Sunny D

those of you who know me best probably are aware of my bitter hatred for all that is SunnyD. i know kids love it, but not this kid. makes me almost as physically ill as hawaiian punch. i try to be nice about it and not bad mouth the product but i'm putting that behind me as i find their newest commercial unbearable.

in the commercial, their new orange blends pour out of the glass two tone. little orange, little red, little orange, etc. what is that? no drink pours out two tone. with the execption of Sheridan's coffee flavored liquor that does indeed pour out as both light and dark out of two different spouts.

so i blame sunnyD for preventing kids from living in reality.

Fresh start

I love how I really stick to things :) I'm sure everyone's been clamoring for an update but unwilling to say it.

Things are going well. I can't believe it's summer again. How quickly time goes by. Here's the run down of the summer so far:

• Working.
• Went to Tampa with Kelvin to see Stacy. Got sunburned but it was totally worth it. I finally see why people love the beach; it's all about the cabana.
  
• Planted things in our yard. Currently trying to keep them all alive. I have a pot full of basil and no idea what to do with it. The squash put out it's first bloom yesterday so I'm hopeful.
  
• Created a website for my friend Michele who makes beaded jewelry. Check out CreatedbyChel.com; she has some great stuff.
  
• My friends Tim & Katie and Ken & Sue had babies. That isn't exactly of my efforts, but it's been part of the summer in a removed sort of way.
  
• Kelvin took me to Toronto for a surprise birthday weekend. Part of the surprise was also a Duncan Sheik concert in Waterloo. It was amazing.
  
• Finished a big CD project at work. Excited to see that done.
• Went to see Duncan Sheik a second time in two weeks with my friend Carrie. We're also working on her website so keep checking back there.
  

We have plans to see the in-laws for the 4th... Braut's excited at the prospect of a road trip. We also have our friend Kelly's grad party. Should be an entertaining weekend regardless.

i love days at work where things are relatively quiet and low stress. i snuck out of the house this morning with mom, dad and cara sleeping. braut was being a whiny baby but other than that, things were quiet. we spent yesterday in NYC walking and looking. i always feel like there is way too much to do and too much to cover in a single day. i think i have kelvin talked into getting tickets for a show sometime this summer. i'd like to do that more. we have such easy access to that area and i don't feel like we take enough advantage.

i guess i should get back to work on the workshop for friday... rss feeds... fun stuff.

long time

I guess it's time to step things up. I have no excuses; I'm just lazy. I have posted a few thing to Soapbox lately, but nothing juicy.

The family is coming up this weekend and I'm taking a few days off to hang with them. Excited about that. We'll go to the city Monday and explore a bit.

Spring is here so I lack focus. Too bad we don't close down for the spring and summer.

my Soapbox blog

I know I've been slacking posting things so in the interim you can always check out my blog on Soapbox: https://ww2.lafayette.edu/~soapbox/blog/6

the whore nbc has become

i'll be the first to admit i love television. as a matter of fact, some of my fondest childhood memories are of muppets and carol burnet. however, tonight i am saddened that my beloved nbc has officially become a whore. i like las vegas because it has the same feel of the loveboat as they bring on random guests for appearances. tonight, we were enjoying wolfgang puck and the us snowboarding team when all of a sudden my tv watching experience turned into ad porn.

cinemedia or some such non-sense was an extended orgy, i mean ad, of the winter olympics and chevrolet. it was absolutely ridiculous and i feel dirty now.

catching up

i know i haven't posted much lately. it seems i'm in a recovery mode after finishing all the courses. i'm spending the day in a social software workshop so i hope i'll be inspired an catch everyone up soon.

tv snob

i'm becoming one of those people who watches stupid programs on tv just because they're in high def. kelvin and i got our christmas present this weekend.... a 50" plasma. it's beautiful. so now i'm watching Barry Mantilow concerts and educational programming about tazmanian devils. the cool thing is that i can do that and see their individual nose hairs if i want.

it's probably a good thing i'm not working from home any more. i would never leave the living room.

christmas list

I am having a terrible time with christmas this year. i don't know what i should get for anyone, and i've not had much luck coming up with a list for myself.

