Sunday, January 30, 2005
vacation...
Thursday, January 20, 2005
i stood firm, and he said once he looked at things from my point of view, he accepted my offer. booyah!
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
the rapidly accumulating snow has reminded me why i bought that enormous snow brush/ice scraper a few months ago. and has me questioning the logic of going at 7pm with weather in the teens to look at a car in a hotel parking lot by the airport. but it's a damn good deal on a car that i don't want to pass up. hmm...
UPDATE: It took me two and a half hours to get home! wtf! I cancelled the car appointment, and told the other potential that i wasn't willing to negotiate above my offered price. I felt very powerful, and yet very weak in the knees. Never been one for standing up for myself. So I might have sent him packing, but I have that other car that's just as good to check out on Saturday. Good practice for some other negotiations that may soon ensue. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: It took me two and a half hours to get home! wtf! I cancelled the car appointment, and told the other potential that i wasn't willing to negotiate above my offered price. I felt very powerful, and yet very weak in the knees. Never been one for standing up for myself. So I might have sent him packing, but I have that other car that's just as good to check out on Saturday. Good practice for some other negotiations that may soon ensue. Stay tuned.
Monday, January 17, 2005
exhausted. vacation was wonderful, as have been the trend with vacations lately, and cheers to that. my aunt and uncle have an amazing house, and an amazing knack for making me feel completely welcome. i caught myself half-heartedly wishing they were my parents at a few key moments - the grass is always greener! i had some really nice heart-to-heart talks with my aunt. and was given some great career advice by both her and my uncle - each have many many years of experience in tourism and sales. nice to chat with people who understood industry terminology and were able to give advice with that added perspective (something anyone has yet to do).
i'm tired now that i'm home and i seem to have a lot to deal with. i'm trying to find a new car, and it is just wearing me out. i hate that i have to worry about it. i hate that i have to own a damn car. but then if i didn't, i'd have a whole new host of concerns, like getting to work on time with crap public transport, or having to find a new job. blah. there is a nice one that i test drove last week, but from an individual, so the added hassle of what the hell to do with my car if i buy. there is a new system of tax deduction for cars donated to charity, which would be one more thing i'd have to research and learn all about. blah. why can't someone just appear and wave a magic wand to make my car as it was when i first bought it? and not let me smoke in it, or get in stupid wrecks when I was 21? sigh. jack offered to go with me tomorrow to meet with this guy for the 2nd time, and reveiw the maintenance records and discuss the price. this car i'm looking at is my exact car, only newer with half the mileage, and would be great if i can get a good deal. wish me luck.
i'm tired. i don't want to go back to work tomorrow. i wish i had a job that was more stimulating, but it sure is hard to give up a 35-hour work week with fully paid benefits and usually nothing to do but surf the net. c'est la vie, right?
photos of niagara falls and toronto eventually!
i'm tired now that i'm home and i seem to have a lot to deal with. i'm trying to find a new car, and it is just wearing me out. i hate that i have to worry about it. i hate that i have to own a damn car. but then if i didn't, i'd have a whole new host of concerns, like getting to work on time with crap public transport, or having to find a new job. blah. there is a nice one that i test drove last week, but from an individual, so the added hassle of what the hell to do with my car if i buy. there is a new system of tax deduction for cars donated to charity, which would be one more thing i'd have to research and learn all about. blah. why can't someone just appear and wave a magic wand to make my car as it was when i first bought it? and not let me smoke in it, or get in stupid wrecks when I was 21? sigh. jack offered to go with me tomorrow to meet with this guy for the 2nd time, and reveiw the maintenance records and discuss the price. this car i'm looking at is my exact car, only newer with half the mileage, and would be great if i can get a good deal. wish me luck.
i'm tired. i don't want to go back to work tomorrow. i wish i had a job that was more stimulating, but it sure is hard to give up a 35-hour work week with fully paid benefits and usually nothing to do but surf the net. c'est la vie, right?
photos of niagara falls and toronto eventually!
Sunday, January 09, 2005
i am feeling a bit shaky this morning after consuming close to an entire bottle of wine fireside last evening. i wish i had a functioning fire place, but i can be content in having a good friend who does. and lets me sit in front of it and smoke. very poetic. we daydreamed of visiting portugal this summer. i hope we do.
it led to an uncomfortable sleep, and an uncomfortable waking at 4am, and an uncomfortable cold walk in the streets of philadelphia, half blind w/out my contacts in, trying to remember where i parked my car. i found it in the end, reinserted the needed lenses, and drove myself home. against better judgement, i was still drunk, but i felt the need for my own bed with my own curled kitty at my side. sometimes you just want to be home.
