For lack of writing about something other than the rain...

10 years ago... 15 years old and in 8th grade. Listening to all the gossip on the bus ride home and bringing all the drama from 7th grade into 8th grade. Evading boys who said they liked me, even though we've all been friends for years. At the peak of my Backstreet Boys Nick Carter in particular obsession. I was worrying about history tests and what I was going to do on my lunch hour. Ah, simpler times!

8 years ago... sophomore in high school and about to fall in love for the first time. Oh how I loved senior boys! I was absolutely enamored of my new boyfriend and finally learned the lesson that all girls learn at some time in their lives: never ditch your girlfriends. Those friendships will last a hell of a lot longer than a guy in your life. Which has proved true, time and time again.

6 years ago... 19 and in my first year of college. About to find out the hard way what happens when you're away from home for the first time and have no one telling you to go to class. A lesson that took more than one semester to learn! Living in the dorms and still trying to forget all of the horrible things that happened while living there. Midnight fire drills, no dinner when you get home after a late class, and random guys walking through the bathroom when you're in the shower. Good times.

2 years ago... In my 2nd to last semester of college whoo! I am frantically searching for an internship so I can glide through my last semester yeah, right. I have not even started looking at my resume and in no way prepared for that moment after I cross the stage with a fake degree in my hands. 

BTW: It took me an abnormally long time to figure out how old I was and were I was in life at all these stages. At least my math skills haven't changed! Thank goodness this doesn't show how long you took on your posts, haha.

5 yummy things:

dill - with anything. I love it. 

wine - Shiraz in particular

dark chocolate (and with mint...mmm)

Auntie Ceil's Sweet Potatoes  

Green Chile fondue 

5 places I'd like to escape to:

Ireland

Italy

Hawaii

Anywhere else in Europe 

Canada. Even though it's cold as hell, I've heard it's beautiful 

5 things I would never wear:

cutoff anything

suspenders

bermuda shorts (I'm too short to rock that)

Uggs with anything. I will never understand this fad.

leggings under anything (again too short and makes me look too chopped up)

5 favorite tv shows:

Friends

Sex and the City

Two and a Half Men

Robin Hood on BBC America

Alias 

All this proves is that TV is pretty much crap these days. Thank goodness for reruns and movies.

5 things I enjoy doing:

my job

reading

drawing

watching movies

spending time with family and friends

favorite toys:

my Nintendo DS, Game Cube and 64 (and my Dad's Wii!!)

MacBook

iPod

A New Outlook on Old Friends

I've been debating if I should reconnect with a friend of mine that I've only spoken to for a short period of time after high school. We connected a few years ago and it was like we never stopped talking. He was one of my best friends in school and we always got along really well despite weird guy/girl tension in our early teenage years. 

The problem is I have no idea what to say. It truly started with a dream I had of him (that was so real I woke up confused) in which I bumped into him at a bar where I was hanging out with my brother and other friends which could really happen. We talked just like we did when we first reconnected after high school and caught up on all that was going on. I don't think it would be wise to start out with "so hey, I had this dream about you the other night and I can't figure out why we don't speak to each other anymore". Yeah, not a good start for someone who's not a stalker. 

I haven't thought this seriously about him in a long time (probably since the last time I was at my parent's house a year ago). I don't know if I should even bother contacting him because I'm doubtful and slightly afraid he won't write back or he'll just think I'm crazy. 

*An hour and a half later*

I got on a roll and wrote about 4 unnecessary paragraphs before I finally got to the point - that I just plain missed talking to him. Here's hoping that he at least reads the dang message. I don't have his e-mail address so I had to contact him through good 'ol MySpace oh MySpace. 

I really hope I can get some sleep tonight knowing that I've done what I could and now it's in his hands. Even if he doesn't respond, I hope he reads it. I would hate to lose a great friend due to my inability to figure out if someone even wants me in their life or not. 

I have no pretensions whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice, 1811

 

::ring ring:: "Hello?"..."Hi, this is Random calling"

I heart October.

Not only is it the MLB World Series and the start of the NFL season but it's the beginning of all the pumpkin-flavored goodies! I've already had an iced pumpkin coffee at Coffee Bean, bought a box of Pumpkin Spice bars from Kashi, and had a pumpkin muffin at Disneyland. This is only the beginning of Pumpkin Over-Consumption 2008.

