This Post?
Well, it happened again. Same guy. There I was waiting for my ice cream (I really don't go very often) and he looks at me and says "so, are you eating ice cream alone tonight?"
Nice.
People, I made up an Ice-Cream Boyfriend. Sad? Yes. Self-preservation and face-saving? Yes. It made me feel better. I hope that you will wish Rocky Road (my bfs name) and I a very happy future.
Teddy G. - otherwise known as Mr. C*ckblocker. T.G. has been known to sit directly between an amorous couple to make sure nothing naughty happens. It seems he has a sensor for anyone having romantic inclinations. Luckily, as these things haven't happened to me since Moses parted the Red Sea - I haven't had to suffer such a terrible distraction. I mention this because the roomie was getting a little PG-13 loving on our couch and Mr. C*ckblocker came in for the kill. He hopped on the back of the gentleman caller and waited to be included in the action. Needless to say, he got left in the den while the couple moved onto the boudoir. I could tell Teddy was a little depressed when I got home...
California should have its justice system disbanded and jury trials farmed out to other states. If you can't manage to find Phil Spector guilty of murder, then you officially lose your privileges. I'm sorry if it is a little far fetched for me to believe that some woman would come to his house and as a result of being depressed kill herself in the foyer. Come on, people. I certainly will not mention another trial that has been in the news lately, but I think we all know of which I'm referring.
Things have been pretty okay lately, so I am expecting bad things. It's how I work. I inherited this unrelenting optimism from my mother. It's sad, but this is how I think.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Honestly, I believe I am just basing my opinions on how things usually go.
Someone at work told me about a dream she had about me. I shall give you the Reader's Digest version:
I called her and told her to come to work and see my new Boston Terrier puppy. She came to see him and he was really cute, but she wanted to know what had happened to Teddy. I told her that I didn't have Teddy anymore (!!! what !!!). Since she knows how much I love my dog, she asked what happened. I told her that a hawk swooped down and ate him while I was walking him at the local park.
Honestly, I laughed pretty hard. I have decided not to walk him at local parks though. No need to tempt fate.
Right now, I am dividing my time between several books:
Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg
Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty (read this !!)
a romance series by Debbie Macomber
a non-fiction title about troubled teens
and I am re-reading several of my favorite books of all time.
So good. So happy to be reading!
Are you reading anything good?
Also, check out the link to Roach's Blog. Apparently, it's about sports and I am reading it because I love him, but I don't really get it. If you're an Alabama fan, I am sure you will like it.
I read this story on cnn.com
I cannot imagine the level of suffering that poor Tobey suffered. I cried as I read it and I hope these kids spend a long time behind bars.
http://www.ksat.com/news/14008907/detail.html
(copy and paste - for some reason blogger isn't feeling the love for embedded links)
Things may be on an upswing. I felt pretty good at work today and I was able to laugh and joke with my coworkers and patrons like usual. I like being someone who is fun to be around and I got to be this way today. Hopefully, this will continue.
On another note,
Did you see Britney?!?!?!?!?!?!
I was really hoping she would pull it together and show everyone that she could come back. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. She looked uncomfortable and like she wanted to be anywhere but on that stage. Why doesn't she just fade away and become like Paula Abdul? You know - crazy, but making bank on some cheesy show. I think dear Brit-Brit should have stuck with pets and not babies. I truly feel for those two boys that will have to endure pictures of their mother's hoo-ha online in perpetuity. People are just craaaaaazzzzzyyyyyy, yo.
I spend money willy-nilly. Yes. I actually spend money willy-nilly. Not on extravagant purchases, but on little things everyday that add up to a lot of money. I need some personal responsibility. I have decided to...
...
...
go on a budget. ick. I'll let you know how my sucky life goes from here.
For the second time in about a month a small child has asked or mistaken me for a boy. I probably shouldn't be sharing this with you as it isn't exactly flattering. It's sad that in my old age I am starting to look like a dude. The most annoying part is that my hair has probably never been longer (it's around 4 inches past my shoulders) and I am not flat chested by any means. WTF? I know what you might say...they're just little kids who can't tell the difference, but maybe I am slowly morphing into an unattractive woman? Perhaps soon to be mistaken as a guy by adults. Sh*t. Things just seem to get better and better. Sometimes I just want to scream "What is wrong with you?! Do I look like a man, do I? DO I? Find your own books." I resist this almost overwhelming urge. Once again, I am growing as a person.
I'm heading to the beach this weekend for a much overdue and deserved break from work. I am also pretty sure that this will be the last time that I am able to get away from work for a long while. This has not been the best week and I am feeling a little sad. I described it earlier as feeling like Eeyore. blah.
I just wish I could take some people's pain away. I know I'm not the only one, I also know that I have often felt much worse than I feel right now and prayed for relief. I wish I could tell someone that it's okay. That it's just not worth it. To hang in there. It really will get better. I wish I had a magic spell that could make all the problems go away and turn back time.
i wish.
That the anniversary of Elvis' death was last Thursday, I have immersed myself in the cult of Presley for the last week or so - to be more accurate, I would have to admit for the last 10 years or so- but who's counting? Most of you think I'm crazy and obsessed (or maybe you think this is just a joke?), but I would like to clarify my interest...
Yes, I believe that he was one of the most gifted musical talents of the 20th Century - hands down - but I also think his life and story are an excellent example of modern tragedy. Perhaps a cautionary tale. For those of you who would dismiss him as a drug addict that got what he deserved...I just don't have enough space to refute this claim. He was a good man who got caught up in his own myth. Did he believe his own hype? Definitely. Was he someone that abused his body and shunned help? Yes. Was he a good person that tried to help those that were in need? Absolutely.
So, lets recap. I'm not a crazy fan that thinks he could do no wrong. I just think the good outweighs the bad.
New to Elvis? Here are the top five songs you should commit to your music library:
1. Suspicious Minds (all-time favorite)
2. It's Now or Never (I believe it fully displays his vocal range)
3. That's All Right [Mama] (The song he was first famous for)
4. If I Can Dream (although not one of my favorites, it was one of Elvis' and it is a powerful song)
5. Can't Help Falling in Love (don't get me started on why this song is just too much)
I believe everyone should make their own decisions about politics. That is why I hate to hear celebrities talking about what is right or wrong and spreading their general self-righteousness to the masses...
with that said (and as I am not a celebrity)...
I would like to note that possible and probable presidential candidate Fred Thompson (from my home state Tennessee) has declared that he would support a constitutional ban on gay marriage and actively try to overturn Roe v. Wade if elected president. Do with this information what you will, but I would like people to be informed.
On another note,
I love reading stories about old people kicking ass and taking names. You know what I mean, those blurbs on cnn.com about 105 yr. old woman who took out a burglar or the latest about an 82 yr. old who stabbed a would-be attacker with an ice-pick. Serves the scumbag right.
I love getting friend requests from half-dressed females. On the few occasions that the initial pictures don't look to ho-raneous I click on the their profile and inevitably featured on the page is something like this:
"Here's my other site since Myspace won't let me post my hot nude pictures. Enjoy!"
Oh. Well then, sign me up.
Are these actual women? If so, this just ridiculous.
