Relaxation and rest. That is what I love the most about the weekends. I slept in this morning, enjoyed a coffee at Caribou Coffee shop and then went to the park for the afternoon walk/run. After a visit to the local Krogers for some cheese and wine for dinner I am now finishing up a couple of hours of reports that needed to be completed and catching up on what my itinerary looks like for the next couple of weeks. Its gonna be busy!
So tonight is about chilling and surfing the web. For what exactly I don't know but I'll know it when I find it :)
Hope everyone has a great evening...I'm going to continue to enjoy my bottle of Gala Rouge (great old poster style label) Pinot Noir.
Who knows...if I feel really adventursome I'll work on my French for a while...C'est tres jolie--Oui?
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
News and updates
So life has been happening at an extraordinarily rapid pace. a potentially very exciting promotion has dropped so to speak in my lap and I am eagerly anticipating the next step in the audition process. It has been a whirlwind of events as I had no idea that I was even a potential candidate for this new position. And while I don't want to jinx it in any way let me just say that I really, really want this new position. It would be a fantastic next step.
Aside from that and the multitude of flight arrangements, schedule adjustments, car rental adjustments and paperwork that had been done for this potential position I realized that this position would not only be a good career move but also would provide me with a stable base from which to actually have a life. I was thinking about this the other day. Instead of audit trips that last up to 6 weeks if not more I would now be back in Dallas every weekend or at the most every two weekends. I could join a church (shocking thought I realize), I could go out and maybe, just maybe enjoy a realationship that is an adult, mature relationship that could have a future. What a concept. Plus in addition I could actually see those people who are important to me!
I just see so many potential benefits and nominal downsides to this transition. Lets hope and pray it all turns out as it ought to.
Aside from that and the multitude of flight arrangements, schedule adjustments, car rental adjustments and paperwork that had been done for this potential position I realized that this position would not only be a good career move but also would provide me with a stable base from which to actually have a life. I was thinking about this the other day. Instead of audit trips that last up to 6 weeks if not more I would now be back in Dallas every weekend or at the most every two weekends. I could join a church (shocking thought I realize), I could go out and maybe, just maybe enjoy a realationship that is an adult, mature relationship that could have a future. What a concept. Plus in addition I could actually see those people who are important to me!
I just see so many potential benefits and nominal downsides to this transition. Lets hope and pray it all turns out as it ought to.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Chilling
ahhh...life is good.
After a whirlwind weekend this is the first chance I've had to sit down with a refreshing adult beverage and really think about what has been happening lately.
So here is the recap. I flew out for Dayton OH on Thursday of last week....an uneventful flight and picked up my rental car. After a little dickering with Enterprise who wanted to give me a Ford Taurus (horror of horrors-due to the last two Taurus' having been nasty and always having problems!) I received a cute little Mazda 6. I love this car! I made my way to the north side of Dayton and enjoyed a wonderful evening and went for a walk along the river. One of the things I like best about OH (and I know this since this is my third trip here this year) is that fact that there are many, many areas to walk and run. The Parks and Rec departments are very active here and no matter where I am in OH I can ususally find a walking, running, biking trail within 10 min of where I am staying.
So Friday I had an audit..it was icky. after finishing up at 11pm I still had to pack and get directions to the Columbus airport where I was flying out at 6am on Sat morning for the trip to MN and the ST. Paul Classic. I crashed at midnight and was back up at 3:30am to make the 1.5hr trip to Columbus. The flight was no problem and I spent 99percent of it sleeping as I was totally beat. My moms best friend picked me up from the airport in Mpls as mom was working and we made the hour drive back to Maiden Rock WI. After a few wrong turns due to a poorly marked detour I arrived back at home. It always amazes me how even though the years pass so much remains the same. I saw my Dad and brother and my brothers adorable dog...which I can't remember exactly what it is but it is cute and smart. After a relaxing afternoon hanging out with the family and my sister and her family who arrived after the football game which my niece who is in first grade was cheerleading for---I'm certain that all the little kids were just adorable in their tiny uniforms (I know my niece sure was when she arrived at the house), we finally had dinner. By this time I was simply starving. Dad grilled steaks and we had fresh corn on the cob and it was sooooo good. There is something about steaks done on the grill. Yum, Yum. A quite evening was had by all. My sister and the kids came back over to visit and before we knew it the hours had flown by and once again it was 11pm.
Us ladies determined that in order to arrive at the bike race on time we would have to leave at 5am so we called it a night. Shortly after 5am amid many yawns and requests for coffee us ladies (myself, my mom, my sister and my niece) all left for the St. Paul Classic held in St. Paul (bet you didn't see that one coming did you!). The race began even though it was raining. My sister and my neice were riding together with the tag-a-long and I was roped into taking my little cousing Marie in the Burley as my other aunt had a touch of the flu and didn't believe that she would have been able to make it through the entire course. My mom didn't have any extra passengers for which she was very happy. This ride is one of the best highlights of the year. It is not competative unless you chose to make it so. Every 5-12 miles there are rest stops with musicians, jugglers and excellent treats (bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and at the top of Ramsey Hill are the worlds best lemon bars and rasberry bars). The ride supports a cause which I hold dear which is simply promoting biking as an alternative to driving when possible. A simple goal but one that is sometimes overlooked in our rush-rush lives. We spent all morning talking, laughing and just reconnecting. That is one of the biggest blessings that this yearly race hold for us in the reconnection that no matter where we are in our individual lives, this pulls us back together and reminds us that we are family with history and stories for which only we know the punch lines. Its kind of like Christmas in Sept.
My flight from Mpls was supposed to leave at 3:30pm on Sunday (Yes we biked all day and I went to the airport all wet from the rain and sweaty as there wasn't time to make the drive back to WI--deal with it!) but due to weather issues in Chicago my flight was delayed by 3 hours which then pushed my flight from CHI to Columbus back a few hours. The end result. Instead of arriving back in Dayton OH at 8pm it was 1am before I pulled into the hotel. I was TIERD!! So that was the weekend in a very long and convoluted story version :) Overall---it was a blast and I have no regrets about attempting that crazy flight/visit schedule. It was worth it!
Monday came and went as Mondays do. Today I was fortunate and had a good audit which allowed me a few freee hours this evening to kick back and relax and as seen here to catch up on some blogging and reports.
I just keep thinking over and over again how fortunate I am to have good friends, family who cares about me even though certain memebers drive me nuts, a decent job, the potential for an even better position with the company and good health. Life is truly good at this point in time.
So I'm going to say goodnight to everyone and prepare the paperwork for tomorrows audit. Continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers concerning the transition to ABL and as events occur I'll keep you posted.
If anyone knows of anything fun to do in Dayton this weekend let me know.....it will be so strange to have a whole Fri eve, Sat and Sun without a plane to catch or committments for which I'm already booked.....I might have to celebrate the fact I can sleep in on Sat morning by going out on Friday night....Hmmmm not a bad thought!
After a whirlwind weekend this is the first chance I've had to sit down with a refreshing adult beverage and really think about what has been happening lately.
So here is the recap. I flew out for Dayton OH on Thursday of last week....an uneventful flight and picked up my rental car. After a little dickering with Enterprise who wanted to give me a Ford Taurus (horror of horrors-due to the last two Taurus' having been nasty and always having problems!) I received a cute little Mazda 6. I love this car! I made my way to the north side of Dayton and enjoyed a wonderful evening and went for a walk along the river. One of the things I like best about OH (and I know this since this is my third trip here this year) is that fact that there are many, many areas to walk and run. The Parks and Rec departments are very active here and no matter where I am in OH I can ususally find a walking, running, biking trail within 10 min of where I am staying.
So Friday I had an audit..it was icky. after finishing up at 11pm I still had to pack and get directions to the Columbus airport where I was flying out at 6am on Sat morning for the trip to MN and the ST. Paul Classic. I crashed at midnight and was back up at 3:30am to make the 1.5hr trip to Columbus. The flight was no problem and I spent 99percent of it sleeping as I was totally beat. My moms best friend picked me up from the airport in Mpls as mom was working and we made the hour drive back to Maiden Rock WI. After a few wrong turns due to a poorly marked detour I arrived back at home. It always amazes me how even though the years pass so much remains the same. I saw my Dad and brother and my brothers adorable dog...which I can't remember exactly what it is but it is cute and smart. After a relaxing afternoon hanging out with the family and my sister and her family who arrived after the football game which my niece who is in first grade was cheerleading for---I'm certain that all the little kids were just adorable in their tiny uniforms (I know my niece sure was when she arrived at the house), we finally had dinner. By this time I was simply starving. Dad grilled steaks and we had fresh corn on the cob and it was sooooo good. There is something about steaks done on the grill. Yum, Yum. A quite evening was had by all. My sister and the kids came back over to visit and before we knew it the hours had flown by and once again it was 11pm.
