Mini-vacation

For our summer vacation, Chef and I went 15 minutes away from our apartment. I volunteered to housesit for a co-worker. I forgot how nice it is to have a house. We grilled out and ate dinner outside. We watered the landscaping and I did laundry until my heart was content. Simple things felt so nice. It made us really think about what we wanted.

"We couldn't live in a big city forever," Chef said. "Like New York or LA. I'd miss having a house and yard."

It's so true though. You never realize the joy being outside and wiggling your toes in the grass until you haven't done it for a while.

Anyway, it was a great vacation. We'll probably go back this week to hang out some more. I would totally volunteer to housesit for people all the time if I could. Perhaps I could make a career out of professionally housesitting. Is there such a thing and if so, where do I sign up?

Not a Morning Person

There are many reasons that I don't get up at 5 a.m. on a regular basis and today at work is just one example. Mostly because I can't function after about noon without at least 7 hours of sleep. That's not necessarily true. If I were just up late and got up at a normal time, that would've been all right. But getting up nearly two hours earlier than normal hurts anyone.

So now I've spent the afternoon alternately sending out emails and intermittently playing games online until a respectable hour to leave. It's now approaching that hour.

Last night I made my first ever loaf of bread. From scratch. I would've been more proud, but Chef brought me back to earth by saying "You realize that people have been baking bread for a long time in history and most without the use of a Kitchenaid mixer." Nonetheless I was still very happy with the results. In fact, I'm craving some carbs right now. I hope to start baking different kinds of breads on a regular basis for practice. If you have any good bread recipes, hook a girl up.

Close but No Cigar

Hmm. Funny how once you title something with a cliche, you begin to think about the cliche. I guess close, but not a winner because you don't get to smoke the celebratory cigar? Anyway, I came in second in about the third job now. I'm so close to landing something great that I can taste it. But I'm not smoking the cigar yet.

However, when I was let down easy at this last job, I was asked to come in to interview for the same position in a different department. I have that this week. We'll see how it goes.

Alas, Chef turned a year older on Sunday. We had a weekend long celebration. I think in the future I'm going to get him one good present to be given the morning after his birthday to help cut the birthday hangover. Because waking up and thinking that'll be 364 more days until your special day is pretty depressing and deserves a treat.

Other than that, I'm just waiting for Paris to get out of jail so that I can have a reason for living again. As Cameron Diaz puts it "When Paris suffers, we all suffer." And so I'm suffering right now. Mostly I just like Cameron Diaz more since then.

Memorial Day Fever

The one thing that majorily sucks about a long holiday weekend is having to go back to work. Three gloriously long days off and then back to reality.

"We're just kidding. You don't really have this much free time. . .EVER."

That's the voice of the vacation Gods laughing in my general direction.

I did, however, have time to go to a friend's wedding reception (it was lovely), take a short jaunt up to my hometown and then do a thorough deep clean of the kitchen. While everything was wonderful, I probably felt best about the kitchen deep clean. It really needed a scrubbing. Of course, now my back is aching from being on the floor on my hands and knees, but what can you do?

On Saturday, I spent some time with some of my favorite non-Chef people in the world. One thing about my current place of employment is that it draws some of the nicest, coolest being I've ever met. We all grouped together for a picture, the past and present employees, and just being around the group made me happy. Whenever I get the calling for a new job, its going to be a bittersweet moment. Sweet because the set-up I currently have is not the most conducive to having the best outcome for my work and because I deserve bigger and better opportunities. Bitter because I'll be leaving some of the coolest people I've ever met.

Speaking of bigger and better opportunities, a side note here: I could be very close to getting one of these in the next week or so. If you have any spare good thoughts, send them my way. I'll take all the good energy I can get.

Yesterday I went to my Dad's house to visit some people. One of the families that I stayed with in Germany was in there on their vacation and I got a chance to hang out with them. Plus, as a BIG bonus, my very lovely and naughty grandmother was there (Naughty is part of her nickname, so don't think I was alluding to any current bad behavior.) One of my aunts also made an appearance, so that was a big bonus too. I love it when my family comes together.