P.S. I just got a friend request from Jesus. I guess everyone's online now.
I just - just - earned $.01 in interest on my somewhat new savings account.
Swimming pools, movie stars...what's next?
I don't know if this is an actual medical condition, but it should be. Despite what the time stamp at the bottom of this post may say, it is 5:00 am and I am still up. I have been reading a new series of books and I can't sleep because of them. This is certainly not the first time this has happened. Even if I do quit reading at a decent time, I tend to analyze what I have read and turn it over in my head incessently.
The general reason I can't sleep?
I can't quiet the mind. I think about work, friends, random things, my lack of sleep (which only makes it worse) and so on. I have had this problem since I was a teenager. I hate sleeping in the same room with someone because I feel like I have to be super quiet once they're asleep and then I am trapped...awake...thinking about how I have to be really quiet...because I'm awake and trapped. Torture.
I will go for several weeks and be okay and sleep decently. I define decently by getting to bed before two and making it to work generally on time (10). Then I will have days that turn into weeks where I can't get to sleep before 3 or 4 and then I am just toast for the following day. I get bored laying in the bed waiting for sleep to come and then I start reading and then I have to keep reading until I finish the book or decide that I have found a stopping point (rarely does this happen). Sometimes I will read two books before bed, maybe a magazine and then toss and turn after all that. I love to read so I can't give that up, but I guess I need to start reading really boring stuff. In graduate school I used to read peer-reviewed journal articles before bed and that was like taking a really powerful tranqulizer. Unfortunately, the idea of reading something like that now (when I don't have the threat of looking like a dumbass in class) has no appeal despite its promise of somnulent paradise. Alas, I believe I will read the third book in the series and bid you good morning.
Last night I was up to no good. Several of my friends and I went to a bar and then the roomie and I went to a late night dive after the bars closed. This is one of those places that you would never consider entering if you were sober and it was the glaring light of day. It also tends to attract an older crowd (mid-forties) and you can almost smell the desperation in the air. Last night I witnessed a sad scene. A woman in her late 30s or 40s who was dressed in a rather unbecoming top (very low back and she couldn't wear a bra with it and this was not someone who should let the twins out to play without lashing them down) and enough make-up to give a tranny a run for their money. She was getting her groove on and kind of stumbling around - I'm sure it was a lot sexier in her head than it actually was to witness. She also had black hearts all down her back. At first, I thought they were tattoos, but then I realized that they were drawn on with a sharpie. Upon closer inspection, someone had drawn all over her arms and back in ball point pen as well. I'm not sure if she knew it was there, but it was just sad. She let someone write on her like she was a bathroom wall. She also kept dancing on this one guy who was skeazy and it was clear that she just wanted male attention. Any male attention. After coming to this realization, I have decided that I am never going to act like that and if I have acted like that in the past I will never do it again (although I always wear a bra out on the town and I don't let people draw on me). I think women need to value themselves more and quit acting so desperate and they will attract the kind of person they really want and not some guy they met in a seedy bar.
That is the number of times I have blogged here. My "blogiversary" was the 8th. I forgot it last year as well. It's not exactly a number I have committed to memory. I guess I'll keep this up until I don't feel like doing it anymore...lucky for you.
Really, this post should be titled: apartment complex musings....I would like to discuss two oddities today.
First, there is a man that always has his door open and windows open. Sometimes in the winter he will close them, but in the summer they are always open. I just don't understand this. For those of you not in the South, we are experiencing quite the heat wave with temps topping out at above 100 degrees. He comes in and out of his apartment (sans shirt, of course) and surveys the complex. He's kind of like our version of the Ugly Naked Guy from Friends. At least he wears pants...Oh, I'm sorry, I meant jean shorts. Creepy? Why, yes.
Also, someone has taken up one of the parking places outside of my apartment with their scooter. I jokingly call it "the vespa," but it is soooo not a Vespa. It is generous to call the damn thing a scooter. My point is that it is taking up an entire parking place. I have to fight the urge to run over it every time I come home. Part of my ire is that it is taking up one of the two places that gets any sort of shade during the day. I think I will just kick it over tomorrow.
That's really all I've got to say.
Terrible, terrible day.
Endless day.
Burned out.
Ready to lose my sh*t.
Personally and professionally.
Wish I could crawl in a dark hole.
Or under my covers.
Not come out for a while.
Decided to blog about it now.
Hopefully will relieve the pressure.
Want to take back my evening.
I will try to enjoy what's left of August 6th, 2007.
For the last several months I have heard a bizarre car commercial on the radio. This is not all that unusual as most of these commercials tend to be a bit theatrical, but I digress. This particular commercial advertises that they will "meet or beat" any other dealership's offer. Beyond this, if they fail to "meet or beat" a competitor's price they will give you the car.
Well, this just doesn't make any sense. Why would they not meet or beat someone else's price and then just give a car away? It is an inherently flawed offer. I want a real deal, like buy one get one or 50% off. Now that's a deal.
Teddy runs around the apartment with a leash in his mouth. This is an old leash from when he was a puppy and it is pretty short - probably 5 ft. or less. I have attached the part that would attach to the collar into the handhold (basically it is a big circle). I have spent a lot of money on toys for Teddy, but this leash is probably the one thing he likes playing with the most. He grabs it in his mouth and runs around and eventually catches one of his back legs which hobbles him, but makes the game even more fun. He growls at it (even as he holds it in his mouth) and acts quite ferociously towards it. He looks ridiculous tripping around almost falling on the damn thing, but I have rarely seen him happier. So, everyone - get your dog a leash to play with.
Do you hover over the toilet in a public restroom? Do you make it absolutely unpleasant for the next person to visit the same stall? Then you create the very thing you fear. Trust me, if something is going to take you out in life, it ain't gonna be from (gasp!) sitting on the potty.
I need to use my vacation soon. I have a certain number of days saved up and I will be taking an actual "vacation." It makes me feel very adult to have this kind of time available. I think I will probably divide it up and take a couple of smaller trips. This is quite different from the vacations my parents took my brother and I on when we were kids. I used to love those long trips to all sorts of places in the middle of the summer. I loved the night before leaving our house because everyone was trying to pack their bags and my mom was always in a bad mood because she hated getting everything together and then inevitably forgetting something. We would get up super early in the morning and then set out for our 3 week+ trip. A dependable destination was a week or two in Louisiana visiting family and old friends. After this we would drive the interminable distance to any number of states below the Mason-Dixon line. One year we went to Disney World, other times we went to Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte, and any other cities generally located below the Mason-Dixon line. Don't worry, we also went to New York, London, Wales, and other more exotic locals. Sorry to digress, but the thought of a vacation gets me a little nostalgic.
I just went to the grocery store and did a little anthropological observation. Most of the people that were shopping were either of the retirement set or soccer moms. Pretty standard, right? Well, I had to wonder about the the random people shopping that should have been at work. Actually, I guess I'm talking about me because I took the day off and I am quite enjoying it. I wish I could take several days off in a row, but one is good too. Anyhoo, back to the story, I live in a pretty suburban area so there is not much of a business crowd around here, but there were lots of business people in the store doing a little midday shopping. Weird. They can just take off and do whatever. Nice. I need that job. I do love being home while everyone else is suffering at their job, though. Yay me!
