[Insert title here]

^_^

2009-05-13T11:41:28Z

Happy birthday to us, Fo!

In answer to your questions

2009-04-20T01:14:26Z

To follow up on my last post, Rob has officially landed a job. He'll be working for the EPA as a contractor for the next eight weeks (possibly more. . .). It's not permanent, but it pays really well and can lead to some other good opportunities. In the meantime, he'll be working on his CCNA and his A+ certifications. Until June, though, we're in a good place. He starts tomorrow, and we celebrated with his parents today with a round of putt-putt and dinner at Noodles and Company.

Cool beans!

TTFN.

He many have done it!

2009-04-15T01:19:49Z

Four months later, and only one week after finally getting his foot in the right doors, Rob may have finally gotten a real job offer.

*white girl happy dance*

TTFN.

Hmmm. . . l haven't really been posting here lately

2009-04-12T21:16:05Z

I think I'm trying to engage in too many social networking sites at once. I've been checking my Facebook more often than my lj, and I'm also trying to build my LinkedIn network. Then, there is my Deviant Art page that has yet to come together. I should just give up on it, because by the time I finish it I'll have finally garnered the cash to make my personal site a reality and start the process anew. Go me.

Anywho, life continues as well as can be expected. Rob has gotten "a job" as a part-time customer service rep at Marshall's, but he has some really good prospects that are starting to come in, so he should have a "real" job in a month or so. I'd call that cool beans. It's about time they realized what an awesome person they were missing out on >_<; Until that all comes together, though, I'll be pulling some long days by working a second job also in the retail sector. I'm not looking forward to it at all, but I also don't like the look of my savings account continuously dropping even more. Such is life, I suppose.

Right now, though, I'm trying to avoid the poisonous odor of the enormous Sharpie markers I used to make the bake sale signs for the credit union. It was discovered that I had a knack for making posters (glad my art degree is doing something for me) so I am now the official poster-maker. It wouldn't be so bad if the markers didn't make me feel faint and induce a state of nausea.

In other news, I've been enjoying having the Wake County Library system at my disposal again and have devoured a veritable ton of comics and am making my way through the Obama works. I feel the need to get to understand the man-who-became-President a little better. I figured the best way to do that would be to go to the source, as it were. Although, I have a nice Chomsky volume that is calling my name. Too much to read and too little time. The perennial problem.

I think I should stop at that, though. My head is feeling kite-high at the moment, so I think I need to go further afield to find fresh air before I kill off what few brain neurons I have left at my disposal.

Happy Bunny Day!

TTFN.

Is wondering. . .

2009-03-20T01:02:13Z

How many call backs can you have before something pans out?

Moving Day!!

2009-02-28T13:55:24Z

This is the last post before disconnecting my computer. Anybody in G-veg who wants to move stuff in the rain is more than welcome to come help us move out. All events start at 10:00 and we have a bag of thank-you gummi bears for anybody willing to come out for the fun!

TTFN.

Send the good karma!

2009-02-05T02:38:25Z

Rob's got an interview tomorrow. He couldn't give me the full details because he has a bunch of things to do tonight before he'll be ready tomorrow, but send good karma his way. This could be it ladies and gents!

TTFN.

Yeah! We got the apartment we wanted

2009-02-03T13:10:53Z

Actually, we got the next size bigger for $4 less than what we were quoted for the smaller size. How cool is that? And, no pet fee for the rats or Loki. Awesome! This is the website for the place http://www.missionresidential.com/View_Property.aspx?PropertyID=26 in case people want to see pictures. We got the 2 bedroom 2 bath with a nook.

TTFN.

Woohoo!

2009-01-28T03:12:53Z

I got the job in RTP. I'm just waiting to hear from my current manager when he can let me go, but my new manager would like me there within 3 weeks (but he wants to make sure I have time to move, etc. . . ). I'm excited and scared and everything all at once.

Now we just need for Rob to get an actual interview instead of just a bunch of call backs that don't lead much further. He's going to be in Raleigh next week on the job hunt.

TTFN.

Apartment hunting and interviewing

2009-01-22T01:45:43Z

Right, so the big news is that we are going to move to Raleigh, hopefully in about a month or so. I've got an interview tomorrow morning with the Teller Manager of the branch I'm hoping to transfer to. With any luck that will go well, and I'll know soon whether or not giving notice next week will be a good move. I'm really afraid to give notice before I've got anything lined up in Raleigh, so I'm hoping things will fall into place.

Apartment hunting, though, has been a total pain. Everywhere we look is either cheap garbage or overpriced garbage. It's really annoying. Every time I think we've found something really worthwhile I find out something awful about the place. Like roach infestations, or horrible management, or any number of a host of other things. What the hell? Eventually I'm going to have to settle. It's just hard to know when to stop looking and just admit defeat.

I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, if anyone knows about apartments in Raleigh (good or bad), let me know. I'd appreciate it.

