So I am enjoying a glass of wine and sitting in my reading room listening to iPod and smoking hookah. Since I have nothing better to do, I checked out all my favorite blogs and did a little sneak blogging. I'm going to snatch an idea from one of the blogs I snuck a peek at and I hope the original author doesn't mind and if anything is flattered by the distant peeping. :-)
Top 5 2006 Moments
1. Getting engaged when I least suspected it.
2. Seeing all my buddies in CO.
3. Solidify my friendships in WA.
4. GRADUATING!!!
5. Hawaii for my 26th b-da7.
Bottom 5 2006 Moments
1. Seeking rental apartments when a breakup w/ Mr. Man seemed inevitable.
2. RBMBA's resignation and the drama surrounding it.
3. Learning all the ropes and the stress of my job.
4. Gaining weight.
5. Cutting ties with certain "friends".
Resolutions for 2007
1. Learn to deal with stress/change at work with less emotion/passion more logic/patience.
2. Manage my time between work, the Man, and my MBA with balance.
3. Lose weight for the wedding.
4. Maintain vegan lifestyle.
What I'm looking forward to in 2007:
1. The wedding! Including seeing family and friends and of course MEXICO!
2. Starting my MBA program and consequently taking the summer off. :-P
3. My surgery (but I'm also very scared of my surgery as well).
4. Getting into a routine at work.
5. Lots of fun, new adventures with RBMBA and HG.
2006 Reflections
Well it's been another year. It's hard to believe that I will be 27 in one month. Wow. I mean WOW!! And not "World of Warcraft" WOW, I mean holy sh*t wow. I remember one year ago going on a walk with Dane in our semi-new environment and lamenting over how I wasn't where I wanted to be at "26". I had some frustrations with work and school, but mostly over the lack of proposal from Mr. Man. And then I remember how bad it got over this past summer and the many, LARGE setbacks that I got from Dane and how torn I was in July. I don't know if anyone really knows, but I was this close ] to moving out. I even had an apartment picked out and an appointment to meet with the property manager. For real. I remember sitting down to a Taco Time lunch with HG and RBMBA and telling them "I don't know what I want to do. I'm so torn." And this was the Tuesday before Dane proposed. I always knew that Dane was a procrastinator, but effing A! I don't know if he'll ever know how close he was to losing me. He had to have known, I only spelled it out for him for 3 years! And after the "setback" I told him his shelf life for our relationship would go bad in weeks and sure enough, a few weeks later there we were on stage. I'm really glad he surprised me like that and put me on the spot. Had I not been caught like that, I might not have said yes looking at the mood I was in. Of course looking back, I'm GLAD things worked out the way they did because I would have made a huge mistake harboring my bitterness towards his proposal. And in the end we all got what we wanted, but what a rocky road in getting there, eh?
So this year...this year I will be 27. Dude, wtf?! Where did the time go? My mom was telling me a story the other night about 14 years ago and I kid you not, my instinctive thought was "what story could she be telling me about when I was 4?!" As it were, I was THIRTEEN 14 years ago!!! HELLO!! I WANT TO TALK TO THE MANAGER!!! WTF?! Shocking. I had to ask my mom to stop the story so I could catch my breath. And I know all my 30+ friends are clucking at me as they read this, but you know what I'm going through - you were here. I hate how everyone was right. I hate but love how I look back at my life with such nostalgia and "things were good back in the day". I laugh at my "strife" when I was a teen and long for the days when life was so seemingly simple and responsibility was as far away as China. But now somethings different. I have the ability to look at my 27 year old self from my 50 year old self's perceived eyes and go "silly girl, you had no idea what was what at 27 - what a child you were."
This blog has been a wonderful thing for me. I've completely enjoyed going back and looking at myself and watching my posts change over the past two years. It doesn't seem but a drop in the bucket, but if you look, you can see the subtle changes. I can see it in my friend's blogs too. I did a fun "activity" once before on the blog where I talked to myself after the fact. Now I'd like to do the opposite. I want to talk to my future self. And I've had just enough wine and NIN to do so.
To December 29th, 2007 Crystal Ewers:
Hi - I hope this finds you well. I've been wondering - now that it's been almost a year from your surgery, what do you think? Are you glad you did it? What about the payments you make -how has that treated you? What about work? Do you still lie awake a night torturing yourself over your conversations with Karen, Donielle, and Stefan? Do you still open your big mouth and fight the "oppression from the man"? Do you even work at TSA anymore? Do you think yourself silly for the stink you caused last year? Did it do any good or did you learn to just shut up? Have you stuck to the vegan diet/lifestyle and working out? Did you lose weight? What was the wedding like? Did all your plans pan out? How is the MBA program? I'm really scared of it right now. Are you still scared? Do you still dream big? Are we still going to be a lawyer and CPA or hold a PhD? Do we still foster cats? How's Dane? How's his WOW character? Hee hee. Do you still talk to RBMBA? How are your CO friends.
I guess I have more questions than advice or things to say. But how can I possibly have anything to say to you? You will learn it in your own time when you're ready and I could type till I ran out of blog and a) not know what I was talking about and b) you still wouldn't learn. I hope for both our sakes that you eventually learn to calm or control your fire. I love our fire but I'm beginning to think that we are quickly out-wearing out "youthful" excuse. Eventually you need to learn class and tact. We have the passion, motivation, and drive, now we need to refine it and really work it so we can get what we want without burning bridges.
Why is it so fucking easy for other people to just KNOW this shit?! Why has it taken you/us so effing long to figure it out?! Why can Dane and HG just know how to fight and stand up for themselves and have sound arguments and solid thought processes and you struggle to not cry like a baby when your upset. You better figure this shit out by this time next year or I'll - YOU'LL, be seriously put off!!
How's the Dewey!?!? *swoon*
Sincerely,
Crystal and Jebis
December 29th, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Cmas and Other Happenings
Let's see here - lots to talk about so I'll take the bullet point approach:
- Work at the Army has been going okay. Since the Toy N Joy incident and all the happenings surrounding RBMBA's resignation I have been laying really low just focusing on one item at a time. I took Friday off and went to an interview, though I don't think I"ll take the job if it is offered, even though it would be a HUGE increase in pay. I think TSA has more to offer me and I'm not ready to leave yet. I am scared to go to work tomorrow. More of myself and my attitude than of the huge pile of work. I can handle the work one, single item at a time and focus on it that way rather than "OMG - look at all this crap!" My attitude, that's another story. *sigh* I am too high maintenance at work but on the flip side of that con is my passion and drive to do good work. I am trying to brainstorm ways to not be so emotional about changing landscapes at work, but I can't re-program my brain in one fell swoop. I've always been like this - it's in my DNA. Literally. It is in my DNA. My mom is the same way. I'm going through a period where I think poorly of myself for the way I am. I don't know if I should embrace or snuff out the passionate person I am. *sigh* More on that later I guess.
- Cmas - I got a ton of stuff for Cmas: a lot of games for game night, cute clothes, pottery, gift cards galore, lottery tickets (I won $18), office supplies, and a few surprisers like an iPod Nano and a beautiful silver and diamond necklace. OH - and I got lots of socks too. Dane was most happy about his new shaver/razor, remote control helicopter, and glock 9 or 40 or something like that from his mom. It was her duty weapon. The kitties got grass (that they wont touch) and a purring cat. They also got a USB fan, though that gift was originally intended for Dane. He got this fan that attaches to a USB port and then blows on you and keeps you cool at your computer. This fan must have offened Boo and Dewey because Dane can no longer turn it on....oh wait - I'm being told he actually had to put it in his laptop bag because they sought it out on the shelf and smote it. There are now two kitty tooth marks in it. Dane is NOT pleased.
- This past weekend was fun - we spent it with friends and had a great Cmas meal and gift exchange. Dane and I saw Night at the Museum last night, it was cool. I got my iPod all loaded up and now I'm going to go on my hunt. Since I can't get new clothes or bras till after my surgery, I will just focus on demolishing my Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Jo-Ann, and Office Depot cards. I'll wait to pounce on the Borders card so I can go with HG.
- New years has a Sonic's game and fireworks at the Needle in store for us, should be a good time.
That's all for now. I'll post more on work as it develops.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
The Salvation Army Kicked Me in the Croutons!
I am a little nervous about work tomorrow. I'm not so sure about a work environment without RBMBA. It will definately be different. I think for now I'm just going to take things one day at a time and save the stressing for the big stuff. In the meantime, I will zip up Kroc pledges, A/R, stay on top of December's 81 million payroll entries, and start ticking away at October and November closing duties. It's nice having help with my journals and mail. To me, TSA is in a probationary period. If too much changes or not enough gets accomplished, I might get restless. I don't want to though because overall I love the Army and their mission and working for them. I get great benefits, time off, and tuition help so it would be silly of me to think of leaving. It felt so good when I read job posts to know that I hold a degree in accounting and should be able to get an interview fairly easily. Some job posts have been hard not to send my resume to even though I'm not "actively" looking. We'll see. I really don't want to leave TSA.
And if you didn't see Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake, then the title of this blog will seem stupid. SOUP THERE IT IS!!! SOUP THERE IT IS!!
The Northwest was hit HARD by a windstorm last Thursday that I time traveled through (till Henry, HG's beloved cat, fell from the sky onto the tv - at least that's what it sounded like). After a night at the Noc Noc, we all cabbed it back to HG's house to sleep it off. The men went to work on Friday and the gals went to the spa. But before all that and during the night, I guess Seattle got ravished by sustained 60 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph!! Can you believe that?! Needless to say, thousands were and have been without power since then, there is millions of dollars in damage to houses, cars, boats, planes, businesses, and of course people. Luckily HG's house was unscathed. Since we stayed at their place on Thursday night, we didn't know the condition of our house or even that it was really that bad. HG, RBMBA and I spent the day shopping and at the spa with little contact to the news or "outside" world. Except we did get to hear a joke from "Bad Joke Friday" (courtesy of TJ - RBMBA's other half). What kind of bee produces milk? Give up? A BOO-BEE!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! :-) Anyway, after the spa, Dane and I wanted to get back to the house to assess the damage. We were prepared for the worst - no power and angry cats, but instead there was power for us and a few others on our block. We were very, very lucky. When we crossed the tunnel and got on to Lake Washington (on the drive home) there were no lights. Anywhere. It was like we were driving into the Great Nothing. It was craziness to see a whole city blacked out. As Dane was driving down the street he FLEW through a stoplight (that was obviously down) but you couldn't see. He cashed in about 800 karma points that night as we would have hit a truck if the truck hadn't seen Dane and stopped. Once we got to our house, we had NO cell service but we could squeak a text message out here and there. We managed to text enough messages to tell HG that we were okay and to meet for movies on Saturday.
Which is exactly what we did. We saw Eragon, which I liked. It was no Lord of the Rings, but it was good. The men squabbled about how "unlike the book it was". Then HG and I split off from the men so they and we could Cmas shop. It was a fun day with HG, we needed the time to talk shit about TSA and brainstorm together about how we can muddle through. We got our shopping done, save my backseam pantyhose (I can't find any ANYWHERE!!) and even got my Cmas newsletter taken care of (kinda - FedExKinko's charges one arm to use their self serve computers and one leg to print a copy - assholes, I would have spent $15 or so on 50 color copies, not $1 per page!!!). Then we bought a boatload of stocking crap at Bartell's - good times. OH - I forgot - Dane's bling bling party was postponed (due to the weather) otherwise I would have been at that. Back to the story - HG and I waited for our men to get back to their house and then decided to go to dinner separately. HG and I went to Bamboo Gardens - an all vegan restaurant by HG. AWESOME food!! It was a fun dinner complete with tomfoolery. Once we got to the Eastside, we set up shop in my art/dance room and put some good ol Cmas tunes on and had a wrapping party with wine out of mugs and straws. It was awesome. By the time we got done, it was late and SNL was on so we watched that, smoked some hookah, and then watched Talladega Nights, but I went to sleep half way through it.
Today HG made lentil bean soup that I pretty much commondeered from her. Poor thing. After she left, I kept putting more stuff in it (potatoes, brown rice, corn, tomato sauce) and before I knew it, I had more soup than we originally had! I let it cook all day and ate it for dinner then packaged the rest up thankful for the food I would have for the rest of the week as I overspent by $600 and have no idea where/how I will come up with that kind of cash. Le sigh. I may have to revisit my situation with Mr. Man. Who has purchased World of Warcraft and has not left his computer since. With the exception of 6 hours from 5am to 11am to sleep. I am a WOW widow.
That's about all that's going on these days. I'm completely ready for Cmas, all my gifts are wrapped. I have to mail my family's gifts and my newsletters tomorrow though. OH CRAP - and I need to get the wedding invites out already!! SOB!! This week is a busy one, Toy n Joy on Tuesday and audit wrap up lunch on Thursday. I'm off again on Friday and on Tuesday. I should be able to get the invites out by then. I need Dane's help and that means tearing him away from WOW. I had to schedule time with him tomorrow to help me clean the cat box. I wont even comment on that. Friday I think I'd like to go to LR's holiday burlesque show, but that's only if the man can pay my way in the door. Saturday is the Cmas celebration with HG, RBMBA, and crew. I'm really looking forward to that. Sunday I will go to a service with HG, then Dane and I will open gifts. Sounds like Nick and Jacob might come over too. It will be a nice little Cmas eve opening party. I'm really excited and happy. I love celebrating the season as I see fit. It makes it less stressful.
SOUP THERE IT IS!!! SOUP THERE IT IS!!!
And if you didn't see Saturday Night Live with Justin Timberlake, then the title of this blog will seem stupid. SOUP THERE IT IS!!! SOUP THERE IT IS!!
The Northwest was hit HARD by a windstorm last Thursday that I time traveled through (till Henry, HG's beloved cat, fell from the sky onto the tv - at least that's what it sounded like). After a night at the Noc Noc, we all cabbed it back to HG's house to sleep it off. The men went to work on Friday and the gals went to the spa. But before all that and during the night, I guess Seattle got ravished by sustained 60 mph winds with gusts over 100 mph!! Can you believe that?! Needless to say, thousands were and have been without power since then, there is millions of dollars in damage to houses, cars, boats, planes, businesses, and of course people. Luckily HG's house was unscathed. Since we stayed at their place on Thursday night, we didn't know the condition of our house or even that it was really that bad. HG, RBMBA and I spent the day shopping and at the spa with little contact to the news or "outside" world. Except we did get to hear a joke from "Bad Joke Friday" (courtesy of TJ - RBMBA's other half). What kind of bee produces milk? Give up? A BOO-BEE!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! :-) Anyway, after the spa, Dane and I wanted to get back to the house to assess the damage. We were prepared for the worst - no power and angry cats, but instead there was power for us and a few others on our block. We were very, very lucky. When we crossed the tunnel and got on to Lake Washington (on the drive home) there were no lights. Anywhere. It was like we were driving into the Great Nothing. It was craziness to see a whole city blacked out. As Dane was driving down the street he FLEW through a stoplight (that was obviously down) but you couldn't see. He cashed in about 800 karma points that night as we would have hit a truck if the truck hadn't seen Dane and stopped. Once we got to our house, we had NO cell service but we could squeak a text message out here and there. We managed to text enough messages to tell HG that we were okay and to meet for movies on Saturday.
Which is exactly what we did. We saw Eragon, which I liked. It was no Lord of the Rings, but it was good. The men squabbled about how "unlike the book it was". Then HG and I split off from the men so they and we could Cmas shop. It was a fun day with HG, we needed the time to talk shit about TSA and brainstorm together about how we can muddle through. We got our shopping done, save my backseam pantyhose (I can't find any ANYWHERE!!) and even got my Cmas newsletter taken care of (kinda - FedExKinko's charges one arm to use their self serve computers and one leg to print a copy - assholes, I would have spent $15 or so on 50 color copies, not $1 per page!!!). Then we bought a boatload of stocking crap at Bartell's - good times. OH - I forgot - Dane's bling bling party was postponed (due to the weather) otherwise I would have been at that. Back to the story - HG and I waited for our men to get back to their house and then decided to go to dinner separately. HG and I went to Bamboo Gardens - an all vegan restaurant by HG. AWESOME food!! It was a fun dinner complete with tomfoolery. Once we got to the Eastside, we set up shop in my art/dance room and put some good ol Cmas tunes on and had a wrapping party with wine out of mugs and straws. It was awesome. By the time we got done, it was late and SNL was on so we watched that, smoked some hookah, and then watched Talladega Nights, but I went to sleep half way through it.
Today HG made lentil bean soup that I pretty much commondeered from her. Poor thing. After she left, I kept putting more stuff in it (potatoes, brown rice, corn, tomato sauce) and before I knew it, I had more soup than we originally had! I let it cook all day and ate it for dinner then packaged the rest up thankful for the food I would have for the rest of the week as I overspent by $600 and have no idea where/how I will come up with that kind of cash. Le sigh. I may have to revisit my situation with Mr. Man. Who has purchased World of Warcraft and has not left his computer since. With the exception of 6 hours from 5am to 11am to sleep. I am a WOW widow.
