Monday, January 31, 2005

Weird people

Hello Again. A few days ago I was told that the reason a group of local businesses tore up the median of a main street giving us local drivers a major headache for 2 summers was over butterflies. A moron came with the idea of placing flower beds in the median of a heavy traffic to encourage butterflies to nest here. I just love hitting butterflies with my car, don't you. I don't have enough bugsquat to wash off my windsheild. Wouldn't a great place for butterfly gardens be a park? More trees and grass, less cars. But who said business people are smart? Post later.Bye!

Movie

Hello again. I think with my impending tax refund I can stop torturing myself and go see a movie. I'd like to see The Aviator about Howard Hughes. I saw a bio on cable about him once. I only hope his dating Katherine Hepburn is a small part. I feel a twinge of jealousy when I hear her name. My cousin met her and not by accident. She went to a theater workshop out east somewhere and decided to stay after the workshop was over to finish some projects. Ms. Hepburn's niece was one of the teachers and took my cousin over to met her famous aunt for a day. This occurred the Christmas season before Ms. Hepburn died. Ms. Hepburn must have said something to her because at my cousin's college graduation with a double major in acting and theater production, my cousin announced giving up on acting and focusing on being a screenwriter. She is currently works for an insurance company.
My cousin has always been the lucky one living in the wealthy suburbs with a family who kept up with the Jones's. They kept up so well they had no money saved for my cousin to go to college and they made too much money for much financial aid. I on the other hand lived in Hicktown and had stingy parents. At least they did have money to send me and my siblings to college, even when Dad was laid off for 7 years before being hired back. That stage of life my sisters called living on government cheese. I call it the pink shirt phase because this lady from a charity came by the house to deliver clothes had it in her head that I loved pink so I had a pink closet of clothes. When asked what I wanted for Christmas one year my reply was for clothes, anything but pink. As I became an adult I have to respect my Dad during those unemployed years, especially buying me a new car when my cousin had to ride the city bus after she graduated college. My lucky cousin as a kid had the plays, piano lessons, dance recitals, and boomboxs with CD player. Mom never allowed me to join a play outside church, Mom's version of piano lessons was giving me a book for self-teaching piano when we had an organ (different keyboards) and said "Here you go", I did get dance lessons at age 15 when I was willing to pay for them and found a nearby dance teacher within walking distance, and my first CD player was in my first car graduating from college. It's queer how much we are alike when she is adopted from Korea. We love ballet, been told we are natural dancers, hated the flute, liked the piano, insulted when anyone suggests plastic surgery, and love animals (though she is allergic to cats). She dreams of becoming a screenwriter in Hollywood while I dream of becoming an author. Exception: her bedroom had all her toys placed in boxes inside her closet, mine were all over the house. I think by now I can handle jealousy as an adult and still love my cousin, as I always have. Post later. Bye!

Sunday, January 30, 2005

Romance in a car wash

Hello again. I heard a very interesting tale from a car rental gal next door tonight. Some customer returned a car abhored at what he saw when he washed the car (self-service sprayer) and told her that he noticed a car in the automatic car wash part. There was a person in the passenger side of the car, but not on the driver's side. Suddenly, a head popped up. If you have dirty mind like mind, you can guess what they doing. My coworker said to the gal, Thanks for sharing. I couldn't help but giggle.
I thought that was a better story than the cop who said once he caught 2 adults going at it in a parked car next to a movie theater, the theater called complaining about an abandoned car. He more or less to get a hotel room and threatened a parking citation if they didn't leave. Post later. Bye!

Saturday, January 29, 2005

Annoying guy

Today my coworker had a guy come by that he thinks is annoying, or rather uninterested in this guy's life, who told him that he is getting married now because his girlfriend wants to get married. He is now a guy a coworker calls a "Yes Ma'am" (most commnly known as pussywhipped). He informs my coworker how his girlfriend is making all the arrangements for their wedding and he will be doing all the driving and all yeses because she can't drive. How old is this girlfriend? Continuing on, he tells my coworker that he is saying yes to everything she wants because it is easier than saying no, plus he doesn't want to give up the sex. Aha, that's why they are getting married. Funny, I don't recall him talking about buying this girlfriend an enagagement ring. Maybe he mentioned his girlfriend was doing that too. I personally would feel insulted if a man I love did not buy the ring himself and then got down on one knee to propose. Maybe I'm old fashioned. I do wonder if his girlfriend is including in her plans; his job, where they will live, how they will raise a child, and most important, who will pay the bills and budget their income. Probably not. I predict a divorce when this guy emotionally grows up and becomes a man. I only hope I'm wrong. Post later. Bye!

Mismatched mittens

Hello again. I noticed yesterday that my stretchy mittens had a hole so I put on another pair today. This pair had a hole in the exact same spot. So tomorrow I get to wear mismatched mittens. It is a little late in the year to buy new ones. Spring is out on the shelves. Post later. Bye!

Friday, January 28, 2005

Fired

I neglected on my previous posting about the lady from the car rental next door who was fired today. Apparently, a customer's credit card did not go through and as the lady customer was leaving, this employee mumbed the b-word. The customer wrote a letter complaining to the company. This particular person has been in trouble twice before in the past 2 months for this very reason so this third time, she was dismissed. I'll miss her. She's the type that made everybody laugh, especially when she drank plenty of coffee. Looks like her coworkers are getting overtime until they hire someone new. Post later. Bye!

Thursday, January 27, 2005

New Uniforms

I think there is a conspiracy going on. Every time the home office of any job decides to change uniforms, it is always at tax time. Coincidence? Plus costume changes always require employees to purchase things to keep their job. Talk about unfair. Post later. Bye!

