G-dog speaks

celebration!

2006-08-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Happy 25th birthday to Pigpen--oh wait, that was yesterday.
He got a book on mowing patterns for people's yards (from mom), a DeWalt cordless angle grinder (from me), an Outback gift card (from his brother), BB's for his BB gun and a clear shower curtain (from me), and a large propane gas grill (from his parents). Not bad. Sadly, he was the most excited about the angle grinder, not b/c it was from me, but b/c apparently, its a very exciting and useful tool. Who knew? I made it 27 years without one just fine. But now the next 25 years of his life (and probably his dad's) will be better b/c he owns this grinder. Awesome! Whatever makes the boy happy. :)

Will I always look 12?

2006-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:00

I thought the chances of this happening once were slim to none, but twice in 8 days? I'm amazed.

I went into a 7-11 in Miss Shirley's part of the world today (although I didn't get a chance to see Miss Shirley--Happy Birthday!) to fill up on some semi-cheapy gas. I decided to go inside and get a Taquito because sadly, I really like them. As I was checking out, I looked down at the lotto tickets and decided to buy a $2 Bingo one (Pigpen won $5 on one recently whereas I got nothing). The guy actually asked to see ID! I was AMAZED. I know I look young, but do I really look 9 years younger than I am?!?!! Apparently I do look 18, b/c I was carded last Tuesday at the porn shop Pigpen and I visited (hell yes we did and I'm not ashamed). The guy came over as we walked in, asked for my ID but said Pigpen was ok and he didn't need to see his. Dammit, I'm 2 1/2 years older than Pigpen! Must be his facial hair. This was also after getting carded for the Long Island Iced Tea I bought at dinner (but when I'm not carded for alcohol, I'm usually amazed so that wasn't bizarre). But being carded for being 18 twice in a little over a week? I can't tell if I should be sad that I still look like I could be in high school when I'll be celebrating my 10th reunion next year or be flattered b/c when I'm 30, I'll look like I'm 21.

PS: The day before my wedding last month, when I walked into the salon (to get a french manicure), the stylist asked if I wanted an updo (without first asking why I was there). She thought I was there to get my hair done for prom that night, along with the other 5 girls who were already there getting one!!! (Honey, I'm getting married, the prom was a long time ago, back when I was barely not a virgin.) Then, one of those girls going to prom says she recognizes me from one of the crew races she was at in Philly, and she thinks its b/c I was a rower there, not because I pulled her team's trailer. Maybe I should wear makeup or do something to my hair--I look too young!

Nissan

2006-07-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sothe Brad Paisley concert at Nissan Pavilion on Saturday night was awesome (and free since Pigpen won tickets!) Josh Turner, Sara Evans and Brad Paisley all played and all sounded great live, considering there were times when Sara Evans' voice seemed to be going out on her. Brad Paisley is super hot (a close second to Pigpen I must add) and he played a paisley guitar, which was funny. He and Sara Evans even had video stuff to go along with their show and I found it amazing how well they were able to get everything synced up. For instance, Brad Paisley has a duet he's done with Alison Krauss and of course she wasn't there for the show, but while his band rested backstage, he sang it anyway. I was curious about what would happen when the part that she sang started, and lo and behold, at the appropriate time, she popped onto the screen and sang her verses perfectly. It was beautiful. But then I thought about how that couldn't have been easy to do. Brad was there on a stool on stage all by himself and he just started singing and some sound guy had to cue her video up at the right time. Obviously, there must have been a cue they always use (a certain line in his verse, who knows), but still--the tempo was right, and the timing was right on. I bet that person got paid a lot of money to make sure that happened right and I think Brad Paisley is that much more of a badass musician for getting the tempo right on the song--he was alone and bandless at the beginning of the song. Not like he hasn't sung that particular song hundreds of times already but still!

But let me tell you about the traffic at Nissan. SUCKS. The show ended about 11pm. By the time we got out of there and walked to our car in the boondocks, it was 11:25. We didn't even START the car until 12:15am to sit in the line that wasn't moving to leave. I have no idea why, for 45 minutes, not a single car in either lot was able to move 1 inch, but we saw it. Finally at 12:15, movement commenced and we decided to actually turn the engine over in the car and get out of there. After a detour to the farm (where we assume Pigpen's drunk brother would be partying but he wasn't), we headed home. Great night, until the concert ended. I'll take Merriweather parking over Nissan anyday. But maybe this was a freak situation? I'd be willing to chance it if we win tickets to Kenny Chesney cause dammit, I do think his tractor is sexy.

Another era ends...

2006-06-19T16:16:00.000-07:00

So, I officially changed my last name today. Pigpen and I have been husband and wife for 9 days and now we share a last name. This didn't happen for my last (quite short) marriage (call it premonition?) so this time, its all very extra special. I only had to sit in line at the Social Security office for 1 hour and 45 min (the DMV had them way beat--I was in and out in about a half an hour). But Pigpen is worth it. :)

I got hitched!

2006-06-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

So Pigpen and I are now husband and wife--how nuts is that? Being married rocks (granted, its only been 5 days) and since I'm not working, I'm able to watching some seriously shitty tv. And today, I may just have found the world's crappiest show. The Hills on MTV is horrid. I watched b/c my old employer is featured in it and it happened to be on while I was having lunch, but wow, the acting is just about as bad as it can get. Its so bad, its like they are trying too hard. Thank god its only a 30 min show, but I'm temped to watching another half hour. I'm sick--I'll go to the bank instead.

