Dear Mormons of Rochester,
I'd just like to let you know that I did see your cute little advertisement while I was out walking, and I would like to respond.
First of all, I really appreciated that it was done in chalk on the bike path along the river. Using chalk instead of a billboard as your medium made you seem much more friendly and approachable. I won't lie to you - Those commercials where people kept turning out to be - SURPRISE! - Mormon actually made you seem like a creepy bunch.
You see, I don't care what religion people are, and to be honest, all the Mormons I have met seem like perfectly lovely people. Unfortunately, this ad campaign even made me start to think, "Oh my gosh! They're everywhere!" Frankly, it brought up feelings similar to those of people in horror movies when they realize their neighbors are actually zombies.
Your chalk advertisement today, however, was adorable. I even stopped to read the entire thing, and I must say, I am impressed with how neatly and legibly everything was written. Believe me, as a school teacher (and child at heart) I have spent plenty of time trying to work with sidewalk chalk, but you really seem to have it mastered.
Also, your diagrams were clear and uncluttered. I understand that I have to live on earth and then be judged before I can move into the Celestial Kingdom. If I can recall any part of your diagram, I think you can peg that as a success.
You also did a really nice job interspersing your website across that particular section of the bike path. The website ( mormon.org ) is very easy to remember. I even briefly visited it upon returning home. Well done especially with that part of the advertising.
On your website, however, I see a spot where I can "Meet Mormons". I understand being able to type in your age and even your gender (some people only like to speak about religious things with others of the same gender), but ethnicity and "keyword" is a little bit much in my opinion. Others may feel differently, however, and you may have already had a lot of success with that little search box option.
One suggestion I would like to make concerning your sidewalk chalk advertisement is that it would be helpful if all the words on the diagram were facing the same direction. Again, I will say that everything was impeccably neat and legible, but in trying to move around in order to read everything, I almost got hit by a biker. That really isn't very safe. In the future, I would consider choosing one vantage point and really focusing on making everything work with that.
Unfortunately, I would like to decline your offer to become Mormon or even learn about becoming Mormon. You see, I am already Catholic, and I'm not even very good at that. I can only imagine I would be a worse Mormon, and you really aren't looking for people like me, although I appreciate the offer.
So, all in all, even though I generally become somewhat enraged when I encounter such blatant proselytism when going about my daily life, your advertisement was pretty unoffensive. Frankly, I don't like being slapped in the face with other people's beliefs. It is really the same issue I have with certain vegans I have met. I like cheese, ok? Leave me alone. It is kind of the same thing.
To recapitulate, I didn't hate your advertisement on the bike path along the Zumbro River. Despite usually curling my nose up at such things, I did stop and read everything and didn't even become enraged. It was neat, tidy, friendly, and overall you should give the folks responsible a nice pat on the back or high five or something. Still, I am not going to convert to your religion.
Sincerely,
Ivy McDougalhopper
Showing posts with label Rochester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rochester. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Being Uncooperative
As you may or may not know, I am working as a teacher for the Migrant Program in Rochester/Plainview over the summer. Our program is k-12 and needs to incorporate a post-secondary aspect, and I elected myself to take care of this scheduling issue. Boy am I kicking myself now.
The requirement is that we have at least one thing going on about post-secondary opportunities, but I thought, "Our program is better than that! We can have three! Or at least two! We live in Rochester! I'll get RCTC, the Mayo, and a certain computer company located in our city!*"
So I started my day calling RCTC and asking about getting a campus tour, having someone talk to us about courses of studies, job opportunities, financial aid, and student life. The people at RCTC were extremely friendly, and I look forward to finalizing our plans together in the near future.
The Mayo was next on my list, and while I was on hold for quite a while, each person I spoke with was pleasant and very willing to do whatever they could to help our program. I spoke to several happy people, and they have already left me phone messages to talk more about this opportunity with me. I also look forward to working with Mayo employees in the near future to provide my students with an understanding of health care professions and the education needed to obtain positions in this field.
Then I called a certain computer company located in our city. First, I looked up their Rochester number online and called it. The robotic sounding operator only gave me two choices: I could either be connected to the 1-800 number, or I could press 2 and talk to someone about a local problem. I naively assumed this meant I would be talking to someone in Rochester. That was not so.
