Leaping Beauty

Leap for Life. Leap for Love. Frankly, I am leaping for chocolate and new pretty things. Ha! It is leap day of the leap year...

Thankfully the week ended and it ended with quiet. I love and enjoy quiet. Moving to the new building has become a more positive experience than I would have ever imagined. More on that on another post. I have a full weekend ahead. Hope to take some more video and pics for you to enjoy. I'd like to think that seeing my world through my eyes is mostly fun.

Remember my obsession with Besame Cosmetics from January? Well, I finally placed my order and received my package this evening. I am incredibly impressed with this company.

Can't help myself...



Revisiting AGOL Art Pic


Did I ever tell you that I was on my way to studying advertising in college (before life happened)? I see things in everyday life as imaginary layouts or storyboards in my mind. I think of ideas for ads still to this day. These posts give me excuses to do them now. Obviously, they are not professional level because I don't have the education, technology resource and the experience for it. I can still have fun.
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Leaping Beauty

Behaving Badly

How bad can your day be when you log into work and one of your very best friends (Tawny) asks you via IM when you can leave for happy hour? Not really bad in the sense of being horrible, but in the naughty sense when you should be getting work done.

Had a two hour meeting with a vendor before lunch that occupied me and kept me good. I am lying. It is rare for me to see men in suits in the age of casual fare let alone a shirt with French cuffs. I have a weakness for French cuffs; this man's cuff links were winking at me from across the conference table every time he moved his hands. Dammit. It didn't help that a different sexy man (not the one from Sunday) was sending me teasing pics on my cell during the meeting.

A lunch run downstairs should have been innocuous. Not with Bridget. We were piling on our salads from the salad bar when Bridget started to get a little mental. Stifling our laughter while trying to scoop vegetables was a challenge. We were the recipients of some curious looks. Like we cared...

Your AGOL became the heroine who rescued coffee enjoyment in the break room. My facilities contact from the other building was generous enough to bring and leave me the flavored coffee I had requested the day before (Almond Amaretto, Pecan Praline and Chocolate Raspberry) on my desk. This location never had those choices. Pity. Bridget and I bemoaned the lack out loud our first day. We're so rude. One guy came around the AGOL's Luau Lounge (read as tacky Hawaiian decorated cubicle) and thanked me personally for making it happen. The flavors will now be a part of the regular order placed for this facility. Yeah, baby!

At 5pm, Bridget and I bolted for the Blue Martini to meet a few of our friends. It was great to see Tawny and Jeff. Working in the new building has us missing them and a few others. The martinis went straight to our heads. We ordered some food to counteract the alcohol. Bridget became a little outrageous by screaming and gesturing as well as dancing with total strangers near our tables. Everyone loved the spectacle; she was having a great time. I had Tawny and Susan from our table double-check on Bridget when she hadn't come back from the restroom in a reasonable amount of time. She was busy talking to two very handsome men. It was a well-deserved night out for Bridget. The atmosphere allowed her to be surrounded by more professional men or higher caliber of men. Her own relationship was teetering lately.

Just a few peeps of my peeps.


Headed home around 8-ish and WITH a trip to Starbucks to get caffeine for the ride home. I called Angie to keep me company on the highway for several minutes...Lisa called when I came home. It's been a while since I have really spoken with her and now that I am in the other building, we will have to make a concerted effort in the future.

Gosh. I'm tired -- it takes a great amount of energy to behave badly. Who knew?
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Behaving Badly

Rubbing Chopsticks

This was the first day of my new work route at the other corporate building. I had to drive earlier to ensure a parking spot in the godforsaken garage. It is!

Rob called me on the way. He was dropping off his daughter at her school. He regaled me with his family weekend and a strange anthropology lesson that had me laughing so hard I forgot about the evil traffic. He was also calling me to confirm that I was still taking him out for his 41st birthday which was on Saturday...Took myself to the 4th floor in the new place and easily found a spot near the elevator. I grumbled the whole way.

I arrived at my cube to discover the ports for my network connectivity were not turned on and there were also not enough ports to hook up my printer to the network so that my boss and two other teammates could print to it. AND...big AND...my cube map from Friday was not followed. I called Tawny's son who works for our desktop department. He was on his way in, but asked if I could call in a helpdesk ticket so he could come over this morning and reposition everything. (Yes, it had to be feng shui'd today. I cannot have my back towards the cube entrance.)

My workday was not completely hosed thanks to my wireless card and could connect to work via the Internet. The connection sucked when I attempted to open multiple applications that took up bandwidth. Grrr. I tried to smooth my feathers by decorating my cubicle with vibrant colors. The putty colored walls of my cube were depressing and I was not going to live with it for even one day.

Welcome to the Luau Lounge where Luau Happens:


That is just a collage of quick snaps. I have to wait until everything is settled before I rearrange a couple more things. Hands down, I have the most wildly colored cube on the whole floor. It could be called tacky if you're brave enough to say it to me. There were eight brightly colored leis placed everywhere, too. Do you see the party streamers, hula dolls and mylar palm tree? Right now all we need to make my luau happen (sans food) is a blender for Mai Tais and Pina Coladas. Notice the first square with the novelty pinball game? It became a sought after item. I get one too? Cool! I saw Amy playing with hers and now I have one. I received an instant message from one that said, "I just played with mine and I suck at this game." LOL The Finance Department needs my section. We need to rub off some fun on them.

