Updates....cause I'm THAT exciting

2:59 pm - I've already gone through a billion reems of paper. Don't worry, I'll go and plant a tree tomorrow.

Going Crazy - in a Good Way

Okay that probably makes no sense but it's true. I've had a heck of a past few workdays full of deadlines, proofs, drafts, pulling out of projects and the list goes on. It has been pretty darn stressful with some long hours and a ton of small meetings. Funny thing is, I love it. I have more of a routine this way. Seeing I don't have a normal 9-5 schedule right now I don't have to worry about filling up the open space with activities and people. I guess that's weird - or so I've been told. Oh well....

Now I'm off to the Windy City for awhile.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is (was) my parent's 32nd Anniversary. Sometimes it's hard to believe that two people can be in love AND like each other that long. I joke that I have commitment problems.....seriously....I can't even commit to a TV show beyond a few weeks. But I applaud them for all that they have accomplished together. An amazing couple nontheless.

As for me. I love and hate my age. It's a contradictary age. Everything is amazing yet it's not. For example this very scene: I'm sitting here, just finished hosting a nice little girls night complete with drinks, pedi's and a movie (not to mention I dressed the theme of the movie - Holly Golightly). But after all of the guests left I sat here feeling like nothing but a disappointment. I don't know if it's because I'm alone or because we expect more of ourselves. It stinks and I'm not a fan of it. But what do I do. I sit here and tear up to a few friend close and far.

So my friends......how are you? In your age what makes you smile? What makes you cry? More than anything....what makes you need a hug so bad it hurts? I'm curious....

Letters

Dear Rocky –

I look forward to the night of ½ price burgers at
Whitlows. Often times I cannot arrive until way past my regular dinner
time thus giving you a very hungry girl which is better known as a very grumpy
girl. With that I do not find it necessary for you to crack dumb jokes
when I try to order my usual (okay I’ve only had it 3 times in the past year)
but still when I way “may I have the Yoelddler” I expect you to simply go on and
ask me if I would like to substitute my fries for slaw or onion rings. I
don’t need the “Oh…we don’t have one here but there may be one down the
street.” With that kind of ass-musings I will start deducting from your
tip.

Please remember that for next time.

Sincerely,

Me

Don’t worry, I tipped him well. And I named him Rocky because he sounded just like Rocky Balboa…though, sadly, he didn’t look like him.

******

Dear Gym Goers at Colonial Place,

I like all of you, really I
do. But you’re annoying the hell out of me lately. Between the
bajillion Dixie cups left half-full of water on the counter and the lack of
sanitizing the machines before you leave them I’m in pure disgust. YOU may
be okay with sharing sweat with someone else but I’m not. Not to be a
jerk, but when I see you sweating all over something and then just up and leave
(with perspiration still dripping from the handle bars of the elliptical
machine) I want to vomit.

I know I can just clean them off
before I do my thing, but that’s not the point. I wouldn’t want someone to
have to slip and slide over all of my germs and sweat. It’s not
nice. I might as well come and wring my sweat towel/rag (yes, I sweat big
time and it’s gross….ack!) over you if you like to share your sweat with the
rest of the gym.

And to the guys who literally check themselves out
in the mirror 99% of the time they are doing their 20 lb (ha!) reps. Yeah,
I’m the youngest gal there. I’m sure Joan and Margie aren’t interested in
your lack of bulging biceps. And to Norma….please, for heaven’s sake, stop
moaning when you ride the stationary bicycle. A) You aren’t even doing a
tough level (I’ve looked) and B) It sounds like you’re ….. ummmm… doing the
deed! Yuck! You grossed me out so much the first time that I had to
cut my workout short!

Best,

Not-a-fan of Sweat

So I’m back to doing my daily, twice a day workouts. People think I’m nuts but in all reality it’s because I’m lazy. Yeah, I know, that doesn’t make sense. But I am very lazy as in – I’m a horrible dieter. It’s summertime people….that means grilling out. I NEED to workout after devouring endless hamburgers, hotdogs, steak, marinated chicken and shrimp every weekend. Secondly, I sweat when I walk to work. I figured I didn’t want to ruin my work clothes so I’d just wear workout clothes to work and then change there. Well…since I’m already in them, might as well workout. And finally, I workout after work too is due to the fact my morning session is too short (hey, I want to watch Coach at 6 am) for it to be worthwhile so I need to extend it to the later part of the day. Thus, I workout twice a day cause I’m lazy.

