Mountain Road

I spent the day driving today.
Because we managed to schedule back to back vacations.
Due to an error on behalf of the current place we're staying at, they never changed our reservation to a different week like thought they had....so this vacation ended up happening a weekish earlier than we had planned....because thankfully our schedules worked out that we could go on vacation anyways. So yay. 

In any case.
I spent the day driving. 
To a place where we haven't been before.

Like we've been in a similar area.

But this place is completely new.

So driving to it....ended up being a bit of an adventure.

As we're in the middle of the mountains, driving through the canyons.
And Kikay, the navigator, is like "Okay we're going to take this route because the gps says its faster!" So I followed the instructions....
And we ended up turning onto this dirt road.

But it wasn't a normal dirt road.

Like it was wide like a normal road....but made of dirt.
And it was weird dirt. Like wet dirt....but we were sliding...
Daddoo later said there might have been oil on the road to keep down the dust?
No idea.
*shakes head*

But it was this weird wide dirt road that wound through a countryesque mountain path. 

I have no idea why the gps took us that route.
Because I don't think it ended up being faster.

But it was very pretty.
Despite the hair-raising moments where the weird slick/not slick road acted like it was icy/snow covered and our tires weren't taking to the road correctly and there are steep sides to either side of the road so yah...often we slowed way down to go around curves and such. 

And it was stressful because I was the driver. :S

*shakes head*
Such a random route. 
So random.
We aren't going back that way. 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Seen It Twice

There's something to be said about seeing movies more than once.

I had the opportunity to see Aladdin twice in these past couple of days.
The live action version. 

Which the first time around the movie seemed a bit....choppy. Rushed. The beats didn't flow well. 

But I put it down to the fact that I hadn't seen the movie before.
I mean it's Aladdin.
My favorite Disney movie.
The cartoon I watched hundreds of times when I was a kid (and still watch on occasion now.)

Of course I would be watching the live action version to see how similar to the cartoon it is.
And like any remake.
The movies aren't the same. 
There are key differences.
Scenes take place in different orders.
Other parts are completely altered or left out.

So yah.
Watching the movie the first time around...
It was good. I liked it. 
But the pacing felt off. 

And I realized it's because I was watching to see the similarities. Watching to see how they would do certain scenes.

So when things didn't happen or happened out of order.
It was hard to fully enjoy the movie because my brain was basically in critique mode.

But tonight.
I was able to go see the movie again.
And enjoy it more.

Why?
Because I'd seen it before.
I knew what scenes would be there and which ones wouldn't.
I knew the pacing.
I knew the story.
And the differences.

So seeing Aladdin tonight again I was able to enjoy it a lot more.
I was able to enjoy it as a movie.
And not as a remake.

And as a movie.
I really liked it.

Of course it has it's moments where I thought it could have been better.

But overall. It's one of my favorites.
And I can't wait for it to come out so I can put it on my TV and watch it over and over again while I write lol. 

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Overwhelming Frustration

I've started and erased this blog post at least a dozen times by now.

Which shows how difficult it is to get the words out.

To get the things I want to say across.

Because my mind is in such a place that I can see the other side.

I can see the arguments.

See the points.

And I honestly don't know if my points are more valid or less valid at this point.

Like...it basically comes down to. "I really want this to help me be happy."

But at the same time.

It doesn't work like that.

Because we're all selfish.

And someone has to give. 

Someone has to give up what they want to help others get what they want.

And I hate that like 9/10 times its me.

My mind is in such a funk right now.

Because I'm sure there are plenty of instances where I did get my way. Where I did get what I wanted.

But I can't think of them because my mind is too caught up in the now and the fact that I've felt like I've made sacrifices to help ensure that other people can be happy....

And then they refuse to return the favor.

It's no secret that I'm an introvert.

I often recharge via being by myself away from having to interact with people. 

Not that I don't talk to people

I often vent through writing or through talking to people via text or online....

But there are times when I crave a human connection.

Like face to face chatting.

I crave being around people that make me happy. That help me to smile. That don't drain my energy away. 

And it's been difficult to be around some of my usual sources. 

Because their energies haven't been as beneficial. They've been needy.

Which has left me more drained.

And left me retreating away from everyone more and more because I just can't handle other people and their wants and their needs when I've been running on empty for like the past forever.

So the fact that for once I want something.

For once I want plans to go my way so I can see people who I know I can relax and smile and laugh and be around and recharge with.

Of course I'll get upset when others refuse to go along with that plan.

It's even harder because I do try to work with everyone.

I do try to compromise. 

