Caramels for Lunch

Everything feels so much better with a glass of wine. This is one of those perfect summer evenings. Anyone who knows me knows that I don't like the heat. Summer is not my favorite season because it gets too doggone hot. But what I do love is the light. I love that it is 8:15 pm and it is still light out. I love that I can leave work at 5 and still feel like there are several hours left in my day. I love sitting at the kitchen table sipping a glass of wine, lingering in casual conversation, with the front door open, and the sound of kids playing outside.

My Stuff to Do before I Leave list is growing by the minute. It's a little nerve wracking. People have been stopping by my cubicle to tell me they're sorry to see me go. It's been really nice. I'm not the best at receiving compliments, but it's definitely great to know that my presence has been appreciated and will be missed. I am also getting more excited each day - I had been so nervous about taking a job in "The City" (I mean, c'mon, I am a suburban girl) - but everyone has been saying "oh that's so great, what a wonderful opportunity, I wish I could work in the city" (or something along those lines).

I got my tire fixed today. At first the dude couldn't find the source of the leak. And he is telling me that there is no nail, or glass, or puncture anywhere, and he has this look on his face like there must be something I am not telling him. And I said to him "are you saying you think someone let the air out of my tire?" He replied, "well, I hate to think that, but it looks that way." And just as my mind starts reeling with conspiracy theories and potential perpetrators, the other dude announces that he found the hole. Ok, thanks for making me paranoid. Now patch the damn tire.

I'm Outta Here - Almost!

I was jittery all morning waiting for my boss to be free, and then finally I cornered her in her office and broke the news. She wasn't surprised of course, but when it dawned on both of us just how much work I do and how much info is stored inside my head, we both started freaking out. A little while later I broke the news to the HR manager. Since it came as a complete surprise to her, she was a bit disturbed by the news. Then, around 2:00 I decided to finally take a quick lunch break, but when I went to leave, I discovered I had a flat tire! It was like some kind of weird omen that means I am not supposed to leave here. Creepy! Luckily, my next door cubicle mate changed it for me and now I gotta call the trusty tire dudes and make an appointment to bring my car in. 

Big News

I have about 6 entries saved as draft, and as soon as I get around to it, I am going to finish and publish them.

So the big news is that I accepted the job - yay! I will have to commute to the city, which is going to be a big adjustment for me. I am still nervous, afraid that I won't be able to "hack it" as they say. But I feel oddly calm now that I have actually made a decision. Except I still need to give notice....
(I think it's the thought of 10 free books that keeps me calm.)

I watched Six Feet Under last night. I haven't really been able to get into this show, mostly because I don't have HBO, and I missed the intense episode last week that everyone is talking about. But it's a pretty good show nonetheless.

In other news
My mother is still in the hospital for a "procedure" that she had on Thursday. ("You'll call it a procedure, but it's a surgery.") I went to visit her right after, and it was weird seeing her so meek and frail. She was groggy and in pain, which made her grumpy as well. After about 20 minutes she said, ok, you don't need to stay. I felt akward because I couldn't think of anything to say, and I felt like my presence was more of a nuisance than a comfort. But she is doing better now, and she should be released tomorrow.

It's annoying how unattentive people are in hospitals. And by people, I mean doctors, nurses, and orderlies. I feel bad for those who have to stay in hospitals, relying entirely upon the tiny call button in case of an emergency. Plus, that little curtain is not enough of a barrier between you and the person in the next bed - especially when people are so close to it that you can see the outline of their body. Why don't you throw out an "excuse me" or a "sorry to disturb you" once in awhile? It's no wonder I'm antisocial.

Home Alone on a Friday Morning

I think it is official that I am insane. I am sure that I am the only person in the world who breaks down and cries after being offered a job. Why is it so hard to pick something and go with it? Why is it so scary to make a freaking decision. I am so afraid of making the wrong decision, as though it would have the power to ruin my life. I have been in limbo for over a year now. On the fence. In flux. Thinking the grass is greener on the other side, but not really wanting to go over there to find out for sure. 

I just watched Broadcast News and I think that's gotta be one of the saddest movies I have ever seen.

Social Drinking

(Something weird is happening with the template. It's really annoying.)

Word of the Day: Antisocial
Just because I don't like being around other people, it doesn't make me anti social does it? Yes, ok, I purposely take a different route to the break room to avoid running into people. I do not want to go to the company picnic because I don't want to hang out with any of these people. It is certainly not unusual to not be friends with people at work. There's my life and then there's work - the two do not play well together. When I was about 15 I went to a cousin's wedding and another cousin asked me why I was so antiscocial. Maybe it was because I was 15. And hanging out with relatives I'd met maybe twice before. Maybe I just prefer hanging out with myself than with other people. Am I alone on this?
Ok, well, according to Merriam-Webster, being antisocial is not really something to be proud of:
Function: adjective
1: averse to the society of others : UNSOCIABLE
2: hostile or harmful to organized society; especially : being or marked by behavior deviating sharply from the social norm  
But you don't want to be too social. Certainly not like those stuck up "soc"es who get their asses kicked by the greasers in The Outsiders. Damn, that's a good movie!

