Thursday, December 29, 2005

Sleeping to Dream.....or Not

It's nearly 1am and I'm still not asleep. Why? I didn't get home til 2:30am last night, didn't fall asleep til 4am, went to work today. Why am I not tired?

Put the computer down and close your eyes......

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Traveling Thoughts

...great, i'm at the airport in plenty of time...what, my flight's delayed for 40 minutes?! there's no way i''ll make my connection at DFW....how on earth can i run through 2 terminals, hop a bus and get to the satellite terminal in 20 minutes?....whew, hope airline employee is correct about all flights from DFW being delayed cause i'm on the last flight of the night....ooh, travel vouchers....so tempting....

on the plane
of course i have the window and the two other people in my row are already seated.....doesn't she know not to wear a gallon of perfume when you're traveling in confined spaces?....at least she's not a talker.....yay, the beverage cart is coming and i can finally get a dr pepper.....of course i want the whole can.....wait, this doesn't taste right.....am i over my dr pepper infatuation?.... drinking straight from the can doesn't make it better.....uh oh....flights offer a lot of time for reflection......cue up flaming lips, do you realize....we're floating in space....the plane rolls to the right to make a turn.....life is complex...life is real....do you realize that everyone you know, someday, will die.....why didn't i use the bathroom before i got on the plane.....why did i drink the whole can of dr pepper........uh oh turbulance....

in dallas.
don't have to go out to the tiny plane terminal anymore. ..... flight delayed 40 minutes....overbooked.....more vouchers....so tempting.....what's 12 hours less....why do the newly 21-year-olds drink more beer when they smelled of alkie before boarding ....what, they never want to visit the big apple? are they stupid.....

in fort smith
yay for the whole family....what the heck is going on with my brother's hair?......yay they brought the dog....dad refers to a gingerbread flavored dessert as 'santa vomit'.....yep, back to family humor. ....this is why i come home.....

Friday, December 23, 2005

Time to Hit the Road....

Merry Christmas!!

I'm off to Poteau in a few hours...
Catch ya next week.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Bathroom Break? You Won't be Disappointed


This evening I remembered another thing to look forward to as I travel home this week - America's Best Restroom! Yes indeed, it can be found at the airport nearest my hometown. in Ft. Smith, AR.

The city built a new airport a few years ago, unbeknownst to me when I traveled home one summer. We touched down, screeched past the airport that I knew, and I was really confused. I walked down the stairs off the plane and into some strange building that I'd never seen before. My mom hadn't bothered to tell me that they built a entire new airport! I'd say 50% of their budget went into the restrooms...not that I'm complaining, since I hate public restrooms.

Other fun things I'm looking forward to (besides family, my dog, and friends): cherry vanilla Dr. Pepper at Sonic, ribs at KP's gas station, and hours of fun at the Walmart Supercenter.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

So on My List



Thank you, Monster-in-Law, for reminding me. Wasn't so hard to watch with the MV.....

What's your secret?

JR came down to DC this past weekend; 3rd time's the charm. On Saturday we walked through the city and stumbled upon the Post Secret exhibit in Georgetown. I'd seen an email circulating about it, but didn't really realize where it was - the old Staples in Gtown (memories of school days gone by!). We passed by and my lil' heart jumped with excitement.

People fascinate me. I have to believe that all these secrets are true. I don't doubt that. Some are heartbreaking, some are angering, some are sexy, from all sorts of world citizens. I'm tempted to mail in one of my own - I've got some doozies in there somewhere, I'm sure. We all have things that we never share. Is that a bad thing? Or are we supposed to find someone to share all with? It's funny to think about our relationships - each person we know only gets a piece of us; rarely the whole. There are some pieces that we share with everyone, other sections that we rarely show, and a small slice of things that no one will ever know. How much can you keep from a best friend/spouse/relative?

The exhibit is in DC til January 8, then heads to Philadelphia. I'd suggest you take a visit and relfect upon your own secrets.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Still at it....

3:30am - still awake. Amazing. Blessed sleep, where are you?

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Pulling an All-Nighter

Yes, it's finals time; no, I'm not in college anymore, but I'm going to be up aaaaallll night tonight. Why? Cause I stupidly fell asleep at 6pm and woke up at midnight!!

It wasn't supposed to happen this way! Please, sleep, come back! I don't want to be an insomniac!
It was that late lunch with an hour of conversation that happened during the optimal Sunday nap timeslot. Afterwards I meant to sleep for just 45 minutes before heading to a Christmas party, but NO! SIX HOURS LATER I'm scared. I don't like being up at 4am when no one else is. Doesn't anyone love me enough to have called in the middle and woken me up? Sunday evening is optimal time for phone calls. J was supposed to call me back today - nope. Mom? Dad? Brother? Nope..... They left me off in dreamland, to suffer this wide-eyed night alone.

Netflix will have to keep me company - I got 3 fresh ones.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Ack!

