Sprizee :: A simple girl replete with complications

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2005-08-13T17:15:00.000-07:00

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Where's my house warming gift?

2005-03-20T17:39:00.000-08:00

I've moved. Update your linking/stalking/whathaveyou info to the following simple, handy URL... sprizee.com.

Huge, HUGE thanks to Wheelson for all his help getting the old posts (with comments!) setup over at the new place. Yesss.

Ring Ring.

2005-03-17T18:50:00.000-08:00

My cellphone just rang while I was napping. At first I tried to ignore it, but after approximately 1.5 rings curiosity got the better of me. I had to get up and check it out. Right before I flipped open my phone the ringing stopped, and of course, the caller id function just conveniently decided not to work on this call. Damn, that's what I get for not turning my phone off during my nap or keeping it close enough to catch the call in time.

Anyways, I'm pretty sure it was a leprechan... offering me his pot of gold. Damn, damn, damn. Hey, little green troll? If you're listening, I'm awake now and ready for my three wishes.

The Big O

2005-03-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

Man, is it just me or are there only two topics Oprah covers anymore? 1) Whoring for tv shows, promoting the latest crap to hit network tv and 2) men bashing. I guess I'm starting to rethink this whole Oprah is God and should run for president mentality I've been sporting.

That said, I'm still down with an invite to the next Favorite Things taping.

The way I see it, kind of.

2005-03-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

Yesturday I was stuck in training all day. I got a lot out of the session, but after about 6 hours my mind began to wander. Even after I made a trip down to Starbucks to jolt myself with some caffeine, I was having trouble focusing.

Starbucks has this new gimmick where you can submit a short pargraph that they might feature on their cups. It's THE WAY I SEE IT series, so to speak. The cup I got had the following:

The Way I See It # 21
People need to see that, far from being an obstacle, the world's diversity of languages, religions and traditions is a great treasure, affording us precious opportunities to regonize ourselves in others.

As I was sitting in that training session, my mind wandering, I began writing. The results:

For me, traveling isn't really about visiting landmarks and seeing things - because if that was the case I'd just go to Vegas to experience Paris. It's about experiencing other cultures, and reveling in the diversity of the world and, ultimately, learning the truth about different cultures, races and belief systems. That, fundamentally, we all want the same thing - to love and be loved. To open your mind and share your experiences with others.

Perhaps that explains why I love history books so much. If you think about it, they're really just dusty old copies of interpersonal dynamics captured on paper. Why did that guy do that? What motivates that girl? Curiosity keeps life interesting. The unexpected events in life keep you on your toes.

So that's exactly what I wrote, word for word. Sure this isn't exacly how I see things. Sure, I could bother editing it. Sure, words don't always express how you feel. Sure, sometimes your thoughts are intangible. But sometimes things are better left raw.

Fumbling towards something more.

2005-03-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

It's so tempting to cross the line. To step over and experience what's on the other side. I've done it before. And I've dealt with the consequences. But that's no way to start something lasting.

Was it worth it? No, unless you consider it an exercise in learning what not to do again. Is it still tempting? Sure. But do I think it's worth it. No fucking way.

It's true that fools rush in. But I've never been the type to jump full force into some new situation without mulling things over long and hard. Rather I'm the girl in the background taking everything in, envisioning my actions, their reactions and the consequences.

Always the pesky consequences. Of how what I do will effect me, effect others and effect my reality. You could say I have a tendency to think too much with too little action. Then there was that other time. When the pendulum swung the other way.

And this fool rushed in. To a burning building. At first, I thought the fire was great, warm and cozy. It gave my cheeks a rosy glow. But before I knew it, it was out of control and rapidly taking over everything in its path. And I was so far gone, I didn't even realize this until it was too late, and I had actually been scorched.

For a while I thought I'd never think about living so in the moment again. That it was too risky and scary and heartbreaking. But I've realized it wasn't being risky and bold that caused all that damage. It was focusing on inconsequential moments and losing myself in the process.

It's one thing to be wild and crazy but it's quite another to throw away everything you worked so hard to achieve. It's true that everyone makes mistakes. I made a mistake. But is it a mistake I regret? No, because in the end, I walked away a stronger person.

I seem to be surrounded by other people lately who are going through the same sort of thing. Deciding what's important. Deciding what they want out of life.

I think there's something to the whole "everything in place but you still feel something is still missing". And that something for me was perspective. In the dark days, when my soul felt drained and hope in short supply I didn't know if I'd ever feel the same again. But it's true what they say. Time heals all.

Time healed me. And friendship, sharing and gratitude allowed me to finally appreciate all things right before my eyes that were so close to me, it had become difficult to step back, take it all in and really truly enjoy it. Enter the idea of losing all of it and you learn to quickly wake up.

So I've gone through my own personal storm and come out the other side a wiser, stronger person more sure of who I am and what I want out of life. I don't have any words of wisdom, other than... if you're asking the question, you already know the anwser.

Sure, it sounds like a great idea. Trying to prevent people I love from making the same mistakes I've made, but it simply doesn't work like that. Each person has to figure out for themselves, ultimately, what they are going to do. And then they have to actually do it. Neither of those things are easily done. If there's one thing I know for certain, it's that.

Life is confusing, and unexpected, and exciting, and hard, and a million other things I'm not going to bother to list. My point is life is what you make it. In the past year, I've come to realize that I am surrounded by some of the most wonderful people.

People that will hold me up when I feel like I can't stand. People that will call me up for no good reason other than to say hi. People that will do stupid things just to make me laugh. People that will give me silly gifts for no reason at all. People that will take the time to listen to me blather on about the same heartbreak or excitment or latest mundane trivia in my life.

And people that will share their stories and experiences with me. Headstart for Happiness is one of these people. There are many more, but in a sea of friends, she stands out above the rest. Her honest and friendship mean more to me than words can ever express.

Other than, I love you anam cara.

Beer run

2005-03-11T11:34:00.001-08:00

[loud booming voice]

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! One day only. One day only. The Seattle St. Pat's Day Dash. If you miss this, you'd better be dead. Or in jail. And if you're in jail, BREAK OUT! Be there! Be there! Be there!

Because nothing goes together like running and beer.

To make you feel my love.

2005-03-10T11:37:00.000-08:00

Last night I had a date with Dylan at the Paramount. It was the last night of a 3 night gig and there were tons of people standing around with an air of desperation, holding up fingers or cardboard signs, hoping to buy tickets to a sold out show.

I took this picture on the way to the entrance right before The Dude started whistling at me, asking me to pack it up so we could just go inside already, which was not so great because I was also in the midst of putting the camera in my purse and The Dude's outburst called attention to that very fact. Then when I tried to enter the rent-a-cop at the door denied me with a "sorry, no cameras".

So I did what any sane person would do. I said, "Oh, sure. No problem. I'll just go put it in the car then", walked around the corner, stuffed the camera in the bottom of my purse, waited 3 minutes and then walked back to the entrance.

As any 20s something girl can tell you, those security guys at concerts never actually look in your purse. They only ask you to unzip it and then pretend like they're looking in there, but they never actually look. My theory is they're too afraid they might see some tampons. And lord knows there is nothing scarier than a random tampon sighting.

Anywho, I don't understand what all the no camera fuss was about. What? Did they think I was going to take a picture of the concert and post it on the InternetS? Please I would never do something like that. That's just not my style.

I have to admit I didn't recognize many of the songs during the concert but I enjoyed all of them. Dylan's talent for writing lyrics that capture moments and moods in history and life is undeniable. Especially this one which made me weep.

And in related news, I managed to make it out of my apartment this morning without any earings on. File that one under reasons I don't function properly on less than 8 hours of sleep.

Lovely Day

2005-03-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

I stopped by downtown on my way home today. I had to... oh never mind the details are rather boring. The point is I took these photos while driving via my arm out the sunroof. And yes, that is a super safe activity and I only do it when I'm going less than 5 mph. Clearly, one of the two previous statements was a flat out lie. Wait, make that both.

Then I look at you, and the world is alright with me.
And I know it's gonna be, gonna be, gonna be...
A lovely day. - Courtesy of The Body Guard soundtrack*

*Yep, I've still got my copy. No one's perfect.

Me and Jesus are like this [crosses fingers]

2005-03-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

The other day I was sitting in traffic behind some van with the following adornments: 1) a license plate holder that read, "Jesus is Lord", 2) a bumper sticker that read, "Jesus loves you. Do you love Jesus?", 3) a jesus fish in the rear window and, 4) a personalized license plate that read, "JZUSRLZ". If that is not reason enough to make sure your camera is handy with a fully charged battery at all times, then I don't know what is.

A note has been made.

Yakkitty Yak, Don't Talk Back.

2005-03-08T09:12:00.000-08:00

On the way out the door this morning I grabbed my gym bag, keys and some food which I threw in a bag. It wasn't really lunch per se but let's just call it lunch to simplify things. So lunch, keys and bag in hand, I made it out the door and down 5 flights to the garage and my car. Only something was missing. My purse.

So I threw my lunch, keys and bag in the car, locked it and headed over to the elevator so I could run back up to my apartment and grab the most important thing I just neglected to grab on my way out the door, which I might add, I also forgot last week, except last week I got all the way to work without it. Awesome. Except not.

So over at the elevator waiting to get back up to my apartment, who do I run into but the building manager who lives in the apartment next to mine and it probably the nicest and most friendliest person I know this side of the Mississippi. Translation, the only way to end a conversation with her is to stop interacting in the conversation in any way shape or form 3 minutes before you want it to end and then finally give up the idea that she'll stop talking and end up just walking away even when she continues to yammer on because she's a non-stop talker.

So there we are in the elevator and she's got two dogs on a leash and she's being her normal chatty self and then midway through a sentence she looks over at me with a funny look on her face and says, "Where are you going?". To which I reply, "Work." More confused quizical looks follow from her since I'm headed back up to my apartment, ie, decidedly the wrong direction if I'm headed to work. So I follow up with a, "I forgot my purse." To which she replies, "Are you pregnant?" To which I reply, "No."

And then I follow it up with a smile and a, "Go to hell", (in my head) as I step off the elevator and into my apartment as she continues to blather on about something.

How not to buy a couch.

2005-03-07T09:58:00.000-08:00

1) Start at Ikea. 2 years ago. Decide all their furniture is crap.

2) Visit Dania. Decide you can't decide which color, fabric, couch combo you like.

3) Realize this is going to be more money than you expected.

4) Decide it doesn't make any sense to buy a couch until you move into your first house.

5) Sit for months neverending on uncomfortable, uninviting chairs passed down to you from your friends and family because you can't rationalize spending over a thousand dollars on some temporary couch that most likely won't fit in your first house and you'll have to end up giving it away.

6) Finally break down and decide that after years and years of living sans couch or comfortable chairs it's time to just cave and shell out some dough.

7) Make sure you have your camera so you can capture all the insanity but don't bother checking if the battery is dead and/or if you have a spare. It is and you don't.

8) Wait until the weather becomes unseasonally warm and inviting.

9) Proceed to spend the entire weekend inside, roaming from one furniture store to the next hoping to see at least one piece of furniture which does not scream, "Come over here and give grandmy a kiss".

9) Do something you never thought you'd do in this lifetime. Visit Levitz. Leave without a couch but with a new found fear of the "typical American" and what they consider stylish and comfortable. Hint: Crap.

10) See so many couches that you never want to see again but want so badly to share with the InternetS. It's not happening. Refer to #7.