I'll make sacrifices to try and make us both happy.

*exhales*

And yet I always feel like I get the short end of the stick.

I often feel like they get what they want and I don't get what I want.

And it's hard.

Especially when I desperately need/want to be around others who have helped me in the past few months. 

It's hard.

And I don't know what to do.

I don't know how to ask for what I want and not feel guilty for wanting. To not feel anger and frustration that no one else appears willing to take my side. That they want everyone to come to them. I just....

Don't know what to do at this point.

Because right now we're all unhappy.

Right now we don't want to budge from our wants.

I don't want to budge.

I don't want to have to be the one to give in again.

Because it feels like I always give in.

And I just....want something to go my way this time. 

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Pictures?

There's a downside to being known as the 'picture taker' on trips.

And that is the fact that the only pictures of yourself that you get...are usually ones that you take yourself.

*exhales*

Like it's great taking pictures as I love to catch candid moments and cool scenery.
But I do wish I could have some candid moments of myself on the trips.
Just you know...people taking pictures of me and I look...

Well good...and you can see me in some other position than a selfie....

Probably won't happen any time soon.

But I do treasure those moments when someone tags me in a photo. Because like...it's cool that someone took the time to take a picture of me and post it where I could see it.

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Rain Hikes

So yesterday, before we did the Delicate Arch hike.
My family ventured out to go find some Dinosaur Tracks (and Petroglyphs).
Some of them we had seen before, others were new that my Daddoo wanted to check out.

And while we were at the Poison Spider trail.
An older gentleman came up to us and asked us if this was the hike to Corona Arch.

Which is a hike I've only been to once before.
And it's been at least 10-15 years I think since we did that hike as a family.
Because I distinctly remember us taking our dogs Sadie and Pepper with us on this hike (as it's not in the national park and therefore dogs can come) 
And since both puppies have passed on....it's been a while.

In any case.
The Poison Spider trail wasn't the path you wanted to take to get to Corona Arch.
I knew that much.

But honestly I had no idea where the arch was located.
I just knew it was outside of Arches. But whether it was along this same road or somewhere completely different....*shrugs* No idea.

Thankfully I had enough internet/service connection on my phone to look it up on the Maps.
And found that it was just like two bends in the road away from where we were at.

So I basically told the gentleman to get back on the road and continue driving until he saw the sign as it was on this road, just further down.

In any case.
That put a thought into my Brother's head.

That it would be fun to go hike that Arch.

As like I said.
We've only done it once before.

So today, while we had a little time before a major rainstorm hit.

We took to the trail (without any puppies) and hiked to the arch.

*whistles*
Just. Wow.
Such an amazing hike and the arch looks just as I remember.
It's giant lol. And you can go right underneath it. 

But mostly what was memorable about the hike was that it did start raining while we were there.
But it was mostly just small storm cells crossing over us, so the rain didn't last long.

And my brother, has had an interest in storms/weather and so made an educated guess on when we should leave to head back down the trail so we could avoid the rain.

He did pretty well.
It started raining just as we reached the parking lot. ^^;; lol. 

And....it rained the entire drive back home after that point.
So really we were lucky to have been able to hike in that lull between storms. :D 
Fun moment for sure. :) 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Ravens Wing

My brother, his wife, and I hiked up to Delicate Arch this afternoon.
It's basically a tradition really.
To do this hike while we're in Arches.

And I really can't think of a time we've visited the park without making the mile and a half climb up to see Delicate Arch standing there on the side of a cliff.

It's always breathtaking and beautiful.
And thankfully today not too windy.
As that place can get really windy.

In any case.
While we were making the labored climb up the rock face,
I mentioned to my family -as we were watching a Raven flying above us-- that I've never seen a Raven fly through the arch.

Like I think I may have seen the little sparrow/finch birds fly through the arch especially for the couple of years that there was a nest in one of the crannies.

But a raven itself?
Hadn't really seen it.

And you know what happened?

We reached Delicate Arch,
And I wandered over to the arch itself, but to the side so I could get my usual 'backwards' picture of the arch that isn't the normal view point.
And I looked up from my phone camera in time to see one of the Ravens that had been hanging around take flight....

and fly directly through the arch.

()_()

Just.
()_()

I mean what are the crazy odds.
That we mention never seeing a Raven fly through the arch and then it did?!

It.
Was.
Awesome!!

And very heart touching really.
As my family kinda views the Raven as a guardian to us. We see them everywhere.
And to watch the raven fly through the arch not once, not twice, but three times.

It was just...heart warming. 
Kinda like a sign of "I'm still here. I'm listening to you."

