I wonder if I'm allergic to squid or mussels. I've eaten both in the past but just moments after having a seafood soup for lunch today at Koh Samui and the Monkey, my face feels numb. It looks like my cheeks are puffy and there's pressure around my eyes.
This is not good.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Cash strapped city looking for money
Last Saturday, I attended the annual Christmas family dinner on my mom's side of the family. Besides the usual potluck meal, family gift exchanging, and catching up on family gossip, the big discussion of the night regarded the notices my grandparents received from the SF Building Permits and Inspections. Apparently, there is an unauthorized 7' x 14' advertising sign plastered with film and concert posters of unknown affiliation on the side of my grandparent's rental/commercial building in the Mission. My grandparents rarely visit their building partly because the renters (immigrants paying very low rent) keep to themselves, and the person running the commercial space (supposedly, a family friend) all send their rent payment by mail.
View Larger Map
Several family members voiced their frustration over the city trying to bilk money from small businesses and landlords wherever they can. We all wondered where the advertising sign came from. None of us put it up. The only thing we remember is the community mural that was painted on the wall back in the early 90s.
My grandparents owned that building since the 60s and that corner store front went through numerous changes from art store to neighborhood grocery/goods store, to finally, a coffee shop.
I just listened in until I heard snippets of what really was going on. I won't go into details about it but my cousin and two uncles plan to get things cleared up today. A hassle for the family but it'll be resolved before year end.
View Larger Map
Several family members voiced their frustration over the city trying to bilk money from small businesses and landlords wherever they can. We all wondered where the advertising sign came from. None of us put it up. The only thing we remember is the community mural that was painted on the wall back in the early 90s.
My grandparents owned that building since the 60s and that corner store front went through numerous changes from art store to neighborhood grocery/goods store, to finally, a coffee shop.
I just listened in until I heard snippets of what really was going on. I won't go into details about it but my cousin and two uncles plan to get things cleared up today. A hassle for the family but it'll be resolved before year end.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Lindy Hop final
Tonight is my dance recital final for my Lindy class. I'm a bit nervous about it since I haven't practiced in a week. The song we'll be dancing to is: My Blue Heaven by Norah Jones.
The following are the steps for the performance in 8 count.
_____________________
Sing out from closed
Texas Tommy
Wheel into closed
Side dip with extra up/down
Tuck turn to R/R
Rock step, triple step, tuck to closed
Walk forward
Barrel roll to open
Circle
Rock step, pivot (2 cts), pivot, pivot (1 ct), triple step to open
Swing out with outside turn
Leader boogie back 7&8
Follow boogie forward triple step 7&8
Circle
Walk toward audience
Dip
Turn follower behind leader and exit
___________________________
I hope I have a good lead that doesn't forget the steps. This happened last week when we took turns practicing in front of our peers. I had to stand there and wait until he remembered what to do then we rushed the next step only to pause again so he could remember. Very frustrating.
The following are the steps for the performance in 8 count.
_____________________
Sing out from closed
Texas Tommy
Wheel into closed
Side dip with extra up/down
Tuck turn to R/R
Rock step, triple step, tuck to closed
Walk forward
Barrel roll to open
Circle
Rock step, pivot (2 cts), pivot, pivot (1 ct), triple step to open
Swing out with outside turn
Leader boogie back 7&8
Follow boogie forward triple step 7&8
Circle
Walk toward audience
Dip
Turn follower behind leader and exit
___________________________
I hope I have a good lead that doesn't forget the steps. This happened last week when we took turns practicing in front of our peers. I had to stand there and wait until he remembered what to do then we rushed the next step only to pause again so he could remember. Very frustrating.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
the new guy
We've been hiring a number of new people to replace the ones who either left on their own accord because they were sick of working in a cut-throat environment or were let go because they couldn't handle a cut-throat environment.
Another new guy started yesterday. He's already made such a wonderful impression on me that I can certainly see how happy everyone else is in his department who think he's shaping up to be their savior.
When most people start a job on their very first day, usually politeness and a touch of easy going manners are in order. One doesn't want to push the wrong buttons with coworkers too soon. So, the new guy arrives, has his boss meeting, hr meeting, accounting meeting, and department introduction meeting. The IT department, (me) is at the bottom of the heap. No one wants to meet the IT department yet we're the ones that receive the most demanding calls in the day. So, shouldn't people be generally polite and easy going with the IT department? IT controls the servers, your link to the outside world, your mail, your printers, and your work system. Yet we receive the least amount of respect.
The new guy calls, wants a better keyboard; something not previously used. Fine, I say. I'll deliver another one. Nope, not good enough. He wants me to bring several different kinds so he can choose the one he likes best. Since we have a huge supply of every type of computer equipment in our larger than Costco warehouse, I bring up three keyboards to him. He fake types on each of them before choosing the best one that "feels good" on his fingers.
This morning, he calls to say the keyboard I delivered doesn't work. It's defective. He needs another keyboard that works. Well, the keyboard did work but the prima donna is not happy.
Honestly, people should know not to upset IT. You want something, you better be nice. You want your system to work, you better be pleasant. Our job is to make sure that your system is working smoothly so you can work efficiently. It's not our job to find you the most comfortable keyboard on the planet.
Another new guy started yesterday. He's already made such a wonderful impression on me that I can certainly see how happy everyone else is in his department who think he's shaping up to be their savior.
When most people start a job on their very first day, usually politeness and a touch of easy going manners are in order. One doesn't want to push the wrong buttons with coworkers too soon. So, the new guy arrives, has his boss meeting, hr meeting, accounting meeting, and department introduction meeting. The IT department, (me) is at the bottom of the heap. No one wants to meet the IT department yet we're the ones that receive the most demanding calls in the day. So, shouldn't people be generally polite and easy going with the IT department? IT controls the servers, your link to the outside world, your mail, your printers, and your work system. Yet we receive the least amount of respect.
The new guy calls, wants a better keyboard; something not previously used. Fine, I say. I'll deliver another one. Nope, not good enough. He wants me to bring several different kinds so he can choose the one he likes best. Since we have a huge supply of every type of computer equipment in our larger than Costco warehouse, I bring up three keyboards to him. He fake types on each of them before choosing the best one that "feels good" on his fingers.
This morning, he calls to say the keyboard I delivered doesn't work. It's defective. He needs another keyboard that works. Well, the keyboard did work but the prima donna is not happy.
Honestly, people should know not to upset IT. You want something, you better be nice. You want your system to work, you better be pleasant. Our job is to make sure that your system is working smoothly so you can work efficiently. It's not our job to find you the most comfortable keyboard on the planet.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
lit reading a complete wash
A week ago, I received an email from one of the editors at Forum, a student run, literary mag published through the community college I'm attending. Forum planned to hold two readings for contributors of the mag to read their work to a wider audience. I wasn't able to attend the first reading which which held last Friday at noon. I responded to the email stating I would attend the second reading which was held at Park Branch Library in Haight on Tuesday evening.
I was a little skeptical about the reading events. They didn't seem to be widely publicized and despite being a student run publication, you'd think someone would have done a little marketing legwork to pull in a decent number of participants and peers.
