A Lady of Class

That's me. I am turning 28 Tuesday and my friends are having a birthday party for me tonight. Actually it's a kegger. Yep, I am sliding towards 30 and having a keg. Woo-hoo. I am sure I will update everyone on tonights events.

I smell Rice-a-Roni

Seriously. The window in my den was open and I smelled Chicken Rice-a-Roni. Very bizarre, especially considering that I don't have it in the house and haven't had it in years. I went outside and my neighbors (the ones that I think are Amish) had their door open and for some strange reason that smell was wafting from it. Clearly, as they don't seem to watch t.v. and can their own veggies, it must have come from the homemade, free-range chicken stock they made and the rice they grew in their own pattie, seasoned with herbs found in their organic garden and cooked over the fire they created by chopping their own wood and lighting it with sparks from two rocks.

To be a kid again

During my lunch break today, I took a some books with me and sat and read for a while. You know what books I picked? The Berenstain Bears! I used to love these books when I was growing up and it was great to read the stories and remember how much I loved reading about this cool bear family that lived in a sweet treehouse. The best things about these books is that they have stood the test of time. They can't age because their outfits were ridiculous anyway. They have very little technology (aside from a rotary phone), and the themes are things that still effect kids. I loved those bears. My favorite one from the series was "The New Baby" because this is when Sister Bear came along and I liked to think that it was how my arrival affected my family. Haha.

What was your favorite book when you were a kid?

Checkout the Bears cool website: www.berenstainbears.com

So much t.v, so little time

Every September I am pulled in many different directions. Why? It's the start of a new t.v. season and there are numerous shows that require my perusal and discerning taste to choose which shows to add to my tivo schedule. I have several shows that are conflicting with one another and I need to decide soon what I want to watch now and what I will watch during the summer. Do you realize the kind of planning it takes to establish a satisfactory viewing week? I know that many of you think that I watch too much television, but I really only stick with the stuff that ends up on the tivo (and some of that I don't even get to). Since purchasing my tivo, I find that my "mindless" t.v. watching has declined exponentially. That's right. I'm an efficient television watcher. Professional, even. I should market my skillz, bitches.

Not bad

I had a low key weekend. Except...I stayed up REALLY late both nights and have ruined myself for waking up Monday. I had a nice dinner with a friend Friday night and proceeded to stay up until after 3 am because another friend came over and then I stayed up and read for while. I slept pretty much all day Saturday and went to dinner with Jenny and then we went to another friends house for a party. I still managed to stay up until 3 am, again. I slept really late today and I am planning on doing very little to top off my fairly low key weekend.

BTW, I had a very sad experience this weekend. I was listening to the classic rock station on Friday night and they played "Better Man" by Pearl Jam. WTF. This is a song from the mid-nineties and it has already made its way to classic rock? This made me feel quite old. I still protest the inclusion of the song on their play list, but it is still sad.

Let's conduct an experiment

Every weekend I swear that I am going to be low-key and just bum around. Every weekend I end up going out and being up late and feeling like the weekend lasted three minutes. Last weekend I had no plans and I ended up going out both nights and one of those evenings I didn't get home until 4 am. This weekend the only thing I have planned is a party at a friends house Saturday night. Let's see what will actually happen and I will report back Sunday night.

What's your opinion?

I have deprived everyone of daily posts, so I am offering two in one day. It is another poll the audience!

What do you think of the arrest of Dog the Bounty Hunter?

Here is what I think: I know they are pretty cheesy and Beth's rack defies all laws of gravity, but I believe they are sincere. Andrew Luster (the guy that Dog is accused of illegally bounty-hunting in Mexico) was a despicable man who drugged and raped numerous women and showed no remorse. He ran off to Mexico and lived in luxury for months before he was tracked down by Dog and his team. I think it is wrong that American citizens are arrested for a "crime" that actually saved the taxpayers millions of dollars. The fact that U.S. Federal Marshals carried out these arrests is offensive to me, since they were actually taking people who hunt down criminals for a living off the streets. WTF. I know it is important for governments to respect the jurisdictions of other countries, but I believe that this whole thing is bullsh*t. I am so sorry that the Mexican government believes that it is wrong to hunt down criminals. As you may be able to tell, I think the whole thing is ridiculous.

