This is it.

The last post of 2006. And what do I have to say for myself? Or perhaps, what did I learn this year?

I learned:
*if it's meant to be, it will be easy. As in, I tried to get a new job for a very long time and it was painful and no fun, until the job I have now came along. The interview was fun, the people were nice, and I had the job with in five hours. I'm not saying the job is easy, just the getting of it.
*When a person agrees to something, no matter how silly, they need to follow through. (I'm not explaining this one, but I bet you know what I am talking about)
*Time is finite. You will run out of it. Do things as if you don't have time for anything else and be happy with what you accomplish. (Then tell great stories about the things you didn't manage to finish and let them laugh at you as you laugh at yourself)
*There is always something to learn about.
*Buying new cars can be fun and entertaining.
*It's OK to say no sometimes. Other people will understand.
*Don't yell at the VIPs of your company. (While it might be amusing at the time, it will only lead to pain and stagnation in your job.)
*When asking people to do things that you know are hard, make sure you tell them it will be hard, otherwise they will hate you later.
*Eat lots of good things, you never know when you might find yourself on a diet.
*And finally, do what makes you happy. You might never get the chance again...

I'll see you in the new year...

Tah.

Titles

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Imperial Majesty Adie the Eerie of Fritterton on the Marshes Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Wishing you a happy new year.

Yes, that is exactly what I am doing. I expect you all to have a faboo time doing whatever you plan on doing.

Now it's time for a real post, don't you think? So here we go. Last Friday I was at work. And at said work, one of the clients came in. As you all know, this happens all the time, so what is the big deal here? Well, she came in for the children's party (which was a huge hit with lots of toys and such, so go me!) and then stayed a little longer to give us a little show. It apparently started with a sob story about how she couldn't pick up the donated presents on time because she was busy and that now her kids wouldn't have Christmas because of her. This would be where I come into the story because one of my office mates couldn't hold his argument that there were no presents because she didn't come on time. So I went into the frey. She started with the same argument, I told her I was sorry, but there were no presents. Then she said it was all the fault of the foster care system and that she never had anything, I told her I was sorry and there were no presents. She then started saying that all the people who lived in the shelter with her were crack heads, drug dealers, and completely lazy, I said I'm sorry, there are no presents. This went on for quite a while until she started threatening the shelter by 'telling' on us. I told her that it wasn't appropriate to threaten us. She screamed at me that she wasn't threatening. I said it wasn't appropriate to scream at me either, and there still weren't presents. She then got up and stormed out saying all kinds of nice things about robbing others and breaking stuff. I wished her a Merry Christmas. She called me a b***h and slammed the door.

The holidays always brings out the best in people, don't you think?

Oh there is no place like home...

for the holidays...

Happy Christmas everyone. I hope you all got wonderful presents, lots of food, and the best company in the world.

And to all a good night.

It's thursday!

Let me tell you all a little story. It's about my right hand. My right hand is very useful. It is a very dominant hand and makes my left hand behave. It not only controls the way my pen will write, it also does spectacular at holding onto chop sticks. Needless to say, my right hand is very important. Two nights ago, I stabbed my right thumb with a crab claw. I didn't know it at the time, but now it's quite a little cut and hurts like the dickens. Yesterday, while nursing my poor thumb I got a huge sliver in my right pinkie. (It was expertly removed by one of my co-workers)So now I also have a band aid on my pinkie. Let me tell you folks, if this keeps up, I am no longer going to have any fingers left by Sunday!!!! Pity my poor right hand and let this be a lesson to all about abusing you precious fingers.

Alone in the office

Here I sit, in the back room at my work, diligently typing out a blog while everyone else is either busy at the old chemical factory or not coming in until 1. **Wait a moment, old chemical factory??** Yes, you read me correctly, old chemical factory. There is a program where we collect all kinds of presents for needy family and distribute them to the people living at our shelters. In order to do this, we need the use of a warehouse, a free one. So I have been spending my days sitting on the floor of a place that used to test medicinal drugs and come up with chemicals. Interesting? Sort of. It's more fun when you take a walking tour and find glass syringes and sturnum peircing needles!!! Ah the mad fun on non-prof. I get to go over later to wrap more presents. Nothing says Christmas more than animal testing.


I went to an office christmas party last night. It was lots of fun. There was lots of crab. Mmmm, crab. It's been awhile since I have had actual crab, straight from the shell. Filled with crabby goodness and butter... Didn't do so hot staying on the diet, but didn't do too poorly either. My weight in this morning was OK. I didn't gain even 1/2 a pound. But I didn't lose anything either.

It just keeps going, doesn't it.

I am, of course, referring to the world. No matter how much I would really like to pause it for a moment and take a breather something is always going on. Take tonight, for instance. Instead of coming home and doing the Christmas present thing I should be doing, I am going to dinner with my office mates at the home of an extremely nice lady who used to teach ESL at our shelter. I whole heartedly love her for inviting us to dinner, but... This is becoming detrimental to the making of presents for my co-workers. I might actually have to buy them things on Thursday night and then give them these things for new years. *sigh* My life is so hard. *grin*

There is a message light blinking on the phone. Do I really want to press it and find out who called? Or can I just leave it blinking for another day? Oh the daily choices are so hard!!!

And speaking of daily choices, I need to start getting ready for work. Look I'm making a choice to get moving. I get to pick up presents for the kids today from another donor. It's going to be fun. But it means I have to drive to SJ at the end of rush hour. But you know what, I don't mind.

And before I go... diet update... I've lost 4 pounds!!! Where did it go?

Tah.

OMG!!!

Apparently I am in the middle of a hot debate and I didn't even know. Ok, for those of you who remember, in Nov I posted about a piece of Laffy Taffy in my purse. Well, everyone (with lots of spare time on their hands) should look at the comment left on the last posting here... Apparently there is someone else in the world who thinks my little blog is important!!! Wow. And I wasn't feeling special today... well, now I am! Who knew this little joke could get so out of control. And better yet, why are they looking on my blog?

So strange. But god bless you Laffy Taffy. You made my day!!!

I've done it now...

Yesterday I took a huge step into a great big black hole. Ok, so it's not quite so dire as I am making it out to be. I joined a weight loss group. Not just any group, mind you, but L.A. Weight Loss. I have been promised that I can lose 37 lbs by April 22nd. What do you think? I, for one am a believer. And why am I so optimistic? Well, I started this yesterday and I lost 2lbs. (I was weighed at the same time both days.) So I have a meal plan, a restaurant guide, a councilor who will call me if I don't show up three times a week for a weigh in and lots of accountability... Which is what I need.

Nothing else is really going on. Dickens is winding down. We have one whole weekend and one Saturday after that. Then I have to get myself to all of the family holiday parties and such. It's going to be a happy holiday, as long as I can get all of these presents made.

I am currently wasting time at work and should actually do something today... So far I have managed to move some presents around and gone shopping at Target. My life is so hard...

Tah.

Fun on the commute

One of my favorite things to see while I commute to work is police cars that slow down the traffic. So many people get agro on the commute and go really fast on the curves and end up in trouble. Normally, I would be one of them... But even I slow down for torrential rain. Today we were going at a nice 55 (on a 50 mph road) when all of a sudden the car in front of me slowed down. I watched for a moment (around the next curve to see why) and say a cop car out front. Then I watched annoyed drivers swing into the slow lane and speed up only to realize there was a cop and slam on their breaks. Ah, the comedy of life... Ah, the drama of cops.

