Life – ASK Musings

Friday

4

March 2011

Feels Like Home

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Random

On Wednesday I stepped outside of my apartment building in a new pair of running shoes and took off around Green Lake. It was my first run in over a week, thanks to a lingering cold. At that moment, with the sun shining through the clouds and the ground still soaked from a recent downpour, I really felt at home.

I've been struggling with the move from London for awhile. My London friends heard all about it in December, and my Seattle friends have been super understanding as well. Things just didn't feel totally right. And not that things always do, but I had built up the idea of moving back to Seattle for so long, I expected something else. Perhaps I put such high expectations I couldn't help but be disappointed. Basically I felt much more lost than I thought I would at this point in my life.

Then, in January, something clicked. I don't know how. Or why. It probably wasn't any one thing. But my volunteer work actually led to me making new friends. I made the choice to finally look for my own place, and I found a great one. I got a project at work that I really truly enjoy. I even started dating someone.

I don't know how long this settled feeling will last – and I know there are still adventures (oh so many adventures) I want to have, and that at some point I may end up living somewhere else, but I no longer have that terrible feeling in the pit of my gut that I have to get back to London right away no matter what. Of course I still miss everyone there, and more education still appeals to me, but I now feel like I can figure it out better without the stress gnawing at me on a daily basis.

It's a very good feeling.

Wednesday

22

September 2010

0

COMMENTS

Hot Cartridge. Hot Cartridge!

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

The past few days here have been loads of fun. On Saturday I went to the Huskies game with my roommate, my friend and her mom. Oh man, they stunk up the place, but it was fun to be at a live game. Plus, good weather! Then we headed out to get some fantastic poutine. Mmmm. Poutine.

Sunday was international talk like a pirate day, so of course we celebrated by drinking at a pirate-themed bar. As you do. I also made some progress on my latest project. In an attempt to stay sane while unemployed I’m archiving all my digital photos. As in, printing them and putting them into labeled albums. All my printed photos from 2003 through now were printed and when delivered weighed in at 28 pounds. That’s a lot of sorting and labeling, It’s a bit of work, but I’m enjoying being reminded about the trips I’ve taken and the good times I’ve had.

Yesterday my roommate took me shooting! I’ve never shot a gun before, but I’d been interested in trying it. He was a great teacher, and we ended up shooting three different guns. I found I was not horrible at it. Not great, but I managed to hit the middle circle on the target much of the time. The only off moment was when one of the spent cartridges ended up burning me a bit in a place it really shouldn’t have managed to get to.

Today we managed to eat our way through the Puyallup Fair. Seriously. Between the three of us we consumed more food than any people should. We also watched “Mutton Bustin'”, which may be the most bizarre sanctioned child abuse. Kids – 6 years old and under – are put on sheep and lay on them, holding onto the wool rodeo-style, with the goal of holding on for at least six seconds while the sheep runs around a muddy ring. The kids are wearing helmets and padding on their chests, but it is, in a word, odd. But it seemed an appropriate way to celebrate the last day of one of the best summers I can remember.

Monday

6

September 2010

0

COMMENTS

A Beautiful Night

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

Two friends of mine, Megan and Michael, got married last night. It was a beautiful evening, one I feel privileged to have been able to attend. Live piano music greeted us as we entered the house and were directed to sign the guest book. Guests made their way through the house to the back garden, where champagne was available as we waited for the ceremony to begin. There was a tent that had been erected at the last minute, as it was raining all morning, although by the time the wedding began not only had the rain stopped, but the sun began to peek through the clouds.

After about a half hour we were directed to take our seats (I joined up with Troy and Jamie, as Renee and Kevan were both in the wedding) and the processional began. There were eight bridesmaids, all in gorgeous dresses in various shades of green, escorted by the groomsmen in tuxedos that had a distinctly early 1960’s feel. Megan was guided down the aisle by her brother, and she was stunning in a simple dress with these amazing jeweled cap sleeves. The officiant was this great Irish man (former clergy, I believe) who just loves performing weddings. The vows were sweet, and Renee managed to stay still throughout even though a wasp was hanging out on her during half the ceremony. Impressive!

