I get a peaceful easy feeling

It's Hot! Damn!

2006-10-02T11:53:01Z

Update, long overdue

SO! At work things are going the same. Because of my demotion from the EDU back to the PD I don’t get the 3% raise that state employees are supposed to get. Unless I get a special evaluation, which I have asked for. Since that was denied, the union thinks it is in retaliation for the complaint I made about not being interviewed for the Executive Secretary position. I certainly agree, so they have gone to Human Resources to have a meeting.

It makes me sad. I’m doing the best job I can here, and they are denying me a pitiful 3% raise. SIGH! On the other hand, I’ve learned how to do fingerprints. (Get it? Other hand? I just kill myself! HA HA!!!!)

We moved into our new apartment over the weekend, but the air conditioner doesn’t work and neither does the stove. Oh, and the electricity in our bed and bathroom. Yeah, real nice. We had to shower and dress in the dark this morning. So no snide comments about my appearance. Tim had to use a lighter to find my shoes for me. He was very helpful. =-)

Since Dustin doesn’t have school today, he and his friends and my 10 year old nephew are staying at the apartment to play video games and be boys all day. Tim wanted to stay home too, but I convinced him to go to work. He knew they would be having much more fun than he would all day.

Have a nice week!

Let's get all Norma Rae on their asses!!

2006-08-22T18:39:13Z

I Don’t Usually Push Back

These days I’ve been kind of tired of the shenanigans at work, and I’m going to unload for a bit. I’ve been passed over yet again for a promotion that I am totally qualified for. I have a degree, I have years of experience, and I am a very nice person. The person that got the promotion? A 21-year old with no experience. This isn’t Hooter’s people. This is a University. So, I decided to push back for once. I don’t usually do that. I normally just smile and take it. I was the Angry Bitch a few years ago, and it got old. But this isn’t anger. It’s just me being tired of all the crap. So, without any anger whatsoever I called my union rep and relayed the story, and now I have a meeting tonight. It would be a nice raise for me, and Goddammit I deserve it. I’ve worked long and hard enough. I’m going to push back.

Bunnies!!! I see bunnies!!!

2006-08-16T12:43:21Z

Sometimes we surf the web, just blithely linking and following things of interest, and then we find something we didn’t really mean to. I happened upon something the other day that ruined my week, made me sick, and kept me up a few nights. Just a few thoughts: there are some evil people at work in the world, and some of them like to post their handiwork online. Even if you don’t mean to, you could stumble across something horrible, and spend days trying to scrub the slime out of your brain. Just be careful out there.

Everyone I know is on MySpace, as is the rest of the known universe. I think there is even a Klingon section now, and the Druids are coming on board soon. I like MySpace a lot. It looks like fun, and you can make your page all kinds of interesting with pictures and music and personalized crap. My son has a page that I have never visited, since a 16 year old should have some privacy from his Mommy. Live Journal is all the blog I’m going to do. It’s hard enough for me to write my current thoughts, much less find cool tunage to accompany my witty repartee. So, just imagine I’m humming something by the Dead Milkmen whilst you read and we’ll be god to go. Bunnies Rule!!!

Just a brief note

2006-08-11T11:54:42Z

I had an interview yesterday with another office on campus. It went well, I think, and they seem like nice people. I got good vibes from them, anyway.

I’m starting to feel the effects of my Topomax. I spent five minutes staring at the wall this morning whilst getting dressed. And I keep laughing at stupid things, like my own toes. Yeah, good times. Oh, and I have diarrhea. GOOD times. But the rewards are worth the bad things. I get to be medicated and strange for a while, but I will eventually even out and perhaps lose some weight. YAY!!!

Let’s all hold hands and sing the Barney song!

Where did the buildings go?

2006-08-08T13:05:27Z

Movies are cool!

So, we went to see Talladega Nights on Sunday, and it was amazingly funny. Will Farrell is a genius, and so are his costars. Especially funny were the scenes where he was praying to baby Jesus (cuz he prefers the Christmas Jesus, the little 8 lb, 9 oz Jesus playing with his baby Einstein, learning about shapes and colors). It was great, I highly recommend it, and the gay French dude was a stroke of genius. “Ah am cumeeng fuh yoo, Reeekeee Bubeee!”

The next night it was a change of pace with World Trade Center. I took a packet of tissues, thinking it would be a squallfest, but instead it was exciting, scary, funny, and just a little bit of a tearjerker. Don’t be afraid to see it because you think it will play on your emotions. The director is respectful and the acting is more realistic than super-hero. All in all, two thumbs up. Nick Cage is looking at an Oscar, in my opinion. He spends most of the movie immobilized and covered in dirt, but he manages to be compelling anyway.

Work is, alas, making me miserable again. I’ve put in applications around campus and I actually have an interview on Thursday. Wish me luck! It’s for more money. I am going to be upfront at the interview and let them know that if they want someone to scrutinize and abuse, I’m outa there. I don’t have time for that shit at my age. I just want to do my job and eat my lunch and go home. Is that too much to ask? I hope not.

