Surrealism on Tuesday

The surrealism lacing today is difficult to explain. I was not going through the day in a fog but I felt a disconnect from it as if I were watching it from outside my body. I was present but I wasn't...I dunno.

My first moment at work was trying to get Bridget to remember a rocker from the Big Hair 80s period. I walked in and said to her Two words: Kip Winger. Bridget replied, Two words: Black Berry. She trumped me because I love geeky things. Her phone finally gave up its ghost yesterday and had to be replaced. The new toy was in red and we ooh'd and aah'd over it before our boss came in and unloaded a bit. He was out of sorts because his 18 year old cat may have to be put down this week and he'd been arguing with his wife. My boss is a very nice man, too nice sometimes. I will leave it at that.

My boss informed me that I would be manning our fort almost by myself today as he had to leave early, Bridget had a dentist appointment and our temp had to leave for an appointment, too. Fine with me. I was leaving earlier than my time to go to Happy Hour with the guys. See how that works out? Ha.

Lunch was with most of my Asian mafia in a companionable tone. We laughed and shared stories about growing up or our first real experiences living in a Caucasian/American world. The cultural differences were a source of fun and embarrassment at our cultural misunderstandings.

Did I mention that my temp was beginning her birthday campaign? Her birthday isn't until two weeks from now. She thinks she is being sly mentioning places to go and her desires for a cake. (Rolling my eyes!) I may have to break down and tell her how tacky it is do the whole campaign thing. Don't you agree? Ticky tacky.

Our financial application upgrade didn't go so smoothly over the weekend. Little problems here and there were surfacing as we worked through it. Last night I had volunteered to assist them in more testing in case they needed it. I am mentioning this more for Tawny who is out of town. She needs to be informed that a certain cocky Norwegian with a ridiculously gargantuan corner office wasn't very happy. How can I tell for sure? I can't. He has one facial expression.

Happy hour was interesting with a little more than a handful of us. Bridget ended up driving her mom to the E/R for pain so we didn't see her after her dental appointment. A very attractive lady in our building agreed to come and join us. She made it a point to discuss it with me. The news of it spread like wildfire and caused some more guys to attend. (Another rolling of my eyes!) I sat next to my gay buddy John where we could cause mischief, Dan sat opposite us and the seat to the left of me kept being occupied by different people in our group. Man! One large martini and your AGOL was in orbit. A bit of food wasn't enough; a venti Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks perked me up during my (thankfully rainless!) drive home. So there.

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Surrealism on Tuesday

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

Neon Blue Drink

Just when you think it is safe to breathe... The word busy gets tapped on my forehead so much lately, there is a beginning of a permanent indentation. Did I mention being part of a user testing team on a software application? More meetings today, tomorrow and the next week for all kindsa stuff. May I please have my old schedule back sans meetings?

Bridget strikes again... Marching up to my desk in the afternoon, she advises me not to enter the Ladies Room because someone has fully violated the area. I asked, You? Noooo. Okay. (Had to clear that up first, you know.) She said that she was there from drinking too much water earlier, but decided to play game of Tetris on her cell phone for a minute while she was otherwise engaged. She found herself getting to Level 11 in the game and decided to leave when the violation was at its zenith. I asked her if her butt and leg got numb from her gaming position. She confirmed that she had to walk like Quasimodo getting out of the room and then noticed the identity of the offender getting out of the stall. By the time the story was told in its entirety, I was in tears.

The universe always has proper timing for things and I decided to go down the hallway before I packed up and left for the day. I was passing by the elevator vestibule and saw my friend Nikki inside. She IM'ed me earlier and she wasn't in the best mood. I opened the door, said hello and gave her a hug. She thanked me and took the elevator down.

While I was at Happy Hour at the Blue Martini with several of my gang, I received this text from her: Wow u will never know how much that hug meant to me. Again thank u so much 4 being such a positive person in my life *Nikki.

It is incredibly easy for me to be positive for other people. Being positive for myself is quite the opposite. I find it very trying. Sigh.

Tawny's husband Jeff decided to order the lounge bar's namesake drink, The Blue Martini. DJ remarked that it looked like a lava lamp. It totally does!


I can't drink anything made with Blue Curacao because it makes me sick. I teased Jeff that he was drinking Smurf Essence. Everyone had a hilarious drink before topping the time by ordering their favorite java at Starbucks. Got home at a good hour and did not feel too guilty for making the dog wait.

Watched a small portion of TV which was preempted by President Bush's Primetime Speech. I tried to listen, but just couldn't sustain interest. I don't like it when I lose respect for leaders and authority. It means the system has broken down. Can't have that.

