Interview with an AGOL

Fog greeted me at 4:30 this morning when I walked my dog. I haven't been listening to the news at night for the weather forecast so the mist came as a surprise...

Arrived at work earlier to get breakfast downstairs to eat at my desk while I reviewed information for my second interview. Boss was surprised to see me upon his arrival and Bridget, too. He allowed me out of vendor a meeting this morning so I could have my second interview. I'm lucky he's generous.

With my corporate logo stamped notebook, pages of printed info and my cell phone, I sat in my car and waited for the call. Using my car as a private office was much easier and was able to focus more. The phone rang and I began to detail what I had learned since my first interview on servers and related architecture. Almost gave myself a headache trying to make the technical terms flow easily from my mouth. She was more impressed with me and my gumption, as she calls it. She like that I used my resources to learn in an efficient and unique way. The subject of relocation came up, but I tried to get a compromise of splitting my time between here and Atlanta, Georgia. I still have another set of interviews with two other people prior to my being flown for the final interview with the Big Kahuna (CIO). So far, so good. Wish me luck on the next set!

Remember my buddy Dan and the angel tree from yesterday? He's done very well for himself and today he finally showed me his most recent acquisition (about three years ago). It is a special edition Dodge Viper. It was previously owned and to date has less than 7000 miles on the odometer. The guy who sold it to him didn't realize what a collector's item he had because Dan got it for a very reasonable price. Bridget and I ogled it for several minutes and almost died of sexiness when we sat in it. I was on driver's side and she was on the passenger side...Bridget needs to see his 1969 Chevelle Super Sport, too. That is a beautiful car.

Vroom! Vroom!


This special ACR (American Car Racing) edition has leveler tubes installed next to the headlights for perfect balancing. Can you believe this?


Dan and I will be meeting up tomorrow at 9am to buy five different girls of ages from 1 to 16 most of their wish list. He's a brave soul to take me shopping. This should be a fun activity and for a moment make me forget how much I despise the holiday. Yep, we'd better go early.

Worked late and called Myrna on the way home. Teased her about missing out on Myrna Minutes because her mother had been visiting for two weeks. She picked me up later for dinner. I was so tired and tried to perk up with four cups of coffee during our meal. Nope. I was asleep soon after I got home. Sad.
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Interview with an AGOL

Necessary Evils and Darling Angels

Necessary evils. That's what some vendors are to me. My nemesis vendor from September met me and my boss at our other building down the road. Luckily for all, he brought two smart reinforcements. The meeting went well and I had new eye candy during the meeting. I know - it is shameless, but he was about 6'3", early 40's, professional, had this sexy deep voice, charisma, held eye contact and knew his stuff well. Can't tell you how that combo is rare...but I digress.

Met my second homework buddy in one of the conference rooms where we spent the next hour and a half discussing server architecture. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. I was very thankful for the lesson and he was impressed by my booking a conference room so he could explain things on the whiteboard and by the kinds of questions I was asking. I only hope it pays off.

My long-time friend Dan stopped by my desk and asked, Play Santa? Huh? He then explained about the Angel Tree in the reception area. Oh, yeah - now I remember! Our company is participating in buying gifts on behalf of the Safe Child Coalition for children in the state foster care system. A tree is decorated with stars bearing the child's name, age and their Christmas wish list.

Let me backtrack about nine Christmases where Dan and I worked together in a different company...Back then I had a serious chip on my shoulder and I was very broke that season while Dan waited until he had 6-8 live paychecks before depositing them into the bank. He was a different man at the time and less aware and took pride in his not having to work paycheck to paycheck. I was angry, resentful and gave him a tongue-lashing about generosity. I told him that if I had his fluidity, I would take every goddamn angel off the lobby tree and buy all the kids gifts so they could have a good Christmas. It was not nice, but he needed a dose of reality. Poor Dan, I've been his second conscience for about 10 years.

You remembered that? I asked. Yes, he replied. Why? He gestured to his heart and said, Because it got me right here. Oh, God. I felt shamed by my temper nine years ago. Before I could digest it, he wanted to make arrangements to get several stars and for me to help him shop, but he would pay for everything. How could I say no? I told him we would firm up plans tomorrow for this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the rest of the afternoon was bust because our financial application was down for a few hours. I left early to meet Kristey after work at the mall. When I got home, I was so tired but felt the pressure to study for my morning interview before calling an early evening. Whatever it takes, I guess..
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Necessary Evils and Darling Angels

Homework Assignment

Humbugging aside, I have been feeling better in the last few days about things. A confidence regained, if you will. I had an impromptu interview this morning with the hiring manager which benefited from this new wave of AGOL magic. It was her last day in town; she was my audience during my demo on Monday.

I was a little nervous while I listened to her explain that she wants a candidate to have 2 out of 3 major things. The third being something she would train someone to do. We spoke at length; there was no tension on my part even when she emphasized how this was a senior position. I explained my situation at work and how it had been chaotic in the last year and a half with changing personnel and responsibilities as well as my concerns about her requirements. The e-mail I sent last night was my first show of interest in the position.

For some strange reason, I had not submitted my resume prior to this even though I blogged about the intention 2-3 weeks ago. My information was updated and ready to go, but I just hung back. I am glad I did because I don't think I would have exhibited the same confidence two weeks ago in an interview. This lady liked that I am a go-getter with a lot of energy and the fact I am resourceful and fly-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of person. I genuinely smiled a lot, too.

At the end of the interview, she said that she had two candidates in mind but was willing to think about me in the next couple days. She wanted me to arrange a meeting with her on Friday via phone so I can tell her what I have learned. I am to learn in two days more about servers and network architecture, etc. I had a homework assignment! I have, of course, employed my informational sources for direction on getting the high-level portion of the technical side. She also asked me if I wanted to move to another state other than Florida. Been told that part was not a deal breaker for the right candidate. She has other people working remotely from her across the country. We'll see...

I made two appointments with two IT guys right after lunch for crash courses on my homework assignment. One was a very fun and hands on teaching session with Ant in the server room at 4pm this afternoon and tomorrow will be for the network architecture portion in a conference room. A third meeting request was sent to the hiring manager for a Friday call aka AGOL's Second Interview. Yippee!

Stayed at work later than intended because I was caught in between a vendor and the other purchasing department for our external customers. Spent some time, too, researching some of the sites my friend Kathy referred me to on IM relating to my homework assignment.

While searching mind candy for a mental break like reading blogs, I got onto Wikipedia for other stuff. Something made me check MEBFKAY's wiki entry and it had a flag for it to be deleted because it hadn't been updated with proof that he was ever published (IE citations of publications, etc.). I begged him a few times for info to update it; he just couldn't be bothered to gather what was needed, I guess. Well...it was flagged to be deleted today so not sure if he will be able to save it tomorrow when he wakes up. I sent him an e-mail and a screen shot showing the notation from Wikipedia. I just didn't want him to think that I would delete it myself. I am playfully evil, but I am not malicious nor do I have reason to be. I created the entry when we were together and just because we're not is no reason to be ugly...Karma, remember? Besides, he's got a lot of free time to update it right now.

Caught up with Kathy on the way home. AGOL Tip: If you want to have my undivided attention, talk to me while I drive home. It is my focused time to catch up on calls...Evening was spent with routine stuff and lots of reading for my homework assignment. Trying to get an advanced preview of my meeting tomorrow. My brain is welcoming the technical challenge.
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Homework Assignment

Profoundly Joey

Another busy day at the salt mines with a stop to have lunch with Tawny and trolling the mall. We stopped at a candle store and a fine card shop. Came back to find a slice of rum cake treat from my boss brought from his favorite deli. What a nice surprise! Bridget got one, too, of course...

