Inside Voices People

I have a beef with people who talk loudly in public places. This includes metro trains, buses, movie theaters and offices. Please don't bark to your companion or into your cell phone/ blackberry phone/ speaker phone or whichever device you are using. No one wants to know every detail of your life. Trust me. No one wants to be stuck on a metro train listening to your conversation. Trust me. No one wants to be trapped in their office unable to concentrate on their work because you are using a speaker phone for EVERY SINGLE CALL you make. Trust me. No one paid almost $10 to sit in a movie theater and hear you tell someone you're going to pick up grandma later. Trust me. It's just rude and inconsiderate.....Trust me.

Spring Has Sprung

It is such a beautiful day outside. Sunny, warm (50's), slightly breezy, but eh...I'll take it. Such a refreshing change from the awful rain this weekend. Oh wait, it's coming back in a day or so. Dammit. Anyways....I have been incredibly busy these past few days as evidenced by my lack of attention to my blog. A few things have made me want to post so now that I have a moment, here goes:

1. I finally talked with my friend with the jealous girlfriend. Here's the story: She got home Saturday night and after rifling THROUGH THE TRASH CAN she confronted him asking him who he had had over while she was gone. He (stupidly, cowardly, pick your adjective) denied it. She brought up as evidence the two sandwich wrappers in the trash. Wow. Really, that's all I can say on that. Anyway, he continued to deny he had anyone over and then they had a long discussion and all seemed right in their (increasingly unstable) world. I talked with him yesterday and he told me all this. I let him know that his phone had definitely called me and intentionally hung up on me. I was still finding the situation somewhat amusing at the time. Well, they had another discussion last night. This one included me (joy). He asked her about calling me, she denied it but was defensive (duh). He let it go and informed her I have a boyfriend (his word) and she has nothing to worry about. Um, yeah. Sure. That's going to solve everything. Especially when she tells him one of her coworkers played kickball with me last year. I get the unsettling feeling this is not over and that I am going to be involved (quite reluctantly) into drama. Ugh. No longer finding it amusing, just really, really sad.....
2. What goes around comes around it seems. Ahhh....the Boy Scouts. A fine tradition among men and young boys. My brother and I were both involved with the Scouts (I, of course affiliated myself with the girl variety) growing up. I feel I can speak for my brother and say that we both really enjoyed ourselves. I still have all my badges actually (yes, I know I'm a geek). I do find it highly....hmmm.....searching for right word here......ironic? humorous? sad? kharmetic? (yes I know it's not a word, but you know what I mean) that after such a hullabaloo about not allowing gay troop leaders there is now a scandal about a pedophile (or at least a man who enjoyed child porn) rising to pretty high levels in the organization. Wanna bet he's Republican? (I'm joking Mark.....well, mostly joking). It just kills me to see people get up on their high, moral horse and then come tumbling down. That's why I walk.....hurts much less when you fall.

More tomorrow - kisses.

Easter Brunch

Any gathering at Heather's is a treat full of fun times, good food and beverage and of course intelligent discussion and laughter. Yesterday was no exception. There were no peeps - Katie had threatened to bring them, but instead showed up with the unexpected treat of Frango mints. Anyone who has been or knows anyone who has been to Chicago knows of these mints. They are very yummy and difficult to locate. There was an Easter egg hunt (no I didn't win, but did tie for first by finding one in Gary's pants), bloody marys, mimosas and a great food spread. Two fantastic quotes came from the day - "I can't go to church drunk" and "Stick out your tongue". And of course the requisite rehashing of Napoleon Dynamite quotes. Brunch two weeks in a row - I may be getting spoiled.

Direct 'Radio' and Late Phone Calls

Tuesday evening the picture went out on my television. I had sound, I had my DirecTV menu but no picture. A bit irritating, but I'm not home an awful lot so I figured there wasn't a huge rush to get it fixed. I let my landlord know Wednesday and he assured me he was on it as he was having difficulties as well. Thursday, still no picture so I listened to The OC (couldn't miss it). The novelty of living like it was the pre-tv radio days was still there, so not very annoying. Plus I can't stand looking at Marissa - her acting is bad enough without seeing her lack of emotion. By Friday afternoon the problem was still not fixed. This is when I began to get irritated because my boss kindly made me take a day off so I could rest and get better. Stuck home for a day and a half without television during March Madness is pure torture. Trust me.

