Really, this isn't what I signed up for...

Its Monday and I have worked 22 hours already this week (counting Sunday). So, if you've wondered why I'm not posting all that often, there's your answer.

Since I live in a building with an elevator and work in a building with an elevator, I have become very aware lately of people's elevator habits. A few random thoughts for you:
~ At work, I'm happy to silently stare at the doors and not chit-chat with other riders. At home I will say hello and maybe note the weather - hey, these people are my neighbors. Am I required to chat with people while standing in a small box with them while dangling several stories high via cable??
~Its always nice when someone hits the button to keep the doors open for you to get in, but I believe that the 'door open' button is ALWAYS hit reluctantly.
~When waiting for the elevator to arrive, its best NOT to stand directly in front of the doors, make room for people to get out first. It's amazing how many people stand inches away from the doors of the lift.
~If I'm staring at any of the wording on the walls, I'm probably not interested in making small talk.
~Whomever my neighbor is who routinely leaves for work 5 minutes before me wears a lot of perfume/cologne. Its almost as if they apply the perfume while in the elevator.
~48% of the time that am in an elevator, I wonder how awkward it would be if the other riders could read my mind....sharing an elevator is awkward enough as it is. 10% of the time I wonder if Jenkins understands the concept of the elevator when we take him to the garage - or does he think that the doors are magic? 22% of my time on elevators I am thinking about my burning hand due to a hot cup of coffee, 6% I spend worrying about getting stuck (normally during rides with other 'chatters').The rest of my time is spent wondering if my elevator at work has a camera in it or not - I can't bring myself to 'readjust' or see if I have anything in my teeth while alone in the work elevator.


..I think I'll start taking the stairs more often..

HUH?

I noticed this morning while making a much needed coffee run that a house across the street from the corn was on fire. The fire department was there, but the fact that there weren't any sirens or lights flashing made me think that it was some kind of practice drill (the house has been abandoned for the 3 years that I have been driving by it.) Then it occurred to me that perhaps the Kent fire department picked the wrong day to burn down a house for practice (Earth Day), then again, it is Kent. (Did I mention the corn?) What really made me laugh was that while I was driving by the house I was listening to a radio station that was playing Talking Head's 'Burning Down the House'. Seriously?

I put in my 2 weeks notice last Friday, only a week and a half left of the joys of working in Kent. SeaTac here I come. Wooohoooo....

April 8th

Even though technically it is now April 9th (what am I doing up so late) I am going to pretend that it is April 8th, so when I type 'today' I really mean yesterday and when I type 'tomorrow' I really mean today.

If you have talked to me in any form of communication in the last couple of months, I have mentioned to you that I was taking my Customs broker's exam this week. Sorry about that - I tend to babble on about what is at the top of the brain for me, but you already know this so I don't feel too bad. I have been dreading April 7th for the last two months. Every time any date in April was mentioned before the 7th I would feel the muscles in my neck tense up. I realize that this wasn't helpful to my final goal of passing the test. I also realize that if I don't pass the test its not the end of the world and I can take it again in 6 months...last year's tests had an average passing rate of 8% and that is one of the higher numbers that I have heard. The good news is that I feel good about how I did yesterday (two days ago). It'll be a close call either way I have about 6 weeks to find out if I passed.

I feel as if a 15lb weight has been lifted from my shoulders (funny, since I haven't been to the gym or on the soccer field in three weeks). This morning (yesterday morning) I realized that it was the 8th and I was now free to do what I please with my free time. I made a mental list of all the things I was going to do in my free time today (yesterday): call the church and reception hall to make appts, start my taxes, play soccer. Sounds pretty straightforward and easy right - nope not for me. Here is what I really did today (yesterday) after work. Chat with a friend for a while (HAPPY BIRTHDAY RULAND, its tomorrow (today)), take a 2 hour nap, spend the rest of the evening cleaning the kitchen and living room. Thanks to my nap, I missed yet another game, but I can't express how good it feels to have a clean kitchen again. (This makes me very aware that I'm turning into my mom.)

