Happy Friday!

Good Morning! Happy Friday! What are everyone's plans for the weekend? I think I might do some work around my place, then maybe hit the pool. I keep saying, or thinking I am going to go to the pool, but then I never do. One, I feel bad leaving Bart, what can I say, I'm a sucker. He was along all last weekend, so maybe I will just hang out on the patio. Then maybe meet up with some friends for a beer somewhere in Arlington or out in Centreville. It will be a relazing weekend! And a great weekend for grilling!!

I can't believe tomorrow is July. Where has this year gone to? However, July is the one month I look forward to every year. The last week of July, my family goes to Lake George every year. Mom and Dad always ask my brother and I if we want to go somewhere else, but there is something about knowing that you are going to a beach that is usually quiet to read, swim, at at 2:00 start happy hour. You just know you will be relaxed when you are there...why change that. Yes, it would be neat to see a new place, don't get me wrong. I just like knowing that I will be relaxed! And this year, my brother will be there the whole week, and I haven't seen him since, what Thanksgiving?!? Dang, that is a long time!

Well I best go get ready for work, I am slacking today! Have a wonderful weekend and a great Friday all!

Steve Azar

STEVE AZAR IS AT NED DEVINES TONIGHT - AND I AM NOT GOING!! HE IS ONLY ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARTISTS. My girl friend from work and I were supposed to go, we forgot - and now I am completely bummed. Now, I really want to go and have no one to go with. When I worked in radio, I enjoyed every time he was in town playing our concerts, he kept a smile on my face. Well he, his bongo player, and his brother. Maybe I will go by myself.

Food, Food and Food

The past couple days have been very productive, although if you look at my list of things to do at work, you wouldn’t think so. About two items come off, five go on! My three day weekend did the trick, well for the time being!!

Today at work they did the drawing of who gets the privilege of attending the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill concert, and sadly I did not win that drawing. I am getting over it though. I have seen Tim 5 times, and would have loved to see him one more time, but I understand that I can’t go every time he is in our area. However, I can dislike the person that won! Tim: I am sorry I can’t see your concert, but sing Don’t Take the Girl for me!

I think I might rent a movie tonight. I am in the mood to have a beer, which I have to stop and get, and relax for the evening. The weather doesn’t really make you want to go anywhere, not even a beer run! Oh! I could splurge – beer/pizza/movie. Man, that just sounds too good to be true! Although I did spend a lot of money this past weekend, all on food! Maybe I will just hit the store and see what looks good for cooking, that way I have leftovers for work.

Well I am off to the store – my belly is hungry!

Charlotte, NC

I am back, and wish I was still with Dawn. I got there Friday when she got out work. We hit up Old Navy – I lost my brown flip flops and had to get a new pair. It was just Dawn and I for the weekend, her fiancé, Jim, was out of town. I have to say I really missed him being there. After Old Navy, we found a place to eat dinner. It was the two of us and a bunch of people in their 50’s or 60’s. This made for an interesting night. Dawn and I were catching up and laughing at points….by the looks we were getting, you would have thought we were two 16 year old loud gitty girls. One, we were not loud; two, we were not gitty. We had fun, and Dawn almost tripped the waitress when she had her hands full of food!! I almost died of laughter – and yes, at that point we were obnoxious, she apologizing, and me still laughing. After her extra large margarita and my beer we headed back to her place to chat some more. She is a wine person, and I can deal every now and then…so wine it was. We had one and a half bottles of wine! It was a great night of laughter. She had a rough morning; however, I think I ate enough for the army the night before, so I was fine!!

Saturday we just bummed around running errands and eating what ever I could get my hands on. That afternoon, while were getting ready to meet this guy Jessy for dinner, we watch The Family Stone. Very funny movie, some sad points, but humorous as well. After the movie, Dawn and I did something we don’t do that often, we got all dolled up to go to dinner. It was fun! We went to this amazing restaurant and I had a delicious Italian meat sandwich on fococcia with an olive spread. After dinner we went to the Mellow Mushroom, for one more drink. They had Labbatts Blue, and that I had to have!! Man was it tasty. Gotta love Labbatts!

Sunday we woke up and went to Brueggar’s for breakfast – only my favorite bagel place. After that, I hit the road for home. Although, I did find a need to stop at Steak’n’Shake for a large milk shake. I would be in heaven if the DC area had Steak’n’Shake and a Brueggar’s.

