Mama needs some beads

Last night was a blast. I went with a couple older friends of mine to the Irish restaraunt for Patty's day. The place was packed, the band was great, and the people were the weirdest mix I've seen in one place. I recognized teachers from my high school, professors from my university, local cops, business owners, and the requisite college students. Most people were enjoying themselves and then there were these few little groups of debbie downers. It was really weird. They were mostly older women and they sat in little huddles. They didn't eat or drink anything and they didn't even take their coats off. It was the mystery of the night.

The highlight was when we first got there. As we were weaving through the bar trying to get to the tent, one of the women I was with got approached by a guy dressed as a leprechaun. He just looked her in the eye and said " Mama needs some beads", and held out some green mardi gras beads. She looked over at me horrified. I turned to the guy and told him that she definitely did, as did the rest of us. After he walked away, she was so relieved she didn't have to flash anybody. The rest of the night was great, mostly. I got to introduce the ladies to the Dirty Girlscout shot...it ended up being a whole troop of them. There was good food, good music, good dancing. And then a really weird guy showed up. My friend kept telling me that he was trying to get my attention and he finally came over to get me to dance. He seemed a little too drunk so I really didn't want to but my friend pushed me out there anyways. He proceeded to tell me he was a naugahyde salesman and only in town for two more days and he wanted to spend more time with me. Barf. After I told him to cut the bullshit, he said he was actually a personal trainer but was still moving away in two days. Between the corny lines, him dancing a little too close for comfort, and he kept giving his friend fist pounds on the dancefloor, I got out of there pretty quick. I swore to my friend I would get even.
After that low point of the evening, things were good. I ended up babysitting the other friend. I determined she is the biggest lightweight I have ever met. I'm sure she's hurting this morning.
Near the end of the night, another guy walked up to me and asked if I could do him a favor. Ever skeptical, I asked what kind of favor. He pointed out his friend and told me it was his birthday and would I go tell him happy birthday, it would really make his night. I figured what the hell and walked over. I tapped him on the shoulder and when he turned around I recognized him as a client from my store (specifically, a client who had once asked my boss while I was in the back room whether or not I was married...to which my boss replied 'no, but you are!'). I figured what the hell and said "Hi! Happy birthday Jim!". His friends eyes got big and he turned to me, "He wasn't lying! He said he knew you and I didn't believe him!" After finding out it wasnt really his birthday, I was just settling a bet, we had a couple laughs. I noticed the friend I was babysitting was starting to spiral so we called it a night.
I ended up with a few strings of beads, a couple tshirts, and a sore leg from stomping it all night. I couldn't ask for a better Patty's day. Okay, maybe next year we skip the naugahyde salesman...

Kiss me, I'm Irish

Actually, I don't know you very well so I'll settle for a hug.

Today is my holiday. I'm Irish, redheaded, and even wearing green. In past years, this has been the holiday to break all holidays. A few years ago, it fell a couple days before I got married and it happened to turn into some sort of bachelor/ette St. Patty's day hoopla. Last year, I happened to be dating a redheaded Irish guy and I think we were the hit of all the bars. This year, I've decided to take it easy. I'm going to a local Irish restaraunt to hear an Irish band. I will drink Irish beer and eat Irish food. I'm going with a friend and she is on a mission to find me a new Irish guy. It should be fun. If you're doing anything that celebrates the motherland, I'd love to hear about it! There's always new ideas needed for next year...

Happy St. Patrick's day!

Bliss

Tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM I am handing in my project and bidding adieu to my classes for a jolly week. Granted, I'm working full time over the break but sometimes its good to just work and not have to worry about grades and deadlines. In honor of having a week off from coherent thought, I give you...bullets!

- I just spent the last hour talking with an older guy about all sorts of things. Because he found out who my dad and brother are. I don't know if this happens outside of smaller communities but if people find out who you're related to, you have something in common and can talk forever. I'm not complaining. He was a nice guy and I like hearing stories about my dad and brother. Muahahaha.

- My aforementioned project is on a designer from the turn of the century. Outwardly, he was very devout religiously and strict regarding his design. Inwardly, he was a freak. FREAK. I had to design a book about him. It's really hard to write about someone in glowing terms when you know he's a pedophile and he knows his pets (in the biblical sense). It's me we're talking about though, so those things got a page, against my instructors wishes. I'm just glad I'm done with it so I can quit having to do research. Ick.

- A friend of mine mentioned training for a race. It sounded like a good idea at the time but then I looked it up and its a 20K. As in Kilometers. As in, I don't have an inhaler that will last that long. It's at the end of May. If I think positive, I might be able to do it. Did I mention, I'm not a runner?!

- Today it was 56 degrees out (suck it, Dariush! HA!). I drove around town with the windows down and even took my coat off. As is typical in Iowa, I saw people wearing shorts and tshirts. I don't even wear shorts in the summer but whatev.

- This weekend, I have nothing to do (with the exception of weeks upon weeks of laundry but that isn't considered work really). I'm too excited to do nothing, you have no idea. NOTHING. ahhhhhhh...

Living the stereotype since 1992

Since coming back to school, most of my classes have been in the design building on college. I don't know if your school had one but it's the building with the strange architecture, walls covered in whatever reviews are going on that week, and its chocked full of the stereotype. The architects are wearing turtlenecks and thick plastic glasses. The interior designers are groups of sorority girls talking about fabric samples. The graphic designers are glued to their laptops sans umbilical cord. And the ones studying to be practicing artists are dressed in a strange eclectic fashion with an aura of unwashed angst.
I catch myself sometimes considering the eccentrics with a wide-eyed stare. There is one girl in particular that shows up in the most odd clothing. She came dressed as cleopatra once...in November. She wears hats that she makes to resemble cartoon animals. It is perpetually a surprise. I always catch myself wondering if she does it because she wants to or because she thinks its what artists should do. I wonder if she's been dressing like this forever or if it started with becoming immersed in an art environment.
I've been dressing like an art nerd for as long as I can remember. My mother criticized me frequently for only wearing black. I've expanded a little but my closet is still dominated by black, gray, and other dark colors. It's what I'm most comfortable in. I realize that I've grown up in the stereotype that I would one day be. Even as I type, I'm sitting in the design building, coffee cup in hand, dressed in black, wearing dark-framed glasses (and looking moody, I'm sure). It has never occurred to me to dress any differently to go against the stereotype. I guess maybe Hat-girl is the same way. She grew up quirky and it has never occurred to her to do anything differently. I wonder if the world is the same outside of the design building...do people grow up in the stereotypes or do they break out?

On opposite ends of the intelligence spectrum

I spent most of the weekend writing papers and doing projects...while watching E! So help me god if the Kardashians or The Soup influenced anything I did.

Paranoia

I'm trying not to jinx myself. I haven't been sick for awhile. By 'awhile' I mean since the first week of classes. Like, in January. That's a long time for me. Recently, everyone I know has been coming down with some form of ick. Family, friends, professors, everyone. My university sent out a mass email warning about the mad spread of flu as well as the appearance of walking pneumonia. I sit in my lecture of 400 people and it is a nonstop cacaphony of coughing and noseblowing. It gets to the point where I can smell the sick. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. It's disgusting.
At any rate, I have yet to come down with anything. I've been taking my vitamins, trying to get enough sleep (trying being the operative word), and attempting to consume plenty of fluids (is beer a fluid?). So far, I've managed to stay healthy. It's a record, as far as I'm concerned. Although, in the back of my mind I keep thinking that its definitely going to hit in two weeks...during spring break. Maybe my Irish luck will keep it away long enough to relish St.Patty's.

Here in the states, that's what we call "asking for it".

In one of my classes there's a girl I just don't mesh well with (I shall call her Perude). We have a mutual friend in the sweetest girl in the world (I shall call her Sunshine). Sunshine is one of those perpetually nice, giggles in the face of adversity, occasionally clumsy and daft but you can't help but like her kind of people. I've come to the conclusion that Perude hangs out with Sunshine because she's the only one that will put up with her behavior. Perude looks down her nose at other people...she thinks if you don't wear designer clothing you're less of a person, she perpetually points out to her classmates that she's "smarter than most Americans", and if you have to work through school you're too poor and shouldn't even bother. Now, after that statement, let's take a brief glimpse at me...I show up to class in hoodies, jeans, and stocking caps. Uh, I'm an American and I think a pretty smart one. Oh, and I work through school.
I'm perpetually biting my tongue around this girl because Sunshine is very tenderhearted and she really wants everyone to get along. I've told her I just don't agree with Perude's behavior and I'll try to be civil for Sunshine's sake.

I agreed to be civil. Not to let the perfect moment go by.

We had small group critiques in studio yesterday. It was me, Perude, and the instructor. Perude showed the instructor her work, the cover of which she had "spent hours handpainting" words that were descriptors of the artist she was writing about. The instructor made a little joke about how he hoped they were all spelled right to which Perude replied that she was certain they were because her spelling is "better than American's". I started looking through and couldn't help it when I saw "arogant". I pointed it out and she said "No, there's only one 'r', I'm certain". The instructor just laughed and told her she was wrong. Then I pointed out 'entrepreneuor', 'confiddent', and 'inovative'. She looked to the instructor for help and he told her she was still wrong. She then had the 'arogance' to say she still has better spelling than Americans. I just looked at her and said, "well, not this American" and laughed. I even managed to get a giggle out of the instructor.