TTFN.

elfpainter @ 2008-12-16T21:02:00

2008-12-17T02:16:27Z

According to this meme I stole from Sparky, I'm a little bit of a lot of racial stereotypes, but decidedly un-American. There were a number of places where being a vegetarian hurt my chances. As to the chicken question, I did like the taste of chicken, I just have issues with unethical slaugher practices and factory farming methods.

Anywho,

British
[x] You drink a lot of tea.
[ ] You know what a brolly is.
[ ] Deal or No Deal has taken over your life.
[ ] You wanted Ben to win X Factor.
[x] You use the word "bugger"or the phrase "bloody hell."
[ ] Fish and Chips are yummy.
[ ] You can eat a Full English Breakfast.
[x] You dislike emos almost as much as you dislike chavs.
[x] Its football...not soccer.
[x]You say Freakin'/Frickin' instead of Fucking. (I say both quite frequently)
Total = 5

Australian
[ ] You wear flip flops all year.
[ ] You call flipflops thongs not flip flops.
[x] You love a backyard barbie.
[x] You know a barbie is not a doll.
[x] You love the beach.
[x] Sometimes you swear without realizing.
[ ] You're a sports fanatic.
[ ] You are tanned.
[ ] You're a bit of a bogan.
[ ] You have an australian something.
Total = 4

Italian
[x] The Sopranos is a great show.
[ ] Your last name ends in a vowel.
[ ] Your grandmother makes her own sauces.
[x] You know how a real meatball tastes.
[ ] You know Italian songs.
[x] You have dark hair and dark eye color.
[ ] You speak some Italian.
[x] You are under 5'10''.
[ ] You know what an Italian horn is.
[x] Pizza/spaghetti is the best food in the world!!!
[x] You talk with your hands. (as well as dramatic poses...)
[ ] Your last name sounds like a pasta.
Total = 6

Spanish
[ ] You say member instead of Remember.
[x] You speak Spanish or some.
[x] You like tacos.
[ ] YoU TyPe lIkE ThIs On Da CoMpUtEr.
[ ] You are dark skinned.
[ ] You know what a puta is.
[x] You talk fast occasionally.
[ ] You have had highlights or have dyed your hair.
[x] You know what platanos are.
Total = 4

Russian
[ ] You say villian as: Vee-lon.
[ ] You get short tempered.
[ ] You know of somebody named Natasha.
[x] You get cold easily.
[x] Rain is fun for you.
[ ] You get into contests all the time.
[x] You can easily make do with the cold weather. (believe it or not, I can handle it pretty well. I just prefer not to.)
Total = 3

Irish
[ ] You think beer is the best.
[ ] You have a bad temper.
[ ] Your last name starts with a Mc, Murph, O', Fitz or ends with a ley, on, un, an, in, ry, ly, y.
[ ] You have blue or green eyes.
[x] You like the color green.
[ ] You have been to a At. Pattys Day party.
[ ] You have a family member from Ireland.
[ ] You have blonde hair.
[ ] You have/had freckles.
[ ] Your family get togethers always include drinking and singing.
Total = 1

African American
[ ] You say nigga/nukka casually.
[ ] You have nappy hair.
[ ] You like rap.
[ ] You know how to shoot a gun.
[x] You think President George Walker Bush is racist.
[x] You like chicken.
[x] You like watermelon.
[ ] You can dance. (ha ha! That's a joke, right?)
[ ] You can 'sing' gospel.
[x] You are funny/you always make people laugh.
[ ] You are lazy.
[ ] You speak with imperfect grammar.
Total = 4

Asian
[ ] You have slanty/small eyes.
[x] You like rice a lot.
[x] You are good at math.
[ ] You have played the piano.
[ ] You have family from Asia.
[x] You laugh sometimes covering your mouth.
[ ] Most people think you're Chinese.
[x] You call hurricanes typhoons. (sometimes, but to be scientifically correct only when they're in the Pacific or Indian oceans. . . seriously)
[ ] You go to Baulko.
[ ] You wear American Eagle and/or Hollister. (not anything with the brand name emblazoned on it. . . just brown pants and a blue shirt for work)
[ ] You can't drive.
[x] You eat (literally) anything. (not counting meat ^_~)
Total = 5

German
[x] You like bread.
[x] You think German Chocolate is good.
[x] You know what Schnitzel is.
[ ] You hate it when stupid people call you a Nazi.
[ ] You went to Pre-school.
[x] You're over 5'2.
[x] You speak some German. (my all of one day of class, but I have the book)
Total = 5

Canadian
[ ] You like/play/played hockey.
[ ] You love beer.
[x] You say eh.
[ ] You know what poutine is.
[x] You speak some French.
[ ] You love Tim Horton's.
[ ] At one point you lived in a farm house.
[ ] You watch/watched degrassi.
Total = 3