11) Visit 2 more furniture stores and come to the realization that you may never find a couch that suits you but if things keep going the way they seem to be insanity will be your next stop.

12) Keep fingers crossed that insanity is actually your next stop. This couch shopping is getting tiresome and you could use some excitement in your life.

13) Be ridiculed by one salesman who asks you what's the hurry and tells you to slow down because they're open until 6pm and then, to top things off, says, "hey, we've got a 5mph speed limit so you better slow down [chuckle, chuckle]".

13) Kick yourself for not responding to the stupid salesman who asked if he could help you find something. "Yes. The door?" Store. Making. Me. Insane.

14) Once again reel back in sticker shock. Not only are all the couches ugly. They're also fucking expensive.

15) Decide maybe Ikea wasn't such a bad idea afterall.

16) Break down and buy a couch from Ikea.

17) Attempt to rationalize it.

18) Hang head in shame.

Procrastinaire

2005-03-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

You have no idea how excited I am that the weekend is almost here. This is the first weekend in quite a while in which I won't be out of town, or running around trying to get a million in one tasks completed before the upcoming weekend out of town, and I'm loving it.

Things I plan on doing this weekend:

Dropping off a bunch of stuff at the goodwill that's been sitting around collecting dust by my door for going on 2 months.

Taking my favorite sweater which started unraveling at the sleeve last fall to the alterations clinic to see if they can fix it. If not, I'm flying to China to find someone who can knit me a new one. I know you're wondering if it's Pink! but some things are better left unsaid. P.S. Stop asking stupid questions.

Reading, reading and more reading.

Sitting down and writing out a list of all the books on my radar to read this year starting with Arab & Jew by David Shipler, that one about Colditz,The Monkey Wars by Deb Blum and a bunch more that I could recall if I applied myself, but hello? I said I would do that this weekend. Pay attention.

Or I might just spend the whole weekend doing nothing since nothing says bitch'n weekend like sleeping in until noon and never marking a damn thing off that pesky to do list.

P.S. As a general rule of thumb, if I tell you I'm going to get some stuff done by the end of the week it will totally happen... as long as you replace the word week with the word year.

Freedom, constitutionally speaking

2005-03-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 9:23 AM
To: 'president@whitehouse.gov'; 'AskDOJ@usdoj.gov'
Subject: Obain Attouoman - Should not be deported!

Obain’s case # is (A72 375 228)

Clearly, Obain has given much to the US and it would be a tragedy if he was forced to be deported against his will and sent back to a hostile country. He has given much as a teacher, a mentor, a friend and is not easily replaced. In the US, where teachers that care about young minds are often forced to take other jobs that pay better and are less emotionally draining, it is important to send a clear message to all Americans. We value the teachers that shape the people of our future and will do everything in our power to protect, honor and value their contributions.

Start by allowing Obain Attouoman to remain in this country.

Don't allow the US government to deport Obain Attouoman. Let your voice be heard. After all, that is perhaps the most fundamental principle upon which the US was founded.

If you don't like what's happening, speak up.

VoteStrong

2005-03-01T20:59:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was pleasantly suprised with a unexpected gift from my friend Deron after meeting up with Egan at two different Starbucks locations. Don't ask. Not because it's a long story, but more because it's a boring one. Anyways, back to the fabulous gift from DLo. At first I was all confused as to exactly what it was.

Umm, a black rubber band? Thanks. I think...

Then I noticed it was a LiveStrong copy kitty spin off bracelet engraved with the following: I DID NOT VOTE 4 BUSH. Technically, I don't think they call anything in plastic "engraved" but you know what I mean.

At any rate, I think it's pretty damn cool. I mean despite the fact that a) I did vote for Bush b) I think he's doing a bang up job as prez and c) I think we should get rid of that silly little law on the books that prevents W for running for a third term. Maybe I should make a bracelet out of that?

Now what was it that Egan was saying about political posts on blogs. Something about how they don't make for interesting topics. Hmmmm, we'll just see about that. Or will we?

In the meantime, you can get your black resistance band over here. And thanks DLo. You're the best!

Good times, good times.

2005-02-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

Scottish Lakes was fabulous. It reminded me that life is best when you're admiring the simple things. The sun, the trees, the birds... the company of your friends. I'd write more but I'b sick. I'b been sick all weekend. But still, I had a fabulous time. More later.

[Picks up Nyquil bottle and passes out]

P.S. Illuminate the ramp!

When you said "roughing it"...

2005-02-25T15:57:00.000-08:00

...I thought you meant w/out room service.

Things I have to look forward to this weekend:
1) A trip up to The Scottish Lakes with 30+ of my closest friends. And by 30+ I mean 8 people I actually know, tops and then about 20+ other people I've never met, all friends of friends.
2) Seeing Ms. Sally's bright, sunshiny face in the car on the way up to The Scottish Lakes. She. Is. Such. A. Morning. Person. (Not.)
3) Snowshoes! Sledding! A wood fired hot tub!

Thing I choose not to look forward to this weekend:
1) Packing.
2) Shopping for groceries.
3) Laundry.
4) Packing.
5) Letting the cold that has been having it's way with The Dude for the last two months get a hold of me. I'm going thru the non-stop sneezing right now and my throat is starting to get sore. Back, cold from hell, back, back!
6) Packing.
7) Not being able to order out for food. Whaaa? They don't deliver.
8) Did I mention packing?

The hotness continues.

2005-02-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

Hot Hot Heat tickets for Vancouver go on sale at 10am. Sure I could have bought them two days ago with the InternetS pre-sale code they sent me, but I procrastinated and then when I went to get them this morning I realized the pre-sale was over. Now I'm going to have to elbow, shove and push my fellow HHH fans for my fair share of tickets. If you're thinking about going to the show, better hop on it. I predict this show is going to sell out fast.

P.S. Yippee! It's Friday.

S-O-S

2005-02-24T18:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, here's the thing. The Hot Hot Heat show? The one in Seattle? The one I had tickets for? That show last Monday? I ended up with an extra ticket because The Dude was too sick to go. So what did I do? Did I call my friends and invite them out with me?

No way. Too much work. Instead my lazy ass sent an email to a select group of friends 2 hours before the show started and then I went to take a nap. I was out cold by 8 something and missed the whole show. File that one under reasons I need more sleep. Or reasons why I'm lame.

Wait, it gets better. They're playing up in Vancouver, BC on April 9th and I'm totally going to get tickets.

Except this time I plan on actually going.

Through the storm, we reach the shore.

2005-02-22T19:05:00.000-08:00

He started it, but I should have ended it. But once it started, I couldn't stop it. And once he realized what he had started, he couldn't finish it. I couldn't give in when he wouldn't let go. He wouldn't give in when I couldn't let go. It was a no win situation really.

So now we don't talk, don't write, don't communicate. And they say that the amount of time it takes you to get over a relationship is equal to half the amount of time you were together. But we were only in that situation for a few brief months.

Yet it took me over more than half a year to get over the sting of no closure. I take that back. I knew him for over 5 years, so maybe that equation is close enough to the truth. You know...

Sometimes you stare at something for so long you lose all perspective. But eventually you stop staring and you just get over it already.

I'm not going to lie and say I don't stop and wonder about him every now and then. But at a certain point you realize that you can't have it both ways. That some things in life are mutually exclusive.

Like being a nice guy or being a jerk. The jerk has been written off and the nice guy that never was has long since vanished from my memory.

Almost.

Welcome to my own personal hell.

2005-02-21T06:42:00.000-08:00

The SR 520 Bridge

At the heart of Seattle’s traffic congestion is SR 520 – one of Puget Sound’s major arteries for transporting people and goods. One of the oldest floating bridges in the world, the SR 520 Evergreen Point Bridge is at the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced for the safety of the traveling public. If this bridge were to suffer a seismic failure, travel time between downtown and Seattle and Redmond would nearly double from an average of 33 minutes to 55 minutes.

Um, we must have had a seismic failure like 2 plus years ago because my commute takes a hell of a lot longer than 33 minutes. Hell, it takes more than 55 minutes. 55 minutes? Where the hell do I sign up for that? I'll take a 55 minute commute any day of the week because it still beats my hour plus commute, each way on a daily basis.

And don't get confused. When they said "at the end of its useful life" they were referring to the life in which the bridge served as a means to get from point A to point B. Because let’s not mince words. It’s still got a full time life devoted solely to the purpose of sucking the soul of each and every person that has to sit on it, in traffic, the non-moving variety. Oh joy! I can't wait until they built that Monorail, you know, so I can continue to sit and traffic.

Just in case you're not from Seattle and don't know what I'm talking about, let me break it down like this...

In a world.

2005-02-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

Tagline: Hell wants him. Heaven won't take him. Earth needs him. Um, no.

Let me clarify that for you. Picture this guy who can fly around, is all about fighting bad demony thingys, and says whoa way more than anyone should ever say whoa in all the movies ever made, combined.

Sound familiar? It should. My vote would have been for Matrix: The Heaven n' Hell Chronicles. But what do I know?

I mean, besides the fact that I plan on never seeing this movie.

How you like dem apples?

2005-02-15T10:37:00.000-08:00

I have a tendency to eat whatever's lying around in my apartment, or on my desk at work, or what's been left in my car for that matter. I also, however, have a tendency to buy fresh fruit and vegetables at the grocery store only to bring them home and let them rot in my fridge or in a fruit bowl on the counter, without ever eating any of them. Not to mention I eat at restaurants. A LOT.

What's my point? Earlier this week The Dude must have gone to the store and picked up some groceries because yesterday there was an apple sitting on the counter that wasn't rotten and didn't need to be thrown away and I hadn't been to the grocery store in over 3 weeks so clearly I didn't buy it. Unless, perhaps, a gremlin put it there? Well, at any rate, there is was sitting there all fresh and unrotten. So I took it with me to work and I ate it with my lunch.

I'm pretty sure it was the best damn apple I've ever had. Now it's not like I keep a running list of my top 10 favorite apple varieties or anything. But still, I wanted to know what kind it was, you know, for future reference. Like when I get all high maintenance at a restaurant and ask for this special variety in my apple tart.

And as luck would have it the apple was marked with a sticker. And folks, you can't make shit like this up. The name of the variety was pink lady. I repeat, Pink! Lady. Yep, that sounds about right.

P.S. I'm currently wearing a Pink! sweater.

P.P.S. And a shirt with Pink! flowers.

P.P.P.S. And Pink! earings.

This has been your monthly Pink! update. Signing out.

[signs out]

Gizmo & Co.

2005-02-14T20:34:00.000-08:00

This weekend, courtesy of Netflix, I re-lived my childhood and watched Gremlins. Except, this time, unlike the first time I watched it, I didn't have to leave the lights on all night after viewing it. And this time, what I once found frighteningly scary, I found pretty damn funny.

First of all, the gremlins are running around in these cute little outfits. Which makes you wonder, where the hell did they get these outfits? Second of all, the stuff they are using is all scaled down to their size. I'd like to know where I can get me a gun the approximate dimensions of a bite size snickers? And third of all, WHERE THE HELL DID THEY GET THESE OUTFITS?

Let alone have time to get their ears pierced?

Also, I defy anyone to hear this song once and not have it stuck in their head for the next 20 years.

Happy Valentine's Day, my soft furry creatures with bat like ears. You can whine all you want, but I'm not feeding you after midnight.

Is that so wrong?

