Wishing on a Baking Day

Woke up feeling more rested today from getting more than four hours of sleep which is average for me. Okay, it was five last night. One hour made a world of difference.

Made up my mind to have iced coffee this morning which spelled a near disaster during my extended vendor meeting. The AGOL was extra effervescent let's just say. It was a supreme effort to appear near normal and slow my speech to an understandable speed.

Broke for a quick lackluster lunch fare in the break room. Spent time with Tawny suffering through my temp's attempt to include me in her birthday festivities this weekend. She had already been crassly campaigning for cake to be brought in Friday to another employee. Even as far as dictating what type of frosting she should have and what color the design would be ideal. Ugh. That left a poorer taste in my mouth than my lunch. Hope she's not disgruntled when she doesn't receive one.

Bridget and I attended an online training class that bored us to near sleep. She actually had her head down. We couldn't even surf the Internet because opening another screen would cause us to be disconnected from the conference. Was that smart planning on the program? Glugged more iced coffee during the call to keep up.

Where I sit on the third floor, I can see outside ahead of me or behind me. It was the same view of dark sky and water pelleting against the window. If it were 25 degrees colder outside, it would be a prime Baking Day. I would love to bake chocolate chip cookies on such a day...or my famous rum cake.

Here's my favorite vanilla waiting to be poured into my heart-shaped measuring spoons.


I thought more about it on the drive home, imagining the measuring of ingredients and the delicious vanilla laced aroma it would release during baking. Still no eggs in the fridge though and I wasn't stopping anywhere, but home. Settled in after walking my dog in the rain with a bowl of creamy butternut squash soup sprinkled with my favorite crunchy rice noodles.

Yes, I even have a heart-shaped enameled cast iron casserole pan. I make soup and healthier dishes in here. It serves well on the table, too. Smiles all around.


What can I say? You just have to do everything with love.

Wishing on a Baking Day

Film Wisdom

As your AGOL, it is my duty to spread love, joy and beauty. Here's some loving words:

"Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without. If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with? Fall head over heels. I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back. And how do you find him? Forget your head and listen to your heart. I'm not hearing any heart. Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back. Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this. To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try. Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived."

-- [William Parrish] from the movie, Meet Joe Black (1998)

Film Wisdom

Mmm...AGOL

Imagine my surprise this morning when my old friend Trisha (from back in my Chicago days) posted this on a comment on my MySpace account with the header HelloAGOL Simpsonized. She lives in San Francisco now and has been Simpsonizing her pals.



Been trying to do it myself before the weekend, but it wasn't working and now this. The fish motif on the shirt is especially significant. I love it!

Mmm...AGOL

Oh, Shih Tzu!

Don't recall how the rest of the afternoon went exactly. All I remember is that I was busy while trying to fight a mysterious fatigue. Coffee did not help much. My suspicions fall to an energy vampire. I'd say who, but wouldn't want to conjure her up. Ha!

Was able to IM briefly with Angie. She was tired from attending Comicon (world's largest comic book convention) in San Diego this weekend, but had fun with two of her pals. She saw actor Clive Owen (yum!) among many other celebrities.

This yearly event is becoming the place for celebrities and fans to connect especially in the science fiction film and TV genre, according to my movie critic friend who was thinking of attending this year...Angie vows to pay an extra $150 per night to stay at the hotel next to the convention center for 2008 to avoid trolley/bus rides. Time and convenience -- worth it if you can swing it!

Spoke to Jill on the way home. She was feeling better about her new job and doing generally well. Jill wished for having a girlie girl lunch with several of us so we'll have to plan that soon.

Met Myrna for dinner at Cracker Barrel. I had a jones for cornbread and she was game. She informed me that her husband bought her another puppy. This time a female Shih Tzu to accompany Teddy, their male Yorkie.

I suggested she name the new puppy Tara, as in Tara and Teddy, but Myrna said she wanted to name her Sarah Belle. She apparently has the oriental features reminiscent of you know who. I died laughing. She and her husband have been calling me Sarah Belle at times. Her husband was not keen on that in case it offended me, but I love it and told her to go for it!

Back home to my own puppy who was waiting for his play date. I was home earlier to walk and feed him, but scooted out for my own dinner. Cabal would not stand for another doggie in the apartment even if it was a female. No way! He has a gravy train he's guarding and keeping all to himself.

Oh, Shih Tzu!

Beautiful Words

"Life is a flower of which love is the honey."
-- Victor Hugo

(Found it recycling again on my Quote Tab on Google.)

Beautiful Words

Suckage Factor

...What was I saying? Oh, yeah. The suckage factor for the weekend wasn't as high as anticipated. There were moments of touch and go, but made it through by talking it out to the universe. (That sounds better than me saying, I was talking to myself.)

Have a slight crying hangover, but I didn't cry last night or this morning to have one. Let's see what caffeine does to it. Gonna jack my energy level with some java.

First morning without my boss, too. He has the day off and tomorrow will be his first day at his new job. Very pleased for him. Meanwhile, my interim boss is wonderful and is in the middle of interviewing a replacement. Bridget and I were saying this morning that the new hire will think his team looks like Charlie's Angels. Gosh, I hope his name is not Charlie...Well, I have an errand to run before lunch.

Updated: Received permission from Kristey to post this pic from her note to me taken at this tiki bar they like near their home. Been there before the remodeling for my cousin Frank and Brenda's wedding years ago. It's been more privatized now.

Here's a pic of the fabulous Kristey and her groovy husband Danny.



Kristey said that she loves going there to watch the sunset, listen to the music and of course - drink! Sounds marvy to me.

Suckage Factor

Sacred Sunday...evening post

Haven't been motivated to do chores since November of last year. Wait --- that sounded bad. What I meant was that portions of my apartment are relegated to certain days to make clean-up easier, but I haven't been as diligent with the Q-tip test since November. Today I seemed to tackle most of the chores (sans Q-tip test). Felt a peculiar joy in eradicating dust.

Almost missed getting my nails done...almost. Something must have been in the air at the salon. My nail guy was quiet and they were speaking in more frequent bursts of Vietnamese. Just as well, he can be quite inquisitive. Nails gleaming a new French manicure made me feel great then I remembered that this Cinderella was in the middle of cleaning.

Did I mention I am obsessed with separating laundry that I end up with four loads to do? Thank God for the water level regulator on the washing machine because my laundry falls into a light load for delicates, medium loads for light and darks and a heavy load for towels and such. If really obsessive, I separate just the socks for bleaching which would make that load number five. Yes, the freakshow is in full effect.

Still had to iron my new tablecloth when it came out the dryer before I placed it on the sidetable. It reminded me of the times in the Philippines we would wash our clothes and bedclothes by hand. I grew up thinking that ironing our sheets and pillowcases from drying on the outside line as normal. Too bad we didn't have a modern washer/dryer and fabric softener. Denim trousers could stand up by themselves if positioned correctly and give you a nice exfoliation when you put them on as a bonus.

Marinated some pork chops with olive oil, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and salt/pepper before baking. Served with freshly cooked jasmine rice and a side of steamed spinach. Mmm. My home was smelling like a proper home. Too bad I didn't have any eggs, I would've made a cake for a home baked smell later. Doesn't matter. I have enough air freshener plug-ins smelling like vanilla and pumpkin.

Watched Fox Channel for The Simpsons, The Family Guy, etc. Felt like being entertained with demented humor. Must be all the fumes from the cleaning products. It worked like a charm.

Speaking of demented, check this out: Filipino Inmates Dancing to Thriller.

Sacred Sunday...evening post

Sacred Sunday...morning post

I can remember my mother many times saying that Sunday should be for rest. She forced my dad to do so on these days and made sure he relaxed and maybe received a bit of spoiling. He was the breadwinner and she would make sure that his weekends were enjoyably restful especially Sundays.

In a weird way of keeping with that tradition, I keep most Sundays to myself as a sacred day for me whatever that entails. My Sundays in the last several months have included MEBFKAY whether that was a skype conversation in the morning and/or the afternoon.