We were all hanging out at my dad and his wife (I'm not calling out names for the protection of my identity--not any other reason). It was a nice afternoon. When my grandma was leaving I was directing her out of my dad's very packed driveway and I didn't do a very good job. She backed gently into my car and I felt horrible. I know that she felt bad, and still does because she is a very empathetic and wonderful lady. However, if there were any car there to hit, I'd have volunteered mine up gladly seeing as it is a 12 year old car and while it runs well (after a recent $800 fix up), its not that important how it looks. Plus she merely nudged it so only some minor paint damage was done. I know she feels bad and wants me to have it fixed, and I will do anything I can to make her happy, but I kind of like it. It gives my car some personality and a great conversation piece. I'm just saying.

Well, I guess I should get back to lounging in the few hours I have left before the alarm goes off.

I'm Smug and I like It

Not really, but on the way to work this morning, I was behind a Toyota Prius with the personalized state license plate that read "SMUG." Being a South Park fan, I laughed out loud despite myself. Those of you who get it with me can chuckle to the delight of a giant SMUG cloud from George Clooney's Oscar acceptance speech colliding with the SMUG of hybrid car drivers. It's glorious. (on a separate note, my work won't let me go onto the South Park web site. It's blocked for being "tasteless." Their wording not mine.)

I've been away from the blog and when he's feeling particularly mean, Chef will look over at me and saracastically say "Great blog today." In my useless defense, I've been trying valiantly to get a new job and between my actual work and finding work, the thought of spending even a few more minutes on the computer every night is just too much. On the bright side, it's summer and things relaz a little at my job. Plus I've got leads leads leads galore on my quest for further employment. Wish me luck.

For now, Chef is out of school for the summer and loving every minute of his break. I'm cranking away. One friend is getting ready to pop out a kid, another is getting married and a third is getting married this weekend while preggers. It's apparently been a busy year for other people as well.

Just something to ponder on. . .

A quick thought to send people's way:

If Sheryl Crow is so damn committed to the environment and wants ME, the girl who had to buy extra toilet paper in college when it was her turn because she used so much, to use only one square of TP when I go, then why is her song the background music to an SUV jingle?

Anyone want to wager a bet on that one? She cares enough to lecture, but is okay with selling her song to promote gas guzzling cars.

I'm just saying. . .

My bad

Okay, so I've been pretty bad about my neglect of this blog for the month of April. I've had to make some choices with my time and if it comes down to sleep, chef or blog, I've chosen the first two for the month. But hopefully I'm back in the loop now.

Tuesday morning I had a weird moment with a stranger. I took my car into the Jiffy Lube (although I would've preferred Mr. Lubie because that name just rocks). I was sitting in the waiting area perusing the USA Today and half-listening to Fox News playing in the background. Obviously it was running the full story on the tragedy at Virginia Tech this week. I had obviously heard what happened, but I hadn't really known details about the gunman. Across from me was an Asian man who spoke with a heavy accent. As we both looked up at the news report and details of the gunman came pouring out including the very Fox-like details of his residency status, I noticed that the man across from me was looking at me for my reaction. Without saying anything I could see in his eyes the anguish of the consequences of this news and felt very weird.

It got me to thinking about how as a white person, I don't normally think of my race. I don't have any strong nationality in my background, more like a mutt, but because I'm white, I don't have it constantly on my mind that I'm white. In fact, the only time I think about my race is when something happens that divides the races. It just seemed odd to me. A weird revelation.

Anyway, I hope to be back on more often now, but I'm not making any promises.

I didn't go to prom either but i'm not crying about it

Have you ever read something the sibling of a celebrity has reportedly said and just winced? Or how about when a celebrity tries to make themself seem more down to earth, but really it just makes you shake your head?

Angelina Jolie got two of those in one great package when her creepy ass brother, James Haven, reportedly told a tabloid that Angelina hasn't been eating because she was grieving over the death of her mother. He claims she's down to a svelte 109 on her 5'8" body.