Mexican (Latino)
[ ] You are short, around 5'.
[ ] You spray a lot of perfume/cologne on yourself.
[x] You're found working in the back (kitchen) of any restaurant.
[ ] You work in Chinese supermarkets.
[ ] You're willing to work for any pay.
[ ] You have jumped over the Great Wall of Mexico (AKA the border fence between USA and Mexico).
[ ] You put lots of gel on your hair.
[ ] You play soccer.
[x] You love spicy food.
[ ] You put lots of makeup on.
Total = 2

Jewish
[ ] You have a big nose.
[x] You hate Hitler.
[ ] You have a family member who's been in the concentration camps during WWII.
[x] The Holocaust is horrifying.
[ ] You want to take over the world. (only on a good day)
[ ] Everybody hates you.
[ ] You wear a Kippah.
[ ] You have a long beard.
[ ] You have read/heard of the The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
Total = 2

American
[ ] You dislike foreigners.
[ ] You hate non - Christians.
[ ] You're lazy.
[ ] You are not cultured.
[ ] You hate abortion.
[ ] But love the death penalty.
[ ] You don't read.
[ ] You shop at Walmart.
[x] You think this survey is rather biased. (it's a stereotype meme! though this portion seems oddly Republican....)
[ ] You eat at McDonalds often.
[ ] You are obese/close to being obese.
[ ] You love to criticize things/people when you are in a foreign country.
[ ] You love big things.
[ ] You are wasteful.
total = 1

Ratties!

2008-12-15T02:34:19Z

It's taken me a while, in no small part because Rob had overtaken my computer for the better part of a week, but I finally have pictures of our new buddies to share. As I last posted, Charlemagne passed away leaving Chefwick without a companion. Rats are very social creatures, and they will not fare very well by themselves, especially if they've spent most of their lives with a companion. We could tell very soon after the loss of Charlemagne that Chefwick was lonely. We decided very early on that we would have to get him some new friends, so we trolled the pet stores and finally found two little guys in Raleigh over Thanksgiving. We brought them home and introduced them over the weekend. These pictures are from that first introduction. We had to place them in a neutral space for the interaction, so we put them in the bathtub while I cleaned the cage so they could move in together.

This is Chefwick (on the left) and Dig Dug (on the right). Dig Dug, we quickly discovered, is a burrower. Hence, Rob came up with this video game referencing name for him.

This is a shot of all three of them. The black is Chefwick, and the one you can see most of, the one looking right at you, is Dig Dug. Kandinsky is under the rat pile.

This is a better shot of Kandinsky. His markings are slightly darker brown than Dig Dug's.

I just thought this was a good shot of Chefwick.

TTFN.

PS Americorps' application is a bitch. It didn't say I could only use 200 characters for a response until after I'd written all my responses for my skills. . . all 6 or 7 of them. Then, I accidentally closed the window and lost everything. Go me. *sigh*

Loss

2008-11-24T03:11:28Z

Charlemagne died tonight about 7:15. He had caught some sort of respiratory infection Wednesday night. The vet saw him first thing Thursday morning, and put him on an antibiotic. She seemed optimistic about his prospects, so I dared to get my hopes up despite the fact that infections like these are usually deadly in rats. He seemed to be doing somewhat better, but he was still not eating as much as normal. He must have been having an even harder time than we had realized, because Saturday he took a turn for the worst. When I picked him up to give him his medicine, he was nothing but skin and bones. He was wasting away and having an increasingly difficult time breathing. I didn't think he would make it through the night, but he was still alive this morning. I held him in a wrapped blanket to keep him warm and to help him feel safe. I cried so much that I don't know if I have any tears left. I couldn't cry when I found him. I just felt empty.

We have to leave him in the cage for Chefwick to realize that he is dead, so he won't think that Charlemagne just disappeared. Then, we need to watch him to make sure he doesn't get depressed over the loss of his friend. We'll need to get him some new companions. The recommendation is to get two young rats or one adult rat.

I just feel a little numb.

TTFN.

PS Thanks, Fo, for listening while I poured my heart out and cried. It helped.

elfpainter @ 2008-11-05T07:09:00

2008-11-05T12:13:52Z

Well, North Carolina may still be "undecided," but Obama won. I don't think I've been this generally pleased with a political outcome, well. . . ever, really. He's not perfect and there are plenty of things I disagree with him on (healthcare, energy policy, etc), but he's a farsight better than the last eight years and immensely better for the next four. I can only hope that the incredible mess we find ourselves in at current does not cloud the entirety of his presidency dooming us to a return to Republicanism.

Here's hoping *crosses fingers*

TTFN.

PS Anybody want to take a roadtrip to DC to see the inauguration? ^_^

Time to catch up

2008-10-28T00:13:55Z

The last few weekends have been so hectic that I've hardly been able to catch up with myself. We went to Indiana the weekend before last for Will and Maggie's wedding (which was gorgeous, and much better planned then ours was). We were on the road for a total of 24 hours roundtrip, 12 hours up on Thursday and another 12 hours back on Sunday, plus the 3 hours roundtrip to Greenville. Way too much traveling all at once. Bloomington was really nice. It seemed like a well-rounded community, although I could have been viewing it with rose-tinted glasses. The week at work after we got back flew by in a blur, although I do keenly remember cleaning the rats' cage because it was super-stinky.