After the ceremony was complete, Megan and Mike ventured off to have some time alone while we got to enjoy an amazing cocktail hour. As we were clearing out of our chairs, cocktail rounds appeared. On them were four different cheeses paired with four different wines. There were delicious passed hors d’oeuvres, and a station with miniature toasted sandwiches paired with different beers. A dream for those who love good alcohol and good food.

An hour of enjoying the view of the lake gave way to dinner in a beautiful tent. Everything was so lovely, not overdone. The bride and groom had bookmarks as place cards and quote books for favors. Dinner was (unsurprisingly) delicious. After dinner, we were treated to three witty, charming and loving toasts to the bride and groom. It was just so good to sit there and be a part of such a happy, happy evening.

The cake was cut, the first dance done, and then the rest of us invaded the dance floor for three hours of non-stop shaking it. The band played covers of mostly 70s and 80s songs, and the floor was packed most of the night. Around 10pm the ice cream station opened up (seriously!) and they brought out some more munchies to keep us fueled for the rest of the night. Around midnight the band finished up – with a rousing “Don’t Stop Believing” – and we went back to the house to see the bride and groom off!

See the full gallery on Posterous

Today I am exhausted. I got some sleep, but my training schedule had me running nine miles this morning. So today is all about sitting. Sitting, watching movies, and uploading photos. And sitting.

Tuesday

24

August 2010

2

COMMENTS

A tale of two (or three) cities

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

Being back in Seattle is great. Riding the bus home from doing some work for my friends’ law firm causes my breath to catch a bit – the views stunning. Yesterday I got to see a lot of folks at a lovely BBQ my new roommates threw to welcome me home. I’m finding a few jobs to apply for, and finally, FINALLY secured private health insurance, which means no more COBRA at crazy high prices.

Today, however, for the first time I really started to feel the reality of not living in London anymore. I went through this when I left NYC – suddenly not being able to call up Jon Mark when something ridiculous happened, or not being able to meet up with Kathleen for brunch the day before a race. It’s a shock to the system and even though London was where I wanted to go after NYC, that didn’t mean I didn’t really miss my NYC family. I still do, all the time (and especially at Thanksgiving).

And now I’m feeling the same things. Seattle is where I want to make my home, and I’m so happy to be back, but that doesn’t mean I don’t really miss my friends in London. I met such wonderful people there – people who I learned so much from, and with whom I had such great times. Obviously I’ll work hard to be sure I see as many of them again as possible (graduation in December!), but again, I can’t just call Kate and Richard up to go see a movie for Orange Wednesday, or text Alissa to meet me at reception to go get coffee. And the eight-hour time difference is really, really tough. If I’m not up and moving early on the weekends, it gets too late to call or Skype.

I’ve moved a few times in the last dozen years, and have been lucky enough to make such good friends in those places. I’m lucky to have this problem, I realize. And as time goes on I know I’ll get used to communicating primarily via Skype and Facebook instead of texts and Mondays at the George, but right now, it’s still a bit sad.

Tuesday

17

August 2010

0

COMMENTS

Coming Home

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

My last week in London was fantastic: Diego threw a great party that involved much drinking and dancing; I saw a movie at Canary Wharf with Kate and Richard one more time (the A-Team – stupid and great); and I visited with almost everyone one last time at a fantastic pub near Finsbury Park – I really appreciate that people made the trek up to the top of Zone 2 in the midst of dissertation writing. Shawn was kind enough to help me get my luggage to the airport, and other than a frustrating baggage switch in Chicago (and the apparent lack of A/C in that airport) it was a smooth trip home to Seattle.

