Back By Popular Demand

In my defense, I tried to make an entry last night whilst I was hacking the wireless network at school, but my computer ran out of juice.

Tuesday: So my new diet is not good for Yoga. I have been eating really small portions recently, the Healthy Choice/Smart Ones/Lean Cuisine frozen meals and a dressingless salad is all I have for lunch and dinner. Of course this is simply not enough food fuel for the demanding Yoga that I do and I actually stopped in the middle of the standing poses, lay down, and PASSED OUT!! So there I am sleeping, snoring, drooling, twitching with a rag on my head and I twitch so hard it jolts me out of sleep. I pull the rag off my head stretching and yawning like "Whoo! I'm TIRED!" meanwhile me fellow Yogis are contorted and working HARD. I'm a loser!!! So I didn't even make it to belly dance, I went to Noodles and f*cked it up! Ate, napped, got up and talked to Dane and felt guilty about my sorry performance.

Wednesday: Hard day at work, let's just say it has to do with managers, variance reports, and meaningless, pointless accusations. Ugh. Went home and met with Joe A. to fix the Montero. The Monty was on it's best behavior, bitch. It's all "What?! I'm a good lil car." LIAR!!!!! It did, however, die at every stop. Something with the idle I guess. Joe fiddled with the snap ring and I will test drive it this weekend. He stayed for a moment and we talked - he's WAY effing cool!! Very much "my type" of guy. *wink* Then Rhi got me a Starbucks latte so I could stay up and finish my homework, which I got 1/3 done.

Thursday: Even harder day at work, but I expelled all the negativity. My time in CO is short, I don't have time for bitterness. I also got word that Seattle UOP rejected my transfer. It's just minor financial formalities and as my counselors said "Crystal - you gave us 5 months advance notice - I'm sure we can take care of anything and everything that might be a problem in 5 months." They are so awesome for putting up with me. I had such a day at work that I got a Starbucks for the cold, wet, snowy drive home - it's almost May people!! Meanwhile in Seattle, it's blue skies and in the high 60's! Dane is moping because he doesn't have his bike. I talked to him for a while, he went to LR's Burlesque show last night, I can't wait to hear about it. I even sat in my car in the parking lot and lay back and listened to relaxing music and took some deep breaths to prepare myself for school. I went to Panera and was dead set on broccoli and cheese soup, but then they had wild mushroom bisque!!! It is the BEST!! And it's vegetarian *wink*. School was fun, I was on the net half the time courtesy of UOP's wireless network. Then my computer died, unbeknownst to me laptops have a 2.5 - 3 hour battery life. I thought it would be more. Nope. Shoulda brought my power.

Today: At work, working at about 25%. Hey, it's cold and wet and gloomy! I am excited to go to HOK with Amy tonight and then see what happens from there - I'm up for anything. I've conned Rhi into being our DD.

So that's the latest, there will be more on thoughts/feelings and all that touchy stuff later.

On Time

I can't remember the last time I was actually on time to work. I'm always tweaking my schedule and coming in when I want, leaving 8 hours later, sometimes more, sometimes less. Today I was up the first time the alarm went off. I sat in the cold, quiet bed and wondered what it was about Dane that made me not want to wake up in the mornings. I got up and got ready in my *new* bathroom, it was nice to strut around naked in between getting dressed ready and bathroom ready, a commodity I have not been afforded since Sam moved in. Sam who is now the head of the house and moving into said shoes quite effortlessly. He sat at the head of the table, grilled his lunch/dinner, emerged from his room, kept his door open (so as to keep watch of the women-folk), made Rhi clean the bathroom, offered to mow the lawn when the time came, took the trash out. Rhi and I had to laugh because it seems like Sam was a hermit because Dane was around and now that he's gone Sam's all out and about throughout the house. This is funny because Sam is DANE'S friend originally!

