| 11/18/08
85:
I really don't want to be posting after the perfection of 78's most recent addition. I could never feel good about forcing Pam and Stacey further down the page. It's just not right.
Now let me wax geek on some J-ville news.
The Navy has announced that Mayport, the naval station just up the road from my place, will be the home port for a new nuclear powered aircraft carrier. They haven't announced which carrier it will be; everyone is assuming it'll be the next one commissioned (USS George H.W. Bush) and will officially make port within the next 5 years. They need time to upgrade the facilities to handle a nuclear vessel.
Is it totally crazy that I'm really excited about this? I have to admit, I think that military service is terribly romantic. Not like romance romantic, but like noble and meaningful and love-of-country type romantic. As in a romantic ideal.
And I completely fall under the spell of the sexy-hero-combat-fighter-pilot. I can say that because I've never actually met a pilot. I fear that in real life they are short, arrogant, and like most individual humans on earth: normal.
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11/11/08
85:
I don't remember what I was going to post about. I guess that's the danger of having so much to say about humanity.
Recently one of my best friends, someone we all know for Hometown, had her baby girl. I'm very excited for her!
Baby's Momma is only a year older than I am, and I've been getting emails and such about my age group being married, having babies, doing grown up type things. I'm not worried that I'm behind a curve or anything, but I am feeling a bit left behind. I am very happily content in my life right now. I love my job, I love my home, I am soon to visit the family for the Holidays and have some wicked awesome plans going down for major fun times. So I'm in no rush to change things. And the more time I spend with kids, especially the Soldiers as they are the nearest kids to me, the more I know that I will not be ready for kids for a number of years yet.
So like I said, I'm not rushing to find a partner and leap into the next phase. But I do wonder sometimes that maybe this, in itself, is a defense mechanism and excuse for not putting myself out there. A justification for being such a homebody.
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| 11/4/08
85:
First off: IF YOU HAVEN'T VOTED YOU BEST GET TO IT NOW!
I know that, as this is the day of, by the time you see this it will likely be too late. In that case, and if you did not vote, I hope you feel terrible about yourself. Way to be American.
Next:
So the Car and I had a bit of an incident last week. See picture at left.
I was just getting onto the bridge on the way home from work when my tire FLEW off the wheel.
I was already trying to pull out of traffic, as I felt the tire go flat a few seconds before. But I was still moving as a good rate.
We zipped between a couple of barrier barrels into the closed right lane (the bridge is still undergoing maintenance work) and stopped.
Just as I was about to start processing what had taken place in the preceding 10 seconds the tire ROLLED INTO THE WHEEL IT HAD JUST DEPARTED and fell onto it's side. The tire, like I had, moved across TWO lanes of speeding traffic.
Dude.
So I was totally fine. And while the Car was resting on just the rim for a bit while waiting for the tow truck, there seems to be no lasting damage to him either.
I had two new tires put on the next day and have an appointment to fix the alignment this afternoon.
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10/21/08
85:
I bought a bike last week and have been busy trying to get a bit more fit.
I've been able to ride for about an hour almost every night so far. My body is handling the upswing in exertion pretty well.
Except my butt. I guess I should buy a new seat; one that will provide ample space for my ample ass. Then again, I still haven't gotten a bike lock yet, so the chances of actively remembering to get a new seat are low.
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| Rocky Mountain West - October 13, 2008 |
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| 10/14/09
85:
It's still t-shirt weather here. I've even taken to leaving the windows open all night, with the ocean breeze cooling me instead of the air conditioner. I like to sleep chilly, so I can pile on the blankets.
In celebration of cooler weather I thought I'd share a pic Bruvuh 1 took at work yesterday. It's beautiful.
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10/7/08
85:
I forgot to use my allergy stuff this morning.
I've been clearing my throat all day long, my eyes are blurry and itchy.
This sucks.
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| 9/30/08
85:
Now, I'm not saying I am the Gold Standard of speech, but really. It's not like I sound like my mouth is full of rocks when I speak. I do my best to enunciate and talk slowly, especially over the phone. But people have lazy ears. They miss whole sounds, or hear letters and syllables that totally aren't there. And the worst is with my name. It's only a few letters long. And it's got a hard consonant at the end. But people regularly butcher it. I don't know why. I have made conscious efforts to say it precisely so there is no confusion. It helped a bit. If English is not your first language I can understand the issue. But people who were born in America and still can't hear me say a short version of one of the most popular names in all of history, I mean c'mon. That's just rude.
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9/23/08
85:
I was going to post some pictures of the beach, just to make you all more jealous of me than you already are. But I still haven't figured out how to get the pics from my phone to save as non-executeble files on the computer. Yeah. In no way should I be considered computer capable.
Instead I'm going to share a bit more of my favorite slacking sites. When I get bored of work I trawl these places for laughs. I'm never disappointed. Usually I become aware that I am grinning like an idiot and trying to hold the guffaws in so Boss and His Girlfriend won't be alerted that I'm totally not working. I think they know anyway.
Who cares. It's not like she is working any harder than I am.
Also, please note that I'm totally lazy and am not really all too interested in finding out if it's actually okay to share these links in this fashion. So if there is a problem, just send me a message and I'll fix whatever it is that's wrong.
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| Oh, if only we could be legit enough to be members. |
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| For Foodies. |
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| Movies and such. |
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| 9/16/08
85:
I have told some of you about this, but I can't help spreading the love.
This is ABSOLUTELY MY FAVORITE ITEM ON THE INTER-NETS!
It is fantastic.
I heard about it on NPR months ago, but didn't see it until last weekend.
My life is so much better now.
Yours will be too, once you follow the picture and "Watch Right Now."
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9/9/08
85:
I have tried THREE times today to post. The computer kept telling me that my session had timed out. After 2 minutes. Two minutes in which I was actively editing with that very same program that told me I had been inactive for too long.
Stupid program.
Anyway. The early attempts occurred this morning. A little after 10 I got a call from a positively frantic customer. Seems one of their production lines was fixin' to shut down because they didn't have enough of a certain component. I spent nearly SIX HOURS of my life calling various agents and airlines in the Caribbean to see if we could actually get this part to the factory. Short answer: No.
So, now, I get to take some work home so I can be caught up in the morning. Because there's no way I'm staying here past the next few minutes.
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9/2/08
85:
I put 78 on the plane today after she very kindly got my oil changed. Also, she was awesome to come visit me for the longer-than-usual weekend.
We spent HOURS out in the water over the past few days. I'd have to say that Sunday afternoon was the best. We had some may-jah swells. I got swept up in a couple big ones and felt like I was dozens of feet over everyone else. Really it was probably no more that 4 or 6 feet. But it felt stupendous!
As you can see from the forecasts, the next few weekends will be dominated by hurricanes and terrible weather. I was super happy to get some good water time in. Although my body is still in pain, it was all worth it. Even the epic leaping-for-the-frisbee-body-plant-into-broken-shell-filled-hardpack-sand. At least the scars may lead to some randomly wicked cool story telling.
Can I spend more than 2 hours on a beach without injuring myself? I don't know, but it hasn't happened yet.
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8/26/08
85:
So sorry Ladies. I've been absolutely slammed this week. Fay really messed up my work schedule. We were working from the Beach last Thursday and Friday. And the port was closed both days, so that really screwed this whole week.
Anyway, I will eventually post a short video taken from my apartment Friday during the storm. I've just got to get it all edited, and figure out how to make it work here.
So check back some time.
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Coming soon!
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8/19/08
85:
You see that projected path for Thursday/Friday? That's me. Niiiiiiice!
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| Thanks weather.com! |
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8/12/08
85:
I love the U.S.A. And I love getting excited for sporting events. So of course I love the Olympics.
I don't really remember the last time I actually cared about sports results. Other than rooting against a team because they have bad color combos. Sorry Jacksonville Jaguars. I just can't get behind you.
