New Orleans October 31, 2007

This year, in our 2nd annual vacation together, my brother’s fam and I will be venturing to New Orleans.

We’ve never been before and have little to no idea what to do there. I’m only sorry we’re visiting for the first time after Katrina. But at least now we can help infuse some cash to rebuild.

We’ve purchased tickets but now I’m trying to research where to stay and what to do. Most of the books were written pre-Katrina so they’re useless. Many of the web sites haven’t really been updated since January of 2007 (if you’re lucky).

So if you’ve been there since Katrina and have some suggestions send them my way.

Lars and the Real Girl [2007] October 27, 2007

Ok, so my need to escape continues. That and my Entertainment Book expires on thursday and I still have two movie coupons so Tishiya and I ventured out to see Lars and the Real Girl.

Lars (Ryan Gosling) never knew his mother, his father withdrew when she died and his brother, Gus (Paul Schneider), escaped from the sadness as soon as he could. Lars was left alone. Gus’ pregnant wife Karin (Emily Mortimer) does everything she can to entice him into their world but he prefers his own, isolated, protected and with little interaction.

However, one day he learns that he can craft his own perfect girl on the internet. One created to his specifications, one that will just let him be him. So he orders her and introduces her to his family and small town where he lives.

What we learn is that we were never meant to live life alone. We need each other and love comes in very unusual packages. Lars has to learn how to interact. His brother has to learn to let go of convention. The town learns how to support someone even though it seems ridiculous. In the end Lars learns how to give and receive love. His life is completely changed.

Lars and the Real Girl is a quirky, silly, charming, funny movie that walks the fine line of all these things and the complete absurd. Inspite of all their oddities the characters remain real, transparent and honest. The relationships ring true. The pace of the movie is a little slow and it’s a little long but in the end it’s worth it.

Dan in Real Life [2007] October 26, 2007

In an effort to escape the news, smoke, drama, and the noiseness going on in my own head Debbie and I went to see, Dan in Real Life [2007].

I was looking forward to something a little predictable, a little trite and a little funny. This movie did not disappoint.

Dan (Steve Carell) is a widower with three daughters. His life has become all about work and keeping a tight watch on his girls. While he is a leading advice columnist his girls think he’s a “great Father but a poor dad.”

So they trapse off to grandma and grandpa’s beach house in Rhode Island for a family reunion where he falls in love with his younger brother Mitch’s (Dane Cook) girlfriend, Marie (Juliette Binoche). Let the comedy ensue.

I’m sure you can guess the rest - the family is meddling. He’s forgotten what its like to be in love. There’s lots of teenage drama and angst. Brother is a skirt chaser and doesn’t deserve this fantastic girl. Dan’s daughter’s love her. Blah. Blah. Blah.

It’s cute. It’s entertaining. It served its purpose tonight. Think of it like a much less political Family Stone.

Dealing with the Smoke October 26, 2007

Now that we are out of imminent fire danger the biggest threat is smoke inhalation.

The sky is still filled with plumes of white and black smoke and the ground is beginning to be covered with ash. I can’t imagine what’s in our lungs.

Today at work they were handing out masks to help reduce the congestion and sneezing but the watery eyes and burning throat are hard to fight. Tina has some great pictures of the efforts.

Since we lived so close our house was filled with the now familiar fire smell. We’ve been running the air conditioning so there is at least one filter to what is passing into our lungs.

All I can say is praise God for allergy drugs. I’m doing all right.

Best Place to Get News on OC Fires October 25, 2007

The Orange County Santiago fires continue to head east along the edge of the canyon towards Silverado. The state fire authorities are reporting that we are 30% contained with 27,000 acres burned so far.

The frustrating thing is that its hard to get information about the Orange County fire specifically. The tv news focused on Malibu for the longest time and seemed more concerned that the filming of 24 was delayed because of the fire than the fact that ours was raging. My parents, who live in Ohio, didn’t even know that the fire was anywhere near us because national news focused on Malibu and San Diego.

The best place to get updates has been the Orange County Register. They have blogs, photos, video, and maps to make sure we know what’s going on. When in doubt go with the paper, tv is just too sensational and focuses on really trivial details and information. You can also submit your personal fire photos and video.

Maybe my bias against tv news is showing just a bit.

Returning Home October 23, 2007

“We didn’t start the fire, though we didn’t lite it we’re trying to fight it…” Why is it that really silly and often inappropriate things and songs go through your mind in a crisis. No idea.

Last night the neighbor at our temporary shelter was having a BBQ. It just seemed wrong somehow that half the hillside was going up in flames and he thought “hmmm let me cook meat on an open flame.” It was a really odd combination of smells let me tell ya.

