No Need To Look Back

Well, the happiest of birthdays to our own Ashley Flickinger. I am sad that I won’t be in attendance at the Ashley Flickinger Birthday Variety Hour Extravagance Celebration and Gala Party. But I am hoping that our midnight escapade helped make up for my absence, and I am really looking forward to the SASAA, and of course, Pay Day Dinner at the Red Dog Diner.(We have a lot going on in the next little while.)

The CD exchange went better than I had anticipated. Although it has been quite a feat to put all the CDs on to my ipod. So far I have gotten 5 done, and I only have 6 more to do. However, it just takes so long to import all of the songs. I thought it would great to just bring the CDs to work and put them on my ipod while I was working, but the whole computer just freezes up when I try, making getting any amount of work done impossible.

I am, bias-ly, still excited with my CD and thinking it was one of the best from the bunch. (Although, some of you did come in a close second.) I think it is mostly because I know all the behind the scenes stories that come with all of the songs. This whole activity did make me wonder if other people, like Jenny, Flick and I, put their whole souls into this project. It also made me wonder if the songs everyone chose were their true, quasi-naked feelings of the past year and what, if any, are the stories associated with all of the song choices. But that might be a bit to honest for some of us to handle.

Plus I was I feel I was the winner in pure CD layout and burning quality. I didn’t have any half songs, or five minutes of dead air, and I did include a track list for ease of listening. Heck, I even made the track list show up in itunes. But I feel it was a valiant effort by all that participated. Thank you for your hard work, and soul bearing. Looking forward to everyone’s happier music selections next year.

Who ever thought we would get here, the last day of 2007. Sometimes this year felt like it would never end. And yet, other times it felt like it should never end. But today I thought I would give you the moments that helped make 2007 what it was. (Thank goodness for a whole year of blogs to make this list easier to create!)

1. The Divorce
Somehow we got to keep the house and each other!

2. A New Hair Colour
Proof that, despite what everyone thinks, brunettes really do have more fun.

3. Lent
Forty days to a new life and a forgotten interest.

4. A New Roommate or Two
The best decision and greatest head hunting that Flick and I have ever done.

5. A Broken Ankle
Who knew that not only bones would fuse together, but also friendships?

6. FHE Oscars
AKA—The night I was robed.

7. Naan Bread
Some days our only source of nourishment. The best comfort on a cold winter night.

8. General Conference
The best roadtrip…ever.

9. The OC/The Bridge
Proof that YSA life really could make a good TV drama.

10. The Bank Guy
Some sort of funny confidence booster.

11. A Hot Summer
Complete with multiple fans and a tent on our front lawn.

12. Power Outages And Candles
The universe using all of its powers to work against us.

13. The Zoo
The best double date, non-double date I have been on in a while.

14. Whoop Up Days
Our first experience with the Ferris Wheel!

15. A Sad Goodbye
Gone by not forgotten, we lost Flick to the Westside.

16. Heroes
Our weekly habit that just turned into the last kick at the cat.

17. 250 Days
Realization is a slow process.

18. Jimmy Eat World
Solace for the soul…live and in concert!

19. Some Fight
And look where we are now.

20. Songs For Another Year
Summing it all up, in twenty songs.

Thanks to everyone for all of their love and support over the past year. I have very few regrets from this roller coaster of a year, and really did enjoy most of the time I was able to spend with all of you.

As 2008 approaches I am hopeful and optimistic. The Beatles say it better than I ever could:
“I have to admit it getting better, a little better all the time. It can’t get no worse.”

Good luck to everyone and by all means, God Speed.

Songs For Another Year

So, after a few months of planning and arranging, I am pleased to announce the songs that summed up 2007.

The Future Freaks Me Out—Motion City Soundtrack
(I don't know where to begin. I don't know where to begin.)

Fire and Rain—James Taylor
(Won't you look down upon me Jesus, You've got to help me make a stand. You've just got to see me through another day.)

Back To You—John Mayer
(Doesn't it scare you. Your will is not as strong, as it use to be.)

Goodnight and Go—Imogen Heap
(We'd be good, we'd be great together.)