Anyway, I am excited about the '08 Olympics. I didn't bother catching the opening ceremony, but last weekend I did spend more time that I want to admit watching some of the gymnastics prelims and other stuff. Falling into the "other stuff" was the men's USA v. China water polo match. Excuse me, but I have never paid any serious attention to any kind of polo. And having the game take place in water didn't give me much hope for added excitement. I was wrong. Kind of.
Most of you are aware of the size of my television screen. It's quite large. So when I say I couldn't really see who had the ball, you'll know how much confusion there was going on. Mostly splashes of water.
But still, there were some dramatic moments. I had tuned in just in time to see the USA's golden boy score 2 goals. But I got bored of it after not-too-long and went to the beach. I did check the score when I got back. We won.
YOU - ESS - EH , YOU - ESS - EH !!!!!
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8/5/08
85:
I had a salad for lunch today. Spinach and apple with cheese and raspberry-walnut dressing. It was pretty good.
Then I had a fortune cookie. That was pretty good too.
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7/29/08
85:
Everyone, meet Claude.
How utterly awsome is this?
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7/22/08
85:
Next week I will have something pretty spectacular to show you.
Some of you probably know what it is, but you can't fathom the sheer "ness" of it.
I discussed with 78 the validity of acquiring this bit of sunshine, I wasn't convinced on my own. But she set me straight.
I'll be picking it up later today, or maybe tomorrow.
The store at which this awesomeness will become mine doesn't operate on a regular schedule.
You will love it.
According to the prophecy.
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| 7/15/08
85:
LOTS has happened this week.
Wow.
And almost all of it was good.
You're all familiar with the Atlanta airport fiasco (of which 75 got to go a round with in Charlotte). But even with the 6+ hours I had trying to sleep under those phones, the worst part of my week was seeing the proof that I am, in fact, the shortest of our brood.
Sad.
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7/8/08
85:
T-minus 50 hours to AWESOME FANTASTICNESS!!!!!!
Brother One texted me a bit ago to let me know that he was onboard the first plane of his trip. I was so excited that I actually let out a "WHOO-HOO" to my mostly empty apartment while practically bouncing off the couch with a face cracking smile. I then immediately called Mom to share the excitement.
Here's look'n at you, kids.
Look'n at you in Virginia.
ON THURSDAY!!!!
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7/1/07
85:
I arranged for TWO of these 40 foot ocean containers today. This is only the second day that this activity is included in my job description. Not bad.
This four-day work week is a tad off-putting for me. That's a full 20% less time in which to manage my new workload. And that workload has increased about 70%. NOT BALANCED!
I left the office at 6:50 today. Not cool.
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| 6/24/08
85:
Man I'm tired.
Today was the slow day, and I still didn't have time to myself at the office.
Also, I had a somewhat uncomfortable conversation with a co-worker. He straight up asked why I don't like him. It was a bit awkward, but I guess I can't fault him his observation. How do you tell someone that they're kind of skeevy without offending them? I mean, the guy is in his 30's and is WAY into those role playing games that nobody understands unless you're a bit tetched in the head. "We just have very uncomplimentary personalities. I'm sorry if that makes you feel uncomfortable in your work environment. Don't worry, I'm only here until Friday."
Awkward....
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6/17/08
85:
So I leave J-ville tomorrow to take over that big account I told you about.
I've been talking to Mom and Dad, trying to figure out a schedule for the cars. My boss said they'd get me a rental, but I would have to pony up the money for it and be reimbursed later. But, see, the finances are a bit stretched right now. Too stretched to cover a primary-driver-under-25 rental.
Damn it! I'm responsible! I may not be the best driver, but I'm good enough! I've been driving legally since I was 14. I bought my own car when I was 19. In my 8 years of driving I have never been without insurance.
Damn negative stereotypes of "immature" and "reckless" early-20's people.
Anyway, Mom will rent a car and get paid back by my company.
But still.
Bastards.
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| Rental car people. |
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6/10/08
85:
Busy, busy, busy. For the first time in a long while my post is about being busy.
I have had a full schedule at work for about the past week. Not really moving anything, but having to get rates for lots of projects. It's not really what I like to do. For instance, I am working on a temporary export to Mexico City right now. It's a bitch, I tell ya. Especially since I don't work the international side of stuff, and the people who do can't really offer any assistance or useful advice. Now my boss is all sorts of frustrated and I still don't have a good clue as to what exactly should be happening.
But. I was told today that they are shipping me up to the Virginia office for two weeks so I can take over one of the major domestic accounts. I've worked the account before, I know the basics of what I'll be doing, but I haven't dealt with the details for over a year. I will happily take the two weeks with Mom, Dad, and Little Sib that come with the company-paid airfare. Nice.
I'd best be back to my official office work now. As I said, it's been busy.
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6/4/08
85:
Random -
*My belly is full of baby (carrots).
*I'm bored of the internets.
*In the past 48 hours I killed a sleeve of Oreo cookies.
*I am suddenly Terrified (capital "T") of paper / gettting a paper cut.
*I can think of absoluetly no reason for this abrupt and irrational concern.
*I want to go home, sit in a corner, wrap my arms close to my body, and rock myself to calm, chanting something like "The paper is NOT out to get you! It'll be okay! That receipt does NOT have teeth!"
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| 6/3/08
85:
First off, Happy 20th to 88! Wow. Just wow!
Last weekend The Colonel finagled a couple of rooms at a newly renovated upscale hotel, just down the street from my house. He and the Commander were kind enough to offer me a bunk with their Soldiers so I took it. The Soldiers and I went out on a pizza-and-ice-cream date then went back to the hotel for a movie in bed. We walked into the room and the beds had been turned down for us. This was my first experience with such service. I am accustomed to the national bargain chain hotels/motels. The kind of places we stayed for overnight sports or band trips in high school.
The point is, I felt decidedly common in all the "luxury" that surrounded us. Don't get me wrong. It was great. I had so much fun! But I felt like I was the Ugly European Nanny to this beautiful family who stayed in a resort for the weekend just because they can. (In no way did the Cmdr or Col make me feel this way. It was more the way I felt while walking with the Soldiers, in my Old Navy tank and frumpy "laundry day" skirt. And the way the hotel employees looked at me in understanding....like we were comrades or something.)
Anyway, it was a total blast!
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5/27/08
85:
Happy Belated Birthday to Our Father. He's sort of old, yo.
I got another sunburn. This time on the inside/underside of my arms.
It kind'a hurts.
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| 5/20/08
85:
As you may have noticed, I have been slowly paring down our main page. Everything before May '08 will finally be going into our archives. Let me just tell you, this is rough. This is time consuming. This bores the hell right out of me. But already the refresh rate while editing the page has decreased. That is a 'uge deal!
Just give me another few weeks and I'll probably be almost done with the archiving. Mostly... I hope....
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5/13/08
85:
Only 3 more days until 83 gets here! Shit, I better get cleaning....
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5/6/08
85:
I had Friday night dinner with the Commander and The Colonel. I met them at their club pool after work, and followed them home after the Soldiers were tired of their water activities. Soldier One had given me a great big chlorinated hug when I arrived at the pool (leaving me with a completely soaked right shoulder and wet footprints on my legs), but Soldier Two refused to welcome me until we all got back to the house.
Through a series of adventures I ended up tying a purple ribbon around Two's head, in the manner of a headband, and started to call her Patrick Swayze.
She asked what a "pat-ick sayzee" was, and I informed her that he was a dancer/actor from "the nineteen-eighties and nineties."
"Is he a yucky guy?"
"Um, yeah. Sure. He's a yucky guy."
"Okay."
Later, during dinner, she turned to me and asked "What is my yucky guy name again?"
"Patrick Swayze."
"Right. Everyone, call me Pat-ick Sayzee."
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5/2/08
85:
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I cross this bridge twice daily. It's a nice bridge. I'd say the best in Jacksonville, you know, the prettiest.
