Blogging Away

I was up most of the evening last night. I think that I finally drifted off to dreamland around 3AM…which means that I got a total of 2.5 hours of sleep.

Work has been really good lately…and I really like Tim, the new boss. He has amazing ideas and seems to be incredibly gifted in this industry. Nothing against Mike…but Tim is da man! I seem to be working all of the time, though. For instance….yesterday I got to work at 7AM and I didn’t leave until 5PM…not too bad….but then I had a pseudo business dinner with Tim and Mike and I didn’t get home until 7:15 or so. I do this more and more. I love my job…but I constantly feel as if it overwhelms the rest of my life. I forget things sometimes….things and people.

I live my life on a complete schedule…wake up, shower, brush teeth, etc…all at the same time everyday….I guess I don’t really allow a lot of room for change to interfere with my predictability. I don’t like surprises. I never have. I feel bruised by them. When things out of the ordinary happen…I don’t react well.

So, maybe I shouldn’t talk about it, maybe I should, I have battled with this decision all day….last night Sarah’s sister was found dead. They are pretty sure that it was a suicide, and that it had probably happened a few days before her father actually found her. For those who know Sarah…her family has always suffered through tragic events. When she called last night, my immediate reaction to hearing the news of Krystee’s passing was, “Thank God — she has suffered enough” — I have no opinion on suicide other than the fact that it makes me sad. Not angry, not self-righteous, just sad. I had this overwhelming feeling of relief wash over me…is it callous? Is it? I just was so glad that this pain had finally subsided.

Knowing Sarah and her family for as long as I have….this is going to be extremely difficult…even more so, I believe, considering their history. If you are the prayin’ kind…pray for them. I fear that the water is rising a bit too high.

I will be at the funeral next week. I will be there for Sarah. That’s what we do. I was thinking about a story that I could tell on the blog about Krystee…there are plenty to choose from, though most don’t display her kindness, only her sadness. About a year ago, Sarah got married, and for the previous 6 months before the nuptials, I was a wreck. This wedding affected me more than any other that I had been part of. I was crying and laughing all the time. I was manic and subdued. I was terrified. She was married in the Temple and I remember standing outside trying not to sob. Later on, at the reception, I began to get REALLY emotional…something that I am not very good at. Krystee asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. It was extremely hot and we were both sweating profusely. We spent thirty minutes walking and talking and smoking. She told me funny stories about Steve, Sarah’s better half. We laughed about the gomers that Sarah used to date. She told me about how happy she was for her sister and how she hoped that one day she would be loved like that. I was still pretty manic….but that was a definite significant “moment” in my life. Someone truly believing that everything would be ok. That helped.

I would ask that you take a few moments and reflect today about what you really love and what your daily struggles are. Acknowledge these issues and release them, if it can be done. Be kind and generous…but always stay true to who you really are…if not, you wind up lost, and for some, may never be found. Keep looking forward to great things on the horizon (for me, it will be a weekend surrounded by friends).

I am going to leave it there today…not much more I want to say about this for now.

So….here is the question on my mind today…will Rehnquist step down this summer or won’t he? We can talk about the ten commandments, file sharing, restraining order enforcements later…but, will he or won’t he step down….and if the answer is in the affirmative….who will be the crown prince? Gonzales? A move up for the dreaded Scalia? And what of the O’Connor rumor of retirement? Any thoughts? Have I lost you already?

So…I came across this website yesterday….and I have been thinking about it ever since…maybe it was the picture that made me get a little creeped out. I will blog more later….just wanted everyone else to have access to this site….I had some serious “zombie” nightmares last night.

 

PS — for those of you who know…African boy is fine…he wasn’t knifed….he was mugged at knifepoint…or at least that is what he is assuring me.

 

 

So, I was talking to Beth last night and the subject of step-mothers came up…mainly mine.  Pat (stepmother) has been married to my Dad for almost five years now, and it didn’t really occur to me until a few months ago that I have a “stepmother.” Really. I was watching some show on TV where they mentioned a ‘wicked’ stepmother (maybe they even called her ’stepmonster’) and I laughed….then it dawned on me: I HAVE A STEP-MOTHER!!!!!! I was in shock for a few days. I guess I have just never thought of her in that capacity…never.

When my parents got separated, and eventually divorced when I was 17….I moved away to go to school. For those of you know me, I had serious “father” issues, ranging from hatred to sadness to rage to mistrust. Just like every other child of a divorce….the difference was that I was much older than most of my friends who had divorced parents…and I think that I handled it a little differently. Plus, I had one great advantage: I got to run away for real to another state. My father and I began to communicate more and more and one day he told me that he was getting married to this woman, Pat. I had met her twice before — once under a disastrous setting, and once in a more calm one. She was my Dad’s age (which was a nice change). She worked where he did. She loved him, which, if you know Dick, that is a hard thing to do. They got married in September of 2000 at the Grand Canyon. I wasn’t there, which was ok. It was hard on me but I think it was harder on those whom shall not be named.