Us ladies determined that in order to arrive at the bike race on time we would have to leave at 5am so we called it a night. Shortly after 5am amid many yawns and requests for coffee us ladies (myself, my mom, my sister and my niece) all left for the St. Paul Classic held in St. Paul (bet you didn't see that one coming did you!). The race began even though it was raining. My sister and my neice were riding together with the tag-a-long and I was roped into taking my little cousing Marie in the Burley as my other aunt had a touch of the flu and didn't believe that she would have been able to make it through the entire course. My mom didn't have any extra passengers for which she was very happy. This ride is one of the best highlights of the year. It is not competative unless you chose to make it so. Every 5-12 miles there are rest stops with musicians, jugglers and excellent treats (bagels, fresh fruit, coffee and at the top of Ramsey Hill are the worlds best lemon bars and rasberry bars). The ride supports a cause which I hold dear which is simply promoting biking as an alternative to driving when possible. A simple goal but one that is sometimes overlooked in our rush-rush lives. We spent all morning talking, laughing and just reconnecting. That is one of the biggest blessings that this yearly race hold for us in the reconnection that no matter where we are in our individual lives, this pulls us back together and reminds us that we are family with history and stories for which only we know the punch lines. Its kind of like Christmas in Sept.
My flight from Mpls was supposed to leave at 3:30pm on Sunday (Yes we biked all day and I went to the airport all wet from the rain and sweaty as there wasn't time to make the drive back to WI--deal with it!) but due to weather issues in Chicago my flight was delayed by 3 hours which then pushed my flight from CHI to Columbus back a few hours. The end result. Instead of arriving back in Dayton OH at 8pm it was 1am before I pulled into the hotel. I was TIERD!! So that was the weekend in a very long and convoluted story version :) Overall---it was a blast and I have no regrets about attempting that crazy flight/visit schedule. It was worth it!
Monday came and went as Mondays do. Today I was fortunate and had a good audit which allowed me a few freee hours this evening to kick back and relax and as seen here to catch up on some blogging and reports.
I just keep thinking over and over again how fortunate I am to have good friends, family who cares about me even though certain memebers drive me nuts, a decent job, the potential for an even better position with the company and good health. Life is truly good at this point in time.
So I'm going to say goodnight to everyone and prepare the paperwork for tomorrows audit. Continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers concerning the transition to ABL and as events occur I'll keep you posted.
If anyone knows of anything fun to do in Dayton this weekend let me know.....it will be so strange to have a whole Fri eve, Sat and Sun without a plane to catch or committments for which I'm already booked.....I might have to celebrate the fact I can sleep in on Sat morning by going out on Friday night....Hmmmm not a bad thought!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Long Time no Post
I just looked at my last post and as amazing as it may seem its been over a month since my last post. Where has the time gone??
The end of July was filled iwth Birthday Celebrations and fun, fun, fun in G-Town for both Sarah's and my birthdays. I then jetted off to MI for a month of audits which were so-so. The state of MI was simply beautifull except for Detroit and I spend considerable time with my aunt and uncle preparing for the week long hike on the Pictured Rocks National Park Lakeshore Trail in the UP. It was so enjoyable to spend time just getting to know Kathy again and I had the great fortune to see my cousin for a couple of drinks and dinner along with his wife and their new daughter. Dusting and I spent hours just laughing and talking about the good old days.
The last week of the month I was on vacation, glorious vacation. Kathy and I had a great time backpacking and I have some great pictures. I managed to change my airline ticket and return to Dallas a day early so I could drive down to SA early and start Ryans Birthday celebrations off in proper style.
After spending an excellent holiday weekend in SA with Sarah, Ryan and Rachel I returned to Dallas to face the dreaded task of going back to work after being on Vacation. And now I'm in Dayton OH.....its good to be back in the midwest again. I love the cooler temps but miss being close to Sarah, Ryan and Rachel. But on the flip side an excellent opportunity work-wise has presented itself and I am so hopeful and optimistic concerning this promotion that I can hardly see straight. But I'm doing my best to keep it under wraps except for my closest friends who I have enlisted to pray, send good thoughts and chant mantras to my achieving this potential new position.
Tomorrow is the first audit in the Dayton OH area. Then I fly out at 6am on Sat for Mpls and the 7th annual St. Paul Bike Classic with the family. I'm actually looking forward the the weekend following the bike classic as the last two months have been nonstop go, go, go and I can't wait to just sleep in on Sat and Sun with nothing on the plate, no planes to catch and time to kill (maybe I'll catch a movie!!).
But more to follow later. I've gotta crash if I'm going to be civil tomorrow.....
G'nite all!
The end of July was filled iwth Birthday Celebrations and fun, fun, fun in G-Town for both Sarah's and my birthdays. I then jetted off to MI for a month of audits which were so-so. The state of MI was simply beautifull except for Detroit and I spend considerable time with my aunt and uncle preparing for the week long hike on the Pictured Rocks National Park Lakeshore Trail in the UP. It was so enjoyable to spend time just getting to know Kathy again and I had the great fortune to see my cousin for a couple of drinks and dinner along with his wife and their new daughter. Dusting and I spent hours just laughing and talking about the good old days.
The last week of the month I was on vacation, glorious vacation. Kathy and I had a great time backpacking and I have some great pictures. I managed to change my airline ticket and return to Dallas a day early so I could drive down to SA early and start Ryans Birthday celebrations off in proper style.
After spending an excellent holiday weekend in SA with Sarah, Ryan and Rachel I returned to Dallas to face the dreaded task of going back to work after being on Vacation. And now I'm in Dayton OH.....its good to be back in the midwest again. I love the cooler temps but miss being close to Sarah, Ryan and Rachel. But on the flip side an excellent opportunity work-wise has presented itself and I am so hopeful and optimistic concerning this promotion that I can hardly see straight. But I'm doing my best to keep it under wraps except for my closest friends who I have enlisted to pray, send good thoughts and chant mantras to my achieving this potential new position.
Tomorrow is the first audit in the Dayton OH area. Then I fly out at 6am on Sat for Mpls and the 7th annual St. Paul Bike Classic with the family. I'm actually looking forward the the weekend following the bike classic as the last two months have been nonstop go, go, go and I can't wait to just sleep in on Sat and Sun with nothing on the plate, no planes to catch and time to kill (maybe I'll catch a movie!!).
But more to follow later. I've gotta crash if I'm going to be civil tomorrow.....
G'nite all!
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Birthday!
SWo this is a day or two late but I wanted to jot a quick blog about MY DAY---thats right the eventful day when my mother---bless her heart endured 13 hours of labor for the express purpose of introducing me to the world.
So I was up late the night before the 26th getting laundry done and just wrapping up some loose ends from the PA trip and at 12:30 PA time I recieved a phone call from a couple of super special friends who wanted to be the first to with me happy birthday on my birhtday. It was fantastic. We spend a good hour talking and just catching up and it made me realize just how long it had been since we actually talk, talked. It was a great way to start my day off. The next morning I did the flight from Pittsburgh to Charllotte (two hour lay over) then on to Dallas and all in all it was a great day. A strange gentleman at the airport who was in line behing me complimented me on my hair, my overweight bags (yes I know I need to become more streamlined!) were checked right through, and I had great window seats on both flights. Things just clicked.
Upon arrival in Dallas I promptly began sweating like no tomorrow. Major shock to the system to go from 83 and cool to 96 and very, very humid. I did the usual hassle with Super Shuttle--def a hate, hate relationship, and two hours after landing made it back to the hotel.
A friend called me while I was enroute and said that she had two tickets to the Rangers/Yankees game that evening and that we should go. And I had the brilliant thought that a baseball game is indeed the perfect American way to spend your birthday. So we did. We went to Ameriquest Field and had decent seats directly behind second base where we could watch the Rangers pitcher warming up and we had a beer, a hot dog and Tricia had nachos and a soda--she really wanted a margarita but none were to be found around our section. It was a beautiful summers evening, and was so much fun. I hadn't thought about it before but baseball tickets are really cheap (our seats were $7) and what a great way to enjoy yourself no matter what city you are in.
So the evening wrapped up around 11:30pm. The Rnagers lost by one point---nailbiting to the end. And thus my brithday drew to a close.
Another year gone, but not forgotten. A year filled with changes, laughter, some tears, and some of the best friends a person could hope for. I spoke with everyone who I hold near to my heart on my birthday and that in and of itself is so special. Birthdays for me have never been about gifts or things like that. although I will easily admit that I LOVE giving gifts, but I want to talk to my family and friends and be with them more than anything else on special days and special occassions. Cost is irrelevent, intent is what matters.
So, to everyone who made my day a day to remember. Thanks so much and I love you all.
So I was up late the night before the 26th getting laundry done and just wrapping up some loose ends from the PA trip and at 12:30 PA time I recieved a phone call from a couple of super special friends who wanted to be the first to with me happy birthday on my birhtday. It was fantastic. We spend a good hour talking and just catching up and it made me realize just how long it had been since we actually talk, talked. It was a great way to start my day off. The next morning I did the flight from Pittsburgh to Charllotte (two hour lay over) then on to Dallas and all in all it was a great day. A strange gentleman at the airport who was in line behing me complimented me on my hair, my overweight bags (yes I know I need to become more streamlined!) were checked right through, and I had great window seats on both flights. Things just clicked.
