Thursday, May 19, 2005

My Living Room


I love my couch. I bought it all by myself - got an amazing deal - and just think it's great! The color is faded in the picture - it's actually more a a sage-y green. And it's covered in microfiber that is sooo comfy. Obviously the whole family agrees!Posted by Hello

On the subject of life insurance...

"Well, I don't know. I've spent all this money on life insurance and never used it!"

(From an employee to me in HR regarding whether on not he should buy optional insurance coverage.)

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Can you read it?

The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia :)-

Amzanig huh?
Icdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg Yaeh and yuo awlyas toghught slpeling was ipmorantt.

___________________________
Thanks Jenn!

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Post Secret


An amazing site of humor, pain, joy and solidarity.

You are invited to anonymously contribute your secrets to PostSecret. Each secret can be a regret, hope, funny experience, unseen kindness, fantasy, belief, fear, betrayal, erotic desire, feeling, confession, or childhood humiliation. Reveal anything - as long as it is true and you have never shared it with anyone before.

Posted by Hello

Google Invades France

Here is a great article by Jason Miller at WebProNews entitled Google, The French, and World Domination; The Culture War Begins.

Apparently Europe, led by the French at the moment, is *very* concerned with the American domination of the web and the Anglo-Saxon-ization of all things sacredly European. All this because Google announced plans to digitize the literary world.
France's National Library president Jean-Noel Jeanneney spun around in his chair and called up President Chirac. In protest to what the French press soon called "omnigooglization," and what Jeanneney called a decidedly "Anglo-Saxon" affront, the national librarian wrote a scathing letter to Chirac.

"The real issue is elsewhere. And it is immense. It is confirmation of the risk of a crushing American domination in the definition of how future generations conceive the world."

"[T]heir criteria for selection will be profoundly marked by the Anglo-Saxon outlook."

"It would have meant The Scarlet Pimpernel triumphing over Ninety-three (Victor Hugo's eulogistic account of the revolution)."
Now, since I've never heard of, nor read, Ninety-three, there is probably some validity to Mr. Jeanneney's concerns. In response to Google's endeavor:
The national libraries of 19 countries committed to the mammoth project of digitizing 4.5 billion pages of text, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.

Luxembourg P.M., Jean-Claude Juncker seemed especially incensed, saying, "…Europe must not submit in the face of virulent attacks from others."

I do find it very funny though, as Mr. Miller points out:
As I am writing this, I realize that it is difficult to decide how to react to such claims. Nineteen whole countries mobilized against an American search engine?
Another great point from Mr. Miller which sums up my feelings:
But realistically, isn't it as simple as America having something to sell, and the world wants to buy it? Is that a conspiracy? Or is it a challenge to the rest of the world to produce?
Believe me, I want to see every European country retain their cultural identity and having a European library online would be a spectacularly fabulous resource. I just find it amusing, sad and then again amusing that the new American imperialism has gone from "McDonaldization" to "Googlization".

Monday, May 16, 2005

Geek Calendar

This is for all my truely wonderful, geeky friends. Joat, I was thinking about you when I saw this.

Blush

Well that was embarrassing!

OK - So I'm at work going through my morning email. One email is my HR Strange but True regarding using the Whizzonator to foil drug screens (brought to public light by NFL running back Onterrio Smith). Since we do urine screens I thought I'd surf and find the site.

So I was looking at the, ummm, product, and in walks our IT guy to set up our new spam catcher. I scramble to hit my "desktop" button on my mouse and when I glance up he's talking but staring at the door jamb.

God, I hate how easily I blush! He probably thought I was surfing porno first thing in the morning. Gahhhhk!

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Fun Blogs

I've joined Blog Explosion and as such I've come across a few really great blogs (and a bunch of really junky ones...)

Here are some of my new favorites:
Realistic Revolution - my favorite post this week: Stupid Study of the Week
Waking Ambrose - Devil's Dictionary - Advice
Ward-O-Matic - I love Ava Thursday's
Knottyboy - I know I've already hyped his blog but it really is very good!

Humor and Warning

This is from my absolutely adorable, very precocious, 5 year old godson's grandmother. Note she did not write this but I think she might have sent it as a warning! =-)

____________________________________________________________

A) For those with No children - this is totally hysterical!
B) For those who Already Have children past this age, this is hilarious.
C) For those who Have children this age, this is not funny.
D) For those who have children Nearing This Age, this is a warning.
E) For those who Have Not Had children, this is birth control.


The following came from an anonymous mother in Austin, Texas.

"THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM MY BOYS" (honest and not kidding)

1. A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq ft house 4" deep.

2. If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3. A 3-year old boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4. If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. However, it is strong enough, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5. You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6. The glass in windows (even double pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7. When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.

8. Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9. A six-year old boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36 year old man says they can only do it in the movies.

10. Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4 year old boy.

11. Play dough and microwave ovens should not be used in the same sentence.

12. Super glue is forever.

13. No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14. Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15. VCR's do not eject "PB&J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

16. Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17. Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise while driving.

18. You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19. Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20. The fire department in Austin Texas has a 5 minute response time.

21. The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earth worms dizzy.

22. It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23. Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24. 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

25. Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.

Saturday, May 14, 2005

The Flags

Here's a very creative way to look at social and economics in a country - The Flags campaign by Icaro Doria.

Soooooo Alaskan!

Check out this post from Bossco. It's like using a prophylactic on an outhouse!! Very funny.

Adult Warning!

OK - this site is going to be TMI for some of my visitors so be warned!

I found the Car Kama Sutra hysterical! (BTW - the sites uses cartoon graphics so it's ok to laugh - really! )

Wednesday, May 11, 2005


Breanna's creations... Posted by Hello

Child's play


I took some digital photos of three neighborhood girls then they all came over and played with adding borders, text, etc. Breanna wrote me this "thank you". Posted by Hello

Mother's Day


My bouquet for my mom - I thought it turned out nice.

I bought these very bright spatulas and baggie clips from Pampered Chef (mom loves the colors I hate - yellow , orange and green.). So now I had the spatulas but needed a "wrapping". Then mom mentioned that she'd really like some gift certificates for pedicures - she loves how I paint her toe nails.

So I created the colorful heart "gift certificates", taped them to BBQ skewers, added the spatulas and viola!

She loved it. Posted by Hello

Naked finger

I don't know what it is... It's been months since I wore a wedding ring yet I can still feel its absence on my finger. Driving to work I'll feel like I missed putting on my jewelry in the morning only to realize I put on my watch and earings...and I don't wear a ring any more. Lately I've noticed myself feeling my ring finger with my thumb as if checking to see if the ring is in place. I still glance at my left hand and think I'm missing something. Weird...

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

So Psyched!

I saved $800 today!!!

OK - not exactly but I didn't have to spend the money either! I've put off registering my vehicle in WA because of the tax charged. Given the year of the vehicle, I figured the tax alone would be about $800. So I got the registration done today and only paid $65 in fees! Yeah!! Apparently I've owned the vehicle long enough I'm not subject to the tax.

AND this is the last thing in *our* name. Now the car is just registered to me under my current name. Yeah!!!

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Puppy Love


The neighbor kids love the dogs. Tessa and Anna give Seby lots of attention. Posted by Hello

Glory Roll


Glory's favorite activity this summer is rolling in the sun warmed grass. I think she is soooo cute! Posted by Hello

Friday, May 06, 2005

Reason for the Season

I've been a bit melancholy the past few days and I've figured out why - I'm entering the season of anniversaries.

Anniversary of leaving Alaska; anniversary of arriving in WA; anniversary of hearing those terrible words "I'm leaving you"; anniversary of the day he left; anniversary of the transition time; anniversary of the final divorce decree...

I'm going to work through this - I am going to not only survive but grow and thrive! But... it's gonna hurt...

Thursday, May 05, 2005


 Posted by Hello

Happy Feet

Well I followed Joat's advice and bought myself some birks. Unfortunately I have really big feet - size 43 European. And all the really cute Birk's stop at 42. Grrrrr. Anyway, I did get a nice pair of the classic Arizona. I also got another pair on sale that look really similar to the black pair in the picture but in black leather not suade.

I've worn them for about a week now and I'm pretty happy. At the store the lady measured my foot and I discovered that my right foot is now a full size bigger than my left. Apparently an injury from long ago (ballet of all things) has caused that arch to fall. So I have a small blister on that foot - guess my fallen arch will have to toughen up! =-)




Posted by Hello

Friday, April 29, 2005

My new favorite blog

I just *love* this guy! The videos are hysterical!

Winter-Breakup-Summer (that's it)


This is from my friend over at Aack. Believe it or not, this is a great lawn for playing croquet in the summer. Ya gotta love breakup! Posted by Hello

Little Lost Girl - Update

I saw the mother and the little girl bringing in laundry and wandered over to the apartment. I introduced myself and they said thank you again. Turns out they (mom and dad-the young guy I saw) have young twins - maybe 12 months old. The whole family was asleep. The little girl woke up and just decided to go outside. The dad said they lock the door now.