Life has its good moments...

my second attempt at wasting time, uh I mean posting today

Kapgar Kwiz
Shamelessly stolen from mom's blog via her buddy Kapgar.
1. Do you like blue cheese? Mmm, only on a steak
2. Have you ever smoked heroin? Whoa, no way.
3. Do you own a gun? Uh, no.
4. What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic? Never been to Sonic.
5. Do you get nervous before doctor's appointments? Only the unpleasant ones.
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I love them at baseball games, covered in everything you can put on em. Or the superdogs from the cart out by the bars.
7. Favorite Christmas song? That's tough, I can't pick just one.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee with a coffee chaser.
9. Can you do push ups? I can but they're pretty pathetic.
10. What do you order at Starbucks? I don't buy anything at Starbucks. I try to support the local joints.
11. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? Does a watch count? Otherwise its my nosering (sorry dad)
12. Favorite hobby? I don't think I really have one, the more I think about it. I exercise and do art but I don't think of either as a hobby, they're more necessities.
13. How do you eat your eggs? Usually scrambled with salsa but I also like 'em fried on top of pancakes. tasty.
14. Do you have A.D.D.? I've wondered if I do but I think I'm just overanalyzing.
15. What’s one trait you hate about yourself? Overanalyzing? Ha...no, I don't really think I HATE anything.
16. Your eye color? It changes...sometimes it matches my hair and sometimes its more hazel.
17. Name three thoughts at this exact moment? I wonder if the instructor knows I'm not working on my project? Maybe I should go zap my coffee. That girl on the end is really starting to annoy me with her arrogance.
18. Name three things you bought yesterday? Coffee (how many times can I mention coffee in one post?). A pastry. An 11 x 17 color copy.
19. Three drinks you regularly drink? Coffee. Mountain Dew. Water.
20. Current worry right now? How am I going to get my car back and get my mom's back to her?
21. Current hate right now? Uh, I don't think I really hate anything. Mom's right, it's a hefty word.
22. Favorite place to be? In bed.
23. How did you bring in the New Years?Watching a "Lost" marathon with my mom at her house.
24. Where would you like to go? A nice warm beach...maybe Hawaii.
25. Name three people who will complete this? I don't know if I even have three people who read my blog regularly, ha.
26. Do you own slippers? Of course. A fuzzy pink pair and a fuzzy blue pair.
27. What shirt are you wearing?A gray tank top and a zip up fleece thing.
28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?Nooooo, I hate static electricity.
29. Can you whistle? Yeah, I guess.
30. Favorite color? Dark red
31. Would you be a pirate? Sure, why not. I wear bandanas alot anyways. I'm just an eyepatch away.
32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Girly songs from musicals...I guess girly songs in general.
33. Favorite girl’s name? Alaina (if by some quirk I ever have a kid...)
34. Favorite boy’s name?Jack or Joe
35. What’s in your pocket right now? Lint.
36. Last thing that made you laugh? I almost biffed it on the sidewalk in front of someone this morning. I had to laugh at myself.
37. Most frequently dialed phone number? Uh, I used 11 minutes on my cell phone last month. I don't use phones.
38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? I sprained an ankle playing basketball a few years ago. I try to be careful with myself.
39. Do you love where you live? Uh, with the exception of winter, its not too bad.
40. How many TVs do you have? One...
41. Who is your loudest friend? My sister. She's kinda quiet until she laughs. Then she's the loudest person I know.
42. How many dogs do you have? One...
43. What are you thrilled about right now? Thrilled? Its early, I don't even think about thrilled until after noon.
44. Do you have a crush on someone? Hm. No. It's kinda sad, now that I think about it. (Top Chef is coming back though, so does Chef Tom count?)
45. What is your favorite book? The Time Travelers Wife.
46. What is your favorite candy? Hm, I don't think I have one.
47. Favorite Sports Team? The local college team, I guess. I cheer for them, even though they've been a letdown as long as I can remember.
48. What song do you want played at your funeral? The chicken dance. (hell if I know, gah)
49. What were you doing at 12 AM last night?Sleeping.
50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? I just want 10 more minutes...

a weekend off

I did nothing this weekend. You heard me, nothing. I decided that I needed it. I slapped together a page layout for this morning and it appears it was enough to appease the graphic design deities. Saturday, I worked in the morning (it doesn't count as work, really.) and then went out of town with friends. We goofed around, had some tasty mexican food and just relaxed. I came back late that night and then slept the entire day on Sunday. Okay, I woke up for about 5 hours so I could watch Millionaire Matchmaker reruns. Oh, and I suppose I technically was up and around since I left the house for coffee and to print off my page layout. But really, I counted it up and I slept from 2 AM on Saturday night until 6 AM this morning with only about 7 hours of functioning. Now, a part of me thinks I should feel somewhat guilty but the other part is saying who cares. Most of the university is getting sick with the flu and if I can take a couple days off to enjoy myself, I'll consider it a method of prevention. Everyone needs a jammie day, er, weekend...

noting that the blinders are on too tight

The other day at the gym, I worked out on the elliptical thingy for about 40 minutes and then went and lifted weights. I had brought along Chipmunk but we parted ways in the locker room. After working out, she walked up to me on one of the machines. When I asked her where she'd been the whole time she looked at me like I was crazy. She had been on the machines right next to me pretty much the whole time. I chalked it up to being 'in the zone'.
Tonight at dinner, the same thing happened. I was eating with friends and after dinner, I got up to get my coat and someone yelled my name. I looked at the table next to us and it was some old friends that had been waving and trying to get my attention at dinner the whole time. Apparently, a couple of the friends I was eating with even noticed but they just thought they were waving at someone else.
Now, I'll admit, I don't like being in large groups of people or crowds and usually as a coping mechanism I just tune everything out. But I usually don't when I'm in a managable setting, I'm usually people watching. My only explanation is the full moon. And maybe the batman mask I've been wearing. Yeah, lets stick with the full moon.

Slowly murdering braincells...

That Millionaire Matchmaker show on Bravo is making me question the sanity of all West Coasters. Or maybe just the rich ones and the gold-diggers that are trying to snag them.

and yet I'm still watching...bastards.

keep your fingers crossed **updated**

Black and white photography is laughing at me. Oh yes, laughing. I took this class over the digital class because I thought a dark room was wildly romantic and artistic and a purist thing to do. I shoulda been a lazy sack of shit and just done digital. At any rate, its kicking my ass.
First roll of film got eaten. Literally eaten. By the camera. Yum yum, maybe I'll have seconds later.
Second roll only had about 3 usable shots. I took it as a sign that I'm still learning and give it time. Sure.
Third and fourth rolls didn't look like they should. Nothing usable, regardless of my settings. Instructor recommended reshooting.
Fifth roll...got...eaten. This was where I had an urge to chuck the camera into the fireplace and watch all the bits and pieces melt into oblivion.
Sixth and last roll didn't look like they should. Again.
My project is due tomorrow and I have nothing to show for a week's worth of driving myself bonkers. I'm hoping my instructor shows mercy on me. I've tried, I really have. I have never been more challenged by a class and it shows. I'm also hoping that the problem is my camera and not some stupid mistake I keep making. May the photography gods smile upon me tomorrow...


**thankfully the light meter on my camera was off by a couple stops. My instructor is having me submit all my crappy contact sheets and then I can resubmit the project later. Hooray!

Because they're chalky and I don't have to like them

Tomorrow is the day. Yeah yeah, lovey dovey day of wasting money. Consider me the scrooge of V-day. I just don't get it. You future guys who want anything to do with me, just skip this day. It doesn't count. Get me flowers on some random tuesday and we'll call it good. And maybe some chocolate ice cream sometime, that would be good, too. But I digress. Tomorrow, I will pass on all the hoopla. I'll stay in, make myself dinner and have a lovely quiet night alone. Friday, I will celebrate. The candy goes half off. Hooray!

Twentysome years in the works

My baby brother is getting married tomorrow.

Okay, so I've never really thought of him as my baby brother. He's only two years younger than me and has turned out a foot taller so 'baby' really doesn't fit. At any rate, he's all growed up now.
It's a little weird to think about. The fact that we're all older catches me especially when I think of him. It seemed like when we were little, the rest of us kids were always picking on him. He was perpetually young...he has ADHD (which you really wouldn't notice it now that he's older) and growing up he had energy like a small chipmunk and an equal attention span. It was hard to keep up with what was going on. There was always mischief and occasional frustration but I think that's common for four siblings.
Looking back, I tend to just remember the fun times with JD. I remember playing matchbox cars and video games and The Living Room Olympics (never when mom and dad were home, of course). There were four-wheelers, snowmobiles and riding bikes (the little twerp got it down before I did and it still kinda bothers me). There was playing in my dad's shop and both getting yelled at...apparently "the shop is not a playground, damnit!"
As I've gotten older, the fact that he has too is always surprising me. Being busy with school and moving away for a little bit, every time I would see him it was astonishing to see that he wasn't the same goofy kid. Sure, he acts goofy every now and then but that's standard for our family. But the realization that he's an adult tends to catch me off guard. The great part is he's not just an adult, he's a really good one. He's turned out to be a nice guy, full of integrity and quick to help people out. I'm always amazed at how quick he offers to help me out when I'm in a bind. He's got the best heart. And of all of us siblings, he's turned out to be one of the softest towards animals. It cracks me up how quick he's been to take up scraggly animals.
So before I go on a rant and get all sappy, I really love my brother. I'm happy that he's managed to find someone who is his female equivalent (its really quite creepy) and she appreciates him as much as we do. I'm glad he's happy and I'm excited to get another sister-in-law.
So to the happy couple, congratulations...I love ya both. And in the eternal words of dad, at least I'm not a mean drunk.

Speak of the devil...

Captain Snowcloud's birthday is today! He's also been sick this week so maybe you can pop over and give him a hug. Don't tell him I sent you, though. He thinks I'm mean...

Captain Snowcloud

Lately, whenever I've logged into my msn messenger thingy, there's been a certain individual who's quick to pop up and tell me when the next snowstorm is going to hit. Now, I for one can't stand winter. Sure, the first snow is pretty but after that I'm all bah humbug about it. I'll take a hundred degrees with 98 percent humidity over 40 below. But Dariush seems to think winter is FAN-flipping-tastic. He tells me how its going to be blizzarding in 8 hours, giggles, and then waits for me to let loose with all kinds of colorful words and phrases. I'm trying to figure out what the bane of his existence is so I can be quick to let him know when the next swarm of locusts/plague of frogs/rain of marshmallows is going to commence. I'm offering a handsome reward for any information...because that's what friends are for, right?