All by myself

2006-05-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of myself! Sure, I've driven crew trailers by myself without Pigpen, but usually he's behind me in the other truck, or its a quick local race, or its just 2 hours up the road in Delaware. Well yesterday, I drove to ALBANY, NY all by myself with a fully loaded trailer. Things were very much in my favor--the trailer was full, but Pigpen and I were there during loading so we knew things were strapped down well. The weather was beautiful. There was virtually no traffic the route I took (which also included no toll roads since I'm badass). I had Pigpen's truck which has everything you could ever need including on board air (with a compressor), XM radio, a GPS system and a cb radio. Took about 9 hours but it was pretty damn easy!

I even got complimented on my badass driving skills today when I parked the trailer at the race site and unstuck some people without four wheel drive. I can do this by myself! Thanks to Pigpen for teaching me and putting some faith in me and letting me come up here by myself this weekend. Granted--he is flying up tomorrow to drive back with me but I still think he trusts me. :)

An era ends...kinda

2006-05-12T14:35:00.000-07:00

Today was my last official day at work. Why am I not sad?
Yesterday was my last day in the office with my boss. She flew to LA today and isn't coming back until after I'm really gone. Saying goodbye was a bit odd, but not terribly since she's coming to the wedding in a few weeks. (Four weeks from tomorrow but no one is counting.)
Four more days of coming into the office to train my replacement and then I turn over my keys to her. There may be drinking that night just for shits and giggles, or maybe we'll head to the therapist for some more marriage counseling. Who knows. :)

The countdown continues

2006-05-10T10:08:00.000-07:00

One month until the wedding. YAY!

Lets check in with the to do list:
get the DJ the songs to play
get the final count to the caterer and the cake lady
do seating
make flyers for our neighbors telling them that our guests will be parking in front of their houses that night
do the hair trial run
hem the wedding dress
write thank you notes for the wedding gifts we have received
get the "guest book" ready (its a photo where people will sign the matte)
buy all the soda and juices at Costco
get the marriage license
buy attendant gifts
finalize our vows
print the programs

So, not bad! We're in the home stretch and this wedding is going to kick ass! :)

Maybe the whole student thing wasn't a good idea...

2006-04-27T06:50:00.000-07:00

So I thought I was a genius for calling the local college to find a guitar player for our wedding ceremony. and he was quite responsive at first. except when i asked him to drop off a demo tape. here was his email, back on Feb 23 when I asked it he was still alive b/c i hadn't seen the demo tape he'd promised me almost 2 weeks before...

"I'm sorry, I've just been so busy! I will really try to get it to you this week. [confirmation of address to deliver the tape to here]"

but i never saw the tape and i was so tired of trying to reach this guy (it had been over a month since I'd first contacted him at that point about playing at the wedding) that i just gave up and went over his head and called a teacher who teaches at that college but also at Pigpen's old high school. So i've booked this professor (and a violinist) and we're all good to go. But here's what was in my email inbox this morning from the student guitarist, and i had to laugh...

" I am so sorry that I have as yet been unable to procure the demo tape you requested. Also, there has been a change in my summer plans which has made it impossible for me to play at your wedding. However, do not fear! I have already arranged for my esteemed colleague [name here] to play the date. I have given him all of the information which you gave to me, and he should be dropping off a demo in the next couple of days. His email address is [email address here] and his phone number is [phone here]. I am sure that you will be pleased with his playing!
I hope everything is going well with your wedding preparations and please accept my apologies for any inconvenience I have caused. Do not hesitate to contact me or [esteemed colleague] with any questions."

do you REALLY think i hadn't worried about who the hell was going to be the musician at my wedding? its been TWO MONTHS since you'd been in touch buddy, i was not just sitting around hoping for the best and eagerly awaiting your demo tape. so i wrote him and his esteemed colleague back and said "thanks for writing but we've secured someone else to play--thanks and have a great summer." i was probably too nice, but oh well.

this guy has obviously never played at a wedding before or he'd know that not being in touch with the bride for two months and only then getting in touch 6 weeks before the event means you probably aren't going to have a gig or get paid. no worries--we never paid him a deposit...

replacement search update

2006-04-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, we're still interviewing people for my job but I think/hope a decision will be made this week. My boss goes to Vegas all next week so if she doesn't find someone she likes before Friday, she won't have a chance to interview anyone until the week I leave. So, lets hope that after we interview two more people this week, that out of the 7 people we've had come in total for a preliminary interview, SOMEONE will work for her. i'm ready for this to be resolved!

Got two more emailed resumes overnight. One wrote that he attached his resume but actually forgot to, and in the second email he sent, where he did attach it, he wrote: "I think it would be easier for you to read my resume if I actually sent it. " Cute. If my boss had gotten that, I don't know if she would have been as forgiving. But I'm nice. The second person who emailed decided to spell my last name wrong (with an e instead of an a). Which is weird, considering he had to type in my last name for my email address and he got it right there, obviously, b/c i got his email. Details buddy, you have to pay attention to the details. He got my last name wrong in the body of the email and in the cover letter. Neither person can start until they graduate in June and they're in CA so they pretty much don't have a chance, but I can almost guarantee that the second guy, Mr. I can't spell your last name" wasn't going to make the cut...

