So I’m experiencing some all-over muscle stiffness and pain due to my fall yesterday. You know how it goes… your body tenses all up, wrenches itself in odd directions trying to stay upright, blah blah blah. So when I got to work today, I took out some Advil. And hours later, I was wondering why I still hurt. Oh, right:

Also, for your enjoyment, here is a picture of a bird I took Wednesday while at Tropical Encounters in the Conservatory (click to get the full-size version). Bonus points to the first person who correctly identifies what type it is without visiting the Conservatory’s website. (I’m guessing that wins these points.)

popularity: 22%

1. Multitasking: Eighty percent of us claim to be multitaskers, and nearly two-thirds of all multitaskers consider themselves good at it. How about you…are you a multitasker? If so, do you multitask by choice or design? At work, I try not to multitask, usually because it upsets my rhythm and then it takes me twice as long to do things. But at home, I multitask all the time. I like to watch TV while doing… anything. Knitting, reading, homework, cleaning, laundry, and occasionally can manage to do more than that. But, I have learned that I cannot watch TV while on the phone. Nor can I eat out at a restaurant where there are TVs in my field of view. It’s a weakness I have.
2. Federal Closings: Yesterday, President George W. Bush declared that Tuesday, January 2, 2007, will be a National Day of Mourning here in the U.S. after the death earlier this week of former U.S. President Gerald Ford. In doing so, President Bush ordered all government agencies and departments to close on Tuesday, except for offices essential to national security. In your opinion, do you think federal employees should have the day off from work because of the death of President Ford? Sure, why not. What’s the harm? Not much work was going to get done that day anyways, it’s the day after New Year’s. What’s better: federal employees at work with a hangover, or federal employees respectfully observing the death of a former President at home? Either way, they’re getting paid and not much work is getting done. (And yes, I say this as a state employee, so I’m not rippin’ on the government here, just being honest about the status of the workday on the day after New Year’s.)
3. Who’s on First: For the second time in the last 10 days, a powerful storm has dumped major amounts of snow on Denver, Colorado, and Denver International Airport (DIA). Nearly 5,000 airline passengers were stranded at DIA during a 45-hour closure last week, and when the airport reopened, many of those stranded passengers found themselves waiting even longer to board planes because new passengers arriving at the airport were given preference for flights. Do you think grounded passengers should be first in line for the first available flights, or is it OK for new passengers booked on new flights to have preference over grounded passengers? I have … no opinion on this. It’s never happened to me. I think it would depend if I was the grounded passenger or the new passenger… either way, I’d want preference.
4. Calendar: Do you have a 2007 calendar? If so, is it the kind with pictures on one side and the previous month on the backside, or is it a desk calendar, sans pictures? If a picture calendar, what is its theme? If you do not have a 2007 calendar, do you plan to buy one or are you not the calendar type? I did just get a 2007 calendar to carry with me this year, mostly because I hope to be taking more than one class, which may require more organizing of my life. (Someone is screaming right now thinking of that idea, or at least shuddering in fear of “more organization” in my life.) I got this one [link removed], and I’m not sure if I like it yet. Maybe it’ll grow on me, or maybe I’ll have to buy a different filler partway through the year.

popularity: 17%

I almost forgot….

and my aunt told me yesterday that my cousin proposed to his girlfriend… like 3 weeks ago, and they only found out because they talked to their aunt (my great-aunt) who heard it from their mom (my grandma). Regardless, it was a really cute story, so I thought I’d share. They were doing the dishes together at his condo - she was washing and he was drying. And she always takes her rings off and puts them in this dish while she does the dishes. (You see where this is going, right?) So he slyly adds “the ring” to the collection, and when they get all done, she puts her rings back on and realizes there’s an extra one. Then he got down on one knee, and the rest is history. Isn’t that cute?

Also… it is boring as sin here today. OK, actually, it is boring enough to motivate one to sin, as to have some excitement. I have work for tomorrow, though, so that’s nice. It’s probably work that will drive me crazy, but… not a far trip, right?

