Boo!

Did I scare anyone? Prolly not. I hope you and yours have a freakishly ghoulish all hallows eve. Tonight is trivia night, so I cannot partake in the scaring of young children at my front door. But then again, not too many venture into my neighborhood. When you've got much larger houses with better candy 2 blocks away, why waste time on the piddly stuff? Oh well! Maybe next year.

And yes, Heather, I will be wearing the cat ears to work tonight.
>^.^<

Gosh!

Okay, I'm sorry people. Maybe I'd post more often if people didn't walk up to me on the street and scream "Dammit woman! Post already!" all day long.

Things have been an utter whirlwind lately. For those not "in the know," there is a new man in my life. And no, he's not of the four legged variety (no more strays for me!). We've spent as much time together as possible since I got back from Ohio, and when we're not together, we're thinking of each other. Yes, it's sappy, but what am I gonna do about it? Those of you that actually know me know that I'm so NOT into believing in things like karma, luck, and soul mates. Well, looks like I was wrong on the soul mate thing. Even though we've only officially known each other a few weeks, I feel like we've known each other for years. And I mean that in the best of all possible ways! We can sit and talk about anything or nothing and be perfectly comfortable with each other. Heck, we've even talked about how it's weird that we can talk about anything. For the moment, everything seems utterly mutual, but knowing me, I'm still a tad skeptical. Who wouldn't be?

Anyway, so there's my update. I promise to try and post more often, but I'm still a little jacked up by my schedule. Stupid graveyard shifts followed by weekday training then back to graveyards. Ugh. I gotta take a nap.

it's been awhile...

...and there is so much to spill.

I just got back from Ohio for training. It was actually fun. The best part of the whole time though (other than the rocking dog awesome steak from Ruth's Chris) was the snow Monday morning. Big pretty flakes that didn't stick to a thing. Oh well, at least we got to see it. Chris and I had a ton of fun playing with poop--parasite training stuff. At least I like it. ;-)

Diwali was last weekend so we had a big Indian chow down at work tonight. Unfortunately, I'm thinking I shouldn't have eaten. I think I got a touch of food poisoning at the airport in Charlotte on the way home. I feel no es bueno. Blech.

The boys couldn't be happier that I'm home. They stuck to me like glue all day today. Granted, most of that I was in bed or watching TV, but they were still right there next to me--touching me if possible. Spoiled rotten kiddos!

I'm sure there was more random stuff that I wanted to blog, but I can't think of it now (1:05am--waiting my 15 minutes to read my samples). There is one other thing I need to post, but it deserves its entry. Until then!

new tricks with oatmeal

So for those of you who like oatmeal, this is for you.

If you are totally desperate for flavor and all you have is plain oatmeal, adding non-dairy creamer isn't too bad of an option. I did that last week. Tonight/this morning I made my usual instant stuff and added french vanilla coffee mate. Mmmmmm--tasty!

And it goes so well with my diet Dr. Pepper.

ever wonder why?

Why are some people so hateful? I found out last night that a person I know has been saying horrible things about me to friends of mine FROM MY CHURCH! Granted sometimes you feel like you have to let off a little steam, and you may curse someone's name for no particular reason. I'm guilty of that, and I don't fault people for doing it once or twice. But for someone to whom I've never been anything but nice, cordial, friendly, and hospitable to say hateful, horrible, vile things about me.... I don't even know how to react. My first instinct was to call the best friend and vent. That helped a little. I still feel hurt though. She had absolutely no reason, no right, no anything to say what she did. I will not post the actual derogatory statements. However, I can say it was most likely projection. While I would never voice the thought about her, if the shoe fits.... I'm glad I knew from the beginning not to trust her. Now, I will never speak to her again. You obviously are the company you keep (in her circle). It shouldn't be worth getting upset about, but I don't know how many people she slandered me around. Wait, slander is spoken and libel is written, right? Whatever, she is now a serious persona non grata.

Grrrr. I'll sic Thomas on her if I ever see her again.

Big Tex

Ya, I thought he was bigger. Guess I was just smaller.

