Big Sticks and Silver Bullets

I was fine until I woke up this morning.

My day was to be filled with activities for our temp's going away. This caused me anxiety and pressure I sought to contain as soon as I began getting ready for work. The matter with my temp has been an ordeal we've been waiting months to solve. Budgets were done recently and her contract was not included in that budget. For her part, she has been in denial even through the warnings from my boss that this time was coming.

When I got to work, my preliminary order of business was to warn off everyone that I was a biatch on wheels and that they should either start sharpening their sticks or just get out the silver bullets. I try to give fair warning when I know my mood is mercurial. Back to the order of today's business...

The first order of business was a meeting with my boss and another manager in the building. It was less troublesome than I thought. A big plus for the morning.

The second order of business was taking my temp out to lunch. Four of us made our way to an upscale sports bar. It was "okay" interspersed with moments of discomfort.

The third order of business was announcing the winner for the premier parking space. That was an unprecedented event as I had to announce a second winner. The first selection forfeited his prize because he had a new handicap tag for his vehicle allowing him to park next to the building. There are some perks to breaking your foot.

The fourth order of business was to round up people for a custom ordered surprise cake for the temp. Imagine my surprise when more than half of the invitees between both buildings had sudden excuses, most legit - some not or were non-responsive. (Yes, my lovelies, the surprise bit was sarcasm.) Bridget and I worked the floor to get more last minute attendees.

The fifth order of business was to track down the gift I ordered for the temp. I ordered online a pretty sterling silver hinged bangle bracelet with etched 18kt gold leaf overlay design. A couple of people chastised me for spending what I did. For me, I felt it was the right thing to do. This person is so desperate for outside validation and attention especially from me. I've been avoiding her because I didn't want to get sucked in her energy and start conversations that I would have to tap dance from. Sigh. It is during these times, my compassionate side prevails and understands that most antics are a call for love. How can I totally turn my back against her?

Not everyone is hopeless, but everyone can be lost and choose not to find themselves or work to find the path to understanding their place and role in the world. Is it on purpose? Perhaps they just don't know how and have never been taught. You and I know how our environment can shape us into what we don't want to necessarily be, but there we are...volunteers on a path we know nothing of as walk on it.

I made someone check the mailbox at work in the afternoon and my gift was there. The temp has to wait until tomorrow to receive it. It has been wrapped with care. The kind of care I took to put the package together is the kind that is reserved for people I truly care about. Everyone deserves a magical present to open...to feel that beat of anticipation as they take away the layers...and finally the delighted elation of taking off the boxtop revealing tissue and a velvet pouch containing shiny jewelry chosen just for them.

Whether any gratitude for the gift is expressed, it is of no importance to me. She has worked in my department for over two years and I have been the constant presence as previous co-workers and managers have moved on. Her hard work cannot be faulted and some measure of gratitude should be expressed to her. I would like for her to have a long lasting reminder she can see and feel -- an outward validation.


.

Big Sticks and Silver Bullets

R&A's Baby Shower

Baking...Wrapping Gifts...Hanging out with my friends. What a great day!

This evening was a small co-ed baby shower for Rebecca and Ant. Their formal frou-frou brunch at a tea shop was earlier in the day. I was surprised they weren't as tired looking when they arrived which was great for the rest of us eager to celebrate with them.

I made decadent Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes for the cupcake tree. After one bite, I remembered why I don't make them often. You could pop them like pills they are so good. I sprinkled little dragees on top for decoration. The only thing that would have been better for me was if I had driven across town to find dark blue liners instead of the pastel ones. I was the only one really concerned about that detail.



Here are the smiling expectant parents. One of their funny gifts was a two-pack brick of Cafe Bustelo coffee (very strong!) for the late nights when Garrett decides he wants his parents not to have sleep.



This diaper cake I made faked out a few guests who thought it was a real cake. It almost didn't survive the car ride over. In case you want to make your own, here is the pattern I followed. In lieu of the booze, I put in a bottle of Pedialyte for the baby and put teething rings on the cake instead of stuffed animals. I would have loved to have made this Hawaiian version, but it was too girly.



Let me make this next pic clear: I DID NOT DO THIS! As pervy as I am it was not my doing that the sprinkles on the table ended up in compromising positions. AND NO I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED THAT I DIDN'T THINK OF IT FIRST. Mostly.