It's 22 degrees outside, though it feels like 16, according to weather.com. Waay too cold for anyone in their right mind to enjoy winter. I did see a new fashion statement today, someone who just can't face the fact that winter is for pants. This guy (or girl, I couldn't really tell) had on cargo shorts over some leggings. Really - put them away in the drawer til April or so.

It's been a really weird 24 hours. I'm ready for the day to be over. Well, the weirdness won't be over til about 7pm tomorrow night. I'm waiting, hoping it'll get here quickly. Friday promises to be a good day for many reasons; here's hoping that all those promises hold true.

And remind me to always be the hunted, never the hunter.

In happier news, I think I'm going to Germany next year for World Cup!! My friend is dead set on going, and I'd be more than happy to tag along. I was in Spain during the last one, and I really hoped that I'd be able to get to see it in person someday. The European energy is just crazy, there's something really magic about the whole competition. There's some crazy lottery for tickets, so if we get those - we're off! Details will be figured out later.

Monday, December 12, 2005

That Word's Not Even in My Vocabulary

Got an email from Josh today, one of the high school best friends, wondering when I'll be in town for the break. We'll probably get together with M, like always. The old trio. Except M has a husband now. That's gonna be weird..... I can't even say the word 'husband' outloud in a normal manner!

Christmas Cheer!

I spent the weekend in a flurry of holiday activities, much to my delight. See, I'm worried that this Christmas really isn't going to feel like Christmas. That's what happens when my family stays in OK, versus traveling to see the rest of the family in Arizona. We never did much around our house to invite holiday cheer, since we'd be gone for the week around Christmas. But now that 66% of the kids are out of the house, my mom wants to start the OK gathering. I hope the whole Christmas mood doesn't just fly over OK without making a stop, like most airplanes do.

Hence trying to do lots of Christmas stuff all month long, and this weekend was a success. I caught Narnia on Friday after some Chinatown dinner with friends. My friend Bill (who I've know since elementary school and after many years apart now lives here in DC) sings in an a capella choir that did a concert at the quaint chapel on Georgetown campus on Saturday night, so I went back to the Hilltop for a little music. I ended up running into several people that I haven't seen in ages - that's what happens at Mormon gatherings. Nice to catch up with people. Found out that a girl I knew who moved to Hawaii a few years ago just got engaged - through instant messanger despite never meeting the guy in person! Wild. I'm afraid that's what it's going to come down for me though.

Sunday was the Christmas program at church, and it was fantastic as always! There's just something about Christmas music that really brings it all together. Sunday night was even MORE music, at the 2nd annual Deal Place wassail gathering. Food, friends, and group singing. Good times all around.

Carpe Diem

I found out today (in a text message from my mother, randomly. I think it was the first time she's used that feature!) that a family friend died yesterday of a heart attack. Although I wasn't that close to this man, I always looked forward to seeing him when I go home. He's always quick to check my left hand for a ring! I called my mom to find out details, and she said that she'd been thinking about him last week and had intended to write him a letter and to invite him to a Christmas party. She never got around to it. Earlier in the week another friend of my parents passed away of cancer. She'd been in the hospital for a few days, and my mom had wanted to visit her one evening and didn't go. Two days later she died.

Just another example of the all the unknowns that are manifest in this life. Don't have any regrets - go for what you want, let your friends and family know how much they mean to you, and if you come across a cute guy/girl, don't waste any time getting to know them. Nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Don't Assume

It makes an ass of you and me. Well, mostly you. And it's the bane of my existance. Just don't do it! (I'm saying that to the 4 people who have, in the last 5 days, asked me about "my boyfriend," each of them alluding to a different guy. Apparently now all I have to do to have a bf is sit by someone. Stop!!!)

Sunday, December 11, 2005

An Apple A Day

Keeps the doctor away, except when it's covered in crap (attributed to C). Thanks mom! I've been eating one a day!

Friday, December 09, 2005

Yay for Snow Days!

Working from home is so delightful.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

'Tis the Season....to Party




Last Saturday was the party day - 2 in one night. I went quickly to the church Christmas dinner, then ran home to change into my fun new fabulous dress for the work party, which was held at the National Building Museum. Very well done, whoever planned it.

Thankfully I was able to find my crew in the sea of 1200 people. Even though I cleaned up well (or so I thought), I was still able to bust a move to Hollaback Girl on stage in front of several hundred people.....

Tess of the d'Urbervilles

For a moment—­only for a moment—­when they were in the turning of the drive, between the tall rhododendrons and conifers, before the lodge became visible, he inclined his face towards her as if—­but, no: he thought better of it, and let her go.

Thus the thing began. Had she perceived this meeting’s import she might have asked why she was doomed to be seen and coveted that day by the wrong man, and not by some other man, the right and desired one in all respects—­as nearly as humanity can supply the right and desired; yet to him who amongst her acquaintance might have approximated to this kind, she was but a transient impression, half forgotten.