Tonight I think we’re going home. Our city is still on voluntary evacuations but the winds have shifted and the flare ups seem to be moving west as opposed to east again. It’s really kind of hard to get information inspite of being in the age of cell phones, internet and blogs. I suppose it’s just the nature of the beast. On my way back from lunch a new fire sprouted up in the hills by work. The winds are just wrecking havoc.

It is also really hot right now. We’re at about 96 degrees right now. There is ash everywhere and the air is so thick. My asthma going a little haywire. Thank goodness for inhalers.

I just feel really dazed right now. I can’t imagine those with mandatory evacuations or those whose home were sprayed as they hope it doesn’t burn down. The worse part of all of this is that the Orange county fires were arson. Someone deliberately did this. How awful. I can’t wrap my brain around it.

Well I’m off to turn on the air purifier and camp out with some cheesy movies.

Voluntarily Evacuated October 23, 2007

As the fire creeped over the hill last night a voluntary evacuation notice was issued for our city. As the day wore on the air quality really diminished and when we saw flames we decided it would be best if we packed the important things and went a little further inland.

A friend who has a house staged to sell offered to let us stay there. We joked that we were refugees in Mission Viejo. But, it was nice to be able to stay together, at least that was some sense of normalcy in all of the other craziness.

Work is currently being used as a staging area for local fire departments and the high school up the street is a relief area for those evacuated from the Santiago, San Diego, Irvine/Orange and Silverado Canyon fires.

It just feels surreal. But the outpouring of care and concern is amazing. We were flooded with offers of places to stay, offers to help move things and general love and support.

God is good. I’m oddly calm.

Fire Update October 23, 2007

We thought we were out of the woods when the fire turned west instead of east but today the fire creeps closer. From our offices in Lake Forest we can see the hills smoking and pieces of orange glow. It’s crazy.

We can definitely smell fire and the smoke is filtering into the building. A lot of people are suffering with burning eyes, coughing and allergies.

We just learned that the The Wal-Mart about 1 mile away, near Alton and the 241 has just evacuated. At this point, the fire itself is about three miles away. It is definitely getting closer.

A lot of people had trouble even getting into the area to get to work because of so many road closures around us.

We are praying for safety, the winds to calm down and wisdom for leaders, firefighters and those whose home is in danger.

Since I live so close to work I really have no where to go. I opted to just stay at work since I’m closer to the fire if I head into the foothills and go home. It’s very odd.

O.C. Fires October 21, 2007

Tina and I spent the day at Disneyland. The 60 mph winds made it hard to walk and debris was constantly flying into our eyes. For a moment on the ferris wheel, in California Adventure, we wondered if we were going to blow off. It was insanely windy. The Santa Anas are a’blowin’.

On our way home, on the 5 South, we saw the sky fill with thick, black clouds, but in Anaheim couldn’t see the source of it. We had no idea if there was a building on fire or what. But as we approached the Orange Crush the air got thicker and darker. Finally as we came upon the Tustin Market Place, at Jamboree, we could see the flames.

The hills near the 241 freeway were on fire. We live in that direction. We wondered how close they are to our house. So we popped on KNX 1070 and learned that the 241 at the 133 was closed and that the fire was blowing towards Irvine.

It is headed in our general direction. On OCRegister.com we learned that officials are going to start bulldozing trenches in Whiting Ranch, the one thing right now that protects us from the fires. So it’s about 7 miles away from us. There are a lot of buildings between us and the fires but it is a little close for comfort.

So it made me wonder, what would I take if I have to evacuate? The first thought that came to mind is my computer. It has all of my photos on it, grad school files, partial journals, etc. My second thought was my jewelry - the nice stuff my parents have given me for birthdays and graduations. My third thought was my journals. I’ve been keeping a journal since I was 12, so I have about 40 journals containing my inner most thoughts, feelings and dreams.

The rest of it, who cares. It’s just stuff that can be replaced. But I did pack a little bag, just in case. I gotta have clean underwear.

3rd Anniversary at Work October 19, 2007

Today is my 3-year anniversary at work.

It feels like it’s been about 10. In no way does it feel like its been less, only more.

It’s the longest I’ve been at any job. Normally I get bored and leave, or get laid off. So this is a pleasant change.

The thing I love most about working here are the people. I get to work with some of the most authentic, honest, caring, funny wonderful people. They enrich my life and have made me a better person. They are the reason I’m still here. I am so grateful for them. They help me overlook the rest of the junk we deal with.

Here’s the post from the one year anniversary. It was still somewhat peachy.

The two year anniversary was all about adjusting to life at work after massive layoffs. I was just grateful to have a job.

This year - I don’t know. We’ve changed offices twice. We survived yet another round of layoffs.

Still grateful to have a job.