On the days I would have my nails done, I would cut it close to when we would have our cyber date as if dressing for it. He was always good about asking how my nails were. Silly man. I've always wished him a Happy Sunday and he caught on it, too. In fact, my first message or comment to him ever wished him a Happy Sunday. I am having my nails done this afternoon and there will be no rushing home after. Might as well change the timing of my visits to be earlier.

Funny thing, he mentioned to me once that Saturday mornings were not Saturdays unless we talked when I missed one and he was expecting me. I wonder if he felt the same yesterday as I am sure to feel about today...My Sunday morning TV news magazine is almost on. I'd better sip the comfort in my tea while it is still warm.

Sacred Sunday...morning post

Retail Therapy and a Swim

Visited my friend Terry's shop this afternoon for a chat and picked up an item that had been waiting for me. Continued my retail therapy by buying a new table runner for my dresser which matches the Mediterranean jewel tone patch fabric on my bed and a new beige gold tablecloth for a side table in my dining area. Also picked up some needed sundry items that were not as exciting. Arrived back home to put away my purchases and take care of Cabal before packing my swim stuff.

Here's a pic of the runner on top of my dresser before I change out the old bamboo one underneath it and rearrange my stuff on top of it. Love those rich jewel tones! Cool, huh, Tawny?


Been a while since I spent quality time with Tawny and Jeff. They are spending part-time at British Jeff's house until it sells. I was invited for a casual dinner and a swim which I enjoyed immensely. Jeff was trying to convince us girls that the water was warm and it wasn't even after submerging ourselves up to our necks. Tawny and I swam around to keep warm while we talked about the world.

Just before hitting prune stage, we got out and were sobered by the arctic blast of air conditioning inside the house. Warmed up in the shower before meeting them in the living room for a movie The Italian Job which I hadn't seen yet. It was much better than I thought.

Safely made it home near 1am. Driving home reminded me why I rarely drive that late. A few of the other drivers were aggressive and my eyes were tired. It was worth it for the swim and happy company alone. Gotta love that water!

Retail Therapy and a Swim

So Far So Good

Forced myself to stay up until I was feeling queasy from no sleep. Made it to bed after 2am. It wasn't like I had to be up for MEBFKAY. Woke up two minutes before my 6am alarm. Walked Cabal and had two servings of yoghurt before my walk this morning with Kimmee.

Boy was it humid at the woods this morning! Enjoyed speed walking with Kim while catching up on each other's news. Already gave her a heads up on getting my Dear Jane letter from MEBFKAY last Sunday. She chalks it up to a midlife crisis. Yeah, that could be it, too. His birthday is in October which may not mix well with his health and stresses. Only God knows for sure.

Our walk now has become easier so we may need to think about either speeding it up some more or walking a longer distance to make it more challenging. Although, a big bee made it very challenging for Kim who despises bugs. She kept flailing around when it came which made it more curious. She almost ran to get away from it. I kept telling her that she just needed to calm down and keep walking. It would lose interest and find another soul to buzz around. The woman didn't listen so we had to deal with this for five minutes with her clutching the end of my shirt at some point. I would have teased her if it weren't for the real terror on her face.

Walked Cabal when I got back and updating you before I get a proper breakfast. Have some errands to run and need to touch base with Tawny and Jeff.

So Far So Good

Proper Cooling

My air conditioning in the apartment has been behaving peculiarly all week and worsened by the day. It wasn't cooling properly. I would come home and it would be a few degrees warmer than the 73 degrees I leave for Cabal. Shutting the air off for a minute then turning it back on resulted in receiving cool air again, but it would cool to 66 degrees instead of the 70 degrees I would have set for the night.

While walking Cabal yesterday after work, I asked one of the leasing agents to put in a work order for me the next day with the condition that two specific maintenance people were the only ones allowed to enter my apartment. They happen to be a husband and wife team who Cabal enjoys. I made a mental note yesterday to follow-up with a phone call at 9am.

Much to my surprise, there was a voicemail after 8am this morning that the husband was coming early to check on me since he knew I had a pet. Didn't hear the phone ring with my hairdryer, but heard him knock minutes later. Gosh, that was nice! He really cared and made note of my description of the problem and gave his diagnosis. I left Cabal in good hands...

Bridget and I trained with my boss for some last minute items. Set ourselves up with our own profiles, etc. on several accounts to replace my boss as administrators. We said goodbyes after his exit interview with HR late afternoon. He promised us his new information at his new job next week. We will definitely miss him.

Tawny informed me that British Jeff arrived safely in England to live with his boys at his mum's house (temporarily) in Liverpool. Exhaustion finally caught up with him; he was conked out on the sofa. The boys were very happy to see their dad after being on what started out to be their summer vacation. Tawny and Jeff are helping with clearing out his Tampa home and making sure it is kept up while on the market.

Came home to a properly cooled apartment and a happy doggie. Had a light dinner and watched a movie given to me by Kathy and Jamie. It was an indie film that had pirates in it. It was quite good actually and portions were filmed in Tampa. Jamie had Kathy bring it over when we had dinner on Wednesday to cheer me up. What thoughtful friends!

Doing the hustle again tomorrow at The Saturday Four. Kimmee has a early hair appointment. Might swim at British Jeff's pool at Tawny's invitation later. It's been a long time since I've swum and I love water! Floating on it feels like being rocked like baby. Don't worry I have SPF 900 sun lotion for my vellum white skin.

Proper Cooling

Unstructured Time

It is 2pm and I am starting to think about the weekend looming over me. My life is full regardless of MEBFKAY, but I haven't planned out what I will be doing with the extra time yet. I've been too busy wrapping up things with my boss leaving and the usual date spoilers for us are not occurring this weekend. I have a feeling the suckage factor may be higher than anticipated. Of course, it can't be higher than last weekend.

Wish me luck please and send me some groovy vibes..

Unstructured Time

Giant Burrito

Had a bit of a challenge getting my boss' going away cake from my trunk on the fourth level garage to being hidden in one of Bridget's upper storage bins at her desk. First of all, I called Bridget's, the temp's and Tawnyia's cell phones to get help. All of their cell phones went to voicemail. Great, I will have to make two trips since I couldn't maneuver everything with my laptop wheelie bag.

By the time the elevator reached the first floor, Bridget rang back. She ran down and met me at by the garage and we ascended back up the fourth floor garage to retrieve the cake...We merrily made it back up inside our own building on the third floor. Just outside these service elevators is a small vestibule. You need card access to get further inside our floor and just before we were making it inside our area, I noticed my boss about 10 feet away to the left where we had to go. I quickly stopped and went back inside the vestibule letting Bridget know we could go no further. We were trapped!

I looked at Bridget and told her I would come back for her so I left her holding the cake. I made it past my boss to drop my stuff off my desk and made it back to the vestibule. Bridget and I were whispering what to do because our boss was still talking to this idiot in the hall.

I had no choice but to take Bridget on an elevator ride to our mailroom on the fourth floor while I made a call to Tawnyia to be our scope. She called a few minutes later to let us know he was now in an office if we wanted to make a break for it. Racing in our high heels, we rode the elevator and zoomed back down to our floor where we hid the cake undetected. Whew!

Our meetings with our interim boss was funny and made us more comfortable with the transition. This was important for Bridget and me. Our only concern was if we would like our new boss, whomever that gets to be. They were interviewing some folks that day.

Tried to get the going away card signed by different people but every time I turned around, it seemed my boss was nearby. My covert plan was not working very well, but I received enough signatures.

Four of us went to The Cheesecake Factory where we enjoyed time away from work as a group. We laughed so hard, we were in tears. We were definitely going to miss my boss' sense of outrageous sense of humor. He ordered this giant chicken burrito pictured below. After my boss made a healthy dent in it, the genius waiter had the nerve to announce that it weighed a pound and a half. Hello! I think we could have figured that out AND you probably shouldn't remind your guests they just pigged out. Duh.