Progress

My niece is making progress, she is crawling backwards. We have to motivate her by placing toys away from her. I entertained the baby by playing with the cat. Every time the cat caught the fur ball I was swaying, the baby burst out laughing. Such a happy baby.
I went to my brother's house to do my taxes. I trust his math skills more than mine. I get a refund, enough to pay for my TV and add to my IRA account. I have not put money in that for over a year. Too poor. On the news the legislature is trying to persuade young people to our state by forgiving state income taxes for people under 30. That would be nice if I was not turning 30 this year. Though they are forgetting one thing, young people usually get tax refunds while they work away at 20% tax level. I guess job fairs and governor trips are not working as they hoped. Iowa may be a great place to settle down and raise children, but a lousy place to hold a job that pays enough to live off of.
I showed off my new shawl to my brother. I almost forgot it and drove back home for it. My brother's house is freezing. I also used up my McDonald's gift certificates I got for Christmas, my brother does not keep plenty food for company. His meals are down to an exact science. He makes plenty of money, but cheap like Dad. I closely follow my Mom and sisters' attitude with money, It sucks to be poor. My brother constantly criticizes that I spend too much money. He even had the audacity to tell me that I made plenty money, yeah right. If I lived like a hobbit in the ground, chopped wood for heat, shopped at the welfare grocery store, darned my own socks, wore filthy shoes with big holes, and never buy brand new things, I would have a huge savings account with my paychecks too.
I watched TV this morning eating store brand cereal. They had a piece about making your kids grades from C's to A's. The expert said parents need to diagnose the problem and motivate with bribes. I can't really pin down my problem with math and science while excelling in English and social studies. Maybe some kids are not meant to be straight A students in everything and excell in sports also. I can not think of a single person who could do everything. Maybe the solution is figuring out that kids are not robots. I always did my best in school, which was never good enough for Mom. I did get my best report card in college. I think that happened because I starting taking classes I actually did well in and was interested in. My second best report card happened in 8th grade. That occurred when I stopped caring what my parents thought of my report card and excelled for my own pride in earning it. But then, what do I know? I am not the expert.
It is almost time for me to hop over to work. Post later. Bye!

Monday, January 24, 2005

New name

Hello again. I came up with an improvement to my pen name. Jordan Harvey. I know it's not snappy or catchy, but it's the best my creativity can handle. I like it. Post later. Bye!

Washington Protest

It is the anniversy I'm told on TV of the Roe vs. Wade. It showed a anti-abortion protest in Washington and some protesters praying for Mr. Bush's support to overturn the infamous Supreme Court decision. All I have to say is to be careful for what you wish for, you might get it. Supreme Court decisions have been overturned in the past. Plessy vs. Ferguson was overturned by Brown vs. Topeka and desegregated schools. It can occur.
Nobody nowadays recalls I'm sure what is was like when abortions were illegal and further back when birth control pamphlets were viewed as obscene literature. Are these protesters ready to educate horny teens with birth control (sorry parents but abstience is the best birth control does not address emotional pulls to disobey)? Are these protesters ready for more children and unwed mothers under the welfare system? Are these protesters ready for more babies thrown in dumpsters since uneduated teens might not realize or too scared to leave a baby at a hospital in safe haven law states? Are these protesters ready for scenes in the Dirty Dancing movie where a girl had illegal back alley abortion on a folding table without painkillers or santitation, and then refused to seek medical help because she would be charged with murder as she laid dying from infection, I'm guessing? Are these protesters ready to take on incest and rape issues, plus fetal problems that can kill the mother? Will these protesters promote adoption for unwanted babies if the decision is overturned?
The axe swinging women demanding prohibition of alcohol to save children from abusive drunk fathers in the 19th and early 20th Centuries did not see their saving the world amendment as giving birth to organized crime when the small-time criminals went to jail. These same women soon demanded the repeal when children were killed in bombings and street fights between gangs. Yet organized crime is still here. Go figure.
I am not really for or against abortion, it does not touch my life personally. I just want people who read this to consider unforeseen consequences to their actions, without learning the hard way. That's all. Post later. Bye!

Comment

To Mr. Capricious who blocked any reply to his comment. I can respond in a professional and unemotional manner. Your comment was insightful and helpful, though ignoring him doesn't seem to work. My obscene gesture was not straightforward enough to keep him from telling me to smile again. Your comment also made me more aware that many would have trouble remembering 2 of my relatives died last month, so I might have trouble explaining my emotions effectively. I can understand how warming up when he backs off can confuse him. I should not have commented that I noticed his hair was shorter and then continuing how I am the only one around here who would notice something like that. It also may be too much to expect a new guy to behave in a professional manner with boundaries and distance when desiring to fit in. Though, I would be offended if someone I do like placing their head on my shoulder when saying hello, not just the weirdo. Anyway, thank you for your comment. I enjoy talking to new people most of the time, then withdraw when feel suffocated. That's me. Many problems with prior associates often are just personality contrasts that conflict. If that makes sense. Nice to read your comment, though please do not misinterpret that. Post later. Bye!

New TV

I got my new TV delivered today. I even moved my wire bookshelf to allow room through the door, very unstable contraption meaning all books had to be removed. Good thing it was delivered because there is no place to grab it when lifting. That is only one reason I wish to strangle the engineers who construct these pieces of crap. Have you noticed that technology seems to become more pathetic and frustrating than better as time goes on? Then the TV had a sticking out back that would not sit on my old fashioned TV stand. One delivery guy said it reminded him of his grandparents' house. They left it on the floor and I signed my name. Well I grabbed a screwdriver and undid the back support of the stand and struggled to hold on as I broke my back lifting it up to the wheelie stand. The TV is too wide, or long (I stink in math). I placed it back on the floor.
I went on the internet to look for a stand to be delivered by tomorrow. Couldn't find a single one in 3 websites that I liked. I guess that means I'm too picky or they are just ugly. I looked around the room for another object to place the TV on. Folding table was too big. Lawn chair is not wide enough. Then AHA, my coffee table. In my childhood it held up our stereo, then in an apartment my sister's TV, and now it shall hold mine. Took everything off it and dusted it off. Switched tables and managed to kill myself lifting up again and worried I was scratching the screen trying to flip it upright.
Now the cable line is 10 miles long where everything is tangled into. The DVD player can not be next to a VCR or stereo, so the VCR had to go on top of the TV. It would be nice if the top of the TV was wide or deep enough to hold my VCR so it would not have fallen on my head while I was untangling the wires. That is alright, I need my neck out of whack. I managed to unplug the 6 prong outlet 3 times while untangling. Then decided the VCR must go on the bottom, but how? Looked around some more and picked my old cassette holders, yes I said cassette holders, from my childhood and placed them in between the VCR and DVD player. Hopefully, that's good enough.
Now I get to reset everything. Oh joy. I'm sure my Mom would freak of my typing in what I have in my apartment. For the record if any thieves are interested in breaking into my apartment: my decorations are fine garage sale quality items, my green stamp artwork can be replaced at Walmart, the joke is on you if you steal any of my furniture, have fun unplugging my electronics, and please take the folding table with you. Post later. I have to visit the post office for my next publisher attempt. Bye!

