2011 Recap

Here's the nerds with our 2011 recap. Overall this was a rough year for us, but we learned valuable lessons while total life altering changes were made. Perhaps to keep this organized (and I'm OCD about things) we'll go by month, okay?

January

We began this month optimistically, thinking that TJ's unemployment (he had been laid off  a week before Christmas from a job he had been at for five years) would be brief. This was also the month where we spent nearly every day in rehearsal for the musical we were in. Sadly backstage tensions with some cast mates led to an erosion on our friendships. The musical opened at the end of the month, and it was a success.

The boys at the California Science Center for Darren's Birthday

February

During February TJ was able to go on a few job interviews, but nothing panned out. We continued to perform in our musical and tried to figure out what to do about the financial situation. After talking with my dad who lives up in Washington, and works in the aerospace industry (TJ's industry as well), we began to plan a trip up to Washington to find jobs.

Nicole wigging out backstage before a performance

March

We made our way up to Washington, an eighteen hour drive in our SUV. The gas killed us, but overall we were fairly comfortable. This became the first major family trip we'd ever taken together. We stopped to view beautiful sights such as Shasta Lake and parts of the Oregon trail. We also took a detour to visit the visitor's center at Mount St. Helens. While in Everett, WA, we went job hunting, spent time on the lake in my dad's boat, and made our first trip to a comicon. At the Emerald City Comicon, we met James Marsters and Sean Patrick Flannery, and the boys got their pictures taken with the 501st legion, Vader's Fist. On our trip TJ was able to get a job interview, but sadly, it didn't pan out.

The boys waiting for a ride on Grandpa's boat

April

At this point we're entirely neglectful of our blog with TJ consumed with job hunting, as I devoted my time to Relay For Life and eighteen units worth of classes. We were plugging along, making do, repairing friendships, and then tragedy struck. Our dear friend Hop, had a heart attack and then a stroke. He was in a coma for a few days, and then on TJ's birthday, finally passed after another heart attack. It rocked our world, I'm sure we thought that it would eventually happen, after all, Hop was sixty-two and had habits that wears out one's body. However, it devastated us and we helped each other through our grief. It helped that we had a birthday trip to Cambria planned, it kept us busy and happy, but there was still a cloud hanging over our heads.

Our favorite place in the world, Cambria

May

May was all about Relay For Life activities, finishing up my college classes (made the President's List), and soldiering on. For a while, the group of friends, that had become a second family to us, had begun to fall apart. Hop's death brought us closer, though only for a short time. Between Relay responsibilities and life in general, fractures were beginning to appear in our friendships in this group, and we worried about how we would deal.

May the Fourth be with you!

June

This was quite a difficult month, TJ was able to secure some temporary work, which left the Relay team responsibilities on "Lucy's" and my shoulders. In the previous year, I had more or less ruled with an iron fist and that did not seem to go well, so I tried to be easy going while encouraging other team members to volunteer. Bad idea. Apparently easy going = walk all over me. With all of the sudden responsibility on our shoulders, Lucy's and my friendship took it's first major hit, and after she left the team, our friendship was in shambles. This was hard for both TJ and I, she was our closest friend, our confidant, like family. We ended up cancelling the rest of the fundraisers and kept trying to deal. Sadly, tragedy struck again. While on a trip up to Sacramento so I could take employment tests for state employment, we received news that two of our friends had been in a major car accident. We were walking around Old Sacramento after my test, and my phone started to go off, I almost didn't answer it, it was Lucy. I didn't know if I wanted to talk to her and yet I had a feeling I had to pick up the phone. She was in tears and told me about the accident. Ever the optimist, I made plans in my head to go visit the guys in the hospital soon, telling myself they would be okay. She said she would call if something else had happened, and I hoped I wouldn't hear from her the rest of the day. Not even an hour after that call, she called again. Before she even said the words, my heart sank, I just knew. "Jack's dead," she said, crying almost hysterically. He was only 30. He had been ripped from us, and we weren't ready to let go. June sucked.

The boys at the Wells Fargo museum in Old Sacramento

July

This month came at us like a runaway freight train. TJ's temporary work ended which prompted him to start sending his resume all the way up to Sacramento, and all the way down to San Diego. There was simply no work for us in our area. Relay, though stressful and time consuming, was a big success. We had a great time and our team ended up raising over $5,000! We were the number ten team out of over fifty teams! After the difficult past few months, we decided that we'd go camping for my birthday, so we could have peace and quiet and clear our heads. Just days before this trip, TJ received a call for a job interview down in Orange County, while we were down there we had lunch at Downtown Disney and joked about becoming annual passholders if we moved down there. TJ was hoping to hear something about the job after our camping trip during the weekend. We had a great time camping, fishing, hiking, and visiting with our camp neighbors. While on a fishing excursion at a different creek, TJ received a phone call. He got the job. While our minds had been on fishing and relaxing before, they suddenly changed to relocating, moving, apartments, the kids, and the like. On my actual birthday, we ended up down in Orange County, apartment hunting. Thankfully, we quickly found one, and moved just eleven days later. July was crazy.

TJ peacefully fishing

August

This month was mostly uneventful and was mostly about adjusting to a new place, lots of Disneyland trips, and job hunting for me. Seriously, that's about it. I could write about unpacking or frustration with finding legit job postings on Craigslist, but that's kind of boring don't you think?

All three kids at the Happiest Place on Earth (well for them it is)

September

The boys returned to school in September, where they flourished academically and excelled socially. In other words, they really love their new school! Speaking of school, September was when I had my ten year high school reunion. I was totally jazzed to go (and literally sick as well), and then when I showed up, I realized that I did not know anyone! Sure there were some awkward times that night (especially when some drunk jocks tried to dominate the evening), and the smoke alarm was set off by the fog machine, but overall it was fun! I made new friends that evening, and it will certainly be an evening I always remember!

Riley's poetry project, "One Sister For Sale!"

October

October seemed a mix of both good and bad. Good, I got a job, albeit a seasonal one, though it had potential to become permanent and full time. Bad, I mangled the SUV in the apartment parking lot, I fought the battle with yellow concrete poles and I lost. Good, we took part in so many Halloween and fall festivities, it was amazing. Bad, my community college royally screwed me over with financial aid and textbooks. Good, I was offered another job. Bad, my first job made me turn down the second one. My oldest son also turned nine, and now asks me if I feel old. Thanks son.

