Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Stop being such a complainer…or woe is me.

Life can be stressful y’all. And most of the time it has nothing to do with things you have control over, which sucks. And when the big things are stressing you, the little things can get to you even more.

Case and point: I was waiting in line at the pharmacy earlier this week and was happy to see that I had arrived with only one person ahead of me in the pick-up line. I had been cleaver enough to call ahead and let the automated system know when I would like my prescription to be ready. So, with one person ahead of me in the line how many people do you think the pharmacy tech addressed before getting to me? If you said one, you are wrong. The correct answer is three. After serving the person in front of me a girl from the “in” window where people who don’t call ahead have to stand to get their Rx filled came over and started demanding that the tech at my window, who had just nodded to me as next in line, take some sort of card for her insurance or something when it was explained to her that it was not possible for some reason. They had to get a pharmacist from the back to come out and tell her the same thing before she finally completed her transaction while complaining loudly. My turn now, yes? No, some other chick comes wandering out from an isle straight up to my window and asks if her Rx is ready yet, and the answer was no. She demanded to know how long, because she doesn’t have much time. Don’t worry lady, the rest of us back here in line have all the time in the world. Let’s drop everything so you don’t have to wait a second longer.

Then I was finally able to proceed to the counter where my prescription was waiting for me and I paid and left. This entire transaction took less than one minute, and I had been standing in line for over 10 at this point.

Normally I would say hey, it’s just ten minuets and these poor people were obviously never taught any manners so let it go. Also, you might wonder why I didn’t say something or demand I be allowed to complete my one-minute transaction before these pushy broads were served. Because I have a deep fear of confrontation that’s why. And I can’t stand to be rude if I can help it at all. And shouldn’t it be the pharmacy employee’s responsibility to say “hey sister, get in line”? What really bothers me isn’t the ten minuets though, it’s the message these gals were sending to everyone else waiting in line whether they were aware of it or not: “I’m more important than all of you so just hold on while I get myself taken care of first.” And that just pisses me off.

So, now for the bigger stuff. My boss put in his two weeks on Monday. This makes me sad cause I really like him and working with him and it's only been a short three months. He got a position at another org that is a step up for him. So I'm happy for him and all, but the uncertainty of what's going to happen is getting to me a bit, and the whole department as well. There are two BIG fundraising events in the next month so we all have a lot on our plates right now and now all of my boss’s duties must be reallocated elsewhere until a replacement is found, which I understand could take a while. I should really look at this as an opportunity to step it up and show the big bosses how I can handle it and do a lot more ‘cause that is what career gals do.
Fun fact: My last three bosses were fired shortly after they hired me. Coincidence? I hope so.

More bad news: I went to the dentist yesterday and had some x-rays taken. I need a crown and possibly a root canal and a filling. Do you know how expensive all that is? On the bright side I should be able to pick up radio frequencies and messages from other planets in my mouth.

Good news: I have a YMCA membership and have been going to the gym for a week now. I’m also trying to eat a less crappy diet. This is going pretty well for one week in. I refuse to set specific goals because I think they only set me up for that feeling of failure, and then you can only be encouraged by whatever progress is made. I’ll let you know how it’s going as this moves along.

What? Oh, yes I do have lots of work to be doing right now. But blogging is part of venting and stress relief, which totally makes me more productive in the long run right? Right.

Monday, June 27, 2005

Tag! You're it...

So, Leah tagged me like two weeks ago, and I’m finally getting around to posting this. The rules: Pick 5 of the following questions and then complete the sentences. Then pass it on to 3 more of your blog friends! (No tag backs allowed.)

If I could be a scientist?
If I could be a farmer?
If I could be a musician?
If I could be a doctor?
If I could be a painter?
If I could be a gardener?
If I could be a missionary?
If I could be a chef?
If I could be an architect?
If I could be a linguist?
If I could be a psychologist?
If I could be a librarian?
If I could be an athlete?
If I could be a lawyer?
If I could be an inn-keeper?
If I could be a professor?
If I could be a writer?
If I could be a llama-rider?
If I could be a bonnie pirate?
If I could be an astronaut?
If I could be a world famous blogger?
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world?
If I could be married to any current famous political figure?
If I could be a limo driver?