Alas, this was not the case. Thankfully, I only invited a handful of friends to the reading, and only one of which was able to attend. We arrived at the reading a little after the stated 7p start time. I imagined that people would be running late so I didn't think there would be too many there. Lo, there were a total of five, three of which were vagrants off the street. I'm not being judgmental here. Three people really did appear to be bums. One was in a crap shoot wheel chair with a busted right wheel and missing arm rest. he wrapped himself with two grey wool blankets one would find on shelter beds and he rocked in his chair when he rolled about. The other two wore layers of dirty, grey and brown coats of different sizes that matched their dusty looking hair. and it smelled like a musty gym locker in that basement room under the library.
The only two that looked as though they had money to attend a community college sat near the front podium observing the scene before unloading a mishmash of junk food on a side table. I was embarrassed, even more so for bringing my friend. I hate to stereotype but we were dressed like socialites who accidentally walked stumbled into the local rehab shelter. I decided, "screw this" and we walked to Alembic for two rounds of bourbon and three hours of gossip. A much better way to end a Tues evening.
I was a little skeptical about the reading events. They didn't seem to be widely publicized and despite being a student run publication, you'd think someone would have done a little marketing legwork to pull in a decent number of participants and peers.
Alas, this was not the case. Thankfully, I only invited a handful of friends to the reading, and only one of which was able to attend. We arrived at the reading a little after the stated 7p start time. I imagined that people would be running late so I didn't think there would be too many there. Lo, there were a total of five, three of which were vagrants off the street. I'm not being judgmental here. Three people really did appear to be bums. One was in a crap shoot wheel chair with a busted right wheel and missing arm rest. he wrapped himself with two grey wool blankets one would find on shelter beds and he rocked in his chair when he rolled about. The other two wore layers of dirty, grey and brown coats of different sizes that matched their dusty looking hair. and it smelled like a musty gym locker in that basement room under the library.
The only two that looked as though they had money to attend a community college sat near the front podium observing the scene before unloading a mishmash of junk food on a side table. I was embarrassed, even more so for bringing my friend. I hate to stereotype but we were dressed like socialites who accidentally walked stumbled into the local rehab shelter. I decided, "screw this" and we walked to Alembic for two rounds of bourbon and three hours of gossip. A much better way to end a Tues evening.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Hair chopping
It's that time when I'm itching for a change and the first thing that needs to go is my unruly hair. Not all of it, mind you. It's winter time and chilly and I get cold very easily. But between getting my hair cut and having hair singed off my body, I think I'm close to being as bare as I was when I was born. Okay, not quite. I'm just preparing for the new year.
So here's the before pic looking sleepy/tired..
and my after cut pic looking alive and vibrant..
So here's the before pic looking sleepy/tired..
and my after cut pic looking alive and vibrant..
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
i rode the bus to school
Last night, I decided to save a little gas money and the ozone by taking local transportation to City last night. It was dark by 6p on the corner of Masonic and Fulton where I waited for no less than ten minutes before the 43 arrived. There were about ten other people waiting with me and a grumpy guy in a wheelchair. I headed straight to the rear of the bus and sat down in one of the left facing side seats. I attempted to look nonchalant and bored while glancing at my fellow passengers without making direct eye contact. Then I got tired and dozed off. Head bobbing and body jerking ensued throughout the bus ride and I think I got side whip lash from the driver pounding on the accelerator and slamming on the break every 20 seconds. Total bus ride to school: 40 minutes.
After gym and dance class, I checked Nextbus for the 43 schedule so I wouldn't be waiting long in the chilly air for the bus. The 43 arrived five minutes later. There were fewer passengers on the bus after 10p, obviously. Of the passengers, several of us looked like we just got out of class; tired, withdrawn and lifeless. Then there are the interesting "others". One man who appeared to be in his mid-40s, with black hair past his shoulders and a puffy, red jacket, wore black shoes with a platform glued to the soles. The guy wasn't that short but I suppose a little extra height doesn't hurt. What was odd was that his left shoe had a higher platform, about 3 inches, than the right shoe, which only had 1.5 inch. Maybe one leg was longer than the other. Then another guy came on board and proceeded to have a one-way conversation about what he ate that day. I didn't dare take a nap on the bus. Everyone kept to themselves and no one encroached on one another's person space. The ride wasn't as jerky but it was pitch black out and I marveled at how well the driver maneuvered through the winding residential streets without sideswiping parked cars. Total time to my stop: 30 minutes.
After gym and dance class, I checked Nextbus for the 43 schedule so I wouldn't be waiting long in the chilly air for the bus. The 43 arrived five minutes later. There were fewer passengers on the bus after 10p, obviously. Of the passengers, several of us looked like we just got out of class; tired, withdrawn and lifeless. Then there are the interesting "others". One man who appeared to be in his mid-40s, with black hair past his shoulders and a puffy, red jacket, wore black shoes with a platform glued to the soles. The guy wasn't that short but I suppose a little extra height doesn't hurt. What was odd was that his left shoe had a higher platform, about 3 inches, than the right shoe, which only had 1.5 inch. Maybe one leg was longer than the other. Then another guy came on board and proceeded to have a one-way conversation about what he ate that day. I didn't dare take a nap on the bus. Everyone kept to themselves and no one encroached on one another's person space. The ride wasn't as jerky but it was pitch black out and I marveled at how well the driver maneuvered through the winding residential streets without sideswiping parked cars. Total time to my stop: 30 minutes.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
in search of a drunk, Halloween idiot
No Halloween costumes nor parties for me this year. But like every year, the neighbors throw their Halloween bash well into the wee hours of the morning. This year, one of those drunken, costumed idiots side swiped the front bumper of my car and drove off. I didn't notice the damage until after I finished Solan's morning walk. I suppose it could have been worse (it isn't) but no one likes to wake up early in the morning to see that. Boo
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a vehicle with silver paint and damage etched on their front or rear bumper
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a vehicle with silver paint and damage etched on their front or rear bumper
Friday, October 30, 2009
story publication
I recently received notification from the Editors at City Lit Journal, a short story and poetry magazine, that one of my submitted stories received a nod for publication pending several suggested edits.
I looked over the editor's edits and made the minor corrections they requested. They also mentioned that the "narrator's purpose is a bit too heavy handed" and thought the twist in the story could be "more subtle when the person on the bike is not telling the story." I read this several times before I realized that the editors wanted something that was less "punchy".
My story, about a bike accident, begins in 2nd person point of view before switching to first person for the story twist. That's my catch, my one-two punch, the "hinge". I'd rather not give away anymore of the story until it's actually published but I asked several people for their respected opinions on what could or could not be changed.
Thoughts about what to do swirled in my mind. I could change the 2nd person point of view to 3rd person, completely detaching the reader and narrator from the action (i.e. bike accident) before switching to 2nd person (i.e. driver reaction). Or start with 1st person (i.e. the narrator as the cyclist) and switching to 3rd person for the driver or remaining in 1st person, now as the driver. There's a number of ways I can change this but the impact in the 3rd half of the story won't carry as much weight if the narrator doesn't tell the reader that he/she is the driver and not the cyclist.
