ATL 3-Day

So, apparently I am going to walk 60 miles in three days! My girl, Shannon and I along with some other of our friends (don't make me call you girls out!) are descending up on the ATL (not so much Shannon as she lives there) to do the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.

I'm doing this for a couple of reasons. One of them is that I am a fan of boobs and pecs. I like my own girls...they serve me well and I don't want to have to lop them off because of cancerous interlopers. I appreciate a well sculpted chest on a guy and don't want them harmed by the cancer either.

The main reason why I am walking is for my cousin Denise. When ever I go to visit my dad, I have to walk past her. She died way too young, she was only 40, and at a time when having cancer meant curtains for you.

So help me out if you can...I know times are hard all the way around. I'm not looking for any huge donations, although I will gleefully take them. I'm hoping to $20 dollar this thing to pieces, 115 pieces at that.

I will be updating how things are going. One doesn't just set off to walk 20 miles a day for three days...apparently it requires training. The training stories should be fairly funny as the bulk of my training will fall during the busiest time of my work year.

I am a bad blogger!

I have a stupid reminder on Outlook to remind myself to update my blog and I still forget to do it.

I "survived" last week's Operations Manager classes. I'm not really sure that I made any friends with my fellow classmates, but I am OK with that. I made it all the way until Thursday until I risked more by keeping my yap shut than I did opening it..which was impressive for me. I had a meltdown over the fact that the people in my company somehow think that Operations in the "Holy Grail" of positions to aspire to and we as a company do very little to dissuade people of that thought. The company that I work for today is very different from the company that I was hired to work for...It is a mixed bag and something I need to reconcile for myself.

The good news is that despite said meltdown I am still the commodity most desired by Ops but unless some glaring wholes are addressed with their plans to open the 60 centers "Big Corporate" has mandated for us to open...once again we are the only division that is growing...I have no desire to leave the job I currently have and love. It would take massive amounts of money to make me even consider it as it would require me to move; and I know that no one is going to throw that much cash my way. Good to know that some things never change!

Last Week...

...was an excellent one. I have to say that I am really enjoying not traveling for work...although that ends tomorrow.

I actually did work this week...well at least 3 days. I went down to Columbus on Wednesday to watch the first World Cup Qualifier of the CONCACAF Hexagonal. It was US v Mexico. It is the second such match that I have seen in person and once again it didn't disappoint. The US Soccer Federation picked Columbus as they hoped it would be all mid-western and frigid. Alas, it was unseasonably warm and tornado warning-y with biblical rains. Regardless of the weather the US won 2-nil. I went to the match with my cousin Kath and her family...3 year old in tow.

Thursday, I had lunch with my friend Cat, whom I haven't seen in forever as we both have lives that have taken us here, there, and everywhere. You know you've got yourself a top shelf friend, Johnnie Walker Blue top shelf, when you can go 7 years without seeing each other and when you get together it feels like you saw each other last week. Good stuff.

Friday was the Tremont Art Walk. My friend KateLynn had an opening. She is such a talented person...bordering on really unfair how talented she is. The space was really cool, her paintings were amazing, and good times were had by all.

This week has the potential to such major ass. I am at HQ all this week for Operations training...a position that at the moment I have limited desire to do anytime soon. It will be very interesting to see what percentage of the training is propaganda and what percentage is actually things that people need to know. I am also severely hacked at the fact that all of my evenings appear to have been hijacked with events...so I am going to have to haul my anti-morning ass out of bed early to be able to get some exercise in. Must remind myself that this is good for my career and to get my mouth shut when I notice that the emperor has no clothes on.

Traveling for Myself...

...what a novel concept.


I've been MIA because I have taken some time out to vacation a little bit....which somehow always seems to end up involving family stuff. Two weeks ago, I was in Texas for my cousin Bob's wedding to my lovely, new cousin Debbie. It was a crazy, big, fat Polish wedding...but it was fun times a good to see my mom and my Aunt Terri and my Uncle Bob.

Last week I was in Atlanta, who knew I could go there and not work, to see my brother. He was in the country for a class that the makers of some program he uses in Japan was putting on. It was excellent to see him...I haven't seen him since last March. He's doing well and the boys have really taken to living in Japan and are doing well in school as well. It was fun to get to hang out.