I’ve started taking a new medication, called Topomax. Let’s see how that works out. It is supposed to regulate my moods and help me lose weight, two things I am all in favor of. So far it’s just made me feel stupid and sleepy. I guess that would work, since you can’t eat if you are asleep and you can’t be cranky if you are too stupid to complain about things. AHA! I see right through their plans!

Look, a shiny thing!

School Bus Boogie

2006-08-03T14:51:31Z

School is In

Well, the school bus fairy came again and blessed us with more traffic! YAY!!! My son was taken to school by his Dad, so I called him this morning to wish him good luck. I got a few grunts and clicks, so I think he was still sleepy. He tends to stay awake all night before a big event, and going back to school is a pretty stressful one. He’s a JUNIOR!!! My god, only a few weeks ago I was watching him walk off to his kindergarten class with tears in my eyes. His backpack was bigger than he was, and he was a little blond boy who didn’t even bother to turn around and wave at his weeping mommy. They grow up so fast, don’t they, cliché-riddled writer?

My nephew starts a brand new school this year. If you remember, he was in a bit of trouble at his old school for knowing what a condom was, and his mother wisely elected to put him into another school. I hope he enjoys it there. He’s a smart little boy full of charm and other wriggly things that boys are full of. He is wearing a uniform for the first time, which makes him look very handsome.

I’m looking for another job (again!) and it ain’t pretty. I have several offers, but none big enough to lure me away from the glamour and comfort of my nest at the police department. I really am worried about money these days. I have put in for a promotional move, but I really don’t think I’m going to get it. I made the mistake of putting together a PowerPoint presentation for the Chief, campaigning for the new job, and he was not amused. I think they want to put another person in the slot. She doesn’t have any experience or education, but she is really cute and thin, and only 21 years old. All I have going for me is a degree, 15 years of job experience, and a lifetime of wisdom and life experience. Oh, and some cellulite. I lose!! Heh.

I have started another medication for my bipolar, and it is more fun than the law should allow. It is called Topomax or something, and it makes you stupid. Hey, that might improve my chances for the promotion!! I do feel kind of slow, but it’s a nice feeling. I just want to stare out the window at the pretty air conditioning unit. And the lizards.

Is it lunch time yet? I could certainly use an apple…

Baby, can I drive your car?

2006-07-31T18:23:42Z

Busiest Sunday Ever

Tim and I woke at the crack of noon on Sunday to get ourselves ready for the day. My car had died the evening before, and was awaiting our return at the 7-11 down the road. By the time we got there it was approximately a million degrees Fahrenheit, and the sun was blazing away only inches from our sweaty little heads. Tim climbed under the car and swore and sweated for a bit, then slid back out and squirted some kind of glue on this little plug that goes into the bottom of the radiator. He poured water in the radiator, and then watched in misery as it dribbled out around the plug. ARGH!

We hiked through the desert to the Home Depot and purchased a bottle of water and some Teflon tape to secure the plug with. It was air conditioned in the Home Depot, so I sat down on the floor and stamped my feet in a futile attempt to stay there. Tim eventually got me up with the promise of a nice evening of music, so we drudged back across the Sahara, passing sand worms and cacti on our journey.

After numerous mirages, we finally spotted my car and got back to work. Of course, I mean that Tim was working, and I was occasionally sharing my drink. I also wiped some dirt off his back with a towel. I’m a fantastic girl friend.

Using the Teflon tape and the glue, Tim finally got the radiator plug stuffed up in there and we made our way home. He let me drive his car, so I had the benefit of air conditioning and a nice stereo to keep me company. I watched him drive my car, happy to see that my sweetie made it home ok. Now, my car is still kind of wounded, but at least it is resting comfortably in Tim’s parking lot.

After all that work, I needed a sandwich and some Malta, so I made us lunch. We took a shower and slept for a bit, then got up and went to Skipper’s Smokehouse to enjoy some Florida folk music and belly dancing. I wound up dancing a little myself, wrapped in a scarf that barely covered my butt, shaking my booty for all the world to see. I think there were pictures taken, so someday I may be paying for my indiscretions.

It was hot as Satan’s bung hole at the smokehouse, so we went home and jumped in the pool for an hour or so, then upstairs to beddy bye. Dreamed of Istanbul…

I'm sooooo 8% of the population!!!

2006-07-25T19:03:24Z

Jung Explorer Test
Actualized type: ENFP
(who you are)

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

Preferred type: ENFP
(who you prefer to be)

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

Attraction type: ENFP

(who you are attracted to)

ENFP - "Journalist". Uncanny sense of the motivations of others. Life is an exciting drama. 8.1% of total population.

Take Jung Explorer Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Sleeping Beauty

2006-07-25T18:48:38Z

I am SO buying a horse!

I’ve been having car issues for some time now, and I’ve decided to go ahead and build that time machine so I can go back to the horse and buggy days. A horse would at least provide a good meal after it has run its course of usefulness as a mode of transportation. I could probably make some awesome horsy sausages, but a car just leaves you with metal bits that don’t bend nicely into food shapes.

