Friday, September 30, 2005

Buried Treasure

Well, ok, I wouldn't call it treasure. But I'm one of those people that always has a messy desk. I don't like organizing, filing, etc. so I have piles and piles everywhere in my office. It's worse than usual lately cause I'm so busy. Yesterday one of our board members stopped by to visit and nearly had a heart attack, it was sort of embarrassing. So will today be the day I get my act together and clean off my desk? Only time will tell. Even I have to admit it's getting to the ridiculous point.

Thursday, September 29, 2005

Laughs

I'm not big on internet jokes, but this one is sort of too good to pass up, so I'll share.

Donald Rumsfeld is giving president George W. Bush his daily briefing. Rumsfeld concludes by saying: "Yesterday, 3 Brazilian soldiers were killed." "OH NO!" exclaims Bush. "That's terrible!" His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watchingas the president sits, head in hands. Finally, the president looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

Feel like some more laughs? Check out my favorite whacky store in DC, Chocolate Moose It really has some funny and politically incorrect stuff. The website's not great, but there are some products there, under accessories. I always get my sister some crazy birthday gifts there, for example, two gifts this year are gum in boxes that say "Let's pretend I give a shit and leave it at that" and "How about a nice big pack of Shut the Hell Up!"
Ugh

I feel so ugh today. I had some tests this morning involving rapidly downing various disgusting things like barium. It was so gross, my stomach is still protesting. I think I have a permanently disgusted look on my face, cause everyone walking into my office immediately asks me what's wrong. It was not a fun start to my morning. When I said this to the technician, who could care less cause he does this all day, he (being ever-so-upbeat) comments, "well at least your day will get better now!" Duh!

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Writing on the Wall?

It’s been an unbelievably crazy week so far. Today I was “omitted” from an important meeting that I probably should have been included on, because I’ve sort of been the main contact with this company for a while. So what does that tell you? Sharpen up that resume! Actually, I’ve sent quite a few this week, had a phone interview today that seemed positive.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Maxed Out!

I'm so thrilled . . . I've been getting allergy shots once a week for the past 3 friggin years. It's been a long haul and very inconvenient for me to get to the doc, but it looks like I'm finally at the maximum allergy poison dosage that you can take. I still have to get shots once a week, but I think my primary care can do it now, and that is a lot closer to my house. After about 6 months I can go to every other week. I know ya'll don't really care about this, but I'm thrilled! The end is in sight!

Monday, September 26, 2005

How Can It Be Monday?

I’m sitting here in my office trying to talk myself out of being grumpy this morning. I had a lousy commute in, starting with a standing-only bus that I refused to board, and messages from the boss asking for a report that I had left her before my day off Friday and she neglected to find.

That being said, here are highlights from the weekend:

Friday – drove with
Jeffro up to central PA and visited his alma mater, Bucknell. He insisted that Bucknell is prettier than my alma mater, William and Mary, which is completely absurd! So we will soon make a trip to Williamsburg so he can see that my college kicks his college's ass! We spent the day walking around campus and he bought me a t-shirt to convert me to a Bucknell Bison.

We spent the evening at the
Inn at New Berlin, which was very lovely and stayed in a pretty room with a turret. Dinner was at Gabriel’s in the lower level of the inn. Very convenient, yet made for a somewhat noisy stay.

Saturday we drove around a bunch of small towns nearby and did some antique shopping. The best part of the day was coming across this really cool covered bridge, which I would show you if the "adding images" function would work properly. I have to say small towns definitely have their charm. Headed back home Saturday night to be back for a visit from Jeffro’s father, which unfortunately didn’t happen. But that meant I had the day to get things done, so I could start the week feeling good that my errands were run, house cleaned, etc.

Thursday, September 22, 2005

R&R

Jeffro and I are off to the relaxing and beautiful Inn at New Berlin this weekend for some much need R&R. No internet access there, so everyone have a great weekend. I tried to get a photo of the place in here, and initially it worked but then something screwed up. So you'll have to check it out yourselves.
Fire!

As in Firehook Bakery, where I went to lunch and had a very yummy sandwich and chocolate espresso cookie. My friend MJ had called to see if I wanted to walk during lunch, and on the way back we stopped before I passed out from low blood sugar. A very nice time, and a gorgeous day today. So get out and enjoy it, it's officially the first day of fall today, I believe.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Day in Capri

No, unfortunately not Italy, but capri pants. I normally don't wear them to work, cause I think they're too casual, but more and more people are doing it, so I jumped on the bandwagon today. Mostly cause I'm sick of my work clothes. Been a productive day at work, and quiet too with the boss and two others gone. An event I was worried about went without a hitch, and I finally got some issues resolved about an invitation I'm working on. The best part is I took a walk at lunch and did a little shopping at Filene's. Can you believe the weather today? Just gorgeous, makes me feel almost like I *was* in Capri.

