As I Was Saying...

Surprising recommended reading: Open by Andre Agassi

2010-04-09T15:39:00.000-04:00

Open, Andre Agassi

I will admit that I was intrigued by this book when I heard the first reports of the scandalous behavior that Agassi discloses – drugs, and even more shocking, a hairpiece! However, I was pretty turned off by the first few pages. I don’t read many autobiographies, and as usual I struggled to adjust to the awkward cadence. I’m not one to quit easily on a book so I plowed ahead and soon I could not get enough of his stories.

Agassi really is wide open and lays everything on the table. I’m not sure that I’d want to know any secrets that he felt he couldn’t disclose, now that I have read what he felt right sharing. His candor exposes him as a human, flawed in his own way just like all of us, and it makes me like and respect him more for it.

He clearly did a lot of soul searching and no doubt unearthed a lot of old memories and feelings in the process of writing this book. He says so too, and was not afraid to comment on himself as a person, his motivations, etc. What I found kind of funny was how often he commented on the height of his opponents. He mentions once that at his height he sometimes felt disadvantaged, but it seems like more than that when he names the height of almost any opponent over 6’1”. Call it a complex?

It was also obvious that his pursuit of the women he was interested in was not unlike his pursuit of tournament wins or #1 rankings. What surprised me was that he did not call that out like he did many other characteristics. It made me question how much he really was drawn by each woman as a person rather than the idea of her and the challenge of winning her over. I will admit that I especially liked the story of falling in love with Stefani Graff. It seized my inner romantic and I read it like a giddy teenager.

I am glad I read Agassi's autobiography. He told his story in such a way that it will inspire others to establish goals and work hard to make them and to take care of the people around them.

Road warrior

2010-03-31T14:05:00.000-04:00

The last week of March through the month of April will be filled with both personal and work travel, and when I am home on the weekends I will have house guests! Believe me, though, I am not complaining. I just spent a really nice weekend back home in Rochester honoring my grandparents together with family. I flew from there to San Francisco, where I feel very lucky to be asked to attend the big Intel launch event. I'll spend the month of April in Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis introducing our new products to clients. I'm happy to do this because I've never been to any of these cities and I love the chance to spend time with our sales team. I think that I have such an easygoing attitude about all of this travel because I know that it will slow way down once we get past all of these launch activities.
I do miss my home, husband and doggies. I try to look on the positive side and think that the quieter house is helping Erich through the final stretch of grad school.
Right now I'm sitting in O'Hare, eating a salad and drinking a beer. This is my own kind of quiet time, and I like it. Of course I should be checking my work email, but instead I am taking some time for myself. "Me time" is so important, but a rare thing in my office. Many of my colleagues let work life permeate their ever-shrinking home life, with nothing but negative mental and physical results. You have probably heard of "work-life balance", well we have "work-life integration." I'm really fighting back against it as hard as I can. Already I feel like I have lost so much of my creativity. Case in point: I've been wanting to blog regularly, but I can't find any inspiration or motivation to write anything that anyone would enjoy reading. So, I've been spending time on planes reading novels rather than email, trying to do anything I can to regain control of my right brain. Any ideas? Hopefully I will be back soon with a sassy, funny, non-work related blog.

Callithrix pygmaea

2010-02-14T14:16:00.000-05:00

Saw one of these in a Prague pet shop. I think there is something wrong with that. I still enjoyed looking at the little bugger eat this fruit.

Istanbul (not Constantinople)

2010-02-14T13:57:00.000-05:00

To summarize my feelings about Istanbul: I am glad I experienced it, especially the significant historical area...but equally as glad that it was a work-funded trip and I didn't waste a vacation on it.

We didn't have much time for sightseeing, but our team took a half day and visited the "Blue" Mosque and the Grand Bazaar. The Blue Mosque is adjacent to the area that was the Hippodrome when Constantinople was the center of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire, which makes for an interesting blend of history and culture. I appreciate the fact that this place was home to civilized culture hundreds of years before our country was "discovered". Pictures here:

Istanbul

My hotel was probably very nice at one time, but it was borderline gross (see TripAdvisor review). I didn't even realize how stressed that made me until I got settled into my hotel here in Prague. I also didn't realize how gross the Istanbul hotel was, until I got settled here in Prague and realized that my hair and clothes stunk from Istanbul. Ew!

Just another Saturday night...

2009-06-28T14:04:00.000-04:00

Friends, fireworks, and...feces? Unfortunately, what was a classic summer Saturday turned into a bizarre Sunday morning. I started the day as I love to on Saturdays with a great morning yoga class at the gym. Then Erich and I went to a cookout at a co-worker's house to celebrate his daughter's first birthday. It was a great time - I really enjoyed hanging out with my buddies from work and I was glad for Erich to get to know them. Then we cooled off at the pool for a little bit, cooked a really yummy tuna dinner, and headed over to hang out at a neighborhood party. On our walk home we stopped by another neighbor's party and got to know them a little more. I really like living here and love getting to know the people around us. Our friends Cat and Ryan then came over for a visit, and Ryan brought fireworks! That was so fun (don't try this at home). All in all it was an action-packed summer Saturday...great times. But then, at about 4:30 in the morning, Erich woke up to the sound of our dog Vox barking. He took him out back and didn't see anything unusual, so he came back inside and decided to look out the front windows to make sure everything was ok. As he walked to the front of the house, he heard someone trying to open the front door! In a spontaneous act of stupidity (self-admitted), Erich flung the door open! He yelled at the guy to go away, but the guy was convinced that he was supposed to be staying at our house. I was up at that point and called 911. The police got there really quickly, and moved the guy out into the street so they could figure out where he belonged. It was then that we saw that he had POOPED on our front steps!!! WHAT?!?!?!?!?! SO disgusting. It turns out he was staying at a neighbor's house. After everyone left Erich had to clean up the mess. EW. Seriously.

Hellos and Goodbyes

2009-05-14T11:00:00.004-04:00

Last week was full of super-high ups and really low downs. On Tuesday, May 5th my niece Leah Elizabeth was born! She is so cuddly with a head full of dark hair, and I miss her already. On Friday, though, my grandfather passed away. It is a really sad thing for our family, of course, but we all know that Grandpa is now exactly where he was ready to be.

2009-01-14T11:58:00.003-05:00

It's only been 2 weeks since we rung in the new year, but it feels like a lot longer than that. Plugging away at work every day while listening to the ax being sharpened and patiently / apprehensively waiting to hear my fate is really taking its toll.

Happy Everything

2008-12-25T20:15:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Festivus. We call it Christmas in my family, although there never really was ever any mention of Christ. I tried for a while to relate the two, but I eventually became disgusted with the idea of maxing out my credit card in order to celebrate the (incredibly inaccurate) birthday of Jesus. So for me, "Christmas" is about spending time with the friends and family that I love. It isn't about gifts anymore...I do love giving them, but I don't feel pressure to overspend or buy a bunch of meaningless stuff like I used to. This may sound like a bitter rant, but I'm actually pretty happy and content with what Christmas has become for me. I've had a great week at home in Rochester, enjoying the snow and visiting with family who live here and who also traveled from all over. As ROC trips go, this has been a mercifully uneventful one.
Highlights:
A trip to the new Henrietta Wegmans, seeing Karen and Sue
Palmer's fish fry at home with Maureen and Clark
Skiing at Bristol with Tonhya and Erich
Christmas Eve at Grandpa G's
Christmas Day at Papa's
Lots of time around the house with the fam

WTF! At least the kid won't grow up to have two left feet...

2008-12-18T09:28:00.002-05:00

I've read before about people having a tumor removed from their flesh, and the tumor contained teeth, hair, etc. But in this case, a tumor was removed from a newborn's brain - and the tumor had FEET. Here is an incredibly graphic, slightly disturbing, yet totally fascinating picture of the foot coming out of the brain.

2008-12-12T09:22:00.003-05:00

This Newsweek article, while perhaps not the most objective piece of journalism I've read, raises a few really good points about the rights of gays. It also highlights the fact that the bible is open for interpretation - one passage can be used to support opposing views. I agree with the author that it is pretty hypocritical to strictly follow some of the "rules" laid out in the bible (no gay marriage) and decide others don't apply anymore (divorce, ritual slaughters, having the townspeople stone your son to death if he misbehaves). Not to mention these two interesting tidbits: first, the bible never spells out marriage as for a man and a woman only - it speaks out against a man "laying" with another man. Second, the apostle Paul actually speaks out against marriage itself, saying that it is a last resort for men who just can't help it.
What I know is this:
We are all sinners.
No one can claim that one sin is greater than another. A man who lays with another man is no worse than the Sunday school teacher who gossips.
Above all, the bible teaches love. We should love, not judge or condemn, our fellow man.
What I believe is this:
A church has the right to choose who they perform a marriage ceremony for. Think of it as a private club.
A person does NOT have the right to decide whether two individuals can become legally married. If two people want to be married at a church that accepts the practice, or more importantly, at the courthouse or a country club or Vegas, they should have the same right to do so as anyone else in this world.

