Sunday, September 03, 2006

The News Is Out

Well, I haven't been around for awhile, but that's because I can't keep secrets, and there were a few people I had to talk to in person.

I am engaged!

Coming to wedding near you in Fall 2007 .

Thursday, June 29, 2006

A Moment's Reflection

All week long I've been planning on blogging about how I'm doing on my New Year's resolutions as we approach the halfway mark, then I discovered I didn't make any which is sad, because I'm not doing half bad. (End grammatically poor run-on sentence.)

So here's how I'm doing on my non-existent New Year's Resolutions

1. New job - Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner. I start my new job in less than a month and this is my first announcement of it on the blog. Back in February, I had a post about something big in the works. This was it. Oddly enough, it was with the same employer, it just took forever to get the interview setup. It's nonprofit work and I get to use my master's degree. The b/f and I move in a month to the new job's city, which is where he's been commuting for months now. Much happiness and progress on this front.

2. Blog/Writing - yeah, no comment.

3. Weight loss - More like weight gain. I am at a new all-time high, something I'm not proud of and have been rather bummed about. Last night, I formulated a plan to kickstart the new era of weight. How many pounds can I leave behind in the month before my move? Tonight I made a grilled chicken wrap with assorted veggies and had a small dish of ice cream with lowfat granola. I've even done 50 crunches this evening. A small start, but when I get to the new digs (which amazingly come with a pool) I plan to step up the exercise.

4. Finances - I'd say I'm breaking even for the year, but considering that I'm still rebuilding after the fire, not bad.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

A Bad Box of Hangover

Saturday morning was misery thanks to almost a full bottle of red wine Friday night. Plus, I developed a cold to go with it. Oh, and the b/f and I spend the better part of the day out of town.

Friday, May 19, 2006

A Good Box of Wine

I had a long week of work, full of overtime and aching feet.

I blew my overtime on a box of wine and a movie, and we're not talking a Franzia and a matinee. I bought a used copy of Must Love Dogs and then hit the liquor store next. My favorite riesling, a chardonnay, pinot noir, and cabernot savignon.

Everything's coming up Milhouse!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Crawling from My Shell

Sorry that I haven't posted in a while. I survived the b/f's sister's wedding (I've never seen a bride smile more & if I ever get married, I will shell out the money for a caterer). Just when I thought I could relax, it's one of the 5 really busy times of the year at work. And will only get worse next week.

Good thing I already have my Mother's Day gift taken care of.

I just keep thinking of the vacation the b/f and I are planning for June. Exotic South Bend, Indiana. Actually, I'm really looking forward to seeing my old college stomping grounds for the first time since I graduated. I have this horrible fear that the Notre Dame campus has grown all corporate. Uggggh, shivers down my spine. Think I would have to insist on a lovely summer evening's walk around campus to all my favorite spots.

Sunday, April 16, 2006

The Easter Edition

Gas for old SUV - $50
Tolls - roughly $2
Talking to your brother for the first time since his deployment - priceless

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Help!

If anyone out there knows of free image hosting for the lovely design on this blog, post a link in my comments.

Thanks!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Take Me Out

I have finally gone to my first professional sporting event (other than college football.) And? Evening games early in the season are too cold and windy.

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Cake Server, the Newest Addition to the Wedding Party

One of my b/f's sisters is getting married in May. She has know the groom for less time than the b/f and I have been dating. Am I bitter? Maybe a little, but I really am happy for her.

Living over 2 hours from the happy couple and the impending nuptials means there hasn't been much for us to do to help. Usually, we just provide a place to stay when the bride is in the area working on wedding details with the other sister.

I have been asked to work the cake table. I am excited. I am finally in a wedding. And for a first time wedding, I am grateful to be serving in a position relegated to extended family. I'd be completely useless for anything else and this is nice and low pressure.

Or so I thought.

I had everything all planned. Since I'm still rebuilding my wardrobe, I was going to buy a nice pair of slacks and a dressier blouse/shirt that could be worn again for work. I could just blend in at the cake table. No one notices a fat girl at a cake table. It's like ducks on a lake. We are part of the scenery. I did think it was odd that she reminded me of the wedding colors (maroon and silver) when she asked me.

She stayed with us (actually me, the b/f was out-of-town on business) Sunday night. She asked me if I had found a dress for the wedding yet. (I'm not even thinking a dress. Skirt, maybe.) I share my plan, and she reminds to remember the colors so I won't "clash in the photos." To give you my honest reaction, I'm going to do something I avoid in this blog, but it's okay. Here is a brief summary of my immediate thoughts.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!!!!!! We are going to be in wedding photos. We have to dress up to be in photos that are going to end up in the wedding album. Shit! Shit! Shit! I'm going to have to look really good. When the hell did the fucking cake server end up in the wedding party? Oh wait, it must be the b/f. I'm going to be in the big family photo because I've been the g/f for over 3 years. Shit, we have to get him a suit. No more stalling on his part. Argggghhh!"

