You Know What's Fun?

Jackhammering going on right outside your window as you're trying to work, that's what's fun. I can only hope it will last the whole day . . .

Kiss of Death

Apparently a teenager in Canada died from a peanut allergy after kissing her boyfriend who had recently eaten peanut butter. How crazy is that?

Thanksgiving with Kids

The holidays are always interesting when you have to spend time with your family. But spending the holidays with kids always adds a new dimension to the insanity. My sister has 6 kids—5 girls and 1 boy. Here are a couple funny stories from the holiday dinner:

As I walked to my seat after going to the buffet for seconds, my 6-year old niece (who aspires to be a cheerleader or comedienne) announced to the table that I was walking like I was really hip and proceeded to do a really funny imitation which had everyone cracking up. I guess I’m not so old if a kid thinks I’m hip, huh?

My youngest niece, who was sitting in my lap, decided to try a piece of chestnut. She started coughing, so I thought she had just bitten off too much or something, but my ever-astute sister noticed that she was actually going to throw up. My sister says, “she’s gonna blow” and I’m thinking “blow what?” By the time I finally caught on, my niece had almost started puking and my sister put out her hands to catch it and somehow I managed to transfer my niece to her and got her off my lap just in time.

Turkey and Stuffing and Pie, Oh My!

I feel like all I've done is eat this weekend, like the rest of the country I'm sure. Jeffro and I spent the holiday with his family in Jersey and got sent home with some great leftovers. Today we go to my family to have another turkey dinner/birthday celebration. Besides eating, I spent yesterday running a million errands, including buying birthday gifts, and today cleaning. I am not ready to go back to work tomorrow, although now that the word is out about my leaving, it should be kind of exciting!

Reason 5,342

Here's one of the reasons I'm leaving this friggin job. Every time we have a holiday we get out early the day before. For example, today we were officially closed at 3. But yet it's 5 and I'm still here. The worst part is that it's the fault of people who had to get me stuff and were late, yet once they handed it off to me they're free to go. So I'm the only schlump left here while everyone else is off starting their holiday. I'm so pissed right now I can't tell you.

The Office Ecards!

For those of you who love their job as much as I do, you can now send Christmas ecards from your favorite work spoof show, The Office. Check it out!

PS - I had to delete the photo cause my site is loading too slow . . .

Swedish Meatballs

That's what I'm having for lunch. We have the best cafeteria here (which I will miss) and I just couldn't resist today. What's new? I'm still in gala panic mode, probably worse than last week. I need to get the program to the printer this week and it's gonna barely make it. This is the first chance I've had to do any personal work at work. Plus we still haven't told the staff here that I'm leaving, so the unreality of the new job is still my reality. Thursday Jeffro and I leave again for Jersey for turkey day, but probably just staying through Friday cause I have so much crap to do here, like buy gifts for a family party on Sunday which I don't even want to go to.

Crazy!

Let me tell you, things are just nuts for me right now. At my current job, we have a big gala in early Dec with some big-time awardees, just about 3 weeks from now, and we're in full panic mode. Things could not be crazier. So I'm also supposed to be wrapping things up to leave? I don't know how and suspect I'll be working this weekend.

My weekend plans include dinner at Guapo's tonight, possibly going to see Walk the Line tomorrow during the day, an Elvis impersonator party tomorrow night, and a songwriting awards ceremony at Jammin Java on Sunday night, where Jeffro and his cohort Pete will be receiving honorable mentions for 3 songs. In between all of that, my friend from National Geographic is working a big sale at the DC Armory and that might be great place to find some Christmas gifts. So it will be another busy one!

Yes I Quit!

I finally, finally turned in my resignation last night just before I left the office. It was sort of anti-climatic, really after all this build-up. Plus the big boss doesn't want anyone to know yet, as it would cause "widespread panic" and she wants to meet next week to talk about my projects and how we're going to handle them before telling the staff. She was lamenting about who was going to handle all this stuff, and I was like "how exactly is that my problem?" I must say, though, that I'm somewhat flattered that she thinks it will make this much of a stink, after all her talk about how crappy my work is. Apparently she must think I really do some actual work and make a contribution. Who knew? So that's the deal. My last day will be December 12, as she's insisting I attend our office holiday party that day so they can give me a gift and send me off in a nice way. Which I guess is pretty nice of her after all.

