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littleapple5
Jan. 17th, 2008
09:51 pm - I never knew
I honestly had no idea how freaking annoying it is to have someone lecture at you, out of the blue. I freely admit that I have several soapboxes, myself. I have 4 mantras for which, in my social circles, I am known for chanting.
1) condoms, condoms, condoms
2) wear your sunscreen (yes, even when it's cloudy!)
3) cigarettes suck (aka - please stop spewing your unused airpollutants in my face; it's damaging to my hypothetical future children AND
4) for Christ's sake, just because you have a sore throat, you don't need to take antibiotics. And if by chance a doctor does prescribe them, please finish taking the prescription so that I don't come down with MRSA some day.
Can you tell that I work in the field of public health?
The other day, I was minding my own business in the breakroom at work, heating up my lunch in the microwave. (MMm leftover chicken chili) And a colleague starts telling me that I really shouldn't be using plastic storage containers in the microwave. I sort of laughed it off and make some sort of joke about how I was spoiled by modern convenience. After 5 minutes or so of uncomfortable banter about the deadly particles that the microwaves were unleashing from my Ziplock storage containers...
She: "No, really. It's supposed to be bad for your health."
Me: "Yup, that and my teflon pans, I just can't win!"
She: " I think you should get some glass containers to carry your lunch in."
Me: "Um...are you done, because I'm really getting hungry now."
just kidding, I didn't really say that last one, but I thought it. I just muttered to myself as I turned my back on her and walked back to my office to eat at my desk.
Is she serious??? I exercise, I recycle, I don't smoke, I (try to) eat healthy (most of the time), and this bitch has to give me grief about my lunch containers?! Yes, I know: plastic is evil. But so is pretty much everything else I ingest or breathe, or slather on my skin. Can't I just pick my poison and be done with it? I'm not sure why it annoyed me so much - maybe it was her persistence, maybe it was because I had been working through lunch all week and STILL was going to have to work on the weekend, I don't know. It shed some light on the Libertarian perspective for me. Maybe they are onto something.
It *almost* makes me feel guilty for my soapbox speeches...almost.
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aggravatedJan. 11th, 2008
09:39 am - Reverse Psych resolution gone awry
So, like all good, body-loathing American women, I too resolved to finally lose these pesky 10 (or so) pounds in 2008. Part 1 of my resolution included ending my gym membership. Counter-intuitive? Let me explain: I used to go to spin class at my gym twice a week during my lunch hour. It was awesome and I loved it. When I changed jobs, my office became further from the gym, and my new job was fond of scheduling lunchtime conference calls. I adapted, I was able to go to the 6pm class (but only 1 time per week due to conflicts).
My 7:00pm gym departure put me right in the middle of downtown connector traffic at the tail end of rush hour. To avoid this, I would backtrack all the way to my office and then drive home. This route put me at home squarely around 8pm. I hate that. The dog hated that. It was inconvenient and so my attendance at spin class waned (though my dog and the hardwoods thanked me for it). I figure by cutting this gym membership, I could save money and then apply it to an activity that I would actually do regularly (and thereby have an overall increase in activity level and decrease in pant-size).
I had a month-to-month contract with the gym so I called yesterday to cancel membership. At which time, they informed me of their 60-day cancellation policy. So now I get to pay them until March 1 for the privilege of being inconvenienced by their location. Ugh. I probably wouldn't be so annoyed if I hadn't heard Bob Sullivan on NPR earlier this week. "Gotcha capitalism" is my pet peeve of the week.
Jan. 4th, 2008
03:07 pm - Effects of boredom
Why did I bother going to grad school?? All the jobs I have had the past 5 years (yes, all 4 of them) have so underutilized my knowledge, skills and abilities, that I'm beginning to doubt I have ANY of those things anymore. Anyone want to hire a mid-career person whose proficiencies include playing scrabulous on facebook w/o getting caught and following celebrity gossip blogs so closely that I know what's happening to Britney before she does?
