1 Year

Happy 1 Year at my current job!!!! To celebrate - or rather, help deal - with the occasion, I present: Modern Diet performed by one of my favorite bands, The Redwalls.

Worth It

I don’t know if it’s the red&black mohawk, chin & back of the neck piercing, or sleeve of tattoos, but there is something about my hairstylist that makes me feel like I am in capable hands.  Dead serious.  Even when Slade is in a bad mood like last night, I am totally confident he’ll make my lackluster curls look like gorgeous goddess’ hair.

Perhaps the atmosphere of the salon helps.  Where else do you find people (stylists & clients alike) laughing, joking, & singing along to a mix of Tony Bennett, Blondie, Postal Service & The Bravery?  Plus there’s the faux italian finish on the walls, owners’ dogs Stella & Max running about, and the most delish smelling shampoos.  Worth every precious penny. 

Today, I’m rockin lush curls the color of dark chocolate. mmmmm

This Week in…

WorldWideWeb: Wishpot
Remember when you were a kid how you would ‘write’ that christmas list? You’d carefully cut around the toy, whip out that Elmer’s & stick it to construction paper just so Mom, Dad & Santa knew EXACTLY what you wanted. Ok, maybe that was just me. But I still think it was the greatest idea ever… Hence my excitement at Wishpot!!! Add a button to your top toolbar and no matter what website you’re on you can ‘wishpot’ it directly from that page. A little dialog box appears, takes the information, & then you can go right back to surfing BestBuy’s movies w/o ever leaving the page. Plus, my parents & sibs can bookmark my wishlist page and check back when they’re just dying to buy me something! Oh Joy!

Videos: ACDC
I know it’s so OLD at this point, but I’m still addicted to the ACDC videos of this ‘Biggest Online Dance Battle’. yeayea mandy/miley whatev. I am such a sucker for awesome dancing. Yes, I did love Step Up. Although I haven’t seen Step Up 2 yet, all my fellow dance-obsessed have given it an A+ for music, dance sequences & cheesy plotlines. Anyway, Step Up 2’s Adam Sevani is freaking awesome in these videos. The only thing that would’ve made these better is if Channing Tatum (my future husband) was on the right team.

ps - anyone else watching So You Think You Can Dance?

(First brought to my attention by one of my personal faves: the amazing No Ordinary Rollercoaster writer, Ben. See his post on it here.)

Alright if you really want to see the M&M dance video go here. It’s not worth it. I swears.

Music: Playlist
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I lovelovelove Last.fm - the scrobbling, radio stations, artist listings, videos, free downloads… LOVE. While I’ve nothing new to report on the findings side, some of the tracks on my current playlist are:

The Morning Benders - Damnit Anna
Coldplay - Viva la Vida
Laura Veirs - Galaxies
MetroStation - Control (Don’t go all mileythis,mileythat. Check out the song. If you like it, you do. If you don’t, you don’t.)
Flo Rida - Elevator
Sia - The Girl You Lost to Cocaine
Lupe Fiasco - Streets on Fire

Link Love
I don’t usually do this but as I’ve recently stumbled across some pretty funny writers, I thought I’d give em a shout out.
Charming, but Single - Finding humor in even the most mundane dating occurance, she tells of her life in the single lane with stories we all can relate to.
Kindredly - Addictions to shopping? salsa? adorable dogs? I’m so there!
*hello darling!* - Everybody’s favorite texan sorority girl, Traci Ann, posts random bits a few times a day. She’s always got me laughing and nodding along.
Blog Voyeur Turned Blogwhore - a fellow pale skinned beauty who sometimes makes you wonder if Juno stole all her lines.

hmm… once again I’m reading a crazy amount of blogs by the ladies. Where are the guys? Can you recommend any awesome favorites? I’m only keeping up with so@24, surviving myself & the aforementioned no ordinary rollercoaster. (not that they can’t handle the Blogging Men that Rock My Face Off title all by themselves)

yes/no meme

YES/NO GAME RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

You can only say yes or no. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone messages you and asks!

Over 18? Yes
Danced in front of your mirror naked? Yes
Ever told a lie? Yes
Been arrested? No
Kissed a picture? Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes
Held an actual snake? Yes
Have YOU Ever run a red light? Yes
Ever drink and drive? Yes
Been suspended from school? No
Ever been fired from a job? No
Totaled a car/motorbike in an accident? No
Sang karaoke? Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? No
Ever laughed until you wet yourself? Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes
Kissed in the rain? No
Sang in the shower? Yes
Sat on a rooftop? Yes
Thought about your past with regret? Yes
Been pushed in the pool with your clothes on? Yes
Shaved your head? No
Blacked out from drinking? Yes
Had a gym membership? Yes
Been in a band? No
Shot a gun? Yes
Liked someone with nobody else knowing about it? Yes
Played strip poker? Yes
Been to a strip joint? No
Donated Blood? Yes
Liked someone you shouldn’t? Yes
Have a tattoo? No
Have or had any piercings besides ears? Yes
Made out with a complete stranger? Yes
Caught someone cheating on you? No
Skinny dipped? Yes
Regret any of your ex’s? Yes
Been to a rodeo? No
Been to a NASCAR race? No
Been in Love? No

Dearest friends & fellow bloggers,

I have written many times about the trials & tribulations of living with a flatmate.  I know you’re tired of my whining - hence why I haven’t written in so long.  However, I’m at a loss and need a little advice.

