10 Things that happened to me today.

1. My brother totalled his brand new Infiniti G35 Coupe. It was a thing of beauty, too. I felt bad for him.
2. My roommate brought home some people in the wee hours of the morning. (2 girls, 1 guy) One of which was puking her brains out. Literally.
3. I wrote a letter to my neighbor (we have a shared wall) who doesn't know what it means to have respect for neighbors and not blast her rap music and she placed it on top of our trash can. I laughed. Next time it'll be the po-lice. Biatch!
4. A friend of "ours" is MIA. He hasn't logged in to his myspace account since December 23rd and his best friend (with whom he is usually attached at the hip) hasn't heard from him since then either. I hope he's alright.
5. I bought a new camera today. I did tons of research before trodding to the store with my top two choices in hand. When I got home, I looked it up - $30 less online from the same store. I'll gather my refund tomorrow.
6. My mother is making a quilt for me. Full of all of my high school band and guard t-shirts. I got to see the pieces of it today. It's going to look fab.
7. I got a phone call in the middle of a movie. I silenced it. A few seconds later a text came through saying "Call me!!!".... so I did. There wasn't an emergency.
8. I got a mani/pedi today. It was refreshing.
9. I talked to a few people I hadn't talked to in a while today. I think i've decided what i'm going to do for New Year's. Being that it's tomorrow night and all...
10. I slept until 1. Hmm.

Rude-ness

So... tonight, I had a drink with my roommate. (not going to even TRY to create a pseudonym for him) We went to a local bar-place and had some chips and a beer or so. Some of his co-workers (from the restaurant he works at down the street) happened to come in. He told the server to take care of their first round on him. Not a big deal. We didn't even talk with them.

As we were leaving, we walked past them and he patted both of them on the shoulder and said "I hope you have a good night" and then walked away. I made [the mistake of] a comment about it and said "well, that was rude" because he didn't introduce me.

From where I come from (normal America), you introduce people you're with to people you run in to as a courtesy. It's just the polite thing to do and a great way of networking, etc. Maybe that's just the southern in me - or maybe it's the corporate world in me. Who knows?

We launched into this HUGE blown up conversation about being rude - that he didn't think it was necessary to introduce me and he didn't think I should have said anything about it and blah blah. Then he told me that it hurt his feelings when I picked on him about anything (something about my personality that I can't fix).

My jokes are in jest - no harm, no foul. I'll make fun of your shoes even if I like them secretly. I'm not really making fun of you - I just have nothing else to say and that's what comes to mind.

He made me fully aware this evening that he's "sensitive" and I should be careful what I say to him.

Haha. Right.

All in all, I've come to the conclusion that the city I live in, as wonderful as it may be, is just one big fucked up place. Yep. That's right. Psycho people everywhere.

Maybe I'm just having a bad day.

Getting rid of 2007

This year hasn't been the greatest. In fact, I've been comparing it to my "worst year ever" which was 2003. I lost my best friend and cousin, bought a new car (my dream car) and 5 days later it was wrecked, was in the hospital for a week and a half with pneumonia, broke up with my boyfriend of over a year and a half, and the list just keeps going.

2007 has proven to be just as bad, if not, worse. I won't go into the small details - as they really don't matter. All I can do is hope for a better 2008.

I can hope and dream all I want... but it's up to me to make it happen. To hang out at all the right places, to see and do everything I want, and to find good people to spend it with.

Here goes.

C'est la vie!

[Disclaimer: The majority of 2007 was AMAZING - trips to over 13 cities, most new to me - along with having fun with really close friends. The "shitty" part I'm referring to is the last few months - just as 2003 was]

10 Things you might find on a trip to a Pro-Basketball game.

1. A marta po-lice officer exercised his "authority" and asked me to "pull further into the parking spot". There was maybe 8 inches between my car and the car in front of me. I pulled forward an inch and asked him if it was ok. He said it was.
2. A man of "hispanic" origin was on the marta train with Heather and I. He felt the need to belt out his "mexi-music" on certain verses.
3. Upon arrival at the arena for the game, we realized we were the minority.
4. The nuts they sell are sugar-coated and fattening.
5. The guy sitting next to me got "wild and crazy" and purchased a double-shot of Jack and coke.
6. He was also wearing "womanizer" shoes complete with spikes on the toe. Creepy.
7. If you sit on the mascot's lap and ask for a "Dancer" for Christmas - he'll pull one out of his wagon for you. Even if you're only 7.
8. This dancer will be dressed in a Santa Suit you'd find on the pages of a Fredrick's of Hollywood catalog.
9. Tall men. :)
10. Hot guys at the bar and grill up the street. Tables, and tables of them.