Trick or Treat!

November

This month we took a step forward and two steps back. It felt like we were finally making progress, and then I was sidelined with bronchitis. Okay so this meant a few days off of work without pay, we could deal with that, until on the second day I noticed my left knee was starting to hurt. This wasn't really unusual, for the past six months it would ache for a day and then go away. But the next day it didn't go away, it was worse. And the day after that I could hardly walk on it, so I went back to urgent care and was taken off of work for a week, until I could see my doctor (who was on vacation, great timing on my knee's part, right?) and get a proper diagnosis. After I was able to see my doctor, the slow process began, it took a week and a half to get crutches (therefor costing me even more work) and in November I was able to get an x-ray and see my orthopedic surgeon for the first time. Thanksgiving was bittersweet, sure we had plenty to be thankful for, but the constant disruptions were beginning to wear on us.

Family movie night

December

The final month of December would prove to be a strain. By this time I was relegated to the couch whenever I was at home, and at work I was on extremely light duty. This made things difficult, as I'm an extremely active person, and being forced to sit and do nothing, or hardly anything at all, is enormously frustrating for me. Poor TJ had taken on the many responsibilities that were previously mine, though amazingly enough, he's never resented me or made me feel like I'm a burden. He's a wonderful man, that is for sure. You figure with all this time I've had, I'd be better about blogging, but I don't know what to write about. Normally I like writing about the adventures in life, but I don't think there is much to be written about adventures from my couch. I finally received a diagnosis for my knee, but it took a MRI and one more visit to my orthopedic surgeon to get it. I have a severe tear in my meniscus, which is why I have severe pain and discomfort. This also explains why my knee would lock up or give out. I was also developing severe swelling in my left leg whenever I worked, so my doctor removed me from work until the surgery next month. My injury cost me my first job that I've had in a long time, but what can be done? I'll admit, the holidays have been rough for me, they are typically a time where I'm baking up a storm, decorating like crazy, volunteering, going to festivals and other fun activities with the family. This holiday season was spent mostly on my couch. December was depressing.

Rolling in style, like my new wheels?

I believe 2012 will be better, it has to be, I'll make sure it's better than 2011 was! To begin with, my surgery is on January 10th, so I'll be starting off the year with a repaired knee. Check back tomorrow for our annual "Reflections and Resolutions" post from both TJ and I. Yay, TJ's actually going to post something!

Knee Therapy

I apologize, but for what few readers that actually check this occasionally, I'm going to use this post as a bit of therapy.

I'm frustrated. This time of year is usually one of my favorites, I'm normally baking tons of goodies in the kitchen, making crafts with the kids, having a Christmas party for friends, and I even enjoy going out and Christmas shopping (sick right?). 

My recent knee problem (can't really call it an injury since it's been an ongoing issue) has really slowed me down. Scratch that, I haven't slowed down, I've been downright stopped. I haven't baked one thing for Christmas yet, and that is seriously depressing me. Considering I have all this time in between work on weekends and the occasional doctor's appointment, I should have baked enough to stock a bakery. I can't though. Standing for long periods of time equals pain, and just recently, pretty severe edema in my left leg. Yesterday I ran errands for the first time in nearly a month, and though I was pretty proud of myself, it was difficult and painful. Mind you these errands were just going to the bank, two stores, and the post office by myself, but it was enough to "couch" me for pretty much the rest of the day. It also exhausted me, I found myself falling asleep in the car while waiting for Riley to get out of school.

I feel so bad for the kids, as I haven't been much fun lately. I know they understand, but I still feel incredibly crappy that they're going to remember the time when "Mom stayed on the couch for a few months," for the rest of their lives. 

As for the friends thing, this stupid knee has even slowed down my quest for new friends. I still have yet to make a good friend down here, and my knee is keeping me from going out to meet new people. I hate it, as I'm a very social person who's been forced to become a hermit. I wish I could hang out with someone or even call someone on the phone, but there's no one. I also can't seem to get any friends down here to visit from our old town. As a matter of fact, since we've moved, we've only seen three friends down here. I don't know what to make of that. The rational side of me makes excuses and says, "Oh gas is still a little high, they're probably busy, the timing is bad." However, the more paranoid side says, "You're not a good enough friend to warrant them taking the time and money to come down and see you." I want to think that side is wrong, but I do wonder. I recently got my hopes up in thinking that I was going to finally see a friend that I missed terribly, and had even requested time off (on a day that I shouldn't have, but that's how important this friend is), then I was blown away by a sudden change in dates and now the friend will be down here on a day that I can't request off unless someone in my immediate family has died. I don't know what to think. Once again the rational is pointing out that it is this friend's decision, and that it's not about me at all. But that stupid paranoid side says, "This friend hasn't come down here in the nearly five months you've been down here, and now they will be here on a day you can not get off? Yeah you're not a priority." 

I hate feeling like this, both the physical effects of my knee, and what it is doing to me emotionally and mentally.

Grief of a Goldfish

We interrupt this schedule of laziness and slackery to bring you deep philosophical thoughts about goldfish death.

Okay, we suck at posting, we've admitted this. We have good reasoning this time! Other than our duties of parenting, and my duties with school and Relay, TJ has been working major overtime and I have a job. Okay my hours aren't the most consistent, but finally, I have a job. I've also undertaken another project, but that's another post for another day.

Let me give some back story about my son Darren (Anakin) and his misfortune with fish. He got his very first pet goldfish shortly after he turned five, he named it Charlie. Charlie lived for 72 hours. So we went back to the pet store and got another goldfish that he named, Charlie 2. Sadly, and even more frustratingly, Charlie 2 didn't even make it to 24 hours. Apparently Darren has rotten luck with goldfish. Thankfully, Charlie 3 lived for quite some time, and Darren is now naming animals after Star Wars and Magic Tree House characters.

So we're on goldfish #5 and on Sunday we go to feed the goldfish where we see the all too familiar sight of a fish stuck to the filter.

"Oh please don't let it be Darren's, oh please don't let it be Darren's!"

Sure enough Darren says, "My fish!"

Crap.

We have a short talk about death (right before bed of all times) and proceed with the bathroom water burial. We promise him a new goldfish within a few days, and on Tuesday I decided to take all three kids to the local PetsMart.

