untitled, again

2009-08-22T01:48:00.001-05:00

I'm glad I took tomorrow (today?) off.

I'm up late catching up on house stuff. Domestics.

I've been working way too much.
Brain is in a fog for several reasons.

Doing okay, though.

There's just not enough hours in a day.

2009-08-06T15:48:00.002-05:00

The mosquitoes in Memphis are devilishly sneaky and deadly.

I have at least 30 bites on each lower leg.

Looks like I have some sort of nasty pox disease.

And there's the bruising on my ankles from where I scratched so, so hard.

LAME!!

2009-07-26T00:19:00.002-05:00

Hi. It's been a while.

Things have been up and down.
I need to start anew, I think.

Making lists is always good.

I miss yoga. Stupid elbow.

I need to see a person about a process.

Alarm comes in four hours.

2008-03-30T00:11:00.002-05:00

Snotty.

Just got back from s00z's party.
I feel allergic.
Luigi is cleaning la casa.
Might be the dust, but I can't stop sneezing.

Benadryl.
With alcohol.

Did I mention I saw Christy? It was nice.

2008-03-15T23:22:00.001-05:00

My cyborg arm. I wasn't lying.

If you open the flap on the fanny pack, you could see how I was controlled by a keypad.

Yay for droids!

--The Bionic Woman

2008-03-15T23:11:00.003-05:00

Seedlings at Luigi's.

Sunflowers, morning glories, phlox, sweet peas, pansies.

2008-03-08T20:09:00.003-06:00

My boy got his haircut at an African-American barbershop.

You know I'm not making that up.
Also, the barber was so proud of his work that he took pictures for the wall.

That was Tuesday. Kat played witness, as well.

Last Tuesday, I was in the hospital for a kidney infection (and mild septicemia, joy!). Currently, I have a PICC line protruding from my arm, with double-lumen. Oh, all the tubing--the dangling, forever-in-my way tubing. The tubing goes to a pump I wear in a FANNY PACK (which I prefer to wear as a hand bag, or shoulder bag). Also in the fanny pack is a bag of IV fluid.

Lou has been telling everyone it holds X amount of mp3's and videos. I've nicknamed it my "IVpod".

I wish I had my camera cable with me so I could post pictures.

Kat knitted me some PICC sleeves to keep me from endangering the area.
I've had a lot of help. I have great friends.

I get it taken out Tuesday. I can't wait.

So, as a result of being sick, I had to cancel Costa Rica. Sucks. But that is what trip insurance is for.

I just hooked up Lou's wireless router; I thought I should use it for good instead of evil (Teh Kos).

YAY TUBES

2008-01-05T01:03:00.000-06:00

I was a chef tonight...

Salmon and peppers simmered in Cuban Mojito sauce with black beans and buttered veggies on the side. I rocked.

It's been a quiet night at home, which is a rarity these days.

I pretty much ignored the phone, aside from getting an update about Beth.

The house has been DeChristmastized. Thank-you cards have been written and addressed. Tomorrow I will go to the PO to pick up a certified letter from the county... Don't know what that could be unless I'm in trouble.

YAY! for Obama. I wish I could have made the STL caucus at The Royale last night, but I thought it would be better to work. Besides, from the newsclips, that place looked PACKED (and uncomfortably so).

Vacation for March has been booked.
I feel poor.
I need to get my ass to Bikram again.
Can't do that when I'm POOR.
Christmas money from the 'rents will cover it.
But I told them I was buying something else with that.

We'll see.

2008-01-02T00:14:00.000-06:00

NYE

Had a good time.
Much awkwardness on part of all parties involved at the party.
Wow. Odd things were said, for sure.
Maybe sometime in the future we can start over again.
After all, it *is* a new year.
And I'm a Charlie's Angel with a Social Architect for a pal.

Happy 2008! Good riddance evil 2007!!

2008-01-02T00:06:00.000-06:00

Bottle Ceremony.

Ever wonder what to do with two perfectly good 40s?
Pour them out. At Turtle Park.

It has meaning; trust me. I just wish I had prepared a speech!

Now what to do with the bottlecaps...?

2007-12-31T07:51:00.000-06:00

I did it.

I joined myspace. Kill me now.

2007-12-21T20:09:00.001-06:00

Oh, and I had a Dr. Appt. this week.

--Meds were cut in half.
--Kidney bloodwork came out okay, for the time being.
--Was told to eat MORE salt.
--Was told to drink more water.
--Was ordered to exercise.

My 2008 resolution will probably involve taking better care of myself, among other things.

I am feeling WAY better, BTW.

2007-12-21T20:01:00.000-06:00

Art-O-Mat

When I was in San Antonio, MLFJ read in her guidebook about The Southwest School of Arts and Crafts and that it had a vending machine for art.

Naturally, I made her go with me to check it out.

I'm probably the last person to ever hear of it, but it's a converted cigarette vending machine that instead delivers art with the insertion of a token. I got a ceramic beaver.

Apparently, there's one in the STL area, at COCA.
I have a new mission.

2007-12-14T20:44:00.000-06:00

The Smug Loner List

1. Bob makes good mixed tapes, er, CD's. (The 2006 mix rox my sox).

2. When chatting with Karl, Wikipedia is your best friend.

2.5 Sometimes I cannot think on my own.
2.75 You are not surprised.

3. Fakenog and whiskey is delicious-soh.

4. Christmas shopping is atrociously numbing.

5. Good friends? I have some.

6. Need a New Year's dress. (Van, we need to shop!)

7. Have been feeling crafty since the Rock and Roll Craft Show.

8. I am not crafty.

9. Boys are still dumb.

10. Girls are still crazy.

11. Everybody loves Jill.

12. Meds probably need adjusted.

13. My hair towel thingy that Kat makes fun of is squishing my brain.

14. I fixed the pictures on my last few posts.

15. Tah-dah.

2007-11-28T23:24:00.001-06:00

Recently

My San Antonio pictures are up. There aren't many great pictures, but MLFJ and I had a nice weekend earlier this month. However, I see no reason to ever return to San Antonio. Ever.

Then came the Modest Mouse concert.

Other than that, I had two Thanksgivings. My father sure loves canned cranberry sauce:

I'm doing mediocre. I tell people not to worry, but really, I wish they would.

I had a lot of things to say, earlier. But now, I can't remember. It's late.

Other than that, I had an HIV test last week. That came out well.

Staying positive, that would be one thing I've got going for me right now.

2007-10-22T20:28:00.000-05:00

Nothing special.

Just some camping pictures. Kevan, Julie and I went Camping at Meramec State Park back in October.

2007-10-11T06:48:00.000-05:00

Memphis pics are up, finally.

Sorry so late. This is me being... me.
(Stolen from Beth).
I am still capable of having fun (sometimes).

2007-10-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Not liking 2007.

My grandma died Wednesday.

My brother said he wished he hadn't gone to see her the night before she died so he could remember her happy, smiling face as his last memory of her.

I was one of her caregivers the last few days of her life, which was an honor I wouldn't have traded for anything. I loved Me-Maw.

I've experienced much loss this year.
My heart hurts in more ways than I knew possible.

So, so tired of crying.

2007-07-01T23:02:00.000-05:00

Unaccepting

thank you for giving me semi-closure. it'll be a long time before i get over this. i can't believe it seemed so easy for you--like we had nothing. but i honestly can't remember you ever going out of your way to make me happy, either. i spoiled you, maybe.

i hope you stay in touch, somewhat. even though you aren't so good at expressing yourself. for all i know, green is red to you. so lost.

and i do know where you're coming from. thanks for letting me know you weren't happy anymore so i'm not stuck with someone who doesn't want to be with me.

i really don't want to date again. ever. my standards have always been so high... it makes it really hard. you've seen the guys in STL--not exactly good enough for me.

you see, what i really needed to hear was, "melissa, you are amazing, and i'm a fool for hurting you, but you'll be okay. i promise."

i didn't get anything close to that.

may you accidentally drink many wheat beers and may your personal hell involve sleeping with your legs touching.

cheers

2007-06-14T23:38:00.000-05:00

Peru Pictures on Flickr

They're all up. There were a few days I didn't take any pics... Like the day I was holed up in our hotel room, violently ill (VIOLENTLY!) with salmonella AND giardia (because having food poisoning wasn't enough, I guess). And I didn't take any pictures the last two days in Lima, as I was Perued out. Lima is not that interesting, anyway.

I will write about my experiences later, when appropriate.

Things are going okay. I had exploratory surgery in early May so the docs could see what was causing my kidney problem. Turns out the whole system developed strangely after my last surgery. But they don't want to do anything now and I've been given an okay to do whatever--whatever that is.

So I started running again, and that is making my back hurt. I thought it had healed enough. I guess not.

I'm falling apart.

But life is swell.

I've been dog shopping. The one I had my eye on was gone when I stopped at the humane society today. I'm sure she went to a good home!

My patio garden will soon be providing me with cucumbers and tomatoes. I already ate all the lettuce.

And I have flowers.
And herbs.
And chairs.

It's a nice place to sit.

I also joined the library. It was rather expensive to do because I live out of the district (seriously, I'm in the middle of nowhere) but I have vowed to make it worth the money spent. So far, I've taken home five movies and started on a book.

I like the library.

Today I played with a fire truck for eight hours and actually enjoyed myself. Training classes usually suck. I guess it makes a difference when all the know-it-alls are not there.

Need to finish laundry.

TTFN

2007-04-28T14:29:00.000-05:00

I'm late at posting, but Peru was simply wonderful; hopefully I'll have a full summary up soon. Trey and I are still trying to sort out the details of what happened where and when. We are not-so-good journal keepers.

This photo was taken at Chakiqocha, the 3rd morning of the trail before we set out for the third and final pass.

Enjoy!

2007-04-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

Update

Waiting for hair to dry a bit so I can go to bed.
Tired.

That is all.

2007-03-30T06:30:00.000-05:00

No new taxes.

I've already had to file an amendment to my 2006 taxes.

Never live in Missouri and work in Illinois and then move to Illinois. The tax people, eh, they don't like it when you ah do dat.

I need a drink.

2007-03-28T01:36:00.000-05:00

The Little Kidney That Could

I have surgery scheduled for April 5th, which after reading more about the procedure tonight, I will promptly reschedule for early May first thing tomorrow.

YUCK.

You see, when I scheduled the procedure Friday, the doctor conveniently happened to be out of town, making himself unavailable to patients like me who ask him questions about... possible infections? repercussions? restrictions? Can I hike in the Andes a week after having this done?

Probably, but I'd likely be in pain and peeing blood.

Naturally, the doctor will not be back in town until Thursday.

So, NONONONONONONO surgery, yet. Because I don't feel like waiting that long for him to tell me that I should probably reschedule. Duh.

Dr. Trey will say, "I told you so." Sobeit.
---------------------------------
Other than that, I've turned into a crotchety old woman.
---------------------------------
I can't even enjoy Blockbuster.

Last Sunday I went into Blockbuster to get a movie, and aside from a young couple (think 19ish), I was the only customer.

The couple was awfully handsy and touchy-feely with one another and completely aloof to what was happening in the store. I made my rounds past the new release outer-wall circle and walked past them to the end of the outer-wall loop, where I stood looking at movies that began with "S". They followed me. They also began to look at movies that began with "S". I remember the "S" because the shit-for-brains boyfriend, after his girlfriend walked off, grabbed "Saw III" and held it up in front of him and proclaimed to himself it was "insane".

Well, I'm minding my own business, thinking "Wow, this dude is so in his own little world" and the next thing I know he has his hand around the back of my neck and he is pulling me in for a hug.

Sometimes I welcome hugs from strangers.
Usually, I don't.

He was not paying attention. He thought I was his girlfriend.

And he was loads more embarrassed than I was because he grabbed a crotchety old woman.

