For those of you who don't know, I made it back to Green Bay safe and sound and without any problems whatsoever. I must have been having especially good karmic luck that travel day because I even got bumped up to first class on my flight from Seattle to Minneapolis.
The last few days have been a whirlwind of family time, holiday travel, visitations, conversations, relaxation, and sleep. It's been delightful!
I literally sat around in my pajamas all day even while hosting visitors for breakfast, watching the Packer game during lunch, and waiting for my brother to finish up cooking us all dinner. It's almost time for bed again and I still have a week of lounging left!
XO.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Snowy Seattle
I've never seen anything like this.
I'm serious. Seattle, the city where it rarely snows and the place which is completely immobilized if an inch of such aforementioned snow should fall, has received between 1 and 3 feet of snow. FEET OF SNOW. For a city with 27 snow plows and a million hills (good grief), this is A SHIT TON OF SNOW. This is also no small feat.
Never before have I had to dig my car out of the snow so that I could move it. Never before have I gone to a gas station only to find that they are (like many others) out of gas due to the fact that gas trucks cannot get into the city. Never before have I seen 2 feet of snow in the middle of a busy intersection. Never before have I had to pour hot water onto snow before driving on it to ensure I don't get stuck. Never before have I gone berserk driving on the main arterial roads due to snow being so packed down underneath me that it shakes my car and makes it sound like I am veering off the highway onto those strips of cement that tell you you're about to veer off the highway. Never before have I seen people cross country skiing down the roads in lieu of driving. (They're using their snow shoes, too.) Never before have I had to swerve to avoid so many tire chains on the highway. Never before have I had to run red lights to avoid stopping so my momentum will carry me up each hill. Never before have I had to call 15+ taxi, shuttle, and town car companies just to find a service that will drive me to the airport. Never before have I had to pay $129 to get to the airport from 20 miles away. Never before have I seen so many flights canceled. Never before have I been so nervous that my flight will be canceled. Never before have I seen anything so beautiful or so devastating to an entire, functioning, populous city.
If there's anything to say after what I just wrote, it's this: This is absolute insanity!
I'm serious. Seattle, the city where it rarely snows and the place which is completely immobilized if an inch of such aforementioned snow should fall, has received between 1 and 3 feet of snow. FEET OF SNOW. For a city with 27 snow plows and a million hills (good grief), this is A SHIT TON OF SNOW. This is also no small feat.
Never before have I had to dig my car out of the snow so that I could move it. Never before have I gone to a gas station only to find that they are (like many others) out of gas due to the fact that gas trucks cannot get into the city. Never before have I seen 2 feet of snow in the middle of a busy intersection. Never before have I had to pour hot water onto snow before driving on it to ensure I don't get stuck. Never before have I gone berserk driving on the main arterial roads due to snow being so packed down underneath me that it shakes my car and makes it sound like I am veering off the highway onto those strips of cement that tell you you're about to veer off the highway. Never before have I seen people cross country skiing down the roads in lieu of driving. (They're using their snow shoes, too.) Never before have I had to swerve to avoid so many tire chains on the highway. Never before have I had to run red lights to avoid stopping so my momentum will carry me up each hill. Never before have I had to call 15+ taxi, shuttle, and town car companies just to find a service that will drive me to the airport. Never before have I had to pay $129 to get to the airport from 20 miles away. Never before have I seen so many flights canceled. Never before have I been so nervous that my flight will be canceled. Never before have I seen anything so beautiful or so devastating to an entire, functioning, populous city.
If there's anything to say after what I just wrote, it's this: This is absolute insanity!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Soldiers of Misfortune
There were five tragedies this week.
Tragedy #1: I ordered an egg salad sandwich on Monday at a cafe in St. Louis only to find there it contained celery. I despise celery. I wouldn't eat it if I was starving to death.
Tragedy #2: Flying into Dallas on Monday night was particularly interesting:
My colleague and I had just flew into Love Airport and were delighted that our flight was on time despite delays over the rest of the country due to the "Arctic Front" that was conveniently blowing down from Canada. Not unlike normal, we picked up our baggage at the claim and strolled outside (it was a frigid 20 degrees) to find ourselves a taxi. The first cab was a car and I asked if we would be able to fit all of our luggage into the sedan. The taxi facilitator assured me that we would be just fine. So, we hopped in the cab (it was cold in there as well) and I dictated to the cab driver as he punched our hotel address into his GPS system.
"Can you turn up the heat?" I asked. To no avail. He, a small man presumably hailing from Indian judging by his dark skin and accent, didn't seem to hear me. "Can you turn up the heat?" I asked again as my colleague giggled in the seat next to me.
"Uh, ma'am...the heat, uh, it no work. It mess-ed up." Well, you can imagine that this was a bit of a problem not only considering we were cold (I didn't bring a jacket!), but also because both Dallas and the cab were covered in ice due to a storm that had ravaged the city that afternoon. This also meant that the defroster on the car didn't work.
"What?" I replied. "Perhaps we should get another cab, sir." But he wouldn't have it. "I okay, ma'am. We get to your hotel." Well, alright. What choice did I have? I thought to myself. This is a job that requires me to trust others, especially cab drivers. But can he even see out of his windshield?
Finally, after a solid ten minutes of driving, and just before we were to enter a highway cluttered with cars that seemed to be traveling at speeds of under 10 miles per hour, he hesitated. "Uh, ma'am...I drop you off. I worried about safety of driving on freeway. I want you safe." And within a few moments, we found ourselves stranded on the curbside of a Shell gas station. The driver didn't even help us with our bags, nor did he call us another cab, he just left us for dead at a random convenience store in a random part of Dallas with no idea where we were or where we were going.
We hurried into the store (without paying the driver) and I immediately asked the clerk to call us a cab or car service so we could safely get to our hotel which, as I had discovered, was about 20 miles due west. He agreed to call us a reliable service. We waited for approximately 25 minutes during which featured encounters with a homeless gentleman who stopped inside to go to the restroom on a break from standing at the corner with a sign that read "Hungry" and a student nurse who had just suffered a flat tire and was crying because she was stranded in a bad part of town. (That REALLY made us feel better.)
Finally, after we laughed at the situation once more for good measure, the car service pulled up and we ran to get inside the vehicle. In the end, we did make it to our hotel, but only after enduring a rather "entertaining evening," if you will.
Tragedy #3: At the Dallas airport on Tuesday night, I wore a dress. Unfortunately, I was also traveling with a backpack. These two items do not go well together. On three separate occasions that night (once in Dallas and twice in El Paso), three different people ran up behind me to tell me that my dress had gotten caught underneath the backpack and I was flashing everyone behind me. After I said "Thanks" to him, one guy even said, "Thanks for the show." Oops.
I do love attention, but I swear I didn't do it on purpose.
Tragedy #4: I got delayed for 3 hours at the Phoenix airport on Thursday because of snow in Seattle (ARGH!) and I got delightfully drunk. After boarding, I fell asleep and woke up in the snow-covered, immobilized city that is my current home. JH completely refused to pick me up from the airport (and I don't really blame him since I'm unsure of his ablility to drive in snow) and I arrived at the taxi line only to find that it was (literally) 4 hours long. (I am not joking.) Shuttle Express was booked, I couldn't get a limo or car service. So, after I freaked out for a bit, I rented a car and drove to JH's apartment in all of my fury. I'm telling you, Seattle has been a ZOO with all of this crazy weather!
Speaking of snow, we're supposed to have the storm of the century tonight. I'll let you know how that goes. It started around 5pm and is supposed to snow until late tomorrow night. Let me remind you that Seattle is EXTREMELY immature when it comes to dealing with snow and its removal. I can't even begin to count how many roads are closed in this God-forsaken city due to ice and snow. But I will say this: The hills are TERRIFYING. Mark my words.
Tragedy #5: My most amazing bf has abandoned me during the holidays for a cruise in Mexico. At least now I know where I stand. In all seriousness, I am actually abandoning him for Green Bay. That's right, I chose GB over JH. Ooooooo. We're on.
And finally, some good news! I'll be home (in GB, if clarification is needed) in three days. Yay! For now, I'm enjoying my time in Seattle.
Ciao for now!
XO.
Tragedy #1: I ordered an egg salad sandwich on Monday at a cafe in St. Louis only to find there it contained celery. I despise celery. I wouldn't eat it if I was starving to death.
Tragedy #2: Flying into Dallas on Monday night was particularly interesting:
My colleague and I had just flew into Love Airport and were delighted that our flight was on time despite delays over the rest of the country due to the "Arctic Front" that was conveniently blowing down from Canada. Not unlike normal, we picked up our baggage at the claim and strolled outside (it was a frigid 20 degrees) to find ourselves a taxi. The first cab was a car and I asked if we would be able to fit all of our luggage into the sedan. The taxi facilitator assured me that we would be just fine. So, we hopped in the cab (it was cold in there as well) and I dictated to the cab driver as he punched our hotel address into his GPS system.
"Can you turn up the heat?" I asked. To no avail. He, a small man presumably hailing from Indian judging by his dark skin and accent, didn't seem to hear me. "Can you turn up the heat?" I asked again as my colleague giggled in the seat next to me.
"Uh, ma'am...the heat, uh, it no work. It mess-ed up." Well, you can imagine that this was a bit of a problem not only considering we were cold (I didn't bring a jacket!), but also because both Dallas and the cab were covered in ice due to a storm that had ravaged the city that afternoon. This also meant that the defroster on the car didn't work.
"What?" I replied. "Perhaps we should get another cab, sir." But he wouldn't have it. "I okay, ma'am. We get to your hotel." Well, alright. What choice did I have? I thought to myself. This is a job that requires me to trust others, especially cab drivers. But can he even see out of his windshield?
Finally, after a solid ten minutes of driving, and just before we were to enter a highway cluttered with cars that seemed to be traveling at speeds of under 10 miles per hour, he hesitated. "Uh, ma'am...I drop you off. I worried about safety of driving on freeway. I want you safe." And within a few moments, we found ourselves stranded on the curbside of a Shell gas station. The driver didn't even help us with our bags, nor did he call us another cab, he just left us for dead at a random convenience store in a random part of Dallas with no idea where we were or where we were going.
We hurried into the store (without paying the driver) and I immediately asked the clerk to call us a cab or car service so we could safely get to our hotel which, as I had discovered, was about 20 miles due west. He agreed to call us a reliable service. We waited for approximately 25 minutes during which featured encounters with a homeless gentleman who stopped inside to go to the restroom on a break from standing at the corner with a sign that read "Hungry" and a student nurse who had just suffered a flat tire and was crying because she was stranded in a bad part of town. (That REALLY made us feel better.)
Finally, after we laughed at the situation once more for good measure, the car service pulled up and we ran to get inside the vehicle. In the end, we did make it to our hotel, but only after enduring a rather "entertaining evening," if you will.
Tragedy #3: At the Dallas airport on Tuesday night, I wore a dress. Unfortunately, I was also traveling with a backpack. These two items do not go well together. On three separate occasions that night (once in Dallas and twice in El Paso), three different people ran up behind me to tell me that my dress had gotten caught underneath the backpack and I was flashing everyone behind me. After I said "Thanks" to him, one guy even said, "Thanks for the show." Oops.
I do love attention, but I swear I didn't do it on purpose.
Tragedy #4: I got delayed for 3 hours at the Phoenix airport on Thursday because of snow in Seattle (ARGH!) and I got delightfully drunk. After boarding, I fell asleep and woke up in the snow-covered, immobilized city that is my current home. JH completely refused to pick me up from the airport (and I don't really blame him since I'm unsure of his ablility to drive in snow) and I arrived at the taxi line only to find that it was (literally) 4 hours long. (I am not joking.) Shuttle Express was booked, I couldn't get a limo or car service. So, after I freaked out for a bit, I rented a car and drove to JH's apartment in all of my fury. I'm telling you, Seattle has been a ZOO with all of this crazy weather!
Speaking of snow, we're supposed to have the storm of the century tonight. I'll let you know how that goes. It started around 5pm and is supposed to snow until late tomorrow night. Let me remind you that Seattle is EXTREMELY immature when it comes to dealing with snow and its removal. I can't even begin to count how many roads are closed in this God-forsaken city due to ice and snow. But I will say this: The hills are TERRIFYING. Mark my words.
Tragedy #5: My most amazing bf has abandoned me during the holidays for a cruise in Mexico. At least now I know where I stand. In all seriousness, I am actually abandoning him for Green Bay. That's right, I chose GB over JH. Ooooooo. We're on.
And finally, some good news! I'll be home (in GB, if clarification is needed) in three days. Yay! For now, I'm enjoying my time in Seattle.
Ciao for now!
XO.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sickity Sick Sick
I'm not sick yet, but I can feel it starting to infiltrate my body, mind, and soul. It's in there, hibernating, but still too frightened to rear it's ugly, snot-filled, ache-inducing head. I need a break. And the break will be well-deserved considering I've been working my ass off these past few weeks. Harder than I've ever worked, or so it seems.
I'm in the office today which is a nice change from traveling. I've been on two-day conferences all week (as opposed to the typical one-day seminars) and I'm beginning to go a little bit crazy in the head. It might be the sickness taking over. From inside my head, it feels double its normal size. You know, I don't think that's a good sign.
This weekend is busy because when you wake up one morning and find yourself as one half of a couple, you also find yourself adhering to, committing to, CHAINED TO someone else's schedule. (Oh, I'm kidding. I'm just being dramatic so you all feel sorry for me. I need a little pity in my life.) There's a Christmas party tonight, a day of Christmas fun tomorrow, a much-needed Christmas eyebrow waxing and haircut tomorrow afternoon, and a Christmas wine-tasting event tomorrow night. I'm even hoping to squeeze in White Christmas (my favorite movie) and some Christmas cookies to boot. Christmas is taking over my life! (Along with this sickness.) I really shouldn't jinx myself in such ways. Louise Hay always says that thinking with intention is one of the most powerful ways to attract ideas into one's life. By intentionally thinking I'm sick, I'm bound to be sick in about 72 hours. Egads! (That's my favorite answer to a crossword puzzle clue.)
I'm healthy and strong. I'm full of life and energy. I'm enthusiastic and joyful.
I'm full of shit! Merry Xmas, G-damnit!
I'm in the office today which is a nice change from traveling. I've been on two-day conferences all week (as opposed to the typical one-day seminars) and I'm beginning to go a little bit crazy in the head. It might be the sickness taking over. From inside my head, it feels double its normal size. You know, I don't think that's a good sign.
This weekend is busy because when you wake up one morning and find yourself as one half of a couple, you also find yourself adhering to, committing to, CHAINED TO someone else's schedule. (Oh, I'm kidding. I'm just being dramatic so you all feel sorry for me. I need a little pity in my life.) There's a Christmas party tonight, a day of Christmas fun tomorrow, a much-needed Christmas eyebrow waxing and haircut tomorrow afternoon, and a Christmas wine-tasting event tomorrow night. I'm even hoping to squeeze in White Christmas (my favorite movie) and some Christmas cookies to boot. Christmas is taking over my life! (Along with this sickness.) I really shouldn't jinx myself in such ways. Louise Hay always says that thinking with intention is one of the most powerful ways to attract ideas into one's life. By intentionally thinking I'm sick, I'm bound to be sick in about 72 hours. Egads! (That's my favorite answer to a crossword puzzle clue.)
I'm healthy and strong. I'm full of life and energy. I'm enthusiastic and joyful.
I'm full of shit! Merry Xmas, G-damnit!
Friday, December 5, 2008
My Xmas List
I know this is a popular post every year along with my infamous "Birthday List" (items carry over, if you didn't realize), so I thought I'd type it out again this year. I think most of you like the specificity and conviction with which I write this list. BUT, I am reluctant to post it because I don't actually WANT any gifts - I don't believe in Christmas presents! It's my new thing for multiple reasons:
1. I do not affiliate myself with a religion and thus, only celebrate Christmas for the food and presents (and the company, I suppose). This, I feel, is greedy and gluttonous on my part. I need nothing (well...except for what's listed). So, in an effort to curb my desire for presents, I have focused on making birthdays more important. Christmas, to me, is a time of family and fun.
2. Part of the pleasure of Christmas is having kids around. Children are no longer a part of my immediate family (and let's keep it that way for a while, Tyler John) and thus, I shouldn't have to get anyone gifts. Hurumph.
3. I HATE FEELING OBLIGATED TO BUY PEOPLE GIFTS. Except on their birthdays. I love birthdays!
4. I'm saving my money. I'm donating my time this year!
As most of you already know, this list is compiled throughout the year whenever I have a brilliant idea (which is often). So, without any further ado, here is my Christmas list for 2008.
-Sonicare toothbrush
-Brightly colored high heeled shoes
-Sephora giftcard or anything from this amazing store
-Nice bed sheets (high thread count)
-Boyfriend watch (Fossil has nice ones)
-Leather bomber jacket (let's make it real leather, people)
-Teeth grill (preferably one that says my name)
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vintage tee shirt
-Balderdash (such a fun game)
-Yoga mat (I've been needing one for a while)
-Ralph by Ralph Lauren perfume
-Notorious by Ralph Lauren perfume
-Chance by Chanel perfume
-CDs: Britney, Beyonce, Leona Lewis (I'm old school)
-And if you really like me, you can get me a new MacBook.
There's more, but I'll leave you with that.
Happy Holidays!
1. I do not affiliate myself with a religion and thus, only celebrate Christmas for the food and presents (and the company, I suppose). This, I feel, is greedy and gluttonous on my part. I need nothing (well...except for what's listed). So, in an effort to curb my desire for presents, I have focused on making birthdays more important. Christmas, to me, is a time of family and fun.
2. Part of the pleasure of Christmas is having kids around. Children are no longer a part of my immediate family (and let's keep it that way for a while, Tyler John) and thus, I shouldn't have to get anyone gifts. Hurumph.
