It's the thought that counts

The writing prompt from Mama Kat that I choose this week is...

#3 Describe a memorable gift. Why was it so important to you?

I love music and when the iPod came out (2001) I wanted one SO bad! Thing is... as a techy nerd, I wanted the biggest and bestest one... but they were pretty expensive when they first came out (I think $400+). I asked for an iPod for every birthday and Christmas that came... then my sister, who rightfully felt sorry for me and my lack of iPod bought me the iPod Shuffle for a gift when I graduated college. (2005) I loved it, and certainly appreciated it, but it just didn't take the want of a real big iPod away.

So I continued to ask for one for every birthday and Christmas (and everything in between). My mom said I would never use it. It's all I asked for every time a holiday rolls around! This was not a passing fancy!! She also used the excuse that it was too expensive, but at $250 for the model that I wanted it wasn't too expensive anymore to be my one and only Christmas present!

Tradition states that my parents and I travel to Chicago to my sister's house for Thanksgiving and that I go home to PA for Christmas. While in Chicago for Thanksgiving 2007 my mom, sister and I went shopping on the infamous black Friday. My mom bought a VERY expensive purse that she wanted because her birthday is right around the same time of Thanksgiving and my dad said she could pick her own purse. (Apparently he didn't want to buy the wrong one!) I was pretty appalled by how much the purse was but whatever she wanted.

This mall had an Apple Store and, of course, I had to go in, crowds and all. While I was in the store I got a sale flier which I promptly put into my mother's hand when I came out. I showed her the one I wanted and told her it was even on sale and it's all I wanted for Christmas... yet again. She looked at the price and said it was still too much to which I reminded her of her purse that she just bought. She didn't really appreciate that comment....

When we got back to my sister's house my mom showed my dad the purse she bought and he looked at the price tag... whoa... My dad hit the ceiling... As my mom sulked and my dad fumed I thought this to be the perfect time to chime in with "Yeah, she buys a purse that's (insert very expensive price here) and she won't even buy me an iPod for Christmas that's only $250!"

I don't know which one of my smart ass comments drove the point home, but needless to say I got my iPod for Christmas that year. I love it and use it ALL the time. I don't know if my mom was going to buy it for me that year or not... but that was one gift that will always be memorable. :)

I love you mom!!!

Check out other writing prompt posts at Mama Kat's!

Come with me!

Here is a photo journey of my parents' visit to lovely Colorado...

Day One- Friday

Parents arrived to this awesome sign that yours truely made :)
I put a little welcome package in their hotel room.
Beers at Wyncoop Brewery
Dinner at Blues on Blake


Day Two- Saturday

Quick visit to the Stanley Hotel

Rocky Mountain National Park

First Lookout stopMom with the Elks

Bear Lake


Breaking the law by feeding the wildlife

Day Three- Sunday

Stop at the Capitol Building to prove that they were "officially" one mile high!
Off to Red Rocks

Time for free beer at Coor's in Golden


Fresh Brew tasting
Fresh Coor's Light coming off the line... mmmmm....
Tasting Room... even Mom drank some beer!
Downtown for lunch!
Biggest Onion Rings EVER!Dinner at Sushi Den

Day Four- Monday

Bolder Boulder!!
Me and Dad in our custom shirts
Our Pace group



This is the stadium that we ran into for the finish...
Can you see us running in?
Recovery!
After a nap, shower and lunch, we went to the Butterfly Pavillion

Day Five- Tuesday

No pictures yet, waiting for Dad to send them to me... But we went to Celestrial Seasonings (tea factory) and Hammond's Candy factory. It was a good time. After lunch I dropped them off at the airport and went home to take a nap :) So that's what I've been up to! Not dead! Promise!

*sigh*

I know I haven't blogged in a while, but to tell ya the truth, my life is REALLY boring lately! This is pretty much how my day goes:

Wake up
Get dressed for the gym
Eat breakfast
Go to gym
Run errands (if I have any)
Go home
Eat lunch
Get online to job search
Job search
Job search
Job search
Eat Dinner
Job search
Watch a movie
Fall asleep while watching movie

See why I haven't written lately? Who wants to read that? Some of my monotony has been broken up by trips to Old C's (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays) and seeing some other friends as well. However, on the whole, I'm not too much fun to be around these days.