Darren found his fish right away, a lovely goldfish with black fin tips. We all remark on how he looks like a tiger, and his name becomes "Tiger Fish." I pay my $0.13 for the fish as well as $3.00 for a new net (just in case) and we head on home. Tiger Fish spends the day playing hide and seek in the little Spongebob pineapple house as the kids watch on in glee. I figure all is well in the family pet world.

Then I checked on the fish this morning. Guess what I found next to the pineapple house? The little rigid body of Tiger Fish. So we're experiencing goldfish grief redux and this time it seems to be harder for Darren. We spent our time during breakfast addressing his thoughts on death and the sadness of losing things or people we love. I found it to be an extremely deep conversation for a seven year old, but Darren had questions, and thankfully I had answers.

Darren's mood had improved greatly by the time I dropped him and his brother off at school, and I'll give you one guess to where we're going right after I pick them up from school.

Make sure that the people and pets in your life know that you love them, because you just never know.

Is There a Somewhat Decent Doctor in the House?

Well everyone, I saw the doctor today. It was my first time seeing this doctor and I had made the choice to see this doctor given his fairly decent reviews online. All I have to say is: people lie.

I suppose there are some things that I shouldn't hold against this doctor, like his location in a shopping center, the lack of any office staff, and the more than minimalist waiting area. Needless to say, my first impression wasn't the greatest.

I arrived early as I had anticipated filling out tons of forms and medical histories, so it would not cut into my actual appointment time. I had one form to fill out, only one, and though my wrists are thankful, I'm not sure I feel the most comforted in knowing that apparently my new doctor is only interested in how to contact me and who to bill.

Finally it's appointment time and I explain to the doctor my medical history. This goes well, except the doctor seems more keen on making sure I get a flu, tetanus (was due anyway), and dTap shot. Alright so now I'm current on my immunizations, but that's not the reason why I paid him a visit.

He asks me what's been going on, and I refer to the list of symptoms I've made note of in my phone. We talk about my dizziness for a bit and then he completely glosses over my joint and body pain. I mention my fatigue, headaches, and memory loss. I even emphasized that it is weird that my biggest memory issue is whether or not I locked the car. Considering my memory, something that short term is alarming to me. He doesn't even discuss it, instead choosing to talk about my nausea and stomach issues and he wants to try and connect it to my dizziness. Not even close, my dizziness typically happens in the afternoon and my nausea in the evening. I bring up my right breast pain and make sure to note that it happens almost everyday, is sharp not dull like premenstrual ache, and has been happening for nearly two months now.

He ignores me, instead choosing to listen to my lungs, my heart, feel my abdomen, and says he's sending me to have my thyroid levels tested, and he'll give me a prescription for my Levoxyl, though I don't need anymore, I'm good for another 5 months.

He then walks out of the room, indicating the visit is over. As he writes out my prescription and prints up my lab orders, I try one last time to talk about the breast pain, as it even has me concerned. So he hands me a paper on how to check my breasts. Ummm thanks dude, I've known how to do this since I was 14. He hands me my papers and says, "Bye!" I give up, and walk out the door.

I don't know what to do. It's not like I can change doctors right away, I have to wait a month. So I guess for now I continue to suffer as this idiot has no interest in finding out what's wrong with me. I feel so defeated.

The Contagion of Rudeness

I observed an interesting phenomena yesterday, while at Disneyland with TJ, the kids, my sister, her boyfriend, and my little niece. Since it was their first day of their Halloween season, the park was packed, lines were long, nerves were probably frayed. After waiting an incredibly long time for the train, we were finally able to move past the turnstiles and into the waiting queue by the railroad track. Since my sister and I travel with two kids small enough for strollers we had to fold the strollers up quickly, lead our small children by the hand, and navigate a corner. As I was rounding the corner, I noticed a couple who had been standing behind our group trying to cut through via a narrow opening near a trash can.

Let me just say this now, I don't like cutters, and I find it incredibly rude.

So I barked at them, "Wait your turn," and gave them the look. They both had a "hand caught in the cookie jar look," and I figured that was that. This wasn't the first time I've dealt with cutters, and it probably won't be the last.

As we walked towards our spot where we would wait in line, the girl said, "Guess someone is on her period."

Really? We're going to do this? In front of my kids?

Since my kids were there, I only countered with, "I don't like cutters."

I figured since we're all adults, and they had tried to cut in front of a family with two strollers, that they'd drop it.

They didn't. And after hearing for five minutes about "The cutters bitch," I finally said, "Really? You're still going on about this?" and rolled my eyes. Then I witnessed something odd, the contagion of rudeness. A couple who had taken no part in the initial exchange, began to get involved. Well I should say only the guy was involved, his poor girlfriend looked like she wished he'd disappear, or she'd disappear, or something.

This guy began to go on about how he was going to sit behind us and say rude stuff. Really dude? And as the train finally arrived, and we began to board, he dragged his girlfriend over to our bench and told her to take the bench behind us. She hesitated. He told her to sit. She protested. He demanded she sit.

Poor girl.

So I heard some remarks about cutting a few times, which I ignored. It wasn't really hard to do, I was on one end of the bench with my sister behind me, and he was on the other end sitting behind TJ, who thought the guy wanted to run his mouth to make himself feel important. So all I heard was, "Mumble mumble, cut....mumble mumble."

Obviously the guy's plan failed, and he and his embarrassed girlfriend got off at the next stop.

Now what I thought was interesting is that this guy did not know us, and he didn't even know the couple that had tried to cut, and yet he was trying to interject himself into a dramatic situation. Also interestingly enough, he wanted to create drama with a mom that was only trying to keep two rude people from cutting in front of her family.

Interesting quandary isn't it?

Reunion

To begin with, I hate being sick. Secondly, I hate being sick when something important is coming up. So guess what happened just a few days from my 10 year high school reunion? Yeah, I caught a nasty cold from my daughter. The cold was severe enough that I was unsure if I was going to even make it to my reunion until about noon on Saturday. Thankfully I felt "well enough" to make the trip (changing elevation is killer on the ears) and we trekked up north to very city where TJ and I met and shared our first, though short, relationship.