So Friday was fun, I got drunk early and then danced it off by closing time. It was great to have Peck in town for the night, just like old times. Rhi handled her like the champ she is but suddenly she has a newfound respect for me and for taking care of me when I'm drunk. I'm a passerouter, when I get drunk, I'm happy passing out. Not hard to take care of the passed out chick. Peck, on the other hand, is the rowdy, rambunctious type that won't go to bed for NOTHING!! Rhi eventually took her to Karl and Ginger's house. Saturday was stressful, Dane procrastinates EVERYTHING till the last second and spent all day working on the Montero (something that could have been done throughout the last two weeks) and packing at midnight. I had little compassion for him and was thus called "heartless". I won't deny that. Yesterday it took me 3 hours to clean Dane's disgusting bathroom and move back in to it. I also used my Dyson vacuum for the first time *orgasm*. That thing is amazing - so smooth, quiet, easy to clean out. I love it.

Final thought: I have been wanting some alone time for a while now. I am all but ready to make the "plunge" with Dane, but first I've been needing some quiet, alone time. I consider it my last hoorah. I think I will enjoy having the time to myself to go tanning, hit the gym, study for school, and focus on getting my "ducks to quack in unison" (catchy phrase courtesy of Paula). I will undoubtably miss Dane, that's not my point. My point is I/we need this time before we transition into the next chapter of our lives. I need to seal up all loose ends here and spend much needed time with the friends and loved ones residing in CO (and it's neighboring states). Once in Seattle, it will only be Dane and I for a long time. Well, for ever really. So - good luck us, but I am looking forward to the next 4 months rather than dreading it.

The Final Goodbye

I know we said there would be a goodbye party for both Dane and I in September, but (as things often do) plans have changed. Our lease is up the end of August. Dane is limited on the amount of time he can take off so I will be the one to pack up the house and drive out of here. He will be here next month but only long enough for me to pick him up at the airport and drive out to Moab. Then he will be here July 1st, again only long enough for me to pick him up and the airport then ride our bikes out of town and up to Washingtion. So pretty much for all our friends, this is the last time they will see Dane unless they fly up to Seattle. Which you know how that is, that's the "I'll believe it when I see it" type thing. When emotions are flying and beer is in the tummy, people (especially me) tend to say things that they might not be good for. Cite reference two weeks ago when I told a friend that if her husband couldn't make it to London with her this September, I'd be her plan B. Well, it looks like I might be going to London. I laugh because I was totally buzzed hard core when I offered my participation and I figured she was too and it would be one of those things you guys just forget about but no, she remembered and she's willing and excited to take me. Hey, $650 for a trip to London, who wouldn't go?!?!

So the depression of Dane leaving, packing the house, leaving my friends and family, and trying to find a new job is settling in. I actually left work early yesterday because I was so nauseous (and slightly hungover). Everytime I look at the house, all I can think of is how labor intensive it's going to be to pack everything up. I'm getting rid of a lot of our stuff, which will be depressing too. I love my stuffed animals, but I don't know what I'd do with them for the rest of my life and I can't justify taking them with me. *heavy sigh* Then there's Isis's stuff. I'm not ready to even go through it, so I will just take it with me, it's already packed away in tupperware cartons. Then there's Dane's stuff, the cats, the long drive I will be taking. But if Peck could do it on her own, then so can I! I look forward to seeing everyone tonight, it should be a fun hoorah.

A Cowgirl and the Pacific Northwest - 2

Chapter Two - Sleepless in Seattle
In Seattle it is difficult to gage time. The cloud cover allows the sun to travel the skies virtually undetected. It was still soft and grey outside when the couple left for downtown. It was almost 7:00 pm on a Friday evening but the highways were congested worse than Crystal had ever seen. Big, black birds, seagulls, and pidgeons flew around navigating the same course as the Taurus, some birds stopping to rest on the booies in Lake Washington. It must have been rush hour for the birds too, as every booey was occupied. Arriving just on time at 7:30, Dane and Crystal walked into Elliot's to meet the VP and his partner. Crystal was adorned in a floor length black and red sarong with shells and mirrored sequins, black top with see-through lace empire waist, and hair down, Dane in his favorite grey slacks and black top. John and his partner, Terri, showed them to the table and ordered a bottle of red and a bottle of white. John asked if Dane and Crystal had ever tried oysters. When they replied no, John ordered a plate of fresh oysters to be delivered immediately. Cornered between impressing the VP and being rude, Crystal and Dane decided to overcome their intimidation of oysters and try something new. Dane was even more adventuresome than Crystal, for his first oyster was plain save one drop of Tabasco. Crystal piled on as much cocktail sauce as the little shell could withstand and waited till Dane slurped his oyster before continuing. To his suprise he enjoyed the sea critter and grabbed more. Crystal sat with her oyster cocktail, sipping red wine hoping it would give her the courage she needed to slurp the critter. Finally she took a shot. She did not vomit, like she feared she might, but she was not ready to try another one either. The dinner progressed nicely with exquisite seafood and wonderful wine. Dessert challenged a glass of cogniac for the hard core quests while Crystal sipped her Alpenwood through a straw laced with whipped cream. Around 10:30 Crystal and Dane thanked John and Terri for a wonderful evening and slipped out to find the luscious Laura Rose.

