I am trying to resume my life again after the Ah-nold conference of doom. We still have some wrap up to handle but I think I can actually have a life again. I'm so very excited. I've missed hanging with my friends and watching lots of TiVo and snuggling with the kitties. Though I also have to get back to the responsible stuff like work for the board I'm on and paying bills and worrying about other people and all that. Which is annoying. Maybe I'll just become a complete flake. I think that's something I'd like to pursue. Any pointers?
The conference went really well. I didn't sleep for a week and am still having Ah-nold nightmares, but I think it was worth it. I do actually like this conference in some ways. It's one of the few times each year when I get respect and appreciation at work. Lots of people from all over tell Lovey and I what a great job we're doing. They go out of their way to tell us how well things are going or how much they getting out of the event or how professional parts of it are. When we ask for things, so many people jump up and are ready to get us whatever we need. People act as if we're intelligent and talented and capable. They hardly EVER do that outside of this conference.
I'm such a whore in that regard. It's kind of like people who will giggle and do anything for someone who tells them they're pretty. I'm the same way with a twist. If you can convince me that you think I'm intelligent, capable and even occasionally indispensable I will probably bend over backwards to do what you want. But I have a decent bullshit detector so you really have to sell it well. You can't just toss off a few compliments and then bask in my complete servitude.
Maybe it's because I'm fat now and don't buy it or because I heard it often enough growing up, but telling me I'm pretty doesn't do much for me. Tell me I'm brilliant and I'm putty in your hands. So sad.
Anyway, the conference went well and lots of people told Lovey and I that we were amazing so I'm pretty happy. We had fabulous client attendance and things went well and all is right with the world. And I made lots of money for credit card payments and VEGAS 2005!!!! WOO!
Those of you I owe work and phone calls and all that, remind me now and I'll get right on it. And future blogging can focus on things other than work and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yay!!!!
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Grrrr...
I just shoveled snow for, like, the first time ever. I feel very macho and butch. And cold and tired. And ready to move back to Hawai'i. I'm very glad this huge snowfall waited until AFTER our conference, when I was planning on staying home sleeping and drinking hot chocolate anyway.
The conference is over. I think I slept about four hours over three nights and am still in a daze, but I think everything went really well. And I can hopefully get out and be social again very soon. But I may be shouting "It's not a Tumah!!!!" for the next few months. I apologize in advance.
I still have a nagging need for a snowball fight.
The conference is over. I think I slept about four hours over three nights and am still in a daze, but I think everything went really well. And I can hopefully get out and be social again very soon. But I may be shouting "It's not a Tumah!!!!" for the next few months. I apologize in advance.
I still have a nagging need for a snowball fight.
Friday, January 14, 2005
It's not a tumah!
I have lost my mind. I have no sleep, have three reports I'm working on today. The weather is miserable. This conference hurts my heart. And Lovey and I just did the Tumor bit from Kindergarten Cop and could not stop the hysterical laughing. I need an intervention. Or something.
I have learned that while I am excellent at planning events I can never be an event planner. I am just not 'people person' enough to do that and stay sane.
I have learned that while I am excellent at planning events I can never be an event planner. I am just not 'people person' enough to do that and stay sane.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Arnold, Arnold, Arnold!
Bah. All Arnold all the time. Planning this conference is sucking my will to live. I've tried to quit twice already but then Lovey reminds me that really, she'd be the one suffering the most if I didn't work on this so... In the past two nights I have watched; Batman & Robin, Twins, The Terminator, Hans & Franz clips, True Lies, Conan the Barbarian, Terminator 2 and Pumping Iron. Tonight is Predator, Kindergarten Cop, Total Recall and Conan the Destroyer.
Lovey and I are becoming delirious. We realized this last night while watching Terminator 2; as we both started thinking that Arnold was kinda foxy. And this made us sad. But I think it was mostly just that Terminator2/Twins/True Lies Arnold is just so much better than Pumping Iron Arnold. But really, what wouldn't be better than Pumping Iron Arnold? We loved Pumping Iron Lou more. Anyway, I then I came home and watched the DVD of his RNC speech at which point I stopped finding anything remotely attractive about him. So, if we start finding him cute again tonight I have the cure. Woo. And tonight we have Raspberry Cider. Which will help. I hope.
Whenever I get too sad or frustrated with the evil people in the world who won't let me do my job or act like I'm a moron I can just go in and look at the muscle suit our chief economist will wear. Or giggle at the T2 lifesize cutout. And it helps, ever so slightly.
Lovey and I are becoming delirious. We realized this last night while watching Terminator 2; as we both started thinking that Arnold was kinda foxy. And this made us sad. But I think it was mostly just that Terminator2/Twins/True Lies Arnold is just so much better than Pumping Iron Arnold. But really, what wouldn't be better than Pumping Iron Arnold? We loved Pumping Iron Lou more. Anyway, I then I came home and watched the DVD of his RNC speech at which point I stopped finding anything remotely attractive about him. So, if we start finding him cute again tonight I have the cure. Woo. And tonight we have Raspberry Cider. Which will help. I hope.
Whenever I get too sad or frustrated with the evil people in the world who won't let me do my job or act like I'm a moron I can just go in and look at the muscle suit our chief economist will wear. Or giggle at the T2 lifesize cutout. And it helps, ever so slightly.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Ah-nold
I am still at work at 10PM on a Tuesday night. Because Lovey and I spent three hours watching pieces of Schwarzenegger movies - for an actual work project. We got through four. We have seven to go. Looking for fun quotes. I've finally skimmed through Pumping Iron and have felt less dirty watching porn. I have learned that Arnold is not a nice man. Really. Poor Lou Ferrigno. And I have been reminded that Batman & Robin is a really, really bad movie. Ew. I am a lesser person now, after this work experience. Good thing I'm getting paid time and a half.
You all want my rock star life.
You all want my rock star life.
Friday, January 07, 2005
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (maybe?)
Turnip reminded me around my 30th birthday that I used to say I'd sleep when I'm 30. I'm not much of a sleeper and I always seem busier than I want to seem. But it appears that I was mistaken in that as I'm 30 and not sleeping a ton. December was crazy with the holidays and year-end stuff at work and travel and family time and catching up with friends and all that. And I thought I'd get through that (and enjoy it for the most part) and then have some down time to work on my ginormous to do list and all. Ha! I always forget what the next thing is. And so I get through a busy period and then all of a sudden I have to start another busy period. January is already exhausting me beyond reason. I don't even know why I think I have time to blog right now. BAH! I bet I don't have time to blog well right now.
Work is insane. We have our annual conference starting on the 19th. And Lovey and I have three million things to do with that. It's also a week earlier than usual so we're crunched now more than usual. And the 17th is a holiday so we only have one week day that week BEFORE the conference starts and I don't even want to think of the hours I'll be working next week. Though the overtime pay will be my Vegas money and that's awesome. Woo! Vegas!
I also have houseguests like mad for a week or so. Turnip and two of her dancers are with me for a few days starting last night. And poor Turnip is mad sick. So she's coughing and hacking and sniffling all over my apartment and I feel so bad for her. And my folks are coming for two days on Sunday which will be a blast, but more houseguest time and less sleep. I'm psyched they'll be around for their anniversary so we can have good cheesy fun on Monday. But, exhausting.
And then, there's the insomnia.
I bet I won't even be allowed to sleep when I'm dead. I'll be down in hell with Mom and all those other people we're supposed to save spots for and they won't let me sleep. Yelling at me and poking me with a stick and making me stay awake. Mean, mean people in hell.
Work is insane. We have our annual conference starting on the 19th. And Lovey and I have three million things to do with that. It's also a week earlier than usual so we're crunched now more than usual. And the 17th is a holiday so we only have one week day that week BEFORE the conference starts and I don't even want to think of the hours I'll be working next week. Though the overtime pay will be my Vegas money and that's awesome. Woo! Vegas!
I also have houseguests like mad for a week or so. Turnip and two of her dancers are with me for a few days starting last night. And poor Turnip is mad sick. So she's coughing and hacking and sniffling all over my apartment and I feel so bad for her. And my folks are coming for two days on Sunday which will be a blast, but more houseguest time and less sleep. I'm psyched they'll be around for their anniversary so we can have good cheesy fun on Monday. But, exhausting.
And then, there's the insomnia.
I bet I won't even be allowed to sleep when I'm dead. I'll be down in hell with Mom and all those other people we're supposed to save spots for and they won't let me sleep. Yelling at me and poking me with a stick and making me stay awake. Mean, mean people in hell.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Happy New Year!
I christened my new TiVo yesterday with the Turkish Prison movie. I think they killed Randy Quaid, y'all. Not a cheery movie. But it's going back to Netflix tomorrow and I'll get something a little lighter I think. Anyway, the new TiVo is hooked up and I'm in love with it. I'm not certain, but I think I'm can record stuff from VHS to TiVo and then on to DVD. Gotta look into that as I have some home movies I want to copy to DVD and make lots of copies and send out to people in them. Hopefully. Yay TiVo!
