I seem to have an issue with the grocery store. I hate to go! I was supposed to go yesterday, and then I was supposed to go this morning. Ann, you may have to come over and force me to go again.
However, not all shopping is hopeless. I bought some cute heels yesterday...while I should have been at the grocery store.
20.7.08
11.7.08
Controversial Court Ruling Upholds Homosexual's Right To Prance Around Demanding Attention And Being A Drama Queen
June 9, 2008 Issue 44•24
HARTFORD, CT—The Connecticut Supreme Court on Monday upheld the right of individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, to engage in any number of "grandiose behaviors," including, but not limited to, sashaying across the room "like a hussy, yelling 'Oh my God!' at the top of their lungs while hopping up and down, and generally acting like Miss Thing."
The court ruled 5-2 in favor of the plaintiff in Carmichael v. State of Connecticut, a landmark case overturning a lower court's decision against homosexual Michael Carmichael's right to excessive theatrics. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers argued that "although the loud and emotionally over-the-top behaviors of Mr. Carmichael may be considered annoying by the community standards established by both his heterosexual and homosexual peers, the question of whether or not an individual is acting overly queeny is not a matter for the law to determine."
The ruling, which effectively affirms the right of all attention whores to make a complete spectacle of themselves, is already being contested by conservative groups and is expected to be appealed.
Carmichael, who also goes by the stage name "Lotta Menn," made a tearful, half-hour-long finger-snapping statement to the press following the historic decision.
"This is the most wonderful moment of my life, and I thank you all!" Carmichael said while wearing his trademark purple-sequined jacket, oversize Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, and short shorts. He then blew kisses at the assembled reporters, twirled for photographers, and lifted his arms several times above his head in the late-'80s "raise the roof" triumphant dance move. "I only hope I can recover from the living hell I've gone through these past four months—living hell! I am so serious, you guys!"
Flanked by his lawyers, Carmichael thanked his mother, quoted from Gloria Gaynor's anthem "I Will Survive," insulted several reporters' shoes, and called the members of the Connecticut Supreme Court his "bitches."
The legal battle for gay rights began in 1972, when a Manhattan court granted homosexual couples the right to stand next to each other in public places "as long as they don't make a big deal about it." In 1981, 1983, and 1986, similar rulings in Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco granted gays the right to attend movies, take walks, and tickle each other while cooking dinner together. Monday's ruling represents the first time that homosexuals' legal right to openly act "as gay as gay can possibly get" has been affirmed by the courts.
"Carmichael's is an extreme case, but the precedent is far-reaching," legal analyst Jameson Drury said. "This decision protects not only full-blown flamers, but all homosexuals, even those swish enough to let their hands flutter occasionally during a season finale of Project Runway."
Although some acquaintances of Carmichael's, including Matthew "Paris Swillton" Freiberg and Edward "Dame Ed" Anders, have called him shameless and claim the ruling will only make his head even bigger than it already is, others have dismissed these remarks as catty or jealous. Many more have applauded the decision, calling the high court's jurisprudence "way fierce."
"This is a major triumph—not unlike Divine's performance in Pink Flamingos, god bless her soul," said noted gay-culture commentator Mario Loyola. "The white gloves are off, and it's time for Miss Lotta to strut her stuff all the way to Washington if need be."
"After all, it's not like anyone is limiting heterosexuals' rights to, you know, just sit there in beige," he added.
Members of the Christian right, among others, have decried the decision as a dangerous step backward for moral standards in the judicial system.
"American family values are under siege," said T. Herbert Rosch of the American Family Values Coalition, which has protested the ruling. "If gays are granted state approval for prancing, what's next? Gallivanting?"
Civil rights organizations have reluctantly supported the decision, saying that the right of the individual to act like a flaming prima donna, however irritating it may be, is supported by the Constitution.
"Plain and simple, the state cannot decide which bombastic, drama-generating behavior is deemed patently offensive," said the American Civil Liberties Union's Tom Gregor, a member of the legal team who represented Carmichael. "Although, to be honest, I am personally going to think twice before taking on any more pro bono cases for someone as high-maintenance as Mr. Carmichael in the future. Talk about your vampy divas. As happy as we are to have won the case, the afterparty was a nightmare."
June 9, 2008 Issue 44•24
HARTFORD, CT—The Connecticut Supreme Court on Monday upheld the right of individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, to engage in any number of "grandiose behaviors," including, but not limited to, sashaying across the room "like a hussy, yelling 'Oh my God!' at the top of their lungs while hopping up and down, and generally acting like Miss Thing."
The court ruled 5-2 in favor of the plaintiff in Carmichael v. State of Connecticut, a landmark case overturning a lower court's decision against homosexual Michael Carmichael's right to excessive theatrics. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers argued that "although the loud and emotionally over-the-top behaviors of Mr. Carmichael may be considered annoying by the community standards established by both his heterosexual and homosexual peers, the question of whether or not an individual is acting overly queeny is not a matter for the law to determine."
The ruling, which effectively affirms the right of all attention whores to make a complete spectacle of themselves, is already being contested by conservative groups and is expected to be appealed.
Carmichael, who also goes by the stage name "Lotta Menn," made a tearful, half-hour-long finger-snapping statement to the press following the historic decision.
"This is the most wonderful moment of my life, and I thank you all!" Carmichael said while wearing his trademark purple-sequined jacket, oversize Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, and short shorts. He then blew kisses at the assembled reporters, twirled for photographers, and lifted his arms several times above his head in the late-'80s "raise the roof" triumphant dance move. "I only hope I can recover from the living hell I've gone through these past four months—living hell! I am so serious, you guys!"
Flanked by his lawyers, Carmichael thanked his mother, quoted from Gloria Gaynor's anthem "I Will Survive," insulted several reporters' shoes, and called the members of the Connecticut Supreme Court his "bitches."
The legal battle for gay rights began in 1972, when a Manhattan court granted homosexual couples the right to stand next to each other in public places "as long as they don't make a big deal about it." In 1981, 1983, and 1986, similar rulings in Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco granted gays the right to attend movies, take walks, and tickle each other while cooking dinner together. Monday's ruling represents the first time that homosexuals' legal right to openly act "as gay as gay can possibly get" has been affirmed by the courts.
"Carmichael's is an extreme case, but the precedent is far-reaching," legal analyst Jameson Drury said. "This decision protects not only full-blown flamers, but all homosexuals, even those swish enough to let their hands flutter occasionally during a season finale of Project Runway."
Although some acquaintances of Carmichael's, including Matthew "Paris Swillton" Freiberg and Edward "Dame Ed" Anders, have called him shameless and claim the ruling will only make his head even bigger than it already is, others have dismissed these remarks as catty or jealous. Many more have applauded the decision, calling the high court's jurisprudence "way fierce."
"This is a major triumph—not unlike Divine's performance in Pink Flamingos, god bless her soul," said noted gay-culture commentator Mario Loyola. "The white gloves are off, and it's time for Miss Lotta to strut her stuff all the way to Washington if need be."
"After all, it's not like anyone is limiting heterosexuals' rights to, you know, just sit there in beige," he added.
Members of the Christian right, among others, have decried the decision as a dangerous step backward for moral standards in the judicial system.
"American family values are under siege," said T. Herbert Rosch of the American Family Values Coalition, which has protested the ruling. "If gays are granted state approval for prancing, what's next? Gallivanting?"
Civil rights organizations have reluctantly supported the decision, saying that the right of the individual to act like a flaming prima donna, however irritating it may be, is supported by the Constitution.
