Thursday, August 30, 2007

WEARY

After crying about some stuff on Thursday, I came to the realization that something I love about myself is also something I hate about myself.

I am too emotional. I wear my emotions and my heart on my sleeve. I am an intense and passionate person. Or as someone once put it, when something strikes my interest, be it a person, an idea, a place, a television show (Friends), I dive in head first. Obsess. Become emotionally invested. Sometimes this is good. I think it makes me a good friend. Other times it comes back to bite me in the rear. Because while I get easily excited and happy, I also get easily hurt.

So is this a character trait or a character flaw?

This is part of why I am looking forward to going home this weekend. I'm 99% sure I'll be the only person in the state not at a football game. And surprising as it is, I'm okay with it. I need some alone time to decompress, unwind and exhale. To recharge those emotions that I expend too easily. It's been a crazy past month, and I am happy to take the day to refresh and not worry about moving or furniture or productivity at work or any of the other stuff that's been on my mind. So while everybody (seriously... everybody) is at a football game (or in Vegas), I'll be kicking it at my mom's house. I'm even going to take her phone off the hook - soliciters, be damned!

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

THRILLED

So tonight we built the table! Mary Byrne and I got started on it (we had to unpack the box in my car because it was too heavy for us to get upstairs), then JB joined in, then 2 more friends showed up as we were finishing. After we'd assembled the table, we noticed we put the legs on incorrectly. So 4 chairs and 2 tries at the table later, everything was assembled and looking wonderful. Behold:

Thumbs up! I promise I worked hard too. I just stopped for pictures. And I had to document Joseph wearing my house shoes.

Beautiful!

It's so sturdy, MB sat on it!

Obsessed with my table!

Come over and I'll cook for you and we'll eat it at my beautiful, inexpensive table!

And I promise I'll find new things to write about now.

COLD

I just discovered I have another pet peeve. This one is in the same family as the "You got some sun!" pet peeve.

If I have a fleece blanket in my lap and a hoodie jacket on, can't it just be understood that I'm cold? Do you really have to ask? Or worse, inform me that you're NOT cold and I must be sick, crazy or both?

It's fine to ask only if I'm not wearing anything to indicate I am cold or doing anything to warm up. For instance, if you see shivering or chill bumps, then you are allowed to ask if I am cold, but then you should have a sweater to offer me. And again - notice that I didn't ask you about your current body temperature; so please don't feel like you have to share. I'd rather you didn't.

Otherwise, note the jacket, note the blanket and move on. There's no need to turn this into a conversation that neither one of us honestly want to have. Unless I am allowed to start getting really creative in my responses. After all, if you're going to point out the obvious, why can't I?

"Oh my gosh, are you seriously cold?"
"Oh my gosh, is your hair seriously gray?"

"You CAN'T be cold."
"You CAN'T be getting any younger."

"I can't believe you're wearing a jacket today."
"I can't believe you haven't quit smoking yet."

"It's too hot to be all bundled up!"
"You're too old to be wearing that!"

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

HORRIFIED

I don't do horror movies.

I scare incredibly easy and ever since I watched Jaws in like second grade, the suspense music and blood and screaming is just too much for me. My imagination goes haywire afterward and I will spend the next week convinced I have a killer (or a shark) underneath my bed, my desk, my couch or wherever I happen to be sitting when the ice maker rumbles and scares me silly.

I have been coerced (bribed?) into seeing a few horror movies throughout the years (including one VERY unsuccessful group attempt at getting me to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre), but as a rule, the closest I'll get to any slasher, scary, horror bloody film is the unexpected preview during Real World or American Idol.

Enter Video On Demand.

I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I was bored. I guess I wanted to check something off my list of movies I really should get around to seeing. Maybe I was just punishing myself for something I didn't know I'd done wrong. Maybe my roommate slipped drugs into my dinner and I was high. Regardless - the why or the motive isn't as important as the action, so let me tell you what I did:

By myself...
with no one making me watch it...
I decided last night at 9 pm would be a good time to finally see...

Silence of the Lambs.

