Back in Action

Dear Readers,

It's been a while.  I mean, no kidding.  The last post was...I don't even remember.  So I'll start from the beginning, which would be after graduation.

After I rubbed the stars of graduation out of my eyes I finally had a chance to look around and realized I didn't have a clue.  The months of May, June, and part of July were full of days agonizing over what I should do with my life.  They were also full of comments by a particular parent to "get it together".  So I began looking for a temporary job, just something to hold me over.

Cue: "Thank you for choosing Dunkin' Donuts, what can I get for you today?"

I had come to find myself dressed in a brown apron and matching visor at a local DD.  The people I worked with were great, between doing the dishes and restocking donuts they gave me the courage to keep my chin up.  Still, I would come home and stay up until 2, sometimes 3 AM checking the classifieds and craigslist, snagajob and careerbuilder, God only knows what else.  The problem is that it's hard to search for something when you don't know what you're looking for.

 <<Photos courtesy of Samantha Hutton>>

A bunch of random applications later I received a phone call from a mountain resort out in Colorado.  Crested Butte (not Crusty Butt as some people like to joke) is a small mountain town with a big ski center and I had just snagged the job as a ski instructor!  The job didn't start until the end of November but I was thrilled to be moving out on my own...maybe a little too thrilled.

*Laying Rubber and Carving Snow*

Kmegan

Speaking of Cliches

Graduation Day.  It's been four years in the making and finally decided to show up.  There were two ceremonies, mine in the morning at 10AM.  Standing around the gym for and hour saying hello to many faces I will never see again.  As my dad said, "The ceremony isn't for you, it's for the parents".  Valid point.  So I walked across the stage without pretending to trip or writing in a funny name on the reader card.  

I am not usually a negatron but I found all the speeches to be rather cliche with the usual Robert Frost quote, "Take the road less traveled" tacked on at the end.  I once had an English teacher tell me that Frost was not recommending the less traveled route because it was a lot of unnecessary work.  What if that road was a mere five feet from the more traveled road, running parallel for mile after mile until some sad day when the two paths inevitably reunite?  Would you applaud yourself for taking the one less traveled, the one more difficult, if it came to the same result?  What about the tangle of brier bushes that sat on the left of the path?  Why hasn't anyone told a graduating class to whip out their machetes and forget about paths?  That could be misconstrued but my point is that it seems odd that such a quote is cliche, almost ironic.

<<The reception>>

After the ceremony my little brother and sister made sure to eat my tuition's worth in dry cupcakes at the reception.  Soon after, the last few boxes packed in our suburban, we snapped one last set of pictures outside the house and hit the road to Letchworth State Park for a picnic.  My Aunt Carol had done a great job planning out the tableware and the food.  My mom had brought the Geneseo themed place mats and juice.  Overall it truly was a fantastic picnic: hotdogs, salad, fruit salad, potato salad, deviled eggs, and a deliciously frosted cake.  Everything in lime green, including the cake.

*Geometric Caps and Memory Relapse*

Kmegan

Dear Mother

Post-graduate Plans

Finals are here and since I have been pestered by concerned adults for my future plans I have conceded to pretend to put effort into considering an acceptable answer by blogging about it.  Apparently before a student graduates they are expected to have a solid set of plans in the off-chance their life might continue on afterward.  Assuming I am not suicidal, this entails extra work with which I am not comfortable performing this early in my career.  I truly feel that my resume has too much work experience and in an effort to address this problem I have resolved to forgo this expectation.  Instead I will be pursuing early retirement.  Oh, and a signed photo of a velociraptor.  Both of these seem plausible.  

Thus I will be finishing out the school year with a few more papers about insignificant subject matter for insignificant purposes and then walking across a stage in a cult-like robe with a non-functional hat in an unfilled ice rink.  Personally I can't wait.  I plan to make it even more memorable for my classmates by 1) not wearing deodorant 2) not showering the week prior 3) finally getting that hug from the campus skunk 4) filling my pockets with the eggs in my refrigerator that have long since passed their eggspiration date.

I feel this is not only a sufficient way to guarantee no annoying 'reconnect with me' facebook chat sessions but will also provide an incentive for my relatives to move to and from the ceremony at a much faster pace.  It is plans like these that are currently occupying my mind and therefore I have no room for silly job prospects.

*Concerned and Caring*
Kmegan

I. AM. LICENSED.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week were devoted to learning how to drive a motorcycle.  I had never driven one before, had only ridden one once, and have wanted to have one since I was a leeetle girl.  Through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation I took a beginner's riding course in which the bikes were provided and a road test was given at the end that waives the need for one from the DMV.  I had a beautiful green Suzuki that I only dumped once and apparently I am a natural at 'leaning' (not to brag...ok, yeah I'm bragging).  I passed the road test and survived the parking lot learning course so I will soon be on my way to the DMV for an official motorcycle endorsed driver's license.  That being said, I should probably get a bike now...oh and I also learned from one of my fellow classmates (Joyce) about CMA.  

