Well, the wedding was beautiful, the bride and groom were beautiful, the locale was sunny and beautiful. The black snake who wandered thru the seating area during the ceremony was not exactly beautiful - but should make an interesting conversation piece for the kids and grandkids. I mean, how many couples can brag that they had a snake attend their wedding? My brother and his bride brewed all the beer for the occasion with personalized bottle lables - so very cool and personal!
After this week, things should start to settle down - I go for my school orientation tomorrow, take my Accounting final on Thursday. I have 2 or 3 scholarship essays due by the end of the month, which I'll complete this weekend. We leave for Key West at the end of the month for 2 weeks of real relaxation! Yippee! Counting down the days...
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Friday, June 10, 2005
Friday morning chaos
BDA level of 4.5 on the Metro today. Think big slow bottle-necking bugs with iPods.
Almost the moment I set foot in the office, a last minute urgent request that need not have been last minute, nor urgent and in another instance, a total breakdown in established procedures by those who approved the procedures in the first place. Neither are isolated incidents.
I scurry off in an hour to meet my dad for the trip down to the wedding locale. We will chat some more on Monday...
Almost the moment I set foot in the office, a last minute urgent request that need not have been last minute, nor urgent and in another instance, a total breakdown in established procedures by those who approved the procedures in the first place. Neither are isolated incidents.
I scurry off in an hour to meet my dad for the trip down to the wedding locale. We will chat some more on Monday...
Thursday, June 09, 2005
I can feel my blood pressure soar...
...after reading this piece on Slant Point Blogging. What an incredible mess we've created vis-a-vis immigration. Nowadays, illegals are demanding rights in OUR COUNTRY. Hmm. What's wrong with this picture? Why aren't they demanding rights and reforms in their own countries? Heck no, why bother, when it's so much easier to get goodies from the sappy, spineless Americans. You can be sure that those demands will continue to escalate, as will the number of illegals.
Speaking of which, check out this article in the Washington Post about the ever increasing number of hispanics in this country. Invasion, anyone?
Can you say frying pan into fire? It's only going to get worse.
Speaking of which, check out this article in the Washington Post about the ever increasing number of hispanics in this country. Invasion, anyone?
Can you say frying pan into fire? It's only going to get worse.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Wednesday afternoon ennui
I've accomplished absolutely zilch today. I'm falling asleep and although I have stuff to be working on, I'm too bored/agitated (yes! asleep, bored and agitated) to concentrate on it. I have five more hours to work. Tick-tock.
School project progress report: I've decreased my 403(b) withholding at work so I could increase my take-home pay a little. Saving change (you think I'm kidding). Sold stock. Closed out a money-market account. Basically this is just to accumulate some sustenance funds. Admittedly, I did not plan very well on that account. I should have been putting away money a year ago. But that's the past.
I'm going to be very poor for the next two or so years. Advance warning to family and friends: you'll be getting cards and cute homemade gifts for the duration.
My brother is getting married this weekend and I have yet to formulate my attire plan. Tonight, I need to give myself a serious pedicure so I don't offend anyone at the wedding with my nasty feet. Tomorrow night is the penultimate accounting class, next week's the final. I've planned well for that - all material read & assignments done from the syllabus. So tonight I'll get some advance studying in while my toe nails dry.
Did I mention that my lovely in-laws sent us the first season of "24"? Well, they did, and is it wrong to watch an episode first thing in the morning, while drinking coffee (and while we should be getting ready for work)? Ok, so we're becoming hooked. When it first came on tv and we still had cable, I checked out the first few episodes, but they didn't take. Can I just say how much better it is to see a series on DVD? No commercials, rewind at will, continuity of story. You get the picture.
Ok, gotta go do some work so that others have good self-esteem.
UPDATE, 5:12pm: The day IS actually marching on. I now have about one month's rent & expenses (w/no frills) in the bank, so I'm feeling a little less shaky about finances. I had a good workout, so less agitation. DH Jeff is making steak tonight and that makes me happy. Mmmmm, red meat!
Thanks, Bro, for the reassurance - on attire and morning episodic enjoyment! No, no morning whiskey - yet. ;)
Well, back to work to keep the underclass at bay. Doesn't that mean we shouldn't have any crime since their needs are taken care of? Oh, wait a minute, the social contract only goes one way, huh? I guess the value is that I'm not physically attacked (knock on wood) by a mob on my walk to the Metro, for being, what? um, uppity and privileged. Yeh, that's it.
School project progress report: I've decreased my 403(b) withholding at work so I could increase my take-home pay a little. Saving change (you think I'm kidding). Sold stock. Closed out a money-market account. Basically this is just to accumulate some sustenance funds. Admittedly, I did not plan very well on that account. I should have been putting away money a year ago. But that's the past.
I'm going to be very poor for the next two or so years. Advance warning to family and friends: you'll be getting cards and cute homemade gifts for the duration.
My brother is getting married this weekend and I have yet to formulate my attire plan. Tonight, I need to give myself a serious pedicure so I don't offend anyone at the wedding with my nasty feet. Tomorrow night is the penultimate accounting class, next week's the final. I've planned well for that - all material read & assignments done from the syllabus. So tonight I'll get some advance studying in while my toe nails dry.
Did I mention that my lovely in-laws sent us the first season of "24"? Well, they did, and is it wrong to watch an episode first thing in the morning, while drinking coffee (and while we should be getting ready for work)? Ok, so we're becoming hooked. When it first came on tv and we still had cable, I checked out the first few episodes, but they didn't take. Can I just say how much better it is to see a series on DVD? No commercials, rewind at will, continuity of story. You get the picture.
Ok, gotta go do some work so that others have good self-esteem.
UPDATE, 5:12pm: The day IS actually marching on. I now have about one month's rent & expenses (w/no frills) in the bank, so I'm feeling a little less shaky about finances. I had a good workout, so less agitation. DH Jeff is making steak tonight and that makes me happy. Mmmmm, red meat!