We were stuffed and hurting from a big lunch complete with decadent cheesecake desserts Thinking about the surprise cake in a few hours made both Bridget and I queasy...The cake was later presented nicely with other people in tow. My boss was surprised and pleased. All efforts worth it.

It was a quiet ride on my way home tonight compared to all the hubbub earlier in the day. The tears that never came this morning threatened to overflow on the drive home triggered by a song on the radio. I switched to a Spanish station where the music was upbeat. As I listened, I realized that the song was about heartbreak. Geez! I just can't get away from it even in a Spanish station. Damn me for understanding the words!

Cabal and I chilled in the evening. He loved getting extra attention. At least HE was happy. That's all that matters isn't it?

Giant Burrito

Would You...Again?

Someone asked me if I would do an overseas distance relationship again. It's only been about four days, but I know my answer...

I am here in the U.S. because my mother moved for a long distance relationship. The gentleman I call my dad met my mother in the Philippines when he was stationed there. Their relationship was based upon the exchange of letters and tour of duty visits from him. They didn't have instant messaging, e-mails, text messages or calls on cell phones or webcams, but they made it and that was in the late 70s/early 80s. My aunt and uncle went through the same thing in the 60s and they've been married for over 40 years. I have countless other female relatives who have done the same.

The true question is: If you have an opportunity for love and that opportunity takes you to the other side of the world away from your family and friends, would you go? My answer is still yes. If your family and friends truly love you, they would never begrudge you your opportunity for happiness. Internet, cheaper international calls, and flight can make staying in touch with them easier. Sometimes you just have to go for it regardless of what the outcome may be. This one I have just gone through didn't turn out well, but it wasn't horrible during.

The pursuit of love should be an adventure. It should fill your heart with the quick beat of anticipation even if it has to be miles away from your home. Denying the opportunity could keep you from something so much larger than what you have known. Why wouldn't you do everything in your power to make it happen?

The caveat is that it takes two. If your opportunity for love isn't meeting you halfway with a lifesaver, then you need to swim to another shore where hopefully Rafael is waiting for you with a pina colada under a cabana.

Would You...Again?

Full Tilt

I've decided that the worst part of my days lately have been the mornings. Feel like a pinball in a pinball machine bumping against flaps and bells. Bouncing from fighting back tears when I think of MEBFKAY to road rage at rush hour traffic to experiencing PMS symptoms. Makes for a mad morning.

Meetings with our boss who's last day is Friday and our interim boss have taken precedent. Our group is having lunch at The Cheesecake Factory tomorrow right before more meetings. I am going to miss my boss. He's a good guy. His official last day will be tomorrow, but he'll probably cut out early.

On a brighter note, I've realized it's official that I have the corner market on the greatest friends in the world and I will not hear any words against them!

IM excerpts.....

Nikki: Do you remember the card you gave me months ago? Well if you come by my cube you will find it on the wall here. It is here pinned to my cube wall and it brightens my day every day I look at it.

Tawnyia: Whomever you are speaking with at the moment feels like the center of your attention. You go out of your way to make sure everyone feels important and cared for. That is why we all love you so much.

Jill said when I told her what Tawnyia wrote: You do make everyone feel important. You do that for me. I listen to my card often. (A musical card of encouragement that plays "I Will Survive" that I had given her a couple of months back.) I have all of the little things that you give to me. Even the ribbon from the presents. I am lucky to have met you and YOU do make a difference in my life.

You can't buy genuine validation like that and all it took was being myself. I love it!

Kathy picked me up for dinner tonight. We went to a restaurant that I had seen being remodeled and wanted to see the results. The place looked great with its updated decor and bistro feel. Ended up ordering from the breakfast selections off the menu and finishing with our own pie slices. It was a great time filled with giggles.

We stopped at the grocery store after so I could pick up a cake and card for my boss tomorrow. Bridget will be helping with getting that and our invitees organized for a quick get together in the day. We want to make sure he realizes how much we appreciate him and want to wish him well.

The lesson here for the ladies is that you should never neglect your friends when you have a boyfriend because you will always need your friends. There shouldn't be drastic changes in your relationships with your girls. Who will catch you when your relationship fails? I always make sure my friends know they are still a part of my life and make time for them because I care deeply about them. Feeling their love back now.

Full Tilt

Bedtime Story

Kristey sent this to me today and it made me really laugh:

BEDTIME STORY:

One night, after a couple had retired for the night, the woman became aware that her husband was touching her in a most unusual manner. He started by running his hand across her shoulders and the small of her back.

He ran his hand over her breasts, touching them very lightly. Then, he proceeded to run his hand gently down her side, sliding his hand over her stomach, and then down the other side to a point below her waist.

He continued on, gently feeling her hips, first one side and the other. His hand ran further down the outside of her thighs. His gentle probing then started up the inside of her left thigh, stopped and the returned to do the same to her right thigh.

By this time the woman was becoming aroused and she squirmed a little to better position herself.

The man stopped abruptly and rolled over to his side of the bed.

"Why are you stopping darling?" she whispered.

He whispered back, "I found the remote."

Typical Male.

Bedtime Story

Spaghetti Strands

With lower lip quivering, I found myself fighting back tears as I drove into work this morning. Even an AGOL is not immune to mortal feelings of loss of a relationship especially when it was with a man she thought really special and still does though he is not very deserving at the moment. I think other feelings are permeating the wall of disappointment. It took several deep breaths and determination not to crumble before arriving at work.

I've told my closest friends and only one family member, Angie in LA. Those who know have expressed how much I am loved. Even Cabal, my Pretty Boy Dog, seems to understand. He's got a hidden agenda: no longer having to share his mistress with the familiar voice of MEBFKAY. They both were not exactly fond of each other.

Busy today as the designated buyer, but still posted midday blog stuff below. Expressing myself has been helping, but...sigh.

Bridget suggested doing something wild like attending this fetish night being held in Ybor City this weekend. While intriguing, I can keep my freak side more private without sharing with a ballroom full of fetish friends. Being part Asian guarantees a little freak going on. Besides, I'm fresh out of talcum powder. I'm not saying anything. I'm just saying.

Ate spaghetti for dinner. Made me think of the plate piled with a serving of noodles as an analogy. Life might be a plate of spaghetti sometimes, but if you pick one or two strands at a time, the plate will eventually be empty.

PS If you have any words of wisdom, please e-mail me from my profile.

Spaghetti Strands

Love Quote

Love Quote of the Day

Love is space and time measured by the heart.

Marcel Proust
more Famous Quotes

...I laugh in your face, Marcel Proust!

Love Quote

Oh, I Forgot About That...

I forgot about the aftermath in a break-up such as reorganizing yourself. For seven months (which I do not regret in any form), I've woven someone else in my life. With that comes habits and patterns of behavior.

Saturday and Sunday's mornings and evenings will not be the same. I will not be talking at 5am my time to accommodate someone else at 10am in their timezone or making sure I am home by 5pm to talk to someone at 10pm their timezone. That is the biggest part for me of so many things.

What drives us to keep trying at love even when a break-up is a challenge to process? When it comes around again and that Cupid's arrow hits us, do we lose all those memories? It is like when a woman gives birth, they say she forgets the pain and has another one?

I guess if we didn't keep trying, humanity would never continue. Luckily, it is not all up to me.

Oh, I Forgot About That...

MEBFKAY

Slept amazingly well considering the queer e-mail from My Ex-Boyfriend Formerly Known As Yummy (MEBFKAY) yesterday. Wish I would've had a long distance mood ring. Sometimes guys are worse than chicks.

I was ghoulishly expecting such a thing from MEBFKAY, but not over a lame letter...more respectfully and courageously in a proper call. I responded in a lengthy manner giving him an honest AGOL point of view. (eek!) That's the way the cookie crumbles. You're thinking you're getting a big cookie, but end up with crumbs. Thank goddess for dustpans.