3. I HATE FEELING OBLIGATED TO BUY PEOPLE GIFTS. Except on their birthdays. I love birthdays!
4. I'm saving my money. I'm donating my time this year!
As most of you already know, this list is compiled throughout the year whenever I have a brilliant idea (which is often). So, without any further ado, here is my Christmas list for 2008.
-Sonicare toothbrush
-Brightly colored high heeled shoes
-Sephora giftcard or anything from this amazing store
-Nice bed sheets (high thread count)
-Boyfriend watch (Fossil has nice ones)
-Leather bomber jacket (let's make it real leather, people)
-Teeth grill (preferably one that says my name)
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vintage tee shirt
-Balderdash (such a fun game)
-Yoga mat (I've been needing one for a while)
-Ralph by Ralph Lauren perfume
-Notorious by Ralph Lauren perfume
-Chance by Chanel perfume
-CDs: Britney, Beyonce, Leona Lewis (I'm old school)
-And if you really like me, you can get me a new MacBook.
There's more, but I'll leave you with that.
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Happy T-giving!
It's turkey day tomorrow. I'm not with my family, but I'm sure with some people I care about!
I'm hanging in my kitchen with roomies and JH; we're waiting to leave for a bar where various friends will be chilling out. Today was a busy day for me - I got so much shit done including a teeth cleaning, a medical massage, a walk around Greenlake (well, not really...half a walk since "someone" was wimpy and cold), and random errands that needed to get done. I live almost entirely out of a suitcase and haven't slept in my own bed in 2 months which can be hassle, but who am I kidding? I'm saving a shitload of money! In any case, that prevents me from having a lot of free time during my short "stints" home. Know what I'm talking about? Probably not, but at least you can try to imagine.
OH, and I GOT A CAMERA! FINALLY!
(Now, if I could just find a decent computer...)
I'm hanging in my kitchen with roomies and JH; we're waiting to leave for a bar where various friends will be chilling out. Today was a busy day for me - I got so much shit done including a teeth cleaning, a medical massage, a walk around Greenlake (well, not really...half a walk since "someone" was wimpy and cold), and random errands that needed to get done. I live almost entirely out of a suitcase and haven't slept in my own bed in 2 months which can be hassle, but who am I kidding? I'm saving a shitload of money! In any case, that prevents me from having a lot of free time during my short "stints" home. Know what I'm talking about? Probably not, but at least you can try to imagine.
OH, and I GOT A CAMERA! FINALLY!
(Now, if I could just find a decent computer...)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Awwww
I'm basking in the warm love of people who are reading my blog.
YAY!
I'm in Hartford, CT (actually, Bristol...home of ESPN) and I'm coming off of an awesome weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana. So fun, so relaxing, exactly what I needed. I got lost, got found (by a hot police officer while crying in the bathroom), got a few home-cooked meals (that's two weekends in a row), and got loved by a dear friend. It was divine...despite being in rural Louisiana. Did I mention I'm sick of the south?
I had dinner with another close friend last night (yes, in Hartford) and we went to this Mexican place with:
1) Amazing margaritas
2) Amazing lobster enchiladas
3) Amazing raspberry churros with dulce de luce sauce
I was not disappointed by CT. In fact, I was uber pleased.
Let me know if you'll be frequenting Hartford soon. I've got recommendations!
YAY!
I'm in Hartford, CT (actually, Bristol...home of ESPN) and I'm coming off of an awesome weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana. So fun, so relaxing, exactly what I needed. I got lost, got found (by a hot police officer while crying in the bathroom), got a few home-cooked meals (that's two weekends in a row), and got loved by a dear friend. It was divine...despite being in rural Louisiana. Did I mention I'm sick of the south?
I had dinner with another close friend last night (yes, in Hartford) and we went to this Mexican place with:
1) Amazing margaritas
2) Amazing lobster enchiladas
3) Amazing raspberry churros with dulce de luce sauce
I was not disappointed by CT. In fact, I was uber pleased.
Let me know if you'll be frequenting Hartford soon. I've got recommendations!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Alright, So I'm a Bit Melodramatic...
...but I can't help that I'm the product of generations of repressed rage.
So, I'm rightfully admitting (a little grudgingly) that I'm being dramatic. I was upset! And the only way I could express myself at that moment was on my damn blog.
Okay? Alright?
Be upset with me if you must, but I haven't received so many comments since my France blog in 2005. Must mean that controversy and anger provoke response. Perhaps that means I should change the sights of my blog...?
So, I'm rightfully admitting (a little grudgingly) that I'm being dramatic. I was upset! And the only way I could express myself at that moment was on my damn blog.
Okay? Alright?
Be upset with me if you must, but I haven't received so many comments since my France blog in 2005. Must mean that controversy and anger provoke response. Perhaps that means I should change the sights of my blog...?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
I Should Have Been Born in the 70's...
I am so attracted to everything from that era...fashion-wise, I mean.
I intended on posting something eloquent about my propensity for all things 70's and I wanted to descend into a diatribe that explained the desire to grow out my armpit hair (it's already 1/4 of an inch long!), but I can't focus on such things because I just listened to an EXTREMELY IGNORANT GENTLEMAN speak about how he's "all for a black president," but can't seem to get past his name, "Barack Hussein Obama"....WHAT THE FUCK? ARE YOU SERIOUS? I AM SO FUMING RIGHT NOW THAT I'VE GOT TO WRITE IN CAPS. WHO IS LIVING IN THIS WORLD? IT'S PEOPLE LIKE THIS WHO MAKE ME SO GODDAMN ASHAMED TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. YES, I SAID IT. I AM ASHAMED TO LIVE HERE WHEN I HEAR AFOREMENTIONED STATEMENTS. THIS IS THE RESULT OF POOR OR NO EDUCATION. I CAN'T FUCKING BELIEVE IT.
LOOK AT THE FACTS, PEOPLE! I DIDN'T WANT TO BLATANTLY SUPPORT A CANDIDATE ON MY BLOG (SINCE I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE AVID SUPPORTERS OF THE OPPOSITE PARTY), BUT I THINK IT'S TIME TO BE PUBLIC WITH MY VIEWPOINT. JOHN MCCAIN IS FLOUNDERING NOT ONLY BECAUSE HE SUPPORTS A PARTY THAT HAS FAILED THIS NATION FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS (AND BEYOND), BUT ALSO BECAUSE HE HAS LOWERED HIMSELF TO SPEAK ABOUT PERSONAL ISSUES AND NOT POLICIES. I AM ONE OF THE FIRST TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS EXPERIENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY. I LIKED HIM BACK WHEN HE ACTUALLY WAS A MAVERICK BETWEEN PARTIES. I THINK HE'S A STAND UP GUY WHEN HE'S NOT PREACHING ABOUT "HUSSEIN" AND "TERRORIST" AND FALLACIES ABOUT "TAXES" IN FRONT OF AMERICA.
STOP WATCHING FOX NEWS (A STATION THAT *ALMOST* EVERYONE KNOWS IS TOTALLY AND CONSERVATIVELY BIASED!!!!!!) AND EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO RECEIVE ALL OF THE FACTS....NOT JUST THE ONES THAT SUPPORT WHAT YOU ALREADY BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!
I'LL RESPECT YOUR VIEWPOINT IF YOU GATHER INFORMATION FROM ALL SIDES.
This is bullshit. I'm moving FAR FAR AWAY or I'm committing suicide if Obama doesn't win. I don't think I'm alone in this endeavor. It's time for a FUCKING CHANGE. I'm sick and tired of living in a place where a woman's right to chose is constantly in jeopardy or where homosexual men and women can't get the benefits that they deserve or where the entire middle class is suffering because we're in a fucking WAR and someone has decided that's the best way to spend our national monies (or not, since most of the money isn't even ours - it's borrowed from 10 other nations). All of these issues have consequences that clearly were not factored into the larger picture and we're all victims of poor foresight. But it was our choice and, hopefully, we'll do something about it.
It's a FEAR vs. HOPE election, folks. McCain vs. Obama, respectively. Choose what you will, but don't come crying to me if McCain's elected and the nation burst further into flames. Don't come crying to me because I'll already be dead.
I intended on posting something eloquent about my propensity for all things 70's and I wanted to descend into a diatribe that explained the desire to grow out my armpit hair (it's already 1/4 of an inch long!), but I can't focus on such things because I just listened to an EXTREMELY IGNORANT GENTLEMAN speak about how he's "all for a black president," but can't seem to get past his name, "Barack Hussein Obama"....WHAT THE FUCK? ARE YOU SERIOUS? I AM SO FUMING RIGHT NOW THAT I'VE GOT TO WRITE IN CAPS. WHO IS LIVING IN THIS WORLD? IT'S PEOPLE LIKE THIS WHO MAKE ME SO GODDAMN ASHAMED TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. YES, I SAID IT. I AM ASHAMED TO LIVE HERE WHEN I HEAR AFOREMENTIONED STATEMENTS. THIS IS THE RESULT OF POOR OR NO EDUCATION. I CAN'T FUCKING BELIEVE IT.
LOOK AT THE FACTS, PEOPLE! I DIDN'T WANT TO BLATANTLY SUPPORT A CANDIDATE ON MY BLOG (SINCE I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE AVID SUPPORTERS OF THE OPPOSITE PARTY), BUT I THINK IT'S TIME TO BE PUBLIC WITH MY VIEWPOINT. JOHN MCCAIN IS FLOUNDERING NOT ONLY BECAUSE HE SUPPORTS A PARTY THAT HAS FAILED THIS NATION FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS (AND BEYOND), BUT ALSO BECAUSE HE HAS LOWERED HIMSELF TO SPEAK ABOUT PERSONAL ISSUES AND NOT POLICIES. I AM ONE OF THE FIRST TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS EXPERIENCE IN FOREIGN POLICY. I LIKED HIM BACK WHEN HE ACTUALLY WAS A MAVERICK BETWEEN PARTIES. I THINK HE'S A STAND UP GUY WHEN HE'S NOT PREACHING ABOUT "HUSSEIN" AND "TERRORIST" AND FALLACIES ABOUT "TAXES" IN FRONT OF AMERICA.
STOP WATCHING FOX NEWS (A STATION THAT *ALMOST* EVERYONE KNOWS IS TOTALLY AND CONSERVATIVELY BIASED!!!!!!) AND EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO RECEIVE ALL OF THE FACTS....NOT JUST THE ONES THAT SUPPORT WHAT YOU ALREADY BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!
I'LL RESPECT YOUR VIEWPOINT IF YOU GATHER INFORMATION FROM ALL SIDES.
This is bullshit. I'm moving FAR FAR AWAY or I'm committing suicide if Obama doesn't win. I don't think I'm alone in this endeavor. It's time for a FUCKING CHANGE. I'm sick and tired of living in a place where a woman's right to chose is constantly in jeopardy or where homosexual men and women can't get the benefits that they deserve or where the entire middle class is suffering because we're in a fucking WAR and someone has decided that's the best way to spend our national monies (or not, since most of the money isn't even ours - it's borrowed from 10 other nations). All of these issues have consequences that clearly were not factored into the larger picture and we're all victims of poor foresight. But it was our choice and, hopefully, we'll do something about it.
It's a FEAR vs. HOPE election, folks. McCain vs. Obama, respectively. Choose what you will, but don't come crying to me if McCain's elected and the nation burst further into flames. Don't come crying to me because I'll already be dead.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Wow, I'm So Insightful...
...and also so drunk. Well, not REALLY drunk, just "2 glasses of wine" drunk and lovin' it.
I'm in Chicago North (Elk Grove, specifically) and I'm with a presenter whom I AM IN LOVE WITH. I LOVE HER. NO JOKE. IN LOVE WITH HER. Not "love" as in "I'm drunk and love you because I'm high on life and wine and good dinner conversation" kind of love, but "love" as in "I think we're food soul mates and lifelong friends and true humor and talk all night and mesh in ways that could never be seen on the surface and I fucking love you" kind of love. Seriously.
Our dinner was 3.5 hours long. If that tells you anything.
I came from a weekend in San Deigo and I'm moving there. I love it. I fucking love it. In this case, the cuss word "fucking" is just a word I'm using to express my very strong love for something. It should not be taken with offense. (Sorry in advance, Grandma.)
I have so many stories! Too many to tell in one post.
My "free" total has clearly risen above and beyond $1,000. More information to come.
I'm going to Seattle this weekend to see my lovah! (Finally.)
I gotta get to bed, but instead, I'm taking the liberty to take myself out. Nice!
I'm in Chicago North (Elk Grove, specifically) and I'm with a presenter whom I AM IN LOVE WITH. I LOVE HER. NO JOKE. IN LOVE WITH HER. Not "love" as in "I'm drunk and love you because I'm high on life and wine and good dinner conversation" kind of love, but "love" as in "I think we're food soul mates and lifelong friends and true humor and talk all night and mesh in ways that could never be seen on the surface and I fucking love you" kind of love. Seriously.
Our dinner was 3.5 hours long. If that tells you anything.
I came from a weekend in San Deigo and I'm moving there. I love it. I fucking love it. In this case, the cuss word "fucking" is just a word I'm using to express my very strong love for something. It should not be taken with offense. (Sorry in advance, Grandma.)
I have so many stories! Too many to tell in one post.
My "free" total has clearly risen above and beyond $1,000. More information to come.
I'm going to Seattle this weekend to see my lovah! (Finally.)
I gotta get to bed, but instead, I'm taking the liberty to take myself out. Nice!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Back to Basics
I'm back on the road, back doing my duties as a responsible traveler and professional, back to working out hard and eating well, back to conducting my social life on the phone. And although there are many repeats of my last season on the road and so many feelings that are recognizable from last year, there are a few new aspects to this year that (I'm sure) will keep it interesting. (Long pause to reflect on last sentence) Such as having a boyfriend (yes, it's official and has been so for months now). Such as having so much free time during the day that I could write a book (no, I'm not planning on writing one, so don't ask...I have other projects I'm interested in like discussing politics with every human being who happens to strike up a conversation with me). Such as dealing with an entirely different group of people with different dynamics. Such as being labeled as a "returner" instead of a "newbie." Such as having hotel status right off the bat.
Now, I just have to find a way to jazz things up a bit while trying to shake the minor sadness that comes with not being able to spend time with JH. (I'm serious.) The question I've been asking myself lately: Why is it so much more difficult to be away from one's significant other than friends and family? I mean, I know we're raised to leave our familes - that's part of growing up and gaining independence as an adult. And I guess friends don't radically change the way that we live our lives because friends most likely will be there upon our return. But partners are different. They alter our awareness of ourselves in that we realize they could be temporary. Are we worth it? They don't have to stick around. They have control of their situations...but not of ours. So I guess the natural reaction to that is to spend as much time with them as possible. Who knows how long it will last, right?
Here was my schedule for the past week:
Raleigh, NC
Nashville, TN
St. Louis, MO
Houston, TX
Baton Rouge, LA
And next week:
Savannah, GA
Macon, GA
Atlanta, GA
Denver, CO
Reno, NV
And finally, my free stuff update:
Small piece of banana bread from a cafe in St. Louis
Estimated worth: $2.00
Chicken caesar salad and tortilla soup lunch from hotel restaurant in Baton Rouge
Estimated worth: $15.00
Cheers to having the gift of getting free shit!
Now, I just have to find a way to jazz things up a bit while trying to shake the minor sadness that comes with not being able to spend time with JH. (I'm serious.) The question I've been asking myself lately: Why is it so much more difficult to be away from one's significant other than friends and family? I mean, I know we're raised to leave our familes - that's part of growing up and gaining independence as an adult. And I guess friends don't radically change the way that we live our lives because friends most likely will be there upon our return. But partners are different. They alter our awareness of ourselves in that we realize they could be temporary. Are we worth it? They don't have to stick around. They have control of their situations...but not of ours. So I guess the natural reaction to that is to spend as much time with them as possible. Who knows how long it will last, right?
Here was my schedule for the past week:
Raleigh, NC
Nashville, TN
St. Louis, MO
Houston, TX
Baton Rouge, LA
And next week:
Savannah, GA
Macon, GA
Atlanta, GA
Denver, CO
Reno, NV
And finally, my free stuff update:
Small piece of banana bread from a cafe in St. Louis
Estimated worth: $2.00
Chicken caesar salad and tortilla soup lunch from hotel restaurant in Baton Rouge
Estimated worth: $15.00
Cheers to having the gift of getting free shit!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
It's a New Year!
Happy Rosh Hashanah! (The Jewish New Year was September 29th this year!) Not only that, but I've started my second season as a professional traveler. We're in the middle of training week and it's been fabulous -- the new program managers (there are 14 of 16 whom I don't know) are really great people. Though, I must say that with 2 roommates moving out and 3 roommates moving in (yes, I'm sharing my ROOM), it's been a whirlwind of change and rearrangement and adjustment and flexibility. I haven't shared my room since sophomore year of college -- it's about 5 years! Whew.
Okay, I have stories, but we're going to watch ANTM (America's Next Top Model) and I CAN'T MISS IT.
Friday, October 3, 2008
I've Emerged.
Yep, I cried and now I'm out from under the bus. I know people were alarmed by my melodramatic tale of gloom and doom and change, but I'm really okay. I just felt lost and upset and I couldn't quite place my feelings of unrest.
In other news, this week has been busy. I've been getting up early (shocker, I know!) and starting my days with a bang (!) in order to be productive and get used to a regular schedule again. I'll definitely need the regularity.
On Wednesday night, I went to a Gavin DeGraw concert at the Showbox with JH and some friends. It was a fun night altogether, but I happen to wear some new boots that made my feet hurt a bit, so I suppose it could have been better. Gavin performed in typical fashion: Sexy, sultry, innocent, passionate. When asked, I told JH that I would pay $50 at most to have sex with Gavin. No more, though. Not even $50 and a penny. He's gotten cockier over the years which is a turnoff for me; at the last concert I saw (with my bro!), he seemed sweeter, not as corrupted by fame, a bit more down-to-earth. That stuff matters, you know.
