Short-n-Sweet

This is just a quick little update on what's going on in SM, Texas. I am all moved in, certainly not all unpacked, and have made the last trip from the old apt to the new one. I had to make quick work of that since I had the air turned off last night. It's HOT today.

Mike and his buddy, Dan, were perfect help. I would NOT have been able to move without them and for that .. they shall go to dinner with me at least once when Mike gets back into Texas. :-D

We were finished moving stuff about 1:30 last night and Dan went home and Mike and I just finished up some things and took off to San Antonio at 4am. His flight made it safely to Atlanta and I'm sure he's going to kick some fencing ass over the next few days.

My misquito bites are healing nicely, haha - the itching is finally going away but my face is still a mess. The other night Mike asked if I had chicken pox. Funny, funny boy.

Petey and Brutus are adjusting quickly to the new place. Now if they would just help put stuff away.

I'll get pictures just as soon as I find my camera. Haha.

Adios.

Urban Assault Race / Randomness

The Mother of all Adventure Races ( http://www.urbanassaultrace.com/austin.php ) is today but the fun started on Friday when Laci's husband sent us the first clue. Laci sent out a massive email asking if anyone knew the answer.

QUESTION: “On MTV’s silly reality show, REAL WORLD - AUSTIN, where did cast members Melinda and Danny first meet each other?

This is your first landmark checkpoint!”

Funny thing about this is, last week in San Antonio, Laci was cracking on me for getting upset that the Hyatt didn't have MTV. What hotel doesn't get MTV?? Oh but now she needs me to answer this question.

Of course I have the answer! Some girl in Scott's office tried to challenge me. WHATever. So Laci has told me to be on stand-by during the race for more useless info, just in case they get stuck. Yay for me and the crap my brain has in it.

Jess and I were discussing something today and this came up. Beckon Call vs. Beck and Call. This is a fine example of what linguists call “popular etymology.” People don’t understand the origins of a word or expression and make one up based on what seems logical to them. “Beck” is just an old shortened version of “beckon.” If you are at people’s beck and call it means they can summon you whenever they want: either by gesture (beck) or speech (call).

I just finished my laundry for the last time at The Timbers. YAY!! No more driving to and from, no more bugs in the dryers, no more having to find quarters and I can actually keep my Tide IN my apt and not my car. Rock on. (even though it makes my car smell good!)

I think I'm going to go watch my Grey's Anatomy DVD's. I can't wait for that show to come back this fall.

Seriously.

Most Unproductive Day ... evAr

I woke up at 8:15 this morning. I talked to Brian for like a minute and decided my body wanted back in bed.

There was a lot of "gayness" here last night and although they were drinking beer, I drank Mikes Hard Lemonade which I think makes me sleepy.

I woke up again around 11:45, I think. Today was the first day in I don't remember how long that I didn't have to go to the bank OR Bath and Body Works.

So you'd think I would get a lot done, right?

Wrong.

I talked to Gene for about 5 hours online, probably bothering him at work. Talked to Jess about my life, we're discussing that with the tarot gods later. Talked to Jody for quite some time about his life ... haha. Poor guy. He's such a great catch I don't think I'm ever going to like anyone he dates. I'm not even sure HE likes who he dates. He'll be back in the states next week and will have to face what he's been ignoring for weeks. I'm here for ya, Jodykins!!

Ok, back to me. Haha. Why the hell don't I know about this job yet?? I mean, if they know they didn't want me couldn't they just call and tell me that? If they do want me I guess they have to wait for HR to make a move. So I should be happy but hello .. pins and needles, People.

On another note, Laci called me on Wednesday from SA and asked if I could add another day to my schedule. So that's good that she wants to add hours but her reasoning was so I didn't leave. They are going to have to do a lot more than one day a week if this other job comes through.

I didn't even leave my apt today. I needed to do laundry and get some food but after talking to Jody for I don't know how long, he went to bed and I guess I thought since it was his bedtime in Jordan, that it was my bedtime here. I took a nap. Now I'm wide awake.

I could bake. IF MY KITCHEN WASN'T SO GROSS!!!!!!!!! My coffee pot is in my bathroom now and my clean dishes are along side of my bathroom sink. It's like I'm at the Hilton with the coffee pot on my counter. Haha.

