12.31.2003
You Know That Scene. . .
. . . in Jurassic Park, where all the characters are looking at that cup of water in the Explorer, and watching it shake? That's what's happening right now.
I think the downstairs neighbors got surround-sound. And I'm looking at a prescription for Ambien. . .
. . . in Jurassic Park, where all the characters are looking at that cup of water in the Explorer, and watching it shake? That's what's happening right now.
I think the downstairs neighbors got surround-sound. And I'm looking at a prescription for Ambien. . .
It's Resolution Time. . .
In the coming year, I resolve to. . .
- continue to work on overcoming my depression
- take better physical care of myself
- take better mental care of myself
- figure out what the hell it is that I want to do
- quit complaining about things that make me unhappy and take action
- quit letting people walk all over me
All of these are going to be difficult. All of these are accomplishable.
I'm sure there are more things I could add to the list, but I'm too pissed off to think right now.
In the coming year, I resolve to. . .
- continue to work on overcoming my depression
- take better physical care of myself
- take better mental care of myself
- figure out what the hell it is that I want to do
- quit complaining about things that make me unhappy and take action
- quit letting people walk all over me
All of these are going to be difficult. All of these are accomplishable.
I'm sure there are more things I could add to the list, but I'm too pissed off to think right now.
12.30.2003
Insomnia and Exhaustion
I'm exhausted but I can't sleep because every time I try, I feel sick to my stomach and my eyes pop open and I get ANGRY.
Angry because I'm in limbo. Angry because I'm not really. Angry because there were words to say before I slammed the receiver down, but also angry because they weren't being said. Angry because I feel unsettled. Angry because I grew complacent. Angry because I feel like a fool who's been used for I don't know what for the past year. Angry because I was foolish enough to start to dream about the future. Angry because that future has now been shattered beyond repair and I don't have the energy to even try to figure out where to start over.
I'm EXHAUSTED. And the part of me that doesn't want to bother starting over is SCREAMING at the top of its voice, "I told you so, this is what happens when you dream. You get your heart broken and the plans don't work out the way you'd intended."
My family hates me.
My closest girl friend is married.
My two best friends are working two jobs and in a different state (trying to support a 4-year-old).
I have nobody but myself anymore, because I've just slammed the receiver down on the only person willing to put up with more of my shit than my friend in another state, and I HURT today.
I feel sick to my stomach and my eyes hurt. I am tired, but when I lie down in the darkness, my eyes pop open and I get angry.
I haven't been this bad since I was eating saltines and antacids because those were the only things I could keep down.
If this is how I'm going to feel every time, I don't want there to be a next time. I'll continue to exist, I guess, but I really don't feel like it today.
I'm exhausted but I can't sleep because every time I try, I feel sick to my stomach and my eyes pop open and I get ANGRY.
Angry because I'm in limbo. Angry because I'm not really. Angry because there were words to say before I slammed the receiver down, but also angry because they weren't being said. Angry because I feel unsettled. Angry because I grew complacent. Angry because I feel like a fool who's been used for I don't know what for the past year. Angry because I was foolish enough to start to dream about the future. Angry because that future has now been shattered beyond repair and I don't have the energy to even try to figure out where to start over.
I'm EXHAUSTED. And the part of me that doesn't want to bother starting over is SCREAMING at the top of its voice, "I told you so, this is what happens when you dream. You get your heart broken and the plans don't work out the way you'd intended."
My family hates me.
My closest girl friend is married.
My two best friends are working two jobs and in a different state (trying to support a 4-year-old).
I have nobody but myself anymore, because I've just slammed the receiver down on the only person willing to put up with more of my shit than my friend in another state, and I HURT today.
I feel sick to my stomach and my eyes hurt. I am tired, but when I lie down in the darkness, my eyes pop open and I get angry.
I haven't been this bad since I was eating saltines and antacids because those were the only things I could keep down.
If this is how I'm going to feel every time, I don't want there to be a next time. I'll continue to exist, I guess, but I really don't feel like it today.
Unmitigated Vitriol. . .
I really needed my outburst yesterday and, although I am no longer as angry as I was when I wrote it, I am still angry.
But more than angry, I feel lonely, sad and confused.
If this is how I'm going to finish 2003, so be it, but it's not the way I intend on spending 2004.
I really needed my outburst yesterday and, although I am no longer as angry as I was when I wrote it, I am still angry.
But more than angry, I feel lonely, sad and confused.
If this is how I'm going to finish 2003, so be it, but it's not the way I intend on spending 2004.
12.29.2003
I Am ANGRY Today. . .
I am angry and hurt and confused about a lot of things today.
I am in ENVY of Matt and his relationship with his family. He has with them what I thought I had with mine, but, since things have pretty much gone to shit with my family, I don't think I really had it.
I have been repeatedly informed by both friends and my father that I have become the bitter complainer I've accused my dad of becoming. This sucks because complainers are no fun to be around.
I am confused because several people who claim to care about me are doing everything within their power to break my heart and stamp on the pieces.
And let me explain something to all of you:
I have never had a "Norman Rockwell", picture-perfect family life. I no longer have two parents happily married, but I rather have two parents whose divorce was long, drawn-out and bitter, because of accusations, custody suits and sleazy lawyers, in addition to bankruptcy, depression and Prozac.
My siblings, although I love them dearly, have been permitted to get away with murder because the result of the custody battle was Dad getting custody of the 4 of us, even while unemployed and going bankrupt, and he tried his damnedest to keep them in our hometown and in the same school system. Dad's priority then was us.
Now, he resents the reign he's given them over the past 10 years, screams and hollers and blames US for HIS misery, when it's a direct result of choices HE made.
I am fucking sick of everyone around me knowing what's best for me.
I am fucking sick of being blamed for choices someone else has made.
I am fucking sick of being told that said choices are for my own good.
I am fucking sick of being made unwelcome at my father's house because of my brothers' opinions.
Why do I keep going back for more? Because they're my family, and I expect them to somehow accept me just as I am, the way I was always told they would.
But they refuse to do it.
I went to their fucking family counsellor. . . with my dad and his fiancee, without the person I was meeting about, and was told I had no right to speak my opinion. I was repeatedly interrupted and shushed, then yes-ed and agreed with. . . and NOTHING CHANGED.
I don't believe they want to change. If they did, they would have seen there was a problem, instead of throwing up their hands and saying "what can I do?". Fuck you. You could do plenty, you just chose not to, now you're living with the consequences and you're blaming everyone around you for the situation, when you're the asshole who created it to begin with.
I am angry and hurt. And my heart is broken. Fuck off everyone, I mean it.