2005-02-11T08:55:00.000-08:00

I have this love hate relationship with Tom Jones. I hate that Tom Jones thinks he's God's gift to women. On the other hand, I love that Tom Jones thinks he's God's gift to women. And I'm seriously considering the possibility of seeing him live in concert. Probably, I think... maybe.

Jesus is just alright with me.

2005-02-09T17:44:00.000-08:00

I'd like to register some compliants.

To the moron at my gym. The freak who couldn't figure out what exactly those painted white lines in the parking lot were for. Thanks so much for parking in your space and then half of another one, leaving me with only half a space in which to get my park on.

To Ticketmaster. The company which screws me time and again with their ridiculous service fees. $8 per ticket? Why not make it an even $10? Or better yet, why don't you just require I hand over my iPod too, you greedy bastards.

To all the scalpers that bought up large blocks of U2 tickets. YOU will never get any money from ME. So suck it.

To the big G. You took the drummer from The Doobie Brothers yesturday. Couldn't you have taken Britney? Or Christina? Or better yet, both of those talentless skanks?

To Birdherder. The guy who's been spreading vicous rumors that I'm running scared from the RIAA. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Word.

iWant

2005-02-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Apparently, Apple does more than just create kick ass media players, great computers and slick glossy stores. They also enable you to send electronic ~~hate mail~~ greeting cards via the InternetS. I'm sure this isn't news to people. Mostly likely I'm the last to know.

Anyhow, you can make cool cards like this...

Smooches, Moi.

Serenity now.

2005-02-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

Deep, soulful eyes full of wisdom and contentment.

Is there another animal on this planet as peaceful and calming and wonderful as Bear? Ummm. That was a retorical question.

But just to clarify, NO.

I didn't Photoshop this image. Honestly, he really does glow with that much warmth and love and serenity in real life.

And yes, I just used Photoshop as a verb. Worse things could happen. So deal.

In this town.

2005-02-04T01:32:00.000-08:00

Last night I ended up driving through downtown on business related mission. I'm not going to bother you with all the details. Not because it's a secret, but more because it was totally mundane. Trust me. You don't want me to bore you with all the yawn worthy details. The point is... I loved every minute of it and I LOVE SEATTLE.

Now this isn't the point at which I talk up Seattle until I'm blue in face and then take it all back by turning around and saying, "Nope, just kidding. Got you." That's because I fucking love Seattle. I love it's proximity to the mountains and the trees, to the skiing and the hiking, to the lakes and ocean. I love the weather and I love traveling to other cities because I know, in the end, I'll end up back in Seattle. It's a town where it rains less often than most people think it does, and that's just fine by me.

I love all the great boutiques and shopping. I love the local restaurants, pubs and cafes. And I love the fact that at even the fanciest of restaurants you will most certainly end up running into a slew of people that are wearing ski jackets with their finest slacks and skirts, or more likely, just jeans.

Seattle is a laid back town of practical folks that enjoy a good cup of coffee and a warm slice of freshly baked bread. But what I really love about Seattle, is that even if you don't enjoy these things, you'll still be embraced by the people of Seattle with the same amount of hospitality and love as if you did. And how could you not love a town filled with those kinds of people?

We might as well be strangers.

2005-02-02T14:36:00.000-08:00

Since Washington State is under the misunderstanding that it's spring today, what with the near 60 degree weather and all, I decided to take a short walk to the nearest teriyaki hut to grab my lunch. In the less than half mile walk back to my office I saw someone running across the street that looked like someone I know but haven't talked to in over a year. As he got closer I dismissed that idea, and because on the off chance that it actually was him, stopped looking in his general direction.

As I was waiting at the crosswalk for the light to change, I decided to sneak one more glance at him, you know just to be sure it wasn't him, and because a) he had long since passed me b) there was still a street's distance between us and c) he had been running away from me with therefore no possiblity of us making eye contact. Except, apparently, he had stopped running because when I looked back he was standing there decidedly not running, not walking, just staring in my direction. According to my calculations that was not supposed to be possible. Apparently my calculations were way the fuck off. In an attempt to avoid eye contact or give him any false impressions that I actually cared if it was or was not him, I immediately looked away.

Fuck. That's what I get for looking back just long enough for him to see me yet not long enough for me to identify him. What a waste.

Hotness

2005-02-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

A couple birthdays ago J-Dog suprised me with a copy of Hot Hot Heat's Make Up the Breakdown, a band that at the time I had never heard of. Upon arriving back home and freeing it from the cellophane wrapper, I immediately took a liking to it which, for me, is sort of unusual. Even when a new U2 CD comes out it normally takes me a while to warm up to all the songs. Heck, it took me a while to warm up the the entire Keane album.

Anyhow, my point is Hot Hot Heat kicks. But that's a fact that kinda slipped my mind in the last year or so as other CDs in my collection got in the way. This weekend while out to breakfast at some dive, I thumbed thru a local weekly and saw a listing for a new Hot Hot Heat tour. Since Make Up The Breakdown, apparently, they've come out with a new album. It piqued my interest in them once again. And after dusting off the album I have and giving it another listen, and then wandering over to their website to hear some new songs, I am once again remembering why I was so totally taken by them. These boys from Victoria, BC totally rock.

So to summarize: Monday February 21, 2005 8:00PM @Neumo's Experience the hotness. No excuses because they're playing all over the US, not just Seattle.

In the meantime, run out and buy their album. I'll run out and buy this. And we can both hold our breath waiting for the next album to be released on April 5, 2005. And I'm not just saying that because I'm friends with the drummer. (I wish.)

Cake. It's what's for dinner.

2005-02-01T17:32:00.000-08:00

[cue beef theme song]

I'm having a big piece of chocolate cake for dinner. And I know what you're thinking to yourself... That's not the main course, right? But dessert? Nope. Just cake. For dinner. Must be chocolate. Oh yes.

The only question is where should I get this piece of cake? I'm thinking Simply Desserts in Fremont or Pies and Pints in Ravenna. I'll have to weigh my options carefully and report back later.

Decisions, decisions.

[2 hours later]

Egan decided to bring me my cake, bless his little heart. Now if only he would only hurry up and read The DaVinci Code, I'd be one happy camper. Anyway, in my glee, I neglected to take his picture with the cake. Oops! Theses are going to have to do. Especially since the cake is no more. That's right. I ate it already. All of it. Yum.

Cake, cake, cake!

The unveiling.

Seconds later, it was gone.

Updating my files

2005-01-31T23:18:00.000-08:00

This is your mission should you choose to accept it. Email me your mailing address. Why? Why not. Plus, I'll send you something. It might be some candy. Or it could be some random crap no one would buy off me on ebay. Or maybe even a check from Publisher Clearing House. But you'll never know for sure until you email me your coordinates.

Let's see how many ~~gullible~~ trusting people are paying attention.

Beautiful Day

2005-01-31T14:33:00.000-08:00

Running away to Vegas or Hawaii or any other place that's hot and sunny sounded like a pretty good idea last night. BUT going to Dublin to see U2 in concert in June sounded better. So as of 2AM this morning, when tickets were secured via a U2 Propaganda membership, touring Ireland and the UK is what I'll be doing come June and July.

And I'm listening to U2 right now at work. And I'm not going to lie. I'm totally excited. Don't hate me because I'm (a) beautiful (day).

What you don’t have you don’t need it now
What you don’t know you can feel it somehow
What you don’t have you don’t need it now
You don’t need it now, you don’t need it now
Beautiful day

Always protect yourself.

2005-01-30T23:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday night had a welcome familiarity when I ended up with some friends at a restuarant in downtown. But it wasn't the place that felt familiar, it was the company. And after the chaos of last week at work, it was especially appreciated.

So we caught up over cocktails and dinner and then headed over to the 16 plex to watch Clint Eastwood's latest offering. Clint? Marry me. Seriously.

Million Dollar Baby is definitively one of the best films I've seen in recent years. Strike that. One of the best films I've seen period. But I wouldn't bother going if you don't enjoy movies which make you feel things, deeply. Which is a whole different conversation because I know there are people in this world that avoid those kinds of movies at all costs but hello, isn't that a large part of experiencing a movie... relating it to your life?

The film is beautiful and honest and thoughtful and cutting. If you go and see this movie and it doesn't make you feel joy and exhilaration and desperation and loss and love and you don't feel the need to sob uncontrollably during, after and hours after seeing the film than clearly you are dead inside.

Seriously, don't mess with me right now. Or I might just hunt you down and force you to hold me while I lose it and sob on your shoulder.

That might be the two episodes of Extreme Makeover Home Edition I just watched talking. Or some Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Cat herding

2005-01-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

Okay people,

Since very few people I just tried to call were actually home I'm posting this here because, let's be honest, I know you folks are pretty damn connected to this little thing called the InternetS and probably check it more often than you check your cell for the latest news. We're getting together for dinner and a movie. The plan is to meet in downtown at 6 and go from there. If I know you that probably means you have my cellphone number. Which means you should totally call me and join the party. What are you waiting for? No, don't call me yet. Go get ready. Then call me.

Over and out,
You know who.

Ignorance is bliss

2005-01-28T13:59:00.000-08:00

I have approximately 1,001 million tasks to accomplish before this day ends, so I don't think I need to tell you how I spent my lunch hour. That's right. In front of a computer... catching up on all my blog reading and leaving random notes. What? You thought I was going to say I worked through lunch too? Hells no.

How do you think I mantain my sanity? Good call. That's right. I don't bother worrying about mantaining something I've never had.

Hyperventilating

2005-01-27T18:03:00.000-08:00

Apparently, the InternetS don't take too kindly to a person who previously couldn't resist blathering on about nothing via a blog but now is totally and utterly consumed by 1) a cold from hell that refuses to vacate her body 2) an overwhelming amount of work responsibilities and 3) a sudden and unexplainable inability to justify blogging in the midst of all that. I know. What the hell? That's prime blogging material if I've ever seen it.

At any rate, please excuse my absence but I've been feeling slightly overwhelmed by life lately. In the last few days my to do list hasn't included much other than "mantaining my shit". And just between you and me, I really haven't been racking up any points with that one.

If you've got a high-paying low-stress job burning a hole in your pocket, now's the time to come at me. Or one way ticket to France and keys to your private villa. That would work too.

In other news, U2 tickets have already sold out at Madison Square Gardens. Well, I for one could care less. I mean, really! Who has time from crap like visiting NYC to see your favorite band perform live and then some shopping at H&M?

Not me. That's who.

Haven't you been paying attention?

[Too high to title this post]

2005-01-21T16:25:00.000-08:00

DayQuil®, the daytime non-drowsy medicine relieves common cold and flu symptoms including cough, nasal congestion, fever, minor aches, pains, headache, muscular aches, and sore throat pain.

Riiiiight. If by non-drowsy they mean makes you feel high as a kite then I'm with them on that count. I felt so out of it today I spent half my time at work thinking, "Now why hell did I open this folder? Wait, what am I looking for again? Huh? Okay, so I can't think straight. Oh well, let me take this opportunity to organize some stuff. Here we go. 1,2,3... fuck, what comes after 3?" or just "[nada]" with a stupid blank stare on my face.

And on a random sidenote, don't get dooced. Or do, whatever. I really don't care either way. (That's the virus talking.)

~~Over and out.~~
~~Move along.~~
~~Are you still here?~~
[Insert goodbye of your preference here.]

100.7

2005-01-20T06:50:00.000-08:00

I know what you're thinking to yourself. 100.7, clearly a reference to a radio station, right? Nope, guess again.

