History in the Making
Living in Washington DC is usually pretty interesting. I work right across from the church that is having the memorial service today for Rosa Parks. It is pure chaos outside with the police and camera crews and streets blocked off. President Bush was supposed to attend, which was going to make things very tricky, as we'd all have to have IDs checked, deal with Secret Service etc, but for some reason he cancelled.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Happy Halloween!
Saw some interesting costumes over the weekend, which wound up being pretty quiet after all. I did a lot of shopping, which was fun.
This week is packed with interviews--one Monday, two Tuesday, and a second interview Friday. I swear, if something doesn't turn up from all of this I don't think I can handle it. But I will keep applying for jobs just in case. These interviews are the only thing that will keep me sane this week, as it's gonna be crazy at work.
Friday, October 28, 2005
A Day of Rest
I'm just exhausted after my week and enjoying my day off. I did have an interview this morning, which went well, but I don't want to curse myself so nothing more being said. Please everyone who reads this cross all fingers and toes for me that I get out of my hell job.
On a downer note, it looks like all is lost this weekend as far as getting out of town. I'm bummed. I could really use a break.
Now, I think I'll go take a nap.
I'm just exhausted after my week and enjoying my day off. I did have an interview this morning, which went well, but I don't want to curse myself so nothing more being said. Please everyone who reads this cross all fingers and toes for me that I get out of my hell job.
On a downer note, it looks like all is lost this weekend as far as getting out of town. I'm bummed. I could really use a break.
Now, I think I'll go take a nap.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Bad Day
Oh boy, it's been a bitch of a week at the ranch. We had our board meeting, where of course everyone picked on everything that relates to my job. Oh, it was fun! Then we had a staff debriefing, where we had to rehash everything that pissed me off in the board meeting. Then the president tells me I have to get a press release out by the next day. A press release I haven't written yet. A press release that needs to be approved by several people before it can go out. She just has no grasp on reality, and how real work actually gets done. She thinks you can just blink your eyes and magically, it's all taken care of! This happened at 4 pm and I had just sent everyone a reminder that I was taking Friday off, so exactly how am I supposed to do this? So I remind her after the meeting--if I'd brought it up at the meeting she would have just used that as a reason to berate me and make me look like an ass in front of everyone as she loves to do--and she gave me some leeway until noon on Monday. Boy, isn't she nice?
Then I find out Jeffro has to work tomorrow and we cannot leave for our glorious weekend away from home at my alma mater, Wililam and Mary. I have an interviewed planned for tomorrow morning, but hell if I'm going to work after that. I've already put in for vacation, so I will have a nice fun day off. Wonder what I'll do after my interview. The possibilities are endless. I'm just thrilled I don't have to be at the office where they can all go to hell! Can you tell I'm at the end of my rope? I am seriously tempted to just up and quit without a job to go to, that's how bad it's gotten.
Oh boy, it's been a bitch of a week at the ranch. We had our board meeting, where of course everyone picked on everything that relates to my job. Oh, it was fun! Then we had a staff debriefing, where we had to rehash everything that pissed me off in the board meeting. Then the president tells me I have to get a press release out by the next day. A press release I haven't written yet. A press release that needs to be approved by several people before it can go out. She just has no grasp on reality, and how real work actually gets done. She thinks you can just blink your eyes and magically, it's all taken care of! This happened at 4 pm and I had just sent everyone a reminder that I was taking Friday off, so exactly how am I supposed to do this? So I remind her after the meeting--if I'd brought it up at the meeting she would have just used that as a reason to berate me and make me look like an ass in front of everyone as she loves to do--and she gave me some leeway until noon on Monday. Boy, isn't she nice?
Then I find out Jeffro has to work tomorrow and we cannot leave for our glorious weekend away from home at my alma mater, Wililam and Mary. I have an interviewed planned for tomorrow morning, but hell if I'm going to work after that. I've already put in for vacation, so I will have a nice fun day off. Wonder what I'll do after my interview. The possibilities are endless. I'm just thrilled I don't have to be at the office where they can all go to hell! Can you tell I'm at the end of my rope? I am seriously tempted to just up and quit without a job to go to, that's how bad it's gotten.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Freaky!
This is the weirdest, most incredible thing I've seen, the Flash Mind Reader. How could this be possible? I tried it twice and it worked both times.
In other news, thank God today is calmer at work. I'm actually getting some real work done. But tomorrow's our board meeting, so I'm dreading that.
And lastly, I'm feeling sort of sorry for my sister in FL, although she is an idiot. Just about the whole state has lost power from this weekend's hurricane, and they don't know how long (could be weeks) until it is restored. She is freaking out cause everything is pitch black outside at night, she is running low on batteries, doesn't have enough nonperishable food, and needs ice because of a medical condition. Apparently she is making my other sister, who lives in the DC area, run around and buy things to send to her. That is, when fed ex resumes delivery. She can't leave cause so much of FL was damaged and she wouldn't have enough gas to get anywhere useful, and flights out are few and far between. Plus she refuses to leave her cats. Unreal. Maybe since she's lived in FL for 8 years she should have been better prepared? Especially after all the recent disasters.
This is the weirdest, most incredible thing I've seen, the Flash Mind Reader. How could this be possible? I tried it twice and it worked both times.
In other news, thank God today is calmer at work. I'm actually getting some real work done. But tomorrow's our board meeting, so I'm dreading that.
And lastly, I'm feeling sort of sorry for my sister in FL, although she is an idiot. Just about the whole state has lost power from this weekend's hurricane, and they don't know how long (could be weeks) until it is restored. She is freaking out cause everything is pitch black outside at night, she is running low on batteries, doesn't have enough nonperishable food, and needs ice because of a medical condition. Apparently she is making my other sister, who lives in the DC area, run around and buy things to send to her. That is, when fed ex resumes delivery. She can't leave cause so much of FL was damaged and she wouldn't have enough gas to get anywhere useful, and flights out are few and far between. Plus she refuses to leave her cats. Unreal. Maybe since she's lived in FL for 8 years she should have been better prepared? Especially after all the recent disasters.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
The Fun Continues
Yes, it's been another joyous day here at the office. I actually decided to cancel my interview for two reasons: primarily, it's too far and I don't think a job there is realistic; secondly, I have too much going on here this week. In a meeting today with the boss and other staff, I was told by the boss that our old printed materials (which I am in charge of) are subpar and don't measure up to her standards. Isn't that nice? Now granted, I agree they're nothing great, but when you have no budget, you have no room to produce pretty things. So I've been meeting with designers and we're supposed to roll out a whole bunch of new pretty stuff. How we will fund this, I'm not quite sure.
If I haven't said it enough, my boss is the biggest fucking bitch that ever lived, and if I don't get out of here soon I will do something rash, like just up and quit. I swear, if I didn't have a mortgage I'd have done that already. The good news is I still have three interviews coming up.
Yes, it's been another joyous day here at the office. I actually decided to cancel my interview for two reasons: primarily, it's too far and I don't think a job there is realistic; secondly, I have too much going on here this week. In a meeting today with the boss and other staff, I was told by the boss that our old printed materials (which I am in charge of) are subpar and don't measure up to her standards. Isn't that nice? Now granted, I agree they're nothing great, but when you have no budget, you have no room to produce pretty things. So I've been meeting with designers and we're supposed to roll out a whole bunch of new pretty stuff. How we will fund this, I'm not quite sure.