The drought is over!

I'm so glad that google finally figured this out. It's good to hear from my blogger friends! Things at work are good and I am settling into things. I realize that I am always loathe to celebrate good things or talk too much about them for fear that it will all go away. It almost feels like I am tempting fate by being happy. I am feeling alot better in general, but I don't like to talk about it (or write about it) because it seems like I am going to jinx everything. This is really weird because I don't believe that God would punish me like that, but there is that part of me that kind of does believe it. That's just me.

Here's the thing

I like my new job. I feel like I am learning alot and the people are really nice. People think I am really capable and the "perfect fit" for this position, but I keep thinking they are going to find out. Find out that I am just trying to stay a little ahead of the curve and look like I know what I am doing. This job forces me to leave my comfort zone and be more upfront and direct with people that I am working with and people that I am doing business with. I'm a bit overwhelmed, but I am still enjoying what I am doing. The upside? I am feeling like more of an adult.

Lookin' good

Teddy got a new shirt. It's a polo and he loves to wear it with the collar popped. He's just too trendy for me - He's just out of my league. The sleeves were a little long for him and was walking a little funny, but sometimes you have to suffer for beauty. Sorry I haven't been doing much posting lately, but life has been busy (in the good way). I think things will start to calm down soon and I promise to treat you to stories from work.

Ah. Technology

Blogger Beta Blows. From now on if I am intending on using this phrase it will be know as BBB. Ironically enough I was asked by my new boss to represent the library by attending computer classes (along with someone else) and bring the knowledge back with me and help my colleagues. I looked at the schedule for the once weekly, four hour classes and noticed that I may be a little over-prepared. Class 1? It includes important information like "starting your computer," and the ever difficult device called a "mouse." Once we tackle these things we move onto...wait for it...the KEYBOARD. I hope the computers we are provided have internet access and I can update the html on my blog. Technical enough? Oh, and by the way, BBB.

P.S. give commenting a try using your login. Apparently they (evil beta techs) are working on fixing this.

Speaking of Comments

I have gotten word from several people that they are having trouble posting comments. I looked it up on blogger and it seems that people who haven't switched to the beta version may not be able to post a comment. Try posting as anonymous or other. BTW, Sarah - your comment has shown up, so whatever you did, do it again. I hope all of this gets sorted out because I like to read people's comments. Thanks!

Eh. Theme week abandoned.

Due to lack of response and my lack of interest, I am moving on to a regular post. My first day of work went well. Everyone seems really nice and very welcoming. I think that I am going to enjoy this job and can see myself really fitting in with everyone. It is definitely a big change from where I was working before, but it feels really good to have a "real" job. I can't really express how nice it will be to be on my own and financially independent from my father. Ahh.

P.S.

Tomorrow is my first day at my new job. I'm a little nervous, but more excited and ready to get started. I hate being new at something. I can't wait to be used to working at the library and knowing everyone. Wish me luck!

Question 1: Why do you...

Blog? (or if you don't blog, why would you?)

I blog because I like talking to people. I find that I am often struck by thoughts during the day that may not be appropriate to talk about in a work setting. I also like making observations about life and seeing what other people think about things. The number one reason I blog is to vent. Over the past year I have faced several challenges and blogging about them makes me feel better and even if I don't feel better then I am comforted by the comments people leave. Last, but not least, it is a great way to keep up with people that I am not able to see on a regular basis.

Just a note

After watching the quality program Two-A-Days (on Mtv about Hoover HS football - located in a suburb of B'ham) and the "team chaplain" say a prayer over this PUBLIC school team, I would like to say:

God has better things to be worried about than football

Oh that's right, I said it.

It's that time again...

I just thought I would give everyone a head's up for next week. I've decided it's time for another theme week! The questions I will be asking (and answering along with you) all begin with "Why do you...?" If you have any suggestions let me know and I might include them. I've got a couple of ideas already, but I am always open to other people's input. It's a little early, but I hope everyone has a great weekend. Talk to ya' Sunday!

