Real Quick

Well I didn't get to work this weekend like I wanted to, the server seemed to be down at THQ or something. All my other sites worked but not Great Plains. Oh well, I need to rest now and then, right? Otherwise it was an amazing weekend! Ended up going out on the town on Friday for a most unexpected but much needed booze time with the buds - HG and MR. They are so much fun - an example (see pic). Hee hee. We had a lot of fun. I feel very lucky to have such good friends here. This is the first time that I've had to meet and make friends as a couple, not just "Crystal". I have to say that I like it. HG and I have our fair share of alone/girl/exercise time but we also have fun couple time too. I can't wait for everyone to meet HG and MR in Mexico. It will be a blast. And I think it's cute that everyone can sort of link to each other's blog and sort of develop an understanding of one another before we all meet. Well, everyone except AMY who still has no blog *taps foot*. :-)

Saturday was spent doing laundry, homework, personal finances, and working on the save the date cards. I need to get some addresses this week then I'll be all set. SS, Dane, and I hung out in the evening and watched Birth, good movie.

Today was spent making good, fat free food, spending time at the market in the rain. We got a smaller, travel hooka. Good times. Then I took a nap because I couldn't get online to work. I must have needed the time off though. I feel guilty but there's only so much I can do. Plus as I get older I'm learning the value of time off and why people need it. I'll work extra hard this week especially since I have the following week off of work. I haven't heard anything from DM about Merle, so I'm assuming all is well and she is continuing to improve. SS starts work tomorrow - he's nervous. Nick and his girlfriend are fighting. I personally think she is a piece of sh*t and I caught a look-see at a few of her messages to him and they included bad mouthing and name calling. I hate her. I hope he leaves her in the dust.

I made my breakfasts and lunches for the week. And I did my 2nd upper body workout session while dinner was cooking. I already feel like I'm toning up. I've been practicing gibon poomse as well. OMG - totally embarrassing story!

So I have an IUD (now-a-days known as IUC) that basically prevents me from having a period (Google Mirena IUC) but every now and again I spot. But you have to figure (prepare for graphic details, sensitive viewers should leave now) that when I do spot the blood has been up in there for months. Not weeks, MONTHS. So it is not a fresh, red color. It is a dirty, nasty brown. Another little tidbit about me = I don't wear underwear. Haven't since I was 15 or 16. I feel that underwear is unnessary. Well, my TKD uniform is a pristine white color. Unbeknownest to me, I began spotting during class. What with all the side kicks and forms, the spots were not spots, they morphed into trails. Then Master Lee had Mister Dave split me, basically I spread my legs as far as I can and then he grabs my belt and splits me farther. And I'm happy, talking up a storm, life is good. It wasn't till after class when HG and I were changing that I noticed it looked like I had the runs and got sh*t all over my white TKD pants. I put the pants back on to see what I looked like doing side kick and the splits and sure enough - there it was in all its glory - my runs. *sigh* So now I'm all shades of embarrassed and HG mandated granny panties for TKD from now on. I concur.

Thank gawd for stain stick.

New Things

So there have been some changes at TSA - a LOT. I shall make a list.

1) HG has moved into the Revolving Fund position - mad props to her, this is a GREAT achievement and I can't think of anyone better for the position.
2) The Zanze has resigned (whoo hoo)!
3) DM has moved into HG's portfolio.
4) I have moved into DM's portfolio, which includes Cda Kroc (for now anyway), Gray's Harbor (questionable officer), River Valley (questionable non-officer), Spokane (uber corps), Tacoma (uber corps). Since my old King County portfolio and the Zanze's portfolio have no CFA's, it's up to the rest of us to absorb them. So I still have my Eastside and Seattle Temple. Plus whoever I'm backing up for when they primary is absent.
5) Steven from CO now works in the TSA development department, YEAH STEVEN!!
6) Merle is in the hospital. :-(

I'm a little distraught at this last piece. At the risk of being over-dramatic, I'm going to get my thoughts out on the blog and that's it. I'm actually quite shocked at how I'm taking the news of Merle in peril. I've always bitched and complained about her "always being on my back" but deep inside I did like that someone actually paid that much attention to what I did. Plus I get so busy and flustered that I can't catch all my mistakes. So while I bitch about Merle and lose my patience with her sometimes (never to her face), it would appear as though I actually care about her. I must because I sat doing the journals she requested me to do until 7. Technically I was supposed to relinquish SWC on Monday, but I can't let it go until I wrap it up in a pretty box so to speak. I promised SWC I would do that. And so I'm reading all these journals from Merle and getting a little soggy in the eyes thinking about her in the hospital. I must have said like a million prayers for her today. And her husband. I just want her to be better, and get well. I don't want her to hurt or worse. :-( And now I'm even more apprehensive to giving SWC up. Maybe I can talk RB into letting me trade ST for SWC. She wont go for it, but the last thing the Majors need is another CFA on top of all this. I don't know, I guess I'm over-reacting. I'm just worried and scared and trying to control something so I feel like I have a hold on it. *sigh*