Speaking of the World Series, this has got to be the most bizarre series I've ever seen. The Dodgers are in it and not doing so hot, losing by 2 Sunday in a game they should have won and losing the series 3-1. The defending World Champions, Boston, are in it and just lost 13-4 and now losing the series 3-1. The game was so bad tonight, they showed Stephen King in the crowd reading Cal Ripkin Jr's book. Honestly. So, the potential World Series could be between the Phillies and the Rays (the worst team in baseball last year!). Who would have guessed?

I'm not as invested as I would be since my Braves have been in the post season for awhile now, hopefully taking advantage of the time off and not golfing, but I still watch because I love the sport.

I can't even get into the Miami game tonight since they shouldn't have let that game against Houston slip away....no...not a good idea. Still bitter.

One of my best friends text messaged me today about someone from high school contacting her on myspace oh myspace that she didn't even talk to while we were in school. Talk about a random day complete with contemplating our almost 7 years outside of high school and all the people she's been in contact with aka myspace stalking since high school. Who knew that people really put personal information about themselves online hey, I'm giving nothing away here that's important! ?

I think it's so strange when people, who you thought never noticed you in school, all of a sudden know things about you and act like they knew you. Are some people that desperate for people to recognize them and remember how popular they were in school? Again, huge reason I moved. So now, in conclusion to this post is my own Top 10: Reasons Why I'm Glad I Moved Out of a Small Town In no particular order as I think they are all number 1 for different reasons.

10) I finally know people that I didn't go to school with. Or went to school with someone I know. Or my dad/uncle/grandpa coached baseball, basketball, or football at one point in their lives.

9) I have lived in a different house than my family for almost 7 years and have a better relationship with them because of it.

8) I can drive anywhere without someone calling my parents and asking where I was headed usually in the opposite direction of where I said I was going.

7) There are more than 3 lanes on the freeways.

6) I can change up my small-town routine of going to dinner and a movie ok, I've completely abandoned that routine because I live near a few big cities and can do something different every weekend.

5) I can finally date a guy who's parents don't know mine already or who I only know through my brother so weird.

4) I can date without knowing the ex-girlfriend .

3) The town doesn't close down at 8 on a Thursday night.

2) "Going out" doesn't consist of watching movies and drinking at someone's house every weekend only some weekends.

1) Free from becoming gossip by association.



“The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you're doing, someone else does” -Unknown

There goes another one..

Yes, I have been sucked into the Twilight universe. I bought the first book ages ago and never had that gravitational pull to read it until I saw an article about Stephenie Meyer's recent endeavor being leaked on the internet. I figured if this book was acheiving Harry Potter status, that I should finally pick it up and see what all the fuss was about. I started reading at 8:30-ish on Tuesday evening....

I didn't put the damn book down until I finished it at 3:00 Wednesday morning. I swear I'm an adult and can make the proper decisions on how much sleep I need to function in the morning, but I just could not stop reading. Then I was so upset at myself for not getting the other 3 books to find out what happens next. Don't you worry, I was at Borders the next day after work to pick them up.

The rest of the series didn't do it for me. Twilight was by far my favorite book out of the bunch even though the rest of the books had some character interaction that made me laugh out loud, or dare I write it swoon. I just loved all the characters in the series, even though the plot was not all that complicated. Yes, I know it's supposed to be a YA novel, whatever. Twilight had the feel of the author really loving the book and what she was creating. The other 3 books felt more like an agenda that the reader was put through to get through the contract that the author signed. I still felt the love the author has of the characters, just not a thought-through plot. It was the all-too familiar Harry Potter "let's tie up everything with a nice big bow" (minus some heartache).

I will, however, not be one of the millions in line for the movie. I already have how these characters interact, and look, in my head I'm a geek and will not have the characters defined by the movies ::cough Harry Potter cough:: I had a hard time reading the HP books after watching the movies because it forced my own version of the characters out of my head and was replaced by the actors.

Now with all my babbling about this book, I'm going to be late if I don't finish getting ready to meet my friend for lunch.

"Here's the thing...I've already gone crazy once. I know what my limits are." -Bella Swan

MTV VMA's 2008

Out of all the MTV award shows, this usually isn't my favorite due to MTV's brown nosing of all the typical artists they overplay and overexpose in every way possible. It's not really a huge surprise who wins (or who is nominated for that matter) or the performances they dub "outrageous" or "spectacular", when it's really a watered down, lip-synced, album version of the song.