Not bitter, not hurt -- worse, extremely disappointed. Is that weird? Received a lot of support today from friends which was I grateful for in light of the situation. He is still a good man. His loss...There are plenty of beautiful and magical things in the world yet to explore and admire for something like this to get me down.

That's all on the matter, folks!

MEBFKAY

Kids' Outing with Auntie Sarah

Up early to webcam with Yummy. Got to watch him eat cheese on toast and scratch from his skin allergies. Good thing I wasn't eating breakfast.

Scurried like a bunny to get ready so I could pick my goddaughter, her twin and their older brother. It was great to see them and have an outing with them. We enjoyed the new Harry Potter movie and had a great chat about it on my way to my aunt's.

Found out when I called my aunt to make sure she was home that Baby Colton and his family were visiting! This was great news to the girlies who have been asking about the baby. We arrived just in time for a late lunch.

Here is my aunt's newly trimmed banana tree. It even bears fruit!


Pop-Pop enjoying Baby Colton.


Carter suddenly enjoying the outdoors. He cracks me up!


The twins enjoying time with the baby and Grandma.


Took the kids to a bookstore for the new Harry Potter book and some other items they wanted. Will wanted a heavy metal CD but I wasn't sure if his parents would allow it. Later I found out that I could have bought AC/DC for him, but he received a heavy metal magazine instead. He had to walk out of there with something.

After taking the kids home, I almost made it to my own when I encountered the rain I have managed to avoid all day. I even made the kids bring an umbrella! Looking on the bright side, I didn't have to drive on the highway with kids in the rain.

Got home and took care of Cabal. Went online later to wind down and found a queer e-mail from Yummy. What was that all about? One queer e-mail deserves another...

Kids' Outing with Auntie Sarah

Damn, It's Stormy

The Saturday Four was a 2.5 mile hustle with Kimmee. Everyone else flaked out or had some other thing to do. I just wanted to finish in time to go home, shower and make it to my hair appointment.

First the first time ever, my hairdresser was late. I mean not just running late with clients but not inside the salon. She'd been having some remodeling work done in her house and hasn't been able to sleep with all the chaos. A pill solved that, but made her sleep through her alarm. Thank goddess she still did a good job with the color and cut.

Been putting off going to the grocery store. Cabal was running out food and treats so I had to go for him. Over an hour later and a full cart from meandering around the grocery store in the same plaza as my hairdresser, we both had food. Went outside and saw the telltale clouds.

Rushed home like a mutha to beat the storm and to put away the frozen stuff. The grocery store I just spent some shekels in is a quite a ways from my apartment. Did beat the storm and took Cabal out before all hell broke loose. It wasn't a 30-minute storm, but a few hours of storm complete with loud cracking lightning. Quite the show.

IM'ed briefly with Yummy who almost didn't make it to the date. He fell asleep watching boxing. I would! Let him off the hook early so he could catch up on his beauty sleep. Funny man. Maybe I need some, too!

Damn, It's Stormy

Wii, Madamemoiselle!

My morning flew by with a lot of busy things while trying to keep Bridget from blowing a gasket. Another person in accounts payable was testing her patience today. We all take turns with that department.

Was able to have a pleasant lunch with Tawny today. Everyone else had plans thank God so I could have a decent conversation with her before I left at 1:45pm for an off site vendor visit.

My department met at one of our vendor's new office and warehouse for a QBR (quarterly business review). They were proud to showcase their new facility and super efficient warehousing system in a dog and pony show complete with a tour conducted by an executive and goodie bags filled with product and brochures we could take back to the office.

My previous company only dreamed of having their new warehouse implementation go as smoothly as this vendor's did in mere months. My previous company is still trying to sort out the multi-million dollar mess after a few years. Maybe I should refer them.

We were finished by 4pm which was great on the whole. Bridget and my boss had to drive extra and go through Trampa Friday rush hour traffic in the rain. The rain was so bad that three people were struck by lightning I found out later. Two by the beach and one where my aunt and uncle live. I was just miles near the site as I drove home. We suffer typical summer Trampa weather which is a horrible dose of rain and lightning for about an hour and then bright scorching sunshine the next. Bi-polar weather.

Cabal was happy to see me home early and to comfort him through the storm still raging on my side of the city. Fed him and later took him out when the sun shone before backtracking near the same area I just came from to go to Kathy and Jamie's house. Jeff, Tawnyia, Ant and Becca showed up, too. We ordered pizza in and later played Bowling on Nintendo Wii. What a blast! It was better than playing a board game and more physical, too. Gaming disguised as exercise. A rather devious concept if you ask me.

Kathy served some white cherries (or Rainier cherries) which were so sweet. I love love love them!



Kathy opened an interesting large bottle of Belgian beer flavored with raspberries that someone from work gave her. It tasted more like flavored wine mixed with club soda. I only had a shot size serving to taste though since I drove myself.



Here's Jamie instructing us on how to create our Mii's or our identities which we can use for all the games. Jamie is 5-foot, 5-inches and their ginormous 67-inch TV almost dwarfed him...as most things...or children. HA!




Went home late, but early enough to get some sleep. Potentially having a big day of activities tomorrow. I know my morning is booked from 4:30am until two hours after high noon. A big cup of java is in my future.

Wii, Madamemoiselle!

A Free Dollar

Didn't sleep well thanks to a few disturbing dreams during the night. Might have been the effects of Chinese food. My body was not used to all the oil. Took out Cabal before 4am and went back to sleep. Eventually woke up with a headache. What a great souvenir from the night.

Swallowed another pill of ibuprofen at work. The one from home didn't do the trick. Felt like I had a hangover, but didn't have a drop of alcohol the previous evening...

I would not have expected a guy from Ohio to reject a random act of kindness and that's what the little bugger did. He was a sales representative from our company and he was at the vending machine trying to buy some bottled sodas. He had a fiver he needed to break, but was not sure the machine would take it. He only had two singles and needed another one to buy enough for all the people he had offered a drink to in his meeting.

Being nice, I tried to give him a dollar for free. He wouldn't take it unless I told him my name and find out where I sat. I iterated he didn't have to pay me back at all. Mr. Ohio was determined. He then found me much later after lunch in my boss' office and gave me back my dollar. My boss razzed me about side jobs for a dollar. I don't even wanna know, he teased. If I did, it certainly wouldn't be for a buck that's for sure! (wink)

Ate some leftover Chinese at lunch with my chopsticks. There is something just magical about chopsticks. I keep a supply at my desk at work and a package at home. It makes meals more delicious somehow and makes dining more fun.

Kathy's boyfriend Jamie interviewed at our company today. His nickname from me is Rosemary's Baby or RMB. If he gets hired on, our Circle of Evil will be complete.

One of our old friends brought him around and I almost didn't recognize him in this get-up. He briefly showed me his iPhone. It was geeky sexy ! I suffered all afternoon from iPhone envy. I'll play with it more tomorrow and try out the new Wii gaming system at his house. Kathy is having a few of us over.


By the end of the day, I received additional responsibilities as a result of my boss leaving which was okay and will keep me busier plus provide some variety. That's the spirit, old gal.

Received a map for our off site vendor warehouse visit tomorrow afternoon. The site is closer to my home so I will be able to take care of Cabal before going to Kathy and Jamie's house tomorrow. Missing most of rush hour traffic through downtown Trampa will be wonderful!

Gave Tawny a ride home but we detoured for a Mexican dinner at Vallarta's. Too bad I was driving. I could have used a few cervezas to...uh...cleanse the palate, mind you. The past couple of days have made everything taste weird. That's my story.

A Free Dollar

Not Exactly Sure

Tried to not to borrow trouble by thinking negative. Not sure it worked, but I made it through the day even though our department meeting worked my nerve. The lines are blurred between our division and our North American division. There's a story that I am not quite savvy on either so won't go into it.

