Optimist Girl - To the rescue

the running vibe

2010-09-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

well it seems that as I moved again I picked up some sort of health conscious virus... I prepare my breakfasts and snack packs on a Sunday night - which are all healthy snacks like strawberries, mango, carrots and today I bought and cut bell pepper - for the week. I have all my tupperware washed over the weekend and Sunday night I'm in the kitchen chopping fruits and veg for my enjoyment all week!

And worse of all I've become totally addicted to running. Or at least, I'm addicted to working out. I'm hitting the gym about 4-6 days a week. And though I whine about it - I love it. Somehow...

I don't know what's come over me... I'm so health conscious. I'm actually thinking of signing up for a 5k that will take place in November. When I go out to dinner I actually make the healthy choice. Or if I make the unhealthy choice - I count the calories and be sure to work out if I have the chance or be sure to eat a little leaner the next day!

I seem to be getting healthy and stuff. Egads!

another new city!

2010-08-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

so - I have moved my optimist cave to a new and another exciting location: San Antonio, TX! I left Nashville on Sunday, with my friend Stephanie, in a fabulous rental car. Max was in the backseat tripping out on kitty sedatives... He said he didn't want to drive, and he can't handle being in the car if he's not in charge. Crazy kitty...

Oh look - we're in Arkansas!

We finally made it to Texas after a stop over in Oklahoma City.

Here are a few pictures of my new place...

Max likes the view...

That picture was taken before the movers arrived, unloaded and then unpacked my belongings... here's an after shot of the kitchen.

I begin my job on Monday and I'm really excited. I'm hoping to remember to take the time to post more of what's happening in and around San Antonio TX. If you told me a year ago that I'd not just have lived in Nashville but that I'd move to TX too, I can't say that I'd have believed you. But here I am - starting over again.

And on the eve of my birthday, again - so once again, happy personal new year!

a new year...

2010-03-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

and i'm no better at posting than I was last year!

Well - so far 2010 has been insanely busy for me personally and professionally. I'm settling into Nashville (Hendersonville technically) quite nicely. I've found ladies to knit with. I have friends to enjoy life with. And I have work to keep me busy all the times in between.
I have found a couple of places for sushi. I have 2 Thai restaurants that I like. And I'm going to try a dim sum restaurant this weekend. I've also found a few local spots that are good hangouts as well.

The weather this winter "was snowier than usual" or that's at least what the locals told me.

Spring seems to be springing - but I'm not holding my breath until we have more than one day of sun and above 60 degree temperatures in a row!

On the work front - I'm busy at the moment with the highlight of my job and I'm supposed to be working at the moment (I'm at home) but I'm taking a break to post and grab a little dessert... Overall, I love my job and the fact that I'm working on multiple projects at once - but right now it is totally kicking my butt. But I'm learning as I go which is great. :)

Well - the work beckons - more posting to come!

fall has fallen upon us!

2009-11-22T05:53:00.000-08:00

OG has moved

2009-11-21T09:14:00.000-08:00

so, i have been incredibly delinquent in my blog posting... 2009, the year of change for me, and i've posted none of it. Well, not much of it anyway...

Well, I have moved. I am now living and working in central Tennessee... outside of Nashville for a retailer.

I can't believe how much my life has changed since I started this blog - or how much has changed since I last blogged.

The OG lives in a smaller town outside of Nashville, enjoying the comforts of small town life with a bigger city next door. Gas is cheaper, rent is cheaper, the utilities are certainly cheaper - but that's about it. But I love it.

More to come later. But thought I'd post up that Optimist Girl is now posting from somewhere new!

6 months ago

2009-08-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

6 months ago I lost my job to workforce reduction and I 'knew' at the time it would all work out. That I would find a new job, that I would be ok.
Well, here I am ... spending the 2nd to last night in the apartment I have called home for a year and a half. The OG cave will no longer be located in San Francisco... it will now be found in Nashville, and I'm hoping it won't be quite to cave-like but instead full of beautiful sunshine. :) I didn't realize how much I missed having the sun in my windows and having a view that was more than my concrete patio.

I have already spent a week in Nashville and I love it so far. Now admittedly I am working long hours, but I don't care, I love it. It is so green and lush and has rolling hills and lots of trees and it is just so green!

I am very sad to be leaving San Francisco, but here I am exactly 11 years later finding myself moving eastward... I have been yearning to start my life in a new city and this is the perfect chance and I'm thrilled...

more to come...

Scotland: Edinburgh (con't)

2009-07-08T16:12:00.000-07:00

As I think that there is a limit to the length of posts so I have to divide everything up.

Here we go... Edinburgh continued...

The Heart of Lothian

This is the back of the church the Queen & family attend when in Edinburgh at Hollyrood Palace (picts to follow)

As the Queen was in residence at Hollyrood, there were few spots to take pictures and all I could get a clear shot of was the fountain in front of the residence. (FYI: traffic was also a mess)

On the local flavor side of things... this pig was in the window of a butchers shop named Oink. This was at the beginning of the day. When I passed the window later... the pig was practically gone.

Scotland: Edinburgh

2009-07-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

I was able to make it over to Edinburgh twice during my visit and I had a great time. I really enjoyed the city and was able to do a little bit of everything. I did the tourist thing for sure. I purchased a jump on and off bus tour pass and would highly recommend to anyone going to do the same. I purchased the pass for 4 of the big tour companies as each had a slightly different route which was great to ensure I maximized by tourist time there.

Below are pictures from in and around Edinburgh...

Edinburgh Castle

Sir Walter Scott Monument (265+ steps to the top)

Looking up the Royal Mile (a name not found on a tourist map of Edinburgh until the 1920s) You can see St Giles Church on the left hand side

Scotland: in random order

2009-07-08T15:25:00.001-07:00

So... I'm working on the photos and I realize that the blog is going to be in a bit out of order. And as I'm having tech issues I'm going to be breaking the posts of pictures up...

Random weekend pictures (continued)...
Madderty

More random locations...

Scotland: the first weekend

2009-07-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

So I originally was going to be incredibly dedicated and blog every night about what adventures I had during that day... well, as you can guess, that hasn't happened. I was not as dedicated about blogging as I expected. I did however download and label my pictures most nights.
So below are the pictures from the first weekend of driving about. The pictures below may not have happened in the order that they are shown. So please ignore my geography inaccuracies and possibly any mislabeling.

No trip to Scotland is complete without a visit to a distillery... here I am at the Grouse - which used to be Glen Turret which is the oldest distillery in Scotland.

while Mum and I were at the distillery there was a wedding party with the men dressed in kilts...

Many fabulous views...
Here is Loch Earn

Ok... now here are some random pictures from the rest of the day...

Greetings from Scotland

2009-06-27T15:10:00.000-07:00

So two weeks ago I wasn't planning on visiting Scotland. But I was able to use 80,000 miles from US Airways and get a first class roundtrip ticket from San Francisco to Glasgow. I mean, I'm not working at the moment and the ticket would only cost me the price of the taxes and fees for travel... and I can job hunt from anywhere. Plus I'm making international connections while I'm here. :) It is a win all around!

Well, my first day here is a bit of a blur as I was functioning on very little sleep. But Mum and I did head south and hit the shops for a few errands, etc. No pictures of that...

My second day... I slept a million hours, got up late and took a bit of a walk. I walked along the beach path and took a few photos...

The Rail Bridge across the Firth of Forth

This beach has quite a lot of sea glass... Though not pictured here, I did find a lovely bit of glass with chicken wire running through it.

There are a lot of signs and bike paths and I really liked this suggestion...

I've uploaded my photos from today - but I'll blog about it tomorrow.... it is getting late and if I want to get up tomorrow and actually see more tourist stuff I'd better get to bed sooner rather than later...

long-time no talk & 2nd hand optimism

2009-04-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

i know... i've been woefully silent on my blog as of late... sorry. you'd think that as i'm not getting up and going to work every morning that i'd be a more prolific blogger, but alas, i'm not.

The last few weeks have continued to be a roller-coaster of emotions. I'm upbeat and optimistic one day, then ready to crawl under a rock until they are giving jobs away again. I am keeping busy I have approximately 5 job websites that I check every day or so for jobs. I workout every day. I've been working on my bicycle. I now just need to get air in the tires, very important for it to move smoothly down the road. And for all the jobs I apply for, for all the companies that I post my resume to their website - I definitely hit the bottom of the optimism well, and I just felt that I'd never find another job again. Admittedly I'd rather be an optimist and a fool, than a pessimist and right. But even the lack of progress was daunting to me. I have an amazing support system of friends who were always quick to say - you are wonderful and fabulous and you'll be find a company and a job you look forward to going to everyday. And they will want you as much as you want them. Oh that is a lovely thought.

And this week, I made progress on a rather large personal challenge, and I got an email from a consulting firm I'd LOVE to work for and on Friday I got a call back from a software retailer wanting to set up an interview! And I randomly ended up talking to a woman at the bus stop (shock & amazement I know) who is a recruiter! And she understands what I do! It was a trifecta of fabulous progress this week!

YES!

Finally! Progress! 2 interviews in the next few weeks. Oh I know that nothing may come of them, but still - to toil away in the dark - not knowing if you are truly making progress, is hard.

Thank you friends for your 2nd hand optimism! I reserve the right to look to you again for that optimistic boost!

And keep your fingers-crossed for the job interviews to go well!

a few of my fave things...

2009-03-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

so today I found a $3.99 used copy of one of my favorite movies... Big Trouble. Not Big Trouble in Little China... but just Big Trouble starring Tim Allen, Rene Russo, Stanley Tucci, and a host of other fabulous actors and actresses! It was unfortunately not a very popular film - but it is so well done and it is quite entertaining. Well, it keeps me laughing no matter how many times I watch it!

I highly recommend it!

the OG's new anthem...

2009-03-16T23:28:00.000-07:00

I came across the new OG anthem yesterday. It is a song called "Merry Happy" by Kate Nash. It is a positively up-beat piece of music with some great lyrics... I have included the lyrics below. Check out the song if you have a chance.

Merry Happy...

Watching me like you never watch no one
Don't tell me that you didn't try and check out my bum
Cause I know that you did
Cause your friend told me that you liked it

Gave me those pearls and I thought they were ugly
Though you try to tell me that you never loved me
I know that you did
'Cause you said it and you wrote it down

Dancing at discos
Eating cheese on toast
Yeah you make me merry make me very very happy
But you obviously, you didn't want to stick around

Dancing at discos
Eating cheese on toast
Yeah you make me merry make me very very happy
But you obviously, you didn't want to stick around

So I learnt from you
Do do do da do do do do do da do do do do do da do
So I learnt form you
Do do do da do do do do do da do do do do do da do

I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone
I can watch a sunset on my own

I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone
I can watch a sunset on my own

Sitting in restaurants
Thought we were so grown up
But I know now that we were not the people
That we turned out to be

Chatting on the phone
Can't take back those hours
But I won't regret
'Cause you can grow flowers
From where dirt used to be

Dancing at discos
Eating cheese on toast
Yeah you make me merry make me very very happy
But you obviously, you didn't want to stick around

Dancing at discos
Eating cheese on toast
Yeah you make me merry make me very very happy
But you obviously, you didn't want to stick around

So I learnt from you
Do do do da do do do do do da do do do do do da do
So I learnt from you
Do do do da do do do do do da do do do do do da do

I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone
I can watch a sunset on my own
(do do do da do do do do do da do do do do do da do)

I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone, yeah
I can watch a sunset on my own
I can be alone
I can watch a sunset on my own
(do do do da do do do do do da do do do do do da do

The difference 24-hour makes

2009-03-10T21:44:00.000-07:00

I took, on Thursday, the longest bus ride of my life. After being told that there was no longer a position for me to fill, I sat in the office, and just let go. Feeling the load of countless late nights over the last few months slip past me. The nights that I worked on work/projects that would never be seen! The wasted time. The skipped gym appointments. The missed social commitments.

I felt the fear and panic that comes with not knowing what happens next! The anger of not leaving on my own terms! Of not being the one doing the dumping! Oh I sat in my office and I just let it go... and I cried my eyes out.

I immediately called my work BFF and told her. I could barely get the words out. But I didn't care that I wasn't supposed to... come to find out the former boss told folks when he wasn't supposed to either. anyway... I then made a call to a mentor & friend and told him that I'd be able to come out and hang out now that I had a bit more spare time on my hands.

Well that fateful Thursday I waited in line for the bus, got on the bus and faced the journey home. And it has to have been the longest bus ride of my life... I swear, we only went 10 miles an hour the 2 mile ride home. It was treacherous. I tried to not cry. I've made it a personal goal not to cry on the bus. We made it a block when the woman next to me started *itching about work. Oh the irony.. at least she had a job! Oh no, I'm not going to cry! So I put on my iPod... a conspirator in my misery, to be sure. I don't remember the first thing I heard - but it only started to make it worse... so I went to my gym playlist. Upbeat music. Nothing sad, depressing or employment related on that list.