Grieving sucks and that's not all that unrelatable. Who hasn't had someone close to them die? But its his next rant that really upped the creep factor. He then went on to try adn warrant some sympathy from the audience by talking about how much he hates his estranged dad, Jon Voight (owner of a French convertible?). He claims his dad was such a bastard because he and Angelina did not have cars while in high school.

Does anyone not pity this?

Haven claims he and Angelina's social growth was stunted because they didn't have cars. He didn't even go to prom because he was too embarrassed to have his parents drive him. However, this is my favorite line:

"Angie has been driven to be an independently wealthy woman now because we saw what it was like to be at the mercy of someone who controls the money and pulls the strings."

Hello?!?!? Isn't that called adolescence? Did any one out there control the money when they were a teenager? That only happens in cases where parents rip off their kid, or as I like to call it "Pulling a Culkin."

Now that we pity and sympathize with Angelina, is it wrong to bet on which country her next kid will come from?

I'm thinking she hasn't hit up South America yet. The next baby will be from Equador. Any other guesses out there in the "Where's the Next Jolie-Pitt Kid From?" game?

Is it almost April already?

So, I failed miserably in trying to update my blog three times a week for March. Its true. However, in my weak ass defense, I've had some work things going on that made me pull away from a lot of things. In fact, if I were to self-diagnose, I'd say that I was slightly depressed for the majority of March.

Chef has kept me sane though and done a remarkable job in cheering me up for the most part. So now I'm ready to be back in action. At least on the home front. The work front is an entirely different matter, but one that I can at least now face.

Yup. I'm just that caught up in myself that I've not really cared to comment on other people's lives. Don't worry. I'll get brutally vicious again soon.

Proud to Lose

Can you be proud of a team that loses in the NCAA tournament? I think you can. I'm proud because my beloved Hoosiers looked less like the teams of old and more like a team that has potential. They not only exceeded expectations this year, but when down by double digits with only 4 minutes left tonight against UCLA, they didn't give up. They actually believed they could win and with a minute left tied the score. Yes, it didn't end up a Hoosier victory, but the teams of old would have given up a lot earlier and made an embarrassingly lopsided exit from the tournament.

As you can tell, I've been sitting on my couch and watching basketball most of the day. Okay, all of the day. But, hell, its March. That's what I'm supposed to be doing.

My favorite time of the year

I love March. The weather is warmer and more inviting. My busy season is starting to wrap up a little bit. And with all these excuses to get out and see people, mostly I just want to stay inside and watch basketball. I bought my new baby for the sole purpose of listening to all the tournament games. It's a grand time of year.

Other than that, its same shit different day. I'm still mega-stressing at work. Chef is still being wonderful about it. I'm still walking every day (although I should be walking MORE now.) I've done all that and I set my writing aside for a little while. I've only written a few pages this month and I'm set to pick it up again for the second half of the month, but I needed a break. I actually need a break from a lot of things. I've been going to bed about 2-3 hours after I get home every night and that leaves little time for Chef and I to snuggle up. Well, we aren't actually the snuggling type, but you know what I mean.

So today I came in early. Left on time. And now am dragging my butt home to walk, talk and be with Chef.

My Day Off (Sort of)

Today I took the day off. Chef's spring break is this week and since he works weekends and we haven't had a day off together since my birthday, I cut out.

It wasn't that hard of a decision to cut out. I'm getting to the point of work being unbearable. We are once again without leadership in my particular office. Clients are upset and I've been getting phone calls about every other day with their grievances...literally. It's like Festivus and I'm hearing all the issues they have with us people.

Aside from that, my department seems to be in turmoil. We've had a lot of changes and it seems as if things will continue to get worse before they get better. There has always been at least one stable chain of command and now there seems to be none. No matter how many hours of walking I do a week, I can't seem to relax.

But today was better. Mostly because even if I had to check my email all day, I still wasn't actually in the office. Chef and I were lazy. Actually, not that lazy. We were out of bed at about 8 this morning. One of the things I wanted to get done this weekend was to install my new satellite radio receiver in my car. Chef graciously helped me do it so that I could run the wires from the antenna, which sits about 6 inches from the exact middle of the back windshield, to the middle of my front dash. His patience and diligence allow me to have the radio in my car with minimum wires showing. Honestly, it was one of those moments where you look at someone and are grateful for having them in your life not only for their company, but for their expertise.