So there is no point to this post but to keep me away from the only thing I should be doing. Packing. I have watched tv today. I have knitted some. I have napped.

And packed one very small box in my bedroom and one very small box from the kitchen. I have one week before moving and better get my butt in gear!

To make this worth your while I will include a picture or two ... ENJOY!!! :)



Dad, Me and Matthew .. no he's not gay, he just plays one on TV.

Awww, Look at the two monkeys!

Me, Grandma M and Matthew in Dec '04.

I'm out like a fat kid in dodge ball.

My Tuesday by Dolphinmagic

My Tuesday started with approximately 8 text messages, a phone call, one very sarcastic voice mail and then knocking on my door .... at 5 am .... by one very cute, very drunk, very angry fencer. A foilist, NOT an epeeist.

He calmed down, the sun came up and we went to bed. (I'm pretty sure he remembers nothing from 5 am until the time he woke up, haha)

Trying to sleep was a chore in itself between my phone blowing up with Bath and Body Works calling, the cats walking on us and meowing and the FREAKING DRILLING DOWNSTAIRS.

Paul, the guy that lived downstairs, had to move out due to the plumbing. They have torn up the floor, "fixed the plumbing" (quotes to be explained later) and laid cement today. All very loudly.

I gave up on sleeping, took a shower and got ready for breakfast / lunch. Whatever, it was 1pm. I woke Mike up and we headed to the Outlet Mall for food. Bath and Body Works kept calling so I shut my phone off. (attitude to come later for that action) We ended up at Bennigans and I finally called BBW back. I bend and tell them I'll go in. Mike said they walk all over me but he was busy and didn't have time to entertain me to keep me away from the store. Haha.

Mike, after much persuasion, decides he'd come help me at BBW since I had to go in. Well, when I got there I found out they were less than happy that I shut my phone off and I explained to them that today was a day off that I was enjoying and now I am at work, for the uptenth day in a row. They said had I called them back they would have found someone else to come in but now I get to work alone -- no Mike. I was there just about 2 hours and if Mike would have come in we could have done it in less than an hour together and I would have been much happier. Bygones.

I came home and chatted a little with Mike before he took off to Austin for the evening. Talked to Gene and Nick. Always entertaining, those two. Gene thinks he's fat and Nick was high. LOL I sure miss those guys.

I was just minding my own business watching Real World and John started the dishwasher. Bad, bad idea.

After a few minutes he goes "OH SHIT!"

Our sink is doing the same crap as it did before with filling up with dirty, oily water with sand, mud and bark.

Exhibit A - John is marking the water level


We thought it'd be a good idea to go look in the apt downstairs to see if his sink was doing anything. The front door is unlocked and his kitchen is dry as a bone and the cement job looks great.

Exhibit B - Too bad it didn't help ANYTHING with our problem


John decides that we should clog one side, turn on the disposal and see what happens. Heh. He gets a stick and we insert the drain plug and jam the stick on it and wedge it between the cabinet and sink.

Exhibit C - Didn't do much but make the plumbing under the sink leak ... haha


We figure anything we do now will give us an excuse to utilize the emergency number for the maintenance guys.

Exhibit D - Lets poke it with a coat hanger


Exhibit E - The leak we created. Oh well.


I'm moving in two weeks. Thank goodness.

The UPS man came to visit today. He always brings such fun things. My girlfriend, Erika, wanted to try to get a free iPod from www.freeipods.com, like I did. So I signed up under her to help her out and had to complete an offer. The offer I completed was joining this coffee club. It wasn't a bad idea and they have some great flavors. Here they are. If my kitchen wasn't a hell hole, atm, I'd brew some.

Bags-O-Coffee ....



Palm Beach Passion - This combination of medium and dark roast of the finest South American and Colombia Supremo beans produces a full bodied cup with medium acidity and a delicious hint of dark roast flavor. Its rich taste and smooth finish has made this one of our most popular blends.

Tropical Kiss - Take a trip to the tropics with this tantalizing blend that is kissed with coconut and chocolate!

Ocean Drive - This popular blend combines Central and South American coffees to provide a rich yet light-bodied taste and excellent flavor and aroma. This medium roast is perfect hot and delicious over ice.