Winding down (get ready - it's a long one)

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself." ~unknown
"A friend is someone who dances with you in the sunlight, And walks with you in the shadows." ~unknown

So far, this week has been really good. I have been taking better care of myself and catching up on some much needed sleep. I don't mind going to work in the morning because I know that I don't have to do it too many more times. My new job starts Monday and I feel really hopeful and excited about it and my life. It has been so long since I have felt genuinely hopeful about much of anything in my life and I am grateful for the way things seem to be working out. Lately, I have heard of several people close to my age commiting suicide and I am thankful that I don't feel like that anymore (although my thoughts never reached beyond passive musings). You want to be happy, but you just can't seem to get it together and you feel like nobody else really gets it and even if they did you don't want to burden them when they have their own problems. I think that one of the things that kept me going and putting one foot in front of the other were my friends. When I was a kid I was not one of the popular kids, in fact I was one of the unpopular kids. I was made fun of and never really felt like I belonged (you know how cruel kids can be), but after I was around 13 I started making some very close friends. I think that I have an eclectic group of people that I call good friends and I hope they think of me in the same way. My oldest friend, Lee, has been there since we were babies and somehow we manage to keep in touch and keep our respective parents in line. Ashley and I have been friends since we were 13 and beyond all probability we have remained close. During high school I became (and remained) friends with Peyton - remember freshman orientation when we were actually sophomores?. Casey and I couldn't stand each other for an entire summer before I finally called to make amends and the rest is history in that regard. I got to college and met some more cherished friends along the way including several people who read this blog and some who don't. Angela and I met on the first day we met with our advisors and I knew she was going to be my friend the moment she uttered the words "I'm more autistic than artistic." Claire and I met our freshman year, but we didn't become really close until sophomore year and now I get to be her Maid of Honor in her wedding! I also met Sarah (Belle of Madison) and we became friends despite the huge gap in our ages (um, she was totally a freshman when I was a sophomore - gasp!). Then fate stepped in and I met Jenny. As you may know from reading this blog we hang out a lot and are the best of friends. She probably makes me laugh more than anybody I know and we have gotten into a lot of mischief together. After college I lived with Sarah S. (actually now, F) and we had a lot of fun being on our "own" for the first time. In the past few years I have met so many other people that are great friends to me including Roach, Sara G., Rachel B., Fran, Jenny W (now R.) and on and on. I guess this started as one post and now it's become some sort of thank you to my friends. So, if I left you out, I'm sorry because I love all of you. If I put you in and you don't agree then too bad :) - I'm not letting anybody go!

Back from the beach

The beach was great! The weather was perfect and I had a lot of fun hanging out with everyone, but I was glad to get home and see Teddy. We listened to a lot of music while we were down there and I got made fun because the cds were mine. I am secure enough to say that one of my guilty pleasure songs is "Come Clean" by Hilary Duff (you know, the song they play at the beginning of Laguna Beach). Despite everyone making fun of me, I held my ground and remained loyal to it. Other than that, most of the songs we listened to were a bit naughty, but that's what I like so everyone else just had to go along.

On to my first topic for the week, I would like to get everyone's opinion about Fergie's song "London Bridge." I just don't get it. I guess this shows how much I am just not cool with the "kids" these days (of course, Fergie is actually several years older than me, but whatever). She asks in the song "how come every time you come around my London Bridge, you wanna go down?" Honestly, if I am interpreting the song correctly, I just don't see the problem. It seems as if she is on the winning side of the scenario. I shall continue to ponder this mystery so if anyone wants to provide an explanation, I would be happy to hear it.

Gone to the Beach

Just a quick post before I leave from work straight to the Gulf. Hope everyone has a great Labor Day and the weather is good for most of you. I know some of my east coast friends have been inundated with rain from Ernesto (sorry guys, I used my influence with the Big Guy upstairs and prayed for it to go east). Take a deep breath and get some relaxation in because a lot of us have some big stuff coming up soon. Some people are having babies (Avery's mom, my friend Ashley), some people are starting new jobs (me!, Peyton!), some people are getting back into school (Claire, Jamie, Lyda - well, teaching at least) and the rest of us are gearing up for the busiest time of the year at work and at home (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years). Take care,

katie g.