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Season Opener

Well, this week marks the season premiers of some of the TV shows I like--Lost, The Office, Joey, ER--and one new show I want to watch, My Name is Earl. I know it looks really stupid, but that's what I like about it. Other than that, just not much on these days I'm interested in, although Invasion is supposed to be good.

Monday, September 19, 2005

Cart and Horse

Apparently the new boss just read this book, So You're New Again, about coming into a new organization and it has given her a new perspective her horrifying her behavior. While that is nice, perhaps she should have read it before she pissed everyone off last week.
Great Weekend

It’s so much nicer to face a Monday at work when you’ve had a great weekend. I got a fair amount of productive stuff done, got caught up on phone calls, in addition to having a lot of fun. Friday night's margaritas at Guapo's were, as predicted, a smashing success.

Saturday, despite Jeffro being sick, he planned a great picnic to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. The weather was fabulous . . . then we went to my sister’s to belatedly celebrate my birthday. It was a good time, well, as good a time as you can have with family.

Sunday I went to see
Just Like Heaven, which I must say exceeded my expectations. What a great little movie. However, I would caution that most men probably would not enjoy it. My girlfriend and I both left the theater vowing to buy it when it comes out on DVD!

Last night I watched lots of music stuff on
CMT, including the 100 best duets (correctly guessing the #1 duet, I must say!) and Crossroads featuring Bon Jovi and Sugarland, one of my favorite new bands. What a great time! I can’t wait for Bon Jovi’s new CD, Have a Nice Day, due out tomorrow. They played the title track last night on the show.

Friday, September 16, 2005

Finally Friday

Boy, has this been a long week. I think I'm going to Guapo's tonight with a friend to have some margaritas, my favorite. Check it out, on their home page they say "now is the time to have a margarita" so what more invitation do I need?

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Ironic Horoscope

This was my horoscope today. Interesting, huh: Instead of critiquing someone's unusual methods, why not observe how they're doing it and see if you could learn something? Your sharp mind is of better use that way. Nix any criticism. Narrow-mindedness only hinders you.
Day of Meetings

Oh boy I can't wait until today is over. A 3-hour meeting this morning with the new boss. And it didn't go well. Quote of the day from her: "I know you feel burdened already, but I'm gonna burden you!" That is exactly what you want to hear from a new boss. Bitch! Officially, I hate her already. Now I have to meet with her again this afternoon. I am not a happy girl today.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Ah, the Perfect Free Night

After a crazy day of leaving work early to take the dog to the vet, yet again, for an x-ray this time, I made it home at the very decent hour of 5:30. I am having one of those perfect, long, free nights where you do absolutely everything you actually want to do, and had set out to do. I met up with my upstairs neighbor to walk the dogs. Roasted veggies while I worked out. Ate my wonderful roasted veggies. Tried to make a couple of phone calls to friends. Talked to dogsitter about coming weekend plans. Straightened up the apartment. Got caught up on my mail and finished the Sunday paper. Played on the computer. Cleaned the bathroom. Gonna watch Rock Star at 9 and do a little reading beforehand. It's amazing how much you can actually do when you're home to do it and not getting back from work at 7. I definitely have to make this a habit, although that might require getting to the office earlier, which is tough. We'll see. I'll just enjoy this night while I can.
New Boss

Our old boss was a very interesting person, who had these little quirks and weird requirements, for example, you couldn't use a certain type of paper clip that she didn't like. As a joke, we used to keep a running list of all her "special" things. And it's starting today with the new boss. Apparently the lights were out near her office, and someone switched them on thinking no one was there. The boss came running out frantically, calling, "who's there?" and scaring the person to death. Well, apparently, the lights are to always remain off, because they bother her eyes, and she plans to just work by natural light from the window and lamps. She made this person call everyone on staff to let them know that she is in the office even if it looks dark, and not to turn the lights on. "Uh . . . yeah. I'm gonna have to ask you to turn out all the lights and use only candles from now on," says Lumbergh. (For all you Office Space fans, check out this tribute site.)
A Series of Unfortunate Events