Surfing Safari - Vanilla, Kahlua, and Caramel combined to create a wave of tantalizing flavor. This is our most popular flavored coffee and one of the best flavors you will ever taste!

Sounds like me, huh?

Laci's still out of town so I'm going to try to head to Austin early in the AM and leave early. I have tomorrow night off and if BBW calls ... I might just throw my phone against a wall. The Hills is on tomorrow night and Jason wants to see LC, he's living in LA too!! I have to be home to watch it! :)

Adios for now!

Officer So&So with the San Marcos Police Dept.

Oh great. I work for 13.5 hours today and then on my way home ... get pulled over. After living here for 9 months and still having Ohio plates and an Ohio license. Perfect. 45 in a 35 on Aquarena.

How is it that I can drive drunk to Whataburger at 4am with someone *cough* Mike *cough* tugging on my Ebrake and nothing happens? I'm completely sober and barely speeding and get pulled over. Awesome.

Luckily when I try and show him my insurance ... it's expired. Super. That helps.

What falls out when I'm trying to shut the glove box? My grandma's handicapped parking hanging blue tag thingy. I let it fall to the ground thinking he won't notice and he SO shined his light on it. I pointed to it while stating "I do NOT use that". He didn't laugh.

After he let me sit there and think about what I did he came back at me with a warning. PHEW! And he suggested I get my insurance updated and pay attention to speed limits. Yup, sounds like a good idea to me, Occifer.

(his car wasn't really this cool)

On to more positive things that I've accomplished ... haha. I talked to my girlfriend who got me the interview in San Antonio. They are still waiting for all my HR paperwork but I guess the head guy really liked me so it's looking good that I will get that job. Of course when I find out - EVERYONE will know. :) Everyone.

I spoke with the apartment people today too and I can pick up my key on the 28th after 4pm. WOO HOO. That was the info I got today anyway, my rental lady was off but the manager was there and they actually had my move in date for ... today. Yeah, I can't do that.

I have some nice, strong boys willing to help me and a friends SUV ... now if I could just get all this crap packed I'd be all set. Isn't there a fairy I can call to take care of this??

(I'm sure if she showed up, I'd have more boys help! *wink*)

Anyway, things are looking like they are going to fall into place. I think I'll start being happy that I didn't get a $100 ticket tonight.

I have all day off tomorrow. Well, I did. BBW seems to think I have to work a couple hours but I told them I'd come in "sometime". They will see me when they see me.

Hmmm, I should go play with some handcuffs and thank my lucky stars now. Later!

"I'll call you back"

Four little words that if you do not mean, do not say.

This is a pet peeve of mine that seems to get more and more out of control. Probably because most of my friends are guys and they just say that to say it. They have no intention of calling later, it's just a way to end a call.

Example #1
Last night I had plans to meet up with "insert boy name" after work. Nothing set in stone but hey, it's Saturday, we're going out type dealio. We text'd then spoke. No one knew what was going on but plans were still on. We're going to the square, we just don't know what bar. So I leave work, come home, take a shower, get ready and .... wait. Hmmm, he said he'd call back when they got where they were going. Everything on the square closes at 1am on Saturdays and at 12:30 I washed my face and put on PJs. What a waste of make up. *sad*

Example #2
Tonight at work, I was a little grumpy. Partly due to last nights events and partly because I work with a bunch of lazy retards. Either way I call "insert boy name". He was grilling out and a smoke detector was going off. We hang up. He called back and we talked for a little bit until his dinner was ready. He said he'd eat and call me back on his way back to "insert city". So that was almost 4 hours ago.

Two different circumstances but still both very annoying. The first example just made me sad because hello .. ya kinda blew me off without even trying to be nice. I don't care if something better came up or what but you still could have called to say "hey, plans changed, maybe some other time". It's just ... nice. It's not like I sat around and waited on you to "hopefully call", YOU SAID YOU WOULD!!!

Second example is very tired and I can talk to him some other time. Thing is he KNOWS I hate it when he says he'll call and then he doesn't. Just say "talk to you tomorrow". Damn.

This is me right about now ....

"Grrrrrr"

Shame on Me, Ryan's right ...

