Something Shiny

Matt and I splurged a few days after Christmas. Unexpectedly.

Our old HP kicked its final bucket, after numerous miraculous revivals... And we were literally in the electronics store the next day.

It's not as if we don't have a desktop in the house. Yep, we still had access to the outside world.

...The honest truth?

The crashing of the our laptop basically meant we couldn't blog/fark/email/facebook in front of the tv. It meant we would have to drag our happy asses to the back of the house, into our secluded, tv-less, spouse-less office.

So that alone merited the blowing of a couple hundred dollars. And here I sit with my shiny, new, fancy ass, wide screen HP notebook in my lap... As I'm curled up in my recliner.

And all is right with the world.

Candy Canes

Well, the stocking contents are scattered across the carpet. Matt's back in bed. And I'm sitting here with my Kahlua and coffee, watching the dogs tear into their Christmas gifts.....

Raw hide candy canes. Never fail. ...Although it did take Wynn a minute to remember she had to work a little to get to the good stuff. It's been a year since she's last indulged. Thel, on the other hand, dug right in.

Matt stuffed my stocking with Burberry perfume and an ornament from Papyrus. ......Yep, I caught me a good one.

Warm Wishes

Happy Christmas!

...I spent my Eve sleeping and baking and watching/re-watching A Christmas Story on some 24-hour tv marathon. I produced roughly 130 of the chocolate chip cookies I grew up on. 130! ...Straight out of my Memaw's cookbook. Is it lame that I'm kind of excited to finally be that neighbor?... You know, the one who drops off home-made cookies and a cute little note? Look at me, I get a day off and transform into Holly Homemaker.

Since we've decided to skip the whole gift-giving thing this year, I decided mass amounts of sugar might help fill the void. Sugar and butter. Lots of butter.

Matt and I did stuff each other's stockings in lieu of big gifts this year. I had a little fun with it. Got him an Optimus Prime figurine after we saw the movie and he was all excited about it... Got him a few airplane-sized bottles of Jack D. A little inside joke involving nearly every plane ride I've witnessed Matt take over the course of the past 6 years. Lots of candy, of course.... And another PSP game. We do an ornament exchange every year too... Which is funny because we have yet to put a full-sized tree up. Ever. ...In due time, I suppose.

Well, better get some sleep. I have a long, hard day of couch-potatoing and stuffing myself silly tomorrow.

Warm wishes to you and yours...

An Abstract Mr. Kringle

Over the weekend, I finally got some Christmas decorations up. My Christmas bin was like a huge gift in itself... I completely forgot about all the decor I bought last year.

I pulled out this little man and fell in love with him all over again. ...He does have a Christmas Tree friend, not pictured, that stands about two inches shorter than him, but the whole abstract vibe is what makes this set my favorite. ...So much so that they sit on my entry way table and are the first to greet the incoming....

How to Deal with a Bitch for a Coworker

I've been working for a week and a day now... Training with three other people, two of them being of the male gender. The first day went really well. The other girl and I went to lunch... Expressed how nice it'd be to have a friend at work. ...And I can't decide if her sentiments were genuine, or if she was just conniving from the beginning.

But the next day brought on a rain of passive-aggressive, catty-ass behavior. Hit me like a brick.

Only thing I can chalk it up to is the primitive womanly instinct to compete. Perhaps she feels threatened. Perhaps she's pms'ing. Perhaps she's just a bitch.

My point of this thread, because she's not worth much more of the strain on my fingertips, is... The way to deal with a bitch for a coworker is to put her in her place one time, to make her aware that you are capable of pushing back.

Then to sit back and watch her spin her wheels. Her issues are obviously with herself... Might as well appreciate their entertainment value.

Curlers Are Out...

This weekend we threw a party..... We were kind of tired of the usual 'fiesta' or italian-themed parties and opted for something a little more... Fresh.

To prepare, Matt and I visited Good Will, the 99 Cent Store and Walmart. Our decorations consisted of a Good Year banner, indoor mismatched Christmas lights, beer cans dispersed across the room, an American flag, 2-liter soda bottles with tops cut off and fake flowers put in as center pieces, Jerry Springer on the tube, tarps as table cloths, and a rope strung across the room with some lingerie and a Lynyrd Skynyrd tshirt hanging. Refreshments included Ding Dongs, HoHos, Twinkies, as well as crackers and squeeze cheese, Pabst Blue Ribbon and boxed wine..... So yeah. Have you guessed the theme yet? ....Here's another hint: There were contests for best dressed, arm wrestling and beer chugging with scratchers for prizes.

Ha! White Trash it was.

Nutritious and classy refreshments.

Drying some laundry. (Not sure whose panties those are.)

I went for bright blue eyeshadow, my hair in curlers, a wife beater (of course), some boxers, Matt's torn up robe, and some slippers. Matt did a trucker cap with a wife beater and a flannel vest. Thelma and Wynn also opted for wife beaters, with an American flag bandana and pink bandana, respectively.

Wynn in her beater.

We had a great turn out. And some VERY spirited costumes. ....And thankfully no ambulances this time.

The next-day damage.

Something had to suffer....

I suppose without the luxury of being an all-day homebody, the frequency of my postings have and will suffer.

This working thing is draining. ...How soon we (I) forget.

Even when I was working, I was spoiled with leaving at 3, and cruising in at 9. My boss worked out of Irvine, and let's just say he wasn't one for micromanagement. Which, of course, was fine by me.

This job is boot camp by comparison.

It is, however, growing on me. There's a whole competitive side that I'm getting into... Sales may not be my strong suit. But that's because I never chose for it to be.

That's right. I'm gonna kick some ass and take some names. ......Along with some enrollment applications.

Most Certainly a Product of the Y Generation

Not that I plan on blogging from work (wouldn't want to be 'dooced' so soon), or facebooking, or farking... But we don't even have our login codes yet. At a technical school.

So far we've spent the majority of our time either in a conference room or on our feet wandering, trying to find random people to bother. We've had a lot of luck with people acting not bothered until today... Some dude with Star Wars posters on his wall, an enormous silver-tinsel Christmas tree display on his filing cabinet and Madonna's Vogue playing in the background decided that our 7-minute delay merited a meeting cancellation. We caught him half way out the door, and let's just say he wasn't one for good first impressions. ....Although, I think I half way forgave him/understood once he explained his major was engineering. Perhaps I should be thankful that out of the 20 people we're expected to interview, that's been our only hang up so far.