Ok, half way home - no, don't think about the looming fear of unemployment... no, don't think about the calls you'll have to make. Stop thinking about the emptying of your office... ok, 3 more blocks... no tears. no tears. no tears. One block left!

I swear from the moment my foot hit the pavement when getting off the bus - the tears started. I couldn't stop them. I started crying and I couldn't stop - and it wasn't those weak baby tears - this was mascara messy, gut wrenching crying. I still had 3 flights of stairs to climb... I make it to the door, keys in hand - but you have to be able to see the lock!

I get home... I get in bed and I stay there!

I am fortunately able to look back and say it was horrible and I hope to never have to do that again. As you will read in the next post - the following day was infinitely better than this bus ride - but I don't want to forget the ride. I know I'm only up-beat and positive today because I know how fearful I was a few days ago! I am only at the beginning of my unemployment - and I will probably get sad and depressed and panicked again! And if I remember both the positive and the panicked, then I'll be able to get through it!

Life has thrown quite a lot at me over the last year or so ... but I'm not going to let it get to me. As I've heard several times over the last few days - things happen for a reason and I am (sort of) looking forward to what the future has in hold for me! I just hope even Optimist Girl can keep up this optimism!!

a whole new frontier...

2009-03-08T21:18:00.000-07:00

there is no way to say it... i am among the organizationally displaced. Also known as forced unemployment.

It happened Thursday at 3:55pm - by my now, former boss... yup, he did it face-to-face in my office. It was painless and over in less than 4 minutes. It wasn't a surprise as I've been semi-expecting it for the last few months. And it certainly wasn't about my performance or the job I've done at my previous employer.

So here I sit several days later... having survived the aftermath of my emotional instability... Thank you to MD for being there... I was an emotional disaster. I was all over the place in short periods of time. I was sad, angry, crying, positive, negative, up-beat, as well as sarcastic and swearing all in a 5-minute timeframe... And I woke up Friday morning - positive. Between the previous evening's pep talk and my brimming optimism - I couldn't help it. But I needed encouragement. I called my peers before I left the house.

I called them to know that I could walk into my office, for the last time. To know, I wouldn't be alone.

I made it into the office and I pulled together the list of folks I wanted to speak to before I left. Folks I wasn't sure how to connect with afterwards... Well I spent between 815am and 2pm speaking with former bosses, clients, co-workers, folks I'd been on projects with and people I'd never met face to face, but I'm proud to call them friend. It was so incredibly affirming when i heard time and time again - that they were shocked to hear I'd no longer be with the company - that it was the company's loss and then they asked... what they could do to help me! I hope that everyone in their lives has the chance to understand the positive impact that they can have on others... I had no idea that I'd made a difference for so many people in their careers and in their lives. People that I really look up to said that they would pass my resume along, that they would help me find my next job.

I walked out of the office for the first time in I can't remember how long, feeling wonderful, affirmed that I'd made a difference for folks. That the work I'd done had a positive impact! I sat on that bus ride home, calm, confident. The world is a scary place right now. Economy isn't doing that hot... employment is sky high... but I just know that it is all going to work out. I sit here tonight able to focus and concentrate on nothing for the first time in months!

Oh I'm worried about my future - but I am controlling what I can control. And I am most of all thankful that for the first time ever I got the positive feedback from those whose opinions matter to me... those at work who actually saw the work I did everyday. Not just the impression of the bosses... but the peers and clients who worked with me side by side every day.

Thank you to all of my friends for being there for me when I needed me most, especially MD.

a grand compliment

2009-03-01T08:32:00.001-08:00

so last night I went to a birthday/housewarming party a friend was hosting where I met his girlfriend for the first time, and she apparently reads this blog. She is the first person I've met who reads this blog who I didn't know already. She was complimentary about what I write here and that means a lot to me. I guess I knew that people read what I write - but I didn't realize that people who didn't actually know me, would linger and read...

As I look back over the posts over the last few months - I guess I wrote more about me about my life, my mood, my thoughts than I realized. The most humbling part of her compliment was that she could identify with what I wrote. I don't recall why I really started my blog 2 or so years ago - but I guess it was because I wanted to share my thoughts and find a new way to connect with people. And I've done just that. Who knew?!

So what now? It doesn't change what I write here... heck, it may mean I write more of what I'm thinking... but perhaps this is the sign that I was looking for - to start writing something more substantial. A book? Do more to get my blog out there (which means I'd actually have to spell and grammar check this more thoroughly)? Who knows. Maybe I just keep on going the way I have...

Either way - thank you for the compliment - it means a lot to me.

if my office is bugged

2009-02-11T15:48:00.000-08:00

they must get a real laugh at my singing. I will quite happily sing what ever comes on my iPod or Pandora music channel (how well I know the lyrics is not dependent on my singing the song). At the moment, I'm singing Chris DeBurg's Lady In Red. A favorite and one of the first single records I ever bought. Walking on sunshine was the first. I don't really count the Muppet records...

Anyway to the people who may have listening devices in my office - I don't apologize for my singing. Consider it a punishment for listening in!

ooo... George Michael, Careless Whisper...

a little TOO connected

2009-02-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

Ok - so like any woman with a secret identity... I like to keep my professional options open. I have a list of companies I'd absolutely love to work for. In no particular Google, Apple, Yahoo, eBay, Microsoft, and others... Well I came across a job at Apple the other day and I had to apply for it! HAD TO!

Like most job websites it asks for a web log-in... and it indicated that I can use my Apple iTunes log-in... um. ok. But I buy crappy music with my Apple iTunes log in. I don't my future job prospects with a company I want to work for put in jeopardy because I bought on iTunes... well, it isn't important what I bought - suffice it to say that my tastes don't discriminate. I really do enjoy some pretty fabulous crap music.

But it is a scary thought that my resume, job application and my music purchases are all accessed under the same Apple log in.

The world just got a little smaller! and a little more creepy in a fabulous technology sort of way.

Bacon Invasion

2009-02-09T22:00:00.000-08:00

I for one welcome our bacon overlords.

It seems that everything is tied and or connected to bacon. Let's go beyond the whole ham, pork chop, pig's feet thing - it goes much deeper. Even if I were a veggie - and I assure you this bacon lovin' OG is no veggie - I could get my hands on bacon. Perhaps not tasty bacon - but "bacon" none the less...

In fact, the bacon invasion is so far along that the bacon options are almost infinite... turkey "bacon", veggie "bacon", "real" "bacon" "taste"... you get my drift. A friend shared that at a recent work breakfast event - there were no fewer than 3 "bacon" choices!

Bacon is coming to get you! You are surrounded! It is everywhere. In your bacon mayo, in your baco-bits... even bacon favor in your bacon lip gloss!

Dare I quote the borg (bacon-eaters to the last)...

RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

Welcome bacon overlords - I will take you to my leader... Though the multi-nationalness of the OG makes it hard for me to take you to just one - and do you mean leader of the country, or the company I work for. I'm still not sure who my direct boss is - so um... I'll take you to my cat, Max - he's the one I'm usually trying to ensure is happy so that my furniture doesn't get scratched.

Well I should end this blog post before it descends into true ridiculousness... (ok, it already did but I deleted it)

short story: ALL HAIL OUR BACON RULERS!!! LONG LIVE THE BACON NATION! (true, real, magical pig bacon)

Using only one word...

2009-02-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

Another email I received - and instead of spamming everyone - here you go...

Where is your cell phone? desk
Your significant other? N/A
Your hair? brown
Your mother? interesting
Your father? idiot
Your favorite thing? books
Your dream last night? intense
Your favorite drink? wine
Your dream/goal? fun
What room are you in? work
Your hobby? friends
Your fear? alone
Where do you want to be in 6 years? content
Where were you last night? sad
Something that you aren't? you
Wish list item? laptop
Last thing you did? sipped
What are you wearing? clothes
TV? awesome
Your pets? cat
Friends? fabulous
Your life? good
Your mood? topsy-turvy
Missing someone? always
Drinking? water
Smoking? blick
Your car? MINE
Something you're not wearing? hat
Your favorite store? target
Your favorite colour? pink
When is the last time you cried? yesterday
Who will resend this? blog
Where do you go to over and over? Crazytown
Five people who email me regularly? Cat, Mum, spam, Nigerians, Cat
My favorite place to eat? out
Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? content
Four people I think will respond? still, blogging

my favorite movie quote of the night

2009-02-06T21:18:00.000-08:00

So I am watching an odd film. You Kill Me Staring Ben Kingsley, Tea Leoni, Luke Wilson, Bill Pullman, Dennis Farina, and a ton of other fab stars. I love the independent film... star studded casts and interesting dark humor plots.

So far my favorite line by Ben Kingsley a recovering alcoholic hit man...
"I don't regret killing them - I just regret killing them badly".

I should mention this film was made in San Francisco. So fabulous to see random bits of the city...

I highly recommend you Netflix it if you can... it is quite dark, I mean the guy is an alcoholic hit man who is sent to SF from Buffalo, to sober up! I mean, seriously - his sponsor is Luke Wilson and his girlfriend is Tea! And don't say I'm ruining the movie - you would have read these tid-bits in the movie synopsis.

So the whole point - go and watch!

smart(ish) TV

2009-02-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

I'm totally in love with TV. Actually, I should re-phrase that - My name is OG and I'm addicted to TV. There's a reason I don't have cable/dish... not just the cost, but the fact that I can't turn off the TV once it is on. I *heart* TV. Now I say this, but I don't *heart* reality TV. I just can't/won't get into it. Reality is enough for me, thanks. TV is all about escapism for me.

I particularly love most things with "Star" in the title. Star Trek and it's variations. StarGate and all of it's variations... you get the point. (Note: don't watch Star Search)

I'm also woefully addicted to TV that is "smart", "funny" and ties back to "science"... X-files - loved it! But there's this new category of mass smart-ish TV... Bones. Always learn something new. Fringe. Always get some crazy idea from that show. House. Well it's a doctor show, minimal character drama. CSI. Tend to learn something from it. Chuck is spy fluff - but I love how it tries to be smart.

I love this upswing in smart-ish TV. Yes, fiction can be fun - but it doesn't have to be totally without education or learning power! Though I suppose if it has truth in it does that make it non-fiction?

Carp.

Oh well. I love the psuedo-smart TV that's on these days. Bring it on! Especially as there are no more "Stars" on TV until later this year with StarGate: Universe.

Sigh.

have you ever...

2009-01-30T07:53:00.001-08:00

wanted to burst into song and dance in the middle of the street in the middle of downtown San Francisco on your way to the office on a Friday morning? Or is it just me?

I spryly walked off the bus this morning (I was like a gazelle for the visual readers) and walked to the corner and while listening to a The Killers song I wanted to burst into a dance number in the middle of the street. Which had me wondering what the other folks around me would do if I suddenly did. I mean, I live in SF - capital of fabulous craziness. Would they stare at me? Probably. Would they join in? Possibly. So what logistics would I need to work out in order to coordinate in order to burst out into song and dance in the middle of downtown SF? Music. Something to play the music on/with. Dancing shoes. Which to be honest, if you can stand on a bus for 20 minutes holding a cup of coffee, wearing heels, and the bus driver thinks s/he is auditioning for NASCAR and you stay upright - you can dance in them. So covered on that front. Costume? Well, if I take a cue from the movies - I would wear what I usually do. No need to buy anything there either... Confederates. Well, that's a tough one, as I only know 2 other people who work downtown and I don't know that either would sing and dance with me...

Now I know it is possible to do it as last year a dance troupe did this kinda thing... where they randomly burst into dance. But I'm thinking more the Broadway/Movie Musical kinda thing. Everyone stops what they are doing - dances and then continues on their way - as if the dancing was a moment in time, an outward expression of their inner emotions. Song and dance - the communication method of our souls...

Ok - maybe I'm going a little far - but seriously... I really had this strong urge to dance and sing right there and then...

Well, as I give in to our social constrains around public song and dance - I will rock out in my office instead!

And so I leave you with my FAVORITE song of all time... by Katrina & the Waves... I'm Walking on Sunshine...

Oh! Ohhhh yeeeh
I used to think maybe you loved me now baby I'm sure
And I just cant wait till the day when you knock on my door
Now everytime I go for the mailbox , gotta hold myself down
Cos I just wait till you write me your coming around

I'm walking on sunshine , wooah
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah
and don't it feel good!!

Hey , alright now
and dont it feel good!!
hey yeh

I used to think maybe you loved me, now I know that its true
and I don't want to spend all my life , just in waiting for you
now I don't want u back for the weekend
not back for a day , no no no
I said baby I just want you back and I want you to stay

woah yeh!
I'm walking on sunshine , wooah
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah
I'm walking on sunshine, woooah
and don't it feel good!!