First Family Shakeup

2006-04-18T08:39:00.000-07:00

(From today's Washington Post)
By Ruth MarcusMonday, April 17, 2006;
Dear (Daughters) Jenna and Barbara,
This is a difficult letter for me, your Dad, to write. The two of you have been, your mother and I agree, valuable members of my administration. Yes, there have been a few unfortunate moments -- actually, come to think of it, more than a few: the underage drinking bust; the next underage drinking bust; the sticking-out-the-tongue-at-the-photographers thing; the Valley Girl-style convention speech. Next time, please, girls, run it by Grandma, like she told you to in the first place.
Rambling a bit here. What I'd like to say is that all of us at the White House deeply appreciate your service to your family and your country. It can't have been easy for you, posing for Vogue, getting chauffeured by the Secret Service and all. But, as you know, second terms are a time of transition in any administration. And we think it is the right moment, then, to make a change in First Daughters. Time for some fresh blue blood, you might say.
Please, girls, don't take this personally. Andy didn't, and he's been with the family almost as long. Definitely, we will spin this to the press as your decision entirely. You know, needing a break, this job chews you up, exhausted after five long years of late nights at Smith Point, want a chance to spend more time with your ... never mind, we'll go with the need-a-break part. And no one can take away from your achievements: You have been two of the longest-serving presidential daughter twins in history.
Anyway, the Josh-for-Andy swap didn't play quite as big as we hoped. Now, I'm getting killed with this general-a-day drumbeat on Rummy. So Uncle Don and Uncle Dick came up with this idea of replacing you two.
Naturally, Mommy and I were pretty reluctant, at first. But Uncle Don and Uncle Dick can be awfully persuasive -- especially when Uncle Dick's packing heat.
Your Gammy agrees. "Lose the twins," she said. "My 41 ditched Sununu." And you know there's no arguing with the Silver Fox once she's got her mind made up. She asked me to tell you it's nothing personal -- and for Pete's sake stop showing all that cleavage.
Dick wanted to roll this out the usual way: through Scooter. But Scooter's a little preoccupado, right now, you might say. We thought about leaking it to Woodward, but he'd probably just save it for the next book. So we're thinking Dr. Phil. Great female demographic.
You're probably wondering about the replacement. Grandpa had an idea about that. You know how he's been spending so much time hanging out with Bill Clinton lately that I've started calling him "my new brother"? Well, that got grandpa to thinking.
You probably know where this is heading, so I won't dwell too long on the topic of our new First Daughter.
Chelsea has graciously agreed to start on Friday.
Thanks again, girls, for all you've done. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you start this new, exciting chapter of your lives. Please be sure to stay in touch.
Sincerely,
(George W. Bush) Dad
P.S. We want you to know it was a hard call whether to lose you or Karl. He really agonized over it.

What has happened to my generation?

2006-04-17T07:22:00.000-07:00

So many of you know that I've given notice at my job and plan to quit May 12. My boss is asking that I help in the search for my replacement. I am supposed to have all resumes and cover letters come to me and I have to weed out the crappy ones and give her maybe the top 3 or so to interview. I have collected 5 resumes so far since I notified a lot of people about my departure on Wednesday afternoon. EVERY SINGLE STUPID ONE I'VE RECEIVED HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. I feel like TOWWAS did when she was reading internship resumes. Lets go into a little detail:

The first one did his cover letter in the body of the email instead of as an attachment. Granted, it was a better cover letter than some others were but not very long. He didn't put his (from what i can figure) expected graduation date on his resume. His resume looks good to the eye but I'm not sure if he has the experience.

Four more came in over the weekend: The first one had a separate cover letter and resume (instead of being in the email) so that seemed like a good start. I opened the resume first which looked good--she is also about to graduate but she made that clear. Then I opened her cover letter which was a form letter that she hadn't bothered to fill in (the top says (date) (Contact Name) (Company Name) etc.) Then it says Dear (Name), I am interested in applying for the position of _________________, which you have advertised in the recent (name of publication).) Ooops, someone didn't double check what they are sending...Plus, she can't start full time until May 23 after she graduates. I'm leaving May 12, so that isn't great. But she can do part time before then. That might work...

The next one gave me hope. The woman sounds great, her cover letter was amazing, she seems mature, and then i realized she is--she has a masters and this job would be WAY below her. But hey, maybe she wants this job. So I ask her when she can start and what her salary requirements are (I'm asking everyone this.) She can start after she gives 2 weeks at her current job but she would like $40-55K starting salary. Yeah, I've finally broken that $40,000 mark after 2 years of apparently good work. Definitely wasn't my starting salary...

Then came a pretty funny one in my mind. She is getting a degree this May in International Business/Business Administration. Her objective on her resume is "to obtain a position in an International Business related field." I don't think this job is going to meet that objective...
She used a form resume thing in Word or something and under "education" managed to not delete the bullet point with [Details of position, award, or achievement.] next to it where Word prompts you what to write. Again people, lets proofread. She actually has pretty decent experience but I don't know, I just don't get a good feeling about her...

Finally, there's the one that I think has good potential (the one with the Masters was looking the best, but...) She isn't graduating until July which makes me nervous, but she has a current job at a big company in DC with the same job title as she would have here so maybe she can be full time. My only huge beef with her was that the very first sentence in her cover letter wasn't well written. At least it has our company name in it in the right places and is long and detailed and all in all, an ok letter. She just might have to have an interview...

This is stressing me out---I do NOT want to get conned into staying past May 12. (Not like I really can since I'm traveling for some of that time, but still......)

Stay tuned for more exciting job search updates!

Weddings are out of control...

2006-04-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

I mean really, we already knew that the cost of weddings and the extravagance that goes along with them is out of control, but seriously, people give this much of a shit about their bachelorette party!?!!? http://www.knotjustyet.com/

I just want to hang out and watch girly movies like Steel Magnolias and talk about boys. Sheesh!

The perils of my other job

2006-03-30T06:48:00.001-08:00

So here's an article about what can happen when you're not good trailer drives like me and Pigpen. (Ok, Pigpen is a bit better than me b/c he can actually back them up and spin them around like a champ. Me, I like the straight roads better, but I can handle some sticky situations.) Be sure to enlarge the picture at the top of the article for the full effect.

What's really impressive are the pictures from the link in the middle of that article (you can view the pictures without registering--look under the login for the link) taken by one of my friend's rowers. Their team (my friend is a coach) rolled up after the accident had happened and helped out.