Tangent.

Point being, I'm not used to not sitting in front of a computer all day. I am most certainly a child of the Y Generation. I feel nekkid without my blackberry. On the table. Next to me. ...Let alone no computer until I get home at night..........

I did, however, finally get to see where I'm sitting. And my cubicle is THANKFULLY not the one situated directly in front of the entrance, with the computer screen basically staring anyone that opens the door in the face.

First Thing's First

So today was my first day back to work after a 6-month vacation. And in a word, it was exhausting.

You'd be surprised how much paperwork can be heaped onto a person in such a short amount of time. Only to be followed by this obnoxious "scavenger hunt", that will actually come in handy later... But that is not the point. We ran around the entire school searching out this list of people and interviewing them to learn what their job entails, and how this job applies to me.

I suppose I was lucky because there are 3 others being trained along with me... Sharing in the anguish that was meeting and greeting and interrupting complete and total strangers all day.

Day one down. And I feel like I need a 12 hour-night's sleep to recover. Is that just because I'm spoiled rotten from my free-as-a-bird schedule from the prior half year? ...You don't say.

Charred

I think we all heard about the So Cal fires that took place on November 15th in and around the Inland Empire.

Without being around a tv all day, I hadn't heard the news, and got a call from my mom saying the fires were less than 15 miles away from their Chino Hills home... Without any of them being contained. Apparently the high winds weren't helping. At 2am, my parents were evacuated.

View from my parent's backyard

Not too distant charred hills... View from my parent's driveway

They left knowing the fire had nearly reached their back fence, and could apparently feel the heat coming off of the hills in front of their house.

It wasn't until the morning that they were able to return to see if their home still stood.

I had the conversation over the phone with them a few times. But at Thanksgiving, 2 weeks later, I could still smell the smoke in the air. And only in person were these blackened hills so daunting.

Space

So I'm on this new medicine for my leg aches, and before I fill prescriptions these days I always go home and google them. You can expect the usual side effects... Fatigue, headache, weight gain, etc. Yet, for the most part, you're cornered by your doctor and you're expected to fill it regardless of the unpleasant experiences to come.

Well, google I did and I was interested to learn that the side effect of this drug was to make you feel drunk. ...Drunk.

That was more than one person's review on Yahoo.

Now, I can't say that I've been walking around bumping into walls all day. But I can say I am all sorts of spacey. ...I think I made a dozen u-turns when I was out running errands this morning.

In fact, I'm having trouble formulating sentences.

...Let us hope this is temporary.

On the Upside

Last night was the "seal-the-deal" meeting with my job. Now they're stuck with me.

And after three visits to the place, you'd think I'd have seen my work space by now, right? ........I had to ask. Even then he gave me an apprehensive, "Oh, you want to see it tonight?" I should have known when he said, "Give me a minute, and I'll see if there's a meeting going on down there."

Down there? Was there a dungeon I failed to notice in the original tour?

So he came back and the coast was clear, and to my relief he assured me there were no staircases in the building.

But we did enter an interesting room. ...I choose the term "interesting", because it will definitely be a new experience to me. There are about 16 cubicles lining the walls and about zero privacy.

I knew that this job wouldn't provide me with the office-with-a-window that I had at my last job. Actually, I couldn't expect that from any position I was applying for.

I guess the reality is just sinking in.

On the upside, there are about 14 interview rooms which are basically small offices that you go to meet with your potential students in. I suppose that will give me a little room to stretch my legs.

Oh and hey! It's a job.

All Around Town

So it's December, which means we're back from our last-half-of-November travels. For all the relaxing we did, I'm pretty beat.

Yesterday was our commute home from the last leg of our tour, Southern Cal.

My parents were gracious enough to let us stay for close to a week... "Us" includes our mutts, which, when you add them in to their existing mix, totals FIVE mutts. My mom would tell you theirs are not mutts. (Mom, it is just a funny term). That alone made for an interesting week... As always, my parents' b&b was nothing short of hospitable and relaxing. Not to mention the frat-house aspect..... (Laughing on the inside). We're lucky to have such a great family to come home to.

On Thanksgiving we got to see the whole family. ALL three of my nephews and my adorable little niece. It's hard living 400 miles away, because even though everyone would like to say, "Oh it's a short trip"... I have news for you people - The trip? Not so short. And the flights? Not so cheap. Not for two... Not these days, at least. ...Everyone also says "they grow up so fast". I'm not sure I could have been taught that lesson in a harder way. If you ever hear me say I miss Southern California, you'll be hearing the one thing I miss is my family.

At the end of the night, my biggest bro, Bobby, and I checked out on the porch to play catch up on about 2 years. ...Bobby's about 4 years older than me. And if I was like one brother over another, it'd be him. In fact, it's eery how similar we are. For a long time I struggled with the fact that adulthood had driven our closeness apart. But bringing it into perspective, we talked about how exhausting our relationship can be. Any conversation we have can't be one in passing, and being so similar, nothing is lukewarm. Either you sit down for an epic journey, or you avoid it entirely... And it's been about 2 years of evasive "fine, how are you's" adding up. But he is just as much a force in my life today as he was when I was in 6th grade writing poems to be just like him. In the past year we've seen each other skin our knees... Some bleeding more than others. But I don't wonder any more if I can call for help on how to stop the bleeding. And on the porch, he knocked some of the walls I had built up in my head down. Maybe even restructured them to be in their rightful place. I guess he can reach me in ways no one else can. Or maybe I listen to him in a way that I won't listen to anyone else...........

We were lucky enough to catch my nephew, Noah's 2nd birthday party. Lots of memorable moments other than kids running around hopped up on cotton candy... While I was pushing Noah, the birthday boy, on a swing, he fell off, only to get up and walk directly in front of Briley, my niece, swinging before I could get to him. No, he wasn't hurt (too bad), but I walked away sick to my stomach. ...I almost got beamed in the head with a flying pinata part. ...My nephew Dane when asking for one of the suckers that fell out of the pinata repeatedly "asked", "Mom, I want a fucker!" ...Brock decided he wanted to cover his body in Transformer tattoos. I think the total was 5 at the end of the day, including one on his knee cap. ...I saw my brother Mike and his wife acting like husband and wife, with Noah in her lap as he blew out his candles and Mike leaning over the two of them. Something I didn't think I'd see again. But something that seemed too natural for it not to be right.