I *bet* you're sorry, pube! Scurry off in embarrassment! That's right!
---------------------------------
Don't touch me.
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Oh, and I rented Crank, which is SO a boy's movie.
I still love me some Jason Statham, but I don't think I could sit through that one again.

2007-03-18T12:07:00.000-05:00

Oh, there be a dancing leprechaun in my tummy this morn.

2007-03-08T00:47:00.000-06:00

The internet pisses me off.

As well as
Blogger
Circuit City
not being able to exercise
Blogs, in general

Mooches

MySpace pisses me off.

I hurt.

Working pisses me off.
Having to work pisses me off.

Generally, I hurt and I am pissy.

I rented The Departed tonight.
Someone killed Leo. But his heart will go on.
Marky Mark kicked ass.
Great film.

2007-02-13T12:40:00.000-06:00

A- Available or Single? Not available. Taken.
B- Best Friend? I don't practice "best friends"
C- Cake or Pie? German chocolate cake, or apple pie
D- Drink of Choice? Water
E- Essential Item? My laptop
F- Favorite Color? Aqua blue, or even teal. Sometimes orange.
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Bears. They're bite-sized.
H- Hometown? C-town, IL
I- Indulgence? Secret chocolate stash.
J- January or February? February. Tis my birthday month.
K- Kids and names? No kids, no names.
L- Life is incomplete without…? Getting doses of culture
M- Marriage Date? No plans
N- Number of Siblings? 3
O- Oranges or Apples? I like both. Depends on the season.
P- Phobias/Fears? The unknown. Getting hurt.
Q- Favorite Quote? "Breaktime"
R- Reasons to smile? Puppy dogs and ice cream
S- Season? Late summer, early fall. Just as it starts to cool.
T- Tag 3 people? Soozi, Bob, and ?
U- Unknown Fact About Me? There are things I don't even know about myself. You tell me.
V- Vegetable You Hate? I don't hate the vegetables.
W- Worst Habit? I sometimes pull out my hair.
X- Xrays You’ve Had? Many
Y- Your Favorite Foods? Mashed potatoes. Curry. Kabobs. Cheese. Chocolate.
Z- Zodiac? Aquarius.

2007-02-08T14:16:00.000-06:00

Forever 29.

I went to the hospital yesterday for more testing. I feel like I got beat-up and kicked in the sides.

And it's STRESSING ME OUT. It's not a good time to have something wrong with me.

You want to know how messed up I am? Yes?

I was sitting in the nuclear medicine waiting room, and a dog food commercial came on, and this guy was voicing a dog, saying, "I can fetch, sit-up, beg, etc., but I don't know why I ended up here (the shelter)" and I JUST LOST IT. I started crying and the lady sitting across from me said, "Oh, honey, don't cry. But thank you for crying. I thought I was the only one who cried during that commercial." She told me how she has 4000 animals, then she left with her elderly mother.

And then the little old lady sitting to my right proceeded to tell me all about the little old pup (14 years old) she adopted WITH ONE EYE.

My heart was achy. Then the tech made me drink a lot of water.

Probably the most interesting waiting room experience I've ever had.
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Birthday wasn't so bad. Went to dinner with guys from work.

2007-01-31T00:40:00.000-06:00

Circle, Pant, Beg, Hump

Today, I met with the nephrologist. He is an odd little dude, maybe 33, short, Greek-Indian... Not that pertinent, but the visit was awkward. In short: More tests, I will be fine, blah blah.

But the cool part is that I stopped by my Dr's office and got the official report of the IVP. I was in for a surprise: I have METAL CLIPS IN ME. I would think I should have known that. I can't imagine what surgical clips were made of in 1979 or how they are holding up, but this neprhologist was in "duh" mode, like, "WHY ME?"... "What did I do to deserve this case?"

Ah, the great medical mystery that is. When the clips were put in place to hold me together, my kidney enlarged, creating two collection areas instead of one--like someone had pinched a balloon while blowing it up. They think. So, it is not draining correctly because of the extra pocket (which is collecting deposits and forming kidney stones) and a blockage in the ureter they believe may be a kidney stone. Fun times.

And kidney stones. Kidney stones, kidney stones, kidney stones.
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I met David Eckstein two weeks ago at a book singing. I was not expecting to do it, but I went to Borders and there were all these people walking out of it at like 8am in Cardinals t-shirts. Then I found out what was going on and bought a book and stood in line. Forever. And it hurt.

Boy, he is tiny. And so is his wife, but she was wearing heels, which made him tinier.
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Confession: After my Dr's apppointment today, I went to Demun to do laundry, since I had it with me, and it's across the street from the hospital, and I could get Kaldi's (I'll use any excuse to get Kaldi's!). Well, I got home EIGHT hours later to realize after I had made dinner, played around, etc. that I left a load of whites in the dryer, 20 miles away. And so I went back and they were still there, but STILL--this reinforces the need to do laundry at HOME and not at a LAUNDROMAT.

And I didn't even bother to bring a book. We know what good luck with that I have.
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At Target tonight, I ran into a coworker from my last job and that got me to looking at the company's website to look up some people and email them. I found the website to not carry employee email addresses.

HOWEVER.

If you know where I worked, and you should happen to browse their website, Forrest is on the splash page. I kid you not. From the photoshoot we did with colored water. Because oil labs test red and blue things.

But it doesn't do his chest hair and mustache the glory it deserves.

2007-01-29T22:57:00.000-06:00

Nonsense!

So, when I finished watching 24 tonight (wow--Gray is a bastard), I went channel surfing and found a show I might get into. Has anyone watched "What about Brian"??? It was just a bunch of pretty people sitting around in a kick-ass cabin. It was such a pretty place. I wanted to be there with them, cozying up by the fireplace and having a beer, until I found out they're a bunch of rejects with problems.

So, maybe that will be my new happy place. A large cabin full of friends and hot cocoa. And some smokin' hot clothes because I feel like a total bum lately.

But I did like the show.
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Trey suggested Barbaro be made into a diamond.

2007-01-25T22:47:00.000-06:00

Forgot how to do this. And my pee hurts.

Stealing neighbor's wifi. I do not understand how a brand new subdivision cannot have high-speed internet available to it (according to Charter and AT&T), but I can get a signal strong enough from a neighbor's house to get a wifi speed much greater than dial-up. I think there is some sort of conspiracy by Charter to keep me off the internet. The stray wifi signal is a giant mystery and I have yet to find the neighbor whose bandwidth I am stealing. It would probably help if I actually talked to my neighbors.

Even my MOM has DSL, now. My mom goes to college. She started taking classes with a friend, which is GOOD for her. It keeps her out of my hair.

BTW, Erica, if you are out there anywhere, I got my Charter money. I owe you big time.

So, this is how it's been (And I blame the Hoover vacuum company for all that ails me at the moment): The Tuesday before Turkey Day, I did something to my lower back. I did something not-so-good to my lower back. And we all know I've been down this road before and it took three years to adjust to having limited use of my upper back. Long story, way back when. So, I'm not a happy camper.

So, yeah. Ibuprofen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and occasionally for a midnight snack. I was walking around like a little old lady and every little movement hurt. I would be better one day, and then the next I would be 10x worse. I went to the doctor, finally, a bit before Xmas and I was given muscle relaxers and some PT. It didn't help much, so last week my insurance company authorized an MRI (why they just can't do that in the first place is beyond me).

Oh, the MRI. Remember the last time I had an MRI? The whole belly ring issue? I remember that. Like it was yesterday! *scooby doo scene change music*

The high point of yesterday was being assaulted at a hospital.

I went in for an MRI. The MRI dude put me on the table and arranged me however and started the test. It wasn't so bad until everything abruptly stopped and I was being pulled out of the machine and the guy's hand went up my scrub top. "Metal! Metal!!" Completely forgot I had a navel ring. I mean, I've never taken it out. I don't play with it. It's just there, along with the belly-button lint. Oy.

Then the guy was trying to take it out, arguing with me that "It just screws out."--I know better. Pfft. I asked the guy if he had any pliers, because that's the only way it would come out. He didn't, so after five minutes of "screwing" he gave up and went on with the test. I will probably pay $2000 for a test that won't show anything AND be distorted from having a piece of metal in me. Yeah, it was *really* worth it.

So, the MRI showed I have a bulging disc. Running is out of the question. In fact, if it's not a carefully calculated movement, it's out of the question. No slouching, no heavy lifting, and exercise, exercise, exercise... No jarring motions. I can't sit up or stand for more than 5 minutes at a time without being severely uncomfortable.

And I'm supposed to hike 25 miles through the Andes in April.

To complicate things even more, the MRI showed my kidney problem is back. Today I had an IVP. The last time I had an IVP was when I was a child--like eight years old. I remember throwing up and screaming. I was nervous today.

After the IVP, the radiologist came out of his hiding hole and paced back and forth for a bit, like he was trying to form words and we ended up playing 20 questions about my last kidney surgery.

I've never had a radiologist take such an interest after a procedure. Usually they just look at the films and send the results over to the doctor.

But he was awfully curious about my kidney. This is what I can deduce from his pacing and questioning: My previous kidney surgery may have been botched, as he said there were "many developmental problems" and he was asking me where I had it done and who the surgeon was. And I have stones. A lot of stones. And they've done a lot of damage to what's left of my kidney.

I don't know why I always have so much medical drama.

So, I drilled my mom about the surgery, as I was only an infant when it occurred and obviously have no memories of it. She said they went in to remove my entire left kidney, which should have been a simple procedure, but the surgeon got a bug up his butt to try to salvage the 5% of it that was still good. Which makes sense, if you think about it--if something ever happened to my right kidney (car wreck, kicked in the side) I would have something to live off of while I waited for a transplant.

That little 5% is now distended to, I'm guessing, about the size of a golfball. And my pee tells me there is now an infection, too, which was not present earlier today. This is not looking good.

Uncomfortable. I'm all for taking it out and not worrying about it so I can concentrate on rehabbing my back.

Because back pain is much more threatening to my lifestyle. I swear.

I rewarded myself with a Kaldi's grande mocha skim no whip and a scone.
Because it's right across the street from the hospital.
Convenience, really.

The last time I had a kidney infection--a really bad one--I missed two weeks of my senior year of college. I don't know how I passed P-chem. Or PEE-chem. Get it? Okay, bad chemistry joke.
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Needles to say, I haven't been up to much. Hugh was in town last night from Chicago, so MLFJ and I met up with him. Fun times. He is an idiot.

That is all I have done in quite a while. Aside from a friend's sex toy party. But not a party about a friend's sex toy. Well, maybe in a way it was. And for New Year's, I went to Karl and Jes's. I did not dance. Now you know why.
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I've been on a search for Peru equipment. I still need some sport sunglasses and I need to decide what I'm going to do for a camera. Trey offered to let me shoot film with his old Nikon, but I have no idea how to use it. I might also need to find a small daypack. I have one, but it's not the best quality. Binoculars might also be nice. I am determined to do this trip.
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I have the best boyfriend ever. Bless him for putting up with me and my nonsense. I felt the need to blog tonight because he is probably tired of listening to me and my bizness. I miss him terribly--I went to see him before Christmas, and it will be another three weeks before I see him again.
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I've been watching a lot of 24. I finished season four, which I had borrowed from a coworker, and I ended up buying seasons 1, 2, & 3 on sale at Best Buy for dirt cheap. That is some good entertainment.

However, season 6 is pissing me off. I think having Jack's family involved in the terrorism plot is beyond the boundaries of believable. I'm a little upset about that plot line. And can someone please make the grossness on his hand go away? Is it going to be there for the remaining two seasons? YUCK.

I miss Tony. I had a little crush on Tony. Shhhhh.
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I haven't been reading as much as I'd like. I got Stephen King's Cell for Xmas from my sister. I was kind of mad at the ending. That is the only book I've read so far this year. I started Obama's new book. I definitely need to read more.