I'm convinced that I kept a great poker face, but the moment she left to take care of wedding errands, I was on the phone to my mom and then the b/f in a panic. I started searching online for maroon clothing. 'Tis not the season for maroon. Go figure, it's all these light pretty colors for spring.

Bring on the second round of expletives.

I have made my peace. The current plan is for light/med gray slacks. I really cute dressy cami or shell covered with a dark red shawl/wrap/shrug. The cami and slacks will be easy, and if I can't find a shawl/wrap/shrug that I like, it will be easy enough to make one. Plus all can be worn again. It even meets the bride's approval. So Saturday, I rack up more charges on my Visa (it has been a harsh month with the recent purchase of new glasses). Oh crap, I need to get cute strappy dress shoes.

Anyway, crisis averted until my mom starts telling me cake cutting war stories from weddings past.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Misc Karen Goes to the Movies

I am cheap. This is no secret amongst those of my acquaintance. Those who know more would probably consider me more frugal, a trait born from the occasional necessity or observation of other's necessity. Those who don't know me as while would probably say that I'm just a tightwad.

One of the eventualities of my frugality is that I don't go to the movies that often. Usually, it's only if I'm convinced it's a movie whose cinematography requires a big screen. Tonight, the b/f and I went to see a movie we had both, for different reasons, been anticipating, V for Vendetta. He likes action films and comic books. I'm for politics.

I loved this movie. How much did I love this movie? I plan to go see it again this weekend. I have made it clear to the b/f that I will own this movie. I am currently using his ebay account to buy a set of the original comics because I would really like to read them now. I think he is completely stunned that I want to not only read a comic book and own it, but the 9 others that complete its run.

Why do I love this movie? This is one of those times I wish I knew more about moviemaking because I feel at a loss to explain why I like it so much. The story was interesting and well paced. The acting was amazing. I really want to know if they used different variations of the mask worn by the character V because I swear he had expressions. Hugo Weaving was that good. Natalie Portman matched him. The truth is that I want to watch it a second time to study it and take in things that I missed on a conscious level the first time.

Just remember, you know it's a good movie when a cheapskate wants to see it more than once in a theater.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Hormones Suck

It's the only reason that I am getting all emotional about a summer vacation. Okay, maybe there's more to it than that.

The b/f and I have tentative plans to visit ND in either the summer or fall. He had even suggested that I could replace my class ring, which was lost in "the fire." I actually hopped onto the school website, and I became seriously choked up. I haven't been there since the day I graduated, and I cried when I left campus with my family.

The b/f is not versed in my ND history. He knows some of the names of my good friends, but he has no idea what my time there meant to me. He's excited at the thought of football. Those who know me know that football had nothing to do with my decision. He knows nothing of the beauty or history of campus. He can't imagine how hard most students there study on a regular basis. For him, it's "Touchdown Jesus" and now a piece of artwork that connects thousands of years of the pursuit of learning. The grotto would be lost to him. He is looking forward to walking around the lakes and feeding ducks.

I can close my eyes and I am walking around campus at night, on a study break. It just makes me that much more sad to think of all the photos I lost in the fire. I can take more, but they won't be the same. My friends won't be there, and I won't have anything to remind of whom I was back then.

Okay, I've got to grab some tissue and stop this.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

And My B/F Wondered Why I Wanted a Shredder


This is the scariest thing that I've seen all day.
Tell friends and family. Maybe if word spreads far enough, the credit card companies will be embarrassed into doing the correct thing. Oh, who am I kidding?

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

I Feel Pretty

I've gotten to the point where I am wearing makeup again. I don't know if it's a phase or just that I'm now 30 and my skin needs all the help it can get.

One sign that I'm definitely turning girly, I'm a HUGE Project Runway fan. That's right. I uncloseted myself as a reality tv, make that reality fashion tv, fan. Please, please, Daniel V. Please do not let your collection suck because some will be wrong in the world if Santino wins.

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Friends

I'm spending another Saturday night at home, when I know for a fact a bunch of co-workers are meeting up at a bar. It's not that I'm not invited (I was), I'm just really shy in social situations. It has gotten me to thinking how I haven't really made any new friends in roughly 5 years.

The most obvious reason is that I've lived in 7 cities in the past 10 years.