I am a dork.
I've started the new year mostly suffering from jet lag and moping about not being in Hawai'i anymore. Luckily I don't actually believe the way you start the new year actully influences how that year goes. Otherwise 2005 is chock full of napping and runny noses and TiVo and cat cuddling and pajamas. Though, actually, aside from the runny nose that might not be a bad year...
Hawai'i was wonderful and I wish I were there now. I always miss it so much when I leave. I gotta move out there at some point. Turnip and I were talking about it. Being roomies and moving back home. And it sounded so awesome. Gotta do that before my parents leave there to retire in Florida or North Carolina or the RV or whatever. Such a great place.
So, my holidays were awesome. As they were in Hawai'i. Some highlights:
Visiting old haunts like Old Spaghetti Factory and Chiang Mai with Turnip. Hanging with the folks doing nothing. Playing Parcheesi with the folks (we played three times and each of us won once - a Christmas Miracle). Having Dad make me coffee and waffles most mornings. Eating on the Lanai. Watching the baby doves get ready to leave the nest. Spending a fabulous afternoon at Bellows beach with my folks - Mom got some shade time and a walk in, Dad got some of the best boogie boarding waves he's ever had and I got to lay in the sand and worship the sun. Mom's birthday dinner at Verbano's (yummy Stuffed Melezane Alla Sorrentina and Fettucine Alfredo). Swimming and sunning at Kahala. Napping on the beach with Turnip after a Circle Island Tour in the rain. Shave ice at Matsumoto's. Watching the PBS Peter, Paul & Mary Christmas Special with Mom (our tradition). Watching Bad(der) Santa and Dodgeball and 13 Going on 30 (hee!) with Dad. Making Nana's cinnamon rolls with Mom on Christmas morning. Opening all of our gifts and stockings and things and Daddy (for the first time ever I think) having more gifts to open than anyone. Heading to Costco and running out for 'a few items' with Dad lots. Sunning on Magic Island with Turnip feeling about fourteen years old again when both of our mothers called within five minutes of each other just to check on us and our plans and all - so cute. Walking Kapiolani Park with the folks. Cooking and eating Christmas Dinner together. Shopping in Waikiki. Spotting the first matching Muumuu and Aloha Shirt. Watching waves crash on the North Shore. It was a good time. I want to go back. Can I go back?
I am a dork.
I've started the new year mostly suffering from jet lag and moping about not being in Hawai'i anymore. Luckily I don't actually believe the way you start the new year actully influences how that year goes. Otherwise 2005 is chock full of napping and runny noses and TiVo and cat cuddling and pajamas. Though, actually, aside from the runny nose that might not be a bad year...
Hawai'i was wonderful and I wish I were there now. I always miss it so much when I leave. I gotta move out there at some point. Turnip and I were talking about it. Being roomies and moving back home. And it sounded so awesome. Gotta do that before my parents leave there to retire in Florida or North Carolina or the RV or whatever. Such a great place.
So, my holidays were awesome. As they were in Hawai'i. Some highlights:
Visiting old haunts like Old Spaghetti Factory and Chiang Mai with Turnip. Hanging with the folks doing nothing. Playing Parcheesi with the folks (we played three times and each of us won once - a Christmas Miracle). Having Dad make me coffee and waffles most mornings. Eating on the Lanai. Watching the baby doves get ready to leave the nest. Spending a fabulous afternoon at Bellows beach with my folks - Mom got some shade time and a walk in, Dad got some of the best boogie boarding waves he's ever had and I got to lay in the sand and worship the sun. Mom's birthday dinner at Verbano's (yummy Stuffed Melezane Alla Sorrentina and Fettucine Alfredo). Swimming and sunning at Kahala. Napping on the beach with Turnip after a Circle Island Tour in the rain. Shave ice at Matsumoto's. Watching the PBS Peter, Paul & Mary Christmas Special with Mom (our tradition). Watching Bad(der) Santa and Dodgeball and 13 Going on 30 (hee!) with Dad. Making Nana's cinnamon rolls with Mom on Christmas morning. Opening all of our gifts and stockings and things and Daddy (for the first time ever I think) having more gifts to open than anyone. Heading to Costco and running out for 'a few items' with Dad lots. Sunning on Magic Island with Turnip feeling about fourteen years old again when both of our mothers called within five minutes of each other just to check on us and our plans and all - so cute. Walking Kapiolani Park with the folks. Cooking and eating Christmas Dinner together. Shopping in Waikiki. Spotting the first matching Muumuu and Aloha Shirt. Watching waves crash on the North Shore. It was a good time. I want to go back. Can I go back?
Monday, December 27, 2004
Exes (probably not for Daddies)
I found out last week that my ex-fiance is getting married. And I keep waiting for it to upset me. I read chick-lit. I know I'm supposed to be upset by this and want to eat chocolate and drink vodka. Or ice cream. Or something. I've been there for friends with exes getting married or whatnot and brought vodka and chocolate. Or chips and tequila. Or whatever. But it's not really bothering me yet.
I mean, I suppose I'm happy he's happy and blah, blah, blah. But mostly, I'm kind of "eh" about the whole thing. Which seems so odd to me.
Daddy, stop reading. Kisses!
I was rather bummed and a little shaken when I learned that the boy I lost my virginity to had married less than a year after we ended. We'd only been together a couple of months. And while I was in love with him, it was a stupid eighteen year old's kind of love. Well, not too stupid as I was smart enough to turn down his suggestion of not going to Wesleyan and staying in Honolulu and marrying him. Which is pretty much what ended us. But I did love him. And I slept with him. And he claimed he wanted to marry me and spend forever with me. And then it turns out he probably just wanted to marry someone. Anyone. It wouldn't've worked out for us anyway. He was a bit of a Mormon. A lapsed one (hence the dating of and the sleeping with me), but a Mormon all the same. We were not meant to be more than a summer fling. But still. Made me sad. When we ended and when I learned he'd promised forever to someone else.
And when I last talked to The Boy he mentioned that he'd dated a couple girls since we'd talked last. And that made me so sad. These were not girls he was still seeing or had gotten serious with. Just a couple girls he'd dated for a while. He and I were not dating, are not dating and really never have dated in any conventional sense. But he's probably the boy I love most in some ways and the idea of him and other girls depressed me. Not that I'm little Miss Celibate and alone or that I felt he couldn't or shouldn't be dating girls. I just didn't like it.
And so, I figured I'd be upset when my ex got engaged to someone else. And I don't. And it makes no sense to me. I loved this man. And still do in some way. I don't seem capable of completely stopping loving someone. Unfortunately. But anyway... I loved this man and at one point wanted to marry him and spend eternity with him and have a million babies with him. We made our families meet and bond. There was a ring. There was discussion of the million babies (well, arguments really as I wanted one and he wanted three and the million thing was never an option). And then there wasn't anything. Which was sad. But it was also the right decision for us. But, now, this man I wanted to marry and do the million baby thing with is now going to marry someone else and do the million baby thing with her and I want to be sad about it, dammit. I mean, what does it say about me that I'm not?
A friend once said, while I and two others were sitting with her, that she was in the presence of three of the most commitment phobic people she'd ever met. I protested that I had been engaged! That was commitment! I could do it! But then she pointed out that I was no longer engaged. And that I had never even set a date. And she was right. I mean, maybe I was never going to get married to him. Maybe I never will marry anyone. And maybe I'm okay with that idea. But, what does that say about how I felt about this guy? Does the fact that I'm not sad mean that all those feelings I had for almost three years were bullshit? That I really am self-absorbed and self-centered and only in love with myself? That I never loved him like I thought I did? That I never really planned on marrying him? That I am an emotionless hag? That I am strange and weird and inhuman? I don't know. It just seems strange. I feel bad that I don't feel bad. How dumb is that? So dumb. Maybe I will feel sad later. When I'm not on vacation. Maybe not. Maybe it's okay.
I'm totally going to stop thinking about this now. And I'm going to be very happy for him. Because he was once a huge part of my life and is a good guy and deserves to be happy and in love and have a million babies. Or three. And I want that for him. And I will be happy for me because my fat ass does not need vodka and chocolate right now. And because I am happy. And maybe that's all that's meant by me not being upset at the news.
I mean, I suppose I'm happy he's happy and blah, blah, blah. But mostly, I'm kind of "eh" about the whole thing. Which seems so odd to me.
Daddy, stop reading. Kisses!
