Broncos for Obama!

This weekend our dear Senator Obama visited Denver. Initially I found this out due to a Craigslist ad my friend Megan had sent me to make some money by selling "merchandise" at the rally. 6-8 hours promising $150-350 didn't sound like a bad deal. My friend Stavros, a couchsurfer from Boulder via Virginia and Portland, and I met the sales crew at 6:30am Sunday morning. Red-flag numero uno: Kidnapper van, sketchy McSketcherson Driver/leader. We hand over our id's (RF#2) so we don't run off with his merchandise, or as my conspiracy theorist friend thinks, so if we get busted by the cops we can't give them our id's. Enter why cops would be an option: Sketchwad doesn't have a permit, as I found out upon returning from my badass sale of all my t-shirts before the rest of the crew. While waiting for my next bag of goodies (yes, I began to sense the illegal nature of this gig pretty soon) one of the other sales guys angrily approaches Sketchwad (who is sitting in the front seat of the van, heat on, doors closed, while we freeze) and demands to see the permit so his friend doesn't get arrested. Sketch tries to stall and stall more and finally admits that he doesn't have the permit... in the car. The guys gets heated and I think he's gonna pull a gun on our fearless leader. In the meantime the rest of this posse is approaching and punching their fists together and yelling, "we're gonna take your f-ing merchandise if you don't give us our id's back" as he responds with "give me your money and I'll give you the id" and this goes on as you look beyond and note the man getting arrested, yes, arrested. ID is given back as the women of the posse take down the license plate for our kidnapper van, the salescrew throws all the boxes of buttons and "Broncos for Obama" shirts back into the van. We then disperse around the block like we've been selling drugs or something. Seriously, this was crazy, or "chaotic" as Sketch says when I go tell him I'm peacing out and want my money for the day. I take my $90 bucks and skeedaddle outta there. Not bad for a few hours of work and still getting to make it for the rally.

small wonders

As some of you know, I have been substitute teaching at a couple schools here in Denver. There have been a few moments that made dealing with 25-30 3rd grade boys bearable so I thought I'd share a few stories. Also, Jenae has been having a rough go and requested funny stories. Hope this helps.

First day with k-5 teaching Spanish as a second language:

Mr. Boobies
So the little 1st graders are squirming around and whispering while I'm discussing honey and telling a story about bees. I continue until Chris pesters me enough.
"Chris, is there something you want to tell the class?"
"Yes, Miss Miller. Josh is calling you mean names."
"Its ok, lets focus on the story."
"But Miss M, he's calling you Mr. BOOOOOBIES!"

I was born in "DEeeeNVER"
There are kids from all over the world in this class. One little girl has a name similar to a friend of mine from Brazil so I ask her where she's from.

"Africa."
"Oh, thats really neat. Where in Africa?"
"Ivory Coast"
"Wow, thats far away"

... or pretty or something and I ask her a couple more questions and told her how cool that was (seriously, that is awesome. Little Ivory Coast girl in Aurora.). The little girl sitting next to her is obviously envious of all the attention little ms. Africa is getting so she raises her hand like she's about to pee her pants and I respond,

"Yes, Olivia?"
"Ummmm, I was born in a uhhhh, big building (as she outlines the buildings with her hands) in uhhhh DENVER, do you know where that is? It was really cool too. My mommy held me in the hospital. First I was in her belly when we got there and then she heeeeld me!"
While trying to appreciate her genuine desire for attention, I hid my smile and told her, "Awesome! That is so special, huh? Wow, I love it when my mommy holds me."

6th Graders:
Can I ask you a few questions?
One girl, with a bizarre name and apparently some mad ski skills, asks,

"Leah, can I ask you a few questions that are unrelated to the Math we are working on?"
"Yes, thats fine Fredertha"
"Are you married?"
"No."
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"No."
"Do you want one?"
"Ummm I'm okay with not having either right now." (My usual "I'm just looking for a job" response doesn't really cut it with 6th graders)
"Do you have a pet?"
"No."
"Ooooh, do you live in a house or an apartment?"
"Apartment."
Other kid interrupts with, "Seriously, Fredertha, why do you ask people such personal questions. That makes people uncomfortable."
"She didn't have to answer the questions, ok."

OK. I could go on. Pencils pretending to be "weewees" and little boys bawling their eyes out because someone tattles that he has a crush on me. I almost pulled my hair out several times and then those little guys do something great like have a Star Wars sound effects contest (which I'm pretty sure I won... thank you. thank you.). Good times with the kiddos.

unexpected generosity

I frequent a coffee shop, St. Marks, mainly to search for jobs and sip some chamomile tea. By frequent I mean I should help pay their rent. The other day a woman in front of me asked for a refill on her coffee and just before she walked away the barista mentioned that they charged for refills. The woman was obviously a bit shocked and apparently short of some moola. I told her I had it and she responded, "That is so kind of you, I'll have to pay it forward to someone soon!"