My person-I-share-rent-with acquired a boyfriend sometime back in April (See NBf2.0 Visits).  My post failed to update on the fact that those 5 days became 14. FOURTEEN DAYS. Sometime around the 7th day they agreed to become officially Bf/Gf. Congrats. Previous to their relationship, they would take turns driving to their respective cities to visit each other one wkends.  Since the prolonged visit however, he seems to be showing up almost every weekend.

I’m not a good roommate. I know that. I don’t like cleaning the bathroom every week. I haven’t swiftered in months. Sometimes I even leave my dishes in the sink for a day or two. *gasp* I know.

However, I put up with their shenanigans. I deal with the serious mess they leave all about until he leaves. I even speak up about most little things in a friendly joke-like fashion - “So… do you have an aversion to shirts?” and “Whoa now kids, don’t get all gross and make out in front of me.” - but I’m still struggling. 

Listed below are my issues.  On what am I overreacting by being annoyed?  What can I say to my roomie about the issues? Please advise.

• On the matter of NBf2.0 does not wear a shirt ever inside:  I’ve joked - with a stated annoyance on the matter several times. It’s not just the no shirt - oftens times it is also just lazy-ing about in just boxers. Maybe if he wasn’t extremely tall and scrawny… but he is.
• My beer keeps disappearing… I’ve mentioned to roomie a few times that I would appreciate it if no one drank my beer or ate my food (eggs going missing too). She adamantly denies any usage of my stuff.

And most importantly:

• I usually receive 1-2 days notice of NBf2.0’s arrival.  NBD. However, if I am told when he is leaving, that date is Always pushed back.  After his last overlong stay, I told roomie “That was kinda long. Too long in fact. Just a weekend is fine.”  Unfortunately, NBf2.0 is aka Photoboy - the photographer from another city.  He keeps picking up work here in this city to see roomie so he can expense his travels at the end of the year… Last night I said “Hey, before you go home tonight, would you be able to help me setup the air conditioner?”  “Oh yea sure, but I’m not leaving til Tuesday. I have a shoot here on Tuesday.”  This brings his stay to 5 days. That is despite last wkend’s 5days.

Thus the questions remain.
How do I tell my roommate (did i mention she’s a cousin?) that 5 days is too long for him to stay? (especially when it’s 4 or 5 every wkend now?)

How do I say: “I don’t fucking care if he picked up a job here. That doesn’t make me want him to stay longer. Tell him to work at home.”

How do I say: “Seriously, don’t invite me to watch movie with you or expect me to continue a conversation with you if you are gonna makeout with him awkwardly while I’m talking.”

How do I be more forward/direct without cutting ties now?  (moving to a new place Sept 1)

Please advise. Even if you say “buck up and deal with it” I just need to hear some thoughts.

Yours Truely,
Grace

Birth Order

Reading the Birth Order book my mom hid in my bag last time I was home was enlightening. It was as if a door opened in my mind and the white rabbit grabbed my hand dragging me through “Look! See! That is why you tick the way you do.”

I am a certifiable ‘discouraged perfectionist’.  Basically that means I live by an All Or Nothing perspective, which is completely true.  Par Examp - my room is a state of disaster nearly 75% of the time.  The floor is just covered with clean & dirty clothes.  (i like to mix it up)  However, when I clean it, it is spotless - totally perfection - eat off the floor clean.*

Just reading that there are other people who have the same issues as me made me feel TONS better.  Now I’ve just gotta start trying to do things at least halfway.

*I wouldn’t recommend it. You dont know who lived here before me. They could’ve gotten sexed up on it alot.

ShoeThoughts

I’m picky about shoes & bags.  I know you’re supposed to be one or the other, but I’m both; or neither perhaps.  I don’t whim-buy. I will find what I want and check back over & over until I decide I’m consistantly obsessed enough to fork over the $$$. Otherwise I buy for necessity. 

A few examples:
It took me 3 months of daily online studying to pick up a big chocolate leather hobo by Hype off bluefly.
I emailed my mom about a cute pair of Nine West heels back in December, but didn’t purchase them until April when I needed a pair of pretty black heels for Vegas.

Anyway, Shoes:
My current obsession is Luciano Padovan.  Their website makes me swoon. I mean just look at the sultry curve of the arch. *sigh* I want.