The studio on Fremont was small and inconspicous. Not at all what Crystal was expecting. Delilah was very happy to see Crystal and even gave Dane a hug, though she'd never met him. The three briefly discussed Seattle, then Crystal left to find Laura Rose to get ready for the evening. Crystal donned her famous Sailor Moon outfit, largely inspired by Laura Rose herself. Once ready, Crystal said her goodbyes to Eric and Delilah and left with Dane, Laura Rose, and her friend Cherokee. They went to a members only goth club called The Mercury. There were many hard core gothic-types of all sizes and shapes. The bartenders poured stout drinks and it wasn't long before Crystal was drunk and working the croud for attention telling anyone and everyone who bothered to listen "I'm from Denver, isn't that fun?!" Standing out in her white tank top, pig tails with white flowers, and white knee high stockings, Crystal was already making new friends in Seattle. The Mercury stops serving alcohol at 2, but stays open till 4. The group decided however to make their way back to Laura Rose's apartment and then meet up at one of her friend's house two blocks down. The small capital hill apartment was littered with drunk, stoned, and high twenty-something partiers. The tiny pad had a direct view of downtown Seattle and Crystal spent most the night talking to new people while Dane held a wall up and took it all in. Not long after the Pabst Blue Ribbon beer was passed to Dane did he decide it was probably time to go. About the same time a shirtless Crystal was saying goodbye to her shirtless new friends, both male and female. It doesn't change no matter what state you are in, females MUST get naked when they drink.

A Cowgirl and the Pacific Northwest

Chapter One - A Brand New Day
The cell phone alarm burst to life at the not-so-ripe hour of 4:00 am. Crystal groaned in protest, it can't possibly be that time already. A sleepy, one-eyed look at the wind-chime clock/alarm confirmed that it was, in fact, 4:00 am. "I have a few more minutes" Crystal thought as she weakly tugged at the covers weighed down by an overweight female calico cat. Soon the calico's two-toned brother approached the edge of the bed where Crystal lay. He announced that he was aware the alarm went off and in accordance to the Cat Owner Agreement, Crystal was to feed him immediately upon awaking in the mornings and in the evening upon arrival. 4:16 am. Time to get up lest Crystal miss another flight out of Denver. The bags had been packed the night before, the travel clothes neatly laid out. Crystal got ready, excitement mounting. She pulled her hair into her staple hairdo, a pony tail with a cheery twist on top. "It looks like a hairpiece." Crystal remarked to herself. Soon Crystal and Dane were on their way. Late as usual. Excitement mixed with anxious thoughts as they drove the 56 miles to the Denver International Airport. It was still dark being only 5:30 am but the sky was starting to show signs of light. The inky black was slowly being smeared with the royal blue hues of the coming morning. Sunlight. A sunrise. These things might be left in Denver along with a mascarade of other items. An array of bachelor furniture, a pile of worn tires, best friends, enemies, a good job. It was all becoming part of the past.

DIA is the home of a myriad of airline problems. Gates are always double booked, the concourse train is often out of order, security is inconsistant. Today the train was down. Crystal and Dane exchanged a knowing smile, both thinking about the life they were stepping into and the life they were leaving behind. Once on the plane things weren't much smoother. Several mechanical failures and even the failure of emergency vehicles brought a worrisome cloud over most passengers, but Crystal and Dane were content - what a small thing to fret when there was so much left to do!