Well, they've had one of the three southbound lanes closed since before I moved here. A year ago. They have been doing maintenance work on the cables, painting and upkeep and the like. No biggie. I usually avoid the traffic crush by virtue of the times I get to the bridge. But they have finished work on the southbound span and are starting to switch over to the northbound lanes. This could be a problem.
It's not as if I'm on time to work every day as it is. I don't need to contend with bridge construction traffic as well. The coming 10-14 months may be annoying.
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4/23/08
85:
I have recently been enjoying peanut butter & honey slathered bagels. They are delicious. And I have discovered that I, in fact, do have a preferred PB brand. Damn Skippy!
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| 4/15/08:
85
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| Not that any of us need the reminder...Wait....what? Oh, crap. |
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| 4/8/08
85:
Okay, Ladies. Summer is coming and my apartment has limited sleeping resources. Of course that's not going to stop me from promoting the health and beauty benefits that will come from visiting "La Maison de Fat Dog, Sud." I'm thinking I might be booked up for Memorial Day , and the weekend before (that one is thanks to 83 - I am shaking in anticipation!). And July is looking like a great time for me to do some short jaunts to wherever 73 may be.
Be on the lookout for fares into JAX that mean you can visit me. I'd absolutely love to share my tiny space with you for a few days, at least.
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4/3/08
85:
Just one more day.
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The final season begins.
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| 3/24/08
85:
This morning I went searching for some Easter pictures to wish everyone a belated Happy Easter. Then I got bored. All the pictures were the same: eggs, baskets, bunnies, etc. Yep, boring.
Then I ran across some pictures of crazies around the world whipping their own backs, piercing appendages with nails, and actually re-enacting the crucifixion of Christ, complete with the crown of thorns. (I suppose I do have to give them some credit, they sure don't half-ass it.) I will not be sharing these images with you, as I already feel disgusted with myself by merely mentioning the self flagellating mental hospital escapees. Apparently, this year health officials, especially in the Philippines, have voiced concern over these practices. Yes! Some sanity! But wait, what was that? This is the summary of their warning: get a tetanus shot and use clean whips/nails.
Excuse me?!?
More like, "If you are seriously going to have yourself nailed to a cross we don't care if you get tetanus, or suffer from any other ailment, because, really, you're already crazy. And we might even consider the world better off if you went to join your Savior a bit sooner than originally anticipated."
So people, please remember: If you do believe in your "own, personal, Jesus" I'm sure he would appreciate a better use of your time, brain, back-skin, hands, and feet. No Savior worth being saved by or for wants you to suffer as he did.
Consider that my Easter message to you. Enjoy your chocolate eggs and jelly beans.
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| Exhibit A (should die a painful death) |
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| 3/12/08
85:
Yeah. It's been a bang-up week.
I live alone, so of course I'd be a tad upset to come home and find a "guest" prancing around my apartment (see exhibit A at left).
Tuesday, after dealing with Completely Useless and Bitchy property manager, my phone decided to shut down in protest (see example provided). Now it's like a really, really old land-line phone. I can send and receive calls, but I can't see anything on the screen. At all. It's totally allsome.
I can't wait to see what happens today (other than our surprise inspection from the Feds).
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| My damage is less extreme... |
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3/4/08
85:
I know this totally doesn't look real, but it is. And I think we should all thank 78 for sharing this photo from her stay here in the Ef-El. Though this particular image is not from the most recent Sunday-past, it does show exactly what did occur. The Cmdr. and the Col. brought their girls to the beach for some fun times in the sand and surf. And what fun times they were. According to the Prophecy.
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2/28/08
85:
Not a whole lot is going on hereabouts. It's too cold to enjoy the beach. I've had to turn the heater back on in the house. I made cream of chicken baked chicken last night. I am looking forward to the leftovers with rice for lunch today. Have talked to a few friends from school, lots of people getting engaged and such. So far four of my guy-friends have had proposals accepted. The coming year is going to have lots of travel to NoVA.
So that's that.
Ooohh, ohhh!! And congrats to 75 on the house! I'm excited to visit your new digs next time I can get up north.
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| 2/18/08
85:
This past weekend I hit the 1 gallon mark for platelet donation. I felt like a superhero.
When I got home I decided to change into some sunning clothes and spend some time on the beach, becoming un-pasty. Now I have a nice tan line from the post-needle arm wrap on my right elbow. It's sexy. Or maybe not.
But that seemed to work for the really old dude who decided he wanted to talk to me, whether I wanted the same or not. I was finally able to walk away from him after about 30 minutes of uncomfortable conversation about all the gambling yachts he has worked on. I didn't want to be rude, just in case he was a confused older gentleman or a crazy maniac. I ended up escaping by walking a few blocks north on the beach before I exited, just to be sure the old boat-man didn't know I live only a few hundred feet from where my chair sat.
Now, if he had been about 50 years younger I would not have minded so much. But, sadly, this was not the case.
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2/6/08
85:
This morning I had to do my makeup in the car. Normally, other than my dead-eyes and the cavernous caves under them, I don't have much that needs to be done. But the past two weeks have seen an outbreak of blemishes on my face. Four GIGANTE spots are very visible on my cheeks and forehead. Anyway, the light was particularly bad this AM, what with the enveloping fog, so the process took on a bit of an experimental tone. Look to the right to see the result.
This weekend I'm going to beg 83 to take me out to get some proper materials and perhaps a tutorial on how to not look like I'm rushing to be in the matinee performance under the big top.
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| 2/1/08
85:
Well 78 has left me. I loved having her here, but I can say that I very much enjoyed my first night back at home sans company. I vegg'd on the couch, ate some soup, and headed to bed. Also, it was the first time in 3 weeks I was able to follow my usual post-work schedule. Much appreciated.
And I've really only got to make it through the next 7 days before I head North for some SUPREME AWESOMENESS and a haircut. I should cut back on the liquid intake over the next week, as I get so excited I nearly wet myself!
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1/24/2008
85:
So just a quick shout-out to Youngest Sib, who becomes a fully fledged teen this week. Hooray for the onslaught of teen angst that will mark the last years as a mostly care-free human being.
Tonight I went to my first book club meeting. It was fun. I guess.
I was surrounded by young marrieds/mothers, most of whom hadn't read the book I finished three weeks ago. Needless to say we didn't discuss the book. I thought this would be an actual book club, not a "book club" to get out with the ladies for an evening of wine and gabbing. But still, I had a good time. I do wish we had talked about the book as I still don't know if I liked it or not.
The whole evening was a bit draining due to a rough day at work and the onset of a sore throat/runny nose. Lets hope the vitamin C does good work for me.
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1/14/2008
85:
Not much to report on today. 78 is here for her extended visit and it's pretty great. We have spent much time at Awesome Peep's house and have enjoyed good foods and fun times.
It's pretty chilly here in the Eff-El.I think I may have to add a blanket to the bed tonight. Or maybe sleep with an extra shirt to make sure my shoulders don't get chilled. It's rarely a good morning when I wake to an icy stinging sensation over both my shoulder blades.
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1/9/08
85:
Happy Birthmonth to 75!!!!!!
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Now a word from a tea company;
If you have a hard time waking up in the morning, just imagine the raging bison of MORNING THUNDER CAFFEINATED TEA charging across the prairie with a herd of rare cloud-bison following behind.
That's sure to get you moving!!
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12/28/07
85:
I had a pretty good Christmas this year. It was my first away from the family. Luckily I have my new "adopted" family here in Florida. Friendly and Awesome peeps invited me to spend the holiday weekend with their family and it was great. Food, fun, gifts.....I only wish you all had been able to join us.
My only complaint for this year is that I didn't really get to spend much time lounging. And what lounging I was able to accomplish was not in my own home.
I was house/dog sitting for my boss again. I have explained before how the dog is okay. Just okay.