I got up early on Thursday morning (I'm talking before 6am here...) to go to Yakima (wine country!) with AH and her parents. My new roommate (KB) and her gf attended as well, and we road tripped it to pick grapes for AH's dad's batch of 2008 homemade wine. We had a great time snipping and clipping and gossiping away! I became the so-called "mascot" after my lovely friends began to get their laughs by throwing smashed grapes at my white tee shirt. I didn't realize I would be a target for their fun! We finished up picking within a few hours, had "dinch" (the hybrid of lunch and dinner), and drove back to Seattle just in time to make it to salsa class where JH and I tore up the floor. He's getting really good! Now, I just need to invest in some salsa music so I can practice...
Last night, we watched the vice presidential debates (which were interesting) and had a long conversation about all of the changes that are happening in our lives right now (people getting married, people having kids, people finding jobs, people finding themselves). I'm learning that I can really depend on JH for so many things and most of all, for constant support as a really close friend. He's so great! It's nice to be on the same page with someone you care about and respect; you feel like you're not alone in the game of life. Know what I mean? I guess I feel that way about some of my friends, too, and it's really reassuring to realize that there's always someone who's got my back.
This morning, I came home to meet with a potential roommate and I LOVE HER. She is amazingly terrific and I want her to live here. She'd be great and I think the apartment dynamics would be really relaxed and easy-going. Though it's weird to think that I'm leaving in a little over a week's time and I'll essentially be gone for 8 months. I know it's the same as last year, but it's really not...it's oh-so-different.
Tonight, I'm going on a double date (me, JH, KB, CJ) for dinner and a laser show, perhaps? I can guarantee there will be mighty interesting conversation! Jealous? I know you are!
My life is cool. (Confirmed by the fact that I have just started to research how many men the women on "Sex and the City" sleep with throughout the series. I'm on season 2 and we're already in double digits for some. I'll keep you in the know.)
In other news, this week has been busy. I've been getting up early (shocker, I know!) and starting my days with a bang (!) in order to be productive and get used to a regular schedule again. I'll definitely need the regularity.
On Wednesday night, I went to a Gavin DeGraw concert at the Showbox with JH and some friends. It was a fun night altogether, but I happen to wear some new boots that made my feet hurt a bit, so I suppose it could have been better. Gavin performed in typical fashion: Sexy, sultry, innocent, passionate. When asked, I told JH that I would pay $50 at most to have sex with Gavin. No more, though. Not even $50 and a penny. He's gotten cockier over the years which is a turnoff for me; at the last concert I saw (with my bro!), he seemed sweeter, not as corrupted by fame, a bit more down-to-earth. That stuff matters, you know.
I got up early on Thursday morning (I'm talking before 6am here...) to go to Yakima (wine country!) with AH and her parents. My new roommate (KB) and her gf attended as well, and we road tripped it to pick grapes for AH's dad's batch of 2008 homemade wine. We had a great time snipping and clipping and gossiping away! I became the so-called "mascot" after my lovely friends began to get their laughs by throwing smashed grapes at my white tee shirt. I didn't realize I would be a target for their fun! We finished up picking within a few hours, had "dinch" (the hybrid of lunch and dinner), and drove back to Seattle just in time to make it to salsa class where JH and I tore up the floor. He's getting really good! Now, I just need to invest in some salsa music so I can practice...
Last night, we watched the vice presidential debates (which were interesting) and had a long conversation about all of the changes that are happening in our lives right now (people getting married, people having kids, people finding jobs, people finding themselves). I'm learning that I can really depend on JH for so many things and most of all, for constant support as a really close friend. He's so great! It's nice to be on the same page with someone you care about and respect; you feel like you're not alone in the game of life. Know what I mean? I guess I feel that way about some of my friends, too, and it's really reassuring to realize that there's always someone who's got my back.
This morning, I came home to meet with a potential roommate and I LOVE HER. She is amazingly terrific and I want her to live here. She'd be great and I think the apartment dynamics would be really relaxed and easy-going. Though it's weird to think that I'm leaving in a little over a week's time and I'll essentially be gone for 8 months. I know it's the same as last year, but it's really not...it's oh-so-different.
Tonight, I'm going on a double date (me, JH, KB, CJ) for dinner and a laser show, perhaps? I can guarantee there will be mighty interesting conversation! Jealous? I know you are!
My life is cool. (Confirmed by the fact that I have just started to research how many men the women on "Sex and the City" sleep with throughout the series. I'm on season 2 and we're already in double digits for some. I'll keep you in the know.)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Holy Moly.
It's October. And I'm alone. And I'm feeling abandoned. And I sure hope I'm PMSing because the feelings I'm having are ruining my last few days in Seattle before I start traveling. Sure, my childhood friend KB flies in this afternoon and sure, I have a great network of friends in the area and sure, JH is a terrific bf and sure, I'm finally starting work again, but I'm feeling the heavy weight of change and I don't like it one bit. I have no roommates, I have no KR, I have no family. I only have myself and I'm feeling insecure.
I'm in victim mentality mode again and I think it has to do with money. Feeling like it controls me, like I don't have any, like it's making decisions about my life without consulting me. And it makes me ornary. And it makes me irritable. And then I have trouble expressing myself.
Last night, I was acting passive when I was really upset. I think therapy is the right place for me at the moment. I just want a safe haven, a secure and warm area where I can go to cry. Or sleep. Or regain control. Like Grandma's arms...
I may have lots of friends in Seattle, but that doesn't make up for the fact that everyone to whom I can cry has left me for dead. Thrown me under the bus. I just want to feel safe again!
I'm in victim mentality mode again and I think it has to do with money. Feeling like it controls me, like I don't have any, like it's making decisions about my life without consulting me. And it makes me ornary. And it makes me irritable. And then I have trouble expressing myself.
Last night, I was acting passive when I was really upset. I think therapy is the right place for me at the moment. I just want a safe haven, a secure and warm area where I can go to cry. Or sleep. Or regain control. Like Grandma's arms...
I may have lots of friends in Seattle, but that doesn't make up for the fact that everyone to whom I can cry has left me for dead. Thrown me under the bus. I just want to feel safe again!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Alas - It's Sunny!
And I'm going outside in about 9.5 minutes. AH and I are going to take a walk.
Last night, we (AH, myself, and two of my female coworkers) went salsa dancing at a place in Capitol Hill and had a fabulous time. As much as I know I love to dance, sometimes I forget just HOW MUCH I love it. I mean, I LOVE IT. I LOVE it, love it. Can't-say-it-enough-about-it kind of love. Like when you love someone so much that he or she is ALL you think about after you see them. Or the kind of love that has you so pumped up and excited and filled with adrenaline that you finally feel like you really know how it feels to be insanely happy and content with life. That's how I feel about dancing. And I have to admit that I'm kind of an idiot because I always KNOW that this is how I feel about dancing - like I intellectually understand how much I love it, but I forget the way it makes me FEEL. It makes me feel alive and in control and insatiably hungry for more. And I think that's the measure we should use when we are trying to more fully understand ourselves and our passions and what circumstances in life we really want to pursue. What makes you feel like you can do anything? What washes away your inhibitions and makes you feel like a more complete version of yourself? For me, it's dancing. Singing, too, but a lot of that particular passion (for me) has already been fulfilled. Dancing, well, dancing hasn't been fulfilled. In a lot of ways, it seems like my dancing phase of life hasn't really even started. Dancing has been untouchable for me for a very long time. I"ll explain: Implicitly, dancing may mean freedom and life and expression and satisfaction to me, but it also means money and time and practice, all of which scare me A LOT. I'm sure this is due to past experience (like most developed beliefs are) and it's something I'm actively working on in my life. In fact, I'm working on it so much so that I'm planning another salsa night for Thursday!
Last night was especially important to my ego and dancing esteem because I haven't really practiced salsa in a while (and I mean REALLY practiced with a lead who is incredibly skilled both naturally and technically) and I happen to find a partner (let's call him DS) who brought out my potential in an easy, gentle, fun way. I believe his background is Latin American and he learned salsa from a freestyle perspective which means that he dances to the beat of the music instead of practicing formal steps and combos. So, our first dance together was based on our chemistry, our bodies, and our rhythms - he spun me, then himself, there was little talking, there was little teaching, we just felt the music and danced. The second dance was more instructory in nature - while we danced, he did some combos that I couldn't follow very well, and so he went slowly and showed me each individual step and how it is integrated into the whole move. Finally, he asked if I would like to learn what is (I think) some form of salsa styling where a couple does the same moves in parallel, almost like doing an individual salsa dance side-by-side. He said I have the grace and stylization to perform really well at this type of dance (which is a serious ego boost coming from, as I gradually discovered, a really good-looking, well-meaning, award-winning, Latin-American-born salsa dancer). SO, we went to one of the mirrors in the studio and he began to teach me this particular "art" of salsa styling.
We danced that way for at least a half hour and I really started to understand the concepts he was trying to convey, not to mention that I started to realize he's REALLY GOOD. And I mean, REALLY GOOD. Amazing. A good teacher, too. We were having a great time and he was so encouraging that it had me thinking that the small act of discovering someone's potential can be incredibly influential, especially during critical moments. If I hadn't felt supported and wasn't praised, then I would have felt deflated and probably would have been unlikely to continue my dancing relationship with this gentlemen - or even continue doing salsa styling in general! Now that he understands my skill, can seek out what he needs (dancing-wise) from me, and knows that I am able to improve, I could easily find myself knee-deep in a salsa relationship! Woohoo! Man, who knew this could come from a reluctancy to drag myself to practice last night? In any case, I was high as a kite last night after dancing and smiling and sweating - I had such a fantastic time!
Real quick: In speaking about potential, I think this is what initally drew me to the company I work for right now - the fact that they could see through my hurt and my pain (from grad school), and they invited me inside based on what they trusted I could become. And look where it got me! I DID BECOME that person - the person I was before who loved to laugh and talk and meet others and have deep conversations! The positive girl who saw the best in others, knew she could rise to great heights, believed in good people and karma. Likewise, when it comes to dating, I feel like I've always been the person who could see such wonderful potential in her partner, but didn't feel supported the same way in return. With JH, that has all changed. He not only sees me and knows me for me, but he also sees my potential and beyond. That has more value to me than looks and money and ambition combined. When we see potential in others (instead of fear or threat or domination - mostly, perhaps, projection from our own views), we open up a whole world of possibility. So when JH told me (in jest) that he could show me the world, well, he wasn't kidding. :)
Last night, we (AH, myself, and two of my female coworkers) went salsa dancing at a place in Capitol Hill and had a fabulous time. As much as I know I love to dance, sometimes I forget just HOW MUCH I love it. I mean, I LOVE IT. I LOVE it, love it. Can't-say-it-enough-about-it kind of love. Like when you love someone so much that he or she is ALL you think about after you see them. Or the kind of love that has you so pumped up and excited and filled with adrenaline that you finally feel like you really know how it feels to be insanely happy and content with life. That's how I feel about dancing. And I have to admit that I'm kind of an idiot because I always KNOW that this is how I feel about dancing - like I intellectually understand how much I love it, but I forget the way it makes me FEEL. It makes me feel alive and in control and insatiably hungry for more. And I think that's the measure we should use when we are trying to more fully understand ourselves and our passions and what circumstances in life we really want to pursue. What makes you feel like you can do anything? What washes away your inhibitions and makes you feel like a more complete version of yourself? For me, it's dancing. Singing, too, but a lot of that particular passion (for me) has already been fulfilled. Dancing, well, dancing hasn't been fulfilled. In a lot of ways, it seems like my dancing phase of life hasn't really even started. Dancing has been untouchable for me for a very long time. I"ll explain: Implicitly, dancing may mean freedom and life and expression and satisfaction to me, but it also means money and time and practice, all of which scare me A LOT. I'm sure this is due to past experience (like most developed beliefs are) and it's something I'm actively working on in my life. In fact, I'm working on it so much so that I'm planning another salsa night for Thursday!
Last night was especially important to my ego and dancing esteem because I haven't really practiced salsa in a while (and I mean REALLY practiced with a lead who is incredibly skilled both naturally and technically) and I happen to find a partner (let's call him DS) who brought out my potential in an easy, gentle, fun way. I believe his background is Latin American and he learned salsa from a freestyle perspective which means that he dances to the beat of the music instead of practicing formal steps and combos. So, our first dance together was based on our chemistry, our bodies, and our rhythms - he spun me, then himself, there was little talking, there was little teaching, we just felt the music and danced. The second dance was more instructory in nature - while we danced, he did some combos that I couldn't follow very well, and so he went slowly and showed me each individual step and how it is integrated into the whole move. Finally, he asked if I would like to learn what is (I think) some form of salsa styling where a couple does the same moves in parallel, almost like doing an individual salsa dance side-by-side. He said I have the grace and stylization to perform really well at this type of dance (which is a serious ego boost coming from, as I gradually discovered, a really good-looking, well-meaning, award-winning, Latin-American-born salsa dancer). SO, we went to one of the mirrors in the studio and he began to teach me this particular "art" of salsa styling.
We danced that way for at least a half hour and I really started to understand the concepts he was trying to convey, not to mention that I started to realize he's REALLY GOOD. And I mean, REALLY GOOD. Amazing. A good teacher, too. We were having a great time and he was so encouraging that it had me thinking that the small act of discovering someone's potential can be incredibly influential, especially during critical moments. If I hadn't felt supported and wasn't praised, then I would have felt deflated and probably would have been unlikely to continue my dancing relationship with this gentlemen - or even continue doing salsa styling in general! Now that he understands my skill, can seek out what he needs (dancing-wise) from me, and knows that I am able to improve, I could easily find myself knee-deep in a salsa relationship! Woohoo! Man, who knew this could come from a reluctancy to drag myself to practice last night? In any case, I was high as a kite last night after dancing and smiling and sweating - I had such a fantastic time!
Real quick: In speaking about potential, I think this is what initally drew me to the company I work for right now - the fact that they could see through my hurt and my pain (from grad school), and they invited me inside based on what they trusted I could become. And look where it got me! I DID BECOME that person - the person I was before who loved to laugh and talk and meet others and have deep conversations! The positive girl who saw the best in others, knew she could rise to great heights, believed in good people and karma. Likewise, when it comes to dating, I feel like I've always been the person who could see such wonderful potential in her partner, but didn't feel supported the same way in return. With JH, that has all changed. He not only sees me and knows me for me, but he also sees my potential and beyond. That has more value to me than looks and money and ambition combined. When we see potential in others (instead of fear or threat or domination - mostly, perhaps, projection from our own views), we open up a whole world of possibility. So when JH told me (in jest) that he could show me the world, well, he wasn't kidding. :)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Mmmmmm.
Tea. Vanilla Caramel black tea. Mmmmm.
It's dreary today and it will probably continue to be this way for the next 9 months. That's cool. I'll be traveling the country and it won't matter too much to me.
I've been interviewing potential roommates and we're almost done with the rankings. We have yet to see (pseudonyms) Greenlake and Spark who are both legitimate possibilities. So far, the list is as follows:
1) California: A sweet, bubbly girl who is moving up here from CA to fill a position in the downtown Seattle area. She's inquisitive, outgoing, enthusiastic, and polite. Based on first impressions and intuitions alone, she'd make a great roommate as well as a great friend. Hesitations: None - I want her to live here 100%. Advantages: She'd be a great addition to my Seattle friend network. Even if she doesn't live here, I want to hang out with her!
2) Landlord: A quiet, young girl who has 2 years of college left, but is already a landlord by renting out the basement to her parents' Seattle home. They're selling, so she's moving. She seems responsible, dependable, and trustworthy - a good roommate with not a lot of potential for long term friendship. Hesitations: She's fairly young and she seems very quiet. Advantages: She'd always pay rent on time, she's most likely as good as her word, and intuitively speaking, I'm sure I can trust her.
3) Camper: A friendly, extroverted girl who is also moving up from CA to pursue a career as a hairstylist. She was comfortable and remained as such throughout the hour (!) she was here. She seems compatible with my style and my energy level as well. Hesitations: She's religious and although that might mean nothing, she may prove to be judgmental and passive aggressive when angry or provoked. Her body language changed at times when we discussed money and there was a tension in the air for a few minutes afterwards. She's also an investment considering her move is from a distance. Advantages: She seems to be a good fit for me on a surface level as we had much to discuss and she was very socially skilled.
4) Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum: Two girls from Seattle who claim to be hairstylists, but look to have lived on the streets for a few months (probably not true, and YES, I'm being judgmental). In fact, I saw one of them with her "street gang" (I'm serious) when I was walking back from the bar in Capitol Hill on Friday night. JH and I were arm-in-arm and I believe she thought I had just met him based on the fact that she yelled to me (quiet condescendingly after a nice exchange, I thought), "Have a gooooood night ---" It seemed inappropriate, but then again, I was drunk, so it could have had the nicest connotations (sarcasm). The other girl she was with (when they came to view the apartment) was sweet, but almost too much so. It was pretty obvious to me that they both aren't overly affirmative and it was clear (even to those who DON'T have a cultivated sense of smell) that they both are heavy smokers. Needless to say, my better judgment says this won't be a good fit.
Tonight, I'm watching the Packer game and eating steak!
It's dreary today and it will probably continue to be this way for the next 9 months. That's cool. I'll be traveling the country and it won't matter too much to me.
I've been interviewing potential roommates and we're almost done with the rankings. We have yet to see (pseudonyms) Greenlake and Spark who are both legitimate possibilities. So far, the list is as follows:
1) California: A sweet, bubbly girl who is moving up here from CA to fill a position in the downtown Seattle area. She's inquisitive, outgoing, enthusiastic, and polite. Based on first impressions and intuitions alone, she'd make a great roommate as well as a great friend. Hesitations: None - I want her to live here 100%. Advantages: She'd be a great addition to my Seattle friend network. Even if she doesn't live here, I want to hang out with her!
