Notes From Home Plate

The Bliss that is Natural Light

Published on by Lisa

As much as Nick loves natural light, I’ve never seen him wear shades before.

Little fun fact about Nick: one of his favorite things in the world is natural light. He freaking talks about how awesome natural light is at least three times a month. If you add that up over the course of the years I’ve known him, that’s a lot of time spent talking about something as simplistic as the sun’s rays.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love photography. I practically salivate over natural light when I shoot photos. The best weddings photos are the ones that are shot with as much natural light as possible.

But Nick’s not a photographer. He just goes nuts over sunlight.

He, and I’m not exaggerating, does not like curtains because of this. He would PREFER a curtainless world to let as much natural light into our house as possible. When we were looking at houses to buy last year, he’s say, “Look at those windows! Think about how much natural light we’ll get.”

And I, looking at him from the corner of my eye, say, “Sure. Yeah. I mean, looks great.”

When we’re driving, Nick is usual steering while I am off in my own world blabbering about my thoughts on the Universe, whether we’ll live to see the scientific proof of another galaxy beyond the Milky Way, and all of a sudden Nick will explode, “DID YOU SEE THAT HOUSE? THEY HAD ALL FRONT WINDOWS THAT WERE HUGE. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH NATURAL LIGHT THEY MUST GET?”

And I, again, dumbfounded that he doesn’t even get that excited over Xavier basketball or a Beanie Wells run, or a discounted oil change will reply, “Huh. Where?” I’ll strain my head, look in the rear view mirrors, “I didn’t see it. Darn.”

And just like the calm sea after a brief storm, Nick will return to his 98.6 degree body temperature. His eyes will return to their normal shade of blue-ish green, and the torrent of emotion will subside as he drives on.

So it was no surprise yesterday, out on a long walk and taking advantage of our 50 degree day, Nick says, “Guess what?”

“What?”

“It’s 5:30pm now and look how light it is. Just think – next week, it’ll be this light out at 6:30pm!”

“Yes. Daylight savings time. Incredible.” I am bemused watching him practically skip down the sidewalk like a little boy.

I remain silent, enjoying his enjoyment.

“You know,” he continues, “I don’t even know what I’d be like if daylight savings time were on the same day as my birthday. I wouldn’t know what to be more excited for.”

“Mhm,” I speculate, “I’d air on the side of celebrating existence than natural light, but that’s just me.”

I don’t think Nick hears me. He is lost to the world, absorbing his joy of the impending spring.

And with that story, my friends, I am sure you will remember to jump your clocks forward an hour this weekend. I don’t know if Nick will be able to sleep the night before from his excitement.

A Belated Thanks from the Birthday Gal

Published on by Lisa

Over the weekend I went to Hocking Hills for the first time. I went with a group of women who dubbed the getaway, “Wild Women’s Weekend.”

Believe me, there was nothing wild about it, except how we got CRAZY and ate sweet potato quesadillas, cheesecake, lasagna, and about thirty pounds of fresh carrots with hummus.

It’s been a long time since I shared a big house with 16 other women. Of the sixteen, I knew three very well and the rest by connection or acquaintance. It struck me that I was one of the oldest among them, at a ripe 30 years of age, and as I continue to wear my thirty crown, I am blessed to have weekends where I just giggle, write, exercise, and go for hikes around caves and waterfalls. I don’t have a neurotic husband who doesn’t know how to feed himself or have the lovely grace/burden of children who need their Mama.

It was the first time in a long time I had back to back nights of 2am/3am bedtimes. This morning, Wednesday, was the first day I felt really recovered. Whatta wimp I am.

When I returned home, my voicemail message box was full (no phone reception in the woods) and it suggested I delete messages to make room for new ones. Considering I am eagerly waiting for interviews and job prospects, that might be a good idea.

Some messages were quite hilarious. Of the several I received, here were the classics:

PHONE
[insert angry tone] Hi, Leese. It’s Victor. I don’t know where you are or why you’re not picking up the phone, but I’d like to wish my sister a Happy Birthday on her actual birthday. So, pick up next time will you?

[insert exasperation] Hey, Leese, it’s Tricia. Why don’t you pick up your freaking phone?! Pick up! Pick up! We have to talk. You won’t believe who called me. I know it’s your birthday, but I have to tell you something.

[insert happy] Heeeyyyy, Leese, it’s Jennnniiiifffeerrrr! How are you? Just calling to say Happy Birthday. We really need to chat! Why do we wait so long to talk? Here’s an incentive to call me: I think I might be in love! AHAHHAHAAH – how’s that? Call me!

