Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

Hello boys and girls! 


Last I checked, it's Thursday!  And you know what that means!!!!!

Shall we begin? 

Ice Cream Man!  

That's pretty much all I have to say about that.  Like clockwork, EVERY SINGLE DAY - rain, sleet, hail, snow - it doesn't matter.  The ice cream man is a helluva lot more reliable than the mail-persons around here.  I think he might be a front for something.  Drug ring?  Maybe.  More likely though, he's a Narc hired by the homeowner's association.  I swear, those people never miss a violation.  If I'm an hour late in getting my trashcan inside?  Nastygram.  Wreath with a red bow up the week after Christmas?  Nastygram.  Friend parked on the curb?  Nastygram (and sometimes a big sticker on their windshield).  Pretty clever when you think about it.  What better way to spy on your friends and neighbors than by selling their kids sugar-laden goods?  

So Much for That Plan!  

Diet?  What diet?  I know I'm not dieting!  Or, at least you'd never know it by what I've consumed in the last 48 hours!  Work trips are kryptonite for dieting.  Corporate Amex + delicious restaurants + tired Kristen = 5,000 calories.  I used up all of my bonus points for the week and then some on several delicious meals.  The good thing?  I'm STILL full, so I think I can skip dinner tonight.  Maybe I'll be able to resist temptation over the weekend, too, since I didn't just whet my appetite, I drenched it... 

Much Too Young to Feel This Damn Old 

I am 32.  You all know this.  However, I am blessed to be able to say that most people never guess a day over 25 - at the oldest.  (Okay, maybe 27 once or twice...)  No wrinkles to speak of and not a grey hair in sight.  And I have one of those "baby" (read, fat) faces that allows me to keep a "youthful glow".  So why am I bitching?  That would be because of the waddle.  No, not this kind of waddle: 

Rather, this kind of waddle: 

As aforementioned, I have a plump face.  But now, I have this THING hanging down where no chin should be!  Hot damn!  I did NOT sign on for this!  

You know I don't post pictures of myself.  For privacy reasons, and because I LOATHE pictures.  But to be fair, please know that I do NOT look like this: 

Or this: 

Or, heaven forbid, this: 

(THANK GOD!!  And for a multitude of reasons!) 

But, I am starting to look a little bit like this: 

So, dear readers, what in the world can I do about it??  Despite my weakness for As-Seen-On-TV exercise equipment, I'm not to the place in my life where I will be pressing "Pay Now" on these items any time soon:

    

(Well... Maybe just that last one...)

But, I am on the lookout for DIY exercises that actually work!  Anybody know of any?  If so, please enlighten me.  (But, no, I do NOT need to hear how the aforementioned break in my diet might be directly correlated with my chicken-chin, thank you very much.  I am well aware.) 

The Moment You've Been Waiting For!!!!

If you look to your right, you'll notice that I am up to 39 followers.  Better, but not best.  Since I am certainly not above bribery and groveling, I have decided that it's time for Musical Musings' VERY FIRST 

That's right!  Free stuff!  WOOT!!!! 

I'm not telling you the details just yet - but know that it will be AWESOME (of course).  So, recruit followers!  When there's fifty of you guys over there, I'll announce the killer prizes and the rules for entry!  (Don't worry, it won't be difficult.)  I know you're on the edges of your seats!

Gee, I hope I Don't Get Fired! 

I was supposed to be at a dinner/awards ceremony this evening.  However, I was out of town for work. So, I had to drive back home rather quickly in order to make it on time.  Note, I did not want to go to the banquet.  They are boring.  On the other hand, I DID want to go to the Coach outlet that's on my way home from the client location.  If people in my state could drive, I would've been able to do both.  However, due to a broken-down tractor trailer, street paving at the most inopportune time imaginable (5:30 pm), and people who can't seem to understand that they post those "Slow Down, Paving Ahead" signs for a reason, my two-hour drive quickly turned to three.  Needless to say, I didn't make it to the banquet.  But, I do now own these: 

  

Assuming I don't get fired for missing the banquet (we weren't getting an award or anything, we just had a table and no butts to go in the seats), I think it was well worth it.  

Alrighty kiddos, with that, I am off.  Hope you've had a fabulous Thursday and are super-psyched for Friday!  

Hasta pasta! 

K$

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

 

TA-DA!  My first installment of Random Thoughts since my return to Bloggy Land!!!  I know you're frickin' thrilled!!!  Don't deny it.  The bizarro workings of my inner-mind are totally kick-ass.