"Plain and simple, the state cannot decide which bombastic, drama-generating behavior is deemed patently offensive," said the American Civil Liberties Union's Tom Gregor, a member of the legal team who represented Carmichael. "Although, to be honest, I am personally going to think twice before taking on any more pro bono cases for someone as high-maintenance as Mr. Carmichael in the future. Talk about your vampy divas. As happy as we are to have won the case, the afterparty was a nightmare."
5-Year-Old Wants To Be A Tractor When She Grows Up
July 11, 2008 Issue 44•28
AKRON, OH—In a statement delivered to friends, family members, and household pets, Kendall Garretson announced Monday that she would like to become an 13-ton, 275-horsepower John Deere row-crop tractor when she grows up.
Garretson, who turned 5 in May, developed an interest in becoming the powerful motor-driven vehicle during a recent trip to her grandfather's farm. According to sources, the young kindergarten student made her decision based on a number of key factors, including her desire to have "big wheels," make holes in the ground with "a digger," and chase birds and butterflies through fields of sunflowers.
"I'm gonna be a tractor," Garretson said. "Tractors are fun."
Although Garretson does not have a six-cylinder diesel engine, independent-link suspension, or a comfort command seat with air-suspension swivel, the 5-year-old said she was excited to be both red and shiny someday. Garretson added that as a tractor she would sleep in the barn with the cows and the chickens, but not with the pigs, because the pigs make too much of a mess.
"I'll drive around in the dirt, but I won't get stuck," Garretson said. "Because I'll spin my tires lots and lots."
Since making her intentions known, Garretson has set about preparing for her career as the hauling vehicle by talking about tractors, coloring in drawings of tractors, asking her parents where tractors come from, and walking around her house making "VROOOOM, VROOOOM" sounds.
In addition to performing her regular tractor duties, such as "mowing all the corn," Garretson said she plans to give rides to every one of her friends, even Brian Waldie, even though he is sometimes mean.
Although Garretson clearly stated her future goal of becoming a tractor, the unexpected announcement left a large number of adults feeling confused, with some assuming that the 5-year-old meant she wanted to be a farmer instead of a piece of agricultural equipment. In response to the off-base remarks, Garretson accused the adults of not paying attention, jumped up and down while shaking her head violently, and called everyone a "bunch of sillies."
"A tractor," Garretson continued. "Trrraaaaaccctooooor!"
Before settling on tractor, Garretson is said to have contemplated a variety of possible career paths, including a professional great white shark, a bouncy trampoline, "a doctor nurse just like Mommy," and the pink ballerina inside of her music box. Garretson went on to say that she would like to someday eat cookies for breakfast and be a mother to 17 infants, all of them girls.
When asked how she envisioned a typical workday as a tractor, the 5-year-old claimed it would begin with her mother waking her up early in the morning with a kiss. After driving into the farmhouse for breakfast, Garretson would rouse the horses, ducks, and flowers, and play with them until lunchtime. The rest of her schedule would reportedly consist of driving up and down the fields and skipping rope.
Despite having chosen tractor as a career, Garretson has shown little interest in soil cultivation or, at the very least, the hydraulic requirements for maintaining a properly functioning front-end loader. Instead, the 5-year-old has spent most of her time deciding which of her toys she will bring along to the farm.
"When I'm a tractor, I'm gonna pull a wagon, and then I'm gonna put all of my stuffed animals inside the wagon," Garretson said. "And my dollhouse. And a bunny. And maybe a Halloween pumpkin. But I won't let spiders on it unless they promise not to bite anyone."
During several other statements about her future, Garretson maintained that upon reaching adulthood she would cross the street by herself and marry the family's English bulldog, Rutherford. Garretson also stated that her cousin Madison could not come to her wedding if she kept chewing on her crayons.
Representatives from the John Deere Corporation told reporters that Garretson was a "promising candidate" for the company's annual $25,000 scholarship aimed at helping young people become tractors.
July 11, 2008 Issue 44•28
AKRON, OH—In a statement delivered to friends, family members, and household pets, Kendall Garretson announced Monday that she would like to become an 13-ton, 275-horsepower John Deere row-crop tractor when she grows up.
Garretson, who turned 5 in May, developed an interest in becoming the powerful motor-driven vehicle during a recent trip to her grandfather's farm. According to sources, the young kindergarten student made her decision based on a number of key factors, including her desire to have "big wheels," make holes in the ground with "a digger," and chase birds and butterflies through fields of sunflowers.
"I'm gonna be a tractor," Garretson said. "Tractors are fun."
Although Garretson does not have a six-cylinder diesel engine, independent-link suspension, or a comfort command seat with air-suspension swivel, the 5-year-old said she was excited to be both red and shiny someday. Garretson added that as a tractor she would sleep in the barn with the cows and the chickens, but not with the pigs, because the pigs make too much of a mess.
"I'll drive around in the dirt, but I won't get stuck," Garretson said. "Because I'll spin my tires lots and lots."
Since making her intentions known, Garretson has set about preparing for her career as the hauling vehicle by talking about tractors, coloring in drawings of tractors, asking her parents where tractors come from, and walking around her house making "VROOOOM, VROOOOM" sounds.
In addition to performing her regular tractor duties, such as "mowing all the corn," Garretson said she plans to give rides to every one of her friends, even Brian Waldie, even though he is sometimes mean.
Although Garretson clearly stated her future goal of becoming a tractor, the unexpected announcement left a large number of adults feeling confused, with some assuming that the 5-year-old meant she wanted to be a farmer instead of a piece of agricultural equipment. In response to the off-base remarks, Garretson accused the adults of not paying attention, jumped up and down while shaking her head violently, and called everyone a "bunch of sillies."
"A tractor," Garretson continued. "Trrraaaaaccctooooor!"
Before settling on tractor, Garretson is said to have contemplated a variety of possible career paths, including a professional great white shark, a bouncy trampoline, "a doctor nurse just like Mommy," and the pink ballerina inside of her music box. Garretson went on to say that she would like to someday eat cookies for breakfast and be a mother to 17 infants, all of them girls.
When asked how she envisioned a typical workday as a tractor, the 5-year-old claimed it would begin with her mother waking her up early in the morning with a kiss. After driving into the farmhouse for breakfast, Garretson would rouse the horses, ducks, and flowers, and play with them until lunchtime. The rest of her schedule would reportedly consist of driving up and down the fields and skipping rope.
Despite having chosen tractor as a career, Garretson has shown little interest in soil cultivation or, at the very least, the hydraulic requirements for maintaining a properly functioning front-end loader. Instead, the 5-year-old has spent most of her time deciding which of her toys she will bring along to the farm.
"When I'm a tractor, I'm gonna pull a wagon, and then I'm gonna put all of my stuffed animals inside the wagon," Garretson said. "And my dollhouse. And a bunny. And maybe a Halloween pumpkin. But I won't let spiders on it unless they promise not to bite anyone."
During several other statements about her future, Garretson maintained that upon reaching adulthood she would cross the street by herself and marry the family's English bulldog, Rutherford. Garretson also stated that her cousin Madison could not come to her wedding if she kept chewing on her crayons.
Representatives from the John Deere Corporation told reporters that Garretson was a "promising candidate" for the company's annual $25,000 scholarship aimed at helping young people become tractors.
3.7.08
This hasn't happened to me since middle school! I'd be at school, all happy as a clam can be when said clam is an 11 year old at school, and then I'd be changing for PE and realize, oops, not wearing a bra. I was wondering why I was feeling more, comfortable isn't the right word, maybe free. I'm definitely enjoying the texture of my clothing more today. At least I'm wearing a camisole.