Yesterday I sent my friend katie a frantic email confessing my tendency to be so verbose in cover letters. HELP! She has been my 'job mentor.' I am not sure if she would claim that, but to me that is one of her many roles in my life. She emailed this morning and said she would help me out and didn't mind, "pay if forward, ya know?" she said.

On my way to an interview at what turned out to be one of the greatest educational environments, I stopped for gas. I ran my card, pushed "no/cancel" in response to the carwash question (how many people do those things? anyone?) and my card wouldn't authorize. I try again and same response. I run in to the cashier and I explain. This is where the road divides. He could scowl and suggest I didn't know how to work the machine, take my card and start the thing from the inside and go about his business. Instead, he went with me outside and tried it himself with the same response. He said he'd start it from inside with my card and even came out with the signature for me to sign instead of me running back in. Seriously! How nice is that? He said, "I help you, you help me sometime."

What good-natured people I've come in contact with.

glorious sun

I woke up yesterday morning, txted google and discovered that winter had not yet come to stay, but the next few days were set for sunshine. After applying for my umpteenth job this week I decided it was time for a treat. Dressed in tank top and shorts, I headed to the mountains. I needed the soothing sunshine, trees, water and mountains. Not that my list ends there but yesterday the conditions were perfect (tell me if you've heard that phrase before).

I looked up the disc golf course, played for an hour or so then headed to a trail in Eldorado Canyon State Park. The sun felt so nice. I hiked around for a bit, got my blood flowing then found a huge rock to camp on for a while. I hiked up my shorts and shirt (i was hidden from the main trail, don't worry - no nudity) and soaked in the rays. The fall sun seems richer than other seasons, promising toastiness the way it transforms the leaves.

After the rock I ran down the mountain to the water and wandered around for a bit. I soaked my feet in the river and looked for fun rocks before heading home.

me. excited about water, sun, trees and mountains in my day.

i like days like this. Guess what? This weekend is supposed to be even better!

In other news, I am applying for jobs like crazy still. I'm hopeful and have applied for several I could get really excited about.

keepin my pants on

Today I got to the coffee shop with that look... the "I came to the coffee shop in need of some coffee" kinda look (i think thats what you're supposed to look like). I went around to 5 or 6 restaurants in search of a job to pay some bills and tide me over before the greatness of a fulfilling job comes along. Though the sun was out I wasn't feeling the warmth as much as I'd like. So the nice coffee shop man, with a great contagious smile, said, "you need coffee." Do they all say that? I don't do coffee but I needed chocolate in a bad way. I've been eying the cheesecake brownies since I first came to this coffee shop a few weeks ago. He put one on a plate... then another and looked up with the smile, "we'll pretend like I broke one" and charged me for one. What a gem. I smiled. TWO brownies with that wonderful swirl of cheesecake will brighten anyone's day, I'm sure. As I sat down to respond to an email (with a link to a splendid colin hay song) I looked down at my very open pants. Lovely, my zipper's been down all day, through 4 hours of application/interview sessions. I did have more flare today so we'll see how that works out, katie.

Dear Jesús Cristo,
Thank you for reminding me to not take myself so seriously. A smile, a brownie and a fly down. Good stuff.

ps. I'd post a picture of the aforementioned brownies but they've been swiftly devoured.

it happened

Today is winter I think. yesterday was fall and today is winter. Yesterday there was no jacket. Today there was a scarf and hat involved in my dog-walking wardrobe. piss. I thought I was ready for it but really I like being warm and soaking up the sun. I DO like warm drinks though. AND rugby is a winter sport. There has to be more on the list of winter goodness.

It does beg for a different musical genre than late summer/early fall and thus, today my wintry morning playlist consisted of:

Teitur - you're the ocean
Ben Harper - forever
Weepies - gotta have you, not your year
James Taylor
Gomez - see the world
Joshua Radin - wills lullaby
José González - heartbeats
Ryan Adams - two and a few more

Depressing or cozy?

use whatcha momma gave ya!

From belly-dancin momma

My mom recently danced in our local parade, Aspenfest, with her belly-dancing class. She is beautiful, free and can move those hips better than most latinas I know. Work it momma!

will it be a tiny tim christmas?

Today it feels like winter... like snow is on its way, but maybe just a tease of snow and the brisk weather is really settling in.