The best laid plans of....

Yesterday I went to a job interview. The boss of the company told me that I did really well answering the questions. And they said they will be in touch. But since I have heard that several times before... We'll see. I'm not holding my breath.

Christmas is creeping ever closer and I don't have the ability to go shopping for gifts. It's kinds weird realizing that I am actually working seven days a week. (That would be five days at my real work and two at fair.) Don't get me wrong, I'm having a blast, but sooner or later something is going to have to give. However, I have managed to get myself onto a 'normal' day schedule for the week before x-mas. (OK, normal being almost the whole week I am going to work from 10 - 6 instead of 12 - 8 because there will be no 6-8 tutorial, get it?)

Interesting facts about today... It's Pearl Harbor day. More interesting, it's Ms. B's birthday! Happy birthday!!!!!!!!! She is 7 today. I have great plans on how to help her celebrate it too. But I can't post them until after this day is over. (Just in case she reads it before I get a chance to act.)

I need to get myself dressed and out into the world now, but remember: Someone is always watching you...

Tah.

And the dummy's name was Sven...

Here it is folks, larger than life... Mr. C's new car! (Just imagine it with two doors instead of four)

I have not managed to sleep in at all this week. Or for that matter, go to the gym. But what I have accomplished is pretty marvelous. (A quick re-cap for our audience at home: New car, new x-mas tree, car tow yard, and do-dads for my Dickens dress.) And for this morning? We had an oil change and a car wash along with some serious sewing and driving a friend of mine to school. Whew! And all before 9am. I must say though, I am getting tired of all the car dealerships. It seems like I am spending quite a lot of time at the Honda dealer... Oh wait. That's because I am there every other month for oil changes.

By now you are probably wondering just what the title has to do with anything. Well, nosy. It's all about the CPR class I took today. Yes, I am once again certified. Or certifiable as the case may be. It was fun. The class has changed a lot since the last time I took one. The basics are the same except they don't expect you to look for a pulse anymore... Just jump right on in with the compressions and the breathing. We also learned how to use a face shield and one of those defibrillator thingies. (Which I heard they have at the Cow Palace and now will be looking for on Saturday.) And I got to practice on a cute little blue and gray dummy. I named him Sven. Poor thing never had a chance. (Being as he was a victim of a maniac with a chainsaw who cut him off at the hips.) Alas, they didn't say my favorite part: Do not attempt CPR is the victim is decapitated or decomposing.

One, two, three... breath!

Tah

PS Are you up to date Ms. B?

More fun for half the money

Ok, so yesterday was eventful. I got a phone call from Mr. C saying that he totalled his car. Yup. A big mess of smashed up metal and plastic. (He is fine, by the way. He has messed up his shoulder a little from the seat belt but other than that, OK) So this morning we went to the auto yard and got all of his stuff from the now defunct car and had them dispose of the hulking mess properly. Then we drove over to the Volkswagen dealer and proceeded to buy a brand new 07 Rabbit. Yah!!! Upward (and around town) mobility is good.

I have also almost completely lost my voice. Which is going to be very interesting this weekend when I will be expected to sing. (The losing of my voice has to do with a cold that I am valiantly trying to convince myself doesn't exist.) So there. And so, to bring it back I am guzzling tea and soup. Go heat go, work your wonder tonic on my poor vocal chords.

This afternoon I received an email from a guy who takes pictures at faire. He is sending me two that he took of me this year (in hard copy) and sent Internet versions too. (yes, I know I promised no more... but here you go anyway)
And so there you go. I'm not quite sure how I feel about these yet. I haven't really seen them up close and personal. But well... I guess artsy is good...right?

Anything else going on? Isn't that enough for you?

Good night!

I've made a friend

Today was the third day of the first weekend of Dickens, and I made a friend. Well, technically, I made a friend yesterday, but who is counting.

Here is the set up... Ms. B and I are playing upper class sisters and we were 'slumming it' down by the docks where we were accosted by a vile man. Now for reality... We had a lot of fun playing innocent and looking upset by a guy who was dressed like a 'ruffian'. So I decided to talk to him out of character (plus I made him be my escort as Ms. B had a wardrobe malfunction and needed to see to it). It turns out he is something of a side show freak. This man actually puts sharp pointy things up his nose and walks across broken glass and most distressingly, lights himself on fire for fun... Many people might want to know how he does all of this stuff... I just want to know...why? Who in the world thinks to themselves... I think I will try to walk across a floor of broken glass today. I mean really.

Singing is great! All of the pretty dresses are wonderful. I'm having a blast with Ms. B. Everyone should come to Dicken's.

Oh, you thought I was done?

Yes, yes, I know. But this is the last one for this season. I promise. Aren't we cute little camp frau?
Any plan where you can get a guy to wear a girl's hat... is a great plan!
Any plan where you can steal your friend's hat... is a good plan!
For those of you wondering just how many spoons I ended up with...
Ms. B loitering. Isn't she the cutest little law breaker?

Pictures are worth...

Well, I'm not sure what they are worth. But here are some of the best ones that Gen con had to offer (from my camera anyway). (BTW mom, this is the same camera you got me for the England trip in high school... Long live costco cameras!!)
We were going to Vampire. I can give no better reason.

This is the sock that was made at the LARP that was played at the con that the kids went to down in Anaheim.
You too can look up my nose... and Ms. B helped.
This is stormtrooper lovin at it's best...remember the whole story and look at us being shy...

In my purse

For over a year I have been carrying a peice of Banana Laffy Taffy in my purse. Most people probably want to know why I haven't eaten it yet... although I can saftly bet almost everyone is thinking 'why?'. Well it's because it has a joke I can't figure out. Now it's your turn.
Which garden has the most vegetables?

Give up?


Flash garden

Can anyone explaine this to me? Please!!!

The other very important news of the day is... this is my 200th post. Go me.

I'm going back to work now... and possibly to eat a banana flavored laffy taffy...

Tah.

To start the photos off

To start off on the photo foot... Here are the pictures Disney was kind enough to take for us. While Ms. B and I look a little too much like we don't know how to shoot a fake gun...

Mr. C is shooting like a pro.

More pictures to come...

Tah.

GEN-CON!!!!

We're ba-ack! Oh my goodness!!!!!

Ok, so I got off from work and drove home, picked up the kids and left. As the song goes... "I drove all night...". We arrived in Anaheim (with only a few minor issues... including a semi that plowed over a white car and jack-knifed across the freeway...)at about 3:30am. I made an executive decision that I wanted to go to bed then and we attempted to check in. Unfortunately the computers were busy doing their end of days stuff and we had to wait for about twenty min. Which turned out to be just fine as we were making friends with the night security guard. He is a budding animator and was showing us some of his animation on his computer. Then we checked in, and slept for a little while before being the second group in line to buy passes and tickets for the con!

