Archive for the ‘General’ Category
I need a new job
June 30th, 2008
Remember way back when I wrote about 13 meetings in one week? Since then, we’ve had a few of those high-level video teleconferences (VTCs). We had one this morning at 0830 (that’s 8:30 a.m. for you civilians). It takes about 1/2 hour to set up the VTC. At 8:25, there still wasn’t anyone at work who could set up the VTC. I really tried to let it go, but God, I was pissed. So much so, I’m thinking of taking the rest of the week off. (I have a couple of doctors’ appointments, so perhaps that’s not such a bad idea.)
Then, just a bit ago, four people were standing in my space having a conversation (that didn’t include me). And three of these people have individual offices! Why couldn’t they meet in one of those offices? They’ve departed now, but it just reinforces my discontent.
I’m trying to figure out how I can last another 3 years in this job. I’m feeling like I’m too old (and too good) to be in the environment I’m in, stuck in a freakin’ cubicle. I suppose I could look for a new job, even a promotion, but I’m not sure I want all that responsibility. Too bad I’m such a big under-achiever.
Posted in General, Griping, Work | Comments (0)
6 things you probably never wanted to know
June 7th, 2008
Way the frig back in mid-May, Natalie tagged me with a meme and I just now found it. (Well, actually I’d seen it but didn’t do anything, being all consumed with making icons for LiveJournal.) Having been without a computer for a week and not having my graphics loaded on my new computer, I found the tag again. Well, hey, it’s less than one month old. That’s pretty good for a procrastinator like me!
The rules say I’m supposed to tag six other people at the end of the meme, but since I don’t know six people, I may have to skip it. Or, I can always tag some of my LiveJournal friends. (I think I have more than 6 now.) 
The rules:
a. Link to the person who tagged you.
b. Post the rules on your blog.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.
And since I am not particularly original, I might just follow Natalie’s lead.
- I had never broken a bone until January 7, 2008, when I fell down the stairs at work. The good news I got to take 2 weeks off work. The bad news is I live on the top floor of a walk-up condo. So once I got myself up the stairs, I never went down them (until I saw the doctor 1½ weeks later when he put me in a boot). About 20 years ago I severely sprained my ankle on the same leg, tripping on a stair. I can definitely say that a sprain is indeed more painful than a break.
- I was an officer in the Navy for eight years. I stayed in the Reserves for about 4 more years, but then stopped “drilling.” The Navy eventually discharged me because I hadn’t kept up with my paperwork and training. I’m beginning to think leaving the Navy was the 2nd worst professional mistake I ever made. (The first one being transferring to the organization I currently work for.)
- It only took me 45 years to decide what I want to be when I grow up—a web designer. I even took some classes to become certified (and am certified). But this was in the early 2000’s and web development has changed enormously since then, and I haven’t kept up. Plus, graphic design and creativity is really, really hard for me.
- I suffer from severe depression and a mild mood disorder. The
goodgreat news is that the treatment I’ve received in the last few years has worked wonderfully, and I now feel better than I havein yearsever. - My last 2 cars were bought used. The current one is a 2000 Lexus and the previous one was a 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible (which I bought in 1999). I’d always wanted a convertible, ever since I was 8 years old, and I finally got my dream. But it turned out I almost never put the top down. The summers were too hot and even with sunglasses, the sun bothered my eyes. I tried to wear hats, but the only ones that would stay on in the breeze were baseball caps.
- I had a heart attack in 2000 and have a stent in one of my major arteries (the LAD, except I can’t remember what it stands for). That’s the first and only time I’ve ever been hospitalized. I had high cholesterol (which I could have controlled with diet, but didn’t) and was going through perimenopause at the time (much too early, in my opinion!). I knew my bad habits would catch up to me eventually. I just didn’t think it’d be so soon. The bad news is my habits still aren’t very good (coping mechanism for #4 above), but the good news is my heart is functioning normally, and I’ve just started to turn my bad eating habits around.