The invitation read cocktail attire, and to me that meant a nice black dress, heels, and some jewelry for me, and a nice suit for TJ. We got ready in record time and headed off to the reunion. On the way there we wondered who we might see out of the class of 521 students that had graduated that year. I hope that some of my friends would have made the trip as I haven't seen some of them in quite a while. I also wondered if I'd see any of my classmates from choir, band, JROTC, or wrestling. We pulled up to the Hilton by the mall where TJ and I have fond high school memories of playing video games for hours in the Tilt arcade. Gauntlet Legends anyone?

Excitedly, though a little nervously, we hurried to the registration table to pick up our name tags and dinner tickets, walked into the ballroom and saw.... four tables.

Was I in the right room? Surely we'd need more than four tables to host the many students that would be able to make it right?

Nope, apparently the 10 year reunion is not popular with many alumni, and out of 521 students, only 25 showed up.

The first alumni I encountered I could not remember for the life of me (yay name tags) and TJ and I hit the bar hoping that a bit of wine would help the evening along. Slowly, more alumni started to trickle in and I began to realize in horror that I. Did. Not. Know. Anyone.

Yes folks, that's right, at my 10 year reunion, I did not know anyone. Talk about awkward. Thankfully as the night wore on we did get to know each other and go figure, at my reunion, TJ was actually recognized by one of my classmates.

The reunion for the most part was enjoyable, it was decorated nicely and the food was fantastic. The committee did an excellent job planning the whole event. And I even won gift cards as a door prize and for apparently knowing the most useless stuff about our school and graduating class. Gotta love that memory of mine!

Things did get a little uncomfortable for TJ and me towards the end, a few guys had shown up halfway through drunk, stoned, or possibly both, and tried to change the whole dynamic of the party. While trying to make some polite small talk with one of them, he told me that he's still the same, that he hasn't changed since middle school. I'm sure he's right about that, though I'm not sure if that's a good thing.

However, the night ended well, with a small group of us escaping to go have a few beers at BJ's and to talk about how life has been since high school. One of the most entertaining parts of the conversation was when we found out that everyone of us is a fan of Phineas and Ferb! Yup, we're parents all right!

Who knew that by showing up to my high school reunion, and not knowing anyone, that I would walk away at the end of the evening with new friendships? My only regret is that we hadn't started these friendships in high school.

Fall is Coming!

Fall (the most awesome season of the year) is almost here! That is all!

Hodgepodge of Randomness

Hello readers,

This week has been an interesting one with more ups and downs than a Six Flags roller coaster. I won't go into detail about the downs, but it is related to the job situation and my own personal demons. My pride took a beating this week, but I've learned the importance of leaning on those when needed, and reaffirmed that I want to make a living by helping others. Thankfully, I'm well on this path and I may get there sooner than I previously thought. 

Despite my lack of employment, TJ and I are doing well, we may even have a big announcement in the next few months, but I'll leave it at that for now. Right now we're focusing on working together to achieve goals that we've set for ourselves, and to raise our little mini nerds the best way possible. Speaking of them, they start their new school this week and they couldn't be happier. 

Enough for the updates I suppose, on to my random thoughts.

To those playing the "Breast Cancer Awareness" game on facebook, why? Posting how many "weeks" you are and what you're "craving," isn't the most informative way to bring about breast cancer awareness. In the past I've thought these games were kind of fun (the bra one), then got a little weird (purse location), and then got flat out ridiculous (shoe size). And why do we have to leave the men out of it? They can get breast cancer too! 

Speaking of cancer, I've recently been invited to become a Power User for this Relay year, and I will be more or less a leader or guide to other online chairs. Which also reminds me, I'm looking for a co-chair for Tehachapi if anyone is interested! Sometimes I wonder if I've taken on too much by being on the committee for an event so far away, but the feeling that I may be making a difference is totally worth it.

And now for something completely different. Thank you to all the readers that sent ideas on how to make mommy friends, I greatly appreciate it and hope to be using these ideas at a playground or school soon! I also thank you for the support I received after the frustration post. We're very fortunate to have good readers and friends.

I also promise that we'll get TJ to start writing posts again, as some of you may know, he lacks confidence in his spelling and grammar, so he's a little shy when it comes to writing. I'm hoping to get him back to writing soon!

Finally, I wanted to share an idea with you all, to be honest this is TJ's idea. As a few of you know, my life has been quite a journey, and most of the times, a downright struggle. Months ago, TJ suggested I start writing about my life and at the time, I brushed him off by asking, "Who would want to read that?" 

Today I woke up and realized something. It's not about who reads it. It's about sharing my story. A literary affirmation to myself that I can survive. And if it happens to help someone that reads it? Bonus. 

Thank you for dealing with my random, disconnected thoughts today.

Frustration

This job hunting thing really does suck, apparently most of the jobs posted on Craigslist are scams (which is why I won't be looking there anymore) and most of the jobs on job search engines are for temp agencies. I'm trying my luck with the state but I keep getting letters back saying that I do not have list eligibility (check again people, I do, and I have the results to prove it). My first day down here, I had a job interview, the first one I've had in a long time. Though I didn't get the job, I figured it was a sign that finding a job down here may be easier. So far I've been proven wrong. Within the first week of moving here I also had a test for a position with the school district. We were told only the top three would get interviews, guess who ranked third? And guess who has not heard about her interview three weeks later and calling numerous times to leave messages? Sigh... oh well.

The upside is, there have been more jobs to apply for, so I'll just keep trying.

Everyone Likes A Good Train Wreck

Okay, think back to the last time you passed an accident. I'm talking, mangled cars on the road with an ambulance, fire truck, and two cop cars.

Did you look?

Chances are you did, because for some reason, it is in our nature to observe tragic circumstances. It also seems to be in our nature to pass judgment on these "trainwrecks."

Think about "Octomom," did you pass judgment on that trainwreck? I'm sure you did. What about Charlie Sheen? Yeah? I'm sure I could continue to name "trainwreck" after "trainwreck" and I'm sure you had a judgmental thought or two, or even more about each one. I know I'm guilty of them too! However, why is it that we feel so comfortable judging these people, most of them we'll never personally know.

Lately, I've heard a lot of people judge a certain "trainwreck" one that I will not name as it is completely and utterly tragic. I will say that it is high profile and many people are throwing around the "off with their head" sentiment about the individual involved.

Why do they feel compelled to pass judgment? Why are we going with the kneejerk, emotional response, instead of cooling our head and waiting for the rational and logical thoughts? Why must we respond to everything with "Kill them!" Instead of waiting for the facts and hoping for justice and mercy?