I want the story to send a message to the reader that you can be the cyclist but you can also be the driver who hit the cyclist. Victim vs. Perpetrator. Carefree vs. Impatient. It can go both ways.
I decided not to change the main story line nor the view points. Everyone has their opinions however subjective and I know I won't be able to please everyone. I've made a couple changes regarding the cyclist and left the rest as is.
We'll see what the editors have to say.
I looked over the editor's edits and made the minor corrections they requested. They also mentioned that the "narrator's purpose is a bit too heavy handed" and thought the twist in the story could be "more subtle when the person on the bike is not telling the story." I read this several times before I realized that the editors wanted something that was less "punchy".
My story, about a bike accident, begins in 2nd person point of view before switching to first person for the story twist. That's my catch, my one-two punch, the "hinge". I'd rather not give away anymore of the story until it's actually published but I asked several people for their respected opinions on what could or could not be changed.
Thoughts about what to do swirled in my mind. I could change the 2nd person point of view to 3rd person, completely detaching the reader and narrator from the action (i.e. bike accident) before switching to 2nd person (i.e. driver reaction). Or start with 1st person (i.e. the narrator as the cyclist) and switching to 3rd person for the driver or remaining in 1st person, now as the driver. There's a number of ways I can change this but the impact in the 3rd half of the story won't carry as much weight if the narrator doesn't tell the reader that he/she is the driver and not the cyclist.
I want the story to send a message to the reader that you can be the cyclist but you can also be the driver who hit the cyclist. Victim vs. Perpetrator. Carefree vs. Impatient. It can go both ways.
I decided not to change the main story line nor the view points. Everyone has their opinions however subjective and I know I won't be able to please everyone. I've made a couple changes regarding the cyclist and left the rest as is.
We'll see what the editors have to say.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Denied?!?
Well, that was embarrassing. I overcharged my credit card and couldn't pay for my portion of dinner last night. When I called Chase to see what happened, Costco finally charged me for the bedroom set I purchased nearly three weeks ago that I have yet to receive. I went right over my credit limit and got slapped with an overdraft fee.
Today, I paid off my card in full and explained to Chase how I am one of their reliable and responsible customers and if they don't help me out, I'll jump ship. Done. Fee removed.
I do need to curb my plastic card spending habits. It's getting out of hand these days.
Today, I paid off my card in full and explained to Chase how I am one of their reliable and responsible customers and if they don't help me out, I'll jump ship. Done. Fee removed.
I do need to curb my plastic card spending habits. It's getting out of hand these days.
Friday, October 9, 2009
legistation for renting to owners w/ pets
It seems Animal Control and Welfare Commission is trying to pass measures requiring landlords to rent to responsible pet owners.
Currently the live release rate of pets in San Francisco animal shelters in 2008 is at 87%. That's very good considering that SF isn't exactly pet friendly.
I consider myself a responsible pet owner and I completely understand how difficult it is to find a rental apartment that allows dogs, let alone large breed ones. I agree that landlords should have the option to rent to people with pets based on how responsible the pet owner is. But it shouldn't be a legislated measure. Not everyone likes pets and some people are allergic to animals. A measure like this will only cause more grievances between landlords and renters.
Currently the live release rate of pets in San Francisco animal shelters in 2008 is at 87%. That's very good considering that SF isn't exactly pet friendly.
I consider myself a responsible pet owner and I completely understand how difficult it is to find a rental apartment that allows dogs, let alone large breed ones. I agree that landlords should have the option to rent to people with pets based on how responsible the pet owner is. But it shouldn't be a legislated measure. Not everyone likes pets and some people are allergic to animals. A measure like this will only cause more grievances between landlords and renters.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
why I hate Yahoo
Yahoo sucks. They used to be a great company that produced quality web services and now they just suck. Some of the idiotic things that Yahoo has done include:
1. Forced installation of a Yahoo browser bar if you install anything Yahoo related like their IM program. I don't want that stupid browser bar sitting right below my firefox navigator, taking up valuable screen space. How many useless search bars do I need?
2. Yahoo IM locks out constantly and every time a Yahoo developer fixes one IM issue, they send out annoying yahoo_admin update messages. So I switched to Trillian but the Yahoo IM plugin found it's way to harass me with their updates.
3. The draft autosave in Yahoo mail doesn't work. If you don't type your email and save As Draft or send it out within 10 minutes, you're logged off. Log back in and lo and behold, your message is gone! I've wasted so much time typing one email over and over again until I got fed up and started typing it in Word just so I could copy and paste it to yahoo. It's ridiculous and annoying.
Yahoo can't seem to get their shit together. Every mail program I know has an autosave program that works. I wish they would just copy the code off google, like everyone else and fix their mail program.
4. Yahoo's search algorithms find obscure and useless information I don't need. Did I say useless? Enough said.
1. Forced installation of a Yahoo browser bar if you install anything Yahoo related like their IM program. I don't want that stupid browser bar sitting right below my firefox navigator, taking up valuable screen space. How many useless search bars do I need?
2. Yahoo IM locks out constantly and every time a Yahoo developer fixes one IM issue, they send out annoying yahoo_admin update messages. So I switched to Trillian but the Yahoo IM plugin found it's way to harass me with their updates.
3. The draft autosave in Yahoo mail doesn't work. If you don't type your email and save As Draft or send it out within 10 minutes, you're logged off. Log back in and lo and behold, your message is gone! I've wasted so much time typing one email over and over again until I got fed up and started typing it in Word just so I could copy and paste it to yahoo. It's ridiculous and annoying.
Yahoo can't seem to get their shit together. Every mail program I know has an autosave program that works. I wish they would just copy the code off google, like everyone else and fix their mail program.
4. Yahoo's search algorithms find obscure and useless information I don't need. Did I say useless? Enough said.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
sign me up!
So, this is where all the hot men are..
_______________________________________
A friend of mine invited me to this event but he's not attending because he's not even in the state of CA, but thinks I should go so I would shut up about my non-existent dating life.
Almost as hilarious as the video, following is the invitation with my comments in bold:
Are those old, tired ass lines pickup lines never worked on me from The Game no longer getting you fresh meat or veggies? Your furry hat and ridiculous neck tattoo no longer making the grade as you peacock your way around San Francisco looking for True Love? Does a see through top and mini skirt count as peacocking?
Is every bar seat at your local watering hole occupied by some shameful and regretful drunken make out session, forcing you to drink at home alone until you black out watching your crappy Netflix movies? Yes and Yes
All your friends are married, engaged, with child, old, boring, lame, generally uninterested or have given up on the idea of sex? It's called "Dry Spell"
Have you given up on Match.com? Only when my subscription expired Don’t have the attention span to fill out your profile for eHarmony? Been there, done that Casual Encounters on Craigslist left you afraid and shivering in a corner? The photos did Do you just want to HOOK UP WITH SOME HOT PIECE OF ASS? Yes, please
Well, we’re tired of hearing you guys bitch about getting no ass and not doing a damn thing about it. I'm trying but they leave the country..wait, what does that say about me? We are here to give you a reason to get on the pill again! (or at least a reason to buy some decent condoms well stocked with the Kirkland brand that are not free on the streets of the Castro.)