We did finally nail down my parent's plans to come out here for the Bolder Boulder and my dad and I officially registered yesterday! That is exciting. The race is on Memorial Day (Monday) and they are coming out Friday and leaving Tuesday. I'm very very excited, and nervous.

I would do an edition of "Not Me Monday" but it really wouldn't be that fun, so I'm leaving you with this... and that'll have to do.

Deny Deny Deny....

This week's Writer's Workshop was a pretty easy pick for me...

1.) Tell us about a lie you told that you later regretted.

This one goes down in history...

When I was 16 I got my driver's license. Oh the freedom! Oh the joy! Oh the responsibility! One particular Sunday afternoon I was driving to my grandma's house. She only lived about 15 minutes away, but the easiest way to get there was to drive on route 30 through town. I was sitting at a stoplight and things were going good... suddenly, I drifted into the car in front of me!! I wasn't paying attention and I was looking around.... Well, I was HORRIFIED!! Seeing as how we were in the far right lane, he took the next right turn and, well honestly, he didn't look like he was stopping and if he wasn't going to stop then I certainly wasn't going to stop... So I continued to go strait off to my grandma's house. Once I got there I looked at the bumper, not even a scratch. Come on, I didn't hit him that hard or anything!! No harm no foul... RIGHT???

Well a few days later the York County Sheriff's office called looking for my mom (who the car was registered under) about a hit and run on SATURDAY. My mom and I were at the movies on the day of the alleged hit and run. Phew... got out of that one. My mom invited them down to the house to look at the car. No marks, couldn't have possibly been in an accident. The cop showed up and as he talked with my parents I sat in my room on the phone with McMean, my bff. Her advice, if they have the wrong day and can't prove it... deny deny deny. Suddenly there was a knock on my door and my dad came in. "Did you hit a car on Sunday??" GULP... "Yes sir" "Well you better come down here and talk to the cop then." I hung up with McMean and there I was, about to get hulled off to jail for tapping the car in front of me never to go to prom or graduate or go to college!! I'd be an ex con for the rest of my life carving the days as they pass into my cell wall!!!

That's not really how it played out.... as you probably could guess. I got a ticket for $92 for reckless driving and since I left the scene of the accidnet, the guy claimed damage (I still don't know how) and I had to paint the outside of my dad's office building to pay for it. Oh yeah, I also had to sell one of my precious Beanie Babies. I had started collecting them before it was cool to collect them so I had some rare ones worth a lot of money.

So kids, don't EVER take your bff's advice when it comes to the cops... or at least make sure you have something of value to sell to make up for it!

All is not lost... yet

I had my first session with Travis today and he kicked my ass!! It was a great workout and I'm so into this hardcore. Here's to the Bolder Boulder! Look, I'm even giving myself a visual:



You gotta hope for something right?

Welcome to the Asylum

I write this entry assuming that you read my entry about what a crazy week was in store for me last week. Well, as I embark on a new week, I find it necessary to vent a bit, and in general, unwind. Bare with me as I ramble into oblivion. Not to worry, I only have about 30 minutes until my sleeping pill kicks in... then it's lights out.

I think we are all caught up through Thursday when I had my interview with a robot. Thursday night, however, I went to play trivia at Old C's and with the help of Carlito, I came in second... slash third. If you need and explaintion of how this happens, check out the trivia blog from that night. There's a wonderful (NOT!) picture of me with Carlito and how the night went down.

Friday was pretty standard wackiness at OS. Giggles and I routinely lose our minds on Friday and it's pretty much just a big game of who loses it first and who loses it worst. In the end we always end up pretty even by annoying our co-workers to the "nth" degree. We got a smattering of snow which caused everyone to forget the basics of driving 101 on the wonderful ride back to the subburbs which pretty much explains the life of a city commuter. Friday night I hung out at Old C's with my favorite bartenders again after I was dissed by some other friends.

