Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Bor-ing!!

So I got the movie Atonement in the mail from Netflix and decided to put it in tonight. Here is my thought process before the movie...
Me and some fruity wine and a good romantic movie, sounds like a nice few hours of ME time.
WRONG!
That movie is SO overrated. Another period movie that is a love story where boy-meets-girl-boy-can't-have-girl and the last 90 minutes is the sad chase that the star crossed lovers go through. Didn't we already have that with the several-hundred-year-old Romeo and Juliet?
I was bored and the best part about it was maybe the camera shots and the sound. So I went onto Facebook and browsed my friends and drank my wine and then shut it off, unfinished.
Then I channel flipped until I found a good stand-by, Sex and the City. And yes I've seen them all and yes I know how it ends. But I like it and Atonement; like I did not.
Next movie please, Mr. Netlifx!

$75,000,000 part deux

I was chatting with my friend Jamie today and about winning the powerball and she had a brilliant idea. If I had all that money I would go to school. I'd take classes on anything just to learn something new. A history class, a painting class, a guitar class, get another degree. When you have all that money working isn't necessary so maybe I'd become a student again. How odd. All that money and I'd go back to school. Oh maybe I'd go to school in London for a while, take an Italian class in Italy. Oh the possibilities!

$75,000,000

That is what the Powerball is at as of 15 minutes ago when I passed a billboard for it on the highway. What would I do with $75,000,000? What would you do with that much money?
I think it's obvious that we all would take care of our families, our debts, and put some away, bla bla bla. But what would we do simply because we have the money to do it?
I would buy a new car, a stick.
I would travel to Italy for a month.
I would buy myself a nice pair of diamond earrings.
I would buy a home, nothing big and outrageous. I don't want to hire a maid and I sure as anything don't want to clean rooms that I don't use. But a home for me and my dog.
Oh I'd buy a dog.
There is a mirror at Pier 1 that I have wanted for a few years, since it came out, I'd buy that.

There has to be more. I know I'm not that simple. But I don't want it to seem like I'm materialistic either. More like just a wonderer, a dreamer, a curious soul. I like to think of the endless possibilities, and all the what ifs.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Today, nothing exciting happened and that is OK

It's Monday and usually people don't like Mondays. As it's so ridiculously stated in Office Space (not to be confused with my new love The Office) "Some one has a case of the Mondays."

I enjoy my work and I don't get weekends off working in retail and all. But Sundays are my lazy day, usually, so one would think going back to work would be a bummer. Not me. I like where I work and I like my job. The only downside is Monday's it's 7am for a meeting and most of what we say or listen to shouldn't take the nearly two hours that it does. But we get free coffee (good coffee too, not my crappy Folger's) and we usually have a laugh or two.

I was uber busy today getting ready for a promotional change-over and I'll be busy tomorrow finishing it up. I like staying busy, I'm on my feet all day but my feet hurt more when I simply stand rather than move around.

I'm sure this is all very exciting. In fact it's boring me a bit as I type it. I guess I'm trying to say that my Monday at work went well as most of my Mondays at work usually do.

I did get a very sweet card in the mail today from me mum, stating something about being a princess. If the shoe fits...

I am trying to find a new book to read. After Eat, Pray, Love it's been hard because that one was SO good. I tried The Art of Racing in The Rain, and I think it's going to be good, I just couldn't get into it right now. I'll try again some other time. So I'm reading Stephen King's On Writing. The title says it all.

I think my title for this one sums it up. And yet I still managed to ramble on. Funny how that works.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

I have a new obsession...

I have discovered the joy of the TV show The Office! My Lord is that a brilliant show! Jake and I have been watching it on Netflix and it's not a watch-one-episode-every-now-and-then thing. It's a 4 or 5 hour ordeal and we love every minute of it. It's witty and filled with dry humor and awkward moments, and I have laughed out loud at every episode. I am obsessed with the office relationship of two characters and get all teary eyed when something big happens. Seriously, this show is my new crack. It's so good, so funny, and so clumsily heartwarming. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to laugh or is tired of realty TV. Or you should just watch it, because it's that good.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Ouch

So I've been working out, which I guess is old news. I've been doing that off and on for years like many other people. But I've been running now when I'm working out. I run for a while and then speed walk for a while and so on. I'm on day 4 or 5 of this running and man, my legs hurt! I'm not wussing it out here, I'm going to keep plugging along. They say it takes 21 days to makes something a habit so we'll see. I used to think no one should run unless they are being chased with a knife. But now that I have a teeny little Ipod with some awesome rock n roll songs it makes me want to run.
But goodness my legs are tight and sore. Uff-da.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

It's been a while

I haven't done my three good things in a while, mostly because I've been in a generally good mood and haven't felt the need to look for three good things a day. But it never hurts to accentuate the positive, in more ways then one.

