Everybody's out there without me

Well, this is the new template. You like? Eh, I think I like it. Knowing me, I'll get bored with it in two weeks the way I did with the old pink one. Every time I think I've fixed this one perfectly, I find one more little thing... I'm sure I'll find more as time goes on, but hopefully I've gotten all the big stuff done right. I think I did okay for someone who is pretty impatient with HTML and templates and tags and blah blah. They need to go ahead and invent computers that read your mind and do what you want. Of course then the computer would get its own brain and thoughts and eventually kill you... oh, well.

Also, if you didn't notice, I have a new section for song lyrics. I figured it'd bring in some much-needed traffic from the 80's-obsessed crowd (as opposed to the Darya Folsom perverts. Go away, you.)

Yesterday I finally got to do my online shopping! I spent more than I anticipated... and I didn't even get every single thing I wanted from Bath and Body Works, but close. I ordered two Tutti Dolci lip glosses they had that I don't have (lemon meringue and sugar wafer), some Jaqua body butters, and... something... oh, a pink grapefruit body scrub. I'm almost out of the margarita one, already.

And I bought Avon. Man, did they have me right where they wanted me. So much stuff on sale... but when you buy a lot of it, it adds up... oh, man. At least I got free shipping though. Swear, I can't remember half of what I ordered. True sign of a shopaholic.

Last night "Best Commercials of 2005" was on... I heart Kevin Nealon but the show was pretty lame. If I'd suspected that it would suck that much, I would have gone ahead and watched "Epitafios" at 9:00. I forgot about the whole toe thing (if you don't know, you don't want to know).

I put up the two masks EC got me for Christmas. They've wider than the others so I messed up on spacing, and the pointy-headed girl is overlapping the sad clown's fabric a little... but it's still cute. I also moved and removed several posters and collages and whatnot. This involved me spilling a container full of push-pins behind my dresser. Man, was I pissed... there's probably several more behind it, but that'll have to wait until I move and/or throw away the dresser. I could take everything off, take out the drawers, move it, but... that would involve like effort or whatever. I figure as long as there's nothing the puppies can get to it's okay.

There was a really intersting article in the Contra Costa Times this morning, about the different work styles of baby boomers, Generation X and Generation Y (which I am apparently part of). What the article had to say about those of us born between 1978 and 1989:

- We want meaningful, interesting work
- Will trade off higher salary for more control (where we work, how long)
- Prefer e-mail and other electronic communication to face-to-face
- Resent "gopher"/menial tasks

I'm pretty down with this article. I do want to do something that means something, not just get up, earn money and come home. I'd accept a lower salary if I could work from my computer everday, or not have to work on Fridays. I like e-mailing better than meetings, because I have a hard time speaking up, but I'm not nervous about sending letters. And I do resent answering the phone and making coffee. I don't drink coffee, and whoever's on the phone is almost never calling for me.

One thing in this story that did annoy me was all "Blah blah, generation Y is spoiled and have a sense of entitlement." This is just as irritating as when my parents (or any adult) says that I'm spoiled. Of course I am; my parents did spoil me. They worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed and wanted, and I do. They wanted me to have a better quality of life than they had growing up, and I do. But whenever we act the way we were taught, they say, "Well, who taught you how to act like that?" Duh...

Anyway... I don't have anything else right now, I think. And I doubt I'll have much for the rest of the year (hey, two days). Right now is the time of year when everyone is kind of going over the differences between what they have done and what they'd wanted to do, and I'm no exception. Am I the only one who tells myself every January that this year is going to be completely different from the one before? And every year, "I really mean it this time, I'm going to..." and then whatever your resolution is?

I'm feeling kind of cynical about it (as I should be?), but I also kind of have the "Why not?" feeling. Why can't 2006 be the year that I'm healthier or thinner or smarter or cuter, more financially stable, lovable, etc? But I don't know; I have a funny kind of feeling about this year. It'll be an adventure.