Had an enjoyable lunch with Rob at a Japanese place for his birthday. He wanted to eat at a place that had chopsticks and show off his knowledge of chopstick etiquette. I pulled them apart (perfectly, of course!) and rubbed them against each other to take off any sharp or loose shreds of wood. I didn't observe the other stuff because I am not cracked on this like my lunch buddy. He had a Sashimi Bento and I had Teriyaki Salmon Bento. The lunch wasn't over until we drove by a metal dragon sculpture installed on a building's roof and had a crazy ride around the airport garage at breakneck speeds and around the airport back roads in his sports car. All men are 12 years old, always wanting to show off their toys. It was much needed relief from a hectic morning.

I almost forgot about a two-hour conference meeting which was surprisingly informative. The rest of the afternoon was a dud as I couldn't get the help I needed to get connected to the network normally. I even called Tawny to help intervene and escalate.

Spoke to my cousin Angie twice - once on my way home and later she called me. I shared my day before begging off to catch up on my blog and make my way to sleep early. It was a full day.
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Rubbing Chopsticks

Definitely, Maybe

Woke up a bit perkier today than yesterday. Instead of watching my Sunday news magazine sitting sprawled from the living room sofa, I listened to it while standing and getting ready in the bathroom. I can see the reflection of the TV on one of the mirrors in the living room if I need to see the images corresponding to the stories.

A portion of AGOL's modest living room. Just can't be bothered to paint the walls this time around. I would love to see a sage green or a warm sesame color behind the sofa.


Myrna was picking me up at 11:30am for a girlie day. I was ready at 10:50am. It was a miracle! (AGOL Confession: I am always running late or cutting it close. I was painfully punctual until I hit my midteens.) I decided to walk Cabal early and when I got him back in the apartment, I received a call from a sexy man. He said he would call but only if a certain condition in his schedule was met. I didn't think it would be met on a Sunday. We had fun joking around for almost 30 minutes. Jury is still out on him -- he's a little shy...up to a point.

By 11:40am, Myrna and I were zooming to Citrus Park Mall to have lunch at Rice & Co., followed by satisfying a chocolate fondue craving Myrna had before making our way to see a feel-good movie called Definitely, Maybe. I laughed a great deal and I also found myself tearing up in parts. It is more of a chick flick; however, I think that men would enjoy it too. I am not in the mood for a heavier movie. I want to laugh and be lighthearted at the moment.

We made one more stop and that was to the party store so I could pick up several Luau-themed items for my new cubicle. I am determined that my new cube will be brighter instead of the putty color the walls are right now. That is just too depressing. My new decor may be a bit tacky. I don't care.

I watched a portion of the Oscars in the evening before I feel asleep on my comfy sofa. Woke up just in time for the last award to be handed out...Turned my electric blanket on and surfed the 'Net. I succumbed to sleep with a prayer to get myself up early. Garage parking was a challenge in the new building. Sigh.
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Definitely, Maybe

Nurse AGOL

I could have spent the day languishing in bed. Exhaustion wafted around my mind and being like a lazy specter. Too soon it was time to take a shower and wash off the lingering fog. I had a very important mission today: Sitting with Nan.

My uncle had called to confirm the time they would need me and also to inform me that my cousin Gary was at home suffering from the flu. Great, I thought. My worry was for naught because he slept most of the time as did Nan.

Nan's memory was a challenge for her this evening. Her sleeping schedule was a bit off which made her a bit off, too. She declined dinner when I offered it to her because she had already eaten...and she hadn't. Fifteen minutes later, I informed her that she would be having dinner so she could stomach her all her medications. It sounded sensible to her and she agreed.

We also played a scene a few times over with her coming from using the restroom and her informing me that she would go to bed. Thirty minutes later, she would be awake, get up and do the same thing again. I just said the words that would placate her over and over again. Some would find this an exercise in patience, but I just looked at her through loving eyes and did what I needed to be done...I gave this 94-year old gentlewoman well-deserved respect and love. She kept informing me that I would make a good nurse.

My aunt and uncle came home later in the evening where we continued our catching up on each others lives for a bit before I heard my own bed calling to me again. Remarkably, I didn't suffer from night blindness driving home that late...
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Nurse AGOL

Hello...Again

Hello Hello Hello. It's been bit crazy and not all attributed to my washing my cell phone. Not blogging everyday was depressing, but couldn't be helped. My new magenta coloured cell phone arrived on Wednesday and I didn't have to change my phone number. (Long story.) My SIM Card was able to be salvaged from the wash and most of my phone numbers were still on the card. Trauma factor was lessened.

I left the protective film on the keypad. Let's see how long that lasts. Lookee -- isn't she pretty?


I learned some things about what I've taken for granted while waiting for my cell phone to arrive. Things like I couldn't conveniently dial my Chinese restaurant on the way home for take away or my morning alarm clock was gone. I had use a travel alarm clock and the digital alarm clocks by my bed. Didn't realize just how much I would pick up the phone and call on the way to work or on the way home to various friends for a quick catch up. The text messaging -- I can't even begin to tell you about that.