Part of my Summer Reading program is over tonight and the other will be done by 8:00 Saturday night. This has just about taken it all out of me. Send me positive thoughts for the next few days. Also, keep me in your thoughts after 8 on Saturday because I'm getting drunky-drunk.
I just finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Wow. I just couldn't quit reading. I had 600 pages to go this morning and I had to finish. I cried, I laughed (not too much) and it was just a great read. J.K. Rowling managed to tie everything together. Now, I'm exhausted and heading to bed.
I get this all the time. Something major or minor might go wrong and I will get this icky feeling in my stomach and I will worry over something for hours...and then it usually goes away. I've got that right now. Same ol' bs really, but it still makes enjoying my well earned weekend difficult. It's the Catholic in me, I believe. All that guilt the nuns instilled in me during my formative years. Strangely enough, I suffer from much more guilt now than I ever did when I was a child. I was terrible and without remorse. Now, I tend to agonize over something until it drives me bonkers. ugh. Happy Weekend...
P.S. I finished reading the 6th Harry Potter last night (just in time for the new one). I cried and I'm not sure I'm ready to read the last one. Anyone reading HP? No spoilers, please :)
I spoke with a lovely representative of the company that holds my student loan (or the company that holds the balance on money I spent willy-nilly in graduate school and didn't truly believe they would want it back). I was calling because I was confused about my online statement. It said that I owed all this money (which I knew was not right) and I was quite concerned. I finally navigated my way through their automated system and got an actual person (gasp). He was a bit brusque, but absolutely understandable so I was pleased in this day of outsourcing. I asked him what was up with my account and he told me that the online statement was old and I would received another in August (despite it stating that I had a balance due - you'd think they would update that - but I digress). So I don't owe a bunch of money, then he passed along this little nugget of information that I shall hold closed to my heart forever more.
Upon my question of changing to an email statement and when the next one would come he said:
"You will receive that in August, you received your last one through the mail because WE CANT REACH INTO THE MAILBOX AND PULL IT OUT ONCE YOU REQUEST EMAIL STATEMENTS"
Finally, someone has lifted the curtain on the US Postal Service. Apparently, my attempts to shove my arm in the mail shoot periodically is a wasted effort and definitely not worth the disapproving glare of some of our governments finest, yet, slowest employees. (Cue the sounds of Lee Greenwood's "And I'm Proud to be an American...")
I thought that this was so helpful that I needed to post something IMMEDIATELY. Once again, you're welcome
Why? I left my bridesmaid dress in a heap in a hotel in VA. My shoes are in a trash can at a lovely plantation house nearby. Don't get me wrong, I thought the dresses Claire picked out were fine and generally flattering. But I ain't gonna be wearing it again. The wedding was beautiful and the couple very happy. It almost changed my mind about marriage. I guess I will admit that the jury is still out.
See? I'm growing.
Seriously, it was really nice to see two people so happy and appreciative of finding one another. When it's right, it's right. Claire and her new husband are now honeymooning on some beach south (or maybe east?) of here. I'm envious in several ways. Above all else, I'm happy for them.
Murphy was a good dog and probably had one of the sweetest dispositions. He was my mom's dog and we're going to leave his ashes at her grave. She would have wanted that. He was really one of the last tangible things I had that was hers and he gave her a lot of happiness even when she was so sick. I miss him. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Good Lord. David Beckham's body is INSANE. I was catching up on my "news" via Perez Hilton and he had their recent photo shoot profiled.
(suggestion - follow my lead and hold your hand over Posh's part of the pictures and enjoy the uninterupted beauty of Becks)
John Mark Karr - of the false Jon Benet Ramsey confession infamy - was arrested this past weekend. For domestic abuse. Against his girlfriend.
His Girlfriend.
This crazy f*ck has got a girlfriend? I mean, are you kidding me?!?! He's also been married. What is wrong with these women? Especially, this new one.
On another note, he is like 5'2" and 113 lbs dripping wet. A first grader could take this guy with one hand on their pencil case and without breaking a sweat. What kind of damage could this guy inflict?
I have not been in a relationship since the Nixon administration and this guy is wandering around with a girlfriend that he apparently beats. You explain that.
I can't get enough of Big Brother 8, people. It's really not my fault. It comes on three times a week for a total of 3 hours - and that's just primetime. It is also on Showtime 2, which until 4 days ago, I had know idea we were subscribing to this WONDERFUL channel. Anywho, It comes on EVERY NIGHT. For 3 HOURS EVERY NIGHT - uncut (we actually saw boy parts the other night - not much of a thrill really, but still)for a total of 21 Hours every week. There is also a call in program every weekday online for an hour for a total of 5 hours. Now, I don't watch all of this, but it is still out there. I could spend 29 hours of my life every week just on BB8. You know what the funny thing is? All of the uncut programming is pretty boring and it makes you realize how dumb people sound when they are just shooting the breeze. On this note, how does one eradicate the use of "like" in their speech? Actually, I am surprised the American people haven't noticed the vacuum of intellectual thought since the 14 contestants have been quarantined from the general public.
Actual quotes from the show:
"We all cheered 'Go Blue Team!' because we were like the blue team, you know."
also
Upon seeing her picture in the house, one contestant began to cry and said "it looks like there are bags under my eyes that aren't my own" Waa-Waa-Waa....
as well as
"And I immaculately conceived gonorrhea!!"
So, I have been a little under the weather this week and I took a sick day and left early two other days. This has given me a lot of time to sleep and catch up on channel-surfing. Channel surfing is something I used to do before Tivo, but it seems pointless these days. Anyway, with the extra time I was able to look around and I have discovered a delicious program: Man vs. Wild hosted by Bear Grylls. First off, his name is Bear. I think that is pretty hot. Second, he is hot. Third, he runs around in the woods, deserts, or other rough terrain which is also hot. You know what the best part is? Sometimes he gets wet in a really cold climate and according to Bear (yes, we're on a first name basis) the best thing to do is take off your clothes. The last episode I watched he took off his shirt and then did push-ups. Oh my. I really hadn't been running a fever...up until the point where his t-shirt came off. It almost makes me want to reconsider my first-waver theory so that I can survive the apocalypse and re-populate the earth with him and make little Bears...
If one is going to be transporting marijuana, xanax, adderoll, vicodin, and valium in your car (as Al Gore's son, AG III, was doing) then don't drive 100mph. Sometimes the police will pull your ass over.
Porn stars have spouses. I find myself on the eve of a holiday and no need to get up for work so I am watching a little late nigh HBO. They are featuring the Porn Movie Awards (kind of like the porn Oscars, if you will). And half the people - men and women - have thanked their husbands or wives. WTF? That just doesn't make sense to me. Why do they get married? Is it because they don't want to live in sin anymore?...um, ok. It is just bizarre to me. I guess I'm just a narrow minded prude. I mean why can't porn stars get married and have kids and create a whole porn dynasty? It sounds perfectly logical to me...and so American. Happy 4th of July, folks!