Worked much later to get 80 line items changed on a document which was joyful I am sure, but I just couldn't find the joy. Called my Chinese takeout joint while driving on the way home and picked up a variety of small orders off the menu. Dinner tonight was covered and lunches for the next couple days, too, until I can go to the grocery store this weekend.

Fell asleep from Chinese food coma until my cousin Angie called on her way home from work. She hasn't been having a good time of it either at work thanks to an IT project. Going to sleep relatively early (for me). Hope tomorrow is more reassuring. I am in desperate need of humor.

Not Exactly Sure

Dropping Like Flies

Everything seemed as it should be this morning. Received a few reassurances to such from the universe through little things. So why is it I am topsy-turvy after my boss informs our department of his resignation and giving of two week's notice this morning?

He just became my boss officially on January 1st. No one can blame him with all the changes going on in our company. He has a family of four to think of beyond us. When he told us his news, I felt like as if he had announced that he decided to start drinking flavored coffee. The other two were stunned, but I was cool as a cucumber outside, but felt a distant rumbling of Kiluea inside. I said my congratulations and well wishes and made him feel really good about his decision. He's a good man and he's been great to us.

The news spread like wildfire. Had to explain who would be our interim manager after my boss leaves. The secretary to the former CEO who resigned on Friday caught me in the ladies lounge and mentioned that she heard my boss was leaving. I replied that I at least had proper notice whereas she didn't. We talked about the North American Executive taking over his duties for the time being and hoped he would hire someone with his same friendly disposition compared to the late CEO's vapidness.

As the day wore on, I became worn, too. Why can't I be one of those lucky people whose lives never change? They have constancy in their job which engenders a feeling of security. On the other hand, it bids the question What the heck are THEY doing wrong that nothing changes? With me, every six months at work something changes. It has been that way for several years now. Sometimes the whole thing gets old. I would love for this part of my life to be more stable while I am busy working on fun personal projects...

Finally mailed Angie's digital camera back to her in Los Angeles during my lunch and paid a small fortune in postage. She was generous enough to let me borrow it for my UK trip and now she needs it this weekend. I have my own camera now and not have to use hers. Thanks, Angelita!

Posting this early so I can hibernate this evening or pretend to be one of those Victorian women who suffers from the vapors easily and rests on the sofa. I know it is a stretch. I can see outside that I have a storm to drive through to get home.

There is something to look forward to tomorrow. I received my special group invitation to get pictures taken for our new badges. The HR lady had the grace to give us ladies a day notice. Good thing because my hair is too long to do the no-coif look so tomorrow hairspray is my best friend again. That's something good, right? Ugh. Plain delusional or just pathetic?

Dropping Like Flies

Major Mundane Monday

Bought a breakfast croissant with egg and cheese this morning from our building's cafe. Jesus, the Latin guy behind the counter, greeted me with his usual mischievous smile then quickly frowned and asked me what I did to my hair. Okaaayyyy...wasn't expecting that at all.

I had parted my hair in the middle like a good Asian and left it alone without coiffing the top, but I curled the angled cut in the front towards me. I informed Jesus as much and he said he liked it and so did several other people in the office I soon found out. Blame Yummy for the change. He liked it yesterday and I thought I would go with it. Bangs are too long though, but those can be trimmed on Saturday when I get my hair done.

Tawny left for a Dr.'s appointment to see about the migraine she's had most of the weekend. The doc gave her meds that knocked out for three hours. She has been running herself ragged lately.

Received a drive-by IM from Yummy checking on me. He and his homeys roll like that (or boneys with his corpse monologues). He is a thug poet who's wit it, y'all!

Rush hour brought dark as Hades rain clouds. Luckily, I had over an hour before I headed out for the evening. It was still raining, but not as scary. I don't mind because I love the rain and storms. The rain gives me an excuse to have baking days. Sigh. Can almost smell vanilla.

The drive home was made more enjoyable thanks to a song like Europa by Gato Barbieri playing on the jazz station. Calm and relaxing. It was followed by Careless Whisper by George Michael, but I ignored it. I used to love that song, too.

Succumbed to a guilty pleasure tonight. I watched Victoria Beckam's (Posh Spice) reality show Coming to America. It chronicled Posh's three weeks alone in Los Angeles to get things settled before her super soccer star husband David and their sons come from Spain to live. It was amusing, but the hour was not enough. It skipped around too much especially around her using her favorite adjective major. Everything was major. In retrospect, she does look like a blow-up doll. Huh. Never thought of it until she demonstrated it for us. Now that was major!

Major Mundane Monday

I See Yummy People

Had the best morning since April 21st. Yummy and I, through the magic of webcam and Internet technology, were able to see each other in a live web feed. He hooked up his own webcam which is exactly like mine. There were several rebooting of our machines, more on his side. Between text messaging on our cell phones, instant messaging and readjusting skype settings, I think we now have our own Goldilocks settings that work for us without crashing our machines.

It was daylight his time and dark morning my time. There was a bit more of a delay it seemed, but the experience was Pure Heaven. Apparently, Yummy was suffering from a bit of a hangover and hadn't shaved yet, but he looked like his nickname, just yummy. I could go on and gush more, but I think he would kill me. Yummy asked me if I had make-up on at 5am. He was indeed correct. Didn't want his first live video to be startling even though he's seen me in person looking like a member of Total Hagdom.

We both were able to see each other's homes by panning our cameras around manually. Cabal got camera shy despite the fact that he is usually vying for my attention when I am talking to Yummy. He stayed long enough for Yummy to see him while I petted him. For us to see each other doing a simple thing like sipping tea was like a gift from the gods...

Decided against taking my goddaughter and her siblings to Harry Potter today and will wait until next Sunday for the crowd to die down a bit. I am all about maximizing my movie going experience for the enjoyment of the film.

Saw Yummy again in the evening, but the technical difficulties forced us back to regular skypee. I think I need to wear headphones next time to take out the extra audio echo which made me wait to respond. Difficulties or no, it was worth it. I simply had the best day!

I See Yummy People

Walk and Chew Gum

Played skypee with Yummy first thing this morning. We had some fun googling each other's city and following hybrid maps (satellite photos with regular street map labels) of where we live. I found out this week online via BBC that Brighton has been properly done on Google Maps. They showed a picture of the Palace Pier from a certain vantage point looking like a pendant dangling from the shoreline necklace in the English sea.

Getting to the part where I showed him which parking spot I usually occupy took a bit. We'd have to work on our giving directions and listening skills before we ever took a serious hiking trip together. It was a great exercise in communication. Knowing me, we'd have a handheld GPS unit with us. Why stress out?...Yummy said the nicest thing to me before we hung up, See you tomorrow. I can't wait! (AGOL smiling secretly.)

Two of my girlies, Kimmee and Kristey, joined me this morning in The Saturday Four. I just made that up. Tawny couldn't make it thanks to nasty and painful blisters she developed while walking with new sandals this week. The gals and I were able to shave off 15 minutes from our time which meant we walked four miles in one hour 15 minutes (18.75 mins./mi.). Yeah, baby!

I felt tremendous triumph that the heat and humidity didn't kill us too much. Stopped for a minute a few times so I could properly drink my water instead of trying to maneuver the water bottle while walking and chewing gum. Too afraid to choke on the gum. We hustled along the shared path while trying not to get run over by the Lance Armstrong wannabes on their bicycles.

In the afternoon, I picked up Tawny earlier than agreed upon to drop off something to her husband in the art studio downtown and then attended a Pampered Chef cooking show at Lisa's house. The consultant did not work my nerve as they usually do. She was very upbeat and funny as she quickly demonstrated the products while preparing two dishes for us to eat later. We saw Jill there, too, with her mom and daughter. It was a very entertaining afternoon for the ladies.

I've been reading more of The Essence of Style by Joan DeJean which is her account of attributing the culture of high luxury living to the French, more specifically Louis XIV. Just this morning on public television, I was reminded that the neckties were initially invented in Croatia, but it was the French who elevated it to new heights of fashion. The French seem to take almost hedonistic pleasure in food and fashion. Certainly no one can fault them for their joie de vivre.

