• I was informed yesterday that Target can't "give out" quarters. I just wanted to get a roll. I would have give you $10 for it. (BTW, the cashier (who had had difficulty making change for the person ahead of me) told me that a roll of quarters was $25. Oh, sweetie, no.) I turns out that the bank in Ukrop's is open untl 7, and they were happy to give me a roll of quarters.
• The teller discussed the awfulness of laundromats with me. I was going to go and wash blankets and my mattress pad yesterday, but them I remembered that I had to lock the boys up in the guest room today (pest control. They'd take Orion.) so I wanted to wash the bedspread after that. So, I'll be going this afternoon. I am that lame.
• To get both boys into the guest room easily, chase Jasper up there. Orion will follow all, "What's he doing? I want to do it too! Hey, why are you closing the door?"
• This weekend I am planning on finally checking out the Farmer's Market. I love Farmer's Markets.
• I lost my address book in the move. I've got a new one ready to go, so please send your address. I've even got plans to send Christmas cards this year. E-mail, in case you haven't got it, is watergirl.micheleATgmail.com

I did sleep some last night. I've still got a Tylenol PM hangover. (I can't take a prescription pill at 0030, but I can take 1 Tylenol PM). There were thunderstorms, so Jasper was a bit freaked out.

I've got my iPod on; I have not heard my co-workers yet today.

I'm still not thrilled with my place, but I am planning on waiting out the lease.

It's gray and gloomy.

Well I do believe that professionally this was the right move for me, personally I'm not so sure. I miss the people at my old office. They aren't as fun here. I miss my cube with the window. Not only does the guy behind me have a window, he shuts his blinds every day because he doesn't want to look outside. Also, he makes noises all day long. If you've ever met an 8-year-old boy you know what I mean. I can't find my iPod headphones, so I can't drown him out. I just found them. Tomorrow, I'll bring my iPod and I won't have to listen to him.

Also, WTF is up with my co-worker who is currently on a conference call? On speakerphone. In his cube. I don't make you listen to my conference calls, guy.

I hate, hate, hate where I live. I miss my little house. The place is adequate, but it's nothing special. It's an apartment complex, so the population is transient and there is no sense of community. The AC is terrible. I have to run fans upstairs and still I sweat because it's so goddamned humid. It will be really fun when I am running the clothes dryer this summer. That's right, the dryer is upstairs. It's a stackable washer/dryer and holds about 6 things. I'm really pissed that I have to go to the laundromat to wash some blankets and a quilt. I could have washed them in my old washer. The only redeeming quality the place has is that it's close to my sister's. I can get out of the lease early, but it will cost me a month's rent. So, I cannot wait until next April.

Of course, I'd love to be able to buy a house then, but I don't see it happening.

I also have a few people I'd like to call up and tell off.

And I hate all of my work clothes.

The fact that I only got three hours of sleep last night may have exacerbated this.

1. Sold beer at the NASCAR race.
2. Got hit on by two rednecks as I was trying to leave. Who were friends, and apparently taking turns with the hitting on me. Good times.

It has been a seriously long week, y'all. We had a big client workshop yesterday which we spent the beginning of the week getting ready for (I was working at 10 PM on Sunday). The workshop went well, but it was draining. I skipped book club in favor of going home and taking a 2 hour nap.

Draining as that may have been, it was also satisfying. I finally feel like I'm contributing, rather than just doing whatever I can find to keep me billable. Or being the department firefighter.

Saturday was National Rebuilding Day, so I spent the day working on a church. (Yep, we worked on the headquarters for the Richmond event.) It was supposed to be from 8-5, but we finally wrapped up around 6:30. By that time, few volunteers were left, so even though all I wanted to do was go home and shower, I couldn’t. My main project was putting together curtains to hide the old baptismal font. This involved lots of stapling. First, stapling pleats in bolts of fabric, then stapling the fabric to 2x4s. (If I had known about this project ahead of time, I could have come up with a solution that was just as economic, and yet easier.) All was well until it came time to attach the 2x4s to the ceiling. 119 year old church. Couldn’t find the studs. The guys kept saying, “But they should be 16 inches on center.” Me: “119 years old.”

Anyway, I had work to do over the weekend, and also laundry, which I had planned on doing when I got home on Saturday. However, I was beat, so instead I sat on my couch.

Which made Sunday absolutely nuts. I got up, read the paper, worked for 2 hours, cleaned the kitchen, did the laundry and left for Culpeper around 3 to take Peg out for her birthday. Bob and Steph met us at the restaurant. We determined that Peg and I would fly to Maine together this summer (huge family vacation in ME) and Bob and Steph would take the boys. So, I’m going to drive the boys out there and drive Peg back to Richmond. Or, as I put it, a trade. And Peg’s potty-trained. Peg: “Mostly. I am getting older.”

I got back home at 10 and worked for another hour.

I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.

I spent the weekend in Raleigh. I headed down on Thursday because I had an appointment to get my hair cut on Friday afternoon. It's been chopped. Not sure I like it.

The real reason I went down was because we had tickets for Spamalot. Loved it! The boys are not enjoying the fact that I keep singing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" to them.

Other things: lunch at Hard Times, Earth Day festivities, and brunch with Stew. Stew! Oh, and I also managed to lock Robin out of her house. Because I am all crazy and do thinks like lock the door in between the garage and the house. My dad gave us helpful hints on how to break in, but it turned out that a friend of hers had a key.

Oh, I also picked up my propane tank, so I can now cook things on the grill.

1. If for some reason you want to buy me a gift, I could really use a pair of these.
2. Monkey is fascinated by the boys' noses. He keeps trying to touch them, which tends to end up as him poking them in the eye.
3. I have 5 boxes left to unpack.
4. Then I have to finish hanging things on the walls.
5. However, I am completely obsessed with looking at houses for sale.

Before leaving Raleigh, I called the cable company to see if I could cancel my account and drop off my equipment at the customer service center. The CSR asked me why I was cancelling and I told him it was because I was moving.

