when will I learn?

Ugh.

Every time. I feel all drained so I hit the Starschmucks before work (Foamy would not be proud). I get the uber big and scrumptious venti mocha. At least I quit getting it with extra espresso shots. I'm thinking maybe I should just go down to the tall (aka: small), because every bloody time I get the venti (aka: large) I get a humongous headache. I blame it on too much caffeine in too short a time. I mean, it's not like I sip this thing; I slam it.
Again, I say ugh.

today's 'scope

"You are starting to feel much more confident about your position in life right now. It is time to build on this confidence to create a stronger air of authority around yourself. The good news is that this will not be very difficult, since all the people around you are eager to see you get the respect and responsibilities you so richly deserve. Ask for the cooperation you need today, and you will get it -- even when it comes to matters of the heart."

Hmmmmm, I wonder....

weather

The difference in the weather I left in Texas this morning and what I found up here in Wisconsin is amazing. I left this sticky, damp, hot mess of low pressure nastiness this morning. Now I'm in the middle of mid-60s, pleasant, beautifulness. I hope I can take this home with me.

And now for the traveling musings:

I drove through Harvard, IL which is the home of Milk Days, a celebration of the dairy goodness known throughout the world as moo juice. I even had my picture taken by the cow statue.

I passed through another town that was home of the Corn Festival of Illinois (or was it Wisconsin by that point?). Too funny!

The one person I met at the airport before I left had a boarding ticket 2 numbers off of mine, had my first name, and her husband is in a local band and looking for a female vocalist. Okay, when I say band, I mean they play at weddings and festivals and the like and play all the oldies (KLUV stuff). She got my number and wants to see me soon at her place for a rehearsal! Of all the things....

I met a woman tonight who sounds either like she came straight from Fargo or belongs on Prairie Home Companion.

One of the guys I met says that everyone has such a nasal voice because they are always cold. Does that make sense to you? After that, the group of Wisconsineers-Wisconsinites-Wisconsonions all decided I sounded British. Whatev! All because I pronounce the "con" of Wisconsin with an "aw" sound instead of an "ah" sound. I love going different places!

And of course I had my picture taken next to the "Welcome to Wisconsin" sign. I felt like I had dork written all over me, but I didn't care in the slightest!

Okay, it's getting late. Well, not really, but I'm super freaking tired after leaving my house 959 miles and 15.5 hours ago. It's bed time for the naughty mouse. Later gators.

random musings

I saw a car this morning on the way to work with a license plate that said "covert." Um, not so covert when you announce it.

Why did my doctor give me a new blood pressure RX with the same side effect as the withdrawal from drug he just took me off of? Total uber dizziness abounds, and that's not fun when looking through the microscope.

Basic boring rice noodles with frozen veggies can taste sooooooooooooo good when you've worked for the last 6.5 hours with no break.

My new supervisor told me I don't work fast enough so I need to quit talking while I work. The national head of my department said I was working too fast. Who do we believe: the man with no parasite experince or the woman with LOADS of it? (and "loads" was not intended to be a pun on the amount of crap I work with)

The barometer is inching more and more toward Maine today....

I can't believe I was lucky enough to have a friend offer me a ticket to the Police concert next week. Love me some T$!

Oh, and I found out why the cats have not been using the litterbox for the past few days. Turns out, they hate the best litter in the entire world. Now I gotta go buy some of that cheap dusty crap for them. The things I do for them with no thanks.

phew, what a weekend!

The whirlwind started Thursday night. I had the handbell rehearsal from hell before I headed over the H & B's for the barbeque.

Friday was early work, stoopid doctor's appt (yes, the blood pressure is officially high), rushed to the wedding rehearsal, and then had a scrumptious feast at the rehearsal dinner. Of course there was the requisite "sex book" buying session at Barnes and Noble for the happy couple to take on the honeymoon. It was HI-LAR-EE-YUS!

Saturday morning was way too early to try to look nice, and the rain ruined my hair before I even got to the church. Meh! Rehearsed the bells again, had the wedding (with my uber fantastic solo--thank you very much), and went to the reception. SWANK-A-LILCIOUS!!! I've not been to a reception that was so planned for carnivores in my life. (and those who know me know I love meat) When I finally left the swanky party, I got home for a quick nap (okay, 3 hours might not be quick in some books...), and went back to hell in fluorescent lighting (the lab). It wasn't too bad--I was able to leave by 1:30am! I think that's a record.

Sunday I slept until about 10am (which considering I didn't go to sleep until a little after 4am wasn't nearly enough), got up, got clean, and went to church. It was nice to not have to vest or sing. Then there was lunch and shopping with ma madre. Mmmmmmm, Mexican food. Then it was time to head to Denton with Rico Suave for dinner with friends. Once again, serious yumminess! The drive home was less than swell as he and I were both exhausted.

And now it's Monday. There's your update, friends!

Portland, here I come!