Yah, so I had been reading Cell, and I put it on top of my laundry basket as I had planned to read while my laundry was going... Well, I started my laundry and realized my book was missing. To make a long story short, I ended up frantically searching through 4 washers, up to my elbows before I found the book. AND I got to it before it started falling apart. However, it was unsalvageable and I had to buy a new one. But that was one boring (and embarrassing) trip to the laundromat. And it wasn't even a dirty book.

I still need to buy a washer and dryer, obviously. It may have jumped to the top of the priority list.
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The weekend of the first ice storm (after Turkey Day) I went without power for four days. The second ice storm brought me no power losses. Just documentation. Because the storm in July? SEVEN days. That is a lot of days within six months to be without power.
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To summarize: I do not feel all that great.
That is all.

2006-11-29T11:56:00.000-06:00

No internets.

2006-10-20T01:04:00.001-05:00

The stream in my backyard?

It's the tears from the Mets fans.

Next week, I get to be a Cards fan in Detroit.. Ann Arbor... Detroit.
It will be FANtastic. Molina, that was awesome. Thanks.

In other news, the house is quite good. I have normal neighbors. My garage is full of boxes that need to be broken down and I have quite a few boxes of stuff to donate. The downstairs is completely put together, aside from a garage opener (what's the point if it is ridiculously full of boxes, now?). I have been cooking like crazy. I love my kitchen. LOVE my kitchen.

The upstairs is a different story. I finally got all my clothes unpacked Wednesday and my desk moved upstairs last night. Computer/printer/etc. finally has a home other than the coffee table. This would be great, except I am currently using my piano bench for a desk chair with what is essentially a children's desk I've had since before college. It doesn't work so well. But I have to wait to replace it... I also need shelves and filing cabinets. My office is a mess. Lots of boxes and rubbermaid containers. The second bedroom is empty, except for the plants I am hoping to kill soon so I will not have to take care of them.

Lazy. Pictures of downstairs will come when I have consistent internet access--something I'm still swiping from the neighbors at odd hours because not only am I lazy, but I am cheap. Housewarming may be after the holidays--late January or early February. Don't forget I told you.

Trey and I are planning an April trip to South America. Focus is on finding a decent backpack and some good hiking boots. If finding hiking boots is anything like the past week's experience of trying to find new running shoes, I'm going to be in trouble. I'm on my third trip to New Balance. Somehow, either my feet got fat in the last two years, or their shoes have gotten narrower. I don't know. But I had to go to a men's shoe to get a closer fit. Fit? Who is fit? Not me. Hence the shoes. I still need to find a gym over here. That's a project for November 1st, along with dropping off my truck to get rid of the Drunken Mexican bumper. I'm tired of driving around all ghetto-like. I told Trey that I have a bad feeling about spending money on a cosmetic defect--Something mechanical is bound to go wrong. Which would suck.

I *did* find out who sent the flowers--A guy from work that helped me move; hence he knew my new address (sort of). He was sending flowers to his nephew and his new family (had a baby) and found they were buy-two-get-one free. He couldn't remember either of his daughter's addresses, so I was next. And I'm like a daughter to him, practically... I just wish he'd told me as a courtesy so I wouldn't have been so creeped out.

My mom has gone off the deep end forty-two times in the past two months. But she ain't crazy or nothing. Not at all. You just wouldn't believe...

I guess that's all for now.

2006-09-28T15:53:00.000-05:00

I Got Pretty Flowers.

Tuesday, I came home from the store to find flowers on my doorstep, delivered from a local florist. I was giddy with joy, having not gotten flowers in several months (Yes, months!).

Well, I called Boy last night to thank him, and well, they were not from him. He said, "Trust me, Hon, if I had sent them I would own up to it because I need all the brownie points I can get."

Poo.

So, now, Pretty Flowers, the symbol of love and thoughtfulness and brownie points, have become Creepy Mystery Flowers, symbolizing unforeseen, unwelcome stalker-like admiration from someone who has a general sense of who I am and where I live.

And I mean general sense because whoever it was improperly spelled my name, the street name was not entirely correct, and the zip code was a couple numbers off. This narrows it down a bit, though, as most people I know are able to spell (Especially those with my address).

Now, I know I could simply call the florist and get some sort of idea about who can't spell my name or get my address right and to reveal whom is strangest among the people I know and should consequently treat with general skittishness and uncertainty, but rather I think I will simply continue to treat the general population with utmost skepticism and continue along the path to reclusive loner with a slight case of social awkwardness and a developed distrust towards humankind.

Or at least fake it. It'll scare people away and lessen the chance of coming home to Mystery Flowers.

Also, we will wait and see if this provokes Boy to produce a bigger and better bouquet.

To be continued, I suppose.

Mmmmm. Brownies.

2006-09-20T15:59:00.000-05:00

I am alive.

I moved into my house over the weekend. I am not yet close to being unpacked.

I will talk to you later.

Maybe someday I will even have internets and will not have to go to Bread Co.

2006-08-16T00:06:00.000-05:00

Found.

I went into the basement to get the proper box for my wine glasses.
It was not empty!

This is what I found. For Belinda and Chris. Whomever they are.

So, naturally I opened it. Bridal shower card.

With a nice note and a gift! Dated from last summer!

Apparently, they received two place settings of this delivered to their door from Dillards in Fairveiw Heights.

I want to know how their card ended up in my wine glass box.

But what I really want to know is if the gift was properly documented at the shower and the giftgivers received the appropriate thanks.

Because I think like a girl.

2006-08-15T22:59:00.000-05:00

Doctors: Pay attention.

When I call you with something I think is urgent and I am freaking out about it, and you put me on hold for ten minutes to make an appointment, and then you tell me that I can't make an appointment because you don't know what my problem is exactly and you want me to discuss it with the nurse first...

And then the nurse finally calls back four hours later (after I've had three nervous breakdowns and I've pulled all my hair out) to tell me she has no idea what is wrong with me and she will have the doctor call me the next day...

The doctor better have something constructive to say.

-------------------------------------
So what do I have to do to get appointment in the next few weeks?
Tell them I'm pregnant?

I was very frustrated today. But it's the same with all my doctors. First, it took me three months to have my initial visit/get-to-know you checkups, then even when I call to make an appointment because I'm sick, they want me to speak to a nurse about it first, so I have to babysit my phone for HOURS until they decide they aren't busy enough and they have time to make calls. And it's not like I want to go to Wal-Mart and get a phone call in the check-out line and have to discuss my cha-cha or my throat or my poop to an audience, because if you want to talk to a nurse, then it's NOW OR NEVER. Usually, I choose NOW. Then, the nurse never has an idea what is wrong. Maybe the practioner will call in a script or will agree to see you if you can convince them it is urgent enough... Or maybe the doctor will call you back (again, when it's not convenient... like when you are at the post-office) and have you repeat your ailment only to have her tell you to make an appointment...

Get transferred to appointment desk.
To have the appointment desk put you on hold for 30 minutes.

Then tell you that you can't get in for another three-four weeks.

Am I the only one who has these problems?

AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!
----------------------------------------

I am severely stressed-out.
Moving and being homeless is okay.
I have plenty of places to stay.

It's just the logistics of having everything in a garage.
And living out of my truck.

Which, way back when, is something I actually wanted to do.

But now, not so much.

I'm going to need a big vacation once I get all my ducks in a row.
----------------------------------------

And have I mentioned how glad I am I bought a house?

Today, I got out of bed and went directly to the post office, only to return to PEOPLE IN MY APARTMENT. From my rental company. Again, what if I was sleeping and just didn't come to the door BECAUSE I WAS SLEEPING, and you walked in on my slumbering ass? How many times do I have to tell them that I sometimes work nights and sleep during the day and that I need 24 hours notice if someone wants in?

HELLO?

Needless to say, I was pissed and bitched out the owner, who was in my apartment with the Richmond Heights building inspector, and then called the office to bitch them out, too, just for good measure.

I will never, ever, ever rent again unless I transfer somewhere and need to.

As a side note:
DO NOT RENT FROM CRONIN COMPANY, located on NORTH AND SOUTH ROAD, in UNIVERSITY CITY.

They don't seem to care you are a person.
Much like my doctors, it seems.

2006-08-10T23:31:00.000-05:00

I can still be spontaneous. See.

So I called up Kevan and Julie tonight to see if they wanted to get a drink or something, but they were at the Rams game. I then called up MLFJ and it turns out she was at the Rams game as well and had an extra ticket and I needed to hurry up my ass and get down there.

So, I went to my first Rams game tonight.
And I'm glad it was free because it sucked.

I need announcers to tell me what's going on.
TV announcers.

I have no clue when it comes to football.

The seats were good; right behind a goalpost.
Kevan and Julie's seats were lower, but in front of Cheerleaders.
Which we made fun of endlessly.

Also, I think I spotted a-go-go walking past. I guess the Rams game was the place to be last night.

Yesterday was weird. I went to the gym and there was a fire alarm and everyone was evacuated and forced to stand out in the rain. I left and decided I would come back later when all the excitement was over.

It was also my dad's birthday.
My sister's kitten got on the dining room table and got into the cake.
My dad also had to wrestle one of the ducks because it got out of its pen.

The ducks are huge.

2006-08-07T10:25:00.000-05:00

Headaches and Boobahs.

Last week was a giant headache. My computer crapped out Sunday night when I was installing some software. It wasn't restored to full operation until Friday morning, and then finally last night I was able to get the driver back for my modem. Voila, internet!

I had a can of pepsi explode in my truck because my sister left it there.

I found it is impossible to get a hotel room in Indianapolis during the Brickyard 400.

I had a migraine from Wednesday afternoon into early Friday morning and I had to be at work most of that time.

I did enjoy a nice day at the lake Tuesday. However, I think the sun exposure prompted the migraine. Bad sun, bad. Then my sister spilled either the contents of her cooler or a bottle of water in my backseat. I'll never know what it was because after the soda incident she probably didn't want to own up to it.

I accompanied my family members to Indy this weekend to see my aunt (not NASCAR) and my Trey came down to visit as well. There was enough estrogen in the house for him to wake up with boobs, and my aunt bought him a trampoline so he could at least enjoy them. Was a good time and thoroughly made up for the crappy week.

This week I return to normal mode of operation.

2006-07-27T22:11:00.000-05:00

A Short Stint at Being Amish

For note: My power finally came back on Wednesday afternoon.
For those counting: Seven days without power.
For those who love me and sheltered me: Thank you.

Thank you very much.

And yes, I had paid the bill.

2006-07-11T15:50:00.000-05:00

A weekend recap! Late! On a Tuesday!

Friday, I met with my construction manager dude. He refused to be in any pictures because that would be "dorky"... But drywalling was to commence yesterday. Below is a pic of my loft area. Everyone has asked if I have everything picked out--Yes and no. Everything will be a nice neutral color for move-in, so I can get a feel for the place. But the loft area will eventually be orange, after I get settled in and feel like decorating. Yes, orange. My sister's room is orange and I love love love it.

Then I got on a flight to Detroit where my honey picked me up and we spent the weekend together. Friday night we picked up dinner and sat on the balcony with a bottle of wine. The weather was excellent, and a little wine spillage occurred down to the balcony below us, but we survived.

Saturday we got out of the house. On my list of things to do (Note: I gave him options, and he went along with it) was to see the fairy doors in Ann Arbor. It was a good way to get acquainted with the downtown area. There are a lot of shops and good eating places to venture into. It was a good time. Fairy doors:

Don't make fun of him for looking at fairy doors. He's way too adorable to get made fun of :)

Saturday night we picked up stuff for dinner and he made a fab coconut mahi mahi. Drool. And it was semi-healthy. We had the discussion of how dating made us fat.