In happier news I've been doing really well with my workouts and eating habits. I have less than a year till the wedding and I want to look h-0-t. TKD and BD classes are going well, though I have to practice harder at TKD. HG and I are going to start taking TKDBD breaks and belly dance and kick box our way through the TSA halls. BYAAAHHH!!!

Steven has been staying with us - what a fabu guy he is. He has been cleaning up not only his messes but ours, making me soy mochas, chatting with me at night, and in general being a totally refreshing addition to our house. He's already got a job, an application in at an apartment, and everything seems to be coming together. I'm glad he's in Seattle with me. We were driving home this afternoon (I left work for a pout session at home with my journals and laptop) with the top down and listening to dance music and we had this moment. We sorta looked at each other and the city and smiled. He said what we were both thinking "Let's just run away, you me!" Pysch - he's gay! But he did say "Isn't it funny how life evolves." And although I knew what he meant, I inquired and then we both talked about how funny it was that here we are two years later, working for the same company but in a completely different city. If someone would have told either of us that we'd be working together again in Seattle at a Christian organization, we would have died laughing. But here we are. Wow.

I'm already looking forward to Fall. HG, RB, and possibly Steven (now to be known as SS) will start having a ladies slumber party once a month or so and watch Sex in the City (SITC) and order Chinese. I love that show and miss watching it and eating out of a box on the couch, I'm glad I will get the opportunity to do that with the gals.

Let's see what else. Oh! I'm a horrible aunt and family member. I haven't called the folks and more importantly my nephew for his 3rd b-day. I even got him a card 4 weeks ago that I never mailed and now it's 3 days past his b-day. I'm so horrible. By the time I slow down, it's 9 pm here, 10 pm in CO. That's too late to call. *sigh* I will call tomorrow.

Well that's all for now. Things will be busy for a while, but I'm going to try not to say anything. I don't want to be seen as complaining or this crazy stress person. I've always worn my heart on my sleeve, but I'm learning that people don't like stressed people. So now I've got to work on covering it up more. I'm still a pup in a few ways, but I'm so excited to work and show 'em what I got. All in time.

Noc Noc

Who's there?

Your proposal - you should comb your hair and put on some make up once in a while. :-)

Yeah, so had I known I was going to be proposed to on Thursday, July 13th, I would have revisited my choice in outfit, brushed my hair, and put on my eyes. Hee hee, as my fabulously gay friend pointed out, "well, my dear, shouldn't you always take the time to look fabu?" Well said indeed. Bad outfit and hair aside, what an amazing day it was.

Dane and I have both been very busy (cite reference 6/10/06 post) with work lately and haven't really had much time to chat throughout the day. Also, earlier last week I was really down in the dumps. I was in a funk and didn't know what to do with it and it followed me where ever I went. But I was looking forward to going to the Noc Noc on Thursday to hang w/ HG, MR, TJ, and RB. It was cool because Mog and Bina showed up, along with Delilah and her friend. It didn't occur to me that so many people were there: HG and MR were bummed they missed the 2nd half of the last show we went to, so I figured they wanted to go again, TJ and RB have always talked about going to the show, Mog is there 75% of the time when we are and now that Bina is out of school it makes sense that she's there too, and Delilah probably just needed a night out.