Honda made me smile...

Ah... where to begin?

I drove a 1999 Honda Accord for quite some time (3 years, actually... my longest track record for driving one car!) until the transmission was shot and I had to get a new one.

LOOOONNNNGGGG story short, the transmission failed about three hours after I took it to get an oil change. Smell fishy? Yep. That's what I thought, too. So, I took it to get diagnostics at another dealership and decided to buy a new car (LOVE my new car!) the same day.

Months later, after the anger subsided, my grandfather and I approached the Service Manager at Honda and explained the situation to him. He offered some assistance from Honda (thank God!) and told me he'd tell me how much once he got the car there and was able to check it out.

So... final word came back yesterday... and they're going to provide the parts, all I have to do is pay for the labor. That's only about 700 bucks total. (instead of $3000 for the whole job) Needless to say, I'm one happy camper. Now I can sell that car and lower my new car payments. Isn't life lovely!?!

Oh yes. Honda DEFINITELY made me smile :)

Congratulations... you're a Vegan?

You don't always get what you bargained for... especially when it comes to reading about diets and your food.

I picked up this book last week entitled "Skinny Bitch." Included, there were healthy eating habits, what "ingredients" are good and bad, and what generally to look out for when you're choosing food. I figured it'd be a nice little health-conscious book because I'd never really been taught the good foods and bad foods, I've just always eaten slightly on the healthier side.

Starting the book was easy. I agreed mostly with what they said... Don't drink soda's (especially not Diet sodas - because of all the chemicals in sugar substitutes)... Don't smoke... Limit Alcohol... Exercise... Eat lots of fruits and vegetables... You know, the normal stuff.

Then I get to the chapter about meat. I got COMPLETELY and UTTERLY grossed out. They talked about the unsanitary slaughterhouses, the way animals were raised, byproducts of these animals... and the like.

After that very horrible chapter (which I skimmed mostly through)... it merely said "Congratulations... you're a vegan" I was so pissed off. I have never, ever, been persuaded to be that way - and frankly don't want to make the lifestyle choice to become a vegan.

But there's just one problem... I'm completely grossed out. I had to take a trip to Whole Foods for lunch today - because the very thought of putting cheese, chicken, beef, or anything BUT vegetables and fruit into my mouth... was completely repulsing.

Congratulations, Skinny Bitch writers. You've accomplished your mission. Fuck.

Decisions for a changing plan

Oh... how hard it is to change your mind...

I told Sam I wouldn't mind living in a "cold" place. If he were sitting next to me, he'd surely feel my forehead to see what had gotten in to me. But he wasn't, so I got a text saying "ummm you've been acting very strange lately. What do you mean you wouldn't mind living in the cold??"

He says this because I so adamantly am against the cold. In every shape and form. He isn't aware that I was in New York recently and might have changed my mind about it.

This new-found acceptance of the cold weather has led me to a search for a new city. Chicago came up first on the list... then DC... and New York followed suit shortly after. The cost of living, alone, is exponentially higher.

You see, I've decided that I just can't do it anymore. Not here, anyway. School, along with work, and all these other pressures of life are burning me out. Quickly.

After a lengthy conversation with Trent and weighing my options, I have come to the conclusion that I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing for the next few years. I can finish school in one solid year - and do it at a school that doesn't constantly screw you over. Who would have ever thought that?!

We'll see where it all goes.

As for my plans to not travel as much next year, I've already got two flights booked... one to Orlando the first week in January, and one to New Orleans the first week in February. Looks like I'm not meant to be tied here!

Grandparents say the darndest things...

Today, there was lots of interesting conversation around the Thanksiving preparations. I was told how the dog's urine turned to blood and they found crystals in it - and had to take her to the vet right away. Now, normally, someone would tell this story with the least amount of detail. Not my grandmother. She has to tell you everything she thinks and then what she does and completes every single detail for you. I think it's great... but there are some things I just don't want to know.