i did think of a few things though (links are mostly for illustration. if you're buying these things, find the best deal (except don't skimp on the llbean tote ;) ):
1. memory stick 1g (i think kelvin might get me thing)
2. a llbean tote. open top, preferably large with long handles. i'm not picky on the color. monogramed would be cool but not necessary.
3. an oxo salad spinner. the small one is fine.
4. this one is really random... Enesco collectible company has a line called 'Heartwood Creek by Jim Shore". They have an angel figurine that has a nativity scene carved and painted on her dress, and she's holding a north star. i think the sku is JIMS-4003273. I just saw this at the mall a few weeks ago and it really jumped out at me. i think it's prettier in person than the photos online.
5. a cheaper option than the one above is the Star With Nativity - Heartwood Creek by Jim Shore Ornament.

potty talk

since i've been at this new job, there is only one thing that has really bothered me: the bathroom. i've resisted talking about this as most of you are probably not they type to talk about such vile topics; however, i am not above it.

i don't mind using public facilities (unlike my friend lil who would go home from work to potty if she couldn't hold it), but i do want some privacy. and it seems here, it's difficult to come by. i think it must be because this floor of the building is quite busy and contains most of the offices.

when i say i like my privacy, i just mean, i'd much rather be in there alone than with someone else there to act as witness, and i think at least some other people feel the same. take for instance the trip i just made there... someone went in just before me and i was done and washing up before this person was able to get her shy flow to come out of hiding.

so i'm just thinking maybe i should seek out another place to go or maybe we should devise a schedule...

like a cab on commission

i think everyone who ever reads my blog knows that i consider myself a relatively intelligent person. but you'll also agree that i am still blonde and have moments where we can all laugh at me. and i just had one of those moments so i thought you might enjoy the laugh as well...

i bought the new mariah carey cd because i heard several songs i liked and while i think she should probably cover up her lovely lady lumps a bit better, i support a girl who has a nervous breakdown and comes back like she has.

today at work there are only about 4 of us in the building it seems so i'm trying to keep myself entertained until 4 when i feel like i can leave since i came in early. so i'm listening to mariah and i decide to look at the lyrics online.

i realize i've been singing "Like a cab on commision, i gotta get up out of here and go somewhere" instead of "Just like the Calgon commercial, I really gotta get up outta here and go somewhere". Calgon commercial, cab on commission... same thing.

i just wish i was near my brother so i could annoy him by singing it wrong; he likes it when i do that.

treasures

i have been trying to think every day about something i really enjoy. today's joy came early. i realized how much i love putting on a coat for the first time of the season. there are always little treasures in the pockets that make me smile.

work has been going well. i can't believe i'm in week 3 of a new job. of course, i don't feel like i've really done anything. if you know me, you know i like to have a task, a goal, something to strive for. these first weeks have really just been fact finding and trying to figure out what i want and need to do.

in more exciting news, cara finally got her ring this weekend. i guess that means i need to start working on getting pregnant since she wants me to have to wear a tent ;) i'm not sure i can clear this idea with k just yet though. i think we have another year or two to wait. we'll get all three of us married first before we start the baby rotation. but i think it does mean i should get serious about losing some body mass.

well, back to work it is...

day two

i survived the first two days of the new job. i think i'm going to love it (what am i saying, i already do). it's always going to be a nice place to be when you boss comes in and says 'i have a prize for you' and hands over an iPod shuffle for no real reason other than 'everyone else has one and i didnt want you to feel left out'. how cool is that?

i've already acquired several projects to begin working on. there is SO much room for me to do my own thing and do some new, different things for them. i think i'll be glad when i finish teaching these THREE courses I have going. i'm ready for a break from that.

i'm super into this fall thing. something about the north east inspires it in me. leaves changing, mums in full bloom. i've been making pumpkin delight, spice cake and trying different types of squash. i made and ate spaghetti squash for the first time in my life last week. it was excellent with just a little butter (actually Promise spread since i'm trying to get un-fat), salt and pepper and Parmesan cheese. this weekend i made butternut squash soup (or mush), and i have an acorn squash left to attempt.

k's parents are coming for thanksgiving. it'll be the first time i think i've had a holiday at my house. i've never made a turkey before so it should be an interesting adventure... as long as i don't put grits on it i'll be fine. (that's a family inside joke that does require a story).