Joey works on the help desk and is a good friend of mine. He helps me work stuff out whether it is one of my machines or me! His wife is a very lucky woman to have married such a profound man. The following chronicles an IM conversation we had during the afternoon:

SarahAGOL: boo
joeyemdeon: ahhhh!
SarahAGOL: funny
SarahAGOL: how are you?
Joey: not too bad, still have a stiff neck, but alive and well
Joey: you?
SarahAGOL: i am okay...just busy but overall feel good
SarahAGOL: maybe i did need the time off
SarahAGOL: ...more than i thought
Joey: good, I think we all need time off every now and then
SarahAGOL: i tend not to take any off unless i actually have a plan. i didn't have any plans this time around
Joey: plans are overrated
SarahAGOL: yeah...but i feel like a loser for not having any
Joey: we're all going to die unplanned... so why plan all of our time waiting to die?
SarahAGOL: ha
SarahAGOL: i don't know...
SarahAGOL: right now it is the 27 of Nov and i don't know how i got here
Joey: go with the flow, live for the moment, whatever other cheesy cliche you might be fond of =P
SarahAGOL: okay...Buddha
SarahAGOL: LOL
Joey: ha
Joey: far from it
SarahAGOL: you need a few pounds
Joey: but seriously... plans are overrated
Joey: some of the most fun is not knowing what you are doing or how you got there
SarahAGOL: you know...the first 32 years...i was so plan driven and now i don't have any
Joey: and not talking about waking up in a strange house next to someone you don't know...
Joey: although that could be fun too I suppose
SarahAGOL: i get that joey, but sometimes i'd like a hand in my adventure...or pretend i do
Joey: if it is planned, it isn't an adventure
SarahAGOL: i will be 37 (gulp!) in January and i feel time ticking...
SarahAGOL: i just read the last bit you wrote...rather profound
Joey: hey, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while
SarahAGOL: OMG
SarahAGOL: LOL
Joey: (he's also the one you see on the side of the road clutching said nut while squished to the pavement)
SarahAGOL: oh good god
SarahAGOL: i feel ripe for a bigger adventure
Joey: sounds like you could use a good trip
Joey: the kind where you have an open ended ticket
SarahAGOL: psychotropic drugs?
Joey: and a eurorail pass
SarahAGOL: YES!!!
Joey: when you are either done, broke, tired or all of the above, you come home
SarahAGOL: sounds fun already
Joey: no plans, just go with the flow and submerse yourself in the culture
SarahAGOL: that sounds marvy
Joey: live it, breathe it and let it take you where it wants you to go
SarahAGOL: okay...how do i get there?
Joey: travelocity.com
Joey: =P

The rest of the workday was fast and furious. Spoke with Jill on my way home who survived the holiday and is deep in her new job. We're getting together in January for our birthdays... E-mailed something belatedly at work. Yes, I logged in at almost 10pm to do it, but it couldn't wait.

...In the back of mind, the echo of Joey's words: If it is planned, it isn't an adventure.
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Profoundly Joey

Inner Smile

For the love of God and all that is holy! Must Christmas music ALREADY be part of the rotation on more than one radio station? I thought I heard Engelbert Humperdinck singing a song and another one was Air Supply? Say it isn't so. I forced myself to listen to one station with the seasonal music and also sing along. Masochist AGOL...Remarkably, I was arrived in a good mood despite my morning soundtrack on the drive in. Maybe it was my earlier preemptive strike for the day...?

I had this song Inner Smile by a band called Texas looping the movie theme from Bend It Like Beckham while I got ready. (Video independent of the movie.):



Greeted a still stuffy-sounding Bridget who was getting over a cold from last week, possibly remnants from jello wrestling in cooler weather over a week ago. Poor thing. We spent an hour catching up on our Thanksgiving holidays and work. My boss was surprised to see me; he forgot I decided to come in today for the demo. I wanted to give it in case any information might slip through.

Today, a manager from our North American division was visiting and a portion of that visit was with my procurement group. A part of her morning was sitting with my temp and the rest of the afternoon was with Bridget, my boss and me. I suggested to my boss that we reserve a conference room containing a projector that way we could have more room as opposed to congregating at my desk. The previous occupants were late in getting out so we had to wait about 10 minutes outside the conference room. My temp was not invited to come to this meeting and yet she invited herself to see mine and Bridget's part of it after she saw us standing/waiting to get in. Her extreme audacity was phenomenal. She was lucky because Bridget wanted to crush her for it, but held back. I made sure once we got inside who was running the show. Me.

In most groups, I am the alpha female. It is not something I ask for, it just happens with the exception of cases like this where I was demonstrating our buying process. I was dressed for assertion and command of the board. I started out giving a brief overview of what my temp was supposed to cover. She doesn't necessarily understand the why's of some of the stuff she does, but I made sure to cover it. The visiting manager let me know my boundaries as far as over-explaining some things which was fine. I acknowledged the check and moved on.

My boss thanked me afterwards for the two-hour demo because he still doesn't know all of it either since he's been very busy putting out fires at a higher level. The visiting manager came to me personally and thanked me, too. She was by my desk for about 20-30 minutes talking. I knew she liked me because she made sure to explain other things to me. She wanted me to buy in to her as a team member and as a person. So far, so good.

I was exhausted and didn't have the heart to go through the ridiculous amounts of e-mails. Needed a fresh start tomorrow...Chatted with Lisa on my way home. Chastised her for seeing pictures of her babies on Tawny's desk where I didn't receive any. She knew she needed to call me earlier and let me know that I was getting some, too, but she was training someone. Her kids are so cute!...More Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner and a riveting episode of Heroes followed by an unintended nap. :: yawning :: Now blogging to wind down.
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Inner Smile

LQ: Love and Sleep

Love said, 'Lie still and think of me'. Sleep said, 'Close your eyes till break of day'. But Dreams came by, and smilingly gave both to Love and Sleep their way.

-- Sara Teasdale


...It is 12:33am and I am supposed to be up soon. How can I get up when I haven't slept yet? These vampire hours...BTW, I loved this quote. Very sweet. Maybe I will use it as a mantra for sleeping now.
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LQ: Love and Sleep

Postponed Possum

Possum (aka Dianne) postponed our get together today. Like I explained to a friend in an e-mail: Her husband reminded her last minute that it was her turn (read as he volunteered her) to prepare Football Food for his friends this afternoon...So I decided to kill him with kindness by giving Dianne some very easy but impressive ideas on what to serve this afternoon. She will solidify and up her ranking as THE goddess in front of his friends. Now he will have to build a higher fence around her to keep his friends from salivating closer. Lovely wench, aren't I?

I used the day to be a veggie and it went by quick, too. Going back to work after having a week off even with a holiday weekend is going to be a pain. Dreading the dozens of e-mails sure to flood my Inbox when I sync up to the network. Why do a hear a distant rumbling?

Noticed some other people in my apartment complex already having their Christmas lights wrapped around their balcony fence. I just have the lone extra bright porch light. It'll be the North Star, how's that? It is going to take another miracle to get me through this season. I feel bad blogging about how I feel about the whole thing. Where else am I going to unload?

Got caught up in the last 30 seconds of the Bears v. Broncos game with it going into overtime thanks to the 34-34 tie. The Bears won after scoring three points on a 39-yard kick. I need to stay away from the NFL games. I get too excited. My pulse was at a nice resting rate.
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Postponed Possum

Lunch with Lisa

Fluttered around the apartment early to get out and about. Broke down and washed the front door before decorating it with a Christmas wreath. That's as far as Christmas decorations have made it around my apartment.

