I'm a Reader, Not a Writer

What's New....

2011-08-22T21:55:00.003-04:00

In June I flew to Atlanta expecting to bring home a very cute kitten, a friend took in a pregnant stray. Sadly, the Atlanta kitten didn't survive a run-in with a dog. Much sadness on my part. However, the morning I was leaving, some kittens were seen outside my apartment. Argh, between the adult feral cats I already knew about this was overwhelming. Fast forward two months and I actually managed to catch the one kitten that didn't get taken in by a shelter. What a story....

I had been feeding the kitten along with the momma and some other feral cats since June. I was also going out and trying to interact with the kitten over the last two months with no luck. Last Thursday I noticed that the kitten had kind of been shunned by the adult cats and the momma seemed to have gotten less involved as well. I spent 45 minutes or so hanging out trying to catch her while she played under my car. (and I have a good 75+ mosquito bites to prove it) No dice. So on to my next plan, I sat in the entryway with the food, since the adult cats won't really come near the food I leave for them, I was hoping the kitten would come up. Yuppers, the kitten did and I moved the food up into my entryway. The kitten was pretty much in my entryway and engrossed in the food so I slowly moved my hand over the kitten and I was able to grab it. The kitten did fight back, I got bit on my hand and my leg but nothing to major. I took the kitten into the bathroom, got the kitty litter situated, dry food, and water. Then I hopped in my car and ran to Pet Supermarket to get some other essentials and walked in one minute before they closed. They were so helpful!

Then on to Tarzhay for some neosporin and some other kitty essentials. I left some wet food out for the kitten and applied some flea treatment (fingers crossed that it works). Friday night we hung out in the bathroom for a while, I talked and let her get used to my voice. Saturday morning I spent some more time with the kitten and fed some tuna to the kitten. By the end of the morning, the kitten was letting me pet it. The kitten is very friendly and hanging out on my lap regularly. I'm not sure if it's a boy or girl kitten, I plan on heading to the vet this week. I believe the name is going to be PK (pretty kitty).

I also bought a new bike this weekend and got a couple of rides in for 16+ miles.

Personally, I also had to get a new therapist as mine has moved away. I also started some medication for anxiety, things are getting a bit better from that perspective. What's new with you?

Wondering

2011-07-05T21:00:00.002-04:00

I had a not so pretty 4th of July. The weekends here are so depressing right now. I sure don't feel like going out and meeting people, I don't really feel likeable at the moment and as I hesitate about where I will be at the end of this year in Florida... Well, it leaves me a little lost at the moment. I am definitely thinking about where this job can take me, unfortunately it feels very finite right now. I need to really think about what I want in my career and where I want to go. Are there steps I can take to make that path easier? Is that an MBA? Classes? It's things like this that drive my anxiety through the roof and considering I haven't seen the roof below me in the last two weeks, I don't even know where to begin.

In other news, my weight is going down, I really need my appetite to get all the workouts in I need for marathon training. I pretty much bonked with the trainer tonight and skipped my planned second workout. I guess I know what I will be doing tomorrow night.

Swap Irony

2011-07-01T19:41:00.007-04:00

So, as I mentioned previously I kind of flaked on the swap, however now that my side of the bargain has been fulfilled and the packaged received I opened my swap. I laughed out loud to see a magnet with ADK on it, because I immediately recognized the initials. I swapped with a girl in Upstate NY (the real Upstate, not that Albany crap downstaters claim is Upstate). Little did she know that I grew up on the west side of the Adirondacks. About 115 miles from where I grew up to where she lives. That made me laugh. As did the nail polish since I also sent her some polish. I love the polka dot flip flops I got. I'll try to get a picture up soon but right now I need to find me a flight home, I'm a bit homesick now.

Life Gets in the Way...

2011-06-30T22:27:00.002-04:00

So, it's been a while. I got out of balance and am still pretty out of balance. Life threw some major curveballs at me. A last minute business trip going haywire, the kitten I was adopting was killed by a stupid dog the day I was going to pick her up, and my heart got broken. All in the space of a week. Oh yeah, and work is still very up in the air. Right now, I am just wishing I was in Georgia with my friends around. It's hard to say where I will be in a year, at the moment I am not convinced I am in the right place for me.

I kind of flaked on the swap I participated in, sending the package much later than I should have, sorry about that Amber. I hope your package came today. I have your package but I wasn't going to open it until you had yours. I'm looking forward to opening it when I get home from this business trip.

So, I am starting another 30 days of balance. More posting forthcoming hopefully although marathon training will gear up and I have lots of travel plans since I am disliking the weekends alone right now. I am also trying to convince the feral kitten living under my back stairs to live with me. Baby steps.

2011-06-08T21:15:00.000-04:00

My friend Janna, pointed me to a swap, her friend Becca is hosting a kick butt flip flop swap...head over and join in!

The Rules:

Bloggy Flip Flop Exchange

One. If you would like to participate, send Becca an email that includes your full mailing address, blog address, and flip flop size by Sunday, June 12, 2011.

Click here to send her an email

Two. On Monday, June 14, you will receive an email with your BFFE partner's information. Please take the time to visit their blog and learn more about them.

Three. By Friday, June 17, mail your flip flops to your BFFE partner along with mementos from your home state (so they can learn more about you as well). Some ideas include a postcard, local delicacy (someone got homemade fudge sauce last year- jealous!), key chain, etc. Don't spend more than $20 total for your package.

Four. Blog about the flips you have received - show us some pictures!! Bonus points for the most creative shot of you in your flip flops!!!

So there you go...WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Where Does the Time Go?

2011-06-08T21:01:00.002-04:00

I don't know how my blog friends find time to post, some post several times a day and I can barely get one every other week. Maybe it's because I spend so much time reading other blogs that I don't have time. Regardless, those bloggers impress me regularly.

Some FB friends and I are having a bit of an exercise challenge and my competitive sprit has come out. Yesterday after finishing a 45 minute strength training session with my trainer I got home, hopped out of my car and went on a 4 mile run. Marathon training has commenced. I doubt I would have done the run if one of my friends hadn't stated she was going to get a second workout in as well. So, that was actually pretty helpful. Finding 4 days a week to have the desire to run is pretty tough lately.

Looking forward to the weekend, I'm headed to Savannah, GA to hang out with my BFF. This moving to a new state kind of sucks for hanging out with friends. I especially miss my running friends as they always motivated me to get my runs in, whereas running alone tends to high light the fact that I am alone.

Day 30 - 30 Days of Balance

2011-05-24T21:28:00.002-04:00

30 days ago, my friend Janna posted the following note on her blog:

Dear Self,

STOP IT! STOP beating yourself up.
STOP feeling sorry for yourself.
STOP making excuses.
STOP saying you will get it together tomorrow.
STOP quitting just because you make a bad choice or SEVERAL bad choices.
STOP making bad choices.

Instead…START putting yourself first!
START by making a plan!
START taking it one bite at a time!
START by taking it ONE DAY AT A TIME!
START by doing SOMETHING.

STOP the madness.
START living the life you want.
START BY LOVING YOURSELF.

Love,Me

Therapy is going well and helping me find more balance in my life. I am really enjoying the personal training, while expensive I think it will be a good thing overall. I don't think it will go beyond the three months I signed up for. Work is coming along.