If nothing else, I have just one resolution for the year. Going over a lot of things in my mind - not just from 2005, but my whole life - I've kind of figured out that it's worse thing to not have said something you should have, than to say something you shouldn't. So in 2006, I'm going to say what I want to say. (Right now some people are rolling their eyes and saying, "You already say too much.") I don't care if you're my relative, boss, or friend, if you say something I don't like, you'll hear about it. If you say something sweet or smart, or I think you're just sweet and smart in general, you'll hear about that too. I can't spend any more of my life in situations I don't like just because I'm afraid to speak up.

Ugh, could this be any cornier? Have a happy New Year's Eve, whatever you're doing (I'm probably going to be drinking pina coladas while watching the "Law and Order" marathon), and a happy new year.

There's no place I could be without you

I'm not really in a blogging mood right now, but I know if I don't post I will only forget stuff and annoy myself. And possibly you.

Christmas was very neat-o as always. Christmas Eve we just hung around the house except for a brief foray to look at lights. My mom made the brilliant macaroni and cheese... mmm. Christmas day we went over to my grandparents house - good times. Lots of food, including this neat thing I just have to get the recipe for. It's cherry jello and cherry pie filling mixed together, and marshmallows... it sounds weird but it was fantastic. My cousins babies (what does that make them to me, anyway?) we haven't seen in almost a year were there and when they stopped being shy we got to play. I helped J with his Gameboy and later on had to be a creature called "The Tentacles" that was trapping him and his sister. It was quite amusant.

Too many neat presents this year from my family, including:

- The MAGIC BULLET! I heart infomercials.
- The JACK LaLANNE POWER JUICER! I especially heart infomercials about juice.
- Various books and CD's and movies I asked for, plus more; my bro got me this cool dream dictionary. I'd decipher what I dreamt last night, if I could remember it.
- EC sent me various beauty dealies (body butter rules) as well as two awesome masks for my collection. I so need to post pics, especially of the pointy-headed one... she's so cute.
- See's Candy certificate... here comes (more) fatness!
- TV SceneIt! I'm so going to kick everyone's ass at it.
- My sister got me a pretty notebook and body stuff, including the new Olay Quench lotion. I've never really used their brand except those foaming face wash tissues, but this lotion may make me a convert. Smells great and I was all soft... aw. Wanna feel? (Then go buy the lotion and feel yourself, ya perv. Hee.)

I'm glad everyone else seemed to like the stuff I got for them. My dad tried using the ice cream maker last night with leftover custard from the napoleons (mmm) but I guess there wasn't quite enough for it to set up. We did use my juicer yesterday on about 2394038 oranges we had sitting around... yum.

I went by Raley's this morning, and my cart at the end looked completely schizo. There was a bunch of fruit I procured to make juice of (apples, grapes, raspberries, blueberries, pears, a pomegranate), and then a bag of cheddar-sour cream potato chips, powdered raspberry-filled doughnuts, and a bottle of ready made pina colada. That's for New Year's Eve, which is generally kind of a bummer for me. It's been straight years since I've gone to a party then. I'd have one myself, but my family (awesome as they are at times) and two psychotic, needy dogs would keep it more subdued then even I'd like.

There wasn't very much work-work for me to do as I thought. I logged I think four hours yesterday, and there's nothing else I can do until I get back to the office next week. Oh, well.

Right now I am waiting - and none too patiently, I assure you - for the check I deposited on Friday to completely clear so I do some (online) shopping. I'm not planning on spending more than the available limit I have right now, but my card has a nasty trick of tripping me up if not all the money is cleared. Butthead. I did do a test run with a smallish Burt's Bees order this morning that hasn't resulted in any problems... yet.

Yesterday, I finally had my eyebrows done, came home, ate junk food, and then my parents and I watched "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." I'm scared. It's not the full-out terrifying ordeal of "The Exoricst" but is still thoroughly creepy... even with Laura Linney playing what seems to be the same likeably obnoxious lawyer she was in "Primal Fear." I don't know what it is about LL; she doesn't strike me as being that good of an actress, but I still like to watch her in things.

