8/29/06

I had a coupon for a free "Crispani" from Bread Co (which, apparently, we are the test market for).  It was good, but I wasn't expecting arugula.  Arugula is an evil, evil plant.  It's all "I'm just a lettuce!"  So you're fooled into a false sense of security and then it turns the tables "HA!  But I'm also spicy and I give you onion breath!!!"

I hate you so much, arugula.  You're a jerk.

Tomorrow I'm going to birthday like a champ: Breakfast with Gretchen & Jen, Lunch with the work folks, and dinner with the fam.  I love birthdays. 

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8/28/06

Anger is a powerful, powerful motivator.

Cursing (do not read if you think of me as childlike, or would like to imagine I don't use strong profanity--there are no swear words off limits to me): 

FUCKING COCKBAG ASSHOLE SHIT-FOR-BRAINS CUNT RAG!  TWO DAYS BEFORE MY FUCKING BIRTHDAY, SLIMY MENSTRUAL CLOT!

That last one's more colorfully disgusting than actually profane, but it gets the point across.

But on the motivation side of it, I went from planning a lazy evening of a couple chores I've been putting off to one of the hardest Curves sessions I've probably ever done, followed up by laps in the pool until my toes cramped up, treading water arms alone until my toes uncramped, then treading water until I got bored with it.

I am still mad, but I am also FULL of endorphins.

8:30pm - Okay, I'm calm now.

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8/20/06

SNAKES ON A MOTHERFUCKING PLANE!!!

Friday night was the opening of Samuel L. Jackson's epic film, Snakes on Plane.  In honor of this historical night, Bob gathered a group to go--he even bought the tickets several days in advance.  We started out at Jen & Bob's where we all did a shot out of the Snake Shot Glass.  There seems to be a bit of a structural flaw.  I thought the problem would be keeping the snake's head out of your way while you try to take the shot, but the actual issue seems to be that the ridges in the snake's scale pattern makes a little dribble.

Plus, Jen made everybody souvenirs, our own personal snakes on a plane--I chose this one because the snakes are in love:

So about 20 minutes from the end of the movie, it goes absolutely pitch black in the theater--when the emergency lights came on, Jen and I both had our feet pulled up on the seats with us.  You never know.  Then the Creve Coeur AMC nominated their most soft-spoken employee to tell us that the power had been knocked out and we could pick up a pass for a free movie at the desk on the way out.  People were mostly looking around at each other quite befuddled. 

Just as we were starting to leave, the lights came back up and the movie started to roll--without sound.  The whole part that was mute was SLJ & Keenan, so I'm sure we missed some of the best jokes in the whole movie, because Keenan can turn around the worst of SNL sketches.  Got the sound back for that last few minutes of the movie, and still got our passes for a free movie.

What nobody ever told me (I'm looking at you, Bob), was that Jen absolutely hates scary movies.  Why on earth would you bring your wife who hates scary movies to Snakes on a Plane?  I kept looking over at her and she had her fingers in her ears--apparently she can handle the violence as long as there's no sound.  I grabbed her arm to make sure she wouldn't miss the line everybody was waiting for. 

In retribution, she's planning to use the free passes to make Bob go with her to see the girliest movie she can find--I hear there's something coming out with Hilary AND Haley Duff.

On Saturday I drove out to Holt's Summit, MO to visit H and have her finish my Wendy costume for Halloween(ish) in Florida.  It turned out so well!!!

We were a little concerned in the first couple of tryons that it was going to be a little too va-va-voom for Wendy (it looked like it was going to be a bit cleavagey for a young girl), but once the skirt was attached it all came together.

She even made me a matching Wendy purse! 

This afternoon was a movie watching day:
 

Howl's Moving Castle - Another movie from the guy who did Spirited Away, but I liked this one much better.  I went to see Spirited Away because I heard all the fuss being made over it, and I mostly found it creepy and  weird.  HMC, however, I liked very very much.  It's the story of a young girl who is put under a spell by a witch and takes refuge with a powerful wizard.  And it didn't hurt that Christian Bale is the voice of Howl.  My favorite line: "He's calling the Spirits of Darkness.  I saw him do this once before, when a girl dumped him."

Zathura - Jumanji in Space, directed by Jon Favreau.  I liked it, neat effects, good dialogue--especially the banter between Tim Robbins & his daughter.  "It makes me uncomfortable when you say 'hooking up'." "Why? It's not like it means anything.""Hope it doesn't." "It doesn't; it's just an expression!""Hope it is." "It is! God! We never should have rented Thirteen!"

Someone in my condo complex has been leaving food out for what I can only assume are strays.  So now we have a couple of cats just hanging around.  They're very nice, and not at all afraid of people.  Although the gray one tried to follow me into my condo yesterday night.  Someone put up a note about not leaving out food because it was drawing ants, so I think the cat is getting desperate.

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8/17/06

Okay, this is far and away the best thing I have seen in a while.  If someone has an extra $450 lying around and would like to buy me a birthday present, have I got something to show you:

The "Fish-n-Flush" Toilet Bowl Aquarium.  How funny is that? (Click to enlarge photos)

So what's been happening in the last week...