Sunday we went on a morning walk in Dickens Woods (sounds dirty) where Trey was devoured by mosquitos while I escaped bite-free. Following the trauma, we lounged around the pool at the condo complex for the rest of the day. He made me "swim" in the 9 ft. water. Made me. Though I felt safe because he's a swimmer and all. Though I do remember crying, "No, baby, no! No, no no no!" It didn't help.

But I'm sure the fat helped with the bouyancy problem.
Okay. I'm not fat. I know.
Just out of shape a bit.

We had a late lunch at Bennigan's where the previous night's discussion about our getting fat must not have fazed us because we ate like greaseaholics, ordering a monte cristo and a burger and fries. Oh, and some of those fried onion things. Those are not greasy at all. No way.

I got on the plane smelling like a giant grease ball.
I then made a late appearance and Karl and Jes's.
I smelled like a giant grease ball and scared everyone away.

Kidding.

But I did hurt my big toe. The nail was torn back halfway and it's rather painful to wear shoes. I hope I can run in sandals. I have yet to try. But wearing steel-toed shoes at work if needs be will be a bitch.

Hello my honey... Love you.

I need to get ready for work, now.

2006-07-04T19:21:00.000-05:00

Biding my time...

I did make it to Elroy and John's party Sunday night after work, but I was a bit surprised I stayed until midnight. I went home and passed out as soon as I could. It was nice seeing Elroy and a few others. I don't have any pictures of the party, but John has a house he'll sell you.

Other than that, I've been packing packing packing packing and a bit of cleaning. There are boxes everywhere full of my belongings. My truck is full of Goodwill donations. The trash bin is full of garbage.

Unfortunately, having an apartment in boxes does nothing but highlight how messy and dirty and in need of a good cleaning my apartment is. Convenient, too, because they are showing it Wednesday and Thursday. I did make an effort to clean the bathroom as there are no boxes in there and I might make my bed in the morning. I can't say I really care either way what the person thinks.

Happy 4th!

2006-06-25T06:11:00.000-05:00

I have Cardinal Tickets for sale...

For Wednesday night.
If you're interested, get in touch!

--Me

2006-06-24T02:25:00.000-05:00

Life can be so good and so icky at the same time.

It's been pretty lonely around here for the last week and a half. I got Trey shipped off to MI, so I'm getting a lot of "me" time. It's nice to an extent, but I miss him a lot. I had been down last week about friends and feeling left out of things and I was pretty bummed. Then Elroy's post about everyone growing up... but apart... That made it even worse. But I realized that I've always been the type of person to do things on my own. I'll just stick with the way I am.

Anywho... An update!

What Melissa does:

There's the puzzle that sat on my dining room table for two weeks:

Then the reunion (good times):

Hiking with Trey and my sister:

Chihuly (note the fly):

A rose in the Botanical Garden:

Another Chihuly pic:

One of the elusive foxes at MOBOT:

Oh, and I bought a Townhouse:

Yeah, it's been busy around here. I love you all!

I attended Milkman and Cheeto's party tonight.
The giant skeeball was great... Milkman has quite an imagination.
Soozi and Ray Ray are G-R-E-A-T.

I wonder if the random guys ever showed up with the 36x24x36's...

2006-06-19T16:59:00.000-05:00

The poor old lady...

I slept all day, and then I got up to check my messages at about 4... Work called and asked me to come in if I could, but call first...

So I called back and with every work number I called, I kept reaching some old grandma lady. And by the third number I tried, I could tell she was getting very agitated. All calls for the upstairs departments were getting routed to her house, and all the calls to the downstairs departments either gave me a message that the number was being checked for "trouble" or that is was not available.

Needless to say, I will not be going to work today.
Though I honestly should. And I tried.
I really did want to go in.

Two tears in a bucket, f*** it.

2006-06-01T12:44:00.000-05:00

Things to look forward to:

Class reunion is Saturday. In attendance will be my roommates from college, one of which is still a close friend and the other is now a reporter for the town's paper.

I have to admit, when I read the stories his name is attached to, I read them in my mind with his voice... And that creeps me out a bit. Mostly because he had an odd voice/personality. He was also a bit girly and we often questioned his sexual preference. He is the one who married and divorced Pointy-Shoe Woman, who I have not talked to in over a year, thank you very much.

Also, the MOH and her JOE will be there. Guess where they've been the past two weeks! C'mon! Guess!! You don't want to guess? Okay, fine, I'll just tell you. They've been in Iceland. Which means I'm so looking forward to hearing about their travels and holy moly I hope they bring their vacation pictures with them! And I hope your sarcasm detector's batteries are in good shape.

After Trey leaves MO, I swear to god I'm going to start running again. I swear to God I will.

Because God cares. Because God is the pathway to happiness. I was a total sucker and opened up my door yesterday to a "student" selling "inspirational" books to make ends meet. I suckered even more when I handed her a couple of bucks to give me a booklet and scram. But I am now a proud owner of a Happiness Digest, which I think I will keep on hand to give to the next grumpy person I encounter.

Most likely she was an unemployed computer programmer.

Just remember: God is in ultimate control and very much interested in your life.

And I look forward to that.

2006-05-26T17:02:00.000-05:00

For those interested...

Baton Bob made the front page of CNN.com today.
Better Baton Bob than The Scourge of the Earth, Beatle Bob!

I got nothin' else.

2006-05-16T16:03:00.000-05:00

Blog? I have one?

This is how it is: Boy is moving to Michigan. Boy is shopping for apartments over the internets. Michigan apartments are expensive. I am also looking for a new apartment. This is a lot of change at once. I am trying the best I can to deal with it. Boy's family is in town this week. Busy week.

I am convinced softball will be rained out until July.

I was sick all weekend and spent 80% of it in bed. Alone.

Boy is a germophobe. It makes me laugh.

I missed Kat's birthday extravaganza(s).

Kaldi's makes me happy. I am caffeinated and sugared.

Tired of work. Coworkers have resorted to new levels of immaturity.

I have a new kite. It has not been flown.

I have not been running like I said I was going to. Not at all.

I desperately need a manicure and pedicure.
But I want someone to do it for me this time.

I've really let myself go.

As well as communications with peoples.

Hello peoples! How are y'all?

2006-04-21T15:02:00.000-05:00

Could you please pass the Icy Hot?

I am SO sore from softball. There were muscles used that had not been used in several months. It's a good thing I have a couple of weeks off to recover. Aye. Ow. Owie. To make matters worse, it was so bad it hurt to lie in bed. Trey was trying to snuggle all night and I kept pushing him away because I couldn't get comfy. It sucked.

However, we remain undefeated at 2-0.

Other than that... My class reunion is coming up in June. The only reason I am excited is to see old friends who went far away to college and never returned (who have confirmed they will be in town). It will also be nice to have a night out in C-town with friends. I am looking forward to it.

Which means I need to find a cute dress or something. Which means I need to drop the fifteen pounds I've put on since fall. Which means I am insecure. But I didn't get this far in life without a little bit of insecurity. A little dab will do ya.

So, back to the running, back to the gym, a moratorium on eating out (except Kaldi's and Maggie Moo's--two indisposable establishments, IMO), etc.

My clothes don't fit. I am a lard.

Wah, boo-hoo.

Can I Icy Hot myself to the point of complete numbness?

2006-04-19T07:26:00.000-05:00

Things you should know (or could care less about):

Hi.

I am home.

I just dropped my truck off at Dobbs to get its a/c fixed. Yes, it has been broken since fall, but now is the time I need it fixed. So, it is getting fixed. This, however, is more of a priority than the damage from The Drunken Mexican Incident of February. You see, it's lovely when you get hit by a non-English speaking, scene leaver, phone stealing, illegal immigrant without a license (but because it was suspended for a DUI) on a private parking lot of a grocery store. Extremely lovely. And so it goes. Ironically, last week, a chick hit me in another parking lot of this same grocery chain and basically made the damage worse, but it's okay.

In other news, softball started last week, but I was unable to attend the game. s00zi says we won. I hope my presence at this week's game does not hinder us moreso. I have let myself go a bit, and admittedly am no longer "buff". I have not thrown a softball since last fall. I have no idea where my softball equipment even is. This is a slight problem(s).

I got ducks last week. There's three of them: Jaqueline, Henri, and Pierre. There was a Mimi, too, but she died within an hour of being in my care. Her replacement is on its way and shall be named Frances. So, I am not quite sure of their sexes, but Jaqueline might be a Jack, Henri might be a Henrietta, Frances might turn out to be a Frank, and Pierre might just have to remain a Pierre because I can't think of a corresponding girly name (Hey, Pierre, grow up to be a boy!). No, they are no longer in my apartment. Trey and I took them to C-town and my sister is taking care of them until they are bigger and can go to the country house. There they will have a fenced back yard and a garden and everything else ducks need because I know my mom will spoil them. Farm woman. Quack. I would put up pictures, but the side of me that is the photographer (the boi) has them and all I have are pictures he insisted taking while he was a bit intoxicated. And they are extremely blurry. Like they were taken in drunkvision. Duckvision. (But I'll give him credit because really, they wouldn't hold still.)

Speaking of ducks, Trey has been at U of Oregon this week for an interview. Eugene, Oregon, that is, and is supposedly the greenest city in the US. He says the tap water is amazing. I am a water snob. I want to try it. I have to pick him up at the aeropuerto tonight. Hippy.

Yes, he is now Dr. Trey. Jules is now Dr. Jules. Dr. Mais was in town last week from Massamachusettesests for Jules's defense. Things haven't changed. We're still all silly children when we get together. No, I take that back. We get tired earlier. That has changed. We got old.

I am moving in June. Mostly so I can get a dog, but also because I am tired of Clompy and my management company has been a pain in the ass. If anyone has heads-up on a decent place that allows dogs and has highway access nearby, let me know. I will not spend another year in this apartment. No way, no how. And I'm kinda stressed out about it.

I miss my Trey.

That is all.

2006-03-31T22:37:00.000-06:00

Create New Post

Clompy is watching "Walk the Line"--I can hear the folks in Folsom Prison stomping. Or, at least I could a minute ago. I watched that movie last weekend. The stomping and clapping to the two-note beat was stuck in my head the next day.

It has returned.

2006-03-06T18:26:00.000-06:00

All I hear is, "Blah, blah, blah, I'm a dirty whore."

I can't remember what I did Friday night. Like, repeatedly. My rememory is badawful.

Okay.

Friday--Trey and I went to Chevy's in Olivette and then watched Kill Bill 2. It was better than the first one, yeah, but it put me to sleep. I think his main complaint was, "She went through all the trouble to get the sword in the first one to kill Bill, and then she didn't even use it on him. How disappointing."

Saturday--Saturday I spent the majority of the morning trying to buy Cardinals tickets. I ended up with four games. If you're my friend, I might be persuaded to take you. I was having a terrible time with their ticket system and kept getting kicked out. I lost tickets to opening day because I got kicked out. I lost tickets to another game becuase I got kicked out. Then, I spent another couple of hours in the "waiting room". I eventually called up Jules and Ke-van for their assistance, but Trey was already on top of things and was there with them having them buy us some tickets. It was crazy. Then we all had lunch at Jimmie Johns.

Trey and I went to Costco like good little kiddies and he bought beer for his defense reception (Monday!). My goodness, I'll be glad to have my boyfriend back when this is all over with. For a few days, anyway. Then I'll get sick of him. He knows this. (BTW honey, I still owe you money).

Later that night I ventured out to St. Chuck for a trivia night with Bob and his crew. That was a ton of fun. Next time I go I'm bringing headbands with aluminum foil antennae to be like the old ladies. I was also only like, two blocks from Chris and Van's house. We got third out of 22 teams. We kicked butt.