CSR: Are you moving out of our service area?
WG: Yes.
CSR: Did you check?
WG: Well, since I have (another cable company) schedule to come and do an install, yes.
CSR: Is there anything we can do to keep you in our service area?
WG: I'm moving because my job transferred me. It has nothing to do with my cable service.

We made it up on Thursday with no problems. Jasper is apparently a huge fan of wall to wall carpeting. He is much happier here. We also had our first mass escape this afternoon, but all returned safely. I had dinner at TRgirl and Ryan's and confused my dad wickedly when I answered her cell phone. I cannot run the dryer with the closet door shut or it sets off the smoke alarm. My vanities do not have drawers or shelves, they are just big gaping maws. I miss my friends; I've sent them my address. I hope they come visit.

Thursday I planned to sign my lease. I was in meetings all day. I checked my phone at 3:30 PM to find a fairly frantic message from my leasing agent. When I called her back, I was told that my original apartment had been flooded (pipe burst, shot hole in wall) and they were moving me to a different one.

I checked the new one out; it was fine, so I signed my lease. Of course, I had already set up utilities and my renter’s insurance. The insurance and cable? No problem changing those. The electric? Whole other story. First, they were closed from Friday until today. Then, when I called, the person I spoke to wanted to transfer me to someone to talk about my flood damage. He said, “Will that be OK?” I answered, “No. I just want to switch my service address.”

We got that done, and he informed me that there was a $15 connection fee. I told him I’d already paid that. I was told that was for the previous apartment, and they had to charge me another $15, there was no way to waive it. I told him I wanted to speak to a supervisor, and suddenly he could waive it.

Also this weekend, Aquamama picked up my washer. (She needed one, and I had one to sell.) Orion is very upset that the washer is gone. He keeps going to where it was and crying. He has never done laundry, so I don’t understand the sudden need.

Let's see. The last time I posted? Apparently 4 days ago. That night was my going away party (not to be confused with my going-away girls' night out or my going away office dinner), held at my house. It was a blast. I didn't cry at all, not even when Ed broke a wineglass. (Wait! There's leftover wine. Hang on.) OK. Back. (Confidential to Stewie: There is also leftover IPA.)

I would like to inform you that even though I picked on Ed for having the party at my house, I love my house and I love having parties there. I also love picking on Ed.

Saturday was wine club. But first was trivia smackdown with Robin. Who beat me! That almost never happens.

Sunday Robin helped me put my kayak on my car. I brought it up to Richmond that night. While driving up, I got a call from my landlord. I called her back as she asked. She said, "I thought I'd let Orion out. However, he was camouflaged on the bed pillow."

I now have a cube and a key to the Richmond office. Came back to Raleigh last night.

I called my leasing company this morning. They wanted to check that I was signing my lease on Thursday, but would give me the key Friday, when the lease started. I said, "But I need the key on Thursday," and was told, "You can't have your key until the lease starts, and that starts Friday. When you called, you said you wanted to sign the lease Thursday, not to move in then." I had to explain that I had called to change the signing because I'm going to be in Richmond on Thursday, not Friday. If I were able to pick the key up on Friday, I'd sign the lease then. I was told, "We can change the lease, but you have to pay for Thursday."

Duh. Seriously.

Today, I spent the afternoon setting up cable, electric, and new insurance. The cable took some time, because the sales rep told me that Comcast's records showed that I owed them $90. Interesting, since I've never been a customer. However, the customer service rep found no record of such a thing. So, I will have cable and internet.

Excess stuff


Originally uploaded by H2O girl.

I cleaned out the storage bench, the attic, and the coat closet. I also started on the study (it's actually coming along quite well). The stuff on the bed? That's what I need to get rid of.



Except for Jasper. I'm keeping him.

I signed up for a few meetup groups in Richmond this past weekend. Yesterday I signed up for an event. One of the groups is going to James River Cellars. Who loves a good winery tour more than I do? (No one is the answer.) The bad part? It's on the 29th, and I should probably spend the day unpacking, not drinking wine.

The movers are coming to pack up my stuff and start loading the truck on March 26. I move on March 27.

They'd like me to have another helper on move-in day, but I don't know anyone who is free on a Thursday.

Hey! A day is totally a break! Shut up!

Went out with my girls last night, danced to some 80s music. Woke up this morning (or rather, Orion woke me up (at 11)) this morning in an excellent mood. I watched some TV and then took advantage of the lovely weather (Dear friends in New England, I was outside in a T-shirt today. Love, Watergirl.) to clean out my storage shed. I can move all of the stuff in there when I go up to sign my lease. Although the kayak is probably going up the next time I head to Richmond. It's going to live with TRgirl and Randy.

(Did I mention that my new place is 5 minutes from them? And that that will be the closest I've lived to family in my entire adult life? I'm not sure I can handle it.)

I also cleaned out the pantry. Later this week will be the attic and the bathroom, followed by the room I am most dreading, the study.

Other things I need to do this week:

1. Schedule the move with the movers
   
2. Set up utilities.
   
3. Call about insurance.
   
4. Start working on getting my VA PE license.
   
5. Figure out what I need to do to register my car and get my VA driver's license.
   

I have a place to live. I have a move to address even. Apparently, I really am moving to Richmond.

I got into work this morning and spent an hour trying to get my computer to work. I tried to call our support desk (located in Sacramento) (Sacramento! Closer than India!) , only to learn that they fixed our phones by cutting off our long distance service. (We've just moved offices. Our switchboard was installed in the wrong building.) When I did finally get a hold of them (I used my cell and had them call me back) they agreed that there was in fact a problem, but they didn't know how to fix it.

Then I went to meet with a vendor. Who stared creepily at all of us. But most creepily at me, as he was staring at my chest. (This is included in the list entitled, "How not to get me to buy things from you.")

He made me ice cream. Ice cream! It was extremely difficult to leave for the beach. But leave I did.