2) Landlord: A quiet, young girl who has 2 years of college left, but is already a landlord by renting out the basement to her parents' Seattle home. They're selling, so she's moving. She seems responsible, dependable, and trustworthy - a good roommate with not a lot of potential for long term friendship. Hesitations: She's fairly young and she seems very quiet. Advantages: She'd always pay rent on time, she's most likely as good as her word, and intuitively speaking, I'm sure I can trust her.
3) Camper: A friendly, extroverted girl who is also moving up from CA to pursue a career as a hairstylist. She was comfortable and remained as such throughout the hour (!) she was here. She seems compatible with my style and my energy level as well. Hesitations: She's religious and although that might mean nothing, she may prove to be judgmental and passive aggressive when angry or provoked. Her body language changed at times when we discussed money and there was a tension in the air for a few minutes afterwards. She's also an investment considering her move is from a distance. Advantages: She seems to be a good fit for me on a surface level as we had much to discuss and she was very socially skilled.
4) Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum: Two girls from Seattle who claim to be hairstylists, but look to have lived on the streets for a few months (probably not true, and YES, I'm being judgmental). In fact, I saw one of them with her "street gang" (I'm serious) when I was walking back from the bar in Capitol Hill on Friday night. JH and I were arm-in-arm and I believe she thought I had just met him based on the fact that she yelled to me (quiet condescendingly after a nice exchange, I thought), "Have a gooooood night ---" It seemed inappropriate, but then again, I was drunk, so it could have had the nicest connotations (sarcasm). The other girl she was with (when they came to view the apartment) was sweet, but almost too much so. It was pretty obvious to me that they both aren't overly affirmative and it was clear (even to those who DON'T have a cultivated sense of smell) that they both are heavy smokers. Needless to say, my better judgment says this won't be a good fit.
Tonight, I'm watching the Packer game and eating steak!
Friday, September 19, 2008
My Hair is Longer, My Boobs are Bigger, and My Spirits are Down.
I just happen to glance at the photo I have up on this blog (to the right of this post) and I got thinking about when that picture was taken. It was captured in Geneva, Switzerland in June 2007 while waiting for dinner to be served (best dinner I ever had). Now, my hair is definitely longer (15 months of growing will do that to you), my boobs are probably smaller since I lost weight on the road last year, and my spirit is not down permanently, but it's dragging right now. I need something to do with my time. I'm like a black hole -- sucking in everything in my path and leaving a cold, damp wake. Speaking of wake (and cold/damp), JH and I are supposed to go jetskiing this afternoon, but it's about 60 degrees outside and fairly chilly. Humph. This irritability thing is really starting to become perpetual. I think it's time to structure my days so that I'm not caught up in my mood. I need something else to focus on, something with purpose, something I need to be driven for, something I can feel invested in. I should start to dance. I want to take class, but my goal was to spend as little money as possible this month. I think I'm doing a good job. Plus, I really am taking a dance class - salsa.
In fact, we had our second class last night and I feel like I want more of a challenge. Naturally, since I've taken one higher level class and danced with people of higher skill, I've come to understand the beat of the music and how to follow. In my Level 1 class, I'm practically leading my leaders because they don't really know what they're doing. SO, in effect, I become bored. I suppose I'm learning and getting better, too, but I just want to dance and be sweaty and be spun around 12 times and get really hot and winded! Know what I'm saying? I want to feel the beat and screw up and have fun and enjoy my partner and get really "into" it! It's been awhile since I've done that with any type of dancing!
In other news, we're interviewing roommate candidates today and Sunday. It's been interesting - we have about 7 girls interested and 2 rooms to fill. I think we'll be able to commit to someone by Monday. Stay tuned to figure out who my new roomies will be...
In fact, we had our second class last night and I feel like I want more of a challenge. Naturally, since I've taken one higher level class and danced with people of higher skill, I've come to understand the beat of the music and how to follow. In my Level 1 class, I'm practically leading my leaders because they don't really know what they're doing. SO, in effect, I become bored. I suppose I'm learning and getting better, too, but I just want to dance and be sweaty and be spun around 12 times and get really hot and winded! Know what I'm saying? I want to feel the beat and screw up and have fun and enjoy my partner and get really "into" it! It's been awhile since I've done that with any type of dancing!
In other news, we're interviewing roommate candidates today and Sunday. It's been interesting - we have about 7 girls interested and 2 rooms to fill. I think we'll be able to commit to someone by Monday. Stay tuned to figure out who my new roomies will be...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Time to Document Free Shit.
I'm telling ya, I get free stuff all the time. Like I said, it's my MO. So, in an effort to document it so I can look back and be amazed, I'm going to blog all the items I get for no cost.
Place: Taste of India in Seattle
Free Shit: A veggie appetizer plate and mango cheesecake dessert.
Approximate Value: $20.00
Reason: I was giving "the eyes" to one of the men on staff. (Perhaps the owner?) We (four beautiful women) also showed a lot of boob and eye makeup.
Place: Taste of India in Seattle
Free Shit: A veggie appetizer plate and mango cheesecake dessert.
Approximate Value: $20.00
Reason: I was giving "the eyes" to one of the men on staff. (Perhaps the owner?) We (four beautiful women) also showed a lot of boob and eye makeup.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Only the Strong Survive.
Exercise is a weird thing. When you're really into it, doing it every day, you get so addicted to it that you can't imagine your life without it. But when you lapse for a few weeks (or months), it takes A LOT to get yourself to a place where you feel motivated enough to get started again. At least, this is how exercise works for me. I get so involved in it, become so in love with it, but when I stop doing it (due to an injury, this time), then I get lazy and bored and angry for losing it because it takes so much more effort to begin again. Get what I'm saying?
I'm at home right now and one of my beautiful roommates is dancing around the living room like a princess ballerina to "on hold" music (she's trying to activate her new cell phone) and the other roommate is reading/eating - she is so engaged in her book ("The Game" which I finished and passed on) that it takes the bite of food about 30 seconds to move from the bowl to her mouth.
Time to finish figuring out what to do tonight - the weather's gorgeous and I wanna play!
I'm at home right now and one of my beautiful roommates is dancing around the living room like a princess ballerina to "on hold" music (she's trying to activate her new cell phone) and the other roommate is reading/eating - she is so engaged in her book ("The Game" which I finished and passed on) that it takes the bite of food about 30 seconds to move from the bowl to her mouth.
Time to finish figuring out what to do tonight - the weather's gorgeous and I wanna play!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
I Have WAY Too Much Time on My Hands
And I'm getting lazy. And I'm feeling icky. And I'm generally tired all the time from getting too much sleep. I'm serious.
I woke up this morning as the result of a phone call - my cell phone was blaring noisily and I clambered out of JH's bed, blind as a bat, to feel around for my purse and retrieve the damn device. I recognized the area code as California (Sacramento, to be exact) and answered, thinking that KR was playing an evil trick on me or something. A woman's voice responded to my "Hello?"
"Hi, is Kelly Anne available?"
I woke up this morning as the result of a phone call - my cell phone was blaring noisily and I clambered out of JH's bed, blind as a bat, to feel around for my purse and retrieve the damn device. I recognized the area code as California (Sacramento, to be exact) and answered, thinking that KR was playing an evil trick on me or something. A woman's voice responded to my "Hello?"
"Hi, is Kelly Anne available?"
"This is."
"Hi Kelly, I'm calling on behalf of the California State Fair. You are a qualifier for the drawing you entered and I just want to confirm your information..."
REALLY?
I told you - this MO of my (getting free shit) is really starting to amaze me. Whoa. I rock!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Seattle Weather Holds Me Hostage
I am definitely at its mercy. I don't wish this warm, sunny, gorgeous weather away, but I do wish it would be interspersed with some rain because I find it difficult to be indoors when the sun is practically reaching towards me, through the window, holding out its golden hand, and pleading, "Come out and play, Kelly!" It's doing that right now, so don't expect this post to be particularly lengthy. I can rarely resist the sun. On the other hand, what am I talking about? I should be thanking the weather gods this very instant for giving me shiny, happy days on which to be unemployed.
Unemployment! O how grateful I am to she who bid me farewell so I could take this path which grants me two splendid months to graze and play and delight in my own company! Really, it is all rather divine!
Thus far today, I have made a fair amount of progress on my to-do list, meaning that I have slowly but surely motored through my priorities (a difficult task judging by the fact that I have no time line, no commitments, just free, wide open spaces and days...) and tackled some financial insurance issues that make me want to barf. Ah well, all's in a day's work and I suppose that we don't learn exactly how to do these things (read: dispute insurance claims) until we are forced into doing them. Becoming an adult is so very pleasant.
Last night, JH and I had our first salsa lesson. I must say that I was mighty disappointed in the quality of the lesson, but I believe this is tied to the fact that we are enrolled in a Level 1, non-couples class, so not only are we learning moves that are much more basic than I anticipated, but also, we are rotating partners, so I am unable to guide JH during the steps. I think I'm going to request stagnation next class and just stay with him. He's got a lot of potential and it's so much easier to make mistakes when you're comfortable with your partner. Plus, it was tiring having to meet a new lead every two minutes (or less) - we both agreed that it was speed dating at its very fastest.
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, step on toes, dance.} "You're getting the hang of it."
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you. Ready?" {Dance, awkward spin, dance.} "Thanks for the dance, see ya."
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, weird shuffle, dance.} "We're not professionals yet, right?"
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, hesistant glance at each other, dance.} "This is awfully quick to rotate partners, isn't it?"
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, nervous laugh, dance.} "Seems to me you've got it down."
...You get the point. I met about 20 different men in about 40 minutes. Not only was I sweaty and hot and frustrated with the turtle's pace of the class, I missed my orignal partner! In any case, I want to go salsa tonight and make up for the fact that I didn't get to practice my moves! I must note that being a follower (typically a woman) is much easier than being a lead (typically a man). Leads have to know the moves, plan ahead based on what moves they want to perform next, and then understand how to softly guide their partner into the move they want to execute. Being a dancer before, I can read the cues and *usually* allow my partner to suggest me into them. (Sometimes, I unintentionally take over and hijack the lead. Imagine that.)
Now, I'm getting much to antsy for my own good, so I'm going to head outside or eat lunch or engage in something productive like reading my book about how to seduce women.
And Dad, I totally agree with your comment and will be wearing my Packers shirt and hat to the Seahawks game - especially because JH and I are going early to catch some of the GB/Detroit game (on JumboTron) at Quest field. I think it's only fair to let people know where my loyalties lie. Although, I WILL have a Seahawks shirt underneath just in case I should get beat down (verbally, perhaps by the H family?) - I can't risk losing my boyfriend on account of the Packers! ...Or can I? (Answer: Yes, I can and I will. Packers trump significant others.)
Unemployment! O how grateful I am to she who bid me farewell so I could take this path which grants me two splendid months to graze and play and delight in my own company! Really, it is all rather divine!
Thus far today, I have made a fair amount of progress on my to-do list, meaning that I have slowly but surely motored through my priorities (a difficult task judging by the fact that I have no time line, no commitments, just free, wide open spaces and days...) and tackled some financial insurance issues that make me want to barf. Ah well, all's in a day's work and I suppose that we don't learn exactly how to do these things (read: dispute insurance claims) until we are forced into doing them. Becoming an adult is so very pleasant.
Last night, JH and I had our first salsa lesson. I must say that I was mighty disappointed in the quality of the lesson, but I believe this is tied to the fact that we are enrolled in a Level 1, non-couples class, so not only are we learning moves that are much more basic than I anticipated, but also, we are rotating partners, so I am unable to guide JH during the steps. I think I'm going to request stagnation next class and just stay with him. He's got a lot of potential and it's so much easier to make mistakes when you're comfortable with your partner. Plus, it was tiring having to meet a new lead every two minutes (or less) - we both agreed that it was speed dating at its very fastest.
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, step on toes, dance.} "You're getting the hang of it."
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you. Ready?" {Dance, awkward spin, dance.} "Thanks for the dance, see ya."
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, weird shuffle, dance.} "We're not professionals yet, right?"
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, hesistant glance at each other, dance.} "This is awfully quick to rotate partners, isn't it?"
"Hi, I'm Kelly, nice to meet you." {Dance, nervous laugh, dance.} "Seems to me you've got it down."
...You get the point. I met about 20 different men in about 40 minutes. Not only was I sweaty and hot and frustrated with the turtle's pace of the class, I missed my orignal partner! In any case, I want to go salsa tonight and make up for the fact that I didn't get to practice my moves! I must note that being a follower (typically a woman) is much easier than being a lead (typically a man). Leads have to know the moves, plan ahead based on what moves they want to perform next, and then understand how to softly guide their partner into the move they want to execute. Being a dancer before, I can read the cues and *usually* allow my partner to suggest me into them. (Sometimes, I unintentionally take over and hijack the lead. Imagine that.)
Now, I'm getting much to antsy for my own good, so I'm going to head outside or eat lunch or engage in something productive like reading my book about how to seduce women.
And Dad, I totally agree with your comment and will be wearing my Packers shirt and hat to the Seahawks game - especially because JH and I are going early to catch some of the GB/Detroit game (on JumboTron) at Quest field. I think it's only fair to let people know where my loyalties lie. Although, I WILL have a Seahawks shirt underneath just in case I should get beat down (verbally, perhaps by the H family?) - I can't risk losing my boyfriend on account of the Packers! ...Or can I? (Answer: Yes, I can and I will. Packers trump significant others.)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"Nice Mangoes"
Said the cashier at the QFC grocery store. Funny thing is, although I was wearing a tank that was definitely on the skimpy side, I DID, in fact, have 2 mangoes in my hands. He was correct in both rites (he was clearly checking me out as well as checking me out monetarily speaking), but when he realized what he said, he turned a nice shade of crimson and apologized for being inappropriate. Ha - I laughed for a good block and a half about that!
I finished a really amazing book today. It took me a while to read because I didn't want it to end. Kind of like a Harry Potter, but with less urgency to complete. I definitely recommend it - it's called "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith and it's a lovely story about a teenage girl who is keeping a journal in order to hone her writing skills. The novel is both captivating and melancholy, both insightful and humane. Quite a brilliant book, if I do say so myself!
My next read is called "The Game" by Neil Strauss and it's about the underground world of pickup artistry and dating. I also have a book on hold at the library by Mystery that is called "How to Get Beautiful Women into Bed." I'm hoping this will help me understand the universe of men and women and dating and relationships. (And perhaps, it will aid in my new book idea - "Playing the Players: A Women's Guide to Dating Defense.") This is one topic that JH and I LOVE to discuss and I figure I can never know too much about the difference and similarities between the two sexes.
In other news, it's apparent to me that I am beginning to act and look like a native around these parts. People (in two seperate instances) have asked me for directions because they thought I "looked like a local." How's that for Seattlelite tendencies? I guess when you're comfortable in your surroundings, have good directional sense, and have built a community of friends in the area, you start to eminate nativeness. Cool!
I was telling JH that I wish all my good friends were in the same damn city. I mean, seriously. Every time I make a special connection with someone (and I'm not talking "How to Get Beautiful Women into Bed"), they leave! Argh! (Or, I leave. That was JH's solution - "Well, then stop moving!" Hmm...seems like selfish advice to me, doesn't it?) In any case, I have great friends spread across the nation, which, with the traveling job I have, comes in handy...but I won't have this job forever! Seattle is really fun - I promise! :) I'm telling ya - KR just moved to Sacramento, AB just moved to DC. Well, I guess that's what happens when you have really amazing, really intelligent friends. They do what you did and move for more and different opportunities. Smart girls!
Last night, JH and I went to a "function" where we looked at some condos in downtown Bellevue. It was an event sponsored by one of his good friend's company and therefore, we mostly went to support, but there was also other motives (read: incredible catered food). The units were beautiful in decoration and style - but I have to admit that viewing new condos with my new boyfriend was a bit jarring. Especially since it has taken me a full 6 weeks of exclusive dating to be 50% comfortable calling him my bf (note that it has taken a total of 17 weeks including both exculsive and non-exclusive dating to get to this point - I was curious, so I counted weeks yesterday). I *think* I'm "there" (as in - I can think of JH and bf as one THING) as it came pretty naturally last night. Oh, and the word "girlfriend" just ROLLS off JH's tongue like he's been saying it for years. Not for this girl, it doesn't. (And usually, my name follows a good 30 seconds after the introduction. "This is my girlfriend.........(pause).........(handshake)..........(pause).........Kelly." Ha. "Nice to meet you, glad you have a name." Double ha.) Additionally, I happen to get another freebie last night (you know, it's my MO to get free stuff) in the form of a 12-month subscription to "425 Magazine" which is the magazine for Bellevue and the surrounding Eastside neighborhoods. Lucky me! JH loves Bellevue (his hometown) and wishes for me to do the same; therefore, I think it was rigged. (Not really, I just like to say that.)
Aside from all this, I've been enjoying my days off and keeping myself busy. Next on the list? Figure out my finances! Invest, pay off some outstanding debt, establish my financial priorities, and determine where my money will be going this next working year. Sounds like fun! (I mean that, for reals.)
I'm also going to the Seahawks game on Sunday with JH and his parents, which should prove to be a good time. Perhaps I'm in for a bit of awkwardness (only on my part, really), but I'm prepared. It's not like I haven't spent time with them before, it's just that this will be the first time I'll see them after dating JH officially AND mingling with them at a company event. It's definitely going to take time getting past the whole "spending my free time at a football game with my boss and his wife" thing. You know, not everyone gets a chance to do that! As JH said, when he becomes JH's dad instead of my boss, we'll have really turned a corner. And I agree.