I am angry and hurt and confused about a lot of things today.
I am in ENVY of Matt and his relationship with his family. He has with them what I thought I had with mine, but, since things have pretty much gone to shit with my family, I don't think I really had it.
I have been repeatedly informed by both friends and my father that I have become the bitter complainer I've accused my dad of becoming. This sucks because complainers are no fun to be around.
I am confused because several people who claim to care about me are doing everything within their power to break my heart and stamp on the pieces.
And let me explain something to all of you:
I have never had a "Norman Rockwell", picture-perfect family life. I no longer have two parents happily married, but I rather have two parents whose divorce was long, drawn-out and bitter, because of accusations, custody suits and sleazy lawyers, in addition to bankruptcy, depression and Prozac.
My siblings, although I love them dearly, have been permitted to get away with murder because the result of the custody battle was Dad getting custody of the 4 of us, even while unemployed and going bankrupt, and he tried his damnedest to keep them in our hometown and in the same school system. Dad's priority then was us.
Now, he resents the reign he's given them over the past 10 years, screams and hollers and blames US for HIS misery, when it's a direct result of choices HE made.
I am fucking sick of everyone around me knowing what's best for me.
I am fucking sick of being blamed for choices someone else has made.
I am fucking sick of being told that said choices are for my own good.
I am fucking sick of being made unwelcome at my father's house because of my brothers' opinions.
Why do I keep going back for more? Because they're my family, and I expect them to somehow accept me just as I am, the way I was always told they would.
But they refuse to do it.
I went to their fucking family counsellor. . . with my dad and his fiancee, without the person I was meeting about, and was told I had no right to speak my opinion. I was repeatedly interrupted and shushed, then yes-ed and agreed with. . . and NOTHING CHANGED.
I don't believe they want to change. If they did, they would have seen there was a problem, instead of throwing up their hands and saying "what can I do?". Fuck you. You could do plenty, you just chose not to, now you're living with the consequences and you're blaming everyone around you for the situation, when you're the asshole who created it to begin with.
I am angry and hurt. And my heart is broken. Fuck off everyone, I mean it.
12.28.2003
12.27.2003
Holiday Spirits. . .
This year for Christmas, the only thing I really wanted was to be able to see my family.
It worked out, sort of.
I rented a car to drive up North and see my dad and my brothers and sister. . . and the dog and cat . . . driving on Christmas Eve made me kinda nervous. I didn't hit traffic (fortunately), but it was rainy and foggy, so it was difficult to see the cars in front of me . . .and to see the turns in the highway.
Fortunately, I could have driven those roads in my sleep.
I managed to have a merry Christmas and got my best present of all: my family seemed happy to see me.
The rest of everything was just stuff.
Cool stuff, like the drill bits, "Ms. Fixit" handy-woman book and Alton Brown cookbook from Matthew, showed how he'd been listening . . . and really let me know how he cares.
Quirky kitchen-gadget stuff, like the strawberry huller, nutcracker and salt shaker/pepper-mill from Grandma, let me know that even when I'm not paying attention to what I'm talking about, someone else is. . . and it's really cool that they are.
Wish-list gifts, like the books from Mom, Rachael Ray cookbooks from Matt's family and DVD's from Mom and Matt's parents, are things that made shopping easier on those folks, and let my eyes light up when I opened it.
My next task? I need to get notecards so I can send out written thank-you's because they are much nicer than just the spoken ones. . . the trick will be finding them, but I have to run to Target anyway.
This year for Christmas, the only thing I really wanted was to be able to see my family.
It worked out, sort of.
I rented a car to drive up North and see my dad and my brothers and sister. . . and the dog and cat . . . driving on Christmas Eve made me kinda nervous. I didn't hit traffic (fortunately), but it was rainy and foggy, so it was difficult to see the cars in front of me . . .and to see the turns in the highway.
Fortunately, I could have driven those roads in my sleep.
I managed to have a merry Christmas and got my best present of all: my family seemed happy to see me.
The rest of everything was just stuff.
Cool stuff, like the drill bits, "Ms. Fixit" handy-woman book and Alton Brown cookbook from Matthew, showed how he'd been listening . . . and really let me know how he cares.
Quirky kitchen-gadget stuff, like the strawberry huller, nutcracker and salt shaker/pepper-mill from Grandma, let me know that even when I'm not paying attention to what I'm talking about, someone else is. . . and it's really cool that they are.
Wish-list gifts, like the books from Mom, Rachael Ray cookbooks from Matt's family and DVD's from Mom and Matt's parents, are things that made shopping easier on those folks, and let my eyes light up when I opened it.
My next task? I need to get notecards so I can send out written thank-you's because they are much nicer than just the spoken ones. . . the trick will be finding them, but I have to run to Target anyway.
12.23.2003
The 'Present Man' . . .
When my brothers and I were little, we used to call the UPS delivery guy "the present man", because that's usually how our Aunt Patti shipped us gifts at Christmas.
Today, I was as ecstatic to see "the present man" as I was when I was 5.
I love Christmas today.
When my brothers and I were little, we used to call the UPS delivery guy "the present man", because that's usually how our Aunt Patti shipped us gifts at Christmas.
Today, I was as ecstatic to see "the present man" as I was when I was 5.
I love Christmas today.
'Twas Right Before Christmas. . .
. . . and all through my house, most presents are sitting out in the middle of the floor, my baking isn't done and I have too much to do today to bother starting.
And I'm going to drive up to Dad's tomorrow.
Yes, things will certainly be interesting over the next few days, no question.
I spent the weekend with Matt and his family. He already described my overall "take" . . . which included:
- Pirates of the Caribbean on DVD
- a cocktail shaker and martini glasses
- 30 Minute Meals 2 and 30 Minute Meals- Get Togethers
- a scented candle that smells like sugar cookies
- a really cool glass necklace in a really pretty jewel box
- a ROTK movie poster
. . . it was like Christmas morning when I was little. And I had a helper (Matt's little cousin) to get through all the wrapping paper. . .
And I put myself on "baby-duty" for a little while and played with Matt's neice (she's 18 mos. old) and his cousin. . . after which his neice, who wasn't feeling so good this week, was completely changed. I don't know what I did, besides play tag (try it in heels, up-and-down stairs, while carrying a 19-lb toddler and you'll get an intense workout) and run around with her, but whatever it was, she liked it and decided it was time to party.
I spent the rest of the afternoon with the epithet "Magic Aunt Liz", so I guess I must have done something that nobody else could.