I was rather bummed and a little shaken when I learned that the boy I lost my virginity to had married less than a year after we ended. We'd only been together a couple of months. And while I was in love with him, it was a stupid eighteen year old's kind of love. Well, not too stupid as I was smart enough to turn down his suggestion of not going to Wesleyan and staying in Honolulu and marrying him. Which is pretty much what ended us. But I did love him. And I slept with him. And he claimed he wanted to marry me and spend forever with me. And then it turns out he probably just wanted to marry someone. Anyone. It wouldn't've worked out for us anyway. He was a bit of a Mormon. A lapsed one (hence the dating of and the sleeping with me), but a Mormon all the same. We were not meant to be more than a summer fling. But still. Made me sad. When we ended and when I learned he'd promised forever to someone else.
And when I last talked to The Boy he mentioned that he'd dated a couple girls since we'd talked last. And that made me so sad. These were not girls he was still seeing or had gotten serious with. Just a couple girls he'd dated for a while. He and I were not dating, are not dating and really never have dated in any conventional sense. But he's probably the boy I love most in some ways and the idea of him and other girls depressed me. Not that I'm little Miss Celibate and alone or that I felt he couldn't or shouldn't be dating girls. I just didn't like it.
And so, I figured I'd be upset when my ex got engaged to someone else. And I don't. And it makes no sense to me. I loved this man. And still do in some way. I don't seem capable of completely stopping loving someone. Unfortunately. But anyway... I loved this man and at one point wanted to marry him and spend eternity with him and have a million babies with him. We made our families meet and bond. There was a ring. There was discussion of the million babies (well, arguments really as I wanted one and he wanted three and the million thing was never an option). And then there wasn't anything. Which was sad. But it was also the right decision for us. But, now, this man I wanted to marry and do the million baby thing with is now going to marry someone else and do the million baby thing with her and I want to be sad about it, dammit. I mean, what does it say about me that I'm not?
A friend once said, while I and two others were sitting with her, that she was in the presence of three of the most commitment phobic people she'd ever met. I protested that I had been engaged! That was commitment! I could do it! But then she pointed out that I was no longer engaged. And that I had never even set a date. And she was right. I mean, maybe I was never going to get married to him. Maybe I never will marry anyone. And maybe I'm okay with that idea. But, what does that say about how I felt about this guy? Does the fact that I'm not sad mean that all those feelings I had for almost three years were bullshit? That I really am self-absorbed and self-centered and only in love with myself? That I never loved him like I thought I did? That I never really planned on marrying him? That I am an emotionless hag? That I am strange and weird and inhuman? I don't know. It just seems strange. I feel bad that I don't feel bad. How dumb is that? So dumb. Maybe I will feel sad later. When I'm not on vacation. Maybe not. Maybe it's okay.
I'm totally going to stop thinking about this now. And I'm going to be very happy for him. Because he was once a huge part of my life and is a good guy and deserves to be happy and in love and have a million babies. Or three. And I want that for him. And I will be happy for me because my fat ass does not need vodka and chocolate right now. And because I am happy. And maybe that's all that's meant by me not being upset at the news.
Happy Birthday, Mommy!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, dear Mommy!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, dear Mommy!
Happy Birthday to you!
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Mellow Holidays at Home
Well, most of the excitement seems to have left with Turnip. At this point. Now it's just been much chillin' and errand running with the family. The washing machine went belly up on Tuesday night while I was out causing trouble. Dad thought we wouldn't be able to get another one until after the new year, so I immediately put on my best pouty face. And it worked. Off he went on Wednesday to get a new machine!
Because it is Hawai'i washing machine shopping was a little more complicated than it might be otherwise. Though it's kind of normal out here. Dad bought a used machine for less than half what it cost new and was told it would be here between 4&5 that day. It did not arrive between 4&5 or at any time on that day. While it was not arriving, Dad was doing research. While Consumer Reports rated the machine #2 something or other there were apparently lots of problems with it and a class-action lawsuit regarding the machine. So, on Thursday he called Harry (of Harry's Appliances) to see about getting a different machine, new. Something less fancy. Harry called us back. There was much debate and we ended up going for this other machine. Which was to be delivered at 2PM. And it arrived promptly at 3:30PM. But, we have a brand new washing machine. And I can do all my laundry and pretend I'm home from college or something. I don't know. I don't know why I cared so much about the machine. Maybe just that I packed more gifts than clothes and my jeans were going to stink soon.
I brought a couple Netflix movies with me on this trip and we watched one the other night. The other one is Midnight Express and we haven't brought ourselves to watch it yet. Actually, the family keeps trying to decide when exactly would be a good time to watch a Turkish Prison Movie. The best answer so far has come from Dad. He decided an excellent time would be after the Red Sox have beaten the Yankees in the playoffs and then gone on to win the World Series. Because, you'd need a reminder that life could get worse. Like, you could been in a Turkish Prison. My father is the cutest man alive. Just so you know.
On Christmas night we watched Dodgeball and Bad(er) Santa. Mom skipped out on Dodgeball because she'd seen it before and didn't love it quite as much as Dad did. And it was pretty funny. And only encouraged my celebrity crush on Jason Bateman. Something that had been dying out since Teen Wolf Too and resurfacing with Arrested Development. And while I did like Dodgeball, having to explain to my father just what a Dirty Sanchez is was a bit of an awkward moment. Much like I suspect the moment will be when I explain it to my Mom after she reads this. Though maybe she'll just ask Dad or look it up on the magical internet. Anyway, it was fun. And kind of typical for this family.
Actually, I think it was Christmas Eve and we were all hanging on my folks' bed enjoying the air conditioning while pondering what we should do. And we were trying to think of what typical families do for family time. It was harder than we expected. We finally came up with Parcheesi. Which we have now played twice. I have lost both times. I am ashamed. But it was family time. We've also run lots of errands, been to Costco, done the Christmas thing and gone to the beach. All in all a good holiday in Hawai'i.
Now if only my friends here would call so we could hang. 'Cause I'm running out of time! I have tomorrow (my Mom's Birthday) and Tuesday until 8PM or so.
Dammit. I only have two more days. That sucks. I don't wanna go back to New York and my cold apartment and evil job. BAH!
Because it is Hawai'i washing machine shopping was a little more complicated than it might be otherwise. Though it's kind of normal out here. Dad bought a used machine for less than half what it cost new and was told it would be here between 4&5 that day. It did not arrive between 4&5 or at any time on that day. While it was not arriving, Dad was doing research. While Consumer Reports rated the machine #2 something or other there were apparently lots of problems with it and a class-action lawsuit regarding the machine. So, on Thursday he called Harry (of Harry's Appliances) to see about getting a different machine, new. Something less fancy. Harry called us back. There was much debate and we ended up going for this other machine. Which was to be delivered at 2PM. And it arrived promptly at 3:30PM. But, we have a brand new washing machine. And I can do all my laundry and pretend I'm home from college or something. I don't know. I don't know why I cared so much about the machine. Maybe just that I packed more gifts than clothes and my jeans were going to stink soon.
I brought a couple Netflix movies with me on this trip and we watched one the other night. The other one is Midnight Express and we haven't brought ourselves to watch it yet. Actually, the family keeps trying to decide when exactly would be a good time to watch a Turkish Prison Movie. The best answer so far has come from Dad. He decided an excellent time would be after the Red Sox have beaten the Yankees in the playoffs and then gone on to win the World Series. Because, you'd need a reminder that life could get worse. Like, you could been in a Turkish Prison. My father is the cutest man alive. Just so you know.
On Christmas night we watched Dodgeball and Bad(er) Santa. Mom skipped out on Dodgeball because she'd seen it before and didn't love it quite as much as Dad did. And it was pretty funny. And only encouraged my celebrity crush on Jason Bateman. Something that had been dying out since Teen Wolf Too and resurfacing with Arrested Development. And while I did like Dodgeball, having to explain to my father just what a Dirty Sanchez is was a bit of an awkward moment. Much like I suspect the moment will be when I explain it to my Mom after she reads this. Though maybe she'll just ask Dad or look it up on the magical internet. Anyway, it was fun. And kind of typical for this family.
Actually, I think it was Christmas Eve and we were all hanging on my folks' bed enjoying the air conditioning while pondering what we should do. And we were trying to think of what typical families do for family time. It was harder than we expected. We finally came up with Parcheesi. Which we have now played twice. I have lost both times. I am ashamed. But it was family time. We've also run lots of errands, been to Costco, done the Christmas thing and gone to the beach. All in all a good holiday in Hawai'i.
Now if only my friends here would call so we could hang. 'Cause I'm running out of time! I have tomorrow (my Mom's Birthday) and Tuesday until 8PM or so.
Dammit. I only have two more days. That sucks. I don't wanna go back to New York and my cold apartment and evil job. BAH!
Raining in Paradise
I find it very hard to blog on vacation. I have three entries marinating in my Edit Posts section that I've written in my mind and only made notes on while actually at a computer.