Of course, I always lock the door... but now I'm sure they always will! So it sounds like one of those innocent things that just happen when you have kids!

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Don't know who said it but it's great!

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, margarita in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming – WOO HOO! What a ride!”

Monday, April 25, 2005

Disapointment/Depression

I've realized something. Probably something you already knew. But still, it was new to me so it's significant.

I was driving home and I started feeling IT again - the darkness, despair, loss of hapiness - Depression. OMG, I thought, I'm starting to spiral down again.

And then it came - this great, glorious epiphany - I wasn't depressed - I was disappointed!

Now this may seem quite odd to be so excited about being disappointed. But for the first time ever, I looked at the familiar feelings and realized they were not indicative of a past recurring. They were just similar to another, heretofore unrecognized, emotion - disappointment.

I previously purchased some great prints at a 90% off store closing sale. I had been watching the paper for a framing sale at Michael's. The long-awaited ad came out Sunday. So I showered, gathered a few prints and went to the store. Sad to say, even at an awesome 70% off sale, it was still out of my budget. Very hard to deal with because I reallllly want to put up those prints. But I had also just done my checkbook and realized I needed to live more within the budget and less with the plastic.

So here I am, driving home, dealing with the age old conflict of desire vs. responsibility. And it hits me - I'm disapointed with the results of this trip.

And I continued driving home happy as a clam that I had an epiphany about disapointment. =-)

Little lost girl

Last night, about 10:30pm, my roommate took the dogs out for a final bladder check before bed. She comes rushing back in saying there was a little girl wandering around on the lawn.

Now, my roommate is prone to drama so I was sure she had seen a child but just hadn't noticed the parent. But, being the good roommate I am, I leave my TV show (Grey's Anatomy - great show) and wander outside.

Sure enough, there's a little pixie of a girl standing on the lawn. I look around, no adult in sight. I went over to her and she wasn't in any distress. But she was a bit disoriented, wearing her nightgown, blankie and what looked like princess dress-up shoes.

I asked her where she lived and she pointed to a apartment about across the parking lot - a substantial ways away if you are three (or so), traveling in the dark in your princess dress-up shoes.

So I picked her up and she directed me home. I asked if she was ok, if there was something bad at home, etc trying to find out why this tiny child had wandered away. She was completely nonpulsed, readily gave me her name and her mommy's name.

So we reached her apartment and the door was wide open, all the lights off. I shouted "hello" and rapped on the side of the wall a few times trying to get someone's attention. Finally a young guy came down the hall and I heard a female waking up in another room. The little girl had walked into the woman's (mom's?) room on her own. They guy sort-of blurted out a thank you as he was looking into the woman's room. I asked if everything was ok - he said yes. So I left.

Everything seemed to be fine. I left but since I've wondered if I should have done/said/asked more. I hate to be a bother or seem to be judging a good parent but it would kill me if something was wrong and that child needed help that I didn't provide. I've thought about knocking on the door today to see if things are ok....

I wondered if the little girl was maybe just sleepwalking? She certaintly wasn't upset about being outside in the dark....

Memory.....

For the life of me, I can't remember if I put soap in with the first two loads of laundry....

Saturday, April 23, 2005


We just had a great rain storm here. Rolling thunder, flashes of lightning, the sound of pounding rain... It was great! Posted by Hello

Friday, April 22, 2005

Dream House


Isn't this the greatest looking tree house? I would have totally *lived* up there as a kid. Maybe as an adult too! =-) Posted by Hello

Thursday, April 21, 2005


Remember this nifty blue? My dad has a 1969 trailer on the property currently storing tools, etc. The stove and sink are this great color. Posted by Hello

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

Withdrawal Hell

OMG - I thought I was going crazy again. I've been tapering off my meds and thrilled that I was doing so well and very much looking forward to being med free and happy and healthy.

I've hit the lowest dose of Effexor XR and these past few days I thought I was becoming crazy all over again... anxious, shakey, nervous, flighty, weepy.... So I caved and called my doc. She said I wasn't having symptoms again - I was going through discontinuation syndrome. She said it was horrible and awful and normal. The discontinuation syndrome is actually worse at the lower doses. Yeah! I'm not going nuts!