Tonight was really quite nice. We had an ice cream social at the library and it was a hit and it was fun! I really had a good time doling out the ice cream to all the people from little kids to older people. We even had some really polite children who were eager to clean up and help get everything put away. All in all, I have had a pretty stressful week and this was a nice way to spend an evening. It even felt like a summer day! All this crazy work at the library makes you forget about the lazy days of summer (because we don't have any). I used to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the summer and just vegging out and hanging out with my friends. Makes me a little nostalgic.
Being one of those people on myspace? You know who I'm talking about:
The guy that sends you a message with one of the following charming introductions:
Hey, baby! Just saw your pic and you look hawt! Dayum. Wanna be friends?
Um, no. Last time someone asked me to be friends we were in the second grade and it was because the sneaky bitch wanted to borrow my Derek doll - which was way hotter than the Ken doll. Plus, I value correct spelling.
What up, sweetie? I've been looking for some female company and you look like fun, check out my page if your interested!
I look like fun? Was it how I posed behind the ceramic frog that turned you on? And interested in what, might I add?
Hey! I think we have a lot in common, let me know what you think!
Upon further inspection, bachelor #3 listed his number one interest as "stacking dollars." There's not really much I can say to this.
I think I will pick out some random guy on myspace and send him a message with the following:
Wow! I thought you had to be a porn star to look that good! We should meet up sometime! I have no desire to see my friends and family again, so I decided soliciting someone online was a sure thing! Let me know what you think, lover.
In explanation of the title, I felt like my ship was off-kilter, but I have found my bearings. Some people are sh*tty and conniving and manipulative and generally so two-faced that there is nothing that other people will be able to do to change their ideas or opinions. It's all good, people. I gotta quit worrying about the things I can't control and just try to do what I know is best for me. Two wrongs don't make a right...it's cliche, but true.
Onto another topic...did you know that a porcupine baby is super cute and will come to you like a dog if you call its name? Me neither! I met a very cute baby porcupine named Dorie today and if they wouldn't cause me severe and lasting pain I would have one as a pet. Oh well.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, my weekend has been a little less than satisfactory. I can't really go into specifics, but suffice to say that someone is unhappy with me and I found out about it on Friday. Good times. Hopefully this situation will resolve itself. If it doesn't, trust me you will HEAR ALL ABOUT IT.
I'm going to be a bit alone this weekend and I am trying to decide what to do. I have been crazy busy the last three weekends (worked at the library, went to ATL, and my brother's wedding and associated hoopla) and you would think I would like to chill and do nothin', but that isn't the case. I never want to stay home when I don't have plans and when I do, I want to stay home (as I recall, I have discussed this before). Regardless, I am still at loose ends. I'm also feeling a bit unpopular as of late (also a topic I have already discussed here) and I am not sure what to do about it. I should probably try to hang out with some people I work with, but it's soooo hard to put on "fun Katie" and troop her out. I have to be "on." Making my usual jokes and charming people with my wit and clever repartee (ha.). It is amazing how most people don't really know you. You know what I mean, really know you. I can't tell you how surprised I am every time I realize someone is just as insecure as I am. I guess if I learned from life it wouldn't come as such a shock, but it is still fascinating. We spend so much time hiding that it is amazing that anyone gets to know anyone.
This post was brought to you by Jack Handy and his deep thoughts.
Here's the thing: our Summer Reading schedule is dependent on people showing up when they are scheduled and approximately on time. Often we call people and confirm the date and time they are expected. I did that today. I got a call from a certain someone after I called their business to confirm our event tomorrow. They assured me that they would NEVER schedule something for the day we had them scheduled. Well, I read them the email exchange confirming the date and time and after I said it would not be possible to reschedule, the person said "fine, I'll be there. I'm stupid for scheduling this, but I'll be there." After that, I was told that by being at the library it would have dire consequences for their business. At this point, I really didn't say anything and they just got pissed and hung up. HUNG UP, I tell you. Oh. No. You. Didn't. If this person thinks that this will make tomorrow an even more fabulous experience, they are mistaken. Is it my fault that someone didn't consult their day planner? Nope. I can't wait to meet my biggest fan tomorrow. Little sh*t.
Sometimes I can be such a sh*t. Really, over the course of this weekend, I was around a bunch of people that are generally nice and go along with things with a smile on their faces. You know what I heard all weekend? "Katie, try to smile for the picture!"; "Katie, you look bored"; "You look like you would rather be anywhere but here"; "Act like you like the people you're taking a picture with"
First off, I am not a "smiley" person. My face doesn't naturally go into a smile so when I look pissed-off it's just how I usually look. Sorry, but that's the truth. For those stupid emails that say it takes 236 muscles to frown and 3 to smile - I say this is FALSE. It takes no muscles for me to frown, it is my natural state.
I am smile inhibited. I can't help it. Sue me.
My brother's wedding was this weekend and I survived it. It was nice to see everyone and I think I looked pretty ok in my dress. I have to say I'm glad it's over and done with and now I gear up for the next one (which is in a little less than a month). Whew.
So, speculation is that Dale Jr. will be moving to Hendrick Motorsports. For those not in the know, this is like the Charlie Daniel's song "Devil Went Down to Georgia" and the devil actually wins the fiddle-off. He will be teammates with Jeff Gordon...and Jimmie Johnson. Two of my least favorite drivers. LEAST FAVORITE. I hate to admit it, but I'm crying a little. Just a little mist, but still tears of betrayal. Tears of disbelief. What has the world come to? I leave you a broken woman.
I have espoused several of my theories or ideas on life on this blog and I have decided to treat you to another pearl of wisdom:
If I ever get married, I'm living in a duplex. A very nice duplex, but a side-by-side dwelling nonetheless. I don't think men and women should live together on a full time, multi-year basis. Sure, some people can handle it, but I think that part of the reason people break up is because they are just tired of seeing the same person in their house day after day. This brings us to the compromise: two homes in one. Here's the plan: I'll live on one side (with Teddy, of course), and he (who shall-not-be-named as he has not been identified yet) will live on the other side with the kids. I am going to pick someone who's good with kids and cleaning and then we will live kind of together in marital bliss for years and years. I figure we can work out a system of signals. You know, one knock on the wall could signal that one of us would like to talk, another set of knocks could signal that one of us is in the mood...another set could signal when dinner is ready (that he will most likely be making). I think it is a perfect plan, personally. I am available for a more detailed analysis if you are considering this wise move.
Dave & Busters was awesome! I had a lot of fun and we won a lot of tickets. Sara and I were working as a team so we pooled our winnings and grabbed some crap from the 'Winner's Circle.' Originally we decided to pool our tickets so that we could get a couple of shot glasses or beer glasses, but they didn't have either of these items. We were forced to spend our 2,900 tickets on lovely, quality items such as: 1 metal Hello Kitty purse (kind of looks like a round lunch pail); 1 pink poodle purse (which is now named Fluffy); 1 wind-up cow that walks around (Jenny's souvenir) 1 guitar playing frog bank; and last, but certainly not least: a genuine Elvis Presley artifact! It is a framed picture of Elvis and a bit of film (with his picture on it). So the Winner's Circle did not turn out to be a total waste. Also, Sara managed to scam the other people we were with out of a teddy bear they got with their winnings - actually I asked them if she could have it as she seemed quite attached to it on the car ride home - you may refer to him as T.B. All in all, it was good fun and I shall be returning in the future.