On a scary note, I realized that training for the Marine Corps Marathon starts next Monday. Uh oh, it looks like I might have to run in the morning.

Day 23 - where does the time go?

2011-05-17T22:05:00.002-04:00

I managed 2 more training sessions last week, therapy, laundry, packing for a weekend in Atlanta, and a night at trivia. Pretty impressive even if I am saying so myself. I've laid off the running which I miss but I miss my running friends more. I came to the conclusion today in therapy that part of the reason I am not running is because I am running by myself and I got into running because I joined a fantastic running group back in Atlanta. Running by myself is the epitome of what I dislike about living in a new state, I am not good at it and it makes me sad and lonely. I need to work on that or the marathon in October isn't going to happen. Two days of training down for this week, 1 to go. Hopefully, I can manage a run in there somewhere, the weather's perfect right now, if only the attitude was.

Day 15 - Halfway There

2011-05-09T21:28:00.002-04:00

Today is Day 15! I am feeling so different than where I was just a couple of weeks ago.

Day 12 - DOR and my abs needed it. I just vegged with Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice before heading to bed. It was a good week at work but long.

Day 13 - 7 mile run. 7 miles with a group felt easier than 4 alone. I got a tip about a furniture consignment shop that I took advantage of later that day and hopefully I will have furniture in my living room in the next few days. I also did lots errands and had a highly productive day. It has been a while since I had one of those. Oh yeah and I managed a 35 and 40 second plank. Stupid core.

Day 14 - DOR again, mostly because I was lazy and spent most of the day cleaning. I think mopping floors should count though. More cleaning remains.

Weekly Calorie Burn: 3100!

Day 15 - trainer, lots of squats and ab work. My legs are feeling it in a good way. Trying a different dinner this week, eggs instead of the usual cereal. They didn't turn into a brick in the belly so that is good.

Tomorrow is another session with the therapist and the trainer. Looking forward to reflecting back in another 15 days.

Day 11 ~ Breaking the Ice

2011-05-05T20:04:00.004-04:00

Borrowed from Janna who got it from Jenn.

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

It would depend on the day more than likely. Today, I think it would be that dark, inky blue of the night sky.

2
Would you ever bungee jump?

Highly unlikely, I have a fear of heights and having been sky diving was plenty scary for me. I am however looking into going hang gliding with the BF at the end of the month. I loved that.

3
What is your least favorite thing about yourself?

My crazy, old man eyebrows

4
What is your favorite thing about yourself?

The distance my legs can run.

5
What is your favorite app?

Words With Friends

6
What's the nastiest thing you've ever eaten?

A toss up between McDonalds and Taco Bell

7
What is one thing that I would not know about you at our first meeting?

I'm left handed.

8
What is your all-time favorite movie?

Love Actually ~ I think it's the opening and closing sequences that get me.

9
If you could go anywhere for one week (all expenses paid), where would you go?

Only a week? I'm thinking Greece, if you gave me more time the answer would be different.

10
What is your favorite midnight snack?

I don't snack too much but I think it would be popcorn with olive oil and fresh ground black pepper.

I met with the trainer this morning. It was brutal, my muscles hurt. My plank was pathetic at about 6 seconds. It was 25 on Monday but my abs hurt, hurt, HURT. He said I can have a couple of days of rest but after that I need to work on it every day. I can't wait to start seeing some muscle definiton, results tend to make me more enthusiastic.

Day 10

2011-05-04T21:12:00.002-04:00

It's been a long day, alarm went off at 5:45 (aka o'dark thirty) to be at work at 7. Unfortunately, another co-worker and I both read the schedule incorrectly and the people we had scheduled to train were not at work. Whoopsies. Managed to get in training for two other people so all was not lost. Tomorrow is another early day, trainer at 7:30, so alarm will go off at 6:45 instead. Hopefully, I will get to trivia tomorrow night, it's been too long.

I did get a 4 mile run in at a 12:30 pace. Still not great but not horrible. I will run again Saturday, debating what will be my day of rest this week, Friday or Sunday or neither. Training three days a week with the trainer and trying to fit in three more days of running that aren't all in a row is getting a little tough. I am going to see how tomorrow morning goes and then decide if I can maybe do at least two days a week in the AM so I can run in the PM. Since running on the weekends when I am traveling is pretty much unlikely, I need to find weekday solutions.

Day 9

2011-05-03T21:26:00.002-04:00

Day 5 through 7 - Friday was a long day of training at work and then traveling to Atlanta, no workout and poor eating all weekend didn't help.

Day 8 - fly back from Atlanta, get in a 7 hour work day and then hit the trainer for my fitness evaluation and a quick workout. Falling asleep didn't go so well.

Day 9 - another long day at work and a session with the trainer tonight. Still working on dinner after working out so late. Trying to find the right food so I can sleep and not wake up starving.

Tomorrow is a running day.

Day 4

2011-04-28T21:39:00.002-04:00

Met with the trainer again today. There's nothing more encouraging (and slightly degrading) than being forced to look at all your flab in a mirror while exercising. On a positive note, it did help me make a better choice when it came to my dinner tonight. 500 calories in 45 minutes and I think I am going to hurt tomorrow.

Ready for this week to be done with. I am burned out.

Day 3

2011-04-27T21:07:00.002-04:00

Well, I managed to get a run in. It was a bit pathetic. I was dying after 3 miles and slower than I have been recently. However, I got out there and did it. The next run will be faster. I am still finding it difficult to run by myself. I should be settling down into JAX with less traveling next month (only one trip scheduled vs four in April). Hopefully, I will get situated with a group and only be running on my own one day a week.

On a side note, I got some planting done. I am trying to grow watermelons again this year. Last year was a bust with the first (of three in 6 months) move. I have high hopes for this attempt.

Tomorrow is another visit with the trainer and packing for my trip this weekend. Not sure if Friday will be a day of rest or if I will get something in.

Day 2

2011-04-26T20:54:00.002-04:00

Well, I didn't get a run in, instead I signed up for a trainer 3 times a week for the next 3 months. I had my first workout with the trainer tonight. Oh my, am I out of shape. Another day, another step.

I will be working on food next. Tomorrow, a run and another post.

A New Day

2011-04-25T21:42:00.002-04:00

My friend Janna, is constantly inspiring me. Lately, I've needed it. It's been a bit of a mess for the last 10 months or so. My transition to living in a new city in a new state has been much harder than I ever imagined it would be. Trying to make new friends is not easy for me and adding a bunch of traveling on the weekends has made it harder to meet people. I have taken steps to get back some of the stability in my life. Janna has a project of 365 Days of Happiness, I am going to start my own project, 30 Days of Balance. Today was day 1. Therapy and a walk on the beach. Tomorrow, I will run and post again. 1 day at a time.

Dear Self,

STOP IT!
STOP beating yourself up.
STOP feeling sorry for yourself.
STOP making excuses.
STOP saying you will get it together tomorrow.
STOP quitting just because you make a bad choice or SEVERAL bad choices.
STOP making bad choices.

Instead…
START putting yourself first!
START by making a plan!
START taking it one bite at a time!
START by taking it ONE DAY AT A TIME!
START by doing SOMETHING.

