Surprised

I am wondering why I was so surprised to day when I saw on my Lean Cuisine lunch that real bacon was being used in my Chicken Carbona. Was I surprised because there was real *gasp* bacon being used or surprised because they thought it would be a good idea to mention it on the cover of the box? Do they think it will sell better or seem more appealing in the supermarket? Honestly I didn't even notice when I was picking out my lunches, I thought hey the picture looks good, if the food tastes half as good, I'm set. What if it turned people away.....maybe people who only eat kosher foods. They just lost a sale. What is this world coming to?

Anyway, I was visiting my friends website today, Cow's in the Barn (see link to the left), and last night he posted about my favorite commercial, so if you haven't seen it, get over there and check it out.

This weekend was anything but eventful. I did nothing exciting, but found myself very busy. Sunday was sleepy sleep day and finish the laundry. I did watch Alias and The Practice, both highlights of my weekend. If you are not watching Alias, you need to start. I think it is by far the best show on TV.

Anyway, I have some new funny ways people find me....here we go.


Minneapolis "eye candy" food

"Pretty Painted Toenails"

So the first one not very funny, but I found it amusing that someone "quoted" eye candy like that. The second one is a little disturbing, because as you may notice someone was looking for possibly an arousal site and ended up here......I bet they were a little disappointed.....

I hope something exciting happens this week that I can share with you. Hope you all have a great week.

Well, I'm feeling much better. The fever and chills are gone and all I have is slight congestion, sounds hot huh? So I find that I am forever clearing my throat, sounding like a disapproving mother. Well, my mother because she would always do that when dis-approving....anyway, that's a whole other therapy session.

So, last night Joy and I had the best time. When she got home we decided to go out for dinner. We used my Happenings book, which she makes fun of, but can be a good resource for someone new to town.....Anyway, we pick this Mexican restaurant, which was wonderful, had nice table talk, and then I suggested we pick up some beers. So we swing by the liquor store, both of us feeling happy it's Friday and got some Shiner Bock's and some Mike's Hard Lemonade. When we got back to the house we decided to play some cards. One drink into it and we both were having a blast. We sang along to 80's songs, made wisecracks to one another and laughed. I don't think we ever had that much fun together before. After the second drink we both were a little tipsy (super light weights). Noah was bored with us long before this point, but decided to come back and hear our wonderful singing...... Neither of us could hold a key and broke out into laughter everytime we tried......I swear I think we must be old, at least pushing 30. It's going down as one of my best nights in Houston so far. Just goes to show what 12 bottles of beverage and Skip-bo and Phase 10 can do to liven up a place. By the way, it only 5 bottles are missing....I wish I would have just stuck to the two cocktails....my head hurts a bit this morning.....

Summer Flu

I've been hit with the summer flu bug. I've felt horrible for the last couple days and have been leaving work early. I'm going to see how long I can stay today, but I'll probably bail out early and go home to take a much needed nap. I can't think of anything worse than being sick while it's 85 and sunny out. Meanwhile, I'm stuck inside wearing a rugby shirt (wishing I would have brought a sweater too) and kakhi's. Yesterday afternoon it was a struggle to not moan in pain whenever I moved about. I spent the afternoon on the couch alternately napping and watching some movies from the Hollywood Video. FYI- I enjoyed Bulletproof Monk and Anger Management. Still working on A Mighty Wind. The cats loved having me around as some sort of wheezing cushion on which to lay. Of course it annoyed them greatly when I would go through the, "I love my blanket, I hate my blanket" episodes. They freak out at everything and I learned that they are even afraid of my beeping thermometer. What pussies.....!!!!

Anyway, I still have to touch up a few spot in my room before I take the final photo. I also have some more furniture to purchase so that Joy is able to use her stuff (I mean cripes...what the hell). Some painting tips for you. 1) The Rubbermaid Corner Painter brush sucks. It doesn't get in the corner and I still had to use a regular brush to paint. 2) Texturized walls are a bitch to paint. I used a roller to paint and my arms hurt so I went and bought the fancy expensive Rubbermaid flat painter thing and that still didn't work, bastards! 3) The Rubbermaid edging tool (with the rollers on one side) is a life saver. It works perfectly as long as you don't put too much paint on it. 4) Lavender Blue is an awesome color for a bedroom.