When the man on the phone answered and gave me his quality assurance speech, I waited patiently, then I dove in with my story about how I am a teacher working in the Migrant Program in our city and we are looking for speakers or possible field trip opportunities to learn about different jobs and the education we need to possibly obtain these jobs.
There was silence for a moment on the other line. Then the conversation went very much like what I have typed below, though not exactly because I didn't record the conversation, nor was I typing it as we spoke. What I'm saying is that this isn't a perfectly 100% accurate word for word script of what happened this afternoon, but it is pretty close.
It was a very frustrating conversation. How come he got to keep saying and asking the same things over and over again, but when I repeated myself, he said "Yes ma'am, You've already said that". That's not fair. And I was being perfectly civil with my happy tone of voice and everything! I was not being uncooperative, although I began to feel a little more hostile after being accused of being uncooperative.
I am VERY cooperative.
mumble mumble I'll cooperate HIM....mumble mumble.....
Perhaps tomorrow I will drive directly to this company's office complex and sit on their doorstep. This way I can ask each individual employee if they will come and speak with my students.
*Name changed to protect the innocent.
The requirement is that we have at least one thing going on about post-secondary opportunities, but I thought, "Our program is better than that! We can have three! Or at least two! We live in Rochester! I'll get RCTC, the Mayo, and a certain computer company located in our city!*"
So I started my day calling RCTC and asking about getting a campus tour, having someone talk to us about courses of studies, job opportunities, financial aid, and student life. The people at RCTC were extremely friendly, and I look forward to finalizing our plans together in the near future.
The Mayo was next on my list, and while I was on hold for quite a while, each person I spoke with was pleasant and very willing to do whatever they could to help our program. I spoke to several happy people, and they have already left me phone messages to talk more about this opportunity with me. I also look forward to working with Mayo employees in the near future to provide my students with an understanding of health care professions and the education needed to obtain positions in this field.
Then I called a certain computer company located in our city. First, I looked up their Rochester number online and called it. The robotic sounding operator only gave me two choices: I could either be connected to the 1-800 number, or I could press 2 and talk to someone about a local problem. I naively assumed this meant I would be talking to someone in Rochester. That was not so.
When the man on the phone answered and gave me his quality assurance speech, I waited patiently, then I dove in with my story about how I am a teacher working in the Migrant Program in our city and we are looking for speakers or possible field trip opportunities to learn about different jobs and the education we need to possibly obtain these jobs.
There was silence for a moment on the other line. Then the conversation went very much like what I have typed below, though not exactly because I didn't record the conversation, nor was I typing it as we spoke. What I'm saying is that this isn't a perfectly 100% accurate word for word script of what happened this afternoon, but it is pretty close.
Man: Are you in Rochester?
Me: Yes. I'm in Rochester, and I would like to speak with someone about possibly coming out to speak with my students.
Man: Who is your salesman?
Me: What?
Man: What is the name of your salesman?
Me: No, no! I don't have a salesman. I would like to speak to someone about coming out to our school and talking to my students about what it is like working for your company.
Man: Give me the name of the person you would like me to connect you to.
Me: Ummm....That's my question. Who can I talk to about educational opportunities your company provides?
Man: Please give me the name of the person you would like to talk to.
Me: Yes. I would if I could, but, you see, I called you because I would like to know the name. My question is who - WHO - can I call about talking to my students about your company?
Man: What school do you work at?
Me: Well, we're based out of (school name deleted), but we're part of the public school system. Our students don't know a lot about post-secondary opportunities, and to be honest, they don't know a lot about the different kinds of jobs even available, so we are asking people to come talk to our students about their jobs and levels of education.Man: So what you're saying is that our employees come out to three different schools and give speeches?
Me: No....
Man: That's what you said. You said our employees go out to three different schools and speak with students.
Me: No.....I am with the public school system, and I would like someone to come out and talk to my students. I don't know if they will do it or not, but I know your company is very involved in education here in town.
Man: Are you in Rochester?
Me: Yes. I am in Rochester and I work for the public schools.
Man: Yes ma'am. You've already said that.
PauseMan: Give me the name of the person you would like to speak with so I can connect you.
Me: What? No. That's my question! What is the name of the person I can talk to? WHO can I talk to?
Man: Ma'am. I am trying to help you, but you are not being very cooperative.