No, not the 'country music awards' but rather the 'christian motorcycle association'.  I have already been thinking about riding with  the Cornerstone Disciples Motorcycle Ministry  group from Livingston County a few times before I graduate but knowing that there's a national group for Christian motorcyclists with chapters in every state is very encouraging.  Anyone up for a nationwide roadtrip with an inexperienced rider?! Either way, I am now licensed to operate a motorcycle on the roads of America.  My friend, Stephanie Kemp drove me to and from the classes in Rochester and even got me a balloon with a hand-drawn motorcycle on the back to celebrate my success haha so cute, thanks Steph!

*Swerves and Speed*

Kmegan

Geography Conference on GIS

My Advanced GIS class attended the local conference in Rochester.  For those who don't know, GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems and is essentially a multi-use computer mapping software system.  The conference was held at the Burgundy Basin in Piffard, NY with a keynote address by Scott Morehouse (director of software development from ESRI or the leading company in this software system).  There were 3 sessions of presentations in different rooms by professors and professionals (or both) who had new ways of using the software and certain add-on extensions.  The food was great, the people were great, and the location was cozy.  I got to use a Trimble which is something surveyors often use to find and mark specific object locations.  After collecting a number of fun freebies including a frisbee, a thermos, a paper weight, 2 pens, a hat, and an embossed portfolio it was time to call it a day.  My fellow students weren't too fond of the photo opps I found but I have assured them that these photos will find their way to the SUNY Geneseo Geography Alumni page on Facebook.

<<Note to self: it's hard to get a decent photo inside of a hotel>>

*Italian Cookies and Software Goodies*

Kmegan

Geography Club Road Trip

This past weekend the SUNY Geneseo Geography Club went on a road trip to Centralia, Pennsylvania (see other post).  I was in the winning car.  Before we got there, however, we made many stops along the route to experience 'Roadside America'!  How could anyone pass by Clyde Peeling's Reptile Land or Granny's Motel?  More on that later.  The trip began at a bright and early 7:30AM, which for college students was a bit much.  I was super excited to be off with the chance to get to know my fellow geography road-trippers.  They did not seem too enthused in the beginning but then, I was pretty hyperactively awake.

After a few hours of driving we passed into Pennsylvania and stopped at a majestic scenic overlook with brochures about Pennsylvania, maps of Pennsylvania, and a photo opportunity that Teena, a worker from the center, helped us out with.

She was so sweet to take a group photo of us, who doesn't love awkward group photos (not that there's any other kind of group photo)?! So these are all the happy campers from right to left so I can confuse you all...Kaylie, Tobias, Claire, Cara, Me, Justin, Pat, and Kathy.  There really wasn't much to look at along the road up until this point and even for a time after.  The experience actually reminded me of driving through central Kansas but with more curves in the road but that trip was long before this blog.

 <<Your typical park view>>

Finally, from the back woods we make our way to Leonard Harrison State Park (lame version of Letchworth, NY) to view the Canyon or whatever, I'm still not quite certain why we stopped there; especially because we got lost for a long time on dirt roads where a pug chased our car and a retired unicorn was grazing by houses with legitimate outhouses.  And by retired unicorn I am referring to a horse with a gnarl of mane on its forehead that I most definitely approved of.  Once we made our way out of the land of the 'good ol' boys' we continued onto Jersey Shore!  The wrong state for fist-pumping but we ate Italian for lunch and I was satisfied.  Please enjoy a moment of personal fist-pumping.

Alright, moving on.  So after an original experience at Jersey Shore which did not involve Guidos nor an extensive beach boardwalk, we drove some more, a lot more.  The next stop, I believe, took us to Clyde Peeling's Reptile Land but for some reason no one brought their cameras in so sadly there are no photos.  Their company slogan is 'Have a Touching Experience' which I most certainly did.  I touched an alligator with my pointer finger and then a boa constrictor and a Galapagos turtle with the same finger!  The only reptile I did not enjoy seeing was the Monitor, mostly because it was doing a creeping/swimming motion on the window.  Also, the little soft-shell turtles reminded me of floaty empanadas and lastly the emus of whom I identified with the most because they were NOT reptiles but lived in Reptile Land regardless- might explain the mammalian stuffed animals in the gift shop.  Not quite worth the $12 but hey it was indeed a touching experience, I touched so much stuff! 