STOP the madness. START living the life you want.
START BY LOVING YOURSELF.

Love,
Me

Thanks, Janna ~ you can't imagine how much I needed this today.

3. Are you a "Santa hat" kind of person?

2010-12-03T22:17:00.002-05:00

I'd like to be a santa hat kind of person, I'd like to be any kind of hat person. I don't think hats work for me, but I definitely keep trying. Something about the dark circles under my eyes and hats tend to make me look ill. Not a look I am going for on most days.

I have movers coming and the move is progressing. Another load went to the new place today and I will be taking more tomorrow morning. Hoping to get the boxes/shopping bags/laundry baskets all taken care of myself. I must get rid of more books before the next move.

2. Favorite seasonal main dish

2010-12-02T22:01:00.004-05:00

TURKEY! I love turkey and am sad when turkey is not on the menu. I will eat turkey any time, I like to go to Boston Market and eat turkey and I love that the cafeteria at work regularly has turkey (although, that's not so good for my budget). I might just cook a turkey for myself as a reward for getting all moved and settled in the new place. Then I can work on making stock.

Sadly this year, turkey is not on the menu. I can't complain too much though, I am bogarting in on my BFF's family since I will not head to the great white North until 12/29. This makes two years in a row that I will be bogarting this Christmas and I am very grateful to have this "pseudo-family" as an option here. I don't know what I will do when they up and leave for good.

I am making progress on the pending move and did actually get some boxes in the new place tonight. There is lots more to go and I still don't have movers. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

1. Favorite scene in a holiday movie

2010-12-01T22:21:00.002-05:00

A blogging friend, Stephanie, who is also a Facebook friend has posted a list of 31 things to blog about. I am trying to get back into this but as my name indicates, I'm not much of a writer.

My favorite scene in a holiday movie is found in Love Actually and it's really not a crucial part to the movie but it reminds me of family. It's both the opening and closing scenes for the movie with random people at the arivals area of the airport. I don't know if it is because I am always traveling home at Christmas or what, but the arrivals area at the airport has got to be one of the happiest places on earth. It might be time to throw Love Actually into the DVD player and get into the spirit.

It's cold here in GA, pratically colder than my hometown in the NY Snowbelt. I am not looking forward to moving in this weather but hopefully Saturday will be nice and sunny and much warmer in the middle of the afternoon.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

2010-01-16T17:22:00.000-05:00

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for Untitled

Daring Bakers Challenge - Caramel Cake

2008-11-30T21:52:00.003-05:00

Recipe: Caramel Cake with Caramelized Butter Frosting courtesy of Shuna Fish Lydon (http://eggbeater.typepad.com/), as published on Bay Area Bites (http://blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites/).

Hosted By: Dolores (http://culinarycuriosity.blogspot.com/) and co-hostedAlex (Brownie of the Blondie and Brownie duo: http://blondieandbrownie.blogspot.com/), Jenny of Foray into Food (http://forayintofood.blogspot.com/) and Natalie of Gluten-a-Go-Go (http://glutenagogo.blogspot.com/).

This challenge sounded great to me. Not to difficult and something I wouldn’t normally try. I started about 3:30 PM on a Sunday afternoon and I finished the caramel syrup, cake (cupcakes), frosting and the optional caramels by 7 PM. Not too bad in my opinion.

The caramel syrup directions were a little lacking in my opinion, I am more exact than just a particular color, and I am not sure that I ever got this right. It smelled like molasses to me. I started working on the cake and the frosting next. I am not a huge fan of clarified/browned butter; the smell is just not appetizing to me so I wasn’t too thrilled with how my kitchen started to smell as I browned the butter. The cake went together quickly as I expected and I was able to make 18 cupcakes from this recipe. I probably should have gone with 14 for a more generous serving but I am not too concerned with the size. The cupcakes took about 26 minutes to bake.

Next I started the caramels, these took way longer than I expected, from before 5 until 7. I used corn syrup in place of the golden syrup because I wasn’t able to find the golden syrup. I have seen recipes for caramels using this so I wasn’t to concerned. I had a difficult time determining the difference between energetically and violently. Nevertheless, they sure looked yummy. Waiting for them to cool was definitely difficult. While the caramels were cooking, I finished the frosting. I wouldn’t say I am a huge fan but I think it’s due to my predisposed dislike of browned butter. The cupcakes frosted quickly and were ok. I put them in the freezer for future need.

Pictures tomorrow since I can't find the cord for my camera. I can read them at work tomorrow.

Daring Bakers Challenge - Pizza Dough

2008-11-01T20:20:00.002-04:00

Ah, pizza dough a seemingly easy project, I've gotten pretty good at making challah so I didn't figure this would be an issue. Was I wrong, for a challenge I decided to use the stand mixer and dough hook attachment. This was seriously, the stickiest dough I have ever worked with, I added quite a bit of extra flour but it didn't get much better. I was interested in the cold rise as I have heard of using it with almost any bread dough to spread out the time dedicated to it. I have no idea what I did wrong (although in every bread recipie I make, I always use at least one extra cup of flour. Maye I should have gone with my instinct and added more flour.

After putting the dough together in a matter of about 20 minutes, I stuck two pieces in the fridge to try the following day. I didn't see much rising going on but it looked okay to me when I pulled it out to bring it to room temperature. The dough was still extremely sticky, I couldn't work with it at all. I think for the next go around I would use a lot more flour. I hadn't used my stone in a while so it was nice to bring that out and give it a whirl, it worked well and I might use the method again although not in the summer, 45 minutes at 500 degrees made my condo pretty warm.

Pizza went in with some difficulty, even the generous amount of cornmeal didn't help the stickiness and the transfer was not pretty, still the pizza cooked up and tasted ok, I can't say that there was much flavor in the dough. We shall see how the dough that's in the freezer works. If that works well, I might work on perfecting this recipe as it was pretty quick and tasty.

No pictures this month, I can't seem to find my camera right now. Looking forward to next month.

Sewlicious

2008-09-14T19:45:00.002-04:00

I have been on a crafy kick this weekend, starting with Friday night I have been sewing a lot. It started when I decided to learn how to quilt earlier this year. I have some avid quilter friends at work and they spent some time teaching me the basics. I joined a Block of the Month "club" with them back in February and we just finished our seventh block. Now I am able to work the block each month on my own. Unfortunately, I make a mistake with it every month but I am learning from each mistake. Hopefully, next year will be better.

That was my Friday night as BOM (Block Of the Month) is on the second Saturday and you have to bring your completed block with you, I had to get down to business and finish the block. Mistake made, I moved on and finished the block.

Saturday, I got up and drove to the other side of the city to meet up with the quilters and to learn about the next block. We also get the spiel of what's new at the store, $42 later I have some more projects to work on. Not that I don't have plenty available at home. I spent 2.5 hours working on one of the projects which the instructions say will take 17 minutes, 30 minutes max the first time. I don't think my second, third or fourth projects will go down in 30 minutes.... I am learning though.

Today, it was another project I have been needing to start on for a while. The quilters at the office are making 22 stockings for a nursing home the Christmas season. I am responsible for four of them and I hadn't started. Today, I finally started and it wasn't as bad as I though it would be. Three more tops and then the finishing part can begin. So long as I finish by November I am all set.