Outta whack

The last two days have been wonky. They've been bits of sleep and waking tied together with cold medicine. Maybe it'll make sense later. I doubt it.

Saturdays are for laziness

Stolen from Brandy...

I chose:

Black over white
Coffee over water
Heat and humidity over cold and snowing
Dogs over cats
Watching karaoke over singing karaoke
Cartoons over the news
Waffles over pancakes
High heels over flip flops that go through your toes
Backpacks over purses
Text messages over talking on the phone
Movies over theater
Chocolate over vanilla
Honesty over lying to protect me
A small group over a crowd
Pens over pencils
Chapstick over lipstick
Driving over riding along
A swarm of bees over a pack of wolves
Boulevard over Bud Light
Happiness over security
Sleeves and pants that are too long over too short
Mexican food over chinese food
Hoodies over sweaters
Classic cars over modern cars
Modern art over Classic art (ha!)
Silence over crying
Fiction over non-fiction
Hostess cupcakes over hostess Twinkies
Sarcasm over compliments
Complication over simplicity
Martha Stewart over Rachel Ray
Brian over Stewie
Goatees over mustaches
Lists over complicated posts :)

it's amazing I ever know what day it is

I'm convinced it's Tuesday. WILL THIS ONSLAUGHT OF HOLIDAYS NEVER END?! Someday, my internal calendar will get back in sync with reality. In sync. Great, now I have boy bands rolling through my brain.

This weekend was bonkers. I ended up taking yesterday to recoup with a 5 hour nap-a-thon. I'm finally starting to feel normal. I've been trying to keep track of Ma, who's recovering from neck surgery and I'm trying to get my own spine back into alignment after spending the day in hospital furniture. Why they don't make it more comfortable, I'll never know. People are waiting for the outcome of their loved ones, the least they can do is give you a recliner or something.

I also managed to blow off most of my homework/projects for the last couple days so now I've got to play catch up. I'm kind of looking forward to it. I'm really yearning for a routine.

And in a side note, Dateguy is being normal (thank god). He understands my point of view and even though he'd like to see me again, he'd be content if it's just on a friend basis. He even promised not to roofie me (see? a decent sense of humor! Any single ladies, I'm sure he'd be a catch, just not for me). So that's whats up, yo!

Salt has feelings

My brother stated that at dinner a few nights ago and it's still making me giggle. My family is completely random.

After my post last night, I got a text from date-guy. He wanted to know if I wanted to go out again and I had to hit him with my Honesty Mallet. It was more of a light tap but I think he was disappointed. Who's to say if he's still gonna wanna hang out.

If anyone's been over at Ma's blog, then you know what the weekend has in store. Quickly after work, I have to take the Bugmeister to a vet appointment and then head to the Big City to have sushi with my sister-in-law. I'm so glad my brother married a kindred sushi spirit. Then tomorrow it's bridal shower/computer shopping/bachelorette party extravaganza. The bachelorette party has a Nascar-esque theme. Very not like me. I told some classmates in my studio this morning and they laughed hysterically at the idea of me doing anything racing related. I had to explain the family background and I think they were even more baffled. After Saturday's craziness, things should calm down a bunch with the exception of Ma's surgery on Monday. Another friend of mine had surgery this morning so it's been the weekend for cutting people I care about open. If I had to guess, I'm going to have to spend more time babying my dad than I am my mom. He's a wuss like that. But in a good way. (and I'm not just saying that because he's funding aforementioned computer)

Hope you all have a good weekend...I'll be sure and bring pictures next week. Got to have documentation of me at a country bar. For those getting this freaking cold weather, stay warm:)

oh, and if you see this dog, don't tell her she has a vet appointment this afternoon...

blog fodder

I just got back from a date. It was...alright. We got along just fine, just nothing there beyond getting along. At least on my side of things.

The last date I went on went somewhat similarly. Afterwards, however, my date seemed to think we really hit it off and should go on more dates. I disagreed. Wholeheartedly. I was okay being friends but he was so adamant about dating that I completely had to ignore the guy.

I'm really hoping that this isn't the same thing. He was nice, funny, etc etc, there just wasn't any chemistry. He was the kind of guy I'm just better friends with. I'm reeeeeally hoping I don't have to totally ignore this one, I think he could be a fun friend.

I really do enjoy being single. I really do. So less complicated.

Onward

Today, I started classes again. So far so good...I have the same professor as I did last semester (he who disappears for weeks on end) but he is not scheduled to be gone. Miracle of miracles. I'm also taking a photography class with a lovely woman who is a charming blend of spacey and sweet. I'm giddy about her class. I was also pleased to find out that someone I really didn't want to be in that class isn't, so it was an added bonus on the day. Tomorrow I have an art history class (I have some weird natural memory thing for it so I enjoy it) and another studio with a charming grad student I had last semester...I'm pretty sure shes around my age so its like hanging out with a friend. If ever I was optimistic about a semester, this is the one.

I also spent this weekend appreciating veterans. Random. I borrowed Band of Brothers on dvd from my dad and spent the weekend entrenched, so to speak. I'll be the first to admit I know little about wars and the military in general but this show is giving me a newfound appreciation for soldiers. Yes, I'm sure it's not giving me a completely accurate perspective but babysteps.

I wanted to participate in Sizzle's Ipod meme but alas, I have no ipod. I guess I could dig out my sansa thinger but its all workout music and who wants their life to gain significance from Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, or Justin Timberlake? I'd rather spare myself, I guess.

Romantic comedies are the devil's amusement

Okay, maybe they aren't that bad. They just irritate me, I guess. You sit enthralled with someone else's perfect relationship for an hour and a half and after you leave it takes a good three hours to re-convince yourself that life isn't like that. Okay, maybe for .000004 percent of the population it is but they probably have hair that doesn't frizz in humidity or a sensitivity to dryer sheets. Am I the only one who has a problem with them? I go in thinking they'll be a cheerful and light alternative to something dramatic and it ends up turning me into a headcase for the rest of the evening. I spent the majority of last night picking apart every relationship I've ever had until Family Guy was able to distract me. I suppose I'm just overly sensitive, I realized last night that I'm currently the only one of my social circle not dating or in a relationship. Which wouldn't be that bad except every time I want to do something, they're already entangled for the evening. I know I'm not the first to have to deal with this. I know that eventually things will change. I know that I typically don't mind being alone. But damnitalltohell those stupid movies make me question my contentment. I might need to give my input to the writer's strike negotiations...

You know your friends are twisted...

when they giggle through every gory scene in Sweeney Todd. I shouldn't go to icky movies with Chipmunk anymore.

A movie review

Last night, Chipmunk and I went to see American Gangster at the local dollar theater (it used to only cost a dollar to see older movies, but then they upped it to $1.50...but that's too much to say...so it's still the dollar theater as far as I'm concerned).

Overall, I thought it was pretty good. It got a little long at some points but I went into it expecting it. I will also admit that I may have had random outbursts at some points ("holy shit" and "No way" being a couple of the select phrases)in response to some of the gore (not as graphic as I had expected, though). It was pretty crazy to think it was based on real events. For those of you who have seen it, did anyone else think it weird that Russell Crowe's character spent all that time trying to catch him and then ended up defending him? Granted, he ended up catching all those dirty cops but still...it just seemed a little weird to me.

My only complaint had nothing to do with the movie. The theater was freezing. Not your typical freezing, this was see-your-breath cold. It made the 2.5 hours a little excruciating at the end. I guess when you're paying a dollar, that's what you get.

Tuesday? Thursday!

I think it's Tuesday. Forgive me. Holidays mess me up.

Thanks to all who wished me well with the move! I'm all in and am still in the phase where I'm digging through boxes. I'm getting a little annoyed tripping over cords and running into things but I'm sure I'll get used to it. Roomie and I are still getting used to each other too. Neither one of us is used to living with people but we've known each other awhile and understand that we just need space for a couple days. I think things will be pretty good.

New Years was pretty quiet. Ma and I spent the afternoon and night watching season 3 of Lost on DVD. We did the same marathon type thing for the first two seasons since we've avoided watching it as it happens during the regular season. We still have a disk to go and as I was standing in line at the cable company, the guys behind me started talking about the episode after the one we left off at. I looked over at them with a panicked look and the guy musta realized he was spoiling so he luckily laughed and told his friend he would finish later. What a considerate guy. Shoulda asked for his phone number.

Today is caucus day, for those living under a rock. Living in Iowa, I'm experiencing a whole new level of hell. For those in favor of Barack Obama, please tell him to stop calling me. And emailing me. And sending me cards. I had half a thought to vote for the guy until he started bombarding me. Today alone I received 7 emails and 5 phone calls. Seriously. Leave me alone. Thankfully, it should be quieter tomorrow.

Other than that, I'm doing pretty good. Hope you all are having a good year so far. I'm always wondering about you in other parts of the country. I'm not sure if it's weird or not, I'm always wondering about people in general. Now I just have blogs/faces to put on the wondering:)

Happy Tuesday/Thursday!

EEK!!!

Last week I popped into my apartment manager's office to ask about subleasing. They didn't seem like it was realistic so I asked that they just put my apartment out there and see what happens. After all the problems with noise on my floor and then the astronomical electric bill I got the other day, I was willing to see what would happen.

Today, I got the call. Someone just happened to want a one bedroom in my building. All is superduper except they want to move in on the first. Of January. As in, like, next Tuesday.

I've spent the last two hours running around like a crazy person. I tracked down my new roommate and told her, arranged a moving company, rescheduled my work hours, signed papers, and cancelled my electric. To say I'm freaking out would be an understatement. Most of me is glad its happening...I'll be able to save a huge amount of money splitting rent and bills as well as I'll be able to have my dog come live with me. I'm also a little bummed though. I like having my own space and I really love my apartment, just not my neighbors. I'm sure things will be fine, everything is just hitting me all at once.

Don't even get me started on all the packing I need to get done. And I thought I was having a hard time sleeping before all this came up...

whew

I'm glad christmas is over.

