Friday, May 30, 2008

When you least expect it

I get along with most people on a surface level, even those whose flaky nature or ADD cause me to avoid delving deeper. There are a few of those types here--perfectly nice and likable characters who just happen to be flaky or have the attention span of a gnat or try to be cute when I'm sooo not in the mood for cute. You know the type. I'm not outwardly mean to them on a regular basis, but I tend to be short with them or brusque.

Today, I had a huge project to undertake that involved lots of heavy lifting, tedious counting, consolidating, rearranging and restocking in the storage room. There are four of us who use that storage room and I sent an email yesterday asking for help, especially from the people who use it on a regular basis since they should have a say in how the stock gets arranged. Three of the four people who came to help me fit the aforementioned category of co-workers. These are ladies to whom I know I have been a complete bitch in the past. The fourth helper was a guy with whom I have a friendly relationship and who always helps, no matter what.

So, now I feel like an ass and a total bitch for having been mean to them in the past and for not giving them a chance just because they may have caught me on a bad day. These ladies kicked ass today and really gave it their all. I couldn't have done it without them. I have a whole new respect for them and shall heretofore kick myself the next time I judge someone based on surface levels. After all, I am much more than I project at work; why wouldn't they be too.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

The coolest promotional item to date

I got a package from the company that brought you my incredible bean, Jack. It's a personal fan, but not just any personal fan. This one has four programmable LED messages. It came preprogrammed with "What A Cool Fan." Naturally, it didn't take long for me to figure out how to reprogram it. I filmed it for your viewing pleasure with help from a friend who wished to remain anonymous. (parental advisory) Click here and here for parts one and two (they're only 33 seconds each).

My hair looked awesome

My sinuses are still killing me. I woke up with the worst--WORST--headache ever. It hurt to look at things. I popped some sinus medication and crawled back into bed for 30 minutes. When I finally got up I decided that if I had to go out feeling like crap there was no need to look like crap. I actually spent time on my hair and I have to say, it looked awesome. I should have taken a photo earlier in the day when it was still curly because by the end of the day, the curls had turned to run of the mill waves. I include this photo, taken in the Ladies Room of Horrors, not because I look good (Hey Roy, Crazy Eye!), but because damn, my hair is seriously shiny. That's Biosilk, my friends. It smells great, too.Trust me, it looked much better when I left the house. This was taken at 6:00 after I'd been running around all day (and playing with it and flipping it coquettishly when cute boy came in). Also, my face? Do yourself a favor and DON'T look at this up close. Ugh--no lipstick (sorry, Ellen) and flaky mascara.


For the curious, here's a bean update: I had to move it from the window the week before last because the sun was too intense and was burning the leaves. Plus, we had no A/C for a few days and I really needed to lower the blinds. I moved Jack to the bookcase and he seems happy among my toys.

Monday, May 26, 2008

I think I'll MEME while I wait for the swelling to go down

My Sinuses are still killing me. My face is still puffy and my eyes hurt. I can't think and I have nothing interesting to impart. Anne-Marie tagged me for this meme, so here it goes.
Rules:
The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. Ten years ago

I was working at Tower Records on Sunset (the store) and Laemmle Sunset 5 theatres (also on Sunset). I was also attending Santa Monica College studying Journalism and living with my friend Tami.

2. Five things on today's "to do" list (in no particular order)
Move my car 'cause it's street cleaning day, finish sweater for Jaclyn's baby, start birthday gift for my Cancerian friend, sleep, curse fate for making me sick on my day off.

3. Snacks I enjoy
Pretzels, fruit, Twizzlers, those Asian crunchy things that I don't have a name for, anything gummy.

4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire
Pay off my debt, give my family money, help Tami pay her medical bills....wait, do I only have one million? Oh, sure it sounds like a lot until you start adding things up.