Crash & Burn


Who knew that a side-effect of getting the GREATEST NEWS EVER!!! was total mental shutdown?  Not only can I not concentrate for doody, I feel kinda like hell.  I realized something today: I'm tired.  Like, hella tired.  I've been running on "OMG I have to pass this [insert name of any of a seemingly infinite number of exams here]" adrenaline for over a decade.  The fact that I'm DONE - at least for the foreseeable future - has caused my brain to totally cease functioning.  I stare now.  A lot.  And I feel like I'm going to pass out pretty much all the time.  Boss Man Jr. said tonight - "Why don't you go on home (at 8:15).  You...your eyes look really...uh...tired..." (read - "You look like hammered shit.")  Once this post-o-brilliance is finished, I shall retire for the evening, I think.  (Or, don't think, since I'm apparently not actually capable of doing so...)


Dude, that's sick.


Someone had the bright idea of ripping up our floors in our BRAND NEW building at work, so the elevator banks are closed on my floor and I've been working on the floor below mine this week. (No, not because I'm too lazy to take the stairs.  Because there wasn't room on our floor.  Stop judging.)  That means I'm sitting amongst a totally new set of people that I never see and didn't even know existed.  A pleasant bunch overall, with one rather nasty exception.  THREE TIMES I have heard women leave the bathroom without washing their hands.  Seriously, people.  How old are you?  Learn about hygiene, PLEASE.  If not for yourself, then for your appalled co-workers.  Signed - "I can hear you!"


Not Every Actor Can (or Should) Sing...


Glee rocks.  American Idol showcases actual singing talent.  Grey's Anatomy, though?  I have a very hard time believing tonight's musical episode will be anything but tragic - and not in a good way.  Yes, yes, I understand that the episode is over by now, but I will only be catching it by virtue of my blessed DVR this weekend.  (I have too many episodes of Y&R to catch up on tonight.)  Gotta say, though - the musical episode has been done.  Sometimes well, and sometimes not so much.  It's a tired concept.  While Buffy the Vampire Slayer NAILED IT, I can't really think of another instance in which this deviation from the norm marked anything other than a show's impending demise.  I'm interested to see the general reaction to tonight's display of actor versatility (or lack thereof), and I would love to hear your comments.  I'll weigh in after I catch up this weekend.  










Man, do I love me some Spike!

And Wow, Do You People Love You Some Baby Beauty Queens!

Blogger has made some changes during my hiatus.  For example, I'm super-thrilled to see the "Stats" tab!  Sweet!  I stalk my readers via SiteMeter and BlogPatrol, but now Blogger has made it incredibly easy to monitor your traffic!  Two things I've learned thanks to the Stats tab: 

(1) I need more readers in a MAJOR way.  I mean, c'mon!  I know I'll never be a Chicken or a Cheeseboy or a Hyperbole, but I'm at least kinda funny, right?  (Please say yes - my fragile ego can't take any more rejection.)  So - to all my Blogging pals out there - how do you do it?  Any hints?   

(2) My readers REALLY love kiddie pageants.  And I mean really!  Here's a snapshot of my most viewed posts:

Kinda sad, I know.  But patheticness aside, check out the top post!  1,680 views of the March 2, 2010 episode of Trash Talk.  Wow!  Now, I know my analysis of the kiddie pageant circuit was pure, unadulterated brilliance but, damn!  Maybe I should just devote my blog to covering the local pageant scene.  I bet my followers would increase infinity-fold!  (PS - In third place is the follow-up to the original pageant post, and coming in second is my rant on Jodie Sweetin.  Go figure...)

Necesito Practicar Mi Espanol - In a MAJOR Way

Not sure if any of you know this, but I have a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish. (Yeah, I'm weird like that.  Took some classes and just decided I might as well get another degree.  I've got problems.  But, then, you probably figured that out already...)  And, honestly?  I'm appalled to admit that to you.  Not because I don't think Spanish is a perfectly fantastic major and an incredibly useful language, but rather because I don't remember a damn word of it.  This was made abundantly clear to me this evening when the Hispanic maintenance man came by and asked if he should vacuum the conference room in which I was working.  Granted, he wasn't asking me this in Spanish, but he was definitely struggling to get the idea across in English.  I thought to myself, "Gee, how much easier would this be if I could just have this conversation with him in Spanish?"  Then I realized there's no possible way I could do that.  For starters, I can't remember the word for vacuum, much less how to properly conjugate the verb.  That's just sad, folks.  Sad.  I need to get to Spain again tout suite...

Alrighty kiddos - off to bed.  As aforementioned, I'm beat.  Have a fantastic evening and get your friends to read Musical Musings!  Please!  I need readers!  And new friends!  And affirmations!  

Love ya - 

SS

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Follow-Up: Grey's was just as horrible as I thought it would be.  There's always one person who fancies herself a singer, thereby becoming the focus of such a musical episode.  In the Buffy one, it was actually several - Giles, Tara, Spike... But in the Grey's musical, it was Callie.  She was good, but not good enough to warrant subjecting innocent audiences to all the other wretched voices on that show.  And, it added nothing but distraction and confusion to the plot line.  Epic fail, Grey's.  Epic fail.  I look forward to hearing about your now-inevitable cancellation.    