Me: (As I make a very confused face on my side of the telephone) Wha-I-what? - I - I'm trying to cooperate, I really am. I just want to know the name of the person I can talk to about getting someone to speak to my students.
Man: Yes ma'am. You've already said that. Please give me the name of the person you would like to speak to.
Me: Yes. That's my question.
Man: Ma'am. I need you to try to cooperate with me.
Me: What? I am cooperating. I'm just asking you a question!
Man: I'm going to put you on hold now, ma'am.
It was a very frustrating conversation. How come he got to keep saying and asking the same things over and over again, but when I repeated myself, he said "Yes ma'am, You've already said that". That's not fair. And I was being perfectly civil with my happy tone of voice and everything! I was not being uncooperative, although I began to feel a little more hostile after being accused of being uncooperative.
I am VERY cooperative.
mumble mumble I'll cooperate HIM....mumble mumble.....
Perhaps tomorrow I will drive directly to this company's office complex and sit on their doorstep. This way I can ask each individual employee if they will come and speak with my students.
*Name changed to protect the innocent.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Results of the "My Next Minnesotan Adventure" Survey
Since I am a huge geek who is kind of lame, loves history, and goes out to intentionally learn more about stuff in my free time and of my own volition, I love to go on little adventures to museums, historical landmarks, or pretty much any educational thing. Also, since I am kind of weird myself, the stranger, odder, more confusing, or quirkier the adventure, the better. This is why I enjoyed Ye Olde Curiosity Shop in Seattle so much. Of course I sincerely got a kick out of the Jacques Cartier House in Montreal as well that provided this confusing and amusing puppet display.
What is happening here?
My geekiness clearly knows no bounds, but it always nice to be terribly, nerdily informed about not only the world, but the place where you live. It is for this reason I decided to start exploring southeastern Minnesota. With the weather turning nice, I also decided to focus on outdoor activities.
What should I do on my next MN adventure?
Tour of Mystery Cave in Forestville | (75%) |
Bluff Country Studio Art Tour in Lanesboro | (0%) |
Niagra Cave tour in Harmony | (0%) |
Bird Banding Whitewater State Park | (0%) |
Mayowood Mansion tour in Rochester | (0%) |
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo in Byron | (25%) |
As you can see, it seems I will be going to Mystery Cave in Forestville. Now the only questions that remain are when? who will go with me? and should I take the one or two hour tour?
Unfortunately, only four of you voted. This could be due to the fact that I didn't remind you ever, or it could be that none of you care anything about geeky educational activities available in southeastern Minnesota. Either way, I am a little disappointed. But not that disappointed. I am going to go explore a cave! (Although maybe not until the end of May.) And joke's on you, too, because I still fully intend on going to the Zollman Zoo.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The End (of Spring Break) is Near
Today I tried to get as much work done as possible so that tomorrow, Sunday, can truly count as a day of Spring Break. I vacuumed, did dishes, scrubbed the bathroom, bleached the stove-top, and cleaned every floor in the house with lavender scented hardwood floor cleaner. The house smells fairly decent, now.
In addition to all this, I also got through all but one section of the online CPR course and went into school to clean my classroom and set up for my first five classes on Monday. Am I really, honestly prepared for Monday? No, but the objectives are up, the desks are clean, and the folders, pencils, and handouts are ready. The rest is really up in the air. Will the kids even be ready to learn on Monday? Probably not. Any planning will probably have been in vain. Let it be known, however, that I do have some really awesome, interactive, SIOP-y lessons planned for the next two weeks for all grade levels. We'll just see if with coming back from Spring Break and the MCA II's testing schedule if I get to teach them when they are supposed to be taught.
But back to the cleanliness of my household. It is crazy. The floors are all shiny, there is no dust under the couch or chair in the living room any more, and I really scrubbed the bathroom. There is still, despite my best efforts including a lot of elbow grease and some hard-core cleaning chemicals, a layer of something on the glass shower door. However, I am actually more than ok with this because this morning I could kind of see my outline in the mirror as I was taking my shower. It was extremely blurry, and I only know it was me because I happened to be the only person in the shower at the time, but it was disturbing nonetheless. I'm really not sure how I feel about this development.