Thanks, Bro, for the reassurance - on attire and morning episodic enjoyment! No, no morning whiskey - yet. ;)
Well, back to work to keep the underclass at bay. Doesn't that mean we shouldn't have any crime since their needs are taken care of? Oh, wait a minute, the social contract only goes one way, huh? I guess the value is that I'm not physically attacked (knock on wood) by a mob on my walk to the Metro, for being, what? um, uppity and privileged. Yeh, that's it.
Thoughts on a Wednesday Morning
America is the land of opportunity. I believe this totally, and I believe that if you’re willing to work, honestly, legally, that you should be able to reap the fruits of your labor – without vilification, without punishment, without extortion. That charity should be voluntary, not forced by the governing bodies.
It’s obvious from the snarky comments I’m getting that some of you don’t agree. I will forgive you for the insults and your misguided ideology. Here’s what it comes down to: I don’t think that solely by virtue of having a heartbeat and living in this country (and having offspring), you are entitled to or have a higher-being-given right to “free” healthcare, housing, sustenance, education. I don’t think productive and legal entities or people should be penalized to maintain or prop up the others. This is where we differ – you obviously think the opposite. Good for you. I believe in equality of opportunity (as in, no laws stopping you), not necessarily equality of outcome. This is a key difference between those of us on the right and those of you on the left. In that sense, never the twain shall meet.
If “redistribution of wealth” or favoritism or whatever you want to call it worked so well, why do we still have poor in this country? Why are we still paying welfare? Food stamps? Medicaid? Other social (engineering) programs? I tell you why –because the nanny state is self-perpetuating. It takes away personal motivation and reinforces dependence. The kids from these individuals are learning from their parents’ example the same thing and will teach their kids the same thing. And so on. And the demands don’t lessen, they increase.
Same with industries: If we’re talking about companies getting preferential treatment solely because of their demographic or because they’re not doing so well, what’s to motivate them to grow, change, adapt, innovate? When does the assistance end? It won’t, and the demands will increase. The policy becomes a right and then it’s practically carved in stone.
It comes down to a question of motivation. A small illustration: a while back I was out having drinks with some coworkers. Our waitress was pretty indifferent, inattentive and not that pleasant. Mind you, we were ordering drinks and munchies the entire time – so we were “active patrons.” Yet, when the bill came around, one of our group insisted on giving her a good tip because we had been there awhile, taking up space at the establishment. Huh? So the waitress learns that she doesn’t have to be a good waitress to get a good tip. That her tip is something that’s owed to her regardless of her actions. This in a microcosm is what happens when resources are rendered without requiring anything in return.
It’s obvious from the snarky comments I’m getting that some of you don’t agree. I will forgive you for the insults and your misguided ideology. Here’s what it comes down to: I don’t think that solely by virtue of having a heartbeat and living in this country (and having offspring), you are entitled to or have a higher-being-given right to “free” healthcare, housing, sustenance, education. I don’t think productive and legal entities or people should be penalized to maintain or prop up the others. This is where we differ – you obviously think the opposite. Good for you. I believe in equality of opportunity (as in, no laws stopping you), not necessarily equality of outcome. This is a key difference between those of us on the right and those of you on the left. In that sense, never the twain shall meet.
If “redistribution of wealth” or favoritism or whatever you want to call it worked so well, why do we still have poor in this country? Why are we still paying welfare? Food stamps? Medicaid? Other social (engineering) programs? I tell you why –because the nanny state is self-perpetuating. It takes away personal motivation and reinforces dependence. The kids from these individuals are learning from their parents’ example the same thing and will teach their kids the same thing. And so on. And the demands don’t lessen, they increase.
Same with industries: If we’re talking about companies getting preferential treatment solely because of their demographic or because they’re not doing so well, what’s to motivate them to grow, change, adapt, innovate? When does the assistance end? It won’t, and the demands will increase. The policy becomes a right and then it’s practically carved in stone.
It comes down to a question of motivation. A small illustration: a while back I was out having drinks with some coworkers. Our waitress was pretty indifferent, inattentive and not that pleasant. Mind you, we were ordering drinks and munchies the entire time – so we were “active patrons.” Yet, when the bill came around, one of our group insisted on giving her a good tip because we had been there awhile, taking up space at the establishment. Huh? So the waitress learns that she doesn’t have to be a good waitress to get a good tip. That her tip is something that’s owed to her regardless of her actions. This in a microcosm is what happens when resources are rendered without requiring anything in return.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Shaving and Shrugged
In celebration of the fact that the temperature will surpass 90 degrees today and that I managed not to carve up my legs in that time-honored feminine ritual of shaving, I go pantyhose-less today. Personally, I think hosiery gives a more professional look, but my office doesn’t really mind the other way.
I’m currently reading Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand, for an essay contest. Those of you who have read or at least seen the tome will ask, “why?” Well, the top prize in this contest is $5,000, so I’m digging into the 1,100-page work. Actually, I’m enjoying it. I immediately felt sorry for the maligned and demonized industrialist, as well as sympathy for the de facto head of the Taggart Transcontinental, who has to constantly and carefully navigate the shark-ridden waters of ineptitude and cross-purpose machinations of others, including (especially) her own brother.
A theme running thru the book is the concurrent dependence on and contempt for those benefactors on the part of their “dependents.” Rand really describes well the toxic environment. These folks constantly bite the hand that feeds them, yet refuse to do anything for themselves and in the same breath, demand more “food.” Which leads me to another observation: the same applies to aspects of our own society. Some folks advocate for more and more public (read: government programs – new and expanded existing ones) support for those “poor” and “disadvantaged” in our country. More support would be fine if it was voluntary and private, but these folks want to impose (and have imposed) this on the taxpayers at large. I’m especially sensitive (read: chafing) to this as I consider my options for school and the accompanying financial burdens. If I get a second job now, I’ll be putting even more money into the public coffers. Is it worth the hassle and energy to earn a few more tidbits and see even more go into the grasping hand? It gives me pause.