I get home, and an hour later I lost power – and still don’t have it! Bart was going crazy, but at least we had each other. That is one reason I would like a roommie, for when the power goes out, and you are in the dark during a thunderstorm. Not my most favorite thing. I was good though, usually I call my friends, but I didn’t do it this time. I just hope I go home to power. Cross your fingers!

NC here I come!!

Today is my day off, and what do I want to do? Go to work and make sure everything is as it should before I head off. Yes, I did that last night before I left. I still want to go it and give verbal reminders to my boss of what needs to go out/be done kinda things. I sent an email, but those always get lost in the shuffle. So now I am fighting the urge to NOT think about work. Bart is doing a good job helping me, he wants to play. We played a bit, and I kicked his little butt! Yea, I am not that nice, I don't let him win.

Anywho, I hope everyone has a joyous weekend. One that is full of lots of laughter, food, and good company.

I wanted to get some good books on tape for the drive, but my dumb butt spent too much time prepping work for my day off, I didn't get any. Luckely I have great taste in music, I have that to sing along to and bother all other drivers with my horrible singing voice.

Well I best go pack, and get my butt in gear.

My Funk

Thank goodness I am getting away this weekend. I have been informed of some news that has thrown me for a loop. And this news, it did not come from who it should have. The person that should be informing me of this now doesn’t know that I know. So I am sitting here will a thousand questions, and no answers. I have to wait until the correct person tells me. It is very frustrating, and I still need to focus on the job at hand. So I am focusing on getting through today and making it to Charlotte tomorrow to see my friend and get my mind off work.

Yesterday I had to “talk” to the intern again. It is getting to the point that now I feel bad every time I have to close the door and talk to her. I feel like the worst person, she must think I hate her, and I don’t hate her – I am just not getting it. I’ll get over it, I just feel like I am sounding like my old boss/friend, Mike when he used to yell at me at work. But at least when he was done getting mad at me, he would ask “are we still going out for beers after work?” and I would know that we were still good! With intern, she doesn’t know me that way. She knows the work me, but not the fun side of me. All well, I’ll get over it. I can’t please everyone.

Well I best get to work. Lots to do, always the case! But come 5:30 – there will be one big smile on my face!!

Girls Weekend!!

It is almost here!! Two more days of work, then I am off for a weekend of fun. I can't wait. Jimmy is going out of town with the guys, so Dawn and I decided it was the perfect time for us grils to hang out. I head to Charlotte Friday morning, and right now, that can't come soon enough. I need the weekend away more than anything!

The past couple days have been fun. I have been catching up with old friends. Jasho was one of my good friends in High School, we lost touch after college. He seems to be doing great still, which is always good to hear. Then a guy I was in a class with 7th - middle 10th grade, Jeremy is his name. He is now married and still living on Colorado. I was saying how it is nice to hear that he is doing well, then he says - why are you single, you are pretty and great to be around. I wanted to punch him, He wouldn't give me the time of day when we were younger. The only time he talked to me was when he needed a volleyball partner for the coed intermural teams. I laughed it off, but hello! But it has been fun seeing where old high school friends are.

I have been having odd dreams again. Dreams that just don't make sense, but in a way they make complete sense. My dreams take place in Rochester, with the people I have met while living here - and the events just don't line up. Kinda funny. I haven't been sleeping through the nights either. I wake up at 4, and Bart is not pleased with this, but now is getting used to it. To my body, 4am seems like a perfectly good time to wake up, get some food (what else can you do at 4am?) and watch some tube. Mad About You is on Nick at Nite, that is better the CSPAN. I tend to not go for depressing news at 4am. Heck, I wake up to it on talk radio. So yea, I go back to sleep around 5:30 to wake up at 6 or 6:30. Yea, this needs to end. Although, I am not that tired at work, so that is a good thing.

Well I am off to make some food. I am pretty hungry!!

PULLING HAIR OUT

So my summer intern is, well you can say, a bit odd. She has had difficulty with everything I have thrown her way. Let me explain the statement "thrown her way." This statement means, sat down with her to give a full explanation with full details and even demonstrated how things are done. Has she been able to handle the tasks - NO! I finally found something she can do - call people with a script provided. Now it only took 15 test phone calls for her to get used to what is expected of her...but we got there!