Ten Minutes—The Get Up Kids
(I've been home all summer. Now I'm leaving you alone.)

I’m Losing You—Colin James
(Here in the valley of indecision, I don't know what to do. I feel you slipping away.)

Work—Jimmy Eat World
(Can't say I was never wrong, but some blame rests on you.)

Be My Escape—Relient K
(I've been dying to get out, and that might be the death of me.)

Out Of Reach—The Get Up Kids
(Out of sight, out of mind, out of reach. Start over.)

Losing My Religion—REM
(Consider this, consider this the hint of the century.)

Brand New Low—Treble Charger
(Cause I've lost all my self control.)

For No One—The Beatles
(She says that long ago she knew someone, but now he's gone. She doesn't need him.)

Motown Never Sounded So Good—Less Than Jake
(Do you remember when we had all the answers?)

Tired Of Waiting—The Trews
(Everything is changing. I'm the same and aging.)

Newport Living—Cute Is What We Aim For
(Everyone's a let down it just depends on how far down they can go.)

The World You Love—Jimmy Eat World
(I'm looking for a nice way to say I'm out. I want out.)

Slip Sliding Away—Paul Simon
(Believe we're gliding down the highway, when in fact, we're slip sliding away.)

She Says What She Means—Sloan
(When she says that I'm mean, does she mean what she says?)

Swing Life Away—Rise Against
(Are we getting closer or are we just getting more lost?)

In My Life—The Beatles
(And these memories lose their meaning, when I think of love as something new.)

Check out last year's contribution.

I am really happy with the final outcome of my CD. I am hoping no one kills themselves after listening to my overly emo compilation.

Thanks to everyone who helped influence the music selections. Here's hoping for a cheerier CD next year.

GL/GS

Hopeful Optimism

Good morning to all of you. Hoping that your Christmas was as magical as you wanted, plus a little more. We had a pretty quiet Christmas, seeing as there were only four of us, and well, me and Eric are a little to old to be overly excited for Christmas. But we get to celebrate it all over again as Brent and Jen are going to be coming this weekend.

I got in a bad habit over my time off, that of staying up super late, and sleeping in. And sadly I was rudely awakened this morning to venture into the snow and come to my overly exciting office. There are only three of us in the office today. And to be honest, we are all doing nothing. I saved a bit of my work from last week to do today and tomorrow, but nothing that couldn’t get done in a good focused hour if I tried.

Our boss came in this morning and asked all of us if we were only going to be working half a day. Me and the lady across the hall from me (Yes, the one that had the doll.) totally went along with the idea of only working half a day, but the other lady at the office today, soon piped up, “Oh no, I think we are working all day today, and all day tomorrow as well.” I think we should tar and feather her for that suggestion.

So after checking Facebook and my email a couple of times already, here we are. Just think, only few too many hours left. Hopefully this afternoon goes by fast.

I have also spent the morning listening to my end of the year CD, and I have just started to listen to Eric’s mix. We have had competition for the past couple of days for best CD, cover and all round awesomeness. I tried to explain to Eric that this really wasn’t a competition, but I think if I had to choose, I would still win. (Although, I do really like your cover, Eric, and the music isn’t as crazy as you implied.)

Well, let’s get on to something else.

Thanking:
The universe for giving me exactly what I asked for. I am trying not to jump the gun this time.

Remembering:
There really are people who think I am something a little special. Sad it took me so long to realize.

Counting:
The minutes until the end of the day, or at least lunch.

Looking forward to the New Year and hoping 2008 will be exactly what it is supposed to be.

Lots of Love. Thanks to God. Wishing for more than good luck.

And Now My Life Has Changed In Oh So Many Ways

First of all, let me apologize for my lack of entries as of late. It is not from a lack of writing, it is mostly due to a lack of publishing. But I am hoping with a couple of days off, I should be able to bang out some really excellent posts for you all.

Somehow we finally made it to the end of the week. And what a long week it has been. With the anticipation of our time off work, the short five days of this week have really dragged on, and on and on. There are only five of us at the office today, and it really will be interesting to see who all plans on being here on the 27th. But thankfully I do have some extra days off coming to me at the beginning of January, so I don’t mind being one of the selected few working next week.