This past weekend, I was adopting out cats at Petsmart. I didn't send anyone home, but I was especially paranoid because I had three black cats in my bunch, and I really don't like adopting them out before Halloween unless I get *really* good vibes from the adoptees. I also got to hang out with Jenny and Gabe (for those who are counting, this is the most social I've been in months). We hung around talking and reminiscing. All-in-all, a very pleasant way to spend an evening. I started working on another portrait Saturday and am hoping to have it finished in a few days. It's a family portrait, so it's a little more comples than the single-person portraits I'd been cranking out in a day or two.

The only downside to the weekend was going to Wal-mart. I haven't been back there since after Christmas in New Mexico, which is almost two years now. Jenny convinced me, however, that to continue not going out of abject moral outrage might be a bit much, especially if I might be able to bring my bottom line a little closer to the black. The experience, unfortunately, did not go well. I arrived optimistic that I might find some savings. As the trip progressed, I found fewer and fewer of the basic foods that Rob and I usually get and a plethora of junk food. Although there were occasional hints of organic or environmentally friendly brands, they were extremely difficult to find. I found myself feeling closed-in and increasingly agitated by my inability to find decent selection at appropriate prices. While it seemed that base prices might be lower at Wal-mart, many of our staple foods (milk, eggs, etc) didn't seem to offer any significant savings over Kroger without sacrificing quality. Indeed, the places where we found the most savings were in the luxury goods that we only ever buy when they're on sale at Kroger. Despite how much I love them, I'm just not going to get wasabi almonds every week. It's a bit much. I was dubious about much of the produce, and a considerable amount of my weekly meals come from the fresh fruits/vegetables in the produce department. There seemed to be a competitive selection of frozen vegetables, but the ice cream was still pretty expensive. The base price was lower than Kroger, but Kroger almost always has at least one brand on sale every week for less than the Wal-mart price of $3.50. On the rare occasions that there isn't any ice cream on sale, we just don't get any that week.

In the end, I ended up almost having a claustrophobic panic attack in the check out line. It's an odd feeling to be so claustrophobic in such a big space, but the manner in which it was set up made it feel confining rather than open. Add in the hundreds of people roaming the store (admittedly, we went at a pretty bad time, but we got up later than expected) and the apathy of the cashier who helped us check out and the experience rates as one of the worst I've had. We ended up spending just shy of $60.00, which was not any savings over having gone to Kroger (where a good number of the cashiers know us by face, if not by name) and potentially we were spending more on a per item basis because we didnt' have the option of choosing something that was "on sale" for dirt cheap, or so it seemed. . . I didn't see any "sale" signs. What it came down to was this, if we just bought name brands at Kroger ignoring weekly sales and coupons, then we might save money going to Wal-mart. However, Wal-mart did not have the selection of foods that we prefer to eat and seemed like, in general, it made it very easy to sacrifice health on the altar of convenience. I think we'll stick with Kroger and avoid Wal-mart for another two years or more.

TTFN.

PS Rob and I may have met another GM in Gabe, which would be nice because I know Rob is itching to be player-side again.

Why do I go to the gym?

2008-10-08T11:18:00Z

My answer after last night is as follows: so I can jump up and down screaming "Obama!" and waving a Bush/McCain More of the Same poster as Palin drives by in her SUV with her entourage. I don't think I've felt this good about anything I've done recently. It was immensely, deeply satisfying. Even if she didn't care. Even if I was freezing because I was ill-prepared. Even if, even if. It was spectacular. I only chanted "Obama" right as Palin was coming through. The rest of the time I waved my poster and screamed things like "peace" or "woo" when we got an approving honk from a passing car. I may personally prefer Nader to Obama, but in that fateful moment divisively screaming Nader amidst the Obama chant seemed against the entire point of being there: to show opposition to Palin.

Anywho, gotta get ready for work.

TTFN.

Wachovia. . .

2008-09-30T01:09:52Z

I've had people asking about how the credit union is doing, financially speaking, all day. I'd heard before I left for work about the possible buyout of Wachovia, but didn't know that it had actually occurred until a member mentioned that there were some minor runs on the bank in the area resulting from the Citibank buyout. I also was unaware until I got home that the "buyout plan" failed to pass the House. In light of that second bit of news, the air of paranoia in the credit union made spectacular sense. It is without the slightest bit of doubt that I can say that I have some general level of anxiety for the immediate future of the country. I can't say that I put any faith in the band-aid plans being cobbled together by the legislature. It doesn't help that I'm a generally anxious person at my baseline about financial matters. In a way, it makes me wonder if I'm not just staying in my job because I'm afraid of what might happen otherwise. The prospect of moving to another city, let alone another state, makes me want to curl up and whimper. At the same time I find the idea of moving somewhere else, trying to start a more meaningful life, intensely exhilarating. There are times when I'm not sure if I'm being pragmatic, or if I'm just paralyzed.