If I haven't said it enough, my boss is the biggest fucking bitch that ever lived, and if I don't get out of here soon I will do something rash, like just up and quit. I swear, if I didn't have a mortgage I'd have done that already. The good news is I still have three interviews coming up.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Crazy
I think this place is going to drive me crazy, or cause me to become a heavy drinker. There is unbelievable crap going on today--people wanting to delay a big mailing--that is already 2 weeks late--yet again to reprint something that really doesn't need to be reprinted. Plus the boss is demanding a report by tomorrow that she originally told me I had 2 weeks to work on. I really think I'm the only sane one here sometimes, and I ain't all that sane. Luckily, I have another of my upcoming 3 interviews tomorrow.
I also had a doc appt today, where my pulse was racing, like 91. Hmm, I wonder why? They also discovered I apparently also have acid reflux, which is ever so fun. I sort of suspected I might have this.
The weekend was pretty low key, mainly rented movies and did stuff around the house. Which was just fine with me. This week is nuts, and Jeffro and I are going away this coming weekend, so it was good to get some stuff accomplished. Plus I made some apple crisp! Mmm.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Going Greek
In the Greek Orthodox church, of which I am not a member, it is a tradition to repeat things three times during the ceremonies. The significance of which I don't care about. In any case, I feel like I have been re-living that here at work. I have had nothing but dreary horrid meetings all week--with the same people, mind you--and I have heard the same "updates" now at least three times. Is this really a good use of my time? At least they fed us cookies this time.
In the Greek Orthodox church, of which I am not a member, it is a tradition to repeat things three times during the ceremonies. The significance of which I don't care about. In any case, I feel like I have been re-living that here at work. I have had nothing but dreary horrid meetings all week--with the same people, mind you--and I have heard the same "updates" now at least three times. Is this really a good use of my time? At least they fed us cookies this time.
Right On
Can I say how scary it is that my horoscope has been right on most of this week? Yesterday I had a hell day with my boss. We had an afternoon meeting that turned disastrous, as she chose to pick on me. She is such a bitch. Today is another staff meeting, but hopefully it will be someone else's turn for fun. I'm just going to keep my mouth shut, as that's what got me into trouble yesterday. (I didn't say anything bad, but she didn't like it nontheless.) At least I get to leave early today for the dentist. How sad is that when the visit to the dentist is a welcome event? Read the horoscope below.
Virgo(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)You've done your level best to keep a professional situation under control -- and with the confusing, even contradictory information you've had to go on, it certainly hasn't been easy. Take the night off to relax and congratulate yourself.
Can I say how scary it is that my horoscope has been right on most of this week? Yesterday I had a hell day with my boss. We had an afternoon meeting that turned disastrous, as she chose to pick on me. She is such a bitch. Today is another staff meeting, but hopefully it will be someone else's turn for fun. I'm just going to keep my mouth shut, as that's what got me into trouble yesterday. (I didn't say anything bad, but she didn't like it nontheless.) At least I get to leave early today for the dentist. How sad is that when the visit to the dentist is a welcome event? Read the horoscope below.
Virgo(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)You've done your level best to keep a professional situation under control -- and with the confusing, even contradictory information you've had to go on, it certainly hasn't been easy. Take the night off to relax and congratulate yourself.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Get This
My lovely boss not only sent that wonderful email to the managers (see 2 postings ago), she wound up confronting one of them about it and was bitching to them in their office for like 1/2 hour. Man, she's lucky she didn't come in here. I do feel very lucky that I did not have to deal with that. She is digging her own grave around here, and very quickly. I think quite possibly everyone on staff is mad at her right now.
My lovely boss not only sent that wonderful email to the managers (see 2 postings ago), she wound up confronting one of them about it and was bitching to them in their office for like 1/2 hour. Man, she's lucky she didn't come in here. I do feel very lucky that I did not have to deal with that. She is digging her own grave around here, and very quickly. I think quite possibly everyone on staff is mad at her right now.
Martina McBride Coming to DC
It was announced this morning in an interview with Martina on local country radio WMZQ that she is coming to the Patriot Center in DC (well, Virginia) in February, with tickets on sale in November. Guess who will be going?
It was announced this morning in an interview with Martina on local country radio WMZQ that she is coming to the Patriot Center in DC (well, Virginia) in February, with tickets on sale in November. Guess who will be going?
Bitch!
Ok, my new boss is the biggest bitch ever. She attempts to "team build" and "empower" people on the one hand, while smacking them down with the other hand. She sent the whole staff an email inviting us to a Shakesepeare play with her, saying this is her way of getting to know the staff. (Like I want to socialize with her after work?) This was yesterday around 2 p.m. I had meetings all afternoon then left early to run work errands. This morning around 10:30 a.m. I get the snotty message below from her, and of course I had to apologize when I really felt like saying "fuck you bitch!" I am sooooo getting out of here . . . two phone interviews today, and one in-person interview Friday.
Boss snotty message: I suspect your none response is a no..and I certainly understand, but as one of the managers I would hope you’d respond to my e-mails no matter what the nature of it is…thanks
Ok, my new boss is the biggest bitch ever. She attempts to "team build" and "empower" people on the one hand, while smacking them down with the other hand. She sent the whole staff an email inviting us to a Shakesepeare play with her, saying this is her way of getting to know the staff. (Like I want to socialize with her after work?) This was yesterday around 2 p.m. I had meetings all afternoon then left early to run work errands. This morning around 10:30 a.m. I get the snotty message below from her, and of course I had to apologize when I really felt like saying "fuck you bitch!" I am sooooo getting out of here . . . two phone interviews today, and one in-person interview Friday.
Boss snotty message: I suspect your none response is a no..and I certainly understand, but as one of the managers I would hope you’d respond to my e-mails no matter what the nature of it is…thanks
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Timeless
Run right out today to buy a copy of Martina McBride's new CD, Timeless. It's a collection of old country hits like Rose Garden. If you buy it at Target, you get 4 bonus songs. Guess where I'm headed after work? Gotta have it on the release day!
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Weekend Update
It was a crazy one, frequently involving too much wine . . .
Friday night - Jeffro met me at work, where we were in the middle of a crisis at 5 pm on Friday to decide whether to "stop the presses," literally, on the invitiation to our December event. I'm like "look, I have to go, my boyfriend is on his way and we're going out." Very professional. We went to see Matt Nathanson and it was an ok show. Not as good as the first time I'd seen him.
Saturday - slept in late cause we'd been out late the night before. I had to go shoe shopping, and thought about calling my friend MJ, cause I hadn't talked to her since her brother's wedding, but didn't really have time. Ironically, MJ was there at DSW . . . . So we helped each other with our purchases and it was a good girly time. That night we went to his friend Bettina's housewarming party--and where the too much wine occurred. As we left, her parting comment was, "are you sure you don't want another bottle?" I didn't know whether to be amused or mortified. Oh well.