I have the cutest picture ever of that was sent out in his parents’ Christmas card, but my scanner software is not working, so I can’t show you. Trust me, he’s absolutely adorable. If I get it working soon, I’ll share.

Seriously, man, today is killing me. I hate being bored at work while simultaneously being very tired. That is not a good combination.

popularity: 15%

I seriously need a nap. I didn’t stay up too late last night, so I’m not sure why I’m so tired. Maybe it’s all the cleaning I did yesterday, both before and after spending time with and my aunt. First to make it presentable, then to try to make it livable. I did my best in the kitchen, which wasn’t much since I generally refuse to clean up after my “adult” roommates. But I did clean up my stuff in the kitchen, ran the dishwasher and unloaded it again, and took out the trash twice, and threw away stuff in the fridge that was mine.

I also took almost all of the ornaments off the Christmas tree. Not sure when I’ll take down the tree or put the rest of the stuff away. This is awfully early for me to be de-Christmasing my house.

Had a lovely time with and my aunt yesterday. We went to this cute little French place just down the street from my house, “Bon Vie,” that I’d never been to before. Their menu was brunchy, so I thought they’d appreciate it. Plus, it’s not often I’m around when this place is open, and it doesn’t really seem to be the kind of place to go with . More of a girlfriends place. They both absolutely loved it, raved about how good everything on the menu sounded, how good the food looked, how good it tasted, etc. Guess I made a good choice. Then we walked to Penzey’s Spices, since my aunt insisted that she and make some herbed bread from the Penzey’s fall catalog and was missing several ingredients. After that was a trip to the Conservatory, where we looked at many poinsettias and ferns and other plant life. I tried not to share my boredom, especially when pressed on to stroll through the zoo part. Tropical Encounters was nice and new, though, including a sloth just hangin’ out with the people. Seriously.

And then they dropped me off at home and I cleaned more in my house. I also straightened my hair, and now it won’t hold a curl and feels gross. Clearly I did something wrong.

Oh, and this morning on my way to the bus, I slid on some ice at the corner of my street and totally wiped (no, I’m not suing the owners of the house, but I did stare mean looks at their house). Thankfully, my pants weren’t ruined (like the last time I did that). But, there is a rather large hole on the side of my right foot, and it’s quite gross. I had to go back home because my stockings were ruined and I needed to wash the pavement out of my wound. It has finally stopped hurting, thanks to some Advil and a bandage changing.

Today is ’s second-to-last day at her current job! Hurrah! Tuesday she starts a new job at a new organization in hopefully a lot better of a situation. Change is good.

I want to crawl up under my desk with a blanket and take a nap. Think anyone would notice?

popularity: 12%

So I was eavesdropping on a co-worker’s conversation. I know, shame on me, but it was happening in the hallway just seven feet away, so… She was talking to another co-worker in semi-hushed tones, and what I think I heard her say was… “I may not be with [name of our department] much longer.” This, of course, got me greatly excited, because she’s the one who I do the council meetings with/for who micro-manages and once a month drives me batty.

And, of course, I’m sure that I heard things wrong and she will never ever leave here, and I will be disappointed for the entire first half of the year.

And that, boys and girls, is why you shouldn’t listen in to other people’s conversations and/or repeat them to others.

PS - your mom is hot.

popularity: 15%

Where do I begin?

Saturday and I drove up to and ’s to spend the day with and . All went well - not terribly eventful. stayed awake most of the time we were there, which was nice, and we ended up staying until 10 pm! It surprised us that it was so late. gave me this really cool knitting needle set:

I also got the bread pan I wanted - I know, not terribly interesting, but I really wanted a glass bread pan. gave me some bread mix and a cookbook that looks quite yummy (the recipes, not the book itself). Oh, and gave me some more point protectors, to avoid future piercing of my skin.

Sunday we went to ’s grandma’s house. They play this dice game for $5 gifts that would totally not work in my family - there just aren’t enough people for that to be fun. I managed to come away with a potted bulb and bungee cords, and got a case of Junior Mints.