I don't think I intended to make such a depressing post at the outset, but that's the way it turned out. Better luck next time, I suppose.

TTFN.

Yesterday was a good birthday celebration

2008-09-14T16:44:08Z

Rob's birthday was this past Wednesday. I gave him some headphones last weekend as an early gift because his old pair had finally given up on all chance of life. I'm really awful about being able to wait to give something to someone. . . I just want to skip right to the part where their face gets all bright and joyful after getting something they really wanted/needed. For his "official" birthday present, I got him a Dr. Horrible t-shirt because he's been obsessing over the web series for about a month now. His enthusiasm is almost a little too much for me to take @_@ Anywho, he really liked it and immediately wore it, which made me feel good. My co-workers had given me these looks when the present arrived at work last week as if to say, "She's just getting him a t-shirt. That's sad." It made me feel so judged about something they couldn't even know about. They've only seen Rob a hand full of times, most recently when he came to pick me up after I fainted. They haven't even spoken to him at any length, so how would they know what he would like for his birthday? It was probably just me being overly sensitive.

Anyways, we spent yesterday celebrating Rob's birthday, yearly growth, aging, whatever you want to call it. We watched an episode of Burn Notice on Hulu, and hung out with each other talking. Then I took Rob to the local game store so he could look around, but he was too enticed by some Heroclix and got two boxes. He tore both of those open on the drive to the park and rejoiced at some of the minis that he got. Never having really gotten into Heroclix, but having heard Rob and Aaron talk about them far too much for my own good, I could at least rejoice along with him when he got some pieces with cool abilities and not just smile and nod. We took a short walk in the park because it was a pretty hot day, one of the last it looks like from the weather forecast. We got shooed out of the small museum because we didn't have the money for the entrance fee, but we tried to linger in the air conditioned ante-space for as long as we could endure the attendants odd looks.

Rob wanted chinese food, so I took him to Dragonfly. It's a small family-owned restaurant in town about which I'd heard phenomenal reviews from friends and co-workers. I'm pleased to say it definitely lived up to its reputation. The wait staff was incredibly attentive and the food was delicious. I finally found a place that steams its broccoli to perfection: crisp but bright green and obviously fresh from the intense flavor. I felt a little awkward, though, because our waiter didn't seem to speak much english and he was acting so servile. Let me explain. He wasn't just asking us if we wanted a refill, or if everything was ok. He was bowing and presenting the dishes and refilled Pepsi glasses like a servant out of a period movie or in a mansion. I was extremely conscious of an intense feeling of white guilt. Maybe it was an overreaction on my part, but it just felt so surreal at points. I have to wonder whether that was just the way our waiter approached his job, or whether it was something that the owners wanted their entire wait staff to do. In either case, I gave him a 25% tip for his efforts.

We had a little time to kill after lunch so we browsed the Best Buy that was next door, and popped into the Barnes and Noble. There was a really good book on art of dissent with sections about various movements (feminist, animal rights, anti-consumerist, etc) in recent political art. I wish that I had the extra $30 in this month's budget to get it, but I'll just have to wait. At the very least, I'd like to go back and just sit and flip through it some more. We left at about 4:00 so we could get to the movie theater to watch Burn After Reading, which I had promised we would see this weekend. We ended up getting a free soda and popcorn with the movie points we've been slowly collecting, which was an unexpected surprise. I'd been trying to have some friends join us for the movie and to hang out after as a surprise for Rob, but only Kelly and Aaron were free. So, it was less of a surprise "party" than I'd originally planned, but still a lot of fun. Burn After Reading was hilarious. I don't think I've laughed out loud so much in a movie in ages. It is just that brilliant. It's absurdest and dark and completely insane if you're not involved in the story from the start, as one of the characters points out toward the end of the film. I can't recommend it enough. I tell you, the entire audience was laughing so hard, so often, that it was almost like living the tv stereotype of being in a movie theater watching a comedy.

After the movie, Kelly and Aaron came back to our apartment for ice cream cake. I have found that making an ice cream cake is not difficult at all. I made the strawberry cake Friday night so it would be completely cool when I "frosted" it the next day with the ice cream. The trick is to whip the ice cream with a whisk, or (like I did) with an electric mixer until it is the consistency of icing. Then, you just frost the cake like you would if you were using regular icing. The most important thing, though, is to turn your freezer up to full blast or the ice cream won't refreeze fast enough after you put it back in the freezer to keep it from oozing. So, Rob got a strawberry cake with vanilla ice cream and dolphin sprinkles on top. I have to say that I was pretty proud of how it turned out, especially since it was my first effort. Aaron managed to finish almost a quarter of the cake by himself, despite Kelly's warnings about the consequences for his stomach afterward, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.

Kelly and Aaron played a game of Guillotine with us and generally hung out for a while before they went home for a late dinner around 9:00. Rob and I finished the day with some Sopranos before turning in for the night. As they say in the kids books, it was a good day.

