still dog paddling
OH MY GOODNESS HI!!!!
Ever since getting back from spring break two weeks ago I have been running around like a chicken minus its head. I've been so neglectful on the LJ front... please forgive mee. I'm afraid this entry will have to be broken into several parts, so choose your poison:
I can't believe how long ago going to the LA Con seems. First and foremost, seeing my beloved caithream was INCREDIBLE. Just as sweet and hilarious in person, and I'm so glad we finally got to spend some time together. All the panels were AMAAZING, with then newbies being pleasant surprises (Kurt and Mark). I thought the boys panel was some of the best stuff I've seen from a con in a while. I know I'm probably bias... lol. But it was just a hilarious time with them. It got off to a slow start, with people asking technical show questions, but it was the more absurd questions (Jared, what hair dryer do you use?) that created the best interaction between the two. They both seemed in good spirits, and thankfully no one went too far with the news of Jared's recent marriage. And DAMN. He was just looking especially GOOOD that weekend. Working the plaid, boots, ya'lls and hair flippage. I STAMP THIS WITH APPROVAL. Photo ops with them were quite the experience. Me and Sarah tried to play it cool while waiting in line for the sandwich but had the nerves go full frontal when we stepped into the room and saw them there. As always they were completely gracious, and as we were situating ourselves between them, Jensen piped up "Alright, everybody in... we're one big happy family!" <3 <3 <3 <3 After the photo was snapped, I managed to somehow get out a "thank you" to Jared in which he replied "No problem!" As we were walking out, Sarah and I had to find out from each other what the other guy was wearing or did, seeing as both our conscious efforts were zoned in on another man. :) Then I headed back to the ballroom to cruelly have to wait for another 30 minutes for the photo alone with Jared. This time I was WAY less nervous. When my part of the line finally rounded the corner into the photo room, Jared started fanning out his shirt... OH THE BOY AND HIS SWEAT. "Sorry guys if I smell... it's toasty in here!" We all laughed... knowing we wouldn't have it any other way. I was much more chatty with him this time, telling him my name and thanking him again for the picture. I think it turned out great, thank goodness. Oh yeah, and you can go to Sarah's journal for the Misha photo story... needless to say, the best advice either of us have ever received was given during that time. He is just... crazy cakes with sprinkles on top. It's hard to remember what this fandom was like without him. Oh, and it was wonderful to meet wendy ... someone with the same appreciation for The Giant as I do! Alas, it ended all too quickly... I was on my plane back to Seattle by 11 a.m. Monday. :( This very well could be it for me for cons, but we'll see. I may becoming a bit of an addict.
Last weekend I went back home to Portland for two concerts- Michael Buble and Muse. I know... two completely different ends of the spectrum. I love them both so much! I almost didn't make it to Michael's because as I headed out early Friday to brave the blizzard over the passes, I got a flat tire. So that put me behind three hours and was extremely annoying. So I rolled into Portland with 40 minutes before the concert started.
He put on an amazing show, and was great at interacting with the audience. You could tell he's trying to break the "labeling" of him and his music... he would swear every once and awhile and it's like you could just hear the surprise on the entire floor area where all the gray hair was sitting. His voice was just incredible, and I managed to get one video. It's of my favorite song on the new album, which also happened to be the opener:
Click to viewMy absolute favorite moment of the concert was when he sang "Song for You" at the end. When he got to the last bit of the song, he came out on stage with no microphone and just sang out, naked voice, for the entire Rose Quarter. We were sitting on the second tier of the Garden, and could hear him so clearly- filled up the entire place. It was SUCH an intimate moment that it gave me goosebumps. AND SOMEONE GOT IT ON VIDEO!
The next night came Muse. Now, I have had people tell me just how spectacular this band is live, but NO ONE COULD HAVE PREPARED ME. Seriously, it was so mind blowing that trying to describe it to you just doesn't do it justice. I was devastated that my camera battery died after their first song... but what I got was pretty sweet:
The place was INSANE. I had never been to anything that loud. But the energy was just incredible with all the lights and effects. The band is certainly are not hurting for funds. Matthew Bellamy is one CRAZY Englishman... fine tuned in the art of rock. His times banging out on the piano were the best. The band didn't talk much on stage, it was more just about "the show". It's one experience that if you ever get the chance, PARTAKE OR I WILL HURT YOU.
This past week I had parent/teacher conferences, and they all went so well. I find they are getting easier the more I do, and that I am becoming more confident in what I am saying. I can see so much progress in some of these little guys, and I can't believe our graduation is just over a month away. I'm planning to put together a power point presentation for that night with some pictures for the parents. While this has been more of a challenging year than I ever anticipated, it's drawing to a close all too fast. I'm headed this Thursday for an interview at a school in McMinnville, OR. To make a long story short, I have a connection with someone there who kinda got me in. It's a position for a 4th/5th grade combo at a smaller K-8 school of about 50 students. It certainly would be a big change in a lot of ways, but could have a lot of positives for me. I've always wanted to try the older grades, because there is so much more you can do with and entrust to them. Plus, I would be 45 minutes from home, an hour from the coast, and in a bigger area. Not to mention the field trip opportunities would be AWESOME. I am one of three people they are interviewing, the other two being from that area. And I'm sure I'm the one with the least experience. So obviously, I'm not getting my hopes up too much. If anything, it'll be great interviewing experience, because I know there will be at least 10 people there questioning me that night. I'm going to do my best and leave the rest up to God. But wow. I can't believe how this opportunity just kinda fell into my lap, and so fast. Keep me in your prayers...
So with that painstakingly long entry, I leave you. I know I should be going into recent SPN eps, but I'm spent. I will sum up my feelings in this word: BUILDING. I know we all feel it. This weekend is titled Recooperation and Relaxation for this girl. I plan on snuggling with Ollie, hitting up Cafe Mela and devouring some books.