My brother has been playing this game for a while and has talked it up so much, I might try it out when my classes end.
I think I will start with a human character and add a night elf and an undead character (since I'm a Tolkien and Buffy fan). My brother typically names his characters in Sindarin/Quenya version of our name. I don't know if I'll follow suit.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween!
I'm loading up on bite size candy thanks to covering reception today. One of my co-workers is dressed up as the Pope. Luckily, we don't have to kneel or kiss his ring to addess him. It was expecially interesting when he popped into the lobby while a potential employee was waiting for his interview. Welcome to the nuthouse buddy! Speaking of work, I just found out a couple more co-workers have been let go.
Another work-related piece of news is that I'm not the only person who is frustrated by the Purchasing manager. In fact, people who are pissed range from the HR director to the facilities guy. The facilities guy has become my new best friend with the way he has been trashing the Purchasing people and building me up. Yay, I'm not going insane and the assholes are recognizable here!
Another work-related piece of news is that I'm not the only person who is frustrated by the Purchasing manager. In fact, people who are pissed range from the HR director to the facilities guy. The facilities guy has become my new best friend with the way he has been trashing the Purchasing people and building me up. Yay, I'm not going insane and the assholes are recognizable here!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Comics Come Home XXII
Ever since 2000, I've been attending Comics Come Home. It was where I first saw Dane Cook. Usually the show is in mid-November but this year it was held Oct. 28. In past years the show was held in the Orpheum Theater but starting last year, the show was moved to BU's Agganis Arena. The move was well-deserved. The seating is better and ticket prices are more reasonable. In years past, I usually organized a group to attend the show. But after years of dealing with people canceling on me and scrambling to find a replacement, I don't organize groups anymore. I like to keep it simple. This year my brother and I went.
Before the show we ate at the Sunset Cantina. Since I have been craving red meat, I got the BBQ steak tips. My brother copy-catted me the only difference between our meals were our sides and he ordered rare and I ordered medium. Unfortunately, my first bite was a bad cut of meat. You know what I mean. The type of meat you have to chew until your jaw gets tired and ultimately you have to swallow whole out of sheer exhaustion. Luckily the rest of the meal had good tender cuts. I also had two margaritas. Very yummy and strong. This restaurant is perfect for any show at Agganis since it's right across the street.
Our seats were pretty decent (section 110 row J). The people in our row were nice youngish folk too. The row below us had a half dozen college guys who got up every 15 minutes for beer - even during the show. Denis Leary started the show with a song making fun of Mel Gibson which was really smart. Considering how polarized people are politically, it's tricky making fun of current events. Celebrities are always fair game. The one comedian who brought down the house and basically broke me laughter-wise was Patrice O'Neil. The part of his bit that killed me was when he kept making up sexual euphemisms with horrible explanations. Imagine what "The Spiderman" or "The Zombie" could be... Steve Sweeney and Don Gavin did the same routine they've done for the past 6 years. If Mayor Menino or Ted Kennedy die, I don't think Steve Sweeney will be able to make a living anymore.
Before the show we ate at the Sunset Cantina. Since I have been craving red meat, I got the BBQ steak tips. My brother copy-catted me the only difference between our meals were our sides and he ordered rare and I ordered medium. Unfortunately, my first bite was a bad cut of meat. You know what I mean. The type of meat you have to chew until your jaw gets tired and ultimately you have to swallow whole out of sheer exhaustion. Luckily the rest of the meal had good tender cuts. I also had two margaritas. Very yummy and strong. This restaurant is perfect for any show at Agganis since it's right across the street.
Our seats were pretty decent (section 110 row J). The people in our row were nice youngish folk too. The row below us had a half dozen college guys who got up every 15 minutes for beer - even during the show. Denis Leary started the show with a song making fun of Mel Gibson which was really smart. Considering how polarized people are politically, it's tricky making fun of current events. Celebrities are always fair game. The one comedian who brought down the house and basically broke me laughter-wise was Patrice O'Neil. The part of his bit that killed me was when he kept making up sexual euphemisms with horrible explanations. Imagine what "The Spiderman" or "The Zombie" could be... Steve Sweeney and Don Gavin did the same routine they've done for the past 6 years. If Mayor Menino or Ted Kennedy die, I don't think Steve Sweeney will be able to make a living anymore.
Friday, October 27, 2006
The Anti-Jinx
Sure enough, if I whine and complain about something it turns out AWESOME! The Coaching program last night went extremely well and was actually fun!
It was held in a hall with a bunch of round tables with linens and a catered dinner. Each table was assigned to each group of coaches. My group of coaches was very cool. I had two classmates, one guy and one woman. There were three other alumni coaches. One works for the state, one is a professor, and one is in corporate acquisitions. The professor and I hit it off like gang-busters. Granted, he got his degree the year I was born but I'm multi-generationally friendly. The dinner was yummy with a pseudo Thanksgiving theme complete with pumpkin pie. I was very proud of myself - I loaded up on veggies with a bit of meat and skipped the pie. The guy classmate and I had fun chatting. We've had a class together before plus he's kind of cute (sadly he's married). The woman classmate was very aloof and distant. I couldn't get a good read on her. Each group has 5 coaches and 1 coordinator. Our coordinator was the state employee guy. Orientation was conducted during dinner and was a complete snoozefest reiteration. I took that time to go through my packet of forms.
Finally, we went set out to our assigned class-room to meet our students. I was assigned to observe a guy. The students have an hour to read 3 short cases and discuss solutions. We observe how they interact as a team with our focus on how to help our assigned student. My guy turned out to be the team bulldozer, trying to lead but not listening to people and only supporting his own idea. It's funny how you wind up cheering for the student you're assigned. I wasn't cheering, I was cringing and shaking my head. I was happy I had a lot to work with because I have NO idea how to coach a team member who doesn't speak. There was another guy who was the perfect team member and I completely wanted to swap students. But noo the Professor was assigned to observe him.
Then, the coaches left and met to discuss our impressions. I had a lot of tips and critiques passed along for my guy. Finally, around 10pm, we have one on one coaching sessions with our students. This was actually a lot of fun. We have a lot in common and he took my feedback seriously with no defensiveness. Plus, we have the same sense of humor and taste in TV. He's a good guy who is close to his family and hasn't encountered a situation where he'll have to modify his behavior. That time is fast approaching since he's a Junior, though! In the end, we had a good laugh and I gave him my business card. Oh yeah, the paper I have to write? It's just 2 pages. I finished it this morning. No more complaints from this corner.
It was held in a hall with a bunch of round tables with linens and a catered dinner. Each table was assigned to each group of coaches. My group of coaches was very cool. I had two classmates, one guy and one woman. There were three other alumni coaches. One works for the state, one is a professor, and one is in corporate acquisitions. The professor and I hit it off like gang-busters. Granted, he got his degree the year I was born but I'm multi-generationally friendly. The dinner was yummy with a pseudo Thanksgiving theme complete with pumpkin pie. I was very proud of myself - I loaded up on veggies with a bit of meat and skipped the pie. The guy classmate and I had fun chatting. We've had a class together before plus he's kind of cute (sadly he's married). The woman classmate was very aloof and distant. I couldn't get a good read on her. Each group has 5 coaches and 1 coordinator. Our coordinator was the state employee guy. Orientation was conducted during dinner and was a complete snoozefest reiteration. I took that time to go through my packet of forms.
Finally, we went set out to our assigned class-room to meet our students. I was assigned to observe a guy. The students have an hour to read 3 short cases and discuss solutions. We observe how they interact as a team with our focus on how to help our assigned student. My guy turned out to be the team bulldozer, trying to lead but not listening to people and only supporting his own idea. It's funny how you wind up cheering for the student you're assigned. I wasn't cheering, I was cringing and shaking my head. I was happy I had a lot to work with because I have NO idea how to coach a team member who doesn't speak. There was another guy who was the perfect team member and I completely wanted to swap students. But noo the Professor was assigned to observe him.
Then, the coaches left and met to discuss our impressions. I had a lot of tips and critiques passed along for my guy. Finally, around 10pm, we have one on one coaching sessions with our students. This was actually a lot of fun. We have a lot in common and he took my feedback seriously with no defensiveness. Plus, we have the same sense of humor and taste in TV. He's a good guy who is close to his family and hasn't encountered a situation where he'll have to modify his behavior. That time is fast approaching since he's a Junior, though! In the end, we had a good laugh and I gave him my business card. Oh yeah, the paper I have to write? It's just 2 pages. I finished it this morning. No more complaints from this corner.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
The Cost of Raising a Child
The Globe has posted this handy online calculator. Since raising a child until the age of 18 costs 190K, I'm glad I downsized my dream of having 4 kids!