This from Wyeth (Effexor makers)
Adverse events have followed the discontinuation of EFFEXOR XR, like those seen with the tricyclics and SSRIs. The most common events after discontinuation of EFFEXOR XR (at an incidence >3% and >2x that of placebo) were dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, nervousness, and sweating. It has been suggested that these phenomena may be attributed to serotonergic mechanisms in certain patients.
Jeepers! Withdrawal symptoms are worse than the depression that caused the need for the med in the first place!
And from another website...
Cons: The absolute worst discontinuation syndrome of an antidepressant. Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is a medication people utterly loathe to have taken. It is not uncommon for someone to change doctors during or immediately after Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) discontinuation.

Effexor's Not So Common Side Effects: Increased or lowered blood pressure, sweating, farting, anorexia, twitching, shock-like sensations.

But the most disturbing freaky rare side effect with Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) is what Wyeth disingenuously calls "withdrawal syndrome," that once you acclimate to Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) you are basically hooked for life. The discontinuation syndrome never goes away if you try to stop. For someone with unipolar depression that's a pain in the ass, but something you might be able to work around barring any really adverse side effects, but for someone who is bipolar you can be royally screwed because Effexor (venlafaxine hydrochloride) can really aggravate mania and especially rapid cycling.
And I can now attest to all of the above symptoms (well, except for the anorexia-like symptoms which I wish I had!)

I hate it but I'm so relieved to know what's going on.

Monday, April 18, 2005


 Posted by Hello

They call it cheddaring..


I toured the Darigold cheese making factory in Sunnyside, WA. It was interesting and I love "squeeky cheese" aka cheese curds. But for crude humor I couldn't resist this photo. Posted by Hello

Sunday, April 17, 2005

My future home?


This is the view of a corner of my mom and dad's property...which they've subdivided...and mentioned as gift/inheiritance for their children...

I love the little hollow this makes (look at the middle left of the picture - dry grassy area - not green). The hill makes me feel safe and secure. I can totally see a medium-ish, two story house with a big porch, fenced green lawn and garden on the side. Kids in the backyard... A apple and cherry tree, a square of grape vines... Growing my own fruit in my backyard - how cool would that be?!Posted by Hello

Goat Head


Here's a clearer picture of the nasty goat head still on the vine.

Posted by Hello

Devilish Burr


I know this is blurry but I just had to share the new found knowledge of goat heads. These nasty little seeds fall off the plant and get super hard. They puncture tires, dog paws, flesh... And they're all over my dad's property. They blend into the dirt and grow prolifically.

Posted by Hello

Prosser Property


My mom and dad's property in Prosser, Wa. The white tubes are irrigation - which my dad had put in himself. This area will be grass and eventually have a couple cows and some horses. I'll post another picture when there's a house! Posted by Hello

Day with Dad

I had a great day today. I went with my dad out to their property in Prosser. We did a bit of surveying - something I haven't done with my dad since I was 12!




After the surveying we drove along the back roads to Yakima to a popular local burger joint called Miner's. Killer chocolate milk shake! Then lots more driving around and looking at the country and learning about the new place I live in.
Posted by Hello

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Birthday Presents


Remember the birthday piggy banks? Just thought you'd want to see them. I think they're adorable! Posted by Hello

Help!

I need to find a very supportive, nice looking sandals to wear to work. My feet get hot really quickly so I need sandals. And my foot has an old injury so i need support. The cheap sandals from Payless Shoes are just not cutting it!!

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Front view


Bossco requested some photos of my current diggs and surrounding. So here's the first of several I'll post. This is the view outside the LR window. It's so great to watch kids play on the playground!

BTW - sorry for the fuzzy picture. My camera is giving me fits!
Posted by Hello

Poco un poco

Last night was a turning point - my legs were just way too weak. Which means it's time to finally do something.

So this morning I went to the tiny workout room at the apartment complex and did 15 minutes on the treadmill and bike. Now admitedly 15 minutes is not alot but it's a whole heck of a lot more than I've done in the past few years!

And I'm going to check into weight watchers...

Geesh - all this recovery is going to give me a complex! =-)

Monday, April 11, 2005

Questionable Look

OK - so I'm up early because I have a meeting at work with the negotiations lawyer. I'm dressed and back in front of the bathroom mirror putting on my makeup. My lovely roommate pads by in her bathrobe and oversized fuzzy kitty slippers.

RM: Aren't you going to work today?

Me: (are you insane?! why else would I be up this early?!?!?!) Umm, yeah?

RM: Well I was just wondering. Usually you wear something pretty.