Sunday - my friend Cristine came over and we went to brunch at Cafe Mariana in Alexandria. She found this huge metal object in her salad, which caused us to get the entire meal free. Sweet! Then I did some errands/housework and had a nice cheese/fruit/wine dinner with my neighbor.
What gorgeous weather we had, overall. And I was excited to get to wear my sandals one last time.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Much Better Today
I'm so glad I stayed home yesterday. Drank tons of green tea and I am much better today, thank God. Because Jeffro and I have plans to see Matt Nathanson tonight at the 9:30 Club.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Poor Poor Pitiful Me
I am home sick today. I've been feeling miserable all week, and decided to stay home and get some rest. After all, I don't want to ruin my weekend plans! I've been diligently checking my work email, and will go in this afternoon if I need to take care of something pending, but otherwise you'll find me on the couch with the tv and a good book or magazine.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Joe Bland
Was anything but bland. He was a long-distance colleague that I saw about twice a year. Quite a character and funny guy, kind of a living legend. Unfortunately he's been sick for a while, and I found out this morning that he died on Sunday. I'm pretty bummed. So I just thought I'd write this little note about him, he will be missed.
It's a tough day today for other reasons too. I seem to be fighting off a cold and have a pretty bad headache. My sister who lives in FL is also going to the doc today, and we're not expecting good news as they've found another chronic condition that she has. I only came to work today because the boss is still out, and I'm expecting a proof I need to turn around quickly. Other than that, I think I'd be home in bed. Who knows, maybe I'll do that tomorrow instead.
Was anything but bland. He was a long-distance colleague that I saw about twice a year. Quite a character and funny guy, kind of a living legend. Unfortunately he's been sick for a while, and I found out this morning that he died on Sunday. I'm pretty bummed. So I just thought I'd write this little note about him, he will be missed.
It's a tough day today for other reasons too. I seem to be fighting off a cold and have a pretty bad headache. My sister who lives in FL is also going to the doc today, and we're not expecting good news as they've found another chronic condition that she has. I only came to work today because the boss is still out, and I'm expecting a proof I need to turn around quickly. Other than that, I think I'd be home in bed. Who knows, maybe I'll do that tomorrow instead.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Interview recap
Liked the company, liked the salary, liked the benefits, liked the people, liked the friendly atmosphere and vibe. Didn't like the position. I think 2/3 people I met liked me a lot, the third liked me but realized I probably wasn't best suited for this particular position and sort of made that clear. And she's the one who would be my boss. She's right though, I think the position is actually too boring and narrow for me. So which is more important? I hate the place I work now but don't mind the tasks and I'm miserable. What if I hated the tasks but liked the place? Who knows, maybe it won't even be an issue.
Liked the company, liked the salary, liked the benefits, liked the people, liked the friendly atmosphere and vibe. Didn't like the position. I think 2/3 people I met liked me a lot, the third liked me but realized I probably wasn't best suited for this particular position and sort of made that clear. And she's the one who would be my boss. She's right though, I think the position is actually too boring and narrow for me. So which is more important? I hate the place I work now but don't mind the tasks and I'm miserable. What if I hated the tasks but liked the place? Who knows, maybe it won't even be an issue.
Good Start
You know what makes a good start to the week? Having Monday off, and walking in on Tuesday to the boss being out for the next 2 days. Now that makes me happy! Plus I have an interview today during lunch, so that means no boss to witness my departure in the middle of the day. No details, don't want to curse myself.
You know what makes a good start to the week? Having Monday off, and walking in on Tuesday to the boss being out for the next 2 days. Now that makes me happy! Plus I have an interview today during lunch, so that means no boss to witness my departure in the middle of the day. No details, don't want to curse myself.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Barbie Goes Country?
Ok, I'm sadly tempted to buy one of these . . . apparently my favorite country singer, Martina McBride has been immortalized as a Barbie doll. You too can own your very own for only $24.95.
ZZZZ
All I've been wanting to do all weekend is sleep. Today I didn't get to sleep in as late as I'd hoped, since I had the day off. Dogs woke me at 8:30, but that's pretty good considering it's usually 7 or earlier on the weekends. I wish just once I had absolutely nothing to do but curl up on the couch with a good book. Here's what I did this weekend instead.
Friday - sat in over and hour and half of horrendous traffic after work on my way to Jeffro's for dinner. Then we watched a movie, Crash, which was pretty good. My dogs refused to go outside because of the rain.
Saturday - got up fairly early--poor Jeffro, to go to work, me, to have lunch with a friend. Yes, in the pouring rain. This was definitely a day to just curl up on the couch, but instead I wound up going to Asia Bistro in Pentagon Row for disappointing sushi. And my dogs were impossible again about going out--I had to drag them out cause they hadn't gone the day before!
Sunday - slept till 11 and quite frankly could have stayed in bed all day, but it was off to my sister's for a birthday party for my 3-year old niece. Tons of food, which is why I guess my stomach isn't feeling too great today.
Monday - met a friend for lunch at Luna Grill, where they were only serving brunch, but neglected to tell any of their customers until they went to order something non-brunchy off the menu. Huh? Now I need to prepare for tomorrow, finally have an interview. Ironically it's right next door to where I work now so I'm going during lunch . . . fingers are crossed.
All I've been wanting to do all weekend is sleep. Today I didn't get to sleep in as late as I'd hoped, since I had the day off. Dogs woke me at 8:30, but that's pretty good considering it's usually 7 or earlier on the weekends. I wish just once I had absolutely nothing to do but curl up on the couch with a good book. Here's what I did this weekend instead.
Friday - sat in over and hour and half of horrendous traffic after work on my way to Jeffro's for dinner. Then we watched a movie, Crash, which was pretty good. My dogs refused to go outside because of the rain.
Saturday - got up fairly early--poor Jeffro, to go to work, me, to have lunch with a friend. Yes, in the pouring rain. This was definitely a day to just curl up on the couch, but instead I wound up going to Asia Bistro in Pentagon Row for disappointing sushi. And my dogs were impossible again about going out--I had to drag them out cause they hadn't gone the day before!
Sunday - slept till 11 and quite frankly could have stayed in bed all day, but it was off to my sister's for a birthday party for my 3-year old niece. Tons of food, which is why I guess my stomach isn't feeling too great today.
Monday - met a friend for lunch at Luna Grill, where they were only serving brunch, but neglected to tell any of their customers until they went to order something non-brunchy off the menu. Huh? Now I need to prepare for tomorrow, finally have an interview. Ironically it's right next door to where I work now so I'm going during lunch . . . fingers are crossed.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Iron Chef Comes to DC
This is too cool. Well, if you're a big kitchen stadium fan, that is. Three top DC chefs competed locally for a chance to be challengers on Iron Chef America. Morou of Signatures won and will compete with an iron chef in January. Read about the local competition.
This is too cool. Well, if you're a big kitchen stadium fan, that is. Three top DC chefs competed locally for a chance to be challengers on Iron Chef America. Morou of Signatures won and will compete with an iron chef in January. Read about the local competition.
Good Day?
Check out my horoscope. I can almost believe this today. For some reason, I woke up feeling extremely good today. Usually waking up is a traumatic and agonizing experience, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck every morning. But not today. I even had time to work out. I always want to, but it never happens. This bodes well for the weekend. Of course, now that I've said this, all hell will break loose instead.