That's about all that's going on these days. I'm completely ready for Cmas, all my gifts are wrapped. I have to mail my family's gifts and my newsletters tomorrow though. OH CRAP - and I need to get the wedding invites out already!! SOB!! This week is a busy one, Toy n Joy on Tuesday and audit wrap up lunch on Thursday. I'm off again on Friday and on Tuesday. I should be able to get the invites out by then. I need Dane's help and that means tearing him away from WOW. I had to schedule time with him tomorrow to help me clean the cat box. I wont even comment on that. Friday I think I'd like to go to LR's holiday burlesque show, but that's only if the man can pay my way in the door. Saturday is the Cmas celebration with HG, RBMBA, and crew. I'm really looking forward to that. Sunday I will go to a service with HG, then Dane and I will open gifts. Sounds like Nick and Jacob might come over too. It will be a nice little Cmas eve opening party. I'm really excited and happy. I love celebrating the season as I see fit. It makes it less stressful.
SOUP THERE IT IS!!! SOUP THERE IT IS!!!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
The Drama That Ended All Dramas
Well, RBMBA turned in her resignation. She was the employee that the allegations were brought against and after she was put on leave, she did some soul searching and decided to leave. Good on her. I would have done the same. I'm soooooooo bummed to see her go though. I can't even imagine a work environment without her. We are least able to spend some time with her tomorrow. I'm glad too, the last thing I wanted to do was lose a friend in all this as well.
I gotta go.
I gotta go.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Drama to End All Dramas!
Wow - I've never had drama like this in my life. I take that back, outside of the obvious (Isis, the whole relationship with her father, and Kevin), I've never had drama so bad that I was physically ill about it. I pinched my back nerve (again) so I took some pain killers, I'm sure that didn't help the nausea, but still.
Without going into too much detail because A) it's too much to type, B) it's too personal to a lot of people, and C) it will get me stressed again, I will just briefly outline what's going on and then rant and rave about how I feel about it. So you remember I said that one of the CFA's has quit? Well when she gave her exit interview she made quite a few allegations against a few people at work, one in particular. I guess the accusations carry quite a bit of gravity because the person who they were raised against has not been to work since Monday, on administrative leave of some sort. We haven't been able to contact this person at all and yesterday we had inteverviews with an outside investigator.
This outside investigator is evil. She is on a witch-hunt for the person the allegations were brought against, even though to my knowledge the allegations are completely false, have no evidence or merit, and were done out of retaliation. The Evilness basically gave me the third degree, treated me with disrespect, and had nothing but attitude for me. I was told by the Evilness that I couldn't speak to anyone about our conversation and I said "No, I'm going directly to my supervisor not necessarily about the content of this meeting, but definiately your attitude." I made sure to let the record show that I felt she was biased and unprofessional. I was so worked up over the meeting (and my back hurt so bad) that I had Dane come pick me up from work and take me home. I spoke with HR and the Finance Director before I left and voiced my concerns. Then I went home and tried to eat and vomitted my 14 tater tot lunch. :-(
Basically the CFA who left is the biggest piece of work you can find for miles. She spends all day on the phone, doesn't do her work, and says that everyone else is "favored". Well if she did her work, she'd be "favored" too, or rewarded rather. And when I say reward, I mean a pat on the back. I haven't been given vaca time or a big fat raise or anything else because I'm a superstar or favored. I'm sure in other posts I've voiced my feelings about this CFA. Just yesterday I was told that she hadn't done the September billing for DHQ store yet. No biggie, I know all the info is there, I'll do it (this is for a unit that I used to handle before the July transition). I go to do it and come to find out that she hasn't billed DHQ since I handed over the unit!! That's 4 months of billings totaling over $10,000 of money owed to the unit!!! AND THE BILLING FOLDER IS SITTING RIGHT EFFING NEXT TO OVERDRAFT NOTICES FROM THE BANK FOR THE SAME UNIT!!! In Lamen's terms, she had the info at her fingertips, spoon-fed to her to reimburse the unit so they would have cash to operate and she didn't do it so the unit suffered several overdrawn checks and such. How fucking lazy do you have to be dude?!
Anyway, high on percoset and upset over the Evilness I still managed to get the June - October billings in less than an hour yesterday. And that's the effing difference between that lazy, fat, slob and me. So call it favortism if you want, I'm fucking glad that skank ass is gone.
I'm still worried for the employee that the allegations were brought against, even if the investigation came back fine, I wouldn't want to come back to work after all this. I'm not sure if this employee will want to come back either. Poor thing. And I'm not sure how it may affect the remaining CFA's, we'll just have to wait and see. If they take away our flexible schedules, I'm going to ask to go to an hourly schedule. We'll see. I've been trying not to be too upset about anything till I know what to be upset about. With my back all hurt and crazy like this, it basically makes a nice little well for all my emotional tension to become physical tension that I can feel in my body inhibiting me from even putting my socks and shoes on. I'm so pathetic.
In other news - the surgery is still on and I've been reading up on the internet and in books on it. I'm scared. What did I get myself into? Being vegan is awesome! I love it. I eat all the time and yet still struggle to make 1400 calories a day. Plus I just plain feel better, I feel healthier, lighter, things go through my body much easier, I eat a lot less than I used to, and my cravings for bad food have completely dissipated. Even the other night on a boat party where no one knew me and I could have been the biggest meat eater (they had roast beef and smoked salmon) I chose not to be. Of course the salad had bleu cheese crumbles (no-no), the mashed taters were mashed with milk and butter (can't eat that) and even the effing broccoli was steamed with butter (WTF?!)!! So all I could eat was a couple slices of bread. We stopped at Taco Bell on the way home because I was so hungry I was ill and TB has the most vegan friendly menu of the fast food variety. I got two bean burritos fresca style (no cheese or sour cream) for $1.73. Dane said he liked this me being a vegan thing - it helps keep his wallet fat. :-)
I've got some (not all the work that I wanted to though) work done today and now I think I'm going to get the house ready for the Cmas tree, or as much as I can what with my back all fuckered up. :-(
Without going into too much detail because A) it's too much to type, B) it's too personal to a lot of people, and C) it will get me stressed again, I will just briefly outline what's going on and then rant and rave about how I feel about it. So you remember I said that one of the CFA's has quit? Well when she gave her exit interview she made quite a few allegations against a few people at work, one in particular. I guess the accusations carry quite a bit of gravity because the person who they were raised against has not been to work since Monday, on administrative leave of some sort. We haven't been able to contact this person at all and yesterday we had inteverviews with an outside investigator.
This outside investigator is evil. She is on a witch-hunt for the person the allegations were brought against, even though to my knowledge the allegations are completely false, have no evidence or merit, and were done out of retaliation. The Evilness basically gave me the third degree, treated me with disrespect, and had nothing but attitude for me. I was told by the Evilness that I couldn't speak to anyone about our conversation and I said "No, I'm going directly to my supervisor not necessarily about the content of this meeting, but definiately your attitude." I made sure to let the record show that I felt she was biased and unprofessional. I was so worked up over the meeting (and my back hurt so bad) that I had Dane come pick me up from work and take me home. I spoke with HR and the Finance Director before I left and voiced my concerns. Then I went home and tried to eat and vomitted my 14 tater tot lunch. :-(
Basically the CFA who left is the biggest piece of work you can find for miles. She spends all day on the phone, doesn't do her work, and says that everyone else is "favored". Well if she did her work, she'd be "favored" too, or rewarded rather. And when I say reward, I mean a pat on the back. I haven't been given vaca time or a big fat raise or anything else because I'm a superstar or favored. I'm sure in other posts I've voiced my feelings about this CFA. Just yesterday I was told that she hadn't done the September billing for DHQ store yet. No biggie, I know all the info is there, I'll do it (this is for a unit that I used to handle before the July transition). I go to do it and come to find out that she hasn't billed DHQ since I handed over the unit!! That's 4 months of billings totaling over $10,000 of money owed to the unit!!! AND THE BILLING FOLDER IS SITTING RIGHT EFFING NEXT TO OVERDRAFT NOTICES FROM THE BANK FOR THE SAME UNIT!!! In Lamen's terms, she had the info at her fingertips, spoon-fed to her to reimburse the unit so they would have cash to operate and she didn't do it so the unit suffered several overdrawn checks and such. How fucking lazy do you have to be dude?!
Anyway, high on percoset and upset over the Evilness I still managed to get the June - October billings in less than an hour yesterday. And that's the effing difference between that lazy, fat, slob and me. So call it favortism if you want, I'm fucking glad that skank ass is gone.
I'm still worried for the employee that the allegations were brought against, even if the investigation came back fine, I wouldn't want to come back to work after all this. I'm not sure if this employee will want to come back either. Poor thing. And I'm not sure how it may affect the remaining CFA's, we'll just have to wait and see. If they take away our flexible schedules, I'm going to ask to go to an hourly schedule. We'll see. I've been trying not to be too upset about anything till I know what to be upset about. With my back all hurt and crazy like this, it basically makes a nice little well for all my emotional tension to become physical tension that I can feel in my body inhibiting me from even putting my socks and shoes on. I'm so pathetic.
In other news - the surgery is still on and I've been reading up on the internet and in books on it. I'm scared. What did I get myself into? Being vegan is awesome! I love it. I eat all the time and yet still struggle to make 1400 calories a day. Plus I just plain feel better, I feel healthier, lighter, things go through my body much easier, I eat a lot less than I used to, and my cravings for bad food have completely dissipated. Even the other night on a boat party where no one knew me and I could have been the biggest meat eater (they had roast beef and smoked salmon) I chose not to be. Of course the salad had bleu cheese crumbles (no-no), the mashed taters were mashed with milk and butter (can't eat that) and even the effing broccoli was steamed with butter (WTF?!)!! So all I could eat was a couple slices of bread. We stopped at Taco Bell on the way home because I was so hungry I was ill and TB has the most vegan friendly menu of the fast food variety. I got two bean burritos fresca style (no cheese or sour cream) for $1.73. Dane said he liked this me being a vegan thing - it helps keep his wallet fat. :-)
I've got some (not all the work that I wanted to though) work done today and now I think I'm going to get the house ready for the Cmas tree, or as much as I can what with my back all fuckered up. :-(
Monday, December 04, 2006
The Decision
Well, it's done. I can't turn back now (well I can, but it would cost me). I am going to get some work done in time for the wedding. Dr. Egrari had an opening in his schedule last week and I consulted w/ him for about 2 hours. After a long discussion with Dane and sleeping on it, plus final discussions and details with friends and family, I've decided to go ahead with a few cosmetic procedures. Now that it is a reality I am scared spitless. #1 of the pain/surgery itself, #2 of the financial obligations I've created for myself for the next few years. Overall I am excited and it has given me new motivation to work out extra harder and watch what I eat. Of course adopting a vegan diet has GREATLY limited my what I put in my mouth to begin with and you can't possibly get too crazy with veggies and tofu. At any rate, I am excited. Dane is not. He is upset about the money and what it means for our wedding and overall financial position. I personally don't think he's in any position to say anything considering the purchases he's made for HIMSELF and the financial boat he's gotten into. I am paying for this stuff and don't I deserve a treat? I've been fucked over by "friends" out of money, scrimping for school, and talked out of promised stuff for too long now. It's time I do something for me. Of course if nothing goes awry (which we all know it will - something always comes up, a car breaks, a creditor knocks on your door, a pair of Dolce & Gabbana shoes goes on sale, something) then there wont be any worry. Regardless, I've decided to do it and be happy for my decision regardless of what the nay-sayers may nay.
In other news, I just found out that one of the 5 CFA's quit (we are already down by 2). So now the 4 of us will get shafted with at least another 2 units. Nice. Just when I was establishing a routine. And it's not like it will be like this for only a few weeks. Under the new policy, CFA's must be in training for at least 6 - 9 months before taking on their portfolio. So assuming we hire someone tomorrow, it will be June or August 07 before our workload is decreased. Once again, we all already have 2 - 3 units that we are already backing up for. I can't be too bitchy though, I'm reminded by the elders here (elder in seniority not in actual age) that at one time it was considered the "norm" to have 10 - 15 units. Eff that dude.
Back to work for me.
In other news, I just found out that one of the 5 CFA's quit (we are already down by 2). So now the 4 of us will get shafted with at least another 2 units. Nice. Just when I was establishing a routine. And it's not like it will be like this for only a few weeks. Under the new policy, CFA's must be in training for at least 6 - 9 months before taking on their portfolio. So assuming we hire someone tomorrow, it will be June or August 07 before our workload is decreased. Once again, we all already have 2 - 3 units that we are already backing up for. I can't be too bitchy though, I'm reminded by the elders here (elder in seniority not in actual age) that at one time it was considered the "norm" to have 10 - 15 units. Eff that dude.
Back to work for me.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
SNOW DAY!!
Today was my first snow day...with no snow. *raised eyebrow* Actually, I may talk smack cause I'm used to Denver's snow (2 feet or less and you are expected to work on time, 15 minutes late if you work for nonprofit) but I would never in a million years dare to drive the steep hills of Seattle in snow or ice. Plus it's humid here, so that combined with slick roads and low tempuratures (it RARELY gets below freezing here) = lots of scary ice. Having said that, it was a good day for a snow day today. If y'all caught the fooseball game on Monday night then you saw the "crazy" snow we got.
So I slept in till 11 and then got some Cmas shopping done and spent about $120 I didn't have. I've locked away my credit cards, so I paid for them with debit. I'm not sure how I will manage that since I have no savings, but something will save me I'm sure (I'm hoping for the health appraisal $50 bonus and Cmas bonus to come in this or next paycheck). After shopping I made my first tofu dinner and have to say that I suck. The food was edible (barely) but it was a good lesson in tofu cooking. After the tofu fiasco I finished up my payroll so today wasn't a total loss for work. If I stay on top of things over the next few weeks, then I wont be so behind when kettle season kicks in. Hopefully everyone saw the kettle kick off during the Dallas Cowboys half time show. Maybe you even saw Owens donate his touchdown ball to the Salvation Army. :-)
In other news, HG and I are "officially" accepted to UOP. We can go online and see our schedules. It's got me excited for the next step already. I checked up on the CPA exam requirements, looked at Seattle University Evening Law school, peeped the bar exam requirements and then pondered what PhD to go for. Maybe education so I can teach accounting and law. Maybe something completely different. Who knows. By 2015 though, I will be all I can be, whatever that may be.
I've also decided to make the transition to vegan once and for all. I've been on the fence about it for years and finally (after reading Skinny Bitch - good read) decided it was time. I've been struggling to lose weight for years and a vegan diet will allow me to "pig out" without looking like a pig. Plus it's just better for me healthwise, environmentally and of course for the animals. Depending on which study you look at, if one person does not eat any sort of meat or animal product, they can save more than 50 animals a year (goveg.com). I've immediately stopped eating meat and am weaning myself off cheese and dairy. By January 1st I anticipate being 100% vegan. I've also decided to quit diet soda. I've always known it sucks for your health and teeth but didn't care. Now I do. So it's out the door w/ the soda. Eventually I plan to be 100%organic vegan, but that will take a lot of time, patience, and money. I can't justify throwing out all my old food, so that's why this is a transition - otherwise I'd rid my pantry of evil things. Dane is, of course, supportive but not a good motivator. How can he be? He lives off of everything that I am giving up: meat, cheese, soda. Maybe someday he will switch over to a more balanced diet. I hope so before he is forced to. *frown*
What else....I have the wedding invites worked up but I am waiting for a few things before I send them out. OH! I have my annual review tomorrow at work. I've decided that the best thing I can do is take notes and keep my mouth shut. I really, really need to not be so cocky and defensive. *sigh* Anyway, I'm not anticipating anything more than the standard inflation raise (3%) but it would be nice to have more. I haven't decided if I will voice my disappointment about not getting more of a raise (since I was told upon being hired that I would be eligble to make more once I actually obtained my degree - well, I've obtained it). Probably not because RBMBA knows that I am counting on that and she has told me she would try for it. If I don't get it, there's no sense putting RB through the ringer.
I have an appointment tomorrow at 6 to get my first session of laser hair removal. There are new laws in WA for laser technicians and my clinic where I'm getting my tattoo removed is offering a 50% discount on all procedures from now through the end of January. Hair removal takes at least 6 - 10 sessions, so I will get 3 for half price. I'm going to try to hussle an extra 20% for the final sessions since I am a returning customer (there policy, not my idea). If I can get them talked down to 50% each session, then I will get my junk lasered AND my lower legs. If not, then I will just get my junk lasered.