Monday Monday, Can't Trust That Day

It's been too hot to concentrate.

I had a phone interview this morning, which I think went well - but as has become quite clear, I cannot objectively judge these things. Interview #3 is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed (but not your hopes up).

My parents and I went to see Spider Man 2 yesterday. It was okay. I actually found my mind wandering a little bit, which is unusual for me because I try to make it a point to only see movies in the theatre that I know I will like. I don't think my mom was too interested either. We both though Peter Parker was too much of a sad sack to garner our sympathy.

Upcoming Movies to Which I Am Looking Forward
*The Village (yes, I like to scare myself)
*Intimate Strangers (French movie, looks interesting)
*Garden State (with the dude from Scrubs)
*The United States of Leland (with the cute dude from that Notebook movie)
*Swimming Upstream (1950's Australia with Australian staples Geoffrey Rush and Judy Davis)
*Finding Neverland (Johnny Depp as J.M. Barrie - should be excellent)
*Dear Frankie (damn, I love those British movies!)
*Vanity Fair (actually not too sure yet about this one, but I love the literary/period movies)
*Paparazzi (don't know how good this will be, but I'm excited to see Cole Hauser as the leading man)
*Alfie (I liked the original with Michael Caine)
*Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (hey, I saw the first one in the theatre, twice)
*Ocean's Twelve
*The Life Aquatic (I don't even know what it's about it, but it's directed by Wes Anderson and stars the usual motely crew, so I know I will love it)
*The Last Shot
*Stage Beauty (with Billy Crudup and Claire Danes - poor Mary Louise Parker - and men dressing as women!)
*Maria Full of Grace
*Napoleon Dynamite
*Touch of Pink

And did you hear they're re-releasing THX 1138? I have never actually more than a few minutes of this, but it stars Robert Duvall, one of my all-time favorite actors. It is George Lucas's first movie. And a bit of trivia for you: THX1138 is the license plate number of one of the cars in American Graffiti.

A Day on the Coast

Since I had Friday off, I joined Andrew for a quickie road trip to Monterey... by way of Hollister.
 
We spent Thursday night at the Best Western in Hollister, and during our first hour there, we changed rooms twice. When we first checked in, I was delighted to discover a swarm of ants in the bathroom. I went back to the front desk and asked for new room. As I walked into room #2 I was immediately assaulted with the sound of a baby crying next door. Um, that won't work either. I had to go back to the front desk and ask for yet another room. The dude gave me a hard time, saying that those were the only 2 non-smoking rooms available, which I highly doubt seeing as though there were maybe four other cars in the parking lot. But I wasn't going to sleep with ants or crying, so I accepted the third room, a smoking room, and all the while I was apologizing profusely for causing the dude trouble. He never once apologized for the fact that they sold me a room with ants in it!

I had Friday morning to myself while Andrew was golfing, then we packed up and headed down to Carmel. We stopped briefly at the San Juan Batista mission, which was featured in the Hitchcock movie, Vertigo.

We spent a couple hours walking around dowtown Carmel - we even checked out a blues band playing in Devendorf park. Then we headed over to take a quick peek at the Carmel mission - lovely - and continued to Monterey.

Let me just say, the Super 8 motel in North Monterey has a lot of character. I was pleasantly surprised! After freshening up, we headed over to municipal wharf #2 to have dinner at the Sandbar and Grill. A funky little place sitting right over the water, it allowed for watching the folks cruise by in their speedboats, sailboats, canoes, and other various contraptions. There was a kid practicing his turns and ducking under the swinging sail, and the family hoisting their sailboat out of the water - with the boy directing the whole process after attaching the winch. "Look it's a flying boat," announced our kooky waittress who spent too much time socializing instead of refilling our drinks. I had the chicken with say-ginger [sic] sauce. It was quite good. After dinner, we took quick stroll down the wharf, watching people fishing off the side, admiring all the boats in dock, and ogling at all the real fishing boats just like in The Perfect Storm. Plus, we spotted several seals lounging on buoy.

After popping over to "Old Fisherman's Wharf #1" to soak up a little touristy action - it's nothing but food and souvenirs - and a quick stroll around cannery row, we headed downtown to finish the evening at Cibo where "it all happened" 16 months ago. We drank 5 pints between us and lingered for a couple hours, just people watching and grooving to the jazz band.