This makes me sad that many are quick to anger and lust for blood, instead of wait for the truth and facts to be revealed.

Even those that may be faced with the truth and facts refuse to think other than "blood, blood, blood." Why? What good does that accomplish? Why do people desire this so much?

Just a few thoughts tonight my friends, just the both of us (TJ and I) wondering why people seek death and destruction instead of truth and mercy.

TJ wanted me to add this:

"A Dog's Purpose from a 6 year old"

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me.  I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.  He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"

The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Wanted: A Few Good Mommy Friends

In case you missed the last few posts, we moved, which means when it comes to friends we have to start all over again. Easy, right?

In high school, it was about seeking out the people that shared the same interests with you, those interests could be drama, basketball, JROTC, or the Backstreet Boys. All that mattered is that you had something in common and you could tolerate each other.

Then as adults it gets a bit more complicated, perhaps you can make friends at college, or your workplace, or a civic group or club you belong to, but there is still that common denominator of having at least one thing in common.

I have kids, which means I share a common denominator with many people out there, and yet finding "Mommy" friends is so illusive to me. It is a friendship I have struggled to create over the past eight years, and having recently moved, I don't anticipate it getting any easier.

I feel completely and utterly socially inept when it comes to making "Mommy" friends. For starters, where can I find these women? Do I start stalking playgrounds and Chuck E. Cheese's in the hopes that I'll find a mom that I hit it off with? How would I even approach them? I can see it now....

Me: "Hi, I just noticed how well your son is playing on the playground with my two boys, we should totally Facebook each other!"

or....

Me: "OMG our kids have matching Perry the Platypus shirts, do you love Phineas and Ferb too? We have the new movie, you should come over some time for a playdate and watch it with us!"

Nah...wouldn't work. It seems picking up chicks in a bar is easier than picking up mommy friends at a park.

So in order to not appear as super creepy, stalker mom, I'll probably be the quiet mom sitting on the park bench, watching my kids play on the swings and slides and hope that one day I'll be able to stumble into a mommy friendship of my own.

Pay It Forward

I'm a big believer in karma, I really am. I believe that everything you send out into the world, good or bad, will eventually come back to you. TJ and I are also believers in paying it forward. Last weekend, it was paid back to us.

As you all know we have moved, and if you're a Facebook friend, you really know this because we haven't been shy about how much we love it here. So now our small mountain town with our friends and theatre family is about two and a half to three hour drive from our new city. This last weekend we attended the Golden Apple Awards, Tehachapi Community Theatre's annual pot luck and awards ceremony. We took our large SUV since we knew we were picking up my daughter from her dad's, and because it's a lot more comfortable than the Mini (sorry TJ). We get up to T-Town, pick up my daughter, have lunch at Kelcy's, our favorite restaurant, get TJ and the boys their hair cut (yes, we love our stylist that much), and went to Albertsons to pick up some food for the pot luck and as we get back into the SUV, it won't start. All we hear is clicking.

Oh crap.

So I'm trying to think of my limited car knowledge and I begin to think it's something major, like the starter. TJ is checking the fuses and looks generally confused. A kind lady stops by and asks if we need roadside assistance, but of course that will cost us, so we decline and call TJ's parents, hoping they're coming into town soon. Nope, still an hour out.

We're so screwed.

Then a kind older gentleman walks up and says, "Hey need a jump?" He proceeds to get in his SUV and parks it in front of ours, and connects the batterys. We let it charge for a few minutes, and then attempt to start our SUV. Nothing. So the good Samaritan offers to take TJ to Auto Zone to get the battery checked, and I walk the kids to McDonalds (same parking lot as Albertsons) so they can play while I try not to freak out.

It is weird how things work out though. One of the reasons we go to Kelcy's is that there is a waitress there that we absolutely adore, and she's also a member of our theatre family. She was not at Kelcy's that day and we were bummed since we didn't know when we'd see her again. As I'm waiting in the McDonalds a familiar face walks into the Playplace area. I couldn't believe it, it's our friend! So thankfully I had someone to talk with as I waited nervously for news on the SUV.

TJ took the battery to get tested and as it turned out, it was completely dead. He bought a new battery and the good Samaritan took him back to the SUV and helped him put it in. SUV still would not start, so they went back to Auto Zone for connectors, and then back to the SUV to install them. This did the trick and I cannot tell you how happy I was to see TJ pull into the McDonalds parking lot.

Thankfully we made it to the awards in time and had a great evening visiting with our theatre family. TJ even won two Golden Apples, one for Best Actor (It's A Wonderful Life) and one for Best Blooper (A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum). 

I'm also happy to report, the drive home was safe and uneventful.

I'm very thankful for this good Samaritan, all in all, he spent nearly an hour and a half of his own time helping us. This kind man is a reminder for me to keep paying it forward, and I hope you all do the same.

Isn't It Ironic?

No, I'm not talking Alanis Morissette "Ironic" where it's a bunch of weird occurrences (how is a black fly in a chardonnay really ironic, I just want to know). 

As our few readers know, TJ just started a job after seven long months of unemployment, during which he received unemployment benefits. Also during this period of unemployment, we both took tests for state employment as office technicians. 

Anyways, we're going through the mail and there have been offers for interviews and such with the state (not worth the time, his new job is so much better). Well we're going through the mail and he has two pieces of mail from EDD (California unemployment). One is some affidavit about the address change (he just received his final unemployment checks) and the other is an offer for an interview with them.

Isn't it ironic, don't you think?

Darren-ism for the day: "Mom, I'm so glad you made us!"

Having an Open Mind and an Open Heart

I used to be a judgmental, self-righteous bitch. Seriously, it was bad. I was all up in everyone's business and wasn't afraid to judge them for it. But what I should have done was to take a look at my own life. What I would have found is that I'm far from perfect, and I have made mistakes. I would have figured out that I had no business in judging others, or saying negative things about their life. 

Eventually I did learn this lesson, and it has been a learning experience ever since. I'm happy to have this outlook now, but it's unfortunate and saddening that many do not. I'm honestly just tired of people judging the ones I love, and the self-righteousness is sickening. So I am left with this problem, do I call these people on it? Or do I hope that one day they will have the same realization that I had? I have to be honest, I hate confrontation, and typically avoid it like a nerd avoids Twihards at Comic-Con. 

