1. Florida is really hot; I still cannot believe I live here.
2. Why do motorcyclists think they can drive faster then everyone else? Why do they pass you while revving their engines? How do they not get pulled over?
3. I really need to do laundry. Or buy new underwear - either way, really.
4. It's really hot outside... and it's March.
5. Is it odd that I am posting three times in one day? Oh well.
6. My job is much more fun when I have something (anything!) to do.
7. Where did boss-man dan go? He left at 10:oo, saying, "I'll be back". It's 4:00 now. Can I go home?
8. I wish I was on a baby vacation.
9. If I eat soup that probably has chicken stock in it, but just don't think about it, does that make me a bad vegetarian?
10. Afternoons at work were more fun when Mt. Dew was an option.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Travel update.
It's been almost a month since I was on a plane. Once I realized this I decided it was time to plan my next trip. I can honestly say one good think about being single is the ease of travel (specifically travel planning and expenses) - I love it. Anyway, so far here's what I have planned:
April 5-8: Dallas, TX
I get to go see Katy (and Rita, of course)! I'll take off from work on Thursday and be there all weekend - and it's Easter! Perhaps there will be an egg hunt? Easter candy? Easter baskets WITH Easter candy? I'm ridiculously "a-religious", but excited about this nonetheless. I get to meet Moony and Lucy and see where Katy lives. It's going to be fantastic!
May 15-19: Baltimore, MD/Washington DC
Graduation/Convocation! I haven't participated in a graduation-type ceremony since high school, and am sadly very excited about it. I figure that's good, since I paid $50k for the diploma. I mean... knowledge. There's a "hooding ceremony" for the doctoral students. I think that might be worth another $100k. Well, almost. I'm going to party like it's 1999 and do wedding stuff with Andrea #1. I can't wait! I'll be in Germantown, but hopefully I'll get to trek into the city to see ko & d. Hooray!
May 31-June 4: Portland, OR
I get to meet Owen! Need I say more? Yay! However, I better have access to photos and video before then - 6 weeks is a long time to wait to meet your first nephew!
So those are my plans for the next couple of months - I love traveling. I'm one of the odd few (like ko) who love airplanes and airports. However uncomfortable they may be, I love the feeling of walking off the plane and being in a new city - you can't beat it.
April 5-8: Dallas, TX
I get to go see Katy (and Rita, of course)! I'll take off from work on Thursday and be there all weekend - and it's Easter! Perhaps there will be an egg hunt? Easter candy? Easter baskets WITH Easter candy? I'm ridiculously "a-religious", but excited about this nonetheless. I get to meet Moony and Lucy and see where Katy lives. It's going to be fantastic!
May 15-19: Baltimore, MD/Washington DC
Graduation/Convocation! I haven't participated in a graduation-type ceremony since high school, and am sadly very excited about it. I figure that's good, since I paid $50k for the diploma. I mean... knowledge. There's a "hooding ceremony" for the doctoral students. I think that might be worth another $100k. Well, almost. I'm going to party like it's 1999 and do wedding stuff with Andrea #1. I can't wait! I'll be in Germantown, but hopefully I'll get to trek into the city to see ko & d. Hooray!
May 31-June 4: Portland, OR
I get to meet Owen! Need I say more? Yay! However, I better have access to photos and video before then - 6 weeks is a long time to wait to meet your first nephew!
So those are my plans for the next couple of months - I love traveling. I'm one of the odd few (like ko) who love airplanes and airports. However uncomfortable they may be, I love the feeling of walking off the plane and being in a new city - you can't beat it.
Brace yourselves.
It's a post about music. On my blog! Stephanie: one of the most non-musical people ever known. Seriously - it's a family trait (just ask Ashley). That being said, the time has come to bring up a few music-related issues that have been bothering me lately. I fear for the future of music. And, on a related note, society - but that's another entry.
I should preface my concerns with a little background. As we all know, I'm from M-F. M-F is not home to good radio stations, and once I was old enough to realize this I began listening to country, as that's what the majority of stations were (oh, rural farmland). Music was never big in my house - not on while we cooked/ate/cleaned; my only recollection of my parents listening to music is while they're in the car (oldies). I blame them for the fact that to this day I am unable to name well-known artists (however - I can ROCK OUT to ANY oldie). Recently, I decided I'd like to be cognizant of current "hit" music, so I have temporarily done away with country and found a ("pop"?) radio station in G'ville that I think is actually pretty good. This has been, for the most part, a good experience. I am proud to say I can sing along to Fergie, Snoop, and the All American Rejects (and many others, thank you). During the past few weeks, though, I've been a bit dismayed by some of my "hit" music revelations - please see below.