I have another appointment on December 15th...I hesitate to put this on this forum, but here goes. I'm strongly considering plastic surgery. I've been hemming and hawwing on it for years, quietly doing research and talking to people who've had it done. There have been a few signs recently (some that are so blatant they can't be ignored) and I've found a doctor and clinic that I am very interested in. My 12/15 appoinment is to meet him and see if plastic surgery is right for me, if it will fall within my timeframe, my budget, and my expectations. For now I am pretty much set on one procedure and still considering another. I'd like to get breast augmentation. My boobs are in pretty sorry condition after pregnancy and breastfeeding. They look nothing like what they were when I was 18 and I intend to fix that (outside of the bra I mean, it's amazing what a good Victoria's Secret bra will do for you). I want boobs that look at themselves in the mirror and not stare at the floor in shame. I want areolas of "normal" size and shape, not bigger than silver dollars. And I figure since I'm under the knife I might as well get B-O-O-B-S. Not porn star worthy (they wouldn't look like that on me anyway, I'm a big girl), but enough to fill up a C (maybe D) cup. The other procedure I'm considering is a tummy tuck, but this is a much more serious surgery with permanent scaring from hip to hip. It really depends on the following factors in this order: 1) can I get the surgery at the same time as the boobs, 2) can I get the sugery in time for and recooperate for the wedding, 3) can I go back to work after a week and a half, 4) can I afford it. Obviously I'm financing this, otherwise I wouldn't even be able to consider it. Dane is uneasy, he doesn't think we can afford this. I know I can't, but I'm willing to make it happen. Anyway, I'm still in thought about the plastic surgery. I have a lot of questions that need to be answered first. Then I will see if things line up. I have taken the first week of February off for random time, maybe I can get the surgery done and recooperate that week. If the surgeon has any openings that week, I will take that as a sign. In case anyone is interested, here is the doc I'm considering: http://www.egrari.com/standard.html
So I slept in till 11 and then got some Cmas shopping done and spent about $120 I didn't have. I've locked away my credit cards, so I paid for them with debit. I'm not sure how I will manage that since I have no savings, but something will save me I'm sure (I'm hoping for the health appraisal $50 bonus and Cmas bonus to come in this or next paycheck). After shopping I made my first tofu dinner and have to say that I suck. The food was edible (barely) but it was a good lesson in tofu cooking. After the tofu fiasco I finished up my payroll so today wasn't a total loss for work. If I stay on top of things over the next few weeks, then I wont be so behind when kettle season kicks in. Hopefully everyone saw the kettle kick off during the Dallas Cowboys half time show. Maybe you even saw Owens donate his touchdown ball to the Salvation Army. :-)
In other news, HG and I are "officially" accepted to UOP. We can go online and see our schedules. It's got me excited for the next step already. I checked up on the CPA exam requirements, looked at Seattle University Evening Law school, peeped the bar exam requirements and then pondered what PhD to go for. Maybe education so I can teach accounting and law. Maybe something completely different. Who knows. By 2015 though, I will be all I can be, whatever that may be.
I've also decided to make the transition to vegan once and for all. I've been on the fence about it for years and finally (after reading Skinny Bitch - good read) decided it was time. I've been struggling to lose weight for years and a vegan diet will allow me to "pig out" without looking like a pig. Plus it's just better for me healthwise, environmentally and of course for the animals. Depending on which study you look at, if one person does not eat any sort of meat or animal product, they can save more than 50 animals a year (goveg.com). I've immediately stopped eating meat and am weaning myself off cheese and dairy. By January 1st I anticipate being 100% vegan. I've also decided to quit diet soda. I've always known it sucks for your health and teeth but didn't care. Now I do. So it's out the door w/ the soda. Eventually I plan to be 100%organic vegan, but that will take a lot of time, patience, and money. I can't justify throwing out all my old food, so that's why this is a transition - otherwise I'd rid my pantry of evil things. Dane is, of course, supportive but not a good motivator. How can he be? He lives off of everything that I am giving up: meat, cheese, soda. Maybe someday he will switch over to a more balanced diet. I hope so before he is forced to. *frown*
What else....I have the wedding invites worked up but I am waiting for a few things before I send them out. OH! I have my annual review tomorrow at work. I've decided that the best thing I can do is take notes and keep my mouth shut. I really, really need to not be so cocky and defensive. *sigh* Anyway, I'm not anticipating anything more than the standard inflation raise (3%) but it would be nice to have more. I haven't decided if I will voice my disappointment about not getting more of a raise (since I was told upon being hired that I would be eligble to make more once I actually obtained my degree - well, I've obtained it). Probably not because RBMBA knows that I am counting on that and she has told me she would try for it. If I don't get it, there's no sense putting RB through the ringer.
I have an appointment tomorrow at 6 to get my first session of laser hair removal. There are new laws in WA for laser technicians and my clinic where I'm getting my tattoo removed is offering a 50% discount on all procedures from now through the end of January. Hair removal takes at least 6 - 10 sessions, so I will get 3 for half price. I'm going to try to hussle an extra 20% for the final sessions since I am a returning customer (there policy, not my idea). If I can get them talked down to 50% each session, then I will get my junk lasered AND my lower legs. If not, then I will just get my junk lasered.
I have another appointment on December 15th...I hesitate to put this on this forum, but here goes. I'm strongly considering plastic surgery. I've been hemming and hawwing on it for years, quietly doing research and talking to people who've had it done. There have been a few signs recently (some that are so blatant they can't be ignored) and I've found a doctor and clinic that I am very interested in. My 12/15 appoinment is to meet him and see if plastic surgery is right for me, if it will fall within my timeframe, my budget, and my expectations. For now I am pretty much set on one procedure and still considering another. I'd like to get breast augmentation. My boobs are in pretty sorry condition after pregnancy and breastfeeding. They look nothing like what they were when I was 18 and I intend to fix that (outside of the bra I mean, it's amazing what a good Victoria's Secret bra will do for you). I want boobs that look at themselves in the mirror and not stare at the floor in shame. I want areolas of "normal" size and shape, not bigger than silver dollars. And I figure since I'm under the knife I might as well get B-O-O-B-S. Not porn star worthy (they wouldn't look like that on me anyway, I'm a big girl), but enough to fill up a C (maybe D) cup. The other procedure I'm considering is a tummy tuck, but this is a much more serious surgery with permanent scaring from hip to hip. It really depends on the following factors in this order: 1) can I get the surgery at the same time as the boobs, 2) can I get the sugery in time for and recooperate for the wedding, 3) can I go back to work after a week and a half, 4) can I afford it. Obviously I'm financing this, otherwise I wouldn't even be able to consider it. Dane is uneasy, he doesn't think we can afford this. I know I can't, but I'm willing to make it happen. Anyway, I'm still in thought about the plastic surgery. I have a lot of questions that need to be answered first. Then I will see if things line up. I have taken the first week of February off for random time, maybe I can get the surgery done and recooperate that week. If the surgeon has any openings that week, I will take that as a sign. In case anyone is interested, here is the doc I'm considering: http://www.egrari.com/standard.html
Monday, November 20, 2006
Back in the Day....
Deck the halls with bows of holly!!! Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra!!
Crystal as Pepe Le Pew
Or how bout this crazy, gun-slinging Western for you....
Awe the great pictures of childhood....
Monday, November 13, 2006
Traditions
As taken from Sarah's blog:
In Colorado we used to throw a Thanksgiving dinner and late night party for all our friends because many did not have family and/or enjoyed getting together. Looking back those parties were a lot of fun! I miss hosting those events and getting everyone together and all the goofy stuff that would happen. Since living in Washington we don't really have the demand for a Thanksgiving party, so instead we are going to be the guests at someone elses house. The tables are turned! In exchange for eating all of Rebecca's parents grub (we are going to their house in Tacoma) we are going to help string the Cmas lights and decorate the outside of the house. I'm actually looking forward to it.
For Cmas, we will host a small party at our house for HG, the Hub, RB MBA, and TJ. I'm looking forward to this because we are going to make a big ol ham dinner and make egg nog from scratch. This year we are all strapped for cash, so we are doing a secret santa (to be picked from a hat at Thanksgiving) that we will open gifts for on our Cmas party night.
Actual Cmas celebration between Dane and I has evolved into a game. Since we never did agree on Cmas eve or Cmas opening of gifts and we couldn't come up with a satisfactory formula for opening "half" on Cmas eve, we decided to play a game on Cmas eve. The game:
Adapted from Cranium
1) Select gift from under the tree, any gift.
2) Roll dice to see which type of question to answer, if blue, you get to chose another gift from the open floor.
3) If you answer the question correctly, you get to open your gift. If not, the gift goes to the discard pile.
4) A player can chose to sacrafice opening their gift and pull a gift from the discard pile for the other to open.
That's basically it. It's pretty fun for us and makes the time go by fast. I wonder how this tradition will adapt over the years and if we can even adapt it to play different games.
This year for New Years we plan to go to a Sonics-Celtics game and then watch the fireworks on the Needle. It will be a relatively inexpensive way to celebrate as Dane and I have no T&E money till April and I have a very limited play budget. So far I've stayed under control, though not under budget. And my Old Navy trip on Saturday wasn't in the budget. Oh well, I got some cute stuff.
In Colorado we used to throw a Thanksgiving dinner and late night party for all our friends because many did not have family and/or enjoyed getting together. Looking back those parties were a lot of fun! I miss hosting those events and getting everyone together and all the goofy stuff that would happen. Since living in Washington we don't really have the demand for a Thanksgiving party, so instead we are going to be the guests at someone elses house. The tables are turned! In exchange for eating all of Rebecca's parents grub (we are going to their house in Tacoma) we are going to help string the Cmas lights and decorate the outside of the house. I'm actually looking forward to it.
For Cmas, we will host a small party at our house for HG, the Hub, RB MBA, and TJ. I'm looking forward to this because we are going to make a big ol ham dinner and make egg nog from scratch. This year we are all strapped for cash, so we are doing a secret santa (to be picked from a hat at Thanksgiving) that we will open gifts for on our Cmas party night.
Actual Cmas celebration between Dane and I has evolved into a game. Since we never did agree on Cmas eve or Cmas opening of gifts and we couldn't come up with a satisfactory formula for opening "half" on Cmas eve, we decided to play a game on Cmas eve. The game:
Adapted from Cranium
1) Select gift from under the tree, any gift.
2) Roll dice to see which type of question to answer, if blue, you get to chose another gift from the open floor.
3) If you answer the question correctly, you get to open your gift. If not, the gift goes to the discard pile.
4) A player can chose to sacrafice opening their gift and pull a gift from the discard pile for the other to open.
That's basically it. It's pretty fun for us and makes the time go by fast. I wonder how this tradition will adapt over the years and if we can even adapt it to play different games.
This year for New Years we plan to go to a Sonics-Celtics game and then watch the fireworks on the Needle. It will be a relatively inexpensive way to celebrate as Dane and I have no T&E money till April and I have a very limited play budget. So far I've stayed under control, though not under budget. And my Old Navy trip on Saturday wasn't in the budget. Oh well, I got some cute stuff.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
If You....
I've actually had the idea about this blog for awhile now and finally got around to asking Dane the questions. So read on and contribute...if you dare. :-)
If you...were a member of the opposite sex for a day, and could feel/see from the opposite sex's perspective, what five things would you want to do?
Dane:
1. Experience the female orgasm
2. Experience cramps
3. Nurse a child
4. Win a fight with an illogical argument
5. Experience chivalry
Crystal:
1. Experience the male orgasm
2. Pee my initials in the snow
3. Get in a bar fight
4. Experience getting kicked in the balls
5. Be on the male's side of an "illogical argument" to see if I could follow it
If you...could be any other race, what would it be and why?
Dane:
1. African black because it is such a contrast to what I am (white and nerdy-Google Weird Al's newest song)
2. Native American - because I would not have facial hair
Crystal:
1. African American - cause I know my life would be very different
2. Asian - to be beautiful in a way that only Asians are
If you...could go back in time, where would you go?
Dane:
1. Medival Europe to learn the times technology such as herbology (?) and iron work.
Crystal:
1. Egyptian times, and I'd want to be either Cleopatra, or around when the pyramids were made.
If you...were a member of the opposite sex for a day, and could feel/see from the opposite sex's perspective, what five things would you want to do?
Dane:
1. Experience the female orgasm
2. Experience cramps
3. Nurse a child
4. Win a fight with an illogical argument
5. Experience chivalry
Crystal:
1. Experience the male orgasm
2. Pee my initials in the snow
3. Get in a bar fight
4. Experience getting kicked in the balls
5. Be on the male's side of an "illogical argument" to see if I could follow it
If you...could be any other race, what would it be and why?
Dane:
1. African black because it is such a contrast to what I am (white and nerdy-Google Weird Al's newest song)
2. Native American - because I would not have facial hair
Crystal:
1. African American - cause I know my life would be very different
2. Asian - to be beautiful in a way that only Asians are
If you...could go back in time, where would you go?
Dane:
1. Medival Europe to learn the times technology such as herbology (?) and iron work.
Crystal:
1. Egyptian times, and I'd want to be either Cleopatra, or around when the pyramids were made.
Monday, November 06, 2006
It's Official Part Deux!
Today was the last day to post anything for the fiscal year ending 2006. I'm very, very happy to report that not only was I able to finish with all my unit's assigned duties, including some extra duty clean up, I was able to lightly help out a few other CFA's. Even though one of them dogged HG and I trying to make it seem like we don't do our job when it took HG to figure out the mess in 2 minutes (something that according to the other CFA she spent "all day Friday toying with"). I think this person is one of those "it's always something" people. She couldn't get her work done because of the "nasty" books she inherited (author's note: she inherited books that were a lot cleaner than the rest of us inherited, right HG!). She couldn't get her work done because she was sick and took time off (the rest of us took a day off here and there too for a variety of reasons). She couldn't get work done because she doesn't understand the process (even though DM or RB are happy to help out anytime). It will be interesting going into this new fiscal year with a clean slate to see what the newest round of excuses will be.
Enough cattiness though, I'm happy with my portfolio, I seem to be getting along really well with my units, in fact the one that I had the most recent drama with is already happy and looking forward to my visit out there. I am too - I think a lot of good will come of it. I'm all caught up and if I continue this way, then I will be ready-set-go for Cmas.
In other news:
Dane, HG, The Hub, and I volunteered at SWC this last Saturday for the Toy 'N Joy. The coordinator was nice and let the men volunteer by doing manly stuff like making barrel brackets, cutting PVC pipe for the signs, and renting/playing with power tools. HG and I made "protest signs" as we fondly called them. Then we had to paste the actually cutie patootie Cmas posters on and they were no longer our angst for a cause. It was actually really nice just hanging out and having a good old fashioned time in a nice community. It even got HG and I thinking about attending church now and again. Our men wont go, but we decided it would be good to get to a service now and again.
We saw Borat yesterday. OMG - hee-haw-larious!!! The BEST movie I've seen in a long time, I was laughing non-stop even at the overly played out scenes. Definitely a must see.
I voted. I voted for a law to enforce utilitie companies to convert 15% of their power resources to au natural by 2020. I voted to appeal a law that taxes estates. I voted for the extra 1/10 cent tax to improve public transportation and roadways. I voted to compensate farmers for lost/damaged land due to the government. I voted for an increase in a personal property tax exemption clause. I voted for a "constitutional law" that would allow King County to use monies from a bond for capital purposes. I voted for all the democrats (not just because they are democrat), but because I have followed all the campaigns and my ideas are inline with theirs. I didn't vote for any of the judges because I think this essentially votes them out but also because I don't know enough about them to make an educated vote. I didn't get the chance to vote on the new Seattle city (I live in Bellevue - outside city limits) stripper law which would prohibit customers from touching the gals and make them share all their tips. #1 - the police have better things to do than monitor the strip clubs, #2 - it won't make the strip clubs disappear (which is what the people who created this law wnat) and #3 - the girls make their money on their "talent". The bucktoothed stripper shouldn't have to share with the silicone stripper. :-)
Finally - Dane is going to his mom's fourth wedding this weekend. I've opposed it due to the fact that our own wedding is coming down the pike and we can't afford it. Personally I find it a mockery that she should place so much importance on this wedding when she didn't even tell Dane about her third till after the honeymoon. Additionally she put the stank on the wedding date (after we had already set ours) due to a psychic (yes, you read that right) telling her she must get married in 2006. Not to mention she didn't consult with people about a date and time that would work. Hear me out: if you deem it imperitive that Soinso be at your wedding and if Soinso isn't there, you will be devastated, then chances are you've spoken with that person about that more than 3 days before the wedding forcing them to have guilt or take action and spend extra money just to be there. Case in point, there are a few people (you know who you are) that I have said "your presense is a necessity at my wedding." Now I've been in contact with these people since the beginning and have made it clear to them that I am willing to do what it takes to get them there, hands down. Dane's mom is offering $200, which is conveniently the same amount it would cost her to ship her cat (same cat the pyschic said she had to get - yes, you read that right) to Utah. Now, Dane gets to take the kitten with him on a 6 hour plus flight, not including transfers, to Virginia, not including the trip BACK to Utah and the time inbetween in a chaotic, unstable environment. I think this will be a lot of stress for the kitten and I'm not happy about it. I fought with Dane for a while actually and even contemplated reconsidering our own circumstances but in the end I decided (with help from my mom and dad) that it's just not worth the drama, guilt, and eventually blame I would wear for fighting so hard. In the end it won't be a big financial blow to us, but Dane will have to work that much harder, which it sounds like he will do so good for him. Bon voyage.
