Over last night and today I've slowly convinced myself that I probably will not get the job offer for FOY. It really would be AMAZING if I got offered a "head/lead" accounting manager position with no "true" manager or high-level experience. It's just not realistic. Though I am quite proud of myself for making it to the second round of interviews.
Then, HG tells me that she's on the phone with FOY and she's telling them that I suck. Alarmed I thought, "really? they called for my refs?" As it turns out, HG did not tell them that I suck, instead she gave me a good ref (or so she says....kidding). So that's gotta mean something, right? They wouldn't call on my refs unless I'm going to the next level, which at this point would be an offer as I've already met w/ the CEO/COO and Finance Committee Chair.
So I start serial checking my email, like every 5 minutes. What's this? An email at 3:45:
Hello Crystal ,
It has been so long since you came in to speak with us about the Senior Accountant position. Aafter we spoke with you, we thought immediately that you would be a good fit for the position, and we worried that your timing might not be great (with a two month lead time required.)
Our hiring process has stretched longer than anticipated so now we realize that we are able to work with your scheduling needs. Are you still interested in pursuing the accounting position here?
If so, we would be interested in speaking with you again. We would love to have you to meet our Development Director and a member of her staff.
Let me know if you would like to take the next step.
Thanks so much,
Barbara Bones
Treehouse
OMG - this is the company I interviewed for back in December!!! I literally fell out of my chair. I was stunned. I had convinced myself that I interviewed very youthful and just plain poorly. Turns out they actually liked me or have exhausted all avenues and are turning to the bottom of the barrel. Either way it works for me! So I emailed back and said (the gist of) Yes - I'd like to meet, I'm also interviewing elsewhere and may have an offer, how's Friday sound?
I'm anxious to hear back to see what they have to say. Virtually all things are equal, the job position (though one is called Senior Accountant and one is Accounting Manager - they are the same job requirements), supervisor, same (almost exact) mission. They differ in pay (one pays more than $10,000/yr than the other), benefits (one is 100%, one is 80%), one is 7 miles east and the other is 7 miles west, and I felt a little more at ease at one place than the other. All these things being considered, I'm still not sure which job I'd choose if offered. :-/ I'm hoping one option will put itself out there more than the other.
I'll be in Spokane tomorrow on TSA business. It will be a nice, but untimely break from the office. Overall it will be nice to work with Teresa and I plan to put the idea in her head that I want SPO to be more self-sufficient. My rationale is to put them in a better position when/if I leave without them really knowing what I'm doing. Lucky for me Teresa has been there awhile and will eat up this perceived "control" like a cat and fresh milk.
School is going well. People are chatty pattys though. Talk talk talk talk talk. Even *I* don't talk that much and that's saying A LOT! And this one chick has this stooooooopid tranny bee signature, I'll post it.....
(¯`v´¯)`*.¸.*´¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• DRE
I mean seriously - this is an MBA program!! As HG said, this isn't community college. I posted a tip to my team that they should make substansive posts but keep it under 350 words. I thought I might have been stepping on the teacher's toes, but he actually responded "great recommendation" to the team folder. Which means he really is watching our conversations. Right on though, that's his job. Glad he's doing it.
Coming up: March 17th St. Patty's Day Blast. This will mark several occassions to party, least of which being St. Patty's Day. It will also be my birthday celebration, RBMBA's b-day celebration, RBMBA's and TJ's anniversary, my BOOB unveiling, and general re-tox after the de-tox. I'm so looking forward to it. As RBMBA said: "drink-drank-drunk". That's right!
So mark your calendars, even if only cyberly. March 17th, Fado's Irish Bar, 9am. Be there or be Scottish (originally I used Jewish but that didn't go over well with HG, so I've updated and PC-ified my phrase). :-)
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
Interview Detail
So the interview went well I think. I interviewed happy and cheerful but youthful. I think the Financial Committee chair-lady was endeared by me but I'm not so sure she's convinced I was the best candidate. Oh well, I made it to the finals, that's got to say something. I should know for sure by the end of this week.
The more I think about it, the less likely I believe it is for me to get the job due to my lack of experience. And I don't blame a company for that nor do I take it personally. I will get experience with each and every day.
The other thought to consider is: it's one thing to promote from within a candidate with no experience, but to hire someone off the street with no experience for a manager position, especially at a controller level is unheard of. I will be shocked if I get the job BUT I do believe I can do the job.
Anyway - I have a job, miserable as it may be, and I have nothing but time to get experience, education, and move up the ladder, though it seems like the ladder moving at TSA is not going to happen with LD on board. She hates me and I don't like her. I made another comment to her today. She's such a shitty manager. She gives me hope that I can be an awesome manager, even with no experience. Get this:
I popped my head in LD's office today when DM was in there and happily but concernly (if that's a word) said that DM was covering all but one of my 9 units while I was on sick leave. (I had told DM earlier that I don't care who you are, there's no way you can juggle KC fund, her "normal" back up units AND all of my units) And LD said "We aren't worried, we'll manage just fine. DM has an "S" on her chest." (presumably the "S" is for sucks as I'm sure it will be no problem at all for her to do nothing with my units while I'm gone, which is what she does for her units now). And I said "Wow, you guys are doing a great job at making me feel like I contribute nothing to the company." And then I smiled and walked away. LD and DM laughed and said "No, it's not like that, I meant Iwe can do it with help." And I just gave my best fake laugh. I'm not really bothered by it because I don't really think that they meant what I incinuated they meant but they still made it seem like I wouldn't be missed at all.
SOB's. They are some of the best examples of scheming, two-faced, back stabbing, passive-aggressive, no good hooligans. *frown*
Yep, it's definitely time to move on from the Army. This attitude can't be good.
The more I think about it, the less likely I believe it is for me to get the job due to my lack of experience. And I don't blame a company for that nor do I take it personally. I will get experience with each and every day.
The other thought to consider is: it's one thing to promote from within a candidate with no experience, but to hire someone off the street with no experience for a manager position, especially at a controller level is unheard of. I will be shocked if I get the job BUT I do believe I can do the job.