There are also clean sheets on the bed and the rugs have been shaken outside. Furthermore, I finally bought light bulbs AND I actually used them - replacing the burnt out ones the same day as the new ones were bought. Granted, some of those bulbs have been burnt out for a couple of weeks now, but let's not dwell on that fact.
This evening was a time for celebratory nachos, and boy were they delicious. In fact, I ate too many nachos, and my stomach is complaining just a bit now. It was hard to say no to the cheesy, guacamole covered bean delight. Do I regret it? No. Alright - maybe I regret it a little, but not that much.
Tomorrow I plan on getting up around 8am, reading my book ("First Families") while drinking tea and having a nice breakfast, and putzing around the house for a couple of hours. I then fully intend on taking a walk down to and around Silver Lake. Maybe I will even take the camera and capture some springtime moments in Rochester. More likely, however, I will forget the camera, but that is fine, too. Maybe I will take that stale roll from my purse and feed it to the ducks. I probably like ducks first, then geese, then swans. Although my feelings on geese can change depending on the situation. Sometimes geese are scarier than swans in that they are there, hissing at you, and swans are nowhere to be seen.
Anyway, a leisurely breakfast and a walk are on the agenda for tomorrow. Hopefully I will make it to bed early so that I can get up bright and early for my 6:30AM phone interview, and make it through this week alive! I'll have to plan something fun for next weekend!
In addition to all this, I also got through all but one section of the online CPR course and went into school to clean my classroom and set up for my first five classes on Monday. Am I really, honestly prepared for Monday? No, but the objectives are up, the desks are clean, and the folders, pencils, and handouts are ready. The rest is really up in the air. Will the kids even be ready to learn on Monday? Probably not. Any planning will probably have been in vain. Let it be known, however, that I do have some really awesome, interactive, SIOP-y lessons planned for the next two weeks for all grade levels. We'll just see if with coming back from Spring Break and the MCA II's testing schedule if I get to teach them when they are supposed to be taught.
But back to the cleanliness of my household. It is crazy. The floors are all shiny, there is no dust under the couch or chair in the living room any more, and I really scrubbed the bathroom. There is still, despite my best efforts including a lot of elbow grease and some hard-core cleaning chemicals, a layer of something on the glass shower door. However, I am actually more than ok with this because this morning I could kind of see my outline in the mirror as I was taking my shower. It was extremely blurry, and I only know it was me because I happened to be the only person in the shower at the time, but it was disturbing nonetheless. I'm really not sure how I feel about this development.
There are also clean sheets on the bed and the rugs have been shaken outside. Furthermore, I finally bought light bulbs AND I actually used them - replacing the burnt out ones the same day as the new ones were bought. Granted, some of those bulbs have been burnt out for a couple of weeks now, but let's not dwell on that fact.
This evening was a time for celebratory nachos, and boy were they delicious. In fact, I ate too many nachos, and my stomach is complaining just a bit now. It was hard to say no to the cheesy, guacamole covered bean delight. Do I regret it? No. Alright - maybe I regret it a little, but not that much.
Tomorrow I plan on getting up around 8am, reading my book ("First Families") while drinking tea and having a nice breakfast, and putzing around the house for a couple of hours. I then fully intend on taking a walk down to and around Silver Lake. Maybe I will even take the camera and capture some springtime moments in Rochester. More likely, however, I will forget the camera, but that is fine, too. Maybe I will take that stale roll from my purse and feed it to the ducks. I probably like ducks first, then geese, then swans. Although my feelings on geese can change depending on the situation. Sometimes geese are scarier than swans in that they are there, hissing at you, and swans are nowhere to be seen.
Anyway, a leisurely breakfast and a walk are on the agenda for tomorrow. Hopefully I will make it to bed early so that I can get up bright and early for my 6:30AM phone interview, and make it through this week alive! I'll have to plan something fun for next weekend!
*Now vote on the new poll! The Protagitron and I had a marvelous time in Seattle. Where should we go next? Vote on the poll, but if you have a better idea, let me know in a comment, or send me a message. GO VOTE NOW!*
Monday, February 28, 2011
Look at my new dress!
Yesterday I went to the Apache Mall to do some birthday present shopping. In the next few days I will celebrate my mother's birthday, my grandmother's birthday, and my dear friend, Linnea's birthday. It has been over a decade that I have had this birthday schedule, and yet I still can't decide if it is very convenient or very inconvenient to have their birthdays so close together.