In case you couldn't tell, I had a wonderful time. . . Matt's family makes me feel so welcome and included that I envy him sometimes. It's been a while since I've felt that way with my own family, so I'm trying to see if I can recapture it. Maybe that's why I get so frustrated with them. . . they don't see it the way I do.
At any rate, I have things to do and people to see. . . and presents of odd shapes to wrap. Oh the joy of Christmas. . .
. . . and all through my house, most presents are sitting out in the middle of the floor, my baking isn't done and I have too much to do today to bother starting.
And I'm going to drive up to Dad's tomorrow.
Yes, things will certainly be interesting over the next few days, no question.
I spent the weekend with Matt and his family. He already described my overall "take" . . . which included:
- Pirates of the Caribbean on DVD
- a cocktail shaker and martini glasses
- 30 Minute Meals 2 and 30 Minute Meals- Get Togethers
- a scented candle that smells like sugar cookies
- a really cool glass necklace in a really pretty jewel box
- a ROTK movie poster
. . . it was like Christmas morning when I was little. And I had a helper (Matt's little cousin) to get through all the wrapping paper. . .
And I put myself on "baby-duty" for a little while and played with Matt's neice (she's 18 mos. old) and his cousin. . . after which his neice, who wasn't feeling so good this week, was completely changed. I don't know what I did, besides play tag (try it in heels, up-and-down stairs, while carrying a 19-lb toddler and you'll get an intense workout) and run around with her, but whatever it was, she liked it and decided it was time to party.
I spent the rest of the afternoon with the epithet "Magic Aunt Liz", so I guess I must have done something that nobody else could.
In case you couldn't tell, I had a wonderful time. . . Matt's family makes me feel so welcome and included that I envy him sometimes. It's been a while since I've felt that way with my own family, so I'm trying to see if I can recapture it. Maybe that's why I get so frustrated with them. . . they don't see it the way I do.
At any rate, I have things to do and people to see. . . and presents of odd shapes to wrap. Oh the joy of Christmas. . .
12.17.2003
In Other News. . .
Stumbled on in Slate:
Justin? Man of the year, no question. He's got the lap of a thousand dances. You have to go back to Leo DiCaprio circa March '98 for anything like this level of mass erotic hysteria. He has to stir-fry your pheromones for his music to make any impact, but that's not a putdown, just a genre specification. As a performer, he's one of the most inept I've ever seen. Hilarious. The bit where he leads his cheeseball, stripper-juice disco band through the 20-minute instrumental version of "On Broadway," George Benson version of course, playing his soulful electric-piano solos while his hirelings from the Dream of the Blue Turtles Temp Agency "stretch" "out" and make "heavy, man, heavy" faces at him in that special "I bet the Mylanta is deductible" kind of way ... well, he couldn't express his passive-aggressive contempt for his crowd better if he took a whiz on us, which would at least be over quicker (wouldn't it? my god, wouldn't it?). Again, that's not a putdown. Anybody who can suck that bad and still make straight girls see Jesus is doing something right. Very, very right.
Stumbled on in Slate:
Justin? Man of the year, no question. He's got the lap of a thousand dances. You have to go back to Leo DiCaprio circa March '98 for anything like this level of mass erotic hysteria. He has to stir-fry your pheromones for his music to make any impact, but that's not a putdown, just a genre specification. As a performer, he's one of the most inept I've ever seen. Hilarious. The bit where he leads his cheeseball, stripper-juice disco band through the 20-minute instrumental version of "On Broadway," George Benson version of course, playing his soulful electric-piano solos while his hirelings from the Dream of the Blue Turtles Temp Agency "stretch" "out" and make "heavy, man, heavy" faces at him in that special "I bet the Mylanta is deductible" kind of way ... well, he couldn't express his passive-aggressive contempt for his crowd better if he took a whiz on us, which would at least be over quicker (wouldn't it? my god, wouldn't it?). Again, that's not a putdown. Anybody who can suck that bad and still make straight girls see Jesus is doing something right. Very, very right.
You Work 9 to 5, but Somehow You Survive to the Night. . .
Today is opening day for the final installment of Peter Jackson's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings.
This is the part where all the exciting, sword-related violence takes place and there will be lots of guts, lots of glory and lots of fantastical creatures. . . including, as Samwise pointed out in the last flick, OLIFANTS!
Tonight, Matt and I will consume mass quantities of barbecued meats and then head to see Return of the King.
Could it get any sweeter than that?
This week has been a non-stop geekfest for me. Sunday and Tuesday, on the Discovery Channel, they presented a 4-hour mini-series entitled Dinosaur Planet. . . the best part about it? They gave the raptors (and other dromaeosaur-types) feathers. . . this is cutting-edge fossil applications. They found fossilized lightweight carnivorous dinosaurs in China (1999) which showed evidence of having had feathers. (OK, to be exact, they're not truly feathers, like birds today have, but they're close enough to be called feathers. They're actually modified scales, to get down to it, but if you look at birds like penguins, you find that's not far from the mark.) I was in dino-heaven for two hours on Sunday, and about an hour and a half last night. . . and on Friday, they're encoring the entire thing at 7pm. I know what I'll be watching.
I want to go to the AMNH on Saturday and see the meteorites. And the dinosaurs. You can't go to the Natural History museum and not see the dinosaurs, it's a crime. Dunno exactly what I'll be doing, though, because I still have cookies to bake. . .
Today is opening day for the final installment of Peter Jackson's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings.
This is the part where all the exciting, sword-related violence takes place and there will be lots of guts, lots of glory and lots of fantastical creatures. . . including, as Samwise pointed out in the last flick, OLIFANTS!
Tonight, Matt and I will consume mass quantities of barbecued meats and then head to see Return of the King.
Could it get any sweeter than that?
This week has been a non-stop geekfest for me. Sunday and Tuesday, on the Discovery Channel, they presented a 4-hour mini-series entitled Dinosaur Planet. . . the best part about it? They gave the raptors (and other dromaeosaur-types) feathers. . . this is cutting-edge fossil applications. They found fossilized lightweight carnivorous dinosaurs in China (1999) which showed evidence of having had feathers. (OK, to be exact, they're not truly feathers, like birds today have, but they're close enough to be called feathers. They're actually modified scales, to get down to it, but if you look at birds like penguins, you find that's not far from the mark.) I was in dino-heaven for two hours on Sunday, and about an hour and a half last night. . . and on Friday, they're encoring the entire thing at 7pm. I know what I'll be watching.
I want to go to the AMNH on Saturday and see the meteorites. And the dinosaurs. You can't go to the Natural History museum and not see the dinosaurs, it's a crime. Dunno exactly what I'll be doing, though, because I still have cookies to bake. . .