Okay, let me tell a weird story before I really begin. Maybe you all can make more sense of it. I work with a bunch of old ladies. Ladies who are definitely old enough to be grandmothers, but surprisingly, none of them have any grandchildren.

Today the lady whose office is across the hall from me, has spent most of the morning carrying around this doll. Now in her defense, sort of, it is one of those realistic dolls. When I saw it out of the corner of my eye first thing this morning, I really thought it was a real baby. This lady had received this “baby” as a Christmas present from one of her friends, and she has been going from office to office all morning showing everyone her new “baby.” So at about 9:00 this morning, she stopped by my office and I had to hold the doll and pretend to fall all over it like everyone else in the office had. In fact, the other ladies are taking turns watching the “baby” this morning. It is so weird. Right?

Moving forward. Last night we went to see ‘I Am Legend’. (Which really is a stupid title, but don’t get me started on all the stupid movie titles out there) And I surprisingly quite enjoyed it. Except the scary zombie guys! I guess I didn’t really do any research about this movie before I saw it, because I really had no idea what it was about or that there were weird zombie-like people in it.

But I loved his dog and all the funny conversation he had with her, (It made me miss our own quasi dog, Roxy) and it made we wonder how Will Smith can go from the Fresh Prince to Oscar nominated actor? All in all it wasn’t a bad movie, except the scary “bad guys”.

Well, I should get some work done today. Only a few hours until our own Christmas holidays start. I have started to count down the minutes that are painfully ticking by at a leisurely pace.

Here’s to:

Sleeping in, entertaining food, fun time with everyone.

Windows being closed while new doors are being opened.

Coming to a wonderful realization, “I think I might be over you”

Sitting back and just letting it happen, whatever that is.

Thanks to God for everything. Good Luck and Merry Christmas.

Anxious Anticipation

Well, it is Monday again, and just a short five day of work left until we all go on a five day break. (Thank goodness for adult jobs. And thank goodness for not having to work on Christmas Eve.)

I am by no means ready for Christmas in the fact that I haven’t completed any of my Christmas shopping, well except the gifts for my roommates, but that was too easy. But I am hoping with an early work day today, I can make a good dent in what I have left to buy, and all without making too big of dent in my bank account. Yup, this year I am cheap. Sorry.

I have been working on getting my ipod up and running again and I think it is close to what it used to be. I have put 363 songs back on, and I am slowly trying to figure the proper order of my year CD again. I have all of songs, but I really can’t find the order I was happy with. Why didn’t I write it down?!?

Sunday finished out the weekend just as well as we had started it. (Well, minus all of my ipod confusion.)

With a new resolve, and my strong backbone, we had one of the fun-est/funniest Sundays we have had in quite a while. To be honest, I am really looking forward to Friday, and hoping that Jon really comes through for all of us. I am hopeful that it will be a great way to bring in the Christmas holidays and end 2007 on the right note.

Yesterday brought my first viewing of ‘White Christmas’. Now, I know I hate everything, and that you won’t be overly surprised to learn that I wasn’t overly fond of this movie. But I really do like Bing Crosby and I really do like the song White Christmas. Maybe I had just set my expectations too high?

I must give credit to whomever though naming the movie ‘White Christmas’ would be a good idea. It really convinced me that it was about Christmas. But sadly, short a few moments at the end and a finale of singing of White Christmas, the movie had little do with Christmas.

Let me tell you one problem with musicals of this sort. They take the idea of a story, stretch it out, throw in some songs and call it a movie. However, there is little to no character development. I have seriously no idea who the characters were, or what their motivation is. What are even their names? Bob and maybe Betty? But the other sister’s name and Bob’s friend? I have no idea.

I did enjoy the “Sisters” song, and there were all sort of funny dances and funnier matching shoes. And I am sorry to all of you who love the movie; it wasn’t overly bad, just not what I expected. But I did really enjoy the company and the white sauce on the cake.

Excited for:

Time off of work
Some great Christmas parties in the meantime

Waiting for:

The live version of Soeur LeCroix
The three short hours until the end of the day.