Now, I'm off to get groceries with a friend and make mini pizzas while watching "America's Next Top Model!" :)
I finished a really amazing book today. It took me a while to read because I didn't want it to end. Kind of like a Harry Potter, but with less urgency to complete. I definitely recommend it - it's called "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith and it's a lovely story about a teenage girl who is keeping a journal in order to hone her writing skills. The novel is both captivating and melancholy, both insightful and humane. Quite a brilliant book, if I do say so myself!
My next read is called "The Game" by Neil Strauss and it's about the underground world of pickup artistry and dating. I also have a book on hold at the library by Mystery that is called "How to Get Beautiful Women into Bed." I'm hoping this will help me understand the universe of men and women and dating and relationships. (And perhaps, it will aid in my new book idea - "Playing the Players: A Women's Guide to Dating Defense.") This is one topic that JH and I LOVE to discuss and I figure I can never know too much about the difference and similarities between the two sexes.
In other news, it's apparent to me that I am beginning to act and look like a native around these parts. People (in two seperate instances) have asked me for directions because they thought I "looked like a local." How's that for Seattlelite tendencies? I guess when you're comfortable in your surroundings, have good directional sense, and have built a community of friends in the area, you start to eminate nativeness. Cool!
I was telling JH that I wish all my good friends were in the same damn city. I mean, seriously. Every time I make a special connection with someone (and I'm not talking "How to Get Beautiful Women into Bed"), they leave! Argh! (Or, I leave. That was JH's solution - "Well, then stop moving!" Hmm...seems like selfish advice to me, doesn't it?) In any case, I have great friends spread across the nation, which, with the traveling job I have, comes in handy...but I won't have this job forever! Seattle is really fun - I promise! :) I'm telling ya - KR just moved to Sacramento, AB just moved to DC. Well, I guess that's what happens when you have really amazing, really intelligent friends. They do what you did and move for more and different opportunities. Smart girls!
Last night, JH and I went to a "function" where we looked at some condos in downtown Bellevue. It was an event sponsored by one of his good friend's company and therefore, we mostly went to support, but there was also other motives (read: incredible catered food). The units were beautiful in decoration and style - but I have to admit that viewing new condos with my new boyfriend was a bit jarring. Especially since it has taken me a full 6 weeks of exclusive dating to be 50% comfortable calling him my bf (note that it has taken a total of 17 weeks including both exculsive and non-exclusive dating to get to this point - I was curious, so I counted weeks yesterday). I *think* I'm "there" (as in - I can think of JH and bf as one THING) as it came pretty naturally last night. Oh, and the word "girlfriend" just ROLLS off JH's tongue like he's been saying it for years. Not for this girl, it doesn't. (And usually, my name follows a good 30 seconds after the introduction. "This is my girlfriend.........(pause).........(handshake)..........(pause).........Kelly." Ha. "Nice to meet you, glad you have a name." Double ha.) Additionally, I happen to get another freebie last night (you know, it's my MO to get free stuff) in the form of a 12-month subscription to "425 Magazine" which is the magazine for Bellevue and the surrounding Eastside neighborhoods. Lucky me! JH loves Bellevue (his hometown) and wishes for me to do the same; therefore, I think it was rigged. (Not really, I just like to say that.)
Aside from all this, I've been enjoying my days off and keeping myself busy. Next on the list? Figure out my finances! Invest, pay off some outstanding debt, establish my financial priorities, and determine where my money will be going this next working year. Sounds like fun! (I mean that, for reals.)
I'm also going to the Seahawks game on Sunday with JH and his parents, which should prove to be a good time. Perhaps I'm in for a bit of awkwardness (only on my part, really), but I'm prepared. It's not like I haven't spent time with them before, it's just that this will be the first time I'll see them after dating JH officially AND mingling with them at a company event. It's definitely going to take time getting past the whole "spending my free time at a football game with my boss and his wife" thing. You know, not everyone gets a chance to do that! As JH said, when he becomes JH's dad instead of my boss, we'll have really turned a corner. And I agree.
Now, I'm off to get groceries with a friend and make mini pizzas while watching "America's Next Top Model!" :)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sunny Seattle
It's beautiful outside. Seattle summer (well...not exactly anymore as it's after Labor Day) is unparalleled when it's sunny outside. No humidity, only true warmth from the sun; rare stillness, usually a sweeping western ocean breeze. It's quite a delight to relish these days, and maybe even more so because they happen so seldom.
In any case, I've been doing nothing for about a week now and I'm enjoying it IMMENSELY. Sleeping, reading, walking, hanging, eating, running, chatting. That's really all of which my life is comprised at the moment and the success of my relaxation is immeasurable.
In any case, I've been doing nothing for about a week now and I'm enjoying it IMMENSELY. Sleeping, reading, walking, hanging, eating, running, chatting. That's really all of which my life is comprised at the moment and the success of my relaxation is immeasurable.
JH started grad school last week and it sure does bring up memories for me. He's in a program that runs from 9am to 4pm and I can't decide if his schooling reminds me more of elementary school (somehow, the month of September always reminds me of piling on the bus as an 8-year-old) or of grad school (in which case, my upchuck reflexes are on red alert). Fortunately, he has been an instrumental part of changing Seattle's associations in my mind - this summer was so terrific that my memories of this city as a complete mistake are almost completely repressed! And now, for only $99.95, you too can have your memories obliterated. Just click on THIS LINK and it can be yours!
Peace out peeps.
Peace out peeps.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Over & Done
The family has met the significant other. We can breath again.
Even though that wasn't the most important part of the week/end (nor was it the most fun part), it was the part that had me the most nervous. The worst is over.
Now, I get a whole month off from the madness. (Work starts Tuesday, October 7th.)
Lucky me!
Even though that wasn't the most important part of the week/end (nor was it the most fun part), it was the part that had me the most nervous. The worst is over.
Now, I get a whole month off from the madness. (Work starts Tuesday, October 7th.)
Lucky me!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Drumroll Please...
This was tough, but I came up with a ranking of the Sacramento restaurants that I ate at during my visit. It must be noted that this list takes into account not only the quality of the food, but also the atmosphere, variety of menu, quality of service, and overall restaurant appeal. In general, I ate well and I ate A LOT.
21 - Old Soul Coffee House (I got a soy latte)
20 - Leatherby's (KR and I split a Black & White Sundae)
19 - Centro (The enchilada was good, but I got a burrito...)
18 - Paragary's (We split a killer Asian salad & rosemary chicken pizza)
17 - CA State Fair (Corndog, chili cheese fries, funnel cake, & frozen yogurt)
16 - Il Forniao (I had a lot of food - much variety split between many)
15 - Great Wall (Mongolian BBQ - my first time)
14 - Enotria (We had a cheese plate and flights of white wine)
13 - Jack's Urban Eats (The mac & cheese was pretty good)
12 - Big Spoon (A frozen yogurt-ery that is very yummy)
11 - La Rivage (KR and I split a summer salad & fish 'n' chips)
10 - La Bou (We split a ham & cheese croissant & a chocolate croissant)
9 - Vic's (KR and I split a hot dog, a grilled cheese, & a chocolate milkshake)
8 - Michelangelo (DR and I split a summer salad & a great penne pasta dish)
7 - Fox & Goose (We had a basic breakfast with the best scone ever)
6 - In N Out (Always high on the list, this place never disappoints)
5 - Bistro 33 (My veggie frittata was okay & the donuts were hella good)
4 - Zocalo (KR and I split the best summer salad I've ever had & tostadas)
3 - Dos Coyotes (We each had the most amazing Caesar salad ever)
2 - Zelda's ("Veggie Special" ranks #2 on my list of best pizzas ever)
And #1 is... SELLANDS! This is where I had the best desserts ever and I love their gourmet deli style set-up. Best place in Sacramento for visit #1. Their peanut butter bar changed my life, as KR said it would. Their magic bars (sooooo good) also did a number on me.
Hope that gives you an idea of what I did in Sacramento...basically, all we did was EAT! :)
21 - Old Soul Coffee House (I got a soy latte)
20 - Leatherby's (KR and I split a Black & White Sundae)
19 - Centro (The enchilada was good, but I got a burrito...)
18 - Paragary's (We split a killer Asian salad & rosemary chicken pizza)
17 - CA State Fair (Corndog, chili cheese fries, funnel cake, & frozen yogurt)
16 - Il Forniao (I had a lot of food - much variety split between many)
15 - Great Wall (Mongolian BBQ - my first time)
14 - Enotria (We had a cheese plate and flights of white wine)
13 - Jack's Urban Eats (The mac & cheese was pretty good)
12 - Big Spoon (A frozen yogurt-ery that is very yummy)
11 - La Rivage (KR and I split a summer salad & fish 'n' chips)
10 - La Bou (We split a ham & cheese croissant & a chocolate croissant)
9 - Vic's (KR and I split a hot dog, a grilled cheese, & a chocolate milkshake)
8 - Michelangelo (DR and I split a summer salad & a great penne pasta dish)
7 - Fox & Goose (We had a basic breakfast with the best scone ever)
6 - In N Out (Always high on the list, this place never disappoints)
5 - Bistro 33 (My veggie frittata was okay & the donuts were hella good)
4 - Zocalo (KR and I split the best summer salad I've ever had & tostadas)
3 - Dos Coyotes (We each had the most amazing Caesar salad ever)
2 - Zelda's ("Veggie Special" ranks #2 on my list of best pizzas ever)
And #1 is... SELLANDS! This is where I had the best desserts ever and I love their gourmet deli style set-up. Best place in Sacramento for visit #1. Their peanut butter bar changed my life, as KR said it would. Their magic bars (sooooo good) also did a number on me.
Hope that gives you an idea of what I did in Sacramento...basically, all we did was EAT! :)
Aie.
I'm sitting on the toilet while I type this. I figure that might be too much information, but everyone knows TMI is my typical MO. In any case, I have a stomach ache that is proving to be difficult to cure. Cramps? Indigestion? Lactose intolerance? We'll find out soon when I come across a holistic therapist to listen to my whining. I'm convinced that my frequent intestinal blockages have nothing to do with food. I'm serious - I think my emotional issues are being manifest physically. Psychosomatic symptoms is what I'd like to think of this as.
So, my boyfriend is meeting my family next week. Since moving to Seattle, I've always wondered what it would be like to meet someone here and have to introduce him to my parents while they are on some random, unlikely visit to see me. Well, I supposed I'm living it now. Have you ever had that happen? You know, you (for lack of better words) dream of some fairly obscure, but completely possible circumstance (an ideal job, a beautiful apartment, a wonderful mate) that could eventually happen to you in later years and then, suddenly, before you know it, you're LIVING it and you can't quite remember what happened between then and now? That's how I feel! It's like I can't really grasp how everything happened, but IT DID and I guess that's the important part. It's weird - it seems like YEARS have passed since JH and I worked together (and were 2 corners of a love triangle) when really, it was less than a month ago that we did so. And a year ago today, I was just starting my school psychology internship with KR in a district south of Seattle. I didn't even KNOW JH existed. I didn't even KNOW the company I now work for existed. I had less than a few friends in Seattle and now, I am armed with plenty of people to hang with. It's really incredible what can happen in a year's time!
Speaking of work peeps, I hung out with one of my favorite friends tonight. We'll call her AB. It was a perfect summer night - we met in this beautiful area of Seattle called Madison Park, then we went to a Mariner's game at Safeco stadium (a great venue!) for a few innings, then we got ice cream at this sweet little shop in Wallingford called Molly Moon's. We shared 2 sundaes. We're a match made in heaven and we're practically dating which means that I have a boyfriend AND a girlfriend. Don't worry Mom and Dad, you'll get to meet her, too. In fact, JH even told me today that AB seems to be replacing him (minus the sex). He might be right! :)
Now, I think I should retire to bed. I've been busy these past few days - what with all the redecoration that I'm doing around here in preparation for VIP visitations in upcoming days, I'm exhausted! (Actually, I need to go plan the schedule of events...to be posted soon!)
OH, and I've got to rate my Sacramento restaurants, too. Aie - lots to do!
So, my boyfriend is meeting my family next week. Since moving to Seattle, I've always wondered what it would be like to meet someone here and have to introduce him to my parents while they are on some random, unlikely visit to see me. Well, I supposed I'm living it now. Have you ever had that happen? You know, you (for lack of better words) dream of some fairly obscure, but completely possible circumstance (an ideal job, a beautiful apartment, a wonderful mate) that could eventually happen to you in later years and then, suddenly, before you know it, you're LIVING it and you can't quite remember what happened between then and now? That's how I feel! It's like I can't really grasp how everything happened, but IT DID and I guess that's the important part. It's weird - it seems like YEARS have passed since JH and I worked together (and were 2 corners of a love triangle) when really, it was less than a month ago that we did so. And a year ago today, I was just starting my school psychology internship with KR in a district south of Seattle. I didn't even KNOW JH existed. I didn't even KNOW the company I now work for existed. I had less than a few friends in Seattle and now, I am armed with plenty of people to hang with. It's really incredible what can happen in a year's time!
Speaking of work peeps, I hung out with one of my favorite friends tonight. We'll call her AB. It was a perfect summer night - we met in this beautiful area of Seattle called Madison Park, then we went to a Mariner's game at Safeco stadium (a great venue!) for a few innings, then we got ice cream at this sweet little shop in Wallingford called Molly Moon's. We shared 2 sundaes. We're a match made in heaven and we're practically dating which means that I have a boyfriend AND a girlfriend. Don't worry Mom and Dad, you'll get to meet her, too. In fact, JH even told me today that AB seems to be replacing him (minus the sex). He might be right! :)
Now, I think I should retire to bed. I've been busy these past few days - what with all the redecoration that I'm doing around here in preparation for VIP visitations in upcoming days, I'm exhausted! (Actually, I need to go plan the schedule of events...to be posted soon!)
OH, and I've got to rate my Sacramento restaurants, too. Aie - lots to do!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
Sacramento's Hot
So get outta the kitchen!
I'm buzzing on caffeinated espresso right now -- I should know by now that every time I specify DECAF, I should always double check just to be sure. Otherwise, I'm at the bean's mercy! So, here I am with the shakes and sweats...and a dry, sore throat to boot.
I'm also unbelievably tan! Or rather, black, if you'd like to visualize my skin color. Well, maybe I'm more of a golden dark brown. It's interesting what the sun will do to you when you let it. (That doesn't mean I don't use SPF.) Speaking of, I'm just about ready to go to the pool. I'm on vacation in Sacramento visiting KR (who moved last week if you've lost track), but she's at new-hire orientation right now, so I hung out with her mom all day. We enjoyed each other's company while getting coffee, eating lunch (yes, I'm now officially a "lady who lunches"), running errands to Costco and Home Depot. All interesting things that need to be done. I talked with a long lost French friend today who called my cell phone from across the globe and made my day, I spoke with JH who is currently residing in Seattle and on his way to try out for a new reality television show as I type, I tried to change my flight from Tuesday night to Monday night in order to get home and start preparing for the arrival of EIV (Extremely Important Visitors) who touchdown in Seattle in 10 days. (!!!) So much to do.
In other news, here are some tidbits of my stay in the lovely Sacramento, CA:
1) I can barely stay awake for more than 5 hours at a time and thus, my visit has been peppered with frequent naps. I guess I'm tired?
2) I've been eating out for every meal - and, in trusting KR's opinion on food, I have not been disappointed. Well, only once.
3) It's %*!#ing HOT here! I'm dying in this heat!
4) I chipped my tooth last night while eating a tostada on a fork. Bad idea, I'm willing to admit.
5) We're going to the California State Fair this weekend, thus 2/3 of the way to my goal of successfully attending the 3 biggest state fairs in the country: California (#1), Texas (#2), and Minnesota (#3).
Alright, I've gotta go to the pool. I know, tough life. But somebody's gotta do it.
Peace out.
I'm buzzing on caffeinated espresso right now -- I should know by now that every time I specify DECAF, I should always double check just to be sure. Otherwise, I'm at the bean's mercy! So, here I am with the shakes and sweats...and a dry, sore throat to boot.
I'm also unbelievably tan! Or rather, black, if you'd like to visualize my skin color. Well, maybe I'm more of a golden dark brown. It's interesting what the sun will do to you when you let it. (That doesn't mean I don't use SPF.) Speaking of, I'm just about ready to go to the pool. I'm on vacation in Sacramento visiting KR (who moved last week if you've lost track), but she's at new-hire orientation right now, so I hung out with her mom all day. We enjoyed each other's company while getting coffee, eating lunch (yes, I'm now officially a "lady who lunches"), running errands to Costco and Home Depot. All interesting things that need to be done. I talked with a long lost French friend today who called my cell phone from across the globe and made my day, I spoke with JH who is currently residing in Seattle and on his way to try out for a new reality television show as I type, I tried to change my flight from Tuesday night to Monday night in order to get home and start preparing for the arrival of EIV (Extremely Important Visitors) who touchdown in Seattle in 10 days. (!!!) So much to do.
In other news, here are some tidbits of my stay in the lovely Sacramento, CA:
1) I can barely stay awake for more than 5 hours at a time and thus, my visit has been peppered with frequent naps. I guess I'm tired?
2) I've been eating out for every meal - and, in trusting KR's opinion on food, I have not been disappointed. Well, only once.
3) It's %*!#ing HOT here! I'm dying in this heat!
4) I chipped my tooth last night while eating a tostada on a fork. Bad idea, I'm willing to admit.
5) We're going to the California State Fair this weekend, thus 2/3 of the way to my goal of successfully attending the 3 biggest state fairs in the country: California (#1), Texas (#2), and Minnesota (#3).
Alright, I've gotta go to the pool. I know, tough life. But somebody's gotta do it.
Peace out.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Summa, Summa, Summa TIME.