12.15.2003
It's Not Even Winter Yet. . .
. . . but Central Park has recorded 19.8" of snow. (*edit - I read the actual figure later today)
It's about damn time for another Ice Age, the way I figure it, and I recently read that I'm right in a way. According to the study, there ought to have been an Ice Age beginning roughly 5,000 - 8,000 years ago, but, due to advances in agriculture, mankind altered the climate enough to stave it off.
We're not really sure whether or not the Planet will insist on its own way, but, for the time being, it feels like it'll have its own way and start Winter earlier than we're ready for it.
. . . but Central Park has recorded 19.8" of snow. (*edit - I read the actual figure later today)
It's about damn time for another Ice Age, the way I figure it, and I recently read that I'm right in a way. According to the study, there ought to have been an Ice Age beginning roughly 5,000 - 8,000 years ago, but, due to advances in agriculture, mankind altered the climate enough to stave it off.
We're not really sure whether or not the Planet will insist on its own way, but, for the time being, it feels like it'll have its own way and start Winter earlier than we're ready for it.
12.13.2003
Workouts and Walks
Today was a workout day. I'm glad to get back into an excercise routine, because I'm expending my excess energy in a more productive fashion and I'm more health-conscious, despite that half-finished pint of Ben & Jerry's in my freezer.
I finished my Christmas shopping for Dad and for Matthew. I still have to finish my immediate family, like Mom, Bob, Mary, Nana, Gerald and Joe, but I'm mostly done.
I also plan to make lots of cookies tomorrow with my Valrie, sharing my mom's cookie recipes and techniques with one of my closest and best friends. . .this feels good. =)
So far, I am in the Christmas spirit. And tonight on NBC, they're showing It's A Wonderful Life. . . ahhh. . .
Today was a workout day. I'm glad to get back into an excercise routine, because I'm expending my excess energy in a more productive fashion and I'm more health-conscious, despite that half-finished pint of Ben & Jerry's in my freezer.
I finished my Christmas shopping for Dad and for Matthew. I still have to finish my immediate family, like Mom, Bob, Mary, Nana, Gerald and Joe, but I'm mostly done.
I also plan to make lots of cookies tomorrow with my Valrie, sharing my mom's cookie recipes and techniques with one of my closest and best friends. . .this feels good. =)
So far, I am in the Christmas spirit. And tonight on NBC, they're showing It's A Wonderful Life. . . ahhh. . .
12.12.2003
These Are the Days It Never Rains, But It Pours. . .
So true, Freddie, so true.
Today, I have had a load of interesting news:
I heard that someone who I used to be close to lost her mom.
I heard that I could "settle" an open, maxed-out credit account, with mixed consequences to my credit rating.
I heard that my step-mom has breast cancer. Again.
For the first and last items, I want to offer any help and emotional support I can, because although I have never gone through what either of you are going through, I can empathize on a basic level. I understand loss and how it feels to lose a part of yourself.
Please send out some good vibes in their directions.
Thank you.
So true, Freddie, so true.
Today, I have had a load of interesting news:
I heard that someone who I used to be close to lost her mom.
I heard that I could "settle" an open, maxed-out credit account, with mixed consequences to my credit rating.
I heard that my step-mom has breast cancer. Again.
For the first and last items, I want to offer any help and emotional support I can, because although I have never gone through what either of you are going through, I can empathize on a basic level. I understand loss and how it feels to lose a part of yourself.
Please send out some good vibes in their directions.
Thank you.
It's For the Summer. . .
In search of the perfect "Secret Santa" gift for a teammate, I went to Chinatown last night.
I've been trying to get this done since names were assigned (not really) so making the time to pick up the gift (with a $10 limit, by the way) was difficult, especially because we had that SNOWSTORM last weekend.
OK, no problem. Pop into the City, shuttle down to Chinatown, go back home and finish the vegetarian chili I made for the team luncheon today.
And, in addition to spending the time and cash in Chinatown, I got to hang out with Gary. He showed me some of the cheapest and best eats in that area, which I will soon be dragging my mother and sister to when I have the time.
Yes, I managed to do everything. I feel very proud of myself. I also managed to pick up some more gifts for Matthew, which made me happy to be able to do something for him. =)
In search of the perfect "Secret Santa" gift for a teammate, I went to Chinatown last night.
I've been trying to get this done since names were assigned (not really) so making the time to pick up the gift (with a $10 limit, by the way) was difficult, especially because we had that SNOWSTORM last weekend.
OK, no problem. Pop into the City, shuttle down to Chinatown, go back home and finish the vegetarian chili I made for the team luncheon today.
And, in addition to spending the time and cash in Chinatown, I got to hang out with Gary. He showed me some of the cheapest and best eats in that area, which I will soon be dragging my mother and sister to when I have the time.
Yes, I managed to do everything. I feel very proud of myself. I also managed to pick up some more gifts for Matthew, which made me happy to be able to do something for him. =)
12.11.2003
Today's Food for Thought. . .
We dared to ask for more
But that was long before
The nights began to burn
You would have though we'd
Learned you can't make promises
All based upon tomorrow
Happiness, security
Are words we only borrow
For is this the answer to our prayers
Is this what God has sent?
Please understand this isn't what we meant.
The future couldn't last
We've nailed it to the past
With every word a trap
That no one can take
Back from all the architechts
Who find their towers leaning
And every prayer we pray at night
Has somehow lost its meaning
For is this the answer to our prayers
Is this what God has sent?
Please understand this isn't what we meant.
A long time ago
When the world was pretty
Standing right here
In a different city
They're not coming back anymore
They're not coming back any. . .
Is this the answer to our prayers
Is this what God has sent?
Please understand this isn't what we meant.
[Lyrics from 'This Isn't What We Meant', by Jon Oliva & Paul O'Neill, appearing on the Savatage concept album 'Dead Winter Dead' (1995). . . To the best of my knowledge, the band is now known as Trans-Siberian Orchestra]
We dared to ask for more
But that was long before
The nights began to burn
You would have though we'd
Learned you can't make promises
All based upon tomorrow
Happiness, security
Are words we only borrow
For is this the answer to our prayers
Is this what God has sent?
Please understand this isn't what we meant.
The future couldn't last
We've nailed it to the past
With every word a trap
That no one can take
Back from all the architechts
Who find their towers leaning
And every prayer we pray at night
Has somehow lost its meaning
For is this the answer to our prayers
Is this what God has sent?
Please understand this isn't what we meant.
A long time ago
When the world was pretty
Standing right here
In a different city
They're not coming back anymore
They're not coming back any. . .
Is this the answer to our prayers
Is this what God has sent?