30.6.08
29.6.08
Never underestimate the importance of good speeches at a graduation. The dean at my brothers school quoted Dr. Seuss and the Navy dude rambled on about life-long learning. I suppose it's asking for the moon to expect tech students to have grammatical and speaking skills, but at least use proper grammer when you are thanking a teacher for correcting your grammer. Fortunately for my sanity, there were only 12 people graduating, so it went pretty quick. Then I just had to deal with the brother's geek-aspiring friends ogling me. And really, that had to be the saddest indicator of the whole event.
18.6.08
Question
How does the desert miss the rain? Is it a yearning, waiting game, like everything is dead and dormant until the rain comes? Or is it more of a good riddance, who needs you anyway, I've got my own way of doing things and it doesn't include you? Or is it it's nice when you're here, but I'm okay on my own too? (Bahamas)
10.6.08
5.6.08
This is the reason for having a Word of the Day Calendar:
Chopstick - In some dialects of Cantonese, xiap, pronounced "chop," means "hurry." The reduplicated phrase xiap-xiap (sometimes spelled ciap-ciap), which has also entered Engish, thus means "hurry hurry." Westerners who saw Chinese eating speedily with their wooden kuai za, which, curiously, means something very close to "hurry sticks," coined "chopstick." (They are very comma happy)
Apparently I'm dumb for nevering having realized that "chop chop" comes from Chinese, but it still blows my mind.
Chopstick - In some dialects of Cantonese, xiap, pronounced "chop," means "hurry." The reduplicated phrase xiap-xiap (sometimes spelled ciap-ciap), which has also entered Engish, thus means "hurry hurry." Westerners who saw Chinese eating speedily with their wooden kuai za, which, curiously, means something very close to "hurry sticks," coined "chopstick." (They are very comma happy)
Apparently I'm dumb for nevering having realized that "chop chop" comes from Chinese, but it still blows my mind.
3.6.08
The University of Washington is pretty smart if you ask me. They start in October and get off in late June. Thus, UW students get to experience Washington's summer, such of it as there is, instead of having to head back to school just when the sun starts to come out, as WSU students do.
I don't mind (well, not much) if you have to cut me off a little in order to get on the road. But, if there is a wide open space me behind me and you cut me off anyway, I am going to tailgate you.
Kickball is not a sport for wimps. So why, you are asking yourselves, is Jessica playing? Because it is a sport for dummies. My kicking muscles hurt.
I can hear the trees screaming.
I don't mind (well, not much) if you have to cut me off a little in order to get on the road. But, if there is a wide open space me behind me and you cut me off anyway, I am going to tailgate you.
Kickball is not a sport for wimps. So why, you are asking yourselves, is Jessica playing? Because it is a sport for dummies. My kicking muscles hurt.
I can hear the trees screaming.
27.5.08
16.5.08
I wonder if people know when I don't like them. Usually I think that they do, that I'm pretty obvious about it, but every once in a while someone does something that makes me wonder.
I just met a little boy named Joshua who had a lollipop flavored lollipop that tastes like a lollipop.
I hope that the piglets a couple posts down are never released into the jungle. They'd never survive! They'd go right up to the nearest tiger and by like "Hey Homie!" and then they'd be eaten.
I just met a little boy named Joshua who had a lollipop flavored lollipop that tastes like a lollipop.
I hope that the piglets a couple posts down are never released into the jungle. They'd never survive! They'd go right up to the nearest tiger and by like "Hey Homie!" and then they'd be eaten.
22.4.08
Is this disturbing or what? Do they think that the tiger costumes make her think that these are her children? Even weirder is that the tiger's cubs are being raised by a pig (it didn't say if they are being raised by these piglets' mother). Talk about trauma to accidently eat the person you think is your mother!
18.4.08
And we have a new record! The latest in the year it's snowed. The previous record was April 17. And maybe tomorrow will be another record, we're supposed to have snow through the weekend.
Another interesting record. Mount Baker (up near Bellingham) has the record for most snowfall in one year: 1,140 inches in 1998.
Another interesting record. Mount Baker (up near Bellingham) has the record for most snowfall in one year: 1,140 inches in 1998.
18.3.08
I just went to Home Depot. When I went in, there were three guys out front, looking for work according to Andy. When I left, there was only one guy! I guess it's not just the hip new place to hang out.
On a side note, it's really annoying when you can't see because the sun is in your eyes and you need new windshield wipers. Double whammy.
On a side note, it's really annoying when you can't see because the sun is in your eyes and you need new windshield wipers. Double whammy.
14.3.08
I hate that I am always looking at my calendar, waiting for some circled date weeks or months in the future. (Actually, I don't circle days in my calendar. If I even use a calendar, I highlight special things or write them in difference colors. But I'm trying to be dramatic here, and it's not particularly dramatic to say that I'm always looking for the thing that's written in red ink, is it?) Where was I?
I want to look forward to every day. I don't really care what I'm doing as long as I can look forward to the day. Not to mention, no event can stand up to the expectation built up over weeks or months of waiting and watching that circled day (see above) get closer.
This is my most disgruntled complaint. Unfortunately, it's pretty much a self-fulfilling prophesy.
I want to look forward to every day. I don't really care what I'm doing as long as I can look forward to the day. Not to mention, no event can stand up to the expectation built up over weeks or months of waiting and watching that circled day (see above) get closer.
This is my most disgruntled complaint. Unfortunately, it's pretty much a self-fulfilling prophesy.
10.3.08
7.3.08
What did my hand ever do to you? Before 10 this morning I had already sliced my hand up 10 different ways.
Ann's and my heathenisms (plural because they are certainly different) plunged into even more heretical waters last night. Someone else had better move to Seattle because Ann and I enable each other like nothing else.
Ann's and my heathenisms (plural because they are certainly different) plunged into even more heretical waters last night. Someone else had better move to Seattle because Ann and I enable each other like nothing else.
19.2.08
16.2.08
Work is so totally not fun right now. I'm so crazy busy that they gave me about half of another girls day to help out, but I have to train her before she can be productive. So I'm quietly (or not so quietly) sufficating under my workload, and then she comes along with a question or it's time for me to check her work. And it's not her fault that she doesn't know how to do it right the first time, but I'm still annoyed when it creates more work for me. And she's my friend, which doesn't help the situation. Then I wonder if it would be easier if I just did it all myself.
That was longer than I wanted it to be. The point is, the stress from work is staying with me wherever I go. I brought work with me to class the other day! I can't relax at home. Even now, I worried about what I have to do on Monday. I can't do anything but worry, which means that my whole life right now is work, which is just depressing. Compounding my whole breakdown are the 15 things that are due while I'll be at Cassie's wedding, so I have to get it all done ahead of time.
Taking a moment out to breath only helps for so long.
That was longer than I wanted it to be. The point is, the stress from work is staying with me wherever I go. I brought work with me to class the other day! I can't relax at home. Even now, I worried about what I have to do on Monday. I can't do anything but worry, which means that my whole life right now is work, which is just depressing. Compounding my whole breakdown are the 15 things that are due while I'll be at Cassie's wedding, so I have to get it all done ahead of time.
Taking a moment out to breath only helps for so long.
