Day of Yummy

This is one of the best days ever especially with a day like yesterday. I spent the whole day essentially talking to Yummy and really nothing else of import. It was heaven.

What is it like talking to Yummy? Imagine this incredible male voice with an English accent telling you things that make you feel all warm and melty. He also makes me laugh out loud. Every time I hear his voice I find myself smiling really big every time.

What an incredibly great man! He has to be to put up with the real me. It's not easy having the AGOL as your girl. You have to made of sterner stuff....or be absolutely mad! Okay, maybe a little bit of both.

We were learning Filipino related things today like food and language. It was a treat for me to teach him more stuff. I hope he took notes. We're having a quiz tomorrow.

I am flying this flag today on the AGOL site as my salute to His Royal Yummyness:

God Save the Yummy!

Day of Yummy

Lay Down & Relax...

Started out peppy but ended up pooped. Amazing what three-and-a-half hours of sleep will do to you not to mention all the other hours you've missed the rest of the week. Nodding off..zzz

Is it me or is manual faxing turning out to be old school? I can send and receive faxes from my e-mail at work, but today I had to send out manually because the fax number I was dialing was having some sort of technical difficulties. Felt conscpicuous in the hallway...What a rather plebeian activity. Ha!

Meetings you forgot you accepted and then ka-plow! ambush you in the afternoon of rushing around with your head cut off are the worst. That's two hours I will never recover. I needed them today, too. Yes, it was another day in paradise.

My drive home became dangerous and not because of other drivers. I was falling asleep at the wheel in rush hour traffic and the sun was still shining brightly around six-ish. The nausea I was starting to feel warned me that I needed some real sleep.

I walked, fed and played with Cabal when I got home. Two muscle relaxants on an empty stomach was my guarantee of beddy-byes. I woke up near midnight. What the hell is the matter with me? That was only four-and-a-half hours of sleep. I sent Yummy an offline IM. Poor thing sent me several that I didn't pick up until then. After working my laptop on my bed, I promptly went back for some more z's.

Lay Down & Relax...

Transient Thursday

Today's Poll: It is one day closer to Friday. (Small Yippee!)

Wisteria-colored chiffon ribbon, one-and-a-half inches wide, won over the quarter-inch white grosgrain ribbon. That's what I chose to embellish the clear plastic container of petit fours I gave my temp this morning along with a cheery card. She loved the surprise and was thankful.

My carpal tunnel was working overtime in the afternoon. I had to cease typing to massage and to exercise my wrists. Too many clicking motions on the mouse and too many click-clacks of my nails on the keyboard. Sigh. I took several mini-breaks to alleviate some of the pain. I even dragged my hard-working temp downstairs to accompany me in my mailing sunshine to someone. The envelope was a bright goldenrod color that made me smile.

Yummy IM'ed me and we continued our conversation on skype when I arrived home. I even worked on my faux English accent. He had the nerve to say that now I was speaking English and how much more intelligent I sounded. All teasing of course. Not sure if I could keep talking like that for a long time since different facial muscles are used; it is tiring. Maybe that's why the Brits "appear" reserved. They are not really reserved, just tired of speaking English with a funny accent. Ha!

Transient Thursday

Moonsmile

My days in paradise are so much fun I don't know if I can stand anymore of it...Well, this part of Florida used to be paradise until humans decided to build and inhabit this area in the name of progress. Progress. Now that is a nice word especially if I could apply it to work (aka paradies).

Users worked my nerve a little, but that is part of my deal with the devil, The Man. I am but a cog in his fine toothed wheel. Round and round we go...

I texted Yummy with a naughty message which he is used to getting just not in the middle of a work day. He got me back good, too. Spice is always nice!

OMG - I got caught dancing at the lunch table (not on!) by my boss as he passed by the wall of windows overlooking the break room (akin to fishbowl effect). My regular lunchroom buddies were there and I decided to torment them again with my new ring tones so I asked Jeff to text me. The designated text song came on and Michelle and I shook our heads and moved our bodies when it played. Yeah, my boss, passed by...stared in shock...and proceeded to laugh his ass off.

Yup...professionalism at its best. You can take the AGOL out of the disco lounge, but you can't take the disco lounge out of the AGOL. It wouldn't have been so bad, but I am dressed very professionally (requisite pearls and flower pin, etc.) and to see me spazzing out being silly is just so contradictory to the image. I did get to relive the humiliation in my staff meeting. My boss often thanks me in an Elvis tone so I am not that embarrassed. That's my story and I am sticking with it.

I didn't realize I had become a trainer for our accounting application. The latter part of my afternoon was spent walking someone through a process. It is not easy and too many variables to populate. My Patience Hat came on let's just say...

For the first time in a while, I left work early and was home and had Cabal taken care of by 7pm. It was nice to just decompress and surf the net for stupid info. No real destination, just emptying my mind of the day. It was heavenly.

My temp has been working her butt off so I decided to go out again after 9:30pm to the grocery store and buy her a thank you card and the last six pieces of petit fours. The dainty cakes were placed in a clear plastic clam shell tray. I will find the coordinating French wire ribbon in the morning to dress the tray up...She did freak me out today. I complimented her on looking really nice and she said she was trying to look like me. Good grief -- not another "mini-me wannabe".

The best part of today was seeing the moon's nice smile line bright against the dark sky on my way to and from the store. The moon's curvy smile hinted at a secret. It apparently knows something I don't yet.

Moonsmile

Just Checking

Gotten into the ritual of checking in with my amiable cube aisle buddy Joe on what kind of what kind of day it is. Almost like a mini poll just to see if we concur. On his way back to his cube, his redhead usually pops over my cube wall with a hello and the question, "Is today better?". Sometimes the discussion is long and other times it is just simply a look. Today we were glad it was Tuesday and we both agreed it was an improvement from yesterday. Another mystery of the world solved...hooray!

My disco destiny groove continued with nonstop strobe music all day thanks to satellite radio. My God, I am getting old! "The Wanderer" by Donna Summer played. I used to dig that song something fierce...

My UK vacation to visit His Royal Yummyness is around the corner, next month. I asked my boss during our meeting today if he was hiring someone new to do my job while I am away. Time is ticking by. Tick. Tick. Certainly not taking a laptop to remote in during my trip. There is an office branch nearby -- oh heeeellllll no! My boss has HR making an offer now. Just have to wait for the acceptance and the background check. Cross your fingers and toes for me!

IM'ed with Yummy before I left work and had fun talking about how my visit will go...sounds, uh, verrah intahressin'. Ha! He also sent me another pic which I e-mailed to my phone for DOP (drooling over purposes). While he didn't like it, I loved it. He's just gorgeous. That's how he is...blessed with sah'in-sah'in.

I need some shuteye so night-night termite. It's only Tuesday right?

Just Checking

Mirrored Ball Musings

"The Hustle" was playing all day at work, figuratively speaking, of course. No mirrored balls except for a picture of one in front of a birthday card tacked onto my cube wall from Kristey. No lit dancefloor, no Travolta hairdos on guys, no feathered hair on chicks, no tube tops, no gold chains showing from open butterfly collars, and no line dance from Soul Train - in short, no fun.

It was Monday and I was doped on caffeine and herbal/homeopathic happy pills. My 'cope cocktail' worked like a charm. No one had to be maimed for bothering me, interrupting me or for just being a total pain in the butt while I tried to get work done. Happy places...we love our happy places. Okay, so I am exaggerating the effects of the happy pills, but they did help.

My disco theme really started with Yummy IM'ing me this link and me telling him of another song that I gladly found the link to add tonight:

Yummy's choice:
"Crying at the Discotheque" by Alcazar



AGOL's choice:
"Murder on the Dancefloor" by Sophie Ellis Bextor



We talked about loving disco which is infinitely better than talking about work today. My mind wandered all over, following the lights on the wall from the mirrored ball.

My self-appointed theme song is "Le Freak" by Chic. (Suspend your disbelief!)
My song selection for Yummy that he will be finding out when he reads this is "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge. (Inside joke)

It's 11-ish and I am still dreaming of mirrored balls. I remember in my early 20s, I was visiting from Chicago to Trampa. My cousin Angie and I went to Pleasure Island during a weekend in Orlando and I danced by myself at one of the many clubs that was once called 8 Tracks. They only played disco and I was in heaven. It was still early in the evening and the clubs hadn't filled up yet; the dancefloor was all mine. I didn't have a care in the world while I got my groove on. I can dance when I allow myself.

Did I ever tell you I choreographed a dance when I was 12 years old for my elementary school's Spring Fling program? There were three or four couples on stage dancing to "Rock Around the Clock". I was still so new to this country that the styles I incorporated for this song were eclectic: disco moves with The Charleston, etc. It was great fun...At my current age and time, I still have some mirrored balls left in my closet to use up. Just not any time soon and probably in private only!


PS Yummy, please click here.

Mirrored Ball Musings

Bistro and Beauty

Happy Sunday! It was indeed a very happy one filled with people I care about and a lot of laughter even a little driving around the extended city of Trampa.