I didn't think so. I'm going to go re-organize my files....again. TGIF
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boredJan. 2nd, 2008
01:26 pm - Total Pet Peeve
Wow - I consider myself a pretty highly educated person. I went to a top-tier university for undergrad; I graduated with honors and a major in molecular biology. I went to an ivy league graduate school, and even though I went part-time my entire first year, I still got my degree on time. I've also been working in a health-related field for almost 5 years now. The past 4 have been in: HEALTH SERVICES!!! So why is it that when I'm trying to figure out my health benefits, I feel like a total idiot?
Someone should really teach scheisters lawyers to write in plain English. These 'summary of benefits' documents are a complete disgrace. Of course, I guess that is the nature of the beast: introducing as many caveats and loopholes as possible so that they can reject whatever claims they feel are too expensive unnecessary. Never-mind the run-on sentences that would have my 3rd grad teacher shrieking at the top of her lungs. Punk-asses.
I'm crying for the future of this country. If I'm having trouble with this crap - how is that average American supposed to successfully maneuver through this system? Ah, I guess I just answered my own question.
For all those out there who are falling for this "socialized medicine is the first step toward communism" propaganda: consider yourselves warned. Free-market principles don't apply when there is infinite demand for a product. Or at least consider a pay for performance type of system (not ideal, but it's better than the insurance companies squeezing both the patients and the providers for every last cent). That's enough of a rant for today. I have to go figure out how to submit my claim...
annoyedJan. 1st, 2008
10:38 pm - Should old aquaintance be forgot?
First of all....happy new year!! Here's to a 2008 that doesn't suck as much as last year.
Anyway - always the dilemma...an ex-boyfriend recently requested me as a friend on one of those social networking websites. This was not some guy I dated for 10 minutes and it just didn't work out. We dated on and off for 6 years or so. And it ended ugly. REAL ugly. I think the last words I ever spoke to him (about 7 years ago!!!) were "I don't fucking need this shit!". On my work phone. While I was in a cubicle. VERY professional, no?
So I wasn't sure what to do. But in the spirit of one of my acupuncturists' suggested new year's resolutions to "let things go" - whatever that means -- I added him. Not such a big deal, I guess. It's just that we've spoken all of 0 times in the last 7 years. Oh, once he sent me an IM to tell me he was engaged. I heard through the grapevine that his engagement ended - and not with a wedding. I have successfully avoided him like the plague while visiting the hometown; the thought that I might run into him usually ellicits a feeling of acute nausea.
So far, it's been cordial. Limited communication, but definitely no hostility that I can detect. Anyway, looks like this might be a year of surprise occurances or at least surprise cyber reunions.
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amusedDec. 28th, 2007
03:44 pm - To all the guys I've loved before
I have never been one of those people that just takes things at face value. I'm a scientist from Christ's sake! Call it inquisitive, call it skeptical, I call it really super annoying. Forever the doubting Thomas. I used to think of myself as a hopeless romantic, but I'm not sure why. I've always kind of thought of love at first sight as a joke. A short courtship/engagement has always seemed ill-advised to me. Is it cynicism, logic or just practicality?
I recently turned 30 (and no, this is not a post about self-pity for the aged). But because this birthday is supposed to be some sort of milestone, I've been doing a lot of reflecting on decisions I've made (or made by default) that have shaped the way these last 7 - 10 years have gone. Likely - they will be shaping the way the rest of my life goes. That thought alone is frightening.
Far and away, the things I've spent the most time thinking about are the (many, many, many) failed relationships of my 20's. Although there were many complete assholes that I'm not sorry to be rid of, there were three guys that I still think about intermittently. Overall nice guys who (seemed to ) genuinely like me, and who I genuinely liked back. The recurring theme with those guys? Bad timing. Such a cliche, but really, I'm not sure how else to describe what went wrong other than that I'm commitment-phobic, but that' s a post for another day.