Hey , alright now
and don't it feel good!!
hey yeh ,oh yeh
and don't it feel good!!

walking on sunshine
walking on sunshine

I feel the love,I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real
I feel the love, I feel the love, I feel the love that's really real

I'm on sunshine baby oh
I'm on sunshine baby oh

I'm walking on sunshine wooah
I'm walking on sunshine wooah
I'm walking on sunshine wooah

and don't it feel good!!
I'll say it again now
and don't it feel good!!

Rabbit Hole Day....

2009-01-21T11:49:00.001-08:00

A friend forwarded this to me... so fellow bloggers - get working on an alternative style!

Rabbit Hole Day: January 27th -- change your blogging style!

Posted by Cory Doctorow, January 13, 2009 11:37 PM

Livejournaller Crisper points out that January 27th (Lewis Carroll's birthday) is the fifth annual "Rabbit Hole Day," wherein bloggers and journallers change their blogging style for 24h. I'll be getting off an overnight flight returning from the awesome Cryptic Confusion science fiction convention outside of Detroit that morning, but who knows, maybe I'll whomp up a post or two about my personal life, pets, or similar on the cab ride back into town...

January 27th is the birthday of Lewis Carrol, author of ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. Alice fell down a rabbit hole into a place where everything had changed and none of the rules could be counted on to apply anymore. I say, let's do the same: January 27th, 2005 should be the First Annual LiveJournal Rabbit Hole Day. When you post on that Thursday, instead of the normal daily life and work and news and politics, write about the strange new world you have found yourself in for the day, with its strange new life and work and news and politics. Are your pets talking back at you now? Has your child suddenly grown to full adulthood? Does everyone at work think you're someone else now? Did Bush step down from the White House to become a pro-circuit tap-dancer? Did Zoroastrian missionaries show up on your doorstep with literature in 3-D? Have you been placed under house arrest by bizarre insectoid women wielding clubs made of lunchmeat?

Let's have a day where nobody's life makes sense anymore, where any random LJ you click on will bring you some strange new tale. Let's all fall down the Rabbit Hole for 24 hours and see what's there. It will be beautiful.

Mark your calendars: January 27th is Rabbit Hole Day (via Warren Ellis)

i tried something different

2009-01-15T22:52:00.000-08:00

so - I've catalogued in the past how I have some pretty birlliant ideas for blog posts and I promptly forget them by the time I get to sit in front of my computer. As I can be taught, I started to write the ideas down so that I wouldn't forget... except I've lost the piece of paper and I don't remember the topics!

Only one flaw in my otherwise brilliant plan... my lack of memory! grumble.

my last grasp on the 20th century

2009-01-13T21:09:00.000-08:00

I love technology. I am not always the first adopter - but I love new technology and if cost was irrelevant I would have the latest and greatest. For example, I do have a relatively new TV and DVD player. I use a Mac as my laptop. I want an iPhone - but practicality and a contract dictate I'll not be getting one for a bit yet.

I have earned some points at work that I can use to purchase fun and interesting prizes. I was cruisin' the site trying to figure out what to get. I'm completely torn. I want everything yet nothing... I checked pretty much every page, looking at everything. And I came across the electronics and thought - well perhaps it is time for a new stereo. My current stereo was purchased in 1994 and features a dual tape deck, 6-CD changer and AM/FM radio! It is really cool and I love it. But it might be the time to upgrade.

As I was looking at them - they all have iPod pull-ins and AM/FM radios - some CD players however not a one had a tape deck! NO TAPE DECK!?!?! How will I play my tapes? How will I listen to my favorite mixes that folks have made for me? WHAT WOULD I DO?!?!?!?

So it is with great sadness that I turn away from a new stereo. If the 21st century doesn't have any tapes then I want no part of it!

the next day

2009-01-12T08:43:00.000-08:00

Here I sit. 72 hours after the most revealing blog post I've ever thought about writing. Am I wishing I could take the post back? Sort of. Am I embarassed? Only slightly more than a little. Do I feel as stongly today as I did Friday? Yes I do.

Of course, I don't know what to say now. What does one say when one reveals one's most inner thoughts and vulnerabilities? Hope for a positive reaction I suppose.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what's in store for me ahead. I'm trying to keep busy at work. I'm making going out plans for the weekend. Must hit the gym tonight. There's little point in being happy and thrilled with life and skipping the gym.

Back on that treadmill again!

A public declaration

2009-01-09T07:33:00.000-08:00

I've kept my personal life off my blog for the most point and kept my personal life fairly, well, personal. Right now, in this post, I'm going to go against my usual lack of personalness and share what's on my mind.

I woke up today (2 hours before the alarm) with an amazing clarity of mind. A clarity about the 'journey' I've been on for the last 16 months. (For those that don't know, 16 months ago I ended a relationship that I'd been in for 4 years.) I woke up wanting to start a new more anonymous blog about the adventures of me and my singleness - that I shouldn't share my revelations and my life with my friends.
Today, I woke up embracing that I'm single. That because I'm single, it doesn't mean that there's something wrong with me.

I am hesitant about going farther - but here I go - all or nothing... Over last few months I found myself coming to the thought ... "what's wrong with me? Why am I still single"? I have been for over a year and to be honest it has been a hit to the ego and reinforced the notion there was something wrong with me... And no amount of arguing and affirmations from my friend something along the lines of..."for the last time, there's nothing wrong with you, stop asking!" was going to convince me otherwise.

It with great embarrassment that I confess that in order to answer the 'what's wrong with me' question I searched the infinite number of books on amazon dedicated to 'catching a man'. Well, it was this morning I realized it isn't about that. We don't "catch" each other. It is about figuring out who you are - being it, embracing it and living your life even if it sucks at times. (FYI - I didn't buy any of the books)

But this morning it all changed... I've not been looking at my life with an optimistic lens. Yes, I come home alone to an empty apt, to a life with my cat. I don't have someone that I can curl up next to and watch a movie with. Someone to share cooking duties with in the kitchen... But inversely I don't have to relinquish the bathroom in the morning. I can stare at myself in the mirror as long as I want. I can embrace my inner bed and blanket hog! I can leave my plans flexible until the very last minute.

Since I moved back to the city 11 months ago I've been living a shell of a life. I've been cruisin' the currents of life - with no ownership, just going along because I had to. But I declare, right here, right now; that's over. I'm taking control of my life. My greatest fear is becoming a bitter, angry and desperate woman paralyzed by the fear of ending up alone. And for the last 11 months that's exactly who I've been. I've sat wondering when the perfect life is going to happen to me. I'm fortunate as I have my health, I'm smart and I've got a personality. (should I mention I'm modest, too?)

Do I want to be with someone who doesn't want to be with the real me? The me that doesn't always take her make-up off before going to bed. The me that loves to read, can get really grumpy when she has to do stuff she doesn't want to and the me who loves the work she does every day at the office (even on a really crap day).

Today I'm wearing a new dress... a fabulous dress that does all the right things to accentuate what's great about my curvy figure. I willingly admit that I hate to shop for clothes (shoes & bags are a different story)... and used clothes as the crutch to hold up the belief that there is something wrong with me. How come I can't fit into the pants, shirts, etc that are designed with the thought that the exact same pair of pants are made for all women of that size. That's madness! The dress I am wearing today is one of the few items purchased that I tried on in a marathon of clothes shopping. I went into a shop, tried on so much that fit and looked good that I actually had to do a selection process (yes, I created selection criteria) to whittle the choices down.

I know that I'm going to continue to have those days when I am sad, lonely or feeling desperate for someone in my life. You can't know the highs in life without having your fair share of lows. But I've just had a 16 month low - I'm in need of creating some highs for myself.

By blogging about me today - I can't hide from the fact that I want to create change in my life. This public declaration makes it real. Something I can't back out of, something that is mine to own. I really want to hold on to the wonderful feeling I have today.

I am woman, hear me purr!

home

2009-01-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

i made it home! in one piece if only a few hours late. but i'm here.

you don't realize how much you miss it until you come back. you tell yourself when you are gone that it's ok... but when i walked in the door... sigh...

just happy to be home.

and for those of you who've met Max - he's not that mad at me. We had a chat and we had a snuggle.

of course i might be misreading the signs and he could keep me awake all night out of revenge for being gone so long... but i'm so tired, it might not work.

the grande beach finale

2009-01-04T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well in 24 hours my mom and I will be checking-in to our hotel in Orlando, having left the beach behind.

I always enjoy the time away from my life in San Francisco - able to keep the routine simple. Wake-up. Coffee. Work (if appropriate). Lunch. Sun. Back to work (again if appropriate). Dinner. Relax. No commuting. Fabulous.

However, after 3 weeks of being away - it is now time to go home and re-integrate back into San Francisco society. Work. Sushi. Commuting. Work. All you can drink sake Saturday nights. Chilly weather. Singing. And most importantly friends.

Distance makes the heart grow fonder, so they say. I don't know about that. But distance certainly makes one appreciate the time at the tree house and the time at home.

Watch out SF - consider this your warning - in 48 hours I'll be home!

a smidge of Van Damme to bring in the new year

2009-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

So here I sit on January 1 - at the mercy of someone else's remote/TV preferences/choices. And the remote "seems" to be paused on a Jean-Claude Van Damme flick. [The "Movie" label seems like giving the 'movie' too much credit.]

I'm horrified by not just the less than stellar acting ability, the fight scenes but the editing and consistency is atrocious! I ask in any 'awful' movie that at least one thing is done well. Fight scene or editing or music or consistency, something. Don't stink on all fronts, please! I just watched JCVD go from wearing a sweatshirt in one fight scene, to beating someone up while wearing a tank top, then back to the sweater for the next fight where the sweatshirt is then ripped off - not to reveal a tank top but just a bare chest! where did the tank top go?

I know I search for meaning in a JCVD film is a bit of a stretch - but hey, as I said I'm only looking for 1 thing that isn't terrible in the film. Usually you can get least get fabulous costumes or something!

Maybe next time...

wrapping 2008...

2009-01-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Well 2008 was a busy year for me and the general consensus is that 2008 kinda sucked and 2009 shows promise. Even as the eternal optimist (with a splash of realist) I am happy to put 2008 behind me. Overall it wasn't a terrible year, just not my best yet.

I'm not one for New Year resolutions, but I think I can safely say I have a few things I want to ensure I do differently or be more aware of in 2009.

To the friends who read my blog - thank you for being a friend! Remember that often you don't realize the impact you have on others lives.

And to my bro-in-law, I promise to continue the usual OG gossip and to include more vingettes about how wonderful and fabulous you are... so please no extreme antics necessary to make it to the OG blog. (btw, thank you for making my sister happy)

So I raise my morning cup of coffee and offer a toast: Here's to what I continue to believe will be a better (perhaps a little less tumultuous) 2009 for all! Cheers!

Bizarre Halloween, con't

2008-12-30T19:59:00.000-08:00

So during the random "Halloween hit on the OG while in Orange County Fest", I forgot to mention one gentleman who tried to pick me up at a sushi restaurant that my friend frequents. My co-worker/friend (Rachel) took me to her favorite hole in the wall sushi place, on Oct 30th... and while we were there a random guy (aka the Turkish guy - he was from Turkey not that original of a nickname I'm afraid) at the sushi bar a few seats away from me who kept on talking to us and asking about where i lived, etc.

Rachel is married and heads to her "hole in the wall" sushi place as often as I go to Itchi Raku with Cat and the gang. And Rachel told me a couple of weeks ago that she and her hubby went in and he (Turkish guy) was asking about me, if I was coming down to the OC again, etc. She said, no I didn't have plans, etc.

I just got a text from her saying that the Turkish guy was once again (2 months later) asking after me.

I have to know - what happens when I go out of town that men hit on me... and then ask about me months later?

I know I'm wonderful and fabulous - but is the fog getting in the way in SF? Or is it just the men in Orange County? I don't know, but I'm beginning to think perhaps I should move to Orange County... Should I pretend that I don't live in SF - but that I live somewhere else?

Who knows. But I have to say, though I don't know that this guy isn't a raving lunatic socio-path I'm still complimented by the fact that I left SUCH an impression.

a production in the pool

2008-12-28T15:04:00.000-08:00

today my mum and i did what she calls the "route march" through the neighborhood. It's a great, flat walk. Unfortunately it is 80 degrees and humid and I'm not used to humid weather over 60 degrees and foggy. I know I shouldn't be complaining as I have friends freezing their backsides across the country and across the pond (aka Atlantic Ocean). I am trying to commit to memory what the warmth feels like as in just over a week I must abandon the comforts of the tree house (sigh) and come back to my real life.

Anyway, Mum and I rewarded ourselves for doing our walk with a wander to the club for lunch, a cocktail and a bit of sun by the seaside. We found a table poolside. As my Mum and I enjoyed our lunch and some sun I listened to a gaggle of pre-teen girls play in the pool.