Don't get me wrong, it was good to see everyone. This year was just one of those years where the holiday was putting me in a funk. I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm just getting older where it doesn't seem as magical as it used to (as corny as that sounds). At any rate, we're on to the remainder of the holiday-a-thon...ending with St. Patrick's Day? Perhaps I can scrounge up some magicalness by New Years.

Hope you all had a fun holiday:)

Staples was all out of giant neon signs

If the sign on the door says we close at 5:30, please don't keep walking in until 7. Yes, I know there are tons of people in the store. Yes, I know we look open. Yes, I am the only one working.
No, you have no right to be pissed off because you have to wait 20 minutes because you're here after hours and I'm nice enough to still help you.

and then I laughed at myself

I've talked before how I have struggled with being a perfectionist in the past. I determined a month or so ago to try and let it go. This has done wonders for my stress level and last night I hit a new milestone of non-perfectionism.

I have stage fright. Not because I'm scared of being in front of people...I'm scared of making mistakes in front of people. I hate speeches, presentations, and most of all...singing.

Don't get me wrong, I have a pretty decent voice. That's the problem. I want it to be perfect. So it doesn't matter the audience: the judges at choral contests, the audience at high school concerts, the rest of the choir at church, or even singing to the radio in the car with friends...I don't like doing it. Until last night...for once, I didn't feel the slightest twinge of fear. Friends and I were playing the ohsofun RockBand and when a fourth person came over, someone had to do vocals for us all to play together. No one else would do it. So I figured what the hell, I could just hum along and it would still work. I ended up singing my heart out, half the time off key and squeaky (Have YOU ever tried to sing Ballroom Blitz? I rest my case) and I HAD A BLAST. I didn't care that I was terrible. It was so much fun! Afterwards, everyone started singing and we were ALL godawful! Granted, if I had to sing in front of an audience and do something professionally, I would probably practice my heart out but I've determined that it really doesn't matter. Who cares if you totally botch something? It's not the end of the world. You may give someone else a chuckle or inspire them to equally botch something else.

In semi-related news, I got my grades today and I got straight As...with the exception of a B in that class I decided I was okay being less than perfect at. I love my B.

Contrary to popular belief

Even though I've been on break for about a week, I've gone somewhat missing from the blogworld. It happens. Seems like when I'm not going a bazillion miles an hour I forget to schedule in blogtime. As a proof of life, I'm here! *waving*

As is typical when I have more than ten minutes to myself I tend to sink into my own brain and wander about. I think about all sorts of things that may make more than interesting blog posts. Alas, I'll admit I'm not quite ready for that kind of vulnerability. I'm not entirely sure who I'm more concerned about...strangers who stop by or those I know in real life that might end up knowing more than they'd really like. Regardless, for now I'll stick to the little bits of dryer lint that are my posts. Maybe as I keep thinking these things over, they won't seem so bizarre to put out in the world. Who knows.

Hope you all are doing well... enjoying all there is to enjoy about this time of year (ice storms not included).

apparently I'm dumber when school's out

So I'm making my way through the pasta salad that came with my lunch. There's this funny taste to it that I just can' t pin down what it is. It's really kinda nasty though. It's a weird chemically taste. After a few minutes, I realize that I'm still eating this really nasty salad for no good reason than to figure out what the hell that disgusting taste is. I decide to skip the last three bites.

That was probably what botulism tastes like. I'll keep you posted.

Nevermind the bags under my eyes...

I'M DONE!!!

The last project has been turned in, the last final knocked out of the park, and all is right in the world. I was so excited to be done with my last test I practically skipped to the front. The instructor actually stopped me and asked if it were too easy since I only took about 5 minutes to finish it and was OVERJOYOUS. I smiled and shook my head no. It took every fiber of my being to keep my whooping to a minimum when I got out of the building. I only moderately startled another student. She was obviously not done or she would have understood.

HOORAY!

Split post: "All I want for Christmas" and "Tis the season"

All I want for Christmas - The Millionaire's version

After dealing with techincal restrictions on projects the last couple days, I'm wanting to rent a GeekSquader for a week. Actually, I'll rent Chuck even though I know he only plays a NerdHerder on tv. He's dreamy. Anyhoo, my Craptop couldn't handle my image files for my latest project (Open file = Freeze screen of death) and nothing the on-campus tech help people did made it work. They were completely baffled. They loaded just fine on the lab computers, my instructors computer, my friends computer. Of course, they're all macs. Damnation. As a PC user in a department full of Macsters, I'm hoping that isn't the problem. If I have to use the lab for the rest of my college career, I may be a bit disheartened. I may have to appease my uber-computer lust with a scanner. At least I could stop driving all over town to use one of those...

Tis the Season - The Pessimist's version

WTH is up with this time of year? I know that people are probably just more sensitized to it, we expect that life should be nothing but sunshine since its the holidays, but why is there so much going wrong lately? People I know have loved ones who are dying, people are finding out about terminal illnesses, there are accidents galore, and now a mall shooting?! It's more than a little depressing. Perhaps I'm just at the age where I hear more about things like this but I can't stand it. I want two weeks of nothing but peace on earth, good will towards men, and nothing of greater pain than a papercut happens to anyone I know or remotely know. Enough with the bah humbug.

Monday miscellany

Hello! How're you? Me? Well...

- Got hit with an ice storm this weekend. After leaving early on work on Saturday, I stayed indoors the rest of the weekend. Good news? There was a fantastic batch of chili involved. Bad news? All my projects I needed to work on were rendered comatose seeing as my laptop couldn't handle the file size without freezing up and I couldn't make it to the campus computer labs.

- I am hopelessly behind and yet somehow optimistic. Just a few...days...left. I can make it. Hopefully.

- After talking to some friends this weekend about their horrible issues with the opposite sex (psychotic people who just won't go away, a pending potential pregnancy scare) I've decided that I'm ohhhh so glad I'm single. For now. After I go visit Sizzle's page and find out what she's been up to, I might change my mind.

- Christmas is just around the corner! I have done no shopping whatsoever. I'm a last-minute kinda gal. What do I want, you ask? I want the university to give my tuition back. In the likelihood that such an event will never happen, I'll settle for a box of Warm. If such a thing exists. brrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Happy Monday!

slowly but surely

Ever feel like you're way behind on things but you're just overwhelmed and don't know where to start so you'd rather just curl up in bed and hide under the covers and just sleep for a week and pretend like it will all go away?

I wish they made an IV version of coffee.

He may have a point

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend of mine how about how I always seem to get sick when I have deadlines or important things to get done. He determined I'm allergic to reality and that I should be forced to go live on a beach somewhere, for my own health of course. Oh if only.

No sense of timing

I'm sick. AGAIN.

Started feeling shaky before bed but just thought I was tired. Spent the rest of the night as no one wants to. I have so much to do, we're in the last couple weeks of school. I'm hoping this thing just blows over quick so I can get back to being stressed out and psychotic.

Damnit.

Black Friday

Since moving back, Black Friday has a whole new joyous gleam. I used to work for a Big Box PetStore as a manager. Black Friday meant getting into the store at 3 am and then having to put up with elderly rich women having me do all their shopping for their Fifis. One gave me a handful of tags and told me these were all the items she would like to purchase and would I be so kind to go gather them for her. Another took an hour of my time trying to find the right outfit that would set off Mr. Fluffy's eye and fur color. Yet another had me follow her around the store with a cart as she picked out her items. One wanted me to do all the running around the store for her while she gave me her list over the phone. My boss said I could draw the line on that one.

Today, I came into work at 9. So far, there has been one person in for an adjustment after a grandkid mangled his glasses. That's pretty much all I'll be doing today. Adjusting glasses and hearing about what fun was had when families got together. I get to leave at 3.

I salute you poor retail workers that had to be at work even at midnight last night. I sympathize that you're going to have a day from hell and you'll be lucky if your store springs for lunch (even if its an effort to keep you in the store all day, poor Lowe's people). I pat you on the back, managers, who don't want to be there as much if not more than the associates and are going to take the brunt of everyone's wrath. Working in retail can really suck on this dark day but please, please keep a smile on your face. Do your damndest to do a good and honest job. Even when people start fist-fighting over the last discounted DVD player, remember that someday even you can escape and work at a job where you get to leave at 3 pm after having sipped coffee and done sudoku puzzles all day.

Muahahahaha!

15 Things I'm Thankful For

1) My family - the immediate one and those who married into it

2) My friends - the ones who get that I'm not the easiest person to be friends with

3) My dog

4) Health - Asthma and allergies are nothing in the grand scheme

5) My job - Life is nicer when you don't dread going to work

6) My town - not too big, not too small, not too many serial killers

7) My country - and those who fought/fight to keep it this way

8) My Ex - Couldn't have had a life-altering lesson in priorities without him

9) Coffee

10) My twisted sense of humor - I can't imagine how sad life would be without it

11) High heels

12) The good days

13) The bad days

14) Aging and growing up - There's something really great about it

15) All the life lessons I get on a daily basis, not always fun but always important

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

If you're gonna fall off the wagon, fall hard

Yesterday, I took a break from my no-sugar-ness and had a ginormous piece of chocolate cake. For supper, I had half a box of fruit loops. This morning, I have discovered there is such a thing as a sugar hangover. Bleh.

Monday scraps

- Put up Christmas decorations at work yesterday. It's a little early for my taste (working in big box retail ruined me for early holiday celebration) but I think I can manage. Might even try and scrounge something up for my apartment.

- After putting lights up in the metalwork of the ceiling, I've got what feels like the beginning of a headcold. I'm hoping its just the dust clearing out of my system.

- I didn't get much sleep last night and it feels like there's sand in my eyes. I work for an eyedoctor. We don't have a single bottle of eyedrops in the joint. The irony is not lost on me.

- We are out of coffee. Not good.

- My truck is making death noises. My little (not so little, actually) brother agreed to look at it this morning. I appreciate the hell outta that guy. Wish I wasn't such a jerk to him when we were kids.

- My dad just made a sappy face when he read that last one.

- Now he's laughing at me.