Please understand this isn't what we meant.
[Lyrics from 'This Isn't What We Meant', by Jon Oliva & Paul O'Neill, appearing on the Savatage concept album 'Dead Winter Dead' (1995). . . To the best of my knowledge, the band is now known as Trans-Siberian Orchestra]
12.10.2003
Growing Up. . .
I was raised Catholic.
These days, saying that invites giggles, stares and quips about altar boys in compromising positions.
It did the same during the Middle Ages, just read The Canterbury Tales, and you'll see my point.
At any rate, it's now the season of Advent and the start of the liturgical year, and I get kinda reminiscent of years gone by, when I felt like my family actually enjoyed my company and we all looked forward to our little Christmas traditions.
One of the first things to remind you that Christmas was coming would be Mom breaking out the Advent wreath and this:
The Kneeling Santa. Our plaster figurine was placed in the center of the Advent wreath every year, to remind us that there's something more to this Season than presents. . . there's a Presence.
Since the last time we all gathered around the Advent wreath, my parents have divorced, lost their jobs, regained employment, my brothers have graduated from high school and I've made my break with the Church. And organized religion in general.
This year, if I get nothing else for Christmas, I just want my family to love me with no strings attached. Maybe that's a tall order, but it's what that Presence was supposed to mean. . . a way for people to set aside their grievances and find a Way towards a better, more loving world.
*sigh* Today, I feel like Linus explaining Christmas to Charlie Brown. . .
I was raised Catholic.
These days, saying that invites giggles, stares and quips about altar boys in compromising positions.
It did the same during the Middle Ages, just read The Canterbury Tales, and you'll see my point.
At any rate, it's now the season of Advent and the start of the liturgical year, and I get kinda reminiscent of years gone by, when I felt like my family actually enjoyed my company and we all looked forward to our little Christmas traditions.
One of the first things to remind you that Christmas was coming would be Mom breaking out the Advent wreath and this:
The Kneeling Santa. Our plaster figurine was placed in the center of the Advent wreath every year, to remind us that there's something more to this Season than presents. . . there's a Presence.
Since the last time we all gathered around the Advent wreath, my parents have divorced, lost their jobs, regained employment, my brothers have graduated from high school and I've made my break with the Church. And organized religion in general.
This year, if I get nothing else for Christmas, I just want my family to love me with no strings attached. Maybe that's a tall order, but it's what that Presence was supposed to mean. . . a way for people to set aside their grievances and find a Way towards a better, more loving world.
*sigh* Today, I feel like Linus explaining Christmas to Charlie Brown. . .
12.09.2003
Today's Soapbox: Lovely Lady Liberty. . .
I have never been to see the Statue of Liberty. One of the things I want to do before I kick the bucket is to go as far up inside the statue as they'll let me, just to see the view of New York Harbor, Manhattan and the New Jersey coastline.
I learned this past summer that they won't let you do that because Lady Liberty has been CLOSED for two years.
I'd close her down, too, if I'd witnessed two jetliners slamming into the tallest buildings in NYC that warm September morning, but I'd reopen her as fast as I could, because she's a symbol of everything this proud and imperfect Nation of ours stands for, a blending of faiths, ideals, cultures and peoples. A torch of freedom, liberty and justice. . . she has borne silent witness to the growth of the nation.
Lady Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. She was designed by Auguste Bartholdi, and engineered by Gustave Eiffel, in 1886.
Schoolchildren collected pennies to help build her pedestal on Liberty Island, Joseph Pulitzer used his paper to spur Americans into action, so this gift could be installed. . .
I was 8 years old when Lady Liberty was restored in 1986 to celebrate her 100th birthday. I am now 25 and have lived in the New York area my entire life. I have never been to see her in person, but want to climb up to the very top.
Until she's reopened, nobody will be able to do that.
American Express has teamed up with the National Park Service to raise funds for the new security precautions they're building so that they might reopen Lady Liberty to the public.
For more information, visit http://statueofliberty.org/new-homepage.htm
If you can spare the cash, isn't she worth it?
I have never been to see the Statue of Liberty. One of the things I want to do before I kick the bucket is to go as far up inside the statue as they'll let me, just to see the view of New York Harbor, Manhattan and the New Jersey coastline.
I learned this past summer that they won't let you do that because Lady Liberty has been CLOSED for two years.
I'd close her down, too, if I'd witnessed two jetliners slamming into the tallest buildings in NYC that warm September morning, but I'd reopen her as fast as I could, because she's a symbol of everything this proud and imperfect Nation of ours stands for, a blending of faiths, ideals, cultures and peoples. A torch of freedom, liberty and justice. . . she has borne silent witness to the growth of the nation.
Lady Liberty was a gift from France to the United States. She was designed by Auguste Bartholdi, and engineered by Gustave Eiffel, in 1886.
Schoolchildren collected pennies to help build her pedestal on Liberty Island, Joseph Pulitzer used his paper to spur Americans into action, so this gift could be installed. . .
I was 8 years old when Lady Liberty was restored in 1986 to celebrate her 100th birthday. I am now 25 and have lived in the New York area my entire life. I have never been to see her in person, but want to climb up to the very top.
Until she's reopened, nobody will be able to do that.
American Express has teamed up with the National Park Service to raise funds for the new security precautions they're building so that they might reopen Lady Liberty to the public.
For more information, visit http://statueofliberty.org/new-homepage.htm
If you can spare the cash, isn't she worth it?
Proving and Old Saw. . .
. . . it's now true that you learn something new every day:
Slate's Explainer explains how to sterilize bears.
Yipe.
. . . it's now true that you learn something new every day:
Slate's Explainer explains how to sterilize bears.
Yipe.
If You Thought THAT Was Bad. . .
. . . try shoveling with a sawed-off snow shovel.
Yes. That's exactly what I said. A SAWED-OFF SNOW SHOVEL!!!!
How or why this makes (or ever made) sense to the Landlord, I do not know, nor do I particularly care to find out. It worked fine for my former roommate, who's only 5'2", but me, well. . . I'm 5'7" and change, so it's difficult to get the appropriate leverage with the sawed-off, making snow removal a long, arduous and painful task.
On the bright side, today's temperature (and sunshine) is supposed to cause significant melting.
Tomorrow, it's supposed to rain. Hmm. . . let's think about this: rain after a snowstorm that clogged the storm drains?
I have a feeling it'll be flooded on Thursday.
. . . try shoveling with a sawed-off snow shovel.
Yes. That's exactly what I said. A SAWED-OFF SNOW SHOVEL!!!!