We failed to realize exactly how early Cub would be closing, so we found inspiration for Monday’s meal at Walgreens, and it wasn’t nearly as ghetto as it sounds. After finding out Cub was closed, we made our way over to a nice church with a very lovely Christmas Eve service, complete with a candlelit singing of Silent Night.

Monday morning, we woke up and opened our stockings and gifts. completely shocked me by getting me the food processor that I wanted (but assumed I’d never get because no one wanted to pay that much for one and he’s opposed to kitchen appliances - apparently, though, I’m allowed to own as many as I want). He also gave me a very pretty pendant and a gift card to the MOA so I can finally own clothes that fit.

His dad and brother came over, and after some drama, and his dad and I sat down to a lovely spaghetti dinner with some nice foccacia made from a mix had given me. Again, I was shocked as his dad gave me a printer for my computer! Surprise and amazement abounded yesterday, and that usually doesn’t happen for me with gift exchanges. called, too, and we talked briefly - his gifts are supposedly arriving today, so there’s still a little bit of Christmas left at my house.

went shopping today (he has off work, lucky dog) for the digital camera he was going to get with his Christmas moolah. And then he came all the way into St Paul to have lunch with me. How sweet!

It’s boring as heck in here. Phones aren’t ringing, which is technically a good thing. I’m taking tomorrow off because my aunt is in town. and she are driving down to my place for lunch and then we’re going to the Conservatory. So, tonight, after shopping with and hemming her pants, there will be much cleaning of my house. Alas, it was kind of a mess before I left for the holiday weekend, and bringing bundles of gifts home did not help that situation. My aunt hasn’t seen this house yet, though - last time she was in town with their other sister I was living with , so it’s been awhile. Of course, she’s not really coming in to town to visit me ( actually made it into several person’s Christmas letters), but that’s OK. It doesn’t always have to be about me (in my family, it often isn’t), and my time will come.

I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to pass the rest of the time today, other than writing up some shopping lists. Maybe I’ll dig into one of my databases, or write up instructions “in the event I am hit by a bus.”

popularity: 14%

1. Terrify :: Small Children
2. Month :: of May
3. Throat :: Deep (like Watergate)
4. Invasion :: of the Body Snatchers
5. Nail :: Biter
6. 12 :: Angry Men (I haven’t seen that movie though)
7. Bicker :: -ing
8. Thomas :: Crowne Affair (I’m sensing a movie theme, no?)
9. Sibling :: Rivalry
10. Delude :: Yourself

popularity: 12%

Not exactly well, but I’m hanging in there. I was just extremely social with one of my co-workers who is now leaving the office and I will be one of two people left… just so that I could have some way to spend a few minutes. It is so very boring. I had some work to do earlier, and unfortunately, I did it, efficiently and quickly. Clearly, that was a mistake. Now I have … 50 minutes or so to figure out how to occupy myself. I’m sure that I could leave at 4:30 and take the earlier bus, but it is a different model with a really narrow walkway, and I don’t think that I would fit with my purse, backpack, and large Crate & Barrel bag full of Christmas presents and other holiday-related things. So, I’m (painfully) waiting until 5. Maybe I’ll go shopping at Macy’s for a few after 4:30.

But seriously, it is dead boring in here. That is the only complaint I have about our “new” director (new as in she’s been here a year and a half now)… our old director (with whom many people had numerous grievances) used to come around at about 3 in the afternoon on days before holidays (like today) and let everyone who was left go home. Let’s be honest - the phone’s not going to ring, and if it does, no one will get mad if we don’t answer it and it goes to voicemail.

I have this terrible crick in my back, all day today. I keep cracking my back and stretching and thinking that I’ve got it worked out, only to realize that it’s still there. Maybe I just slept funny, who knows.

My hair is big and poofy today - I failed to compensate for the fact that I had no styling product buildup whatsoever after dyeing and highlighting it last night. Oops. That’s what ponytails are for, right?