Anyway, the group went to the fair last night. We didn't get there until about 7pm, but that was fine by me. Three hours is perfect. It was plenty of time for me to get my corn dog, turkey leg, and root beer. Mmmmmmmmm! What is better than gnawing on a roasted hunk of meat with a built in handle? I love me some turkey leg! RAH got fried cheesecake and fried oreos. Ange tried the fried pralines. I forget what Peter got, but I'm sure it was something fried. We were all intrigued by the idea of fried donkey tails. Ugh! Were they for real??? As a matter of fact, no. We found out much later in the evening (when we finally read our free map and schedule thingy) that a fried donkey tail is "an all beef frankfurter split lengthwise and generously stuffed with sharp cheddar cheese" that's then deep fried. Sounds kinda like something we should've tried.

We rode the Texas Star (waste of money last night--we barely went around twice) and walked quickly through the automobile buildings. The only Midway thing we did was the "guess your age" scam next to the ferris wheel. I thought for sure the guy would peg me as younger than I am. Let me tell you how uber pissed off I was when he guessed I was 37. Arrgh! Are you kidding me? Do I look that bad for my age? At least I got Melvin the stuffed sea turtle out of it. He's super cute. Of couse then the scammer made some tacky comment about how the winners always pick the prize that most looks like themselves. First he says I look like an old hag, then he says I look like a turtle. Will this asshole never shut up? Now I'm all worked up again. Jerk.

Of course before all the fair stuff, something good did happen. I had a fantabulous conversation via phone with a new prospect. We're definitely taking this one slow folks. It's not going to be like the last one who actively tried to smash my self worth into little pieces. If anyone's getting smashed, it's him. But wait...don't some people like to get smashed?

Stop Drinking Research

What the heck does that mean? I saw it on a billboard the other night. Does it mean...

(1) someone is doing research on how to stop drinking (as in trying to "cure" alcoholism)?
Stop Drinking Research

(2) someone wants people to stop doing researching on drinking?
Stop Drinking Research

(3) someone wants people to stop drinking their research projects?
Stop Drinking (your) Research

I personally like the third option. I mean, a good strong bacterial culture can look a good bit like lemonade if you're not paying close attention. Doubt it tastes the same though.

first workday/worknight

Whoa. I had my first 8 hours of work last night/this morning. What a beating! I have to admit that once I made it to 3am, I was pretty much okay. I started counting down time at 4am. I would announce to the girls I was learning under, "it's 4 o'clock!" Then after a bit "it's 4:45!" Made them laugh quite a bit. The first day/night was interesting. Turns out they were implementing a new "system" yesterday (and no, I have no idea what that means) that supposedly made everything take longer to do. I never knew the difference, so it was okay by me. My trainer and I were still able to leave at 6:15am. Man, let me tell you what. A sausage biscuit from Whataburger at 6:20am is a beautiful thing! Anyway, the first shift was full of watching and then processing urinalysis samples, watching FIBs, PTTs, and Coombs (ya, don't ask). Glad I have all my experience in research! So, I'm off to the new lab again here in about 40 minutes. Wish me more luck staying awake!

what have I done?

Oh good Lord, I think I may have officially lost my mind. I just signed up for match.com per the request of a couple of friends (actually they wanted me to do eHarmful, but I tried that once and got burned). Guess I need to have someone take a decent picture of me to put up there, huh. Funny thing is, I chose the plan that if you don't get "matched" in a certain amount of time, you get more time free. A dating guarantee, if you will. Obviously I don't have high hopes. :-) Where will this lead? Down the garden path or straight to hell? Only time will tell.

*eeeek*

I'm officially poor

Ya, I'm on hold with the credit card people. No one ask me to do anything until I can get my first paycheck from the new job. I gots some serious paying off to accomplish! I appreciate your patience.

Anyone for a road trip?

If so, do not take TX HWY 67. What a nightmare! All the way from north of Cleburne to south of Glen Rose, it's like one big construction zone. Also, who ever though Monday was the day for the Sunday drivers in their duelies to take up precious space on two lane roads? Arrgh! When I finally got off of 67, I thought it would improve. Hah! There was construction in Hico at HWY 6 and two bouts just past Goldthwaite on HWY 16. And do you know how many passing zones there are on hill country roads? Ya, like three. And when you finally reach the passing zone, someone in a huge SUV is speeding toward you in the opposing lane so you are stuck forever behind the slow pokes!!!

I'm so taking a different route home.