Hoping for:

My ipod to return to some sort of normal.
The start of something new
New adventures and maybe some misadventures

The Saddest Song You'll Ever Know

I am absolutely distraught. For reasons unknown to myself my ipod decided to completely erase itself on Friday afternoon. Three years of music collecting, totally and utterly gone. On Friday morning, I was just listening to my Top 25 Most Played Song playlist, and was excited to notice that Jimmy Eat World had finally overtaken The Beatles for top songs. But by Friday afternoon, all of it was gone.

I spent most of Friday afternoon in denial, thinking that if I could just get my ipod back to my computer, everything would straighten itself out. But after trying that idea, I slowly moved into anger as my ipod was still void of music.

When I contacted Apple, they gave me this suggestion, just import you music from your itunes library back to your ipod. You would think that it would be just that easy, but after 3+ years of music collecting, I don’t have all my music in one easy to import location.

I have been able to recover 66 songs so far, and maybe with a little work, I can get back the remaining 400 back, but somehow I think am going to have to just start over.

I am now officially depressed. Jenny tried to put my loss into perspective by pointing out I had only lost music, and not a kidney or two. But I am still sad. I think the saddest part is that I have lost all of my playlists, including the final layout of my yearly review CD.

I read an article a couple of months ago that suggested once a year erasing your whole ipod and just starting over. The article pointed out it would a great way to get new music into your life, and get serious about all of the music that you really love. At the time, I actually contemplated giving the suggestion a try, thinking it would be good to start over and to give my ipod a real shake up. But now having a forcibly obliterated ipod, I am having second thought about whether or not this is a good idea.

I guess I should be grateful that my ipod still works and that I can get back most of my favourite songs, and I was kinda getting boring of all the music I did have on my ipod. Here’s hoping that everything is better the second time around.

So far the weekend is going pretty well. The office Christmas “party” went off without too many hitches, and this time I actually got the stake, and dessert and not the lame sandwich I got last year.

And a special thank you to my compadres for the second stake of the day at The Keg. I have such a love of goat cheese these days.

Thanks to my family for all of the fun and help over the past couple of days, and the Chicken Bowls really are good. Thanks for introducing me to them.

Thanks to the ladies and Mocha Cabana, the greatest stress reliever in the whole city.

Here’s to Sunday being just a good.

Good Luck. God Speed. Love to all

Start Over Again

Alright, well, I think it is official. I hate everything. As of late, 99.9% of things have either annoyed me, bored me or have just been lame. Am I to blame, or have entertainment standards really taken a fall?

Last night we went to see 'Fred Claus' as a whole ward for FHE. I am definitely appreciative of all the people who organized such an event. And in all, I think people had an enjoyable time.

The movie was okay enough. I did enjoy Vince Vaughn’s role in the movie. Every time I see something that Vince Vaughn is in, I remember how much I like him. He seems like a cool guy to have as a friend, and just like Hugh Grant, usually plays the exact same characters in all of his movies. That kind of consistency makes the movie more believable.

But seriously, and I am wracking my brain to think of something else good to say, but Vince Vaughn was really the only good thing about the movie.

In my mind, I never really had this movie pegged as a kids’ or family movie. But that is kinda what it turned out to be. And what made it a kids’ movie more than anything were the weird sound effects that accompanied every move that any of the characters made. There were fart noises, and weird slide whistles, and other cartoon like sounds. It was noticeable and unnecessary.

During the heart-warming ending of the movie, everyone is watching kids open the presents that Santa has brought, and over the top of the scene was an already ugly rendition of Silent Night. But the dumbest part is that that they changed the words. Here is an example:

Silent Night, Holy Night
All is Calm, All is Bright
See the stars twinkle in the sky
See the snow around us lie
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Can you spot the errors in this song? Now I understand that maybe you don’t want to put a Christian overtone on your movie about a Christian holiday, but to go as far as to change the words, just so non-Christians wouldn’t be offended?

Was there no other song that you didn’t have to alter to play there instead of Silent Night? Think about how extra time you had to take just to change the words? Plus how bad does Josef Mohr feel because you changed his lyrics?