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Again!

I swear the weirdo at work is on a mission to make me smile. I wish he would take his sunshine someplace else. I flipped him off again after his "Smile" when I was upset over my computer disconnecting just as I went in to print something. He can bite me. I even had to look at my hand to make sure my index finger was down. Sometimes I have nervous system problems. My God, he was whiny. He needs a new hobby away from trying to get my attention. He kept asking what he did to deserve that, see if he's ever nice to me again. After answering him twice, he comes up to my counter, right in my face, begging to know what he did to deserve that. I had to explain a third time, and then changed explanations for the fourth time. If I want to smile, I will smile. Jerk. He whined that I didn't have to flip him off. Obviously I did. Then he kept joking til I cracked a smile and finally left me alone. I wish prince charming would hurry up and fall onto my lap so this guy would shove off. I'm too depressed to be mean. I know it's been a month, but I still am in mourning. I don't need this creep in my face. Anyway, post later. Bye!

Customer

To the lady who asked me to break her $100 bill. Would you have preferred that I tell you to go get a phone card out of the gift shop to use the phone rather than to keep asking others for change after I gave you 5 $20 bills. I'm not an ATM nor the only employee at the airport. And I was smiling to be friendly, maybe that word is not in your country's volcabulary.

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Advice

Hello again. I did laundry at my sister's house this week. I was explaining to her how Mom did not understand why I did not like a particular guy at work. I went to my parents' house the day before to get my oil changed, courtesy of Dad. My sister proceeds to tell me the reason I am not meeting Mr. Right is because I'm attracting losers. I have to make room for the right guy to come along. I'm listening, though I wish I heard such advice 10 years ago when I started college. She says I need to be more assertive with the weirdoes and be mean to shake them off. She says I'm too wimpy and too nice to people I don't like. This is a great contrast to her past advice to be the better person, be nice to mean people, and act like your feelings aren't hurt as if nothing bad happened. I see her point and perhaps try to assert more negative vibes toward Mr. Weirdo.
Then she explained how the right men like assertive women and went into how her husband said he was attracted to her because she had a business suit on to seem to be a woman who knew what she wanted. Ok, after thinking on this, I'm not so sure I want Mr. Wuss who can't asked for time off work to attend family gatherings for a husband. Now I'm confused. Men don't like aggressive women asking them out nor make more money than them, but they like assertive women who can defend themselves. I think my problem to not finding Mr. Right is Too Much Advice.
Though my sister did give some good advice on the fact that I need to get out and meet people. She mentioned volunteer work. Apparently, she knows me very well. I don't enjoy talking to people, especially groups of people. I don't even like calling to order a pizza. I can't really explain why I'm so withdrawn, maybe too many people in my face telling me what I need. I don't need to be told what my needs are. I won't be volunteering. I'm not a people person. Though I will look into joining a gym. I'll cancel my cable and internet to afford it if I must. Gyms cost money to join. If I don't find a date, I can always stare at muscular men lifting weighs. I look forward to that. Post later. Bye!

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

Oopsy

Hello again. I innocently went into a store to exchange an item. It went on sale so I glanced at the Valentine's day cards thinking of an even exchange with a couple cards. The next thing I know I am picking 20 cards for my family. I even selected cards for my dead Grandma and dead Great-aunt. Realizing I can't mail the cards to them, I nearly cried right there in the store. I decided to give those cards to someone else and get some stickers too. I ended up spending much more than I intended. Oopsy. I guess I should not go shopping for a while. I spend more when I get emotional. Post later. Bye!

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Motley update

Hello. It looks like I'm going to the Motley Crue concert by myself. My manager is too pokey and possibly flaky, so I got my ticket online. Up in the balcony near the stage, close to the spot I sat for the Def Lepard concert 3 years ago. Hopefully it went through. Ya never know anymore. Then again it could be processing the credit card.
I also got my rejection notice #2. This was quick, I sent it only a week or so ago. The editor said that he did not believe my book would a commercial success. So much for winning the lottery my coworkers are expecting. So on to the next publisher on the list. Post later. Bye!

Monday, January 17, 2005

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Hello again. It is amazing how quickly the loving feeling of Christmas disappears. Tiny Tim's adage "God bless us, every one" alters into calling Jews Christ killers by Easter. If people read their Bibles more closely, it was the Romans who killed Jesus of Nazareth with the epitaph of King of the Jews on his cross because his crime to be crucified was indeed calling himself the King of the Jews without the Roman Emeperor's permission. So there. The Valentine candy is out on the store shelves and the roses are prominently displayed. Another holiday for love.
Today we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and his speech on his dream is widely publicized. Sure, I was in heaven waiting to be born when he was murdered and to my knowledge there were no race riots or looting in Des Moines like other parts of the country. I think I read someplace the black churches here had vigils at night in his honor. So my perspective on the man would not be the same as my parents' generation.
I am only sorry that Martin Luther King Jr. missed out on a documentary on a mining town in Iowa who had an owner experiment with race. Whites and blacks were equally paid, raises and promotions were by merit, they both attended school together, sang in the same church, played in the same band, played sports together, and none of the children who currently lived at the time of the documentary recalled any race tension at all. The title of the piece was "You can't go back to Buxton" by the Iowa Public Television Station. I forget when the town first started, either late 1800's or early 1900's. It was a period of time before the miners dug all the coal out of Iowan dirt. Today, there are very few, if any, coal mines left. The larger buildings of the ghost town of Buxton were there and the children of the abandoned town when the coal dried up were trying to open some kind of museum or monument to the experimental town. This would be around 1995-96.
The only problems the children had when they left Buxton and scattered all over the country was the racial tensions they met. The slurs and foreign stereotypes hit them hard like a knife in their hearts because they never had that experience before. How does one explain to a child why a stranger calls them bad names they never heard before? I couldn't even explain to my college roommate from Thailand why whites and blacks hate each other. Sorry, I don't know. I'm from a small town so I grew up not knowing any racial slurs and unaware of racial stereotypes. I am still learning them.
It is sad that these children of Buxton never knew they were free at last or not judged by the skin color, but on their content of their character until they left this utopia. It is so sad that Martin Luther King Jr.'s Promise Land of racial harmony was in Iowa and he never knew it. Anyway, Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Post later. Bye!