My B/F and I are supposed to move in together soon, so that will help with the transportation dilemma. He has a great car, and we work at the same place, so there you go. Of course, Tim likes to get to work an hour and a half early every day. I mean, our work day starts at 8am, so when he drops me off at 6:45am I get a little miffed that I could still be sleeping. I’m going to have to cure him of that, or find another ride to work. Seriously, I could walk to work and sleep later than he gets up.

I think the whole walking thing is a good idea. Just because it is 100degrees F and it storms like a mofo every day is no reason to lose 5 hours of sleep a week because your boyfriend wants to pace in a circle for an hour before his shift starts. Pace on your own time, not mine!!!

Will we move in together? Will Tim survive one more round of “wake the dead”? Tune in next time…

Hysteria!

2006-07-13T14:27:18Z

Oh what a night…

So, Tim and I went to the Journey/Def Leppard concert, and a good time was had by all! I’ve never seen either band in concert before, and Journey did not disappoint. Of course, they had no Steve Perry, but the new guy was fine. I must say, Def Leppard rocked the house. I’ve always liked them, never saw them in concert before though, and now I am smitten. If you ever get the chance, go check out a Def Leppard show! They totally rocked ass, and Tim was so into it he almost floated off the ground. He loved their drummer, the one-armed thunder god, and let me sing along in his ear to every song I knew.

Afterwards, as we were trying to find the bike amongst the puddles, I decided that Tim is the worst boyfriend ever because he couldn’t remember where the bike was, and I had to get my feet all wet tromping through a lake. I finally sat down by a tree and told him to go get the damn bike and pick me up. (The bike was like 2 yards away at that point).

We made nice, and I hopped on, and we wove our way out. I told Tim I have no problem getting rained on whilst on the bike, or having to walk great distances to view concerts, but I draw the line at wandering like gypsies through puddles because he forgot where he parked.

Did I mention that I ate two hotdogs at the concert and regretted it afterwards? Shocking, I know, but concert food isn’t that good for you. (Burrrp!)

On to other news. In the world of automobiles, my love and I are not blessed. I drive a 95 Ciera, he drives a 90 Toyota p/u truck. At least, he DID, until it died. Yesterday we went to CarMax and Tim picked out a Chevy Blazer, 2001, 4wd, 2 door, bright red. We drove it off the lot, and left the pick up behind as a down payment. YAY! The Chevy is totally nice, everything works, and now Tim doesn’t have to worry about being stranded on the side of the road anymore. He is so happy, and so am I! He even let me drive it for about 5 minutes. Next, we have to get my car repaired, as it is falling apart even as I type.

My ex-hubbie let me read a treatment he has whipped up for a movie, and I must say I was very impressed! It has motivated me to try my hand at writing something too, since creativity feeds off of creativity. I won’t give anything away by telling you his ideas are original and interesting. I might be related thru divorce to a famous screenwriter soon!

Let’s all join hands and sing, “Institutionalized”!

A good time in the Lord

2006-07-10T12:26:26Z

We were on our way to meet the barbarian horde at our favorite sushi place when we discovered that the horde was trapped in the mall at their favorite German beer place. Alas, what had transpired? Only three doors down the jewelry store had been robbed, including a gunshot! Did our intrepid barbarians hear anything? Of course not, they were busy singing a German drinking song and being happily buzzed. By the time they were ready to go to Sushi O Rama, the authorities were there to hold everyone in place until the robber could be found/disposed of/given up for lost. They were only a few minutes late after all. Huzzah!

All was going well, many sake bottles were killed, and piles of sushi were consumed. Your humble authoress had a plum wine that was delish, and an elegant boat of veggie sushi. The evening was full of raucous humor and much good camaraderie. Then, as things began to wear down, one of the barbarians proposed a wager: whomever would dare to shove a snootful of wasabe up his nostril would not have to purchase his dinner or drinks.

There was much uproar at this suggestion, and one hearty soul, by the name of Sean, gathered up a wad of the green stuff and began to shove it nostril-ward. Sean, as well as being a barbarian of the highest order, is a martial arts fighter, and covered in a thick layer of muscular manliness.

We all watched in horror and fascination as he sat, one tear exiting his trembling eyeball, and did not catch on fire. For ten minutes he took the pain, and then snorted the wad out into a napkin. He was rewarded with much adulation, $20 bills, and a cry of “Sean is my hero!” “I want Sean underoos!” “Somebody call 911!” etc.

A good time was had by all, especially the wait staff, who are by now used to these shenanigans. My darling and I took this as our cue to leave, as things only go downhill from there, and arrived home full of sushi and good humor.

All in all, a good Sabbath. We topped it off by watching Wallace and Grommit: the Were Rabbit! Our little heads hit the pillows a few hours later, and we dreamt of sushi and wabbits.

julietheunruly @ 2006-07-07T15:26:00

2006-07-07T19:25:06Z

(Click here to post your own answers for this meme.)

× I miss somebody right now.	✓ I don't watch much TV these days. (I'm busy knitting.)	✓ I own lots of books.
✓ I wear glasses or contact lenses.	× I love to play video games.	✓ I've tried marijuana.
✓ I've watched porn movies.	× I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.	✓ I believe honesty is usually the best policy.
✓ I curse sometimes.	✓ I have changed a lot mentally over the last year.	× I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me.

