Monday, February 13, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Inspiration for the Day
I arrived at work this morning and as per my usual routine, opened up my Outlook, and then, of course, Facebook. I was greeted with this picture in my newsfeed:
The girl in the picture is one of my dearest friends, Kelsey.
Kelsey is standing on a base In Afghanistan. She has battled a health issue her entire life and constantly hit road blocks trying to realize her dream of going there. People constantly saying you can't do it, you are not able, blah blah...and there she stands.
No one can tell you what you can or can't do. They will try to keep you down, but if you want it and have enough faith, you will get what you want. Go chica! and Please stay safe!
The girl in the picture is one of my dearest friends, Kelsey.
Kelsey is standing on a base In Afghanistan. She has battled a health issue her entire life and constantly hit road blocks trying to realize her dream of going there. People constantly saying you can't do it, you are not able, blah blah...and there she stands.
No one can tell you what you can or can't do. They will try to keep you down, but if you want it and have enough faith, you will get what you want. Go chica! and Please stay safe!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
IB+ That This year Will Be a Tough one
Friday is almost here. I've remained successful at my 3rd resolution and let me tell you it has been DIFFICULT. Seriously. It has taken everything I've had to stick with this. Now please don't get me wrong, I love my colleagues, but this not having an office with a door to get away from them could end me. When you have an open room and have several project managers on phones, each yelling at someone and all of us already loud mouths, it grates.
Also I get to hear the stupid things that are said and each time I just hang my head, knowing that our sub contractor base just keeps shrinking.
I pray daily for my boss to finally build that new office addition he keeps talking about. (It exists! I saw the plans!)
I remain frustrated but I'm still chugging along keeping that positive attitude. Again, it may end me. 360 days to go...
"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen."
--Reinhold Niebuhr
Also I get to hear the stupid things that are said and each time I just hang my head, knowing that our sub contractor base just keeps shrinking.
I pray daily for my boss to finally build that new office addition he keeps talking about. (It exists! I saw the plans!)
I remain frustrated but I'm still chugging along keeping that positive attitude. Again, it may end me. 360 days to go...
"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen."
--Reinhold Niebuhr
Monday, December 26, 2011
Good Riddance 2011. 2012 Bring it!
2011. You sucked. Straight up. Peace.
Goals for 2012:
1. Get rid of a huge portion of debt. Credit cards..here's looking at you. Student Loans..you too.
2. Lose weight. I spent my 20s bitching about being fat. I don't want to repeat that in my 30s.
3. Keep a positive attitude at work. People are idiots. This is a fact. I will accept it and work around them.
4. Read 30 books. I only read 10 in 2011. Which was actually an improvement and I thank my Kindle for that but I can do better.
5. Reddit less. The website is a time suck. I'll spend the time I was redditing and work out.
6. Eat less carbs and drink less pop (soda). The Fat Head movie was an eye opener and further studies personallu on how the USDA screwed us in the food pyramid is disheartening.
7. Try to find time to Volunteer. I'm no longer doing tours, therefore my evenings are free.
8. Focus on fleshing out the novel that I have been perennially talking about for years.
9. Leave the apartment and explore Richmond.
Goals for 2012:
1. Get rid of a huge portion of debt. Credit cards..here's looking at you. Student Loans..you too.
2. Lose weight. I spent my 20s bitching about being fat. I don't want to repeat that in my 30s.
3. Keep a positive attitude at work. People are idiots. This is a fact. I will accept it and work around them.
4. Read 30 books. I only read 10 in 2011. Which was actually an improvement and I thank my Kindle for that but I can do better.
5. Reddit less. The website is a time suck. I'll spend the time I was redditing and work out.
6. Eat less carbs and drink less pop (soda). The Fat Head movie was an eye opener and further studies personallu on how the USDA screwed us in the food pyramid is disheartening.
7. Try to find time to Volunteer. I'm no longer doing tours, therefore my evenings are free.
8. Focus on fleshing out the novel that I have been perennially talking about for years.
9. Leave the apartment and explore Richmond.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Hubs, I Don't Think We're in Yuppyland Anymore...