I found a template I liked for this blog and spent all day yesterday messing around with it... I think I may have gotten it right, but want to do some more testing before I put it up here. That'll be sometime on or before Friday. That's going to be one of my main projects this week, the other being cleaning and organizing my room. I already have this big pile of stuff to go to Goodwill... maybe this combo of PMS and Christmas Guilt will actually whip my room into shape.

Somewhere up above, someone or something

So yesterday I had this huge sigh of relief upon finishing my web project at work. Only, it seems I am not done. This is my face upon learning that: "Argh!"

It's not too bad, I guess. I can do most of it from home this coming week (the office is closed) but I'll have at least one, but probably two annoying days of work on it when I go back. I guess that's what I get for anticipating this blissful, cyber-shopping, work-free week. Heh, here's another disappointment: Last week, getting my check, I thought, "That's bigger than it should be." Out came my calculator (actually, I just opened up the Windows Calculator) and it seemed as if I had gotten a totally-out-of-nowhere $3/hour raise. This is my face upon seeing that: "Yay!"

But it was a mistake. Bummer. But at least I get to keep the extra bucks as a bonus.

This week my mood has been up and down like a rollercoaster. And it's not even time for PMS yet (that's three or four days away - all I'm going to want for Christmas is Tylenol and chocolate).

As far as Christmas goodies go, we've "only" gotten done so far the sugar cookies, the dipped pretzels, and the candied walnuts. Today I'll have to dive right in and start making peanut butter cookies like mad. I think the only thing other than that I'll have to do is the flan for Christmas day... I'll make it tomorrow night since we'll be home anyway. Mmm, sweet things.

I probably won't post again until after Christmas, so Happy Chrismahanukwanzaa to everyone! But you will see me again before 2006. I have a bunch of stuff planned for the site in the new year, which I will really have to shift my ass to get done since I'm also doing work-work next week. This whole "needing to work to buy stuff" business is really starting to cramp my style.

Okay, okay, it's not okay

I can't stop sniffing my hands, cause I just used this brilliant "Pink Buttercream" hand stuff LS gave me for Christmas. She and JH both rule, and got me stuff from Bath and Body Works... I guess everyone does know I'm obsessed. Hee. Oh, and my godmother also got me B&BW: the Very Merry Cranberry body wash and lotion. Not to mention the sweetest Santa Claus ornament ever... he has the cutest face.

But yeah, the girls and I had a great dinner last night at Olive Garden. My strawberry daiquiri had a bit too much daiquiri and not enough strawberry, but of course I drank it anyway. I thought I was going to be too full for dessert but we shared the black tie mousse and the berry dealy. Yum.

Sunday my grandma was over and supervised my mom and me in making our green chile and cheese tamales. Man did they come out good. It's a messy, squishy, process though, and my shirt was much the worse for wear after. Also because of the gingerbread house my mom and I put together and decorated. It's too cute.

I had this semi-deep dream last night. In it, I was working in a computer lab with these super old school computers with my old drama teacher and other random people. One of the women was asking me why I don't act anymore, and I said it was because I wanted to concentrate more on my writing. The woman turned to my teacher all excited and said, "Did you hear that? She quit acting because they asked her to write." I didn't say anything to correct her even as I'm thinking, Who the hell are the they she's talking about? Anyway, it's just been making me think about why I write... when I actually do write, which is not enough (if it all) these days.

I'm so full right now from the Chinese food we had for dinner... from my favoritest place on Lone Tree. The people there are so cute and nice, they all wished me Merry Christmas. And brought the food out to the car because it was raining.

I am off to do some work, as in for work... I wasted too much time today making this huge list of stuff to fix when I realized there was an easier way to get through it. But at least it will look really impressive when I turn it in tomorrow or Friday - probably Friday. There's a lot more website stuff that needed fixing than I had thought there would be.