Fun with Hairstyles
I have disovered a website called The Hairstyler. It is too fun. You can upload a picture of yourself and try on all these different haircuts and colors. Some cuts look particularly ridiculous. That one makes me look like I don't need another hero, I just need to know the way home. You can also create a gallery of cuts you like. Sorry for all the links but blogger is having issues with photo uploading. I'm basically looking for cuts not color with this site.
Mystery Childhood Cartoon Memory
I have this vivid memory of a cartoon about a dog who breaks out of jail and winds up breaking into a TV that is delivered to the police commissioner's house. So, the poor dog acts out all these TV shows and winds up getting sent back to jail. Anyone else remember this? I remember he broke out by digging a tunnel with a spoon and he had an Irish accent for some reason. I also remember howling with laughter as the poor dog acted out all these different TV shows.
Another cartoon I remember is one that follows a clown flea in a circus. He has a crush on a trapeze flea, Fifi. Eventually she falls in love with him. One day, he comes home and finds her knitting with these big needles and exclaims "Fifi nooo!" Y'see in cartoon-world, if a woman is knitting she is pregnant.
Going with the flea theme, there was one cartoon following a dog driven insane by the fleas infesting his body. It wasn't the itching the drove him nuts, it was the loud parties and jazz music.
Another cartoon I remember is one that follows a clown flea in a circus. He has a crush on a trapeze flea, Fifi. Eventually she falls in love with him. One day, he comes home and finds her knitting with these big needles and exclaims "Fifi nooo!" Y'see in cartoon-world, if a woman is knitting she is pregnant.
Going with the flea theme, there was one cartoon following a dog driven insane by the fleas infesting his body. It wasn't the itching the drove him nuts, it was the loud parties and jazz music.
Coaching for Leadership
Tonight my Leadership class is cancelled and replaced by 6 hours of leadership coaching for undergraduate students. About 130 students are in this program and they are Juniors. So, that means they are 20/21 years old, born in 1986/1985. That means they have no memory of the Challenger and the first president they could remember is Clinton. I have 10 cousins this age or younger so I'm pretty confident that I can speak effectively to this generation.
I don't mind being required to participate in this program. What I do mind is the fact that when signing up for my Leadership course, the registrar never stated this time requirement plus another day of training. I gave up a Saturday for coaching training a couple weeks ago. Some of my classmates had to take a vacation day to attend training during the week because they couldn't make the weekend training. We had no idea what we were signing up for when we registered for this class. Within a week, I'll have to write a paper on my leadership coaching experience. Within two weeks, my group presentation is due. In 5 weeks my group project paper is due and then I will be done with this course.
I hate this course so much, I am already composing what I will be writing on the student opinion survey. On the scale of 1 to 5, I will give it all 1's and in the written comment part I will talk about how the professor is just phoning it in for a paycheck and how after 3 years in the program, this is the most worthless course I have taken. What kills me is that this course could have been kick ass if it had been taught by another professor who, you know, TEACHES.
I don't mind being required to participate in this program. What I do mind is the fact that when signing up for my Leadership course, the registrar never stated this time requirement plus another day of training. I gave up a Saturday for coaching training a couple weeks ago. Some of my classmates had to take a vacation day to attend training during the week because they couldn't make the weekend training. We had no idea what we were signing up for when we registered for this class. Within a week, I'll have to write a paper on my leadership coaching experience. Within two weeks, my group presentation is due. In 5 weeks my group project paper is due and then I will be done with this course.
I hate this course so much, I am already composing what I will be writing on the student opinion survey. On the scale of 1 to 5, I will give it all 1's and in the written comment part I will talk about how the professor is just phoning it in for a paycheck and how after 3 years in the program, this is the most worthless course I have taken. What kills me is that this course could have been kick ass if it had been taught by another professor who, you know, TEACHES.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
TMI Day
I'm not a prude but for God's sake, cover yourself up if you're dressing right in front of the door to the women's locker room! I've seen more pussy this past week than Mark Foley has in his whole life. Shazam! In general, I'm cool with the whole locker room scene but I have a couple hang-ups. I don't like talking to a complete strange while either one of us is stripping down. I especially need complete silence while I try to jam my breasts into a sports bra without breaking my neck or dislocating my shoulder. If anything, the locker room helps me make a shopping list of cool workout wear. I don't have anything cool to work out in. I wind up wearing one of the million logo T-shirts I own and yoga pants. My sneakers are cool though: pink, purple, stripey and light.
Unfortunately, my sneaks didn't spare me from a mystery pain on the bottom of my left foot while I worked out tonight. Since it's my left (stroke affected) side and I was actually feeling pretty insistent pain, I knew something had to be really off. I usually feel a dull ache if I have any pain on my left side since the feely part of my brain was nuked by the stroke. So, I got home and discovered that half the ball of my left foot was a blister that had popped. Yup, I basically lack half the skin of the ball of my foot. It's very gross and since I took a shower, stinging.
Unfortunately, my sneaks didn't spare me from a mystery pain on the bottom of my left foot while I worked out tonight. Since it's my left (stroke affected) side and I was actually feeling pretty insistent pain, I knew something had to be really off. I usually feel a dull ache if I have any pain on my left side since the feely part of my brain was nuked by the stroke. So, I got home and discovered that half the ball of my left foot was a blister that had popped. Yup, I basically lack half the skin of the ball of my foot. It's very gross and since I took a shower, stinging.
Monday, October 23, 2006
The Colors I Have Been
This is my natural hair color -->
The summer after I graduated high school, I dyed my hair this color. I was pale as snow.
From the ages 22 - 24, I dyed my hair this color.
Post-stroke at age 24, I had my hair dyed this color. It looked horrible.
Last fall I dyed my hair this color. It looked nice and natural
I stopped dye-ing my hair for a year since I wanted to see my first gray hairs. Now, it looks like I'm not going gray and I'm itching for some fun with hair dye. None of the over the counter crap, nice salon dye. I don't want blonde or black because I don't want to look like a Swiss milkmaid or a corpse. I'm thinking maybe the dark brown with some red highlights in time for the December holidays... or my birthday.
Monday's Child is Fair of Face
You know the poem, right:
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child must work for a living,
But the child that's born on the Sabbath day
Is fair and wise and good and gay.
Who knew 10% of the population was born on Sunday? I'm back at work from my long weekend. Within the first half hour back in my cubicle, I found out that a co-worker is going to be let go. She doesn't know yet. Tomorrow a bunch of corporate honchos are visiting and I guess the firing will happen then.
My weekend went very well. The FIOS installation went smoothly and quickly. Unfortunately, my downstairs neighbors were moving at the same time so it was a bit hectic in my building. My landlord acted all put out about the FIOS installation but when I told him that they were only drilling 1 extra hole in his precious apartment, he was fine with it. I have the say the guys who installed were pretty cute and had excellent communication skills. If they disappeared for a bit, one guy made sure to let me know where they were in the installation process. I also got a nifty router so I can go wireless whenever I get an airport card for my iBook. Plus, I can go wireless with my TiVo once I get the adapter. Saturday, I was a homework demon and finished a lot of work. Sunday, Adam actually did show up for movie night but he had to leave early.
My 30th birthday is Nov. 22 this year and I want to throw myself a big party. Sadly, that is the same week as Thanksgiving so I was a little limited in terms of scheduling the bash. I picked Nov. 25 because people will probably be home from the holdiay break by that evening. I'm planning on getting a restaurant to cater and going decorating crazy in my apartment (think balloons, streamers, party hats and a tiara for me). Plus, I will pick up a home karaoke machine as a gift for myself. I love throwing parties and throwing a party for myself will be extra fun!
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child must work for a living,
But the child that's born on the Sabbath day
Is fair and wise and good and gay.
Who knew 10% of the population was born on Sunday? I'm back at work from my long weekend. Within the first half hour back in my cubicle, I found out that a co-worker is going to be let go. She doesn't know yet. Tomorrow a bunch of corporate honchos are visiting and I guess the firing will happen then.
My weekend went very well. The FIOS installation went smoothly and quickly. Unfortunately, my downstairs neighbors were moving at the same time so it was a bit hectic in my building. My landlord acted all put out about the FIOS installation but when I told him that they were only drilling 1 extra hole in his precious apartment, he was fine with it. I have the say the guys who installed were pretty cute and had excellent communication skills. If they disappeared for a bit, one guy made sure to let me know where they were in the installation process. I also got a nifty router so I can go wireless whenever I get an airport card for my iBook. Plus, I can go wireless with my TiVo once I get the adapter. Saturday, I was a homework demon and finished a lot of work. Sunday, Adam actually did show up for movie night but he had to leave early.
My 30th birthday is Nov. 22 this year and I want to throw myself a big party. Sadly, that is the same week as Thanksgiving so I was a little limited in terms of scheduling the bash. I picked Nov. 25 because people will probably be home from the holdiay break by that evening. I'm planning on getting a restaurant to cater and going decorating crazy in my apartment (think balloons, streamers, party hats and a tiara for me). Plus, I will pick up a home karaoke machine as a gift for myself. I love throwing parties and throwing a party for myself will be extra fun!