Walk and Chew Gum

Ice Cream Social

One of the first things that greeted me was the announcement of our CEO's resignation which was short and to the point. My thinking is that it was not an option for him and more of a saving of face. We had another announcement earlier in the week of a high-level executive leaving, but she was staying on until her replacement was trained. Of course, a new unflattering article in Forbes magazine about his questionable activities from a previous company made the decision moot, I guess. No wonder he said nothing to me as he skulked down the stairs yesterday.

Despite the corporate announcement, my department had a great time talking in the morning. We were genuinely filled with mirth. I came to the conclusion that I could really be friends with my boss and Bridget. It gave me warm fuzzies inside. I regaled them with descriptions of the ghoulish anticipation and greed people in our building exhibit when there is an ice cream social because we were having one this afternoon. People act like freakos when there is something given away for free. Why is that?

Every year our building throws a catered ice cream social in the summer and a catered lunch at Christmas as a thank you to all the tenants . All the tenants get to rub elbows among each other. What is amazing is that we have three main elevators for six floors and they all have a five minute wait and are jam-packed with people during this time. The employees mill around and queue up like ants for the goodie buffet. Bridget and I contemplated repelling with rope from the inner balcony down to the goodies a la Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.

After eating our serving of vanilla ice cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate and sprinkles (nonpareils) plus mini squares of brownies and cookies, we all suffered an afternoon slump from the initial sugar high. Talk about food coma!

Thought about Yummy and worried about him and his recent migraines. Mentioned as much to Tawny and Bridget even though he reassured me he was feeling better today. I don't think men, in general, get how we women worry, but they do seem to care when we don't. No chance of that here; too much of a worry wart. Sigh.

Researched invoices in the afternoon and brainstormed for Project AGOL when it struck me. I continued the brainstorming in the evening by storyboarding videos I will be producing with my new webcam, digital camera, toothpicks, school glue and glitter. Working with a shoestring budget of no film crew, no set and no proper filming equipment. Filipino ingenuity dictates that we can build the Empire State Building out of toothpicks so this should be cake. I enjoy a challenge.

Ice Cream Social

Rain Brings Potluck

Bit of a switcharoo in weather today. It rained in the morning instead of the afternoon. Boy that felt just marvy! A girl who rode with me in the garage elevator commented in disgust on the humidity, "Great! My trousers are sticking to me. It's not worth putting on make-up this morning". My swift reply? "I don't know about that." AGOL Rule #2: It is always worth putting make-up on if not to finish dressing properly.

Work kept me steadily busy all day in between conversations with Bridget. She is so funny with her non-sugarcoated views on things and right now her live-in boyfriend is in the dog house. He asked her to get an outside activity as in a hobby of sorts. She chose roller derby and she practices two nights a week and some Saturday mornings. Now he's jealous of the time she spends at her new activity. Jeez.

While Tawny was in Iowa visiting her parents, she used a portion of the time to scan childhood pictures. Today she showed me the results in a PowerPoint presentation. Here's one of her with her famous curls. All her mom had to do was twist the hair, no curlers!



Tried calling Myrna on the way home to see if she wanted to have dinner with me. Her phone was busy. It turned out that she was trying to call me to ask the same thing. We met later across the road for a country-style dinner and some laughs using overexaggerated stories as we caught up on things.

I walked in the door ready to make up my time away from Cabal when my cousin Angie called. She was making her way home around Los Angeles.

In our relationship, it is usually me who comes up with odd and surprising tidbits. Unprepared, she sprung this question on me, "Did you know you can buy a scope that lets you see inside your own ear?" A whhaaaaat? The more she explained, this time bringing the Japanese into it, the deeper in laughter I sunk. Then she started to laugh because I was laughing.

Through her research, she found out that in Japan, they have salons where people can get their ears cleaned with an earspoon. What kind of wax build-up do these peeps get? This is what amazed my silly cousin: earscope tv. The page includes a youtube video demo of this Japanese tool for in-home use so you don't have to go to the salon. The best part is you can use it in your other orifices...or someone else's!

Rain Brings Potluck

A Wednesday Welcomed

At 4:30am, Cabal didn't want to go outside. Humidity was so high, poor doggie thought it was raining. Just kidding. It was actually me who didn't want to go outside because I was afraid of frizzing my hair, but then in my sleepy stupor I remembered, I hadn't done my hair yet. Doh.

Received an offline note at home from Yummy that he did receive my cards. Yep, my mail was not a priority during the Royal Post's strike. They just don't know the AGOL exists yet. Good news for the Royal Post, they are on the Temporary AGOL Wrath Reprieve List. Grrr.

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) was on the news this morning. May I say (on behalf of my cousin's twin daughters - ha!) that he is just a charming cutie. He was full of energy, very funny and a cool kid. I hope his star continues to rise and he doesn't end up a jaded jerk too soon. Printed the movie schedule for Sunday just in case I take the girlies to see his new movie this weekend.

With hair shellacked for maximum hold, I drove almost singing to work. The dew point was so high in Trampa that a rainbow could be seen against the blue sky as pictured below from the highway. Don't be alarmed, the traffic in the opposite direction stopped when they saw me taking blind shots from my car.



Had the strangest IM conversation with Tawny this morning. She was up very early from interstate driving yesterday. She said there was no rest for the wicked. I asked her what she was doing the rest of week since they were home early from vacation. Didn't hear from her.

Imagine my surprise when the witch conjured herself up at my desk minutes later. Oh my gosh! I didn't know she was coming back to work today! She swore up and down that she told me. I think I would've recalled how long I was to suffer lunches with intellectual pygmies (description borrowed from Yummy). Lunch was fun again. Hooray.

The rest of the workday zoomed by nicely while the evening was relaxing with television and loud laughs thanks to Last Comic Standing. It was a good day for AGOL.

A Wednesday Welcomed

Tuesday Twang

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

Wondering if Mark Twain would still feel the same if he had to sift through the 21st Century BS. I have a great feeling that none of it would phase him. It would make him that much more determined to throw off the bowlines. After all, he was born in the Show Me* State, Missouri, where they don't believe it unless they see it.

On an odd note, Twain had a link to the Philippines in which he wrote Incident in the Philippines. His words were a part of his group's campaign in the opposition of the U.S. annexation of the Philippines. How's that for six-degrees to history?

Meanwhile, Yummy received another funny video e-mail from me. Instead of an alien, he received a cheery theme that starts out with me sporting a demented British accent. Poor bloke probably cringed as I cringe when he says things with an American accent. I don't mind showing my goofy side -- actually, I thought it was a rather cute clip. He needs an example of what not to do when you get a new webcam. Ha!

Updated with original video sent to Yummy thanks to new blogger gizmo. I should be embarrassed to post this, but I don't mind because it was real and there is beauty in truth:



Truth be told, my proficiency in creating the content and working with the technology are holding promises and possibilities for Project AGOL. I must set a deadline for myself to get those mini vids recorded and up on youtube rather sooner than later...

Worked steadily throughout the day and the mood at work was much improved as well. Maybe it was my mood now that I think about it.

Tawny couldn't stay away from e-mailing work peeps via her crackberry phone while they drove down the Southern States. She and her husband should be home late tonight. I believe she mentioned that by the time they get home from two weeks of vacation on the road, they will have driven through 18 States and racked up 8,400 miles. How many oil changes did that include?

Talked to Kristey on the way home. For some reason trying to write her during work hours is challenging. I was glad I caught up with her. She might meet us gals for walking on Saturday morning, but no promises. Keeping my fingers crossed. That would make four of us braving the heat and humidity.

Brought my lunch today and didn't eat all of it so I found myself craving some Southern fried chicken for dinner. The same fried chicken I denied myself on the 4th of July. I caved in and was satisfied. Will have to drink a vat full of water to counteract the sodium. Uh, make that two vats for the other serving I will be having for lunch tomorrow. Good lawd.