I'm happy to be home. Happy to be back to a routine. Tomorrow I go in to sign papers for my new job... To seal the deal. And I officially become a working woman again next Monday. I have mixed emotions about it... I'm mostly excited. But outside of the financial stress, I could have gotten used to being a professional couch potato. Hey, at least I'm honest.

Hope

"Hope is a waking dream."

- Aristotle

Only a Day Late

Things for which I'm thankful...

• My husband & best friend, my roommate & lover
• My family
• My friends... those that allow me to lean
• My mutter dogs
• My home
• Getting to see my nephews and niece twice in one week!!
• Getting to FINALLY end the torture that was job hunting
• The Beatles... Specifically George for conceptualizing LOVE. And my parents for gifting me such an amazing experience
• The migrating butterflies that I saw last Sunday
• For 2008 almost being over
• For the talk I had last night with my wiser, older bro... For his insight
• My neighbors, because they're pretty cool
• My idealism
• For second chances...

Butterflies and Sand Dunes

This was the only grounded butterfly that I spotted.... Well, that Matt spotted...

And this was the only airborn butterfly my camera actually caught

Our little campground with our big, tough guard dogs

Scenic

Trail to the beach

Wynn leading the way

Bliss

King of the mountain

Over Roughing It

Today was supposed to be our last day camping. And actually, the rain held out longer than we had anticipated. But after breakfast yesterday, using our not-so-roughing-it devices, we observed a very large thunder storm headed our way. We lasted until about 3pm in our tent, in the rain before deciding to pack up and head to, if not a drier place, a place that could keep us drier and keep our dogs from looking at us like they were strapped in constant torture devices.

The trip, while it lasted, was really nice. I feel like we're professional campers now. We had gourmet dinners and a warm bed. It helps that the camp site was all-inclusive. Picnic bench, fire pit, water spout... Lap of luxury, I'm telling you.

The dunes and the beach were gorgeous. Wynnie got her first ocean experience, and she was thrilled, to say the least. Thel, being the old bitty that she is, was content to hang out with us on the wet sand.

...Amongst other things... One of the highlights? ...I did see some monarch butterflies! Do I have to convince you of how excited I was?? Though they weren't in the swarming masses as I had imagined.......

...Pictures to follow...

Pismo or Bust

From noon on, we've been shopping and packing for our triiip to Pismo. I really wish I could say that we're done. ...The plan is a three night stay in the dunes... Not a lot a time, right? However, we have somehow managed to tetris-like pack Matt's Grand Cherokee to the point where I'm surprised I have room to fit. Or the mutts for that matter. I'm considering ear plugs for all the whining we'll be enduring.

Weather.com originally threw our hopes with a puffy clouds and sunshine forecast, but has recently withdrawn its estimation and replaced it with a cloudy Monday and possible showery Tuesday and Wednesday.

I suppose you can't have two great trips within the time span of one week.

Maybe monarch butterflies like the rain.

More Mania

Wish I could have taken this wall home with me...

Loved Me Some LOVE

This show was EVERYTHING I could have dreamt up and more. In fact, I cried through the first three songs. Yep. Tears streaming. ....I am not proud. But it was an emotional experience! Especially when they start with the acapella "Because the world is round......" - I didn't stand a chance. .....Our seats were amazing. At one point they covered us in a gigantic white sheet! ...Thinking about it, I suppose that's a little hard to imagine. But confetti! And dismantled vw bugs! And disappearing stages! And Lucy in the sky! .....This show hit all your senses! I believe they were even burning incense! ... And, well... I of course, had my rum and coke.

Can you see me?

A little camera play

So, outside of the show, we managed to stay up until 4am both nights. Not too much gambling... Lots of video poker. After LOVE, we trekked from the Wynn to Excalibur. Yep, we had to cab it back.

I'd say Matt and I made the most of our Vegas get away. And are now paying dearly, but happily, for it.

VEGAS OR BUST!

So this morning we're hopping our flight to Vegas...

The debauchery begins at approximately 3pm, when our plane lands... We have the rest of that day to hit the penny slots (what? I haven't started work yet) and enjoy some video poker. We haven't been there in about two years, so there's some exploring of the strip yet to do...

Thursday may bring on some sun worship poolside, if the weather permits... More gambling (ie more drinking)... a nice dinner... AND THEN....... LOVE starts at 10pm.

I have been whining to see this show since I heard that it was even be a possibility... I think I read a small article about it in some random magazine, and from that point... It was ON. ...The idea originally transpired between George Harrison and one of the Cirque du Soleil founders, Guy Laliberte, and quickly received the remaining Beatles' approval (even Yoko's!). Six years later... Tickets were on sale.

It's been around for two years and needless to say, my parents are making one of my life dreams come true. I'm not exaggerating here. A life dream.

...Ummm.... Have I mentioned that I'm a Beatles Freak?

VIVA LAS VEGAS, PEOPLE!

...Back to the real world on Friday.

Reconstruction

Credit is given where credit is due. ...So goes the old adage. ...If only that's how it really worked.

And it's me and my idealism that promotes vulnerability when this old adage doesn't add up.

...Long ago, I deconstructed the wall I built. Allowed trust and codependence and comfort to tear it down brick by brick.

And now when there is even a notion... Even a sense of being forgotten... Of being left alone. I have nothing but debris surrounding me. Nothing left to protect my ideals. My heart.

And this deconstructed wall... As I watched it fall... I was arrogant and believed it was something I would never need again.

...But I suppose that everyone needs their own. And I'm only learning that now.

Moving Along

Way back when birthdays were still exciting, I used to gauge how close mine would be by movie commercials.

Once a movie would be coming out, on or around December 7th, the promotions began about three weeks prior... That's when I knew I could start getting excited.

Funny that I still notice these things....