ECU Pirates win C-USA championship!

2008-12-07T19:00:00.003-05:00

Go Pirates! What a great end to an exciting (albeit up-and-down) season. They are off to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN on January 2nd. I know ECU fans will travel, so the Pirates should have some good support. It would be a ton of fun to be there...but I will enjoy watching it from the comfort of the living room at the beach!

Now I just hope they can hang onto Skip Holtz.

OJ

2008-12-05T15:34:00.002-05:00

I have this...thing. I tend to experience sympathy (empathy?) yes, empathy, in the strangest situations. For example, even though I voted for Barack Obama for president, when I watched John McCain give his concession speech I felt very sad for him. His disappointment was visible on his face along with the toll that the campaign took on him. I didn't wish for a different result, but I felt sorry for McCain.
Similarly, today I watched the sentencing of OJ Simpson while eating lunch at the 'dillo. (That's funny, I watched his 1995 "not guilty" verdict from my high school lunchroom.) And while a.) I know that he is guilty of the crimes he committed in Vegas and b.) I believe he killed Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, I still felt sorry for him. He looked so sad.

2008-12-04T11:01:00.006-05:00

This Slate article includes some pictures that remind me of Erich's style of architecture. Erich is not quite as harsh, though...he'd have a little less going on and would use more interesting materials. I'm really proud of Erich's talent. I hope when he's finished with his masters he will be able to create some artistic designs.

2008-11-07T09:14:00.001-05:00

Why have they not arrested Jason Young? My legal expertise may come from years of Law & Order marathons, but it seems to me that all signs point to his guilt. If that isn't enough for an arrest/indictment, they really must have some damning evidence against Brad Cooper in the murder of his wife.

election reflections

2008-11-05T09:42:00.001-05:00

It really blew my mind this morning to think about the fact that in my parents' lifetime black people had to pay a tax in order to vote in some states and now a black president has been elected. This sad history is nothing I didn't already know...but I guess when I was younger I didn't realize how recent that all was.

My Philips 26PW6341/37

2007-10-04T20:46:00.000-04:00

So if you are reading this, it is most likely because you are the not-so-proud owner of a Philips 26PW6341/37 television, and you want to know what is wrong with it and how you can fix it. You have probably also noticed that there are hundreds of others who are experiencing the same problem with the same model: no picture, flashing light on the front of the tv. Many of these people have tried and successfully repaired their sets on their own. Just about all of us have been told by Philips "sorry, your warranty is up, you'll have to take it to a repair shop."

I am a rare case: Phillips is replacing my tv.

How did I manage this? Scroll down to find out. If you've got nothing better to do, read on and hear the incredibly amusing story of how I came to have this television.

It was autumn 2004, right around the time that so many of us made the unfortunate decision to purchase this tv. I was in a transitional place in my life: happily separated from an all-wrong relationship, cautiously beginning an exciting new one, and preparing to move to a new city and go back to school.

College football fever had taken my friends and me by storm, and after a full day of tailgating and attending my alma mater's homecoming game, what could be better than returning home and catching the UNC/NCSU game on tv?

Well, in my mind it could have been better. You see, along with my all-wrong relationship I left behind the 50+ inch television that I had paid for in full. It depressed and enraged me that I would host game day with my friends and the 19" spare tv. Luckily, while still in the stands of the homecoming game, I realized that I was still in possession of one Best Buy credit card, joint account.

1 hour, 1 tv, 1 surround sound/dvd/cd system and 1 Sound of Music dvd later, we were in business. I didn't go overboard...the tv is only 26", but it had a nice look and would perfectly suit my new apartment lifestyle.

Now, stop and take note: I am not a down-low conniving kind of person. I did have the decency to call Mr. All-Wrong a few days later and let him know what to expect on his next billing statement. I told him to let me know when it was due and I would send him money and pay it off.

Well...he never did bother to let me know. I guess he realized he owed me.

So. Fast forward to March 2007. It turns out that my free tv is defective. Same problem as everyone else you've read about online. I called Philips, they gave me the "Sorry, you're SOL" speech, and I accepted that I'd have to pay to have the tv repaired.

I don't watch a whole lot of tv...it is now October and it has only now started to bother me that I am watching the trusty old 19" Samsung whenever I do have time to turn on a show. So I did the research, saw the incredible scale of the problem with these tvs, and took the advice of many who have fixed it themselves. I went out and bought the recommended fuse, and with the help of my significant other (of 3 years and one tv shopping extravaganza), replaced the fuse, crossed our fingers, and...

Nothing.

So I called Philips, and they are sending me a new tv.

I went through the usual "Sorry, SOL" spiel before politely asking for a supervisor, who gave me the same spiel. I kept my cool (for the most part) and somehow uttered some magic combination of words including:
"Google it, you'll see"
"This problem is a commonly asked question on the Philips web page for this model"
"Do YOU expect to buy a new tv every 3 years?"
"Philips is aware there is a problem"
"Better Business Bureau"
"State Attorney General's Office"

Suddenly, a brand new option appeared: For $94 Philips would ship me a new tv. As in brand new, "comparable" to the one I have. I have to ship back the old one (shipping costs included in the $94). I expressed my concern that I'd end up with another 19" old school tube tv, but he promised that the tv would be a flat widescreen like mine. We'll see...

Raleigh Downtown Disappointment

2007-04-19T13:42:00.000-04:00

This year’s summer concert series is a huge disappointment, and the season hasn’t even begun. Raleigh’s Alive After 5 has been cancelled due to all of the construction downtown – a lame excuse. Capitol Broadcasting claims that they plan to do “one or two free shows on Fayetteville Street” this summer. We’ll just have to wait and see, I guess.

The Raleigh Downtown Live schedule has just been posted – and it SUCKS. Last year wasn’t the best, but at least there was Butch Walker to look forward to. There is absolutely NOT ONE headlining band that I’m interested in seeing.

And what’s up with Weekend Excursion, a band that doesn’t even exist anymore, headlining after Runaway Cab, a band that just this week received yet another primetime national television placement? Not to mention that WE’s lead singer is opening up at the very next show – looks like Deep South really had to scrape the bottom of the barrel this year.

2007-02-16T12:01:00.000-05:00

I've been really exhausted lately...I think that the new, time-consuming job combined with the semester really getting into the swing of things is really starting to weigh on me. I've been doing things that make me feel better temporarily, especially exercise classes, which are actually already making a difference physically. I always feel great throughout the day but then hit a wall again in the evening. I don't have enough time to maintain my life - my house is a wreck, I need to pay bills (finally, it's not the lack of money that's stopping me, it's the time to do it), I always feel like I'm going to be behind on my schoolwork, and work has been intense. I had a presentation earlier in the week, after working really hard to get that together I was spent. I have been able to ease off of work a little this week, and I'm having a quasi-mental health day today...I've stayed home but I'm doing work. It's nice to be here, comfortable and quiet. Hopefully that will refresh me for next week. And even though I have schoolwork to do I am going to spend some time on my apartment tomorrow - that always makes me feel good.

DIY Home Improvement Survey

2007-02-02T10:47:00.000-05:00

I am conducting a survey on trends/opinions of DIY Home Improvement projects. If you are a DIYer and have a minute to take this short survey, your input will be truly appreciated!

Click here to take survey

Christmas Visit

2006-12-27T14:56:00.000-05:00

I had a really nice long weekend back home. I always love being back at my parents’ house, spending time there with them and with my friends that come home as well. I haven’t been up for any good length of time in quite a while…hopefully I can make that happen this summer. It is so tough trying to find time to see all of the people I want to see (although that number grows smaller every year), plus make sure that I get a lot of time in with my family.

My parents’ new Christmas tree was beautiful, with white lights and red accents.

We got to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with our grandparents. I hate that I don’t see them very often. I need to be better about keeping in touch with them during the time that I’m away. I’m not much into New Year’s resolutions, but I do want to slow down a little, take more time for checking in with friends and family, writing letters, remembering to send cards on special occasions. I didn’t even send Christmas cards this year. Shameful.

I can’t believe that we had another green Christmas. I’ve really got to check out An Inconvenient Truth and find out what the heck is going on. By Christmas we used to be settled into winter with snow covering the ground for the duration! Now, not even a flake? Weird.