If I could be scientist I would be a world class anthropologist. I would jet around the world, embedding myself in exotic cultures around the planet. I would bring the story of little known peoples to the world, especially the oppressed and impoverished cause I got a big soft heart doncha know. I would learn and record their cultures and languages and preserve them for future generations. I would publish well received papers and earn a coveted research fellowship at a prestigious university. I would kick ass.

If I could be a musician I would become famous for being a master of all instruments. I mean all of ‘em. I would then compose awesome musicals that people would find provocative and groundbreaking and pay $150 to see. Then I would start my own band and tour the world playing to our adoring fans. The end.

If I could be a gardener I would grow lots of yummy fresh vegetables (but no beets, no radishes, and none of my cucumbers are allowed to go down the path to the dark side…pickles) and maybe donate a bunch of them to the hungry people. And in the inner sanctum of my huge garden, away from the public’s (and law enforcement’s) gaze, I would grow row upon row of tall green, flowery…broccoli. What? What did you think I was gonna say?

If I could be an athlete I would totally be a snowboarder tearin’ up the halfpipe. Because girl + snowboard = Hot! And it looks like lots of fun.

If I could be an astronaut I would totally rub it in everyone’s face that I have been to space and they have not. And I’d keep telling them how cool it is to make them jealous. I’d also learn how to take cool space pictures, make contact with species from other planets, and do a bunch of cool stuff in zero gravity just to see how it is. Oh, and do some science experiments that lead to the cure of terrible diseases.

I tag:

Tanya Kristine
Ramblin’ Girl
and
Aarwenn

You’re it. Now go (see if you can post this in less than two weeks time. I dares ‘ya)!

Thursday, June 23, 2005

The Ace Man Commeth

This is a photo update of the small human my good friend Darah gave birth to last November. Look how cute! I love his froggy outfit. Very spring chic...


The Ace Man Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello

Disaster in my Wake

If I am ever in your neighborhood you should probably leave with me when I go, because chances of a natural disaster striking that area appear to be pretty good. And natural disasters tend to happen where I am not, with the exception of that hurricane in the DC area back in 2003. That got me out of two whole days of work giving me a four day weekend with no electricity. Yipee! And even that was more like just a really bad Midwestern thunderstorm where I lived in Bethesda.

When I moved to California I started waiting for my first earthquake. The week I left for my Arizona vacation was the week earthquakes big enough to feel hit CA, and I missed them. Hell, there was even a tsunami warning? Crazy. Anyway, I’ve still yet to feel a single earthquake.

And now that I’m back here in CA the area I was visiting around Phoenix, AZ last week is now ablaze with wildfires. WTF?

I lived through many, many tornado watches and warnings in Wisconsin without ever seeing a single cyclone. And it’s not like I didn’t try. I used to love thunderstorms as a kid. My mother always had to be a spoilsport and drag me inside when there was a chance of tornados. How are you supposed to see the tornado when you’re under the stairs inside the house?

I know I should probably be grateful and all, but I secretly want the excitement and drama that I know only natural disasters and severe weather can bring. I’ll probably be singing a different tune when I’m climbing out from under the rubble after the BIG ONE (knock on wood).

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Arizona

These are the pics I promised from our vacation. I took lots more, but here is a small sample. Don't forget to visit Jason's blog for more pics and AZ Vacation 2005 coverage. We begin with our Tuesday morning plane ride. Jason is very good at sleeping on planes.


Jason Posted by Hello


Me, wide awake Posted by Hello


Welcome Wagon Posted by Hello


gift shop Posted by Hello


pottery Posted by Hello


Daniela Posted by Hello


Jason's mom gets aquainted with my camera. Posted by Hello


Mmmm, sorbet! Posted by Hello


We scream for ice cream! Posted by Hello


The pool Posted by Hello


Jason lounges Posted by Hello


On the road to Sedona Posted by Hello


Montezuma Castle Posted by Hello


The real photographer Posted by Hello


Beautiful Sedona landscapes... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


... Posted by Hello


We stop for some Mexican food. Yum! Posted by Hello


Oak Creek Canyon. What a view! Posted by Hello


cactus Posted by Hello


Buzz Buzz Posted by Hello


A beautiful hanging sculpture Posted by Hello


Goin' home Posted by Hello

And just for fun a couple of pics taken at Jason's dad's pool.


TBone Posted by Hello


It's a bird...it's a plane...it's Super Dexter! Posted by Hello