It's the best summer EVER! Whoa! At least, NKOTB says so. I heard them with my own ears.
So much to do in the future, I can't even keep a hold of my pants! I'm having difficulty getting my ass outta bed this week, but only because I haven't had seven days worth of "nothing to do" since...uh...I don't even know! I've drawn a blank. Maybe, 7th grade?
Naw, maybe not. I guess I'm feeling this way because I've finally taken many of the "shoulds" out of my head and my life. And it feels so good! Liberating, freeing, releasing. I feel as light as a feather. Except, I'm PMSing and, therefore, may act on some bitch-like tendencies...but that should be gone in about 1.5 days.
I'm going camping this weekend with JH and I'm kicking myself for it. Well, not really KICKING myself, but I'm not much of a camper. In fact, as some of you may know, I can be hardcore, but I'm pretty much the antithesis of a camper. Now, you would think that someone who was conceived in a tent would looooove to camp merely by...proxy (?), but not me. Oh no. Though, I guess it puts my mind at ease to know that he's not only my bf (yes, I've finally surrendered to the use of the word...), but he's also an Eagle Scout which, as I learned this weekend, is some big business. It means he can tie all kinds of interesting and useful knots and stuff. Definitely impressive.
I've been hanging out with JH an awful lot lately. I now understand the idea of needing time to myself. When getting involved with someone, it's so easy to fall into their schedule or even into a pit of laziness where you don't want to do anything but nap with each other. What a glorious thing to do! But, it makes me tired and useless and groggy and crabby (sometimes). I suppose it's good for me to practice my sleeping skills, though. Always important. Always needed.
I'm pretty hungry right now. I've got to be at a BBQ...oh, about 15 minutes ago, so I'm off. :)
So much to do in the future, I can't even keep a hold of my pants! I'm having difficulty getting my ass outta bed this week, but only because I haven't had seven days worth of "nothing to do" since...uh...I don't even know! I've drawn a blank. Maybe, 7th grade?
Naw, maybe not. I guess I'm feeling this way because I've finally taken many of the "shoulds" out of my head and my life. And it feels so good! Liberating, freeing, releasing. I feel as light as a feather. Except, I'm PMSing and, therefore, may act on some bitch-like tendencies...but that should be gone in about 1.5 days.
I'm going camping this weekend with JH and I'm kicking myself for it. Well, not really KICKING myself, but I'm not much of a camper. In fact, as some of you may know, I can be hardcore, but I'm pretty much the antithesis of a camper. Now, you would think that someone who was conceived in a tent would looooove to camp merely by...proxy (?), but not me. Oh no. Though, I guess it puts my mind at ease to know that he's not only my bf (yes, I've finally surrendered to the use of the word...), but he's also an Eagle Scout which, as I learned this weekend, is some big business. It means he can tie all kinds of interesting and useful knots and stuff. Definitely impressive.
I've been hanging out with JH an awful lot lately. I now understand the idea of needing time to myself. When getting involved with someone, it's so easy to fall into their schedule or even into a pit of laziness where you don't want to do anything but nap with each other. What a glorious thing to do! But, it makes me tired and useless and groggy and crabby (sometimes). I suppose it's good for me to practice my sleeping skills, though. Always important. Always needed.
I'm pretty hungry right now. I've got to be at a BBQ...oh, about 15 minutes ago, so I'm off. :)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Rainbows and Puppies
It's quite possible (almost entirely true) that I am the happiest I've been in a while. In fact, I'm the happiest I've been since I've moved to Seattle. With the exception of KR moving, I am in a fairly constant state of elation and gratitude. I am filled with a deep sense of appreciation for my place and time in life right now, the friends who are occupying my schedule (they are really fantastic people), and the events I happen to stumble upon. Words do not give justice to my feelings at this moment. In many moments. :)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
French Press Coffee
Man, we (AH and I) looked EVERYWHERE for one of these this morning! Seriously, we went to 5 different places and finally found one at Crate and Barrel. Phew. We needed our coffee.
I'm going to clean my room today and then meet JH at his new apartment in Capitol Hill/First Hill area to arrange moved-in items and go grocery shopping. Yay! I love to grocery shop. Then, we'll have dinner, drinks, and a fine concert experience at the Triple Door (a concert venue) in downtown Seattle later this evening. Should be fun!
What should I wear?
I'm going to clean my room today and then meet JH at his new apartment in Capitol Hill/First Hill area to arrange moved-in items and go grocery shopping. Yay! I love to grocery shop. Then, we'll have dinner, drinks, and a fine concert experience at the Triple Door (a concert venue) in downtown Seattle later this evening. Should be fun!
What should I wear?
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Gainfully Unemployed
The way it ought to be, right? My last contract day was yesterday. It's nice to have nothing to do, except I have SO MUCH to do that I won't have the luxury of enjoying that "nothingness" for a few more weeks. September should round out nicely empty, I'm hoping. Though, I have an interesting knack for filling up time and space fairly quickly.
Work starts up again in October and so far, I'm enjoying...well, hanging out with JH and relishing what's left of Seattle's summer. Naw, that's not true. Seattle still has a decent summer left, I just have to get it rolling. I'm too used to waking up at 5am and going to bed at 9pm to feel like I've taken advantage of all summer has to offer around here. KR is moving soon and, though I'm sad, I'm taking it in stride. Real best friends aren't a function of time or proximity and I have no doubt that our relationship will only be taken to a new level with the move. Sacramento's not THAT far away...as long as I'm in Seattle, which is where I plan on being for a while. An indefinite amount of time, anyways.
This morning, I went raspberry picking with my roommate and two of her friends. I arrived home from JH's later than expected and dressed in last night's clothes while they sipped on orange juice and chatted about high school events and people. We drove out to Carnation (which is a decent drive east) and picked for about an hour - you definitely can't go wrong paying $1.25 for one pound of raspberries. Then we went over to Red Hook Brewery which produces some mighty fine beer (try the Blonde Ale, it'll have you "hooked") and some damn good cuisine to boot. My roommate (AH) is planning on making raspberry wine with the loot from today, and while I respect and hope to benefit from that, I will be eating mine straight up.
In other news, "things" with JH are getting progressively more...."serious"...? With me being gone for almost the entire month of July and all, I have grown fonder of him and (I know) he of me. It's happening gradually, to neither of our planning - we wanted to remain un-exclusive so as not to risk "getting serious" and that's exactly what's transpiring. Funny how life works, isn't it? Right when you want to try to control things, something happens that is truly unplanned. And then you go from there. I can say that when I took this job 10 months ago, I never expected to fall for someone so deeply. (And I DEFINITELY didn't think that person would be the boss' son!) The relationship and friendship I have with him is unlike any I've ever experienced. Not only is there a respect, which seems to be the golden thread that weaves through all the pieces of our bond, but there is an undeniable connection that manifests itself in mutual trust (though still building), kindness, generosity and support. We can, want to, and will often talk for hours about both nothing and something collectively - the hardships we've endured in the past, the current state of the world, the petty things that piss us off, our families and friends, how much we appreciate each other's friendship. Things that may be "deal-breakers" with other people I've dated are non-issues with him because our emotional connection runs so deep. Yet, something about this situation is detached from my body - not in the negative sense of the word, but in the way that it doesn't adhere to my ego at all. The feelings I have for JH are more a part of my soul. And if we suddenly are not dating in a month, then I will still love and respect him, same as before. My ego will not be damaged, my heart will remain in tact, and I have no doubt that we would remain friends.
The above concept is a difficult one to explain, especially if you haven't experienced it before, but if you take yourself out of the syntax and read it based on feeling alone, I think you may be able to understand it. I hope I write well enough that you all (most a far distance away from here) can actually FEEL what I'm feeling when I type. That, I think, is part of the reason for this blog. In any case, I'm pretty tired and I want to go to bed!
Unfortunately, my computer is pretty much deceased (the front LCD light burnt out and is more expensive to replace than the whole computer), so I'm going to try to blog on AH's computer as much as I'm allowed. I am unemployed, after all.
:)
Work starts up again in October and so far, I'm enjoying...well, hanging out with JH and relishing what's left of Seattle's summer. Naw, that's not true. Seattle still has a decent summer left, I just have to get it rolling. I'm too used to waking up at 5am and going to bed at 9pm to feel like I've taken advantage of all summer has to offer around here. KR is moving soon and, though I'm sad, I'm taking it in stride. Real best friends aren't a function of time or proximity and I have no doubt that our relationship will only be taken to a new level with the move. Sacramento's not THAT far away...as long as I'm in Seattle, which is where I plan on being for a while. An indefinite amount of time, anyways.
This morning, I went raspberry picking with my roommate and two of her friends. I arrived home from JH's later than expected and dressed in last night's clothes while they sipped on orange juice and chatted about high school events and people. We drove out to Carnation (which is a decent drive east) and picked for about an hour - you definitely can't go wrong paying $1.25 for one pound of raspberries. Then we went over to Red Hook Brewery which produces some mighty fine beer (try the Blonde Ale, it'll have you "hooked") and some damn good cuisine to boot. My roommate (AH) is planning on making raspberry wine with the loot from today, and while I respect and hope to benefit from that, I will be eating mine straight up.
In other news, "things" with JH are getting progressively more...."serious"...? With me being gone for almost the entire month of July and all, I have grown fonder of him and (I know) he of me. It's happening gradually, to neither of our planning - we wanted to remain un-exclusive so as not to risk "getting serious" and that's exactly what's transpiring. Funny how life works, isn't it? Right when you want to try to control things, something happens that is truly unplanned. And then you go from there. I can say that when I took this job 10 months ago, I never expected to fall for someone so deeply. (And I DEFINITELY didn't think that person would be the boss' son!) The relationship and friendship I have with him is unlike any I've ever experienced. Not only is there a respect, which seems to be the golden thread that weaves through all the pieces of our bond, but there is an undeniable connection that manifests itself in mutual trust (though still building), kindness, generosity and support. We can, want to, and will often talk for hours about both nothing and something collectively - the hardships we've endured in the past, the current state of the world, the petty things that piss us off, our families and friends, how much we appreciate each other's friendship. Things that may be "deal-breakers" with other people I've dated are non-issues with him because our emotional connection runs so deep. Yet, something about this situation is detached from my body - not in the negative sense of the word, but in the way that it doesn't adhere to my ego at all. The feelings I have for JH are more a part of my soul. And if we suddenly are not dating in a month, then I will still love and respect him, same as before. My ego will not be damaged, my heart will remain in tact, and I have no doubt that we would remain friends.
The above concept is a difficult one to explain, especially if you haven't experienced it before, but if you take yourself out of the syntax and read it based on feeling alone, I think you may be able to understand it. I hope I write well enough that you all (most a far distance away from here) can actually FEEL what I'm feeling when I type. That, I think, is part of the reason for this blog. In any case, I'm pretty tired and I want to go to bed!
Unfortunately, my computer is pretty much deceased (the front LCD light burnt out and is more expensive to replace than the whole computer), so I'm going to try to blog on AH's computer as much as I'm allowed. I am unemployed, after all.
:)
Monday, June 23, 2008
I'm Turning Over a New Leaf.
I have decided to stop judging myself and start doing things that I'm not experienced at, and therefore, clearly not good at. I think this will help in a plethora of ways. My self-growth and personal development will skyrocket.
I feel like I'm writing a cover letter.
I'm not feeling very clever at the moment.
We're (the roomies and I) are getting primed and ready to watch The Bachelorette.
I had a GREAT weekend! The spa package was incredible...but the only remnants I have left are shapely eyebrows and neatly manicured fingers and toes. :( I wish it could have lasted longer. (Funny, since it was already 8 hours.)
And the 5K was inspiring! And the BBQ was super entertaining!
And I think summer is here!
And I might be getting a camera!
I feel like I'm writing a cover letter.
I'm not feeling very clever at the moment.
We're (the roomies and I) are getting primed and ready to watch The Bachelorette.
I had a GREAT weekend! The spa package was incredible...but the only remnants I have left are shapely eyebrows and neatly manicured fingers and toes. :( I wish it could have lasted longer. (Funny, since it was already 8 hours.)
And the 5K was inspiring! And the BBQ was super entertaining!
And I think summer is here!
And I might be getting a camera!
Friday, June 20, 2008
It's Warm Out for a Change.
Wow! Our third nice day of the year has arrived. Let's hope this is a welcoming for better weather.
Tomorrow, I have a full day planned. Read this shit:
06:30am - Meeting at my place
07:00am - Taking the bus to Quest Field while chowing on some grub
07:30am - Arriving at Quest Field along with thousands of others
08:00am - Running the Race for the Cure 5K along the Puget Sound
08:33am - Finishing the Race for the Cure 5K along the Puget Sound
09:00am - Scarfing down the free food they provide after 5K runs
09:15am - Trucking it to the downtown mall where Nordstrom awaits
10:00am - Arriving at the downtown Nordstrom
10:15am - Beginning my spa package: exfoliation, body wrap, massage, manicure, pedicure, and lunch!
06:00pm - Finishing my spa package
07:00pm - Showering and making my way over to JH's for some grilling good times!
Peace - have a good weekend!
Tomorrow, I have a full day planned. Read this shit:
06:30am - Meeting at my place
07:00am - Taking the bus to Quest Field while chowing on some grub
07:30am - Arriving at Quest Field along with thousands of others
08:00am - Running the Race for the Cure 5K along the Puget Sound
08:33am - Finishing the Race for the Cure 5K along the Puget Sound
09:00am - Scarfing down the free food they provide after 5K runs
09:15am - Trucking it to the downtown mall where Nordstrom awaits
10:00am - Arriving at the downtown Nordstrom
10:15am - Beginning my spa package: exfoliation, body wrap, massage, manicure, pedicure, and lunch!
06:00pm - Finishing my spa package
07:00pm - Showering and making my way over to JH's for some grilling good times!
Peace - have a good weekend!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
El Nino, My ASS.
It's June and we still have the heat on.
There is something dreadfully wrong with this situation.
When places such as Fairbanks, Alaska and Siberia are experiencing higher temperatures than where I live, I deserve the chance to whine.
I swear, since Seattle hit a record high of 91 on May 17, we haven't been past 60 damn degrees for the whole of 2008. Shit, it's almost 2009! By the looks of it, we'll be sitting pretty at 65 in the dead of summer! Boo hiss from the Midwestern girl who grew up with 90 degree summers and such intense humidity that a regular day was like swimming with your clothes on until 9pm at night when Mother Nature would provide a necessary reprieve from the heat. I'll say it again: Boo hiss.
I slept for just about 15 hours today. It's like I'm making up for lost times. Or I'm fighting something off. (Like a sickness, not like a Ninja Warrior or something dangerous.)
My stomach hurts. What's new?
There is something dreadfully wrong with this situation.
When places such as Fairbanks, Alaska and Siberia are experiencing higher temperatures than where I live, I deserve the chance to whine.
I swear, since Seattle hit a record high of 91 on May 17, we haven't been past 60 damn degrees for the whole of 2008. Shit, it's almost 2009! By the looks of it, we'll be sitting pretty at 65 in the dead of summer! Boo hiss from the Midwestern girl who grew up with 90 degree summers and such intense humidity that a regular day was like swimming with your clothes on until 9pm at night when Mother Nature would provide a necessary reprieve from the heat. I'll say it again: Boo hiss.
I slept for just about 15 hours today. It's like I'm making up for lost times. Or I'm fighting something off. (Like a sickness, not like a Ninja Warrior or something dangerous.)
My stomach hurts. What's new?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Fabulosity
I'm proud to report that the amazing, the fantastic "Pants Off Dance Off" (essentially, a team composed of JH and I) placed 22nd out of 150 teams in the Great Urban Race (Seattle version) this weekend (www.greaturbanrace.com)! We totally rocked out. We finished in under 2 hours (1:56:56 to be exact) and also won the title of BEST PHOTOS. Because we finished in the top 25, we are now qualified to go to the National Championships in Vegas. Haha. It was pretty crazy - our matching costumes were wetsuits with a bikini (me) and my red lace underwear (him) over the top. I can't take credit; it was definitely all of his creative genius.
We ran all over this damn city for 2 solid hours on Saturday (in wetsuits, mind you). It was so exhausting, but pretty cool to be in the middle of a competition (for someone who won't admit she's competitive, I'm pretty competitive...) and going for the gold (or, in this case, $300 and free entry to Nationals) and giving it our all. I didn't know what to expect, but it was turned out to be a great time and I got into it because JH was so excited about it. I forgot what it feels like to really be invested in something! We laughed a lot (again, pretty typical for us) and I tripped during an intense run to the site of a clue in Pioneer Square. My ankle twisted on some uneven sidewalk cobblestone and down I went! Bruised and bloodied (literally), I stood up (with the help of JH) and rallied...and because of all the adrenaline, I pretty much went numb until Sunday morning when I woke up and discovered that my ankle had swollen considerably. Eh, it's all part of the game, right?
I'm feeling tough today!
PS - My singing at the wedding last weekend went well! Really well! I don't think I ever mentioned that! :)
We ran all over this damn city for 2 solid hours on Saturday (in wetsuits, mind you). It was so exhausting, but pretty cool to be in the middle of a competition (for someone who won't admit she's competitive, I'm pretty competitive...) and going for the gold (or, in this case, $300 and free entry to Nationals) and giving it our all. I didn't know what to expect, but it was turned out to be a great time and I got into it because JH was so excited about it. I forgot what it feels like to really be invested in something! We laughed a lot (again, pretty typical for us) and I tripped during an intense run to the site of a clue in Pioneer Square. My ankle twisted on some uneven sidewalk cobblestone and down I went! Bruised and bloodied (literally), I stood up (with the help of JH) and rallied...and because of all the adrenaline, I pretty much went numb until Sunday morning when I woke up and discovered that my ankle had swollen considerably. Eh, it's all part of the game, right?