Once I spent all of Friday & most of Saturday doing nothing but sleeping (with breaks to drink more juice & go to the bathroom), I actually felt much, much better.  The cold's not totally gone, but it's in that just a little bit of a scratchy cough stage.

Saturday night I went to the Muny with mom to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  It's cute.  Lots & Lots of dancing, and color coordinated outfits so you can tell who all the love triangles are without trying to recognize anybody (all the brides have a town beau and a brother beau).

Heading into church on Sunday I asked Mom to try not to sit us near anybody, so I wouldn't germ 'em up.  And while I think she was actually trying to do what I asked, she sat us a row behind people we know (parents of someone I went to school with) and a row in front of ONE OF THE CUTEST BOYS I'VE EVER SEEN AT CHURCH.  Not fair.  Why does she choose the week I'm germy to sit by a cute guy?  All of these people were at the opposite end of the pews from us, and it was pretty sparse in church (nobody else in the three pews in question).

So during the sign of peace (NOTE: for those who do not follow the teachings of Cathol: shake hands, say "Peace" or "Peace be with you"), cute boy wanders down his pew (as there is nobody seated near him to shake hands with) and when he approaches I debate between the Don't Turn Around/Pretend You Don't Notice Someone Is There approach and the Shake Hands Anyway Plague Rat approach.

In the end I just turned around, put my hands up and said, "I'm sorry, I can't.  I'm sick."  Cute boy says, "Oh, okay."  Big Smile.  FANTASTIC dimples.  And, come to think of it, actually more interaction than sign of peace.

Monday we had potential clients coming into the office for a site visit, so we all had to be Ultra Professional.  Our normal business casual dress code went right out the door for the day so we could all dress to impress (and hopefully land the account, make our numbers for the year and get a bonus).  I must have mostly kicked the cold germs out, because I got several compliments at work.

That night at Jen's (Monday night dinner--Steak, Rosemary Potatoes, Salad and... wait for it.) she told me she agreed and she would have to dress cuter, too.  Monika's b-day was Tuesday, so this week's dinner was a celebration of sorts for her as well.  Jen, Bob & I took care of all the dinner preparations before Monika even arrived, so she didn't have to lift a finger.  Jen prepped the steak, I prepped the potatoes, and Bob grilled it all (the rosemary potatoes recipe is from the Reynolds Wrap people and is REALLY good).

We wrapped up the night with dessert at Cyrano's.  I have never been there before.  All three of them kept going on and on about how they have the best bread pudding there.  I have never had bread pudding before, but if theirs is the best, I decided I should give it a try.  So delicious.  I have been told I am now officially ruined for any other bread pudding, it simply will not compare.

Tuesday I forgot it was a holy day of obligation (Bad little catholic girl.  BAD!), and made plans with Jen & Jessica to go see Step Up (wigger kid from the bad part of town pairs up with ultra serious dancer girl when her partner for her senior project screws up his foot).  It was CUUUUTE!  I liked it, I really did.  And it didn't have that lack of closure that Take the Lead (the Antonio Banderas dancing movie) did.

Today was "Wear Whatever You Want" day at work (pay back for Ultra Professional day on Monday), and my John Cusack/Say Anything t-shirt got many positive comments all day.  Plus I got to wear flip-flops, which is about as close as you can get to barefoot in the office (I've been told I am not allowed to be barefoot in the office).

~*~

Tomorrow is Snakes on a Plane.  Bob already got my ticket on Tuesday.  I'm excited.  I'm Jen's official girl companion for the evening, as Bob is insisting she go, and all the other people coming are boys--a set up we assume to see duplicated ad nauseum at the theater.

And in honor of Snakes on a Plane's imminent arrival:

Haven't put up any quizzes in a while, and my results on this first one made me laugh:
 

Your famous last words will be: "I dunno, press the button and find out." What will your famous last words be?

 

You are: Root Beer Ultra sweet and innocent, you have a subtle complexity behind your sugary front.  Children love you, but so do high end snobs--when you're brewed right.  Your best compatibility match: Dr. Pepper  Stay away from: Diet Coke  What kind of soda are you?

You are: The Haughty Intellectual

You are the Haughty Intellectual. You are a very rational person, emphasizing logic over emotion, and you are also rather arrogant and self-aggrandizing. You probably think of yourself as an intellectual, and you would like everyone to know it. Not only that, but you also tend to look down on others, thinking yourself better than them. You could possibly have an unhealthy obsession with yourself as well, thus causing everyone to hate you for being such an elitist twat. On top of all that, you are also introverted and gentle. This means that you are just a quiet thinker who wants fame and recognition, in all likelihood. Like so many countless pseudo-intellectuals swarming around vacuous internet forums to discuss worthless political issues, your kind is a scourge upon humanity, blathering and blathering on and on about all kinds of boring crap. If your personality could be sculpted, the resulting piece would be Rodin's "The Thinker"--although I am absolutely positive that you are not nearly as muscular or naked as that statue. Rather lacking in emotion, introspective, gentle, and arrogant, you are most certainly a Haughty Intellectual! And, most likely, you will never achieve the recognition or fame you so desire! But no worries! 