There's a mixed bag of heavenly energies shuffling around upstairs at the moment, but they've all got one end in mind: to put you in the mood to have some unadulterated fun with your loved ones. Why fight it?
Check out my horoscope. I can almost believe this today. For some reason, I woke up feeling extremely good today. Usually waking up is a traumatic and agonizing experience, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck every morning. But not today. I even had time to work out. I always want to, but it never happens. This bodes well for the weekend. Of course, now that I've said this, all hell will break loose instead.
There's a mixed bag of heavenly energies shuffling around upstairs at the moment, but they've all got one end in mind: to put you in the mood to have some unadulterated fun with your loved ones. Why fight it?
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Oh. My. God.
This is excerpted from an actual email exchange in my office. Comments in parens are what I really wanted to say. I swear I work with the most incompetent people and this kind of crap takes up probably 50% of a good number of days. This is like “who’s on first?”
Sept 21, from AA: Do you have a bio of our lovely boss? I need to edit it to put in the source book for our board.
Sept 21, from Me: Yes, let me attach it for you. (Which I did)
Oct 5, from Me, forwarding Sept 21 email: Have you finished editing lovely boss’s bio for the board book yet?
Oct 5, from AA: What bio? Her bio doesn’t go in the board book. Do you mean the source book? (Like, what the hell is the difference anyway??)
Oct 5, from Me: Yes, that is what I mean.
Oct 5, from AA: No, we haven’t even looked at that yet.
Oct 6, from AA, forwarding email from Sept 21: I’m cleaning out my email. Does anyone have lovely boss’s bio?
Oct 6, from Me, smoke coming out ears: This is what I just asked you about yesterday. (Are you that friggin stupid?) You said it hadn’t been looked at yet. Do you need another copy? (And if so why the hell didn’t you ask for it yesterday?)
Oct 6, from AA: Well, I don’t have it and no one is working on it. Who is supposed to?
Oct 6, from Me: (How the hell am I supposed to know who works on it, you asked me for it so I assume you knew!) Let me attach another copy. I have nothing to do with this sourcebook (so leave me the hell out of it!). Please send me the final version when you are done with it. (You figure out who is supposed to deal with it, but it’s not me! I do not want to hear another friggin word about this or I’m gonna run screaming from the building!)
This is excerpted from an actual email exchange in my office. Comments in parens are what I really wanted to say. I swear I work with the most incompetent people and this kind of crap takes up probably 50% of a good number of days. This is like “who’s on first?”
Sept 21, from AA: Do you have a bio of our lovely boss? I need to edit it to put in the source book for our board.
Sept 21, from Me: Yes, let me attach it for you. (Which I did)
Oct 5, from Me, forwarding Sept 21 email: Have you finished editing lovely boss’s bio for the board book yet?
Oct 5, from AA: What bio? Her bio doesn’t go in the board book. Do you mean the source book? (Like, what the hell is the difference anyway??)
Oct 5, from Me: Yes, that is what I mean.
Oct 5, from AA: No, we haven’t even looked at that yet.
Oct 6, from AA, forwarding email from Sept 21: I’m cleaning out my email. Does anyone have lovely boss’s bio?
Oct 6, from Me, smoke coming out ears: This is what I just asked you about yesterday. (Are you that friggin stupid?) You said it hadn’t been looked at yet. Do you need another copy? (And if so why the hell didn’t you ask for it yesterday?)
Oct 6, from AA: Well, I don’t have it and no one is working on it. Who is supposed to?
Oct 6, from Me: (How the hell am I supposed to know who works on it, you asked me for it so I assume you knew!) Let me attach another copy. I have nothing to do with this sourcebook (so leave me the hell out of it!). Please send me the final version when you are done with it. (You figure out who is supposed to deal with it, but it’s not me! I do not want to hear another friggin word about this or I’m gonna run screaming from the building!)
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Doggie World Part Deux
In a semi-related story, now you can order this fabulous Wonder Woman costume for your dog for Halloween! I used to love that show when I was younger!
Thanks again to Jeffro for the tip. Perhaps he has a little too much time on his hands??
Doggie World
It's a doggie world out there. Check this out. In Japan, Honda has designed a dog-friendly car with special seats for dogs. Too much!
Thanks to Jeffro for the tip.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
I Hate My Officemates
They are driving me crazy today. No one can do anything themselves, they are scheduling me into meetings that I am not able to attend cause they haven't checked my calendar, and asking me for crazy things like: can we revise the invitation that is currently at the printer and over a week late? Um, how about no? Next I get to sit in on a meeting with my lovely boss, who I just gave access to my calendar. Maybe I should make a bunch of stuff up on there just to shock her. I predict leaving a little early tonight just to get the hell out of here, and possibly going home and having a drink.
They are driving me crazy today. No one can do anything themselves, they are scheduling me into meetings that I am not able to attend cause they haven't checked my calendar, and asking me for crazy things like: can we revise the invitation that is currently at the printer and over a week late? Um, how about no? Next I get to sit in on a meeting with my lovely boss, who I just gave access to my calendar. Maybe I should make a bunch of stuff up on there just to shock her. I predict leaving a little early tonight just to get the hell out of here, and possibly going home and having a drink.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Big Sister
Apparently our new boss wants full access to our Microsoft Outlook calendars. We all use these to schedule meetings--at a glance you can see people's schedule and whether or not they are busy at certain times when you're trying to set up a meeting. Very useful. Busy time or out of the office time show up as different color blocks, but no specific info is given on what the person is doing. The boss has decided she wants access to all of our calendars so she has all the details. I am so pissed! Not that I have anything bad on there . . . even I'm not stupid enough to say "3 pm, interview with XXX" but it's such an invasion of privacy. What is she gonna come track us down in the middle of a meeting now? Or perhaps she can come find us if we have lunch with a friend. Or maybe she could come with me on my doctor appointments. That would be fun.
Apparently our new boss wants full access to our Microsoft Outlook calendars. We all use these to schedule meetings--at a glance you can see people's schedule and whether or not they are busy at certain times when you're trying to set up a meeting. Very useful. Busy time or out of the office time show up as different color blocks, but no specific info is given on what the person is doing. The boss has decided she wants access to all of our calendars so she has all the details. I am so pissed! Not that I have anything bad on there . . . even I'm not stupid enough to say "3 pm, interview with XXX" but it's such an invasion of privacy. What is she gonna come track us down in the middle of a meeting now? Or perhaps she can come find us if we have lunch with a friend. Or maybe she could come with me on my doctor appointments. That would be fun.
Weekend
I must say I had a very nice weekend. I did a lot of fun stuff and some productive stuff. Wish I’d been more productive, but I seem to always choose fun over work these days. Here’s a recap:
Friday – met Jeffro for dinner and went to Matuba in Arlington. Very good sushi restaurant on Columbia Pike. Afterwards, I had to walk my neighbors dogs—2 of which were husky puppies rescued from Katrina. They were very cute and it was fun to watch them wrestle each other continually.