Don't worry, this luckily isn't a common occurrance and Pigpen and I have miles and miles of experience doing this. We've driven to Sacramento and back from DC with a trailer that was WAAAAY more loaded than that! I'll have to post a picture of that soon---its a good one. We've also driven up and down the east coast so many times we've lost count. And you'll be happy to know, we have liability contracts with the high school teams we pull for as well just to be safe. There's a reason people hire us--so daddy smith, who's son rows for whatever high school doesn't whip out his SUV and try to pull one of these with no trailer brakes or experience. silly silly, but we've seen some really funny things.

Face Recognition

2006-03-29T10:45:00.000-08:00

So TOWWAS blogged about this face recognition thingy so i thought i'd try it too...Here's who they thought Pigpen and I looked like...

Who the hell is Rubens Barrichello!?!?

The second person for Pigpen was Paul Walker, who is hot and does look like Pigpen (more so than this Rubens guy). Third for him was Kathleen Turner?!?!

For me, number 2 was Anne Hathaway. But my 5th was Serena Williams. Again, huh!?!?!

Oh well. It could have been worse....

Me stealing other people's writing, AGAIN

2006-03-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Again, b/c I apparently have noting witty to say, I'll just post funny things I see in the Express. From today's...

Coke with Coffee: Try singing "I'd like to buy the world a carbonated fusion beverage, and keep it company." We're not feeling the world peace. Coca-Cola Blak, which arrives in the United States on April 3, is an unholy (or "premium," as the company likes to say) blend of Coke and coffee. We did not obtain a sample of this abomination, but did run a simulation with office coffee and Diet Coke. Tastes like burning!

Answers from the Shoeblogger: (I feel this was appropriate with my impending wedding)
Question: I am a bridesmaid in my best friend's wedding. What color shoes do I wear with a fuschia tea-length dress? (NOTE: my ladies will NOT be wearing fuschia or tea length dresses.)
Answer: Manolo says, the Manolo has noticed over the past three or four of the years that the dresses of the bridesmaids have grown slightly less hideous. Where before, the bridesmaid could rely upon the poufy/frilly gown designed to minimize the bust and maximize the booty, now the trend it has moved towards bridesmaids who perhaps maybe look OK. Still, the eternal problem it is that the dress must match the fatasy color scheme decided upon by the Bridezilla and her rampaging mob of wedding consultants and hangers-on. (he goes on to actually answer the question but I thought that was the funny part.)

Who knew?

2006-03-15T07:54:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad I have the Express to tell me such important things...

Today in 1964...Actress Elizabeth Taylor married actor Richard Burton in Montreal; it was her fifth marriage, his second. They divorced in 1974, remarried in 1975 and finally split in 1976.

Well, they sure did try! And when they remarried, was that her sixth? B/c technically, it was only her fifth husband but definitely her sixth marriage. Wow...

Wedding update, media style

2006-03-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

In today's free paper--only the names have been changed...

Board the Love Train
There's something Tunnies likes about a pick-up man: Her first impression of Pigpen was "he has a big, beautiful black pick-up truck." They spent more time on the water than on wheels, as they were both rowing coaches for Robinson High School in Fairfax when they met. Their friendship grew, and a 2003 cross-country drive hauling a crew trailer to a regatta in Sacramento, Calif., led to romance.

Their wedding will incorporate all things transportation: Their wedding cake (white, with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries lining each tier) will be "towed" by a model pick-up truck that resembles the two the couple owns. And once the backyard ceremony is complete, James' dad will blow his homemade steam whistles and train horn to let the whole neighborhood know the pair has a one-way ticket to love.

Pigpen, 24, owns M&T, a lawn maintenance company. Tunnies, 27, is an assistance to a higher-education lobbyist for the school she works for. They live in Fairfax, where they will marry June 10.

[Side note: that's 3 months from today!! YAY!]

eBay is the bomb

2006-02-23T07:18:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness I'm in love with eBay (this isn't a new thing, its just one that I'm now vocalizing). In one day, I managed to sell two place settings of sterling silver from my first marriage. How kick ass! I had two settings, both brand new, still in their original packaging and never been opened (Have I mentioned that the marriage was VERY short?). I also had a brand new pastry server and an opened, but I believe unused, cold meat fork (when the hell would I have used a cold meat fork in my 9 months of marriage?!?!). The settings (each four piece) were selling for $125 at this cool store that you can register at (www.michaelfina.com) so i put one of the settings up on eBay on Monday afternoon with a "buy it now" option of $100 and a woman bought it for $100 less than 24 hours later. ROCK ON. When talking with her about shipping, I asked her if she had any interest in the second setting I had--if she did, I could just sell it to her and not have to pay eBay fees to list that one. She did want it so I managed to get rid of both settings for $100 each. AND, she's going to buy the pastry server and the meat fork for another $100 so because of eBay, I am now $300 richer minus a couple bucks for the eBay and PayPal fees. That's half the cost of the DJ for my June wedding!

So now I need to figure out how to get rid of my custom made platinum wedding ring from my first marriage that's currently just sitting in our safe doing nothing...I tried to sell it to a jeweler but I was told by them that most jewelers don't have a license to buy things, only sell, so thats why pawn shops do a good business. I also have the small problem of needing to get the diamond out of the ring since its a family heirloom and the cost of the custom design and making of the ring didn't include the diamond since I provided it. HMMMMM. Ideas anyone?

Another year gone

2006-02-22T08:36:00.000-08:00

EEEK, I'm 27. That's weird. But as my elders would say--quit yer bitchin.

Hee hee, Cindy Staudt is funny

2006-02-17T06:44:00.000-08:00

This was in today's Express under Letters to the Editor...
Wow, Gov. Erlich's aide should indeed be happy that Md. State Comptroller William Schaefer was ogling her [behind]. I mean, who wouldn't feel a thrill at having an octogenarian, myopic old crab demand that she leave a room twice so he can get a better view? It's every girl's dream!
--Cindy Staudt, Rockville, Md.