Me: (glance up startled and look at her via the mirror)

RM: I mean, not that that's not pretty...... (mumbles and moves away)


OK - I'm wearing a brushed silk outfit of navy pants and a coordinating navy and lavender top. I even wore the right underwear to avoid the panty lines! I may not look damn good but I look fine (I even checked with two co-workers this morning just to be sure)!

Not quite sure what fashion standard she compared my outfit to but a weird way to start the day.

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Gaaagk!

OK so I hunkered down to do my taxes for the first time on my own. I used TurboTax and OMG - such a good way to go. It's taken me 8 hours, mostly spend correctly categorizing my business expenses for schedule C. I got my chart of account set up a few weeks ago but hadn't gone back and re-categorized the very generic "business-expense" items.

So in the end I have 10 pages consisting of:
1040
Schedule A
Schedule C
Form 8283
Form 8829
Form 4562

Right - like I would have been able to do that on my own!

At least I got a refund! =-)

Saturday, April 09, 2005

She's here!!!


Cadence Lynne
Born: 9:55 p.m., 8 April, 2005
Weight: 7 lbs., 8 ozs.
Length: 21 1/4 in.

I'm soooo excited she's here! And very jealous my mom is down with my brother and sister-in-law instead of me. Posted by Hello

My new niece


Here's Cadee with mom Nikki. Both are doing fine. Posted by Hello

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Suprised

I just tried to call the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization to see about volunteering only to discover there's no chapter in my entire area. That really shocks me. I though for sure there would be one...

Now I have to find some other way to connect with a child...

In Trouble

Ashamed to say I received my first every employment discipline write up today. For being tardy. And my boss said it could effect my continued employment here. Said he couldn't understand why I couldn't be on time - I set my own hours after all.

Me - I don't know why I can't be on time. Laziness? Bad habits? Meds? I have a lot of problems in the morning with waking up and for a long time I know my medication has been a significant factor. I've weaned myself down to really low doses so is that still a factor?

I haven't had anxiety/depression problems in a really long time. I guess the potential is still there. Do I claim ADA reasonable accomodation as a way to explain/get off the hook? Given my history I could ask for a reasonable accomodationas a flex start time but should I really? Is this what I need or do I just need to be more disciplined? Should I tell my boss what's really going on e.g. give a brief sketch of my mental health background? Just keep it all under wraps and work to make it to work on time?

Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated. What I've tried: trying to stick close to the same time schedule on the weekends, setting my house clocks/watch forward by 5ish minutes, moving my alarm clock, setting the alarm earlier, berating myself for being late, skipping shower/breakfast/etc to get out the door...

Guess I don't get to ask for all my great requests at my 90 day review...

The ring

So way back in June of '04 my former husband and I were still together. He was saying something about leaving but I was in firm denial. Anyway, I went to my mom's and helped cook dinner. I took off my wedding band and put in in her convenient ring holder by the sink.

A few days go by before I make it back to retrieve the forgotton ring. Only Mom went on a cleaning spree, didn't see my wedding ring and dumped the contents of the ring holder in the trash. Much looking and dumpster diving but it was gone. I cried.

So D is still here and I decide I want another wedding band. Something cheap. He says he's leaving but I want to show I'm still married. D agrees to go looking with me. We find a nice band at Zales for under $100.

Fast forward. Now divorced, definately not wearing the substitute ring.

Found the ring again and thought I could take it to a pawn broker and maybe get $20. so put it in the change pocket of my purse. Carry it around for weeks being abruptly reminded of my new single status every time I get change.

So I'm driving the highway home one evening at 70mph and I'm struck with a thought - I'm going to chuck the sucker out the window.

And so I do and grin all the way home.

Homer Spit, where I can sit and dream a bit


I was recently trying to explain that a "spit" is a real geographic term. If only I had had this niftly sattelite photo to use as a visual aid. Homer, Alaska - where I grew up.

Thanks to Valette for letting me know about sattelite images in Google maps. Posted by Hello

Monday, April 04, 2005

Things they don't tell you in school

So I went to Portland with my boss and another manager. Very nervous about a three hour car trip iwth the boss so I bought a CD player. Didn't use it on the way down - didn't feel comfortable. I did use it about 30 minutes into the ride home.

My boss frowns into the back seat then smiles and asks what I'm listening to. I told him. Then a business conversation started so I turned it off and didn't turn it back on. Way to weird.

It is apparently better to listen in silence and boredom that be potentially rude and listed to a CD player.

First Time

I can now add Oregon to my small list of states visited (including Washington, Alaska, Vermont, Texas, Ohio, New Mexico and a bunch when I was 4).