Saturday was a workshop at the OS and so I had to get up early and work. Overtime is great and all, but it messed up the chi of the day!! After work I decided to go to the market and on the way stopped by to check out the 24Hour Fitness near me. After a tour and explanation of prices, I decided to join. I'm going in tomorrow after work to sign the paperwork and get my membership card. :) I've also found out that my parents are almost definitely coming out for Memorial day to see me and so that my dad and I can do the Bolder Boulder together!! YAY!! I eventually did get to the market and home where I made a wonderfully low fat dinner. I had just enough time to check my email and make a phone call before I had to head off to the church I design lights for for a meeting with the director of the service. I can't even tell you how great it was to finally have some one on one time with her without all the other committee members telling me their opinions. In short, I don't give a damn about what those other people want to see done!! It's between me and the director. Besides, you, my dear, have shitty taste!

Today was spent (and I do mean ALL of today) at Comcast Media Center in Centennial watching a taping of Food Network Challenge. This one was really different, and I would tell you all about it except I had to sign a non-disclosure waver saying that I wouldn't tell what went on during the taping and that if I did FNC had the right to come break my kneecaps.. I couldn't take pictures and there were only 50 people allowed to come. Last time I went there was no guest list, anyone could come and go as they please, you could take pictures, and there was no waver. I was pretty upset about the picture thing. I'll blog more about it after the show airs the third week of April. The other taping I went to is called Chocolate Masterpeices and is showing during chocolate week in February (around Valentine's day). I got to the studio at 7:45am and left at 7:30pm. Crazy!! About the show, all I can say is that Food Network may have taken this a little too seriously and I think that's a damn shame.

A full weekend but fun and I got some good stuff done. I'm getting a little heavy lidded... guess I've been typing for about 3o minutes, eh?

I did fail to mention that on Wednesday night I traveled down south to Courtney and Matt's who so graciously invited me to come watch the LOST season premier. Though it's a bit of a drive for me, it was a lot of fun!! Until Joe came in through the balcony door (she's on the 2nd floor by the way) and scared the ever loving Jesus out of me...

Until next time....

NOT the same shit!!!

So these past few days have been GOOD to me!!

Thursday night I went to the Nuggets game and ended up winning the King Soopers gift card by playing Price Is Right AGAIN! That's right, another $100 of free groceries! The game went into overtime and we won in a very exciting finale. It was the first game I've ever seen go into overtime in person, so I was pretty amped. The game was televised so it didn't even start until 8:30pm. Needless to say, by the time I got home I was exhausted!

Friday while at work, I got a call to interview for a new job!! It's a phone interview first and then, if they like me, I'll go on for a face to face interview. It would be more pay and that would be a very very good thing.

Finally, and this is the MOST exciting part, yesterday I found out my roommates are moving out!!! The one across the hall in the master bedroom, is moving out at the end of the month and I'm moving into his room!! I'll have a room twice the size I have now, my own bathroom, a walk in closet and my own little balcolny! I'm rediculously excited! The other roommate, who I currently share a nasty bathroom with, is leaving as soon as he can find someone to take over his lease. If he can't find someone, he'll be leaving the 15th of June (beware the ides of June.....!! lol). I can't wait to not share a bathroom with him. It's pretty bad when you have to put a post-it note up on the door frame that says "Please Flush" so that he remembers to do so... what is he like 5 years old??? Anyway... I won't have to deal with that anymore!

The best part is, my rent is going up $25 since I'll have the master bedroom, but if I get this new job, $25 isn't nearly what I would be paying if I moved out and found a place by myself. This way, I'll be able to SAVE some money instead of living paycheck to paycheck. I'll be able to save for a while and when my lease is up, then I'll be able to move out on my own with a cushion :).

I hope I get this new job, for real real, not for play play.