I've always paid attention to your point of view
But now I want to focus on the rest of you
Shame on me, wanting you
The way I fantasize about
What I'd give, what I'd do, I just want to work you out
Times like this I'm so glad that you can't read my mind
Shame on me another time





On Friday I was offered the full time position that I've wanted for over a year. A job at the OB/GYN at The Ohio State University Hospital. Geography is pretty much telling me that I can't work there but it's not completely out yet. I'm waiting to hear back from my interview for the insurance position in San Antonio. If I don't get that, I'm pretty sure I'll be picking up my truck at the end of next week and taking a long drive back to Ohio.

I don't really want to live in Ohio but I have family there and thinking about football games this fall makes me want to be there. My dad was playing the fight song on purpose the other day on the phone, making my decision even harder. Plus I can start going to the Blue Jackets games again.

I left Ohio because nothing was holding me there and now I'm about to leave Texas for the same reason.

I am viewing this as a positive thing - OSU wants me back! That was a great paying job. Good people. Fun people. And .... on campus. Is there a better job for someone who bleeds Scarlet and Gray? And as an added bonus ... My Cory works there too!!

Ugh, we'll see. Cross your fingers that I hear something tomorrow about the job in San Antonio.

Friday night I needed a break from thinking about all of it all. I ended up at Mikes playing darts and drinking. The more beer I consume, the better I do. I actually beat Mike once. Hey, whatever, the board doesn't lie.

Saturday I think we woke up sometime early afternoon-ish and I had to work last night. Vicki and I had our usual fun closing "chats". She's great. I thought we were all going out after work but I ended up in bed. Don't know what the hell happened there??? Maybe someone can enlighten me later with an explanation.

I have to work a couple hours tonight, just for some changes at BBW and then it's on to laundry and movie watching.

I am sucking at packing. It's hard not knowing where you're moving. I just need to get motivated and it's hard without my packing buddies Gene and Jess. LOL I got more done with the two of them, back in September, in one afternoon than I did in a month by myself. COME VISIT ME YOU TWO!!!

Well, it's time for my siesta. Adios!!

Clowns & Dead Animals

Two things that scare the bejesus out of me.

I have run from dead, stuffed fish.

I have hidden behind Gene near an alligator head. No body, just the head.

I about came unglued when I stepped on a dead frog out in the parking lot, taking trash out.

And when my last hamster died, I had to throw out her whole house because I didn't want to touch her.

I drew blood from Genes arm during Saw. I won't even post a picture of the clown because I'm home alone and don't want to see it and then have to go to bed alone. You know what he looks like. Creepy little thing on a bike. *shiver*

I don't know why these things scare the shit out of me but anyway ... I'm sitting here going back and forth with Jody, in Africa, and for some reason my Gmail pulls up ....

"Weird Clown Screensavers"

Well, that's a fine way to not get ANY SLEEP!?!?!?!?!

Who the hell would want this? Here's the description ...

Eldritch means strange or eerie and that's exactly what these clowns are. Recalling the German Expressionist period of the 1920's, these clown images can be unsettling as you listen to a medley of music from the time arranged and performed by Scott Shannon. (Can be turned off). The program will work on all computers with Windows installed.

"Medley of Music" my ass.

I've been sitting here now thinking about all of this long enough to completely freak myself out and if this were the good ol' days I would grab some PJ's, head to Gene's, punch in the code and get cozy on the couch.

But noooooooooooooo - I have to sleep here. Alone. And have clown nightmares. *cry*

The Love of My Life

I just got this picture from my parents. I don't know how I could love

anything more. Look at that face!!!

Just Precious!

I miss my Cory.

Me and the pooch in '04.

This is about 5 minutes after getting to mom and dad's house. I grabbed Cory and got in with my clothes on. Nothing like having your own pool. :) Cory Grant was less than happy with my dip in the pool.

If you like the way I'm thinkin', Baby, wink at it

Oh thank goodness .... It's laundry day. I finally had a moment (or several) to gather quarters and load up my car with basically everything I own. Including bedding. Brutus decided, today, while I was at work that he would leave me a furball of love, on my bed.

Above, he is pictured, starting trouble with Petey, yesterday. They were both sleeping but Brutus was bored and opted to keep touching Petey until he woke up.