Picked up Tawny at her home at 11am and stopped for coffee to get us started before we made our way to my cousin Ida's on the other side of town. She needed some IT expertise; her Internet connection was not working properly.

It is not often I get my family and friends together. I am very protective of my family. Tawny is like a sister to me so I didn't mind finally introducing her to my cousin and her family. This was the first opportunity to do so. The twins also enjoyed meeting someone new.

Tawny was able to diagnose the technical problem much better than I ever could. Ida needs the tech to come back and properly connect their cable modem. We called and made the appointment the next day for her before leaving to pick up my aunt.

My aunt decided to take her own trip before we left her house....in front of her house, falling on the grass, thank God. I nearly had a heart attack watching her fall, but she didn't fall on the pavement. After making sure she was okay and didn't sprain an ankle or break a hip, Tawny and I helped her up and cleaned her clothes from the leaves on the ground. (I received an update this evening and she is still okay. Whew!)

Lunch was enjoyed at the Gallery Eclectic Bistro in the Bay Street section of International Plaza. The food and the company were great. We giggled and told stories. My aunt hasn't seen Tawny in a while so they enjoyed catching up when they were not tormenting me.

The doors gleamed a bright welcome when we arrived at Sephora. My aunt was soon hooked up with her own BareMinerals kit and a new blush as well as nail polish and this scary yet fascinating mascara called Lash Injection by Too Faced that promises extreme volume. All were presents from her daughter Angie and me. Tawny and I didn't come away empty-handed either. Are you kidding?

All this decision-making required a little treat so I took the girls on the other side of town at La Casa Dolce for gelato. We spent an extra 15 minutes trying to find it since I forgot the street it was on, but managed a hard turn into the parking lot at the back. Sigh. The girls tormented me some more. It is after all their favorite activity...wenches.

We brought my aunt home, picked some calamondin (Filipino lime) from the bush at the back of her house and made our way back to Trampa proper where I dropped Tawny back home around 6:40pm. I hustled home to let Cabal out, feed him and make it on time for my call with Yummy. It was great to hear his voice and end my weekend with him.

(As a side note, I saw that Yummy updated his blog and mentioned me coming over to England to visit him. I can't wait!)

Bistro and Beauty

Pinching and Petit Fours

Beannachtai na Feile Padraig! (Happy St. Patrick's Day!)

Woke up on time with a little Irish luck so I could walk Cabal and be on time with Yummy (he's 1/4 Irish!) on skype. We have only managed snippets of conversation the last few days so talking for a few hours got us caught up before he had to get going for a weekend visit at his mother's home...

Today is the casual dinner I have organized for my aunt's 62nd birthday. Her Filipina genes have erased a decade and half off her face so she doesn't look her age which she freely tells anyone who is curious enough to ask.

Cracker Barrel was our restaurant of choice. It is very homey and has enough for everyone to choose from no matter the picky tastes. My aunt, uncle and Nan met my cousin Dave's family and me at the restaurant. The girls were late getting back from the hair salon so my uncle called to let us know they were 30 minutes behind.

Dave did the drive around town to burn time since he was already on his way and I took my time at the grocery store to get three Mylar balloons and a pound of petit fours in lieu of cake. My thinking is we didn't have to slice a cake at the table nor did we have to feel pressure to commit to a big slice. Everyone received at least two pieces after dinner.

Normally, we go to my apartment for cake and ice cream, but because of my busy schedule, my place was not available for viewing. I haven't had the time to properly decorate and entertain. Can't do it half-assed; have my street cred to protect, you know.

Lack of the color green on your person during St. Patty's Day began a wave of pinching around our table of eight. I did have green on my bra, but that didn't count because no one could see it and I wasn't willing to prove it. My cousin Dave's son Carter enjoyed this part of dinner best, the little five-year old ghoul!

Carter and I then began our own game of pinching: hams (behind the thighs), marshmallows (tummies, but sometimes in his exuberance he misses and gets boobies - ouch!) and pies (cheeks). This was a short game since he and I grew tired from laughing too hard.

It was thankfully an early evening and I wound down from the activities of today and the night before. I received a text message from Yummy during my evening nap and texted back 15 minutes after. It was a great feeling to know he arrived at his mother's okay. Received one more before he retired for the evening.

I'm going to bed early, too. Tomorrow will require all the mental clarity I can muster. Having a girlie outing tomorrow with Tawnyia and my aunt which should be as funny and crazy as a bawdy limerick. We roll like that.

Pinching and Petit Fours

Art Night in Trampa

Fast and furious Fridays make for intense moments. Today fit that bill perfectly. In the midst of the chaos with cellphone in hand, I made my way to Tawnyia's office to torment her a bit just to break up my morning.

Tawny call me now! I want you to hear my new cellphone ring. Annoyed at the interruption, but still willing to indulge, she found her crackberry phone and dialed. She rolled her eyes when "The Look of Love" came on. Michelle, also in her office, just watched us in amusement.

Now text me -- now now now! She yelled at me for being obnoxious. Who could blame her? "Blister in the Sun" by Violent Femmes came on to alert me of the message. Michelle and I proceeded to dance quite fiercely while the song played much to Tawnyia's horror. My work here is now done. I must have had it out for her today because we were caught bickering by someone in HR who commented that we were like an old married couple. We told him that we've been close friends for nine years so he was right.

Spoke to Yummy via cellphone while he was on The Tube, but kept cutting out when it tunneled. We were still able to make a skype date for tomorrow morning...

I rushed home to take care of Cabal and freshen up before Tawnyia' son picked me up to take me to the Oliva Cigar Factory, a 116-year old cigar factory building in downtown Tampa in the Ybor City section, where they were having the last night of a play, art show and where Tawnyia and Jeff also have studio space.

(Art in any form makes me happy because it is an expression of the person inside which may not be what is projected to the public. Face it, art just rocks!)

We arrived and walked up to the entrance where we were greeted by a live band complete with conga drums. It set a fun tone and vibe to the evening. People were moving around the building like termites in wood. The factory had sculptures with differing mediums, paintings, three-dimensional art 'settings' and some really compelling photography.

Everyone in our circle were in Jeff and Tawnyia's studio space drinking mixed drinks that Jeff made and nibbling on a variety of snacks Tawnyia put out for everyone to enjoy. The mix of people were great: IT, artists and artists who worked in IT. We were a happenin' joint.

After the play, we walked around to enjoy more art and ended the evening at the factory with someone spewing fire in the dark front lot using turpentine as an incendiary medium. It was a perfect punctuation to a fun evening.

My friends Kathy and Jaime gave me a ride home, but on our way to their vehicle parked in the garage a few blocks away, we saw this piece of class, Girls Gone Wild tour bus. Oh for the love of God. Will Trampa ever be just Tampa? This is the kind of crap that just digs the grooves of the moniker deeper into stone. Give me a break!



It was a great night spent after a long and exhaustive week. Friends, art and double-shot apple martinis were just what the doctor ordered. Cheers!

Art Night in Trampa

I'm Stamped!

Mental exhaustion teased me during my drive to work. I need some time off...like now! I was ready to call off any plans this weekend just to be alone including my art show plans that Tawnyia told me I was attending tomorrow night. No ducking out since she and her husband are partially hosting the event. Stinkin' thinkin' all the way to work...

Vendors are akin to lawyers I've decided. Bloodsucking leeches with superpowers to work any one's nerve. One worked my nerve immediately about 15 minutes after I sat down at my desk and fired up my laptop. He didn't like my response since I ended up making him do homework and to call me back with his results. Gladly didn't hear from him the rest of the day.

My PO screw up yesterday did get resolved no thanks to the bastard I wanted to avoid. The points were in my corner when I hounded him at noon for a lack of response to my update. Two e-mails later and an update on the ticket online, he was responsive. I am sure he enjoyed my vague answers, a taste of his own medicine. It's like mental ping pong I was set on winning.

I need to stop spreading evilness but my workload and interruptions compel me...

My boss showed his angry side today during a call to one of our vendors. Let's just say, I am glad I am one of his favorite people. I will do anything to avoid that being directed at me. Nice boss...There there. Want me to get you a gourmet meal for lunch? It is NO problem!

How sad must your life be when the things that cheer you up are some lame new personalized stamps with your name emblazoned on them like these:


Tawnyia in her evilness egged me on to scan them and add to my blog. It was a genius idea that I didn't think of first. Hate her...not really. She just enjoys me being a pathetic geek. (Like how I changed my cellphone ring tonight from Benny Hill theme to "The Look of Love" as sung by Diana Krall.)

The rest of the day was jam packed with vendor communication, answering user questions and creating purchase orders. We are definitely hustling all day with almost no time for bathroom breaks...

Barely any Yummy-ness today. Me no likee...Hmpf! I've been spoiled -- what can I say?

Talked to Angie tonight on her way home. We always have a good laugh. I needed the comic relief. Now for another late dinner before I go beddy-byes.

I'm Stamped!