Weird Dreams and Falling Off the Wagon
A couple weeks ago, I was plagued by dreams of meatloaf. Eating it. Making it. Checking the oven it was cooking in. Also a couple weeks ago, I went out to dinner at a nice restaurant. I was all prepared to order their chicken entree until I noticed that they offered meatloaf. I've been having huge cravings for red meat. I'm not pregnant or a vegetarian so I have no idea what's going on. I completely fell off the Weight Watchers wagon this weekend thanks to this craving. Burger King's angus burger made me forget the whole dieting thing. I'm so over my weekly points, its ridiculous. Don't worry, tomorrow is my weigh-in day and hopefully the horrifying shock of the number I'll see will help me claw back onto the wagon.
This weekend, I had a dream that I was a witch. My enemy wanted to have my slippers. Oh yeah, I had purple hair. In the dream, I was worried about losing my slippers because if someone bad has something that belongs to a witch, they can cast a harmful spell. Maybe I'll start writing a book where mentally ill people, aren't mentally ill. They are just trying to ward off evil spells.
This weekend, I had a dream that I was a witch. My enemy wanted to have my slippers. Oh yeah, I had purple hair. In the dream, I was worried about losing my slippers because if someone bad has something that belongs to a witch, they can cast a harmful spell. Maybe I'll start writing a book where mentally ill people, aren't mentally ill. They are just trying to ward off evil spells.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Weekend Plans
Since today is my last workday this week, I'm skipping class tonight. Which translates into the weekend starting at 5pm today for me! The class I'm skipping tonight is my blow-off Leadership course, the professor isn't even attending and we have a guest speaker. The course costs me $3,000 and I think if my tuition dollars can't compel my professor to attend his own class, why should I attend?
Friday
I'll be stuck at home until the Verizon guys show up and install my FIOS connection. Then, I will be able to make an oh so sweet call to RCN asking them to cancel my internet service. Hopefully this day off will help me recover from my nasty cold.
Saturday
After a morning electrolysis appointment, I have all day to do homework and work on the two group research projects I have due. One project is looking at the leadership skills of Gandhi, Gorbachev, and Giuiliani. My piece is researching Gorbachev and the leadership culture of the U.S.S.R. The other project is revising a business case about Dancing Deer Baking Company. I don't have a piece yet but I can work on something and claim it as my piece.
Sunday
Hitting the gym and Movie Night at Artist friend's place. This is the first Movie Night we've had since July and theoretically Adam will be in attendance. It should be interesting. I'm supplying the movie selections. Bicentennial boyfriend won't be attending since he and Artist friend are on a break. Too bad though, I really liked him. Adam's attendance is theoretical because he has a habit of not showing up/having last minute conflicts. I wonder if he's dating pink interloper by now?
Friday
I'll be stuck at home until the Verizon guys show up and install my FIOS connection. Then, I will be able to make an oh so sweet call to RCN asking them to cancel my internet service. Hopefully this day off will help me recover from my nasty cold.
Saturday
After a morning electrolysis appointment, I have all day to do homework and work on the two group research projects I have due. One project is looking at the leadership skills of Gandhi, Gorbachev, and Giuiliani. My piece is researching Gorbachev and the leadership culture of the U.S.S.R. The other project is revising a business case about Dancing Deer Baking Company. I don't have a piece yet but I can work on something and claim it as my piece.
Sunday
Hitting the gym and Movie Night at Artist friend's place. This is the first Movie Night we've had since July and theoretically Adam will be in attendance. It should be interesting. I'm supplying the movie selections. Bicentennial boyfriend won't be attending since he and Artist friend are on a break. Too bad though, I really liked him. Adam's attendance is theoretical because he has a habit of not showing up/having last minute conflicts. I wonder if he's dating pink interloper by now?
Rebound TV
The last episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer aired May 2003. My Buffyaholic friends and I scattered to the winds with no more Tuesday night viewing parties. Some of us clung onto Angel as the last remaining link to the Buffyverse but that show ended May 2004. I'm not proud of my viewing habits in the intervening years. Somehow, I wound up watching Charmed. It was a cheap and poor substitute for Buffy. Thankfully that show was put out of its misery last May.
In the intervening time, I discovered Veronica Mars. It is a fitting substitute for Buffy. Both have snarky blonde heroines trying to help people and a quirky cast of friends/enemies. Yet in a weird way, I missed the supernatural element. I missed vampires, demons, and the mythology.
One of my friends who is also a recovering Buffyaholic pointed me towards Supernatural. Hell, the title explicitly let me know what to expect. So, I checked out season 1. Ah yes, I am hooked. The other thing I missed from the Buffyverse was broody, conflicted eye candy. This show has it in SPADES!
In the intervening time, I discovered Veronica Mars. It is a fitting substitute for Buffy. Both have snarky blonde heroines trying to help people and a quirky cast of friends/enemies. Yet in a weird way, I missed the supernatural element. I missed vampires, demons, and the mythology.
One of my friends who is also a recovering Buffyaholic pointed me towards Supernatural. Hell, the title explicitly let me know what to expect. So, I checked out season 1. Ah yes, I am hooked. The other thing I missed from the Buffyverse was broody, conflicted eye candy. This show has it in SPADES!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
XX Family Tree
My mother is one of 10 children (5 sisters, 4 brothers). My mother was involved in a genetics research project a couple of years ago. She paid for the genetic testing and recently sent her swab in.
What does this mean? Women have the two XX chromosomes and men have XY. The Y chromosome is passed directly from father to son. In terms of genetics research, tracing the Y chromosome for men only goes back a couple generations. The X for women is ancient and can go back many generations. This genetics test my mother has entered will trace her X chromosome which follows the matrilineal line.
My grandparents a while ago traced our family tree from the U.S. to Canada and back to Ireland/Scotland. We have copies of suriving documentation and some family lore with no documentation. So, this test will finally prove if it's true that one of my ancestors is an Indian princess. Of course given my recent interest, I'm hoping that we'll have some Jewish genes in the mix. The coolest part of this test is that my mother's results will be the same for her 5 sisters and her sisters daughters. So basically thanks to one mouth swab, my mom has covered the X chromosome mapping for 13 family members plus me!
What does this mean? Women have the two XX chromosomes and men have XY. The Y chromosome is passed directly from father to son. In terms of genetics research, tracing the Y chromosome for men only goes back a couple generations. The X for women is ancient and can go back many generations. This genetics test my mother has entered will trace her X chromosome which follows the matrilineal line.
My grandparents a while ago traced our family tree from the U.S. to Canada and back to Ireland/Scotland. We have copies of suriving documentation and some family lore with no documentation. So, this test will finally prove if it's true that one of my ancestors is an Indian princess. Of course given my recent interest, I'm hoping that we'll have some Jewish genes in the mix. The coolest part of this test is that my mother's results will be the same for her 5 sisters and her sisters daughters. So basically thanks to one mouth swab, my mom has covered the X chromosome mapping for 13 family members plus me!
Hey You With the Face
Since I take an aspirin daily, I tend to bruise easily. Right now I have a bruise on my right arm that looks like I was thrown down a flight of stairs. Whenever I get these odd bruises, I like to imagine what they could look like to outsiders. Bar fight, car accident, or domestic abuse.
The best bruising I ever had was when I got my wisdom teeth out. The entire left side of my jaw and face were mottled with yellow and purple bruises. My boss and I came to the conclusion that telling people I was in a bar fight would work best to explain my face.
The best bruising I ever had was when I got my wisdom teeth out. The entire left side of my jaw and face were mottled with yellow and purple bruises. My boss and I came to the conclusion that telling people I was in a bar fight would work best to explain my face.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Back at Work and Up Two Pounds
I tried to go to sleep early last night but had such a hard time winding down, I took some sleeping pills. Usually, I try to avoid taking sleeping pills because they make my morning very hazy despite the amount of caffeine I inhale. Today, I discovered that if you allot more than 8 hours for sleep the take sleeping pills, you can be perkily awake at 7AM. Ah ha! Simply Sleep is my savior.
I blame my weight gain this week on the sweater I'm wearing and Trader Joe's peanut butter/toffee cake. I believe dealing with weight gain can go through stages similar to grief.
1. DENIAL - I didn't gain weight, this store's sizes are screwed up.
2. ANGER - stupid media touting freaks of nature with fast metabolisms as the "norm"!
3. BARGAINING - if I have this cookie, I will spend every day at the gym
4. DEPRESSION - I will never be skinny. I will always be stuck eating tubs of ice cream in my sweats. Hand me another spoon
5. SHIRKING RESPONSIBILITY - Oh, I'm just big boned/ it's my genes/it's my time of the month.
What kills me is that I gained for the week when I finally got my butt back to the gym. Sigh...