Last year wasn't so bad. My age was a good, round number. One-quarter century. Your exact mid-twenties. Soon it'll be the ascent into the latter.

In a lot of ways, I'm not sad to see my youth go. The insecurity, the mistakes, the inexperience, the "rose-colored glasses"..... I'm even told that past my twenties, I'll find comfort in my own skin. I can definitely get used to that....

Last year, twenty five allowed me to rent a car independently, and lower my car insurance premium.

But the up and coming two-six... This marks the beginning of no more perks... Of hoping the waitress will card you... And of the aging process in general.

I suppose there are happier thoughts to be had here.... But 26 is not an all-inspiring number, and in fact is only inspiring the lack of idealism that this post emanates.

And so it ends.

Color me employed. It's official.

I got the call this afternoon... I start the second week of December, which is good with all the out of town-ness I have planned in the coming weeks.

Bloody hell. It's been quite the ride. Almost five months to the day, in fact....

May as well have been a hotel....

I think it was a 12-hour day for the boys yesterday. I only lasted about six. So if Saturday was laying down drums and bass, then yesterday consisted of guitar and vocals.

There's three tracks total, which doesn't sound like much to the average ear... But you'd be amazed at the amount of work that goes into this S. I was/am. And they still have the mixing and mastering to do...

Anyway, kudos boys. Your sound is incendiary. I can't wait to post it as my next earful.

where the magic happens

ryan letting it ring out

kris stepping in to lay it down

Ruining the Studio

So yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of hanging out in the recording studio with The Ruin as they lay down their first true demo. I'm there as the unofficial photog, really... But it was cool to get to see all the geeky equipment and to see the boys at their best...

playing it back

not sure what this thing does, but I liked all the lights...

what the boys were relegated to in the off time...

Yesterday turned out to be a 10-hour day for them, and they're back at it today. .....And so am I.

OK Then...

What I've learned, but will likely soon forget: Do not post blogs after a long night of getting reacquainted with good ol' Jack D.

(Sorry, the typos and nonsensical gibberish that was previously featured below is
now gone forever.)

Feel the LOVE

So, I wrote about the early surprise Christmas gift my parents had planned for us... You know the one we knew absolutely nothing about.

Well today we got a big white box in the mail that we had strict instructions not to open until both parents were on the phone. .....After 5 hours of impatiently waiting, we got the call.

By speaker phone, we began the unwrapping.... The box was wrapped in half birthday/half Christmas paper, (due to the fact that my birthday's coming up... a "Birthmas" gift, if you will), Matt opened the Christmas portion and I opened the birthday portion..

So what did that tidy box contain? A bunch of paper...Yes... Maybe to you, my friend.

But to us, it was VEGAS! Vegas in a box! ...A pass to a fancy buffet, a chance to see Sigfried and Roy's Jungle Museum........ Not to mention THE MOST IMPORTANT F'ING PART.

Two passes to see LOVE. At the Mirage. .....And I don't even have to lose a limb!

What more could a girl ask for? "Getting the F out of Dodge" is so Vegas' m.o........

My parents not only set up the show, but they set up with board, the flight, the transport, and the food. Whoooooooo in the world could be luckier? N0, seriously, I challenge you.

Peace out starting Wednesday. I will be in Heaven on earth. Or what you might refer to the Beatles' best of.

THANK YOU MOM & DAD. YOU KNEW THIS BEFORE, BUT YOU'RE THE BEST!

Burning Time

I spent the better half of last night ripping my cds and uploading them onto my ipod. Over the past 10 years, and past countless computer crashes, I've lost over 400 mp3s. That translates to over $400 today. Back then, it was free.

The only ipod that still held the candle for all those lost mp3s finally lost its light about a year ago, and I have since been working on building my new ipod up to the old one's glory. This includes taking all my new cds and transferring over the music. It's kind of a bitch.

But I've gone from 954 songs to 1506 last night. And I have still have 23 gigs to fill.

Success Consists... of Enthusiasm

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm."

~ Winston Churchill

Done & Now Said

Yeah, well life ain't been too kind... And in my young, naive mind, that was all supposed to end with you.

People say I'm supposed to find some pleasure in your loss. In your short-lived fairy tale and its crash-course ending.

But the honest truth is - I don't.

And though our last departure was basically saturated in your efforts of ripping every last decent piece of my heart to shreds, I still want to see you happy.

Because I know that I am.

And for a long time I doubted the things that transpired between us. I still wondered. What if.

But I have a peace now that I can only wish for you.

And I do.

"We are choosing hope over fear..."

I suppose Barack said it best.

The closer to the middle of this week gets, the more anxious I find myself becoming. It's really not on purpose, you know. If I had any power over the anxiety factor, my life might be a lot smoother of a ride.

The conversation I had with my Guru the day before my interview made more than a lot of sense. I got more than the "slow down" speech, which was needed, and more of the "if it's meant to be, it will be" philosophy to follow.

Things I already know. Things that I've already been educated of. ...Yet things I need to be reminded of, because once I'm caught up in that moment... All focus and all logic is lost. I might as well be a deer caught in headlights.

He made a great point, this Guru of mine. About Empowerment. He tied it all into Barack, which made it even easier for me to read. ...All of these people I am handing applications into, and anyone who is and isn't calling back... These people that I am sitting across the desk from, trying to comply as they wished I would. Answering questions as only I could imagine they'd wished to hear.

Only to go home and wait. And wonder. ...Was it good enough? Was I good enough?

My Guru's magnificent point was...... That I was empowering them. Too much. These people I hardly knew were going to dictate my worth. And here I was, letting them. ...Fear in place of hope. I'm living in the dark. Allowing strangers to light my way.

And I suppose it will be a series of stumbles and bruises and falls until I teach myself otherwise.

Surprise Surprise

As a Christmas gift this year, my parents informed us that in place of anything tangible, they would be needing three dates where we'd be available to travel freely. With no questions asked.

Perhaps I'm being a bit pretentious, but with a possible job on the horizon, and such a large trip already planned at the end of the month, we decided to take them up early on our surprise gift and will be taking off to our surprise location on the 19th of this month.

All we know is that there will be some driving involved... With some "information to follow".