Sunday, January 16, 2005

What not to say

Hello again. I saw a good page in a magazine and had to share it with my own sentiments.
What Not to Say to a Single Woman over 35 (also under too):
1. Hey Cousin, how about we break with tradition and dispense with the bridal bouquet toss. Believe it or not, it is a bit degrading to be shoved in the center next to other eager bride wannabes younger than you.
2. The word "picky". Not only is it offensive, it is inaccurate. Sure I could marry a loser my friends choose who makes me think "Go away", but then I would also be quickly back on the market after I divorce him. So please don't tell me everything that is wrong with a potential date if you wish for me to get excited about your choice for my life partner. Build him up into a god and I will be excited to meet him.
3. Don't confuse being single with being a child. This would be my mother's problem. We grown ups detest sitting at the children's table and sitting in the backseat with the baby. I can use a step stool to reach high places and can use a screwdriver and hammer. Cartoons are acceptable.
4. Please refrain from talking about how much you love Will and Grace. Being single does not equate with being gay. Other refrains from me: No details about your sex life or ask how mine is going, and also no griping all day about your husband problems unless you want me to say "You are making me glad I don't have a husband".
5. The US has a divorce rate of 65%. Sorry, but a man whose been married 3 times and has 4 children with 4 different women is not my idea of Prince Charming. Perhaps we're not suffering from fear of intimacy as much as suffering from fear of a crummy marriage.
6. You have a better chance of being shot by terrorists than making it to the altar. You don't have to rub that into my dreams.
7. Constructive criticism. It is very hard to be aloof and alluring, a librarian and a a slut, try too hard and not try hard enough. Enough said?
8. Keep hope alive of having children. I have 2 aunts in my family who never had children. One has dogs, the other has a stepdaughter. Trust me, we know how many years until menopause hits (about 20 or more for me). Also, the entire reproduction system is off limits in any conversation outside of cancer and surgery.
9. Let me tell you why a terrific gal like you is single...I never heard this one. I have heard, "When are you getting married?", plus "I don't get why you are single." If I knew the answer to that I would no longer be single, OK?
10. Compare us to characters in movies. No Fatal Attraction here, No When Harry Met Sally (my sister's favorite), No Princess Bride, No Pretty Woman (my other sister's favorite). We are happy and sad, eager and frustrated, lonely and crowded, funny and boring. We are just like married women: give us a credit card and we shop, give us chocolate and we eat, tell jokes and we laugh.
11. My own pet peeve: There is someone out there just for you. It makes me wish that Prince Charming would hurry up and drop from the sky.
12. Other pet peeve: "You need to get a man to take care of you". Or worse: "You need to marry a rich man so you can quit working". From what I hear from married women is that husbands do of lousy job taking care of their wives. Besides that, I would go insane being a housewife like my mother. I need a job.
Post later. Bye!

Saturday, January 15, 2005

Decision

Hello again. I made a decision today. Since so few people can spell my last name, I will use a pen name. Rebecca Harvey shall be my pen name. Easy to say, easy to spell. I might change the first name to something with more piazazz. I will keep the Harvey part. He was my ex-best friend who always believed I would be a writer someday. That belief faded away with our friendship when my family bombarded me with "You'll never make it" and "What if you try your whole life and never make it, you wasted your time." And people wonder why I hate my family so much. Well, if my ex-best friend or his bitchy wife object to my decision: All I can say is that we are no longer on speaking terms so there is nothing they can do to stop me from using his last name as my pen name. Post later. Bye!

Friday, January 14, 2005

Bad Manager

My manager did something very mean to me a few days ago. She emailed me a webpage claiming the band I want to see in concert this spring would be on a chatroom. My favorite was on the chatroom the day before I received this email. Bad manager.
I love this band so much I read their bio book twice and I missed out on talking to Nikki Sixx. Then on top of that she informs me of a package deal where you can meet the band and get your picture taken with the band. She tells me I would suck from being cool getting that. I looked into it and that bitch knows I don't have $400. I barely make over minimum wage. Shame on her for getting me excited.
One good thing that happened was getting my email to the editor published in a magazine, though I was misquoted. I have been showing everybody I know my name in print. Some say congrats while others don't care. I'm so escatic I don't care. They spelled my name right too. A while ago the post office misspelled my name on the papers they give when you receive a package not fitting in your mailbox. A friend moved and neglected to tell me so her Christmas package was returned to me. My name on an address label was misspelled, though I should be used to it by now. Very few can spell it right. Post later. Bye!

Bad Manager

My manager did something very mean to me a few days ago. She emailed me a webpage claiming the band I want to see in concert this spring would be on a chatroom. My favorite was on the chatroom the day before I received this email. Bad manager.
I love this band so much I read their bio book twice and I missed out on talking to Nikki Sixx. Then on top of that she informs me of a package deal where you can meet the band and get your picture taken with the band. She tells me I would suck from being cool getting that. I looked into it and that bitch knows I don't have $400. I barely make over minimum wage. Shame on her for getting me excited.
One good thing that happened was getting my email to the editor published in a magazine, though I was misquoted. I have been showing everybody I know my name in print. Some say congrats while others don't care. I'm so escatic I don't care. They spelled my name right too. A while ago the post office misspelled my name on the papers they give when you receive a package not fitting in your mailbox. A friend moved and neglected to tell me so her Christmas package was returned to me. My name on an address label was misspelled, though I should be used to it by now. Very few can spell it right. Post later. Bye!