Smooth Operator

I'd probably rather like the smell of napalm in the morning better than being dragged into a meeting with my boss first thing and continuing with a conference call in his office he thought I should attend. Coffee? I need coffee first, Mr. Boss! You won't like it if I don't have coffee.

To top that I somehow screwed up a purchase order in the system so Accounting will not have their additional equipment FedEx'd tomorrow. The PO was stuck in Oracle Space. I called three different experts and of course: Oh, Sarah, I've never had that problem before. Not sure how you handle that. Maybe you should open a ticket. That was an internal trouble ticket I didn't enjoy creating because I do not want a certain bastard to work it and have to suffer communicating with him to resolve my issue. Aargh.

With so much fun before noon, I decided to try and eat a solitary lunch. Yeah, that worked like a charm. I was soon swarmed with people and chatter. This is one of the hazards of having an extra sociable demeanor, you can't get away when you want. I decided to think about my staff meeting at 2:30pm since I was in for a pound. (Passed the pennies in the morning.)

I received an e-mail later in the day from Accounting about another item being audited and they needed the information that day. Words like urgent and imperative were bandied about. Well, God bless America! They couldn't ask earlier...like yesterday?

Benny Hill theme starting playing late in the afternoon. It was my cellphone with the name 1Yummy identifying the caller. Talk about the nicest surprise! Yummy was walking in London on his way to The Tube. I heard the announcements blaring once he boarded. He's called that kind of call an aural postcard because it is just not him calling, but also the sounds of where he is filtering in the background. We continued our conversation at home through skype. Our voices sound a little different (cellphones vs. microphones)...

Talked to Angie for a bit and she reminded me to call her mother to make plans for her birthday. I ended up finalizing plans for my aunt's birthday breakfast for Saturday that turned into a birthday dinner. My uncle was golfing the first half of the day and my aunt had Filipino food orders to fulfill by noon.

My aunt foiled my plans of breakfast and kidnapping her to Sephora so I can assist her in picking out the proper shades for her own BareEscentuals starter kit, a present from her daughter. So now Sunday will be used for that part of the gift. Swirl, Tap and Buff -- it is catching on!

I was still keyed up so I called Tawnyia to check up on her and she was okay but showing her husband some craft thing online. Hung up with her and talked to my friend from work, Jill. Why was I dialing all these people? We yapped for a long time until my stomach rumbled from lack of dinner. It was 10pm.

Sour soup for me again which I just love so no sacrifice there then to bed after blogging. Not a good step, but I was spent. Tomorrow will be another delightful day, I'm sure.

Smooth Operator

It Takes an Act of God

Getting things done at work lately feels like it could take an act of God. If I could just stem the extra mini projects and inquiry calls, I might be able to do my job instead of getting items to vendors by the skin of my teeth.

Breaks have become a luxury, but I do not compromise on lunch often since the mental break from work is essential in keeping the efficiency sustained in the afternoon. Today, I enjoyed lunch with Tawnyia, Jeff and their son. Having parents like T&J make for son who is an independent thinker with an evil-fun sense of humor. I sat in the back of the vehicle with their son and had a ball with off-color jokes. Tawnyia did have to shut us up...killjoy. Ha!

IMs with Yummy in the last hour of work cheered me completely. He's been experiencing the same fun at work as I have so we bemoaned our respective jobs to each other. It is quite nice to be able to unload the day's woes on someone who cares about you. I am delighted to be able to extended the same back.

A call to my sister at the hospital yielded positive news that she is on the mend and has to spend one more day in the hospital before she can go home. My niece and nephew were anxious to have their mother home. Her twin has been visiting twice a day which is great. Although they are identical twins, they are quite different in temperament and often don't get along since they are busy trying to outdo one another, more like trying to be unique. It's difficult living in the same area; they get mistaken for each other even now in their 40s that their physical differences are more pronounced...

I did get to eat the sour soup (using a tamarind mix) I made the night before over jasmine rice. The baby bok choy, eggplant and green beans were divine along with the bits of pork riblets I bought at the Asian store to flavor it. Other people have 'macaroni and cheese' for comfort food, I have Filipino soup. Sometimes being half Filipino just really rocks and it was definitely an act of God to get me that way. Yay God!!

It Takes an Act of God

Monday Zoom

And we were off! Off to the first day without my colleague, first day doing the better part of my job description full-time and first day for my temp coming back to help me. We were all fortunate for a lot of work accumulating; kept us busy all day.

I did receive a 9:30am call from my niece Treaess (pron. TREE-ess) to let me know that her mother came out of her early morning surgery well. She hadn't seen her yet since she was still in recovery but it was good so far. I called my niece back in the evening and her mother was doing great despite the pain she was experiencing. Made a mental note to call my sister tomorrow when she's more coherent...

IM'ed with Yummy which was my very special treat for the day's end. I earned it, too! Not much today in AGOL's world since it was hectic. Went home and finished my greenie beanies and second half of fish from Asian store. It is quite nice slowing down at night with more of my Thai tea. Aaah..

Monday Zoom

It's Only an Hour

It was indeed a Happy Sunday today as the US moved their clocks forward one hour later for Daylight Saving Time. The legislature elected to pass a bill to move observing DST three weeks earlier to conserve energy or so they say. Spring forward. I sprung up from bed with a little zing and became obsessed with switching all the clocks...

The roads were empty when I took an early drive to the bank to get cash for my nail appointment later in the day. I even stopped at the Dunkin' Donut's drive-thru for some killer coffee and a buttermilk donut. Got home in time to watch the CBS's Sunday magazine for a potpourri of art, news, science and human interest. Gotta love Bill Geist segments!

My nail salon was also near empty. I walked in and was waited on right away. I kept my French manicure even though I yearned for this Cherri Melon color. Good thing I didn't go yesterday, it was a madhouse.

I made a pilgrimage to Wal-Mart for sundry items. Don't know about you, but I can troll around this joint for an hour and fill up my cart. Yes, I did do that. It was less crowded, too. This time change must be really working people's nerves, losing an hour and all.

My trip to the Asian store was saved for last. I had a secret wish to buy an already cooked fish from their deli counter. Lucky me, they had two left and I pointed to it and bought one nicely prepared whole tilapia. There is something empowering about buying a whole fish. This one had been pan-fried and seasoned with ginger, scallions, green and red peppers, and some sauce that was not sweet this time around. It was enough for two indulgent mini feasts.

Taking in my treasures made for a few trips to and from the car. Had a snack while I watched 'Hometeam' where they give homes to deserving families. It was an 8 in the feelgood scale...I got back online and talked to Yummy. He took himself to a David Lynch movie playing in his town, but it creeped him out on the way home.

I didn't feel the normal disorientation with springing forward one hour for DST. Not sure why. I was glad because the day was sunny and gorgeous, the temperature on the cool side of warm. Smiles all day.

It's Only an Hour

Source and Intention

Found myself waking up early as if it were a weekday since I crept into bed earlier than normal the night before. I walked Cabal, fed him and was online before 5am. Yummy wasn't on yet so I surfed the net and caught up on some things until he did sign on and we skyped. We were on for about an hour before he had to leave and impromptu babysit for his best friend.

It was still dark out after our call so I hurried quickly to dress properly for a quick drive down the road to get breakfast and some stronger coffee. I brought it home and ended up taking a little nap while watching PBS.

Part of watching PBS is having to watch the special promotional guests when they raising money for the running of the station. Today, they reran Dr. Wayne Dyer's presentation guided by his book, "The Power of Intention". As part of my marble gathering activity, this was a perfect reminder on getting mentally organized.

He talked about being connected to Source, or God and how when everything we do is in alignment and feels great and comes easily is when we recognize our true connection to Source. The idea that our connection to Source without our ego produces our intention. With ego, we meet resistance and we end up not connected to Source and things fall apart. He also mentioned something about 'comptemplate the conditions and surroundings in which you would like to see yourself in' so that anything you intend will materialize.

As part of my intention for a recent gift in my life, I shared some information via e-mail with my dad and stepmother. It was received well, but with a hint of caution which was okay with me since they didn't know firsthand the true value of my gift.

I found a treasure of Filipino food in my freezer which was nice, something made from green mung bean. I nuked it in the microwave and ate a late lunch before I got online again and skyped with Yummy. He is quite adorable and funny. Just can't enough of that man. Luckily, he feels the same way about me.

Talked with Angie, too, whose landlord is getting the house she is renting rewired. She and her roommate were also moving things around the garage so they could have more room for storage. The homeowners, also their friends, have the garage stuffed with their own belongings that didn't fit in their new home. By the time I talked to her, Angie was exhausted from all the activity.

Had marinated artichokes for a snack, wrote this and now watching some TV before resetting all the clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Spring forward and lose an hour, but to my nice surprise, I am gaining an hour with Yummy for two weeks until the UK switches to their own DST. It's all good.

Source and Intention

Sigh of Relief

Soitbeenareallycrazytimewhereeverythingandallthedayshaveruntogether
becauseI'vebeenreallybusyanditwasmycolleague'slastweekandwewere
caughtupinmoremeetingsthantheWhiteHousetotransferknowledge,etc.
andI'vebeengettingoveracold.

