How Do You Spell Exhausted?

Working 60 hours in one week...when you're used to working less than 40!

I'm tired to the point that I can't sleep.

But, job #2 has been pretty fun, even if my brain is completely overloaded with the week's worth of training. So far the people have been quite nice, though some are a little overtly gung-ho. But, oh well...it's extra money, a decent atmosphere, and a 40% discount.

Of course, I had my first shopping trip in the store today---I bought a shelf to put up in my kitchen for housing the load of cookbooks I have, some air freshener stuff for Sid so she can cook bacon in her abode without it smelling like bacon for a week, these groovy little spring loaded quarter holders that will be muy convenient for laundry quarters, and this food storage container that vacuum seals and will be really good for strawberries.

Second trip will be for these "floating" book shelves, a bread container that's supposed to keep bread fresh for something like a month, a laundry hamper since the kittehs shredded the mesh bags on mine, and I need to devise some sort of lid holder for the pots/pans lids.

Srsly, this store will be the death of me. I could buy about 1/2 of the store and still want to go back for the other 1/2! All in moderation, right?

On a sad note...it's been a week of deaths. One of my good friends brother passed away suddenly this week; a family friend passed away after a long bout with cancer; and my sister's ex-mother-in-law passed away also after a long fight against cancer...yeah, not a great week in that area.

I'm working from home tomorrow, getting my hair chopped off, and doing some laundry...

There will also be an outing to Violet Hour, a couple PBRs at Nisei, and next Wednesday will be beerz and burgers for my b-day--WOOT!

Save Chicago's Small Venue Creative Community!

It seems this city wants to do its part in stifling...no crippling...the creative community in it's smaller incarnations.

Take a moment to make a comment on the linked page to show that you oppose this measure that will be taken to vote on Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Comment Here

Be patient with the page load...as of this posting it had 2600 comments, so it takes a few moments to fully load.

Damn, I'm Good

I've managed to wake at the buttcrack of dawn both days this weekend...

This morning I've made breakfast (steel cut oats with blackberries & honey, Stash "Christmas Eve" tea), put a load of dishes in the dishwasher, washed all the pots/pans that have managed to stack up in my sink, and check up on all the bloggies I read regularly. And it's only 9:30!

Now, off to do more dishes, do some dusting, sweep the floors...

I'm letting my domestic goddess roam free!

Finetune Friday....It's BACK!

Thanks to Viv, Finetune Friday is back for June. This month's theme? Father's...anything and everything you can come up with that reminds you of good dads, bad dads, people you'd like to have as your dad...you get the picture.

So, get yerself a Finetune account, post a playlist of 45 (or more songs), post it on your blog, and join the fun.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I've had a great time doing this over the past year...it tapped into the research and music nerd in me. The biggest bonus? I've found a lot of music I didn't know about via my searches for songs and other people's playlists.

Join the fun, get your music mojo going, and Finetune yourself!

Ohhhh Pur-tee!

New look for the bloggie! What'cha think?

Oh, T-REZ, You Dirty boy

Srsly...why is it that everything Trent does makes me want to start having the sexy-time...RIGHT.NOW!

It's really not a good idea to listen to (as k would say) "Our Dark Lord" at the office. Not good at all.

Where Do I Turn In My Human Being Card?

Because here's one more example of why I'm so utterly and incomprehensibly disgusted with people:

"A First-Hand Account of Assault on the Rape Trail" by Melissa Bruen, UConn Student & Daily Campus Editor-in-Chief

The next time I am asked, "How was your last Spring Weekend?," it will be far too soon.

Last Saturday morning I got out of bed after a few hours of restless sleep, more than a little hung over. It is when I looked in the mirror and saw the handprints on my biceps that the events of the previous night came flooding back. I saw that my phone was shut off, and I was thankful that I would not have to answer any calls, until I realized the UConn police officer I spoke with the night before would be calling me to make a written statement. I had to decide if I wanted to press charges...read full article

And if that's not enough to make you question humanity...just go on to read the fucking comments by a myriad of idiots, jackasses and complete douchebags--both male and female!

Yeah, I'm really hatin' humanity, yet again. It's become more often than not that I feel this way.

Barbara Wa-Wa

Is it wrong that I really do want to read her book, Audition?

The woman has talked to everyone it seems...I be she has a load of serious dish!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Teh Reynolds and ScarJo---ENGAGED!

Dear holy entity that I don't necessarily believe in,

Please don't let this happen. I'm losing weight, I'll be skinny soon...just give me a chance! I'm positive Ryan will fall madly in love with me!

OK fine--then I'm sticking with one of two scenerios, or both. She's knocked up and/or she wants publicity for her new (and not remotely good from the couple songs I've heard) CD that's being released about now.

he'll want me someday...i know he will!

Employment Squared

It now seems that I'm gainfully employed-twice. I got a call today and offered the part-time position with the store formerly unnamed, but we can now call it The Container Store.

I'll mostly be unloading the trucks or stocking merchandise, because those hours work best with my schedule. Eventually, I will get additional hours on the sales floor too.

The really good part, besides the extra $$$ in my pocket? A 40%-50% discount on their wares. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm telling you, this is going to make my organizational plans a whole lot easier!