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Trick Question

Alright guys. Please answer this question. How many times must a gal reject a guy before the guy figures out this gal is not interested in his friendship?
Here's the case study: Guy at work asked me when we were going out for drinks after work. I already said, No thank you, weeks before. My answer this time: Never. Never? He asks. We need to get you out he says. I asked why. Because I hibernate too much in my apartment. I explain I am not a bar person (1 bad experience with a old geezer that wouldn't leave was bad enough, also I noticed only women stared at me while most men ignored me). Then the next thing I know he wants to go to a 24 hour restraunt down the street to drink cocoa after work. I made a face and said no, then walked away. What part of Never did he not understand? He is also obsessed over escorting me to my car after work. I don't get it.
By the way, this guy is married with a daughter so I really don't get why he badly wants to hang around me. I know plenty of married men at work and they all are eager to go home to the wife and kids, not hang around me. I could badly use male opinions here. Female opinions are welcomed too. Anyway, post later. Bye!

Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Don't believe this

I don't believe this. I just saw a movie commercial for something I saw in high school. A movie about Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's relationship. I mean they have been divorced how many years and there are people out there somewhere still soaked up in the fairytale gone wrong. I say, Get over it. Andrew and Sarah certainly have.
I guess some can't let go of the Sarah and Diana marriages. There were the Diana tapes on Dateline and before that were the photos of a dying Diana in her car. That made my heart sink to the floor. This poor woman is slumped in her car dying and she is surrounded by people taking her picture and standing around. I felt so sorry for her.
My conclusion on the love of Diana and Sarah in the 1980's is really love of a fantasy. The fairytale wedding, expensive jewelry, and dressing pretty for charity balls. When they got married I was in my childhood and bridge toward adolescence, so I never got caught up in the Cinderella fantasy. What I heard from the duo's critics were that the critics' expectations were so high that nobody could reach them. Then the papparazi chasing them everywhere around the world. When I saw a program a few days ago reciting the requirements of future king Prince William's choice of bride, it made me sad. I took it that William is not allowed to be happy. But in my opinion, I think the first requirement should be able to tolerate having your picture taken by rude and abusive people 20 million times a day, every day, for the rest of her life. I am sure her life will wane from fantasy of living in the lap of luxury to a gilded cage the public will place her in. I would not want that job. I'll let other little girls filled with fairytale endings dream about it. I'll write another story. Post later. Bye!

More ice

Another winter storm warning is out tonight. Yesterday I babysat my niece. She took a nap so it was a piece cake. Though it was tough getting her to sleep. I sang, I rocked her, I read her stories, nothing put her to sleep. I finally resorted to turn on the lullaby cd in the stereo and rocked her to sleep. Her eyes would back in her head and then she would wake up again. She fights sleep. My oldest niece fought sleep to as a baby.
Mommy (my sister) came home soon after she woke from her nap. She was eating her crackers and I gave the report of having it easy. My sister cooked steak. I am used to our Mom's steaks being cooked all the way through, so it was awkward eating rosy pink meat. My sister assured me it was cooked. Baby showed off her speaking skills when I said, Can you say Mama. Mama came right out. Now she needs to learn my name. She showed off her eating skills with her baby forks. My sister picked up the chopped banana piece, baby grasped the fork, and fed herself. We applauded. She smiled.
Next I left before the ice storm came. I still had to scrape ice off my windows. Then when I made it home, I slid through the yellow light and forced my car into a snow bank to stop the car. Going up the icy hill to my apartment was trying. I think I'll stay home today.
Then I nearly tossed my computer out the window, but instead waves of cursing and pounding the piece of garbage ensued. I tried to play a DVD in the media player. I'm positive the daily updating my systems is actually destroying it. After updating my media player, installing a program I did not want, and then uninstalling it to receive messages that there is no disc in my drive and error, program not working. I broke down and placed the DVD in the player connected to the TV. 40 minutes of swearing was enough for me. Today I will try to work on my fairytale. I keep getting new ideas, but need to connect the ideas together to make a good story. Post later. Bye!

Monday, January 10, 2005

Stop Smoking Help

Hello again. I read this in a Christmas letter my sister had and shall share it with you. If anyone needs encouragement to stop smoking, this might help. A 44 -year-old woman named Wyn had a bad cough that prompted her to stop her 30 year smoking habit. Like her Grandpa, she had a hypno-therapist help her quit.
Now it is normal for the lungs to expel muscus when one stops smoking, so her doctor gave her medicine when her cough persisted. 8 months later a scan revealed a 3-inch tumor in her left lung. Another scan revealed no other tumors so her lung was removed. A month later, surgery comenced to discover the tumor grew into a football and 3 ribs were also removed with some of her chest wall. Then the surgeon noticed her lymph nodes under the lungs had cancer. Chemotherapy was recommended.
The pain of the surgery required strong narcotics to help Wyn cope. A month after surgery, a strong pain sent Wyn to the emergency room to find a hole in her colon. 2 days later she had her colon repaired to catch a septic infection and spread like wildfire. Her septic shock caused her kidneys to shut down and she went on a ventilator. The doctor placed her in a drug-induced coma to heal. Her family prayed. The surgeon told Wyn's husband that he left the operating room in tears with little hope she would make it. Another told him he had never seen anyone with so much infection go through surgery and live. Nearly, 3 weeks later her family looked into her blue eyes with joy.
But she does live and is going through chemotherapy. She made home just after Thanksgiving stronger from occupational therapy. If this does not make anyone consider giving up their cancer sticks, then good luck to you, you will need it.
Post later. Bye!

Stop Smoking Help

Hello again. I read this in a Christmas letter my sister had and shall share it with you. If anyone needs encouragement to stop smoking, this might help. A 44 -year-old woman named Wyn had a bad cough that prompted her to stop her 30 year smoking habit. Like her Grandpa, she had a hypno-therapist help her quit.
Now it is normal for the lungs to expel muscus when one stops smoking, so her doctor gave her medicine when her cough persisted. 8 months later a scan revealed a 3-inch tumor in her left lung. Another scan revealed no other tumors so her lung was removed. A month later, surgery comenced to discover the tumor grew into a football and 3 ribs were also removed with some of her chest wall. Then the surgeon noticed her lymph nodes under the lungs had cancer. Chemotherapy was recommended.
The pain of the surgery required strong narcotics to help Wyn cope. A month after surgery, a strong pain sent Wyn to the emergency room to find a hole in her colon. 2 days later she had her colon repaired to catch a septic infection and spread like wildfire. Her septic shock caused her kidneys to shut down and she went on a ventilator. The doctor placed her in a drug-induced coma to heal. Her family prayed. The surgeon told Wyn's husband that he left the operating room in tears with little hope she would make it. Another told him he had never seen anyone with so much infection go through surgery and live. Nearly, 3 weeks later her family looked into her blue eyes with joy.
But she does live and is going through chemotherapy. She made home just after Thanksgiving stronger from occupational therapy. If this does not make anyone consider giving up their cancer sticks, then good luck to you, you will need it.
Post later. Bye!

