Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Stick a Fork in Me

I'm just done for the day . . . well 10 days actually. I leave tomorrow for sunny CA . . . for business, mind you, but hopefully I'll catch some beach time when I'm in Marina Del Ray. Did you know that's where the pilot to Gilligan's Island was filmed? Here are the highlights of my incredibly stressful day:

1. The admin assistant who is supposed to help me ship materials has been fighting with me all day about a shipment. She keeps asking me questions and I'm like "why can't you just fucking figure this out yourself?" People around here can't even wipe their own asses most days, it's sad. I've spent most of my day on something completely ridiculous, but what else is new.

2. I get an invitation to a banquet while I'm in CA, call the guy to rsvp yes, and he basically asks why I'm calling him on his cell phone on his day off. I said I was responding to the invitation--which said to CALL HIS CELL PHONE! So then he realizes he sent the invitation to the wrong person. Instead of just making nice and letting me come anyway--after I've invited him for years to our banquet--he says "oh good, thanks for calling so I can send it to the right person." So I told him I was busy that day anyway. Can we say asshole?

3. I spent at least 1/2 hour on the phone with Comcast trying to get some charges removed from my bill. It's too long a story to go into, but I think that I was successful. I'll have to wait until next month's bill to see if I have to fight with them some more.

4. I get a call from the big boss for a "favor" that I "can turn down if I want" that involves having to review about 25 of our grant applications. This is definitely in that realm of "other duties as assigned" and not something I normally do, or really am qualified to do. So I say yes--seeing how my review is coming up in August and they always remember stuff like this towards the end of the year--and now I'll be getting a nice little stack of grants to review on my trip, when I'm also working 10 days with only 2 days off. Fun!

Anyway, for those of you who care, I probably won't have much internet access while I'm gone, so have a very safe and happy July 4th, and I'll be back to blogging on the 6th.

Back to Her Roots

Looks like Faith Hill's new album Fireflies is due out Aug 2. Supposedly it's getting back to more of a country feel versus her recent (and widely-criticized) pop ditties. I don't care either way, I think she's got a great voice and I'll be buying it.

Thanks to Jeffro for the tip.

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Sum-Sum-Summertime

Happy First Day of Summer! My favorite season. And our Fridays off at work start the week of July 4th! Man, I can't wait to be lounging at the pool while the rest of the world is stuck at the office.
Size Does Matter

No wonder I couldn't find anything that fit when I went shopping a few weeks ago. Apparently the clothing industry is having many sizing issues. Click here for the skinny (sorry, couldn't resist).
More Country News

Country music band, Bering Strait, from . . . you guessed it, Russia . . . is releasing its second CD Pages on June 28. Supposedly more Nickel Creek than pop this time around, you know you want to pre-order your copy now from Amazon! For you Animal Planet fans, one of their songs, Hero, was used during promots for Animal Cops/Animal Precinct shows a while back.
Three's A Charm

My favorite singer, Martina McBride, had her baby yesterday, another girl (her third). Congrats, Martina! Now get back out on the road and tour!

Monday, June 20, 2005

Under Who?

I just got a chance to slam Carrie Overrated from American Idol as part of a country music survey that I do on a regular basis. You get to rate the songs that are "being played now" but thankfully I haven't heard her stupid schlocky song yet on the radio. So I gave it the rating "I've Never Liked This Song." Yes! Man, that felt good.
Just Breathe

I'm trying to be like Anna Nalick and just breathing, trying to stay calm this morning. In order to avoid the many annoying people in this office who like to jump on me as soon as I walk in, I immediately closed my office door so I can (hopefully) get settled before someone starts bugging me. Good strategy!
And They're Off!

I feel like the race has just started today . . . the race against time, that is. I'm only here M-W and have tons to do, both at work and in real life, to get ready for my CA trip on Thurs. I'll be in the LA area for 10 days, so I'm sure all my blogger friends will greatly miss me. Uh . . . yeah. BTW, look for me in an upcoming "The Price is Right" if all goes well!

Friday, June 17, 2005

Finally Friday!

I'm in a good mood today for no apparent reason. Maybe it's the fun happy hour I went to and 1/2 price sangria last night, maybe it's the oh-so-beautiful and not-so-humid weather, maybe it's the fact that it's Friday, and maybe it's the fact that starting next Thursday I'll be in CA for a work trip for 10 days. (Please stop the earthquakes before I get there!!) And even though it's work, it means no horrendous DC commuting, no sitting in this office, no having to rush home to the dogs, some definite beach time, and possible visit to the set of The Price is Right with some co-workers. I can't believe that show is still on, I used to watch as a kid and Bob must be like 100 years old by now.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Cell Phone Ban on Airplanes

Surprisingly, Cingular agrees with the current FAA ruling that bans the use of cell phones on planes, but apparently the FAA is thinking about relaxing its rules. Please, please, please NO! People are abusive enough with their cell phones everywhere, including public transportation like the metro and buses. I once sat next to a woman on a train to NY who talked nonstop the whole time and I just wanted to throttle her. I didn't realize there were "no cell phone" cars until it was too late.
Get Out!