But the point was, I was shopping at the Apache mall for birthday presents, and it turns out that I actually do know people in Rochester. First off, Ashley was working at the Caribou. At Caribou, I only ever order tea. I didn't know what kind of tea I wanted yet, plus I kind of wanted to chat with the lady behind the cash (Ashley), so I let the man behind me go ahead of me. He was so nice, he ended up paying for my tea. I'm not exactly sure how that happened. One minute I don't have tea, then I do, and he gave Ashley a nice tip as well.
After seeing talking with Ashley as much is appropriate while she is working, I began wandering around the mall pretty aimlessly. During this time, I ran into three families of my students. It seems to me that is quite a bit. Then, when I was in the office this morning, our lovely Spanish interpreter came up and told me she heard me in Herberger's. She said I was on the phone with someone, and she couldn't see me, but she could hear me. She was right. I was definitely on the phone in Herberger's at some point Sunday afternoon. Over the course of the day, two other students came up and told me they saw me at the mall.
It should be said that I went to the mall with crazy looking hair, a jeans and boots combo that just was not working, and an older shirt. Good thing my students, their families, and my colleagues were all at the mall!
On the bright side, I got a new dress. In case you can't tell in the picture, it is a dark purple and black zig-zag pattern. It is too short for work, unless I end up wearing it with pants underneath, maybe. It is also not dressy enough for dress, so I may have to actually live the life of a person in their mid-twenties so that I can wear an informal dress. The best part ever is that it fits exactly right and it was on super clearance, so it was only $6. Needless to say, I was very excited.
Don't worry. I also completed my birthday present shopping.
Now excuse me as I return to sitting in the dark with a cat in my lap while watching sub-par television and drinking tea. Did I mention that I'm awesome?
But the point was, I was shopping at the Apache mall for birthday presents, and it turns out that I actually do know people in Rochester. First off, Ashley was working at the Caribou. At Caribou, I only ever order tea. I didn't know what kind of tea I wanted yet, plus I kind of wanted to chat with the lady behind the cash (Ashley), so I let the man behind me go ahead of me. He was so nice, he ended up paying for my tea. I'm not exactly sure how that happened. One minute I don't have tea, then I do, and he gave Ashley a nice tip as well.
After seeing talking with Ashley as much is appropriate while she is working, I began wandering around the mall pretty aimlessly. During this time, I ran into three families of my students. It seems to me that is quite a bit. Then, when I was in the office this morning, our lovely Spanish interpreter came up and told me she heard me in Herberger's. She said I was on the phone with someone, and she couldn't see me, but she could hear me. She was right. I was definitely on the phone in Herberger's at some point Sunday afternoon. Over the course of the day, two other students came up and told me they saw me at the mall.
It should be said that I went to the mall with crazy looking hair, a jeans and boots combo that just was not working, and an older shirt. Good thing my students, their families, and my colleagues were all at the mall!
On the bright side, I got a new dress. In case you can't tell in the picture, it is a dark purple and black zig-zag pattern. It is too short for work, unless I end up wearing it with pants underneath, maybe. It is also not dressy enough for dress, so I may have to actually live the life of a person in their mid-twenties so that I can wear an informal dress. The best part ever is that it fits exactly right and it was on super clearance, so it was only $6. Needless to say, I was very excited.
Don't worry. I also completed my birthday present shopping.
Now excuse me as I return to sitting in the dark with a cat in my lap while watching sub-par television and drinking tea. Did I mention that I'm awesome?
Monday, August 23, 2010
Things Both Accomplished and Learned
Things Accomplished Today:
1.INTERNET: I now have wireless internet in my home! How awesome is that? Pretty awesome. Since I don’t have a landline, I had to go looking for the phone jack, and it was really quite difficult to find. There is a little alcove in the front hall where an old fashioned telephone used to be, but I could not for the life of me find where one of those new-fangled phones might go. It turns out the phone jack is in the windowsill behind the headboard of my bed. This means that the modem goes under my bed now. The good news is I don’t have to look at the modem. The bad news is that there is a green chord going from my windowsill to behind my bed now and I had to move my alarm clock to pug in the modem. But the best news is I have internet under my bed!