It was especially rough this summer when she had surgery. I got to hear EVERY gory detail of the surgery and the side effects and how much she urinated and didn't and where it wasn't comfortable... the whole nine.

[yep, if I have to hear it, so do you!]

I just don't know why older people feel the need to tell you every single gory detail of their medical conditions. Perhaps it's that they've lived long enough they don't really care what other people think of them? I know they didn't used to tell me all of this stuff. Perhaps because I was too young at that point? Who knows?

10 Things I learned about my Great-Grandmother today

1. She's only ever flown on an airplane once. My grandparents bought her and my great-grandpa tickets to see them in Wyoming... in the early 70's.
2. While she was there, my uncle (12 at the time) took her on a snow mobile. Haha. I can only imagine what that had to look like!
3. She had to walk to school from elementary on up. It was 3 miles.
4. When I asked "what city did you live in?" She replied, "I lived in Franklin County" No, g-ma, what CITY? Oh... I didn't live in a city... I lived in the country. HAhahahaha... she had me rollin on this one.
5. She only went through 10th grade or so... they only had 11 grades back then.
6. Her sister passed away earlier this month. From "corn" cancer. (If you knew my great-g-ma, you would think this was hilarious) She's got a corn on her foot that she, in her mind, believes is cancer. Her sister really died of Colon Cancer. Not CORN. Haha.
7. My Great-Great-Grandparents owned a general store in Franklin County.
8. She went with them one time down to Gainesville to pick up supplies for the store and they bought her some black and white checkered overalls. She said "I thought I was dressed then!" (meaning she thought she was hot shit)
9. She doesn't like alcohol.
10. Her first car was a Chevrolet. She also used to drive a Nova in the 60's. Interesting.

10 Things I love about my new space

Woohoo! It's new office day! Yep, that's right... It's not got a door, but it's sure as hell better than any office I've ever seen!

1. "ambient" lighting... no more flourescents, thank God!!
2. The size of TWO cubicles put together comprise my desk.
3. The back wall is all whiteboard.
4. I have my own hallway...
5. And my 6 of my own windows...
6. And my own balcony...
7. No one ever comes back towards this hallway, and most don't even know where it is.
8. I don't have to be bothered by the million and five people walking by my cube to the printer or kitchen all day long.
9. I don't have to listen to the next cubicle's music of the "let me lick you up and down" variety.
10. I get to watch the sun set. From 7 whole floors up. Every day :)

Oh yes... can you tell i'm in LOVE with my new space?!?

A special "Thank You"...

... Thanks to Mo for submitting this for me. It's perfect. And it's incredibly sweet!

The definition of "Chicksta"... which has been my 'nickname' since 8th grade.

Crazy Tuesday

Ah, Monday was crazy... but Tuesday has been a bit crazier.

Meetings all day, a really late lunch, picking up kids from daycare and babysitting them until 11pm, etc etc.

Some funny stories for ya though. I think I laughed for about 20 minutes.

I went to pick up the 7 year old from school... and coming down the stairs extremely carefully, she's carrying a small round container telling me that she's not able to hurry because there are holes in the top of her container and "there's something live in there." I start to get the full scoup even before we've exited the building.

Apparently there are way too many ladybugs dying and she and her friends have decided to make flyers to stop killing the ladybugs. They're going to post these flyers around each of their neighborhoods to let people know that ladybugs are nice and shouldn't be killed.

Hrm. oooookay....

On the way home (a traffic-filled 30 minute drive for 7 or 8 miles) she falls asleep holding her precious ladybug (officially named 'lady') in her lap. Upon arriving home, the interior lights in the car come on and she awakens, takes a few seconds to realize what's going on, and then says,

"Woah. She's not killed."

I about died laughing. It was THE most hilarious thing I'd heard in a while. She kept asking me what I was laughing about and why I was laughing at her. I tried to explain (in some 7-year-old way) that I was laughing at the situation, not her. haha.

And the 3 year old... the letter of the day was "J". How lovely.

Flash forward a few hours... I open the door to enter my house to a smokey smell. Later, I find out my roommate almost burned the house down because he forgot about some macaroni while he was on the phone with his mother. The only thing that reminded him was the fire alarm going off. This makes me nervous.