<<Woman with Crying Child statue>>

The last place we went before our camp out was Granny's Motel, whose website made their establishment look like it was the place to be!  Once we drove past a correctional facility and ended up in a back alley behind a highway we realized Granny is a dirty, rotten liar.  The statue of the pioneer woman and her crying child were chipped and peeling and the child's doll had been beheaded.  The motel itself was eerie and seemed the sort of place people go for illicit activities...of which our road trip was not.  We decided to forgo dinner for a time and set up camp before it got dark.

 

<<The place just kept getting creepier and creepier>>

The campsite we had reserved turned out to be, surprise, the kind you have to hike all your stuff into.  This isn't a problem until the 3rd bathroom trip and only one flashlight for 8 people.  After setting up our long house of a tent (one of the girls had it from her little sister's girl scout troop) and collecting firewood, most of us went to find food.  I convinced them to stop at this bar & grill right outside the park entrance.  It was a white house with 'Bar & Grill' spray painted on the side and a Coors Light neon sign in the window.  There were many doors, some without handles and we weren't sure how to get in.  Cue movie moment: I open a blank door a little harder than intended and it slams open against the wall.  The 8 or 9 adults sitting at the 'bar' all stop talking and smoking to look at me.  Silence as Justin, Claire and I make our way across the converted living room and sit down at the only table without chairs stacked on it.  After a few minutes an unkempt man comes over and begins to very threateningly ask for our ID's and intentions.  Claire did not meet the ID requirement and we were asked to leave.  More silence as we cross back across the room and the door closes.  We sprint towards the parking lot where the rest of our oh so loyal road-trippers were already waiting.

<<The car that delivered us into food searching awkwardness>>

We continued on in our search for dinner to a small town nearby which had no doubt seen better days at the height of coal mining.  Into another bar we go and the waitress says, "You want to eat HERE?!?" Inspiring confidence in their food.  Alright lady, fine where would you suggest we eat? Up the street? Of course, why didn't we think of that?  Frustrated and hungry we go to this family pizzeria and enjoy a quick dinner before heading back to the campsite.  The fire was pretty much a fail but I insisted on breaking out the s'mores anyways and ate them in pieces so they would essentially become s'mores in my stomach.  As for camping, worst night of sleep in a long time.  Poor Tobias was complaining about his spot and the cold air coming off the creek kept finding its way into my sleeping bag.  Waking up was not a problem.

 <<Like a Harry Potter tent, 8 people fit in there with room to spare for Tobias>>

On the road again! Made it to our final destination: Centralia, PA.  Commence photos of...nothing.  We walked along the old highway and had touching experiences with rifts pouring out smoke and that was pretty much it, yay Centralia!  For more on that see my other post.  On the return trip we attempted to see the world's largest baseball bat but the locals thought we were crazy and had no idea what we were talking about.  The little theme park in the area was also closed because it was a Sunday and so we just headed home, stopping only for Subway and some delightful fireworks.

Through this road trip I got to exercise my navigating skills (I unwisely chose to sit shotgun), met some highly interesting characters, and best of all got to know my fellow geographers so much better!

*Touchy Reptiles and Many Miles*

Kmegan

Road Trip to Centralia

Ever wanted to see what Centralia, PA is all about?  Well this is it.

What? You missed it? Yeah, so did we at first.  A basic history of Centralia is that it used to be a coal mining town like those around it but has become a ghost town due to a mine fire burning beneath it since 1962.  The town was condemned and its zip code revoked by the postal service due to the supposedly toxic chemicals spewing into the air through a number of vents.  There are approximately 9 residents left who are fighting to stay there (any good geographer would tell you the term 'sense of place' as the reason) but all other houses have been bulldozed leaving behind piles of garbage, a river that runs orange, and a town dump with active vents.  If you're interested in learning more about the history and the politics of the area, the History Channel actually did a special show on it and I think there has been a number of books published on this place as well.

<<Smoke and steam, very Armageddon>>

<<That's me at the top of a coal pile, exploring>>

The rocks in the area were very hot to the touch and if there wasn't the concern of toxic fumes I might consider opening a spa there haha or maybe a bakery.  We weren't able to see deep down into the earth through these vents, it was more like a system of minute air pockets the steam was coming from.

<<Pat having a touching experience with the vents>>

<<More of the steam field/town dump. I found it to be somewhat reminiscent of the Elephant Graveyard in The Lion King>>

In order to discourage visitors from making Centralia a tourist destination (fail) the highway system was rerouted.  Thus there is now 'graffiti highway' where an abandoned section of highway has fallen into disrepair, covered in graffiti, and subject to more of the steam vents.