In Atlas Shrugged, the unsympathetic (at least to me) characters go on and on about why others should get a “fair share” and it’s wrong for the successful to hoard their wealth and opportunities (even though they’ve worked and sacrificed for them). Gag-worthy, indeed. The sentiment sounds phony, just as the same socialist sentiments do in our society. Some people actually believe in (forced) redistribution of wealth as a higher good. Others, politicians in particular, use it as a way to keep the underclass at bay and to guarantee votes from the dependents of the system. The latter, while veiled in slogans, is at least practical, the former just perpetuates the status quo (offers recipients no impetus for self-sustenance) while punishing those who actually work. Yes – when you take away our money, it is punitive.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling post.
I’m currently reading Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand, for an essay contest. Those of you who have read or at least seen the tome will ask, “why?” Well, the top prize in this contest is $5,000, so I’m digging into the 1,100-page work. Actually, I’m enjoying it. I immediately felt sorry for the maligned and demonized industrialist, as well as sympathy for the de facto head of the Taggart Transcontinental, who has to constantly and carefully navigate the shark-ridden waters of ineptitude and cross-purpose machinations of others, including (especially) her own brother.
A theme running thru the book is the concurrent dependence on and contempt for those benefactors on the part of their “dependents.” Rand really describes well the toxic environment. These folks constantly bite the hand that feeds them, yet refuse to do anything for themselves and in the same breath, demand more “food.” Which leads me to another observation: the same applies to aspects of our own society. Some folks advocate for more and more public (read: government programs – new and expanded existing ones) support for those “poor” and “disadvantaged” in our country. More support would be fine if it was voluntary and private, but these folks want to impose (and have imposed) this on the taxpayers at large. I’m especially sensitive (read: chafing) to this as I consider my options for school and the accompanying financial burdens. If I get a second job now, I’ll be putting even more money into the public coffers. Is it worth the hassle and energy to earn a few more tidbits and see even more go into the grasping hand? It gives me pause.
In Atlas Shrugged, the unsympathetic (at least to me) characters go on and on about why others should get a “fair share” and it’s wrong for the successful to hoard their wealth and opportunities (even though they’ve worked and sacrificed for them). Gag-worthy, indeed. The sentiment sounds phony, just as the same socialist sentiments do in our society. Some people actually believe in (forced) redistribution of wealth as a higher good. Others, politicians in particular, use it as a way to keep the underclass at bay and to guarantee votes from the dependents of the system. The latter, while veiled in slogans, is at least practical, the former just perpetuates the status quo (offers recipients no impetus for self-sustenance) while punishing those who actually work. Yes – when you take away our money, it is punitive.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling post.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Friday Morning Rain
Well, it is raining out and I'm ready for a nap.
Speaking of sleep, evidently I can ace tests in my sleep as well as pay bills! Who knew! Accounting exam turned out great. Makes the "consciousness" thing rather overrated, huh?
I had a surprising non-BDA experience last night on the Metro, coming home from class. A group of junior high school students and their chaperones got on the train. When their stop came around, one of the chaperones informed them of their imminent egress and said something like "be quick - don't hold up the line!" The amazing thing is, the whole group just scurried out the doors, fast as you please. Kudos to the chaperones for their alert and assertive shepherding and to the 'tweens for following suit!
More later...
Speaking of sleep, evidently I can ace tests in my sleep as well as pay bills! Who knew! Accounting exam turned out great. Makes the "consciousness" thing rather overrated, huh?
I had a surprising non-BDA experience last night on the Metro, coming home from class. A group of junior high school students and their chaperones got on the train. When their stop came around, one of the chaperones informed them of their imminent egress and said something like "be quick - don't hold up the line!" The amazing thing is, the whole group just scurried out the doors, fast as you please. Kudos to the chaperones for their alert and assertive shepherding and to the 'tweens for following suit!
More later...
Thursday, June 02, 2005
(Not So) Short Notes on a Thurs
This evening I will find out what I got on my last Accounting exam, which by the way I took in a sleep-deprived haze, so what I actually did on that thing is anyone's guess.
Evidently, in the same sleep-deprived muddle, I paid the gas bill. I have no recollection of doing so. Yet, I did, in fact, print out a confirmation of said e-payment. One must wonder what else I did and don't remember. I'm sure it was very responsible, though.
I'm giving up being responsible. A cost benefit analysis shows that no good ever comes of this - you just get to work more, get taxed more, worry more, and get to support all the dregs and their offspring. Depressed? You should be - you'll pay for your own anti-depressants AND theirs. Plus, if sex offenders can't get it up, you'll pay for their Viagra.
Speaking of prescription medications, I did, in fact get my $22 back from the pharmacy. Now, all I had to do was pick up the credit card receipt showing the credit to my account and be off. I had to explain to the clerk a bunch of times what I wanted. First, she went off to check the prescription bins. No, it's not a prescription, it's a credit slip. Then, when she found it, she mumbles an inarticulate question to another clerk who also doesn't really speak English. The other clerk shrugs. The first clerk hands me the slip. I finally gain posession of the slip and scurry off, before more inarticulate and confused mumbling occurs at my expense. It takes a few days until I see the credit on my account.
No, this isn't about managed care so much as it's about hiring the bottom of the barrel.
The techies at work decide yesterday to archive all my emails before 3/1/05 because I'm a persistent 500+ MB file offender. So now, I have to look in two completely different sets of email files to find what was easily and reasonably found in one. It's not that I use email often in my job - just 95% of the time. They just need to get more servers. In fact, I need my own server to accomodate my very necessary email.
Ok, gotta go do some work.
Evidently, in the same sleep-deprived muddle, I paid the gas bill. I have no recollection of doing so. Yet, I did, in fact, print out a confirmation of said e-payment. One must wonder what else I did and don't remember. I'm sure it was very responsible, though.