After a quick stop to write down the games we bought tickets and were off... to bed again. (It was only 7am and we had only been asleep for about 2 hours that night!) Around 10am we made it awake again and walked ourselves over to Disneyland!!! Yahoo! We rode the rides (sadly the Matterhorn is still not open) and ate the food. It was wonderful. Some moments of fun... When getting on the Jungle Boat the guy who was helping us on recognized me as a faire person because of the necklace I was wearing. Humm, busted! And my favorite moment was when Ms. B and I both wanted to get our pictures taken with a stormtrooper and then both had inexplicable attacks of shy. While I was holding Mr. C's mouth shut so he didn't call him over the storm trooper walked over and put his hand on my shoulder and ended that conversation. So, as soon as I get the pictures developed (and I did finish the roll so it should be soon) I will post the infamous stormtrooper picture...

Then we went back to the dealer room of the con and I got a big old bucket of dice!!! I now offically have more dice than I know what to do with.

Because we were exhausted, we when back to our swanky hotel and went to bed...
Friday started with a LARP. (For those of you who don't know, that would be Live action roll playing.) We played Mage with the guys who created it (not the authors but the guys who work for the company.) Ms. B and I so impressed them that we were given player nods (which basically means the other people thought we were really cool) and given coupons for stuff at White Wolf. While we were there we had a very fun conversation about how we normally play and I told them I like to take my problems (in game) and make them everyone else's problems. Which they referred to as 'hijacking the plot bus'. They seemed to think it was funny, and I told them I would try my best to mess with the next game of theirs I played in... (remember this part, it comes back later). But sillier than that, they people running the booth thought I looked just like one of the characters in their rules book. (This one, right here)

The it was off to Buffy. *sigh* Buffy love. Every gamer has their true game loves and his is one of mine. We went home and slept until the next morning then...poor tired kids.

Saturday was awesome too. I fell to my base instincts and played a Star Trek game... no jokes please, especially you Ms. B. It was so much fun. But not as much fun as the Vampire LARP we crashed later that night. (OK, clarification here... we were signed up for a Vampire LARP. But the stupid people in charge lost the game (don't ask) and we ended up in another vampire LARP, just not the one we signed up for.) And this one was headed by the White Wolf people. They happily let us in and I happily played all over their plot. I apparently did it so well that they gave me another set of props that night. (To which I blushed furiously as one of them explained that I told them I would do it several hours before I actually did.) See, making friends!

Sunday was great too. We were invited to play a new game by a GM (gamemaster) and we showed up. It looked like it was going to be an awesome game, but it ended too quickly because he had to catch a plane. So with promises of future games, he left... and so did we.

The drive home was nothing exciting... except for the Arby's (which is always exciting).

Now kids what did we learn from gen con 06? That I now need to go to the bigger that is in the Midwest to get the Changeling book that is being premiered there... *sigh* Lots of gameing. So much to do. So much fun. I love this.

And now, I smartly took tomorrow off work so I can get myself all rested up for Thanksgiving.

Happy gaming everyone.

Tah.

Promises promises

The much spoken about pie fight is finally coming out in pictures. These were taken by a poor bystander who happened along the way. (This was possibly the most fun I had at faire gigging this year)
This here is Ms. R looking stunning in her fall collection of colors.
The euphoria of pie fighting makes people totally happy.
Best friends should always stick together.
The lovely ladies of pie. Couldn't you just eat us up?

Sweet!

For all of you who were living my delusion of not having a passing Dicken's costume... You can rest your weary minds. I passed approval yesterday with no problems. Everyone thought we were very pretty. Lots of compliments and such. The bonnet that I am having a friend make is beautiful. *Sigh* Everything is coming together nicely. **If you want to see pictures of these dresses then check out Kalandars Knitting blog (there is a link on the right). Although, I should have pictures of my own up soon.**

We are also four days away from Gen-con. The geek in me is crying to get out. She wants dice, she wants games, and she definitely wants non-period costuming. Oh, great gods of gaming, help me through theses next few days. :)

Speaking of totally weird (OK, no one was, but I'm changing the subject) I had this dream about spiders. I was in a bedroom (which in the dream I identified as mine) and there was a line of spiders walking across the floor (in the way that ants usually do). I knew they were poisonous. But I wasn't worried about them. I was more annoyed. (By the way, theses spiders were about the size of my fist and black and round with red markings.) So, I took out a bottle of insect killer and was spraying them. That would be when Arnold Schwarzenegger shows up and tells me I can't kill the spiders. OK, so that's a little weird. The stranger part was that he was not a giant spider. He was dressed like the terminator and just standing there being all scary with the sunglasses and such. That would be the point when I woke up. So odd...And now I will leave you all.

Tah.

Filling up space

I have started a photo project. I know it's kinda wierd as I don't really take photos... But just bear with me. I have often noticed when I was driving that the view in the rear view mirror was pretty wonderful. So I have started taking pictures of the world around me from the drivers seat through the rear view. I have taken several (including on in traffic this morning)and will post them as soon as I have actual copies of them. (yes, I am using a 'real' camera and not digital. Don't ask why, and I won't go into the big long story of how I keep breaking digital cameras) You know you are in trouble when you start thinking it might be nice to get pulled over do you can take a picture of the cop walking up to give you a ticket. I think that one might be wonderful. (OK, not the getting the ticket, but the picture of the flashing lights and everything)

Much grosser than that... My office is infested with ants. I just sprayed the crap out of the ant train and they just came back a few min later. Which means that they are coming out of the faucet. (eeewww) And, of course, I now feel like there are ants crawling all over my hands. Gross little things. But it could be worse, they could be at my house.

Moving on... my hubby made me a mix CD of songs. It's so sweet. All the love songs by Kid Rock, The Offspring, The Prodigy and many more. I got to drive to work to the dulcet tones of "Smack my B*tch up". What a good morning!

And just because I can... Oh, do I want it....

Hoops of joy

** A note for non-costume wearing readers: Hoops are fun. They swing, they hit things, and most of all they make you feel like you have just stepped out of Gone With The Wind. They change your whole way of speaking and make you say things like "rahlly" instead of "really". I highly recommend hoops to anyone who needs to feel special for a while (and not the special in the head, the special on the outside). Thank you **

My hoop came in the mail yesterday. I danced around the room in it for quite a while before I realized I need to finish sewing on the trim for my bodice before this upcoming weekend. I can't believe how quickly it came too... I ordered it on Friday last week. (The more amusing part is the tracking number the post office gave them still says something along the lines of "the package info has been received and we'll tell you more later") But as you can see, I am delighted. Truly delighted to own a hoop. **Warning, Costume geek moment** Another thing I am amused with is the re-occurrence of fashions. Some of you might not know but hoop skirts were around in the time of queen Elizabeth and then moved to the sides (those things that made women look like they had huge hips in the 18th century) and finally went (mostly) away only to make a come back with Victoria. Now, I don't even pretend to follow fashion, but I know that it is always cyclical... Does that mean the kids will be wearing hoops again in 100 years? What a faboo image! Space hoops! *grin* (Or, if you watch Firefly... Apparently they do exist)

But, enough about hoops. Now it's time to talk about voting. Or my lack of voting and how I should really be going so I can go and do that. Look, I'm being a good citizen. I'm voting for people who won't win in order to show the government who is boss. Yah, that'll show 'em.

Tah.

