The Adventures of Kinky Reggae: A Vagabond for Beauty

I got to spend the weekend in Iowa visiting my college roommate, Paula. She lives in Portland now, but was home visiting her family. She is one of my favorite people in the world, someone I am just totally comfortable being with. Hanging out with her does not require effort. She knows I have a list of things to do this summer, so we were very busy trying to accomplish things. On Friday night we went to a rodeo, my first one. I have "Go to a rodeo and make out with a cowboy" on my list. Paula's friend's husband, Adam, was determined to make this happen. He found me three cowboys and introduced me to them. I was fascinated, because they were real cowboys and grew up on ranches. The one in the middle looked really young (but still cute), but I was checking out one of his friends. However, I think both Adam and the young cowboy's friends had the same agenda for us, because they left us alone pretty quickly. I was just enjoying talking to the boy, but he look

It sounds fun, doesn't it? It's not. At least, not without Nina. Last year, our adventure took place in Daytona. This year, I was alone. At 11:00, I stepped outside to call Sarah because my phone often drops calls in my apartment. I locked myself out. At first, it was no big deal because Sarah has a spare. I felt bad about inconveniencing her, but that was it. Well, her key didn't work. So we went to Nina's to get her spare, and that one didn't work either. They were both like, "Didn't you try out the keys after you had them made???" This never even occurred to me. Seriously, sometimes I wonder how I manage to function at all in the adult world. So then I decided to call a locksmith. It would be expensive, but I desperately wanted a shower. And my allergy medicine. And my latest Sookie Stackhouse novel. And most of all, my own bed. The dispatcher said she'd send someone right away, so I insisted that Sarah leave me. At this point

Tonight I received a text from one of my students. I've gotten a few of these in the past, and I don't respond, because I feel it's inappropriate. But this came from his mom's phone (which was in my phone book, since I had to call her often), so I figured it was okay. Anyway, this student was not one of my best. Great kid, very smart, but his main priority at school was hitting on girls. I was always on his case about talking and throwing crayons. But for some reason, he was very interested in my environmental science unit. When I lectured about alternative energy sources, he was quiet and attentive. He sent me the following text: "Hey Ms. B, this is D. I just saw a house with solar panels on it. It was raw and my little brother said hi." This made my night. At an age when kids are too cool for school, he was so eager to text and tell me about this. If he is learning to care about the environment as a result of my class, this whole year was worth it

Happy Father's Day, Dad! Here are some things I love about you. 1. When I was doing really stupid things in high school, you knew I was lying to you and cared enough to do everything you could to stop me. Unfortunately, I get my stubbornness from you, and I was going to do what I wanted to do. 2. You love me when you understand me, and you love me when you don't understand me. Either one is hard, given our differences in personalities. 3. You love the Cubs so much. Even when they win, you get upset over missed opportunities, saying they could have played better. One time I invited you to a night game, and you said you didn't want to go because you just couldn't get used to the lights at Wrigley... but I think you were joking. Sometimes I can't tell. 4. You tell really great stories about your childhood and our family. 5. You always say, "Goddammit, Erin!" 6. You used to call me Munch. 7. You were really good at your job, but never talked about

Background info: One time Nancy and I were driving home from Florida, and I was getting a little grouchy after more than 12 hours in the car. Nancy turned on Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," and insisted that I sing along. It was a very dramatic interpretation, and she had me laughing so hard we could barely sing. So tonight we're walking into a rest area, and Nancy commented that she was getting grouchy. As we entered the washroom, I said, "So maybe we'll have to turn on some Celine Dion?" My question was met with silence, and a weird look from the girl who was already in the washroom. Nancy and I went into stalls, and she was still silent. "Nancy? You don't like the idea?...... Are you ignoring me? .... Are you trying to make me look like an idiot? .... Fine, I'll just keep talking to myself." So I did feel like a complete idiot, because to that other girl in the washroom, it appeared that Nancy didn't e

When my birthmom was pregnant with her youngest and didn't know what the sex of the baby was, we had a discussion about names. We agreed that we liked Grace, but then Kathy pointed out that obviously our coordination problems were hereditary, and wouldn't that be a cruel joke to play? I'd been doing pretty well for a while, but those coordination problems have come back with a vengeance in the past few days. On Sunday, I was walking up the steps to the church. My hand was reaching out, about to shake hands with the pastor, when my flip flop caught on something and I went flying. I was wearing a skirt with no nylons, so I skinned my knee pretty bad. My leg was all bloody, and everyone was rushing over to see if I was all right. I made a joke about making an entrance, but I wanted to die, especially because I'm new at this church and don't really know anyone. The second incident occurred yesterday at the gym. I was climbing off the machine that works your inner

Imagine a guy comes to pick you up for a date. He seems pretty cute and normal. You see that he drives a nice new pickup, but then you see that the back window is covered in a painting of wolves. Deal breaker? I surveyed my friends via text, and here were their responses. Rachel: Nope, especially not for you. That is a very good ole boy, very American boy. He would go to a line dancing bar with you. :) Nina: Absolutely. Unless maybe I lived in South Dakota where this would be my best bet. At least it wasn't Jesus on a cross or a Confederate flag. Wow, I hope I never have to utter that sentence again. Nancy: Not a deep breaker (deep is Nanbonics for "deal") Sarah: Deal breaker Stephanie: Really close. He best have some other amazing qualities. Paula: Close. Remember, Rich (her husband) looked like a used car salesman (when she met him) Gloria: Absolutely. It's like having a guy pick you up with the Virgin Mary painted on the back window. Erin, is there some

I started my end of the year celebration a day early with margaritas at Lalo's. Unfortunately, since I don't drink very often, they affected me pretty quickly. I knocked my fork onto the sidewalk. Nancy (with her 80's hair) pretended not to know me. Nina gave me this look. Good times, good times. 40 more minutes of school, and then I am FREE!!!!!