After the movie, I heard one person make the comment to her friends, “If that didn’t put you in the Christmas Spirit, nothing will.” And I realized that maybe I was too much of a Christmas lost soul. And that even Scrooge and the Grinch had a Christmas change of heart.

Hear me now, believe me later, I am by no means still pleased with all aspects of Christmas, nor am I moving Christmas up to top holiday. I do still find Santa unnecessary, nutcrackers creep me out, and fruitcake really isn’t that good.

But I do enjoy the time spent with family and friends and the idea that none of us will have to go to work for at least a couple of days. Things really could be worse, so there is no need to complain about a holiday that is suppose to be full of wonder and magic.

Thanks to all of you for your love.
God bless us, everyone.

Still Can’t Believe I Lost That Bet!

They ate all the pie. Can you believe it? It is only 10:35 am and two cranberry pecan pies are totally gone. One of the ladies that I work with gets pecans sent to her from Kansas every Christmas. (I don’t really get it either) and this year she got extra pecans for some of the ladies in the office. For most of last week, pecans have been the top of conversation and buzz around the office, with the ladies swapping pecan incorporated recipes.

On Friday, at our lunch and gift exchange, the topic again turned to nuts. One of the ladies told us about a cranberry pecan pie that would change our lives, and stated that she would bring in the recipe. I told her to forget the recipe and just bring in the pie, never expecting her to really bring it in. But low and behold, this morning I came to the office to be greeted by not one, but two cranberry pecan pies.

Now, I seriously have nothing against eating pie at 8:30 in the morning, but didn’t want to be the first person on the pie train. So I waited until more people in the office had grabbed a piece before I made my way over to collect mine. When I looked at the pie an hour later, only about half of the first pie was gone, still leaving lots of pie for the rest of us to seize later. I got on the phone and got some work in and at 10:30 when I finally went to get my piece, it was all gone.

I really don’t care all that much, it just seems like a lot of pie for a bunch of old ladies to eat. I think I am just more mad because, yet again I didn’t bring anything for lunch (I really meant to, and I thought about it last night as I was falling asleep, but I was much too comfortable in my bed to get out and make a sandwich, or something)

Alright, enough about pie. Sorry. On to something else.

How was your weekend? What did you do? Who did you see?

The weekend seemed to be busy, and this morning I complained to RDP that I had to wait until five days until it was again the weekend.

Friday met us with the celebration of our favourite Keely’s birthday/ bar mitzvah. Now I must apologize for leaving the party before it really even began, but I was already not feeling well and in a poor mood from my ludicrous YSA meeting (seriously, who has a meeting at 8:30 on a Friday night?) But I hope you had the happiest of birthdays and I seriously am counting the days until you are home for Christmas.

Saturday somehow made me question my life in YSA. I know! I couldn’t really believe it either. But I had sadly come the realization that I just may be getting a bit too old to continue with some of the foolishness that comes with being in a singles ward. Now, I by no means think I am the pinnacle of maturity, and I have no immediate plans of jumping ship and going back to an even worse fate of the family ward. But recently, I have been wondering about my place in the ward, and sadly coming the realization that I am old hat, and that all of my jokes and stories have been told too many times over for them to be fully appreciated anymore.

(Don’t worry, this story has a happy ending.) So as I am walking into the kitchen to help clean up after the Ward Christmas Party, trying to formulate some sort of plan to gracefully bow out of the YSA world, I began to talk to Brother Thomsen, who jokingly asked me if I had made fully usage of the mistletoe that had been hung up. I responded by pointing out I was well over the average age of our ward and that no one really wants a creepy older girl chasing after them. Brother Thomsen responded by saying, “Don’t give up Denise, our ward needs you at lot more than you think.” There really is never a day that I doubt my bishopric’s love for me, I just seem to sometimes forget.

A big thank you to all of my wonderful choir performers. Sunday had us performing at the Stake Carole Festival. Our choir was definitely one of the best of the night and way better than the contribution London Road made. (way to drop the ball there) Thanks to all of my non-flakey performers for your love, support and enthusiasm. And a special thanks to the real conductor, and best accompanist we really could get, Jenny.