This morning I woke up and broke the good luck by cutting myself while I was cleaning my palette, so it should be interesting to see how the rest of the day goes. At least I got my plants re-potted so their roots have room to grow. Now, to ride my bike to the pharmacy to get my bc pills and get some painting done.

TTFN.

Not a bad weekend

2008-09-09T11:13:55Z

Saturday passed by pretty uneventfully. The storm only caused some branches to get snapped here and there, so life was already continuing normally Saturday morning mere hours after the "tropical storm" hit. At this point, I'm actually having real trouble remembering what I did that day, which only tells me that it must have been pretty unremarkable. I do remember that we tried to go to the park for a walk, Saturday being slightly cooler for spending most of the daylight hours under cloud cover, but the park was inexplicably closed. Rob and I could only postulate that it was for fear of flooding. We couldn't see anything from the roadside entrance. Sunday, I ran around doing chores all morning while Rob slept because they had to be done before we hung out with Kelly and Aaron that afternoon (and I don't think he came to bed until ridiculously late). I also picked up Spore (a gift for both of us) and a set of headphones for Rob (for his birthday). I have one other small gift in reserve until tomorrow. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with friends and having a good time. I had hoped to see Jenny this past weekend, and was planning on inviting her to come over for the aborted walk. Oh well. Next weekend I suppose.

Spore is tons of fun. I've only gotten through the cell stage and into the creature stage, but Rob says he's gotten to civilization and is loving it. I'm finally starting to get weird, but not utterly stupid looking creatures to come out my evolutions. Maybe it's that I'm finally collecting more parts to play with, or that I'm getting a better handle on the system. It's definitely a great game for me, though, because it's something I can pick up for a short while, and then put down so I can go do something else, but then easily come back to.

Yesterday, I went to Garner to see the new credit union computer system in action. I think I was supposed to be more awed by it, or be more confused. My partner kept asking if I had any questions, but the system is really pretty idiot-proof so I couldn't really muster anything to ask her. It didn't help that I'd already read the manual, so most of the instruction was unnecessary on my part. I did get to see some of the little differences between branch operations that can confound members (why won't you do it? the other credit union does! etc). Anywho, I don't know what made the person giving us directions think that it would only take an hour to get from Greenville to Garner, but it definitely takes a solid hour and a half. I don't know if I'll get comp time for the extra transit time that went outside of work hours. . . I'll drop hints today and see if Rose is receptive because I really think it's due.

In either case, I should get ready for work and get Rob up for class.

TTFN.

A fairly nice weekend

2008-09-04T00:02:02Z

I finally got to relax a little. I went to the farmers' market Saturday morning and got the last of the season's blueberries (seriously, I got one of only three pints left in the entire market), some peaches, and some tomatoes. I also picked up a homemade cinnamon bun for Rob because he was asleep and couldn't come with me at 8:00 when the market opened (the only time when you can actually get anything, because if you come later it's all picked clean). I took a nice jog after I got back and played DDR for the first time in forever. Let me just say, I sucked so good ^_~ I know that evil dirty thoughts are going through people's heads after that sentence, but I'm keeping it the way it is just because of that reason. Rob and I tried to go for a walk in the park that afternoon, but a storm was blowing in so we had to leave early. That night, we got to hang out with Jenny for a couple of hours while Sparky was at work, which was totally awesome. Sunday, I slept in. I know I did something productive that day, but I can't remember what it was for the life of me. I had a disturbing conversation with my mother that evening, though. It was disturbing, in a way, because I wasn't expecting the subject to get to me as much as it did. Luckinly, Rob was all for going for a walk down the "greenway" to help clear my head, which helped immensely. Monday, I went for a great bike ride. The beauty of the gym being closed for the weekend was that I got to do alternative exercises that I've been meaning to do for a while, but hadn't gotten around to. This is definitely one I'd like to keep doing on a regular basis. I rode around Greenville for more than an hour. To give an idea of how compact G-Veg is, I went clear across town in one direction (Jenny, I rode past your apartment at maybe 8:30 that morning for the kicks ^_^) then circled back in a round-about fashion, just because I could. It was fun, and the traffic wasn't bad even on the main roads because it was a holiday morning. I spent a couple hours painting after I got back and I decided to invest in a few more plants. Of course, it is a little late for me to be getting any more food plants from the local store, but I did manage to get a nice hanging basket for half price because it was getting too large for them to keep around the store. The benefit for me is that I can cut the longer stems and plant them to get two plants for the price of half of one. How cool is that? I also got what was labeled a ficus, but doesn't look anything like the picture of the supposed ficus online. In the end the mystery plant only set me back $3.00, so I'm willing to experiment and hope for the best without feeling like a total jerk if I kill it. I also got an elephant bush which just promises to look really cool once it grows a little. Now, I just need to prove I can keep these plants alive like my rosemary and my basil. We called it a night a little early, although I didn't get the best sleep. . . But, that was really the only down side to a good weekend. This weekend, I'm keeping my eye on the hurricane. My painting is in New Bern, and since it was supposed to be picked up today it will not be insurred when the hurricane potentially comes through. That troubles me. Originally, I was thinking of going to New Bern Saturday morning to pick it up and spend some time hiking in the National Forrest. That plan may have to be ammended based on the weather forecast.