(Side note: Tawny was in Atlanta for work this week. Some things went awry while she was gone and I blamed her for the bad juju. She is not allowed to leave Tampa...ever. LOL)

My group is moving to the other corporate building which made Bridget and me extra busy with preparations. The cabin fever resulting from being cooped up at work begged for some relief. Today I had a serious craving for some calamari and decided that I would take myself out to lunch solo. I mentioned this to Bridget who asked if I wanted some company. An hour later I drove us to my favorite restaurant Maggiano's.

Bridget and I split everything: Calamari, Maggiano's Chopped Salad and Lump Crab Sandwich but we each had our own desserts. Yeah...we were deviating from our healthy program just a little. I sent Rob a pic of our desserts from my cell phone. He sent back his lunch of turkey, wilted spinach and carrots which he ate after running nine miles during his lunch hour. Personally, the gals had a better time. Too bad we couldn't incorporate martinis into our lunch. (That's for next Thursday at Happy Hour.) We were girls behaving badly during our meal; unfortunately, it was back to the salt mines in the afternoon for us gals.

Bridget devoured her Creme Brulee.


I took home most of my evil Chocolate Zuccoto Cake. Bridget took two bites and remarked how it was "just wrong" meaning it was too sinful.



I may have taken my AGOL heart thing a little too far. The pic below is of the removable tag on my printer for the move. Bright pink highlighter somehow found its way in my hand and onto the label. Hee.



Found out last minute that I could draw a quick map of how I want my new cube configured with my two monitors, docking station, accessories and printer. My hasty drawing below.




The sweetest thing about moving was the offers for lunch. I was baffled. It wasn't like I was leaving the company just the building. "But Sarah, you will over there not here." Ohmigosh -- the hugs during the week. It was like achieving some kind of office rock star status. Baffling. The new building is about a 3/4 mile up the road. Bridget and I will be visiting frequently just to escape the new building. I declined the offers for lunch, but offered my instant messaging address to those who didn't have it already.

Left early today without fanfare because I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. I was physically and mentally exhausted. Home was my most important destination. Let's just hope I remember to drive to the other building on Monday morning.

(Oh, good news -- Tawny is back in Florida. I felt a disturbance in The Force and received the confirming text message. I know it's gonna be all better now...)
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Hello...Again

OMFG...Clean Calls

I knew my dirty mouth would get me into trouble...

OMFG...My hot pink Razr phone just got washed in the washing machine. Fucking hell.*




*It was going to be a nicer post, but this falls under an ACM (AGOL Crisis Moment).
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OMFG...Clean Calls

To Move or Not To Move

Vacillation. You're moving to new cubicles in the other building. You're now moving to the executive side of the other building. You're not moving for two weeks. You're moving this week. You're not moving for another week. OMG. Someone please resolve the pissing match among the executives regarding our musical offices. Four groups are affected.

Everything would have been fine until one employee balked at his new office space. This guy is barely in the office anyway -- what the F* does he care? AGOL laughing evilly... Well, it would mean his office would be more visible and his absence or "working from home" would be less discreet. Don't F* with higher level executives and you won't get placed where you wouldn't want to be is the lesson here...With all this vacillation, my group will not pack until we know for sure. It is not worth the aggravation...

Bridget and I had lunch at TooJay's followed by a quick trip for me at Starbucks and then we meandered around a book fair within the atrium of our corporate building. My normal lunch pals, Tawny and Jeff had taken the day off to continue celebrating their 22nd Wedding Anniversary from yesterday.

Rob has been patient in my rest and recovery period, but today he began pressing me about walking and getting into the swing of things meaning exercise and the training we were in the middle of doing. This weekend will be a re-start. I have to get my mojo in order.

Left work late even though my boss said I could leave early. I just needed to finish some things and tried to decide whether I would be working on the weekend. There is a strong feeling that I will just to catch up. I am sick of feeling buried at work. Just remembered that Bridget will be out on Monday for roller derby stuff at the Florida State Fair. I'd better set aside a half day to work then and also get caught up in my blog. I look at the editing list and have several in draft stage from the previous week. Damn. I have been busy.
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To Move or Not To Move

My Day...Still Lovely

"Loving can cost a lot but not loving always costs more, and those who fear to love often find that want of love is an emptiness that robs the joy from life."

- Merle Shain


My own love well is still flowing despite not having an extra special person to share this day. By my sharing a bit of kindness, I received back a lot of appreciation. The first order of business today was to deliver my goodies to the people earmarked for them. Wonder and delight were what I saw in my recipients' eyes as they realized they were being delivered something or when they saw the pink and red packages on their desk as they arrived. I received several e-mails saying it had made their day.

My boss bought my breakfast downstairs for part of his Valentine's gesture; he also brought us ladies chocolate. They were serving waffles at the cafe! Ate one greedily at my desk I was so excited...Jeff took Tawny, Susan and me for a Valentine's lunch at a Thai restaurant. Green Curry Chicken warmed my tastebuds. I love flavor explosions in my mouth. Who the heck wants to eat a hamburger when they can have exotic Thai spices? I tempered the heat with sips of iced Thai tea...

Before I forget: The following image was a lucky find on our grounds at the apartment complex. It was an accidental shape created from the tree trimmers grooming back the palm trees. I noticed this forgotten piece of rubbish when I walked Cabal a couple of months ago. You know how my life goes...little gifts from the universe where I least expect them. Kathy has asked me to post it because she found it really interesting. I am showing you what the back and front look like. There are a ton of unsaid metaphors here, but I'll let you draw your own.



