Spring Cleaning
Since it rained all day and my satellite hates rain, I decided to clean my closet and dressers. First I reorganized all of my books - realphabetizing them and nicely arranging them on the shelves.
And still more books...
What annoys me is that now that everything's organized I'll find a couple more books somewhere and I won't be able to put them back where they belong because there's no room.
I emptied all the clothes in the dresser from the closet and the dresser in my room and all of the other non-hanging clothes from my closet in my bedroom, sorting them as I went. This is where I am currently at:
It's 10:30. I wonder how much further I can get tonight. Maybe I'll sleep in my spare bedroom.
It's Friday Night
What am I doing? Working. How pathetic is that?
My job is really beginning to suck. I'm usually able to leave things at the office, but this week has been horribly frustrating. Next week isn't looking any better. While I enjoy having a lot to do at work and doing more interesting things, I'm ready to quit. Thank God it's almost summer and for the next couple of months I have lots of plans that will keep me from working on a Friday night.
"E" Airline Rankings
Here's my ranking of airlines I've flown from Worst to Best:
1. Alitalia - Any airline that goes on strike and doesn't tell you that your connecting flight will not happen due to the strike sucks. Same trip also involved overshooting the runway and extreme use of brakes.
2. ATA - On Always Talking Airlines they believe in sharing every worst case scenario with passengers. My flight included having the heating element break in the windshield. The pilot felt the need to detail what could happen to us if this wasn't fixed - certain death. Oh, but there's more - we may have to land at O'Hare because the crosswinds are deadly at Midway and they could blow us off the runway and once again result in a fiery death.
3. Delta - Any airline that deliberately overbooks every flight to smaller cities is an airline I hate. What really irritated me about them was that they bumped me off of my connecting flight. Apparently I was the last person to check-in in Salt Lake City, nevermind that I had checked in 4 hours earlier in Minneapolis. I seriously doubt everyone on the flight had checked in before I did in Minneapolis. They also bumped me off the next flight and the third and last flight of the night was almost cancelled due to bad weather. I got to Idaho Falls at 1:00 AM - No taxis, no cars available for rent, and a meeting at 8:00 AM. If not for a nice fellow traveller who gave me a ride (I know, I know never accept rides from strangers), I wouldn't have gotten to my hotel.
4. LOT - Their flight attendants are majorly rude especially to young adults.
5. Malev - It's okay. They just run older planes that could use a bit of updating.
6. Continental Airlines - The lack of leg room makes it impossible to get out of a row on some of the airplanes. It's crazy. Service is good though.
7. United - I flew with them to London. I really appreciated having my own video screen. All transatlantic flights should have this for everyone on the plane.
8. Northwest Airlines - You know, I've never really had a problem with Northwest and I fly them much more than any other airline.
9. KLM - Their flight crew is much nicer than Northwest's but they're pretty similar airlines.
10. American Airlines - They've always been really nice including putting me on an earlier flight without hassling me about it. Also, the extra leg room is nice.
11. British Airlines - Except for their ugly uniforms (and they seriously need to rethink the whole flowered blouse thing), I was impressed with how helpful they were - including holding a plane for me so I had time to run across Heathrow. They just handed me my boarding pass when I got to the gate and let me in the door. I was travelling business class on that flight so I got better seats and cleared customs a lot faster being the first off of the plane.
12. Swiss Air - The now defunct and renamed Swiss airline is fantastic. Leather seats and friendly Swiss service. They also had nifty video screens for short intercontinental flights. Though the fog delaying our landing in Zurich nearly caused my eardrums to burst that was hardly their fault.
13. SAS - I really like SAS. The best part of my flight was that once I got into the gate (and they check your ticket into the gate), you get access to the fully stocked refrigerator - deli sandwiches, fruit, pop, juice, chips, etc. All open for you to take.
My Life as a Spammer
I am now officially a spammer. There is nothing more exciting in life than gaining the power to e-mail thousands of people simutaneously about some stupid product or service. I find that I am greatly amused that suddenly 20,000 are deleting my e-mails. Don't worry dear readers, I'll not send any to you. Although it would be quite easy to slip your e-mail addresses into my spreadsheet and spam your life away as well.
The best thing about this e-mailing capability is the SPAM evaluation software athat goes along with it. I love the text it looks for that might send up a spam red flag. I won't post them here though, because I'm at work and it could be misconstrued.
Mail Call
My mail looked pretty boring last night - an ad for cable television and what appeared to be another credit card offer. Usually I just shred these without opening them, but this looked a little different. So I opened it up and what did I find? Tickets! To the Cubs at Wrigley Field!
Yes, two and a half months after ordering them, my tickets finally arrived. I'd actually forgotten about them. They were paid for in February and it's almost May. But September 16, hopefully I'll be in Chicago cheering on JJ and Ken Griffey Jr - I have no active preference between the Reds and the Cubs so I can cheer for individual players instead of the teams. I can just enjoy watching baseball at Wrigley.