I haven't had a day off in a while and I am quite looking forward to this weekend. I am not working for two days straight and it makes me very happy. The roomie and a couple of friends and I are leaving for ATL Saturday morning and we are supposed to be going to the zoo (I may not make it for some unknown stomach virus that I may be getting right as we get to town - I hate when that kind of bad luck happens!). After the afternoon at the zoo we are going to Dave & Busters. Have you been? I haven't, but I've heard its like an adult Chuck E. Cheese. I can't wait. I'll let you know how things go. Oh, and my brother's wedding is next Saturday. I can't express how excited I am.
Summer Reading is slowly sapping my brain cells. Our big event is tomorrow and it should be pretty exhausting. This job makes me realize that all the events I attended when I was a child were at the hands of some extremely hard working people. I am going to collapse tomorrow night and attempt to keep breathing...
My big day (night) at work is tomorrow and I am pretty nervous. I have truly given up on a decent night's sleep and have surrendered to the fact that I am just too keyed up to relax. Wish me luck!
At the grocery store the clerk asked me to show i.d. for my adult beverage purchase. The following is our charming exchange:
Store Clerk: May I see your license?
Me: Sure
SC: (upon inspecting said identification) Wow, you must be doing something right!
Me: Well, thank you (in that ducking-the-head kind of bashfulness)
SC: (after looking at license again) You don't look THAT old!
Really? THAT old? How old is that? I am 28. He acts like I just got out of my crypt and dragged myself over to the f*cking Winn-Dixie for a draught of ale. Damn. What a terrible way to end a compliment.
I try to avoid discussing politics because I have complicated feelings about a variety of issues that face us everyday. Today, after pondering the meaning of Memorial Day (which is tomorrow) I just have to be clear about a couple of things.
I believe that any person who has already, is currently, or will in the future serve in Iraq or another area that the government has deemed a threat should be profusely thanked. I would not want to go and I don't have the courage.
With that said, I do not support this war. I believe that we are only alienating more people and we are in a quagmire. Although 'quagmire' is a word that was often associated with Vietnam, I believe it is an apt description here. I am not one of those uneducated people that draws parallels between the conflict without any basis. My years studying Vietnam while in graduate school have given me enough insight to believe that there are similarities. No, they are not the same conflict, but I believe that the end will be the same:
We will continue to fight this fight because our leaders tell us we will 'win' and that 'failure is not an option,' but we will eventually withdraw from Iraq without a true conclusion. Perhaps we will leave this war to the Iraqis to fight and after they are not propped up by American troops, the country will fall into mass chaos with the Sunnis and Shi'tes scrabbling to gain the most power or some other far more extreme fringe group will seize control. We have aided in destroying much of the infrastructure of Iraq and it will take decades to rebuild. The resentment and negative public opinion felt towards the United States may be irreparable.
I won't mention this topic again. I just felt that I had to express my feelings. You may not agree with me (my father, brother and many other people don't), but I think it is important to have thoughtful discussions about the hard topics.
Happy Memorial Day and thanks to all of our armed forces here and abroad.
Do not rent, buy or even acknowledge the presence of the movie Because I Said So. It is a truly terrible movie of epic proportions. You're welcome.
My tags expired in February. I just put the new ones on today. It will be nice not having to look out for cops while driving. I have to admit having expired tags has made me a better driver.
I was driving behind a man today who deliberately ran over a squirrel. It was a startling act of cruelty.
I was on perezhilton.com and he had a clip from the Lisa 'left eye' Lopes's documentary, which includes the very moments before her death (I mean seconds). Someone is filming in the car and the video stops as the car is swerving. It is a strange feeling to seeing the moments before a person's death.
Work is going well and I believe that Summer Reading may not kill me after all. Maybe
I went home this weekend and saw Murphy for the first time in two months. I would not have imagined that such a short amount of time could produce such startlingly drastic changes. Murphy is much thinner and just quietly wanders around the house. He doesn't run to the door and bark anymore (which was one of his favorite activities). I remember all of the times that I yelled at him to shut up and now I just wish he would show some of his old spark. Getting old and sick is so sad. I just cried and cried after I picked him up and snuggled him. I don't think he will be around for the next time I am home (which is for my brother's wedding in four weeks). I'm going to take some pictures and post them online. He's not just a dog to me.
I have always had trouble getting to sleep. I am not one of those people that just hits the pillow and is off to dream land. I lay in the bed, night after night, for an interminable amount of time. Most everyone I know just pleasantly drifts off, but not me. I think about the things that happened during the day and I worry about stuff that is coming up at work. It doesn't really matter, I can always come up with something to fret about. I alternate between four hours of sleep and 10 hours. I'll have several bad nights and then crash on some of the other days. I need to figure out how to get a restful night - every night. I'll take suggestions...
Several months ago I posted about my Dad's dog, Murphy and his diagnosis of cancer. At first, it was easy to put it out of my mind and pretend that nothing was wrong with him. Unfortunately, my brother called on Saturday and told me that Murphy is blind. The vet says that the cancer has spread enough that it is compromising his optic nerve. It is undeniable proof that the cancer is moving rapidly. This poor, sweet, dog has lost his vision and I can't imagine how distressing it must be to him. No one can explain what is going on to him and I just want to hug him and carry him around the house so he doesn't have to be afraid. Dad says he stays really close to him in the bed - probably because he is unsure about where the edges are. He has also been bumping around the house trying to find his way. I am heading home this weekend and I know it will be quite upsetting. I don't think I am really ready to let go of the last tangible connection to my mom.
I am posting it here:
I put a profile up on Match.com (thanks for the encouragement, Sarah M.). I am putting it here so that I can't pretend I didn't do it. I will let you know what I find out. I tried to be really honest, so I imagine my matches will be...limited...
I feel like a winner...
Tonight, I drove through an ice cream place close to my apartment after dinner. Jenny was in the car with me and the lovely guy at the window remarked that there must be a lot of girls breaking up with their boyfriends. He then went on to philosophically note that "like twenty females have gotten ice cream tonight. On a Friday night. Did your boyfriend break up with you?"
um. No. Thanks for asking.
I'm not feeling too popular these days. I am a self-admitted homebody, but I do like to go out and hang with friends. Lately, I feel like I'm just not too much fun anymore. I mean, I guess that's the truth as people don't seem to want to ask me to do stuff. I guess I better get to like being a homebody even more.
Number 1. Nothing tops it.
Drunk Driving. Particularly Celebrity Drunk Driving. These people get their asses hauled all over Hollywood, but can't seem to find a driver when they're inebriated.