That's right. My temperature. I was thinking I would push past the pain and just go into work anyways. Then I remembered how The Dude fainted when he wasn't even at work and how I was at work for 12 hours the day before this cold/flu/virus-from-hell knocked by on my ass. I guess I better hold out until my temperature is at least under 100.

Feeling woozy. Leaving now.

Okay, here's the thing.

2005-01-19T04:25:00.000-08:00

This weekend I went skiing with The Dude (who was sick), Seth (who was sick) and Seth's girlfriend (who wasn't sick). Seth's girlfriend and I talked about taking bets on which one of us would get sick first but I really thought if I thought healthy thoughts I could avoid it. Now The Dude and Seth are almost well and Seth's girlfriend and I are both, that's right, sick. Unevitable, unavoidably sick.

We're talking achy, hot/cold, fevery, sore throat, nose congested just kill me now sick. Where's my Nyquil? What's that? I'm out. Damn it. That's what I get for using it as a sleep aid. Hey, shut up. I only did that once. Besides, I'm sick. Be nice.

Also, file this post under worst post ever.

Also, blame the sickness.

Also, this is so not the right time. I've got so much stuff wrap up at work and I'm scheduled to be out of the office on Friday for training. Current situtation = no win.

Also, I will survive. And thank you Gloria Gaynor for providing me with one more crappy phrase to really seal the deal on the suck factor of this post, by like 20 fold.

Dude, drink your water.

2005-01-17T12:18:00.000-08:00

This post was supposed to be about driving up to Mt. Baker Friday night and staying at a lodge in Glacier, Washington. It was supposed to be a place where I would talk about the comforts of the simple things in life, away from phones and the demands of the fast paced modern world. It was supposed to be about meeting up with some friends, skiing/snowboarding and conquering our fears (mostly of the downhill variety). It was supposed to be where I would post pictures from this weekend and recount the fun things that happened along the way... like singing nonsense songs in the car on the way back to Seattle on Sunday night.

But then The Dude got sick. Really sick. Waking up in the middle of the night sick, fainting sick, time to go to the hospital sick and long story short that's where we ended up at 4am on a national holiday. I didn't have this day off but I ended up not going to work. I told him if he really wanted to spend his holiday with me this was one way to accomplish it, but that next time I'd rather he just wisk me away to Hawaii or Vancouver or any place else that doesn't resemble a hospital. That and also the next time I hand him a glass of water he better damn well drink it. All of it. Taking one measily little sip and setting it down is so not acceptable. How not acceptable? 3 liters of water via an IV not acceptable.

Dude, drink your water.

Chances are

2005-01-13T11:50:00.000-08:00

It’s pretty much guaranteed that if you “get” the humor of Seinfeld, The Larry David Show and/or The Office we’ll get along just swimmingly. And I haven’t even seen an episode of The Office yet; only a couple promo clips and boy howdy, can I tell how much that is something I would get. People that like sarcasm in large portions are my kind of people.

If you run into me 5 of out 7 days during the week, I’ll be wearing Pink! And not just a little pink, like a shirt with some Pink! in it or a plaid skirt with a stripe of Pink! We’re talking an entire outfit devoted to that which is pretty and Pink! like a sweater that’s bright Pink! or a coat or an entire skirt that revolves around an all Pink! theme. I know. It’s out of control.

Odds are 99.999% that I bought a new item of clothing this week with 2 to 1 odds that I bought multiple items and 3 to 1 odds one or more of those items are Pink!

On average it takes my clothes 2.2 years to make it from the dirty laundry pile to the dry cleaners. You may think I’m exaggerating on this one but seriously, I just brought some stuff to the cleaners that sat in my car for over 1 year. No joke. In fact, truth be told, there’s still another 2 bags worth of dirty dry cleaning at my apartment, waiting to be moved to my car where it will sit for the requisite waiting period in my car, which is apparently 1 year before it gets a go at the cleaners. Oh joy!

I’m all hot or cold (literally and figuratively). Literally: I’m either burning up or freezing my ass off. There is no in between with me. Given the choice between being too hot or too cold, I would choose death. That’s why I’m all bundled up in the winter and stripping clothes off in the summer; constantly searching for that elusive happy body temperature medium. Figuratively: I’ve got no game. I either like you and you know it. Or I hate you and you know it. I have got absolutely no poker face.

InternetS? I heart you.

Shut it or I'll take you out with my SUV.

2005-01-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

And now I remember the third thing I was going to say. A few weeks back I got my haircut by the same guy that always cuts my hair. He's awesome and I will go to him for all my hair styling/cutting/therapy needs until the day I die or the day that he retires, whichever comes first.

Anyways, the last time I went to see him (a few weeks back, remember that part?) he totally gave me the wrong hair cut. He cut it all short in the front and now I look like a freaking soccer mom. Oh lordy. You don't know how many times I've thought about just cutting it all short to get it back to the same length already but whatever. This is going to have to do for now. Can't wait for it to grow back out.

Okay, I better hop in my minivan and pick up little Bobby from soccer practice. Carry on.

Seeing red Pink!

2005-01-12T08:53:00.000-08:00

Last night while at work the alarm went off. I'm realizing now how sad it is that my only thought about that was, "Man, are some of the people that I work with that stupid? Stupid enough that they would leave with the alarm beeping, warning them..TURN OFF THE ALARM YOU MORON IF THIS IS A FALSE ALARM BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE'LL BE CALLING THE COPS IN 3 MINUTES?".

And there's only one answer to that question and the answer is yes. Thank you idiot coworker who caused the alarm to go off, which caused my ears to start bleeding, which caused me to have to stop doing what I was doing and fix your mistake. Really. I mean it. Thanks so much!

In other news, Sally stopped by my apartment last night. I wasn't going to anwser it or go to the door because, well... I was in my pjs already but then I saw it was just Sally and Sally has an all access pass to my life anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The anywhere part was redundant, huh? Oh well. Besides, I'm sure she's seen me in my pjs before 9pm more times than I care to recount.

Anyhow, long story short she went to the UK during Thanksgiving and brought me back a Pink! pashmina. And last night after she gave it to me, I rewarded her with some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. After she left I wrapped the Pink! pashmina around my neck and did lots of exciting things like watch tv, read a book and later fall asleep with the Pink! pashmina still wrapped around my neck. I'm so cool. Okay, maybe not. Moving on...

There was something else I was going to mention but fuck if I can't remember what it was. Okay then. This will have to do.

I'm not broke but you can see the cracks.

2005-01-10T21:29:00.000-08:00

Something is missing. I can't figure out exactly what. Related to the... Industry? Maybe. Location? Perhaps. The company I keep? Depends. A perspective? Obviously, I mean so many other people in this world have so much less and yet are perfectly content and grateful for the little they have in life.

I don't know what's missing. But something is definitely missing.

You know that saying that goes, "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? Sometimes whatever doesn't kill you doesn't make you stronger. Instead it just so totally scares the living crap out of you, you end up losing any interest in taking the same risks again.

I've learned that life is a balancing act. That you have to move ahead after learning some of life's toughest lessons without feeling guilty, scared or angry about the past. That you have to keep a perspective even if that perspective is only a bunch of self talk that you logically understand but emotionally aren't buying yet.

That above all that you have to laugh at yourself. Because, let's face it, if you can't laugh at yourself then there is no point to life. And even when you don't know direction you should be headed, especially when you don't know what direction you should be headed, it's best to stop and reflect. But here's the tricky part. Don't spend all your waking hours reflecting on your past and vicariously reliving it or you'll never get anywhere. You have to keep moving, even if you don't know where you're headed next.

I've done a lot of complaining lately about my job and how I feel completely overwhelmed by all the things there are to do. Afterall, I'm only one person. And as much as I can rationalize and prioritize and explain myself, at a certain point I realize only one person is responsible for my sucess or failure at my company and that person is me. Setting people's expectations and not saying yes to every request that comes through my door was decidedly not one of my strengths in 2004. This year is going to be different.

Yea, that or I'll start checking out monster.com on a more frequent basis. Anyone hiring for a part-time personal illustrator and/or graphic designer that pays 70k a year? Yep, didn't think so.

I miss the college days when I was a barista at Nordstrom's. The tips were great. Besides thinking it totally overrated. Forgetting to turn off the steam before I poured the milk was about as complicated as that job ever got. Not to mention the 20% discount.

Hmmmmm, I wonder if Nordstrom is hiring?

Lundi doit partir.

2005-01-10T11:02:00.000-08:00

I'm pretty sure the only way to get this day back on track is with a large piece of chocolate cake. One that I don't have to share with anyone.

Oh who am I kidding? This day was never, ever anywhere close to being on track. Afterall, that's what Monday is all about. In other words, if you don't have some chocolate cake set aside specifically just for me you best keep your distance.

Riddle me this

2005-01-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

What's a ten letter word that starts with gas? And don't cheat by googling it. And by cheat, I mean, be like me.

[Insert witty title here]

2005-01-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

I vowed to finish my marketing budget today if it kills me which is why I'm still at the office. Oh yes. And god seems to have a wicked sense of humor because normally at this hour on a Friday traffic would suck major ass but as fate would have it 520 is a ghost town. Apparently people are scared by the threat of snow, ice, and/or a horrible car crash. Wusses.

In other news, I might die soon.

So far today.

2005-01-07T12:50:00.000-08:00

There's too much drama in my office today. People have been shouting and whining and pretty much just freaking out over stupid stuff way. too. much. today.

Someone stopped by the office unannounced to talk with me. The reception let this person right in without checking with me first. Hello? Not everyone is legit. We need a new "gatekeeper".

There's no way to use the following words/phrases without sounding like a complete dork: a) offline, as while in a meeting saying "hey, let's take that conversation offline", b) rad/awesome/cool/wack and c) gatekeeper.

I ran out to lunch with a few coworkers and on the way back heard Mc Hammer's "2 Legit 2 Quit" on the radio. Granted, this guy listens to a crappy radio station but dude, you can't make stuff like this up. Rad.

Yesturday upon arriving at work...

2005-01-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

...I discovered this in the parking lot.

Snow. Oh yes. Okay, so it wasn't very much. Still still! There's more forecasted for today and tomorrow. I love it.

What not to do at work.

2005-01-05T22:54:00.000-08:00

A) Neglect to eat lunch, especially if you came in early and will be staying late for meetings. You'll only end up with a huge headache you can't shake, a feeling that you're about to faint and an unability to function like a normal human being when you finally drag your ass home from the office.

B) Allow any and everyone who feels like they need "just 15 minutes of your time" to come into your office and chat it up. Because you and I both know not only will they end up using twice as much of your time but also when that occurs you'll never get even 5 minutes alone to ~~complete~~ start any of your one thousand and one projects.

C) Let work chew you up and spit you out. Sometimes you have to take a stand (even if it's only in your head).

In other words, I'm mad tired.

Third time's a charm.

2005-01-04T21:31:00.000-08:00

I wrote a post earlier today with every intention of posting it, but when I got through I just couldn't do it. Too honest. Or too full of lies. Either way I wasn't about to publish it.

So I wrote another post. But it was just more of the same. So I filed it under draft just like the first one. And still no new post.

Which brings me to this post which I'm dedicating to your questions. Come at me.

I ran my mouth off a bit too much, Oh what did I say

2005-01-04T16:29:00.000-08:00

On the way into work yesturday morning Modest Mouse's Float on came on the radio. I can definitively say I don't really care for MM. No offense but they just don't do it for me. Float On, however, is the exception to that rule. I like Float On, lots. Or I use to anyways. Now I'm not too sure. And after hearing it again recently it got me thinking about that as well as the first time I heard it.