---

One Thanksgiving several years ago we were at my Papa's house. He's an excellent cook, but my mom was in charge of the turkey that year. My papa was up early and wanted to get the turkey in the oven before things got wild so he went in to my sleeping mom to ask what he needed to do. she told him to put it in the browning bag, tie the bag and put some slits in the top. Once we were all up my mom checked the turkey to find white specks all over the top of the turkey. Upon inquiring it became clear that there was a mis-understanding in the sleepy pre-dawn conversation... she said slits and he heard 'grits'.

my lovely lady lumps

in just a few hours we're headed to philly for the Black Eyed Peas and Gwen Stefani. i can't wait.

i've been grading all morning, but i think i'm all caught up. in the course(s) i'm currently teaching one of their discussion questions for this week is about blogs and blogging. they all have such a hatred for blogging. idiots. they just don't understand how wonderful it is to live vicariously through others.

i guess i need to go iron for today and tomorrow. i still haven't decided what to wear tomorrow for my big first day. decisions, decisions.

back in the saddle

i know, i know. i haven't been here in a while, and I promised to get back earlier this week, but alas it is friday and here i sit. it's my last official day of full-time work for my current employer. monday, i start a fresh.

i think i hate coming back to this after so long because i have too much to say. So maybe i'll say some short, sweet things and you can ask for me if you really care...

ONE. yes, i had a great trip to louisiana. i ate lots of good things and just hung out with my family. it was nice.

TWO. yes, new orleans looks as bad as the news makes it out to be. actually, i think it worse in person. i flew in to NO and went with dad to his staging site by Audubon park. there were refrigerators standing by the curbs to replace the usually colorful characters that line the streets of new orleans.

i think the hardest part of the trip were all the long faces on the planes to and from. conversations about fema trailers and relocation and mold replaced the usual war stories of drunken nights, eating too much and when to plan the next trip to party. i did run into a college friend who was down to visit her family. she's been relocated to philadelphia so maybe we can get together while she's here. two feet of water in her house have washed away many of her things. but she still had that killer smile that attracts all the boys.

THREE. yes, i'm excited about my new job. i'm not excited that my hair is cut funky and i feel fat and frumpy. weight watchers and working out here i come.

FOUR. yes, i am crazy. this is my last day of full-time work for them, but i will continue teaching my faculty course through the first of december AND i have two online courses i'm teaching (luckily same course, two different sections). so basically i'm swamped until christmas.

FIVE. speaking of christmas, i have no ideas for presents. i think my gift giving ability is cyclical. last year i did great. had ideas for everyone, and this year i suck. so if anyone has any ideas, let me know.


I think I'll end with five for now. maybe after i do some work i'll add a few more. until then...

change on the horizon

well, it finally happened. Lafayette College called. i actually had to listen to a voicemail last night because when he called I was on the phone with John Curtis who I have only talked to maybe twice since Katrina.

i called them back today to talk details, and i've been weighing my options since. i'll let you see what you think:

Current job

Lafayette job

work from home - wear whatever i want no commute (except into the next room) flexibility to run errands, do laundry, etc. lonely and lack of creative cynergy isolated (esp when Tim's not around) pay - same as current benefits - same as current professional development - not much if any maxing out my abilities at a distance mostly Blackboard support mostly support faculty larger school; Michigan name recognition

go in to an office - must look "professional" only 4 mile commute work normal 8:45 - 5 hours people to bounce ideas off of potential to meet new people, make community connections pay - slight increase benefits - .5% difference in retirement professional development - highly supported opportunities for building new skills and using more of my creativity than now more "academic" technology work with faculty, staff and students smaller, liberal arts; back to my roots

toenails red as skittles

not sure about the title of this post other than i just spent a few minutes of my work day giving myself a little pedicure. i've been noticing that because of this work at home thing i've been letting myself go a little. got to stop that.