Lane Garrison (drunk and high - killed a high school student)
Ty Pennington
Paris Hilton
Nicole Richie (high on Lortabs and Pot)
Eve
Michelle Rodriquez
Tracy Morgan
Rip Torn (there is also a ridiculous video of his arrest on YouTube)
Mike Tyson (high on coke)
Jessica Smith (desperate chick on Laguna Beach)
Mel Gibson
David Hasselhoff (I know this comes as a shock after that crazy video)
Vivica A. Fox
Al Unser Jr. (indy driver)
A.J. Foyt (indy driver)
Gary Chapman (Christian singer)
Trey Anastasio (Phish)
Ray Liotta
Nick Carter
Gus Van Sant
George Michael
Haley Joel Osment
Taboo (Black Eyed Peas)
Brian Bonsall (little kid on Family Ties)
Cynthia Watros (Lost)
Tracey Gold
Zachery Ty Bryan (Home Improvement)
Glen Campbell
Wynonna Judd
Billie Joe Armstrong
Nick Nolte
Kim Delaney
Natasha Lyonne
Shannen Doherty
Andy Dick (drugs)
Jason Priestley
To name a few.
This was the date that Claire and I made a list of what we wanted to accomplish by the time we were 30. I am 28 and it has been almost 5 years since this list. There were fifteen items that I wanted to do. As of today, I have only managed to complete 7 of these goals. Some of them I am quite proud of, such as: having my Master's in History (I did not know that I was going to get a Master's in Library Science - so maybe I should count that as two?), having a job, and being close to my godchild. Unfortunately, I have failed to maintain my weight, have a significant relationship, and exercise three times a week (which is tied with maintaining my weight). I think I should set out on a new path to try and accomplish some of these goals.
I encourage everyone to make a list like this. It has been an interesting piece of paper to check periodically. You might want to set a different age goal, but I think it's something that I am glad I did.
Over the past several weeks I have had the 'pleasure' of seeing lots of pictures of myself. Yeah. Well, I could have lived for many more years without seeing this stuff. I love looking at pictures. Just not with me in them. It's really a Catch-22 because I want to be in the pictures, but just looking different. I generally try to avoid cameras at all costs. ALL COSTS. I haven't been happy with how I look in years. All these photos just help bring that home. Sadly enough...I just don't seem to want to do anything about it. Sh*t.
Two topics today, folks.
First: I like to think of myself as a loyal person. One that feels the hurt of other people and tries to support them when they've been wronged. How far does this go? This week, I've offered to never go back to one of my favorite restaurants. That's a big deal for me, but it is still a matter of being loyal. If I think there is a legitimate reason for how a friend feels about a certain person, place, or thing...I try to support them. Just a note.
Second: I am finishing up the second volume of an Elvis biography that I have been working on reading for the last several months. The total page count is a little under 1200 pages, but I am a fan and I want to know as much about The King as possible. It's a great read, but a little disillusioning. The author, Peter Guralnick, really explores EVERY aspect of his life and a lot of it is quite depressing. I knew he was a philanderer and super strung out on drugs, but it was much worse. And so very sad. I think I'm a little obsessed as this is my fifth Elvis bio in the last four months...and I have another one waiting in the wings. I will totally kick ass at my Elvis trivia game that I own and intend on making people play.
I went to see Disturbia (http://www.disturbia.com) and it was an awesome movie. Definitely a thriller and parts of it were pretty scary. I give it a pretty big thumbs up! On another note, Shia LeBeoff is a hottie! I don't usually go for the young'uns, but I have decided to make an exception. He looked quite cute in the movie and several recent pictures of him have not disappointed. I am providing a picture so you can enjoy him as much as I do!
I was innocently laying in my bed around 7:10 am (asleep) when I was so rudely awakened by the hippies playing guitar upstairs. Listen, people. I have been extremely patient with them as of yet. Their late night games of four square (yes, you heard me right), the constant sounds of stampeding elephants when they go up and down the stairs (it's not just me, Sara thinks they're loud too), burning incense on the back porch and letting it drop down to my porch...the list goes on. But when you disturb my sleep on a Friday morning, there is just not much else that will make me more mad. In addition to this lovely way of getting up, I had to spend the next 20 minutes taking my own picture. I have to submit a picture to the paper for some feature and had to have it in by 10 and Sara is at work so she couldn't take my picture. Do you know what is more attractive than me, in the morning, on maybe four hours of sleep? The correct answer would be ANYTHING OR ANYBODY). After choosing the least rough/scary looking picture I went ahead and sent it. Now I am sitting on my couch blogging while I hear ominous rumblings from Teddy's stomach. This either means he is hungry or he is having some sort of intestinal distress. Dear Lord, let it be hunger pains.
I saw Belle of Madison's pictures of her cat and it inspired me to tell you a recent Teddy story...
It was a couple of weeks ago (the same day I got my car stuck in the mud) and Sara was watching Teddy while I was out of town. Sara was working late and she asked a couple of mutual friends to come over and take the little prince for a walk. They walked him and played with him and he was fine. By the time Sara got home (in the middle of the night) Teddy had made an unfortunate discovery. For several months there has been a tin of mints on one of the side tables in the den. I'm not sure what possessed him, but Teddy finally pulled them off the table and consumed the majority of them. Not all that funny of a story, huh? Well, did I mention that the mints were in the shape of little penises (is that how you make that word plural)? They were a left over decoration from a bachelorette party and when Sara got home there were penis mints on the floor and Teddy was acting strange. Sara called the vet and told them that the dog had eaten "some" sugar free mints and was a little off. Apparently, whatever makes them sugar free makes dogs drunk and that was why he was acting weird (and he had to pee a lot). So my dog got wasted on a bunch of penis. He's had more action than I've had in a very long time....Don't worry, I am supporting his new lifestyle choice. This is an open and loving home. Even for gay dogs.
It seems to me that people generally have more faith in my abilities than I do. From what I can tell this is not all that unusual with regard to other people. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a f*ck-up. I try hard most of the time, but get nervous about what is expected of me, particularly at work. I am gearing up for the biggest events of the year and the success or failure will reflect on me. It goes well, I get accolades...or...it bombs, I am in serious trouble. This is on my mind EVERY DAY. Every day for months. I guess I just need to express my insecurity. Okay, that's enough for now.
My lower right eyelid has been twitching on and off for close to 24 hours. I was a little self conscious about it at work yesterday and kept thinking people could see it when I was talking to them. It is also just really annoying and I keep wondering when this sh*t is going to stop. AAAAHHHH!!
Why in every couple picture is the guy is on the left and the girl on the right? This is a thoroughly researched phenomenon. I looked all over myspace and saw this combination overwhelmingly....
Literally. I got stuck in the mud. At Jenny's parents' house. It took her dad, her little sister's boyfriend, and the next door neighbor to get my damn car out of the mud. I am a dumbass. If you looked at my car right now, it would look like I am a redneck who likes to go mudding. In a Honda Civic. All the guys were great to me and it reminded of one of the best things about being in a small Southern town. They were covered in mud and I didn't have speck on me. I thought my penance should be admitting it on blogger.
I got an email that was similar to what I am about to print, but I think some of us need a reminder.
No one in Nigeria, Iraq, North Korea, or other places around the world are going to give you money if you just send them a couple of grand to get the money out. There is no store of money with your name on it after helping such an honest person. This is a scam. Do not open these emails. Just delete
Bill Gates is not going to give you $249.56 for forwarding an email. If he was he wouldn't be a BILLIONAIRE. Unless you are applying to the Gates Foundation you will never see a penny of his money
You will not experience an ever increasing amount of bad luck if you don't forward a poem or chain email to people. Don't send me this sh*t or I will bring you some bad luck...