Anyway - I have a job, miserable as it may be, and I have nothing but time to get experience, education, and move up the ladder, though it seems like the ladder moving at TSA is not going to happen with LD on board. She hates me and I don't like her. I made another comment to her today. She's such a shitty manager. She gives me hope that I can be an awesome manager, even with no experience. Get this:
I popped my head in LD's office today when DM was in there and happily but concernly (if that's a word) said that DM was covering all but one of my 9 units while I was on sick leave. (I had told DM earlier that I don't care who you are, there's no way you can juggle KC fund, her "normal" back up units AND all of my units) And LD said "We aren't worried, we'll manage just fine. DM has an "S" on her chest." (presumably the "S" is for sucks as I'm sure it will be no problem at all for her to do nothing with my units while I'm gone, which is what she does for her units now). And I said "Wow, you guys are doing a great job at making me feel like I contribute nothing to the company." And then I smiled and walked away. LD and DM laughed and said "No, it's not like that, I meant Iwe can do it with help." And I just gave my best fake laugh. I'm not really bothered by it because I don't really think that they meant what I incinuated they meant but they still made it seem like I wouldn't be missed at all.
SOB's. They are some of the best examples of scheming, two-faced, back stabbing, passive-aggressive, no good hooligans. *frown*
Yep, it's definitely time to move on from the Army. This attitude can't be good.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Wish Me Luck!
I go in for my second interview with the financial committee tomorrow. I'm more excited than nervous. I'm worried that I might come off too excited and/or desparate. I have some ideas but I think I might wait to feel them out to see how I want to proceed.
I've got my hair done (it's in curlers now but will relax by tomorrow) and I can easily pull it back so as not to alert those not needing alerting to my interview. I even bought a suit. My old suits are too small for me and while it pained me to buy something that will not fit in a 2 weeks, I did get it on sale for over 60% off and it's nice enough I can wear it with other pants after the surg.
Wish me luck.
Over the weekend:
The weekend was nice. I did some work for TSA. I got into it with LD on Friday. I think my days are numbered there, whether I want them to be or not. If/when I do hand in my resignation, it will be nice to see the look on LD's face. What a f*cking piece dude. Anyway, her days are numbered too. I get the feeling that she is being given a lot of rope...to hang herself with. That's my prophecy anyway. For the company's sake, I hope she doesn't because I'd hate for TSA to lose out any more. Regardless of the powers that be, I think TSA is still a great organization that does good things.
Let's see - OH!! First day of school, first day of school! We have an abnormally large class (almost 30 peeps) so I'm sure we'll be split up next class. As usual, I'm one of the loudest. *BEAM* I'm tired of being ashamed of my outgoing attitude. I refuse to be anymore. Though I doubt anyone ever even cared. :-P I like our teacher, he's got just the right amount of spice. I think I will really enjoy our team too. A group of fairly young people with no kid-families. We all have significant others and wonderful pets, but no kids which will make it easier to meet and what not.
After class we went and saw RBMBA at her work. She was working on Sat so we brought her some lunch. I'm glad we got to see her. Now that we don't work together we don't get to see each other as often. Though we are planning a fabu Super Bowl Party.
Super Bowl = so it's the Indianapolis Colts vs. Da Bears. I don't particularly care for either team. Isis's father has a man-crush on Peyton Manning, so I get irritated (stoopid reason I know) easily with him and Da Bears are Da Bears. I guess my only beef with Da Bears might be that they just recently spanked the Hawks. However - they are a good team this year and they deserve to win, they haven't won anything since I was in high school, so good on them. Being that Da Bears are the team from the Hawks respective division, I should vote for them. OR should I vote for the Colts because they come from Denver's division. It's a tough call. In the end, I think I will settle this dilemma by voting for the underdog, which in this case is Da Bears, in my opinion.
So go Bears!!
Surgery is scary. It's right around the corner folks. I'm going to be hopped up on all sorts of meds such as Tylox, Viacadin, Valim, and a potpourri of other addictive items. I fully plan on making the most of the drugs and my paid sick time off so the plan is to be so high I have no idea what's going on. I will have HG and Mr. Man there to help out and my mom and/or dad might even make a visit. AWESOME!!!
! 11:00! I need to hit the sack! More later tomorrow evening.
I've got my hair done (it's in curlers now but will relax by tomorrow) and I can easily pull it back so as not to alert those not needing alerting to my interview. I even bought a suit. My old suits are too small for me and while it pained me to buy something that will not fit in a 2 weeks, I did get it on sale for over 60% off and it's nice enough I can wear it with other pants after the surg.
Wish me luck.
Over the weekend:
The weekend was nice. I did some work for TSA. I got into it with LD on Friday. I think my days are numbered there, whether I want them to be or not. If/when I do hand in my resignation, it will be nice to see the look on LD's face. What a f*cking piece dude. Anyway, her days are numbered too. I get the feeling that she is being given a lot of rope...to hang herself with. That's my prophecy anyway. For the company's sake, I hope she doesn't because I'd hate for TSA to lose out any more. Regardless of the powers that be, I think TSA is still a great organization that does good things.
Let's see - OH!! First day of school, first day of school! We have an abnormally large class (almost 30 peeps) so I'm sure we'll be split up next class. As usual, I'm one of the loudest. *BEAM* I'm tired of being ashamed of my outgoing attitude. I refuse to be anymore. Though I doubt anyone ever even cared. :-P I like our teacher, he's got just the right amount of spice. I think I will really enjoy our team too. A group of fairly young people with no kid-families. We all have significant others and wonderful pets, but no kids which will make it easier to meet and what not.
After class we went and saw RBMBA at her work. She was working on Sat so we brought her some lunch. I'm glad we got to see her. Now that we don't work together we don't get to see each other as often. Though we are planning a fabu Super Bowl Party.
Super Bowl = so it's the Indianapolis Colts vs. Da Bears. I don't particularly care for either team. Isis's father has a man-crush on Peyton Manning, so I get irritated (stoopid reason I know) easily with him and Da Bears are Da Bears. I guess my only beef with Da Bears might be that they just recently spanked the Hawks. However - they are a good team this year and they deserve to win, they haven't won anything since I was in high school, so good on them. Being that Da Bears are the team from the Hawks respective division, I should vote for them. OR should I vote for the Colts because they come from Denver's division. It's a tough call. In the end, I think I will settle this dilemma by voting for the underdog, which in this case is Da Bears, in my opinion.
So go Bears!!
Surgery is scary. It's right around the corner folks. I'm going to be hopped up on all sorts of meds such as Tylox, Viacadin, Valim, and a potpourri of other addictive items. I fully plan on making the most of the drugs and my paid sick time off so the plan is to be so high I have no idea what's going on. I will have HG and Mr. Man there to help out and my mom and/or dad might even make a visit. AWESOME!!!