Miscellaneous concerns:
1. Lyrics in general. Do most hit songs actually have a meaning or message? I can pretty confidently say no. Also - could some of the songs get any dirtier?? Goodness. I have some specific complaints, but I'll get to those later.
2. Clothing in music videos. What are these people wearing?? I have been reintroduced to music videos through my workouts at the gym (thank you for the distraction, GH&F) and am completely perplexed by the wardrobe choices of many (otherwise okay) artists. For example, Madonna. I was surprised to look up and see Madonna clad in only a purple bodysuit/leotard the other evening. Excuse me? Another example: Gwen Stefani. Pretty sure I spied here in a sparkly hot pants suit contraption last night. Why??? Akon, on the other hand, looked completely fine in jeans and a long sleeved-shirt (though he could have gone without the "bling") - well done. Do artists feel their singing is enhanced by ridiculous attire? Do they realize that they look dumb? I find it quite distracting.
3. What's popular. This gets to the heart of the matter. A few days ago I was perusing itunes after deciding my ipod could use an update. I thought it might be helpful to check out the top 100 downloaded songs list and was DISGUSTED to discover that "This is why I'm hot" was the most popular song. SERIOUSLY? My outrage must be vented in a separate, appropriate paragraph:
Specific song concerns:
1. "This is why I'm hot" (Mims). This song irritates me enough that I spontaneously sigh when it comes on the radio. Seriously. My hand flies to the stereo at light speed to find another station. I feel I should share some lyrics (which won't be hard, since the entire song is basically one phrase):
This is why I'm Hot [2x]
This is why [2x] Uh
This is why I'm Hot (Uh)
This is why I'm Hot [2x] Whoo
This is why [2x]
This is why I'm Hot
I'm hot cuz I'm fly (fly)
You aint cuz you're not (Mims)
This is why [2x]
This is why I'm hot [2x]
Yep, #1 song in the country (it's fallen to 4 on the billboard charts - darn it!).
2. "Smack that" (Akon). The lyrics are self-explanatory:
SUPER FUNNY SIDENOTE: Last Saturday I awoke to #12 and his super-loud girlfriend (at 5:30am, thank you very much) going at it. She was SOO loud; I seriously considered going over later that day to congratulate him on his performance. Back to the point - I distinctly heard some ass-smacking. Yep - I got to wake up to this. But, the fact that it was all I could do to not start singing "smack that" made me laugh so hard I couldn't be mad at them. I still smile every time I think about it - thanks #12.
Anyone else concerned about pop music? Are these going to be our "oldies" later on? I can't quite envision me driving around with my grandchildren listening to Snoop, but I suppose it could happen - I'll let you know.
I should preface my concerns with a little background. As we all know, I'm from M-F. M-F is not home to good radio stations, and once I was old enough to realize this I began listening to country, as that's what the majority of stations were (oh, rural farmland). Music was never big in my house - not on while we cooked/ate/cleaned; my only recollection of my parents listening to music is while they're in the car (oldies). I blame them for the fact that to this day I am unable to name well-known artists (however - I can ROCK OUT to ANY oldie). Recently, I decided I'd like to be cognizant of current "hit" music, so I have temporarily done away with country and found a ("pop"?) radio station in G'ville that I think is actually pretty good. This has been, for the most part, a good experience. I am proud to say I can sing along to Fergie, Snoop, and the All American Rejects (and many others, thank you). During the past few weeks, though, I've been a bit dismayed by some of my "hit" music revelations - please see below.
Miscellaneous concerns:
1. Lyrics in general. Do most hit songs actually have a meaning or message? I can pretty confidently say no. Also - could some of the songs get any dirtier?? Goodness. I have some specific complaints, but I'll get to those later.
2. Clothing in music videos. What are these people wearing?? I have been reintroduced to music videos through my workouts at the gym (thank you for the distraction, GH&F) and am completely perplexed by the wardrobe choices of many (otherwise okay) artists. For example, Madonna. I was surprised to look up and see Madonna clad in only a purple bodysuit/leotard the other evening. Excuse me? Another example: Gwen Stefani. Pretty sure I spied here in a sparkly hot pants suit contraption last night. Why??? Akon, on the other hand, looked completely fine in jeans and a long sleeved-shirt (though he could have gone without the "bling") - well done. Do artists feel their singing is enhanced by ridiculous attire? Do they realize that they look dumb? I find it quite distracting.