Life is nice without homework. I got to watch the entire Broncos game - GO BRONCOS!!! Did you see the intercepted touchdown pass for the Steelers (may they rot) that we snagged! Not mention the other beautiful plays they made. AND I got to watch the Seahawks woop the Raiders (may they rot as well). I think coming up here soon the Broncs will face the Hawks. That will be a fun game to watch, but we all know who gets my vote. BRONCOS!!!!
Enough cattiness though, I'm happy with my portfolio, I seem to be getting along really well with my units, in fact the one that I had the most recent drama with is already happy and looking forward to my visit out there. I am too - I think a lot of good will come of it. I'm all caught up and if I continue this way, then I will be ready-set-go for Cmas.
In other news:
Dane, HG, The Hub, and I volunteered at SWC this last Saturday for the Toy 'N Joy. The coordinator was nice and let the men volunteer by doing manly stuff like making barrel brackets, cutting PVC pipe for the signs, and renting/playing with power tools. HG and I made "protest signs" as we fondly called them. Then we had to paste the actually cutie patootie Cmas posters on and they were no longer our angst for a cause. It was actually really nice just hanging out and having a good old fashioned time in a nice community. It even got HG and I thinking about attending church now and again. Our men wont go, but we decided it would be good to get to a service now and again.
We saw Borat yesterday. OMG - hee-haw-larious!!! The BEST movie I've seen in a long time, I was laughing non-stop even at the overly played out scenes. Definitely a must see.
I voted. I voted for a law to enforce utilitie companies to convert 15% of their power resources to au natural by 2020. I voted to appeal a law that taxes estates. I voted for the extra 1/10 cent tax to improve public transportation and roadways. I voted to compensate farmers for lost/damaged land due to the government. I voted for an increase in a personal property tax exemption clause. I voted for a "constitutional law" that would allow King County to use monies from a bond for capital purposes. I voted for all the democrats (not just because they are democrat), but because I have followed all the campaigns and my ideas are inline with theirs. I didn't vote for any of the judges because I think this essentially votes them out but also because I don't know enough about them to make an educated vote. I didn't get the chance to vote on the new Seattle city (I live in Bellevue - outside city limits) stripper law which would prohibit customers from touching the gals and make them share all their tips. #1 - the police have better things to do than monitor the strip clubs, #2 - it won't make the strip clubs disappear (which is what the people who created this law wnat) and #3 - the girls make their money on their "talent". The bucktoothed stripper shouldn't have to share with the silicone stripper. :-)
Finally - Dane is going to his mom's fourth wedding this weekend. I've opposed it due to the fact that our own wedding is coming down the pike and we can't afford it. Personally I find it a mockery that she should place so much importance on this wedding when she didn't even tell Dane about her third till after the honeymoon. Additionally she put the stank on the wedding date (after we had already set ours) due to a psychic (yes, you read that right) telling her she must get married in 2006. Not to mention she didn't consult with people about a date and time that would work. Hear me out: if you deem it imperitive that Soinso be at your wedding and if Soinso isn't there, you will be devastated, then chances are you've spoken with that person about that more than 3 days before the wedding forcing them to have guilt or take action and spend extra money just to be there. Case in point, there are a few people (you know who you are) that I have said "your presense is a necessity at my wedding." Now I've been in contact with these people since the beginning and have made it clear to them that I am willing to do what it takes to get them there, hands down. Dane's mom is offering $200, which is conveniently the same amount it would cost her to ship her cat (same cat the pyschic said she had to get - yes, you read that right) to Utah. Now, Dane gets to take the kitten with him on a 6 hour plus flight, not including transfers, to Virginia, not including the trip BACK to Utah and the time inbetween in a chaotic, unstable environment. I think this will be a lot of stress for the kitten and I'm not happy about it. I fought with Dane for a while actually and even contemplated reconsidering our own circumstances but in the end I decided (with help from my mom and dad) that it's just not worth the drama, guilt, and eventually blame I would wear for fighting so hard. In the end it won't be a big financial blow to us, but Dane will have to work that much harder, which it sounds like he will do so good for him. Bon voyage.
Life is nice without homework. I got to watch the entire Broncos game - GO BRONCOS!!! Did you see the intercepted touchdown pass for the Steelers (may they rot) that we snagged! Not mention the other beautiful plays they made. AND I got to watch the Seahawks woop the Raiders (may they rot as well). I think coming up here soon the Broncs will face the Hawks. That will be a fun game to watch, but we all know who gets my vote. BRONCOS!!!!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
It's Official!
I have filled out my UOP application, my TSA education grant application, and my student loan deferment application - I will start my MBA program on January 27, 2007. The first few classes and maybe even all of the FlexNet classes will be at the Renton campus as opposed to the Bellevue campus, which means I will have to wake up slightly earlier on Saturday school mornings, but it is a small price to pay considering the advantages of on-campus learning and saving $600 per class. Because I am a continuing UOP student I did not have to pay the $45 application fee, I got three classes waived, and I wont have to pay any fees for books or resources the entire program! YEAH!! So the $30,000 out of pocket student loans I've racked up at least paid off in that I save about $3900 in class fees, the $45, and about $1500 in book fees. Not bad at all if you ask me.
I'm really excited to begin and I'm so so happy that HG is doing this journey with me. I'm looking forward to the Friday nights that she and the hub may stay over doing homework, watching movies, and just plan hanging out and making school fun.
OH! Unfortunately HG was only able to waive one, maybe two courses instead of the available three. Bummer for her, but our admissions counselor is working on a "creative schedule" that, if worked the right way, will give me the 6, possibly 12 weeks around the wedding and summer off. That would be a great wedding present to not have to worry about classes while I'm focusing on the wedding.
I've transferred funds on my credit cards in an effort to take advantage of 0% APR specials and consolidate my/our debt. This will really help with all the financial woes we've been hit with recently and will help prepare for the wedding. The downfall is that T&E has been stalled till April, leaving Dane and I on a "cash only" entertainment budget. For me that means I have $50/week of play money till April. Hopefully this wont be too hard of a transition though I fear it might as I've gotten to be pretty wanton with my spending. Thanks to the 3 paycheck month in December though, I will at least have a spare $600 or so to spend on Cmas. Dane and I decided our "big" gifts to each other this year will be a contribution to our wedding save fund.
In other news, I made through fiscal close!! There were some casualties and definitely some hard times. I made an ass out of myself more than once and learned a lot of lessons. What I've taken out of this fiscal close:
I don't handle stress well AT ALL and need to learn how to better cope with it for the sake of my family, friends, coworkers, and peers.
It is so, so important to stay on top of my daily work in order to be prepared for the bustling times.
I should not try to prove myself to people who a) don't need to be proven anything, and b) wont be satisfied.
Not to take myself and situations so seriously or personally.
Stop and breathe and make sure I do things right and not in haste.
Appreciate those who I have to call on for instant action and return the favor when others ask it of me.
Not to gloat or be prideful of what I do accomplish while others are still struggling.
All in all I think it was an awesome learning experience and though it was tough, I got a lot out of it and I think a lot of good things are still going to come out of it. While the fiscal year is closed, we are gearing up for Cmas and the kettle season and the actual audit of the fiscal year. So the worst, for the most part, is over, but I still have several different monsters to conquer. IF I stay on top of things, I should manage to stay afloat during the tough times (now that I am comfortable with my new units) and be ready to go and in a good place at the end of January when I start my MBA program.
It's hard to believe, but slowly my goals, career and personal, are coming to life. I will be 27 when I start my MBA program (OMG - 27!!!) and will finish in/around March 2009, which puts me right at my goal to have my MBA by 29. Then I will study for 4 - 6 months for the CPA exam. My goal is to have my CPA by 2009 year end. It seems so far away and then I think "wow - that's just over 2 years". If I think back to 2 years ago November 2004, it seems like only yesterday! 2 years ago I was only half way through my BA program, 2 years into accounting, living at Lameria, 2 years into my relationship with Mr. Man. Time really does fly.
I will say that I'm beginning to back down on my dreams to be so BIG. I'm thinking I might just be happy with a MBA and CPA. But who knows where I will be in 2 years, maybe I will still consider a law degree or PhD. I know that right now it has been WONDERFUL having time to watch tv, go to the gym, exercise in the morning, blog, catch up w/ friends, email, and just have good old fashioned down time. I'm somewhat as loss as what to do most nights, but it does feel good. Dane says I'm not happy unless I'm running a million miles an hour with my hair on fire. :-)
I'm really excited to begin and I'm so so happy that HG is doing this journey with me. I'm looking forward to the Friday nights that she and the hub may stay over doing homework, watching movies, and just plan hanging out and making school fun.
OH! Unfortunately HG was only able to waive one, maybe two courses instead of the available three. Bummer for her, but our admissions counselor is working on a "creative schedule" that, if worked the right way, will give me the 6, possibly 12 weeks around the wedding and summer off. That would be a great wedding present to not have to worry about classes while I'm focusing on the wedding.
I've transferred funds on my credit cards in an effort to take advantage of 0% APR specials and consolidate my/our debt. This will really help with all the financial woes we've been hit with recently and will help prepare for the wedding. The downfall is that T&E has been stalled till April, leaving Dane and I on a "cash only" entertainment budget. For me that means I have $50/week of play money till April. Hopefully this wont be too hard of a transition though I fear it might as I've gotten to be pretty wanton with my spending. Thanks to the 3 paycheck month in December though, I will at least have a spare $600 or so to spend on Cmas. Dane and I decided our "big" gifts to each other this year will be a contribution to our wedding save fund.
In other news, I made through fiscal close!! There were some casualties and definitely some hard times. I made an ass out of myself more than once and learned a lot of lessons. What I've taken out of this fiscal close:
I don't handle stress well AT ALL and need to learn how to better cope with it for the sake of my family, friends, coworkers, and peers.
It is so, so important to stay on top of my daily work in order to be prepared for the bustling times.
I should not try to prove myself to people who a) don't need to be proven anything, and b) wont be satisfied.
Not to take myself and situations so seriously or personally.
Stop and breathe and make sure I do things right and not in haste.
Appreciate those who I have to call on for instant action and return the favor when others ask it of me.
Not to gloat or be prideful of what I do accomplish while others are still struggling.
All in all I think it was an awesome learning experience and though it was tough, I got a lot out of it and I think a lot of good things are still going to come out of it. While the fiscal year is closed, we are gearing up for Cmas and the kettle season and the actual audit of the fiscal year. So the worst, for the most part, is over, but I still have several different monsters to conquer. IF I stay on top of things, I should manage to stay afloat during the tough times (now that I am comfortable with my new units) and be ready to go and in a good place at the end of January when I start my MBA program.
It's hard to believe, but slowly my goals, career and personal, are coming to life. I will be 27 when I start my MBA program (OMG - 27!!!) and will finish in/around March 2009, which puts me right at my goal to have my MBA by 29. Then I will study for 4 - 6 months for the CPA exam. My goal is to have my CPA by 2009 year end. It seems so far away and then I think "wow - that's just over 2 years". If I think back to 2 years ago November 2004, it seems like only yesterday! 2 years ago I was only half way through my BA program, 2 years into accounting, living at Lameria, 2 years into my relationship with Mr. Man. Time really does fly.
I will say that I'm beginning to back down on my dreams to be so BIG. I'm thinking I might just be happy with a MBA and CPA. But who knows where I will be in 2 years, maybe I will still consider a law degree or PhD. I know that right now it has been WONDERFUL having time to watch tv, go to the gym, exercise in the morning, blog, catch up w/ friends, email, and just have good old fashioned down time. I'm somewhat as loss as what to do most nights, but it does feel good. Dane says I'm not happy unless I'm running a million miles an hour with my hair on fire. :-)
Monday, October 30, 2006
Beta Wha?
So I just converted my blog over to Beta expecting to see new options and fun ways I can customize my blog like I've seen other people do and I see no difference. :-( Help?
See this is what happens when I have no school, no work, and haven't restarted my exercise regime. I'm left with hours to kill each night and not a clue how to spend the time. But I love it!
See this is what happens when I have no school, no work, and haven't restarted my exercise regime. I'm left with hours to kill each night and not a clue how to spend the time. But I love it!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
My Daughter - Isis
One week before she died. She loved that teddy bear. I still have it with me. That's the teddy bear her father and I made for her at Build-A-Bear. What a sweethart.
5 Long Years Ago
5 long years ago this time on a Wednesday at 2:30 pm I was asleep on the hospital floor of my daughter's room in ICU. In fact it was about this time that Social Services came in and informed me that should Isis survive, she would not allowed to remain in my care, though I had nothing to do with her injuries. It was with that that I held my little girls hand, it was already very cold, and told her to leave. Mommy couldn't take care of her anymore and it was better if she went to God than hung out here. I gave her a big kiss and soaked her face with my tears. Then I went back to sleep on the cold tile, still holding her hand. Within hours the doctors told me there was nothing more they could do, Isis was brain dead. My friends took me away from the hospital to get some time to think about what the next step was. Plus the doctors needed to run a few more tests. We walked to Starbucks and there I had my first latte, in fact it was my first Starbucks purchase ever. I remember sitting in a chair, dazed, not drinking my beverage - just sitting. My friends bustled around me, talking about who to call, when to have the service, who was going to pick me up some clothes to wear, where was I going to stay, what would happen to Kevin (the man responsible for my daughter's condition). A man, with an entourage of his own, sat staring at me. I don't know how long, but I know that I could feel it but I was too numb to care or act on it. Finally he did. He came over into our space and bent down on knee. He had the most compassion in his eyes that I had ever seen. He said he had been watching me for awhile and he wasn't sure what was going on in my life but it was clear that I could use a hug and a prayer. He asked me if it would be okay for him and his group to pray for me. I thanked him and asked if he and his group could pray for Isis first. We traipsed back to the ICU and prayed for Isis, exchanged hugs, and the man gave me his card. He was the youth pastor for the most prominent church in Denver, Church in the City. I still think of that man today. I even made a contribution to his ministry after I received my motorcycle settlement. I wonder if he realizes the impact he had on me that day.
At any rate, if my memories serve me correctly, Peck let us stay at her house on Wednesday night. Of all the days in the world for Isis to die on, it seems very cruel to me that it would be on my father's birthday. To this day I don't think he recognizes his birthday as today. I will send him a card next week.
When I think back to October 2001 and who I as and what happened and how I reacted and how others responded to my reactions, I don't know what to say or how to explain them. It seems so simple to me now what was going on and how I should have responded. I don't know why I sacraficed so much of myself, and my child, for an apparition. An image. An illusion. I don't think I will ever truly know what happened to Isis, I don't even know if Kevin knows what he did. I do know that every day I miss my daughter so much. It's not fair. Nothing ever is, but I really don't think it's fair that Isis will never get to experience all the wonderful things that life has to offer. She will never play soccer on a muddy field after the ran, she will never go to the prom, she will never try sushi, never read a good book, never have long talks with lovers, friends, or family.
I often daydream of Detective Gretchen interrupting me at work during a meeting or something and telling me that through me crazed mistake, Isis has been alive this whole time and they found her and are bringing her back to me. Over the years I've had to adapt this dream to match her current day age (6 years old now) and it's always sad to realize that with each passing year she would not recognize me and it would be harder and harder for her to get over her sordid past and get to know me. Then I cry at the thought of all the lost time. Not only for her, but for us. I daydream that someday Kevin will wake me up with his usual kiss and cup of coffee and I'll smell the breakfast he'd made for us and the girls (mine in a to-go container to take to work) and realize I have 5 minutes to get ready and it's all a bad dream, the past 5 years hasn't really happened and I still have a 15 month old and a wonderful boyfriend with a 15 month old as well.
Then I think about Dane. I'd give anything up to have Isis back, but I'm not sure I'd let go of Dane so easily. He's been my rock through all this with Isis, I don't think I could do it without him. Anyway - Isis is never coming back and Dane is my everything and that is reality. And the reality of it isn't so bad.
At any rate, if my memories serve me correctly, Peck let us stay at her house on Wednesday night. Of all the days in the world for Isis to die on, it seems very cruel to me that it would be on my father's birthday. To this day I don't think he recognizes his birthday as today. I will send him a card next week.
When I think back to October 2001 and who I as and what happened and how I reacted and how others responded to my reactions, I don't know what to say or how to explain them. It seems so simple to me now what was going on and how I should have responded. I don't know why I sacraficed so much of myself, and my child, for an apparition. An image. An illusion. I don't think I will ever truly know what happened to Isis, I don't even know if Kevin knows what he did. I do know that every day I miss my daughter so much. It's not fair. Nothing ever is, but I really don't think it's fair that Isis will never get to experience all the wonderful things that life has to offer. She will never play soccer on a muddy field after the ran, she will never go to the prom, she will never try sushi, never read a good book, never have long talks with lovers, friends, or family.