:)

Waking Up

For the past several weeks I've been in a complete fog. In light of the events last week [and today's the 4 year 'anniversary' (for lack of a better term)], things going south with Sam, busy busy busy - ness at work, finding a new roommate, and lots of stuff going on at school... I pretty much shut down.

I had to have a CYA meeting with my boss (not one of the more pleasing things in life) to let her in on why I was slacking off. It literally struck me in the middle of the day Monday.

It's quite odd how these things happen. You know something is wrong but you really can't pinpoint it for the longest time. You start searching inward, pulling things apart, putting them back together, etc etc... this long drawn out process... and then all at one moment... it just hits you over the head. And the first word that comes out of your mouth is "Shit."

The thoughts that ensue are "I have to talk to this person... and that person... and let them know this is why I've been acting this way..." blah blah blah.

I'm in recovery mode right now (which is a great place to be, I might add). I have a renewed "spirit", so to say, and can function so much better now. [thank God!!] I have tons of things to work on for work and school and my home life... I desperately need to get started on!

*sigh* Whew! That was rough.

10 reasons you shouldn't date an avid sports fan

1. You're not 'forced' into attending his favorite teams' games... just 'asked nicely' to.
2. You always end up eating that not-so-healthy tailgating food... and drinking a few beers or taking a few shots = gaining unnecessary weight.
3. His favorite teams must instantly become your favorite teams.
4. Each Saturday, Sunday, and Monday during football season you are tied to either your living room, someone else's living room, or a bar showing the game. During Baseball/Basketball season... any given weekday or weekend.
5. Depending on his level of intoxication, he may start fights with fans of the opposing team. Watch out for offensive words thrown in the direction of people with kids. They get pretty angry.
6. If clearing out a section isn't enough, screaming during the whole game and arguing with other fans is clearly on the agenda for the evening.
7. Every insult has a comeback. Every single one.
8. Even while watching the games at a friends place... watch out for the name calling and rivalry talk
9. Beer toss. What a great way to end the night.
10. Every person in the bar with a same-team jersey or paraphernalia on... instantly becomes your best friend.

[Post dated... I talked with the "host" of the football watching party we attended. One of the guys that was there sent an email saying "hey, if you plan on inviting that guy again, let me know in advance so we can find some other place to watch the game. So and so was offended by some of his comments." YIKES!! Completely embarrassing!!]

And the verdict is...

... not guilty.

I'm not sure how, in the United States, you can kill someone with your vehicle and walk away. Walk away without a scratch, without a fine, without a punishment, without an apology.

I have lost faith in the judicial system. Completely.

A day of truths

It's always been hard... but today was the hardest of them all. Today was the day light was shed on the truth. The truth that, through some form, had been manipulated by the time it got to me. I was told "he was speeding... going way too fast. That's why she didn't see him," I was also told "He didn't know what hit him... there weren't any skid marks."

Today, those truths revealed left me in a bed of tears. There WERE skid marks... 17 feet and 11 inches of them. He DID realize what was about to happen. Albeit, it was instantaneous death (or so I was told) he drew his last few breaths in fear of what was about to occur.

As I'd previously placed some of the blame on his actions - speeding on a road with a posted sign of 35 mph - I can no longer make that judgment. Forensics and evidence grant him a top speed of 40 mph with impact at a range of 30 mph or so.

I'm angry. I'm saddened. I'm helpless right now. It's a hurt like no other, and it's torturous.

I wasn't summoned by the court today. I wasn't forced into the self mutilation of hearing the testimonies of two handfuls of witnesses and their recollection of the events that day. Something told me I had to go. I had to be there for my aunt. I had to be there to find out the truth. The factual truth. And what happened that day.

I wish no harm to the person who did this. I actually wish her well. Certainly, she'll take this guilt with her for the rest of her life, but beyond that. Beyond the teary eyes and sobbing testimony, she has to feel some remorse. Enough to apologize to the people she took him from. That's all I ask. And she hasn't yet.

The comical thing of it all... the last time I saw him was at my Halloween Party the weekend before the accident. Every time this case has been brought before the court, it's been the week of Halloween. We should hear the verdict. Tomorrow, October 31. On Halloween.