3. What's popular. This gets to the heart of the matter. A few days ago I was perusing itunes after deciding my ipod could use an update. I thought it might be helpful to check out the top 100 downloaded songs list and was DISGUSTED to discover that "This is why I'm hot" was the most popular song. SERIOUSLY? My outrage must be vented in a separate, appropriate paragraph:
Specific song concerns:
1. "This is why I'm hot" (Mims). This song irritates me enough that I spontaneously sigh when it comes on the radio. Seriously. My hand flies to the stereo at light speed to find another station. I feel I should share some lyrics (which won't be hard, since the entire song is basically one phrase):
This is why I'm Hot [2x]
This is why [2x] Uh
This is why I'm Hot (Uh)
This is why I'm Hot [2x] Whoo
This is why [2x]
This is why I'm Hot
I'm hot cuz I'm fly (fly)
You aint cuz you're not (Mims)
This is why [2x]
This is why I'm hot [2x]
Yep, #1 song in the country (it's fallen to 4 on the billboard charts - darn it!).
2. "Smack that" (Akon). The lyrics are self-explanatory:
[Chorus (2X):]
Smack that, all on the floor
Smack that, give me some more
Smack that, 'till you get sore
Smack that oh-oooh!
SUPER FUNNY SIDENOTE: Last Saturday I awoke to #12 and his super-loud girlfriend (at 5:30am, thank you very much) going at it. She was SOO loud; I seriously considered going over later that day to congratulate him on his performance. Back to the point - I distinctly heard some ass-smacking. Yep - I got to wake up to this. But, the fact that it was all I could do to not start singing "smack that" made me laugh so hard I couldn't be mad at them. I still smile every time I think about it - thanks #12.
Anyone else concerned about pop music? Are these going to be our "oldies" later on? I can't quite envision me driving around with my grandchildren listening to Snoop, but I suppose it could happen - I'll let you know.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Have you Heard? addendum.
1. I do not read the column regularly! My mother, however, is a fan. She read it to me over the phone a few nights ago, hence the blog entry.
2. I was not careful enough in my perusing of the column yesterday! Very small town-small world update: Carol I. (and her evidently famous zucchini relish) also has a mention! Oh, M-F.
2. I was not careful enough in my perusing of the column yesterday! Very small town-small world update: Carol I. (and her evidently famous zucchini relish) also has a mention! Oh, M-F.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
You gotta love small towns.
Milton-Freewater has a weekly newspaper entitled The Valley Herald. For those of you unfamiliar with it, the lack of substantial newworthiness and grammatical errors make it worth reading. By far the best part of the paper is a column entitled Have you Heard? by local legend Dorothy Heard. This column epitomizes small town life. There is no actual reason for its existence, other than to allow this woman to share weekly M-F gossip with her readers. It is FANTASTIC. In addition to the subject matter, it should be noted that Dorothy cannot write well. I am not saying this to be mean, anyone who is familiar with the column will attest. The grammar/punctuation used to bother me, until I was informed that Dorothy is well into her 90's. With this revelation, I decided to give her a break. Anyway, the column is classic M-F; I am honestly careful with what I tell my father for fear that I will appear [misrepresented] in Dorothy's column. It's happened. Several times. This being said, Katy H got her first Dorothy Heard column appearance last week (silly her for talking to someone in M-F about her life)! Obviously, I have to share it with all of you. Just read it - you'll see what I mean. Remember, this is in my town newspaper.
More good news about a Mac-Hi graduate... Katy H graduated with the class of 1998. She went to
The Library of which she is director has just been awarded the Outstanding New Library in
Way to go Katy! It's also worth noting that the writing isn't actually as bad as it's been known to be (spelling errors are minimal, for example). I love M-F.
I know all of you want to see the paper for yourselves, so here's the link:
http://www.govalleyherald.com/news/620l_Dorthy_Heard.cfm
Tennis lessons need a warning label.
The crazy-competitive new lady at tennis last night beamed me with the ball on an overhead shot. It hurt (I do have a sweet bruise to show for it, though). If we'd have been playing baseball, I most definitely would have charged the mound.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Ahhh, Friday.
As I stated earlier, time seems to be flying by. I am undecided on how I feel about this - is it good, since I basically have nothing going on? Or bad... since I basically have nothing going on? Tough call. Anyway, thanks for all the fun comments on the last post. Who needs the phone/email when we can just chat via blogger comments??
I'd like to make a shout out to buzz and andrea #1 for getting "real" jobs recently (no offense rtrax - your perfect job just hasn't found you yet.... good job-finding karma is being sent your way as I type, though). Way to go, Hopkins MHS-ers.