Alright, let’s get back to work. Thanks to everyone who helped with all of the various aspects of the weekend.

Now knowing:
the same shirt can look so great on three different people
at least ideas of what to get everyone for Christmas
well-being is hyphenated

Lots of love.
GL/GS

One Day At A Time

The happiest of birthday wishes to our dear Keely. If you are looking for something to do later tonight, our house is being turned into party central for the big celebration.

Sorry, I guess, about yesterday’s mess of a post. I guess the emo/angry posts are better left inside my head and not for all of you to read. Although, I read an article a couple of days ago where some book publishers stumbled upon some guy’s blog and decided to publish it as a book. And the reason they liked it so much was because it showed a variety of emotions.

I am seriously hoping that one day the publishing world will approach me with the same offer. Wouldn’t that be great! I could have book signings at Chapters (I do know the events coordinator) and even put Roy Orbison on cover of my book!

But in the meantime and in between time, I will try and keep things a little more light hearted on here. (I know, I know, I have promised that before. Let’s see how long that lasts.)

Today is our “Girl’s Lunch” and gift exchange at the office. All of the assistants and secretaries go for a two hour lunch (that sadly we have to pay for ourselves.) and we have a gift exchange as well. We drew names for the gift exchange way before Halloween and everyone has been a buzz with excitement ever since. But today everyone has gotten gussied up (and put on their best pair of Crocs) and are literally counting the hours until we go for lunch.

Last year I got the person I had to buy for monogrammed napkins, and I got…a jar of peanuts. This year I got my person crystal Christmas tree ornaments, (Shhh…don’t tell her) and I can only guess what lame thing I will receive this year. (Just hoping it is a jar of almonds or other like nut.)

I don’t really say much at work. In fact, I think you could write on one page all the words I say in a day to my coworkers. (Surprising, I know.) So thinking that last year would be an excellent time to dazzle my coworkers with all of my charm and wit, I waited for the right minute to begin my entertaining.

About half way through lunch, one of the ladies says, “Oh, Denise has a really funny story. Tell them about Fashion Friday.”

What?!? Fashion Friday isn’t a really even a story. That is just what we call our weekly trip to the mall.

So I tell them what it is, and maybe I didn’t sell it that much, but it really isn’t a funny story, or really a story at all. More like sentence. There is no beginning, middle, end. There is barely a verb in there.

I get finished and all the ladies are beyond confused. And say, “So you go every Friday.”

“No, but we go a lot of them.”

“Do you buy something every time you are there?”

“Most of the time.”

“And you don’t return the clothes on Monday?”

“No, we just have a lot of clothes.”

And then there is complete silence. And I knew then that my chances of dazzling everyone were over. So I sat there the rest of the lunch, and just listened to everyone tell their own lame stories.

But I am hoping that this is my year. That they realize what an untapped resource of entertainment they have working with them day in and day out. But more realistically I think it will be a whole lunch discussing everyone’s cats.

Alright, I have to get ready to go to our lunch. Wish me luck on the gift exchange.

Thanks to all of you for your sustained love, support and reading.

GL/GS

Worn Out And Well Used

I am slightly concerned. With so much to do this weekend, it was only likely that I would develop some sort of sickness. I should have first clued in with the excessive amounts of tiredness earlier this week. But last night’s sore throat was my first indication that poor health would be a possibility. Now today is the beginning of the end. With an attractive head cold brewing pretty quickly, I am highly concerned about my health in regards to all the events in which I am scheduled to make appearances this weekend. But I will solider on, at least for now.

I am finally beginning to wonder about my pursuit of the males, and just thinking, maybe, just maybe, the problem isn’t with the scads of men I have chased over the years. That maybe the problem is me. Maybe all this time the universe was trying to tell me this fact, but I refused to listen.

I know you are wondering if maybe I am running a fever and what ever possessed me to think this way. But with the universe deciding to dredge up stories from my past, I have had to do a lot of story telling and explaining to fill my current friends in on all the messy details of lost loves. And sadly, I have come to the realization that all of these stories end THE EXACT SAME WAY. With me adding another notch to my story belt and another emo song to the repertoire.