I’ve been back for a couple of days, and they’ve been great. Hot, but great. Renee and Kevan have made me feel so at home, which is not surprising, but it’s still been so nice to not be stressed out about my living situation. I got to spend all day Saturday with Jamie, Mike and Jesse – that kid has grown so much in the four months since I last visited. I’m trying to teach her how to say “ha ha” like Nelson from the Simpsons when she does something like crumbling crackers down into the couch cushions, and I’ve made a bit of progress. Today I even worked a few hours for PEL, scanning documents. At least I’ll be able to buy groceries.

Oh, and my fantasy football team (England Premier League) isn’t doing horribly. Yet.

Next up? Finding a permanent job.

Sunday

8

August 2010

1

COMMENTS

Are you sure we have enough money for [the gun] AND the wedding dress?

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Adventures

Since I’m about to leave London, I thought I’d take a minute to list out some of my best times here. I did it when I left NYC, so why not now?

For my own enjoyment (which, frankly, describes most everything I post here), here is the list of my favorites of London:

Cultural

Theater-going experience: Seeing Priscilla Queen of the Desert with Jon Mark

Museum exhibition: Photography exhibition at National Portrait Gallery

Concert (large scale): Carmina Burana at Royal Albert Hall

Concert (small scale): Bonfire Band in Stoke Newington

Standing date: Orange Wednesdays + crap movies with Richard

Tea: Tie between National Gallery for my birthday and Gosvenor House with Kate

Pub Quiz Team Name: Taking care of quizness

Travel and Days Out

Adventure: Alexandra Park with Shawn

Premiere league football viewing: Blues v Spurs in Birmingham in January with Kate and Richard

World cup viewing: Final moments of the last US and England group match games in Berlin with Stephanie

Awe-inspiring architecture: La Sagrada Famiglia with Allegra

Celebration: Travel to Paris for my 30th birthday with Vanessa

Beer Garden: Royal Park Inn near Victoria Park

When in Rome moment: Brownies with Lesley-Anne in Amsterdam

Unplanned vacation: Getting stuck in the states when the volcano erupted, guaranteeing an extra eight days with my east coast friends

Holidays

Unexpected holiday: Bastille Day in Paris with Michelle

Tradition that kept going: Cookie Party (London AND NYC editions)

Trauma: Walking all around Barbican in search of the Waitrose to procure a whole turkey at 8pm the night before Thanksgiving

Meal: Dinner at Ffiona’s with my family to celebrate my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary

Odd

Bizarro moment: Burlesque birthday party for advisor

Unexpected comment (not directed at me, but to a friend): “So, you know when you’re shaving your balls?”

Scene out of horror movie: Me and Alissa walking back from the department Christmas party, down Artillery Passage, noticing a trail of blood culminating in a pool of blood in front of an apartment door

I’ll miss you, London, but I should be back in December for graduation.

Seattle, here I come!

Monday

31

May 2010

0

COMMENTS

My apartment is SPARKLING

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Random

My first exam is in a week. I have spent a lot of time studying over the past six weeks and I feel prepared for the most part; I’m reviewing flash cards at this point to drive the main points home. I’ve also picked up a couple books on related topics that are not on the suggested readings list for my classes, and am trying to read bits and pieces.

Let’s be clear: there is always more I could do. There is always more. I could have skipped the two birthday parties I went to this weekend and studied instead. But I cannot spend ten hours a day studying, or even eight. I’m not reading new material, which I could do all day every day; I am reviewing and trying to make sure I understand things I’ve already read and discussed and in many cases written papers on. In the US we would have, what two weeks MAX after the end of term and before finals? I have not had class since March 18. This is brutal. I have adjusted to a this new system to a degree, but at the same time I am just holding out until 1PM GMT+1 on June 14, when the exam portion will all be over. It will be so exciting. And a huge relief.

