crawl back

I do a funny thing each night, I set my alarm early to a time I think I should get up but know I probably will actually just crawl back into bed.

This morning my pillows were perfectly positioned and my down comforter was delicious. There was nothing as soft or as warm as my bed right then.

The view from my bed out my kitchen window was an endlessly dull sky and bitter looking tree branches...there was no way I was moving.

I start to remember the weird dreams from the night...running from the past in a neighborhood not my own...familiar people but the strangest circumstances.

Sometimes when I wake up after a night of restless dreams I want to fall back asleep so new dreams can erase the others.



The skies of Iowa have been a bit grey these past days, I needed to see a little color of life and this shot from my Montana road trip this past July seemed just right.

not boring

"Are you here for Survivor?" I asked the first guy I see as I followed the signs that read Registration.

"Ah, NO," he replies with just a bit of aggravation.

"Oh, okay," I say as I continue down the hall to the next Registration sign.

As I reach the top of the stairs and look to my right I see the sign I have been waiting for, Line Starts Here.

No one is in line. Am I the first one?

I guess I am four hours early.

Walking back to the car I wonder what all these other people are doing gambling at 5 o'clock in the morning? Strange.

There is no way I am going to go first so I stall until a line forms...I am #27.

The anticipation of not knowing what to expect is making me sick. I have distracted my nerves by making conversation with the Caption in the Army to my right and the Baptist Youth Pastor to my left. I have already gone to the bathroom three times. I just want to know if there is going to be a private room, a roped off area, if they are going to ask me questions and what questions are they going to ask me?

I JUST WANT TO KNOW.

The constant ding ding ding buzz buzz buzz of the slot machines right behind me are slowly causing me to go insane.

I start practicing potential questions in my head. What makes you interesting? Why should we pick you? Who do you admire most from past Survivors?

I still have three hours to wade in my nerves.
................

Finally, I get a glimpse of what is to come.

OH MY GOSH.

A stage is reveiled. And there are people starting to sit in tables and set up their space. It seems that everyone has moved from the slot machines to the audience. I guess I couldn't expect these people to continue pushing those buttons and waiting for nothing if there was an actual freak show going on.

Jake and I find a table.

I see that the camera is set up, the Survivor sign is up, the guy is check check checking the microphone.

After I think my nerves cannot shake my leg any longer, #1 gets on stage. He just starts talking. I don't even know what he is saying, oh my gosh, he starts to take off his shirt. What is he doing?

#2, probably a little drunk
#3, not enough information

#4, not bad but not that funny
#5, another one takes off their shirt

Then I start to panic. I haven't prepared a damn thing. All I know is that I cannot cannot be boring or take off my clothes.

I start practicing more questions in my head. Why am I interesting?

OH GOD I HAVE NO IDEA.

And then something happens. I've got it!!!! My nerves instantly turn into adrenaline. I turn to Jake and I tell him I am ready, I am ready to go!

We are only on #10.

Jake asks if I think I can do it...? I say, "OH yeah, I know I can!!"

#15, takes off all clothes
................

#27, me. When I finally get to the side stage I am so excited, I cannot wait to get up there...then I realize I have completely forgotten my opening line.

No fear, it comes back to me as the guy tapes the microphone on me...but not before he asks me, "Are you taking off your shirt?" I reply, "NO." He looks relieved.

What happens on stage for the next two minutes I don't know if I can exactly retell.

You might be thinking....Well, what did you do Anne???

I did what anyone would do that wants to be noticed.

I told three very truthful stories I knew people would remember because they all involved poop.

Good old fashioned shit!

I didn't spare any details to this room full of three-hundred strangers.

#27, not boring

haven't had

Hi friends!

I have been pretty busy this week and haven't had a chance to sit down and post. I just wanted to let you all know that I am still here and have been working on my new goals for life (see last post)!

Jake and I have been making a valiant effort to spend time together in the morning (because I work 12-9:30 pm every night). Yesterday we shared a mocha at the best coffee shop in Ames!

I have been surprised and delighted by the spontaneous letters/postcards/e-mails I have been receiving from friends from the past and friends in the present. I appreciate all of it and be looking in your mailboxes for letters in response!

Will post again soon with new photos to share.

Anne

ready to

Yippi!!

This morning Jake and I made a plan to change.
To change our lives.

We sat down with a cup of coffee and talked for two hours about our goals.
For our relationship, exercise, budgets, and personal projects.

It felt great. I am ready to change. I need to change....
I was starting to sleep too late, stay up too late, eat potato chips too often, and hibernate while watching hours of TV...

I don't want to live like that anymore!
I am ready to change.



Yippi!!

purple shirt

I was just offered a free ticket outside five minutes before.

I could hear the roar from inside and asked three people which direction my seat was located.

I made it just before tip off.

As I walked up the steep stairs to my section 7, row 7, seat 7 seat...I tripped.

But it was okay, hundreds of fans all were focusing on the start of the game.

Even though I might have been the only purple shirt wearing person in the entire place...

I am sure no one saw me.

blurred

I don't know if one blurred photograph of my cousin's kids running around the dance floor can begin to give the night justice!

an extra

Jake took this picture of me taking a picture of my brother.

We are in St. Paul for my cousin's wedding.

Tomorrow morning we have a breakfast date at Nina's Cafe (which happens to be my favorite place to get an extra foamy cappuccino).

This is the best weekend ever.

letter each

Letters, comments, e-mails, and voice mails.

I love them all.

Keeping in touch.
It is the secret to living happiness.

I personally favor the surprise of opening mail boxes and anticipating reading a letter from a long lost friend....or a postcard, I am not picky.

If there was a way everyone could get a letter each day, I think that people would be happier.

People just want to be remembered.

it's true

Today I wore pink stripped socks.
And blue shoes.

It's true.
It's true blue shoe.

The first thing I did when I got to work today was go to the break room where I knew no one would bother me.

It's true.

What was today like for you?

by the side

After a long time home with family and friends Jake and I drove back down to Iowa...but not before I made him stop along the way so I could take his photo by the side of the road.