Upon arrival in Dallas I promptly began sweating like no tomorrow. Major shock to the system to go from 83 and cool to 96 and very, very humid. I did the usual hassle with Super Shuttle--def a hate, hate relationship, and two hours after landing made it back to the hotel.
A friend called me while I was enroute and said that she had two tickets to the Rangers/Yankees game that evening and that we should go. And I had the brilliant thought that a baseball game is indeed the perfect American way to spend your birthday. So we did. We went to Ameriquest Field and had decent seats directly behind second base where we could watch the Rangers pitcher warming up and we had a beer, a hot dog and Tricia had nachos and a soda--she really wanted a margarita but none were to be found around our section. It was a beautiful summers evening, and was so much fun. I hadn't thought about it before but baseball tickets are really cheap (our seats were $7) and what a great way to enjoy yourself no matter what city you are in.
So the evening wrapped up around 11:30pm. The Rnagers lost by one point---nailbiting to the end. And thus my brithday drew to a close.
Another year gone, but not forgotten. A year filled with changes, laughter, some tears, and some of the best friends a person could hope for. I spoke with everyone who I hold near to my heart on my birthday and that in and of itself is so special. Birthdays for me have never been about gifts or things like that. although I will easily admit that I LOVE giving gifts, but I want to talk to my family and friends and be with them more than anything else on special days and special occassions. Cost is irrelevent, intent is what matters.
So, to everyone who made my day a day to remember. Thanks so much and I love you all.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Pain in the head---ie headache
Heaven help us!!!
Its Saturday, I have to work and my head is simply splitting!! I have no idea why---surely it has nothing to do with the few drinks I had last night...
All I can say is that Starbucks was the necessary antidote to what ailed me this morning. Its rainy and dreary in Pittsburgh this morning so I guess its not a bad thing that I have to work today. Now I just need to decide if I'm going to stay in town on Sun or if I'm going to go exploring for my last weekend in PA. Hmmmm....decisions, decisions.
Its Saturday, I have to work and my head is simply splitting!! I have no idea why---surely it has nothing to do with the few drinks I had last night...
All I can say is that Starbucks was the necessary antidote to what ailed me this morning. Its rainy and dreary in Pittsburgh this morning so I guess its not a bad thing that I have to work today. Now I just need to decide if I'm going to stay in town on Sun or if I'm going to go exploring for my last weekend in PA. Hmmmm....decisions, decisions.
Friday, July 21, 2006
People
The last two days have been filled with good audits and fantastic managers. Yesterday I was in Washington, PA and the manager there was a great guy filled with those life stories that just make you realize the 50s, 60s and 70s were a totally different time in our culture. The wealth of life experiences, both good and bad, that managers such as R. bring to the table cannot be disputed. And the stories about people they met, others that were on the right and wrong side of the law and the antics that they got up to in the 70s make the day fly by.
Individuals such as the manager today in Altoona, PA give full credit back to their staff for the condition of the motel and the paperwork but what also needs to be said is that without good direction and support from the manager, the staff members would not perform to the high standards which they consistently hold in place. I must admit that on days such as yesterday and today I could easily spend all day with these managers. They are so interesting and entertaining. They also have manners.
You ever wonder what happened to the guys who held the door for a lady, or held a chair for her? Well I can tell you. They grew up in the 50's and 60's and now are the generation on the brink of retirement but they have not lost that courtesy which touches an individual right at her heart. They didn't let the extreme right wing woment lib movement take away the basic manners which they learned as children. Someone once told me that women really shot themselves in the foot when it came to the women's lib movement and I have to admit to a certain extent that they were right. We sometimes become so concerned with proving that we can do anything a guy can and better while also juggling meals, family, home and exercise that we forget that just because someone offers to pay for dinner, to open a car door or a door to an establishment its not an attack upon womanhood or an asperation that we aren't making it in the real world but rather that it could be a little thing called manners and courtesy. The friend I mentioned earlier had a horrible experience not too long ago where he politely held the door to a convenience store open for a woman who was walking behind him. Rather than say thanks she stopped before she got to the door and said that she could get the door herself and that she didn't need a man to get it for her. My friend was justifiably upset by this reaction and when he told it to me I was also shocked. Maybe I'm really old fashioned but personnally I like it when someone gets the door for me, or offers to help with my luggage as I stow it in the overhead bins (that could also be because I'm really short)and yes I do expect the guy to pay for dinner if he asks me out. But honestly is it any wonder guys are confused with mixed signals like that by different members of the female population? But I tend to think that those small courtesies have fallen by the wayside because I cannot tell you the last time when I was at a restaurant and I saw a guy hold the chair for his date or even the car door when they left. Different time different people, manners vs lack thereof. Now I'm not against womens lib....far from it but I do believe that there needs to be balance as in all aspects of life. And really, is it so hard to be polite?
So thats my rant on people, manners and the loss of a good generation of men to the pleasures of the retirement golf course and the state of Fl.
Individuals such as the manager today in Altoona, PA give full credit back to their staff for the condition of the motel and the paperwork but what also needs to be said is that without good direction and support from the manager, the staff members would not perform to the high standards which they consistently hold in place. I must admit that on days such as yesterday and today I could easily spend all day with these managers. They are so interesting and entertaining. They also have manners.
You ever wonder what happened to the guys who held the door for a lady, or held a chair for her? Well I can tell you. They grew up in the 50's and 60's and now are the generation on the brink of retirement but they have not lost that courtesy which touches an individual right at her heart. They didn't let the extreme right wing woment lib movement take away the basic manners which they learned as children. Someone once told me that women really shot themselves in the foot when it came to the women's lib movement and I have to admit to a certain extent that they were right. We sometimes become so concerned with proving that we can do anything a guy can and better while also juggling meals, family, home and exercise that we forget that just because someone offers to pay for dinner, to open a car door or a door to an establishment its not an attack upon womanhood or an asperation that we aren't making it in the real world but rather that it could be a little thing called manners and courtesy. The friend I mentioned earlier had a horrible experience not too long ago where he politely held the door to a convenience store open for a woman who was walking behind him. Rather than say thanks she stopped before she got to the door and said that she could get the door herself and that she didn't need a man to get it for her. My friend was justifiably upset by this reaction and when he told it to me I was also shocked. Maybe I'm really old fashioned but personnally I like it when someone gets the door for me, or offers to help with my luggage as I stow it in the overhead bins (that could also be because I'm really short)and yes I do expect the guy to pay for dinner if he asks me out. But honestly is it any wonder guys are confused with mixed signals like that by different members of the female population? But I tend to think that those small courtesies have fallen by the wayside because I cannot tell you the last time when I was at a restaurant and I saw a guy hold the chair for his date or even the car door when they left. Different time different people, manners vs lack thereof. Now I'm not against womens lib....far from it but I do believe that there needs to be balance as in all aspects of life. And really, is it so hard to be polite?
So thats my rant on people, manners and the loss of a good generation of men to the pleasures of the retirement golf course and the state of Fl.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Off early and driving
Sooo the great state of Ohio has seen the last of me for at least a couple of months. I am now officially back in PA and in a little town called Wahsington, PA. Its cute. The audit today went well. The manager is 73 years old and still running an eighty room motel. Not bad for someone who could have retired ten years ago. She is still going strong and has a firm handle on operations. Pretty cool lady.
So I fought traffic, road construction and enjoyed the scenery as I travelled through the mini-mountains back into PA. A very enjoyable afternoon. Dinner was a quaint little Italian rest called Angelo's. Good food, stingy wine portions. The dessert tray looked so tempting but I was completely stuffed from dinner, so I think tomorrow I will just do an appetizer and dessert (the best of both worlds)!
Other than that not to much for interesting news. I watched Sex and the City this evening, the one where Carrie red into some of Bergers friends after he had broken up with her on a post-it note. I still think the conversation about the "proper" way to break up with someone is something every guy should see. The conversation might be difficult but honesty in ending something that isn't working cannot be overrated.
I'm studying up on the Picture Rock Park region of upper Michigan. Vacation time is coming up and I need to get ready for some serious hiking. To average 10 miles a day I need to prepare, prepare, prepare. 10 miles hiking is nothing like 10 miles walking/running. The terrain, the weather and the very fact we will be carrying all our food and water thereby adding an extra 30lbs to my back will make the first day or two more of an endurance test than a vacation. But by the third day, it will be enjoyable and I can really soak up the atmosphere. At least that is the hope.
So its back to the reports.....grrr.
So I fought traffic, road construction and enjoyed the scenery as I travelled through the mini-mountains back into PA. A very enjoyable afternoon. Dinner was a quaint little Italian rest called Angelo's. Good food, stingy wine portions. The dessert tray looked so tempting but I was completely stuffed from dinner, so I think tomorrow I will just do an appetizer and dessert (the best of both worlds)!
Other than that not to much for interesting news. I watched Sex and the City this evening, the one where Carrie red into some of Bergers friends after he had broken up with her on a post-it note. I still think the conversation about the "proper" way to break up with someone is something every guy should see. The conversation might be difficult but honesty in ending something that isn't working cannot be overrated.