Fun times, fun times.

Daring Bakers Challenge - Chocolate Eclairs

2008-08-31T20:46:00.007-04:00

I missed the July challenge due to the removal of my wisdom teeth, I lost an entire weekend to that and with the holiday and traveling July flew past me. Then August came and I checked the challenge. Yummy, chocolate and bread two great things together. I began the quest on Sunday, August 10, 2008, approximate outside temperature 86 degrees, much cooler than it has been lately. Time 5 PM, phone call from my Mom and start time got delayed for an hour.

Step 1: Choux PastryI am a huge fan of cooking shows and have seen this made on tv and have thought, wow that doesn’t seem too hard. I learned that it actually isn’t that hard. One concern I had after the stove part of the pastry making was the amount of butter left in the pan. See picture, I wasn’t expecting that.
Adding the eggs was definitely not attractive at all, thankfully as promised in the recipe that 3rd egg did make it all come together. The Choux came together quickly. I put it in my pastry bag and quickly filled two cookies sheets, not the best planning on my part. I quickly rinsed off my Silpat and finished the remaining 9 (of 24 total Eclairs). Interesting note, the shells on the Silpat came out larger than the ones on the cookie sheets. These also were on the bottom of the oven for the first 12 minutes of baking, not sure if it was the Silpat, the water, or the temperature that made that happen.

Step 3: Chocolate Glaze This came together quickly again. I finished stirring in the Chocolate Sauce at 7:42 PM. Not bad for and hour and thirty-two minutes. I took a quick break to start my writing and started the last step at 8:00 PM.

Step 4: Chocolate Pastry Cream This step took the longest, and hour from start to finish. I was getting tired of standing on my tiled kitchen floor by this point. The pastry cream came together but whisking by hand got hot and was tiring. I did scramble some eggs during the tempering process but not much maybe a teaspoon when I strained it (purely eyeballing it). Considering I had the ac set at 76 degrees, it sure didn’t feel cool in the kitchen.

9:50 PM first éclair has been eaten, not by me but by the roomie. Dishes are in the dishwasher and I am 80% cleaned up.

I was honestly too tired and sick of the éclairs by this point, I haven’t tried them yet. Maybe at work, the plan is for me to take some and the roomie to take some. I have the pastry cream in baggies so the end can be snipped off and the éclairs filled at work, easy-peasy.

August 31 - I never did try the eclairs but they went over pretty well at work. Next time I will spread it out over a few days.

Wisdom Departing.... T Minus 13 Hours

2008-07-24T22:09:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow I am taking the day off from work for the extreme excitement of having my wisdom teeth removed. Yay for iv sedation! By this time tomorrow, I should be heavily under the influence of vicodin. 3 days of sleeping in and no driving so I'm saving on gas this weekend as well. I have some movies and books from the library for entertainment. I have pre-made jello, pudding and mashed potatoes from Kroger and some yogurt as well to get me through the weekend. Think good thoughts for me tomorrow as I will be without wisdom......

All Call

2008-06-06T19:27:00.002-04:00

I volunteer a lot. Weekly at church and then several other events throughout the year. This weekend is one of the events that I regularly volunteer with, The American Cancer Society's Relay For Life and I am asking you to help me get to my family's goal of $3,500. We need to raise less than $450 to get to the GOLD team level. Fundraising so far has consisted of asking for donations, a raffle, and selling summer flowers. Now it's your turn to help. Would you please make a donation to the event?

Relay For Life is an event honoring the warriors who have survived the battle with cancer and also an event remembering those we have lost. I participate for the following warriors: Molly, Sharon A., Liz, Bev, and Aunt Nancy. I also participate for the fallen warriors: Grandpa, Don, and Sharon G.. These are people I know and love or knew and loved. How many names can you add? Won't you take a moment to honor and remmeber them be donating to Relay For Life?

Welcome to my sidebar....

2008-05-18T22:16:00.003-04:00

I've added a few of my daily checks. Sadly, not all of the blogs I read are updated daily. Oh, that they were.

It's a rainy Sunday night here and for that I am thankful. Another 13 feet and we will be all set in our main water supply. It was another pleasant weekend, I Relayed For Life on Friday night (it was a bit cold) and got my hair cut yesterday. Sunday was spent at church and relaxing on the couch. Next weekend will be spent in the hometown, I get to see my almost 4 year old niece perform in a dance recital and hang out with my 90 year old grandma. Hopefully, I won't freeze.

Umm, Not So Much

2008-02-23T20:19:00.000-05:00

You are 3:15 p.m.
You are the moment when the last bell rings and school lets out for the day. You are resistant to schedules and obligations, so you love feeling like you're in control of your life again. You are the very moment when the second hand hits the 12, and the halls fill with noise and motion. Even if your after-school time is packed with activities, lessons, or a job, somehow, you just feel freer in the late afternoon than you do earlier in the day. Maybe it's all that blue sky and afternoon sunshine? Nah -- even on rainy days, 3:15 is always a beautiful time.

Hit By The Bus

2008-02-16T20:32:00.002-05:00

I first heard this term over at Superflous Juxtaposition a while ago. At the time, I was ok with being single. In the last year I have decided to start torturing myself by getting back into the dating scene. The torture I chose: eHarmony.com. First of all, let me just say that dating as an adult SUCKS! Between working, taking care of my home, and my friends, I don't have a lot of energy left at the end of the week. I want to relax, not see people rejecting me based on a few statements and a picture. Fortunately for me, I blame the rejection on my height. At 5'10" in my bare feet, I am tall, throw in some heels and I am over 6'. Men often tell me that I must be taller, because they are "5'10"". Nope, they're just liars. So far as I can tell, just about every man I have met has claimed they are about 2 inches taller than reality. So, for every man that rejects me, I pretty much blame it on them being shorter than me. This works pretty well for me.

Having recently met up with one of my matches from my self-inflicted torture, I found that even at 6'2" they still lie about their height. I would like to know why they lie. Not only about their height but also about calling.... Alas, "D" appears to have been hit by the bus, never to be heard from again.

Sweet!

2008-02-09T22:33:00.001-05:00

Taxes filed 2/3/08, refund received 2/8/08. I do so enjoy tax refunds!

A is for Apple

2008-02-02T23:20:00.000-05:00

You Are an Apple

You are strong, powerful, and even a bit stubborn at times.
You have enough strength to help those around you in trouble.

You are adventurous and charming. Many people are drawn to you.
You love life, and you enjoy traveling the world. You enjoy fine food, art, and culture.

People have accused you of being a snob, but that's not accurate.
You do enjoy the best things in life. Unlike snobs, you truly appreciate quality... not just pretend to.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

Via Edenza....we match.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution SUCKS!!!!

2008-01-29T21:30:00.000-05:00

Can you tell why??? It sure stuck out like a sore thumb to me.