And I really just...treasure it.
That moment.
Being able to see it.

Definitely a memory I want to remember forever.

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Hiking Greetings

It's kinda amazing how confident young kids can be.

We went hiking today in Arches and since it's a holiday weekend....
People are everywhere.

Seriously. Lots and lots of people.
But usually on these sorts of hikes...I'll maybe do a polite hello....or otherwise just kinda silently pass people on the trail--
And if they're loud people on the trail, breathe a sigh of relief when they're no longer in earshot.

But one of the kids I was with this weekend.
Liked to say different things to people as we passed them by. 
My favorite one being "You're a chicken nugget!" 
And the dude was like "If I'm a chicken nugget what are you?" 
"A goose" came the response lol. *shakes head*

Otherwise it was simple "You're cool!" or "I like _____" to the other people we passed on the trail. 

But the most common one that this child loved to say was "Hi Stranger! Don't be a Stranger, Stranger!" 

*laughs*

It's amazing how many smiles and some laughs it brought to the others faces as they passed us by. 

Lol and it only encouraged the young one to continue saying that phrase because:
"I like seeing/making them smile!" 

Ah.
Such a sweet kid.
For sure. 

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

DinoDay

So there's this 'new' dinosaur museum outside of Arches National Park.
I say 'new' because I'm pretty sure it's been around for like maybe 5 years or so.
So it's new but not brand spanking new.

But in any case.
My family hasn't had the chance to go visit this place.
Mostly because we didn't have time to.

But these past couple of months.
Daddoo has gotten back into dinosaurs. recollecting figurines he had as a child and doing research and who knows what else.
So he was anxious to visit this dinomuseum that he hadn't been to before.
And considering some of the others coming with us on this particular vacation also love dinosaurs...

It was kinda  a no brainer to go to this place lol.

I mean, I'd seen it from the road.
As there are these giant life-like dinosaurs that you can see as you drive by.
I thought it was kinda...well silly.

But no.
Being there in person.
Close up to these dinosaur models.
It was actually really cool.
Cool to see the different colors and patterns and really weird because the dinos all almost seemed to have feathers on them in some parts instead of only scales/skin. 
So weird.

But my favorite part for sure of this place.
Was that they had an 'aquarium' 
Where you would be taken on a guided tour through a 'lab' of sorts.

It was like a 3D tour because you had to wear these special glasses.
And projected on the screen were the 'aquariums'
Where they would show you life-like animations of sea creatures that lived back in dinosaur times and the models would move and blink and open their mouths and swim away and swim back and ah.
It was awesome!!

I honestly could have spent like twenty minutes in front of each 'tank' watching the thirty second loop of each creature doing it's thing.
It was fun because it was one of the more lifelike experiences I've had and I just...Ah 
I loved it.

It was a great experience and I'm glad I was able to go with the fam to see it. 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi 

Missing Mom

I've said it before and I'll probably say it again.
But I've been thinking once again about Love Languages.
Which is probably because I've been....not having my love languages met.

Honestly I'm not sure which one I need most right now. Probably most of them.

But one that I have been missing more than others is Gift Giving.

As that's how I express my love to others.
I find it easy to give things to people to show them that I care about them.

But I don't often get it in return.

And I had the realization today at work (a bad place to have a realization when you are supposed to be happy to the customers) 
That I probably will be shown love through 'gift giving' a lot less now.

Why?

Because Mother Dearest was my main gift giver.
So I suppose I take after her a lot in that way.
but she loved to spoil us kids.

Buy us books, take us out to dinner or to a movie, pay for vacations for us, get us souvenirs from her trips, give us chocolate. Just things like that.

It didn't happen every time we visited. But it was pretty consistent. Whenever she could she would show her love through giving gifts.

So it makes sense that I'm feel the lack.
Because the rest of my family doesn't show their love in that way.

And I'm feeling the lack.
Especially because a lot of those 'gift giving' traditions are going away. 
We were always prepared for our own half of the vacation if needed, though Mom loved to step in and cover us.
Now though it's expected for us to pay our own way. 
I can reasonably expect if we do anything together as a family....we each will be expected to pay for ourselves. Pay for our half of the vacation, buy our own meals. 

Like I said. I'm always ready and willing to pay my own way.
But it's harder now, knowing that it will be an expected reality for basically everything. 

And going to movies?
Probably won't happen.
Going out to dinner? Most of the family seems happy to not go out that way, preferring to stay at home and make food there.

Which they have valid reasons and such for doing it.
After all. A lot of my family's love languages are quality time/acts of service/ physical touch. That sort of thing.
Which makes sense to do things more at home in low key environments....