I guess this is just me airing my frustration at all the judgmental people of the world. What can be done?

Black Sheep Unite!

According to Wikipedia (which as we all know, may or may not be accurate), "black sheep" is an idiom used to describe an odd or disreputable member of a group, especially within a family. The term has typically been given negative implications, implying waywardness. It derived from the atypical and unwanted presence of other black individuals in flocks of white sheep.

To go even further and reference the American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms (obviously more reputable than Wiki), "black sheep" means: The least reputable member of a group; a disgrace. For example, Uncle Fritz was the black sheep of the family; we always thought he emigrated to Argentina to avoid jail. This metaphor is based on the idea that black sheep were less valuable than white ones because it was more difficult to dye their wool different colors. Also, in the 16th century, their color was considered the devil's mark. By the 18th century the term was widely used as it is today, for the odd member of a group.

Well one thing you may have gleaned from this blog is that we're odd. I am the self-proclaimed black sheep of my family, given the many times I've been wayward (as my family would call them, mistakes), I'm obviously the odd one out. Yes, I live unconventionally, I've given up the family religion, the family political party, and live life differently.

This hasn't proven to be too much of an issue with my immediate family, because I have to be honest, they can be a little odd too, and my parents were both the black sheep of their families (that whole apple and tree idiom is coming to mind). However, with the extended family it seems to be a problem. While there are family members who are not afraid to call, text, message, associate, etc with me, to the others I'm treated that if they ignore me, I might actually disappear. It does bother me at times, as I obviously feel left out, but I can't change the past, and I can't change who I am.

Any advice from any fellow black sheep out there?  

Stuff My Son Says

To begin with, we're doing well so far down in the OC, we've already been to Disneyland more times than I went in the first eleven years of my life. The apartment is coming together, though storage and organization remains an issue. We're hoping to rectify this problem after a couple trips to IKEA. TJ is settling into his job nicely, and I have many interviews and tests coming up, so employment is in the offing it seems. The boys have adapted so well to this move that it is frightening! I was completely ready for the tears and for the tearful statements of how they miss their friends and our old home. So far, not one tear, and they're not missing anything, if anything I hear how much they love the OC...many times a day.

Well that's the little update, now on to the subject of this blog posting. I realized a year or so ago, that my younger son is very witty, and some of the things that have come out of his mouth are quite entertaining or even downright hilarious. I don't know where he gets some of these things, but I suspect he picks up more than I even realize. A few days ago, after a few witty remarks made at the Magical Kingdom, I decided to start documenting these remarks, and what better way to keep track than on our blog?

Here are some older "Darren-isms" (as we call it in our house).

"Mom I can't walk smart," said as he trips over his own feet.

"Well, guess I'm screwed," said to his aunt after she refuses a request for sweets. I still don't know where he picked that up considering he was only five when he uttered those words.

While trying to talk him into eating all of his dinner so he could get dessert, he said, "Nevermind, sugar is bad for my brain." Outsmarted by a six year old!

"Don't worry mom, it's just a volcano," said while seeing Mount St. Helens for the first time.

"Are you kidding? That scared the crap out of us!" said when asked if he wanted to go back onto the Hollywood Tower of Terror

"Thank you my good man," said to a waiter who brought us our food at a restaurant at Disneyland.

"Mom, did they just use their flash? Didn't they listen to the pirates? It's against the rules!" said as some idiot used their flash repeatedly in the darkened part of Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean.

Which reminds me, why do people use their flash after they're told not to? What makes them think that it's a good idea to use the flash in a dark environment? Darren and I have light sensitive eyes, which means we need sunglasses whenever we're in sunlight or else we develop painful headaches.  In the past week, we've seen many people use their flash in the dark parts of rides, which has led to a few headaches, and the occasional grumpy TJ (nobody blinds his family and gets away with it).

So to my readers (what few of you there are), please, just say no to flash photography at Disneyland!

 Nerdy family on the loose at Disneyland!

The Nerds Move to the Big City!

Well, a bigger city that is. Yes, our very few followers, we have moved. And yes, we are attempting yet again to update this blog. Apparently we're uber busy.

Let's sum up the recent events, we were still facing unemployment and dealing with everyday life and our volunteer efforts like Relay For Life. We had our Relay on July 9th and 10th, and I have to say that Nerds For A Cure kicked butt! We raised over $5,000 overall and over $1,000 at Relay alone! We ended up a Team Trailblazer (one of only three teams) and we were the overall #10 team! Way to go Nerds! After Relay we decided to take a nice relaxing camping trip for my upcoming birthday. The day before the camping trip, TJ had a job interview down in Orange County. We were thinking, "Wow, this would be quite a move, but it's nice down here!" I remember telling TJ that maybe this was the job, that the others weren't right and this was the "one." While we were fishing Rock Creek on Saturday, he got the call. He got the job!

So we were left the task of moving within a week and half, and on Monday the 18th (my actual birthday) we checked out nine apartments and found the perfect one. We spent the next week coming down to the OC for paperwork and packing our townhouse at home. It was a hasty move, but it got done and we're now OC residents! And we have even more good news! Our first full day here was Thursday and guess who got a  job interview that very same day? Me! It's looking like I have a good shot at it, and we should know by Monday!

Now you may be wondering, what about the kids? Well, we are eight miles from Disneyland, six miles from the beach, and have tons of fun things to do all around us, what do you think? Needless to say, they are happy, which makes this so much easier on TJ and I.

So far we are loving life down here, we love the marine layer, the close proximity to everything, and a little store a few miles away that I like to call IKEA. Look to us in the future as we yet try and keep this darn thing updated!

The Wind

This is about the feeling of having the wind knocked out of you. I remember the first time it happened to me. I was seven years old and climbing a tree in the front yard of my Granny's house in Sacramento. It was dark outside, and I was alone. I remember trying to get to a branch higher up in the tree, a branch I hadn't dared to aspire to climb to before. I remember climbing higher and higher and then I reached, clawing at the branch, desperately trying to grasp it. I lost my balance and fell, onto my back on ground that was unforgiving and harsh.

I laid there, gasping for breath, thinking at the tender age of seven, that I was going to die. The wind had been knocked out of me. And yet, over twenty years later, it feels the same. Only I haven't fallen from a tree. It's amazing the affects that others have on you. 