How or why this makes (or ever made) sense to the Landlord, I do not know, nor do I particularly care to find out. It worked fine for my former roommate, who's only 5'2", but me, well. . . I'm 5'7" and change, so it's difficult to get the appropriate leverage with the sawed-off, making snow removal a long, arduous and painful task.
On the bright side, today's temperature (and sunshine) is supposed to cause significant melting.
Tomorrow, it's supposed to rain. Hmm. . . let's think about this: rain after a snowstorm that clogged the storm drains?
I have a feeling it'll be flooded on Thursday.
12.07.2003
Help! I'm a Prisoner in a Chinese Bakery!
In case you hadn't heard or felt it, the northeast got SLAMMED with the first snow-event of the season.
I was blissfully enjoying my free 'gourmet' luncheon (and open bar) at the office holiday party, aware that it was snowing, but clueless as to how rotten it would be to drive in it. Especially when I work in the NORTHERN part of the state, and Friday's storm was moving South-to-North. . . and I live in the CENTRAL part of the state.
Yeah. So when I got the voicemail from Matthew at 2pm saying it was bad and I should leave work, I got the feeling I should've left before the party started.
I finally made it out of Newark at 3:15pm. Matt had left his job, normally about a half-hour from my house, at 2pm. Because of traffic backup from the weather and several accidents on both of the main arteries to my apartment, he didn't get there until about 4:30.
Once it slowed down, we made the trek to his parents' house to spend the weekend there.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience. . . I got to spend some quality time with his mom; he got to shovel the driveway and walkways with his dad. . . and we had hot chocolate and enough ingredients to make cookies from scratch. Today, I helped his mom start wrapping Christmas presents after breakfast. Then Matt & I watched TV and finished my charity gift-giving trip that we'd originally intended for Saturday-ish. Now I'm waiting for my apartment to warm up and looking forward to watching a TLC special on Ancient Egypt. . . ooh, take me someplace warm!
Countdown to vacation: 6 in-office days, 2 telecommuting.
In case you hadn't heard or felt it, the northeast got SLAMMED with the first snow-event of the season.
I was blissfully enjoying my free 'gourmet' luncheon (and open bar) at the office holiday party, aware that it was snowing, but clueless as to how rotten it would be to drive in it. Especially when I work in the NORTHERN part of the state, and Friday's storm was moving South-to-North. . . and I live in the CENTRAL part of the state.
Yeah. So when I got the voicemail from Matthew at 2pm saying it was bad and I should leave work, I got the feeling I should've left before the party started.
I finally made it out of Newark at 3:15pm. Matt had left his job, normally about a half-hour from my house, at 2pm. Because of traffic backup from the weather and several accidents on both of the main arteries to my apartment, he didn't get there until about 4:30.
Once it slowed down, we made the trek to his parents' house to spend the weekend there.
Overall, it was a pleasant experience. . . I got to spend some quality time with his mom; he got to shovel the driveway and walkways with his dad. . . and we had hot chocolate and enough ingredients to make cookies from scratch. Today, I helped his mom start wrapping Christmas presents after breakfast. Then Matt & I watched TV and finished my charity gift-giving trip that we'd originally intended for Saturday-ish. Now I'm waiting for my apartment to warm up and looking forward to watching a TLC special on Ancient Egypt. . . ooh, take me someplace warm!
Countdown to vacation: 6 in-office days, 2 telecommuting.
12.05.2003
Weeklong Diary . . .
Each week, Slate has a "diary" feature; this week's was rather intriguing at first blush and has gotten more interesting with the aging of the week.
In fact, it's so interesting, I'm pissed that I didn't link it sooner.
Start with this post, it's from Monday, and work up:
The Odd Couple
Enjoy!
Each week, Slate has a "diary" feature; this week's was rather intriguing at first blush and has gotten more interesting with the aging of the week.
In fact, it's so interesting, I'm pissed that I didn't link it sooner.
Start with this post, it's from Monday, and work up:
The Odd Couple
Enjoy!
Random Lyrics for Today:
Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow!
Let it snow!
Let it snow!
I won't be so cheerful later today if it's as messy as they're saying it'll be, and it hasn't started at work yet, but this weekend will witness the first "snow event" of the season. And it's not even officially Winter yet.
I have a feeling that this winter will be a LONG one so I'd better get some hobbies. And a snow jacket and boots. There's nothing like throwing snowballs to relieve your feelings of ennui.
Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let it snow!
Let it snow!
Let it snow!
I won't be so cheerful later today if it's as messy as they're saying it'll be, and it hasn't started at work yet, but this weekend will witness the first "snow event" of the season. And it's not even officially Winter yet.
I have a feeling that this winter will be a LONG one so I'd better get some hobbies. And a snow jacket and boots. There's nothing like throwing snowballs to relieve your feelings of ennui.
12.04.2003
Quote for Today:
"If you've got something to complain about, you don't have enough to do"
It's true, it's true. And I have been really guilty of this lately.
I didn't think that I complained as much as I do, but, over the past month, I have complained about more things than I thought I did. Stupid little things, great big things and not so big (or important) things. . . you name it, I bitched about it.
New month, new rules. No complaints. I'm going to keep busy. Do some baking (I think I still owe JustJon some cookies *blush*, so he'd better give me his snail mail address!), take walks, get fit and start doing other things I enjoy. Maybe start writing again and finally get my children's book out of the planning stages.
"If you've got something to complain about, you don't have enough to do"
It's true, it's true. And I have been really guilty of this lately.
I didn't think that I complained as much as I do, but, over the past month, I have complained about more things than I thought I did. Stupid little things, great big things and not so big (or important) things. . . you name it, I bitched about it.
New month, new rules. No complaints. I'm going to keep busy. Do some baking (I think I still owe JustJon some cookies *blush*, so he'd better give me his snail mail address!), take walks, get fit and start doing other things I enjoy. Maybe start writing again and finally get my children's book out of the planning stages.
12.03.2003
Season's Cleanings. . .
OK, I know, Fall has pretty much bitten the dust, especially with Winter right around the corner (18 days FLIES by when you're not paying attention!), so I won't call it "Fall Cleaning", but I've been on and off a cleaning kick the past couple days.
Over the course of clearing out unnecessary junk from my living room closet, I have discovered:
- My expired and maxed-out MasterCard which I used to pay tuition during my Sophomore year of college (debt #1 that my father swore he'd help with but didn't)
- My library card from my home-town's library (back when I was unemployed and thought I was stuck there forever)
- My old college ID, with my library barcode on the back (I think I still have borrowing privileges with that, you know)
- My BIRTH CERTIFICATE, which I thought was buried in the crap-container that is my father's garage, and which I will need to do things like get a new digital drivers' license and get a passport so I can travel abroad
I also found an empty plastic looseleaf binder and my 3-hole punch, which allowed me the luxury of organizing my Food Newtork recipes and rid me of a chunk of the mess on my microwave cart.