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*Show Me slogan wasn't coined and popularized until the last 13 years of Mark Twain's life.

Tuesday Twang

Depressed Mail

The first thing I heard this morning at work was my boss getting to work and realizing that he forgot his laptop at home. That was probably at least another hour round trip. I knew then it would be hellish Monday.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened. That was the problem. Poking my eyes at a steady beat with my mouse would've been more interesting, I'm sure. My mind was restless all day looking for new stimuli. Boredom can't be good.

It's Tawny's fault. She is still on vacation. She tortured me through the day with her progress across the States. They stopped in Hershey, Pennsylvania and she had the nerve to tell me that being in chocolate town was her idea of yummy. What do you think she was trying to say?

I found the update on Royal Mail in the UK. Yummy told me about this strike on Saturday when I asked why it was taking so long for him to get my card. He explained how Royal Mail's monopoly on the mail had been deregulated and now they have to cut the workers wages to keep from going under. It all just sucks Margaret Thatcher stamps.

They are messing with my mail to Yummy, darn it. It's almost like getting mail in Chicago or dare I say it -- getting mail at Tawny's house! If you only knew how many pieces of mail I have sent and then been Returned to Sender or just plain lost. She just lives across town! Yes, a Tawny retaliation is expected.

Not so surprising, the CDC has confirmed that antidepressants are the number prescribed drugs in the U.S. How come still the sour puss on my fellow Americans? Wrong dosage? All I need is chocolate and ice cream. Quick fixes and I don't need a prescription. The side effects are weighty but can be manageable.

Spent the evening on a cheerful project. The techniques can also be used on Project AGOL which makes me very pleased. I can't wait to employ them again on a more public project. Time got away from me I was having too much fun to eat dinner. Ate a small bowl of cereal just moments before this update.

Depressed Mail

Sedation by Heat

Spent part of the day reading pages of online content. Had this insatiable thirst to fill my mind with information. I get that way sometimes. I figure that if I consume enough information, I can use it to problem solve or to generate ideas. Right now I am brainstorming for Project AGOL.

Aside from taking my Pretty Boy Dog out a few times, I made it to my nail salon later in the afternoon where it was quiet thanks to the killer heat outside. The heat reflecting on the pavement is just unbearable. I forgot to park in the shade again so I was a roasting AGOL. The manager was trying to upsell me on more services, but I was having none of it. Didn't feel like being pampered today. My mind was too active for any kind of relaxation.

Talked to Yummy for almost an hour soon after my girly ritual. He was all yawny which made him a Yawny Yummy! Okay, bad joke, stop groaning. Entertainment was slim pickins today. I wanted to yawn, too, from being in the heat. It just takes the vinegar out of you.

I like that Yummy is man enough to cry at movies. He was watching The Color Purple. I cry at TV advertisements, but then again I cry when I am having a bad hair day...more like whine, actually. Poor thing has been bracing himself for an ugly two months of working full-time with balls to the wall. (Pardon the rather if not appropriate graphic description.) You'll have to get the lowdown on his blog.

Chatted with Angie earlier today. There was a situation yesterday right before I got home that didn't make me too proud of myself as far as showing a touch of human kindness. She said that I would know for the next time.

I mentioned it to Yummy, too, and he said that there was probably something that was stopping me for a good reason and that otherwise, I would have done what I wanted to do. All these words from both made me feel better about it. I guess you can't always help everyone no matter what your morals dictate. A higher power protects us from harm when our own overgenerous nature wants to take over...

Read this interesting bit on Table Card Readers. America is slow on the uptake sometimes. I saw this in action while I was visiting Yummy. It is an efficient way of paying your restaurant bill and doesn't make you wait for ages before your server returns. On to more reading!

Sedation by Heat

Call of the Mall

With a bowl of Cheerios in hand, I talked with Yummy at the usual 5am mine/10am his time. He was experiencing a rather remarkable phenomenon called full sunshine. It's funny to think of it while I live in the Sunshine State.

Two hours later, I scurried like a bunny to meet Kimmee for our walk. We walked for four miles in the same amount of time as last except for that we walked in high dew point in 82-degree heat. It was oppressive. I drank one bottled water right before the walk and finished the two I took with me. My clothes were drenched. The heat and humidity really kicked our butt today. At least we finished without dying or having to be picked up by the park ranger.

Sweaty and red-faced, I turned up my car's air conditioning and rushed home for a shower and a change for my lunch with Jill at the Cheesecake Factory. We were in tropical cocktail heaven just before noon. I ordered my usual Baja Chicken Tacos and she had the Luau Salad, followed by us splitting a slice of Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake. We walked for a couple of hours around the mall to try burning some calories when we weren't ooh'ing and aah'ing over goodies like clothes, make-up and furniture.

It was four o'clock when we parted ways in the parking lot. We had a great time catching up and laughing. I was grateful for a two-hour nap when I got home. Only had three hours sleep the night before. Watched a melange of British sitcoms on public television such as Are You Being Served?, Keeping Up Appearances, As Time Goes By, The Vicar of Dibley, Fawlty Towers and Dr. Who before bed. A full day of laughing -- my favorite!

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This falls under the heading of WTF?: A Lulu of a Loo. I am not saying anything, I just saying.

Call of the Mall

Just a Touch

Getting to be Groundhog Day again. It was Sunday, right? Ugh. A bit of a rude awakening when I realized it wasn't. Maybe I should have taken the last two days off just to avoid the confusion. My co-worker Bridget had the same problem. She forgot to set her alarm clock because she thought it was the weekend. Racing around trying to get she and her son ready proved quite a feat this morning. Luckily, tomorrow IS the weekend.

Jill was supposed to meet me for lunch, but her revised schedule didn't permit it so we agreed to have lunch tomorrow instead. I was looking forward to going to the Cheesecake Factory for some Baja Chicken Tacos. Had to settle for something else from the cafe downstairs. Ooh, gourmet! :::gag::: Still enjoyed the hour though with Lisa laughing at ourselves.

My boss encouraged me to go home early again today, but I didn't leave too early. I'd rather miss the traffic. Went to the store for sundry items and Cabal's treats. Dare I go home without my beast's treats? Try saying that a few times...

As an AGOL, it takes me a bit to get ready in the morning. I have this unnatural obsession with making sure my hair and make-up are perfect. I've been wearing make-up since I was 12 so you can imagine how attentive I am to every detail. My stint as a make-up artist was a natural move. I subscribed to Cosmopolitan magazine (when it was still good) at 15. It was when Cindy Crawford, Paulina Porizkova and Christy Turlington made multiple covers. Back then I didn't understand the practice of airbrushing or retouching.

Spent some time examining the before and after pictures of the links on this page: Digital Retouching. I was morbidly fascinated by each shot. My gosh! No wonder why we have a distorted view of women. They are not real either. They are a digital best of themselves! Trust me...I invite you to check them all out. It is incredible. If there are holes in your hairstyle, unwanted hair, blemishes, etc., it can be taken out. Your body can be shrunk and stretched to appeal to the target audience.

Perusing the pages almost made me sick. Here I have been spending hundred of hours over the years emulating the glamorous look of the magazines and may I say that I do fairly well. (Check out my AGOL pic on this page. That was taken by me in my bathroom using a cellphone camera.) All I've really needed was a digital retouch artist. How come no one told me this sooner?

Gone so far as modifying my behavior to not rub or touch my eyes and even eating in such a manner where most of my lipstick stays on after a meal. I've been accused of having my lips tattooed. I just cut everything up...even sandwiches and chicken wings.

My hair? Don't get me started. Every strand is accounted for and sprayed or styled in place. Do you take a mirror and look at the back of your hair and make sure it looks decent from the back? I do. Ah, yes, Yummy knows all about this and respects me enough to let me be freakish. He's the only one allowed to mess up my hair, but even he's a little afraid. Tawny's hubby Jeff equates my getting ready time to Japanese tea ceremony. Maybe just a touch.