This dog is an adult pit bull. I have bruising on my wrists from the leash on our daily walks. He's clingy, and has this intense need to sleep in the same bed as the people. This is not allowed for many and sundry reasons. He's got that dog funk to him. He tends to put his face very close to poop. He does not shower every day, etc. He should not be trying to sleep on the bed with me. But he did. For two nights. On the third night I simply shut the bedroom door before he could lope in and make himself comfortable (which takes about 40 minutes of re-situating, and often involves laying over my legs at various angles, all of which are very uncomfortable for me).
He didn't take too well to this turn of events.
On Christmas Eve I spent a few hours at the office, stopped off to take him for a quick walk, then headed to Awesome Peeps' house for festivities. When I got home around 11pm I was welcomed by the horrible smell of crap. And not just any crap. This was super-dooper-mondo-liquid-solid-crap-mix. All over the dining room. Oh, and a little bit of vomit too. Lovely. It will be a HUGE surprise if I ever even contemplate getting an animal of my own.
I had a hard time keeping my own bile in my body.
But still, it was a good Christmas.
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12/20/2007
85:
Seriously. It's Christmas already? It's been colder, but I can still get away with not wearing a jacket while out-of-doors.
In other news, I finally got in touch with my college roommate. She's been incommunicado for nearly a year. I was starting to wonder if she wasn't trapped in a cellar somewhere, entertaining some sicko. Turns out she's just in Manhattan. What with her new friends, some might say it's about the same thing.
But she's alive and seems to be in good spirits. That's a great thing to know at this time of year.
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12/7/07
85:
The almost-two-full-days spent with 78 here in FL were pretty great! I'm still tired, but that just means it was a worth-while weekend.
After dropping 78 at the airport I popped in to Electronics Superstore to catch-up with the digital age: I finally got a wireless router for the apartment.
I then spent the following FIVE HOURS going through the "easy/secure" network setup. Three times.
Now, I'm the very first person to admit that I'm computationally retarded (this is a bad allusion to "computer" and such, but while we're on the subject I suck pretty hard at math too), but seriously. Five hours?!?! And three calls to my internet provider and tech support. After all that, I can only connect with ONE laptop. My work computer is still pretty useless while I'm home.
At least now I can get fun/non-work stuff done. And the IT guy from the VA office will be here at the end of the week, so I'll just make him fix whatever is wrong with the computer stuff.
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12/5/2007
85:
Last weekend I had an art project. I made myself a headboard. The Parents purchased all the material for me, but I put the whole thing together. I think it turned out pretty well.
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11/26/2007
85:
The Thanksgiving visit is almost complete. Mom, Dad, and little sib will be heading for VA tomorrow morning.
I'll for sure be sad to see them go, but I am really looking forward to having my own bed and fridge back. Generally I have very little in the refrigerator, but now I can't find open space to add anything more. It sucks. How in the world am I supposed to use two dozen eggs? And a full head of lettuce? I don't even eat tomatoes. And a person can consume only so much Cool Whip before exploding! Plus, I've now got a small brick of Swiss cheese. I hate everything about Swiss cheese.
However, I will reign in my complaints as I have been provided many more positives throughout this visit. Dad has been a real handy-man. He has replaced and fixed stuff that I've been hounding my landlord about since I moved in. I've only prepared one meal since Mom arrived, and seriously, how tough is it to Foreman Grill a few burgers fresh out of the freezer?
Also, Sunday we drove down to St Augustine and took in some history. Little sib was super excited to walk around the oldest fort on the continent and was completely positive about the whole experience! The presentation was somewhat lackluster, but I feel our time was well spent.
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11/20/2007
85:
I'm SO excited right now!!! Within hours Mom & Dad & Brother are starting their journey south for Thanksgiving!
Not only do I get the 'rents and little sib for the VERY BEST HOLIDAY EVER, I get furniture! They are stopping at IKEA on the way! I'll finally have a dining table and chairs! And a case full of delicious ciders!
There are not enough exclamation points in the history of language to convey how UTTERLY STOKED I am right now!!!!!!!!!
I love having people come to visit me!!! It's the VERY MOST SUPER EXCITING waiting game that can be had!!!!
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| 11/5/2007
85:
I really do enjoy this endeavor we have undertaken. It's been great to get the updates from 73. 78 always gives a fun few minutes of reading. I think I do a pretty okay job with sharing the happenings of my life. When 83 posts, it's hilarious. I have no idea what is going on with 75 or her family; at this point I kind of have to assume they have been swallowed into a giant pit of nothingness. And 88, I know you have to have something going on in your life. I also know that you do occasionally make it to the city library. And as far as I know you don't yet have a job that requires you to do more than p/u kids, laundry, food, etc. Yes, a full time job when you're a parent or nanny, but you are neither. I met the kids. They're great. But your commitment to this project precedes any commitment you may feel you owe the SLC folks.
I understand that it's sometimes difficult to get the time/energy to sit down and write about the stuff of life. I've said it before, I never expected to be one of the anchors; I anticipated always being behind the pack. This is not the case.
We've now had close to a year to get into the swing of things. We should have just over 200 posts between all of us. We are far short of that. I want this project to succeed. I enjoy the connection we can have online. It makes me feel more a part of the six, instead of a part of the second-three. But for this to really have the impact it was intended to have, EVERYONE needs to step up their game.
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10/30/70
85:
The Department of Homeland Security has decided that I do not pose a security threat to the United States of America. Joy and happiness! While it's not the Security Clearance that is fun and interesting and leads to secret rendezvous with dashing foreign agents and hyper-romanticized car chases, it is a security clearance none the less.
Of course, everyone in my industry has to be assessed, so it's really nothing special.
But, boy, do I wish it came with a badge.
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10/24/07
85:
Today I'm taking a long lunch to meet my new doctor. Nothing is wrong with me right now. Well, aside from the not breathing comfortably thing that may be asthma or allergies or both. I figured that maybe I should make use of my very own health insurance, as I've been paying into it and meaning to get a checkup for the past few months. I doubt I'll come out of there with anything other than an RX for allergy meds and a referral to a dermatologist; I do have some blemishes I'd like to have looked at by a professional.
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85:
10/18/2007
So I got back to Florida just in time to be picked up by my boss and hauled to the office for an almost on-time opening. Tuesday was a very strange day. I don't really remember a whole lot of it. Added to the six hours of travel, I was and am still recovering from the very fun and emotional weekend I had in Utah.
Fun because I spent may-juh time with 88. It was pretty great. Emotional because I spent an evening and a day with Grandma. We went to see The Bench at the cemetery. I missed Grandpa's funeral, but Grandma made me feel as if she had arranged a special wake, just for the two of us. She read many of the condolence letters she has received since May. I always knew Grandpa was a special kind of person; loving, honorable, hilarious...But hearing it in the words of other people, people who hadn't seen him for decades but still remembered a particular joke or piece of advice, made him even more of an everyday hero to me. Even writing this, near to a week after our time at The Bench, my throat is closing up and my nose is starting to run for the effort of not crying. I'm sure my eyes will be puffy until after lunch.
Even more intense than being at Grandpa's grave for the first time was saying goodbye to Grandma later that night. I don't want to sound morbid, but I don't know that I'll be able to see her again in this life. I want to more than almost anything else. I want to spend time face-to-face learning about her childhood, her courtship with Grandpa, her experiences that have made her into the best possible Grandma anyone could hope for. But I live far from her. And I have to admit, I'm afraid of acknowledging that I may not have her in my future. I can't say that I have a very active relationship with her. We rarely speak on the phone, and I've never been very good at letters or email. But when we were together last weekend that didn't matter. She was just my Grandma, and we spent as much time together as we could.
When I was bawling on her shoulder at the end of the night she just held me and squeezed my shoulders and said she was proud of me and that she knew Grandpa was too. It was the best thing I could hope for. Before she let go of me she suggested I give Grandpa a kiss before I leave. It is the same thing she does every time she leaves the house. So we went over to the picture of the two of them, sitting on a shelf above the television, and I leaned over and kissed Grandpa's cheek.
