Vibrant.(Still) Unrepentant. Badass. Old. Queer

The dog has been taken to the kennel. The kitty has been given enough food/water/love to [hopefully] last until Monday. Maybe John will stop by on Sunday to check on her, though. The bags [one small rolly carry-on and one small "briefcase," which is actually a funky shoulder bag I bought in Thailand] are [mostly] packed. Now, comes the waiting ... I'll be leaving the house in a couple of hours. The waiting is the worst. I hate it. I'm all jittery. I'm not worried about the flight - it's more of what do I do after I arrive. Where is the rental car place? How do I get from the airport to the hotel? OMFG, I HAVE TO DRIVE!!! IN ATLANTA!!! LAND OF CRAZY DRIVERS!!! What about checking into the room? What if Catherine isn't there when I arrive? GAH! I'm a bundle-de-bundle of nerves. I should have a drink. I won't drink at the airport or on the plane, because I'll be driving . GAH! I so hate driving. Christal called and asked if I would have...

Update to my previous entry. Now all blogspot web addresses are blocked. I could just die...

Apparently "they" have readjusted the settings on my company's firewall. I get to add a whole slew of favorite blogs to my bloglines sitefeed thingy now, including: Mind, The La Gargantua del Diablo Token Asian* View from the Mantlepiece Synaptic Discharge [although for some weird reason this one works when I don't use the "www."] The Krebs Cycle Hyphenated Non-IDentity and, best of all, VUBOQ: Vicious, Unrepentant, Bitter, Old Queen The reasoning is the same: FORBIDDEN CATEGORY: Hacking/Proxy Avoidance Systems ... whatever the hell that means. So, because my evil most-hated company blocks my blog and my personal email, I will not be able to read your brilliant comments to this (and other) posts. You'll just have to IM me all day long to keep me entertained (my AIM ID is in my profile). ANYWAY, I'm taking a halfday today so I can drop Oscar off at the kennel and finish packing for my trip to Atlanta. YAY! I won't be updating until I get ba...

This is a day which will live in infamy. Usually 6 inches leaves me stuffed and satisfied. On rare occasions, I can somehow squeeze in 9. But, today, for the first time EVER, in one sitting, I have managed all 12 inches ... ... of my footlong veggie delite Subway sandwich. I know what you were thinking, my Pervy Monkeys.

I received a call through the hotline asking for Person Z(first name only, not familiar). Here is our conversation: Caller: May I speak to Z, please Me: There is no one here by that name. I don't think he works here. Caller: Yes, he does. He's the PM [project manager] of that program. Me: No, the PM of the program is X. Caller: No, Z is above X. Me: No, Y is above X. Caller: I work at Corporate and I know, Z is above X and below Y. Me: There is no one here by that name. Caller: Fine! I'll call Y. *click* Turns out that Z works in the suite next door, but that section is undergoing "phase out" or "down-sizing" or something. No one has been in that office for a couple of weeks. And, Z is not above X and below Y. Z and X are in equivalent positions on different contracts. Who knew? Apparently not corporate lady.

Mice. Men. Gang aft a'gley . *sigh* Today was going to be my running around during my incredibly long breaks to get ready for my first-ever stint as a bridesmaid in my cousin's wedding this weekend. I'm so excited I've been bemoaning "Always a bridesmaid. Never a bride." in the mirror for weeks. Alas, one of my co-workers has called in sick. No incredibly long breaks. Just a few shorter ones. Maybe I will still have time to run over to Marshalls to pick out a few cute shirts for the wedding events - y'know crazy drunken rehearsal, crazy drunken rehearsal dinner, crazy drunken wedding, crazy drunken wedding reception, crazy drunken post-wedding reception party ... I *heart* my cousin! In other news ... I actually have work to do this morning, which is kinda sucky. But, on the bright side: 5 Days Until I Have Sex! YAY! *smooches*

Like this, 'cept mine're brown. And, yeah, I look exactly like that model too.