IKEA--
I bought a bed frame at IKEA on Sunday. It wasn't the best shopping experience I have ever had. It didn't even rank in the top 50. I enjoy going to the Wal-Mart more. Anyway....I found the bed frame I wanted. I fell in love with it almost immediately. I wrote down my info and walked downstairs bypassing all of the knick-knacky stuff I like to get (kitchen doo-dads and such) right to the warehouse area. I was trying to read the list to find out where bedroom sets were at. The guy (not so friendly) printed out something I had to pay off of then take to another area. The cashier slightly annoyed me because of her thick accent and inability to allow me to finish a question before answering me. I always find it twice as hard to listen to someone who has a thick accent. It takes my entire attention and doens't allow me to focus on anything else. Anyway, I pay my $ and head over to the retrieval area. The guy there was obviously unhappy to be there and was rude when relaying directions for me to pick up my purchase, I mean, how am I suppossed to know how it works, I'm the customer, not an employee, bastard!!!

Anyway, the only person who was nice to me was the guy who gave me my items from the warehouse. He smiled and thanked me, I almost wanted to hug him and thank him, I was in dire need of a friendly face. So, I get it outside and there are people out there in bright yellow that are suppossed to help me. Both of them are helping some idiot that didn't understand that you cannot fit an object into a space that is smaller than said object. As these geniuses were trying to defy the laws of physics I waited patiently for my "turn". The smaller of the two helper boys realizes that I too needed help and volunteered his assistance. We loaded up the long bedframe deal-eo into the back of the Vue and as I was getting ready to get into my car he asked me why my husband wasn't here to help me. I could only smile, get in my car, and drive away quickly. Do I look so old that people would assume that I should be married (or maybe it was a compliment--like, your so beautiful why hasn't Mr. Right come and snagged you up yet and taken you away on his white steed). Whatever the case I felt a bit funny about the whole thing and am not sure if I will be running back to what I used to refer to as the Happiest Place on Earth.

My Room

Well, I finally have a room to call my very own. With some help from Rob, Joy's fiancee, Noah offered to switch bedrooms with me so I would have the larger of the two. I have some photos for you. The first couple are the befores......

Old Room 1old room.jpg

Old Room 2old room chair.jpg

The Boy's Old Roomthe boy's room.jpg

The Boy's Old Room 2boy's room 2.jpg

So I was able to move most of the stuff out....Now it's time to prime.....

Primerprimed 2.jpg

So it took me forever to prime. I couldn't believe I was doing all this work. But the end result makes me very happy. Just take a look....lavender blue.jpg

So that's how far I am. I went to IKEA and bought a bed frame to go with my new bed. That's right no more air mattresses for this chick. I can't wait to get the bed up. I'm going to coax Joy into helping me. She was surprised that I was going to paint right away. I need this though. I want a girly room with a bed and a bed frame. I want roll out of bed and not right onto the floor. I am so excited....

I'll tell you about my IKEA shopping expereince later, because it wasn't the best, but I have some cleaning to do yet tongiht. I'll also have some painting tips....

Happy Friday!!!

So, I received my update on traffic to my site and I thought you might enjoy some of the odder ones that came up as how people viewed me.

The Funniest Thing I Ever Saw

Footlong Hotdog Photo

Well, those are the only two that show me on the first page. The hotdog one kills me.

So I have a problem. I love wearing sandels and my new half-tennies (the kind without a back, you just slid your foot into) to work and everywhere else, but when I slid them off there is this kind of smelly, but interesting aroma that teases my nostrils. I have no idea what to do for it. Does anyone know of a spray or lotion that I can use. I usually slid my shoes off when I am working at my desk (that way I can admire my pretty painted toenails when I so desire) and people will walk up behind me and surprise me. I'm afraid that they may smell the aroma of my shoes. I don't think it's so much my feet as my shoes. I'm at home typing this right now and I don't smell a thing. So any suggestions? Let me know.....email is o_cripes@hotmail.com.

I'm also going to try to modify how everything looks too. I figure that blogger team I am paying can answer questions I would easily be able to find with minimal research, but why bother. TTFN, have a great weekend.

If all goes well photos of the new bed will be going up.

Religion and stuff....

I believe that there are two general rules to follow when talking to someone you haven't formed a strong bond with yet. One is politics the other religion. Two things that don't necessarily determine the type of person you are, yet have such a strong impact on the way you behave. There are two reasons I am bringing this up. The first is meeting new people and running out of things to bring up in conversation and eventually reverting to one of the two unspoken rules. Which I recently did. The other is something I heard on NPR today, and prompted me to write todays blog about religion.