! 11:00! I need to hit the sack! More later tomorrow evening.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Interview
Well I had an interview this afternoon that I think went very well. At least it went better than my Treehouse interview. If I had to guess by the body language and verbiage, I would say that I will at least get a call to a second interview. If not that, then I'm sure that I'm at least up on their rank list. That's just a feeling. I don't want to get my hopes up though. What will happen will happen.
I would be excited to take the job. It's like the perfect mix of TSA and C&C. It's all the new, growing nonprofit that C&C was with the mission of TSA. I would have the power to help a company grow again and develop policies and procedures not get lost in the "that's the way we've always done it" nonsense and beauracracy that I'm in. I will be happy one way or another, but it would be a gulp of fresh air to get out of the politics and bad stress (not to mention poor leadership) of TSA.
The position would be Accounting Manager, which would be a different tier level than I am in now. A large jump, but not inconceivable. I'm excited. We'll see. I'll post more as info becomes available.
Surgery: my surg is still on for 2/12. I've been a slacker as far as exercise go, but its been an eventful couple of days. I'll get back into the swing of things tomorrow. I'm excited and scared for my surg. I had my pre-op yesterday w/ Dane, the nurse, and the doc. I got a book about my specific care (to ME, not just to all people having this procedure done). I got all my prescriptions - I'll be high on Tylox, Viacodin, and Valim for at least 2 weeks. Good times. I got all my pre and post-op instruction. Dane and I also talked to the doctor at length about what to expect. He has strongly encouraged me to lose 15 - 20 lbs on top of this. But everything below my belly button is going to be cut off, or "in the bucket", as he so humorously said (one of the things I love about this doc). I can't imagine life without a pudgey belly. I've always, even at my thinnest, had a pudge. I can't believe it will be gone. And it will be so nice to have normal breasts again. I don't think anyone knows how much my stuff has splayed out. Put it this way, I can lay my whole index finger across the dark part of my boob. That's almost 3 inches in diameter. GROSS! Not to mention they point at the ground, almost back to my ribs. It will be nice to have nips where they belong. Dane will have his hands full caring for me. So will HG. I will have all sorts of antibiotic/drug regimns, body fluid drains, bandages, and so on. Plus I am only allowed to get up every two hours for a short walk. Otherwise I will need help with everything: peeing, cleaning myself, getting dressed, cooking, cleaning, etc. I can't shower for about 10 - 14 days. Only sponge baths and if I want my hair washed, I can go to the doc's office and the nurse will wash my hair at their "salon" station. That will be weird. I've considered getting my hair put in corn rows. Anyway - I'm excited and scared.
I fell off the main detox wagon but still plan to juice fast the week before surgery. That will help lose weight and get myself in good mental, spiritual, and physical condition. Afterwards I'll follow the vegan soup diet (Dr. McDougall's) and unlimited fruits and veggies. Maybe a little PBJ and hummus/pita treats for when I want to be bad. :-)
Wish me luck with everything!
I would be excited to take the job. It's like the perfect mix of TSA and C&C. It's all the new, growing nonprofit that C&C was with the mission of TSA. I would have the power to help a company grow again and develop policies and procedures not get lost in the "that's the way we've always done it" nonsense and beauracracy that I'm in. I will be happy one way or another, but it would be a gulp of fresh air to get out of the politics and bad stress (not to mention poor leadership) of TSA.
The position would be Accounting Manager, which would be a different tier level than I am in now. A large jump, but not inconceivable. I'm excited. We'll see. I'll post more as info becomes available.
Surgery: my surg is still on for 2/12. I've been a slacker as far as exercise go, but its been an eventful couple of days. I'll get back into the swing of things tomorrow. I'm excited and scared for my surg. I had my pre-op yesterday w/ Dane, the nurse, and the doc. I got a book about my specific care (to ME, not just to all people having this procedure done). I got all my prescriptions - I'll be high on Tylox, Viacodin, and Valim for at least 2 weeks. Good times. I got all my pre and post-op instruction. Dane and I also talked to the doctor at length about what to expect. He has strongly encouraged me to lose 15 - 20 lbs on top of this. But everything below my belly button is going to be cut off, or "in the bucket", as he so humorously said (one of the things I love about this doc). I can't imagine life without a pudgey belly. I've always, even at my thinnest, had a pudge. I can't believe it will be gone. And it will be so nice to have normal breasts again. I don't think anyone knows how much my stuff has splayed out. Put it this way, I can lay my whole index finger across the dark part of my boob. That's almost 3 inches in diameter. GROSS! Not to mention they point at the ground, almost back to my ribs. It will be nice to have nips where they belong. Dane will have his hands full caring for me. So will HG. I will have all sorts of antibiotic/drug regimns, body fluid drains, bandages, and so on. Plus I am only allowed to get up every two hours for a short walk. Otherwise I will need help with everything: peeing, cleaning myself, getting dressed, cooking, cleaning, etc. I can't shower for about 10 - 14 days. Only sponge baths and if I want my hair washed, I can go to the doc's office and the nurse will wash my hair at their "salon" station. That will be weird. I've considered getting my hair put in corn rows. Anyway - I'm excited and scared.
I fell off the main detox wagon but still plan to juice fast the week before surgery. That will help lose weight and get myself in good mental, spiritual, and physical condition. Afterwards I'll follow the vegan soup diet (Dr. McDougall's) and unlimited fruits and veggies. Maybe a little PBJ and hummus/pita treats for when I want to be bad. :-)
Wish me luck with everything!
Monday, January 22, 2007
A Few Choice Pics
Should I have "one glass of wine" and fall off the detox wagon? (incidently I learned today that the "wagon" phrase was coined by The Salvation Army when founder William Booth would pick up the drunks and prostitutes in a wagon to attend the weekly meetings. When someone wouldn't join the wagon train, they fell off the wagon meaning they fell back into their old ways) *The More You Know*
The Alltel Wireless guy, he's in my 5.
What kind of wine were we drinking?!
And this one I like to call "Bourbon at 4 am". A masterpiece.
Good times. Good times.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Fell Off The Wagon
Whoops - I fell off my detox wagon. I lasted 9 days and until 9:30 last night before caving and having "just one glass of wine". I feel crappy for giving in but in looking at these next two weeks and my crazy schedule, there's just no way I can keep up the maintenance that the plan demands. I have decided that I will do a juice fast/detox one week before surgery. A week is easier than 28 days. Anyway.
