Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Globe-Trotting Boyfriend Inspires World Travel

I could follow my boyfriend to the ends of the earth.

And that's not just passionate hyperbole.

Clyde is actually going to China, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Qatar in the next few months for his job.

When he called me last week from Beijing, it blew my mind to think we were as far away from each other as it is possible to be while still on this planet. As a genetic Nebraskan, naturally, I wanted to know what the weather was like over in China and what he had been eating. In case you're wondering, the weather was cold, and as for food, I was sorry I asked. Clyde's vivid descriptions of the crunchy insects and wriggling sea creatures for sale on Beijing streets left me a little queasy.

Nausea not withstanding, as Clyde's significant other with available PTO, I am in the enviable position of tagging along occasionally. So next month, I'll be accompanying him to another part of China, Hong Kong.

It's been 10 years since I stepped outside of the United States. Usually, my universe exists between central Denver and suburban Highlands Ranch where I work. I go to California once or twice a year and occasionally venture into the foreign lands of Wyoming and Nebraska.

Clyde says Hong Kong is a good first place to visit in Asia. The city-state welcomes people from the west and signs are often in English so you can get around with less chance of getting lost.

I am excited about my first trip to Asia, but I'm a little nervous too. Clyde assures me there will be plenty to eat that doesn't wiggle on the way down. But what clothes should I wear? I'll probably want to avoid the usual American outfit of short-shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flops. What will it cost to use my iPhone? What about jet-lag? What if the Chinese don't like me?

This is an incredible opportunity to see a distant place with someone who's already familiar with it. In return, I have offered to sweep Clyde away for a weekend in Nebraska. Can you believe he's never been there?

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Getting into the "Spirit" of Halloween


Around the big old houses in my neighborhood which tend to be spooky anyway, skeletons are springing up in front yards and witches are flying suspended in trees.

My decorations, like my home, are considerably more modest in comparison. I am thinking of picking up a cheap plastic ghost to hang on the screen door.

My boyfriend has already put three pumpkins on the front step. Combined with the occasional ghostly cat in the window (see photo) and the dead leaves I tend not to sweep away, they could create an eerie ambiance if you squint just right.

I'm not a big Halloween lover. I always thought the depictions of death and violence were, well, scary. I don't like being scared. Real life is frightening enough, what with supervolcanos and congressional gridlock and the like.

Because some past Halloweens have overlapped  with personal experiences of illness and death, I don't particularly think fake cemeteries in front yards are funny.

But I'm in the minority.

Perhaps its the skeletal appearance of trees recently shed of leaves, or the longer, darker nights, but this time of year, people seem preoccupied with the specter of death. In Mexico, Dia de Muertos mocks it with colorful celebrations and comic ghoulishness. In some Christian traditions, less fun of course, All Saints and All Souls Days solemnly commemorate those who have passed on.

Most of us in the U.S. mainstream culture, however, dress up in fanciful costumes, drape fake spider webs around our homes, and give lots of candy to children.

As a child, I happily participated in Halloween traditions. Every year, I wore a cheap plastic mask through which I could barely breathe, the condensation building around my mouth until I had to lift it away from my face. I blindly felt skinned grapes which I was told were eyes and ran my fingers through cold spaghetti which felt like brains. I scrupulously avoided apples and popcorn balls which could be laced with razor blades. I watched the Charlie Brown Halloween special hoping year after year that maybe, just maybe, this time the Great Pumpkin would show up for Linus, but he never did.

Frankly, what I enjoy most about Halloween is that it kind of kicks off the holidays for the rest of the year. After trick or treat, it's only a short stretch to Thanksgiving, followed by my birthday which ranks high on the celebration scale, and Christmas, of course.

This year, however, I'm in a new home where neighbors go all out with the spooky decorations. I have to consider the possibility that there will be children knocking at my door expecting candy. I should probably up my game a little and get into the, quote, spirit of the season. I had better get that plastic ghost on my door.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Some People Aren't People People

Apparently I'm not a people person.

I sort of knew this already, but it feels somehow different to have it confirmed by someone else. It came to my attention when a new employee was marched around by a supervisor to meet everyone in the office. When they got to me and Michael, my coworker, the supervisor explained that if the new guy had any questions, he'd better ask Michael because Bill is not, "a people person."

Hmmm.

Well, I am an analytic introvert, so I had to think about it for a minute before I decided I was insulted. By the time I had a witty retort, they'd already walked away.

Even if he was just kidding, the comment kind of touched a nerve.

In my family, being good with people was highly valued. With all the medical, education, and mental health professionals in the family, my dad wondered why I was his only kid who worked in a corporation just for money. It's not that I didn't try teaching school and working in the ministry. I just ended up, for a variety of reasons, working in corporate America and spending more time with computers than with other human beings.

I may not be the most effusive person in the world. I know I have a reputation for being "standoffish" and "aloof." Part of this is because I don't care to hang around the water cooler and gossip or discuss last night's reality TV. Don't even ask me about the local sports teams. I usually keep my mouth shut when others pointlessly blab their political opinions. I don't express every thought I think or feeling I feel. I'd rather get to work and get it done so I can leave early, not that that ever happens.

Also, I'm shy. It's not that I don't want to talk to you, it just takes time to get up the gumption.

I'm actually an extreme introvert but that doesn't mean I don't care for people or that I can't interact. It certainly doesn't mean I don't have feelings.

But I'm not unfriendly. I've cracked the odd joke or two. I certainly wouldn't mind answering the questions of a new employee.

You know who's not good with people? That jerky supervisor.