I cried all the way back to Salt Lake. But I needed a good, long cry. I feel less pressure than I did before. Grandma said she and Grandpa are proud of me and love me. I never doubted it, but it's good to hear.
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10/11/2007
85:
Today I washed my hands and had a memory. I don?t know when it was, how old we were. Here?s the scene: 83 is on the toilet, I'm at the sink, and Dad is standing outside the door of the bathroom at Hometown Home. I was very angry. 83 was telling me that, when washing your hands, you get the soap first and then the water. I was insistent that the water had to come first; otherwise how could the soap soap-up?
Apparently it got loud enough that Dad had to come upstairs and mediate. My memory is based primarily on sound; the only image is the view of my still and soapy hands hovering just outside the reach of the water, flowing from the faucet.
I don't know the outcome of this spat, but I have a very hard time getting my hands soapy before they get wet.
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10/3/2007
85:
The algae bloom that grew last week is, as far as I know, still hanging out in the water. But we've had some pretty heavy weather the past few days and most of the cough causing stuff seems to be blowing away. I have been working my way through a bag of Luden's lozenges to combat the sore throat caused by nature's hatred of my moderately-sensitive respiratory system. That damn bloom is not a fun thing. I don't have a problem with dead fish, as long as my environment doesn't smell like dead fish and I don't see dead fish. But it does smell like dead fish due to the fish killing, human interfering bloom. Luckily I haven't been on the beach to confront actual dead fish. In the scales, as it were. I haven't yet heard anything of the end-view for this sea-borne lung irritant. It will be around as long as the water chemistry is right for it. That, Mother Nature, I don't appreciate. I wanted to try for a nice, even tan for South-West Cousin's wedding. I guess I'll just be mildly tanned.
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9/28/2007
85:
Earlier this week my body was split apart by my diet. It made me seriously re-examine my want to have children. Thank the Lord we had a network collapse at the office and had to go back to the Beach to work from home. I haven't been in that much GI pain for a good long time. That'll teach me to have chocolate milk and cheese pizza for dinner four nights in a row.
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85:
9/20/2007
AWWWW-some.
Good thing I brought my galoshes south.
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85:
9/14/07
Tonight I met some local ladies for a drink. My boss' realtor invited me out to introduce me to some people. I feel comfortable and optimistic about these people.
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9/7/07
85:
MUSCAT GUMMY
"Its translucent color so alluring and
taste and aroma so gentle and mellow offer admiring
feelings of a graceful lady. Enjoy soft and
juicy Kasugai muscat Gummy."
Genius. Genius, I say.
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8/31/2007
85:
Tonight I was going to go to a wine tasting party. I just got word that it has been canceled because most of the participants are headed to a football game downtown. Good thing I e-mailed to confirm. I would have been pretty bummed to arrive at an empty building.
A few nights ago I went to the good local restaurant/bar to celebrate the closing on my bosses' new house and met the realtor. She was a Type-A person, but her friend was really cool. Much more laid-back. In the first 5 minutes of conversation she informed us that Ikea was opening a store outside Tampa and she was hardly holding on for the event itself. I had not mentioned my love of Ikea before this. It was an amazing revelation to know that someone else in the world covets those Swedish Meatballs and lingonberry drink as much as I do.
I also discovered that fresh grilled wahoo is very good. I have a hard time believing that is the actual name of a fish, but I usually don't pay too much attention to seafood.
In other new; I will be spending next week working from the old office in NoVA. Essentially I get a trip home on the company dime. I love having perks like this!
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8/23/07
85:
Today my big-boss was out of town. He had some meeting at one of the other offices, so his girlfriend and I were at the office alone. When he's out, we both do our work then do whatever the hell we want until we have to do more work. I actually did a bit of useful organizing around my desk. In the process I found some insurance booklets I got a few weeks ago. I signed up for life insurance. I have life insurance. That's something big people have.
I don't think I'm ready to be a big person.
That's a lot of responsibility.
Oh, and I love Reba.
And tend to repeat myself alot.
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8/17/07
85:
My back hurts something fierce.
I think I have to get off the air-mattress I have been living on for the past 3 months. My next big purchase was going to be a table, but my body just can't handle the current sleeping platform. Last night I camped out on the couch, it helped a bit. My back didn't spasm until just before I got to the office.
I think I might check out some of the area mattress retailers/discounters this weekend. Any and all advice is appreciated. I also need to vacuum my car. That must be a priority. The buildup of sand is driving me crazy.
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8/7/07
85:
As you can see, I finally got my couch from Ikea. The delivery guy showed up a bit after 8am on Monday, and proceeded to take the next half hour to get my lovely bit of sunshine off the truck. He accomplished this by tossing it on it's end from about 5 feet off the ground.
He was able to move it from the street to my door by himself, but I had to help him get the couch inside and up the stairs. I have a very narrow stairway, so this was not all that easy. What makes this whole delivery/moving process worse is that the temperature had already hit 90* and it was so humid I felt like I was standing atop a geyser. Then the delivery guy, a swarthy sub-continent transplant with really bad body odor, wouldn't stop telling me how unexpectedly strong I was, what with having helped him carry my couch up the stairs. He had that un-American standing-too-close-and-staring thing going on. It was creepy. And smelly.
Me: "Well, thanks. I have to get to work now."
Driver: "Don't you want help getting it into position?"
Me: "Um, no thanks. I can manage it by myself. Really."
Driver: "Okay. You are a strong lady. I trust you can do it by yourself."
Me: "Uh, thanks. I really have to go now."
Driver: "Enjoy your day, lady."
Sure, he was being nice. But some people need to learn how to be nice in a non-creepifying way.
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7/30/07
85:
I spent many hours on the beach this past weekend. I figured that, since my couch is still not here and I have no other non-floor sitting surface, I?d read Harry Potter on the sand. That has been my weekend. I finished the book last night. I think I read it too fast. I know what happened in it, I remember the details, but I was so impatient to get to the end that I don?t think I let myself just enjoy the story. I love reading, but when a much anticipated read finally comes along, I tear through it and am left with a sense of loss a few short days after I open the book. I guess, for me, anticipation is usually better than the actual event.
I get the same loss when I see movies. Some stories are just so good that it shouldn't?t end when the credits roll. But, as George K. stresses: ?It?s better to leave them wanting more.?
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7/20/07
85:
On Saturday night I will be able to enjoy my cable TV from the comfort of a couch. My couch. I'm excited. Very excited.
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7/12/07
85:
This past weekend I dog/house sat for my bosses.
Sunday night I left the house and drove to the airport to pick up Janine (not her real name), my boss?s girlfriend. My boss had more meetings scheduled for Monday, so Janine flew back without him.
We drove back to her house, agreed on a time to meet for carpool to work the next morning and she headed for her front door. As we have always been taught, I waited to see her get into her house safely. A few seconds go by. She is just standing at the door. Then I hear her yelling. ?Get out of my house! Get out! Get out of my f*&%ing house!?
We had arrived just in time to witness a burglary!
When I heard her start to yell I bolted out of my car and met her at the front door. I just missed the burglars escape through the shattered plate-glass sliding door at the back of the house.
We stood in the dining room and just stared at each other. What the hell just happened?!?! After a short moment she grabbed her phone and called 911.
A very tall cop arrived a few minutes later and had us wait in the front yard while he double checked the house.
About ten minutes after the cop arrived he came over to tell us that they had two people in custody a few blocks away. They matched the vague description Janine gave and had tried to run away from a patrol car. The cop offered to take her on a drive by, to try to identify them as the thieves. She wasn't?t really able to i.d. them by looks, but they had enough of her jewelry on them that it was pretty much just a formality.
I finally left Janine at her neighbor?s house a little before 2 am. I don?t really remember getting ready for bed. I know that I did only because I awoke in my pajamas at 6:30. Poor Janine only got about an hour?s worth of fitful sleep; she?d had to wait for the handy-man to close over the back door with plywood.
