Warranted but harsh criticism

I am usually unsuccessful at tuning out ambient noise, other people's conversations and the like, which is how I've gotten myself into trouble several times, most recently at work.

I walked into the nurses' station and a conversation between two nurses, "What is the Twin RX?" "It's a treatment." "For what?" "Hepatitis." *TV 'wrong' noise here*

There is no treatment for hepatitis. The Twin Rx is a vaccine (preventative measure) against hepatitis A and B. It was with this information that I interjected into the conversation.

And the nurse handing out the wrong information says, "You know what the problem is here, the problem is that I wasn't talking to you. If I was talking to you, I could understand why you're confused, but I wasn't talking to you. B understands me, don't you? [B nods]. So that's the problem here."

Oh smack.

He was really harsh, which stung, but what bothered me more was the criticism; I hate being called out on my weaknesses. (Funny, who does?) In his defense, it must get old having someone correct you, as I have done so before. Then again, it gets old having to fix someone's errors from erroneous information, too.

30

This is my year 30th year on the planet as Jennifer. Well, it will be in a little over two months, but I'm getting a head start on my project for this, my Year of 30. The project is hiking by myself (someone go resuscitate my mother, please). Yes, hiking by myself.

This idea stemmed from a conversation with my friend David about his hiking alone. He does it all the time! But he's a boy.

Perhaps it's a function of being a girl or growing up in suburbia in the 80s. I dunno. But I was raised (splendidly, capably, but with a little bit of fear) to always have a buddy when leaving the house. Perhaps the 'always' is an exaggeration, but it certainly seems like that is the ideal. In light of not having a conjoined twin, I have interpreted 'always have a buddy' to 'have a buddy when one leaves the confines of civilization, such as when hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, etc.'. But Year of 30 is the time to change that.

I shall tell someone where I'm going and shall bring my cell phone, but damnit, I'm going it alone. The following photos are from my solo adventures undertaken in early celebration of my Year of 30.

The view from one of many lookout spot along the Red Rocks Trail in Matthews Winters Park.







The Speer Blvd. bridge as seen looking west from Confluence Park. Though not outside civilization, it is my favorite city spot, which I visited this week, so it is included.






Top photo: A crystalis in Matthews Winters Park. I've gotta go back and see the end result!

Evening ride

Man (walking on sidewalk pushing shopping cart): I didn't know I was on a bike path! I didn't know I was on a f*cking bike path!

Me (riding bike on sidewalk): I didn't know I was in a grocery store.

Man: F*ck you! This is not a bike path!

Me: Not tonight, thanks.