Accepting Criticism Sucks.

Like the title says... Criticism Sucks. I need to face facts and realize I can't please everyone.

So, by now, you've put two and two together and get that I was the recipient of criticism today.

Dang.

I was told today that I'm "abrupt, rude, disrepectful and unapproachable." This is actually the first time I've ever been given this feedback, so it came a shock. I do wonder why I wasn't told this in January (by the parent) when this all apparently started. I suppose it's because I was unapproachable. I phoned the parent, because I was concerned for this child in class today, so I made a call home to check in... Boy did I open the flood gates.

I won't let it stop me from making similar calls in the future, because I want to keep the communication open... but it does cause one to think twice.

Teachers do what they do because they actually enjoy working with the kids... Otherwise, why would we teach?

Just my thoughts for the day... rather unentertaining.
~ch

Earth Day in Corvallis

What a terrific day to be outside!

We spent the morning downtown Corvallis, either at the farmers market, or wandering around to hear the musicians.

These guys are a very good high school band... loads of fun to listen to and watch! They built a rolling stage just for this Earth Day gig, so they could get the drum set to the different venues quickly.

Here they are playing at American Dream Pizza...mmmm, good pizza!

The Procession of the Species went through downtown...

Where I saw many hats that I would like to own... This lady has a flamingo on her head...

This poor guy had an octopus suck onto his head, but he carried it well.

A fun day was had by all... and the evenings just beginning.

~ch

Inflate the Corgis! There's Gonna be a Party!

Today is the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth. The Queen celebrated at her Windsor residence, while onlookers held high in the air...inflatable corgis.


Doubtless, the balloon corgis added that extra touch of class.


In addition to all the pomp and circumstance (and blow up dogs...) the Queen has a website for you to visit so that you may send a personal birthday greeting to her majesty.

Oh yes, this carnivorous hippy could not pass up the opportunity to send a "birthday howdy"... The Queen was extremely gracious and requested that the web staff respond promptly in kind.

ta,

~ch

Bonehenge.

Dear Readers,

What you are about to read and see is true. NONE of the pictures are doctored in anyway. I really don't understand what's going on with my dog lately, but I've now started to document the strange and mystical occurrences that are becoming more familiar around our home. I have decided to call this phenomenon... "Bonehenge."

Here's why...

and...

The rug need to be vacuumed... but I think we can all agree, the dog is up to something.

~ch

Corvallis Crime Reports... My Favorite Part of the Paper.

This mornings G-T had some interesting crime reports, I thought I'd share...

DIRTY DANCING: 11:32 p.m. 4000 block Northwest Highway 20, Albany. A 67-year-old Philomath man was observed naked in his vehicle at Hyak Park. The man reportedly parked his vehicle, took off all his clothes, and turned up the music. When confronted, the man told the officer he was “dancing” and that he often stops by the park and does this on his way home from work.

YOU CAN’T CATCH ME: 4:29 p.m. 200 block of Northwest Second Street. Vandalism of a business was reported, after graffiti was discovered the night before. Someone painted a penis, the name “Duone” and the statement “You can’t catch me.”

There was another report of a 67 year old man who didn't want to wear his clothes either, but mental illness is suspected...

This section of the paper had undergone a new reporter a couple of years ago (I think...) It's been my favorite part ever since.

Happy day to all,

~ch

Sad Commentary.

It's too beautiful to feel as miserable as I do today.

~ch

Yesterday’s Deluge

I took my son up to (beautiful) Portland yesterday to watch him play the final (we think) rugby game of the season. Though the air was frigid and the ground soggy with rain and mud I had a great time watching the boys play. I also met some very nice parents from the opposing team. This isn't always the case... as in the time we played in McMinnville. One mother from across the field was screaming "hit 'em hard!" My mother hormones kicked in and I wanted to kick her butt into tomorrow. But I refrained and acted as civilized as one should... boring! Anyway, It's a total kick watching them play.

Oh and by the way.... For those of you wondering what my decision was for my son and last Friday's school trip. I let him go. I want him to be involved in school activities and like going in the first place. I did contact his teacher to let him know my concerns and he was very helpful by sending me email updates about my sons work progress through the day. I do love email.

~ch

Woodpeckers... A New Experience.

This morning I awoke to a jack-hammer "jack-hammering" on my bedroom wall. It's my slightly sleep in morning... Nature has been kind to me so far, so what the heck is this? Karma? This beady eyed pecker looked at me with a squint in his eye and pecked. Pecked like there's no tomorrow... "Peck, peck, peck... you'll never get me...bwwwaaa...peck, peck peck!" I'm wondering (not really) I know he'll be back... Maybe he'll need a prosthesis pecker...