Kathy and Jamie put on a great party; there were about a dozen of us being crazy. Jamie was a good cookie by fulfilling my wish of cooking the bratwursts in beer and onion Jacuzzi. He put those babies in the slower cooker for several hours before grilling them. Hot damn they were tasty! Kathy drank a lot of wine and was still in one piece before I left. She came up with the best guess of what the first baby's word would be: mothertrucker. That is the exact word Ant says all the time.

For this original circle of friends (at least the last 10 years), this is the first baby among us. It makes me proud to say that I am very excited and in no way feeling bitter or sad. They are truly deserving and their baby boy will have one of the best set of parents a baby could have. How many days until their due date in November?


.

R&A's Baby Shower

Hectic and Random

Hectic doesn't make for a zen day, does it? I found myself at 5am thinking about my boss' kid's school project. Why? I volunteered to burn his kid's video project from his video camera to a CD. He was bringing it to the office today which meant I had to bring a blank CD or DVD disc. I packed both. Bridget confirmed his concern at getting it done as soon as I walked in. It was completed a bit later.


My boss took us out to lunch and at the last minute, I dragged Sharon with us. Four of us found ourselves walking from our building across a couple of parking lots to the mall entrance. The Coconut Curry Chicken three of us had was too sweet. It has never been sweet. My thinking was that whomever prepped it got it too spicy and tried to mask the mistake with brown sugar instead of adding more coconut milk. This addition not only changed the taste but the once bright curry color to a drab yellow.


After conferring with the girls, I mentioned it to the waitress who brought the chef/manager and I asked if they had changed the recipe. To my surprise, he was a bit taken aback and defensive. He immediately proclaimed that he created it seven years ago. My reply was that I had been eating there for a few years. The chef went back to the kitchen to investigate only to return a few moments later a bit embarrassed. He had tasted it, agreed with me and then jokingly said that the other chef will be dealt with later plus that it would not taste like that tomorrow. All I could do was mentally roll my eyes. I didn't feel him to be deeply sincere. We scurried back to work soon after finishing. Whatever joy I've had for this restaurant quickly evaporated.


That's the thing...I've been mentally tallying and cross out things, people and food places that no longer give me joy. Perhaps this is the shake-up I really need. God knows there are already changes shaping up at work with my temp leaving at the end of the month. That's a long story I will bore you with next week as it happens.


One thing I have added to my plate is being part of a morale committee for our finance department in my building. I attended my first meeting this week and I received the strong impression that most of the members were happy with the status quo. Oh - boooooorrrrriiiinnnggg! Thank goddess I had met with one of my friends who is in it and together we came up with a plan of attack. Okay, I wrote ideas while she giggled ghoulishly. The meeting was going at a certain pace until I broke it by suggesting new ideas. Compared to previous months, next month's big activity will be quite lively. Can finance be lively? We'll see. It was my turn to send out the e-mail announcement for a separate monthly contest giving away the use of a reserved premier parking spot. Not too many glossed over that e-mail on Tuesday. Ha!

I haven't blogged properly in so long, I feel rusty...Random thoughts keep vying for attention. Please forgive me for jumping around. I'll write more as I get back into it. All I know right now is that I am relieved tomorrow is Friday.


.

Hectic and Random

Hello...

Missed you more than you missed me. The time away from you feels like a forced abstinence of some sort. I won't go back and recreate the time lost so please don't expect it.

I have been riding the undulating waves of emotion from happiness to depression and back both at work and in my personal life. Sometimes when you don't give yourself space to process things and to listen to that quiet space, the Universe forces you to take time and reflect. Time out.

This is not a post post, but more of a Hi there. Hope you've been okay.

Still smiling,
agol
.

Hello...

Hiccup

Been having issues with my laptop. Updating will resume shortly.

Meawhile...

"Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul."
-- St. Augustine


.

Hiccup

Weak Week

Tuesday was a repeat of yesterday. For some reason being inside my building is making me tired. Maybe it is my cube. Do I need to re-feng shui my area? Hm. I will have to mull on that when I am not so tired.

The overall feeling I sense when I am at work is that I am in it, but I am not quite connected. It is as if I am watching events through the haze of a prophylactic barrier. The irony is that I am more engaged at work than ever. Perhaps the real reason for this type of protected connection, I think, is that I am holding myself at a distance from other people's drama. Does that make sense?

Sigh...

