I've just been asked to be godmother to my niece! I'm so excited and honored to be asked. It is really unexpected.
The service will be held on my birthday. An event like this demands a new outfit!
I was in such a terrible mood yesterday. Feeling down about money and my job and all the "what ifs". But, I got my haircut by my good friend Jen Jen Jennifer. We had some laughs and she let me vent. It's good to be around friends when you're in a funk. Then I got the voice mail from my stepsister asking me to be godmother.
Today is so much better. Being in a funk really doesn't get me anywhere.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
I have meese
I got a new neighbor upstairs from me in September or so. Younger guy, late 20's (Crap, I'm calling people in their late 20's "younger", next I'll be adding "whipper snapper" to that), has two kids that visit ages 8 and 10 maybe.
I have spent numerous hours at my neighbor's and have heard nothing more than a few squeaks from the unit above them. I have talked to neighbors asking if they can hear the people upstairs. "oh, a few squeaks once in a while".
I have only one conclusion to come to: The guy upstairs from me is part moose. He is in constant motion. I swear he's pacing at high speed. Every time he uses the bathroom he lets the toilet seat slam. It sounds like he's in MY bathroom. Both fortunately and unfortunately I try not to complain. However, I know this is beyond the "norm" when it comes to community living.
Here's a typical evening: He comes in the door stomping off... what? He's been in his car, gets out in the underground garage, walks through the building onto an elevator to the third floor. What could he be stomping off? Then it's heavy walking to the bedroom, to the bathroom (BANG) to the kitchen (SLAM) to the living room and around and around boom-boom-boom and thump and stomp and thud and pound and slam... This will go on for hours. An occasional thump will cause a picture on my wall to shutter. What the frick is going on up there? What is he so busy doing? Can I tell him to just sit down, take a break? Then his kids come over and there are THREE moosies up there, each one taking turns making the rounds.
This past Sunday there was some little kid (I'd imagine it's a baby moose) tearing around making more noise than all of them combined. How can little feet be so heavy? My next door neighbor called me and asked me what was going on, did I hear all that noise? Uh, yeah, I'm watching my ceiling about to cave in. If I had a chandelier the thing would be shaking and swinging.
I was mad and I knew I had to talk to him, let him know there are no moose, mooses or meese allowed. But because I was so mad and frustrated I was afraid I'd say some mean horrible things and then stomp on his feet so he'd be laid up for the next month mending the broken bones. hmmmm....
It took two days and countless drafts of writing a little note to leave if he didn't answer his door. Monday night at about 9 pm I took a deep breath and walked upstairs, note in hand with a little piece of tape for if I needed to leave it. I almost pooped myself as I raised my hand to gently knock. Ohmygod, ohmygod it's too late now. What am I going to do if he answers? I should have brought a paper bag in case I start to hyperventilate. He didn't answer and I got to get away with just leaving the note.
In the note I explained in just a few sentences that his heavy walking, thumping and stomping was disruptive and very loud. I asked him to please be more aware and quiet since the floors/ceilings aren't sound proof. Short and sweet - I hope.
I woke up that night at about 12:30 - 1 from little squeaks in the floor above me but no thumps. Fingers crossed that it becomes the new norm!
I have spent numerous hours at my neighbor's and have heard nothing more than a few squeaks from the unit above them. I have talked to neighbors asking if they can hear the people upstairs. "oh, a few squeaks once in a while".
I have only one conclusion to come to: The guy upstairs from me is part moose. He is in constant motion. I swear he's pacing at high speed. Every time he uses the bathroom he lets the toilet seat slam. It sounds like he's in MY bathroom. Both fortunately and unfortunately I try not to complain. However, I know this is beyond the "norm" when it comes to community living.
Here's a typical evening: He comes in the door stomping off... what? He's been in his car, gets out in the underground garage, walks through the building onto an elevator to the third floor. What could he be stomping off? Then it's heavy walking to the bedroom, to the bathroom (BANG) to the kitchen (SLAM) to the living room and around and around boom-boom-boom and thump and stomp and thud and pound and slam... This will go on for hours. An occasional thump will cause a picture on my wall to shutter. What the frick is going on up there? What is he so busy doing? Can I tell him to just sit down, take a break? Then his kids come over and there are THREE moosies up there, each one taking turns making the rounds.
This past Sunday there was some little kid (I'd imagine it's a baby moose) tearing around making more noise than all of them combined. How can little feet be so heavy? My next door neighbor called me and asked me what was going on, did I hear all that noise? Uh, yeah, I'm watching my ceiling about to cave in. If I had a chandelier the thing would be shaking and swinging.
I was mad and I knew I had to talk to him, let him know there are no moose, mooses or meese allowed. But because I was so mad and frustrated I was afraid I'd say some mean horrible things and then stomp on his feet so he'd be laid up for the next month mending the broken bones. hmmmm....
It took two days and countless drafts of writing a little note to leave if he didn't answer his door. Monday night at about 9 pm I took a deep breath and walked upstairs, note in hand with a little piece of tape for if I needed to leave it. I almost pooped myself as I raised my hand to gently knock. Ohmygod, ohmygod it's too late now. What am I going to do if he answers? I should have brought a paper bag in case I start to hyperventilate. He didn't answer and I got to get away with just leaving the note.
