A few random things mixin' it up...

1. Aladdin from the g-store has taken to wearing eye liner and really tight pants. His inspirations? Green Day's Billie Joe and Glam Rock. PLEASE!
2. I have cramps.
3. This is going to be a long week
4. Anna Nicole Smith's accidental OD was not accidental. Come on people, she was depressed. Had been taking these meds for weeks, if not months. She KNEW what the damn dosage was. Accidental? My ass!
5. It's going to be a long week.
6. Yesterday was a really lovely sunny day and our bowling team won.

You can't take it with you...

A friend of mine recently had to go to Ireland to help her mom go through her recently departed aunt's house. Here's an excerpt of her letter.

"Mom and I went to Dublin to clean out my aunt's house-- f@#$%* unbelievable!! she never threw ANYTHING away, i found her braids from when she was 13, I found an unopened package mailed from Belfast to the family's house in the country in 1931!!! oh my god! hundreds of wet naps, hundreds of keys, old wigs, you name it. i took some pictures, but it just cannot capture the place, the slime, the dust, the depression. it was kind of like an intense and lengthy bhuddist retreat, in terms of deep insights gained about possessions, quality of life, etc. yikes!!..."

Though she hasn't said what was in the package, this is a good reminder that you can't take it with you. Other people have to clean up your crap. I wrote ages ago about another friend's aunt Gloria and a similar mess. I need to remind myself of these women and the amount of waste they left for others to deal with.

Time for MHS to get to some much needed spring cleaning!

Long day, homeless or crazy guy in the bathroom

Here are two things not related.

1. I have worked today at Company X for 13 hours. I had sworn I wouldn't ever do that again after Client Flintstone. So I lied. There is so much work to do and my little ADD brain is having a hard time with it. I would ask for help, but don't know exactly what help to ask for. Most of my clients are launching next week and I have to bust a move on getting their sites done. One of them I found out today, needs some big work. That's why I am still in the office. At least tomorrow I have the g-store and will have to leave by 6:30. But I feel I should come in at 7am to get things moving. We will see how wired I am when I get home. Tomorrow morning may not happen as planned.

2. So my co-worker Scott and I walk out towards the bathroom. He opens the door of the men's bathroom because there is a sickening sweet smell in there he wants me to help identify. He opens the door and.... there he is.... a man slumped on the floor of the men's stall. He was sraggly, with a beard. About 40ish (hard to tell) with raggedy clothes and a plastic bag. Scott went over to him and he didn't move. He asked him repeatedly if he needed help. Finally some mumblings. The man moved a little. I got Mark to go help Scott. A couple of minutes later, the man is stumbling in the hallway like a drunk person. He was continuing to mumble and had a huge knot on his head (probably from the fall). He said he was really tired and something about a couple of drinks. I offered a ride (taxi) or to call somebody. He declined. Said he was okay and would manage to get down the stairs. He slipped and fell a few times. Then Mark came back to tell us he called somebody (the police.) As Mark and Scott walked the man downstairs he said something about having an epileptic fit. He didn't smell of alcohol, but was really wobbly. When the ambulance and police came, he said to Mark that they knew him. They said they did and took him away. To where, I don't know. It was high drama. Strange thing though, he had a bicycle with him that he had ridden to our office building. Go figure. Maybe our bathrooms are really nice? A couple of the guys said they had seen him around here before.

Milli Vanilli

This morning I was listening to the radio on my drive to work. They played the really lame song, "Blame it on the Rain" recorded by the very defunct, Milli Vanilli. That got me thinking to the whole defuncting of Milli Vanilli. Wow. That was something. I remember when the whole big, bad thing went down. I wasn't ever a fan of their music but I was shocked to find out that they were only front men and that lots of people in the recording industry knew about it. It was amazing to me that it was a secret for years.

It was a really dumb song, but the scandal around the band made me think that I needed to blog about it this morning. I still have so much to blog about. I can't believe I went to California four months ago and never blogged about it. Work is really crazy now and when I get home, I veg in front of the tv or read. No blogging. I miss you, blog of mine.

Two unrelated issues - Swimming and VAGINA

Issue 1: I went to the gym this morning and swam for the first time in MONTHS. It was awesome. Why I am such an idiot who forgets how much I like to swim, I don't know. The only thing I can say is that Evil Kdar got her ass kicked this morning by Sporty Girl.