Dane's holiday party was last night, it was rescheduled due to the power outages in December. Dane got the highest award possible, the President's Choice award. Good job baby! For the gift raffle-game we made away with a $50 Staples cards because I knew the Staples slogan (that was easy) and a $50 AMEX card because I had an AMEX card. The president kept passing out drink coupons, so Dane got drunk because he had me for a DD. But the drink tickets kept coming and I finally decided that with all that free booze it would be fiscally irresponsible of me NOT to drink. So drank I did. My one glass of wine turned into three. Then after the party was over we headed up to the rooftop club, which was a predominant black club. We were too drunk to feel out of place. We nabbed a table by the windows and continued to drink and gab and have a good old time. The VP's wife got lit and told me all about how the VP just adores Dane and I and how he fell in love with us the second he met us. They are definitely coming to our wedding - YEAH!! After we closed the club - literally, they kicked us out cause we refused to leave, we tried to find Amy Buttkey's room (I'm still not sure if Amy exists) but couldn't so we went back to another room and crank called the front desk looking for Amy's room. When nothing pulled up, we decided to go to "Jason's" room because he claimed to have bourbon. We arrived at Jason's room (he was already asleep in his skivies) and partied it up. Sometime after 3:30 am and the bourbon and coke (I normally vomit at the mere smell of whiskey and haven't touched a regular soda in years or even a diet soda since Thanksgiving) it was time to go back to the room. So a drunk Crystal and Dane fumbled their way back to the room and passed the toot out! I tried to sleep on the floor but Dane wouldn't let me citing it was too cold. Good job honey. Woke up at 6 am to a loud neighbor only to discover it was really 10 am and we were still drunk. We tried calling Nick to come get us but he wasn't answering so we made the most of our 11 check out time and cautiously made it home.
I left the crock pot on all night so my detox soup was ruined. That coupled with my drunken hangover created the need for Taco Bell. I suck, I know. After that Dane and I went back to bed till 3 pm. Got up, ate, laid back down, got up, ate, and watched the Steve Irwin program on tv. I have never been so affected by a celebrity/famous death as I am by Steve's. My heart just simply aches for him and his family. I cried the whole show. I have the utmost respect for Terri Irwin and I will watch in excitement as Bindi and Bob grow up. None the less, I still hurt for Steve's passing. :-(
In other news, I cut over 8 inches of hair off yesterday and donated it to Locks of Love. That felt so good! First and foremost to give to such a wonderful cause and because my hair was getting too long - it was a mop! I have a cute haircut now that falls just below my shoulders.
I will post a few pics later. :-)
Dane's holiday party was last night, it was rescheduled due to the power outages in December. Dane got the highest award possible, the President's Choice award. Good job baby! For the gift raffle-game we made away with a $50 Staples cards because I knew the Staples slogan (that was easy) and a $50 AMEX card because I had an AMEX card. The president kept passing out drink coupons, so Dane got drunk because he had me for a DD. But the drink tickets kept coming and I finally decided that with all that free booze it would be fiscally irresponsible of me NOT to drink. So drank I did. My one glass of wine turned into three. Then after the party was over we headed up to the rooftop club, which was a predominant black club. We were too drunk to feel out of place. We nabbed a table by the windows and continued to drink and gab and have a good old time. The VP's wife got lit and told me all about how the VP just adores Dane and I and how he fell in love with us the second he met us. They are definitely coming to our wedding - YEAH!! After we closed the club - literally, they kicked us out cause we refused to leave, we tried to find Amy Buttkey's room (I'm still not sure if Amy exists) but couldn't so we went back to another room and crank called the front desk looking for Amy's room. When nothing pulled up, we decided to go to "Jason's" room because he claimed to have bourbon. We arrived at Jason's room (he was already asleep in his skivies) and partied it up. Sometime after 3:30 am and the bourbon and coke (I normally vomit at the mere smell of whiskey and haven't touched a regular soda in years or even a diet soda since Thanksgiving) it was time to go back to the room. So a drunk Crystal and Dane fumbled their way back to the room and passed the toot out! I tried to sleep on the floor but Dane wouldn't let me citing it was too cold. Good job honey. Woke up at 6 am to a loud neighbor only to discover it was really 10 am and we were still drunk. We tried calling Nick to come get us but he wasn't answering so we made the most of our 11 check out time and cautiously made it home.
I left the crock pot on all night so my detox soup was ruined. That coupled with my drunken hangover created the need for Taco Bell. I suck, I know. After that Dane and I went back to bed till 3 pm. Got up, ate, laid back down, got up, ate, and watched the Steve Irwin program on tv. I have never been so affected by a celebrity/famous death as I am by Steve's. My heart just simply aches for him and his family. I cried the whole show. I have the utmost respect for Terri Irwin and I will watch in excitement as Bindi and Bob grow up. None the less, I still hurt for Steve's passing. :-(
In other news, I cut over 8 inches of hair off yesterday and donated it to Locks of Love. That felt so good! First and foremost to give to such a wonderful cause and because my hair was getting too long - it was a mop! I have a cute haircut now that falls just below my shoulders.
I will post a few pics later. :-)
Monday, January 15, 2007
Fasting and Detox
I am finishing up my third day of detox. I picked up a book on fasting/detox (f/d) because I felt it would be good to give my body a cleanse to finalize my transition into a vegan lifestyle. I also felt it was a healthy way to shed a pound or two before surgery and boost my immune system so I'm ready to heal next month. As I've embarked on my f/d, I've also decided to use this time as a spiritual f/d as well. With all the drama at work and my upcoming projects (surgery, wedding, MBA program) I really feel it's time to get back to the basics and get organized. I've allowed myself to become a tyrannt over the past few months and I'm not happy with that or my current state of mind/attitude. I feel by layering on a spiritual level of my f/d I will reap the most benefits out of it in mind, body, and spirit.