12.2.08
Getting old is dumb. I went to the eye doctor today because I've...been having eye issues. He was way knowledgable; if anyone wants to know why I tilt my head or why my eyes go wonkie, now I know. Anyhow, I'm going nearsighted it seems, so he made me get glasses for driving and nighttime (okay, he asked, "do you want to get glasses now?" and I said, "might as well"). The only upside is that I got the coolest pair in the universe and everyone will be way jealous of me while I'm wearing them in the car and in the dark... Downside of finding the coolest pair in the world is that they were roughly double what my insurance wanted to pay for them.
8.2.08
I'm so tired of politics. I would say that I just want to get this whole election thing over with, but then there will be more annoyance and discomfort and divide. Is it really worth all this? Normally I would say yes, but I'm just in the mood to say NO. Get over it. Nothing is going to change dramatically. We'll still be dooming the Earth just by living the way we do. We will still look the other way while millions of people die of things we could prevent. And we yell and scream and hate each other for one candidate or the other when they and we are all just the same anyway.
Darn it all to Heck! And sometimes I mean that literally.
Darn it all to Heck! And sometimes I mean that literally.
5.2.08
Do you ever forget English? Sometimes I can't understand what people are saying to me. Or I start out understanding but I lose it. I suppose it must just be that I lose concentration, but I let my mind wander because I figure that I can understand by absorbing the sound. Sometimes it makes sense to me a couple minutes later, so I have this habit of nodding even though I don't understand because I figure it will come to me. Is that better or worse than stopping my question in the middle because it is all suddenly clear?
Also, I think I may have to start comparing myself to other people for my own sanity. You know how you shouldn't care what other people do, just go for your own personal best? I have this crazy high standard that I pretty consistently fall short of and I get all guilty about it. Yesterday I was a little aggressive about getting around a bus that was stopping in front on me and I worried about it for the rest of my drive. And I've been worried that I becoming a mean person because I don't always speak against other people's rude or insensitive comments.
Also, I think I may have to start comparing myself to other people for my own sanity. You know how you shouldn't care what other people do, just go for your own personal best? I have this crazy high standard that I pretty consistently fall short of and I get all guilty about it. Yesterday I was a little aggressive about getting around a bus that was stopping in front on me and I worried about it for the rest of my drive. And I've been worried that I becoming a mean person because I don't always speak against other people's rude or insensitive comments.
31.1.08
I had a long-standing question answered yesterday. Manila envelopes and the city of Manila were both named after a flower that grows in that area! So now you know. It's been plaging me on and off for a couple years now.
I had my job review yesterday and sort of committed to staying for a while. Depending on the direction my job takes in the next couple months, I think there could be some good opportunities for me. I just have to reconcile myself to the fact that I won't be single-handedly saving the world. I suppose there is always time for a career change later. Plus, I started my 401(k), so I suppose I should stay awhile and let it grow (that's right, I'm still obsessive about my retirement).
They are advertising paternaty tests on the radio. Where is my social contract, because I want out! I don't care if I have to pay early withdrawal penalties, I just wanna be somewhere sane.
I had my job review yesterday and sort of committed to staying for a while. Depending on the direction my job takes in the next couple months, I think there could be some good opportunities for me. I just have to reconcile myself to the fact that I won't be single-handedly saving the world. I suppose there is always time for a career change later. Plus, I started my 401(k), so I suppose I should stay awhile and let it grow (that's right, I'm still obsessive about my retirement).
They are advertising paternaty tests on the radio. Where is my social contract, because I want out! I don't care if I have to pay early withdrawal penalties, I just wanna be somewhere sane.
28.1.08
It's freaking snowing outside (good thing it's not snowing inside!) It's so pretty, but it's so destructive. If we could all just sit in our houses watching the snow fall and not have to slog out to the car, dig it out, and slide our way to work, I'd love snow. There was a metro bus stuck sideways on 405 this morning, and the police were stopping people and making them put chains on (we are nowhere near the mountains, by the by). It's the pretty, fluffy snow too, but it's been melting little by little as the little flurries that have continued throughout the day can't keep up with above-freezing temperatures. And tonight it's going to freeze and then snow again, making tomorrow's commute doubly dangerous.
18.1.08
I just participated in the changing of my car's blinker! Mostly my contribution was missing a step and almost breaking the thing, but I handed the screw driver when it was needed!
Also. "I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors, but I think that God has a sick sense of humor, and when I die I expect to find him laughing."
Also. "I don't want to start any blasphemous rumors, but I think that God has a sick sense of humor, and when I die I expect to find him laughing."
13.1.08
I have the craziest aunt in the world people. We every once in a while talk about our differing religions and last night was one of those times. She thinks that Buddhism can't be a religion because there is no belief in God; not a god, God. And she shuttered when I told her that some buddhisms worship Buddha like a god; she shuttered like it was unclean. The idea that crack babies are born for a reason that occured in a past life (something that my SGI aunt told her) is "too convenient," whereas God having his own mysterious plan is okay??
She told me that Islam means "surrender" and that's the hardest part for her, to trust that Allah loves her and that if she follows his will, everything will be okay. Sounds to me like she's pretty much put aside all reason to believe what she is told.
One more thing. She said some have told her that an illness in old age is Allah's way of helping a person out. The illness or pain washes away the sins that have accumulated throughout the person's life so they don't have to do (for lack of a better term) purgatory time when they die. She thinks that may be what my grandfather, her father, is going through.
She doesn't even believe in evolution. But at least she was angry with my mom's side of the family, which has let religious intolerence come between us.
She told me that Islam means "surrender" and that's the hardest part for her, to trust that Allah loves her and that if she follows his will, everything will be okay. Sounds to me like she's pretty much put aside all reason to believe what she is told.
One more thing. She said some have told her that an illness in old age is Allah's way of helping a person out. The illness or pain washes away the sins that have accumulated throughout the person's life so they don't have to do (for lack of a better term) purgatory time when they die. She thinks that may be what my grandfather, her father, is going through.
She doesn't even believe in evolution. But at least she was angry with my mom's side of the family, which has let religious intolerence come between us.
28.12.07
26.12.07
Merry Boxing Day!
I must say that text messaging Christmas wishes on Christmas morning is weird. I didn't get too particularly annoyed with any of my family members after spending the whole day with them. Small Christmas trees are definitely better. I don't think potato salad for Christmas dinner should become a tradition, but ham is essential. We really need to the stores to diversify; my brother got a t-shirt that says "meh!" and a sweatshirt that says..."meh!" It's a really good thing that Christmas only comes once a year.
I must say that text messaging Christmas wishes on Christmas morning is weird. I didn't get too particularly annoyed with any of my family members after spending the whole day with them. Small Christmas trees are definitely better. I don't think potato salad for Christmas dinner should become a tradition, but ham is essential. We really need to the stores to diversify; my brother got a t-shirt that says "meh!" and a sweatshirt that says..."meh!" It's a really good thing that Christmas only comes once a year.
18.12.07
13.12.07
Poor Allie keeps having to comment on my blogs on my MySpace, so I am attempting to add comments. Unfortunately, I killed my own template a long time ago while teaching myself HTMP by trial and error (mostly error). Blogger doesn't seem to be able to add comments to my terror of a template, and I've forgotten all that I accidently created. And darn it, I kinda like what I came up with all those long lonely years ago (at least better than any of the options). So bear with me while my blog goes through an upheaval.
7.12.07
I'm realizing more and more that the people I work with and for are very different from me. This morning I was subject to a lecture that basically condensed down to "crazy liberal environmentalists consistently ignore and misreport the data so that they can keep getting exorbitant amounts of funding and are hatefully ruining the livelihoods of good honest Americans." Last night, they called a winning high school football player "classy" for dropping to one knee and thanking God before doing a t.v. interview. Ah well, they're nice enough if you keep your mouth shut while they talk about religion or politics. On the other hand, maybe I should tell them I'm a blue-blooded heathen. Then they will stop telling me how tall/handsome/successful their sons are, and oh, by the way, he's living on the west side, you should meet him.