And then I found $5.00.

Hmmm...I can't quite pinpoint what is different about Steve Raible...

So, I have less than a week left until my test. I haven't played soccer in over a week, I've missed two (two!) birthday parties and have been sitting at my ikea-dining-table-turned-desk for what seems like FOREVER! This brings me back to my college days that I had completely forgotten about, cramming for midterms and finals. I believe that if they had a contest for most creative procrastinator, I would definitely make it to the finals. Here are a few of my old habits that have resurfaced in the past two weeks in no particular order:

- Spending more time talking about how much I need to study vs. actually studying.

- HIGHLIGHT, HIGHLIGHT, HIGHLIGHT... its like I can't understand a sentence without underlining it.

- During much needed mental breaks watch tv shows that I wouldn't ordinarily watch. THEN: this is how I got hooked on Felicity. NOW: last week I noticed that Steve Raible (voice of the Seahawks) on Kiro7 shaved his mustache. This might of happened a long time ago, but I never watch local 11 pm news (Daily Show and Colbert are on).

- Call up everyone I know and leave rambling voice messages. THEN: (Left on Natalie's phone) "Mop.......broom........sponge........duster..... vaccuum cleaner...." (I guess you had to be there.) NOW: I suggest you check your voicemail.

- Dream up crazy scenarios with my friend Caitlin (we don't even need to be in the same state to do this it turns out.) THEN: I wrote out a very detailed e-mail about a GREAT idea. Picture this: Economicland Theme Park. One of its attractions would be a slide shaped like 'demand', which would intersect with 'supply' at some point. NOW: Contemplating a 1950's era Robot themed wedding. Our invitations could be super hi-tech card with a button that you push and hear, "Bee Bo Boop Beep Bop, you are invited..." Caitlin somehow incorporated stick people into the theme but I'm not sure how.

- Bug my roommates/AC every 15 minutes with random questions that have nothing to do with my studying. It is probably comparable to putting a 6 year old to bed for the evening ...every couple of minutes they'll come downstairs with a request like, "I need water", "Its noisy outside" , "I can't find my teddy bear"...I know, I was a pro at it, ask my mom!


-The random setting on on my disc player/iPod. THEN: I would bring my favorite three cds (which never seemed to be the same) to the library and listen to the 11-14 songs in random order. NOW: The iPod puts my 4000+ songs in random order. The music keeps me awake.


-Document my observations. THEN: Somewhere around here I have a floppy disc that has a 150 page word document that I guess could be called a journal. NOW: Have you noticed how many times I have posted on my blog in the last few weeks?!



Don't be worried just yet, I have been known to pull through! Alright, back to the grindstone, where's my highlighter....

UPDATE: Candlebox, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Soundgarden and butt rock.....

The fellow in the unit above us apparently has lost all of his music EXCEPT for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits. It also appears that he MUST listen to this cd on repeat EVERY Saturday and Sunday.

Just in case you were wondering...

Candlebox, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Soundgarden and butt rock.....

I don't think that our upstairs neighbor has bought a new cd since 1997. I also think his feet are made of cinder blocks.

Just an observation.

Its been a while, but I have an excuse..

I can't find the cable to connect my camera to my computer, but AC found his card reader today so I am back up and running. (I hope that I didn't use too much technical speak for you - I don't know what the 'card reader's is called... ) Anywho, back on track, to sum up November, we ate a lot of turkey and bullied Jenkins with donated Halloween costumes. (He's a SpacePonkey)

Oh, and I made yams (no cans involved!) for the first time to take to my parents house for Thanksgiving. I think they actually turned out well, too bad Alex told me AFTER I was done cooking them that he doesn't like yams - I should have known, he doesn't like olives, or condiments, or pickles (are they condiments?) or cheese or ....