My b.g.f. Meg & I had a nice day on Saturday. I got to go with her to try on “her” wedding dress (a sample, really) and see how beautiful it is! It is so perfect for her – the color, the cut, everything. Then of course we had to hit the Pittsford Wegmans for lunch and “sightseeing.” We sure got an eyeful… in the fresh seafood case they keep certain items (oysters, clams, lobsters, eels, etc.) just barely alive on ice so that they’re perfectly fresh to prepare. Well, it was so busy and the cases stayed open so much that they began to warm up…and the eels were waking up! We saw an eel slithering all over the case, trying to find a way out! It was repulsive but we couldn’t walk away! I had to wait around and make sure the clerk knew about the eel, so he could put him back. After Wegmans we hit Bath & Body Works in Pittsford plaza for her mom…and of course I ended up shopping. I found a faboo bag – a huge travel bag for $25! I am glad I bought it b/c on Tuesday I ended up needing to check two bags with all of my new stuff! Unfortunately I forgot to remove the shoulder strap, and it got ripped off. I think I can have it fixed though.

Back to Saturday…Meg and I endured one of the worst football games I’ve seen all year. ECU lost their bowl game to USF. It was a really boring game, and painful to watch. Ironically, the number one worst game I watched all year (in person, at that) was the UNC-USF game. BORING. It figures that’s who ECU would lose to at the end of such a great season. Better luck next year!

All in all, I had a wonderful visit. As usual, I was really sad to leave but I felt better remembering that I will see my parents again in one month when we meet up at my sister’s new home.

Bonus: My flights (both ways) were uneventful and almost on time. My luggage even came in on the same flights. It is for that reason that I’m not too upset about the damage to my new bag.

Tis the Season

2006-11-28T14:59:00.000-05:00

Once again, it’s the most wonderfully stressful time of the year. My schedule is packed at tight as can be, I am trying to remember to get all of my online shopping done in time for it to ship, and of course I seem to never have any money at the end of the year. This year’s problem is that I haven’t gotten a paycheck in three+ weeks! Once I finally get paid, trying to budget for bills and gifts really does put a damper on my holiday cheer. I shouldn’t complain though…it always seems to work out somehow.

On a brighter note, my ECU Pirates have finally dug themselves out of the hole that John Thompson buried them in over the past few years. I hate that they had to beat my other team (NC State) to do it, but hey, State wouldn’t have made it to a bowl anyways!

Check out the Papajohns.com bowl on 12/23 at 1:00 pm on ESPN2! Go Pirates!

Back on the job front…My first project got killed already, which is fine with me because compiling a database was really not the most stimulating activity I could be doing. I am now working on a couple of different projects, doing research. Definitely more up my alley.

This is a petty complaint, but it is ALL I can think about – it is UNBEARABLY COLD in this office!!! I found out that they keep it about 65 degrees in here!!! Seriously, I wear layers upon layers, long sleeve undershirts under my button-ups…and I have still had to put on my coat while sitting at my desk. Today it is 70 degrees outside and I am wearing a wool sweater with a blouse underneath…(sidebar…I actually hear two men commenting on how much colder it is in this – my – section of the office. Nice.) …I have been so cold all day that I went and took a walk outside in the warm air, and it took me a good 15 minutes to knock the chill off my bones. There is not much that makes me less comfortable than being cold. I think I’ll ask Santa for a space heater.

So far, so good!

2006-11-11T10:02:00.000-05:00

I am just about halfway through my last day of my first week of work at my new job. I’m working on two separate projects, and I have already gotten in the flow as much as I can.

Here in the office everyone is really nice and pretty helpful. It’s an open environment (cubes!) but it stays so quiet – I’m definitely going to need Ipod to keep me energized. My primary project involves gleaning information from as many sources as I can possibly find – product information, customer information, market information, sales information…it is been slightly daunting trying to convince some higher-ups to give me their time and information. Sometimes I feel like putting everything together will be a piece of cake, and sometimes I feel like we will never get past all of the roadblocks.

Regardless, I am so glad to be here. It feels so good to have these challenges, and in one week I have already learned so much. It also feels good to be part of these projects that have purpose and (hopefully) meaningful outcomes.

2006-11-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

It has been a full two months since my last day at work. I knew that I wouldn't exactly hang around and be lazy, but I never expected to be as busy as I have been. Looking for a new job was a full-time job in itself! So, I didn't really get to do as much of the "me" things that I was looking forward to.

At my old job, I had ridiculous amounts of down time during which I would do schoolwork, write on my blog, and fool around on myspace. That may sound like a dream to some people, but it drove me nuts - I felt like I was completely wasting all of my intelligence. So, when all the time in the day was mine to do whatever I wanted, sitting around in front of the computer went by the wayside. I'm pretty proud of myself for getting to the gym every day and working hard to find a new job...

Which brings me to the new job, which I start tomorrow! I'm feeling anxious, nervous, excited. Of the job offers that I had, this one promises to be the most challenging. I know I am going to learn a lot. However, I am stepping out of my comfort zone for the first time in years. Something that needed to be done, yes, and it is the resounding answer to my "bored at work" complaint. I'm looking forward to being challenged.

Outside of work, my biggest challenge is going to be scheduling - keeping my workout routine, getting my schoolwork done, etc. Should be interesting.

Laguna Beach killed the video star

2006-08-04T11:52:00.000-04:00

Can't take credit for the title, it came from this Slate article.

So MTV is 25. I can't say I've watched the channel in years, but it was ever-present when I was growing up.

My parents got cable at our house pretty much as soon as it was available. Many of my more vivid childhood memories involve MTV...

Saturday afternoons, approx. age, 6. My sister would be down for a nap, Mom would be in the kitchen eating lunch, or doing paperwork, whatever it was she did in there. I would be parked in front of Nickelodeon with the brand new snack, Fruit Rollup, and knew just how to push the button on the box to switch the channel to MTV. Yes, I remember the pre-remote days. I actually remember really enjoying the "Lucky Star" video by Madonna.

Her outfit and hair didn't make much sense to me at the time, but I absolutely loved the dancing.

Probably my next most stand-out MTV memory was, of course, the Thriller video. I remember being in the basement of my grandparents' house, with all of my cousins, watching MTV. The video would come on, and being told we weren't allowed to see it, of course we watched it. My sister, the youngest, didn't take it so well.

I really always loved the music videos. I didn't stick around long after they went away.

I was also into the first couple of Real Worlds...but that got old after a while. It's remarkable how things changed...from the tension between roommates Eric and Julie in season one, the obvious attraction that we never saw acted out...to the wide-open naked hot tub threesome type stuff that you can't miss now.

Not that I know what's going on now...like I said, I haven't flipped to MTV in years. I don't even have cable anymore. I've got my music videos back...online.

The best part about Lady in the Water

2006-08-04T11:06:00.000-04:00

I am among those who can really let myself enjoy M. Night Shyamalan's movies. Critics hate them in general...don't really give them a chance. For me, here's what it comes down to:

Lady in the Water was totally unrealistic, quite silly, cartoonish, and had the trademark M. Night twist at just the right spot - which is precisely why I liked it, precisely why I had to see it. I don't go to his movies to get a snapshot of America in 2006. That's what the new Will Smith movie is for (not 2006, but true-life). The preview made me cry. That's not really what I need right now. What I need is ESCAPE. Seeing this little fairy-tale of a movie provided just that.

The best scene in this movie was the huge middle finger that Night gave to movie critics. He introduces this snotty little movie critic who pans everything around him...believes there is "no creativity left in the world."

The critic gets stuck in a pickle and then embodies his pet peeve by "thinking aloud." He runs down how the scene should play out in a predictable movie, and sets it into motion. Of course, Night won't let him off the predictable way, and the guy gets torn to shreds. I think he got his message across.

As for the Will Smith movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, I just don't know if I'll be able to see it. Stories about parents struggling to provide for their kids really get to me...I am not kidding, I had to really hold back from WEEPING over the trailer. See the trailer here.

Breaking Out

2006-08-04T10:56:00.000-04:00

I have had so many ideas flying around in my head lately, that I want to write about...then I get to the computer and either feel like I have to spend every second in "career development" (as I like to call it) or I can't pull myself out of my funk long enough to get anything flowing.

So after having all these great ideas go to waste, I have told myself that today, being Friday, I am taking the day off from the job hunt and I am going to force myself to get my mind on other things. Which I will do, as soon as I can remember what those things were...

Drained

2006-07-19T11:17:00.000-04:00

I am feeling drained of motivation and creativity. The last ~8 weeks have been hell. The usual lack of brain activity at work has been compounded with no schoolwork to fill my time. It has really left me in a place, mentally, where I just don't want to do anything.