To put it less negatively: 

Compatibility:  Your exact opposite is the Schoolyard Bully. (Bullies like to beat up nerds, after all.)
Take the Personality Defect Test

And a question of my own-- if you were going to make out with a news anchor, who would it be?  (no fake news anchors, because Jon Stewart is too obvious)  Leave it in the comments.  I'll put my answer there too.

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8/11/06

I've had so much vitamin C in the last three days, it's just ridiculous.

It started on Tuesday afternoon.  I was just working away and my nose felt a little runny and my throat a little scratchy.  But by Wednesday morning it was full blown awfulness.  I went into work, because that's what I do.  I had to stop at two different Walgreens to find just one bottle of my Power-C Vitamin Water.  I had to settle for only 500% of my RDA of Vitamin C.  Took a half day sick and went to the grocery store to buy 2 quarts of Sunny D and four cans of soup.

I went through almost all of the juice that afternoon.

Made another valiant attempt at work on Thursday, even though I probably should have stayed home, but I knew there was stuff at work that had to be handled that day, and then I could take another half day.  Just before noon, when I was planning to leave, I got a phone call from the big boss asking me to please stay around until she got in at 12:30, she needed me for some stuff.  Didn't end up leaving until almost 2, and then ended up taking home all the papers from my desk so I could search for a misplaced invoice.  (Which I did find, yay me!)  But I took special care to make sure that all of my current projects were in a place that could wait until Monday, should I wake up miserable on Friday.

Which of course, I did.  Woke up this morning feeling the worst since I caught this devil cold.  So I called in, saying I'd check my email throughout the day and could be reached on my cell phone, then went back to sleep.  I've spent about 90% of today asleep, and I'm actually starting to feel better.  I left the house once just to get more juice.  Other than that, it's been plenty of rest and plenty of fluids.

I was looking through my papers to find the invitation to Valerie's Bridal Shower (which I thought was tomorrow), so I could call and give my apologies that I was unable to attend, only to find out that it was last weekend and I missed it!  Dang!  It's bad enough to miss something for a good reason, but I hate missing things because I'm a spaz.  Going to have to cancel on the twins' birthday party too, because I'd feel too terrible if I made any of the babies sick.  I'm still going to go to the Muny with my mom though, because then maybe I can give my germs to that woman behind us who yells, "WHOOOOOO!" really loudly and obnoxiously instead of just clapping like absolutely everyone else.

Let's see, anything else since last Friday?  Hmmmm.  Last weekend was tax free weekend, and I helped my Aunt Sa pick out her new computer--and was gifted with a DVD for my troubles.  (This was while I was being a spaz and entirely unconscious of the actual date of Valerie's shower.)  I ended up going back later and getting myself a little optical mouse for my laptop, and ordering more RAM and a new battery for Tink (she's been so well-behaved these days).

Then Tink started acting up.  Shutting down & giving me BIOS errors (which I am attributing to the new mouse's set-up files).  But when the RAM & battery showed up I installed them and everything cleared up!  Yay, Tink!

Monday was another dinner with Monika, Jen & Bob.  We made gourmet Mac & Cheese.  And another dessert with peaches--since Jen & Bob still have a million Eckert's peaches left.  All delicious as usual.  Bob gave me a hard time about my scrolling text--as I knew he would.  He's such a website snob.  I told him it was a one time thing and it seemed appropriate to the topic.

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8/4/06

Best. Offer.  EVAH!

Y98 has joined with Maggie Moo's to offer free ice cream on hot, sweaty St. Louis days--if the temperature gets to 98 at Lambert, they announce it on the air, and then for the next 98 minutes, you can get a free scoop at one of four locations.

I went twice this week with folks from work.  Chris and I have been working our respective booties off on a proposal this week, so we figured we deserved a little treat on a sweaty afternoon.  The second that they announced it, we were on the phone to each other, "ICE CREAM!! LET'S GO!!"

I wasn't aware of this offer until Monday evening, but on Tuesday Anna & Jeannine came with (and then ended up paying for their ice cream so they could get mix-ins, silly girls), and on Wednesday Kathy & Anne came with.  Hooray for free.

I apologize if the scrolling header annoys you, but I just learned the code to make it work, and it seemed appropriate for the sentiment--especially because I'm hearing Bill Cosby singing it in his "Tonsils" skit in my head.

Then today after work was margaritas at El Paisano with Caroline.  Katie O introduced me to it, and they have the best margaritas ever!  I never would have gone in their if she hadn't suggested it.  I hate Mexican food--but I like tequila!

Also, if I've ever piqued your interest in Canadian teen melodrama with my various previous blabbering on about Degrassi, etc., this is the perfect time to get into it--The N is having an "Every Episode Ever" marathon, starting tonight.  Degrassi is 90% of their programming (5pm to 5am) until next Sunday (8/13).  They're repeating all of them a few times, so it's not like you would have to stay up until the wee hours to catch them all.  Channel 102 on Charter.

The Sean compells you! (click here for schedule)

..

Last time (probably):
Only 25 more shopping days...

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