I grew up in a Catholic family and am still Catholic. I am what some people refer to as the Christmas/Easter Catholic. Not that I believe that going to church on these two holidays will save my soul, but that they are major events in the Catholic church (and the music is generally better during mass). Anyway, I was listening to NPR today and they have these 3 minute stories that come on occassionally. I find them very entertaining. Todays was by a Muslim man who went to a public school in Virginia somewhere. He was talking about how he hated to go to school on Monday's because the teacher would always ask, "Who went to Sunday School yesterday"?

Being Muslim the little boy never was able to raise his hand. He so admired his teacher that it upset him that he wasn't able to raise his hand. So he started skipping school on Monday's. When his mother found out she was furious, but even more so when she found out why he was skipping school. His father at the time was a professer/teacher at a Catholic school. The dad thought it was a good idea to understand other religions, so offered to take him to mass on campus. In his story the Muslim boy talked about how a man dressed in black had everyone stand up, sit down, stand up again, kneel, etc. Well, if you have ever been to a Catholic church that is exactly how it is. Anyway, after mass he went to Sunday school where he treats and got to listen to Bible stories. He was so excitied about going to school on Monday so that when the teacher asked who had gone to Sunday school he could raise his hand.

Well, Monday came and like clockwork the teacher asked who had been to Sunday school. The Muslim boy raised his hand. The teacher a bit surprised as him where he had gone to Sunday school at. He told her the story of how his father had taken him to the Catholic church where he taught at. The teacher did not give him the approval he was looking for. She told him that it wasn't the same as going to a Baptist church. He was even more upset and told his mom so when he got home from school that day.

The mother was so upset that the next day she went to school with her son and told the teacher to stop asking the dreaded Monday question. Muslim's did not go to Sunday school. The teacher told her that she would continue to ask the question because she was a Christian first and a teacher second. As I was telling Joy the story over dinner tonight, Joy pointed out that she wasn't so much a Christian as a Baptist, which I found very funny.

The whole point of the story being that we all believe certain things, but that doesn't mean that we are a different person than who we were before you knew what religion we are, or our political views. The part that really got me was that the little boy was so affected by this teacher that 15-20 years later he still thinks about it. She was only his teacher for one year, and he never saw her again because his father got a teaching job at a school in Pennsylvania. Think of how much of an impact teachers in particular have had on your life. Even friends and co-workers, people you breifly come in contact with. What about the impact you have on others.......

I can't believe I have been so serious for six whole paragraphs now......On with the good stuff.

So I was highly irritated at work yesterday. This lady at work, we'll call her Betty Bimbo, was talking about me behind my back because she thought that I was shuffling papers around that came off the printer. I mean how petty and small, and she didn't even have proof. Then she tried to be nice to me later that day and I just blew her off. I can't believe I did that after that whole post I just wrote.

Anyway, I hope y'all have a great day!!!

I don't care if Wednesday's Blue

So, it's time to buy a bed. I've been sleeping on an air mattress for the last two months and I think there is a hole in it. Actually, I am pretty sure there is a hole in it. I wake up in the middle of the night and it's like I am sleeping on the floor. What's the fun in that? So I've been casing out some bed frames at IKEA, I was there twice last weekend. I think I found the one that I like. Now I just have to find a mattress to go with it and I am set. I'm really excited about not sleeping on the floor anymore. Kind of sad for a 29 year old to be saying that. Anyway, I'll be sure to keep you updated on the bed saga.

I don't think that I want to work at the Melting Pot anymore either. I'm not making enough money to validate the time I spend there. I would rather volunteer my time then go there some days. I like it enough, but it's just a pain in the ass to drive there and then drive home. Blah, blah, blah. Enough with the boring.

There really isn't much more to report. I got a trial membership to a healthclub near Joy's house and I am going to check it out. I hope they have a pool. I need to get into an exercise routine again. I just come home and hop online. Wasting time when I could be out doing something, meeting people, all sorts of things. I feel like maybe I am falling into another lull. I'm not excited about it so I am going to beat it by becoming a doer. Yes, I am going to do things. When people ask me what I've been doing, it's not going to be the same old answer, I'll have a laundry list of items to name off. I'm also going to be prompt with cards for special occassions. I'll just start my new year early that's all. That way I can break all my resolutions before the new year even starts. I'm way ahead of the game on this one.