So I went to a friend's house Friday evening to watch the games, hang out and drink some beer. I called him Friday to set up times, etc. and then again when I got to the Metro so he could come pick me up. His girlfriend was out of town, Paul was out of town, neither of us had plans and both wanted to watch the games. Taking into consideration my television difficulties it was the perfect solution. Some background on his girlfriend will be important for the rest of the story. They have been having some 'difficulties' lately. She is convinced he is cheating on her (he isn't.....well, hasn't for over a year and it was only with one person a couple times - not making excuses for him but he has taken great steps to be a better boyfriend) to the point where she checks his emails while he's out. Evidently she checks his cell phone too because mine rang twice very late Saturday. Once at 11:45 with a private number (I never answer those) and again about 5 minutes later. This one was a call from my friend's cell phone so I answered and was promptly hung up on.

I would love to tell the rest of the story, but this friend is not in his office today. Hmmmmm......

Plan B Nightingale

Paul and I were supposed to go out on a date last night. Both of us thought it would be nice to spend some time together before he left to Vegas for the weekend. Plus, we haven't gone out for some time since lately we've been seeing each other on school nights. I have been battling a bit of a chest cold this week so we decided to stay in and watch a movie and go out when he gets back next week. Plans changed again when his body decided it would be a good idea to throw up all day starting around 10 am. He finally went home around noon with the thought that I would go over there and watch the movie. He was still vomiting when I got there about 6:45. I administered some anti-nausea medicine and he was good for a little over an hour....until he tried a saltine. Big mistake. I called my mom (she's a nurse) and got some sage medical advice. So I sent Paul to bed with the orders to take very small sips of vitamin water and/or gatorade for the next 12 hours. And then I took my sick self home after being at his house for an amount of time equal to my travel to and fro.

A few friends have looked at me crazily for having done this, especially while not feeling too hot myself. I like to think that he would have done the same thing. Even if he wouldn't, I would have felt bad that he was stuck at home with no provisions when I could have done something. Guess I was just raised well - thanks mom.

Elevator Woes Part Deux

Just arrived back to my desk after being stuck in an elevator. NOT FUN. It was the longest, hottest 5 minutes of my life.

Fore!

After being poked by not one but three golf umbrellas on the way to work this morning I have come to the conclusion that you should not be allowed to carry an umbrella big enough for a family of five if you are the only one enjoying its protection. Also, please don't swing your big ass umbrella to and fro while standing or walking in the metro stations. People are trying to walk in an overcrowded area as it is. We don't need sharp, wet objects attacking us as we're trying to catch the train. A little common courtesy people. That's all we're asking for.

Where My Peeps At?

Riding home on the metro last night I had the displeasure of watching in horror as a young man devoured what seemed to be an entire flock of peeps. You know, those disgusting, unnatural technicolor bunnies and chicks that I think are some form of marshmallow substance. This started a conversation that had me realizing how little of Easter candy I really like. Peeps definitely top the list, which also includes jelly beans (except the starburst or jolly rancher ones) and those icky Cadbury eggs. Shuddering just thinking about them. I would always trade with my brother for something good like the sweet tarts or something else yummy and fruity.

Time To Let Go

All this Terri Schiavo business is really irking me on a number of levels. The one that is bothering me the most is all the 'pro-life' groups backing her family's efforts to 'save her life'. I realize they love their daughter/sister. I understand it is difficult (understatement) to lose someone you love, especially unexpectedly. But what about the past 15 years she's spent in the hospital with machines keeping her alive constitutes living? There comes a time you have to give up hope and realize this person you love will never be that person again.