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

Lifestyles of the Terribly Influential 

So, I just came from an awards banquet for my fabulous city.  I know some cool and important people!  Makes me feel cool and important!  A philanthropic family was honored tonight.  They've given MANY millions of dollars to many organizations, projects, and people.  Pretty crazy.  I hope I can be like that one day.    Right now, it's a challenge for me to give a hundred dollars, much less 15 mill!  I got to sit at the table with a bunch of partners from my firm.  I was the lowest man on the totem pole by a landslide.  Intimidating?  A little.  But a great opportunity nonetheless.  I almost bailed because I am frickin exhausted, but I didn't, and I'm glad.  Very neat experience.

My Cat is Allergic to Me

The itchy kitty went to his "Mimi's" (grandmother's) house for about 3 weeks while I worked and went on excursions with Deac.  While there, his itching stopped.  The SECOND he got home, he's chewing himself to bits again.  Unfortunately, I think he's allergic to the carpet.  Or, more precisely, the GALLONS of cleaning agents that were dumped in the carpet to remove the former owner's pet stains.  So, now I have to come up with $3K to replace the carpet.  God, the things I do for this animal. 

Car Shopping

I'm not sure if I've ever told you guys about my favorite pastime of calling the cable company and threatening to close my account unless they give me a fat discount.  It's something I do periodically to exercise my negotiating muscles, save some cash, and release my inner bitch.  Well, I've decided to change targets for a little while and hound car dealers.  I have a 2002 Camry and I love my car.  But, I'd like a new one.  I was going to wait until next year, but with the recent safety recall debacle, it's a Toyota buyer's market.  Always one to capitalize on a great opportunity, I decided to look around to see what's out there.  However, I refuse to pay more than $300/month for a car.  Think I can do it with no down payment except my trade in?  (Which has 113K miles.)  I'm gonna bet I can.  It's my new game.  I test drive a couple tomorrow.  I'll let you know how it goes... 

I'm Stopping Now

Because this is by far the worst Random Thoughts Thursday I've ever written.  I'm tired.  My brain hurts.  It has no original thoughts left.  Bed.  More tomorrow.  And I promise to be witty and entertaining.  

In the meantime, watch someone who actually is witty and entertaining: 

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts (A Little Late...)

Let's all pretend it's still Thursday, shall we?

Chock Full 'O Chocolate 

Made it to the Soiree last night (albeit after getting lost and arriving more than a little late...), and had a great time!  There was a silent and a live auction, which served to make me wish (more than I already do) that I was rich.  It's crazy to watch people haphazardly throw down thousands of dollars like it's nothing.  Shit - I can barely pay my power bill!  But, I did get caught up in the "fever" and raise that temptress of a bidding card in order to sponsor a family of four, so they can go to the Museum any time they want for a year.  A hundred dollars well spent, I guess... 

There was a great turnout and I think the Museum raised a lot of money.  It was fun!  I can't wait for the First "Birthday" Party they are throwing this summer.  More black tie goodness with the Children's Museum of the Upstate!  

My eyes itch, my throat hurts, and my car is yellow.  Damn you pollen! 

'Nuf said.

Bye, Bye Betty   

So, I've been watching Ugly Betty since it started several years ago (I'm too lazy to look up just how many).  Sadly, it is going off the air next week.  :(  I will miss it!  Mainly because Mark and Amanda are SO funny.  A special salute goes out to Mark, as he went with the Duckie Dale look for Hilda's wedding.  It was subtle - but awesome.  I wonder how many people caught that... 

   <--- Mark 

Duckie ---> 

"May I admire you?"

Silly Government!  Timeliness is for competent people!

So I've alluded to the fact that I deal with Federal tax credits.  Well, the government announced yesterday that the credit I work with most has been released, and applications for allocations of those credits are due JUNE 2.  That's six weeks from now, folks.  Normally, you get 3-4 months.  They take roughly 350 hours to complete.  We may prep as many as 10 of them.  There are about five people prepping.  You do the math. 

If I'm not around that much in the coming weeks, you know why... 

Playlist Du Jour

I get 10 free song credits per month with my Zune pass.  Here's what I'm buying with them this month (so far): 

1. Breakeven - The Script
2. Ultraviolet - Luke McMaster 
3. Foundations - Kate Nash
4. Golden Skans - Klaxons 
5. Lost Coastlines - Okkervil River
6. Captain America - moe. 
7. Float On - Modest Mouse 

I need three more.  Any suggestions?? 

HELL no!  I won't go! 

As aforementioned, my life is going to suck for about six weeks - from yesterday on.  So, I can't make it to see Deac this weekend.  Because he's the generous sort, he's en route to visit me instead, so that I might also get some work done while we hang out.  But, this thoughtful compromise comes at a price.  I have to accompany Deac to the local amusement park tomorrow.  