Now, I am currently dating a great guy. But in our relationship, as in all, there are some challenges. Sometimes, I catch myself wondering, if I would have pursued a romantic relationship with any one of these 3 that got away, could I have avoided some of these challenges? I am NOT naive - I know that every relationship is hard work...yadda yadda yadda. But I am talking about the specific issues that I now deal with every 3-4 months. Who knows?
Is 'bad timing' a legitimate reason to walk away from a budding relationship if really that is the only thing wrong at the time? Is bailing due to bad timing a cop out?? All three of these guys from my past have moved on; all are in serious relationships, two are married; one with a child. Given that the trajectory of their lives has moved forward this way, it has precluded any future involvement with me (I refuse to speculate 20 years into the future, divorces etc). So have I allowed bad timing to shape my future marriage, family? Or was this all destined to happen this way no matter what I did? And more importantly, at what point does the 'what if' game signal that there is something missing from the current boyfriend?
I think I'd be playing the shoulda, coulda, woulda game no matter where my life took me; that's just my personality. I just hope I don't let all this daydreaming and philsophizing sabotage the current good guy in my life.
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contemplativeJul. 26th, 2007
10:48 pm - Makes me Wonder
If you are a member of PETA, are you obligated to be a member of my yet-to-be-formed organization, PETP (People for the ethical treatment of PEOPLE?)
Jul. 23rd, 2007
10:35 am - Regressing and it feels so good.
A good friend of mine recently turned 30, and to commemorate this occasion, I created a flashback cd for her. It's a compilation of songs that were popular during our junior year abroad in Florence, Italy. I am listening to a copy of it right now and it is providing an awesome soundtrack while I read this evidence report on colorectal cancer.
I'm currently grooving in my swivel chair to The Spice Girls. Thank goodness for ipod headphones and offices with doors that close.
nostalgicJul. 22nd, 2007
03:40 pm - Insult to Injury
I was out walking my dog this morning...and a group of vagrants that are squatting at a house around the corner from me decided to comment on my physical appearance. One of them told me that I had gained weight and that I had a whole lotta junk in my trunk. Awesome. I mean, so I had gone out to eat twice this weekend...but I didn't think the extra calories were visible already!
This was a woman talking, by the way. So at this point, I'm feeling a little sheepish as I had selected the shorts I was wearing because I thought they de-emphasized my junk. Terrific - more de-emphasis needed. Seeing that I was visibly hurt by the comment, she proceed to tell me that I wore it well - and then asked me if I could give her bus fare.
Still love living in the hood.
irritatedJul. 12th, 2007
12:22 am - reality check
Not for the faint of heart.... BUT...
I was changing my maxi pad earlier and on the little peel away tabby things it ACTUALLY says "Have a happy period.". Not just in English, but also in French. I'm so baffled. To boot - I don't think I've ever had a happy period. Do they exist?
Still totally baffled.
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confusedJul. 10th, 2007
02:51 pm - So maybe I'm a hater
But I just love it when hypocrites have to eat their own words. Not only the Mr., but the Mrs. too!!
Lorena Bobbitt, my ass!
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/07/10/v
amusedJun. 6th, 2007
09:00 am - gym antics
I tried out a new schedule yesterday, since with my fabulous new job, I actually have things to do during the day - it's a little tougher for me to get my spin class fix between 9am and 5pm. I decided that since bailing from working out is no longer an option (lest I fall victim to my slowing metabolism and 'secretary spread'), that I'd go to the 6pm class. Yes, it would delay me about an hour and a half from returning to my beloved pupster - but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
It was a great class - awesome workout. WOO HOO. And it was actually pretty full for a change. I liked the energy. By the end of the hour, I was glistening like a pig. SoooooooooooooooooooooooEEEEEEEEEEEEE. (sorry, been down south a little too long)
Two things I neglected to take into consideration:
1. That wearing a sports bra and shorts, while perfectly comfortable in a near empty gym at lunch time...will get you a couple of ogles when the gym is teeming after work. Hmm. I definitely felt like the 'itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polkadot bikini girl; I was afraid to come out of the locker (room).
