So, back in Charlotte. But this time, many of the project team members are here. Including the Design Manager. Who was actually able to tell me something about the Gainesville schedule. He even had a calendar. So, now I feel at least somewhat prepared.

Anyway, we all went out to dinner tonight, and since Enterprise gave me a mom car (hello, Chrysler Pacifica) I drove. Which would have worked out well, except that I have this habit of putting the car into drive even when I want to back up. I never actually go forward, I just go to "D" before "R". Which most people either don't notice, or are too polite to comment on. Not my co-workers.

Of course, it might have had something to do with the fact that as we got into the car, I told them, "I'm an excellent driver."

Things I have said recently, of the "I never imagined that would ever come out of my mouth variety":

"I have to bring a cheesehead back to Raleigh."

"There's a marching band in front of my house."

"I thought I was going to have to call and tell you I couldn't come, as I was trapped in my house by marching bands."

Last night, I got another point. I now have six (yay?). Unfortunately, I cannot recall why I got that point.

Friday night, Cdub came over so that we could go to dinner. I told her, "First I have to go vote." So, I took her to vote. Never say a night with me isn't fun.

After voting, we went out to dinner and then saw Borat. Very funny movie. Not a family film, however.

Saturday, we went to see the Monet in Normandy exhibit. Excellent exhibit. However, I always forget that the exhibit space there is tiny. One should not go one the weekends. One should take an afternoon off from work to go.

Sunday, I went and checked out an exhibit on the Terrorism in America. I did not know that German saboteurs had blown up munitions depots in NY and NJ before the US entered WWI.

After touring the exhibit, I sat in on this forum. Most interesting.

Every once in a while, I'm reminded why I like living here.

First of all, I am back in Raleigh. For three entire weeks! Except when I go away for Thanksgiving.

And now, on Thanksgiving. I have been looking forward (for months now) to November 22. Because on November 22 I can get a new phone. Except that I just realized, that's the day before Thanksgiving. So I can't get a new phone. Because I want to have a phone that is working for travel. So I have to wait until that Saturday, after I get back.

I have decided that new phone will have Bluetooth, because the one thing I miss about having a landline is that I have lost the ability to walk around and complete other tasks (laundry, etc.) while talking on the phone. Because it is just not possible to cradle my cell phone in between my ear and my shoulder. So now talking on the phone is something that cannot be multi-tasked (Jasper: Yes it can! You can still pet me!), and that just doesn't work for me.

But I did win tickets to see a preview of the Tenacious D movie on Tuesday.

I generally enjoy Jack Black flicks, so it should be fun.

And I can pick up the tickets right near work! Where I will not be on Monday. But I can still pick them up Tuesday.

I don't know who decided to bring leggings back, but you did no one any favors.

So, I belong to a community service organization. Our chapter is rather large- we've got about 230 members. I have run two projects for them, and have regretted doing each. There is a mentality that 2 projects cannot be scheduled on the same day. Which, for some of our larger projects, I can agree with. However, usually the reasoning is completely inane.

Case in point: I am running a second CPR class. We had many more people than could fill the 8 slots sign up for the first. I would prefer to hold it on December 9 (as would the instructor, who is donating his time, but that is apparently not something to consider), but our yearly installation banquet is that night. I have been asked to check with him about holding it on the second "since the training starts so early and I imagine the banquet will last pretty late). It would make for a long day."

First of all, 9AM is not "so early". 6 AM is "so early". I imagine most of these people are up by 9 most weekdays. And also, take a nap. That's what I do when I'm going to be out late.

I'm tired of everything being a freaking production. I'm tired of the cliques. I'm tired of it being just like high school, even though our average age is somewhere between 29 and 31. I wish I had not just renewed my membership.

I don't plan on running another project.

Watergirl: walks through office, eating a pickle**
Co-worker: That pickle smells funny.
Watergirl: Well, it tastes fine.
Co-worker: It really doesn't smell funny. You were supposed to call me a pickle-smeller. You ruined the joke.

*not that you really needed it
**I love pickles. These were left over from yesterday's lunch. I ate leftover fruit, too.

When I mentioned that I wouldn't mind getting back in touch with my ex-boyfriend, I did not mean that I wanted to randomly run into some guy I used to date while at a party.

Sorry for the confusion,

Watergirl

I had a show on Sunday. I warmed Bruno up before I got on him, hoping that it would keep me from getting tired. (It takes a lot of effort to get him going.) We had an excellent show- had our highest score ever on Test A. Our B test didn't go so well- it was one of our lower scores, but I don't think that it was one of our worst rides.

However, we did win 6th place overall for the Introductory class, 2006 at that show series, which was completely unexpected.

(Note: there are links to verify this, but they all include my full name, so e-mail me if you want them.)

I am off to VA (otherwise known as the land with no high-speed internet) to enjoy Thanksgiving with my great-aunt, my uncle, his wife, and her family. I've spent Thanksgiving with them for the last 5 years, and they have been 5 wonderful Thanksgivings.

I hope yours is wonderful too.

The good: Thanksgiving was very enjoyable. I spent it with Peg, Bobby, and Stephanie, and her family. I love her family, because they treat me as if they've decided, "Well, she's Bobby's family, so she's ours too!" As usual, we had way too much food. I still have some. Anyone want to come have some mincemeat pie? Friday, it was beautiful. Bobby was working, so Stephanie and I went for a drive. We had a destination in mind, but as we drove, we saw a sign saying "Winery now open!" We decided to go see. We turned, and proceeded to drive very far up a mountain, off of a paved road to a gravel road, past a sign that said, "End state maintenance", through a narrow gap between 2 barns, and past some cattle. There was, indeed, a winery. The wines were so-so.

Later that day, we saw more winery signs. This winery was more accessible, and the wines were better. I bought 3 bottles. We had lunch at a little cafe, and then we headed home. It was a really good day.

The bad: Yesterday, heading home, I hit an animal. I think it was a puppy. I tried to avoid it, but couldn't. I felt awful, and was thinking about that and not my driving, when I passed a sheriff's deputy. I looked at my speed, and knew it was over. I saw him hit his lights and flip a u-turn, so I just pulled over and waited for him.

My last speeding ticket was Thanksgiving weekend, 5 years ago.

The very ugly: I hung out with some friends last night, and drank way too much. I am still in the process of finding out what happened, because I have only vague memories.

The last time that happened? My 25th birthday.

Surprisingly, I am not hungover, having followed the Phoebs rule: Lots of water, eat a cookie.

I am leaving for Gainesville on Sunday. I am halfway through The Tenth Circle by Jody Piccoult. It's the last book I have. So, I need suggestions on books to pick up for the trip. Tell me what you've read lately that you enjoyed and why. Please. It's a reading emergency.

So, you know how I'm doing this thing for my job where I spend two weeks in Gainesville, FL and one week home, rinse, repeat?

The PM has decided that the three of us going down need to share one car. For the entire two weeks.

It's really good for me that he doesn't work in this office.

Compound that with the fact that most of my friends are really letting me down right now.

And then? I go to ride tonight, thinking it will de-stress me.

Except that Heather told me that Bruno is leaving tomorrow.

I'd be lying if I told you I didn't cry.