- Now I have to get back to processing Medicare claim forms. This is akin to having your brain removed through your ears or your hair ripped out strand at a time. Did I mention we're out of coffee? It's gonna be a grouchy one.

In a parallel universe...

As I've stated before, my family is an odd one. We're not scary or anything, we're just special. We have a twisted sense of humor and I've never really met another family like us.

Until yesterday.

I have two friends who are sisters. I call them twins* because they're very similar but they're about 4 years apart. I get along with them fantastically which is rare...I usually get along better with guys but these two are fun. At any rate, their mom is in town this weekend so they invited me out to meet her. It was surreal. When they all got together, it was like being at my own dinner table. There were smartassed remarks as well as candid talk about hard times. The twins have been my friends for a while but by the end of the night I felt like I'd known them forever. Something about seeing a family interact puts a person into perspective. It was really fun to be a part of it. I know my family can be a little overwhelming but I hope when people see us, they get the same sense that we're good people.


*one of the twins looks just like Sizzle...it's uncanny.

TGIT

In my family, the term "Stress Management Meeting" has a vivid definition. It usually involves my dad, beer, lawn chairs, and a random batch of locals hanging out and bullshitting. This year, I've been blessed with my own version. Every Tuesday night, whoever can make it shows up at a local chicken wing place and we get a couple hours to drink beer, eat cheap food, catch up and relax. As the semester has progressed, I've realized I really look forward to it. I never pegged myself for being one to have a weekly hangout but it's fantastic, I recommend it strongly.
How's about y'all? Any superfun friend get-togethers?

Why I don't make friends

Drunk obnoxious guy whose been hitting on a friend of mine: "Hey you, Red! What're you drinkin'?"

Me: "It's a Drunk Idiot Stumper!"

D.O.G...: "A wha?"

Me: "Exactly. Now move along, son."

Asking for miracles

Saw two missionaries trying to talk to college students on their way to the bars. Good luck, boys.

An experimental month

I've decided that November is IT. The month where I'm going out on a limb and trying to implement some things that might further better my quality of life. After last month's exercise in cutting back sugar, I think I can do anything.

Things on the list:

- Even MORE vegetables: after the Wok Challenge a while back, I'm trying more of them. I'll take any suggestions you may have. I'm very sheltered when it comes to eating veggies. They scare me.

- Watching my budget: the previous trend of just doing what I want and hoping it all works out just doesn't work. I'm actually going to cut back this month and see what kind of impact it makes. It might/will definitely suck but this is a learning exercise. I can do it.

- Cutting back on TV: I think it's started to affect my quality of sleep and that ain't cool. Gonna have to start reading again before bed.

- I wanna be more flexible. I can't keep blaming the fact that I can't touch my toes on my height. Aside from a yoga class that will cost aforementioned strapped money, does anyone have any ideas?

I think that's it for now...Can't go changing the whole world, ya know.

It's a conspiracy

Mkay, we've talked about this. We've established that creepy toy stores are the edificial equivalent of clowns. So why, oh why, did some genius come up with THIS? Natalie dear, you've been one of my faves but this betrayal will not go unnoticed.

contemplating perfection

One of the things I feel like I talk about alot is my desire for perfection. I look for it constantly in myself and have occasionally tried to impose it on my relationships. After talking with other people who struggle with the same thing, it's interesting on how it comes about.
I can tell you where I get it from. Growing up, I was awkward and eccentric. I never felt entirely comfortable in my skin or my personality (but who doesn't, really). I remember going to a class one morning during my senior year and the teacher said something that changed how I perceived myself. She said that there was just something about me, I didn't act like the other kids, I acted like royalty but not in a pompous way. She thought of Princess Diana every time I walked into a room. Needless to say, it caught me completely off-guard. I disagree with the royalty part but it still gave me a boost. I didn't feel quite as awkward and took a little more pride in my accomplishments. But with each accomplishment, I was convinced I could do better. I'm not one of those prodigy-like talents for academics but I've always thought that if you work harder you can make yourself smarter. Someone's brain is their greatest asset. Since that transition in my senior year, it's become my addiction to make myself smarter. Every exam is a competition...I always want to be the first to finish and in the top 3 percent. My friends make fun of me because I'm usually twitching with anticipation before exams, I never played sports but I can imagine that's kind of what it's like before a game. Every project is an exercise in wanting to be better than everyone else. Every conversation, even, is a chance to learn something or teach something.
After these years, perfection and I have had a bumpy relationship. Sometimes, it's what pushes me to do a good job. Other times, it pushes me to the edge where I just can't take it any more. Briefly, perfection took a toll on my body when I had people telling me that I could be a model...if I managed to lose weight. I was young and stupid and perfection convinced me that a size 3 was completely reasonable for someone who is 5'10 (as my mother would say, I'm much better now). Perfection has dictated whether or not I'd give a guy a chance. The most infamous rejection I can recall was due to his uneven eyebrows. Granted, it's also saved me from the guys that weren't right for me in the least even though they looked great on paper.
Very recently, I've started to relinquish a little bit of my perfectionist tendencies. I've had a class that I just can't beat and I've decided that my happiness is not worth being obsessed with it. I've felt surprisingly better since. Ironically, my perfectionist tendencies make it possible to quit perfectionism for this class cold-turkey. I'm perfect at being not perfect...?
Thinking about my perfectionism and where it comes from, I wonder about addiction. There's alcoholism in my family history and I always wondered if that gene would kick in or if I was saved. Perhaps I just got another breed of addiction and if I give in to it to its full extent, it will kill me just as surely as alcoholism would. I'm not willing to find out. I really love being the first to finish an exam but I also love being able to relax and not worry about the one more thing I could fix. Life's too short. So you can bet your ass I'm going to be good, I'm just done being perfect.

More sleepy

Got to sleep around 5:45, woke up at 7. There are naps in my future.

The Aftermath

Sleepy.

Young neighbors got in around 3 AM. Decided the hallway was a nice place to have a party. It was loud. Really, really loud. I shoulda done something about it. This morning there was pumpkin shrapnel all over the hall. All. Over. The. Hall. Guts made it all the way up the 14 foot walls. On the upside, the Weekend Stairwell Mystery Pee Graffitist did not show up for the Halloween festivities. Is it sad that this is an upside?

Back to our regularly scheduled program

Mkay, so Halloween has been postponed. Until next year. After talking with my posse, it turns out that most of them went out costumed this weekend while I was in midterm/project/study mode. The only ones who will be out tonight will be the youngins in the 18 million variations on the 'whore' costume. I'm going to pass. I have half a thought that I might host a costume new years party in order to make up for my lack of, uh, costumeyness. We'll see.

In other news, I watched "Knocked Up" last night and I have to say that it was not funny in the least. I get that it's supposed to be. I understand that some of the lines were funny. The subject matter, however, terrified me beyond all comprehension. I couldn't help thinking how awful that situation would be throughout the entire movie. Further confirmation that the universe does not want me to procreate.

it's amazing what a little leaf kicking can do

I feel great! After my attitude change about that class we will no longer talk about, things have been looking up. I finished a project ahead of schedule, did a fantastic job on a midterm exam, and am currently looking at a clear schedule for the rest of the week. You know what that means? HALLOWEEEEEEEEN! Let the shenanigans commence! Pictures might ensue...

Kicking leaves

This morning, I got up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and as I was walking to class I had one of those moments. Everything seemed right in the world. I was happy, carefree, just enjoying myself kicking through the leaves. I caught some other weary design student eyeing me with caution and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. The sad part is the moment I got to class, it was over. If I can figure out a way to stop letting this one frustrating class get to me, I'm sure I'd be a much happier person. I'm beginning to think that if I stop trying to be a perfectionist and just accept the fact that this is just not my class, life will go back to being fun again. Perhaps it really is just that simple...

If you can't say anything nice...

I've got nothing. Rather than complain and whine and be generally grouchy, I'm just going to refrain. Perhaps once midterms are over I'll be a little better.

High points typically have pets in them

As of Tuesday, I've been dealing with a week of chaos. Exams, projects, papers, reviews...it's like the perfect storm week of my semester. For one of my projects (an illustrated version of Modo's Eyes, I might post it) I need some pictures of cats. I do not have cats but Ma does so off I went to spend some quality time photographing the little buggers. From my glamourshots session with two of the fiesty ones, I've learned several things...

1) Animals will never do what you want them to. Ever.

2) Throwing leaves in the air is a good way to get a cat's attention. For 3 seconds.

3) My dog will never stay out of the damn shot if I don't want her picture. If I do, she's no where to be found.

4) Attempting to take closeup pictures of cats will result in 17 shots of the inside of their nose. You'd think if they've smelled the lens once, they're good. Apparently not.

5) Paying attention to 2 cats at the same time will result in the curiousity of the other three who will end up with some random body parts in the shots. Luckily, one of the ones I wanted is big enough to hide the others that are behind him.

6) Taking some time to goof around with critters is a guaranteed way to forget stress, at least for a little while.

Bizarro

Last night, I had the strangest dream. I'm sure that my subconscious stole it from television but it was so surreal nonetheless. I dreamt that I woke up from a nap back in 1999 and I was in my old apartment. I had dreamt the last 8 years. I woke up knowing what was going to happen so I had a second chance to do things. It was just odd running into people I hadn't seen for years and telling them I knew what would happen. I knew that 9/11 would happen but there was nothing I could do to stop it. I tried to contact people I don't meet until later and tell them things they should be careful about. It was just a strange, frustrating, but fascinating dream. I hope I don't have it again.

Fridays have a soft spot in my heart

You can see the difference already, I'm sure. That's right, I'm almost not sick anymore! And my stress level is managable! And the sun is shining, birds are singing, and I'm pretty sure they've slipped uppers into the local water supply! It's turning out to be one of those days when things are looking up. Perhaps I should buy a lottery ticket...