Many a month has come and gone
Since I've wandered from my home
In those Oklahoma hills
Where I was born
Many a page of my life has turned
Many lessons I have learned
And I feel like in those hills
Where I belong
today i seek good company and brunch. a bloody mary would be just about right i think.
eric, i very much enjoy the two songs on your september release. they make for nice half-waking music with lips still stained from wine.
it led to an uncomfortable sleep, and an uncomfortable waking at 4am, and an uncomfortable cold walk in the streets of philadelphia, half blind w/out my contacts in, trying to remember where i parked my car. i found it in the end, reinserted the needed lenses, and drove myself home. against better judgement, i was still drunk, but i felt the need for my own bed with my own curled kitty at my side. sometimes you just want to be home.
Many a month has come and gone
Since I've wandered from my home
In those Oklahoma hills
Where I was born
Many a page of my life has turned
Many lessons I have learned
And I feel like in those hills
Where I belong
today i seek good company and brunch. a bloody mary would be just about right i think.
eric, i very much enjoy the two songs on your september release. they make for nice half-waking music with lips still stained from wine.
Friday, January 07, 2005
read about the new year's eve show here. weeeeeeeee was new york fun!
new iPod arrived yesterday, signed for by my neighbor, and then left ON MY PORCH. jesus, i'm really glad it didn't get stolen. but nevermind. it was sweet of her to try and help. and it works! you can read the screen and everything!
last night i had to run downtown right after work for a meeting, and instead of parking and taking the subway, i stupidly drove all the way in. cost of parking for a little over an hour? $16.50. ah, city living. the meeting went well, and i'll be anxious to hear back more info from the chap I met with.
then i had dinner with pat and charlotte, and this was very nice, because it is rare that i get a square meal these days. pat used to cook for me twice a week, but then he got engaged, and moved, and now i never get to indulge in his vegetable goodness! he and his fiance are going to try and get on one of those reality wedding shows where they plan the entire wedding for you and you just show up. that sounds kind of neat - so best wishes to them.
tomorrow i have an interview to volunteer with the schuylkill wildlife rehabilitation center, and i'm looking forward to it. the administrative director actually lives in my neighborhood, and we had a very nice phone chat the other day. cheers to getting off my ass!
after that jack and i had planned to go tire shopping but i think i'm going to surprise him by going car shopping instead. i've got a loan, and i'm so sick of my car. i want a slightly newer honda with lower mileage and less broken stuff please. ooo and maybe an automatic transmission! the civic coupes look good.
i am so glad it is the weekend! finally! 6 days to the great white north. i love how much i get to travel!
last night i had to run downtown right after work for a meeting, and instead of parking and taking the subway, i stupidly drove all the way in. cost of parking for a little over an hour? $16.50. ah, city living. the meeting went well, and i'll be anxious to hear back more info from the chap I met with.
then i had dinner with pat and charlotte, and this was very nice, because it is rare that i get a square meal these days. pat used to cook for me twice a week, but then he got engaged, and moved, and now i never get to indulge in his vegetable goodness! he and his fiance are going to try and get on one of those reality wedding shows where they plan the entire wedding for you and you just show up. that sounds kind of neat - so best wishes to them.
tomorrow i have an interview to volunteer with the schuylkill wildlife rehabilitation center, and i'm looking forward to it. the administrative director actually lives in my neighborhood, and we had a very nice phone chat the other day. cheers to getting off my ass!
after that jack and i had planned to go tire shopping but i think i'm going to surprise him by going car shopping instead. i've got a loan, and i'm so sick of my car. i want a slightly newer honda with lower mileage and less broken stuff please. ooo and maybe an automatic transmission! the civic coupes look good.
i am so glad it is the weekend! finally! 6 days to the great white north. i love how much i get to travel!
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
i just balanced my checking account, hooray for me. but then i discovered that yes, my balance really IS that low. whoops!
Monday, January 03, 2005
I seem to be having bad luck this week. Broken phone, broken iPod, my car is making funny noises again, my cat has to go back to the vet for new ailments... I should be thankful I'm in good health at least! Phew. Arguing with customer service reps is very frustrating. Feeling insecure. All in all I've been a bit down lately, and it hasn't been the best start to the new year. Here's to hoping things look up...
Saturday, January 01, 2005
End of year questionaire:
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before? Move across the country on my own, walk the streets of New York, take long drives to the ocean, eat water ice and cheese steak.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Pointless!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Ashley, Alison, my boss.
4. Did anyone close to you die? My grandmother.
5. What countries did you visit? I stayed in the good old USA.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004? Peace of mind. A stable living situation. A stimulating job. A sexy man.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory? February 16, 2004, the day I crossed the Oklahoma border, fists in the air, screaming at the top of my lungs.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Bein’ on my own.