Issue 2. VAGINA, VAGINA, VAGINA
Story: Girls suspended for reciting from the play, The Vagina Monologues. WHAT? WHAT DID YOU SAY? That's right. They said the word "vagina". OMIGAWD. Call the police! Put those rebels in juvenile hall! They will probably grow up to be prostitutes anyhow. What godless parents those poor, wayward children must have.

Here are my thoughts. The principal said they were told not to say it. I am not into censoring, but if the teacher/principal felt the word was inappropriate, why allow them to read from it at all? And if they were allowed to read from it, as indicated in the article, it's called THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES. It's about what? Oh? You say women and... possibly... VAGINAS? I am glad the author of the play is participating with dialogue between the members of this stupid drama.

40 - the obsession

I will turn 40 in May. I have never been the kind of girl who is afraid to share my age. You are how old you are. However, with the upcoming monumental marker of 40, I have been obsessing on it.

The kids at the g-store are all young enough to be my kids, whether I would be a teenage ma or not. Out of the 104ish employees at Company X, only 1 is the same age as I am, and 11 are older than I am. I just find that interesting.

Did I mention I was obsessed with turning 40? I think about it every day. I know I can't go back or change anything. It's not the number that bothers me. I think it's filled with various levels of expectations not reached.

40

The weekend is over, trudging through the mire

Friday night didn't meet my expectations, not that I can tell you what they were exactly. I think there wasn't enough drinking and merriment for me. Mario was okay. Not as rip-roaring fun as he's been in the past. We did manage to paint Kyle's nails which I felt was a great accomplishment. Then Saturday, I spent the whole day nursing a headache from the one small glass of Reisling. No, it couldn't have been the additional shot of absinthe nor the two large glasses of whatever-the-hell Stephanie makes (a cherry bomb?) I know Reisling gives me a headache, yet I drank it. On top of the sleeping, when I did finally get around to moving, I showered and headed to the theater to see if I could get a ticket for "300" where some of my co-workers were. I got there 50 minutes before the movie and it was sold out.

SOLD OUT!

SOLD OUT? In VERMONT? FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I was really pissy. What a waste of a drive. Stupid movie. (Though I will probably see it by my self this week.)

Sunday was the g-store and bowling. I was late by an hour to the g-store because I completely forgot about the time change. They didn't seem to mind though, which was good. It was also pretty damn hectic and we lost at bowling, though Lauren made a swell Dave substitute. I think she will lower his average enough between this weekened and next so that when he comes back (he's out of town for two weeks) we will blow the socks off the competition! ha! We ARE in 3rd place, which is much better than last year.

This week is going to be a long one. Work is super busy and I have my review tomorrow. Two years here and this is my first review. I am looking forward to it, but who knows what kinds of jewels will be uncovered within it.

I don't seem a little negative today, do I?

Burlington, the city with the mostest

Burlington has done it, folks! We are the Eco-Friendliest city! How about that?

It's FRIDAY!! Yippee!!!

Today is Friday. It is payday. It is party day. I am thrilled. I don't have to work at the g-store tonight, which I am so happy about. Last night it was so quiet. Though I was staffed with fairly-new newbies, it worked out nicely. We got all of the chores done ontime or early. We didn't have a rush at the end. In fact, during the last 10 minutes of the store time, I don't think we had anybody. I was going to start up basket-bowling, it was that quiet. But the time got away from me and before you know it, it was time to go.

Did I mention how happy I am it is Friday? I am going to Stephanie's house this evening for a night with Mario. Mario is hot. He is a little short for me, but wow can he dance!

Here's a picture of Mario. Don't you wish he was yours?

Sticks and stones and high schoolers

Last night I was at the g-store. Apparently, I am a bitch. Aladdin gave me daggers-will-kill-you glances whereas Jasmine was her bubbly self. Already word has circulated about "the incident" with Aladdin and Jasmine. Aladdin told one chick that he hates Jane and Jean (who also witnessed the incident) and me. AND - we are all bitches and he will NEVER speak to us again! Hmpf!

Ah - to be back in high school. I think I would punch his lights out.

Guy Love from Scrubs

For your viewing pleasure. If you haven't seen this... WATCH IT NOW!

G-store drama - Sex and romance

Two stories about life at the g-store. The identites have been changed to protect the people involved and me from any legal action. (ha ha ha?)

