Cheap Thrills Wednesday, October 27, 2004

It's official: Big-hair, glam rock is back. I got a little frightened of myself this morning, while driving to work-- I realized that the action on my odometer was directly related to the music I was listening to. Ballad? I got passed, going 23 mph. Rock anthem? I was driving like a lunatic. And the reason for it all is one of my new favorite bands, The Darkness. I found their debut CD underneath my passenger seat, and promptly fed it to my dashboard (Does anyone else's dashtop cd player sound like it's eating the CDS? Maybe that's just me). Two songs into the CD, I was driving like a maniac.

There's something about The Darkness. Perhaps it's their uncanny resemblance to another one of my favorite bands of all time, Queen. Perhaps it's the spandex skivvies that their front man, Justin Hawkins, is frequently seen sporting around London. Maybe a part of him reaches into my adolescence and tugs at the heartstrings that I once so devoutly promised to Steven Tyler. I don't know.

What I do know is that the CD, "Permission to Land," is amazing. At least for a bunch of guys who use more aerosol hairspray than these chickies.

This posting has been dedicated to the queen of lethal 80s rock, Miss Kristin "Kiss me Deadly" Ott.

Just another manic Monday Monday, October 25, 2004

This past weekend was my favorite type of autumn weekend-- lazy. I slept in, ran some errands, showered late, wore pants lined with a fuzzy material, baked pumpkin bars, and basically just did whatever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to. What is it about a weekend that allows us to shut off our common sense for awhile? It's simultaneously beautiful and scary, that feeling on Monday morning with the week comes crashing in like a freight train. Not that today has been the ultimate in craziness (it's only 9:15 am) but I get the feeling that all of the stored up energy from this weekend is going to be burned, and then some, during this week. Kudos to those people that like to work all weekend, and get things done. Productivity does not top my list of weekend activities.

Something that DOES top my list of fun things, however, is my book club. Thumbs up to Nicole, who finally put the smack down on our errant, non-book related conversations. I love it when we actually talk about the book. I didn't get a chance to read the book (which I am deeply ashamed of, as I love to read and felt like I let the group down by being clueless). Fortunately for me, anything seems relevant to my life after 3 glasses of wine. ;)

Any great book ideas out there?

FrUstration Monday, October 18, 2004

Once upon a time, I thought that traveling for work was fun. No big deal, change of pace, get yourself out of the office for awhile fun. Unfortunately, I must announce that my opinions have changed. It's a huge pain to come back to my apartment (that needs to be vacuumed, laundry needs to be done, and on, and on) and feel like all I want to do is burrow in my bed and fall asleep for a week or so. There are so many things that I needed to do last week that I couldn't get done. ANNOYING. This is, of course, excluding all the work that has piled up on my desk at work.

Once the world begins to clone humans, I'm going to obtain a copy of myself to keep around the house when I'm traveling for business. That way, I can come home to plenty of groceries, a clean apartment, and clean laundry. And a bed free of a week's worth of accumulated dog hair. Would it be selfish to get a third clone, to cover me at work while I'm away?

Howdy! Wednesday, October 13, 2004

So North Carolina is going relatively smoothly. After an incredibly early flight yesterday morning, I'm getting my bearings and learning more about the contemporary furniture industry. Did you know that the majority of men in this particular industry are gay? I didn't. I'm in this crazy large building with tons of people, and to my un-trained eye, ALL OF THIS FURNITURE LOOKS THE SAME. So I'm going to have to wander around and acquaint myself with the competition, their product lines, etc.

Highpoint is beautiful. The home that we're renting this week is well...interesting. It's beautiful too, if you're a 900 year old sailor and like wheels and mounted geese on the walls...frozen in flight. One of the ones over the headboard of my bed is in downward position, and I'm pretty sure that if you looked at me while I slept, it would appear as if the goose is going to crash into my head at full speed. Fun.

Towns like this remind me of what I love about the South-- the hills, green trees in October, and beautiful highway drives (with scenery! imagine that!). Then I walk into the local Harris Teeter and meet the locals. It's then that I truly appreciate my midwestern lifestyle. I appreciate that men are overly gentlemanly down here- carrying my luggage, opening/shutting car doors, and what not. But I'll trade luggage service for an intelligent conversation anytime.