* * * * *

× I have broken someone's bones.	× I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.	× I hate the rain. (I love the rain!)
× I'm paranoid at times.	× I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.	× I need/want money right now.
✓ I love sushi.	× I talk really, really fast.	× I have fresh breath in the morning.
× I have long hair.	× I have lost money in Las Vegas. (I have lost money at Lake Tahoe, though.)	✓ I have at least one sibling.
✓ I was born in a country outside of the U.S. (Belgium, home of the best beer and chocolate in the world.)	× I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past.	× I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
✓ I like the way that I look. (Believe it or not, I think I look totally fine and dandy.)	× I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.	× I am usually pessimistic.
× I have a lot of mood swings. (Not since the meds kicked in.)	✓ I think prostitution should be legalized.	× I slept with a roommate.
× I have a hidden talent.	× I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.	✓ I have a lot of friends.
✓ I have pecked someone of the same sex. (Girls are pretty. Why not?)	× I enjoy talking on the phone.	× I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
× I love to shop and/or window shop.	× I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal.	× I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother. (My mom passed away a few years ago, so her ghost doesn't really bother anyone now.)
✓ I have a mobile phone.	× I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.	✓ I've rejected someone before.
✓ I currently like/love someone. (His name is Tim. He rocks.)	× I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.	✓ I want to have children in the future. (Adopted, foster, or natural.)
✓ I have changed a diaper before.	× I've called the cops on a friend before.	× I'm not allergic to anything.
✓ I have a lot to learn.	× I am shy around the opposite sex.	× I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
× I have at least 5 away messages saved.	✓ I have tried alcohol or drugs before. (There's a time and a place for everything, and that is College!)	× I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.
✓ I own the "South Park" movie.	× I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal.	✓ I enjoy some country music. (Bluegrass)
✓ I would die for my best friends. (I would die for them, but I would prefer just to get slightly injured, if that's an option.)	× I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.	× I have used my sexuality to advance my career. (LOL!!!!)
✓ I think Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.	× I have dated a close friend's ex.	✓ I am happy at this moment.
× I'm obsessed with guys.	× Democrat.	× Republican.
× I don't even know what I am.	× I am punk rockish.	× I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
× I study for tests most of the time.	× I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met.	× I can work on a car.
× I love my job(s).	✓ I am comfortable with who I am right now.	× I have more than just my ears pierced. (used to)
✓ I walk barefoot wherever I can.	× I have jumped off a bridge.	✓ I love sea turtles. (They are delicious! Just kidding.)
× I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup. (I don't spend ridiculous amounts)	✓ I plan on achieving a major goal/dream. (I want to go to Grad School. I am so OVER being a secretary.)	✓ I am proficient on a musical instrument. (Yes, the electric triangle.)
✓ I hate office jobs. (GAAAAH!)	× I went to college out of state.	× I am adopted.
× I am a pyro.	✓ I have thrown up from crying too much. (I'm a girl. It happens.)	✓ I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved. (Haven't we all??)
× I fall for the worst people.	✓ I adore bright colours. (I am SO over the whole goth thing.)	× I usually like covers better than originals. (no freakin way, unless it's Wierd Al)
✓ I hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.	✓ I can pick up things with my toes.	✓ I can't whistle. (I hoot.)
✓ I have ridden/owned a horse. (I love them. They smell so good.)	× I still have every journal I've ever written in.	✓ I talk in my sleep. (I don't say anything interesting though.)
✓ I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century. (23rd would be more like it.)	× I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.	× I wear a toe ring.
✓ I have a tattoo.	✓ I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with. (Let's just call her Flinchy.)	× I am a caffeine junkie.
✓ I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I'm not ashamed at all. (I'm a Buddhist Presbyterian.)	× If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder. (No way! What a terrible thing to do. Torment your enemies by living a happy life.)	× I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.
× I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.	✓ I'm an artist.	× I am ambidextrous.
× I sleep with so many stuffed animals, I can hardly fit on my bed.	× If it weren't for having to see other people naked, I'd live in a nudist colony.	× I have terrible teeth.
× I hate my toes. (I think all toes are cute. Even Tim's. LOL)	× I did this meme even though I wasn't tagged by the person who took it before me.	× I have more friends on the internet than in real life.
✓ I have lived in either three different states or countries. (I'm a military brat, and I was in the AF myself, as well as living overseas for part of my education.)	✓ I am extremely flexible. (Not physically, just mentally. HA!)	× I love hugs more than kisses. (Kisses are good!)
✓ I want to own my own business. (Just not work there.)	× I smoke.	× I spend way too much time on the computer than on anything else.
✓ Nobody has ever said I'm normal. (Unless I held a weapon under their chin.)	✓ Sad movies, games, and the like can cause a trickle of tears every now and then.	✓ I am proficient in the use of many types of firearms and combat weapons. (Thank you, Air Force combat school!)
