Archive for April, 2008

Apparently I’m a Hufflepuff w/Ravenclaw Tendencies…

{ April 29, 2008 @ 3:16 am } · { Harry Potter, Meme }
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Hufflepuff!

Sort me!


What Hogwarts house are you in? (Sorry girls only)

You are in Ravenclaw. The intellegant and brilliant. You are always there to help solve a problem.
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Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?


An Intelligent Harry Potter House Sorting Quiz

Rock on, you’re a Ravenclaw! Intelligent, level-headed, and mysterious, you can often befound in the library, studying. You are smart and get the best grades in your class. In fact,you probably got all Outstandings on your O.W.L.s! Your house is respectable and has a good Quidditch team. The founder of your house was Rowena Ravenclaw. Go Eagles!(Art courtesy of Ayne Greensleeves)
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House Crest

Score (0-100)

House Description

56

 Gryffindor

Said Gryffindor, “We’ll teach all those with brave deeds to their name.”

Students of Gryffindor are typically brave, daring, and chivalrous. Famous members include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Albus Dumbledore (head of Hogwarts), and Minerva McGonagall (head of Gryffindor).

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84

 Ravenclaw

Said Ravenclaw, “We’ll teach those whose intelligence is surest.”

Ravenclaw students tend to be clever, witty, intelligent, and knowledgeable. Notable residents include Cho Chang and Padma Patil (objects of Harry and Ron’s affections), and Luna Lovegood (daughter of The Quibbler magazine’s editor).

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92

 Hufflepuff

Said Hufflepuff, “I’ll teach the lot, and treat them just the same.”

Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Diggory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.

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47

 Slytherin

Said Slytherin, “We’ll teach just those whose ancestry is purest.”

Slytherin students are typically cunning and hungry for power. Important members include Draco Malfoy (Harry’s nemesis), Professor Severus Snape (head of Slytherin), and Lord Voldemort.

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Stolen From No Nonense Girl

{ April 29, 2008 @ 2:39 am } · { Meme }
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Link to the right…

1. What is your occupation? Administrative Assistant
2. What color are your socks right now? Black
3. What are you listening to right now? The sound of the keyboard as I type (I find music distracting at work)
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Bowl of black beans and rice from Chipotle
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Blue
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? A client
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I stole it from no nonsense’s blog, and yes, I do.
9. Favorite drink? Diet Dr. Pepper
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? On television, basketball.  In person, baseball.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes, many times
12. Pets? Two dogs, Cydney and Baxter (yellow labs)
13. Favorite food? Italian, Mexican, home cooking type (dude, I just like food a bunch)
14. Last movie you watched? Forgetting Sarah Marshall
15. Favorite Day of the year? Any day I have off from work
16. What do you do to vent anger? I am an emotional eater, so in the past, I eat.  Working on changing this.
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbie doll
18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall
19. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
20. What kind of pie? Lemon Cream
21. Do you want your friends to email you back? I’m not going to email it, I’ll post it on my blog.
22. Who is most likely to respond? I don’t know
23. Who is least likely to respond? No clue
24. Living arrangements? Live with my dad and monster (but do pay rent)
25. When was the last time you cried? Last week.
26. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes
27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending/tagging this to? I’m going to tag anyone who wants to play on my blog.
28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending/tagging this to? See # 27
29. Favorite smell? Citrusey smells like oranges, limes, etc.
30. What inspires you? Tenacity, Kindness, Open-minded thinking
31. What are you afraid of? Probably most afraid of being hurt in love again.  I need to just get over it.
32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheesy
33. Favorite car? The one that’s paid for.
34. Favorite cat breed? Siamese (blue point)-had one when I was a child and loved him very much.
35. Number of keys on your key ring? 3 + office keys
36. How many years at your current job? Going on my 9th year
37. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
38. How many provinces have you lived in? I’ve never lived in a province-I’m a lame American…
39. How many countries have you been to? 1, and that’s including my own (i’m going to change that some day!)

Stolen From Chauceriangirl Who Stole From Shel

{ April 25, 2008 @ 2:07 am } · { Meme }
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1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
* My school loans

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
* Italian restaurant, can’t remember name

3. Do you regret losing your virginity to who you lost it to?
* No, not at all

4. Do you still talk to the person who broke your heart the most?
* No

4. If you could go back and change one thing what would it be?
* I would have gone to college right after high school

5. Name of your first grade teacher?
* I don’t actually remember-my second grade teacher was Mrs. Meg though.  I loved her.

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
* Sleeping.

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
* An advertising executive, a movie star, and at one point, a nun (which is weird because I am not catholic and have never even been to a catholic mass)

8. How many colleges did you attend?
* one university and two community colleges.

9. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
* Felt like wearing turquoise today

10. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
* *#&$#)#&%#))#*@#*&^#@)!!

11. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you where would it be?
* Beach (hawaii, maybe)

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
* Don’t wanna get up

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
* I’m never going to be able to sleep through this storm

14. Do you miss being a child?
* Sometimes.

15. What errand/chore do you despise the most?
* Dusting

17. If you didn’t have to work, would you volunteer?
* Yes.

18. Get up early or sleep in?
* Sleep in whenever they let me.

19. What is your favorite cartoon character?
* Snoopy

20. Favorite thing to do at night with a girl/guy?
* Cuddle up and sleep.

21. Have you found real love yet?
* Once, but it did not last

22. When did you start feeling old?
* When I had trouble getting into and out of the back seat of a 2 door coupe

24. Your favorite lunch meal?
* Soup and salad

25. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
* A headache

26. Beach or lake?
* Beach

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
* No

28. Do you own property?
* Not in the land-owning since, but I do have a lot of books.  Does that count?  Ya’ll, books totally should count.

29. Favorite Guilty pleasure?
* American Idol

30. Favorite movie?
* I couldn’t possibly pick one favourite.

31. What’s your favorite drink?
* Diet Dr. Pepper

32. Cowboys or Indians?
* Indians because Jerry Jones is annoying.

33. Cops or Robbers?
* Cop. ‘Cause my mom was one.

34. Who from high school would you like to run into?
* Ronnye or Mike.

35. What radio station is your car tuned to?
* I listen to books on CD when I drive.

36. Norm or Cliff?
* Neither.

37. Grey’s or ‘The Office?
* The Office.

38. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
* Any and all time with *****

39. Do you like the person that sits directly across from you at work?
* Yes, she is my work-mom and she is the coolest of the cool.  She’s constructed of awesome.

40. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
* JK Rowling

41. Indoors or Outdoor?
* In the spring, outdoors.  I love going for walks when it’s all breezy and mild.

42. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
* Yes.  I was hit by two cars who were racing.

43. Have you ever used a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
* No.

44. Last book you read?
* Marley and Me.

46. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
* I guess standing over the kitchen sink.

47. Somewhere in California you’ve never been and would like to go?
* San Francisco.

48. Do you go to a house of worship?
* Not as often as I should.

49. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
* New relationship.

50. How old are you?
* 36

Somebody Noticed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

{ April 24, 2008 @ 10:25 pm } · { self improvement }
{ } · { Comments (2) }

Okay, so I haven’t been extremely talkative at work about my weight loss goals.  I think some people here sort of vaguely know I’m working on it, but it’s not really a topic of conversation.  I think that’s actually nice because I hate having people ask me every day “how the weight loss is going” like it’s something that’s measurable on a daily basis.  Some days are good; some days aren’t.  It’s just a matter of recommitting right away when I fall off the wagon instead of brooding and deciding “what the heck, I’ve already blown it; may as well blow it some more…”  I’m human, and thus make many mistakes.  I’m finding it easier to forgive myself when I have those not-as-good human moments.  I’m also finding it easier to lose when I occasionally treat myself.  I never feel deprived, and overall, I eat much healthier than I used to.  The weight loss is very slow, but it’s also been very steady.  And today…someone noticed!!

I was walking down the hallway to my boss’s office and my coworker, C, was walking the opposite direction when she stopped suddenly and looked at me.  She didn’t ask if I lost weight; she stated it.  “You’ve lost weight.”  I told her that yes, I’ve lost about 15 pounds, and she replied that it was definitely showing.  And that just made me happy.  I have much more than 15 to lose and I knew that it would take a while before someone noticed, and I’m really happy someone did.  Let’s be honest-while I’m doing this for myself and don’t necessarily need the validation from friends and acquaintances to keep on track, it was really nice to receive it, especially from someone who probably wasn’t even aware I was trying.

So that was really nice and very happy-making.

Thanks for the pampering

{ April 24, 2008 @ 4:53 am } · { work }
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Being an adminstrative professional, I like this holiday.  My office tends to do really nice things for us.  One year, they brought in a massage therapist, who gave us all 15 minutes massages.  They always do a nice lunch, and this generally, is on top of the lunches the school and university at large gives us.  This year, my office is doing a little admin’s lunch next Tuesday.  Yesterday I got a potted plant (impatiens, and are they trying to tell me something?) from the director.  And today was the annual Administrative Professionals Day event held by the university.  They had a vendor booth fair before, mini car racing, a photo booth (yeah, righ-I avoid cameras, ya’ll), a speaker, door prizes, and a lunch.  It’s a pretty fun way to waste a couple of hours.