Soon after 10:00 am Crystal and Dane stepped off the Thrifty Rental shuttle bus...it was wet. Crystal said as much to Dane with a touch of shock and distaste. The other bus riders chortled in response "Welcome to Seattle!" It was everything people say it is. Overcast, rainy, a sense of quietness all about. The couple loaded the Silver Ford Taurus and headed off to the mall. Dane had accidently spilt Diet Coke all over Crystal's only pair of jeans for the weekend. Crystal, completely unconsolible about the pending trip to the mall, scolded Dane for his carelessness. Dane, knowing the pending trip to the mall scolded himself for his carelessness. The mall yielded two great pairs of jeans, a cute pink top with matching sweater, and a 20 gage nose ring. Crystal was feeling good because she was able to fit in the size she thought she was quite nicely. Dane was happy that the trip was relatively low in cost and quick in nature. Crystal always goes in right for the kill, no time to fool around.

The two crazed their way to downtown Seattle to the infamous Pike Place Market. They walked the market and ate a fast lunch overlooking Puget Sound above the Seattle Aquarium. Then the two muddled their way to Redmond for an impromptu meeting with the VP of Denali, the company that hired Dane to work in Seattle. Once there it was decided to visit the site of the client Dane would be working for. Site being an understatement, Dane and the VP, John, fled to one of the Boeing campuses. Crystal found a place to relax and get a much needed pedicure. Later, the two rejoined at the hotel on the disturbingly quiet and elusive Microsoft Campus. The Microsoft Buildings were many - so many that it Microsoft is listed on the map, like it was a national monument. It practically is.

A Beautiful Day

So I can always tell in my Tuesday performance of Yoga if I have been drinking the weekend before. I mean obviously I know if I went drinking regardless, but I can always tell how much it effects me. And I pulled my back on Monday, so that didn't help the cause. But see that's the amazing thing about Yoga. One day you can be a Yoga-Superstar, the next day you can barely do Half Moon. I am going to start going to Yoga 2 -3 times a week now that the man is leaving. It's sad, I'm beginning to realize how long this next 6 months is going to be. Dane and I had a great night at dinner and hanging out last night. It was a lot of fun. I really am going to miss him immensely. *sigh* Then my transfer from Denver to Seattle might not go so seamless. UOP Seattle doesn't have the same timeline as Denver, so there will be a 6 month lag time. So now instead of graduating April 2006, I won't graduate till October 2006. I suppose it's a small concession to make to be with Dane, but it is still frustrating.

In other news, life is crazy here at work with the Dear Abby column. Once Dane leaves I will take advantage of some overtime, maybe pay off some bills sooner. I think that with Dane not being around I won't go out to eat/drink as often (maybe once or twice a month). That will help with the budget and the waistline. I plan to live off Weight Watcher/Healthy Choice meals once he's gone. I will have all the time I need to tan, ride my bike to the gym, exercise at home, go to more Yoga classes, belly dance more often. *sigh* I'm sad.

I need to get a web cam, a laptop, and a vacuum in the next two weeks. I'm gonna get a Dyson - those things are cool.

Seattle or Bust!

Well, it's official. We are going to Seattle. FAQ
1. When will you leave for Seattle?: Dane leaves for Seattle on April 24th. He will be back in Denver the end of May and *maybe* June (if we go to Jamaica/other). I will not leave till the end of September. I have school, work, rental lease, and other loose ends to tie up in Denver.

2. Does this mean I will never see Dane again?: No. Friday, April 22nd, we are going to have a get-together to congratulate Dane on his job and see him off with warm hugs and wishes. Special guest appearances by Peck and (hopefully) Paula. The end of September will host the official going-away party for me and Dane.

3. What about the Luau?: I am sorry, but the Luau is cancelled.

4. Why are you moving to Seattle?: Dane is moving because he was offered a great job opportunity complete with better pay, benefits, fringe benefits, better/bigger company, etc. I am moving because my options are: move with Dane or leave him. There is no question what I am choosing. I am excited to go to Seattle because I can learn the art of belly dance from the dazzling Delilah delightening and the lucious Laura Rose. :) Seattle is also bigger and has a bigger accounting community - for reasons I do not know. Seattle also has great universities for me to attend.