✓ I like the way women look in stylized men's suits. (androgyny is so cute.)	✓ I don't like it when people are unpleased or seem unpleased with me. (How can you not like me?!?)	✓ I have been described as a dreamer or likely to have my head up in the clouds. (If wishes were horses, I'd be a cowgirl.)
✓ I have played strip poker with someone else before. (Back when I was thinner...LOL)	✓ I have had emotional problems for which I have sought professional help. (And aren't you all glad that I did!)	× I believe in ghosts and the paranormal.
× I can't stand being alone.	× I have at least one obsession at any given time.	× I weigh myself, pee/poo, and then weigh myself again. (That is too funny!)
× I consistently spend way too much money on obsessions-of-the-moment.	× I'm a judgmental asshole. (But I play one on TV)	× I'm a HUGE drama-queen.
✓ I have travelled on more than one continent.	× I sometimes wish my father would just disappear.	× I need people to tell me I'm good at something in order to feel that I am.
× I am a Libertarian.	✓ I can speak more than one language. (badly)	✓ I can fall asleep even if the whole room is as noisy as it can be. (Just ask Tim...he's a drummer!)
✓ I would rather read than watch TV.	× I like reading fact more than fiction.	✓ I have pulled an all-nighter on an assignment I was given a month to do.
× I have no piercings.	✓ I have spent the night in a train station or other public place. (When one is a traveler, these things can happen.)	× I have been so upset over my physical gender that I cried.
× I once spent Christmas completely alone because there was a miscommunication on which parent was supposed to have me that night.	✓ There have been times when I have wondered "Why was I born?" and may/may not have cried over it. (When you are bipolar, these thoughts come up.)	× I like most animals better than most people.
× I own a collection of retro games consoles.	× The thought of physical exercise makes me shiver.	✓ I have hit someone with a dead fish. (It was an accident, Dad!)
× I am compulsively honest.	× I was born with a congenital birth defect that has never been repaired.	× I have danced topless in front of dozens of complete strangers.
× I have gone from wishing I was a girl to revelling in being a boy to feeling like a girl again in the span of five minutes, and not cared a whit for my actual sex.	× I am unashamedly bisexual, and have different motivations for my desires for different genders.	× I sometimes won't sleep a whole night or eat a whole day because I forget to.
× I find it impossible to get to sleep without some kind of music on.	✓ I dislike milk. (It makes me phlegm up.)	× I obsessively wash my hands.
× I always carry something significant around with me.	× Sometimes I'd rather wear a wig in day-to-day life than use my own hair.	✓ I've pushed myself to become more self-aware and thereby more aware of others. (Read the Tao...do it now!)
✓ Even though I live on my own I still cry sometimes because I miss my mother. (Yeah, she died a while ago but I miss her still.)	× I hand wrote all the HTML tags in this document.	✓ I've liked something which a majority of people claimed was either bad or weird. (I think they were just wrong, though.)
× I have been clinically dead for a brief period of time. (No, but I have been REALLY bored at meetings.)	× Instead of feeling sympathy/empathy with people and their problems, I simply become annoyed. (That's kinda cold blooded.)	× I participate/have participated in auto drag races and won.
× I do not 'get' most comedy acts.	✓ I don't think strippers are money-greedy or slutty for dancing. (I think they need counseling for their esteem issues.)	× I don't like to chew gum.
✓ I am obsessed with history/historical things and can't wait for someone to build a time machine so I can be the first to use it. (Hellz yeah! I want to meet Buddha, Jesus, and all the other cool dudes that make me think.)	✓ I can never remember for the life of me where I parked the car.	× I had the TEEN ANGST thing going for at least 2-3 years.
✓ I wish people would be more empathic and honest with each other.	× I play Dungeons and Dragons weekly.	✓ I love to sing.
× I want to live in my mother's basement when I grow up.	× I have a custom-built computer.	× I want to create a certain someone's babies, even though there's a 0% possiblity of ever achieving it.
× I would be in a relationship with one of my pets if they were human.	✓ I've gone skinny-dipping.	× I've performed in three plays.
✓ I enjoy burritos.	× I'm Irish and loving it.	✓ I have a thing for redheads. (snicker)
× I am a twin!	✓ Most of the times, I'd rather do something intellectual instead of doing something generically 'fun'.	× Once I set out to finish something, I always stay at it until it is completed before I move on to something else. (no...I give up and move on)
× I wish there were a way to erase past mistakes. (No way, how else do we learn and grow??)	✓ I sleep more than 12 hours a day. (If I can, I sure do.)	× I wish I could be prouder of what I've accomplished, but it's never enough.
× I need more time to myself.	× I wish I was more open-minded.	× I hope that I go really prematurely grey.
× I download songs from the internet.	× I've just reenacted chapter 58 of Death Note with my best friend.	✓ I say random things to freak people out. (I like to see the look of terror.)
× I'm still a little mad about the ending of Death Note.	× I love playing Truth or Dare.	× I love listening to slow music, but I hate singing to it.
✓ Music helps me remember that I am not alone. (It also helps me remember that the universe is my friend.)	× Playing my favorite sport makes me temporarily forget my problems.	✓ I think this survey is particularly long. (damn...get on with it already!)
× I prefer my LJ friends to my real-life ones.	× I can only hate someone that I love. (Hate is so 80's.)	× I've ordered an extra two shots of espresso to an Americano at Starbucks.

