Wandering Cyberspace From the Cornfields

A little relaxation...

I arrived home from Miami at about 6:00 on Monday night. My luggage trailed behind and was delivered to my door after midnight. Even losing my luggage for a short time could not put a damper on the way I felt after attending SXSE 2009 in Miami. I felt well-rested, relaxed and like I had been away for a week at a spa. One would think with a weekend filled with lots of fun activities I would be exhausted by the time I returned. I have to say that the organizers of this unorganized event did a great job of balancing time for fun, and time to just chill out and talk with friends...face-to-face, not device to device on Twitter. Thank you to our Miami hosts ViceQueenMaria, DearYvette, MKHall and MKLopez for making us feel welcome and part of their corner of the world.

There have been quite a few photos posted of the craziness that was the weekend. I'm sure that some of my Twitter friends are looking at them and wondering..WTH? Oh, right it's AnnOhio, that makes perfect sense to me now.

I found myself having a few emotional moments during the weekend..thinking of Twitter friends I was missing--maybe next year they can join the party. But making some new friends from South Florida helped...crazy creatures, I felt right at home.

I'm not sure I can put into words the feelings, the emotions, the way it felt to be surrounded by so many people who have supported me through all of my ups and downs the past two years. You are my family...and it's hard to explain to people that moving from Ohio to Texas was made easier because my support group is with me..always. I don't think it matters what other people--the post-Oprah tweeters think, or get about this social media stuff...for me..it makes a difference each and every day.

I shake my head in amazement at the friends I have met as part of the online knitting community and also through Twitter--it's nice to see a few of you popping up on Twitter.  I think the days of people talking about those "crazy internet" people are fading into a distant memory--you don't have to meet someone face-to-face to become great friends, and to share your life. 

Sunset on Sunday evening was one of the treasured memories I took away from the event.  This is a photo at sunset.

Friends...they make the sunsets of our life extra special.

Tossing and turning...

My mind is whirling, I can't seem to turn it off to go to sleep tonight...all sorts of things dancing around in there.

I have my bag packed for Miami, my flight leaves at 3 tomorrow. I've got enough yarn and knitting projects in my back pack to last me a week--just in case they decide to hold me hostage in Miami. I'm looking forward to seeing friends, and a little sad at those that health challenges and life challenges are keeping away. But after what I dealt with during SXSW and feeling so sick, I understand..and remember how sad I was to be missing out on the big party.

Today was a big day at work...I was nominated as employee of the month. You know, maybe to some, not a huge deal, but to me it said that someone else in the company noticed I was there, and that just possibly I was doing something well. Yes, I bake cookies, brownies and all sorts of things..and I always have a dish or a basket full of candy. I have noticed that even though I have left the world of academia, I still care about my students, that they do well, that they pass the important tests so they can stay employed...

Hmmm...staying employed..that's a good thing in these challenging economice times...another thing tugging at my mind tonight, but something I have no control over.

The medical tests continue to come back normal...I'm pretty happy about that. I still have the cough, but it's improving I think, as is my appetite and energy level. I'm starting to feel like myself again...not as much laying on the couch all evening and all weekend. I've been knitting on some projects for Dulaan, I seem to be in a baby knitting mode these days.

I plan to have all kinds of fun in Miami this weekend..I also plan to rest when I feel that I need to and to not push myself too hard. This is after all a vacation, time away from stress..away from worries...Tonight I looked at the pictures from last year's SXSE event and got such a giggle out of the fun that we had. I think I look a little different this year..I know that I am really different than that girl from the cornfields that went to Miami last year..maybe living in Texas has changed my outside appearance a bit--more than likely it's the 20 pound weight loss from being sick.

No cowboy boots for the Miami adventure..shorts and flip flops all the way...even so, I plan on kicking up my heels and celebrating life. Let the adventure continue...

Ann

The Power of a Song

I watched the Country Music Awards tonight and found myself misty eyed through most of the evening. What the heck is up with that?

I realize that a big part of my heart--my youngest daughter LeighAnna is still in the cornfields of Ohio and as I watched the show I thought about all of the different performers there that we had seen in concert over the years. So many great memories of seeing Kenny Chesney I don't know how many times, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, John Michael Montgomery, and a list of famous and one day to be famous acts. It was flat out fun and I hope that she thinks about those times from time to time too. I think the tears tonight were in part missing her, and missing a lot of what is happening in her life these days. I text message and check in with her at least once a week. (She's not a big fan of talking on the phone..neither is her sister...but texting they will keep in contact once in awhile.)

I also have some good memories since moving to Texas of meeting Lady Antebellum back stage at the Texas State Fair, seeing Kelly Pickler, and going to a concert at Billy Bob's and getting to see Pat Green. The person who took me to those places has long since moved out of my life--but I believe he came into my life to show me the real Texas part of Texas..and for that I will always have fond memories.

I went to the doctor on Friday, more tests are being lined up, but I now know a lot of things that I don't have, so that's a plus. I still have no appetite, which made shopping for new clothes for SXSE yesterday a whole bunch of fun. I've lost 22 pounds, so that meant a smaller size. I don't recommend this as a diet plan, and I look forward to narrowing down the cause.

One of the last things the doctor asked me on Friday is if I was depressed. I chuckled, and said no, just a bit frustrated. I've been thinking about that off and on all weekend. Heaven knows I've been through some things that could put a person into a major depression...but life is too short for that to be of much use. Yes, I have times when I get down--I am normal after all! :o) But it's usually only for a day at the most, then I dust myself off and get back into the race. (These days it's more like into the walk, I don't run after all!)

I'm very lucky to have so many kind and caring friends as a part of my life. I always shake my head in amazement at that. Maybe that's a part of the reason why depression is not an option? There's always somene a phone call, an email..a tweet..a Facebook message away to connect with? I'm really looking forward to SXSE and connecting face-to-face with friends again. I have lots of huggin' the stuffin' hugs ready for the event.

Have one terrific week, will ya?

:o)

Ann