Edited to add a quick note: In case anyone is wondering, TJ and I are fine, we're actually closer than ever.

Choices

"Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it." --Kevyn Aucoin

Lately I've been contemplating the choices we make in life. Even how we choose to approach life. For example, I can choose to look at the positive in my life and move forward, or I can choose to dwell on the negative and stay stuck in the mire of my own pessimism. I do not understand those that choose such a path in life. I respect that it is their right to make that choice, but I do not understand it. I know that I too, am guilty of feeling a bit negative at times, I mean, who doesn't? But to choose that day after day would be so exhausting physically, mentally, and emotionally.

As a Psych major, I'm hoping to understand this choice better, and hope to one day help those that suffer from this emotional bondage. But for now I don't know how to approach these individuals, do I try and help them? Who says they even want my help? How would I even try and help them? Or do I choose to distance myself from this negativity and focus on the positives within my life, choosing not to be dragged down into the negative mire?

Sometimes this negativity will indirectly or even directly affect me, and I find it difficult to not take this personally. But I guess it is my choice to take it personally or let it roll off me without letting it get under my skin. For now I guess I will "choose" to find the joy in life, and not let the negativity get to me.

Nothing Much

Yesterday I began my summer semester, which means that I added more to my plate. I figured it would be no problem, since I'm taking a General Activity PE class and a Critical Thinking English class.

Oh boy was I wrong!

It turns out I need to log at least five hours of activity in my PE class and I will be writing three to five page papers for my English class every other week.

I should be okay though, more Relay team members are stepping up to help out, which is greatly appreciated. This week we definitely need the help, we have a booth at the Farmer's Market on Thursday and a Benefit Concert on Sunday. I just hope the concert works out!

Well, that is all for now, like I said, nothing much, I'm just trying to get better at updating this thing!

Lights, Camera, Action!

Last night was the very first night of shooting for the movie I'm in. I've done a lot of acting on stage, but never in front of a camera. It was an interesting and educational experience! 

I began the night by trying on costume pieces, changing my nails to a bright pink shade, spilling the nail polish in the process onto a costume piece. Yeah, I know I'm a spaz. Afterwards I got to watch a co-star get her special effects make-up applied. That was a really cool process and ended up slightly grossed out by the end. After the sun went down and the sky was finally dark, we began filming. I didn't have many scenes to film, and I only had one line, but I know I'll have some heavy duty filming days soon! 

Other than the costume faux pas, I made one of the classic mistakes a newbie could make, I looked into the camera instead of at my co-star. Though I may have had a rough start, I think the night went well, and I can't wait to film more! I just need to keep the pink nail polish away from my costumes!

Hopefully, I'll be able to post more info about the movie soon, but for now feel free to visit my director's blog!

House 17161

Excuse me, would you mind removing your foot from my back?

For anyone that is wondering, the work that TJ and I do for Relay For Life is completely volunteer. Translation: We don't get paid.

Now this is fine for both of us since we've both been touched by cancer. For example, my mom was diagnosed with Basal cell carcinoma, just two days after last year's relay. That was scary for us, but I can't imagine what my mom was going through or what she was thinking. After all she lost both of her parents to two different types of cancer, so I'm sure she was incredibly intimidated by the diagnosis. 

Okay back to the original thought here, we do this because it's something we want to make a difference in. We're trying to make this difference through running our own team (in it's second year by the way) and this year we are the chair and co-chair for all the online functions for our local Relay.

What this means is that we're in charge of the website, Facebook, emails, and customer service for those that need help online. 

So we have invested many hours into this cause, and since most people know that we are volunteers, you would think that people wouldn't give us grief right? Wrong.

On a regular basis we ask people if they would like to donate, even just a dollar to help in the fight against cancer. All they have to do is say, "No, thank you," and walk away. Most do, but those unfortunate few like to take this moment to berate us about anything from the "ugly purple ribbons" around town, to how their ex-wife is a cancer survivor and already gets all their money, to how they just don't care about cancer. There's also the dirty looks, swear words, and the flat out ignoring that we get. I have to admit, it's a little discouraging.

Well these are perfect strangers right, so you figure those that know us and know our dedication would be kinder right? Sadly, that's not always so. I've experienced people that have nearly expected me to be at their beck and call for information, and expect me to get it done just minutes after they send an email. As I was coming back from Washington, at a hotel room in Oregon, I had someone expect me to get info to them right then and there, ummm...sorry, I'm a little busy?

There's the hostility I've experienced if I have to remind them of a deadline or a policy, or even the demand that I set an exact time for a contest to end. Perhaps next time I post a contest I should set the deadline and post the Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern times, just to prevent any confusion.

So all of this is a little disheartening, and it leaves me wondering if our work is appreciated at all. And then I'll get an email from someone thanking me, a hug from another Relay member, or a stranger enthusiastically pushing a ten dollar bill into our donation jar while telling us about how his mom, wife, sister, etc was a survivor. 

Yeah, those are the moments that make our hard work totally worth it.

Thanks for baring with us today on this post, and if you're interested in donating to our Relay For Life team click here. Or if you would like information on how you can prevent cancer or become involved you can visit the American Cancer Society's website. Have a great day everyone!

The Cavalry Comes to Save the Day!

Thankfully, I have been saved. From planning the benefit concert on my own that is. Thankfully I have had team members step in to assist in this process. Like Michael, who has taken upon himself the role as publicity agent. He stopped by my house with a ton of posters, and today he brought me tickets. I'm very grateful to Michael and my friends at Tehachapi Community Theatre that have been such a help with this concert. TJ, who happens to be the team captain (I'm just a "co-captain" haha!) will be finding the house manager and box office person that we need. Tanya (also known as Lucy in previous posts) is in charge of keeping my sane and being my back-up brain. Thankfully it is all coming together, and all we need to do is finish the set list and sell tickets. Oh crap. Selling tickets. Hmmmm... anyone want to come to a concert for a good cause?

Flying By the Seat of My Pants

The title of this post is how I feel I'm living my life lately. We're completely immersed in Relay right now so it seems we're having at least one fundraiser a week, and multiple meetings a month, and that's just my team. Throw in committee and team captains meetings and forget it!