So here goes...
1. I got a fantastic hand bag from my friend Rebecca today for a belated birthday present. It's so damn cute, very Carrie Bradshaw. I may post a picture it's so cute!
2. I got a sweet little e-card from my mom reminding me that she loves me. I love you too, Mom!
3. I have the day off tomorrow.
4. I am going to go work out soon (that isn't so much a good thing as a must do thing) but I now have a little Ipod to listen to when I do. It makes running so much more fun!
5. I started a new book today, The Art of Racing In The Rain. A fiction story told from the family dog's point of view. It's already an easy read and endearing.

OK, so that was more than three. But who's counting, eh?

Monday, July 21, 2008

Hope

I just finished reading Eat Pray Love and it is so good! I would suggest this book to anyone. It's wonderfully written, it's honest and bare, and it's charming.
The following was the last paragraph of the book, I got a bit teary-eyed reading it, thought I'd share.

"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices."

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

This book came into my life at a great time and really filled me with hope. It's so good that I want to open it up to page one and start all over again.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

One year older

 
It was my 29th birthday this past Friday! Happy Birthday to me! It was a good day. I got a lovely plant from my dear Pretty in Wisconsin and two more bouquets of flowers from friends who came to my party. I took myself out to lunch, went a wandered around Pier 1 (I love that store), came home and put on the old mixed CD's I used to listen to when I would go out to the bars all the time and I danced around my apartment for about two hours. Then Jake threw me a party and all my friends came over and we drank and ate and laughed and played Apples to Apples. It was a successful birthday!

And I think this year is going to be my best yet. I'm looking forward to my last year as a 20-something. I have a lot planned in my head and my heart for myself in the upcoming year. Bright colors and good things are in the future!

Eat Love Pray is still a wonderful book. And it's still hot here. I guess that is a territorial hazard. Ahh well.
I think I may read a book called The Art of Racing in The Rain. It's a fiction book told from the family dogs point of view. I love dogs and I love fiction, should be good.
Have a good week. Myself and yourself incuded.
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Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Tuesday evening

I'm reading the best book right now; Eat Pray Love. It was all the rave over the past year or two and now I have just picked it up. It's one woman's journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia and to rediscover who she is. It's so well written and so personal. It's funny and touching and really hitting me at this point in my life. I want to keep reading every time I pick it up but I don't want it to end. It's so good! If anyone hasn't read it, pick it up. It's excellent. It was part of Oprah's picks and as much as it bugs me, she does pick good books. That is not why I'm reading it however. I have the book on loan from work (yep, B&N lets employees check out books like a library) and I want to own a copy. I'm a nerd like that.
The week has been uneventful so far. Work has been quiet, some really nice customers. Right now the movie MASH is on, I'm having a beer and writing this. It's my birthday on Friday. Yea me!
Maybe I'll have more exciting things to say after I turn another year older, but not much wiser. HA!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

A few more awesomes

 
 
 
 
Here are a few more pictures from my hike. I wanted all of these on one blog but it didn't happen. Oh well. Still it was all so cool! The water picture is the actual springs. And the Danger sign was where I figured that the trail had ended. The picture between the trees is Las Cruces from very far away.
This was such a great day for me!
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Awesome!

 
 
 
 
I had a fantastic morning! I got up and went for a hike to Dripping Springs. This was one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time. I reconnected inside myself today. I re-realized that I am amazed at the world and I am happy to be in it. That is me. It was like a huge weight was pulled from my chest. I discovered I'm still around, just was buried deep within for a while. This may seem a bit crazy to some, but that doesn't matter to me. It makes sense in my mind. But more importantly it makes sense in my heart.

Here are some pictures from my hike. There are ruins of an old hotel and a sanatorium which I was totally blow away at when I came upon them. I took pictures and then more pictures. It was so cool. All the history that was encased in those buildings. If those walls could talk...

I may go back within the next few weeks. It's such a great hike. Plus this morning it was early and overcast so I didn't get too hot. It was just me and nature and my camera. How wonderful!
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Thursday, July 10, 2008

One of my favorite sounds

It's raining! I love the sound of rain! Especially when it's been so hot here, the water is refreshing. I love waking up at night to thunder and raindrops. The pitter patter of the water hitting the ground and the roof and the puddles is a comforting sound. When it rains it makes me want to be quiet all day, and read and drink coffee. Although I do feel like that when there is a fresh snow falling too. Perhaps I just like it when the weather changes. I do like the seasons...

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Nothing specific...