My job search hasn't turned up much for two reasons. The first is that I just don't feel like doing anything. There have only been one or three jobs that have really gotten me excited. I can't bring myself to consider any more jobs that rot my brain any further. If the property closes and I still haven't found something I really want to do, I will just do what I should have done to begin with...

While I was going through the interview & waiting process for the MBA program, I stumbled upon CCH while looking for a new apartment. Conversations with the owner revealed that he was looking for an assistant, someone to not only help with the community, but with all of his development ideas as well. I was already pretty burned out with apartments, but I have a real interest in development. I spoke w/the MBA program, who had admitted me to the full time program, and they agreed to switch me to part time.

Now, this job has not turned out as promised. I have sat behind this desk answering the phone and showing apartments 99% of the time, with the other 1% handling the existing shopping center. Andrew's development "plans" for the community have obviously been voided due to the decision to sell, and without the payroll to keep me on for his other projects, I have been left out of those.

Had I stuck with plan A and just headed back to school, I would be 2 semesters away from graduating. Instead, I'm two years away and about to be out of the job that I shouldn't have taken in the first place. It won't really make too much of a difference with the school schedule, but I've decided that if I don't find a job that really fulfills me by the time the property sells, I will go back to full-time status, get a job at a bar or restaurant, and just suck it up until I'm done and have a new degree proclaiming me officially ready to embark on a career involving thinking and doing work.

The second reason that I am having trouble finding a job is closely related to the first. I have been stuck in property management purgatory for 4 1/2 years. I have worked for one company who at least encouraged creative marketing ideas, but others have either not needed or not accepted any free thinking. This has left me with not a whole lot to show for myself. In this area, you have to be some sort of computer genius or engineer to find a good job.

Obviously, I am pretty stressed/depressed/discouraged. The back and forth with the sale, lack of good job leads, and my brain turning to mush have really taken their toll. Even if the sale falls through in the end, I won't be able to stay. Maybe I should talk to the program about switching to full time in August, regardless. I'll have to crunch some numbers and see if I can make that work.

Fore!

2006-07-12T11:29:00.000-04:00

Played my first (1/2) round of golf after work yesterday. My generous co-worker gave me her old set of clubs after purchasing a hot new set, and she and her husband invited me out for a round yesterday.

I really enjoyed it! Lucy and Greg were helpful, patient teachers. The tips they gave me resulted in instant improvements. I was able to keep my cool and not get frustrated, which surprised me just as much as my ability to hit the ball from the tee to the cup in under an hour.

So, yet another expensive hobby to add to my list of addictions that exist beyond my means. I'll consider it a motivation and a reward.

2006-07-11T12:06:00.000-04:00

The sale of Country Club Homes has been postponed...it may close as early as a month from now, as late as the end of September, or not at all. All of this up and down is really wearing me out. For the last month I have concentrated all of my energy into looking and applying for jobs, lining up interviews, and worrying (unneccessarily). As stressful as trying to orchestrate a career transition at this point in my life is, I was feeling really good about moving on from property management into something I really could take pride in. To be quite honest, I was looking forward to pocketing my severance, collecting unemployment, and taking some time off.

Not that this may not still happen eventually...it's really just a situation where we won't know what's going to happen until the buyer closes or walks away. For the time being, I've stopped applying for random jobs that will pay the bills. I am not going to stop looking, however. There have been a few jobs out there that I'm really interested in, and wouldn't turn down if the sale fell through. I'll keep my eyes peeled for those for now, and just settle back into my slow days behind the desk.

Two things aboot hockey

2006-06-17T21:25:00.000-04:00

1. The Edmonton Oilers' in-house announcer moonlights as the lead singer/drummer for the (terribly irritating) band Cowboy Mouth.

2. The NBC announcers have been obviously biased toward Edmonton. It seems that these hockey "insiders" believe that a.) the Canadian teams are the only "real" hockey teams and b.) the newer franchises - especially the SOUTHERN ones - are undeserving of any accolades, respect, or least of all, Stanley.

Now, my retort to this disprespect is this: no matter where any team plays their home games, the team itself is comprised of men from all over Europe, the USA, and Canada. The Carolina Hurricanes are not a team full of Broughton High and UNC Southern Gentlemen. They are a team full of pro hockey players hailing from the world over who came to play for the franchise who would have them.

2006-06-12T13:01:00.000-04:00

I just found out last week that when the sale on my apartment community closes next month I will no longer have a job. The new company (Grubb Ventures) has decided that they don't want to pay a manager's salary, and they will be hiring a less expensive leasing consultant to fill in for the next couple of years until they tear the place down. My current company won't have any work/budget for the 3 of us that run the apartment community, so they can't take us with them. My boss here at CCH was led to believe that my job would be secure, but as soon as contracts were signed Grubb changed their tune.

So I've already gotten a few resumes out...hopefully I'll be able to find something soon. I need to find a new apartment, too, which almost makes me sadder. I love my apartment!

I'm feeling completely bipolar...for the most part I have been able to look on the bright side and recognize that I'm completely bored in this job, and that this is a great opportunity to find something more interesting/better paying. But then by the time I get home every night and exhaustion/martini sets in, I become a blubbering heap of snot and mascara. Erich has been very understanding.

I must also point out that CCH has graciously offered me a severance package, which will help keep me afloat for a little while until I find something. I'm very grateful for that...I really don't want to have to settle for the first thing that comes along.

Dress Debacle

2006-06-07T13:19:00.000-04:00

I headed to Manassas, VA this weekend to visit my sister and FINALLY try on my Vera Wang bridesmaid dress that arrived late at the dress shop. We got in a little shopping before our appointment, and I found the best shoes to wear with the dress. They were a steal, too! So our day was off to a great start, complete w/a trip to IKEA...

We got to the dress shop at 3:00 pm. I was ushered to a dressing room with a dress hanging in it which was not the dress we ordered for the wedding. Megan and I immediately told the attendant, who automatically insinuated that we simply remembered the dress incorrectly. The owner of the shop took over and also insinuated that the order was placed correctly and that Vera Wang had sent the right dresses.

It was only after I sat the owner down at her computer and pulled up pictures of myself wearing the correct dress in her shop in September that she believed a mistake had been made. Not her mistake, of course...

We then checked the Vera Wang website and verified that the shop had indeed placed the order for the correct style number. It became apparent that she would have to sort this out with the Vera Wang warehouse, which was not going to happen on a Saturday.

So I went ahead and tried on the dress, which was beautiful even if it was not the right dress, and had Jeanette pin it up to be hemmed, just in case. Megan and I headed home for a glass of wine.

Of course Megan was upset...aghast...enraged...heartbroken...but she handled it so well. In these situations it is perfectly ok to display your emotions. She effectively made it clear that this was not okay. No one was walking all over her!!!

Monday rolled around and I was back in Raleigh, impatiently awaiting word from Megan. The dress shop had promised to call V.W. first thing, and let Megan know what our options were. By lunchtime, I couldn't take it any more and called Jeanette's myself. I was told that they had no success getting in touch with their contact at the warehouse.

This was unacceptable...certainly this one person is not the end of the line. So I took it upon myself to call Vera Wang corporate headquarters in NYC. I immediately connected with a woman, Emily, who was able to help me right away. I was instructed to call the dress shop to have them forward certain information to Emily. When I did so, Jeanette was flabbergasted at my ability to get the ball rolling when she couldn't.

Many calls back and forth later, Jeanette finally told me that the woman who placed our order at the store had ordered our dresses in chocolate, when in fact the dress we chose was nutmeg. Two different colors, two different fabrics, but at least it was the same dress. However, Jeanette still refused to concede that the mistake was from her end...she insinuated that V.W. had changed the names of their colors or something.

So we now had options:
a.) V.W. would make 5 new dresses, which at best would arrive at each attendant's doorstep the Friday before the wedding;
b) Jeanette would give us 50% off the cost of our dresses if we would keep the chocolate.

Megan levelheadedly chose b, not wanting to deal with the stress of getting the dresses in time. She grilled Jeanette when going over the choices until Jeanette admitted fault in the situation.

Moral of the story...
a.) Be aggressive. Jeanette could have totally redeemed herself by thinking outside of the box and getting in touch w/Vera Wang HQ when the warehouse was unresponsive.
b.) Be honest, for goodness sake. Admit to your mistakes. Don't dig yourself in deeper.