I found Oscar's been-missing-for-eons rubber toy, which John refers to as his "peanut butter ball," but should probably be called a *ahem* butt plug. Oscar loves that thing and chewed on it all night . gah. It was under the computer desk. I swear I looked under that desk a thousand times when the toy originally went missing. It wasn't there. Honest. Suddenly, it appears out of nowhere. I think there must be some sort of tear in the space-time continuum under the desk. Oscar's completely unstuffed teddy bear was also under the desk. It was like Christmas came early to John's house. Oscar was happier than a pig in mud. Meanwhile, let Countdown to Sex begin. I will see John in 6 days. Woo hoo!

The assembled ingredients: portabello mushroom caps, polenta, garlic, mozzarella, tomato, fire-roasted red peppers, cooking twine, bag o' salad, and -the most important ingredient- dirty sapphire martini [Just in case it's bad, you ... meaning me ... will be drunk and it won't matter]. After rinsing the mushroom caps, brush with olive oil. Stuff the caps with polenta. layer with sliced mozzarella and a slice of tomato (which I deseeded and filled with polenta). Tie together with the twine. Place in baking dish. While baking at (about) 450 for (about) 30 minutes, make the red pepper puree with the red peppers, garlic, olive oil, some pepper, salt, and basil. [I *heart* my little handmixer/food processor thingy] Cooking takes a long time ... I could've assembled a salad like this , but I decided that 1) bag o' salad is much easier and 2) I really don't like cooking in my underwear. [I much prefer to cook nekkid .] And, the final product: The verdict: YUMMILICIO...

Here's a picture of my tattoo. I was playing with my cell phone camera last night after drinking a pitcher of margaritas and soaking in the hot tub. I got it on the day before my 30th birthday [March 16th], so, if I ever regretted having a tattoo, I could blame it on a youthful indiscretion. "I was in my 20s," I could say, my voice slightly tinged with shame and remorse. The character, itself, is pronounced "inochi" in Japanese which means "life." In Chinese, I believe it is "ming" and means "fate" or "destiny." It's located just above my inner right ankle. In other exciting news, it's VUBOQ's first ever MEAT-FREE MONDAY!!! Woo-hoo! Do your part for your health and for the environment: Give up meat for one meal today! If you do, take a picture, post it on your blog, and leave a comment here! I'll visit and give you lots and lots and lots of meat-free smooches. I will be combining experimental cooking with ...

Somewhere among the sunshine, the margaritas, and the book I'm reading, I recovered a memory from my college days: the only time I've ever lined up overnight for tickets to an event. Who was this event for? Who was I so desperate to see that I would wait for hours to get tickets? Madonna? Whitney Houston? The New Kids on the Block? Ha. Amateurs! All of them. The person I absolutely had to see: [wait for it] Jimmy Carter. Yep. He came to Elon as a part of Habitat for Humanity event. The college was having a special question and answer session that was by ticket only. My friend, Isa, and I decided we *had* to go. So we headed to the auditorium and spent the night by the ticket booth. Surprisingly, we weren't the only ones who had the idea. In the end, we received our tickets. Slept for a bit. Then, later that afternoon, were able to speak with Jimmy Carter. And have our picture taken with him. I still have the photo lying about in a box somewhere. Very cool. My parents are ta...

So many wild and wonderful things happened this weekend, I hardly know where to begin. I shall, therefore, begin where most people begin things: [Everyone! Sing along!] When reading we begin with a-b-c [a-b-c!]. In singing we begin with do-re-me [do-re-me!]. In blogging we begin with ... the middle [ in media res !]. Yesterday, I met Jake . He's very cool. We went to Halo for drinks (2-for1!). Robert joined us. Then, we ran into Ray and Joey and went to Logan Tavern for dinner. Surprisingly, I found Joey to be quite entertaining this time. Maybe I was more drunk than usual. Or maybe he was... The only other exciting Saturday events were 1) my haircut [It looks fabulicious] and 2) a cop got shot in the leg about 2 blocks from John's house and about 1 hour before I walked by on my way to the Metro station. Fun! Friday's bowling happy hour was too much fun! I scored 120 the second game! I would have a picture to prove it, but in my rather intoximacated state, I f...

