Knowing what you're worth

So, as I have mentioned before I have a new job. This new job didn't become official until Friday, but the part I am quite proud of is how I handled the income aspect. A few days earlier my boss told me what the salary was going to be (I received a bump when I took the temporary position) and I will admit I thought it would be a little more. I had a night to mull it over before we talked about it seriously and when I met with her the next day I asked for more money. The Katie from 6 months ago would never have done that, but I wanted to be true to myself so we negotiated for more money. I have to admit I am quite proud of myself. I feel like am more self assured when it comes to my career and that is good. It makes it easier to be decisive and to have people respect you. I never thought I would be like this, but I'm glad I am!

2009 - busy,busy,busy

So, the year has already been busy...as you can tell from the title. I have been settling in with the new job and trying to be a good and fair boss. I have also tried putting myself out there in terms of dating and I actually went on a date last week. This is the point where I would like to tell you we hit it off, but then I would have to worry about growing a nose the size of pinochio's... Let's just say it was interesting and will make a good story for years to come. I am not off the dating wagon, but I need a little time to regroup and plan my future strategy. I guess the most exciting thing that has entered my life in recent weeks is the iPod touch which I am currently posting from. It is so sweet. Loving it - you have to get one!! Alright so it is a quick post, but I wanted to drop by and say 'hey.' So, 'hey'. :)

Back in the 'Ham

I came home today. I decided to go ahead and get back to the apartment and not put it off. Last year I kept putting it off and spent several extra days at home because I was trying to avoid work. Not this year, I like my job more and life seems to be a little more enjoyable. It's late, but it is officially New Year's Eve and it makes me look back at 2008. Let's see...this is what happened over the course of the year...

I went through three coworkers and that was a bit challenging.

I also experienced a time when I thought I would leave my job and look for something else

I seriously thought about moving - particularly around the time I wanted to leave my job

I turned 30

I survived a family vacation

I got a new job

I made some positive changes in my personal life

I made some new friends

All in all, 2008 was good for me. I know it wasn't for everyone, but I am trying to be happy for myself. I wish everyone an awesome 2009!

Awww...

Thanks for the welcome back! Glad to see some people like to hear what's up with me. SGM - you are right, my enthusiasm was a little lacking. I think it is because I am still on vacay and thinking about being more motivated and focused isn't where I am right now. I do have to say that I have discovered a new addiction to add to my lack of motivation:

Wii. Seriously, I have played more Wii in the past three days than I have in total since they came out. I gave one to my brother and sister-in-law for Christmas and now I am totally envious. I was at Ashley's house earlier and we played a little guitar hero (Ashley, you just need to be more patient and not give up mid song!). I also did a little Wii bowling earlier this evening at my bro's house. The roommie has discussed getting one and I am all over that. So much fun!! I actually broke a sweat boxing the sister-in-law.

Thoughts on Wiis?

Goodness, it's been a while

Hello all (I am, of course, referring to that one person who is actually reading this out there), as you may have noticed I haven't been very diligent about ye ole blog. I guess I've just been busy. I miss it, though. Life is pretty much the same. I have been adjusting to the new job and feeling a little more grown up. Now I need to get all my other ducks in a row. I am seriously thinking about looking for a more permanent residence (a little tired of apartment living - although I love the roommie). This will require more financial planning, which makes my financial planner a good investment. I also need to get a handle on the whole health thing and try to be more conscious of what goes in my body. Lastly, the same old same old - see what's going on in the relationship with a male department. I'll let you know if I make progress.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!!

Because I thought it was funny

I really am going to try and be better about blogging. I believe my computer may be healed soon.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10357/saturday-night-live-geico-insurance

I posted it on facebook as well, so if you watched it there it's the same thing...

Here's the Story....

Alright, so I said that there were major changes in the works. Let me review:

In the past month or so, I have...

Been to Las Vegas, Boca Raton, Miami, and Nashville

Someone that I know who I am quite fond of has been diagnosed with cancer. He is currently receiving treatment and I hope that you pray for him

I am probably being promoted at my job. Perhaps temporarily or it could be permanent. There will definitely be a probationary period, but it would mean I would be the boss for at least 3 months. Like the boss boss.

Vegas was awesome. The Beatles show was great and if you ever have a chance you should go.

Florida with the family was challenging. Spending that much time with family is always challenging. I did come home with a killer tan.

I am currently in Nashville for a work conference.

Life is exciting. I will probably post more tomorrow. Thanks for sticking with me

4 Days Shy of a Month

The computer is broken again.

So much has happened.

Lives are in the balance (seriously)

Life changes are happening (seriously)

Stay tuned

Down to the wire

So 30 is literally right around the corner. I will turn the big 3-0 in five days. It doesn't feel like I have been on this earth for 30 years. That is a really long time. I was born when the Bee-Gees were popular. I am old enough to remember the Challenger exlposion. People tight rolled their jeans when I was in grade school. Just writing this makes me feel quite ancient. Strangely, someone asked me if I was going to turn over a new leaf for my birthday. What? Why? New leaf? I guess. I'm not crazy about the current side of my leaf, but I am certainly not planning on turning a leaf while I'm in Vegas. I imagine that my leaf from Las Vegas is going to look a little worse for wear. It's not a great birthday until you shave off a few future birthdays.