I'm feeling tough today!
PS - My singing at the wedding last weekend went well! Really well! I don't think I ever mentioned that! :)
Monday, June 2, 2008
Wowza!
Geez. It's been a while, eh? (Here comes my Minnesota speak again. Welcome back.)
I've been busy. REALLY busy. At work. CRAZY busy.
Then, I left for Minneapolis on Thursday to sing for a good friend's wedding in Glenwood, Minnesota which is about 2 hours north of the cities. IT WAS INSANE.
Let me tell you about it:
So, my flight was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms in Minneapolis (we were in a holding pattern and all arrivals were suspended), so I got in around 9pm and we left for Glenwood at 10pm in the pouring rain. The pianist, Jax, and her boyfriend, Judder (nicknames, obviously) picked me up in a HUMUNGOUS fricking truck that sits eye-level to semis.
We drove up in crazy weather conditions and arrived in the middle of nowhere (aka Glenwood) around 12:30pm only to be greeted by an empty resort since everyone who had come for the wedding was at the bachelorette party in Alexandria, which is a few miles northwest. So, we got directions to the cabins from a drunken groom who totally misled us. We started out at a cabin that was small and thought it HAD to be where we were staying (though it was old and stinky), so we got into pajamas, washed our faces, brushed our teeth, and got a phone call from the bride telling us that we were at the wrong place. So, (with difficulty as it was PITCH BLACK outside) we walked next door. Wrong cabin #2.
The next cabin was significantly larger, but also significantly creepier. It was something out of a horror movie...dingy rooms, decor from the 1980s (crocheted quilts, stuffed bears), water seeping around in the basement, poor lighting to scare us even more. I swear we would have gotten locked in a room by a deadly spirit if we wouldn't have gotten out of there. After I received the call that we were in the wrong place, we practically sprinted outside. Wrong cabin again.
So, we haphazardly made our way to a fourth cabin (which, incidentally, was across the damn resort) and found that it was individual little hotel rooms in a large U-shaped building. Judder argued this HAD to be it, but I reminded them that there was no "big common family room" nor were there rooms claimed, so this WAS NOT IT.
By this time, it was about 1:15am and we were irritated, to say the least. And wet (thanks to previously-mentioned thunderstorms). We trucked over to the fifth cabin of the night...which we had to break into via a bedroom door off of the balcony and this cabin was NOT old, was NOT smelly...it was BEAUTIFUL. Something out of "Log Home Magazine." We didn't care if this wasn't the cabin, we were staying. And alas, I'm sure you guessed it...we had broken into wrong cabin #5. At this point, I was informed by a drunken, angry bride that the caravan of intoxicated bastards would be arriving soon, so Jax and I literally stood in the road waiting for someone to point us in the right direction. Sure enough, they drove right by us and didn't even so much as stop to yell. Defeated, we followed them up to the fricking edge of the property (we never even SAW cabins up there - it was much too dark outside) and staggered into the cabin to find a room. Everyone was wasted (except us...unless you count tiredness as equal to drunkeness) and we were not having it, so we went to bed. But I finally got to meet the groom! :)
There are more stories from the weekend, but I'm done with work...so I'm out! More lata.
PS - I've decided to lay off the term "boyfriend." We're not exclusive (only "dating"...or something like that) and thus, there is no need for labeling. Plus, it makes me feel better not having to use the word. I have a serious aversion to it. I sneeze every time I say it. Or puke.
I've been busy. REALLY busy. At work. CRAZY busy.
Then, I left for Minneapolis on Thursday to sing for a good friend's wedding in Glenwood, Minnesota which is about 2 hours north of the cities. IT WAS INSANE.
Let me tell you about it:
So, my flight was delayed by an hour because of thunderstorms in Minneapolis (we were in a holding pattern and all arrivals were suspended), so I got in around 9pm and we left for Glenwood at 10pm in the pouring rain. The pianist, Jax, and her boyfriend, Judder (nicknames, obviously) picked me up in a HUMUNGOUS fricking truck that sits eye-level to semis.
We drove up in crazy weather conditions and arrived in the middle of nowhere (aka Glenwood) around 12:30pm only to be greeted by an empty resort since everyone who had come for the wedding was at the bachelorette party in Alexandria, which is a few miles northwest. So, we got directions to the cabins from a drunken groom who totally misled us. We started out at a cabin that was small and thought it HAD to be where we were staying (though it was old and stinky), so we got into pajamas, washed our faces, brushed our teeth, and got a phone call from the bride telling us that we were at the wrong place. So, (with difficulty as it was PITCH BLACK outside) we walked next door. Wrong cabin #2.
The next cabin was significantly larger, but also significantly creepier. It was something out of a horror movie...dingy rooms, decor from the 1980s (crocheted quilts, stuffed bears), water seeping around in the basement, poor lighting to scare us even more. I swear we would have gotten locked in a room by a deadly spirit if we wouldn't have gotten out of there. After I received the call that we were in the wrong place, we practically sprinted outside. Wrong cabin again.
So, we haphazardly made our way to a fourth cabin (which, incidentally, was across the damn resort) and found that it was individual little hotel rooms in a large U-shaped building. Judder argued this HAD to be it, but I reminded them that there was no "big common family room" nor were there rooms claimed, so this WAS NOT IT.
By this time, it was about 1:15am and we were irritated, to say the least. And wet (thanks to previously-mentioned thunderstorms). We trucked over to the fifth cabin of the night...which we had to break into via a bedroom door off of the balcony and this cabin was NOT old, was NOT smelly...it was BEAUTIFUL. Something out of "Log Home Magazine." We didn't care if this wasn't the cabin, we were staying. And alas, I'm sure you guessed it...we had broken into wrong cabin #5. At this point, I was informed by a drunken, angry bride that the caravan of intoxicated bastards would be arriving soon, so Jax and I literally stood in the road waiting for someone to point us in the right direction. Sure enough, they drove right by us and didn't even so much as stop to yell. Defeated, we followed them up to the fricking edge of the property (we never even SAW cabins up there - it was much too dark outside) and staggered into the cabin to find a room. Everyone was wasted (except us...unless you count tiredness as equal to drunkeness) and we were not having it, so we went to bed. But I finally got to meet the groom! :)
There are more stories from the weekend, but I'm done with work...so I'm out! More lata.
PS - I've decided to lay off the term "boyfriend." We're not exclusive (only "dating"...or something like that) and thus, there is no need for labeling. Plus, it makes me feel better not having to use the word. I have a serious aversion to it. I sneeze every time I say it. Or puke.
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Most Amazing Weekend!
My energy is waning at the moment, but that certainly does not mean that I can't explain my incredible weekend.
It was fricking insane, this weekend. It was just about perfect, if such a thing exists! (Well, unless you argue that EVERYTHING is perfect, in which case, it was still perfect and maybe even more so.) And I drank A LOT. I even forgot I drank so much! I think I need to put a cap on it! (Haha, literally!)
On Friday, I went to happy hour with coworkers at this great place in Eastlake. (Good food and drink specials, amazing view of Lake Union...I think I've explained this before.) We arrived around 3pm and I stayed until 7:30pm -- chatting it up (as always) and being one of the last to leave. The weather was so beautiful (80 degrees and sunny) that I didn't want to leave! I went home, showered (being careful not to scrub my sunburned skin too hard), and drove over to another coworkers apartment so that we could meet her friends out for drinks in Belltown, which is a hip neighborhood near downtown Seattle. We went to a great little Italian place and split a bottle of white wine between the two of us. Then, we went to get late night sushi which is where bf (to be known as JH) met us to drive our drunk asses home. (Have you seen me after one drink? Imagine me after a 1/2 bottle of wine...)
On Saturday, I slept in (until 7am...woohoo!) and finally got my butt out of bed at 9am. I had brunch with BFF (to be known as KR) and family around 11am which was fantasic! It was really nice to see people in her life that I haven't seen in a while and the food was pretty dang tasty. Conversation was delightful and pierced with laughter, and the weather was nothing shy of GORGEOUS. Shortly thereafter, I rushed to the grocery store to pick up some fixings (salad and fruit...yummy) for boating and made my way to JH's house to prepare. We hung out, waited for friends and his family (brother and wife) to arrive, and made each other laugh, which is pretty typical for us. We also lazed around on the dock in the 90 degree heat/sunshine and periodically dipped our toes into the freakishly cold water. After a few hours of just chilling, we hopped on the boat and sped around Lake Washington...and had a fricking ball doing so. It was such a superfun experience!!! Especially since I'm not very accustomed to boating nor have I ever been out on Lake Washington, so they showed me all the sights and I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness at living in such a beautiful place and being a part of such a terrific social network. (I REALLY FEEL AMAZED AT MY LIFE!)
Weekend details to be continued...
It was fricking insane, this weekend. It was just about perfect, if such a thing exists! (Well, unless you argue that EVERYTHING is perfect, in which case, it was still perfect and maybe even more so.) And I drank A LOT. I even forgot I drank so much! I think I need to put a cap on it! (Haha, literally!)
On Friday, I went to happy hour with coworkers at this great place in Eastlake. (Good food and drink specials, amazing view of Lake Union...I think I've explained this before.) We arrived around 3pm and I stayed until 7:30pm -- chatting it up (as always) and being one of the last to leave. The weather was so beautiful (80 degrees and sunny) that I didn't want to leave! I went home, showered (being careful not to scrub my sunburned skin too hard), and drove over to another coworkers apartment so that we could meet her friends out for drinks in Belltown, which is a hip neighborhood near downtown Seattle. We went to a great little Italian place and split a bottle of white wine between the two of us. Then, we went to get late night sushi which is where bf (to be known as JH) met us to drive our drunk asses home. (Have you seen me after one drink? Imagine me after a 1/2 bottle of wine...)
On Saturday, I slept in (until 7am...woohoo!) and finally got my butt out of bed at 9am. I had brunch with BFF (to be known as KR) and family around 11am which was fantasic! It was really nice to see people in her life that I haven't seen in a while and the food was pretty dang tasty. Conversation was delightful and pierced with laughter, and the weather was nothing shy of GORGEOUS. Shortly thereafter, I rushed to the grocery store to pick up some fixings (salad and fruit...yummy) for boating and made my way to JH's house to prepare. We hung out, waited for friends and his family (brother and wife) to arrive, and made each other laugh, which is pretty typical for us. We also lazed around on the dock in the 90 degree heat/sunshine and periodically dipped our toes into the freakishly cold water. After a few hours of just chilling, we hopped on the boat and sped around Lake Washington...and had a fricking ball doing so. It was such a superfun experience!!! Especially since I'm not very accustomed to boating nor have I ever been out on Lake Washington, so they showed me all the sights and I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness at living in such a beautiful place and being a part of such a terrific social network. (I REALLY FEEL AMAZED AT MY LIFE!)
Weekend details to be continued...
Friday, May 16, 2008
Seattle is Beautiful in the Morning
Gosh, at 5:45am, you can't beat a clear day in Seattle! Butterscotch-colored sun streaming over the Cascade Mountains...blurred Mount Rainier towering above the city...relaxed Kelly Anne driving across a gleaming Lake Washington to work on the Eastside.
It's been a busy day - mostly, I feel like I'm treading water. More and more work keeps piling up and I am having difficulty focusing! Not to mention the fact that it's about 80 degrees outside (no humidity, mind you) and the weather is SO PERFECT that it's got us all stir-crazy here in the office. Even though the posting time may read something different, it's almost 2pm right now and I am positively ITCHING to get to happy hour at Eastlake Bar & Grill where it's our goal to become summer regulars. (Great food and drink specials! Spectacular view of Lake Union!)
This weekend has a lot in store for me. My boyfriend...(did I really just consciously type that?)...has become my social planner and thus, I have a pretty packed few days. (Can you believe he's MY social planner? Seriously...) Tonight is happy hour, then perhaps a run around Greenlake and maybe dinner and drinks with friends ("drinks with friends"? I feel like such an hip and urban 20-something...). Tomorrow, I have brunch with BFF and family at a nice spot in Wallingford, then I'm going boating and to a concert with bf (not to be confused with BFF) and friends. Sunday holds many surprises mainly because I have no idea what I'm doing besides enjoying the Seattle pre-summer sunshine.
Oh, and don't be surprised if that "boyfriend" word gets edited out in about...30 seconds after I post. I'm not too comfortable with it...
Have a good weekend!
It's been a busy day - mostly, I feel like I'm treading water. More and more work keeps piling up and I am having difficulty focusing! Not to mention the fact that it's about 80 degrees outside (no humidity, mind you) and the weather is SO PERFECT that it's got us all stir-crazy here in the office. Even though the posting time may read something different, it's almost 2pm right now and I am positively ITCHING to get to happy hour at Eastlake Bar & Grill where it's our goal to become summer regulars. (Great food and drink specials! Spectacular view of Lake Union!)
This weekend has a lot in store for me. My boyfriend...(did I really just consciously type that?)...has become my social planner and thus, I have a pretty packed few days. (Can you believe he's MY social planner? Seriously...) Tonight is happy hour, then perhaps a run around Greenlake and maybe dinner and drinks with friends ("drinks with friends"? I feel like such an hip and urban 20-something...). Tomorrow, I have brunch with BFF and family at a nice spot in Wallingford, then I'm going boating and to a concert with bf (not to be confused with BFF) and friends. Sunday holds many surprises mainly because I have no idea what I'm doing besides enjoying the Seattle pre-summer sunshine.
Oh, and don't be surprised if that "boyfriend" word gets edited out in about...30 seconds after I post. I'm not too comfortable with it...
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wonderful Friends and Family...
...make it particularly difficult to find a boy who lives up to such high standards.
Thanks, friends and family.
But also, no thanks!
:)
Thanks, friends and family.
But also, no thanks!
:)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Who the Hell is RATING Me?
WTF? Are you serious? Every single post of mine should be 5 stars. That's right, every single post. I'm brilliant on here! (Evil laugh ensues...)
So, this morning was unique in that I actually stopped at Starbucks to get a coffee as opposed to driving by and glancing at it longingly. It was well worth the nearly $4 I paid for a tall (which, in Starbucks land, is really a SMALL), but now I'm completely WIRED. Not only am I buzzing off of the .25 oz of caffeine in my drink (I go with decaf), but I am fluttering around the office, talking a million miles an hour, and looking up about 20,000 different websites because my brain won't prioritize what I have to do today. I'm manic! Hence, the scatterbrained post. I've also sent about 50 emails today already and it's barely past 11am.
BUT, that being said, I got in this morning at 6am, so I'm operating on East Coast time (well, at least until the weekend rolls around). I must say, it's not the easiest schedule to adapt to when all I want to do is sleep my life away (that's a lie), but I deal. I get my shit done and I'm out by 2:30pm. Then, I have the rest of the night to....go to ridiculously long happy hours with wonderfully entertaining coworkers, cavort my time away at the Bellevue mall, get lost on a walk in the maze of a neighborhood that is known as Laurelhurst with a BFF, or spend the night having crazy intense talks with my beloved roommate.
Tonight, I have another dentist appointment to RE-fill my old cavity fillings and get impressions for a night mouth guard (I grind my teeth and it's a problem). My mouth still hurts from last week's appointment! BOO HISS! Then, I'm running some errands and running Greenlake in an effort to build up my endurance (we're officially training for a 5K)!
It's ON!
So, this morning was unique in that I actually stopped at Starbucks to get a coffee as opposed to driving by and glancing at it longingly. It was well worth the nearly $4 I paid for a tall (which, in Starbucks land, is really a SMALL), but now I'm completely WIRED. Not only am I buzzing off of the .25 oz of caffeine in my drink (I go with decaf), but I am fluttering around the office, talking a million miles an hour, and looking up about 20,000 different websites because my brain won't prioritize what I have to do today. I'm manic! Hence, the scatterbrained post. I've also sent about 50 emails today already and it's barely past 11am.
BUT, that being said, I got in this morning at 6am, so I'm operating on East Coast time (well, at least until the weekend rolls around). I must say, it's not the easiest schedule to adapt to when all I want to do is sleep my life away (that's a lie), but I deal. I get my shit done and I'm out by 2:30pm. Then, I have the rest of the night to....go to ridiculously long happy hours with wonderfully entertaining coworkers, cavort my time away at the Bellevue mall, get lost on a walk in the maze of a neighborhood that is known as Laurelhurst with a BFF, or spend the night having crazy intense talks with my beloved roommate.
Tonight, I have another dentist appointment to RE-fill my old cavity fillings and get impressions for a night mouth guard (I grind my teeth and it's a problem). My mouth still hurts from last week's appointment! BOO HISS! Then, I'm running some errands and running Greenlake in an effort to build up my endurance (we're officially training for a 5K)!
It's ON!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Yellow Tights
That's what I'm wearing today.
And I think they might be cursed because I'm having a really frustrating day. It's one of those days when I'm taking everything personally and I feel incompetent and I'm totally irritated!
You know, I could make a really kickass bumblebee costume with these tights.
It's on the agenda for next year.
And I think they might be cursed because I'm having a really frustrating day. It's one of those days when I'm taking everything personally and I feel incompetent and I'm totally irritated!
You know, I could make a really kickass bumblebee costume with these tights.
It's on the agenda for next year.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Today's Projected Stats
8 hours of sleep
6 glasses of water
90 minutes of hot yoga
12 bathroom breaks
...and one tired girl!
6 glasses of water
90 minutes of hot yoga
12 bathroom breaks
...and one tired girl!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sleeping at Work.
Wouldn't you know it...I'm exhausted. Yep. Totally and utterly tired out of my mind. I tried eating a grapefruit to perk myself up, but that was no use. I think it was the 90 minutes of hot yoga I sweated and suffered through last night. I always HATE it so much when I'm doing it, but afterwards, I inevitably exclaim, "That was fun! Let's do it again tomorrow!"