2.ADDRESS OFFICIALLY CHANGED WITH EMPLOYER: I went over to human resources today to drop off my insurance papers, officially change my address to my new home in Rochester, and to pick up my ID badge. The address changing went well, but then I found out I had to go to another building to turn in my insurance papers. I vaguely remember someone telling me at new employee orientation last month that that would be the case, but I didn’t remember. I asked for directions, and the woman at the desk told me, “Get onto 6th St. Turn Right on Broadway. When you see a Kmart, turn left. There will be a little service drive. Turn right. There’s two buildings there – a dumpy little one and a bigger one. The (name of service I can’t remember but I know it started with am “m”)’s office is in that building.” I repeated the directions back to her, thanked her, and left.
3.PICKED UP MY ID BADGE: Well, it looks like me, and I guess that is what it is supposed to do, so there you have it.
4.PURCHASED FISH: I was going to wait until September or even October to buy a fish, but I was at Target buying groceries, and Petsmart was right there. I went in just to browse and see their prices, and I fell in love with a little blue beta fish. He is pretty awesome. I bought him a glass bowl and some beta fish food. Once home, I put some rocks and stones in the bottom of the bowl that I had acquired from vases, and let the filtered water reach room temperature. He is now happily swimming around in his bowl in the alcove where the old fashioned telephone used to go. I think I will name him Felix Mendelssohn, Luwig, or Opus, although to be honest, I am leaning towards Felix Mendelssohn.
5.ATTEMPTED TO PLUG IN MICROWAVE: More on this under “Things I Learned Today”.
Things Learned Today:
1.I CANNOT PLUG MY MICROWAVE IN RIGHT NOW. I put the microwave on top of the fridge, and I want to plug it into the same outlet as the fridge. Unfortunately, the cord didn’t reach, so I bought and appliance extension cord from Target. Now the fridge is plugged into an outlet that is actually in the cupboard below the sink. There is a hole that clearly was not originally there between the fridge and this cupboard, and the cord goes right through. Once I moved my fridge, which was quite the ordeal, I learned that the whole is too small for either weird shaped end of the extension cord I bought. I then had to move my fridge back until later. I don’t have anything to make the hole bigger with right now. Maybe later I will ask either the building manager or my neighbor. I don’t want to put the microwave on the counter because then I won’t have any counter space. Already I am confused as to use my kitchen with so little counter space. If I have none, my head will just explode as I make dinner, and who will clean that up?
2.I CAN MOVE MY FRIDGE BY MYSELF. See above.
3.THERE IS NO KMART OFF OF BROADWAY. I never did find the building I was supposed to find to turn in my insurance papers. I drove back and forth on Broadway, and soon found that you couldn’t make a left turn once you hit a certain point. I found two Targets, a Walmart, a Fleet Farm, a Khols, and two monument makers with many headstones out front. I did not, however, find any Kmart. I have to now use the internet and go out and do it before work in the morning.
4.BROADWAY TURNS INTO A HIGHWAY. That surprised me as I was looking for the Kmart. One minute I am downtown on a regular road, and all of a sudden I am in the middle of nowhere on a highway. Good to know that happens.
5.IT IS HOT IN ROCHESTER. And apparently it will not cool down even when I ask nicely. Ufda!
1.INTERNET: I now have wireless internet in my home! How awesome is that? Pretty awesome. Since I don’t have a landline, I had to go looking for the phone jack, and it was really quite difficult to find. There is a little alcove in the front hall where an old fashioned telephone used to be, but I could not for the life of me find where one of those new-fangled phones might go. It turns out the phone jack is in the windowsill behind the headboard of my bed. This means that the modem goes under my bed now. The good news is I don’t have to look at the modem. The bad news is that there is a green chord going from my windowsill to behind my bed now and I had to move my alarm clock to pug in the modem. But the best news is I have internet under my bed!
2.ADDRESS OFFICIALLY CHANGED WITH EMPLOYER: I went over to human resources today to drop off my insurance papers, officially change my address to my new home in Rochester, and to pick up my ID badge. The address changing went well, but then I found out I had to go to another building to turn in my insurance papers. I vaguely remember someone telling me at new employee orientation last month that that would be the case, but I didn’t remember. I asked for directions, and the woman at the desk told me, “Get onto 6th St. Turn Right on Broadway. When you see a Kmart, turn left. There will be a little service drive. Turn right. There’s two buildings there – a dumpy little one and a bigger one. The (name of service I can’t remember but I know it started with am “m”)’s office is in that building.” I repeated the directions back to her, thanked her, and left.