it's been a long boring day. i know it's my fault since i do have lots of work that needs to get done, but i just couldn't bring myself to do much of it. i did get caught up with grading for that faculty training course i teach. that's another thing i've sorta let go. it's really hard when there are just two people. and the other issue is that i've been spending lots and lots of time with my Baker class. they're so needy. i just can't figure out why it's so hard to read something in a book and copy it to your computer. but they seem to be having a problem with it. i think maybe it's the attention to detail that they lack.

they offered me a contract to teach this same course two sections each term for winter. i'm not sure how i feel about that. i mean, don't get me wrong $6200 in 12 weeks sounds grand, but it's a hassle. so i have to make a decision what i want to do. i wish i had heard from lafayette to know if that's a go. if i knew, i might could make a better decision. but still i wait.

nothing very exciting to report. it rained all weekend. we did go buy a deep cleaner for the carpet. kelvin used it in the living room on sunday afternoon. it works nicely and the cleaning stuff smells great so that's a plus. i just wonder if the little spots will come back or if they're gone for good.

on another random note, i do love the cold weather. it makes hairy much more of a lovey. basically, she's cold and i'm warm so she endures sitting on me and sleeping near me in exchange for some additional warmth. she's just a user.

well, i think my friend Oprah is calling...

a nice new sticker

well, i didn't have to let loose any deamons on the heads of people at the car dealership who did my inspection. luckily they didn't have to order any parts to put the new sticker on. i guess now i can stop cursing their name. i was so looking forward to them saying 'well, it's been over 30 days, you're going to have to pay again'. At which point i had practiced a manouver to leap over the counter and unleash some of my "southern charms".

other than that lack of excitement this morning, nothing really going on. still working from home. still waiting to hear back from my interview. i knew it was going to be at least a couple of weeks so i'm not super anxious about it yet. i do however, keep thinking of things i wish i would have told them or answers i could have given. isn't that how it always works though?

well, back to the salt mines...

girl power!

I spent less than half an hour today doing some light mechanic work on my car. I felt so empowered. I had finally had enough of this tail light drama so I went to Auto Zone and ordered the part. It was delivered to their store about 24 hours later and I picked it up last night. Getting my hands a little dirty was so worth the $50 saved and the lack of hassle.

I'm not sure that's I've shared the tail light drama on here so some of you may not be informed. See, here in the lovely state of pennsylvania they require two different inspections: a general mechanical inspection and an emissions test. I took my car in mid-August for both of these. I paid them the $55 and they passed my 10 year old car on emissions but said to get the mechanical i would need to have my right rear tail light replaced. They said they could get one from a junkyard and it would be $140 with labor and everything. I said sure and had them order it, or so i thought. The suggested 3-5 days passed and no call so on day 8 i called them. Seems no one told the parts guy to order it so he assured me he would and would call when i came in.

So another 8-10 days pass and no call. So I call again and this time it was a 'oh, the junk yard didn't have it in when we called and we didn't know what you wanted to do.' What i wanted to do was go up there and stangle them, but instead I asked that they order the part new and give me a call when it was in. It was only a $10 difference so I was going to be flexible. My flexibility gave out last week when kelvin called for me and sure enough, no part.

This is when I took matters into my own hands literally.

So the word to all my female friends is to put it to the man next time and just do it yourself. It's a great way to waste a half hour. And i think i'm going to use the $50 saved for a really nice pair of shoes.

a fun weekend

Other than grading all day yesterday I had a fun weekend. Saturday Kelvin and I escaped to the mall for a few hours. I picked up some nice thing including a brown suit. Hopefully I won't have to wear that other than for maybe the presidential inauguration at Lafayette (am I wishful thinking?).

We drove down to Wilmington to meet up with friends for the evening. It was nice to dress up for a change. We ate at this place called Pharohs. I don't advise it if you're on a schedule. Then we went to this new cool club. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting the northern Delaware area. It's call Lux and it was very nice. I recommend the drink "Sunset on Normandy". I'm sure we'll be back there soon. Kelvin had called a few days before and spoke with one of the co-owners. She was super nice and hooked us up with a nice loungy corner for the evening. We did a little dancing, but mostly talking to the THIRTEEN of us that ended up there together. Kelvin and his entorage...