Base Camp, Night One

I figured I'd record our travels to the inlaws over Thanksgiving, since we are actually 'roadtripping'. We decided to take the Great River Road north to Central Il, stopping at the local winieries along the way, and then cut due east across Il and In to the in-laws.

Today, we left the house a little late - didn't actually get on the road til around 10am, and by the time we fueled the cars and ourselves, it was closer to 10:30.

So - we drove, taking 51 most of the way north, cutting through Henning and Dyersburg and Ripley and a bunch of other little towns on our way to Hickman, Ky. We saw a sign for the Miss. River, early on, but once we realized that it was a 30 mile round trip out of our way, AND didn't have a ferry, we stayed on 51 instead.

In Hickman, we took a ferry across the river to Dorena, Mo. From Dorena, we took a closer look at the map, and realized that taking 61 north would keep us on the River Road, vs taking Yahoo's directions and staying on the major roads. So, after taking 102 to 105 t0 60W, we finally ended up on 61 - the first time we saw the vaunted River Road signs, too.

We made it to Cape Gieraduee (horrid spelling for a lovely little French Settler town), and upon realizing that 1) it was the biggest town for a while and 2) we wouldn't make it to Ste Gieneveve in time to visit the winieries, we decided to stay here overnight.

We tried the waterfront, but it reminded us of small, dull towns - the street was rolled up at 4pm, and half the shops looked permanently closed. Luckily, we found the visitors center, and scooped up some information about lodging.

We scored a hotel room, made a Target run for a few supplies, and then went back to the room for a little relaxation before dinner.

The hotel we were in offered a 20% off coupon for a nearby restaraunt, and the menu doesn't look half bad, so that's where we'll be going for dinner.

So far, I've enjoyed myself amazingly. I've never taken back roads on PURPOSE before, and it's an entirely different slice of America we're cutting through. The trees are lovely in their fall colors, and the corn stalks that are left are the most breathtaking shade of sunsilk gold ever.

The occasional 20MPH zones do drive me crazy, but I still prefer them over the times when we intersect with an interstate and the speed limit is suddenly 70MPH - I'm ENJOYING going slowly.

Today was totally not supposed to turn out this way - but I'm enjoying it. There really is no rush, and we have MORE than enough time to do all the things we want to, and even if we run out of time, guess what? We can always come back and do it again - I wanted to see the Indian Mounds, anyhow - and I knew we couldn't do it this trip.

I doubt that we'll spend any night sleeping in the car, even though we came prepared for that - I think it's a bit cold, personally.

I'll add pictures to it later tonight - we left the camera in the car.

Oh, and I think my period started today. Mrumph.

I'm getting sick.

I HATE being sick, and it's such a rare occurance for me, that I don't really know how to deal with it.

I rest, a lot. I drink, a lot. I eat what my belly wants. I stay warm.

The basics, ya know? It's still irksome - and I'm hoping that I haven't caught the flu from someone who got the vax shedding. *glares at coworkers* I was getting a couple of hot flashes today - that might have been from me moving around fast with a sweater on, though.

It's also officially cold now, which is irritating. I desppppise cold weather. Suck, suck, suck.

Did I mention that I get whiny when I'm sick, too? No? Well I do. It's all poor me, and hate that, and this sucks. Hrm, I wonder if that's why I was so. damn. grumpy! yesterday - oncoming sick.

I still haven't planned out our Thanksgiving trip.

So far - I know we will be stopping in for greek food (ooh, a hoagie would be lovely tonight! But all that cheese and bread would stop me up, for sure!) and maybe going to the head shop. I should get my other tattoo too - stop in at the same place where I got my first one. I should swing by Lilly, and see my excoworkers, but I don't know.

We'll most likely be in Marion the 22/23/24, then drive back the 24/25.... not sure how we are going to do the drive up thing.

And Trans-Siberian Orchestra is coming to Memphis! I'm so excited - must get tickets.

And I SO can't believe it's only 3pm - why is this day draggggiinnngg so? I think I'll be leaving around 4pm, for inconsolable sickness. I also need to get some air in my poor, poor mostly flat tire. *sigh*

Weekends....