I blame my weight gain this week on the sweater I'm wearing and Trader Joe's peanut butter/toffee cake. I believe dealing with weight gain can go through stages similar to grief.
1. DENIAL - I didn't gain weight, this store's sizes are screwed up.
2. ANGER - stupid media touting freaks of nature with fast metabolisms as the "norm"!
3. BARGAINING - if I have this cookie, I will spend every day at the gym
4. DEPRESSION - I will never be skinny. I will always be stuck eating tubs of ice cream in my sweats. Hand me another spoon
5. SHIRKING RESPONSIBILITY - Oh, I'm just big boned/ it's my genes/it's my time of the month.
What kills me is that I gained for the week when I finally got my butt back to the gym. Sigh...
Monday, October 16, 2006
Like Clockwork
I usually get sick twice a year. Sometimes three times, depending how bad the winter is. I'm particularly susceptible during the changover from season to season. Spring to summer makes my allergies go haywire and therefore I come down with a sinus infection or bronchitis. October, the settling into autumn, messes with me. If I've been hibernating for months due to bad weather, I get sick in February as well.
Sure enough, I'm stuck at home - taking a sick day because my head feels like it's in a vice and my throat in on fire. Sleeping in didn't help, I just got a really sore back. Tea and lozenges have potential. Soup and a hot bath are my plans for tonight. Tomorrow, I have to get back to work since I planned a company sundae party and am the only contact with our vendor. Yeah, I know, tough life dragging myself back to a job where I'll get to devour gourmet ice cream with 8 different toppings.
For the first time in ages, I went to the local Blockbuster. I knocked off some titles from my Netflix queue. Seriously, how would Blockbuster still do business without the sick and unemployed? At least, I'm getting a lot of reading for my MBA classes done today and have discovered both my sofas are incredibly comfortable for lounging in the classic post-nasal drip drainage position.
Drink that water, wash your hands and keep popping those vitamins, people! This cold that's going around is a doozy.
Sure enough, I'm stuck at home - taking a sick day because my head feels like it's in a vice and my throat in on fire. Sleeping in didn't help, I just got a really sore back. Tea and lozenges have potential. Soup and a hot bath are my plans for tonight. Tomorrow, I have to get back to work since I planned a company sundae party and am the only contact with our vendor. Yeah, I know, tough life dragging myself back to a job where I'll get to devour gourmet ice cream with 8 different toppings.
For the first time in ages, I went to the local Blockbuster. I knocked off some titles from my Netflix queue. Seriously, how would Blockbuster still do business without the sick and unemployed? At least, I'm getting a lot of reading for my MBA classes done today and have discovered both my sofas are incredibly comfortable for lounging in the classic post-nasal drip drainage position.
Drink that water, wash your hands and keep popping those vitamins, people! This cold that's going around is a doozy.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
What's the Point?
I have a confession to make. I simply do not understand drive-by anonymous blog comments. What is the point? Own your point of view. Because if you don't, you know your comment will disappear. I know the internet is great for the anonymity and virtual getting to know someone part. The internet is also great because I've been able to write a blog for over a year that entertains and keeps people updated on my life.
Birds Eye View
Places I’ve Been:
Canada, Great Britain, Iceland, Luxemburg, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary. Plus various places in the U.S. (not west of the Mississippi though)
Things I’ve Done:
Taught music, played oboe, taught myself to play the piano, spoke French fluently, learned how to play a euphonium, played Aunt Eller in “Oklahoma”, played Hattie in “Kiss Me Kate”, soloed in Mozart’s Regina Coeli and Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit, pledged a sorority, played in a marching band, was treasurer and Vice president of sorority, was fundraising chair and Personnel manager of marching band, earned a B.A. in history, bought a car, survived a massive stroke, and doubled my earning potential in five years.
What I Need to Work on:
My weight, trust, patience, and my love life.
In 5 Years I…
… will have a new demanding job.
… will live in a place that has off-street parking
… will be dating
….will have a cat
… will have converted to Judaism
In 10 Years I…
… will be married
… will own a house
… have been to CA at least once
Canada, Great Britain, Iceland, Luxemburg, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Hungary. Plus various places in the U.S. (not west of the Mississippi though)
Things I’ve Done:
Taught music, played oboe, taught myself to play the piano, spoke French fluently, learned how to play a euphonium, played Aunt Eller in “Oklahoma”, played Hattie in “Kiss Me Kate”, soloed in Mozart’s Regina Coeli and Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit, pledged a sorority, played in a marching band, was treasurer and Vice president of sorority, was fundraising chair and Personnel manager of marching band, earned a B.A. in history, bought a car, survived a massive stroke, and doubled my earning potential in five years.
What I Need to Work on:
My weight, trust, patience, and my love life.
In 5 Years I…
… will have a new demanding job.
… will live in a place that has off-street parking
… will be dating
….will have a cat
… will have converted to Judaism
In 10 Years I…
… will be married
… will own a house
… have been to CA at least once
Le Chat Est Sur la Table
Registration for my last semester in the MBA program starts next week. I just need 6 more credits for my degree. It's weird to think about how all this will be over after four years and two jobs. Plus, it will be odd to attend a college graduation where my name will be read. I got my B.A. from Umass Amherst, where the ceremony was held in a stadium, we just stood up and sat down to graduate.
My grand plan for my final semester is to take an intensive elective, which is a course over two weekends (1.5 credits). Start off the semester with two courses: a brand marketing course (3 credits) and a technical presentation elective (1.5 credits). The technical presentation elective only lasts until March so I will end my last semester taking one course a week, Brand Marketing. I've heard great things about the presentation elective. A lot of it is playing familiar acting games to loosen yourself up and you're supposed to give a 5 minute presentation each week. As my speech has gotten better over the years, my fear of public speaking has diminished but it is still higher than what is normal for me. Plus, I'd like not to feel like I suck after every presentation. Marketing is usually a fluff topic and I've heard good things about the professor so it looks like a good choice for my last class.
Speaking of classes, I've decided the Hebrew class is a waste of my time so I will skip the last two classes. Yeah, I'm not happy wasting $200 on the class but at least I got a good textbook out of it! Ever since I've been an adult, I have no patience for language classes. Invariably, they go too slowly and are never challenging enough. If a class takes more than 5 weeks to teach the Hebrew alphabet, it's ridiculous. Back in college, when I took a German class, the whole semester was wasted learning nouns. What's the point? Just teach me verb conjugations and I'll build my vocabulary on my own without repeating rote sentences about " I am going to the library." or "The cat is under the table."
Tuesday night, my group got our first assignment back. A- baby! That evening was hilarious. Before class, I grabbed a salad in the cafe and wound up bumping into 4 former classmates. As I found a place to eat my dinner outside, a group was working on their finance project right next to me. I'm such an eavesdropper, I wound up giving them some advice on how to look at the financial statements. That evening, I felt like such a vet in the groove of MBA-ness.
My grand plan for my final semester is to take an intensive elective, which is a course over two weekends (1.5 credits). Start off the semester with two courses: a brand marketing course (3 credits) and a technical presentation elective (1.5 credits). The technical presentation elective only lasts until March so I will end my last semester taking one course a week, Brand Marketing. I've heard great things about the presentation elective. A lot of it is playing familiar acting games to loosen yourself up and you're supposed to give a 5 minute presentation each week. As my speech has gotten better over the years, my fear of public speaking has diminished but it is still higher than what is normal for me. Plus, I'd like not to feel like I suck after every presentation. Marketing is usually a fluff topic and I've heard good things about the professor so it looks like a good choice for my last class.
Speaking of classes, I've decided the Hebrew class is a waste of my time so I will skip the last two classes. Yeah, I'm not happy wasting $200 on the class but at least I got a good textbook out of it! Ever since I've been an adult, I have no patience for language classes. Invariably, they go too slowly and are never challenging enough. If a class takes more than 5 weeks to teach the Hebrew alphabet, it's ridiculous. Back in college, when I took a German class, the whole semester was wasted learning nouns. What's the point? Just teach me verb conjugations and I'll build my vocabulary on my own without repeating rote sentences about " I am going to the library." or "The cat is under the table."
Tuesday night, my group got our first assignment back. A- baby! That evening was hilarious. Before class, I grabbed a salad in the cafe and wound up bumping into 4 former classmates. As I found a place to eat my dinner outside, a group was working on their finance project right next to me. I'm such an eavesdropper, I wound up giving them some advice on how to look at the financial statements. That evening, I felt like such a vet in the groove of MBA-ness.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Superstar
I don't know what happened between last year and this year. Last year, I had no desire to try out for solos in my chorus even though that was my thing in high school. This year I have the hunger for a solo especially for this Hebrew song, Adonai Roi, we're singing. I know at least one other soprano who is interested too so I've kept my eyes on her. She doesn't know how to read music and this is her first year in the chorus. She's TOAST!