That's pretty much how it has been since Saturday.

It is Friday night and I am home relaxing with a cup of jasmine green tea. I got off work early so I could talk to Yummy for a while. He is recovering nicely, too. Talking to him made me feel a whole lot more on an even keel since my AGOL ship was rocking so much this week.

My colleague was very surprised at her going away cake this morning. We had a good turnout, but it could have been better. The break room was crowded and we cheered and applauded her for her work and new opportunities up north. She left around 1pm. Shortly after the vultures came and went "cube shopping". There were a lot of cool electronic goodies at her desk. The equipment manager let me take the 19" flat screen home so I could have dual monitors with my laptop for those days I work from home. Her desk is now ready for my temp to come back on Monday.

Taking a lunch late is never good for me; I had to wait until matters were settled with the colleague. I suffered from 'slim pickins' at the downstairs cafe and from 'food coma' right after eating. The caffeine from the coffee couldn't clear the fog to function more efficiently the rest of the afternoon which was probably a good thing when I met with my boss for my yearly review.

Our company did such a campaign with our yearly reviews in January even providing a time line of submissions and reviews by management, etc. It had a good start but fizzled to be never heard from again. I shouldn't be surprised then at my "common merit increase". I was told when switching managers at the beginning of the year that I would receive a better increase, but those promises were not honored. Once again, I shouldn't be surprised. It is disheartening but I do understand the state of our business and the transition pains it is going through. As an employee, it still just sucks.

Today was full of high emotions. I am still processing the phone call I received from my oldest sister last night regarding the recent health issues she has experienced and another operation she is set to have on Monday morning. All these news a surprise to me since she didn't want to worry me. Now, mind you, she lives on the west coast of Florida, about two and half hours away. We are not close like sisters should be because of numerous factors I won't go into, but we do try to keep in touch if not to each other then through our dad. I have the same relationship with two of my other sisters...and they have the same relationship with each other. I don't even communicate with my stepbrother and my stepsister. We just put the 'fun' in dysfunction.

I called my dad and stepmother after talking to my sister. On a unique note, I spoke to my stepmother for 30 minutes and my dad for only 10 minutes which is a switch since I am not close to her. It is starting to sound like I am not close to anyone, but I am very close to my cousins, my aunt and uncle here, my girlfriends who are like sisters to me and more recently to the amazing Yummy.

Part of being close to me is you have to be there, you have to be present more often than an occasional call. I understand people are busy, but in the past, I have not received a lot of response back from trying. Then they tend to get offended because I become closer to people other than they. I know I am not the only one with these kinds of issues which makes me feel a bit more normal. Sigh.

Regaining focus is my goal this weekend. I have too many things to get back in order. My marbles have been falling out of my hands and it is time let go of some of them and to pick the ones I need back up so I can reorganize them. It is much easier to play the Game of Life when your marbles are organized and you're playing with the correct ones.

Sigh of Relief

Cootieville Update: Baby Aspirin, RIP

Time to bring in the big OTC guns, the "unique bi-layer tablet" with "immediate/extended" release. I've held the fort down with baby aspirin for a few days and as the Sheriff of Cootieville, USA, I had to concede and bring in reinforcements. Life has gotten rough in Cootieville...

On Thursday, armed with baby aspirin and herbal lozenges, I arrived at work ready to dispel the joke of working remotely on Wednesday. Even without any better drugs, my head was still foggy. I sniffled, coughed and was generally miserable. I even had to open a small can of whoopass on someone who didn't care that I was feeling ill and who wanted something that didn't fall under emergency in any book. His reply after me getting what he wanted was, "I wasn't trying to piss you off, Sarah". Like hell! To his credit, he apologized sincerely at his behavior before he left for the day.

Friday was a beaut. Our network was acting up and people were generally moaning about things. I was such a zombie that I would grunt answers at whatever people would ask me. Tawnyia was back at work for the second day and was good enough to get me lunch when she and her husband went out. I was still pretending to get better with baby aspirin and herbal lozenges. How pathetic. At around 5pm, the network went down and I took that as a sign to make like a bat out of hell so I could go home and listen to Yummy's voice which made me feel better than the sucky baby aspirin. (FYI: I originally bought the baby aspirin for Cabal's arthritis and have been too busy to go to the pharmacy...and being Queen of Denial.)

The worst part about being sick is being alone and this time I didn't have to be. Yummy was sick at home, too. He contracted a really bad virus that has wiped him out for a whole week. We IM'ed and skyped and still found humor in being ill. This morning was no different. He has been manly about his illness despite a touch of hypochondria which means with his universal health care opportunities in a more forward country like England, he didn't go to the doctor's. He sorted everything on the phone. He's a writer so he can describe things better. I'll stick to that story. Ha!

I still honored my hair appointment this morning because..you know...um...that's really important. It made me feel better especially after the caffeine I quaffed down to make it there started to wear off. I was pampered, got told how pretty my hair was looking and had a generally shallow pity party moment. Everyone should try it!

Geeky Girl, was also in full effect after the haircut. My cousin Ida needed help with setting up her ISP and printing new pictures she'd taken. The bribe was her making this Filipino sour soup with tamarind base. It had pork, Chinese long beans, Japanese eggplant and bok choy. We served it over rice and seasoned with a Filipino soy sauce flavored with calamondin or Filipino lime. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was worth the drive over.

Ida also called our cousin Hilda in the Philippines. She woke her up at 3 o'clock in the morning! Hilda and I haven't spoken in at least 25 years. She knew I was coming over and didn't mind. What a treat!

A better treat was seeing the kids. They were busy learning prayers and teaching their big brother them too in preparation for the first communion and confirmation next month. I am glad that they are having this experience which can be beautiful. My worry is that they take everything to heart without later having their own questions and self-formulated view of God and religion. Only time will tell, but in the meantime, this experience is appropriate for them.

On the way home, I stopped at McDonald's for a caramel sundae and almost made it past the pharmacy when I had a coughing fit. So I made a Huey, Duey and Luey around the median to get to corner building. I retired my baby aspirin with 12-hour release adult dosage pills and also bought some cherry flavored lozenges. In my worst Yosemite Sam voice, "Take that, you Cootieville varmints! No one messes with this Sheriff for long and gets out alive."

Cootieville Update: Baby Aspirin, RIP

Wanted: Network GPS

An early e-mail to my boss and colleague served as my white flag of surrender to work from home. I was trying to be optimistic that my fever and sore throat would go away. My fever kept visiting and leaving throughout the day. I didn't accomplish much for work; I kept experiencing technical difficulties with logging in remotely and my applications kept freezing which didn't help.

One of the most frustrating things was trying to get a map from the person who created it. She didn't respond to my instant message so I asked her boss 30 minutes later for a copy since it affects his department. He wasn't at his machine either. I then asked a lead technician and he had to look too. I progressed to a helpdesk technician and he didn't have it either. I then asked Tawnyia if she had one, but she was working at home like me. Last chance was my friend Jill -- she had maps, just the wrong ones. She gets brownie points for producing something.

I finally asked my colleague to scan mine from my desk and send to me. Of course, the original person I asked found her copy an hour later from my original request. Was Hoffa holding it for her? Was it in a secret vault? We could have used a GPS to find this map in our network. Good golly! Here's the question: Excluding my colleague, how many IT folks does it take to find a simple map? Six. They say technology IS progress? Crimony!

I really talked to Tawnyia, too, who was teasing me with links to craft projects I would love to do. She lives to torment me. Glad she was feeling better...

My day was interspersed with talking to Yummy when I wasn't working or when he wasn't taking a nap. He is still at home sick but getting better slowly. Poor baby! Kisses on his forehead.

I made a pitiful effort to continue working at night, but I just couldn't get into the groove. I am used to the dual monitors I have at work which makes things much easier. Tomorrow is another day and I have to be at work. Sick or no. Ugh.

Wanted: Network GPS

He Gives Me Fever

Felt funky but functional today which was much more than I could say about Yummy who was out cold in bed from a type of flu. Yummy teased me about the spreading computer viruses. Maybe I was zapped with his cooties over the Internet? He is more viral not virile at the moment. Ha! Funnily, he received my card with a cute octopus on it and a whole bunch of red heart sprinkles that he can vacuum later when he feels better. At least he received a smile today.

Tawnyia was still out again. What is going on? All kinds of cooties going around...My temp came in for a short visit so she could pick up a cookie order from a coworker. Her dad came with her since she was not yet allowed to drive. Good thing Tawnyia wasn't there in case she could transmit her cooties while my temp was still recovering from surgery.

I talked to Myrna on the way home which was nice and helpful to me while I drove home. I was feeling feverish and still am. Night driving and me when I am feeling sub par is just not good even with taking a major thoroughfare instead of the highway. I thought about getting some Chinese take-out on the way, but decided to go straight home and make some homemade soup.

Tomorrow is another day; hopefully, everyone feels better. Hugs.