A Question for the masses

Hey folks. I have an interesting query that I heard today from an aquaintence. So, this person recently had "relations" with a guy and it turns out he was packing...if you get what I mean. So she thinks that she may have bruised her lady parts during their act (specifically the cervix?). I think that's what she thinks it is. So here's the question (actually questions):

A. has this ever happened to you?
B. Will it build up some sort of callous?
C. Could this cause some sort of medical problem?

I will have you know that B. is something she really wanted to know. I have never really had this experience so I thought I would open it up to the world wide web.

Thoughts? Anyone? Anyone?

A word about the previous post

Here's the thing. A dear friend was wrongfully fired...via voicemail from this establishment. I am not going to get into particulars, but the whole thing angers me to no end. Here's something you should know about me. I take it very personally when people mess with my friends. I love them and they deserve the best. With this in mind, I am cannot frequent a business that has so clearly lost it's path. Also, just in case you are of a skeptical nature, it truly was a firing that was not warranted. I was a witness to a lot of what led up to it. Some people choose to be cowards in their everyday life. This is one of those times. I do believe in karma and that's what comforts me about the situation. The friend will land on her feet. Oh, and I quit, too.

FYI

Don't eat at Fire Restaurant in Birmingham, AL. If you want more info, feel free to email me or post a comment with your email and I will enlighten you.

If you are...

Going to have a vanity license plate then it should make sense. I was behind a truck the other day and it was a University of Alabama tag and the letters were "RBLKWD"

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? I just don't know.

Note to Self

It turns out that cats do NOT enjoy wearing a dog collar just below their front paws and put on a leash. Apparently, when you do this they will jump around like a show-monkey. It also turns out that you might laugh so hard you have an aneurysm.

Vegas, Baby

I am leaving for Las Vegas on October 2nd. My companion for this trip is the roommie, Sara. For those of you who have provided me excuses for why you can't go to on the birthday extravaganza...then I provide Exibit A. I have lots of plans for my three nights and four days and I can't wait. I am definitely going to see The Thunder From Down Under and the restaurant Bouchon. Other than that, things are pretty much in the air!!

I would like to say

That I had a much improved day. I would like to say that. Unfortunately, it turns out that today was not better. On my way to work, my car was making a strange noise but I ignored it and it went away. About ten minutes later, I much louder noise and the car started driving funny and I realized that I had a flat tire. Luckily, I wasn't very far from a large parking lot. I called AAA and they came out and had me back on the road in less than an hour. My day before was such crap, this whole thing didn't really phase me. Of course, my philosophical point of view changed once I realized that after buying two new tires (apparently, another one was pretty worn down) I was going to be out $353. I'll admit that I had a little pity party and cried for a couple of minutes in the car on the way back to work. After getting myself under control - after all - as a particularly compassionate person told me yesterday "crying doesn't fix anything."

Ironically enough, while I was driving to work, before the tire went, I was singing along to the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want"

I'm about to have an old person moment

the picture has nothing to do with this, but I looked up "angry muppets" and this is something I found and it made me laugh. I need a laugh

Although I consider myself fairly young...I am about to have one of "those kids today" rants.

Surprisingly this "story" could be about someone that is several years older than I am...but here it is...

(the following should be read with a sarcastic tone - just a suggestion)
Let's say (hypothetically) that someone you depend on at work or at home or childcare or something similar up an disappeared. Not the scary kind of disappear, but the "peace out, see ya!" kind of way. Let's say this person didn't give you any personal notice. Perhaps they informed you via a letter, or email, or text message. Definitely something that didn't require any kind of human interaction. Let's say that there was no notice. No two weeks, no day, no hour notice. Okay, keep up with me here...Let's say that said person left because she wanted to join up with a campaign of sorts. Maybe political. Maybe not. And that's it. No sorry, no I hate that this may inconvenience you in a major way. Just I'm leaving, I've decided to do this. I've already left.

I imagine that the person this happened to would be really irritated. Maybe even mad. I don't know. I would certainly hate to be that person.

You gotta know when to fold 'em

We are certainly watching the news about the hurricane down here. All my family, with the exception of my dad and brother, live in Louisiana. They rebuilt after Katrina, but they left before the storm. I just read this article on cnn.com and it frustrates me. First off, the title is inaccurate. They can leave, they just choose not to. There are plenty of free ways to get out of the city. The guy who is a busboy? Um, I might be naive, but this is not exactly a New Orleans only job. The woman who doesn't want to sit in her car with her dogs is just ridiculous. How is she going to feel if her home is flooded and she can't keep them safe? My family is out and north and I hope these people make the wise decision to get out as well.

FYI

I bought tomatoes this morning from the farmer's market and they are the most beautiful, delicious, economical tomatoes that I have ever had. To accompany the fresh produce, I baked some bacon. Yes, baked. If you haven't done this then I suggest you do so. You lay it out on a cookie sheet and bake it for 15-20 min. at 400 degrees. It is just as crispy as traditionally cooked bacon without all the mess and risk of injury (from burning yourself from splatters). A little Dukes mayo, tomatoes and bacon and you have yourself THE perfect sandwich. Oh, and add a little salt and pepper. MMMMMMMMMMMMMM-mmmmmmmmm.

Financial Planning

How Depressing. It seems like the more I make the more I spend. Actually, it doesn't "seem" that way, it is that way. I just need to take my head out of the sand and do the things I need to do to make sure that I'm not living in a Kenmore box when I retire.