Secondly, I watch MTV to get away from all the normal (i.e. important) news of the day and be entertained. When I turn on this channel, I know there's not going to be any educational program to get those brain cells moving....

So when the VMA host, Russell Brand, opens the show asking America to vote for Barack Obama.....WTF? I had no idea I was tuning into CNN and having some British "celebrity" ask me to vote for Obama since he is tired of the "dumb cowboy". Last time I checked, American citizens have the option of casting a vote in deciding the leader of the country. If Brand is clearly that passionate in the politics of the U.S., he should become a citizen and vote for Obama himself. Instead of getting on his soap box, at what couldn't be a more inappropriate venue, shut the hell up and tell some jokes about the industry that is present. MUSIC.

I would say this regardless of the candidate Russell was going to choose because I think it's wrong to use this platform to try and sway youngsters one way or another. If a message is to be said, it should be to go out there and do your research on each candidate to make the most informed decision on the platforms that are important to you. Not because some unknown bonehead on MTV says "vote for him".

He also chose to harp on the Jonas Brother's decision to wear purity rings. Really? Let's just give the message to kids who are like them that it's not cool to have a commitment to something as important as abstinence until marriage. Good going, MTV, no wonder there are so many teen pregnancies.

I have cringed (and booed) every time he takes the mic between all the performances and awards...

Now on to some of the awards and performances...

Britney Spears won best female video and pop video. Really? Really? Way to recognize the "train wreck of the year" and try to shove her "comeback" to the MTV crowd (even though we haven't stopped hearing her damn name considering she hasn't done anything substantial with her music). I'm glad this award show is honoring the main star of the supermarket tabloid trashy magazines.

Surprisingly, I liked Pink's performance. I liked the song she chose for the venue (very energetic) and I thought she looked fantastic.

I also liked Rihanna's performances. I think she can genuinely sing and she put on a good live show. She's got a unique voice, style, and doesn't look like a skinny bobble head doll.

As for the rap performances/awards: I'm clearly too old for this genre now. I don't get how a guy walking around without a shirt, his pants hanging past his butt, and holding his crotch, is appealing. I don't even remember what he was singing, or who it was, because I was distracted by the constant crotch-grabbing and trying to figure out if it was due to keeping his pants from sliding clear to his knees.

I heart Christina Aguilera. I just love her songs, her voice, and the fact that she can reinvent herself realistically. She's just who she is, take her or leave her. I was leery of her Lady Marmalade days, but I'm glad that was one of her shorter phases. I loved her recent album Back to Basics because I absolutely love the blend of genres she used. I also respect that her albums are so different and it clearly shows her growth as an artist, and as a woman.

There's less than half an hour left in the show and I'm over it.

"The joy of music should never be interrupted by a commercial." ~Leonard Bernstein

I gave the new 90210 a chance...

only for a minute and a half.

That's how long it took for a lead actress with arms the size of my pinkie finger, to appear on screen. Just looking at her made me nauseous, unfortunately after just having dinner, I decided that there had to be something better on television than this. Click. I heart the Spike channel for airing Star Wars all the time...I love it.

Bobble-head actress - 0

Wookie - 1

It's not wise to upset a Wookie....

I finally finished The Other Boleyn Girl yesterday morning after staying up most of the night before trying to put a dent in the 600+ page book. I thought it was intriguing considering the overly observant detail got in the way of the story, but only at times. I can also trust that I'll never watch the movie because there's no way a condensed version of the book would be very good. Having 2 American actresses and an Australian actor portray the lead roles of people from a well-known period of British history doesn't seem right. Not that I don't love all the actors involved, but it seems like an average age was picked and there is no significant time elapsing. Oh well, on to another novel that has already been adapted into several films. I'm sure there will come a time when all movies will be from literature due to the lack of individual creativity in the movie biz..

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.
Charles W. Eliot (1834 - 1926)

Ready for the Fall

I love the changes that the Fall season brings. The weather is cooling down, the large crowds at Disneyland are dwindling, I get to bundle up in sweaters and blankets, drink hot chocolate and tea, and anticipate all the holiday/birthday madness for the rest of the year.

Coincidentally, I usually don't look forward to my own birthday. The one time of year when I feel I can be more outspoken about what I want to do, there's always someone trying to change my mind, to get me to do what they want to do. Or uninvited people who tag along which I could really care less about. My voice is less heard than any other time during the year even though all I want to do is have fun with family/friends and enjoy hakuna matata.