He Gives Me Fever

Noise Canceling Headphones

Three words that were beautiful to me today: noise canceling headphones. I put them on so I could drown out the world and hustle through buying hardware and software. First Wave from Sirius satellite was helping me groove at my desk.

My being quiet and having the headphones did not preclude me from being bothered by my boss, my peeps who wanted to say hello and users who had questions. Take the hint people!

Tawnyia was out sick today with flu-like symptoms. She didn't sound good at all. It reminded me of my own throat that still tickled. Only now it had a friend, a stinging sensation in my sinuses....Cancel Cancel (mantra for canceling out negative thoughts).

Yummy had an event tonight so we caught up a bit before via IM and then much later for a short chat on skype. He is simply amazing!

Sigh. Feeling rather tired and not very bloggie tonight...

Noise Canceling Headphones

Squigglies

Someone I know was having a Maalox morning because of experiencing technical difficulties with his laptop and iPod. Something about a virus and wiping out his music catalog on his iPod. He had to take a nice walk to work off some of the frustration...poor thing. Glad I wasn't on that side of the universe.

Today I had lunch with Dianne (aka Possum) at Maggiano's. As usual, without calling each other, our clothing colors complimented one another and we dressed similarly in the tone of dressy casual. She must secretly be my girlfriend in where the universe knows but we don't. HA!

We started out with lightly breaded and fried calamari. They cooked it just right. It was very tender and good flavor. The best part are the "squigglies" or tentacles -- yum! We almost fought each other for them. They went well with our cocktails, Possum/Mojito and me/Raspberry Martini.

Our lunch lasted a little over two hours and we both had snacks for later. It was great to catch up with her and reminisce about our old job together. She is such a great friend to me. I am her touchstone to get her perspective back when her life goes haywire or hectic. I can't wait to see her again next month!

Yummy and I had an early skype session so he could get to bed earlier. He was in a better frame of mind than in the morning and we had fun talking...I had a tickle in my throat which I hope amounts to nothing. Your AGOL is rarely sick and is not a good patient. Tomorrow's schedule should help things right along. Oh joy.

Squigglies

Tip-Tacky-Ho

My weekends are becoming decompression sessions from my escalating workload. Twice-daily chats with Yummy over Skype are definitely part of the sessions and badly needed. It is like going to the doctor for good meds....only better!

A section of my day consisted of going to get my nails done. Taking off the Hookerella Pink for a French manicure was definitely on the agenda.

So here's the story...While I was having my nails done, I watched as this lady's daughter who maybe was six years old meandered all over the salon. Later the same girl had her toes painted for free by her mother's nail tech as a treat.

It came time for the lady to pay for the services performed (fill-in manicure, spa pedicure and eyebrow wax). Now this place is a small neighborhood salon run by Vietnamese and this is Florida...It came to only $56. The guy asked if she wanted to tip on her credit card and she said yes and to add $6. I almost died! Before I knew it, the manager, who was filling my nails started to speak Vietnamese and a rolling twitter made its way around the salon. I knew what it meant. They were talking about the lady.

The workers in this salon are very professional, very friendly, quick and do a wonderful job even better than a lot of the higher end spas around town. The service they provide is worth every penny and more. It is not easy finding a place that does nails well for near nothing. The very least we can do as patrons is tip them well since it reflects on how we feel about the services performed. It is all about respecting them and their skills.

Hats off to the people who work in any service industry because that lady would've worked my last nerve. In this intance, the line in the movie, "A Walk in the Clouds" sums it for me: "Just because I speak with an accent doesn't mean I think with an accent."

Yummy had his AGOL Nail 101 lesson furthered by the explanation of this whole thing. Poor baby...He really tries and may I say he does a great job of understanding and already knowing what a French mani was before I told him -- white tips and the rest painted pink. He was indeed correct!

Tip-Tacky-Ho

Nothing But a Thing, Chicken Wing

Stressing out over work two hours before actually being there is a sign....a serious alert. Luckily, my boss was able to absolve me from attending the morning meeting I was invited to late afternoon yesterday. I was not prepared because of doing my regular job which has reached near maximum threshold. Reminding myself that there is only so much I can do is going to be prayer pretty soon.

Tawnyia worked from home today so I didn't have her to bounce ideas against or bemoan my job...I did get to spend time with her while we shopped last night. Forgot to mention that yesterday. I had a crisis on my hands: I ran out of hairspray AND hair conditioner at the same time. Yes, I know, alert the Fashion Po. We had the best time in the card section reading cards. I think it is time to start sending friends random demented cards even if theme is for a birthday and the receiver isn't having another one for 11 months. It'll be a scream!

Girl Scout cookies came today. Yeah..not excited. I have two boxes of Thin Mints. Someone tried to offer me Samoas which have the dreaded dessicated coconut. No thanks.

Talked to Yummy today via IM and discussed my obsession with 80s music. You saw yesterday's entry? It was great to be able to discuss them and he actually having heard of them. It is not a given just because they all hail from the UK. (For Yummy)

Myrna came back home tonight from her Virginia trip. We agreed to get together for dinner. After I took care of Cabal, I called her to pick me up. We giggled the whole entire time, but the poor thing started to get food coma after our meal and she would soon hit the pillow at the first available moment. I am so glad she made it home safe and sound.

I worried for naught today. I know I will be putting some hours this weekend which should help me cope. Better mindset is in order. I am very pleased it is Friday.

Nothing But a Thing, Chicken Wing

Siriusly?! Seriously...

Apparently I missed the memo that this week we were celebrating "Suck Week" at work. The black hole of despair was trapping anything good and sublime in its high suckage setting, making all disappear. Today followed Tuesday and Wednesday in a Groundhog Day pattern...

Impromptu invites to meetings where you are required to actively participate is definitely a big turn on...Not! I have asked my boss for a moratorium on meetings, but this was not included. I even got a follow-up invite for more updates tomorrow! I need my happy pills.

Hey -- it's true -- music does soothe the savage biatch. I found a killer station listening online to Sirius satellite radio under Rock called First Wave which has the early alternative music (especially from England) permeating the US scene in the 80s. This is heaven letting me relive some of my favorite music from ages 11 to 18. Here are links to youtube.com vids as a sample slice of music a younger AGOL loved:

My man David Bowie in "Let's Dance"
Note: This is the song and video that started it all for AGOL after coming to the US of A...sigh.
King singing "Love and Pride"
Note: I still dig this guy's hair and the combat boot action. Very upbeat song.
Spandau Ballet's "I'll Fly for You"
Note: Yes, we all liked lead singer Tony when we first saw him in "True", but the saxophone player Steve was my personal favorite.
Blow Monkey's "Digging Your Scene"
Note: Dr. Robert, the singer, is way strange, but I love this song.
Echo and the Bunnymen's "Lips Like Sugar"
Note: Love the band name and love the band.

The best parts of this week are my conversations with Yummy... This is one of the best Yummy stories yet. Yesterday, I received an e-mail from Yummy letting me know that around 6pm his time, he had been talking to a coworker and while looking down at his sweater, he noticed a lone metallic red heart sprinkle. As part of his Valentine's gifts from me was a card filled with these heart sprinkles. He'd gone all day with no one telling him he had it on his sweater and no one asked why he even had it. Nice solid tall gorgeous gentleman with lone heart sprinkle...seriously cute!

Siriusly?! Seriously...

Merrie Melodies

This was the best part of a really hectic day. Need I singa more?

Owl Jolson -- who knew? I didn't watch this until I got home and owled with laughter. Now the song is stuck in my head. My Yummy devil sent this to me today. He was at home with a dissipating migraine and sometime decided to jazz up my day. I dig that he really gives a hoot. Okay...enough owl references; I have to watch this again before I turn in for the night.

Merrie Melodies

Sullen at Seven

How I feel about going to a family get-together this afternoon...sullen. This is one of Yummy's favorite pictures of me. Somethin' not quite right about that man. Gotta really dig a guy with a sick sense of humor.


(AGOL at seven years old. Picture taken while living in the Philippines. Sullen even then.)

Evening Update: The family get-together wasn't as bad as I thought. I arrived late on purpose and left early, too. I had to get home to talk to Yummy in time. Poor thing is feeling under the weather and he's off tomorrow to trek around for dragons with his best-friend. It is for a book in case you think a fever has taken over. Sending him groovylicious healing vibes...Now to log online to work and get some stuff done.

Sigh....Sullen again.

Sullen at Seven

Rice, Tea or Me

Laughter should fill everyone's day. This morning I started my day laughing with Yummy. Our differences in cultural upbringing and our individual personalities make for a wonderful time together...

My other plan today was to have lunch with Myrna before her trip to Virginia. She is helping a co-worker move back there so she can be near her family and new boyfriend. We ended up at one of our favorite Citrus Park haunts, Rice & Company - An Asian Bistro, where they serve pan-Asian food and have an impressive sushi bar. As always, we had very delicious meal accompanied by some hot jasmine tea for me and hot green tea for Myrna.