5.12.07
12.11.07
10.11.07
Watch out! The spiders have formed a large conspiracy. Are they out to get you too?
Fact 1: Spiders are malicious, devious creatures who enjoy making people miserable.
Fact 2: They somehow brainwashed me into not squishing them when I find them. Instead they take control of my body and make me take them outside where they can plot their next attack.
Fact 3: They usually come at me when I am relaxed and unsuspecting at home.
Fact 4: They have started attacking me at work!
Fact 5: They made me switch regular parking spots at work by marking their territory (read: they built a freaking web on my car!).
Fact 6: They often stretch their webs across the walkway I use to go into the office.
Fact 7: THEY KNOW WHERE I SIT AT WORK and they sit under my desk and wait for me. And then they escape the upside-down pen holder I use to catch them and make me scream and attract the attention of the whole office.
You can't deny the facts. We must unite against the eight-legged-boogeyman!
Fact 1: Spiders are malicious, devious creatures who enjoy making people miserable.
Fact 2: They somehow brainwashed me into not squishing them when I find them. Instead they take control of my body and make me take them outside where they can plot their next attack.
Fact 3: They usually come at me when I am relaxed and unsuspecting at home.
Fact 4: They have started attacking me at work!
Fact 5: They made me switch regular parking spots at work by marking their territory (read: they built a freaking web on my car!).
Fact 6: They often stretch their webs across the walkway I use to go into the office.
Fact 7: THEY KNOW WHERE I SIT AT WORK and they sit under my desk and wait for me. And then they escape the upside-down pen holder I use to catch them and make me scream and attract the attention of the whole office.
You can't deny the facts. We must unite against the eight-legged-boogeyman!
4.11.07
Today I saw a horse doing an excellent impression of a stuff Black Beauty statue. His tail wasn't even waving in the wind. Had there been anyone else on that particular road, he would have witnessed an accident. Then he shook his head and went on his way. Who know horses stare off into space like everyone else.
21.10.07
I keep trying to come up with a description of how I feel right now, but it's not working.
I'm moving again. Got approved for the place today and will have to go sign the lease sometime this week. I think I'm past the point where I might accidentally buy a condo, but I'm still jealous of those who can buy.
My first assignment for that online class (which I did manage to get into by the way) is due tomorrow. I'm trying to work up the enthusiasm to finish it. At least I discovered that online classes are not my thing. I was going to take one other class next quarter...and I really probably should...
Work is going well, which is scaring me. Pretty sad huh? They're sending me to conference so I can learn about irrigation districts. Yeah, doesn't make any sense to me either. But they like me and they think I'm a valuable addition to the company. Why doesn't that make me happier?
I'm moving again. Got approved for the place today and will have to go sign the lease sometime this week. I think I'm past the point where I might accidentally buy a condo, but I'm still jealous of those who can buy.
My first assignment for that online class (which I did manage to get into by the way) is due tomorrow. I'm trying to work up the enthusiasm to finish it. At least I discovered that online classes are not my thing. I was going to take one other class next quarter...and I really probably should...
Work is going well, which is scaring me. Pretty sad huh? They're sending me to conference so I can learn about irrigation districts. Yeah, doesn't make any sense to me either. But they like me and they think I'm a valuable addition to the company. Why doesn't that make me happier?
2.10.07
19.9.07
So what the heck is going on? I decided to take a couple classes at a community college just in case I decide to go for that Masters program I've been thinking about ('cause why not burn $1000 on 2 classes??). But I can't get them to let me in to the one I picked the school for! They want my AP Calculus scores from high school! I don't have those, it's been seven years! I faxed them my SUA transcript, but that didn't work. I took the math assessment test, but the class I want to take won't accept it even though I placed beyond the prerequisite class. Not much beyond, because who remembers trig? Maybe I need to spend 30 minutes reviewing all the crap I learned that has no bearing on life or the class I want to take so I can place much higher than the prereq. But the lady won't answer her phone and isn't calling me back, and I am not going to spend another $20 or take time off work to drive through the worst traffic in the Seattle area when I don't know if it's going to work. Can I just say that it shouldn't be this hard to take one course at a community college!
27.8.07
9.8.07
"No wonder men are perplexed by the modern woman. We're actually prehistoric hypocritical geniuses. " http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/HomeMortgageSavings/WhoPays.aspx#pageTopAchor
I have never heard a better description of women.
I have never heard a better description of women.
3.8.07
31.7.07
Happy last day of July! Wow, time is going fast. I'll be 22 in no time :P
Work today was the craziest thing. The receptionist (Front Desk Coordinator) made a mistake and got yelled at and spent an hour in the bathroom crying. And her assistant receptionist came and got me to make her feel better. Me and emotion: doesn't fit together so well. But I think I helped a little at least...I can certainly play cheerful well enough.
When she was back on her feet (in her chair, at her desk...), the assistant "Front Desk Coordinator's" boyfriend broke up with her during lunch. So she went home early because she was apparently a mess. Good thing it was a slow day.
Oh, and I got a raise, but no one told me. I'm just hoping that it wasn't a mistake and they'll take it away once I find the right person to ask. Isn't that random though? I would think they would want to make the best of a raise and get the employee's morale up. I might not even have noticed (because my hours are different every month) except that the pay rate is right next to where it shows remaining vacation and sick time.
Work today was the craziest thing. The receptionist (Front Desk Coordinator) made a mistake and got yelled at and spent an hour in the bathroom crying. And her assistant receptionist came and got me to make her feel better. Me and emotion: doesn't fit together so well. But I think I helped a little at least...I can certainly play cheerful well enough.
When she was back on her feet (in her chair, at her desk...), the assistant "Front Desk Coordinator's" boyfriend broke up with her during lunch. So she went home early because she was apparently a mess. Good thing it was a slow day.
Oh, and I got a raise, but no one told me. I'm just hoping that it wasn't a mistake and they'll take it away once I find the right person to ask. Isn't that random though? I would think they would want to make the best of a raise and get the employee's morale up. I might not even have noticed (because my hours are different every month) except that the pay rate is right next to where it shows remaining vacation and sick time.
17.7.07
I'm getting my wisdom teeth out in two weeks and two days. I'm a little late, but that's better than never right? I wasn't worried about it at all, but then today I had to go in and sign all the papers and show the oral surgeon my x-rays. Apparently, I may need to get root canals on my bottom back teeth, depending on how the lower wisdom teeth come out. And either way, they're going to be crazy sensitive because the roots will be exposed until my mouth heals. How wrong is that? Well, at least the dude explained to my exactly what a root canal is. I'm maxing out my dental benefits in one go, on top of paying $600 for the privilage. After this, my teeth are off limits until 2008, even if my roots do need canaling.
I was reading this website telling me that we used to need our wisom teeth to take the place of missing or worn down teeth when we were still running around catching our dinner. But all four of mine are so jacked up, they wouldn't have come in even if there had been room.
It's expensive to be healthy. And didn't you just get more information than you wanted.
I was reading this website telling me that we used to need our wisom teeth to take the place of missing or worn down teeth when we were still running around catching our dinner. But all four of mine are so jacked up, they wouldn't have come in even if there had been room.
It's expensive to be healthy. And didn't you just get more information than you wanted.