FACEBOOK MESSAGES
[from Mike, a childhood friend] I swear, back in the day, I once gave someone a humongous New Kids on the Block card. If I could get another one I would give it to you now. Happy Birthday.

[from Leslie, former colleague] At 30, I was dating ugly men and making bad decisions, you’re doing awesome!

[from Kristie, good bud] I hate to tell you this on your birthday, but you might be crazy.

TEXT AND VIDEO MESSAGES
[from Amanda, one of my best friends] records herself singing and dancing to, “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

[text from Alexis, friend and former co-worker] writes: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE MUFFIN IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE.

So, a big thank you to all those who sent me wonderful and fun-filled greetings. It was a birthday I shall never forget.

Nick as Big Brother

Published on by Lisa

Nick always makes ridiculous statements about how he married an older woman. He says this at least once every other month and it annoys me to holy heaven because I am three weeks, yes WEEKS, not years, older than him. He just likes to pretend he is funny and say he’s married to an older woman for effect.

I’m older by 21 days.

Nick’s 30th birthday this year is the last day of winter, March 19. I’ve asked him repeatedly on how he would like to celebrate. He says he hasn’t given it any thought and this only furthers the evidence that we are two separate human beings who like to celebrate our birthdays in different ways.

Considering I take the entire month of February to celebrate, I suppose that’s right.

So, I will take March to celebrate Nick since he has given me no bright ideas on how he would like to proceed forward.

I thought I’d start with a classic picture. This one is dated August 1992.

(No matter how I try to find embarrassing photos of him, Kelly or Keith (usually Kelly) tend to win in the “Oh my…” department.)

The Ultimate Quiz

Published on by Lisa

Over the weekend, I celebrated by 30th birthday even though my actual birthday is Friday, February 27.

In addition to the great community of friends we have here in Cleveland, my buds Heather and Mary Kay came from Cincinnati, Alexis DROVE from Boston, and Leanne drove from Chicago.

I feel extremely loved.

I wore a ridiculous and wonderfully large and charge birthday hat (pictures to come), and a had a grrrand time. I also gave everyone a 30 question quiz about the Queen Bee of Thirty (aka Moi), and the grand prize winner won two free movie tickets. The point of the quiz was to have people mingle and get the answers from other people at the party. So, in addition to making new friends, you got to learn more about the birthday girl. What a great idea!

The winner only had one wrong AND it was not Nick, nor my sister. Can you believe it?


Thirty Questions for Lisa’s Thirty Years
(the number after the question denotes how many people should be listed)

1. What is the real date of Lisa’s birthday? February 27

2. In what state was Lisa born and grew up in? New Jersey

3. Find all who attended Xavier University with Lisa? Nick, Books, Mary Kay, Pete

4. Fine all who accompanied Lisa to the Barack Obama rally in November? Nick, Jennifer B., Adam, Christina, Brian

5. Find the person who once came to visit Lisa during Grey’s Anatomy and was left outside until a commercial break: Alexis Melville

6. Other than the United States, what other two countries has Lisa lived in for at least two months? the Philippines and Nicaragua

7. Match the nickname to its originator:
“Babar” –> Carmen Factora
“Leek” –> Francis Factora
“Hammerhead” –> Nick Borchers
“Lisa Ma-*ucking-rie” –> Lisa’s Freshman Year Roommate

8. Choose the ONE statement that is NOT true. (C is the correct answer.)
On June 4, 2005, when she got married, Lisa
a) wore her running shoes all day
b) journaled before she walked down the aisle
c) mildly sprained her left ankle
d) fell asleep after the wedding mass

9. True or False: Lisa was a cheerleader for four years. TRUE

10. Find who went with Lisa to the New Kids on the Block concerts? Carmen

11. Nick and Lisa met: (B is the correct answer.)
a) during MANRESA, freshman orientation week
b) at GETAWAY, a retreat for first year students
c) as RESIDENT ASSISTANTS in Brockman Hall
d) at a Kuhlman Hall/Brockman Hall mixer

12. Choose the ONE that is NOT TRUE. (C is the correct answer.)
Lisa has worked as all but one of the following:
a) a ice-cream server at Honey’s Homemade
b) a caddy at Glenmore Country Club
c) a cashier at Whole Foods
d) a waitress at Chi-Chi’s
e) a sales associate at the Gap