I'm giving up being responsible. A cost benefit analysis shows that no good ever comes of this - you just get to work more, get taxed more, worry more, and get to support all the dregs and their offspring. Depressed? You should be - you'll pay for your own anti-depressants AND theirs. Plus, if sex offenders can't get it up, you'll pay for their Viagra.
Speaking of prescription medications, I did, in fact get my $22 back from the pharmacy. Now, all I had to do was pick up the credit card receipt showing the credit to my account and be off. I had to explain to the clerk a bunch of times what I wanted. First, she went off to check the prescription bins. No, it's not a prescription, it's a credit slip. Then, when she found it, she mumbles an inarticulate question to another clerk who also doesn't really speak English. The other clerk shrugs. The first clerk hands me the slip. I finally gain posession of the slip and scurry off, before more inarticulate and confused mumbling occurs at my expense. It takes a few days until I see the credit on my account.
No, this isn't about managed care so much as it's about hiring the bottom of the barrel.
The techies at work decide yesterday to archive all my emails before 3/1/05 because I'm a persistent 500+ MB file offender. So now, I have to look in two completely different sets of email files to find what was easily and reasonably found in one. It's not that I use email often in my job - just 95% of the time. They just need to get more servers. In fact, I need my own server to accomodate my very necessary email.
Ok, gotta go do some work.
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Depressing Rant
Did you ever have an existence the meaning of which you questioned constantly? A tedious job that has only odd and infrequent scraps of satisfaction? To be called into meetings that have no real value whatsoever, but just to frustrate you because they make you miss your spin class? To be competent, therefore the recipient of other people’s work, yet still no respect? That job you wish you could quit but have to continue because your living expenses demand it and won’t be appeased until you render lots of money to them? To be making what most would consider a decent living and still have to worry about money? To be writing essays like crazy for umpteen scholarships and wonder if it ends up an enormous waste of time and effort, not to mention elevated stress levels, because they’ll choose more “needy” or “relevant” students to support? And despite all efforts to the contrary, will probably end up with lots of debt and the need to get some stupid, frustrating, mind-numbing G/O/O/D (get out of debt) job when you finally graduate?
That’s it – I’m getting a boob job, a nose job, a lobotomy, start living a depraved, drugged existence out in LA (Los Angeles? Latin America?) or wherever. I might wanna add some illegitimate offspring to the mix. I really think that’s the answer. Uh-huh.
The one thing I’d like to see right now is some shred of gosh darned real progress in my life.
End depressing rant.
UPDATE, 4:47pm: And what's really special is getting overcharged for a prescription that I've been getting for over two years. Why, you ask? Because the bone-headed pharmacy monkeys didn't do their job! I'm telling you, a life of crime is looking really sweet right now. Heck, I can just steal my prescriptions! And what's this noise about Medicaid paying for Viagra for sex offenders (hat tip: Jeff at Kinshasa on the Potomac)??? You know, because they really need it. Arrghhh!
FURTHER UPDATE, 5/25/05, 2:22pm: Called down there again to the pharmacy and spoke with a nice gentleman who initiated a credit to my credit card for the overcharged amount above. I will go pick up the receipt tomorrow morning. Now, let's see if it's as easy as that. But to his credit, he was polite and even apologized for the mistake. Now, yes, it's inconvenient for me, but at least I got closure.
That’s it – I’m getting a boob job, a nose job, a lobotomy, start living a depraved, drugged existence out in LA (Los Angeles? Latin America?) or wherever. I might wanna add some illegitimate offspring to the mix. I really think that’s the answer. Uh-huh.
The one thing I’d like to see right now is some shred of gosh darned real progress in my life.
End depressing rant.
UPDATE, 4:47pm: And what's really special is getting overcharged for a prescription that I've been getting for over two years. Why, you ask? Because the bone-headed pharmacy monkeys didn't do their job! I'm telling you, a life of crime is looking really sweet right now. Heck, I can just steal my prescriptions! And what's this noise about Medicaid paying for Viagra for sex offenders (hat tip: Jeff at Kinshasa on the Potomac)??? You know, because they really need it. Arrghhh!
FURTHER UPDATE, 5/25/05, 2:22pm: Called down there again to the pharmacy and spoke with a nice gentleman who initiated a credit to my credit card for the overcharged amount above. I will go pick up the receipt tomorrow morning. Now, let's see if it's as easy as that. But to his credit, he was polite and even apologized for the mistake. Now, yes, it's inconvenient for me, but at least I got closure.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Peeves du Jour
What’s irking me today:
Drivers, usually driving big clunky gas-guzzling SUVs, who stop directly over the crosswalk. It’s bad enough that you don’t care about the environment or foreign dependency on oil, but do you have to block my way across the street? Do you care that I must walk into traffic because you didn’t have the consideration to stop where you were supposed to? NO, you’re TOO SPECIAL.
Book club members who initially signed up for the once-monthly thang, but need teeth-pulling in order to respond to a simple email (make that 3) asking if you’re in fact going to attend. Are you too SPECIAL to be courteous? Clearly. And if your schedule doesn’t permit you to attend a Book Club with any regularity, or if you no longer want to be a member, why don’t you just SAY SO?
Serial carelessness about simple things. If you can’t get those “trivial” things right, or more to the point, rush through the tasks without thinking about the effects of your carelessness, who says you’re going to be able to do more complex things correctly? Yeh, it’s a work-related grouse, but hey, I have to spend the majority of my waking hours at work, so yeh, it affects me. And wastes my time when I have to correct your mistakes. But I guess you’re too SPECIAL to concern yourself with such small potatoes.
Parents who take their small children on the Metro during rush hour. Ok, I understand if you’re so strapped for cash that you cannot afford a car (so, how can you afford children?), but if you’re going to drag the little ones with you on your commute, please make sure they’re safe. Last evening there was a major Charlie Foxtrot situation on the Metro, wall-to-wall commuters trying to get home and pissed because of the delay, and you’re dragging your undersized human by the hand, not really making sure he’s not clocked by said exasperated, tired, irritated adults? You need to re-evaluate your transportation strategy here.