I meet Frank

So, I am kind of pissed at myself. I typed this long entry then it got deleted, never to be found again. So I have to type it all over again. Here goes. So I had a bit of an exciting weekend. As you know on Saturday I went to IKEA in search of Frank. No Frank to be found. I was slightly deflated as I looked pretty darn cute and felt extremely photogenic. So I went off to work.

At the end of my shift Cory was talking about going out and invited me along. I figured what the heck. So we went to BOY BAR!!!! I had a blast. Although I must confess that I had forgotton about the cocktails served at boy bar. 3-4x as strong as regular bar. So six drinks later I was Chatty Katty, literally and made some new friends. Although I do believe I scared some (and possibly scarred some) young homo's. My drunken slur was difficult to understand through the loud techno music and young red shirt hottie may have thought I was hitting on him. That's ok, because I had a blast. Cory took care of me and I was safe. He drove me back to his place, made me a sandwich, tucked me in on the couch and I was out. I really don't care to relate in detail the next event, but let's just say I'm a little to old to being doing that kind of stuff. And I should always have a trash can next to the bed if I am going to have more than 3 drinks. EEEEEkkkkk!!!!

So the next day, as noon approached I felt better. We went to go eat at a mexican joint nearby. Great food. Joy called while I was there to let me know that Frank was going to be there that day. Yikes, it was already 1ish. I had to eat quick. I made it home by 2, showered, tried to get pretty (it's hard to do when you're hung over), and drove back to the city to meet Frank. That's right dear readers. I've met two Trading Spaces designers now. See photo below.

ikeafrank.jpg

So as you can see in the photo I'm not the cutest thing on the block, by far. I wasn't smiling at all (self consious because my mom says I always smile too big). So that's what I look like, hung over unfortunately. My mother won't be proud, but I don't want you to think that I look like that all the time.

So Frank was nice, I ended up talking to his wife more than him. So that was my exciting day meeting Frank. Then I came home and took a big ol nap, and it felt good. The end.

I've been slacking somewhat in my blog updates and for that I apologize. I have become somewhat addicted to the online chat rooms, everything from board games to weight loss to cooking and stuff......
Anyway, the overall week has been busy. I worked overtime twice this week, began shopping for my dinner menu daily (I love grocery shopping) and trying to get back into the whole reading thing again.
As partmy detailed trivial life explantaions, I will begin with the reading. I just finished reading The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg. I thought it was a great book. Although very much directed toward the softer sex, it would do go if men were to give it a read as well. It gives honest and shocking insight into the female mind. Men think that we are so hard to figure out, this book explains us to a degree.
I've had a couple of bug incidents this week I am going to share with you. Out of everything that I dislike, bugs are at the top of the list. They are gross and icky and I can't stand to have one land on me, not even a fly. Of course ladybugs are not in the nasty bug category because they are pretty, oh and butterflies too. Anyway, I was talking to my friend while shopping at the Wal-Mart (it's a pretty big deal to go out to the Wal-Mart in Texas). Anyway, I feel something on my arm and I look down and all I see is a bug, clearly using some sort of vampire type tube to suck me dry. I freak out a little bit, I am on the phone mind you, and I make that I have a bug on me sound and start flailing my hand around the area where the bug is at. It all probably looked a little silly but I am safe with a minor bump from the blood sucking insect. Next, I was driving home from work yesterday, it was a gorgeous day outside and I had all my windows down and the sun roof open and I was listening to 80's music as I usually do, occassionally fixing my windblown hair in case any hotties were trying to check me out from the safety of their cars (unfortunately I think most of the people that blatently look at me are just trying to see what a Minnesotan looks like, as if us upper midwesterners have an extra eye in the middle of our forheads or something), anyway I am running my fingers through my hair only to discover some that doesn't feel like hair, but more like a bug. Bug, bug, bug, bug (even as I am typing this story out it's like I feel bugs crawling on me, icky). So I freak out a little in the car trying to get the bug out of my hair without really touching it, because that's kinda gross. If anyway had been watching me (and I am sure they were in that bumper to bumper traffic) they may have thought I had gone a little insane or into that self abuse stuff. Anyway, I really don't like bugs.
It's another gorgeous day in Texas. It's after noon already and I heard a rumor that Frank from Trading Spaces is at Ikea today, but there is no confirmation of that on their website, so I am going to go and get ready and head over there. I told my mom about it earlier this week. She wants me to get his phone number so she can call him and they can talk crafts. I think that he probably isn't going to give it to me. I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin'. Have a great weekend.