Something you should know about me - I HATE ROLLER COASTERS.  I am NOT a thrill seeker, by any means.  It's dangerous enough that I live in my own body!  I'm surprised I'm still standing with the way I drive.   And walk, for that matter...  I will jump a crazy horse over a 4-foot fence, but that's as far as my risk-taking goes.  

Yet, I agreed.

Amusement parks have some redeeming qualities, however.  Funnel cakes, for example.  And Dippin' Dots.  And Cotton Candy.  So, while Deac is riding this: 

I will look like this: 

(Thanks to Hyperbole and a Half - from whom I stole this image)

And I told Deac he has to win me some lame carnival prize on a game of some sort.  I'll report back on his success (or failure)... 

Alright - off to the rest of the day.  Hope you're all FABU!  

Love and Rockets!  (I really hope they bring back My Life as Liz, btw...) 

K

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A sampling from the playlist.  Enjoy!! 

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PS - Welcome new followers, and thanks for following! And commenting! You guys are awesome! :)

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

Ta Da!!!  It's time again for RANDOM THOUGHTS!!!  YAY!!!!!!!  I know you're as excited as I am!! 

 

STARVING

Everyone knows that nothing makes you want to do something like being told you can't.  Eating?  No exception. I'm on a fast for a medical procedure tomorrow.  Haven't been able to eat since midnight.  Still have 20 hours to go.  I'm about to keel over.  

There have been plenty of days when I have plain forgotten to eat.  Didn’t feel like this!  Just being told that I can’t have food has made it the central focus of ALL of my thoughts.  I. WANT. FOOD.  So much food.  Hamburgers and fries and shakes and sushi and pizza and ice cream and marshmallows and pop tarts… Anything.  This fruit pie staring at me right now?  I’d eat its cardboard box at this point.  However will I make it to noon tomorrow??  Sigh…

The Bitch is Back

Yes, only the BITCH from the CPA Exam Board could turn the most amazing news into a total pain in my ass.  No congratulations whatsoever for passing Financial.  Rather, I get a curt email informing me that the Board has approved my request for additional time on the remaining section (yay!), followed VERY quickly by another email saying SYKE! – they won’t give me more time without more information (BOO!).  I told her to forget the whole damn thing and give me my Notice to Schedule for the final section.  And, I also indicated that I would NOT be okay with her keeping the $300 she already charged to my credit card to reschedule the section I passed.  I know for a fact she is going to say I shouldn’t have jumped the gun and assumed I would need to retake it, and that she has every right to keep that money.  Not like they don’t already have enough of my money – seeing as I’ve sunk approximately $5,000 into testing fees. 

Normally I reserve my animosity and harassing tendencies for the cable company.  But, I think my focus should shift to the Bitch for a while.  As soon as I pass the last section, I think I will make a hobby of ruining her life, much like she’s ruined mine.  Won’t that be fun?

Want to eat my own arm right now…

The Soap

My name is Kristen, and I’m a Y&R addict.

I admit, I have a problem.  I’ve invested roughly 31 years in the CBS daytime drama, the Young and the Restless.  LITERALLY watching since birth.  And I ask myself -EVERY DAY – why?  This show is insane, and I’m embarrassed that it’s an integral part of my daily life.  All shame aside - a couple of quick requests to the writers/producers:

1. PLEASE go ahead and reveal that “Mama Bear” is Sheila.  And, from the sounds of it, she now has Lauren’s face.  We all know where this lame and overdone storyline is going.  Let’s get this over with…
2. Get rid of Ashley.  Eileen Davidson is NOT a good actress.  She’s proven this in recent weeks.  Get a new one!
3. Billy and Victoria – Thank goodness they finally did it and got it over with.  Now, let’s get those two together for real.  Finally – a couple with chemistry!
4. Lily really needs some better wigs.
5. PLEASE tell Jack that Summer is his.  This is ridiculous.

 

I hope that old lady is okay

When I went to the pharmacy today to pick up my “prep kit” for my procedure tomorrow, a little old lady fell in the parking lot.  I, of course, (being a human being and all – and not Satan) ran to her assistance.  She swore she was okay, but I’m not sure.  She was pretty shaky.  I remember when that sort of thing used to happen to my Granny.  Scares the crap out of me.  I sure hope she’s okay.  Say a little prayer for her…

SOOOOOOOO Hungry….

Hot in the City

So, we all know I’m pretty psyched for spring.  However, I do find it odd that the high today is 85, and tomorrow, it’s 88.  It’s April.  I sure hope this isn’t a sign that our summer will be as dramatic as the winter was…

Bitchy Update

As I’ve been writing this, I heard back from the Bitch on my two [rather forceful] requests.  Yes, she will go ahead and send my Notice to Schedule.  And YES – she will refund the fees.  THANK GOODNESS.  I really didn’t want to have to wait for her in a dark alley with a baseball bat…

Chicken!  Grab hold of that table floating by and drift to safety!