In the note I explained in just a few sentences that his heavy walking, thumping and stomping was disruptive and very loud. I asked him to please be more aware and quiet since the floors/ceilings aren't sound proof. Short and sweet - I hope.
I woke up that night at about 12:30 - 1 from little squeaks in the floor above me but no thumps. Fingers crossed that it becomes the new norm!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Five minutes of random thoughts at 10 pm last night
- I'm still full from lunch.
- This Senate race is an embarrassment.
- My stomach is fat and gross.
- Is it okay to wear earplugs every night?
- What if I were homeless?
- I wonder what's going to happen.
- There's only bad news on the news.
- Mmmm - chocolate cake.
- He broke me and I hate him for it.
- If I had to lose a sense, which could I part with?
- I wish I grew up with cousins my age.
- Will I ever be in a real relationship?
- Could I eat human flesh if my plane crashed in the Andes?
- The news anchor on the evening news has distractingly white teeth.
- I could use a belly hurting laugh right now.
- Oh Grandpa...
- I'm tires of taking care of everything myself.
- Will we ever know what happened to Jacob Wetterling?
- Spa, spa, spa!
Goals
I don't make resolutions but I like to think of the new year as a clean slate. I like to think of this time ahead of me to make things different than the year before.
1. I will not torture myself with peeking into the lives of the past. I must look forward.
2. I will bury the negative feelings and carry on. I can no longer play the blame game.
3. I will not worry about that which I have no control over.
4. I will stop depriving myself of nice things. I deserve quality.
5. I will set more realistic goals for my weight loss.
6. I will travel. Even in this economy I will do what I love.
7. I will nurture my mind, body and spirit. All are suffering.
8. I will stop feeling as though I should be somewhere else in life. I can be me where I am right now.
9. I will take classes and activities that I've put off. Photography, yoga...
10. I will bite my tongue. I've had two people close to me tell me I'm mean and that has hit me hard.
11. I will go on an adventure. Something exhilerating, something fun.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Am I the only normal one or am I the only abnormal one?
One of the condo owners is frustrated because we have asked all the units to have a mandatory plumbing inspection in hopes that leaks can be found before they become a major issue costing thousands of dollars. This particular owner is known to go on a rampage and then backs off for several months. Sometimes it's quite entertaining. The thing that I’ve observed is that everyone gets defensive, reacts to her tone and then doesn’t work with her. I’ve learned she’s the type that you have to read between the lines with. You have to listen to her words rather than her tone.
In her letter, she throws in some threat of contacting her attorney, something random about the maintenance man’s salary and “the Board doing just what it wants and, particularly [the president]”
There are a handful of unit owners who simply don’t care for the current president… and more and more, I’m not caring for her much either. She’s gossipy and then plays this innocent role or the sick role or the I’m-just-a-sweet-little-old-women role.
The manager sent the board members a copy of the letter she wanted to send back to this woman in response. I was pretty much appalled by the lack of professionalism not to mention all the typos. This is a reoccurring issue that I have no tolerance for.
In my limited experience and in my education I’ve learned that you don’t respond to an “irate” customer by basically saying they don’t make any sense (even if they don’t). Things like:
It put me off and I wasn’t the one who would ultimately be on the receiving end of it. She sounded paranoid and unprofessional. So, I made major changes (as the manager is representing us, I will not look foolish!). I was very proud of the end result following this introduction to the attachment:
The Looney Tune president responds:
WHAT? Did I miss something? I take a deep breath, trying not to call her names and respond:
And she comes up the usual:
I hate being called “Dear”. And being on the board may drive me to drink heavily.
In her letter, she throws in some threat of contacting her attorney, something random about the maintenance man’s salary and “the Board doing just what it wants and, particularly [the president]”
There are a handful of unit owners who simply don’t care for the current president… and more and more, I’m not caring for her much either. She’s gossipy and then plays this innocent role or the sick role or the I’m-just-a-sweet-little-old-women role.
The manager sent the board members a copy of the letter she wanted to send back to this woman in response. I was pretty much appalled by the lack of professionalism not to mention all the typos. This is a reoccurring issue that I have no tolerance for.
In my limited experience and in my education I’ve learned that you don’t respond to an “irate” customer by basically saying they don’t make any sense (even if they don’t). Things like:
“Your comment of conflict of interest makes not sense and I have no idea what
you are referring to.”
“I have communicated with you in the past and will again now regarding
[maintenance man’s] salary. I have no idea how you know what [maintenance
man’s] salary is. Please inform me. What do you think a full time
maintenance person, completing the daily tasks that [maintenance man] does,
should be paid? What legal activity has taken place? What laws are
being broken? I am at a loss as to what you are referencing.”
“What reason would you hire an attorney?”
“What has [president] done that you have an issue with?”
“I am afraid I have many more questions for you that you have for me. If
you would like to elaborate, I can possibly assist you with answers.”