I know, right? WTF? What was I thinking!??!??! Someone please tell me. There was no one holding a gun to my head. I wasn't going to win a bet. There was no cash involved. I guess I just decided "Hey, I think it would be really fun to scare myself so badly that I have to sleep with a lamp on tonight." I mean, HAVE I MET MYSELF? I. HATE. SCARY. MOVIES.

In my defense, someone had told me that Silence of the Lambs is a scary movie in the same way The Life of David Gale or Seven are scary movies. Smart and suspenseful scary and not gory and bloody scary. Turns out that person is wrong and it is both smart and suspenseful while bloody and gory.

I tried muting the TV. Movies are 75% as scary when you read the lines on closed captioning. And entire minutes passed where I wasn't even looking at the screen. I couldn't. So there I was hiding under a blanket, not watching the TV, which was on mute. And yet I couldn't turn it off. I just had to see how it ended. And then it didn't. Off he went to find that guy, leaving room for a sequel that I hope I don't see. But I guess anything goes nowadays.

So clearly I am out of my mind. This ought to make for some interesting blog posts while it lasts. I wonder what's next. A tattoo?

Sunday, August 26, 2007

HAPPY

I bought a table!
I bought a table!
I bought a table!
It will be here Wednesday. And it was super cheap. And it's sooooo pretty. Who wants to come eat dinner with me on my pretty new table?

This is the first piece of furniture I've bought. The rest (bedroom, etc.) is hand-me-down. I also bought a book shelf yesterday, but let's be honest - the table is more exciting.

Also, in other "exciting" decorating news, I continue to find more and more ways to use my monogram. For instance, I am finally getting that monogrammed shower curtain I've wanted. It will look great hanging in the bathroom with my all-white monogrammed towels.

And speaking of monograms, I really outdid myself yesterday. Why I didn't think of this sooner I am not sure. I took a picture of the monogram on my purse using the camera on my phone and saved it as my phone's wallpaper, so now my PHONE IS MONOGRAMMED TOO!!!

(Please don't judge me.)

PERPLEXED

I had the weirdest dream last night.

I dreamt it was my wedding day but I was not prepared. I didn't have any jewelry to wear, I had forgotten to make a hair appointment so my mom had to do it and then my photographer made me pose for pictures while eating barbecued ribs in a meadow. After which I realized I hated the pictures but it was too late to find another photographer. And not once did I get a good look at the groom.

Any thoughts on what this is all about?

Saturday, August 25, 2007

TIDY

So something interesting has been happening in my bedroom lately.

For the past 8 days or so, I've made my bed every morning.

What the heck? This is so unlike me. I guess having my bed diagonally in my room, instead of bound on one side by a wall, has made it much easier to properly make up. Plus I love the way it looks when it's all fixed. All pretty and "heavenly." So I guess I'm 20 days shy away from becoming a true bed-maker-upper. Doesn't it take 28 days to make or break a habit?

Friday, August 24, 2007

THRIFTY

So I am trying to buy a dining room table off of Craigslist. To get a second opinion, I sent the posting to my friend Mary Byrne. Rather than try to tell the story, I'll let it tell itself. Below is our e-mail exchange yesterday afernoon:

Me: "What's the most you would pay for a used but BEAUTIFUL dining room table? It's got a butterfly leaf and 4 chairs, all a pretty rich cherry color. I am having table envy from this guy on Craigslist. He has what I want but it's too much. It has to be gone tomorrow and so I am hoping he'll drop his price in desperation. I've been emailing him all week asking if he can come down. So far, no good."

MB: "I paid $XXX bucks for my dining set: table plus 4 chairs but it was a cheap-o set I had to assemble. How much does he want for it? Send me the link so I can see, please!"

Me: "I really want it!!! There is one just like it (darker but no leaf) at Target that was on sale but isn't anymore and with delivery is more expensive than this one. Do you think if I got him to come down to $(amount I want to pay) that it's a good deal? Where did you get your set?"

MB: "Here is my set - from American Signature Home. I had to assemble it. I think $(his asking price) is too much for that table on Craigslist, considering you can get a brand new one for less somewhere else."