Weekend recap

2006-05-22T11:40:00.000-04:00

E & I did quite a bit of hopping around on Friday evening...
We started out at The Borough, which is the new bar on the ground floor of the Dawson building. I really enjoyed it! The staff was so friendly and fun, and the owner, Liz, was great to talk to. I'm looking forward to heading back this Friday early for happy hour and half price apps!

We then walked a few blocks over to Raleigh Music Hall for the Angie Aparo show...however, we got there at the very beginning of the 6-band bill, and knew we didn't have the attention span to sit in one place for that long. So, we took another walk, over to another new favorite, the Raleigh Times. But before I move on, you must know WHY I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THE RALEIGH MUSIC HALL...

The venue's website (and no, I will not even do them the favor of posting a link) listed the cost at the door as $5. When I got there, they charged $10! The manager was standing right there, and I questioned the discrepancy. He told me that the person who posted the $5 didn't ask first, and he would not honor it. I know $5 is not a huge deal, but it's a matter of principle. The guy was really a jerk. So of course, I paid it...shouldn't have...more on that in a bit...

Back to the Raleigh Times...it really is a good place. I think I liked it best this time when it was just E & I elbowed up to the bar. We met a nice couple from Buffalo that we talked to, and the drinks were good as usual. I think the poor bartender dropped three glasses in the hour we were there!

When we got back over to the music hall there was still a ways to go before Angie hit the stage...so we went to Alibi, which is a little bar in the basement of the same building. It was a pretty cool hole in the wall. Sunday nights is small dog night...how great is that??? I don't want Yanna around all that smoke, though, so she won't be attending.

Back up at the music hall, we stuck around through Nathan Asher and Infantry's set...I really didn't like them at all. Asher himself was irritating, between his grating vocals and convulsing. I was really ready for some good music by the time Angie hit the stage. Angie delivered...but it was not the most impressive performance I've seen from him. He seems to be getting more and more bitter. Well, what's art without agony anyway?

Bottom line...it was great to see Angie again, and to be in a small venue and have the chance to chat w/him before his show.

Why...

2006-05-19T10:56:00.000-04:00

...is the federal government still wasting resources on digging up Hoffa? I'm pretty sure he's no longer a threat.

2006-05-18T14:59:00.000-04:00

All I have done at work this afternoon is make copies of my boss's child's medical records. I mean, really.

2006-05-18T11:50:00.000-04:00

Matt & Tammy's wedding is best described as...lovely. Couldn't have had better weather. The Fearrington House grounds were absolutely gorgeous. The Fearrington Village is a little creepy and culty, but I recommend taking the trip out there to see it.

Shallow disclosure: My favorite part of the day was my new dress & shoes & E's new suit.

Saturday night the crew met up at the Raleigh Times. Chad introduced us to a new drink - the Trash Can. Basically a LIT with a Red Bull dumped in, can left in the glass. I don't think I like California.

Friday, finally

2006-05-12T14:45:00.000-04:00

This has been the slowest week. Today takes the cake, it's been less eventful than any other day this week. At least the weather is back to beautiful, and I probably won't stay at work all day.

This weekend is going to be a great one, with a wedding to attend and some friends in town that I haven't seen in a few months. Last night E & I went out for a little while w/Drew & Bobby...we were tongue-in-cheek "Glo-So" partiers, all dressed alike in jeans and black shirts. Pic to come.

Bored to tears

2006-05-10T16:37:00.000-04:00

I have had nearly nothing to do at work the last few days. My job lacks challenge as it is, but on days like these, my brain goes absolutely numb. I have spent an obscene amount of time staring out the window. I am so bored at work that I actually Googled "work boredom." You would be amazed how much attention/research is dedicated to this topic. Researchers have actually determined that boredom at work creates very unhealthy stress. I can totally feel it! The last few nights when I get home from work I am so tense...a couple of nights ago I was actually on the verge of some sort of anxiety attack or nervous breakdown.

Of course, quite a bit of that stress may be a result of knowing that I may in fact lose my incredibly boring job. I should know in a couple of weeks whether this sale pending on my property is going to take place, and if so I will then have to wait and see whether the purchasers are going to keep me on.

In the meantime, I need to find something worthwile to do in my down time. I am used to having schoolwork to do, which I will have again in under two months, and for that reason I do not intend to leave this job. I am grateful that I can get the bulk of my reading out of the way here.

For now, it's killing me!

"Beep Beep" - more like "Bleat Bleat"

2006-05-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

My ears have been bleeding since March madness...thanks to that Ford commercial (only seen by us lucky Southeasterners...who the heck did we piss off?) featuring a Jem and the Holograms inspired band just rocking the lyrics "Beep Beep."

It really sounds more like sheep-shearing season down on the farm.

The image of the drummer making his Intense, Serious Drummer face while singing "beep beep" is quite comical, and made me wonder if anyone would really do that.

Turns out, this is an actual band from Atlanta called 13 Stories (E called the ATL connection based on the fishnets & jewelry). Check out their website or their myspace, if you're into that sort of thing.

Now, this brings up an interesting point. For all of the criticism of this commercial/song - including my own, I can't stand it - I do have a little soft spot for them now, knowing they are a "real" band, doing their thing. They'll actually be here in Raleigh on June 24th, at Raleigh Downtown Live...just in case there's anyone left who actually would choose to hear that awful song.

Anti-climactic

2006-05-02T10:51:00.000-04:00

Well, the top did not blow off of our little CCH secret nearly as dramatically as I thought it would. The N&O article we were dreading hit this morning with very little fanfare. Either our residents don't read the biz section, or they are not surprised.

While it is relieving to be able to openly acknowledge the possibility that the property may sell (truly, the inevitibility that one day it will) I now feel an urgency to pacify the residents by stressing two things: first, that it ain't over til the fat lady signs on the bottom line, and second, that if/when that finally happens, change will still be a long time coming.

This really is a special place. I feel very fortunate to be here, now.

Whole lotta nothing going on...

2006-05-01T15:32:00.000-04:00

...and that is so good. I'm finished with school for the semester, and tonight is my first night with no class...I still feel like I have to rush out of work to get to campus. It is going to be so great to slow down for a few weeks...and to not have to tape 24 every Monday!

There's been some crazy stuff going on at work...we've got one resident who we all suspect is up to no good. We're trying to get her out as peacefully as possible, but she's really pissed off some of the neighbors and they're ready to drag her out and kick her to the curb. Not that I blame them. Interestingly, through the increased complaints, reports, conversations, etc., I have gotten to know some of the residents a little better. A few of them are really involved, in their own ways...
The most involved one keeps tabs like crazy on the ins-and-outs and reports with detail. Even though I hate what's going on, I actually enjoy the drama of the evening's recap. I actually enjoyed a barbeque with this resident over the weekend...time well spent.
One resident is using his legal resources to dig up dirt! Wild. Legal, of course.
The other concerned citizen is mostly just concerned...he hates to complain, and has sympathy for the "bad" neighbor. I just love the interaction of this little group.

That's not even the craziest of the crazy stuff. I'm obliged to keep the craziest stuff confidential, but I will say that when word gets out (which I hear it will very, very soon) my days are going to be a whirlwind. I've been considering a career in PR...let's just say that I'm going to be jumping in feet first, sooner than I expected.

But really, apart from work I've been doing nothing! Everyone knows it's usually the other way around. This weekend I cleaned my house from top to bottom, and it was such a relief. It gets really neglected during the busy parts of the semester. I also took a ride out to Atlantic Ave Gardens, presumably just for potting soil, but I browsed around forever and finally picked out a little plant for one of my pots outside. Unfortunately, I can't find her tag so I can't remember what it is. I'll have to google her by what I do know.

My neighbor then gave me some pansies that he's not going to use, so now I've got quite a cute front stoop! My rosemary plant makes a great addition as well.

Time to head home, get out for a jog, eat dinner EARLY and settle in for 24!

Megan & Chad's Shower/Night Out!

2006-04-10T18:58:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was a great time...we had a very nice shower for Megan & Chad, and tons of their friends came to Rochester. The wedding party & friends had a blast going out Saturday night in the limo bus. We went to the new Saddle Ranch in High Falls, which was surprisingly fun! My little group started out listening to the live band, moved on to the martini bar/bowling alley (seriously) and ended up in the tiki bar/dance club. We then loaded back up into the bus and headed to the East Ave/Alexander area, where we ended up at Coyote Joe's. Probably not a place that I'll choose to go to again - it was a little too crowded - but Pfluke hooked up the VT's...much appreciated. After a quick stop at the street meat stand (yum), the limo bus got everyone home safe and sound.

The Super-Cute Couple!

Fortunately, E felt right at home during his first visit to Rochester

Crazy DPhiE's!

Another Cute Couple!

