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

I spent the morning working on a cover letter, resume, and writing samples. FUN. Of course, in reading over an extended job description I found on the company's website, I discovered it is slightly different (and more involved) than the one the recruiter sent. Still, I think I'm qualified. Mostly. Picking out writing samples is difficult, because the only writing I do for work is restricted to directing people to or directly quoting from approved EPA materials. I did find a book review I wrote a year or two ago. Plus, I may send a short section of my thesis. I figure the job people are more interested to see if I *can* write rather than the topics I write about. ANYWAY, because of the job prep stuff, I'm a little behind on my work assignments. Hopefully, I can be efficient tomorrow and accomplish everything. Next week is going to be a total wash. On Tuesday, I'm taking the day off to go to a job fair. For the rest of the week, I think I'm going to be stres...

Like, OMG. There is a job. For which I am supremely qualified. And it, like, pays a lot . [Which, of course, depends on how one defines "a lot"] So I'm working on cover letter, resume, and digging up a decent writing sample or two [which is the biggest problem, because I don't have any writing samples "on topic"]. Anyway, I hope to get this out tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed. It would be so totally cool if they decided to hire me.

Yesterday, Jimbo blogged briefly about buying castor bean and red sorghum seeds for his garden, which got me to thinking about what to do with the tiny strip of land in front of my building (aka. the Chili Pepper Graveyard ). I think the chili peppers did so poorly because they didn't get enough sun. The Graveyard gets strong morning sun, from sunrise until early afternoon. Then, it is plunged into shade. Several people I have spoken with, including the Super Gardener, DUN, suggested I plant flowers rather than veggies there. Thus, during my morning break, I strolled over to Strosnider's and purchased the pictured seeds: Shady Mixture Wildflowers , Bright Light Cosmos , and Petite Marigolds . My concerns now are that there might be too much strong sun for the shade-loving wildflowers and that the marigolds and cosmos like full sun. A portion of the Graveyar d does get mostly full sun (except for late afternoon), so I may plant the cosmos and some of the marigolds there. ...

I'm unmotivated. I've had a fun idea that I'm thinking of pursuing and marketing (somehow, maybe). But, according to Y, who "has the experience of owning his own start-up," I would need to show more commitment and motivation than he's seen from me . And if this conversation hadn't started at about 10:55, as I was heading to bed, I would have been able to flesh it out a little more. It irks me to no end that someone who has known me for less than a year acts like he knows everything about me. It all circles back to the way people define their lives, I think. I don't define mine by my job, and, thus, I'm not hypermotivated at work. Yet, people who are career-oriented view others through that lens as well. Through those blinders, I do appear unmotivated. In the time we've been together, I have: -Completed 2 short stories -Grown my own chili peppers from seed (not to mention the Parsley That Will Not Die) -Made lots and lots of fun vodka infus...

Here's a fascinating fact that I will bet you didn't know about me: I can juggle. I'm not very good, but I used to practice all the time. I never tried to juggle more than three things at once. Instead, I would try to juggle different objects. Balls. Random pieces of fruit. Office supplies. Tools. Tennis rackets. Hamsters. Babies. Ok. I'm kidding about the hamsters. It was fun. Unfortunately, the only thing I juggle now is my schedule. And, can I tell you, March is getting pretty crazy: My Dad's 70th birthday, Mike's crazy party, my Vodka and Dessert Birthday Extravaganza , the Global Blogger Meet-Up , trying to convince people to participate in the 10% Refund Challenge / Poor Bastages Who Owe the Tax Man , Y's 40th birthday, BOSSY's Excellent Road Trip ... AND, my job is busy for about one week every quarter. Yes. NEXT WEEK. Mix in a little job-hunting/ stress about my future and you have a recipe for a VUBOQ Melt-Down .* All I can say r...

I went home for lunch. Look flowers! In front of my house. Pretty pretty Spring-like flowers. Blooming. Now. In front of my house. It be Spring! It is warm! There is sunshine and light and happiness and *w00t!* I think these could be crocuses (croci?) or something. There are also tulips and daffodils coming up. Everything's coming up sunshine and daffodils! As a special treat, here is a picture of the Parsley That Will Not Die: If some of you remember, a long long time ago, my parents gave me a Chia Herb Garden (it might have been two Christmases ago?). I planted the parsley in the Fall. So far, it has survived 2 snowfalls and one ice storm. Does anyone know what kills parsley?