Saturday – I almost went apple picking with MJ, but couldn’t get my act together in time. So she got a few apples for me anyway, thanks MJ. I went instead to Art on the Avenue in Del Ray (Alexandria) and it was a nice time, although the day was hotter than expected. I bought a birthday gift for a neighbor and 2 pair of earrings for myself. That night we met some friends for dinner at Carlyle in Shirlington and had a lot of laughs.
Sunday – Happy Birthday to my sister. I had sent her a package for her b-day, so she opened it while I talked on the phone. I got her this funny book, Your Cat’s Just Not That Into You: What Part of Meow Don't You Understand?, among other things. My dogs got a much-needed bath, I had dinner and wine with a neighbor, then went grocery shopping with Jeffro. How peaceful shopping on a Sunday night!
And now we’re back at work and thrilled as always to be here.
I must say I had a very nice weekend. I did a lot of fun stuff and some productive stuff. Wish I’d been more productive, but I seem to always choose fun over work these days. Here’s a recap:
Friday – met Jeffro for dinner and went to Matuba in Arlington. Very good sushi restaurant on Columbia Pike. Afterwards, I had to walk my neighbors dogs—2 of which were husky puppies rescued from Katrina. They were very cute and it was fun to watch them wrestle each other continually.
Saturday – I almost went apple picking with MJ, but couldn’t get my act together in time. So she got a few apples for me anyway, thanks MJ. I went instead to Art on the Avenue in Del Ray (Alexandria) and it was a nice time, although the day was hotter than expected. I bought a birthday gift for a neighbor and 2 pair of earrings for myself. That night we met some friends for dinner at Carlyle in Shirlington and had a lot of laughs.
Sunday – Happy Birthday to my sister. I had sent her a package for her b-day, so she opened it while I talked on the phone. I got her this funny book, Your Cat’s Just Not That Into You: What Part of Meow Don't You Understand?, among other things. My dogs got a much-needed bath, I had dinner and wine with a neighbor, then went grocery shopping with Jeffro. How peaceful shopping on a Sunday night!
And now we’re back at work and thrilled as always to be here.
Every Light in the House is On
For some odd reason this song by Trace Atkins keeps running through my head this morning. Perhaps it's because my wonderful boyfriend chose to put every single light on in his cozy efficiency, and without warning, as I was still in bed trying to get more sleep. I am the biggest crankster in the morning, and this is a well-known fact, yet for some reason he couldn't understand why I was mad and essentially stormed out.
For some odd reason this song by Trace Atkins keeps running through my head this morning. Perhaps it's because my wonderful boyfriend chose to put every single light on in his cozy efficiency, and without warning, as I was still in bed trying to get more sleep. I am the biggest crankster in the morning, and this is a well-known fact, yet for some reason he couldn't understand why I was mad and essentially stormed out.
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.
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!"
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
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.)
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??
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.
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!
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
Outing
Jeffro and I are off today to enjoy this great weather, headed to Old Town for the Alexandria Festival of the Arts.
Jeffro and I are off today to enjoy this great weather, headed to Old Town for the Alexandria Festival of the Arts.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Dressing in the Dark
I don't like a lot of lights on in the morning, but perhaps I'd better reconsider. This morning I apparently put on 2 different pairs of sneakers to walk to the metro. NB on the left, Addidas on the right. They are both the same coloring, and were apparently both sitting on the floor near each other. The sad part is I didn't even notice while wearing them, only as I gazed down at them sitting on my office floor soon to be put on for the evening commute. Too funny!
I don't like a lot of lights on in the morning, but perhaps I'd better reconsider. This morning I apparently put on 2 different pairs of sneakers to walk to the metro. NB on the left, Addidas on the right. They are both the same coloring, and were apparently both sitting on the floor near each other. The sad part is I didn't even notice while wearing them, only as I gazed down at them sitting on my office floor soon to be put on for the evening commute. Too funny!
Monday, Monday
No wait, it's actually Weds. Feels like Monday to me after being out of the office for 2 days. Chattanooga was interesting . . . their "rush hour" traffic looks like 3 a.m. on the beltway here. Not much to the city, definitely an interesting look into slower southern life. I felt like an outside dressed in my boring business attire and no appreciable Southern twang (though some of you might argue that point).
Yesterday Chattanooga definitely felt the effects of nearby Katrina, with high wind and rain. I was worried that my little "mini-jet" would get tossed and turned, but luckily it was a smooth ride.
It's total chaos at work today, and tomorrow our new president starts. And Friday is our last Friday off, marking the unofficial end of summer. Even though it was a bitch with terrible humidity this year, I'm always sad to see the hot weather end and cool weather creep in. Although I have to say Sept is the best month, weather-wise, and because it's my birthday soon. 9-11, crazy huh?!
No wait, it's actually Weds. Feels like Monday to me after being out of the office for 2 days. Chattanooga was interesting . . . their "rush hour" traffic looks like 3 a.m. on the beltway here. Not much to the city, definitely an interesting look into slower southern life. I felt like an outside dressed in my boring business attire and no appreciable Southern twang (though some of you might argue that point).
Yesterday Chattanooga definitely felt the effects of nearby Katrina, with high wind and rain. I was worried that my little "mini-jet" would get tossed and turned, but luckily it was a smooth ride.
It's total chaos at work today, and tomorrow our new president starts. And Friday is our last Friday off, marking the unofficial end of summer. Even though it was a bitch with terrible humidity this year, I'm always sad to see the hot weather end and cool weather creep in. Although I have to say Sept is the best month, weather-wise, and because it's my birthday soon. 9-11, crazy huh?!
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Is this the Chattanooga Choo Choo?
Tomorrow I leave for Chattanoooga for this ridiculous event for work. At least it gets me out of the office for 2 days. The bad thing is I actually have work I'm supposed to do in the office, so . . . I guess it won't get done. And our new president starts this week, so that will be interesting.
The weekend was pretty good, nothing crazy or exciting to report. But I did get pretty loopy on wine tonight at my friend's dinner, actually I'm still a little loopy . . .
The most exciting thing I did was purchase a new rug for my dining room. The one currently in place is kind of ugly but I bought it cause the price was right. So I got this new one, we'll see how long it takes me to actually put it down, cause that involves taking the old rug up and storing it or giving it away, and putting this one down. I'm the biggest procrastinator when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Jeffro just said he's on his way over, but is he really? He has this crazy new phone and I can't call him yet, so I guess time will tell if he really shows or not.
Tomorrow I leave for Chattanoooga for this ridiculous event for work. At least it gets me out of the office for 2 days. The bad thing is I actually have work I'm supposed to do in the office, so . . . I guess it won't get done. And our new president starts this week, so that will be interesting.
The weekend was pretty good, nothing crazy or exciting to report. But I did get pretty loopy on wine tonight at my friend's dinner, actually I'm still a little loopy . . .
The most exciting thing I did was purchase a new rug for my dining room. The one currently in place is kind of ugly but I bought it cause the price was right. So I got this new one, we'll see how long it takes me to actually put it down, cause that involves taking the old rug up and storing it or giving it away, and putting this one down. I'm the biggest procrastinator when it comes to this kind of stuff.