Here’s the scoop – you’re single. You invite ANOTHER single friend those are few and far between(any sex, any orientation but preferably interesting, friendly, and not insane). Arrive at House of Shields, pick up your complimentary drink free booze! and mingle with other singles that are six degrees apart from you.
You wonder why those ugly people are in a relationship? BECAUSE THEY TRIED OUR TIME-HONORED METHODS. Now you can too -- Either HOOK UP OR GO HOME!
_______________________________________
A friend of mine invited me to this event but he's not attending because he's not even in the state of CA, but thinks I should go so I would shut up about my non-existent dating life.
Almost as hilarious as the video, following is the invitation with my comments in bold:
Are those old, tired ass lines pickup lines never worked on me from The Game no longer getting you fresh meat or veggies? Your furry hat and ridiculous neck tattoo no longer making the grade as you peacock your way around San Francisco looking for True Love? Does a see through top and mini skirt count as peacocking?
Is every bar seat at your local watering hole occupied by some shameful and regretful drunken make out session, forcing you to drink at home alone until you black out watching your crappy Netflix movies? Yes and Yes
All your friends are married, engaged, with child, old, boring, lame, generally uninterested or have given up on the idea of sex? It's called "Dry Spell"
Have you given up on Match.com? Only when my subscription expired Don’t have the attention span to fill out your profile for eHarmony? Been there, done that Casual Encounters on Craigslist left you afraid and shivering in a corner? The photos did Do you just want to HOOK UP WITH SOME HOT PIECE OF ASS? Yes, please
Well, we’re tired of hearing you guys bitch about getting no ass and not doing a damn thing about it. I'm trying but they leave the country..wait, what does that say about me? We are here to give you a reason to get on the pill again! (or at least a reason to buy some decent condoms well stocked with the Kirkland brand that are not free on the streets of the Castro.)
Here’s the scoop – you’re single. You invite ANOTHER single friend those are few and far between(any sex, any orientation but preferably interesting, friendly, and not insane). Arrive at House of Shields, pick up your complimentary drink free booze! and mingle with other singles that are six degrees apart from you.
You wonder why those ugly people are in a relationship? BECAUSE THEY TRIED OUR TIME-HONORED METHODS. Now you can too -- Either HOOK UP OR GO HOME!
Monday, September 21, 2009
there are alternatives to what I want and patience is not one of them
Nearly two months have passed since my little hiccup/drunk/empty stomach/falling face first on concrete accident. Okay, more like six weeks and that huge, dime sized scar below my eye has not faded away yet. Every other person who's never attended medical school tells me that it's still healing because it's a bruise or whatever. I don't believe them.
I visited my dermatologist that I haven't seen since 2006 for a medical opinion. She gave me the same prognosis. It's still healing and there's swelling and looks like a bruise but will eventually fade. blah blah. When will it fade? Six months to a year. NOOO! Unacceptable. She would not even sell me any bleaching cream. So, I went to a beauty spa the following week which surprisingly was SPA WEEK! What timing! Discounts abound! I went crazy and signed up for laser hair removal also.
An hour later, I got my Obagi cream and went around telling my friends what I acquired to their harsh disapproval. I'm prone to have skin allergies from certain soaps, perfumes and a particular hairy ex-boyfriend so I thought I'd be careful with bleaching cream and do a tester on a year old shoulder scar.
I read the reviews on Obagi and it's one of the most popular hydroquinine creams out there to fade scars and tone skin with a 90% success rate. The other 10% suffered from skin rashes or scars that darkened.
I'm only on the second day of bleaching cream usage and I think I've got a slight rash on my shoulder. Damn. I might be in the 10% group. It's possible that the rash is from my bra strap so I'll wait a day or two to see if it goes away. If not, that's $90 of hope down the tube.
I visited my dermatologist that I haven't seen since 2006 for a medical opinion. She gave me the same prognosis. It's still healing and there's swelling and looks like a bruise but will eventually fade. blah blah. When will it fade? Six months to a year. NOOO! Unacceptable. She would not even sell me any bleaching cream. So, I went to a beauty spa the following week which surprisingly was SPA WEEK! What timing! Discounts abound! I went crazy and signed up for laser hair removal also.
An hour later, I got my Obagi cream and went around telling my friends what I acquired to their harsh disapproval. I'm prone to have skin allergies from certain soaps, perfumes and a particular hairy ex-boyfriend so I thought I'd be careful with bleaching cream and do a tester on a year old shoulder scar.
I read the reviews on Obagi and it's one of the most popular hydroquinine creams out there to fade scars and tone skin with a 90% success rate. The other 10% suffered from skin rashes or scars that darkened.
I'm only on the second day of bleaching cream usage and I think I've got a slight rash on my shoulder. Damn. I might be in the 10% group. It's possible that the rash is from my bra strap so I'll wait a day or two to see if it goes away. If not, that's $90 of hope down the tube.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
warm feelings at the DMV
After carelessly driving and texting while driving for the last two weeks, my bank teller notified me the other day that my license expired. "Really? That's not good." I said and walked away wondering why I never received a DMV notification earlier. One look at my driver license and it dawned on me that I never bothered to change my address. Why didn't I correct this detail? Because if my license was stolen, the thief would not A) know where I live and stalk me, or B) would break into someone else's home and not mine. Yeah, this is my rational thinking at work. My glass is always half empty so I'm vigilantly prepared. You never know if someone attempts to break into your home. I wanted to install these booby trap iron stakes that drop down from our flat entrance in case a burglar manages to bypass the gate but my family would have none of that. We compromised and had pinhole cameras installed instead.
Anyway, I tried to make a DMV appointment but the earliest I could get was a month later. The non-appointment visit would have to do and I spent the day watching the wait-time monitor online for the best window of time to visit.
The next day, I left work early, arrived at the DMV office at the tail end of everyone's lunch break, and was 8th in the non-appt line. I received my form, filled it out, returned to the form monitor for my number and sat in an uncomfortable, plastic school cafeteria chair and waited until my lower back started hurting. Half an hour later, my number was called.
The bored looking young man behind the counter didn't look especially happy to be working there. He was all business in a dark plaid shirt and black framed glasses. His movements were meticulous and routine. He must have been doing this line of work for years. I handed him my paper work and he went about reading it, correcting my bad penmanship, stamping it, reading it some more, requesting I sign it, stamping it again, and having me initial it. Every so often he would glance up at me, probably to make sure I didn't grow bored and wander off or start yelling in broken English for no reason like the older gentleman four booths down from us.
I paid the fee, took the eye test, signed my John Hancock several times before being directed to the photo line. No thank you, or have a nice day. He just looked at me with a "go away now, I'm busy" glare. The photo line took another 15 minutes and the lady taking the photos was rather pleasant. She was cheery and actually conversed with me! It was like meeting a real human being at the DMV. Total time for my visit, 1:25:00. Not as miserable as I thought it would be and because of my spotless driving record, I didn't have to take the written test. The studying I did was all for naught.
