A somewhat random question, which I'll shortly explain and actually want you to answer: Do you write in your own birthday on calendars?

My mom and I were discussing this the other day, when I was looking at the family calendar and saw that she'd neglected to write her own birthday in. I always note my birthday on my calendars, day planners, etc. And it's not just ego, believe it or not. I'm actually afraid that I'll get amnesia and forget when my birthday is.

I blame this weird-ass phobia on reading "Sybil" when I was young (eight or nine). Out of all the things in that book which really disturbed me, the one that stuck with me the most is when she would come out of a fugue and find herself in a completely strange place without knowing how she got there or what she'd done. Creepy!

I got a lot done yesterday. I wrote for straight hours on this story I've had in my head for about four years and have never written a word of. I have a few issues with it, but it's actually turning out to be more interesting than I originally imagined (if I do say so myself?)

When I finally took a break, I got all involved in cleaning (blech) which was even less fun than usual because it was so freaking hot outside - and inside, because the air conditioner wasn't working. Once done, I collapsed in my room with ice water and "The OC." I always forget how much fun that show is (was), and how many attractive people are (were) in it. Ha.

I went to bed at ten, and found myself unable to fall asleep for super years. Then I did, and woke up feeling all refreshed and ready to get up and take on the world! Which meant, of course, that it was still the middle of the night, two a.m. to be precise. I fell back asleep until six and woke up feeling exhausted. Not fair, or fun.

Today was one of the dragging-nest days of work I've had in awhile. There's a certain project that I keep thinking I'm done with, and then some teeny-tiny thing pops up and annoys me.

I was so proud of myself: I quit caffeine today... until about 5:30, when my head threatened to explode. I drank what may very well be the last Dr. Pepper in the house, and felt better instantly. And now, I'm really going to quit! You know, until we buy some more.

Other food-related news: They need to invent some new animals and/or other foodstuffs, because I'm pretty much sick of everything (yet I remain fat; how troubling); and I so want to join the potato of the month club! My bosses get these awesome fruits every month from their publicist (or whatever she is) and I figure that, since potatoes are the best thing ever, the potato of the month club should be the ass-kickingest club ever. Am I right?

Okay, so it's been two weeks - my bad. What have I been doing?

- Working... specifically, trying to figure out what I'm working on. I'm putting together an online store, but running into a lot of technical stuff that is just completely beyond me. And unfortunately it's not stuff you can learn overnight, unless you're a genius (contrary to popular belief, I'm not - ha) so I'm thinking they may need to get a pro on this one.

- I still haven't watched my stuff from Netflix. But I have to this weekend so I can cancel my subscription before the next billing. Oh, if I only had the time to telebinge like I used to.

- Speaking of which, I did watch the last few episodes of "Dirty Sexy Money" that were on my DVR. That's really a great show: some sadness, some funny, some sex, some dirt, and a whole shitload of money. My goal is to one day be rich enough to have a private performance of "The Nutcracker" in my living room, or wherever.

- Job hunting, with no promising leads so far. Grr.

- Planning (but not overplanning) for my birthday in October. Two words: Las Vegas. Why isn't it time to leave yet?

- Using the money that I used to spend at Starbucks at Best Buy. I was always a stingy music fan who bought something like five CD's in a whole year; now, I've bought two in the last two weeks, and I see that dangerous habit continuing. I love all the music I have now, but, well, I've heard it all before.

I know that doesn't look like a lot, but I've been busy. This weekend is all about relaxing, though: for the first time in quite awhile, I haven't brought home any work with me. Yay! My plans for today: go the library (need books, need to save money), to the bank (need to put in money and not allow myself to spend it... fat chance), and to the (ominous music here) gas station. D'oh.

Don't worry - I haven't abandoned the blog, though it's crossed my mind. I've been busy, but not necessarily with anything interesting. Shit, what have I been up to?

The party I planned for my boss' aunt a couple weeks ago went well - or so I heard. I had plans with DM and had to leave as people were still arriving. I got to meet the guest of honor, at least, who is absolutely adorable.