I just wish I could tell the world, that's half the fun of quitting is seeing everyone's reaction!

CMAs!

I know ya'll are excited about tonight's CMA Awards--Country Music Association, that is. You know you wanna watch! It starts at 8 p.m. on CBS. It's in NYC this year, which is the CMA's attempt to appeal to a wider audience than just us hicks down south. Even Bon Jovi will be appearing and Melissa and Joan Rivers will do their usual fashion bashing on the red carpet. Check it out!

Crazy Night!

Boy, last night's All American Rejects concert at the 9:30 Club was definitely one of the craziest shows I've ever been to. It was sold out, and the place was just packed. Jeffro and I had a good time, and managed to stay out of the craziness that included crowdsurfing and moshing. It was almost more fun to watch the crowd than the band. I have to say, even though Jeffro liked AAR, I think they're better when you just listen to their CD. I was very unimpressed with their use of some sort of accompanying track--at one point the drummer STOPPED DRUMMING and was sitting there taking a drink of water(?) and yet the drum beat went on. I felt like I was being duped, and wondered how much of the other parts of the show were pre-recorded? Boy, was I mad! I felt like they had no integrity. Plus they were just too crazy on stage--to the point where you're asking yourself how are they playing guitars and jumping around like that? I also think the lead singer was high-high-high . . . gosh, how old fart-ish do I sound? I actually loved one of the opening acts, Rooney, and I'm going to look into getting some of their stuff. Very, very good harmony vocals.

Not Much to Say

I'm just kind of on pins and needles about this whole job thing, so I don't have a lot to say today. I'm stressed at work for various reasons and we're going to a concert tonight (All American Rejects). Standing around in a smoky room and staying up late are just not sounding that appealing right now. Especially knowing I will feel like crap tomorrow. Plus I'm tired from the weekend where we basically ran up to NJ and back within essentially a 24 hour period. So I guess I've got a case of the Mondays today . . .

Finally Getting Away

Jeffro and I are headed to NJ this weekend. We're only going overnight, but hey it's better than nothing. We're going to see The Fab Faux, a Beatles tribute band. It should be quite interesting. Wonder if all the girls in the audience will be screaming.

Update on Job

Well, it's been an agonizing week here . . . I am reluctant to resign because I haven't had official confirmation from my new boss that she received my acceptance of the offer. She's traveling and apparently tried to send me a confirmation via email, which I never received. For some reason she cannot resend it now, and no one else in the office can handle it. She's not back in her office until Tuesday, so I have to sit tight until then cause I don't want to get screwed--the whole thing is just weird enough for me to feel like it's going to fall through or something since I haven't heard from her. In the meantime, I'm starting to clean up my computer files and stuff at work, which is really weird. And get this--my boss is out on Tuesday, so I'm going to have to resign via email . . . which is pretty funny yet somehow less gratifying. But I simply cannot wait until she gets back in the office Thursday or I think I will just explode! This is just agonizing torture, let me tell you. Patience is not one of my strong points.

Almost There

We have this Friday off for Veteran's Day and I couldn't be happier. Jeffro and I are trying to get away this weekend to head back to his home state of NJ to go see a concert with his dad. It looks like I will put in my official resignation tomorrow, so be looking out for a post! BTW, I'm glad I voted yesterday cause my candidate won!

Vote Already!

Today is election day in Virginia and it's a tight race for governor. I can't tell you how many friggin' phone messages I've had over the past week telling me to get out and vote for so-and-so. I've never been more inundated with calls like this--today alone I had 3, including a call from one of the gubernatorial candidates, and the current governor of Virginia. Geez!

Puggles

I have just encountered my first puggle, a cross between a pug and a beagle, after hearing about it recently on the news. Apparently they are the latest rage in dog breed, and I can see why. They are so darned cute! If I didn't already have two dogs . . .

Second Best News of the Week

We just got word that our former president, who left here about a year ago for a job in Chicago, has already been ousted from that job by the board. Unbelievable! We had taken bets that she'd last about 2 years there, and boy were we too hopeful on that. I am so gratified that it wasn't just me thinking she was horrible. Obviously her new job concurred! That is too funny and I am so laughing! And I say second best news of the week, because I hope to give my resignation this week, and that will be the best!