Nothing can horrify an Asian more than running out of rice. Luckily, I had more than enough jasmine rice to cook in the rice cooker this weekend. Myrna was kind enough to take us to Oceanic Supermarket after lunch so I could get another bag along with some other goodies like teas and coconut milk. I haven't been there in a long time when it was so busy that the parking overflow made its way to the business building nearby. It is Chinese New Year and the store was peppered everywhere with lanterns, banners, food and red envelopes.

Yummy and I talked again in the evening and I got to try my new packets of instant hot Thai tea which I sipped in between bouts of laughter. He really is very funny even when he's tired. Poor baby, I think he is catching a cold - his voice was a giveaway. He also reminded me tonight that it is the Year of the (Fire) Boar which is his Chinese sign. I have a distinct impression it will be his year and richly deserved, too!

Rice, Tea or Me

Steps and Symbols

The cold wind rushing between the parking garage and the corporate building where my company occupies two suites reflected the chill I am now starting to feel coming into work. The closer my steps get to the building, the more dread I feel of reliving what has come to be Groundhog Day at work. Even my laptop bag's bottom rollers getting caught slightly at the threshold of the automatic doors reflected the hiccups befalling my department. Do I really have to go in?

I am trying to stem the internal panic I am feeling that my partner's last day will be March 9th and my temporary employee's last day will be Monday until we get her back from her surgery which should be in a few weeks. Getting gridlocked by meetings and my boss' seeming need for my "we're in the same boat and we're in this together" support is fraying my usual cool composure. Luckily for me today Yummy was off and he was able to bring levity and warmth to my day via IM...

Tawnyia was still in Atlanta and had finished her class and taken the exam. I was finally able to call her on her cell in the afternoon to bounce some ideas and office news off of her. It made me feel better. Tawnyia has knack of being able to have an objective perspective on things and to see them for what they really are. I really value that in her. Her husband Jeff was just minutes away from meeting her there to spend a weekend alone together exploring the area.

I left the office an hour later than normal; the pressure to perform too ingrained to ignore. Of course, I ended up logging in later at home. A lovely lady named Leslie was able to get my mind off things when I passed by her cube on the way out. She is a Messianic Jew (very very loosely translated as Jews for Jesus).

Every Friday (except today) Leslie wears a kippah (or yarmulke in Yiddish for cloth skullcap) on her head to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath which begins at dusk and later she showed me a set of blue and white tzitzis (tassels or fringes) she wore as a belt around her waist. She also either wears the Star of David or more recently a necklace symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. Things relating to Judaica have always been fascinating to me. My respect for her is immense since she wears these outward symbols consciously not only as a custom but as a reminder of her faith. The little Jewess in me loves to hear her explain the symbolism...

By this evening, I had made a big investment as a symbol of my faith in the abundance I have accepted into my life. My faith for this abundance was there from the very beginning, it was only a matter of time in taking the actual step...The Universe has given all of us a buffet of choices that leads to living an abundant life. It is up to us to partake (claim) in what has been offered to us all along and to honor its immeasurable value.

Baruch attah adony eloheinu melech ha’olam, she’hakol nihiyeh b’dvaroh .

Steps and Symbols

Happy AGOL Day - Go Diva!

If there is one day that my friends know that belong to me, it is Valentine's Day. It has been my way of making up to them for being depressed and sulky all Christmas season starting in October. I've also loved this day ever since I passed out my first Valentine card in elementary school. Spreading love, joy and beauty into the world should be everyone's goal. A little of one or each makes the world a more beautiful place to live in. We owe it to each other to show a little kindness.

I live the essence of Valentine's every day. It is my trademark. Whether it is passing by someone's desk to give some candy as a pick-me-up or complimenting someone on how they look or just listening to them just takes a few moments out of my day and is well worth the effort. Everyone needs to feel validated at least once a day, to feel that they matter and someone noticed their existence at least for one moment. It is the priceless gift we can give each other and costs near to nothing.

Yummy and I have been talking about promoting yourself as a brand. The genesis for this idea was not mine but a genius article in a maverick magazine called "Fast Company" where I first located an article 10 years ago entitled The Brand Called You. If you like this article, I highly recommend searching the words "Brand You" and see what other articles come up or just checking out the website for fresh ideas.

When my friends think of me and acquaintances, too, they can rattle off the same things that they know me for and of course the idea of Love is central. Jeff and Tawnyia are the ones who gave me the moniker Asian Goddess of Love (AGOL). It has started to become interchangeable with my full name in some circles. Quite strange sometimes. More R&D needs to be done, but it is an evolving brand. I do have my own logo with my last name and a graphic accompanying it; I've had it for about six years now. It probably needs a reworking, but I will leave that to the R&D group.

In the midst of meetings today, I was the receiver of Love vibes from Yummy and it came in the manner of a beautiful giant box of Godiva chocolate. Nothing say lovin' like a box of Godiva truffles and chocolates! Here's a picture I took at my cube at work.

Red Suede Heart Shape Box of Godiva Chocolates...Texture and Taste!

When I got home and picked up my mail, I also received a really great card from Yummy with a beautiful dragonfly poem inside. You want to talk about Yummy trademarks? Romantic ranks No. 1 in my book. As the AGOL, he is perfect. This man just takes my breath away. He has a manner of catching me off guard which is rarely done. I am indeed very blessed and lucky to have him in my life. He is awesome. Thank you, Peter, for my wonderful Valentine's gifts -- I just love them!

My day ended with talking to Yummy. Did I mention that since he couldn't be with me in the same country this time round, he offered to babysit his godkids for his best friend? Talk about a Hot Move in the AGOL handbook! Love, joy and beauty. That is what it is all about.

Happy AGOL Day - Go Diva!

F.O.C.U.S.

Follow One Course Until Successful. Yes, that would've been really great today if it were not for all the interruptions. One task today should have taken only 20 minutes but instead took an hour and half! Annoying really.

I was in earlier today and had more clarity than yesterday which was Blur Day. My to-do list was at hand and I had a launched nuclear missile concentration of a mind. Missiles have never encountered bosses or co-workers either. Sigh.

Soldiered through the day from one task to another until a meeting that halted my marching to a dead stop. Found out today that my partner in the department had put her notice in. She would be taking a more managerial position up north and be close to her family as well. I am genuinely happy for her, but am trying not to reel from the workload coming on. It's not that I haven't done the work of four people before, but I do relish sleeping and having weekends off. The powers that be will have to sort it out for themselves. There is only one of me and there is only so much I can do without compromising my health and personal life. Neither one is negotiable at the moment.

Barely saw Tawnyia today before her training trip to Atlanta. She left the building shortly after 3PM. I called her cell and left her a voice mail. She ended up calling me back later after she landed. Her luggage didn't arrive at the same time she did so a courier had to bring her clothes to her later in the evening from the airline. I teased her that she would have to do laundry over the sink to make it to class the next day.

I had also lamented that she would be missing the Official AGOL Holiday tomorrow. How could she abandon me? She was also abandoning her husband and their 21st anniversary! Her husband is driving to Atlanta for the weekend to spend time with her which will be great fun exploring little towns around the area.

Yummy and I had a later chat. I always feel guilty for keeping him late in his timezone, but he knows his own self and usually begs off when he is really about to nod off. He was out tonight with an old college buddy and made some good networking connections. Yummy is trying to change the way he does things and I have a great feeling he will be immensely successful.

Valentine's Day is usually the day I get really carried away in my baking, but not this year. I did make my signature Rhumba Rum Cake and also packaged a humorous gift for Jill at work who I know will be having a rough day of it. I think she is baking a lot of chocolate flavored goodies tonight, too, so no one will feel neglected in our area.

I'd better make a bee-line for bed now so I can be fresh for my holiday tomorrow.

F.O.C.U.S.

Electronic Emissions

The sky was clear and beautiful this morning but there was still some serious radio signal interruptions. Did the sun send some extra radioactivity? My laptop was sporadically emitting a scratchy static sound that drove Cabal to try to leap in my lap while I talked with Yummy this morning. His paws first dug into my thighs while I sat and then my arms where he left a little bruising. Yummy and I had to switch to talking via IM instead of through our mics. Later the TV had static on almost every channel I tried to tune into.

I talked to Angie twice today which was a treat. Been missing her a bit. She and her pals got to go the Getty Museum in LA where she lives. I live in such a sucky city; it has no real culture I am interested in unless it visits the city. Sigh.

It was slow at the salon and I never have an appointment so I had my nails done right away during the afternoon. I must have brought the crowd in since about a half dozen more walk-ins came in within 10 minutes of me arriving. The male nail tech did my nails this time around which was different, but the lady finished up with polishing on the color I bought at Sephora last weekend. I didn't know it would be a lighter shade of pink than my phone. Might need to get the color changed next weekend after living with it for a week.

Glad it was a low profile weekend. I hope I am mentally well-rested for next week, I'd better be. Half watching the Grammy's now. James Blunt is singing his beautiful song which is making me think of beddy-byes; he is singing it with an acoustic guitar and he has put more a lullaby melody to it.