I remember playing the 'let's create a movie' game. One of us (not me) was usually in charge and would attempt to share her vision for the play or movie we were making in the pool. Usually a damsel in distress or some fantastic splashy number. But it was always the same we were acting out another girl's ("the director") vision. So in this play/movie the director tells the others there needs to be a dolphin and shark and they vie for parts practicing their dance-like splashing. The routine is semi-set and the director realizes that someone needs to be the narrator. Well the shark and dolphin pipe up that they have their parts and someone else says i don't want to be the narrator, I'm the producer.

Now, as an adult who has seen her fair share of movies and did theatre in college, I'm still not exactly sure what a producer is or what they do other than be part of the folks who collect the Oscar statue when a movie wins. I'm amazed that there was one of the girls who knew she didn't want to be in the production she wanted to produce it. So the production at the pool (which I missed as I needed to head to some shade before I burst into flame) had a director, a producer, a shark, and a dolphin and was missing a narrator...

I keep reading that kids are growing up fast and are light years ahead of where some of us were at their age... but I'm mostly amazed and curious where this young girl heard someone talking enough about producing a production that she knew she was better off being the producer of the pool play than the narrator... amazing what kids hear these days.

Guess I don't need to worry about my language down at the pool anymore.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T13:58:00.000-08:00

So I've done my ritual walk along the beach on Christmas Day. It was lovely and peaceful. I did take my camera and took a few shots while I was walking along. I also collected a few shells which, knowing me, I'll forget here at the treehouse.

The beach was fairly pristine. I only saw a few bits of rubbish which was nice. And this year red tide hasn't shown up so no large numbers of deceased fish. Last year was pretty awful - it was as if I had a cold with burning nose, throat & eyes (not fun for xmas). (insert Al Gore speach on red tide from "Inconvenient Truth" here) There were some seed pods washed up on the beach and of course, the shells. I even saw a jelly fish (see right, for artsy photo).

I did see some others walking along the beach, but for the most part it was fairly quiet and it was as if I had the beach and ocean to myself. I suppose most were preparing dinner or playing with new christmas toys. Here's the view I enjoyed while walking along.

I hope everyone has enjoyed this holiday even if you don't celebrate. As we approach a new year, I hope everyone find the opportunity to rest, relax and are able to reconnect or spend time with those who are important to you...

one more post!

2008-12-24T09:00:00.001-08:00

i know i've been the mad (as in crazy) blogger today... but i've been wanting to post this one for a while and haven't.

i recently (in October) went to Seattle and flew Virgin America for the first time... it's like a nightclub with wings. i dig it.

if you've never flown Virgin America or you fly often enough to ignore the safety warning or you would like to be amuzed...

check out the Virgin America safety demonstration.

Virgin America Safety Demo video

i think it's pretty entertaining. And I'll certainly fly it again!

NORAD & Santa

2008-12-24T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone... it is Christmas for my friends in China!

Here's the link to track the man in the red suit! BTW, Santa is prepared for low visibility due to rain (in SF) and snow (in Seattle), he has Rudolph working this year. (watch the video of Santa at the Great Wall).

Tracking Santa

And here's an article about how Santa & NORAD started their unusual partnership...

Santa + NORAD = holiday fun for kids

p.s. i FINALLY figured out how to insert links. i rule!

boiled peanuts and what kind of jerky??

2008-12-24T06:29:00.000-08:00

as i referenced below my mom and i drove up to Orlando to pick up my sister and her hubby... the drive to Orlando from the tree house is about an hour and a half and through bits of FL that there are gators on the side of the road. oh yes, it's rural. quite a pleasant/beautiful drive when there's no traffic. (traffic ruins any road, in my humble opinion)

last year when we did this drive we stopped at a road side stand for boiled peanuts, a favorite southern snack. and a family favorite.

so this year we hoped we see another roadside stand with boiled peanuts as we 1. knew we'd sit in traffic on the way back to the tree house and 2. we needed a snack. And this year we weren't disappointed. We started to see the signs for boiled peanuts and then we saw this sign....

gator jerky!
now, I'm not sure what gator tastes like... but i'm guessing rather tough chicken. and then turning tough chicken into jerky?

interesting concept... gator jerky... a pleasant reminder that any meat can become jerk-ified.

any takers?

ps sorry for the small photo - had to use my camera phone while driving at 65mph...

4 out of 5, the 5th will be here tomorrow

2008-12-23T15:49:00.000-08:00

today my sis and bro-in-law arrived from Richmond, VA. This was attempt to leave Richmond, part 2. Yesterday they attempted to leave but Air Tran held them back. They arrived at the airport (in 20 something degree weather with the promise of 70 in FL) only to find out that though they bought their tickets 2 months ago - they weren't confirmed and may not get to FL that day. So they grudgingly gave up the seats they didn't have to arrive today instead. In return for giving up their 'not' seats, they each recieved 2 travel vouchers to be used for future travel and an upgrade to business/first class for their trip down today.

so we are all at the treehouse now - and tomorrow the last of our happy band of christmas rebels arrives. :)

I can't believe tomorrow is christmas eve. christmas eve. it all of a sudden went from halloween, to thanksgiving, a few days in between and then *POW* christmas. i'm not one to complain though.

i'm ready for a new year. a new start. there's something about a new year that's just the impression of starting again. almost like a semi-reset button.

tomorrow we'll be a full-house of 5 fun and fabulous folks - looking to enjoy some family time.

i hope the wi-fi reaches my room. ;)

on the verge of another christmas

2008-12-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

christmas is officially here. I think I'm actually ready to get into it all. I must confess I haven't really been in the christmas spirit this year (unless you count egg nog and alcohol). And being 75+ degrees hasn't helped. I've really wanted to relax and enjoy resting, reading, and relaxing.
But today after the last of the presents being purchased, after the lights are on the christmas tree and my mom has put up the around the tree house quite a few holiday decoration accents, I might actually be ready.

Just maybe.

And once again...

2008-12-19T19:04:00.000-08:00

so once again i get hit on while I'm on the road/not at home. let me back up. while at the treehouse, alone, i go to the same spot for dinner. and tonight was my third night enjoying dinner for one at the bar. The ladies in the restaurant are very nice and Sandy, the bartender, ensures my beverage is refilled, regardless of what it is. (she makes a wicked Irish coffee which has helped me sleep with this evil cough)

So this evening, I was sitting reading and enjoying my desert with a kaluha coffee and a, shall we call them rambunctious, group of folks were leaving. One gentleman looks to Sandy and says to his friend, 'i've not met her.' the friend replies, 'well, she's been tending bar'. the original gentleman says, 'can i meet her'? and the friend says he can and he comes over to meet Sandy. Sandy says 'hello' and he introduces himself as Cookie (i'm guessing at spelling here). He then sees me sitting there, turns to me, takes my hand, and once again introduces himself. And I am pretty sure I then get the once over from Cookie. I should probably mention at this point that Cookie is approximately in his mid-60s. Cookie, then says my name again. Sandy mentions I'm visiting from California. He asks where and we launch into a brief chat about SF. His bro-in-law lives there, fab food, great bars, yadda yadda. He then takes my hand and says, I hope to see you again, down on the beach.

Now I thought nothing more of this exchange. I'm a young fabulous woman and probably among the youngest single women at the beach. And I suppose I have trophy woman written all over me... and I shrugged the experience off. But Sandy found this interaction interesting/entertaining/worthy of telling others. So when each of the waitresses came over - she had to tell the tale of me and Cookie. (I can't stop giggling at that name)

So once again - I leave home and men find me intiguing. I suppose they find me intriguing at home too - but I think the gent's name, "Cookie", and his ignoring of Sandy after his 'determination' to meet her is particularly amuzing.

So here's to you Cookie!

Cheers!

arrival at the treehouse..

2008-12-18T18:37:00.000-08:00

*WARNING*
I am currently experiencing nice weather in FL - I say this not to brag - but to prepare the reader for sunny pictures and descriptions of a warm tropical climate.

*END WARNING*

(consider yourself warned)

I descended upon the treehouse around lunch time yesterday. In fact, I arrived with just enough time to run and grab a spot of lunch before logging in to work. This trip isn't all about margaritas and good times! This trip is about work too (no, margaritas & work don't mix).

Today was my first full-day here and I once again worked and got out for some lunch. Here's the view from my lunch spot (not the treehouse).

I am grateful that the weather here has been so good as I could be at home in SF - swamped with rain and frozen with chilly temps. Or working out of LA where it is snowing in places. or in Vegas.

But tonight, I was reminded why I enjoy the get away. I do miss spending time with friends while I'm here - but tonight, I looked up into the sky and saw the sky covered in stars. So peaceful. As I walked home - I could hear the splash of the waves, taste the salt in the air on my lips and see the sky above me reminding me about what is truly important in life.

I love the work I do - but doing it 24-7 isn't realistic. I wrote my dissertation about work life balance and the one thing that folks ask me when I say that is "how do I get balance". And my answer is usually the same. Three easy installments of $19.95 + S&H. And after they laugh (and they usually do)... I remind them, that balance isn't that simple. It's about creating priorities, what's truly important to you. And to me, if I have to work a little bit while I'm here to get to spend 3 weeks locked up at the beach, so be it. I'll log off next week - and part of the week after. But in the mean time, I'm going to enjoy the time off in between my conference calls.

And on that note, I leave you with this view...

the delay, the airport, the wheel of fortune

2008-12-16T11:09:00.000-08:00

my journey to the treehouse annex has been momentarily delayed by construction on the Las Vegas airport runway. Or so their website says. i have quite fortunately found a Verizon recharge zone where I can charge my blackberry, iPod, and laptop. and surf the web. i have not logged into the work system - so sshh... don't tell anyone that i have access.

i have another 2 hours (on top of the 45 minutes I've already been here) to gamble away my daily wage at the wheel of fortune slot machine! WHEEL OF FORTUNE!! or is usually my experience, wheel of misfortune. probably safer to just stay here and surf the web.

but anyway I spend it... a 2 hour lay over for a ticket i paid $5 for... is just fine by me. fortunately the vegas airport has many exciting ways to spend your money and your time!

*come on wheel of fortune momma needs a new pair of fabulous boots!*

the tree house...

2008-12-15T22:51:00.001-08:00

tomorrow morning I'm heading to the super squirrel secret OG annex. or rather the OG's mom's tree house annex. i am looking forward to enjoying 3 weeks of family time. of relaxation. 3 weeks of a different pace. hopefully, 3 weeks of 70 degree warm weather. of christmas in shorts (if i packed any).

i did this same journey last year and though 3 weeks is (and feels) long - it is important to mix it up and give yourself a much needed break.

work has been insanely busy. work is going to continue to be insanely busy. i need to recharge. and i can say this as this is the topic that i wrote about to become Dr. OG. Work-Life balance. and this is the life balance portion.

a much needed experience.

i hope everyone takes the time this holiday season to rest, rejuvenate and get some quality family and friend time.

on that warm and fuzzy feeling. happy holidays!!

i've gotta be me!

2008-12-13T09:06:00.000-08:00

in the theme of lists and not really having anything to blog about lately... i've 'leveraged' this list of questions from kittieflyn...

My earliest memory is... i don't know. i can't tell if my memories are truly my memories or the stories i created in my head from hearing all the stories about how cute i was as a kid. (some things never change i suppose, still cute)

At school I... was a bit nerdy. And one of the smart kids. (again, some things never change, still nerdy)

My first relationship was... uh. what was his name again.

I don't like talking about... anything that will create conflict. so money and religion are the tops of the list.

I wish I had... an understanding of what's going on.

I wish I hadn't... procrastinated.

My most humiliating moment was... when i was in soviet russia and i slipped and fell in a fountain in Gorky Park. I had to walk around the rest of the hot humid day, in wet shorts. humiliating and uncomfortable.

My happiest moments were... so many. but completing my doctoral dissertation, knowing i could finish formal education for life and be a student of life.

My last meal would be... depending on my mood - but possibly mac & cheese with tiramisu for dessert.

I'm very bad at... letting go.

When I was a child I wanted to be... ruler of the world, i think. (once again, somethings never change)

The book that changed my life is... i don't know that there has been only one. Really good, enjoyable books leave a print on me. but if i had to say a book - i'd cheat slightly as say the 'hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy' series.

It's not fashionable, but I love... comfortable clothes. jeans, and my fluffy beige shoes.

The song I'd like played at my funeral is... something perky. Perhaps, "I'm walking on sunshine" by karina and the waves. the first 45' i bought. or Frank Sinatra's "my way"

Friends say I am... pretty fabulous.

My greatest fear is... growing old and being totally alone.

If only I could... say what i'm really feeling without fear.