The beach was fabulous- it was in the high 60s, so near perfect weather. They made me blueberry pancakes.

I may have overreacted a wee bit. I am not happy with the moving assistance they have offered, and I am getting some quotes so that I can negotiate that. But, at the end of the day, it's not big enough that I won't take the job because of it.

I mean, I'll still complain...

This weekend I found the neighborhood I want to live in. Today, I found a house in that neighborhood. The lessor has not called me back yet. Also, I got my transfer letter and they are really not offering enough for me to move. So, all in all, it may be a no go.

I am told the transfer letter is on its way. Of course, I will not be here tomorrow, as I have put in all of my hours and I am going to see TRgirl, Randy, and Monkey* this weekend.

*I am going to keep trying out nicknames for my nephew. For some reason, I tend to call boy children "monkey".

I got an e-mail from the Richmond boss telling me he told HR to start the process. Today their regional HR rep called my regional HR rep. Things are moving along, slowly, through the bureaucracy.

I'm going up to visit and really check out the city on the 26th.

Oh, and yesterday one of our senior PMs came in and told me that he'd heard I was talking to Richmond. He thinks it's a good move for me. He was also very impressed with the way things came together. (I know 2/3 of the staff up there, TRgirl and Randy are there.) I believe the word "kismet" was used. Anyhow, since the company has transferred him before, I asked him if I was being unreasonable in expecting moving expenses (my boss had thought so). His advice? "If they won't pay for you to move, don't go!"

So, the Richmond boss called my boss today. They are playing VM tag, but still, it's good news, especially when you consider that I had decided that it had been taken away. (Why, yes, I am a bit melodramatic.)

Also, Orion is once again, in the words of my mother, "More work than a 2 year old."

My new boss is supposed to call me this week, so that we can start working out details on the transfer. He said it most likely would be yesterday. Nothing yet. I'm stuck in limbo. I don't know how much work to take on at this office, because I don't know when they want me to start up there. I can't start looking for a place to live, because I don't know when I'm moving. I can't start packing, because I don't know where I'm moving too, so I don't know what I need to take.

Tomorrow we are supposed to update our workload plans. I think I'll use that as an excuse to call.

So, I haven't posted much, because there is only one thing I want to talk about. But, I needed to tell some off-line people first.

Drum roll...

I'm taking the job. I'm moving to Richmond. I don't have more details than that at the moment.

I am both excited and terrified.

Here's to big changes in 2008!

Do you know where's a great place to spend Christmas night? The ER. Awesome.

The day started out like I had planned it. I woke up, had some coffee, opened my present from Cdub. (External hard drive!) I vacuumed, ran the dishwasher, and put the roof racks back on my car. I had planned to vacuum it, but realized I needed an extension cord. I went and saw Juno, which I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend.

When I got home, I put the garbage out. Which is when Orion escaped. For the second time today. The first time I caught him easily. The second time> Not so much. He started with the caterwauling and hissing, and I tried to lure him out with canned foods and treats. Did not work. He finally came out from under the boxwoods and headed for the patio. I grabbed him, and he bit me.

Phone call
Mom: Hello?
WG: He bit me again!
Mom: You need to go have it checked out.
WG: I can't until tomorrow. No place is open.
Mom: The ER? That is open.

So, I headed over to the ER. Lot of people there with apparent cooking injuries. Also, some woman with a dislocated shoulder. She was sobbing, and I mean, yeah, that shit hurts (trust me. I know about the shoulder dislocation.), but I wasn't even sobbing like that when I smashed my ankle.

Anyway, I'm sitting in the ER, waiting to be called. A cop walks in. I didn't think much of it, because it's not that unusual. Then, I heard him ask the security guard for me. My first thought? "I didn't see any signs saying I couldn't park there."

He was actually there because the triage nurse called him to report a cat bite. Well, the call he got was for an "animal bite". He called his supervisor to see if he actually had to take a report on a housecat, and I overheard him say, "Even if it just bit the owner?" Orion is now on the books with animal control. He is under quarantine for 10 days. That quarantine will take place at home and at the vet's, where I'd planned on boarding him while away. (This is all in case he has rabies. His rabies vaccination was on Nov. 29.) Although, the paperwork does say if he escapes, I should call the police.

I may. I'm tired of being bitten.

I had my interview in Richmond today. They offered me the job. So, now the ball is in my court.

The move would be a good one, career-wise. I'd get PM* experience and training, and the work is more like what I want to be doing- there's still a variety, and I won't get pigeonholed as, say, the DBP**-girl, but there is little to no environmental documentation, which is fabulous. It's a small office, but I actually know 2 of the three people I'd be working with- one was a few years ahead of me in grad school, and one was a vendor I worked with on a pilot project .

Of course, the downside is it means moving out of my comfort zone. I'm leaning towards taking it, because at this point in my life, my career is the thing that's important. Plus, I'd get to see the sprog a lot more.

*project management
** disinfection by-products

As an offshoot of not getting the Chicago job, the recruiter for the Northeast Region passed my resume around. (I may have mentioned that.) I got a call from the Hampton Roads office- the staffing manager there also works for the Richmond office. The Richmond office is interested in me enough that I’m going up next week for an interview.
Now, the issues. Richmond would be good in that it’s where TRgirl, Randy, and the Sprog live. I know some other people there so I wouldn’t be totally friendless, but I’ll still need to find my own core group. It’s also closer to Peg, Bobby, and Steffy. Also, it sounds like the work there will fit more with my career path (or what I thought I wanted my career path to be).

But, I have my core group of friends here. I love my house, I love my neighborhood. I’ve got a good psychiatrist. My vet knows both of my cats and their health issues. I love where I ride, and I absolutely love the horse I am currently riding, so much so that when she does sell it will break my heart.