But it's hard.
I'm a traditionalist.
I like the traditions.
I like getting and giving gifts.

And right now....
*exhales*

I'm willing to speak to my family in their love languages.
Hanging with them every Sunday.
Sitting next to people.
Helping to make Dinner.

 It's draining.
Because even though it speaks to their love languages.
It doesn't speak to mine. 

And I have no idea how to bring it up.
Because the rest of my family is more worried about finances than I am at the moment.
So like...how can I bring up that "hey I would feel more loved from you guys if you would randomly give me things" when part of the 'gift giving' often requires spending money?

*exhales* 

It just feels selfish of me to demand my love language be shown more.....when it can't be met really by the others because they need to be saving money for various reasons.

*exhales*

It's hard.
So hard.

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Antagonizing People

It probably began earlier in the day when one of our new regular customers came into the store again.

It's not a good encounter with that customer like....ever because they are always in a hurry and have to be somewhere...but then proceed to waste my time asking a ton of questions that I'm pretty sure they don't even listen to the answer to because I've had to repeat myself multiple times. I've also had to tell the customer the same customer the same information multiple visits in a row.
So the fact that they walked into the store....was stressful.

Thankfully the encounter was less antagonizing than usual.
They again tried to convince me that we've sold different lid tops to our reptile tanks than we have. That they were 'designed' differently.

*exhales*
So I had to explain AGAIN that the lids that we sell WITH the tanks are DIFFERENT than the ones we sell separately.
But the customer doesn't believe me. Convinced that we used to sell sliding lids instead of ones that just sit on top of the tank.

Uh. 
No. 
No we don't.

Not separately.
As a kit with a tank?  Yah sure I can point out a couple different ones easily.
But separately.
Nope. Just the one style.

In any case.

a few hours after this customer had left the store -thankfully taking up less of my time than usual.

I had a group of guys come in.
The sort where you can tell they're young.
Possibly still in their teens. 
As that was the vibe they were sending off.

But they were into the pets.
Wanting to hold the animals and such. One dude was convinced he wanted a guinea pig and wanted to get one for his other guinea pig he already had---yet in the end ended up buying a bird. O.o??

But there was this other guy.
Who was considering buying a reptile but wasn't sure what kind he wanted.
So he requested to hold one of the Leopard Geckos.
Just to see their temperament. 
And requested to hold a second one so he could compare.
And then requested to hold three different bearded dragons of various sizes to try and figure out which one 'liked' him the best.

Which by the third bearded dragon there was another customer wanting to hold the snakes.
So I had one customer holding a snake and this guy holding a beardy.

And he's still asking questions. 
Trying to figure out how long these lizards will live.
Which I'd told him at least four times they live ten years if not longer.
And that the reptiles need a bigger cage than his little five gallon he had at home.

He then requested to hold the leopard gecko again -this third one did not like him. 

*exhales*
Which great.
I was all too happy to try and help him.
But then he let it drop that he was going on a mission soon.
So he wasn't sure if he should get a pet now or wait until after.
How soon was the mission?
Six months.

And reptiles? He kept thinking they would live only a year.
No dude. They live at least a decade if you do well by them!

But Six months?
If you're leaving in SIX months then DON'T BUY THE PET! 
I mean, who are you going to have take care of the reptile while you're gone for TWO YEARS?
Your family?
A friend?

Like dude.
Just wait.
You don't even know if you'll want the lizard when you get back.
*shakes head*

So I told him it would be better to wait.
And left him to think about it.

Only for him to find me two minutes later to talk about fish.
Because he currently has goldfish and wanted to get ore fish.
Possibly for a second tank that he 'has'

And repeated the process.
Of asking a ton of questions and barely listening to my answers.

I again let him 'think about it'
And vanished from the floor, taking my escape and going on a fifteen so I wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. Because the dude wasted a good 30-45 minutes of my time. XP 
And it was stressing me out. 
Ugh. I ended up with such the major headache because of it.

It was only while I was on break that I realized the dude may have just wanted to chat/flirt.
 *rolls eyes*

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Green Everywhere

It's been raining pretty consistently for the last week or so.
Forever it feels like.

Which I know Spring is supposed to be wet.
But we still have snow in the mountains.
Like actual snow snow.
The ski resorts nearby are predicting that they could have skiing far later than normal. Like up to the 4th of July. O.o which is kinda crazy to think about.

But it's weird to have so much moisture.