I often daydream of Detective Gretchen interrupting me at work during a meeting or something and telling me that through me crazed mistake, Isis has been alive this whole time and they found her and are bringing her back to me. Over the years I've had to adapt this dream to match her current day age (6 years old now) and it's always sad to realize that with each passing year she would not recognize me and it would be harder and harder for her to get over her sordid past and get to know me. Then I cry at the thought of all the lost time. Not only for her, but for us. I daydream that someday Kevin will wake me up with his usual kiss and cup of coffee and I'll smell the breakfast he'd made for us and the girls (mine in a to-go container to take to work) and realize I have 5 minutes to get ready and it's all a bad dream, the past 5 years hasn't really happened and I still have a 15 month old and a wonderful boyfriend with a 15 month old as well.
Then I think about Dane. I'd give anything up to have Isis back, but I'm not sure I'd let go of Dane so easily. He's been my rock through all this with Isis, I don't think I could do it without him. Anyway - Isis is never coming back and Dane is my everything and that is reality. And the reality of it isn't so bad.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Can I Go Out And Play?
Well I am making progress on the fiscal closing schedule though I keep getting stuff to impede said progress. At this point I will be working non-stop (now that I finished the 13 page team paper for school - my last assignment for my bachelor's degree!) on the stuffs that I need to finish in order to leave work on Friday early to attend the museum w/ Amy. We want to visit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, the "spooky" butterflies set, and the Mysterys of Egypt IMAX. I *hope* that I can get everything done so I can go out an play.
I am in the bottom stretch of the fiscal close and things are coming along nicely. It will be so nice to start with a fresh set of books and move forward without all the yuckiness of the past with my units.
In other news, Dane got some distressing news that will leave us even more tight when it comes to money. Everytime I think we are in the clear another issue rears its ugly head and we are forced back two spaces. I keep thinking that in two years all will be okay and we will be able to live normally. I told Dane that this time *I* get the next toy and in three years *we* will purchase me a new car as a master's gift to myself. I'm all hot and bothered over the convertible hard top Volvo. If/when we get the Volvo we will take the tourist package which includes two tickets to Sweden to visit the Volvo assembly place, take our car around Europe and take it back to the States as a used car and avoid some of the taxes and other export fees. I can't wait.
The wedding plans are still coming along, not much to report there.
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow and this weekend when Amy comes to town. It will be nice to have some girl time and hang out and do fun stuff that I've been deprived of for awhile.
Still left to do: hang my clothes up, shower, shave. I think tonight after I read my book for awhile I will commence shaving. Showering will be saved for tomorrow and my clothes will just have to wait. I'm right at the good part of my Dean Koontz book - Intensity.
I am in the bottom stretch of the fiscal close and things are coming along nicely. It will be so nice to start with a fresh set of books and move forward without all the yuckiness of the past with my units.
In other news, Dane got some distressing news that will leave us even more tight when it comes to money. Everytime I think we are in the clear another issue rears its ugly head and we are forced back two spaces. I keep thinking that in two years all will be okay and we will be able to live normally. I told Dane that this time *I* get the next toy and in three years *we* will purchase me a new car as a master's gift to myself. I'm all hot and bothered over the convertible hard top Volvo. If/when we get the Volvo we will take the tourist package which includes two tickets to Sweden to visit the Volvo assembly place, take our car around Europe and take it back to the States as a used car and avoid some of the taxes and other export fees. I can't wait.
The wedding plans are still coming along, not much to report there.
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow and this weekend when Amy comes to town. It will be nice to have some girl time and hang out and do fun stuff that I've been deprived of for awhile.
Still left to do: hang my clothes up, shower, shave. I think tonight after I read my book for awhile I will commence shaving. Showering will be saved for tomorrow and my clothes will just have to wait. I'm right at the good part of my Dean Koontz book - Intensity.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
BYYAAAHH!!! Rant
So I am proud of myself. I've already signed off on the "closing checklist" board this week. I've put in a few extra hours (okay - a little cheating, I know) but it feels good to know that even though I never sent out August finals (and in some cases July) I am ahead of the game on the fiscal closing schedule. Tomorrow = issue SS, prelims for Sept (and include a note that says thru Aug might as well be materially complete less some GIK and other journal moves), and start the rest of the Sept bank recs. Once that is done, I can focus on the smaller things like tying A/P (A/R is done), reserves, WS, and the other random stuff I can't think of right now. After that I can fart around with other people's units to help them close.
If nothing else in my quest for being a superstar (ie: no raise and/or upward movement - not that I'm expecting a promotion any time soon, there's no where to go) I will set the bar higher for all the other CFA's. Checking off my stuff to be complete well before the time limit and eventually helping others will set a standard, if not for the others, for the managment to see that it can be done, regardless of seniority. It pisses me off that TB spends all day (I'm not kidding her shortest phone conversation, business or otherwise, is around 30 minutes - I keep a log because I can hear everyword she says) and DM - who knows what DM does all day but I know that RB (our BOSS) is doing her work to keep her from getting so bogged down the rest of us are punished. I'm not all high and mighty but I do think we can raise our standards a bit in the department and get off the "oh woe is me I'm so overwhelmed I can't do my work" kick, especially when yes, we are overwhelmed, but we can also get our work done.
Rant is over. On to Amy's visit:
Thursday: Amy arrives just in time for us to rendez vous w/ the gang at Noc Noc for LR's burlesque performance.
Friday: Amy will take the bus down (I need to ask HG if I can buy her a latte in exchange for bus tickets) to Pacific Center so HG and I can cut out of work early and hit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit and then happy hour and then off to Greenwood/Ballard for a nice vegetarian meal then who knows after that. Maybe bowling, maybe karaoke - its up for grabs.
Saturday: School - LAST CLASS OF MY BACHELORS!! Then girl time at the local salon for manicures, pedicures, a haircut, and maybe facial. Yes HG, I'm finally going to take care of my horrid feet. :-) Then we will have a party at the Huish household where I will take a leave of absynths (pun intended) and Jebis to the power of 3 (or so) will take over.
Sunday: Recover, send Amy home.
Then I take time off to paint, go for walks, do whatever as I will be 100% caught up on work, no homework to do, and my checkbook will be balanced.
This week I want to go to the Ladybug place on Friday the 13th. Dun dun dunnnnnn!!! This is the creepiest looking place in the world, seriously - it looks like the kind of place that you walk into but never come out (as told by HG). She googled the Ladybug Man in Seattle and discovered he sells frozen ladybugs and math books. Definitely worth the freak factor on Friday the 13th if you ask me.
I'm going to google the Ladybug man now.
If nothing else in my quest for being a superstar (ie: no raise and/or upward movement - not that I'm expecting a promotion any time soon, there's no where to go) I will set the bar higher for all the other CFA's. Checking off my stuff to be complete well before the time limit and eventually helping others will set a standard, if not for the others, for the managment to see that it can be done, regardless of seniority. It pisses me off that TB spends all day (I'm not kidding her shortest phone conversation, business or otherwise, is around 30 minutes - I keep a log because I can hear everyword she says) and DM - who knows what DM does all day but I know that RB (our BOSS) is doing her work to keep her from getting so bogged down the rest of us are punished. I'm not all high and mighty but I do think we can raise our standards a bit in the department and get off the "oh woe is me I'm so overwhelmed I can't do my work" kick, especially when yes, we are overwhelmed, but we can also get our work done.
Rant is over. On to Amy's visit:
Thursday: Amy arrives just in time for us to rendez vous w/ the gang at Noc Noc for LR's burlesque performance.
Friday: Amy will take the bus down (I need to ask HG if I can buy her a latte in exchange for bus tickets) to Pacific Center so HG and I can cut out of work early and hit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit and then happy hour and then off to Greenwood/Ballard for a nice vegetarian meal then who knows after that. Maybe bowling, maybe karaoke - its up for grabs.
Saturday: School - LAST CLASS OF MY BACHELORS!! Then girl time at the local salon for manicures, pedicures, a haircut, and maybe facial. Yes HG, I'm finally going to take care of my horrid feet. :-) Then we will have a party at the Huish household where I will take a leave of absynths (pun intended) and Jebis to the power of 3 (or so) will take over.
Sunday: Recover, send Amy home.
Then I take time off to paint, go for walks, do whatever as I will be 100% caught up on work, no homework to do, and my checkbook will be balanced.
This week I want to go to the Ladybug place on Friday the 13th. Dun dun dunnnnnn!!! This is the creepiest looking place in the world, seriously - it looks like the kind of place that you walk into but never come out (as told by HG). She googled the Ladybug Man in Seattle and discovered he sells frozen ladybugs and math books. Definitely worth the freak factor on Friday the 13th if you ask me.
I'm going to google the Ladybug man now.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Challenge
Okay - just a quick post to put the "Challenge" out there. After discussing with some friends, I realized that I am the only one who has tasted Absynthe yet not vomitted. Though in MR's defense, he had THREE shots and then got in the hot tub, where I only had two and got in the hot tub only to immediately jump out face first onto the concrete below. Oh, and I guess Steven kept his down, but he didn't already have a belly full of alcohol gurggling around. Under the same circumstances, I know of only one other individual who has kept the green goo down.
So there it is: The October 21st Keep Your Absynthe Down Challenge. Whose up for the challenge?
So there it is: The October 21st Keep Your Absynthe Down Challenge. Whose up for the challenge?
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Conditioning
I have always felt that our media shapes and conditions our minds for things to come so that when the things we see on TV that we find outrageous and unbelievable become items in use every day on a mass level it is not such a shock. Case in point: cell phones. I remember in the 80's we started seeing the concept and idea of mobile phones. The first time I saw that, even as a young child, I thought it was unbelievable. Then by the early 90's mobile phones were starting to come around. By the late 90's, most everyone had one.
I think the government does this with aliens, their technology, all sorts of things. Think of Minority Report, how long before half that shit really becomes enforced?
This particular post is dedicated to hover cars. Dane believes that when he's old and crotchety everything will be hover. Cars, bikes, boats, coffee machines - you name it. Well on TV tonight the new GM commercials show the cars being lifted out of traffic and moving forward in the air. The concept isn't that they are producing a hover car, but that their warranty is innovative. What I took out of it was the first hard core piece of conditioning that cars are moving forward to embrace the sky. I bet within 50 years we will see a change to a new type of vehicle.
I think the government does this with aliens, their technology, all sorts of things. Think of Minority Report, how long before half that shit really becomes enforced?
This particular post is dedicated to hover cars. Dane believes that when he's old and crotchety everything will be hover. Cars, bikes, boats, coffee machines - you name it. Well on TV tonight the new GM commercials show the cars being lifted out of traffic and moving forward in the air. The concept isn't that they are producing a hover car, but that their warranty is innovative. What I took out of it was the first hard core piece of conditioning that cars are moving forward to embrace the sky. I bet within 50 years we will see a change to a new type of vehicle.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Ethics and Morals
My Capstone class is in hot debate about the difference between ethics and morals. Many students are conservative and hold high regards for their ethics that they believe everyone should adhere to. My opinion: stand true to what you believe is right for you. As long as you are not endangering anyone (including yourself) then who's business of anyone is it to tell you what's right and wrong for you?
*sigh* Many people don't see that though. They get caught up in "saving" the world. So what is the difference between ethics and morals?
In other news - work is going well considering the circumstances. The SPO audit is coming along with minor hangups, which is a huge accomplishment. I've been working closely with DM and a couple times this week things got tense (not between us) but we've worked through it and laugh and life is good. I'm still WAY behind but I'm making progress, which is all anyone can hope for these days. I find that having a more lax attitude is improving my conduct at work. I feel bad for RB and HG when they wince as they ask me how things are going. Okay, they don't wince and they geniunely care about me, but if I was them after all the rants and raves I've forced on them I'd be a little scared to ask me how I feel. It feels good smiling and saying "It's okay. How are you?"
Wedding: I purchased my plane ticket. Turns out United does fly to Cabo and I was able to get a ticket using my miles. $66 for airfare to Cabo. Not bad. Of course it does mean Dane and I will be taking separate flights to/fro Cabo. He (nor I) like that idea but at this point if it means saving $500 I'll take that. When I searched about 2 weeks ago for tickets from SEA to Cabo they were about $260, now the cheapest is $480. I'm hoping with the declining gas prices and what not that the tickets will go down and my family and friends will be able to purchase tix at a reasonable price. There's always last minute fares and summer specials, but if my guests are anything like me that wait would make them uncomfortable. The best advice would be to keep your eye out and when you see a price that is reasonable, jump on it.
Birthday: Dane's 28th b-day is this Sunday. So far we are going to dinner tomorrow, the hockey game on Saturday and then staying in Queen Anne for a night of frivalty and panty raids at the Mediterranean Inn where RB and TJ will be staying. :-) Dane is so far taking it better than he took 27. More news as the story develops.
School: Other than the ethical dilemma, I have less than 3 weeks till I have a bachelor's degree. I'm excited, of course, but when I started 3 years ago I knew that I wasn't stopping till I got to a master's degree and passed the CPA exam. In that light, I've only completed step one of three. Not to mention it was the easiest step. I'm so very thankful to have HG as a school companion to suffer through with and RB MBA as a role model having freshly completed the program. I don't know how I'd do it successfully without them. GO TEAM! As for the CPA exam, law school, and/or PHD program, that's still up in the air. I may get through the master's program and decide that's enough. But not likely. What would be the use of going through all the trouble of a master's degree in accounting without certifying it.
Diet: I don't feel the diet is going well but according to my measurements I am steadily losing weight/inches. I haven't been consistently going to the gym and TKD or BD or yoga every day, but I am consistently doing at least one of the four, four times a week. I'm also doing a good job sticking to the low fat diet. That's probably the biggest key.
Amy: I'm very excited for Amy's upcoming trip to SEA. We plan to go to Noc Noc to see LR and the Burlesque show.
********dee dee dee dee deee****** THIS JUST IN!!! Dane just exclaimed that he can't believe he's turning 28. He says it might as well be thirty. And how old am I? ONLY 26 - that's young!!*********we now return to your regularly scheduled program**********
Friday night we will probably just hang at the house (perhaps after a happy hour w/ HG and the Hub, and hopefully RB and TJ) and sit in the tub and catch up on catty gossip. Saturday I will go to school for the LAST TIME EVER ON CAMPUS!! Then we will prep for the party and my departure from Earth via Absynthe. It's even on HG's to-do list courtesy of drunken power at Hurls on 9/16. Sunday we will recover from said debotchery and wish Amy a fond farewell.
At that point I will commence my yearly mourning period for Isis by watching her movies, painting, reading, and sobbing in the privacy of my home surrounded by cats.
*sigh* Many people don't see that though. They get caught up in "saving" the world. So what is the difference between ethics and morals?
In other news - work is going well considering the circumstances. The SPO audit is coming along with minor hangups, which is a huge accomplishment. I've been working closely with DM and a couple times this week things got tense (not between us) but we've worked through it and laugh and life is good. I'm still WAY behind but I'm making progress, which is all anyone can hope for these days. I find that having a more lax attitude is improving my conduct at work. I feel bad for RB and HG when they wince as they ask me how things are going. Okay, they don't wince and they geniunely care about me, but if I was them after all the rants and raves I've forced on them I'd be a little scared to ask me how I feel. It feels good smiling and saying "It's okay. How are you?"
Wedding: I purchased my plane ticket. Turns out United does fly to Cabo and I was able to get a ticket using my miles. $66 for airfare to Cabo. Not bad. Of course it does mean Dane and I will be taking separate flights to/fro Cabo. He (nor I) like that idea but at this point if it means saving $500 I'll take that. When I searched about 2 weeks ago for tickets from SEA to Cabo they were about $260, now the cheapest is $480. I'm hoping with the declining gas prices and what not that the tickets will go down and my family and friends will be able to purchase tix at a reasonable price. There's always last minute fares and summer specials, but if my guests are anything like me that wait would make them uncomfortable. The best advice would be to keep your eye out and when you see a price that is reasonable, jump on it.
Birthday: Dane's 28th b-day is this Sunday. So far we are going to dinner tomorrow, the hockey game on Saturday and then staying in Queen Anne for a night of frivalty and panty raids at the Mediterranean Inn where RB and TJ will be staying. :-) Dane is so far taking it better than he took 27. More news as the story develops.
School: Other than the ethical dilemma, I have less than 3 weeks till I have a bachelor's degree. I'm excited, of course, but when I started 3 years ago I knew that I wasn't stopping till I got to a master's degree and passed the CPA exam. In that light, I've only completed step one of three. Not to mention it was the easiest step. I'm so very thankful to have HG as a school companion to suffer through with and RB MBA as a role model having freshly completed the program. I don't know how I'd do it successfully without them. GO TEAM! As for the CPA exam, law school, and/or PHD program, that's still up in the air. I may get through the master's program and decide that's enough. But not likely. What would be the use of going through all the trouble of a master's degree in accounting without certifying it.