One evening last spring I was running on the street near my office (to avoid sitting in traffic) listening to my mp3 player. After listening to the same mp3s approximately 12 times too many, I switched over to radio and Float On started playing. I can still remember hearing Float On for the first time and feeling an overwhelming rush of energy. But now when I hear it, the song has a bittersweet quality that almost makes me want to flip the dial.

I guess that's to be expected. I've ruined lots of good songs for myself by associating them with bittersweet memories of people or events. But I suppose that's what initially attracted me to the song. The upbeat rhythm and lyrics that talked about keeping things in perspective. My point is there's only one way I know of in which the time healing all equation works for me; via humor and sharing.

That sometimes in those moments of confusion in which you don't know which way to go next, it's just best to shrug it off and laugh. Besides, you should never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

Oh the places you'll go!

2005-01-03T15:40:00.000-08:00

In 2004 I did my share of traveling.

The States
Long Beach, California
~~Pietro's~~ Portland, Oregon
Las Vegas, Nevada
Bellingham, Washington

Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia

Europe
Amsterdam, Holland
Berlin, Germany
Prague, ~~Poland~~ Czech Republic
Vienna, Austria
Florence, Italy
Cinque Terre, Italy
Paris, France

This year I plan on making it back to Europe to visit the UK and Ireland. What's the point of this post? To gloat, I suppose. I know, I know. I'm mean.

Actually, it's just to note where I've been and where I'm going. Nothing more, nothing less. Move along.

Party of Five

2005-01-01T18:59:00.001-08:00

Last night was spent with some close friends who've known me longer than nearly anyone else in my life, excluding my parents. They're the kind of friends that are always there no matter what, who'd so totally have my back in any situation I ever got into and it makes me glad that I've got some friends like that. The plan was to play poker and eat some Chinese take out. Mission accomplished. At one point I was up 10 dollars but in the end I only gained 1.

We sat around the fire watching VH1 making snarky comments, debating what defines a "one hit wonder" band while sipping/chugging/throwing back some wine/beer/liquor. All and all a pretty good way to start off 2005, despite how sleepy I ended up. I was totally up for playing Pictionary after the stroke of midnight. Then the fact that I'd been awake for nearly 24 hours hit me and I had to bail on the party.

But when you've got friends like I've got they understand and that's that. Anyways, I guess what I'm trying to say is 2005 is going to be 100 fold better than 2004, and let me tell you... 2004 was pret-ty kick ass. Happy New Years!

Oh, also new year resolutions are kind of bogus if you ask me. I mean I've never been one to think that if you decide you're going to change something about yourself that there's something magically about doing it at the start of a new year. Anyways the subject came up so I announced last night my resolution for 2005 was to call more men in my presense nancys which shouldn't be too hard to accomplish seeing as how so far I've ended up doing it about 5 times in 2005 which is approximately 4 more times than I did it in 2004.

What's that? You don't like that resolution? Shut up, you nancy.

My New Year's Eve

2004-12-31T18:36:00.000-08:00

Started with me waking up at 3:30AM to work. I didn't get done until noon and by then I was too awake to attempt a nap.

I'm off to play some poker with some friends to ring in 2005 right. In between poker rounds I might attempt to slink off for a quick nap before midnight strikes. Besides I already celebrated my coworker's New Year with him way across the world working and me on the other side cracking the whip.

Have a safe one people. No drinking and drinking, I mean, drinking and driving. Aiight? Aiight.

The Man won't let me be.

2004-12-29T22:52:00.000-08:00

1) I left the office at 8pm. But I'm still working from home. I thought you'd want to know.

2) Also, I've just been informed by the PM on my project, "you have very good eye and would be a good tester". Never. Ever. Details make me insane. I'm all about the big picture.

3) Still I'm a nerd so I took it as a compliment.

5) And my sensible dinner tonight? An orange and some ice cream.

7) And not that Breyers crap either.

13) Tillamook. Oh yes.

17) Sad but all the other prime numbers escape me at the moment.

21) Except for this one. But I probably missed a few. I'm sure someone will correct me.

P.S. Birdherder is back. Hi Birdie!

Drained.

2004-12-28T22:44:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I love my job. Other times I feel like it's stealing my soul, one dreadful minute at a time. Tonight I was at the office past 6 o'clock trying to wrap up a project I've been focused on for over three weeks now. Then I went home, had some dinner and logged back online. I was only able to stop fretting about this project for about one hour before the project manager from another office (who literally lives half way across the globe) hopped online and it was back to work. It's days like these where I end up doing most of my work via IM, legitimately.

You have no idea how unfun IM is when you're trying to communicate with someone who lives half way around the world and doesn't quite understand everything you're saying. That's right. I just made up a new word. Unfun. As in, I've had enough unfun for one night.

Don't get me wrong. I think the project manager that I'm working with is great. He's been jumping through hoops right and left for me. It's just that being organized really isn't a strength of mine so coordinating this project has been quite the challenge. And it's often a waiting game back at the office looking for changes to be made before I take the project any further. Most of my work, due to the time difference ends up getting done late at night. And now, if you managed to make your way through this entire post, you officially know way too much unnoteworthy, boring information about my job.

File this under puppy under posts to be deleted.

And in other news, the more I think about being at The Seahawks game on December 26th and not hearing a single mention about the Asian earthquake, aftermath or it's victims, the madder it makes me. If anything calls for a moment of silence/acknowledgement/SOMETHING-FOR-CRYING-OUT-LOUD!, it's thousands of innocent people dying.

Shameless Promotion Vol. I

2004-12-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't already found this... Seattle Eats!

Too comatose from all the Tillamook Carmel Butter Pecan Ice Cream I just inhaled to write anything more. However, I will muster up enough energy to express how badly I feel for all you folks that aren't privileged enough to 1) live in the great Pacific Northwest 2) don't have access to Tillamook Ice Cream and 3) don't know any better.

13.5% butterfat. Gnome sane?

Let's. Go. Seahawks.

2004-12-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

Things that make me glad I don't go to NFL games on a regular basis. In no particular order.

Pyrotechnics.

Loud sweaty guys with beer.

Seagals.

Guys bundled up in wool sweaters with just a hint of a plaid peeking through from under their jacket. Oh wait, this isn't the "things that make me weak in the knees" list. My bad.

Temperatures below 40 degrees.

Rain.

Face Painters.

And grown men dressed up like skeletons.

Argh Matey.

Oh Lordy, I love me some Christmas.

2004-12-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

Can my mom decorate or what?

I call this one Sixteen Sprizees.

Feliz Navidad Everyone!

You can run, but you can't hide.

2004-12-23T10:33:00.000-08:00

To all the people that have ever randomly IM'd me, be warned that I might, just might, post our conversation for all the InternetS to see, especially if you taunt me with pancakes.

Todd says: yummy pancakes

Kate says: brat

Todd says: they stuck a needle in my back, so I deserved pancakes

Kate says: ewwwww

Kate says: i'd stick a needle in my own back if that's what it takes to get me some damn pancakes

Todd says: you at work?

Kate says: si

Todd says: gh

Kate says: done will all the shopping?

Kate says:gh?

Todd says: yes, well maybenot

Todd says: meant to be ugh

Kate says: hello? ever heard of the space bar?

Kate says: maybeyoushouldtryitouthuh?

Todd says: I need coffee, what they have at pancake haus is not what I consider coffee

Todd says: IHateSpace

Kate says: what do you expect? the average age of people eating there is 60, you think people at that age still have tastebuds in tact? if so, think again.

[this part of the conversation has been edited to protect the innocent]

Kate says: watch out. your 15 minutes of fame is coming for you.

Todd says: I will hide

Wish'n, Hope'n... Boxes to Open

2004-12-22T09:47:00.000-08:00

Last night I met up with HFH, J-Dog, Adriane and The Dude at El Camino. We had a great time. I'd love to recount details about just how much fun was had by all but right now I'm struggling under the dark cloud of a vision blurring headache. And since I don't really get headaches all that often I deal with them about as well as W handles foreign relations; which is to say I CAN'T DEAL WITH MY HEADACHE. GIVE ME DRUGS. LOTS OF THEM. NOW!

Anyways, it was fun. Did I mention that already? Also, we exchanged gifts. Not that the gifts really matter when you've got great friends like I've got but hey, gifts are nice too. HFH got me some lovely cashmere gloves. You'll never guess what color*. J-Dog got me a book. You'll never guess the subject**. Adriane gave me some lovely handmade cards with her photos on the front.

Okay and now I must return back to the subject of my headache because, honestly, at the moment, my headache is the only thing I'm thinking about. I have no idea what the cause could possibly be unless it's a residual effect of the House Margarita that knocked me on my ass last night. It couldn't be to blame, could it? I mean I only had one for crying out loud. Then again, if it isn't to blame why am I craving a cheeseburger this early in the morning?

* Pink! Duh.
** U2 (Specifically, "Killing Bono") Double duh.

All the U2 News You Can Use

2004-12-21T17:06:00.000-08:00

Rumored U2 Dates:
April
24 & 25: Seattle - Key Arena
28 & 29: Vancouver - GM Place
June
25, 26: Dublin - Croke Park

!
!!
!!!

Santa ain't got nothin' on me

2004-12-20T23:54:00.000-08:00

Have I got a story for you.

So I went to the mall tonight to get my shop on, mostly to get the christmas shopping over and done with once and for all. Like most things in my life, I normally get overly worked up about things I don't want to face, avoid them like the plague and then when I finally can't wait any longer and listen to Nike I find out the actual doing of it wasn't that bad, just the dread. Oh the hours of dreading.

Anyways, so back to mall. I drove around with the rest of the insane in the parking garage circling and circling until I found a space. But now here's the thing. I didn't really take note of where exactly I parked my car. Looking back I'm pretty sure it was 4K. You can see where this is going right? Hold up. Don't get ahead of me.

So a couple hours later I'm two fisted with shopping bags and interesting in buying more but running out of limbs so I decide it's quiting time. I start to head back to my car. I remember the entrance I entered through and exit out to the garage. Then I start walking towards what I think is 4K only I'm on the third level so the only thing I see is 3K, so I think to myself, "Okay, no big deal. Must be the next flight up."

Only I go up to the fourth floor and that's the roof and obviously I didn't draw a map or anything of where I parked but I sure the hell know it was NOT on the roof. So I stumble back down to the third floor and wander around aimlessly for 5-10 minutes thinking to myself what an idiot I am and remembering the infamous Seinfeld with the parking garage. At least I didn't have a bag of fish.

So at this point people that are passing me can tell that I'm lost. I'm giving out that "Ladies and gentleman. This girl is helpless. It's a wonder how she dressed herself this morning" kind of a vibe and this guy pulls up in a truck. He has his window rolled down and he starts trying to chat with me, "Can't find your car?". Well as it turns out he's security and so he offers me a ride in his cab. At first I was a little put off because he didn't look very official. That and also I've watched one too many Lifetime movies. But as it turns out he was very nice and totally legit.

So we are driving around looking for my car and we end up chatting a little bit and he starts telling me all kinds of funny stories. About people who think they parked their car in a certain spot and then when they go back and it's not there they immediately assume their car has been stolen and call the police. I guess this guy's job includes having to drive these people, the ones that are admenant their car was hot wired, around the parking garage to verify they didn't just forget where they actually parked it. He said almost every time the people are just confused and the car is right where they parked it, in a spot they never remember parking in. Man, at least I'm not that much of an idiot.

So, I didn't catch the security guy's name but if you work at BelSquare and you drove around some pathetic girl who couldn't find her VW Passat tonight, thank you Mister.

Oh, and in case you're wondering. My car was found at 2K. Apparently, I multipled by two when I memorized the spot. Good work idiot, good work.

Oh you look so beautiful tonight.

2004-12-20T15:44:00.000-08:00

City of Blinding Lights is one of those rare songs that has the ability to spark a place in my memory, that place being Paris, despite the fact that I didn't even hear the song until more than two week after I got back from Europe. Actually I guess it's not that suprising, or maybe even rare for that matter, because when you stop and think about it, clearly that song is love letter to the City of Love.

But for me it is reminiscent of something more. That something more being its ability to jog a place in my memory where I captured the essence of Paris; what it felt like to wander through back alleys, lazily stroll while window shopping and gaze up at the glittering tower of steel and lights for the first time. I'm not even going to mention at this point that I'm completely glazing over the part of my Paris trip in which I was quarantined to my hotel room with the cold from hell sans Nyquil. Yep, definitely not going to mention it.

Anyways, Paris was sparkling and charming and so pretty I thought really hard about ways I could package it up into a cute little paper box, tie it up with a pretty silk ribbon and bring it home with me. But then I got the cold from hell and before I knew it, it was time to go home.

Paris? I'll be back.

Dear Santa,

2004-12-16T18:18:00.000-08:00

I've been good, generally speaking. This year I'll take world peace. But if you can't swing that world peace thing, I'll settle for this...

Hugs & Kisses,
Spriz

I've got...

2004-12-16T09:10:00.000-08:00

...work projects on deadline. We're talking close to a thousands and one, all of which are scheduled to wrap this Friday (or before I go insane which most likely, let's be honest, will probably happen first).

...presents yet to be purchased for friend's/family's birthday/christmas gift.

...to pull myself together after all that and head off to a party Friday night in downtown.

And I still haven't figured out that cloning thing so I guess sleep in the next 48 hours is completely out of the question. Enough said.

This is me freaking out. Fer real.

You go girl!

2004-12-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

This just in*. HFH has been offered and accepted a job with The Democrats. HFH? Go on with your big bad self! Congrads!!!

This is awesome for multiple reasons, one of which being that when she refers to doing stuff for/with the Democrats she talks about it like they’re this really cool group of ultra chic people, which I’m assuming she does because...duh, they ARE a really cool group of ultra chic people.

Phrases I am currently prepared to hear more often:

"So last week when I was hanging out with The Democrats..."
"So anyways, I was chilling with The Democrats and.."
"...and then the guy turns to me and says, 'No worries, you’re with The Democrats, right? It’s on me.'"

*Actually this is old news. HFH left me a voicemail last night at 10:15 when I didn’t answer my phone because I’m lame and was already half asleep. Obviously, I'm not the night owl I used to be. Also, I need to check my voicemail a little bit more often than once every 3 days.

Work Smirk

2004-12-13T21:25:00.000-08:00

I left work over an hour ago but I'm still working. That is beyond lame. I know I just went on a three week vacation less than two months ago but seriously, I need another vacation.

And by working I mean trying to decipher what the hell this guy who only speaks English as a second language is trying to ask me via IM. I mean, god love him and all (I don't speak any foreign lanuguages or anything so I'll give him props for trying) but fuck if I don't know what the hell he is trying to say. I think I'll go shoot myself now. Or just terminate the IM chat and put this guy out of his misery. Right after I save the conversation in my work IM chat folder, which I should add is appropriately titled "Fucking Ridiculous". I kid you not. You can't make stuff like this up. Advil, I need me some Advil.

J-Dog turns the big two eight.

2004-12-13T10:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was J-Dog's birthday. I had every intention of posting something then to mark the occasion but as with many things in my life I often tend to put things off because I figure eventually something brilliant will come to me and then voilla, magically my task will be done. Well, not so much with this one. However thinking about what I should write about what a great guy J is got me to thinking about when he first entered into my life.

If memory serves me correctly, HFH and I first met J when he transferred into our AP History class in our junior year of high school. Much of high school I'll admit is a blur, not because of drugs or crazy antics but mostly because it was pretty damn uneventful. When you live in a town where tipping cows or jumping your car off a bumpy road is about as exciting as it gets, you tend to glaze over a lot of uneventfulness. At any rate if it wasn’t for J transferring schools, I never would have met him.

So I’ve known J for over 10 years now and although we lost touch during our college years we reconnected years later because J is one of those friends that you can not see or talk to for inexcusable lengths of time and then when you do finally run into him again it’s just like you never lost touch.

J’s a great sounding board, a great listener, and a great wealth of knowledge (useless and otherwise). He’d make a great competitor on Jeopardy!, has great music and movie tastes, knows how to laugh and make others laugh and isn’t afraid of a good challenge. He’d offer up his spare kidney if he knew you needed it and makes great snarky remarks while watching TV with you. Yes, all this and then some.

You should be so lucky to have someone like J-Dog in your life. Happy Birthday J!

Things I look for in a breakfast establishment

2004-12-11T20:20:00.000-08:00

1. No smoking. Unless I've just rolled out of bed and am in some sweats/old-jeans/clothes-I-never-want-to-wear-again and if that's the case then sure, let the people smoke.

2. Have a current copy of The Stranger and/or The Seattle Weekly. Preferably both.

3. Not look at me funny when I ask for some green Tabasco or hand me some red. Red is so not the same.

4. Immediate seating, menu passing out, ordering and check processing. Basically... no waiting.

5. A waitress that asks me if I want anything to drink like this, "Water, Orange Juice, Bloody Mary?" I'm not even going to order that Bloody Mary. It just seems like all is right with the world when the waitress offers alcohol up that early in the morning. On second thought, maybe I will order one next time so that 2 minutes later I can ask her to "86 it".

Hale's Ale has 1, 2 and 4 covered. Vera's in Ballard has 1, 3, and 4 covered. The Fremont Dock has 2, 3, 4 and 5 covered. So close, yet so far away.

Deck the Hall and then some.

2004-12-10T10:00:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to The End's Deck The Hall Ball at the Key. The line up was AMAZING.

Snow Patrol
Keane
The Shins
The Killers
Franz Ferdinand
Modest Mouse

Sure I felt slightly out of place with all the high schoolers running around but hey, what can I say? Tickets were only $35. That's a steal even if you're unemployed. (Speaking of which I hope HFH was off somewhere doing something extra fun because if not I'll kick myself for not calling her and offering up the extra ticket we ran across.)

It was raining and on the way back to the car I got soaked. Oh, I should probably already mention that half way back to the car I was standing at a crosswalk waiting for the light to change when a car drove pass, hit a large puddle and... long story short, ended with me COMPLETELY SOAKED. I thought that was the sort of crap that only happened on TV or in the movies. Apparently not.

You'll never guess what I did tonight.

2004-12-08T23:34:00.000-08:00

Let's just say it involved Julia, Jude, Natalie and a guy who's name currently escapes me. What's that? Bingo.

Damn, you're too smart for me. My favorite word for tonight is definitively "disarming".

I left work early, fought traffic for about an hour and ended up in Wallingford about 50 minutes earlier than I needed to be which gave me plenty of time to 1) find more cool boutiques I will be throwing into my regular shopping routine 2) take pictures in Wallingford 3) stand outside of Tully's, peer in at all the cool peeps and then 4) walk by Starbucks and recognize it for the sad ghost town that it is. Everyone who's anyone knows that in Wallingford, Tully's is WHERE. IT. IS. AT.

*I have pictures to prove it but I'm too lazy/tired/sleepy to post at the moment.
**However, a lifetime supply of free FBBs might convince me otherwise.

Potential for so much snarkiness...

2004-12-07T22:06:00.000-08:00

...I can hardly contain my excitement!

Onion: The Movie

I'm here to inform people. You're welcome.

P.S. I'm so dedicated to my job that I'm IMing with some folks at my company's office located on another continent right now. You're right. That dedication crap was a stretch. At any rate, it's 10PM and I'm still working.

My favorite part about today?

2004-12-07T14:47:00.000-08:00

Having a meeting about a meeting, I mean, an IM about an IM.

No wait, it was listening to my coworker, who’s no small guy, recount the time he was in the hospital and passed out in the shower ending his description of the ordeal with “…and I was like a puddle of sponge bob at the bottom of that shower”. The visual alone had us all hooting with laughter.

No wait, it was at noon when me and 4 of my coworkers ran out to grab a bite. On the way back we started listening to a random 80s CD, singing to "Invisible Touch" and recalling the greatest Genesis video ever, "Land of Confusion". Where are those DC Follies puppets now anyways?

No wait, it definitely later that afternoon when I checked my voicemail and heard "Brad" trying to sell me on his three ring hole punched college rule paper.

I know what you're saying to yourself.

2004-12-06T20:53:00.000-08:00

What am I going to get her? No worries. That's why I'm here. If you live in Seattle, go here or here. Or even here.

Why do I know this? Because Saturday I went to West Seattle on what I'll refer to as a date, except not really, because a) I met up with a girl and b) I don't play for that team... not that there's anything wrong with that and c) I'm pretty sure The Dude with have a thing (or 20) to say about me going out on an actual date. I only say it was a "date" because I don't really know this person that well so I didn't know what to expect or how things would go.

Anyway, I met up with her in West Seattle and the reason I say I don't really know her is because, well... frankly, I only know her from my previous job and this one random time when she stopped by my office and we ended up going shopping together. She's very nice and all but as it turns out we don't have much in common, the least of which is she loves yammering on and on, and me? Well, not so much.

I was worried that we wouldn't have anything to chat about but she was a wealth of random stories about random happenings in her life past and present. That's good and bad. It's good because when there's a lull in the conversation, I'm like a deer in the headlights. Nothing comes out of my mouth and there's this bad, ackward silence. I didn't have to worry about that with her because she kept the conversation going. It's bad because she kept the conversation going FOREVER and she didn't seem too interested in what's happening/happened/might-happen in my life so I'm kind of giving up on this new relationship.

So that’s that and since we don't have much in common on top of that, I really don't see this going anywhere. Too bad. I was so ready to add someone new to my short list of friends I could call up should I happen to be arrested, detained, in need of a ride to/from the airport or otherwise in dire need of some assistance. Don't get me wrong. I'm okay with it. Everything can't work out. I'd much rather keep my list short and close rather than long and random.

You know the saying that goes, "keep your friends close and your enemies closer"? That's pure bs if you ask me. Take my advice. Keep your enemies on a do not call list and blocked from IM. Your time is much too precious to be wasted interacting with people that annoy you.

Secret Exploits: The T-shirt

2004-12-05T09:05:00.000-08:00

First Annual No IMing Day

2004-12-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

Seattle, Washintgon - Today has been declared the first NO IMing Day for Sprizee, in the name of getting her work shit done once and for all. The announcement was made Friday morning before arriving at the office in the hopes that she would actually stick to the plan today. She was last seen shaking her head, mumbling "no more monkey business" and frantically shuffling papers around her desk. She was unavaliable for further comment.

Who can resist the lure of the blinking window? Not me, no sir. We think she'll probably crack under the pressure. Back to you Bob.

Legalize Frostitution

2004-12-02T14:37:00.000-08:00

The Wife was down from b'ham today so we went out to lunch at a fancy restaurant. And by fancy I mean Red Robin. Okay, I didn't really mean fancy.

Anywho, I need a nap. Or a cupcake. At this point either one would be a step in right direction.

P.S. I just discovered this.

P.P.S. It was fabulous to see The Wife. Did I mention that part already? At one point she said something to me that had us both laughing so hard that she ended up spitting on me. Maybe you had to be there, but trust me, it was worth it.

P.P.P.S. You know when you've found a good friend? When you've found someone that will tell you if there's some abnormal bump on your eye and that you should go to the doctor and get it checked out. Sure that's a gross example but that's what a good friend is all about. Anyone can tell you “nice hat”. It’s the peeps of the worlds that tell you “What the fuck is that? Get that shit checked out” you should hold onto.

Sweet Dreams

2004-12-02T07:38:00.000-08:00

I had this dream I was over at my parents house. A US Military plane flew over the neighbor's yard really low and then came around for another pass. It ditched right there in the neighbor's yard. It was one of those planes that didn't have any doors or windows and you could see all the people on the plane before it was even on the ground. Clearly, this is one part of the dream that only makes sense because, duh... I was dreaming.

For whatever reason I immediately knew the people that had ditched weren't US soliders but Czechians. I wanted to talk to the soliders but my stupid old neighbor, true to form, started yelling at them. She was so freakishly evil that they started running directly into the woods. What a bitch. You have no idea how long it took me to coach them back out of the woods. Oh and also they didn't speak any English. I was so disappointed. Why? Because I really wanted to know if any of them were from Prague.

What was that all about? Dreams are odd. Anyways, I'm sure this has nothing to do to my recent trip to Prague or the Czech Republic.

Um, yeah.

Marketing Supervisor

2004-12-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

"The Spriz is like the King of Beers. Only, marketing. Sometimes I say, what about Low Carb... and Spriz looks at me all weird. Anyway, this one time, I was trying to get rid of my WMDs. The press was hot on my tail and well... it doesn't look good when you're harvesting weapons that can potentially mass destruct. The Spriz found a buyer for me. ON EBAY no less. WHEW. I was so relieved."

I think Smurphy is embellishing a little. First of all, I don't think some halloween candy from 1997 can legitimately be referred to as a weapon of mass destruction. But we did manage to get some fool to pay over 2k after I modified the listing to include the words "face of Mary".

Case of the Mondays

2004-11-30T10:12:00.000-08:00

1) I was suppose to wake up at 5:00am to be in downtown by 6:30am.

2) I must have flipped off my alarm in my sleep.

3) Apparently the Nyquil worked a little too well.

4) I actually woke up at 6:05am.

5) I took a shower, got dressed and was out the door by 6:20.

6) Somebody should give me award.

7) Of course I had to skip brushing my teeth*.

8) Today totally feels like a Monday.

9) I need some Starbucks...

10) ...and a nap.

*Reason number 14 why I keep a toothbrush in my desk drawer at work.

Random stuff I shouldn't necessarily be telling you.

2004-11-30T01:00:00.000-08:00

When you google "awesome drunk phrases" my site comes up. Proof that I am not a liar.

I tried to fall asleep two hours ago. Two hours later I'm still awake even after I swallowed my last ounce of Nyquil, and I don't even have a cold.

Blogger is being a pain. It took me over two minutes to get into my account just now. TWO WHOLE MINUTES! Okay, I might be overdoing the annoyance a little bit because when you think about it that really isn't that long to wait, but still STILL.

If I don't fall asleep soon, tomorrow at work is going to be pure hell. Trust me, you don't want to run into me when I've had any less than eight solid hours of sleep. Some people can get by on less than eight. Some people have to take naps in their cars to compensate. Guess which category I fall into?

No pattern necessary.

2004-11-29T19:11:00.000-08:00

Early on Thankgiving Day, before I made the trip over to Port Orchard to visit the folks, I randomly visited Loobylu and saw this. Seeing as a good way to distract myself from a) watching too much football and b) avoiding the commericialism that is The Macy's Day Parade, I latched on the the project like I latch onto any project I'm smitten with... I obsess about it for a while and then I get bored and lose interest. Only this time I didn't lose interest BEFORE I finished the project (a rare feat for me!).

I started out by sketching a basic pattern on paper. (Some people seemed to think my pattern looked like a stick with two mittens attached. Some people need glasses.) Then I ransacked my parent's basement and found a big stash of random fabric from projects that never were completed, felt and thread of every color. See? Pack rat tendencies can pay off... as long as I don't have to store the stuff. And isn't that what parent's houses are for anyways?

So I cut out the pattern I made up and starting stitching it together.

My parent's dog, Bear, supervised the whole process. That's a lie. He just layed on the floor in people's way and looked cute. That's okay because, admittedly, that's his thing but you'd think he could at least move when you're trying to open the fridge door and he's lying there in front of it. But no. Again, that's his thing. Don't be distracted by the cuteness because he's not moving no matter what you do or say, unless you've got some turkey in your hand. Let's just say he had his fill of turkey that night. Okay, moving on.

Before I was done with this project it was decided he should be named after the bottle of wine my mom picked up at Costco. That means his name is Fat Bastard because apparently there's a wine label called Fat Bastard and my mom is so cool that she bought the bottle based on the name alone. (And that's reason number 1,416 why my mom is cooler than yours.) Let's just say it one more time because it's so much fun... Fat Bastard. So I stitched on Thursday night and I stitched on Friday and by Friday evening I was done.

Back

Details, people. It's all about the details. That's why Fat Bastard has a tail.

Front

And I know what you're asking yourself and the anwser is yes. Yes, that is a Starbucks latte in his bag. There's a hat in there too but I was too lazy to put it on him when I took the photo.

Side

I also found some random wire to put in his trunk so it's posable.

A Voilla! You know what this means, right? No, not that I'm a dork. I mean, yes, I am a dork, but not because I decided to make a elephant doll based on a random posting on a website. That's a reason why I'm odd.

It means I'm ready to quit my day job and start doing this full time. Now if only I could find someone else who's interested in opening up a bakery/gift shop I'd really have something. Any takers? Oh, and you should probably have lots of money too because lord knows small businesses need lots o' money.

Oh yes.

The early bird catches the Saladshooter

2004-11-28T18:03:00.000-08:00

But I wouldn't know because I'm not the type of person that awakes at the crack of dawn just to get in on some good deals like $10 sweaters or free stuffed animals or whatever other crappy promotions these departments stores use to get people to stand in line for hours on end just to buy a bunch of stuff that most likely will end up being returned after 12/25.

Normally, the day after Thanksgivings is a day in which I do nothing, unless you count making about 5 turkey sandwiches and stuffing my face with leftover mashed potatoes and gravy, and stuffing and cranberries and pumpkin pie. Unfortunetely, this year there was no left over pumpkin pie... dude, that is just plain wrong on so many different levels, I can't even begin to explain. But I digress.

Back to "There's only 29 days until Christmas Shopping Craze Day 2005". I had never, ever gone downtown the day after Thanksgiving, however this year I had this strange urge to witness the Seattle Tree Lighting Ceremony. As it turns out Wheelson and The Wife were also down from Bellingham and so for first time ever I made my way to downtown to witness the insanity that is shopping on the day AFTER. It actually wasn't all that crazy and I must admit I love all the lights and decorations.

We roamed in and out of a few stores: Banana Republic, J.Crew, Urban Outfitters and Diesel (at which, by the way, I found the cutest black sweater but I just couldn't justify handing over $145 bucks for something that was made exclusively from acrylic). Then The Wife had the brilliant idea to leave the shopping to the foolish and head for a bar instead. (Stacy! You, my friend, are brilliant!)

We ended up at Olivier's. They make a great martini, and I'm not the only one saying that. They won some international something-or-other award eight years in a row, and some Seattle awards (not just the crap CitySearch ones) and other stuff (I think).

Wheelson and The Wife

Here's Wheelson enjoying his Martini. Thing that should be noted about this picture include the following: 1) he's wearing pretty much the coolest men's shirt you'll ever see (be jealous, be very, very jealous) 2) it's his birthday today (Happy Birthday N!). I think that last one bears repeating... HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHEELSON!

Now let me just say this is not the point at which I'm going to write a top ten list about reasons why Wheelson is so great. I know why he's great, The Dude knows why he's great, The Wife knows why he's great... pretty much anyone that's ever come in contact with him knows why he's great. But I will say if you're ever so lucky to have him in your life be gratiful because he's one of the funniest, kindest, wittiest and most insightful people you will ever have the pleasure of interacting with. I'm not even going to mention what a great writer he is. Or I am?

So after we had a couple drinks at Oliver's we went our seperate ways because Wheelson and The Wife were meeting up with a friend at The Palace Kitchen and I had a date with the tree lighting.

Seattle Tree Lighting. That's right. Taken at the exact moment they lit the tree.

Then I had a date with a donut.

Man, I love the holidays.

The End.

Sideways Space

2004-11-24T18:08:00.000-08:00

I few nights ago I saw the movie Sideways and while I wouldn't say it was life altering it was entertaining enough. Although I must admit I found myself disliking characters I think the director actually intended the audience to like but that's the interesting thing about movies. Each person, even the same person, watching the same movie at different points in their life will have a different reaction.

Life experience alters how each of us sees the world. Like when I saw Office Space when I was still in college I thought, "I don't get it. This is just plain dumb." Fast forward two years into the future, when I had worked at a dot com for over six months, and I couldn't get enough of that movie. It's still right up there at the top of my favorite movies of all times list.

Anyways, back to Sideways. At one point in the movie two of the main characters end up back at her apartment in the wee small hours of the morning. I remember watching this specific scene and it jogging something in my memory which, if pressed, I'd have to categorize as falling in love.

It reminded me of the anticipation of unknown possibilities, the thrill of the unexpected, when you're just starting to figure someone else out and exploring your place in their world. It reminded me how it feels to stay up all night talking to someone that you've just met because everything they have to share is new and exciting. It reminded me of the idea that there is no one else in the world quite as interesting as your guy.

I should back up here. I’m not saying I needed reminding. I’m saying that a portion of Sideways affected me like I think any good movie should. It made me feel things in relation to the characters and their life and my life and things that happened to them and things that happened to me.

It’s the same reason I like U2. Their songs make me feel things, and remind me of situations I’ve been in, or people, or places, or just plain inspire me. I guess I liked Sideways more than I initially thought. Come to think of it I saw it on a Monday after being at work all day. I’m pretty sure I can blame my initial hesitation to embrace Sideways squarely on the shoulders of a classic case of the Mondays.

At any rate, I better jet. My boss wants to talk with me about my TPS Reports, again. [sigh]

Turn it up Captain!

2004-11-24T07:54:00.000-08:00

12 new songs.
1 DVD.
1 Book.

The Edge playing a banjo while Bono sings along?

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah... Yeah.

I never said I was normal.

2004-11-23T13:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday while driving to work I got stuck behind a Toyota Celica with a license plate that read “HANZOFF”. Are you joking? Ummmmm, hellooo? IT’S A TOYOTA CELICA FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Is that really necessary?

I went to see Sideways last night at The Neptune with HFH, J-Dog and Adriane. I know, I know…no link, what the hell right? Aa works at a law firm and doesn’t really have time for this blog craze.

This weekend I riffled through some of the miscellaneous junk I’ve been holding onto for too long. Thing that will be given-away-to-goodwill/trashed/sold-on-ebay include a 19' Sony Computer Monitor, clothes that haven't seen the light of day in 3 plus years and an authentic leather Coach PDA case given to me for Christmas two years ago by someone who apparently didn't know that I don't own a PDA.

Things that will be kept include this:

That is part of my costume from 3 years ago when I dressed up like a bumblebee, Wheelson’s wife dressed up as a flower and we passed out candy (to the only 3 kids that were brave enough to knock on the door of their house up on Capitol Hill). But wait, if you think the point of this story is that I'm pathetic for keeping this item you'd be wrong. Because while that's sad, it's not pathetic... but this is... after I found them, I ended up wearing them around my apartment for the rest of the day.

U2’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb is officially out today. So far, I have to say my favorite tracks* are "City of Blinding Lights" and "All Because Of You" (which will be the next single). *Clearly, this excludes Vertigo which is by far the best pop-py song on the album.

I haven’t had a chance to watch this video yet but that’s because a) work is totally crazy right now and b) my car decided to flip me the bird this morning. Long story short, she’s currently at the shop getting $900 worth of work done.

Rock n' Roll stops the traffic (again). And if you don't get that last reference, I guess you're not as much of a U2 fan as I thought you were.

Drunkitty drunk drunk

2004-11-20T23:41:00.000-08:00

Meow.

I guess I should have posted this over at YurDrunk but what do you expect? I didn't. I'm drunk. Deal with it.

U2 is on SNL and I made it home in time. Awesome!

Starting to sober up. Leaving now.

Good times, good times.

2004-11-19T23:19:00.001-08:00

HFH and I went to dinner at some funky "world beat" place on Ravenna and then browsed around Third Place Books. I can't believe I haven't seen this girl since she dropped me off at the airport on October 10th when I flew to Amsterdam.

Shame on me. Shame, shame, shame.

But in my defense I did come over to her apt bearing gifts. A lush wool scarf from Italy and a copy of the new U2 album that technically won't be released until November 23rd...shhhhhh.

Word/Phrases I could stand to lose:

2004-11-19T10:15:00.000-08:00

Like.
Awesome.
Except not.
Or am I?
Totally.
Asshat.
Dude.

Had I written this list 6 months ago it would have included: Rockstar.

Things accomplished at work thus far:

2004-11-18T13:47:00.000-08:00

Scanned some photos of coworker's dad as a personal favor (for his obituary).

Established that no one I know owns a copy of The Davinci Code (although I'm pretty sure I'm the only person left on this planet that hasn't read it yet).

Flirted with disaster talking about Hans Blix.

Stuffed bags and bags full of candy for a company function.

Ate candy that should have just been stuffed in bags for a company function.

Talked to a person who works at Starbucks Corporate. I could tell you why but then I'd have to kill you.

Talked to my dad on the phone.

Went out to lunch with my officemate.

Wrote some emails.

Finished up a PPT.

Made a half-assed checklist of all the things left to do before Saturday.

P.S. Got a flat tire on the way into work this morning. Super! Except not. And how did I find out? Some hot guy in an Audi pulled up next to me and started making all kinds of hand motions. I was so out of it that I didn't even bother to thank him because I had already moved to the "oh fuck! just what I need" stage of things and was trying to figure out my next move. So, hot guy, if you're out there... thanks.

A New Post

2004-11-17T20:28:00.000-08:00

Someone hounded me for the better part of the day* earlier today asking for a new post and... well, if you know anything about me you know that I easily succumb to peer pressure so if a new post is what you want, than a new post is what you get. This may get pret-tty random. Prepare yourself.

*It might have just been a couple minutes, whatever.

Today there will be no self editing and reading and re-reading and correcting and manipulating and fixing until it's just right because today I've been at work for going on 11 hours, that's right 11 hours, so excuse me if I don't feel like using my brain for thinking but I may just be a bit cranky and a tad tired. Consider yourself warned.

Earlier today I was working on creating name cards for an upcoming company function that I'm organzing and this involved color coding the cards with stickers. I know, I know, I have all the fun at work. Anyways, my point is three hours later I found a sticker in my hair. How cool is that? Yea, not so much. File that one under reasons I'm a dork.

I was all about getting stuff done today, mostly because all my stuff is on deadline. Enter my coworkers who once again talked me into going out to lunch. In a big pack. Getting seating for 7 people at noon in Bellevue isn't the easiest thing to do without reservations, so we ended up at CoCo's. Classy, huh?

Anyways, it's always nice to get out of the office and have a bitch session. Or not. Whatever. Either way it's good to get out of the office and realize that the people you work with (contrary to your internal dialouge) are not all f'ing morons, okay a few maybe, but most are just swamped with other random crap and too busy to response to your requests for silly things like a strategic visions, job descriptions, things you will be held responsible and fixing your broken computer. There's more in this world than just me? Huh? I've gotta tell you, that's a new one.

So I get back to the office and someone randomly IMs me, and c'mon, I mean REALLY, who can resist the lure of the random IM? And then my friend James who I haven't talked to in a couple months randomly calls me, and he's down in California (the boy lives in Seattle) and he just wanted to say hi and catch up, and I love JT but fuck if I haven't been able to get much of my work done but whatever I want to catch up so I end up talking to him for over 20 minutes at which point I tell him I have to go. So anyways 5 hours later and I'm still trying to multi-task like 5 projects and keep on top of my email before it buries me alive and here I am and it's past 8 o'clock and I'm still in the office.

I'm still at the office. Leaving soon though, I think... probably.

And on a completely unrelated note, I will now tell you the story of the cheesiest pick up line ever used on me. First, some background. I had this friend named Bob. In the summer of 1998 Bob (who attended WWU with me) went down to Portland for some medical internship or something just as uninteresting. Anyways, so we had kept in touch via email and the phone (I think). He invited me down to visit him, and (now this part is important)... we were just friends and I was not attracted to him in any way, shape or form, so I said sure.

And I went down and visited him and spent the whole weekend down there and we just hung out and watched movies and went out to dinner and other boring stuff. Then on Sunday we're sitting on the couch, drinking memosas (okay, I guess I should have gotten a clue when he was shoving alcohol into my mouth before noon but I didn't because I've always had guy friends, like Jamey, that were JUST FRIENDS) and he says, "Let's play a game". And I'm bored and there's nothing on TV so I say, "Okay."

Bob: "One person names a movie and then the other person acts it out. Get it?"
Me: "I think so."
Bob: "Okay, I'll go first."
Me: innocent, innocent me, unaware that Bob is about to go in for the kill "Ummm, okay."

And at this point I am realizing I'm going to have to use my real name or you're not going to get this, so here goes, my name is Kate. Okay? Still following? Good.

Bob: "Kiss me Kate."
Kate: blink. blink. deer in the headlights stare. "I'm leaving."
Bob: "Kiss me."

To which I replied, "ummmm I think I need to get something out of my car. I'm leaving. Later." Seriously, poor Bob. Did you just say that to me? I should have just said I don't like you like THAT Bob. I'm sure he was mature enough to handle the rejection but I wasn't so I ran out of there and took off. Actually I drove directly to the mall and bought a bunch of clothes but hellllo? There's no sales tax in Oregon. Anyways, if you're out there Bob I'm sorry...and no, I still don't like you like that.

Happy Birthday Toddsa!

2004-11-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

Last Friday my friends and I went out to The Palace Kitchen and while we certainly don't need a reason to frequent this place, this night we were making a point to celebrate the birthday of our friend, Todd.

Todd's a great guy. I could list all the reason why he's great but at the moment none of them come to mind. On second thought maybe he's not that great. No kidding, kidding. I'm kidding Todd. Todd? Stop crying. Geez... anyways, where was I? Oh yes, reasons why Todd is great:

1) He's got a great girlfriend that's fun to chat it up with.

2) He knows the importance of a well balanced meal. And by "well balanced" I mean he understands that sometimes eating dessert first is not only acceptable but required.

3) If someone starts giving you crap at a bar, he might just grab that person by the neck and slam them up against the wall... only if he has to, which apparently at least one time he had to... so basically he makes a great personal body guard. Neat, huh?

4) He'll take you camping and pretend like he knows where he's going when clearly he doesn't and get you really lost. Oh wait, that's not so great... anyways, it was still a fun trip so I'm counting it.

5) He'll randomly IM you about random things at randoms times during the day. Who can resist the lure of the random IM? Not me, no sir.

So to Toddsa, I raise my glass and say, "Here's to those that wish you well... and those that don't... can go to hell", or something just as klassy... cheers!

Damn you Nordstrom!

2004-11-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

This weekend going through my mail I noticed a couple catalogs, one of them being Nordstrom's. I'm not a big fan of the Nordstrom catalog mostly because I don't fall into their target demographic aka "I'm not a 40-65 year wealthy white woman" but still, still... I do love me some shopping so I started thumbing through the catalog.

Not 3 pages into the catalog, I ran across this picture.

This is the same sweater that The Dude bought for me at my favorite Fremont boutique, Dream. I had dragged him and Rachel into the store one Friday night on our way to meet up with some friends for dinner. After I showed him the sweater (and after he peeled himself off the floor after looking at the price tag), we went on our merry way and that was that. A week later when I was having a bad day, he suprised me with the sweater.

The thing that's so great about shopping at a boutique is you rarely run into what I like to refer to as "Gap/BR/JCrew Syndrome". The symptoms of this syndrome mostly involve running into people everywhere with the exact same outfit as you. So I have to say I'm pretty pissed at Nordstrom's for buying up large quantities of my pretty in pink boutique sweater of a find and pimping it to the masses. To add insult to injury the price over at Nordstrom's is significantly lower than the price The Dude paid at Dream.

Super. Except not.

Pass it on

2004-11-15T16:18:00.000-08:00

Looks like Smurphy got the care package I sent her. Awesome.

Hey InternetS? Where’s my free stuff? Kidding, kidding*.

*Unless you're serious... and if that's the case, come at me. Bring on the JCrew gift cards, Banana Republic cashmere sweaters, Starbucks beverages... and so on and so forth.

Hello, Hello.

2004-11-13T19:31:00.001-08:00

I'm in a place called Vertigo.

Just got back from Tower Records in downtown. I ran out to get the Vertigo single. As it turns out they had two different versions. I couldn't decide which one to get.

So I got both.

On a completely unrelated note, I have to say I was pretty drunk last night. Three cosmopolitians and unknown amounts of red wine may be to blame. Then there was the sip of moonshine that Seth handed me over at Danny's. At least one of those, maybe more pushed me over the top. How far? This far.

"Happy Happiness" or "Man, I couldn't be anymore drunk than I already am...or could I?"

So if you had the misfortune of interacting with my drunk ass last night and I said something that didn't make any sense or starting screeching in your ear for no particular reason or emailed you something crazy or anything else I can't remember, I apologize. I seem to recall talking to Seth's girlfriend Carrie quite a bit. I hope I didn't scare her with my stupid drunken antics because she seems really cool (Hi Carrie!). And of course Rachel too.

Saying I don't handle my liquor well would be the understatement of the year.

You (too) don't have to wait forever.

2004-11-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

Once again I must profess my love for the InternetS. You can listen to U2's Vertigo b-side "Are you gonna wait forever?" here. I also ran across this and this. A couple acoustic songs played during the Apple iPod announcement. Amen.

And what the hell? Since I'm at it go here. Bono's briefcase was finally found and returned. Pretty incredible.