<<Large fissures in the highway, also emitting steam>>

I won't put too many pictures up regarding the graffiti, although there were some truly beautiful pieces, because someone had come through and drawn inappropriate anatomy on a majority of them.  While walking along the highway, a group of 3 jeeps from Connecticut passed us off-roading onto the highway (irony?) and had fun smashing their cars by jumping over the cracks.  Here's a video of what we witnessed:

 

 <<Resulted in a broken axle>>

<<Basic feelings from the graffiti highway: pride and aggression>>
 

<<Prime real estate of the area>>

This was the final destination for our SUNY Geneseo Geography Club Road Trip.  I will be including another post about the road trip itself which was intended to help us explore 'Roadside America' or rather, those cheesy roadside attractions you can't believe people actually go to.  Though Centralia was a rather depressing destination, it is always an interesting experience to visit some place with a unique history and characteristics.

*Discovery and Dereliction*

Kmegan

Ke$ha Ke$ha Ke$ha

This weekend I attended a Ke$ha concert from her 'Get Sleazy' tour but then, I'm getting ahead of myself.  There is so much to tell about the events that went down this weekend, I will try to piece together its many highlights.  It began with a visit from my younger sister Sarah and her two friends Austin and Holly.  We enjoyed a dinner of Chinese food from Main Street and stayed up visiting a black light party, playing ping pong in the Union, eating irrational amounts of sugar and finally, attempted to play basketball in the gym--except the gym was not exactly welcoming to nonstudents.  Besides siblings weekend (which took place the week prior) there is now a $2 charge per nonstudent.  I tried bargaining but the bro with the clip board at the table was not having it.

 <<Walking into the sunset>>

<<Happy car ride over to Geneseo>>

The next morning was spent attempting homework.  Correction, I did homework while others chased the illegal cat around.  It's amazing how responsible I become when family visits!  After homework, however, we dedicated the entire afternoon to getting dressed up for the concert which resulted in the following...

<<Notice the amazing mohawk on Sarah, the glitter pants on Austin, and the chalk shirt on Holly>>

<<Me and the Roommate showing off our 'garbage chic'>>

<<A visit from Rachel, the only girl I know who can dress up for Ke$ha and still look classy>>

Then it was off to the concert, which was just incredible.  We missed the opening act of Beardo but from looking at his online profile, we didn't miss much.  Opening for Ke$ha was 3O3 and they were a fantastic opening group, really got the crowd involved.

<<The mannerisms of Sean Foreman from 3O3 reminded me of my brother Neil so much, just so cool and funny and look alikes>>

Then finally it was Ke$ha!  I wasn't sure it was her at first because she had these cave explorer glasses on, pretty much couldn't look directly at her without getting blinded haha, not that I'm comparing Ke$ha to the sun.  She might not be the best artist but she can put on an entertaining show!  At one point she grabbed hold of a back-up dancer's chest just as the lights went out to reveal a glowing, red heart in her hand.  Sacrifice!  Many of the stage props were also inappropriately hysterical--particularly for the 'Pear' song.  I was so jealous of every one of her costumes!  I want them for my closet.  Of course, I'm not sure a black corset with a skeleton bedazzeled on it is appropriate for walking 

down the street...but then stranger things have happened.  Anyways, it was definitely one of the best concerts I've been to and I've been to quite a few.  On a side note, Stephanie and I had a great place in the crowd for watching the first song by Ke$ha but soon after the second number started a girl next to us decided she didn't like the jumping and puked all over the floor, splashing up the back of our legs.  Needless to say we watched from the back of the crowd after that!  There was also a unique twist to the end when Santa came out and smashed a pinata of glitter over everyone.  I'm not sure if it was Santa or one of the 3O3 boys but there was SO much glitter.  If you didn't have glitter on you when 

you came to the concert, the glitter cannons made sure you didn't leave without some.  I was still finding glitter on the sidewalks the next few days and even saved some in my pocket for that far off day when I decide to scrapbook.  Too bad I can't just tape it here on my blog but then you jealous readers might take it!  Here's Ke$ha pounding on a giant drum that threw glitter everywhere too.  Girl was pure crazy.  I'll just sum up the adventure with a few more photos from throughout the previous moments.

*Good Beats and Pukey Sneaks*

Megan

St. Patrick's Recap

My great-grandfather on my dad's side found his way to the Upstate New York area through some connection on the orphan train as an Irish immigrant.  This was an ordinary thing of the time, I guess, to have the children line up at each stop to be chosen from by families.  Those who didn't get chosen were put back on the train until the next stop.  Though I can't imagine this was very safe, my great-grandfather was picked from the lineup and brought to work on a farm somewhere up here.  I have more details but feel like this is becoming a rather depressing start to an amazing St. Patty's Day recollection.  So anyways, I am very Irish and love that part of my heritage.  My mom made a delicious meal  of corned beef, cabbage salad, and potatoes for the occasion and even helped our local church serve a similar meal to the community.