She probably wouldn't have complained if it was someone hot ogling her

2006-02-16T06:28:00.000-08:00

Annapolis, MD State Comptroller William Donald Shaefer reacted angrily Wednesday to questions about whether he may have offended an aide to Gov. Robert Ehrlich.
After the young woman brought him a beverage at a Wednesday morning meeting at the State House, Schaefer stared intently as she walked back to the governor's office. Then, just as she reached the door, he summoned her back as people waiting to testify before the board watched.
When the aide, looking puzzled, returned to the table, Schaefer told her, "Walk again," and watched her as she made the trip again.
When reporters asked him after the meeting about the incident, he called their interest "dumb." he said "this little girl" ought to be "happy that I observed her going out the door."
At one point after the meeting, the comptroller went into the governor's private office and returned to say the woman was embarrassed by the incident.
But Schaefer, 84, was unapologetic about his actions. (AP)

EW? I can understand the line "hate to see her go but love to watch her leave" but Schaefer? Come on, that's just NASTY. Lets pass some laws to let the dirty old men be convicted for sexual harrassment.

Val Day

2006-02-15T06:44:00.000-08:00

I love low key Valentines Days--Pigpen got me an LLBean down coat I was dying for and a sexy intimate board game as well as "in the mood," "not in the mood" pillow cases. He's so cute!

I went way overboard (yeah, not so much) and bought him a new raincoat for when we start trailering this spring since he managed to lose his other good one. We didn't even brave the public for dinner--I cooked pasta, pesto and sausage (as requested by Pigpen) for dinner. We are crazy romantics aren't we!?!!

I may think Valentines Day is a pretty dumb holiday and that it exists only for Hallmark, the florists all over the country and world wide chocolate makers, but I still love any excuse to buy Pigpen a gift! There is nothing more satisfying than making someone happy with a wrapped box.

"Stretching"

2006-02-08T10:33:00.000-08:00

So Pigpen and I have been doing premarital counseling through a local LCSW. And its been an interesting experiment mostly b/c I've done a lot of therapy through the years (when you have your parents divorce, a broken neck from a car accident that wasn't your fault and your own marriage and divorce, before you are 25, therapy would hopefully be in your life.) but Pigpen is new to the world of LCSWs, psychologists and psychiatrists. He was very anti-therapy and vowed never to go, but when things got bad enough between us (as in we seemed to be fighting A LOT), he decided he'd try it out. We went once in Sept, but then our fall schedules were INSANE so we had to take a hiatus until the new year. We started again in Jan and have gone 3 times since then, including last night. And its REALLY been an eye opening experience for both of us (I think for him too--honestly, I can only speak for myself). I thought by going, we'd talk over things we were disagreeing on and Pigpen would see things more clearly and that he would change and we'd stop fighting (or really, I'd stop yelling, which is what was really happening, but whichever it is, I thought Pigpen would be the one to change--god, I'm such an only child.) But I think, of the 4 other LCSWs and psychologists and 1 psychiatrist I've been too, this time has been better for me to learn about me and the people in my life. I have used this LCSW in the past, but even compared to then, I really think these sessions with Pigpen have been more enlightening than all my other sessions combined. Last night, I agreed to a VERY interesting experiment. Recently, I've noticed (as has Pigpen) that I am VERY short fused. I am quick to react negatively and in a very nasty way when something ticks me off. I start fights that are really not big issues and depending on my mood, I get pissed off very quickly---and I'm really only getting mad and being nasty to Pigpen (which I HATE and desperately want to change). So last night, as I tried to figure out the cause of this anger (my job? hormones? the Pill vs the Patch?), I agreed to not EVER react. I must keep calm, keep my anger to myself and instead of yelling at Pigpen, vent by writing my anger down and not putting it out loud on Pigpen. That way, we can have a safe relationship again and Pigpen doesn't have to walk around wondering when I'll yell at him next. We're allowed to have anger by appointment only (Ah yes, the Imago Theory). I can't just react on the spur of the moment--instead I need to ask Pigpen if he is in a frame of mind to hear my thoughts and he can say yes or no and schedule another time to talk. So, I'm SO curious to see how hard this will be for me. I did great last night after our session, but I was only awake for another 3 hours after we left the LCSW. And this morning was fine, but knowing how up and down my moods have been over the past few weeks, I think I'm in for a real interesting time. Wish me luck, because I'm tired of being angry and mean and not much fun to be around!

Oh no, who's next?

2006-02-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

This news saddened me. If Lance and Sheryl can't make it, WHO CAN?

Monday morning humor

2006-01-23T08:56:00.000-08:00

Brokeback Mountain is amazing. Go see it.

Saw this in the Express this morning--as many of their things are, it was pretty good.

Dear D.C. Council: We heard you are considering the cherry as Washington's official fruit. We think that is too pedestrian for an entity as unique as D.C., which is so special it doesn't even get a star on the flag. We suggest the durian instead. It's spikey on the outside, like the fence around the White House. And inside are what look like brains. But it stinks to high heaven, like the Anacostia River or Jack Abramoff's accounting practices. Love, Express.

Wish I could post the picture of the durian that they had with the letter, but i can't. Enjoy anyway!

Have I mentioned I'm anti-Bush?

2006-01-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of Sexually Transmitted Disease. The disease is contracted through dangerous and high-risk behavior. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim and pronounced "gonna re-elect him." Many victims contracted it in 2004, after having been screwed for the past four years. Cognitive characteristics of individuals infected include: anti-social personality disorders, delusions of grandeur with messianic overtones, extreme cognitive dissonance, inability to incorporate new information, pronounced xenophobia and paranoia, inability to accept responsibility for own actions, cowardice masked by misplaced bravado, uncontrolled facial smirking, ignorance of geography and history, tendencies towards evangelical theocracy, categorical all-or-nothing behavior. Naturalists and epidemiologists are amazed at how this destructive disease originated only a few years ago from a bush found in Texas.