This week I am taking a field trip to Columbus to watch the US v Mexico World Cup Qualifier. I am meeting up with my cousin Kathy and her family...it will be her daughter's first WCQ, she's 3. On Thursday I am catching up with one of my favorite people for lunch. So, it will be a great week...if I can survive tomorrow's 2 hour conference call.

Hooray Extortion!!!

I have managed to finally score a business trip worth having...I am spending the week in Key West.

When I left Cleveland it was 20 degrees and had snowed another inch or three. When my flight landed the pilot apologized for the cooler weather...it was 70.

I'm looking forward to this week. I'm subbing in a center where the director has quit. All I am going to do is write some programs, help some kids, and leave at a very reasonable time all three days I am working this week.

It may be strange but I am looking forward to getting to wog (jogging/walking hybrid) outside. I miss getting exercise in the outdoors. My hotel is on the main gulf-side drag and is possessed of massive sidewalks along the water. There will be daily outside movement.

Where I am...

...is in a massive rut. It's that way on all of life's fronts. Pretty sad when one thinks about and I've been thinking about it all day...which may explain why I have take at least two naps today.

I think the work rut is about to give once I get back from Key West. Boss man and I have had a rather candid conversation about how the traveling has to give or I will take every Wednesday off for as long as my vacation time lasts.

Personal life rut is in direct correlation to work rut. Hard to have one when you aren't home for longer that Friday night to either Sunday afternoon of Monday morning.

Project "Shrinking Amazon" is also taken a turn for the nothing is happening. I've been playing with the same five pounds for the past six weeks. I haven't been working out like I am accustomed to...see work rut. The solution is pretty simple. I need to quit eating when I'm bored/not hungry and move my flat Polish ass more.

None of this is 'Rocket Surgery" but it kind of feels like it.

Neither Lost Nor Dead...

...I promise. Life has just been super crazy.

I spent almost all of December on the road. Some of it was covering for others who aren't as talented at their job as I am...yeah I said it! There was some traveling for my actual job...who knew. The surprising trip was that one trip was actually dedicated to career advancement...apparently I am capable of making smart work decision and not just smart ass ones.

I did make it home for Christmas. It was a mixed bag. It was excellent to see my mom and actually get a chance for just the two of us to hang out...I also got to introduce her Kohls. However, my Gran's Alzheimer's is progressing rapidly...she was markedly worse from when I was home for Thanksgiving. It is just a sad situation for all parties involved

I'm on the road all of this month. This week and next week in Georgia. Then I'm off to Key West for the week...I'm working in the center down there Tuesday-Thursday, but because I have one of the world's best bosses I'm flying down Sunday and leaving late Friday. Good looking out for a girl.

I'm putting a reminder on Outlook to remind me to check in at least once a week...that way Victoria doesn't have to threaten to haul her pregnant self and 75% of the Fantastic Four to form a search party.

Dear New Orleans

I am sorry I have been away for so long. I didn't realize how I missed you until I came back for a visit. I've missed you oodles and lots.

Many thanks to the lovely Miss Layla. Thanks for insisting that I not grab the best shrimp po' boy that I have had in 10 years as take out but sit down and enjoy the evening. Excellent call...nearly as excellent at the sazeracs and the conversation.

I have learned my lesson...I will not allow myself to go so long without a visit.

Love,

Jules

Today...

...would have been my dad's 65th birthday. The world is a far worse place because he isn't in it.

Hot, Molten Week of Crazy

Now is the time of year where I pay for moving just far enough away from home that it makes sense for me to drive home for the holidays. If the weather cooperates...My mom has already said she will put the kibosh on my commute home for Thanksgiving if the weather is bad...my travels will go a little something like this.

Tuesday...Drive the 5-6 hours from Cleveland to Oak Hill with detour for lunch with Josh.

Wednesday...Putz around my hometown, dump cup of "Girlie" coffee on my dad's grave per my own tradition and try to avoid scene like last year, procure a new WVU T-shirt as I am swimming in mine, and hang out with my family while keeping my "No, I don't want a piece of (Insert Treat Here)" reflexes in full effect.

Thursday...Help with Turkey Day festivities, have dinner, drive the hopefully 4.5-5 hours from Oak Hill to Cleveland, sleep.

Friday...Pack for wedding and weeks worth of business meetings, take cab to airport, fly to New Orleans via Houston (Pray for Upgrade), track down shrimp po' boy, spend night in the French Quarter!

Saturday...Go to Cafe du Monde for breakfast, check out of "free" hotel, jaunt across town to wedding hotel with PF, Jeannine's wedding!