It's been three months since we moved to Richmond from the yuppy playgrounds of the DC Metro (Virginia side, represent!) and in this time, it's been made painfully obvious that we are definitely out of our comfort zone. While, I guess, techincally DC is below the Mason Dixon line, it always seemed more Yankee than Dixie. It was an eclectic mix of the young professionals walking their dogs holding little plastic baggies and foreign cab drivers, who would gladly run you over if it meant they got a better tip for being speedy. The pace was fast and you would get run down if you didn't move at the speed of the city. Richmond........yeah, not so much.
Here, people like to talk to their neighbors. When I first drove down here to get the keys, several of our soon to be neighbors were incredibly welcoming and introduced themselves. I lived in Alexandria for 4 years and I didn't know any of my neighbors. Which was probably a good thing since I called the police on them regularly. I didn't realize I had that many neighbors until an INS agent would show up in the building and people materialized out of the walls like roaches and ran. (Full Disclosure- I laughed my ass off every time). I did talk to one or two over the years but none I would actually want to hang out with in their apartment or have in mine. Understandably, I was quite confused when people spoke to me here. I actually looked around to see if anyone else was standing behind me because it was so disconcerting.'
It's not just the neighbors who talk. Every store you go to, cashiers talk to everyone around them. They will even greet friends and have a conversation while ringing you up. This actually happened at the Petco yesterday and I went to the manager and complained.I've noticed this trend at a lot of stores I go to here. Everyone likes to talk. Where I come from, you don't talk to anyone but the person you are waiting on. This is proper etiquette for a cashier. I know this. I got written up at Meijer quite a few times for saying hi to people not in my lane. You don't do it. This must be a northern mentality because down here, you're armless when you leave a store because it has literally been talked off. I however, leave irritated because I have stuff I need to do and I don't feel like talking to these people.(wow, I'm kind of a Midwestern bitch) This leads me to another thing I've noticed about the former Capital of the Confederate States: Everyone takes their sweet ass time.
I'm always in a hurry. I walk fast, talk fast and drive fast. I'm blunt and cut people off when they start to venture off their point because I'm busy and I have stuff to do. Up North, I was among my brothers and sisters. People in DC were always rushing. If you were sitting at a red light, the person behind you was honking their horn a second before the light was going to turn green and you definitely made sure you went because they would probably ram their car right up your ass if you delayed hitting the gas. When I worked in DC, everyone was walking as fast as possible with their blackberries glued to one hand and swigging a coffee in the other. The pace was quick and I liked it. Haha! Not in Richmond. People drive slow, walk slow and some even talk slow. It has been a severe learning curve to adjust to this pace. Working in construction at this speed, takes even more patience: A virtue that anyone who knows me, knows I lack. It's the way of life down here. It is one of things I loved about the South, when I was visited. Living here, it is going to take time to find that love again.
People have no shame down here. Especially when it comes to Christmas. I have seen cars with Reindeer antlers, bows, wreaths and lights-magnetic AND string. Christmas displays are over the top and tacky and I frakking love it! It makes me wish I owned a house so that I could join them in their tackiness with a gaudy display of my own. (someday..someday)When walking around any store, it is not unusual to see "Walcreatures" proudly strutting down the aisle in the crazy get up they have decided on for the day. Another interesting thing about having no shame: People are not afraid to spank their children right in the middle of store. They keep screaming and the parent keeps threatening. This makes my heart happy. Disipline still exists. God Bless Dixie.
As for the city itself, I sadly can't speak much about it. I haven't had the time to go out and explore the many cultural and historical treats that River City offers. They are on the list. I will have plenty of free time in the Spring now (I'm incredibly sad at this fact) so I'm sure I can start crossing some things off. I have seen sights in passing as I'm driving from one Construction site to another, but I haven't had the chance to stop or slow down and take it all in. I'm always in a hurry, you know.Maybe, I need to stop, breathe and reboot.
Perhaps, I should try to get in touch with my inner Scarlet. I'm sure she is somewhere inside this Yankee Michigander. But, first....need to go stick some Antlers on my car.