OK, enough boring blogging. Off to find something to read to entertain myself for at least a few more minutes. Have a good Christmas!

popularity: 17%

I just got (yet another) email from . The fodder today? Two things:

1. Apparently, my grandma was recently confused over whether my aunt was coming into town on the day after Christmas or on December 26th.
2. is going on a diet this winter, no joke. Something about a pattern for a skirt she made up and the size being wrong, and soup. I don’t know.

Since it’s a holiday weekend… what’s your amusing family blip of the moment?

popularity: 11%

I got my Christmas present from last night - it took a little longer to ship than planned, but we shared stories about similar things happening on multiple occasions. Has anyone not had that experience? Ordering online and delivery taking longer than expected? I’d tell you what she gave me, link to it and show you in fact, but she got it off my Amazon wishlist, and I’m not supposed to look at that right now because got me something off it too.

I just realized that nothing had arrived in the mail from yet, and that I might not get it until after the weekend, but then I realized I’d actually be at my house at some point on Christmas day, so it’s all good.

Paid my tuition today, and then registered for classes for next semester. Of course, I just kinda registered for some stuff that looked interesting to hold a spot for me in the class, since I still don’t know what classes Bethel needs me to take. And their offices are closed between Christmas and New Year’s (or, at least the library is), as are Judson’s, so I don’t expect that to be resolved until after the first. But then there’s still two weeks before classes start, so that’s fine. And then financial aid will get figured out and then… glasses are next on the agenda. Darn it if it isn’t an expensive time of year. had $300 worth of car repairs two weeks ago, unexpectedly. No fun.

Work is boring today, and will be torturous all next week. At least I get to take a day off sometime next week, for lunch with and my aunt. Now I just need to find something to keep me occupied enough today so that I don’t sit here and stare at all my split ends. And I can’t take a long coffee break, because we’re short 2 clericals today, which means there are only 2 of us to answer phones and do the mail.

popularity: 13%

1. Favorite gifts that you bought/made for someone else that you wanted for yourself! I don’t think I gave anyone things that I’d want. Huh.
2. Favorite holiday treats to eat or drink. I love egg nog. And peppermint hot cocoa. It’s the only time of year I like peppermint.
3. Gifts you would have like to to buy/make for someone else if money was no object. I think it’d be fun to give my girlfriends a day at the spa.
4. Gifts you would like for yourself if money was no object! Seriously no object? A car, but only if the “no object” part lasted for more than one occasion, because upkeep (and by upkeep, I mean insurance and gas, not even thinking about repairs) is friggin’ expensive.
5. Things you still have to do for the holidays! Get my brother-in-law’s gift, tealights to go with ’s mom’s gift, wrapping the afore-mentioned, and, if I can swing it, get the last thing for ’s stocking from Cub when he’s not looking.

popularity: 16%

1. Wealth: In 1982, the year Forbes started publishing its annual list of the 400 wealthiest Americas, the magazine could find only a dozen or so billionaires. This year, The Forbes 400 list includes billionaires only. What is your definition of wealthy? Not thinking twice before making a big purchase. And by “big purchase” I mean anything over a hundred bucks. If you don’t bat an eye, as far as I’m concerned, you’re rich. But only in the pocketbook. Personal wealth is a far different thing, and is related to having people in your life who love and respect you, being personally fulfilled and satisfied with your life, etc.
2. Advertising and Religion: Bahrainian athlete Ruqaya Al Ghasara runs her track & field races wearing a hijab (a full Muslim headscarf). Nike, which sponsors Al Ghasara and is notorious for splashing its logo on everything in sight, somehow managed to get the Nike swoosh emblazoned onto the sides of Al Ghasara hijab. In your opinion, should Nike have stopped short of swooshifying a religious garment, or is Al Ghasara hijab fair game for branding? Um… yeah, I’m not so much for the logo on a religious garment. Seems sacreligious somehow. And really, is that necessary? Maybe if she was buck nekkid and that was the only thing they could swoosh, but then they’d probably just tattoo her behind or something. I guess I’m surprised that if it is important enough for her to wear her hijab that she would let them do that.
3. Asking for Advice: According to a recent survey, most employees are unwilling to turn to their boss for advice on problems at work. In fact, a supervisor was cited by only 11 percent of employees surveyed as a source for workplace advice. More employees rely on a peer, another senior person, or a friend outside the company when searching for advice on work-related issues. How about you? When you are experiencing problems at work, who do you turn to for help or advice? . Because she’s awesome and almost always has my back, and is more than willing to get in people’s faces. And, usually the problems that I bring to her she’s recognize as problems before, or I can quickly explain why I’m complaining and she gets it. There’s no one else, though, so when she retires, I’m screwed.
4. Sleep: While everyone pretty much knows that sleep is vital to our health and well being, millions of us are not getting enough of it, or are suffering from sleep-related problems. For example, surveys conducted by the National Sleep Foundation reveal that 60 percent of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more. In addition, more than 40 percent of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to interfere with their daily activities at least a few days each month. What time did you go to bed last night, and do you think you got enough sleep? I went to bed just before 1. I never think I get enough sleep. If I had my way, I’d get 10 hours of sleep every night (I’ve had a work/life schedule that made that possible, and I discovered that 10 hours was my ideal amount, unlike most adults with 7 or 6).