For a while I looked back at my high school self with pity. Why? My drive to win roles and solos seemed to me obvious ploys for approval. Even though the message being beaten into me at home was that I'm a worthless bitch, at least I had some way to prove to myself that I'm talented and worth something. What better way to gain approval than audition for a surrogate father figure? Ironies of ironies the music director wound up teaching at a new high school where he was fired for molesting a teenager. Even my surrogate father figures are mental!
Maybe that view is wrong and too cynical. Every time I was scared out of my wits performing on-stage. Repetition didn't help. Maybe I'm an adrenaline/challenge junkie?
For a while I looked back at my high school self with pity. Why? My drive to win roles and solos seemed to me obvious ploys for approval. Even though the message being beaten into me at home was that I'm a worthless bitch, at least I had some way to prove to myself that I'm talented and worth something. What better way to gain approval than audition for a surrogate father figure? Ironies of ironies the music director wound up teaching at a new high school where he was fired for molesting a teenager. Even my surrogate father figures are mental!
Maybe that view is wrong and too cynical. Every time I was scared out of my wits performing on-stage. Repetition didn't help. Maybe I'm an adrenaline/challenge junkie?
Monday, October 09, 2006
Screw RCN!
I switched to RCN a couple years ago since Comcast became too expensive for me. RCN has hiked their fees every six months even though they are constantly plagued with service issues. Now, they are more expensive than Comcast. The final piece de resistance is that I have had missing channels for two weeks ever since they began their program guide upgrade. The program guide has been upgraded to this obnoxious useless on-screen menu. So, I'm jumping ship to either Comcast or Verizon. Verizon has a cool new internet option, FIOS, that is incredibly affordable. They also offer a TV package but I don't know if they offer it in my area. Yup, it looks like I might be able to spend less than $100/month for my internet and TV soon!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Amazing Wedding and Reception
My friend is now a Mrs. She looked beautiful and her wedding ceremony was a full Catholic mass. It was kind of fun sitting there as a potential Jew listening to the priest's coded messages in his sermon. Hmmm... I wonder what "preserving marriage" meant? Or why he kept talking about having Catholic children? It was neat not participating in Communion for a reason too. Before, I was left out because I was never baptised. Now, I am left out because I'm a Jew.
The reception was held at the Tirrell Room. It was gorgeous and the bar was open for the first hour. On top of that, I wound up sitting with a couple of old high school friends. Back in high school, I was part of a triad of gal pals. My new Mrs. friend was part of the triad and violin playing weirdo was the third person. We had a ball in high school. So, who was the first person I saw at the reception? The violin playing weirdo friend who I hadn't seen for almost a decade. At first, I didn't recognize her and when it clicked we wound up catching up a bit. Then, it turned out we were assigned to the same table.
I seriously haven't laughed so hard for a while. Sitting next to her, we fell into the same groove we had back in high school. A lot has happened to us in the intervening years and it was nice to realize we kind of stumbled along the same path seperately. We wound up being the rowdy corner of our table. As we got strange looks due to our snorting laughter, we'd tell people with a straight face that we had just met. The passed hors d'oeuvres were delicious and we gobbled them up. The bacon wrapped scallops became an obsession. We joked about how many we'd grab the next time the waitress passed. Then, we came up with the best excuse: we had a diabetic boyfriend who needs to graze to keep his blood sugar up. Oh, where is he now? In the bathroom doing a stick test. Ha!
The other high school friend at the table was one half of twin brothers a grade below us. He was involved in the music dept. and now he's married, living in CT and teaches 6th grade science. Him and I had fun making inapproproate jokes plus he's the one who observed after another eye-watering snort filled laughing fit with violin weirdo, "You two just picked up where you left off, didn't you?" I am fully aware of the irony of all this considering my snooty previous post about not changing from high school. When things got too silly, I would straighten my face into a somber expression, fold my hands on the table and mention how mature I am and then move into a snooty accent about the stock market or how I winter in Vail. Good times... One of the best compliments I got all night and almost made me cry was from violin weirdo friend she told me that I look great and haven't aged a day since high school. Aww!
I have to say, I did look great thanks to my mom lending me her collection of pashminas. I wound up wearing this soft rose colored one. Plus, I picked up some new makeup. I really have to recommend this long-lasting lipstick and this eyeliner.
Oh yes, remember how an ex-boyfriend was supposed to be at the wedding? He was one of the ushers. He was there with his fiancee. I'm telling you, I'm ALWAYs the last date before engagement. It's like a curse!
The reception was held at the Tirrell Room. It was gorgeous and the bar was open for the first hour. On top of that, I wound up sitting with a couple of old high school friends. Back in high school, I was part of a triad of gal pals. My new Mrs. friend was part of the triad and violin playing weirdo was the third person. We had a ball in high school. So, who was the first person I saw at the reception? The violin playing weirdo friend who I hadn't seen for almost a decade. At first, I didn't recognize her and when it clicked we wound up catching up a bit. Then, it turned out we were assigned to the same table.
I seriously haven't laughed so hard for a while. Sitting next to her, we fell into the same groove we had back in high school. A lot has happened to us in the intervening years and it was nice to realize we kind of stumbled along the same path seperately. We wound up being the rowdy corner of our table. As we got strange looks due to our snorting laughter, we'd tell people with a straight face that we had just met. The passed hors d'oeuvres were delicious and we gobbled them up. The bacon wrapped scallops became an obsession. We joked about how many we'd grab the next time the waitress passed. Then, we came up with the best excuse: we had a diabetic boyfriend who needs to graze to keep his blood sugar up. Oh, where is he now? In the bathroom doing a stick test. Ha!
The other high school friend at the table was one half of twin brothers a grade below us. He was involved in the music dept. and now he's married, living in CT and teaches 6th grade science. Him and I had fun making inapproproate jokes plus he's the one who observed after another eye-watering snort filled laughing fit with violin weirdo, "You two just picked up where you left off, didn't you?" I am fully aware of the irony of all this considering my snooty previous post about not changing from high school. When things got too silly, I would straighten my face into a somber expression, fold my hands on the table and mention how mature I am and then move into a snooty accent about the stock market or how I winter in Vail. Good times... One of the best compliments I got all night and almost made me cry was from violin weirdo friend she told me that I look great and haven't aged a day since high school. Aww!
I have to say, I did look great thanks to my mom lending me her collection of pashminas. I wound up wearing this soft rose colored one. Plus, I picked up some new makeup. I really have to recommend this long-lasting lipstick and this eyeliner.
Oh yes, remember how an ex-boyfriend was supposed to be at the wedding? He was one of the ushers. He was there with his fiancee. I'm telling you, I'm ALWAYs the last date before engagement. It's like a curse!
Friday, October 06, 2006
Two Degrees and a Decade
Last night I was hit by the question of "Is it bad not to have changed ever since high school?" I have always been of the opinion that it is bad not to have changed.
It turns out one of my classmates used to work with high school buddy, before high school buddy got laid off and moved to PA. Just listening to his description of high school buddy at work, highlighted why high school buddy is still HIGH SCHOOL buddy. According to my classmate, HS buddy was a misfit at work but generally liked and he always did the bare minimum of work expected of him. Wow, rewind 12 years and that is what he was like in high school. Hell, I was like that too!
Then I remembered a conversation from a couple years ago. I was trying to encourage HS buddy to go back to school. His response was that he hated school and resented homework/assignments. Which struck me as odd for a 26 year old who constantly complained about his job. Sure, I don't love homework but I'm willing to put in the work and withstand the inconvenience so I can improve my professional life. Maybe he's one of those people who puts minimal effort into his own life and enjoys complaining about the lack of rewards/recognition. You know those people. The ones who whine, "What? They want me to woooorrrkk!"
I understand ruts, I complain a lot too but if I have any control over the situation I try to fix it or work to make it better. I guess that's the difference between living a passive life vs. an active life. I've had enough crap happen to me out of my control and being powerless left a deep impression on me. At least I've learned to notice the world around me and will say, "No, this is enough. Stop." if needed. I also have a couple trusted people in my life who can spot me rowing up the River of Denial and make me realize, "Aw crap, what am I doing!"
My latest realization came with Yom Kippur. I have been driving like a maniac for a while: tail-gating, flipping people off, wearing down my brakes and horn. I have been working on my driving all week and so far so good.
It turns out one of my classmates used to work with high school buddy, before high school buddy got laid off and moved to PA. Just listening to his description of high school buddy at work, highlighted why high school buddy is still HIGH SCHOOL buddy. According to my classmate, HS buddy was a misfit at work but generally liked and he always did the bare minimum of work expected of him. Wow, rewind 12 years and that is what he was like in high school. Hell, I was like that too!