Before you call me a heartless bitch, take into consideration I, along with most of my immediate family watched my grandfather 'live' only because he was being fed oxygen through a tube. Seeing my grandmother struggle with the removal of that tube was excruciating and one of the worst things I've ever been a witness to. Knowing that my grandfather would not be happy 'living' like that, having us watch him slowly die helped make up everyone's mind that the tube should be taken out, my grandmother just couldn't bring herself to do it. In what can only be described as an act of God, my grandfather became lucid long enough to say goodbye to her, his three daughters and almost all his grandchildren (two couldn't make it from out of state). He then was able to make the decision to take the tube out and passed away the next day. I understand this is not the norm in these circumstances and I am beyond grateful to have had that last five minutes with him. I still have an empty place in my life, always will from his absence, but he's happier now. He isn't suffering, being kept alive by artificial means and that is where my aforementioned problem with the 'pro-lifers' comes from. These are people (I'm not saying all Tam) who fight against the right for a woman to have a choice regarding abortion, who say that it is God's will if someone gets pregnant or not, if someone lives or not, yet will use artificial insemination if they are unable to create a life on their own. These are people who think abortion is wrong, that it is murder, yet get the morning after pill after having unprotected sex (I personally know someone who did this and didn't see the hypocrisy - it still boggles my mind). They are politicizing something that is a personal matter and refusing to admit they are politicizing. They are also creating a great threat to states rights.

Sorry to have gotten all Dennis Miller on y'all, but this is just driving me crazy.

Worst. Wake-up. Ever.

After opting out of the concert Saturday night (for reasons that will go unexplained - no it was not so I could spend more time with Paul), Paul and I made dinner and watched a movie. We went to bed around 10. I usually have trouble sleeping over there, waking up a few times during the night...not sure why but that's not central to the story. Just know that it took me a good couple hours to fall asleep for longer than 30 minutes so when we were awakened at 3am by his roommate it sucked much more than it would have normally. I'm still dragging this morning from the fitful night of sleep....well that, and the Indigo Girls concert last night. Super fun, they sound fantastic live. The opening band was good too - check out The Great Unknowns if you get the chance. Concerts are one of the few times I really embrace and love being tall. It offers a mostly unrestricted view of the stage, especially when surrounded by short lesbians.

Let's Play Catch Up

Romance:
I've been super busy the last few days here at work. I guess it's a good thing Paul is gone this week since I've been working past 7 the last two days. I'm pleasantly surprised to find I'm missing him....a part of me was worried absence would make my heart less fonder. Mind you, it hasn't made it grow more so, but I am definitely looking forward to his return. He gets back sometime Saturday....I have a concert that night, brunch Sunday and then another concert Sunday night, most of which I was just reminded of. Heather, who reminded me about brunch, was giving me grief for 'whining' that I wasn't going to see Paul until Monday now while denying he's my boyfriend. The two are not interlinked. I can miss someone and like someone and date someone who is not my boyfriend. We have not had that discussion yet - there's been no need to. I'm happy with things the way they are right now. So shut it Heather.....

I've managed to get SAM out of my system during the last few days. We went out to dinner and drinks Saturday night after I was wine tasting all day. I had a really good time, he's smart and funny and hot - how could I not? Enough of the evening was spent thinking I'd rather be with someone else, so it's goodbye for SAM for good this time I'm afraid.

Appearance:
Agie and I went to the salon for hair cuts Monday at lunch. We were a bit wary at first, but the woman was fantastic....and fairly inexpensive. We both walked out of there in an hour (1/2 for each) with great cuts and newscaster hair. She styled it a bit bigger and bouncier than either of us usually wear it, but it's fun and settling down after two days.

General:
Watching 60 Minutes Sunday I was scared by the segment on the next Star Wars movie. All I'm saying is digital Yoda, creepy he is.

I've been listening to a lot of Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden this week. Could Seattle be my next city to move to on a whim? I'm going with doubtful on that one. I like the East Siiide far too much to move to a rainy coffee-fueled city.

I have saved the best for last..... www.americansforrice.org Click on "The Song: Condoleeza Will Lead Us" on the left side. Oh my......thank you Daily Show.

Elevator Woes

My co-worker/friend Agie borrowed my office keys to go down to the third floor. I should have known something was up when she was gone over 1/2 an hour. Turns out she dropped my keys while getting out of the elevator and they fell into the crack between the elevator and the floor....down the shaft to the basement. Outside people were called, fees were waived for a bottle of our product and my keys are now back in my possession.

Another co-worker got trapped in an elevator this afternoon. There was just enough room for him to pry open the doors and crawl out. Unfortunately, he did this in front of one of my bosses who knew someone who was killed over at Dept. of Agriculture doing the same thing. I don't think David is going to be crawling out of any more elevators anytime soon.