Sunday...Get all cobwebs cleared...walk around NOLA, take cab to airport, fly to Nashville via Houston (Pray for Upgrade), check in to The Gaylord, pass out from exhaustion!

Monday-Friday...endure Management Training Program, remind myself that this is for the good of my career, play well with others and be optimistic, turn 34.

Glamorous...huh?

Dear Target...

I believe that we have a situation here. I think our relationship may be a wee bit unhealthy for one of us. Now in all fairness to you; we are no where near the abusive relationship that I am currently in with my country...but it isn't good.

I would very much like one of the economists that is saying that consumer spending is down to follow me in your well lit aisles. There is no downward trending there...just good old fashioned purchasing of goods. Plus, since I am taking a break from using the credit cards...it is all cash all the time.

Did I need a cowl neck sweater? Maybe? Did I need two of them is very similar shades of green? Probably not...but they were only $16.99. I really didn't need the $12.99 fleece jacket...but come on $12.99 and it can be added to the clothes that actually fit me category (the shrinking amazon thing is a pain...shrinking good...nothing that fits bad). A girl can never have too many pair of socks; especially when she travels as much as I do. Since the weather has decided to be fall like, I really did need a pair of running/training pants. I needed gum. I needed a Venti Skinny Vanilla Latte. I believe that there is a pattern here.

I did, however, need a new pair of black boots. Apparently, my feet are shrinking. I have no idea what the hell that is all about. Seeing as how the boots that I really desire are ten times as much as the ones I bought from you...I'm really truly ahead of the game. Plus, they are fierce and will assist me in much ass kicking.

Target...I know that I will never be able to break up with you. I doubt that we could even survive a break...I wouldn't do well. Could you help me out in some way? Could you at least put the things that I decide that I need on sale? Quit pandering to the kids and their parents...they will never love you like I do.

Regards,
Jules

I Got My Vote On

I went and voted yesterday! Since my job is steadily becoming my life, I am out of town on Tuesday. This was the first year that I have lived in Ohio that you could "early vote". I'm still trying to figure out why I could only vote downtown at the Board of Elections...but maybe that is a kink that they will work out for the next time.

I will say this although it took me two and a half hours to vote...I never stood in one place for longer than about ten minutes. When I got in line...the line was about two city blocks long...it was really moving to see this many people participating. It was a veritable Beneton ad...White, Black Latino, Asian, men, women, young, and old. I was very excited to see as many young voters as I did...as they tend to get a bad wrap for not showing up.

I stood in line with the very lovely Miss Maxine. She was in her Sunday finest with her daughter and granddaughter...three generations in line to vote. Talking with Miss Maxine was the highlight of my day. She was so exited to vote that she kept dabbing at her eyes as we talking about the meaning of this particular election. This was a woman who was born before women had the right to vote, who was charged a poll tax in more than one election, and lived to see the day when she could vote for a president that looked like her. I'm glad that she got to see that day as well.

The worker from the Board of Elections said that they had already early voted some 60,000 people and that they were expecting another 5,000-6,000 yesterday. As I dropped my ballot in the box I gave a kiss for luck and asked the election gods to please make sure that it counted. I have my "I voted today" sticker on a piece of wax paper so that I can wear it on Tuesday, even though I won't be at home.

Jules Hearts the Library

I have always loved going to the library. My original library card is still on file at the Herbert E. Jones library in my hometown. I've probably spent months in that building if you add all of the time together. At one point it felt like I had read everything that there was to read in those shelves.


I loved the library at Wheeling Jesuit as well. I loved the fact that they could track down what ever books I needed. If there was an obscure journal article that struck my fancy the librarians could get it for me. I loved hiding in the back corners where the fiction lived...never was as happening a place as the research section; but it afforded pleasant distractions from my studies. I would not have a 10+ year love affair with Nick Hornby novels if it weren't for a copy of High Fidelity distracting me from writing my thesis.


My current library, Westlake Porter, is the number 2 library of it's size in the country. It is a posh suburban number. You could probably fit the library of my childhood in it twice. Even though it is shiny and state of the art...I love it as well. I love the room of new releases...all of these brand new books that I wouldn't pay any attention to at a book store catch my attention. Some of them are brilliant and some of them aren't my cup of tea. I love that 9 times out of 10 when I've mentioned something that I was looking for that they didn't have...they've ordered it.