End rant, end communication; Accounting Principles II beckons with its siren song.
Drivers, usually driving big clunky gas-guzzling SUVs, who stop directly over the crosswalk. It’s bad enough that you don’t care about the environment or foreign dependency on oil, but do you have to block my way across the street? Do you care that I must walk into traffic because you didn’t have the consideration to stop where you were supposed to? NO, you’re TOO SPECIAL.
Book club members who initially signed up for the once-monthly thang, but need teeth-pulling in order to respond to a simple email (make that 3) asking if you’re in fact going to attend. Are you too SPECIAL to be courteous? Clearly. And if your schedule doesn’t permit you to attend a Book Club with any regularity, or if you no longer want to be a member, why don’t you just SAY SO?
Serial carelessness about simple things. If you can’t get those “trivial” things right, or more to the point, rush through the tasks without thinking about the effects of your carelessness, who says you’re going to be able to do more complex things correctly? Yeh, it’s a work-related grouse, but hey, I have to spend the majority of my waking hours at work, so yeh, it affects me. And wastes my time when I have to correct your mistakes. But I guess you’re too SPECIAL to concern yourself with such small potatoes.
Parents who take their small children on the Metro during rush hour. Ok, I understand if you’re so strapped for cash that you cannot afford a car (so, how can you afford children?), but if you’re going to drag the little ones with you on your commute, please make sure they’re safe. Last evening there was a major Charlie Foxtrot situation on the Metro, wall-to-wall commuters trying to get home and pissed because of the delay, and you’re dragging your undersized human by the hand, not really making sure he’s not clocked by said exasperated, tired, irritated adults? You need to re-evaluate your transportation strategy here.
End rant, end communication; Accounting Principles II beckons with its siren song.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Life as Blog-Fodder
Ok, so I want to save some money by bringing lunch to work. I’m trying to go the whole week without going out to get lunch. Uh-huh. Monday was really good – leftover yummy pot roast DH Jeff made, carrots & tea. Yesterday was fortuitous: my gym was handing out mini-subs and smoothies, ergo lunch! With carrots and raisins. And water. Today was truly sad: half a stale bagel, you-guessed-it, carrots and tea. Ran out of raisins. Now, mind you, I could have broken down and bought something instead of gnawing on that bagel, but 1) I must reach my goal and 2) I can whine about it on my blog.
Next, I’m trying to get into better shape for our Key West vacation/honeymoon. I’m currently doing 2 spin classes per week, weights and miscellaneous cardio. Now, my stamina is great and I could probably kill someone with my legs…and I still have bloop around the middle and thighs. I’ve decreased alcohol intake, am eating even more vegetables, laying off the lattes, and still have bloop. What’s up with that? Sure, I could give up alcohol, and everything I actually enjoy eating and monitor my portions to death, but I have enough sucky things I have to do, I don’t need to ruin food too. I will work it out though – I will not embarrass myself at the beach!!!
And oh, I really need to get more sleep. 1am is not an acceptable bed-time, especially every night. Or morning, that is.
Still plugging away at the scholarship apps. How many ways can I say “I’m a good and worthy student with lots of wonderful, heartfelt values, so give me money – because I WANT it, so you GIVE it”? And why does doing something good and worthy always seem to be a hassle demanding all sorts of time, effort, money, extraordinary time management, and renders truckfuls of self-doubt, anxiety and fear, while criminals, druggies, child abusers and breeder-parasites don’t ever seem to have regular and fierce tummy aches or worry about anything?
Life as blog-fodder – dig in, the slush is tepid!
Next, I’m trying to get into better shape for our Key West vacation/honeymoon. I’m currently doing 2 spin classes per week, weights and miscellaneous cardio. Now, my stamina is great and I could probably kill someone with my legs…and I still have bloop around the middle and thighs. I’ve decreased alcohol intake, am eating even more vegetables, laying off the lattes, and still have bloop. What’s up with that? Sure, I could give up alcohol, and everything I actually enjoy eating and monitor my portions to death, but I have enough sucky things I have to do, I don’t need to ruin food too. I will work it out though – I will not embarrass myself at the beach!!!
And oh, I really need to get more sleep. 1am is not an acceptable bed-time, especially every night. Or morning, that is.
Still plugging away at the scholarship apps. How many ways can I say “I’m a good and worthy student with lots of wonderful, heartfelt values, so give me money – because I WANT it, so you GIVE it”? And why does doing something good and worthy always seem to be a hassle demanding all sorts of time, effort, money, extraordinary time management, and renders truckfuls of self-doubt, anxiety and fear, while criminals, druggies, child abusers and breeder-parasites don’t ever seem to have regular and fierce tummy aches or worry about anything?
Life as blog-fodder – dig in, the slush is tepid!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Confused Insects
The BDA factor was a 4.0 this morning on the Metro – not the worst (like Sundays at Whole Foods), but BDAs wandering like disoriented bugs. This leads to an interesting and pertinent anecdote. Years ago, BJ (before Jeff), I dated a guy who was charged by his parents to take care of their house while they were overseas. Generally, this guy was responsible unlike the ne’er-do-well brother-as-squatter and his squatter girlfriend. At one point, the squatter couple moved out. After cleaning their bedroom, the next thing former boyfriend did was to call an exterminator for the odious roach problem. The guy started with the kitchen and did the spraying, commenting (ok, I’m telling this 2nd hand) that in a few minutes, all the roaches would start heading up the walls to the ceiling and as the spray really kicked in, they would fall down dead. Former boyfriend said this in fact occurred just as the bug guy said it would – and an eerie thing it was to watch this transpire. I’m always reminded of this story when I see human bugs wondering slowly and disorientedly in the metro system or wherever. I’m just glad they can’t climb the walls.