Shigeki participated in a meme. I found one of the questions interesting: How many schools did you go to? My list is fairly long too ... I went to kindergarten in Belmont, NC . I can't remember the name of the school though. 1st - 4th grade , I went to Murphy Elementary in Murphy, NC. Then, my family moved to Stallings, NC. I went to Indian Trail Elementary for 5th grade and Sun Valley Middle School for 6th Grade . We moved again to Rural Hall, NC. I went to Mineral Springs Junior High for 7th and 8th grade and North Forsyth High School for 9th - 12th grade . I earned my BA in Science Education at Elon College (now University). While there, I spent a semester at Birkbeck College, University of London . I also took summer courses at Gaston County Community College (in NC) and Appalachian State University (in Boone, NC). If teaching counts, I taught biology for 2 years at West Montgomery High School in Mt. Gilead, NC. Then, I taught conversational English at the California La...

an "i really should be going to bed rather than typing up a blog entry" entry ... The other day I had a phone conversation with a former coworker, the Skankified Ho (reformed) (temporarily, I think). During the course of this conversation, she asked, "When is the appropriate time to say 'I love you.'" I said something along the lines of "when it feels right, you'll know blah blah blah stock advice columnist answer." "True," she said, "but, when did you say it to John." "I haven't." "WHAT?!?! How long have you been dating?" "Nearly 9 months." Yeah ... we've had a relationship baby, and I still haven't said those three little word which carry so much weight. He hasn't said it to me either ... well, besides those post-coital moments two months (or less) into our dating which completely freaked me out. We've jokingly said things like "I love you and all, but ... blah bla...

Disco Turtle. *bleah*

Mush has explained to me how to get the photos off of my camera phone. She so rocks. Here's the test pic: It's from my Annual Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party (way back last Fall). I am the pumpkin carver extraordinaire. This is so hot!

Tonight, my co-workers and I are going to Strike Bethesda for Happy Hour. The thing about Happy Hour with my co-workers is that it usually turns into Happy Hours ... beginning with a round of tequila shots and ending with drunken staggering home. Usually this is not a problem, except tomorrow I have to be up very early for my 10:30 hair appointment. I'm going to be re- blonded ! YAY! Just in time for my next weekend stint as a bridesmaid. Hair made all purdy, I will head back to John's for a nap or two. I also will need to go feed and play with my pussy and check on Christal's abode. Later, I'm meeting Jake in Dupont Circle for drinks (at Halo!) and dinner (at somewhere!) and maybe a night of crazy partying (or not!). Sunday, I will go to the grocery store and recharge my batteries by blobbing around the house a lot. AND, don't forget, Monday, is the first Meat-free Monday ! It would be *so* cool if a couple people participated along with me.

This was one of the lead stories on Channel 9's 11 o'clock news last night: Racy Display Riles Silver Spring Perhaps a more accurate title should be "Racy Display Riles One Silver Spring Resident." Only one man, Michael Gurwitz, was quoted as finding the display distasteful, describing the teenaged-looking models as "having Lolita written all over them." To that, I say, "What the fuck ever, dude." It's nothing worse than the images we are bombarded with everyday on the TV, in the movies, and by what people are wearing on the street. The only thing offensive I find with the ads (which I walk by nearly everyday on my way to work) is that the models need a bath. They look kinda grungy. I want to take them all home and throw them in the shower. OK, I *may* want to do a little more than that with the shirtless guy in his underwear, but still ... a little shampoo, conditioner, and body wash goes a long way. Besides, if you're going to protest so...

Right now, I'm sad and lonely. Leave your feelings in the comments section. Go on. I dare you. I double dog dare you. I'm going to bed. Good night.

OMG. It's, like, a gabillion degrees outside! A Gabillion Degrees Fahrenheit! [None of that wussy Celsius shit over here.] One of the advantages to being a deputy program manager is that I make the schedule. And, sometimes, when I make the schedule, it just so happens that I give myself a three-hour lunch break. Hey. I deserve it. I work hard. *heh* "hard" This afternoon, I bought cucumber and avocado sushi rolls and inari sushi from Whole Foods. I walked home, ate my yummy lunch, and played with my pussy. I brushed my pussy a lot. It's pussy shedding season, y'know ... as evidenced by a) the massive hairball puke pile on my hardwood floor and 2) the 8 thousand lint brush roller sheets it took to almost completely dehair my sofa . On the walk back to the office [via Starbucks. Mmm. Coffee], I noticed it had become a lot warmer. So warm, in fact, that the asphalt roads began to boil and evaporate. Fortunately, the concrete sidewalks seemed fine, if ...