24 Hour Apathy

Yesterday, I handed in the project from hell (following a critique where I was inches from punching my instructor, my classmates could even tell but I digress) and since that point have decided that I'm taking a day off. I'm still sick and I'm taking a day off to reduce my stress level and get to feeling better, finally. Killing myself to get things done on days like this just isn't worth it in the end. So bring me another round of cold meds and my blankie and I'm turning the cell phone on silent. Unless you're bringing me good news of a miracle cure or free chinese food, don't bother me. I just don't care today.

Discombobulated Tuesday

I'm way out of sorts today. Last night I hardly slept and when I did there were project-plagued cold-medicine warped dreams that kept me tossing and turning. I woke up to a gray morning and sand in my eyes. I made absolutely no effort to get ready for class and ended up in a thrice-worn sweatshirt and hat. Since we just had a workday scheduled, I begged off and went back home where the coughing and nose-blowing didn't gross anyone else out. I ended up working on the project that is due tomorrow (another rant in and of itself, I'll promise to spare you) and occasionally spacing off. I made it to work in one piece but at least twice on the drive over I caught myself wondering how I got to the place I was and hoping I had obeyed all the traffic laws in my lost 45 seconds. Thankfully, Boss is understanding about my current state and doesn't mind when I sit and fog out for a little while. Unfortunately, the project is waiting when I get home. I wish that when you were sick you could just call a time out, get 2 hours of feeling fanstastic so you could get your stuff done before going back to wallowing in misery. Oh if only. Boo, I say to you gray day, Boo.

If wishes were Prius's, beggars would, uh...hum?

I've been thinking about my gas guzzling behemoth lately as well as all the talk on saving the environment. I'm not the most eco-friendly of people...any effort I make is typically done out of the desire to save money over the world. But this issue of cars has me thinking. I wouldn't mind driving a hybrid. Really, I wouldn't. They're a little odd but I think I could get over it. I just don't understand why they're so expensive. Just because I'm a poor college student doesn't mean I should be restricted from saving the planet. They really should just start giving them away. Call it a global effort at eco-responsibility.

Okay, you got me. I really just want a car that sucks less gas. And is free. Definitely free.

Dear Visa Checkcard Marketing Department,

That new commercial of yours? You know, the one with the toys and the juggling and the colors and movement and whimsical circus-like music and the cashier that looks like Super Mario without a hat...

Please make it go away. It's giving me nightmares of the worst kind.

Thank you.

Curses!

I'm sick again. So far its not as bad as the last round, like 3 weeks ago, but it still sucks. I'm still behind on my project and I have Paolo Nutini tickets tonight. Something tells me that Paolo will have to wait for another time, I feel like death. I hope he forgives me.

Do the Evolution* (meme)

I was reminded today that I neglected to do the latest in Meme crazes. The Evolution. After reading other people's reason for doing what we do, I guess it made me wonder about myself. I started in 2005 as a way to keep in touch with my family. At the time, I was newly married and for the first time had lived away from everyone. I started** blogging as a way to include the people I cared about in the day to day hilarity. Eventually, the day to day hilarity turned into the day to day dealing with a separation and divorce. There was good and bad and in 2006 I moved back home to start fresh. After a hiatus from the blogworld because of a massive writer's block, I decided that it was time to start a new blog. It is still mostly day to day and I have a limited readership (I appreciate all 5 of you greatly) but most of the time I'm just venting or trying to tell entertaining little stories. Okay, I spend more time venting. I'm working on it. I'm not sure if other people get as much out of it as I do, it can be incredibly soothing to look back on old posts. Keeping in touch with myself, I guess. So yeah, that's it in a nutshell. The short-lived evolution of my toddlerblog.

* can't help but drop a Pearl Jam reference every now and then

** For the sake of this meme, I went ahead and unlocked some of the posts on the old blog. I took most of them down in an effort to make a new start but what the hell...

Yet another rant about school

I'm insanely behind on a project that's due next week. What makes it frustrating is my instructor is always gone. Talking to an instructor from anther class, this guy is slated to be gone 22 days this semester because he's trying to get tenure. What that means for me is that every time I show up for class, I get reviewed by a different substitute who has a different concept for the final project. I rework the designs for the next class and then get a different set of things to change from a different person. The guy who comes and goes is the one who is going to grade it and I have yet to get a decent critique from him. This class is a requirement and it irritates me to no end that a) I'm paying for this inconsistent teaching and b) if I get below a certain grade for this class, I won't be able to graduate within my program. I've started to really hate this class. I don't feel like I'm learning anything from it and it pisses me off that this is money out of my pocket.

Makes me wanna eat a danish and go on a sugar-induced rampage.

Calling all dark morbid people

I need your help!

I need ideas for a dark poem or short story so I can make a illustrated mini-book for one of my classes. I'll take any suggestions...

It doesn't feel like Monday

1) I'm functioning (barely). Got to sleep around 4:30 this morning. Surprising because I was dead tired and aspired to go to bed around 9. It just didn't happen. My stupid brain wouldn't shut off. Ended up putzing around until I finally went back to bed at 4. Didn't conk out until a half hour later. Slept through my first class. Sigh.

2) I'm cosmically behind on one of my projects. Cosmically. Add to that my instructor has been gone so I'm not getting any feedback and it makes for a doomsday-esque final review. Unless mercy is granted, it's due next week.

3) After the fun country bar part of the weekend, things went downhill. Without going into the ugly details, it's apparent that no nice guy should ever seriously ask me out. Ever. I'm too mean.

4) Got to have lunch with a couple old friends. Life doesn't seem to be kind to anyone these days. I've decided that my life could be a lot worse. My friends are tough, though, and both of them should pull through just fine.

5) Since boss was out of town, I had to work with an idiot today. This idiot reeks of dirty ashtray, talks incessantly about nothing, and likes to hover over what you're doing. Perhaps its my lack of sleep that is making me so sensitive to his 'charm' but I want to kill him and throw his body in a pig pen. Boss returns tomorrow, thank god.


I would give a kidney for a week of vacation at this point.

When Country Bars attack

My head hurts.

Rewind 12 hours...For my little brother's fiancee's birthday, she wanted to go to the local country bar. And by local, I mean right across the street from where I live. So local that a friend and I made up a song about waiting in line there and we named it "Doodle Doo" (we have mad skillz. And by mad, I mean 'drunk'). So I wandered across the street to Doodle Doo and proceeded to drink cheap beer like the locals with my future sister in law's crazy/fun friends. One of the highlights was swapping stories with my little brother. He and I are very forthcoming with the tales when we are drinking and I think we both learned a lot of funny stuff about each other last night. It was one of those golden familial moments (that we won't share with our parents so don't even bother asking, don't worry everything was pretty much legal).
Seeing as I have been chained to my drawing table for the last 3 weeks, when word got out that I was being social my evening got booked with stops I had to make at various bars. I bid adieu to brother and FSIL, leaving my apartment key with them so they wouldn't have to drive home. I wandered to my next stop where my long time BFFs were causing trouble. So of course I joined in. The highlight was asking some bearded guy for his autograph for my friend, Noodles. Okay, not really his autograph. I had him sign Peter Jackson. Noodles was thrilled. And yes, I am totally that girl who will do innocent dares at the drop of a hat (no nudity, violence, or consuming spicy foods...in that order).
After a few more stops and a few more innocent dares (go pet that stranger's mohawk) I made it home to find a pile of shoes on my living room floor. Shoes but no people. I had visions of my brother wandering around town with no shoes on. Then I heard a voice coming from my bathroom. I turned the corner and they're sleeping on the floor. It looked like one of those Febreeze commercials where the people have their noses all smooshed against something only in my commercial the people aren't sober and the rug smells like a bathroom. After I pointed out that my couch is a bed they relocated and all was right in the world.
Three hours of sleep later, I manage to make it to work on time with only a minor headache and some mild dizzyness that seems to be my closest version of a hangover. All in all, a pretty fun night, if I do say so myself.

Boo

Hung won Top Chef. My favorite part was at the end when he said America supported him. Uh, dude...did you SEE the poll results? America didn't want you to win. America wanted Clay to win before they wanted you to win. Sure, you got talent. And a cold, dead heart.

I'm going to go eat a can of spam and some Bugles in your honor, Hung.

A little better

After my two-day hiatus, I'm a teensy bit less stressed. There's still a lot to do this week but I've decided it could be worse. I could have got a bad haircut. Oh yeah, I forgot, I did. For future reference, no matter how bad you need a cut, no matter how many split ends shake their unruly fists at you, do NOT go to any other stylist but your favorite. Even if she's out of town for a week. You too will experience bangs that are too short and layers that sit in funny angles. I'm resisting the urge to take scissors to them myself. I'm going to wait until she comes back and then I'm going to have her rescue me. Hats are in season, anyways.
Aside from that mini-drama...
1) Boss is out of town again. Sadness. Chaos.
2) Projects, still.
3) Sugar, doin' better with the exception of a minor oreo relapse. No pop, though.
4) Going out for Future Sister in Law's birthday. To a country bar. Em typically doesn't do country. I must like her, I guess.
5) Looking forward to that Pushing Daisies show. Hope it lives up to the hype.

Happy Wednesday!

charred

It hit me about halfway through an exam this morning. I'm officially burned out. I'm exhausted. Sick of working on projects where the instructors are giving very little, uh, instruction. Frustrated with the same instructors who give out study guides for tests that have NOTHING to do with the exam (I'll be amazed if I pass that exam, it was ridiculous). Projects that have minideadlines and reviews for busywork that we end up just throwing out anyways. It's like spinning my wheels and getting too stressed out about it. I just don't care right now. I'm not having ANY fun. So I quit. For today. I'm not working on anything today. I'm going to go to work, enjoy time spent not worrying about deadlines, come home, and do NOTHING. Tomorrow, I will go to my review (I'm ready for it) then get my haircut and then...do NOTHING. Two days of peace and quiet. Stress can kiss my ass.