I was annoyed by my dumb commute home today, and was all prepared to come home and rant about it, then thought it over and decided I have it okay. So everyone else around here may drive like they (literally) have their heads up their asses; but at least I don't have to walk miles to work in 24 degree weather (sorry, New York, for all your transit mess), and I have next week off so I won't have to commute then at all. Yay holidays.

I'm tired of rock star boyfriends

My tongue is all tingling right now... yesterday my parents bought these yum Spicy Thai Kettle Chips. They're painfully good to eat.

I was a very good girl today and did lots of home-y stuff. Cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, laundry and the like. I also contributed a lunch of bruschetta and baked eggplant (I think watching "The Sopranos" all week has got me craving Italian stuff).

My final present I've been waiting to come arrived today... yay, now my gift for my mom is officially complete and wrapped and such. I was feeling kind of bummed about Christmas yesterday but now I want it to be here so everyone can see what I got them. Also because I found out today that I'm going to have the entire work-week of the 26th to 30th off. It is regrettable that I won't be working and making money, but I have a pretty respectable amount of hours this last week for my paycheck this week. I was just pining today for when I was in school and had big chunks of time where I didn't have to go in.

It will be a dangerous time for my wallet, though, as I tend to buy a lot of things when I have free time and money at the same instant. I'm already making mental lists of places to go, and things to buy when I get there (Fashion Bug, Target, Avon, DHC... somebody stop me before I injure myself). Last night I dreamed about going to the Virgin Megastore in San Francisco, only it was closed for the season. It was all empty inside (of merchandise) but there were still clerks and all. I hate when that happens.

My sinuses were trying to murder me earlier but now I feel a lot better. Good, cause I hate feeling bad.

You're the Charlie Brown-iest

I missed it on the first showing (why do they show Christmas specials so far ahead?) but caught it tonight. I know the whole thing by heart... "I know nobody likes me, why do they need a holiday season to emphasize it?" Word.

I didn't have the patience or interest last weekend to update the "Currents" column... and I apologize in general for the lack of anything interesting being posted. I've been on a serious creative low since November at least. In, like, every way possible. I need a jumpstart... though, I'd prefer not getting one like Tony Soprano gets in the first season, almost getting killed. I must have watched six or seven episodes this week to finish it. I guess this now makes me an official fan of "The Sopranos", leaving my only unloved HBO series as "Sex and the City" (barf) and "Rome" (boring). "Curb Your Enthusiasm" comes under the category of "Not bad, but I'm not gonna watch it."

Right now The Police is on Music Choice... "Wrapped Around Your Finger" is the best song ever. (I first typed that as Wrapped Around Your Ginger... I bet you anything there is a porno with that name. Wait, let me go check... Okay, I can't find that exact title, but there is a bad 70's movie called "Ginger" that came up.)

I went back into the office yesterday and had a fairly short day. It really irks me that I can't get to the company website from my computer there... I have to use either DD's or TH's. And in my tradition of Getting the Hell Out Fridays, I got the hell out today at 11:30... I so couldn't even make myself wait until noon. Ran by the bank, deposited check, finished Christmas shopping.

I had thought I was all done... yet in looking over my inventory, there were some holes. Boo. I went to Burlington Coat Factory and got NJ's thing, small additions for JH and my mom, and I got myself a purse* that is so fabulousified**. I also found a dealy I really wish I'd gotten before we'd sent EC her gift, but oh well. She can get it on her birthday... that's only in like six months...

* I swear, it's the first thing I've bought for myself while Christmas shopping. Well, except the Bath and Body Works lip gloss. Shut up.

** It's so brilliant that it rates the inventing of a new adjective. It's all pink sequined and shiny and whoa... I'll take and post a picture, someday.

I also stopped by this little country store. They sell just food-y stuff like nuts, popcorns, neat jellies, blah blah. The first time I went a couple months ago, I was the only customer and it was entirely enjoyable. Today I went and it's full of all these snotty B-wood women... argh. Seriously, don't get me started on all the bitchy women here. It's not a big store, and these two were blocking the aisle talking about nothing, so I said "Excuse me," and they each give me a look and one of them says "Suuuuuuuure," in the most irritating tone ever.