Last weekend and this weekend, C has had off, and it's been fabulous - we've spent so MUCH lesiurely time together - reading, talking, playing games - time when we aren't either just waking up or wiped from a full day of work.
I've really missed having this sort of time with him.

We are going to camp out in the backyard tonight - hot dogs, cheese & crackers, and smores - plus sake. *laugh* we have to be ourselves, camping or not. There's also boing to be music, and reading.....all in the comforts of our backyard.

He mowed part of the grass, and I made the store run - forgot to get extra ice, but we aren't traveling that far.

We are supposed to be installing ceiling fans this weekend too - hopefully we'll get at least one done tomorrow.

I need to get up and henna my hair at some point, before I go out there - for once, I won't have to worry about staining the bed....

I am so over....

work.

I know it's just a bit of the post vacation blues, but I REALLY wish these people would just bugger off and leave me alone.

Orlando was wonderful....I read, laid out by the pool, or chilled semi-naked on the balcony all week. We went out like twice, I went to the beach once, and we almost made it to Universal Studios on a free pass, but it started raining. Oh, darn!

I'm so ready to win the lottery.

I read all the Harry Potter books (no spoilers here) and I actually enjoyed them. Not sure why I disliked them so initially, but, I think I'll buy them all, now.

And that's it.

I just had to bitch for a hot second.

:lol

Thankful things....

Thanksgiving started out fabulously - the drive there was easy (though I got snarky over the last hour, as I always do on long trips)

The food was wonderful....

The fellowship was fabulous..... ETA: from left to right - leon, Nee, me, Tam, Corey - all friends - family was too shy for the camera - but we LOOK related, don't we?

And I cried a little - just a wee bit - when it was time to leave.

The trip back was good...... until it wasn't....around 5:30am on Sunday morning - in Bumfucksnitty, E. Tn we were looking for a place to pull off and have breakfast and switch drivers and in the blink of an eye.......ETA: We actually aren't sure HOW it happened - we're thinking that C dozed off for a second, causing us to drift off the road, and he overcorrected and we spun, and hit a tree - the tree caused all the damage....

But I'm fine, and Corey's mostly fine (he was driving, and just ended up with a few bruised ribs) - and we get to pay off some bills, and I get to buy a new car and.....well....

I'm just glad - so very glad - unspeakably, cryingly, praising all that is and shall be glad that WE are okay. Cars are metal and glass and rubber and steel - and as much as I liked it - it compares nothing to how much I love my hubby and myself.....

I've got more to be thankful for than I have to NOT be thankful for - screw a car, I would want to die without my husband.

Kiss the ones you love today - a split second could mean its the last chance you have.

9/10/06 (that's just barely today)

This is the fourth time today that I've clicked on 'write' when I meant to click on 'notes'. I guess that is the universe's snarky ass way of telling me that if I want notes, I need to bloody write something, eh?

Be warned - this entry has more parenthetical comments than - than - heavens, I don't know what, therefore it might be an adventure to read. 

Let's see.

Went to Atlanta Labor Day weekend - brought much Indian (dot, not feather) (I've yet to determine in my head if that's unbearly rude/unPC, or what - but ANYONE you are talking to instantly understands. *sigh*)  goodness. Chutney's upon chutneys (and really, If I had just continued to the next sentence without that interjection, the type of Indian would have become obvious. And really, I usually refer to them as Native Americans, so maybe it IS a little snarky) (dammit, I'm still not sure if it's rude), some stuff for hair, two saris (both of the absolute cheapeast kind there was - I still think I'm too fat to look graceful in a standard 6yd sari, so I got the cheapest so I wouldn't kick myself later for wasting money), and some GORGEOUS bangles, that I love.  One of my friends mentioned that in India, it's considered highly erotic for a hubby to recognize his wife's approach from the sound of her jewelry, and I've been wearing them almost every day since.

 

I held a little pysch session with myself as I was cleaning the kitchen tonight (I've been very quiet because I've been talking to myself A LOT - I mean, yes, I normally talk to myself almost constantly, but over the past week - I've been having just running ongoing conversations with myself.  I've learned a few things (you really DO have to listen to yourself sometimes), I got an odd stomach virus/illness/squickiness thing on Wednesday, my boss MILDLY pissed me off when I went back to work on Friday..... hold up - this deserves it's own paragraph.