Usually, I just end up being disappointed by the end of the day for one reason or another.

Not to be selfish, but isn't this my day? I try to plan ahead things because people are busy on the weekends and I want to make sure that everyone who wants to participate is able to. When I'm telling you what I'm thinking about doing for my birthday weekend, don't try and discourage me from my thoughts and think that I don't have other people that I want to celebrate with.

I try to be accommodating with my friends and family and compromise when we are out doing things. My birthday falling on a weekend is something that hasn't happened since I've moved to SoCal and I want to spend it the way I want to spend it. I will compromise on the little things, but not the big picture which is the location.

Well the above rant may have been a waste of my time. This birthday may not happen the way I want it to anyways. I just called customer service and there are no reservations for that weekend.

Just. Freakin'. Great.

I'll do more research on other places to go because I really want this birthday to be special and exciting, and something that I haven't done before.

I was going to post about the Olympics, but I'll leave that for after the Closing Ceremony on Sunday. Maybe by that time we'll have a little more information on all the scandals and I can have an accurate rant on all the sports that are "judged".

Will our heroine escape the controlling claws of the people she calls "friends" and defend the birthday she's always hoped for?

Tune in next week, same bat time, same bat channel.

Could I be any more random?

I'm over reading all the lies a select few of my friends write in their MySpace surveys. I like to do the surveys for fun and to write smart-ass remarks to make myself laugh (and maybe someone else). It is not an arena to declare (all ADD-like in one survey) how depressed, happy, wonderful, yet shitty your life is. It seems like 2 different people took your survey, which makes reading it slightly confusing. Make. It. Stop. You're not going to make people talk to you if you're impersonating Two-Face. Trust me.

It's a good thing I'm being hypocritical tonight and starting off with something negative. It just really gets me how different people are on MySpace even though you think you're friends in "real life". It's just a strange divide to me. I always try to be as honest with myself as possible when people make friend requests and then don't talk to me for months. So, did you "friend" me just to read about my life but not want to comment or interact with me? Deleted. Sorry, but I'm not in a contest, or involved in any profession, which requires me to have X number of friends to raise my self esteem. If we hardly talked in high school, it's a good chance that we'll hardly talk now. As much as I would like to reconnect with some friends I was fond of in school, it's just such a strange way to communicate (not to mention I'm realistic with how many people I can keep in touch with).....I guess I'm a little old fashioned thinking that a friend is just a phone call away.

Now stepping out of my Delorean in 2008....

I had a really good day at work today. I felt productive and accomplished more than I thought I would, except for getting to work on time. I was 3 minutes late (I have to physically clock in) and I hoped that wasn't going to be the start of a bad day. I had already felt like I picked out a cute outfit and felt really good when I left home. It may seem vain, but the jubilation I get when I leave the house in a cute, comfortable outfit gives me vibes of a great day ahead.

Haven't been making it to any classes all week but I will be going to yoga tomorrow to get my butt back into the rhythm of my schedule. I got screwed up when I went to San Diego for the weekend and didn't do all my normal errands so I did them during the week. I have to say, it was completely worth it to spend the weekend down there. It's so beautiful and makes me want to move there each time I go. Too bad my company doesn't have any sort of department down there ::sigh:: We were celebrating my friend's (and former roommate's) birthday and had an awesome time. Makes me miss not seeing her as often as I used to.

Have finally finished reading Atonement and I've got to say, I wasn't sure why they decided to make this into a movie. Which, in my opinion, wasn't worth a Best Picture nomination. I have nothing good to say about the book other than I'm glad I finished it. I was contemplating going towards the light if I didn't see an ending in sight. I appreciated the costumes in the movie, other than the fact that the infamous green dress Keira Knightley wore looked like it had laser cutouts on the bodice/neckline. I don't think that before WWII they would be using lasers for fashion (I could be mistaken though).

Looking through all the books I have to read, I'm having trouble deciding which direction I want to go. I am feeling timid after reading Atonement, in getting myself into another drab period novel. I have The Other Boleyn Girl, Twilight, The Omnivore's Dilemma, and a few Jane Austen novels. Too many books, so little time to read....