That's all I've got for now - except for (and most importantly)today is Ponkey's 1st BIRTHDAY!!! Happy Birthday Jenkins, I hope you enjoy the extra treats we gave you tonight. (We were afraid he'd eat the candles.)
In case you're worried, I have already been told by Homer that AC and I are turning into crazy 'dog' people. At least I can't turn into a crazy cat lady - I'm allergic!

A Venting Vanilla Latte

Dear lady driving the gigantic SUV, talking on her cellphone while in the drive-thru line to purchase 18 drinks:
Next time, please park your rig and walk inside to complete your good deed of the day for your co-workers. It took me about 30 seconds of watching you make your orders (while also on your cell) to note that I would have to wait at least 15 minutes for my coffee. No problem. I pulled my car around, parked and ordered inside. After making my order, I stood across from the drive-thru window and gave you dirty looks while waiting for my coffee. (Which you didn't notice due to your cell phone.) Had you made a 'normal' order or gone inside to order, I would've been halfway back to the office by that point.

Maybe I'm just jealous that I'm the only one addicted to non-folgers coffee in my office and no one else in the office makes 'coffee-runs'.... no, that couldn't be.

A Near Perfect Weekend in Seattle...

Now that summer has officially ended I am very happy to welcome having more time on the weekends. My brother's wedding, gorge concerts, camping trips, soccer tournaments have all come and gone and life can now slow down on the weekends to a much more lazy pace.
Friday night started with AC and I going to Endolyne Joe's near the ferry dock. I guess I would describe the food as upscale homestyle cookin'. All in all the experience was pretty good minus having to hear the conversations of a group of young 20 year-old girls that were at the table next to us. I know that I can be a bit loud and rowdy when out with my girlfriends - I would be ashamed though, if we ever resembled these 'ladies'.
Afterwards we headed out to our co-ed team soccer game. I obeyed my doc's orders and did not suit up for the game. Alex and I got there about 10 minutes after the game started, just in time to see our team score a beautiful goal from about 25 yards out. Shortly after that the field's light went out - causing the game to be cancelled. Our team took this opportunity to grab a beer (we're really good at that!).
Saturday morning I was on my feet bright and early (9ish - I'm not a morning person, so that is bright and early for me.) I spent some time cleaning the apartment and playing with Jenkins until I headed out to the Fremont Oktoberfest. My favorite beer that I had was the Georgetown Brewing Co.'s 9lb Porter - EXCELLENT! This was my first year attending Oktoberfest in Fremont and I have to say that I will do my best to attend next year - it still didn't add up to the Father's Day Brewery Festival at St. Edwards State Park.
That evening Alex and I headed to my friends' house for dinner. They moved into a new house about a year ago and this was my first time making the trek to their neck of the woods. We had a great time, had great food and definitely enjoyed every minute of our visit.
This morning AC and I ran a few errands in our neighborhood and made it home in time to catch the Seahawks game - currently we're leading 14-12. I'm nervously watching as I type this. I think that the rest of my day will include laundry, bills and making dinner (something with asparagus) and maybe after that I will find five dollars!
Perhaps its the crisp sunny September air or maybe there is still some beer leftover in my system from yesterday or it could be that the NFL is in full swing, but I am truly enjoying my weekend and I am already looking forward to 5 pm next Friday :)

Two weeks.....