So one of the booth fair vendors was an esthetician (did I spell that right?).  She had this blue light which she used to show the condition of your skin.  Seriously, it was the most demoralizing experience I’ve had so far this year.  I have very sensitive skin-it flares up at the slightest provocation.  When I’m embarrassed or hot, it shows!  My entire face goes bright red, the color of a ripe cherry tomato.  Most days, my skin is pretty calm and looks almost normal with foundation.  So when I got under the light, I looked all splotchy and disgusting, like some gorgon-type monster.   And she was all “difficult, difficult” like the sorting hat in Harry Potter.  And then she told me I had “challenging” skin.  I felt sublimely unattractive by the time she was done “pampering” me.  Now, I’m thinking I should go see my dermatologist.  I asked him once if I had rosacea (did I spell that right?) and he said I didn’t, but this lady asked me that today in this sort of snotty voice, like maybe my bad skin was contagious or something.  It was horrible.  That is the exact reason I usually avoid cosmetic counters.  They point out every single flaw and by the time they’re done, you’re willing to spend any amount of money to make yourself look better. 

There was clearly a rant there.  Sorry about that.  I was actually writing the post to say how nice it was I got the three hours worth of fun.  I’m chilling now.  What?  I am.

Hardy Har

{ April 18, 2008 @ 2:29 am } · { work }
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Workmom and I were talking about how tough this week has been, and she looks all pointedly at me and goes, “Yeah.  Cut-throat, I’d say.”  Hardy Har Har.  Guffaw…snort. 

That was cold.

Crispy Balls-Or Reason #16 I Should Have Stayed in Bed This Morning

{ April 16, 2008 @ 10:28 pm } · { stupidness, work }
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So, I cut myself this morning.  I won’t go into the details of how because it’s rather embarrassing, but trust me, it was an accident.  I cut myself on the neck.  I have a great big band-aid on my neck, glaringly obvious, for all to see and comment on.  It’s humilating.  If it were remotely cold today, I’d have a scarf wrapped around my neck.  As is, I left my long hair down and put on way too much make-up in an effort to draw attention away from it.  I sat on the bathmat holding a tissue to stop the bleeding and I cried.  My dogs gathered around and pawed at me, which was sweet, but disturbing, because even they seem to think I need some assistance.  I called my sister and blubbered.  She had to go.  So I blubbered some more and considered calling into work, but what would my excuse be?  “Hi, bosslady, I’m stupid today, so I won’t be coming into work.”  So I got up, dried the tears, and finished getting ready for work.

When I got here, a situation I thought was already resolved turned out to be unresolved-mostly because this person will not take no for an answer.  Usually, I admire this kind of tenacity, but in this case, she can refuse to take “no” all day long, but it still won’t change my answer to “yes.”  She’s contacted every single person in my department hoping for a different answer and we’ve all said the same thing.  So she contacted HR this morning.  Realizing it was an issue that could only be addressed by my department, they forwarded me the email.  So we’re starting all over again.  It’s a very circular pattern.

And then I decided chocolate would be good.  Right now.  This very second.  I have these mini chocolate crispy eggs left over from Easter.  So I said-loudly-I’m eating two crispy balls.  My coworker laughed so hard she both wheezed and snorted.  That is soooo not what I meant.

I want to go back home and climb into bed.  I don’t even want to start the day over.  I just want to hide until tomorrow.  Gah!!!!  Stupid fricking day.

Power is a Powerful Thing

{ April 14, 2008 @ 11:48 pm } · { Observations }
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By that, I mean we have electricity.  And water.  And that means I got to shower which means I don’t smell…um…powerful.  I smell purty.  Like Bath & Body Works cotton blossom shower gel.  This is TMI, isn’t it?  I’ll stop now. 

So we got electricity late Friday night and water about an hour later.  So.  Nice.  It made me super happy.  I went around flicking lights on and off for ten minutes straight, just because I could.  I watched the tail end of the Miss USA pageant (those were some way fugly dresses).  I played my stereo.  I even set my alarm clock, then quickly un-set it because I knew there was no hell-in-way I was getting up early.  We all kind of slept in.  Then we finished cleaning.  Then we did a little bit of shopping as we lost everything in the fridge and freezer.  The big shopping was on Sunday and we spent about $150 just on basics like catsup and mustard and salad dressing and ice cream.  What?  Ice cream is totally a basic!!  So we’re all set now at least until the next big power outage.  Wonder how much a small generator would be…

Oh, and someone tried to scam me this weekend!!  I got a letter in the mail from some company called Mystery Shoppers, Inc, with a check for $4,000.  Looks like a legit check, too.  And here are the instructions.  I must first deposit the check into my account…then I go to a retail establishment (either JCPenny’s, the Gap, or Home Depot) and spend $150.  I evaluate my shopping experience with the form provided.  Then, I must evaluate Western Union by sending $3,500 back to Mystery Shoppers, Inc.  The remaining money, plus the items purchased at the first retail establishment are mine to keep!!  YAY!  Also, this must be completed within 5 days of cashing the check or the offer is null and void.  Can you say filthy scam?  And how generous of them to let me keep what I spent at the retail establishment!!  I’ll be contacting the postal inspector.  What makes me mad is that I know there are people who are going to look at that cashier’s check and think it’s the genuine article and they’re going to get ripped off so bad.  And the people who will fall for it are probably those in most desparate need of the money.  Buncha jerks.  (the scammers, not the scammed…)

Anyway, just updating to say I have power.  Ooh, wouldn’t it be good if I had the power to zap the scammers??  I could “western union” them a great big ass kicking!!!  I want to read about that comic book hero.

