*I dog-sat/house-sat Saturday night and it made me want two things: (1) a dog. I've always wanted a dog, but it just hasn't been practical. (2) cable TV. I love TLC. I could watch What Not to Wear and Flip This House all week long and twice on Sunday.
*Got to see several old friends this weekend. It's always fun to see people that I grew up with and reminisce and catch up. Did a bit of phone-number exchanging with friends old and new who I will probably never call and who will probably never call me, but it's a nice thought.
*Sunday's sermon was tailor-made for me. I hate that. (In a good way, of course.)
*Packed a few boxes yesterday in preparation for the upcoming move. I wasn't terribly productive, but I tackled the one closet o' random junk that I dreaded packing, thinking I would get it out of the way. I get too distracted by old photo albums, birthday cards, and the fact that I have WAY too many purses and sunglasses. I'll try to be more focused this week, though I know I won't get much accomplished until Saturday. I work best under pressure.
*Fun times celebrating Memorial Day yesterday. One of these days I'm going to actually take my camera and photo-blog all the fun.
*I've apparently forgotten how to sleep. I guess I'm back to one of my insomniac phases. Hopefully, it will pass soon. I need my beauty-rest.
I realized that I was actually sick yesterday - it wasn't just my imagination. My illness didn't have the severity that has come with everyone else's virus (thankfully). I just had a fever, which I very rarely get, so I don't always recognize it when I have it. All I knew was that I felt bad and I looked a bit sallow. Unfortunately, I don't actually own a thermometer and though my mood ring indicated that I was warm, I just took that to mean that I was feeling Happy/Cheerful/Jubilant/ Playful. I knew something was off though, because I was feeling more like Tense/Angry/Stressful, which would have displayed itself as black, rather than dark blue. The lesson learned from this is that a mood ring is not, in fact, a good substitute for a thermometer as I had been led to believe.
For future reference - Other heat-activated things that are not useful for judging the temperature of the human body:
*Solar panels
*Degree deodorant
*Hyper-color shirts
*Thermo-silk hair products
I keep thinking I'm being attacked by The Plague that has ravaged the population here lately, but so far my symptoms have been psychological only - thinking I'm sick, when maybe I'm not sick at all. I hope I'm not. I don't have time for illness.
I totally ditched boot camp this morning. As I was laying wide awake at 2 am thinking of my alarm going off in 3 hours, I knew I couldn't do it. Plus, I got roped into doing someone else's boot camp yesterday afternoon (don't ask) and it was killer. Seriously - I could barely climb the stairs this morning to get to my office. Boot camp is doing something good, though. I can tell my clothes are looser. (Not to be confused with loser.)
I know I haven't finished my 12 Step Program, but, dude: I can only give so much before the paranoia sets in.
Someone told me yesterday that I'm really weird to talk to on the phone - that I'm way better in person. I hate that! I thought I had gotten better on the phone, but apparently, I haven't. I don't know what it is with me and phones. I guess I need to practice.
I got this e-mail this morning and thought it was pretty funny. (I did add a couple and tweak a few of them a bit.)
1. You've seen the guy in the curly wig and tutu at Wal Mart. ***
2. You don't even notice that smell half the time.
3. It might say Brownsville on the map, but you know it's really Bawcomville.
4. At least once a month, you and your friends go to eat at "that new place."
5. You know why people go to Richwood on Sunday nights.
6. You know who Judy Waggon-head is.
7. You've ever stopped eating lunch to watch "Holidays with Victor".
8. You've been to the Hob Nob.
9. You know that once you cross the river, you are in a different world.
10. You know that the h0okers work the corners on DeSiard Street.
11. You think going out to watch drunk rednecks sing karaoke is having a good
time.
12. You look in your toilet bowl and, because of the water color, honestly
can't tell if you have flushed it. (West Monroe!)
13. Two words: What's Cookin'?
14. Watching the old DeSiard Street Bridge and railroad bridge turn for a
river barge is a thrill.*
15. Getting to the restaurants before noon on Sunday is called "Beat the
Baptists" or getting to the restaurants before the "Pentecostal Parade" hits.