So AC, AAJ and I are moving in the next two weeks. This stinks. I hate moving. Even better, we are losing about 175 sq feet and paying more, the upside is that we are moving to a better location. We haven't started putting things in boxes yet, which makes me a bit nervous. We are planning on selling, donating and throwing away a lot of our crap - anyone need a desk that is shaped like a kidney bean? I plan on replacing it with our current 'ikea' kitchen table (we're also getting ride of 4 'ikea' chairs). Furniture aside, I don't know how I have acquired all this stuff, but it needs to go. Especially, college notebooks covering subjects that I will never stop and think to myself - 'Hmm, I remember studying that in school, let me just look that up again.' I WILL NOT get rid of my notes from Liberal Physics though - best doodles EVER, seriously, I need to laminate those pictures and put them in a vault. I took that class with two very good friends and another friend of our happened to be the TA, all I remember learning was that our prof liked to wear bright colored ties and Birkenstocks with socks - oh and now I know the definition of inertia.
So, to end this late night babble I will attach a pic of Jenkins with his Uncle Bo (my parents Boston Terrier). Bo is generally more interested in his toys and the people around him than Jenkins - but Jenkins has gotten his attention by nipping at Bo's back legs (in a playful manner). Usually, Bo will give in after a while and chase Jenkins around the room (even allowing Jenkins to carry Bo's coveted ball), but if Jenkins becomes too feisty Bo calmly puts him in his place with a short growl. Jenkins definitely listens to Bo more than me. :)

I don't like Brandy

Tonight, I went out to one of my favorite cocktail 'lounges' to celebrate my brother's birthday. I was, of course, with my brother, his fiancee, my parents and my boyfriend. I started out with a vodka raspberry limonade. It was perfect, not too sweet as some fruity drinks are.

After that, I moved on to a Manhattan. This was a mistake on my part, as I am not a fan of Brandy. Manhattan and Cosmopolitan became jumbled in my brain. I don't know why...they just did. I had to pass that drink on to the birthday boy.

After that I moved onto a sloe gin fizz. In my book, you can never go wrong with gin. Bombay Sapphire G&T is my favorite drink. My boyfriend bought me a gigantic bottle of Bombay Sapphire for Christmas this year and it is nearly gone. (No worries, we've shared it with plenty of guests at our house.) Come to think of it...my other brother got me a gigantic bottle of Beefeater Gin a few years ago for my birthday...that lasted a while longer as I lived alone at the time. Point is, I love the taste of a good gin.

Next time I will stick with my G&T - crisp and refreshing, how could I ever pass it up for a Manhattan??? Perhaps my taste in liquor isn't considered to be cultured, classic or even reputable, but I don't care. I like what I like and I know that I don't like brandy.

I Hate My Treadmill

If you know me, you know that I am obsessed with soccer. During the World Cup (both mens and women's) I put up a sign on my office door that asks people not to mention any scores during the day, so that I can go home at the end of the day and watch the games that I missed. I've played all my life, but by no means I am no Chastain - not even close. I just love the game, that doesn't mean that I am talented at it. I do try though. I have played since I was 5, was able to practice (and even play a few games) for about 5 months in Germany when I was 17 and have been playing rec soccer ever since.


Currently, I am on three teams, 2 co-ed outdoor and a co-ed indoor team, I also have been working with a trainer with a few of my teammates. If you don't know me, then after reading all of that you would be suprised if you saw me. Lets put it this way, I have NO speed. None. Nothing. You see, I have been battling my weight since I was a little kid. Now, this isn't a 'poor me, poor me' entry. This is the hand that I was dealt with and someday I might accept it.


In the Seattle area, at least on the teams that I know of, co-ed teams are always looking for women. This means that the women on these teams don't have to sub all that often. The indoor team that I play on had 4 guy subs last week, where the women only had one. In my outdoor teams we usually don't have female subs - even when I play on a WOMEN's team, we usually don't have any subs. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I love it. Especially in the winter time, when you step off the field you freeze and it take ten minutes to get the muscles moving again. So, if I'm playing three full games a week AND working with a trainer once a week, why do I feel like I have to run on my treadmill at home, especially on days when I don't have a game.


I'm not one of those people that loves to run, I know those people, they are crazy. (crazy in a good way crazy). I wish I was estatic about running, but unless there is a soccer ball infront of me I lose interest really quick. When I was a kid, my best friend and I used to run around the neighborhood and I could never keep up with her. Granted, she ran cross-country in high school and college and still runs freakish amounts 'just for fun'. Ones' taste for running can be compared to one's taste for music; some people like jazz and others like country - some people enjoy exercise that is more team oriented and some people like the rush of running 8 miles. I myself, prefer jazz.