Growing up I was a nerd. I didn't relate well to my classmates and was painfully shy. I actually got along better with adults. Needless to say, this didn't do a lot for my social skills. It wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I developed my first quality friendships, ones that I still try to maintain. Since then, I've only made a few more close friends.

It's been 2 years since I lived in the same town as a good friend. It's tough when the friends you care for most live (with the exception of one) in different states. Thank goodness for unlimited long distance. The majority of them I haven't seen in over 5 years. I've been dating the b/f for over 3 years and he hasn't met my closest friends, and I feel he's missing a huge part of me for it.

It does leave me wondering, will I ever live somewhere long enough to grow roots and build new friendships where I live? I know people make friends and develop community online, but I miss sharing meals, drinks, laughter, tears, etc.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

Name That Computer

In honor of the changes being made over at BlogExplosion, I'm holding my own little contest.

In the past, I've gone through a few computers. There was Bertie, the slow little Frankenstein of a computer that a friend piecemealed together for me. There was Jeeves who I lost in the fire. On Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving,) I brought the newest and best computer yet, into my life. It's a great HP desktop, heavy on media utilities (it has card readers for everything and enough USB port to make a regular comp blush.) Nice, svelte flat panel monitor, stand metallic hue. What it does not have, is a name.

This is where you come in. Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to name my computer. For the name I like best, the winner will receive 50 BlogExplosion credits (so make sure you provide your BE login, correctly please) and the satisfaction that with a name, my computer and I will finally be able to bond. Hopefully, I'll be able to name a winner on Sunday. Good luck.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Timing

I was reading my Tao meditation book earlier this evening, and today's meditation focused on the word "optimism." It immediately brought to mind the good news secret from earlier, the one I'm trying to not get my hopes up over. It just fit so perfectly.

That's been happening a lot with these meditations. And it's kind of weird, in a good way.

I don't want to suggest that it's God trying to send me sign. I would imagine that some people would chalk it up to foolish superstitious. I just love how the timing leads me to focus on things in my life that need attention. I don't even know if I would attribute to anything spiritual. I just take the time to reflect on my life and my self, something I haven't seriously done in a while.

It centers and calms me in ways I still have to master.

But I really like trying.

The Secret

For once, as of late, I've got good news. But I can't tell you. It's a secret. Damn, I suck at secrets. Good thing like 2 people read this blog, and they already know the secret. Here's hoping I'll soon be sharing even better news with you.

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Leaving on a Jetplane

The b/f is gone overnight on a business trip. I'm a bit torn. Sure, I had the remote control all night (which allowed me to watch the new Pride and Prejudice, the only good thing of which was Dame Judi Dench) and I don't have to hear him snoring. But I miss him. So does Jack. Nothing but incessant meowing all night. Apparently my lap isn't good enough.

Monday, February 27, 2006

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Sigh of Relief

My parents called to say they have heard from my brother and that he is safe.

Spring Is in the Air

Sure, the sun is shining bright, and there's only a hint of chill in the air. But there's only one real sign that spring is on the way.

I feel like cleaning.

When I was a child, my mom had to bribe, threaten, and conjole me to clean my room.

It only happened once a year.

I'd take pictures, just to prove that it was always messy.

I subscribe to organized chaos. Sure, there are piles of stuff everywhere. But I know exactly where to find things in the piles. I do have the occasional urge to clean, and right before spring is a prime time, because I love to open windows and air things out. I'm even thinking about buying a vacuum cleaner because the carpeting is starting to looking like hell. I think I might even want to break out a mop.

Then again, I just fixed up a chai with whipped cream on top. Definitely still winter then.

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Please Say It Isn't So

Tonight, the b/f and I went out for dinner. As we worked on our entrees, we listened to our waitress at the next table.

"I'm sorry, tonight's my first night."

She fawned over that table as the joked with her about the bet that they had going on her age.

Please.

The one lesson that I've learned in retail is "Whatever the problem, it should never be an excuse." Basically, they don't want to know why things are going wrong, they want to hear how you are making things right. I like the professional air of this sentiment.

So when our waitress finally checked in on us, I was quick to point out that we needed refills.

My b/f informed that I was snippy. I concede that I was, but her service was subpar, she needed a sign so she'd learn, and that I was far from rude. He proceeded to inform me that I am frequently snippy with waitstaff once they make a mistake.

No, I'm not.

Am I?

Only once have I complained to a manager. If the service isn't good, I'm going to ask for what I want, and I occasionally might get snippy. But it is unheard of for me to become rude. He made it sound like I was "Snippy, the customer from hell." I do know one thing.

My glass didn't go empty for the rest of the meal. (And I was pleasant.)