Kathy called me in the evening to let me know she's back from Wisconsin. She came back with her treasures of 25 lbs of apples and 20 lbs of cheese. Sounds like the makings for some kind of tart or a canceling effects of fiber and constipation. Good God my words are frightening this evening. I will definitely shelve this entry until I've had time to mull on it an extra day. Meanwhile, what is up with Hurricane Ike?


.

Weak Week

Sunday Sloth

Sarah Sprinkles says (10:00 PM):
u there?
Tawny says (10:00 PM):
yep for a few more mins
Tawny says (10:00 PM):
whatcha doing
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:01 PM):
updating bloggie
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:01 PM):
trying to wind down...
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:01 PM):
but how do you wind down from...
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:01 PM):
being a sloth all day?
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:01 PM):
lmao
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:01 PM):
how are you?
Tawny says (10:02 PM):
sloth like also

<<...discussed weekend details...>>

Sarah Sprinkles says (10:05 PM):
today...sarah sloth
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:05 PM):
took a few long naps
Tawny says (10:05 PM):
i like sloth
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:05 PM):
lmfao
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:06 PM):
i was so slothlike that when trish called me about drama, she said that i sounded like i was asleep
Sarah Sprinkles says (10:06 PM):
when i answered the phone
Tawny says (10:06 PM):
lol


.

Sunday Sloth

Filipino Babysitting

Today I was babysitting Sharon. Yes, she is older than me by two years. Don't get so technical. Ha! Sharon is like a Filipino sister to me (other than Angie). She lived in the Philippines until high school was over. When I mention certain things, she knows exactly what I am referring to and that comforts me somehow.

Picked up Sharon at the Cadillac dealership where her vehicle was scheduled for maintenance and a window tint. I drove us to Cracker Barrel near my place so she could have her lunch of Chicken and Rice and I could finally have breakfast at 11:30am. We were so famished and struggled to contain our shoveling of food into our mouths.

Sharon began her marathon training today; the six miles she ran earlier this morning resulted in her body craving real food. Me? I had been saving my appetite for the big dig, if you will. We shopped around in the country store after. I pressed everything that would animate and make noise while she went behind me to shut them off or hold the ones that were falling off their perch on the shelf until their animation cycle ended. Yes, I am a brat.

We watched Something New with Simon Baker at my place. She hadn't seen it before and we both love Simon Baker. I stopped it at a logical point so we could pick up her car and then return to my place to resume the movie. What I like about re-watching movies you haven't seen in a while is that you get to be surprised again.

We ordered Chinese and picked it up. We ate while we watched the riveting film Closer with Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Clive Owen and Julia Roberts...Ten minutes after she left for home, I found her still at the gasoline station filling up her car; she had gotten sidetracked talking to her husband first. We laughed as she saw me pulling up to the next pump. Silly girls.

PS Today was my cousin Angie's birthday. I left her a rather loud squawking rendition of Happy Birthday on her cellphone while I drove home from dropping Sharon off at the dealership.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANGELITA!!


.

Filipino Babysitting

Sprightly

Friday is the only work day where it is legally okay to be sprightly. I am sure I read that somewhere. All I know was that I spent most of the day in a good mood energized with boundless energy.

One of our vendors took my boss and me to my favorite restaurant Maggiano's for lunch. We were able to slide into a prime parking spot and not wait for a table. That's where normal ended. For the first time in a little over 15 years I have been going to this restaurant (starting in Chicago), the table setting was less than pleasant. My napkin looked like it had been previously enjoyed and a couple of the bread plates had crumbs on them. What the hell?!

I announced to my table that I wanted to be the whiny bitch to deal with the waiter. They both agreed. After miming to the waiter to come around the table next to me, I explained to him that my napkin was crinkled and looked like it was previously enjoyed and told him about crumbs on the plates. He took the first few off the stack on the side of the table and I corrected him to take the whole thing. The waiter was apologetic and came back to take our order.

Luckily the food was still delicious until dessert. My boss and I decided to share a piece of chocolate cake. When it arrived to our table, this big wedge of chocolate monstrosity had a garish red wood-handled knife sticking out from it. WTF? The waiter saw my expression and quickly said he didn't put it in there. I told him that the kitchen should never do that as a presentation. It looks aggressive and unappetizing. Large beads of condensation had formed on the chocolate ganache enrobing the slice which told me that had been out of the refrigerator for more minutes than when we ordered. Sigh. It didn't taste as good as I remembered. I hope this experience was an anomaly...