Me: "No kidding. He told me yesterday that he had 3 people coming to look at it and I guess none of them bought because it's back on Craigslist today. I think if I got him to agree to $(amount I want to pay), and I didn't have to pay someone to deliver or assemble the thing myself, I'd be happy."

MB: "Just tell him that you won't pay a dime over that - and I wouldn't - because you could get something brand new for a similar price. You'd just have to assemble it but that's no big deal- I could help you with that."

Me: "Ha - what CAN'T you help me do MB? You're superwoman." (Note: Mary Byrne is who took me to get gas to no avail, jumped off my car to no avail and helped purchase then install a new car battery last week.)

MB: "We installed a car battery!! We can certainly put together a table."

Me: "Why don't you email him and pretend to be me. Start off offering $(really low offer) in cash."

MB: "Why don't I pretend to be someone totally different and offer him $(really really low offer)- then your $(amount I want to pay) will look like a good offer!"(Note: I like that MB would have to "pretend" to be someone other than me.)

Me: "Do it. See if you can get him to meet you in the middle at $(really low offer). Say you can buy a new one for $(his asking price) and that there are people selling 7 piece dining sets on here for that much. His is 5 piece. If he randomly agrees to anywhere between $(really really low offer and amount I want to pay), I'll just say I'm you when I pick it up."

MB e-mails Tableman: "Is your table in good shape? Any scratches? Where is it from? I am willing to pay $(really really low offer). Would you be interested in coming down on the price? $(His asking price) sounds a bit high for a used table set. I could pick up tonight or tomorrow afternoon."

Tableman replies to MB: "I'm sorry. But this table is only a year old. It's in great shape. I won't take less than $(his asking price)."

Me to MB: "What if he can’t find anyone to buy it for that much? He needs to get a grip. Wonder how much he originally paid for it."

MB replies to Tableman: "Why so much? Where is it from?"

MB to Me: "It looks just like a table from Target I’ve seen before. I’m sure he didn’t pay more than $(his asking price) for it. If he REALLY wanted to sell it he would take $(amount I want to pay). He probably can’t find anyone to buy it for $(his asking price). Stand your ground! He’ll come through eventually."

Me to MB: "It looks just like the table from Target that I WANT but they are out of. I know he can’t find anyone to buy it – he told me yesterday 3 people were coming to look at it. Three people make trips to his house to see it and no one buys it? Not to mention all the emails I bet he’s gotten. So should I email him again and say $(amount I want to pay) and not a penny more?"

MB to Me: "Have you spoken with him on the phone? I’d wait until this evening and try contacting him again. Let it sit a while longer so he gets nervous about selling it. Tell him that you have $(amount I want to pay) in cash and that you would come pick it up TONIGHT and then he won’t have to worry about selling it before moving. It’s a win-win situation. The idiot needs to understand what a “moving sale” is!"

Me to MB: "I haven’t. I wonder if it really needs to go by Friday or if he is saying that to hurry to get someone to take it. Good plan. I will call him tonight. I wish he would go $(really low offer). It's not my fault that you overpaid for the table in the first place, pal."

Tableman replies to MB: "$(His asking price) is what it is worth. You can buy it brand new for $(original purchase price - $45 more than what he is asking, by the way) at Furniture Store, but you will have to have it delivered which will cost over $100 or go pick it up in Chattanooga which will cost you $100 in gas."(Note: $100 in gas to get to Chattanooga and back? What does he drive, a bus?!)

MB to Me: "Just wait, Tableman will hate me so much that he’ll LOVE you."

Me to MB: "He told me it came from a retailer in TX. I’ll give you $20 to ask him what dumpster or salvation army he is planning to take it to when he has to move and it hasn’t sold for $(his asking price)."

MB to Me: "Haha, be careful what you dare me to do for $20! You can’t sell something at face value that is a year old! Duh!"

MB replies to Tableman: "I see. If you still can’t sell it before you move maybe we can work out a win-win situation. That way I’ll feel like I got a good deal and you could get the table off your hands. That’s what moving sales are all about!"