My violent streak comes out

2006-06-29T18:44:27Z

It’s been a long time since I wanted to stick a pencil in someone’s eye, but it just might happen today. One of my co-workers (let’s call her Flinchy) keeps trying to engage me in a one-way diatribe about her boyfriend. I’ve heard it all before, I’ve given her the best advice I can (go see a shrink and leave us alone!) but, Flinchy ignores any attempt at advice. She just wants to vent, then demand, “Don’t you think that’s wrong/strange/unacceptable?” Frankly, I think her boyfriend is a bossy, overbearing troll, but no matter how carefully I word this, she just retorts, “But he’s the only man I’ve ever felt this way about!”

Well, in that case, I guess you just have to put up with his behavior. Or not. I don’t care. Just get the hell out of my office and take this pencil with you.

Sad, so sad, sometimes she feels so sad...

2006-06-22T12:51:31Z

What a terrible way to start the morning. I was watching the news and apparently someone decided to kill his girlfriend’s two-year old last night. Nice. You know, if your life is so effed up you want to throw a two-year-old against the wall, you should do us all a favor and just kill yourself. Yes, I said it. Julie the pacifist is advocating suicide. Seriously, what good is your life once you are on death row for the murder of a toddler? It’s not like you have any street cred with the other murderers. It doesn’t take cunning, strength, or even two hands to kill a baby. And children are legally people, so murdering one of them is just like murdering an adult.

I know, anyone who is a parent has had thoughts of leaving the little monsters at the park with a sack lunch and sneaking off to Vegas, but we don’t actually DO these things. At least, normal people don’t.

I remember when I lived in California; another case caught my heart like this one. Another 2 year old little boy, another Florida town. His name was Bradley McGee. There was a sick joke going around after his death: What’s the difference between corporal punishment and capital punishment? Nothing, if you are Bradley McGee.

Go hug your kids now. You know you want to.

Reporting from the surface of the sun

2006-06-20T15:54:18Z

It’s nice to have Father’s day on your birthday, if you are a dad. It’s like having Christmas for your birthday, only there are less presents to begin with. We don’t usually smother dads in goodies the way we do moms, mostly cuz they are the strong silent type who don’t squeal over bath beads. Since my mother passed away 9 years ago, Dad is IT for the parental units. We had a nice picnic in the middle of the flaming hot sun at a state park, which my sister was lucky enough to avoid due to having the flu. I’m sure her brain fried much less in the air conditioning with her fever than ours did out in the Florida sunshine. It was hot – HOT I tell you! We had been counting on the swimming pool being open, but alas it was not. A whole vanful of squalling younguns rolled up, and in various ways displayed their displeasure at not being able to get wet. One of them went tearing off into the woods shrieking, on just fell down on the grown and wailed, and several jumped up and down and howled. I watched the parents with amusement (it’s always funny if it isn’t YOUR kids) as they scrambled about and tried to wrangle everyone back into the van. The mom had a tiny baby in her arms, so she couldn’t do much except yell, which set off her little one, which made everyone else cry more. By the time the drove away (the wrong way) I was ready to perform a tubal ligation on myself with some hot coals and a pair of car keys. We ate our burgers and drank our sodas and chitchatted for a bit, then bravely walked along the river until the raccoons chased us away. My nephew was the only one who didn’t want to leave, but he was outvoted by the grown ups.

We brought a nice chocolate cake and some vanilla ice cream to my Dad’s afterward. He probably ate the whole cake before he went to bed that night. (He LOVES cake..)

Oh, and on Saturday we went to visit Cute Drummer Guy’s family, to celebrate father’s day for his dad and a birthday for his younger brother. As always Tim’s dad worked the grill like iron chef, Presbyterian style. We snarfed down the food items and listened to his present from Tim, some Scottish pipe and drum music. By music, I mean loud wailing and clanging. Tim’s dad seemed to really like it. Or maybe he’s just a good actor. We got his brother a neat book about sci fi movies, and he danced about with joy for a bit.

Next weekend is Nephew’s birthday, so I’m looking for good gift ideas for the ten year old who has style.

Until next time, this is Amanda Huggankiss, signing off.

New Moon

2006-06-14T20:16:28Z

New Moon

Cosmetics and the scent of New Moon cologne

Long limbs and buttery breath

Decorate the winter tiles

Inside, a heart flutters

If a heart be a womb, thus a woman be

Red as blood, it fills the tiny cracks

It’s too dark for this

This monkey’s gone to heaven!

2006-06-14T14:03:09Z

Yo, my babies! What is up? It is hot as bizzalls in Tampa; I shit you not my friend! The little bit of rain we had cooled things off for a few minutes, but now we are back to steaming ourselves wrinkle free. I think that’s why old people move here – the humidity irons those wrinkles right out.