Needless to say, Monday was a very fun day at the office for us.
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7/5/05
85:
Recent events:
*got hooked up with a library card
*paid utility bill
*partied with the boss and some neighbors
*laid on the beach in new bikini
*realized that, despite all this grown-up type stuff, I still don't feel grown-up.
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6/25/2007
85:
I just want to say how much I love the Discovery Channel. They put out some pretty great programming. I watched the last few episodes of Deadliest Catch in the past week. I'm was pretty bummed that it's over. On a brighter note, Dirty Jobs will start up with new episodes soon. Mike Rowe is, I'm sure, the only good thing to come out of Baltimore. Ever.
On another note, if the result of my 60SPF sunscreen is various patches of burned skin I hate to think of my skin's condition with anything less. This weekend, despite a beach umbrella and extra care in the application of said sunscreen, my face is bright pink and very tight. The shoulder burn from the week before is pretty much gone; the sun now seems to have it in for my lower back.
Skin cancer updates as they come...
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| 6/21/2007
85:
Ladies I have almost learned to cook for myself. A few nights ago I made myself this delectable delight. Pasta and chicken have become my sustenance. I have one form of pasta or another and chicken breast every night. The tendency to cut the chicken into little bits and cook them in olive oil in my tiny, tiny egg skillet has developed into a winning strategy. On this particular night I discovered the tastiness of pepper-cooked chicken bits. And penne pasta. And garlic-and-cheese croûtons. And Diet 7-Up, which is better than regular 7-Up.
Thank the Lord Above for Costco and Kirkland brand boneless, skinless chicken breastesses.
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6/12/07
85:
Well, 78, you're not the only person slacking. Heck, I made the schedule for this month and promptly ignored all the reminders I had given myself.
Here in the South (before I moved here I had a hard time seeing Florida as the South, but now I totally understand) it is humid as well. So humid that we have an extended forecast with rain nine out of ten days. Sometimes this humidity makes me feel as if my face were just dripping off my body in big, wet, globules of putty. I thought it was supposed to be sunny weather with flowers and sausages down here. Nobody told me about the "rainy season": hello tropical depressions, Gulf storms, hurricanes and hot rain for six to eight months. Or something like that. I've heard differing reports.
For all the weather problems, I do like it here. Last Sunday I got hooked up with cable and internet. Standing there watching the technician work really took it out of me. So I stepped out my door and spent a few hours on the beach. The water was nice. Really nice.
We worked from the house yesterday, so today we're in the office. As I look out the window at the torrential downpour (believe me it's true) I don't look forward to going outside at all today. All that water nearly flooding the parking lot will have it's match still in the air. Yep. That'll be fun.
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6/6/2007
85:
I have been in my new home for three nights now. The first night I had to call Mom and Dad so they could talk me into being calm enough to fall asleep. I wasn't really scared, so much as I was nervous and in an unfamiliar and somewhat uncomfortable place. I was in my own apartment for the first time. No other person was there with me. Even when I lived at home, I would get a bit antsy when I was in the house alone; and especially when I was alone at night.
I am so accustomed to living with other people that I am having a hard time by myself. It's too quiet. I'm very excited to have my own bathroom, my own kitchen, my own everything. But I sort of wish I had another person to share the space with. To me, home is not a place where it is natural to be alone.
Maybe I'll get a plant. Probably some kind of fern. And I'll name it Fern. Or Fernando. I guess that depends on whether or not the fern is a gay stylist.
Also, I'm open to suggestions on what the name of my apartment should be. All the other places on the beach have names. I want a name the is cool, a destination. I don't want something like these: "Sea Haven", "Dolphin Landing", "Cove-by-the-Sea".
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5/30/2007
85:
Ladies, I may have a home.
I have been in Newplace for a week now and have been looking at/for a place to move my stuff for just as long. Last weekend we notices a property in the local classifieds that seemed promising. I met with the realtor's son today for a walk-through. It is definitely on the higher end of what I want to pay, but it has an absolutely great location, hardwood floors, a fireplace, AND A FUCHSIA PHONE NEXT TO THE TOILET!!
I'll send pictures when I get the chance. I'm going to be talking with the agent about various details over the next few days so if you have any tips let me know.
If this place works out you will all have less than 300 feet to walk to the beach when you visit me.
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85:
5/22/2007
Today was spent on the road. I drove through five states in about eleven hours. Some of these states had funky smells to them, some didn't. The drive was to get me to my new place of residence and my new job.
It has been an emotional few days for me leading up to this. I bid farewell to the sisters up north, then turned back to NoVA to attend an impromptu graduation/moving mini-shindig in Collegetown. All-in-all I had a pretty great Sunday.
Monday dawned with unfinished laundry and organizing to do for the move plus the reality changing news from the West. I cried for I don't know how long, then set about my other tasks with less than complete attention.
This morning I cried because of the uncertainty and abject fear that finally hit me about this move. I was hugged tightly and told that, while I would be missed, I would be off on an adventure that was all my own and be better for it. I would be making my own life.
As I sit here now, over 700 miles distant from the closest familial comfort, I am excited and terrified. I thought all my tears were taken out of me this morning by the goodbye and the first hundred miles of road, but here they come again. I know that what I am doing is good, and will be good for me. But right now I just really want a hug, or an ear-rub, or the hand of Mom or Dad to pat my shoulder with a light squeeze and say that they love me and are proud of me; that they love having me live at home like they have so many times in the last year. I am moving on to the next part of my life, I'm happy about this. But I really want someone who loves me to give me some sort of physical comfort and a smile in person. I want to be close to those I love. I know this will be the most difficult part of this move for me. I have never really been more than an hour away from such comfort for any real length of time. You all need to come to me because I miss you already.
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85:
5/1/07
I need to make up my mind about this moving thing. I really don't know what I'm thinking about it. It seems like I am only waiting for a good time to tell my current job that I'm going to up and move a few states away. Before that happens I need to actually make the decision to go. I drove past a few of the living place prospects and found them pretty nice. Of course I didn't get a chance to walk through any of them, but I have somebody who is willing to do just that. I even e-mailed the most promising one to have them contact me with availability of a certain floor plan.
I think the biggest problem is that I'm utterly and completely terrified and that is creating a gigantic mental block about the whole thing. Things in my life have thus far worked out. I have, fortunately, never found myself in a bad position I couldn't escape. But this moving thing. I'll be farther from my security net than ever before. I have recently discovered that I have mixed feelings about that. I think it will be a good thing, to force me out of my not-growing-up funk; to make me take a more active role in my own life. But I don't want to tempt fate. This could be the time things fall-through. It's not that I'm not certain; it's that I don't even really have a clue how I feel.
It wasn't a real situation before this past weekend. Now it is. And now I need to have an answer. I can't put it off anymore.
I still don't know what I'm going to do.
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4/24/07
85:
I got a haircut last night that I am totally in love with. Even more than my new hair, though, I am in love with my Asian stylist. I don't know her name, or where in Asia she hails from, but I do know that she is a producer of wonders. When I left the salon last night I felt like a celebrity, like I had somewhere to go, that I should really just go anywhere to show off what had been done to my locks! Instead I drove home to go on a walk with a neighbor. I spent most of that walk just running my hands through my new layers and marveling that the hair is actually from my own head.
This morning I got up to attempt a recreation of the beauty that was my very own hair. It didn't work out so well as I wanted. It's kind of frizzy. I guess I need to learn about hair product and the ways such things are used. I still really, really, really like the cut. But I'm pretty convinced that I just need to have a standing daily appointment with Asia Lady to reach the true potential of it. She made me forget that I have half-year-old perm curls starting at the top of my ears, and those annoying baby-hairs that stick out from my around my temples. If I hadn't been sitting in that chair for three-quarters of an hour I wouldn't have believed it was real.