It'll be awesome to get the F out of Dodge. And it's totally fun to speculate. The world is our oyster! Well, maybe not the world in three days, but I love the fact that they plotted and are springing something so top secret on us! Knowing my dad, we can literally not expect that "information to follow" until the day of. Yay for adventures! And for surprises! ...Well, the good kind.

So, the closer we get, the more excited we get! ......With no idea why.

New Friends

So we were finally able to break (some of) our neighborhood's antisocial tendencies and had what looks to be the only other young, kid-less couple on our block over for dinner last night.

He is a police officer, which is pretty awesome because his patrol car is constantly parked at the entrance of our cul de sac, and basically translates to constant security. She's close to getting in to a nursing program. We found that all out while out walking our dogs late one night, and passing them while they were out chilling in their drive way with a couple glasses of red. Needless to say, they are very cool, very laid back people. So we had a little bbq, watched ourselves some dvr'd Office and ended up gathered around the firepit last night with some light beers and good conversation. Even some leading to politics, which I desperately tried to avoid... But thankfully didn't end in them leaving early.

As for the rest of the neighbors, we have some directly next door who are extremely friendly. From Louisiana, so have the whole Southern Hospitality vibe going on, and enjoy including you in any conversation they may be having at any given moment as you're walking by. You know, about his mother back in Louisiana, or about their kid's day at school or soccer game, or about her day at work. Interesting stuff.

Then we have homeboy across the street that will one day be completely normal and give you the friendly, neighborly and wave. And then, the next day respond to your friendly wave with a blank stare, and perhaps an out-of-earshot grunt and walk away. It's my unprofessional diagnosis that he is bipolar.

The couple at end of the block seem too snobby to wave.

We do have some Mormons down the street that are nice. They've yet to preach/attempt to convert us, for which we're thankful. But yes, they were the ones advertising the 'Yes on Prop 8' nonsense in their front yard. Now, I know you're not supposed to judge people based on political beliefs, but this prop happened to be close to my heart. And I simply don't believe in shoving your political beliefs in other peoples' faces on a daily basis. They do have three cute kids though. More on the way, perhaps?

And as for the rest, they are fully the keep-to-yourselves type. But I'm stoked to finally get to know at least one set of neighbors past a friendly wave. I'm even happier to find out they're cool people.

Finally in the Game

My interview went pretty well yesterday. You can never be too confident because you can never be too sure of what they're looking for. That, and they all have good poker faces.

I haven't had many interviews since my lay off. This was my first, actually. And out of the whole job-hunting process, I feel like interviews are the one thing I can always knock out of the park.

Now, as far as sustaining that batting average once brought on board... That's what gets me nervous.

I get the final score sometime next week.

Never Cease to be Entertained

"Blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained."

~ John Powell

A Break in the Cycle

I scored a job interview on Thursday with a pretty well-known vocational school for a position as an Enrollment Recruiter. I had an orientation to go to on Tuesday first, which I was told a "few" other people would be attending, just to get a feel for what the position would be like. The "few" turned out to be 52. And I turned out to be the youngest in attendance.

First thing's first, they asked everyone to get up, introduce themselves, and give a "one minute" explanation as to why they would be a good fit for this school. I had the pleasure of being the last person in the room to go. (What HADN'T been said?) ...It didn't help that I was literally one of two people without any prior HR or recruiting/enrollment experience.

So I had it set up in my head. You know... The clearly defined bullet points of why I'm the perfect candidate. And I'm sure you know how that story ends.

But I must have done something right.

...In addition to my inexperience and my flubbed-up one-minute first impression, I was surprised to get a call back because out of those 52 hopefuls, they were only planning to hire 4. That would give me a 7.7% chance of actually landing this gig. ...I don't quite know how many people got the call back, so I don't know where my percentage stands now, but I'm told it should have increased. You know, slightly.

So I'm off to fill out the ten essay questions my interviewer sent my way and would like me to have completed before Thursday. All past situational-type customer service experience questions. Good times.

Keep your toes crossed.

Go! Go! Go!

And get yourself a sticker!!
(And um, NO ON PROP 8!)

I'll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours

Last night Matt and I did the unspeakable. We compared ballot selections.

It was our second date, I believe, that politics snuck its way into the conversation. It was only then that the theory of avoiding religion and politics in the discussion with friends made sense...

The short version goes that I am passionate about politics. Perhaps overly passionate. Yet, not all politics apply. Then, it was specific to the puppet who happened to be Commander and Chief. .......I believe it was around this time I had an across-the-table discussion with my father regarding W., ending with him suggesting that my only recourse was to go live in the woods and live off of bark.

Needless to say, that second date saw some additional heat, but not exactly the kind you'd hope for. From then on, Matt and I made a pact that politics would be a non-topic. Out of fear it would lead to a non-us.

That was close to six years ago, and I'd like to think we've evolved. During the debates this year, we had a motto ~ No debating the debate. Simple observation. And it worked.

It looks like we may cancel each other out on quite a few issues... Including the most significant one of all. But the important thing is we're out in the trenches and making sure we're heard on an individual level.

And on a personal level.......... Look at us, all mature and stuff.

Two Prissy Snouts

For the past three consecutive nights I have had to wake up and let the dogs out to pee. It's like I'm re-living their puppyhood.

Why, you ask? Because they are complete and utter wusses when it comes to the rain. Wait, no... It's not just rain. Because even if there isn't a drop falling from the sky, they still look at me anxiously like, "But MOM, the GROUND IS WET."

Matt said Wynn ran out the dog door two days ago and must have set a world record for reentry... She then proceeded to shake as hard as she could because the two drops that hit her surely would have made her melt.

Last year during rain season Wynn was in the midst of potty training, so it was a behavior we had prepared ourselves for. And Thelma was always such a lady and would just hold it...

And maybe it's because it's so early in the season, but I swear they are holding it until they're about to asplode. ...Which always seems to be right around the time mommy has drifted into a deep, dreamy sleep.

Who Needs the Movies?

Matt installed the rest of our surround sound on Friday, and last night we watched Transformers... (which got bad reviews that I fully disagree with).

Anyway, our couch vibrates. How much fun is that? And the bullets? They whiz right over my head!

This combined with Netflix may rule movie theaters out completely.