A spreadsheet claimed my afternoon. The better portion was my responsibility to research thanks to a morning meeting. At some point a little after 5pm, my boss urged me to go home. I declined as I wanted to finish this project. There is a bigger project that deserves all of my attention next week. I left at 6pm and my energy was finally depleted though I still managed a few things in the evening. There was still enough energy to make myself a homemade meal, do a few loads of laundry in the evening including the slipcovers on my furniture and wash floors and clean some of the base boards. Is that sick or what?


.

Sprightly

Resurfacing

My eyes were open before my alarm went off at 3:50am. How does that happen? Well, how ever it happens my butt was up and walking Cabal 10 minutes later in the dark. Barely awake, I struggled to focus my eyes and properly gaze at my twinkling long distance neighbors. The stars were still there even though I haven't seen them in a long time.

I arrived at work before any of my team. My nerves were frazzled from driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic but I was able to park in a spot very close to the elevators on the fourth floor. Less than an hour later, we were all making it towards the other building thanks to my boss' driving. He blamed me for having a meeting so early especially since the time I scheduled is around the time I normally arrive.

Let me share something with you...Lately, I felt more alive and engaged at work. I don't know what it is. Bridget even agreed with me when I asked her about it. I was more assertive and voluntary with ownership of things like "Okay, I'll do this and follow it up with that" kind of thing. The go-getter style I am known for has slowly resurfaced. My job is not my passion; however, it pays bills and makes expensive haircuts and hair color possible. I need to respect that privilege by being more present.

There was a pull from several people wanting my attention today. Not sure what kind of extra magnetism I was emitting, but it was familiar. Most people are very comfortable with me from the moment they meet me. Strangers are apt to touch my arm or pat me on the back while others more familiar with me like to play with my long hair or come up and hug me. It is the damnedest thing. Today, for whatever reason, a few dinners with other people that have been canceled for whatever reason have now been rescheduled on my calendar.

The traffic going home was brutal. Some really cool upbeat music calmed my nerves some along with my impromptu call to Kathy while she is on her Wisconsin vacation with her boyfriend. She is a fish out of water there when it come to cuisine. Meat is king in Wisconsin thanks to the dairy empires. You may recall that Kathy is my favorite vegetarian. Still, she makes it work with cheese and vegetables including the apples she just picked.

Dinner was a simple spinach omelet. It was quick and healthy...As I've been updating you, I've been watching Gordon Ramsay revisiting Kitchen Nightmares. So far most of the disaster kitchens he's helped have improved at least 30% a year later. He's a hard ass but he's good. I am not necessarily interested in opening my own restaurant one day even though I get urgings often. It is my evil queen Martha Stewart I would like to emulate a bit. If not, I've always had an itch to open a whole shopping plaza with shops of an exotic flavor. The plans and ideas are within my PC sitting in my Creative Room. The day will come for these children of my mind to be truly born. Meanwhile, I need to starting thinking of heading for bed. My boss was inspired to schedule and equally early meeting tomorrow -- on a Friday for crissakes! Sacrilege. (Wink)


.

Resurfacing

Concise Assessment

A few days into the new month and my first day back inside the office since I left it on Thursday. That could almost be the brief yet concise assessment of the day. Oh, you might be interested in nuances I suppose.

I tried to stay away from the fringes of drama from other people's lives. For example, my boss' three-year old refrigerator died yesterday after a fresh trip to the grocery store ($300) and he replaced it the same day for $2500 on a new one because his wife refused to live one day without one. The plainer one was not in stock, but the more expensive one was available. And there they went...Bridget had a cold which meant that she was not in a tolerable mood...Other people were just freakish while I tried to maintain my stillness amidst the frazzled energy.

This post is early as I have to be at work very much earlier than normal in the morning -- I scheduled a meeting early in the other building. It would be a good idea to be present. Ha!

My mind is jammed with information from today and I am trying to wind down. The adage to sleep on it may come into play here. The information is not really important or relevant to me; however, the fact that I have more or less isolated myself the past several days kept me from absorbing other people's energies, nervous energies. Let's hope tomorrow provides a better post. Maybe I'll find something more fun for you to enjoy. Sweetest dreams.


.

Concise Assessment

Delivered by Eva

How have you been, my lovelies? To update, Myrna picked me up at home on Friday to take me to the mechanic where I picked up my vehicle they had for two days. The prognosis: there was nothing wrong. Hmm. Then why did my stomach drop when I started my car when I left the restaurant? Whatever. My free starter has a warranty. I have a receipt for it...