We drove to Portland through the Columbia River gorge - it was beautiful! I definately have to go back just to see the sights.

Thursday, March 24, 2005

Off with her head

I've just been head hunted! I've always wondered what that would be like and if I would ever get good enough to be on someones call list.

Now the guy probably was just calling similar businesses in the area but still... It was cool!

I declined to get into an in-depth conversation with him since I'm still in my first 90 days and I like working part-time. Fun experience though!

Monday, March 21, 2005

not such good news

Been feelin' kinda punky for a week. Finally got some medical advise.

Turns out I have an intestinal flu. **Intestinal** Guess how I've been feelin? And it's supposed to last two weeks. I still have a week to go.

TMI yet? =-)

Friday, March 18, 2005

Progress

All my work emails fit on one page! Yeah! Now that's a good day's work!

? Prophet

So if couch potatoes who guess at football games are pigskin prophets what are the equivalent basketball fans called?

Prophet

Well, I guessed 15 out of the 16 first round NCAA games played last night. Love that beginners luck!

Then I actually emailed the in-house guru and asked "So how do you think Milwaukee will do against Boston?" OMG! I sound like a stereotype! Ack! What has become of me???

Very Good Day

A very nice day, as birthdays go. I received a call from my brother and his wife. Great to talk with them even if they were just getting out of the ER. My niece Rori has a bad virus. She's doing better.

Mom and dad cooked up a great dinner of grilled beef fillet, baked potato, salad and devil's food cake. Very yummy. And it was nice to spend the evening with them.

I got the best present! You've seen those globes where each country is a different semi-precious stone and the oceans are deep azure? She gave me one! Yippee! I've wanted one for ages. I mentioned it once to her and she remembered - that felt awesome!

And I bought myself two new pigs for my collection. I collect piggy banks - and this is very specific. It must be a piggy bank (no general pig statues), it must be shaped like a pig (bunny rabbit piggy banks don't count, and it must be ceramic (no plastic piggy banks). And the bonus is if it is hand painted. Those are the best! So I found four in a great little gift shop and limited myself to two (for today at least!)

Then I curled up on the couch and watched a movie.

A very good day.

Thursday, March 17, 2005

Big Wind

There was a weather alert yesterday for dust and wind. This did not compute as such a thing is completely out of my range of experience. The closest reference I had was HS history class discussing the Dust Bowl of the 1940's.

So - wind can be very strong - I have now learned. The drive home wasn't too bad really. Kept both hands a little firmer on the wheel and had to fight it a few times. Kindof like driving in slushy snow and fighting to stay center. The sky looked similar to a smoke or ash filled sky. The dust was very gritty on the teeth - yuck.

The best thing though was the news at work the next morning. One of my co-workers car was parked on a hill. It blew off and went down a hill/ravine/gully thing about 350 feet. Let me repeat the car blew off the hill. Now that is wind.

New Thing

I was just asked if I wanted in on the Brackets. "Huh?" was my very intelligent answer. With my co-workers very generous further explanation, I am now participating in the office pool for March Madness. Yes, I the uneducated, am about to fill in my predictions for the NCAA basketball tournament. $10. Not a bad investment for some amusement and further connection with my co-workers. Of course this is a complete crapshoot for me since the only thing I know about college basketball is that the local car dealership is having a sale tied to March Madness.

Wish me luck! (yeah, right) =-)

Accomplishment

OK - It's not done BUT...

I finally got all the boxes moved around in the study, found all my office supplies, found the frying pans I had really been missing and basically now have a place for everything. Further refinement needed but I feel MUCH better.

The Day

Happy Birthday to Me! =-)

34 is going to be a good year.

Monday, March 14, 2005

Busy

Good - extra hours at work
Bad - union negotiations - serious headache
Good - employees like and trust me
Bad - spend every day last week and today dealing with immediate employee issues - my inbox overfloweth with all the other things I'm supposed to do
Good - Organizing business is really picking up
Bad - Work 9-5, 30 minute consult=90 minutes, back to home 7:30pm
Good - Mommy had dinner ready and waiting!!
Bad - roommate just loves to talk when I get home
Bad - It's now 10pm and I'm just sitting down to get caught up on the day and ready for tomorrow
Bad - I'm in such a fuckin' bad mood. I really need an organizer to come unpack me and get this office set up so I can function.
Good - I got my Zire Palm today - yipeee! - no more double scheduling!