Now I'm ready for the NCAA tournament.

My dad sent me money for my birthday and while normally extra money is put into our savings account or used on tuition, this time the money came after my tax return money. So, we've got savings and I've got an excuse to spend some dough on myself. Thanks, Dad and Robin!

Anyway, I've been eying satellite radio forever. Mostly because I live about 3 hours from even getting my teams on the TV feeds. So I chose Sirius. I can get my NFL team in the Fall and every game of the NCAA tournament. I even used a gift certificate to splurge on the boombox accessory. Now I'm jamming to my new two favorite stations: Big 80's and Hair Nation. Good times.

Today I went A Courting

I had never been to traffic court or anything like that. The first time I was in a court room, I was called to be a witness to a check writing fraud scheme that had been caught. I'd been called as a cashier who took a check. . .two years before the court case. Luckily, I was never called to testify that day.

Today, I was not so lucky. Back in August, I was helping a delivery guy into our office when I noticed a dark green mini van trying to turn around in our narrow parking lot. It didn't do a very good job and ended up hitting one of our co-workers cars. I was standing less than 20 feet away and was so dumbfounded that the van didn't stop that I memorized the license plate number and then immediately wrote it down and then told my co-worker.

Apparently, the department of safety frowns heavily upon the hit and runs, so they were suspending the driver's license. Aside from the fact that she never paid our friend's deductible, etc.

So, we had to go to a hearing this morning to testify upon what we saw months ago. It was nerve-racking. The lady was indignant and claimed that she wasn't even in the area on that day. At first I felt sorry for her and wondered if it was her, but the longer she talked the more bullshit she spewed. Then it was basically the fact that her word was directly challenging my word and I knew that I was right. I mean, I didn't just come up with a license plate number that happened to match a green mini-van that just happened to be her car. By the end of the hearing, I was indignant. The person residing was allowed to deliver her decision by mail in the next 30 days. I'll let you know what happens.

February Goal Update

Yes, it's been a while since I updated. Perhaps I should make it a goal for March. Consider it done. I will update my blog thrice weekly in March. In my defense, February is a brutal month for me at work.

Anyway, I'm sitting here sipping on a mixed drink that was garnered through a plethora of free booze that I came upon last week. Chef and I are trying to reinstate cocktail hour in the house without overdoing it and it seems to be going well. I've also discovered that my tolerance level for alcohol is pathetic which makes one cocktail plenty for me.

Aside from cocktails and work, I've still been keeping up with my goals. Well, mostly.

1) I have continued to walk every day of February. I'm trying to step it up, no pun intended, to help jump start the weight loss a little more. That being said, I'm very proud to say that I've lost 12 pounds thus far. I notice some pants are loose and my clothes look better so far. I'm officially 20 percent of the way to my goal. I hope to have 20 pounds off by my April update. We'll see.

2) I'm still writing, but the 30,000 words in January have made my February output less than I had hoped. Instead of the 15,000 words I was working for, I ended up with about 10,000. I'm up to 150 pages and I'm working to try and crank out the rest in the next two months.

On a different note, I wanted to say publicly how proud I am of Chef. He has been invited to be a phi theta kappa at his school. Its the honors fraternity and I'm exceptionally proud of how well he's done in school so far.

Okay, since tomorrow's officially March, be looking for three updates a week. Britney, I'm coming for you.

Just Another Crappy Ass Monday

The only thing manic about today was my attitude this morning. I've been living on the edge of nerves and rationality since last week and I have to see that I'm running thin on both. This time of year is always busy and always annoying and I'm about ready to break.

Luckily, Chef has been there to keep me in check. He's come through when it counts, calmed me down when I needed it and been pretty much a rock. Mind you, a rock that tickles my feet to tortue me, but a rock nonetheless. In fact, last night I was sitting in one room, he was in another and it hit me. I really want to marry this guy. It's not like I don't feel like that all the time, but come on, people. We've all had moments when we really take pride in our decisions.