Today

Today....today I woke up not thinking of what day it was. Today, it took me until almost 6:30AM to hear anything about the meaning of todays date. My eyes started to well with tears as the guy on NPR talked about the Mets game that families would be at today. I wasn't this emotional one year ago, and not even two years ago. I don't know why today is different for me. I didn't know anyone who was in the area, I was a distant viewer, it was a movie for me. A movie I didn't really care to watch. I distanced myself from the television for weeks after, but my love affair quickly restarted once prime time television became regular again.

All morning I've been on this emotional rollercoaster. Happy and content one moment and the next almost ready to cry. People from one of the offices across the street stood outside on their massive lawn and release red, white and blue balloons at the time the first plane hit. Again when the second hit. I had to sit back at my desk for fear of losing it all together. I've been playing CD's most of the morning, not wanting to hear anything said on the radio.

I left the building for lunch today. I grabbed the latest find I acquired at my monthly bookcrossings meeting Tuesday night. The Pull of the Moon by Elizabeth Berg. It's a good read. I can't turn the pages fast enough. It's insightful and I fear that is playing on my emotions as well. It's about a 50 year old woman who "runs away" from home. Seeking adventure, unhappy with her comfortable and predictable life. It's written in Journal entries and letters sent to her husband. About the journey and why it needed to happen.

It mirrors my own life in a way. I didn't leave Minneapolis because I was unhappy or because I didn't like my life, I just needed something different, I needed to know what else was out there. I feel like a 29 year old nomad. What am I looking for? I have no clue. On my ride back from lunch I turned off the radio and tried to think about my life and the changes I have gone through. I was watching other drivers racing back to some unknown destination, not taking time. I realized that sometimes I don't take enough time either. It's like I am always in a rush to get from point A to point B. The journey is unimportant. I don't think that is a true statement, I just think that is how we all see it.

I noticed things I would never have given a second thought on my 10 minute drive back to work. A pickup truck with shoes in the back, they were set up in such a way it looked like someone with severly broken legs may have been lying in the bed of the truck. As I drove on a little further there was a guy in a little Jetta. Wifebeater on, tattoos on his arms. There was one tattoo that I was trying to read as I waited for traffic to start moving again. It said Patrice in large calligraphy block letters. She is a pretty luck person whoever she is, someone loves her enough to brand themselves with her name, for better or worse.

Who knows what the rest of the day is going to bring, but I know I will be watching and absorbing as much as I can so maybe I can figure the answer to some of the questions I have for myself.

I Miss the Dogs

So, I've been thinking there is something missing from my life. I thought about it, then I ran across this article (http://www.heraldnet.com/Stories/03/9/2/17402011.cfm), now I know what it is. I miss the pooches I used to dog sit. I wish I knew someone here with a dog that I could cuddle up with, or go for a walk with. Today's post is dedicated to my doggies back in Minnesota.

How I Met Vern Yip

So, I met Vern Yip. It's true. See photo here.vernyip.jpg
Joy and I heard all about how Vern Yip was going to be at the Home and Garden show. It was on the radio, in the papers, on TV. I called Joy the second I realized that I wasn't dreaming and my hope of meeting my favorite designer from Trading Spaces was going to be a reality. It worked out well for both of us, because there was also a wedding show at the Reliant Center. So we got up and went to meet Rob for breakfast at the Blueberry Patch. I feasted on a breakfast of grits, bacon, biscuits and gravy, waffles, oh my. I couldn't believe how good the food was. It's always those little places that get you.