Friday, May 13, 2005
General Notes on Friday the 13th - Rambling
I've been totally spazzing for the last week whence I realized that I don't have that much money saved up for sustenance during my school-hood & I'll have to find a part-time job (this means interviewing - yech!) & what I'll call the "X-Factor" of stress-causing agents that will keep my stomach in knots until, let's say, end of June. Now, those of you who know me realize that there's always something about which I'm spazzing. It goes in waves. I then generally settle down, realizing that all's well and things will work out. That, and DH Jeff talks me down.
Well, I was sufficiently jazzed last night when I found out that I aced my Accounting exam - and got most of the extra credit right. Why just do well when you totally go over the top? This was the first exam of the class and it's really good to come out swinging. Plus, this is good practice for when I do school full-time.
Which leads me to my next thought - you must be asking, if you are going into forensics, Renee, why are you taking accounting courses? Well, let me tell you 1) there's always something new one can learn & especially when your company is subsidizing it and 2) one learns more about oneself in these endeavors. Case in point, I realize that 1) accounting makes sense to me because it's orderly and logical and 2) if forensics doesn't work out for me, I know I could successfully go into accounting. Always good to know the options.
When cooling off from spazzing, I realize how lucky I am to have all these caring folks in my life & how generous and thoughtful they have been to me! Blessings upon all of you - you know who you are! Also, blessings to the Powers That Be for sending me free samples of stuff I can actually use and for leaving all that spare change on the streets for me to collect and save. And furthermore, blessings upon the creators of compound interest! Blessings upon readers of & commenters on my blog - you rock & also lift my spirits! Finally, blessings upon any scholarship funds who would take an interest in a really self-motivated leaf-turner and fund my studies - your investment will not be in vain.
Ok, I have to throw in some sort of bitchy comment here. Why is that people move so slowly? I mean gosh, don't you people have meaningful things and people to go to? Don't tell me you enjoy hanging out in the Metrorail system! And why are you hesitating when getting on an escalator (BDA alert!!!)? It's not moving that fast - hop on, then arrange yourself. Oh, the temptation to give you a little shove to keep you moving! And those of you females who think stillettos are practical when traveling (teetering) on the subway - are wrong! Oh, and to be not-just-a-little catty, those impractical stillettos (only practical if 1) you don't have to actually walk in them and 2) if you're in the sort of business wherein you could claim the expense as a deduction) don't reduce the size of your ass - try stairmaster instead and save your feet. Just saying.
I gotta go work. Be talking to you!
Well, I was sufficiently jazzed last night when I found out that I aced my Accounting exam - and got most of the extra credit right. Why just do well when you totally go over the top? This was the first exam of the class and it's really good to come out swinging. Plus, this is good practice for when I do school full-time.
Which leads me to my next thought - you must be asking, if you are going into forensics, Renee, why are you taking accounting courses? Well, let me tell you 1) there's always something new one can learn & especially when your company is subsidizing it and 2) one learns more about oneself in these endeavors. Case in point, I realize that 1) accounting makes sense to me because it's orderly and logical and 2) if forensics doesn't work out for me, I know I could successfully go into accounting. Always good to know the options.
When cooling off from spazzing, I realize how lucky I am to have all these caring folks in my life & how generous and thoughtful they have been to me! Blessings upon all of you - you know who you are! Also, blessings to the Powers That Be for sending me free samples of stuff I can actually use and for leaving all that spare change on the streets for me to collect and save. And furthermore, blessings upon the creators of compound interest! Blessings upon readers of & commenters on my blog - you rock & also lift my spirits! Finally, blessings upon any scholarship funds who would take an interest in a really self-motivated leaf-turner and fund my studies - your investment will not be in vain.
Ok, I have to throw in some sort of bitchy comment here. Why is that people move so slowly? I mean gosh, don't you people have meaningful things and people to go to? Don't tell me you enjoy hanging out in the Metrorail system! And why are you hesitating when getting on an escalator (BDA alert!!!)? It's not moving that fast - hop on, then arrange yourself. Oh, the temptation to give you a little shove to keep you moving! And those of you females who think stillettos are practical when traveling (teetering) on the subway - are wrong! Oh, and to be not-just-a-little catty, those impractical stillettos (only practical if 1) you don't have to actually walk in them and 2) if you're in the sort of business wherein you could claim the expense as a deduction) don't reduce the size of your ass - try stairmaster instead and save your feet. Just saying.
I gotta go work. Be talking to you!
Monday, April 25, 2005
New Acronym: BDA and BDA ratings
Being a perpetual and many times captive observer of human behavior, I've developed a rating system for public places and situations: the BDA and the BDA factor. BDA is "Big Dumb Animals," therefore, a BDA factor would indicate the concentration of said BDAs in a given locale. The rating would be 1 to 5, 5 being the thickest concentration thereof (in this city, there's no such thing as a zero BDA rating, trust me).
A concrete example: yesterday (Sunday) Jeff & I were at Fresh Fields and the BDA factor was a 5. Folks leaving their carts in the middle of the aisles while browsing, kamakazi parents careening their strollers (with tots) to get an edge in, FF employees choosing that incredibly busy time to restock everything, cross-cutting with their huge meat and produce trucks. Then there are the lost souls, who wander aimlessly with their carts, looking for enlightenment to crack them with the Clue Bat. Oh, if only!
Rant over, I must work.
A concrete example: yesterday (Sunday) Jeff & I were at Fresh Fields and the BDA factor was a 5. Folks leaving their carts in the middle of the aisles while browsing, kamakazi parents careening their strollers (with tots) to get an edge in, FF employees choosing that incredibly busy time to restock everything, cross-cutting with their huge meat and produce trucks. Then there are the lost souls, who wander aimlessly with their carts, looking for enlightenment to crack them with the Clue Bat. Oh, if only!