So - a while ago (at least two weeks) I put in my vacation request - I wanted Sept 5th - 7th off. Now, the 7th was Thursday, and I think that most people would interpet that request to mean that I was coming back Friday. Just to be on the safe side though, I put on the vacation calendar that I would be out Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (since Monday was a holiday and all) which means, once again, I wouldn't be back to work until FRIDAY, right?
So, I'm happy and stuff, back at work, and notice that my boss is acting all - stifflike. None of the usual asking about how my trip was (and he mentioned, before I left, that I was going with the henna ladies - so he DOES pay attention) - hell, he barely said Hi. I thought it was odd, but more or less brushed it off. Then! THEN!! I get this email:
K, In the future, would you please give me a call if your plans change. We were expecting you back on Wed, and were all a bit worried. Thanks, J.
I promptly replied with:
J, Very sorry for the confusion - but I requested the 5th through the 7th off, and indicated the same on the vacation calendar. Thanks, K.
*sigh* Now, this is where it gets into my personal perception. I took that email as a very slick way of saying - Ay! You took TWO extra days off! We needed/wanted/had a question for you, and you didn't TELL us you would be here - because really, don't nobody I work with CARE enough about me to worry - so, it seemed ODD that despite ALL the indications to the contrary (did I mention that on my LotusNotes, I SET my Out-of-Office agent to say that I would be out of the office til Friday? And I marked the same thing out on my personal Lotus Notes calendar?) he THOUGHT I would be coming back  Wednesday - and it was stuck in his mind so firmly that he sent me a snarky ass little message about it!!!
*sigh* And no, I didn't get any sort of 'Oh, my bad, yeah, you right' message back either, which would make this a moot point. *sigh* I don't know - after the whole SUCKY ass reveiw I got this year, I don't trust ANYONE that I work with to not try to stab me in the back anytime I'm not in the office. Thank god I don't give enough of a shit to let it ruin any vacation I opt to take.

(sheesh, that whole paragraph could have been in parentheses, couldn't it have been?)

Anyhow! I was talking about me talking to myself (how much of a delightfully self centered entry has THIS been huh?) and a LOT of it has focused on life 'after'. Hah. Even when I'm not obsessing about something (like I haven't used my spithingy in - hell, a week? yet, I'm pretty certain my period is about to start - if it doesn't start my Tuesday *hangs head* I"m getting a damn test. I had a lil blood today, and if I don't start - sweet jesu. *LOL* wouldn't that be - interesting??) I'm still analzying it somehow. I think that I've settled a few things in my head - but, hah - it's going to be interesting.

I have henna in my hair right now, and it's mixed with honey, and it's been dripping like hell, and therefore my neck has been STICKY since like 1pm, and it sucks. Sucks. SUCKS.  Since it is now 1am, which means this stuff has been on my head for at lest 12 hours, I'm going to take a shower in the nice clean bathroom and rinse it out. Then, I think I'll finally eat.

Goodnight. And if you actually READ all that rambling, Gods Bless You. Just leave a note, kay?

 

3/3/06

Wow - I got lots of responses to that last entry, rather thoughtful ones too. Funnily enough, I had forgotten I had written that, and when I logged in I was like - DANG!! Where all the notes come from? Anyhow!

Had a wonderful, wonderful weekend. Me & the Boy crept out of town and had a wonderful weekend in South Carolina - did ya'll know they have palm trees there? It was rather trippy - I thought I was just still sleepy - but nope, they were real palm trees. We stayed in this wonderful sexy hotel, and wandered around the city (and can I tell you how LOVELY the weather was) and ate food that just isn't offered in Memphis (like GREEK!!!) and - generally had a fabulous time.

We're actually going to be going out/social birds for the rest of the month. On the 20th, we are going to a wrestling event (that I brought tickets for and didn't tell the Boy about - he's gonna CRAP!) and a Grizzlies game (the company offered tickets for 5 bucks - but we ARE in the nosebleed section, so we may or may not go to that one) on the 28th - which is also our first wedding anniversary. We'll most likely celebrate the second this year, as it lands on a weekend. 