And Gene, here are the pictures I took while talking to you the other day. I can't believe you didn't know this about Brutus. I've known you for how long? Brutus even got Cory in the habit of wanting in the tub for water. I have to buy Dixie cups for him. High maintenance little booger ... where does he get that??

Thank you Brian for calling me just before 1900. I was napping and needed to get up, unfortunately I didn't really get up after we hung up anyway. LOL I almost missed "Fresh Meat" on Mtv!! Take care of your noggin, B. Blunt trauma to the head is never good. Feel better. I'm sure you are being well cared for. *wink*wink*nudge*nudge*

Let's discuss Cingular, shall we? I don't know if it's my service or my phone but Cingular sucks these days. Now, in all fairness, my phone may have just been dropped one too many times but that's why I pay the insurance. Heh. I am looking into getting a new phone but I've been unable to dial numbers tonight and it hung up on a friend the other night when I was trying to give him directions and then I couldn't call him back. It's constantly looking for a signal and I can't afford that kind of down time. Nope. Right now my AIM is showing that I'm online on my phone but I'm not and I'm unable to receive IM's on my computer. Grrrr. Stuck in BFE, Texas and can't communicate. Gene, send me your phone, ok? Thanks.

On a positive note, I am heading to SA in the morning for a very important appointment. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and send good thoughts down here to Mexicoland. Hehe.

Time to go get my laundry!! Yay, clean sheets!!

Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long

I don't know if it was time for an all out breakdown or if this one was justified by the action of others but either way, Friday sucked. I worked at the bank all day and then late at Bath and Body Works. There were several things getting to me and I think it just all overloaded Friday afternoon. I called the one person who can calm me down and he was having a shitty day also. *hugs* Thank you for once again, calming me down. I love ya and miss ya. Have I mentioned how I want you to come visit??

I have?

Oh, okay.

I found out late last night that I didn't have to actually work today, it was a call in shift for 1100 - 1800 and we are so over in hours I didn't have to go in. I had all day off and I almost didn't know what to do with myself.

I decided to take my chairs out to the balcony and sleep. It was too hot to sleep out there so I read a little bit. (Jody, I'm almost finished with this book!) But then I think my skin started screaming from the sun. I started to peel from my laying out last weekend and thought that maybe today my body would prefer to stay indoors. I took a shower and went and saw Cars.

This movie is great. Good for kids, good for adults. Lots of stuff for adults that kids don't get. I won't ruin it for you, if you haven't seen it yet. The soundtrack is awesome minus the Sheryl Crow song. I really can't take her anymore. She's been on every CD Bath and Body Works has put out for our stores for at least 4 years. The soundtrack has Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley and John Mayer. Can't go wrong with those choices!!

Did you know ...

IS ??

I won't tell you if he actually says "Git-R-Done" in the movie. Haha.

That's really all I did today ... oh, and I took a nap.

Well, that's all from charming San Marcos, Texas. Adios.

T.G.I.F (almost, here in Tejas)

What a week! I have been non-stop since Sunday. I'm freaking exhausted but I'm so beyond sleep now that I'm hyper.

Sunday was the June Sale floorset at Bath and Body Works. Everythings on sale, don't call and ask me, just go in. You'll be happy you did, trust me. I'm kidding, you can call. The sale does change weekly.

Monday morning I got to sleep in a little bit since Laci was picking me up for our Annual Sales Meeting, being held in San Antonio. She lives in N. Austin (about an hour N of me) and San Antonio is about 45 S of me. We only had a two hour break out session and then went to happy hour at Lone Star Palace. Getting there was half the fun, I had a police escort and when you step off the private elevator and enter the Lone Star Palace through two large, hand-carved wooden doors for an intimate evening overlooking the Cradle of Liberty. The Palace has been custom decorated throughout with unique Texas inspired furnishings. (it was Martha Stewart country like nothin' else) There is a lovely living room with a fireplace (in Texas? Riiight.) where guests can share cocktails, conversation, and entertainment. The penthouse opens onto a large delightful, secluded roof garden, private patio, and terrace, all of which overlook the grounds of Texas’ most celebrated site, The Alamo. (which I didn't see for the first hour we were there. haha) It was amazing (minus me seeing bats). So much food and an open bar. My dinner was awesome but I don't so much remember much after that and walking back to the hotel, don't so much remember that at all.