Project Runway wasn't as noteworthy tonight. The designers did a challenge to create an outfit for the opening ceremony at the Summer Olympics, exclusively for the women. I was only blown away by one designer (Terri is her name, I think) who did a great sportswear blazer/slacks combo that had a 70's feel to it. The only thing I would have changed was the blazer since it's the summer Olympics and who knows how hot it is in Beijing. I wish she would have won, but the girl who did win designed white linen, high wasted, wide legged pants, with a white vest, with a little red and blue trim detail. Didn't really look athletic, or American, to me. Oh well, I did get a kick out of Michael Kors cracking up over Nina Garcia's comments on one of the stranger designs. He's got a contagious laugh and usually doesn't let down his guard often, so it's nice when he lets loose and finds something to giggle about. I'm beginning to lose faith in my show especially since they'll be moving to L.A. next year. I'm scared it's only going to be downhill from here....

Happy dreams.

I need this weekend.

Actually, I've been ready for the weekend since Wednesday when I woke up at 8am thinking it was Saturday. I casually checked my phone and read "workday" instead of "cereal and cartoons". Dammit. I got ready at Superman speed and was only 10 minutes late to work.

That's one of the things I need to get better at. I'm late to work at least 3 times a week. For some reason, I have plenty of time to get ready (on the days I get up on time) and decide there are some things I have to do around the apartment that I think I have time for. I just need to get up and get ready to leave for work. That's it. Not trick myself into thinking I have all this time to get little things done. I am also hoping that no one is keeping track of when I'm coming in because it's a goal of mine to get there before my supervisor. I have next week to practice since everyone is on vacation...we'll see how it goes.

Thankfully, after I finish with my writing this evening, I am going to start packing for my little weekend trip to San Diego. I haven't been down there in about a year, so I'm excited to visit my friend and have a relaxing weekend.

The main reason I'm so desperate for relaxation is the fact that I experienced my first earthquake Tuesday morning and have been ridiculously jumpy ever since. The earthquake was about 25 miles from where I work/live. Talk about being panicked and jelly-legged to the point where I'm walking around like a zombie telling everyone who's asking "I'm fine. Really....I'm fine." Such a liar and they knew it. I was pale-faced (even more so than normal) and utterly confused as to how everyone can get back to work after calling loved ones to make sure they were okay. It was like an extra 10-minute break to make your phone call than resume as normal.

Whaaaaaaaaat?

I had to sit down for 30 minutes after it happened all the while listening to all the earthquake stories. Oh and FYI: hearing "survivor" stories after one has experienced their first earthquake doesn't help my current situation. So thanks for trying to help. It also doesn't help to take the opportunity to tell me about "aftershocks" and saying things like "oh this was nothing, the BIG one will be soon, it won't stop". So wait. This wasn't considered big? The fact that it felt like I was running on a treadmill sideways towards a door, or trying to walk on a boat during a hurricane....this was nothing? Gah. It's 45 seconds of my life I'll never forget.

My company's offices are next to train tracks, so we are used to rumblings and loud horns blasting, but this earthquake has made me on edge every time a train passes. It also doesn't help that I live in a downstairs apartment under a pair of elephants that sound like they're coming through the ceiling at any moment. Could I be any more paranoid?

Well, Southern California you are on notice. I didn't want to do it, but you gave me no choice. First, I move to Sunny Southern California to find out it rains way more than y'all imply and second, no one decided to mention to this out-of-towner how to be prepared for an earthquake. You just roll (sorry for the bad pun) with the fact that they happen and seem to remember all the drills during the event. Isn't there a safety committee at work that can do a yearly/monthly drill for earthquakes so the non-native doesn't freak out or turn into a statue again? It's not too much to ask.

I better quit before I start getting antsy again and not sleep. I have a long drive tomorrow.

Happy dreams.

Not up to standard..

Another episode of Project Runway has come and gone, yet I feel a little jipped. This season feels like it doesn't meet the level of talent of past designers. There is a lack of creativity, innovation, and too many styles/techniques that have been done on the show already. Since I don't have TiVo, or any other DVR system for that matter, I revolve my life around the few shows I'm dedicated to. With the way this season is headed, I'm content in just catching the millionth repeat episode on the weekend. It's too bad..

On a healthy note, I've been working out regularly for 3 weeks now and I haven't felt better. The classes vary in difficulty, style, and technique so I don't feel like my body is getting used to a routine. I am really enjoying how good I feel in my clothes and how much more endurance I have at work. I don't yawn as much because I'm tired enough to fall asleep without becoming overloaded with thoughts racing through my mind. I just need to keep working on the food portions and the alcohol consumption (because let's face it-I can't pass on a perfectly good drink, I have realistic goals).