That's about it. TTFN.

Ireland pictures, a preview

2008-08-25T11:22:03Z

So, I thought I'd put up a few pictures from Ireland. I haven't resized them, so I apologize if they make people's screens explode. These were taken with our new Fujifilm Finepix s8100fd. All three are from outside Urlingford. The waterfall belonged to Jytte and Tim, our hosts for the evening at Ballinatona Farm. On the hills overlooking this waterfall is a large windfarm. The pony Rob is petting was one of two that was grazing in the small pasture below the waterfall.

Just a quiz

2008-08-24T15:32:07Z

Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...

NBPS - The Idealist

Nature, Background, Big Picture, and Shape

You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.

The Perception Personality Types:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Well, that was an exciting day

2008-08-23T03:25:08Z

It all started out so innocently. I baked some cookies for Monique because she's leaving the branch for Wilson. Lisa brought a really nice cake. Everyone was having a pretty good day for a Friday. Then, at just after 5:00 I was looking up a company in the phone book to verify a check. I closed the drawer, but tried to catch it because the phone cord was going to get caught. Well, my two fingers got the brunt of the slamming drawer instead. Lisa exclaimed in empathy with my pain. I tried to shrug it off and continue writing a number on the check to cash it . . . but I couldn't hold the pen. Part of the problem was that my fingers were too tender to hold the tube with any dexterity, and part of the problem was that I was starting to feel shaky and weak. Then, everything started going black. The next thing I knew I was on my back on the floor and Lisa was asking if I was ok. I said I was and started to get back up. I leaned against my counter until the world stopped trying to go grey, then I tried to walk the all of 5 feet around to the other side of the drive-thru to get a clear view of the guy I had been trying to ID. I remember everything going black again and knowing that I needed to get back to my chair before I really fell down hard. I don't remember making it to my chair, although that's where I woke up, but when I opened my eyes again Linnette was standing over me holding my head and Wendy was on the phone with the 911 operator. I was clammy and Linnette kept on saying how white I was and that my lips looked faintly blue. I didn't even realize that she'd taken off my glasses. Everything felt like it was swimming. Wendy was asking me questions about how old I was and whether I had any heart condition. Linnette was trying to find out from me what had happened. They started to give me some water, and my mouth tasted pretty bad, but the operator told them not to give me any food or drink. Linnette started fanning me with an envelope and Wendy went outside to wait for the ambulance to arrive. I was just beginning to feel a little better, less clammy, less swirly, and a little more in control of my muscles (at least enough to put my glasses back on) when they locked up my keys and cash box not knowing if I was going to take a short trip to the hospital. All the while, Rob was trying to reach me on the telephone (by sheer happenstance) and Lisa was finally able to catch his call and let him know to come pick me up and that I'd fainted. The paramedics arrived really quickly, I'd say under five minutes. They checked me out, took my blood pressure, blood glucose, and heart rate. They said everything seemed normal. I tried to explain that this wasn't the first time I'd fainted because I'd hurt myself (there was the time in the bathroom where mom caught me on the way down, and the time at the park. . .). Talking to Rob afterward, we agreed that part of it might also be that I may be slightly anemic. I've been forgetting my multivitamin recently (a bad habit for a vegetarian, I know!) and have been getting bruised a little more easily. Anyways, I told the paramedics that I didn't want to go to the hospital and signed their various releases to the effect. They made Rob, who had arrived by that point, sign as a witness to the fact I'd refused treatment. They would like for me to go in for another full check up. I don't know when I'd be able to do that, but I'm going to look into it Monday. I think I'm only covered for one physical per year and I had one in December. That was under mom's insurance, though. I'll just have to call Blue Cross and see.

Rob drove me home and everyone was trying to make sure I was ok and to impress upon me how much I should go home and rest. I felt off for a couple hours after, slightly sick to my stomach and that same taste in the back of my throat that wouldn't go away. I also felt tired, although that could just as easily have been the fact that I was actually tired and not any sort of symptom. Just to be safe, though, (especially since no one seemed to be able to confirm whether I did or did not hit my head) Rob and I agreed I should stay awake. At this point I feel fine. I feel tired, but in the normal it's-getting-late kind of way.

And that was my exciting finale to the work day. The paramedics left only two minutes before closing, so I stayed on for the last two minutes just sitting uselessly in my chair without my cashbox.

TTFN.

PS Rob and I will be at Petsmart tomorrow from 2-5 to adopt out cats. Feel free to visit us ^_^

We're back . . . as of Sunday at miidnight that is

2008-08-15T11:27:38Z

Ireland is just as beautiful as anyone has ever said that it is. The people are just as wonderful, the sights as amazing, and the pace just as relaxed as everything you may have heard. I loved it. Rob and I want to go back (and stay. . .). I'll make a more in depth post about the trip later, but for now I've got some stolen memes because they're quick and easy.