I don't know what it is. I feel like I have lots of free time on vacation, but I can't think of any time I've just been sitting on my ass thinking, 'what on earth can I do now'. But then, I don't feel like I've done three million things. I think I just move at a slower pace here. Or on vacation. Or something. Hawai'i can do that to you. Make you move slower. That hang loose aloha way or something.
Actually, it drives my New York state of mind self batty now. No where more than Longs. It's a drug store. Kind of like Duane Reade in New York. Rite Aid. CVS. Eckerd. That kind of place. Except in Hawai'i you can get three million kinds of mac nuts, fresh mochi, senbei, slippas, Mahalo notecards and Men of Hawai'i calendars. A lovely place. I go at least five times per visit home. I went tonight. With my Dad. And even when it's not crowded you get little traffic jams with people standing around staring at a pack of noodles for five minutes with seven relatives and/or friends hovered around them. Or people with giant shopping carts (it is a drug store, just like Duane Reade, not a grocery store or a giant department store, but they have grocery carts) blocking the tiny aisles. And everyone is just plugging along, waiting patiently for space to clear. And I just want to yell, "GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY!!!" because patience is a virtue and I am far from virtuous. Though, I guess I never have yelled that at a nice old man using his body and his cart to block two aisles while deciding between beef jerky flavors. I've only done that in my mind. While throttling him. In my mind.
Anyway, I don't remember that bothering me when I lived here. Or even when I'd come back from University breaks. It's only been the last few years that I've stood in line at the check-out counter wanting to quickly explain to the cashier that no one gives a rat's ass as to how much she likes whatever soury/sweet goodness she's bagging for the woman ahead of me and can she just shut up and take her money and get going already! Um, sorry. I'm a bad person and have no Aloha Spirit. Or Southern Charm. Or whatever I used to have that made me swear less in my mind. I don't know. This isn't even what I think I set out to write.
Vacation hurts my brain. Either that or the painful game of Book Lovers Trivial Pursuit my family just failed to finish. We used to think we were a bright family. Until now. Though Dad claims the box says "for book worms" and we are just book readers. My dad is cute. But I actually knew lots of things, just none of the questions they read to me. They even had questions on the fairy porn author as well as one on a transgendered author I read about just this afternoon in Bitch. I kept getting all the dyke author questions right. Think my parents my now be starting to suspect...?
Ooooh, I think the rain might be easing. Wonder if we can see the moon now...
Oh, y'all should email Mom tomorrow if you get a chance. She's turning older tomorrow.
Happy Birthday (early) Mommy!
I don't know what it is. I feel like I have lots of free time on vacation, but I can't think of any time I've just been sitting on my ass thinking, 'what on earth can I do now'. But then, I don't feel like I've done three million things. I think I just move at a slower pace here. Or on vacation. Or something. Hawai'i can do that to you. Make you move slower. That hang loose aloha way or something.
Actually, it drives my New York state of mind self batty now. No where more than Longs. It's a drug store. Kind of like Duane Reade in New York. Rite Aid. CVS. Eckerd. That kind of place. Except in Hawai'i you can get three million kinds of mac nuts, fresh mochi, senbei, slippas, Mahalo notecards and Men of Hawai'i calendars. A lovely place. I go at least five times per visit home. I went tonight. With my Dad. And even when it's not crowded you get little traffic jams with people standing around staring at a pack of noodles for five minutes with seven relatives and/or friends hovered around them. Or people with giant shopping carts (it is a drug store, just like Duane Reade, not a grocery store or a giant department store, but they have grocery carts) blocking the tiny aisles. And everyone is just plugging along, waiting patiently for space to clear. And I just want to yell, "GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY WAY!!!" because patience is a virtue and I am far from virtuous. Though, I guess I never have yelled that at a nice old man using his body and his cart to block two aisles while deciding between beef jerky flavors. I've only done that in my mind. While throttling him. In my mind.
Anyway, I don't remember that bothering me when I lived here. Or even when I'd come back from University breaks. It's only been the last few years that I've stood in line at the check-out counter wanting to quickly explain to the cashier that no one gives a rat's ass as to how much she likes whatever soury/sweet goodness she's bagging for the woman ahead of me and can she just shut up and take her money and get going already! Um, sorry. I'm a bad person and have no Aloha Spirit. Or Southern Charm. Or whatever I used to have that made me swear less in my mind. I don't know. This isn't even what I think I set out to write.
Vacation hurts my brain. Either that or the painful game of Book Lovers Trivial Pursuit my family just failed to finish. We used to think we were a bright family. Until now. Though Dad claims the box says "for book worms" and we are just book readers. My dad is cute. But I actually knew lots of things, just none of the questions they read to me. They even had questions on the fairy porn author as well as one on a transgendered author I read about just this afternoon in Bitch. I kept getting all the dyke author questions right. Think my parents my now be starting to suspect...?
Ooooh, I think the rain might be easing. Wonder if we can see the moon now...
Oh, y'all should email Mom tomorrow if you get a chance. She's turning older tomorrow.
Happy Birthday (early) Mommy!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Busy Holiday Fun Time
Wow are the holidays busy. But mostly in a really fun way. I haven't cried over them at all so far. Woo. Though I did almost sob with joy and love on Saturday. Which is different than tears of frustration.
Thursday was lovely with Vader coming over. She wraps most of my Christmas Gifts each year for which I am eternally grateful. And all I give her is dinner and TV and company and cookies. I feel I get the better deal. Because she also now watches my telenovella with me and translates. And listens to me swoon over the boy I think is cute on the show. God help me. And her.
But, it was great hanging with her before the holidays AND getting all my gifts wrapped.
That day at work was a mixed bag though. Comp day. And one guy in our group who is just a mess got promoted. No one, except probably the 2-3 guys involved in promoting him, can understand WHY he was promoted. Over other people. It makes no sense. That combined with lackluster bonuses for most folks made things a little less happy. But our group did our Secret Santa Holiday party so there was sugar and egg nog and gift giving. Always a plus. I got a Barnes & Noble gift card which is nice, but I think sillier gifts are sometimes fun for work secret santas. That may just be me though.
Friday was a mess. But I expected it to be a mess. I was at work from 8:20AM until 11:30PM working on our Friday report. And I barely had time to pee. Comp day the previous day upset one of our team so much she refused to do much work. Which was sad as it punished me and Lovey more than anyone actually responsible for the dork's promotion and this girl's lack of good bonus. But, Lovey helped out a ton on the year-end report and saved my butt. So I adore her completely this holiday season. She and I also exchanged gifts and both loved what the other got us so yay! And I got to watch Alien at the office and eat dinner and take a car home on the firm's dime. But, that was about it for Friday.
Saturday I was up about 7:30AM so I could finish packing up all the boxes of Christmas presents. Went off to drop off my laundry and then off to the UPS Store to pick up my mail and send out 11 boxes. Luckily I timed it right (though not perfectly) and wasn't there too long. The longest part of my time there was getting all 11 boxes mailed rather than waiting in line. The people behind me hated me though. Whatever. Holidays!
Then off to meet Buzz at Galaxy in Chelsea for brunch. And then to see Kinsey. Which I loved. I thought it was well done and interesting and fun. I kept giggling the whole way through. Which I haven't done in a movie in a while. I also got excited Every Time they mentioned IU or Bloomington because I come from a long line of Hoosiers. And a fun Amanda fact: Mom told me this weekend that my grandparents actually participated in Kinsey's study. How awesome is that? My grandparents' naughty bits influenced the survey in some tiny way. Rock on Nana and Grandpa John. Mom said that Nana claimed to have giggled a lot in her interviews. I just think that's darling. But I loved that the movie and had a great time catching up with B.
Then home for errands and the like.
That night I went over to Muffy and Steph's to meet them and Charlotte and PimpDaddy for holiday drinks and dinner and gift exchanging. I brought my big pile o' gifts and wanted to give them out but Muffy made me wait. Everyone opened all of there stuff and there was cheering and an Ed's Shirt photo op and then Muffy gave me a giant box.
Y'all, my friends (and Mom) got together and got me TiVo. I have no words. It's even the fancy schmancy TiVo/DVD recorder. How cool is that? Seriously. I almost cried. And not just because it was TiVo and I love TiVo. I was just amazed that so many of my friends got together and were so generous and thoughtful like that. I mean, my friends are ALL awesome and that's not surprising. But I get all into birthdays and Christmas more than most and my friends kinda just humor me and enjoy the ride and all. But this was all sweet and Christmasy and required organization and too much money and all that. And it was lovely. And I adore them all. THANK YOU.
And for those who want photos of me petting and hugging the TiVo, I think Muffy has a few. I even made PimpDaddy (sitting next to me) pet the TiVo. Sadly, I did not find the time to set it up that night. But I'm thinking I'll do it on the 30th. Come home and spend all of the 29th clearing the current TiVo and then going mad setting up new TiVo. :) Yay!