Me to MB: "You are so funny. I think I am going to blog about this."


Stay tuned to see who wins the Battle of the Table.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

GRATEFUL

Did you know today is World Gratitude Day? I always thought Thanksgiving was the day to be grateful, but I stand corrected.

So, in honor of World Gratitude Day, I compiled a list (off the top of my head, in no particular order) of things I am grateful and thankful for. See if you made the cut:

-Air conditioning
-My bed
-Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman and David Crane
-Auburn
-My iPod
-My incredible mother and her daily prayers for me
-My incredible sister & brother in law who are more ambitious and brave than I'll ever be
-My roommate who brightens up our condo and my day
-My best friends who know where I've been and how it made me who I am today
-My Nashville friends who make life fun and help me when I have car trouble
-The trip to L.A. that I took in May, Eric Dunlap and his friend Regina
-Camp War Eagle
-10.9.04
-Nonbillable e-mails
-Chicken fingers
-Hope
-Forgiveness
-Grace
-Mercy
-Chocolate
-Cheese
-Music
-Imagining
-Comments on my blog
-Blue Like Jazz
-Text messages
-Cookie cake
-Freedom
-Books
-Sensations that trigger memories
-Direct lines
-Hugs
-Football
-Visitors
-Coffee
-Wicked

Monday, August 20, 2007

SAD

I can't believe no one has commented on the post about the car battery dying while I was moving.

I'm just saying.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

SUICIDAL

Why WOULDN'T my car battery die in the middle of trying to move? I am so not surprised. Silly me for thinking I had covered all my bases. In between signing a lease, hiring movers, calling electricity, etc., I forgot to buy a TOTALLY NEW BATTERY for my car. As if I haven't spent enough money on it already. No no no no. Jumping it would be too easy (did it). Making a trip to the gas station with a friend to get more fuel would be too easy (did it). What my car wants, my car gets. And why WOULDN'T it want a brand new effing battery today of all days? I'm just moving. By myself. No big deal.

It's official - I am selling my car. Do I hear $20?

Thursday, August 16, 2007

OVERWHELMED

So, I'm moving! Tomorrow, actually. Ha. Fast, right?

This is the cutest condo ever. We might not have a ton of furniture to fill it up, but so what. It's adorable and colorful and clean. Everyone of you should come visit. There will be plenty of room.

So, if there are no posts for a while, it's because work is too busy right now for blogging, and Com(plicated)cast isn't coming to install internet until Thursday (IF they decide to come at all).

Until then, here's what I'll be doing: working, hauling stuff up three flights of stairs, hydrating, paying movers to haul the really big things up three flights of stairs, hydrating, unsuccessfully convincing people to come help me move, wondering why I decided to move into a condo on the third floor, hydrating and watching a LOT of Friends DVDs since I won't have cable or internet. Oh wait, I do that anyway.

Note: I will not be so busy or unreachable that I wouldn't take a phone call to tell me my new bed is being delivered (see yesterday's post). Just in case anyone was wondering.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

DREAMY

Does anyone want to buy this for me?
It never hurts to ask, right?

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

THRILLED

Exciting news: I'm getting a new roommate. And who makes a better roommate than my best friend?

I will work and she will study and we're going to laugh all the time and cook (me: chicken dishes; she: Italian dishes) and run the half-marathon (after training for it) and carpool to Auburn games and have the best time ever. For the third time.

Now all we need is a place to live...

Monday, August 13, 2007

RELIEVED

I found out today that one of my high school friends is pregnant.

So does this mean we're done with weddings?

Friday, August 10, 2007

INFORMATIVE

Found this online:
Any teenager can write a survey about their favorite class or their secret crush or how nice their car is that their parents paid for. This is the survey for the older crowd.

1. Do you have a college degree?
BA in Public Relations. Can't believe I'm actually using it.

2. What was the amount of your last electric bill?
I don't know. I think my half was $50-60?

3. Do you have life insurance?
Yeah. I'm not worth as much as I thought I was.

4. How many hours per week do you work?
If by "work" you mean "in the office," at least 37.5.

5. Have you ever attended a Toastmasters event?
No. I think one week of Miss Homecoming campaigns sufficed to develop my "communication, public speaking and leadership skills" beyond what any club could do (although after some research, maybe I should join just to become "The Grammarian, who notes mispronunciations and mistakes in grammar, or word repetition").