It's less than 4 weeks til Aunt-hood! Perhaps ash does not feel that time is flying quite as quickly as I do? I still can't believe it, though - there's going to be a baby in my family soon! I cannot wait to meet him. We're going to be best friends (though that official title has already been claimed by ko's sis, I believe). I plan on giving fantastic presents (Sandra Boynton books, anyone?) and being the best diaper-changer EVER. In later years we will go see the giraffes at the zoo and ride MAX (you had better still live in PDX) - and don't you worry, we'll make train noises. It will be FANTASTIC. See, I have it all planned out. I heart Owen!
That was quite a tangent, no? You can thank my innate procrastination. HPV clinical trial findings... Fun enough to read, less fun to summarize. Especially when you've already summarized the disease and vaccine info. My job does not rock today.
So tomorrow is St. Patrick's day. I have been invited to 3 parties. How about we spread things out people? Before this, I was invited to a total of three parties in the last year or so (Yes, I am that cool). Now all on the same day? How to choose, how to choose?? Well, easy actually, as one is at my boss' and I am a huge sucker-upper. Well, and since it's partially to celebrate the twins, whom I love. The little one started walking. So, so cute.
Okay, must work. Happy Friday, happy St. Patrick's Day, happy March Madness, etc.
I'd like to make a shout out to buzz and andrea #1 for getting "real" jobs recently (no offense rtrax - your perfect job just hasn't found you yet.... good job-finding karma is being sent your way as I type, though). Way to go, Hopkins MHS-ers.
It's less than 4 weeks til Aunt-hood! Perhaps ash does not feel that time is flying quite as quickly as I do? I still can't believe it, though - there's going to be a baby in my family soon! I cannot wait to meet him. We're going to be best friends (though that official title has already been claimed by ko's sis, I believe). I plan on giving fantastic presents (Sandra Boynton books, anyone?) and being the best diaper-changer EVER. In later years we will go see the giraffes at the zoo and ride MAX (you had better still live in PDX) - and don't you worry, we'll make train noises. It will be FANTASTIC. See, I have it all planned out. I heart Owen!
That was quite a tangent, no? You can thank my innate procrastination. HPV clinical trial findings... Fun enough to read, less fun to summarize. Especially when you've already summarized the disease and vaccine info. My job does not rock today.
So tomorrow is St. Patrick's day. I have been invited to 3 parties. How about we spread things out people? Before this, I was invited to a total of three parties in the last year or so (Yes, I am that cool). Now all on the same day? How to choose, how to choose?? Well, easy actually, as one is at my boss' and I am a huge sucker-upper. Well, and since it's partially to celebrate the twins, whom I love. The little one started walking. So, so cute.
Okay, must work. Happy Friday, happy St. Patrick's Day, happy March Madness, etc.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Back from the abyss.
It's been a rough week. Highlights include me crying in public (sorry about that) and skipping out on work for the good of my mental health. But I will persevere! Anyway, things are looking a bit brighter: tomorrow is already Thursday (time flies when you don't go to work), my boss has returned from his seemingly-endless travels (meaning work will be busier and thus more "fun"), I have another softball game Friday night (we kicked bum last week), I am so excited about the new gym I've been going to (I seriously can't wait to go tonight - perhaps something is wrong with me?), and payday is this week (meaning an automatically good weekend is in store).
In an attempt to catch up with my blogging community:
1. mrsbrooke will not blog? this is devastating news! wait... she will blog, just not as often. i can probably handle this.
2. the package fairy also visited me! moonstruck mexican hot chocolate! if only it weren't 85 degrees here... that's what A/C is for, correct? to create the feeling of winter in an attempt to enjoy cocoa? it's worth a shot. also, I AM NOT A CAT LADY.
3. ash-can most definitely needs to get out more. if she cannot even recognize a party once she's in the room... more surprise parties are in store (just so she can practice).
4. krista's on spring break? oh, the life of a student! how i miss week-long breaks for no reason!
5. it's about gosh-darn time that the unwillingexpat updated the blog. seriously. i was about to stop checking.
6. any of my regular readers have any feelings about truman capote (i believe ash does?)? i am tempted to read some of his work after reading buzz's blog. any suggestions?
7. rtrax! update the bloggers on the happenins in texas. please?
i think that's it.
In an attempt to catch up with my blogging community:
1. mrsbrooke will not blog? this is devastating news! wait... she will blog, just not as often. i can probably handle this.