I know this sounds very extreme and over the top. And it is. It is a craft and I am committed to it. A little madness keeps me going or was that a little mascara? Ha!

Just a Touch

Indian Spices

The day after a holiday in the middle of the week just sucks. Plain and simple. In my mind, I was thinking it was the weekend or another Monday. It took a few minutes to reorient my internal timeline. Um, how is that accomplished exactly?

Resolved issues and organized things at work. Snoresville. I am afraid that if I have too much fun at work, they'll start charging me for admission. The entertainment factor is low at the moment so there is no chance of that happening. Better chance of me getting my acrylic nails taken off. Now that's funny...

CNN.com had this disturbing article on Indian Hindu widows and how they are ostracized by their families and forced to live like pariahs for the rest of their days. Most make the traditional pilgrimage to the holy city of Vrindavan. They cannot remarry and are considered financial burdens and not worth anything. Their heads are shorn bald, forced to wear white, live without dignity by begging and living in the streets, essentially waiting to die. What kind of society still subscribes to such a barbaric tradition while progressing with bullet speed towards technology?

Kathy and I had already planned last week to eat at The Taj tonight for some Indian fare. There were a few bites of my Matak Paneer where I thought of those wives who helped create the exotic taste of the dish I was enjoying. Did they end up making the journey to Vrindavan? I'd like to think not. I said a silent thank you for the women who help shape the meal I was eating. Women whose ingenuity in mixing the spices resulted in the complex and exciting taste of India.

Indian Spices

Yankee Doodle AGOL

Happy Fourth of July!

Woke up normal time thanks to Cabal and sent Yummy his surprise. I told him he would receive it via e-mail at 10am his time. My e-mail contained a video of me I made using my new webcam. Get your mind outta the gutter. There is only room for mine.

Anyhoo, with this brand, they have avatars that you can calibrate to your face so that it can mimic your facial expressions as you speak and other cool accessories to superimpose on your face. I chose a green alien with a planet in the background and then giggled my way through the rest of the recording with other visual effects. It was quite hilarious. Yummy enjoyed it and we discussed it more during our IM chat in the afternoon. I told him my plan of using it for Project AGOL. We'll see how it goes.

Updated with the original video thanks to new blogger feature:



Received some holiday text wishes from Tawny and Kathy which always cracks me up. I used to be big on celebrating the 4th of July. Sometimes I would go to two events in one day. Now, well, now it is in the middle of the week which is awkward and I can't leave Cabal to watch fireworks. The blasts going off around the neighborhood bother him too much.

Thinking about Independence Day makes me think of my own citizenship. In April 1984, I became a US citizen. I didn't understand the whole thing when I took my oath at 12 years of age, but I have learned to respect the privilege...

Today also makes me remember celebrating the Bicentennial (1976!) in the Philippines. I remember being with my mom on the Air Force Base watching the fireworks display while sitting in the bleachers of a football field. Looking up in the black sky, pyrotechnic chrysanthemums exploded in the air one by one. I would imagine them as gifts raining down from the sky. I can even recall the commemorative white t-shirt with American emblems on it.

Spent the evening watching TV and comforting Cabal during the fireworks in the neighborhood. He really doesn't like hearing the explosions. Poor pup. Wherever I went he was a step behind me. Oh man! I just remembered I have an American flag bandanna for him. He would've been so cute with it around his neck! Sigh. Guess we'll have to settle for him being naturally cute. He's got enough cute to go around.

Yankee Doodle AGOL

A Quick Day

Rushed around this morning to get ready early so I would have quality time to fiddle with my new laptop accessory before work. Tell you more about that tomorrow. Let's just say it was frustrating but I was laughing a lot. It is being used as a surprise for Yummy.

Tried to make busy today. It is hard to get motivated the day before a holiday. Some people were making it a five-day weekend starting tomorrow. Not me, I am a full-fledged dedicated employee who doesn't believe in that sort. Yeah, you just keep on believing that bit. My boss ordered us to go home early to get a head start on the holiday.

IM'ed with Yummy when I got home. They are having some serious storms over there. Wow! He sent me this link for the storm which has a wicked picture in it. He has one on his blog that he took which is just as wicked. Trampa is just having some rain with occasional thunder and lightning.

Worked again on my Yummy surprise after IM'ing him. This time it was really funny. Yes, you have to wait for me to tell you about it. I know it sucks, but sometimes that's the way the cookie crumbles. You think you're getting a big cookie and end up with crumbs. That's AGOL life lesson #1.

A Quick Day

Oodles of Googles

Google can turn anyone into an Attention-Ho and that includes me! For someone who avoids attention, I sure am heading into it. Look what I discovered when I googled Sarah Sprinkles:



The results startled me. I wasn't expecting a picture of my youtube entry. Once I got over the shock, I thought it was really neat. So what does an Attention-Ho do? IM her buddies and ask them to google her. Yup. My friends were good sports and loved it.

Work kept me busy today especially when Bridget was out most of the day and worked from home so she could take care of her son. My boss was occupied as well and didn't demand a lot. It was a good day to be at work. Busy with not a whole lot of demands.

Tawny IM'ed me and told me that she "swirled, tapped and buffed" her mother with the BareMinerals make-up. I haven't heard those words in a while. I love the make-up and have not regretted my switch to it at all.

Most of my evening at home was spent troubleshooting something on my computer that I installed. I read page after page of possible errors and solutions on their online forum and found one plausible answer. It actually worked! Let's see if it sticks. I'll let you know later. Sometimes being geeky pays off. Just ask Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.


Leaving you with a joke I made up this morning as I was making my hot tea:

Q - What did Earl Grey say to Jasmine when he was courting her?
A - Don't be Chai, dear!

Oodles of Googles

This and That

Started my day talking to a hungover Yummy at dark-thirty. Yummy spent Saturday with his best mate Anton for a wet trudge on another dragon walk in the rain. They were trying a different path on one leg of their last trek. While the cat's away, the mice are at play. Anton's wife and their kiddies were out of town. The boys spent the evening doing a pub crawl chasing a rockabilly band.

Rockabilly is not a word I ever expected Yummy to say since he is such a heathen for not liking Elvis Presley. Dude, he is The King! I proudly display an Elvis magnet on my fridge. You're not even allowed to be any kind of Filipino without liking Elvis...

Angie called me back from yesterday. She was at the Hollywood Bowl last night watching an audience participation viewing of The Sound of Music. I've been to two of these here in the downtown Tampa Theatre. The Hollywood Bowl has a summer offering of a variety of events during the summer weekends. Sigh. I wish Tampa had more culture besides redneck. Yes, I know, just because Tampanians know more about Oprah than opera doesn't mean anything.

Shopped around town for a couple of hours. People watching yields a fair amount of knowledge on the public's degeneration. A woman was screeching at her boyfriend in the parking lot and another woman was yelling at her little boy nearby for something stupid. Did I mention I was at Wal-mart? Believe me, it doesn't matter if you're at the nicest one in town.

Talked to Yummy again who got some sea air during his neighborhood walk tonight. Living more northerly in the world (UK) makes for some interesting sunsets. He said that there was still light at 9:20pm. I remember in early May when I was visiting him how light it was at 5am.

Left Dianne a voicemail on her cell for good luck wishes on starting her new job tomorrow and reminding her how cool she is and how everyone will just love her. Can't wait to hear about her first day. She won't be totally among strangers. Two of our former co-workers are employed there, too and that is the reason why you don't tick anyone off professionally. You just never know.

Watched some TV before making it an early night. Matt Lauer from NBC's Today Show was prefacing Princess Diana's remembrance concert at Wembley Stadium, given by her sons tonight, with a reprise of his interview with them. Her favorite band, Duran Duran, was playing and at one time they were also my favorite.

I think Diana would have been proud of her sons. They seemed like regular guys who are very much aware how privileged they are in their upbringing and how normal they are not. It was comforting to me for some reason.

This and That