6. Favorite place to attend Happy Hour?
My apartment/or 2nd floor after work

7. How many miles is your commute to work each day (one way)?
Just under 3 miles. I love it!

8. What time do you get up every morning for work?
My alarm goes off at 7:30. Whether or not I'm actually up before 8 is anyone's guess.

9. What is your definition of sleeping in late?
10 a.m. Sad. That used to be my definition of waking up early.

10. Do you check your cholesterol on a yearly basis?
Um... no. Should I?

11. How large was your first cellular phone?
Nokia. It wasn't too large. I got it in 1999, so they were shrinking in size/cost by then.

12. Does your employer provide good health insurance?
I don't know. They provide good coffee, which is more important to me at this stage in the game.

13. Did you use the internet to write a research paper?
Did you NOT use the internet to write a research paper?

14. Have you attended a high school reunion?
No. I was hoping there would be a 5 year reunion, but not so much. I guess everyday I spend on Facebook kind of counts as a reunion.

15. How many jobs have you held in your professional career?
This is my first "real" job. And if that means I have a "career" now, then I quit.

16. Have you ever been fired or laid off from a job?
Yes and it is a good story; I haven't written about it sooner because somehow I come off looking bad. The short version is that I was the gift wrapper at an outdoor store (read: only female in a store staffed by +15 middle-aged men), and even though this makes me sound like I am to blame, the owner's wife and daughter made him fire me. They were just mean people. I didn't do anything wrong. The daughter thought I was encroaching on her cash register space and acted like a total brat. I would have sued if he hadn't have handed me cash equaling almost double what I would have earned HAD I worked until Christmas and not been wrongfully terminated. I literally laughed all the way to the bank. And have told everyone I know not to shop there anymore.

17. What is your favorite drink?
Wine.

18. What is the most expensive bottle of wine that you have in your residence?
A $10 bottle is pretty pricey for me.

19. How old were you when you stopped getting ID'd for Alcohol?
Still happening; thank goodness.

20. Favorite casino?
I have never been to one - surprising, I know. There's a lot of other things I've never done that would surprise you too (like that I've never been to The Supper Club).

21. Are you happier now than you were in high school?
Some days, yes; other days, no. Happiness is temporary. I think I am more mature than I was in high school, perhaps a little more secure, but I wouldn't necessarily say happier.

22. Did you ever have Hypercolor shirts?
AND the shorts!

23. Do you remember when Michael Jackson was black and attracted to older people?
Barely. I wasn't allowed to listen to him until '91.

24. Do you remember when MTV actually played music videos?
Yes, although I preferred VH1 and Pop Up Video.

25. Have you had a will made?
Not unless you count appointing a beneficiary for my life insurance. What else would I bequeath? My iPod?

26. What music was in your cd/cassette player when you were 16?
Mixed tapes, mostly. I loved mixed tapes. I also listened to a lot of Dave Matthews band, but it was a fad.

27. Favorite fancy/upscale restaurant?
Maggiano's or anywhere I can get a yummy steak. Or Carrabba's for their Chicken Bryan. Is that upscale? On my salary it is.

28. How many major wars have you lived through?
Desert Storm and the one we're in now.

29. Where were you when you found out about 9-11?
Asleep. My roommate's mom called our dorm phone and told Lolly to wake up and turn on the news because we were under attack. For about three minutes, we thought she meant Auburn. We turned on the TV just in time to see the first tower fall.

30. What was your first computer?
A Macintosh. I was in 6th grade. I was so mad that it crashed everytime I tried to play Oregon Trail.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

NOTED

I've always thought Kellie Pickler was a ditz, but this morning on the radio she brought her A-game. Or... her publicist wrote her some A-game.