3.PICKED UP MY ID BADGE: Well, it looks like me, and I guess that is what it is supposed to do, so there you have it.
4.PURCHASED FISH: I was going to wait until September or even October to buy a fish, but I was at Target buying groceries, and Petsmart was right there. I went in just to browse and see their prices, and I fell in love with a little blue beta fish. He is pretty awesome. I bought him a glass bowl and some beta fish food. Once home, I put some rocks and stones in the bottom of the bowl that I had acquired from vases, and let the filtered water reach room temperature. He is now happily swimming around in his bowl in the alcove where the old fashioned telephone used to go. I think I will name him Felix Mendelssohn, Luwig, or Opus, although to be honest, I am leaning towards Felix Mendelssohn.
5.ATTEMPTED TO PLUG IN MICROWAVE: More on this under “Things I Learned Today”.
Things Learned Today:
1.I CANNOT PLUG MY MICROWAVE IN RIGHT NOW. I put the microwave on top of the fridge, and I want to plug it into the same outlet as the fridge. Unfortunately, the cord didn’t reach, so I bought and appliance extension cord from Target. Now the fridge is plugged into an outlet that is actually in the cupboard below the sink. There is a hole that clearly was not originally there between the fridge and this cupboard, and the cord goes right through. Once I moved my fridge, which was quite the ordeal, I learned that the whole is too small for either weird shaped end of the extension cord I bought. I then had to move my fridge back until later. I don’t have anything to make the hole bigger with right now. Maybe later I will ask either the building manager or my neighbor. I don’t want to put the microwave on the counter because then I won’t have any counter space. Already I am confused as to use my kitchen with so little counter space. If I have none, my head will just explode as I make dinner, and who will clean that up?
2.I CAN MOVE MY FRIDGE BY MYSELF. See above.
3.THERE IS NO KMART OFF OF BROADWAY. I never did find the building I was supposed to find to turn in my insurance papers. I drove back and forth on Broadway, and soon found that you couldn’t make a left turn once you hit a certain point. I found two Targets, a Walmart, a Fleet Farm, a Khols, and two monument makers with many headstones out front. I did not, however, find any Kmart. I have to now use the internet and go out and do it before work in the morning.
4.BROADWAY TURNS INTO A HIGHWAY. That surprised me as I was looking for the Kmart. One minute I am downtown on a regular road, and all of a sudden I am in the middle of nowhere on a highway. Good to know that happens.
5.IT IS HOT IN ROCHESTER. And apparently it will not cool down even when I ask nicely. Ufda!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Roosters, Honkers, and Movies on Barns
So in preparation for my upcoming move to the marvelous city of Rochester, MN, I have been doing some serious research. Naturally, I will be looking to make friends, preferably ones with super lame interests like myself. That way I won't feel really self conscious when I seriously (and quite enthusiastically) suggest going to see the Roosters play.
http://www.olmstedhistory.com/roosters/roosters.html
The Roosters are apparently a base ball (space intended) team that plays by the rules of the games in the 1860's and plays in really awesome period uniforms. They use bats and balls similar to the times, and admittance is 2 bits (or 25 cents)! Unfortunately, their season is wrapping up right now, but you can bet I will constantly be attending these events next year! I need to find myself a base ball enthusiast to attend with me!
Something else that looks really exciting is the 30 minute Mayo Carillon concerts. I can only imagine that it is very exciting and loud, and I need someone who is interested in large belles to attend with me. I would not be adverse to my carillon companion being the same as my Roosters companion.
Also, they appear to be showing movies on the side of a barn, which seems to combine three things I like. First, it includes movies such as "Ghostbusters" and "Back to the Future III". Second, it reminds me of the Montreal Film Festival, which I always enjoyed. Lastly, It takes place on the side of a barn. I am the kind of person that would go alone to this, but It is always nice to hav someone along to make comments about the movie to. I'm thinking I will bring popcorn.
