Funny Life

Isn't it funny that 3 weeks ago I was ready to hang my hubby by his toenails. As we all know relationships have their hills and valleys and at that time I was in a valley. Not anything that he did yet I certainly loved my husband but wasn't sure that week that I liked him. In all honestly it prolly had more to do with me and my state of mind versus him and his habits. Anyways, 3 weeks ago I could of easily ran away from that man and not looked back. This week he is gone on a business trip and I am missing him like crazy. Happy Thanksgiving. I am very thankful to have such an awesome husband.

Breaking Point

On Friday I gave four media interviews. Two of them were over the phone interviews for newspapers, one was for the local ABC affiliate, and the other was an in person interview for a regional news radio program. I sucked in all of them.

Previous to Friday, my media resume had consisted of two different experiences. In the first I shot a 15 minute fluff piece for a special that aired on PBS. It took a whole day to shoot the piece during which I was ordered to walk here, walk back, pretend to explain something to someone else, smile, play dead, etc. Most of the piece was going to be pre-written voice over work so the amount of questions that I had to spontaneously answer was minimal. Plus I had 2 public affairs specialists on-site watching my every move on camera, therefore I never felt nervous since I knew if I fumbled my words they would both pop up and feed me lines.

In the other previous experience I was emailed a list of questions a week before hand so that I could formulate my response. The whole time I was being interviewed I pretty much read my response verbatim and then afterwards handed over my written answers so that everything could be transcribed correctly.

Lesson Learned: I do well when someone holds my hand.

During the phone interviews I was given no advance warning. So in effect they went something like this:
Me: *drawing a map, rocking out to Coldplay, probably thinking about what I will eat for lunch*
Phone: Ring, Ring!
Me: What up? (Just kidding! I answer the phone like an adult)
Phone: Hi, My name is Debbie Downer from Serious Newspaper and I have a few questions for you.
Me: *fumble response, drool, bang head against computer*

The TV interview was worse since my State Head Honcho left it up to me to present for 10 minutes in front of a packed press conference during which everyone else who presented was the head of their federal or state agency. Actually, I am thankful for him giving me the opportunity to present since it shows that he trusts and respects me plus he was by my side the entire time so it's not like he fed me to the wolves. Point being: it was a massive press conference, lots of tv cameras and reporters, and angry people who have lost everything in the fires. As soon as everything ended I was happy as a clam since I had been nervous to the point of throwing up but as soon as I got up to the podium I was overcome by the ghost of George Washington and magically became this poised speaker. Bottom line was I rocked.

Then a news personality sweeps me to the side as I'm limping off the stage and drags me to a corner so that they can get a one-on-one interview. Have you ever had a giant camera stuck in your face while someone asks you difficult questions? Not easy. I ended up stumbling through the entire interview while at the same time shadily shifting my eyes back-and-forth toward the camera man since he was standing mere inches from my face. Thanks dude. The radio interviewer dragged me away as soon as the TV person had chewed me up and spit me out. At that point I didn't have much left in me.

I think I'm gonna need media training since my agency has pledged a bazillion jillion dollars towards fire recovery work on private lands and I have a feeling that there will be more interviews in my future. Today has already been nasty crazy and I am just about ready to hide under my desk and cry until everyone goes away and leaves me alone.

I Needed a Reason

#2 Reason for Having a Husband: When you have a nightmare at 2am about an out of control dump truck that is careening through your neighborhood, you can awake startled and have someone hold you tight while you calm down and go back to sleep. Best. Feeling. Ever. (#1 reason is sex on demand. Duh!)

And on a totally unrelated topic: everyone seems to be going shoe crazy with NaPoBloMo. My boots today which I bought this weekend at Macy's which was having a rocking shoe sale.

He is Playing SoCom, I am Listening to Hum

Surprise, surprise. I decided to honor part of the 3 day weekend and only go to work one of those days. The other days I've been running around trying to catch up on my personal life. All the fun stuff like bills, grocery shopping, dropping off dry cleaning, and clothes shopping. Also, downloading my camera which I haven't done in far too long. Here is a picture catch up:

A few months ago, I went to Oregon to visit my best friend. Oregon was far more beautiful then I imagined it would be as well as far more rural. I miss her so much ;-(

About a month ago we went to the San Diego Chargers vs Oakland Raiders football game. Good game except the part where the Raiders f'ed up and lost yet another game. PS - Dear Chargers, when playing another Cali team please stop playing this song every time you score a TD. In that case it doesn't make sense!

Dave's office that we recently (2-3 months ago) renovated by laying ikea tundra laminate flooring. Cheap and relatively easy. Now if only I could find pictures to hang that Dave actually liked. The boy is PICKY when it comes to just above everything. Oh lucky me.

The view from our house on the first day of the fires (Monday). The nasty red color and smoke lasted for days.

Goodnight!

PS. Doing it old school: Hum

Destruction

Various pics that I have taken over the last week. I was out with a tour of congressional representatives when a fire began 300 yards away from where we stood. Luckily, a helicopter spotted the fire immediately and began dropping water buckets on the hot spot. We were so close to the fire that the helicopter was dropping water on us as it was flying overhead.

Man Candy Music

I'm busier then a worker bee. Going 100mph without time to stop and breath but I love it. Doing a lotta driving and listening to Snow Patrol. Still love them. You should too.

On an unrelated note, fires are still burning here but are 100% contained (contained just means that there is a fire line around the perimeter of the fire, not that the fire is out). Anyways, lots of firefighters running around town and sleeping in local hotels. Seems like everyday I run into one and they all seem to have the same basic qualities: smoldering good looks, hard body, exudes sexiness. Not sure what is about them but I'm starting to think it's a requirement for firefighters to be hott. Luckily, I worked for the Forest Service while in college and personally came to realize that most firefighters are cocky asses. Cute but pricks. Oh well, I still love the eye candy.