Vinegar was my friend this morning. I used a dilution of warm water and vinegar to clean my linoleum floors. Damn if that didn't do a great job! Here I had been using commercial cleaners to a modicum of satisfaction. All I had to do was use a kitchen ingredient and warm water to get glowing results. Cleaned the baseboards by hand while I was at it. I recalled how the two Polish ladies my stepmother hired to clean her house would use the same vinegar dilution on the kitchen tile. Yes, the house smells like vinegar, but only for several hours.

In the middle of cleaning, I stopped to create my Twitter account. If you look on the right hand margin of my blog, right below the parasol picture, you will notice some notifications. You won't see these if you have me on an RSS feed. To see some quick updates or thoughts, you will have to go to my page and check. I didn't add this to my other online presence. What I love is that I can send a message from my mobile cell phone. It is that easy to update if I don't go online. I've been a bit reticent about creating a Twitter account, but recently read an article about someone writing a book with it -- 140 characters at a time which is the max on Twitter entries. That is not my goal; this application is something new for Sarah Sprinkles.

Between McCain announcing his running mate and the crazy hurricanes spinning from South Africa, I need some new news. (Side question: Does McCain think I should vote for his choice just because she has a vagina? --rolling my eyes--) I need something fun and not necessarily earth shattering. I have a little one. Let me tell you about that as I recount my evening at Vietnamese Michelle's house tonight.

Michelle from the Asian lunch mafia at work invited me to a party at her home about two miles from my own cousin's house in South Tampa. It was easy to find if the SUVs packed like sardines in the front lawn were not a big hint. I almost died laughing when I saw over two dozen pairs of slippers before the front door. My sneakers would have to come off when I came in which they did.

My entrance was one of those moments where I instantly knew I was different. All the guests inside were full Vietnamese. Here comes amazon AGOL at 5'8" making her way quickly to the kitchen where her friend was cooking. Everyone was extremely friendly and spoke English when they were around me. Michelle's husband made me a plate of appetizers right before I was invited to the table after being handed a bowl of Vietnamese style noodles. (There was a lot of food at this party!) As I was handed chopsticks, I was asked if I could eat fish sauce by the lady next to me. Yes, of course was my reply. I knew what they were thinking: This white chick is eating our food.

Michelle was soon bragging on my knowledge of Asian food while I interspersed tidbits about my own Asian culture. I could almost feel them breathe a sigh of relief. Besides her husband, I knew one other gentleman whose wife I knew, too. She wasn't present because she just had her breasts augmented and was in recovery at home. The other guests were looking at me searching for that Filipino side in my made up face. In no time, I was like part of the family and the attention was back on Michelle who apparently doesn't cook often. They said that I had to come to more dinners so they would get better food. Ha! About four sets of friends take turns cooking each Sunday.

Did I mention how loud this house was? Children of varying ages were like ants around the house. They played nice though. One captured my attention. Eva is Michelle's just under two-year old daughter. She was toddling in the kitchen. I looked down and she looked up at me. Out of their own volition, my arms came out in front of me and hers reflected mine. I couldn't believe it -- I just broke my vow to not hold a baby until I had my own. Eva immediately put her head down on my shoulder. OMG -- how cute!! The other guests noticed this and let me know I could take one or two kids on my way out later.

Yeah...I had a new friend the rest of the evening. Her mom was very surprised that she took to me so easily. Michelle teased me that perhaps she liked my big chest and that's why she was comfortable. Ten minutes before I left, Eva and I were playing a silly game. She was mesmerized by me and kept hovering her hands over my face and hair. Every time she touched my outfit and necklace, she kept saying "beautiful" in Vietnamese. I repeated the word quickly after she did which sent her into gales of laughter. When I would pretend to ignore her, she would bring her face and body around to my face and scream the word. I said ooh in really high voice and that sent her laughing too. Michelle urged me to take her home to see how far I could get out the door with her. I was halfway to my car when Eva realized something was amiss and began to say Mommy. Michelle opened the door and received her daughter.

My drive home was a reflection of my evening. I felt none of the painful pangs of not having my own family. I was not jealous, bitter or sad even when one of the gentlemen who was curious enough to ask why I didn't have any. To say I was stunned to hear this question coming from a man was an understatement. I didn't know how to answer. I asked Tab later in an IM how I should respond without sounding like a dork. After answering some of his own questions, he came up with I guess I really haven't found the right man to father my children yet. I can live with that as an answer for me to say in the future because it is true.