So, if I get the position, I’ll have to decide. To I try here for another year, to see if we can make my job be what I want it to be? I love the people I work with, so it’s not awful coming to work everyday. It’s just not great either. Do I stay here and plan on pharmacy school? Or do I take a chance on a position that seems a better fit for what I thought I wanted to do, even though I may learn that it isn’t what I want at all, and I do want to go back to school? Do I make the decision to uproot my life again?

I don’t know.

Here are the things I must do between today and tomorrow.

Today:

1. go to the grocery store and pick up frozen strawberries, cream cheese, sour cream, jello, french fried onions, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and canned cat food (one of those is not for Thanksgiving dinner).
   
2. bring in garbage can
   
3. swing by Turkey Shoot and pick up 3 turkeys.
   
4. drop off box of #6 targets at Turkey Shoot
   
5. Jaycee meeting
   
6. laundry
   
7. pack for Peg's
   
8. burn cd of new iTunes song
   

Tomorrow:

1. check air in tires
   
2. work
   
3. pick up pies
   
4. drive to Peg's
   

I can register for classes tomorrow. Unfortunately, the three classes I need to get into UNC's program are either full or not offered. However, Aquamama and I were searching the web this morning, and we found this program. It's shorter than UNC's program, and also in New England. So, for that one, I need a psychology course. So, guess what I'm taking next semester?

Saturday night I went out with friends of mine. Goal: to drink girly drinks. Place: Rum Runners. (Fun fact: there's a scene in the Nickelback video for "Rockstar" where that building is seen in the background.) So, we're there having a good time, much to the amusement of the woman sitting near us, there to celebrate her 7th wedding anniversary. In fact, at one point they played some beach music, and she grabbed my hand and we shagged. (Do click the link. It's not what you think.) Or she did. I have no idea how to shag. Although I was told I did a reasonable impression of one.

Anyway, Hi Joy!

Every year, the High School in my town has a band competition. Part of the "Band Day" is a parade through downtown. The bands line up in front of my house. Last year they surprised me and I was almost late for a volunteer thing. This year I was ready and got to watch. The boys watched too. At one point, I took Orion outside to watch, and he growled at the bands as they walked by. Other pictures can be found here.

I did not get the position. I am extremely disappointed. They still want to talk with me about positions in the region and mentioned Hampton Roads, VA.

That's not going to happen.

Oh, and please don't give me the "everything works out the way it should" line. I will kick you.

Last night I decided to join NaBloPoMo. The idea is that I am to post every day. I joined because I've gotten away from blogging, and this may be the kick in the pants I need. Also, it may give me to chance to do a few essay-type entries, rather than "You know what's weird?"

Of course, I don't mean today. Today I am anxiously awaiting a phone call. It's for a job that I applied for, in another city, with my current company. I want to get it. I feel like I've been in Raleigh long enough. I'd like to go somewhere else. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for me. I think I have a reasonable chance of getting it.

Nor did I run off with a carnie, as was the rumor at work.

Yes, I did spend a good 10 days at the NC State Fair. Running the Turkey Shoot. (We now have a new sign. Is much better. Go me!) (Also, we do not shoot turkeys. You win a turkey. A frozen turkey.) I haven't finished running numbers yet, but indications are that it went well and I most likely met my goal, fundraising-wise.

Then I spent a few days recuperating. Tonight I'm selling tickets at the Haunted House. Tomorrow I shall finally vacuum my house so that it no longer looks like I've been stabling horses in there. (Turkey Shoot has hay. Hay gets caught in pants that are cuffed because even though one is spending days surrounded by fried insert-any-food-you-can-think-of, one's pants are becoming too big. One comes home very late after 12-14 hour day, forgets about hay, takes pants off, spilling hay all over bathroom. Cats spread hay throughout house. Repeat 10X.) Also tomorrow: getting ready to go to Atlanta for the weekend.

Oh, but on the exciting front, I have a follow-up phone interview tomorrow for that position in Chicago. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

• I've been busy at work (so very very strange!) and with the Turkey Shoot, so I've not been around much.
  
• I may or may not be going to Atlanta the weekend after the Turkey Shoot.
  
• I want to buy Dodi. She's up for lease, and there is a lease-to-own option, but her price goes up $2,000 in January. And I can't have the rest of it by then. But, I've never fallen for a horse like this before. She needs some work, but she's young, which is why she's cheap. However, she moves well, which is what you want to look for.
  
• Woke up at 2AM this morning. I'm not sure what woke me up, but I probably wouldn't have been quite as awake if Orion hadn't jumped 3 feet when I pet him.
  
• After going back to sleep, I woke up again to a very strange sound. I couldn't figure it out, and then I realized it was rain. Rain!
  
• I have 530 T-shirts in my car.
  
• Bud cracks me up.
  

OK. That's about all I can think of. For now, anywa.

I had my first Turkey Shoot related freak-out today. It was of the "OMG! I can't get it all done!" type. Which, I can get it all done. I shall list what I still need to do.

1. Order targets (we have enough to get started with. I've requested quotes.)
   
2. Laminate the colored targets (groups shoot by target color).
   
3. Buy passes (am getting check tonight).
   
4. See if any Jaycees want to buy a shirt.
   
5. Shift captain training.
   
6. Check gun locks.
   
7. Hang new sign.
   
8. Buy snacks/drinks for manpower.
   
9. Figure out why my keys don't work.
   

In other news, I rode Dodi yesterday. Now, a TB/Percheron cross has always been my dream horse. She was fabulous. Sweet, willing, although a bit slow to pick up things. She's still a baby, so she's got lots of growing/training yet to do. I may change the horse I lease.

Look! Slideshow!

We had a fabulous time. Hilton Head is wonderful. You should go. We spent time on the beach (amazing beaches!), kayaked, went on a dolphin cruise, toured Savannah, GA, and basically just hung out.

Phoebs has more pictures. She should share them.

A few months ago, my company put out an internal request for people to work on a big project in Chicago. I applied, but never heard anything, so I put it out of my mind.

They called me today. I have a phone interview on Friday.

(Apologies to Stew for stealing this page from her book.)