Especially when I went at like 3pm to see Burn After Reading in mid October and didn't get the matinee price. What the shit is that?

It's Ovah

I have been waiting about five years to get these covered up...

.....And after nearly three hours of needle goodness, and the work of a very talented artist... This is what I walked limped away with:

(click to check out the detail)

......Stars? What stars?

From Stars to Orchids

So I'm sort of freaking out.

I've been anticipating this for years. But tomorrow is not years away. And tomorrow's reality has become a needle in my foot. For hours.

I was 17 when I got my first tattoo. Three blue stars on my right foot, which I'm told is "pretty low", meaning close to my toes. Blue stars are great. ...Were great. Are great. The line kind of blurs. Figuratively and literally.

The point is, I'm over them. And I'm looking for something a little more long term. And a lot more feminine.

So a tattoo of the botanical nature is what I've turned to. And considering the bouquet I carried down the aisle was a dark orange, and contained orchids.... It's my theme.

I met with my artist last Wednesday and was lucky enough to have an immediate connection. I pre-screened her online and fell in love with her color shading talent, which with flowers, I feel, is the most important part. Sure, you can have the most gorgeous tat wet-lined onto your foot, but no artist can pre-shade a tattoo for you. You only know until it's done. And I am way to Type A for that.

But homegirl was enthusiastic and helpful... She even wanted to sit me down and brand me right there. I was intrigued, but passed.

...And I would post the black and white drawing I brought to her as inspiration, but I really wanted her to take it and run with it and make it her own. Who knows? It might be a completely different piece than what I brought to her...

It's not so much the 'in her hands' part that I'm freaking out about, because judging from her work and her attitude/confidence, I feel that I'm in in good hands... It's the whole needle in the foot thing that's got me on edge. Have I mentioned that I'm not a fan of needles? I might have to share that back story some time.

In any event, wish me luck. I'll post the before and after. You know, if I survive. =D

It's You

Well... It's him.

Before the Fall

We're right at the point where only some of the leaves have changed... The rest of the leaves are staying a stubborn, vibrant green.

Where I Lean

I suppose in the wake of tragedy one gains perspective on how important a true friendship is. About how invaluable and fragile and hard-to-come-by a friend you can truly lean on in your time of need is.

I am fortunate to have evaded tragedy lately, but the loss of friends is something I have been struggling with for some time.

And as if to soften the sting, I've been told 'it's that time in your life' and 'some people just grow apart'. I've even read that my personality is 'prone to zealous loyalty to relationships that are perhaps not deserving of it'.

There are friendships where I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall. Where, before you know it, you're in this person's life. Not by choice really, more by chance. And the unhealthy rapport begins: 'I'll be here for you, but wait, you won't?' and 'Where you're leaning, I'll be here catch', only to see you walk in my time of need ...I swore that I had made a clean cut from these types of relationships. I still swear by it. But where's the escape route?

And in contrast, I have found myself blessed with this cohesive bond that I can only describe myself as lucky to be a part of. A group that I can just fall into in my time of need. People that love me despite me. And people that allow me to lean.

...Maybe it takes the tragic relationships to put things into perspective.

And maybe it is 'that time in my life'... But it's a time I'm making my own.

Thanks, Girls.

While I'm At It... My Thoughts on Prop 8

(To quote my last post)...."Perhaps it is only a small portion of our population... that still believes one man is entitled to certain rights over another...."

...I passed a "Yes on Prop. 8" sign in my neighbor's front yard today. It was big and yellow. And hateful and inappropriate.

When gay women and men begin to harm us by publicly declaring their love, I think it is then and only then that we should have a say in the rights they receive as citizens of this country.

This "small portion" would like to use the protection of their children as their argument in voting against the rights of these individuals... But quite frankly, it's 2008. And your kids - the ones you're working so hard to shelter - will likely be more damaged when they're hit like a sledge hammer about how the world really works.

How about live and let live? What ever happened to that concept?

...And We Speak of Progress?

My Portal (aka Matt) asked me tonight if I wanted to see this article. My first response was no... That it just made me sad. That I'd prefer to be oblivious.

But it got the wheels turning. Not to mention my stomach.

Feds Disrupt Alleged Plot Targeting Obama
Washington -- Two white supremacists allegedly plotted to
go on a national killing spree, shooting and decapitating black people
and ultimately targeting Democratic presidential candidate
Barack Obama, federal authorities said Monday.

Associated Press ~ Click here for full article

I know I can't sit here and justifiably assume that these two men represent more than themselves alone. That they plotted alone and they alone hold such hatred in their hearts.

I know I can't justifiably say that this will be the last time we hear the media print this headline.

I can't even say I'm shocked. I can't say I'm surprised. ...All it took was a tint of skin for the past to rear its ugly head. And we dare echo that sacred sentiment? Of having a dream?

Perhaps it is only a small, even minute, portion of our population that still believes one man is entitled to certain rights over another. Perhaps. But it only takes one.

And it only takes a moment to shift our "progress" to 40-years removed.

(cached here)

Aaaaand We're Back!

So we recently got the bright idea to obtain my own domain! Unfortunately the company we're going through is taking their sweet ass time with the customization of the address and I, of course, got impatient with my site being down (BAA?)... So here I am! Again! Nothing too different, but you can now access my blog at daytriiipper.com! And, needless to say, I am prettttty stoked about it.

So some stuff to catch you up on in the short while I was blogless. ...We installed our surround sound! Well, half of it so far. And when I say "we", I mean Matt, of course. My role could be better described as gopher. ...Running under the ladder... Fetching screwdrivers and extension cords and lookin' pretty. And let's not forget cleaning up the lovely film the insulation left behind on just about every surface in my living room. Inluding live animals.
And oh! Joy! I had yet another computer crash this week. This time it was my beloved desk top... The one that got me through college. ...Fortunately, Matt helped me get all my files off before it took its true dive into oblivion. These damn evil-doers are getting smart. The virus posed as a Windows update! "Click me, you need these updates", and wham! All your files are infected. And then! And THEN! It knows EVERY anti-virus software's name out there, so when you go out and spend $50 on the best program you can find, it's rendered entirely useless. Why? Because the virus is smarter than you. That's why. And last, but certainly not least... Because I'm sure there's more that we have yet to happily come upon... The virus has completely erased any and all restore points in our system. So for all those non-tech-speak peeps reading... My basic and unfortunate point is ~ We are screwed. Now we're looking at reformatting the entire hard drive and starting from scratch. I think I'm cursed. If I recall correctly, this is crash #5 for me in the last 3 years. Do not let me near your machine.