Anyway, Dane was late because he was working. Little did I know that he was finishing up dinner alone at Fado and pacing the alleys of Pike Place Market letting time pass. When the show started I was annoyed that he still hadn't shown up, so I text messaged him one word "Dude!" In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't take the time to put my real thoughts in the message. :-) At the beginning of intermission, they announced a door prize game and wouldn't you know it, I won! I never once thought anything other than "YEAH! I'm going to win prizes!!" When I felt the hand in my hand, I thought maybe it was Laura Rose debuting her next act. All I could hear was the roar of the audience, I couldn't hear Dane say "Crystal, you've been with me through the good and the bad. I love you, and I want to share my life with you, if you'll have me." (disclaimer - I *may* not have that exactly right) I was all about the third prize and then they took my blindfold off and I saw nothing and then Dane on the floor (first shock) then my eyes followed his arm to the ring/box (second shock) and then I couldn't stand anymore. All breath, thought, speech, and sound stopped. I've never been that close to feeling what it is like to faint or be faint. I would liken it to that moment. Everything felt slow motion and it seemed like for just a moment or two it was just us. That's when I reached for him/the box. I needed to touch something in order to prove it was real and really happening to me. And then I immediately needed Dane to comfort me cause I got scared (the hug). Not scared at the idea, he really scared me. Like finding a spider in your car or shower. Spiders are not supposed to be there. Dane wasn't expected to be there.

After that and the champagne the night was a blur. Because I'm so classy and more so because I got the next day off of work, I got hammered. Jebis came out in the best from he/she has ever been in. For those of you who don't know (you probably do you just didn't know it had gained such force), my alter ego's name is Jebis. Jebis comes out when Crystal has had too much to drink. At that point, Crystal checks out and Jebis steps in. Back to the story, Dane practically carried Jebis to the car and inside the house where J promptly passed out in the cold reading room. Well, not before leaving a present for sober Crystal. Jebis managed to crawl on all fours upstairs to Dane, but he wouldn't let J to bed unless J "rinsed off in the shower". So my/Jebis' lovely fiance proceeded to clean us off and get us tucked in to bed. He's such a good man. At least one of us deserves him.

Okay, no more Jebis talk - I'm beginning to sound like Smeigel (Lord of the Rings). My precious!!

So a huge weight has been lifted and feel so renewed in my relationship with Dane. I feel like we are a brand new couple. Life is fun and new again. We've already started planning the wedding. The details so far:

Date: July 3rd, 2007
Location: Hotel Dreams, Cabos San Lucas, Mexico http://www.dreamsresorts.com/
Venue: Small sunset ceremony on the beach followed by cocktails, dinner, and reception.

We have some very exciting ideas about activities, the ceremony itself, the co-ed bachelor/bachelorette party, the honeymoon (which would be in Cabos as well), and other things. I have a wonderful wedding consultant named Georgina - so far she's totally earned her keep. She's a hustler and hard worker! AND THE MOST EXCITING NEWS!! Pastor Lilley is going to officiate our wedding! I've known Pastor since I was 8, lived with him and his family when I was 13, and most importantly - he officiated Isis' funeral. He and his wife, Carmen, flew up to CO from TX on 1 day notice at a time when Carmen was struggling with her own life and battle with breast cancer. It meant the world to me to have him there and honor my daughter and we promised each other the next time we saw each other would be under good circumstances. Unfortunately, Carmen died not long after that. While I couldn't make it to Carmen's wedding, she has remained in my thoughts and prayers. I am very excited and honored that Pastor Lilley is coming to Mexico.

Corona tours for all! (I had to end on a happy note)

Promise

I'm getting my 4th tattoo laser session tonight so I should have some time afterwards to sit and post, I promise.

I have so much to write about: the proposal and consequent plans, new changes at work, changes with school, changes with foster kittens - I will not be at a loss for things to say.

Plus - list for Crystal to remember: go to the store after lasing and get healthy snacky stuff and kitten food. Do two loads of laundry (whites and reds) and fluff blacks. Hang clothes up. Post for school. One homework problem. Hang out w/ kittens. Post blog.

The Rock

My beautiful, perfect ring.

Stats:

Platinum band

1.02 carat nearly flawless emerald cut diamond

Classy

Sooprise!!!

I will post more on this later, but for now the link captures it all. Enjoy! I know I did! :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXQPeFcLEoQ

P.S. This is a big file/video so dialup users might want to find a broadband user.

Busy

Dude - I'm stressed again. I'm not where I should be at work and I'm working until I get to where I want to be. More later when I have time.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

WHOO HOOO!! PECK AND JEREMY ARE EXPECTING A CHILD!!! I'm not sure if I have clearance to say that, but I don't care - I'm so excited I can't keep it in! They've been trying now for 1.5 years to make me another god-child (you like how I assume that it's MY god-child - hee hee). The baby should make an appearance around April 07. I plan to fly out to Houston shortly after that, maybe in the summer time. I can't wait!

Congrats Peck, Jeremy, and Drakkell!!