In any case... I just got some pistachios, caramel popcorn (very sweet - tastes like marshmallows almost), and some raspberry pepper jelly. I hope it'll be yum. At least there was this one cool old lady in the store who was buying 8 or 9 bags of pistachios... I wondered why she didn't get the huge-ass one and thought she's probably buying them for presents. Dude, I'd love to get pistachios as a present (I'm not being sarcastic - I love those little green things - but it's not a hint or anything. But if you had any extra, I'd take em off your hands all right).

I'm feeling kind of blah about Christmas right now. I've just felt kind of "off" lately... I think it's the fog. This week was like the first week we've had it, and this week I've been especially gloomy (as opposed to my usual, normal bad attitude). I love to look at the fog, but I'm not a fan of driving in it. It hasn't been that bad. Who I feel really bad for is this little girl (okay, she's like fourteen) who walks by our house on the way to (presumably) school every morning, no matter how cold or foggy or rainy... this morning she had no jacket and it was 40 outside at the most.

Now I know I'm old; I'm clucking my tongue over a kid not wearing a jacket, which I always protested in high school, in the worst conditions. Not as if the worst conditions here generally come to much. Even now, my "real" coat gets passed over for my Pink Panther hoodie. I just think my real coat is too nice to get rained on and all. I couldn't tell you the last time I wore it for the life of me. My lovely duster has also been snubbed this season, except for the company holiday party. That should probably be dry cleaned...

I'm logging off; I've been staring at the computer way too long today, making yet another list of website repairs for work. This list is a doozy, but I can probably knock it out on Monday. Then I'll have to make another huge list of the other huge section... sigh. But I plan to finish the project next week so I can enjoy Christmas and come back the next week to whatever's next.

It's making you bleed, but I got what you need

I have a cold. That bites. Yesterday I was in the sniffly phase and today it's all about a low fever and dry throat. Ew. I'm not feeling too bad... mostly tired, thanks to Tylenol PM. I should really stop taking night-time medicines during the day.

But at least with the project I am doing at work right now, I can do at home. It's pretty tedious but is more tolerable when I can wear comfy clothes and have access to my WinAmp.

Sunday, my mom and I went to Stockton to see my godmother's new house... so cute. I have finally given in to the love of shutters. We went to eat at this Italian restaurant, Strings... so good. There is one out here in B-wood, so I'm so there. Their salad dressing is really neat - creamy and sweet and spicy and just yum. Their bread is all right but lacking the butteriness of Olive Garden breadsticks... I need to go there too...

This entry is really boring but I will end it with the good news that I actually finally talked to JH yesterday. Also, I have only one more package coming in the mail and I'll have everything ready for Christmas. Yay!

No matter what the stories say it doesn't always end their way

I was a very good, productive girl this week... at least as far as Christmas is concerned. Sent out my cards, and finished my shopping (a couple of things are arriving from Amazon this coming week).

The company Christmas party was last night, and lots of fun... I'm really glad I went. I was first one there, which is kind of unavoidable as I live five minutes away. They had these caterers in from some Italian restaurant (yum), and I had a very strong cosmopolitan and a strong appletini that are probably the source of my headache right now. Eventually I will cave in and take an Excedrin.

But yes, it was rather fun. The gift exchange was amusing, and I'm proud to say the one I took (basket full of food goodies) was vied for several times. Though, by the end of the exchange, all of the chocolates had been eaten. Hee. I tried in vain for either the sparkling wine (I've never really had wine but it was a neat box) and the martini glass/cocktail recipe book set, but finished at the end with a mug filled with chocolates, pumpkin pie candle and a decorative bottle filled with beans (seriously).

I was going to go to the library to return (unread) books today, and fill up my car, but I'm way too worn out. The books aren't due for awhile yet and I think I have half a tank... so, it'll have to wait. Naturally I'll end up hating myself on Monday or Tuesday when the traffic is ugh, as it was yesterday for some reason. Eh, what you gonna do.