I'm studying up on the Picture Rock Park region of upper Michigan. Vacation time is coming up and I need to get ready for some serious hiking. To average 10 miles a day I need to prepare, prepare, prepare. 10 miles hiking is nothing like 10 miles walking/running. The terrain, the weather and the very fact we will be carrying all our food and water thereby adding an extra 30lbs to my back will make the first day or two more of an endurance test than a vacation. But by the third day, it will be enjoyable and I can really soak up the atmosphere. At least that is the hope.
So its back to the reports.....grrr.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
The next chapter!
So as I said this trip has been okay. Neither horrible nor spectacular. I've spent more time than I should in rest. bars having a drink or two to take the edge off after a hard audit. And not enough time on the tracks walking and running and I truly feel it. I just don't like how I feel if I go more than two days without walking/running. But some of these days have been so long, that I've finally crashed at 2am after dinner and finishing the reports, then its back on the road again by 8 to make it to the next location. For a few of the areas even when I asked about high school running tracks or local parks there haven't been any nearby. All in all not one of my more successful trips for staying balanced.
But I'm working on it. i walked yesterday evening in Canton, OH and then this evening in Harrisburg, PA (next door to Hershey, PA). I walked for an hour this evening and feel so good....like its all going to be okay and that I'm also okay. Walking gives me time to reflect. This evening I thought about the fact that I do like to be active. I love to mountain and road bike....I miss the smell of the woods and the dirt and leaves and the wild flowers that were often found alongside the trails. I enjoy feeling the flex and extension of my muscles. I like knowing that I am strong and can take care of myself. I like to kayak and canoe, I love to hike and walk and run (sort of // at least as much as my breathing allows). That is the hardest thing about auditing. Its not the hours, or the constant delivering of bad news. Its not knowing that people hate you and that they are constantly seeking to discredit your findings thereby discrediting me. But rather its having to find new walking/running trails every day and not knowing how safe and secure those trails are that is difficult. Eating in different restraunt (or the same chain restraunt day after day)is just par for course. If only there was some way to be consistent with the walking/running I would feel so much better. Walking/running lets me clear my head after 10-14-16hours of working on audits and reports. I need to have that downtime to stay balanced and to stay healthy.
Life is about balance. One of my favorite sayings and I actually wrote it down because I didn't want to forget it is to "Live life with exuberance". That is what I want to do. I can't change the world, I can't change who I am, I can't fix my credit rating, I can't make someone love me who doesn't and for the time being I can't change my job. But even though there are many things I can't change I can still and no matter what "Live life with exuberance" and thereby have a life well lived. Its about not focusing on what you don't have but rather focusing on what your do.
What do I have? I have a fantastic circle of friends for whom I would do anything. I have a great family who although they disagree with my lifestyle, my career and my lack of sig. other in addition to driving me crazy on occassion; they still love me and no matter what they are family. I have a job that allows me to see all parts of the country, the good the bad, the important cities and points of historical significance and also the slow and quiet one horse areas that are still the Norman Rockwell pictures of the past. I also get to see the good and bad parts of the cities. Their beauty and the seediness. The afluent in their Lexus status symbol cars and the downtrodden standing on the corners. Such opportunities are things to be thankful for, and to appreciate them while they last. Someday I'll settle down, when I meet the right person. I'm completely open to meeting someone and to embarking upon that adventure but one thing I have learned "again" is that there must be respect, trust, humor and loyalty in any relationship for it to have the faintest hope of survival. Also that the interest must be recipicated in a healthy manner. The interst cannot be just for through convenience or base lust nunless that is clearly expressed at the beginning nor can it be expressed then taken away in an effort to control another person. There must be some form of purpose for any interest. If its just to be friends, then excellent. I love making new friends. If its friends with the possibility of something more, then even better. If its seomthing more right from the start, well then thats interesting also and possibly a lot of fun! But overriding it all there must be trust, respect, humor and loyalty. Without that....there is nothing.
I have discovered that I hate games. I tend to be rather blunt when it comes to relationships. If you like me, tell me. If you say you like me, then call me and talk with me. Express interest in where I am, what I am doing, how I am doing and share my life with me. I've gone the route of being the one who was the constant cheerleader, the one who asked how the other individuals day was, expressed interest, concern and offered advice concerning objects of concern....but in return I want the same respect and care shown for me. Don't just call me when you want me to cheer you up, or when you want phone sex. I'm worth more, and I know that I have so much more to offer. This time around I'm not going to settle for less than what I know is right. I don't do "when your in town call me, and when I'm in town I'll call you for a sexathons but then don't call, write or have any form of communication until the next time your in town". I guess I'm still a little old fashioned in that I do want someone who cares for me and at the end of the day gives a damn about where I am, what I've done, and how I am doing. Because I do the exact same for those people whom I care about. I want to know how my friends and sig others are doing. I care about the things they care about. I might not fully understand their interests but I'll figure it out. Because if its important enough for you to care about then its important enough for me to express and interest in it also.
So this is turning into a rather lengthy monolgue but there you have it. In a nutshell.....we all are a little crazy but that is what keeps people interesting. Everyone has their own special neurosis' and as time goes on I am figuring out what mine are and how I can deal with them.
So its now midnight, I haven't had anything to drink this evening....someone should be darn proud of me cause I really wanted a martini or a good glass of pinot grigio. And I'm going to call it a night. My alarm is set for 7am so I can go walk before heading into Hershey, PA for a day of sightseeing, sampling of divine chocolate and the 5 hour drive back to Canton, OH.
So I hope that everyone has had a fantastic weekend....and take care.
But I'm working on it. i walked yesterday evening in Canton, OH and then this evening in Harrisburg, PA (next door to Hershey, PA). I walked for an hour this evening and feel so good....like its all going to be okay and that I'm also okay. Walking gives me time to reflect. This evening I thought about the fact that I do like to be active. I love to mountain and road bike....I miss the smell of the woods and the dirt and leaves and the wild flowers that were often found alongside the trails. I enjoy feeling the flex and extension of my muscles. I like knowing that I am strong and can take care of myself. I like to kayak and canoe, I love to hike and walk and run (sort of // at least as much as my breathing allows). That is the hardest thing about auditing. Its not the hours, or the constant delivering of bad news. Its not knowing that people hate you and that they are constantly seeking to discredit your findings thereby discrediting me. But rather its having to find new walking/running trails every day and not knowing how safe and secure those trails are that is difficult. Eating in different restraunt (or the same chain restraunt day after day)is just par for course. If only there was some way to be consistent with the walking/running I would feel so much better. Walking/running lets me clear my head after 10-14-16hours of working on audits and reports. I need to have that downtime to stay balanced and to stay healthy.
Life is about balance. One of my favorite sayings and I actually wrote it down because I didn't want to forget it is to "Live life with exuberance". That is what I want to do. I can't change the world, I can't change who I am, I can't fix my credit rating, I can't make someone love me who doesn't and for the time being I can't change my job. But even though there are many things I can't change I can still and no matter what "Live life with exuberance" and thereby have a life well lived. Its about not focusing on what you don't have but rather focusing on what your do.
What do I have? I have a fantastic circle of friends for whom I would do anything. I have a great family who although they disagree with my lifestyle, my career and my lack of sig. other in addition to driving me crazy on occassion; they still love me and no matter what they are family. I have a job that allows me to see all parts of the country, the good the bad, the important cities and points of historical significance and also the slow and quiet one horse areas that are still the Norman Rockwell pictures of the past. I also get to see the good and bad parts of the cities. Their beauty and the seediness. The afluent in their Lexus status symbol cars and the downtrodden standing on the corners. Such opportunities are things to be thankful for, and to appreciate them while they last. Someday I'll settle down, when I meet the right person. I'm completely open to meeting someone and to embarking upon that adventure but one thing I have learned "again" is that there must be respect, trust, humor and loyalty in any relationship for it to have the faintest hope of survival. Also that the interest must be recipicated in a healthy manner. The interst cannot be just for through convenience or base lust nunless that is clearly expressed at the beginning nor can it be expressed then taken away in an effort to control another person. There must be some form of purpose for any interest. If its just to be friends, then excellent. I love making new friends. If its friends with the possibility of something more, then even better. If its seomthing more right from the start, well then thats interesting also and possibly a lot of fun! But overriding it all there must be trust, respect, humor and loyalty. Without that....there is nothing.
I have discovered that I hate games. I tend to be rather blunt when it comes to relationships. If you like me, tell me. If you say you like me, then call me and talk with me. Express interest in where I am, what I am doing, how I am doing and share my life with me. I've gone the route of being the one who was the constant cheerleader, the one who asked how the other individuals day was, expressed interest, concern and offered advice concerning objects of concern....but in return I want the same respect and care shown for me. Don't just call me when you want me to cheer you up, or when you want phone sex. I'm worth more, and I know that I have so much more to offer. This time around I'm not going to settle for less than what I know is right. I don't do "when your in town call me, and when I'm in town I'll call you for a sexathons but then don't call, write or have any form of communication until the next time your in town". I guess I'm still a little old fashioned in that I do want someone who cares for me and at the end of the day gives a damn about where I am, what I've done, and how I am doing. Because I do the exact same for those people whom I care about. I want to know how my friends and sig others are doing. I care about the things they care about. I might not fully understand their interests but I'll figure it out. Because if its important enough for you to care about then its important enough for me to express and interest in it also.
So this is turning into a rather lengthy monolgue but there you have it. In a nutshell.....we all are a little crazy but that is what keeps people interesting. Everyone has their own special neurosis' and as time goes on I am figuring out what mine are and how I can deal with them.
So its now midnight, I haven't had anything to drink this evening....someone should be darn proud of me cause I really wanted a martini or a good glass of pinot grigio. And I'm going to call it a night. My alarm is set for 7am so I can go walk before heading into Hershey, PA for a day of sightseeing, sampling of divine chocolate and the 5 hour drive back to Canton, OH.
So I hope that everyone has had a fantastic weekend....and take care.
Just do it!
Its been far to long since I've blogged....and life has been happening at a rapid pace for certain things yet for others it seems to have slowed to the minute crawling of an earthworm.
Just a beginning. Ryan and Sarahs wedding was amazing. Filled with fun, good times and the most beatiful ceremony I have been to in years. I must admit that I was teary eyed on more than one occassion throughout the ceremony and it was strange to see them drive off together for the beginning of their new life together. The realization that they are now truly married and everything they do impacts the other person was a sobering thought. But they do truly love each other as was evidenced by the heartfelt vows they spoke to each other during the ceremony and the beaming smiles on their faces during the reception.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I have visited the great state of GA...specifically the Atlanta region. While not a spot I would willingly go back to again it was interesting from a historical perspective. Different people, different cultures and different way of living. The traffic was atrocious and the people not to friendly.
A good point during that time was the visit I took one weekend to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. The estate was amazing, the scenery beautiful, the gardens lush and well maintained with such a bountiful selection of flowers, manicured beds, wild beds and hot house and cold house flowers. Some day whether for a special occassion, a honeymoon, or just a treat myself because I'm woth it vacation I will go back there and spend time just exploring the miles and miles of gardens, the mountains surrounding the estate, the mountain biking trails, the horseback riding trails and the hiking trails. The area was amazing and certainly offset the less than pleasant experiences I had while in Atlanta.
While in Asheville I took an evening and went to a neighboring town called Flat Rock, NC. It reminded me of Door County WI. Very touristy with quaint little shops, excellent restraunts and such a fun atmosphere. I went to the Flat Rock Playhouse for a showing of "Kiss me Kate" which is Cole Porters version of the "Taming of the Shrew". The production was fantastic and funny. Filled with innuendo and double entendres. It was a delightful evening, I dressed up with my fantastic little black dress, spike open toe heels, and a beautiful red silk scarf which I had picked up in Paris (and has been residing in my suitcase ever since that trip). It was a rainy evening but not a hard rain, just the steady downfall that gives a drink to the crops and makes everything fresh and new again. Perhaps that is what I liked so much about NC. It was so green, the mountains and rolling hills were completely covered in trees and was just beautiful. It was possible to be on the main interestate and yet feel like you were driving on a country road. WV felt much the same but as I spent more time there doing audits I quickly realized that the areas were still a little to rustic for my taste (I went a whole week without Starbucks---it was difficult) and that the old story of dont get off the main roads cause if you wander into the hills there are still areas that create their own moonshine and mountain mend do still exist. But NC was a blending of the beauty of the mountains and enough urban edge to keep me happy.
Fast forward a couple of more weeks and I now find myself in Pittsburgh and the far western reaches of Ohio. The trip has been okay. This weekend I am running all over the countryside visiting such places as Hershey, PA and Gettysburg, PA. I'll let you know my findings and interesting observations about those areas.
Just a beginning. Ryan and Sarahs wedding was amazing. Filled with fun, good times and the most beatiful ceremony I have been to in years. I must admit that I was teary eyed on more than one occassion throughout the ceremony and it was strange to see them drive off together for the beginning of their new life together. The realization that they are now truly married and everything they do impacts the other person was a sobering thought. But they do truly love each other as was evidenced by the heartfelt vows they spoke to each other during the ceremony and the beaming smiles on their faces during the reception.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I have visited the great state of GA...specifically the Atlanta region. While not a spot I would willingly go back to again it was interesting from a historical perspective. Different people, different cultures and different way of living. The traffic was atrocious and the people not to friendly.
A good point during that time was the visit I took one weekend to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. The estate was amazing, the scenery beautiful, the gardens lush and well maintained with such a bountiful selection of flowers, manicured beds, wild beds and hot house and cold house flowers. Some day whether for a special occassion, a honeymoon, or just a treat myself because I'm woth it vacation I will go back there and spend time just exploring the miles and miles of gardens, the mountains surrounding the estate, the mountain biking trails, the horseback riding trails and the hiking trails. The area was amazing and certainly offset the less than pleasant experiences I had while in Atlanta.
While in Asheville I took an evening and went to a neighboring town called Flat Rock, NC. It reminded me of Door County WI. Very touristy with quaint little shops, excellent restraunts and such a fun atmosphere. I went to the Flat Rock Playhouse for a showing of "Kiss me Kate" which is Cole Porters version of the "Taming of the Shrew". The production was fantastic and funny. Filled with innuendo and double entendres. It was a delightful evening, I dressed up with my fantastic little black dress, spike open toe heels, and a beautiful red silk scarf which I had picked up in Paris (and has been residing in my suitcase ever since that trip). It was a rainy evening but not a hard rain, just the steady downfall that gives a drink to the crops and makes everything fresh and new again. Perhaps that is what I liked so much about NC. It was so green, the mountains and rolling hills were completely covered in trees and was just beautiful. It was possible to be on the main interestate and yet feel like you were driving on a country road. WV felt much the same but as I spent more time there doing audits I quickly realized that the areas were still a little to rustic for my taste (I went a whole week without Starbucks---it was difficult) and that the old story of dont get off the main roads cause if you wander into the hills there are still areas that create their own moonshine and mountain mend do still exist. But NC was a blending of the beauty of the mountains and enough urban edge to keep me happy.
Fast forward a couple of more weeks and I now find myself in Pittsburgh and the far western reaches of Ohio. The trip has been okay. This weekend I am running all over the countryside visiting such places as Hershey, PA and Gettysburg, PA. I'll let you know my findings and interesting observations about those areas.
Friday, May 12, 2006
The text conversation
For those of you interested here is the text conversation in detail that occurred last Firday/early Saturday morning....drop me a line if you have any questions. B. is you know who....
B.(5/6 2:25am)--On my mind.
Me (5/6 2:30am)--...always a good thing. (winking smiley face)
B. (5/6 2:40am)--I've been a real prick...sorry.
Me (5/6 2:42am)--I would appreciate actually hearing you say the words.
B. (5/6 2:40am)--No mercy..huh?
Me (5/6 2:47am)--Mercy...let me think for a moment...if the situation was reversed how would you feel?
B. (5/6 2:45am)--U r killing me!
Me (5/6 2:49am)--I really do want to know.
B. (5/6 2:47am)--know what...that i'm a jack ass?
Me (5/6 2:52am)--if the situation was reversed how u would feel? But your previous statement is a good beginning.
B. (5/6 2:50am)--Playing me like a cat toy!
Me (5/6 2:55am)--You haven't seen anything yet. And I happen to like cats! I believe i'm deserving of some serious making up time by a certain party in this conversation.
Me (5/6 2:56am)--I guess a very important question is simply "why?" it is one that requires a truthful answer.
B. (5/6 2:54am)--I'm scared!
Me (5/6 2:58am)--Of what? Of whom?
B. (5/6 2:56am)--commitment
Me (5/6 3:02am)--You need to call me. This shouldn't be ahndled by text messaging as something might be misinterpreted by one of us thereby causing greater issues.
Me (5/6 3:09am)--I take it you are more comfortable with communicating through text messaging.
Me (5/6 3:10am)--Reply/response required at this point!
B. (5/6 3:06am)--Dali & Nelly started askin about u! it was between us..right?
B. (5/6 3:07am)--Read the last message?
B. (5/6 3:11am)--Reply/response required at this point!
Me (5/6 3:15am)--I never mentioned you to Dali once and the last Nelly knew was that we were talking but nothing else..
Me (5/6 3:15am)--Patience grasshopper...Give me a min to type...
Me (5/6 3:16am)--We had this conv. once before and I told u then and I will restate...what happens between us stays between us.
B. (5/6 3:13am)--Dali asked me to tell u something when I spoke to u again.
Me (5/6 3:17am)--and that would be...
B. (5/6 3:14am)--Thats what I thought!
Me (5/6 3:19am)--Dali and I spent an afternoon together last time I was in Dallas an dthat was almost two months ago...but u were not the topic of the conversations...
Me (5/6 3:19am)--So what did she want u to tell me??
B. (5/6 3:16am)--I felt a lil betrayed.
Me (5/6 3:21am)--Sorry if that deflates your ego...
Me (5/6 3:22am)--Are you ashamed of the fact that we were talking?
Me (5/6 3:24am)--A lil betrayed and rather than asking me what was going on...you did what you did??? Are you serious?
B. (5/6 3:18am)--does it really matter
Me (5/6 3:26am)--You can bet your last dollar it matters. Simple question...simple answer...honesty either way is required.
B. (5/6 3:19am)--My ego? what do u mean?
B. (5/6 3:21am)--No-but it was between u & me..no on else! I made that clear.
Me (5/6 3:29am)--Ego--that u were not the topic of conversation--just in case u thought u were the only thing Dali and I would have to talk about.
Me (5/6 3:31am)--I fully recognize that you had drawn that line in the sand..we talked about it at length during a phone conversation.
B. (5/6 3:28am)--when two people bring it up in conversation when they never had. not a coincidence.
Me (5/6 3:32am)--So once again instead of asking me you jumped to conclusions.
Me (5/6 3:34am)--Well let me see..nelli told me she called and left a message re her upcoming wedding..and I'm gonna be there for the wedding..think it might be connected?
B. (5/6 3:31am)--I made an educated assumption just like your e-mail!
Me (5/6 3:35am)--And I did call and give you advance warning...if you recall.
Me (5/6 3:35am)--and I have no idea about Dali. What did she say about me?
B. (5/6 3:33am)--When u talk to Janette...
Me (5/6 3:37am)--And when...cause you can count on one hand the number of times that I've talked to her aside from messages relayed by Nelly.
B. (5/6 3:34am)--I'll call tomorrow.
Me (5/6 3:39am)--with apology in hand?
_______________________
So thats the long and the short of the conversation. text me with your thoughts concerning it!!
B.(5/6 2:25am)--On my mind.
Me (5/6 2:30am)--...always a good thing. (winking smiley face)
B. (5/6 2:40am)--I've been a real prick...sorry.
Me (5/6 2:42am)--I would appreciate actually hearing you say the words.
B. (5/6 2:40am)--No mercy..huh?
Me (5/6 2:47am)--Mercy...let me think for a moment...if the situation was reversed how would you feel?
B. (5/6 2:45am)--U r killing me!
Me (5/6 2:49am)--I really do want to know.
B. (5/6 2:47am)--know what...that i'm a jack ass?
Me (5/6 2:52am)--if the situation was reversed how u would feel? But your previous statement is a good beginning.
B. (5/6 2:50am)--Playing me like a cat toy!
Me (5/6 2:55am)--You haven't seen anything yet. And I happen to like cats! I believe i'm deserving of some serious making up time by a certain party in this conversation.
Me (5/6 2:56am)--I guess a very important question is simply "why?" it is one that requires a truthful answer.
B. (5/6 2:54am)--I'm scared!
Me (5/6 2:58am)--Of what? Of whom?
B. (5/6 2:56am)--commitment
Me (5/6 3:02am)--You need to call me. This shouldn't be ahndled by text messaging as something might be misinterpreted by one of us thereby causing greater issues.
Me (5/6 3:09am)--I take it you are more comfortable with communicating through text messaging.
Me (5/6 3:10am)--Reply/response required at this point!
B. (5/6 3:06am)--Dali & Nelly started askin about u! it was between us..right?
B. (5/6 3:07am)--Read the last message?
B. (5/6 3:11am)--Reply/response required at this point!
Me (5/6 3:15am)--I never mentioned you to Dali once and the last Nelly knew was that we were talking but nothing else..
Me (5/6 3:15am)--Patience grasshopper...Give me a min to type...
Me (5/6 3:16am)--We had this conv. once before and I told u then and I will restate...what happens between us stays between us.
B. (5/6 3:13am)--Dali asked me to tell u something when I spoke to u again.
Me (5/6 3:17am)--and that would be...
B. (5/6 3:14am)--Thats what I thought!
Me (5/6 3:19am)--Dali and I spent an afternoon together last time I was in Dallas an dthat was almost two months ago...but u were not the topic of the conversations...
Me (5/6 3:19am)--So what did she want u to tell me??
B. (5/6 3:16am)--I felt a lil betrayed.
Me (5/6 3:21am)--Sorry if that deflates your ego...
Me (5/6 3:22am)--Are you ashamed of the fact that we were talking?
Me (5/6 3:24am)--A lil betrayed and rather than asking me what was going on...you did what you did??? Are you serious?
B. (5/6 3:18am)--does it really matter
Me (5/6 3:26am)--You can bet your last dollar it matters. Simple question...simple answer...honesty either way is required.
B. (5/6 3:19am)--My ego? what do u mean?
B. (5/6 3:21am)--No-but it was between u & me..no on else! I made that clear.
Me (5/6 3:29am)--Ego--that u were not the topic of conversation--just in case u thought u were the only thing Dali and I would have to talk about.
Me (5/6 3:31am)--I fully recognize that you had drawn that line in the sand..we talked about it at length during a phone conversation.
B. (5/6 3:28am)--when two people bring it up in conversation when they never had. not a coincidence.
Me (5/6 3:32am)--So once again instead of asking me you jumped to conclusions.
Me (5/6 3:34am)--Well let me see..nelli told me she called and left a message re her upcoming wedding..and I'm gonna be there for the wedding..think it might be connected?
B. (5/6 3:31am)--I made an educated assumption just like your e-mail!
Me (5/6 3:35am)--And I did call and give you advance warning...if you recall.
Me (5/6 3:35am)--and I have no idea about Dali. What did she say about me?
B. (5/6 3:33am)--When u talk to Janette...
Me (5/6 3:37am)--And when...cause you can count on one hand the number of times that I've talked to her aside from messages relayed by Nelly.
B. (5/6 3:34am)--I'll call tomorrow.
Me (5/6 3:39am)--with apology in hand?
_______________________
So thats the long and the short of the conversation. text me with your thoughts concerning it!!
Developments
So here is an interesting scoop. I am about to embark upon every womans dream opportunity to confront someone who has wronged them in a romantic situation. Detail, Details.....
I recently went through the agony of ending a relationship which wasn't going anywhere and wasn't good for me. Actually I think he wanted to break it off but was to much of a coward to do so and then he would drunk text me on a semi-regular basis. Thereby causing my emotions to fluctuate up and down like the proverbial yo-yo. Events came to a head this past weekend when he "drunk" texted me for two hours last Friday night saying all kinds of "I'm sorry", "I was an a**/pr***" etc. All the things I wish he would have said two months ago. But the clincher was his last text said "I'll call you tomorrow". Can you see the writing on the wall....I think its neon orange. Your right, the call never came.
So after a little bit of anxiety over the conversations and being a little ticked off cause he totally wrecked my sleep that night I decided to do a little test. I called him on Tuesday and told him that I was going to be in his neck of the woods on Saturday and if he wanted to get together for a late lunch or dinner to give me a shout. But if not then, hey, so be it. I was coolness personified.
But no, Thursday rolls around and still no text, no return phone call nothing. I'm thinking this guy really is something else to not even have the courtesy to give me a call and say "hey, I'm busy this weekend", or "Hey, its just not gonna happen so whats the point", or "I have to go to some BS top secret training this weekend but maybe next time (ie never)". But I am the adult in this situation so I didn't communicate any of those thoughts to him. I open up my email around 10pm and guess what I find...yup an email that says "What day are you going to be down here? I should be free...just let me know!"
So its off for a little righteous vindication. I'm going to head down to NC tomorrow morning....a nice casual drive. I have a hotel room in Fayetteville (which I'm stuck paying full price for...grrr) and when we get together for dinner, this poor boy isn't going to know what hit him. Cause I want some honest answers and the only way I'm going to get them is face to face. And closure will be achieved by the end of the evening.
So in essence this is every womans dream chance to confront an ex who has wronged them. I will be calm, cool and collected. I will keep my head on straight. I did nothing wrong within the realtionship...the issues present are actually all his. (A novel concept all on its own). I have my own place to stay. Non-sexy pj's packed and comfortable clothes for the drive. What more can anyone ask for.
So wish me luck!
I recently went through the agony of ending a relationship which wasn't going anywhere and wasn't good for me. Actually I think he wanted to break it off but was to much of a coward to do so and then he would drunk text me on a semi-regular basis. Thereby causing my emotions to fluctuate up and down like the proverbial yo-yo. Events came to a head this past weekend when he "drunk" texted me for two hours last Friday night saying all kinds of "I'm sorry", "I was an a**/pr***" etc. All the things I wish he would have said two months ago. But the clincher was his last text said "I'll call you tomorrow". Can you see the writing on the wall....I think its neon orange. Your right, the call never came.
So after a little bit of anxiety over the conversations and being a little ticked off cause he totally wrecked my sleep that night I decided to do a little test. I called him on Tuesday and told him that I was going to be in his neck of the woods on Saturday and if he wanted to get together for a late lunch or dinner to give me a shout. But if not then, hey, so be it. I was coolness personified.
But no, Thursday rolls around and still no text, no return phone call nothing. I'm thinking this guy really is something else to not even have the courtesy to give me a call and say "hey, I'm busy this weekend", or "Hey, its just not gonna happen so whats the point", or "I have to go to some BS top secret training this weekend but maybe next time (ie never)". But I am the adult in this situation so I didn't communicate any of those thoughts to him. I open up my email around 10pm and guess what I find...yup an email that says "What day are you going to be down here? I should be free...just let me know!"
So its off for a little righteous vindication. I'm going to head down to NC tomorrow morning....a nice casual drive. I have a hotel room in Fayetteville (which I'm stuck paying full price for...grrr) and when we get together for dinner, this poor boy isn't going to know what hit him. Cause I want some honest answers and the only way I'm going to get them is face to face. And closure will be achieved by the end of the evening.
So in essence this is every womans dream chance to confront an ex who has wronged them. I will be calm, cool and collected. I will keep my head on straight. I did nothing wrong within the realtionship...the issues present are actually all his. (A novel concept all on its own). I have my own place to stay. Non-sexy pj's packed and comfortable clothes for the drive. What more can anyone ask for.
So wish me luck!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Good Food
Okay everyone has one or two addictions and mine are unfortunately not cheap. I love champagne, good food, excellent wine, good gin, delectable desserts and silk. So concerning those items which I have had the pleasure of enjoying while in Columbus.
Good Food. This evenings culinary pleasure was a deli style roast beef sandwich with brie and a horseradish sauce on toasted ciabatta bread served with a side salad and the best peppercorn ranch dressing since Houston. The sangria was nothing to write home about but the sandwich....Mmmmmm who would have thought of roast beef, brie and horseradish....but it was so delicious!!
So now I'm waiting for Stephen to send my reports back to be with his inevitable revisions....its 10:30 here and I want to call it a night.....
Concerning wine....I would love a glass of an excellent pinot gris....or sauv. blanc. Its prob not a good thing that its monday and I want to drink...but I didn't drink at all---okay just a couple of drinks--over the weekend.
I'm sooooo bored......
Good Food. This evenings culinary pleasure was a deli style roast beef sandwich with brie and a horseradish sauce on toasted ciabatta bread served with a side salad and the best peppercorn ranch dressing since Houston. The sangria was nothing to write home about but the sandwich....Mmmmmm who would have thought of roast beef, brie and horseradish....but it was so delicious!!
So now I'm waiting for Stephen to send my reports back to be with his inevitable revisions....its 10:30 here and I want to call it a night.....
Concerning wine....I would love a glass of an excellent pinot gris....or sauv. blanc. Its prob not a good thing that its monday and I want to drink...but I didn't drink at all---okay just a couple of drinks--over the weekend.
I'm sooooo bored......
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Brrrrr!
Columbus Ohio has turned from beautiful and sunny to very chilly and rainy overnight. I don't know what I was thinking aside from the fact that the past 5 days have been sunny and warm but this afternoon I froze to death and to top it off it rained all afternoon and evening.
So what does that mean for the big picture.....well, it means that I can't go for a walk which in turn means I'm not going to be able to burn off my order of cheesy bread that I had for dinner. This is not a good situation. My body and I are waging a war against each other where I want to be healthy and look decent and my body is sooooo hungry and craving all the rotten junk food. There is supposed to be a reason for these cravings but aside from enjoying salt and cheese I have no idea what the reasons might be. I love how I feel when I work out. But it is really hard to be brave enough to run/walk on strange roads and parks in a different city each day. But then, once Stephen and I part paths again it will be much easier as I will walk before dinner and thus enjoy the remainder of the daylight hours outside as opposed to going out for dinner w/Stephen.
So wedding stuff.....the days are counting down and I'm so excited about the ceremony, the dresses, the food, the people, the wedding shower and the "girls" get together the weekend before the wedding. It is going to be a simply fantastic week filled with friends and family gathering to celebrate a fantastic event.
So aside from being in Ohio, life is trucking along. Nothing to exciting is going on. I'm still pissed at B. and think I deserve answers but then maybe I'm hanging onto the residual anger as I don't have anything positive with which to fill the void. I love dating, and falling for someone. But the aftermath is so messy. So instead I'm working crazy hours and trying to figure out what comes next.
But thats all the news that is news. If anything of interest comes my way, I'll keep you posted.
So what does that mean for the big picture.....well, it means that I can't go for a walk which in turn means I'm not going to be able to burn off my order of cheesy bread that I had for dinner. This is not a good situation. My body and I are waging a war against each other where I want to be healthy and look decent and my body is sooooo hungry and craving all the rotten junk food. There is supposed to be a reason for these cravings but aside from enjoying salt and cheese I have no idea what the reasons might be. I love how I feel when I work out. But it is really hard to be brave enough to run/walk on strange roads and parks in a different city each day. But then, once Stephen and I part paths again it will be much easier as I will walk before dinner and thus enjoy the remainder of the daylight hours outside as opposed to going out for dinner w/Stephen.
So wedding stuff.....the days are counting down and I'm so excited about the ceremony, the dresses, the food, the people, the wedding shower and the "girls" get together the weekend before the wedding. It is going to be a simply fantastic week filled with friends and family gathering to celebrate a fantastic event.
So aside from being in Ohio, life is trucking along. Nothing to exciting is going on. I'm still pissed at B. and think I deserve answers but then maybe I'm hanging onto the residual anger as I don't have anything positive with which to fill the void. I love dating, and falling for someone. But the aftermath is so messy. So instead I'm working crazy hours and trying to figure out what comes next.
But thats all the news that is news. If anything of interest comes my way, I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Back in Dallas and then gone again
So Life have been happening at a fast and furious pace. I flew back into Dallas on Wednesday Night...after many hours sitting in airport terminals I was FINALLY able to checkinto the motel only to realize that my body was still wired for CA time. So Thursday and Friday were office days and what busy days they were! I was preping for a 46 audit trip and it was time consuming. I oftentimes wonder how anything is accomplished in corp. America because there seems to be an awful lot of chit-chatting going on at the water coolers nowdays. But I stayed chained to the grindstone and logged some late nights. Finally on Friday night at 7pm I called it quits for the day and met up with a couple of people from work for a late dinner and then headed of to a very interesting place called "Billy Bob's" in Fort Worth for a little taste of Texas Country music/going away send-off for one of the Auditors who was returning to Paris on Saturday. All in all it was a good time. Although I have to admit we stuck out like sore thumbs at Billy Bob's. Marie, Morganne, Jacque and Pierre are VERY, VERY French and the comment was made that they never would have believed it (the country western bar/club/music hall) if they hadn't seen it with their own eyes. But some great pictures were taken, laughs had by all and then some heartfult goodbyes upon our return to Addison.
Saturday was a busy, busy morning. I was very proud of myself and made it into the office by 8am....worked till 12:45pm then took off for a couple of hours of R&R with Dali at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for the Spring flowers. They were absolutely breathtaking and so peaceful. The landscaping and design work that has gone into those gardens has turned spring flowers into works of art. There is a magnificent sculture in one of the gardens of a man and a women captured in a faire le bise---that breathless moment when all is right with the world and nothing exists except for the two people holding each other. It is a beautiful piece and the backdrop of the flowers, the green grass and the flowering dogwood trees accentuates the emotions evoked by the sculpture. (yeah I know everyone is going to say---once a romantic, always a romantic. But if you lose the ability to believe in passion and romance then life becomes so blah and pointless.....thus no matter what happens in my own life, I will always believe in the possibility of love).
Nonetheless it was a fantastic afternoon, filled with beautiful colors, balmy weather and good times with Dali. Unfortunately after we finished with the gardens I headed back to work for another 4 hours then rushed back to the motel to pack and finish prepping everything for an early morning flight on Sunday.
Whew.....All I can say now that I'm in Toledo is I'm glad that these large trips don't happen to often, either that or I need to plan an extra day in the office!
So I'm in northern Ohio---Toledo to be exact and once again I've changed time zones....But while I'm out here I'm planning on lots of exploring in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and of course W. Virginia. So if anyone has any hot spots to see----drop me a line :)
More later!!
Saturday was a busy, busy morning. I was very proud of myself and made it into the office by 8am....worked till 12:45pm then took off for a couple of hours of R&R with Dali at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for the Spring flowers. They were absolutely breathtaking and so peaceful. The landscaping and design work that has gone into those gardens has turned spring flowers into works of art. There is a magnificent sculture in one of the gardens of a man and a women captured in a faire le bise---that breathless moment when all is right with the world and nothing exists except for the two people holding each other. It is a beautiful piece and the backdrop of the flowers, the green grass and the flowering dogwood trees accentuates the emotions evoked by the sculpture. (yeah I know everyone is going to say---once a romantic, always a romantic. But if you lose the ability to believe in passion and romance then life becomes so blah and pointless.....thus no matter what happens in my own life, I will always believe in the possibility of love).
Nonetheless it was a fantastic afternoon, filled with beautiful colors, balmy weather and good times with Dali. Unfortunately after we finished with the gardens I headed back to work for another 4 hours then rushed back to the motel to pack and finish prepping everything for an early morning flight on Sunday.
Whew.....All I can say now that I'm in Toledo is I'm glad that these large trips don't happen to often, either that or I need to plan an extra day in the office!
So I'm in northern Ohio---Toledo to be exact and once again I've changed time zones....But while I'm out here I'm planning on lots of exploring in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and of course W. Virginia. So if anyone has any hot spots to see----drop me a line :)
More later!!
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Naked Chardonnay
Catchy isn't it.....Naked Chardonnay is a product of Four Vines vineyard which I found entirely by accident/partial recommnedation last weekend when I was wine tasting in Paso Robles, CA. Thus far CA has been a fantastic state to visit. The absolute variety of scenery, the fantastic food on the coast and the (of course) delectable wines make this an area simply delightful to visit/work within. Last weekend was a marathon of driving, wine tasting and enjoying the excellent cuisine presented by Hoppes restraunt in Cayuga, CA. The days began early and ended late--always pleasantly buzzed to be certain. Each day was looked forward with anticipation of the new sites, and scenes to take in. If anyone is ever in CA there must travel Hwy 1 along to coast at least from Paso Robles up to Monterey, CA. Its breathtaking with teh coastline on one side and the cliffs on the other side. I have so many fantastic pictures that I'm having trouble determining which ones I want to keep in the slide show on my computer!
On a more somber note....B. and I went through a rough patch following his visit to TX. Mother nature, nerves and who knows what else all conspired against us to make for a nice but not necessarily remarkable weekend. I was very nervous not only about seeing him again but because of other variables which I wanted but was unable to capitalize upon due to circumstances outside my control. Then by Wednesday I thought we were back on an even keel. Apparently I was wrong. The last two days have gone by without a word from the guy and I'm partially ticked of at myself for caring and significantly ticked off that he hasn't had the common courtesy to call.....its the least that could be done given the situation.
So I guess in part it has me guessing again. Why is is so difficult to meet people---I know that my job has a significant part in this equation, but aside from that, its not as easy as it once was to determine if you want to approach this other person for whatever reason....I'm not a fan of capitalizing on risk...my job is to eliminate or at least minimize risk in all its forms. Who know what will happen, but I'm NOT calling him....although I really want to if for no other reason than to demand acceptable answers.
But until that point in time, I'm going to figure out someway to enjoy life and the great states which I visit without being too hung up on some guy who won't even say we are dating. Life has more to offer than this.
More details to follow!
On a more somber note....B. and I went through a rough patch following his visit to TX. Mother nature, nerves and who knows what else all conspired against us to make for a nice but not necessarily remarkable weekend. I was very nervous not only about seeing him again but because of other variables which I wanted but was unable to capitalize upon due to circumstances outside my control. Then by Wednesday I thought we were back on an even keel. Apparently I was wrong. The last two days have gone by without a word from the guy and I'm partially ticked of at myself for caring and significantly ticked off that he hasn't had the common courtesy to call.....its the least that could be done given the situation.
So I guess in part it has me guessing again. Why is is so difficult to meet people---I know that my job has a significant part in this equation, but aside from that, its not as easy as it once was to determine if you want to approach this other person for whatever reason....I'm not a fan of capitalizing on risk...my job is to eliminate or at least minimize risk in all its forms. Who know what will happen, but I'm NOT calling him....although I really want to if for no other reason than to demand acceptable answers.
But until that point in time, I'm going to figure out someway to enjoy life and the great states which I visit without being too hung up on some guy who won't even say we are dating. Life has more to offer than this.
More details to follow!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Life in CA
So after a frightfully early wake up call this morning---ie 4:30am is NOT my time of the morning--we safely made it to DFW and on our respective planes without too much free time. About a zillion hours later and a long lay-over in Phoenix, AZ I arrived in Bakersfield, CA. Bakersfield greeted me with sheets of rain and palm trees bent before the wind.
It is amazing the people whom you meet in airports and on the planes. I had an engaging conversation with an IBM programmer who recently returned from Moscow and we spent a fun two and a half hours discussing international travel, the wonders to be found when you get off the beaten path and the hotel business. It was really fun and yes he did ask me out for dinner while I'm in the Bakersfield and LA area. It was fun and reaffirming of my desireability factor at a time when I was really second guessing that issue. Sometimes I just wonder if all I am is a businessperson and not the whole "Hot/cute" girl who gets hit on occassionally. And the answer to that is a resounding "Yup I can play both roles" cause apparently some people still find me desireable.
But anywho...back to topic. I picked up my rental car and my bags----btw, I still can't pack lightly to save my life. I'm glad B. carried my bags this morning :) and lugged all my luggage and computer case and other assorted necessary items out to the car in pouring rain and proceeded to venture out on the CA roads.
After two car wrecks and a closed exit (which I needed to take) I safely manuvered my way to the Motel 6 in Bakersfield East and checked in. Once again I have been blessed with a recently renovated room---can anyone say glaring primary colors!--and thus far the staff all seem great.
The time change is going to trip me up for a while. I'm having a heck of a time remembering that Dallas is two hours ahead of me and that is actually three hours ahead of me. So if anyone gets emails and phone calls at really weird hours, all I can say is sorry and that by the end of the month. I'll have it down but then I'll be back in Dallas for three days and will have to readjust once again. The joys of travel.
But I'm off to actually do some work, so thats all for now and I'll keep everyone updated with the CA details as they happen.
It is amazing the people whom you meet in airports and on the planes. I had an engaging conversation with an IBM programmer who recently returned from Moscow and we spent a fun two and a half hours discussing international travel, the wonders to be found when you get off the beaten path and the hotel business. It was really fun and yes he did ask me out for dinner while I'm in the Bakersfield and LA area. It was fun and reaffirming of my desireability factor at a time when I was really second guessing that issue. Sometimes I just wonder if all I am is a businessperson and not the whole "Hot/cute" girl who gets hit on occassionally. And the answer to that is a resounding "Yup I can play both roles" cause apparently some people still find me desireable.
But anywho...back to topic. I picked up my rental car and my bags----btw, I still can't pack lightly to save my life. I'm glad B. carried my bags this morning :) and lugged all my luggage and computer case and other assorted necessary items out to the car in pouring rain and proceeded to venture out on the CA roads.
After two car wrecks and a closed exit (which I needed to take) I safely manuvered my way to the Motel 6 in Bakersfield East and checked in. Once again I have been blessed with a recently renovated room---can anyone say glaring primary colors!--and thus far the staff all seem great.
The time change is going to trip me up for a while. I'm having a heck of a time remembering that Dallas is two hours ahead of me and that is actually three hours ahead of me. So if anyone gets emails and phone calls at really weird hours, all I can say is sorry and that by the end of the month. I'll have it down but then I'll be back in Dallas for three days and will have to readjust once again. The joys of travel.
But I'm off to actually do some work, so thats all for now and I'll keep everyone updated with the CA details as they happen.
Weekend Update
And here is the news that is news. B. flew in on Thursday evening to see me for the weekend. It was great to see him and I simply must admit that he is still just as appealing in person as I remembered. And while I won't bore you with all the details I will say that overall the weekend was nice. Could it have been better. Yup. Could it have been worse. By far. But the naps were nice and the majority of the conversations were engaging. I'm going to mull over the events which transpired throughout the weekend and see what conclusions if any I come to but nontheless I guess it can easily be said that my nerves about seeing B. again have been put to rest and I survived the weekend with my dignity intact and at no point made a fool out of myself. To be honest I think I probably have more than my fair share of pride and so not making a fool out of myself is really important. But it was interesting to say the least.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Award winning news
So I'm in Houston for the Brand Meetings and it has been a very interesting couple of days. The Audit presentation was met with boo's and hisses from the crowd who argued semantics of the audit rather than focusing on the issues that give rise to financial risk. Following an uncomfortable 45 minutes of audit questions the meeting shifted to award recognition of managers of the year for Region 8. And shock of shocks I was named Manager of the Year for R8A6. I was totally shocked and even more shocked to find out that this award recognition was the whole reason I was brought to Houston in the first place. Apparently everyone at work has known about this for over a month but NO ONE breathed a word to me. I've never worked with a group of people that could actually keep a secret before. Its a very different feeling.
So tonight is the big formal dinner and awards ceremony where the food and wine will be plentiful and the awards will be presented. So after a minor clothing crisis because I didn't realize that I would be walking the stage this evening to receive an award I have resolved to fully enjoy this evening and to take away some good memories of my old area. Cause goodness knows the reception from the locations I've audited has been very, very mixed. So this is my moment in the sun....and I'm going to enjoy it!
Wish me luck, and I hope that I don't trip on my way to the stage!!
So tonight is the big formal dinner and awards ceremony where the food and wine will be plentiful and the awards will be presented. So after a minor clothing crisis because I didn't realize that I would be walking the stage this evening to receive an award I have resolved to fully enjoy this evening and to take away some good memories of my old area. Cause goodness knows the reception from the locations I've audited has been very, very mixed. So this is my moment in the sun....and I'm going to enjoy it!
Wish me luck, and I hope that I don't trip on my way to the stage!!
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