All American Weekend

I did the most patriotic things I could think of this weekend including but not limited to:
- eating fried chicken
- baseball game in the Sunday sun
- beer from a cooler
- illegal fireworks in the backyard
- watched Superman Returns
- played board and card games
- did yard work at an obscene hour
- went for a motorcycle ride
- slept in
- lazed around watching tv and snacking


In other news, Dane and I took on 3 one week old kittens on top of our four week old kitten and momma. The tiny kittens don't even have their eyes or ears open. They are covered in fuzz, not fur. Poor things. The momma doesn't have any milk and/or she's not letting the orphaned kittens nurse so Dane and I have to feed em every three to four hours. I get to take the kittens to work tomorrow, thank gawd, otherwise I don't know what we would do.

I started TKD last week w/ HG. I really like it. I can't wait for tomorrow's class. And since I was lazy yesterday and today I think I'll go on Thursday as well. The only thing is the kittens - I'm not sure what I'm going to do w/ them while I'm at class. We'll see - I have a few ideas. I think TKD will fulfil my yoga needs. We do a lot of the same stretching and stuff. I really think this will help me lose the weight I need to. I hate how big I am. I've never been this big - I can tell how big I've gotten just in the way things feel when I'm sitting and standing. It's so gross, I can hardly stand myself. Anyway between TKD, BD, and the gym I should get things under control.

School is almost over. Other than that not much is going on.

Fun fun

So I'm broke again. I had to shelve the credit cards till I pay down my Visa. In the meantime - I'll enjoy my BD and TKD classes as that will be my socialization for the rest of the year.

It's good that I am broke though, I was spending like a fool. And now I can focus on doing all the fun things that I've wanted to do all summer that don't really require funds (or much). Plus I can take a break from drinking - between CO and celebrating this and that, things got a little hectic. The last thing I want to do is get caught up in a drinking cycle again. Even though it's less dramatic than it was in my past, it's still beginning to wear on me. I just don't recover like I used to. Plus I tend to have more fun when I'm not drinking. But it's like once I start, I make a night out of it. I am getting better at only having a few drinks, but honestly that's only when I have something planned the next day. Otherwise it's like a free for all (when I let it). So here's to sober weekends and trying new things!

All the things I want to do this summer:


1. Space Needle
2. Zoo
3. Underground tour
4. Ride the Ducks
5. Ballard locks
6. Aquarium
7. Sea fair
8. Superman
9. Pirates of the Caribbean 2
10. Putt putt/go-karts/paintball
11. Cosmic/late night bowling
12. Botanic gardens/arboretum
13. Settlers of Catan game night
14. Canada
15. Olympic peninsula
16. Dessert night
17. Casino night

Still No Pics

Ugh - there was little to no coverage of the parade, so I will have to wait till next week to pick up the picture cd at Delilah's party.

In the meantime - I've been busy at work trying to close my corps for April and May. I even took work home with me to complete on Sunday. Good times. I haven't worked out at all this week, mostly cause I have been resting and enjoying not going full blast. My class sucks, I started an online revolt. I don't like the teacher at all and feel very disappointed in this whole experience. I was really looking forward to the government/nonprofit accounting class. Oh well.

In other news I will start going to Tae Kwon Do w/ HG next week. I'm really looking forward to that. Not only will it be a fun way to lose weight, but I think it will help give me the balance in my mental/spiritual life that has been missing since I stopped doing yoga. HG and I also start a new 10 week belly dance course with LR and Delilah. I'm glad she's doing that with me, it will be fun. I will still go to 24 Hour Fitness w/ RB too, and now it looks like HG got a membership there too, so it will be a happy little threesome again. I need to work out, I've been a glutton all week. Speaking of, Ben & Jerry's has new mini-tubs of ice cream. I call it guilt free ice cream eating. It's about a perfect serving size! And it's a cute little mini-tub. Safeway has em on sale 10 for $10 - highly recommended.

It was nice having Steven in town, we have so much fun! He's coming in town again next weekend. Maybe this time we can actually decorate. :-)

Right now it's about 11:15 on Friday night and I'm kinda tired, so I'm sure this post is all shades of wacky. We've been watching Dane Cook (hottie!) and laughing our tails off. Tomorrow is naked spa w/ HG for her b-day and then drunken pottery. Well, maybe not drunken, but painting pottery at least. Should be a fun way of celebrating her special day. Sunday will be spent closing SWC for May and doing homework since I will be at TKD (Tae Kwon Do) on Weds and Fri and BD (belly dance) on Tues. Thursday is my day off from everything so that leaves Sun, Mon, and Sat for homework. I hate this class. Are we there yet?! Only 3 more classes and then I will have my degree!! WHOO HOO!!