Anyway, after that we drank lots of wine and finally got up the courage to try Sam's on Court Street for dinner. It's always looked a little interesting to us. Kind of like there might be certain connections with the restaurant, if you know what I mean and I think you do. But it was fun and I had tasty baked ziti and lots more wine. Woo. Then more wine and then home with my new boyfriend TiVo (with a convenient handle).
That night I stayed up all night cleaning the catbox, washing all my dishes, tidying, packing, setting old TiVo, clearing out email that had to be dealt with, finishing last minute Christmas chores and getting all ready for a week and some change in Hawai'i. I headed to bed about 8AM on Sunday. And then up at 10AM to get ready for my car at 11AM.
The flight was fine. Watched Elf and didn't like it as much as I thought I would. But it killed some time. Got all my veggie meals though the dinner had lots of melted ice on it and was soggy in parts. Awesome, yes? Bah. And I slept about four hours. Even got some Christmas Cards done. Quite a productive 11 hour flight.
Got in a little early and grabbed my folks and my luggage, and got a pretty green holiday lei. Then home for some giggling and hugging and an early bedtime.
Monday I got up early and got to work on my Christmas Cards. I also persuaded my Daddy to make me coffee and waffles and had a nice breakfast with him. Then I got a bunch of cards done before Turnip came to pick me up. We're both here for nine days, but sadly only two of those days overlapped. So, she kinda got dibs on me for Monday and Tuesday. I don't think Mom was happy, but she dealt with it.
Turnip and I went to meet Zig and a couple of their friends for lunch at Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch and Crab. It was fun seeing Zig again after about 10 years. But mostly Turnip and co caught up. Which was fun to see.
Then off for some late afternoon beach time at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach park. So nice to lay in the sun and giggle. Mom called me at one point to see what was up and all. And about five minutes after I hung up, Turnip's mom called her to see what was up. We laughed at that. And felt a little younger than 28 and 30.
Then home to shower and change and chat with the 'rents. Mom made veggie sausage balls for me again this year so we had those and some artichoke things, read Pumpkin's Christmas letter, talked for a few and then headed out to dinner.
We hadn't been to Old Spaghetti Factory in a million years and it was a common dinner spot for us in high school. The wait was long and for the first time ever we waited in the bar with drinks!!!! Very exciting. I really am 30. I KNOW it doesn't sound like it most of the time, but I am. I've been an adult for ages. Really! Anyway, chilled in the bar upstairs. Where I had actually never been before. We finally got our tables and got the standard spaghetti with mizithra cheese, garlic cheese bread and Italian Sodas. Good times. Though, we forgot to take our Italian Soda glasses with us when we left. Alas.
Then it was off to Waikiki for some fun shopping. David & Goliath and Lush BOTH have stores down there. And D&G only has like two locations anywhere. And Turnip doesn't have a Lush near her so we had to go. Got a couple fun things for us and for others and then headed down to Duke's to see a friend of Turnip's that she's been catching up with a lot lately. We grabbed him and then decided to harass Pumpkin's brother who also works there. I did NOT want to do this. Just so y'all (especially Pumpkin) know. He did not recognize us (of course!) and then did not seem happy to see us. So we left. And Turnip took my tired butt home so I could sleep.
Tuesday I was up doing cards again. Also more waffles and coffee with Daddy. Sadly this has not become a routine. Turnip came for me around 11 and we set off on a Circle Island Tour of O'ahu. It was cloudy most of the day and raining hard for a good portion. Which was sad. We got some cool overcast beach photos of Kaneohe Bay though. And had lunch at the Crouching Lion Inn complete with Guava juice and Macadamia Nut Cream Pie. Yum. And then another photo op for the waves at Shark's Cove. Very cool crashing on the rocks.
Turnip hadn't gotten much sleep the night before so in the afternoon we parked it on the beach by Kaena Point so she could nap and I could look at all the planes flying in and out of Dillingham Airfield. Plus huge wave watching. And watching the strange man peeing in the bushes down the way. Strange, attractive man... Then off to her place to shower and make pretty.
We had dinner at Chiang Mai because I love that place and apparently, TURNIP HAS NEVER BEEN!!! Went there a lot in high school and college as well. Good Thai food. Too much Thai food. Then off to Murphy's for drinks with some other friends from high school like jello girl and Goober. It was fun catching up and telling stories and all that. The high school folks left fairly early and Turnip's friend showed up right then. So back into the bar for two hours of shop talk. I almost took a nap at one point. They seemed really into the conversation so I tried very hard to not be an asshole but wow was I bored. She finally looked at her phone and saw the time and wrapped up that conversation pronto.
Then off to Eggs 'n Things in Waikiki. It's kind of like a Denny's or IHOP but ONLY serving breakfast food. And more often than not you'll see a long line to get in. It's a strange phenomenon to me. But there was no line and it was 12:30 and we had been drinking and eggs and pancakes sounded AWESOME. And they were. Plus it's just a fun kinda local place. After that we said goodbye to Turnip's friend down the block and headed home.
Wednesday was mellower. My folks humored me as I spent all morning finishing my Christmas Cards. And now, they are DONE!!!! Then we watched the previous night's episode of Amazing Race. Dad had a hard time with my pure non-spoiler policy of the show (do not even speak to me of a single detail that I have not yet seen or feel the wrath) and left early on. But Mom and I screeched our way through the whole thing and loved it. Such a good show.
Then some hanging. My family spends a LOT of time online. The whole family. But with only two computers I am often the odd woman out (hence this long ass entry now). But they do try to give me some online time. Which is nice. Anyway. We wrapped the day up with dinner in front of the TV watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. An excellent movie. But depressing. We snarked a little through it, but it's so good. And Elizabeth Taylor is so my girlfriend. Too bad she seems a loon these days because she was such a brilliant actress if you ask me.
And that's that for now. Sun is out so maybe I can hit the beach.
Thursday was lovely with Vader coming over. She wraps most of my Christmas Gifts each year for which I am eternally grateful. And all I give her is dinner and TV and company and cookies. I feel I get the better deal. Because she also now watches my telenovella with me and translates. And listens to me swoon over the boy I think is cute on the show. God help me. And her.
But, it was great hanging with her before the holidays AND getting all my gifts wrapped.
That day at work was a mixed bag though. Comp day. And one guy in our group who is just a mess got promoted. No one, except probably the 2-3 guys involved in promoting him, can understand WHY he was promoted. Over other people. It makes no sense. That combined with lackluster bonuses for most folks made things a little less happy. But our group did our Secret Santa Holiday party so there was sugar and egg nog and gift giving. Always a plus. I got a Barnes & Noble gift card which is nice, but I think sillier gifts are sometimes fun for work secret santas. That may just be me though.
Friday was a mess. But I expected it to be a mess. I was at work from 8:20AM until 11:30PM working on our Friday report. And I barely had time to pee. Comp day the previous day upset one of our team so much she refused to do much work. Which was sad as it punished me and Lovey more than anyone actually responsible for the dork's promotion and this girl's lack of good bonus. But, Lovey helped out a ton on the year-end report and saved my butt. So I adore her completely this holiday season. She and I also exchanged gifts and both loved what the other got us so yay! And I got to watch Alien at the office and eat dinner and take a car home on the firm's dime. But, that was about it for Friday.
Saturday I was up about 7:30AM so I could finish packing up all the boxes of Christmas presents. Went off to drop off my laundry and then off to the UPS Store to pick up my mail and send out 11 boxes. Luckily I timed it right (though not perfectly) and wasn't there too long. The longest part of my time there was getting all 11 boxes mailed rather than waiting in line. The people behind me hated me though. Whatever. Holidays!
Then off to meet Buzz at Galaxy in Chelsea for brunch. And then to see Kinsey. Which I loved. I thought it was well done and interesting and fun. I kept giggling the whole way through. Which I haven't done in a movie in a while. I also got excited Every Time they mentioned IU or Bloomington because I come from a long line of Hoosiers. And a fun Amanda fact: Mom told me this weekend that my grandparents actually participated in Kinsey's study. How awesome is that? My grandparents' naughty bits influenced the survey in some tiny way. Rock on Nana and Grandpa John. Mom said that Nana claimed to have giggled a lot in her interviews. I just think that's darling. But I loved that the movie and had a great time catching up with B.
Then home for errands and the like.
That night I went over to Muffy and Steph's to meet them and Charlotte and PimpDaddy for holiday drinks and dinner and gift exchanging. I brought my big pile o' gifts and wanted to give them out but Muffy made me wait. Everyone opened all of there stuff and there was cheering and an Ed's Shirt photo op and then Muffy gave me a giant box.