Because like....last year? A weekish from now?
The valley had been so dry.
So very dry.
In a week will be the one year anniversary of our house almost catching fire.
So like...
It's weird.
To see how green it is here currently.

Honestly I know it's nothing comparable to the coast of Oregon but the wet weather and near constant cloud cover has me feeling a lot like I'm back in Oregon again.
It's crazy. 
crazy how wet and how green and how cool things have been still.

I feel like last year we were already in the 90s

This year.
I don't know if we've gotten above 80 yet.

Which is great for me because I don't like heat. 

But it's just crazy how much things can be different after a year.

I mean everything is growing so well.

The grasses behind our house have covered the hill with a vengeance.
Even if our one remaining cotton tree is still deader than a doornail.

It's so green.

And I'm loving it. 

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Noise Noise Noise

It's been a while since I've been to a High School Graduation.

I don't remember them being that loud. 

*shakes head*

Of course the ones I remember going to happened in like a concert hall of sorts.
So being loud and noisy wasn't as encouraged.

This High School Graduation ceremony was in the College's sports arena.

….the same building I was in like...two weeks ago to see my friend graduate college.

lol though this time around I was able to sit in a softer seat.
So yay for avoiding uncomfortable hard bleacher seats.

But at the same time.
The difference between College Graduation and High School graduation was...drastic.

The college one? 
When people's names were called there were short whoops. A lot of applause. Nothing that I couldn't handle.

High School graduation?

It was like being at a sports game.
There were air horns.
Loudly screaming people.

Like there was an entire row below me that screamed their heads off for a good minute straight when their graduate's name was announced.
Like they were so loud and irritating and long in their screaming that the dude announcing the names of the high school graduates had to wait until they stopped before he was able to continue calling out the names.

It was crazy.
I hated it.

I hate loud noises.
I hate loud people.

And it was basically two hours of that sort of thing.
Gah.
Just gah.

Note to self.
Avoid any more high school graduations until I have kids of my own who are graduating.

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Sunday Work

Working Sundays is a weird thing for me.
Mostly because I never do it.
Or almost never do it.
I do occasionally like once or twice a year come in to do the 'official animal count' or to the 'mandatory meetings' we hold after store hours.
But actually coming in to work a shift shift?

Yah, basically never happens. 

But today it did.

Because there was no one else available to work the morning shift.
As the usual workers who work the sunday morning shifts.
Were out of town this weekend. 

And I was basically their last resort in being able to work it.

--We need to hire more people. 

But yah.
Working Sundays is weird.

Especially because like...we had to call for a backup cashier within the first four minutes of the store being opened. O.o

On a Sunday.
Like that's just weird. 

Overall the store was more dead yesterday was.
But at the same time.
It had it's busy moments.

But I think it freaked out my coworkers a bit too lol
Because I don't work Sundays.
So whenever I do something out of the ordinary.
It throws everyone off. 

*shrugs*

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Another Stressor

I hate it when unexpected stress finds me at work....where I can't do anything really to 'fix' any potential problems.
*exhales*

It was a minor thing really.
Something I shouldn't have gotten worked up over.
But this is me.
I get worked up over little things.

And the stress of today.
Was getting a text from Kikay asking if I would be going up North today because Daddoo thought I had said I would be.... 
Which...
I had no plans to because a) I would be going up tomorrow and b) I would also be working tomorrow. So I had no reason to drive up tonight because then I would have to come right back down to make it to work tomorrow morning before driving up again.

And like....there literally was no reason for me to be up there.
Daddoo also had work today and wouldn't be getting back until I would need to be heading back down.
So I wouldn't even see him.

Therefore...I have no idea where Daddoo got the idea I was coming up.

Apparently he thought I was coming up to help with Mom's books.
But at the same time. I had planned to do it tomorrow. Since I was already going to be up there.

So yah. 
I just....
It stressed me out.
Because I already know that Daddoo sees me the least out of the siblings.
And I want to help out how I can.
But I also need ME time away from everyone because I am an introvert and I recharge by being by myself.
And it's hard to recharge when I'm never by myself.

So yah.
I had to deal with the concept that I might be disappointing Daddoo by not coming up tonight....and it just stressed me out.

*exhales*
Not fun to deal with when I'm trapped at work and dealing with a Saturday's rush of customers at the same time. 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Visiting?

There are days where it's weird to think what has changed and hasn't changed since Mom's passing.

One of those things that has changed has been how often I go and see Daddoo.

Because like....before everything.
I wouldn't go see my parents that often.
Like once a month maybe? If that?