5. Places I have lived
East Stroudsburg, PA
Stroudsburg, PA (I'm stretching it, but still two different towns)
Kunkletown, PA
Los Angeles, CA


Who will I tag?
Monkeygurrrrl (if only to get her to blog again)
Annika
Oh, and anyone else who feels like sharing.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Illin' with my gnomies

I'm sick. I woke up with it yesterday--a sinusy feeling with scratchy throat. I chalked it up to sleeping on the sofa exposed to the night air. It got worse as the day progress and I did nothing but sleep all day yesterday. Yes, after I got the mail, I went to bed and slept, and woke up long enough to read a chapter in the book I've been trying to read for a month now, then sleep again. I woke up this morning and my face was swollen with sinus pressure. I think I actually shrieked at the reflection in the mirror. It's not me. My face hurts like I was punched hard. My throat hurts, too. I can feel every swallow acutely. Yet, I'm craving chips and guacamole from Baja Fresh. Go figure.

As I sit here, reading blogs and writing my own, there are strange noises coming from above*. Sounds I've never heard before; creaking floor boards and such. The gnomes are restless. Maybe they'll make me soup and tea if I let them watch television. Just keep the volume down, guys. I'm trying to sleep in here.

Why do I only get sick on the weekends when I already have the day off?

*Those unfamiliar with my apartment should note that I am the top most apartment and therefore do not have an above, although I believe there is a mystery attic to which none of us have access where gnomes live--and hack into my electric supply and possibly steal my liquor.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Best intentions get you a night on the sofa

I fully intended to post last night when I got home. I had a great post title, too. You see, I had a hectic day yesterday. I was given an "OMG, This is so urgent" project at 10am which was very much an all day thing and included things such as turning documents into PDFs and whatnot. Oh, and it all had to be in the mail by the final pick up (4pm). One more thing, some of the information was coming from an outside source, so I was waiting on that too. In the midst of this super urgent project, I was given an "OMFG, This is even more super urgent" project--at 12:40--which had to be received via email by the intended recipient NO LATER THAN 1:00pm!! This one involved scanning many documents and finding photos and attaching them in an email, then having to go back and make that many emails because the first one was too large to send or receive. In 20 minutes!! I made it, of course, because I'm nothing if not awesome.

So, yesterday was filled with me running back and forth to the printer, running down the hall to the gal who has a scanner and commandeering her computer, running to the front desk to say I'll be late, running back to my office--oh yeah, that's a lot of running in the halls. Fortunately, it was casual Friday and I was in my comfortable garb (jeans, t-shirt, Chucks), so running wasn't a problem. Lunch? HA! Lunch is for sissies. It also featured a whole lot of "Laur, could you..." "Ask me after 4:00!!!"

I got home and needed an adult beverage but wasn't in the mood for a mixed cocktail or wine. Unfortunately, the only beer I had in my fridge was leftover from The Roy's visit last July. It tasted like shit but did it's job of dulling my overactive brain and allowed me to chill on the sofa with the iPod. It started at Mudhouse (Bob Schneider) and I didn't make it past Mumbo Jumbo (Squeeze), which was the second song. I remember vaguely thinking I had the pod on shuffle and realizing it was playing alphabetically, but then nothing. Until 10am--today. At some point I had turned off the music and put the pod on the coffee table. I woke up because the mail arrived and the carrier was making much noise trying to stuff it all in my box (dirty) which is all the way downstairs. It was all ads but hey! I got a package waiting for me at the ol' post office!! Sweet!

Now I'm cold. It feels like a chicken soup kind of day.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Nature's Carwash

Alternate title: I saw Indiana Jones last night and I'm so tired now.

My car is dirty--so dirty I may get pulled over for having tinted windows. So, when the rain began to pour today, I thought "aha, I'll pull my car over to the open part of the parking deck and let the rain rinse off much of the dirt." However, because it's Mess With Laurie Ann Day, as soon as Jamie was out from under the sheltered portion of the parking deck, the rain, which had been practically torrential, suddenly died down to a light shower. Heck, it was barely a drizzle. And by the time I rode the elevator down four floors to the lobby, the sun was shining. Rats!

As stated, I was one of those people who went to the movies at Midnight to be the first to see the new Indiana Jones movie. I won't give anything away. I did enjoy it and was appropriately nerdy at all the right parts. There were a million trailers (okay, probably more like 6-8), including one for Hellboy II which looked awesome. The one that was kind of, well, ew factor, was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button . I never read the F. Scott Fitzgerald story on which this is based, but basically it's about a man who was born as an old man and gets younger. All along the way, he keeps running into his true love* at various ages, she getting older while he's getting younger. At one perfect moment, they are the same age (or thereabouts, as seen in the trailer). This is all well and good until he's a child and she's an old lady and they're walking hand-in-hand and she kisses him. Yes, on the surface, nothing creepy. Then I thought about it--they are in love. That's not just a child, it's her lover, or at least he was when he was an appropriate age. Yep, creepy and then some. Oh, and Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button for at least part of the film. Now, I know Brad's over 40, but he could pass for 36 easily. Why then is there a separate actor playing Benjamin at 36. Curious, indeed.