My evening was solitary with the exception of Myrna and Ty doing a drive-by pick-up of their Valentine's goodies. I received another beautiful dragonfly pin from them. A few text messages blipped on my phone wishing a Happy Valentine's and Cabal was extra sweet...

Two and a half hours of sleep was all I had last night because I was busy baking the chocolate chip cookies and losing time doing stupid stuff. Needless to say, I was ready to crash by 10pm. My new cocoon welcomed me nicely.
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My Day...Still Lovely

Happy AGOL Day: Spread Love

HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY !!

It's my day. Won't you celebrate it with me by giving a little love to everyone you see today? Call those loved ones near and far away and tell them you love them. Give hugs. SMILE BIG!

A closer look:



39 Good Lovin' bag treats and 24 cards to give out today:


(I know they are just bags of crazy candies, chocolates, fabric heart-shaped petals and fun wrapping, but I know it feels good to get something nice and unexpected on your desk. I love doing this stuff. Believe it or not...this is restrained!)

...and homemade ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies!

These are huge!


So happy together...



SPREAD LOVE !!

Kisses to you my lovelies,
AGOL
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Happy AGOL Day: Spread Love

Opa!

Been seriously jonesing for Greek food and tonight I was able to share my passion for it with one of my best gal pals, Kathy. She picked me up and we drove not too far at this new place called Acropolis Taverna. The atmosphere was hip yet comfortable, the wait staff helpful and friendly, and the food divine.

Kathy had a heavy day programming for her job at a credit union and her mental escape was "going to the Greek Isles". She was probably looking more forward to the meal than I did.

My day was buried in one of my projects and the looming move from our current building to the new one. Nothing exciting...

Kathy and I started out with Saganaki (or Cheese Flambe). I carefully watched the extinguishing of the flames. Didn't want my hair catching fire thanks to the shellac application of hairspray. (How do you think it stays perfect all day?) I was afraid of turning myself into a demented rendition of a troll doll. It could happen!

Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) were not on the menu, but I could order some as an appetizer offering which I did and included an appetizer size slice of Spinach Pie. Okay, it came to our table as dinner size! Kathy happily dove into it in between bites of her own entree of Falafel. I brought most of my dinner home. My sights were on finishing the meal with some bites of Baklava that Kathy happily shared. Everything was delicious! This place gets 5 out of 5 AGOL Smooches Rating and gets marked on the approved list.

Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) and Dolmas :


We made a couple of last minute Valentine's stops to get brown sugar for the chocolate chip cookies I was making tonight and Kathy for some candy her boyfriend liked. She dropped me off so I could finish up my Valentine's insanity, erm..preparations.


AGOL Fun Fact: My Favorite Cheese is Feta Cheese! I can eat it plain or drizzled with red wine vinegar, cold pressed olive oil and sprinkling of fresh oregano.
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Opa!

Vendor Vendor Vendor

My day was all about one vendor, our travel vendor. She flew in from North Carolina just to give my boss and me for our Quarterly Business Review (QBR). It would be her first with my boss. She is someone you instantly like; my boss was not immuned by her effervescent charm.

After a couple of hours discussing her report and charts, my boss took us out to lunch at Wright's Deli. (Yes, I was just there on Saturday.) Somehow the discussion got to be on the subject of feng shui which made me the object of focus. Our lunch table was used as a brief tool to help illustrate the bagua map used in feng shui. I gave a brief overview and a promise to send a link to a good starter book to my vendor.

We had a brief reprieve from one another to catch up on e-mails and IMs. Had a couple of people who were annoyed at not having me available. Jeezus, you're still in that bleedin meeting?! What can I say? I am at work and have to actually do some work. Imagine that. The three of us met again for a conference call with individuals from our North American mother ship. Thrillsville...not!

Found out that our visitor shared the same birthday as me which was a rare occurrence. Let me tell you something, this woman is whom I would love to be when I grow up. The sad part is that I am about 10 years older. Her life seems idyllic. I won't go into it or I will get a bit down. The fact that my training has been temporarily sidelined by my illness is starting to really to get to me. Rob assures me that I will be okay once I get back on course. He's been sick, too, but he pretends he is not by continuing to train after a couple days of rest. Lucky duck. He is a great motivator.

I am feeling better and just trying to get some quality rest to get better. Curiously developing an unnatural affinity for my electric blanket. If it helps me attain better and deeper sleep, I believe it is all good. That's my story anyway.
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Vendor Vendor Vendor

Electric Cocoon

Monday morning brought good mood vibes. Found myself singing along to songs on the way to work. My vibes dimmed a bit when I found out that Bridget called in sick today. So much for me getting a good start on my project. Sigh. From there I immersed myself in work and tried not to become visibly annoyed with my boss who kept bugging me all day...

As I waited for the garage elevators to close, I noticed an insect had flown in. I couldn't make it out at first until I saw its form silhouetted against the dimming sun before the elevator doors closed. To my delight, it was a very small needle-like black dragonfly. I haven't seen a dragonfly since late summer. Immediately elated, I watched it fly around me before settling near my leg on the wall. I made sure to shoo it out before I left. It was nice enough to visit me; the least I could do was make sure it didn't expire within the confines of the elevator...