Small AGOL confession: Yesterday's entry was harsh on Christmas so I will share this: I was able to feel the Christmas spirit for a few moments while spending Thanksgiving at Tawny's home. When I made it back to my own place, I remembered myself.

Visited Kathy's house to take care of kitties. Rio was so lovable, but I itched a little after playing with her. Cesar was more sociable, but wouldn't let me hold him. Texted Kathy that they missed her before making my way to the grocery store. On the way, I received a call from Lisa telling me that she wasn't sure what time she would be at my place because her soon-to-be ex-husband was being difficult and not giving her an exact time when he would be home from the park with their son. She needed him to be home to take care of their daughter, too.

To make her wait worthwhile, I told her there was a Magarita drink with her name on it. I also let her know that we were having mini panini sandwiches, salad and pickles. For dessert, I was grilling slices of pound cake with a healthy smear of Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) in between to go with the vanilla ice cream made with Splenda.

As promised, I made Lisa a very tall Margarita as soon as she walked in which she enjoyed. She's moving to another place soon and told me I am helping her decorate when she gets settled in; Lisa saw my special ribbon adorned towels in the bathroom. We ate well and laughed even more. She was very appreciative of my hostess skills.

Dammit that brings me to another small AGOL confession: I enjoyed entertaining today and showing my care for a good friend. This doesn't mean my humbugging is gone so don't get comfortable.

Cabal and I made a quick 10-minute visit to Tawny tonight. He made a beeline for her nephew Jayson who was sitting in her living room. He rarely does that so I know Cabal liked him from the beginning. He loved the extra attention. Not like he starved for it from me and earlier from Lisa...Watched Will Smith's Hitch on DVD after dinner. It was cute enough for mind candy.
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Lunch with Lisa

Moonfluenced

Black Friday...? There was nothing important enough for me to be out in some of the stores that were open at 4am. Unless they were giving away doorbuster deals for free, there was no way in hell I was shopping at any time today. Besides you all know that I don't care and I really (gasp!) hate Christmas. I usually force myself to have a Christmas list by now and I don't.

Without planning and giving any parties this year, Christmas is just another day on the calendar. I might as well convert to Judaism which I could stomach a lot more these days. Maybe I should...I did make my Christmas card list, but I am not making my artsy Christmas cards. Like I've told you, my heart isn't in many things at the moment. I've learned to shut up and keep my humbugs to myself. Other people do enjoy Christmas!

Having this time off has me slowly going back to my hermit habits. Ha, that's funny. It is too easy to do. I know it is only temporary because the universe is a sadist and wants me out in it. Just when I get comfortable cocooning myself, it will force me to be sociable like a quick rip of a band-aid. A bit dramatic, but spot on the description.

Invited Lisa for a late lunch tomorrow as a response to her myspace note to me. She is still leaving her husband and needs some time away from him and kiddies for an afternoon spell. I think I am firing up my panini maker. I will be going to the grocery store after I check on Kathy's cats again early tomorrow.

Finally got my nails done as much as I talked about them earlier in the week. I didn't get my regular lady. She referred me to this older Vietnamese man who I surmised might be in his 60s. Never can tell age well with us Asians. He reminds me of an aging Casanova for some reason; must be his vibe. Anyhoo, goddamn did he do excellent work! My nails are even more gorgeous than the last guy who did them. It is the guys. Maybe they feel they have to prove more...

I've been wanting to go to the IKEA that just opened in Orlando and was hoping to go with Tawny. I'd been asking her and I thought she had plans to go to Atlanta this weekend. She texted me tonight to go tomorrow morning, but I have already made plans with Lisa. I just want more wooden hangers. The quality is phenomenal for the price. Quite obsessional about them actually. Of course, now I've discovered they have darker stained ones -- that would mean a whole hanger revamp. My OCD kicks in with trying to make sure all my hangers are wooden and match. This full moon is making me go into lunacy. That is the reason, right?
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Moonfluenced

Widget Woes

Waffling widgets worry me...I just tried installing this really cool widget that allows you to preview any links I put on my blog whether it is in the body or the links I have on the margin. While nifty, it made loading the page really slow on Internet Explorer, but just delayed a bit on Firefox so I had to uninstall it. Aargh -- I want this widget !!!

...sniffle.
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Widget Woes

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Another day of turkey fixins' loomed ahead of me this morning. I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, catching mainly the very beginning and the end with Santa while I puttered around the apartment and got ready for the day. Even had a late breakfast of rice & gravy and lumpia from last night which hit the spot.

Drove to Kathy and Jamie's house to check on their cats Cesar and Rio and to bring in their mail. The cats were good and loved the treats I laid out for them. Rio is the lovergirl who allowed me to pet her after she kept wrapping herself around my legs. Texted Kathy that her kitties were okay and wished her Happy Tofurkey before calling Tawny to see if she need anything else before I came over for dinner with her family.

A very warm, inviting home greeted me when I walked into Tawny and Jeff's place. The kitchen was dinner in progress while her dining room was decorated in fall theme and had some good snackies. Jeff and his two boys were watching the Packers game on T&J's new 42" flat panel high definition widescreen. Their team won which I was told separately by Tawny and her mother-in-law was a good thing right before dinner. Apparently, the men's tempers carried to the dinner table if their team lost. We were very lucky today.

To earn my keep so to speak, I set the table and helped Tawny get most everything together after everyone else arrived. We sat 11 people at the table. We laughed and chowed down on a great dinner that everyone contributed to today. Soon the food coma was starting to set in. I decided to make myself useful by loading up the dishwasher and washing other stuff by hand. We needed to buy some time before sampling a plethora of pies and a berry trifle.

If things couldn't make you burst enough, we celebrated Tawny's sister's birthday with a small cake which her brother-in-law covered with the 40 candles his wife needed. He clustered about a set of 15 together at different sections. When he lit it, it looked like a torch and the candles had stuck together after his wife blew them out. It was quite the scene; needless to say, we sang Happy Birthday very quickly.

I had a wonderful time with Tawny and her family. They really made me feel welcome and part of the family. Tawny's mother-in-law invited me for the next holiday get together and to Tawny's surprise, she also invited me to tag/put my name on anything in her house so that in case she dies, my stuff is marked. I laughed so hard. Tawny already told her about the Thai-style buddha statue I've been admiring in her living room.

It was about 7-ish when I decided I'd better go home with another set of take-home goodies. Cabal needed to go out and be fed. I ate way too much and am paying for it now. That is why this post is earlier than normal. I have to quickly make my calls to other friends and family before I crash on the couch. Thank God I am off tomorrow; I will need it to recover.

Five Things I am Thankful for Today:

1. I am thankful for my loving family and friends who support me in whatever I decide.
2. I am thankful I have a job that allows me to live.
3. I am thankful for my Pretty Boy Dog who loves me and doesn't care if I have a bad hair day. To him, I am the perfect belly scratcher, playmate and treat giver.
4. I am thankful for the divine force that guides me even when I argue with its methods.
5. I am thankful for the blessings I have and yet to receive.

I hope that if you celebrated Thanksgiving, you gobbled 'til you wobbled with your loved ones. If you didn't, I hope you still had a Happy Thursday and are thankful for the blessings in your life.
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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Eve: Filipino Soap Opera

Oh gosh...I didn't become really alert until a surreal scene unfolded itself at my aunt's dinner table at 4:30pm. We were about to have an early Thanksgiving meal at her house because a few of us were having separate meals at different places tomorrow.