All I could remember before bed was that a trusting angel reminded me that everything was okay and I am still a complete person. There is nothing like a child responding to you in a laughter so free and so pure that it must have come from the greatest love well that is God.


.

Delivered by Eva

Word Clouds

I love words. I love illustrated words or words in illustrations, how ever you want to look at it. As a very young AGOL*, I used to draw my name or words and make designs around them. My other Filipino school mates would draw their names and surround them with concentric clouds, color them and then cutout. The best part was when they would write a little note on the back of the little cutout like, "Hello Sarah. Here is a little remembrance of me. Your Friend, ---".

My Blog as of today:


My Favorite Song: The Look of Love


By the way, listen to Sergio Mendes' version of my favorite song.

Create your own Word Cloud.


*To be honest, I still do...all the time!


.

Word Clouds

Garage Party at Harley-Davidson

My carpool ride picked me up at the mechanic's just as I was finishing my conversation a little after 7am. A few people were shocked to see me in before 8am. My routine was interrupted but I managed my energy with breakfast at 5:15am, snack at 8am and a Korean lunch with the Asian mafia at 11:30am. Anthony was wandering in our building and went with us.

The afternoon was spent putting out fires and wrapping up last minute things before taking some time off. Sharon gave me a ride home but before that we went to the Harley-Davidson showroom in Tampa where we had signed up for a Garage Party for women only. Bridget followed us.

When we arrived at this sprawling showroom of American symbolism, we were greeted by several people and were handed our name tags, a logo pen and a very nice booklet/Adventure Manual to carry during our introduction and overview of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle brand.

Harley-Davidson has been extremely busy revamping and expanding their brand to appeal to women. Below is a picture of one of the many belt buckles deemed girly (but tough!). Nothing like a little bling with your mean skull emblem.




What could announce female better than the color pink as seen in this baseball cap? You should have seen the rest of the apparel and accessories -- some pink, but definitely with a feminine flavor and design.



We were separated into four teams of five ladies. There were four stations: Apparel, Customization, Bike Mount/Dismount & Learning How to Pick Up a Motorcycle (when it falls on its side), and Introduction to the Five Families of Motorcycles offered under the Harley-Davidson name. Touching and mounting the bikes were strongly encouraged. I tried out two and participated in practicing what they were teaching. (Not sure why I don't have pics of the bikes??)

We took a break where they offered us refreshments and sandwich wraps. After all, we were there after work and during dinner time. For a total event participation of two hours, we left with a logo bag containing the goodies below: Informational and promotional pamphlets, logo items including an emery board for nails, a magnet, mardi gras beads and bumper stickers. Oh -- we all left with an individual picture of ourselves on a Harley-Davidson as well as a little personalized certificate of completion!



I came in a bit intimidated, but I left with a better understanding and appreciation of Harley Davidson. The evening was heavily staffed with both sexes but an emphasis on women. These folks put on a first class introduction to Harley Davidson. Everyone was nice, approachable, smiling, friendly and knowledgeable. If you EVER have the opportunity to attend a Garage Party, I strongly encourage it. I learned so much and opened a door to something I feel I could take part in should the inclination grow. Harley-Davidson also offers a 25-hour course on how to ride a motorcycle. This is more robust than the 15 hours required by the State to get your motorcycle's license. Tampa Harley rocks.

Just what you need...An AGOL on two fast wheels.


.

Garage Party at Harley-Davidson

Crazy Sound

Could you stand another entry on my car?! I almost can't for crissakes, but here it is...

My car is now making a whining sound after they had it yesterday. It only makes that sound when I try to start it or right before it engages the engine. Holy cow! We go from no sound to crazy sound. Sigh. I went through my day without calling the mechanics at least not until after 6pm.

I posted my situation on a car repair site including the history of my vehicle especially the last several months if not the last week. A response was dispensed lightening quick. I used the recommendation to call the mechanic. After a calm discussion, I agreed to leave my vehicle for at least two days at the shop. Minutes after that conversation, I secured my rides to and from work as well as deciding whom to call for a Friday night pick-up or Saturday pick-up of my vehicle. Lucky for me, Tawny's husband would be able to pick me up at 7am at the mechanics.

I ate leftover Korean lunch for dinner that Kim made for the Asian mafia. I didn't have to cook which made me less depressed. Was I really depressed? Resigned to just trust in the universe? That's more like it.