[to read the full story, click here]

One Proud Fan

He did it. Today, Armin Van Buuren beat Tiesto for number 1 dj in the world. Pretty impressive, I might say. Oh yes.

I have met him, hung out with him all night even... in his DJ booth while he spun incredible beats as well as when the night was over. He was hilarious, and since the movie, Borat, was relatively new, we quoted lines all night. Quite fun, if you ask me.

I am absolutely in love with his State of Trance series that releases annually. Obviously, I like his other works, too, but there's just something about each ASOT that is more captivating than the one before it.

Pure bliss.

Observations in the park

As a normal routine, I go rollerblading in my park. It's the way I exercise - it's interesting, I have pink, grey, and black skates, and get to listen to my iPod.

I always go to the same park at around the same time of night (just before dusk - it's cooler then) but the scenery always changes. It's a great people-watching place.

My observations this week:
- There are overwhelming groups of young african american people. They walk stretched out across the roadway, extremely slowly, and don't move so other people can pass. This poses a huge problem [especially for me] because I can't always stop rollerblades as easily as they could move aside. At least they're not other places causing trouble.
- There are some people who smoke while they're taking a stroll in the park. This always baffles me because you can tell they're making an effort to be healthier by just being there - you'd think they'd try to quit smoking too?
- Extremely obese people walking. I haven't seen that much effort from an overweight crowd in, well, forever. Kudos to them.
- There was a group of people handing out chocolate ice cream bars. Another oxymoron perhaps?
- A wedding was taking place on one of the lawns. They hired a full band (we're talking flutes, clarinets, tubas, etc full band) to play. I thought it was quite cute and they obviously wanted their guests to have a good time.
- Two guys smoking pot. Yes, pot. In an open park where, at any time, a police officer could arrest them. Interesting. Complete disrespect. And, of course, it's unavoidable if you can't pass them.

This park is pretty much the only one in the area that's big enough to make my rounds - and also has clear roadways. Tons of debris in the way = a disasterous rollerblading experience.

Some of these things, I'm aggitated by, and others are just observations. It'd be nice if there was a mutual respect. But there's not. So I guess I'll just continue my people watching and keep my opinions to myself!

10 reasons I love my city

1. I know where everything is. I've lived in the outskirts almost my entire life - and moved "ITP" (inside the perimeter) after graduating high school.
2. My family lives near. It's nice to be able to see anyone whenever I want. My brother actually only lives about 3 miles away. Crazy!
3. I love love love city life. Everything stays open late, you get a taste of any kind of food you want, and tons of nightlife. (can you tell I'm a night person?)
4. I can maneuver my way around traffic (sometimes) and know what time to avoid certain places.
5. I know where to go to get the good deals on whatever I need.
6. My school, job, and friends are all here.
7. It takes 30 minutes to be in a remote area if I need to get away.
8. All of my favorite Dance/Trance DJ's come here...
9. We really get a good taste of all seasons, but it never gets too cold (like snow) and that makes me EXTREMELY happy.
10. A 4-6 hour drive from many many beaches (makes for easy beach weekend trips!)

Is there something in the water?

There must be. Yesterday was hell for a lot of relationships around me. Including my own.

Mo's relationship took a huge turn yesterday, so did Ryan's, and so did mine. Over the last two weeks, I've had two high school friends engaged, one have a baby, one find out she's pregnant, and I'm sure there's a whole lot more I didn't hear about.

Perhaps there's something in the water that I don't know about?

Mo and Ryan's relationships are extremely volatile. They're both married. One is playing it smart until it's safe for his kids and himself to get out (and run far far away, as he puts it). And the other is stuck - she just found out she's pregnant.

Thank God this stuff doesn't happen to me - that it only happens to those around me.

Words that inspire dieting

Today has been quite rough. I have been absolutely slammed at work with requests from every different angle and can't keep up. Last night, I decided to get a new whiteboard for my cubicle so I didn't have to have as many sticky notes (brilliant idea, by the way).

I get to work this morning and figure out I don't have the proper 'hanging materials' to put this thing up. It required a trip to the hardware store. I ran by there just before lunch and got a fix for it and decided I'd go across the street to Panera to grab soup and a salad.

Four or Five years ago, I worked at this specific Panera for six months or so. It was one of those "in between" jobs but I knew everyone there and was friends with some of them.