Yes, folks, you read it right. I'm headed up to Portland in a few weeks. Granted, this is just a visit to see the lab and have the official interviews that are necesssary for the possible job opportunity. I'm uber excited! In fact, I have already checked with weather.com, and it's not supposed to be warmer that 76 degrees in the next ten days. Hmmm, I think it's supposed to be like 94 today here. What's even better is that I asked if they would fly me up on Saturday instead of Sunday so I could have all day Sunday to see the town. The answer: "absolutely!" And they are hooking me up with a rental car. Wow, I don't think I could be much more excited!

it's the bachelor(ette) life for me

You know it's bad when you have to go to Target to buy new underwear because you haven't done laundry in three weeks. That's right folks--three weeks! I feel like a bachelor. You always hear about how they only use paper plates and plastic-ware so they don't have to do dishes. Along those lines, they only get take out so they don't have to cook. If they don't want to do laundry, they go buy more underwear and undershirts and such. Yes, I know this is all stereotypical stuff, but stereotypes have their basis in reality. Heck, the last guy I dated was the stereotype! I've turned into a bachelor. Ugh!

Of course, if you know me, you know I tout buying new under things at least every six months. Given where I last worked, I never leave the house in anything that I would be embarassed to see sprawled out in a court of law. With that in mind, I proceeded to spend $60 on underwear. Damn. How can I do these things? I did, however, find some new stuff that I am thrilled with! And JCC, you'll be happy to know that the low-rise hipsters are perfectomundo! You gotta get some!

Ahhhh. I love me some Target.

12 items or fewer

What a crazy excursion I made to the Half Foods Market yesterday evening. I'd worked for 9.5 hours (but, really folks, that long during daylight hours is a cakewalk compared to overnight) and had dinner with AA first (mmmmm, chop suey a go go!). When I walked into the place, I was so full that looking at the food started to make me feel ill. Then I partake of the mini-cart (ergo, I can't buy too much--which ended up not being a problem) and begin to shop. I had to make this pasta salad thing for pot-luck lunch at work today, but nothing sounded good. I wandered around the produce section for, I kid you not, 20 minutes picking things up and putting them back. Finally I called my mother (the culinary genius and delightful woman) and drove her nuts. Me: What would be good in this? Mom: (lists a ton of things) Me: Nah, that doesn't sound good. What kind of pasta should I use? Mom: Fusilli. Me: I hate fusilli! (I then proceed to tell her why.) Bless her heart, I thought she was gonna come through the phone and strangle me. I sure would've! Once I finally picked out all my stuff and hit the check out lane, it was finally time to get out of that horrible food filled place. (note to readers: best time to go shopping--straight after stuffing your face with chop suey) I wandered out into the parking lot, saw a cute little terrier in a car and mentally applauded the owner for leaving the a/c on for the dog. Then I started thinking about the emissions and greenhouse gases and got all combobulated. When I looked up, I couldn't find my car to save my life. I started to freak out a little (I so vividly remember the time I saw my car drive away without me in it). Anyone want to guess where it was? Ya, right in front of me. Wow, not a good night for the naughty mouse!

the good, the bad, and the heartbreaking

Wow. I can't believe the last two weeks. Feels more like two months. It's now June 3rd (barely), so that means I haven't posted anything in almost exactly the time life has gotten bizarro. Let's see, shall I list the events in chronological order or group them according to good v. bad? I'll go in order:

1. I find out from my supervisor that I am switching to day shift at the start of the next pay period (tomorrow now). Hallelujah!
2. I find out the H-bomb's health is crappier than expected. Besides her almost constant pain, she now has even more stuff to deal with. How can you walk if your foot is numb? Hmmmm.... If anyone can handle it though, she can. She amazes me. I wish I had half of her fortitude and temerity!
3. I get the damning phone call telling me one of my dearest friends has been diagnosed with stage IV esophageal cancer. I later learn it has invaded her liver and lymph system. Damn, fuck, and shit.
4. Literally within the hour of hearing the aforementioned heartbreaking news, I get an email from the main dude in Maine saying to go to the listed link and apply for the position he created for me. I couldn't even deal with it that night.
5. YAY!!! Giggles got a job at one of the best private schools in the area. I'm thrilled for her and the good news!
6. After seven months of breaking my back trying to fulfill my duties as section leader in my choir while working the bloody night shift, I get axed from the upcoming England trip. I was supposed to leave in less than two months. Goes to show you what fourteen years of dedication and loyalty gets you. A heaping pile of nothing.
7. And finally, I get another email from Maine. This one is from some VP's assistant asking me when in June looks good for me to get up there to visit the lab, have the official interview, and meet the team. Good Lord, at this point, I don't know what to do about that job opportunity.

That's it in a nutshell.

I'm heartbroken about the fact that I may be losing a fan-freaking-tastic friend sooner than planned (I mean, truth be told, everyone is terminal). This friend has been there through thick, thin, and thicker. I can even remember the times she was troubled and would call me uber late at night for consolation and advice. I could never repay her for all she's done for me. A person can't dream of a better person to have on her side in this crazy world. I'll talk to her soon, but I have to get her advice about the plan of my life at this point. I think I know what she'll say, but I still have to ask. OMG, and the way she is so composed! I mean to say, "ya, I'm terminal so let's eat more ice cream" and mean it. For someone who professes no belief in God (or any god for that matter), she is the most Christian person I've come across in a long time. I can't imagine life without her. I thank God for bringing her into my life. Now I pray daily that He won't take her away just yet.

How can I follow that? Ya, I don't think I can. If you want any more details about the crap above, let me know and I'll set to updating. I promise to type before another two weeks passes. Thank goodness for Cafe Brazil and their free wifi and kick ass omelets (wish they were free)!