Rob IM'd me tonight and asked what he's missed out on since he has been at his new job settling in. I sent the link to my forum post and he agreed with the online expert's response. He also recommended a local mechanic who is honest and does great work which I very much appreciated for next time.

I watched in happy amazement Joe Biden's speech at the Democratic National Convention. He's really interesting. Barack Obama came in as a surprise right after to support Biden's speech. His own speech will be at a stadium tomorrow night. Can we really have hope with this man with an unusual sounding name? Senator Ted Kennedy seems to think so and has passed the torch to him.


.

Crazy Sound

452

Taking it easy. No rushing and no expectation other than a good one. That's how I decided to approach getting ready for another trip to the mechanic's garage. They were expecting me and knew they had to come up with a mutually agreeable resolution for both of us.

I was on the phone to Bridget when I arrived at 9am. Without breaking my conversation, I handed the attending manager my keys before situating myself in the waiting room. I spoke to her at length some more until my regular mechanic came in to get more information from me since I last came in. He had not been there on Friday so he was able to see the video I took.

While my car was being dissected, I was working on my laptop and fielding work e-mails. Around 1pm, I began to wonder if I should skip next door and have a nosh. I had almost made my decision when my mechanic came in to let me know he was almost done. Never once did I ask when my vehicle would be finished because I trusted it would be.

I logged into work again and mostly IM'ed with my buddies. My connection wasn't fast enough to work on my regular things. The manager called me around 2pm in the middle of watching Tyra but not before enduring a demented and deplorable specimen of American television known as Jerry Springer. I braced myself for whatever they had to say.

The mechanics replaced my starter which is what I had advanced ordered last Thursday for Friday. An ignition switch was replaced instead of the starter. Because the previous symptoms had resurfaced on Monday morning, I called them and gave them the facts of what had transpired and what would transpire. The bottom line today was the part and labor costs were absorbed by this company to a tune of $452. Yes, it was zero-zip-zilch-nada cost to Sprinkles. I also received an apology from them for having to come back in. I thanked them, too. Please cross your fingers with me and see how the repair holds...

My sugar level was already at an uncomfortable threshold. I couldn't wait to go home and have my late lunch. My morning omelette had worn off. I continued to work a little until 5pm. Watched some TV and ate a lighter dinner. I must have been really exhausted because when I spoke to Kathy, I couldn't recall names and convey my thoughts clearly. Just as well. I will be sipping my jasmine tea all the way to the bottom while I watch Hilary Clinton give her speech this evening. G'night.


.

452

Festivious

This morning was a break from routine. I took the dog out a little earlier and then went back to sleep. Two hours later, it was as though I woke up on my own without an alarm and a care in the world. The feeling was very calming and comforting. Maybe it was that feeling that engendered a need to cook early.

There are two versions of spaghetti sauce I make but both require hours of simmering to infuse all the flavors together. I made the lesser complicated one. My apartment had the lingering smell of fried dried anchovies and garlic from yesterday. (Sometimes you just have to take the plunge and cook the whole bag then light fragrant candles to diffuse the scent. Oh, opening the sliding glass doors helps, too.) This new melange of Italian flavors would certainly do the trick of replacing one with the other.

During my second IM conversation of the day with Tab, he described me as festivious. By this time I had already enjoyed some of my spaghetti sauce and I was about to make some mini cheesecakes for the Asian mafia the next day. I replied that he always makes this kind of stuff up. He said it was his word combo of festive and fastidious. I couldn't believe he said, The exact meaning is: requiring or characterized by excessive care or delicacy; painstaking while creating a festive mood. Tab clarified it for me by saying It is the painstaking attention to detail that give you joy.

I may be more crazed than most when it comes to experiencing joy. I guess I don't want to miss a single part of it...almost like drinking it within my being. You can probably tell already by the way I describe things which is what earned my description. I was lost in describing how I made my sauce and how I was going to make the mini cheesecakes.

My simple day ended with me in bed still the smelling vanilla from the cooled cheesecakes confections that were now resting covered in the refrigerator.


.

Festivious

What's My Pirate Name?

I am able to reveal my real name from the High Seas. Walk the plank and try it mateys!

My pirate name is:

Iron Mary Cash

A pirate's life isn't easy; it takes a tough person. That's okay with you, though, since you a tough person. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

.

What's My Pirate Name?