5. Is there a UOP in Seattle?: Yes - there are 5 UOP locations for me to choose from. From there I will most likely attend Seattle University for my dual master's program.

6. Where will Dane live when he's in Seattle?: Dane will reside in corporate housing until I come up in September. The house has high speed internet.

7. Are you going to see Dane after he moves to Seattle? Will you be lonely?: I will see Dane in May and June in Denver. I will probably fly up to Seattle to see him in July, August, and September so I can assume a job and help with the house hunting process. Yes, we will be extremely lonely and miss each other a lot, but we will both have a lot going on to keep us occupied. And there's always late night yahoo. :)

8. How is Rhi handling this?: Rhi is a trooper. She realizes this is a step Dane and I have to make and is supportive and helpful to the enth degree. She is considering her options at this time and will probably make more concrete decisions as the summer wears on. She is sad, but understands (better than I did at her age I might add) that this is a simple fact of life. We are all aware that distance in location does not mean there has to be a distance in friendship.

9. Are you scared?: I'm spooked outta my g*d-d*mned mind!! I have never cut the apron strings (so to speak). Although I have lived on my own for a while, I have never really been away from mommy and daddy and that will be a big adjustment for me to make. But I'm just as excited as I am scared.

10. Will you have to rely on Dane?: For what? No. Dane and I have always been both self-sufficient and each other's number one resource. I plan to have a job upon my arrival in Seattle. If not, then Dane and I will help each other out so that we realize the right path in the right time.

11. How do you feel about leaving C&C?: I am very sad. Again, there was/is no question regarding my decision to follow Dane out to Seattle. Having said that, I am making certain concessions to be with him. Leaving an absolutely fabulous dream job is one of them. I have all the flexibility, benefits, mentoring, great pay, etc. that a 25 yr old could possibly want here. I love the people, I love the mission, I love what I do, I love my office, I love it. However, having said that - there is something to be said for being too comfortable and (as my friend Joe pointed out today) stagnant. He never stays at a job longer than 2 years and explained that he gets more experience that way, never gets bored or comfortable. I like that. I never planned on staying at C&C my whole career (thank you Paula) and as the beautiful Gwen Stefani would say "Whatchu waiting for? Take a chance, you stupid hoe. Take a chance cause you might grow."

12. Who can I contact to talk about taste loss in beer? http://www.preventtasteloss.com/home_ptl.jsp

I am a beautiful flower, with nothing interesting to say

Well there isn't much new to speak of per se. I think I bombed the Law test last Thursday, but the grades haven't posted so I can't be sure. Last weekend was spent watching a lot of movies (Bridget Jones, Ray, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Sin City) all were great. I still want to see Finding Neverland but incidentally I can never find it. I rested well, ate take out, and accomplished nothing. It was a great mini-vacation. I always spend my time off in some far off place going a thousand miles a minute. It was nice to just sit at home in my woobie sarong, hang out with the kitties and roomies. Sometimes being sick is good I think.

I've been thinking more about the Seattle business. Dane still hasn't received an offer one way or another, I secretly wonder if they are using him for free consulting - like stringing him along, then they will cut him loose. I don't know, our industries are so different, this is probably just how it works. He doesn't seem to be worried. I have put my resume on Monster and I even applied for an interesting job - we'll see what bites. I'm so scared and nervous, but I'm also excited. I would be sad if this didn't happen for us. I worry to much I think.

Rhi got a hampster yesterday. His name is Stinkigh, because when Dane was talking smack about him he straight up stood on his hind legs and stared at Dane for a long time giving him the "stink eye". Dewey broke the lamp surrounding the hampster's cage. Apparently Stinkigh intrigues Dewey more than Gerbil did. Maybe it's the glass cage. Then I waited behind Rhi's door while she was showering and when she came out and into her room, I silly stringed her. It was amusing, but not to Rhi I think.

I'm done.