Last night, I did laundry and enjoyed a mostly empty laundromat. . . so I got one of the 10-minute dryers. It may be sad and pathetic to get excited about that, but when it's a difference of a precious quarter to dry your hot-water/hot-air clothes for 40-minutes, I'll take the little savings and be really happy about it.
After the living room is finished, the next project will be the bathroom and kitchen floors. They're starting to look a li'l icky, if you ask me. And, of course, the tub & shower could use a dose of the scrubby-bubbles.
Maybe it's the change in seasons, or maybe it's because I'm starting to wake up to the fact that my allergy and asthma symptoms are lessened if I keep the house neat and clean. I just have to find a good place to empty my vacuum canister and I can give the place the cleaning it needs before I spritz that Febreze stuff for its allergen-reducing properties. And to make sure my house doesn't reek like meals. *shudder*
OK, I know, Fall has pretty much bitten the dust, especially with Winter right around the corner (18 days FLIES by when you're not paying attention!), so I won't call it "Fall Cleaning", but I've been on and off a cleaning kick the past couple days.
Over the course of clearing out unnecessary junk from my living room closet, I have discovered:
- My expired and maxed-out MasterCard which I used to pay tuition during my Sophomore year of college (debt #1 that my father swore he'd help with but didn't)
- My library card from my home-town's library (back when I was unemployed and thought I was stuck there forever)
- My old college ID, with my library barcode on the back (I think I still have borrowing privileges with that, you know)
- My BIRTH CERTIFICATE, which I thought was buried in the crap-container that is my father's garage, and which I will need to do things like get a new digital drivers' license and get a passport so I can travel abroad
I also found an empty plastic looseleaf binder and my 3-hole punch, which allowed me the luxury of organizing my Food Newtork recipes and rid me of a chunk of the mess on my microwave cart.
Last night, I did laundry and enjoyed a mostly empty laundromat. . . so I got one of the 10-minute dryers. It may be sad and pathetic to get excited about that, but when it's a difference of a precious quarter to dry your hot-water/hot-air clothes for 40-minutes, I'll take the little savings and be really happy about it.
After the living room is finished, the next project will be the bathroom and kitchen floors. They're starting to look a li'l icky, if you ask me. And, of course, the tub & shower could use a dose of the scrubby-bubbles.
Maybe it's the change in seasons, or maybe it's because I'm starting to wake up to the fact that my allergy and asthma symptoms are lessened if I keep the house neat and clean. I just have to find a good place to empty my vacuum canister and I can give the place the cleaning it needs before I spritz that Febreze stuff for its allergen-reducing properties. And to make sure my house doesn't reek like meals. *shudder*
Ahh, The Relief of the Between-Quarters Lull. . .
It's now "officially" 2004 at the office.
No, we didn't ignore the fact that December (and 2003) still has another 28 days to go, but all our 2003 production is wrapped as of yesterday.
This means that I can spend time cleaning out my cube in preparation for my annual vacation from Acme Publishing on the 19th.
It also means that my teammates and I have the time we lacked earlier in the quarter to spend on finishing up our team goals to reorganize and standardize some of our products, promote our team's good work to the rest of the company and socialize.
The office "Holiday Party" will be held on Friday. I will not be wearing high heels, but I will be wearing new shoes. Unless, of course, it snows, in which case, I will be wearing old shoes and slacks rather than a skirt. I will also be going straight home, rather than attending the "after-party" because last year's was too interesting for my taste. . . and because I want to try and save some cash to start the elusive car fund.
Originally, I had a very full weekend planned, but, since my mom called to postpone our visit to the Met, I now have Sunday free. I plan to head to the gym early and maybe do some more reorganizing later in the day, depending on how ambitious I feel.
After I pay the cell phone bill, I plan to finish my Christmas shopping. I already have some idea of what to get for my mom and for my dad, but haven't finished my shopping list yet.
I figure I'll send cards and cookies to the family I won't be seeing, except for my little cousins, but I need to talk to my aunt about the things I saw that made me think of them before I plan on getting them and ask a couple of questions about things they might need, and nice gifts to my grandparents in addition to the cookies. I want to try making a half-batch of some with Splenda for my diabetic grandmother, if they turn out well.
Other than that, I have no new ideas. . . things are gonna be fun, though. =)
It's now "officially" 2004 at the office.
No, we didn't ignore the fact that December (and 2003) still has another 28 days to go, but all our 2003 production is wrapped as of yesterday.
This means that I can spend time cleaning out my cube in preparation for my annual vacation from Acme Publishing on the 19th.
It also means that my teammates and I have the time we lacked earlier in the quarter to spend on finishing up our team goals to reorganize and standardize some of our products, promote our team's good work to the rest of the company and socialize.
The office "Holiday Party" will be held on Friday. I will not be wearing high heels, but I will be wearing new shoes. Unless, of course, it snows, in which case, I will be wearing old shoes and slacks rather than a skirt. I will also be going straight home, rather than attending the "after-party" because last year's was too interesting for my taste. . . and because I want to try and save some cash to start the elusive car fund.
Originally, I had a very full weekend planned, but, since my mom called to postpone our visit to the Met, I now have Sunday free. I plan to head to the gym early and maybe do some more reorganizing later in the day, depending on how ambitious I feel.
After I pay the cell phone bill, I plan to finish my Christmas shopping. I already have some idea of what to get for my mom and for my dad, but haven't finished my shopping list yet.
I figure I'll send cards and cookies to the family I won't be seeing, except for my little cousins, but I need to talk to my aunt about the things I saw that made me think of them before I plan on getting them and ask a couple of questions about things they might need, and nice gifts to my grandparents in addition to the cookies. I want to try making a half-batch of some with Splenda for my diabetic grandmother, if they turn out well.
Other than that, I have no new ideas. . . things are gonna be fun, though. =)
12.02.2003
Just Call Me "Ms. McGuyver". . .
Last night, I replaced the light bulb in the socket on my front porch.
The only reason that this was an accomplishment is that it took me six months, a gluestick and a potato to do it.
Huh?
Yeah, you read that correctly: six months, a gluestick and a potato.
Allow me to explain.
We all know that light bulbs all have a glass part that houses the filaments and a metal screw-part that you screw into a socket. Well, what happens if the light burns out and then the glass part detaches from the screw part?