Odds & Ends

Got talked into having some drinks last night. My initial response was no because I was worn out from the night before, but I ended up having a really fun time. Plus, I was home at a decent hour and was able to catch up with two of my friends from high school. One is about 10 weeks pregnant and she and her husband are moving to North Carolina in April. It will be really nice to have her back here - I miss her terribly. The other is trying to get pregnant and is growing frustrated. I hope she doesn't stress herself out too much over it. It'll happen when they are ready for it. She says she keeps thinking that, but I know her well enough to know it's eating at her. Another of those times I wish there was something I could do but know there is nothing. Sigh. Even with getting home early, I didn't sleep well. Got a drunk dial from SAM after I feel asleep. Highly amusing of course but I was up for about 1/2 an hour after the call. Shouldn't complain - the flip side is I would have been up for much longer if I had met him out like he wanted.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

Went to a work event last night with some coworkers. Paul came with us, which was fun because one of my good friends (Heather) was there and I've been wanting her to meet him to give him the once over. About four beers into the evening the following conversation took place:

Me: Paul, are you going to be doing inspections all day tomorrow again?
P: Yeah, looks like it.
H: So, are we safe? How's Homeland Security treating you?

Thankfully, I am honest and open so Paul already knew about SAM. He laughed it off, as we all did....but wow, that could have been very, very bad for me....

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl

It's only a bit past 8 am and I've already learned a few things.

1. Don't forget to iron your pants in the morning.
2. Always eat while drinking even if you aren't hungry....yes, I realize I'm old enough to have already learned this.
3. Don't have DTRTs (Define The Relationship Talk) with someone after both of you have been drinking. You'll never remember what was said, you'll say everything you didn't want to and won't say anything you wanted to.
4. When walking past a homeless man who is more than likely mentally disabled (clue would be the waving of arms above head and talking to someone no one else can see) duck so you don't get hit.
5. The office without bosses is very quiet and much more productive.

I Find These Truths to be Self-Evident

1. When people I care about are having an awful day, I feel helpless.
2. Politicians and weathermen can lie everyday and still not get fired.
3. If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.
4. Late night infomercials are disturbing (case in point - ad for The Bible on DVD touted as a selling point a virtual tour of the Holy Land at no extra cost).
5. When my boss and I are calling for the same person, he trumps me dammit.
6. Wind has once again proven to be my natural enemy.

Day After Tomorrow?

Yesterday it was about 65 degrees, no need for a coat, not humid, no wind....in essence, the perfect weather day. It was in the forties when I left home this morning....I'm looking outside now at blizzard-like conditions. Maybe I won't be meeting my friend for lunch today.....

Taxicab Confessions

I had to be in pretty early this morning so I grabbed a cab. Everything was going well, we said good morning, exchanged pleasantries about the weather and NPR and then his phone rang. I generally have no problem with my cabbies talking on the cell, especially when I'm not in the chatting mood as I was this morning. This conversation was different. He was going on about the service he was getting on his car - the car we were in. This wasn't an oil change. The list included changing out the tires and brakes. Thank goodness it was a short ride.

Thanks Friends

So after my harrowing experience on the train I have found I have good friends and coworkers. I called Paul from the Metro station as I was watching the EMTs work on the man and he was wonderful, making sure I was okay. He's a really great guy. Friends here in the office have been good - making me laugh, getting my mind off of it. My coworker Sarah coincidentally brought me a flask this morning from the convention in Vegas she just attended and my boss just offered to fill it for the day for me. I'm a very lucky girl.

I Know The Heimlich Too

I stayed over at Paul's last night and rode the Orange line in to work today. As we were waiting for the train I was giving him grief for only riding one stop with me thinking "I really should have grabbed an Express - now I'll be bored the rest of the way" (see earlier post about riding on trains). Be careful what you complain about. Right before we pulled into the next stop a man passed out and stopped breathing. We hit the red emergency button and told the driver there was a passenger emergency. A gentleman asked if anyone knew CPR. I've been CPR certified since I was about 10 years old (and they mocked me for being a Red Cross Certified Babysitter - thanks Girl Scouts). I've taken a number of refresher courses over the years, but the last was about 3 years ago and I've never performed it on anything living. Until this morning. I threw off my bags, had them lay him on the floor, couldn't find any hint of a pulse and enlisted a big man to do chest compressions while I did the breathing. He was taking maybe 1 of every 3 breaths I was giving him and there was a rattling in his throat. Adding to the pressure was his wife of probably 50+ years watching while her husband slowly turned blue. I have to say she was the calmest of us all. About 10 minutes later the EMTs showed up and took over with the defibrilator. They worked on him for another 10 minutes or so. It looked like he had a heartbeat. I'm going to believe he did since GW hospital wouldn't give me any information when I called.