Usually I would go up north to see them if a)I had some sort of appointment b) we were celebrating a holiday/birthday together or c) I needed to get away from my roomies

But now...it's a weekly occurrence to go see him.
Or at least see him.
We do weekly dinners just to check in and such and the location of dinner changes depending on who is hosting that week.

But it's a weekly occurrence.
So instead of like maybe once a month I see my family at least four times a month.

To me it feels like a lot.
I mean, the pattern before Mom's passing is one that has been established for a good decade. 
We would text and talk on the phone of course, but visits were rare.

And I am still struggling to adjust to more family get togethers.

Four times a month....it feels like a lot to me.

Yet at the same time it's not enough.

Like compared to my siblings?
It's definitely not enough.

Out of my siblings I'm the one that Daddoo sees the least.
Which considering I see him once a week....
Says a lot.

No, the siblings often see him multiple times in a week.

And it is a struggle for me.
To know that the siblings are all up there.
Often on the same day.

And here I am....two valleys away.
*exhales*

It's hard. 

Because yes, I want to do my part and be there for Daddoo and such.
But at the same time....I treasure my alone time.
I need my alone time.
I'm an introvert.
I recharge by not being around people.

So it's been a struggle.
To find the right balance.
Of meeting the others needs, of seeing Daddoo---
But also being able to meet my own.

So I go up when I can....
But often it's just left to that once a week sort of thing since my schedule doesn't often coincide with every one elses….

*exhales*
It's hard.
Hard feeling like I'm being a bad daughter because I usually stick with once a week.
Hard especially when I get the comment. "I don't see you as often as the others."
Yah...I know I just----I just can't.

Not right now. 

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

In a "Hurry"

I had one of those irritating 'yo-yo' customers in the store today.
Where they give you a bit of whiplash with what they want and how soon they want things done.

Unfortunately for me, this customer is a repeat customer.
I've dealt with him...three times? Four times? Now.

And overall the request is simple.
He wants to buy a lizard for his son.
Though he had to pick some of the more difficult lizards to keep as pets.
The Long-Tailed Lizards, Green Anoles, and Bahaman Anoles.

Which care wise they're not that hard to take care of.
But handling wise?
All three can be rather fast.
So for a young boy....it's not the best pet to get as they're more of a watching pet. 

So it's not surprising that they're having....issues.

I mean the guy's already been in twice this week.
Because one of the long-tails escaped.
And he bought a green anole and a Bahaman to replace it because we hadn't gotten in any more long-tails in yet.
But he came back in today as well to get a long-tail -which lucky him the shipment of reptiles showed up while he was there otherwise I wouldn't have had any. 
But he came back today because the other 'non lost' long-tail of the originals had died. So he wanted a replacement for that. 

In any case.
It's the same story everytime with him.

"I'm in a hurry"
Is what he tells us all.

Which I honestly don't think he is.
He's just trying to get us to rush for him so he gets service faster.
Because if you were actually in a hurry you would have bought the lizard and left.

But no.
The dude proceeded to make a nuisance of himself for a good thirty-forty minutes in the store.
Asking questions about lids, about backgrounds---
Mansplaining things to me when I understood him the first time but he didn't understand me.
Like "No we don't sell these lids"
"But I bought the cage from you!"
"We sell the cage yes, but we don't sell the lids separately." 
"Oh."

And like he was like "Oh you have a points system how does that work? Well I've spent X amount of money here in the last month and my points don't reflect that!" 
-like did you use your phone number every time?
Did you return things because the points go down if you do?
Did you redeem them at some point?

And like after making a nuisance over the points redeeming system he was like "oh by the way you charged me for this thing I didn't buy so I want my money back."
Which after establishing that it was alright.
He was going to put the 'money back' towards buying a separate thing.
But then decided middle of transaction that once again "he was in a hurry"
So ended up getting just a merch card with his refund on it so he could 'come back later' because he needed to 'take his kid to school'

….Like why go shopping before taking your kid to school? That's just trouble all around. Why not come after school? Why do you keep repeating the same thing of coming before school?? Like life would be a lot less stressful for all of us if you weren't in a hurry.

But like he was so easily distracted to.
He left the register at least six times to go look at other things or ask me questions leaving the cashier hanging and waiting for him to return. (luckily it wasn't busy)

But gah.
I was so ready for the dude to be gone by the time he left.
Like....I see this as an ongoing problem.
Because if the lizards keep dying/escaping he's going to keep coming back and like....gah.
I hope I'm not around the next time he comes in because I hate his frentic energy.

His "Hurry up I'm in a hurry!" need that doesn't match his "Ask you a hundred questions and spend a long time in the store" sort of actions. 