Yesterday, I was a bit bored sitting at her desk with her all day listening and watching her make calls. A co-worker came to work and told me (because she knew it would make me happy) that her son received the math award. Right then I decided I wanted a math award!! (now keep in mind, I am still sitting directly next to my intern who can hear everything we are saying) So my co-workers makes me three multiplication problems and three long division problems...I do them, acting like they are difficult (part of the fun time we were having) and get them all correct. (shocking!) I return to my desk an hour later to see a math award hanging there!! yay!

Today before we enter a meeting, little miss intern indicated she wanted my job since I don't do anything. (NOT HAPPY AT THIS POINT) After the meeting, she did not notice I was right behind her when she stopped at my desk, and commented on my math award. She said "and she started as an EE major in college? huh." Then proceeded to turn to the guy that sits across from me and says "all she does is babysit Michael." (Now I am PISSED) She didn't know I overheard all of it. I calmed down, took most of the day, and pulled her into the office later for a little chit chat. I think it is safe to say, we are not on good terms. She is walking some thin ice!!!! I spend my days babysitting HER and she has the gull to ask what I do or tell me she wants my job since I don't do anything. Little miss brat doesn't realize I work nights to make up for sitting by her side all day. She met the nice Kelly, now she will meet strict Kelly. Sucks to be her!

Tomorrow - happy hour! Any takers??

grass stained pants

Thursday we were able to wear jeans to work. It was spring cleaning day, then at 4:30 we were having a happy hour at work to say adios to a fellow co-worker, for Friday was her last day. My day was very productive one, leading up to a unexpected evening. 4:30 happy hour was the beginning of it all. At 6:00 I was getting ready to leave. Called mom, she was having a bad week, and I told her I would make her a drink. She bailed on me for a work project, that she didn't really have a choice in. So I stayed for one more beer. 6:00 turned into 8:30, and some people were no so sober, so I allowed them to come to my house. A co-worker had never played power hour before, and another co-worker and I said we would teach her the ways. Power hour lasted 36 minutes, and it was outside dancing. This is where the grassed stained pants come in. I was too drunk to dance, as was another - yet it didn't stop us. He was teaching me how to waltz, and dipping me so far that I would hit my head on the ground. Then it was time for a couple of those drunken dialing sessions, then off to bed...on the couch. Yet I woke up in my bed? Yes, the charming co-worker carried me to my bed so he could take the couch. Gentleman! Woke up as if we never drank!!

Drunken calls - that all went to one person - and I am truely sorry. Next time I need to call a friend that won't hate so much as this one person in my life. Why do I choose the one person that has so much hate in his heart?? All well, everyone at work got a kick out of it, and I said my apology.

Dancing Shoes

Yesterday was relaxing. I rearranged my bedroom - and if anyone were watching, they would have gotten a nice laugh. Moving a big bed and furniture that would normally take two people was an interesting task. But I am not one to be patient and wait to ask for help. It got done, and I like it. Especially at 4:00 this morning!

Last night was girls night! We all put on our little "cute" outfits and hit the town. We began our night having cocktails at Jessica's then hit DuPont Circle. The place we wanted to go was closed - so off to Adam's Morgan we went. We went salsa dancing for a a couple hours, that was funny. I was laughing my ass off dancing with those guys. The first guy I danced with - his salsa was a bit odd, to say the least, he just liked to shake his ass. So shake it, he did! The the sweetest guy asked me to dance, and he was affraid to hold me - it was like he never danced with a stranger before. Although going salsa dancing, and sweating like that, you want to go with a partner. We learned our lesson. So next time I think Shana and I will go with her boyfriend and her boyfriend's older brother - they can salsa!! After that we hit Tom Tom. I can't believe how many guys will grab your ass, don't they think some girl will turn around and smack them? We danced there until we had enough time to make it to the last train at the metro. All in all, it was a great night.

Oh and next time - no I will not wear the shoes I wore. They were the only shoes i had that went with the shirt I wore - but man did my feet hurt after dancing. Oh - but all my guy friends out there, learn salsa, the girls will LOVE it! :)

I best go cook - I am having company for dinner.