*I just read the short story and that is not part of it. Yes, at work. That's how I roll.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Look Away! I'm hideous!!

What do you get when you combine an extra hot weekend with sensitive skin? HEAT RASH!! Woo Hoo!! And just for kicks, let's put it right on my chest and neck so there is no freakin' way to cover it up save a turtle neck (in May? Hickies anyone?). Nope, I just have to leave my ample, yet rash-covered, bosom exposed for all to see (and point and laugh and call me unclean).

Save yourselves. Look away. It's not pretty.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Doing my part

The Gub'ment gave me money and, being a solid American, I went forth to boost the economy.
I didn't spend it all on what I REALLY wanted because for $200 less I could get what I want and still be responsible and pay some bills like my ginormous student loan payment that just came due.
So, instead of getting an iPhone so I could combine my technology and have step-by-step directions to anywhere, I got this:It has 8GB and is tiny and pink and cute, unlike that iPhone which is not wee and not pink, and therefore not cute.

Then I spent the better part of my Sunday uploading all my favorite CDs and I still have like 5.5GB left. Woo Hoo!

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Is it Saturday or Sun Day

Holy Hot!! SPF 70 was no match for good ol' California sunshine. My eyelids got a sunburn. And my ears. And my nose. And my cheeks (on the bones). I also got a funky tan on my feet thanks to my Keds Mary Janes. I am exhausted. See you on Monday!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Thursday before the day before THE DAY

There will be no knitting for me tonight. I have a meeting tomorrow at 8:00am, then an event tomorrow afternoon (3:30pm at Karma Coffeehouse in Hollywood--come by to see some stellar photography). Then, Saturday, we have a HUGE event--a carnival of sorts to say Thanks to the parents and community members who support after school programs throughout the year. I'm up to my eyeballs in last minute things and trying to remember what I've surely forgotten. Wouldn't it be great to have a flash drive for your brain?

Have a great Weekend if I don't check in sooner.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Feeling Wednesday, Looking Pugsley

I could look cuter today. I wasn't feeling the love of hair products this morning so the mop is being held at bay by a thin hairband. The makeup, what little I wear, is adequate--only two coats of mascara so the eyelashes are not all they could be. Despite this, I'm feeling fine. Cute offsite employee (who is seriously young--I feel dirty just glancing at him) is here today for a meeting. mmmm...


Oh, but where was I? Oh, yeah. I am Procrastination Jones today. I have a lot of filing to do, which I promised would be done before tomorrow, and I haven't even started it. My horoscope was on target this morning with its "Everything that happens seems to be another enticing distraction that prevents you from meeting your obligations" and "demonstrate your ability to come through for someone who matters or there could be trouble later on". Darn you, Astrologer du jour. How you make me feel guilty for surfing yarn sites and blogs a-plenty. A girl has needs--needs that involve finding reasonably priced bamboo yarn for a project.


The bright spot in my day has been Tater, Sarah-Jane's puppy, who followed her to work (okay, she picked him up and brought him to work). He's the cutest little fluffball in existence. See for yourself.

Good thing I'm wearing brown today, since I am now covered in dog hair. How could I resist?

Monday, May 12, 2008

A Happy Monday to you all

This should be suitably rambly since my mind is not exactly focusing on anything today. So....
I'm sitting at the front desk today so that the usual gal (I'm the unusual gal) could get her car fixed. I brought my knitting since her computer has Windows Vista, which sucks, and I can't get work done with folks traipsing in and out all day. It's been pretty productive since the project I'm on is relatively repetitive.

I was talking to my Mom yesterday (you knew that) and she was telling me about my 9 1/2 year old nephew which somehow led to a discussion of television and the whole digital TV thing. I told her I was boycotting the whole digital revolution because, frankly, I think it's bullshit that I have to buy a converter to get "free" TV. Besides, I'll probably be happier without it and maybe even get to bed at a decent hour. So Mom in her typically subtle way said, "Yeah, think of what you'll get done--more reading, more knitting....more housekeeping." Really Mom? Have you met me?
I told her as much and countered with, "A mother can dream, can't she?" Dream on, Joanie.