My aunt had me on my cell to find out where I was because she was already slicing the turkey. There was a lot of traffic on the highway that made the journey longer. Her city always is most especially traffic-ridden that you want to slit your wrists just to avoid it...I had literally just parked my car in the driveway and found my progress through the front door impeded. Why my uncle chose that particular moment to fix the front door and have his youngest son Gary help him unhinge it was a mystery. I thought, Great, my uncle (and Gary) get to be grumpy coming to the feast my aunt just laid out. I tried to quell my temper, but didn't have time to really think about it because my cousin Ida and her three kids pulled up. What the...? I didn't know they were coming. They were asked to enter at the back of the house while my uncle lost his marbles in the front.

My cousin looked surprised and embarrassed to have arrived at that particular moment. They were there for my goddaughter's twin to use the computer to set up an online account at school for grade viewing, etc. since their computer was being taken for repair. My aunt asked if they had eaten and they hadn't. Before I knew what was happening extra plates were being set at the table. My goddaughter Cristina and her twin Crystal were fighting their way around the table to give me hugs. My uncle and Gary were cleaning up and sitting at the table. Fish and other Filipino food were being heated up for my aunt, Ida and me while everyone else stuck to the American feast. I looked at my aunt when I was able to catch her eye and asked her what the hell was happening. She just shook her head. I was expecting a nice quiet dinner not bedlam.

Once we all relaxed, it was better. Rice and gravy is food from the gods. I felt rushed again later from my uncle's next marble losing event while helping Crystal on the Internet. My uncle is in his mid 60s and not always patient with the computer even with the jazzed up Dell he has now. Jeezus, I just wanted him to let me drive the mouse so we could get through a blue screen he inadvertently received and was stuck in. From there, it was a gazillion weird pop-ups, uninstalling a program, etc. Finally, he conceded after getting through everything and rebooting the computer. Sigh.

My cousin asked me to take her and the kids home instead of my aunt driving them. Somehow I think my aunt and my cousin cooked the whole thing up of being there, etc. They knew I would drive them home. Before we left, my cousin Ida and I were like vultures acting on carrion. We wrapped some leftovers to take home which is expected in a Filipino household.

Um...Yes, I brought one-cup Chinese takeout containers as seen below. (You can buy sleeves of different sizes at the big Asian store in downtown Tampa.) I also brought the plastic container holding the gravy below. Ooh -- my aunt had lumpia, Filipino eggrolls, to take home, too. Yes, I am a crack baby, but my aunt never has the proper size containers. I am being helpful. What a good niece I am!

This is my Thanksgiving loot displayed at my own table to show you.


At 7:30pm, I was on the road recounting the events to Angie in LA. I was disappointed at not being able to talk to my cousin Gary more. Mind you, he lives 15 minutes away from me, but we never get together. All in all, I ended up spending Thanksgiving Eve with my family no matter how surreal and chaotic. I am very thankful.

Tomorrow, I get to watch Tawny lose her marbles with her family. Teehee...
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Thanksgiving Eve: Filipino Soap Opera

LQ: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

To him she seemed so seductive, so different from ordinary people, that he could not understand why no one was as disturbed as he by the clicking of her heels on the paving stones, why no one else's heart was wild with the breeze stirred by the sighs of her veils, why everyone did not go mad with the movements of her braid, the flight of her hands, the gold of her laughter. He had not missed a single one of her gestures, not one of the indications of her character, but he did not dare approach her for fear of destroying the spell.

-- Gabriel Garcia Marquez from his book Love in the Time of Cholera


...Such evocative, riveting and passionate words from a talented man. I hope to see this movie while it is out.
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LQ: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Two Days in a Row

Damn. Two days in a row of being a lazy daisy. Dig it. Totally dig it.

Myrna's mother called me to let me know that they were going to be late picking me up for lunch. She was held up at the hospital with her dad who was having an outpatient procedure. I finally got my call that they were on their way a few hours later making our lunch date a very late lunch/early dinner. I treated the girls at my favorite restaurant across town for an Italian chowdown. Oh, calamari! This place is consistent and I just love it.

Towards the end of our meal, Myrna's mom had me look at some pictures to read. I felt like a bug under a microscope with both of them looking at me expectantly. When I relaxed into it, I was able to pick up a few things. It was interesting.

Stopped at this Asian Gift Shop that had just opened up. I wasn't sure what to expect besides most things being made in China. The Chinese guy talked up a storm on his products of crystal encrusted hair clips and jewelry. He also had a slew of knock-off bags. In my early 20s, I sold Louis Vuitton handbags/luggage and seeing the fakes being sold still gives me the same bitter taste it did years ago.

We then made it to the super grocery for some leftover Thanksgiving dinner shopping for Myrna. We giggled the whole time. I was just nuts in the store; my impish side came out. Bought some peppermint ice cream for my hot chocolate...The rest of the evening was spent in a quiet night in after they dropped me off. Yum.
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Two Days in a Row

Lackadaisical

No plans. No place to really be. It is empowering to know that I didn't have to be anywhere special and that it was of my own choice...

Two things became very clear today:

Thing #1 - I don't take enough time off.
Thing #2 - I had to remind a few people (including Myrna and Tawny!) that I had the week off. See Thing #1.

Spent the day taking care of little AGOL maintenance kind of things. Watched shows I don't normally get to watch. Chimed in on IM just to check in with Tawny and Kathy. Called Myrna to confirm lunch plans with her mom tomorrow. Didn't get my nails done - remembered that my nail lady was off on Mondays. Visited Kathy to pick up her key and received instructions on cat care while she and Jamie go to Tennessee for Thanksgiving with her family. Walked over at 10pm to Tawny's just to see each other and saw Jeff, too, when he came home from cleaning the last items from British Jeff's house.

Two other things startled me today:

Other Thing #1 - Badgerdaddy almost made me pee my pants with this post. I had to leave a comment.
Other Thing #2 - A male friend said that he's really F'd off with women. They tend to mislead. I disagreed. You know I had to respond and provide at least one exhibit on why men are flighty. Men always think they are complicated...More like legends in their own minds. Ha! He's a good sport...

Gawd, I have to force myself to sleep before 2am or I will really be keeping vampire hours. I'd share my bonbons with you, but you're asleep now. Maybe tomorrow?

Oh! Almost forgot -- the lady from the adult novelty responded back to my e-mail: Thanks for responding and that's great. If you ever need anything let me know...! Really? Was she kidding? And pay for shipping? No thanks.
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Lackadaisical

AGOL Escapes Auntie's Thanksgiving Wrath

Well, my little loves, your AGOL has managed to escape the wrath of a 4'10" Filipino woman, namely her aunt...

My aunt called me this evening to let me know that I didn't have to come over and sit with Nan on Tuesday because attendance in their bible study would be low before the holiday. She was also inviting me for an early Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday night with her, my uncle, Nan and her youngest son Gary. The dinner was more for Gary; he has to work Thanksgiving (I think). I said yes to my aunt. See, technically, I am still not spending Thanksgiving Day with family. I also made it clear to her that she would not see me at her older son's house the next day. She was okay with it.

Like a kid escaping well-deserved punishment, I couldn't wait to call my aunt's daughter Angie in LA and let her know. She'd been hoping I get in trouble. I cackled and taunted her with my escape. Angie threatened to have her mother read my blog where I wrote about avoiding her. Hmpf!
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AGOL Escapes Auntie's Thanksgiving Wrath

Sunday's Word is Piperene

Made a 6:10am coffee run after walking Cabal. The coffee would not be consumed right away and would have to be reheated a couple of hours later when I woke up again. I stayed up late and wasn't ready to be happy on Sunday...