Life's little soundtrack

A couple days ago, I alluded to an emotional flashback 'thing' that I thought I might talk about. In general, I'm not a real emotional person. I'm not a cryer, don't throw tantrums, and only get into fights if you touch me inappropriately when I've been drinking. I keep a pretty even keel. Last week, the simple act of putting a cd on caught me with a knot in my chest and I was in a fugue state for a little over an hour. The cd was Death Cab for Cutie's 'Plans'. Good cd, yes. As a aforementioned hopeless romantic, it's guaranteed to have an effect on me. Why it caught me so strongly was that I hadn't listened to it for over a year. The last time I had listened to it was on the drive home when I was getting a divorce. It was right after I decided that this was what I needed to do. That he and I have better things waiting for us. It was a strange blend of sadness and optimism. Listening to that cd, everything was brought back to the surface. I could remember each part of the drive, how it made me feel.
Since the divorce, I've been pretty much alone. I gave someone else a shot but when you're wanting something great, it doesn't make sense to settle for okay. I know what it's like to hope for the best but things just aren't there. It's hard, though. I'm pretty much the only one of my friends who is single. I don't really prefer it but it would be a waste of time to just date for the sake of dating. Lately, I've been frustrated and more than a little disheartened. The realist in me keeps piping up that maybe, just maybe that guy doesn't exist and maybe I should just be okay with that. I'm kind of a complicated girl. The hopeless romantic in me keeps telling me to just hold on, that he's out there, that someday I'll look back at my time alone as just time spent wandering toward him. Hopeless, I tell ya.
So then Death Cab comes back along and gives the Hopeless Romantic a little nudge. So shutup you pestering internal Realist. If some dude can write Hopeless Romantic lyrics then maybe there's some dude listening to them. Some dude with me in his future.

If Heaven and Hell decide/That they both are satisfied/Illuminate the NOs on their vacancy signs/If there's no one beside you/When your soul embarks/Then I'll follow you into the dark/Then I'll follow you into the dark - Death Cab for Cutie, 'I will follow you into the dark'

Weak.

Watched CBS's Moonlight over on the website. The nerd/scifi/hopeless romantic is disappointed. Guess I'll stick to the Twilight books for my vampire love stories.

Were the streetcorner a viable option*...

Since I am a poor college student, one of the ways I support myself is through 'donating' plasma. For money. So it's not really donating. Technically.
Anyways.
From previous experience I have problems when the technician moves the needle. Something about feeling that painful little thing in my arm getting moved around makes my stomach flip and the lights start to go out. They left notes all over my chart that they shouldn't move the needle. So I should be good, right? Well, last time I almost passed out again. This time, they didn't move the needle, I had eaten properly, was well hydrated, everything. There was no good reason as to why. The only thing they could think of was that there was a teensy language barrier between myself and the foreign-born technician and trying to understand the directions made me nervous enough that I almost blacked out. Kinda stupid, eh? So today, I chickened out. I was getting all worked up about going that I figured that regardless of who I was stuck by, I would be passing out, guaranteed. I've decided that I'll give myself a couple days off and go back next week with a healthy optimism about being used as a pin cushion. On the bright side, with my hellacious workload I have this weekend, I'll be saving as much money as I would have made donating with my lack of social life and all.

These little dramas won't exist when I go back to the real working world, will they?

* I'd like to point out that when I asked my mother if she could think of a way for me to make 30 bucks without getting stuck by a needle, THIS was her suggestion. My family is twisted.

Miami Vice

Since the whole sugar drama, I've been considering all the things that I depend on in my daily life. And not necessarily in a good way. When does something you enjoy become a vice? Is it when it starts to affect your life negatively but you continue to do it anyways? I was trying to compile a list in my head of all the things that I might need to quit because they're not bettering my quality of life. It's not very long, in my opinion...

Em's list o' vices:
1) Television - a recent addiction. It's killing my motivation to work out or get anything productive done. If I could function with it just as background noise, it would be fine but I have a hard time focusing. Maybe if they'd come out with more crappy shows and cancel the ones I like...?

2) Stupid relationships - I waste energy expecting things to work out but logically, I know they won't. Logically, I know that I haven't met "the guy" and logically I think I'm okay being alone. Too bad some parts of me are less than logical.

3) Coffee - I'm not sure if this is a vice. I rely on it daily, love it to bits, but am curious if it's causing any major negative effects. My heart doesn't have abnormal rhythms and I sleep okay so I'm hoping that Coffee and I are on good terms

4) Perfectionism - ohhhh yeah. This bad boy kills me. I love getting eveything done just so. I love getting a perfect grade on an exam AND being the first one to finish it. Sometimes I love being perceived as an Ice Queen because it also implies that I'm striving for perfection, emotional distance, inhuman capabilities. It's amazing that I don't have an eating disorder and some other complex. Aside from the sugar addiction, this is the other vice I'm attempting to kill off toot sweet.

What other things do you think are vices?

Owie

Okay, so Full Day Number Two of the Reduced Sugar Effort 2007. My head hurts. I'm not sure if it's stress from an insanely hectic workload or if it's the withdrawl. Anyone who has cut back, your opinions please. I'm sure in the end it will be worth it but I'm craving hardcore but managed to choke down an entire Diet Pepsi, gagging only 3 times.
Add on top of the headaches some super fantastic dreams and a strange emotional flashback I may describe in a couple days and its been a fun week!
Tonight I'm cooking scallops in honor of the Top Chef Finale.
Consider yourself updated.

Sugar, we need to talk.

Okay, so this week I might be a little grumpy. I'm attempting (once again) to cut down on my sugar intake. I have done well in the past but I always have some relapse and then find myself downing a danish covered in icing with a heavily sugared coffee. There are many reasons I want to cut back. The primary reason is my parents. Although neither one of them is overweight, they both have ended up with Type 2 Diabetes. Growing up, our family consumed unnatural amounts of soft drinks. I've become quite attached and even though I've tried, I hate the taste of diet pop. At any rate, with my family history and my tendency to prefer sugary things, I have this fear of developing diabetes myself. The other reasons are more on the superficial side. I can tell when I go on sugar benders, my skin has a meltdown. It looks dull and blotchy and then I get breakouts on top of it. Then of course is the dental aspect. I've never had a cavity but with all the crap I eat, I get the feeling that those days are limited.
Now, I'm not gonna go cold turkey. Maybe on pop I will but sugar in general, I'm going to just try and wean myself off it. Hopefully it will go a little smoother. Hopefully. Bear with me people, this could get ugly.

Don't make me bitchslap you with your own monitor.

I know I've ranted about customer service just recently. Tonight, I had another epidsode. I went with a couple friends as they picked up a bridesmaid dress. It was at that 'chain' bridal shop...that one you'll supposedly love. yeah. Anyways, Associate looks up friends name on computer. It isn't there. Looks up bride's name. Isn't there. The dress must not be in. My friend was called and told that it was in. Enter Manager. She looks at the computer and comes to the same conclusion, its not in the computer, the dress must not be in. My friend is super nice and was trying not to make a big deal out of it. I, on the other hand, am completely comfortable making a deal of it. We drove an hour, after being called. I wander up to the counter...

Em: "Can't you just go look in the back and see if you can find the dress? Its a red dress, all by itself...how many red bridesmaid dresses do you have all by themselves in the back?"

Manager: " Do you know how much work that is?(ironically yes, I've worked in a bridal shop although I didn't point that out to her) To look in the back would be alot of hard work."

Em: " How hard can it really be to just go look?"

Manager: "That's like, A through Z."

*blink blink*

Manager: " I'm sorry, we'll just have to find something off the rack for her to wear."

She wanders off to look through the floor models...that are covered in deodorant and have tattered hems. They don't have her size, I already looked. I'm waiting for the Manager to come back empty handed and as she rounds the corner I have a brilliant idea.

Em: " You guys obviously called my friend. Can't you just search your computer based on the phone number?"

Manager: "That might work...I guess."

She taps away and then asks my friend if the bride has a sister. They had the last name in the computer right but had royally botched her first name...from Sarah to Ashley. Odd, how someone with the same last name bought the SAME SINGLE RED DRESS IN THE SAME SIZE which you COULD SEE FROM THE MAIN PAGE THEY ALREADY LOOKED AT. It was just frustrating. I can understand that its maybe lost in the computer but why can't they just look in the back? That is not hard work. Seriously. Grouchy Customer Service people, Lose the attitude!

I promise I'm done ranting about retail associates for at least another good week or two...

Oh thank god you're back

Since June, I've been back working at an optical shop I used to work at a few years ago. It's felt a lot like coming home. I love where I work and I'm good at what I do. Part of what makes it so nice is who I work with. My boss and I just get along. We have similar personalities and similar habits. We think alike and are at the point where things are done efficiently.

Until he leaves town and I get a temporary replacement.

He visited his son out in Colorado for a week and in his stead, I worked with a guy from our optical lab. Very nice, very polite, worked hard...but it wasn't the same. Things were boogered up, customers were getting told wrong information, and I didn't know what he was doing with certain orders. I couldn't follow his thought process. It drove me bonkers. Then on top, I think he questioned what I knew about my job. He was always offering to do things for me, things I've been doing for 6 years and am pretty comfortable with. I tried to get my point across politely but he wasn't listening. It got frustrating.

Today, my boss returned. I was so overjoyed when I came into work and the counter was clear. There weren't stacks of jobs with question marks all over them. The piles of things I normally leave for myself were still there (he knows to leave them alone), the other piles of things he takes care of were done and the routine was reestablished. I can't stress how great it is to be able to work with someone who A) knows what the hell they're doing, B) understands that you know what the hell you're doing, and C) is a good friend. Makes it nice to come to work everyday.

Tagged...

So I've been tagged by Modo to give my middle name and then for each letter give something that's relevant to my life. Seems simple enough...

E - Eager to learn new things.

L - Lazy. I don't really play sports or do much that's active.

A - Anal-retentive about my work. I can't help it, I'm neurotic.

I - Innocent. hehe.

N - Not always honest.

E - Entertaining. Sometimes I like being the center of attention.


So there you have it. I'm going to resist tagging people because, uh, I'm just not. See "L" above.