Chicken is under water in Rhode Island!  Oh no!  Our horrible storms from last weekend made their way up to the northeast.  Chicken – I hope there’s no damage!  And, keep the frogs as pets.  They’re so cute!  And you know littleb would love that!   

Alright crazy kids – I’m off to starve some more, and do a little work for a while.  Cross your fingers that I survive this miserable procedure.  And that I can remember there are people who are actually starving in this world, and I am a gigantic spoiled bratty baby. 

Holla!  (Still sounds weird coming from me…)

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

Random, ENRAGED thoughts today.  Why ENRAGED?  Well, read on to find out…

Opening a can of Whoop-Ass

So, I’ve been taking the CPA Exam for most of my adult life, as you all know.  It is by far one of the most miserable things one can do to one’s self.  The test itself is long, tedious, boring, and FRICKIN’ IMPOSSIBLE.  I know millions have passed it, but they are also far more intelligent, focused, and NOT ADD than I.  Many things have gotten in the way of the exam in the past 3 years.  There was that time I was in the hospital with two collapsed lungs and couldn’t take it.  And then there was the time it was scheduled for the day of my Grandmother’s funeral.  Did I get an extension or a refund of the $400 fees for either of those instances?  NOPE.  “No refunds. No extensions.  No exceptions.”  Verbatim, that is what the crazy bitch at the state CPA Exam Board told me.  There’s $800 I’ll never see again. 

Now, I found out that my ADD diagnosis should permit me to receive an accommodation on the exam, so I can actually finish it this next time I take it.  So, I go to the doctor who diagnosed me and have him fill out annoying forms and write a letter and everything.  And then I filled out annoying forms and wrote a letter, too.  There are two forms online that pertain to diagnosis.  The first is for a physician – if a physician diagnosed you.  The second is for a “professional evaluator” – or someone who diagnosis learning disabilities like ADD for a living.  I was diagnosed by a doctor, so I got him to fill out the appropriate form.  (Note – it has taken me WEEKS and at least 20 emails to the Bitch to even get to this point.  She was unwilling to even tell me where on the website I could find these elusive forms.  Only that they were out there in cyberspace, and I had to fill them out.  I mean, how hard is it to copy and paste a frickin’ link??)

That should do it, right?  WRONG.  No dice.  Apparently, the diagnosis of a licensed psychiatrist is not adequate.  They will not give me the additional 30-60 minutes I need for the test unless I also get diagnosed separately by a professional evaluator.  What that translates to is $2,000 worth of tests that are NOT covered by insurance.  Understand that I’ve already spent THOUSANDS of dollars on this exam.  (Enough to buy a car, probably.)  So, color me crazy for not wanting to sink another $2K into it.  For something that’s ALREADY been done.  I told her as much, and asked to speak to someone above her.  She’s scrambling now.  We’ll see what comes of it.  Regardless, I’m going to the Board Deputy this time…

End rant.

Rain, Rain STAY AWAY

Deac has VERY kindly and generously offered to whisk me away to the beach this weekend to help me de-stress.  This couldn’t come at a better time, as I am currently shaking from the craziness that has ensued today.  BUT, the weather forecast is not looking promising.  So – everyone out there – cross your fingers that, as per usual, the weather people will be WRONG and we’ll get 75 degrees and clear skies all the way…

Out of the road, my Deer

I almost wrecked the car on the highway the other night when I was driving home from work at 1:00 am, because a Deer was just hanging out on the side of the interstate.  It got me to thinking – first about why deer do that!  Stay in the woods, Mr. Deer!  You’re far less likely to end up in the Roadkill Café if you don’t loiter about on busy freeways.  Then my thoughts moved on to the word “deer”.  It’s one of few words whose singular and plural forms are the same.  In fact, for the rest of the drive home, I tried to think of other such words and couldn’t come up with a single one.  Granted, my brain was a little fried at that point, but still.  Can you guys think of any other words like that?

I’m with Stupid à

As I was heading to Mickey D’s this morning for my large coffee and giant iced tea, I heard a rather amusing tale on the “Strange News” report on the morning show.  Check out the story: http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/weird/Calling-Ahead-Doesnt-Get-Bank-Robbers-Far-88999452.html.

Words of advice – if you’re going to rob a bank (which I know has crossed my mind today, as I do my bills…), do NOT call ahead and request that the cash be bagged and waiting for you.  What you are much more likely to receive in that case is a fun filled run-in with the fuzz.  Epic PHAIL.  Idiots.