It is raining outside as I type. I know I've mentioned before how much I love rain, but I really do. It's nature's way of cleansing and nourishing all living things. I like the sounds made by the rain, too. Might help me sleep better. I have not been doing that new sleeping ritual for a while. Raindrops on roses...

Neon Blue Drink

Happy Martinis

Traffic was brutal and I couldn't wait to get to work. Bought a bagel with peanut butter at the cafe before going upstairs. Only ate a third of it thanks to busy work.

Bridget and I made a trip to our other building after lunch so we could compare apples to apples with the Accounts Payable department. We left their building more ticked off and called our interim boss when we got back. Received a directive to take care of it at our level and leave management out. So now I have a request to a not-so-favorite man for a web conference. Just bloody lovely.

Felt woozy in the late afternoon since I didn't manage my energy well with my sugar intake. Should have eaten breakfast at 5am and snacked at 9:30am instead of eating a portion of a bagel at 9:30a and then a light lunch.

Seven of us planned to meet for happy hour at the Blue Martini. Most of our group were running late. I couldn't wait to go so I called DJ to see if he was still in the building and it turned out he had been there already for half an hour. Be right there to join you! Arrived around 5:30pm.

I drank Sour Apple Martinis this time around while we unloaded about our day. Soon the rest joined us. It was Jeff, Tawny, Kathy, Jamie and Ant. By 6:30, I was bombed thanks to a light lunch earlier. Tawny had to escort me to the Ladies Room just in case. We ordered some food to counteract the drinks. I had delicious flatbread pizza. Also had a bite of DJ's steak tenderloin that had a nice citrus taste and tried out the spinach dip on the other side of the table. This place had fab drinks and food!

After another two hours of demented teasing and watching an extra happy Kathy do a lap around the bar area missing the bathroom entrance and eventually rescued by Tawny, we prudently made our way to Starbucks across the way for some damn fine coffee. I said as much after the first sip of my Caramel Macchiato. Was careful driving home, but was clearly on the edge of not being safe. Yikes! Will manage my energy better next time.

The orchids were a fancy garnish on our plates. Martini glasses were cleared. This was my empty cola glass in a desperate attempt at instant sobriety.


Waited a long while to update my blog thus avoiding drunk blogging. That is the last thing I need to experience. The martini effects felt great while they lasted though. I'd better take my Pretty Boy Dog out now before heading for the haven of 400-thread count sheets. Mmm...Bedtime.

Happy Martinis

Dirty Martinis and Me

Drove a different time window this morning and arrived to work in great time. I soon found out that there were no minutes to spare with calls with my interim boss, my workload and annoying conference calls. Ugh.

Bridget and I made each other laugh hysterically during the short lulls. This chick was a total trip. She was supposed to join us for cocktails after work, but I think her boyfriend blues escalated in the afternoon.

Rode with Tawny and Jeff to the Blue Martini bar near work. I had my heart set on having a pina colada, but was gently informed they don't serve frozen drinks. Bummer. Dirty martini coming right up! The drink came garnished with three colossal olives on a mini skewer. I was teased mercilessly during the next couple of hours about how big my olives were.

Our old friend, DJ, met us for drinks, too. We hadn't spent time just the four of us in years. DJ used to be so much more reserved when I met him almost 10 years ago; now he is much easier going. For years, I teased/tortured him about his limited diet. Meat and potatoes man. Well, tonight, he had my jaw dropping especially when he started out telling me he had made risotto. You made whhhaaa?

Words were coming out of his mouth that would normally come from me in our group. For food he mentioned beef wellington and Parmesan encrusted chicken. He then moved onto the upgrades he was making to his current home like pergola, whirlpool tub with aromatherapy, built-in gas grill and slate tiles. He enjoyed amazing me, the little devil.

In case you were thinking it...Yes, DJ and I have tried going out, but we were not clicking as well as being great friends it would seem. We are working again together now; he's a director in the IT group. The last time we got together just he and I, he actually had a spicy Asian dish (not me!) at one of my favorite bistros. I was floored.

Tawny and Jeff joined in the fun with their own martinis (except DJ who drank his requisite Heineken). The bar was playing Latin Jazz and was taken over by a live act singing NeoSoul. I was groovin' it and I was a happy (slightly tipsy) AGOL. Stopped in at Starbucks for coffee on the way home. Also received a cheeky text message from Tawny warning me against drunk dialing, blogging and texting. Oh, please -- the coffee kicked in...eventually.

By the way, Kathy -- girl, your name was prominent in tales/deeds shared tonight. I'll tell you in between bites of Vietnamese food tomorrow night at the restaurant. Get ready to snarf your food. Ha!


AGOL Geeky Alert: What would you print if you had a 3-D Printer? This made my USB port hungry for a new plug-in.

Dirty Martinis and Me