16. You still catch yourself humming that silly "Howard Griffin Land O' Toys"
jingle at Christmastime. (Before my time, I guess.)
17. You're never more than 2 miles away from a Chili Verde.
18. You refer to Graphic Packaging as "Riverwood or whatever it's called now".
19. You know who "The Troll" is.
20. You know who The Elvis Impersonator's mom is.
***First time I saw that guy was back when I walked on the track up at Glenwood. He came to the track, not in a tutu, but in an ill-fitting little black dress, a wig and high heels. He walked a couple of laps and left. Freaked me out.
*Is this referring to the Endom Bridge? I don't think the railroad bridge turns, does it?
I would say week 1 of bootcamp is over, but I know I'm really going to be feeling it tomorrow, so I can't claim to have lived through it yet. It's been fun, though. Day 1 we just weighed and measured and all that fun stuff, plus ran a mile to see how fast we can do it. I think we'll do all that again at the end to see how far we've progressed. Wednesday, we did a so-called "obstacle course", which, other than the jumping, was not so bad. Then we did intervals of pushups, crunches, squats (yow!) and something else (that I forget) with a little jogging in between. It didn't seem bad while we were actually doing it, but apparently I found some muscles I'd forgotten about because I was kind of sore yesterday. This morning, we did spin class for half an hour and then did some weights, crunches, etc. So far, bootcamp gets an A-. I can't rate it an A+ because there are several things I was not aware I was signing on for. For example: getting dirty. I'm not talking about getting sweaty - that's okay (desirable, even) - I mean actual dirt. I'm not down with that. I don't do dirt. Also, swimming in public will be involved. The good news is, it's still dark at 5:30, so maybe no one will notice just how white my legs are - either that, or we can use them as flashlights if we get lost in the dark. One more thing: Oh. My. Aching. Head. Maybe by the time we get to the end of this deal, I'll be used to the early morning thing.
Moving on.
I've been slacking on the 12 Step Program. I was going to wait until I had some pictures, so I could illustrate my next point. I've figured out by now that the pictures just aren't happening, but if you know me IRL, you can imagine.
I have been known to be a fashion victim. I realized this not too long ago when I purchased some rather large white-framed sunglasses. They are, in a word: tacky. My landlady from 6 or 7 years ago had a similar pair which she left at our apartment one time and my roommate and I walked around in those things and laughed and laughed. And now I wear them and think I'm hotstuff. My mom has been teasing me about this tackiness for years. She says I'm just like my Great Aunt Helen. We'll have to wait until I'm 80 to see if I'm going out in public in tube tops and hot pants to see just how much like her I am. Anyway, I've never met a sequin I didn't like, I own plaid burmuda shorts, and I have leopard print shoes (which Sophie calls my "cow shoes"). But, in my defense, most of the time, when I'm wearing something gaudy, I am aware of my gaudiness. It's self-conscious tackiness - so that should count for something.
In other news:
Looks like the we're taking the apartment. I'm not entirely excited about going back to an apartment. The way I see it, having a number after your street address is sort of like having to wear a name tag at your job. There's just something non-grown-up about it. That's okay though. I think it will work out well. Plus, it's "Monroe's Address of Distinction." It says so on the brochure, so it must be true.
I've got many fun things in store for the weekend, none of which include waking up at 5 am. It's too soon to tell if there will be any tacky clothing or accessories involved. Chances are, there will be.
*You buy fruit/vegetables and they go bad before you eat them?
*You have pay people to make you do things you don't want to do, like push ups and other ridiculous things?
*You make a trip to Walmark [sic] and you forget the one thing you went specifically for?
*You're trying to send a subliminal message to someone and the wrong person picks up on it?
*You make comments about sending subliminal messages and other people start wondering if they're the one you were trying to get the message to or perhaps they're the one perceiving the message intended for someone else?
*You think you're going to have to move, then you find out you don't have to move and then, at the eleventh hour, you find out that you do have to move?
*You have a decision to make and no one will just tell you what to do so you can blame it on them later, if it doesn't work out like you thought it might?
I do.