Electronic Emissions

Sweet, Salty Nuts of Life

Stresses of the week must have gotten to me since I ended up waking up later. Of course, Pretty Boy Dog had no problem reminding me. It wasn't the alarm I had silenced 30 minutes earlier that woke me, but his whining. I will do anything to stop the whining...any whining for that matter. Ugh.

The thing that kills me every time when we finally go out for his first morning walk is that he switches moods; he is immediately happy and ready to sniff and leave his mark at every possible point along the way. When we return inside the apartment, he goes back to whining but this time for his breakfast. He gets his breakfast and back to whining for play time. It is my fault for spoiling him, but geez can he be a pest with his long nose hitting you on your arm or on your leg. Guess who the boss is of this relationship?

I was still wiping the sleep from my eyes when I talked to Yummy. Of course, he's already visited a French bakery and eaten a nice breakfast. Too bad he couldn't have beamed some over for me...Later in the morning, Kristey returned my call from Thursday so we caught up on each other's stuff which was good. I miss her; we're still planning that outing at the Tiki Bar near her home...I am laying low this weekend since the following week will be hectic especially when my temp goes for her surgery. Not looking forward to the extra workload.

Talked with Yummy in the late afternoon before he nodded off for the evening in his timezone. This time he was eating some salty nut mix of cashews and peanuts. It sounded really good. Started talking about Filipino street food and how when I was a young girl in the Philippines, I would buy fried peanuts that still had the red skin on them. The vendors would usually add crushed whole garlic to the oil so it would be marvelously infused. They would also put your serving in a small brown paper bag and salt it -- you could add additional spicy hot oil if you wanted. The brown bag would begin to absorb the oil, but at that point you wouldn't care if your fingers were oily since the peanuts were so good.

I decided to go and run some errands at night like filling up my car with gasoline for the week. Wouldn't you know it -- I found myself in the endcap with the selection of nuts. Talk about the power of suggestion. A package of sweet, salty cashews made its way to my hand. I crunched on the way to the grocery store where I needed to get laundry detergent. Of course, a full cart of groceries later, I made it home around 10:35pm to put the stuff away and eat a late dinner. Now that's nuts!

Sweet, Salty Nuts of Life

Global Priority

Found out first thing that Yummy received his Valentine gift early. The postman pounded on his door really early before he was even up! He was supposed to receive it Monday, but it came today instead. I sent it Global Prioriy which is 4-6 days. I mailed it Tuesday and he received it Friday. Go figure.

He really loved the package and the mini-gifts inside as well as the card. Where most men are ambivalent about a near mushy gift, he was really ecstatic. What a great guy! It is sometimes difficult to be a receiver when you're used to being a giver. I am a giver, too, and have lots to learn about being a receiver. It's never too late to learn how as long as you have a buddy.

One of the things I love to do is wrap and give presents. I have dozens of fabric ribbon, some with French wire and not. I also have rolls of wrapping paper and cellophane for different occasions. Have I mentioned my obsession with confetti sprinkles in cards? Everything is better with sprinkles, I always say. Luckily, my friends are used to me and my confetti madness. It has become one of my many signatures.

If only some time-sensitive equipment had arrived on time at work let alone early. This caused some friction among different groups today, but I ignored them all. I was busy listening to BBC Radio 1 and some dance music on streaming Sirius on the internet. Of course, it is hard to ignore your boss when he is standing at your desk. He's a good guy so I indulge him. Ha!

The afternoon seemed to stretch interminably, but I made it through. I did leave a half hour earlier. I might log in during the weekend; we'll see... I just wanted to rush home to talk to Yummy. To my surprise, I received a fun and quirky card from him. It was like going halfway around the globe and back again in one day between the two of us receiving things from each other. It made for a happy Friday.

Global Priority

Mysterious Mist

The mist rolling in must have woken me up earlier than normal. I waited in bed and hit the snooze alarm about four times before finally decided to gear up and take Cabal for a walk around 4:30am.

We were at our halfway mark when I heard a dog barking in the distance. It didn't sound good and Cabal was probably thinking the same thing since he stopped and got quiet from his normal happy-go-lucky demeanor. I decided to head to splitsville while we could.

His second walk before I left for the day found us talking to a police woman in an unmarked car who informed me, after she handed a can of pepper spray to one of the groundskeepers, that a loose dog with no collar was going around chasing residents. Oh, great. Just great. Cabal was quickly ushered back in the apartment to avoid any mishaps...

On the drive to work, when I am not pitifully mooning over Yummy, I am planning the course of action to my day. My first priority was finishing up something for an emergency project which didn't start out so well. I read an e-mail that sent me into a tailspin and found me calling the offending party to open a can of whoopass. Aargh. I don't like starting my day out ugly, but certain people must be cut to the quick. Within 15 minutes of ending our conversation, her manager called to apologize.

Besides any conversation with Yummy, the best part of my day was lunch when I found myself being flirted at by a baby boy. I was sitting with Jeff and Tawnyia in the outer area of the food court. He watched me while I ate. I smiled at him and he beamed back. Ohmigosh - what a total dollbaby! I was in luuuuvvv. I got up to get something else and his eyes followed me and when I was no longer in his vision because I was coming around him, he followed me with his eyes and turned his torso towards me...

Walking back to the table, I realized I knew who the dad was. It was my friend Kristey's brother! The little boy was her nephew who just turned a year old. I hadn't seen him since the summer. I said hello and even touched the baby on his face. His expression grew as if he would just expire from the attention. He was all sweetness.

His dad wanted to send me more pictures of him at his recent first birthday. I found an extra napkin and jotted down my e-mail addy. While I leaned down, my hair formed a curtain shielding my face from the baby. He leaned forward and attempted to look around my hair. Talk about cute!!! Sadly, I had to interrupt my interlude and head back to work.

The ending of the day didn't go that well either. I had to open another can for the same issue. Good grief! I gave everyone an update including a detailed timeline which should make everyone happy...not.

Talked with Yummy in the evening who wanted to hear me pronounce "whoopass". Sometimes he is rather disturbing, but then again he is British. We all know what that means, don't we? He grew up talking funny.

Misty in my neighborhood.

On the drive to work:

Raymond James Stadium...looking bleak like the Buccaneers:

Mysterious Mist

Cool Mad Rush

Brrrr...It was chilly again this morning both inside and out of the office. I tried to warm up by working through things as fast as I could so I wouldn't have to think about the temperature. I slurped a big bowl of Italian Wedding Soup from downstairs and brought it to my desk to eat so I could work through lunch before two afternoon meetings. I didn't get to talk to my cohorts that's how busy it got...

Still a little peeved at getting a catalogue-sized envelope yesterday from my sister Suzanne in Killeen, TX. I haven't heard from this woman since we were at our niece's high school graduation in Merritt Island a couple of years ago. I've even sent her pictures of stuff, etc. and she hasn't responded. Not even a friggin' word through our dad. AND THEN the biotch has the hard audacity to send me some advertising about her daughter who is invited to go abroad for advanced students? Her daughter is trying to raise money to go which I dig, she deserves to go and I will send her something, but what gets me is there wasn't a handwritten note from my sister. What the heck? I just need to let it go. My cousin Angie and close girlfriends are better sisters to me and I am definitely keeping them...

The lawyer tap dancing number in the movie musical "Chicago" played in my head as I tried to get through two successive meetings in the afternoon. I really need to get an intravenous tube of coffee piped from the breakroom up through the ceiling tiles, along the plenum and down to my arm. Is that extreme? Not as extreme as the lady astronaut wearing diapers on her way to confront her perceived rival. What an idiot!

Speaking of idiots, why is it that other people's lack of proper planning causes an emergency on mine? Just asking.

I left work earlier than normal so I could escape midweek and be home early to talk to Yummy. Tawnyia needed a ride home so I happily took her. We did stop somewhere so I could get a green salad with chicken for dinner. Cabal was fed and played with by the agreed time with Yummy, but he didn't quite make it. He surprised me by texting me that he was going to be later which was nice. We did finally connect, but for a shorter time since he turned into a pumpkin soon after. Poor thing. I need to rush to bed early tonight since I have pumpkin-itis, too.

Cool Mad Rush

Be Very Quiet - It's Monday

Several people were out sick today including my department colleague and even Tawnyia. Both apparently suffered from migraines. Must be the weather which has turned into a chill. It never actually gets cold in Trampa, but sometimes you can say it is thanks to the humidity.

Very busy today, but I didn't have a lot of distractions so the day sped by quickly, thank God. I thought I would feel overwhelmed, but not having my colleague there eased my energy levels. She just has a way of affecting my mojo even with the feng shui cures I have in place. I can only imagine how it would feel without them! Let's not.

Very surprising thing today...One of the guys I run into in the lunchroom handed me a poem to read. He wrote it for his wife for Valentine's Day. He is a regional manager at work and in jest, we give each other a hard time. The poem was entitled, "Sand and Sea" which was really pretty. I even sent it to Yummy since he lives by the water. He came by my desk later and knew that I practiced feng shui by all the placement of objects. It just goes to show you just don't know your neighbors all the time. I liked being pleasantly surprised.