Watched my favorite TV preacher televised/taped from Texas. This was followed by the CBS Morning Show's tribute to food and Thanksgiving where I learned that the chemical piperene is what gives black pepper [berry] its spiciness. I knew that capsaicin came from chilli peppers, but didn't think it was different from the pepper berry. Learning new things is always great fun.

Ate a light lunch before getting ready for a bit of shopping. What was on the stereo while I swirled, tapped and buffed on my make-up? The Style Council Hits/Compilation CD. Cabal watched me take mini breaks by dancing around him. He tilted his head as if wondering what the hell got into his mama and if treats for him were involved.

Spent $200 at Wal-Mart. I know -- WTF? Boring things like toilet paper, paper towels, new energy efficient bulbs, teeth whitening, toothpaste, soap, laundry detergent, feminine stuff, etc. were on my shopping list. My hairdresser recommended me to not wash my hair everyday, but that doesn't give me good hair days so I bought a flat iron to try out on no washing days. It's difficult when you shower each day, often times twice a day. There are hazards living in Shallowville. Also bought the 20th Anniversary edition Princess Bride DVD & Book Set and Will Smith's Hitch. I didn't realize I had a theme until I was transferring bags from the cart to the car. The universe has a demented sense of humor.

Received a rather interesting e-mail from a lady in Southern Florida. Image searches for asian goddess/goddess/love goddess, et al yield my blog picture and where it is located -- in this case my blog. The lady e-mailed me this question: hey hun love you name.. I was wondering what do you do for a living?? I chuckled at first and then died of laughter after I clicked on the website as part of her signature. It was for an in-home party business for...adult novelty. (You know my girlies are having a field day with this information.)

Several years ago, my friend Sandy wanted me to host one of these adult novelty parties because it wouldn't be weird coming from you and people would be more comfortable at your place. Huh? My place is very comfortable thanks to feng shui and my taste in decor, but it is not a sex den. Shaddap Angie. I am very open about the subject of sex and very little on the subject matter is taboo if it ever comes up for discussion. Poor lady is going to be disappointed that I don't have my own pay-per-peep business or my own phone sex hotline. Just a buyer in a tech company. Nothing exciting.

:::AGOL dusting off body glitter from her hands:::
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Sunday's Word is Piperene

LQ: High Regard

Romantic love is a passionate spiritual-emotional-sexual attachment between a man and a woman that reflects a high regard for the value of each other's person.

- Nathaniel Branden

...Saw this on my iGoogle page today and enjoyed it. Valuing others and demonstrating that value is essential. I was talking to Bridget the other day about being there in a relationship: either you're there or you're not. To me it is that black and white; she felt the same. Her own relationship has hit a rough spot with her boyfriend having issues and she can't understand why he doesn't appreciate simplicity.

I see people who are in long term relationships out of habit and not really being present in the relationship. Earlier this year, I was talking with MEBFKAY about us communicating more than couples who are in the same space/bed and knowing what was going on with each other and our own situation of really being present in each other's lives despite the 4500 mile distance. He agreed. Yes, I know -- don't tell me -- the irony now is just brilliant.
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LQ: High Regard

Trish Caught Internet Clap

Talk about spine-tingling! My very early morning walk with my Pretty Boy Dog was cold! I was bundled up with an additional sweater and a coat while wearing flip flops. My toes didn't mind it, but the rest of me did. Brrr. Went back to sleep and finally got out of bed a little after 10am with some pain in my back left shoulder blade. Nice.

Had plans to go food and other-stuff-I-don't-really-enjoy-buying shopping expedition...That fell through after receiving a call form Trish in the afternoon. She was telling me about eating a special brownie, drinking super dirty martinis (yum!) and going to a celebrity roast with her man -- Jesus Christ being the celebrity. Only in San Francisco. My girlie girl was hung over and sounding like a transsexual from her allergies. She was also complaining about having computer issues which I was more than happy to help her investigate, but she was too chicken to do it. Trish had me log in as herself on facebook so she could find out something. She said Dave would call me later to get help. In mid conversation, her phone died.

I put my hair up and decided to take a quick shower, slather on some moisturizer on my face and swish on some lip gloss before ordering and picking up my Chinese takeout order. When they say it will be ready in 10 minutes, they mean it and I ordered enough of a variety to last me the next couple days. They gave me a new scroll calendar. Kinda early? It will replace the one from last year I have hanging at work. Part of my order today was their version of Mongolian Beef and wow! was it delicious. I waited too long to eat so I had a very late lunch/early dinner. Fell asleep on the sofa for an hour. Hee.

Trish's boyfriend Dave called me to help fix her computer issue. I was able to walk him through it and joke with him about Trish who was lounging on the bed watching a DVD. She had some junk in her system that we deleted and now everything is working again. I teased her that going to those sites will get her Internet Clap.

Been watching some television and have now settled on my British sitcoms. God how I love the humor! Some of our American ones are good, too. Theirs is just consistently funny to me. Gotta make list for my shopping trip tomorrow while I watch. Can't decide if I am getting my nails done tomorrow or Monday. You'd think I was making a decision on national security as much time as I spend deciding. It could affect national security, you never know.
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Trish Caught Internet Clap

Tawny Really Cooks!

Hustled to get things done before I left Bridget to sort everything else by herself next week before the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, including training her on two new things. She'll be more than fine next week, but I am not sure how she will fare on participating on an outdoor jello wrestling event tonight. The temperature has been brazenly cooler for Tampa. Yes, I did say jello. Will it help that it is raising money for a good cause? (Wink!)

Thanksgiving Day or Turkey Day is Thursday of next week. I decided back in early July to take the three days preceding so I would have a full week off. My company has Thursday and Friday off, making it a four-day weekend. Now your AGOL is off a whole week with no real plans. I didn't get off my duff and plan an LA trip. My dance card is starting to fill up though; hopefully, I won't be so anxious about the unstructured time. Eek!

Received my invite from Sandy and Mark's Christmas party this afternoon via e-mail. Kathy and I usually go as each other's date; Jamie never attends with Kathy. Depending on how things go, this may be the last year Kathy and I attend. The attendees are mostly married couples with children of varying ages whom we cannot relate to at the moment or was that the last seven years we've been going? I must remember to make the Famous AGOL Rum Cake. I cannot enter the house without it. It has become a tradition for "the cake lady" to bring it.

Joined Tawny and Jeff at their apartment tonight for dinner with their two sons. I happily toddled over from my apartment to theirs across the complex. We had a tasty meal of salad and lasagna with garlic bread. Mind you, this is the first time I have had a warm meal served and cooked by Tawny at her house in the almost 10 years I have known her. Yes, we've prepared meals at British Jeff's house, but that doesn't count and the other meals I have had at her old house were either sandwiches we assembled or Jeff cooked.

There was almost one meal earlier in the year when her mother visited, but several people in her house caught a flu bug so my visit was nixed for fear of me catching it, too. She brought me some of the meal she had prepared for them, but it wasn't technically served at the table and I had to reheat it. I've teased her over the years that she really can't cook which of course is not true. She has acted as my sous chef at the parties I have given over the years. I normally love to cook and entertain so I always invite them. Haven't felt the love for cooking and entertaining lately.

In an unprecedented history of events, I will be having another warm meal at Tawny's on Thanksgiving Day. I am allowed to bring a bowl of jasmine rice so I may have it with gravy as is my tradition. I'll bring enough for everyone just in case. Might get teased over the potato offerings, but I can handle it.
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Tawny Really Cooks!