Tuesday was a non-stop day. I was up at 6, breakfast at 7, break for lunch at noon (this is when I walked over to the Alamo and went shopping) and then we were back in the conference room from 1:30 to 6:30. Long, long day. We had to meet out front to head to Club Giraud at 7 for the awards dinner.

Some of my pictures from my Alamo Adventure ...


(Much smaller than I remember and there's no basement, btw)




(Look at the sky. That is why I live here!)






(I would have been happier eating here!)








Club Giraud is a private dining facility located on the beautiful grounds of the Southwest School of Art and Craft. This members-only club offers the perfect setting for smaller, private affairs such as a Board of Director’s Meeting, President’s Dinner or VIP clients. The food is excellently prepared and served with perfection. Once renovation is completed along this section of the Riverwalk, guests will be able to take River Cruisers to their exclusive dock. As they disembark, the mellow sounds of Gab Gutierrez will call them up to the outdoor Patio for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before entering the Club for an elegant seated dinner.

Yeah I had no business in a place like that but someone made up for that later by taking me to a bar where I had much more fun and was much more comfortable. Haha.

Some pictures from dinner ... (just two, the rest are all co-workers and you don't know them anyway)





After dinner a friend from San Marcos came to San Antonio but he didn't get in until 1am and I was already knocked out. FYI about Club Giraud, their margaritas are STRONG. LOL (Gene you'd love em!)

Luckily when you throw things at me I wake up. And lucky for him I think he's a cutie or I could have not been so smilie having things thown at me to wake me up. I was told to get up, we were going out. I got dressed and we headed down to the Riverwalk to find an open bar. Everything here, where we live, closes at 12 so it was nice to go to a real city. We found an irish pub. Yay.

You knew this was coming ...


(Me stopping to take pictures was not in Mikes agenda, which was "find beer")


(Found: Beer)





I think we got to sleep around 4 so getting up at 7, I was just a ray of sunshine. Our meetings were only from 9 to noon and I could barely keep my head up. The last three hours of the meeting and I would have been better off .... sleeping it off.

We checked out of the hotel and went to lunch. Taco Cabana. Can never go wrong there!

Here are some pictures from our room ...




(Right on the Riverwalk!)







And one more special one for my dad. Hahahahahaha ... oh yeah, there was a phone!



Mike had some stuff to take care of in San Antonio so we did that after lunch. I have to say the ride home was great. Sun was out, was warm (kinda beyond warm, he doesn't have a/c and it was 100) and I wasn't driving so I just ... sat. I didn't have to think, talk or do anything. I even fell asleep for a minute until he swerved the car to be funny.

He dropped me off at home about an hour before I had to be at work and guess what? I lost my car keys and my apt key. I couldn't get in, John had to come unlock the door and I haven't been locking the door since. I guess I left them in the rental car so I'll get them back tomorrow when I'm back in my Austin office.

This morning I had to work at 11. Of course it's not just go in and work. I had to run to the bank for the manager who opened and then I spoke with the store manager several times on certain chores that needed to be completed, but only by me. In the words of the great Chelsea, "They work me like a Mexican".

Thank goodness the token boy was there. He's so helpful. It's like he knows what I want before I have to say it and I don't have to explain why I'm doing something or how I want it done. He just stands there like "lets do this, come on!".

I really like it when he trips me when my hands are full and throws paper clips at me. If we were in 2nd grade I would say he really, really liked me and that I might try and kiss him on the playground. But we aren't in 2nd grade. I'll just send him a note. Haha.

I am working all weekend again but I'll be damned if I don't see "Cars". I am so looking forward to that ... I want to see "Filmore". And if ANYONE sees Filmore toys in any store, get one for me. Puh-lease. I can't find him anywhere down here. He's the VW, as if I have to announce that.

Here he is in the show room so you know what you're looking for ...

Mom and Dad ... Look for toys before you head back to Ohio. There has to be Filmore toys somewhere in Downtown Disney!! I want at least one to keep with all my other little VW's. :)

I have to be at work in 8 hours. I suppose I should get some sleep. Blah.

Buenas noches, que tengas dulces sueños!!