Anyway, I tried to make a DMV appointment but the earliest I could get was a month later. The non-appointment visit would have to do and I spent the day watching the wait-time monitor online for the best window of time to visit.
The next day, I left work early, arrived at the DMV office at the tail end of everyone's lunch break, and was 8th in the non-appt line. I received my form, filled it out, returned to the form monitor for my number and sat in an uncomfortable, plastic school cafeteria chair and waited until my lower back started hurting. Half an hour later, my number was called.
The bored looking young man behind the counter didn't look especially happy to be working there. He was all business in a dark plaid shirt and black framed glasses. His movements were meticulous and routine. He must have been doing this line of work for years. I handed him my paper work and he went about reading it, correcting my bad penmanship, stamping it, reading it some more, requesting I sign it, stamping it again, and having me initial it. Every so often he would glance up at me, probably to make sure I didn't grow bored and wander off or start yelling in broken English for no reason like the older gentleman four booths down from us.
I paid the fee, took the eye test, signed my John Hancock several times before being directed to the photo line. No thank you, or have a nice day. He just looked at me with a "go away now, I'm busy" glare. The photo line took another 15 minutes and the lady taking the photos was rather pleasant. She was cheery and actually conversed with me! It was like meeting a real human being at the DMV. Total time for my visit, 1:25:00. Not as miserable as I thought it would be and because of my spotless driving record, I didn't have to take the written test. The studying I did was all for naught.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
You don't want to go shop anywhere?
My mom has the day off work today. I'm taking another sick day off work. We are at home and my mom decides that she doesn't want to waste her day off sitting around. She doesn't know how to drive. What transpires this morning...
Mom: "why don't we see a movie and then go shopping at Tanforan?"
Me: "I don't want to shop. Look at me? I look like someone took a stick to my face."
Mom: "well, you can sit in the car."
Me: "what? I'm not sitting in the car while you shop."
Mom: "what about the movie? People will see you anyway. What's the difference?"
Me: "it's dark in the theater, mom."
Mom: "Fine. We can go to Sports Basement."
Me: "I'm not going there. People I know will see me."
Mom: "Then what do you want to do?"
Me: "Stay home and wallow in self misery."
Mom: "So, we are not having lunch either? Unless you want to find a dark place to eat also."
Me: "you told me this morning that I look awful. Now you want me to walk around in public? I'll have to tell people who ask what happened was that you beat me up."
Mom: "Dont be silly. Say dad did it."
Mom: "why don't we see a movie and then go shopping at Tanforan?"
Me: "I don't want to shop. Look at me? I look like someone took a stick to my face."
Mom: "well, you can sit in the car."
Me: "what? I'm not sitting in the car while you shop."
Mom: "what about the movie? People will see you anyway. What's the difference?"
Me: "it's dark in the theater, mom."
Mom: "Fine. We can go to Sports Basement."
Me: "I'm not going there. People I know will see me."
Mom: "Then what do you want to do?"
Me: "Stay home and wallow in self misery."
Mom: "So, we are not having lunch either? Unless you want to find a dark place to eat also."
Me: "you told me this morning that I look awful. Now you want me to walk around in public? I'll have to tell people who ask what happened was that you beat me up."
Mom: "Dont be silly. Say dad did it."
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I'm a fall risk
As I get older, I've realized that I'm either becoming more irresponsible or just plain stupid. Things generally happen for a reason but most things can be avoided. I have lost that knack of avoiding accidents.
Yesterday was my birthday. I had no plans other than to go to work then track practice after. The same thing I do most Wednesdays. But since it was my birthday and my friends wanted to treat me for a drink, I obliged.
At the pub, I had my first shot of Patron and spent the better part of the hour socializing and sipping my Stella slowly. Then another round of shots and I downed my second one. At this point, I already had a good buzz going. It's time to stop but I got caught up in the moment and had one last shot for the night. The last shot gave me the hiccups. On an empty stomach, hiccups are not good to have.
I don't like hiccups. They hurt especially after a core workout that left my stomach muscles sore. And what do I usually do to rid myself of hiccups? I hold my breath. Generally this works for me but I had trouble doing so in the bar so I excused myself and headed outside for a little fresh air.
I sat on the bench outside and held my breath. This is where things are not too clear. I was groggy and awoke on the concrete while several people were asking me questions if I was okay. I don't remember much other than hearing a woman say that I fell off the bench and landed on my head.
I was able to get up and sit on the bench but my head and face was throbbing and I couldn't open my eyes. I kept touching the left side of my face and wondering if I broke the same bones I had surgery on nearly a year ago.
One guy to the right of me kept asking me questions about where I was, what I remember, and if I knew what happened. The conversation went something like this..
"Do you know where you are?" he asked.
"The city", I said.
"Which city?"
"The city", I repeated.
Realizing that the question was going nowhere, he asked, "What's your name? Do you know your name?"
"uh, my head hurts." I said.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Eileen." I mumbled.
"Where did you come from? Were you running and you fell?"
"No, came from the bar." I said.
From there he was able to get names of my friends and went in the bar to let them know I fell down.
Next thing I know, I'm escorted back inside, told to sit down and handed an ice pack for my face. Talk among my friends about taking me to the ER and having my head checked out and realizing I did something incredibly stupid, I started crying and kept apologizing for ruining everyone's evening.
I just wanted to go home and nurse my wounds but my friend took me to the ER anyway. We checked in and sat around for an hour waiting. The nurse came by and took my blood pressure and temperature. The doc took a look at me, asked a couple questions and decided a CT scan was in order since I landed on my face and head. There were no other scrapes other than on my face and knees which means I fell face first onto the concrete. And the left side at that. The one I tend to favor to break my falls.
The nurse returned and handed me a bright yellow wrist band with the words "Fall Risk" and a pair of yellow socks.
Apparently, there's a whole color coded system that hospitals use with patients who are prone to falling in the hospital to reduce error in patient care. They are: white for patient identification, purple for do not resuscitate, red for allergy and yellow for fall risk. I'm glad the nurse didn't give me a pair of purple socks and purple wrist band.
Again, we waited and waited and I took a bathroom break. When I returned, the nurse gave me a cup and asked for a urine sample. What? I told her I just used the restroom and why didn't she ask me earlier. She forgot. So, I drank copious amounts of water and handed her my sample. Then more waiting before finally being wheeled out to the CT room. The CT was completed and I was wheeled back. More waiting around for the results. The nurse took my blood pressure again (90 over 53) and told me that I must either be really fit or suffer from hypertension. I told her my heart rate can drop to 43 when I'm in a deep sleep so I'm likely just very fit. Of course, I didn't mention that I get dizzy and faint sometimes when I stand up too fast or go from light to dark environments and vice versa.