An Iron Butterfly and a Hanging Heart

I just knew it was going to be a kind of day. For one, I saw a bright cardinal hiding in the bushes and I barely notice birds on the way to my car. The next clue was hearing song after song of stuff I haven't heard in a while so when Iron Butterfly's In A Gadda Da Vida came on this AGOL had to blast it to decibels unknown. What a way to drive to work!

Read that Jeff Koons' metal sculpture Hanging Heart just fetched $23.6 million at Wednesday's auction at Sotheby's . Sorry, Sotheby's -- the AGOL's heart is priceless....Okay, it's negotiable.



An unholy quartet made it to Schnitzelhaus for lunch. It was just Ant, Bridget and me, but found out Dan was coming, too. Only found out because Dan had tried to volunteer me for a disaster recovery team and was chiding me for not taking the bait, the bastard. He then informed me that Ant had invited him for lunch. The whole time was filled with laughter, good German food and pervy conversations. Perfect. Suffered food coma and from aerobic exhaustion from laughing so hard.

About two hours later, I sliced a piece of yummy chocolate birthday cake and sang an impromptu Happy Birthday in Tagalog/Filipino to Nikki at her desk which brought tears to her eyes. She told me she felt so honored. Another lady in her aisle just wanted me to sing to her. It was a sweet compliment. Your AGOL has a Disney voice if she applies herself and doesn't get shy. Years ago I entertained the thought of singing to children while reading books to them. I must be a masochist. Why would I turn myself into an Asian Julie Andrews?! (I secretly worship her though. The Sound of Music. Mary Poppins.) Sick thoughts begone!

My lunch plate was so big that I wasn't hungry for dinner; I had a bowl of unsweetened applesauce with a decent sprinkling of cinnamon. There was a near disaster: the chili spice was next to the cinnamon container. From afar, they look the same. That would've just topped the day, huh?
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An Iron Butterfly and a Hanging Heart

Ageless Mind, Time Ridden Body

The title is a play on Deepak Chopra's book from the early 90's Ageless Body, Timeless Mind which I enjoyed immensely...

A lady at lunch was obviously playing her pity me card. She told us the story of her trip to the grocery store. While checking out, she was asked if her purchases would be eligible for a senior discount by a butch looking cashier. This lady is turning 50 very soon, but was trying to feel good about it. She replied yes to the cashier. An elderly gentleman behind her whom she described as looking a hundred chimed, I don't get a discount. How old do you have to be? The cashier replied Sixty. That made lady at lunch very upset and she cried home, but tried to console herself that her cashier was hitting on her and trying to give her a discount to be nice.

I really don't care for this lady, but I felt for her. What was worse was that ever since she cut her hair shorter, she had aged 10 years. I didn't kiss her ass like my temp did, but I said that the cashier was rude and shouldn't have said a thing. Tawny said the same thing. If she'd get a darker/more vibrant hair color, put mascara on, a bit of blush and a swipe of lip gloss, she wouldn't look so much older. Every little thing helps if you are not blessed with wonderful genes.

I will be turning 37 in two months, but I am blessed with not looking my age (so far). When I was younger, how I wished I was older in actual years because when I was 14, I looked 18. Some people love their age and some people strive to fight it with plastic surgery or some snake oil cream. While I do worry a little, I am more anxious of the things I haven't accomplished. My mind and soul are demanding satisfaction...

Kathy picked me up at home for a Vietnamese dinner where she has more vegetarian choices and where she now enjoys avocado shakes like me. On the way, my aunt's son, Dave Jr. called me to invite me to Thanksgiving dinner. I politely declined and told him I already had plans. That must be my 5th or 6th invite for Turkey Day. My aunt will be going over there, too. It saves me from calling her. Yes, I am a chicken, but my feathers are still fine. Ha!
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Ageless Mind, Time Ridden Body

Whoops and Aargh

It was about three 0'clock when I decided to call the apartment complex to make sure my apartment was being inspected today. It wasn't. My letter said Tuesday, November 14th. The day and date didn't match. Tawny's said Monday, November 14th and they showed up on Monday.

I began to berate the lady about arranging for me to work at home and the careless proofreading skills, etc. I know I should have double-checked. Her response? Can you keep your dog in a room? Was she nuts? Yeah, Cabal would be howling (literally) and clawing the carpet to get out. Is he a biter? Was she F'g kidding me? Why would I invite that kind of liability; that's why I stayed home. Defeated, I had to get her to agree to let one of the husband and wife team employed at the complex to be the sole escorts to the inspectors. Cabal only likes those particular people. I just have to post a note on my door iterating this request. I was so pissed off. It was a wasted day and that bothered me. Oprah at 4pm didn't cheer me. Moped the rest of the afternoon.

Called Myrna who enjoyed a weekend trip to Savannah. She also reminded me her mom would be in town for two weeks starting tomorrow. I can't wait to see her again! Myrna also asked if I would mind talking to a family member over the phone about her recently deceased sister. The lady had asked if she could talk to me because she was afraid of the unexplained things happening lately. Myrna's internal response was No, you don't deserve her. She's very protective of me that way. We'll see. It's not often I agree to use my intuition for strangers, but I felt she really needed comforting.

For lunch, I had leftover vegetarian green curry I had made a couple of days ago. To balance it out at dinner (ha!), I picked up some carnivore fare: barbecued ribs and chicken at this barbecue joint near my house. While on the errand, I received my Super Sunshine Call from Dianne aka Awesome Possum. Haven't heard from her for about four months when she started her new job. How I have missed her terribly! She was inviting me for Thanksgiving and had to inform her that Tawny already beat her to it. (Don't gloat, Tawny.) Dianne and I made plans for the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

AGOL Confession: I haven't approached my aunt yet about NOT spending Turkey Day with Mi Familia. Tackling a 4'10" Filipino woman is not as easy as you would think. Seriously!

Half my dinner has been enjoyed and the rest put away. I am now watching some telly. I think I will continue with that...Night-night.
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Whoops and Aargh

Ramble On...At Home

Working from home today...Sigh. My apartment complex is conducting an inspection of "internal features" of all the units. Tawny who was home sick yesterday, said that they were inspecting the cabinetry, carpet, refrigerator and flooring. I have a feeling some renovations are in store sometime. Not sure if I will get to see that, only new tenants. I wouldn't stay home for such a thing, but my "attack dog" needs company while they walk around.

At 6:15a, I drove to get coffee from one of my favorite coffee shops, a breakfast sandwich and extra coffee for the day. I rounded the corner to the gate entrance on the way back and Led Zeppelin's Ramble On started playing on the radio. What is an AGOL to do? She drives around the perimeter of the complex to listen to her favorite Zeppelin song at decibels unknown, that's what she does. Worth it, too.

Logging into work...
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Ramble On...At Home

Bowing to Bowie

Looped David Bowie's Cracked Actor from Live at the Beeb (2000) CD to get me going around to clean up my place and to get me motivated to wash my slip covers on my sofa and club chair. Here is the same song performed at the recording which I have seen in its entirety too many times: David Bowie's Cracked Actor. If you really know me, you know he is my Numero Uno performing artist. He doesn't sing my favorite song, but overall he is the white in my jasmine rice.

My favorite song by him is Let's Dance. It reminds me of my first year in the U.S.; it brings a mental scrapbook of so many memories that will eventually serve as a springboard of my new life in my new country. When I am feeling a little less than AGOL-y and his CD his nearby, I listen to Cat People for this line: And I've been putting out fire with gasoline... Dawn French as a vicar (in British sitcom The Vicar of Dibley) described him as being married to an insect. Yes, Iman is extremely thin by today's standards, but she is incredibly beautiful and a gentle force to be reckoned with. You cannot be married to David Bowie and be a wallflower especially when he looks better in drag than several women I know.

