Monday, July 30, 2007

the transformation begins...

First, let me apologize for the serious lack of postings. Claiming busy-ness doesn't seem adequate, but it's all I've got!

Second, here's the update: I gave up and re-joined a gym. I figure if two of my doctors have told me to lower my blood pressure and lose weight, I should take them seriously. Ergo, as of last week, I joined a gym close to my house and began my new workout regimen. It's not too harsh yet, but I want to start slowly (as to not cramp up into a tiny ball and disappear in thin air). Today will be my 3rd official workout. And what's with all the people saying things like "Oh, I feel so great after I workout!" I'm going to have to raise the bullshit flag on that one. All I feel like after working out is hot, sticky, and smelly. Oh, and maybe little painful. Some people are so weird.

Unfortunately, that's all I've got folks. The life of the naughty mouse is seriously lacking in entertainment value these days. I'll work on it for the readers. ;-)

Thursday, July 19, 2007

beware the diet dr pepper!

My day in a nutshell:

* wake up 30 minutes late
* still leave early for work
* stop at Sonic for the BIG ICED TEA--wait 10 minutes for aforementioned tea
* get caught in a traffic snarl--10 minutes late to work (damn that tea)
* realize I've got killer cramps (damn being a woman)
* get to a stopping point at work, go to CVS for Aleve, fempro, and diet dr pepper
* get back to work and get back to work
* decide I'm thirsty (being finished with the BIG TEA) and go to open the diet dr pepper
* have diet dr pepper spew all over my labcoat, white tee shirt, and floor
* spend 10 minutes cleaning everything--get new labcoat
* go tell the new pathologist that her day isn't as bad as she thinks it is
* try to leave the path's office and the doorknob comes off in my hand
* decide it's just not my day
* have a super unhealthy lunch of burger and fries--feel much better
* the day is only HALF OVER!!!!!

I hope everyone's day is much better than this. But I'm still smiling!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

obvious

The meaning behind this dream was fairly obvious to me. Let's see what y'all think.

All I really remember is being in some sort of collegiate setting and seeing storm clouds racing toward the building. I told everyone to get into the corridors or restrooms for protection. Unlike other dreams of mine like this, everyone actually listened and heeded my warnings. The last thing I saw was at least 6 tornadoes hurtling toward us all. During the hellacious storm, there was an earthquake that tore up everything--buildings, the roads, and landscape. When were finally able to emerge from our safety, there was nothing but disbelief. Because of the upheaval of the land and whirling winds, complete parking lots were devoid of cars, hills were cleared of trees, and buildings were crumbling before our eyes.

Do I think my life is in upheaval--totally changing before me??? Hmmmmmm.... Only time will tell.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

whirlwind day

Yes, it's a couple days after the fact, but I've been too busy to post. I blame the work gods since I got called in yesterday on my supposed day off. Oh well.

Let me just mention first off how much trouble I had sleeping Sunday night before the interview. I watched a lot of SVU until almost 1am, then I just laid in bed hoping I wouldn't totally fark things up during the interviews. Yes, I said interviews. I met with at least 8 separate people. I was booked from 8am to 3pm (from 10am to 2:30pm was a different person every 30 minutes!). There was one guy who could only ask me things about my previous job though. He was awed, but I told him it was way more glorious on TV--I never got close to driving a Hummer. Granted, I don't think I'd ever want to. When I saw one at a car show, I walked up and kicked the tire for fun. Oh, but I digress.... Only the first guy made me nervous; he was so technical and wanted to know very detailed things. From then on out, I was just myself and answered all of their questions to the best of my ability. Then I got to drive to the airport in a torrential downpour. I hope my shoes didn't get ruined. Next time--Birkenstocks!

I made it to the airport about 3:30 (everything up there is sooooooo close!), and I couldn't find anyone to take my rental car. As it turns out, I was supposed to park it myself and just take the keys inside. Random. Then I had to check in, check my itsy bitsy bag (so didn't want to carry it), and make it through security. Did they raise the "terror level alert" or whatever it is called while I was up there? It was much more stringent than trying to get through security at DFW--and Portland only has 11 gates. Yes people, ELEVEN! I had to ditch my Purell stuff, toothpaste, and hand lotion out of my purse. Damnation! Then there was tons-o-time to kill so I had a little cup of clam chowder. Even at the airport it was fan-freaking-tastic!

Long rest of the day condensed: my flights were all late because of storms and fog. I didn't get home until after midnight (after being up at 5am same time-zone-wise). I slept like a baby until the next morning when I got called to come in to work. Blech.

Be patient--I will update when I hear anything!

Sunday, July 08, 2007

sunday Sunday SUNDAY!!!

Sorry, I felt the need to emulate a bad monster truck rally commercial.