Also - I finally got the ovaries up to email AM (the doula I'm working with) and ask her about the long silence and wonder of wonders!! She actually got really GOOD feedback from the couple we saw, and she's just been really busy and didn't get a chance to answer my email.  Can I tell you how much better (and worse) that makes me feel? Better because, well, I don't suck. Worse, because well - she didn't respond to the email - is that a sign of things to come? Anyhow, she suggested that I pack a doula bag (which, I already have - the only thing missing out of it is something for my hands - I should learn how to knit or something). So *deep breath* I feel SO much better about that. 
I still haven't made up my brochures - largely because I'm debating being cheap and flimsy, or being expensive and sturdy. Basically, it's all about paper weight. Standard paper weight is 24lbs - but it's also rather flimsy and - well, it has a rather homemade feel about it. Brochure weight is 32lbs - a little more sturdy, but still a heck of a lot lighter than cardstock. It's also a heck of alot more expensive than cardstock OR regular paper - I think because it's mainly used for resumes. I don't really WANT to use glossy brochure paper (even more expensive), and I haven't found a good source for 32lb paper in the color I want. I need to go to xpedx and see if I can find some there.  Maybe I'll do that tonight.

Ohhhh!! Yes - during the drive to SC, something CLICKED in my head around the whole 'fear of my own light' issue.  I realized that I don't LIKE going outside of - predetermined paths. I'm not a real pathbreaker - I like to travel paths that others have traveled and that I KNOW will get me to exactly where I'm going. I'm not all that eager to experiment with my life. And - as I was thinking about that, I realized, that ya know - the path that I want to follow isn't one that can be mapped out ahead of time for one person, and then work perfectly for everyone else. It's too - unique, too specialized, too much me and not enough society. So - with that thought in mind, I realized that one thing that I can do to - ease - a lot of the fear that I have is to map OUT my path. I've done it from the financial side via our budget (oh, our poor creaky budget), but I've never really outlined in detail the other things that I need to do in order to get where I want to be going.
If I have my path mapped out - I can at least follow the first few steps that I think are right, then at least I've made a start. And once I follow those first few steps, I can regroup, and see where I am, and figure out the next ones to take. I basically have to scout out my life. *creep&crawlcreep&crawl* So, yeah. That's my goal for this week - actuall get down on paper what I want to do - and list out at least five steps of how to further that. *nods* And ya know, that's not the LEAST bit scary.

I'm ALIIIVVVEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

And really - had an utter shiteload of fun!!

Recap: We (read me, after much research, spreadsheet creating, and cross referencing) decided that we were going to go to Fort Pillow State Park. Funnily enough, there is also a state penitentary in the area, and everytime we told people we were going to Fort Pillow, they got this funny look on their face - we had to remember to add STATE PARK after it everytime. 
So - having made this decision Wednesday night, and having decided to get there early FRIDAY morning so that we could be sure to get a good site, that left Thursday for me to run around and gather ALL of the crap that we needed. I left work at 4:45, and got home around 9pm (as all the stores had closed by then). I packed, attempted to freeze drinks, washed clothes, packed, repacked food to reduce the amount of trash, and dried clothes. Then, I had to go pick up C at midnight (yes, MIDNIGHT!) and we got back to the house, packed more, finally packed the car, and we were on the road by 5am.  Notice, there was no mention of SLEEP in any of that. Uh-uh.

We drive (and it was a lovely drive) there, and JUST as we pick out a campsite, the heavens open. I wish I had taken a picture of us, soaking wet, tired as hell, after we finally got the tent up (the brand new tent, that we never practiced setting up before), but with big ass grins on our face. We climbed in the tent aroun 9am, and crashed for the next five or so hours.

After that - EVERYTHING was peachy. A raccoon jacked us TWICE - he got the masrhmallows and bread the first night, and some leftover pork and beans the second. The weather was gorgeous - there was NO ONE up there but us - a couple of people drove by, but no one else camped out.  We did NOTHING for three days. Chilled, ate, drank, played with the fire, played cards, ate some more, stared at the sky, sprayed ourselves, the tent, the chairs with Off!, drank some more, went to bed with the sun and woke up around 9am, but since we didn't have any clocks/watches we really weren't sure (and didn't care, to be honest).