I'm beginning to understand you...

2006-01-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

My mom sent me this article back in November and the subject of her email was "I'm beginning to understand you..." Glad she's starting to get me, almost 27 years after she gave birth to me. :)

Generation Y: They've arrived at work with a new attitude
By Stephanie Armour, USA TODAY

They're young, smart, brash. They may wear flip-flops to the office or listen to iPods at their desk. They want to work, but they don't want work to be their life.
This is Generation Y, a force of as many as 70 million, and the first wave is just now embarking on their careers — taking their place in an increasingly multigenerational workplace.
Get ready, because this generation — whose members have not yet hit 30 — is different from any that have come before, according to researchers and authors such as Bruce Tulgan, a founder of New Haven, Conn.-based RainmakerThinking, which studies the lives of young people.
Who is Gen Y?
There is no consensus over the exact birth dates that define Gen Y, also known by some as echo boomers and millennials. But the broadest definition generally includes the more than 70 million Americans born 1977 to 2002. Generation X was born roughly 1965 to 1976.Narrower definitions put Gen Yers as those ages 16 to 27, born from 1978 to 1989. This narrower view is based on the thinking that as the pace of change in society accelerates, the time frame of a generation gets shorter.
Effect on workforce
Under the narrow definition, as they take their first jobs, Gen Y would be the fastest-growing segment of the workforce — growing from 14% of the workforce to 21% over the past four years to nearly 32 million workers.
About Gen Y workers
High expectations of self: They aim to work faster and better than other workers.High expectations of employers: They want fair and direct managers who are highly engaged in their professional development.Ongoing learning: They seek out creative challenges and view colleagues as vast resources from whom to gain knowledge.Immediate responsibility: They want to make an important impact on Day 1.Goal-oriented: They want small goals with tight deadlines so they can build up ownership of tasks.Source: Bruce Tulgan of RainmakerThinking
This age group is moving into the labor force during a time of major demographic change, as companies around the USA face an aging workforce. Sixty-year-olds are working beside 20-year-olds. Freshly minted college graduates are overseeing employees old enough to be their parents. And new job entrants are changing careers faster than college students change their majors, creating frustration for employers struggling to retain and recruit talented high-performers.
Unlike the generations that have gone before them, Gen Y has been pampered, nurtured and programmed with a slew of activities since they were toddlers, meaning they are both high-performance and high-maintenance, Tulgan says. They also believe in their own worth.
"Generation Y is much less likely to respond to the traditional command-and-control type of management still popular in much of today's workforce," says Jordan Kaplan, an associate managerial science professor at Long Island University-Brooklyn in New York. "They've grown up questioning their parents, and now they're questioning their employers. They don't know how to shut up, which is great, but that's aggravating to the 50-year-old manager who says, 'Do it and do it now.' "
That speak-your-mind philosophy makes sense to Katie Patterson, an assistant account executive at Edelman Public Relations in Atlanta. The 23-year-old, who hails from Iowa and now lives with two roommates in a town home, likes to collaborate with others, and says many of her friends want to run their own businesses so they can be independent.
"We are willing and not afraid to challenge the status quo," she says. "An environment where creativity and independent thinking are looked upon as a positive is appealing to people my age. We're very independent and tech savvy."
A great deal is known about Gen Y:
•They have financial smarts. After witnessing the financial insecurity that beset earlier generations stung by layoffs and the dot-com bust, today's newest entrants into the workforce are generally savvy when it comes to money and savings. They care about such benefits as 401(k) retirement plans.
Thirty-seven percent of Gen Yers expect to start saving for retirement before they reach 25, with 46% of those already working indicating so, according to a September survey by Purchase, N.Y.-based Diversified Investment Advisors. And 49% say retirement benefits are a very important factor in their job choices. Among those eligible, 70% of the Gen Y respondents contribute to their 401(k) plan.
Patterson, who works at Edelman, has already met with a financial planner, and her co-worker, Jennifer Hudson, 23, is also saving for the future.
"I knew what a Roth IRA was at 17. I learned about it in economics class," says Hudson, an assistant account executive in Atlanta and a University of Alabama graduate. "My generation is much more realistic. We were in college when we saw the whole dot-com bust."
•Work-life balance isn't just a buzz word. Unlike boomers who tend to put a high priority on career, today's youngest workers are more interested in making their jobs accommodate their family and personal lives. They want jobs with flexibility, telecommuting options and the ability to go part time or leave the workforce temporarily when children are in the picture.
"There's a higher value on self fulfillment," says Diana San Diego, 24, who lives with her parents in San Francisco and works on college campuses helping prepare students for the working world through the Parachute College Program. "After 9/11, there is a realization that life is short. You value it more."
•Change, change, change. Generation Yers don't expect to stay in a job, or even a career, for too long — they've seen the scandals that imploded Enron and Arthur Andersen, and they're skeptical when it comes to such concepts as employee loyalty, Tulgan says.
They don't like to stay too long on any one assignment. This is a generation of multitaskers, and they can juggle e-mail on their BlackBerrys while talking on cellphones while trolling online.
And they believe in their own self worth and value enough that they're not shy about trying to change the companies they work for. That compares somewhat with Gen X, a generation born from the mid-1960s to the late-1970s, known for its independent thinking, addiction to change and emphasis on family.
"They're like Generation X on steroids," Tulgan says. "They walk in with high expectations for themselves, their employer, their boss. If you thought you saw a clash when Generation X came into the workplace, that was the fake punch. The haymaker is coming now."
Tulgan, who co-authored Managing Generation Y with Carolyn Martin and leads training sessions at companies on how to prepare for and retain Generation Yers, says a recent example is a young woman who just started a job at a cereal company. She showed up the first day with a recipe for a new cereal she'd invented.
Conflicts over casual dress
In the workplace, conflict and resentment can arise over a host of issues, even seemingly innocuous subjects such as appearance, as a generation used to casual fare such as flip-flops, tattoos and capri pants finds more traditional attire is required at the office.
Angie Ping, 23, of Alvin, Texas, lives in flip-flops but isn't allowed to wear them to the office. "Some companies' policies relating to appropriate office attire seem completely outdated to me," says Ping, at International Facility Management Association. "The new trend for work attire this season is menswear-inspired capri pants, which look as dressy as pants when paired with heels, but capri pants are not allowed at my organization."
And then there's Gen Y's total comfort with technology. While boomers may expect a phone call or in-person meeting on important topics, younger workers may prefer virtual problem solving, Tulgan says.
Conflict can also flare up over management style. Unlike previous generations who've in large part grown accustomed to the annual review, Gen Yers have grown up getting constant feedback and recognition from teachers, parents and coaches and can resent it or feel lost if communication from bosses isn't more regular.
"The millennium generation has been brought up in the most child-centered generation ever. They've been programmed and nurtured," says Cathy O'Neill, senior vice president at career management company Lee Hecht Harrison in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. "Their expectations are different. The millennial expects to be told how they're doing."
Matt Berkley, 24, a writer at St. Louis Small Business Monthly, says many of his generation have traveled and had many enriching experiences, so they may clash with older generations they see as competition or not as skilled. "We're surprised we have to work for our money. We want the corner office right away," he says. "It seems like our parents just groomed us. Anything is possible. We had karate class, soccer practice, everything. But they deprived us of social skills. They don't treat older employees as well as they should."
Employers are examining new ways to recruit and retain and trying to sell younger workers on their workplace flexibility and other qualities generally attractive to Gen Y.
At Abbott Laboratories in Chicago, recruiters are reaching out to college students by telling them about company benefits such as flexible work schedules, telecommuting, full tuition reimbursement and an online mentoring tool.
Perks and recruitment
Aflac, an insurer based in Columbus, Ga., is highlighting such perks as time off given as awards, flexible work schedules and recognition.
Xerox is stepping up recruitment of students at "core colleges," which is how the company refers to universities that have the kind of talent Xerox needs. For example, the Rochester Institute of Technology is a core school for Xerox recruiting because it has a strong engineering and printing sciences programs. Others include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois and Cornell University.
Xerox is using the slogan "Express Yourself" as a way to describe its culture to recruits. The hope is that the slogan will appeal to Gen Y's desire to develop solutions and change. Recruiters also point out the importance of diversity at the company; Gen Y is one of the most diverse demographic groups — one out of three is a minority.
"(Gen Y) is very important," says Joe Hammill, director of talent acquisition. "Xerox and other Fortune-type companies view this emerging workforce as the future of our organization."
But some conflict is inevitable. More than 60% of employers say they are experiencing tension between employees from different generations, according to a survey by Lee Hecht Harrison.
The survey found more than 70% of older employees are dismissive of younger workers' abilities. And nearly half of employers say that younger employees are dismissive of the abilities of their older co-workers.
As an executive assistant, Jennifer Lewis approves expenses and keeps track of days off for employees, which she says can be awkward because she's so much younger than her co-workers. She reports to the president of her company's design department.
"People who have been here 10 years, and they have to report to a 22-year-old," Lewis says. She also says in an e-mail that "I often have to lie about my age to receive a certain level of respect that I want from my co-workers."
Lewis, a senior at Hunter College in New York, tries not to tell people she is a student for fear it will make her seem like "the young schoolgirl." She pays rent and pays for her own school and spends her free time taking cooking and pottery classes.
But there are advantages to being young as well. "I am computer savvy," she says, "so people come to me for everything."