7.7.07
20.6.07
It's so wrong. Today my company had our 401K people come in for their yearly update. I don't know why I went, I'm not eligible for another 6 months... Now I'm freaking out trying to figure out how I can save $6000 a year (which equals $500 a month!) because the example the dude gave was of a 25-year-old saving $6000 a year for 40 years and ending up with over a million dollars. I've got spreadsheets with all the different options, starting will smaller contributions and gradually increasing them, all the options, not all of them financally feasible for me. But it's all about having money in early, so really, I could put a whole bunch in now and take a breather with smaller contributions in a couple years. I'm even wondering if I should get an after hours summer job for some extra money to start with. And I'm trying to figure out what all those financy words that he was tossing around with abandon mean. I just kind of looked at the not-so-pretty graphs that were up on the screen. Really, all I got out of the meeting is this: start now and diversify (except I already knew that part, I just don't know what to diversify TO). Only 6 months to figure it out. And maybe I should send an extra check to my IRA right now. And is having two different accounts with different people going to be a problem. Maybe I'll just switch the IRA to these people (if I can??). I Googled the dude at the meeting and his company was listed on some winner's circle list for financiers (the only one from Seattle on the list [wow, major sense of deja vu there]). That's enough whining, I have to get back to studying all this stuff!
13.6.07
"The female tarantula stings her mate at the moment of ejaculation. This numbs him, and in this blissful state she slowly devours him, eating him alive. He feels no pain, as her sting works like a morphia d'amour, promoting a finale of euphoria. His flesh will in turn feed that of his offspring. The male is conscious, though euphoric, as his mate consumes him utterly. By some quirk of evolution, or perhaps simply awareness, she always saves the brain till last. Then the lights go out. I've always thought it must be quite a way to go."
6.6.07
Do I look Irish? One of the engineers told me today that he thinks of me as a typical Irish woman. He just found some distant relatives in Ireland, so it's not too random of a thought. I imagine there must be some Irish in me, but I can't imagine that it's too much. But this is also the person who still calls me Rebecca every once in a while. I get Jennifer all the time, but not one else has ever called me Rebecca. He reminds me of Jay Heffron; he's spacey but really intelligent and knows his stuff when he can remember what he's doing.
30.5.07
24.5.07
16.5.07
15.5.07
It's so hot!!! How can it be 50 over the weekend and 85 today? My tricking Spring didn't work, we skipped it completely, according to my brother. He's the new Punxsutawney Phil of the summer. When he comes out of the house and just about dies from heat exhaustion, you know summer has come.
On the downside, I really hope one of us was adopted, because as cute as Phil is, I don't want to be a groundhog as I would be if my brother was.
On the downside, I really hope one of us was adopted, because as cute as Phil is, I don't want to be a groundhog as I would be if my brother was.
6.5.07
I think that my problem is that I don't want to make the wrong decision and be button-holed into something that turns out to be wrong for me. And so I don't make any decision. Or maybe it's that I don't think I'll be good enough at anything, which is dumb because I imagine anyone reading this knows that I have a pretty healthy opionion of my intelligence.
I'm up to three different future plans. And some side trips that I wouldn't mind taking.
I'm up to three different future plans. And some side trips that I wouldn't mind taking.
26.4.07
I am having a bad week. I've had so much stuff to do I've been skipping lunch and staying late. But then I'm all stressed about everything I have to do tomorrow and I can't relax, so I just sit and zone out in front of the tv. And we're short-staffed at work with people on vacation and sick and on assignment elsewhere. Responsibilities are being passed around and balls are being dropped. Hotels are cancelling reservations and NO ONE WITH ANY AUTHORITY WILL GIVE ME ANY ANSWERS.
May will be good.
May will be good.
23.4.07
Some day this week is Administrative Professionals Day (I don't know which day). Is that the saddest thing. Veterans, mothers, and administrative professionals: these are the people who deserve days dedicated to them.
Some people are taking a couple of us "administrative professionals" out to lunch later this week. Hey, at least that should be interesting.
Some people are taking a couple of us "administrative professionals" out to lunch later this week. Hey, at least that should be interesting.
22.4.07
20.4.07
12.4.07
My family makes me so insecure. I love them, and we have fun together, but I realize that they (and me too) love to make snarky comments behind everyone's back. Everyone else is immature and inconsiderate, but of course they are perfect. And they get all up in arms if someone makes a suggestion about their or their childrens' actions and immediately start attacking the attacker. No so meanly as it sounds of course, but every one has a holier-than-thou attitude and wants to judge everyone else and not be judged themselves and ahhhhhhhhhh.
And I never hear things about myself, but they must talk about me when I'm not around.
And I never hear things about myself, but they must talk about me when I'm not around.
6.4.07
3.4.07
Okay everybody, you've got to help me. It's like a telethon, over the internet, and I'm not asking for money. This week is skirt week. I'm trying to trick Spring into thinking that it's already time to be here. And technically, it is, even though it's just April and we're still in-ing like a lion. I figure, if it sees skirts, it will figure that maybe it hasn't done it's math right and it will come sooner. It works with me, I forget what day and month it is all the time.
Switching gears, I'm going to see about reserving that condo I emailed some peeps about. I want to go, and if no one else does, well then, I'll have a really expensive and quiet week to myself in Maui.
Switching gears, I'm going to see about reserving that condo I emailed some peeps about. I want to go, and if no one else does, well then, I'll have a really expensive and quiet week to myself in Maui.
2.4.07
29.3.07
Spring is finally here, for today at least. Who knows what season tomorrow will bring.
I had the dumbest bout of nostalgia a little bit ago. I saw, like, six yellow jackets fighting on a lamp post and I missed the days when we all sat outside for lunch and had to run away from the bees. Especially Cassie. I'm thinking I need to take a 3-day weekend and go visit her.
I had the dumbest bout of nostalgia a little bit ago. I saw, like, six yellow jackets fighting on a lamp post and I missed the days when we all sat outside for lunch and had to run away from the bees. Especially Cassie. I'm thinking I need to take a 3-day weekend and go visit her.
28.3.07
I've been so sleepy the past couple days. I don't know what's going on. Or I guess I don't want to know what's going on. It doesn't help that I'm sitting down all day long. I've been having mini rock-out sessions to the music on my computer to wake me up. Unfortunatly, it looks like I may need very large rock-out sessions to do any good.
Sleep is such a precarious thing.
Sleep is such a precarious thing.
26.3.07
We are calling Maju's visit a success! Even though we didn't follow my plan (at all), we did lots of cool things. Even though we got lost in downtown Seattle several times, we always found our way to where we were going. I think we did everything that someone visiting Seattle has to, touristy, historical, outdoorsy, nightlife, and lots and lots of good food!
So, if anyone is interested in coming to Seattle, here is a sample itinerary of the super exclusive but not too expensive Seattle Tours by Jessica. I even ordered the rain, because what would a trip to Seattle be without a little (or a lot of) rain?
Friday:
So, if anyone is interested in coming to Seattle, here is a sample itinerary of the super exclusive but not too expensive Seattle Tours by Jessica. I even ordered the rain, because what would a trip to Seattle be without a little (or a lot of) rain?
Friday:
- Lunch at my current favorite American-style diner. Not fancy or exotic, but good food a little different from what you'd find elsewhere and a huge menu.
- Shopping trip to a local Asian food store for supplies.
- Trip to the east for a spectacular waterfall view and a lovely walk in the rain.
- Dinner at a really good India place (lucky guess, I had never been before).