Monday morning, we woke up, FINALLY cooked breakfast (we had been eating about one meal a day) and decided that it was HOT. We climbed into the car to watch Hero on my computer, and decided that - okay, it's HOT - and that we should pack it in and head home, so that I could have a day off at home too.  Can I TELL you how glad I am that he came up with that idea? WE broke camp, piled back into the car, and were home by 5pm.  By 7pm, it was POURING. I'm talking high winds, tornado warnings, lightening, thunder, the WHOLE nine. We would have been MISERABLE on the side of that mountain (okay, it was a little mountain, but STILL!!)

So. That was our camping trip. Lessons learned?? 1) Bring a hatchet. 2) Bring LOTS of bug spary - the deterrent kind and the killing kind. 3) Racoons are smart - and GREEDY.  4) Bring fewer clothes. 

I've got pictures (a few) but of course, they are all at home - I'll have to post them later.......

Edit: Also, three showers and a deep hairwashing later, my hair STILL smells like Off. And campfire - but mostly Off.

New plans, new plans!!! *edited x 1*

Okay - because we are both stubborn/crazy (take your pick) we decided that since we can't afford to go to the beach we are going to go CAMPING instead. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee - I'm SOO excited.
Do we have any idea WHERE we are going? Nope
Do we have any equipment? Nope
Do we have any clue? Nope

Are we gonna have CRAPLOADS of fun?? Oh hell yeah!! I went to the library today, scooped up two books - plan on reading them tonight (I'm skipping the pool - naughty girl!), and then putting together a shopping list for tomorrow, as we plan on leaving FRIDAY. On crack, we are.

*grins* More updates as we actually MAKE more decisions.

Edited: Oooh - but see, as long as I ain't gotta MOVE around a lot, I LOVE the heat and humidity - it's just perfect for sitting out in (yeah, I am crazy). As for the skeeters - *SIGH* does citronella work?? we are going to get some of the little 'bucket' candles.... and hopefully we will be able to find something near MOVING water, so we can dip in it if it get just TOO hot.

what to do, what to do???

Let's see - we have a fortuitous combination of several things that are going to occur this weekend:
1) I get paid Thursday.
2) C get's paid Friday
3) It's a holiday weekend - so I have Sat, Sun, Mon AND Tues off.
4) C is OFF from the 1st till the 7th because they are replacing the floor in the kitchen.

Doesn't that just SCREAM roadtrip??? I've also been lately having a deep craving for a hot, sunny, ocean filled occurance - and I get to take the hubby along. Suggestions, folx?? I'm going as narrow as driving to the closest beach, to researching last minute trips to - somewhere! Maybe.... Puerto Rico as the hubby has no passport.. Oohhh...... *vanishes*

*pouts*

Dang it. Hubby is being good - *sigh* dammit!! He needs a car. He does. Danmmmiiiiiiiiit...... *waves* bye-bye to the ocean.

Though....if we could find someplace cheap - one of my coworkers suggested Orange Beach, Al..... I need some SALT in my life *does a shimmy shake* And if we could drive - though with gas prices.... but ahhhhhhhhhhh.... *pouts*

Dammit.

edited: Okay, you can't get a hotel at ANY beach within a  500 mile radius of Memphis - unless you want to sepnd 250 a night, or stay with the Bates's..... I'm going ot have to look into Herber (Her-Ber? Herb-er? He-Ber?) Springs a lil more..... what I'll MOST likely end up doing is keeping our happy asses in Memphis and saving some damn money. Dammit.

*wide grin*

Just so that no-one get's the wrong idea - yes, I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to seeing Jc. But he's such a bloody noble beast, he most likely won't touch me, no matter how much I might tempt him - and do I plan on trying? Oooohhh no....at least not TOO much! ;)

Heh. But - it WILL be fun hanging out with him. But - the main reason that I'm so excited is that I LOVE Atlanta. I went to college there, and that city has had more influence on who I am today than almost anything besides my mother. I LOVE Atlanta, and if the traffic wasn't so damn hideous, I might actually consider moving back. I decided against getting a car - I'll be in Downtown, so it's not like I can't take public transit - they have the best damn public transit of any city I've been in other than DC (the city of my birth, and another city I LOVE).

*grin* Though, I will swing by the Toy Store while I'm there. I'm already putting together my agenda.

Oh my, oh my, oh my.....