Then I remembered a conversation from a couple years ago. I was trying to encourage HS buddy to go back to school. His response was that he hated school and resented homework/assignments. Which struck me as odd for a 26 year old who constantly complained about his job. Sure, I don't love homework but I'm willing to put in the work and withstand the inconvenience so I can improve my professional life. Maybe he's one of those people who puts minimal effort into his own life and enjoys complaining about the lack of rewards/recognition. You know those people. The ones who whine, "What? They want me to woooorrrkk!"
I understand ruts, I complain a lot too but if I have any control over the situation I try to fix it or work to make it better. I guess that's the difference between living a passive life vs. an active life. I've had enough crap happen to me out of my control and being powerless left a deep impression on me. At least I've learned to notice the world around me and will say, "No, this is enough. Stop." if needed. I also have a couple trusted people in my life who can spot me rowing up the River of Denial and make me realize, "Aw crap, what am I doing!"
My latest realization came with Yom Kippur. I have been driving like a maniac for a while: tail-gating, flipping people off, wearing down my brakes and horn. I have been working on my driving all week and so far so good.
Working in a Coal Mine Going Down...
I have been working ever since I was 14 and I've had some interesting experiences. Actually, I've been working ever since I was 11 but I'm not counting babysitting. I'm counting jobs where I earned a paycheck.
My first job lasted two years (ages 14 - 16). I worked as a clerk at a local clothing store. Since I was a teen, most of my paycheck went into buying clothes. I met my first uncloseted gay person at this job. The poor guy got really harrassed by some co-workers. These co-workers weren't cream of the crop though. One guy was particularly gross and kept telling me that I didn't look like a teenager. He wound up getting fired when management found out he had a police record for drunk driving that wound up killing a toddler. I remember a particularly flustering customer experience: a priest was in my check-out line with a basket full of underwear. As I rang up everything, I was so perturbed by the thought of a priest wearing tighty whities, I screwed up something and turned magenta when I wound up having to page a manager.
After I quit the clothing store job, I wound up working for the local CVS. That lasted two years as well. We got a 20% off discount that extended to our family. I was a cashier and the work was pretty ho-hum. For some reason I was cigarette blind for this job. When a customer asked for a certain brand of cigarettes, I wound stand in front of the case scanning the package labels until the customer got fed up and directed me to the correct pack. I loved Marlboro smokers because I could always find that bright red pack. Cashiers are supposed to "face" the aisles during down-time. Facing is straightening up products on shelves. I hated trying to multi-task and hearing the customer ring the bell for a cashier. One night I was closing up the store when a customer tried to get in. The door was locked and I shouted through saying we're closed. Then, he went apeshit screaming about how he needed his medication and started banging on the door. I slowly edged out of his line of sight and had a male co-worker walk me to my car. My senior year in high school, I played Aunt Eller in the annual high school musical. The show was sold out every night. It was very weird working at CVS during that time. I would have customers giving me strange looks and finally figuring out where they knew me from. My brief encounter with fame, sigh... Then, I went off to college and tried to pick up shifts during breaks but that didn't really work out so I quit.
I held a variety of jobs during the college years. For winter breaks, I worked for the Ford Foundation at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard. I was part of a team who processed grant applications. It was pretty interesting work and made me research government processes. There were some strange applications i.e. for non-nuclear mulch.
The summer between freshman year and sophomore year, I worked at Continental Cablevision as a customer service rep. I had a headset, made service calls and pay your bill calls. I had to learn how to say pay your bills in Spanish when I called Lowell. Then, after a couple months my boss promoted me to manager so I got to get off the phones, manage shifts and use the computer to schedule service appointments. During this time, my family got free cable with all the movie stations. Even though I only worked for the summer, my family got free cable for almost a year.
The winter of sophomore year, I got a job at Moto Photo. It was pretty fun preparing negatives and seeing the whole process behind picture development. I did occasional cashier work. The store charged outrageous prices for film development - since I got a discount, I could afford the development. The owner was pretty scattered and manic. I tried to work full-time during the summer between sophomore and junior year but her mania and erraticness got worse and worse. She lost the negatives for a $500 portrait shoot for a Harvard grad and tried to pin the blame on me and my co-workers. I wound up quitting in July.
The summer between junior and senior year, I lived in Amherst alone. I tried working for Clean Water Action and lasted a day. I didn't mind canvassing neighborhoods asking for money but I did mind canvassing obviously depressed neighborhoods where folks were barely getting by. One particular visit broke me. It was an elderly woman who seemed very lonely, got to talking about her husbands surgery and all the bills they had piling up. Then, he showed up in the doorway with a huge scar on his torso. I lamely tried my spiel and when they turned me down, I walked around the corner, sat down and started crying. When I gave my notice, I found out the manager who oversaw my group had been accused of sexually harrassing girls and I was asked if I was quitting due to that. Luckily, I wasn't. Since I had rent to pay, I got a temp job. The agency I worked for were excellent and got me a steady stream of jobs in the area. In mid-July, an opening came up at Phoenix Life Insurance for a mail team member. That job lasted 6 weeks, paid amazingly well, and was one of the most fun jobs I ever had. A bunch of college age temps sat around a table stuffing envelopes for 8 hours. We got to bring in music and talk all day. As the weeks passed by, the group dwindled. There was this one guy, Nate, who I had my eye on. In the last couple of weeks, it was just him and I. We wound up hanging out after work as well. I kind of thought we were dating but in retrospect I think we weren't. Thus began my weakness for male co-workers.
After I graduated (barely), I got a job in Boston at a performing arts organization as an Admin. The job paid horribly but gave me a nice group of friends. Plus, working in Boston with friends means fun in the city. This is where I met Adam. Yes, I was a peon. I had two bosses. One was very supportive and understanding, the other was a bitch on wheels. When she was in the office, the mood was considerably darker. If I was screamed at, at least I had the support of my friends. That group of friends started dwindling after a year. In fact, 3 gave their notice within 1 month. I couldn't work at the company without the moral support so I wound up quitting as well with no plan, no job lined up. Hell, I was living with my parents rent-free.
Over four months, I used up my savings and wound up looking for a job. I got a faculty admin job at a local college. That job started out great but over four and half years, constant staff turnover, two different bosses, and faculty sabbaticals it became hell.
So, here I am at my 8th job working at a laboratory device manufacturing company as a staff admin earning more money than I have ever earned, with a supportive boss, and endless opportunity in the company. A pretty good path I have taken, huh?
My first job lasted two years (ages 14 - 16). I worked as a clerk at a local clothing store. Since I was a teen, most of my paycheck went into buying clothes. I met my first uncloseted gay person at this job. The poor guy got really harrassed by some co-workers. These co-workers weren't cream of the crop though. One guy was particularly gross and kept telling me that I didn't look like a teenager. He wound up getting fired when management found out he had a police record for drunk driving that wound up killing a toddler. I remember a particularly flustering customer experience: a priest was in my check-out line with a basket full of underwear. As I rang up everything, I was so perturbed by the thought of a priest wearing tighty whities, I screwed up something and turned magenta when I wound up having to page a manager.
After I quit the clothing store job, I wound up working for the local CVS. That lasted two years as well. We got a 20% off discount that extended to our family. I was a cashier and the work was pretty ho-hum. For some reason I was cigarette blind for this job. When a customer asked for a certain brand of cigarettes, I wound stand in front of the case scanning the package labels until the customer got fed up and directed me to the correct pack. I loved Marlboro smokers because I could always find that bright red pack. Cashiers are supposed to "face" the aisles during down-time. Facing is straightening up products on shelves. I hated trying to multi-task and hearing the customer ring the bell for a cashier. One night I was closing up the store when a customer tried to get in. The door was locked and I shouted through saying we're closed. Then, he went apeshit screaming about how he needed his medication and started banging on the door. I slowly edged out of his line of sight and had a male co-worker walk me to my car. My senior year in high school, I played Aunt Eller in the annual high school musical. The show was sold out every night. It was very weird working at CVS during that time. I would have customers giving me strange looks and finally figuring out where they knew me from. My brief encounter with fame, sigh... Then, I went off to college and tried to pick up shifts during breaks but that didn't really work out so I quit.
I held a variety of jobs during the college years. For winter breaks, I worked for the Ford Foundation at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard. I was part of a team who processed grant applications. It was pretty interesting work and made me research government processes. There were some strange applications i.e. for non-nuclear mulch.
The summer between freshman year and sophomore year, I worked at Continental Cablevision as a customer service rep. I had a headset, made service calls and pay your bill calls. I had to learn how to say pay your bills in Spanish when I called Lowell. Then, after a couple months my boss promoted me to manager so I got to get off the phones, manage shifts and use the computer to schedule service appointments. During this time, my family got free cable with all the movie stations. Even though I only worked for the summer, my family got free cable for almost a year.