2. the package fairy also visited me! moonstruck mexican hot chocolate! if only it weren't 85 degrees here... that's what A/C is for, correct? to create the feeling of winter in an attempt to enjoy cocoa? it's worth a shot. also, I AM NOT A CAT LADY.
3. ash-can most definitely needs to get out more. if she cannot even recognize a party once she's in the room... more surprise parties are in store (just so she can practice).
4. krista's on spring break? oh, the life of a student! how i miss week-long breaks for no reason!
5. it's about gosh-darn time that the unwillingexpat updated the blog. seriously. i was about to stop checking.
6. any of my regular readers have any feelings about truman capote (i believe ash does?)? i am tempted to read some of his work after reading buzz's blog. any suggestions?
7. rtrax! update the bloggers on the happenins in texas. please?
i think that's it.
Friday, March 09, 2007
KC, MO
Kansas City is ugly. There's really no getting around it. Now, I realize that March may not be the city's prettiest month, but I find it hard to believe it gets all that much better. U-G-L-Y, ugly. Anyway, the Hyatt was nice. And I had a nice view of the [ugly] city. I realized about 1/2 way through the week, though, that even when it's on someone else's dime, traveling alone isn't all that fun. At least when it's at a conference where everyone else knows someone. Tricky. All that being said, it was a good week. I met some of boss-man Dan's colleagues, spoke in front of 100+ people, and had plenty of quality me-time. Aside from a slight bump Tuesday night, the week was pretty good. Stupid b-man. But that's a whole different story.
It's fun to get to work after being gone for 5 days and realize that it's Friday. I thought it was Monday all morning, so what a pleasant surprise. I even have a softball game tonight. Cross your fingers I don't suck it up while catching. Seriously - who puts the new girl in as catcher? Is that really the smartest move?
A couple of [boring but pleasant] things to report:
1. Found a suit; looked super professional + cute during above-mentioned presentation.
2. Jetta got her muffler and locks fixed (and for less than the estimate!). It's as if she's brand new.
3. Cats are super happy to have me home. I love them. A super-ridiculous amount.
It's fun to get to work after being gone for 5 days and realize that it's Friday. I thought it was Monday all morning, so what a pleasant surprise. I even have a softball game tonight. Cross your fingers I don't suck it up while catching. Seriously - who puts the new girl in as catcher? Is that really the smartest move?
A couple of [boring but pleasant] things to report:
1. Found a suit; looked super professional + cute during above-mentioned presentation.
2. Jetta got her muffler and locks fixed (and for less than the estimate!). It's as if she's brand new.
3. Cats are super happy to have me home. I love them. A super-ridiculous amount.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Who knew?
I've come to a realization. While I enjoy traveling (tremendously), I do not particularly like trips two weekends in a row. My excitement about next week's conference is being overshadowed by the fact I would much rather stay at home on Sunday (as opposed to driving back to Jacksonville to board another plane). In addition, I am not quite prepared to go out of town again. For example, it did not occur to me to arrange for a cat-sitter. Oops. Now I feel guilty for asking at the last minute. Also, I need "business-type" clothing... and I need to find it tomorrow. It should be noted that I HATE [clothes] shopping. To my core. This hatred can only be exacerbated by shopping for "difficult" clothing-related items, such as swimwear (and jeans). Suits, I feel, are destined to fall into this category. Alas, I have one afternoon to find one. Again, oops. So after work today I will go to my softball game with the camo-wearing, chew-spitting teammates, then home to do laundry. Tomorrow I must wake up, take my car to the Volkswagen service people (because the first auto place couldn't fix it), make my way to the car rental pick-up place, go to the bank, then find a suit before my evening [tennis] date. Finally, on Sunday I must begin the trek to the airport at 6am. Stupid far-away airport. I'm never living this far from a major airport again. It's officially made my list of place-to-live requirements. I think I'm grumpy today. Sorry.
So, I will not be blogging next week (maybe on Friday, if I come to work). I won't be home until Thursday night, so I'm crossing my fingers that boss-man Dan will tell me to stay home. Please send good luck vibes my way on Wednesday, so that I do not make a fool of myself in front of potential future employers. I could probably use some additional vibes tomorrow, while I search for a suite. Stupid clothes shopping.
Happy Friday.
So, I will not be blogging next week (maybe on Friday, if I come to work). I won't be home until Thursday night, so I'm crossing my fingers that boss-man Dan will tell me to stay home. Please send good luck vibes my way on Wednesday, so that I do not make a fool of myself in front of potential future employers. I could probably use some additional vibes tomorrow, while I search for a suite. Stupid clothes shopping.
Happy Friday.
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