I did give myself the day off because I was more sore from my class yesterday than I thought so I did a little online shopping and bought this gorgeous dress from Sir Alistair Rai. I'm keeping an eye out on my favorite scarf hoping to see it on sale soon. Good thing there's a paycheck tomorrow to cover my splurge and the upcoming landslide of bills.

I loathe the end of the month....

Happy dreams.

Day 3 of find those abs!

After my first day of Abs, Buns, and Thighs taught by a mini-dictator (her cute-as-a-button face shouldn't have fooled me), I thought I would never walk again. Oh yes, I was feelin' the burn. Not only was I feeling every muscle from my butt down stretch and split as if I was coming out of a long hibernation, I was in the front of the class. How did this happen, you ask? I got to the class early so I could tuck myself in the back and we shifted so everyone could fit and I ended up in the front staring at the instructor. Dammit.

The next day, I decided my body hadn't had enough torture and went to my first yoga class. I thought the stretching would help out my sore muscles and I could move like a normal human being again. Wrong! If you can picture the Tin Man with one knee, and one hand, on the ground trying to grab the lifted leg with the free hand, that was me. At least for this class, I was not only in the back, but in the corner. I repeatedly thanked the yoga spirits who didn't want to further my embarrassment by having my non-flexible body in front of all those people built like pipe cleaners.

Tonight's torture class was pilates. I thought I was done like dinner the first 5 minutes of the class. Apparently, my quads were still sore from last Thursday and couldn't keep up with the warm up. I sucked it up and did what I could and the rest of the class (an hour, people) was hard, but I thought I did okay. I never got corrected by the instructor which could mean my form was so bad she didn't even want to start fixing me, or my childish belief that if I can't see her, she can't see me is true. I like to think it was the latter.

Now it's that time to watch the highlights of the Home Run Derby that I could barely hear while I was on the bike. I heart ESPN.

A Zen State of Mind

I have thought for months about joining another gym (my Curves closed), to researching several gyms since I've moved (uh, 7 months ago!), to actually joining one. Finally! I don't know why it took so long for me to get the proper motivation to get active again. My all-of-a-sudden ill-fitting clothes was apparently not enough to put the fire under my butt. Having a job where everyone sees you in said clothes and makes comments on how you were "so skinny when you first started working here" did it. I was unemployed for 6 months before I found my job. I had a lot of time on my hands to look for a job and be a gym rat!

I'm over the excuse that I'm too tired after work. Today, I checked out the gym and signed up after taking a tour of the place, went home and did 3 loads of laundry (folded and put away, for the most part, ah-thank you!), and made dinner for tonight, as well as, lunch and dinner for tomorrow. Baaaad excuse. So I ate the last of my Ben and Jerry's because they won't be visiting again for awhile.

I've planned out a schedule to work out in the evening. The gym won't be as packed and I've never had trouble sleeping when I work out after work. Especially if I get a personal trainer and start the group classes (I need something to keep me on time!). Hopefully, this will aid my quality of sleep and make me a happier, calmer person. Cross your fingers.


Is anyone else totally stoked that Project Runway is going to be premiering next Wednesday? I cannot wait to see what the challenges are this season and what crazy people/characters they have casted to entertain us every week. Not to mention Heidi's outfits. I wasn't happy with the winner last year (Christian) but I can see why they made the choice that they did. Jillian seemed to lose the story within her line because she had no guidance with challenge criteria, and Rami was going to give us a plethora of Greek Goddesses because that's what he loves, and did well.

Rewarding myself with champagne on Premiere Night if I get going at the gym and figure out a schedule that works well for me.

Here's to not waiting to start on Monday....

I Salute You!

Ever since the state of California has put this new "hands free" cell phone law into effect it has been easy to spot those who think they are above the law (right next to those of us racing on the 405 like we've unlocked the GPS coordinates for the Land of Free Gas).

Now, I've only got one foot on my soapbox because I speed like nobody's business....but how dumb is it to explain to your friends (or anybody, for that matter) that you got a ticket because you were too cheap to buy a $12 earpiece that you connect to your phone (yes, they have earpieces that are cheap, though they aren't wireless)?