When I came home to visit, I would try to have dinner with them. Eventually I started to go to the cabin with them. I can only take my Dad for about 2 hours consecutively before I start to look for the nearest ledge…some things never change. But Pat? She has continued to be a pretty good source to talk to. She has a calming effect on my Father. She is interesting and we have a lot to talk about. I still introduce her to people as, “my Dad’s wife” and not my step-mother (or Step-Monster for that matter).  She really is nice. I never thought of her as a “step-mother”, though, I am beginning to. And it isn’t all that bad. I think Cinderella really preconditioned us to think negatively on the whole idea of a “step-family” — I am trying to make that myth become something of the past. My step-mother is pretty cool….until she locks me in the basement and make me rely on a fairy godmother to get to the dang ball!

So, this has been an incredibly frustrating week at work….ugh. For those of you who don’t know…I report to two bosses: my HR Manager (who lives/works in Renton, WA) who I call “dirty Diana” — I hate her, and my Director of Collections (who lives and works here), named Mike. I have a great working relationship with Mike. We can talk and we agree on most employee relations issues that come up. Last Thursday, Mike was demoted to Senior Collections Manager. I found out on Monday. Without getting too much into the business….the main reason for the demotion is that our major client in the PHX office (Cingular Wireless) has been suffering…a lot. Almost half of the collectors work on this project. So, the blame falls to Mike (whether or not it is justified). Mike told me at the end of the day on Monday. He is SO depressed. I feel really, really bad for him….so….our new director, Tim, started yesterday. I am really trying to be optimistic that I can have a good relationship with this guy. He seems really great and extremely efficient (which, sadly, Mike was not always great at). I know that I will probably not have the same type of relationship with him that I do with Mike, but I hope that it will be better than the one I have with Dirty D. All day long yesterday, I had collectors coming into my office because they were confused, angry, sad, and frankly, scared. I felt really bad for the little misfits. Here’s to hoping that everything will go back to normal at the end of the tv show, eh?

 

Oh well….look at the pic for a sweet treat!

 

Look at little Becky Borges (Reggie’s sister on left) hangin with the hottie! And to think little Borges used to get drunk at my meager parties…now she is hangin with the celebs! Way to go, baby Borges!

 

 

 

 

So, I meant to blog about this after the trip to see the family in Austin. We were staying at the Austin Motel, which is in this little bohemian shopping district. Of course, I was in love. My cousin, Lauren, told me of some places to shop and she thought that this store called 10,000 Villages was right up my alley. She was SO right. It is this little “world” store that supports “free trade” items. All of the people who work at the store are volunteers. There buyers go to these artisan markets in foreign countries and pay the workers an HONEST wage for there goods. They pay them 50% up front and the other 50% when the item sells. They can honestly make a decent wage doing this. The store has beautiful artifacts; everything from tapestries to jewelry to chess sets. All at extremely reasonable prices. Really. So, after I spent a ton of money in the store (nearly bought the whole place out) I got one of their brochures and, lo and behold, they have a few stores in AZ….one of them is only a few miles from work! Yay for this place! Shop there now. Really, really worth it. Go to the website and see if they have one near ya’ll. This is where most of your XMAS/B DAY presents will come from…..I really should just sign over my paycheck now.

 

In other news…Leo DiCaprio’s face got slashed — hope it’s not too bad…Katie Holmes has been dropped from the sequel to Batman Begins….too many jokes to make about that one….that is about it….I leave you with a quote from Little Women…in honor of Christian Bale…who I am still crushing on.

 

Laurie (Bale): “I have loved you since the moment I clamped eyes on you. What could be more reasonable than to marry you?” (All girls can swoon a little bit now, sigh).

So, this was a pretty good weekend. I had Becca Friday night and most of the day on Saturday, while Val and Shane tried to get as many things done as they could without an overactive 5-year old to mess things about. We went to Encanto Park on Saturday morning….I really still do love that park. Really cool. The train was super-fun! Saturday night, I stayed home and watched “Into the West” on DVR….has anyone else been watching this amazing mini-series? This is only the second week and TNT repeats it all weekend long. So good….but how are they going to do 4 more episodes???? So much has already happened.

Yesterday I decided to treat myself to a few movies (really, I only paid for one….stupid AMC raising their stupid prices! They deserve to have me sneak into one!). I went and saw “Batman Begins” first — freaking great. Good concept…rarely slow….plus….CHRISTIAN BALE!!!!! I love that man….whether he is singing a “Newsies” song for me, or looking gaunt and hideous in “The Machinist” — he is perfect. One of my faves. I didn’t even really despise Katie Holmes in this film all that much. Biggest surprise of the film? Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman….guess I just didn’t realize that they were both in it. Go figure….definately see this movie.