My apartment backs up to Honkers field, and that means I can watch collegiate baseball from my bedroom window during the summer. This is very exciting. It also means I need to remember to close the blinds so I don't accidentally flash a stadium full of collegiate baseball fans. That would be bad.
Another event near my home is the Peace Plaza downtown where there is a farmer's market and live music on Saturdays. A Rochester website also promises me some sort of winter market, although I am unsure what that would include. Maybe it is things like Sugar Shacks (maple syrup on the snow), snow cones, and the like. I'll have to make sure to do some more research.
http://www.olmstedhistory.com/roosters/roosters.html
The Roosters are apparently a base ball (space intended) team that plays by the rules of the games in the 1860's and plays in really awesome period uniforms. They use bats and balls similar to the times, and admittance is 2 bits (or 25 cents)! Unfortunately, their season is wrapping up right now, but you can bet I will constantly be attending these events next year! I need to find myself a base ball enthusiast to attend with me!
Something else that looks really exciting is the 30 minute Mayo Carillon concerts. I can only imagine that it is very exciting and loud, and I need someone who is interested in large belles to attend with me. I would not be adverse to my carillon companion being the same as my Roosters companion.
Also, they appear to be showing movies on the side of a barn, which seems to combine three things I like. First, it includes movies such as "Ghostbusters" and "Back to the Future III". Second, it reminds me of the Montreal Film Festival, which I always enjoyed. Lastly, It takes place on the side of a barn. I am the kind of person that would go alone to this, but It is always nice to hav someone along to make comments about the movie to. I'm thinking I will bring popcorn.
My apartment backs up to Honkers field, and that means I can watch collegiate baseball from my bedroom window during the summer. This is very exciting. It also means I need to remember to close the blinds so I don't accidentally flash a stadium full of collegiate baseball fans. That would be bad.
Another event near my home is the Peace Plaza downtown where there is a farmer's market and live music on Saturdays. A Rochester website also promises me some sort of winter market, although I am unsure what that would include. Maybe it is things like Sugar Shacks (maple syrup on the snow), snow cones, and the like. I'll have to make sure to do some more research.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Another New Chapter
So I am about to begin yet another new chapter of my life. Squeaky and I will soon be moving down to Rochester to a fabulous new apartment a mere 4 miles away from my first teaching job. I am pretty excited.
Things have been a bit rough for a while, but I am hoping Rochester will bring good things for me. I lost my best friend, and I miss him every minute of every day, but maybe a change of scenery will help with that. I've been unemployed for the summer, but that is soon to change as I will be officially working for the Rochester Public School system at the end of this month. I have been living with my parents for quite some time, and I love my parents very much, but I really need a place of my own. Luckily, I have a new, fabulous apartment that overlooks a baseball field and is right by the river. I can walk to the farmer's market, which should be really super exciting.
Packing is a bit of a pain in the neck, but I think it is getting done alright. Many people have stepped up to help me, and I have purchased some awesome used furniture, which will look very nice in my apartment. The manager of my building called this morning, too, and said she but in a new stove. She apologized for it being olive green, but I think that will add character. I mean, sure, every other thing in my kitchen is a very bold color, but I think the green will bring out the color in Squeaky's eyes!
Naturally, if you'd like my new address, I'd be more than happy to share it with friends. Also, I am pretty excited for a constant stream of visitors once I get settled.
Things have been a bit rough for a while, but I am hoping Rochester will bring good things for me. I lost my best friend, and I miss him every minute of every day, but maybe a change of scenery will help with that. I've been unemployed for the summer, but that is soon to change as I will be officially working for the Rochester Public School system at the end of this month. I have been living with my parents for quite some time, and I love my parents very much, but I really need a place of my own. Luckily, I have a new, fabulous apartment that overlooks a baseball field and is right by the river. I can walk to the farmer's market, which should be really super exciting.
Packing is a bit of a pain in the neck, but I think it is getting done alright. Many people have stepped up to help me, and I have purchased some awesome used furniture, which will look very nice in my apartment. The manager of my building called this morning, too, and said she but in a new stove. She apologized for it being olive green, but I think that will add character. I mean, sure, every other thing in my kitchen is a very bold color, but I think the green will bring out the color in Squeaky's eyes!
Naturally, if you'd like my new address, I'd be more than happy to share it with friends. Also, I am pretty excited for a constant stream of visitors once I get settled.
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