Diet: I don't feel the diet is going well but according to my measurements I am steadily losing weight/inches. I haven't been consistently going to the gym and TKD or BD or yoga every day, but I am consistently doing at least one of the four, four times a week. I'm also doing a good job sticking to the low fat diet. That's probably the biggest key.
Amy: I'm very excited for Amy's upcoming trip to SEA. We plan to go to Noc Noc to see LR and the Burlesque show.
********dee dee dee dee deee****** THIS JUST IN!!! Dane just exclaimed that he can't believe he's turning 28. He says it might as well be thirty. And how old am I? ONLY 26 - that's young!!*********we now return to your regularly scheduled program**********
Friday night we will probably just hang at the house (perhaps after a happy hour w/ HG and the Hub, and hopefully RB and TJ) and sit in the tub and catch up on catty gossip. Saturday I will go to school for the LAST TIME EVER ON CAMPUS!! Then we will prep for the party and my departure from Earth via Absynthe. It's even on HG's to-do list courtesy of drunken power at Hurls on 9/16. Sunday we will recover from said debotchery and wish Amy a fond farewell.
At that point I will commence my yearly mourning period for Isis by watching her movies, painting, reading, and sobbing in the privacy of my home surrounded by cats.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Whoops
Has is really been two weeks since I posted? Wow - my bad. Dude things are hairy at work. I can't even begin to describe how much stress I'm under. And it's all brought on by myself. My peers know that you can only do what you can do, but I seem to think I need to be all dramatic about it. I actually cried myself down the stairwell into my car. I think the big boss saw because not long after that RB texted and left a voicemail and invited me to lunch tomorrow. She's got to get sick of massaging my ego. Plus she had a horrible day too. I really need to just grow up already. It's hard though and as I'm discovering, not something I can do overnight. :-(
A recap of my portfolio so I can get it out and move the eff on:
CdA - Beginning to become the biggest pain in my ass. I've sent several WRONG invoices up to THQ solidifying my reputation there as a complete dumbass. Latest blunder: I made over a $12,000 mistake on the August invoice. And I lost $159.64. No idea where it is. Plus the clerk posts stuff to nonexistant accounts and/or companies making it difficult to clear the 1890 acct.
ES - Leftover from my old portfolio till we get someone new, these guys don't give me a lick a trouble and they're small, hardly on the radar.
GH - My own personal hell. The officer is an aggressive, volitile Czech native who is impossible to understand and even more impossible to please. He's already threatened and bullyied me to the point of me coming off my rocker and yelling at him. Very professional, Crystal. Way to win them over with your charm.
RV - The most scandalous of the group, I have to babysit the payables and can't process a damn thing without the big boss's say so. Needless to say, this ties up an already slow invoice processing flow. Other than that they are nice.
ST - Awe, another one of my oldies but goodies. A big corps as far as volume but not maintenance. They have questions here and there but never call me names or take up my time and are respectful and understanding when I can't get back with them right away.
SPO - Where to begin? This unit came to me in shambles just in time for a new Major Pain officer, audit, and all sorts of advisory board meetings. The Major thinks his shit doesn't stink nor does he like it when I tell him it does (in the nicest way of course). This is also the Major over CdA so I can't be too mean to him. The volume of this corps is absolutely nuts and everything is fucked up. Nothing ties to anything. The people are nice enough but pushy and needy. Not to mention the crap I get from them is exactly that - crap. Nothing is ever coded correctly, blah blah blah.
TAC - Mother effers. Needy, whiney, complaining, dramatic a-holes. And two faced! They will be nice to me and say I'm doing great one minute and then tar and feather me the next for shit that is completely out of my control or I never even knew was an issue. I'm beginning to realize my predecessor was too swamped to meet the needs of her units and I'm taking the punishment for it.
*sigh* I think once I get through this next month, things will be okay. I just have to suck it up and dredge through. It's going to be one hell of a party on the 21st of October though!! No more school, no more crazy work - I'm going to get bedazzled on Absynthe leave the earth for a while.
My food is done.
A recap of my portfolio so I can get it out and move the eff on:
CdA - Beginning to become the biggest pain in my ass. I've sent several WRONG invoices up to THQ solidifying my reputation there as a complete dumbass. Latest blunder: I made over a $12,000 mistake on the August invoice. And I lost $159.64. No idea where it is. Plus the clerk posts stuff to nonexistant accounts and/or companies making it difficult to clear the 1890 acct.
ES - Leftover from my old portfolio till we get someone new, these guys don't give me a lick a trouble and they're small, hardly on the radar.
GH - My own personal hell. The officer is an aggressive, volitile Czech native who is impossible to understand and even more impossible to please. He's already threatened and bullyied me to the point of me coming off my rocker and yelling at him. Very professional, Crystal. Way to win them over with your charm.
RV - The most scandalous of the group, I have to babysit the payables and can't process a damn thing without the big boss's say so. Needless to say, this ties up an already slow invoice processing flow. Other than that they are nice.
ST - Awe, another one of my oldies but goodies. A big corps as far as volume but not maintenance. They have questions here and there but never call me names or take up my time and are respectful and understanding when I can't get back with them right away.
SPO - Where to begin? This unit came to me in shambles just in time for a new Major Pain officer, audit, and all sorts of advisory board meetings. The Major thinks his shit doesn't stink nor does he like it when I tell him it does (in the nicest way of course). This is also the Major over CdA so I can't be too mean to him. The volume of this corps is absolutely nuts and everything is fucked up. Nothing ties to anything. The people are nice enough but pushy and needy. Not to mention the crap I get from them is exactly that - crap. Nothing is ever coded correctly, blah blah blah.
TAC - Mother effers. Needy, whiney, complaining, dramatic a-holes. And two faced! They will be nice to me and say I'm doing great one minute and then tar and feather me the next for shit that is completely out of my control or I never even knew was an issue. I'm beginning to realize my predecessor was too swamped to meet the needs of her units and I'm taking the punishment for it.
*sigh* I think once I get through this next month, things will be okay. I just have to suck it up and dredge through. It's going to be one hell of a party on the 21st of October though!! No more school, no more crazy work - I'm going to get bedazzled on Absynthe leave the earth for a while.
My food is done.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
TKD Talks
It's a long drive (relatively speaking) to Lynnwood from Seattle (about 30 - 45 min in traffic) leaving HG and I plenty of time for chit chat. And over several of these almost twice-a-weekly car trips we have engaged in discussions that really tug at the get-to-know-you strings. Our friendship has dramatically changed since we started TKD at the beginning of the summer. Throughout these discussions, Mike, Isis, Kevin, and all sorts of drama has come up. I mentioned a weirdo factoid about my journal in one of our latest discussions and that got me thinking. I decided to resurrect my journals from Sept 99, Sept 00, and Sept 02 and see what I was up to. I can't remember the name of my old school blog, otherwise I'd pull that up for '01 and I didn't keep a journal in '03 or '04. By '05 though I had this blog. Anyway, without further aideu, let's check it out:
Tuesday, September 7th, 1999: So Mike was so cute this morning. I drove all the way to my house to get my chocolate muffin only to find out my dad ate it! Grr. So I got to work, Mike called to see if I would co-sign for his bike. We made plans to have him come down here and see me. So I talked w/ Mel and texted w/ Nick all day. Mike decides at the last minute to bone out and says its okay for me to go w/ Mel. So she came over and we went riding, Mike called and said he was coming down, so I said okay - then he got all mad that I was w/ Mel and decided not to come down. Then Mel got stung by a bee (present day Crystal: okay, now I remember this story - we were right by Littleton Hospital). So we met w/ Nick at Chili's and he paid for me. Mike called to say he was cheating on me. Okay. Then we got the cars, Mike called again. Still kissing ass (Present day Crystal: still?! I thought I said he was cheating on me, wtf?!). Then we all got in the tub and drank. I went home early, to Nick's dismay I'm sure. Mike called and we fought the whole time about how it kills him to only see me for 1 hour. He'd rather not. So he said we should slow down (Present day Crystal: this mother fucker only wanted sex! Why the EFF didn't I see that then?! ARGH!!!) because we are moving too fast. So I was like whatever. Then he got off the phone and has tried calling a million times. Luckily my phone went dead. Then he leaves this msg w/ his dad's info like I'm supposed to be his bitch and call Sun Honda and give the info. Whatever. All he wants is $$ out of me, it's over. I'm just gonna ignore him. (Present day Crystal: why oh why didn't I just follow through with my idea and ignore him?!)
Thursday, September 7th, 2000: **Isis slept for 7 hours!!** I never answered any of Mike's thousand calls. I really don't want anything to do with him. I can put up with his abuse - maybe, I actually think I need therapy. But Isis doesn't have to put up with it. And he turned out to be a horrible father despite what I had hoped for. So my new mission is to erase him from my life. Except it's really hard to get through this initial period. (Present day Crystal: I have wished on more than one occassion that my mom hadn't talked me out of getting a restraining order against Mike. She had the best intentions, I'm sure, but what a mistake to make).
Sunday, September 7th, 2002: So I woke up at 4 and Dane wasn't in bed and I knew some girls came over, so I went down to find him and he was just watching tv so I grabbed my smokes and went outside to find two chicks out there smoking. So we smoked and talked then went inside and watched the rest of the Gladiator then the Veggie Tales silly song countdown. Then I took one of the girls, Shelly, to McDonalds then we came home, ate and I went upstairs to bed. Dane and I ended up [bleap bleap - for the G readers] then going right back to bed. I woke up and cleaned all day while Dane played on the computer. We got into a fight cause he just irritates me and I really hate him sometimes. Ugh! We went to dinner w/ Kris and Jim anyways at Black Angus and had a great time sharing stories and talking about our lives. It was awesome! We went home and I read and then went to sleep, I really like having all this time to do stuff and not be stressed over the house, this arrangement will really work for us I think. (Present day Crystal: well that was very informative. I wonder why I hate Dane so much - UPDATE: I think I was pissed at him for playing on the computer while I cleaned the house. And I think the new arrangement might have had something to do with me asking Dane to reduce some of my rent expenses in exchange for me cleaning the house and his messes)
Interesting batch I suppose. It might be fun to do this once in a while, though it's interesting because my 99 journal batch ends on Oct 20th and my 00 ends on Oct 24th (of all dates). But I have '02 stuff for days. Maybe I will randomly post the past of present day Crystal. :-)
Tuesday, September 7th, 1999: So Mike was so cute this morning. I drove all the way to my house to get my chocolate muffin only to find out my dad ate it! Grr. So I got to work, Mike called to see if I would co-sign for his bike. We made plans to have him come down here and see me. So I talked w/ Mel and texted w/ Nick all day. Mike decides at the last minute to bone out and says its okay for me to go w/ Mel. So she came over and we went riding, Mike called and said he was coming down, so I said okay - then he got all mad that I was w/ Mel and decided not to come down. Then Mel got stung by a bee (present day Crystal: okay, now I remember this story - we were right by Littleton Hospital). So we met w/ Nick at Chili's and he paid for me. Mike called to say he was cheating on me. Okay. Then we got the cars, Mike called again. Still kissing ass (Present day Crystal: still?! I thought I said he was cheating on me, wtf?!). Then we all got in the tub and drank. I went home early, to Nick's dismay I'm sure. Mike called and we fought the whole time about how it kills him to only see me for 1 hour. He'd rather not. So he said we should slow down (Present day Crystal: this mother fucker only wanted sex! Why the EFF didn't I see that then?! ARGH!!!) because we are moving too fast. So I was like whatever. Then he got off the phone and has tried calling a million times. Luckily my phone went dead. Then he leaves this msg w/ his dad's info like I'm supposed to be his bitch and call Sun Honda and give the info. Whatever. All he wants is $$ out of me, it's over. I'm just gonna ignore him. (Present day Crystal: why oh why didn't I just follow through with my idea and ignore him?!)
Thursday, September 7th, 2000: **Isis slept for 7 hours!!** I never answered any of Mike's thousand calls. I really don't want anything to do with him. I can put up with his abuse - maybe, I actually think I need therapy. But Isis doesn't have to put up with it. And he turned out to be a horrible father despite what I had hoped for. So my new mission is to erase him from my life. Except it's really hard to get through this initial period. (Present day Crystal: I have wished on more than one occassion that my mom hadn't talked me out of getting a restraining order against Mike. She had the best intentions, I'm sure, but what a mistake to make).
Sunday, September 7th, 2002: So I woke up at 4 and Dane wasn't in bed and I knew some girls came over, so I went down to find him and he was just watching tv so I grabbed my smokes and went outside to find two chicks out there smoking. So we smoked and talked then went inside and watched the rest of the Gladiator then the Veggie Tales silly song countdown. Then I took one of the girls, Shelly, to McDonalds then we came home, ate and I went upstairs to bed. Dane and I ended up [bleap bleap - for the G readers] then going right back to bed. I woke up and cleaned all day while Dane played on the computer. We got into a fight cause he just irritates me and I really hate him sometimes. Ugh! We went to dinner w/ Kris and Jim anyways at Black Angus and had a great time sharing stories and talking about our lives. It was awesome! We went home and I read and then went to sleep, I really like having all this time to do stuff and not be stressed over the house, this arrangement will really work for us I think. (Present day Crystal: well that was very informative. I wonder why I hate Dane so much - UPDATE: I think I was pissed at him for playing on the computer while I cleaned the house. And I think the new arrangement might have had something to do with me asking Dane to reduce some of my rent expenses in exchange for me cleaning the house and his messes)
Interesting batch I suppose. It might be fun to do this once in a while, though it's interesting because my 99 journal batch ends on Oct 20th and my 00 ends on Oct 24th (of all dates). But I have '02 stuff for days. Maybe I will randomly post the past of present day Crystal. :-)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Passion: The PC Term for Bitchy
I have guilt. I basically spent the better part of an hour barking at HG. I wasn't ever barking AT her, but I was barking TO her and rather pointedly and how can you not take that personally to some degree. I also feel like I often corner her into awkward positions where she might be pressured to say what I want her to say rather than the truth. Case in point: I want to take on the world at TSA and she's not as sure about it as I am. And justifiably so - she knows the name of the game better than I do and she's also been around when I've been overwhelmed and flustered and crazy. I feel like she feels that she can't tell me what's really on her mind for fear of me blowing up.
Which brings me to my next point. Dane feels like he can't talk to me either. Apparently I'm this big, bad monster that can't be spoken to at all without going off the deep end. And it doesn't matter if I have valid points or not, because I get "passionate" I get discounted. I lose my cool once or twice and all of a sudden I can't be talked to, I can't have responsibility, you can't say _____ when I'm around. GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!
I am human! I make mistakes! I have outstanding qualities! I get emotional! I get cold as ice! I'm all of the above all the time, so it's not fair to rule things out because of one particular state of mind I may be in. And if I do get out of control, laugh at me! Poke me with a stick! Tell me I'm out of line! Do something other than act like I can't be spoken to or reasoned with. One of the best characteristics about me = I'm always trying to please and impress people. If you tell me I'm out of line (in a reasonable way, not "YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL!!" that will get me psycho) then I will back off and stabilize. Why? Cause I want to make you happy bottom line.
Having said all that, I don't like when I do get overly passionate and I always reconsider my actions later. I wished I hadn't been so loud with HG this afternoon, even though she was totally cool with it and understands it. I really wish I hadn't been so loud with Dane last night (what most of this blog is about and directed to - not you HG, but you already knew about the Dane Momma Drama). All is well that ends well, but definitely a lesson learned for me.
Another lesson learned - watch what I say and how I say it and how I take other people's reactions. I got butt hurt over life today over something stupid and then I dragged an innocent person into my own created drama and got them concerned and they justifiably acted on their concern which turned into a bigger drama that was all started with me. My bad. I get tender about certain issues and tend to be very irrational when I feel threatened or even slightly proded surrounding certain sensitive issues. I need to back the eff off and calm down already.
Work: I want to take on more and 2 of my 3 KC officers want me back on their books and I think I can take it on and keep most of my new/current portfolio. HG had some good suggestions though that I will definitely spend the remainder of Sept focusing on. Thhaaaannkkss HG! My review is actually next week - I wonder how it will go.....
School: OMG - are we there YET?! I have "senioritis" so bad. I just want to be done. 6 weeks. Can you believe it?
Home: I've been at BD, TKD, and working on school so much that I haven't seen Dane and when I did we argued. He's been out of town and will be out of town for most of the month of September. I guess it's a good time considering work and all. Hmm, that makes it seem like we argue a lot. We got in one. But we've been so busy we've had little one on one time. We will this weekend though after our filing party at HG's house.
Congrats: to HG and MR for 4 years of marriage. Maybe 5. Or 3. I forget but I at least know it's their anniversary on the 9th.
Happy: birthday to Peck whose celebrating her big 3-0 on the 11th.
Hugs: to Sarah and MJ and Chance - I need an update on his first week of school!