Puking, aka All Star Hockey Game

2008-01-27T21:39:00.000-05:00

I started this weekend not so happy. Here it was, the game I had been waiting for since I signed up for a full season ticket to the Thrashers last April. That was a big chunk of change I was handing over but it garanteed my a seat at the All Star Game here in Atlanta. Of course after paying for the tickets for the next 8 months, I get into the season and find anyone with any kind of ticket package (as few as 7 games) can get tickets. That was the first annoyance. Then I get the e-mail with my seat and check with my hockey buddy (who sits in the seat next to me) and find she is on the opposite side of the arena. We contact our sales rep and he basically shrugged his shoulders and said "oh well". This was the second and third annoyance. So by Friday night, I am not so enthused about hanging out in the arena pretty much by myself. I make plans to ride MARTA to the game with said hockey buddy and we talk and chat the short ride in. We go find our seats because they are no where near where we normally sit. Then we part ways and head of by our lonely selves to sit alone. My phone rings, yay there is an empty seat during Saturday's Super Skills event, I make the trek to the other end of the arena and make my way into the middle of the row. Yay, Saturday night just improved 100%. Tonight, there are three, yes three empty seats by my hockey buddy.

This was even more important tonight. By this point you might be asking about the title.... Yes, dear reader (All Things Jen(nifer), this means you) about a minute into the game a young hockey fan is making his way up the steps towards the exit, he stops about three rows ahead of me and blows chunks. Even better, he gets to my row and blows chunks again. Clearly, this kid will not be eating spaghetti anytime soon. Then the arena staff make an attempt to clean, however, the smell is still there and I am in the aisle seat. Life is not good. I look to the other end and see empty seats near my friend. I hightail it to the other end of the arena at the first tv intermission. There is much rejoicing with my hockey buddy and I.

Moral of this story, you might ask? Get a better sales rep. Yup, that's right, we are both firing our sales rep and going to someone who cares about their customers.

Blogger Friend Mail

2008-01-15T20:44:00.000-05:00

Calling all blogger friends. In the spirit of 2008 and due to the fact that I like getting mail that is not credit card applications I am offering to mail the first 10 people that comment a card or postcard by Valentine's Day of this year provided you offer up the same on your blog.

I am bogarting this idea from the Blogger Friend Christmas/Year End homemade gifting that was done last year. Come on, put a smile on someone's face today!

#39

2008-01-15T20:40:00.001-05:00

Young Tobias (Toby) Enstrom was named to the NHL Young Stars team! He is one rockin' rookie! Averaging more than 20 minutes per game on the ice, 3 goals, lots of assists, and speed. He is my favorite player after Todd White (Todd White was on the college team where I learned to love hockey) and I am super glad he made the Young Stars team for the NHL All Star Weekend, even more excited, I have tickets to see this event! I will not however be at the Rock 'n Skate event.

One Day Down, Four To Go....

2008-01-14T21:05:00.000-05:00

Work is not my favorite place to be this month. There is some change that needs to take place and I can't make it happen. I am the low woman on the totem pole and unfortunately it's in my nature to get annoyed when change doesn't happen at my pace. I have already been waiting for more than two months. I guess the question is, how much longer will I make it.

And I have a meeting with Skeletor this week. Oh joy, oh bliss, my work life is complete this week.

Weekend Wrapup

2008-01-13T21:36:00.000-05:00

Friday night I met up with a friend for dinner. I love Taqueria del Sol, drinks with dinner, an appetizer and it cost less than $30 for both of us. Yummy! Then I went to the grocery store to get some fixings for Chocolate Mud Cupcakes. Then it was home to enjoy my home. (Especially enjoyable after being out Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.)

Saturday I slept in and then made the Chocolate Mud Cupcakes. They looked nothing like the picture but they tasted pretty good. Then off with the cupcakes to the Stitch 'n Bitch. It's always good to vent about work. Then off to the hockey game. The Thrashers rocked it! They played the best I have seen them all season. An exciting win in a shoot out against the Pittsburgh Penguins. I was wound up after I got home so I was up later than I should have been.

Sunday morning arrived too quickly. Up and at 'em, off to church for the 9 service. Volunteering at the 11 service and then a discussion about how to improve the environment where I volunteer. Then it was home for a break and then off to start Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University for 2 hours.

Suddenly, my weekend is over and its time to think about what I am going to wear to work tomorrow and what needs to be done. What I am going to eat for breakfast and lunch. What I want to do with this job.

Rain, Glorious Rain

2008-01-10T22:44:00.000-05:00

It is so enjoyable falling asleep listening to the rain. I just don't like getting out of bed when its raining. Yay for rain!

So very tired tonight

2008-01-09T21:26:00.000-05:00

To tired to write anything.

Inspiration

2008-01-08T22:35:00.000-05:00

All Things Jen(nifer) has inspired me to be a Literacy volunteer. Unfortunately for her, I don't live in Buffalo and can't help out there. But thank you to her for inspiring me to search it locally. My application was sent today.

Minor Annoyance

2008-01-07T21:56:00.000-05:00

I bought a new tv on Black Friday, on the remote the channel and volume are backwards from my old tv. I keep using the wrong side to change the channel. I find it annoying.

Major Annoyance: Joe Cecconi's Chrysler Don't buy a car here.

Hockey Nerd....

2008-01-06T22:13:00.000-05:00

Go Thrashers! 5 - 2 over Buffalo, I am still trying to figure out why the Buffalo coach pulled Miller (the goalie) when they were down by 2 with just 2 minutes to go. 1st game of the week, 3 to go. Next season, I am so not getting the full season package. Sorry to my Buffalo friends.

Nerd....

2008-01-05T22:01:00.001-05:00

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Social Nerd You're interested in things such as politics, psychology, child care, and peace. I wouldn't go so far as to call you a hippie, but some of you may be tree-huggers. You're the type of people who are interested in bettering the world. You're possible the least nerdy of them all; unless you participate in other activies that paled your nerdiness compared to your involvement in social activities. Whatever the case, we could still use more of you around. ^_^
Science/Math Nerd
Literature Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Drama Nerd
Anime Nerd
Musician
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

Disappointing

2008-01-04T22:57:00.000-05:00

I am disappointed. The Thrashers lost tonight to our division rivals. Todd White did get a star. Go Todd! Excellent goal and an assist. If only we were back at Clarkson....there would be a lot less losing.

Oh Happy Day!

2008-01-03T21:40:00.000-05:00

All Things Jen(nifer) got her Blogger Friend package and yay for me, got bored live blogging the Iowa caucus and took a picture:

I made the lovely red scarf she is wearing!

2008-01-03T21:33:00.001-05:00

The Recipe For Ruthie

3 parts Courage
2 parts Giddiness
1 part Fascination

Splash of Panache

Serve over ice

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

Blogger Friend Gifts

2008-01-02T22:42:00.000-05:00

Oh, I am just so excited to see what Jen, Erin and Eden think of them! I hope they get delivered tomorrow!

Also, thanks to Samantha for the CD, I haven't had time to listen yet but I am looking forward to it!

2008

2008-01-01T14:58:00.000-05:00

It arrived while I was returning from the great white North, I sat on MARTA with some happy Auburn fans and some sad Clemson fans and said Happy New Year not too far before my stop on the Eastbound train. New Year's Eve was a long day spent packing and saying goodbye before beginning the arduous task of returning from my home town in central New York to my lovely home in GA. Waiting in Detroit for the flight crew added an hour to the trip as did waiting an hour for my luggage at the Atlanta airport. MARTA was surprisingly fast last night and took less than 45 minutes, thank Peach Bowl, that meant more eastbound trains!