When it was time to wind down at home, I wrote out 24 Valentine's cards for Thursday. I finished putting together my candy and chocolate goodie bags from the stuff I bought yesterday. These are always fun for me and take no time to put together. I was able to embellish some with stuff I already had around. Personalizing things just makes your gift giving that much more meaningful so I made sure to write out people's names and have them know that I thought about them ahead of time and not just handing out goodies because they were there when I came around. Check out the pics on Valentine's Day.

Something surprising has occured. I was able to achieve deep sleep last evening thanks to my new electric blanket I purchased yesterday. Don't you just hate climbing in between cold sheets? I do and caved in by slipping my new electric blanket in between my top sheet and comforter. About a half hour before I went to bed, I turned it on to warm my bed. This was the best idea ever! I fell into deep sleep quickly and I felt cocooned by the warmth. Wow. I did the same thing tonight. Can't wait!
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Electric Cocoon

For the Brits...

I almost died laughing when I saw this. If you're a Brit, you will get a chuckle out of this... They don't just sell tossers, but trash tossers...for Mom's Car!


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For the Brits...

27 Dresses

One thing about me is that I am not often spontaneous when it comes to making plans. I think it is a comfort thing because I have to know what is expected and what I need to do in order to prepare for an outing or an event ahead of time. This morning was not one of those moments.

Called up Myrna to ask her if she would like to go to lunch and a movie today. She was getting ready to go and run errands but she was thrilled at my ideas and we could do her errands after. She has never been to Wright's Deli and that is exactly where we had a scrumptious lunch. Myrna chose half a tuna sandwich and a cup of tomato bisque soup which she enjoyed immensely. Had my regular Bahama Baby grilled sandwich of pork, jarlsberg cheese, cucumber and some other stuff in an onion roll. We split a slice of chocolate cake. Mmmmmm...divine!

Next on our agenda was the new chick flick 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl. Jane has made it her life to help brides on their special day and yet never marrying herself. (Jeezus, did this sound familiar!) A wedding columnist/reporter (James Marsden) discovers her going back and forth to two weddings in one night and eventually does a story on her. She ends up divulging her secret treasures of the 27 dresses of varying hideousness she has collected over the years of being a bridesmaid. Of course, they fall in love in a madcap way with an episode of them singing Elton John's Bennie and the Jets in an obscure bar. (Guess who was hooked on this song for a few days?) That is a high point view, you really have to watch this cute flick to get the rest about her sister falling in love with the man Jane has had a crush on forever...her boss!



We stopped at Sam's Club to get something for her husband. I like to go meander in every aisle and I found this large salad spinner at a reasonable price. Suspend your disbelief -- I didn't have one before today! I've bought them as gifts, but never for myself. With this model, you can serve in the plastic bowl after spinning your greens and also use the basket as a defrosting basket which allows the discarded water to drip into the bowl.

Sprinkles' New Salad Spinner


Myrna dropped me off late in the afternoon. I snapped the pic below before deciding to drive to my aunt's house to return something I had borrowed earlier in the week.



Enjoyed dinner with my aunt, uncle and Nan before tiredly going home. My mind was stuck on the fact that she's got electric boots a mohair suit...you know I read it in a magazine...Bennie and the Jets.
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27 Dresses

Seven Positive Things About My Life

I was tagged by Badgerdaddy to do my own as another blogger had tagged him. Here we go...

7 positive things about my life:

1. I am alive and resilient...For the most part, I just roll with the punches. Life is a constant challenge and some mornings I would just love to stay in bed. That is not how life works. Sooner or later you have to get up or the cops will be knocking on your door to make sure rigor mortis hasn't set in. I surprise myself at my resilience during the tough times. What other people consider a complete test of endurance, is just something to weather. When you lose your mother at a young age after settling in a new country and a new life for only six months, everything else is cake. I owe it to the universe to be alive.
   
2. I have a loving support band...My family and friends are always just a call away for strength and support. They usually call me first when I hit a crisis mode because they know I will hesitate to be the one call first. I've raised myself to be very independent that it is hard to relax sometimes to let other help, but when I see that it makes them happy to help me, I cave in. They love me and I have to let them express that love.
   
3. I am extremely creative...I have a good eye for things. Maybe that comes with growing up without television for a period of my life (too many break ins). The veins in which it shows can be seen through my writing, my decorating, make-up artistry, my artwork, my cooking, gift wrapping, event planning, people skills, and how I resolve problems. I can be given one thing to think about and come up a with a dozen things about it five minutes later. My mind is at the speed of light, I'd like to think. I am hardly ever bored.
   
4. I have a knack of making people see beyond their current selves...Living in several places and having several jobs has afforded me the opportunity to touch many lives. I have a unique perspective on things and I know the influence I have wielded in several people. To help them realize that they are more than what they are. I help them recognize their strengths and talents. My encouragement gives them the strength to persevere and (the best part) try new things!
   
5. I am a talented cook...I listed this separately because it is important to me and I consider it a big positive in my life. The whole process of conceiving a recipe or reading one, going to shop for it, cooking all the ingredients, plating the meal and finally serving the finally product are very meditative for me. I collect recipes from other people because I get the stories with it that helps me remember them. Food is one of the simplest ways to connect with people even strangers. I also love to teach what I know and I have had many instances whether one-on-one or in a classroom setting. Still simmering the idea of becoming a cooking host for a show. Damn, I can't wait for that idea to boil. You know what they say about a watched pot...
   