Again with the workshops

It's funny to walk into workshops for faires. For one thing, all of the people look the same (and many were the same) and for another I can't tell you haw many times I heard something along the lines of "Oh, you're that girl who..." or, "Wait, I know who you are...". It's kind of disconcerting. And totally famillar. And very nice.

Next week I have to go through costume approval, which shouldn't seem like that big of a thing for those of you who know me (and if you don't know me, why are you reading this?). But I am scared. I'm pretty sure I did everything right. But until I have a 'yes' from the costume person, I'm kinda feeling out of it. It's been a long time since I haven't know exactily what I can and can't do with a costume. I don't think I like it. Perhaps it's time to study up a litle more on victorian costuming...

Anything else (because I know I promised the world yesterday)... No, not really. But I will leave you with some pictures from Northern... just in case. (what case, I'm not sure, but some case.)


This is the love of my life... making off with someone's child...

Ms. B, getting an education on the man catcher...

And it wouldn't be faire pictures, if there wasn't one of my hat. *hat love*

I'm going back to workshops now.

Tah.

The weekend

I wanted to post something witty, amusing, and full of fun... But I realized that I have about ten min until I have to leave and don't have time to be inspired. So just let me tell you all I haven't forgotten about you and I will come up with something glorious for tomorrow, or possibly Monday. But it will be here. Promise.

Bleck

Halloween is one of the best holidays ever!!! I dressed up in my awesome Alice in Wonderland costume and went to work. (Yahoo!) It's unfortunate that I couldn't rent a little white Rabbit convertible to drive to work in. How cute would that have been? The party was a huge success. The kids came, they took all of my candy, toys, and pencils and left. It was a whirl wind of activity for half an hour. It was kinda like locusts... Then I happily changed clothing and went to the Winchester Mystery House. We had a flashlight tour in the middle of the night. It was great. A huge, creepy old house on Halloween. Wonderful!!! Looking at stained glass windows in the middle of the night seems a bit odd. But then so is the history behind the house. I am sad, however, to report that no ghosts or ghoulies came out to get us last night. The house was just a fun creepy place to be on Halloween.

You may be wondering then, why the title of this post. And it's there for a very good reason. I'm sick now. I have been sick since around three this morning (which leads me to believe it's food poisoning and not some other disease, since I ate around 8:30 last night) I called into work and they know I'm sick. I hate this. My tummy is angry, my head hurts, and everything else is chiming in to tell me it's mad too. Suck. Hopefully it will pass as quickly as it came.

Nothing else to report and I'm going back to bed.

Tah.

Look blog tests

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have high extroversion. You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends. You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation. Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!" Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Your Quirk Factor: 48%

You're a pretty quirky person, but you're just normal enough to hide it. Congratulations - you've fooled other people into thinking you're just like them!

How Quirky Are You?

As the office burns...

The continuing saga of a misunderstood social worker.

OK, so maybe not. Here it is folks. My great big punishment for last weeks argument... I'm not allowed to talk to the COO again. That's right. We are going with the if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all solution.

In other news... I spent the day sewing... Oh my beautiful Dicken's dress... and watching movies. For some reason netflix is now sending me four at a time. So today I watched Rose Red. It's a Steven King mini-series about a haunted house and psychics. Pretty fun and very odd. Then we watched a justice league movie. (Yes, the cartoon one) Hopefully I will be able to finish Ms. B's dress this week and we will be mostly set for the upcoming season.

I need to go to bed now. I'm tired, but full of sewing goodness.

Tah.

Ways to get yourself fired

Last night I discovered a new way to get myself fired. I got into an argument with the COO. She wanted to take some of the tutorial tables and use them in the board of directors meeting. I told her no. And when she wouldn't take that for an answer, I in a mad tone of voice, told her to take them. So last night, after everyone had gone home she emailed me, my boss, My boss's boss and the site manager and told on me. When my boss found out, she laughed. My boss's boss won't care, she doesn't care about anything. And I truly believe the only reason that the COO is mad is because I won. I not only had the last word but I also made her look stupid in front of several other people. Hummm. Possibly not the best course of action if I want to keep my job. But at least it shows that I am very passionate about my program.

In fact, I think I will post her letter to me and my response (which has not, nor probably ever will be, sent.)

So, for your reading pleasure...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 8:27 PM
Subject: our interaction tonight


I was surprised and taken aback by your behavior tonight when I requested the use of a table. While I can appreciate the potential limitations my request may have caused you, this was for a meeting that **** was notified of over a month ago. It’s not often our Board of Directors has a chance to visit *****, and it is important for us as an agency to welcome them and be flexible when needed. The use of one extra table should not have warranted the hostile response you offered (to **** as well as myself), whether you agreed with my request or not.

Your tone and response to my request concerned me both personally and professionally. As such I am compelled to share what happened with **** and *****, and I prefer not to do that without also letting you know.


My reply:

You shouldn’t be surprised by my behavior. I was protecting the best interests of my program.

Because you took one of the tables form the tutorial room several kinds who would have stayed to do homework left. I was informed of this meeting only a few hours before it started and had already told **** that I could give only one table to the meeting (Which I helped move into the yellow room earlier that day). She took that table and promised that my program would not be impacted any further.

My question to you is why did you bother to ask when you already knew the answer was going to be no? Why did you bother to instigate a fight? Why didn’t you just inform me you were taking a table as you had already decided that was what you were going to do?

My program is very important to me. The kids who live here are very important to me. I am going to be defensive of both the program and the kids who are in it. I’m glad you are sharing what happen with ***, ***, *** and myself as I feel that all I have done is tried to stick up for the kids who usually don’t have anyone to stick up for them. The resources for the tutorial program are already sparse and by taking away anything you are sending a clear message to the kids that they are not important. These kids are important. I will always stick up for them.

I hope you can understand this.

And after reading that...
So, who's side are you on?

Tah.

Following Ms. B's example

You scored as Moya (Farscape). You are surrounded by muppets. But that is okay because they are your friends and have shown many times that they can be trusted. Now if only you could stop being bothered about wormholes. Moya (Farscape) 100% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 94% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 81% Serenity (Firefly) 75% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 69% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 69% SG-1 (Stargate) 63% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 56% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 50% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 50% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 50% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 19% Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

It's all over.

My car is home. My bumper is fixed!!! Yahoo!!!! I picked her up last night and was so excited. There is nothing quite like the feeling of getting back to normal. *smile* Or at least normal-ish. And getting rid of the ugly rental was pretty fun too. Although I was definitely making friends at the rental place. When I brought back the car (which by the way was a Lancer, not a Tracer as formally mentioned, sorry)it was the only car on the lot. *humph*

Last night I basically finished my bodice for Dicken's. It has been affectionately dubbed 'the watermelon dress'. (Mostly because it's dark green on the outside with pink lining.) I am a little worried about the size right now... I might have made it just a touch too small, or it might be just right (with a corset on) We shall see. I will post photos of it as soon as I get the hooks on and can actually wear it properly. I am going to make another one this weekend for Ms. B. (Only hers is going to be in dark red with light blue lining.) It's very exciting to have a pretty new dress. I just have to get the final details together. (Now this is the part I hate, the little finishing details) On the positive side, there is another caroling rehearsal this weekend. It's going to be awesome!!! I have a black folder with songs and I'm ready! Ready I tell you!!!