Prayers for a Stinky Dog

My beagle, Snoopy (I know, we’re so original), a.k.a. Stinky, has been diagnosed with the kind of anemia that is caused by internal bleeding.  We hoped it was his arthritis medicine that was causing the bleeding, but it sounds like it’s more serious than that.  He’s an old geezer, but we love him dearly.  Please pray (or send good thoughts, if you’re not the praying type) for our little stinky dog as he undergoes some diagnostic tests.  Hopefully it’s something that can be treated with ease.

Alright, K out.  If I don’t get this memo done, Boss-Man Jr. is going to give me the ax, and I’ll REALLY have to rob a bank.  Don’t worry though, I won’t call ahead for reservations… 

Peace. 

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This one's for you, CPA Exam Board Lady! 

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

Time for RAAANNNNDDDOOOOM TTTTHHHOOOUUUGGGHTTSS!!!

Must keep short.  But, still awesome.

The Story of the Boss-Men


I've started referring to my bosses in the past couple of days, because they were both in town and we had a shit-ton of stuff to do.  Chicken (read her blog - it's awesome!  But, don't go liking it more than mine, thereby crushing my already fragile ego...) asked (1) who the hell Boss-Man Jr. is, and (2) if there was something else besides work going on there.  Short answer: (1) My boss; (2) NOOOOO.

Let me explain.  Boss-Man Jr. is my direct boss.  He's my age though, and I consider us to be friends as well.  This is in part because, as you might recall, he is the nicest person on the planet (see I'm So Tired Part Deux-Part Deux), and also in part because we get stuck working together for hours and hours and days and days on end, so if we didn't get along, life would be very difficult.  So, when we have a social networking/client event, sometimes we go together.  We also eat meals together when the other is in town, since neither of us know anyone in each other's respective city, and because we are always working ungodly hours and eating at weird times.

Boss-Man Sr. is also my boss.  I answer directly to him, but he is Boss-Man Jr.'s boss as well.  So, sometimes Boss-Man Jr. is a conduit for Sr.'s demands, and sometimes they come straight from Sr.'s mouth.  Hence the Jr./Sr. distinction.  No hanky-panky.  No funny business.  Just work.  But, they're both pretty cool guys.  I hate many aspects of my job, but neither of them fall on "My List".  We are heading into a very busy stretch, so you will likely hear more about them in weeks to come.

No!  Not Xander!

I was devastated to learn that Buffy the Vampire Slayer's beloved Xander Harris (Nicholas Brendon, in real life) was arrested on a felony vandalism charge the other day.  Cops were called out on reports of a drunk & disorderly vandal, and they arrived to find Xander doing something naughty.  As he was inebriated, he made the ever-wise decision to take an unsuccessful swing at one of the men in blue, and then attempt escape.  Result?  Two shots with the taser and an arrest.  And $20,000 bail.  I guess years of Buffy-licious rejection finally took their toll on poor Xander.  Maybe some electro-shock - taser style - and a night in the clink will straighten his drunk ass out...  

My Mind is MESSED UP

During times of high stress, like now, I have a tendency to develop insomnia.  When I am lucky enough to actually sleep, I will have the CRAZIEST of dreams.  Point in case - last night.  Here is the synopsis I sent to a friend of a dream I had about him (another ex who is married, with a kid.  We make much better friends than we did a couple, and haven't dated in 9 years.).  Names have been omitted: 

I had a very weird/not so good dream about you last night, but it didn't make sense.  We were sneaking around together.  [Your wife]'s name was Sarah, and she looked like Sarah Silverman.  You made out with my sister.  [My niece] threw up in a Wendy's parking lot.  My dad and the kids were there.  We were all staying in your house.  There were big pictures of you everywhere - and you were a baseball umpire (note - he is an IT guy in real life.  I don't think he's ever even played baseball...).  [Your 2 year-old daughter] wasn't there.  I was so mad at you for making out with [my sister].  And Sarah was so mad because she found out about us AND about you and [my sister].  I ate some cherry danish that was in the freezer.

All I have to say to this is: WTF??????    

Can I expense that? 

I had the tension migraine from hell yesterday, so I snuck out to hit up the chiropractor/acupuncturist yesterday afternoon.  After a moderately successful attempt at realigning my crooked spine, the doc informed me that I should be getting massages as much as possible - at least every other week.  This is apparently especially crucial during tax season, as I spend roughly 15 hours/day hunched over my desk, working on a laptop.  Massage therapy is hella-expensive, and isn't covered by insurance (even though it should be).  So, my question becomes - can I expense that?  Since it's my miserable job's fault that I can't turn my head to the left or see clearly for the blinding pain in my right eye, I think they should pay to fix me.  Don't you agree?

Google Me This

Favorite Google Search of the week that landed someone on my site: "Heel Stuck"  That confused searcher was directed to I'm So Tired - Part Deux, and my charming anecdote about how the heel of my Alfani pump came to know an Uptown sidewalk grate.  Not sure what that person might have been looking for, but anything that draws readers is fine by me! 