Krazy Korean Karaoke

AGOL IS AN UBER GEEK! Armed with my digital camera, I set it on video and filmed my attempts to start my vehicle. The purpose? So I don't have to clumsily explain the nature of my car's malady. You can't be taken seriously wearing a lot of lip gloss and hairspray. Imagine the mechanic's surprise when I told him what I did right before I arrived and showed him. I was the talk of the shop.

The morning brought rain from stubborn Tropical Storm Fay which made the humidity fog up the lens of my camera. Here was my brilliant idea...

CAUTION: Sound level


A misdiagnosis...a new part ordered....whoops -- a wrong part ordered...correct part arrives...and four hours later in the waiting room. SIGH. The assistant manager tried to flirt and wink at me to try and lessen my frustration, but it was obvious I wasn't buying his crap. I wouldn't even look at him as he delivered news to me. My eyes were focused on changing the channel on television when they weren't on my laptop screen.

One thing made me laugh while I was at the mechanics. Two other women had used the ladies restroom. My bladder reminded me how much coffee and jasmine tea I drank so far. The fluorescent lights were not working and it was pitch dark in there. I asked them if the lights were working when they went and the lady closest to me got up and jiggled the switch. A very very low light came on but enough to go. As I sat there (ahem!), I noticed that the lights were strobing. I thought to myself, Shoot. All I need is Donna Summer. Of course, silly AGOL had to text that piece of news to her boss and a couple of other people. No, not WHILE in the restroom, but straight after.

A few hundred dollars later and a new ignition switch...MORE SIGHS. It was past my lunch hour so I succumbed to picking up fast food on the way home to eat it, walk the dog and feed him half his dinner and also get dressed for two hours of work. Luckily, my boss was understanding.


AND THEN...God made Karaoke Night:

Our group met up at Pine Tree Cafe off of Hillsborough. The bottom level is a Korean Cafe and the top level is a catacomb of Karaoke Rooms. We were in one of the largest ones.

Snaps of specially ordered buffet, Michelle and hubby, karaoke room and karaoke wall.




Beautiful dish of Chop Che. It deserved its own spot.




Kim with and without the flash. She was the best!




Sharon in video singing "Ironic"


CAUTION: Sound level


..and the diva of the evening: Kim


CAUTION: Sound level

My voice was hoarse for some reason. Maybe it was the screaming and my voice ended up sucking. I still sang I Will Survive (with Kim), Le Freak, Woman in Love (with Michelle), Footloose (with Shirley) and several others I cannot remember. There were a couple of song we sang as a group, too. It was three hours of nonstop karaoke. Talk about getting your Asian on.


.

Krazy Korean Karaoke

Life is Good

The dread I had been feeling with my car surfaced bearing bright flares this morning. There might be something wrong with the starter as it is one of the last things the mechanics recommended if symptoms persisted from my last visit.

Tears welled up on my drive to work a few times. I didn't need this kind of immediate cash drain. So much for taking some time off the end of the month. Quelling my feelings to stem the situation from stealing my joy was eclipsed with seeing a Jeep carrying a spare tire in the back. It was encased in black with white letters proclaiming Life is Good. I began to argue with the universe until I calmed down to think about the bigger picture. (It is always about the bigger picture, huh?) I am not totally hosed -- I have plenty to do with plenty of supplies...

My Korean friend Kim at work gave me this as a memento of her recent trip home. It is a compact mirror set with a magnifying side. It is better than the one I have to pluck my eyebrows. Yes, you needed to know that bit of AGOL grooming habit. It is a very important practice to keep your AGOL's eyes open and facial expression more pleasing.




As promised, this is what the sugar apple looks like when it is ripe inside. You know it is ripe when the fruit gives or starts to fall apart. You can refrigerate it to slow the ripening process. This is really almost too sweet to eat. I broke off pieces and shared with four other members of the Asian mafia. Two of them never had it before and I just found out that one has a tree at home.



AGOL Instructions for eating a Sugar Apple --
Clean version: Using a spoon, scoop from rind the creamy flesh into your mouth, extricate the black seeds and gently spit them out onto a napkin.
Fun version: Use your mouth and teeth against the rind to scrape out the sweet pulp into your mouth, extricate the black seeds and spit them at your lunch partners. Ha!

Back to Life is Good: I am going to have my car done in the morning so I can make it to the karaoke bar tomorrow night with the Asian mafia. The food should be good and the singing frightening. Life is Certainly Interesting.


.

Life is Good