So....I registered for the conference in Atlanta. It's seven hours away, so I'm debating driving vs. flying.... I'm going to have to rent a car either way, as if I drove, the hubby would need a car (assuming he doesn't have one by then) and if I fly, I'd need a car in Atlanta. Though, driving in Atlanta? Ick, ick, ICK. 

Holy Shit! I'm SOoooo flying - there's a round trip ticket for 150 bucks! I think I would want to take Thursday and Friday and Monday off - I could get in the city on Thursday, have fun, relax, do some stuff, then attend the conference Friday - Sunday, then fly back on Monday, and be back to work Tuesday.  I need to figure out how much vacation time I have.

*grin* I'm excited - I will go out clubbing, and have loads of fun - alllll by myselllfffff!

And yes, I'm sure I will see Jc. And maybe another one of mah boys. I haven't been BACK to ATL since I graduated - this should be sooo much fun. Memorriiiess...

Happy Honeymoon!

Hmmmm.....I'll hit the high points.

As I'm on my period, the normal honeymoon hijinks has not yet started. Dammit. I want hijinks too.
The weather is a little colder than we expected - and driving in In. in the winter - sucks. What should have been a 3 hour drive to the border of In/Ky took 8 hours. EIGHT FREAKING HOURS just to get out of Indiana. Oh. My. God.
The condo is FREAKING gogeoue! Utterly, and totally. I could live here forever - we have a stunning view of the ocean, and a HUGE king size bed.
Oh yes, merriement will be found here as well. We have already RSVP'd for a NYE party (speaking of which, I need to write about me & C's first trip to the swing club) and we are trying to hook up with a Chicana woman who lives here. Yum.

What else? Ah - clearly, I have an internet connection, and it's not too slow. So - that's fun. I get disconnected really easily though.

Oh well - I need to check my email.

Ciao!

Early Morning

Ahh....it's a wonderful thing.  C is peacefulyl sleeping, and I'm finishing up the last of the preparations for our trip. It's snowed SOOOOOOObadly - I can't wait to get out of here.
I'm soooo excited. *bounces*

I'm going to try to stay awake for at least until the sun comes up, then C is on his own. Heh.

I'm taking the computer with me, but I'm not sure if the room has a connection - we shall see - I certainly hope so.

Blah! I'm brain dead - and I want another lemon cookie.

We're going to takea crapload of pictures, I know that much. Ohhh! :) I can't wait.

*waves* more later.

 

Winding Down

One major thing that I love, love, love about working for this company is that they have their end of the year shutdown. I'm not sure if this is standard amoung most MFG companies (esp since they include us corporate drones in it) but damn - it so rocks.  From Christmas Eve, until the first Monday of the New Year - we're off. Mandatory, practically.  And it's WONDERFUL. So - I'm going to behere today, and I'm going to be here for most of tomorrow (note the MOST in there) and then - I'm done! Done! Done!

And I'll be off to a whirlwind of a honeymoon - I've been checking the weather, and it's supposed to get up to 74! SEVENTY-FOUR! In DECEMBER! *drools*  I'm so excited I could spit. Haven't packed,but at least all of our clothes are clean after the domesticity spurt that we went through Sunday. I need to put a hold on our mail - andI've already got the dried catfood for the creatures while we're gone. Hmm.... I'm worried about my work plant though - I need to figure out a way to keep it watered for the next two weeks.

Hmm.....what else? I'm getting my mind in gear to start losing weight again. I've CERTAINLY packed the pounds back on as I noticed when I tiptoed onto the scale last week. EEK! So. Yes. Must start acting like I'm interested again.  Hm.... my goal - at least until the end of the year - is to just note down everything that I eat - get an idea of my average intake.  After the new year, I'm cutting out everything except water, diet soda, and alcohol. Heh. After February, I'm going BACK on Induction (eeewwww) and starting on Atkins again. The only reason I'm waiting til Feb is because I'm going to be in GVA for a month, and shhhheeee - not even trying. Nope, nope. So- I've started a new chapter - I just forget shit so easily.

.

.

.

Okay - I'm empty now.

So.

So. We decided to use the money (well, most of it - the rest went to bills) to finally take a freaking honeymoon - 10 (or 9 or 8 depending on how big of bastards work is going to be) in lovely sunny Florida at a timeshare that I was able to SNAG for 575.00. Rockthefuckon. We going to drive there, drive back, and have just shiteloads of fun the whole time.