Jeffro just said he's on his way over, but is he really? He has this crazy new phone and I can't call him yet, so I guess time will tell if he really shows or not.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Cloak of Invisibility
I think it would be so great to have a cloak to make me invisible at the office. I really have to go to the bathroom, but that would entail leaving my safe coccoon of the office. So far, no one has bothered me today, an hour into being here. (Guess I lost my own bet.) However, the evil receptionist sits right outside my door, and I know as soon as I open the door she will pounce. Paranoid? You betcha! But this is based on many instances of past experience. I have sent her a couple of emails today, which means she's been saving up a list of about 1,000 ridiculous questions she's just dying to ask. She is evil because despite my repeated attempts to tell her to leave me alone in the morning, she usually feels compelled to come to my door about 1/2 hour after I get in to point out something stupid, like I have a new piece of mail or something. She is so annoying! Why can't people in my office ever just friggin handle things by themselves? I'm surprised they're able to dress and get themselves to work in the morning by themselves. Ok, I'm done with my rant, so I guess I'll be brave and go to the bathroom now.
I think it would be so great to have a cloak to make me invisible at the office. I really have to go to the bathroom, but that would entail leaving my safe coccoon of the office. So far, no one has bothered me today, an hour into being here. (Guess I lost my own bet.) However, the evil receptionist sits right outside my door, and I know as soon as I open the door she will pounce. Paranoid? You betcha! But this is based on many instances of past experience. I have sent her a couple of emails today, which means she's been saving up a list of about 1,000 ridiculous questions she's just dying to ask. She is evil because despite my repeated attempts to tell her to leave me alone in the morning, she usually feels compelled to come to my door about 1/2 hour after I get in to point out something stupid, like I have a new piece of mail or something. She is so annoying! Why can't people in my office ever just friggin handle things by themselves? I'm surprised they're able to dress and get themselves to work in the morning by themselves. Ok, I'm done with my rant, so I guess I'll be brave and go to the bathroom now.
Crazy
This has been one insane week and no time to blog. I'm not even supposed to be working today, but due to various scheduling conflicts and an overload at work, I'm in the office for 1/2 day. WITH THE DOOR CLOSED, MIND YOU. I should take bets to see how long it will take for someone to come in and interrupt me with some of their complete bullshit, despite my best efforts to be left alone. I've been here about 1/2 hour, should we say 45 mins? The good news is that I have an interview this afternoon.
Our offices are closed Fridays in the summer, but depending on how much I get done today, I might need to come in tomorrow anyway cause next week is just as ridiculous. I have to travel Monday and Tues for work, Weds and Thurs I'm supposed to be announcing all this award stuff for work, and Thurs our new president starts, with her various demands to announce her arrival. Can we say SERENITY NOW? I'm a little stressed.
This has been one insane week and no time to blog. I'm not even supposed to be working today, but due to various scheduling conflicts and an overload at work, I'm in the office for 1/2 day. WITH THE DOOR CLOSED, MIND YOU. I should take bets to see how long it will take for someone to come in and interrupt me with some of their complete bullshit, despite my best efforts to be left alone. I've been here about 1/2 hour, should we say 45 mins? The good news is that I have an interview this afternoon.
Our offices are closed Fridays in the summer, but depending on how much I get done today, I might need to come in tomorrow anyway cause next week is just as ridiculous. I have to travel Monday and Tues for work, Weds and Thurs I'm supposed to be announcing all this award stuff for work, and Thurs our new president starts, with her various demands to announce her arrival. Can we say SERENITY NOW? I'm a little stressed.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
The Office
It is so great to be back in the office with everyone driving me crazy! I love having people come to bug me shortly after I walk in. Boy did I miss that on my days off! Speaking of which, the NBC TV show has been renewed for the fall, and you can now buy the first season on DVD!
It is so great to be back in the office with everyone driving me crazy! I love having people come to bug me shortly after I walk in. Boy did I miss that on my days off! Speaking of which, the NBC TV show has been renewed for the fall, and you can now buy the first season on DVD!
Monday, August 22, 2005
Blog Spam
Does anyone have any idea why I'm getting so friggin much blog spam? I restricted comments to blog users only, and still got 4 yesterday. I finally figured out how to delete them (thanks Dan) but how do I stop them? I feel like I must have some setting wrong, cause I don't see stuff like this on other people's blogs. Pretty soon, it's no comments for anyone!
Does anyone have any idea why I'm getting so friggin much blog spam? I restricted comments to blog users only, and still got 4 yesterday. I finally figured out how to delete them (thanks Dan) but how do I stop them? I feel like I must have some setting wrong, cause I don't see stuff like this on other people's blogs. Pretty soon, it's no comments for anyone!
Beautiful Day
What a gorgeous day today. I'm about to head to the pool for a bit. It's been very relaxing, most of it spent outside.
Started the day with my cup of coffee outside on the balcony. It was so nice and peaceful and the weather isn't too hot. I did a little weeding in the yard, talked on the phone to my sister, and finished my book before heading inside.
Since it wasn't too humid I decided to take the mutts to the dog park. They had a great time, even though it didn't exhaust my monster dog Opie. After that, my stinky dogs got a much-needed bath. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't have to work. But I'm dreading tomorrow and Weds at work, it's gonna be crazy!
What a gorgeous day today. I'm about to head to the pool for a bit. It's been very relaxing, most of it spent outside.
Started the day with my cup of coffee outside on the balcony. It was so nice and peaceful and the weather isn't too hot. I did a little weeding in the yard, talked on the phone to my sister, and finished my book before heading inside.
Since it wasn't too humid I decided to take the mutts to the dog park. They had a great time, even though it didn't exhaust my monster dog Opie. After that, my stinky dogs got a much-needed bath. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't have to work. But I'm dreading tomorrow and Weds at work, it's gonna be crazy!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Weekend Not Over Yet
I'm taking Monday off as part of my continuing scheme to "use it or lose it" vacation time. I'm hoping to take it quiet, maybe head to the pool a little. I've been really busy this weekend, running a lot of errands and getting things done around the house. Things that have been hanging over my head forever like organizing all my books. So I feel good about what's gotten done. Yesterday I also went to my sister's to help her organize her place. She's having her son christened in a few weeks, and expecting literally hundreds of guests. So I lent a hand and will probably do so again at some point.
Today Jeffro and I went to Iota to see Last Train Home. It was an afternoon show and no smoking, so we were pretty excited. What we didn't know was that apparently it was family day or something. Almost everyone there brought their kids along, and therefore the band kept things pretty low key and quiet. We had differing opinions on the band, which was pretty countrified. I thought they were really good, Jeffro thought they were talented but not edgy enough.
I'm taking Monday off as part of my continuing scheme to "use it or lose it" vacation time. I'm hoping to take it quiet, maybe head to the pool a little. I've been really busy this weekend, running a lot of errands and getting things done around the house. Things that have been hanging over my head forever like organizing all my books. So I feel good about what's gotten done. Yesterday I also went to my sister's to help her organize her place. She's having her son christened in a few weeks, and expecting literally hundreds of guests. So I lent a hand and will probably do so again at some point.