At least gas was only $2.03 in Llano! (although I had to wait until the gasoline pump system rebooted because the woman's credit card before me freaked out the system--it was only 5 minutes that I had to wait and swelter on the side of a small Texas highway)

feline jealousy

I always knew that animals could experience jealousy, but now I have proof.

Last night was a night like any other (oh, God, this sounds like the beginning of a really bad romance novel). When I turned off SVU at midnight, I settled into the covers of my comfy bed. Part of the settling includes getting ready for Thomas to "suck." Poor boy. He was abandoned too young by his harlot mother cat, so he still has suckling issues. I know that I shouldn't reinforce this bad behavior, but hey, he's a cat and it doesn't hurt anything. So, I turn off my light, get my shirt sleeve situated, and he comes over. After a little chirpy purr, he settles in to knead and suck on my bicep sleeve. Yes, it's weird. Yes, I've gotten over it. Yes, I'm a totally overindulgent mother. This is where the similarities to other nights ended.

Well, not totally. Sometimes Cornelius will start to wander all over the bed trying to disrupt Thomas. I eventually shove him off the bed or he gives up. Not last night. After much walking around (all over me I might add), Corn finally settled with his front paws neatly crossed on my bicep. The same one Thomas was sucking on. It only took a few seconds of a steely-eyed stare from the Cornman before Thomas gave up and left. Poor Thomas. He just wanted to feel loved like any other long, lost kitten. What made it even worse was that when Thomas left, Cornelius stood up , stretched, and hopped off the bed as well.

Isn't that sad?

Who is Shaqua?

So a few times this week I've gotten really weird calls on my cell phone. The first time someone called asking for Shaqua. I didn't worry about it and told them they had the wrong number. Today my phone rang while I was at the clinic. I said if it wasn't my advisor, I wasn't answering the phone. Well, I didn't know the number so I answered the phone just in case. Here's how it went:

Me: Hello?
Caller: Hey! This is Republic. We did it!
Me: Um, what?
Caller: We're ready for Bandit!
Me: Um, I think you might have the wrong number.
Caller: Is this Shaqua?
Me: No, but I've gotten a couple of other calls for her. Why do people keep calling me?
Caller: Oh, your number is listed on this contract we've been working on.
Me: So I'm gonna keep getting these calls prolly, huh?
Caller: Yes, probably.
Me: Okay. Well, uh, thanks. B-bye.

What's really funny about this is that while I was typing this post, I got another call for Shaqua. Who the hell is Shaqua, and why is she putting my phone number on contracts I don't know about???

a day off

Who knew a Saturday could be so lovely? For the first time in weeks, I didn't have to go into the clinic. I stayed up late watching a stupid movie that I love so I slept late today. Almost until 9:30! When I did get up, I moved to the living room, sat in the wing back chair, and read more Japanese stuff. It's called "I am a Cat," and was written between 1904 and 1906ish by Soseki Natsume. I'm only into the third chapter of Volume one, but it's pretty danged good. It was written in chapters and published in some Japanese literary magazine as a serial. It was so popular that it was later compiled into book form and published that way. Now I have it! Thanks Joe!

While I was reading and listening to David Gray, it started to thunder. Quite a rumbling session it was! I decided to close my eyes and meditate on the sound of thunder, rain, and wind when all of a sudden the phone rang. It'd been about 30 minutes, and I'd been asleep. So much for meditation, huh? Mother wanted to take me to lunch, and I'm not one to turn down free food. It was the first time I'd eaten out someplace nice in quite the long time.

Now I just need to wait and see what tonight's alternate plans are for a friend's birthday. I may have the night off as well!

Just in case...

...you didn't believe me, read for yourself.

http://www.guidelive.com/sharedcontent/dws/ent/overnight/stories/DN-muse_0920gl.ART.State.Edition2.3e5b3e2.html

MUSE!!!

Okay, now that I am mostly recovered from the girly afflictions of yesterday, I can freely post about the concert I had the pleasure of attending Tuesday night.

I saw Muse. I heard Muse. I felt the life pulse of Muse. I breathed Muse. I was Muse.