It's only been 3 days and I'm already feeling different. Better, but definitely different. I've had a few hiccups, for example I just assumed the book provided recipes for one person. It turns out the recipes can be for 1 or 6 servings! So I got a bunch of food that wasn't needed (luckily HG agreed to piggy back on my detox for a couple days this weekend so the food wouldn't go bad) and missed getting some stuff that I did need. I was sitting at the table quietly brooding about how I really can't afford this detox and maybe I should quit but no, I really want to do this and I really think it's important to do it right now. I finally decided that I'm going to do it, who cares about the finances, God will find a way for me to get money. No sooner did I think that did Dane come in the room, toss a twenty on the table next to my new grocery list and say "Here - that should help you a bit." !!!!! I think that goes on record for the fastest turnaround in prayer that I've ever experienced! I was so shocked I started tearing up a bit and asked Dane what his inspiration was for giving me money, especially when I hadn't even asked and he just said he wanted to be supportive and he knows what this means to me and that I've spent quite a bit already (and that's just week one!). Amazing. Just simply amazing.
In addition, I've had several dreams that have contributed to a general idea and attitude that I think I should adopt at work. All good, all forward thinking, all moving me away from the drama queen that I've become. Good stuff.
As for taste buds and the actual eating, I haven't felt as though I'm on fast #1 I screwed up the in the serving size calculations and have been eating more portions than intended, and #2 I'm allowed all the pure water and organic tea I can drink so my belly is always full of liquid. Plus I get 3 meals a day and a snack. The first portion of the f/d is more detox than fast, though (when the directions are followed) it is less food than might normally be consumed. The last portion is a 7 day juice fast. That will be tough, but I'm looking forward to it. It takes a while to cook/prepare the food though. That's hard on the schedule, but it's only for a short time - I can make it work. I will have an obstacle on 1/31 and 2/1 when I fly to Spokane for business. We'll see how I can make that work.
Back to taste buds - I can easily see having a hard time going back to processed foods after this. I've never really made food from scratch before (and I'm not too good either - I couldn't get my pancake batter to rise this am so I missed out on breakfast) but I'm beginning to see that I really like it. It's not as hard as one might think and the food just tastes better. Of course it's just not going to be possible for me to always cook my own food. For that I am thankful for organic, natural stuff - which Whole Foods has a lot of, thank God.
After I come off the fast, I will follow Dr. McDougal's vegan 12 day diet. It will ensure that I only consume a strict number of calories, but nutritious calories, while I'm healing and cannot exercise. Then I will go back to my normal vegan diet but I really think I will limit my eating out and fried foods. I think I eat out too much and this f/d, if nothing else, has taught me that I can have great food at home for quick, cheap eats that is 100% healthy.
Well, I'm off to bed for now - I have a new refreshed mindset for work and a renewed excitement to work on my MBA program, and of course extra energy to workout tomorrow. I'm a little scared of the MBA program and what I might have gotten myself (and HG) into, but none-the-less it's exciting and I know we can do it!
It's only been 3 days and I'm already feeling different. Better, but definitely different. I've had a few hiccups, for example I just assumed the book provided recipes for one person. It turns out the recipes can be for 1 or 6 servings! So I got a bunch of food that wasn't needed (luckily HG agreed to piggy back on my detox for a couple days this weekend so the food wouldn't go bad) and missed getting some stuff that I did need. I was sitting at the table quietly brooding about how I really can't afford this detox and maybe I should quit but no, I really want to do this and I really think it's important to do it right now. I finally decided that I'm going to do it, who cares about the finances, God will find a way for me to get money. No sooner did I think that did Dane come in the room, toss a twenty on the table next to my new grocery list and say "Here - that should help you a bit." !!!!! I think that goes on record for the fastest turnaround in prayer that I've ever experienced! I was so shocked I started tearing up a bit and asked Dane what his inspiration was for giving me money, especially when I hadn't even asked and he just said he wanted to be supportive and he knows what this means to me and that I've spent quite a bit already (and that's just week one!). Amazing. Just simply amazing.
In addition, I've had several dreams that have contributed to a general idea and attitude that I think I should adopt at work. All good, all forward thinking, all moving me away from the drama queen that I've become. Good stuff.
As for taste buds and the actual eating, I haven't felt as though I'm on fast #1 I screwed up the in the serving size calculations and have been eating more portions than intended, and #2 I'm allowed all the pure water and organic tea I can drink so my belly is always full of liquid. Plus I get 3 meals a day and a snack. The first portion of the f/d is more detox than fast, though (when the directions are followed) it is less food than might normally be consumed. The last portion is a 7 day juice fast. That will be tough, but I'm looking forward to it. It takes a while to cook/prepare the food though. That's hard on the schedule, but it's only for a short time - I can make it work. I will have an obstacle on 1/31 and 2/1 when I fly to Spokane for business. We'll see how I can make that work.
Back to taste buds - I can easily see having a hard time going back to processed foods after this. I've never really made food from scratch before (and I'm not too good either - I couldn't get my pancake batter to rise this am so I missed out on breakfast) but I'm beginning to see that I really like it. It's not as hard as one might think and the food just tastes better. Of course it's just not going to be possible for me to always cook my own food. For that I am thankful for organic, natural stuff - which Whole Foods has a lot of, thank God.
After I come off the fast, I will follow Dr. McDougal's vegan 12 day diet. It will ensure that I only consume a strict number of calories, but nutritious calories, while I'm healing and cannot exercise. Then I will go back to my normal vegan diet but I really think I will limit my eating out and fried foods. I think I eat out too much and this f/d, if nothing else, has taught me that I can have great food at home for quick, cheap eats that is 100% healthy.
Well, I'm off to bed for now - I have a new refreshed mindset for work and a renewed excitement to work on my MBA program, and of course extra energy to workout tomorrow. I'm a little scared of the MBA program and what I might have gotten myself (and HG) into, but none-the-less it's exciting and I know we can do it!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
It's True
So all my life I've heard of stories and that of a friend of a friends, but never in my OWN life have I ever experienced any sort of traffic drama outside of two hours. Maybe that one time in Steamboat, but we were on vacation and had no place to be so time was not an issue, it could have been only one hour, it could have been five. At any rate, in Colorado whenever traffic is bad, you can always jump off on an exit and chance the side streets and eventually get home. Not here dude. Here you have nothing but tunnels and water. No where to go.