I went to the dentist. You know, the dentist never used to be an ordeal. I used to kinda like going. It meant that I got a 'special' lunch and time off school. Now it means that my mouth is going to be sore and I still have to go to work. But on Tuesday she told me I was a good girl. (That my teeth and gums were all in the normal range) Yeah me! Healthy teeth and gums.

My boss is on vacation until the first week of Nov. (Or the 8th, if you prefer) Which basically means I have to make a daily report to her for the next two weeks. Which can be fun... Except that I don't do a whole lot and if I don't write about half a page a day I feel like I've been slacking. However the Halloween party is next week. (And the nice kids from some of the local high schools are putting on the event and I don't have to do anything but supervise, yahoo!!!) And I am passing out Halloween costumes today and tomorrow, which should be nice and ugly. (It's first come first served...which means lines and fighting adults) Hopefully it won't be the kind of mess I think it's going to be. But if it's too bad I won't do it again.

Alright, I need to shower and go to the gym... I love being able to go again. It makes me feel all healthy and stuff.

Tah.

Rental cars and other ugly things

I dropped off Isabella at the body shop yesterday morning. It was really funny. I walked in and announced that I was there and I brought my Fit. Then the entire office got up to look at it. Apparently it was the first one most of them had seen. (Too bad I didn't clean her up first.) Then I got a ride over to Enterprise. I love this whole pick you up thing. It's very helpful. Unfortunately that was where the fun stopped. They gave me a slate gray Mitsubishi Tracer. I hate it. It's boxy and low and smells funny. Stupid rental. It won't even fit into the driveway with the other cars so I have to park in guest parking until Isabella comes home.

Crap... I have to go to the dentist. I'll write more later.

Tah.

Sunday Morning

It's been quite a while since I have been able to do any home stuff on a Sunday morning. I'm in the process of liking it very much. Currently, the house is clean (Almost entirely due to the efforts of Chris yesterday *go Chris go*)I have some nice plans (that could be cancelled if I wanted to), I have a head full of sleep, and fuzzy slippers on. Life is good.

Yesterday I went to a practice for the carolers at Dicken's. It was so much fun!!! I haven't sung properly for quite some time (i.e. reading actual music with parts and a piano to accompany). I miss it. Caroling should be great fun. I am looking forward to it. I am also looking forward to running around in cute puffy dresses and telling everyone Ms. B and I are sisters. *Sigh* I love Christmas carols.

http://www.dickensfair.com
(for those who really want to know, here is the website for Dicken's)

I need to go and get dressed now. I am expected at breakfast. So I leave you all with a smile and a kiss.



Tah.

Pie fights and other assorted foolishness

Everyone else is talking about it, so it is probably time I started too... The pie fight. Oh, my goodness!!!! There is nothing quite like taking a handful of pie and smashing it into one of your friends face while a bunch of unsuspecting guild members watch on. *Sigh* I think half the fun was the smooshing and the other half was walking around licking my face and telling people I taste good. I give pie fights two thumbs up.

I have fabric, patterns, and a great idea for my Dicken's dress. I realized this afternoon that I could use frogs to close the bodice.... How wonderful!!! This is going to be tacky, and swooshy, and absolutely faboo!! I don't know why I am getting excited about sewing again. I just finished saying no to a lot of other sewing jobs. And starting in the new year I have several more lined up. But I am happy. I am excited. I am crazy.

Speaking of which... The job interview went really well. But I am not getting the job. I was completely honest and while I had a lot of the qualifications they were looking for I am also lacking in case management and I am planning on going to grad school soon. Both are black marks against me. But that's fine. It will be better working for EHC and going to school. I can probably swing both of those while a real job would probably kill me. Speaking of going back to school. I am in the process of getting my application ready for San Jose State. I don't actually believe I will be accepted, but at least I will know what classes and such I need to work on to be accepted later. On the 30th I am going to an informational meeting. It's pretty cool. I'm kinda excited. And totally scared.

And now I will give you a picture from faire. I just received this one and kinda like it. I actually have my mouth shut, no strange faces, and look all pretty. Go me. Speaking of pictures, a picture of me might be appearing in a magazine. And one of Chris as well. But I will keep everyone posted on that as I learn more.

On Monday I am taking my poor broken baby in to get fixed. I have a check from USAA for seven hundred and something dollars and a confirmation number from Enterprise rent a car. (Apparently I am going to be driving around in style in a mid-sized car) So by Wednesday I should be back on the road with a non-broken car. Just in time to drive down to LA. Oh yes, Gencon is only three weeks away. Fear it. Love it. Just get me some vacation time before I yell on of my students.

Look for me in the funny papers,
and try the veal.

Tra-la-la

The insurance guy has made his decision. The bumper cover needs to be replaced. And how much do you think a bumper cover costs... Interestingly enough 300 bucks. Really. I'm not kidding. But the insurance guy sent all of my paperwork to the body shop the dealership said to go to. And the body shop called me and set up an appointment for the 23rd. That means I need a rental car for three days, but the insurance company will be covering that too. This is almost easy. I kinda like it when the companies get together and make my life better.

We (the office staff)just got back from a goodbye lunch for one of our office mates. He is heading off to NYC. I'm jealous. Another one of my office mates is on vacation for the next three weeks. She is also going to NYC. I'm sensing a trend. I wanna go on vacation too!!! (Soon, my precious, soon) But lunch was excellent. Thai food. I have a curry belly. (Not to be confused with a burrito belly... those are dangerous)

Eleven yards of forest green taffeta. It will be here next week. Two new victorian patterns. They will be here next week. I was pricing pre-made stuff online. I really should give up my day job and sew... I could make bank. People are selling simple skirts for 150 bucks. And full dresses for upwards of 500. I mean really! So instead I spent 75 on fabric and 20 on patterns. Just you wait until I have to buy trim. It's not going to be pretty... well, it will be pretty, but most likely very expensive. Ah, sewing for the common good.

What else, what else. It's closing weekend of faire. Which is good. I'm tired and need a weekend to myself. Realistically I am not going to have a full one of those until the new year, but at least I won't be bored.

Alright, I'm off to do work. I really need to.

Tah.

Waiting

Once again I am waiting. I am waiting for the guy to come and look at the damage to Isabella, I am waiting for this weekend to close out faire, I am waiting for Monday to have a job interview, I am waiting until I can go to work, I am waiting for a paycheck, I am waiting. And I hate it. I hate waiting. I really hate waiting.

I could probably go on like this for quite some time, but to save everyone from that, I'm not. Instead I am going to tell you all about my new spoons. (Yes, I realize my obsession is getting out of control) I have eight more now. They are all a little different and all hand carved. They are awesome. I am going to need to do a little work on them to get them smoothed. And then (possibly) oil them and make them pretty. But what a stupid new hobby.

On the other hand I have gotten myself into Dicken's fair. Which means I need a whole costume in the next few weeks and so does Ms. B. But that isn't too difficult. The hardest part will be finding a corset for her. I know I can get hoops and skirts are really easy to make. I'm so excited about the colors I can use though.... Anything I want that is not florescent!!! And ALL THE TRIMS I CAN PUT ON!!! Yahoo!!!! Victorians are great. Plus I am doing all of this so I can sing Christmas carols. *SIGH* It's wonderful. Although I might not be so happy later.