A few months back, I was lusting for a pair and searched for shops. Imagine my shock when one of the v.few shops that carried the line is only 20mins from my office!  Yet, I haven’t quite made it that far.  I’d like to say it’s because I haven’t yet figured out how to justify spending more than my rent check on a pair of heels.  But it’s not. 

The real reason I have gone running over is because I can never remember to go on a day when I have both my Coach gallery tote & Cole Haan slingbacks. Sad right? I won’t go because I am not prepared to walk in with my best things. I’d hate to go in my target pumps and ancient anoymous black bag. Can you imagine the service I’d get? I’ve done that before. It’s not quite Pretty Woman, but you’re definately ignored til you leave.

Note to self:  Wear Haan heels & Coach tote tomorrow. Oh, and pay the damn internet bill.

 

The cop at the door

asked us if we’d heard any loud noises or had seen anything just after midnight.  At 12:45, I had already been asleep for almost 2hrs, so No. 

“Well, someone propped the lower door to the building open (bastards) and someone came up to this floor.  They kicked open the door to Apt#36.  The doorframe is all splintered and… well, kinda like this.” (examines our splintered/repaired doorframe)

* * *

 Talk about an interesting nite.  Looking back on it, I was slightly unintelligable.  Ok, very.  Roomie and I were talking about it the next day - she figures the cop thought I was on crack or something.  I just kept talking and making no sense.  That sounds about right.  I remember the looks he gave me everytime I answered a question - it was as if I responded “Yes, I was here in bed all night.  The nap with the monkey who was short.” Or “Was any fruit stolen when the burg-burger-burgerlery happened?” 

Really though, who takes a statement from someone who’s wearing sweatpants under a nightie (it was cold) and a sleep mask pushed up on their forehead?

Brain Freeze

 

Well, it’s more like writer’s block than I-chugged-my-sno-cone but in the thoughts sense, not the writing sense.  Or maybe yes? idk. I haven’t written much as of late due to random “Grace, you were supposed to be in *city#2* today. Where are you?” issues with the Boss. I’d write on it, but I whinge enough as it is w/o doing anything about the problem.  (As my Grandpa would say, “shit or get off the pot”)

I guess the freeze is as follows…

• I know I hate my job & need to search for a new one
• I know I need a new apt - 1 bedroom - no roomie

I don’t want to change apts until I have a new job. The city has nothing in the way of marketing positions right now. And with the “maybe/kinda/yes” recession-ish thing we’re going through…

• should I just wait it out a little longer?
• should I look at other cities? nothing really ties me here
• I could look East - everyone seems to be slowly migrating that direction
• I miss living elsewhere where I can explore and feel uninhibited
• I miss London.

Whoa. I miss London. I mean, I have for a while, but that feeling disapated a bit as I was busy graduating and then working. It’s been 2 yrs, and I am almost afraid that I will go back* expecting the same excitement I had - and fail.

Part of me is holding off on the finding a new job thing because I want to make a decision on where to live. Do I stick it out here in the city? I like it well enough. Part of me wants to move, to get away, to start fresh. I have nothing/no one to run from; In fact, all my favorites are within 2hrs from here. However, I feel like it’s necessary for me to go somewhere alone and find myself - before it’s too late. 

“Too Late” = tied to a job I like, longterm boyfriend, big close (thiscityclose) network of friends - basically just having a group or job that I am dependent on for my happiness

So, do I do now? Run, jump, fly to somewhere else? Where?

*London is too expensive at this exchange rate so… put on the backburner?

 

I stopped wishing I was with you a while ago. Now I just wish I was with someone. It’s fine enough seeing you with someone else. I would just prefer not to be alone while witnessing it.

I like being the person everyone feels comfortable with. I like being there for people; being a good friend. It’s part of my nature to listen and comfort. Just wish someone wanted to be there for me.

Put yourself out there. Explore your interests. I know. I really do. And as against my nature as it may seem, I have been. I’m taking guitar lessons on tuesdays, playing in a volleyball league on fridays, & building with habitat for humanity on saturdays.

I’m not looking for advice. Just feeling a little attention needy.

thanks.
I feel a little better.
I’m just gonna listen to some kate voegele & crash. night all.

update: 1:48am - SCE calls. hmm bar close… gee whiz. wonder what he wants. ignore.

update 2:  3 missed calls from an unknown # last night - strangely the same # that’s drunkdialed&txtd last wk. Well, there goes my “wrong #” theory. I did a little digging, and the caller is a friend-ish. Actually, he’s a guy I went to high school with, played poker w/ in college, and madeout with last summer… He has been sooo awkward since. We’ve only run into each other maybe 3x, but he will actually pretend I’m not there. It so ridic that our mutual friend “introduced us” at a bar months back bc of his weirdness. Makes ya wonder what happened that night that embarasses him so. I know I’m a bit, er, insulting, when I’m tired after/during a long drunk makeout and usually just turn over and go “bug off I’m falling asleep now”.  But that can’t possibly generate this kind of awkardness…  Soooo why is he calling me now - almost a year later?