Looks like a day of eating out for me. I'm having lunch with a former coworker (lucky her for getting out of here) at Penang. Then tonight I'm meeting another former coworker for happy hour at La Tosca in Clarendon. I also just heard that there's a Z'Tejas coming soon to Clarendon Blvd, I'm so there! This was my favorite restaurant when I lived in Arizona.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Naked!

I feel so naked today, I forgot to put a ring on. I wear one every day, usually a different one every day. It's my signature piece of jewelry. I hate being unencumbered!
In Memoriam

I just found out my grandfather's oldest brother Mike just passed away. He was 96 and had been living with Alzheimer's for the past 5-10 years or something. My family has amazing longevity. His mother was also 96 when she passed. While it's always sad when someone dies, it is unfortunately not that much of a shock in this case. Uncle Mike had a great sense of humor, he was a zany guy. He always made silly sounds, the one I remember most is "ba-ba-bee-bee-ba-ba-boo." So there's my tribute to him.
Used Phone Donation

Since I recently bought a new cell phone, I've been wanting to donate my old cell phone to a worthy cause. Secure the Call put drop off boxes in our building today, so mission finally accomplished and with no hassle to me having to find a place to donate it. And yes, it is a tax write off. They completely reprogram the phone, including getting rid of all old data, and give the phone to those in need for 911 purposes only.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Lowering Expectations

Is a good strategy for getting through a potentially horrific meeting at work. And in this case, my 2+ hour meeting didn't go as badly as I'd thought, plus they fed us a decent lunch, so I left pleasantly surprised. And now most of the day is over. And speaking of horrific, why was traffic so bad long after rush hour should have been over this morning for no apparently reason?

Monday, June 13, 2005

The Good, the Bad, and the Gossip

The Good . . . saw Rick Springfield, my teen idol, in concert at the Fairfax Fair on Saturday night, and he came out in the audience and I was standing right in front of him! I touched his arm and back as he walked by. My life is now complete and I can die a happy girl.

The Bad . . . various drama scenes this weekend including a live bug found in Dole pre-bagged spinach and almost being thrown out of the pool by a punk Czech teenage lifeguard (don't ask).

The Gossip . . . well, I really don't have any. But let me just gripe and whine for a minute about having to be here at work, particularly when I forgot my badge to have access to the building today. My sense of dread as I look at the projects on my desk is overwhelming. Ugh. Can we rewind to the weekend?

Friday, June 10, 2005

Blast from the Past

I'm headed to the Fairfax Fair tomorrow night to see Rick Springfield perform! And I'm excited about it! Although I'm embarrassed to say he's soon releasing a cover album in July called The Day After Yesterday that seems very . . . um . . . interesting. It contains songs he "wished he'd written" like Broken Wings from Mister Mister. Well, I kind of wish he hadn't covered them.

Thursday, June 09, 2005

Take Your Dog To Work Day

Yes, it's true and coming up on June 24. Sponsored by Pet Sitters International. Wouldn't it be great and oh-so-productive to have my barking, hyper dogs with me in the office?

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Board Today

Our board of directors is here for a pretty big pow-wow that could determine who our next president will be. I'm waiting with baited breath . . . or not. Actually, I'm just enjoying the peace and quiet as most folks are at the meeting.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Wisdom from Snapple

I just got a Diet Raspberry Snapple to get some caffeine flowing in these tired veins. Ironically, the cap is displaying the "real fact" #439: Snails can sleep for up to three years. Boy does that sound nice.
Invisible Woman/Closed Door Sessions

I've just made a decision, since I can't become the invisible woman, to close my door upon entering the office each morning until I feel ready to deal with people. Of course, this means half the office will just walk in and bug me anyway, but you never know it might help. I have my door closed now, matter of fact.
Inconsiderate Assholes

I must have a camera in my office that everyone can view, for as soon as I walked in to the office today, after having been gone yesterday, three people were immediately up my ass bugging me about shit. Why can't people just leave me alone, or at least give me 5 fucking minutes to get settled before starting to harrass me--about stuff they already left on my desk or emailed me about (not that I'd had a chance to even check email yet!). Do I not see it there? Will I not respond to it in a timely manner? Apparently not. Stupid fuckers fuckers fuckers. Again I will say I really hate this place. Why do these people continually ruin my day? I am just so furious.

Friday, June 03, 2005

TGIF

Overused phrase? Yes. But oh-so-true? Yes. I'm headed today for a benefit lunch for the Komen National Race for the Cure, which is this weekend in DC. Then a meeting in the afternoon and then I'm outta here! Gotta love these short weeks. Mine start permanently after July 4, 4-day work weeks all summer!

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Stupid Girl

That stupid runaway bride got busted in court with a felony charge. What an idiot, I can't believe the things that make news these days and the lengths that people go to. Why couldn't she just say to her fiance, "look, I'm not ready to do this right now?" How hard is that? Better to make it a national news story, I guess.

Stupid Guy

And apparently he's stood by her side through the whole thing. Can we say whipped?
Take Me Out

To the ballgame. What a fun time last night, we even had peanuts and Cracker Jack, to keep with the tradition of the song. The Nationals were ahead when we left, but apparently fell to the Braves.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Natties

I'm headed to RFK tonight to see the Nationals play the Braves. Do I care at all about baseball? No. I just want to say I've been to a game in the inaugural season and have a hot dog. I'm sure I'll be leaving early, since it looks like the Nationals will probably win anyway.