Oh, insurance guy... gotta go.

Tah.

In my office.

Yesterday I walked into my office in the middle of doing lots of other things. I almost took a step, but noticed something on the ground. It was a little tan lizard. Thinking to myself, who would leave a toy lizard in my office I reached out to pick it up and put it back with the other toys. That would be the moment it turned it's little lizard head and looked at me. I screamed and ran to the front of the office looking for Ben. (Ben was Peace Corps Africa so he knows how to deal with lizards. See, I'm rational.) Ben picked up a plastic sword and a long ruler that were in my office and went poking for the lizard behind the bookshelf. Ben offered me two solutions: He could kill it and get it out of my office or he could let it get itself out at a later time. Well, I didn't want it dead, so we left it. Ben the offered several times to pick my nose with the plastic sword. I, again, said no.

A little later I was telling the lizard story to another office mate and Ben pops up with... It's so small, it won't run up your pants but it might run into your ear. (MY EAR!?!?!) It's not that lizards eat brains, but they like a cozy warm place to sleep. Ewwwwwwwww!!!!! No more lizards or crocodiles or snakes!!! I hate them!!!

What it is

Yesterday was a fun filled driving extravaganza. OK not really, but everything seems to be about my car right now. What do I mean? Well, I received a call from the insurance company of the lady who hit me. They will be sending a claims adjuster to look at my car and then send me a check so I can go wherever I want o get it fixed. Whoopee!! This is quick and easy when I don't have to deal with it.

However I also had to drive down to San Martin last night. It was pouring rain and kinda sucked. But it was my first trip in the rain and I have to say that Isabella did very well. I even got to drive over my favorite car commercial road in the rain. The strange part was the kids at San Martin. I walked into the ladies room and there was a little girl doing her homework on the floor in there. So strange.

When I got home there was a letter from the DMV telling me all kids of things were done wrong with the licensing of my car... My new car. What? Isn't that why one goes to a dealership? No extra paperwork? So this morning I got to go over to the dealership (yet again) and show them what was sent to me. Apparently the good people at the DMV think that no only was my '07 car bought used, but that I bought it out of state. Hummm.

So I'm not kidding, it's really, all about the car. Although at the dealership this morning one of the sales ladies informed me that there is a waiting list well into next year for my cute little fit. She makes her mommy so proud!!!

My stress level is rising to dangerous levels. But it should be better after Saturday. In fact the whole world should be much better by then. Shall I list the positives? I should have a paycheck from faire, I should be over playing theme characters at faire, I don't have anything else to sew, I should have a person looking at my car to get it fixed by Monday, the dealership should be calling me back to tell me the DMV sucks and everything is better, and all the people moving out right now at work should be gone so I don't have to pull assessments out of my butt. Should, should, should.

Now is that time when I should get back to work.

Tah.

Prestine, proper, and looking for a new job

Really, I am over hearing about how my company doesn't work right. How when people go on vacations and such the world might have ended because there is no coverage. And why are we discussing how it will be OK to lock the kids, tutors and me alone in the building anyway, humm? So I have started looking for a place that will give me more confidence in the company I'm working for. I don't actually believe any of the places I'm emailing my resume to will hire me any time soon... But it's always good to start, right?

Two weekend left of faire. Three costumes ripped apart sitting on the floor next to the sewing machine, and a hat. (I think there is always a hat) It's a good thing I am the mayor's wife this weekend... Because I know my lines so well... Oh wait. No I don't. I'm in trouble. But it will be over soon enough. I'll make it though. I always do.

Wish me luck.

Tah.

Spoon me again!

Hey R. Here is your spoon. It's a bit more burly than the others, although it's lighter... But it makes a really good noise when you hit people with it.

"The Germans made off with my body,
Returning it only for fee,
But I have no Gelda to give them,
Oh bring back my body to me!"

Tah.

Peer Perssure

I have never really thought about it much. I have always been able to say no to things that I really didn't want to do, and my friends have all been willing to accept it. Until now. I'm getting peer pressure from a very unexpected source; Chris's guild master. Although after a conversation last night, it was decided he is not really a 'peer' but more like one of my kids. (Most of the time he acts like a really cute ten year old.) But back to my story... Every weekend he tells me something to make me want to be in the German guild. Like this past weekend when he informed me that the first day I walked by all the guys in their garb each one stopped and stared at me as I walked past. Whether or not this happened...? I can't vouch for it because I didn't see it. But right after this conversation he said... "So how much do you really want to do your guild thing next year?"

I can't say no to my kids unless there is a really good reason. I don't know if I can say no... There might not be a good reason. I keep telling myself "If it's supposed to be it will be easy." Well, the guild I am currently in is hard. This is really easy. But there are so many other factors. I guess my mantra will be: Wait and see.

Tah.

Hit

Rhymes with Fit. And it's all about damage to my new baby. That's right, Isabella was struck down in the beginning of her life.... *sigh* Now before you get all upset (I know who you are) it was only a fender bender. I was stopped on the on-ramp to the 152 coming home from faire and was rear-ended. I know the other woman was a faire worker too. She was also only going about 5mph. So my bumper has a huge scratch, paint pulled off and it was knocked out of place. All three of the people in my car and the other driver are just fine. However, I don't think my poor little baby will ever recover. *tear*

I called the insurance people and they were really nice. I just have never had to talk to them before and now I don't know what I am in store for. I know I am going to have to get Honda to fix it...So, everyone, take a moment of silence for my poor, broken baby.

Other than that... My weekend rocked. Lots of German fun. I went to a dance and looked hot!!! Just like Donna Reed. Plus we made up the Donna Reed dance. *Go us!* Hopefully the following week will be just as good... With a little car repair and dealing with insurance people.

I'm going to bed.

A little change

Ah-ha! I bet you got here and thought to yourself... "This doesn't look right". Well, I have learned a little more about my blog and smartened up a bit. This is the new Beta version and I like it. No more pretending I can code for me. Nope, it's all click and drag from now on. Ahem. I need to go to work.

Best Friends...

Question you only after you are done.

Thank you.

Is it just me?

Yesterday I sent Chris to look at a condo. (I really want to move) He came home and informed me that the realtor told him that we shouldn't be renting, that buying would be much better. Ahem... Buying a mobile home would be better. So Chris tells him he has to convince me... Not him. This morning when I got to work I had an email from this guy with three listings in it. Is it just me? Why do people feel the need to help me when ALL I WANT TO DO IS MOVE!!!! (I kinda feel like throwing a temper tantrum with stomping feet and fists.) Two of the listings weren't too bad. They were actually kinda nice looking... Anyone got money for a downpayment?

Alright. I'm calmer now. For the past two weeks I have been ordering big wooden spoons off the internet.
I actually set up an eBay account (take a moment and recover from that shock) and bid. Now I seem to have spoons coming in from all over the place and I'm as giddy as a school girl! SPOON!!!! At least I've become obsessed with spoons which don't actually cost very much. Oh, the reason for the sudden spoon craving, the Germans. Camp Frau keep order with big old spoons. And now I can keep order... Or at least boss people around. They should let women carry other weapons. *sigh* Big wooden spoons are actually very comforting. They feel good in your hand and look menacing when brandished in that way. *grin* BIG WOODEN SPOON.