So, thanks to a recent ego boost, I decided to try the online dating thing again. I signed up for the smiley faced one, because, well, I haven't tried it yet. It's going OK. Nothing has really come of it yet, but I'm talking with one guy that I'm interested in. Then there's this other guy. He seems nice enough, and is into horses, so I figured, "What the heck?' He would like to become a dairy farmer, and he was telling me that he thinks that's what's scaring women away. I was all, "Cows are cool! Goats are cooler! I could have a horse!" Nothing to be taken seriously, because, well, we've only talked over e-mail, so it's not like I'm planning for the future or anything here.

His response?

"Being a part of a dairy business is not to be taken lightly. Life on a dairy farm will change and affect you whether you are an active participant in the business or not.... Milking cows is not a job or a career but rather frequently refered (sic) to as a lifestyle or way of life... 24 Hours/Day, 365 Days/Year. My looking and smelling like what comes out of a cows backside mixed in with the smell of sour milk is the least what is to be expected. Oh, another good thing to mention to consider... Cows get milked twice daily... Approximately every 12 hours."

Uh, OK. Later in the letter he says, "Dairy farming is unique, for all the hard work I think I like what it has to offer for myself and a family."

Here's the thing. I don't know that I want to have kids. Meaning, I'm leaning towards no. I am not saying definitely no because things change, but as of this point, I don't want kids. (I'm not sure I've explicitly stated that here before.) I like kids, don't get me wrong, but I really like when they go home with their parents.

(I have already formulated extensive plans for corrupting my nephew.)

It seems clear to me that I need to tell this guy, "Hey, yea, this isn't going to happen." Do I have an obligation to tell him that the whole dairy farming as a way of life thing is a bit much after say, a week and a half of e-mailing? That things might go better for him if he maybe let that go, just a bit? That no one has to make any life decisions based upon a few e-mails? In other words, chill out?

Two weeks ago I had talked about how I felt some mounting rage. It subsided, but I still brought it up at my next appointment. We talked about what had caused it and how I had handled it. After our discussion, my doctor said, “I’m proud of you for how you dealt with that.”

Of course, I now want a T-shirt that says, “My psychiatrist is proud of me.” It would get people wondering, don’t you think?

This weekend I headed down to Atlanta to see a friend. I’d been teasing him that as far as I knew, Atlanta had an airport, MARTA trains, and an office of my company. He insisted that there was more to the city.
Unfortunately, he ended up having to work on Saturday down at Callaway Gardens. We headed down there at 0’dark thirty. I dropped him off and headed out to see what there was to do- he had several long breaks. After the recon, I headed back to the Gardens to check them out.

The first thing I went to see was the raptor show. (Oh, did I mention it was 8 million degrees out with 90,000% humidity? I didn’t? Well, it was. There was no shade where the show was.) The first bird was a Great Horned Owl named Juniper. If any of y’all know Orion, well, she was the bird equivalent. Opinion on everything. Very talkative. The next bird was a Red-tailed hawk. I forget his name. At the end of his segment, the trainer told him, “Home”. He flew off in another direction, which prompted her to say to him, “That’s not home. I don’t know what that is.” He wouldn’t come back, so she sent the other trainer after him. They couldn’t catch him, so the show was cancelled. I found this all very amusing. Of course, I was working on about 3 hours sleep, so that may have been part of it. But the hawk was all, “Road trip!”

That afternoon I visited the butterfly pavilion. A butterfly landed on this six year old girl near me, and she said, “It’s not even one of the pretty ones.” Never satisfied, that kid.

That afternoon we went to see The Bourne Ultimatum. Perhaps it would have made more sense had I seen the first two. That would not have excused the shaky camera work, however.

Sunday we checked out Five Points and went to Stone Mountain. We did not hike up (still with the stifling heat), but I did see the carving of the Confederate Generals. Well, kinda. There were trees in front.

The story ends with Myspace confusion, as they so often do.

Over the past few days I've noticed that I have had to work very hard to contain rage. I am not sure how much sense this will make, but I can feel the anger. I'm not angry about anything, just angry. I don't even know what brought it on. Things have been stressful lately, but I've tried to remove myself as much as possible. I have a doctors appointment next Friday, but if it doesn't get better by Monday, I'll be calling him sooner.

My new bed was delivered Friday. Love! I’ve upgraded to a queen size. The cats were confused when Cdub and I moved the old bed into the guest room, but they adjusted well and slept in there with me on Thursday night.

This means that I now have an actual guest room. This is good news for Phoebs and Angeler- neither one of them will have to sleep on the floor in September.

Friday night Stew and I went to see Waitress. It was excellent. You should see it. Although Stew did cry through the entire movie. I didn’t think it was that sad. Except for Adrienne Shelly.

Saturday was Habitat. I was working on putting up siding. I was up on the third level of scaffolding when I realized I was dizzy and nauseated. I got down and started drinking lots of water. Luckily, it was about 20 minutes from the end of our shift, and we had put most of the siding up while the other group still didn’t have their door up.

That night, we went to Downtown Live to see Night Ranger. Don’t go see Night Ranger. They were awful. We left after 3 songs and moved on to Tir Na Nog to see Walrus and then hit The Pour House to see some band that had a cowbell. Both of those bands? Good. Night Ranger? Bad.

I received my copy of Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies on Friday. While it has reinforced that I do want a greyhound, it has also made me realize that now is not the right time. I don’t have the time needed to properly train a dog; too much is going on right now. I have vacation coming up, the Turkey Shoot is gearing up, and then there’s this whole work thing.

Also, I probably shouldn’t ask my landlord to reconsider the dog thing at the same time I have to tell her that I locked myself out of the house and had to break in through the storm door, which now needs to be fixed. (This happened at 0645 on Saturday. I had to be somewhere at 0700. Oh, and I didn’t call my landlord because my phone was safely locked up inside the house.)