IM'ed with Yummy later who was in rare form. Trapezoid? Ha! His wit is so quick that I even have to put my game face on sometimes. Rare that that happens with men. That's one of the many reasons we get along so well and keeps me coming back for more of his brand of yummyness. I am supremely blessed to have such a caliber of man in my life and I take none of it for granted. He is a nice warm blanket when the world gets a little cold. I think I will enjoy that thought now while I quietly sip some hot tea.

Be Very Quiet - It's Monday

Swirl, Tap and Buff!

I was up early for a Sunday and pretty alert soon after. Grand plans were in my eyes...and stayed there. I decided to investigate my new make-up instead.

My Bare Escentuals DVD was actually good. I was following the mantra of "Swirl, Tap and Buff" on how to use the wonderful brushes with the mineral powders. A little definitely goes a long way. I am a new convert!

My only concern is that the Fairly Light powder is not light enough for me, but I remember Tawnyia always telling me I am obsessed with a slight kabuki look. She just knows that when "Memoirs of a Geisha" came out, I felt vindicated to have the very pale look. Whatever. Bare Escentuals does have a lighter powder called Fair (not albino either!). Guess who might be getting that soon?

Yummy got up late. He probably needed to catch up on some sleep. Poor thing. We talked for a while in the morning. I told him about my adventures in Girlie Land yesterday which he does find interesting since to him it is a new culture of sorts. Little does he know it is one of my obsessively favorite subjects and I am an expert. I even considered getting a part-time job at Sephora while I was there playing with everything, but that is just asking for trouble. My cabinets would soon be filled with all the girlie accoutrement one could ever wish for.

I ended up venturing out a little in my neighborhood, but didn't actually go inside the grocery store since there was no parking! Everyone was getting last minute snacks and beer for the Superbowl. I am so disgusted anymore with the Superbowl. Glad Dungy's team won though -- he deserved it especially after they let him go at the Bucs here. He built up the team and his successor reaped the rewards of his work by the Bucs winning the Superbowl the following year. I should've watched half-time since Prince performed -- been loving that man since 1982!

Talked with Yummy later after I watched "Wings of Desire" that Tawnyia ordered on NetFlix for me. German language with English subtitles, gotta love it! I didn't know that this where "City of Angels" ripped off it's basic storyline. Americans are running out of original ideas, I swear. The movie is long, but the black and white shots with splashes of color were really good to watch and the scenes in Berlin. Bruno Ganz was wonderful as the angel Damiel who falls in love with a trapeze artist Marion. The last 30 minutes make the whole thing really worthwhile. Thanks for telling me about this, honey!

Before bed I ended up watching more of the other DVD...can't help it.

Swirl, Tap and Buff!

Girlies Still Love Pop Rocks

Today was designated Girlie-Girl Day with Sarah and Tawnyia. Our mission: go to International Mall and visit my second home, a boutique after my own heart. Let's just say there was a 'plethora at Sephora'...

I started out the day IM'ing and talking to Yummy. He still gets a kick out of my girlie-girl stuff. I don't mind since it is quite funny. Ended up taking a nap after talking with him; I had gotten up at dark-thirty to take Cabal out.

My shirt was taking too long to dry in the dryer which made me a little late picking up Tawnyia. I bribed her with an iced latte and a donut from Dunkin' Donuts. She asked me if I was waiting for my hair or nails to dry when I told her that I was waiting for something to dry. Apparently, she knows me. She should -- today was our ninth friendship anniversary.

I don't enjoy the mall as much as I used to especially when I have to deal with soccer moms who have too much money to spend on stupidity. These women all shop at the same store so they all look alike. The conversations are so insipid that you want to give them a list of topics to change it up a bit. Tawnyia and I left an accessories store because of this.

Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite though. Especially today when I made a special trip to go and buy a new make-up line which in my own freakish way I find traumatizing. Talk about insipid conversation to change brand lines. I am brand loyal, but bareMinerals by Bare Escentuals has been calling my name. It is a make-up line that uses crushed minerals as a base and is 'free of preservatives, talc, oil, waxes, fragrances, and other chemicals' which can irritate skin. As I get older, I have to really think about what I am using on my skin.

I tormented Tawnyia with "come here! lookee!" at each counter and line I flitted to in the store. We also had fun in the perfume and cologne displays. Lots of yummy things for the inner girlie.

I took Tawnyia to lunch and we went to an arts and crafts store before I took her home. Along with some supplies, I ended up buying some old school candy called Pop Rocks, a candy processed with carbon dioxide. We had a surreal conversation in the car while we ate these.

We both had our mouths open to hear the popping sounds, but it must've looked like we were trying to catch flies or something. Tawnyia would stick her tongue out with this stuff at the end. We broke out in gales of laughter. I told her that as much as I think all men are the universal age of 12, women are five years old. She completely agreed.

I also sitted for Nan while my aunt and uncle went to Channelside to go to Hooter's and also see a movie after their dinner. They were in desperate need of a date night. When I wasn't talking with Nan, I hopped on the 'net and e-mailed some peeps... My aunt and uncle were very appreciative when they got home.

Almost to bed, but will try and watch the "how-to-use-this-crap" DVD for my new make-up. So specialized, it needs one! I can't decide whether to think that is pathetic or not. Aargh.

Girlies Still Love Pop Rocks

Atomic Dog

Talk about oblivious. I didn't know tornadoes were hitting our state. Without watching the news, the only hint I received was the windy conditions when I walked my dog last night. I found out about the aftermath at work this morning since our office in New Smyrna Beach was affected. The police have surrounded the building and no one can get through.

Cabal didn't like the his walk this morning at 4:30AM since he got wet. He hates to get his paws wet and doesn't like the rain, but he is good sport about the whole thing. I had an old towel to dry him off with when we came back. His new cologne Eau de Wet Pooch was apparent. Poor Pretty Boy Dog!

Even with the rain, the king of funk George Clinton can get your groove on with "Atomic Dog" on the way to work, followed by the oldie-but-goodie "Funkytown" by Lipps, Inc. To round out the a psychedelic music trip was "Perfect Way" by Scritti Politti just before I parked my car in the garage on the 4th floor. It was a jammin' morning for this AGOL.

Too bad it went downhill from there. Worked just sucked overall. Blame it on 'la bella luna'. The moon was in full force. Tried to 'snap out of it', but had a hard time. People were just insane lunatics...Could I just add anymore of references from the movie, "Moonstruck"? Uh, yes, actually I could.

Meanwhile, Yummy was experiencing technical difficulties at his office. Sometimes technology is its own worst enemy. I know, I am surrounded by mad IT folks....We talked after I got off work and it made everything better. 'The moon brings the woman to the man. Capice?' (Okay that was the last one, I promise.)

Atomic Dog

Poison Control

My phone was beeping a little after 11AM when I got back to my desk from getting more coffee. It was a voice mail from my San Francisco friend Trisha. I could barely make out what she said, but she didn't sound good at all. I could bits of 'can't get to computer', 'overdosing' and for me to call her back. I did and had to leave her a worried voice mail.

She finally got me on the line several minutes later and she explained to me that she had not been feeling well and miscalculated the dosage on some over-the-counter drug she had been taking (teaspoons vs. tablespoons). Her body had been rejecting the meds so she felt like a freight train had run her over. She asked me to look up the generic name of the drug and to see what measures could be taken to reverse or lessen her discomfort without calling 911. I did and ended up giving her the phone number to the national Poison Control Center.

Several minutes later, I get a text that said 'PCC says im gonna will live'. I waited for more but got nothing immediately. Trisha then turned it into a joke and texted, 'Why wasn't it w/a fun drug'...and then 'Kill my street cred...i O.D.'ed on 'tussin'. I was not that amused since I was very concerned and received the call instead of someone in her own city or immediate friendship band.

I should be used to this by now. Trisha has always been a little melodramatic since I met her in our Saks Fifth Avenue days in Chicago. She has been a great friend and its been recently that we've met up again via the Internet. I just take it and move on, but I am glad crisis was averted...until the next.

Yesterday my colleague was telling me what I should be doing. Keep your wannabe-supervisor actions to yourself! Tend to your own issues which are not so stellar, by the way! I decided to tune her out by putting on my noise-canceling headphones and playing a CD by Godsmack instead of my groovy John Mayer. She's so loud; I need to counterattack with the same volume and intensity.

This whole bit with my colleague galvanized me into action by me sending my resume to our boss this morning so he could see what I am capable of doing. We've all been trying to get our bearings in our new department and new responsibilities. I just don't need to be railroaded while we are trying to get on even footing. My boss did appreciate my e-mail note and the attached resume. He was going to ask for it soon anyway...

The evening found me learning about dragons in Sussex, England. Yummy and his best friend were investigating with maps, etc. the lore of dragons in the area for project they will be working on together. It reminded me of this bumper sticker, "Do Not Meddle In the Affairs of Dragons for You are Crunchy and Good with Ketchup". Hmm...Maybe I need more ketchup at work.

Poison Control