- Back to a downtown Seattle poolhall to meet with old friends and make fun of the horrible DJ controlling the dance floor.
Saturday:
- Indian food is even better the next morning!
- Pick up the client's dad at the airport and straight back downtown to the Seattle Underground tour. Too complicated to explain, you'll have to come and I'll take you. Totally fun and unique experience. Where else does a city build an 8-35-foot retaining wall around every city block? Hey, at least they put in ladders at the corners.
- Lunch at the Cafe Poloma. Yummy mediterranian food (also a lucky guess).
- Door to door taxi service during crazy construction around hotels
- Back to Tour Headquarters, and I allow the client to cook for me. Yummy yummy!
- Downtown again to the supposed Salsa nightspot. Unfortunately, Seattle does not boast a large latino population, and that it does boast doesn't seem to have inherited the dancing gene. But good music!
Sunday:
- Early dim sum lunch at House of Hong in Seattle's attempt at Chinatown (it's called the International District). Hey, at least the food is good. I highly recommend the coconut mochi (or whatever they call in it China)!
- Shopping at Pike Place Market. Hey, I'll even help you spend your money!
- Meet my grandparents and get a cool gift. Eat a cookie (or three) and scram for the airport.
Not a bad itinerary for a little over 50 hours.
22.3.07
I've been speaking with a Transylvanian accent (or my version of one) every once in a while for the past couple days. I wonder what that's about.
So the conference. Even though I was getting hit on by guys who work with sewer water and probably never finished high school, it was fun, better than being at work. It never got too weird, there was a table between me and them and I'm sure that the engineer I was there with *who's like 6 foot 28 inches* wouldn't have let any of them actually kidnap me. It was actually kind of funny when we went to dinner at the casino (along with about everyone else from the conference) and some of the water people got drunk and started playing random songs on the piano. Besides the fact that they were playing and singing different songs at the same time, they were actually pretty good.
But instead of sitting at the computer doing who-knows-what all day long, I got to harass people to come over and talk to me all day long. Not that it wasn't tiring, but at least the only thing I did on a computer that day was check my email and read the gossip pages.
So the conference. Even though I was getting hit on by guys who work with sewer water and probably never finished high school, it was fun, better than being at work. It never got too weird, there was a table between me and them and I'm sure that the engineer I was there with *who's like 6 foot 28 inches* wouldn't have let any of them actually kidnap me. It was actually kind of funny when we went to dinner at the casino (along with about everyone else from the conference) and some of the water people got drunk and started playing random songs on the piano. Besides the fact that they were playing and singing different songs at the same time, they were actually pretty good.
But instead of sitting at the computer doing who-knows-what all day long, I got to harass people to come over and talk to me all day long. Not that it wasn't tiring, but at least the only thing I did on a computer that day was check my email and read the gossip pages.
18.3.07
I am blogging from my first business trip. Isnt's that cool? We'll see how it goes tomorrow before I indicate whether I want to repeat this experience. I'm in Ocean Shores, WA: not the most glamourous of spots, but not bad. It's here:
I'm sitting in my hotel room with a view of the beach on their wireless internet. This is a hundred times preferable to sitting at home.
However, even though the company is paying for food, lodging, and gas expenses, it's been an expensive trip! Couple of new purses, a pair of earings or two...a really cool lamp from Bali. I just hope it doesn't get squashed on my way back, it's 4 feet of fragile wicker-type stuff. Fortunately, in a way, the stores don't open until 11 and they close at 5, so there's only a limited amound of time I can have my credit card out. And we thought Aliso Viejo was bad!
I'm sitting in my hotel room with a view of the beach on their wireless internet. This is a hundred times preferable to sitting at home.
However, even though the company is paying for food, lodging, and gas expenses, it's been an expensive trip! Couple of new purses, a pair of earings or two...a really cool lamp from Bali. I just hope it doesn't get squashed on my way back, it's 4 feet of fragile wicker-type stuff. Fortunately, in a way, the stores don't open until 11 and they close at 5, so there's only a limited amound of time I can have my credit card out. And we thought Aliso Viejo was bad!
15.3.07
Lately, I have been desperate to be around people, anyone. But I just want to be alone because I know I won't get what I want out of anyone. What do I want? Not quite sure.
It started Saturday, and it was a bad bad day. I felt like that girl in elementary school who was always chasing after her group of "friends" and you felt sorry for her because she was so desperate and everyone thought she was pathetic. I kind of came to terms with it on Sunday. More like I just gave up and sought silence.
For some reason, I was really cheerful and energetic on Monday at work. Until I got home.
There's probably more, but I have to go.
It started Saturday, and it was a bad bad day. I felt like that girl in elementary school who was always chasing after her group of "friends" and you felt sorry for her because she was so desperate and everyone thought she was pathetic. I kind of came to terms with it on Sunday. More like I just gave up and sought silence.
For some reason, I was really cheerful and energetic on Monday at work. Until I got home.
There's probably more, but I have to go.
9.3.07
Woo hoo, it's the weekend.
I'm on this new nightly routine. I switched to taking showers at night because I always try to convince myself in the morning that no one will notice if I don't take a shower. So now I shower at night, and it's working great, I think. It's only been about 3 days, so we'll see if it keeps up. The only complaint is that I've been getting really hot during the night. I don't know if it has anything to do with the showering thing, but it started the same day I did, so I'm suspicious.
I'm on this new nightly routine. I switched to taking showers at night because I always try to convince myself in the morning that no one will notice if I don't take a shower. So now I shower at night, and it's working great, I think. It's only been about 3 days, so we'll see if it keeps up. The only complaint is that I've been getting really hot during the night. I don't know if it has anything to do with the showering thing, but it started the same day I did, so I'm suspicious.
7.3.07
Maju's coming to Seattle!! For a whole 3-day weekend!! Totally excited. Now let's see if I can get the Friday off...maybe not since two others will be gone that day...
On a total bummer note, that writing class I told you about? It was cancelled. I'm telling you, the world is conspiring against me. It's like I'm going to have to work hard or something. It's so totally unfair. Where's my fortune baby fortune when I really need it??? Huh, huh? Where is it?
And hey, I tried to go to Kosen Rufu Gongyo last weekend, but I got lost. Seriously. We were having it at the Edmonds Senior Center and apparently it's kinda screwy to get there. But I discovered that Edmonds is kind of a cute little town.
On a total bummer note, that writing class I told you about? It was cancelled. I'm telling you, the world is conspiring against me. It's like I'm going to have to work hard or something. It's so totally unfair. Where's my fortune baby fortune when I really need it??? Huh, huh? Where is it?
And hey, I tried to go to Kosen Rufu Gongyo last weekend, but I got lost. Seriously. We were having it at the Edmonds Senior Center and apparently it's kinda screwy to get there. But I discovered that Edmonds is kind of a cute little town.
1.3.07
26.2.07
Here I am at work, shamelessly scamming the internet. But hey, at least I'm on my lunch break. And I realize that I have been remiss in reporting what I've been up to.
The most important thing is that I found the right grad program, if a grad program is what I want to do. It's a Masters of Arts in Policy Study, it's with the University of Washington and given on the Bothell campus (I'm living and working in Bothell, by the by), and it's catered toward working people. I went to a couple of informational sessions and it's sounds really good. It actually sounded a lot like SUA. It's only 6 years old, and they said they are relying on the graduates to make the reputation (at which point I groaned). AND, they said the magic words. One of the graduates in working at a THINK TANK in D.C. that studies national education policy. Is that perfect or what??