Good book

2006-01-09T14:14:00.000-08:00

I highly recommend reading "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant. I was very much against it due to the fact that the characters are from the Bible, (that whole anti religion thing sneaking into my life again) but mom convinced me that it really wasn't about the Bible and dammit, she was right! I blasted through it in just a few days. Its definitely on the top 10 list with "I Know This Much Is True" by Wally Lamb and "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. Is it sad that when I heard "From The Corner Of His Eye" by Dean Koontz the first time on audiotape, I cried at the end?

Man, I love a good book.

Wedding Update

2006-01-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

Tunnies is happy!!! I managed to put together about 70% of our wedding ceremony last night. Damn i love having all this time to plan my wedding now! I've emailed the caterer a few times, the guy coordinating the music AND the woman who is going to officiate! I'm on a roll....

Improving myself

2006-01-04T07:13:00.000-08:00

So last night, Pigpen and I had a bit of premarital counseling. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. NOT recommended with a member of the clergy--which of course we're not doing since we're not religious and at this moment, we have NO idea who will be the one marrying us on June 10. but the wonderful LCSW we've been going to has really helped us and I'm all sorts of ready to start THIS marriage off right since I failed miserably at the other one. But I learned something deep about myself last night that I need to work on in the New Year and for the rest of my life. I'm a control freak. Spontaneity is NOT my middle name. I found out that Pigpen isn't necessarily spontaneous, but that he doesn't mind last minute spontaneous plans whereas Tunnies has a hard time dealing with last minute changes. Pigpen is SO good at being "go with the flow." So i've been getting mad at Pigpen when things happen last minute and I can't adjust my brain when in reality, its totally been my lack of ability to be easygoing like him that's been the problem. So we discussed how I can loosen up a bit and he can help me by being a little more forthcoming when plans change as they change, not AFTER they change so that I can adjust my mental picture of the situation and be content. Its all about compromise and Tunnies not being the control freak she is. I love talking about myself in the third person...