Story the First: Sex and teens
Ophelia is a troubled teen. She's going to turn 18 this year. She is out about being a lesbian. And she was abused at some point early in her life. Her mother kicked her out recently for being gay. So what does she do? Turns around and has sex with Oscar and make out sessions with other guys. Though both Ophelia and Oscar say they won't do it again, I think she's out of control. It's more than teens just having sex. And at least, according to Oscar, they practiced safe sex. I feel sorry for Ophelia that she feels she needs to act out in this way. Whether she is gay because she was born that way or because she was abused, she really needs help. Though I don't know the circumstances of her home life, I think if her mother kicked her out for being gay, that is really horrible. Makes me want to take her in or yell at her mother for being so stupid.

Story the Second: Romance and teens
Jasmine works with me. Aladdin works in another department. She's 16-17. He's a year or two older. They have been dating for months. Jasime has had what seem to be obsessive crushes on both Ophelia and Oscar but has seemed to settle down with Aladdin. They are always together. It's to the point that if Jasmine has a chance to wander off, she will most likely be in the back of the store having makeout sessions with Aladdin. They have both been talked to repeately about their activities. Still no change. That brings me to my break the other night. I walked into the breakroom and there were Aladdin and Jasmine cosying up. Not appropriate for work. Jane, one of the supervisors, went up to them and physically split them up. When she turned around, they were back together. She went over to them and told them to stop and parted the seas again. Aladdin got so angry with Jane that he walked out of the breakroom. Not before throwing over a chair in a very dramatic scene. Jane went after him and they argued. He even called her a "bitch". (Not very smart to do that, eh?) I went to HR because I felt Jasmine and Aladdin's bad behavior has gone on too long. Afterwards, Jasmine asked me what I thought about what happened. I said, "Here's the lecture. You KNOW you shouldn't do that. You have been talked to before. If you don't stop, you could have lots of trouble. blah, blah, blah." She seemed open to my lecturing, but I think mostly it came out like a Charlie Brown adult voice where you can't understand what they are saying. Sigh. Teens. I am so glad I don't have one.

Mom update

Mom was in the hospital for three days. It was suppose to be 11 hours. But after the angeoplasty
on Friday, they thought she should stay overnight for observation. They allowed her to have all of her regular medications, which helped her sleep. Imagine that, sleeping whilst hospitalized! Between high blood pressure a blood transplant and dialysis, she was able to go home Sunday afternoon. She was chipper and sounding great when I talked to her last night which made me feel good.

And, the cardiologist told her with the proceedure they did, she's got at least 5-10 more years on her. Though I know she won't live forever, it's nice to hear that this proceedure will help her be in less pain and have a chance for being here for a few more years. As evil and manipulative as the pharmacutical companies can be, I am grateful for the medications that help my mom have a better quality of life.

Stitch 'n' bitch session

Last night I joined a couple of my co-workers at our first Stitch 'n' Bitch session. There are two parts to the event. Part One - do some kind of crafty thing. I chose crochet. Part Two - freedom to rant and rave. We did more of the latter than the former, but it was good to be with people who shared similar views on issues.

While I was there, I saw my friend Anne and Tim B's friend Justin who had both attended my Oscar party (blog to follow soon). I thought they would have some things in common and it was cool to see them out. We were at my favorite coffee place, Muddy Waters. I found out that they are open until midnight! That is exciting! I will really have a place to write at night! I don't know why I didn't find this out before!!

We will have another Stitch 'n' Bitch session next week, though I have to work at the gstore. Who knows, maybe I will actually finish the project I am crocheting before St. Patrick's Day?

Mom update - out of surgery, in recovery room

I called my dad this morning and Mom is out of her angeoplasty. He said they found a block in a lower artery but not big enough to perform surgery on. I guess that is good. He's having a hard time with it, which is understandable. Mom is in the recovery room for a few more hours and will be spending the night at the hospital for observation. She should be coming home tomorrow.

I had a rough week thinking about her upcoming surgery. I cried a couple of times at work. I know it was exploratory and happens all the time to people. But I think the thing that has been getting to me is the realization that her body is really beginning the signs of shutting down and death is more eminent. I can't do anything about it from Vermont. If I was in CA, I could be there for my dad.

My aunt is coming into town to stay with my folks starting tonight. I know she will be a comfort for my mom. Hopefully it won't be added stress.