You Are 20% Girly

Um... you're a guy, right? If not, you're the most boyish girl in the world.

And for you, that's probably the ultimate compliment.

How Girly Are You?

Would you do meth if it was legalized?
Can't see as I would. I like my teeth.

Are you for or against abortion?
Pro-choice through and through.

Would our country (United States) fall with a with a woman president?
How many ways could I possibly say no to this question. I can't see how a woman could fail any more than the men have. We're all human with human flaws. Women have periods, men choke on peanuts and fall down airplane staircases. Next question.

Do you believe in the death penalty?
I can't say that the idea of eye-for-an-eye make sense to me. When the justice system punishes for the taking of a life, it seems spiteful and simply vengeful to call for the death of the perpetrator. You aren't allowed to kill, but we are because we're state sanctioned? The depth of my problems with the death penalty go far beyond this basic argument, but I could devote an entire post to that essay alone. Moving on.

Do you wish marijuana would be legalized already?
I can't say that I view marijuana as any more of a threat than tobacco or alcohol, both of which are legal within restrictions. I can't say that I think it's a good idea (you're still smoking a weed and will end up with the same nastiness in your lungs from prolonged use), but I believe in the right to free choice.

Do you believe in God?
I believe in the possibility of a higher being. This being may or may not be associated with the Christian conception of "God" and may or may not be a "supreme" being. I simply believe that there may be something out there with greater potential than exists in the human spectrum. Whether such an entity should be worshipped as a result of these factors is a trickier matter. Should we worship someone or something simply because it possesses greater power or ability? The societal answer would seem to be yes, just look at our idolization of sports stars and millionaires. I'm just not sure that I agree with society on this one. It seems to me that more than ability is necessary to warratn idolatry.

Do you think same sex marriage should be legalized?
YES!! Is that emphatic enough? A sexual choice should not limit a person's economic, legal, or social choices regarding their relationship. We need to move out of the Victorian Age and grasp the variety of experience that encompasses the human condition.

Do you think its wrong that so many Hispanics are moving to the USA?
Is it wrong to flee a horrible situtation? I can't blame someone for wanting a better life. If they flee to the USA seeking that life, we shouldn't be surprised. We have created a myth of America that draws the unfortunate to the country in search of the golden life that myth promises. Is it any wonder that people who live in less fortunate surroundings listen to the sirens' call of the mythos surrounding the "American Dream?" If anything, I think that the system in which we determine who is worthy of becoming an American and who is too poor or uneducated to improve our country's GDP or international standing is outdated and overtly preferential and classist.

A twelve year old girl has a baby...should she keep it?
This is a tricky question. It seems to be asking whether she should have it aborted, but the possibility exists that it could equally be asking if she shoudl have it and give it up for adoption. In either case, I think that a child that age should not be having children in modern times. It is dangerous to both mother and child, medically speaking, and can have far reaching social and mental consequences in both lives involved.

Should the alcohol age be lowered to 18?
You can vote, die for your country, and be charged as an adult in criminal procedings. I can't see why you shouldn't be able to drink at the same age of maturity.

Assisted suicide is illegal...do you agree?
Where murder is the unsollicited taking of another's right to life, as the possessor of your own life it would seem logical that you have the right to make decisions regarding its continuation. There's more to the argument, but I'm running out of time.

Do you believe in spanking your children?
No. You should never have to bully your children into submission.

Would you burn an American flag for a million dollars?
I'd burn an American flag for free. I can't say that I'm happy at all with any of the institutions that it represents and I feel no special patriotic duty toward its protection.

A mother is declared innocent after murdering her 5 children in a temporary insanity case, do you agree?
I can't make any sort of decision based on this little information. If you're asking about the validity of temporary insanity as a defense strategy, you are going to have to be more specific. It's a broad topic with many variable applications and meanings. Was this woman post-partum, or does she have a long standing psychiatric disorder? More information is needed.

Are you afraid others will judge you from reading some of your answers?
People judge you every minute of every day. Most of the people who read this journal shouldn't be surprised by any of these answers, and if someone else surfs in and doesn't like my answers, they can let me know.

AND. . . we're off!!

2008-08-01T03:28:12Z

Well, we're off tomorrow morning, but I doubt I'll have time to make a post then. My good news, my boss was already considering me for a newly opened FSO (Financial Service Officer) position before I put my name in the hat formally. I also got my raise today of $1200/year. It works out to about $.58/hr. Not spectacular, but not bad.

And that's about it. The ratties are living with Lisa and Joel for the week, and Jenny has taken in my basil and rosemary. We think we've got everything packed. At the very least, we have the absolute necessities: the plane tickets, our passports, and our reservation information for the B&Bs in Ireland. Here goes!

TTFN.