Fremont Pic

I will post more details later, but for now here is a pic from the parade of me, Dane, and Young O.

THE Weekend is Almost Here!

I can't wait! In a mere hours, the weekend will start! And while it will be nonstop, it's going to be a blast. First I'll get some piratey gear from Champion, then get my nails/feet cleaned up, tanning, eyebrows waxed, and then off to HG's for a quiet evening. Then Dane and Steven will meet up with us and we will park my car in Fremont and catch dinner somewhere down there. Then off to bed.

Saturday - early wake up call, get ready, go to parade. Parade. After parade party. Pirate party. Home.

Sunday - decorate reading room w/ Steven - thank Gawd I'll have his help. Alki beach. Kolbeh.

I think I might ask to come in a little late on Monday morning. I already owe 3 hours though, so I don't know....Other than that, things are going well. I'm so excited!!

You should see Dane's hair, OMG - it's crazy! I"ll have to post a pic. He had to sleep in a shower cap last night - H-O-T!

Severed Friendships Part Deux

This is funny - I've just put a post up about severed friendships (SF) and how I felt about losing communication with a few people in my life over misunderstandings and this and that and now I'm going to put up a post about another severed friendship....that hasn't severed yet. Interesting indeed.

Here's the weird part, with the two aforementioned SF's, I was not really directly involved with the severing, one out of cowardness and the other just sort of happened, with no ill words passing directly between us. An indirect severance, if you will. This time it is different. This time there has been damage done directly to me.

The scoop - without getting too messy, I know this person has wittingly and/or unwittingly talked MAD sh*t about Dane and I and how we supposedly pressured, coerced, manipulated, and oppressed this person. I know this person then vehomently denied having ever said those things when called to the carpet. I know that this person has wrecked the same havoc on a few of my very close friends after leaving my (and Dane's) life an absolute mess. I know this person thinks they are doing the right thing. I know this person has absolutely no idea what they have done.

You can't trash a person, use them for all they are willing to give you, borrow extensive amounts of time, money, resources, etc. from them without some sort of recourse. At some point there needs to be a reconciliation or comeuppance! After the better part of the year with little to no effort made and then at that only when begged, I vote this person off the island. Comeuppance for you!

So it is with that that I will knowingly and willingly severe another friendship. I wish this person the best, we've had some GREAT times together that I will always look back on fondly. But call this person a life long friend, I do not.

*sigh* I hate doing this. But I also hate how toxic people can be. I can't believe after all we've shared, and all I've done for this person that it would come to this. I can just see it now - "I was going to _____!" "I told ____ that I did ____ and that made up for it!" "But I ____ back in early spring!" "So and so did ______ to me." "I just need to find a job." "Don't you want me to be happy?!" I've heard it all at this point. I don't want to hear anymore, I just don't have it in me.

Weekend PI

I can tell that I'm getting stressed because my head "herpes" (as I call my dry, flakey scalp) is back. But it's a good stressed. And it's more excitement than stress. Dane and I are preparing for the Fremont Summer Solstice Parade this weekend. My costume is done, with the exception of a few pieces. It was actually quite amusing, last Wednesday LR and I had a date to make the flower hair clips for my costume but we also wanted to go to the Rebar and see the "semi-pro" (I use that term VERY loosely) wrestlers. Seattle and its wonders never cease to amaze me. We got to watch wrestling (picture men in their 20's - the heaviest wrestler was a buck fifty in pajamas, as it was the Pajama Rama Jam), drink PBR for $1 and then we actually got to throw the empty cans at the wrestlers. Good times. LR and I sat in the back making my flower clips. First time I'd ever made arts and crafts while at a bar.

Dane's costume is a little trickier. He has a lot of gold lame in the Anubis costume that needs to be phased out. Plus we needed to find him a red shirt and pants. You would not believe how hard it is to find a plain, blood red shirt and pants of similar red coloring. I finally did find something for a top at Target but we were at a loss for his pants. And then, I remembered something profound! I had red pajama bottoms! They look like capris on Dane, but his knees down are covered with the other problem, a bunch of gold lame. So to solve that problem, I drew up a pattern of flames and we purchased a tulle/meshy type material and started making his costume. Nick and Andrew came over to help as well.