Go ahead, ya'll, show off the rock!

E, Me, & Meg

The size of my arm in this pic w/my hot sista has made me finally realize that the squishy is out of control. Please stay tuned for my new weight-loss blog. Update: Here it is!

25 Years!

I love this woman

This one, too

DPhiE Sisters

How'd these two get Hucky off the dance floor?

And finally...these 2 videos are hi-friggin-larious. Enjoy!

Click here to watch 'Dancing-25'

Click here to watch 'You-know-you-love-my-armband'

Invincible or innocent?

2006-04-02T23:20:00.000-04:00

There has been a lot to think about when considering the allegations of rape and assault against the Duke lacrosse team. The media have picked it apart and scrutinized it from so many different angles - there's the privileged white boys allegedly abusing their position with a hired black woman, there is the escalated tension in the Durham/Duke town/gown situation, and there is the possibility that this is another case of college athletes losing control.

If the allegations are true, then all of these angles are true as well. Even if the allegations are untrue, so much healing is needed in so many different respects.

Much more information has come out lately which casts a negative light on the accuser. It seems that the media may be realizing that this is not the open/shut case that it originally appeared to be, and they are turning the tables. The team is no longer being tried in the court of public opinion, now it is the accuser's turn. I'm afraid that like so many other highly publicized cases, the public will form their opinion and lose interest before the case is closed.

I've found the following approaches to the story quite interesting - they touch on the effect this case has on fundraising and an unexpected worry voiced by students...

Lacrosse incident could slow down giving at Duke

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12115147/site/newsweek/page/2/
"Most students seemed primarily worried about the stain on Duke's reputation, and whether Duke will get its share, or "yield," of the best and brightest. This was the week that Duke sent out letters of acceptance to eager high-school students. "I've had 800 conversations with people who are afraid it will hurt our yield and make our diplomas look a little less fancy," said Julia Torti, a senior. Paging Tom Wolfe. "

Hey, at least some people aren't going to hide where their real interests lie.

Taking a Gamble

2006-03-24T11:41:00.000-05:00

The NC lottery will officially begin its launch next week with sales of scratch-off tickets, to be followed in late spring and summer with the numbers games. This has been a long time coming. Many people have been pushing for a lottery for years, and they have finally seen their day. I understand the movement behind it - raise revenue for education, whatever - but I don't believe that a lottery is good for the overall welfare of the state. I don't believe that a lottery will solve NC's public education problems, either.

The state of North Carolina is a great place for higher education. The public schools in the UNC system are well supported by the state, and are a good value. I came to ECU for my undergraduate degree, which I was only able to do because the cost as an out-of-state student wasn't any higher than attending college in-state in New York. Unfortunately, it appears that the UNC schools have been a priority for so long, that public education for primary and secondary students has suffered. The state pays teachers such a low salary that it is beyond difficult to attract teachers from other parts of the country. This leaves the state in a position that does not allow for the type of selective hiring that will provide our students with the brightest and best teachers.

Raising money to supplement education is an honorable proposal. I doubt that anyone spending their $1 (or more) has that in mind, though. Who wouldn't want to invest such a relatively small sum if there is a chance of winning millions? Well, the people who already have money of their own, that's who. Which means the people "donating" their cash to education are generally the ones who really can't afford it.

In New York I worked at a grocery store service desk for seven years, and my job included selling lottery tickets as well as distributing welfare and child support payments. Quite a few of our customers would come to the window at one end of the desk, swipe their card, type in their pin, and receive hundreds of dollars monthly in cash. This was in addition to the food stamps, of course. Now, I'm not getting on the welfare soap box here, but what often happened next gave me great distaste for the system.

Many of these customers, upon receiving their cash, would make their way to the other end of the counter and spend sometimes one hundred bucks or more on a combination of scratch offs, daily numbers, and weekly lotto games. I'm quite confident that none of them have made their millions yet. In fact, in my seven years behind that desk, none of my customers had an impressive payout.

North Carolina has rural areas with hopeless poverty. It is easy to forget that, living in one of the highest-income zip codes in old Raleigh. Hey, I get a big break on rent...I'm definitely dragging that stat down. Thinking back to the years I lived in Eastern NC, visiting Beaufort & Hyde counties...There are some hard-living people out there. I have college friends who took trips with their churches to the NC mountains to help install indoor plumbing for families who had never had any.

So, these are the people who are so despondent, and who want so badly to change their situation but can't figure out how to do it on their own, these are the people who will get hooked. They'll be afraid to miss a drawing, because each week could be their big chance. Even if they are struggling to make ends meet they will find their lotto money somewhere. Just like they find their beer money, or worse. It will become another unfortunate addiction plaguing the "have nots." I hope it's worthwhile.

March Sadness is right!

2006-03-22T15:49:00.000-05:00

In the words of one of the only two commercials aired on television this weekend, I don't have March Madness, I have March Sadness.

This is generally one of my very favorite times of the year...right up there with Christmas. It's the NCAA tournament, my birthday weekend, and I just had my yearly review at work (which was actually supposed to take place in December). What could be better? My 3 favorite teams - 'Cuse, Carolina, and State (NC, that is) - made it to the big dance! My sister is finally coming down from VA to visit for my birthday- let's hear a big WOO-HOO for Megan! There's a big salary increase on the horizon!

Then the bubble bursts.
All 3 of my teams pooped out. Badly. Embarrassingly.

Yeah, I hear ya, Herb.

I did not receive anything close to the raise I was expecting. Still got one, and a generous one, but that Audi TT will still have to wait.

BUT...Megan is still coming! And with my teams out, at least I won't be glued to the t.v. again all weekend! Finally, relief from the Cingular and Applebees ads...

5 Points CAC

2006-03-09T10:08:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to my first meeting of my area's Citizen's Advisory Council. There were no surprises...everything went just as I had expected. It was relatively well organized, and followed the agenda that had previously been posted on their website. The items on the agenda were all of interest to me, especially the renovation of North Side Shopping Center and the rezoning requests for the Josephus Daniels house/Masonic lodge.

Regarding that rezoning request, I knew going into the meeting that I am in a very small minority of folks who wouldn't mind seeing the lot split up and redeveloped. That section of Glenwood already includes a mix of large old homes, bungalows, and condominiums; all of which blend well enough. The Daniels home will be preserved, so I don't see the harm in adding a few more homes to the neighborhood. I wasn't sure if this subject was open for discussion (it wasn't) or if the majority would shoot down any dissenters (they would-you'll see how I know that in a sec).

The Northside renovation looks promising...considering that the north end of Whitaker Mill is no longer "North Raleigh" the name will be changed to High Park. It's going to be a much needed facelift, and I really appreciate York for sprucing up the area. During the presentation, it was quite amusing to watch the ladies representing the senior community on Whitaker Mill absolutely grill George York about the laundromat, and then proceed to "whisper" about him during the rest of the Q&A period.

An interesting exchange took place during the discussion of the proposed rezoning of Whitaker Centre. This small shopping center (if you can even call it that, with a nail salon and office space) moved into the neighborhood a few years ago, promising by covenant to never have an eating establishment. Now, they have changed their mind, and have requested a rezoning to allow such a place. The neighbors are adamantly opposed to this, because they do not want cars parking on their side streets or food preparation smell.

I personally don't see the B.F.D., but as a first-timer, I didn't really want to speak out without testing the water first. Luckily, I was not alone. A young man in the back questioned the speaker for going back and forth between "restaurant" and "coffee shop" when referring to the proposed project. She admitted that the proposal was for a coffee shop. Her 'hood's fear is that the coffee shop will progress to a restaurant (not out of the question) like EVOO, and she knows for a fact that the neighbors there absolutely hate the traffic, etc.

Gotta beg to differ on that one...I am the neighbors of EVOO (not that I will ever spend a dime there...but that's a different blog). The immediate neighbors of EVOO are a dry cleaner, a church office, my office, and one of my apartment buildings...no complaints. Traffic is not a problem on Fairview, where drivers don't exceed 20 mph when they're in a hurry. Patrons of the restaurant don't even abuse my office parking lot! EVOO smells pretty darn good when they fire up the grill, too...but that's just my opinion.

In the speaker's defense, the young man really did start to get a little pushy with his questions, long after he made his opinion clear. I mean, the item has already been voted on, and the neighbors of that area do have a right to try to stop the rezoning. But man, she sure let him know that his difference of opinion was not welcome.

As anti-"rules of order" as that was, I still have to say that I respect her (and everyone there) for caring about what's going on around them enough to get organized and make her voice heard. Not everyone will agree 100% of the time.

I'm looking foward to the next meeting (April perhaps?) and to getting more involved.