I spent today being Suzie Homemaker, so to speak. I got up and was not happy, sleep seemed so much more appealing. And without any coffee and after a bit of What Not To Wear (I freaking love that show) and I got in the shower and got my butt moving. I did laundry, even had to go to work to trade in dimes and nickels for quarters. Those of you who don't have to leave your home any more to do laundry, count your blessings. The washing of the clothes I don't mind, it's the loading them into the car, finding change, driving to the laundromat that bugs me. And today I also sssshhhhhed some children who were running amok and screaming that high pitch child scream while their tiny mother sat on a bench and waited for her clothes to dry.
Then I came home and cleaned, vacuumed (that word looks weird with two u's), cleaned some more. And I had Friends on the TV the whole time. Would you expect any less? But my kitchen floor is dirt-free, my carpet has those nice vacuum lines in it, and my bathroom is sparling!
I'm sure this is all nice and dull but... it was my day.
My book is good. The one about the father and son watching movies. I think after this I'll read the new David Sedaris. He's fantastic. Seriously, if I could get paid to read I'd be.... I don't know what I'd be. Uber content, the person with the best job ever? Really really cool?
It's finally cooled off here. And I mean like 70-80, it's really nice. Overcast too, so the sun isn't burning everything in sight.
Time to think about eating something for dinner...yum.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

What I'm reading

I started a book last night called The Film Club. It's a memoir by a fellow named David Gilmour who's son hated school and David said "Fine. You can drop out on one condition. You watch three movies a week, my choice." And it's about how father and son grew together and individually through talking about these movies. I'm only 70-some pages into it and I've already found new movies and new authors I want to investigate. I'm not sure I agree with letting my kid drop out and watch movies but it worked for them. And this story is their journey.
I love reading about other peoples lives. It's so interesting. Everyone has a story to tell.
In case you are wondering here are a few other memoirs I've read that are really good.
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
All Souls by Michael Patrick Macdonald
Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster
Chronicles by Bob Dylan (yes that Bob Dylan)
Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
That should be enough to get you going if you feel inclined to pick one up.
It's Tuesday and it's the season finale of Hell's Kitchen. My friend Katya has hosted the weekly gathering almost since the beginning and we've all gotten really into it. I don't know what I'm going to do with my Tuesday nights after this week. Maybe we'll just have to get together and eat. I like that idea.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

The day after the fourth

I feel like I have should have much more to say, seeing as how we just had a national holiday, my birthday is in 13 days, and it's the weekend. But really I don't. I guess no news is good news, right?
I spent the fourth at work (time and a half!) and then went to my friend Mary's for a BBQ get together. That was a good time. Friends, beer, laughter, conversation, all of my favorite things! We watched the fireworks from Mary's front yard, we could see them over the hill. But I've decided that fireworks aren't nearly as climactic without the big boom. Next year I have to be right underneath them! Getting scared shitless from loud sparkling flames right above your head is one of the best parts about the fourth!
I saw a girl at work today who had "I Hate You" written on the back of each of her shoes. Nice.
I have no plans for tomorrow, the day of rest. Sleep, TV, maybe a walk and some reading I'm suer will make it into the day.
The guys who live below us are intriguing to watch. I have no idea how many of them live there. But there is always at least 5 pairs of shoes outside the front door. It's a three bedroom and so many guys come and go from that place I can't keep track. Their front door is like a clown car! There is one girl who lives there and all I ever see her do is clean. I wonder how many actually live there and what they all do when I'm at work. I never see them leave for work, their always dressed fairly sloppy, and the drink lots of Miller Light. Curious...
I'm off fro dinner of brats on the grill! A-woo-hoo!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Today at work

So today at work... it was a quiet, uneventful day in music. I didn't even have many visits from fellow co-workers. I got a lot done and had a mellow day, both in my head and at work. Until about 2:30 in the afternoon.
I had a couple young people come in and look at the rap section. I asked them a few times if they needed help or were looking for anything specific. No, just looking, was all I got. One of them ordered a CD and then they left.
A few minutes later I find a stolen CD (an empty case, missing the CD, the wrapping and tag ripped off) on the floor. And coincidently the stolen CD was the same band as the one that was ordered by one of the culprits.
I was instantly angry. We looked at the camera and there was the kid stealing the CD while I was doing my job and helping the other. So another manager and I went out into the mall just to see if the kids were still around. And sure enough, there they were, shuffling through the mall, dirty and lazy.
I went up to them and said "Hi. I have you two on camera stealing from my store and you need to come back with me." And I turned around and there was mall security and they escorted us all back.
I had never done this before so I was shaking like a leaf. I think part of it was I was finally catching these little rug rats. Too bad for these kids that they got to suffer the brunt of all my frustration towards thieves.
We get back to the office at work and the two of them sit down. And I said the following...
"Why did you do it? That wasn't yours to take. You break the law because you are bored? You need a hobby!"
Apparently we aren't supposed to say anything to them until the cops show up, so at that point my manager pulled me into the office to have me look at nothing important. Basically to cool my jets.
All I got from these kids was shrugs and sad little nods. One of them was released because she wasn't the one who did the stealing and the other was taken out in handcuffs. I couldn't watch, he was 17 or 18 years old, scared, and lost. It was so sad.
My day in a nutshell...
finished my promotion change-over
did some returns
helped some nice customers
thought about things big and small
got some kids taken in by the police for taking a CD.
All in a days work.
But the good part of all this, the cops that came in were very handsome. It always helps when the people are pretty.