Last night the weather called for "thundersnow". I've never heard of thundersnow before so that scared me enough to seek refuge for the night at HG's house, which is 4 blocks from DHQ (my office). Dane was in Olympia so there was no reason to go home anyway unless I wanted to deal with the monsters, which I didn't. So I stayed at HG's house only to wake up this am to no snow. :-[ Grrr. At any rate, I went to work at the GAWD AWFUL VILE hour of 8:00am with HG this am and was definitely ready to leave by 4. I begrudgingly went to the gym w/ HG, but only for 20 min (so there!). I was in my car and heading home by 4:25pm just as the first snowflakes were falling from the sky. They did not appear to be thundersnowflakes. It took untill 5:15 to get to the highway, odd, but sometimes traffic is effed up but clears by I-5. NOT the case today. In fact it got worse and worse. It remined me of last week when there was an accident in the separate express lanes that closed them down diverting traffic to the mainline. Well sure enough by 6:05 and not even having gone .5 of a mile I figured something was messed up. To make a stressful story long, it took me 4 hours, no joke, to get home. 4 long hours. Never in the history of my little communting life has it EVER taken me that long to get home. I feel very lucky to have not been in an emergency or had to pee or something cause that would have been excruciating. I would have had to pee my pants/car. How embarrassing and sad is that? The snow was bad on the Eastside, cars everywhere, it was so slick. I was so hungry by the time I got home and angry and sad and my head hurt like hell. But that's more from hating my job and La Douche (the new boss lady) than traffic.
And get this! I ran out of gas this week! On the highway where 2 highways merge to one! I tried to get over and couldn't (because no one would let me in) and sure enough, I ran out of gas in the middle of TWO lanes. I tried to push my car but almost slipped and died, so I got back in my car, whimpered, and then resigned to calling AAA. Just then, a *tap* on my window. A cute guy in Carharts was there and asked if I needed a tow. Yes please. So he strapped the Fxylady and took off just as the incident sherriff* pulled behind me.
* Here in Seattle we have police who's only job is to respond to traffic incidents like flat tires, stalled vehicles, etc. I think it's brilliant. I don't know who called, but within 3 minutes he was there, even though I had already received help by then. Amazing.
So once the sherriff figured out I was being towed, he fled the scene. Which sucked cause I still needed gas and I was towed to a back in parking only lot for permitted carpools. I tried calling my saviour, Dane, who was available to come rescue me. It took two separate trips to the gas station with the can and another trip with my car, by that time I only had $14 to put in the tank. Dane took it like a champ though, he was totally HOURS late to work for me for something that was completely my fault and completely within my control to prevent. I hugged him and told him as much and he just smiled and said "I know" and kissed me. I bring drama to his otherwise dull life, that's gotta be the only reason he loves me and is still with me.
So anyway my car, tonight on the 4 hour drive home, gets the low fuel light. Well, as learned earlier this week, I can go 53 miles once my low fuel light comes on. Then it hits me. I know how many moving miles I can go on E, but not how many stationary, idling minutes I can burn on E. I start to panic and cry realizing that for the second time in 2 days, I will run out of gas. And this time there's nothing I can do - it was almost a quarter tank when I left work and now it's on E and I have to sit and idle in stop and go traffic for hours. With this and everything else I just lost it. I tried to calm myself, I tried to let it go, I tried to be still my beating heart, but the stress got the best of me and my head exploded. I sobbed and sobbed and wished I could go back to the days of low stress and no traffic. I longed for a better time and cried because it feels like it will never get better and it will only get more stressful as life continues. I seriously contemplated jumping into Lake Washington but remembered that the Seahawks are in the playoffs and I might want to wait to off myself till after they lose the game. :-P
Kidding aside, traffic sucked. I had a glass of wine with my mushroom "meat" and potatoes dinner and now I'm off to bed. At the very least I will sleep in tomorrow knowing that we will have a late start if not a full snow day.
I have some wedding news, but I might save that for another post.
Last night the weather called for "thundersnow". I've never heard of thundersnow before so that scared me enough to seek refuge for the night at HG's house, which is 4 blocks from DHQ (my office). Dane was in Olympia so there was no reason to go home anyway unless I wanted to deal with the monsters, which I didn't. So I stayed at HG's house only to wake up this am to no snow. :-[ Grrr. At any rate, I went to work at the GAWD AWFUL VILE hour of 8:00am with HG this am and was definitely ready to leave by 4. I begrudgingly went to the gym w/ HG, but only for 20 min (so there!). I was in my car and heading home by 4:25pm just as the first snowflakes were falling from the sky. They did not appear to be thundersnowflakes. It took untill 5:15 to get to the highway, odd, but sometimes traffic is effed up but clears by I-5. NOT the case today. In fact it got worse and worse. It remined me of last week when there was an accident in the separate express lanes that closed them down diverting traffic to the mainline. Well sure enough by 6:05 and not even having gone .5 of a mile I figured something was messed up. To make a stressful story long, it took me 4 hours, no joke, to get home. 4 long hours. Never in the history of my little communting life has it EVER taken me that long to get home. I feel very lucky to have not been in an emergency or had to pee or something cause that would have been excruciating. I would have had to pee my pants/car. How embarrassing and sad is that? The snow was bad on the Eastside, cars everywhere, it was so slick. I was so hungry by the time I got home and angry and sad and my head hurt like hell. But that's more from hating my job and La Douche (the new boss lady) than traffic.
And get this! I ran out of gas this week! On the highway where 2 highways merge to one! I tried to get over and couldn't (because no one would let me in) and sure enough, I ran out of gas in the middle of TWO lanes. I tried to push my car but almost slipped and died, so I got back in my car, whimpered, and then resigned to calling AAA. Just then, a *tap* on my window. A cute guy in Carharts was there and asked if I needed a tow. Yes please. So he strapped the Fxylady and took off just as the incident sherriff* pulled behind me.
* Here in Seattle we have police who's only job is to respond to traffic incidents like flat tires, stalled vehicles, etc. I think it's brilliant. I don't know who called, but within 3 minutes he was there, even though I had already received help by then. Amazing.
So once the sherriff figured out I was being towed, he fled the scene. Which sucked cause I still needed gas and I was towed to a back in parking only lot for permitted carpools. I tried calling my saviour, Dane, who was available to come rescue me. It took two separate trips to the gas station with the can and another trip with my car, by that time I only had $14 to put in the tank. Dane took it like a champ though, he was totally HOURS late to work for me for something that was completely my fault and completely within my control to prevent. I hugged him and told him as much and he just smiled and said "I know" and kissed me. I bring drama to his otherwise dull life, that's gotta be the only reason he loves me and is still with me.