6. I am true to myself...There are a few things I would love to change about myself, but for the most part I do really like me. I don't want anyone else's face, but the body of Angelina Jolie would be nice. Ha! I strive to be an original and not copy others.
   I am my own brand of person to everyone. I have my own "isms" that people who know me recite back to me. I rarely follow a crowd. To me, other people have that covered so I don't have to. I carry a brass set so the meek need not apply. I may be swimming upstream most of the time, but the sites are better seen at the slower speed as you pass them by.
   
7. I giggle a lot...My sense of humor is out of control. Most of the jokes I know are either naughty or downright filthy. I love to make others laugh especially during more somber moments. My friend Trish from San Francisco calls me "her giggle friend" and she rings me when she needs a fix. I can find the humor in anything or anyone. My giggle is infectious. There is a video somewhere in this blog where I am giggling almost the whole time. This is a special gift I have...or maybe the straight jacket is around the corner. Who knows? (giggling)
   

...And for those who are not up on all this goodness, please visit this site.
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Seven Positive Things About My Life

Razorback Fruit

Feeling better today than I have in almost a week. Occasionally, when I least expect it, I get reminded that the pain is lurking in the shadows. Thank God the meds are finally kicking in.

It was Bridget's turn to take care of her car and the prognosis? A new transmission. Ouch. She may or may not be at work. My boss is taking his family to the Florida State Fair tomorrow. He'd better take some antacids with that kind of food...

A vendor took my boss and me out to lunch at The Cheesecake Factory. My boss was invited to drive our account manager's brand new BMW 528i Sedan in a Platinum Bronze color. Damn with all the goodies including cream leather seats, it was a sexy ride. I was invited to drive it back to work; I wisely declined.

Work is burying me at the moment. I hope to be able to catch up soon. Two wasted days this week on Monday and Tuesday. Yes, I know I have to take it easy, but it sucks. I am not exercising at all either for fear of an accident caused by side effects like dizziness. One word: Annoying.

Here is the collage pic of my primping the pineapple.


I ate half for dinner and it hit the spot just right. It was a female pineapple because there were seeds near the eyes. This is how my family prepares a pineapple by making "V" cutouts in a spiral around the fruit (to take out the eyes) resulting in razorback slices. This pineapple was sweet and tart in all the right places like someone you know. Hee.
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Razorback Fruit

Sound and Vision

Is there a better way to drive to work with a little vintage Bowie blasting through your car speakers? No, I think not. Blue, blue, electric blue...

Sitting at my desk felt alien. I quickly ate breakfast and caught up with Bridget and my boss before attending our benefits meeting. Oooh - surprise - our healthcare costs went up! The crazy part is that they start out prepping you by giving you a song and dance about the percentage of employers who do not offer their employees benefits and examples of the rising cost in healthcare. All this before you see the increases and changes projected on the giant screen. Fuck - give me a break - our software company is traded on the London Exchange for crissakes! We are not a mom and pop shop. Yes, you are getting a pile crap, but it is a only a small pile. Isn't that great, Miss AGOL? I think I need to find my fountain of gratitude somewhere.

Anthony drove Bridget, Dan and me to Crazy Buffet for lunch. It tasted lackluster. Maybe it is the meds I am taking tainting my tastebuds? We have too much fun during these unholy gatherings. It cheered me after the benefits meeting though.

My team meeting is on Wednesdays at 2:30pm and every week it seems as though it comes at the most inconvenient time...like when you're buried in work! Boss kept it short and I didn't fall asleep. Good times.

I have been craving pineapple lately. It must be the bromelain (enzymes) in it. Tonight I finally bought one. I don't know how you check to see if the whole pineapple is ripe, but I smell the bottom portion. If you can smell the sweet fragrance of pineapple then it is ripe and ready to be eaten. Felt conspicuous doing this in the produce aisle, but I was determined to get one which I will prepare tomorrow evening.

Not much to report. There were a few times I felt pain throughout the day and a couple more this evening, but I am hoping it all goes away by the time the meds are consumed. I do not relish a trip to the emergency room or any further poking and prodding from people still practicing their vocation. Sigh.

I will sit right down, waiting for the gift of sound and vision...And I will sing, waiting for the gift of sound and vision
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Sound and Vision

Overdoing It

At 6am, I was on my way to the complex dumpster to get rid of some larger items too big for the normal trash pick-up. By 8:30am I had vacuumed, washed floors, organized a bit and washed/dried my rugs. At 8:50am I logged into work.

Stayed home today for the pest control people to come and spray inside. You know how much Cabal loves strangers. Come to find out in the afternoon from the complex office that my building was getting sprayed next month! The bulletin was published incorrectly. Are you kidding me? I stayed home for this. Grrr...

Concentration was a losing game all day. I was uncomfortable at times and a mild headache would plague me. I did some work, but not enough. Caught up via IM with Bridget and my boss. Tomorrow will be a busy day for sure.