Here, people like to talk to their neighbors. When I first drove down here to get the keys, several of our soon to be neighbors were incredibly welcoming and introduced themselves. I lived in Alexandria for 4 years and I didn't know any of my neighbors. Which was probably a good thing since I called the police on them regularly. I didn't realize I had that many neighbors until an INS agent would show up in the building and people materialized out of the walls like roaches and ran. (Full Disclosure- I laughed my ass off every time). I did talk to one or two over the years but none I would actually want to hang out with in their apartment or have in mine. Understandably, I was quite confused when people spoke to me here. I actually looked around to see if anyone else was standing behind me because it was so disconcerting.'
It's not just the neighbors who talk. Every store you go to, cashiers talk to everyone around them. They will even greet friends and have a conversation while ringing you up. This actually happened at the Petco yesterday and I went to the manager and complained.I've noticed this trend at a lot of stores I go to here. Everyone likes to talk. Where I come from, you don't talk to anyone but the person you are waiting on. This is proper etiquette for a cashier. I know this. I got written up at Meijer quite a few times for saying hi to people not in my lane. You don't do it. This must be a northern mentality because down here, you're armless when you leave a store because it has literally been talked off. I however, leave irritated because I have stuff I need to do and I don't feel like talking to these people.(wow, I'm kind of a Midwestern bitch) This leads me to another thing I've noticed about the former Capital of the Confederate States: Everyone takes their sweet ass time.
I'm always in a hurry. I walk fast, talk fast and drive fast. I'm blunt and cut people off when they start to venture off their point because I'm busy and I have stuff to do. Up North, I was among my brothers and sisters. People in DC were always rushing. If you were sitting at a red light, the person behind you was honking their horn a second before the light was going to turn green and you definitely made sure you went because they would probably ram their car right up your ass if you delayed hitting the gas. When I worked in DC, everyone was walking as fast as possible with their blackberries glued to one hand and swigging a coffee in the other. The pace was quick and I liked it. Haha! Not in Richmond. People drive slow, walk slow and some even talk slow. It has been a severe learning curve to adjust to this pace. Working in construction at this speed, takes even more patience: A virtue that anyone who knows me, knows I lack. It's the way of life down here. It is one of things I loved about the South, when I was visited. Living here, it is going to take time to find that love again.
People have no shame down here. Especially when it comes to Christmas. I have seen cars with Reindeer antlers, bows, wreaths and lights-magnetic AND string. Christmas displays are over the top and tacky and I frakking love it! It makes me wish I owned a house so that I could join them in their tackiness with a gaudy display of my own. (someday..someday)When walking around any store, it is not unusual to see "Walcreatures" proudly strutting down the aisle in the crazy get up they have decided on for the day. Another interesting thing about having no shame: People are not afraid to spank their children right in the middle of store. They keep screaming and the parent keeps threatening. This makes my heart happy. Disipline still exists. God Bless Dixie.
As for the city itself, I sadly can't speak much about it. I haven't had the time to go out and explore the many cultural and historical treats that River City offers. They are on the list. I will have plenty of free time in the Spring now (I'm incredibly sad at this fact) so I'm sure I can start crossing some things off. I have seen sights in passing as I'm driving from one Construction site to another, but I haven't had the chance to stop or slow down and take it all in. I'm always in a hurry, you know.Maybe, I need to stop, breathe and reboot.
Perhaps, I should try to get in touch with my inner Scarlet. I'm sure she is somewhere inside this Yankee Michigander. But, first....need to go stick some Antlers on my car.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Holiday (?) Playlist
The selection below has made it painfully obvious that I have been stressed to the max and on an emotional roller coaster. Between getting two 20 million dollar schools out of the ground, punching out a vascular center and finishing up a National Guard Warehouse, I have been working quite a few hours. Also, moving down to Richmond and being put on no less than five cluster[blanks] made for a very moody me. I am trying to get into the Christmas spirit and I do love my Christmas music supply. So enjoy the eclectic Stress mix below.
1. Rammstein-"Mein Land"- German is a harsh language. Rammstein is hard music. Good when you are quite angry.
2. Rammstein- "Du Hast" Du Hast mich?
3. Casting Crowns- "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" Not one of the more common songs, but I love this arrangement.