No, not the movie. My morning. It started at 5 when my apparently still-sick dog scratched at the door to go outside. So I drag myself out of bed and take him out, and he starts eating grass. For those of you who don't know what that means, it means he's trying to make himself puke again and I'm not having it at 5 a.m.! His stomach is gurgling audibly, and he won't do anything else outside but eat grass, so I drag him back in and try to get him to take more medicine from our vet visit the other day. No such luck. I try to hide it in peanut butter, canned dog food, cheese and he's having none of it. As a last resort, since my bed is calling to me to come back to sleep, I just shove the pill down the back of his throat and force him to take it. I've never had to resort to that before, but it's such a tiny pill I figured I could make it work and thank God it did.

That whole episode made me tired and therefore I couldn't get out of bed at the designated time. I got to the bus stop fairly late, but there was someone else waiting there already so I figured I didn't miss the last bus. As I'm waiting, a neighbor offers to drive me and the other guy to L'Enfant Plaza. I know this guy from walking the dogs so I say great. We get to L'Enfant and it takes at least 10 minutes to find the actual metro entrance. The other guy, who supposedly works at L'Enfant is getting me lost trying to find some alternate entrance that apparently doesn't really exist, so I strike out on my own and again head the wrong way. Then my contact lens started really bothering me and not much I can do about it cause I don't want to stick my metro-dirty-hands in my eyes. I finally get to my stop near work and it starts to drizzle. So I arrive to work all drizzly, hassled, sweaty cause it's so humid, and not being able to see. My first stop is the bathroom, and after I wash my filthy hands I rip the contact lens out of my eye and immediately see and fix the problem.

But wait, there's more! I had washed out my lunch container last night and thought I dried it out well this morning. But apparently not, as everything in my lunch was soggy and ruined by the time I got to the office.

Needless to say, I'm having a closed door morning while I try to regain some composure . . . can I just go back to bed and start all over??

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Holiday

Normally I hate the thought of anything to do with the holidays this early in the fall. But not today. For all my bitching about my job, we do get some pretty fabulous perks. One such perk, besides Fridays off in the summer, is an incredibly long, wonderful (paid) break over Christmas. They just announced what the dates are this year so we can plan what to do with our time. I think I'll go to the Riviera. From Thursday, December 22-Tuesday, January 2, I'll be loving life.

Monday, September 12, 2005

How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?

More than you might think. My youngest dog Opie--who incidentally does sit in the window all day like a cat--has been sick on and off for a week. So today it was time to take him to the vet after he puked 3 times, including on my couch. So $200 and 2.5 hours of sick leave later, he's feeling much better. Fun morning!

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Friday, September 09, 2005

Music Wish List

I got an early birthday gift this week of a Target gift card, and I plan to use it to buy two CDs that come out next week, Trisha Yearwood's Jasper County and Dar Williams My Better Self. Did anyone know that Bon Jovi has a new CD coming out Sept 20? Does anyone know anything about Have a Nice Day with its funny evil face on the cover? I'm also waiting for Sara Evans new CD, Real Fine Place which comes out this fall.
Angie

I went last night with Jeffro to see Angie Aparo a Iota. It was a really good show, despite Angie's apparent insanity and thinking he's from outer space. A very weird guy, but funny and approachable. He had a big crowd of people around him before the show, and when I was looking at his CDs his manager said I should stick around and talk to him afterwards. The opening act, Plumb, which we had tried to skip by getting there late, was surprisingly good and I would have bought a CD on the spot if they'd had one. What a great voice. I must say I'm a little tired today since we stayed for the entire show. I have an "early" meeting, which for me is 10, and a late meeting at 4, but I guess I can just fluff through the middle part of the day.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

Blog-Less

Sorry I haven't been writing much this week. Way too busy and stressed at work, and not in the mood when I go home. I just don't have anything exciting to report this week, I guess.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Damn Greeks

Ok, I'll finally report on my weekend with the Greek ordeal/christening. That's always how I think of these events.

Friday I took my sister who is visiting from FL to the doctor. Of course, she wasn't happy with what the doc said, but she never is. (She has an ongoing, somewhat serious health condition). The rest of the day was fun, I had my 2nd drum lesson, got my haircut, then went to see
Some Brave Apollo and The Strohs at Rhodeside Grill with Jeffro. We were craving some junk food afterwards, and actually stopped at McDonald's, which is so unlike either of us.