13. True or False: Lisa was born cesarean. TRUE

14. In whose apartment did Lisa watch the Buckeyes demolish the Wolverines in the latest rivalry match? Sam and Laura

15. Write the full name of the person Lisa and Nick call, “The Baker.” TOM BAKER

16. Write the names of Lisa’s unofficial wine advisers.
Mary Kay Koehler & Heather Apple

17. It was primarily because of this person that Lisa and Nick moved to Cleveland.
Carmen

18. True or False: Lisa has three nephews and one niece. TRUE

19. True of False: Lisa is the youngest of four. TRUE

20. What Ohio university was Lisa originally supposed to attend before deciding three weeks before orientation to attend Xavier University? John Carroll University

21. Choose one. (A is the correct answer.)
If Lisa could dominate one sport she would choose:
a) tennis
b) golf
c) speed skating
d) raquetball

22. Lisa has lived in all but one of the following states: (D is the correct answer.)
a) New Jersey
b) California
c) Washington
d) Texas

23. Choose the ONE statement that is NOT true: (B is the correct answer.)
a) Lisa pretended to faint in the fifth grade during gym class.
b) Her favorite color is yellow.
c) In 2000, she met Martin Sheen.
d) In 1995, Patrick Ewing winked and smiled at her in an airport.
e) Lisa despises carrying a purse.

24. Find all of Lisa’s Facebook friends. (This one is stupid to answer now…)

25. Choose the ONE statement that is NOT true. (C is the correct answer.)
a) Lisa has talked her way out of two speeding tickets.
b) She has an extra bone in both her feet.
c) Prior to getting a nose stud, she had an eyebrow ring.
d) Lisa reached 5”2 in 4th grade and has not grown taller since.

26. Choose the pair of sport icons whom Lisa followed religiously growing up:
(A is the correct answer.)
a) Andre Agassi and Kim Zmeskal
b) Michael Jordan and Jennifer Capriotti
c) Shannon Miller and Magic Johnson
d) Stephi Graf and Kristi Yamaguchi

27. At age 11, Lisa seriously considered becoming: (A is the correct answer.)
a) a nun
b) a writer
c) a counselor
d) a lawyer

28. Lisa’s first home fitness instructor was (C is the correct answer.)
a) Billy Blanks from Tae Bo
b) Chenille Johnson from Turbo Jam
c) Jane Fonda from Step it Up
d) Richard Simmons from Sweatin’ to the Oldies

29. Choose the one statement that is NOT on ” Lisa’s Bucket List for 30.” (C is the correct answer.)
a) run a road race
b) get pregnant
c) skydive
d) become a saavy vegan cook

30. Correctly spell her entire name: ANA LISA FERNANDEZ FACTORA-BORCHERS
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Letter #6

Published on by Lisa


Dear Veronica,

The dream to someday look into your eyes is holding steady, it’s constant beat both calming and excruciating. I just finished my first cycle of ovulation medication, to stimulate the eggs, and it was not successful.

Dr. Liu, in his ever strange ways, seems cheery when I call him, asking him what our next step should be, “Well, just wait until day 35 of the cycle and take a pregnancy test. If you’re not pregnant, we’ll just up the dosage.”

In other words, as he has said it before: quit worrying.

But I am worried.

The face I put on for others is a face of hope and optimism. The words come out of my mouth as I say that I will not be devastated if I cannot have biological children, but the truth is, my darling daughter unborn, I am afraid I will slip into a darkness that will shade me for the rest of my days if that happens. The reality is that life is given to you and there are portions of it which you can exercise control. Most parts, though, are handed to you, as is, and what you do with those parts, what you choose to create or act with it, is entirely up to you. I have trouble coping with that reality.

Someday, I hope, you will sit next to me and we will go over these letters together. I’m sure I will need some prompting about what I was thinking at 29 years of age, and I hope that these words will open a door of memories that will help guide you in your path of choices.

I want to include a picture with this letter. This is a picture of me, your old Mama at twenty years young, with another little girl. Her name is Veronica and she is the little girl you are named after. Taken in 2000, Veronica, now, is around fourteen years old and probably still in barrio Nueva Vida in Managua, Nicaragua.

Back in the old college days, I decided to live in Nicaragua for three months and work in areas that would challenge my ways of thinking. Nicaragua – Veronica – succeeded.

You see, darling, this child in the photo is a living breathing creature, beautiful in skin and hopelessly stubborn in manner. She insisted on sitting on my lap, not allowing any other child in the barrio to sit on her thrown, and when I coaxed embraces from other children, she growled at me and said, “No te hablo.” I’m not talking to you. Mhm! She had a temper.