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4/18/07
85:
For no particular reason I suddenly feel like dancing, or singing, or perhaps playing poker. Instead I'm sitting in bed looking forward to reading a few chapters and then some beloved, and I must say well deserved, sleep.
Tonight on the drive home from class I called some folks I haven't spoken with in a while. I discovered that Crush no longer has a girlfriend. (This I learned through the ex, she's pretty cool and I will remain friends with her.) I have been a bit too caught up in other things and haven't been to see the school-town group for a few weeks. Oh, the things you miss. I was in a bit of an awkward moment when I learned of the break-up. My immediate reaction was disbelief. This flowed into a relief-tinged giddiness. I'm convinced none of this was conveyed to Crush's ex. I was properly sorrowful and optimistic in turn; I agreed that guys are just guys, and there is not a whole lot you can do about that. For some reason we like them anyway.
But will I ever actually do anything about Crush? Likely not any time soon. I'm a total wuss.
We'll now move on to a stream-of-conscience write and let you all know how much my stomach is aching. It has ached all day, but just now it really hit me. I suppose I should remember to eat during the day. I didn't have anything until I relented and got a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger on my way to class. I can't decide if the discomfort is from lack of food up to that point, or from very cheap square-meat greasefood. I can say that it was mostly worth it. I don't often let myself eat like that anymore. Or at least I try not to. Sometimes a cheap burger is exactly what you need to stay awake while attempting to take in the intricacies of statistical analysis and data manipulation...I still don't really understand what is going on with that stuff.
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4/10/07
85:
Last week's tiredness was a not-so-cleverly disguised segue to a full scale allergy attack. My body has betrayed me yet again, and left me at the mercy of trees, flowers, shrubs, dust...you know, all that new spring growth that I fail to see the beauty of through my watering eyes. I missed two days of work, had to skip classes, and take vile medicines despite which I even now sound like a one-lunged cousin to that old emphysemic fisher dude from Jaws. At the office I only answer the phone if everyone else is otherwise occupied. I'm still pretty tired. Any rest I actually got while home last week didn't get the chance to stay with me. I feel sorry for any and all people who have been around me in the past seven days. Especially Weekend Trip Buddy. For eight hours the poor guy was stuck in the car with the sniveling mess of a person that I was. It is not happiness when you hear hacking coughs and extended nose-blowing less than three feet away. Buddy took it well, though.
I discussed the family history of allergies with the parents. Turns out that the grandparents were never bothered by nature's changes. Mom doesn't seem to be affected, so we can thank Dad for our ailments. Thanks a big one. Too bad I can't imagine life without this crap. I suppose I will never be able to appreciate spring like the allergen-free do.
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4/3/07
85:
I hate feeling tired.
I should not be tired. The amount of lounging that occurred the past few days should be a goal of everyone on this planet. But after spending the weekend with 83 and 88, doing anything but exerting ourselves, I was just plain pooped.
Early Sunday night I made the decision that I would remain in NYC and drive straight to the office Monday morning. Thanks be to 83 for waking me with enough time to avoid a ticket for being on the wrong side of the street on street-sweeper day. I made it across town in about 90 minutes and was on the Turnpike only an hour later than I hoped for.
By the time I got through most of Jersey I finally realized that I was beyond sleepy and needed to rest so as to avoid ruining my wreck-less record. I pulled over at one of the rest areas and took my very first "power nap." It was beautiful. This half hour nap was more refreshing than I had hoped for. More refreshing than a whole afternoon of lazy in-and-out sleeping. After this nap I was able to make it to the office by mid-afternoon. Once I got there, I totally lost the benefit of roadside snooze. By 4pm I was resting my head on my desk and trying to imagine time moving faster. A little after 6:00 I finally left work. On the drive home all I could think about was rushing through bed prep and crashing onto my bed. But, my mind was actually just playing a late April Fool's trick on my body. As soon as I parked I was rearin' to go on to the next round of whatever is thrown at me.
I look forward to settling down this week and maybe even working on a sleep schedule that allows for normal daytime activity. Then again, I'm only going to screw it up again Friday night with another weekend driving trip. Oh, well.
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3/26/2007
85:
I don't really have much going on right now.
I'm just looking forward to this next week passing. You probably know this, I'm headed to spend the weekend with 83 and 88. It's been a good while since I've hung out with you and I'm really looking forward to it. It will also be a good change to have 88 with me on the drive up. The last couple of trips have been pretty lonely. Let's see how much fun we can have on the vast network of highways provided to us by the government. Too bad most of my trips happen at night. Someday it will be interesting to see the I-95 corridor in the daylight.
See you ladies soon!!
3/13/2007
85:
Oh, the joys of being the owner of a motor vehicle! You are all aware of how much I love my car. You have all, at some point in the past two years, been in my car. You have all complimented me on said car and I assume that you are telling me the truth, because you love me. I love my car and do my best to keep it in good shape. He, yes HE, gets regular oil changes. (Much more often than most cars, as I have to go by miles instead of months. We just travel so much.) He just got new tires this fall. And last Friday my car got some new brakes. After a couple of days of having to force my car way past the brink I took it in for the scheduled repair appointment. The quote I was given was well past what I could have paid off in one go. So I legitimately played the college student card...and the pretty girl card...and the "don't pull that shit on me, I know how much these parts should cost" card. When I got the final tally it was over two hundred dollars less than what I was first quoted. I thought I had done pretty well.
Today at work I fell into discussion on this topic. Three guys in my office think I was totally taken advantage of. One of them went so far as to call the mechanic to get a quote for the same issues; to see if a gruff, male New Yourkh accent made a dent in the price. He didn't get very far. He was told that as the shop closes at six o'clock, everyone had left for the day. This was at a quarter-to-five.
All in all, I still think I did okay. But I will be checking out other mechanics anyway.
So I won't be able to make it up to see 83 and 88 for a few more weekends, but when I do I'll be brake problem free. Yippee!!!
3/6/07
85:
This past Saturday I went shopping in Collegetown with a friend. Of course, like every other Saturday, I was still asleep when Friend called at noon. I must admit that I did not expect to get this call informing me that she was ready to meet up whenever I was. You see, we made this shopping date on Friday night when she, and really everyone but me, was more than a few turns past sober. That was a fun night, and another story.
We bypassed the mall, but still hit the usual chain stores. I'm quite happy with my three new shirts, summer capris, great skirt, and best of all a jacket. Oh, I also got a new pair of tennis shoes that will go with absolutely everything only because they match absolutely nothing.
We have to get together for a similar exercise soon. It will be even more fun with the sisters.
Oh, and Happy Birthweek to 83!!! Wish I could be there with you for all the fun I'm sure you're to have.
2/26/07
85:
I guess I have a thing against loud talkers. Especially on planes.I don’t mind at all if the volume of conversation is appropriate to the situation. Say you need to talk over the din of the mall, or get the attention of an individual across a parking lot, that’s totally okay. But men who have a conversation about how stupid they think the flight attendant is should at least try to contain their voices. And when I can hear every word of their bashing from two rows over it goes beyond rude.
The only upside that I can think of from this inadvertent eavesdropping is that I can now say I once sat on a plane with the CEO of the company that makes a spray-on rubber roof. (He has business in London and just HAS to make his connection flight to Heathrow so the guy he is to meet there does not have to drive himself to the hotel. The business partner, Lloyd if you were wondering, has never been to England and Mr. CEO does not feel confidant that Lloyd can make it around without him.) Mr. CEO is a pompous ass! And Conversation Partner (CP) is no better. CP is the wonderful example of man that initiated the bashing on our frazzled flight attendant. We were late boarding because a plane bound for Toronto was blocking our gate for half an hour. We then got stuck in a departure pattern for an additional ten minutes. Yes, I understand that connections must be made but YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON ON THE FLIGHT WITH A SCHEDULE TO KEEP! Plus, it is not the fault of the flight crew that we got off the ground late. It is not something that they can control or make change just because you might demand they take action. Believe me, they are taking as much action as they can. The airlines are in this to make money, not as a public service.