OK, I'm really going back to work now. Really.

Tah.

How it works.

I started a pre-teen group a while back at work. Ok, so I didn't really start it as much as support it. There are really two girls who are doing all the work and I am the 'adult' overseeing the whole thing. But when I apply for grad school next month, I can put down on my list of accomplishments that I started a pre-teen group for about ten kids at a homeless shelter. It doesn't seem all that impressive to me, in fact it's very little work for me. But the kids love it and it looks good on my resume... Besides, I might get to go bowling on Wednesday for free. *grin*

I found this in the paper yesterday, and with all of my "headbutts of love" I figured I needed to share...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14922482

Man bites panda in Beijing zoo as retribution
Drunken migrant worker jumped in cage, was bitten after petting bear

BEIJING - A drunken Chinese migrant worker jumped into a panda enclosure at the Beijing Zoo, was bitten by the bear and retaliated by chomping down on the animal’s back, state media said Wednesday.

Zhang Xinyan, from the central province of Henan, drank four jugs of beer at a restaurant near the zoo before visiting Gu Gu the panda on Tuesday, the Beijing Morning Post said.

“He felt a sudden urge to touch the panda with his hand,” and jumped into the enclosure, the newspaper said.

“I bit the fellow in the back,” Zhang was quoted as saying in the newspaper. “Its skin was quite thick.”

The Beijing Youth Daily quoted Zhang as saying that he had seen pandas on television and “they seemed to get along well with people.”

“No one ever said they would bite people,” Zhang said. “I just wanted to touch it. I was so dizzy from the beer. I don’t remember much.”

Darwinism. Pure and simple.

Tah.

german weekend

Just so everyone can see... This is the very exciting yellow hat I made last week. As well as a first attempt at my German's costume. I can't wait for my second try. Muhahahaha!!!


This is a good picture of what I managed to look like before the German in me took over. We were looking at my song book. That's all!!!I swear that I am not up to anything! Really, I was just singing with my guild. Promise.

And that's it for faire goodness for tonight. Stay tuned for tomorrow nights show.

Try the veal.

Monday again

I'm taking a moment for myself. I am completely over the angry weekend I just had. Yes, you heard me, anger. It wasn't one specific thing... It was lots of little things that all piled on top of each other until I started avoiding people. (Mind you I was avoiding the people I like in hopes of not being angry at them for no good reason). But It's over now. I'm calming down, really. I am. The best part is, I don't have to do any sewing this week unless I want to. You hear that, WANT TO!!!! And let me tell you how I really don't. Not even a little bit. (Even though I probably will)

To make myself a little happier, I washed my car. There is nothing like washing the car to give you a sense of satisfaction. And because mine has been parked in a field for two weekends in a row (a very dusty field) it was very dirty. And as most of you know, I hate it when my car is dirty. So I just spent quite a bit of me and my car time. It's almost clean now. All I need is the vacuum and the bottle of fabreeze. Ah, relaxation thy name is clean car.

And now, for a moment of happy...

Isn't he cute? I was also given a picture of myself yesterday. I truly believe it is the only pretty picture of me in my garb. I look adorable. Just like a real girl.

Now it's time to put my cooking skills to work. I'll post more faire pictures when I get them.

Tah.

And so it is

Or isn't as the case may be.

I'm welcoming the world to Tuesday. But since most of the world has been doing this Tuesday before I got out of bed...

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of 9/11. (I know I don't need to remind anyone of that.) Today is the fifth anniversary of when I was supposed to leave for Peace Corps, but wasn't allowed. Which, by default means it's been five years since I really started the whole PC thing. Which means that this Thanksgiving, I will have been home for three years. And I should really start looking for a Russian teacher or I am going to forget everything!!! (Was that convoluted enough for everyone?)

Anyway, I'm getting distracted by a lottery ticket sitting on my desk. I haven't scratched it yet so it had become Schrodinger's lottery ticket.

I'm out.

The week rolls slowly on

It's Friday.

I'm very excited about it being Friday.

Not in the usual way of being excited about the weekend, but in that way that faire is opening tomorrow.

Chris has really cool hosen. They turned out better than I thought they would. Not bad for a first try. And what is better is that as time goes on, I am going to be able to make them better. So the next pair is going to be rockin... I almost have a new dress. I made the skirt this morning, and the bodice is almost done. All that is left is attatching the two, and finish all the hand sewing parts like the closers. I know that it isn't going to be perfect for tomorrow, but it will be wearable. And that is all I have to worry about. The bodice, I pawned off on someone else. And all that I need to finish for tomorrow is a patch job for the dress I made two years ago. It isn't going to be wonderful, but it will survive the season. I think my stress level is down a great deal.

The big news is Chris and I are trying to find an apartment to move to. After all this time, we have decided that living closer to San Jose might be beneficial. So we are looking at places in Scotts Valley. Close enough to SC to go, but far enough away to have peace and quiet and not deal with all the road work there. So wish us luck.

Not much else has gone on this week. The stress level I achieved last weekend is subsiding... Oh, the whole guild drama should play itself out this weekend, so I don't have to worry about it anymore... But that's life, right? If I didn't have anything to worry about, I might get bored. Or decide I need a vacation. Speaking of which... I think I want to go to Germany. The airport was nice, perhaps the rest of the country will be too... *grin*

I should really find something work related to do now.

Tah.

I remember now...

I remember that I loved college. I always had something to do. There was always a reason to hop on a bus and go somewhere. I even liked my classes. And, in all reality, college must have liked me, because I graduated, right? I have been thinking a lot about college these days. (I am thinking about grad school.) And right now I am remembering something that had never really registered before. I lost a lot of weight in college. (As opposed to the kids who go and gain ten or twenty pounds, I lost that much...) And I think I figured out why. Stress. It makes me not hungry. It makes me feel kinda sick to my stomach all the time. It makes me not sleepy. I am beginning to believe that all of the not sleeping, not eating, and still getting everything done was in large part to... Stress.

Before continuing this little tirade, I need to tell you about my weekend... Or at least some of it. (Warning, parts of my weekend are censored, due to non-public information) So, Saturday was great. I really didn't do a lot. I sat around in German camp, learned how to use a support spindle (really suck at this, by the way), and showed up to a few shows and things I was asked to come to. Saturday was when I learned that my husband needed a pair of hosen (pants) by next weekend (really, and not kidding like I thought they were). But totally, not stressful. Ore tent has a place to live, we drank until we couldn't walk and had a blast. It was Sunday that everything started falling apart. My new costume, while really cute, needs work. This was brought to my attention several times by how it fit. Then there was a guild issue (it involved all kinds of drama and so I am going to skip it for the sake of not having this go on for pages, and for the sanity of the person typing this.). And on top of that, I was asked to make a bodice... By next weekend, as well as fix an old one from several years ago, oh yah, don't forget my husbands pants...Which still need to be made and if your not too busy you need a German Frau costume if you want to march in the parade with them. Is that enough for you? Well, let's stir the pot a little more by adding that the director of entertainment asked me if I would lead something for next year (this would be the censored part) and told me to think about it and let her know in the next few months. (This is the part that added to the already stressed guild drama.) Needless to say, I feel sick, I can't sleep, and I still have a work week ahead of me. All I know is that this was supposed to be my fun. What happened?