So, that’s me in a nutshell. Ok, it’s a really BIG nutshell.
And, now I shall tag hanncoll, zanne68, jade_kadir, janglyjewels, just_ruth, and the_other_sandy, all from LJ.
Posted in Blogging, General | Comments (2)
Today’s the day!
April 12th, 2008
It’s my annual rite of spring. The trees outside my entry are in full bloom, and it’s raining.
I don’t know what kind of trees they are. They sort of look like cherry trees. And the blossoms look like “double cherry blossoms.” They tend to bloom about 1-2 weeks after the “official” cherry blossoms and keep their blooms for about one week. My neighbor (who knows these things) says they’re almond trees.
Every year, at least once during their week of full bloom, it rains. The wet blossoms are so heavy, they pull the branches down so far that I have to duck when I walk under them. That day is my unofficial rite of spring.
When I left for my hair appointment this morning, the sun was out, but it had been raining. When I got home, it was raining; and had in fact, actually rained fairly hard for a bit. The blossoms were soaked. I had to duck, and I actually hit one with my head.
Welcome, spring! It’s too bad it’s supposed to be 20 degrees colder tomorrow. 
Posted in General | Comments (1)
Weird
April 11th, 2008
I had a new experience last night. I have an intermittent skin condition that initially caused massive itching on my arms and legs. The problem is, it’s very unpredictable. Usually it will subside if I take Benadryl. The condition has now progressed to a feeling that my skin is on fire all over. And if I look at it in the mirror, my skin is red. (And no, it’s not hot flashes.) I haven’t had the problem in a long time (yay), but woke up with it last night. Usually, I can will myself to ignore it & go back to sleep. But I remembered I had some Benedryl in the medicine cablinet, so I got up to take some. The Benadryl was a new, unopened package. I got the box open and some water in a glass, but I couldn’t get the pill out of its individual wrapper. It wasn’t the usual stubborn package problem. I was having trouble keeping it in focus and my hands weren’t steady. The feeling was very, very strange. I stood for a bit with both hands on the sink. The next thing I knew, I’d fallen over onto the floor. I’m not sure if I fainted, collapsed or fell asleep while standing. I gave up and crawled back into bed without taking the Benadryl and leaving the bathroom light on.
I eventually felt stable enough to go back into the bathroom and take the Benadryl.
In retrospect, I think I may have been experiencing some vertigo. It could be that whatever it was that caused the skin problem also affected the fluid in my inner ear & semi-circular canals. (I used to be an audiologist, so I know about these things.)
I feel better now, but damn, that was a weird experience. Oh yeah, I also have a cut & bruise on my knee from when I collapsed. (Think I hit a drawer-pull on the way down.) And my upper back, between my shoulder blades, started hurting in the afternoon. That’s probably where I fell into the door jamb.
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My year in review
December 17th, 2007
I’m borrowing this little exercise from my LiveJournal blog. I don’t duplicate posts, so this one will be different. And even though I haven’t posted very often, I do have at least one post from each month. The idea is to post the first couple sentences from the first post of the month. And then, I’ll comment on it (in italics).
January: The post is titled “Happy New Year.” Ok, so I’m a day late. What do you expect from a world class procrastinator? Procrastination is still a problem, but lately I’ve actually been not waiting until the last minute. Go me!
February: So, how’s my progress with my 2007 blogging goals? Really great! It didn’t last. But, I did finish the WordPress Treasure Hunt. And on time!
March: I’ve managed to fall about 3 days behind my blogging & treasure hunt schedule this week. First of all, I didn’t spend much time online on March 1, since it was my favorite day on QVC. (Big Bonanza Silver Day.) See how obsessed I am with the blog thing? And I did buy a few things on March 1, but I didn’t break the bank like some years.*
April: Titled “Thursday Thirteen: 13 things about me.” Well, it’s a good thing I wrote the bulk of this post during the week and saved it. I just got home from work (busy, long day) and I realized I ought to post this. I found Thursday Thirteen thing from Nuj, aka Natalie. I’ve done it off & on throughout the year, but I haven’t yet joined to official site. See, procrastination does still rear its ugly head.