In the ill-judged execution of the well-judged plan of things the call seldom produces the comer, the man to love rarely coincides with the hour for loving. Nature does not often say “See!” to her poor creature at a time when seeing can lead to happy doing; or reply “Here!” to a body’s cry of “Where?” till the hide-and-seek has become an irksome, outworn game.
-----Thomas Hardy

Saturday, December 03, 2005

100 Things to Know about Women

A couple of my male coworkers included me on a little email discussion and wanted to know how many of these I agree with. I'd have to say a lot are right on. The ones that I'm particulary enthusiastic about:

99. Most women will not have sex for the first time with a guy unless their legs are shaved. If your date shows up and you spot stubble, she’s trying to keep herself in line.
91. She still has all the love letters and cards from her past boyfriends.
88. If I give you my number on Friday, Tuesday and Wednesday are your best bets to score a date. Monday is too desperate, Thursday is too late.
67. Kiss her before two dates have gone by or you’ll be “friended.”
64. An online dating service’s survey found that a woman’s ideal man has brown hair and blue eyes.
36. At one point or another, I’ve gone through your things looking for any evidence from past relationships. I’m talking photographs, postcards, mementos, address books, diaries. If you don’t like it, get rid of this stuff before letting me in your apartment. It’s not about trust; it’s about curiosity, and it drives us crazy till it’s been satiated.
31. Got a new girl coming over? Your (tidy) bathroom should include clean linen, a box of Puffs Plus, and several full rolls of TP.
30. Don’t caress our faces while we’re kissing, unless you really, really, really like us.
6. Rub a sheet of medium-grade sandpaper across your face. That’s your five o’clock shadow when you kiss her.

Morning!

Just woke up and I feel like I have a million things to do. Go for a jog; stop at A's to tell her goodbye. She's leaving tonight for Africa for an entire month! Flying into South Africa, flying out of Ethiopia. Yikes! Run to Georgetown, find some jewelry and a makeup for tonight's events. Thank goodness I found a dress and shoes yesterday. I hope the whole ensemble comes together! Also have to hit the grocery to take food to party #1 this evening. Gotta be there in 7 hours. Ready, set, go!

Friday, December 02, 2005

Thursday, December 01, 2005

The Day is Over

Thank goodness. Today sucked. It's been a tough week. I can't really complain though; in the grand scheme of things I've lucked out. My worst days would probably seem really, really good to some people. I'm usually super happy and chill and not too much bothers me. I got steamrolled today though for some reason - the forces are against me.

Work was alright, until I volunteered to stay late to help on a rush mailing project. I was supposed to meet N at the mall for some dress shopping around 7:15 (meaning I needed to leave at 6), but I figured I could stick around for awhile and help out. Good to show I'm a team player in a pinch, right? So I waited for a bit, and waited some more. Sadly things were still rolling off the printer at 7 and I had to leave. I really don't like waiting for the bus when it's dark and cold; luckily a bus came shortly after I went outside, cause it had just started raining. We're rolling along, then BAM! Cops EVERYWHERE ahead. The entire road was blocked - helicopters and searchlights cut through the air. My bus driver managed to cut his way over a couple lanes so that we could take a detour, but we were still delayed. I get to the metro - 9 minutes til the next train. It seriously felt like it stopped for loooong minutes at each station. Ugh. The mall was going to close at 930. My frustration reached a peak and I called N to tell her to forget it. Then I decided that 45 minutes of shopping is better than nothing, since the event is in 48 hours. I finally got there at 840 and ran straight to the dress section of Macy's. Lots of things to choose from, plus I have a 20% off coupon. Eck - think again. I browsed and eventually grabbed 3 things to try on. I have to find something! N and J browed for more while I tried stuff on, but I only found one thing that might work. If I'm going to spend $200 on a dress (even if mom's buying), I want to LOVE it, not just settle.

If you ever want to put yourself in a depressing mood, try and find a dress for a special event. I forgot how terrible it is. Sure, I was way pysched before, especially with my mom's offer. I looked online, had some ideas, and was really excited to get to it. So many great options out there - a chance to look fabulous for an evening. Much easier said than done. Even with my gym time and buying smaller pants, I swear you still have to get dresses 2 sizes up. And dressing room lighting isn't flattering in the least. We ran though a couple more stores, including Nordy which had very little to choose from. Really disappointing selection.

Sigh. Back to it tomorrow. I know my mom wanted to cheer me up with a shopping spree, but I can see myself getting frustrated and not even wanting to go. Where's my personal shopper when I need her?

For Music Aficionados

First up, need new music? Check out Pandora.

Second up, how many bands you can find referenced in this picture? Apparently it's been floating around the net for a bit - there are 75. A bigger version is here.

2023 Recap

Oh, hey there. It's been awhile. I disappeared for a bit. Everyone's doing their 2023 year in review today, and I figured I'd ju...

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