Drink clink and tink: to Amy whom I haven't talked to in eons BUT who is coming up in about a month!! WHOOOO HOOOOO!! I talked to LR and she's going to make a special point to be working that night. Which two acts should I ask for? She's got a BD number that's AWESOME (Dane's fav), a chair dance that's all Latin like, a pink number that has plenty of flair, a snow queen act that I have yet to see, and my personal favorite Is That All There Is? a spooky, spunky act that is amazing to see.
Diet: not going well. I kinda dropped the ball and gained the weight. I'm back at it full time though now, and I've cut back on the calories dramatically. We'll see how well that goes. I am so heavy right now, I'm the heaviest I've ever been in my life. I'm less than 10lbs from the weight I was at the day I delievered Isis. How bad is that? *sigh* And I can only blame myself and horrible eating habits. Between BD and TKD I should lose weight, right? And eventually I will get back to yoga, I swear it.
That's all for now. More as the week and weekend wear on.
Which brings me to my next point. Dane feels like he can't talk to me either. Apparently I'm this big, bad monster that can't be spoken to at all without going off the deep end. And it doesn't matter if I have valid points or not, because I get "passionate" I get discounted. I lose my cool once or twice and all of a sudden I can't be talked to, I can't have responsibility, you can't say _____ when I'm around. GGGGGRRRRRRR!!!
I am human! I make mistakes! I have outstanding qualities! I get emotional! I get cold as ice! I'm all of the above all the time, so it's not fair to rule things out because of one particular state of mind I may be in. And if I do get out of control, laugh at me! Poke me with a stick! Tell me I'm out of line! Do something other than act like I can't be spoken to or reasoned with. One of the best characteristics about me = I'm always trying to please and impress people. If you tell me I'm out of line (in a reasonable way, not "YOU ARE OUT OF CONTROL!!" that will get me psycho) then I will back off and stabilize. Why? Cause I want to make you happy bottom line.
Having said all that, I don't like when I do get overly passionate and I always reconsider my actions later. I wished I hadn't been so loud with HG this afternoon, even though she was totally cool with it and understands it. I really wish I hadn't been so loud with Dane last night (what most of this blog is about and directed to - not you HG, but you already knew about the Dane Momma Drama). All is well that ends well, but definitely a lesson learned for me.
Another lesson learned - watch what I say and how I say it and how I take other people's reactions. I got butt hurt over life today over something stupid and then I dragged an innocent person into my own created drama and got them concerned and they justifiably acted on their concern which turned into a bigger drama that was all started with me. My bad. I get tender about certain issues and tend to be very irrational when I feel threatened or even slightly proded surrounding certain sensitive issues. I need to back the eff off and calm down already.
Work: I want to take on more and 2 of my 3 KC officers want me back on their books and I think I can take it on and keep most of my new/current portfolio. HG had some good suggestions though that I will definitely spend the remainder of Sept focusing on. Thhaaaannkkss HG! My review is actually next week - I wonder how it will go.....
School: OMG - are we there YET?! I have "senioritis" so bad. I just want to be done. 6 weeks. Can you believe it?
Home: I've been at BD, TKD, and working on school so much that I haven't seen Dane and when I did we argued. He's been out of town and will be out of town for most of the month of September. I guess it's a good time considering work and all. Hmm, that makes it seem like we argue a lot. We got in one. But we've been so busy we've had little one on one time. We will this weekend though after our filing party at HG's house.
Congrats: to HG and MR for 4 years of marriage. Maybe 5. Or 3. I forget but I at least know it's their anniversary on the 9th.
Happy: birthday to Peck whose celebrating her big 3-0 on the 11th.
Hugs: to Sarah and MJ and Chance - I need an update on his first week of school!
Drink clink and tink: to Amy whom I haven't talked to in eons BUT who is coming up in about a month!! WHOOOO HOOOOO!! I talked to LR and she's going to make a special point to be working that night. Which two acts should I ask for? She's got a BD number that's AWESOME (Dane's fav), a chair dance that's all Latin like, a pink number that has plenty of flair, a snow queen act that I have yet to see, and my personal favorite Is That All There Is? a spooky, spunky act that is amazing to see.
Diet: not going well. I kinda dropped the ball and gained the weight. I'm back at it full time though now, and I've cut back on the calories dramatically. We'll see how well that goes. I am so heavy right now, I'm the heaviest I've ever been in my life. I'm less than 10lbs from the weight I was at the day I delievered Isis. How bad is that? *sigh* And I can only blame myself and horrible eating habits. Between BD and TKD I should lose weight, right? And eventually I will get back to yoga, I swear it.
That's all for now. More as the week and weekend wear on.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Blogs of Interest
So the past couple of days with Dane gone and my injured back leaving me to my own devices on the computer have led to random blog searches. First of all, after reading these blogs, I feel that my blog is rather dry and boring. I'll work on that. In the meantime, blogs of interest:
http://www.doublewidetales.blogspot.com/
I love the way this guy writes. Not to mention turning an annoying thing into something entertaining. Kudos Cletus - though I doubt that's your real name.
And how I found his blog was through this interesting blog:
http://one-hundred-girls.blogspot.com/
I figured I'd watch this dudes list project as I am a sucker for lists. If there is a list show on E! or VH1, I'm roped in in a heartbeat.
In the meantime, I'm still looking for opinions on my most recent hair poll - lock in your votes now. http://blondninjachick.blogspot.com/2006/08/hair-poll.html
http://www.doublewidetales.blogspot.com/
I love the way this guy writes. Not to mention turning an annoying thing into something entertaining. Kudos Cletus - though I doubt that's your real name.
And how I found his blog was through this interesting blog:
http://one-hundred-girls.blogspot.com/
I figured I'd watch this dudes list project as I am a sucker for lists. If there is a list show on E! or VH1, I'm roped in in a heartbeat.
In the meantime, I'm still looking for opinions on my most recent hair poll - lock in your votes now. http://blondninjachick.blogspot.com/2006/08/hair-poll.html
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Congrats!
A big congrats to:
Rebecca for graduating with a master's degree this week.
Heather for her recent promotion to the big office.
Mark for starting a new job at a new location.
Weekend scribe:
Friday was a good day and stressful day. I got the FPP's wrapped up with one minute to spare. Phew! Traffic was a bitch though to and fro TKD and by the time I got home, I had just over an hour to eat and get ready for the Vogue but not enough time to complete my homework. I threw in the towel and decided to hand it in on Sunday and take the dock in grade for less stress. Went to the Vogue via Nick and Jacob - it's not often that Dane and I don't have to worry about driving home, so we took advantage of the opp and drank some more drinks than normal. LR was dancing at the Vogue and looked absolutely fabulous. She had had too much partying at the Noc Noc the night before and left not long after her performance. Since we had already watched a dude stick nails in his head, sew a coconut to his stomach, lay on a bed of nine inch nails, lay on a bed of broken glass, and industrial staple money to his chest, back, ass, cheeks, and nipple plus a tribal belly dance and burlesque performance, we figured we could reasonably move on to the next bar having received our money's worth of entertainment. The wind blew us to a lesbian bar called Wild Rose, though we didn't know it to be that when we walked in. By the time we figured it out, we couldn't just walk out, so we decided to stay. We actually had a blast in the beer garden talking to all different shades of people, gay and straight alike. It's been a while since Dane and I have gone out on our own - it was kinda nice. Though I only had 3 glasses of wine, a Mac n Jack, and strong vodka diet in about the space of 3.5 hours, I felt fairly good. Nick and Jacob picked us up and I passed out for the ride home. Something about going out on Fridays tuckers me out these days. I imagine it wont be long before I can no longer do it without a) taking a nap first, or b) going home earlier. Gone are the club days and closing bars down. We did close the Wild Rose though, mostly because we had to wait for our ride than because we wanted to stay.
Saturday we went to the finance picnic and had fun playing Swedish games, playing on the playground, and talking in catty clicks. After the picnic we went to go see Beerfest with RB, TJ, MR, and HG. It was a good time, good movie. After that we went back to the Huish house and played games, drank beer in silly hats, poked fun at each other, and celebrated. Soon it was hot tub time because I felt a back ache come on. In real life I had actually pulled/pinched my syatic (I have no idea how to spell that - that's the phonetic spelling) nerve.
I woke up Sunday morning early courtesy of Dane. He and MR went four wheeling while HG and I stayed home and looked through pictures, did laundry, homework, and napped. We got some spring roll paper at the local Asian market so I can make fat free lunches. I also got some salmon sashmi. Then we ate lunch at the Teapot - I love that place. By then, the men were home dirty, hungry, and tired.
I was supposed to go to the nudey beach with LR today, but my back hurt so bad I just wanted to stay home. Plus I had HG over. I'm such a flake. Oh well.
I'm looking forward to this week. It will be busy, but fun. Lots of TKD and BD (if my back allows) and the Noc Noc. We are going camping this weekend. That should be lots of fun.
OMG - I just realized that a year ago today I was loading up a van to move up to Seattle. I can't believe I've lived here a year now. Wow. I'm sitting here soaking that in. A year. It seems like I just got here. A whole f*cking year is gone. Like that. Let's recap the first year in Seattle:
I've quit smoking.
I've gained 15 pounds (somehow related to the above I think).
I've colored my hair back to brown.
I've made a slew of new friends.
I've kept my old friends in touch.
I've started something new - TKD.
I've stopped doing yoga. :-(
I started BD again.
I've cut back on drinking.
I haven't gone to a club to dance and drink in over 8 months.
I have gone to bars for brews instead.
I've grown exponentially in my career and attitude.
I'm engaged!
I'm a foster momma for kitties.
I've helped my parent's move across the country.
I flew south of the border for the first time!
I spent my 26th b-day in Hawaii.
I took some time off from school, though not by choice.
I was in the Fremont Parade for the second year.
I didn't party hard on New Years.
I spent my first Christmas without family of any kind other than Dane.
I didn't go to church on Christmas or Easter for the first year of my life.
I learned to tell direction without using mountains as my west point.
I purchased a hookah.
I don't wear make up anymore unless the situation calls for it.
I tried sushi and discovered I love it.
I bought a hot tub.
I rediscovered my love for Mr. Man.
I spent the first year of my 5 year relationship with Mr. Man all alone, with no roommates!
I've spent only a matter of minutes on a motorcycle this season. :-(
Wow I'm sure I could go on for days. What an amazing year it has been. I wonder what this next year has in store for me. Of course, the obvious is the wedding, graduating with a bachelor's, starting a master's program, continuing the friendships I've started, perfecting TKD and BD, and hopefully incorporating more painting and yoga into my hectic schedule.
Rebecca for graduating with a master's degree this week.
Heather for her recent promotion to the big office.
Mark for starting a new job at a new location.
Weekend scribe:
Friday was a good day and stressful day. I got the FPP's wrapped up with one minute to spare. Phew! Traffic was a bitch though to and fro TKD and by the time I got home, I had just over an hour to eat and get ready for the Vogue but not enough time to complete my homework. I threw in the towel and decided to hand it in on Sunday and take the dock in grade for less stress. Went to the Vogue via Nick and Jacob - it's not often that Dane and I don't have to worry about driving home, so we took advantage of the opp and drank some more drinks than normal. LR was dancing at the Vogue and looked absolutely fabulous. She had had too much partying at the Noc Noc the night before and left not long after her performance. Since we had already watched a dude stick nails in his head, sew a coconut to his stomach, lay on a bed of nine inch nails, lay on a bed of broken glass, and industrial staple money to his chest, back, ass, cheeks, and nipple plus a tribal belly dance and burlesque performance, we figured we could reasonably move on to the next bar having received our money's worth of entertainment. The wind blew us to a lesbian bar called Wild Rose, though we didn't know it to be that when we walked in. By the time we figured it out, we couldn't just walk out, so we decided to stay. We actually had a blast in the beer garden talking to all different shades of people, gay and straight alike. It's been a while since Dane and I have gone out on our own - it was kinda nice. Though I only had 3 glasses of wine, a Mac n Jack, and strong vodka diet in about the space of 3.5 hours, I felt fairly good. Nick and Jacob picked us up and I passed out for the ride home. Something about going out on Fridays tuckers me out these days. I imagine it wont be long before I can no longer do it without a) taking a nap first, or b) going home earlier. Gone are the club days and closing bars down. We did close the Wild Rose though, mostly because we had to wait for our ride than because we wanted to stay.
Saturday we went to the finance picnic and had fun playing Swedish games, playing on the playground, and talking in catty clicks. After the picnic we went to go see Beerfest with RB, TJ, MR, and HG. It was a good time, good movie. After that we went back to the Huish house and played games, drank beer in silly hats, poked fun at each other, and celebrated. Soon it was hot tub time because I felt a back ache come on. In real life I had actually pulled/pinched my syatic (I have no idea how to spell that - that's the phonetic spelling) nerve.
I woke up Sunday morning early courtesy of Dane. He and MR went four wheeling while HG and I stayed home and looked through pictures, did laundry, homework, and napped. We got some spring roll paper at the local Asian market so I can make fat free lunches. I also got some salmon sashmi. Then we ate lunch at the Teapot - I love that place. By then, the men were home dirty, hungry, and tired.
I was supposed to go to the nudey beach with LR today, but my back hurt so bad I just wanted to stay home. Plus I had HG over. I'm such a flake. Oh well.
I'm looking forward to this week. It will be busy, but fun. Lots of TKD and BD (if my back allows) and the Noc Noc. We are going camping this weekend. That should be lots of fun.
OMG - I just realized that a year ago today I was loading up a van to move up to Seattle. I can't believe I've lived here a year now. Wow. I'm sitting here soaking that in. A year. It seems like I just got here. A whole f*cking year is gone. Like that. Let's recap the first year in Seattle:
I've quit smoking.
I've gained 15 pounds (somehow related to the above I think).
I've colored my hair back to brown.
I've made a slew of new friends.
I've kept my old friends in touch.
I've started something new - TKD.
I've stopped doing yoga. :-(
I started BD again.
I've cut back on drinking.
I haven't gone to a club to dance and drink in over 8 months.
I have gone to bars for brews instead.
I've grown exponentially in my career and attitude.
I'm engaged!
I'm a foster momma for kitties.
I've helped my parent's move across the country.
I flew south of the border for the first time!
I spent my 26th b-day in Hawaii.
I took some time off from school, though not by choice.
I was in the Fremont Parade for the second year.
I didn't party hard on New Years.
I spent my first Christmas without family of any kind other than Dane.
I didn't go to church on Christmas or Easter for the first year of my life.
I learned to tell direction without using mountains as my west point.
I purchased a hookah.
I don't wear make up anymore unless the situation calls for it.
I tried sushi and discovered I love it.
I bought a hot tub.
I rediscovered my love for Mr. Man.
I spent the first year of my 5 year relationship with Mr. Man all alone, with no roommates!
I've spent only a matter of minutes on a motorcycle this season. :-(
Wow I'm sure I could go on for days. What an amazing year it has been. I wonder what this next year has in store for me. Of course, the obvious is the wedding, graduating with a bachelor's, starting a master's program, continuing the friendships I've started, perfecting TKD and BD, and hopefully incorporating more painting and yoga into my hectic schedule.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The Word
Not much to write home about. Dane is being honored tonight (again) for being an outstanding employee at Denali. He's going to dinner with the president and other outstanding people. Good for him. I'm so proud of him. He's all stressed (for very good reasons) because he had to drive to Olympia this am (1.5 hours one way) then drive back up here by 1:30 for a memorial service for a Denali employee that was killed in a tragic traffic accident, then present a whole bunch of stuff he doesn't know anything about to a potential client since Denali canned the person originally responsible for said meeting. Poor dude. I'm sure we will definitely crack open some beer or wine and sit in the tub tonight for some relaxing.
We have two kittens right now that are adorable.
The new diet is going well, I've lost an inch from my hips.
I think I've mastered the almost fat free/calorie free cookie. Though I'm sure I'll get cancer after just one bite. It's made entirely using Splenda, Egg Beaters, and Smart Choice fat free 5 calorie "butter". The only calories or fattening thing in them are the chocolate chips. We'll see how they cook though, for now I've just been eating the batter. (bad Crystal!) (but not really cause there's no fat or cals)
TKD and BD are also going well, I'm slowly progressing at TKD and refining BD. HG and I are starting a power belly course as soon as our beginner course ends. That should be fun. Then we will probably break BD for a while and focus on the holidays, TKD, and gearing up for our master's program.
Only 9 more weeks till I have a bachelor's degree. Can you believe it? My plan is still to continue on with a master's, sit for the CPA exam and then from there it really depends on if I can get in to law school. If I can, then I'll do that but law schools generally don't allow leisure studies. To even get in to a good law school is challenging and not for those who simply "want the education" like I do. If I can't do that, then I will start the 3.5 year PhD program in business. RB decided to go that route, I'm so happy/proud of her. It's been nice to have someone lead the way, if you will. She's just got 1 week left of her UOP master's program.
Nothing new to report on the wedding front. Except United doesn't fly to Los Cabos so I can't use my mileage - bastards.
Gotta get back to work now, lunch is over and monsterous* payroll journals await.
*monsterous in this case is relative as HG's payroll journal probably puts my journals to absolute shame.