The hardest thing I've ever done was... facing the idea that he wasn't the one. or the guy i thought he was. and questioning what that meant about our time together.

The last big belly laugh I had was... probably thursday night. or last saturday.

I'm always being asked... 'do you do comedy?'

Cat or dog... cat. max (my cat) is watching me.

If I wasn't me I'd like to be... just the same as i am now.

At the moment I'm reading... technically 3 books, so nothing at all.

My favourite work of art is... the painting in my bedroom that i bought on a visit to Scotland, over a decade ago.

My worst job was... in the grand scheme none of my jobs have been horrific. but the worst might be the winter i did food service at Busch Gardens. The stand was next to the elephants. i was covered in cotton candy and it wasn't that great smelling.

I often wonder... if life is more than just work and home again. which is usually when i get out of the house to enjoy the company of friends.

my iPod hearts LL Cool J

2008-12-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

I listen to my iPod at work. I am convinced it helps me be more productive at work as I'm able to concentrate on the project in front of me. I usually listen to a few select playlists that I've created most of which are a single singer/album, so not exactly my most creative playlists. But occasionally I pop on my "new gym mix" and listen to the music I listen to while at the gym but it kills the excitment of the playlist while I'm on the treadmill.
So the other day, I decided that I'd try the 'shuffle' function on my iPod and see what I get. And it's a good mix. I have approximately 2550 songs on my iPod. I have a wide range of musical tastes... as you can see from the right hand side of this blog page. And the one artist that has come up more than any other by ratio of the number of songs on my iPod... LL Cool J. I'm not sure why. I have almost double the Frank Sinatra and Rolling Stones than LLCJ and only 1 Rolling Stones song has come up and perhaps 1 Frank song and it was from the Ocean's 13 soundtrack.

What is it about LL that my iPod loves so much? I don't know. But all I know is Momma said knock you out... oops... sorry - let's find some Norah Jones.

a little more calming...

The first of the christmas questions...

2008-11-24T16:22:00.000-08:00

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? wrapping paper

2. Real tree or Artificial? i think we're getting artificial this year. my cat eats the tree... ew.

3. When do you put up the tree? just before christmas

4. When do you take the tree down? right after new year's

5. Do you like eggnog? bring it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? the hello kitty plush

7. Hardest person to buy for? my sis - i never know what to get!

8. Easiest person to buy for? me

9. Do you have a nativity scene? uh. no.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL working on Christmas cards after Thanksgiving

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? i can't recall that information, Senator

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Santa Clause: The Movie (circa mid-1980s)... or not really a christmas movie, but Trading Places.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? i try to shop all year round

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? i can't recall that information, Senator

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? all of it!

16. Lights on the tree? usually white

17. Favorite Christmas song? i'm dreaming of a white christmas

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? flying to FL to meet the rest of the fam!

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? perhaps.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? angel i think.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? people.

23. Ornaments: theme or color? neither. ornaments that have been gifts from family or are ones we've had forever. so i guess the theme would be ornaments of sentimental value.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? whatever my mom makes! yum!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? gym gear (i've been going!!!)

26. Who is most likely to respond to this? well, it is on my blog - so ... um... no one?

Happy holidays to all!

a moment in the movies

2008-11-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

i moved into a new office a couple of months ago - and this office has more cabinets and drawers than the OG cave. i've never really looked in them until today. and i had this moment as i looked at the largest survival kit EVER, and thought - well, if this isn't foreshadowing I don't know what is... other than being followed by cellists who are playing that creepy music often found in movies.

so ... if you find yourself downtown in a natural disaster - my office, 2nd cabinet, 4th drawer down, you will find an emergency kit larger than my gym bag!

though on the other side - i feel comforted that my employer cares about my safety so much that i have the largest emergency kit EVER!

ADDITION: I went through the other 2 cabinets in my office and found 4 crowbars and another 2 of the largest emergency kits ever! so definitely my office in an emergency!!

i think i'm singing the blues

2008-11-17T21:59:00.000-08:00

so... last night my friend Heather and I went to the VooDoo lounge to watch some folks i know perform at an open mic nite!

well, heather and i got there a little early and by the time the singing started we were more than a beer or so in! and i think i committed to singing at the next open mic night... in 2 weeks. i think i said i'd do either ella fitzegerald or etta james. i think.

either way... for anyone interested in a good time join the OG and friends (the friends will be singing more than 1 song, i'm only doing 1) for cocktails and tunes... at the voodoo lounge - in 2 weeks.

so stayed tuned when the OG says - and for my next number i'd like to dedicate it to...

what i miss most

2008-11-15T08:33:00.000-08:00

i've been missing in action lately. i've received no less than 4 emails in the last week from friends saying "did you fall off the planet?" ok - they didn't all exactly say that - but they said something along that vein. in fact, a friend from DC decided i was taking too long to respond to her letters - that she came to visit and she's currently sleeping on an air mattress in my living room as i type.

i've been in a funk lately. unfortunately it hasn't been a James Brown or Earth Wind & Fire funk. i've just not been interested in taking any sort of initiative to plan anything. actually, i've just not been interested in doing anything that may mess up my routine of coming home from work and sleeping and reading. sushi has been the exception. because without sushi OG goes craZy.

so i find myself realizing that though i've been single for over a year - and living alone (with my crazy feline) for 9 months - it isn't that i miss having a significant other in my life for company, it is something else. don't get my wrong, i miss not having someone to put my cold feet on when i crawl into bed. or someone i can try to kill with my pathetic attempts of cooking meals... what i really miss is someone i can laugh with. someone that i can have that inside joke with. someone i can send a pict msg from my phone to when i see something totally bizarre that i just HAVE to share. or someone i can sit with in silence and just enjoy being together in each other's company reading or playing in the internet. i have some pretty awesome friends that i can share these things with (bar the cold toes) but it isn't the same. but i don't want false sharing of these things either. not just for the heck of it.

i've never been one to be in a relationship just because. but i recognize that the friends i've not seen lately are the connections to life i've been missing.

consider yourselves warned... i'm getting out of the house!!

that natural high...

2008-11-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

so i went to the gym this evening for the first time in - well i don't recall how long! but i did it. i walked in the door around 645pm - walked out about an hour or so later. I left, walked to the bus stop and while i was on the bus it hit me - i was feeling good. i hit that adrenaline high. that body-natural chemical experience...

it is tremendous. i highly recommend it. certainly cheaper than anything artificial. with the exception of buying REALLY fabulous shoes on sale.

I didn't realize what i was missing until I found it again. and now that i have - i'm ready to go back to the gym again tomorrow!!

the monster is back!

growl!

A quote for hope

2008-11-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

the movie "The Shawshank Redemption" is far and away my favorite movie. the 1994 classic starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman is an amazing story that i watch whenever i need something and i don't know what that something is. for those of you who haven't seen this film - rent it! rent it right now! or you can borrow my copy. i have it on DVD and VHS.
A friend sent me the following quote this week from the movie and i want to share...

Andy Dufresne: That's the beauty of music. They can't get that from you... Haven't you ever felt that way about music?

Red: I played a mean harmonica as a younger man. Lost interest in it though. Didn't make much sense in here.

Andy Dufresne: Here's where it makes the most sense. You need it so you don't forget.

Red: Forget?

Andy Dufresne: Forget that... there are places in this world that aren't made out of stone. That there's something inside... that they can't get to, that they can't touch. That's yours.

Red: What're you talking about?

Andy Dufresne: Hope.

Red: Let me tell you something my friend. Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.

Andy Dufresne: [in letter to Red after his escape from prison] Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.

Red: [narrating after his release from prison while breaking parole to leave the country] I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.

on the road again!

2008-11-05T20:25:00.001-08:00

this time i'm in the great state of Texas. the weather is quite pleasant and definitely better than last time - which was snow/sleet/ice and a 3 hour delay at the airport.

heading home friday. hopefully without a delay!

only in town long enough to hang everything in the closet and then put it all back in the bag to come home.

waiting for it to be morning

2008-11-04T16:28:00.000-08:00

I find I’m anticipating the results of the election, as if it were Christmas eve and I’m waiting for it to be Christmas morning. Never has it been so painful to wait! it is a nail biting experience. check cnn.com. no information. darn. check msnbc.com. no information. darn-darn. abcnews.com. oh look celebrity gossip. election coverage? no new news. darn-darn-darn.

I find waiting for Santa less agonizing! yes, Santa still visits me! I think he'll keep on bringing pressies until I'm married or have kids. Sorry sister, no more pressies for you! :P

I just hope I wake up tomorrow and there are really reasons to celebrate and not to commiserate.

today's horoscope

2008-11-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Leo (7/23-8/22)

An opportunity to go on an interesting adventure arrives today -- are you ready?

The above is my horoscope for today. "opportunity to go on an interesting adventure, today"??? this should have been yesterdays.

i can't possibly imagine another interesting adventure crossing my path. 24 hours, 2 interesting adventures. 1 woman. sounds more like a movie than my life.

can't wait for the day!!!

A bizarre Halloween - part 3

2008-11-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

if you haven't read parts 1 and 2 - please scroll down - none of what i'm going to relay here is going to make sense otherwise...

so - the last time we left our heroine, she was returning from the flight deck... so my new friend and i get back to our seats and we talk about work, travel, where we're originally from, etc. the plane finally takes off (i'm no longer in the pilot's seat) and off we took off for SF.

my friend and i talk about travel, etc. he talks about having several hundred thousand miles from traveling and i ask why he never uses them, etc. by this point we've been chatting for at least 2 hours. fortunately the flight to SF was uneventful and we landed with only minimal bumps on the way down. nice landing, captain!

so the steward comes on and starts talking about the various gates for other flights. portland gate X, boise gate Y, honolulu gate Z, etc. well the honolulu comes up and i say, i've never been to hawaii, had he? he says, yes. you wanna go?

EXCUSE ME!?!?!

hawaii with essentially a stranger. ok, yes after 3 hours next to each other on a plane we're practically married, but what??!?1 HAWAII??!

so we walk over to the counter for giggles to see what it would cost. long story short - 25,000 miles each (which he had), $5 each, and $100 charge for it being day of.

ok - this is reasonable cost!
BUT I JUST MET HIM! yeah, we could talk up a storm - but i don't know anything about him, really. as my friend Devon said when i called her - she said, he could be an axe-murderer!! of course, Cat on the other hand wanted to know why i was calling from my car and was on my way home after an offer like that!

suffice it to say, i declined the offer.

but it has to be the most BIZARRE Halloween on record for me. in a 6 hour time frame, one man gives me jewelry (even if it was plastic) and another a trip to Hawaii...

i can't wait for next year's halloween!

A bizarre Halloween - part 2

2008-11-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

ok - yes, i should have written this blog backwards so that that story is in order, but oh well!

so i make it to the airport - and low and behold, my flight to SF is delayed. don't get me on the topic of SF weather and the delays it seems to cause. so i get some lunch - grab my book, buy some water and settle in for a wait. just when we are supposed to be taking off - the podium guy who helps us board - gets on the speaker and says, the pilot wants to board, we're going to take our chances and see if we can get an earlier spot to take off... if not, we'll be sitting on the tarmac away from the terminal for up to 1.5 hours. (ugh)
well, i take my chances, board the plane and settle in. we pull away from the gate - and yup - the captain informs us that we'll be sitting on the tarmac for 90 minutes, but that once we get parked "in our parking space" they will be opening up the 'flight deck' and the co-pilot will be offering 'flying lessons'. i thought this was a joke. so did the guy next to me. so the guy next to me and i start chatting. me chat with a stranger? the heck you say. so we chat about the crap movie they are showing us ('swing vote' starring kevin costner, dennis hopper, nathan lane, kelsey grammer, stanley tucci, george lopez- yes even with a cast like this - it was crap, i didn't need audio to tell you that) ...
and we talk about the reason we're flying, me - home, he's doing a snowboard convention thing... turns out he's a photo editor for a snowboarding magazine... interesting...
so time for drinks - we're not going anywhere for 90 minutes - so a round of beers is in order. we chat. we enjoy our beer. and finally, the captain reminds us that the flight deck is open - come up for your flying lesson...

well - we did. here's the photo to prove it.

yep, that's me in the pilot seat... watch out!

so the co-pilot takes me through the infinite buttons and dials (it was just like that scene in Airplane). It was interesting that there wasn't a 'steering wheel' just a joy stick for the up, down, left and right of the plane while it is in the air and a disk next to that for when on the ground. and for those of you who wonder if there is a speed limit on the ground - it is 30 mph and other planes will tattle if they think you are going too fast. i know i've been on a few planes that the pilot has been bookin' it on the ground.

well, my new friend, joined me for the grand tour of the flight deck and the pilot thought we were together and he took out his camera and took a picture of us both. the pilot then gave me his card with the photo reference number on it - and said to email him with that number and he'd send us the picture. we set him straight that we'd just met but thanked him for taking the picture. i thought it was SO cool - that the pilot would take pictures of folks and send them copies.

so random... or really... how bizarre!