Friday, February 24, 2006

I have spent the better part of the day doing exactly what I've been told not to, following the news of Iraq. I can't help but think this war has been one of most ill-advised and badly managed. Then again, I'm not a military expert. I am also smarter than the average bear and I can see the mistakes.

Sadly, I now worry about getting calls from my parents now because its far too easy for them to be calling with bad news.

Bush would have never joined the Air National Guard if they had been sending them to fight wars. It's a disagrace how he treats veterans and active members of the military. All for a war that had no credibility. If anyone knows of a countdown until the next president takes office, let me know.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Restless Nights

Last fall, when my brother reported for active duty, my mom started having problems with insomnia. I couldn't commiserate too much.

Tuesday night I got the call about deaths in his unit.

Last night, neither one of us slept well. We talked about it today. We didn't talk about the growing sectarian conflicts in Iraq. I don't think it would help either of us sleep better tonight. We just understand what each other is thinking now without saying it, and we find that people who don't have someone in the military just don't understand.

I still maintain, if I had won Powerball, we would have quit our jobs and become fulltime political activists.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Tao & Trials

As many of you know, 2005 was not my year. So far, 2006 has been much better. Still there have been some bumps.

There's the joy of doing taxes, while trying to estimate your fire damages when all your receipts are destroyed.

There's the news that member's of your brother's unit have died in the line of duty.

Bush is still President for almost 3 years.

But I did finally get a really good book of Tao meditations, and while I'm not huge into the whole concept, the meditations sooth my spirit and bring to mind many teaching from my Catholic upbringing. Overall, it's very good for my mental health. Plus, there are so many good things going on.

My brother is still alive.

I have my health.

Cheney is making an idiot of himself.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Ka-Ching!

In another sign that 2006 will be much better than 2005, I had my one year review at work. Raise. Very good raise. I am now officially in my best paying job yet.

Sunday, January 08, 2006

I'll Take Mine in Cash


My blog is worth $3,951.78.
How much is your blog worth?

Hmmm

I say ... and you think ... ?

Better off:: dead

Girls:: School

Uniform:: Catholic

Classified:: Ad

Hard:: Knocks

Kitty:: Cat

Team:: Sports

Massive:: Stroke

Depressed:: obvious

Award:: Oscar

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Atonement

When my dad turned 50, I gave him the equivalent of a full meal in baby food form, beef, veggie, dessert, and prunes, all in a gummable form.

How did he not knock me upside my snotty 20 year-old head?

Today, he turned 60. My mom and I surprised him with a birthday card shower, having collected cards in secret from friends, co-workers, and family. As he opened each card, we would add to a jar a marble for each person who signed it. He was amazed buy some of the people that we (my mom) had tracked down. We then gave him a spiffy nice new watch. Cliched? Perhaps, but he has never had a really nice one, and we thought it was about damn time.

Happy Birthday, Dad! Happy Belated Birthday, Mom! (Hers was yesterday.)

Thursday, January 05, 2006

Pot Luck

Well, I'm happy to report that my pen & paper journal gets ignored about as much as my blog, which means there is no need for the pair to get in a jealous fight for my attention.

My mom spoke to my brother this morning which I suppose is an early birthday present for her. She had to be over the moon about it. Apparently they chatted about Abramoff and the domestic spying program. You can imagine my brother's delight that this is what he's defending. In the meantime, my boyfriend, who couldn't care less about politics, is indifferent to my family's obsession with current events and politics.

While I'm thinking about it, Saturday is the big day. My dad turns 60. I do the 60th birthdays spectacularly for my parents. It's my way of attaining for their 50th birthdays (my dad got baby food so he could gum it. Yes, I now know that I was cruel and I will suffer for it.) For those of you who are friends of my dad to whom he bragged about the blog (and who overcame your disappointment to come back for more,) if you know his birthday surprise, "Shhhhhhh!" He's still clueless and too computer illiterate to find out about it here.

Now onto "disappointment" and "this blog." Crap, I let this slide for the last six months. The only thing good to happen was the design (thanks again, Jen!) I must confess, I miss my links to other blogs and my archives. My archives at least showed that when I wasn't under significant stress, I could intelligently blog with frequency. My links made me a part of a large community that has abandoned because, well, I abandoned it. Oh, and my counter, because aren't we all junkies for the counter? Then again, the truth is that I've been a crappy, lazy, depressed blogger. I could say that's going to change now, but since I've been doing is promising to change, I think I'll spare all of us that delusion in this post.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Thank You # 107

My brother is serving overseas to defend my right to spied on by my government. Thanks, King George!