We have two kittens right now that are adorable.
The new diet is going well, I've lost an inch from my hips.
I think I've mastered the almost fat free/calorie free cookie. Though I'm sure I'll get cancer after just one bite. It's made entirely using Splenda, Egg Beaters, and Smart Choice fat free 5 calorie "butter". The only calories or fattening thing in them are the chocolate chips. We'll see how they cook though, for now I've just been eating the batter. (bad Crystal!) (but not really cause there's no fat or cals)
TKD and BD are also going well, I'm slowly progressing at TKD and refining BD. HG and I are starting a power belly course as soon as our beginner course ends. That should be fun. Then we will probably break BD for a while and focus on the holidays, TKD, and gearing up for our master's program.
Only 9 more weeks till I have a bachelor's degree. Can you believe it? My plan is still to continue on with a master's, sit for the CPA exam and then from there it really depends on if I can get in to law school. If I can, then I'll do that but law schools generally don't allow leisure studies. To even get in to a good law school is challenging and not for those who simply "want the education" like I do. If I can't do that, then I will start the 3.5 year PhD program in business. RB decided to go that route, I'm so happy/proud of her. It's been nice to have someone lead the way, if you will. She's just got 1 week left of her UOP master's program.
Nothing new to report on the wedding front. Except United doesn't fly to Los Cabos so I can't use my mileage - bastards.
Gotta get back to work now, lunch is over and monsterous* payroll journals await.
*monsterous in this case is relative as HG's payroll journal probably puts my journals to absolute shame.
Monday, August 14, 2006
Summer Break
Well, for the first time since I've had a full time job I took a little minature summer break. By that I mean I took time off just to sit at home, eat mac n cheese, bon bons, watch soaps, and mostly do nothing. Usually when I take time off from work I'm always bouncing non-stop from place to place, my last two week stint no exception (recall CO-Vegas-CA-Moab-road trip). I must be getting older and changing all the way around because I used to LOVE going places and traveling - I still do, I guess I've just realized that there is a time for jet-setting and a time for sitting on the couch and gaining 5 lbs. I swear I gained at least that. But I'm back on my low fat diet and working out like a mad woman again. It was nice to take a break, but the fun and games are over. Back to real life.
A vacation recap:
Aug 4th - went to dinner with Master Lee and crew after TKD including the new baby Issac. Isaac. Isacc. Iisac. Iissaacc. Whatever - the new baby. It was fun but at the same time I couldn't help but think where I was 6 years ago on that day. I kept my tears on the DL though, no sense in spoiling anyone elses fun.
Aug 5th - Dane, Steven, Ricky, and I drove to Mercer Island and then roller bladed to the highway to watch the Blue Angels. Man, I love those guys! I swear, puppies and Lifetime will never make me cry but every time I see those fighter jets I get all emotional and swell with pride. One of my buddies here has a different take on them though, she said the sound of a fighter jet is no cause for celebration being that in some countries people hear those jets and fear for their lives during this time of war. True. BUT NOT IN THE UNITED STATES! Those men and women in the military fight hard generation after generation to ensure the freedom and rights of American citizens - they are working when we are playing, have some effing respect for your military and the best of the absolute best taking their time to come out and put on a show. Support what our men/women are trained to do and be lucky that when you hear the sound of a F/A-18 Hornet you can look to the sky and smile from ear to ear and be proud of your country!
Aug 6th - I think I sat around doing nothing. Oh - I watched the Blue Angels on tv this time. God bless the Seafair - I can't believe I've missed out my whole life. Dane and I have resolved to sell the Jeep, Montero, trailer, and Banshee and get a boat in two years. We would get it next year, but we are getting married, first things first ya know. The boat Dane wants to get - http://www.yamaha-motor.com/boat/products/modelhome/422/0/home.aspx The boat I want - http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/models06/models.php?model=240cs The boat that we can afford http://www.kennebunkbeach.com/Images/dingy.jpg
Aug 7th - Went camping with LR and crew - whoooo doggy what fun that was! I took the truck because I was going to sleep in it but brought a tent just in case. At a huge 2 scoop ice cream cone AND drove the stick shift truck at the same time- I was impressed. It's weird to take ferries places. I'm used to driving forever, but in WA you have to take ferries to the other side. And the ferry is actually considered part of the highway - no joke. Anyhoot, it was about a 2 hour drive to the camp spot. We drank beers and sat around the camp fire, walked down to the river, ate dinner and drank more beer. Dane was able to cut out of work early and come down on the bike arriving just in time to consume a bag of mushrooms (I was just drunk enough to make that decision) with me. That was fun! I spent the whole night cuddled on the love seat camping chair in my camoflauge capri pants, fleecy thing, and pirate bandana and emergency pirate gold earring with my face painted like a pirate (eye patch and moustache). Since I'm a mental case to begin with I didn't need to get up and frolic in the forest like the others did, I visited two galaxies, Hell, and all my childhood memories right there from the chair. I even visited the future. I thought I had died. Then I wished I would die. Then I saw a Star Wars dude in our camp. Then everyone was a tree stump. I couldn't move my body and I thought for certain I peed my pants. Finally when I could move I forced myself to find the tent even though I was in an animated forest. I must have left live action when I came back from galaxy #2. And the music that Pat played was way cool and everyone was chattering to everyone and Dane! OMG Dane. He was beside himself. He and the other men found an abandoned car and tipped it over, then they scared each other in the brush. Dane refused to go to the tent when I did and physically tried to stop me by getting in my way and hugging me (effing hippy) - I finally had to scream at him to let me go. Then he spent all night f*cking with the flash light in the tent begging me to help him find Reality, like it was a client of his or something. The next day I was shocked to wake up alive. Then I was even more shocked to learn that it had only been one night, I thought for sure I was 45 years old. Drugs* are bad, mmkay.
* I find it a stretch to consider mushrooms drugs since they are natural, but I did knowingly consume the mushrooms expecting some degree of euphoria or what have you.
Aug 8th and 9th - Slept. All day and night. Both days.
Aug 10th - went to the Noc Noc with RB, TJ, MR, and HG. And SS. MR gave his notice at work and needed a pick me up, and what better way to pick yourself up than black opals and pasties.
Aug 11th - I slept in till noon then watched my two Isis videos, one of her on Mother's Day, her 1st b-day, and then a bunch of footage from when Kevin and I lived together. It is weird looking at me back then - I feel like I'm watching a different person. And to see me with Isis, I look like I always looked at her in awe. There's several times the camera catches me staring at her, not saying anything, with the most interesting look on my face. Like I can't believe she's there or something. Anyway, Dane went with Steven to Spokane to help him move so I stayed at home and surfed the net and watched tv and just enjoyed my me time. I played with the cats, ate fattening food some more, assessed my swivel hookah. DUDE - I got a swivel hookah! That's right, this baby swivels on it's base so no more getting the hose caught and passing it around between 5 people and knocking sh*t over. In fact - I think I'll go light my baby hookah. I also got one of those so I can retire my Isis hookah for specail occassions. But not special hookah. Special hookah goes in swivel hookah. This year Dane and I are getting hookahs for all our friends and family for Cmas. I can only imagine what the look on my parents face would be - hee hee. That alone would make it worth it.
Aug 12th - School, last class of Audit I, Audit II starts next week. Aced the test. Then I went to Merle's memorial and lost it everytime I saw Howard. They've been married 42 years. That's as long as my folks. And they are only 10 years older than my folks. It petrifies me to think that I could lose my folks in 10 years. Well I guess anything happens at anytime, but I just can't imagine a life without them and it literally brings me to shaking fits imaging their passing and especially the hurt and pain when the one goes before the other. I actually felt like I could vomit several times throughout the ceremony watching poor Howard and feeling his pain. It was nice to hear the other folks in the crowd though and the funny things they said about Merle and who she was. She really was a tough one - it saddens me that I didn't know her softer side. Additionally I've learned a very powerful lesson from this experience. I've learned how to NOT talk about your co-workers and people who are seemingly stern. I've learned that I could have been a lot nicer and easier to deal with. I made my peace with Merle at her bedside about the tone in my last email to her and secretly prayed that she never read it, but I am still haunted by my actions and naggings that really were unneccessary. Lesson learned.
After that I spent the afternoon dining w/ MR, HG, and RB and then watching tv with MR and HG - I swear they put sleepy dust on their coach. The evening was spent working HARD moving SS in to his new place, which is very nice. After that, D and I went home, watched the boob tube and passed the toot out.
Aug 13th - spent the day at the nudey beach on Lake Washington with LR and crew. We ate BBQ and drank beer and just plain relaxed. I didn't think to bring a suit so when our intertube island (over 10 feet in diameter w/ mesh pool) showed up courtesy of Mog, I had to wear Dane's underoos and my sarong top to swim in. I *could* have gone in the buff, but I'm not ready for that around people I know. Plus I could stand to lose about 50 lbs before I did that. After nude beach Dane and I went home and watched Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 - such great movies. It was the best way to finish off the week of remembering Isis. I love what Uma fights for in Kill Bill. Rock on!
I got back to work today and it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I seem to be getting things done on my own time now instead of stressing myself out with unrealistic lists. Dane is in Olympia all week so I'm on my own again with the cats. Dane wants to keep our newest foster, Sharpie (what a horrible name), he is a d*mn cute cat. Our cats hate him. Stinker has some funk on her back that I keep cutting out and it comes back. I swear that cat has the weirdest sh*t happen to her. Unexplainable. The cats are fighting right now. Boo is actually hoarse from hissing and hooting so much. Silly girl.
Well back to homework for me. Then cookie dough. Then I have to work off the cookie dough with Joyce Vedral's workout.
A vacation recap:
Aug 4th - went to dinner with Master Lee and crew after TKD including the new baby Issac. Isaac. Isacc. Iisac. Iissaacc. Whatever - the new baby. It was fun but at the same time I couldn't help but think where I was 6 years ago on that day. I kept my tears on the DL though, no sense in spoiling anyone elses fun.
Aug 5th - Dane, Steven, Ricky, and I drove to Mercer Island and then roller bladed to the highway to watch the Blue Angels. Man, I love those guys! I swear, puppies and Lifetime will never make me cry but every time I see those fighter jets I get all emotional and swell with pride. One of my buddies here has a different take on them though, she said the sound of a fighter jet is no cause for celebration being that in some countries people hear those jets and fear for their lives during this time of war. True. BUT NOT IN THE UNITED STATES! Those men and women in the military fight hard generation after generation to ensure the freedom and rights of American citizens - they are working when we are playing, have some effing respect for your military and the best of the absolute best taking their time to come out and put on a show. Support what our men/women are trained to do and be lucky that when you hear the sound of a F/A-18 Hornet you can look to the sky and smile from ear to ear and be proud of your country!
Aug 6th - I think I sat around doing nothing. Oh - I watched the Blue Angels on tv this time. God bless the Seafair - I can't believe I've missed out my whole life. Dane and I have resolved to sell the Jeep, Montero, trailer, and Banshee and get a boat in two years. We would get it next year, but we are getting married, first things first ya know. The boat Dane wants to get - http://www.yamaha-motor.com/boat/products/modelhome/422/0/home.aspx The boat I want - http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/models06/models.php?model=240cs The boat that we can afford http://www.kennebunkbeach.com/Images/dingy.jpg
Aug 7th - Went camping with LR and crew - whoooo doggy what fun that was! I took the truck because I was going to sleep in it but brought a tent just in case. At a huge 2 scoop ice cream cone AND drove the stick shift truck at the same time- I was impressed. It's weird to take ferries places. I'm used to driving forever, but in WA you have to take ferries to the other side. And the ferry is actually considered part of the highway - no joke. Anyhoot, it was about a 2 hour drive to the camp spot. We drank beers and sat around the camp fire, walked down to the river, ate dinner and drank more beer. Dane was able to cut out of work early and come down on the bike arriving just in time to consume a bag of mushrooms (I was just drunk enough to make that decision) with me. That was fun! I spent the whole night cuddled on the love seat camping chair in my camoflauge capri pants, fleecy thing, and pirate bandana and emergency pirate gold earring with my face painted like a pirate (eye patch and moustache). Since I'm a mental case to begin with I didn't need to get up and frolic in the forest like the others did, I visited two galaxies, Hell, and all my childhood memories right there from the chair. I even visited the future. I thought I had died. Then I wished I would die. Then I saw a Star Wars dude in our camp. Then everyone was a tree stump. I couldn't move my body and I thought for certain I peed my pants. Finally when I could move I forced myself to find the tent even though I was in an animated forest. I must have left live action when I came back from galaxy #2. And the music that Pat played was way cool and everyone was chattering to everyone and Dane! OMG Dane. He was beside himself. He and the other men found an abandoned car and tipped it over, then they scared each other in the brush. Dane refused to go to the tent when I did and physically tried to stop me by getting in my way and hugging me (effing hippy) - I finally had to scream at him to let me go. Then he spent all night f*cking with the flash light in the tent begging me to help him find Reality, like it was a client of his or something. The next day I was shocked to wake up alive. Then I was even more shocked to learn that it had only been one night, I thought for sure I was 45 years old. Drugs* are bad, mmkay.
* I find it a stretch to consider mushrooms drugs since they are natural, but I did knowingly consume the mushrooms expecting some degree of euphoria or what have you.
Aug 8th and 9th - Slept. All day and night. Both days.
Aug 10th - went to the Noc Noc with RB, TJ, MR, and HG. And SS. MR gave his notice at work and needed a pick me up, and what better way to pick yourself up than black opals and pasties.
Aug 11th - I slept in till noon then watched my two Isis videos, one of her on Mother's Day, her 1st b-day, and then a bunch of footage from when Kevin and I lived together. It is weird looking at me back then - I feel like I'm watching a different person. And to see me with Isis, I look like I always looked at her in awe. There's several times the camera catches me staring at her, not saying anything, with the most interesting look on my face. Like I can't believe she's there or something. Anyway, Dane went with Steven to Spokane to help him move so I stayed at home and surfed the net and watched tv and just enjoyed my me time. I played with the cats, ate fattening food some more, assessed my swivel hookah. DUDE - I got a swivel hookah! That's right, this baby swivels on it's base so no more getting the hose caught and passing it around between 5 people and knocking sh*t over. In fact - I think I'll go light my baby hookah. I also got one of those so I can retire my Isis hookah for specail occassions. But not special hookah. Special hookah goes in swivel hookah. This year Dane and I are getting hookahs for all our friends and family for Cmas. I can only imagine what the look on my parents face would be - hee hee. That alone would make it worth it.
Aug 12th - School, last class of Audit I, Audit II starts next week. Aced the test. Then I went to Merle's memorial and lost it everytime I saw Howard. They've been married 42 years. That's as long as my folks. And they are only 10 years older than my folks. It petrifies me to think that I could lose my folks in 10 years. Well I guess anything happens at anytime, but I just can't imagine a life without them and it literally brings me to shaking fits imaging their passing and especially the hurt and pain when the one goes before the other. I actually felt like I could vomit several times throughout the ceremony watching poor Howard and feeling his pain. It was nice to hear the other folks in the crowd though and the funny things they said about Merle and who she was. She really was a tough one - it saddens me that I didn't know her softer side. Additionally I've learned a very powerful lesson from this experience. I've learned how to NOT talk about your co-workers and people who are seemingly stern. I've learned that I could have been a lot nicer and easier to deal with. I made my peace with Merle at her bedside about the tone in my last email to her and secretly prayed that she never read it, but I am still haunted by my actions and naggings that really were unneccessary. Lesson learned.
After that I spent the afternoon dining w/ MR, HG, and RB and then watching tv with MR and HG - I swear they put sleepy dust on their coach. The evening was spent working HARD moving SS in to his new place, which is very nice. After that, D and I went home, watched the boob tube and passed the toot out.
Aug 13th - spent the day at the nudey beach on Lake Washington with LR and crew. We ate BBQ and drank beer and just plain relaxed. I didn't think to bring a suit so when our intertube island (over 10 feet in diameter w/ mesh pool) showed up courtesy of Mog, I had to wear Dane's underoos and my sarong top to swim in. I *could* have gone in the buff, but I'm not ready for that around people I know. Plus I could stand to lose about 50 lbs before I did that. After nude beach Dane and I went home and watched Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2 - such great movies. It was the best way to finish off the week of remembering Isis. I love what Uma fights for in Kill Bill. Rock on!
I got back to work today and it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I seem to be getting things done on my own time now instead of stressing myself out with unrealistic lists. Dane is in Olympia all week so I'm on my own again with the cats. Dane wants to keep our newest foster, Sharpie (what a horrible name), he is a d*mn cute cat. Our cats hate him. Stinker has some funk on her back that I keep cutting out and it comes back. I swear that cat has the weirdest sh*t happen to her. Unexplainable. The cats are fighting right now. Boo is actually hoarse from hissing and hooting so much. Silly girl.
Well back to homework for me. Then cookie dough. Then I have to work off the cookie dough with Joyce Vedral's workout.
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