Monday Confession:
When I read a funny line in a book or hear a funny line in a movie or TV show, or sometimes just see or hear a word I want to work into my vocabulary, I write it down in hopes that I'll remember to slip it into a conversation later. I especially appreciate a good metaphor or simile. I have miscellaneous slips of paper around my room and in my purse with totally random phrases on them.
You may think I'm a nerd, but it works like a charm. (That doesn't necessarily negate the theory that I'm a nerd, but I'm supposed to be telling you something you don't already know.)
Good morning, world! When did I become such a chipper morning person?!? (And when did I start using excessive punctuation?) I woke up at 5:00 instead of my normal 5:30 this morning and I hardly even minded (of course, I did stay in bed for those 30 minutes). I don't know what's wrong with me. Anyway, I got 5 miles in during the time I usually do 4 miles and even though my shins hurt, it was invigorating.
I guess sometimes things about my personality change without me even realizing it (sort of like the morning-person thing). Somewhere along the way, I've become a competitive person. In the past, I've been passive (to a fault), but I've noticed lately that I not only want to do well at things, I want to be the best! This trait has become especially evident at the track, where I'm obsessed with "lapping" people. There are the "regulars" at the track in the mornings, and I know how often I should pass each person (knowing what their typical speed is), and I'm always trying to pass them more often. Now, I'm no speed-demon and I am usually the youngest person out there, but man, I can out-run some middle-aged slow people like nobody's business (and that's none of your business).
Anyway, that's my personal disclosure for the day: you may think I'm passive, but secretly, I'm trying to beat you. Oh yes. And I will.
On to other things: I've had so much fun being back in town for over a week that I'm leaving again, just so I'll appreciate home more. I've gotten to hang out with my friends a lot lately and it's been great. I love you guys! (Sorry. Enough of that.) But it's Mother's Day, as you know, so my sis and I are going to Big Nac this weekend. It's been too long since I've been there (not counting a pass-though trip a few weeks ago), so I'm looking forward to the visit. Plus, I have the best mom ever, so we must celebrate.
Clearly, I need to step away from the Diet Mountain Dew. I'll try to be good today. You do the same.
This probably is no secret, but I love shopping. It's not so much the buying/owning - I just like the act of shopping. Pretty much any mall will do the trick: I can just make one walk-though, only going in a few stores, and get it out of my system. On a day when I feel very shoppy, I must try on clothes. I don't have to purchase them - just try them on.
I prefer shopping by myself. I don't mind going with someone occasionally, but solo is my preference.
If I'm feeling very retail-deprived but can't make it to a mall, other stores will do, especially Target, but also grocery stores or little shops.
I feel quite shallow and materialistic for admitting this, but there you have it.
A little update on my recent readings:
A while back, I finished Yoga For People Who Can't Be Bothered to Do It. This book was a total impulse buy from a Barnes & Noble clearance sale. It had almost nothing to do with actual Yoga - in fact, yoga is mentioned in approximately one paragraph. The book is a travel journal by Geoff Dyer, a British writer. Though I don't condone much of his behavior, he has quite an engaging way of telling his stories.
Next came The Vicar of Nibbleswicke, by your old friend Roald Dahl. Yes, it's a children's book. No, I'm not embarrassed to admit that.
I also recently finished The Inimitable Jeeves. What can I say? It's Wodehouse. Either you like him or you don't get him.
Here's where I get to the part about "Can this count as Step Three"? (See below for an antecedent to this ridiculousness.) I don't usually confess to reading "singles" book - in fact, I usually try to avoid them altogether because they're either depressing, misguided, sappy, or any combination of the above, but:
I most recently finished reading Getting Serious About Getting Married: Rethinking the Gift of Singleness by Debbie Maken. I really wanted to hate this book. Seriously. I don't agree with her across the board and I can think of several people who would get really angry over this one, but over all, I didn't hate it. You might even say that I liked it and that I can think of a few people I would like to smack over the head with it. You might think that wouldn't be very nice of me, but I think I would be doing them a favor.
I'm almost finished with Gilead. So far, so good.
A friend once told me that everyone is allowed to have three vices. I'm afraid I have more than that, so I call the main three "vices" and file the rest under "guilty pleasures".