Healthy dose of skepticism

For the last couple of days, I've been studying for an art history exam that I have this week. As I've been doing so, I'm getting increasingly frustrated. We're talking about prehistoric through Egyptian art in this section. I'm frustrated because it seems that both my textbook author and my instructor make definitive statements without the evidence to back it up. Now, I've got a background in Archaeology. I prefer to look at all the evidence but even after doing so, I prefer not to make definitive statements about what happened. There's too many variables. Statements like "The figures in the cave painting must be women because they're wearing skirts and holding hands" or " Cave paintings were only done inside because they were sheltered spaces that the individuals can return to" piss me off*. You can't ascribe current fashion trends (skirts) to a prehistoric culture...later art from Persia indicates men also wore skirts. And cave painting might have been the only thing to withstand the test of time, the absence of evidence does not mean that prehistoric cultures didn't create art outdoors, it just means it may have been destroyed.
Now, I'm glad that this kind of thing annoys me. I'm amazed at how my classmates just blindly accept whats being given to them. A friend of mine in the same class was telling me the other day how now she's rethinking everything after I went into a tangent about the archaeological record. My main concerns are A) why don't my fellow students question more and B) why do professors get away with incomplete teaching? If these people are used to this kind of thing in just their classes, what must they be like in the real world? It's more than a little dismal to think about...
*I know I promised to write about more happy topics but this sort of thing really concerns me...

Boxed sets are my friend

I've lately become more addicted to the boxed set DVDs of tv shows. It started last year when Ma and I went through the first two seasons of Lost. I still haven't actually watched an episode on tv, so don't ruin it for me.
Last week while I was sick, I watched the entire season of Heroes. Love love LOVED it. Can't wait for it to come back although I'm curious where they're going to go with it.
And yesterday, while working on an art project, I spent the entire day engrossed in Firefly and then Serenity. I really enjoyed it, although I can see how it would be hard to carry the storyline much further.
Now, I'm in a bit of withdrawl. I like the idea of not having to wait a week until I get the updated episode. Its like watching a 12 hour movie. It's great! But now I don't know what to watch...

auditory paranoia

One of my biggest pet peeves of ALL TIME is when my classmates' cell phones start ringing during class. Or during movies. Or during anytime. Something about a ringing cell phone reminds me of an alarm clock (perhaps the fact that I use mine as one) so the sound raises my hackles instantly. In order to curb my personal desire to chuck my cell phone out the nearest window, I have had mine set on vibrate for awhile (it still rings audibly when I get up at the buttcrack of dawn). Now, in theory, having a cell phone on vibrate makes sense. Or it would if you didn't have super sensitive freaky good hearing, like myself. Typically, I can hear the little bugger buzzing across the room (with the exception of when my mother is calling, selective hearing I guess. jk, ma). Now, I've noticed that I'm tuned into every little buzzing thing wherever I go. Your tv have a lowtone buzz? I'm going to try and answer it. The space heater in your office making a humming noise? Maybe its someone calling. It's beginning to drive me a little bonkers. I need to find a cell phone that alternates quiet little noises but none of them sound like an alarm clock. Cell phone manufacturers, I'm talking to you.

A reason to be happy...when I'm hacking my lungs out

Reading over my last few posts, I realized that I've been a major downer lately. It's so much easier to complain on this thing than be happy about stuff. So even though things aren't ideal right now, I'd like to say that I'm thrilled that it's turning Fall. THRILLED. It's chilly out this morning, the leaves are starting to get the slightest bit of yellow in them, and you can tell that the light is just different. It makes me excited. I think Fall is probably my favorite season. Granted, everything is going dormant but I love the smells, the colors, and the clothes associated with it. Everyone dresses classier in the fall...

I need to go shopping:)

Impending doom

So I'm still sick.
I have a project due tomorrow. Haven't started yet cuz I've been sick.
I have 2 drawings due tomorrow. Haven't started yet cuz I've been sick.
I have an Exam on Friday. Haven't studied...guess why.
I have a paper due on Friday. It's a short one, but yeah. Haven't started.
I have a BIG project due on Monday. I'm behind on it.
I have a Quiz next Tuesday. Haven't studied.

The perfectionist in me is hyperventilating.
The ill person in me wants to sleep til the disease is gone.
The me that lies somewhere in between keeps chanting "c's get degrees".

So begins the Season of Stress...

I have some good news and some bad news...

First the good news...
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the Wok-a-thon! I have a stack of recipes printed off and am ready to get cookin:) An extra little thanks to Ma...she must know I have limited readership (not that I don't love all Four of you). Perhaps in a future post, I'll pick a Grand StirFry Winner and award some Fabulous Prize (not a car).

Now the bad news...
I'm sick. Achy, congested, all over icky...sick. I'm not one to call in to work or skip class but I've decided that this was worth it. I'm hoping that this is it for the semester because I've used my Get out of Jail Free cards on my classes. *As a side note, how come the classes I pay for have mandatory attendance. If I'm paying for them, and I still get the work done, how come I can only miss one class a semester? Just a thought... So, thank heaven for kleenexes with lotion and super fun cold medicine.

Wok assistance

Recently, I purchased a wok in hopes of making some killer stir fry. A friend of mine has a super fantastic teriyaki recipe but upon request, said friend decided it was a family secret and won't divulge. So, few readers, I look to you. Anyone have any amazing recipes for things I can make in a wok? I'm always hesitant to try new internet recipes just because I don't want to spend the money on ingredients that Bobby Jo from Newport says are good. At any rate, if you've got em, hook me up! I'll also take any other recipes if you have 'em (no Balut, Modo...barf).

My chopsticks are waiting...

Tired

That about sums it up. Even though this week was a day shorter, it kicked my ass. I'm just worn out. Yesterday I caught myself at work daydreaming about getting a massage and then reality kicked in and I realized I have no time for it. This weekend, I'm aspiring to get alot of things done, even with working my butt off I have catching up to do for my projects. I think its just hitting me how much work these classes are. I kinda forgot over the summer.

Thank god for coffee.

and pizza.

Dear Freshman Walking with Your IPod,

You made eye contact when you were still on the sidewalk.

You hesitated.

When I'm behind the wheel, your hesitation is an open invitation for me to gun it before you can make your way in front of my car. Because when you walk in front of my car, the 57 other little freshman behind you with their Ipods will too. So next time, don't roll your eyes at me. I'll run you down and make your little green IPod my new hood ornament.

Consider yourself warned.

Can I help you?

This weekend was an amazing adventure in how crappy customer service has gotten. Ma and I ventured to the big city to run some random errands and the minute we crossed the threshold, things went downhill.

- First stop, a semi-well known restaurant for lunch. It wasn’t fast food but it sure felt like it. We were eating right after the place opened and there were hardly any people in the place yet our table was filthy. Like, patches of sticky sprinkled with pepper. Ma’s silverware had some miscellaneous sauce crusted to the outside of the napkin. I would have made it a point with the waitress but she was sprinting so fast that I didn’t have time to bean her with the dirty silverware. Aside from the grossness, the speed was a bit excessive. About 10 seconds after getting our drinks, my salad was delivered. Three bites in, our entrees came. Had I not stopped eating my salad in the middle because I didn’t want my entrée to get cold, I would have still been munching on lettuce by the time the check/dessert menu arrived. Sometimes speed is nice but I don’t think getting in and out of a sit-down style restaurant should be done in 20 minutes.
- Next we had to make a stop at a popular cosmetics counter. The staff was the typical level of labcoat friendly but I was put off when I saw the sales goal posted right by the register. Now, I know that these kinds of things exist. I just think that seeing a neon sign saying “$8100 – Make it Happen” with a pie chart right in plain sight is in poor taste. When I brought it to the attention of one of the lab coats, she just rolled her eyes and went back to the conversation she was having with another labcoat. At least pretend like you’re going to do something about it. Not planning on giving them any more business…
- After having a day full of a general lack of customer service (with the exception of the the lady at White House/Black Market…but when things are that expensive, they better be helpful) we went to soothe our frazzled nerves with Cheesecake. AGAIN, the tables were filthy. Not quite as bad as the other place but my arms still stuck to the table and you could see rings from glasses. When my coffee came, I was again grossed out. The Factory uses clear glass coffee cups and mine had obvious streaks and watermarks from the washer. There were also a couple little specks of godknowswhat. If you’re going to have clear glasses, you should probably make sure they stay clear. Gross.

Now, most things I tend to overlook. But poor customer service drives me nuts. In my line of work, I go out of my way to make things perfect for people. Even when I worked for the petstore, I worked my hardest to give the best service and make the experience pleasant for the consumer. Is it just me or do people just not care anymore? It’s frustrating because even if you complain, nothing happens. Is the general work ethic in the service industries slipping? I hate to think that it can get much worse…

Perpetually MIA

Yeah yeah yeah, I know I've been missing lately. Since classes started I've been more than I little busy. Some of whats been occupying my time:

- Studios...on fonts. I love my major but I had to buy 8 books for this one class and 7/8 were entire books on fonts. The eighth book was on the color wheel. I hope I appreciate this class later because right now its an 8 am annoyance.

- Cleaning. Okay, I was worried before moving that my slobbishness would be a major downer at my beautiful new place. I've taken it to the other extreme. I think I'm almost OCD about keeping this place nice. I love it. Its a whole new side of me. Borderline scary but at least my straight jacket will be spotless and beautifully ironed.

- Top Chef. I shit you not. They've been running marathons and I'm officially hooked. I know nothing about food but it makes me want to. That and Tom Colicchio is dreamy. Ironically, I found out that Ma was also getting hooked on the show. If that isn't one more piece of evidence for our bizarre psychic connection, I don't know what is. But she's married, so she can't have Chef Colicchio. I win. Sorta.

- Friends! After a slow start last year, I've been able to make some great friends and I now have a pretty decent social life. They even accept the fact that I'm that sarcastic chick. I keep 'em laughing. Never a dull moment.

So that's whats the dealyo. Hopefully, I'll remember to write more. Hopefully I'll have more entertaining things to write about than fonts...