Back to the situation at hand. I order my soup and salad and wait for it at the other end. Thus far, I hadn't seen anyone I knew while I worked there. You have to give your name when you order so they can call it for pickup.

"ERIKA!"

It was ready. She looked at me and smiled and said "oh HEY!! How are you??" It was a large black lady who'd worked there when I worked there - and was still there. I told her I worked down the street, etc. And then... the next words out of her mouth...

"Wow. You've put on some weight."

I had to ask her to repeat herself because I thought I didn't quite hear her right.

"Wow. You've put on some weight," she repeated.

Did she really just say that to me?? I was too stunned to come back with anything intelligent like "well, what's 20 lbs when you're already 250?" or "wow. you've gotten old." - Or it could have been that I'm just not that mean.

My response. "oh, thanks. Have a good day" - and bolted out the door.

Those words were good enough to inspire a new diet. I was just looking at the professional headshot I had taken for work a few days ago and thinking I should watch what I eat a little more carefully. This just confirms it.

Diet, here I come.

10 (minus 2) things that didn't have a chance of going right this weekend

1. Lost luggage
2. Flight was extremely messed up
3. HUGE fight with Sam
4. Saffie tore up the blinds in my kitchen (for the second time). This time they need replacing.
5. Saffie also sliced the curtains in my bedroom.

Ok-ok... before you start thinking i'm a bad mother to my cat, note that I made sure someone came by every single day to check on her. She only gets pissed when I leave her for a few days at a time. Come on! She's a CAT!! She shouldn't need to be looked after more than a dog!!

6. I was lied to by someone. (who shall remain nameless)
7. My phone was dead due to lost luggage which made it exponentially harder to get in touch with the airline to find my luggage.
8. I was supposed to "meet" with a group from school about our project on Saturday, but couldn't due to dead phone.

The last two, you'll hear about later :)

Checking Out

I think I'm losing my mind (or perhaps I've just been on vacation too many times in the past few months).

It wouldn't be such a big deal if there weren't multiple instances of this "memory loss" happening to me.

Let's take a look.

- I asked my grandfather to come "check out my new car" when I was at the family reunion on Sunday. He'd already seen it. Twice. I have no recollection of this event.

- An old boyfriend came by to buy the head unit from my old car. We were chatting a little while he was over. He was recounting things from our relationship that I clearly did not remember happening. This is only odd for me because I usually remember everything about my relationships. I can tell you the date, time, place, what song we were listening to, what clothes we were wearing - some scary details. Yet, I have no recollection of some of the events he described.

- I talked to Sam on Monday and made the comment "Man, I don't think we've actually talked since Friday. I've been so busy." To which he replies, " Um... we talked at least twice on Saturday and once on Sunday." Oops! Of course he had to analyze this situation, "Hah. You're getting old! I think you told me the same story twice last week."

I'm not getting old! I'm just "checked out" - and I need to check back in!!!! :)

10 things that made this weekend interesting

1. Made some quick cash by selling the head unit from my previous car all while reconnecting with an old friend.
2. Rearranged my bedroom. Completely. There's now a lovely King Size bed in there complete with new linens.
3. Made a girl leave the bar because I danced better than her. It was quite hilarious. She made reference to her dancing skills and I had to show her up. She grabbed her purse and left the building.
4. Shared a bottle of wine with Trent. It had been sitting on my counter since he gave it to me for my birthday in April.
5. Went to a family reunion (in which my great aunt - who is about 55 years old - dyed two streaks of her grey hair bright blue)
6. Had 3 pairs of heels re-tapped and made wear-able again. (nothing like rejuvenating shoes that were oh-so-sexy)
7. Watched a really bad movie. German with subtitles?? Snooze.
8. Selected my Halloween costume for this year. A lovely French Maid. I've never been anything in the past 5 years but a cat. It was time to change it up.
9. Went through several boxes of old stuff at my mom's house. Found lots of 'junk' I kept for various reasons. We'll cite it 'memorabilia'.
10. Woke up two mornings in a row sans hangover after drinking quite a bit the night before. Now THAT is impressive!

The price you pay to avoid a catastrophe

This morning, well, early, early morning. I had to get up and make my way to the airport. I am facilitating a training session in Philadelphia with some very important people who work with my company but in different offices.