~ch

Window Tint and Hash Browns

I got my car windows tinted today. I have been very excited about this (which means, it doesn't take much to excite me) and counting the days until this morning.

I thought it would be more expensive than it actually was, so I've been waiting a while. My worry is that I'll forget and roll down a window before a week is up. I pushed the "child window lock" button, but that doesn't do anything for the front windows. So, I now have masking tape on the buttons with "NO!" written on it to remind me... I just hope I look before I push.

I did another first today... My friend and I went to breakfast at Darylls on 9th street. I think that's my new favorite place. If we went back in time a few years (when smoking was allowed in public establishments) I'm certain there would have been a haze thick enough to cut through.

The place was busy and we were sat in the lounge by the pool table. I am so going back.

We also went and saw a friend of ours whom we haven't seen in quite some time. It was a very nice visit, but also sad. Our friend is getting older and having health issues and is pondering moving to an elder care facility. He really doesn't want to go, but his wife does most of the work around the house and is looking for a break. I'm not certain how that will turn out... but, I think she'll win.

Saturday market starts back up this Saturday. I hope it doesn't rain too terribly much. We like to go and bring the dog to visit other dogs and play in the fountain.

Looking forward to the long weekend,

~ch

One parents question...

Here it is mid April and we're nearing the end of the school year. The teacher in me says yea! (but with hesitation, because I have the coolest kids ever...) The parent in me says yea! because the schedule is out the window and we can stay out and play late into the evening.

Here's my concern... I now have a high school student who is involved in many activities (yea!) but when is too much too much?

This is a child who is outgoing and friendly and is becoming quite a wonderful human being because of the extras... music, sports and student council. If I limit those options, school becomes less of an interesting place to attend.
The regular classes... science, math, language are fairly low on the radar grade wise. So how does one help their child to become internally motivated without nagging and defeating the purpose?

One of the "fun" classes has an outing this week, which requires this student to be out of school. This student has a crucial roll in the outing, however I have corresponded with the teacher saying "my child is behind in schoolwork and will not be able to attend."
I received a message back saying that "the kid is needed on the trip..."

I know what I'm going to do...

What would you do?

Thanks,
~ch

What I did... with a bit of trashy whore pansies

What did I do today?

1. 7:00 AM. Woke up, decided it was too early, went back to sleep… got up ½ an hour later.

2. Wandered down stairs to find that everyone was already up… and there was no milk.

3. Went to Albertons to pick up some milk and cinnamon rolls (also picked up some nail polish remover. My manicure is getting pretty gross. It was the second manicure I’ve ever had. The first was when we were married.

4. Came home, ate rolls and a had a glass of milk with the family.

5. Took the boy out into the woods where his band practices. They are getting ready for Earth day and the “Procession of the Species.”

6. Went to the downtown Beanery with husband and walked around town.

7. Went out to Peavy Arboretum to check out the beauty and then back home.

8. Took the girl to Ross’… she said she was tired of wearing her brothers clothes…yadda-yadda. Back home.

9. Went to Winco with husband. It’s always an adventure going places with him… he comes out with some real doozies… ex: yesterday at Freddies… we are in the gardening section picking out some flowers for the front yard. He wants pansies because they grow back quickly after the deer nip them off. He chose the colors he wanted, but I saw some that were more interesting with brighter colors. I liked them more. He said “no, not those pansies they don’t go with these.” I told him we should plant the ones I picked because they were more interesting… he told me they were “trashy whore pansies.” I laughed very hard and now I will go back and buy a boatload of whore pansies.

10. Took girl to her lesson and learned conversational German while I sat in the car.

11. Bought new tennies.

I now await a call from the boy in the woods… should be anytime now.


Tonight is fun trashy t.v. night for me. I only watch on Sunday’s, because I don’t have the time, nor do I feel like sitting for so long to watch during the week.

School tomorrow!

~ch

Good Gig Last Night

We had a fine gig last night at the Old World Deli. We are starting to get a crowd of regulars and that's cool.

The Hilltop Big Band has been playing there well over a year now...(first Friday of the month) so, I'm thinking it's almost time that we should have our picture painted on the ceiling!