Happy Monday, kittens. What a weekend this was. Like. Whew. I am tired. Worn-out. Rode hard. Put up wet. Lessee ... I left work early on Friday (yay!) and headed over to the pottery studio. I threw a cute pitcher and two mugs. My goal with the two mugs was to use the exact same amount of clay and make them the exact same size and shape. Ah, kittens, the best laid plans of mice and men in pottery class totally gang aft a'gleyed. You'll see pix (eventually), but, for now, let's just say "very not the exact same size and shape." After class, I wandered over to Y's. We made dinner. Drank drinks. Watched Indochine . Saturday morning, I headed back home. I bought groceries. I cleaned the cat box. I knitted [I am almost done with the second sleeve on the Never-Ending Cardigan of Doom!]. Around 8, Tomokito came down and, martinis in hand, we watched La Vie en Rose . Very good. Although a bit confusing. Every now and then, we'd look at each othe...

Sometimes I wonder why I couldn't have been blessed with the Gift of Knowing What I Want to Do When I Grow Up. It seems my job aspirations turn and twist like a weathervane in a tornado, and so many times I end up thinking, "How did I end up here" and "Where am I going?" With my contract coming to a close in the next 3-6 months, I am once again wondering what path to follow ... What do I want to do when I grow up? I've toyed with going back to school (VUBOQ, Ph.D. is in da house!), but my quandries over what to study (Shouldn't one be passionate about the subject?) coupled with reading bolgs about the dog-eat-dog World of Academia aren't helping to motivate me in that direction. Research? Writing? Environment? Curriculum Development? Federal Government? Private Sector? Non-profit? Right now, I feel like chucking it all, moving somewhere dirt cheap, working part-time in a bookstore, and spending the rest of my time writing, knitting, and making fun po...

I am leaving work today at 1:30. Hurray for an early start to the weekend! Huzzah! As soon as I blow this popsicle stand, I'm heading straight to the pottery studio ... to make pots. Yay! After pottery, I'm heading over to Y's. And that is the extent of my weekend plans thus far. Although, I am hoping Tomokito organizes some sort of Project Runway Marathon viewing on Sunday. Saturday I really, really need to work on organizing my house to get ready for the madness which will be descending upon it March 15-18 ... and beyond! I started the coconut/almond vodka infusion last night. Keep your fingers crossed that it will turn out yummy. Here's a little something to think about from Yahoo! News : Researchers at the University of Tokyo concluded that ethanol -- an intoxicating agent in alcohol -- does not cause memory to decrease, as widely believed, but instead locks it in place. The researchers, led by pharmacology professor Norio Matsuki, gave mild shocks to lab rats ...

Yesterday, I bought a new (to me) brand of gin. Unfortunately, I can't remember what it's called. I'll be making a New (to me) Brand of Gin Martini with Feta-Stuffed Olives when I get home from work this evening, and I'll let you know how it is (and what it's called). Isn't that exciting? Also, using the amazing powers of Google, I learned what the walnut liqueur I've been wracking my brain trying to remember is called ... Nocello. It is yummy. Esp. in coffee. Buy me some :-)

Using the (very small) portion of my tax refund which I did not donate or shove into savings, I decided to treat myself to a new pair of shoes and a pair of jeans. Last night, on overstock.com, I found a pair of jeans I liked ... at the right price ... plus I had a 10% off coupon. I bought the Genetic Men's Carbon Relaxed Bootcut Denim Jeans (regular price $231, Overstock price $54.99). Bargain! Here are photos: Now for the shoe shopping! Yay! Shoes!

My fun evening activities last night: 1. Laundry. Two Loads. 2. Making the bed (Clean sheets! w00t!). 3. Cooking Thai Green Curry. 4. Putting away laundry. 5. Going to bed. Where did the evening go? I felt like I didn't even get to relax? How did that happen? Y came over for dinner. He was too tired to do anything other than sleep on the sofa. What is it about IT people and their nocturnal ways? Does it have something to do with network traffic being slower at night? This morning, I strained the blueberries out of the blueberry-infused vodka: Blast off! More later, kittens. *smooches*

I seem to be posting quite frequently today. Wonder what up with that? There must be boredom in the air!

One of my favorite places in the world is White Sands National Monument . It is one of the few places I've been which I find to be stunningly beautiful. Here's a fascinating fact: Some of the more active sand dunes in the park are moving in a northeasterly direction at up to 30 feet per year. Do you know what this shocking statistic means? Well, I'll tell you ... The distance from White Sands National Monument to the Canadian border (in a general Northeastern direction) is approximately 1900 miles . 1 mile = 5280 feet so ... 1900 x 5280 = 10032000 feet 10032000 feet divided by 30 feet per year = 334400 years WHICH MEANS (are you ready for this?): In the year 336, 408 AD , White Sands National Monument will become the White Sands Canadian National Monument! Thieving bitches. Give us back our monument!!