The winter of sophomore year, I got a job at Moto Photo. It was pretty fun preparing negatives and seeing the whole process behind picture development. I did occasional cashier work. The store charged outrageous prices for film development - since I got a discount, I could afford the development. The owner was pretty scattered and manic. I tried to work full-time during the summer between sophomore and junior year but her mania and erraticness got worse and worse. She lost the negatives for a $500 portrait shoot for a Harvard grad and tried to pin the blame on me and my co-workers. I wound up quitting in July.
The summer between junior and senior year, I lived in Amherst alone. I tried working for Clean Water Action and lasted a day. I didn't mind canvassing neighborhoods asking for money but I did mind canvassing obviously depressed neighborhoods where folks were barely getting by. One particular visit broke me. It was an elderly woman who seemed very lonely, got to talking about her husbands surgery and all the bills they had piling up. Then, he showed up in the doorway with a huge scar on his torso. I lamely tried my spiel and when they turned me down, I walked around the corner, sat down and started crying. When I gave my notice, I found out the manager who oversaw my group had been accused of sexually harrassing girls and I was asked if I was quitting due to that. Luckily, I wasn't. Since I had rent to pay, I got a temp job. The agency I worked for were excellent and got me a steady stream of jobs in the area. In mid-July, an opening came up at Phoenix Life Insurance for a mail team member. That job lasted 6 weeks, paid amazingly well, and was one of the most fun jobs I ever had. A bunch of college age temps sat around a table stuffing envelopes for 8 hours. We got to bring in music and talk all day. As the weeks passed by, the group dwindled. There was this one guy, Nate, who I had my eye on. In the last couple of weeks, it was just him and I. We wound up hanging out after work as well. I kind of thought we were dating but in retrospect I think we weren't. Thus began my weakness for male co-workers.
After I graduated (barely), I got a job in Boston at a performing arts organization as an Admin. The job paid horribly but gave me a nice group of friends. Plus, working in Boston with friends means fun in the city. This is where I met Adam. Yes, I was a peon. I had two bosses. One was very supportive and understanding, the other was a bitch on wheels. When she was in the office, the mood was considerably darker. If I was screamed at, at least I had the support of my friends. That group of friends started dwindling after a year. In fact, 3 gave their notice within 1 month. I couldn't work at the company without the moral support so I wound up quitting as well with no plan, no job lined up. Hell, I was living with my parents rent-free.
Over four months, I used up my savings and wound up looking for a job. I got a faculty admin job at a local college. That job started out great but over four and half years, constant staff turnover, two different bosses, and faculty sabbaticals it became hell.
So, here I am at my 8th job working at a laboratory device manufacturing company as a staff admin earning more money than I have ever earned, with a supportive boss, and endless opportunity in the company. A pretty good path I have taken, huh?
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Wedding Outfit
Saturday evening, I am going to a wedding and reception. This is the dress I am planning on wearing. Obviously, I need to accessorize like crazy. Since it's sleeveless, I was thinking a shrug or bolero would look good. If that doesn't ork, I could always use a cool scarf. I have cute heels and a nice bag. I'm all set for jewelry. Did I mention that an ex-boyfriend might be at the wedding and I'm going stag? No outfit pressure!
Jumbled Thoughts
TV
I was going to cancel my season pass for "Studio 60 on Sunset" because the first two episodes didn't hook me. But this past week's episode, "Focus Group", was a stay of execution.
The Veronica Mars season premiere was pretty good. I don't get Keith's storyline and who exactly did Cormac kill? I appreciated the shirtless Logan scene a lot and I have mucho nerd love for them referencing Battlestar Galactica's "frak".
Lost's premiere was a steaming pile of shit. I really don't need to see yet another episode of Jack yelling, Jack crying, and a Jack flashback. What is the purpose of Kate's character? Oh yes, being a point in the love triangle and taking showers. I still can't believe this show is popular considering how convoluted and unoriginal it is.
Life
Adam's birthday is this weekend and he is inviting people to spend $35 to play a citywide James Bond-esque mystery game. Sadly, I cannot attend because I have a wedding that day. But still, what the hell kind of birthday is requiring people to spend money to hang out with you?
I'm starting to hate my Hebrew class. I like the learning and the teacher is great but the main things I hate are the speed we're going and topics covered. Basically, we aren't going at any speed. It feels like we're in neutral and the teacher doesn't want to push us to learn. This is our fifth class and we're still singing the Alef Bet song! I feel like I actually learn something for 20 minutes and the rest of the 40, I space out. Also, most of the class are Born Jews and there are only a couple converts like me but for some reason the teacher feels the need to cram in some Intro to Judaism stuff into class (where we're SUPPOSED to be learning Hebrew). Seriously, I didn't need to hear an explanation of a sukkah, etrog, and lulav. I took a class for 18 weeks over the summer where I learned that stuff (which cost me $275). The Hebrew class costs $200 and we have 3 more classes left. I'll be lucky if I can read single sentence after this class!
My Thursday night class is Leadership. I have a group consisting of 4 other guys: girl pretty guy, chubby Indian guy, German young'un guy, and a fellow veteran MBA student. We have a group memo due today explaining the focus of our group project. I worked on a draft last week. Veteran MBA guy worked on the memo over the weekend and no one did anything else until today after I sent out an email saying, "Listen this is what we have to hand in. If you don't like it you can write something. I really hope this is not how we'll work on our group project!" Thankfully chubby Indian guy wrote a better memo today. I don't understand whether people are lazy or just need someone to give them instructions. Since I was the lead organizer and communicator for the first month of class, I thought I could depend on someone else to pick up the slack if I took a backseat this week. Oh well...
I have discovered a new prejudice of mine. I hate Russian students. How did I come to this conclusion? I've been in several classes with them and have noticed a commonality I loathe. They act like it's a class of one, it's the teachers duty to answer their questions even though they ask completely off-topic questions. For example, if it's Negotiations class, why waste time asking about policy decisions of the World Bank? I don't want to listen to your complaints about learning the Hebrew alphabet or your need to debate the Rabbi on some obscure point. I guess I loathe anyone who makes me waste classtime. I'm not up to my eyeballs in student loans to listen to your yapping!
I was going to cancel my season pass for "Studio 60 on Sunset" because the first two episodes didn't hook me. But this past week's episode, "Focus Group", was a stay of execution.
The Veronica Mars season premiere was pretty good. I don't get Keith's storyline and who exactly did Cormac kill? I appreciated the shirtless Logan scene a lot and I have mucho nerd love for them referencing Battlestar Galactica's "frak".
Lost's premiere was a steaming pile of shit. I really don't need to see yet another episode of Jack yelling, Jack crying, and a Jack flashback. What is the purpose of Kate's character? Oh yes, being a point in the love triangle and taking showers. I still can't believe this show is popular considering how convoluted and unoriginal it is.
Life
Adam's birthday is this weekend and he is inviting people to spend $35 to play a citywide James Bond-esque mystery game. Sadly, I cannot attend because I have a wedding that day. But still, what the hell kind of birthday is requiring people to spend money to hang out with you?
I'm starting to hate my Hebrew class. I like the learning and the teacher is great but the main things I hate are the speed we're going and topics covered. Basically, we aren't going at any speed. It feels like we're in neutral and the teacher doesn't want to push us to learn. This is our fifth class and we're still singing the Alef Bet song! I feel like I actually learn something for 20 minutes and the rest of the 40, I space out. Also, most of the class are Born Jews and there are only a couple converts like me but for some reason the teacher feels the need to cram in some Intro to Judaism stuff into class (where we're SUPPOSED to be learning Hebrew). Seriously, I didn't need to hear an explanation of a sukkah, etrog, and lulav. I took a class for 18 weeks over the summer where I learned that stuff (which cost me $275). The Hebrew class costs $200 and we have 3 more classes left. I'll be lucky if I can read single sentence after this class!
My Thursday night class is Leadership. I have a group consisting of 4 other guys: girl pretty guy, chubby Indian guy, German young'un guy, and a fellow veteran MBA student. We have a group memo due today explaining the focus of our group project. I worked on a draft last week. Veteran MBA guy worked on the memo over the weekend and no one did anything else until today after I sent out an email saying, "Listen this is what we have to hand in. If you don't like it you can write something. I really hope this is not how we'll work on our group project!" Thankfully chubby Indian guy wrote a better memo today. I don't understand whether people are lazy or just need someone to give them instructions. Since I was the lead organizer and communicator for the first month of class, I thought I could depend on someone else to pick up the slack if I took a backseat this week. Oh well...