So, please, just keep your voice down and complain to your travel agent. Just don’t complain to me.
2/13/17
85:
I have a research proposal due in about sixteen hours. I have absolutely no idea what I want to dedicate a semester of research to. I absolutely hate doing research. It's the kind of hate behind which is the fiery passion of a million suns and more. I am hoping classes are cancelled as a result of the winter storm hitting the east coast. Even if they aren't, I think I'll skip. There's no way I'm driving through freezing rain, sleet, ice, and the terrible drivers who don't seem to recall that winter conditions just might require a different skill set while on the road...or that this "winter" comes every year.
I am still a bit behind on sleep due to the excellent weekend we shared. Last night I was asleep within an hour of getting home.. it was really nice. I think I'll try for a repeat of that now. So I'm off to take out my contacts and collapse on my bed. Ta-ta
2/5/07
85:
I am a total wuss. Once again I spent an entire evening in the company of friends from school including my Crush. Downside: his almost girlfriend was there too. I have not gathered the courage or know-how to approach him with my feelings. I never see him outside of the party venue that is my friends' place. We have had few one-on-one conversations. But I have liked this guy from about the first moment I saw him over three years ago.
So his almost girlfriend and I have a lot in common. Hair, taste in movies, eagerness to see the Colts beat the Bears. We became instant friends. But she seems to be more adventurous than I. I'm fairly okay with being friends with all of these people, including Crush, for now. I don't want there to be any awkwardness that prevents me from feeling comfortable hanging out with the regular crowd we have developed. Even if I never buck up and admit my crush on Crush I just like being with them. We all always have fun together.
But my problem is that they seem to be my only social group now. I spend too much time at home, which is too far from school to be a daily or nightly excursion. And home is in a bedroom community with less than limited prospects.
I suppose I'm lonely. And I don't think I have the skills, and a bigger problem, the get-to-it-ness to change my situation right now.
To counter my social lethargy I'm headed to see 78 and 83 this weekend. You have no idea how excited I am to be with you two. Here's to the week moving quickly by!
1/26/07
85:
So, school has begun again. I'm so excited. Blah. But, this does mean that I again get deferment on my loans. At least some good has come of it. I seriously considered taking this semester off. Lately, I just have no ambition or drive to finish school. I feel guilty that I am so indifferent to my own education. I met up with some friends last weekend and started talking the whole thing over. (We then went to an absolutely amazing contemporary dance performance involving blacklight and bodysuits, crazy but totally mind-boggling!) I'm already like four semesters behind all of them. Heck, some of the people I started with have already graduated. The rest are soon to follow graduating in either June or August. I suppose they are not working a full-time job outside of school. And they don't have to support themselves beyond some extra spending money. Oh, well. All is still good. I just have to wait for my books to arrive sometime in the next few days.
Also of note in my life: this morning, for the second time in a week, I sneezed so hard I split my bottom lip. Just cracked it right down the middle. It proved painful with the Caesar dressing I had with lunch yesterday. I suppose I should invest in more lip balm.
01/17/07
85:
This weekend I went to visit some friends near school. Their apartment complex is quite beneath what we all think we can handle, but as they are all still in college it is excused. So this complex, just off the Interstate, has dedicated less than 10% of its parking to visitor spots. On a Saturday night, with already short parking available I had to go to the next complex over to find a spot for my car.
I walked the mile to their apartment and spent the next few hours having great fun. Watching people get drunk is always more fun than I remember. After everyone else was thoroughly soused and ready to sleep it off I headed for my car and the 45-minute drive home. I again walk the mile from door to car, only to discover that my car is no longer where I had left it.
Now is the part that I am most proud of. I didn't freak out. Well, I guess that is to say that I didn't run screaming to the nearest door and demand to know what they did with my very own little foreign car. I calmly (I only swore out loud twice) called the number provided on the signs around the parking lot to be connected with the local police. A very nice officer informed me that the location my car had gone missing was actually in a different jurisdiction, but he could try to help me anyway. Through a more complicated than necessary process, we determined that a certain towing company had made off with my car. I found the number for these kind sirs and was told that I could recover my vehicle at any time for the incredibly fair sum of $150 cash. Cash only. We don't do checks or cards. Oh, and try to get it pretty close to the total, we can't always do change.
At this point it is 4am and I am waiting for a cab to pick me up at a hotel an additional mile from the apartment. So far that makes 3 miles, in the dark of night, with flip-flops.
I finally got my car out of impound about 4:40 after making the very nice cabbie stop at a second ATM after the first was found to be busted.
I finally go to sleep about 6:00.
It was a long day. It was a longer night. It was still fun as all-get-out. Other than dropping most of my sorry-you-had-to-miss-your-holiday-because-I-took-my-girlfriend-who-is-my-direct-subordinate-to-Florida-so-you-have-to-take-over-her-job bonus on getting my own car back. But?yeah. Still a pretty good weekend.
01/10/07
85:
A few days ago I went to lunch with one of the guys from my office. It’s no big deal. Sure, it’s the first time I’ve taken a whole hour for lunch in about six months, and we are the comic relief supplying office “couple”, but we’re not involved with each other. In fact he is the stable half of a 4-years-running relationship; and I’m back to my homebody single life.We went to a chili cafe we have ordered from before, in a neighboring town. The previous time I just ordered pickup for the both of us. This time we went in and spent most of our hour laughing at the Illegals playing pool on the other side of the bar.I really had no intention of this kind of lunch when I got to work. When some people started heading out for lunch I spun my chair around to face Guy’s cubicle and told him I was going to get chili for lunch. It was not necessarily meant to be an invitation, just a tidbit with which to distract us from the boredom of paperwork. He said, “So you’re finally going to take me to this place! Wonderful!!” My response was “Sure, but you’re buying.”A little after one o’clock we decided to head out. We got to the place, ate lunch, chatted. It was fun. I was comfortable. When we got the check I grabbed my purse, but before I could get it open the waitress was already away with his credit card. He had actually paid for my meal. I was a bit taken aback. I laughingly told him I hadn’t been serious about him buying. He just looked at me and said, “I know.” I relaxed back into the wooden booth and assured him I would be picking up the tab next time.When we got back to the office we had to endure the usual “ohh, tsk, tsk”-ing and suggestive glances from everybody else. But as we are the comedy “couple” we are fairly accustomed to this. My issue comes to the fact that I was so comfortable one-on-one with Guy. He is great; he’s cute, funny, and not much older than myself. However, I don’t have any desire or hope for a relationship with him. I just wish to be that reassured and comfortable around the guy with whom I DO wish a relationship; who just so happens to share Guy’s name. I guess we all have this dilemma. Friends are easy to banter with, to tease with. I don’t turn the shade of a fresh boiled lobster around Guy. But Love Interest makes me look as if I fell into a vat of rouge. I have until the Superbowl to figure a strategy to keep my face flesh tone around Love Interest. And beyond that, I need a plan to win mutual interest, and let him sweep me off my feet.
01/04/07
85:
I got a new chair. It's pink. It's grandma-ish. It's a great and beautiful thing to sit in. It rocks back until you think you're going to fall over then gently holds you safely away from the floor behind you. It likes to tease you like that.
At first I was very against getting said chair. I was convinced it would only be a bother. A bother to pick up. A bother to find a spot for it. A bother to get it to the chosen spot. I thought it would only be useful as a spot to toss my coat and purse. I was wrong. It's great.
And now I feel like a fool for a couple of reasons. One reason: I now love my new chair. But I had a very quick change of heart to get there, that speed makes me feel a fool. Another reason I feel like a fool with my new chair; I can't wait to get home, go up the stairs and plop into my chair. I mean, c'mon. I'm 21 and I look forward to going home to lounge in a big pink recliner.
Now, my pink chair and I are ready for the Chinese delivery to arrive so we can spend some more quality time together.
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