Thursday, September 29, 2005

belly busting

I ran home after lunch because I couldn't button my pants. I was incredibly uncomfortable and I didn't think I could sit at my desk with my pants unzipped (even though I did it just for a second and it felt like heaven). I changed into some pants that I could breath easier in and not have to worry about my belly busting the button. I wonder if anyone noticed?

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Monday, September 26, 2005

day to begin

I awoke knowing that it was my first day of my new career. I was ready for the day to begin. I had planned out my outfit the night before and even flossed before I went to bed.

When I woke up I called Jake and asked him if he wanted to go for a walk. I haven't exercised in months. Let alone gotten up early to do it. We walked in the misty morning rain.

I shaved my legs. I sprayed volumizing tonic in my hair. I threw an apple in my purse. I set my tape to record Oprah.

I now have an office (okay...it's only a cubicle) but it has a desk and a computer and a telephone and office supplies (which is my favorite part). There was even a plant welcoming me! I am going to have a business credit card. I get vacation hours and sick leave and insurance.

I will be working afternoons and nights now (which means I will have to do some serious taping of my shows, but that is okay). I am working with college students. Today I found out these students are exceptional and talented; which is so exciting!

I know I made a good first impression today. And that makes me feel really great.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

no longer

I no longer can watch TV all day.
I no longer can say that I did nothing all day.
I no longer can leave for days at a time with not a care in the world.
I no longer can stay in my pajamas all day.
I no longer can blog all day.
I no longer can do all these things because I am no longer unemployed!

I got the job!

Saturday, September 17, 2005

reality?

Today Amanda and I walked over a bridge hundreds of feet in the air.

We walked through burning fire.

We screamed when we feel off a cliff.

We flew through caves and passages.

And we both got nauseous.





I had never entered virtual reality before and I don't think I will head back...

Amanda visited this weekend!!! We have been friends since high school and she is one of my most dear friends. She has inspired me and made me laugh for as long as I have known her. I was so happy that she came to see me in my new city!

We had the most wonderful dinner Friday night. Jake and I made some delicious food...ricotta cheese herb spread, a pear salad with a sweet balsalmic vinaigrette, roasted tomato pasta and a chocolate fudge cake...yummy!

This morning after coffee and scones (chit-chat scones of course) we headed to Iowa State campus for a tour. Jake gave a great tour and showed us the Virtual Reality Center where he works and studies most of his days away. It continues to amaze me that he knows how this stuff works, can actually create it, and then explain how it works to others. He is pretty amazing.

After our tour of campus and our (very fun but nauseating) virtual reality demo, Amanda and I lounged by the pool all afternoon. It was a beautiful day is Ames Iowa!

Then we both drove back to Northfield Minnesota to her house! ha! Tomorrow some other friends are coming here for a day tour of some local farms. I am also heading to Mankato to see the family for a few days.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

you contaminate

Today in a public restroom I turned the faucet off for the woman next to me.

I did it because she was drying her hands and I thought maybe she forgot. I also did it because I couldn't stop thinking that she was wasting water. Every time I see someone wasting good water I can't help but think, Well, there goes my great grandchildren's water just running down the drain.

Anyway.

The woman turns to me and says, "You shouldn't have done that."

Yikes, what did I do? I thought. "Why?" I say.

"Because after you wash and dry your hands you contaminate them by touching the faucet," she says.

She actually said contaminate. Contaminate. Is this woman crazy? Who says contaminate? Just the sound of the word made the small portion of my fingers that had just touched the faucet start to tingle a little.

"Oh. Yeah, well I also have to open this door with the handle that is probably contaminated too. It's everywhere. But I know what you mean," I say.

This woman doesn't know that I have been putting toilet paper down on public restroom toilet seats my entire life. I have also been opening doors with my feet for years. I know what this woman means.

Today I just didn't care.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

trisha and travis

I was a sophomore in college and Trisha had been my roommate for two years. She had a crush on Travis. But Travis was dating some other girl (but I think secretly wanted to date Trisha). So when Travis and I met for the very first time I asked him right away why he wasn't dating Trisha! He was shocked and so was Trisha. I am a little forward with my thoughts sometimes...but it turns out I was right. Today is there two year wedding anniversary and this is their little boy Brody. Look at those lips!



Congratulations Trisha and Travis!!! I wish you all the best!

Monday, September 12, 2005

fulltime me

I have been without Internet for too long...but today I finally got it hooked up in my apartment and it feels great to be connected again!

Since the last time I posted I have been settling into my new apartment and surroundings. I now live with vaulted ceilings, a dishwasher, counter space, 500 square feet, free Internet, free cable television, and air conditioning. I also have a pool and a parking space. Oh, and brand new carpet. Needless to say I really like my new apartment.



Lately I sorta wake up and go to bed with no routine in mind, I eat meals but crave ice cream and chips most of the time, I sit by the pool and read, or watch Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List all afternoon, and after I have cleaned my apartment and set it up perfectly more than once a day...I know that it is time. Time to get out. Time to explore. And time to ace my second interview tomorrow and get hired for a real job!

Just so you know being fulltime "me" is not difficult. But I have been "me" fulltime now for about two months and let's face it, my money is running out.

Even though this past week was completely free of any structured activity this past weekend was a little more active. On Saturday Jake and I tailgated with some friends at the Iowa State vs. University of Iowa football game. The day was a blur of 80,000 crazed fans, barbecuing brats and melting special-k bars, drunken students and alumni, packed between huge RV's with smoking grills in a very hot parking lot. This football game is a BIG DEAL and a huge rivalry. Jake and I were so hot we escaped to a park to steal some wonderful shade from a tree. Heat is extremely exhausting.



Yesterday our friend Matt from high school was driving through Iowa and stopped for lunch. Matt is a drummer for the band Friends Like These and had a show in Missouri. It was so great to see a familiar face and our lunch with him was fantastic!

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

poor bird

My wake up call at 7:45 brought me scones and cappuccinos. Jake hasn't gotten up that early in years! ha! Isn't he sweet?! This is great living in the same city!

While sipping our cappuccinos we decided that my windows were really pathetic and needed a good cleaning. This was not an easy task. There were six sliding glass windows that needed to be removed and both sides were caked in a fine layer of dirt. I tired everything but nothing satisfied me. They were still dirty.

Conventional window cleaners having nothing compared to a home remedy of white vinegar, water and newspaper...my windows now sparkle streak free. A bird actually just smashed into my window. Poor bird.