Role-played Filipino maid the latter part of today. There was something satisfying about washing the floors, vacuuming corners, laundering the slipcovers and rugs. Stopped and took a long walk with Cabal during a self-scheduled break. The weather was heavenly - much cooler and hardly any humidity. Blue sky was everywhere with the sun happily shining.

Giggled with Angie a couple of different times over the phone and was a victim of Trish from San Francisco's devilish nature in Facebook. She knew she was getting a call from me. Poor girl sounded like a transsexual with her cold/cough, but nothing deters her from a little mischievousness. I love that kind of tenacity about her. We giggled, too.

Now off to another of my Filipino maid duties: regular laundry. Ay, naku!


Get more Bowie fix at: David Bowie on the Web and David Bowie Art
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Bowing to Bowie

Bobas for Everyone

Spent a couple of hours at the salon this morning getting my whole head recolored. It had gotten lighter thanks to my previously blond highlights. Michelle says it takes a couple of times for the color deposit to stick to bleached hair. It is back to the correct color.

While waiting for the color to process, I was telling Michelle about Tawny moving by me and where she had been living the past couple of months, British Jeff's house. I explained some more before she stopped me and asked about British Jeff. I explained he was back in Liverpool with his two boys. We are about 90% sure that she was his hairdresser, too! I have a message to him with a link from my blog post that has her picture. The world is indeed a small place.

Picked up boba smoothies for Michelle, Tawny and Jeff, Kathy and me after my hair was done. The rest of the gang was waiting for me at British Jeff's house who were near the end of the yard sale they were having. Tawny's husband Jeff was the only one who didn't get any boba or other floaty bits. He was missing out on the best part!!

Click on the pic for an enlightening explanation of boba. This place is similar to the one I frequent.


Kathy drove all of us to Chili's around the corner for a very late lunch. It was nice to be around some of my long-time friends -- one of the best feelings in the world. I am truly blessed to have them in my life.

Took Cabal for a walk when I arrived back home and then took myself to bed for a nap. Cabal woke me up for his dinner. While he fed, I caught up on e-mails responding to another high school friend who now lives in Seattle. She's one of those you treasure, too. Quiet relaxation the rest of the evening. It was marvy.
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Bobas for Everyone

JibJab: AGOL Miranda

Have a Great Weekend!

My boss sent me one of his own with friends. It was hilarious. Here's one with me:



Having a hard time viewing it from here? Go directly to the Jib Jab site to see AGOL Miranda.

...Build your own here: Starring You!
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JibJab: AGOL Miranda

LQ: A House is Made with...

"A house is made with walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson


...Aww. This was so sweet! Always trying to share the sweet parts with you.

...Of course, Bridget's not so sweet response was, "Aww makes me want to shed a f***ing tear." Okay - she is just low on sugar. Going to an early lunch with her and Tawny in a few minutes should take care of that...
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LQ: A House is Made with...

Colossal Cake

Getting home late, taking care of dog and dinner for me and winding down enough to tailor a version of my resume for that job at my Mother Ship (Stateside) so I can wind down some more by updating my blog was a tough order this evening. Talking to Angie and Tawny in between made it more difficult to really focus, but I needed their valuable input.

My resume has now been shorn of extra bullet points not pertinent to the job I am applying for and I've made notes for the revisions I will be making in the morning before I get to work. My mind is just too exhausted to be smart about it. Can't they just feel the glow of fabulousness that is AGOL? Must I be herded like a common goddess through this application process? They know not what they do! Karma will soon befall them...like having a bad hair day, bad meal/service at their favorite restaurant or (gasp!) choosing the wrong lip gloss that will make their lips peel. Yup, I will just have to let karma do its work...

Gawd my day was so busy I couldn't see straight. Having browser issues to work in one of my vendors' site was a challenge all day no matter how much assistance I received from the Helpdesk. I even let them virtually possess the AGOL laptop to see what I've been up against. The tech could feel the AGOL glow, I am sure. He knows me and already has the story of some of my freakishness - er, unique charm.

My boss had lunch at his favorite deli with his buddies and brought Bridget, The Temp and me each a piece of the colossal chocolate cake seen below. I told him while he was the bestest, he could have bought one piece and each of us would have had a layer of cake and be just as happy. Mostly. Had a layer after dinner. That was almost too much. I toughed it out.

I added my business card for scaling purposes. Jeezus, that is one big mutha of a slice.


This AGOL needs to go to bed so she can work on stuff in the morning. Tomorrow is another day, my little loves. It will be Friday!
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Colossal Cake

LQ: From The Wonder Years

"All our young lives we search for someone to love. Someone who makes us complete. We choose partners & change partners. We dance to a song of heartbreak & hope. All the while wondering if somewhere, somehow, there's someone perfect who might be searching for us."

- Narrator in The Wonder Years (1988)


...I loved the narration on this coming of age sitcom. The voice is one of those that really carries the story and the sentiment in the quote above. Well, I am not looking for someone perfect, just perfect for me (smart, creative, funny, has a generally kind and generous nature, and with some sex appeal (got to have sizzle!) who allows me to breathe and be me...someone who also makes me feel alive and maybe even want to become a better woman through the encouragement of their love). It's rough when people seem to get too caught up in their own BS...
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LQ: From The Wonder Years

Short and Sweet

Tawny texted me early this morning to see if I could give her a ride home. Could I really be bothered? She now lives in the same apartment complex. I think it would've been rude to say no. Ha!

Thought it was Thursday all day. Pity it wasn't. It was another day of overwhelming busyness in our department. We have so many irons in the fire that it is getting a little too warm at the moment.

Had some more sour soup I made last night with a tamarind base. The cooler temperature just calls for hot soup to be consumed. I love the comforting feeling it gives me. Made a mug of hot chocolate later which I sipped while talking to my cousin Angie in Los Angeles. Haven't properly talked to her for ages!

I am tuckered out today so this is a very short entry. Been falling asleep with each sentence. It is supposed to be in the 40s tomorrow morning when I walk Cabal first thing. Brrr!
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Short and Sweet

Looping Chaka Khan

Somehow got obsessional about listening to a song sung by Chaka Khan from the 70s. Had it looped to repeat endlessly while I got ready for work. Face it, she is quite amazing with that siren-like voice. Gotta get her new CD this week.

The universe sometimes uses music to help forewarn or remind me of things. This morning it was used to lift my morning. Music became a disco montage on the way to work thanks to me surfing up and down the FM channels. I resisted the urge to continue singing Rock the Boat inside my building, but I gave into it at lunch. Tawny picked up the rest of the lyrics much to her husband's horror so we hammed it up even more by singing the Chaka Khan song from this morning. I don't think he enjoys disco as much as we do. Ha!

At times I felt defeated before I had a chance to really sink my teeth into my work. I kept getting interrupted by little things (IE leftover sign-offs on software testing, e-mail wars with my Nemesis Vendor of September, etc).

Lisa informed me that she broke the news to her husband that she was leaving him. She has already secured a new place for her and her two small children. This exceedingly nice woman deserves a medal for effort. Love cannot live on lies nor can it work with only one person contributing to the well-being of the relationship. As I've told men in my previous relationships, "If you do not tend to your own garden, someone else will (or it will take care of itself)." Several of us are now waiting for the invite to help her move. Already told her that she could call me (literally) at 2am if she needed to talk. These decisions can be very lonely especially before the holidays.