9. What was your biggest failure? Relationships.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? (1) One case of deathly food poisoning while entombed in a Motel 6 in Columbus, OH. (1) One visit to the ER for a recurring unidentified respiratory demon-like infection.
11. What was the best thing you bought? my iBook.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My new friends.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Some old friends.
14. Where did most of your money go? My car and my kitty.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting a job and living on the east coast!
16. What song will always remind you of 2004? Anything by David Bowie, the Revolver album.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? pretty even
ii. thinner or fatter? Woo exactly the same. A buck and fifteen or so.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent time exploring my new city.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Worry.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Back in Okie with the fam.
21. Did you fall in love in 2004? Nope.
22. How many one night stands? I’m going to need some classification on the term “one night stand”
23. What was your favorite TV program? Sex and the City, as always!
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Sadly I strongly dislike a few more folks.
25. What was the best book you read? Shopgirl, by Steve Martin (really).
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Bellydancing!
27. What did you want and get? A job, to travel, to have money to do the things I like.
28. What did you want and not get? My own apartment, a boyfriend, a job that is consistently fulfilling, to live without a car.
29. What was your favourite film of this year? Closer and Garden State.
30. What did you do on your birthday? I went out to celebrate my pending departure from the Midwest with some friends, we ate Mexican food and saw the Ills play.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To get laid on a consistent basis by someone with whom I experience mutual affection.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004? In transition, trying too hard to be like other people. Damn business casual.
33. What kept you sane? My cat, movies, baguettes with cheese and tomato, coffee, baths, trader joe's, long walks in new places.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Jude Law
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Women’s rights and abortion. I became pro-choice.
36. Who did you miss? My family, The Earth crew, The Deli crew, Ty, Eric, Amber & Adam, Amy, Avery, random Norman faces.
37. Who was the best new person/people you met? Jack, Justin, Andrea & Joe.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004. Never accept less then what you deserve. Don’t take any shit off of stupid boys.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. “I’m so tired of all these fuckin’ love songs.”
1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before? Move across the country on my own, walk the streets of New York, take long drives to the ocean, eat water ice and cheese steak.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Pointless!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Ashley, Alison, my boss.
4. Did anyone close to you die? My grandmother.
5. What countries did you visit? I stayed in the good old USA.
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004? Peace of mind. A stable living situation. A stimulating job. A sexy man.
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory? February 16, 2004, the day I crossed the Oklahoma border, fists in the air, screaming at the top of my lungs.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Bein’ on my own.
9. What was your biggest failure? Relationships.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? (1) One case of deathly food poisoning while entombed in a Motel 6 in Columbus, OH. (1) One visit to the ER for a recurring unidentified respiratory demon-like infection.
11. What was the best thing you bought? my iBook.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My new friends.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Some old friends.
14. Where did most of your money go? My car and my kitty.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Getting a job and living on the east coast!
16. What song will always remind you of 2004? Anything by David Bowie, the Revolver album.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? pretty even
ii. thinner or fatter? Woo exactly the same. A buck and fifteen or so.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Spent time exploring my new city.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Worry.
20. How did you spend Christmas? Back in Okie with the fam.
21. Did you fall in love in 2004? Nope.
22. How many one night stands? I’m going to need some classification on the term “one night stand”
23. What was your favorite TV program? Sex and the City, as always!
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Sadly I strongly dislike a few more folks.
25. What was the best book you read? Shopgirl, by Steve Martin (really).
26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Bellydancing!
27. What did you want and get? A job, to travel, to have money to do the things I like.
28. What did you want and not get? My own apartment, a boyfriend, a job that is consistently fulfilling, to live without a car.
29. What was your favourite film of this year? Closer and Garden State.
30. What did you do on your birthday? I went out to celebrate my pending departure from the Midwest with some friends, we ate Mexican food and saw the Ills play.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To get laid on a consistent basis by someone with whom I experience mutual affection.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004? In transition, trying too hard to be like other people. Damn business casual.
33. What kept you sane? My cat, movies, baguettes with cheese and tomato, coffee, baths, trader joe's, long walks in new places.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Jude Law
35. What political issue stirred you the most? Women’s rights and abortion. I became pro-choice.
36. Who did you miss? My family, The Earth crew, The Deli crew, Ty, Eric, Amber & Adam, Amy, Avery, random Norman faces.
37. Who was the best new person/people you met? Jack, Justin, Andrea & Joe.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004. Never accept less then what you deserve. Don’t take any shit off of stupid boys.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. “I’m so tired of all these fuckin’ love songs.”