Anyway, Joy and I went to the wedding show (blah). I hate it when you are trying to look at stuff and people attack you as you're walking down the aisles trying to find exactly what you are looking for. I was like listen, if I wanted one of you ugly ass bouquets, I would have stopped at your booth, but I didn't, I kept walking, good indication I am not interested. That's what I was thinking anyway. Then we went down to the Home and Garden Show. The line was long to buy tickets to even get in. I had my Trading Spaces book with me for Vern to sign. People started just talking to me about the book and how they hoped to meet Vern too. I was all like, yeah, whatever, he's mine. We get inside and we went to the info counter to find out exactly where Vern was going to be. As we made a beeline for the back of the place, we passed some great furniture, but I didn't really notice. I was in kind of a frenzy. I only had one thing on my mind, and it included leather only in certain senarios.
So anyway, we saw where Vern was going to be speaking. We grabbed a couple of the last few chairs available in the back row. We were near where he would be signing autographs later so I thought that I would have great access. It was still 1/2 hour before he came on stage and there was a woman waiting in line. Pshaw, how silly of her. What an insane fanatic. She's going to be in that line for an hour before Vern even sits down at that table. Well, more people started getting in that line and I started looking over every couple of seconds. Joy could sense the anticipation I had of meeting Vern and she told me I could get in line if I wanted. But, I blew it off and told her not to be silly. But now there were like 10 people in line. 20 minutes before Vern even got on stage. I couldn't take it any more, I got in line. I am the fanatic. Of course I wasn't wearing the signature shirt like the lady in front of me. Or, the homemade shirt the girl behind me was wearing, I didn't want to appear to be a freak or anything. Please. Joy remained seated to hear Vern speak, I was waiting in line, Trading Spaces book in hand, and there was no one to talk to. Thank goodness people in Texas are friendly. Robin was one of the ladies in line next to me (she wasn't donning any of the Trading Spaces freak stuff). We started talking, and before I realized we were talking about our favorite Vern episodes and laughing like schoolgirls with crushes while talking about the episode he took his shirt off in.
Vern finally came on stage, but because of the sucky sound system we couldn't hear a word he said, so we entertained ourselves. We had quite a hoot. When Vern made it to the autograph table we had worked ourselves into quite a tizzy. Joy came over and waited with me, poised and ready to take my picture with Vern.
When the lady in front of us got to the table she was looking over her shoulder and quietly telling Vern something. Apparently she told him that Robin and I were stalkers. We were laughing and having a good time, I think I frightened Vern with my big laugh, but he got over it. I could tell that he thought I was pretty cool. He signed my book Kat--YOU ROCK. I know.
Well, anyway. I had perma grin the rest of the evening I think Vern is the greatest. I also found out that Frank lives in Katy. As my mother's favorite designer, we'll have to hunt him and his craft store down.

The Sarcastic Journal

So, I had quite the exciting weekend. I can't wait to tell you all about it, but I need Joy to come home and give me the digital camera so you can see a picture of me and a famous interior designer by the name of.......Vern Yip. Joy thought I had lost my mind. But, I'll tell you all about it when I can post the photo.

I updated a link I had to the left of my commentary. The Sarcastic Journal link was bogus, until now. It's all fixed, so if you have some time check it out.

OK, I've got to go get dinner ready so I will talk to you soon. Joy better get her butt home with her camera ASAP!!!!

Not Number One

I just got home from my longest work day. It's late, but I am wide awake. I thought I might just post a little bit about some recent events.

Texas cars and the drivers driving them-- Texans are insane drivers. Their lack of turn signaling is enough to drive anyone mad. I"ve been here almost two months and I have seen more accidents then I did the entire five years I lived in Minneapolis. I get cut off in traffic at least once a day. I've learned that with a finger gesture and an unkind word the anger quickly subsides. Shaking o' my fists is also a great tension reliever while behind the wheel. If I could wish one thing and one thing only it would be that drivers everywhere are courteous, use their turn signals (no they are not optional), and generally ahere to the 5-10 miles over the speed limit unwritten rule. Without even wishing for it, world peace would soon follow, do you not agree?

The loud laugher in my office-- Before I found my permanent home in my cozy cubicle, I was a desk nomad. Taking up residence in whatever space was available. For two weeks I sat in a small cramped cube next to the "LOUD LAUGHER" (to be said, or thought, with booming echo voice). A dozen times a day my concentration would be interrupted by said laugher as she cackled her way about the office annoying dozens of people. I cherished the day that I would be free of her hideous outbursts. For the last four days I have enjoyed my cubicle serenity. Alas, I had to take a trip around the office today and I heard her howl. The hair stood up on the back of my neck and my head throbbed. I quickly ran back to the safety of my cube and put Van Morrison in the CD player. Serenity. It's not so much that she is laughing, or even that it's loud, but it's the pitch of the cackle that drives me to think murderous thoughts. I'll get her yet.