The second film that I saw is one that I had already seen, but I really wanted to see it again. I meant to blog about it when I first saw it, but I forgot. The movie is “Crash“– starring a TON of people. I guess the best way to describe this film is that is about racial tensions/stereotypes that many people have towards one another. I loved how there was no clear line between someone who is prejudice and someone who is not. There is no hero, really (save the Daddy and his magic cape), and even the ones that you know you hate (Matt Dillon) has redeeming qualities. This is a movie to see with people that will want to have an educated discussion afterwards….very good.

I then came home and started watching “U-Turn” but I was getting really annoyed with J-Lo, so I had to stop and put it back on the shelf. What a shame!

Haven’t written in a few days…no excuses…just the regular pressures of the ordinary life. I have made a few decisions, though, that I will share (well, most of them…some are too personal). I like to sit down every once in a while and make a progressive list of things that I need to change/enhance in my life. It gives me a sense of having a center and a challenge. Here is my list of things that I have decided on:

1. I will learn to be better at multitasking. I used to be quite good, but I have slipped a bit. Chaos does not become me.

2. I will take a weekend trip by myself to the middle of nowhere to clear my head. I have done this before and it has worked fairly well. You just need that pesky alone time.

3. I will read more. I try to read every day, but my decision is that I will read more every day.

4. I am going to be more patient with those that frustrate me the most because, in most cases, they are the one’s that mean the most to me. This is a hard thing to do.

5. I will tithe more.

6. I will call people that I haven’t talked to in a while and let them fill me in on their lives. It may be the “Erin Show” — but there is room for subplots and guest appearances.

7. I will try to forgive more. Notice the try.

8. I will write more. God, I miss this part of my life. What happened?

9. I will cook extravagant meals.

 

That is all for today. For those of you who need a laugh today……here is a picture for you.

How can you ever be frustrated when  you are looking at Punky? I so wanted to be her…and in some ways…I still do.

 

 

So, every morning I come to work and go check out the latest Hollywood gossip and try to guess the movie quote (I am quite good) of the day at IMDB.com – yes, I am a geek. They usually have some cool articles linked at the bottom of the page. I came across this one and it made me a little nostalgic…and sad (read the article). I love the 80’s. I love listening to Hal Sparks comment on the 80’s…but, mainly, I enjoy the films from the 80’s. So, today’s post…if only for the time being, is a question to you. Top 5 (or 10) 80’s films? Now, there are lot’s to choose from. What I am asking is, “what films, to you, represent the 80’s?” — Here is my list…

1. National Lampoon’s Vacation — Highly 80’s in genre.

2. The Goonies — great for the 12 yr. old adventurer in all of us.

3. Can’t Buy Me Love — Patrick Dempsey before he was hot — ok, he was a little hot. But SO sweet!

4. Sixteen Candles – Jake Ryan and Long Duk Dong

5. St. Elmo’s Fire — I appreciate this so much more now that I am getting older.

6. (cause, I could not stop at 5)  Heathers — the twisted, yet funny, side of youth — Kacey, give me my movie back!)

7. Top Gun — All those boys <sigh>

8. Space Camp — After seeing this movie…we all wanted to be astronauts

9. The Breakfast Club — If only everything could be solved by the end of detention…

10. Say Anything — Every girl wants a Lloyd Dobler. Every girl.

Honorable Mentions: (yeah, I know)

HM1 - Splash — Tom Hanks before the Oscar, Darryl Hannah before the career nose dive.

HM2 - The Karate Kid — Wax on, wax off.

Now, I know that I have not listed a lot of classic films…but this is a “working list” — give me your thoughts

 

PS…did you know Gedde Wantanabe “Long Duk Dong” from ‘Sixteen Candles is turning 50 this month! What the heck!?!?!?!?!?!?

So…I nearly fell asleep in the shower today. This DOES NOT ever happen to me. I, as some of you are well aware, am the epitome of a “morning person.” I usually burst out of bed with a smile and am rarely cross. Not today. Alarm went off and I woke up with an expletive. Not the best start. Almost fell asleep, and, by proxy, nearly fell over in the shower. Yet another expletive. Got in the car and realized that I had left my lunch inside of my house. By this time I am cursing like a sailor.

Not sure why today has started out so rocky. I have forced myself to be cheerful. I gave the guy at the coffee stand at work an extra tip….just to mock generosity. Stupid day…you need to end. I think I may have to indulge in some Ben and Jerry’s Oatmeal Cookie Chunk tonight….wait…starting to feel better….slowly but surely. Once again, B & J save the day!

Say it ain’t so, Howard….what the heck were you thinking, or, rather, saying??????

Howard Dean, I love you but stop with this verbal nonsense. Do what the party needs you to do!