My Weekend of Not Shopping
Everyone seems to be in spending mode - New furniture, new cell phones, new bedding, new cars. E is in saving mode. She does not need anything new. Though my aunt is trying to convince me I need to take a look at some oak table she found in my grandma's basement. Apparently, it just needs a little work. After spending all of last summer working on the washstand that came out of grandma's attic, I'm a bit wary of anything that needs a little work.
Anyways, I went to the mall this weekend, but not to shop. I was paid an obscene amount of money to do so. More obscene than the amount I had planned on. Plus I got three free boxes of Girl Scout cookies. The movie actually turned out not that bad. Although it's slightly disconcerting to go to a teen movie and find yourself enjoying the view of the shirtless hero. I comforted myself by thinking there is no way that guy is 17. I was right. I checked it out on IMDB - he's 26. Delighted to know I'm not after someone ten years my junior.
I did an excellent job helping to spend other people's money and none of my own. So I say, you go out and spend. Enjoy your new things. I will just say no to shopping and horde my money.
Though it's cold and lonely in the deep dark night...
I can see Paradise by the Dashboard Light
This was playing on my way to work the other day. I love it when old songs I haven't heard in years come on the radio. It got me thinking about what other songs I'd like to hear. Old songs that I really like I've downloaded and currently reside on my computer, but there are always songs that I've forgotten about and are fun to listen to every once in a while. I'm going to start a list.
George Says Hi
On Sunday, my parents handed my brother and me some of our childhood works of art, report cards, soccer pictures, papers, etc. This is all stuff my mom brought with her in case their house burned down while they were gone. The DNR has raised the fire danger to Explosive in their area. Anyways, my brother was digging through his stuff and he was was mildly amused with his childish art. So I started going through mine. I found signed pictures personalized to me from Kent Hrbek and Tim Laudner and a program and scorecard from the 1987 ALCS game we attended. Jack Morris pitched that game and we taunted him the entire time. Andrew did not find these items in his stack. Serves him right for not helping at all with dinner or clean-up.
Easter
This morning I got up and went to get my yogurt for breakfast and the disaster that is my kitchen made me upset that Andrew broke up with Delma. I am so sick and tired of cleaning my house, cooking dinner for the family and being stuck cleaning up afterwards all by myself. I got all the china and the crystal washed, dried and put away and about half of the various pots and pans washed but my kitchen is still a nightmare. I hate holidays.
Last night, I took a Nyquil and tried to go to bed at 9:30. My mother had the TV on so loud you could hear it down the street but refused to turn it down to anything below a mid to high level. Then after I was in bed, she went into the bedroom next to mine and started singing loudly and packing bags or something.
George got in on the fun when he decided to play Catch Me If You Can instead of going outside this morning. I was going to stay here until after lunch because I had an important meeting this morning and a lunch with a new employee, but now I find both have been cancelled. I'm never able to use all my sick days. Even though I'm not particularly sick, today seems like a good day to use one. My deck, the sunshine and a good book are calling.
Here we go again...
I received the bad news this morning that I have to go back to Shoreview next week. My initial reaction to this is unprintable. The really bad news is that I have to be there at 9:00 AM. So I'll be leaving my house at 6:30, get to Shoreview around 8:00 and be really tired and bored for the next hour waiting for the meeting to begin.
Dawn Corrupts the Youth of America
Not a huge surprise I know. However, considering the teaching aspirations she has, I just thought I'd better post a warning.
Reason # 2,789,632 Why I Hate the Train
While waiting for the train to pull into the station last night, some girls started playing with this thing that was attached to the shelter. We weren't sure what it was so we went in for a closer look. Yeah, it was a snow globe that lit up and turned when you turn a crank. It also played some sort of Christmas music. The hell? Are you freaking kidding me? My tax dollars are now going to some ridiculous globe to what? Entertain drunk adults waiting for the train? The globe and crank were much too high for children to see or use. Wow. The train? She sucks.
Why is it that...
when I'm at work, I can always think of a blog topic that I can't really publish while I'm here? When I'm at home I don't really want to even look at the computer, but when it is on I never think to write about these topics. I hate that.
The last thing I'll ever do...
I did this a while ago but never posted it, so I started over again.
As of April 10, 2006, 2 pm
Last Alcoholic Drink: Strawberry Margarita on Friday
Last Car Ride: Drove to work
Last Kiss: Don't know
Last Good Cry: I don't cry
Last Library Book checked out: I currently have over 20 books out from the library (a rather low number for me actually)
Last Movie Seen in Theatres: Slither
Last Book Read:I read three books yesterday - Don't remember the titles
Last Movie Rented: That would be years ago - don't know
Last Cuss Word Uttered: I'm sure it was good
Last Beverage Consumed: Water
Last Food Consumed: Twinkie
Last Phone Call: Mom to wish her happy birthday
Last TV Show Watched: PBR in Billings
Last Time Showered: Last night at CCC
Last Shoes Worn: Sketchers
Last CD Played: Norah Jones
Last Item Bought: Groceries
Last Download: Big Spender - Peggy Lee
Last Annoyance: Waiting for the stupid stoplight to give me a left turn arrow
Last Disappointment: That I have to work and it's 70 degrees and sunny.