Dammit, Pigpen and i will be the bestest married couple EVER :)

Happy New Year

2006-01-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

Its 2006 kids. Good riddance 2005. Did you make a new year's resolution? I didn't. I usually don't. This year, I honestly didn't even think about it. Pigpen's best man's resolution is to give up fast food for a year. Says he did it once a few years back. I don't even think I could contemplate doing that--its not the food I'm addicted to, its the fact that its FAST. When Pigpen and I trailer, boy is it easy to just stop at a Rudy Mac's (Pigpen's dad's name for McDonalds--who knows) and grab something and get back on the road. Mr. Best Man is a better man than me. Wait, I'm a woman and I'm a way better woman than him.

Well, despite that I don't do resolutions, I resolve to enjoy this year--to plan the wedding the way we want it, to start my marriage off right and to be good to myself and Pigpen. And I resolve to fit into my wedding dress on June 10. I tried it on yesterday and it fit great. I think I can make it 5 more months...

I can tell this year is going to be good--I just handed back the stuff from my second job i was doing this fall to the woman who was out on maternity leave since last June. LETS CELEBRATE MY FREEDOM!

the crab

2005-12-30T10:05:00.000-08:00

as promised, here's one of Pigpen's creations. this one is a crab--and its useful! the claws have clips that can hold papers. genius.

Stay tuned!

2005-12-28T11:20:00.000-08:00

Pigpen has been busy this xmas season--welding that is. He's created all sorts of fun animals and such using his creative thinking, some ideas from various websites and his badass welder. Once I'm home later this week, I'll post some pics of his awesome creations for you all to see and be jealous of. Think of all the things you could do with a welder and a plasma cutter...

My deep profound thought for Thursday

2005-12-22T07:38:00.000-08:00

George W. Bush is a stupid fucking asshole. I feel sorry for his stupid wife and dumbass daughters.

There, I feel better.

No really, I'm alive

2005-12-15T06:54:00.000-08:00

I think, THINK, i have come out of the depths of hell. Maybe not until after the show is over this weekend. I have barely responded to any emails, I haven't done any xmas shopping (Pigpen is WONDERFUL for his help with that) and I haven't eaten a healthy meal in ages. Dec 29 is D-day-when i get to turn over this other part time job I've been doing back to the lovely woman who forced me into doing this by having a baby. I'm bitter, have you noticed? Now I can finally do Sudoku again, catch up on work for my REAL job and pay attention to Pigpen. I'm really ready to enjoy the xmas season. Funny how I haven't been able to.

I'm sooo sleepy and sooo not feeling good. Too bad our second weekend of shows starts again tomorrow night! Better get my ass in gear.

Post Secret

2005-12-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

I find this to be insanely interesting--especially as a sociological study. maybe i was meant to be an anthropologist!

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

my mommie rocks!

2005-12-02T11:04:00.000-08:00

bet my mommie saves the world better than your mommie

stressed

2005-11-18T13:54:00.000-08:00

i'm feeling more than a little stressed out this week. and sadly, i think its mainly b/c of the business. not my full time job (which luckily is a bit slow, but the boss is back in the office Tues), not my part time job (which is busy b/c we have an event coming up on Dec 14 and the invites are going out and RSVPs will start), not really the show (which i think will just come to me as time goes on), not really the wedding (since its over 6 months away) but the damn business. and what's sad, its the scheduling that's stressing me out. Pigpen has LOTS of jobs to do and there just aren't enough hours of daylight, not enough employees, and too many leaves to get everything done. and customers (new ones especially!) keep calling--up to 6 a day. I called 4 new people back this morning for Pigpen and told them that he couldn't get to them before next Wed. THAT'S CRAZY! he's almost booked for the next week!!! now i know i should be happy about that, but its stressful. esp since I just looked at weather.com and its supposed to be rainy and windy most of next week. hard to blow leaves when the wind is working against you and the leaves are wet. ugh. actually, i think the stress is the business on top of EVERYTHING else, even if they don't seem busy, its everything put together. at least i have a wedding photographer, a DJ and a tent. yipeeeeeeeee! the nice thing is that Pigpen is talking excitedly about the wedding. :) i'm still doing all the planning, but he's looking forward to it!

I think i'm going to be blowing leaves on thanksgiving if the weather holds...

the boy's character

2005-11-17T22:14:00.000-08:00

Pigpen decided to make a South Park character tonight. Does he look evil or what?!??! Its a little bizarre with such a nice background. He's lucky I'm still marrying him. :)

How should I use this?

2005-11-17T10:14:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to figure out if I should use this blog to bitch about my future mother in law, figure out my issues with my ex-husband, or whine about my job. I think I need to ponder it a bit more. All three seems a bit selfish--but again, I am an only child.

some comic relief on a shitty day

2005-11-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

"little miss muffet sat on a tuffet eating her curds and whey. along came a spider who sad down beside her and frightened ms. muffet away. then muffet went back and checked her gun rack, grabbing a .357. finding the spider, she sat down beside her and blew that poor sucker to heaven."the uncut version from the Pearls Before Swine comic strip by Stephan Pastis

Boy, was I wrong!

2005-11-16T10:42:00.000-08:00

Wow, I thought this blog would pull me in and I'd get no work done. And then I took on a second job. I'm stupid. But maybe I'm back? The spring should be light. I can keep everyone up to date on my wedding plans for June. How exciting!

So, like my bud who writes about science made a SouthPark character so I did the same. Kick ass...

The background she's in is called "heaven." Figured its the closest I'll get to heaven being all anti god and everything. :) But I hope they have ice cream after death. I love ice cream.

Oh NO!

2005-07-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

I can see it already, I'm not going to get ANY work done now that I have this blog...