This is one nifty graphic so I thought I'd share it here on my blog in (much belated) celebration of St. Patrick's Day.  After quickly recovering from my wisdom extraction two days prior, I was up and ready to hit the town.  For those who don't know, Syracuse has a nice Irish bar district up at Tipperary Hill where the stoplights are (supposedly) the only ones in the nation with the green light on top.  I'm sure at one point we stood on the corner and watched it.  The bars in the area were quite packed, especially the ever-classic Coleman's. 

The line was literally down the street when we first drove past so we decided to start our St. Patty's bar crawl at Nimbsy's which is a block away.  Unfortunately, Nimbsy's clientele consisted of everyone over the age of 35.  After having a shoe chucked in my direction and watching older ladies walk around in their ridiculous Irish dresses, we left there and headed up the street to Bailey's-- another Irish bar-- but along the way spotted Coleman's and decided to just go there instead.  For the holiday, Coleman's had fenced off their parking lot and had tents with trucks of food and drinks.  It was a frat-like festival!  Large trucks were parked next to the tents and had taps in their side.  They had sold out of green beer long before so my friends Annemarie, Rachel, Erin, and myself had an Irish Car Bomb instead.  This drink was amazingly delicious and I highly recommend!  Basically you drop a shot of Bailey's cream into your glass of Guinness and Jameson and drink it before the Bailey's curdles.  Tastes like a milkshake of sorts.  

From there we crossed the parking lot area covered in used plastic cups and pitchers and waited in line to go into the actual bar-- seriously, it was like a frat house lawn.  This bar was beautiful inside and we met a lot of um shall we say interesting? people.  The bar was so great we decided to stay for the next few hours before going home happy and very...Irish.

*Green Love and Drinks*

Megan

Lost Wisdom

Today it was insisted that I have my wisdom teeth removed.  As my dad said, "We want to keep you pretty".   My last spring break of college and I use it getting teeth taken out.  The experience as a whole was rather interesting and so I shall now share my adventure of Wisdom Tooth Removal.

<<Sarah and Me in our new snuggies>>

 

I arrived at Aspen Dental at approximately 11:00AM and was called to the back where the surgeon introduced himself (unfortunately I do not recall it now).  Then it was decided that they needed one more x-ray.  Off comes the laughing gas mask and in a semi-sedated state I am led to the x-ray machine where I am forgotten about.  Standing there with my chin on the thing and biting the black piece, I am slightly oblivious to the time passing.  Eventually the man sitting at the secretary's desk looks behind him and, laughing, calls the nurse over to get me.  I am led back to the room where the surgeon reintroduces himself and begins to chatter.

"I must tell you the possible side effects of the surgery.  First, when I take out the bottom teeth it make cause your lip and chin to go numb for 4-6 weeks.  It is not likely but it could happen.  Also, when I take the top teeth out it could create a hole into your sinuses but that usually heals within 2 weeks."

All I could think to respond was, "well those sound convenient"

Again, the gas mask was applied and a needle of suspicious liquid.

**This part I only know from my mom and brother. After the surgery I was woken up and placed in a wheel chair and brought out into the parking lot.  My mother yelled at the nurse because the nurse just started walking away from the chair while I was getting out.  Apparently I was very pathetic trying to stand and open the door.  Then I briefly woke up in a parking lot somewhere else and began calling Sara Burdette (friend who is currently on break in St. Louis, MO) trying to find out where I was.  I believe the gauze packed into my mouth made it a bit difficult for her to comprehend me but I eventually hung up out of frustration and called my mom, who seeing it was me, ignored my call.  I had no choice but to call Sara again.  My mom comes out of Friendly's with a chocolate fribble for me and I must have taken a bite because I woke up a few minutes later with chocolate all down my chin and some on my coat.  Que meltdown.  I really like this coat and apparently not with chocolate on it.  So much sadness.

<<Pockets!>>

I arrived home and stumbled into my room which felt like miles away.  Then I began laughing while ordering my brother to bring me peas and a winter glove.  I then woke up to find a bag of frozen peas over my eyes with the glove on top.  Poor aim at cooling my jaw.  My sister Sarah then presented me with a zebra snuggie and so everything was ok.  Now, I just feel bilious and when I stand up Sarah laughs at me for weaving.  Yay epic spring break!

*Vicoden and Applesauce*

Megan