You have exactly what happened to the light bulb that's been sitting in the socket of the porch fixture for the last 6 months. The bulb blew out and the glass detached from the metal screw part.
My first idea, which came to me in a dream this weekend, was to glue it back together and unscrew it as if it were a whole bulb.
First problem? This would require actual glue.
Second problem? I only had a glue stick.
But I tried it anyway. . . and it didn't work.
Having seen it on TV, probably on an episode of Good Eats, I once heard that you could safely remove a broken-off light bulb using half a potato to stick onto the broken glass. Of course, this assumes that the glass part of the bulb was what broke and you've got a shard of hazard waiting to slice your hand open.
OK, I thought, now what am I going to stick this on? I twisted the broken glass bulb free from the metal base, leaving me with an empty socket. Not the shard of glass that would put a matching scar on my right hand, but dangerous nonetheless.
I raced back to my kitchen, cut a potato in half and went back to the porch. This trick was harder than I thought, as there was nothing to really stick into the base and get the leverage I needed to unscrew the thing.
Plan B: I went back upstairs and grabbed my paring knife. I followed the little groove left in the potato by the socket, deepening it to give the base something to feed into.
Heart pounding with discovery, I managed to unscrew the base from the socket enough so I could finish it up with my hands.
Result: I fixed my light and didn't have to call the landlord about it. Now the pizza delivery guys can find the place and not have to stumble around in the dark.
Final thought:
I need to call the landlord about replacing the fixture so this doesn't happen again.
Last night, I replaced the light bulb in the socket on my front porch.
The only reason that this was an accomplishment is that it took me six months, a gluestick and a potato to do it.
Huh?
Yeah, you read that correctly: six months, a gluestick and a potato.
Allow me to explain.
We all know that light bulbs all have a glass part that houses the filaments and a metal screw-part that you screw into a socket. Well, what happens if the light burns out and then the glass part detaches from the screw part?
You have exactly what happened to the light bulb that's been sitting in the socket of the porch fixture for the last 6 months. The bulb blew out and the glass detached from the metal screw part.
My first idea, which came to me in a dream this weekend, was to glue it back together and unscrew it as if it were a whole bulb.
First problem? This would require actual glue.
Second problem? I only had a glue stick.
But I tried it anyway. . . and it didn't work.
Having seen it on TV, probably on an episode of Good Eats, I once heard that you could safely remove a broken-off light bulb using half a potato to stick onto the broken glass. Of course, this assumes that the glass part of the bulb was what broke and you've got a shard of hazard waiting to slice your hand open.
OK, I thought, now what am I going to stick this on? I twisted the broken glass bulb free from the metal base, leaving me with an empty socket. Not the shard of glass that would put a matching scar on my right hand, but dangerous nonetheless.
I raced back to my kitchen, cut a potato in half and went back to the porch. This trick was harder than I thought, as there was nothing to really stick into the base and get the leverage I needed to unscrew the thing.
Plan B: I went back upstairs and grabbed my paring knife. I followed the little groove left in the potato by the socket, deepening it to give the base something to feed into.
Heart pounding with discovery, I managed to unscrew the base from the socket enough so I could finish it up with my hands.
Result: I fixed my light and didn't have to call the landlord about it. Now the pizza delivery guys can find the place and not have to stumble around in the dark.
Final thought:
I need to call the landlord about replacing the fixture so this doesn't happen again.
12.01.2003
Hilarity Ensues. . .
Why I love the liberal rags I read. . . reason #DL205:
What's really destroying the sanctity of marriage?
HINT: I don't know, but it's not the gays, unless it has something to do with Stuart, the trailer park and the soil.
Why I love the liberal rags I read. . . reason #DL205:
What's really destroying the sanctity of marriage?
HINT: I don't know, but it's not the gays, unless it has something to do with Stuart, the trailer park and the soil.
LONG Weekend. . .
From Wednesday to Sunday, I spent time with Matthew.
Since his mom has been sick, we made the offer to help make Thanksgiving dinner. It was, if I say so myself, a brilliant endeavor which we carried out professionally and joyfully.
And it's probably among the most enjoyable things I've done in quite some time.
With all the success that Thursday's dinner was, Wednesday's left some to be desired. The only thing I'm going to say about it is, if you find a beetle drowned in your salad dressing, you're not going to feel much like eating anything else. Even if it's prime rib.
Friday was spent avoiding the malls and shopping centers (this was a stroke of genius, you know) and sleeping in. And I bought myself a cordless drill on sale at Home Depot. My next step is to get bits. . . because it came with driver bits but not drill bits, but for $20, why argue?
Saturday we hit the mall. Not exactly the brightest idea in the world, as things were hopping, but not claustrophobic, but it reminded us how broke we are this week. Oh well. We'll have money enough to get things together for the people who matter the most to us - our families. =)
We also went to dinner with Matt's parents. It was a GREAT meal, for a reasonable price, and we talked cell phones almost the entire time. All in all, it was a fun time. Then we went back to Casa Fridays to watch some Food Network and sleep.
On Sunday, we were both bored out of our skulls. So, we came to the conclusion that we need to find things to do that don't cost money and are fun. . . hence the creation of the weekly mission!
This week's mission: find fun, low-to-no-cost activities that we'll both enjoy.
From Wednesday to Sunday, I spent time with Matthew.
Since his mom has been sick, we made the offer to help make Thanksgiving dinner. It was, if I say so myself, a brilliant endeavor which we carried out professionally and joyfully.
And it's probably among the most enjoyable things I've done in quite some time.
With all the success that Thursday's dinner was, Wednesday's left some to be desired. The only thing I'm going to say about it is, if you find a beetle drowned in your salad dressing, you're not going to feel much like eating anything else. Even if it's prime rib.
Friday was spent avoiding the malls and shopping centers (this was a stroke of genius, you know) and sleeping in. And I bought myself a cordless drill on sale at Home Depot. My next step is to get bits. . . because it came with driver bits but not drill bits, but for $20, why argue?
Saturday we hit the mall. Not exactly the brightest idea in the world, as things were hopping, but not claustrophobic, but it reminded us how broke we are this week. Oh well. We'll have money enough to get things together for the people who matter the most to us - our families. =)
We also went to dinner with Matt's parents. It was a GREAT meal, for a reasonable price, and we talked cell phones almost the entire time. All in all, it was a fun time. Then we went back to Casa Fridays to watch some Food Network and sleep.
On Sunday, we were both bored out of our skulls. So, we came to the conclusion that we need to find things to do that don't cost money and are fun. . . hence the creation of the weekly mission!
This week's mission: find fun, low-to-no-cost activities that we'll both enjoy.