I have discovered a new prejudice of mine. I hate Russian students. How did I come to this conclusion? I've been in several classes with them and have noticed a commonality I loathe. They act like it's a class of one, it's the teachers duty to answer their questions even though they ask completely off-topic questions. For example, if it's Negotiations class, why waste time asking about policy decisions of the World Bank? I don't want to listen to your complaints about learning the Hebrew alphabet or your need to debate the Rabbi on some obscure point. I guess I loathe anyone who makes me waste classtime. I'm not up to my eyeballs in student loans to listen to your yapping!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
La Partie et Le Jeu
I forgot that I never wrote about the party I threw this weekend! It was quite simply one of the best parties I've thrown. The best party was the New Years bash my brother and I threw at our parents house several years ago. The worst was the New Years party last year where only 3 people showed up and left before midnight.
This weekend's party was a Murder Mystery party set on a train in 1940's Paris where I assigned guests a role - which is very tricky as RSVP's came in. I had invited 15 people. There were 8 roles so I doubled up assignments. Ultimately, 5 people came to the party and it worked out fine. I had my teddy bear as a stand-in for a character.
The part I'm most pleased about was the dishes I cooked. Everything was delicious and done on-time. I didn't have to slave over the stove in my cocktail dress and complete makeup. The actual murder mystery game was fun but I should have read the instructions more thoroughly beforehand. I'm the type of gal who jumps in and realizes, "Oh crap I should play a tape." a round too late. I played an American reporter who had a bad habit of completely fabricating stories and killing people. Hell, basically every person killed someone in their past but now we had to figure out who killed the victim in the game. Heh "victim"... She completely had it coming.
Brandy was sipped, wine was drunk, and accusations flew. I had fun bursting out with "J'accuse!" randomly. The revelations came fast and furious. I knew there was something up with the guy who had the flashy mustache... In the end, the twist was huge and the murderer figured out the plot. Throughout the night we wondered if all of us had snuck in to kill the victim. Stabbing a corpse, poisoning someone who was bleeding to death, and finally stangulation. To make sure it was done RIGHT, you know? The game ended around 11PM and people hung around until 1AM. The second everyone left, I was in my PJ's cleaning up. I was happy people had fun and pooped.
This weekend's party was a Murder Mystery party set on a train in 1940's Paris where I assigned guests a role - which is very tricky as RSVP's came in. I had invited 15 people. There were 8 roles so I doubled up assignments. Ultimately, 5 people came to the party and it worked out fine. I had my teddy bear as a stand-in for a character.
The part I'm most pleased about was the dishes I cooked. Everything was delicious and done on-time. I didn't have to slave over the stove in my cocktail dress and complete makeup. The actual murder mystery game was fun but I should have read the instructions more thoroughly beforehand. I'm the type of gal who jumps in and realizes, "Oh crap I should play a tape." a round too late. I played an American reporter who had a bad habit of completely fabricating stories and killing people. Hell, basically every person killed someone in their past but now we had to figure out who killed the victim in the game. Heh "victim"... She completely had it coming.
Brandy was sipped, wine was drunk, and accusations flew. I had fun bursting out with "J'accuse!" randomly. The revelations came fast and furious. I knew there was something up with the guy who had the flashy mustache... In the end, the twist was huge and the murderer figured out the plot. Throughout the night we wondered if all of us had snuck in to kill the victim. Stabbing a corpse, poisoning someone who was bleeding to death, and finally stangulation. To make sure it was done RIGHT, you know? The game ended around 11PM and people hung around until 1AM. The second everyone left, I was in my PJ's cleaning up. I was happy people had fun and pooped.
New Dishwasher
I first saw this at Teacher (now Artist) friend's apartment. It's a very cool contraption and is run solely on water power. No electrical plugs or anything. Thanks to the party I threw this weekend, I rediscovered my hatred of doing dishes. My hatred will be alleviated in 4-6 weeks! The dishwasher is called a carocelle.
Mini Class Crisis Last Night
My Tuesday night class is my favorite this semester. I love the professor and I feel like I'm learning a lot. Plus, I get to volunteer like crazy since my confidence is pretty high and half the class doesn't do the homework (apparently). I also have a group project for this class. I hooked up with two other classmates and it turns out they graduated this past May and are in the full-time grad program. Yeah, I'm the old coot of the group. We had our first deliverable due last night and we worked for hours this past weekend basically killing ourselves over the financial projections. At one point Sunday, we simply couldn't get our balance sheet to balance so we decided to ask the prof's help. I wrote the email on behalf of the group.
The first half of last night's class was devoted on how to do financial projections. Helpful and much needed - yes. What killed it for me was the fact that after explaining each point, the professor said IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CLASS, "Do you get this Ann-a?" I have a thing about pronouncing my name correctly and I have an ever bigger thing about being treated like a freaking special ed student in front of the entire class. After about four more "Do you get this Ann-a?" I replied saying, "Yes, these numbers basically match mine," and spent the remainder of class time until break blinking back tears. I was upset that I felt humiliated for asking a question and I was upset that my favorite class and professor lost their status.
During break, I had a refreshing cry in the bathroom, slapped on a smile, and spoke to the professor. He apologized and we had a good talk so no more fuming and festering. He got my name right for the rest of class and actually complimented one of my insights. The class is clinging to favorite status now.
I'm happy my group is going well. The only hurdle is trying to schedule meetings with full-time students. The woman is nice, enthusiastic, and not a fast thinker. Which is good for me because sometimes my brain races ahead of logic so having a person I have to explain myself to is handy. The guy looks like a medieval elf (not Tolkien) and he lives in Watertown. He can keep up with my thinking and tangental asides. We have a good group dynamic going. Plus, last night I found out they are both Liberals. It's nice to know I can slip in occasional Bush bashing without offending anyone.
The first half of last night's class was devoted on how to do financial projections. Helpful and much needed - yes. What killed it for me was the fact that after explaining each point, the professor said IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CLASS, "Do you get this Ann-a?" I have a thing about pronouncing my name correctly and I have an ever bigger thing about being treated like a freaking special ed student in front of the entire class. After about four more "Do you get this Ann-a?" I replied saying, "Yes, these numbers basically match mine," and spent the remainder of class time until break blinking back tears. I was upset that I felt humiliated for asking a question and I was upset that my favorite class and professor lost their status.
During break, I had a refreshing cry in the bathroom, slapped on a smile, and spoke to the professor. He apologized and we had a good talk so no more fuming and festering. He got my name right for the rest of class and actually complimented one of my insights. The class is clinging to favorite status now.
I'm happy my group is going well. The only hurdle is trying to schedule meetings with full-time students. The woman is nice, enthusiastic, and not a fast thinker. Which is good for me because sometimes my brain races ahead of logic so having a person I have to explain myself to is handy. The guy looks like a medieval elf (not Tolkien) and he lives in Watertown. He can keep up with my thinking and tangental asides. We have a good group dynamic going. Plus, last night I found out they are both Liberals. It's nice to know I can slip in occasional Bush bashing without offending anyone.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Dropping the Eaves
When I was little, if my mom was on the phone at night, I would be at my station. Upstairs, head pressed against the railing straining to hear what she was saying. Through this habit, I found out my parents had smoked pot - which is astounding at 11 years old.
Even though I am almost 30, I have not broken this habit. I can literally feel my ears perk up when I catch something juicy to overhear. You know what is making this habit worse? Working in a cubicle. Today has been a smorgasborg of hearing dirt on vendors and co-workers bitching behind other co-worker's backs.
I'm not apologetic about my eavesdropping. I think if you are talking loud enough for me to hear, it's not my fault that what you say gets received by my ears. Yes, I cannot grasp the concept of "None of my business."
Even though I am almost 30, I have not broken this habit. I can literally feel my ears perk up when I catch something juicy to overhear. You know what is making this habit worse? Working in a cubicle. Today has been a smorgasborg of hearing dirt on vendors and co-workers bitching behind other co-worker's backs.
I'm not apologetic about my eavesdropping. I think if you are talking loud enough for me to hear, it's not my fault that what you say gets received by my ears. Yes, I cannot grasp the concept of "None of my business."
My First Yom Kippur
Yesterday was Yom Kippur and since it was my first, I decided to do a complete fast from sundown Sunday and sundown Monday. No food, no water. I attended temple services with the same family who had hosted me for Rosh Hoshanah. The scattered mom has grown on me and her inability to focus isn't annoying anymore. Maybe it was the lack of food or maybe it was the chance to focus on something other than food but I adored the Yom Kippur service. It is very spiritual and hopeful. Sure, it doesn't have any flashy shofar blowing but it felt very meaningful. As I was leaving temple, I heard that Rachel Dratch had attended the service. She grew up in Lexington so it made sense. I never saw her sigh... If I did, we'd probably wind up discussing feline leukemia. Wah wahhhh.
After a day of fasting, my tummy is not used to food so today is going to be a rocky transition. When the sun went down last night, I ate and ate. I think next year I will allow myself to drink water because the thirst is what was really tough for me.
After a day of fasting, my tummy is not used to food so today is going to be a rocky transition. When the sun went down last night, I ate and ate. I think next year I will allow myself to drink water because the thirst is what was really tough for me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)