Alrighty, well - another Thursday marches on.  Until tomorrow! 

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

Yo, yo, yo!  It's RANDOM THOUGHTS time!  Woot!  (Wow, that was scary...)

Not out of the woods, yet... 

Thought the stomach flu was done.  But, not feeling so great now.  Not sure if it's flu remnants, or the stress of my ever-awesome job that's getting to me.  Time will tell, I suppose.

BUY A SHIRT!

I've sadly only sold like 19 T-shirts for the Ronald McDonald House.   Pathetic.  I sold 60 last year.  Help me save face, please!  Buy a shirt today!

It's NOT just me!!! 

Check out this Jezebel article on Little Miss Perfect! This kid, Jayne, was on the E! show for the second time on Tuesday.  She's a riot!  But, she got the stomach flu (honey, I feel your pain), and couldn't finish the competition. I am still fuming because Pageant Director Michael Galanes gave her crap at the end of the show, saying she should've gotten over the fact that she was throwing up and performed anyway.  What a jerk.  She's 6!  And was sick!  This is the kind of warped attitude that gives pageants a bad name... (Along with the psycho parents and prostitute-inspired clothing and makeup, that is.)

Spring has Sprung! 

Here in the south it's in the balmy 60s.  Supposed to hit the 70-something mark soon, too!  Yay!  It's raining and nasty, and there are tornado watches all around, but I'll take it!  Goodbye miserable cold!  HELLO SPRINGTIME!!  Don't forget, by the way - we spring forward on Sunday.  I'm sure I'll be super late to work on Monday.  Well, later than usual, anyway...

Money - That's what I want

I am B-ROKE.  And there are so many things I want to buy!  I wasn't ever able to remedy my issues with Bill Me Later, so I didn't get the laptop.  And, eShakti.com has a million new dresses that I want, but NO SALES in sight.  AND, Vera Bradley designed this little treasure:

Hard to tell in this pic, but that's "Sittin' In a Tree" - my new favorite pattern.  Since they're offering the matching wallet for only $15, for a limited time, I may have to splurge on this one.  Hey, that's why God invented VISA, right?? 

Bonnaroo, hoo, hoo 

It's coming up!  And the lineup is incredible.  I SO want to go!  More than anything!  But, I don't want to go by myself.  Unfortunately, I am the only one of my friends who thinks camping out for 3 days amidst a bunch of drunken buffoons to hear a bazillion (AWESOME) bands is a good idea.  Looks like I will not be making it this year, either.  I'm trying to muster up the courage to just say Eff it! and go by myself.  I could sleep in my car.  I mean, how in the WORLD can I pass up this group??? (Click on the picture)

So - any of my wonderful readers out there want to join me?  :)

How's that for timing?? 

As you all know, I got my bar exam application in ON-TIME last week.  (They cashed my check a day later - damn!  Don't waste any time, do they??)   However, thanks to the holdup in Washington over the Federal Budget, the extension of the Credit program on which I primarily work has not been announced.  From the sounds of it, they will make it official in the next couple of days, and applications for the $5billion of federal tax credits will be released in April or May.  Making them due in July.  What's also in July?  You guessed it!  The Bar exam!!  Understand, these applications will require 80-100 hours a week of my time in the weeks leading up to the deadline.  So, I'll probably be a little (read, OVERWHELMINGLY, INCREDIBLY, MISERABLY) tired.  Not exactly the best way to go into a life-altering exam...

Well, duty calls.  Must get back to work.  Hasta manana.  Happy Thursday!

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Enjoy one of my favorite Bonnaroo artists performing one of my favorite songs!  (Maybe this will persuade some folks out there to get a group together and go.  Hint, hint...) 

Random's Manifest - Thursday Thoughts

Do you know what time it is??  THAT'S RIGHT!  Time for my RANDOM THOUGHTS!!!

WOOOOOO!!!  YAHOO!!!!!!! YAY!!!!

OWW! OWW!  My HEAD!!!


Fun times at work today.  YessireeBob.  It's been a fan-frickin'-tabulous day.  I have not moved from my seat since I got here this morning (it's 5:30 in the PM, my time).  Not to eat, drink, pee... Nothing.  I didn't even have any coffee today because I didn't have time to go get it from the kitchen!  (So, with the no food, and no coffee - you can imagine my headache.)  The Adderall has been hella in effect though - since I'm sans nutrients to absorb it - so at least I've been able to concentrate. Whole lotta good it's done me, though.  I've spent the last 7.5 hours on a monster spreadsheet.  My manager looked at it for about 2 seconds, and wants the whole thing redone.  I'm trying not to cry.  Hence the blogging break.  It was that, or somebody gets hurt.  Sigh.  I hate tax season.