May: It must be the May 2. It’s my best friend’s anniversary. They picked that date because the first weekend in May is the prettiest weekend of the year, with the dogwoods and azaleas in all their beautiful glory. Sadly, I don’t call her my “best” friend any more. Not because of a big fight; I just finally realized she’s never there for me when I need her.
June: I spent a good deal of time yesterday afternoon reading some of the news articles about the block of recreational web sites that the Department of Defense put in effect a couple weeks ago. In case you haven’t heard about it, DoD has now denied personnel on the DoD network from accessing such sites as YouTube, My Space, Photobucket, Stupid Videos, and a few others that I’d never heard of. I love this post. I put a lot of thought & work into it. I rant about how the press skews things and Congress is influenced by big business. And how much I respect the Service members serving in Iraq. I don’t support the military being there, but the general public has absolutely no idea the hardships these Americans experience.
July: I have been remiss not only in updating my blog, but also in furthering my blogging education. Finally this weekend, I went back to read my favorite blogstress, Lorelle on Wordpress, and boy, have I missed a bunch! Lorelle is my blogging guru. I’ve learned so much from her. I love her. 
August: Guess I better answer this challenge before Lorelle comes out with her next Blog Challenge tomorrow. 
See? Again with Lorelle!
So, what is my passion? I’m still searching for it. I know what my obsessions are, and I think I know what my passion is. But I haven’t acted on it yet.September: Thank you, nuj! I now have my very own Supernatural Season 3 countdown ticker, aka, cute sidebar thingie. Except mine isn’t in my sidebar. Of course, the countdown thingie is marking the time since the season premiere. Maybe I should change it to the next new episode, since we’ve had reruns for the past couple week.
October: I’ve fallen asleep on the sofa more times in the last 2 days than I have in the previous 20 years.
I had my first experience with general anesthesia on Monday, and it was probably the thing I was most nervous about going in for septoplasty, i.e., surgery to fix my deviated septum and improve my sinuses. I cannot believe how much this surgery has helped! I sleep better, breathe better, and I haven’t used Vicks/Mentholatum (which I was using all summer, and at least every night for the past umpteen eyes) since the surgery. I had no pain to speak of, and was off the pain medication after two days. Fabulous!
November: I was going to wait until after the holidays to get my blogging schedule in order, but realized that’s my own mode of perfectionism raising its head, preventing me from “just doing it.” Yay! Another breakthrough in my psyche! The difference between my mental state this year and last year is nearly unmeasurable. I have a ways to go, but it’s like trying to get off those last 10 pounds. It’s the hardest part.
December: One of my favorite memories of everyday life occurred many years ago. I was on my own for the first time, living in Rochester, NY. That doesn’t tell you anything about the post, but it sets up the scenario for remembering some of the small moments that stay with us forever.
Posted in General | Comments (3)
Me first! Me first!
October 31st, 2007
What is it about urban drivers that make it necessary to be ahead of the car in front of them? Are they in a hurry? Is the world going to end if they don’t get to their destination as soon as possible? Are they so important that the laws of the road and common courtesy don’t apply to them?
Yesterday as I was driving home (and I don’t have a very long commute, DC-wise), I witnessed three instances of such behavior. First, a Cooper and a minivan jockeyed for position as the road narrowed from two lanes to one. Both cars sped up to get in front of the other. The minivan won, probably aided by the laws of gross tonnage. And what for? They ended up sitting at the same stop lights as me.
Ok, I’ll give them this: at said stop light, they were in a position move in front of the intersection. I take that back. The Cooper pulled ahead as another car (coming from the opposite direction) was trying to make a left turn. The left turner ended up having to do some auto gymnastics to make the turn (the driver was obviously irritated).