Anyway, if my site hits the skids again, at least you'll be clued in as to why.

Adventures of Thel & Wynn

Wynn: "Pssst, Thel... Why does she keep pointing that thing at us?"

Fancy Ass Dinner

Matt and I went out to a 'fancy ass dinner' in celebration of 'kicking our landlord's ass' last night. We felt it was very much deserved after all the paper-work-filing and all the-court-dates-showing all the dirty-looks-receiving and all the 'know-the-law'-yelling and just all the harrassment in general we put up with. No, we haven't seen a dime of our settlement, and realistically don't expect to any time soon... But just the fact that we fought back and won... Just the fact that we didn't allow her to use us as a door mat merited a fancy ass celebration.

So we tried something new. And close to home. And were very pleasantly surprised! Hawk's in Granite Bay, if you ever want to stop in, serves every thing from lamb shank to a hamburger... You can spend an upward of 2 bills to $40. The decor is what I got all excited about... Black chandeliers, retro houndstooth upholstrey, spikey lighting, maroon velvet booths... Okay, so maybe my spin makes it sound not so chic, but I was loving it. It definitely has my stamp of approval.
It's been some time since we splurged and gorged. ...And it was nothing less than delightful.

Hawk's Restaurant

Fall Fire

I seriously had to pull over yesterday and take pictures. There are so many trees turning to fire orange so quickly...

I've been hassling Matt about making the Auburn-Folsom drive just to observe the forests... They're so beautiful during the fall. And this is just a small part of what I saw in Old Roseville that made me stop my car and document the season's change...
I am in love with changing of leaves. This is the first that I've seen that's been so dramatic. I can't wait for the rest... I apologize ahead of time for the abundance of pictures that you'll most likely see of leaves going through their natural cycling. I find it intriguing. And beautiful. And intriguing.

Oh, Coordination... How I Miss Thee

Please. While reading this post... Try not to blow whatever it is you're drinking through your nose.

I was determined this morning. I woke up early and drove downtown to drop off my "examination" for the Legal Analyst position with the State, which consisted of a few questionnaires, and my application in person. I continued my search-for-employment roll, stopped by the office of this advertising agency, where I just submitted an application for an Account Executive position last night, to drop off my resume in person. You know... Showing some initiative.

Again, this goes without saying... I'm gussied up. So I get out of my car, and out of respect, walk the long way around the planter box... I notice this little mud patch, but pay it no mind because it looks dry. Yep. It LOOKS dry. And me and my gussied-ness continue right on through it.

People... It might as well have been black ice. I am air born before you can say "hey! that there's some slippery mud".

Portfolio, purse, and most importantly, the ass of my slacks are enveloped in this thick, wet, grimy, brown filth. Aaaaand I'm up! ...The quick 'did anyone see?' glance... And then I look down to assess the damage. My resume had fallen out of my portfolio, but had luckily evaded harm. Me, on the other hand, found myself scraping mud off my pants with bark. Bark.

Many of you may have called it and gone home. But not this girl. And I couldn't tell you why I didn't. Maybe because the majority of the damage was on the back of my slacks, and I figured I could hide it with my portfolio... Or maybe casually back out of any room?

So I went on up the stairs. And I stepped up to the reception's desk and I asked for someone to speak to regarding the position. She told me that who I needed to speak with had just stepped out for lunch and that it would be best to come back at a later time. In my head, I was all 'hall pass'! ...I'd go home, switch pants and presto chango! ...So I asked to use the restroom to get the mud off that the bark couldn't handle (you know, all of it), and the receptionist walked me back and said something like, "Yeah, I know how that is" ...And I opened my big mouth and said, "Oh no... It's nothing like that. It's just that I slipped outside and fell in a big mud pile." I even went so far as to show her the disgraceful muddy blotch as proof. You could almost see the empathy in her eyes.

Not two minutes later was I on my way, when she stopped me and said, "The lady you need to speak with just came back from lunch. If you have a seat, I'll go get her." .....Aw, crap.

So, the lady came out. And she was nice and all. I gave her my name and resume and my best hand shake... Apologized for my shakiness, explained that I had taken a spill outside. To which she responded, "Yes, I heard." ("...Um, Ms. - Do have a desk I could crawl under?") ...I let her know that I was usually more coordinated than this, (which we all know is a lie)... And said it was great to meet her and that I was really looking forward to hearing more about the position. She was really sweet. And let me know she'd look over my resume.

My question is... If she had just stepped out for lunch, and me coming back at a later time was best, why did it take a grand total of two minutes for her to become available? ...In my 5-month job hunting experience, these HR people get so many applications, they pretty much refuse to meet with every applicant and tell the receptionist to just drop it in the inbox......... Did I get a pity greet? Did the receptionist run to her office and say, "This poor girl ate shit outside and was hoping to meet with someone regarding the Account Executive position... Do you think you could spare a pity greet? Just this once?" ...This is so Seinfeld-esque.

Hopefully she looks at my covered-in-mud approach as courageous, and not as a 'what the F was this girl thinking?' approach. I suppose we could guess at the good things: That she came out to meet me at all; that my first impression (albeit entirely embarrassing) will be a lasting one and will most certainly set me apart; and that she was a very nice and a seemingly gentle soul.

Her last words to me were: "Be careful out there." ...Perhaps her next words to me will be, "Let's schedule an interview!"

...In the mean time, I will be avoiding mud. In all of its glorious forms.

Masterful

The opening alone should give you an idea of the creative genius behind this show's producing. Dexter is dark. Don't get me wrong. It is a show about a forensic blood-splatter analyst who works at the Miami Metro Police Department by day, and a vigilante, who works to eliminate those who have slipped through the 'legal' cracks by night.

Of course, none of his loved ones or those he works with knows. And it makes for an edge-of-your-seat, wickedly fun plot.

One of the things I love, being a marketing mind and all, is the intro. I'm not sure it could be more perfect.