Y'all, my friends (and Mom) got together and got me TiVo. I have no words. It's even the fancy schmancy TiVo/DVD recorder. How cool is that? Seriously. I almost cried. And not just because it was TiVo and I love TiVo. I was just amazed that so many of my friends got together and were so generous and thoughtful like that. I mean, my friends are ALL awesome and that's not surprising. But I get all into birthdays and Christmas more than most and my friends kinda just humor me and enjoy the ride and all. But this was all sweet and Christmasy and required organization and too much money and all that. And it was lovely. And I adore them all. THANK YOU.
And for those who want photos of me petting and hugging the TiVo, I think Muffy has a few. I even made PimpDaddy (sitting next to me) pet the TiVo. Sadly, I did not find the time to set it up that night. But I'm thinking I'll do it on the 30th. Come home and spend all of the 29th clearing the current TiVo and then going mad setting up new TiVo. :) Yay!
Anyway, after that we drank lots of wine and finally got up the courage to try Sam's on Court Street for dinner. It's always looked a little interesting to us. Kind of like there might be certain connections with the restaurant, if you know what I mean and I think you do. But it was fun and I had tasty baked ziti and lots more wine. Woo. Then more wine and then home with my new boyfriend TiVo (with a convenient handle).
That night I stayed up all night cleaning the catbox, washing all my dishes, tidying, packing, setting old TiVo, clearing out email that had to be dealt with, finishing last minute Christmas chores and getting all ready for a week and some change in Hawai'i. I headed to bed about 8AM on Sunday. And then up at 10AM to get ready for my car at 11AM.
The flight was fine. Watched Elf and didn't like it as much as I thought I would. But it killed some time. Got all my veggie meals though the dinner had lots of melted ice on it and was soggy in parts. Awesome, yes? Bah. And I slept about four hours. Even got some Christmas Cards done. Quite a productive 11 hour flight.
Got in a little early and grabbed my folks and my luggage, and got a pretty green holiday lei. Then home for some giggling and hugging and an early bedtime.
Monday I got up early and got to work on my Christmas Cards. I also persuaded my Daddy to make me coffee and waffles and had a nice breakfast with him. Then I got a bunch of cards done before Turnip came to pick me up. We're both here for nine days, but sadly only two of those days overlapped. So, she kinda got dibs on me for Monday and Tuesday. I don't think Mom was happy, but she dealt with it.
Turnip and I went to meet Zig and a couple of their friends for lunch at Sam Choy's Breakfast, Lunch and Crab. It was fun seeing Zig again after about 10 years. But mostly Turnip and co caught up. Which was fun to see.
Then off for some late afternoon beach time at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach park. So nice to lay in the sun and giggle. Mom called me at one point to see what was up and all. And about five minutes after I hung up, Turnip's mom called her to see what was up. We laughed at that. And felt a little younger than 28 and 30.
Then home to shower and change and chat with the 'rents. Mom made veggie sausage balls for me again this year so we had those and some artichoke things, read Pumpkin's Christmas letter, talked for a few and then headed out to dinner.
We hadn't been to Old Spaghetti Factory in a million years and it was a common dinner spot for us in high school. The wait was long and for the first time ever we waited in the bar with drinks!!!! Very exciting. I really am 30. I KNOW it doesn't sound like it most of the time, but I am. I've been an adult for ages. Really! Anyway, chilled in the bar upstairs. Where I had actually never been before. We finally got our tables and got the standard spaghetti with mizithra cheese, garlic cheese bread and Italian Sodas. Good times. Though, we forgot to take our Italian Soda glasses with us when we left. Alas.
Then it was off to Waikiki for some fun shopping. David & Goliath and Lush BOTH have stores down there. And D&G only has like two locations anywhere. And Turnip doesn't have a Lush near her so we had to go. Got a couple fun things for us and for others and then headed down to Duke's to see a friend of Turnip's that she's been catching up with a lot lately. We grabbed him and then decided to harass Pumpkin's brother who also works there. I did NOT want to do this. Just so y'all (especially Pumpkin) know. He did not recognize us (of course!) and then did not seem happy to see us. So we left. And Turnip took my tired butt home so I could sleep.
Tuesday I was up doing cards again. Also more waffles and coffee with Daddy. Sadly this has not become a routine. Turnip came for me around 11 and we set off on a Circle Island Tour of O'ahu. It was cloudy most of the day and raining hard for a good portion. Which was sad. We got some cool overcast beach photos of Kaneohe Bay though. And had lunch at the Crouching Lion Inn complete with Guava juice and Macadamia Nut Cream Pie. Yum. And then another photo op for the waves at Shark's Cove. Very cool crashing on the rocks.
Turnip hadn't gotten much sleep the night before so in the afternoon we parked it on the beach by Kaena Point so she could nap and I could look at all the planes flying in and out of Dillingham Airfield. Plus huge wave watching. And watching the strange man peeing in the bushes down the way. Strange, attractive man... Then off to her place to shower and make pretty.
We had dinner at Chiang Mai because I love that place and apparently, TURNIP HAS NEVER BEEN!!! Went there a lot in high school and college as well. Good Thai food. Too much Thai food. Then off to Murphy's for drinks with some other friends from high school like jello girl and Goober. It was fun catching up and telling stories and all that. The high school folks left fairly early and Turnip's friend showed up right then. So back into the bar for two hours of shop talk. I almost took a nap at one point. They seemed really into the conversation so I tried very hard to not be an asshole but wow was I bored. She finally looked at her phone and saw the time and wrapped up that conversation pronto.
Then off to Eggs 'n Things in Waikiki. It's kind of like a Denny's or IHOP but ONLY serving breakfast food. And more often than not you'll see a long line to get in. It's a strange phenomenon to me. But there was no line and it was 12:30 and we had been drinking and eggs and pancakes sounded AWESOME. And they were. Plus it's just a fun kinda local place. After that we said goodbye to Turnip's friend down the block and headed home.
Wednesday was mellower. My folks humored me as I spent all morning finishing my Christmas Cards. And now, they are DONE!!!! Then we watched the previous night's episode of Amazing Race. Dad had a hard time with my pure non-spoiler policy of the show (do not even speak to me of a single detail that I have not yet seen or feel the wrath) and left early on. But Mom and I screeched our way through the whole thing and loved it. Such a good show.
Then some hanging. My family spends a LOT of time online. The whole family. But with only two computers I am often the odd woman out (hence this long ass entry now). But they do try to give me some online time. Which is nice. Anyway. We wrapped the day up with dinner in front of the TV watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. An excellent movie. But depressing. We snarked a little through it, but it's so good. And Elizabeth Taylor is so my girlfriend. Too bad she seems a loon these days because she was such a brilliant actress if you ask me.
And that's that for now. Sun is out so maybe I can hit the beach.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Busy, busy, busy
Hee.
I am a bad blogger. But, it's the holidays and the end of the year wrap-up at work and the time when all my friends are around and in town and having parties and so on and so forth. Life is good and great and wonderful. And far less stressful now that I'm prioritizing properly. But it doesn't leave as much time to babble endlessly about myself. It's the season of giving and love and whatnot, not narcissism. Right? So, forgive me. Once I get to Hawai'i I can annoy all y'all endlessly with tales of the beach. And the napping. And the awesome veggie sausage ball making skills of my madre. Good times.
But until then I have Muffy making me shop for 8+ hours to the point where my lower body still hurts. I have Vader keeping me company and wrapping my gifts while translating my new obsession for me (the Spanish Language Soap Opera). I have lots of new graduates from Wesleyan/Alpha Delta Phi visiting and asking for career advice (which I suck at since I can't even find me a job I like). I have Christmas Cards I can't seem to send out and cookies and bourbon balls and fudge that co-workers are inhaling (Muffy & Steph - I still have some for you). I have lots of brunches and fun things. Boxes to mail. Apartments to clean. Bills to pay. Trips to pack for. TiVo (temperamental old TiVo) to set. And so on and so forth. But it's all fun. And listing things out isn't even upsetting me. Hee. Too much Britney Spears Christmas Music rotting my brain I guess.
Anyway. More later. But sporadic more.
Woo.
I am a bad blogger. But, it's the holidays and the end of the year wrap-up at work and the time when all my friends are around and in town and having parties and so on and so forth. Life is good and great and wonderful. And far less stressful now that I'm prioritizing properly. But it doesn't leave as much time to babble endlessly about myself. It's the season of giving and love and whatnot, not narcissism. Right? So, forgive me. Once I get to Hawai'i I can annoy all y'all endlessly with tales of the beach. And the napping. And the awesome veggie sausage ball making skills of my madre. Good times.