I also love watching the people...watching them pick out their books; especially the kids. I generally don't have much use for small children that aren't related to me, but at the library I like them. I love how they are so excited for story time. I like watching them chew on their bottom lip as they are picking out the book they get to check out. Their tiny faces have such a look of concentration...that it makes me smile as I realize that I am making the exact same face.

Are You Kidding Me?

I've spent the past couple of weeks working in a center with a laundry list of issues trying to help get them squared away. They have had all of the staff turn over. They work with a very difficult population of students, 98% have multiple issue IEPs. Just bad all the way around. They are getting better...they are working on getting the right people in the right places and if everyone can locate and get their shit together things will be fine.

There is a kid there that has been diagnosed with one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders...and it isn't on said kid's IEP. How do you not address this. You will put down that said kid doesn't interact well with peers and get all hot and bothered that the kid isn't making progress on that front. Here's a news flash you freakin' idiot...the kid isn't wired for social interaction. I was so angry talking to the "professional" who needs to evaluate progress...that I walked away for fear of calling said person names or placing said person's head through an inanimate object. Unfucking believable!

Updates...

I know that I have been scarce as of late, but not much has been going on in my world. I got to luxuriate in 3 whole weeks of not traveling for work; at which time I was on the down low...Benedictine monks were getting out more. After traveling for 9 consecutive weeks with 3 weeks of not even making it home on the weekends, I had 0% desire to do anything.

I am now in the middle of what will probably end up being 3 straight weeks of being back on the road; mercifully the mandatory attendance family wedding will break up what could have turned into another 7 week workfest. I am in the process of helping to salvage a large contract in metro Atlanta. The village idiots were left in charge and they did everything but burn the house down. I love cleaning up after others!

I swear I'm trying to become a runner!

I thought I would update my vast (ironic) readership on how the running is going. I am getting ready to start week 4 of my Couch to 5K training program. This week's fresh hell has 5 minute running stretches at a time...I only think there are two of them mixed in amongst some shorter ones. Seeing as how I was sucking massive amounts of wind during today's 3 minute run; I hold little optimism for the 5 minute intervals. I may repeat week 3 as to build some confidence.

I need to pick a race to run. There are a couple in October that jive with my schedule, but I don't know if I will be able to run the whole 3 miles by then without having to walk any of it. So it is looking like I may need a November race. There are a couple of them on the Hermes website, but with limited info.

I will, however, need to break out my passport and schlep over to the East Side to visit the boys at Second Sole to get a new pair of kicks to run in. They are good eggs there and their major concern is pairing my deformed, wide, flat, pronating feet in the shoes that are right for them...meaning they never would have sold me the ratty assed Nikes that make me feel like I've been knee-capped by the time I'm done running in them. The Mizunos are taking a beating and need some friends.

Long story short...I have stopped hating running even though I am wicked slow. I need to pick a race to run and get some new shoes.

Dans la Maison

From the news of the "About Damn Time" bureau...I am home for the next two weeks. No work related traveling for this girl. However, because no good deed goes unpunished, I do have weeks of reporting to get caught up on. I think it is a fair trade off.

There are rules...

...about wearing dirty librarian glasses. You may not wear them, would be Republican VP, and try to ban books from public libraries!!! You are hereby required to wear old lady glasses, surrender your Karen from "Will and Grace" hair piece, keep your mitts away from my uterus, and go back to the hellmouth from which you came.

Less=More

To your immediate left if 50 pounds. If you add 2 to that then you have how much less of me there is.

As a follow up on the afore mentioned shoes that I was going to gift myself when I got here...I tried them on at Nordstroms today and they pinched like a mother. I must go back to the drawing board on this one...maybe I need the Burberry ballet flats.

News of the "Who the Hell is this Girl"?

I have decided to start running....I will wait for the hysterical laughter to subside before going on. I really have started to actually run; point a to point b. I have some friends who are some pretty hard core runners, and good on them for that. I don't think I am going to go that far...the constant swearing that takes place during said runs leads me to believe that isn't happening.

Since I am crazy task oriented girl, I am training for a 5k or 3 miles. Nothing too outrageous, but enough that I have to work my way up to it. My goal is to be able to string 3 miles together by October 19th and help out an non-profit whose work I am familiar with and am supportive of. This year is turning out to be quite the surprise. I haven't pegged one single, solitary (intentional redundancy) twist or turn that this year has taken; and that my friends is pretty damn awesome!