I've been going to concerts now for 20 years (no fooling! it may even be 21 years), and this was certainly the best stage show I've EVER seen. It was just the three of them on the large mostly barren stage. What made it amazing was (1) the quality of the music amplification (no feedback problems, perfect balance between the instruments and vocals, the way you could feel the music along with the band), (2) the energy of the band and the crowd--just being there made you feel euphoric, and last but certainly not least (3) the light show. Holy mother of pearl, it was BY FAR the best light show I'd ever witnessed. There were times when the crowd would fall quiet and look around the arena at the projected light patterns on the ceiling and walls during soft slow numbers. During "Knights of Cydonia" and "Hysteria", I could easily say it felt like I understood what it was like to be in a night time battle during the French Revolution Les Miserables style. The pulsating lights combined with strobes and ever changing colors with the video production behind the stage.... Arrgh! There is no good way to describe how bloody amazing it was!!! If I had the money and the time, I would drive to Atlanta to see the show there next week. I knew I loved this band, but now I have an even greater appreciation for them as not only musicians but as performers. And to say performers doesn't do it justice. They conveyed the emotions of the songs as well as the best opera singers.

I feel privileged to have been able to attend their show Tuesday night.

Back away from the Cheetos!

Looks like my normal "cycle" is returning. If talking (or reading) about this sort of thing bothers you, avert your eyes now. This whole bleeding every two weeks has gotten sooooooooooo old. I finally called the girlie doctor (actually about 3 times before we settled on an action plan), and I may be back on the road to normalcy. Yippee. Granted, being awakened at 6am with severe back pain and cramps was not the best way to start the day. Being able to count on insurance to pick up the tab for exams and drugs again is really gonna be sweet though!

Anyway, as per my normal monthly duty, I stopped by the store on the way to work and bought a bag of Cheetos, a bag of Doritos, a package of York peppermint patties, and a small bag of Hershey kisses. The original idea was to get something for a girl up here who's had a bad couple of days, but things kept jumping into my arms. Now, I'm fighting the urge to finish the bag of Cheetos. No...must...back...away.... Their gravitational pull is...not...strong...enough....{crunch!}

Damn.

Monday morning blog

*sorry--I typed this Monday and forgot to post it. Enjoy*

Okay, so my mind is not functioning well enough yet to come up with a better posting title. I thought I'd go for the obvious.

Is it only Monday? So much stuff happened this weekend that it feels like it should be Thursday already. First off, I had the long awaited talk I needed to have with a friend Friday night. No, it was nothing bad, it's just one of those "talks" that sometimes has to happen between friends of the opposite sex. You know, sometimes people can get so comfortable with each other that boundaries start to fade, and things can be said or done that make the other uncomfortable. We are now both in total agreement that our strictly platonic relationship is just that--strictly platonic. Phew. Number one crisis averted.

Saturday was interesting only in that at the vet clinic, one of the techs didn't show up (thought she wasn't scheduled, and had already made other unalterable plans). I technically wasn't scheduled to be there since I'd planned on going to see the GD for her 6th birthday. Things being what they are in my life, that trip didn't happen so I went into the clinic. Thank goodness! Otherwise things would've been really nightmarish. I actually considered not going, but when I was given the keys to the drug lockbox, I knew I had to be there just in case. We had a relief vet who was tons of fun, and the schedule was light so it was an fairly easy Saturday. Started off rough because before we officially opened, we had people without appts lining up to have their pets seen. Whoops! That and I had to call the "head receptionist" to have her walk me through the task of getting the new vet set up in the computer so she could actually administer shots and meds. Trust me, it was a lot more harrowing than it sounds. The rest of the day was fan-freaking-tastic because I napped, watched Emma and some SVU, and went to bed after reading a bit of 1904 Japanese writing.

Sunday (sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY) was typical. Choir, lunch, meet with people for drinks. The only thing different was that I had a Pampered Chef party at my place. It was fun, but it got started really late due to the freaking crazy rain. After that, some of us went to a pub for dinner (bloody expensive and not even very good--must remember that). I've been so tired that I'm afraid that I just sat there like a bump on a log.

the wait is over

I HAVE A NEW JOB!!!!!!!!!

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. After getting rear ended yesterday, crying all day, waking up with a killer migraine at 4am, and being in a fog all day today so far (from the migraine meds), I'm surprised I was with it enough to remember to go to the interview. YAY!!! I can't wait to put the degrees back to use in a lab setting!

and yet...

...as crummy as 2006 has been to me, I just on a whim called a company I know about through the vet clinic to see if they had any lab openings. I have an interview tomorrow morning.

Maybe God hasn't given up on me after all.