But until then I have Muffy making me shop for 8+ hours to the point where my lower body still hurts. I have Vader keeping me company and wrapping my gifts while translating my new obsession for me (the Spanish Language Soap Opera). I have lots of new graduates from Wesleyan/Alpha Delta Phi visiting and asking for career advice (which I suck at since I can't even find me a job I like). I have Christmas Cards I can't seem to send out and cookies and bourbon balls and fudge that co-workers are inhaling (Muffy & Steph - I still have some for you). I have lots of brunches and fun things. Boxes to mail. Apartments to clean. Bills to pay. Trips to pack for. TiVo (temperamental old TiVo) to set. And so on and so forth. But it's all fun. And listing things out isn't even upsetting me. Hee. Too much Britney Spears Christmas Music rotting my brain I guess.
Anyway. More later. But sporadic more.
Woo.
Thursday, December 09, 2004
So tired
Last night was just weird. So many strange people at my company. I had to drink a lot to survive. And it still wasn't enough.
I think the highlight was when my boss and our big group leader decided to sit next to me to eat their dinner. Horrifying. We made awful small talk. And then... Rock Star Fran and I were sharing a few plates of food for dinner. At one point my boss leaned over and started eating our pasta with vodka sauce. And he finished it right up. Fran and I just looked on in awe. Finally they left and I ran for another drink.
It was not a stellar party. The Trammps played for some reason. And while I do like Disco Inferno there was just too much damn disco played last night. Though Fran and another temp at work, Ace, did make me dance. At one point Ace and I were the ONLY ONES on the dance floor dancing to Copacabana (because the party was AT the Copa). And there was some interesting conversation. But mostly my coworkers scare me. Especially the drunk ones I have to get in a car and get home who then don't come to work the following day due to their hangover... I think going to the party every other year is a good call. Though maybe I won't be here next year.
I did make friends with the other guy in our car and the driver was nice as well. One from Ghana and one from Egypt. Very chatty. I apparently give off a very friendly car vibe. Go figure.
I think the highlight was when my boss and our big group leader decided to sit next to me to eat their dinner. Horrifying. We made awful small talk. And then... Rock Star Fran and I were sharing a few plates of food for dinner. At one point my boss leaned over and started eating our pasta with vodka sauce. And he finished it right up. Fran and I just looked on in awe. Finally they left and I ran for another drink.
It was not a stellar party. The Trammps played for some reason. And while I do like Disco Inferno there was just too much damn disco played last night. Though Fran and another temp at work, Ace, did make me dance. At one point Ace and I were the ONLY ONES on the dance floor dancing to Copacabana (because the party was AT the Copa). And there was some interesting conversation. But mostly my coworkers scare me. Especially the drunk ones I have to get in a car and get home who then don't come to work the following day due to their hangover... I think going to the party every other year is a good call. Though maybe I won't be here next year.
I did make friends with the other guy in our car and the driver was nice as well. One from Ghana and one from Egypt. Very chatty. I apparently give off a very friendly car vibe. Go figure.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
I'm an ancient crone.
So... a friend of mine and I were chatting on the phone last night. And he managed to make me feel like an old lady. Talking about 'older women' (basically women in their 30s and possibly even, gasp!, older). How they all have their biological clocks ticking and they all want to get married. How you have to be leery of dating them because there's no time to date them and relax because they're just hungry for a husband and babies. Apparently he feels I'm different because I'm all take it or leave it about marriage. "You're just eh about marriage. 'Maybe I'll get married, maybe I won't. It's not going to happen soon...'". But I'm still in the same age group as these older women. And I'm not like other women (me being 'not like other girls' is a rant for another day.)
Also, older women (us 30something gals again) can sometimes relax when they find out they can sleep with younger guys and feel all bad ass about themselves.
"So, you're saying that us older gals find validation in sleeping with younger guys?"
"Yeah."
"Putz!"
In my head: "Heaven forbid we do it because younger guys are a lot better in bed than your sorry ass. No, no, no. We do it because we're old and haggard and have to find validation in boys and men and marriage and breeding."
(Daddy, this is all hypothetical as I have no idea how boys of any age are in bed. This is all just based on what I've heard and my righteous feminist ire.)
I don't know. It just annoyed me. Even though he kept insisting I was different and all, it made me angry I don't like this idea of women needing to mate and breed and be reassured of who we are largely by who we can woo into bed and con into marriage. And it also made me feel old. Well, no. I don't feel old. It made me feel that I'm in a group that is now considered old. That there are people out there who think that about me. And it pissed me off.
Putz.
Also, older women (us 30something gals again) can sometimes relax when they find out they can sleep with younger guys and feel all bad ass about themselves.
"So, you're saying that us older gals find validation in sleeping with younger guys?"
"Yeah."
"Putz!"
In my head: "Heaven forbid we do it because younger guys are a lot better in bed than your sorry ass. No, no, no. We do it because we're old and haggard and have to find validation in boys and men and marriage and breeding."
(Daddy, this is all hypothetical as I have no idea how boys of any age are in bed. This is all just based on what I've heard and my righteous feminist ire.)
I don't know. It just annoyed me. Even though he kept insisting I was different and all, it made me angry I don't like this idea of women needing to mate and breed and be reassured of who we are largely by who we can woo into bed and con into marriage. And it also made me feel old. Well, no. I don't feel old. It made me feel that I'm in a group that is now considered old. That there are people out there who think that about me. And it pissed me off.
Putz.
Dancing Economists
So, the department Christmas party is tonight. I work at a big bank. In the Equity Research Department. With the Economics Team. So, I work with the geeks of the geeks of the geeks. It does not get much geekier than my coworkers. And we're not talking like geek chic hipster technology kinda geek that's so popular these days. No. We're talking people who have a hard time interacting with other people and who also have a hard time operating their computers so they don't talk to ANYONE well, in person or electronically. And watching them fake social activity is truly an experience. When I first started with this group we'd have happy hours with the Strategists. And I would have to drink heavily to survive it. Because, while math may get me hot, I ain't got nothin' on the dork/geek of these folks. Tonight will be an experience. I will stand in near the bar with my small posse of friends and make fun of everyone until I've had enough to drink. And then, I will dance. Among the scary geek dancers who make Elaine Benes look good. You wish you were me. You wish you had my rock star life.
I'm bummed though. Sheena, Lovey and I figured we'd get all dolled up for tonight just because. No real reason. We just did. Pumpkin and I even shopped for a cute top for me for tonight. And I kinda hoped everything would pull together nicely. I like things to match; nails to clothes to jewelry to bag to hair things to underwear and so on. And I had a plan. And it did not work. The hair is blah, the make up isn't working, my face is breaking out and I think the toenails clash with the top. And I'm not sure the top works with the pans. At least the top looks cute and does match the jewelry. I just don't look very pretty. And I wanted to look pretty. Ah well. I'll have a camera and there will be an open bar an a Rock Star Fran. I'll make it all work.
I'm bummed though. Sheena, Lovey and I figured we'd get all dolled up for tonight just because. No real reason. We just did. Pumpkin and I even shopped for a cute top for me for tonight. And I kinda hoped everything would pull together nicely. I like things to match; nails to clothes to jewelry to bag to hair things to underwear and so on. And I had a plan. And it did not work. The hair is blah, the make up isn't working, my face is breaking out and I think the toenails clash with the top. And I'm not sure the top works with the pans. At least the top looks cute and does match the jewelry. I just don't look very pretty. And I wanted to look pretty. Ah well. I'll have a camera and there will be an open bar an a Rock Star Fran. I'll make it all work.
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
COOKIES!!!
I just made lots and lots of egg nog cookies. And I have to say, I was so happy making them. In my tank top and shorts with my TWoP Sopranos apron on, the kitchen smelling like lemon and sugar and nutmeg, my computer playing all my favorite Christmas songs, bopping around baking and tormenting my kitties. It was awesome. And the cookies turned out well, if maybe a little dry. Hopefully everyone else will enjoy them. Because my cooking is ALL FOR YOU!!!!
I also got my secret santa gift wrapped and ready to go. Not the gift exchange one but the one where you answer a child's letter to santa. Pumpkin and I had fun shopping for the 11 year old girl I got. I wasn't able to get her everything she asked for (pants, shirt, CD player, lipstick, hair accessories and a diary), but I did get her an adorable pair of jeans, a cute top and a really pretty pink diary. Hopefully she likes it.
I love Christmas.
COOKIES FOR YOU!!!!!!
I need to go to bed now.
I also got my secret santa gift wrapped and ready to go. Not the gift exchange one but the one where you answer a child's letter to santa. Pumpkin and I had fun shopping for the 11 year old girl I got. I wasn't able to get her everything she asked for (pants, shirt, CD player, lipstick, hair accessories and a diary), but I did get her an adorable pair of jeans, a cute top and a really pretty pink diary. Hopefully she likes it.
I love Christmas.
COOKIES FOR YOU!!!!!!