Stop Smoking Help

Hello again. I read this in a Christmas letter my sister had and shall share it with you. If anyone needs encouragement to stop smoking, this might help. A 44 -year-old woman named Wyn had a bad cough that prompted her to stop her 30 year smoking habit. Like her Grandpa, she had a hypno-therapist help her quit.
Now it is normal for the lungs to expel muscus when one stops smoking, so her doctor gave her medicine when her cough persisted. 8 months later a scan revealed a 3-inch tumor in her left lung. Another scan revealed no other tumors so her lung was removed. A month later, surgery comenced to discover the tumor grew into a football and 3 ribs were also removed with some of her chest wall. Then the surgeon noticed her lymph nodes under the lungs had cancer. Chemotherapy was recommended.
The pain of the surgery required strong narcotics to help Wyn cope. A month after surgery, a strong pain sent Wyn to the emergency room to find a hole in her colon. 2 days later she had her colon repaired to catch a septic infection and spread like wildfire. Her septic shock caused her kidneys to shut down and she went on a ventilator. The doctor placed her in a drug-induced coma to heal. Her family prayed. The surgeon told Wyn's husband that he left the operating room in tears with little hope she would make it. Another told him he had never seen anyone with so much infection go through surgery and live. Nearly, 3 weeks later her family looked into her blue eyes with joy.
But she does live and is going through chemotherapy. She made home just after Thanksgiving stronger from occupational therapy. If this does not make anyone consider giving up their cancer sticks, then good luck to you, you will need it.
Post later. Bye!

Saturday, January 08, 2005

Thank you

I read the tiny backpage stories in the paper today to find a prostitute in Hollywood, Florida turn in one of her customers to the police after viewing toddler rape and mass quanities of child pornography. The man was arrested. I say Thank You to this woman and the countless children you saved thank you too. Post later. Bye!

I knew it

I knew something good was going to happen today when I woke up this morning. On my way to work, I found out what.
Motley Crue is coming to Des Moines this spring. I'm so happy. I love them so much I will go to the concert by myself if I must. Ok, maybe obsessed is a better word. My friends at work have a magical way of backing out at the last minute leaving me with nonrefundable tickets. I emailed my manager about it and stated she can bring her husband with us. She jumped out of her socks when I told her I bought the rock group's biography a few years ago. Her husband was planning to buy it. I said it was very good, my favorite photo was the naked one of Nikki Sixx. That got her excited too.
Nobody picks me as a hard rock fan. I'm too angelic to enjoy bad boys singing about drugs and women. They apparently don't know me very well. Despite my polite and tidy behavior at work, I'm not polite and tidy at home. My Mom is my witness to that. Post later. Bye!

Warmer

Icicles keep dripping on my head as I walk outside smelling the warmer air. Well, maybe not. But they are dripping. Post later. Bye!

Front Page News

Tonight I stopped at the grocery store and saw as I walked out the door the headline "Iowa Sues (grocery store)". I will be kind enough not to mention their name. It's not the one I shop at.
Without reading the paper, I know what is about. Back in my infanthood or before, Iowa began a recycling program where when one buys certain alcohols and soda pops and they are charged 5 cents extra to receive the money back when can or bottle is returned. Even so, there are plenty of cans and bottles on the ground for the homeless to collect nickels. Anyway, the past year or so this grocery store chain ceased redeeming the cans and bottles to the complaints of many customers. By law, a grocery store either takes the cans and bottles or set up a redemption center to take these stores' cans and bottles. On top of that, they must give notice to the customers (1 or 2 months) and ask permission from a state office (I forget which) to stop redeeming cans and bottles, yet still charge the 5 cent fee for each one.
The biggest complaints came from people lacking transportation who walk to the store and are angry at the idea of walking 2 miles to redeem their cans and bottles. Then others in the chain store abruptly discontinued accepting the items without notice nor permission, a woman in a past paper said not even a sign on the door was posted of the rejection. Which tiffed people more who were already tiffed. The grocery store defended their decision across the state to reject the items because of the attraction of insects and health hazards of touching gross cans and bottles. This store is a little behind in technology and does not use machines like other stores do. The redeeming machines have only been around a few years.
So anyway, seeing Iowa sue this store chain can only mean one thing: Iowa laws are worth more than scraps of paper when the courts up to the Supreme Court of Iowa uphold them. And then there is the appeal process delaying fines and actions for years. This is going to get interesting. Post later. Bye!

Friday, January 07, 2005

Bet

We have a bet going here. We have had a rate change with a company we rent to a lot, which means they get cars even when we are sold out and they do not have a reservation. The problem is the new rate is not in the system yet, which means we modify the rate when we rent the car.
Now the idiot that works here is not going to get this when he works tomorrow. You can explain something to him 20 times and he still does not get it. So a coworker and I have a bet going. I said, I bet $100 he asks how to modify the rate when he rents the car. She said, I bet $100 he does not even notice he needs to modify the rate. We shall see what happens.
We have cake today. My coworker had her 30th birthday yesterday and brought a cake her mother made. All I every get for my birthdays is "Oh, I didn't know it was your birthday." Let's just say I am happy to receive birthday cards from my family on time. Ususally they come a week after my birthday or right after I email asking where is my card is. To me, my birthday is just another day of the week. I gave my coworker a card earlier in the week from my greeting card maker on my computer. It had a bewildered tiger in a party hat behind a cake and fancy Happy Birthday at the top. Inside said Have a Purrrrrrect Birthday. She has 4 cats. Post later. Bye!

Customers

Winter is just lovely with mountains of ice and snow. Too lovely for our lazy customers to scrape a little ice and snow off their windshields so the wipers will work. They come in complaining there are streaks (ice on wiper does that), the wipers are shot and need replacing (ice just needs to melt), wipers won't move (frozen to glass and an ice scraper we provide removes it), and more complaints not being able to see well when trucks fly by (do you think I saw through mine yesterday?). They demand car exchanges which does not really solve the problem of ice and snow covering the windshield. Sorry if I sound rude, but do these people really think they won't have the exact same problem with another car? My coworker has informed many that the wipers can be lifted up to scrape underneath, though she calls it bending instead of lifting. My apologies to be the one to inform people that cars are machines that do not work so well in below-freezing temperatures. If you can not handle frigid weather (I have seen passengers bring up their bags wearing shorts), I beg you to stay at home where it is warm. You will be doing both of us a favor. There, I got that off my chest. Post later. Bye!

Snow Adventure

Last night was the second day of the snow storm. 12 inches Tuesday, 16 inches Wednesday. Wednesday I sent off my book to a publisher. It took a long time just to get the snow off my car. Twice I jumped in my car to warm my frozen fingers. The De-icer was a piece of crap. After struggling to remove the cap, I sprayed the inside of the door, then driver's side of the windshield. I sprayed the de-icer on the wipers and got my finger wet. It felt funny until today. Passenger side of the windshield, de-icer ran dry. Good thing I sprayed the other side first. I guess that is what I get for 99 cent can, even if it is 12 inches tall.
I did laundry at my sister's house. Side streets are always plowed last. It was plowed so I parked in the driveway. Street parking is often a ticket offense when snowplows need to get through. The second snowfall came. I spent the night at her house. Mom called to make sure we were okay. My school librarian sister had 2 days off. Lucky her.
I got up about noon and heard a vacuum salesman in the living room. He made the baby cry turning on the vacuum the second time. I thought the man was crazy to walk around in knee deep snow to sell vacuums door to door. I brushed off the snow and made it out of the driveway. The second snowfall was not plowed. I got stuck twice at stop signs. First one, a man on a miniplow floated by and pushed on the car so I could move. He had a ski mask on so I don't know what he looks like. The second time, I reversed and went forward. A van also stopped.I called my brother-in-law both times, but then I was freed so I bet he felt lucky not having to help me. I was on main (cleared) roads the rest of the way home. The tradegy I felt was breaking a fingernail in my sleep.
Made it home and to work. Heard about all the cancellations and people renting cars to drive into a snowstorm over Omaha, Nebraska. My coworkers informed the renters they were better off staying in a hotel, but yes we will rent you a car. They warned the renters that if you drive into a snowstorm, you will be moving very slow. Police were busy picking up stranded motorists, like 100. The newscasters urged viewers not to drive in all 4 directions out of Des Moines on the interstates, under that snow is a sheet of ice.
Mom is always aghast people don't stay home. I have to explain that people are stupid. Unless, any readers have a better explanation why anyone would drive during a snowstorm. 4-wheel drive will not save anyone driving on ice or snow, or both. I see just as many vans and suv's in ditches after snowstorms. The only advantage of a suv is that it is higher of the ground so they can go through deeper snow.
I heard from a customer that there was a riot at Chicago O'Hare from the mass cancellations. When traveling in winter, one has to expect bad weather. I guess many fail to comprehend that if they take off in an airplane, during bad weather it will crash before they reach the end of the payment. Do I need to say Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, and Big Bopper?
We also ceased washing the cars and taped notices to the counters stating that the car rentals feel it is more important to open the door than have a clean car for the customers. Even so, we had problems with frozen locks and frozen doors. I hope my car works. Post later. Bye!

Monday, January 03, 2005

I won again

Hell again. I just received an email from my phone company claiming to remove the unauthorized charges and asked to contact them again if I receive more. I guess my last email to them did it. I can relax. Post later.

I'm in hell

The battle with my phone company rages on. Last month, I looked at my phone bill to find a company charging me for voicemail service. I never heard of this company and screen all calls with an answering machine. The day I supposedly accepted this service, I was not home. I live alone so no one else would answer the phone. Needless to say I have no voicemail service. After trying to contact this scammer 3 times to only listen to a voicemail message, I contacted my phone company for the third time. The operator removed the charges after I demanded to know how I am suppose to get these charges removed by the scammers if I can't speak to them.
This month I see the charge again. I email my phone company (over New Year's weekend) to get the run around and firm declarations that only the scammer company can remove the charges. They do business with many companies to benefit us (yeah right, I think they receive a kick back), place their charges on my bill for my convenience of paying 1 bill (sell that b.s. someplace else, it does not work here), and can not tamper nor remove other company's charges. The third email gave more beneficial advice. I called the stated number to freeze my account from unauthorized charges. It is sad that I have to threaten to cancel my phone service before I get help. Guess what, I get a busy signal all four times I call this number.
Next step, look up the Better Business Bureau's website. They need a physical mailing address or phone number that is not toll free in order to contact the business I have a dispute with. All that is on my bill is a toll free number. I do notice a website for the company. No address there either. I fill out the form to lodge my complaint and include the statement at the top of the bill in bold print stating unpaid bills (even if the phone company removes them) will be sent to a collection agency. I demand the billing to stop and service cancelled or I will take this problem to the BBB. I email my phone company for the fourth time asking for this scammers address to trouble the Better Business Bureau with my complaint, if necessary. I next think to go to the BBB site again to look up other consumers complaints on this scammer. GUESS WHAT. This gets even better. The company who is scamminng me had an address and phone number listed, but the company no longer exists. The address and phone #s the BBB possessed are no longer valid. It suggested seeking legal council to complain about this company. Wonderful!
I send another email to the phone company informing them that the BBB says the company they do business with is nonexistant, yet is billing me for things I never accepted. Of course I had to thank them for dealing with a fraudelant company that is impossible to get ahold of. We shall see what happens next. I guess God has decided I am not under enough stress. I would think 2 deaths in the family right before Christmas made me depressed enough. Guess not. Post later. Bye!

I'm in hell

The battle with my phone company rages on. Last month, I looked at my phone bill to find a company charging me for voicemail service. I never heard of this company and screen all calls with an answering machine. The day I supposedly accepted this service, I was not home. I live alone so no one else would answer the phone. Needless to say I have no voicemail service. After trying to contact this scammer 3 times to only listen to a voicemail message, I contacted my phone company for the third time. The operator removed the charges after I demanded to know how I am suppose to get these charges removed by the scammers if I can't speak to them.
This month I see the charge again. I email my phone company (over New Year's weekend) to get the run around and firm declarations that only the scammer company can remove the charges. They do business with many companies to benefit us (yeah right, I think they receive a kick back), place their charges on my bill for my convenience of paying 1 bill (sell that b.s. someplace else, it does not work here), and can not tamper nor remove other company's charges. The third email gave more beneficial advice. I called the stated number to freeze my account from unauthorized charges. It is sad that I have to threaten to cancel my phone service before I get help. Guess what, I get a busy signal all four times I call this number.
Next step, look up the Better Business Bureau's website. They need a physical mailing address or phone number that is not toll free in order to contact the business I have a dispute with. All that is on my bill is a toll free number. I do notice a website for the company. No address there either. I fill out the form to lodge my complaint and include the statement at the top of the bill in bold print stating unpaid bills (even if the phone company removes them) will be sent to a collection agency. I demand the billing to stop and service cancelled or I will take this problem to the BBB. I email my phone company for the fourth time asking for this scammers address to trouble the Better Business Bureau with my complaint, if necessary. I next think to go to the BBB site again to look up other consumers complaints on this scammer. GUESS WHAT. This gets even better. The company who is scamminng me had an address and phone number listed, but the company no longer exists. The address and phone #s the BBB possessed are no longer valid. It suggested seeking legal council to complain about this company. Wonderful!
I send another email to the phone company informing them that the BBB says the company they do business with is nonexistant, yet is billing me for things I never accepted. Of course I had to thank them for dealing with a fraudelant company that is impossible to get ahold of. We shall see what happens next. I guess God has decided I am not under enough stress. I would think 2 deaths in the family right before Christmas made me depressed enough. Guess not. Post later. Bye!

Sunday, January 02, 2005

I did it

Hello again. I have been meaning to give someone at work the finger for repeatedly telling me to smile. He walked by saying "Smile kiddo" and I flipped him off. "Smile" is the wrong thing to say to me right now. I am not sure if he saw it though. Then, I shared my Christmas events with a coworker starting with "My Grandma's funeral was lovely." I got upset just talking about and began shaking. Well, I better go now. I need to cry. Post later.

Interesting

I glanced at our new calendars at the counter to notice they have a company from Denver, Colorado on them. Someone sure traveled far to give us 2005 calendars.
I was scared last night when I saw it raining. Yesterday, I had to chip off ice off my windows and drive like a little old lady trying to prevent from skidding. Most dangerous are parking lots and sidewalks since roads are de-iced.
Today I vacuumed my apartment and watched a show about Sharon Tate. She just married in London when I had to leave for work. She was said to be a sweet girl. Maybe it will be on again.
By the way, did I miss a news report. The airport flag was at half staff. No holiday today.
Tonight I have to make a copy of my cover letter and story to print on my sister's computer tomorrow. I'm babysitting tomorrow. I have nothing else to report. Post later. Bye!

New Year

Happy New Year. I think someone cursed me today. Nothing went right today. I struggled to get out of bed and started on the mopping before I took a shower. I turned in my rent and went shopping for more paper and envelopes. Alas, the Christmas stuff was still displayed. I bought more Christmas things. I got barbells and new stretch bands too.
Then removing my Christmas lights some paint came off the walls and I noticed burn marks. Wonderful. I discarded several items. I turned into my Grandmas with too much stuff. Then again, I still could be hoarding from my Christmas decorations (and summer sandals) being stolen a few years ago. I even got a new stocking out of fear that my stocking my Grandma (Mom's side) made when I was born could be stolen. I was heartbroken thinking that was gone, until Mom found it in her house. But of course, I tell people since my Mom has a stocking holding for it that I leave it at her house.
Then while I placed the rest in boxes, I tried to print my fairytale to send out to a publisher. Unlike other printings, the pages kept falling on the floor. Next, when I change ink cartridges, the computer acted up refusing to stick the new cartridge in the computer. Then when I think the cartidge is installed, the test page prints wrong. A message popped up about my document has been reformatted and to print again. I print a page and nothing is printed. I tried to contact the printer company to email about my problem. I realized later I misspelled the printer name and emailed the correct company. I'm glad this day is over.
Last night was boring. I watched a movie and when it ended saw it was after midnight. No one to kiss at midnight. The only thing I ever kissed was my sister's cat. 2 years in a row. Post later. Bye, Bye!

New Year

Happy New Year. I think someone cursed me today. Nothing went right today. I struggled to get out of bed and started on the mopping before I took a shower. I turned in my rent and went shopping for more paper and envelopes. Alas, the Christmas stuff was still displayed. I bought more Christmas things. I got barbells and new stretch bands too.
Then removing my Christmas lights some paint came off the walls and I noticed burn marks. Wonderful. I discarded several items. I turned into my Grandmas with too much stuff. Then again, I still could be hoarding from my Christmas decorations (and summer sandals) being stolen a few years ago. I even got a new stocking out of fear that my stocking my Grandma (Mom's side) made when I was born could be stolen. I was heartbroken thinking that was gone, until Mom found it in her house. But of course, I tell people since my Mom has a stocking holding for it that I leave it at her house.
Then while I placed the rest in boxes, I tried to print my fairytale to send out to a publisher. Unlike other printings, the pages kept falling on the floor. Next, when I change ink cartridges, the computer acted up refusing to stick the new cartridge in the computer. Then when I think the cartidge is installed, the test page prints wrong. A message popped up about my document has been reformatted and to print again. I print a page and nothing is printed. I tried to contact the printer company to email about my problem. I realized later I misspelled the printer name and emailed the correct company. I'm glad this day is over.
Last night was boring. I watched a movie and when it ended saw it was after midnight. No one to kiss at midnight. The only thing I ever kissed was my sister's cat. 2 years in a row. Post later. Bye, Bye!