As some of you may know, the Global Blogger Meet-Up is rapidly approaching! Have you bought your tickets? Have you? Are you coming? You know you want to! The festivities begin on March 15th and continue with riotous drinking and carousing through the 18th ... and beyond! I've sent out the evite for the inaugural event (my Vodka* and Dessert Birthday Extravaganza Spectacular !). Bloggers from all over the world will converge to eat cake, drink vodka, and meet each other (and my friends, aka the "characters" in teh blog). Yes, Y will be there. As will SCGB! Across the Way Neighbor! DUN (I hope)! Across the Hall from DUN Neighbor! And many, many more! Including a couple of VUBOQ's nicer exes. Good times, Kittens. Good times. Other exciting events will include: dining at Jaleo , afternoon margaritas, singing and dancing at Cobalt , sightseeing , an intimate Chili and Sangria Party at Casa de Esteban, and much, much more! [Exact Schedule of Events TBD] Thanks...

I found my mittens last night! Yay! Apparently, I had left them in the laundry room when I was replacing the fuses. And, speaking of laundry, that is what I will be doing tonight. I will not be watching Project Runway , because Tomokito has to go to San Antonio for work. And we will not be able to access her cable. Boo. Hiss. Oh, well. I think I will invite the neighbors down for booze and conversation though. I guess that's about it. Perhaps I will be more interesting later on ... but, I doubt it. *smooches*

Behold! Vases! and Mugs! These are the four objects I finished on Sunday (and, finally, got around to uploading the photos). My favorites of the four are the tall vase and the mug on the left. I think I might give Y that mug for his birthday (assuming it is finished in time). Perhaps some lucky 10% Refund Challenge / Poor Bastage Who Has to Pay the Tax Man Contest participant will win one of the others? Hmmm ...

A few weeks ago, I had a conversation (with SCGB?) about vegetarianism. He had read an article (which I can't find), which stated that the most common food items that would make a Vegetarian renounce Vegetarianism were pork products. Not surprisingly, the two foods which I have the most difficult time resisting (even after 8 years of being meat-free) are ... Bacon and NC Pulled Pork BBQ Sometimes, I dream about them ... What is it about that wonderful, magical animal *? #3 on my list (even though you didn't ask, and please don't be disgusted by this) is turkey skin . Mmm. Crispy, fatty turkey skin pulled off the bird on Thanksgiving morning. Mmmmm. So, vegetarians, what meat do you find the most hard to resist? Meat-eaters, what do you think you would have the hardest time giving up? *From one of my favorite Simpsons dialogues: Homer: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon? Lisa: No. Homer: Ham? Lisa: No. Homer: Pork chops? Lisa...

I am beginning to realize that the only way Martha Stewart can keep her house looking spotless is with her staff of thousands. I, on the other hand, have a staff of one [two, if you count the Psychokitty, but usually she is more of a cleaning hinderance than cleaning help]. Project Cleanliness is Next to VUBOQliness is bordering on dismal failure. It worked for awhile. But, then, life, as it tends to do, got in the way. Pottery class started, which means that my Monday cleaning doesn't usually happen. And not getting to bed until late on Monday night means I am too tired to clean on Tuesday. And, on Wednesday, the neighbors all gather around the Magic Glowing Box to watch Project Runway , which doesn't end until late, meaning I am too tired to clean on Thursday. Suddenly, it's the weekend and nothing has been done. *sigh* Today, even though I am tired to the point of my fingers hurting slightly as I type, as Gawd as mah Witness, I'm going to pull myself up by my...

I have finally noticed the opthalmic migraine pattern ... I get them mostly when I'm SuperTired ... SuperTired and Cranky. I'm very displeased with the "sick" co-worker. I was very looking forward to going home for a quick nap during my lunch break. Of course, if he is actually sick, I won't be as displeased. However, usually the more sick a person sounds on the phone when he calls in, the less I believe he is truly sick. I know. It's cynical. But, seriously, the whole whispered, pausing speech pushes the bounds of believability. The message left on my phone was something like this: "Hi. It's [co-worker's name] ... I'm still ... sick ... I feel so ... *gasp* ... weak" blah blah blah etc etc etc. Later on this morning, for the first time in a very long time, I had to hang up on a caller. The woman was KUH-RAY-ZEE. Usually, when I get a Crazy Caller, who is complaining about toxic chemicals and landlord conspiracies to make them s...