I don't get it.
At all.

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Brake Replacement

So I drove up North today to get my brakes replaced.
As I'd been told when I went to a different mechanic's shop to get an oil change...that my brakes....well I wouldn't need to get them replaced the next day, but they would need to be replaced 'soon.'

When I asked for clarification on how 'soon' soon was they said within the month.

Okay.
Probably a good idea to get those replaced then lol. 
As I can't honestly remember if they've ever been replaced before.

I'm assuming so. 
Though since I can't recall when that was exactly...it's probably been a while. Years....maybe not since I was in college?

In any case.
I decided to make a day trip up north to the local mechanic there that we usually take our cars to for more 'pricey' repairs.

Which I did.
Though the place was rather busy when I dropped off my car.
So they didn't get a chance to see it until like...five hours later. *exhales*
At least there were things to do in the area so I wasn't stuck waiting in the waiting room for hours on end. 
Nope I spent most of the time at the book store.

Lol in any case.

The dude finally calls to tell me that they've looked at my car and is giving me an estimate on how much everything is going to cost.

And he tells me that it's not just the brake pads that need to be replaced.
But the rotors are basically shot as well. 

He got quiet for a second and was like "I'm not sure....but these might be the original rotors on the car" 

Which considering the car is like 19 years old.

Yah...that's probably crazy lol.
Especially since google tells me that they're usually only good for about 70,000 miles at most...
And my car has around 120k miles on it. 

So it's probably really impressive that I haven't needed to get them replaced before now.

But at the same time, for most of my car's life it's been used as a little 'around town' car.
Honestly I think it's only left the state like....once? Maybe twice?
Growing up we just used it to travel about locally.
(Hence why the miles are lower than normal too for a car that old) 

It's only been in the last few years that the miles have had a sharp increase.

Lol and while I like to speed a bit.
I'm not that crazy with the brakes.

So I could forsee that the rotors could last a while longer than expected.
Because they weren't used as aggressively as the could have been.

Still.
Kinda crazy to think that the rotors could have been the original ones.
I mean it is a 19 year old car.
It's old in car years. 

In any case.

I now understand a lot better the term "tap the brake" lol because with the brakes replaced....the car responds a lot faster than I'm used to when I step on the brakes. 
Like I don't need to push my foot down as far.
So that's kinda crazy.

Also makes me wonder how much longer the brakes could have lasted. :S 
I mean....they were squeaking a bit recently but I was attributing that to the warmer weather, as they do that on occasion.

But still...
Glad they're all fixed and I have quicker brake power now lol. ^^;; 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Help?

My coworker called out sick today.
Which I kinda predicted when the phone rang early in the morning at work,
And then soon after my managers called for me to come to the office over the intercom.

That usually indicates that something has gone wrong.
And that something....was my coworker calling out.
Which meant that I would be opening by myself in the department.

It's no longer that big of a deal, beyond me having to readjust my plans for the day to account for not having someone in to help me when I was planning to have someone help me. 

Except.

This time around.
I didn't end up by myself.
No the managers actually went ahead and called in a coworker to take over the other shift.
So that I would still have help this morning.
And that I would be able to focus on the bedding change and not worry about getting the rest of the department open as well.

Which it's now such the odd feeling.
To have someone helping out in the department.

We got done opening a lot faster than normal.
Like by the time I took my lunch we just needed to feed the fish and we would be completely done with opening tasks. 

O.o

That doesn't happen that often lol.

And it left me at a loss of what to do for the three hours after that because....like what else is there to do?

I ended up doing a bunch of smaller task things that I usually overlook because I'm focusing on just trying to get the department open.

So yah.
It was nice.
Weird.
But nice to be done opening....at least stress wise in getting things done.
I mean...after the tasks were done....there's not much to do but help customers, which I don't mind....except the store was dead today. Barely any customers.
Which makes time go much slower lol. 

Still.
I made it!
Woot!

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Choosing Books

The past couple of times I've been up north, I've been going through Mother Dearest's library.

As Daddoo is getting ready to donate the rest of the books to various libraries and such.

So I contacted a few of my friends just to see if they would be interest in any books. 

And when they said that they would be,

I went through Mother Dearest's library looking for ones that I figured would fit the criteria of what my friends were looking for.

Which it's hard.

As it's not like we do reading parties together.

So I only have the vaguest of ideas of what type of books they might like.

The types I know they would like....Mother Dearest didn't really end up collecting. 

Sooooo…..yah just  kinda taking a couple stabs in the dark really with it.

I ended up meeting with one of my friends today.