And nearly every day, for years, I thought of her. Ways to help her, buy her a tricycle, give her family food, ensure her health. The problems, though, are too big for me, or any one person to handle. Today, on the cusp of turning thirty with almost a decade that has passed since I last held her, I don’t even know if she is alive. I think or hope or pray she is. I have to.

Your name, Veronica, is very special and someday I will tell you all the reasons why this name has burned its letters onto my heart. For now, though, this picture is all you need.

I want you to remember something, my child, in case you ever forget yourself: all children are created equal and therefore you will all grow into women that are equal. This world will tell you different. It will tell you that since you were born in a certain country with privileges, education, and industry, you are worth more. The world will tell you that your place in society is measured by the size of your wallet, the space of your house, the shine of your car, the interest rates of your stocks, the gleam of your hair, the smell of your breath, the shade of your skin, the mobility of your legs, the speed of your mind.

Remember this picture, dear, and remember that my desire for you came from a love of her. So, Veronica and you are, actually, sisters. You share a mother – me – who wants both of you to understand the world will attempt to define you or kill you. It will beat you to your knees with shame and labels.

I am here, living and writing, to tell you they are wrong and you are wrong if you believe them.

There is nothing greater in this world than the measure of what you will do for liberation and for how far you will go to bring a sense of peace to the places that will never know the quiet of stars because their skies are filled with the noise of bombs and bullets.

I make you sisters and gently remind you to care for one another, even if you never meet. Even if you are separated by everything and you find nothing in common, you are sisters. You are binded by my realization that I cannot sacrifice one without sacrificing the other. You need each other in every sense of the word survival.

You will be different in every way – sound, language, speech, and opportunity. But you both are precious in my eyes.

Veronica, my unborn daughter, someday I want you to charge into the world and question it as I did. I hope you turn in desperation, searching for some damn piece of truth that causes you to shake with disbelief and passion. I pray you will find another human being to whom you are accountable and holds you to a sense of humanity and humility far outreaching what you think you are capable. For you, I wish nothing but the most pure sense of life and experience.

That is what I searched for at twenty and that is when I found Veronica.

I found you.

Love,
Mom

The Truth

Published on by Lisa

Ugh, I’ve been the queen of blog neglect and I’m searching for the energy and perspective to write about the most wonderful weekend I’ve had in Cleveland. My birthday fiesta was on Saturday and I am still recovering this Monday morning.

That should tell you how good it was.

More to come.

Late Night Out

Published on by Lisa

Spell insomnia.

L-I-S-A.

No caffeine. No uppers. Nothing to keep me awake.

But I can’t sleep.

N-I-C-K, on the other hand is snoring louder than our beloved space heater in our bedroom.

Happy Valentine’s Day! And instead of getting a nice rest and putting Friday the 13th to bed, I am up, writing, blogging, brainstorming possible article topics because I can’t sleep. I think the culprits are the two pieces of Ghirarhdelli chocolate I had five hours ago. For those that don’t know, I rarely eat chocolate. (I heart vanilla.) I don’t drink caffeine. And so, when I take a moment or two to indulge, my heart goes a little something like, “HEY! WHAT’S THIS? LET’S SEE HOW FAST I CAN PUMP BLOOD AND KEEP HER AWAKE!”

And my mind follows suit with, “HEY! LET’S THINK ABOUT WHAT I WANT TO GET DONE TOMORROW, WHAT I DIDN’T GET TO DO TODAY, WHAT I WANT FOR MY BIRTHDAY, HOW I WILL GET TO THE POST OFFICE BEFORE NOON, DON’T FORGET TO BUY GOAT CHEESE AT FRESH MARKET.”

And I waaaant to sleep, but can’t.

Nick and I returned home at – grab the sides of your computer screens – 1:30am.

GET OUT! I’m not lying.

It’s like 2001 without college drama.

We met up with Books (aka Matt Thomas), his leading lady Janet, and our two friends Sam and Laura at a wine bar about 20 minutes from our house. It was one of those situations where you have no idea who everyone else is at the table (there were at least 8 other folks all crowded with us) for someone’s birthday, but you don’t have the capacity/energy/motivation to talk, so you just smile and mooch off their cheese plate.

Well, that’s what I did anyway.

Afterward, we got all kick ass crazy and went to Panini’s, a bar with 89% John Carroll students and I felt like the only female within 15 miles not wearing a black top (aka typical bar attire). So much opportunity for people watching. Why wish to go back to college days when you have the real thing right in front of you?