CPR training courses are offered by the American Heart Association (for training courses near you call 1-800-AHAUSA1), the American Red Cross and by many local fire departments. I highly recommend taking one. You never know when you're going to need it and it only takes a few hours of your time.

It's a Sunshine Day

Ahhh...The Brady Bunch. I walked into work today (about 1 1/2 miles). It was a spur of the moment thing. I was walking to the metro and saw what a nice day it is outside (read: 27 degrees, sunny, no snow on the ground, not too windy) and decided to enjoy outside since I'll be chained to my desk most of the day. Listened to some great music, helped a lost woman who spoke only French with directions and pointed out a dropped shirt to a guy taking in his dry cleaning. I also realized I have a much better job than the poor fellows digging the ditches at Logan Circle. It was a really great way to start my day. Hopefully this does not mean I'll have another horrid afternoon.....

I Should Have Known....

The day started great - Paul and I rode the metro in together and it's always nice to start the day with a kiss goodbye as you're getting off the train. I got into the office before 8:30 and ran into our controller who commented that she keeps seeing me in the office earlier and earlier. My mental response was "that's because I no longer dread coming into work since I've moved out of your department" but I wisely smiled and mentioned how busy we are right now. It's not her fault I hated my previous position with our company, that department is a huge mess and it has alot to do with the person who runs it. I was also beyond overqualified for that position. Moving on. My day has gone downhill from there. My boss is on my ass for something I forgot to do, which is completely reasonable. I have no problem getting yelled at for stuff I messed up. But on the heels of that he has now yelled at me for something I had no control over. I really shouldn't be saying yell. I've heard him yell, it's not pretty. His tone is more chastising than anything else but regardless, I am in trouble for the day. It really sucks. I just need to focus on good, happy things.

• I'm finally healthy after being sick for what felt like forever.
• I have a job that pays me well to do something I enjoy and is usually really fun.
• I have great friends.
• I have a wonderful family.
• The boy I'm starting to really like seems to really like me too.
• I'm listening to The Killers. Nothing can be bad when you listen to The Killers, right?

Those Crazy Brits

My summer vacations were never this ambitious. Two British college students are planning to traverse the United States this summer breaking the following silly laws:
Starting in my home state California, they will ride a bike in a swimming pool and curse on a mini-golf course.
In the state without a sea Utah, they will hopefully evade arrest when they hire a boat and attempt to go whale-hunting.
They will then take a nap in a cheese factory in South Dakota.

Their journey will start in Alcatraz, fittingly, and will cover approximately 18,000 miles and last eight weeks - assuming they are not taken down by the fuzz of course.

Here's a sampling of other laws they plan to break (thanks Times of London):
It is illegal to play cards against a Native American in Globe, Arizona
It is illegal to drive around the town square in Oxford, Mississippi, more than 100 times on a single occasion
It is illegal to say “oh boy” in Jonesborough, Georgia
It is illegal to play golf in the streets of Albany, New York
It is illegal to give lighted cigars to dogs, cats and other pets in Zion, Illinois
It is illegal to take a lion to the cinema in Baltimore
In Carmel, New York, a man cannot go outside while wearing a jacket and trousers that do not match (okay - this is not a silly law....really should be nationwide)
In Miami, it is illegal for men to be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown (again, not a silly law)

Tunnel Vision

I learned this morning that I'm growing as a person and overcoming a fear that I've had for pretty much my entire life. I don't like enclosed spaces, places I can't get out of quickly, crowded places, etc. so riding the Metro has been a tough adjustment for me to make. I've become a master at distracting myself from the fact that I'm underground - music and reading material are key. In the absence of these, a good companion will do. This morning I was reading the Express (free daily from the Post) and trying not to listen to the women behind me loudly discussing their finances. After the first stop the train started to stop about every 10 feet. While unnerved, I was able to continue reading and not freak out - 10 months ago I would have jumped off at the next stop and got on the next train. This is good.