After checking out in the morning, we drove to Pacific Grove, which is now my new favorite place. Known for it's community of butterflies, and touted as "America's Last Home Town," it has a lovely little downtown with nice wide streets and plenty of parking. We drove along the coast (the "free" part of the 17 mile drive) and visited the Point Pinos lighthouse.  We at lunch downtown at the 17th Street Grille. I had the greek chicken wrap.   

So,

I had this weird moment the other day when it suddenly occured to me that I was doing a good imitation of having a life. Outsiders may not see it, but I feel like my life hasn't really started yet, that I haven't yet decided what I want my life to be.

Things I am going to do if/when I have more money, when I have my own place, when I get a life, etc.:
Take art classes
Work on my stories
Work on family story
Frame photos and hang them on the wall
Exercise more
Travel
Read
Volunteer

Disgusted beyond belief
I don't even know what to say - http://www.utne.com/webwatch/2004_156/news/11295-1.html

"You're So Early 90's"*

With my high school reunion on the horizon, VH1's new I Love the 90's series couldn't have come at a more perfect time. My favorite part of the 1990 episode was cutie patootie Dominic Monaghan making fun of Vanilla Ice. "First you need to Stop. Then Collaborate and Listen." Classic.

More songs to add to my high school flashback list:

*Billy Idol - "Cradle of Love" - 1990
*Vanilla Ice - "Ice Ice Baby" - 1990 (Yes, I owned this tape.)
*Bryan Adams - "Everything I Do" - 1991
*R.E.M. - "Losing My Religion" - 1991
*Paula Abdul - "Rush Rush" - 1991
*Metallica - "Enter Sandman" - 1991 (I believe this was played at the Homecoming Dance)
*Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - "Good Vibrations" - 1991 (thank God he started acting!)
*Pearl Jam - The entire album Ten - 1992
*Ugly Kid Joe - "(I Hate) Everything About You" - 1992
*Whitney Houston - "I Will Always Love You" - 1992 (it was years later that I discovered just how wonderful Dolly Parton is)
*Boyz II Men - "End of the Road" - 1992
*The Proclaimers - "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - 1993
*Ace of Base - "All That She Wants" - 1993
*Arrested Development - "Mr. Wendal" - 1993
*UB40 - "Can't Help Falling in Love" - 1993
*Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories - "Stay" - 1994
*Pearl Jam - "Daughter" - 1994

(Yeah, I loved Pearl Jam by the way. I thought Eddie Vedder was so hot, with that deep sexy voice! Oh baby!)

*Title refers to what my nephew told my brother, in rather a condescending way.

The First Day of Summer

Sunday was officially the first day of summer. Ok, I know it's been summer for a few weeks now, but it actually felt like summer for the first time on Sunday. It was one of those gorgeous lazy days. In the afternoon, I went over to my brother's house and sat with my feet dangling in the pool, drinking soda, eating chips and salsa, feeling my skin burn, and getting splashed by the kids. Plus, we had pizza for dinner - you know it's summer when it's "too hot to turn on the oven."

A Good Deed, A Good Day
But Saturday was a good day too. My sister, a friend, and I helped set up tents in the Wellness Village for the walkers in the SF Avon Walk. I felt good to be able to help out in even the smallest way. After our few hours of manual labor, we drove over to Union Square for a few hours of fun. We had a late lunch at Mel's, then took a hot lap around the square, stopping to browse in The Container Store and Lush, all the while ogling at all the fancy ladies. And I partook (is that a word?) in my very first Jamba Juice! I had the "Razzmatazz" - delicious!

Back to the Drawing Board
So I'm a little bummed. Job #2 fell through and I am back to square one. I am mad at myself because despite my best efforts, I had gotten my hopes up for this one, and haven't been sending in resumes in the last few weeks. So I feel as though I have set myself back. But, chin up. Obviously, this wasn't meant to be, and the right opportunity will show itself eventually.

Ranting

Ok, yes! My cubicle is messy. Fine. Why do you feel the need to point it out to me as though I don't know. The latest annoying comment? "Do you do this for sympathy?" What the fuck! You know what, why don't you just go stuff your face with more Atkins friendly snacks!
Whew! Ok, I'm over it now.

All Blow, No Show

My sister and I went down to the pub last night for the Brainstormer Trivia Quiz - damn those questions are hard. "Six rounds of full contact trivia." And there were two (count them, two) questions about Bond girls!! I could not remember Ursula Andress, but I did remember the Bond girl that used to be a man baby! We lost pretty badly. And my $2 Molsen special was frozen over, so I was unable to drink it right away.