At the beginning of the year we did our ever popular and funny “self actualization exercise”, in which, in a manner similar to ‘The Secret’, we released the qualities we were looking for into the universe to find us the perfect man, from our mouths to the ears of the angels. And now as the year is rapidly coming to a close, I think the angels must have lost my request. (Now, please believe me, I never pinned all my hopes that writing a list of qualities and reading them out for everyone to hear would help me find Mr. Right or even Mr. Right Now. But I thought it would never hurt to try.)

So now today, for again everyone to hear, I am making another declaration to the universe.

I give up.

Send me what you will, and what you won’t, and I will sort through all of it as it comes along. All the meanwhile remaining calm and collected not careless and concerned as in the past.

Who knows. I might just be physically sick and tired, which has caused me to make such a statement. But I am also mentally sick and tired of this “game”. The fun of it has long since gone.
Now off my active pursuit, I am looking forward to time with those people and things I have put by the wayside.

Definitely looking forward to less ups and downs.

Hoping that next year’s CD will be anything but emo.

Alright.

Thanks to God.
Good luck.

It's Almost Full Circle

Well Kitties,

Another day, another entry. A big HB to Papa Garner. I am still not a big believer in birthdays six weeks before or six weeks after Christmas. I know you can’t help it, but it really does affect what kind of presents you will receive. Those of us who have summer birthdays, sad to say, tend to get better birthday presents. By June, everyone has forgotten what they got you for Christmas.

I am now completely convinced that the universe is against me, and not in some good way like with power outages, thunderstorms, a guitar and candles. Today marks the third chance meeting with a lost love.

Now I should really explain that this guy today wasn’t really a lost love, per se, but still someone had that potential. And as soon as Flick and Smith figure out who it is, they will get a good laugh.

So today I am at my office, alternating between working hard and hardly working when all of the sudden there is a knock on the doorway of my “office”. I turned around, only to find Mr. Mexican Fiesta. Both of us a little taken back he explained that he was just dropping off a form for one of my coworkers.

Here is his story:

The fall following the Carson Daly tragedy, my roommates and I ended up at a party, where I saw someone new to chase. However, not knowing him or anyone he was with, I was prepared to accept the fact that he would leave without us ever meeting. Ashley Smith, my roommate with no fears, refused to let that happen and marched me over to the guy, introduced me and then proceeded to walk away, leaving me to fend for myself. This guy and I had a very awkward first conversation and somehow exchanged phone numbers.

The next day, I convinced my roommates that we needed to host our own party so that I could invite my new interest and thusly we invented Mexican Fiesta. One of the greatest parties we ever hosted. (Ask Flick about her time with the twins that night.) I nervously called my new friend as Chandler Cook held my hand for support, and to my surprise, the guy from the party, actually showed up.

We talked and talked that night, about everything from Mexico to volleyball, and things seemed to be going well. I took the bull by the horns the next night and invited him to our first Karaoke Festivity. Again, I was surprised when he showed up and we chatted the whole night and sang goofy songs together.

Finally, after a whole weekend together, I decided that one more event may or may not seal the deal. And Sunday ushered in the ever popular Cake Night, where again I contacted my new friend to attend with us. For the third time that weekend, he showed up at my house and we had great time. Well, that was until a member of the girl’s volleyball team showed up. Just as quick as he began with me, he moved on to discuss different volleyball tactics and warm-ups with this new girl. And by the end of the night, asked me if I could secure Volleyball Gil’s phone number for him.

Not overly heartbroken, I never talked to him again, and somehow conveniently lost his phone number from my phone. My roommates and I would see him around different activities and dance, but none of us ever talked to him again. It was as if we had never met. To be honest, with my hatred of volleyball and his love of it, it really was doomed from the beginning, but at least worth a try.

Hoping:

That third time’s the charm and that universe will back off for a bit, or at least send something new and good my way.

Missing:

Ashley Smith and all of the crazy antics, we got into with her. Miss all of our crazy grocery shopping tomfoolery, the Tracker, “Third Wheel” in the front seat of the car and a little game called “Mowing Grass.” Come home soon.