It's also going to give me a bit less downtime...which I'm ok with. That's less time to be lazy, watch crappy tv, and eat. One lady I talked to the other night said she's lost 35 pounds since she started working there 5 months ago--unloading trucks and doing merchandising. Holy SHITE...that's pretty damn cool. As she so eloquently put it "I'm getting paid to work out!" I like that line of thinking.

I Love It Cheap!

Chicken leg/thigh quarters for 49 cents a lb.
95% lean ground beef for $1.99 a lb.
Lettuce-2 heads for $1
Shrimp for $3.49 a lb.

Oh yeah, now that's what I'm talking about!

I'm now embarking on making Split Pea Soup and Chicken and Barley Soup. Because SOUP IS GOOD FOOD!

Can't.Stop.Watching

This video that K. put up. I just keep going back, watching and giggling quietly to myself in my office. I'm positive I sound like some deranged psychopath.

Good think it's friday...

FineTune Friday, Final Edition

Can I just say, I'm sad...very very sad that FTF will no longer be part of my monthly ritual.

But, as my final playlist...I finally did the playlist I swore I was going to do when Jon (link will also take you to the full list of FTF contributors) intro'd me to Finetune. BANJOS!

It's a lot more difficult that you'd think trying to find banjos in rock, pop, and other genres outside of country, folk, and bluegrass. This list is a mix-up but there are some great tunes in there!



And, as always, a video for your amusement:

Mash-Up of Stuff

Forgive me...this post will be all over the board!

I love, love, love the new NIN song, Discipline. The more I hear it, the more I like it. And this makes me very happy that the one thing I didn't eliminate from my budget was going to Lolla with K. Not that I wasn't already happy about seeing them, but this makes me REALLY happy.
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Friday night a bunch of us are going to Nisei for a drinking memorial to the demise of a fabulous bar in a not-so-fabulous neighborhood. It's the end of a very long era and the end of an icon for many a Chicagoan. If you're so inclined, join us...the gathering starts at 7ish and will run until the bar kicks many of the people out. It really is quite sad that something as lovable as Nisei will no longer be...
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And, Iron Man opens this weekend. I'd love to see it this weekend, but since I'm on budgetary lockdown, I must wait for the $5 Buck Club offering. And color me clueless...I was so hot and bothered by Robert Downey Jr. that I didn't even realize that John Favreau was directing the damn thing! See, most people remember him from Swingers. Now, I never really got into that show as much as many people did. In fact, I really didn't like it. My fave acting memory of him is as Gutter in PCU. God, I love that movie! Every college cliche you could find came to life in it and came to life high-lariously! And he was also in Very Bad Things which I also digged. I heard an interview with him on the radio this a.m. and he was so absolutely stoked (that's the only word for it) that this movie is getting such a crazy amount of praise and press...kind of refreshing to see, you know?
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For Netflix viewage, I shall be partaking in The Mist...Tankboy says it's good, he better be right! Oh hell, who am i trying to kid..Thomas Jane is in it, that's enough to at least give it worthiness in the eye-candy category.

I will also be viewing There Will Be Blood. I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few people who didn't go see this at the theatre.

In other Netflix news, I highly recommend watching The Orphanage while it's on the Watch Now feature. It's the latest Guillermo del Toro project (on DVD) and is creepy as all get out, along the lines of The Devil's Backbone. It was quite a good movie.
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On a more serious note...I want someone to explain something to me.

The news today is showing that both BP and Shell have had record-breaking profits in the first quarter of 2008. Now, with oil at well over $100 a barrel and gas costing us in the US an average of $3.75, I'm trying to figure out at exactly what level the price gouging is happening.

I'll admit I know nothing about the whole world of oil barons and such, but in my mind, I'm thinking if the oil companies can make that much profit, then shouldn't gas be less expensive for the consumer? And wouldn't it indicate that the price of oil is ridiculously inflated for no good reason?

In many respects it really doesn't matter...there's little to nothing I can do to change the gas prices, so complaining about it is pretty futile. The most I can do is drive less, which means buying less gas and vote (which I'm still up in the air about).
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I had interview (kinda) #3 with the "potential part-time job location yet to be publicly named". I think it went ok and I should find out in a week or so if I have the job. Really, three interviews for a part-time position. Seems strange, but hey the money is good and the perks are pretty darn sweet too.

Of course, I'm still holding out for my boss to say 'here's a raise, you deserve it'. I'm not holding my breath though...cuz I'm pretty sure that means I'd be d.e.a.d.
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Last, but certainly not least...I have now lost *drumroll* FIFTEEN pounds! Yay ME!

I'm Just Gonna Say It

there's a very high chance that i will not vote in the presidential election this year.

i voted for Obama in the primary because at the time I saw quite a few things I liked about him and his campaign.

but...as time has marched on, the lustre of Obama has worn off & i never had any lustre for Hillary & i certainly won't be voting for McCain.

this is just one of those elections where i'm not comfortable voting for the 'lesser of two evils', especially if the race comes down to McCain and Hillary. i could still probably vote in that manner if it's McCain v. Obama, but i can't do it with the other two. and i'm pretty sure Hillary will get the nomination.