A bizarre Halloween

2008-11-01T07:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a bizarre Halloween - and i didn't really go out last night or dress up in costume (unless you count a suit as a costume, which I usually do).

I started the day in Irvine/Newport - and went to go visit one of the managers that I coach as he's in a development program... well, the leader who we call the 'lobby leader' was doing his job and asked how he could help etc and i said i wanted to speak with the manager. he said he'd let him know i was here and went to let him know. the manager, let's call him Bob, and the lobby guy, Frank - for the sake of ease... anyway, frank comes back and says Bob is busy - so i sit in the chairs and wait. Frank is, i'm guessing about 23/24 - and he proceeds to be conversational as he should - doing is job - he helps other customers and then he comes back and starts to flirt with me. now, in fairness to Frank - he didn't know i worked for corporate. he thought i was a customer. he asks me to join him this halloween evening - i decline saying that i had to fly home in a few hours. later he says, "so i guess you won't be visiting me later in the store". later he's over at the halloween candy table that they have set up in the store for the kiddies... and he goes over pokes through the candies and trinkets and hands me a green plastic pumpkin ring. i must have looked AWESOME (more than usual) yesterday for a guy to know me 10 minutes and hand me jewelery. you get the gist of where this is going... and Bob is finally finished and we go and chat for 15 or 20 minutes and i have to get going as i have a plane to catch.
well Bob reintroduces me to Frank - and tells Frank who i am - from corporate, etc. and the poor chap just got very nervous all of a sudden. i think my favorite part of the exchange was i was telling bob how frank had been very nice and had done a great job of talking to me, etc. and frank says, well given you're corporate, it's a good think i wasn't hitting on you.
i almost lost it!
well i look at my watch and my plane is scheduled (note the word usage there) to take off in an hour - and i have to get going as i have to return my rental car, etc.

it was a lovely compliment to have this young guy hit on me... definitely made my afternoon... but then... i got the airport and it all became even more bizarre...

behind the orange curtain

2008-10-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

today i flew into Irvine/Newport... John Wayne Airport. I am staying in "the OC". I've driven maybe 15 miles total today (including the 1 mile i was driving around lost) and in those less than 15 miles - the 5 miles from the office to the hotel were the most interesting. ok, the non-optimist answer is: agonizingly traffic painful. it took me over 30 minutes to go those 5 miles, on surface streets. yes, the traffic was crowded - but it was mostly the traffic lights. i think the lights in Irvine are to give the driver moments to meditate. meditate about what - that's a personal choice - but the not moving on the roads of Irvine/Newport (as i'm not exactly sure where one starts and the other stops) creates the true opportuntiy to reflect perhaps on the day.
at least i hope so - because it was otherwise a very long drive to not go very far - geographically speaking.

although the upside is that i did see some pretty fabulous cars. woo hoo! there's always an upside!

chillin at the coast...

2008-10-24T19:22:00.001-07:00

i made it. i made it to my vacation... i made it to bodega bay.

i've been asking if it was friday since last wednesday. son only once in the last 10 days (other than today) was it actually friday. a great disappointment, i assure you.

well a weekend away from home... but with a ton of work to do, which sucks!

yes i have work to do. work. actual work - work. and that work i should be doing right now. but alas, i'm blogging and watching - Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard -not my favorite, but still good. Die Hard 3: With a Vengeance is my favorite.

anyway - i am looking forward to a weekend of work (not really) and relaxation - plus there's a hot tub. if anyone needs me... that's where i'll be!

food at the end of the great highway

2008-10-18T21:55:00.000-07:00

as you may have read, i'm sick. and when i'm sick, i want comfort food.

this evening Cat and i were debating what to eat for dinner. she wanted something fried - preferably cheese fries, i wanted comforting noodle (translate to: Thai food)... now we live in San Francisco with most countries represented via restaurants - but where could we find Thai/American cuisine?? Cat didn't really want Thai as she had Cambodian for lunch - so where would we find this great compromise?

at the end of the great highway is where...

tomorrow is the Nike's women's marathon around and through golden gate park - so the parking in the city is a nightmare as it is tourist central! and it is even worse around the park as they have blocked the parking until 4pm tomorrow. no taking a chance getting towed. so we drive around the block a few times as Cat is willing to make the great sacrifice and do Thai food to meet the sick one's noodle need. :) but after 10-12 minutes of hunting it was becoming painfully clear - there would be no parking for us - so we decide to have a bit of an adventure and try the "Great Highway Cafe" - Thai and American cuisine.

and amazingly enough we found both... i ordered noodle and soup - Cat ordered grilled ham and cheese (minus the ham) with fries!

and it was pretty darn good!
probably among the better thai food i've had in a while.

who knew it existed - this perfect mix of Thai and American cuisine... in one little restaurant at the end of the great highway...

home sweet zzzzz......

2008-10-16T23:35:00.000-07:00

well after a successful trip to seattle, i am home. the trip was successful on many levels any only sucky on one.
successful:
spent time with devon
the meeting went well (got kudos from the team and manager)
my flights up (united) and back (virgin america) were without incident (always good)
though i got stuck in a terrible traffic jam due to an accident - i had plenty of time to get to the airport, i didn't miss my flight and it gave me time to enjoy my pimpin' VW Bettle rental car

way that the trip was sucky:
i got sick (more sick than the wimpy sick i was earlier this week)

oh well. to every trip a little rain must fall (esp wen you visit seattle)

*sneeze*

off to the airport

2008-10-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

well after a flying hiatus - i am off to seattle today. it is a short trip - i'm heading back here on Thursday evening. unfortunately i land late. i hate late. but i've blocked my calendar Friday morning so that i can get a late start if needed. and it will probably be needed.

this should prove to be an interesting trip. i'm flying up there first class on United airlines. frequent travelership has it's privileges. i'm renting a car while i'm there as well. not quite a first, but as always it should prove to be interesting. (ppst - seattle drivers consider that a warning) and on the way home i'm flying Virgin America for the first time, which i've always wanted to fly - so that should be fun too!

AND i'm going to see and stay with my friend Devon while i'm up there too! it is the perfect trip. except the actually having to do work while i'm there.

but the work is always fun when i get the chance and i'm doing 2 pieces i've not had the chance to do in a while - so i really am looking forward to it!

so here's to a successful and enjoyable work trip!

the great cold pandemic

2008-10-14T16:20:00.000-07:00

ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration. how about: the minor cold infection? still not right? how about... i'm sick and it sucks?
that probably sums it up nicely!
well... it has begun, cold and flu season. and per usual - i am among the few that gets it first. many years, i'm like the groundhog who predicts spring - i predict cold and flu season. as a kid i caught EVERY bug that was out there. as an adult i probably get 1 out of 4. i was hoping i'd missed this round of cold sickness - but alas i didn't.
oh well. it has afforded me the opportunity to stay home from work today - sleep massive amounts and drink the little soup i had in house. now i REALLY have to go grocery shopping. darn it all.
i am actually not full blown ill - but ill enough i canceled all my meetings - yes, all of them. i'm mostly taking these precautions because i like to practice safe travel. i don't like to potentially get others sick and traveling always makes me more sick - so i'm trying to lift the base line. besides i'm running the meeting all day thursday - and a coughing facilitator doesn't make an effective facilitator. or a believable one!

i look not to blame anyone for my sick state - though i do have a suspect or two... and i'm watching to see if you have any more nefarious plans to sabotage my health!

so as the OG predictor of cold/flu season - i see a mild cold and yet a heavy flu season - so take your vit c, zinc and get plenty of rest. get a little bit of exercise everyday and listen to your body. except when it says it wants more chocolate or one more glass of wine, because then it is just lying to you to get it's evil... oh, um, never mind.

stay healthy!

horoscopes: fact or fiction

2008-10-09T20:38:00.000-07:00

i read my horoscope. i am a leo. how much i believe this informs who i am as a person - i don't know. but i read it none the less.

work has been a bit rough. i don't have a boss right now, so my peer and i are trying to do our jobs and cover for a boss we don't have. as part of my morning ritual i read the headlines on yahoo and then peak my horoscope, log in to my gmail and get down to the details of the day.
today my horoscope read:

Change requires patience. Nothing important can happen overnight, so keep waiting.

this is almost the very thing a friend said to me this week. and the advice i was given today. so it got me thinking - were there other horoscopes today that fit my life...
so here you go...

Aquarius (1/20-2/18)

Your brilliance will always shine through, so why are you getting nervous? Relax.

this could be true of me any day of the week. brilliance? yup, that's me.

Gemini (5/21-6/21)

There is no point in sharing your deep thoughts unless you share every one of them.

i always share my thoughts even when i don't want to... i would make a crap spy. so this one could also apply.

Cancer (6/22-7/22)

Don't skip the gym but do devote yourself to intellectual pursuits. They're healthy.

are they watching me?? i'm not usually so paranoid - but really this is ridiculous... it is as if they knew i'd read them all!

*insert twilight zone music*

OG time...

2008-10-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

tonight i am enjoying a pleasant evening surrounded by favorite companions... me, myself and i!

oh and a glass of wine. can't forget the wine.

so yes... an evening of me time.

i learned (so did my college friends) that i need 'OG time' - time for me to decompress, be alone, read, watch tv; you know - let down the OG curls...

i realize that the older i get - the more 'me' time i need. it can be hard to balance the need for time to be alone with wanting to be social - but yesterday was among the most frustrating days at work yet... mostly because i couldn't actually get work done. my new work laptop arrived last week and technology support was supposed to take my laptop for 2-4 hours and create my new one... and viola... new exciting laptop. alas, as an optimist i can be seen as delusional at times - but alas - technology support was flat out insane. i handed over my laptop at 9am - got my old one back at 330pm - and then at 445pm - was told my new one wasn't ready.
i did have a few meetings that i could do while the tech refresh was happening - but unfortunately - not much else. i did get a nice 40 min work out in at the gym... but other than that. not much else.
a little frustrating to say the least.

so after a day like that - being told by tech support that the email outlined that the process would be long - and me having to say, yes, i accept that it isn't instant, but when you said 2-4 hours, i thought you meant, 2-4 hours! not ALL DAY!

well wednesday afternoon will be more of the same. as they have to finish what they started and i will finally get my new laptop. very excited.

at lest my day wasn't a complete wash. i was able to work out - and i knew i needed that OG time - so i'm getting that...

hopefully tomorrow i can actually get work done!

shoe p0rn

2008-10-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

so on saturday night i went to a poker party... and i met the most fabulous pair of shoes. and a fun friend who wore them.

so it began with Fluevog shoes in my life. oh the shoes are unconventional - and fun, and sexy.

oh wait - i'm describing myself.

but fluevog shoes are definitely interesting... they have an unusual design. they definitely fall into the shoe p0rn category!

http://www.fluevog.com/

enjoy!!

phrase of the week

2008-10-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

so, i actually had someone accept my offer of borrowing my obscene number of Top Gear disks/episodes... Motoproponent (see his blog - link on the right). So he's completely geeked out on Top Gear. it sounds like he's done it almost obsessively. well, it's nice to have someone else to share the hilarity of the show with... so in honor of Moto's obsessive-need to watch Top Gear - here's the phrase of the week. Please work it into a sentence.

flappy paddle gear box...

here's an example:
i wish i had the new (insert fabulously expensive and beautiful car that i will never own as it is more expensive than the OG doctorate cost, name here) with the flappy paddle gear box.

work it into a sentence this week.

UPDATE: the optimist spidergirl

2008-10-03T22:13:00.000-07:00

apparently the spider wasn't radioactive... no webslinging... no spidey sense. the alert is over...
no cause for concern.
nothing to see here...

keep on moving...

perhaps i'm from another planet and i'll get my golden bracelets and lasso... maybe i'm really wonder optimist woman!

watch out bad guys!!

pairing off at a dance

2008-10-03T18:29:00.000-07:00

watching the news lately has been like watching kids at a high school dance pair off... it's almost like a day-time soap opera... which bank is going to go out with whom next. ... and the funniest thing to watch is citi whining that wells stole it's partner... wachovia...

will the drama never end?

the optimist spidergirl

2008-10-02T19:41:00.000-07:00

i was bitten by a spider at some point in the last 24 hours. i think if the spider was radioactive that within the next 24 hours, i'll turn into a spidergirl. i can use my spiddey (sp?) senses to sense where people aren't optimistic and i can help them see the bright side.
so... just in case that happens - you know why. i blame the spider bite.

btw - for those of you who live in SF - could you please keep my new secret, secret identity secret?

thanks.

i'll be swinging by ya!

the gym and other misc thoughts

2008-09-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

i finally made it to the gym after last week's hiatus due to business travel. i'm usually better about going to the gym - but usually my gym bag is with me and not in my broken down car in Placerville.
anyway, i've realized a few things during my last 2 visits...
1. Governor Schwoierujnagjbjhoiager looks awful on TV - flat out scary!