I stayed behind the side road, in case another car wanted to make a left turn. And what happened? A small SUV drove up in the left-turn lane and pulled in front of me. Nice. Apparently the laws of courtesy don’t apply to people whose shit doesn’t stink.
This is not the first time this has happened to me. I was sitting at a green light because the road ahead was full, and I didn’t want to fuck up traffic by pulling into the intersection. But the guy behind me was apparently immune to such courteous thoughts, so he pulled ahead of me. Because, you know, he’s much more important than me. I was pissed! I followed him closely down the road. I really wanted to rear-end the asshole, but I would have been at fault insurance-wise, so I didn’t. But when he turned off the road, I sped up & blew my horn at him. He gave me the finger. Because, you know, he was perfectly right to illegally pull in front of other cars and selfishly create traffic snarls. And of course, I’m sure his shit didn’t stink.
This time, however, I just let Mr. Asshole go on his merry way. Oh wait. He didn’t go on his merry way. He ended up sitting at the same stop lights as me and got to his turn-off one second before me. Yeah, he’s a big, important person who doesn’t need to be concerned for others. Oh, and his shit doesn’t stink either.
Lastly, when the road opened up from one lane to three, the car behind me sped up to roar past me on the left. And you know what? I made it through the same 2 stoplights he did. I’ll give you this, though; he reached his turn off two seconds before me.
You know what? Life is so much more enjoyable when you just let it go & leave the assholes to revel in their own fabulousness. Because, you know, they are fabulous. And their shit doesn’t stink.
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Goals and such
October 7th, 2007
So, I had my week off and I accomplished almost nothing of what I’d planned to do. Maybe I needed the rest. I’ve been relatively productive today & yesterday, and even have the day off tomorrow (except for follow-up doctor’s appointment). I hadn’t even thought of Columbus Day when I’d scheduled the surgery.
Anyway, now that my mind is a bit clearer, I actually came up with a goal for October. This is quite unusual as I’m lousy at setting goals… and even lousier at completing them. But I thought that if I post them, perhaps it might make me accountable. Of course, Natalie is the only person who reads this blog, although Dannie & Jerry (not Dannie’s Jerry) have said they’ve stopped by, and perhaps also Megan. So, you guys, if your around, try to keep me honest.
For the past couple years, ever since I got my “new” computer (which really isn’t new anymore), I’ve been paying my bills from my laptop on my dining room table. The reason is that my MS Money is on the laptop. And while I bought a new copy for the “new” computer, I didn’t want to start using it until I had reconciled my accounts. Well, that’s been about two years or so—maybe more. Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t let my accounts go completely to seed. I have begun balancing them, but I’m just not yet up to date yet. You see, it seems that whenever I get *this close* to getting caught up, I let things slide back into minor disarray.
Well, I’ve decided that by Oct 31, I will have all my accounts balanced to date. And with the knowledge that my October statement is accurate (& I can account for everything), I’ll finally transfer my bill paying and bank statement to the quasi-new computer.
Um, now that I think about it, I may have to wait until my November statement to cash out. I guess I could make the extra effort to be up to date by October 16th (statement date), but October is already half-way there. Well, they say that nothing worthwhile is easy.
Posted in General | Comments (1)
The agony of sinus surgery
October 6th, 2007
I decided I ought to quit bitching about the blog design, and obsessing how to get it to where I want (e.g., spending most of my computer time trying to fix the design) and start writing more. I’m still working on the design, but I’m not going to gripe about it here. Maybe.
And now, the saga of the nose. I’m not allowed to blow my nose, but there’s a lot of stuff up there that’s driving me nuts. I know this is all part of the healing process, so I’m not alarmed. It just means that in addition to the regular nose junk, I have scabby tissue. (Sounds great, doesn’t it?) So, I rinse the nostrils out 3-4 times a day with salt water. The feeling is similar to when you get water up your nose in the swimming pool. And what’s really funny is that when you send the water up one nostril, it comes out the other as well.
Funny thing is, I kind of like it. Yes, it’s really perverse. I think I might become addicted to snorting salt water.