Also accomplished yesterday was the mailing of my blogger friend gifts! All Things Jen(nifer), Erin-Go-Blog, and Edenza need to be on the lookout for their packages. I hope you like!

Welcome Back....

2007-12-03T17:56:00.000-05:00

To my sidebar which has been banished to the bottom of the screen since April.

Spirit of Giving

2007-12-03T17:51:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year, the time to finish all my charitable giving. I recently got some address labels from the American Heart Association and Heifer International so I am adding them to the tally. So, who would you like me to donate to? I think it was Edneza that got me to give to Heifer last year. This year, if you ask it, I will attempt it. It may not be a large amount but every amount helps.

Painful

2007-12-02T19:55:00.000-05:00

I spent 30 minutes on the phone with my dad today, fairly unusual for me to talk with him that long, usually its about 10 minutes max. Today however, I was attempting to teach my dad to use e-mail. 10 minutes to get to Yahoo mail, 10 minutes to login and read a message and another 10 minutes to reply to an e-mail all on his 56k modem. And he wonders why no one wants to help him.

I'll Be Home For Christmas?

2007-11-29T21:19:00.000-05:00

At this point its looking like I am going to have to make the drive home. I am not looking forward to that 17 hour drive. I apparently have too much Welsh blood in me and I refuse to spend $400 on one ticket. So, I get to go to the hockey game on Friday night and then get up on Saturday and start the drive. Time to load up the Ipod!

What are you doing for Christmas?

I posted?

2007-11-14T21:52:00.001-05:00

This was posted on a blog that I came upon while reading another blog (isn’t that the way?).

“By the end of the calendar year, I will send a tangible, physical gift to each of the first five people to comment here. The catch? Each person must make the same offer on her/his blog.”

I love this idea and am going to do it myself! So, comment if you want a gift from moi and are willing to offer the same on your blog. Again, this offer is limited to the first five commenters w/blogs.

Tagged....

2007-11-14T21:35:00.000-05:00

Edenza tagged me for a meme. The meme is simple: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Me.

1) As of today I am 30 years, 1 month and 2 days old.

2) I have 5 siblings.

3) Trains. Who knew you could make a career out of it?

4) I don't call soda, "pop".

5) I love the remote starter on my car.

6) I am an avid reader of junk. I do enjoy the chick lit.

7) I don't miss cable tv.

8) I am what you might say is a democratic, Born Again Christian. I think some people might say this is an oxymoron.

9) I hate writing and used to use Add/Drop to drop classes with papers and add the ones with multiple choice exams.

10) I hate chain e-mails. I take off the chain and forward the sentiment.

My IRL name begins with J. What a clever way to tag people.

I'm Good People

2007-06-18T22:00:00.000-04:00

According to Jen(nifer) I'm good people. She also had posted a piece on "Knowing your money is going to a good cause can activate some of the same pleasure centers in your brain as food and sex, U.S. researchers said Thursday...". Maybe my reasons for giving aren't that altruistic. She is my link to the non-profit world of Western NY, I watch for opportunities to give on her website. Give a little bit....

2007-05-22T21:16:00.000-04:00

Based on your answers, the top city for you is

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT

Other high-ranking cities:
2) Madison, WI
3) Trenton-Ewing, NJ
4) New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA
5) Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI

All Things Jen(nifer) and I should move to one of our top 3 cities, we had our top two in reverse and 3rd was the same.

I'm smarter that a 5th grader!

2007-05-05T22:43:00.001-04:00

You Passed 8th Grade Science

Congratulations, you got 8/8 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Science?

Support

2007-04-18T21:34:00.000-04:00

This weekend Virginia Tech will go forward with their already planned Relay For Life event. Let's all show our support for our Virginia Tech. I found this participant, https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=190088&lis=0&kntae190088=EF9FB82DAEFA458F939A643236B4C892&supId=171770427 because he has a good last name.

Go Hokies!

Arbitrary & Capricious

2007-03-28T22:06:00.000-04:00

That's how I feel lately. I am loving this early spring we are having hear in the south. I am also loving my new car with its remote starter, not that I have a need to use it but it makes me smile. So does the sunroof and the controls on the steering wheel. In just 60 months, this baby will be all mine. One has to love a car payment.

Next up, training for a 10k this summer. It's a good thing my legs are in shape from the training I did to walk 60 miles last October. I'll be attempting to keep a log of this training. After that I think I will try for a half marathon. Next year maybe a full marathon.

Work Pet Peeve

2007-02-06T22:39:00.000-05:00

I have a neighbor at work who slurps hot drinks. She's been sick for a month now and often drinks hot drinks, I think in effort to help with the cold she has. I have, so far, managed to not get her cold, I am however starting to go nuts over the slurping. Id there something at your work that drives you nuts?

Anxiety

2007-01-30T22:28:00.000-05:00

Anxiety is taking over my life. It's been a part of my life for years. I recently took steps to deal with this aspect of my life. So for a while, this is going to be a major part of my life. I want to honestly chronicle this process, I am not sure if I am going to chronicle it publicly or privately. We shall see how it goes.

New Year, New Me

2007-01-10T22:05:00.000-05:00

I have been in a retrospective mood lately. It was a big year for me last year. I moved back to Georgia from South Carolina, I spent the summer in California for work, I got laid off, I didn't work for three months, I walked 60 miles in three days for breast cancer, I interviewed for many jobs I didn't get, I finally got a new job, I started the new job, and I turned 29. Those are just some of the highlghts. Some of the lows included seeing the ex, the one I thought I was going to marry with his new girlfriend and her entire family and finding out that unemployment blows big chunks. 2006 had its ups and its downs but overall was pretty good.

Here's to an even better 2007!

I Sure Don't Call Soda "Pop"

2006-11-04T10:50:00.000-05:00

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The Midland
The South
North Central
Boston
The West
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

How Many of Me?

2006-10-16T18:53:00.000-04:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
112
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

Thanks to Seth at Crazy Lawsuit Game.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2006-10-12T14:10:00.000-04:00

29 and counting!

Another 9 Days.

2006-08-11T01:06:00.000-04:00

Just another 9 days to go. I will get to sleep in my own bed again in just 9 more days. California got old the first 17 days I was here. Agreeing to come back for another 26 days was not my best moment. Thankfully, I am much closer to packing up and heading home. Not to say that I haven't seen some great places: Reno, Tahoe, Yosemite, Napa/Sonoma, and San Francisco. I will just say that sightseeing by yourself, not as fun as it sounds. Well, one IS the lonliest number. And people wonder why I am cranky....

Hours spent on the treadmill this week (since Monday): 7 long and boring hours.

9 Days

2006-07-03T23:54:00.000-04:00

I have been in California for nine days now. It's been a bit hectic but interesting. I've learned a lot at work and even more about traveling for work. That said, I hate traveling for work. I can't wait to be back in my own place, with my stuff, and my lovely bed. Hotel beds suck! Eating out all the time has gotten really old.