2. i really, really can't wait for the election to be over

3. i don't miss TV (for reference, i have a TV just no cable or local channels) - i get enough TV at the gym, thanks.

4. though i don't miss TV - i may have to schedule my visits to the gym around a TV show called "destroyed in seconds" - the commercial showed the most horrific crashes, explosions, etc... it looked TOTALLY cool - i must watch.

5. the gym on a Monday is packed... the gym is not as packed really any other day of the week at the same time! totally amazing. i was putting this theory to the test over the last few weeks. not sure why this happens, perhaps resolve. perhaps sushi plans that they don't want to miss... who knows. it isn't as if they play Top Gear on the TVs - so that can't be the reason people stay is to watch TV. which reminds me - i've totally corrupted/influenced/convinced someone else to watch Top Gear... converting the masses, one at a time. :) i may make it to a goddess of worship, yet!!

6. i have delusions of grandeur, but they are confined to my gym ponderings...

7. that for as much as the gym isn't my favorite place - i do like jumping on the scale and seeing a difference and i know i can see a difference when i get dressed for work. losing weight is cool!

yesterday at the spa

2008-09-28T08:56:00.001-07:00

yesterday - Cat and I celebrated my belated birthday with a day at the Indian Springs Spa. ahh... heaven.
it was a lovely day of sun, relaxation and a fab massage.

if you can get your hands on one - i highly recommend it!

true beauty

2008-09-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

i was in tahoe for work this week and monday night the team (plus me) did a dinner cruise on the lake. as the sun went down behind the mountains and colored the sky a variety of stunning hues - i realized how fortunate i was that i was enjoying this wonderful peaceful evening. i was surrounded by mother nature at her best.
majestic mountains that in a few months (perhaps weeks) will be covered in snow - surrounding a lake that was as peaceful as the setting we were in.
by the time we reached other side of the lake - it was dark and we were in the emerald bay - by this time - it was pitch black dark night. with a few twinkling stars...
and it was on that boat deck - surrounded by true natural beauty and peace - that i realized that for as tough as life can get at times - car break downs, crap days at work, etc - that mother nature's wonder will always be there.

i am fortunate to live in one of the more beautiful places in the country - and i hope i don't take it for granted.

on the way to the offsite

2008-09-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

so... i love to drive. actually, let me re-frame that. i love to drive my car on fun and exciting roads. i don't love to sit in traffic or drive in a straight line as much. so i was presented with an opportunity to drive to south lake tahoe for a work meeting.
i figured out that it was cheaper for the company if i drove my own car up. so... i became terribly excited about the prospect of driving up and potentially being able to explore Tahoe a bit as i was going to take monday after my morning meetings - go 'offline' and go for a drive.

well the best laid plans of mice and optimist girl often go wrong...

because 150 miles into my journey the OG mobile... Jayne... started to overheat and i had to pull of the road.

i am ok.

the car. perhaps, not so much. when i popped the hood - there was no coolant in the coolant reservoir. i don't know much about cars... but i do know, that's bad. so i made some calls, and AAA would be on the spot for assistance in 30 minutes. :) in the mean time, i made a few calls to friends and to coworkers who were expecting me in tahoe. no tahoe for me last night. i also had quite a few drivers ask if i needed assistance, which was great. :)

i had to pull of the road in Placerville, CA.

POST PAUSED
POST CONTINUED 9/24 - Wednesday night...

i did indeed make it up to tahoe... and the lack of coolant was because the car was overheating bc the temperature gauge was broken.

so... $300 later... i have my car back and i'm back on the road.

i'm bummed as i wasn't able to get out and about in Tahoe - but i had to work so much that i wouldn't really have had the chance even if i'd had my car. grr.

but i'm incredibly happy that Jayne chose to break down where she did - before the Sierra Nevada mountains... when it was a warm sunny day at 4pm and not in the mountains, or when it was wet, cold or dark!

it is probably the most fortuitous timing in my life and usually... my timing sucks.

the saddest thing i've read (today)

2008-09-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

"...And because the Muppets have been without a regular television gig for more than a decade, many children and younger teenagers don’t know them.

Ms. Breier said recent focus groups indicated that some children could not even identify Kermit and Miss Piggy, much less ancillary characters like Fozzie Bear and Gonzo the Great."

Here's the article...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/movies/21barn.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
(sorry it isn't a link - i can't get the links to work via blogger - probably operator error)

that quote is so sad. children not knowing who the muppets are? that the muppets have been gone so long, is so sad - that part of my childhood and teen years watching "the muppet show" reruns... the movies... such memories, just laughter, such fun... i think i learned my heckling ways from Statler and Waldorf. one could argue, i learned my culinary skills from the chef... bork, bork, bork

"it isn't being green" is a great song about how to appreciate who you are. "rainbow connection" ... the perfect OG anthem. "Movin' right along" ... perhaps not a great road song - but a fun sing-a-long about grand adventures and coming to CA.

the muppets show - what a great "clean" entertaining program. can you really find a program today that has dancing chickens? and hecklers? and pigs in space? admittedly i don't watch much tv (the OG cave doesn't have cable) - but i know there isn't entertainment like it out there. i mean, what show has stars come on and look like they are having a good times with muppets.

well - until i get the show on DVDs... i'll just keep on singing "rainbow connection" - here are the words in case you want to join me!

"The Rainbow Connection"

written by Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams

Kermit: Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that, and someone believed it,
And look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

All of us under its spell,
We know that it's probably magic...

... Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
... Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm s'posed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

Laa, da daa dee da daa daa,
La laa la la laa dee daa doo...

lyrics stuck in my head (again)

2008-09-20T14:45:00.001-07:00

i bought the "new" Alanis Morrisette CD - and i've had a song stuck in my head like a broken juke box for 2 days... so here's to hoping that the lyrics on my blog will get out of my head.

I've been most unwilling to see this turmoil of mine
The thought of sitting with this has me paralyzed

With this prolong exposure to mirror and averted eyes
I've feigned that I've been waiting: such mileage for empathizing

[ Chorus ]
And now I see the maddness in me is brought out in the presence of you
And now I know the madness lives on, when you're not in the room
And though I'd love to blame you for all, I'd miss these moments of opportune
You've simply brought this madness to light and I should thank you
Oh thank you, much thanks for this bird's eye view
Oh thank you for your most generous triggers

It's been all too easy to cross my arms and roll my eyes
The thought of dropping all arms leaves me terrified

[ Chorus ]

I'd have to give up knowing and give up beaing right
You inadvertent hero, you angel in disguise

[ Chorus ]

bookphile

2008-09-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

so, i love books. Ever since my parents put my first book in my hand - i've loved them. i enjoy reading them. i enjoy talking about them. Though my high school english teach Mr. Ellis - may disagree. [side note to Mr. L Ellis - i'm Dr OG now - so HA! - i can articulate myself! :P and i do]

in fact i love books so much if i had to choose between reading a book and a ben stiller movie - books would win EVERY time. Books wouldn't win if it were up against jason statham, however.
so, you get how much i love books!

but for as much as i love them - i am quite picky about what i read. please note that i didn't say i had standards, because i don't.

even given my pickiness - i have a stack of books at home i've either started or are sitting thus far, untouched.

books i'm currently "reading":
- Bonk The curious coupling of science and sex (very interesting research)
- Mindless Eating (a good read about food)
- Guns, Germs and Steel (good look at societial development)
- It's your ship (a book i'm reading to evaluate if it would be good for use at work)

books i have and haven't started:
- Deja Dead and Dead du jour both by Kathy Reichs
- The Sexual Paradox (about men and women in the workplace)
- Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (borrowed from a friend)
- and more fab fiction on the shelves

I've actually never had so many books on the go at once. possibly because i tried to read two books at once in high school and became horribly confused. The reason for this confusion was that the main characters had the same name - Mr Archer. Admittedly the books were very different. Book one was for school and was an Austen style book. The other was a Clancy or John LeCarre. i don't recall - either way - though both books were very different. I realized it wasn't in my best interest from a comprehension perspective - to read both [root cause, Mr Ellis for me not being able to articulate myself - possibly].

so the point of this post was that i'm ready to actually make time in my calendar because the books are piling up at the moment and i don't feel like a book lover!

i am more like a book collector that buys or borrows books to put them on my shelf to display them proudly so when you visit the OG cave you can think to yourself "my, the OG is well read and must love books" - but sadly no.

i am just a book person who has some books on her shelf.

almost 2 years

2008-09-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

i started blogging almost 2 years ago. i can't believe it. I've written over 100 blog entries, most of which are drivel but some really are pretty good.

Having a blog has been an interesting experience. there are times I think during the day - oh i have to remember and blog about that and i then start thinking about how i'd phrase the post, is it really worth sharing with those that read my blog, yadda yadda.

yes, i yadda yadda'd my blog.

i know i did it again yesterday. i recall leaving peet's coffee at 630am yesterday (i was on my way to work, not my way home after a rockin' evening) and something happened that turned into a great blog post in my head about... something. no recollection. but it was good.

part of my problem is that i don't blog at work. i suppose i could email myself my blog entries, but then, that's like blogging at work and yesterday i walked into work at 645am and left at 645pm... so i try to be efficient with my work day - as i really don't like leaving at 645pm for as much as one of my friends would argue differently (yes, i'm talking about YOU!)

well i'm going to try to keep the best of the OG blog online and not in my head...

i hope you've enjoyed my posts thus far.

and here's to many more!!
CHEERS!! and here's to you Mrs Robinson!

the adverts

2008-09-13T21:06:00.000-07:00

once again, i am enjoying an evening at home... and watching, Top Gear, which i'm sure you don't find surprising.
well i am absolutely fascinated by the ads.
ok - so just in case you've not read my blog before... Top Gear is a British television show, which reviews cars byt test driving them and generally making jokes and donkeys of themselves.

admittedly i only discuss top gear with 2 other folks... and one of them is my Mum. but i watched the show tonight and noticed that the adverts weren't typical for a car show. they showed a few make-up commercials. cleaning products. marie callendar. a tire place and finally one of the infinite work out equipment products...
not all standard for a car television show.

but apparently this is why i'm not in advertising!

but still interesting...

5 more minutes on the treadmill - just 5 more minutes!

2008-09-10T22:41:00.000-07:00

you know it is a bad sign when you get 'last call for the showers' at the gym bc they are closing soon. i've hit last call at a couple of bars in my time - but this is the first time, i've ever been late enough for last call at a gym...

and it is a further bad sign that all i've done is blog about going to the gym.

perhaps i'll inspire someone to go and work out. the most i hope for, though, is that i inspire someone to make me a gym mix to listen to while working out to keep me entertained!

*hint* *hint* *wink*wink* *nudge*nudge* knowwhatimean? knowwhatimean?

A few things I learned about me at the gym tonight

2008-09-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

- I am ready for it to be nov and the election is over and I can "enjoy" working out and watching tv I am sick of all of the political parties and the making up of new that happens - who is really watching that isn't on a peice of gym euqipment and forced to look at the tv is it the only thing to watch (read: acceptable, bc staring at people while they work out isn't acceptable)

- in the absence of real news on cnn, msnbc (no fox news - in a sf gym) or other real tv I will watch investment tv on cnbc

- that for as much as I hate working out and I dislike walking into the gym at 830pm; it is nice to walk into a quiet empty gym - generally void of ppl

- I need a really rockin' gym mix to help the time pass

- for all of my minging about going to the gym and working out - I really do enjoy it

- and finally, I've learned I must have suffered head trauma as I'm digging the gym

true signs of the apocalypse... get your bleach ready!

to gym another day

2008-09-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

i didn't get to the gym yesterday... i made it monday. made it today (even if i walked in at 815pm)... it was sushi tuesday - so i missed yesterday. poo.

i am just mesmerized by my reaction to the whole gym experience.

*gasp*

wine afternoon in napa

2008-09-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

so i went with some friends to napa for a splash of wine tasting. yum. i did my usual wine of the month pick-up at my FAVORITE winery while i was up there and we, of course did some tastings...
as expected.
well, here i sit with my dinner... and a glass of two buck chuck. yup. day in napa tasting some of my fav wines and i come home and ignore them all for two buck chuck...

yum.

ADDITION: my fav winery is V Sattui on Hwy 29 in St Helena. wide selection of wines. Free tasting. and delicious! a must do when you go to the Napa Valley.

oops, i did it again

2008-09-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

i'm beginning to sound like the count on sesame street... one visit to the gym... ha ha ha ha... two visits to the gym... ha ha ha ha. three visits to the gym... ha ha ha. four visits to the gym!

you can guess what i did after work today...

yup - went to the gym. another 50 min of treadmill - my little hamster activity.

another week finished. another long week done. i am ready to enjoy a weekend of ... weekendness.

must haves for the impending apocalypse

2008-09-04T21:41:00.000-07:00

so i went to the gym again tonight!