I got the idea to invite Jeff and Tawny over for a delivered pizza dinner. They called when they left work so I could gauge the timing of the pizza being delivered. Lately, I've been to their place more often than they have at mine. It was nice to have them over for a bit. Socializing in my apartment has gone by the wayside. Today, I just felt like company in my sanctuary.

It is a little after 9pm now and I need to call an early evening for tomorrow's demand. That nauseous feeling was back. I may have overdone it today or it could be a side effect. I know that I am not infallible, but I can sure try if I can.
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Overdoing It

Update....Urgent Care Visit

The familiar ache woke me up every two hours before I succumbed to getting the day started by walking my doggie. IM'ed with Tawny giving her update while she was at work. I could hear my phone ring after my shower. It was Tawny's husband Jeff calling to find out how I was doing and to inform me that he was picking me up in 15 minutes. I told him I would drive myself; he iterated that he would pick me up.

This experience with Jeff was a more somber one whereas Tawny kept making me laugh last night. Pain shot through my abdomen. She would stop and the next thing would be funnier than the other. My eyes welled up...

My experience at the Urgent Care Clinic was much more pleasant and calming than the E/R hours before. The doctor was guessing based on my symptoms. He barely looked at me under my clothes. I was dressed very un-AGOLlike as captured in the pic below looking at those old ugly baggy pants covering my shoes while I sat on the exam table. (I am teasing, but I did wear sexy undies for the man. Being an AGOL is a 24/7 job.) He said that if symptoms persist, I am to go directly to an emergency room. Two prescriptions later for two different symptoms, Jeff took me home so I could get it filled.

I don't want to describe further the nature of my maladies. Suffice it to say that for now, I will be okay. I share a lot, but this one I would like to keep.

Decided to get the scripts filled at Costco near my aunt's so I could visit her and give her an update at the same time. Called my boss to give updates. Later Angie called me from work and got the updated info. Rob (the Terrier) grilled me on my symptoms and prescriptions even sending me links on IM to get me to understand where the doctor may be going with his selection of meds and extracted a promise to see an internist as soon as possible. We have Open Enrollment for benefits again this week so hopefully, their new list of internists is more promising than last year. I'd better find someone or several peeps will hound me to the ends of the earth.

My exam room and my prescriptions with warning labels. Which is worse - the symptoms or the side effects? Yes, I agree. It is a toss-up.


The rest of my day is gone...evening now. Wrapping this up to get myself some rest and more meds. A very big THANK YOU to Tawny & Jeff for shuffling this achy AGOL around and a thanks to all who called, IM'ed, texted and e-mailed me with their concerns and well wishes. I cherish you all!!
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Update....Urgent Care Visit

E/R sucks

Just got back from a 3-hour trip to the emergency room. Tawny took me at midnight and just brought me back. It was so depressing and so horrible a place to be in. Did I mention that I left because I couldn't stand the wait anymore? It would have been easier to call an ambulance, but I don't think that would've been a wise use of emergency resources even though I would have been seen to faster.

I will get some sleep and live with the ache for a bit longer. Either Tawny's husband Jeff will take me or I will go by myself to the urgent care clinic. They open at 10am..

Just cut off the hospital tags with my name and the band alerting of my penicillin allergy. I am busy reheating my extra fluffy blanket in the dryer to put on my bed before I go to sleep. Also have a mug of hot jasmine tea waiting for me. I am craving a comforting warmth right now. Updates later. G'night.
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E/R sucks

Can No Longer Be Ignored

What I haven't reported is that I have been suffering from abdominal pain the past four of days, Friday being the worst day. You know how my Friday went, too. Driving my car over the speed bumps in the garage brought sharp pains that morning. I had agreed with a couple of my girlfriends that I would go to the doctor if it persisted. As a rule, I despise going to the doctor. The environment just has bad memories for me and I don't like the vibes in the hospitals or doctor's offices. I have a great health insurance plan which I pay every pay period, but I barely use it unless I have to. Luckily, I am also rarely sick or so I thought.

In the middle of taking notes down from Google map for the Super Bowl party I was invited to tonight, I experienced sharper pains than I had from Friday that took my breath away. I guess that was a sign to call Tawny's husband (his cell is louder) and let him know that I wouldn't be making it after all. This pissed me off so badly - I looked in the mirror and saw someone who was dressed and ready to go with her brows furrowed. Tawny texted me, but before I could reply back, she called me. Jeff was already taking the day off tomorrow and he could take me to Urgent Care (takes our insurance!) if I wanted to wait until then or they could take me sooner. I opted to wait until tomorrow.

Found myself driving to the closest Asian store to get some comfort food. On the way, I tried to call Angie in LA but she wasn't at home and her cell went straight to voicemail. So much for stalling. I took a deep breath and dialed my aunt's house and told her the events in the last several days. She was very concerned, offered help and would call me tomorrow regardless if I call back to check on me. It is rare I am sick so this is a bit worrisome.

This is bad to say that if Tawny hadn't pushed it, I would probably delay my doctor visit more. I am more afraid of her resorting to dialing 911 for the ambulance to come than facing the pain. How strange is that? She cares very much that great friend of mine. Let's cross our fingers and see what the doctor says.