I pack my bag, head out the door, and get on the road. Halfway to the airport, I realize that I didn't pack any 'special products' just in case something were to pop up out of the blue while I'm gone.

Sure enough, by the time I land in Philadelphia, I am in need of these products. I don't panic, just make my way through the airport and catch a cab to the hotel. I figure there's got to be a drugstore or shop somewhere relatively close to the hotel. I'm in a cream skirt suit with greyish pinstripes, so I'm lookin good; albeit terrified of a certain embarassing event that could take place if I don't do something about the situation.

After checking in and calling the front desk, I find out there's a grocery store "across the street."

I start my walk across the street, which is not really "across the street" at all. It's down the road, across the street towards the left and around from the back side of the building.

The 10-minute walk consisted of the standard landscaping truck full of sweaty guys honking and whistling. I believe there were at least 2 other cars/trucks who couldn't resist the urge to honk the horn, confirming that I dressed well today.

I purchased my 'items' and left the store. Trecking to the back of the building, back across the street, I was caught at the light. There's nothing like a woman in a hot skirt suit standing on a street corner to draw some attention.

Let us observe.

-"HAAAAYYYY Guuurrllll!" comes from a middle-aged man in an oldsmobile with a beard and cigarette hanging from his lips.

-hand waving in the air rapidly, "I'm just tryin to get one of those girls to see me!" the guys says to oldsmobile cigarette guy.

-"HOOOOOooonk". Much longer and louder than the honks on trip there.

I have come to the conclusion that I should either a) not wear such figure-complimenting clothing, b) come prepared, or c) stay out of Philadelphia.(I mean, I've been honked and yelled at before, but not 7 times in one day!)

Finally, I made it back to the hotel and into my room, paying a hefty price to avoid a complete catastrophe.

10 things that would make this week a little better

1. Getting some more sleep. I've been deprived for the last 5 days of any sort of normal sleep.
2. Finding a new roommate. The 1st is fast approaching... and there's no one locked in to moving in yet. This process is incredibly stressful.
3. Getting my nails done. They're way overdue but the girl who does them had the day off today. Of course, on the one convenient day for me to be able to go.
4. Some sex.
5. Another "Surprise Wednesday"
6. Winning the lottery. I'm sure if I play with the number 4, all of my dreams will come true... That number seems to show up everywhere I go!
7. Class being canceled tomorrow night. (wow, wouldn't THAT be nice?!!)
8. A new pair of shoes :)
9. More sleep.
10. A smooth trip to Philly on Thursday and Friday. You've gotta love business trips.

Steppin Out

Kaskade is by far my very favorite House DJ. Saturday night, he came to town and was going to rock my world at a local gay club/bar.

Now, I know what you're thinking, and no, I have no clue why it was there. The gay community seems to have a large following to house/trance music, so I presume that's how the venue was selected. We were, by far, not the only straight ones there. I've been to another show there and had a fabulous time.

Either way, because this was the venue of choice, the friends I had available to come with were slimming down. First, there was people that actually like the music. Then, there was more narrowing down to those who were comfortable going to a predominantly gay venue. This left me with 4 friends willing and able to join me to such a wonderful event.

Just one problem. They all have boyfriends. And, of course, doing what couples do best... occupying each others' time.

11:30 pm and I'm still sitting on the couch, completely depressed that my favorite house dj was in town (only happens maybe once a year, folks), scanning television shows i'd never been interested in before. There's a problem here.

**ring ring**

Well, if it isn't the lovely Mo. Such a great, great friend.

him: "Hey! What are you doing?!"
me: "oh nothing, just sitting on the couch watching some random tv. What about you?"
him: "Um? Isn't Kaskade tonight? Why aren't you there?"
me: "well, you see, I have just this one little problem... no one to go with"
him: "I'll go!"

I jumped up and down like a little girl who just found out her parents were taking her to Cinderella's Castle for the first time. I grabbed a cute outfit and ran out the door.

On my way downtown...

**ring ring**

Well, well... It's Trent.

him: "Hey there, what's up??"
me: "On my way to Kaskade! That's what's up!! What are you doing??"
him: "well, remember I told you I was going to a bachelor party tonight? I'm just not feelin it."
me: "Would you like to go to Kaskade with Mo and I?"
him: "sure."