Sunday, I cleaned all day and tossed things into the trash. I'm considering moving in June, so the less I have to move, the better off you will be when you come help me. I'm not a collector, by any means, but I just don't know how I accumulated so much in the last few years. And of course, now that my apartment finally looks like an apartment (meaning, furniture in boxes is now put together) I plan to leave. But probably not too far away. Down the street or to another safe-ish neighborhood. Another topic for another day.

Sunday night I met up with s00zi and her friend, Patches, for a whole lot of Asian cuisine. Lots of Asian. And a log. We ordered a log. The girl talk was exquisite. I then took Trey some food and we got caught up on 24. Damn, last week's episode was good.

And that's all.

Today was work and then I went to my new chiropractor. Seeing as he's still an intern, he's very thorough and I like him. Plus, he's good eye candy (seriously, girls), so that helps. I'm in trouble with my friend Melody for not waiting until she starts her internship to start going, but hey--I was hurting again and I needed to. So, there.

I started looking at new schools last week, so I could do an online master's program. Well, I filled out the info sheets online, and not five minutes later university recruiters started calling me. What a bunch of bums. Well, today another one called my cell while I was in my office, and I told him I was working and I didn't have time to talk and I preferred corresponding over email. He then took the time to verify my email address, and I thought that would be it, but he just kept talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and asking questions I couldn't answer or didn't want to answer (Like, "Do you get tuition reimbursement?"--I don't think that's any of his business.). I got very angry and short with him. Then, to top it all off, he didn't email me the info he said he would. Thanks a lot, Mr. Excellent Recruiter Guy.

Last Comic Standing has a 4th season this summer. I think I might cream my pants.

How do you handle whiny people? There's this guy at work who I've been friends with for the last year and a half who started getting under my skin a few months back. First of all, he's touchy-feely, and I don't like it. Yeah, I should have told him, but this was a recent decision and I haven't seen him to tell him. Then, he sat down late one shift and started on a rant against abortion. Then, he emails me all the time and I guess it hurts his feelings because I don't write back. Why do I not write him back? Because he's a guy sounding like a whiny little bitch:

"Melissa - Have you been busy or ticked off at me for something? You have not answered any of my E-Mails."

"Melissa - What's the story? You have not answered any of my E-Mails. Have you been busy or am I just a nuisance to you and have been bothering you? I consider you a good friend and value your input. I like to talk things over with you. If I should not send you any more correspondence please let me know. If this would be the case I would like you to explain why. Hope all is well."

And many more like that. Really, I'm not mad at him, it's just as if I've grown out of him. Plus, he's started giving me the creeps. I excluded the more personal emails, but all he does is tell me his troubles and woes. It's as though I am walking around with a T-shirt that says, "The Therapist is IN." Am I required to offer answers? Listening is hard enough. Which is what my horoscope said, today.

Yeah, so, there.

Time to call a waaaaaaaaaaaambulance. Boo hoo, Melissa is tired of me and it hurts.

"Blah, blah, blah."

2006-02-27T16:54:00.000-06:00

So tasteless.

2006-02-27T16:53:00.000-06:00

Don't mess with a cat's beer.

2006-02-27T16:52:00.001-06:00

Mardi Mullet

2006-02-27T16:52:00.000-06:00

Two clowns walk into a toilet...

2006-02-26T19:32:00.000-06:00

Tah-duh!

Can you imagine skiing a 50k? That's 31 miles, FYI. I can't even imagine standing on skis for one mile. That's the Olympic event that's on right now. It looks.. Strenuous.

The weekend was good. Except I was grumpy Friday night. Oh well. I don't like being that way and I don't do it on purpose. Maybe one of these days I'll figure out how to be in a static state of emotion (preferably happy).

And it may have been hormones. I went to the pharmacy today. It was $70 for three months of birth control. (!!!). My insurance no longer covers my preferred poison. The generic would only be $10 a month, which I've tried before and it makes me CRAZY. I'm not going into details.

Another reason the pharmacy sucks is that I called in a refill last month the day before a prescription expired (no rule against that!) and I was going to pick it up today. Well, apparently, they will not stock prescription refills for more than ten days. Why? The answer I got was because they have limited shelf space. That is the lamest excuse I have ever heard. So, you would think they'd look at the script when they restock it to save themselves some time so that they do not end up calling doctors for renewals, etc., but NO. So, here I am with an expired prescription and no medicine. Moronic. But at this point, it's not important. I'm just annoyed because I can be.

Mardi Gras was great. Despite Karl's van getting stolen, he was in good spirits and made brunch for about a dozen people Saturday morning (Thanks again, K!). The new Circle K was quite the hub for impromptu food and drink. From there, a select handful of us ventured down to Soulard, where random insanities took place. Elroy would not answer his phone. He must not like us anymore.

I finally got home at about 8:30 last night when I caught up with my sister. Saturday morning, at about 5am, she felt like she was going to have an insulin reaction, so she got out of bed and went to the fridge for some Hawaiian Punch. Well, she's not sure she made it. She went into a seizure and fell and hit her head. My brother's girlfriend was staying over and she thought my sister's thrashing around on the breakfast nook floor was someone was breaking into the house, so she woke my brother up to check it out and they found her biting her tongue in two and helped her back into bed (I'm not sure how they got the reaction to stop). She doesn't remember anything, but they told her she said she didn't want to go to the hospital and she just wanted to sleep. The kid's okay, but mom was taking her to the hospital to get checked out today. They think she acquired a concussion on the fall down. Poor sis.

So now the Olympic closing ceremony is on...

Commercial break.

I gave myself "homework" to do for work, as I am short on resources at work. I've been a project coordinator for the last few weeks, working on a project involving setting up and configuring our new softwares for our LIMS and GC controls. I've done this for an ex-company I worked for (think "pre-Valero") and I really liked it. It's a lot of manual coding and researching how we do things now to maybe incorporate improvements in our procedures. The LIMS makes our lab data accessible from a central server in Oklahoma... It's a simple concept. This allows researchers to look at data and procedures from the research location and to make changes as needed. The software we are using was written by one of our Houston PhD guys... It's... Lacking. And not very user-friendly. If I knew how to write software... I'd be all over quitting my job and starting my own lab software company. Having used so many of these systems, I know where improvements can be made. Set up takes MONTHS. Seriously. We aren't supposed to go live until mid-May and this project has been going for almost a year, now.

Last week the project team was out of town and I drank all their soda.
Tonight, I bought replacement soda and some chips and some candy.

And I have still not touched my "homework".

So, I am liking work, right now. We'll see how long this lasts.

There are a lot of people in white suits jumping around to "YMCA"... And clowns.

I don't remember what else I was going to say.

That snowboarder Shawn White reminds me of Carrot Top.

Okay, the wind machine suspending the people in midair is awesome...

2006-02-24T18:53:00.000-06:00

No, that last recipe didn't kill me.

All is well.

I got a new toy this week. It's in my living room. It has 88 keys and makes my fingers sore (because I'm out of practice, a bit).

I'm hungry.

2006-02-13T22:00:00.000-06:00

Haphazard Cooking #1

Fresh green beans, chopped
Sliced baby portabellas
1 can gold and white corn
1 jicama, peeled and cut into large matchsticks
1/2 cup fresh hot salsa
Tbs. blueberry jalapeno compote

Stir-fry the veggies until desired tenderness.
Add salsa and compote.
Serve over rice of your choice.

I do not know where you can find blueberry jalapeno compote. I found mine at the Botanical Gardens "Best of MO" show thingy. You might have something else lying around to use.

I mean, assuming you'd want to make it.

2006-02-09T23:56:00.000-06:00

A helpful post:

If you use Gmail and find that new chat feature highly irritating, then scroll down to the bottom of the screen and click "standard without chat".

It took me about ten minutes of Shazbot! to figure that out.

Stupid chat feature. Grr.

And all is peaceful again.

2006-02-06T22:41:00.000-06:00

I didn't get any birthday spankings!

Which is probably a good thing.
I'll need to sit down tomorrow.

Look! Look at me! It's my birthday!

La, la, lalala, la, la la, la!

Thanks to everyone who remembered my birthday :)

2006-01-31T20:03:00.000-06:00

State of the Union

What exact shade of pink is that dress? HOT?

Alito looks confused. This is new. He'll get used to it.

Screw this. I need to pay attention.

One more thing: Did anyone watch Oprah today?
What was up with Lisa Ling's "Gang Banging" definition.
She said something like, "Well, you're in a gang, and well, you bang."
And then she made a gesture to mimic shooting a gun.
Honey, if you can't explain gangbanging, then you have no business doing stories on gangs.

I heart Anderson Cooper, though. Even from Channel One.
I heart Lisa Ling, too, because she's a runner.
Maybe that's the only reason.

2006-01-30T21:36:00.000-06:00

Guess what I did today!

I finally went to Bikram.
It kicked my ass.

Then I ate Arby's with my beautiful man.

I will be going back.

(Maybe not so much to Arby's, but definitely to the yoga studio.)

2006-01-27T16:26:00.000-06:00

Roses are #ff0000

That was the subject of a thinkgeek.com newsletter.
I thought it was funny.

Also funny is my sister's joke of the week:
Where does Hitler keep his armies?
Up his sleevies.

I obviously have lost my sense of humor.
But I have gained nerdiness.

I hope this humor/nerdness evens itself back out soon.

Other than that... I feel really poor today. But that didn't stop me from spending $50 at Trader Joes.

But I'm not *that* poor.

You're finally 35-years-old and your oldest two kids are grown and your high school sweetheart finally sold enough meth to make things right. Selling off the furniture helped, too, but what do you care? You're standing outside Shane Co., waiting for your dreamboat, with two-tone hair with silver bangs, dressed in a biker jacket and hot pink slouch socks pulled up over your stonewashed jeans, yelling at the top of your lungs at your two younger kids (Get back here! Get back here!) while smoking a fag, while you're about to pop with kid number five. But you're finally gettin' a diamond.

I see things, and then I make up stories about them. How much of that is actually true? I have no idea. Likely 80% of it. Because I saw her and I just knew.

2006-01-25T22:17:00.000-06:00

"What's Up?" and The Origins of Bruises

Nothing exciting is going on.

Everytime I feel like writing, I am not in front of a computer, though when I am around a computer, I have nothing to say.

All I've been doing lately is going to work and to the gym. The gym, wow. The gym is making me angry.

Here's a list of things that gym people do to piss me off, specifically. Yes, on purpose. Everyone is out to get me. You know, each gym has its own little set of rules which are pretty similar in all... gyms.

1. Spray the towel, not the equipment. You want to know why this is a rule? It's so when you spray the towel, all the little cleaner mist particles go on the towel and not into mid air and subsequently inhaled by moi, who is already gasping for air as it is. You dumbfucks don't understand! It's like drowning someone in lysol. But I will give you props for at least wiping off the equipment unlike some other jackasses.

2. Slower traffic to the inside lane. When using the track, the "inside" lane is not the middle lane. It's the innermost lane. The small one. And hell's bells, if there are two of you walking, gossiping, reading a magazine, at least acknowledge there are people there actually exercising and get the fuck over so they can jog/walk past you.

3. The track is not an observation deck. If you want to watch people play ball, go down to the court. I have to smell your stank everytime I jog by and you will not get out of my way, so it makes it even more difficult for me to like you.

There are more. I'll stop. It's making me sleepy.

Kat sent out an invite for Dim Sum today, which falls on my b-day weekend. I will probably be partaking. Probably. Unless I have a broken leg or if Angeline is not there to translate. Angeline is a good translator.

Work has me working normal regular, human hours for the month of February. The upside? More time to spend at the gym with people who drive me insane.