Let me back up. Yesterday morning, an intern at a local radio station reported spotting Kellie at a McDonald's drive-in on Saturday night, and claimed that she looked "inebriated" though behind the wheel. Furious, Kellie called the station to report the facts, and took time this morning to set the record straight. She made some valid points and really let them have it for making up the "inebriated" part. I was impressed. Until I remembered it was Kellie and she probably had the whole thing scripted for her.

Go here to hear the portion of the show with Kellie on it. She really rips that intern a new one.

EXHAUSTED

Take the most intense heat wave to come along in a few years, subtract functioning air conditioning, and add a screaming, yelping puppy between the hours of midnight to 5 am and what do you have?

Nothing worthwhile, that's for sure. I am functioning on 2 hours of sleep (and using the word "functioning" loosely). Honestly. If I wasn't going out of town, I'd have called in sick.

I think this is the most tired I have ever been.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

FURIOUS

Top 10 Reasons I Hate My Car:

10. It hates me.
9. It decided to turn off randomly while I was backing out of my condo two weeks ago.
8. The check engine light is still on.
7. I hate spending so much money on something I can't wear.
6. I hate spending so much money on something I can't eat.
5. It's a FORD.
4. It uses too much gas.
3. It makes loud noises.
2. It is the devil's car.
1. It has decided to play a mean game with me and now the driver's side door won't unlock, meaning I have to either keep my car unlocked or crawl in over the passenger seat like an idiot.

I HATE MY CAR!
I HATE MY CAR!
I HATE MY CAR!
I HATE MY CAR!

P.S.--After crying about this pretty hard at work, I now realize that car trouble is really linked to a deeper issue, which is everytime my car breaks or malfunctions - especially in Nashville - I feel very helpless and alone.

Monday, August 06, 2007

FULL

Last night, Mary Byrne and I tried our hand at recreating our favorite meal ever: Carrabba's Chicken Bryan. I thought we did pretty well, and her family agreed heartily.

I may not cook every night, but when I do cook, I mean it. If this doesn't up my MMP, I don't know what will.


Wine and butter sauce with sundried tomatoes!

Wine + Chicken Bryan... "Piacere il suo pasto!"

Sunday, August 05, 2007

SMITTEN

So there's a new man in my life.

And yes, I am speaking of my roommate's puppy. He is the cutest puppy ever (except when he bathrooms inside). You can tell I think pretty highly of him because I let him in my bed (see photos).

I think when I move out, I will attempt to secretly pack him in one of my boxes.


Saturday, August 04, 2007

EXPIRED

Is anyone else as tired as I am of the (INITIAL) The (NOUN) bumper stickers? W The President was pretty clever. After that, it all went down hill.

Last year, I saw a T The Idol sticker. Last month, I saw the S The Coach sticker I've been hearing about. And last week, I saw C The Sheriff. WHO? If I am still unsure of who you are talking about after reading your bumper sticker, I think you've missed the point.

I am positively ready for this fad to bite the dust.

...With just one exception. Someone should make W The Musical stickers. And make them green.

UPDATE: I followed my own suggestion. And have also bore witness to D The Party and H The Woman stickers. Mine is so much better, don't you think?

Friday, August 03, 2007

OVERDONE

Someone stop him - Enough is enough, Flav!

(Who am I kidding? The moment that New York walks through the door again or someone poops on the floor, I'm tuning in.)

Thursday, August 02, 2007

STEAMY

THIS is why I like So You Think You Can Dance, in case anyone was wondering.


Wednesday, August 01, 2007

NAPPED

Why do I not take more naps?

Today I stumbled into the good fortune of free time. Tired from a week of early mornings and semi-engaging classes, I used my afternoon off to nap. And what a difference it made. After I freshened up and got dressed, someone in the lobby actually said, "Did you take a nap? You look refreshed." (Note: second time in about a week that I've been told I look refreshed.)

Napping is the best thing ever. Why do I not do it more? I have this whole space under my desk, no one ever comes looking for me, and besides, if certain women get to take 6, 7, 8 etc. smoke breaks a day, how come I can't save all my "smoke breaks" until 3 in the afternoon and take a nap? Does anyone else think this is a great idea?

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