possible.
• Looking for more teaching work, for the same reason.
• Convincing my Rep Company to do the original musical that premiered at Camp this summer because I'm in love with it and desperately want to be in it.
• Finally unpacking (and finishing painting) my apartment.
• Figuring out how on earth I'm going to pay all the bills that are waiting for me.

Oh... and seeing The Boy again. In an attempt at maturity, I've decided to call him DM, which is close enough to his name to not feel like a silly (and therefore distancing) nickname, but still different enough to maintain anonymity.

Clearly, even the smallest part of my brain is prone to overthinking things. Good grief.

[WARNING: Non-Sequitur Ahead]

I wish the sun was out today. I feel that the best way to reconnect with my life here in the city is just to go wandering, but nobody wants to wander when it's grey and gloomy.

[Okay, okay, LOTS of non-sequiturs]

There are not words to express how much I am enjoying my cup of coffee this morning. As wonderful as life at Camp was, the coffee was barely a step above (and perhaps even a step below) dishwater. Dirty dishwater. In other words... it was foul.

Although I had been greatly looking forward to sleeping in my own bed, with no company other than my cat, I also found it extraordinarily difficult to get myself out of bed this morning without twelve noisy girls and the impending threat of a trumpet call to urge me to do so. Even after 10+ hours of sleep.

Apparently, The Granddaddy of All Roaches made a return visit to the apartment while I was gone. Gracie held him at bay while my housesitter first panicked, and then attacked him with Raid. The Great Foe has been vanquished. Fingers crossed that he is not followed by reinforcements.

Yesterday after a morning of bidding farewell to campers, cleaning up, and striking all the lights in the theatre, I frantically (and not very neatly) packed my bags and threw them into the minivan of the counselor driving me to the airport. I was still in my stripy pajama pants, my hair in two messy buns, my glasses slightly askew. I checked in for my flight and made my way through security to my gate... where I was selected for a random pat-down before being allowed to board my flight. When I got to JFK, I discovered that my just-barely-closed luggage had been inspected (and very poorly re-packed) by the TSA. As I stood in the massive taxi queue with a 60 lb pack strapped to my back, a rainbow yoga mat, a woven purse from Peru, and a flowered laundry bag full of all the things that wouldn't fit in my pack dangling from my hand, all I could wonder was... since when does Hippy = Terrorist?

I'll leave you to ponder that while I head off to shower, face the world, and perhaps even straighten my hair for the first time in over a month.

And browse Craigslist for a free hair colour appointment because my roots are appallingly long.

Hey there Real World, long time no see. Do me a favour and take it easy on me, 'kay?

Raffle For A Cure!!

Yes, it's another Avon post... but this time there's something in it for you!!

I'm almost 1/3 of the way to my goal of raising $1,800 for Breast Cancer research and treatment, but there's still a long way to go!

In order to grease the wheels of generosity, so to speak, I've decided to raffle off handmade prizes to everyone who donates before July 10th. Don't worry if you've already donated, entries are retroactive!

Several prizes will be awarded, based on the time and resources I have with which to make them. My goal is at least five.

Each Prize will include the following:

One (1) hand-knit item of a practical nature (Market Tote)
One (1) hand-knit item of a whimsical--and topical--nature (Boobs!)
One (1) edible treat! Based on the distance the package must travel, this will either be homemade or store-bought. You can only trust the Postal Service with so much!

Today I bought the yarn for the first prize to be crafted: a Market Tote knit from Lion Brand LB Cotton Bamboo, a beautiful, soft, and eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags!

Raffle Entries will be allotted as follows:

$10 - 24.99 : One Entry
$25 - 49.99 : Two Entries
$50 - 74.99 : Three Entries
$75 - 99.99 : Four Entries
$100 + : Five Entries

Winners will be selected via a random number generator on July 11th and notified by email: PLEASE PROVIDE A VALID EMAIL ADDRESS WHEN YOU DONATE IN ORDER TO BE ENTERED INTO THE RAFFLE.

Donations can be made via the internet by simply clicking on the image link at the bottom of this message. If you prefer to donate via check, contact me at dasfroggyatgmaildotcom and I will give you the information you need.

So join in the crusade to fight Breast Cancer, and potentially get your hands on some delightful handmade goodies in the process!

Best of luck, and thanks so much for your support!

One Foot in Front of the Other

It's business as usual here at Froggy's Ranch of Crazy. Looking for a job, visiting my friend in the hospital, and wondering what in my new apartment will break next.

However, across the United States, it may not be business as usual for thousands of women. Every three minutes, another woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Join me in my effort to fund research and provide care to the thousands of of under- or un-insured women who are struggling with this disease.

I have pledged to raise $1,800 and walk in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this October. Please, click the image below to make a donation and help me reach that goal. A dollar, a nickle, a penny. Every little bit helps.

Your donation will make a difference to the women in your community and across the country. They and I both thank you.

PS - The more of you who donate, the fewer of these messages will pepper my blog. I am not above bribery, so go on! Donate!

We will return to your regularly scheduled bitching and moaning tomorrow...

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

This year, on October 10th & 11th, I will be walking 39 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

For the past two years I've cheered on a friend of mine as she completed the walk. Last year I walked the last two miles with her after meeting her at the cheering station, and when I got to the end I decided that this year I would do it too.

So I am.

And while I promise not to shamelessly solicit via my blog too often, I do need to raise $1,800 in order to participate, sooooo....

If you feel so inclined, please visit http://www.avonwalk.org/goto/Feet_First to make a donation. Even one dollar will help move me toward my goal, and help provide education and treatment for those who need it most. I'll be putting a link in the side-bar as well, if you need to think about it first.

And, of course, I'm sure I'll be blogging my progress as I train to walk a marathon--especially when I try to work that around the schedule of being a full-time camp counselor for all of August!

Please feel free to pass this along to anyone who you think might want to help this worthy cause. It's not for me, it's for everyone.

* * *

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming...