you neek

Growing up, I was always the "weird" one. Now I know that I'm unique. Here's the proof!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

There is only One person in the US of A with my name, and thats me!!!

Christmas is coming- fast!

Once again, the holidays have sneaked up on me. I'm a procrastinator by nature, so I put off gift-buying "until next paycheck". This starts around October, when the Christmas decorations start shoving the ghosts, goblins, and candy corn from the store shelves. But, as ever, its 2 weeks before Christmas and I still have a pile of gifts to get. I'd planned on making more gifts this year, but thats on the procrastinators list as well.

Whatever happens, this will be another magical season. A time for family, pretty wrapping paper, and eating specials dinners around the table.

Create your own snowflake

I like this site. It allows you to create your own snowflake without having to break out the paper and scissors.

Random tidbits...

...for today

Outside my window... I'm in my office and have nary a window. Though if I did, I would see the setting sun and blue skies.

I am thinking... That I ate my Chinese takeout waaay too fast (cashew chicken and pork-fried rice, my favorite!)

I am thankful for... An open-minded family, a wonderful girlfriend, and a working car.

I am wearing... Khaki pants, a red uniform shirt and no shoes (its nice having your own office!!)

I am reading... Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series... again!

I am hoping... that I can get in sooner for my dentist appointment

I am creating... another blog post

I am hearing... ambient office noise, the fan

Around the house... since I'm not at home, I can only guess that the dogs are laying on the bed, Amy is on the computer, Tito is sitting in front of the patio door begging to go out and Droopy is tormenting Tito.

One of my favorite things... girls in white dresses with blue stain sashes.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... unpacking from our recent camping trip, laying out the tent and tarps to dry and clean them (it was wet and rainy when we packed up, ugh), shopping for a dog kennel, working

Lifesavers.

For those that know me, you know my job involves a lot of down time. In the times between calls from people who really should have been exterminated before birth, there are a few sites that I habitually peruse. They are:

www.wfrv.com (gotta stay on top of the local headlines and the days comics)
www.usatoday.com and/or www.cbsnews.com (gotta stay on top of who's killing who)
http://www.farmfreshiowa.blogspot.com/ (a little preachy at times, but the author's girls are adorable and hilarious)
http://www.crochetville.org (like crack for your crochet hooks)

and these two sites: http://ihasahotdog.com and http://icanhascheezburger.com/
The captions are just absolutely priceless. The two posts below are examples of whats on the sites. These two sites are what keep me from going postal and stabbing someone in the temple with a blue ball-point pen.

I don't know what it is about this picture, but dammit, I laffed for 5 minutes about this pup...

too cute...

see more dog pictures


see more dog pictures

Random simple pleasures

I saw this on someone else's blog, liked the idea, and came up with a few of my own. These are simple, random, day-to-day things that make me smile.

1. The smell of the woods after a rain
2. Snuggling under a warm blanket with my girlfriend
3. Waking up in the morning to find the two furbabies curled up with me
4. Thunderstorms
5. A warm spring day and being able to roll the car windows down
6. A campfire
7. Curling up on the patio with a good book
8. Ribs fresh off the grill, slathered in dads bbq sauce, eaten with the family
9. A night of board games and cards with friends
10. Finding a $5 bill in a coat pocket

How apropos...

Thank you to Mike at http://www.infinitecat.com/ for this intresting bit of mind fluff:

"It's an odd thing this web site business, much like a message in abottle. You throw it out there and you never know who might find as it swirls and eddies along the vast cyber tidal pools."

So true Mike... so true.

You gotta be kidding me...

If this guy gets this flowery about coffee, imagine what he's like in person...

http://www.coffeereview.com/allreviews.cfm

Emotions

Emotions have never been an easy thing for me; its as if I am emotionally impaired. I don't seem to feel them as other people do, at least, not as strongly.

Is that a sign of a sociopath? Ok, don't leave me alone with sharp objects. :-D

Anyways. Its as though I try to distance myself, to not feel or experience them. Very strange. Perhaps it is simply a case of not being very self-aware. Or perhaps there is a lot of bottling going on
... someone get the bottle opener!

Don't get me wrong- poke me with a stick and I'll cry. Or, at least try to twap you over the head with said stick. But intense emotions- happiness, lust, sadness, etc- they don't come through as clearly
...try adjusting the rabbit ears!

Strangely, all of this self examination goes on when in a relationship- why is that? Am I the only one that learns more about herself when her thoughts and emotions are reflected off another person? Perhaps it has something to do with what my girlfriend has gone through and is dealing with. I put myself in that situation and say "what the hell would I do?".


Who knows...

click

Its amazing how that click can happen. You aren't looking and *click*! there she is. All pretty brown eyes and dimples to die for.

I can't even say that I wasn't looking, because I was. Hard, often, and everywhere. Sad, really, creeping up on desperation. But anyway. There she was, not even sure what it was that caught my attention. Was it a new face that caught my bored eye? Or was it just one of those thing were you look up and... there it is? Whatever the case, she got me. Every time she would walk by, I was hyper-aware; she seemed to be everywhere. I agonized for a week about asking her out. The last thing I wanted to do was cause drama at work if she wasn't intrested in girls. But finally I did. I have never been so giddy about giving anyone my phone number- male or female.

That first date was the most fun I had had with anyone in a long time. There wasn't as much nerves as there typically is on a first date. It was relaxed, and just a great time.

Since, we've been almost constantly together. I've told her more about myself and opened up to her more so than to 99.9% of the people in my life. There is a comfort and openess there never before found with anyone else.

It fits. It truly fits.

And it is beautiful.

A short rant...

on cereal...

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/wdc/213801475.html

Free-floating loneliness

I was struck by an overwhelming feeling of loneliness today. As a friend texted me “I wish you were here” and listening to some romantic cd… it was overwhelming. He wishes I was there for sexual reasons; I want someone to text me that because they miss me for romantic reasons. Its been said that the harder one looks for love, the farther away it gets. At this point, my love must be in Guatemala by now. Its also been said that feeling sorry for yourself and not liking yourself won’t help you find love. This is true. But I like myself as much as the next person- attractive, witty, intelligent for the most part.

Perhaps that’s the problem. Perhaps I’m not looking in the right places. Perhaps I’m looking in the right places but picking the wrong guys. There is no easy answer, no instruction manual. There is no teacher to turn to for help, other than experience.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Grrr...

Here I sit at work. Its one of those days. One of those days where nothing seems to sit right, like I want to jump out of my skin. I don't feel like reading the news online as I usually do. Working on my Christmas gifts (I'm crocheting a scarf for my mom) doesn't help- I can't focus. Reading a magazine drives me crazy as everything seems inane and silly. So here I sit, trying typing therapy, if there is such a thing, to get the thoughts out and maybe steady myself.

Perhaps its because I'm off my meds. I am on medication for depression and let me tell you, it really helps. I'm off because I ran out between paychecks- oops! Its low-grade depression so there is no major worry, but still. There is a marked difference in my personality and how I interact with other people. I'm definitely perkier and able to think more clearly.

Or perhaps its the ADD rearing its jittery head. I've had that since I was a kid and have learned to deal with it. No big deal, just have a few extra projects on hand and give myself a mental slapping when I get distracted by something.

Kind of sounds like a mess, doesn't it? Really though, I'm not. I'm a relatively normal individual with overtones of definite "weirdidity" (yes, I know its not a word..). I keep to myself for the most part, some out of self-conciousness and some out of habit. Been told I have a gorgeous smile and a wonderful sense of humor. But really, didn't that describe Ted Bundy? I guess what differentiates me is that I've never had an urge to lure pretty women in and kill them. A good thing indeed.

What really makes me aware of these issues is the fact that I am currently in the dating pool. Actually, with the luck I've had, its more like a dating muck hole instead of pool. However, there have been bright spots. One particularly intresting candidate is a 35 year old self-employed gentleman. The first time we met in person was a little stilted, but the second time was much, much better. Though both times we simly watched movies, there was a definite difference between the first time and second time... can't figure out why. He appreciates my sense of humor which is a saving grace. There are a few commonalities and happens to be a fantastic kisser (always a plus in my book). The down side is, of course as always, scheduling. Between him working during the day, his daughter, and me working second, time is limited. We shall see what happens- I'm hopeful.

Another one is a 30 year old guy in the midst of a divorce. Our senses of humor match almost exactly- a scary thought considering I'm soo off-center... Attractive and intelligent, but I'm slightly leery of his intentions. I'm looking for the real thing, not a bedroom buddy. However, we have not yet met in person and have only been chatting online for a week or so. Downside here is- location. He is 40 minutes away- thats pushing it. He is listed for now as a maybe...

Of course, being a single lady, one does get urges to... play, and urges need to be satisfied. So there is an FWB who shall remains nameless to protect the not so innocent. Extremely intelligent and witty, this guy definitely keeps me on my toes, even when they aren't curled. Married with two eminently adorable kids, he and his wife have the fortune of having an open relationship. Very secure within that relationship, they play alone, acknowledging that monogamy isn't quite right for them. Intresting, isn't it?

Thank you for listening to my therapy, this has actually helped. I feel better. :)

Death of a friend

Here I sit at 8:46 in the morning, no pants, sweatshirt, wondering what the hell I'm doing up this early. Woke up to find that my shrimp has died (the one in my fish tank!) and I'm kinda bummed. Granted we didn't bond much, but there was still that one summer....

Oh well. Time to break out the cocktail sauce!

On the hunt

To be so singularly obsessed with finding a man is a sad thing. To be desperate an even sadder thing. I have been free of a meaningful and fulfilling relationship for about 4 months now. Before that, it was almost a year. The brief interruption was a wonderful man, with whom I meshed quite well. But distance, lack of initiative, and scheduling ruined what was an otherwise good thing.

I am still on the hunt. I can’t help but think of it like that; its what it feels like. To stalk the wild prey of that perfect man in the wilds of daily life seem to be an all too apt description. Peering from behind the trees, I see a herd of them grazing at the watering hole. Creeping stealthily, panther-like through the grass, never blinking. I spring, and they scatter. Running screaming into the woods from the putrid stench of desperation and Chanel no.5. Ok, so I don’t wear Chanel, but you get the idea.

He’s out there. Sleek coated, intelligent, and one of Darwin’s chosen few. I’ve got my tranquilizer darts, rope, and net. Now where the hell is he…

SLS

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Flotsam and jetsam

There are always a million thoughts going through my head at any given time, none of any real consequence. Some silly, some contemplative, and way too many negative. Its maddening, really. Sometimes I just want to wring out my brain and be mentally silent. To scrub it clean like the putrid bottom of a fish tank. To try and follow each one would be an exercise in futility, a race against madness. In attempts to tame these overzealous mental machinations, I sit and concentrate on picking one out from the tangled mess. I pick at it like a crusted scab, pulling it away from unwilling flesh. Its followed along twisted, drifting, deviating pathways, meandering through the atramentous sludge.

“…did she look at me funny? I forgot to pay the cell phone bill, I can’t afford to pay the cell phone bill… really have to look up a bankruptcy lawyer. 4 hours til I have to get ready for work. WHY am I still single?? Is it permanent, am I going to be a spinster… wooo, gotta clean that cat box… and the living room… and the laundry… and that mess on the table. Hey, judge judy is on. Mmmm, want some chips, only have teddy grahams, damn, have to go shopping again. Don’t have the money. Maybe I should look in the phone book for the lawyer, what if I end up with one that rips me off? La ded daaaaa, I’m so bored.. maybe I should go to the gym, I’m wasting money on the membership every month anyway, heaven knows I need the exercise… look at the lumps on my thighs- HELLOO tapioca! Really want chips… damn, that won’t help, they would go great with tapioca though… He said I worry too much, do I? Ok, relax, think calm thoughts… blue sky, warm breeze, large green field… ahhhhh… OK, still want those chips. I got salsa, but no chips, would saltines be ok with salsa? Salsa shark… ohh thats a good movie… Maybe we could watch that next time he comes over. No, I only get him an hour or two at a time. Should I be bitter, maybe I should look elsewhere, he’s so good to me though, a sweetheart, well you know the situation, hi kitty, woo, gotta brush you you are shedding again. Rats, I forgot to water the plants, I really need more pots, can’t afford them, maybe I should ask mom about a lawyer. I have to hang that bird feeder too, don’t have any screws though. Damn, craving tapioca…”

and on and on….

It seems I don't know myself very well.

Well, thats not really a revelation- thats half of my problem!! lol. I was told by a friend that my last post doesn't really describe me. I'm still waiting to hear back what would describe the real me. I think the last post was a result of this funky mood I've been in for the last few weeks. Mostly, its due to PMS, but work has been especially trying as of late. So for those that have felt the sting of my mood, forgive me, I know not what I do. :-))