On another note, my dad ran the Arizona Rock and Roll Marathon today!! He finished in 4:12: 18. Good job Dad!!! He wanted to finish in under 4 hours, but HELLO!! he ran a whole marathon, I think that's awesome enough!

Well I'm off to do some errands and then to the chuch to help set up some lights. After that football and chillin!

That's from last week... not bad eh?

Totally not me Monday

I am not at work right now on my computer blogging. I didn't work all day and don't mind at all that I still have pages and pages of phone calls to make for absolutely no reason.
I did not have some of the best Chinese food I've ever had for lunch today. It was not hot, crispy or delicious. It was not just $5.
I did not drink excessively last night because I was depressed and hating my life and feeling sorry for myself. I did not drink at the bar on the airplane. I did not drink on the airplane. I did not drink at the bar on the way home.
I did not have a giant cat sleep on me last night. I did not hold the smooshy cat until he growled at me. I did not sleep on the couch last night at Ben's so that I didn't have to drive home that late... and drunk.
I do not hate my job, my life, or any thing about my existence right now. I am not broke and certainly not in any type of debt.
I am not glad that I got to see many friends this week that I hadn't seen in a long time. I didn't drive to MU to see the old alma mater with Paul. I didn't see Michelle or Laura, and we certainly didn't talk shit about all the people we used to go to school with. I didn't spend more time with Amy than my family over my visit.
My mom didn't cook the most amazing dinner on Christmas Eve. I could not have eaten that meal every single day for the rest of my life.

Before bed I make my stand...

I just have a few things to say before I go to bed tonight.

I am SO lucky to have the parents I have.
I am SO lucky to have the best friend that I have.
I know that things can get better, even if I can't see it right now.
I know that people support and love me.
I can't give up on myself or my future.
I can't stop trying to better myself.






oh yeah... and I read this today... if you have a chance read it. PLEASE do NOT leave me hate messages. This is for casual reading and interesting to say the least. I WILL delete your comments if you are rude or offensive, trust me in this.
http://frwest.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-than-100-reasons-to-vote-against.html

And another one bites the dust hey hey...

So that's 9 employees that have quit OS in the 9 months I've been there. Averaging one a month, way to go! Shouldn't someone, somewhere, in upper-management land be asking some questions?? Like, why are people who have been there for 20+ years leaving all of a sudden?? Why does a company of just 18 employees turn over completely in just over a year? I know that answer!!! Geez, seriously, why isn't anyone curious or puzzled by why we keep bringing in new employees but our business isn't growing?? Who knows, Maybe that person quit too....

Riddle me this... my computer automatically spell checks everything I type no matter where I type it which is pretty cool. However, when I write in this blog it suddenly doesn't understand contractions... If I'm in a word document or an email, it doesn't yell about contractions at all... strange things are happening.

So it's official... well, several things:

~The RED SOX are going to the division finals~

~I'm registered to vote in Colorado~

~I have a COLORADO license now! (my first one outside of PA)~

~Free pitchers of beer aren't always the blessing they seem~

~Mashed potatoes from the KFC are always good, no matter what~

Hockey season officially starts this week!! Horray!! I'm pretty sure I'm going to get to go to the Av's opener but it's not official yet. Pre-season basketball starts this week so I'm pretty amped at seeing Rocky (the Nugget's mascot) back for more fun filled antics! Oh yeah, and the basketball game or whatever...


I was talking to my mom and dad tonight and was bitching about my job. I think mom finally gets it that it's not just me that hates it there once I told her my boss just quit. Mom says "why don't you just quit?" Don't get me wrong, I love my mom to death, but she doesn't quite understand what it's like now a days only making 18k a year... It doesn't seem to go very far after rent, car, gas, groceries... you know, the things you need on a daily basis. I told her that wouldn't be a very smart idea, she agreed but encouraged me to keep looking... don't worry Ma, I'm looking every single day... every fucking day. It's like a bad habit.

Hey, maybe now that I'm back to blogging I'll bring back weekly cheers and jeers... that'll be fun!! Maybe next time... I'm due for some much needed sleep!

Until next time my friends...