I get to see my little boy again today, after two weeks of being away from him. I say “little” but he is much taller than I am. My sister doesn’t have to work Thursday or Friday, so the two of them are going to spend his days off together, causing all kinds of trouble and playing video games. This summer has worked out so much better than I ever expected. I am no longer the bug under the microscope at EDU, Dustin has a real j-o-b that pays a real salary, and Tim and I are getting to spend lots of quality time together bickering over the temperature of the air conditioner. (I like it livable; he likes it hot as Satan’s bunghole.) So far, I’m winning because I whine better than he does. =)

This weekend is going to be jam packed – JAM PACKED I TELL YOU! – with activities of all kinds. On Saturday my father is going to have Father’s day and his birthday distilled into one afternoon of pure joy. We are going to a park to bbq animal products, eat cake, and give prezzies to the man responsible for my being here. This year I’m going all out for some hobby items. He has a wood burning kit, he loves puzzles, and he recently purchased a scroll saw. He is also getting into a little bit of amateur taxidermy (don’t ask!) so I have some ideas.

Then, Saturday night Tim and I are going to celebrate his brother’s birthday. It will be nice to see Matt again. He’s funny and he likes to tease Tim as much as I do. Then, Sunday we run back to Palmetto to celebrate father’s day with Tim’s dad. I’m in charge of prezzies for Matt and Jerry too, so I get to go shopping! YAY!

I just hope I get some me time this weekend. I need to catch up on Sponge Bob and eat some pb&j.

Peace Out, Home Chickens!

julietheunruly @ 2006-06-08T16:35:00

2006-06-08T20:38:14Z

julietheunruly @ 2006-06-07T09:26:00

2006-06-07T13:25:27Z

I know, it’s been a while, and where have I been all this time?? First of all, I was demoted back to my old job at the Police Department. I say demoted, but in reality I am MUCH happier here. The people at my old job were very nice people, I really liked them, but I was under more scrutiny than the FEMA director. I was unhappy and stressed, and now I am in my own office with a window that looks out onto the impound lot. I have a lovely view of broken bicycles, a bent stop sign, and some orange cones. Yes, it is a luxury. At least I can tell if it’s raining by how wet the concrete gets.

And my old friends are here, people who get me and laugh at my stupid jokes. It’s a good thing, as Martha would say.

SO my wedding date has changed. It seems my son was totally not into the whole mom getting married on his birthday thang, so we are now going to get married on MY birthday! March 24, 2007, I will become Mrs. Cute Drummer Guy, HA!

It is going to be a hippy/rock and roll themed wedding, with lots of flowers and music and dancing. Casual attire, to include ripped jeans, old beaded vests, and afros if you got em. Tim wants to honeymoon at some place called Dillard House up on the South Carolina/Georgia border. We are saving up our leave days so we can spend at least a week there, missing out on great scenery and enjoying the wonders of our mini bar. I hope the room has cable.

I am happier right now than I have been in 6 months, and that’s no lie. =)

My son, bless his giant Viking heart, is working this summer. He got a job doing maintenance for a hotel, moving heavy things and scraping paint, and other serf-like duties. He is very smart, but also as strong as an ox. He’s only 16 but he’s already man-sized in height and width. It’s funny, watching him walk away he is all Dad in his elbows and his hands, and all Grandpa in his lumbering gait. He looks so much like his father when he’s writing and reading, the way he holds books and cradles things in his giant paws. He has such a sweet face, too. Even when he is trying to look fierce he is too cute to pull it off. =)

Hey, let's get small!

2006-06-07T13:24:49Z

Wedding Bells

2006-05-31T12:59:22Z

So much to say, so much to say! Tim and I have set a date. We are tying the knot Feb 11, 2007. It happens to be my son’s 17th birthday, so we have to be sure not to upstage him. Our theme is hippy/casual, and I am going to knit my own wedding dress. Yes, yes I am. Tim and I are moving into a place together this September, which will be interesting. He likes to keep the thermostat up as high as possible in the summer, which would be fine in Scotland, but this is FLORIDA! I can see many arm wrestling matches in our future, and he will probably win because he is a drummer and has lots of upper body strength.

My time at the College of Education is at an end. I am going back to the University Police and I’m pretty damn glad of it, too. I don’t know, the pay was nice but I just didn’t fit in with the crowd. I did make a few friends, though, and they are very dear to me. I’ll keep in touch with Linda and Susan, for sure. =)

Tim is furious, he wanted to do some damage to someone at EDU, but just because I was unhappy about losing the pay increase. HE thinks they are stupid to lose me, since he thinks I’m amazing. =) I am inclined to agree. Where else can you get this package of wit, beauty, sarcasm, and sound effects? Who needs secretarial skills! I am a riot!

Anyhoo, it just puts my grad school plans back a little bit. I want to get my masters in library science, since I think librarians secretly rule the world, and since I am an employee of the University I get to take six credits a semester for free. Isn’t that nice? Yes. Yes it is. However, you have to be off of probation, and that will take a few months, but after that it’s smooth sailing on the way to fame, glory, riches, etc. as a librarian.

Jiminy Christmas!!