It put me off and I wasn’t the one who would ultimately be on the receiving end of it. She sounded paranoid and unprofessional. So, I made major changes (as the manager is representing us, I will not look foolish!). I was very proud of the end result following this introduction to the attachment:
I “niced” it up a bit. One thing, I would is not even acknowledge her
comment about [president] as it’s obviously some personal issue and I wouldn’t
feed it. I also think asking “what legal actions” or “what laws are being
broken” etc. is unnecessary. I believe they are somewhat empty threats as
she obviously doesn’t have anything to go on. They are just something she
thinks will scare you… for whatever reason. Anyway, that’s my take on
it. Just stick with the facts and not feed her a bunch of questions.
If it continues, you could ask her for some documentation of her concerns. –
Laura
The Looney Tune president responds:
Laura: If [homeowner] has an issue with me, I really don't know what it
could be. I've never personally met her, nor have we ever had any real
personal contact.. The only time I've had any contact with her was when
she came to a board meeting, I called on her and she screamed and hollered
and when [manager] tried to explain things to her, she got up and walked
out. I'm getting the feeling that you think I've had something to do with
all this. I have never had a personal grudge against anyone and even when
they have attacked me personally, I have not responded. It would have put
me at their level. I have talked to and recorded telephone messages from some
residents who have used terrible foul language on me. I have told them
that I would be happy to discuss things with them when they could talk to me
civilly and not swear at me. There is a difference between swearing and
swearing at me and calling me filthy names. I do not have to listen to
that sort of thing, nor do [manager], [maintenance], [company]. No one
does.
WHAT? Did I miss something? I take a deep breath, trying not to call her names and respond:
Dumbarse (okay, not really), you’ve misunderstood. If you reread what I
wrote it says “I would is not even acknowledge her comment about [president] as
it’s obviously some personal issue and I wouldn’t feed it”. How you
interpreted that to mean I think you have something to do with “this” is beyond
me. The personal issues I referred to are [homeowner’s] obvious personal
issues and is taking them out on you… for whatever reason. My opinion is
that feeding into those is just encouragement.
And she comes up the usual:
Sorry, Dear. I did misunderstand. I'm not feeling too sharp and
conseqently seem to take things wrong.
I hate being called “Dear”. And being on the board may drive me to drink heavily.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Weighing the need for a scale
The holidays are over and now I can get back on track with the whole weight loss thing. I managed to loose 8.4 lbs but the week of Christmas I gained 1.6 - shucks, I was hungry, okay? It happens but my mind is back in the game.
I was just writing an e-mail with a friend about doing Weight Watchers online. I'm trying to justify spending $40 a month to have someone weigh me, hand me a little brochure with not much value, and sit in a meeting and listen to the same things I've heard before or already know by some girl who wants to always bring everything back to her c-section. Or the one that holds her picture of herself through the meeting from when she was a "weight lifter". Or the one who lists everything she's eaten for the past week followed by the points.
Anyway, I know how to do this. I've just always needed a support system. Friends that can check in on me and I can check in on them. Now I've got four I can hopefully do that with!
I feel badly that I'm ditching my meeting friend but I gotta do what I gotta do, right? Plus, I'd rather save the $40 a month and put down $60 for a full year access to the high school fitness facilities that are right across the street from me.
Also, I need a new scale. This is an example on how I make due with what I have. My "If it ain't broke don't fix it" attitude. My guilty feelings of spending money on something that I don't really NEED, just want.
So, my scale is a hand-me-down from my mom and I know for a fact it is at least 16 years old - at least. It's digital, it's powder blue, the topping is peeling off... but it works and that's what holds me back.
DAMMIT! I deserve a new scale!
I was just writing an e-mail with a friend about doing Weight Watchers online. I'm trying to justify spending $40 a month to have someone weigh me, hand me a little brochure with not much value, and sit in a meeting and listen to the same things I've heard before or already know by some girl who wants to always bring everything back to her c-section. Or the one that holds her picture of herself through the meeting from when she was a "weight lifter". Or the one who lists everything she's eaten for the past week followed by the points.
Anyway, I know how to do this. I've just always needed a support system. Friends that can check in on me and I can check in on them. Now I've got four I can hopefully do that with!
I feel badly that I'm ditching my meeting friend but I gotta do what I gotta do, right? Plus, I'd rather save the $40 a month and put down $60 for a full year access to the high school fitness facilities that are right across the street from me.
Also, I need a new scale. This is an example on how I make due with what I have. My "If it ain't broke don't fix it" attitude. My guilty feelings of spending money on something that I don't really NEED, just want.
So, my scale is a hand-me-down from my mom and I know for a fact it is at least 16 years old - at least. It's digital, it's powder blue, the topping is peeling off... but it works and that's what holds me back.
DAMMIT! I deserve a new scale!
Couch patayta
It's been freezing these past couple of weeks and it makes me hate goinig outside. I've been watching excessive amounts of rented DVDs and going to movies.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - really good
Seven Pounds - good
Australia - really good - Hugh Jackman - nuff said.
Nights in Rodanthe - I decided I can't stand Richard Gere.
The Wire: Season 1 - Good!
Bones: Season 2 - LOVE. David Boreanaz!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)