The doc returned with the results, a copy of my CT, and I was allowed to go home. I should receive a Darwin award. Between falling off my bike and landing on my face, tripping up and rolling a computer cart over my ankle, falling off a curb while opening my car door, walking into a pole while walking my dog, banging my shoulder into a door frame I didn't see, falling on my knees down the bart escalators while trying to catch a train, and smacking my face with a tree branch, this incident takes the prize. Not only do I have a hospital wrist band that says "Fall Risk" (which I plan to wear often) but I also have one that lists my DOB and ADM as the same day. Lucky me.
Today, my nose and left cheek is sore and red from the scraped up raw skin and my neck is stiff. And I'm still hungry and dehydrated.
Yesterday was my birthday. I had no plans other than to go to work then track practice after. The same thing I do most Wednesdays. But since it was my birthday and my friends wanted to treat me for a drink, I obliged.
At the pub, I had my first shot of Patron and spent the better part of the hour socializing and sipping my Stella slowly. Then another round of shots and I downed my second one. At this point, I already had a good buzz going. It's time to stop but I got caught up in the moment and had one last shot for the night. The last shot gave me the hiccups. On an empty stomach, hiccups are not good to have.
I don't like hiccups. They hurt especially after a core workout that left my stomach muscles sore. And what do I usually do to rid myself of hiccups? I hold my breath. Generally this works for me but I had trouble doing so in the bar so I excused myself and headed outside for a little fresh air.
I sat on the bench outside and held my breath. This is where things are not too clear. I was groggy and awoke on the concrete while several people were asking me questions if I was okay. I don't remember much other than hearing a woman say that I fell off the bench and landed on my head.
I was able to get up and sit on the bench but my head and face was throbbing and I couldn't open my eyes. I kept touching the left side of my face and wondering if I broke the same bones I had surgery on nearly a year ago.
One guy to the right of me kept asking me questions about where I was, what I remember, and if I knew what happened. The conversation went something like this..
"Do you know where you are?" he asked.
"The city", I said.
"Which city?"
"The city", I repeated.
Realizing that the question was going nowhere, he asked, "What's your name? Do you know your name?"
"uh, my head hurts." I said.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Eileen." I mumbled.
"Where did you come from? Were you running and you fell?"
"No, came from the bar." I said.
From there he was able to get names of my friends and went in the bar to let them know I fell down.
Next thing I know, I'm escorted back inside, told to sit down and handed an ice pack for my face. Talk among my friends about taking me to the ER and having my head checked out and realizing I did something incredibly stupid, I started crying and kept apologizing for ruining everyone's evening.
I just wanted to go home and nurse my wounds but my friend took me to the ER anyway. We checked in and sat around for an hour waiting. The nurse came by and took my blood pressure and temperature. The doc took a look at me, asked a couple questions and decided a CT scan was in order since I landed on my face and head. There were no other scrapes other than on my face and knees which means I fell face first onto the concrete. And the left side at that. The one I tend to favor to break my falls.
The nurse returned and handed me a bright yellow wrist band with the words "Fall Risk" and a pair of yellow socks.
Apparently, there's a whole color coded system that hospitals use with patients who are prone to falling in the hospital to reduce error in patient care. They are: white for patient identification, purple for do not resuscitate, red for allergy and yellow for fall risk. I'm glad the nurse didn't give me a pair of purple socks and purple wrist band.
Again, we waited and waited and I took a bathroom break. When I returned, the nurse gave me a cup and asked for a urine sample. What? I told her I just used the restroom and why didn't she ask me earlier. She forgot. So, I drank copious amounts of water and handed her my sample. Then more waiting before finally being wheeled out to the CT room. The CT was completed and I was wheeled back. More waiting around for the results. The nurse took my blood pressure again (90 over 53) and told me that I must either be really fit or suffer from hypertension. I told her my heart rate can drop to 43 when I'm in a deep sleep so I'm likely just very fit. Of course, I didn't mention that I get dizzy and faint sometimes when I stand up too fast or go from light to dark environments and vice versa.
The doc returned with the results, a copy of my CT, and I was allowed to go home. I should receive a Darwin award. Between falling off my bike and landing on my face, tripping up and rolling a computer cart over my ankle, falling off a curb while opening my car door, walking into a pole while walking my dog, banging my shoulder into a door frame I didn't see, falling on my knees down the bart escalators while trying to catch a train, and smacking my face with a tree branch, this incident takes the prize. Not only do I have a hospital wrist band that says "Fall Risk" (which I plan to wear often) but I also have one that lists my DOB and ADM as the same day. Lucky me.
Today, my nose and left cheek is sore and red from the scraped up raw skin and my neck is stiff. And I'm still hungry and dehydrated.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
after work run
After work, I drove to Lake Merced for my second to last run before Sunday’s race. I parked and did my usual 4.61 mile loop as quickly as possible. This was supposed to be a leasurely run but I always end up going faster than I planned. A third of the way around the lake, I passed a dark haired guy in t-shirt and shorts listening to his ipod. When I got to the halfway point, the southern edge of the lake, I saw the same guy that I passed earlier in front of me. Apparently, he cut across the bridge and shortened his running distance by a half mile. Eventually I caught up to him and as I’m about to pass, he kicks it into high gear, huffing and puffing to get ahead. WTF? Was this guy serious? Last I checked this wasn’t a race but I guess he didn’t want me to pass him twice. So, I picked up the pace and we’re running neck and neck except I’m not wheezing. I wasn’t going to exert all my energy just to pass a guy that feels a need to beat me when I ran an extra half mile and still managed to catch up to him. So, I let him sprint to the parking lot where I could just imagine his ego was self inflating. Then he stopped to walk! And I ran past. That guy has no endurance whatsoever.
I don’t know why some men feel a need to do that. It happens during races, on training runs, wherever. My girlfriends all have the same story..so and so didn’t want me to pass so he sprinted ahead only to slow down and then he got all pissed off that I beat him to the finish line. But not without having some excuse for his bad performance like “oh, my leg cramped up” or “I biked 40 miles earlier” or some stupid reason to justify why he was beaten by a girl. So damn annoying…
I don’t know why some men feel a need to do that. It happens during races, on training runs, wherever. My girlfriends all have the same story..so and so didn’t want me to pass so he sprinted ahead only to slow down and then he got all pissed off that I beat him to the finish line. But not without having some excuse for his bad performance like “oh, my leg cramped up” or “I biked 40 miles earlier” or some stupid reason to justify why he was beaten by a girl. So damn annoying…
Monday, July 13, 2009
pains of being too late
As usual, my timing is way off. This seems to happen to me quite often lately.
Pains of Being Pure at Heart are sold out at Rickshaw and I had sent out an email last week to friends about it. Now I have to tell a bunch of my peeps that it's a no go. Sad face..
Pains of Being Pure at Heart are sold out at Rickshaw and I had sent out an email last week to friends about it. Now I have to tell a bunch of my peeps that it's a no go. Sad face..
Saturday, July 11, 2009
chinese medicine goodness
While perusing through the kitchen cabinet that stores the family drugs, I came across a box of wholesome Chinese medicine. The box looked a bit old ($2.99 price tag on bottom) and unused but when I opened it to see what herbal goodies were inside, I found only two 10ml vials when once there were six. Someone in this family was taking this stuff.
