07 Sunday Jul 2019
Posted in 365project, just a thought
Tags
cats, cocktails, death, iphone photos, kittens, life, Memphis, photo challenge, photoaday
This gallery contains 2 photos.
I’m having a hard time finding balance in my life, but I’m taking steps to improve this. While I’ve been …
01 Tuesday Jan 2019
Posted in 365project, just a thought
06 Thursday Sep 2018
Posted in 365project, Memphis
This gallery contains 6 photos.
Our local Metal Museum does a monthly happy hour with music, beverages, and a food truck. Tonight was a luau …
26 Friday Jan 2018
Posted in 365project, Memphis
I was just on my way to the botanic garden and made a wrong turn. I found some creepy old abandoned apartment. It looks like it may have been at school at one point.
I have enough sense to not stick around creepy places like this in Memphis, but I’d love to get some folks to come explore and take more pictures.
#365project #photoaday #creepyviolinmusic
07 Sunday Jan 2018
Posted in 365project, about town
Tags
This weekend I’ve gotten out to some neighborhoods I don’t frequent too often. It’s always great to see what’s going on somewhere else. Here’s a few murals I saw that spoke to me.
#365project #photoaday #noturningback
25 Sunday Oct 2015
Tags
English, language, meet new people, Memphis, move, pho, Portland, sick, volunteering
This morning is the first day I’ve woken up feeling moderately human. I actually woke at 7:12am saying is it monday? is it monday? OMG I’m going to be late. As it turns out, it is sunday; but when you’ve been off work for a week, trapped at home, and hopped up on drugs, you lose track of time.
I was starting to feel better yesterday. Actually got a shower and out of the house for a few minutes, even if just to go buy dog food. I had to get out of the house as I was on the verge of a tiny meltdown. I really miss Portland. I miss my neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant with my favorite pho (extra important when sick). I miss being able to walk to the grocery store. I miss all the weird creative types. and I really, REALLY miss my friends and community dinners.
I am trying so hard to meet new people and I have made some wonderful, wonderful new friends. But starting from scratch is so hard. My favorite new friend and I bonded over a moment at a women’s get-to-know-you game, where I gave a true glimpse of the real Lula. One of the ladies said I find it so hard to make new friends now that I’m over 40. Off the cuff, without even thinking, I said “I find it so hard to make new friends because most of the time I’m thinking you’re an idiot and I wish you’d just shut the fuck up.” This got a laugh from the table, but I immediately worried who I had offended. Little did I know, my message was received and shared by two of the ladies at the table.
So often since coming to Memphis, I feel like I’m speaking a foreign language. People don’t say what they mean and don’t mean what they say. So me, in my true self, speak frankly and honestly, cannot get anyone to give me a straight answer because they aren’t actually hearing the words I am saying, and not interpreting them in the literal sense I intend. I’ve never been good at game playing, other than to stir the pot. I’m a master pot-stirrer 😉
Other than going to church, or volunteering, how do you recommend connecting with other people? I’m looking for any and all suggestions, no matter how ridiculous.
17 Thursday Sep 2015
Posted in Blogging
Tags
blogging201, driver, law, Memphis, open letter, TDOT, writing101
I want you to know one thing. You SUCK!
You think that’s it’s normal to cut across three lanes to make a right turn. I’m fairly certain you have no idea your vehicle comes equipped with blinkers. Everyday I get on the road with you, I fear for my life.
The first three months I lived here, you nearly killed me three times. Why, WHY, would you think it’s okay, or even a good idea, to drive down the freeway with a refrigerator standing in the back of your truck without having it tied down? Did you know that the common practice is to move over a lane when you see a car coming onto the freeway, and not speed up?
Ok. Pop quiz… If you are driving up a hill to turn left and there is a stop sign at the top of the hill before the turn,
You…
A) Stop, then turn when the road is clear
B) Speed up, move into the oncoming lane, and fly around the car stopped at the stop sign.
This is just a thought, and this might sound crazy, but you STOP. What the hell were you thinking when you sped around me?! Was your trip to Walmart that important? Or were you about to miss the finale of the Bachelor?
Did you know that there is a LAW that if you are driving slower than the normal rate of traffic you must be in the right hand lane? Clearly this slipped past you, because this seems to be the norm around here!
Just do one thing for me and I’ll leave you be. Please, Please, Please… Hang up the PHONE!
Sincerely (starting to rethink her career as a NASCAR driver),
Driving Miss Daisy (Insane)
Taking a left turn to Albequerque… I still need your votes on my poll… Let me know how YOU are going to help me find a fella
08 Tuesday Sep 2015
Posted in Blogging
Tags
bee, Carpenter Art Garden, catnap, emoticons, graffiti, Memphis, mural, treasure, writing101
Every day is a treasure
That brings untold pleasure
Of which we cannot measure
16 Thursday Oct 2014
Posted in move
I may never move again…
Unless it’s to New Orleans, DC, or a tropical beach paradise. I’ve had such a hard time getting involved in anything outside of work and meeting folks. The last time I moved to a new city I had just graduated college and had a few friends in the same town. Starting from scratch is hard work. I’ve really had a difficult time staying positive.
Part of why I haven’t posted much… Nobody likes a whiner.
This past weekend we moved into our new house!! I have my bed. (Win!!) The living room is my most chaos free zone (less furniture, it was easier to set up). 
We are swimming in a sea of strategically placed boxes. I have a path through the kitchen. The mover really messed me and hid my dishes in an unmarked box.
I learned from my neighbor I’m on a rails to trails project called the Green Line. Not only do we have a lovely neighborhood for our morning walk, we now have easy access to nice long walks on the weekends without getting in the car.
I’ve been looking at different ways to volunteer as a way of getting out and meeting folks. This past weekend I volunteered at the Cooper Young Regional Brewfest. I’d found a Mississippi beer that’s quite tasty and when I checked out their website I found the beer-fest.
I don’t have internet access at the house yet. I’ve been doing everything on my phone (so I hope all these photos look ok and sorry the formatting looks so wonky)
Now that we are settling in and the funk seems to be lifting, I’ll be back to to posting more. I’ve mostly decided to stick with my anti-Facebook stance. I think I’m willing to do it, then fb creeps me out again.
Thanks friends for all the cheerleading and support y’all have sent my way. It’s been a huge help!
cheers
13 Wednesday Aug 2014
Posted in move
I’ve started half a dozen posts. Each one tells a different story and has a different emotional bent. My emotions and thoughts about this move have changed every 15 minutes. One minute I’m sobbing uncontrollably, the next I’m laughing, and the next I’m bored.
I’ve been ready for a change for awhile and I know once I get settled in a space I can call my own and make a few friends I’ll be ok with this. In the mean time though… This transition is a little tough.
I’ve never had a training course with my employer that has not made me feel like a complete dunce. This is no exception. Once I’ve finished all the horrible training classes and moved into whatever the new job has been, I’ve be able to feel successful. This class is truly the worst class I’ve ever taken. The instructors are disorganized and don’t know the topics they are teaching. How can you expect me to be successful if I am not being taught by someone successful? Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. I’m in the middle of that adage.
That in itself has made this move even more stressful. What has made it bearable are my new neighbors. I’ve met a couple of other professional folks who are also in limbo. We’ve been meeting for dinner and drinks to commiserate about our respective jobs.
Ginger is making sure I plenty of snuggles. Coe makes sure I get out for a walk every day. I’m sure I’ll look back on this time and forget how horrible this part feels. In the meantime, pass the beer nuts.
I’m taking suggestion on where to find good cocktails in Memphis!
Lula Harp 