I'm exhausted like a little mouse, running through the maze with cheese to be found at the end of several corridors. Cheese is good but does it matter what kind or how much? A little bit of fancy cheese is better than a huge chunk of cheddar, but not the mature cheddar. I could go on, but basically I am making some decisions about my professional future in a time that is less than ideal to be unemployed. I just called my grandmother, a woman I respect, but avoid in relation to the current economic crisis or that of Y2K. I am hopeful, maybe unrealistic, and she is recommending I read Ezekiel because we are most definitely facing a doomsday situation in the coming months. I know things will get bad and our generation has no grid for the environment of a depression or even crisis of this nature but is it really time to stock up on enough canned goods to last a few months? Am I naive and my grandmother is spot on? Either way I know I am one of thousands looking for work, wrestling with the question of "Take ANY job bc they're hard to come by or hold out for something fulfilling?"

I kicked myself several times for coming back from London and going right back into the restaurant business. It was easy. I love Aaron, my boss and bff, but he knows its not the career-launching job. When I coached the volleyball team this summer I was surprised at how much energy I had to devote. I want that opportunity, one that utilizes me. I need to set my sights higher, not to the "easy" move into a restaurant mgmt position. I need money so I may serve, cocktail or bartend (shhhh...don't tell grandmother... she's not a fan of alcohol) until this said job comes together, but out of respect for myself and my potential I have decided to hold out. This may be stupid if the world comes crashing down next week and I've held on to my unemployment for the sake of my ideals but we shall see.

bzzzzzzzzz

Sacred Grounds, the coffee shop my mother and I frequent back home, knows that my mom does not need caffeine. She orders "half-caf" coffees but I don't think they ever actually give her any regular coffee. She has enough of a natural high without anyone adding to it. Sometimes my friend Troy likes to play tricks on her and I want to kick him in the knees for it. I would see my mom after work around 10 at night and she was still talking 1000 mph and I would have to ask:
"mom, did you drink coffee today?"
"no, why do you ask, Leah" me,
"well mom, you're kinda buzzing around still."
"I went by Sacred and got some decaf but thats it."
I drop it and text Troy to thank him for the great joke that I have to deal with.

I am my mother's daughter though. I got green tea, which has more caffeine than you might imagine, this morning and let that caffiene flow through my veins before my phone interview, calling my sister, and chatting Kristina's ear off in London. I bzzzzed through each conversation like a druggie. Now I think I need to be locked in a detox cell. How long till this wears off?

accents

Are british voices more appealing than americans? I went to an interview this morning with a couple accent pieces - mustard sweater-vest* and fun dangly earings (i love the way danglies swoosh). According to katie it is necessary, in this quirky city, to have a little flare to set you apart. Upon return from the interview I curled up on the couch, put on The High Kings pandora radio station and took a nap.

Is anyone else a fan of the musical, Brigadoon? A friend of mine got me the record for my bday but I need to find a record player to enjoy these accents and 1950's gene kelly, what a dreamboat. Here's an old ad for your viewing pleasure.


* Shout out to Ktina and Primark, without this wonderful friend and this inexpensive store I would not have looked nearly as cool at my interview. Many thanks.

una semana

Its been one week since I landed in this great city and I am pleased, still hopeful and well-rested. I have gained a few friends, a roommate, a couple aches from running (not my ideal workout) and more laughter than I thought I'd see this week.

Highlights of week 1:

• International feast with Trevor and his homies. Greek wonders, curry, swedish stuff, incredible cheeses from those great countries with cows and although NM isn't another country, I chose Green Chile infused tequila as my offering (shout out to Monica Keyes).

• Living so close to Calley, Camille and Katie.
  

These girls are incredible. One word can't sum it up but I love them. Por ejemplo:

• Camille and I went to a concert the other night (the tuna burp night) and stayed up till 330 in the morning talking. She makes me realize that hope is not such a fight and it seems a lot lighter than the burdensome hope I have been pushing for.
• Calley and I sat in her car last night belting out the words and interpretive dance moves to Rusted Root's send me on my way.
  
• Katie will remind me of the camaraderie in job hunts and broke-living in a cool city. Also, she always serves as a smile when I'm down as I envision her curly-haired Nebraska self introducing Asian women to the world of breast exams and paps. Thank you Katie.
• Megan and I now have a great apartment with wooden floors, curved ceilings and a nice landlord in a sweet location (pictures to follow).
• Also a James concert in which I was more surrounded by men than I have been in a while. Sadly, these men of Menver are the ones that also like that its Menver, if you get my drift. Good music and nice to see so many men swayin' to the rhythm.
• Sarah Scott - beer and a nice walk-n-talk about life.
  

And tonight my dear bosom friend hannah kirkbride comes to visit and I am SO excited! She leaves for a far off land in a couple weeks so I'm stoked to spend some time with her. We get to celebrate Camille's birth tomorrow night with lots of friends.