Here's my guilty pleasure confession: I really enjoy the movie "Bring It On". I own it and I've watched it quite a few times, but I will not say if I've actually gotten off the couch and "cheered" along with it - I wouldn't want to share too much.
Am I the only one with guilty pleasures? Come on - someone else share!
Why is it that the proper abbreviation for the book of James (as in: the one in the Bible) is "Jas"? Shouldn't it just be "Jim"?
I got kind of nervous about this twelve-step divulging of the information, not that I have any actual intentions of telling real secrets (trust me, my life isn't that interesting anyway), but twelve is a lot more than you think.
There are some things that I'll volunteer to anyone, a lot of things that I'll tell almost anyone who asks, some things that I'll discuss only with my friends, and a few things that I just don't want to talk about with much of anyone. In general, I play my cards close to the proverbial vest, but I've actually become more open lately because I realized I could either tell people or they would speculate about me anyway, and though the speculations are pretty funny by the time they get back around to my ears, I've found there's not a whole lot to lose by being somewhat more open (at least so far). That doesn't mean I'm going to spill all my guts on the dubya dubya dubya. I may be a little crazy (in a good way), but I'm not stupid.
The first step is supposed to be painless, so here goes:
I like my eggs over-medium.
Riveting, huh folks? You buy the whole seat, but you only need the edge.
Good morning, people. It may be a rainy Friday, but it's Friday - my favorite. I've lived another week of life, in all its bizarre goodness. I'm not sure if it was more bizarre or more good - either way, it was interesting and entertaining (at least to me).
Tonight, I get to go celebrate my sister's birthday with her and some friends. I'm a couple of days late, but Happy Birthday, Rachel! We're going out for Mexican food (it is Cinco de Mayo, after all). Margaritas may or may not be consumed.
On to the aforementioned twelve-step program: I went out with my friend, who we'll call Triathlon Girl, earlier this week. Several things about this: first, Triathlon Girl might come to Boot Camp with me, which would be fantastic because Triathlon Girl is more than a terribly, terribly clever pseudonym: she's an actual triathlete who could potentially motivate me as much as any drill sergeant could ever hope to. That could be good...or it might kill me - too soon to tell. Secondly, she's just fun to go out with. I just wanted to make sure that was clear. Fifth and lastly, she thinks I should be more forthcoming about my personal life. She suggested that I participate in a twelve-step program to divulge more top-secret information about myself. Since I always do what she tells me (well, not always), twelve blog-posts from now, you will know me better, which is, I'm sure, your dream come true. Hang on to your hats.
*Keep dark chocolate in the house (it's good for you, right? It's practically a vegetable)
*Kill my plants
*Procratinate
*Over-analyze
*Lay in bed awake for way too long
*Keep more fruit around
*More Pilates
*Clean my closet
*Imbibe less caffeine
*Talk on the phone more (seriously)
*Go to Boot Camp at the MAC. Anyone care to join me? It will only hurt a little.
*Enjoy my dark chocolate
*Be more friendly
*Catch up on my reading
*Stop acquiring plants that don't take care of themselves
*It's really a shame that the funniest things that happen in my life are unblogable. Seriously: I could tell you some stories. I'm sure funny things happen to everybody, but man! I get some zingers. Of course, I have a pretty strict non-disclosure policy when it comes to blogging - I don't want people to not want to be around me for fear of being blogged about, plus I can't really convey in writing (or in talking, even) the amusement I get out of everyday life. Maybe I'm just simple-minded, but I'm easily entertained.
*I am so ready to spend a weekend at home. Four weekends in a row is too long to be away. I have filled my next weekend with plans, but they will all be local. I'm already planning my next two road trips, though: Chattanooga and Nashville. I'm feeling very Tennessee-y. But man, I want to go to the beach this summer! I've got to find a way.
*No amount of caffeine could help me today. If I make it through the day, it will be due to sheer will-power. Luckily, my will is somewhat powerful. I've had to put on red lipstick just to look alert. It's amazing what a little red lipstick can do for a girl.
*AAPC softball season starts tonight. I love it.