Ah, spring in NC

2006-03-02T10:57:00.000-05:00

Spring has arrived in Raleigh, NC. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, my car has its first coat of tree pollen...

All kidding aside, it's days like today that make me so happy to be living here. There's nothing better than stepping outside first thing in the morning without a jacket, breathing in the fresh air, the scent of trees and flowers blooming...

Which reminds me, I'd better start taking my Allegra daily now to avoid a repeat of last year's month-long attack. Spring is so much better when you can breathe and see.

To celebrate springtime in Raleigh, E & I will be doing lunch al fresco - Snoopy's hot dogs!

Is it getting hot in here?

2006-02-27T15:13:00.000-05:00

That last post sure got some attention! I sent an extremely toned-down version to Raleigh's News&Observer, and it actually got published in the letters to the editor! I was happy just to get a response from the author, and was surprised to open up the paper the next morning to read my own words. I heard responses from a few people who I have a lot of respect for, which was a great (but kind of wierd) feeling.

In the spirit of lightening things up a bit, I'm going to step down off of my Raleigh soapbox and instead put on my live-music-critic hat.

Which, in this case, is a 10-gallon hat. With sequins. Yep, went to my first-every country music show this weekend. Don't revoke my Yankee card just yet...the tickets were free, provided by my roommate from my senior year of college. She works for Rascal Flatts, and invited me to come take in the show on Friday night in Greensboro.

After spending the entire 1 1/2 hour ride and 3 beers (at Red Oak, not in the car) trying to remember that one song I know by Rascal Flatts, I actually dug up an old mix cd that had it! Also on the cd was some Mystikal, lots-0-Ludacris, and JoDee Messina. Ironically, this cd comes from the short time that I lived in Greensboro...hence the mix of hip-hop and country. That's all they've got.

E & I got to the concert just in time to catch the main act. At least, I think it was Rascal Flatts...even with our great seats, it was hard to tell exactly which band we were watching because half (no exaggeration) of the show was covers. If I wanted to hear the Eagles, Pink Floyd, Clint Black (not that I would have known that it was a Clint Black song if the person behind me hadn't said something), Elton John (sorry, but Angie Aparo owns the Rocket Man cover), BETTE MIDLER, for goodness sake, I could have saved myself half a tank of gas, stayed in Raleigh and headed over to Napper Tandy's (the sorry excuse for an Irish Pub that used to be Ri Ra) for a cover band or E's brother-in-law dj'ing. Although, considering that I only know one Rascal Flatts song, it was nice to have those covers to sing along with.

The lowlight of the show was the 80's-inspired flying stage that transported the three members of the band (leaving behind their -count 'em- 4 back up band members) across the arena. This gave everyone a closer look at the snazzy bedazzling on their shirts and jeans, and allowed them to kill more time without actually having to play any songs.

There actually was a highlight! One of the band members (not the lead singer, and not the one called Joe Don) would take over with some solo action...he tore up the drums, played the piano, and sang a heckuvalot better than the other guy. Someone call me when his solo album comes out!

All in all, the concert was disappointing, not getting to hang out w/em after the show was disappointing, but hanging out at Red Oak before the show w/Scarlet was, as always, entertaining, and well worth the trip.

2008 can't come soon enough.

2006-02-22T13:18:00.000-05:00

I have to keep reminding myself what a "great" situation I have: a relatively low-stress job where I can get my schoolwork done on my down time. On a good day, I still like what I do. But on days like today, the last thing I want to do is take some redneck to see an apartment. And even on a good day, having a crazy resident swear at me and call me names for no reason can get old. It's really hard to be nice to people sometimes.

Then again, I have had a lot of really nice folks come through lately. I've been reluctant to get my behind out of the chair (they don't know that, I still pretend to be just thrilled that they've walked through my door), but by the end of our tour I admit that I generally have enjoyed getting to know a little bit about them.

I think the main reason that I am looking forward to finishing my master's and moving on is to progress to a career where my co-workers are also educated. I have always enjoyed working for small businesses. One drawback of that, however, is that the staff is typically home-grown, and you're stuck spending a lot of time with those few people. The one person that I share my entire day with has been with the company for 10 years, has a high-school diploma (if that), and the professional demeanor and social skills that go with it. I am consistently cheerful (fake or not) in an effort to provide a pleasant environment for all of our employees. Unfortunately, the favor is not returned, and each morning I am unsure whether my greetings will be returned with pleasantries or pursed lips.

All of which, I realize, really have nothing to do with educational level, and I know that there's at least one person who is hard to deal with in every crowd of co-workers. But a girl can dream, can't she?

Louder, Crowder!

2006-02-21T14:04:00.000-05:00

This article in today's News & Observer calls City Councilman Thomas Crowder principled, an all-or-nothing perfectionist, and anti-development. Absolutely right! Good for him. What? Oh, the Disturber apparently thinks that's a bad thing.

I have more respect for Thomas Crowder than for any other member of Raleigh’s City Council. As a twenty-something resident of this city, I plan to remain here well beyond 2050. I appreciate the vision that Crowder has for the future. I appreciate that a council member is willing to think hard enough about the long-term implications of decisions made today, rather than making the easiest choices that clear the issue from his plate or sweep it under the rug.

I have been disappointed to see other council members who pledged that they would stand up to big real estate and development cave at the last minute. According to Philip Isley, the developers of the Soleil Center were allowed more “latitude” simply based on the amount of money they have to invest into the project. Basically, they just bought their way into the Crabtree area, and Crowder was the only council member that voted against throwing the city’s Comprehensive Plan to the wind. More importantly, Crowder has been the only member vocalizing his support for the taxpayers that have invested millions upon millions of dollars in the convention center project. He is the only one actively standing up to the developers to ensure that a long-lasting, quality structure is built. I’m sure it has been an inconvenience to the council to have to put the extra thought and effort into getting it right. I will be sure to do my part to help relieve the complainers of their inconveniences during the next election.

But, you know, the Soleil site “is where it is,” according to Planning Commission Chair Mark Everette. Too bad it couldn’t be downtown, or anywhere else that the Comprehensive Plan suggested for major development. “It is where it is,” so when you combine that with the fact that Everette had a personal interest in getting the project approved, hey, go right ahead!

For the record, Crowder did not refer to the Soleil Center as a giant pickle. He was describing a 40 foot tower in the Crabtree Valley as Raleigh’s equivalent of Durham’s “giant pickle” – the University Tower.

So, in response to Mr. West’s comment that “it appears…that [Crowder] is not willing to sacrifice his personal agenda for the common good” I say shame on you! Just a small amount of research will show that the opposite is true. It just so happens that nearly every other member of the council has a personal agenda, and Crowder’s agenda for improving this city while looking ahead to the future does not mesh with the old-school agendas. Mr. West: Why did you choose Charles Walker over Renee Bethea for the Planning Commission?

Thankfully, Crowder’s firm stand against EIFS has drawn a great deal of attention, and people are beginning to see that there are issues that need to be addressed. My hope is that the voters of Raleigh will tire of the so-called leaders that make decisions that benefit their small network of colleagues, and stand up and support the people who are standing up for us. If we don’t speak up, eventually no one will be there to hear us.

This blog "architected" for your reading pleasure...

2006-02-17T10:36:00.000-05:00

This pet peeve has grown from my general grammar and spelling pet peeve category. "Architecting" has reared its ugly head so many times recently that it has earned special attention. Not for the squeamish...

I absolutely want to shove the sharp end of a pencil in my ear every time I hear someone use the word "architect" as a verb. Yes, I said verb. As in: "I architected a brand-new computer program." It always comes from IT people, by the way. More than one of my techie classmates, apparently unsatisfied with their lot in life as a programmer, have referred to their method of creation as "architecting." Each time this phrase is used, I practically convulse with involuntary cringing and eye-rolling. It takes every bit of restraint in my body to not approach the offender after class and explain to them that, as MBA students, our vocabulary should be adequate enough to avoid making up new words. Not to mention the insult this delivers to real architects, who, for the record, do not architect buildings, they design buildings. Novel idea.

Be a drop in the bucket

2006-02-13T15:17:00.000-05:00

It has been about a year and a half since I made Raleigh my home. I have observed local politics and issues with interest, especially concerning dowtown revitalization and the rapid growth throughout the county. What has absolutely blown my mind are the decisions that have been made that contradict the plans agreed upon for smart growth. Even more nauseating is the blatant truth that those who reap the benefits of many a City Council vote have not been the people of this city, but the developers and others who have the deepest pockets. See a recent example of this here

It is a shame that so many people that I have come into contact with see what is going on, but don't speak up. Because of this, I have decided to set an example for my peers and get involved.