Tomorrow my mom and I are going to go see my godmother's new house in Stockton, and have lunch... hopefully Romano's. I'd injure people right now to get some chocolate raviolis. Right now, I should do laundry. Lousy non-self-washable clothes.

Is she pretty on the inside, is she pretty from the back

I was going to post last night but either my connection or Blogger was being hella slow, and I left the computer in frustration.

I know I shouldn't blog from work, but I won't sign in until nine, promise. I'm kind of lagging on starting my next project.

I've been feeling tired all week. Ugh. Must not get sick. Yesterday I stopped by Raley's and picked up some Odwalla... yay for Vitamin C Monsters.

Happiness is getting paid, which I did on... Tuesday? Yeah, Tuesday. I went to (you'll never guess), Bath and Body Works and picked out a few more Christmas things for people, so now I only need stuff for my parents and my brother. D'oh. I still haven't bought something for tomorrow night's Christmas party either. I'll have to go after work today.

When I was at Raley's yesterday I saw these neat mixers for Pina Coladas and Mudslides and various others that already have the alcohol in them... whoo hoo! I was going to buy some but my entire check hadn't cleared at the time. I looked for a Christmas present there but no luck... I guess there's a reason people don't do all their holiday shopping at grocery stores. I did procure a book of stamps, enabling me to mail my Christmas cards. So if you know you've got one coming to you, look out, it's going in the mail today.

Monday, my mom and I went to see "Ice Harvest"... it was a really weird, not-great movie. Billy Bob Thornton was always creepy but now it's entirely out of hand. Ha. After that we stopped by this new restaurant, Uno Chicago Grill... yum. We had this "pizza skins" appetizer. It's like a little pizza filled with whipped potatos and cheese. It's better than it sounds. For my meal I had "Rattlesnake Pasta", which was just penne and chicken in a spicy alfredo sauce, with jalapeno and cheddar cheese. I quite liked it, though the breadstick that came with it was not so great. Next time I'm totally going to get the pomegranate (sp?) martini.

Right now I'm kind of worried because I haven't talked to JH since a few days after Thanksgiving. I always seem to call when she's not there so last night I called her cell and left a message.

I'm also worried because I just looked through the faxes that came in and one of them is of a headstone/monument. Eep. This is way too much like "Epitafios." Speaking of which, yesterday the Contra Costa Times ran an article about how brilliant it is (it started playing last night on HBO Signature I think). DUH! I'm woefully behind on that show because I've been too busy trying to play catch-up with "The Sopranos" before the new season begins in March.

I'm off to drink 2000% of my RDA of Vitamin C, and procrastinate.

Here comes a city, pushing you away from me

I got this from EC and it's way too funny and true not to post. Admittedly I've corrected some of the bad/grammar spelling, though considering the subject matter I should have left it in.

(The bolded statments are ones that are particuluarly true or apply to me. My miscellaneous comments are in italics.)

You know you're from Pittsburg if...

You remember when we called it The Burg, not P-World

I always preferred P-town, actually.

You’ve had some parties at Motel 6 aka the 6. You probably got kicked out sometime around 3 though.

You know that big Frank was cool and Mr. Beck was a biotch. Haha....CENTRAL!!! =)

Dude, Central bites, it's all about Hillview.

If you live west of Bailey, you are not from The Town, you are from The West. You still cool though.

I think I'm the only one who refers to it as its now correct name of Bay Point.

You remember when they would put up the fair on Atlantic Ave, across from Lucky’s Supermarket.

I do and I miss it hella bad! Damn those new apartments.

You’ve been to the Seafood Festival at least 10 years straight.

I've actually never been. I hate seafood.

You know about Titty Mountain and Thermometer Hill.

You know who Carlos at City Park is.

You’ve swung em somewhere off in those warehouses off Garcia.

I'm not sure what that means, but I work in that area now.

You spent a good portion of your childhood at either 7-Eleven, City Park or Buchanan Park.

You couldn’t wait for Buchanan Pool to open up every year.