Now, I'm just hoping that Monday will end less painfully and that a good walk will help me feel better. I guess we'll see.

Super Bowl Break down

Woo hoo! The Colts are Super Bowl Champs. I'm excited and that's all there is to say about that.

The Super Bowl as a whole, however, there are lots of things to comment on. First is the pre-game show. Not so much the talking heads spouting off at everything. I don't mind them (except for the lisp-y Shannon Sharpe). I do, however, wonder what the hell the NFL was thinking to put Cirque de Soleil on. Does any football fan really need to see tye-died lizard men jumping off of swings with their teams logo across their chest? How about a perpetually smiling kid with his face made up to look like a creepy rag doll bouncing up and down with giant balloons strapped to him? People holding gian butterflies? No? None of that appeals to you? Me neither. Cut the crappy ass pre-game show of at least that theatrical performance. Or if you must have one, at least make it a really cool marching band. Football and marching bands go together.

Other than that the Super Bowl was pretty enjoyable. Prince was as good as a half time show really can be and the game wasn't a blow out in the first half. Can you ask for anything more, at least if you're not a Bears fan?

On another note, I am getting sick. I can feel it in my scratchy throat and lithargic manner. I came into work early this morning and am leaving a little early this afternoon. After a very short walk today (have to keep the streak going) and perhaps a warm bath, I'll be sleeping until my heart is content. I can barely stay awake now. This isn't good.

January Update

It's officially the end of January and tomorrow will make the first five weeks of working towards the goals I set out for 2007. I am determined to exercise more, drop 60 lbs by blood, sweat and lots of tears, and write 1000 words a day in January.

I promised to be pretty open about how things are going. Which will be easy when I'm doing well, and not so easy when I'm gorging myself on oreos. Nonetheless, January has been a pretty good month for me. I feel great, which is the most important part.

So how am I doing on my specific goals? Check it out:

1. Write 1,000 words a day in January for a total of 30,000 words. Right now I'm up to 29,340 with plans and time set aside to write tonight and go over my goal. I've written 109 pages for a novel that I am actually going to finish. Not only that, I'm going to continue writing every day and have a goal of 15,000 words for February.
2. Lost 60 lbs. Every morning this month I've gotten up and walked for at least 20 minutes. If I had an early meeting, I'd go after work. Sometimes I'd walk before and after work. I've walked to the grocery store up the way to get an item or two that I've forgotten. Mostly, I've just walked to zone out. I have to say that I've walked before many times. Usually walking at night and three times a week, but this time, I'm on a mission to do it every day. This is getting harder because its cold as balls here, but I'm still doing it. Other than walking, Chef has made me promise to eat breakfast every morning. So now no matter how late I am for work, I eat a bowl of cereal. I've got it down to two minutes. I can spare two minutes to not feel absolutely ravenous by 9:30 every morning. The combination of the walking and eating breakfast has helped me a lot and so far in the last 5 weeks, I've offically lost 8 pounds. I just went and weighed myself (yes, at work--we have an old doctor's scale in one of the bathrooms). Eight pounds in 5 weeks is healthy, so I'm happy about it. Hopefully with another couple of weeks, I'll crack the ten pound mark.
3. Work towards being happy at my career. I've done something every week to help myself with this and so far I'm seeing some of the fruits of my labor. If that turns into anything larger, I'll be really happy. But for now being proactive is enough.

So that's where I'm at after January. Eight pounds lighter, walking more, feeling better, more than 100 pages written and new opportunities popping up. Not too bad a start for 2007. Now comes the tough part: keeping the momentum going.

Speaking of momentum, the weeklong festivites leading up to the Superbowl are killing me. Mostly because I can't wait for the game for the first time in years. Only four more days. . .Go Colts.

It's my Birthday!