So anyway my car, tonight on the 4 hour drive home, gets the low fuel light. Well, as learned earlier this week, I can go 53 miles once my low fuel light comes on. Then it hits me. I know how many moving miles I can go on E, but not how many stationary, idling minutes I can burn on E. I start to panic and cry realizing that for the second time in 2 days, I will run out of gas. And this time there's nothing I can do - it was almost a quarter tank when I left work and now it's on E and I have to sit and idle in stop and go traffic for hours. With this and everything else I just lost it. I tried to calm myself, I tried to let it go, I tried to be still my beating heart, but the stress got the best of me and my head exploded. I sobbed and sobbed and wished I could go back to the days of low stress and no traffic. I longed for a better time and cried because it feels like it will never get better and it will only get more stressful as life continues. I seriously contemplated jumping into Lake Washington but remembered that the Seahawks are in the playoffs and I might want to wait to off myself till after they lose the game. :-P
Kidding aside, traffic sucked. I had a glass of wine with my mushroom "meat" and potatoes dinner and now I'm off to bed. At the very least I will sleep in tomorrow knowing that we will have a late start if not a full snow day.
I have some wedding news, but I might save that for another post.
Friday, January 05, 2007
For The Love Of Dane
I found this email that I wrote to Dane on June 20, 2002, just 3 days before my motorcycle accident and earning the much sought-after and highly controversial title of "Dane's Girlfriend". It sometimes shocks me how emotional I can be and how much has been snuffed out of me over the years for various reasons. At any rate - voila!
Sitting inside my room last night, all safe and sound from the blasting thunder, lighting and rain I was listening to outside got me thinking about some things.
It’s not very often that I just get the urge to write. Sometimes it’s a story, sometimes random thoughts, sometimes a letter. Although it may be impersonal, for some reason I have this awesome desire to jot down some emotions I’m feeling.
So often I sit back and try to look at my life from someone else’s view, ANYONE’S view but mine. Oh to walk in any shoes but my own for one day would be absolutely bliss. Then I get to thinking, "wait a minute", look at all that you still have…I’m still on my feet, I’ve survived this far. I have a wonderful group of very supportive friends, I live with my greatest friend of my life, I own my own car and motorcycle, and I have the foundation for a great future in the career world. On the surface I am happy.
I think about all that I have been forced to endure and the visions my eyes have beheld and I wonder, "how is it possible for me to wake in the morning?!". What would I not give to scratch my eyes out put a knife right through my heart. I am positive that there is nothing inside me, I am this empty, dark zombie. What’s on the outside resembles this shell of a human that once existed in a reality filled with love and happiness. Now there’s nothing left but a fantasy land of hurt and pain. A walking tomb I am, a breathing burial ground for the flesh and blood that was once my own. I wonder how can I ever get over this ache that is Isis? Do I even want to get over her?
How many nights have I come home to an empty house, once so full of life and love, now nothing but creaks and cracks of an ancient house. I have cried more than I think a human is capable of. I have spent hours alone with nothing but my thoughts of her and how can I live again? How did I live 20 years of my life without her? I swear to God that she took the best of me when she died. I have lost so much that I vowed to never feel again. Forever numb to anyone who could ever leave again. I refuse to risk it. I will not love EVER again! I tell myself this, thinking that it’s possible.
I have done nothing but harden my heart and remove all humanity within me since I lost my girl. I have cried tears for her, but I have never let go. I refused to let go of her. I thought I could hold onto her love by deflecting it from anyone else. If I loved her and only her, then she could live. I have never allowed myself to grieve her. I’ve wallowed in our pity and begged for answers refusing to hear the response. I have pushed away everyone who cares for me in a selfish attempt to relish in a world that no longer exists for me.
Enter Dane.
All those times that I tell you that you have helped me beyond your comprehension is not just a flattering remark. I don’t know how you cut right to me, but somehow you have managed to present yourself in a way that I felt it was okay to let you in. I let you in perhaps thinking nothing of it, but you have totally turned my world inside out. I look at things now with a hope rather than despair. I look on my life and see potential, a future. Not what I had anticipated, but something far greater than imagined. Oh the road I had to take to get there was painful – unbearable even, but perhaps worth it. I look around me and see a life filled with happiness again. My fantasy has turned to reality. I look at you and feel the warmth that I have discarded from my life. It shocks me, but I find tranquility that I thought impossible. I feel things that I thought I had banned from my heart. The life I see in you revives my tired eyes. The things you give to me without any second thought melts every fiber of my being. How could I be so unfortunate to have lost so much only to be so lucky as to gain you in all of it? Is this how it had to be to acquire you? And how can you have it in you to make it worth it? And how horrible am I for thinking that? It’s not like that, but since it is this way, how can I ever re-pay you for what you have done? You have given me the strength to let go. I feel so much weight lifted, I can grieve for her now. I can get over this and I will. Where did you find it in you to take on this burden?
Don’t you realize what you have done for me? You given me back my life. Not all of it, no one can do that. But you have guided me back to who I am, who I can be and who I will be. You have broken through every barrier I have created like it was nothing but a wall of dust. Your compassion for my daughter and me has pulled at every string of my heart and I can’t help but to love you for that, Dane. I can’t help but to look at you and see you for everything that you are. How can I resist that? How can I demand that it be gone? I can’t. And quite simply I’ve accepted that I wont. I won’t push you out; I won’t let go of you. Meaning that I won’t force myself to not have feelings for you. I can’t stop this. I might be strong, but no amount of resistance could halt what I seem to feel for you. You may find that scary and I have so longed to tell you all of this, but haven’t for fear of turning you away, but the fact is I would be stone if I didn’t recognize all that you do for me and not care for you and love that it in you. Even if you left tomorrow, I would still be ahead. What you have done for me and what you have shown me about me is an invaluable lesson. Thank you for giving me my life back. Thank you for finding me in all this mess. Thank you for tolerating me and helping me through this.
Bottom Line: I love you.
C
Sitting inside my room last night, all safe and sound from the blasting thunder, lighting and rain I was listening to outside got me thinking about some things.
It’s not very often that I just get the urge to write. Sometimes it’s a story, sometimes random thoughts, sometimes a letter. Although it may be impersonal, for some reason I have this awesome desire to jot down some emotions I’m feeling.