And brought the dozen books I'd grabbed out for her to check out.

With the understanding that she wasn't required to take any of them if they weren't her style.

After all, I was guessing most of the time on what type of books she'd want. 

Yah.

I didn't do that great. ^^;; lol. 

Which I wasn't expecting her to take all of them.

But I am glad that she did take some.

If only 4 out of the dozen lol. 

Still I'm glad that I managed to find four books that my friend was interested in. ^^;;

It's better than none lol. 

Until you next read these words;

I'll be watching the leaves.

Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

Small Traditions

It was a tradition...is a tradition? I don't know anymore.

But for Mother's Day Mom would basically always get flowers and chocolate covered strawberries. 

As she loved getting both.

And I have to admit that I thought about getting some flowers and strawberries while I was out and about this week....

But at the same time I was reluctant to. 
Just because....I don't know. It's hard.
Hard to do things that remind me of mom some days. 

*exhales*

But today when I went up to visit with the family.
Kikay had gone and done that extra step.

Getting a vase full of white roses for the table.
And getting a dozen chocolate covered strawberries to split between the family.

As Mom usually would share her strawberries with us when she got them.

So yah.
It was nice to kinda continue the tradition. 
Flowers and Strawberries. 
Nice.

But still hard. 

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

A Surprise Visit

I got a text out of the blue today.
From my Uncle.
Wanting to know if we'd be able to meet up and grab dinner or something.

Which isn't that unusual....
Until you realize that this particular uncle doesn't live in my state. 

Lol I had wondered if he'd be coming around as there's a celebration about the Golden Spike that's going on.
And I remembered him mentioning a while ago he'd be coming to visit for the occasion with one of his sons because my cousin is obsessed with trains. 

But I had no idea when he would actually be in town.

So the text out of the blue....
Was out of the blue for sure.

But we managed to get our schedules to mesh up.
And he and my cousin ended up taking the train down a couple of hours for me to pick them up at the station. 
Which was fun.
Haven't needed to pick anyone up for a while. ^^;; 

And yah it was great to visit with them and grab dinner. 

Ah.
So much fun. So nice to see them. ^^;; 

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi

The Book Collection

Mom loved to collect books.

I remember we would make whole day trips out of going to different D.I.s in the valley so that Mom could look through the various book sections in search of specific titles or authors.
Because she loved getting the complete set of whatever the author had written.

It was a hobby that was fun for us kids to do too....because we ended up with so many stuffed animals by the end of the day. XD lol.
I think the parents may have ended up putting a limit on how many stuffed animals we could get after a while....

But it was a tradition for a while.
To go see if we could get more books for Mom's book collection.

And she ended up with a ton of books.
A good 5,000 if not more really.
We had a literal library downstairs.
A room stuffed full of book cases.
Probably around 30 or so of them.

Seriously.
It was a ton of books lol.

And one of the harder things about Mother Dearest's passing is....
The fact that her collection of books was incomplete.
She hadn't finished gathering all her authors --though really it was an endless task as most of her authors were still actively writing. So there were always new books coming out lol.
And of course, it's disheartening that she never got to read all those books. :( I mean...she knew she probably wouldn't.
As she did find more joy in the collecting of the books rather in the reading of them....

In any case.

We've been slowly going through all those books.

And as much as I would love to have her collection kept together and untouched....
It makes sense that if we aren't going to use them....or read them....
That we should give them away to other people who will.

So after Daddoo, the sibs and I went through the books to pick out ones that had meaning to us or that we thought we would read.
We opened it up to family, and later to friends and neighbors to come look at the books.

But there's so many left.
We still have a good 10 or so book cases filled with books.

Which just thinking how many books have been taken, and how many are still there....
It's crazy.

But still hard.
It was hard today.

As I was going through the books once more, looking for ones that friends and family had requested I look for.

Basically doing one of the last sweeps --though I will be coming back in a couple of days to look again for people.

But one of the last sweeps because Daddoo has reached the point where whatever isn't taken....
is going to be boxed up and donated to the libraries in the area.

Which. Yay that the books will be donated.

But kinda….really sad.
Just to see how fragmented and small Mother Dearest's collection has become.
To see it so divied up and torn apart.
Like it's great because the books were taken to be read and such and won't be sitting on a book shelf in the basement gathering dust anymore.

But it's still hard to see it go.
Hard to have the changes.
It will probably be hard to go downstairs.
As the library has been part of the household for like...my entire life.
And to have that one consistent piece now fading away and about to be completely removed from the picture....

Yah it's hard.
So hard.

Until you next see these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi