Monday, May 31, 2004

Things that suck!

Thanks to a terrible migrane and allergies my 3 days off turned into 4. Being sick is always a special treat for me.....When I miss a day at work it usually means that several people are working really long (up to 15 hour) shifts to make up the difference. It also means that if they had any plans they're canceled. You would think that once you'd called in for the day (or night in my case) and got back into the bed again the worst part is over. WRONG!!! That's when the fun begins. First there's guilt. Guilt, because you're not at work and feel like you are possibly the laziest whiner on earth. Next up to bat...Paranoia. What if my phone rings, and its work, and I don't hear the phone, so I don't answer cause I'm sleeping, or what if they send someone to my house, just to make sure that I am actually at home,(and not just playing hookie) and I'm at the pharmacy picking up medicine, and then I have to write a memo explaining why I needed to pick up tampons and tylenol to the chief of police, or what if.....You get the idea the list goes on and on... If I make it through the first two stages then I start thinking about what everyone is saying..."She not actually sick!" "I bet she's out having a great time somewhere!" "That was the best excuse she could come up with..pathetic!" Then on top of all that if you forget to look at your schedule (which I did)and find out later in the worst way possible that you were suppose to be working for someone else who is now stuck at work.(and understandably not too happy about it) Well that was my sick time/weekend in a nutshell. How was yours?

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

AARRGGGHH

I think I talked to every idiot on earth today. I worked eight hours of overtime that felt like eight years. I got into an argument with a dispatcher from another city. But now, THANK GOD!!! I'm off for 3 days!!! Woo-Hoo!

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Crossing Paths

I met James today. He was standing in front of Albertson's in San Leandro reading a book. He asked me if I needed my windows washed. He's the type of person I usually give whatever spare change I have, then continue on my way. Today was a little different. Without making eye contact I told him "I don't need my windows washed" as I handed him a dollar. He responded, "I don't want a handout. My food tastes better when I've earned it." I stopped walking, turned around, and faced him. I thought to myself, that's unusual. I'm use to being asked for money but I've never had anyone refuse to take it. I explained to him that I'd just gotten a new windshield (finally!!!) and that I couldn't get it wet for another day. Then I noticed that he was reading "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. I just finished reading that book so I asked him what he thought of it. He said that he was tired and had been homeless for several years. He believed that the only way for him to turn his life around was by seeking Gods plan for his life. He said that he'd just finished reading the first two chapters and was amazed at how little he knew about God's forgiving,loving, non-condemning nature. He said he was happy to hear that God has a plan for everyone's life, his included and that he is determined to find out what that plan is. We talked for a few more minutes then I did my shopping. He was still standing in the same spot as I left the store so he pushed my shopping cart to the car and loaded my groceries for. (FYI... I don't normally do that kind of thing but I was parked directly in front of the store and there were several people around.) We talked a few more minutes then I headed home. On my way home I thought about how wonderful God is. No matter what, age, race, sexual preference, or walk of life you come from God loves all of us and wants to have a relationship with us. Under his own power James has been unable to fight his way out from under his problems but with God I fully believe his life is about to take a new path. I also realized how trivial my problems are when compared to his and how truly blessed I am. I don't know where my path in life will take me but as long as I stay grounded in God the possibilities are limitless. "For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible,....everything got stated in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16 (MSG)

Monday, May 24, 2004

Ode To Food

I guess now would be a good time to update my weight loss (or lack of weigh loss) progress. I have been exercising consistently for 5 months. My total weight loss is about 8 pounds. I was shooting for 20 so obviously things have not been going as well as planned. Although I have no problem going to the gym a minimum of 4 times a week I just can't seem to stop eating. I've realized that I have an eating addiction. I enjoy eating almost as much as I enjoy sleeping. (pathetic..I know) I am the happiest girl on the planet when I have a big juicy steak, a baked potato, and a glass of wine in front of me. (no veggies!!) Ummmmm I'm salivating just thinking about it!!!! Anyway I guess the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

I got tired of the old format so I changed it a bit, I think I may add some pictures later. Oh yeah, I talked Kell into doing a blog. (Not that you can really talk Kell into anything she doesn't want to do.) Anyway its HERE if you wanna visit. Time for my appointment with the elliptical machine. Ta Ta!

Saturday, May 22, 2004

" Drum roll please." I have an announcement to make (no, this is not the big news I talked about in a prior post).....I am going to be running a marathon! Yup, you heard me right. The junk food queen is running a marathon. I have decided to make a commitment to improving my health and this is the perfect opportunity to do so. I will be running the AIDS marathon in Oahu HI. on Sunday December 12. That gives me approximately six months to increase the distance I can run without stopping from 3 miles to 26.2 miles (ughh!) and to raise $3000.00. I will be running on a team comprised of 3 people I work with plus me. (Rama, Rach, Kell, & Me) I'm a little nervous about raising that much money ($3000.00 each) but we are working on several different fund raising ideas so hopefully it will all work out.

Not many people can say what I am about to say.... I work with some of the nicest people!(Dispatchers) Although we fight from time to time and get on each other nerves we are very supportive of each others dreams and aspirations. I came to work in the worst mood one night (which is not unusual). I was exhausted, and felt ambivalent about the whole music thing. Everything I tried seemed to be failing. I looked in my box and found a note from Trish that said she had spoken with someone about my looking for a band. She printed out an entire website with the details of the band and gave me the name and number of the contact person. I hadn't worked with Trish for a while so we hadn't talked about my singing (or not singing). After reading her letter I was re-motivated (is that a word?) to give it another shot. I immediately found a voice lesson teacher to prepare me to audition and as a result I have been offered several other opportunities. I haven't actually called the band yet (I didn't feel ready) but I will be calling soon. It's so nice to have people around who are interested in your success and happiness. Thanks Trish!!!

......I am still a freak magnet! (I know, big subject jump)Before work I went to Beverly's Fabrics to find some yarn that would inspire me to start a new project. While standing in the yarn aisle an employee of the store walks up to me and says "Do you have a second? I need to get your opinion on something." I said, "Sure, what's up?" He proceeded to tell me that on his way home from work one day he was flagged down by a female walking down the street with several bag. She asked him to take her to the hospital because she could not afford a cab. He agreed to take her and as she got into the car he asked her what she had in her bags. She told him, "None of your Mother F***** business!" He said he felt insulted but took her to the hospital anyway. After dropping her off and driving home he realized that she had left one of her bags in his back seat. He had no way of finding her and was not sure what to do. He said he couldn't decide if he should look in the bag or not and asked me what I would do if presented with a similar situation. I told him I would definitely look inside. He nodded his head and began to walk away. I then asked him "Well......What did you decided to do?" He said, "I opened it." Now my curiosity got the best of me so I asked him "What was in the bag?" He smiled, then said " None of you Mother F***** business!" and walk away laughing. I stood there for a second feeling like a fool then walked out of the store. Sometimes I wonder if I have a sign on my head that reads "If you have no common sense and haven't bathed in the last year come talk to me." I'm not really sure what draws all of the weirdos out of hiding when I'm around but if you figure it out please let me know. Guess that's it for now. Bye-Bye!

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

45 minutes and 30 seconds to go.......I'm so sleepy yet so happy that my weekend is finally here!! (I wonder how long it will last? Guess I'll find out Friday.) The last few weeks have been rather interesting. I started taking voice lesson with Marco LeDuc two weeks ago. She has an amazing voice and the first lessons have gone quite well. She actually offered me a job singing background for a couple of bands and a singer that I will name later. I am SO excited!!!! I usually don't mention much about my love life (or lack there of) but, why not? After reading an article in Essence magazine I decided to try something a little different so I emailed this guy on one of those online dating websites. I was hesitant but I figured, what do I have to loose?.....Anyway, I ended up having dinner with him a few days ago and suprisingly enough I had a nice time. I expected a complete freak of nature (as Kell would say) to show up but he was normal, no extra arms, or gold teeth . I don't plan to make a habit of the internet hook-up thing but I guess it's always an option.

I have a new obsession!! Salsa dancing! Kelly and I went dancing last week at our favorite spot in Berkeley. After stepping on several toes and almost falling down I realized that perhaps I should arrive early enough for lessons next time but I still had a great time. I am determined to find a regular class at a dance studio but maybe I should find a partner first........

The great job search begins today and.....Ooop time is up! Bye!

Sunday, May 16, 2004

Big "BIG" change is coming.....More on that later.

Monday, May 10, 2004

It's almost a full month later and I am still waiting..... However, I realize that I have to make the best of what I have right now. I think part of my problem is that I have spent most of my life waiting for "The Next Big Thing" instead of enjoying the here and now so I am officially turning over a new leaf.

Here is s a brief summary of recent events. I saw several movies, some good (Man On Fire)(Hildalgo)..Some not so good (Johnson Family Reunion). Hung out at Everett and Jones in Jack London Square with a friend I met last year in dispatch school. Her family owns the restaurant and decided to have an "American Idol" party which turned out to be quite interesting. I made several new friend but due to severe intoxication during the meetings I've determined that pursuing them would not be prudent. Thanks to my decision to stand between two very excited dancing females during the "American Idol" showing I was also on the channel 2 news. I found this out from my mother who called me on my cell phone while I was still at the party. She asks me, "What are you drinking? and why aren't you dancing?" I told her, "Ice-T" which actually wasn't that far from the truth and I actually thought I was dancing! I then asked her how she knew what I was doing and she explains that she and my brother were watching me on the news. Nice!

I am so happy that I don't have any children yet! Don't get me wrong I think they are great but they are even better when you can send them home after a visit. Lea and Josh came over and spent and evening with me last week. We watched the Cat In the Hat at least five times. Bath time was especially fun. Two naked children running around arguing about who was going to take a bath first. It was actually pretty funny. All jokes aside I had a great time but I have a whole new respect for single parents.

Mothers Day was nice although we celebrated a day early. My mom, uncle, uncle's husband, uncles friend,and grandmother had dinner at Scott's in Oakland. The food was wonderful but I had to leave before the main courses arrived.(I Had to go to work of course!) My only regret is not getting to spend more time with my grandmother. I don't know how may more Mother's Day's she will be around so every one we have is special. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family!!!!

Guess that's it for now. I'm really gonna try to update more often... I promise. TTFN

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