So, I am in Gainesville. It is very warm. I have a convertible. And wireless internet.

Also, it is entirely possible that I watch too much TV, as evidenced by the following conversation:

Mom: Call me when you get down there.
WG: OK, but it won't be until at least Amazing Race.

First of all, the name tag they put up for me? Well, it's made of paper. And my name is spelled wrong. (I had been worried about the name tag. Like it signaled some sort of permanence.)

I have a Chrysler Sebring convertible. Cool car. No backseat, huge blind spot.

The hotel has mosaic floors in the elevator. I haven't been able to get a picture, because I haven't been alone in the elevator all day. I am not taking a picture of the elevator floor when other people are there. Also, there is a speaker for the TV in the bathroom. And a rectractable clothesline.

Even though my supervisor had told me on Thursday, "Don't worry about the car," I was called into a meeting with the project manager today. First, he told me that I had to set up twice daily meetings with my design lead, because this is my first design. Which is true, but I know that, am completely terrified of screwing up, and plan on spending a lot of time in his office.

Then he said, "I've heard rumblings about the car thing. What's going on?" I told him my concerns. Not only did he tell me that three of us have to share one car, he also threw the fact that he is letting me fly home this weekend in my face. Had I known that was a possiblity, I would have bought my own damn ticket.

I left the conference room where he was sitting, and I got so angry that I could not breathe. A colleague took me into his office to calm me down. He also said, "No project is worth getting this upset. No job is worth getting this upset."

He's right. I'm trying to see if I can get off this project. I like the people I work with, and I don't want to leave this company, but I can't do this. We've been told it's through March, but it may be through June or later. If I can't be taken off of this project, I will be using all downtime to find another job. Not in consulting.

Bud just left me the funniest voice mail. It's not the content, but the delivery. Bud rocks!

I'm doing better- my boss is helping me out, as much as he can. Still sharing a car with 2 people. Luckily, the hotel is located near a major shopping area, and there are sidewalks all the way. So, I can walk to Target, walk to B&N, walk to some restaurants. Also? I found a delivery service that will deliver from numerous restaurants. Delivery fee is $4.95, but what can one do, really?

The lead that I am working for is both knowledgeable and patient. I am learning a lot from him, which is really the point anyway. The overwhelming majority of the project team have something to teach me. Well, actually, all of the project team does, because sometimes you need to learning what not to do is more valuable than learning what to do.

You're jealous of that, I know.

Birthday went well. Lovely day. Immediately after the Birthday ended (after midnight...) was spectacularly, mind-bogglingly bad. Still kinda reeling here.

Screw it, I'm going to Gainesville.

The situation from the other night has been resolved. Upon further reflection, I was not at fault, and the other party involved is refusing to accept causality. It was really the kick in the pants I needed to remove myself from a bad situation. And that’s all there is to say about that.

In other news, I did not tell y’all that last week, while dining at an Italian chain restaurant (sounds like Barraba’s), the waitress referred to me as my co-worker’s mother. He’s 15 months younger than I am. Way to talk yourself out of a tip!

The next day, at lunch (where I was the only female in the group), they handed him my credit card. We aren’t sure if that is worse for him, or for me.

I really want to get a dog, specifically a Boston Terrier. I’m not sure how Jasper feels about that. Orion loves dogs. Of course, first I need to stop with all the travel. Secondly, I need to clear it with my landlord. Thirdly, I need to research dog training, because there is nothing I hate more than an ill-trained dog.

I also need to start Christmas shopping. I tried to start last night, but the address I needed was at home. With all of the travel and stuff, Christmas is feeling like something I have to do. I’m not decorating, because I won’t really have time to take the decorations down. I don’t plan on sending out Christmas cards this year- I hope people don’t take that as a slight.

I leave to go back home tomorrow. I’m not sure I want to go. I’ve gotten to the point where I am feeling comfortable in this office. I’m in a routine. (Everyone who knows me is all, “Oh. There it is.”)

I think it also has to do with the fact that I am frustrated with my life at home. Frustrated with my friends. Frustrated with my house, and the crappy, torn-up yard. And the temporary microwave that I’ve had for over two months now because the built in one broke, and my landlords are insisting that a microwave with an exhaust fan and a light is a special order item, which, have they been to Lowes? I want the top of my baker’s rack back. It’s where I put my purse. It’s where I put the mail.

I’m not sure any of that matters, really, since I can’t have a dog where I’m at. But do I really want to move again? I don’t know. (No, I do know. I don’t want to move. Well, within the area I am in now. I could be open to moving to another state.)

I think in the end, that’s why the car thing bothers me so much. I’ve been looking forward to this as a semi-new beginning, and now it is less so, because I don’t get to go out and meet new people. There are new people in the office, but (and it could be a factor of the time of year) we aren’t doing a lot of socializing. So, I’m stuck with my two teammates, who still want to talk wastewater plants when we go to dinner. It’s not the change I’d hoped for.

