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!

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.

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.

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!

Honey, I'm Home!!!

Finally! It took me three weeks to do so . Work has been brutal. You know things have been bad when I am excited to go an hang out/babysit new staff.

I have been desperately in love with the Olympics...per usual. I will find some time this week to catch up on all of my wacky adventures.

I've Been Tagged (Twice actually)

Apparently I've been tagged by both Becky and Julie (not me). Generally I don't pay any attention to these things, but I am making an exception because the afore mentioned women are oh so very awesome.



5 things found in your bag:

More lip product than one woman needs-between the balms, Carmex, and 20 odd lip glosses and sticks...did I mention that they are all pretty much the same color.

Cell phone and Q-must be in touch with the world

iPod-Makes all of the driving and flying tolerable

Some sort of granola bar, piece of string cheese, or fruit-Never know when lunch is going to be and blood sugar levels must be maintained!

My "Coinbeast" change purse-It just makes me laugh every time I use it.


5 favorite things found in your bedroom:

My bed-it doesn't have any bells or whistles on it...but I'm in it so rarely these days that I love it all the more when I am there.

The kitchen table-It's late 40's/early50's red and white enamel. It was in my Grandparent's kitchen and so many of my favorite memories took place at it. I now use it as my desk.

Nightstand-It houses the books I want to read and my favorite picture of me and my dad from when I was a little girl.

Louisville Slugger-Lives under the bed and serves as the SSS, singleton security system.

The Books-Ones from my childhood, ones from college, ones that I love, ones that I still need to read.


5 things I have always wanted to do:

Write the great American novel and then be done with it a la Harper Lee

Sing the National Anthem at a major sporting event.

Drive across America

Receive an Honorary Degree from somewhere

Be able to turn a raise down


5 things I am currently into:

Finishing up my school openings-It may drive me to edge but I love my job!

Training for my 1st 5K

Cleaning out my closet-It's a nice feeling to get rid of the clothes that are too big!

Playing Scrabble on Facebook-I welcome all challengers

Getting to see my peeps when I am home on the weekends


5 people I want to tag

Shannon

Jessica

Victoria

Holly

Random Stranger #23

What the Hell

Apparently am training for the Olympics...Is brain fucking an exhibition sport in Beijing? It kept me up last night when I needed to be the girl up at 6 this morning to get myself to the airport. Work is killing me right now; that in combination with the normal swirl of insecurities and crazy makes my brain a DMZ. It is scary up in my head. I think I need an escort to wonder about in my own thoughts. This can't be good for a girl.

ATL...

...is the airport code for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; the busiest airport in the world 0r where I spend a majority of my Friday afternoons and part of my Monday mornings. It is an incredibly large place; it is approximately a mile long, vertically, if you choose to walk from the ticket counter, through security, and to the furthest terminal, E as in Echo.

I almost always fly out of the D as in David terminal...it really should be D as in Delta, but that would confuse the hell out of some people. I always walk to and fro Gate D8. It's just about a mile. It's a pleasant walk. It gives me a chance to stretch my legs once I've landed or burn off some ire before I leave for home. It also makes for great people watching.

If you walk from security to terminal A there is 300 feet of really awesome sculpture from artists that were born in Zimbabwe. They are just out in the middle of the aisle between the moving sidewalks. They are all amazing, enormous examples of what some vision, patience, skill, and a large piece of rock can become. It is also nice to see something so beautiful come out of a country that is experiencing so much strife these days.

This particular piece is called "The Conversation". It is once of my favorites. I vacillate between thinking it is representative of tribal elders telling oral histories or the three witches in Macbeth. Either way it is a remarkable piece of art.

Just Sad...

Yesterday I was all excited because I was going to be home by 3. Things didn't go according to plan. There was a 6 hour ground stop on all Midwest airports from ATC for severe storms...never mind that it was beautiful where I was.

While waiting in the airport, the news broke that Tim Russert had passed away. So I spent the following time glued to a TV monitor trying not to openly weep in the middle of the airport because I didn't want to appear to be nuts or that upset that my flight was delayed. It just made me terribly sad. He was fine one minute and gone the next...much like my dad. It was strangely comforting to watch the talking heads and famous people that Wolff Blitzer was talking to be just as caught of guard as I was.

I feel awful for his family, as they were still off celebrating his son's graduation. I feel more than awful for his son, as I am all too familiar at to how badly that sucks. I also feel bad for America. Who is going to do their homework and ask the hard questions when they need to be asked, and not be a jerk about it. Who will bust out a white board to break down the electoral college because most people had forgotten how it work? It's just sad...

Maybe...

...I'll just date myself.