To my surprise, this medicine came from the Guangzhou Pangoushou Pharmaceutical Factory. My grandparents originated from Guangzhou which must mean that we purchased this for a reason. Besides all the chinese characters on the box that I can't read, the English translation on the back read as follows:
"SHEDAN CHUANBEI YE is prepared with Snake's biles and Fritillariae. It is a traditional prescription for the treatment of cough. It has been clinically verified by Guangdong Province Chinese Traditional Hospital, Guangzhou second Hospital and five other hospitals that this preparation has a remarkable effect for the treatment of symptoms such as sputum, cough, panting and chest oppresssion caused by trachitis, bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. The total effective rate is 96.8% with the remarkable effective rate of 76.8%....It was awarded medals of Achievements of Technical Exploitation by Guangdong Province and of Great Technical Progress Contribution by Guangzhou City in 1984 and 1985 as well as the medal of Superior Quality Product by Guangdong Province in 1986."
So I opened a vial and downed one like a liquor shot before proceeding to cough it back up. The snake's bile ended up coating my mouth and I had to wash it down with water. Let's see if I go into a coma in the next 24 hours. At least someone who reads this blog will know exactly what I took and can tell my doctor.
To my surprise, this medicine came from the Guangzhou Pangoushou Pharmaceutical Factory. My grandparents originated from Guangzhou which must mean that we purchased this for a reason. Besides all the chinese characters on the box that I can't read, the English translation on the back read as follows:
"SHEDAN CHUANBEI YE is prepared with Snake's biles and Fritillariae. It is a traditional prescription for the treatment of cough. It has been clinically verified by Guangdong Province Chinese Traditional Hospital, Guangzhou second Hospital and five other hospitals that this preparation has a remarkable effect for the treatment of symptoms such as sputum, cough, panting and chest oppresssion caused by trachitis, bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. The total effective rate is 96.8% with the remarkable effective rate of 76.8%....It was awarded medals of Achievements of Technical Exploitation by Guangdong Province and of Great Technical Progress Contribution by Guangzhou City in 1984 and 1985 as well as the medal of Superior Quality Product by Guangdong Province in 1986."
So I opened a vial and downed one like a liquor shot before proceeding to cough it back up. The snake's bile ended up coating my mouth and I had to wash it down with water. Let's see if I go into a coma in the next 24 hours. At least someone who reads this blog will know exactly what I took and can tell my doctor.
Mission Creek
Mission Creek Arts and Music Fest is nearly upon us! Why didn't I realize this before? Cause I'm sick and I need someone to teach me how to spit out phlegm. I'm doing a bad job of it and it's grossing me out.
Anyway, back to Mission Creek. I love this festival because they promote local musicians, artists, writers, designers and filmmakers us common folk haven't come across before. The music does lean toward the folksy/jazz side but that's all right. I'm usually more interested in checking out the poetry/readings and short films. Joy! I'll have to figure out how to schedule my lack of free time next week for this.
Anyway, back to Mission Creek. I love this festival because they promote local musicians, artists, writers, designers and filmmakers us common folk haven't come across before. The music does lean toward the folksy/jazz side but that's all right. I'm usually more interested in checking out the poetry/readings and short films. Joy! I'll have to figure out how to schedule my lack of free time next week for this.
Monday, July 6, 2009
fatigued
I'm way behind on my posts but whatever. I think I'm coming down with a cold. I was fine Saturday but now I have this awful, itchy scratchy sore throat and light-headedness that comes and goes in waves. If it goes away in a week, I'll have a very clear idea where I got it from since this has happened before...
Friday, June 5, 2009
ack! what have I been doing?
okay, I'm a little behind here.
In a nutshell..
1) Finished off the Spring semester @ City in a frazzled rush
2) Left for Europe the following day
3) Explored Paris and attended my friend's wedding
4) Flew to Spain; explored Madrid before overnighting it by train to Barcelona. Night train was an adventure with a screaming baby and middle-aged women yelling at me in Spanish
5) Explored Barcelona off little sleep, no showering and lots of cafe con leches
6) Primavera Fest! Need I say more?
7) Returned home 30 hrs later for work the next day, bug-eyed and just as frazzled
8) Prepping for the start of TNT Summer, dodgeball, and triathlon training.
9) Officially back in the swing of things.
And my flat is still not habitable for another three months..
In a nutshell..
1) Finished off the Spring semester @ City in a frazzled rush
2) Left for Europe the following day
3) Explored Paris and attended my friend's wedding
4) Flew to Spain; explored Madrid before overnighting it by train to Barcelona. Night train was an adventure with a screaming baby and middle-aged women yelling at me in Spanish
5) Explored Barcelona off little sleep, no showering and lots of cafe con leches
6) Primavera Fest! Need I say more?
7) Returned home 30 hrs later for work the next day, bug-eyed and just as frazzled
8) Prepping for the start of TNT Summer, dodgeball, and triathlon training.
9) Officially back in the swing of things.
And my flat is still not habitable for another three months..
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Child sitting for the busy parent
Put your kid in a hamster ball then go off and do your own thing.
Apparently, a child care center will soon open in San Mateo with these hamster balls for children. Only the overworked Chinese would think of such a thing.
Apparently, a child care center will soon open in San Mateo with these hamster balls for children. Only the overworked Chinese would think of such a thing.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tax Day!
It's Tax Day and what better way to celebrate the deadline to pay the government more of our hard earned money than arriving to work and walking on squishy carpet down the hallway to my cube only to find out that there was a sewage backup in my building last night.
Joy. I would post photos but A)I don't want to gross anyone out and, B) my gag reflex is not working too well after breathing in the bleach and lysol building management used to "clean" the poop stained carpet this morning.
Joy. I would post photos but A)I don't want to gross anyone out and, B) my gag reflex is not working too well after breathing in the bleach and lysol building management used to "clean" the poop stained carpet this morning.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
in case of an earthquake..
Here's a wonderful Earthquake quiz created by the SF Department of Emergency Management. This is new to me. I didn't even know we had an Emergency Management Dept but I suppose it makes sense given that we leave in EARTHQUAKE County!
So I took this quiz and got all except this one correct. Who remains in bed and puts a pillow over their head as earthquake protection? Not me since I tend to sleep through earthquakes.
See if you can ace this quiz!
So I took this quiz and got all except this one correct. Who remains in bed and puts a pillow over their head as earthquake protection? Not me since I tend to sleep through earthquakes.
See if you can ace this quiz!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
contaminated pistachios
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/31/MN4916PQ9P.DTL
While watching this broadcast on CBS, my family and I were chowing down on a large bag of Costco brand salt and pepper pistachios...
While watching this broadcast on CBS, my family and I were chowing down on a large bag of Costco brand salt and pepper pistachios...
Friday, March 20, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Selling my time for a good cause
Last night was the 4th annual TnT Bachelor/Bachelorette auction, which I volunteered my time to help my friends fundraise for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I was one of the "bachelorettes" auctioned off and fifth in line to stand up on the bar, look pretty, and smile into the surly, drunken crowd below. It was embarrassing, nerve-wracking, and I probably won't do this again.