Now, some jackasses out there are saying, 'perhaps, if you cut down on the calories and the fat you wouldn't be feeling so out of shape all of the time.' What you don't know, that I have cut down on those things. I don't drink soda, I stay away from sugars and desserts and carbs and candy and pizza etc etc... So, what it comes down to, is that I play A LOT of soccer, but will never fit into the size of jeans that I should be able to fit in due to my height, age and bone size. So let me get to the point, I hate my treadmill.


After sitting at my desk all day, there's nothing more that I would like to do than something active, BUT that doesn't mean that I want to run on a conveyor belt that faces a blank wall. Worst of all, it makes me feel guilty. Everytime I see it when I haven't played a game I feel like I'm letting it down and not using it to its full potential and maybe, if I just put 30 minutes on that dreadful piece of machinery, I might be that much closer to fitting into a pair of jeans that are still larger than what is supposed to me 'my size' or gain a split second more in a sprint down the field trying to catch up to the speedy forward. (longest run-on sentence ever.)
So tonight, I got home from work, changed into a jogging clothes and climb aboard my treadmill. I told myself to just put 30 minutes in and when I'm finished I'll have the satisfaction of knowing that .... then I remembered that I have two soccer games in the next couple of days. Why should I punish myself? As long as my knees and ankles stay strong enough to play soccer, I will do whatever I can to gather as much dust as possible on that stupid treadmill.

My First Post and Perhaps not the Last

I have been thinking of starting a blog for a while now, but for the longest time couldn't validate why I should share my thoughts with anyone who happened to run across my blog. I still can't, but hell, if everyone else is, why can't I? Usually, I'm an upbeat person who has a good outlook on life - I see this as an opportunity to rant on those things that drive me up the wall and hopefully rave about those things in life that keep me going. I keep my identity anonomous so that I can be brutally honest about issues that arrive in my job, family and the rest of my life. I'm an average middle class women in my late 20's who has to work for a living and face the family (who I love and adore) at Christmas (I'm sure that I will dive into that relationship later). Average, BUT aren't we all in some way or another?


As I surf the web, tv and newspapers, I see content that makes me wonder if my parents feel the same way about society as I am beginning to when they were my age. This is why I always say that I hope to have the mindset of a 5 year old forever. Mature? Nope, I don't claim to be in the least. Responsibilities? Yep, I've got them, just like anyone else and I do hold true to them 99% of the time. However, I find that at the end of the day, my job is on the brain more than it should be, I'm more worried about my financial future more than how my friends and family are doing at times and recently, I realized that I haven't taken a real vacation in over 5 years. What the hell? I have been so caught up in the daily grind that I fear that I am losing sight of what truely is important to me. I miss the days of believing my parents are stronger than superheros (today they are the only superheros I believe in), that the President IS a smart man who could do no evil, that my Smurf Big Wheel was the greatest ride on the block and that everyone wants what's best for everyone. Now, I see that everyone wants whats best for themselves.


Throughout college and up to about a year and a half ago - I used to feel restless unless I was volunteering some of my time with the youth. I had to stop though, because my Mon-Fri 8-5 job required too many weekend and evening hours. I do enjoy my job (and by no means is it because of the salary or benefits which are lacking for the time and effort that I put into it.), but it has taken over too much of my life. How can I change my mindset of, 'what's best for me?' to 'how can I benefit others?'.


If anyone is reading this, you are probably saying to yourself, 'bullsh*t, you don't really feel that way, if you did, you'd quit your job, give up all your material items and devote your life to orphans.' - Thats a great idea, but then how do I pay off my $40k in college loans that just won't go away? No wonder why they call it the daily grind.