Tonight, I'm getting a massage. It's medically necessary. I think it's going to be especially painful considering my muscle soreness.
My mind's tired, too. No more typing. I'm a zombie!
Tonight, I'm getting a massage. It's medically necessary. I think it's going to be especially painful considering my muscle soreness.
My mind's tired, too. No more typing. I'm a zombie!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Dating in Seattle.
What a weird phenomenon it is. I mean, if I were actually DOING it. Which, I guess, I kind of am. Or trying to. Or at the very least trying to figure out if I am. Because it's different around here. In a "foreign" culture, it's hard to tell if you're doing something that you usually do when everyone else is doing it differently. Man, I am totally not making sense.
But in all actuality, I like dating. At least, I like the idea of it. It's like trying a whole bunch of ice cream flavors and deciding which one you like...for life. Whoa. What a prospect. But, the problem is, you are not only at risk of getting fat from eating the ice cream (which can be compared to all the emotional baggage one has after a breakup), you are also at risk of changing tastes. So, what happens if you don't necessarily WANT mint chocolate chip after all these years? What if you want butter pecan instead? Or cookie dough? Do you make the switch? You've already tried the butter pecan and determined it gives you acid reflux, but it wasn't that bad. Was it? Or, do you just try mint chocolate chip ice cream with a little chocolate syrup poured over it to make it all new again? Perhaps this isn't the best analogy.
What I'm trying to get at is: How does one go about dating in a city where dating is...so covert?
Maybe it's simply a matter of opening my conscienceness to the prospect of dating. Right?
But in all actuality, I like dating. At least, I like the idea of it. It's like trying a whole bunch of ice cream flavors and deciding which one you like...for life. Whoa. What a prospect. But, the problem is, you are not only at risk of getting fat from eating the ice cream (which can be compared to all the emotional baggage one has after a breakup), you are also at risk of changing tastes. So, what happens if you don't necessarily WANT mint chocolate chip after all these years? What if you want butter pecan instead? Or cookie dough? Do you make the switch? You've already tried the butter pecan and determined it gives you acid reflux, but it wasn't that bad. Was it? Or, do you just try mint chocolate chip ice cream with a little chocolate syrup poured over it to make it all new again? Perhaps this isn't the best analogy.
What I'm trying to get at is: How does one go about dating in a city where dating is...so covert?
Maybe it's simply a matter of opening my conscienceness to the prospect of dating. Right?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday Birthdays + No Travel Sundays = PURE BLISS!
Here are some picture highlights of my birthday.
PS - The fact that I am sitting in bed ALL DAY today makes me immensely happy.
Reminiscent of one gooood birthday.
PS - The fact that I am sitting in bed ALL DAY today makes me immensely happy.
Fruit cheesecake from Whole Foods from Miss Emily.
What a delightful surprise!
(It was yummy.)
What a delightful surprise!
(It was yummy.)
Flowers from parents, birthday sign faxed from
friend in Arlington, Texas!
friend in Arlington, Texas!
More flower pictures - I can't get enough of them!
The beginning stages of the cake-making process...
Yummy Fun-Fetti cake!
My wedding cake and bouquet.
Or my naked birthday cake and flowers.
Or my naked birthday cake and flowers.
Almost finished!
The finishing touch!
Isn't she pretty?
Reminiscent of one gooood birthday.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Pencil Sharpening
It's something I'm doing quite a lot of. I need to sharpen at least once per day, sometimes twice. We're only using pencil around here and it's a change of pace. Last time I used this much pencil, I was learning how to write cursive.
My birthday flowers are beautiful. They're sitting at my desk and I can't help but smile every time I see them. I'll post a picture when I get a chance. I blog at work sometimes and my personal pictures are on my laptop, so it's just a matter of downloading them, then uploading them to the blog.
Tonight, we're going to happy hour in Bellevue after work. I love the idea that I can "run errands" when I get done with a work day! I am so elated. Last night, I got an amazing massage for a mere $15 co-pay. Friends, let me tell you how wonderful it feels to have insurance that pays for me to have "medically necessary" massages. I mean, don't get me wrong, they actually are pretty "medically necessary" (my back is effed up from grad school), but it's generally pretty kick ass for my budget to finally not have to pay the full price of the massage.
In other news, I'm having a birthday party tomorrow night at a great brewery in Capitol Hill, then we're going to get wild and crazy on a dancing spree throughout the neighborhood. It's gonna be mayhem, I think. Actually, I KNOW it's going to be mayhem. All of my favorite Seattle peeps are coming. I'm so excited! I have the perfect outfit, too! It's gonna be great. Plus, the expectations are over since the actual DAY of my birth is over. Even better yet.
K, I'm out for the day. Peace.
My birthday flowers are beautiful. They're sitting at my desk and I can't help but smile every time I see them. I'll post a picture when I get a chance. I blog at work sometimes and my personal pictures are on my laptop, so it's just a matter of downloading them, then uploading them to the blog.
Tonight, we're going to happy hour in Bellevue after work. I love the idea that I can "run errands" when I get done with a work day! I am so elated. Last night, I got an amazing massage for a mere $15 co-pay. Friends, let me tell you how wonderful it feels to have insurance that pays for me to have "medically necessary" massages. I mean, don't get me wrong, they actually are pretty "medically necessary" (my back is effed up from grad school), but it's generally pretty kick ass for my budget to finally not have to pay the full price of the massage.
In other news, I'm having a birthday party tomorrow night at a great brewery in Capitol Hill, then we're going to get wild and crazy on a dancing spree throughout the neighborhood. It's gonna be mayhem, I think. Actually, I KNOW it's going to be mayhem. All of my favorite Seattle peeps are coming. I'm so excited! I have the perfect outfit, too! It's gonna be great. Plus, the expectations are over since the actual DAY of my birth is over. Even better yet.
K, I'm out for the day. Peace.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I'm Finally an Adult
Marked by the fact that yesterday, I dropped off my first item to be dry cleaned. It's my foray into adulthood.
In other news, I got pulled over this morning. On my way to work. By a rather good-looking police officer in Bellevue. I was going 51 mph in a 25 mph zone. A $174 infraction. He let me go. Told me it was my lucky day. I wanted to stick my head out the window and ask, "Hey! Would it be inappropriate for me to ask for your phone number?" I didn't. What a story it would have been if I did. Apparently, I'm also committing "car fraud" in the state of Washington by having Wisconsin plates as a Washington resident. Who knew?
Obviously, I'm a criminal.
In other news, I got pulled over this morning. On my way to work. By a rather good-looking police officer in Bellevue. I was going 51 mph in a 25 mph zone. A $174 infraction. He let me go. Told me it was my lucky day. I wanted to stick my head out the window and ask, "Hey! Would it be inappropriate for me to ask for your phone number?" I didn't. What a story it would have been if I did. Apparently, I'm also committing "car fraud" in the state of Washington by having Wisconsin plates as a Washington resident. Who knew?
Obviously, I'm a criminal.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Top Six Birthday Moments of 2008 (So Far)
6. Getting drunk and laughing with pear martinis and wine with colleagues during an after-work birthday happy hour!
5. Lunching with a past (and lovely) coworker in Madison last week and an unexpected birthday fruit cheesecake from Whole Foods! Yum!
4. Dining at Melting Pot for a birthday dinner with two of my favorite people in the whole wide world!
3. Crafting pizza, playing football, and eating ice cream cake with my family at a little surprise birthday party while in Green Bay for the weekend!
2. Receiving two dozen, brilliantly colored birthday roses at work yesterday from my parents!
1. I can't tell you. It's classified information. ;)
5. Lunching with a past (and lovely) coworker in Madison last week and an unexpected birthday fruit cheesecake from Whole Foods! Yum!
4. Dining at Melting Pot for a birthday dinner with two of my favorite people in the whole wide world!
3. Crafting pizza, playing football, and eating ice cream cake with my family at a little surprise birthday party while in Green Bay for the weekend!
2. Receiving two dozen, brilliantly colored birthday roses at work yesterday from my parents!
1. I can't tell you. It's classified information. ;)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY TO ME!
I literally popped out of bed this morning at 4:30am, ready to start my day! I love my birthday! Truly, it's the only day of the year that I get to say, "It's my BIRTHDAY!" I can't believe it's here!
So, I stretched a bit, pondered some special birthday thoughts, and then jumped in the shower for 20 long and glorious minutes. I pampered myself this morning with a full exfoliation and body scrub, a face mask, and a leg shave. Then, I blowdryed my hair (something I never do unless I'm going out on the town - for work, it's out of the question), dressed myself in my new birthday outfit (emerald green wrap top with a black pencil skirt and heels), put on some makeup on my already beautiful and glowing face, and made myself a GREAT lunch (craisin, pecan, and blue cheese salad from Whole Foods with fresh strawberries, yummy crackers, and a chocolate chip cookie)! I sashayed out the door with a smile on my face and a song in my heart around 6am, ran to Top Pot for my favorite coffee and a free birthday donut, and drove to work. On my way, I called both my parents (in an unlikely, but very Kelly birthday gesture) to tell them -- "It's my BIRTHDAY!" Naturally, right? I know they know what day it is, it's just a matter of getting to celebrate WITH them in the moment of excitment!
I got to work and one of my coworkers brought me some birthday donuts (yum...we all know how I feel about donuts), and I found my cube was decorated with birthday paraphenilia when I got here! I got some birthday hugs, smiles, and well-wishes...plus, you better believe I'm totally wearing my "Birthday Girl" pin! I've been getting emails, texts, faxes (!) and voicemail messages all day long and THEN, just about 10 minutes ago, I got two dozen birthday roses from my parents delivered to me at work! I feel so loved! :)
Thank you! Happy Birthday to me!
So, I stretched a bit, pondered some special birthday thoughts, and then jumped in the shower for 20 long and glorious minutes. I pampered myself this morning with a full exfoliation and body scrub, a face mask, and a leg shave. Then, I blowdryed my hair (something I never do unless I'm going out on the town - for work, it's out of the question), dressed myself in my new birthday outfit (emerald green wrap top with a black pencil skirt and heels), put on some makeup on my already beautiful and glowing face, and made myself a GREAT lunch (craisin, pecan, and blue cheese salad from Whole Foods with fresh strawberries, yummy crackers, and a chocolate chip cookie)! I sashayed out the door with a smile on my face and a song in my heart around 6am, ran to Top Pot for my favorite coffee and a free birthday donut, and drove to work. On my way, I called both my parents (in an unlikely, but very Kelly birthday gesture) to tell them -- "It's my BIRTHDAY!" Naturally, right? I know they know what day it is, it's just a matter of getting to celebrate WITH them in the moment of excitment!
I got to work and one of my coworkers brought me some birthday donuts (yum...we all know how I feel about donuts), and I found my cube was decorated with birthday paraphenilia when I got here! I got some birthday hugs, smiles, and well-wishes...plus, you better believe I'm totally wearing my "Birthday Girl" pin! I've been getting emails, texts, faxes (!) and voicemail messages all day long and THEN, just about 10 minutes ago, I got two dozen birthday roses from my parents delivered to me at work! I feel so loved! :)
Thank you! Happy Birthday to me!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Ending in Appleton! Almost My Birthday!
Last seminar!
4 days till my birthday!
Last seminar!
4 days till my birthday!
WOOHOO!
4 days till my birthday!
Last seminar!
4 days till my birthday!
WOOHOO!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Happy Tax Day!
I hope you all are receiving stellar returns on all of the income tax you've paid this year.
In other news, my birthday is one week from today and I can't decide for the life of me what I want to do for it this year. I'm hung up on perfection: I want it to be fun for everyone, but in trying to achieve that, I'm losing the sense of what I want! Argh! I've asked too many people for their opinions. Most of you know how much I love my birthday, so the fact that it's getting to be a hassle to plan is really a shame. I gotta shake it off! Put my game face on! Talk it out! Anything we do for my birthday will be great as long as I shrug off all of these crazy expectations! Ah, easier said than done. I'm putting too much pressure on myself and it's not fun anymore. :(
And, as always, I have a magnificent birthday list this year, which I'm sure all of you would love to peek at, so here goes:
-Cake from Whole Foods or Le Fournil (you know, those ones that you always see there and never get because you don't have anything to get it for...but they look so delicious! But I also love ice cream cakes, cookie cakes, homemade cakes and pies and cupcakes and cookies...or maybe we should stick with fruit this year...)
-Gift cards for classes (hip hop, yoga, strip tease)
-Ralph by Ralph Lauren perfume (or should I switch scents?)
-Sonicare toothbrush (well, this wouldn't really be the funnest thing to get for a birthday)
-Make up from Sephora (perhaps a gift card would be better)
-New clothes! (specifically, tall boots or cowboy boots)
-The **new** Gavin DeGraw CD! (Yay! Came out today! I might get it for myself...)
-A fun day with you! (An experience together is always better than material things...)
-Anything that reminds you of me or that you feel compelled to send to me to make my birthday that much more special... :)
I'm not that difficult. You could get me a massage or bring me a cup of homemade coffee or just call me to tell me you love me - anything extra on a birthday makes it 100% better because I know that someone was thinking about me and took the time to do something special. That kind of love is always the best feeling and every year, I'm surprised at and humbled by who remembers my birthday.
Anyhow, right now I'm in Cincinnati, Ohio at a Holiday Inn that's a fricking million miles away from the airport and we have a 5pm flight to catch tonight. Last night, coming in from Cleveland, we saw the most amazing thing: a military jet refuel in mid-air! It was really incredible to see and something I don't believe I'll ever witness again in my lifetime. I feel really lucky to experience these type of things on the road. I always feel grateful for my life and the people in it, but right now, I feel especially blessed to be where I am.
Thank you universe! Thank you friends and family! :)
In other news, my birthday is one week from today and I can't decide for the life of me what I want to do for it this year. I'm hung up on perfection: I want it to be fun for everyone, but in trying to achieve that, I'm losing the sense of what I want! Argh! I've asked too many people for their opinions. Most of you know how much I love my birthday, so the fact that it's getting to be a hassle to plan is really a shame. I gotta shake it off! Put my game face on! Talk it out! Anything we do for my birthday will be great as long as I shrug off all of these crazy expectations! Ah, easier said than done. I'm putting too much pressure on myself and it's not fun anymore. :(
And, as always, I have a magnificent birthday list this year, which I'm sure all of you would love to peek at, so here goes:
-Cake from Whole Foods or Le Fournil (you know, those ones that you always see there and never get because you don't have anything to get it for...but they look so delicious! But I also love ice cream cakes, cookie cakes, homemade cakes and pies and cupcakes and cookies...or maybe we should stick with fruit this year...)
-Gift cards for classes (hip hop, yoga, strip tease)
-Ralph by Ralph Lauren perfume (or should I switch scents?)
-Sonicare toothbrush (well, this wouldn't really be the funnest thing to get for a birthday)
-Make up from Sephora (perhaps a gift card would be better)
-New clothes! (specifically, tall boots or cowboy boots)
-The **new** Gavin DeGraw CD! (Yay! Came out today! I might get it for myself...)
-A fun day with you! (An experience together is always better than material things...)
-Anything that reminds you of me or that you feel compelled to send to me to make my birthday that much more special... :)
I'm not that difficult. You could get me a massage or bring me a cup of homemade coffee or just call me to tell me you love me - anything extra on a birthday makes it 100% better because I know that someone was thinking about me and took the time to do something special. That kind of love is always the best feeling and every year, I'm surprised at and humbled by who remembers my birthday.
Anyhow, right now I'm in Cincinnati, Ohio at a Holiday Inn that's a fricking million miles away from the airport and we have a 5pm flight to catch tonight. Last night, coming in from Cleveland, we saw the most amazing thing: a military jet refuel in mid-air! It was really incredible to see and something I don't believe I'll ever witness again in my lifetime. I feel really lucky to experience these type of things on the road. I always feel grateful for my life and the people in it, but right now, I feel especially blessed to be where I am.
Thank you universe! Thank you friends and family! :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
I'm Having a Scandalous Week.
Not only am I positioned in Tornado Alley and being forced to dodge the raging storms that have been washing away this part of the Midwest all week, but I also drank my cares away in celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition (Monday, April 7th as an FYI) with a random, attractive, young hotel manager who ended up spending the night in my upgraded Embassy Suites room. I'm so hardcore! (Don't worry, Grandma, I'm being safe. In fact, he told me that when he first saw me, he thought that I was good-looking, but he also thought in the military and that I liked women. How's that for having a protective bubble? Adrian, you should try that.)
I'm in Kansas City right now after starting the week in Oklahoma City, then jumping (or driving) to Tulsa and Wichita. Tonight, we fly to St. Louis. This weekend, I'm hanging out with colleagues in Austin where it's 80 degrees! Woop, woop!
I'm in Kansas City right now after starting the week in Oklahoma City, then jumping (or driving) to Tulsa and Wichita. Tonight, we fly to St. Louis. This weekend, I'm hanging out with colleagues in Austin where it's 80 degrees! Woop, woop!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' on a River...
I'm in Syracuse, New York.
I'm wearing a green wrap shirt today. It's a jewel tone.
I've been running a lot lately.
TLC is one of my favorite stations.
I'm being productive today.
Here are some pictures from the past few weeks:
The view from my 47th floor hotel room in Atlanta.
The sun setting over Birmingham, Alabama.
Bubble tea in Maine, anyone?
Church Street in Burlington, Vermont.
Crossing the bridge from Vermont to New York.
I'm wearing a green wrap shirt today. It's a jewel tone.
I've been running a lot lately.
TLC is one of my favorite stations.
I'm being productive today.
Here are some pictures from the past few weeks:
The view from my 47th floor hotel room in Atlanta.
The sun setting over Birmingham, Alabama.
Bubble tea in Maine, anyone?
Church Street in Burlington, Vermont.
Crossing the bridge from Vermont to New York.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)