So. I'm freaking out however, over whether we can afford it. Gah. But - it's most purchased, and *deep breath* I'm just going to trust that we can swing it. Thankfully, we aren't big on Xmas, so this will be our Xmas present to us.

So. I think I've figured out what we want from his family for Xmas - a damn monitor. Not too cheap, not too expensive. heh.

What else? Work!? argh! I cna't wait for this year to be done, done, done, DONE!

Ah! Speaking of work, I got a new ID picture taken today (as I had lost my badge) and WOW! My face isn't as fat as it feels/looks in the mirror. That irks me - and kinda makes me worry, because I don't want to be one of those women who are always whining about how fat they are when they aren't. The only reason I've been saying that I'm getting fat is ALLL of my clothes are getting tighter - and really, what else could it be?

 

 

---

 

Theme of the Week: What one gift do you want for Xmas?

Short answer: 12 million dollars, after OR before taxes.

Long Answer: Enough money to make both my & C's dreams come true.

Yeah, we're cheap.

Secondary

I've never truly considered moving out of the US, but having stayed in Geneva for two weeks (though I must admit - had I been there for the G8 riots I MIGHT not be saying this) I could REALLY see myself moving to Switzerland. The city was GOREGOUS - imagine (if you can) NYC - but! spotlessly clean, no-one living under the poverty level, polite, and a disgusting low crime rate. Toss a lovely lake in the middle of the city and surround it by historail buildings, and voila! You've got a good idea of the general atmosphere of Ge.
The flights over were good - we tried to get an upgrade, but the dlight was overbooked, so we settled into coach. Luckily, both me and my coworker are short, so that didn't bother us too much - but the FOOD!! This is my first time taking a really long trip in any level other than first or business, and now I TRULY understand the comments I've always heard about airplane food. *gag*.
After getting settled in, the four of us who were on that flight met some of our other coworkers in the lobby and went out to dinner. Three of them became my hanging buddies - sadly enough I have to wonder if it was because we were the only young people of color there. Eh - there was Luis, Phil, Erika & me. We managed to close down the bat almost EVERY night that we were there - except the first Saturday night (we were busy doing other things) and in general had a really good time. *laugh* I think that I may have made some work/outside work accquaintences - I got the most EXCELLENT compliment of being referred to as a biatch the last night I was there, and that's REALLY saying a lot.
I truly enjoyed 8 out of the 9 days of work that I had there. I think I did more learning and gained a greater understanding of what the hell we are doing in those two weeks than I have in the past 2 YEARS. It's a shame that more people can't go to the AA's... they would learn so much. I like the Swiss work day as well - they come in between 8:30 and 9, take an hour lunch, and leave at 5 - like logical, normal people do when they work for a company that really respects the work/life balance. Our days tended to be longer than their's - we tried to be there by 8, and usually didn't leave until 6:30 - 7pm.
The evenings TOTALLY made up for the long days though. Ge. is about a spit over a hill away from France, and so the food is VERY french. However - the city is SO very cosmopolitian, I saw almost every ethinicity of food represented there was, and had some of the BEST Thai food ever the second week there.
As I was there, I realized something rather interesting - I'm a REALLY social person. I LIKE being out with people, talking, flirting, connecting & all that with new people. It's - FUN. But I still haven't figured out how to generate that same kind of energy without HAVING to be forced together....
The first week, while I wasn't taking notes or listening intensely, I was looking for things to do in the city. I kinew that I would be ableto take Wednesday 'off', and I figured that I should go out and see a little of the city on my own. I figured that I would be out WITH people for mostof the weekend, and I knew there were some places that I wanted to go that they might not have been interested in. I decided to got to the Plain Palais flea market, the Patak Phillpe museum and a Gallery of Contemporary Photography.
The day, I geared myself up, armed with dirctions, adresses, bus schedules, and a little Berlitz book on Switzerland I found in the Indy airport. I LOVE riding public transportation - and love it even more since I know how driving is! I was able to shameslessly gawk or simply withdraw into myself. It's a very nice abdication of responsibility. I made it to all three places - I'm such a touchy feely kinda girl! I was rubbing my hands over EVERYTHING in that flea market - I loved being able (and almost EXPECTED) to handle all the goods. It took me about 3 hours to get through the whole place, but all I left with was a small bag, two saris, 3 pearl bracelets, and a french-english dictionary. About 90% of the people I met spoke passable english - but I thought it would be a useful thing.
The Patek Phillpe museum was STUNNING. The top two floors of the museum were all historical watches - and MAN! If I could find watches like that NOW I would be overjoyed to have a collection. They were all (at least the small ones) more jewelry than watch. And the colors! Oh - the enamel glittered in blues and reds and greens and they wer eaccented by tiny delicate paintings and gold and diamonds. *sigh* SO beautiful. I rushed through the last floor - after seeing THOSE beauties, watch after watch on a plain band were rather dull.
The Gallery was cool - it was a VERY small one with a photographic library upsatirs. They only had two exhibits - one was a series of self portraits - one taken every day ofthe year. The other exhibit was a collection of images of shrines - the impromptu kind that pop up all over the US anywhere someone dies ina car accident or a shooting or something. Both of the exhibits really made me THINK about what I percieve to be art - I really enjoyed both of those exhibits, yet I know that if the idea had come to me to take either of those type of pictures - I would have immeadiately dismissed them as not being artistic enough. After looking at both of those, I went upstairs and browsed in the library - I was deeply regretful that I do not read french, otherwise I would have purchased several of the books there.
It was close to 7 by the time I left there, and I wanted to get back into the hotel in time to catch SOMEONE going out - after all of that time on my own, I was really looking forward to hanging out with people who understand my english. I can't even remember where we went - some resturant (I can only DEFINITELY remember where I went on the first Thursday and the second Wednesday) - and then we closed out the bar AGAIN. What is it about young people in a mixed group, iof you get enough time & alcohol in us we ALWAYS start talking about sex? I refuse to believe that it is just THAT much on our mind! Or maybe it's just ME! *laughs* I truly believe there are some things that you should NEVER know about people you have to work with. But - it was LOADS of fun.