It would make things simpler. There would be no hang ups about the fact that I'm generally in town for 60 hours a week. There would be no clairvoyant observations like, "Wow! You really are that tall!"


I know what I like and don't like. I had a Jules-centric day today. I did have brunch with Jess, but after that I spent the day by myself. I took myself to go see Sex and the City; an excellent time was had by all. I spent some dinero on "Amazon Suit Improvement", think of it as self DIY, at Sephora and Victoria's Secret. Just a little to me from me love; plus none of my bras fit any more. Follow all of that up with big, icy glass of sugar free/fat free love from Starbucks and it was a great day.


Maybe this is the time for me to take care of me, and no longer wait around for someone else to validate my worth. Being 33 is crazy...it is like I finally found the damn users manual on how to live.

Life is...

...Full of unexpected surprises. Just when you think you've got a handle on things; you never know what is going to come your way. Life's awesome like that.

News Flash...

I am capable of having a life. This normally wouldn't be a news flash. I am a sociable girl. I am gregarious when needed. It is just that when you only get 60 hour at home on the weekend because of your crazy work schedule; it puts a damper on one's ability to be a social butterfly.

Since I am home this week in combination with the three day weekend; I haven't had to cram a weeks worth of interactions into 2 days. Today I got to have brunch with Jess at our absolute favorite hang-out for brunch. The only thing comparable to her company was the fact that the inagural H2Omelon Margarita of the summer were consumed. There are v. few things in this world that are better than freshly juiced H2Omelon, tequila, and a drop of triple sec. Just looking at the picture of it makes me happy.

Tomorrow, I will continue the trend of having a life.

There will be movie going and Bar-B-Queing with Joel and Claudette. I could get used to this "having a life" unfortunately for me it is going to end up being a fleeting notion.

Airport Hell

I think there needs to be some sort of ranking of travelers at the airport. To be fair there should be a test.

Sample Questions:
1. Do I need to take my shoes off to get through security? y/n

2. Can I tote my gallon of H2O in my purse? y/n

3. Do I need to hang on to my boarding pass? y/n

4. Because You've managed to spawn; you can use said troglodyte as an excuse to jump the no longer effective frequent flier line. y/n

5. Can a airline charge you for checking extra bags? y/n

It is mother of all amateur hours at the "airport du ATL" today. Stupid people don't deserve to fly.

"Cause Oscar Mayer Has A Way"

As I was driving up to Chattanooga; I saw the Weinermobile. I instantaneously acted like a kid. I honked my horn and waved. Then my Blackberry rang ruining a perfectly awesome moment.

My House...

...is a very, very, very fine house.

I am super excited that I get to go home tomorrow; granted that I don't get to leave until 4:00. I haven't been home for 11 days. I get sleep in my own bed and get caught up on Robin Hood from the BBC I actually have plans for Saturday night, I'm catching a show at the Beachland. It will actually appear that I have a life.

Then I have to leave again on Monday morning...I'm trying not to think about that part.

Laundry Day

I'm working on getting my laundry done so I can return everything to slutty suitcase. I have made an alarming discovery about myself as I was sorting the grungies. If I so desired, I could wash an entire load of cardigans. Of this load eight of said cardigans are the identical sweater in different colors...three of those are various shades of black (don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about people)

I may need an intervention.

I Hope You Haunt Your Parents

An 11 year old girl from Wisconsin is dead because her parents are idiots. She died of totally treatable diabetes because the afore mentioned whack job parents of hers believed that "All healing came from God" and not doctors. This kid hadn't seen a doctor since she was three. When the ketoacidosis, too little insulin in the body, left her listless the parents chose to be "fast in prayer" rather than take their daughter to the hospital.

Time for a little self disclosure. Right above my head as I sit at my makeshift desk is my undergraduate degree. If you knock the dust off of the glass you can read that I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Theology. Also, through a series of car wrecks that I was in during my early 20s; I have a disproportionately large piece of scar tissue on my pancreas. That means my pancreas doesn't always work as well as it should. I don't feel like I'm speaking totally out of place. Here's how this works for me...when my pancreas is leaning toward the "I don't feel like working" side of things for more than a couple of days, I get my ass to the doctor. Do you know why I do that, is because I don't believe in God...no, it is because this shit can kill me and I don't want to die.

The parents are saying that they aren't worried about the impending investigation because they know they didn't do anything wrong; apparently not seeking routine medical attention for your youngest child isn't wrong in their book. If there is a proverbial God in the sky, the state of Wisconsin will take away your other children and throw your asses in jail for neglect and manslaughter. Plus, should you become sick while rotting away in your cells...pray on that.