Tomorrow I am heading to San Francisco to meet back up with my friend Nate. We're going to do some fun, touristy stuff there and eat at restaurants that aren't part of a chain. I hope to see the Golden Gate Bridge and maybe even drive across it! It's a bit fun to be a tourist on the company dime.

Reminiscing

2006-06-26T20:35:00.000-04:00

Last night I met up with my friend Nate. I don't think I had seen him in maybe 6 or 7 years. Seriously, where did that time go. He has more gray hair and looks more mature than the last time I saw him. He said I "looked so professional and grown up." It's scary to think how much time has gone by. We talked much longer than I planned on, since I was dealing with adding 3 hours to my day. I left San Francisco about 9:15 PM for Sacramento, where I will be living out of a suitcase for the next 3 months. That was a scary drive, I got up at 5:15 AM east coast time and it was midnight for me when I started driving. Yay, I made it safely to the hotel.

I did apparently forget to put my moisturizer with sunscreen on yesterday, as evidenced by my nose. I am sporting the Rudolph look today.

West Coast Living

2006-06-24T19:40:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, I am leaving for California. At least three weeks and as much as three months. I'm a little sad about it, mainly because I just got back to Hotlanta and got all my stuff unpacked. I missed Atlanta a lot when I was in South Carolina last year and California is a hell of a lot further. Fortunately, I have to be back in mid-July for my brother's wedding so if I hate it, I can always refuse to go back. I am excited about going because I am going to see my friend, Nate. I know him from the old army days at The Clarkson School.

Yay for business class!

Back in the ATL

2006-05-17T12:29:00.000-04:00

I moved back about 6 weeks ago. I miss the four minute commute to and from work that I had for the last year. That is a great benefit of living in a small city. I can't think of too many more benefits, which might contribute to the fact that I wanted to move back since January of this year. It was one of many factors, that is for sure. I am still occasionally surprised when a new building appears where there wasn't one when I left and some things that have closed. All in all, it great to be back in the land where "Every day is an opening day." Not sure who thought that was a good motto, but every time I see a banner, see a TV commercial, or hear a radio add it makes me laugh out loud.

Serial Donator

2006-05-16T16:37:00.000-04:00

Ask and ye shall receive, that has become my new motto. When it comes to someone doing something on behalf of a charity I am more than willing to donate. However, its the doing part that really encourages me to donate. Asking for money is hard but actually signing up to participate in something and having to ask for money is really hard. So many people say they are going to do something and they are all talk and no action. Cliches exist for a reason.

Thanks to those who do more than just talk!

Update 2am

2006-03-21T02:02:00.000-05:00

CNN has repeated itself, Burger King received a big delivery, and I am getting really tired. Trying to finish some work before attempting some sleep.

A Night NOT to Remember, or How Much Fun is Atlanta's Airport at 1am

2006-03-21T01:03:00.000-05:00

Note to self, do not take the last flight out of Rochester anymore. After a delay in Rochester and a 50 minute wait on the tarmac, pulling into the gate your missed flight just departed from is priceless.

Being of Welsh heritage, I am too cheap to pay for a hotel for less than 8 hours and too nice to call any of my friends and impose on them at midnight. I am sure they would come, the guilt is not worth it. It should be an adventure as I will be flying into Greenville, SC and my car is in Asheville, NC. Hopefully KCW at work will drop me off there on her way home.

Pet Peeve

2006-01-25T12:07:00.000-05:00

Is it just me or do other people hate it when colleauges use the Reply to All option unnecessarily? I get so many replies that I don't need, it makes me want to scream. I think this is just another sign that it is time for me to move on.

Hometown Olympian

2006-01-10T22:46:00.000-05:00

This is the sign adorning my Mom and Dad's home in upstate NY. I babysat Erin once upon a time. We are proud. Luge, Erin, Luge!

Where Did the Year Go, A Reflection

2005-12-29T22:20:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that 2005 has passed so quickly. It's been a strange year, being both extremely fast and extremely slow at the same time. I moved to another state, kept doing the same boring work, and managed to exist at a fairly slow pace. My best friend was diagnosed with cancer this year and she went through major complications from surgery and spent most of July in the hospital. That part of the year went fast.

I came to the conclusion that I am bored out of my mind in my current job and that I will need to move to another state in order to change that. I contemplated moving back to the state I grew up in. I even looked for jobs there (there are none, that's one of the reasons why I left seven years ago). I considered getting a dog and decided against since I wouldn't be able to take it with me when I do go home. I waver on this decision on a regular basis. I participated in The 3 Day 60 Mile walk and signed up to do it again in 2006. I started blogging and managed to blog a whopping 17 posts. I found lots of new blogs to read. I read plenty of books, probably close to 100. I watched my nieces for 2 days by myself and didn't go crazy. I spent a week in Myrtle Beach. I spent a day in NYC riding the red buses. I went to Long Island for the first time. I know I did more, I just don't care to write about it.

Christmas is here!

2005-12-21T09:22:00.000-05:00

I am checking out of SC tomorrow and checking in to WNY for the rest of the year. I am definitely ready for a break from work. I get to watch my neices while their parents go to work since daycare is closed. Watching the girls is a good way to convince myself I am happy with children I get to give back at the end of the day. It makes me glad I don't have children of my own. This is good for my employer, it ensures that I return to work after vacation. That's about all they've got going for them at the moment. Hopefully there will be big changes in 2006.

The best story from last year is when my 18-month old niece got on the phone with her mom and promptly said "Hi Honey" which is what her mom would normally say to her. That was sweet. This year she is in the terrible 2s and is generally a bit more grumpy. An even better way to convince myself I don't want children.

Happy New Year! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!

It's Monday

2005-11-07T12:33:00.000-05:00

It's Monday and I am just a bit bored. This is not unusual for me since the move seven months ago. Lately, I have been considering boredom and its effects on me. This opportunity was first discussed well over a year ago. I was so excited at the prospect of trying something new that I jumped at the chance. Do I regret the decision to move to a new state? Most weekends when I have nothing to do I dream of going back. Of all the fun things I would do, people I would hang out with, and just plain enjoy life more. Then I realize that there is no way in hell I could back to the company I work for, in their hands I have experienced more misery than anything else. More now that I am not in the office. If I didn't have such a great customer I would have left years ago. That means looking for a new job and moving back. Friends have offered the use of a local address should I want to apply. Do I want to put myself out there? Pursue another job in the field I only fell into? Should I go back to school and try what I originally planned to do when I completed my undergraduate degree?

Then I wonder why I think things were so great before. Is going out to dinner with friends occasionally a reason to give up some really great experience working with a large company? Is it just because I haven't made an effort here? All the what ifs are making me crazy. So is the boredom.

Tell me what's good about 28

2005-10-12T14:09:00.000-04:00

Today marks the start of my 29th year. So far its been spectacularly craptastic. Will someone please tell me that there is something to look forward to? Right now I am ready to pack it all in and find somewhere new.

The 3 Day - Hotlanta!

2005-10-10T10:33:00.000-04:00

This is what it looks like when you finish The 3 Day. That is a lot of people, there were 2500 people walking, 300 crew, and a lot of friends and family as well. It was very hot in Atlanta on October 2 and we walked through Emory up Clifton. For those of you that don't know where that is, let me assure you that it's a big hill and it sucked. I was so tired after that heat that the two hour drive back was not so much fun. Scary driving.