Resignation letter

Well, my resignation is all typed out and ready to go. Boy was that fun! I am 90% sure that I will take the position offered, so I am good to go. I'll just have to wait for the right time to present the letter, probably at the beginning of my one on one meeing with the boss on Tuesday.

Weekend Update

It was a busy one. And what great weather! In the 70s--I can't believe it's November. Friday night Jeffro and I met a friend at Guapo's in Shirlington for dinner. It was a very belated birthday celebration, and they brought me a dessert and sang in a very embarrassing display.

Saturday I had to take the dogs to the vet ($400!) for various problems, tests, meds, etc. On the way back we stopped and played at the local dog park since the weather was so gorgeous. I spent the rest of the afternoon running errands and enjoying the weather. Met friends (see previous blog posting) for dinner in Rockville at a nice Chinese restaurant and got to meet their crazy pug puppy, who was adorable and fun. (PS - you guys should start your own blog!)

Today I've been hanging out, not doing enough of anything productive. I'd like to get my house cleaned and so forth, but not sure what I'll get to. I'm sort of agonizing over this job offer and whether or not to accept it. I have another 2nd interview in the morning, which might help to clarify things. So we'll see.

Sad

I am saddened by the sudden death of my hairdresser from a brain aneurysm. She was only 44 years old and died on her birthday this past week. I'm planning to go to the viewing tomorrow night after work. The ironic thing is that last night we had dinner with a couple that I hadn't seen in a while, and the wife is a hairdresser. They jokingly asked if I needed a hairdresser in order to write the dinner off as a business expense. How weird is that?

Offer Made!

Will I accept, that is the question. I am getting the formal offer letter today, to ponder over the weekend. My gut tells me to say yes. I would probably officially resign on Tuesday, when I already have a meeting scheduled with my boss. That will be a fun day!

Late Night

I’m pretty tired this morning. Last night Jeffro, his friend Pete and I went to see Butch Walker at the Black Cat. I must say I wasn’t fond of the opening act, but Butch put on quite a show. There were a couple of songs I really wanted to hear that he didn’t play, but otherwise a very solid performance. He’s got a great stage presence.

The crowd was quite something, though. Very young, I felt like some people weren’t even old enough to drink. It was weird, I kind of felt sorry for them. There were a lot of drunk and obnoxious girls who were continually hitting into me, and I have to say when I’m bothered like that in a club I get the very violent urge to really kick someone’s ass. I know one day it will happen and I’ll be thrown out for starting a fight. It’s like my impulse control disappears. Last night, for example, I tripped one girl who kept hitting into me, and later I shoved her. She was so drunk I thought she didn’t realize I did it, but Jeffro says apparently she gave me a dirty look behind my back and pretended to hit me. That was gratifying—that I pissed her off as much as she pissed me off. Hey, if they’re gonna invade my space I’m gonna invade right back. I just don’t take too kindly to people acting like you don’t even exist and thinking they can just keep knocking into you and there will be no recourse. So that was exciting.

Today I have a lunchtime interview, which I’m really looking forward to. Luckily I was able to scrub off the very large double stamp from Black Cat.

Busy Me

Work has been keeping me pretty busy lately, so I haven't had much chance to blog. Just got out of a three hour meeting and have another shorter one this afternoon. Ugh. But somehow things haven't been as unpleasant this week, which is a nice treat. Have a second interview tomorrow, it's just a lunch. But I still have to decide whether to go out to a show with Jeffro tonight and be up till all hours, or stay home like a good girl and get some rest for tomorrow. Still not sure what I want to do.

Wiped

I'm so tired . . . three interviews in two days. All of which went well, one of which has resulted in a second interview Monday, another wants me to come back the week of Nov 14 after they get back from a conference. Plus I have a second interview Friday with a company I met with last week. So we'll have to wait and see what happens. Gotta love having options!

Life Goes On

Terri Clark's new album was released today. Go get yourself a copy! I wish I'd had time to buy it today. She's another of my favorite female country artists.