I have fallen in love with the work of Edward Monkton. I found him via Google's artist themed homepages (check 'em out. There are some cool new ones.) I think I have found my next tattoo, although I won't tell you which one. It'll be a surprise. You can probably guess if you know me. You can also order greeting cards here, which are priced for the UK, but worth the rate of exchange in my opinion.

Well, look at the time. My how time flies when you're knitting and flirting with adorable offsite employees who only come in once a week but who have the cutest dimples ever. See ya!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Sleep All Day

Is it wrong that all I wanted to do this weekend was sleep? I didn't, mind you, but it was quite an effort to actually rise, let alone shine. I attended a choral concert yesterday in San Gabriel. There's nothing more adorable than little kids singing no matter how off key. I fell in love with a little boy whose group was singing "Mr. Sandman" who had perfect jazz hands and the little guy from the "Under The Sea" group who gave the audience finger guns and a wink before they started. It was all too adorable and funny. Shout out to Jason who sat behind me. How do I know the boy's name? Because throughout the performances I heard "Jason, shhh." "Jason, not now." "Jason, stop that." "Jason, quit bugging her." "Jason, do you want to go outside?" Um, hells yeah, he does.

Today, I had no obligations save a call to my mom at some point in the day. I called her at 8:30pm Eastern, which (do the math) was 5:30pm here in the 'wood. Yep, I slept all day...well, until 4:30ish. And it felt good. So there.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Blissfully uneventful

Today was a very easy and productive day. I need more of these and less yesterdays.
There was even eye candy (in the form of one really hot surfer). Oh, yeah, and there will be knitting tonight. I do love me some Thursday.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

For the Twitterless--a continually updated Wednesday Post

You'll hate me by the end of the day, but here we go.
7:00am--woke up late. Had "Godspell" on the brain thanks to somebody's husband who titled a post "Turn Back, O Man," so I had to listen to the soundtrack to get it out of my head. Also had to wash my hair today and, because Board members will be here this afternoon, I had to style it.
8:29am--Left the house. Did it rain last night/this morning? The ground seems wet but Jamie is bone dry and dirty as ever. I'll park in the open today at work in case we get more drizzle. I'm clearly too lazy to actually wash my car.
8:50am--OMG, what is that sound? It's a scraping but my brakes are fairly new. What did they do to you at the impound lot, Jamie?
9:05am--On my hands and knees in the parking garage is not the way I want to be when perverted co-work drives up. There is a piece of plastic, which I believe is supposed to protect my under carriage, hanging down and scraping when I drive. Yippee!
9:30am--"Laurie, we have a giant event today and we forgot to get stuff. Can we get some promo stuff from you? Now?"
9:40am--"Laurie, can I get into your storage room for the electronics equipment?"
9:41am--"Laurie, we have all these meetings scheduled for days the boss isn't here. Are you aware of that? What were you thinking?"
9:45am-- "Yes, I know the meetings need to be changed. We (the boss and I) are working on it. Yes, I'm aware. It's my freakin' job!!! Yes, I'll get you the damn promo items but you will know I am not happy and you will think twice before doing this again. And you, when I say 'in a minute' I mean give me time to finish my current project before traipsing over there to serve you. It does not mean you should stand in my office trying to be cute and flirty (and married). Get out! I will call you when I'm ready."
9:50am--Went to ladies room to calm down before I killed someone. I need coffee and possibly breakfast.
10:30am--OMG, I forgot to send flowers to this lady last week!! Crap!! Maybe I can send them today and no one will notice.
10:45am--Bank of America, You Suck! Thanks for ripping out BOTH ATMs today. Thanks for your $2 fee for actually coming into the bank to conduct transactions. Thank you, Branch Manager, for not being able to waive that $2 fee even though I have no choice but to go inside for cash because you ripped out both ATMs. Dicks!
11:00am--Jeepers, Lady, would you call me back so I can confirm this meeting for Friday?
11:10am--Succumbed to the sirens' call of the donuts in the Finance Department. Damn you, cream filled confections.
12:40pm--Holy Moley! I totally forgot about my monthly report meeting with the boss which was scheduled from 12-12:30 today. Oops. I'll have to reschedule. That's what happens when you actual do work.
1:00pm--Finally, peace.
2:00pm--This the meeting on? Is it off? Oh, It's on. I still have to go to Ralphs? Crap.
3:15pm--Back from Ralphs. Very Hungry. Will bitch slap the next person who looks at me cross-eyed. That means you, snotty co-worker who just told me "it's not my job to book meeting rooms" when asked where the meeting that SHE is attending is supposed to be held.
3:30pm--Eating my lunch. Yes, my lunch. A wrap and salad I bought at Ralphs while I was getting stuff for the meeting. Kind of shaky. Hope the feeling passes while everyone still has limbs.
4:30pm--Belly is full. Mood enhanced via chocolate covered orange slices (from Edible Arrangement) which are not as gross as they sound.
4:41pm--Here's hoping the meeting goes long. I'd like to skip out right at 5:00.
4:57pm--Almost there. Talked about new phones with the boys. Should I get a Crackberry or the iPhone? Discuss.
5:04pm--The day is done and I am not wanted for murder. Peace Out!!!