PS: Boston Terriers are way better than French Bulldogs.

that not only will I skip New Year's, but Christmas as well. I so cannot deal with anyone right now.

Yesterday was a bad day. An awful day. A black day. I called TRgirl, who said she would skip her party. I called Stewie, who said, "I am cancelling my date." I called TRgirl back and told her she didn't have to come (Stewie lives closer). I got an e-mail from another friend checking on me.

After I got home (flight delays!) Stewie came over, made dinner, and we watched 13 Going on 30, which was silly and fun and what I needed.

Today, I am better. Not completely, but I will be.

I get my boys back. I miss my boys.

• Mom fell down the stairs and broke her ankle Sunday. Sunday night she told me, “I think I’ll be back to work by Wednesday.” Me: “Ha!” Yesterday she had surgery, and they discovered the break was worse than they thought. We are still waiting to see who wins. (Win: having more hardware than someone else. My entry is 2 plates, 15 screws, and a bone graft.)
• Went to the Dr. yesterday. I need a new doctor. I will look for one once all this travel is over. He did adjust my meds, however.
• I am doing better. Still not well. Thanks to everyone who has called or e-mailed.
• We are going to see Flicka tonight. I am way too excited about this.

Update on me: Am now cleaning. This is a good sign. Unless I go too far with the cleaning and am scrubbing things with toothbrushes at 4AM.

Update on mom: We may be neck and neck in the hardware division. However, she has no coral in her leg, so I get some bonus points. They tried to put her cast on yesterday, but she couldn’t bend her ankle enough. I hope that they start PT early- I was doing PT for at least a month before I could put any weight on my leg. I’m a bit worried- she doesn’t sound well on the phone. She’s having trouble getting around, and dad went out and got her a wheelchair. I found the wheelchair great for going out, but didn’t use it in the house except for when I was doing laundry. Also, don’t let Goose drive. He will run your leg into things.

I had my annual review today. I was dreading it. I hate them. It went very well, much better than I expected. So that was good news. With a decent raise to boot!

Orion got tired of me rolling away from him this morning, so he decided to sleep on me. Orion is sleeping in his room tonight.

I leave tomorrow for VA. I’ll be there until Tuesday. TRgirl and Randy are coming out to Culpeper on Saturday. Peg and I will go to church at some point (not sure when yet) and Peg will remind me that I cannot take communion. Apparently she has this fear that I am going to rush Father Leo and demand the sacrament.

I still have 2 presents to buy. I’ll be doing that tomorrow morning.

I hope y’all enjoyed your holidays. My Christmas was good. Quiet, lots of food. Saturday, TRgirl and Randy came out. We had lunch, hung out, did the gift exchange. I now have Cranium. Y’all come over and play! Bob, Steffie, and I saw Night at the Museum. Fun!

Christmas Eve we had breakfast at Steffie’s mom’s house. Bud: You had biscuits and gravy? I miss biscuits and gravy! (I did not actually eat the biscuits and gravy.)

Christmas morning I set my alarm because Peg wanted to open gifts before 10AM Mass. After we opened gifts, she said, “Do you mind if we go to Spanish Mass at 4? It will be less crowded.” Then, buffet lunch at the Best Western. After Mass, dinner with more of Steffie’s family, including the best banana pudding in the world. (I did not get the “no communion” reminder.) (Also, Spanish Mass was given by a priest from Africa. His Spanish was quite good.)

Yesterday, I drove back. Note from Peg: “Watch the speedometer!” No worries there.

Today, I am back at work. I am regretting backing out of the beach trip, even though I know it was the right decision. If I were to go, I’d get fed up and leave early anyway.

2006 has been a rough year for me. I’ve been focused on the wrong group of people, I’ve fallen for the wrong guys (2005 taste in men, come back!), been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (which forced me to face some things I didn’t necessarily want to), I killed a dog or a cat, I got a speeding ticket, I no longer have the best ankle break in the whole family, and now my new meds are giving me a funny taste in my mouth.

But!

There were some good things, some excellent things even. So, I present to you 10 things that prove in 2006 wasn’t actually a bust:

1. I met Stewie. Stewie is awesome. Y’all should meet her too.
   
2. Kristi, who is also awesome. And bonus, her husband rocks!
   
3. I found out I’m going to be an aunt. (Don’t tell TRgirl and Randy, but since I don’t plan on having kids, this means that I get to buy the noisy toys. I am so buying and stashing Annoy-the-crap-out-of-me Elmo. Until he’s 3. (My nephew, not Elmo.))
   
4. New job!
   
5. Ridiculous raise at new job.
   
6. I paid off my car.
   
7. Turkey shoot. I love the Turkey Shoot. Or, I love shooting things.
   
8. I started jumping again. (On horses. So, really, it’s the horse that’s jumping. But I do have to stay on.)
   
9. Therapy. Should have done that years ago.
   
10. Bruno and I won sixth place for the year at MacNair’s.