Right now we're  I'm planning a benefit concert for the team. I guess it's my own fault that I'm doing this, it all started with an episode of Glee, you know the one where they put on a benefit concert that no one shows up to? Well, as I'm watching this I'm insanely thinking "Hey, we can do this! I know lots of singers and musicians, what a great idea!" Then I rushed off to Facebook to "jokingly" state: "Hey if I had a benefit concert for Relay would anyone come?" Sure enough, I had many friends that said they would come and so I figured, awesome, we can do this!

Then came the actual planning, thankfully my friends at TCT got us the restored, beautiful Beekay Theater to host this concert and at a fantastic price. So then I figured I would focus my attention to the upcoming Magic Show benefit and return to the benefit concert afterwards. Well in my foolish calculations, I ended up only have about two weeks to finish planning this thing. I thought about backing out, saying, "I bit off way more than I can chew and let's try this next year." Then I got the email from TCT, they. had posted our benefit and were selling tickets on the website. I'm screwed.

So now the scramble begins to find enough singers and musicians and build a set list, oh and start selling tickets, how could I forget that? It feels like I'm losing my mind right now, but thankfully I really do know a bunch of talented singers and musicians, and thankfully I have friends that are willing to come see a bunch of local musicians singing and playing their hearts out for a good cause. This might actually work out. I hope.

-Nicole

We're back? Maybe?

Okay for any people that are still reading this blog, I apologize for our lack of updates. Busy doesn't even begin to cover how our lives have been over the last few months. First we were doing a show in February, and that kept us pretty busy, and then a job hunt up in Washington kept us pretty preoccupied in March. Once it seemed that we were staying here in California we turned our attention to our neglected Relay For Life duties and I focused on my ambitious eighteen units of community college classes. Around this time I had the opportunity to audition for a horror film, not thinking I would actually get a part. Surprisingly I got the lead role of Storm, and we begin filming next week! 

Life was beginning to look up for us and things were going well, until April 22nd. A very close friend of ours had a heart attack and then a stroke and ended up in a coma. His personality was larger than life, and we couldn't believe that he'd ever leave us. We refused to believe it. As we visited him in the hospital, we refused to say good bye and told him that he'd come back to us soon. On April 25th, which happened to be TJ's 29th birthday, our friend Hop left this world. This led to a few weeks of us not wanting to do very much, and we had a hard time dealing with his loss. We're moving on, because Hop would want us to live and love life, he'd probably want us to do some crazy stuff, but we'll just stick to living and loving!

So now that it seems things may be calmer for a bit, we may have more time to post on here. Or maybe not.

When Hamsters Go Bump in the Night

Hello readers, long time no see. We'll be posting more over the upcoming week to update you on why we didn't have the time, energy, or sometimes desire to write a blog post.

But on to the subject at hand. Our kids have hamsters, it started out with two, Annie and Jack, and within a couple of weeks we had seven more on our hands.

The first lesson in owning hamsters, DO NOT put a male or female hamster together no matter how many times you talk to them about contraception.

Five of the hamsters went to pet store we frequent, another one by the name of "Joxer" went to our friend Lucy, and we kept one which my daughter named Princess. She names everything princess names, she's going through that stage in her life where princesses consume her life. 

Anyways, yesterday morning I planned on sleeping in just a little bit since TJ and I had stayed up late on Friday night watching the DVD we got of our show "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." The hamster had other plans for me.

TJ woke me up with the words "We have a problem, Princess is missing." Sure enough the Hamster Houdini had climbed up some bars in her cage and pushed out a plug that wasn't entirely secure. So normally when a rodent goes missing (we had a recent incident with Joxer before he went to his new home, found him in the couch), we search the house. Then we heard a scratching from within the bathroom wall downstairs. Oh crap.

We couldn't even find how she got into the wall, but in the wall she was. I tried to explain to the kids how we might never see Princess again, and had horrifying thoughts of how I'd feel when we'd never hear the scratches again. Into the evening I'd hope I'd see the fuzzy black hamster dart across the floor, but eventually that hope disappeared. Finally TJ and I went to bed with little hope of seeing Princess again. TJ had no difficulty falling asleep but every time I heard one of the hamsters in the kids' room I'd startle awake again. Finally I drifted off to sleep. Suddenly I awoke as TJ flew out of bed towards his snake cage in our room. Then he said something I couldn't believe.

"I've found Princess!"

I couldn't believe it. Next thing I know we're chasing a hamster around our bedroom in the middle of the night. TJ chased her into my closet and she managed to get her head stuck in a hole in a shoebox. We managed to rip the box, freeing her, though ironically she was back in her cage within moments. To be freed only to be caged again. 

Princess and Annie this morning

We suck at this!

We apologize for the lack of updates and posts that we keep promising, but things have been quite hectic and busy lately. Our musical opens tomorrow night, and tonight is our preview night, so we've been practically living at the theater lately. Throw in life with kids, house work, and job hunting and you have a busy schedule.

Which brings me to today's post, which is about job hunting.

As many of you know, the economy is still fragile, and the one in California is barely hanging on by a thread. After recently becoming underemployed (not enough work at the store for me), I've needed to go on the hunt for jobs. So far the hunt is going well, I have found a treasure trove of opportunities at nearby school districts, which makes for ideal employment. I'd be at work while the kids are in school, I'd have summers off with the kids, and I'd have benefits, which is a must when it comes to my health.

About a week ago, while making a day of the job hunt with my best friend Lucy, we found ourselves stumped at times in the "Special skills" or "Talents" area of the job application. Now what qualifies as a special skill or talent? Here's some that we came up with, that sadly didn't make the final cut to the application.

• Can trip over a flat surface!
• Can handle extreme amounts of idiocy without snapping
• Would know how to survive in the event of a zombie attack
• Really good at playing "Name that Tune" (really I am, ask anyone!)
• Easily entertained by shiny objects
• Creates quadratic equations for fun
• Pro at pretending to be a ninja
• Expert in battle techniques and equipping materia in Final Fantasy VII
• Vast knowledge of random trivia

So there you have it, our special skills, though I don't think they'll help us find a job, well unless there's a zombie attack or something.

Now, when it came to "language skills" we were had contemplated putting:
Fluent in "Nerd," proficient in "Pirate," and knows bits of "Klingon" and "Elven."

But unless some nerdy Klingon pirates were going to send their kids to one of the nearby schools, I don't think it'd be useful.

Sigh.....