Get yourself some showtime, or go rent this show. If you can initially see past the gore or horror you're probably picturing, I know you'll enjoy the thriller and the mystery that lies beneath. No pun intended.

Rambling Plans, Revisited

Okay. Lesson learned. Plan and book well in advance, kids... Especially those sought-after places, such as Red Wood Forest attractions.

Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. I read something today about how the lows could reach 40 degrees and less. I'm not sure a bundle of 80 blankets could make me stick that out. What? My dogs aren't the only spoilt ones.

The fact of the matter is a lot of the camp sites were either shut down due to fire hazards, or they were taking reservations on a first come, first serve basis. Not what you want to hear when you have a four-hour drive lined up.

Pismo dunes

So we down-graded. And when I say down-graded, I mean South-graded. Pismo Beach, to be exact. Where the lows are closer to 50 and the beach is right over the dunes. Sure my pictures will now consist of sand, water and monarch butterflies (who primarily migrate during the winter months), but I am equally excited. The Red Woods aren't going anywhere.

And our dates are nailed down. Iron clad. No more of this procrastinating rubbish. See? Lesson learned.

(photo by ryono.net)

Rambling Plans

As some of you may know, Matt and I gave our first family camping trip a shot earlier this year... A first for even Matt and I, but then you factor in the animals.

A bunch of us headed up to Icehouse near Tahoe on Memorial Day Weekend for a summer kickoff! ...And proceeded to get snowed on. We lasted for a night, and were promptly out of there by 10am. Much respect to those that lasted longer.

I blame it mostly on our inexperience. I rode up to the site in shorts and a tank top, and had packed only two pairs of long pants and a sweatshirt. Of course, it was late May, and me being a So Cal girl - how was I to know? And then, we only brought two sleeping bags and a few blankets. So us and the cold, hard ground got acquainted pretty well. No amount of beer or Jack D could soften or warm it. ...And the poor dogs. The poor dogs were not even equipped for this kind of wild.

So never being ones to back down, and hopefully having learned our lesson, we're going out into the unknown once again. For Thanksgiving, we're driving to Southern California to spend some time with my family, and since Matt has taken a combined total of 2 days off this year, we've decided it might be cool to stop off along the way and spend some time in the wilderness.
We were shopping dog-friendly camp sites last night. And we think we've settled on Big Basin Redwoods State Park... I haven't been to see the Redwoods since I was a kid, and there seems to be plenty of trails and dog-friendly activities to keep us busy. Not to mention this Santa Cruz beach about an hour's drive away that allows dogs off-leash after 4pm! (Probably one of the things I'm most excited about...)

And we've better prepared... Air mattress-armed, I'm bringing a mattress pad, our dog's beds, every blanket in the house (I guess the low will be like 47 degrees - nothing we haven't seen - right?), long johns, 20 pairs of socks, and maybe even old sweaters for the dogs to sleep in. ...Seriously, we vowed to never dress our dogs up - but people, these might be extreme circumstances. And dammit, my dogs are spoilt.

I know I have a list above expressing all my excitement (if you know me, you know it doesn't take much)... But the pictures... It's the pictures in my head that I know I'll get the chance to capture that is making me crazy with anticipation...

Wish us luck on our crazy adventure. Even though it's a ways off.... It shall be an interesting one. To say the least.

(photo by Purple Almanac Blog)

Chills

Again, I have expressed my political view point. I don't mean to drive it home, or to bore you with personal opinions.

What struck me is about four and a half minutes in... If you haven't already, see Colin Powell's latest interview on Meet the Press:

Oh, the Goodness

I'm a little brain dead today... I suppose a night full of drinking and fire pit talk until 4am will do that to a person.

...Quite possibly my favorite wedding, though. You know, excepting the obvious.

The after party was great fun... Complete with paramedics, my lovely 'lethal' punch, good people, and the newlyweds themselves.

My only regret is not capturing a photo of the limo, fire truck, and ambulance parked simultaneously in front of our house. ...Ah. Laughing as I type.

...Just to squash the mystery, a friend dislocated his shoulder. How, you ask? By raising his hand. ...Apparently he has a history for this type of thing. He was almost carted off when his shoulder popped back into joint right as his foot hit my front door step. ...I was just happy he got to stay. :)

I'm gonna go sleep it off now. Yep, it's 2:41pm.

Congrats again, Love Birds!! I know you have many happy years ahead. xo

The love we give...

"The love we give away is the only love we keep."

~Elbert Hubbard

Titled

Some people have been questioning my blog's title. And to be honest, it's hard to give you a straight answer.

I suppose "star-crossed" is a throw-back to my love for Shakespeare and his beloved Romeo and Juliet... Its inherent meaning in 'doomed' or 'being marked by bad luck' (as best as merriam-webster could put it). ...And then of course, there's idealism.

Only as an adult have I come to identify myself as an idealist. Now, don't mistake that for an optimist... The glass is certainly not half full.

What I'm saying is that I believe the loose ends will eventually find their own ways... That though things go astray and maybe they don't even g0 'right'... It means they are simply not right in your own mind. There's always a bigger cause. And a bigger rational.

I have just found in my life, that despite my disappointments, my idealism always seems to bounce back. Despite those that cross me, my outlook for humanity and the greater good is there and never forsakes me.

My child-like hope and my obdurate sensibilities, though they might be some of my biggest faults, are still some of my favorite attributes. And ones that I plan to never let go of. For better or for worse.

...Star-crossed or not.

The Light at the End of the Hell Hole

If you've been following the soap opera that is our 16-month crusade against our ex-landlord, we received word today that our original verdict does stand. ...And that the game is officially over.

Her first payment is due to us on November 20th, and every month thereafter, until the balance is paid in full. If she does not comply on that 20th of November, the entire balance is owed to us on the spot. ...And that's where the fun begins.

Home liens and trust reaching and wage garnishing... Ah, karma. It's a bitch, no?

You had it coming, Sweetheart. Just keep that in mind when you're entering our names on the "For" line of all those checks you'll be signing.

And just to drive it home... I'd like to end this posting with a quote by the lovely afore-mentioned opposing party herself: "KNOW THE LAW!!"

(photo by Cards Unlimited)