Said plans with DM involved a poetry reading, and then me scarfing down the most delicious, messiest sandwich ever. We kind of chickened out on reading something again (I didn't even have time to write anything the way I said I would) but it was still good times.

We hired and have begun training my replacement at work! She had a first day that would have sent me packing, but she's hanging in there like a champ... luckily for me. Since the assignments I have left all involve Internet stuff, I'm hoping to start working from home at least a couple days a week. And yes, my own job hunting process has already started. That's never fun.

Yesterday and today have been a preview of the summer to come, and I don't like it much. It shouldn't be 85 degrees in April (or at any time, but maybe that's just me).

I feel like I've been buying a lot of things lately after being good for so long, but it hasn't been too bad. I got a Conair ceramic hair-straightener at Target for $16 and have used it twice. It seems to take forever - why am I so stupid when it comes to hair gadgets? I love the way it looks and feels, but I'm too paranoid and lazy to fry my hair very often.

Other recent purchases include two pairs of shoes from Payless (I only shop for shoes like once a year, so that's okay... and besides, it was BOGO) and a pair of these earrings. Somewhat pricey, but right now I prefer it to getting my ears pierced.

In the spirit of confession, I'll also admit that I got a massage earlier this afternoon. Sometimes, you really can put a price on bliss. At least I got 10% off of bliss today, sweet! But this is going to be my last one for a long time because I'm considering doing something big (read: expensive) later this year. You'll know more when I do...

Hilarious: Earlier today, I sent EC a picture via camera-phone of my receipt from Chevron after filling up my car. (Side note: I would never want to live anywhere else, but why does the Bay area have to have the highest gas prices ever? I paid $3.82/gallon for regular today, growl.) Anyway, she sent me back a text a few minutes later that said, "That sucks ass!" (true) with a P.S. that she'd sent a reply to my home number first. No big deal, I thought...

...Until I arrived at home to find my mom and bro all weirded out by this mysterious text message they received over the house phone (how the eff that actually worked, I sure don't know). They thought it was from one of any idiots we've had the displeasure of dealing with lately, and were relieved that it was just an out-of-context (well, out of context for them) kinda thing. Good times.

I have a bit of work I'm going to do tonight (I know, said I'd stop, lied, sorry, etc.) and I think I may finally watch "First Snow" since I've had it from Netflix for, I dunno, two months? My mom and I watched the last disc of season one of "Brotherhood" last night, and there's no "Cops" tonight (wah!) so I've got no excuses.

In spite of near-heroic attempts last week, I did end up getting sick. It was nowhere near as bad as the cold I had back in December, but it was still pretty obnoxious.

It feels as if I haven't been doing anything other than working. I went out for awhile on Sunday morning to put gas in the car, then went by Barnes & Noble and had a chai while I browsed. I really need to get back into gear as far as reading new books goes - the last "new" thing I read was John Fowles' "The Collector" a few-couple weeks ago (my verdict: weird, creepy, and so on).

Yesterday was way too long. Between the office, other errands and stuff I did at home, I managed to log ten hours of work. Good for my wallet, not so good for my brain. Now I've got stuff I've really got to get done tonight before my boss returns tomorrow, which always brings an avalanche of crap, and I just feel like goofing off. I suppose I could motivate myself by not letting myself watch "Hell's Kitchen" tonight (yay!) if I don't get it done.

One of the things I'm working on is the birthday party for my boss' aunt. Yesterday I picked up a bunch of party favors and decorations, put the gift bags together, and got the menu and headcount to the restaurant. Today I got even more party favors, and went by the bakery to order the cake so it will be ready on Thursday. And on Thursday, I'll have one hour in which to blow up balloons (I got one of those adorable mini-helium tanks) and decorate before the party starts. Whew!

But like I told AG today, working on a party is, to me, greatly preferable to calling people, and having people call me, and most of the other stuff I do. I can't wait to start training my replacement, hopefully next week, so I can work on... well, more boring stuff that I don't care about, but I think I'll be able to do it from home. Yay pajamas!