J had a very different experience in high school than I did. It’s no wonder since he went to an all boys’ school. I can’t even imagine what my experience would be like if I went to an all boys’ school, but I digress … Anyways, J is now 15 years out of high school,…
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It’s a little depressing to think I’ve been unemployed for 20 weeks. I’m just about halfway through my maximum unemployment benefits, so I’ve started thinking about my game plan post-UE. Right now, I apply for most jobs I see, which are still few and far between. Many times, though, it pays more (literally) to collect…
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I wasn’t really unemployed this week … My old company hired me as a freelancer to cover a conference. Working is good for the soul … or maybe just the ego … or the pocketbook. Anywho, yeah for me! The conference was in St. Louis. I’ve driven through the city on my cross-country trips before,…
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I really wanted to be brief. I did. But it’s just not me. You should know that by now. So you can skim or skip this entry. Totally up to you. I did try to make it fun to read … And, if you want even more, I gave a FULL FULL day-to-day report on…
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First of all, thank you Quick Question for updating the blog while we were on our “vacation.” I think she had too much fun doing so, wouldn’t you say? Overall, we had a great and rewarding time on the LT! We hiked over 100 miles in 10 days, which is amazing to me, but less…
DetailsHi all! This blog entry is written by P’s sister, Quick Question. She asked me to update her blog for her while she has a momentary lapse of sanity, er, I mean while she and J explore the wonders that nature has to offer while camping for 12 days. J and P are quite the…
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John Muir said, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” We agree. So we are going. Today we leave to hike southbound on The Long Trail in Vermont. It’s the oldest long-distance hiking trail in America (completed in 1930). We are going to try to complete between 150-175 miles of the 273-mile trail. The…
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I’m not sure what to call it … a triathlon … a mini-adventure race … all I know is on Sunday, J & I did 22 miles of activity consecutively and competitively … and survived! This is a race in J’s town we’ve wanted to do for the last 3 years. The first year here,…
DetailsSo last night at about 11:30 pm, I was on the phone with my mom and I felt the house shake and heard a loud boom. J thought it was ShortShorts’ wood stove exploding or a tree falling on the house, but after further investigation, we found no evidence. There were no sirens either, so…
DetailsWhat a boring week … no work and I did not find too many places to apply. Ho hum. I did hear back from one place. A medical editing contract job. It was only a first contact (the editing test would come next and we know how well I do on those), but I turned…
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My favorite season of fall is definitely in the air, but we’ve had such an awesome summer in terms of weather (even too hot at times), it’s hard to say goodbye. J & I hit the roads of Contoocook for a 16-miles bike ride today to enjoy the last of the summer. J definitely shows…
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I am no longer a contract graphic designer. I sent the auto repair magazine to print for the last time today. It feels good. I will miss the steady paycheck and the sweet computer, but I will not miss the anxiety I felt every other week. If you know a graphic designer (Shadow …), go…
DetailsI saw this on another blog awhile ago and I thought it was an interesting post. Especially since I am quite the frugal lady (with an even more frugal husband) and we currently have limited funds, so the burning question is what are my my weaknesses when it comes to spending money. I like spending…
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I didn’t have any work to do this week. No magazine layout (that’s next week). No magazine articles. My article in the local newspaper came out, but I did the work for it awhile ago. I looked for new work. High and low. But zilch. So I got very domestic. ShortShorts and theQuilter are away…
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Well, there was not ANY traffic this past Labor Day weekend on our drive to Jersey. Which forces me to ask, where all the people at??? But, no traffic=happy road trippers. The purpose of the trip … you guessed it. A concert. It looks like J’s all-time favorite band, From Good Homes, is semi-back together…
DetailsI survived my 3rd issue of the auto magazine!!! It IS getting easier, but it’s still extremely stressful and I officially decided Oct. 1 will be my last issue. I have some other freelance work coming down the chute in the fall, so I think I will be better off. Now onto the long weekend,…
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Last week, J & I stayed in a Bed & Breakfast for free (my magazine assignment) and an AMC hut for free (J won this prize at a rec director conference). Let’s see how they compare. Getting thereB&B … 30-mile drive north on the highway in a car, walk up 3 stairsHut … 60-mile drive…
DetailsI am a deadline-oriented person. I actually love deadlines and thrive on them, which is a good thing because deadlines play a huge role in my field. Lately, I’ve had to deal with some deadlines, but found myself not liking one of the deadlines. I am still doing that biweekly layout/design work for that auto…
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This weekend was a big ‘ol family reunion of sorts. Mostly with J’s sisters and significant others coming to New England and wreaking havoc. J’s sisters (SILAdventure & SILMeow) live in Denver and Chicago, respectively, so we don’t all get together often, aside from occasional holidays. So it’s nice to gather just for the hell…
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It is going to be very hard for me to describe our volunteer experience this weekend at the Untamed New England Adventure Race. Adventure racing itself is hard enough to explain, and to convey the incredible behind-the-scenes experience is that much harder. Not to sound overly dramatic, but I’m pretty sure we are changed by…
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