Damn Cat

Damn cat. Damn, damn, DAMN cat!
Ran away - wouldn't come - spend too much time chasing it.

Grrrrr. i SO don't need this.

Tuesday, March 08, 2005

Fat facts

In the 1990's, the average adult gained 10lbs. In 2000, airlines spent about $275 million on fuel to carry our extra weight.

Great Proverbs

There is no economy in going to bed early to save candles if the result be twins. Chinese

Why should a man without a head want a hat? Chilean

Monday, March 07, 2005

Cell phone-y

I just found out that the 10 free photo downloads a month from my phone to my email require the purchase of the $5 monthly plan. Grrrrrrr.

Scary moment

Tonight my roommate fed Seby a treat - a round, soft meat, disk thing. Since it was soft he inhaled it- literally. He started choking and making horrible wheezing sounds. It was terrible. He couldn't throw it up and couldn't get it down. It was too far down for me to get. He just kept breathing weird, then convulsing. His heart was just racing. We tried all sorts of things. It took almost an hour for him to get back to somewhat normal and another hour before his tail was back up.

It was so scary there for a bit. I can't imagine life without him.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Goal

Three new paid clients from the home show! Yeah! So that means I've earned my lounge chair!!

And now I've made a new goal - pay off my business debt and get a new piece of jewelry - with sapphires.

Thursday, March 03, 2005

Blondness

Monday I get the office and a reminder comes on my computer - Go to Bellevue. (Not the psych ward!)

Crap! I'm supposed to drive to Bellevue and go to a conference the next day!

Work quick, run home and pack, drive 220mi, check in to hotel, sleep. Go to conference all day, drive home. Very tired. Great conference though.

Tuesday. Call in sick (I don't travel well and when you miss your meds.....). Get up later and decide to go to work. Get dressed. Go to find keys. No keys. Look everywhere. No keys. Call Mom. Nope, never gave her the key.

Sigh. Call locksmith. 30 minutes and $40 later - have keys, will travel. (First stop - Mom's house to give her the spare key)

At office decide to go buy Dt. Coke. Look in change pocket of purse. See spare car key. Mentally kick self all the way to the Coke machine.

Office locale

I love having my own office. Full floor to ceiling walls, door, window to the hallway (unfortunately not to the outside). Pretty great.

The very bad thing - I'm next door to the men's room and across from the women's room.

This is annoying for several reasons:
- hearing the fans in the bathrooms turning on and off all day (the fans are on timers so they just click off at odd moments)
- the smell of bathroom deoderizer wafting into my area (I have a candle burning in defense)
- the sound of people pooping

This is just gross. I know it's human and all but I would just rather not hear an explosive grunt from some guy who's just made it to the bathroom in time to lay a big one.

Tardies

Why am I always late? I just got called on the carpet, though in the most gentle way possible, for being late (25 minutes) twice now that he's seen. Eeghads!

This is bad. I know it's bad, I know it looks wrong, I know it send the wrong message, I know I'm HR and held to a higher standard...

Why can't I make myself be ontime? I don't think I've been on the dot on time for more that three or four days out of all the days I've worked. I'm constantly 5, 10, 15 minutes late. Why, why, why?

I've tried setting my alarm earlier - no effect. Snooze too long. I've tried setting my alarm later - to catch my more awake point in the circadian rhythym. Limited success.

It's almost like I'm waiting to get into trouble before I can make myself be on time. What is up with that????

Wednesday, March 02, 2005

Just thinking...

a raise
a second week of vacation (prorated by hours, of course)
1 day a month I can re-arrange my schedule to speak or attend an event relating to my own business.

Too much to ask for at a 90 day review?

anger

Anger, such fierce anger. What - am I so easily forgettable that he would never call or contact me again? His blog - my only link - is filled with allusions to new friends, many gay. Has he gone over? Flirtations or actions? has his faith changed? He certaintly donesn't mention it like he once did.

Pain - pain of regection. Of being someone someone else has gotten over. could I have another relationship that was not a rebound?

Rejection - lonliness. Does he miss the comraderie? The sharing of the days events? The sharing of bodies?

Why is this thing with new found social skills such a discovery? This was always an open option before. Truth - I didn't like him doing things without me. I was threatened, insecure. yet before the big blackness, there were times and suggestions that were never taken up. I remember suggesting karoke! why couldn't we have done these things together?