The deli is quite cozy... nice atmosphere with surprising eye catching elements each visit. So as I was sitting there counting rests, I looked around. I looked up and saw the belly dancers, and others who frequent the deli... I wonder if the artist is still in town? That would be fun... maybe it's a dream out of reach : )

This morning we are playing a pancake breakfast down at the middle school from 9 - 11. This one's always difficult. I speak for myself, but as a musician... I don't care for early morning gigs. It seems to go against the musician law.
I like the late nighters, sleep in-ers.

gotta run,
~ch

Great night.

Tonight is one of our friend’s birthdays. We (all of the families) went out for dinner at Big River. I love this restaurant, but it's a bit out of the budget to make it too much of a habit : )

I ordered the Salmon salad and had two martinis. I have no idea what the kids had... they were on the other side of the table and engrossed in their own conversation, but they had desert! I had olives!

I guess I'm writing this blog because our family lives in Corvallis and it's so great for families. Yes, the sidewalk rolls up at 10:00 and no, you can't really go shopping for school clothes here and yes, (fortunately...) we still get to drive to Albany to shop at Home Depot for the larger home improvement necessities. I love living here.

There are plans to bring in a Home Depot in the near future. I understand that there are those who are thrilled at having more jobs in Corvallis and at the thought of not driving to Albany... but honestly, I adore the fact that our town is so "backwards." I digress...

Tonight is a great night and it's only 9:30... I have at least another hour and a half before I get sleepy.

Happy night to all,
~ch

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: You can't say butt, you can say anus.

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: You can't say butt, you can say anus.

Bits of my old Blog...

I'm finding bits of my old blog out there (wherever out there is.) It's a recovery effort that may take... oh, say... half an hour.
Though, I was hoping to place them near the beginning to stay chronological... I need to figure that one out.

ch

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: Oh, now I've done it...

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: Oh, now I've done it...

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: Ever feel uninspired?

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: Ever feel uninspired?

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: Beautiful day in Corvallis

What the Carnivorous Hippy has to say today...: Beautiful day in Corvallis

Theme with variations

I have recently read that to have a blog that's worth reading, you should have a consistent theme. Oh man, I have no theme... truthfully, my blog is more of a personal journal. I had never kept a journal as a child, for fear that someone would read it. Here I am 30 years later writing my blog, hoping someone will read it... and comment if they are so inclined. Maybe a theme will develop.

I better start writing...

I'm only home briefly, so I blog... Today and yesterday have been absolutely beautiful in Corvallis. I've always considered myself a cheerful person (even in winter), but boy when the sun comes out, I get a rush.

My favorite things to do when the sun is out...

1. Open the sun roof and play happy tunes. Happy tunes can be anything from retro 80s, punk, classical, Latin or swing. I'm not limiting myself to only those genres... I just happen to like them more in the sun.

2. Sit in the front yard. I've been told "you're sort of a front yard person aren't you?" Yes I am, thank you. The front yard has its advantages. You can see your neighbors, visit, shoot hoops and have a beer on the curb. Now, I know what you're thinking... wow, she's a classy beer drinking curb sitter...yep. I'm also a beer snob. I'll write about that another time.

3. Bike ride! I bike for fun, not so much for exercise. In fact, the perfect ride would be all downhill with many water puddles to splash through.

Since today is a work day (and night) I can only do item #1. My spiffy husband recently gave me an ipod as a gift. I had no idea just how cool my new toy would be. My ipod makes item #1 easier. (Thank you husband.)

O.K. I'm off... and without a theme.

~ch

School, Presidential Campaigns and Breakfast...

Here it is, the last day before school begins again. It went so quickly... Though our break was pleasant, I'm looking forward to going back to school and seeing the kids. With only a little more than two more months of school left, there's a lot of teaching to do!

On a side note,
It's a great day to be a supporter of the Michael Smith for president campaign. Today's Gazette Times featured an article by Bennett Hall about Michael’s attempt to shake up the Republican far right. Thank you Mr. Hall! Did you read my previous blog??
Hey... does that dog look familiar?

I went to breakfast this morning with some friends to Sam’s Station (no link) in Corvallis. I usually love going there for their omelets, but this morning I think we had a new employee helping us. Several things weren't right... but instead of complaining here, I'll hope that she is a quick learner and our experience will be better next time. But, if this is the new service... I'll move on to The Woodsman (no link again...) in Philomath. The Woodsman, though out of the way, is well worth the trip... good coffee, good cocktails (they make a lovely Bloody Mary) and mouth watering steak sandwiches.

So, with a bit on school, presidential campaigns and breakfast... I can tell I'm not quite ready to think sequentially just yet.

Happy day to all,
~ch