But I decided not to apply for the fall. I realized that I havn't committed to the idea of a steady 40-hour a week job. I don't want to be a cog in the wheel, I just don't think I have the correct personality to be successful that way. I want to see if I can develop my writing in some way, really in any way. Not that I've been successful, though I think I'm making progress, I'm just not sure it's enough progress.
So the moral of the story is that I'm giving myself this year to find a way to become something besides a cog in the wheel (wow, I sure am attached to that phrase). If I can't, I'll apply for next fall's program. I'm going to keep working, save some money for something, and take classes. There are a couple classes that I need to make my grad application stronger, and I'm going to take some writing courses as well. My first one is on Saturday.
On a whole different note, I spent all of yesterday cooking, just for fun. Okay, maybe not ALL of yesterday, but it sure felt like it. My feet were awfully tired by the time dinnertime rolled around. Most of the stuff was pretty good. The fault for the only bad one lay, not in my cooking, but in my choice of recipes. Note to all who read this: BLT muffins are not a good idea.
The most important thing is that I found the right grad program, if a grad program is what I want to do. It's a Masters of Arts in Policy Study, it's with the University of Washington and given on the Bothell campus (I'm living and working in Bothell, by the by), and it's catered toward working people. I went to a couple of informational sessions and it's sounds really good. It actually sounded a lot like SUA. It's only 6 years old, and they said they are relying on the graduates to make the reputation (at which point I groaned). AND, they said the magic words. One of the graduates in working at a THINK TANK in D.C. that studies national education policy. Is that perfect or what??
But I decided not to apply for the fall. I realized that I havn't committed to the idea of a steady 40-hour a week job. I don't want to be a cog in the wheel, I just don't think I have the correct personality to be successful that way. I want to see if I can develop my writing in some way, really in any way. Not that I've been successful, though I think I'm making progress, I'm just not sure it's enough progress.
So the moral of the story is that I'm giving myself this year to find a way to become something besides a cog in the wheel (wow, I sure am attached to that phrase). If I can't, I'll apply for next fall's program. I'm going to keep working, save some money for something, and take classes. There are a couple classes that I need to make my grad application stronger, and I'm going to take some writing courses as well. My first one is on Saturday.
On a whole different note, I spent all of yesterday cooking, just for fun. Okay, maybe not ALL of yesterday, but it sure felt like it. My feet were awfully tired by the time dinnertime rolled around. Most of the stuff was pretty good. The fault for the only bad one lay, not in my cooking, but in my choice of recipes. Note to all who read this: BLT muffins are not a good idea.
9.2.07
I have hit upon the perfect CD combination. First you play James Blunt and you get a little melancholy. Then you play Darian Rice, or whatever his name is, and you contemplate ways to kill yourself. Then, as you're looking for the best place to hang a rope from, you play the soundtrack from Winged Migration and everything is happy again. I have to go now. I want to do it again, talk about an emotional rollercoaster!
5.2.07
Last post: Dec 16, 2006. Wow, LAST YEAR. It's already February! Time flies even when you're not having any fun.
I have no patience. I like to pretend I do, sometimes I can even trick myself. But I really don't. I want everything now. Time is my mortal enemy, literally, since if nothing else does, it will kill me. So what do I do about it? I micromanage my time. But that doesn't work, it just gives me a reason to get nothing done. Because if I miss my appointment with time, I'm off the hook, it's not my fault any more.
Sorry for blathering, I have nothing coherent going on in my brain!
I have no patience. I like to pretend I do, sometimes I can even trick myself. But I really don't. I want everything now. Time is my mortal enemy, literally, since if nothing else does, it will kill me. So what do I do about it? I micromanage my time. But that doesn't work, it just gives me a reason to get nothing done. Because if I miss my appointment with time, I'm off the hook, it's not my fault any more.
Sorry for blathering, I have nothing coherent going on in my brain!
16.12.06
Charm switch return to off.
I just got home from the company Christmas party. I helped plan it in that I called the caterer and DJ when my boss was too busy. Then, she didn’t show up to the party, and I inherited the job of coordinator. I didn’t even particularly want to go, and I ended up having to stay until the end to help kick the party people out.
The poll shows that I am a favorite of most of the engineers’ spouses. I got advice, compliments, and even a gift from the husbands and wives of the people I work with.
I just got home from the company Christmas party. I helped plan it in that I called the caterer and DJ when my boss was too busy. Then, she didn’t show up to the party, and I inherited the job of coordinator. I didn’t even particularly want to go, and I ended up having to stay until the end to help kick the party people out.
The poll shows that I am a favorite of most of the engineers’ spouses. I got advice, compliments, and even a gift from the husbands and wives of the people I work with.
3.12.06
28.11.06
I had a snow day today. It's not as much fun when you lose something from it, in this case MONEY. But I walked to the bank and opened an IRA, which was kinda fun. I've been putting it off for a while, but I thought I might as well today. So I did.
That was about all I did today of value. But it was a good day anyway.
That was about all I did today of value. But it was a good day anyway.
22.11.06
Ick, I joined MySpace.
I went to *gasp* as SGI meeting this last weekend. There was a visiting leader who used to know my parents. I kinda recognized him and I definitely recognized his name. He told me that every time he sees me *and how often is that?* I look more and more like my mother. I was speechless, which is not a common adjective to describe me. I couldn't even come up with something polite and innocuous. Why would he think I would want to hear that? Should that make me feel good? It was really weird and I just kind of stood there until they brought out dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and we could comment on those.
I went to *gasp* as SGI meeting this last weekend. There was a visiting leader who used to know my parents. I kinda recognized him and I definitely recognized his name. He told me that every time he sees me *and how often is that?* I look more and more like my mother. I was speechless, which is not a common adjective to describe me. I couldn't even come up with something polite and innocuous. Why would he think I would want to hear that? Should that make me feel good? It was really weird and I just kind of stood there until they brought out dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets and we could comment on those.
17.11.06
I am officially a hypocrite. I got offered a regular position at work (surprise surprise, but hey, coulda been that they didn't like me or something). And remember how I said I might turn it down? Well, I'm not gonna. Yes, that's right, I sold my own self out for money. Making the transition ups my salary by $2/hour. That's a leap I like. And alas, have not fallen upon my dream job while thinking wistfully of my future.
I had a sort of epiphany. It's pathetic when someone is only doing their job because they can't think of anything else to do. I know, I know, the pot and the kettle and all that. It's especially pathetic when they look down on their own job. I don't want to be like that forever. The hamster is running fast in the hopes that the brain will be able to come up with a reason I'm not as pathetic as the epiphany-inspirer.
I had a sort of epiphany. It's pathetic when someone is only doing their job because they can't think of anything else to do. I know, I know, the pot and the kettle and all that. It's especially pathetic when they look down on their own job. I don't want to be like that forever. The hamster is running fast in the hopes that the brain will be able to come up with a reason I'm not as pathetic as the epiphany-inspirer.
11.11.06
It's already November, and I'm scared that the next time I poke my head out of the sand, 23 more years will have passed. Time is dumb. When I take over the world, I'm going to suspend all time. Oh wait, I got demoted to Duchess, I forgot. Can a duchess suspend time? I'll just have to redefine the position.
I'm having trouble following through on my goals. But. Lately, I've been spending more time thinking that I should be doing something. It really cuts into the pleasures of vegging. Maybe one day something will happen.
I'm having trouble following through on my goals. But. Lately, I've been spending more time thinking that I should be doing something. It really cuts into the pleasures of vegging. Maybe one day something will happen.