Last Thing Written: An e-mail workorder
Last Key Used: Truck Key
Last Word Spoken: Thanks
Last Sleep: Last night (or actually this morning between 5:00 AM and 6:45)
Last Sexual Fantasy: So wouldn't post that on my blog
Last Ice Cream Eaten: Vanilla
Last Time Amused: A few minutes ago when I read something about this: Make your laid-back-with-liquor lifestyle into a lucrative living.
Last Time Hugged:: Last weekend
Last Time Scolded: I was late this morning (see stoplight annoyance) - not really scolded so much just noticed.
Last Chair Sat In: My office chair
Last Underwear Worn: Whatever was not in the laundry
Last Shirt Worn: Currently wearing three shirts - Long sleeved white, long sleeved red and long sleeved blue polo.
Last Webpage Visited: Reason.com
Weekend Roundup
Contrary to Dawn's opinion, life does not suck. At least not this weekend. What could suck about sunshine all weekend long?
Friday - Went swimming, took a nap, then saved money by having a party at my house instead of going out. My liquor is much cheaper than any bar. Also, people came to me and I didn't have to drive anywhere.
Saturday - First day of the year I could sit outside on my deck and enjoy a book. I spent a few hours doing this, then went swimming. After swimming I went to see a great popcorn flick at some totally out of the way theater in Shakopee.
Movie description: A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.
I would describe it as Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Evolution meets Night of the Living Dead.
Sunday - Opened all windows and doors, read on the deck again, went swimming, vacuumed, did laundry, cleaned garage, went grocery shopping, cleaned truck (bonus - while cleaning truck I found a coupon for a free DQ Blizzard), dusted house and watched Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Life definitely did not suck this weekend. I enjoyed it immensely. Perhaps the lack of children and the abundance of liquor helped.
"What brought you to this lowly state?"
I swore I wasn't going to do it. I was not going to give in to Pohlad the Billionaire's nefarious scheme to hose Twins fans when so called "premium" teams come to town. I'd even worked it out so I could go see the Twins crush the Yankees using Bobbi's season ticket thereby attending the game, but not putting extra money in Carl's pocket. Sadly, my sworn promise was broken. Not only did I put money in Carl's pocket, but Ticketmaster hosed me as well. Bastards.
I realized the game is on Saturday night before Easter and that my parents would be in town. So I bit the bullet and called my dad. 6:00 game, you're going to be here anyway, it's the Yankees, do you want to go? He said he'd wondered when I was going to organize something for him - meaning he'd wanted to go, thought about asking me and then completely forgotten about it. Had I gone without him using Bobbi's ticket, I'd have felt bad.
I cannot believe the seats that were still available. The Twins must have held back a lot of seats for season tickets/special deals type promises and recently released them. So I'll be there, sitting in reserved seats where I can see the entire field and not have to strain my neck. Damn Yankees and their "premium" pricing.
Screw Torii Hunter
Yeah, so he had hits and scored lots of runs, so did the rest of the Twins except crappy Batista. Apparently, this earns Torii one week's grace with Bobbi. Not me. Overrated. Anyway, it doesn't matter.
What does matter? At one point I noticed a homerun for Milwaukee a couple of screens over. I turned and looked closer. Who was that hot guy trotting around the bases?
Hardy! Hardy hit a homerun. Yay!
Say the things you used to say and make the world go away
Last night while watching the game I got a phone call that made the Twins loss go away. I believe the lady on the other end of the line was quite drunk, but she amused the hell out of me.
Conversational recap:
N: Well I've got the schedule for next week. You said you were going to the Twins game on Tuesday so I made alternate arrangements. But I'm confused. Didn't the Twins move to Dallas?
E: Umm, no. That would be the North Stars. And that happened like ten years ago.
N: So there's still baseball in Minnesota?
E: Yes. Hockey's back now too.
N: Good to know. In case I like want to go to a game sometime.
E: Right.
There was more to the conversation, but you'd have to know N to understand the amusement I gained.
Well beat the drum and hold the phone the sun came out today. We're born again there's new grass on the field.
A bright blue sky, the sun is shining bright and the Twins season starts tonight. Also, conveniently, the game viewing party is not occurring in Roseville, but St. Louis Park which, while still 20 miles from my house, is not ridiculously out of the way.
In other news, I was playing with my camera the other night which I am wont to do. It works well so all is good with the expense toy that I did not need.
Dear God, What Have I Done?
Things not to do on the weekend:
-Not go out with friends when you know that the person you're supposed to sit for is going to cancel
-Go on the internet and do things that could turn your life upside down
-Answer the phone at 11:00 on Sunday morning especially when you didn't get home until after 4 AM and the person calling is asking you to get up and drive their child to Wayzata which will end up with you in Orono and in your mind close enough to Ridgedale for shopping
-Tell a salesperson that you have no real price limit for the camera you want to buy
The last one is a really bad idea. That said, I did not walk out with the most expensive camera in the store. Close, but not quite.