Basically, if there is some email, letter, phone call, or any other sort of communication that threatens you, promises you lots of money, or tries to get you to bother other people, then it's not true.
Okay, I feel better.
But in the past few weeks, this is what I have added to the roster:
Tori and Dean: Inn Love
Sons of Hollywood- These two shows give me my Spelling fix. I love reality shows...that's not new, but these two give you a unique experience of watching a story from two different sides at practically the same time (you know, the whole Tori out of the will, Randy on his mom's side - drama ensues thing...).
Intervention-This one isn't new. I have enjoyed watching all about these people struggling with addiction and their crazy families and the f-up things they do.
CBS Monday Nights
How I Met Your Mother
The Class
Two and a Half Men
The New Adventures of Old Christine
- I have discussed a couple of these before...I think. I love HIMYM because these people are pretty close to my age and Barney is HI-larious...'High Five'
- The Class is one of those shows that SUCKED when it first came on, but after dedication it turned out to be one pretty good program. The storylines came together, some of the characters are hot...John Ritter's son is pretty cute, and the cliffhanger endings to each episode keep me coming back.
Just felt you needed a wrap-up to my viewing habits. Has something new caught your eye?
Seen the latest post on www.dooce.com? If you haven't go there now and watch the mini movie she has posted. I laughed until I cried. If you need something to laugh at today, go now. You're welcome
I want to know who's buying Clamato. Products come and go along the grocery store aisle and this 'juice' remains. I am strangely intrigued. I'm not planning on trying it, but I can't say I haven't thought about it. I like tomatoes, but I don't particularly like clams so I don't think I would like it. On the other hand, I like raw oysters and cocktail sauce and that is a similar blend of flavors. Hmmm. Anyone willing to try it and report back? I did check out the website (www.clamato.com) and it seems that they are trying to market it as a delicious mixer for alcohol and I can get on board with that. Judgement officially on hold.
Why do we do it? Why do we do or say things that we do? For example, you walk up to an elevator and there are several people already there. You push the button. You know someone else has already pushed the button, but you just can't help yourself. You have to do it. You push the button or you really want to and restrain yourself. Why? I don't know, I think it is because there is a part of us that really thinks that if we touch the button it will actually make a difference; that we will somehow influence the speed at which the elevator will get to the desired floor. Another example of unexplainable human behavior is when we ask a question that we already know the answer to. I do it all the time. Someone asks me a question and I heard them, but I still say "what?" and then I ANSWER the question. They don't even have to repeat the question. Do I know why we do these things? No. But I'm not afraid to ask the hard questions.
The food looked fabulous, Jenny's house was immaculate, the champagne was chilled, and the presents were plentiful. All went well at the shower and it was a hit. I would give you the details, but you don't want to hear them. Let's move on to the after party...
There were jell-o shots, penis cake, battery operated boyfriends, outfits only the cheapest of hookers would wear (not actually worn, but given to the bride to be), and many, many, many drinks consumed. We started at Jenny's house (what a trooper! Shower and Bachelorette Party at her house in the same day!) toasted Claire, watched her open her presents, and generally celebrated "the penis" (that was what all the spoons, knives, cake and gifts were). We then moved the party to a local Mexican restaurant where I ordered the world's largest beer - I had them use the same glass they put their 64oz Margarita in. I had a nice little buzz going and the bride seemed to be feeling alright herself. Next on the trip was my apartment for a bathroom break and Peyton needed her inhaler (I dare you to provide a better example of us being old than that...) after this quick jaunt we headed to the Barking Kudu where Claire enjoyed a Blow-Job shot and many other drinks. From there we headed to another bar and it was after that that this party might have to head home. Not naming names, but a couple of us were no longer fit for public consumption, much less high heeled shoes. When you almost do a face-plant when standing still - it's time to head home. McDonald's fries, an oldies sing-along with the cabbie and some posing for pictures in the street (I mean on the street) capped off our evening. Good times had by all. I'm still tired.
For now I will link you to this, but I think it explains my current mood.
www.youarehere1.blogspot.com/2006/04/2-years.html
see you Wednesday.
(cut and paste if it isn't a hyperlink.
It started Friday morning and didn't quit until Sunday afternoon. I am more than a little tired. My colleague and I took some middle schoolers on a library tour before we opened so I had to be at the library an hour and a half earlier than usual and that was little rough. After we closed Peyton came to the work and took a look around and then the errands began...
Between 4:30 and 11:00 we visited the following places to get stuff for the shower and the bachelorette party:
Party City (cups, forks, 100 plastic shot glasses)
David's Bridal (my bridesmaid's dress was in so I had to pick it up)
Pier 1 (we looked at purchasing bar stools for Jenny's house, but she couldn't decide on which ones to get; Peyton bought greeting cards)
Spencer's (we looked around for naughty things for the bachelorette party but didn't buy anything)
Hallmark (gift bags, frames; Peyton bought more greeting cards)
Love Stuff (this was definitely something that was for the bachelorette party. There were many bad, bad, bad things there and I will never be old enough to go in this particular establishment despite what the law says. With that said we had a great time looking at all the bedroom accessories, but some of that stuff was just plain wrong, people.)
Western Supermarket (cheese, nine bottles of champagne, crackers, orange juice, pineapple juice, ginger ale, and beer)
Birmingham International Airport - where they go that is international is beyond me, but I digress - (we picked up the bride to be, Claire, and I almost ran over Jenny in a panic to keep moving in the "keep moving" lane. I hate airport rent-a-cops.
We came back to my apartment and visited, ate pizza, had a few beers, and went to sleep. It was good to have everyone around and just talking about old times. Teddy also had an exciting evening as there have rarely been that many people in our apartment since we moved in. I will continue this post tomorrow and fill you in on the actual shower and the debaucheress after party...
I'm feeling much calmer this morning and I thought I would share the good vibes. I am picking up a bridesmaids dress today. I was thinking I would just wear it to the shower on Saturday. Might as well get the most use out of it. I kid, I kid. I won't be wearing it to the shower...I don't want to have all the fun at once, ya know. This does bring up the dilemma about what one wears to various social occasions. Too dressy? Too casual? To slutty? To conservative? I generally don't recommend anything that may come under the heading "too slutty" to any sort of shower or church event - although, let's face it, I don't darken the door of church with any regularity. I tend to veer towards too casual because I am really into being comfortable. I probably wear tennis shoes to work at least three to four times a week. I skate on the very edge of looking appropriate for work. I do have to say that I work better when I am comfortable and I am not being distracted by pointy shoes or clothes that are too tight. I am wearing slacks and a sweater set to the shower this weekend. That's all I can manage. No dresses, no pointy shoes. Such a lady...