Trey is super busy getting his stuff together for his defense, which will be in early March. His anxiety is contagious. I'm losing sleep over it, if you can imagine. I've already had three dreams about said defense date, and yeah, I'd tell you about them, but he's apt to read this and he doesn't need my nightmares combining with his and replicating into a nasty, nasty, dream that would send him over the edge. He'd hold me personally responsible. But seriously, I'm nervous about this, which is probably odd. And mainly for my own personal reasons, I guess.

I am hungry for Florida. I need sun on my skin. I need to lie on a beach, play in the water, eat some good food, have some nice drinks, and wake up with my beautiful boy in my arms. Is that too much to ask for?

Other than that.. Elroy is not happy that no one he links to ever posts. Maybe he should just change his links! Thubbbt :P neener neener!

2006-01-04T14:53:00.000-06:00

The stand-up dream made its appearance again, last night.

Except I was performing for fifth graders.
Fifth graders with straws.
And a very pregnant opening act with a broken leg.

2006-01-03T10:08:00.001-06:00

I just spent approximately 15 minutes looking for this.

2006-01-03T08:33:00.000-06:00

Yummy Kaldi's.

I don't know what to say anymore.

What is new...

I missed every single New Year's celebration because I had to work NYE. I think that bites big ones. I still have never fully experienced the kiss at midnight thing. That blows.

I did a good number on my truck yesterday morning at work. Blah.

New shoes for the gym. I am not sure they fit right b/c the heel is coming loose when I run, but that may just because they are really stiff and not broken in, yet. We'll see.

My hip hurts.

Last night Trey and I watched Goonies and I introduced him to pizza rolls.

Um, yeah, I got nothing, really.

I guess I could talk about resolution-type stuff. I only have one, and that is to take better care of myself (vitamins, skin care, eat better, blah blah blah).

Oh, and a second one would be to be more sociable. I am pretty sure that 2005 was my most reclusive year ever.

Sorry about that.

I have completely forgotten how to write. Maybe that should be another resolution. You should see the emails I write. Atrocious. I don't know how my writing went from amazing to hurried, abbreviated rubbish.

Start writing a book.

Read more. Because I don't read enough already? Are you kidding me?

I guess another thing I could do is finally take some real swimming lessons (because I know this running thing is being run into the ground, so to speak). It's kind of embarrassing to have to admit to my former college swimmer bf that I couldn't save myself if I fell into a pool. Yeah. Sometime, he might get all Matt Biondi on my ass, but I could outrun him, if need be.

In 2005 I think I successfully eliminated (I killed them!) all the negative people in my life. This is a good thing. Much less drama goes on at Casa Mel.

These sound more like goals than resolutions. Also, I can only count to one.

My mother's goal for me this year is to make me more domesticated. Guess what I'm getting for my birthday? A sewing machine. What does one do with a sewing machine? I'm gonna need help.

But, she got me a PS2 for Xmas, so she's entitled.

Anything else?

My birthday is soon! My birthday is soon! And so is Valentine's Day. I bet you feel sorry for the poor soul who dates me. Xmas on top of b-day on top of V-day.

I'm not spoiled. Not at all.

I need to declutter. But I do that every couple of months, so it's actually not too bad around here. Except for that ever-growing box collection in the basement. Anyone need a box?

I just thought of Christmas cookies. I was repulsed for a bit.

I just watched the trashman go through the neighbor's trash. There was a giant bud light football helmet lamp. I think he is saving it because he put it aside...

I need to get back in school, but I am going to switch schools. I need to look into the online option. Going to class is too much of a hassle for me.

Renew passport.

Travel more.

Get out of debt within three months. Credit card is finally low, truck is almost paid off, and I have some cash sitting around. All is good, finally.

That is all. AMF.

2005-12-30T02:15:00.000-06:00

What? Okay. Buzz blogging.

I had fun tonight with Elroy, Chris, Vanessa, and Bethany.
We were giggly and stupid.
And Bethany knows how to tip her bartender, fo sho.

Other than that, Christmas was good. I got a truckload of wine and a PS2.
Okay, not quite a truckload, but a lot. I also got a Sudoku game, some earrings, some embroidery projects, a pc game, a cookbook, a book, um, a wine rack for all the wine.

I'm gonna have to have people over to help with the wine situation.
Probably around my birthday or so. I'm serious.

Trey (he exists) and I have not exchanged gifts yet. This is because he does not know what to get me. I just wish Santa Claus would come! Commala, come come! For Xmas will be done!

My oldest brother turned into asshole supreme and boycotted Christmas simply because he is a chicken shit and has something against our mom. He did not show up for Xmas and didn't even bother to call or anything. So, therefore he did not get any presents from me.

No presence = No presents.

Trey made yummy sammiches tonight.
He is far yummier.

2005-12-22T13:22:00.000-06:00

I put the boi on a plane this morning.

I'm on a bit of a high today; I can't explain it. I just know that life is good [great]. Trey is in Orlando, I am off work until Monday night, I get to spend the weekend with my fam... I'm sitting on the living room floor trying to make packages perfectly pretty for my trip home this weekend. Seriously, the contents of the packages could be painted rocks and they wouldn't care because the outside is so pretty.

Cyndi Lauper's going on the speakers. Back in collge my roommates and I shared a duplex and the other side of the building was occupied by a group of sorority girls. We knew on Saturday mornings when we heard "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" blaring, accompanied with a vaccuum whirring around the downstairs area, there was to be a party that night.

Then we would go through the same cycle the next day, in the afternoon, for a post-hangover clean-up.

I had a really nice night last night. Trey and I had dinner at Ellie's and then drove around looking around at Xmas lights (sort of). He looked so pretty.

(Everything is pretty, these days)

His hairs got cut this week and well, he has a nice cranium.

I couldn't concentrate on dinner. I was shifty; nervous. Maybe not nervous, but I just was happy to be spending time with him. Good food. Good company. Except that I'm not much of a conversationalist when I am busy being a dork. And trust me, I was Dork Supreme last night. Can't take me anywhere.

Dorks attract other dorks, though. Really.

In other news, a couple of coworkers came over Monday and we went to the hospital to visit our friend. He's got a long recovery ahead of him, but he's okay. We went to lunch and went and shot some pool for a while and then they came back to my place to drink. It's odd; I never have people over. I think I liked it.

Come on over.

Also, though I really want to sit at home all day and enjoy my unexpected euphoria, I think I will try to venture out tonight and be social.

And if I try and fail, at least I will know that I have tried.

Happy Christmas, my beautifuls.

2005-12-14T17:59:00.000-06:00

Today I met Scott Vogel

And it had nothing to do with work or any other company I have previously worked for.

Totally by coincidence.

Amazing life I have, yes?

I've also Xmas shopped until I've dropped.

Can't figure out what to get the future sister-in-law.

Coal? Glass fragments and shards? Turd on a stick?

I've probably said way too much in so few words.

Oh, and I got flowers again this week. You are jealous. I know.

There. An update. You happy?

2005-12-11T21:23:00.000-06:00

Girl upstairs is really noisy so it is pointless to go to bed.

I had a great weekend without going to KC with Elroy and Chris and others.
Fantastic, I tell you.
We'll have to have a trivia night after Xmas or something, guys.

BTW--Elroy got RFT Blog O' the Week.

(Thanks, a-go-go for the heads up)

Sucktastic!

2005-12-05T07:11:00.000-06:00

It's not a party until someone's butt gets bitten.

Turning down lots of social function invites, lately.
I have no choice.
Work, shmork.
So, I should probably take 'em when I can get 'em.

It really chaps my ass.
Or bites my butt.

Your preference.

2005-12-03T06:51:00.000-06:00

Xmas for Molisa

I know what I'm getting myself.

It involves music.
It involves dancing.
It involves a pole (sort of).

Because I had a dream about it last night.
(Or, yesterday, depending on which side of...)
And woke up with a strong hunger for it.
A physical need for it.
I need to get strong, again.

I will be on my toes again in a couple of years.

Thank you, Extra Strenth Tylenol, Retarded Dream-Inducer.

(And no, the headache did not go away.)

Now to find the "where"...
Any suggestions?

2005-12-02T06:32:00.000-06:00

Good Night.

Or, good morning, depending on which side of normal you situate yourself upon.
------------------------
The tower is within reach... I can smell it.
I hate King.
Or maybe it's a love/hate thing.
Ka also put a rose in my inbox this morning, courtesy of NASA.
I could write my own journey to the tower.
Or is it already written?
-------------------------
My head is not sitting properly on my neck.
A trip to Dr. Flame is long overdue.
If he's not back in Cali or elsewhere.
He's shifty that way.
-------------------------
This morning's trip to the ATM turned ugly.
I was unable to procure funds to purchase gravy and biscuits.
I felt like Karl for an instant (not is a bad way, but just in that "coincidental-first-person-you-think-of" kind of way) but then remembered that today is payday, so no worries.
Twas a horrible feeling.
--------------------------
(If I ever win the lottery, I will help Karl.)
--------------------------
(As well as others.)
--------------------------
Mahnamahna?
--------------------------
My boy is pretty.
And he's tall and skinny and I can put him on my back and twirl him.

Life is good.
Except for a wretched headache.

--------------------------
I am so odd, sometimes.

2005-11-23T20:25:00.000-06:00

Eat me! I'm a turkey!

Things and stuff and stuff and things.

I'm nearly finished with book IV of the Dark Tower Series (Trey got me started with these). If I finish the series soon, then I will have read around 70 books this year. I was keeping track for a while, elsewhere. I have nothing better to do. Except that miserable couple of months where all I read were school books. School books don't count. Ah, I *so* miss just lounging at the pool with a good book. I already miss summer. I can deal with winter after I've had a month or so to adapt. I'll be ready for snow. Who's got their sleds ready? Elroy? Chris? You in? C'mon. Be in.

I'd love to see Wicked. This strikes me as odd because I HATE musicals. HATE, HATE, HATE. Maybe it's the storyline that intrigues me. But I'm probably not going to see it. On the otherhand, I love ballet. I love orchestra. I love lamp.

I'm working a bazillion hours. A very dear coworker of mine is in the hospital and it doesn't look so good and so therefore I am covering for him (voluntarily). Anyways, it's a bazillion hours. Tomorrow, Saturday night, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday... Probably more than that. And I have a couple of vacation days left and it seems like I might not get to use them because there is no one to work them for me. I was also saddled with a pager today for the ER team. Yay. I don't mind responding to fires/leaks/spills/injuries, but I hope they don't expect me to drive 40 minutes only to get there and have everything be under control and the incident over. I hate it when that happens.

Friday night was our annual ER recognition dinner--our one night of the year to be fed for free. It was like a bad wedding reception. That is the only way I can describe it. I mean, the SECURITY GUARDS got in a fight over some chick. What a bunch of losers. This will probably signal the end of open bar.

I've done most of my Christmas shopping online. Can I get a hallelujah?

Bedtime.

2005-11-20T22:18:00.000-06:00

Right Now

Brain will not cease with the bad, bad juju.

I don't need to think about scary doctors poking around in my bod.
I don't need to think about opinions of others.
I don't need to think about my coworker who is lying in SLU in a coma.
I don't need to think about pompous assholes.
I don't need to think about having to work Thanksgiving.

I could go on.

I'm thinking about pretty flowers, now.
Vacations with good friends.
Terrific boyfriend.
Puppy dogs and ice cream.
Cute shoes.

I'm starting to feel better.

Will bury my woes in a good book.

2005-11-17T08:26:00.000-06:00

I likes good coffee.

So, what should I do with my day off?

Let's see...

Finally turn on heat (it's friggin' cold)
Move digipics from desktop to external drive (or, copy, i mean)
Do dishes
Find something to wear for a work banquet tomorrow night (dig around in closet)
Um....
I think I'm going to make a roast.
Need to go to Schnucks.
I already filled up the gas tank this morning.
$1.99! Can you believe that?
Watch CSI. For sure.
And then go to bed.
-----------------------------
My jonesing for Chi-town is getting worse.