Printers and Networks, Oh My-- My computer is apparently bocotting the network printers. From a certain program, that I spend most of my day in, I click the little "print page" icon and I get an error code and the program automatically shuts down. The computer geeks that work in our office are quite capable, but I only really like one of them (the other guy has really bad hair and I can't stand to look at him). He must think I am completely helpless because I have to have him come over to my desk everyday. Today, after an hour of putzing around on my computer, he claimed to have the problem fixed. We'll see, he said the same thing on Wednesday.

Insurance Companies Suck-- So this temp job I am doing, I just love it, but my supervisor has me doing these special projects where I have to call insurance companies and get them to fax and send me the information we need to get the insured's accounts up to date. They don't return phone calls, they are rude and I hate them to the very core of my being. The post from Thursday afternoon being one of my problems. Joe, who caused me several headaches today told me that a check that had been cashed by their company was not logged into their system. Well, dumbass, I have the cancelled check, what more do you want from me. I don't work for your company. You should know more about a check your company cashed than I do. I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him at 4PM today. I've talked to him more in the last week than I did my mom and that is saying a lot.

Ok, it's almost 1AM and I have to go to bed. Have a great day.

MUST....CONTROL.....TEMPER

The urge to kill is strong today. I have a policy that has been like a living nightmare for me. I sent a check almost 2 weeks ago. It still hasn't gotten to it's destination. The agent is calling me (she has a New York/The Nanny accent that drives me up the wall) and harrassing me every day, where is the check, where is the check. It's not my damn fault that the Insurer doesn't process it's mail any faster. On Monday I thought I was done with this nightmare. I called the insurer and talked to somone who told me that the check had been processed. I called the agent, conveyed the info (to voice mail thank GOD) and threw away all of the paperwork. Nightmare OVER!!!! Today the insurer called me and told me the check hadn't been received and the nightmare lives on. For the love of GOD, someone please make the phone calls stop. The urge to kill is strong.

Steely Dan

With the start of a new month I look back on all of the things I had scheduled for the previous month. With the mid-month move in July I had plenty of things scheduled for my August in Minneapolis. I thought I would just share a few of them with you.
Uptown Art Fair-- This is an overpriced but nice hottie watching event held in south Minneapolis in, you guessed it, Uptown. It's also the indication that the Minnesota State Fair will be soon, so you might as well get used to eating that so unhealthy food they serve at fairs.

Steely Dan-- I was suppossed to go see Steely Dan with my friend Eunice Crunch, but due to my procrastination in buying tickets and the fact that I moved to Houston, it put the whole event on hold for me. I still hope to see Steely Dan sometime before he keels over.

Micki & Dion's wedding--I'm really kicking myself in the ass for this one. Micki and I were roommates when I first moved to Minnesota. She's an awesome person, and now she's married and I haven't even met the lucky man yet. Yikes, sometimes I am not the best friend.

Minnesota State Fair-- I'm super sad about this one too. I mean what more could a girl want then corn on the cob dipped in hot butter, a bucket of Sweet Martha's cookies and all you can drink milk. What about deep fried pickles, deep fried candy bars, deep fried alligator, the footlong hotdog, and CHEESE CURDS!!!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm missing the festivities as we speak. AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHH! Not to mention the good mullet hunting and the occassional hottie sighting.

Yes, I miss all these things about Minnesota, but I miss my friends the most. Take care and I'll update you again tomorrow.

Lazy Labor Day Weekend

I'm feeling a bit lazy still, I'm not even able to go to the movies this evening. The thought of actually having to go back outside is not appealing to me at all. I am thinking of putting my pj's on and it's only 5:30. It's been rainy and miserable for the last two days and I can think of nothing better than going to bed early tonight.

Saturday was a fairly uneventful day. I worked at the Melting Pot and then went out for a couple of cocktails with the kids. I slept until 11AM on Sunday (it's been awhile since I've been able to pull that off) and sat my ass in front of the TV for the remainder of the day. Today hasn't been much better.

Here is that photo of the well hidden Chipotle.

If you look closely you'll notice that it is between an always hard to find Starbuck's (they're always in the oddest locations) and a very bland and colorless Jamba Juice. In all honesty, I just hadn't driven far enough down the road on Thursday to find it. I know you all were concerned.

I'm sleepy and headed to my room to put my jammies on. I will post again on Tuesday. Take Care and Happy Labor Day.chipotle.jpg