Amazingly enough, I have signed up to walk again next year. Thanks to Crazy Lawsuit Game for the offer of a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags in tent city with almost 3000 people is not so much fun. Next year, I am staying in a hotel.

2005-06-27T17:13:00.000-04:00

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

25% Yankee

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

That is totally me! Apparently, 6 and a half years in the South has rubbed off a bit.

Hotlanta!

2005-06-17T15:34:00.000-04:00

Who knew so much could change in just two and a half months? This is the first time I have been back to downtown ATL and entire buildings have been both built and torn down. It's been a shock. It's amazing how quickly things change when you aren't looking. It's crazy to think how much I must have changed without noticing. It's one of those years of retrospection.

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm not much of a writer. My favorite aspect of college classes was add/drop where I could find the professors who tested with multiple guess exams and no papers. I began that oddesey eleven years ago at The Clarkson School. I graduated high school ten years ago give or take two weeks to the actual date. There is no reunion planned. I can't say that I mind, there's only two people I'd care to catch up with. Of course, in a class of forty-three that's a large group of friends.

I'm planning on writing more frequently if I ever get my cable modem hooked up. Right now I am just happy with the free cable that has been on since I moved in. I wonder if this makes me a Freegan?

It's Been One Week

2005-04-08T09:06:00.000-04:00

Last Friday at this time I was worrying about the location of the majority of my possessions. The "movers" had claimed they would be arriving at my new apartment at 6:30 AM, at this point I was freaking out that the truck had blown up en route. I would shortly get a call saying that the were "an hour" away. Two hours and fifteen minutes later they showed up. It was the worst experience I have had in a while.

I spent the weekend getting lost in the new town and trying to find my way back to the new apartment. I only almost died once, and I was really tired by that time. Fortunately work has been so slow this week that I am pretty well rested now.

It's Just a Joke

2005-03-23T10:37:00.000-05:00

Me Want Coffee!
An Indian walks into a cafe with a shotgun in one hand pulling a male buffalo with the other. He says to the waiter, "Me want coffee." The waiter says, "Sure chief, coming right up." He gets the Indian a tall mug of coffee. The Indian drinks the coffee down in one gulp, turns and blasts the buffalo with the shotgun, causing parts of animal to splatter everywhere, then just walks out. The next morning the Indian returns. He has his shotgun in one hand pulling another male buffalo with the other. He walks up to the counter and says to the waiter, "Me want coffee." The waiter says, "Whoa, Tonto! We're still cleaning up your mess from yesterday. What was all that about, anyway?" The Indian smiles and proudly says, "Me training for upper management position: Come in, drink coffee, shoot the bull, leave mess for others to clean up, disappear for rest of day."

Why I am Thankful Not to be Living in Buffalo Anymore

2005-03-17T10:25:00.000-05:00

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050317/D88SNDC80.html

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo area's county budget crisis is taking a toll on the bathrooms in at least one public building.

Erie County has had to slash 2,000 jobs and cut back on services in order to close a more than $100 million budget shortfall.

In the Rath Building in downtown Buffalo, workers report that the bathrooms aren't being cleaned or maintained. One longtime worker in the building tells Buffalo's WGRZ-TV that there's no soap, paper towels or toilet paper in the restrooms.

The Rath Building is home to many county offices, including those of County Executive Joel Giambra, the Department of Social Services and the Health Department.

It's so bad, some county employees are bringing in their own toilet paper and other supplies. The worker told WGRZ that's "like working in another country - a bad country."

Got an Apartment

2005-03-15T16:11:00.000-05:00

May I just say that I hate packing and moving. I have 3 boxes packed. I estimate another 47 before I am done. There are just 16 days before I have to be out. Anyone have any boxes they need to get rid of?

It's Official

2005-03-03T08:45:00.000-05:00

I have just 28 days to find a new apartment in an entirely different state than where I currently am. Indeed, I will be starting an adventure on April 1. The fact that this is April Fool's Day is not lost on me, I just hope it doesn't turn into a big joke on me.

A Wave in Your General Direction Crazy Lawsuit Game!

2005-02-24T10:46:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo, I spent 14 of the last 48 hours in my car. I was not meant to be the driver. Someday when I win the lottery, I am getting a driver. That's my dream. With Mega Millions now at 96 million dollars, its time to start playing.

Another trip to G'ville, looking at apartments. Looks like the move is 35 days away. Nothing spectacular but certainly affordable. Since nothing is official, I am not real excited about the move, things are known to not happen.

Moving

2005-02-14T11:14:00.000-05:00

The terror in my heart as I hear my prospective new boss say, I'd like to complete this transition by March 1. This conversation happened about an hour ago. Move, in two weeks for a job that is not yet confirmed, for more money that is not yet confirmed, for a company that is crazy. Sadly, the person coordinating this event is on vacation.

It looks like the move is a go! New State, here I come!

Home Improvements or Why I am a Dork

2005-02-05T20:44:00.000-05:00

So I spent last night and most of today helping a friend do some home improvements to her place. We are in the process if changing the kitchen so we went to Home Depot, my favorite store ever, and I told her what we needed to get. I didn't even need an associate to help. I have watched way too many episodes of HomeTime with Dean Johnson and Joann Liebler (Robin Hartle is too annoying) and way too many hours of HGTV. I have also installed bi-fold doors and a tile floor with this friend. I know it's back breaking work and still I say yes when friends ask for help. Why? I enjoy home improvement and I don't even own a home.

Note to self: pulling down wallpaper is a back-breaking job, next time hire someone from a nearby gas station.

How not to eat girl scout cookies this year.

2005-01-31T14:10:00.000-05:00

http://www.californiahammonds.com/index.php/trackback/1659/xxm3nMdj/

I Hate Mondays or Why Work Sucks

2005-01-31T11:42:00.000-05:00

I dislike most of upper management at my company. However, one person in particular has now surpassed everyone else as my least favorite. This person has an office with a door. I have a cubicle. My job requires talking on the phone throughout the day, every day. This is not me being loud. This is me doing my job. Shut your damn door, don't e-mail my supervisor and complain.

Life as I know it.

2005-01-30T16:40:00.000-05:00

It's kind of loud in Atlanta today, a different kind of loud. Normally, I hear the city go by, today I hear nature fight back. 1/4" of ice after a night of freezing rain and I lost my weekend. Can I skip work tomorrow and do all things I needed to do yesterday and today? I haven't experienced ice like this since I left the northeast just over six years ago, it doesn't make me long for home. What makes me long for home is hearing that my niece is sick and that my brother has gotten engaged. It's been six years since I lived close to my family and today I long for it. It's my mom's birthday on Wednesday and I won't be there to give her a hug, its making me sad. I have no desire to return to New York, I am a wimp when it comes to the cold.

I grew up in a small town, really small. In this town, the average temperature is 25 degrees on the high side and 7 degrees on the low. Upstate NY, where it is cold most of the time and industry has departed. Here in the warm south I have a decent job, in an industry I really find amusing. I don't know what I would be doing if I had stayed in NY six years ago. I try to avoid that train of thought...