So often I sit back and try to look at my life from someone else’s view, ANYONE’S view but mine. Oh to walk in any shoes but my own for one day would be absolutely bliss. Then I get to thinking, "wait a minute", look at all that you still have…I’m still on my feet, I’ve survived this far. I have a wonderful group of very supportive friends, I live with my greatest friend of my life, I own my own car and motorcycle, and I have the foundation for a great future in the career world. On the surface I am happy.
I think about all that I have been forced to endure and the visions my eyes have beheld and I wonder, "how is it possible for me to wake in the morning?!". What would I not give to scratch my eyes out put a knife right through my heart. I am positive that there is nothing inside me, I am this empty, dark zombie. What’s on the outside resembles this shell of a human that once existed in a reality filled with love and happiness. Now there’s nothing left but a fantasy land of hurt and pain. A walking tomb I am, a breathing burial ground for the flesh and blood that was once my own. I wonder how can I ever get over this ache that is Isis? Do I even want to get over her?
How many nights have I come home to an empty house, once so full of life and love, now nothing but creaks and cracks of an ancient house. I have cried more than I think a human is capable of. I have spent hours alone with nothing but my thoughts of her and how can I live again? How did I live 20 years of my life without her? I swear to God that she took the best of me when she died. I have lost so much that I vowed to never feel again. Forever numb to anyone who could ever leave again. I refuse to risk it. I will not love EVER again! I tell myself this, thinking that it’s possible.
I have done nothing but harden my heart and remove all humanity within me since I lost my girl. I have cried tears for her, but I have never let go. I refused to let go of her. I thought I could hold onto her love by deflecting it from anyone else. If I loved her and only her, then she could live. I have never allowed myself to grieve her. I’ve wallowed in our pity and begged for answers refusing to hear the response. I have pushed away everyone who cares for me in a selfish attempt to relish in a world that no longer exists for me.
Enter Dane.
All those times that I tell you that you have helped me beyond your comprehension is not just a flattering remark. I don’t know how you cut right to me, but somehow you have managed to present yourself in a way that I felt it was okay to let you in. I let you in perhaps thinking nothing of it, but you have totally turned my world inside out. I look at things now with a hope rather than despair. I look on my life and see potential, a future. Not what I had anticipated, but something far greater than imagined. Oh the road I had to take to get there was painful – unbearable even, but perhaps worth it. I look around me and see a life filled with happiness again. My fantasy has turned to reality. I look at you and feel the warmth that I have discarded from my life. It shocks me, but I find tranquility that I thought impossible. I feel things that I thought I had banned from my heart. The life I see in you revives my tired eyes. The things you give to me without any second thought melts every fiber of my being. How could I be so unfortunate to have lost so much only to be so lucky as to gain you in all of it? Is this how it had to be to acquire you? And how can you have it in you to make it worth it? And how horrible am I for thinking that? It’s not like that, but since it is this way, how can I ever re-pay you for what you have done? You have given me the strength to let go. I feel so much weight lifted, I can grieve for her now. I can get over this and I will. Where did you find it in you to take on this burden?
Don’t you realize what you have done for me? You given me back my life. Not all of it, no one can do that. But you have guided me back to who I am, who I can be and who I will be. You have broken through every barrier I have created like it was nothing but a wall of dust. Your compassion for my daughter and me has pulled at every string of my heart and I can’t help but to love you for that, Dane. I can’t help but to look at you and see you for everything that you are. How can I resist that? How can I demand that it be gone? I can’t. And quite simply I’ve accepted that I wont. I won’t push you out; I won’t let go of you. Meaning that I won’t force myself to not have feelings for you. I can’t stop this. I might be strong, but no amount of resistance could halt what I seem to feel for you. You may find that scary and I have so longed to tell you all of this, but haven’t for fear of turning you away, but the fact is I would be stone if I didn’t recognize all that you do for me and not care for you and love that it in you. Even if you left tomorrow, I would still be ahead. What you have done for me and what you have shown me about me is an invaluable lesson. Thank you for giving me my life back. Thank you for finding me in all this mess. Thank you for tolerating me and helping me through this.
Bottom Line: I love you.
C
I Have Time
So I'm waiting for HG to finish working so we can leave to go to Borders. I feel like ass (I think mostly because of stress than an actual cold so much) and need a pick me up. I'm going to get some books on stress mgmt, some vegan books (maybe Dr. McDougall), and see what else piques my interest.
I had a lot of time to think in traffic last night (it took me 1.35 hours to get home) and I think my body is withering away due to stress. I'm just not the personality type to deal with stress. I used to think I could, in fact, I used to think I thrived in stress. To some degree I still think I do, but there is a difference between good stress and bad stress. Right now I'm overwhelmed with bad stress. I hate going to work everyday and I'm just barely making ends meet. I think of it in the sense that I am a very competitive (with myself) perfectionist. Right now the environment at TSA is just not in place to cater to my high maintenance work ethic. That doesn't mean TSA sucks or that I suck, it just means that I'm setting MYSELF up to fail here. I'm sure things will get better but in the meantime I need to find positive ways to deal with the stress and overwhelming situation.
For starters, at work I've whiddled away my to-do list to one thing a day. Seriously. If I get that one project accomplished, then I can go home with a sense of victory.
Whoops - time to go. More later.
I had a lot of time to think in traffic last night (it took me 1.35 hours to get home) and I think my body is withering away due to stress. I'm just not the personality type to deal with stress. I used to think I could, in fact, I used to think I thrived in stress. To some degree I still think I do, but there is a difference between good stress and bad stress. Right now I'm overwhelmed with bad stress. I hate going to work everyday and I'm just barely making ends meet. I think of it in the sense that I am a very competitive (with myself) perfectionist. Right now the environment at TSA is just not in place to cater to my high maintenance work ethic. That doesn't mean TSA sucks or that I suck, it just means that I'm setting MYSELF up to fail here. I'm sure things will get better but in the meantime I need to find positive ways to deal with the stress and overwhelming situation.
For starters, at work I've whiddled away my to-do list to one thing a day. Seriously. If I get that one project accomplished, then I can go home with a sense of victory.
Whoops - time to go. More later.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Birth of Another Blog!
For months now, HG and I have talked about having a separate blog that we both contributed to. And now, for your viewing pleasure, we have started one!
http://bumpergmonesseattle.blogspot.com/
It's just in its premature stage, but watch as it grows and blossoms into the best blog ever! :-P
http://bumpergmonesseattle.blogspot.com/
It's just in its premature stage, but watch as it grows and blossoms into the best blog ever! :-P
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