While sitting in the booth, I suddenly remembered the "dot game" that my mother used to play with us while waiting for our food in restaurants (such as Romeo's pizza - God that stuff was good!). She would make a grid of dots on a paper napkin - six across and six down - and then we'd take turns connecting 2 dots. When you closed a square, you put your initials in it, and the player with the most squares wins. Ah, I was easily amused.

And then when I got home last night I stayed up till 12:30 because they had a Who's the Boss marathon on Nick at Nite. Damn I love that show. Such fond memories. The first time I watched the show was by an unlucky chance. I was in 2nd or 3rd grade I think and I was sick and you know when you're sick you get to live on the couch and watch 24 hours of TV. Well, I was up past my bedtime, and Who's the Boss came on at 9 or so - I think it was pretty risque for its time. Luckily, it moved to an earlier time slot (or else my bedtime moved to a later time slot), and I became a regular.

Reunited, and It Feels So Good
Did I mention that my ten year high school reunion is coming up?
Romy: It's been 10 years since high school? God, where have I been?
Heather: I'm stumped. Where?

I have been trying to remember the songs that were popular during the early 90's. Here's a partial list:
*Divinyls - "I Touch Myself" - 1990
*Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Under The Bridge" - 1991
*Guns 'N Roses - "November Rain" - 1991
*Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - 1991
*The Heights - "How Do You Talk To An Angel" - 1992 (OMG, remember this show?? Starring Jamie Walters who played Donna's abusive boyfriend on 90210!?)
*Sir Mix-a-Lot "Baby Got Back" - 1992
*Right Said Fred - "I'm Too Sexy" - 1992
*Tag Team - "Whoomp... There It Is" - 1993
*Blind Melon - "No Rain" - 1993
*Beck - "Loser" - 1994
*Crash Test Dummies - "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" - 1994

Ooh - I just discovered a great website! One Hit Wonder Central

Creepy Feeling

I have had a creepy "something wicked this way comes" kind of feeling all day. It's really kind of freaking me out. Ok, ok, everything freaks me out. But it's really unsettling. I am sure it is all related to my existensial angst about what I want to be when I grow up. Or maybe I am eating too much sugar. Six of one.....

Fun with Movie Quotes

Those screenwriters are just so darn clever!

1. “You’re mother was a lizard!”
2. “I'm smitten. I'm in deep smit.”
3. "And you—friendless, helpless, hopeless, brainless! Do you want me to send you back where I found you? Unemployed, in Greenland?!"
4. “God isn't interested in technology. He cares nothing for the microchip or the silicon revolution. Look how he spends his time: forty-three species of parrots! Nipples for men!”
5. "Eleven. Exactly. One louder."

Word of the Day
Lollygag (see Dawdle)
1: to spend time idly
2: to move lackadaisically

"You guys...you lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!"
"Lollygaggers!"
"Lollygaggers."

A Foggy Fourth

Bless me computer gods, for I have delayed. It's been almost a week since my last post....
I really need to get my own computer!

I can't believe it's Tuesday already. Why is it that the 4-day weekend seems so much shorter than the standard size model? On Sunday night, we went up to the rooftop of our friend's apartment building to watch the fireworks. Unfortunately, the fireworks were nowhere to be seen. That's right, the fog was as thick as pea soup, as they say, and all we could see was the occasional flash of light in the general direction of the water. This accompanied by the loud and sporatic booms made the whole situation really quite eerie. Luckily, I did get to see some fireworks this weekend. We went to the baseball game Friday night, and after the game they put on a pretty good fireworks show. It was set to big band and patriotic music, so I was moving and grooving in my seat... but maybe that was because I was so cold. It does get pretty windy up in the third deck.

Let's see... what else happened this weekend? Had a wonderful evening with some friends on Saturday. We were well fed, and we discovered a wonderful game called Scene It?, an excellent movie trivia game that comes with a DVD for viewing film clips and other fun stuff. I was kicking ass for a while, then a couple of Lose A Turn cards put the kibosh on me.

"Madness!"
Crosssing another one off the list - I watched The Bridge on the River Kwai over the weekend. Despite the fake nighttime scenes of which Mystery Science Theatre is unforgiving, it was a really good movie. I also watched Bull Durham all the way through and unedited for the first time. Lots of great lines.

In Other News....
*I got to work around 7:30 when it's still dark and somewhat eerie in cubicle land.
*I had some chocolate candy for "second breakfast."
*I just downloaded several songs from Charlotte Martin.
*I'm definitely not drinking enough water.

My love for lists is endless; it knows no bounds. A while back, I discovered a site called On the Page. I love their "Suggestions" lists. Check out the "B" list.