Today Jeffro and I went to Iota to see Last Train Home. It was an afternoon show and no smoking, so we were pretty excited. What we didn't know was that apparently it was family day or something. Almost everyone there brought their kids along, and therefore the band kept things pretty low key and quiet. We had differing opinions on the band, which was pretty countrified. I thought they were really good, Jeffro thought they were talented but not edgy enough.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Sheila E?
Ok, this is going to sound completely ridiculous to some of you, but today I took my first drum lesson. It's something I always wanted to do when I was a kid and my parents never let me. So I've been thinking about doing it for years and finally bit the bullet. It was great. I had the best time. The question is, am I a lefty or a righty when drumming? Most right handed people drum right handed, but to me left almost feels more natural. I'll have to experiment.
Ok, this is going to sound completely ridiculous to some of you, but today I took my first drum lesson. It's something I always wanted to do when I was a kid and my parents never let me. So I've been thinking about doing it for years and finally bit the bullet. It was great. I had the best time. The question is, am I a lefty or a righty when drumming? Most right handed people drum right handed, but to me left almost feels more natural. I'll have to experiment.
Resume on File
You know how they always tell you in a job-rejection situation that they'll keep your resume on file in case another job comes along that you're better suited for? Well, most of the times that's b.s. but not today I guess. I had a call from a company that I talked to in April (no interview, just phone conversation) and the job I applied for had more travel than I anticipated so I didn't pursue it. With 2 dogs, travel can be quite expensive. Anyway, they called back today for a local position that doesn't involve much travel outside the DC area, so I have an interview now next week. How cool is that? I don't have my hopes up, but it is nice to be remembered.
You know how they always tell you in a job-rejection situation that they'll keep your resume on file in case another job comes along that you're better suited for? Well, most of the times that's b.s. but not today I guess. I had a call from a company that I talked to in April (no interview, just phone conversation) and the job I applied for had more travel than I anticipated so I didn't pursue it. With 2 dogs, travel can be quite expensive. Anyway, they called back today for a local position that doesn't involve much travel outside the DC area, so I have an interview now next week. How cool is that? I don't have my hopes up, but it is nice to be remembered.
Restricting Comments
Well, since I had 14 comments on yesterday's blog, few of which are actual comments but ads from people, I am restricting comments only to Blogger registered users for now. I find it a little odd that this happened on the day I installed high speed internet. I'm also deleting yesterday's post, since I don't want to be advertising all this crap for other people. Big brother is watching!
Well, since I had 14 comments on yesterday's blog, few of which are actual comments but ads from people, I am restricting comments only to Blogger registered users for now. I find it a little odd that this happened on the day I installed high speed internet. I'm also deleting yesterday's post, since I don't want to be advertising all this crap for other people. Big brother is watching!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Rudeness Rant
Why are there 2 people standing in my fucking doorway talking? Granted, I had closed the door to get some writing done cause people kept coming in to interrupt me, but is that an invitation to stand there--literally in the doorway--and have a lengthy private conversation? Even as they talk quietly I can fucking hear their stupid whispers! Even when I walked out to get something out of the printer and walked back in, still they stand there as I close the door in their face. People are just so unbelievable! And one of the girls has an office, go stand in your own fucking doorway!
Why are there 2 people standing in my fucking doorway talking? Granted, I had closed the door to get some writing done cause people kept coming in to interrupt me, but is that an invitation to stand there--literally in the doorway--and have a lengthy private conversation? Even as they talk quietly I can fucking hear their stupid whispers! Even when I walked out to get something out of the printer and walked back in, still they stand there as I close the door in their face. People are just so unbelievable! And one of the girls has an office, go stand in your own fucking doorway!
Cover Me
What is it about artists recording cover albums these days? And covers of old hits, a la Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, etc. My favorite artist Martina McBride apparently has a new album coming out in October called Timeless, which is full of remakes of classic country songs. While I say part of me is intrigued by this look back at country music, part of me is kind of bummed that it means no "new" music from her for quite a while. Of course, I'm sure that won't stop me from buying it the day it's released . . .
What is it about artists recording cover albums these days? And covers of old hits, a la Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, etc. My favorite artist Martina McBride apparently has a new album coming out in October called Timeless, which is full of remakes of classic country songs. While I say part of me is intrigued by this look back at country music, part of me is kind of bummed that it means no "new" music from her for quite a while. Of course, I'm sure that won't stop me from buying it the day it's released . . .
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Legally Blond Meets the South?
Apparently Reese Witherspoon is slated to play June Carter Cash in an upcoming movie, Walk the Line. And who's playing her legendary hubby? Joaquin Phoenix. Uh, yeah . . .
Apparently Reese Witherspoon is slated to play June Carter Cash in an upcoming movie, Walk the Line. And who's playing her legendary hubby? Joaquin Phoenix. Uh, yeah . . .
I'm Baaaack . . .
Boy it seems like forever. What a nice little time off. I have lots of "use it or lose it" days, so I'm only in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the rest of the month. Woo hoo! I gotta get me a new job. Since I'm finally (much to Jeffro's amazement) getting high speed internet at home this week (yes, Dan I am a luddite), that should make the search easier.
I didn't do much in FL--my sis is laid up with some medical problems and I basically went to help her out. But it was nice getting out of DC for a while. And yesterday when I was back I got so much done. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't have to be at work.
Boy it seems like forever. What a nice little time off. I have lots of "use it or lose it" days, so I'm only in the office Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the rest of the month. Woo hoo! I gotta get me a new job. Since I'm finally (much to Jeffro's amazement) getting high speed internet at home this week (yes, Dan I am a luddite), that should make the search easier.
I didn't do much in FL--my sis is laid up with some medical problems and I basically went to help her out. But it was nice getting out of DC for a while. And yesterday when I was back I got so much done. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't have to be at work.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Monday, August 08, 2005
Better Late Than Never
I never wrote an update about my weekend, so I'm feeling the need to share:
Friday - a pretty good day overall except for my blowup with the condo association. The good part of the day: lunch at Thai Shirlington with a former co-worker, followed by an impromptu pedicure. Blowup with condo assn: a few months ago I discovered my outside spigot in the backyard was broken and called the condo assn to fix it. They said it's not their responsibility, I had to get it fixed myself. Which of course I haven't done yet. So I'm walking the dogs Friday and come home to find a sprinkler watering the common area, attached to a hose underneath my back gate. So now they're using MY spigot to water the common property? No f****** way. If it's my responsibility, then you keep your friggin hands off. You want to use it, you fix it. I blew a gasket, quickly unhooked the hose and called and yelled at the condo association. I was so furious I was shaking. But it was all to no avail, the guy answering the phone was a temp and everyone was out of the office. I left a message, and of course have had no call back today to deal with this. I am insisting now that they fix it, and I will take this to the board or the county or whoever. I'm pissed.
Saturday I booked a flight to visit my sister in FL (see blog entry "Bastards" below) and had lunch with one of Jeffro's friends (and new blog commenter, btw) from NJ. A good time at Luna Grill in Shirlington. Dinner party with the neighbor that night, the hit of the evening being my very strong margarita concoctions. Maybe I should go into bartending. Even Jeffro loved them.
Sunday was pretty mellow, cleaned and tried to bring some general order to my chaotic place.