Anyway, back to what I was attempting to say…..now that I’m back from my week-long hiatus from the gym people have been getting on my nerves for their lack of courtesy. May I point out that we don’t pay for the use of this gym? It’s part of our campus so it’s free for all who work on our campus. I don’t think it would hurt for people to at least attempt to keep it clean AND as germ free as possible. Germs already are very abundant at gyms…why help add to it?

So, I’m thinking of strapping on a can of Lysol and following around some people. Maybe they’ll get the hint next time.

Say "Adeiu to the Big Dawg" (a bit late....sorry!)

My mother loves brats. When I was little I thought she was weird for that....who would want this big hunk of spicy meat when you could have a nice, simple hotdog loaded with ketchup...and oy...add a slice of cheese and you're in Heaven! But as I grew older that only left me with a little of something to be desired. My palate had changed and so I entered the 'old folk' arena by switching to the brat. Needless to say, I love me a good one. I actually find myself becoming very picky when it comes to those things. I may nay it after a bite or two due to it's over zealous spice or lack-there-of. Who knew I'd be a conisseur of the brat?! (okay, I'm not but damn they are good!)

So yes, I will be missing Mr. Ralph F. Stayer....the Einstein of the Johnsonville brand for processed meats. He was the man behind the 'supa-dawg'.....all that spiced meat along with the thick coated casein (I appreciate this even more after working with dairy applications in process meat). I think I just drew a little tear again (ahem...I may or may not have done so when I found out the other day...sush, it's food we're talking about - a.k.a SERIOUS business to me!).

I'm sure Sheboygan Falls, WI and Ely, MN (his birthplace) will be mouring a great man with a good sense of taste and in the end - business.

In the burger I trust..

30 friends - check
8 coolers of beverages and food - check
several pairs of aqua socks - check
2 mile jaunt down the James river - PRICELESS!

Okay, they may of may not have been all of my friends at the beginning of the journey but by the end they sure were.....nothing like a little 5 hour process (we stopped on a beach 1/2 way down) to make a few friends and enjoy one of the most beautiful and sunny days that the C-ville area can provide.

I also got to experience Richmond, VA for the first time in my life. A few bars and a house party later I had throughly enjoyed the night. And perhaps it wasn't too bad to be waited on by my surrogate family down on the South Side. Love you mom and dad VA!

Only shitty thing....waiting for the train back to DC - thank you for being 1 hour late! Jerks.

Trust

Is it bad that right now out of all the people I know...I can only trust/depend on 10 of them? TEN! So sad.

***

My Final Thoughts for the Week:

I am a tad sad that Bonds won't be a part of the All-Star game...but eh, life goes on.

We need more Wednesday's off.

I am building my very own website...with a special domain name and all! It's to do about the food industry for 20-somethings. I can't wait for the launch date (date TBD).

I'm still counting on the Twins to do better than the Mariners...have a an end of the season bet and I MUST win.

The news is so boring right now that the only thing consistent online, radio and paper are the high temps (no crap...it's only July and all!) and Scooter Libby being released (so, so sad!).

I am already exhausted from the 12 Days.....and it's only Day 5! uffda.

Rocky is my HERO

First of all......HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!! And to all people celebrating freedom...remember it's because of these people (picture)

Second of all..... I'm a terrible host, I know. Sorry friends but my bed looked SO comfortable at 10:30 pm.

Third of all......Tourists are going to kill me today.

Fourth of all.....it happened. The one thing I thought wouldn't and/or couldn't did. But I'm excited and can't wait to see what develops.

Mother Nature go home

My thoughts right now:

A) I should not be at work
B) It's too damn nice out to be at work
C) My mom is visiting...hence I should not be at work
D) Today is the official start day of the "12 Days...." *cough* I should not be at work

But I'm at work. And yes, I hate deadlines.

And for those of you who witnessed a girl (amongst a group of golfers and tennis players) running around DC on Saturday....I apologize. I my have been a tad out of control. I was doing my part to win a race and help the inner city kids. I'm such a phlianthropist!

Quote of the Weekend:

"Remind me tomorrow that I helped someone today."
- DCSMASHED


And some summer photos........oh the life of kickball, birthday parties and the ULTIMATE party with MS!