I need to go to bed now.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Shopping
Pumpkin and I just had our annual Christmas Shopping Weekend. It started in college when I'd join her and her aunt in Branford, CT for Thanksgiving weekend. Neither one of us could fly home to Hawai'i just for the long weekend and she didn't want us to be homeless so we'd have a great dinner with her and spend the rest of the weekend shopping and watching movies. A great fall break. And now, I go to Boston to spend the weekend with Pumpkin and do our shopping and such. We hit the Malls. We get out photos taken. It's a good time. We haven't had our photo taken with Santa in a while as the line has always been a mess. But we did get our photo taken in the Limited Too at a photo booth so all was not lost.
Pumpkin and I are awesome shoppers. Most people are frightened by our mad shopping skillz. And the fact that we can shop all day quite happily. We were trying to figure out why this is while trolling the malls on Saturday. It certainly didn't come from my parents. Mom and Dad hate shopping. Dad likes buying things and researching big purchases but he doesn't seem to like shopping so much. And Mom just hates it. Though, I do find that some people who don't like shopping like doing it with me.
Pumpkin and I were thinking that it's partially because we're relaxed about it. We know in our heads who we need to shop for and don't make everything all tense and planned out. We like browsing and seeing what looks good. We have similar taste in a lot of things and also know how to look for things that the other might like even if we don't. We keep in mind when the other person might be bored and we're good about entertaining ourselves while the other is browsing for something we might not care about. We giggle and gossip as much as look and shop and buy. It's just a lot of fun spending hours with a friend roaming around saying, "So Cute!" every five minutes. We hardly notice the crowds and the cranky shoppers, unless they're just begging to be mocked. I find lots of purple things for her and she keeps an eye out for pink and red for me. She tolerates my need to hug TiVo every time we walk into Best Buy. And I try not to make too much fun of her every year when we have to go into Brookstone's so she can lay on the Tempur-Pedic Swedish Sleep System mattress they have out. This year they hid it in the back of the store so we thought it was gone. Until I hear someone calling my name. And I turn around to find her head peeking above a ledge (behind which is the mattress she's laying on) informing me, "I found it!". Heh. So Cute!
Anyway, it was a great weekend. Lots of good shopping and some damage done to my Christmas list. Fun brunch at Johnny D's and Soundbytes. Dinner at a tapas place with great food, good sangria and the Worst Service Ever. Visiting with Pumpkin and Fishboy and lots of pets including the most adorable Border Collie puppy ever as well as cute cats and a teeny, tiny kitten who liked running around more than she liked playing with me. Sadly.
But, it was an awesome weekend and I feel much less stressed than I did on Friday. Though I'm now a bit tired. But it is a Monday morning and all.
Thanks for the great time, Pumpkin!
Pumpkin and I are awesome shoppers. Most people are frightened by our mad shopping skillz. And the fact that we can shop all day quite happily. We were trying to figure out why this is while trolling the malls on Saturday. It certainly didn't come from my parents. Mom and Dad hate shopping. Dad likes buying things and researching big purchases but he doesn't seem to like shopping so much. And Mom just hates it. Though, I do find that some people who don't like shopping like doing it with me.
Pumpkin and I were thinking that it's partially because we're relaxed about it. We know in our heads who we need to shop for and don't make everything all tense and planned out. We like browsing and seeing what looks good. We have similar taste in a lot of things and also know how to look for things that the other might like even if we don't. We keep in mind when the other person might be bored and we're good about entertaining ourselves while the other is browsing for something we might not care about. We giggle and gossip as much as look and shop and buy. It's just a lot of fun spending hours with a friend roaming around saying, "So Cute!" every five minutes. We hardly notice the crowds and the cranky shoppers, unless they're just begging to be mocked. I find lots of purple things for her and she keeps an eye out for pink and red for me. She tolerates my need to hug TiVo every time we walk into Best Buy. And I try not to make too much fun of her every year when we have to go into Brookstone's so she can lay on the Tempur-Pedic Swedish Sleep System mattress they have out. This year they hid it in the back of the store so we thought it was gone. Until I hear someone calling my name. And I turn around to find her head peeking above a ledge (behind which is the mattress she's laying on) informing me, "I found it!". Heh. So Cute!
Anyway, it was a great weekend. Lots of good shopping and some damage done to my Christmas list. Fun brunch at Johnny D's and Soundbytes. Dinner at a tapas place with great food, good sangria and the Worst Service Ever. Visiting with Pumpkin and Fishboy and lots of pets including the most adorable Border Collie puppy ever as well as cute cats and a teeny, tiny kitten who liked running around more than she liked playing with me. Sadly.
But, it was an awesome weekend and I feel much less stressed than I did on Friday. Though I'm now a bit tired. But it is a Monday morning and all.
Thanks for the great time, Pumpkin!
Friday, December 03, 2004
Advice
"Is it tacky to make address labels for xmas cards?"
Absolutely not. It's a great time saver and makes the post office very happy. It's what my mother does. So you know it has to be acceptable.
I personally like handwriting mine because I like writing out each person's name and noting all the different places where I send holiday cards. But that's just a personal quirk of mine.
Absolutely not. It's a great time saver and makes the post office very happy. It's what my mother does. So you know it has to be acceptable.
I personally like handwriting mine because I like writing out each person's name and noting all the different places where I send holiday cards. But that's just a personal quirk of mine.
The Night Muppet Met Matt Damon
Muppet and Mr. Muppet went to Peter Luger's with Brother Muppet this past Monday while Brother Muppet was visiting New York for the holidays. He's from Washington state and was enjoying the utter fabulousness of the New York atmosphere.
While outside and about to go into the restaurant a black escalade pulls up and Matt Damon gets out. Brother Muppet gets excited and points this out to Muppet and Mr. Muppet. They make a note of him and go in. Brother Muppet stays to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Brother Muppet." "Hi, I'm Matt." *handshake* Good times. Then Brother Muppet holds the door open for Matt. And in his excitement to follow Matt in, Brother Muppet steps on the back of Matt's shoe and trips him. Luckily Matt only stumbles and does not actually fall down.
Then, in the restaurant Matt comes up behind Muppet. And she just backs right up into him. Poor Matt. Beaten up by the Muppets. He takes it all in stride and everyone goes off to have dinner in separate rooms. Matt, of course, was seated first.
After a lovely dinner Matt and a companion come in to the room in which the Muppets are dining and talks to someone at another table. The Muppets are done and getting ready to leave and Brother Muppet decides he needs a photo. Matt is very gracious (and possibly inebriated) and poses for the photo. Then, he heads to the rest room. Where Muppet is standing. And walks right by the men's room and heads for the ladies. Muppet very politely points out that he might not want to do that. "Uh, Matt, that's the ladies room." He makes note of that and then asks Muppet if she'd like to join him in the ladies room. She points out that her husband (Mr. Muppet) is right there so she's going to have to say no. And then the Muppets depart. And as wonderful as Mr. Muppet is, we all wish for a moment that Muppet was not married. So we could have an even better ending to this tale. 'Cause come on, who wouldn't do Matt in the ladies room of Peter Luger's if the opportunity just presented itself? Right?
Note: Apparently Mr. Damon is quite good looking and taller than expected in person. In case you're interested in that sort of thing.
While outside and about to go into the restaurant a black escalade pulls up and Matt Damon gets out. Brother Muppet gets excited and points this out to Muppet and Mr. Muppet. They make a note of him and go in. Brother Muppet stays to introduce himself. "Hi, I'm Brother Muppet." "Hi, I'm Matt." *handshake* Good times. Then Brother Muppet holds the door open for Matt. And in his excitement to follow Matt in, Brother Muppet steps on the back of Matt's shoe and trips him. Luckily Matt only stumbles and does not actually fall down.
Then, in the restaurant Matt comes up behind Muppet. And she just backs right up into him. Poor Matt. Beaten up by the Muppets. He takes it all in stride and everyone goes off to have dinner in separate rooms. Matt, of course, was seated first.
After a lovely dinner Matt and a companion come in to the room in which the Muppets are dining and talks to someone at another table. The Muppets are done and getting ready to leave and Brother Muppet decides he needs a photo. Matt is very gracious (and possibly inebriated) and poses for the photo. Then, he heads to the rest room. Where Muppet is standing. And walks right by the men's room and heads for the ladies. Muppet very politely points out that he might not want to do that. "Uh, Matt, that's the ladies room." He makes note of that and then asks Muppet if she'd like to join him in the ladies room. She points out that her husband (Mr. Muppet) is right there so she's going to have to say no. And then the Muppets depart. And as wonderful as Mr. Muppet is, we all wish for a moment that Muppet was not married. So we could have an even better ending to this tale. 'Cause come on, who wouldn't do Matt in the ladies room of Peter Luger's if the opportunity just presented itself? Right?
Note: Apparently Mr. Damon is quite good looking and taller than expected in person. In case you're interested in that sort of thing.
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