2006-05-23T20:28:35Z

My nine year old nephew, J, was on the playground and another little boy gave him a condom. It was all wrapped up in cellophane, not opened or anything. J put it in his pocket and forgot about it. At his after school day care, he took it out and was looking at it. One of the teachers came over and asked him what he had. He said, “I have a condom.” The teacher said, “Do you know what a condom is?” J said, “It’s birth control.”

Well, the teacher took the condom away, called his mother, and told her that J is suspended for three days! J told them who gave it to him, and they are suspending him because he KNEW WHAT IT WAS! Can you believe that? It’s not like he had it on and was demonstrating it! He was just looking at it! Through the wrapper!!! I thought the whole thing was too redneck for words. I mean, it’s not a private Catholic school, it’s a public school and a public school after school program.

My sister had a “discussion” with the director of the program, and everything was resolved to her liking. But, my nephew now knows that it’s BAD to know what a condom is, and even worse to know what it’s FOR!

Jiminy Christmas.

some poetry

2006-05-18T18:48:28Z

No Color

Innocent of race he moves
Among the crowd, beautiful

He doesn’t smile, not yet
He moves like a silent breath

Innocent of color he steps
Into the flow of human beings
Traveling his way today

Shadows and scars surround him
He is unafraid

People have no color

The Day After Easter: in Yellow We Stand

My tribe is small now
But once we ruled the world
Or at least this part of the shelf
With an iron fist…
(or, more like a feather boa)
We kept one another in line
And enjoyed the peace that comes
When no one is really in charge
And we all do pretty much what we want

Tea for Two

Pour the liquid in
Steam and your smile warm me up
The vessel transforms

Get the hell off my lawn!

2006-05-10T16:39:12Z

My future in-laws live in a community that has a neighborhood association that won’t let you put up unapproved Christmas decorations, or have pink flamingos in your yard, or paint your house anything other than crème or beige. You know, I’m all for good taste and living within standards, but I have to draw the line at the flamingos. If I purchase a house, and I want to stick a pink plastic flamingo in my yard, it is my god given right as an American to do so. That’s just my opinion anyway. I wouldn’t want to live next door to me though. I’m loud and I like to put yard gnome villages on the lawn. Sometimes though I start to feel like the yard gnomes are possessed by evil spirits, and I have to put them in the garage for a while. When I was a kid we had a yard gnome, and my dad thought it was hilarious to move it around the yard after I went to bed. “Look, Julie, he’s by the tree now!” Funny for him, terrifying for me. I blame my father for most of my mental problems, because he is a convenient scapegoat. Blaming myself doesn’t make me feel as empowered as blaming others. That’s something my therapist taught me. I think if you live in a neighborhood, and you don’t have a loud family on your block, you are probably the loud family. Isn’t that comforting?

It's just poo!

2006-05-09T12:05:18Z

My weekend was awesome! Tim and I babysat his parents 4 dogs, and got to use the community pool. It was surrounded by leathery old people (it’s a retirement community) but none of them went into the water, so we had it all to ourselves. Of course, I didn’t get out when I was supposed to and wound up with sever sunburn, but I had fun. I love to swim, and this pool was amazingly clear and cool. I guess that’s what happens when no kids mess it up…LOL. The dogs were fun to watch, especially the little bitty one. He slept in the bed with us all weekend, and Tim was afraid we would roll over and squish him.

We had to curb the dogs, or rather Tim did, which means you follow them around with a plastic bag waiting for something to fall out of them. It is not how I would choose to spend my time voluntarily, but I guess it keeps the retirees from spreading dog poo all through their neighborhood. We didn’t realize how much these dogs deposit, so the first time we set out with only a few plastic bags and a gleam in our innocent eyes. About six dumps later, Tim was jogging back to the house for more baggies and I was trying not to gag.

Damn, those dogs were FILLED with excrement. You know, in my experience, dogs poo, then you walk them for a while so they can get some exercise, but I hadn’t counted on how little bit’s legs would tire out. I wound up carrying him most of the time, which he didn’t seem to mind. All in all, it was bonding time for us and the critters.

It was really funny watching Tim emote every time he had to clean up a pile. The dogs would look at him like, “Dude, chill out, it’s just poo.” HA!

On Sunday my sister, brother in law, and nephew came over to swim for a bit. My nephew was the only child for miles around, and he had three swim noodles to play with. Jamie and I acted like idiots, which we usually do when we are together. We found some hollow noodles and blew water thru them at each other, and made elephant noises, and generally annoyed everyone else around us. I don’t know what Tim sees in me, I really don’t. HA!

I got some work done on the baby blanket I’m knitting, but not much. Tim found the speed channel on cable so I had to watch a documentary about Talladega in 1974. I didn’t care about Talladega then, and I don’t care about it now, but Tim was enthralled for two hours.

He is playing softball for a team at work, and he tells me all the time he is hitting home runs and catching fly balls, but for all I know he is taking a nap behind the building. I’ll see for sure when the game goes down this weekend. I’m expecting an amazing demonstration of softballery out of him. =) Oh, and we have to be at the ball field at the ungodly hour of 8:30 am on a Saturday. He never wants me to sleep.