I never wrote an update about my weekend, so I'm feeling the need to share:
Friday - a pretty good day overall except for my blowup with the condo association. The good part of the day: lunch at Thai Shirlington with a former co-worker, followed by an impromptu pedicure. Blowup with condo assn: a few months ago I discovered my outside spigot in the backyard was broken and called the condo assn to fix it. They said it's not their responsibility, I had to get it fixed myself. Which of course I haven't done yet. So I'm walking the dogs Friday and come home to find a sprinkler watering the common area, attached to a hose underneath my back gate. So now they're using MY spigot to water the common property? No f****** way. If it's my responsibility, then you keep your friggin hands off. You want to use it, you fix it. I blew a gasket, quickly unhooked the hose and called and yelled at the condo association. I was so furious I was shaking. But it was all to no avail, the guy answering the phone was a temp and everyone was out of the office. I left a message, and of course have had no call back today to deal with this. I am insisting now that they fix it, and I will take this to the board or the county or whoever. I'm pissed.
Saturday I booked a flight to visit my sister in FL (see blog entry "Bastards" below) and had lunch with one of Jeffro's friends (and new blog commenter, btw) from NJ. A good time at Luna Grill in Shirlington. Dinner party with the neighbor that night, the hit of the evening being my very strong margarita concoctions. Maybe I should go into bartending. Even Jeffro loved them.
Sunday was pretty mellow, cleaned and tried to bring some general order to my chaotic place.
Good Morning, Dammit!
As I got on the elevator this morning, there was a woman already on and she mumbled "good morning" to which I mumbled "hi." (To me, good + morning should never be uttered in the same phrase as it is not true!) So I guess she didn't hear me, cause she said with attitude, "I said good morning!" And I said "I said hi." That just amazes me that people are so f****** rude. They do something to be nice and then get an attitude about it. Am I required to respond loudly and cheerfully if someone mumbles at me? Can someone please explain this, cause sometimes human nature just befuddles me.
As I got on the elevator this morning, there was a woman already on and she mumbled "good morning" to which I mumbled "hi." (To me, good + morning should never be uttered in the same phrase as it is not true!) So I guess she didn't hear me, cause she said with attitude, "I said good morning!" And I said "I said hi." That just amazes me that people are so f****** rude. They do something to be nice and then get an attitude about it. Am I required to respond loudly and cheerfully if someone mumbles at me? Can someone please explain this, cause sometimes human nature just befuddles me.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Bastards!
I just booked a flight with Travelocity and got a great fare that I hadn't initially been able to find. However, when I looked at the "fine print" I am flying out of National and returning to Dulles. I didn't even notice. BTW, I'll be headed to FL to see my sister towards the end of the week.
I just booked a flight with Travelocity and got a great fare that I hadn't initially been able to find. However, when I looked at the "fine print" I am flying out of National and returning to Dulles. I didn't even notice. BTW, I'll be headed to FL to see my sister towards the end of the week.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Get Your Fill of Phil
Dr. Phil apparently just extended his contract for another five years, keeping him on the air until something like 2013. Personally, I am glad cause I like the guy. I think he's definitely aiming to be the next Oprah.
Dr. Phil apparently just extended his contract for another five years, keeping him on the air until something like 2013. Personally, I am glad cause I like the guy. I think he's definitely aiming to be the next Oprah.
Pleased to Meet Ya
We just met our new CEO and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. She seems laid back, rational even! I don't know what it would be like to work for someone like that. So hopefully her self-described working style of being hands-off will hold true. The worrisome thing is she said she hated one of her jobs in the past cause it was too political. If she doesn't like politics, she ain't gonna like it here, let me tell you from personal experience!
And another pleasant surprise, they did order food--probably cause I complained about it. These fabulous shrimp salad sandwiches that were oh so spicy. Dessert were these almond petit fours. I'm gonna be in a food coma the rest of the day.
We just met our new CEO and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. She seems laid back, rational even! I don't know what it would be like to work for someone like that. So hopefully her self-described working style of being hands-off will hold true. The worrisome thing is she said she hated one of her jobs in the past cause it was too political. If she doesn't like politics, she ain't gonna like it here, let me tell you from personal experience!
And another pleasant surprise, they did order food--probably cause I complained about it. These fabulous shrimp salad sandwiches that were oh so spicy. Dessert were these almond petit fours. I'm gonna be in a food coma the rest of the day.
Oh What A Beautiful Morning
NOT! Our newly appointed CEO, who will be starting here Sept 1, will be here today around 11:30 to meet the staff (Note: no lunch provided although God knows how long this will take). So everyone is in a panic trying to get shit ready for her, clean their desks etc. I have just been asked to assemble materials I already assembled for her about 3 weeks ago and just about blew a gasket. So the asker is getting them together instead. I'm sick of the constant panic and double work around here.
To top things off, my interview tomorrow got cancelled, and the one yesterday sucked.
NOT! Our newly appointed CEO, who will be starting here Sept 1, will be here today around 11:30 to meet the staff (Note: no lunch provided although God knows how long this will take). So everyone is in a panic trying to get shit ready for her, clean their desks etc. I have just been asked to assemble materials I already assembled for her about 3 weeks ago and just about blew a gasket. So the asker is getting them together instead. I'm sick of the constant panic and double work around here.
To top things off, my interview tomorrow got cancelled, and the one yesterday sucked.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Wish Me Luck
An interesting day all around. The review is no big deal since the person reviewing is my boss in an interim period, and a new person starts Sept 1. That will be quite a change, someone coming in from outside the organization. I also have an interview today, and I have to walk there! It's only a few blocks but in this heat, that could be disastrous for arriving looking fresh!
An interesting day all around. The review is no big deal since the person reviewing is my boss in an interim period, and a new person starts Sept 1. That will be quite a change, someone coming in from outside the organization. I also have an interview today, and I have to walk there! It's only a few blocks but in this heat, that could be disastrous for arriving looking fresh!
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Metro
It continually amazes me how terrible DC's metro system is. It took me an hour this morning to get to work, after the train at Van Dorn had to unload. The only reason I rode from Van Dorn is that I had to drop my car off for service and they provide a shuttle to Van Dorn. But what a nightmare. The train was then so crowded, plus there was a wasp flying around and everyone was screaming and ducking. Fun!
It continually amazes me how terrible DC's metro system is. It took me an hour this morning to get to work, after the train at Van Dorn had to unload. The only reason I rode from Van Dorn is that I had to drop my car off for service and they provide a shuttle to Van Dorn. But what a nightmare. The train was then so crowded, plus there was a wasp flying around and everyone was screaming and ducking. Fun!
Monday, August 01, 2005
Burned Out
I must say I'm still exhausted after events of the past two weeks. The weekend didn't seem to help to catch me up on rest, even though I didn't really do all that much. At least I have an interview to look forward to on Weds, and I've put in for vacation next week, so hopefully that will get approved and I will get some much-needed R&R.
I must say I'm still exhausted after events of the past two weeks. The weekend didn't seem to help to catch me up on rest, even though I didn't really do all that much. At least I have an interview to look forward to on Weds, and I've put in for vacation next week, so hopefully that will get approved and I will get some much-needed R&R.
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