Monday, May 05, 2008

Ridiculous Friday; Even more ridiculous Monday

(Deep breathe and sigh)
To be perfectly honest, as is my Sagittarian nature, this was all my fault and I have no one to blame but myself. I feel like an idiot, which I am, and almost don't want to admit what happened, which I will anyway.

My car registration was past due. You see, Jamie needed a smog check. I didn't think she'd pass with all her engine problems and I didn't have the money to make the necessary repairs. I didn't realize you could pay the registration without the smog check, so I just didn't pay the registration. I park on the street. I got a series of parking tickets. I got pulled over by handsome officers who issued a citation. Still, none of these things seem to convince me that I needed to get my shit together. Because I'm lazy and you know, it's just a pain.

So, the government decided to teach me a lesson and impounded my car. Because I don't have $800 in spare cash handy, I had to get a loan from work. The boys in the finance department have no sense of urgency, so I couldn't leave here until 3:45. I had to go to the DMV, the Department of Transportation, and the impound lot in that order. I figured I could circumvent the DOT by paying my parking tickets online and printing receipts. I figured wrong.

Friday was a bust because traffic sucked and it took Criss (my angel of a friend who shuttled my stupid ass all around town) an hour and a half just to get to Hollywood. So, I woke up bright and early today to do it all. I waited outside the DMV on Cole until they opened. I got in the "Start Here" line and looked for the right forms until a nice (at the DMV??) lady told me it was License and testing only at that location. I had to go to the other DMV on Formosa for registration. Crap. After a short bus ride to Formosa and five minutes at the DMV, Jamie was registered (pending smog check). Another short bus ride later, I was at the tow yard where another nice lady (it's a trend) told me I'd have to go to the DOT after all and get a release form. Crap Crap!

A bus and train ride later, I was at the DOT where I could not find the entrance. Seriously. The sign on Vermont said to "enter on New Hampshire." On New Hampshire, there was only a parking garage, no pedestrian entrance. One must walk up the parking levels to level three to find the entrance to the DOT office. It's a quest. Congratulations, Frodo. Here's your release form. Another two buses, another couple of blocks to walk, and I was at the impound lot, where I paid the fees and got my poor Jamie out of the pokey.

The whole affair took four hours, $7.50 in bus fare and a whole lot more in other fees. I will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever let my registration lapse again. Never. Ever.

Friday, May 02, 2008

Lessons for the Day

1. When you let shit pile up, chances are it will all come crashing down on your head at the least opportune moment.

2. When you walk outside and notice your car is NOT where you left it the night before, there is no way to look casual and you WILL be laughed at by the guy across the street when you say, "Where the f*** is my car?"

3. The LAPD is hiring some really attractive officers lately and if you smile sweetly and look sadly apologetic, you're likely to get better service and sympathy from the hottie in blue.

4. Marry the owner of a tow service. They are making money hand over fist in impound fees and will be able to support me in a manner to which I hope to become accustomed.

A full explanation of my unnecessarily ridiculous Friday will be forthcoming. For now, I have to take care of my shit.