I've already started planning my trip with my sister,
which isn't until the summer, because she wants to see the Tut exhibit when it comes into town.

There are so many things she needs to see.
I am open to suggestions, as well.

Perhaps I can convince MLFJ to join us.
The three of us could probably stir up a lot of trouble.

Also, I am very glad my sissy is growing up and more appreciative of trips.

2005-11-16T01:42:00.000-06:00

Uncle Larry's.

I had three requests for Tuesday:
1. Alcohol
2. Crab Rangoon
3. Boobs

And I got all three.

I went out after work with my work buds and we went to The Franchise to get some food and a couple of beverages and then after waiting for the girl who did not get my way cool blind people/tattoo remark back last summmer, we headed to a strip club.

Yes, with work people.

Odd.

I know.

I even had a cigar.

And I was hot.

I'm always hot.

I mean, when I want to be.

I'm a hot, hot hottie.

And I want pole-dancing lessons.
(Trey, I know you will approve.)

Sigh.

Daph, this is what you get for requesting a post that doesn't contain the word "snot"... Enjoy. Even though I said "snot" again.

(Obviously, I'm feeling much better.)

2005-11-07T19:07:00.000-06:00

Sick.

Snotty, fever, sore throat, sore nose skin (from the tissues). I've managed to keep the chills away... I feel them coming on. And the body aches. Ditto for those, too.

This is bad. I've been a lot worse, but this is bad.
---------------------------
It's the bird flu, isn't it?
It's from those quacky ducks I saw at the zoo yesterday, yes?
---------------------------
Okay, I can't even type.
(But I have so much to say!)

Goodnight.

2005-11-04T16:22:00.000-06:00

Hungry for Chicago.

Hunger is the best way to describe it, I think.

Other things I am hungry for:
Finishing grad school.
A new start somewhere.
New boots.
A new memory foam thingy.
New mp3 player.
New running shoes.
More time with my family.
Sex.
???????

And a big, juicy, f-ing hamburger.
From Blu Hill.
I would KILL.
I'd even kill a cow.

2005-11-03T07:17:00.000-06:00

I'm still alive and as crazy as ever.

I had all kinds of inspiration when I was lying in bed yesterday trying to squeeze in some Tylenol PM sleep before heading to work (okay, three hours is NOT enough sleep).

The inspiring moments of drugged lucidity have passed. It's nothing you'd want to read about anyway, other than WOMEN ARE CRAZY and... Well, what was it we used to say, Kat? Jes? "Boys are dumb, and girls are crazy?"

I guess you have to live the statement for its potential to be realized.

I've lived it more than I can count, and the situation always proves me to be a tad crazier than the boy is dumb. Usually, I need a good knockin' on the noggin and some plain-old common sense beat into me.

But in the end, it all evens out because all the guy cares about is that the girl has a Ho Ho for his Ding Dong. Which is crazy, yet sincerely thoughtful at the same time.

I like Ding Dongs. Who doesn't like Ding Dongs?

I've got some extra common sense for sale, if anyone is interested.

That's all I've got. And a great boyfriend. He's not for sale.

Nevermind. I'm gonna hold on to that common sense for a rainy day. Sorry. Renege.

To summarize (not that any of the above made any sense whatsoever to you): Women have to go through some really tough shit sometimes. That's life. And the men who put up with it are saints.

2005-10-21T17:54:00.000-05:00

What is up.

I'm sitting at home, showered, wet, and cold, waiting for Crusader to get home so I can either 1) Feed him and go down to the glass studio, or 2) Not feed him and go down to the glass studio. His choice whether he eats or whether he comes with me.

I was a machine at the gym today. Damn, that felt good.

I bought some movies at Blockbuster (3 for 25 sale). And some pixie stix.

OH, and when I got home, there was a fat, suspicious envelope in the mail.

OH yeah. World Series tickets. Guess I won't be using those, now, will I?

Coworker in Houston also emailed to rub it in. Bastard.

Um, I am hungry.

Yesterday I went and bothered Fuzzy at the coffee shop.

The night before I went to Fitz's to help Bob celebrate his birthday.

I found my brothers' myspace.com pages. It's amusing and looks as if their girlfriends put them up to it. Who knows. They are odd.

Yep. It smells like bacon in here and the smell will NOT go away.

2005-10-20T13:47:00.000-05:00

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

2005-10-18T17:53:00.000-05:00

Cal-o-rie.

It finally feels like vacation, now.

Today I went to the park at Concordia Seminary and had a picnic with myself (SUBWAY!) while indulging in some recreational reading.

Kaldi's must've had an after-school daycamp going on. A gaggle of tween girls in Kaldi's shirts came up to me with a piece of paper in hand and asked for a definition of "calorie"...

"The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C from a standard initial temperature, at 1 atm."

They didn't like that answer, so I told them it was a measurement of energy. They wrote that down, reluctantly.

Don't ask a chemist, then.

Then they obviously didn't trust me because they ran over to some other unsuspecting person who was trying to read to ask them the same question.
--------------------------
I still have a "B" in my class, and am in danger of getting a "C". Let's just say that a total of 100 points per semester is not a good way to measure knowledge learned from a class. That pisses me off. I am so scared about it that I emailed my 'tator today about it. Hopefully she will be lenient on participation grades. I feel that it has been a miracle that I've even been able to meet the attendance requirement, let alone be alert enough after work to participate here and there (but probably not as much as she'd like). I think she neglects to acknowledge that not all of us are full-time students (you wouldn't believe how many people in that class JUST GO TO SCHOOL). And that thing with her missing class last week? Yeah. Case and point.

So I emailed her, and yes, I am a freak.

I did really well on the paper and only got two points off but it was because of ERRORS. Had I proofread it more, I would have fixed them. They were both in the beginning of the paper, which I had read a million times and was tired of reading, so I'm sure that maybe I had lost the ability to differentiate what I wanted it to say and what it actually said. Like, I left out an "an" in one spot and then put an "and" in the middle of a sentence where it was not needed. Had I had another error on that page, it's the school's policy to fail the paper and rewrite. Whew. Close one. But it was a damn good paper and I DO NOT DESERVE A C IN THAT CLASS, NO WAY.

We also did really well on our presentation last night.
Then we did a really cool group exercise involving tinker toys.
---------------------------
Makes my brain hurt.

On to other things:
Baseball. So, where are we watching the game Wednesday night?

Okay, that's all I've got right now.

2005-10-18T11:35:00.000-05:00

I gave up on my boys last night.

Crusader turned it off after Lance (verb name! run!) Stupidman upped the score. He kept saying Pujols needed a good set up to whack one...

I missed Pujols stick it to them.

This better be good.

2005-10-16T23:24:00.000-05:00

Hungry Hungry Hippoooooo

Jeebus, I am starving.

Obstacle Uno: Softball season is over, now, and we finished 0.500. Not too shabby considering none of us had played together before.

Obstacle Dos: Um, my group presentation for class is tomorrow. I'm sure I'm gonna get a B in this class. Not gonna sweat it. Though, I am severely disappointed in myself. I have to remember I often work 60 hours a week and I try to have a life in there, too, and though it's hard, I think I've proved it can be done. I will try another class in January if I can find a college to take it at (long story).

Then I will be home free to enjoy the rest of my vacation and hopefully start running again. There's a 5k early Saturday evening in Collinsville I might do... Or not. I can't wait to get back into shape. Not that I'm in terrible shape. But, if I can't run 6 miles at a time, I feel like I'm in bad shape. So, there. And I am trying Bikram Yoga this week, possibly, so I'll let you know how that goes.

Tomorrow is Crusader's b-day and I probably won't get to see him. In fact, now that I won't be busy with mandatory activities, he's gonna be super busy finishing up at school and I'll be the naggy gf, "We don't spend enough time together!!" Nah, I'm not like that. However, I am one to nag about things he told me he needs to do and I tend to ask him if he's got it done yet, but I only do it to make conversation. "Did you email soandso about that job? Did you do get your laundry done? Have you finished reading that? When are you going to do blahblahblah?" I don't think he's noticed, yet, so it would be a good time to develop a game plan to stop. Basically, if he didn't tell me what he needed to do, I couldn't ask these things and life would be easier.

If that makes sense. Or, I could be paranoid.

Though, he did score major points by ripping all my cd's for me. ALL of them. Saturday we hung out all day, pretty much, and we watched the Cards game, bought some losing Powerball tickets, got some Qdoba... Played video games and watched a movie. It was a very, very good day.

The only other objective for this week is to wash & wax the X. And get new shoes. And go home to see sis. Saturday is her homecoming dance and I figured I'd go with her to get her hairs did on Saturday morning. And I need to hang with MLFJ. She and I went out to Jimmy T's Friday night as T-Pep was bartending (yes, an hour drive for free drinks) and she hadn't seen him in a while.

What would Jeebus eat? A pizza? Pizza it is.

2005-10-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

I am officially on vacay and it is officially fun and expensive and yet, wrenching.

Started the day at the gyno, as if you wanted to hear about that. However, I am pissed off. This appointment has been rescheduled twice because 1) they lack scheduling abilities and 2) Dr. was going to be out of town. So, I get there and I'm like, "Hi, I have a twelve o'clock with Dr. Soandso." And they were all, "Um, did you know you were seeing Dr. Notsoandso today?"

What. The. Fuck.

I would have appreciated a phone call or notice that my doctor had to call in and that I would be seeing another doctor. You know, when the same doctor has been looking at your cooch for five years, you gain a sort of trust and rather look forward to having the familiarity of having the same doctor look at your cooch. And had I known my doctor had cancelled her appointments for the day, I would have rescheduled again, but I was there and I was mentally prepared to get this over and done, so I went with it. And everything looked normal, FYI.

Then I went and dropped some cash at Banana. I hadn't bought new jeans in two years, and I needed some. Then I gots me an Eckstein t-shirt. I looked all over the mall for my size (either a small or medium), and finallly I decided to go to the kids section (duh) where they didn't come in "dress" sizes. I loves me some Eckstein, since the beginning. I remember watching him first down in Jupiter... So much energy! Ah, go Cards!

Also, I bought some dvd's and a couple of games.

I am done. I need to work on my presentation b/c I am meeting with my group tomorrow morning/afternoon. Karl was talking about the burden of group work; I have a problem with it because it eats up my spare time. The in-class group exercises I enjoy very much, however. Someone would argue that the presentations are preparing us for the real world and how to work as teams... Um, we're all professionals in the class and most of us have given presentations before and work in teams most everyday. Gah. Grumble, grumble.

Facilitator is lazy and wants us to do all the work, basically.

2005-10-11T14:28:00.000-05:00

Procrastination is an art.

I had a hellish weekend at work. Saturday I had planned to work on my paper after work, but instead Crusader, Jules, Ke-van and I got PF Chang's takeout and watched the new Family Guy movie (GREAT, btw). I really needed the downtime to destress. I ducked out when the Cards game came on and went home to bed. Also, I missed Chris and Van's shin-dig. Boooo, hisssss....

Sunday, Crusader fixed dinner and I worked on my paper some more...

Yesterday, I finished my paper with about an hour and a half to spare. I regret I did not get to take advantage of Karl's proofreading skills, but I think it will be fine. I drove out to SIUE and my class was cancelled. I was pissed. Ms. Facilitator was there, and she told us she was sick and to put our papers in a box and leave.

Okay. So, this class has an attendance requirement. Can't miss. She obviously has no regards for her own rules... Okay, $800 per class for student with ten class meetings translates to roughly $80 per class per student. Multiply that by 50 persons in class... Yeah, she just threw away $4000 in tuition. See, I said she was an idiot. Cost-analysis my ass! I want my money back.