“I don’t think I have to relive anything from college. I can just walk into the bathroom of any bar and find a drunk, crying, grasping her cell phone 20s something gal who is going through exactly what I went through eight years ago.” – my comment to Nick at approximately 12:30am

“Do you remember in college when you saw that it was 12:30am and thought, ‘Maybe it’s time to head out to Dana’s?’ and now it’s like, ‘Get me out of this place. I want to go to bed.'” – Nick’s comment to me at 12:31am

Regardless, it was a marvelous time and it was good to show that we’re not completely old and gray and still kicking it.

Although, if you need further proof that we have graduated from young sprigs to oaks and cypresses, here is my newest thought:

The biggest evidence that I am old is that when I was out and about in college and decided not to didn’t drink, my friends would pat me on the back and say, “Pretty bad hangover, huh?” Now when I go out, someone will glance at my water and say out of the corner of their mouth, “Probably pregnant.“

Friday the 13th

Published on by Lisa

It’s Friday the 13th and I tend to get excited for this stupid day.

There’s really no reason for the excitement. It’s kind of like when New York City had a huge blackout back in 2003 (?). I am intrigued by how people react to random, rather large scale phenomenons.

It’s all the little stories of superstition, full moons, and random fears that attract me. It’s fun, funny, and somewhat entertaining to hear what people do or refuse to do on days like today. Personally, I have no superstitions because I’m too scared to believe in them (if that makes any sense), I just like the fun of talking about it. But if someone offers me a black cat, you can be sure I’m more than likely get in my car and drive away from it. Perhaps even consider running over the cat, but am too scared about what might unleash from that act as well.

So, it’s safe to say, I like the fun spookiness of it all, similar to Halloween. I just regret I don’t get to dress like a bee. (My new costume for Halloween 09.)

(And this is a personal shout out to Pat Ryan, aka Goatee, I hope you have a great and normal day with no complications whatsoever.)

A Walk in the Rain

Published on by Lisa

Within moral reason, I would do just about anything to keep the temperature at 61 degrees for the rest of February. I cannot believe the difference it makes to wake up and not have your first thought be, “Damn, it is so cold I do not want to live in Cleveland anymore.” This morning I woke up and thought, “Good morning Nick! Good morning world!”

Much nicer.

Over the weekend Nick and I celebrated many things. First, we went to Cincinnati and celebrated Catie Bella’s inauguration into Club 30. And Erin Kraft Houston’s impending water burst. As of Friday, she was one day overdue. Then, we headed to Russia and celebrated Nick’s grandfather’s 80th birthday. For pics, see here.

The warm temperature this week are big fat teasers and I wish they could stay. 97% of our house and property has melted and you can see my car’s tire tracks in our front lawn. Spring cannot come soon enough.

But we took advantage of the weather and took a nice long walk today. It’s been awhile since we did our normal 3 mile early evening walk and it felt like it was taking FOREVER since we haven’t done it in several months. As we dodged lake-sized puddles on the sidewalk, we discussed our plans for Valentine’s Day. I tried to hide the fact that I get a little more excited about Friday the 13th than Valentine’s Day, but we decided that to celebrate our wonderful love and life, we’d do something special. We’re not big Hallmark people. Nick nearly goes into a spasm on Sweetest Day and I don’t really feel the need to make a big deal out of it. We’re loved everyday, I tell people, and I think it’s rather DUMB to do cliche things for 1 day out of the 365.25 days out of the year.

But, we decided to do something fun.

Nick announced we would have a theme. (If you haven’t noticed, we’re big on themes.) The theme for Valentine’s Day 2009 is IN LOVE IN CLEVELAND.

That’s right! From 12noon to midnight, we will do all the things and spend time in places that we love, think we grow to love, or are falling in love in Cleveland. For me that means rocking independent bookstores and the west side market, unexplored cafes and coffee shops, art galleries and the Tremont area of town where there’s a real artistic spirit. It’s going to be super cool and super fun.

Forget roses and chocolates, leave poems at the door, but give me an art gallery any day of the week and I’m happy.

So, Nick announced this as we huddled under the umbrella during our evening walk and in my excitement almost slipped on thawed out dog poop on the grass.

And, just on cue, a dog – on a long leash held by a small child – started barking at Nick. I tried to move out of the way because I could sense what was about to happen. The kid didn’t make any effort to pull the dog’s leash shorter and the stupid animal bit Nick in the ankle. A rare annoyed look passed on his normally calm face (at a CHILD) while he lightly said, “That’s alright….” to the kid’s apology.

I didn’t laugh as I normally would have because I know a rare occurrence when I see one. When Nick is that annoyed, I just shut my trap.