*this is a post that is meant to take the place of venting to the actual person*
-this is what I would like to say...verbatim
Listen you bitch, I am just about tired of the bullshit that I have had to listen to lately and I am wish you would just turn mute and sit there blinking at me and being f*cking silent. No one has died and made you the king, queen, czar, president, much less manager at Denny's so quit acting like you are so much better than other people. It may have seemed like a good idea to piss me off, but I have a feeling that you will find that that is a false idea. I can be polite and pleasant when I want to be. In that same vein I can also be a heinous bitch that would make you severely unhappy. I have decided that I am not going to be nice anymore. This will impact your life in the following ways:
- I will no longer hold back the sarcastic remarks I have been stifling for what seems like 20 years.
- I will no longer pretend that I give a care about anything about you because you certainly don't return the favor.
- I am not going to inconvenience myself in any way. If it will make you less comfortable then I will do it.
- I will enjoy all of this...endlessly
Okay. I feel better. I will probably not be mad anymore after weeks or months. Thanks for being an outlet.
*If you have ever been in a customer service oriented profession, you will understand this post*
Have you ever been waiting in line or just happened to overhear an unhappy person arguing with an employee before? Of course you have. At some point in time it was probably you. Sometimes it is understandable when you aren't receiving adequate service, but sometimes it just isn't. I witnessed a woman argue with someone for over 15 minutes about something that the employee couldn't honestly help. He tried to be kind and patient, but she just couldn't let it go. She kept him engaged in this disagreement while a line of people formed (who also wanted service, but she didn't care). What people like this don't seem to notice is that they come off as the ass, not the person their arguing with. What exactly does this accomplish? Did she walk out of there feeling satisfied with herself? Did she accomplish anything? The answers are Nothing, no, and no. All it did was probably raise her blood pressure and put her at an increased risk of being a tool and having a stroke. Next time I find myself in this type of situation I am just going to: (say it with me now) Let. It. Go.
This weekend I am throwing a shower for one of my best friends. This is a collaborative event and three of my closest friends are also hosting this social extravaganza. I have tried to do a good job and everyone else has been enthusiastic and it should be a great party. Have I been looking forward to it? At first, not so much. I was too worried that I wouldn't do it right and everyone would be disappointed in me and the results. It finally dawned on me that this coming weekend is a good thing. It will be the last (if not first and last) time that most of my girlfriends from highschool/college will be together as just us girls. Several of us live in different states and getting together is an effort (well worth it) that requires plane tickets, rental cars, time off from work or school. I guess I just wanted to blog about how grateful I am that this weekend is happening and we should get in some fun and rare bonding time. Girly - yes. Worth it - yes.
Last night we went out for Jenny's birthday. We went to an awesome restaurant and followed it up with a visit to a neighborhood bar. All in all, it was a pretty good time. This afternoon we visited a local sports bar and enjoyed some cheese fries and a few drinks to fight any lingering hangovers. It sounds pretty good, right? Not so, people, not so. Our server at the sports bar decided that we looked so hot that he had to sit down AT our table and talk with us for TWENTY MINUTES. We were almost done with our dinner when he finally got up from the table and released us from the hell that was our experience with the overly friendly waiter. While he sat with us and asked us "so, what do you ladies do for a living?" and "I'm a Jeff Gordon fan" his friend (another waiter) came up and started talking about how he was going to apply to nursing school because he found out that most of his tuition would be paid because he is bi-polar and that falls under some disability act. Seriously, he just came up and started talking about being crazy! I think we must have traveled through some time warp and ended up on the bizarre side. Finally, we got out of there and stopped by the grocery store, where the "bag boy (for lack of a better term)" started randomly talking about something I mentioned to Jenny in passing. And he just talked and talked and talked and then laughed at his own jokes and did a little snorting. It was clearly time to go home and I have been holed up here for the last several hours. Hopefully, it will be safe to leave the apartment tomorrow.
Communication, people. It's all about communication. We are lazy people. We are so lazy that when someone emails us, we don't write back EVEN THOUGH it is simply a matter of clicking on the reply button and typing a few words. You don't EVEN have to put the address in the email. It is automatically done for you. I am not speaking of personal emails, so anyone reading should know that I am not speaking of my friends. I am talking about several emails I have sent at work for professional reasons and people have not responded. People who are public figures and allegedly serve the community. I am so irritated right now I feel like calling them up and asking them why they are such ASSES. All I need is a yes or no. I'm not going to be mad at the answer, but I want an answer. An acknowledgement that I have sent you a message and you have you used your (however limited) ability to read. This experience has made me realize that I need to respond to all emails that require responses as a matter of courtesy. Take this as a public service announcement and keep up with your electronic correspondence.
I am blogging from my own computer. On my couch. Watching Tivo. Life is officially good. Big shout out to the Geek Squad for fixing my clunker of a laptop. I will be back in contact and blogging regularly from now on. Let me think of a topic and I will get back to ya.
That is what must have caused me to say I would work today at 7:30 am at the gym I used to work at before my library job. Considering the time changed it was like getting up at 5:45 this morning. Surprisingly enough I was not too tired even though I had about three hours sleep. I was up so late because I am reading this AWESOME book and I think everyone else should visit their local library or book store and get a copy IMMEDIATELY! What is this book, you ask? It is Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Generally, I don't like thrillers, but this book is the exception and I am telling everyone I know about it. Go on Amazon and read the reviews if you don't believe me.
On to another topic (as I don't blog much, it is important that I jam as much into one post as possible)...I would like to discuss weddings. As I have mentioned before, I don't have the wedding "gene." I am totally lost when it comes to planning showers, teas, invitations, food, gifts, and anything else that might be included under the heading of weddings. If I could wear flip flops and some sort of t-shirt and jeans to all the events I might be able to get on board, but that is just not happening. The wedding season is approaching and I will be attending parties for several months to come (and hosting one) and I am just a bit panicked. Other people seem to know what to do and what etiquette to follow, but I am clueless. I don't know what sorts of foods to serve if it is a daytime shower or a night time shower (and why do they call it a shower anyways?). Thank God for registries or everyone I know would be getting a half case of beer and a gift certificate to Target. Am I alone here? Do other people find all of this baffling or do you just love them and wish it would be wedding season all year round?
I know, I know, its been forever...Still no computer (right now I am using the computer at my roomies parent's house). Things are going okay for me, nothing really big right now. The same can't be said for the rest of the world, eh? I can't believe I missed my chance to blog about Anna Nicole's untimely passing and the media circus and the fun new game show "Who's My Daddy." And what about Britney's breakdown and subsequent AWESOME haircut? Talk about minimalist... Also her revolving entrance and exit to rehab. She and Lindsay Lohan make rehab look like a quick mart. Come when you want, leave when you want, and get out after a couple of days - POOF! Your healed! It is not a good sign when Kevin Federline starts coming off as the "rational" one. Could the apocalypse truly be upon us? I have really missed blogging so I will try and set aside some time at lunch every couple of days and blog from a public access computer (I work in a library so you think I would avail myself of one of our services). Talk to you soon!
My computer has decided to die a slow and painful death (slow for it, painful for me). That is the reason I have not posted. I am trying to avoid checking the blog at work as they monitor what sites we go to. I will post when I can and the reason I am right now is my friend brought his computer over to the apartment. So I will leave you with the question "what kind of computer would you get if you got the BSOD (blue screen of death).