Okay - I'm almost out of characters, and I neeed to go to bed - so I'm going to have to save the outrageous doings of the weekend (during which I lost all my postcards, and tickled a passed-out coworker) for tommorow's writing.

Dancing

*does a funky little half chicken half bellydancing move across the entry*
*percolates back to the topic at hand*

I'm not coming to work tomorrow. (Am I the only one who ALWAYS writes two m's and one r in tomorrow and have to constantly go back to correct it?) And - I'm getting paid still. And I get to sleep late and clean and read and straighten up and cook and watch a little tv and start working on The Artist's Way and snack and love on my kitties and start on my stretches and practice my belly dancing and be utterly and completely BY MYSELF for an entire day. And then - just as a cherry on the end of a day - the light of my life will show up around 11pm.
The very idea makes me smile and lay back and feel utterly relaxed like I'm fresh out of a hot shower on a slightly warm day.

Have a good Weekend, Yall.

Thought I forgot??

Even though I AM on vacation (and having a FAB time!!!!) there was no way on the entire GREEN earth I was going to forget.
Now, I MAY be a lil late - but can we HEAR it for less than 365 days to goooo???

*grins*

The friends and family met C. and he was a hit all around. :) He left this morning, and made it backto CIncy okay - sans luggage, but okay. SO far I have heard nothing but sunshie and light about him, and they are all underfirm instructions to be truthful. :) He was his usually charming self - and really I don't think it could have gone any better. :)

Well...I'm in Brooklyn right now, and it's my turn to play...so I will write more when I get back to PA.

jasmyn

Short & Sweet

Well…. I’m back. I had loads upon loads of fun during the trip, and I had no CLUE that I missed my buddies so danngone much. *sighs* But anyhow, I’m back here now…at work *gags* and tired as all get out. I finally got some jewelry (at TJMaxx of all places) and went out to eat with my mommy.

Like I said I’m tired as all get out, and I think I am getting sick as my throat is feeling odd…so I really don’t feel like writing. I managed to read just about everybody’s diary except for those mad women who write like twelve entries a day…and I left a few notes. Ugh. I’m so glad it is Friday.

Stay Jazzed,