Rant over, I must work.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
The Myth of Liberal Tolerance
Stuff happening lately, perp'd by you guessed it - liberals:
Pie-throwing at conservative speakers at universities. Ann Coulter has a good piece about this current phenomenon (hat-tip: Michelle Malkin).
"Kill Bush" t-shirts and the like that were until recently offered by CafePress. See Michelle Malkin's piece on that business here.
These things are UNACCEPTABLE. In a civilized society, how are these things tolerated? Yet, I don't here a lot of public (specifically dem/lib) outcry for decency & civility, ie, against this sort of behavior. One would think that these activities would make the rest of you look bad & like a bunch of angry cavemen. Is this the type of constituency you're trying to attract/maintain? Do you really believe that this is acceptable "free speech"? If so, remain silent. Hey, you're digging your own grave (think another Republican victory in 2008). If not, get off your fannies and say something.
Pie-throwing at conservative speakers at universities. Ann Coulter has a good piece about this current phenomenon (hat-tip: Michelle Malkin).
"Kill Bush" t-shirts and the like that were until recently offered by CafePress. See Michelle Malkin's piece on that business here.
These things are UNACCEPTABLE. In a civilized society, how are these things tolerated? Yet, I don't here a lot of public (specifically dem/lib) outcry for decency & civility, ie, against this sort of behavior. One would think that these activities would make the rest of you look bad & like a bunch of angry cavemen. Is this the type of constituency you're trying to attract/maintain? Do you really believe that this is acceptable "free speech"? If so, remain silent. Hey, you're digging your own grave (think another Republican victory in 2008). If not, get off your fannies and say something.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Notes
Now I know it for sure - I'm lactose intolerant. This week I tried both lattes & mochas with soy milk & let me just say - no tummy aches, no icky feeling, just good frufru coffee. I'm so sold!!! You just have to experience what lactose discomfort ISN'T, to truly understand what you've been suffering. For those of you who haven't tried soy milk, the taste is different from regular milk, but it tastes nutty, so no biggie there.
Just read Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley and by the end of the book, I was rooting for the sociopath. Good writer to make a law-and-order type like myself want the bad guy to succeed.
Ok now, I must go work or something.
Just read Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley and by the end of the book, I was rooting for the sociopath. Good writer to make a law-and-order type like myself want the bad guy to succeed.
Ok now, I must go work or something.
School Update
Well, now I'm deep in the throes of my education funding (financial aid) campaign.
Some good stuff: my years of paying taxes in Virginia have paid off: I'm likely to get some grant money for being a good little resident. Cool.
But...I'm far from my goal of debt-free education. Sure I'm eligible for loans, but I'm getting too old for debt (or just too irritated by it). So...I'm applying for EVERYTHING that involves grant and or scholarship money - or just money in general. If you know of some leads, pls let me know about them!!! Just not the ones that involve sexual servitude - I'm against that.
This also means that I will now engaging in shameless blog fundraising. Be expecting tip jars, Amazon links, and within reason, advertisements. I NEED MONEY to go to school, buy my books, pay my lab fees, and stay in our apartment. Did I mention that I DO NOT want to move? Sure, the place is pricey, but we don't even own a car & besides, DH Jeff & I like it so much. You understand, don't you?
Oh, and I do apologize for this, I've put some of my dear family & friends' emails on the scholarship contests' lists so you'll now be receiving spam from online universities promising an MBA in 6 months. Sorry, sorry, sorry! Just delete them.
Look, my little supporters (of various kinds), you're not just doing it for me, you're also doing it for the community at large! For those of you unfamiliar with my current mission, the field of study is Criminal Justice/forensic science, to eventually catch a bad guy with a partial thumbprint on the inside of a glove, and effectively prosecute his ass. You get the picture - making sure Gotham City is safe for the tax-paying, law-abiding Gothamites. I can do it with your support!!!
I'll also try to actually blog more often to keep you entertained. Ok, end communication.
Some good stuff: my years of paying taxes in Virginia have paid off: I'm likely to get some grant money for being a good little resident. Cool.
But...I'm far from my goal of debt-free education. Sure I'm eligible for loans, but I'm getting too old for debt (or just too irritated by it). So...I'm applying for EVERYTHING that involves grant and or scholarship money - or just money in general. If you know of some leads, pls let me know about them!!! Just not the ones that involve sexual servitude - I'm against that.
This also means that I will now engaging in shameless blog fundraising. Be expecting tip jars, Amazon links, and within reason, advertisements. I NEED MONEY to go to school, buy my books, pay my lab fees, and stay in our apartment. Did I mention that I DO NOT want to move? Sure, the place is pricey, but we don't even own a car & besides, DH Jeff & I like it so much. You understand, don't you?
Oh, and I do apologize for this, I've put some of my dear family & friends' emails on the scholarship contests' lists so you'll now be receiving spam from online universities promising an MBA in 6 months. Sorry, sorry, sorry! Just delete them.
Look, my little supporters (of various kinds), you're not just doing it for me, you're also doing it for the community at large! For those of you unfamiliar with my current mission, the field of study is Criminal Justice/forensic science, to eventually catch a bad guy with a partial thumbprint on the inside of a glove, and effectively prosecute his ass. You get the picture - making sure Gotham City is safe for the tax-paying, law-abiding Gothamites. I can do it with your support!!!
I'll also try to actually blog more often to keep you entertained. Ok, end communication.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Metro Blues...Shared
Jim over at the Eleven Day Empire waxes philosophic over crummy Metro passengers & motorists. There was some mention of working for food pellets that I found particularly funny. Mmm, yummy food pellets.
As you well know, readers, I have my own beefs about Metro denizens and have, on multiple occasions been almost been run over by motorists unconcerned with the little red light in full view, or the Homo sapien trying to cross the street. I really agree with his assessment and will add my own two cents.
While I hate pushing and shoving, I equally hate when people move in slow motion down the escalator or when boarding the trains. These are not disabled people nor are they all morbidly obese. And ok, I'm all for taking it easy, but you realize, I do have to get to work at SOME point, no? You do realize the world doesn't revolve around YOUR comfort or whims, no? You do realize that there are more people than just YOU trying to get to work or home, no?