Tomorrow is a stinky audit at work and I am not prepared. I was reading over some ASTM methods and wow, either I was not trained properly, or nothing stuck during my training. I can't make heads or tails of it.

I am officially on vacation after work Thursday and I don't have to be back until the 25th. I plan to be intoxicated much of this time, aside from Saturday morning (meeting with study group) and Monday night (presentation with study group). I also get to start running again. I am also going to try Bikram Yoga. I am very excited about that. Party on the 22nd... Um, Crusader's b-day is the 17th. I will be very busy doing nothing, and it shall be great.

Until next time, which may be later than sooner because I am Queen Procrastination.

2005-10-05T23:35:00.000-05:00

Always Have to Steal my Kisses from You

A lot has been going on, and I've been really busy. I'm not sure if I like this "busy" business. It seems I don't have time for anything or anyone, and my running schedule has completely taken its position on the back burner for nearly two months, now. I think I miss it the most. And my fam--I haven't seen anyone since July. Sigh. And I really miss my friends. I love you guys, really, I do.

But things are going well.

I am not getting the best grade in my class right now, as I did pretty bad on my exam last week (Who knew that messing up one essay question could cost you two letter grades?), but I still have a B and will likely keep it. Not dwelling on it... Must push forward and complete my paper, presentation, and the final, which is a take-home final so that's all the better.

I went to the Cards game Friday night as a counterpart to MLFJ's brother's bachelor party. There were 30 of us in the center outfield... We started the wave, which, I must say, I'd never been a part of in my entire life. This is what happens when 30 drunkards get together at a baseball game. Ah, but goodbye, Busch Stadium. You will be missed.

Saturday I went to The Botanical Gardens for the Best of Missouri Market, and then had a late lunch with Crusader (The Boy--finally found a perfect name for him) at Amighetti's, then he went back to work for a bit. We stayed in that night and watched "So I Married an Axe Murderer" while downing a couple of beverages. It was nice and relaxing.

Sunday morning, Crusader got up early and made WAFFLES FROM SCRATCH. My man can cook! Damn, he even had them all cooked and the coffee ready before I got out of bed. He's so trained, already. He's such a sweetheart, and it's amazing how lucky I am.

Other than that--Softball is a hoot. I think I want to play on a summer league next year. I know I do. But will I find the time?

My class is over after I finish the take-home final. I think I will have a lot more time to goof off after that is over, and I'm not taking another class until January, at the earliest. November and December will be my goof-off time, so I'll see ya then.

I gots stuffs to do.

2005-09-26T22:17:00.000-05:00

Double-You-Tee-Eff!

Had my first exam tonight for my class... Maybe did good, maybe bad. Will all depend on how picky the facilitator (haha) is. I was well-prepared, but when the test consists of only five essay questions... A lot is at stake.

Still want to kill the engineer dude. Really. He blows. But I bet his wife has nice closets (that was for you, Daph).
--------------------------------------
Anticipated time left in current job: 8 months to 20 months.

Have started job searching, again.

I'm just really itchy for a new start somewhere. Even if it's a transfer with the same company... I don't care. But Florida really sounds nice. Impending cold weather has me looking for permanent sunshine and regular work hours.
--------------------------------------
Plus, I feel really bad. I was complaining to Boy last night about being stressed about tonight's exam (really--going on and on and on) and he was already in a bad mood, but I didn't find out why until this morning.

You see, stressing and obsessing about a test to your Boy is pretty selfish when your Boy has to finish his research and write and present his dissertation in like, 2.5 months and it's not like he knows where he is going to be after that because well, he doesn't have a job lined up, he's never had a real job aside from being on a house-building crew, he has no money put away, and he doesn't know where he wants to live because he doesn't exactly have a place to call home (Green Bay is the closest thing he ever had to permanency--Go Pack) so he could potentially end up anywhere and be happy as long as he has some sort of income but still has no idea because his boss won't give him any job guidance. And he wants to do NOLS or something similar for a while before he does anything too serious... And it is all a lot to think about at once and it puts him in a really pissy mood.

Needless to say, he's a bit edgy these days.

Yeah. That really put me in my place, so I'm gonna drop the complaining for a bit. And maybe keep my distance.
---------------------------------------------
In other news, my family is still incompetent and nutso.

My mother has been dogsitting for my sister, and my sister's dog was doggynapped from the backyard (we suspect) and my mother didn't decide to do anything about it until days after. She went out to look for Jack, who was chained up in the fenced backyard, and found that he was gone, along with his collar and chain. Now, my mother lives out in the middle on nowhere, so anything could have happened, like, someone passed by and felt sorry for him for being chained up and took him, or maybe he got loose and someone called animal control, or maybe his chain got wrapped around some trees in the woods and he's out there suffering... I literally broke down and cried. I have a soft spot for doggies and the people who can't take care or them are assholes, even my mother. That I know of, she has yet to call animal control to see if anyone had him picked up from the neighborhood or if he was turned in. Nothing.

Morons out there own pets and "care" for them, yet I can't be allowed to have a dog in my apartment.

God, can I have a new family for Christmas?
Okay... How about a new apartment?

No?

Okay.

At least it's good to know "my" problems are not my problems at all and it's not me that's messed up.

Seriously. No trainwrecks here.

2005-09-22T00:26:00.000-05:00

And now it's time for a real post.

And I don't have much to say. Have been studying my ass off for an upcoming exam. I love the material--it's concepts and I'm good with concepts, especially if I've already thought about them on my own or have experienced them myself. The hard part is putting names with them and memorizing them and spitting them back out in essay form for a test.

That, to me, is ridiculous, because people like myself, with bad memories, are not going to remember this crap after an exam, and is therefore pointless that I know that Kohlberg's theory of cognitive development is specifically Kohlberg's theory of cognitive development and not "hey, people deveolp and evolve ways of thinking as they get older." Duh.

I am enjoying the material; the classroom setting, not so much.
I've said this before.
----------------------------
We are 2-2 in softball. Jesus, it is a fun league.
----------------------------
I still have a vacation coming up in a couple of weeks.
I think I'm going to sit around a be a bum the whole time because dammit, I deserve some down time.
----------------------------
Um, that is all for now.

2005-09-22T00:08:00.000-05:00

I did it.

7 things I plan to do before I die:
1. Jump out of a plane
2. Get a dog(s)
3. Take some time off between jobs and travel
4. Get involved with a volunteer organization
5. Finish my master's degree
6. Adopt or give birth; whichever works best
7. Relocate

7 things I can do:
1. Play piano
2. Dance like a... dancer
3. Run for long periods of time
4. Drive a firetruck
5. CPR
6. Ask for help
7. Piss people off

7 things I cannot do:
1. Backflips, anymore
2. Get comfortable
3. Sleep well
4. Focus when needed
5. Have sympathy for morons
6. Eat raw tomatoes, yuck yuck yuck
7. Fasten my pants, at the moment

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
1. Brains, and utilizing them
2. A nice smile
3. Ability to make me laugh
4. Athleticness
5. Willingness to try new things and experience what life has to offer
6. Assertiveness
7. Intuitively knowing what I want (?)

7 things that I say most often:
1. Say what?
2. Do what?
3. FAN-tastic.
4. EX-cellent.
5. Huh?
6. Sunnuva!
7. Oh well.

7 celebrity crushes: (not really into the celebrity crush thing)
1. Jason Statham
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

7 people I want to do this:
1. Anyone who wants. Bob, I guess, would be a good candidate.

2005-09-22T00:04:00.000-05:00

Political Compass Quiz Thingy

Your political compass
Economic Left/Right: -4.63
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.67

2005-09-19T22:58:00.000-05:00

Avast!

You know your coworkers are good friends when they send you communications in pirate-speak for no reason, especially when you didn't know they were aware of TLAP Day.

I got some doozies, today.

2005-09-16T06:25:00.000-05:00

I never get picked for the memes.

I have a 5k tomorrow morning, and I am extremely overprepared. Meaning, I have been eating like a moo-cow for the last month and have only been running once a week.

Read: Full of calories and well-rested.

I feel gross.

At least tomorrow I can drink a lot of beer for $20.

Afterwards, the cleansing will begin.

2005-09-14T09:46:00.000-05:00

Sharqi:

The swings at Turtle Park were great and made for an interesting night. Thanks for the suggestion!

2005-09-12T22:28:00.000-05:00

And Ye Shall Try, Umph.

1. Fixed my truck's a/c myself. It's amazing what you can learn from a trip to Autozone. Thanks go to Todd at the Big Bend location. I bet I'm the only girl you know who would fix her own a/c.
2. Class was great. The rest of my group caught on to the fact that Engineer is a moron. Baylor, Envirosciencegirl, Computer and I took control, and did very well. However, Upcoming Big Presentation is going to be a bitch. HARD. VERY VERY HARD. Finally clicking with the rest of the group will hopefully make things easier. Baylor and I figured out we grew up five minutes from each other, and I gave Envirosciencegirl some job leads, since she just moved here.

Was a rather productive evening.

Tonight I think I'm going to start ripping cd's.
It will take months, I think.

2005-09-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

Stressed and fried, as Karl puts it.

Is it possible to bite off a too-large hunk of life?
I can't even bite into it. Nibble, maybe. Chew? Forget about it.

School is shitty, I must admit. If I could just learn from the book and not have to go to class, I would SO do it. The instructor completely made my stomach churn last week when she made a reference to an incident that happened at my company last year that got one of my coworker friends in deep poo-poo. Apparently, she had one of our management team members in one of her classes recently and the story was passed to her anecdotally. Now, she didn't name the company, but when she says, "local petroleum company" everyone KNOWS and eyes scan the room and find me, wearing a company jacket (which I will no longer wear in public). But she had her facts all wrong about the situation and used it improperly as an example of business ethics. No, ethics had nothing to do with the situation. And to me, she did nothing but undermine her credibility (with incorrect facts) in an attempt to tell a story to look cute. Because I've decided that's the only reason she likes to teach. She's one of those MILF-types with low self esteem who like attention and by standing in front of 50 impressionable (I'd go as far as to say gullible) people who ooooh and ahhh over her every hand gesture (yes, she felt the need to give us an hour lecture on public speaking--this is grad school, and if people need a refresher on that, then they don't belong in grad school) resulting in attention-whore behavior. Breathe! And my group sucks donkey balls because they oooh and ahhh over her, too. And the self-proclaimed leader of my group? The engineer? I've decided his enthusiasm to lead is just a ruse to make up for his lack of intelligence and creative input. Which, by the way, is not a bad idea and I only wish I had thought of it first.

I love people watching.

Boyfriend is also taking up way too much of my time, but in return, I am taking up way too much of his time, so it evens out, enjoyably. Friends have yet to figure out we are dating. I've always thought they were more perceptive than that and would have said something by now. Especially how I fell asleep on Trey in an odd position Sunday night...

Dr. Mark McGwire yelled at me today. I went in with a chipped tooth, and he asked if I had been wearing my nightguard (very, very bad grinding problem). I wanted badly to tell him that it's just not sexy to wear when staying away from home. But I don't know how I chipped the tooth, honestly. But he was nice and ground it down so I will no longer slice mine or anyone else's tongue with it.

The Xterra is sans air-conditioning. I need to get that fixed. Soon. Because it's still ridiculously hot out.

I have not seen my family in two months. Most people would be overjoyed by this, but me, I'm a bit homesick and miss summer in the country.

Have been working too many nights. But I have tonight off.
Dinner tonight--eat out and support hurricane victims: www.stlkatrinarelief.com

Superwoman doesn't work this hard. I asked her.

2005-09-07T08:07:00.000-05:00

Swing low...

Okay, I'm looking for a good park in the area with swings.
And I mean swings big enough for an adult's rear-end.
And I want to be able to swing HIGH.

Large slides and maybe a teeter-totter would be a great bonus.

Any suggestions?