Saturday I went to school. I don't like my new teacher. Then we slaved away on Dane's costume some more. It's too cool for words. We had to do a lot of stuff ghetto (glueing fabric to fabric instead of sewing, and burning the edges of the fabric so it wont fray) but it looks good. For fun we went to RB's mom's house (parents are away) and even took the minivan to dinner w/ HG, her hubby and RB's hubby. It was fun to pretend we were renegade teenagers again. We stayed up late playing card games and watching movies - always a blast with that crowd.

Sunday we shopped at Ikea for our reading room and other stuff. Then I met with my team then went home and shaped Dane's mask using an X-acto blade, my hands are all cut up. Then I painted it - looks good.

As for this week, things are booked solid. Steven is coming in town on Friday, which is a godsend - he can help us get ready, secure a spot on the parade route, and then we can decorate my reading room go to Alki, and then meet up w/ HG and M for dinner and dance at Kolbeh. I really hope it doesn't rain for the parade, I've spent too much time and money on these costumes to get rained out.

After this busy busy weekend it will be a relatively slow week spent focusing on school and catching up at work. HG's b-day celebration and the Children's Charity Ride are coming up. Before I know it, it will be June! What the toot!

Severed Friendships

And now a moment to reflect on my severed friendships of the past. I noticed that there is a lot of grief surrounding the memories we share and there is a lot of blame, namely placed on me. I don't understand this, I really wish I did. It's taken me a long time to realize that some people just need a scapegoat and/or they need to hate you in order to move on. This I realized a while ago. What I wasn't prepared for is how long the hate has lasted. It's been well over a year since the mad drama went down in Colorado with a few people. I've made posts on this before, so in an effort not to repeat myself too much I will simply say that I definitely could have handled my conduct better, that's for sure! As for the others, I can't really speak for them or cast judgement on them. I don't understand what they were going through any more than they understand my own situation. What I can say:

To Becky (oh sh*t - I used REAL names!) - I'm so, so glad that you took that first, brave step to contact me. I know I didn't handle things well at all and I'm a very lucky person to have your forgiveness and understanding. It was so nice seeing you again. And I'm so proud of you! Look at everything you've accomplished!! You will continue to grow and shine, I just know it. I'm happy we are back to communicating, even if only in brief. And congratulations, you know what for. I'm sorry for last summer, truly, I am. And I'm sorry if I ever caused you pain and grief in your other relationships and friendships, I certainly never meant that to happen.

To Paula - I am also very sorry for how things turned out for us as well. Again, I did not handle myself well regardless of my intentions. I think I somehow got mixed up in what I thought was "protecting" Rhi (how silly can I be?!) and matters that I had no business being in. I'm really sorry for that. I guess I didn't realize at the time what I was doing. I hate that I've caused you (and others) so much pain. We might not have seen eye to eye on every subject under the sun, but I sure did enjoy your company while it was around. You too will always be a bright spot in someone's (in fact many people's) lives.

Recap - I think sometimes people just don't mix well together. Like ketchup, peanutbutter, and jelly. All three components are fabulous and have a variety of uses and they all have distinct, bold flavors. But if you combined them, it becomes a big blurry, disgusting mess. I don't know if that's because personalities, like flavors, can sometimes bring out the best and worst in other personalities, or if it's some other profound reason. What I do know is that I think I'm an okay person. And I think Becky and Paula are great people. And try as I might, I just don't think we are great people together. That doesn't mean that I don't respect and admire them though, I do. And I wish them the best. I know they deserve it.

Cheers, mates. To the great times we had.

I'm Back

I am back from a LONG trip cover over 8 states of the western half of the US. *PHEW* There is WAY, WAY, WAY too much that happened for me to write it all down, especially for fear that I might miss something or leave someone/thing out, so instead I will just comment a one liner for each day I was gone, it is merely the first thing that comes to my head, nothing more or less. I cherished the time I had in Denver with my beloved friends. There was something so nice and comfortable and absolutely unexplainable about coming "home". It was wonderful to be with my family again, that I've missed so dearly. And it was nice to see Moab, though I fear for last time for a long time anyway.

Wed, May 17th - Amy - how I miss our nights at Boston's. It seemed like it had been just a long week since I'd seen you last but so much has happened since. Thank you for a wonderful evening and the opportunity to meet another wonderful, new friend - Lauren.

Thur, May 18th - A wonderful day at the zoo w/ my sister and Mel and their beautiful children, my niece and nephew, and god-daughter. I can't imagine a better afternoon. The day was only topped by a wonderful gathering of my closest and dearest friends (save Amy) at D&B - the fellowship was amazing, albeit poorly planned on my behalf. I shall do better next time.