Saturday I decided to go out to find a dress for said christening on Sunday. Yes, nothing like the last minute. I also got my sister from FL a dress too. A successful trip and we both looked smashing (or is it smashed?), I'm sure.

The christening was at 1 on Sunday. A very nice ceremony, but there was a bunch of little family bullshit going on at the church--for example, my mother getting mad about sitting in the 2nd versus 1st row, crap like that. I got the fun job of having to pin these little things on everyone as they left the church, boy was that stressful! I was cranking through people pretty quickly, so hopefully there wasn't too much of a bottleneck.

The party afterwards was held at my sister's 11,000+ square foot home, in the backyard. She had a big tent set up for dinner and was expecting like 370 people, 100+ which were kids. There were 3 bars total, one just for the kids, one in the tennis/basketball court, and one in the tent. My sister hired this company to entertain the children, and it was just unbelievable. A mini-carousel, inflatable rock-climbing wall, moonbounce, storyteller, and some sort of reptile show. Whatever happened to kids just running around and entertaining themselves?

The hors d'oevres were enough to make a full meal, so I really had to pace myself. Dinner was filet mignon, fish stuffed with crabmeat, and a chicken dish, along with various sides and a salad. Dessert was pastries, cookies, and a huge Noah's ark cake that had taken the bakers some 80 hours to complete and decorate (how this is possible without the cake going bad, I have no idea but this is what my brother-in-law claimed). I actually had a pretty decent time, hung out with friends of my sister and Jeffro.

Monday morning I got up early to go say goodbye to my relatives. That whole process was quite a fiasco and took hours, and I can't even bore you with the details here. Then I went home to deal with my sick dog (see previous post from Monday). Crazy!
First Meeting with New Boss

Boy, it was interesting. I wound up telling her some things that I never intended, like how most of the support staff can't do their jobs. Her response was that maybe they shouldn't be support staff. Oops! But exactly what I've thought for a while now. I think that she's pretty savvy and would have found out anyway. She has some very distinct ideas about how things should be done--things that are completely opposite of how we do things here. For me, this is good cause I hate how we do things here, but some people are going to be very unhappy. She said that sometimes when she makes decisions she can be like a dictator. Yikes! This could potentially be a good change as long as I don't get canned. Actually, though, getting canned wouldn't be bad if they'd give me like 6 months of severance. I would just go quietly and be very happy.
So Tired

I stayed up way too late last night watching Iron Chef last night. So that totally nixed my hope to stay on an earlier work schedule. At least our 9 hour days are over!

Monday, September 05, 2005

Labor Day

I don't have time right now to write about the crazy Greek christening, I'll have to get to that at work tomorrow morning. But I must say this has been a very laborious labor day, starting with waking early to go say goodbye to relatives who were headed home. After all the wine I had at the christening yesterday, this was no easy feat. The kicker of the day is that my terror dog Opie has been sick all day--nasty things coming outta both ends. Very disgusting and he keeps farting right now. It smells so gross in my house I'm gonna have to banish him to the yard for the night or something. Just thought I'd share my pain.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

My Big Fat Greek Christening

My nephew, the youngest of 6 in a Greek Orthodox family, is getting christened this weekend. This means my loud Long Island relatives are descending from NY, and hundreds of attendees at this crazy event. I just pray it doesn't rain since this is planned as an outdoor event under a tent at my sister's house. I find drinking heavily makes the whole thing so much easier to deal with. The festivities start tonight, as my sister is flying in from FL.
Leaving Early

Our office is closing at 3 today to get a jump start on the holiday weekend. As you know, this is our last week of Fridays off. Plus we have Monday off for the holiday. Good for me!
Across a Crowded Room

Well, not actually crowded, but . . . another example of my coworker's rudeness. Different coworker this time around, but same issue of being completely rude. This one woman who sits outside my office actually yelled to call me from her desk. Like I'm supposed to get up from my desk and come and see her? When she works (sometimes and unfortunately) for me? I don't think so. Or did she just expect me to yell back? Maybe we could all be more productive in an office environment where everyone just yells out what they need . . . once again I reiterate that I have got to find a new job.
Would You Believe?

I am just setting foot in the office today when one of the big office nags (president's assistant) stops me by yelling down the hallway and promptly tells me the new president--whose first day is today--wants to meet with me at 11. I didn't even try to be nice, just grumbled something like "that figures" and kept my back to her the whole time. Rule number 1 (how many times do we need to review this?): don't jump on me as I'm walking in the door. Rule number 2: what makes you think I give a flying fuck about this place?