Wet Feet Monday, October 11, 2004

Today is my fourth day in the new office, and things (I think) are going as swimmingly as possible. Unfortunately, I have always been my own worst critic, and I don't feel that I'm catching on as quickly as I normally do. This is incredibly frustrating to me. Aside from that, things are great-- fun coworkers, casual work environment, and I get to attend my first industry "market" (or tradeshow, as they are commonly known) this week. Yes, you read it right, THIS WEEK. As in, I fly to Highpoint, NC tomorrow morning, and will be there until Sunday morning.

At which point I will pick up the pieces of myself, glue it all back together, and come home to start a brand new week. Hope you all have a fantastic week, and wish me luck!

Hum-Drum Friday, October 08, 2004

Today, as my friend Barbara pointed out, is the ultimate day to stay in and relax. It's rainy, gloomy, and on the chilly side. This kind of night makes me want to put on a fuzzy tracksuit, thick rag cotton socks, and grab my silk blanket from Pottery Barn for some serious tv-time. Once I leave work, I may make this little dream a reality.

Hope you all have an excellent weekend-- more blogging goodness when I return from my cousin's wedding. Happy Vegging!

People, nothing more than PEOPLE! Wednesday, October 06, 2004

I started a new job today. Yes, that's right-- on a wednesday, don't ask. And no, I didn't take a week off in between the two, b/c I'm a peon, and I can't afford to do that. Regardless, I wanted to jump online today and pay homage to some very special people that I know: my former coworkers. They know who they are.

They are the only people in the WORLD who have seen me tipsy at 7:30 am. They have endured my incessant rambling on any and every topic imaginable, and had the misfortune to hear me belt out Bonnie Raitt tunes at karaoke. I'm sure they saw my departure from the company as nothing more than a crafty way to avoid coming into the office on the weekend of the Scheduling Summit, but I'll put those suspicions to rest right now. Announcing my departure was as surprising to me, as it was to everyone else. Kind of like Paris Hilton deciding to give up the golden life, and join the greater Los Angeles Diocese's Nuns-In-Training program.

A few of the classic moments that I will never forget are:
- running around Las Vegas barefoot, at "4:30" in the morning.
- being delirious and weary enough to daydream of bowls of chocolate mousse
- the infectious and genuine chuckle of Katie L.
- actually being gullible enough to buy Corey's straightface routine on many jokes
- Carol's incredible and almost unbelievable travel stories

Thanks to these people for making the last 11 mo. of my life tolerable and entertaining. I miss you already!

Is there a DOCtor in the house? Tuesday, October 05, 2004

All hail the King

We have a code red, I repeat, we have a code red west of Wrigley field, in an apartment with a blue door! My dog, Doc (a.k.a. the King of Shed) has officially made his home in my apartment. He knows which what parts of the kitchen island he prefers chewing on, he has discovered the joy of dragging around my childhood teddy bear (who is now kept up high, where he cannot be eaten), and people on my block know him by name. That is, of course, if you consider "What kind of dog is THAT?!" a name. He has a Pug friend of the same age, named Rufus, who lives down the street (unfortunately Rufus is a butt-sniffer, and Doc tires easily of repetitive behavior in all its forms). He sneezes deliberately to get attention, sometimes to the point of hitting his snout on the hardwood flooring. I love him, that zany, little, sneezing mutt boogerface.

Good times, Good times... Monday, October 04, 2004

So this weekend was a bit of a whirlwind for me. SMD & I drove up to Madison, WI, on Friday night (in the pitch black, pouring down rain) and went out with some friends on a 2-hour cruise. Lake Monona is beautiful at night (it was almost a full moon) and a good time was had by all. Thanks to the ever-gracious Miss Megan and her crazy co-horts, Mike and Matt.


Aboard the Betty Lou 

Saturday was one of the most beautiful fall days on record for the year- clear, sunny, and about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. GORGEOUS! I attended the Wisconsin/Illinois football game with my Uncle Jim. It was an interesting game, particularly because Uncle Jim decided to dress completely in Tennessee "Volunteer Orange." Never mind that he has two degrees from UW-Madison, and that I was dressed in Illinois gear. Apparently he was channeling the SEC that day instead. He received some interesting chants and responses from his fellow Wisconsin alums and fans. Fortunately for me, his random outfit took all the attention off of ME being an Illinois fan. Thanks, UJ!

After coming home, we just crashed at home and watched Northwestern ROUT Ohio State. It was one of the best college football games I've seen in a long time. Sunday was lazy (as it should be) and here I am, back at work. Have a great week, all.