When I was still presentable in a bathing suit, I loved going there on school trips.

Two words... The Mecca. But if it’s too crowded you can head up to Nations.

I heart Nation's over the Mecca forver!

You know where all of Seeno’s houses are.

You watch or used to watch What’s Happenin’ on the EastSide or PirateTV.

You got faded up by JD or Augie.

You know the Big Little Game ain’t Stanford vs. Cal.

Where’s the closest emergency room? It ain’t on Loveridge!

Somebody in your family or one of your neighbors works at Posco.

True, my grandpa worked there and one of my uncles still does.

3 more words....The beer box.

You remember when we were 415. And then 510. And now 925. lol

You waited an hour to get your shit washed at Superior on Railroad.

Either you do or half the people you know go to Good Shepherd.

I almost never went there but I was baptized there, that so counts.

You used to wear the plain all white baseball hats.

You wanted a stang, maro or a cutty. Not a civic, integra or an accord.

You had a stang, maro or cutty.

There ain't no damn H in Pittsburg!!!!!!

Damn skippy.

Parkside Market

Your Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Auntie, Uncle, Cousin, Sister, Brother, etc... went to PHS...

You went to Small World Park and screamed when the train went in the dark tunnel!!

I still scream in the tunnel! And fish for crawdads* in the pond.

*This "fishing" consists of tying hot dog pieces to a stick, catching the crawdads, and then watching them crawl back into the water. I wouldn't eat one at all, let alone one from SWP.

Frustration plantation

I don't know why I promised a "good, big update" for today... nothing really spectacular to talk about. I had some stuff on my mind at the time, and I still do, but as is my thing I need more time to think about it.

Our house looks like Christmas already. The tree is smaller than we usually have (maybe six and a half feet), but it's all cute and decorated. I'm going to take pictures of that and various things to post this weekend, including my favorite "candle" (not a real candle, but I'll explain when I post).

I'm waiting very impatiently for next week, when I get my paycheck. Yay non-brokeness. I don't even have enough money right now to fill up my car halfway. Harsh...

My first project at work is 95% done... I could have finished the last part today, which is typing in all the retail products for sale. But I wasn't sure if I'm supposed to type in the barcodes (I really really hope not), and my boss had already left for the day, so I took an early Friday. Whee. I also went in late to pick up the last of the data from the salon.

My parents went to a new grill restaurant today for lunch... I'm so jealous. Everything on the menu sounds good, even the French Onion soup... and I don't even eat soup.

For dessert I'm going to have one of these very yum, frozen creme brulees that you heat up and eat. CB rules my world. On either Monday or Tuesday I made these mini maple custards from a recipe I found online but they were not that great. They didn't taste bad; they didn't really taste like anything, not even maple. So scratch that recipe off the list. It's all about flan, anyway.

The other day I was driving behind a van that had this bumper sticker, with a picture of a condom and it said "Just wear it!" It made me giggle, not just because I'm immature, but because it reminded me of this stupid dream I had. It is quite possibly my stupidest dream of November.

In it, I was still in high school and we were planning a trip to Amsterdam (like, the last place on earth I'd ever go) and having the meeting with all the students and parents. At the meeting, we each had to say something we were good at or we couldn't go, so I finally said I was good at crossword puzzles. Naturally, resulting in me having to complete said puzzles. After the meeting ended, I went to the bathroom (it had changed from school to my house) and a bunch of dumb kids had gotten into the bathroom and trashed it. Which included sticking a bunch of (unused) condoms up on the wall. Seriously, I don't even want to know what they stuck them up there with.

So being that I will soon be able to afford postage to mail the Christmas cards I got, I'm going to be doing Christmas cards soon. And I want any and every one who reads this blog to send their address to ythernandez@gmail.com so I can send you one. If I already know your address, you can expect it probably the week after next. There are some of you out there I'll be e-mailing to get your addy.

Random: If you don't want a "Christmas" card, I also have non-specific holiday cards, and about 29304830934 kinds of generic notecards I can use instead. So if it matters to you, specify!