I’m also working on my thesis, hoping to have a fairly strong draft before my sister comes to visit a couple of days after my last exam. I spent some time on that today, working out of a small library at the British Museum, which added something different to the experience. But I have my limits, and so this afternoon I came home and spent two hours cleaning. Vacuuming, dusting, polishing, scrubbing. I cleaned off the runner boards along the bottom of the walls. I cleaned a windowsill that I don’t even see. And I’m coughing like mad. But I have to say it’s pretty nice to be in such a clean apartment considering that for the next two weeks I’ll be spending even more time here.

Other things I’ve managed to do while rationalizing my study habits:

– Finally invested the cash that I’d rolled over from an old 401K

– Applied for two jobs

– Learned about British History (check this book out – it is outstanding: An Utterly Impartial History of Britain)

– Watched all three seasons of Private Practice

Friday

21

May 2010

0

COMMENTS

Job search

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Random

So, I’ve started my job search for Seattle. I’ve only applied for three jobs. One was kind of my dream job – one I’m perfectly qualified for, that is a good salary, and just fit. But I didn’t get an interview.

Another was with a place I’d applied in the past an didn’t get an interview. No interview again. This one stings because I believe I’m overqualified for it. I’m trying to look at it from a good perspective – that the reason I didn’t get an interview is precisely because I am overqualified, and that someone who is just starting out in their career will get the job. But it still stings.

It’s only two denials, and I am not complaining – that would be ridiculous in this economy. Especially as I don’t need a job right now – I need one in the fall. I’m in London, and the jobs are in Seattle. It’s just a reminder of what I’ve known since I quit my very adequate job last year: this is not going to be easy. But it will work out.

Saturday

20

February 2010

1

COMMENTS

Huh. So it is actually possible. Not likely. But possible.

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Random

“Uh, I walked into a door.”

That’s the excuse some people give when they have a black eye, or a huge welt on their face. And I think, for the most part, we don’t believe it. Who walks into a door? And if someone somehow does walk into a door, how would it give the victim those injuries?

Well, I am here to say it IS possible, and it DOES result in such injuries.

Last night I was running out of my apartment. I’d turned off all the lights, and then realized I’d forgotten my key card. So I left my bedroom and went into the hall to get to the main room. The hall is also where the door to the bathroom is. Which I had left wide open. And in the pitch blackness of my apartment at night, I took one step into the hall and immediately walked full force into the 1.5 inch-wide side of the door. My face immediately stopped my forward motion.

And so as I type this, I have a lovely welt on my forehead just above my eye. If my head had been at a different angle, I would have ended up with a black eye, or perhaps a broken nose.

So the moral of this story? Keep the doors closed and the lights on.

Ouch.

Wednesday

13

January 2010

1

COMMENTS

That was fun. No, seriously. It was.

Written by Ashley Kelmore, Posted in Random

I was going to post something long and mawkish about turning 30. Instead I thought I’d do what I do best … create a list!

My 20s

I lived in nine different apartments, in four different cities in two countries.

I attended six weddings.

I held two full-time jobs, four part time jobs, and four internships.

I had two serious relationships and a gaggle of interesting dating experiences (Ah, the football game. Even after nine years, that one still smarts.)

I visited Europe three times (and then moved there)

I attended three different institutes of higher education.

I ran four half-marathons.

I cannot complain. I’ve been having a lot of fun, and I don’t imagine that will change when I wake up tomorrow morning. I have really great friends, and that’s been the best part of the last decade.

Well, that and a metabolism that works. I hear that stops at the stroke of midnight. Ah, well, can’t have it all.

← Older Entries

ASK Musings

Life Archive

4

1

Feels Like Home

22

0

Hot Cartridge. Hot Cartridge!

6

0

A Beautiful Night

24

2

A tale of two (or three) cities

17

0

Coming Home

8

1

Are you sure we have enough money for [the gun] AND the wedding dress?

31

0

My apartment is SPARKLING

21

0

Job search

20

1

Huh. So it is actually possible. Not likely. But possible.

13

1

That was fun. No, seriously. It was.

Subscribe to ASK Musings via email

Recent Posts

The Author

Categories

Calendar

What now?