4. Ashleigh Summerville, " The Huron Carol"- I prefer Leahy's version, but the only way to hear it is to pay $50 bucks to go to the concert as they failed to release a Christmas CD this year. Hopefully next year. Regardless, this song is a very pretty alternate version to the Christmas story. (Don't chase me with fire and pitchforks..it was written for a Canadian tribe in words they would understand so instead of the wise men bringing "Gold and merr", they brought "Bear and Beaver pelts")
5. Skillet- "Awake and Alive"- Skillet sucked when they first started. I don't even think that could describe it well. The change and improvement is impressive.
6. Pitbull- "Give me Everything Tonight" - Don't judge me.
7. Britney Spears- "Criminal"- Don't hold it against me.
8. System of a Down- "Chop Suey", "Toxicity"- Old School hard rock. Again, great when you're angry.
9. Cee-Lo Green- "Forget You"- yeah...you know I don't listen to this version. I won't even pretend that I do. But sing this at the top of your lungs in the car and tell me if you don't have a smile on your face at the end. Oh you can't, because you do.
10. Christine Peri- "Jar of Hearts". Stress for me equals melancholy when I'm not mad. This song is so simple and just gorgeous.
11. Adele- "21" Yeah I'm just going to put the whole CD. You can't just listen to one song. Best CD of the year straight up!
12. Christopher Titus- "Neverlution"- Titus for President, please. Buy this CD. Comedy Gold.
1. Rammstein-"Mein Land"- German is a harsh language. Rammstein is hard music. Good when you are quite angry.
2. Rammstein- "Du Hast" Du Hast mich?
3. Casting Crowns- "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" Not one of the more common songs, but I love this arrangement.
4. Ashleigh Summerville, " The Huron Carol"- I prefer Leahy's version, but the only way to hear it is to pay $50 bucks to go to the concert as they failed to release a Christmas CD this year. Hopefully next year. Regardless, this song is a very pretty alternate version to the Christmas story. (Don't chase me with fire and pitchforks..it was written for a Canadian tribe in words they would understand so instead of the wise men bringing "Gold and merr", they brought "Bear and Beaver pelts")
5. Skillet- "Awake and Alive"- Skillet sucked when they first started. I don't even think that could describe it well. The change and improvement is impressive.
6. Pitbull- "Give me Everything Tonight" - Don't judge me.
7. Britney Spears- "Criminal"- Don't hold it against me.
8. System of a Down- "Chop Suey", "Toxicity"- Old School hard rock. Again, great when you're angry.
9. Cee-Lo Green- "Forget You"- yeah...you know I don't listen to this version. I won't even pretend that I do. But sing this at the top of your lungs in the car and tell me if you don't have a smile on your face at the end. Oh you can't, because you do.
10. Christine Peri- "Jar of Hearts". Stress for me equals melancholy when I'm not mad. This song is so simple and just gorgeous.
11. Adele- "21" Yeah I'm just going to put the whole CD. You can't just listen to one song. Best CD of the year straight up!
12. Christopher Titus- "Neverlution"- Titus for President, please. Buy this CD. Comedy Gold.
Monday, September 19, 2011
I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends
I think I have been in a state of denial that we are actually moving. The most I had done is pack, I hadn't really thought much about the actual moving part. Until Saturday. We drove down to Richmond to sign the lease on the new place and as soon as I started signing those papers, it hit me- Holy Shiz, we are moving to Richmond!
Last night allowed me to forget about that and have a good time. My dear friend Heidi (with the help of the sexy house boy Richard;) ) put together a fantastic dinner for me and our closest friends. I am so glad I decided to start doing The Alexandria Colonial Tours Ghost and Graveyard tour 4 years ago. I have had the extreme honor of working with the greatest boss one could have and I have worked the streets with the most talented, inspiring and fabulous people in Alexandria. Quite a few have become my dearest friends and I will miss them, although Richmond isn't that far so I'm sure I'll see them pretty regularly. Also, do not be alarmed when the reports of a huge unemployment boom among the Alexandria PD begins (however, as Larry has pointed out, they've probably already notified Richmond of my imminent arrival). Oh joy!
Anyways, I guess it's back to filling cardboard boxes and prepping two very anal brats ..err..cats..for a two hour car drive. Ugh..two hours of whining. Does anyone have some tranquilizers so I don't leave them on the side of I-95 somewhere?
Also, I would like to give a special shout out to a beautiful person who I've shared a lot with in the last two years: Don't stop believing and keep the faith.
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