Fri, May 19th - Body Worlds is amazing! It was great to see my old colleagues, how much has changed yet stayed the same. Joe is fabu and I adore spending time with him.

Sat, May 20th - Sarah, my dear, dear Sarah. I will never, ever forget this day. A perfect day of joy riding in the car, shopping in the Pearl Street mall, lunchtime martinis and gossip, and water, walks, and sunshine. And then the Skylark - GREAT bar! I had a blast. It was nice to be Sam's A team for once too, I like him. Of course, the only way to end that day/night was with the EXTREMELY AWESOME news that Sarah gave me. I don't know if I'm at liberty to speak of it, so I wont, but it was wonderful news that I'm extremely excited about.

Sun, May 21st - I got my China Taipei. AND Heidi's - a double bonus. Drove to Grand Junction in a truck. Fun fun.

Mon, May 22nd - drove to Vegas at warp speed, to my dad's dismay. Vegas = buffets galore, 25 cent slots, rollar coasters, beakers of beer, and shopping cart rides on the strip. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Tue, May 23rd - drove to CA at a snails pace, to my dad's dismay again. Then I got sick and spent the next few days in bed.

Wed, May 24th - In bed. Good dinner w/ my folks though. AND HOLY HELL THEY HAVE A NICE HOUSE!

Thur, May 25th - My luggage got lost. My travel stories never end. Fortunately I was prepared and had a Moab bag w/ Dane.

Fri, May 26th - Dane "rolled" the Jeep in a bathtub, then I drove down the canyon - "IT'S JUST STEEP IT'S JUST STEEP IT'S JUST STEEP"

Sat, May 27th - In bed.

Sun, May 28th - In bed. Went to the Da Vinci Code.

Mon, May 29th - On the road.

Tue, May 30th - On the road. Home at 8:00.

And then I got back to work to employee appreciation day, then cleaned my office, then Monday was a staff retreat. So it was a nice ease back into work.

Office Damage Report - so my "clues" were styrofoam peanuts on my name tag in the parking garage, my in/out magnet, and my mail box was stuffed w/ packing peanuts. My office door was shut and the window foiled so I couldn't see in. I opened the door expecting 10,000 peanuts to overtake me but instead there where tons of streamers hanging from the ceiling and anything they could tie to twine and hang from the ceiling, they did! My ten-key, my flower vase, stapler, cd player, candle, pillow, coffee mug, ALL the contents of my in box (strug up using twine and binder clips - think of photo processing), and then, as if that wasn't enough, they twined my desk chair to the desk so you couldn't pull it out, they tied twine around the arms of my emergency sweater so you couldn't get your arms in. Then to top it all off, they filled all my desk drawers with packing peanuts!! They filled my fax box and my printer box w/ peanuts too. AND they MAILED me an envelope full of packing peanuts!! They filled my journal boxes with peanuts....my gym bag....the blanket on my chair....the lamp shades....It was good times! It took me all Friday morning to clean everything up!

That's all for now.

And I'm Off!

Tomorrow I leave for Colorado:

I'm interested to see what has changed and what has stayed the same.
I'm excited to see my friends and family.
I'm nervous about the long drive ahead.
I'm excited to spend a night in Vegas with Rhi.
I'm already irritated at house stressful things will be.
I'm excited to go to Moab.
I'm nervous about the Jeep and how it will drive.
I want/don't want to drive the Jeep.
I'm looking forward to Boulder with Sarah.
I'm thankful Amy is picking me up and I'll get one on one time with her.
I wonder who will go to Dave & Busters.
I'm anxious to see Marcia and happy to go to the museum with her.
I look forward to seeing my niece and nephew and going to the zoo.
I'm not looking forward to how much money I will be spending.
I can't WAIT to eat at: House of Kabob, Black Eyed Pea, Le Peep, China Taipei, and Mongolian BBQ.
I wish I had lost more weight.
I'm thankful I have NO school for the whole time.
I'm going to miss Dane.
I'm going to miss my kitties!
I'm happy to see my dad.
I wonder what I'll think of Colorado after having been gone for a while.
I hope the weather is nice.