Yes, this is a self-serving email and not because I'm excited, but because I'm having a good day so far. I took the day off of work (although I had a deadline this morning that I had to log onto my email for) for the first time in my tenure as a "professional." Mostly because my last two birthdays were on weekend days.

Anyway, I got up this morning at around 9 a.m., went for a long walk and then walked to the post office to pick up a package. At the post office, I saw Todd Snider, a great musician that I love. Even in my poof ball hat and sweats (I look oh so lovely but oh so warm when I walk), I went up to him and said hello. He was very nice and it wasn't a disappointment meeting him, as it is when you sometimes meet people you admire.

Now I'm back at the house and finishing up the work that was due. Actually, I just sent off my last email and I'm waiting to make sure there aren't any snafus before I get ready for the rest of my day. Chef and I are heading out to a huge mall here to do some birthday shopping and then a birthday lunch/dinner. And because I'm a big geek, my birthday shopping will include a bookstore visit that I'm totally excited about.

I'm also excited because last night I hit the 100 page mark on my novel. True to my goals, I have written more than 28,000 words and 100 pages this month. With three days left, I have time to get to my 30,000 word goal for January. It's been wonderful so far and I'm really excited to keep going. I'll give an official end of the month review of how my 2007 goals are going in a few days.

Riding high, not dirty

After investing many hours of time and an amount of money that I can't really calculate, it seems like my interest (devotion seems too strong a word) has finally paid off. The Colts are going to the Superbowl.

Some friends have asked me if I'm going to throw a Superbowl party and the answer is a voracious 'No.' Not to be rude to anyone, but I'm almost embarrassing to watch a game with. Even regular season games have gotten to the point that Chef either leaves the room or just leaves me alone. He has described my mannerisms during sporting events as autistic in nature. Although I think that actually does a disservice to those who are autistic. I think I'm actually spastic. I clap my hands repeatedly and tend to rub them together like the evil characters in melodramas do when they're talking about their maniacal plots. It's not attractive, so I'd prefer to do it alone.

Last Sunday, however, for the first time in months, Chef was home during a game. He works the weekends, so he's been spared for most of my drama. He's worked through the entire playoffs until the meeting against the Patriots. In fact, he even had a friend over. Not to watch me or the game particularly, but they ended up doing both.

They got to see the agony of the first half when the hope that I could cling on to was a last minute half-ending offensive charge that ended with a field goal. My dad, who embraces technology on Sundays to be able to chat with my brother and I, sent me a text message that read "A glimmer of hope?". A glimmer indeed.

As we all know by now, the game ended with a bang and not just the sound of me jumping up and down in my living room. Now I'm merely counting the days until February 4th. I don't even mind rushing through my birthday (which on a side note, is the same as Oprah's. The only thing this means to me is that when she dies there's a remote chance that my birthday could become a national holiday. Then I wouldn't have to take it off!). Although I'm not letting Chef off the hook on that one.

And so I leave you with this. . .only 10 more days until Superbowl XLI. Let it a good game. That's all I'm asking.

Philanthropy is the new Apathy

Remember when celebrities were apathetic? Or perhaps they weren't really apathetic, but instead decided to keep their causes to themselves?

Okay, so perhaps adding a little star power isn't necessarily a bad thing when it comes to drumming up support for a cause, but you can go too far. And that's what Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have done by moving their international brood to New Orleans. Are the celebrities in a contest to see who can be the best person in the world? It's getting old.

It's not enough to adopt children from impoverished countries, deliver your child in an impoverished country or vacation in an impoverished country and report your findings in a poorly written article for a woman's magazine. You must live in an impoverished country. Except living in them would make you too far away for film shoots and 21st century health care, so you find the next best thing: New Orleans.

Here's the thing though, Brad and Angelina aren't living in the Ninth Ward. They're living in the French Quarter. Their children aren't going to run of the mill public school, but International Public School that one normally has to wait on a list to get into. No such trouble for little Maddox.

I can only imagine how the two of them compete. Angelina grows her hair out and donates it to Locks of Love. Brad, not to be outdone, decides to donate bone marrow to a matching fan. Then Angelina donates a kidney. It's never gonna stop.