*gasp* *shock* *amazement*

this is a new trend for me. the gym thing. i've not worked out with such frequency since... uh.. well, there was that time a million years ago! i'm no stranger, really, to the gym. i used to work out. never obsessively - but i went to the gym, you have to believe me.

this evening's visit is a new trend as i had an hour until my friend picked me up for group sushi dinner. and guess what i did... yup. i went to the gym. i went in - changed (bc i don't work out in a suit, usually) - did 25 min on the treadmill - went back to the locker room - showered (smelly sushi is just as bad as a smelly OG - more than you wanted to know i'm sure)... and popped off to meet my friend for my pick up!

oh i could have stayed at work - yes, yes, i could. but no. i did the right thing and went to the gym. that's 25 more minutes of exercise i wouldn't have normally had...

bravo to me.
but i definitely take this as a sign of the apocalypse... and the things at the top of my list to have ready to go are...
- batteries (a given)
- bleach (i grew up in FL, and just ask anyone when prepping for a hurricane, always have bleach)
- tins of those little sausages
- boxes of mac & cheese
- my favorite black and gray cardigans
- comfortable shoes

now, i'm ready for anything... until the apocalypse you can find me at the gym...

(never thought i'd say that)

*shudder*

twice in 2 days

2008-09-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

i can't believe it - i've dragged my out of shape butt to the gym two nights in a row - after work. admittedly i'm not leaving work until 6pm (last night) - 7pm (tonight)... which considering i usually walk into work by 730am - i'm going for a very long day.
but all that aside - i've gone to the gym. i've hit the elliptical trainer and the treadmill...
i've worked out!

you may want to buy emergency supplies as this might be the sign of the apocalypse... but these days... one can never tell.

here's to going 3 *gasp* days in a row!!!

totally addicted

2008-09-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

ok - so i put a site hit counter on my blog and now i have become COMPLETELY obsessed with the number of hits to my site. i am SO obsessed i check the website about once a day (it was much more before) to see if anyone has checked out my blog.

i shake my fist at the site counter! darned if i have it and completely lost if i don't have it. i must know!

btw - i am averaging 2 hits a day (other than me) - but when they come to the page they aren't hanging out long... :(

please stay, read my blog. visit my fav links...

thank you, and i'll leave the light on.

a motorcycle moment on a car show

2008-08-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

so i've mentioned my fav British TV show - Top Gear... well i just watched an episode from 3 years ago and there was a bet or rather - there was a challenge involving the Nurburgring and a van.
The challenge was put out there by a woman racecar driver who'd taught one of the chaps how to drive around and beat a 10 min time, the track is 12 miles long with 16 bends. Her first lap around the track woman drives a Ford Transit van the 12 miles in 10.28... it was thrilling to watch this VAN drive around the track at amazing speeds. it was just as amazing to watch her pass several amazing cars and just as amazing to see her pass a couple of motorcycles.
The Nurburgring is an open track. It was an open track day and she flew in the van. Her second lap time, she flowed a viper and pulled everything out of the van and did it in 10.08!

sometimes one is just amazed about what one can do with a van and a bit of track!!

favourite insult of the day

2008-08-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

"cheese eating surrender monkeys"

this was uttered by my fave British columnist... Jeremy Clarkson. i have watched him utter amazingly 'interesting' (shall we say) commentary. i've even read it in his column...

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/category/clarkson/1.html

he's always politically incorrect and exaggerates even beyond the measure of my favorite feline.

i hope you enjoy reading and if you are interested in watching some of the epis of Top Gear - and don't have BBC America - let me know and i'll loan you my CD case of epis. and if you have an international DVD player; i'll loan you my copies of the british DVDs which feature the best of the Top Gear adventures. and i'll even come over and watch them with you!!

Top Gear is my fave import at the moment... right up there next to jason statham. perhaps you'll judge for yourself...

election coverage

2008-08-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

so, as most folks know, i'm fairly a-political. after living in DC for 4 years and hanging out with friends who were interns for various politicians, i'm fairly neutral about politics... but with an election year, i like everyone else, gets interested in the candidates and their stance on a variety of key topics.
i've been looking for a t-chart if you will, of the candidates views on the key topics - war in iraq, environment, etc. today i found it.

on a british news site... why i had to 'cross the pond' to find it on the BBC News site - i don't know, but apparently that was easier than a US news outlet creating one.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7436221.stm

for those of you interested - that's the link.

essentially a foreign news outlet has better more balanced news coverage of the US election than a US new outlet...

embarrassing!

entertaining signs (part 2)

2008-08-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

ok - another amusing sign... this one from Africa. (which you could guess given the animals depicted)
this sign isn't as 'genius', it is a little more sad. i wonder if this sign really gives drivers pause to drive carefully and cautiously. i mean you don't want to be the reason a baby baboon goes home without a mommy and becomes and orphan. and the baby baboon is so traumatized by the experience he ends up in therapy and then he ends up hanging out with the monkeys and then he starts experimenting with drugs and before you know it the driver has unknowingly added to the baboon drug addict problem.

bad driver!

so take this as a lesson be careful when you drive!!!

remember: driving slowly - saves lives - saves gas (and baboons)

entertaining signs (part 1)

2008-08-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

while in seattle on vacation i saw this sign. i believe this sign is a true work of genius. i know that this "genius" statement is incredibly powerful... there's a lot implied in the word 'genius'... but this sign has a double meaning. the use of the work 'impact'... is just, dare i say, clever?!?

and the artistry... i love how everything, books, bags, people are just flying... again, just very creative.

the woman seems to believe that the 'duck and cover' maneuver will protect her from being hit by the car (or at least not severely maimed) - i appreciate the 'equal opportunity' hitting people of the potential driver as there is a woman and a man depicted. also there aren't any children, so obviously the driver is more, well, i can't think of the word, but they are that... i think that sums up the psych profile of both the driver and the sign designer...

i have more signs to share, but thought i'd just highlight this one, this evening.

enjoy!!

BRILLIANT!

great movies - 20 years from now

2008-08-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

so a few weeks ago i went to a movie night on Dolores Park (see previous blog entry) and it since caused me to wonder - what movie of today will be watched 20 years from now and be judged a true classic still relevant and amusing.

so i've been pondering this for a while - still unable to come with any movies. i am currently watching 'the princess bride' a potential classic. perhaps that's a potential classic for my list. crud. it is 20 years old. 1988. already a classic! i just don't think 'die hard 4: live free or die hard' will be a timeless classic - oh don't get me wrong, i enjoy Bruce Willis saving the world as much as the next woman - but still a classic 20 years from now? maybe. i mean, heck the first die hard was 1988 - so i will stand to be corrected in 2027 - when the film is 20 years old...

as i look at my DVD collection - most of my movies are fairly old 'fletch', 'trading places', 'spies like us', 'ghostbusters 1 & 2'. oh wait, 'army of darkness' nope - made in 1992...

uh... thoughts?? i'm stuck. i mean heck, 'a new kind of love' 1963 is one of my more frequently watched movies...

i'd certainly appreicate any of your recommendations...

saturday continued...

2008-07-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

so yesterday evening (post - yoga class) i met upwith Zeina and some of her friends and some of their friends, etc for movie night in Dolores Park. it was a riot. The movie was 'The Breakfast Club'. A classic. I've actually never seen it from beginning to end in its entirety until now. I have seen bits and pieces so i knew the premise of the film, the characters, etc.
We arrived about 1.5 hours before the film and it was a mad house. SF residents EVEYWHERE! I won't mention that there was already a crazy long line for the restrooms. So we sat and chatted and enjoyed wine, and light snacks. Finally it gets dark and it is movie time!
We get the preview for the next movie - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Newman and Redford, how could one fgo wrong. And then the announcer guy comes on the speaker and started to explain that the views of the sfolks in this rated R film are not the views of the group etc etc. And that there are anti-tolerance things said during the film that were accepted 25 years ago when the ovie came out that should n't have been accepted.yadda yadda. only in SF do you need a caveat like that.
so the movie was great and the entire park audience added to the enjoyment of the film. actually i'd say it enhanced it greatly.
i definitely recommend it and hope to do it again soon!

i hurt in places, it feels so good

2008-07-27T09:46:00.000-07:00

so i am sitting here in bed this morning reflecting on what was a 'busy' saturday... i started my morning by going to my first Weight Watchers meeting in San Francisco and my first meeting this year. I'm not sure when i last went to a meeting - but i went yesterday. And i tell all of my friends so that you can support me. I've gained 25 pounds in the last 10 years since i came to CA, August of 1998.

I have completed some great accomplishments in this time, finished my MA and Doctorate. I am gainfully employed and enjoy my job. I have some wonderful friends and i've kept in touch with the ones who aren't local ... but the fact i've gained 25 pounds in those 10 years, is not something i'm proud of, in any sort of fashion.

so the time has come for me to get my butt in gear as it were. so i started my week towards this goal by going to yoga on monday - but to say it was yoga is both true and misleading. as i mentioned it was a yoga class to focus on stretching. it felt REALLY good. But i went yesterday and 'today my body is saying - uh excuse me, now that's a yoga class. i feel sore almost all over and it feels so good. though my shoulder is spasming and it's really annoying. actually, sore isn't the right word, i think i am hyper aware of my muscles and how they work.

so this is the dawn of a new age.

an age of me and working out - being more aware of what i eat. and i am usually pretty aware. especially as i love food.

this is the first time, i'm been so honest about my struggles with weight - though if you've seen me recently it has been obvious.

thank you to my friends in advance for your support.

off we go on another grand adventure.

I want to believe

2008-07-24T17:32:00.000-07:00

that the new X-Files movie is going to be amazing and fantastic and i'm going to love it as much as i do it's much older movie and TV siblings.

CAN'T WAIT!

This might be the one movie i see opening weekend this summer. i have stayed away from the trailers until today... i'm very excited to see the original cast (Duchovny & Anderson) together and none of this "we can't kill the character - so let's pretend it's the same actor" stuff - your actor jedi mind tricks don't work on me new Mummy movie.
the trailer did seem like it follows in the TV show's tradition and it is probably best i don't get popcorn or i'm going to end up wearing it as i'll be jumping out of my seat. a lot.

make it a milk duds. they probably stay in the box better.

regardless of my snack choice - I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Mulder - here I come!

i got stuck

2008-07-22T15:39:00.001-07:00

so i got stuck in a moment today. really, really stuck. my head didn't want to function properly and to make matters worse, i was on the phone with my boss. talk about needing to hand the paycheck back.
but a coworker/friend recommended a walk around the block and i am moderately back in my own head. i also listened to a song i like to listen to when i'm trapped in my own head...

U2 - Stuck in a moment

i am not afrriad of anything in this world
there's nothing that you can throw at me that i haven't already heard
i'm just trying to find
a decent melody
the song that i can sing in my own company

i never thought you were a fool
but darling look at you

you gotta stand up straight
carry your own weight
these tears are going no where
baby

you've got to get yourself together
you've got stuck in a moment and now you can't get out of it
don't say that later will be better
now you're stuck in a moment and you can't get out of it...

the theatre party

2008-07-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

so Friday after work I met up with Zeina, Melissa and Catherine for a post-work drink. Very pleasant.
in order to protect the innocent and the guilty - the names have been changed...

so one of us let's just call her... M had a party in Oakland - so off we went for Oakland via BART.

as we walk in the door to the party and see the gleaming faces of the fellow guests, we determine - 1 drink or 30 minutes (whichever comes first) we will leave. of course, offering our thanks to the host.

We generally had a pleasant evening until... a gentleman who i thought was gay started talking with us. By now a friend of M had shown up and the 3 of us were happily chatting away and the formerly gay gentleman (FGG) was now talking with us. M and I were beginning to discuss leaving when the friend and the FGG offered to give us a ride - M and i are divided. oh i panic i have been offered a ride from FGG - uh... no. you are creepy - though that was what i was thinking, i have manners.
so while FGG took a moment away M and i plot that i have "left" something at her apt and i must be taken home by her friend.
probably not a moment to confess i've never been to M's apt.
so M gets up for a second - and the friend is grabbing her bag and creepy FGG comes over and says 'i think it is time to leave' and i at this moment i'm glad to have the excuse ...
he looks disheartened... but still creepy.
so we collected our handbags while FGG was in the kitchen and literally ran out the door - and then down 3 flights of stairs. probably no the best of ideas after wine and cheese...
but we heard FGG coming down the stairs behind us - at a more reasonable pace. I saw him wandering around outside the apt looking for us (or his creep mobile) while we drive off...
but other than that - it was a lovely evening...

sorry FGG... but you were just too creepy.