The Swinging World of Swingers

Wow. I had the most enlightening weekend. Just 3 days ago I would have preached about how horrible and immoral just the thought of "swinging" was. But now that I've tried it, I cannot believe how amazing it is and how many doors it has "swung" wide open for Dane and I. We've been hanging out with some friends of mine that shall remain nameless, let's just call them BR and JT. They are married and very open about their "activities". Dane and I have always been like "yeah -whatever" and ignored that part of them as we enjoyed their company. Well, we went to dinner on Saturday night at the local Mexican restaurant (after desicrating Heather's office with over 350 balloons filled with confetti) and had a few too many margaritas. Next thing I know we are headed back to our house for some fun in the hot tub. Since BR and JT didn't have their suits, we decided - what the hey, let's just skinny dip. And we all know what hot tubs + nudity + alcohol = gratuitous sex! At first I was a little squeemish, but then as I realized how much fun Dane was having with JT, I loosened up and decided to go for it too. It was so hot watching Dane and JT and being watched by JT and Dane. And then JT started to wink at me and before I knew it, JT and I were ALL over each other!! Wow-what a night!! I know I should feel dirty and remorseful, but all I can think about is: when can we do it again!!

Not. This is a humorous reminder that above all my blog is a diary of events, a planner for the future, and a way for people to see what's new in my life at their leisure. It is not the end all be all to ALL my thoughts. It does not contain EVERY detail of my life NOR does it map out my plans in excess for the future. To a large degree I leave a lot of information out for personal reasons. That's not to say that I don't share funny, embarrassing, or sexy stories. It is to say that some stuff is personal. Do not cast judgement on me because you do or don't see something in here that you think should be. You want a blog, get your own at www.blogger.com.

What really happened this weekend: Friday night I drank a couple glasses of wine on an empty belly and then got up the courage to tell Dane that I was upset that he didn't call me to let me know he was coming home late. I left out the "other woman" part....till later. Dane really did do an amazing job of making me feel like I was the world to him. He bought me flowers and a card and listened to me and made googly eyes at me - we had a lot of fun on Friday. We went to Taco Bell for dinner and then drove go karts w/ Nick and Jacob and Mog for Nick's b-day. After that I went home to go to bed while the boys went to a strip club for Nick. Nick got a double lap dance for his b-day courtesy of Dane and Crystal. Dane got a lap dance just because courtesy of Jebis (my alter-ego). He was not thrilled. Saturday I started my Income Tax class, should be better than the last. Then went to lunch w/ Dane and then to Seattle to cover Heather's office in balloons (yes we really did that). Afterwards we went to dinner w/ my boss Rebecca and Tom (who were in on the balloon fray). We drank diet coke and water. :-) Then Dane and I went home and watched the South Park Rewind w/ Nick and Jacob. I went to bed at 11. Sunday we spent the day getting fresh produce and seafood at Pike Place Market. Then I went to my team meeting, then we went to see Ice Age 2, then went home and relaxed.

Now I just need to focus on closing March (a quarter end as well) and getting everything together before I leave for CO. I can't wait!!!

What's Happening to Me?

So I got to looking through my blog. Not sure how it started, I was just taking a slight break and then next thing I know, 20 minutes is gone reviewing the last year of my life. I look at my posts from a year ago and I laugh! I miss that Crystal! What have I become?! What have I lost in order to get here? How can I get it back?! I"m not playful anymore. I'm not happy. I don't have spunk. I'm all business and it's boring.

Dane spent the better part of last night with another woman. I don't even pretend to know why. I don't even want to spend time with me, why would he? It's like - I try so hard to lose weight and be beautiful and be career minded and everything he wants me to be, but I find that I feel stiffled. I want to be pretty again. I want to be noticed. I don't know if I like this new, quiet Crystal. I spent the last six months convincing myself that I need to become this calm, quiet, mums-the-word person and now I resent it! WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!!!

What happened to the Crystal that spoke her mind? What happened to the Crystal that didn't get pushed around? What happened to the Crystal that was strong no matter what? The way I am now, you'd think a stiff breeze would blow me over and that's simply NOT my character. I used to talk. I used to smile and coerce others to smile too. I used to fit in.

So I'm going on on this blog about poor me and this and that and then I just had a great talk at work w/ Kimberly. We laughed, exchanged ideas and notes, and bonded. :-)

And then Amy sends me this:
"Dude I never thought about how much it must suck to be an earthworm... They come out of the ground when it is all moist and glistening and enticing... and then the rain stops. And the sun comes out. And the rain dries up. And they get all crispy before they can worm their way back home.
Do you think they have conscious thoughts (like "Oh sh*t!") and feelings of pain while they're frying?"

How can I be upset about my life after that?! D@mn Amy and her ruining my Seattle Angst!