And now, because I seem to be using this as my personal dumping place for complaing...a picture to make you feel better... Aren't historical paintings great?

An unexpected day off

So I received a phone call this morning from one of my co-workers. As this was completely unexpected, I assumed it was one of those "my name is usually first on the phone so it gets called when the phone is bumped" calls. It wasn't. It was one of those "one of the gang members I work with threatened a co-worker and so we aren't supposed to come to work today" calls. So here I am, with an unexpected day off. Well, sort of. Except that with my job, I can't work from home. It's mostly hands on with the kids or preparing stuff for the kids, or, like yesterday, calling CPS on one of the parents of the kids.

On the positive side, now I get to spend the whole day sewing. Yah!!! It's kinds like the universe is looking after me... I got free tickets to Shakespeare Santa Cruz tonight. But the show starts at 7:30p. And I don't usually get off work until 8pm. So I was going to have to leave around 5:30 to make it on time. But now... It makes my life a lot easier. Really. Now I can spend the day looking up info for work, and still make it to the show on time. Glorious. By the way, I got these free tickets by agreeing to go as a walking billboard for the Nor Cal renn faire. So, I'm going in costume. How fun. Shakespeare dressed in Shakespearian clothing. And we are getting a special box.

In other news, I have started seeing a very positive side of hot house yoga and my gym routine. I am losing weight... Finally. I am down almost ten pounds and, hopefully, still losing. What a good week... Besides the whole gang threat thing.

I have promised my housemate a ride to work. So I need to be off.

Tah.

I wanna be a German

Ok, so I have pushed Chris into the German guild at faire. I would say I am ashamed at forcing someone into faire, but... I'm not. I think he is going to have an excellent time. Plus, big hats.

Adding onto this, I have decided, if I want to walk around with him, I had better get my German on too. (Really cool hats) This means doing a little historical research into propper Frau attire. So, for your viewing pleasure...Lucas Cranach the Elder.




They are just so pretty. I hope mine turns out as well. Speaking of making things... Chris now has a propper shirt and I made my first attempt at a "Starfish" hat. It's pretty cute. We shall see how the next one comes along.

Anyway...
"A'rovin, a'rovin, cause rovin been my ruin.
I'll no more go a'rovin, with you stong lad."

Tah.

1997 Geo

I came home last Thursday is a very good mood. I had just given some pretty cool socks to my best bud, and my man is going to be the cutest German is all the world, but waiting for me on my desk was a little piece of paper that broke my happy bubble. It was a certified letter from the SCPD. My heart did a little flip and I started freaking out (just ask anyone who talked to me or saw me for those few days). There was nothing I could do about it until Friday morning. So, I spent a sleepless night thinking I was being called into court or sued for something. It was awful. (sometimes working with juvenile delinquents is rough on the sleeping.) The next morning I went to the post office. With the letter hot in hand I walked outside to discover... My little 1997 geo was about to be towed and I had ten days to do something about it. Ack!!! I cooled off a little, because, what do I care if they tow a car I don't own anymore? But then, after talking to another friend of mine, I discovered they would charge me for the towing of the car. And I was right back to flipping out.

I called into work and told them I was going to be late, and went right over to the DMV. As I sat and thought about why I should no longer trust people who I have just met, I also figured out something... I hate car salesmen!!! So I walked up to the lady at the DMV (After an astonishingly short amount of time, only half an hour)and informed her I had made a mistake and needed help. They lady asked if I had filled out a transfer of liability form. I said: No, what's that? She gave me a little half sheet of paper to fill out that would absolve me of all payments. Ya! Unfortunately the form needed the address of the guy I sold it to. SO I drove to work feeling a bit better. Once at work I looked him up. He didn't have a listed address. (and I wouldn't either if I was a car salesman.) So I took my sleuthing skills onto the private lookup sites. And for a mere 13 dollars, I now know everything about him, from his criminal history to the last several places he has lived. Ha!

Then I email the bastard. And told him I was displeased and that I was faxing him the letter. Did I mention I did this all to his work since I didn't get his home stuff? And we all know how many people see a fax when it comes through the office... Anyway he called me a little later that day and said: Oh, I'm so mad at my daughter for not changing the title... I said: Really, I don't care. I switched the title myself today. It's your problem now.

One interesting thing he did tell me though... he said his daughter crashed the car two weeks after getting it... I wonder if the air bags deployed. I give it about a 75/25 chance of not going off. The world will never know.

They're not savages...They're poor

This is what I heard walking into the office yesterday. Humm, not exactly what one might consider to be appropriate... But extremely funny. It set everyone off and we ended up making fun of each other and laughing all day. A very good thing.

Last night I followed the office manager to a yoga class. Not just any yoga... yoga in a room heated to 120 degrees! I have never sweated so much in my whole life! I couldn't even do half of the stuff because I was lightheaded. And it's not as if the poses were really hard... It was the poses plus the heat. And today my vacuum cleaning muscles were all sore. I think I will attempt this again next week and if I can see any improvement, I might continue for a while. You never know. Maybe I can do hot house yoga.

This morning my financial planner came over. In thirty two years, when I can touch my retirement plan, I will, apparently, be rich. At least that is what I think she is telling me. Well good. I'd like to be rich at some point in my life even if it's closer to the end than the beginning. She says that I'm smart for planning for my financial future now. Interesting. I was actually feeling like I should have started this a long time ago. I was thinking I was behind. Who knew?

The little clock on the bottom of this computer says it's time to go to work. So I will talk to everyone later.

Tah.

41 backpacks later

This weekend was the first of workshops. It was great. I got to see all kinds of people I haven't seen in a year and Chris is going to be a German! (big hats) And if I don't have anything to do during their parades, I get to be one for a little while too. (really big hat) I'm so excited. (really, really, big hat) Also, and just as importantly, Erin is going to be there too!!! (really, really, really big hat) I am going to have the best year ever!!!!! Did I mention the hats?

I also stopped in SJ on the way home and gave a little speech at a church and in return received 41 backpacks and supplies. (kinda like a parting gift or something) They were really nice people. And they were totally sweet to donate them to us, I know the kids who receive the stuff will be all happy and excited. Yah!!! The speech went really well. Fitting that many backpacks into my car with four people already in it made it a little harder. What I find funny is that people can believe that I work for a non-prof but they can't conceive of me going to church. Wired.

Anyway, it's late and I'm grumpy.

Tah.

A little distracted

Sorry. It's been a little hard to find time to write recently. I don't know why... Perhaps it's the Aug doldrums.

Yesterday I went to pick up all the backpacks for my work. There were 500 of them and each one filled to the brim with goodies for our kids. It was a lot of hard work, but because of it all of our kids will look sharp this up coming school year. I was looking at all the bags and realizing that I would have lots of trouble figuring out which one to get if I were going back to school. There are so many cool bags now.
Ones with built in earphones and all kinds of cell phone pockets and gadgets. I really liked the polka-dot one. It might just live in my office until someone is in real need of it. *sigh*
See how cool these are? Why didn't we get fun things like this when we were kids. By the way the black on is the one in my office.

I need to get some work done right now... Even if I don't feel like it. Oh well, that's why it's called work, right?