OH MY GOOD HOLY LORD!!! I love this place! Even though it's gross and rainy and muggy, it's still beautiful! Everything is so green, and yet the people I spoke with today were complaining that things were yellowing because of the lack of recent rain. #1. Glad I could bring the rain with me; now if I could only get rid of it. #2. Yellowing? Things are all totally green with maybe a tinge of yellow at the edges. Whatever.

Everyone here seems to ride their bikes to get around. Yes, there are cars on the roads, but there are bikes everywhere. I may have to get mine primed for the journey. And needless to say, it would be beneficial for me to ride a bit more of the bike.

I mapquested the location and directions to St. Luke's before I left this morning. It said to allow 10 minutes; it was approximately 4 miles from my hotel. Since the serice started at 10am, I left the hotel at 9:25--just in case. I'm glad I did. I drove around for ~20 minutes on all sorts of one-way streets looking for a place to park. When I followed a sign for "walkway to parking lot" it took me to a private lot belonging to the hospital across the street. I finally gave up at 10:01 and parked in the circle drive right by the front door hoping it was legal parking. It was, but I was worried the behemoth I was driving was blocking too much space. Oh well, it worked out for the best.

Then I got out of the car. If this isn't a sign, I don't know what is. As I'm walking up to the door, I hear the organ and voices singing Austria: "Glorious things of Thee are spoken...." Yep, the tune of the Sewanee hymn. And it was glorious. The congregation was actually singing without the choir leading them--and not too shabbily either! I sat close to the door by the back behind a couple (who I found out during the passing of the peace was church shopping) who looked as lost as I was. It was a Rite II service, so I actually had to use the prayer book to get the words right. It was so Sewanee-like though. And the church is so pretty! And the chapel--yowza, is it ever gorgeous! It's all wooded inside with panels of Honduran mahagony! Hopefully I can post some pictures soon.

After church, I went to lunch with the music director, his wife, and a few choiristers. They took me to some place they frequent after choir. It was soooooooooooooooooo good!!! I had a pasta dish with sauted lobster and mushrooms in a fan-freaking-tastic marsala sauce. *to die for!!!* And considering it was lobster, it was el cheapo! Then the music man and his wife drove me around some of the local lighthouse parks including Buglight Park. What a name! It was beautiful even with the fog rolling in over the harbor. Yes, I took pictures of that, too.

After lunch (good lord, this is getting to be a long post--I'll abbreviate), I came back to the hotel and waited for the realtor. He came and got me about 3:45 and took me on an hour and a half tour of Portland, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth. I hate to repeat myself, but everything is so beautiful. The realtor was really helpful, nice, and just all around swell. When he dropped me off a little after 5:15, I took it upon myself to go to the LL Bean store up in Freeport. It was such a quick trip. Everything is so close! And yes, H-Bomb, I got you a tee shirt. Then I just drove around until almost 8:30, all the while taking pictures until it got too dark. Then I picked up dinner and came back to the hotel.

Now I've got about 11 hours until I meet my first interview. Time to freak out and get nervous! Think happy thoughts people!!!

Saturday, July 07, 2007

I made it to Maine!

Yep, I'm here. The farthest East I've been in over 15 years (in the US of course). Why oh why did the rain follow me?!?!?

As soon as we started to come down out of the clouds, I could see the rain. I could also see numerous wooded islands, beautiful houses with docks at the water, sailboats on the water, and a beautiful steeple over the tops of the businesses in Portland.

And THANK THE LORD ALMIGHTY I finally feel like eating again. In fact, I can't wait to ditch this fantastic hotel and find a place to grab some dinner. Then again, room service wouldn't be too bad. I'll be out all day tomorrow. I bet another night of relaxing wouldn't be a bad idea. I did already hit the complimentary happy hour in the lobby (tonic water, no gin, and lots of celery).

I will post more as things happen.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

apologies all around

I would like to apologize to all my friends who I've irked in the past week or so. It seems like I'm being extra cantankerous of late. I think I may have come up with a reason why. Well, not a reason or excuse but a kinda subconscious sorta thinking. Maybe I'm trying to piss people off so they won't mind so much when I leave. The more I think about it, the better Maine looks. Not necessarily for my personal life but for my career. Maybe I have it in my head that I will be moving in the next couple of months. I know that I've been extra bitchy with Richie, but I don't think he can really tell the difference. And poor H-bomb! I really need to keep my thoughts and feelings out of her personal life. She is an adult capable of making her own decisions. Then anyone who was playing board games with me yesterday--I had to consciously try to make myself not be so bloody competitive.

So if I have said or done anything to ruffle your feathers in the past week or so, I am truly sorry. If I haven't said or done anything to offend you, give it time. I'm sure I will. ;-)