When I saw the doctor on Wednesday, he told me no bending or lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs. Sounds good in theory, but, how am I supposed to feed the cats or empty the dishwasher, or (most importantly) brush Kimmi when she demands it, without bending over? Yesterday, when I bent over to do any of these things, water would run out of my nose. It’s kind of funny, but annoying. Well, at least it’s clear liquid and not anything too gross.
The season premiere of Supernatural was on Thursday. I was a bit underwhelmed. It wasn’t a bad episode, it just didn’t blow me away, like last year’s season premiere. And, given the subject matter, the Seven Deadly Sins, it could have been so much more.
I’m trying to branch out with my tv viewing habits, watching a couple new shows that have gotten lots of buzz, but so far nothing’s really sucked me in.
Posted in General, Supernatural | Comments (3)
The nose knows
August 22nd, 2007
Update to the saga of the bloody nose: So, I went to the ENT on Monday. He gave me three choices.
- Do nothing. (He doesn’t recommend that. Neither does one of my co-workers—the only one who asked about it.)
- Have the blood vessels cauterized. This wouldn’t take very long (he was willing to do it Monday!) and there’d be no down-time.
- Have surgery. (Eeek!) Apparently I have a significantly deviated septum, which I did not know. He can straighten it out and snip some of the mucous bearing membranes. (And he’d cauterize those pesky blood vessels at the same time.) It’s minor surgery, taking about an hour that he can perform at his facility, but it requires general anesthesia. And I’d have about a week downtime.
So, being the totally indecisive person that I am, I asked to think about it. Yesterday I went back & forth on options 2 and 3. I’ve never had “real” surgery, and have never been totally out. But I like the idea of being out from work for a week or so, even if I do have some discomfort. (Yes, I dislike the job that much!)
But last night I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t breathe. The nose was totally plugged up. So, my decision has been made. I can’t schedule the surgery for about another month since work is pretty busy up until the end of September. (Oh hell, work is always busy, but my presence is critical for the next few weeks. Unless I croak, of course. In which case they’d do just fine without me because they’d have to.)
Ah, I’ll be able to sleep in, pet the kitties, play computer games, and watch massive amounts of Jewelry tv. If I could have the surgery sooner, I’d also be able to finish the baby blanket I’m knitting for my niece before her baby is born next month. (Lucky little girl! Her birthstone will be sapphire—my favorite.) As it is now, though, it’ll be a race to the finish.
Posted in Family, General | Comments (1)
Busy day
July 28th, 2007
Boy, I’ve got a lot going on today. Well, a lot for me. Fortunately the two events that took me out of the house are done.
Many years ago, I signed up for a safety deposit box with my best friend and her husband. Shortly thereafter, they bought a fireproof safe, leaving to pay the box fee by myself. I wanted to close out the account, but was told all three of us needed to be present. Finally, I got them to come with me to the bank. (It only took 2 months to get a them to put it on their schedule!) Then, turns out I was the only one who had to sign anything. Go figure.
Then, I had to get my hair cut (& colored). I always manage to lose my little appointment cards, so I never know exactly when my appointment is. But usually, some day during the week I notice my gray hairs are showing at the roots. And sure enough, that Friday I get the notice that my appointment is that Saturday. Man, I’m good.
And now, I’m off to participate in this year’s Blogathon by commenting and encouraging those who are blogging for 24 hours straight. It was one of my blogging goals for 2007. Then I got all excited and kind of wanted to blog in the blogathon. I even came up with a couple of themes to blog about. (I thought I’d written a post about it, but can’t seem to find it. Maybe it’s still up there in draft status. Well, kinda late to publish it now.) But I know I can’t stay up for 24 hours. I sort of wish they had an 18-hour option. Now that I could do. Maybe I’ll suggest it to the organizers next year.
Anyway, now I’m off to see what brave souls are out there, raising money for worthwhile charities.
Posted in Blogging, General | Comments (0)