And those of you who believe you're SPECIAL and block train entrances because YOU don't want to fight the mob at your stop - now that's when pushing and shoving are permissible, because clearly, you are totally SELF-ABSORBED and need to be hit with a Cluebat. I myself move in and allow others ingress, and still manage to exit at my stop. Now, there's never a question of my being able to exit, mind you, but generally, a simple "excuse me" is sufficient to create an open path out.
Consideration for others, people, let's give it a try.
As you well know, readers, I have my own beefs about Metro denizens and have, on multiple occasions been almost been run over by motorists unconcerned with the little red light in full view, or the Homo sapien trying to cross the street. I really agree with his assessment and will add my own two cents.
While I hate pushing and shoving, I equally hate when people move in slow motion down the escalator or when boarding the trains. These are not disabled people nor are they all morbidly obese. And ok, I'm all for taking it easy, but you realize, I do have to get to work at SOME point, no? You do realize the world doesn't revolve around YOUR comfort or whims, no? You do realize that there are more people than just YOU trying to get to work or home, no?
And those of you who believe you're SPECIAL and block train entrances because YOU don't want to fight the mob at your stop - now that's when pushing and shoving are permissible, because clearly, you are totally SELF-ABSORBED and need to be hit with a Cluebat. I myself move in and allow others ingress, and still manage to exit at my stop. Now, there's never a question of my being able to exit, mind you, but generally, a simple "excuse me" is sufficient to create an open path out.
Consideration for others, people, let's give it a try.
Blissful Baths
About a month ago, I started taking baths again. Now before you say "ew," I do actually take showers, but until recently have denied myself the simple, cheap & totally accessible luxury of bubble baths. Like oh, yeh, I don't have time for them! The good news is - I found I actually do.
Like this morning, I was out-of-sorts after not having slept well, having woken up twenty times to pee, having anxiety dreams when I was asleep, dear husband stealing covers the entire night, taking a look out the window this morning at the rainy-crummy weather and my general disgruntlement at having-to-work-at-all-but-especially-today. I decided to call in "late" (as opposed to "sick" or "dead") and have a bath. OH MY GOD! I think I've established a new paradigm. I don't think I've ever had a bath in the morning! The story ends well, with me in a MUCH improved state of mind, turning up at the office at 11:20. OK, so I can't do this every day, but it worked wonders today.
Like this morning, I was out-of-sorts after not having slept well, having woken up twenty times to pee, having anxiety dreams when I was asleep, dear husband stealing covers the entire night, taking a look out the window this morning at the rainy-crummy weather and my general disgruntlement at having-to-work-at-all-but-especially-today. I decided to call in "late" (as opposed to "sick" or "dead") and have a bath. OH MY GOD! I think I've established a new paradigm. I don't think I've ever had a bath in the morning! The story ends well, with me in a MUCH improved state of mind, turning up at the office at 11:20. OK, so I can't do this every day, but it worked wonders today.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Things Worse than Death
Whilst Death is final and such, some things are worse than actually dying. Here are a few:
- Being Terri Schiavo. Period.
- Being Terri Schiavo and having an inkling about what's going on around her, namely that her scumbag husband wants to starve her to death so he can take her money for himself, the tart he's screwing and their illegitimate offspring.
-Being Terri Schiavo, and slowly & painfully starving and dehydrating, being cognizant of the above circumstances.
Lately, I saw Wit, a movie with Emma Thompson about a woman dealing with aggressive ovarian cancer and the nature of her "treatment" (otherwise known as "torture"). What the character goes thru during her illness and dealings with the medical establishment is exactly "worse than death." Very intense and actually witty protrayal by Thompson. It's really worth a see and at around $8 on Amazon.com, worth at least one see and pass it on.
Another worse than death perspective is staying at the same job for 30 years, with the same irritating conditions, the same stupid office politics, no authority to do anything - and the same constant fear that they're going to fire you at any moment.
What's not worse than death: completing a FAFSA so I can get Federal Funds to stop work and go to school; bed picnics which involve (now, get your mind out of the gutter!) reading leisurely while drinking wine and eating a yummy snack of olives, crusty bread, cheese & veggies - of course, with your honey; admitting you've had a problem with depression & doing something about it; weaning yourself off that "something" and feeling pretty good - and optimistic; taking a class just for the heck of it - and finding you learned a lot about the bigger picture. Now you go make your own list.
It's amazing how much is really under your control.
- Being Terri Schiavo. Period.
- Being Terri Schiavo and having an inkling about what's going on around her, namely that her scumbag husband wants to starve her to death so he can take her money for himself, the tart he's screwing and their illegitimate offspring.
-Being Terri Schiavo, and slowly & painfully starving and dehydrating, being cognizant of the above circumstances.
Lately, I saw Wit, a movie with Emma Thompson about a woman dealing with aggressive ovarian cancer and the nature of her "treatment" (otherwise known as "torture"). What the character goes thru during her illness and dealings with the medical establishment is exactly "worse than death." Very intense and actually witty protrayal by Thompson. It's really worth a see and at around $8 on Amazon.com, worth at least one see and pass it on.
Another worse than death perspective is staying at the same job for 30 years, with the same irritating conditions, the same stupid office politics, no authority to do anything - and the same constant fear that they're going to fire you at any moment.
What's not worse than death: completing a FAFSA so I can get Federal Funds to stop work and go to school; bed picnics which involve (now, get your mind out of the gutter!) reading leisurely while drinking wine and eating a yummy snack of olives, crusty bread, cheese & veggies - of course, with your honey; admitting you've had a problem with depression & doing something about it; weaning yourself off that "something" and feeling pretty good - and optimistic; taking a class just for the heck of it - and finding you learned a lot about the bigger picture. Now you go make your own list.
It's amazing how much is really under your control.
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