I Could Not Possibly Make This Up

{ April 12, 2008 @ 5:06 am } · { Isn't It Ironic?, Uncategorized }
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Water main is broken.  Now, in addition to no electricity, we have no water.  We’re told it might be fixed by 8:00 or 9:00 tonight.  Gah!!!

Family Togetherness

{ April 11, 2008 @ 9:24 pm } · { Observations, Parents, Very Bad Weather (or life in Texas) }
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I think I’ve read a thousand essays in which a family group, during a power outage, lights candles, sits together in the living room and gets to know one another all over again.  They’re charming stories where viewpoints are changed and reconciliations are made.  They’re hopeful, because the implication is that at the end of the day, family bonds are made stronger and familial love and affection prevails.

In my family?  Not so much.  Well, at least not with dad and the monster.  Mom and T have a little more imagination.  The power is still out, and as of this morning, is expected to be out until at least Saturday.  Last night, we lit about 20 candles-there still wasn’t enough light to read a book by, and with only one flashlight, it would have been selfish of me to use up the batteries reading.  We opened windows to get some circulation flowing and then we sat.  It went something like this:

izzy: Aw, it’s like the old days…we can sit and talk for a while.  What did you do when you were a kid?

Dad: I’m not that old.  We had power when I was kid.

izzy: Yeah, dad, that’s not what I meant.  I know you had a power-even had a television.  But what did you do when the power went out?  How did you spend time?  What did you talk about?

Dad: Nothing.  (silence)

izzy: So, monster, what did you and dad do with your day off?

Monster:  Went out for breakfast.  Had the car washed.  Painter came by.  Went out for lunch.  Came home.  Then took the dogs for a drive.  Then came home.  (silence)

izzy: The painter came by?  Great!  When are you scheduled to have the house painted?

Monster: (look flashes across face making it clear she thinks I’m an idiot for asking) He can’t until until J [our contractor] does his repair work.

izzy: Oh, right, J’s coming this weekend still?

Monster: (another look flashes across her face–is the kid really this stupid) Where do you suppose he’ll be plugging in the power tools-we have no electricity, remember?  (doesn’t say ‘duh’ but clearly thinks it)

**silence**

Dad: This is crap.  It sucks.  I wanna watch television.

izzy: (sympathetically) Yeah, I’m sorry you have no electricity on your day off.  Makes playing on the computer sort of difficult.  Stinks.

Monster: (snorts in a very unladylike fashion) Yeah, no playing with Edna today.

izzy: (confused) Edna?

Monster: His mistress, the computer.  We’ve named her Edna.

izzy: oh.

**silence**

Dad: Who do you think got voted off American Idol?

izzy: Dunno.  They all kind of stunk last week-could be any of them. 

Dad: Wouldn’t know.  ‘Cause we have no power.  Can’t watch the television.

**silence**

izzy: No, seriously, Dad.  I know you didn’t have television when you were a young boy-so what did you do then?  When did you get your first tv anyway?

Dad:  Aunt Margie had a television first.  Her husband was a crook.  I think he died in jail.

**silence**

izzy: Okay…well, that’s nice to know.

**silence**

Monster: I’m going to call the power company again.

izzy: You’ve already called them six times since I got home 2 hours ago.  I think you should let it go and just let them work on it.

(Suddenly, the lights flicker on, then off, then from a distance we hear an explosion.)

(Simultaneously) izzy: that didn’t sound good.  monster: I’m calling the power company again, right now.  dad: *$#&)#%

**silence**

(one of the candles suddenly extinguishes)

monster: (dialing the power company) please, let me get the US call center…please let me get the US call center…

**silence** the monster is still on hold.  Dad goes outside with the flashlight and shines it the general direction of the power grid, which is over six miles away and completely NOT visible from our backyard.

monster: Hi, is this the US call center?  Oh.  Well, I just thought you should know that our lights flickered but the power was still off.  And we heard an explosion right after…yes, ma’am…no ma’am…no, we still don’t have power…well, do you know when we might have power…okay, fine thanks.  (beat) We still don’t have any power.

izzy: screw this.  I’m going to bed.

That was our pleasant family evening.  Go ahead, Normal Rockwell, do a painting of that one.  I dare you. 

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