Did anyone else see on the news the guy that was getting pulled over for being on the cell phone? He sped away from the police, who then found out he was driving a stolen car...here's the kicker..... with drugs inside the vehicle. Genius. I bet the idiot could have avoided the whole thing had he not been on the damn phone!

The story of this fool brings me to my Thank-You's for the week. It may be Part 1 since this is a holiday weekend and I'm bound to run into some note-worthy boneheads.


Thank You-

Mr. I'm-going-to-cut-you-off-then-use-my-blinker-after-I-get-in-the-turning-lane. I appreciate your kindness on the road and contribution to my stress on the way home from work. Have a good holiday weekend, buddy.

Mr. Even-though-I-see-you-attempting-to-parallel-park-I'm-going-to-make-it-more-difficult-by-getting-thisclose-to-your-car-until-you're-done. This outstanding guy made me take twice as long to maneuver my car because I now had three cars to avoid hitting. Boy, you're swell!

Ms./Mrs./Mr. Excuse-me-is-not-in-my-vocabulary-are-you-sure-this-phrase-exists? I hope when I am telling you excuse me (since it's obvious everyone is in your way), it would make you think of your rude behaviour as you plow me into the wall/table/chair. You know what? Maybe it's better that you not talk or make eye contact while you're leaving your destructive path. I bet you don't have anything to say worth hearing anyway. Good day.

Ms./Mrs./Mr. Just-because-I-work-here-doesn't-mean-I'm-here-to-help-you. What the hell happened to "service with a smile", customer service, and knowing what the hell you get into when you sign up for a job that requires interacting with other people? If you're not happy to answer my stupid question with a smile and continue to act miserable, I'm going to make sure your entire experience with me will give you a reason to be miserable. I want you to know that I'm only doing this because I care.

I was going to tell an utterly positive story about how kind people can be (based on an incident that happened at the grocery store today), but you know what? It's not as fun to tell because I'm too much of a girl and require you to know insane amounts of backstory so I can "set the tone". Oh well, maybe next time enough people will inspire me to write about all the nice encounters I have in a week. That would be more challenging...hmm...

Movie and Ben and Jerry's night..Hellooooo 3-day Weekend!

Bit by the blog bug. I blame insomnia.

This is a purely selfish endeavor due to reading so many other witty blogs thinking that I could be just as entertaining or, if not, at least it might help me sleep. Or, I can feel better knowing that someone out there reads this and then can worry with me, or just roll their eyes and forget about my day.

I envy that person.

So to jump right in with a little (slightly unnecessary?) background info:

I graduated from college in May of 2007 and have been working since November of 2007 (surprise 6 month vacation, anyone?) in my fantastic costuming job. Now, don't be fooled, I'm not in the creative department yet, but I'm slowly working my way to more creatively fulfilling tasks. There will come a day where I don't have to make copies my entire shift! Oh, yes...

On a sadder note, my almost 17-year old cat was put down and I have this nagging guilt of not saying goodbye. My immediate family and I live in different states, so going home for the holidays is really weighing heavy on my mind.

I've had to grieve family members before, but it was always a grandparent I hardly saw, or wasn't very close with. I was sad that I didn't get to know them better and sad that I wouldn't have that chance. I've never had a family member so close to me pass away to be familiar with that awful feeling. As strange as it may sound, my cat was my kid who followed me around and was right there to lay on my lap when I sat down. To wake me up at some horrible hour to feed him and somehow always new when I needed to hold him. So losing him has been more difficult than I ever thought.

Death is such a strange thing to deal with. I got the news on Sunday and I couldn't function at work Monday. I had tears just behind my eyes all day and it took a week to tell 2 coworkers and my supervisor for fear of breaking down at work. I'm glad I said something, so when the "cute pet stories" start, I won't get strange glares for excusing myself. It makes me "happy sad" when I think back on all the cute things my cat did.

::sigh::

On top of all this excitement I'm single, which depresses other people more than me for some reason. I can't count how many times my attached friends or coworkers learn of this news and have someone "great, fabulous, and perfect for you!" to introduce me to. Sure. Like some guy wants to sign on for a Star Wars-Harry Potter-video game-book-movie geek.

Not all single girl's lives are on a perfect-guy quest to be like the gals in Sex and the City, (well, expect in Samantha's case..)

That time will come...just not yet. I'm getting a haircut tomorrow because that's how I deal with stress. I change my appearance hoping that this new person can handle the same situation. It hasn't worked yet, but I never give up hope.