No I fantasize about the Amazing Race. the divorced couple, still great friends, having a history together they have an edge over the competition. They are able to read each other, communicate bettertriumph without digressing into yelling, name calling, rudeness. They find each other in the Race and maybe some gentle coupling. I don't know what the end of the Race would hold? Do they each seperate again? Do the call, email stay in contact? I think of this as possible motivation for losing weight, getting in shape. Is this daydream so much fantasy as a dream?

The dreams of him are less frequent as I guess time would make them. Two? Three? weeks ago was the last one I remember. His face just came to me all of a sudden. I realized i had been worried about forgetting - the way you worry about losing the face of a dead loved one. Then presto here is his face, kind, thoughtful, loving there for me again.

Being loved. I miss that. Having gotten into the first argument/serious situation with my mom since moving here, I feel even more alone.

Dare I confess? I seem to have lost the one friend I made here. Does that somehow validate what he thought of me? Validate the leaving? I really am not a good person to be around?

Colleagues, co-workers, clients find delight in me but they only know the public face. Finding other friends is an untrodden path for me. It's never been easy for me to make friends. I've always been the type to only have a very few close confidants and friends. Definately a detriment now.

The church was the place to make acquaintances at least. A common creed and common pot luck recipies gave entry into social circles. I don't even know where to go here. I know the standard thought - activity interest groups, volunteering, etc. The really bad part is I have little energy to devote to such endeavors. New job, new business, new home, new environment, new healing. I may be a TV junkie but it is also a place of escape and solace I need. I need others yet need so much time alone.

and I do not want to make my roommate, however sweet and giving, into a confidant friend. She is my roommate. I'm not interested in deepening the acquaintanceship.

I realized I had spend days not surfing over to the blog and was pleased the thought had not crossed my mind. Then I view and obsess and wonder and cry and stay up too late trapped by thoughts that need to escape. Delete the shortcut. does that delete the relationship?

Looking at pictures - only a few that happen to cross my hands - it is like seeing a stranger. Did I know this person? Was that time only a dream? There is a fatalistic side of me that seems to believe this was inevitable. I review my life and see these stages - childhood, fracture, schooling, Japan, return, falling in love, college, marriage, graduation, work, brokeness, betrayal, loss. All these things so common to all yet unique in their arrangement in my life. Yet there is this childhood, marriage, now feeling that skips over the marriage To childhood, learning, now. Like the marriage was always something that wasn't going to last. A stage i would go through but then be able to divorce from emotionally as easily as the divorce proceeded on paper. Not that it was a mistake - no, this is not saying the marriage was a mistake. But a cosmic path that was an option. I chose the option, lived it out and now am back on the path after some sort of pleasant interlude. An interlude I can distance myself from and only keep the kernals of knowledge and experience I gained.

Perhaps all this esotericism is 2am. perhaps it is because I am litterally in another world. New home, new town, new job, new atmosphere. After all, I was only married and living with him for 6 weeks before I was alone here. I have no desire to return to Alaska. I wonder if a return would trigger things? of course it would - wouldn't it? yet I'm the one he taught, wooed, cultivated, lectured into becoming more emotional. Some of that is retained but there is a very familiar, comfortable detachment. Like choosing to abandon that detachment was somehow a breach of self, a giving away of my core that should never have been given. So in losing one thing I've come home to another. A bit wiser, having experience more but back to acknowledging and keeping truer to my core self.

I gave up too much of myself to the marriage. I think we both did. If only we could have learned this sooner and not had to seperate, lose each other. We were sooooo goood together!! There was so much goodness and richness to what we had together. Was it really his secret or my blackness that was the reason at each ascribes to the other? I've learned now the power of my mind to control my brain chemicals. The emotionalness - in touchness that I learned in the marriage really strongly contributed to my going out of control. With detachment has come an almost disappearance of symptoms and the continual reduction of medication.

So what is healing? Getting over him? Getting off all meds? Knowing limits? it does not help to ask why but the question still haunts. I gained so much from this precious relationship and I miss soooo many things. Why can't we get together now - now that we're learning enough of ourselves to make the us whole again?

Friends, family think I'm foolish for entertaining the thought of getting back together again. No matter what the Christian community thinking is, so the consensus goes, gay is gay and should not invite such a stumbling block back into the relationship. They point to my health improvement. Yet how do I explain it is all so much more complicated than that? I am much improved in health yet still have many hangups. And part of the improvement is acknowledgement of limits. so would new knowledge equal new health in the relationship? for the long term? yes and probably no.

The thoughts are getting circular and nonsensical now. the truth is a broken relationship is always subject to review and I think there are few satisfactory answers to be found.