Not Really Words, Google


So, I've noticed that whenever I make a comment on someone's blog (at least through Blogspot), I'm asked to enter one of those secret word verifications.  You know what I'm talking about.  They look like this:

Dictionary.com defines "WORD" as: a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning.

I just think it's really funny that Google doesn't actually ask you to enter a WORD for its WORD verification.  I mean, what the hell is an "anonybut"???  An anonymous ass?  I don't see how "anonybut" is a principal carrier of meaning.  Just sayin'... Where are actual words like "green" or "cat" or "cheese"?

Some other great "WORDs" from Google:

• Begramil 
• Stecke
• Concymac
• Parcat
• Unstu
• Fatenec

I haven't gotten anything really funny yet, but I'll be sure to let you know if I do.

Oh - I've always been curious as to what would happen when you hit that handicapped symbol next to the "word" entry space.  So, I did it.  Holy crap!  That's scary stuff!  It sounds like something that would've been transmitted through the Others' radios on LOST.  Seriously, weird.  Try to leave a comment below.  Instead of typing in your secret word, hit the wheelchair and see what happens...

More Fun with Google!

Speaking of Google, it has come to my attention that my blog is now being picked up by the monster search engine.  YAY!!!  Maybe I'll get some random readers from faraway places, and become WORLD FAMOUS!!!!  

My lovely blog traffic monitors tell me what people are searching for when they stumble across Musical Musings.  Mainly, they're looking for Facebook statuses, but that's not all!  Here's a sampling (with my comments): 

• We are the World (that didn't take long!) 
• Wise Facebook Statuses (I do have wise friends...) 
• Ayo for Adderall (HERE! HERE!) 
• Rachael Flatt Robbed (she sure was!)
• Prometric and CAT 2010 (I don't think he meant Rupert)
• Facebook statuses, snowing (there's been a lot of those lately)
• funny song lines to post as my Facebook status (you've come to the right place!)
• Boner Stabone (RIP Boner)
• Valentine's Day movie quote cosmic bitch slap (that was a good one)

And my most favoritest:

• Something Funny and Clever to Say (I am TRULY flattered that Google thought to send this searcher to me.  At least somebody thinks I say funny and clever things!!) 

Why does Technology HATE ME?? 

We all know how much crap I already get from my work laptop (See: Ayo Technology).  So, I figured it might be wise to buy a computer of my own, for personal use and such.  However, seeing as I just shelled out another $1,600 in exam fees this week, I needed to buy it on a "No Interest for Six Months" plan to be able to get one now.  I was in luck!  GREAT laptop, for an even greater price, and "Bill Me Later" just so happened to be offering those exact terms.  Holla!  (I never say that.  Looks weird coming from my fingertips.)

Or, not...

Since I moved in December, all of my address information EVERYWHERE is jacked up.  Paypal has my old address, and they own Bill Me Later.  So, when I tried to check out with my current address, Bill Me Later gave me the shaft.  Apparently, BML customer service reps aren't actually allowed to serve customers, because when I called to find out what the eff was up, they could tell me NOTHING.  (Literally, said - we can't tell you anything.)  I've tried everything.  I changed my address in the BML system, and it wouldn't update. So, I used my old address at checkout.  Wouldn't take that either.  I've tried to buy the danged computer like 72 times at this point.  No dice.  So, what?  Now I'm so technologically challenged that I can't even BUY technology correctly?  Sigh.  I guess it's a sign from God that I shouldn't be spending money I don't have.  S'pose it's just me and Mr. HP from here on out... 

She showed you, Michael Galanes! 

On Little Miss Perfect the other night, Pageant Director/god/FREAK Michael Galanes said that moms CANNOT do it all, and that the only way a girl will win LMP is if she has a professional entourage (coach, stylist, makeup artist, etc.).  These words of wisdom were directed at one of Tuesday's moms, who spent her free time "stoning" her child's beauty dress.  (i.e. - she put ten zillion rhinestones on the hot pink dress, and even made a hair bow to match!)  Mom said it had taken her roughly SIX WEEKS to add the bling, but that nobody else could do it right, and she wouldn't spend $1,000 on a dress for a five-year-old anyway. Not only did she bedazzle to Kingdom's Come, she did her daughter's makeup, hair, wardrobe, coaching, and choreography herself, too.  Well Michael Galanes, I guess you're eating your pink taffeta words right now, because daughter Mayce is the new Little Miss Perfect Atlanta.  Way to stick it to him, Mom.  Who knows, maybe you have a future as the NEW director/god/FREAK of LMP!

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Alrighty, that's it for today.  The not getting up since 10 am is starting to get to me.  Potty break, and back to work.  Hope you're all having just the loveliest of weeks!  Until next time!

(9 to 5 AM, maybe. Wonder what an eight-hour day feels like...)