popularity: 17%

1. What stresses you out? Things that I let have that affect on me. Most of the time, when I am very stressed, it’s relatively within my control to stop letting it have that power over me. That’s the kind of outward stress stuff that other people see. It’s the stuff that others can’t necessarily see that’s the hard stuff, because that I have very little control over.
2. How well do you cope with stress? I think that depends who you ask.
3. What techniques do you use to relieve stress? If it’s the little stuff, I just rant and rave and talk to people and generally get it out there, as well as talk too fast and too much, and pace a lot. The big stuff… often I clean, obsessively, at inappropriate times. When I lived in Michigan, often I’d scour my kitchen or bathroom at 2 am. Last Tuesday, while was in labor, parts of my house got very clean.
4. When was the last time you did something for yourself to relax? Um… I watch a lot of TV and veg out - I try to give myself time each day to relax and be myself and not have something to do.
5. What is your favorite comfort food? Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha if at work. Hot Cocoa if at home.

popularity: 27%

My eye doctor appointment yesterday went well. I am pleased to report that I came home with a prescription for eyeglasses. Why pleased? Well, it means that 1) it’s not a tumor (not that I thought it was… that was all for amusement’s sake), and 2) I’m not losing my mind and am actually losing my sight. I was worried there for a moment that the doctor would tell me my vision was fine, and then what would I do?

Of course, I went to a doctor on Grand Ave, so I couldn’t afford any of the frames there. But they were super nice and only a little snobbish when I asked for a copy of my prescription, “just in case I’m somewhere else and see something….” Of course, there was one brand that I particularly liked, and it’s only sold in high-end offices (I was hoping for a Lenscrafter’s discount or something). We’ll just have to see. and I will find some time to go check out one of the retail chains.

He did stress very strongly (at least four times in conversation, and again on my written prescription) that my glasses would be FOR DISTANCE ONLY. You know, driving, movies, sporting events. Not computer work. That’s fine. I’ll wear them when I’m not at work, or doing homework. But it will stop me from getting headaches, and that will be good. He also said I have very healthy eyes. I aced the “puff of air” test, and apparently have a birthmark next to my right optic nerve. Huh.

And now, for a moment of b*tchiness… because I can’t actually say what I want to to this person at work, and I need to get it out.

“I already did this once. Here’s your second copy.”

A co-worker just demanded that I bring over a set of approved minutes for her signature. Of course, I did this, two weeks ago, with a note on them that said, “for your signature.” So why is she being so bossy, especially when she is as scatterbrained as she is. I’m rolling my eyes over here, and trying to avoid saying something that I’d regret.

popularity: 14%

I just read the most fabulous “instructable” of someone who truly tried to make lemonade out of lemons. “Make Life Better with a Sailboat-in-a-Closet” was written by a guy after his divorce, and he’s got some tongue-in-cheek humor and while I’ll never make a sailboat, I just thought it was clever enough to focus your attention on.

popularity: 17%