I am, by nature, a joiner. I have always enjoyed being involved in various activities and groups, and I have often taken an active role in decision-making organizations that have an impact on my life. You see, like many people, I have strong opinions about the things that are going on around me...but I can't stand to just let things go on around me. The beautiful thing about our society is that it is supposed to be for the people, by the people. The unfortunate thing is that not enough people participate in the decision making process - from the easiest end of the spectrum, which is simply casting a vote...to the toughest, by challenging the status quo and unseating public officials who don't represent our interests.

In time, I plan to do both. Here is where I am starting:

I have (just today!) joined my neighborhood's Citizen Advisory Council email group. Every area in the city has a Citizen Advisory Council. Each council, made up of volunteer officers meets periodically to discuss issues concerning their specific area, such as zoning proposals, new development, and safety. These meetings are open to members of the community who want to get involved - like me! The volunteer chairs of the council then take any concerns or suggestions from the group to the City Council, Planning Commission, or other relevant committee.
For more information, and to find out which council your neighborhood belongs to, please visit this link
If you would like to visit the website of my neighborhood's council, here it is!
I have also recently gotten involved with a brand new good government group called Wake Up. The purpose of this group is to have an organization responsible for paying attention to what our elected officials are up to, and to have a strong voice with which to influence those officials. The focus of Wake Up is smart growth. We have just had our first meeting, and have not established a website, but the link
here is an article written by one of the organizers. Hopefully enough people will take an interest in what is happening in this rapidly growing city to get a handle on it before things go haywire. All it will take is for individuals to start speaking up, one by one, until we are heard. Don't let someone else make these important decisions for you!

My thoughts on cell-phone ettiquette

2006-02-08T16:23:00.000-05:00

While browsing around today, I came across an article here: http://http://www.slate.com/id/2132539/?nav=navoa which reveals one person's annoyance with others who invade their personal time, either with children or cell phones. Don't get me wrong, I have always wanted to let parents of unruly children know how little I appreciate the presence of their nose-miners in adult environments. I don't appreciate the unruly ones in family-friendly environments either, but moving on to cell phones...

The writer also expressed her displeasure with "college-age" people who carry on conversations via cell in public. My response to her: Get over it!

Here's the truth behind people who are bothered by the person at the next table at the coffee shop, who happens to be talking on the phone: they are just pissed off that they can't hear both sides of the conversation.

That's right. Look at it this way: if I was at the coffee shop with the person who would otherwise be on the other end of my phone call, we would probably be having the same conversation. At that point, according to cell-ettiquette-nazis, it would cease to be offensive. What's the difference? You don't get the gratification of knowing exactly what I did this weekend, etc.

And another thing for all of those who have their Depends in a wad over our "college age" public one-sided conversations: I have never heard more cell phones ring at inappropriate times than the two times that I attended events where I was among the youngest people there, by decades! The first was the swearing-in ceremony for the Raleigh City Council, and the second was a good-government group meeting! Cell phones ringing, some people even answering...how embarrassing. All people old enough to be (or older than) my parents.

Of course, I don't condone inappropriate conversation in public in any form. Don't take it that way. But I have just had enough of people who are quick to judge without thinking.

One less thing to do before I die...

2006-02-08T12:34:00.000-05:00

Today, I am able to cross an item off of my list of things to do before I die. I have finally attended a UNC-Duke basketball game! Great seats - about 11 rows from the floor, close to the visitor bench...perfect for berating Coach K!

So, the Heels didn't win - we all know this is a "building year." They sure gave Duke a run for their money in the second half! You never know how this game will go. And I do have to give it to J.J...he totally owned that game. Can't wait to see what Duke's gonna do next year!

Next up...Cameron!

Five Star Chinese Restaurant in Raleigh: Terrible Experience!

2005-09-27T11:54:00.000-04:00

On Friday, September 23rd, 2005, I, along with seven of my friends, had the worst experience with restaurant management of my entire life.

Our reservation for 10 people at 8:45 pm was made with no difficulty. We arrived right at 8:45 with a party of eight, and were seated immediately...no waiting required.

Service was acceptable, food was decent...nothing great, but nothing that I would generally complain about. The issue arose with the way a manager reacted to a comment regarding the restaurant's policies.

After ordering, a member of our party noticed that the menu stated that checks will not be split up. Not a huge deal, but we did look at it as a minor inconvenience that would be dealt with at the end of our evening. Little did we know, but not only will they not split up the check, they won't even identify the meals on the bill! Our printout looked a little like this:

Food $10.95
Food $10.95
Food $12.75
Food $ 4.95
Liquor $12.00
Liquor $12.00
Beer $ 4.00

You get the picture...just expand it to include eight entrees, all of our appetizers, and more than one drink per person. When we were forced to ask our server for a menu in order to identify each couple's charges, the server confided to us that he understood what an inconvenience the policy is, and asked if we would like to speak with a manager to express our displeasure. I personally took him up on the offer.

When the manager finally approached the table, I made it very clear to him that our party was not asking him to change any policy for us that night. We were not asking him to split our bill into four checks, or to take any immediate action on our behalf. All I wanted was to voice my opinion of the no-split-checks policy, and ask him to pass this opinion on to the ownership for a future reconsideration of the policy. I wanted the management to know that we would not have chosen their restaurant with such a large group if we would have known about the policy in advance, and that as long as that policy is in place I would not return to the restaurant with more than one other person in the future.

This is the response that the young, male, Asian, spiky-haired manager gave me:

"I don't care if you ever come back. We had a two-hour wait tonight of other people who are willing to spend money here." (See note above regarding no waiting.)

"Sullivan's wouldn't have split your check." (Sorry, son, but Five Star is most certainly not Sullivan's. Not even close. Not to mention that the staff at Sullivan's are extremely professional and know how to treat their customers.)

"When I go out to eat with my friends, either one person picks up the tab or we would have split it evenly by eight." (Well, excuse me, Mr. High Roller, but 1. We were a group of young professionals trying to enjoy an evening out. I hope that someday I won't bat an eye at picking up a $300 check, but not this weekend...and 2. I am not going to ask my friends to split a bill evenly with me when my drinks cost $8 more than theirs.)

Again, I wasn't asking for anything. No, I am obviously not easy to please, but the standard "I understand your frustration, and will pass your opinion on to the powers that be" would have shut me up and put my butt back in a seat at Five Star someday. This manager has ensured that I will never step foot through that door again...and I will also make sure that all of my friends are aware of the situation.

Ironically, on our way to the car that night, we ran into three acquaintances who were actually on their way in to Five Star for dinner. We filled them in on the experience, and they kept walking...chose not to give them their business. Way to burn a bridge, Five Star.

Self Pity at it's Finest, Folks

2004-08-17T03:05:00.000-04:00

Everything I Need To Know In Life I Learned From My Honda Civic

In the last 8 weeks, the following has happened to my poor little car:

Hit and run to the bumper (ouch)
Blown tire
Predatory Towing
Baseball-sized shattering of the windshield

Now, only one of these things can be attributed to my personal shortcomings/common sense should-have-seen-it-comings. As I recline with my glass of wine, I am inclined to wonder, "Why Me?" Well, to be honest, it could have been any of us. I do believe that there are lessons to be learned from each of these incidents, however. I will kindly share them to spare each of you the soul searching that is sure to follow any visit to a shady tow truck lot at 4 am:

Hit and run to the bumper: This neighborly gesture tells you to trust no one! At least no one who lives in the 1600 building of Treybrooke Circle. You know who you are. I smiled and said hello to you on a daily basis, I'm sure. I believed that you would never do anything to hurt me. Until that one evening when I came home, and the damage had already been done...
Blown out tire: 1. Keep both hands on the wheel, literally and figuratively. You never know when stuff is going to get out of control. 2. Chivalry is not dead. Chauvinism isn't either, though.
Predatory Towing: Read the fine print. Or at least the bold, bright red print. That's a good start.
Shattered Windshield: A little background on this one: About ten minutes before this latest mishap, I reminded myself to make a conscious effort to not follow closely behind other cars specifically to avoid rocks that may be kicked up onto my hood or windshield. So of course there was no one in front of me. I was in the clear, right? Please, just look who you're talking to. A truck heading in the opposite direction dropped a boulder on my windshield! Which makes our final lesson: No matter how smooth the road ahead looks, there will always be bumps in the road. They are unavoidable. If you can remember to expect the unexpected, and remind yourself that life always goes on, it might hurt a little bit less. A secondary lesson here is this: Don't live in one shitty town and commute to work in a shittier town down a shitty little country road.