Talked to Tawny on the way home who was packing her car with stuff to move at their new place. She called me again a couple of hours later. Dressed in my blue and white striped pajamas with a grey chenille cardigan hoodie over it and black & pink flip-flops, I drove two minutes across the complex to pick her up for a quick trip for a sweet treat. We ate our goodies in her living room that was shaping up nicely with their stuff. Watched a bit of Spinal Tap before heading home at 10pm.
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Looping Chaka Khan

AGOL Weird

Adjusting to a brighter morning could take a bit. Because we had an "extra hour", I stayed up an extra hour. Sigh. What a lovely way to throw another wrench into my insomnia...

Took the hands-off and talk to no one approach this morning. Murmured a good morning to Bridget and didn't log into IMs for personal and work until after 11am. Tawny found me in the break room heating up breakfast and barely a response to her query about Nan. Sometimes, I just don't want to speak. (By the way Kathy - breakfast was whole wheat pancakes and veggie sausage patty.) My next communication with her was a quick IM after my first conference call letting her know I was going to lunch earlier so I would have enough time to be prepped for a meeting in the other building followed by the word "Bye".

I wasn't strange all day although a few remarked on my stoic face and quiet demeanor. That kind of behavior from me tends to freak people out. I did talk to Tawny at lunch, but I knew I was being weird. Oh, well. It is that time of the year for this AGOL to be weird. Talk to me in February when the AGOL gets back to normal.

As of today, my current job's responsibilities have expanded to being an administrator to three vendors used division-wide by about 1500 employees, one more vendor than last week. Yes, my lovelies, that would be in addition to my everyday responsibilities. Job security? Oh -- I am also considering applying for a management job at the Mother Ship (Stateside). My chances may be low, but what the hell? Was personally sent the notice this morning so might as well respond. I won't be crushed if the results are not positive. If they are? I have stores of adrenaline waiting to be used.

Met Myrna for an enjoyable dinner at our favorite haunt between her house and mine. Lunch sucked today so my dinner meal hit the spot just right. We spent another hour wandering around the Christmas offerings in the shop inside as well as talking while rocking in the chairs outside. Myrna is such a sweet and fun person. She's a great friend to have because together we giggle a lot. Made it home in time to see a new chapter in Heroes. Tonight was exciting, but I don't know how many more new episodes thanks to the writer's strike in Hollywood...
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AGOL Weird

Along Came a Spider...

Daylight Saving Time came to an end today gaining the U.S. an extra hour. Cabal and I walked to a brighter and cooler morning at 6:30am. No one was stirring around except for the maintenance/groundskeepers. It was beautiful to be out and about.

On the way back, about 25 feet or so from my door, a spider hung suspended on a web string above me. She had caught my peripheral vision and was actually making her way across a very long string like a seemingly never-ending trapeze act. Quickly, before I lost sight of her, I took her picture. And, yes, she was a big critter. I am sure someone will tell me if she is poisonous or not.



Showered and met another (this time tiny) spider. Not sure what that was about; all I know is that he was accidentally cleaned to death. Took my time getting ready for the day after 11am. I had only a few obligations today: fill up my car with gasoline, get my nails filled in and painted, Nan-sit for my aunt and uncle and get Cabal some dry food.

My salon's energy had changed with the brand new furniture stations and additional plants installed. Today had a different additional intruding energy. No levity could be detected. I believe it was my nail lady's boyfriend who was seated at a station. I had seen him once before and my instant feeling was that he was a bastard. Not nice, I know. Wouldn't you know whose client I would be today?

I shielded myself from his energy at first. His butterfly touch belied a more aggressive personality. Compared to Mary and her brother, he was a little too meticulous - a little too perfecting. When I gave him cash before he painted a perfect French manicure, he retrieved the change for his tip from the register sitting low in the cabinet near his girlfriend. The giveaway to his charade was when he slammed it carelessly shut with his foot. Anyone else would sit and enjoy his craftsmanship, gentle touch and voice, but I knew better. Monsters sometimes conceal themselves well to the unsuspecting person. I've met a few monsters in my life and he's just another average monster. Luckily, our relationship is a professional one.

Had a nice visit with Nan while my aunt and uncle enjoyed a jazz concert outdoors at church. They both complained of the 62 degree weather while I complained about their house being a sweltering 79 degrees when they returned. Stopped at the grocery store before heading home...Feeling rather groovy for a Sunday evening. Might be too alert for this time of night. Where are those tranquilizers? Just kidding, my lovelies.
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Along Came a Spider...

LQ: For your Yourself

"When you know beyond all doubting that the same life flows through all that is and you are that life, you will love all naturally and spontaneously. When you realise the depth and fullness of your love of yourself, you know that every living being and the entire universe are included in your affection. But when you look at anything as separate from you, you cannot love it for you are afraid of it. Alienation causes fear and fear deepens alienation. It is a vicious circle. Only self - realisation can break it. Go for it resolutely. ".

- Nisargadatta Maharaj

...Truth be told, I am a little blogged out from the past week. Will pick up tomorrow. Spending time looking inward and using some of the words from here. Peace and love to you today and everyday.
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LQ: For your Yourself

LQ: Soulmate...Keys and Locks

A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who were pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us with that one person we're safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings our sense of direction. When we're two balloons and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.

- Richard David Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull


...that and a defibrillator. Seriously, this was lovely to read.
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LQ: Soulmate...Keys and Locks

One Hour Equals Six Hours

Woke up an hour earlier to get to work an hour earlier so I could leave six hours earlier. Short version: in at 8am to leave at 11am. Taking some time off to help Tawny get set-up in her and Jeff's new apartment at my complex. She had to get the apartment keys and wait for the cable/phone/Internet guy.

We met her husband at the office. After they signed papers and did the walk-thru, Jeff went back to work while we stopped at my place and picked up a card table and two chairs...AND THEN to pick up our delicious Chinese take-out for a late lunch at their new place.

Jokingly bought several things to bring to Tawny's new place as a standard of expectation for when Cabal and I visit:

• my favorite scent in hand soap (milk and honey) for one of the bathrooms and the kitchen;
• my favorite gum (Orbit white);
• straws (my teeth are too sensitive from whitening);
• Hershey's Kisses for the freezer (love them cold!);
• my favorite facial tissue (for box design and quality);
• my favorite toilet tissue brand (rated well in a consumer magazine);
• my favorite air freshener plug-in with Autumn Harvest Spice scent;
  
• my favorite dinner napkin brand (no making do with common paper towels - ha!)
  
• a can of Spam (in case of AGOL emergency);
• and one box of Cabal's favorite treats.

Other items like paper towels, paper plates, plastic cups & flatware, soda bottles, bottled water, cleaning tissues, trash bags and cloth towels for kitchen and bathroom made it in, too. Mind you, Tawny, is one of the few who would take this in the light vein it was conveyed. You should have seen her face when we opened my trunk and unpacked the contents in the kitchen! Jeff chuckled and thanked me later when we told him about my gifts as we ate the dinner he brought us.

With both of our laptops on the card table, we surfed the Internet while we waited for the cable guy to install connections and the maintenance guy to fix the minor A/C problem. Our set-up looked like it was out of a mob movie. Yes, we IM'ed each other so we could comment on the visitors without them knowing we were talking about them. Geekesses were in full effect.

Tawny and Jeff are going to be busy juggling their schedules to move bits from two houses into the new apartment. Their two sons will be living in their old house that will also serve as their art studio and British Jeff's house, where they've been living for a few months, has finally sold. They have purchased his leather sofa set with chaise lounge, etc. Meanwhile, Cabal and I are getting excited to visit them more often. Now he has two places where he can be spoiled rotten! Lucky dog.
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One Hour Equals Six Hours