The curse of the event planner...

So much of what I do for my work now is event planning. Some of the events are for staff morale and I plan the staff "fun" events for our Division. This week we are doing a summer bbq at the *** Canyon Rec center, an absolutely stunning site on campus with a picnic locale and all that.

I have to tell you though, when you work on these things, by the time you get to the event itself it is like "been there, done that" and the actual event itself is superfluous. I honestly don't even want to go to this. The details, the logistics and all that are enough to take the "fun" right out of it for me. I want this to be over. Honestly, if I could plan this so I don't have to go, I would. Heh.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my job but this is the curse of event planning. By event time, you have had enough of the event itself. Rly.

I do think I will plan some vacation time at the pool there and go swimming there on my free time. It is gorgeous and lovely. khylea is coming for a visit and is always game for swimming. Woo.

Don't mind me. These are the thoughts that occur to me the day before an event. La.


by sassypinkdiva

Re-imagining art...

Someone sent this to me via email. I think those are cans of paint.

These are CUPS OF COFFEE! Woot.

( Interesting... )

Just thought, wow.

I have no idea where this is or what ever...but I think it is cool.

Hari krishnas

So I live in Berkeley, CA and hari krishnas are a part of the landscape. You would think I would get used to them but typically I see this group of people and I feel animosity towards them. This is uncharacteristic of me. Normally I would not have that aggressive a feeling about such things or a set of people. I don't know much about their specific beliefs but in conversation tonight with a friend of mine (via cell phone), I think I isolated the reason for my sentiment about the krishnas. They are a trigger in a way. I located the specific memories that they are associated with and it appears that I have some direct experience with the hari krishnas that is not that pleasant.

When I was a young teenager, my parents separated and my mother went to live in a different state (in the USA). I lived in Massachusetts with my dad and she went to upstate NY for some time and then to Ohio. During holidays and summers, I would travel (along with my brothers) to see her and visit there. This necessitated our travelling alone as children through a few airports and on planes. Many of you are parents and know that this is a nerve racking thing to have your children do without you.

Now this was before 9-11 and all the "heightened security measures" and what not at airports. This was the early 80's and anyone who wanted to get into an airport pretty much could. On a few occasions I remember that groups of hari krishnas were in the airport. They were doing their thing and now with my 20-20 hindsight, I realize they were recruiting. Looking for members and vulnerable souls to enlist to their cause. On a few occasions, we were approached as we waited. I am pretty sure we looked lost or what not. We were dealing with the whole split family thing, holding our own bags...etc etc. Unsupervised kids in the airport. I tell you, it was creepy and I do recall that my older brother, either Dave or Bob would reply to their query with a "leave us alone and no fucking thank you."

I think the creeped out feeling will always linger when I see the krishnas or perhaps it is the remembered vulnerability. It was never a question of knowing what to do. I was a well versed kid from Boston. Stranger danger had been drilled into me from a very young age but the idea that some cultish person could approach, well ick.

So that is the root of my aversion to the hari krishnas. It almost does not matter what they are really into or what they believe. They creep me out and also remind me of a time when I was vulnerable.

Just sharing. Yep.