Saturday I had a cookout. I was out running errands, picking up stuff (I have lots of Heineken. Come over!) when I got a call. Well, I didn’t get it- I got the VM when I got home. It was an acquaintance of mine, saying that she’d heard about the party from someone else and could she come too? The phrase, “I am unabashedly inviting myself,” was used. I called the person who had told her about the party and that she should see if she could come, all “WTF? I’m trying to keep the party small. Don’t invite people.” The self-inviter did not come, but did send me a somewhat nasty text message, which, way to get invited to the next one. Except no.

Note: if the person who had told her about the party had called me and said, “Can so-and-so come with me?” I would have had no problem with it. It was the calling me up and inviting oneself that I had a problem with.

One of the errands I ran was to the mall, where the Triangle Greyhound Society was having an event. I met dogs, I played with dogs, I talked with owners, and now I really, really want one. And I don’t see my landlord letting that happen.

Or, I cannot make a decision, so I am turning to the internet.

I need new bedding for the new bed. Target has some on sale, and I was going to order it, but now I am confused. Do I order the light blue duvet cover and shams and match it with brown sheets and bedskirt, or do I go monochromatic with the blue? Or monochromatic, but then add brown accents? Or should I just forget the Target stuff and go with this?

The walls in my bedroom are brown with a faux suede finish. (HATE! To change it, I'd have to sand the entire room, which, also HATE!). Maybe even a dark taupe- there's quite a bit of grey in the walls. Taupe walls + hardwood floor + unfinished wood closet doors= need to add some color to the room with the bedding.

Oh, and when you're done with that, I need suggestions on a book to pick for book club in September. It must be available in paperback and be less than 350 pages.

Monday I had a riding lesson, and for the second time in a month I had a major anxiety attack while on Sandi. She got a bit upset by another horse, and it lead to my getting scared. It also forced Heather and I to work on emergency dismounts, which we have been putting off for years now. I spent the rest of the lesson getting on and off of the horse. I am more comfortable with an emergency dismount now, but still need to work on it.

Tuesday I went to Pub Quiz with Stace. We won third place. Well, with Danny, who was sitting next to us at the bar, so we made him part of our team.

Wednesday was the Fourth of July Turkey Shoot. (Note: You can only win a T-shirt at the 4th of July shoot). I spent all day at the fairgrounds. We hung out, had a cookout, made some money, and watched the fireworks from the top of the building. Which involved climbing up and down the rickety ladder.

Thursday was exciting- I cleaned the fridge and did laundry. Funny part: I was talking to mom as I cleaned the fridge, so she heard my exclamation of, “I don’t remember eating that.” She found this amusing, but when you live alone, there’s a lot of room in the fridge for storage, so…

Monday night I was supposed to fly into Atlanta so that I could attend a training course on Tuesday. When I got to the airport, I learned that my 7PM flight had been cancelled. (No I didn’t call first. Shut up.) They put me on the next flight out, which didn’t leave until around 8:30. However, that flight was delayed. When I asked the gate agent how long it was delayed, she said, “It might take off around 11. That’s what they’ve told me.”

I called our travel agency to see if I could get another flight out. (After arriving in Atlanta, I was supposed to take the MARTA to where I was staying. It’s about a 45 minute ride. So, I would have gotten to the hotel around 2-ish.) There was a Delta flight at 0600, so I booked that, went home, and went to bed.

(Actually, there was completely unrelated drama that I had to deal with while in the airport, and the delays and all made for a stressful situation.)

I woke up a 0330. Orion was not expecting the alarm to go off then and jumped about 10 feet off the bed. Was at the airport by 0430. Through security by 0440. No coffee at the airport until 0500. We lined up at Starbucks.

I was at our Atlanta office by 0830, in plenty of time for the training. Back at the Atlanta airport by 5:30 PM. I was supposed to take a 9:30 flight, but they put me on standby for the 7 PM flight. I was able to get on it, and was home by 10:30.

Long day.

Yesterday I got a bonus at work. I was all, “I will buy a bag!” “I will buy more shoes!” “I could put it towards a saddle.”

Then my back twinged, and I remembered that I really need a new mattress. So, the money will go towards that. I’m planning on getting a queen. I don’t suspect that that means the cats will no longer sleep curled up against me- I think that is most likely not a space issue.

So, it’s been a bummy week. Nothing in particular, just bummy. When I have weeks like this, I get the desire to either

1. move to a new place. A completely different town. Just gather my things and head out. Right now, the places on my list all have snowy winters. Which I moved here to get away from. But apparently now miss.

   Or

2. get a dog. Right now, the preferred breed is a greyhound.
   

I realize those things are not remotely related. I have no idea why those are the two things that I become obsessed with. I mean, on the one had, a new place would be interesting. New people, new favorite places. But then again, it took me about 4 years to feel settled here. And then the dog thing. I love dogs. But they are a lot more work then cats. And there’s still the possibility of traveling for work. Which means I’d have to pay for a kennel. Oh, and also, according to my lease I can’t have a dog.

So, one of the solutions is more feasible (new town!) but one is easier and could be accomplished sooner (dog!). What to do, what to do.

Or, there’s the going back to school thing…

Friday night a friend called me and asked me what my plans were. What I said, “Not really anything.” Actual answer, “I was going to clean the bathroom.” So, I didn’t clean the bathroom that night. I met some friends for dinner and then we went to see Knocked Up. Which is very funny and I enthusiastically recommend it. Way more entertaining than cleaning a bathroom.

Saturday AM I did the Race for the Cure. I love it, partially because the neighborhood we walk through really gets into it. They set up sprinklers to walk through, make signs cheering us on, and there’s usually a brigade of people with SuperSoakers.

That afternoon I took a nap and ran some errands. Then I went out to celebrate a friend’s 25th (!) birthday.

Sunday I started laundry and cleaning the house before heading out to do Adopt-a-Highway. At one point, I bent over to pick up a water bottle. I realized the bottle was covered with ants. I looked down to see that I had stepped into a nest of fire ants. So, if you were driving down Wake Forest Road Sunday afternoon and saw a girl hopping around with one bare foot while flogging her leg with a sock, hi! Luckily, I reacted quickly and didn’t get too bit up.
Finally got home around 6 (more errands). I finished cleaning the house (including bathroom!) at around 7.