Gray

Today it is gray out - not blue and sunny. I had my day planned for and blue and sunny day, not a gray one. So I am to rearrange my thoughts and ideas for the day. Bart woke me up nice and early. We finished watching the last couple episodes from Gilmore Girls - Season 5. So much happening, Rory dropping out of Yale, and Loreli proposing to Luke - oh the drama!!

As for the rest of the day, since going to annopolis is not longer in the the agenda (this was for a blue and sunny day) I am going to rearrange my bedroom. Try a new look and see what works. I was also thinking about repainting the kitchen...but then I remembered I want to make a larger whole in the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and I should probably wait to repaint until after the whole making project. So it went back to the bedrooms. I could paint the spare bedroom, but then I have to come to a conclusion as to what color it will be, and that isn't happening anytime soon. So painting is out. This bringing me to my bedroom - can't paint that since I am having the same color issue as I am with the spare bedroom, all I have left is to rearrange. So rearrange it is.

I am off to put on some good music, loudly, and get working. Moving my bed might take a while - the pencil posts are kinda heavy. But hey! I don't have anyone here to hit on the head with them, so I am doing good already!!

Milk - Does a Body Good

I would have to say, it’s amazing how people feel on certain things. This morning, a couple co-workers and I had a large conversation on milk. This might sound rather odd, but it was a good conversation. There are a few of us that are very picky as to what milk we drink and where we get it. Personally I prefer Wegmans milk – 1%. The “new guy” John hasn’t bought milk in this area yet – he is used to his Ohio milk and was asking where we get our milk. Who ever though I would be having a 30 minute conversation on what milks we like.

Tomorrow night should be fun – I am going salsa dancing with some girls. It has turned into a girls night, not what I really hoped for (this girls boyfriend’s brother dances, and I wanted to see if we were compatible), but it will be fun still.

Okay – so I realized why I like to hang with the guys much more than the girls. Last night I met up for happy hour with some “friends” and for the first hour or so, it was just three of us girls. The choice of topic – sex. Sex talk gets old REAL fast, well at least to me, they talked about it most of the night. Man, with the guys we at least talk about who can burp the best, funny movies, sean and kyle’s raunchy farts and food. We have beers and laugh at all the dumb stuff in the world. Last night – forced laughter. These girls obsess over all the odd crap in the word.

Well, that is all for now. It is almost lunch time – and I need to focus on lunch!

Rochester

Today our division is going to Hamburger Hamlet for lunch. If you don’t know what that is, you are deprived. It sounds like a Bill Gray’s or Tom Wahl’s – but oh no, it is far from it. It a casual nice sit down restaurant with about twenty amazing burgers to choose from, and today we are going!! I will have to get my usual order: French onion soup and a nacho burger. Their French onion soup is one of the best I have ever had, and the nacho burger, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it. You can’t mock it until you try it!! Our division is waiting on one person to get out of a meeting…and she best hurry. We would be there right now if it wasn’t for her dumb, boring, annoying meeting. Who schedules meetings at 11 when we like to eat between 12 and 12:30!?!? Rude I tell you, just plain rude!!

Last night I had my second to last dance class. It was fun. We did the tush push again at the end of class, and again, the class laughed at me since I knew the dance. HELLO! You need to get out more peeps! After dance, I went to Justin’s and he took me to Clyde’s for desert and a glass of wine. A very relaxing, perfect evening, although the stars were hard to see. I didn’t leave his place until 12:30 – so today I am exhausted, it is worth it. Next week is his birthday – so I need to head to the store to get him something. 

I am thinking about taking a trip home. I haven’t been home since November, and I haven’t been home for “fun” or on my own agenda since Christmas 2004. I would like to take my time to see my friends and family – but I am not sure if I am up to it. I would like to see Sean before he moves, and my brother. It is just so much work to go home. You have the grandmother visit, the aunts, uncles and cousins to see…then your friends. Friends are the most difficult to fit in. I have the CP gang that I would like to see, but then I end up spending all my time with my brother and Sean. Also, all your friends want you to go where they are instead of helping you out and them coming to the bar you are in. OR I could go the route where I don’t tell anyone I am coming home – but then when I return and people find out your where in town and you didn’t call – trouble! I will keep thinking.

Christine – hope your trip continues to go well!