When my name was called, I made my way to the end of the bar and had trouble getting up there. My dress was a bit too form fitting and I was forced to hike it up. There I stood, making a conscious point to suck in my stomach and not slouch. Starting bid was at $50 and went up in $25 increments. It was over in two minutes. A couple friends bid on me and kept the bidding going but after a point, it died off and I was sold for a solid amount. The date activity I was given was a wine tasting certificate to Beringer's. I'd complain about that but I'll keep my mouth shut and just say the guy that won me with a trip to Beringer's got a very raw deal.
When my name was called, I made my way to the end of the bar and had trouble getting up there. My dress was a bit too form fitting and I was forced to hike it up. There I stood, making a conscious point to suck in my stomach and not slouch. Starting bid was at $50 and went up in $25 increments. It was over in two minutes. A couple friends bid on me and kept the bidding going but after a point, it died off and I was sold for a solid amount. The date activity I was given was a wine tasting certificate to Beringer's. I'd complain about that but I'll keep my mouth shut and just say the guy that won me with a trip to Beringer's got a very raw deal.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Solan is not "elderly"
Yesterday was Solan's birthday. He turned 7 years old which I suppose would translate to 49 dog years. In preparation for his big day which consisted of nothing special, I took Solan to PetFoodExpress for his monthly wash. He was not happy about this. If anything, he was displeased with me but did not fight me probably because there were so many dogs getting baths that same day also.
One of the store workers asked me how old Solan is and when I told him, he said Solan just entered the "elderly" stage of life. My dog doesn't look "elderly". He might have a little white hairs on his chin and around his ears, but he's still as fit and full of energy as a young two year old. I mean, look at the picture above! Full of LIFE!
Elderly is not Solan. Far from it. He's an adult dog with premature aging. Solan is like Anderson Cooper, the CNN news anchor..hair turning white prematurely but still very active. And I'm sure Solan is gay also.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
numbness
It is exactly five months to the day of my "reconstructive" surgery and my left cheek STILL feels like someone shot me up with too high a dose of Novocaine. Ugh, nerve damage sucks. My friend thinks I should look on the bright side. If someone slaps me across the left cheek, it won't sting so much as tingle...sort of like a brain freeze after slurping down a large iced mocha frappuchino in five seconds. Wonderful.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
oh, drat...
I'm taking a couple courses at City to get back into student mode and see if I can hack it before I consider applying to grad school. It's only been three weeks and I'm already behind in one class. I completely missed a class exercise deadline because I thought the work wasn't due until next Monday. Oh, well. Only 8 points lost out of 500 to earn.
Where's my priorities? I need to re-organize my social calendar and stop going out so often.. :(
Where's my priorities? I need to re-organize my social calendar and stop going out so often.. :(
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
what was that about?
While riding Bart this morning on my way to work, the train exits the underground tunnel between Balboa and Glen Park and travels along side the 280 freeway. I was standing, facing the freeway when I see this guy in the passenger seat of a pickup truck raise his hand and give us all the finger before speeding along ahead of the train.
I think I was the only one that noticed that guy giving us all the bird. Nice way to start my work day.
I think I was the only one that noticed that guy giving us all the bird. Nice way to start my work day.
Monday, January 12, 2009
my first "reading"
I've always wanted my future read by a palm reader/fortune teller/prophet/whatever and last night I had my first "reading".
I was at Cafe du Nord to support my friend's band and met several of his friends there. Everyone was pleasant and friendly especially one particular woman. She seemed to know everyone in the group and talked a mile a minute; very high energy and in overdrive..all the time.
Without actually getting to know me or ask me specific questions other than "are you single?" I must have had my "humor me cause I'm a skeptic" game face on because she decided to give me my first reading regarding my future dating life.
She told me that dating is not a numbers game for me (true, only because I exhausted that option last year); that I'm very knowledgeable in a lot of subjects and have a lot of interests hence why I get along with a variety of different people (true); that the reason I get asked out a lot is that I always put myself out there (FALSE! I rarely get asked out despite going out often); that I need to find someone who's quirky (that's just another way of saying "odd, socially inept, and lives in a trailer park with pet rats"); and that I should just enjoy the journey and that person whoever it might be will eventually find me if I stop trying so hard. Did I look desperate?
After her explanation, I suddenly felt like the air was sucked out of my body. It was as though she told me that I'm in a non-categorized group and there's not a single soul out there that would be a decent match and I should look elsewhere like another planet or something but there is hope if I just wait. Oh, and she suggested I spend more time with my girlfriends. Huh? I didn't understand that comment.
I was at Cafe du Nord to support my friend's band and met several of his friends there. Everyone was pleasant and friendly especially one particular woman. She seemed to know everyone in the group and talked a mile a minute; very high energy and in overdrive..all the time.
Without actually getting to know me or ask me specific questions other than "are you single?" I must have had my "humor me cause I'm a skeptic" game face on because she decided to give me my first reading regarding my future dating life.
She told me that dating is not a numbers game for me (true, only because I exhausted that option last year); that I'm very knowledgeable in a lot of subjects and have a lot of interests hence why I get along with a variety of different people (true); that the reason I get asked out a lot is that I always put myself out there (FALSE! I rarely get asked out despite going out often); that I need to find someone who's quirky (that's just another way of saying "odd, socially inept, and lives in a trailer park with pet rats"); and that I should just enjoy the journey and that person whoever it might be will eventually find me if I stop trying so hard. Did I look desperate?
After her explanation, I suddenly felt like the air was sucked out of my body. It was as though she told me that I'm in a non-categorized group and there's not a single soul out there that would be a decent match and I should look elsewhere like another planet or something but there is hope if I just wait. Oh, and she suggested I spend more time with my girlfriends. Huh? I didn't understand that comment.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I have a "sexy" job
According to a Careerbuilding.com writer on MSN, my job has more sex appeal than even I imagined..
From 10 Sexy Careers..
"....if power is sexy, then these men and women probably outrank everyone. Whether you're low on the totem pole or an executive, if you can't open your e-mail account or figure out why your monitor is flickering, you call IT. In many offices, IT workers have the most lax dress code of all the departments, so you can't help but envy them."
From 10 Sexy Careers..
"....if power is sexy, then these men and women probably outrank everyone. Whether you're low on the totem pole or an executive, if you can't open your e-mail account or figure out why your monitor is flickering, you call IT. In many offices, IT workers have the most lax dress code of all the departments, so you can't help but envy them."
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
working in a freezer box
Wearing my scarf, coat and mittens, I am shivering in my office. It's like working in the freezer of a grocery store. The building AC didn't work yesterday and everyone was cold. Today, building maintenance turned the AC on and it's warm and toasty everywhere else except in the IT room, where cool air is spewing out of the vents. It's as though the AC is taking all the cold air from every floor and every suite and blowing it right into our room.
My coworkers and I complained all morning and maintenance arrived for the fourth time to turn our thermastat to 85. I'm just starting to thaw now.
My coworkers and I complained all morning and maintenance arrived for the fourth time to turn our thermastat to 85. I'm just starting to thaw now.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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