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Side note: Two of my buddies on facebook suggested I get a new vehicle as a response on Friday's status report. I saw this and bookmarked it just in case.
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Can No Longer Be Ignored

Diamonds...Nature's Anomaly

Public television reran a piece on diamonds. I've always been fascinated by them. As a child, I would stare and study the wedding set my mother had on her hands. The stones would wink no matter how they were turned like the stars that captured my attention at night. I played in a patch of sand next to my house and see "diamonds" sparkle in the grains. Of course, now I know it is glass or silicon. Very entrancing. (Yes, a la my precious in Lord of the Rings.)

Diamonds are an anomaly of nature. It is only through great geological forces and the patience of universal time that carbon can be transformed into diamonds. It is the hardest rock on earth. Light, when it passes through it, takes twice as long which means it holds light within it. The facets ground by master jewelers only showcases that momentary love of light the diamond has.

The most unique fact I love about diamonds is that they never decay. Carbon dating just doesn't work. All things in the earth emit some sort of radio activity and through the decay of the carbon, we are able to guess at the age. It is only when a diamond has an inclusion (a flaw) trapped within its compact molecules, we are able to carbon date that portion and the age gleaned can be up as much as 2 billions years. Depending on the elements surrounding it at the time of formation, is what the color of the diamond will be which according to the PBS piece ranges the color of the rainbow. The only color they are not able to figure out is pink. Gosh, there is so much more to say like how they can be pushed up from core of the earth through magma spewing during volcanic eruptions. Mines are usually set up around these ancient volcanic mounds.

A new thing in diamonds (no, I won't talk about the man-made ones or their use in electronics by NASA) is they have found that white dwarf stars have carbon cores. Our own sun when it dies, will be a giant diamond. Pretty incredible, huh? I've added the link so you need not get the full lesson from me. What brought this on? Two things, I found my mother's engagement ring that goes with the wedding band I wear on my pinky finger and the show on PBS that I must have seen at least four times already.

We are made of the same stuff as stars therefore we can loosely theorize that we are diamonds. The heat of life I think is what gets us whether that is stress or our ever elusive, love. For some people, it is easy to find love (good or bad). Sadly, I have had many little loves, but never the all encompassing kind. There was a glimmer of hope last year until I was quickly dispelled of that notion. Been batting around more than one man at the moment, but there is no molten lava heat of the all encompassing kind. Despite popular belief, sex is not all encompassing. (I apologize if you're one of them reading this entry, but I am always upfront with you.)

Owners of the most famous diamonds have long since gone, but their diamonds are still alive and passed along to new owners to enjoy their beauty and fire within. In that case, DeBeers has it right: a diamond is forever. While they keep making millions of dollars with that slogan, I will keep the fire within lit. Please bring silicone hand mitts if you're interested. My temperature runs in kelvins. Ha!
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Diamonds...Nature's Anomaly

Car Blues...Again

Tawny had warned me that she wasn't good company before we went to lunch. She didn't have time to tell me because my car wouldn't start. Great. Just bloody great. It wasn't the battery because the lights came on. Well...I knew what my afternoon would be like then. We ate lunch downstairs at our building. It was not what I wanted at all. Sigh.

Gave my boss the bad news and Bridget who would have to pick up my slack while I got myself squared away. My boss kept offering to drive me at the shop and/or to my home so I wouldn't have to wait for hours at the shop. I teased him that he was just trying to go home early.

I called my motor club to get a tow truck. My car was parked on the 4th floor and I wasn't sure of the height clearance with the tow truck. Twenty minutes later I received a call from the motor club, the tow truck was in front of my car. How the heck did he manage that?! We have a guard. A guard who apparently had chased him in his golf cart around the garage. HAAHHAHHHA. The driver was laughing. The guard did not think it was too amusing chasing an unauthorized vehicle in the garage. I thought it was funny especially since it broke his routine of being on the cell phone and driving around lazily. Ooh, the tale of the chase he will now be able to tell!

More minutes later after driving on the highway, we were at my car shop where I was last Saturday for the screw in my tire. They examined it and had me look at what was wrong. I am sure Mechanic Swahili was being spoken. I saw parts in oil and something cracked. My sense of humor came out and I ended up flirting with the guys. (Yes, Tawny -- I know the flirting part is never a surprise.) Does it make a difference when the bad news ($532!!) was delivered by a man who has one of the prettiest set of cobalt blue eyes you've ever seen? He took some money off at $60 or 16% off the original bill. God bless America -- I was still recovering from the $750 spend the day after Christmas. Fired up my laptop, surfed and instant messaged until the battery died. No convenient plugs with the exception of where my cell phone adapter was already plugged in. Rob called on his way home and we kibitzed about stuff until my car was ready.

On my way home, I called Myrna to check on how her new job was going and they've already offered her a permanent position after one week. I shared my car woes and she said that she had to take me out and cheer me up. We met up at some place but went to another place I wanted to revisit. We had a great time. She ordered something to take home to her husband who had just come home after a long day.

In the middle of my checking e-mail messages, I received a call that Tawny was going to do a drive-by drop off of box of hot cocoa from a wholesale store. If I don't see her tomorrow, I will definitely see her at the Superbowl Party on Sunday. The cocoa came just in time -- the weather was getting cooler tonight.

Reflecting on today as I drink my hot cocoa: While I got to let go of some hard earned cash, I am blessed that I didn't have any accidents on the highway. My car woes have always happened in a safe environment. Blessings not blues are what I need to think about.
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Car Blues...Again