Remembering:

Patrick. Ha! I don’t know why he came to my mind, but still laughing about him. Can’t wait to giggle over him with Flick sometime soon.

Thanking:

All of my friends both past and present for all of our funny experiences. Thanks for keeping me entertained for so long.

Good Luck and God Speed.

At Least It's Happy

A happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends (I don’t think I have any Jewish friends.) and a joyous Tuesday to the rest of you. I am overly tired today and very jealous of all of you who were able to sleep in. But I came to work solely based on the fact that we got cake at work today, even if it was crappy cake. (Yup, it really was crappy “chocolate” cake, or so I am guessing from the brown colour, although, I couldn’t really find the chocolate.)Apparently, I am easy to win over.

I am feeling a bit better this afternoon than I was this morning. Thanks to my new Happy Playlist for doing its job. I think I am slowly getting Christmas figured out, and putting the finishing touches on my overly emo yearly review CD. It isn’t quite the same quality as last year’s creation, but hopefully it will get there before the end of the year. I’m also trying to find some cheerier songs to round out all of the slit your wrists ballads. I am hoping that my year really wasn’t that depressing.

So to cheer everyone up, I thought it was about time to answer some more questions.

What makes you laugh?
The fact that Flick, Jenny and I can have a whole conversation with just random words, noises and looks and totally understand each other.

What's your favorite possession?
That is too easy, my ipod.

What superhuman power would you most want to have?
I still think reading people’s thoughts would be interesting. A little bit dangerous and disturbing, but still interesting.

What did you want to be when you were little?
A chef. If you can believe it, I really do like to cook. I might not do it that often, but I figure I have a good 50+ years to make food for people, so why not take a break right now.

What's your motto?
Brand. New. Vision. (Sorry I only wish I could be as cool as Lethbridge College)

What would you do with $1,000 in spare cash?
Spare cash? Does that even exist? And no, the nickels in the Swear Jar don’t count.
I think I would take a super funny road trip to Delaware or somewhere just as amusing.

What's your simplest pleasure?
Mocha Cabana. All I need is a hot chocolate, and I am stress free.

What's the craziest fashion trend you've ever followed?
Neon, I guess. But didn’t we all follow that? So is it really that crazy?

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...
Where to now? (If I had to guess, I’m afraid to say Antarctica’s next.)

Hoping:
To be asleep eight hours from now.

Thanking:
SJP for understanding the too many ups and downs in my life.

Thinking:
It may just be time to tone it down a notch, or two.

More than just good luck.
Thanks to God.

A Day in the Life Proudly Presents: The Story of Today--Hungry, Cold and Emo

Let’s be honest. I hate Mondays, but I really hate “lunch” on Mondays. Mostly because I “get to” work through lunch in order to leave early for the day. (As if that really ever happens.) But in my morning rush I never think to bring anything with me to eat, often relying on whatever candy I have left with me from Sunday’s shenanigans. And today, I am definitely wishing for more than the three Hershey Kisses I found in my coat pocket. If only, if only I had gotten up a few minutes earlier to enjoy my Fruity Whirls.

Hey, but Happy December to all of you. What happened? Where did all the year go? What did we even do with a whole year?

I don’t know about you, but I am not really interested in writing up a whole weekend in review kind of thing. Let’s just say that for the most part my weekend was pretty boring. My room is still a mess, not much in terms of laundry was done and somehow our house is mess again. (Stupid Weekday Eve with its messy games, and goblet usage.)

But happy with:

the hot dogs (even if we don’t talk to each other anymore)

a throwback to the old Vic. Park clap (even if that does sound like an STD)

another visit by our one and only Keely (even if we get to see you again this weekend.)

some of the best flirting I have done in a long, long, long while. (even if they were all previously spoken for and/or preemies.)

Here’s to:

Inspiring bloggers one entry at a time.

Counting down the hours until we can move on to Tuesday

Being thankful for what I have, even if that is just brown hair.

Thanks to everyone for their continued support.

GL/GS