I’ve done it again. I have completely overextended myself. My planner? You should see it. It doesn’t even have the volleyball schedule in it, mostly because I don’t have the volleyball schedule yet. Oh, and volleyball starts tonight. Plus, now I’m increasing my riding schedule (note: that is a good thing), I’ve got Jaycee crap all this weekend, all next weekend, and then the weekend after that. The last week of the month I spend a day in Atlanta (I fly in the night before), have volleyball and riding, and then head up to Richmond. (The Richmond thing is also good.)

Also overwhelming? I am manpower chair for a huge project the Jaycees are running this month. I am having a very difficult time getting people to help. I just had someone back out of everything she volunteered for except for the fun thing (not uncommon for said person. Not known for doing projects involving labor, but shows up for all the parties.). When I told her I didn’t need her for anything, she wrote back “Thank you so much! I am doing manpower for (another upcoming large project) so I feel your pain.” No, clearly you don’t, or you wouldn’t have cancelled. Ask Aquamama about the wonderful things I was saying to you through the computer.

Regular readers of this blog (Hi regular readers!) know that I do this on occasion. So, now you have an assignment. Next May, one of you remind me not to sign up for volleyball.

On Thursday when I got into work, I had an e-mail from Cdub. It was forwarded from one of her co-workers, who was looking to get rid of tickets to Sweet Charity (starring Molly Ringwald!). I believe my answer to her was, "You should have called me! I didn't get this until today. I would have loved to go!" It turned out the tickets were still available. The seats were excellent, and the show was really funny. I wasn't actually very familiar with the show- it's funny and smart. You should see it.

It's a good thing that we enjoyed the show, because we went out to dinner beforehand and got some of the worst service we had ever gotten. The waiter took our drink orders, walked away, and didn't come back for our dinner orders until the drinks were ready, 10 minutes later. I even tried to stop him after he brought water over, but he ran off. We finally ordered, the food (as usual at this place) was excellent. We ate, our plates were cleared at 7:25. At 7:40 we still did not have our check. When I finally managed to flag the waiter down (he spent a good bit of time evading us), I told him to bring the check, as we had tickets to a show. He did not get a good tip. (He probably realized we weren't happy, as it was the manager who finally brought us the check.) I was not happy.

Saturday we volunteered at Operation Sharehouse. I love volunteering there- there's a tangible result to your work (we packaged over 5,000 meals). They also allow (and encourage) children as young as 5 to participate- we had several little ones working with us- which I also like.

Afterward was errands.

Today, I headed out to the Capital Dressage Show to volunteer as a ring steward. Ring steward keep track of the competitors and also get to check bits and spurs after the ride. (Translation: I stuck my hands (with gloves on) into the mouths of horses I'd never seen before.) It was a nasty rainy day today (and also the 3rd day of the show), so we had a lot of scratches. Most people went early- we can't force them to, but if they are ready, they may. Afterwards I went through the trade show- I needed new gloves and some boot socks. When I went to purchase them, I learned that the tack shop was giving 10% off to volunteers. Yay!

I was supposed to have a riding lesson at 3, but after standing out in the rain all morning, I wasn't feeling it.

Last Friday, I went out to Cat’s Cradle to see Martin Sexton. I’d never heard of him, but it sounded like fun. He is very talented and did an amazing acoustical “Folsom Prison Blues”. The end of the concert turned into a bit of a revival, but I’ll forgive him that.

Saturday was the Tiki Party. I dragged Stewie along, and at this party, where she knew no one but me, she met people who live 2 blocks away from her. We also had the pleasure of telling people we met through our blogs.

Sunday I did yardwork and cleaned. It was most exciting.

Yesterday Stewie, Aquamama, the British co-worker, Stewie’s ex-roommate, his girlfriend, and I went to play Pub Quiz at the Saucer. We totally kicked ass, and won a $50 gift certificate. To be used at the Saucer next Tuesday, and next Tuesday only. It’s a racket!

But hey, free beer, ya know?

In case any of you are wondering, I am at this very moment driving down to get Aquamama and the kids, as her car is broken down. Or, at least that's what I told the guy I was on a date with.

This would be the second date. Well, not really a date. Get-together? We haven't been on what I would consider a date.

He's a smart, funny, nice guy. Also painfully shy. Which means I have to do a lot of the nudging. Am tired of it. Maybe it's a confidence issue? I don't know. I do know that when he finally called today, after I told him "You asked me out again, nary a word about it since. You are interesting and I'd like to get to know you better," I told him I was going to the mall (Macy's had a duvet on sale. Really good deal.) He agreed to meet me there. We walked around the mall for a while and then were heading up to Frankie's (they have arcade games, putt-putt, etc.) On the way, I called Aquamama and told her I was bored out of my freaking mind. Because I was.

She called with the fake emergency. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood to hang out today, I don't know. She's all for giving him another chance, because the first time we met, I had a good time (oh, and 2 beers. Coincidence?). I think I will, but I'm not going to push for it.

Feel free to hate me now.

Last weekend I volunteered at the Downtown Raleigh Home Tour. Afterwards, I went and toured some of the homes with a friend of mine. Said friend is Irish. We got to talking about Boston, and she said, "I've been to Boston. I have relations there." I pondered for a minute, wondering if I should say anything. "Just so you know," I said to her, "In the US, we say 'relatives'. 'Having relations' is a euphemism for sex." Response: "Really? I'm sure I've said that before! Why has no one said anything?"

Things I learned on the home tour:

1. People who buy $950,000 condos are apparently so enamored of large walk-in closets that they don't care that the bedrooms are noticeably smaller than they could be due to said closets.
   