And there you have it. Two straight men and I at a gay club watching my favorite DJ. Life couldn't get any better!!

Kaskade rocked the house, as usual, and played my all time favorite song, Steppin Out, a few minutes after we walked in. I was in absolute heaven!

Surprise Wednesday

Oh yah. This week's Wednesday was officially dubbed "Surprise Wednesday" before it even started.

Surprises:
- Flowers from a friend

- A pair of my shoes were fixed when I got home. I typically wear them until the heels are falling off because I pay so much for them. She fixed them for me :)

- I got a pair of hand-me-down pants that were too small for her

- I've been searching for a specific jacket for 2 years now. When I was at the mall with my sisters last weekend, I saw it in the window.
Well, Sam sent me several links to some suit jackets he was thinking about purchasing (gotta love that he asks for my input) so I found the jacket online and sent it to him. What I also found was a $30 off coupon for it.

Cha-Ching! So, I splurged the $50 (exactly what i'd made the night before in babysitting) and got it.

- Sam had a baseball game last night (he coaches a high school team) so he said he probably wouldn't get done until really late and would just have to say goodnight at around 8 or so. He did. But then he called after the game just to say goodnight. It was a great surprise!

- Some other things shaped up at work as well. Instead of the shit constantly hitting the fan, it allowed for a small breather. I was relieved!

Let's make a deal!

"OK Miss America, here's the deal," the 3 year old says as I sit her in front of her dinner, "You go make macaroni and cheese for me. Bring it to me. And I will sit here and eat it. That's a good deal."

Barely containing my laughter, I respond, "How about this deal... You eat your dinner and if you're still hungry after dinner, you can have macaroni and cheese. Now that's a really good deal?"

I've been a babysitter for the best of them. Been with their family since before she was a concept and her 7 year old sister was her age. I know their temperment quite well by now. This interaction was one of about twelve that it took to complete the meal comprised of hot dogs on a plain bagel (they thought that was really cool) and some fruit.

This 'deal' was one of many that made up the twelve interactions:

-"I've gotta fix my towel" (which requires getting down from the seat to fix the cover on her chair so I have to lift her up again)

-"OH! Look at that tea set" (as she's walking towards it... which requires hoisting back up again.)

-"I want some more of my birthday cake! My birthday is tomorrow! My mom and dad told me!!" (correction... it was last Saturday; however 'Birthday girl' seems to last a little while around here)Apparently there's "no more room" for real food, but tons of room for birthday cake.

-"I need to play with my new game!" (the lifting back onto the chair continues.)

Dinner lasted almost an hour.

They'll say and do any cute little thing to move away from the dinner table. Everything is so important right then, they'll even try to make a deal!

[PS - She really does call me Miss America ;)]

Awkward Question #1

Answering the question "how long have you two been dating" when you're in front of each other has always been awkward for me. Especially when you've just begun 'dating' and you haven't really defined the relationship (this always happens to me).

Sitting on the couch with Aunt, Uncle, and newly appointed boyfriend (Sam). Sipping on cocktails having a great conversation when it turns to the dreaded question.

"So," my aunt turns to me, "how long have you two been dating?" Sam shoots me a grin across the room and I reply "Um... I'll let him answer that??"

His reply: "6 months." Firm and steady. Straight out of his mouth.

Sometimes men amaze me.

I hadn't even counted (isn't that a girl thing?), nor did I know when we officially started "dating" and definitely didn't want to blurt out the wrong answer.

Since he doesn't live here (Quite a long story that can be filled in at a later time) and we'd 'lost touch' for about a month or so in that 6 months, I didn't even know where to begin.

He's a good catch. ;)

10 Things I did this weekend

1. Returned from a cruise to the bahamas.
2. Wrote a poem. (it's called "fake", but it's a poem nonetheless)
3. Went to the grocery store.
4. Started a diet (it's not really that bad)
5. Wrote 6 checks totalling more than I make in 2 weeks.
6. Took a long shower.
7. Went Rollerblading. (twice)
8. Purchased a wireless router so I don't always have to use the desktop computer.
9. Purchased new sheets and comforter for the King size bed I'm about to aquire.
10. Slept in.