2. Spending $350,000 on a condo does not mean that you get hardwood floors. Laminate*, baby!
   
3. You can also spend $244,000 on a condo where the bedroom has no windows. Oh, and the hallway and kitchen have laminate floors.
   
4. However, it is possible to take a condo built in the 80s and update it so that it is my absolute favorite house on the tour.
   

Also, last night I went before the Jaycee board to present my resume. I was approved as the 2007 Turkey Shoot Chair. Which, yay, 2007 Turkey Shoot Chair! And also, holy crap, 2007 Turkey Shoot Chair!

*I have no problem with laminate floors. It's just that in that price range**, I'd want hardwood.

**I am totally pretending I could ever afford something in that price range.

Early last week, a friend of mine e-mailed me to see if I wanted to go to a speed dating event with her. I hemmed and hawed and then decided to talk it over with Stewie, the voice of reason. Stew: "What else are you going to be doing?" Me: "Nothing, really." Stew: "So go. What's the worst that could happen?" (That's her favorite question, actually. Sometimes it's not even rhetorical.)

So, I went, if only for the $2 domestics (except for Yuengling, which, when did PA secede?), $3 imports, and $3 well drinks. I ended up having a good time. Most of the guys were nice guys, but not people I'd date. One of them replied to everything I said with, "Right on. Right on." He also answered my question of, "Did you grow up around here?" (Sidenote: Most of the people around here did not in fact grow up around here.) with, "What do you mean by around here?" Um...

Then there was the guy who told me he played football in college. I asked him what position, and he said, "Cornerback." He then challenged me about what a cornerback is, and was impressed when I knew. (What? Girls can understand football?) I asked him if his favorite NFL team was the Falcons, and he said, "How'd you guess?" "You told me you were from Atlanta. It was a reasonable starting point."

The last guy I "dated" was drunk enough to be slurring his words. He started out by telling me that the last people he met through speed dating were liars. Then, as an added bonus he told me how he didn't like my friend (the one that I came with). He did know we were friends. It turned out that he is a recruiter, so he spent the next 3 minutes incredulous that I am a PE. "That's one of the hardest tests to pass! Do you know how hard it is to find a PE?" He repeated the last question several times, until I told him that I worked with several and that many of my friends are also PEs, so no, I don't know how hard it is to find one.

I talked to one of the guys that I had circled "yes" to afterward, and he started telling me a story about how his friend's girlfriend had moved to Chicago. They ended up breaking up, and then he proceeded to tell me all about the crush he had on her, even though he didn't know it. He said, "But I'm over it now." Me: "Are ya sure?" Him: "Why did I talk about that?"

It turns out that only one of the guys that I checked yes to also checked yes for me, which is fine. The ones I did pick wasn't because I was really interested in a relationship (because, hello, 5 minutes?)with them, but I thought I might enjoy seeing again.

It was an interesting experience, but I'm not convinced I do it again. I can meet strange freaky guys and guys who aren't interested in me for free on any given day.

I got up at 0400 yesterday morning to catch an 0615 flight. For future reference, bad idea. (Although, the travelers at that hour are familiar with the self-check kiosks.) The couple in front of me at security had a cat with them. They had to take the cat out of the carrier and carry him through the metal detector with them. My cats would not have been nearly as easily controlled. Not that I ever plan on flying with them. (Like the other passengers want Orion in the cabin, yowling the entire time.)

I took MARTA to our office here. This office is better than my office for the following reasons:

• within walking distance to restaurants and public transportation
  
• no cockroaches falling from ceiling
  

When I was ready to leave, I called my hotel. They run a shuttle. I don’t have to have a car. There is an entire shopping center across the street from the hotel, so more restaurants within walking distance. Most excellent.

Oh, and when I was packing I couldn't decide between 2 shirts, so I threw them both in. This worked out well when I stained one of them while ironing. (Stupid hotel irons!)

Ticketing counter,RDU. 6 open self-service kiosks; three people in line in front of me. To the woman before me, “Is there a reason no one is using those?” “Um, yeah, there’s no one there to check you in.” “OK, but they are self-service kiosks.” I pass them.

Ticketing agent , putting the baggage claim ticket on my bag,: “You’re going to Spokane?” “No, I’m going to Columbus, GA.” “I try to guess what the airport designation is. I’m always wrong.” (Note: Spokane is GEG. Columbus, GA is CSG.)

Atlanta, connection delayed 5 times. I stop watching passengers and pick up my book. I look up, a glance. I see him from the back; I never see his face. It is familiar, a reminder of the past, a jump in my chest. Most likely not him, but what if it was?

3 hours after scheduled departure we take off. Rental car clerk can't find mileage for car. Nor can she find gas. "Just bring it back as close as you can to what it was."

Hotel: Gladly paid $4.25 for a Miller Lite.

When my parents were down for Easter (I was a stop on their trip to FL), my dad told me he had three weeks of timeshares that had to be used before October and asked me if I wanted one. I thought about it for roughly a nanosecond before saying yes.

I called Angeler, my favorite traveling companion, to see where we should go. Our first choice was San Francisco, but nothing was available. So, we will be going to Hilton Head. Beach! Golfing! Savannah, GA less than an hour away! Oh, and I don’t even need a plane ticket.

I can’t wait for September.

Huzzah! Friday night I went to the Ren Faire with Little Matty. He wanted to see Albannach. First there was drinking of mead, then an “Acrobatic Equestrian Show”. Two of the performers got into an argument (the one flipping from the Belgian and landing on a pony didn’t like how the Belgian was being lead. The guy leading the Belgian stormed off.). It was awesome! The band was great, but we didn’t stay for the entire show, as it was cold.

Saturday I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned because my parents, Goose, and his girlfriend were staying at my house on the way to Florida. Sunday I made breakfast, saw them off, and then did my taxes.

Oh, and my dad offered me a week at a timeshare, so now I am planning a vacation. First step: figuring out where to go.

These pictures were taken at 8:30 this morning. Remember, I live in North Carolina. Also, it's April.