2. There are few things as unpleasant as working your butt off, sweating like a maniac and exiting the gym to 88 degree weather and 100% humidity. (we had a terrible rainstorm about 1 hour before I went to the gym). It was like trying to breathe pudding, or pea soup or something.
All things considered; I still enjoyed it. I like my little belly pudge (it's so perfect for belly dancing) and apparently the guys at the gym didn't mind it so much. Still...a six pack would be nice; it's on my 'to-do' list.
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energeticMay. 23rd, 2007
10:17 am - Jellyfish stink
I just read that the Dems have dropped the troop withdrawal from the war funding bill. Is it true?? ARGH! So this asshole gets his way again??? Show a little spine, people! The top 25 high schools in the country were published in Newsweek (got my copy yesterday)...and they all sound oddly like private schools. If we spent a FRACTION of the $$ being mindless shuttled to the war on education (or healthcare, or economic development...insert your cause of choice here) we'd actually start to resemble what the richest country in the world SHOULD look like.
PS This is not to say that I want our troops in the Middle east to do without the supplies they need. I'm just super annoyed that we're over there to begin with.
May. 9th, 2007
03:50 pm - Mortified!
Occupational hazard I suppose. I started a new job on Monday (yay!). One of the admin assistants has been out all week and I had not yet met her...but she came to my office to deilver a piece of mail for me (seeing as I have no mailbox yet). Yeah, it's acatalog from Global Protection Corp...every kind of condom imagineable! Great first impression...
I entered a contest at a public health conference last November...a guess-the-number-of-condoms-in-the-jar variety. I figured I'd take a stab at it. I didn't win the grand prize, but I am now apparently on their mailing list. Let me know if you are in need of buying in bulk... :)
amusedApr. 26th, 2007
11:36 am - Random question - throwing it out to the universe and seeing what comes back.
How can one tell the difference between stereotypical male thoughtlessness and being unfairly treated in a relationship? Because I have no Goddamn idea... Is there a threshold at which it is not to be tolerated any longer?
annoyedApr. 25th, 2007
09:39 am - One day more...
Tomorrow is my last day at my current job! The butterflies are gone...just pure excitement now. I can't wait to try something new. Evolve or die out. Go Darwin!
excitedApr. 16th, 2007
02:26 pm - Not again...
No real info yet, then again... I'm not sure what information could possibly rationally explain what has happened. What a tragedy...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/16/vt
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sickApr. 13th, 2007
05:41 pm - Coincidence??
- Sat in 1 hr 15 mins of traffic to get to work (7 miles)
- Got to work, realized I had packed up my soccer gear to play at lunch, but forgot shorts. Thank goodness, TPC had a spare pair. I had a feeling I was going to need the stress relief.
- No room in office neighbor's fridge for my lunch (the making of which had me running late and got me stuck in aforementioned traffic). No biggie - I put it in the break room freezer
- Went to get my morning cup of coffee; all gone. Had to make a new pot.
- Get into a methodological argument with my boss. (re: have to listen to his condescending tone of voice)
- Go to play soccer...yay! Get railed with the ball in the right knee. Fun.
- Agree to go on an errand with TPC since he drove me to soccer. We take 20 mins to get there and the place is closed. grrrrr. At this point I'm hungry and now we're even later getting back to the office.
- After showering, I'm STARVED. I go to get my lunch from the breakroom and it has been thrown away. THROWN AWAY!!!!!!! Tupperware and all. Including the back of homemade taralle that I baked with my mom. Now I'm pissed off, hungry and without access to non-vending machine food!
- I check work email. 3 emails from boss documenting condescending tone. Promising to be in the office by 3:00 pm. I forward these to our deputy branch chief for my own documentation.
- Go with SR to pick up a prize we earned for completing a training. Prize keeper has left for the day at 2:30. grrrrr
- Have had enough. Decide to chalk it up to a crappy day and leave work. A Chik-Fil-A sandwich and milkshake should make me feel better. It would have too, if the damn milkshake machine had been working. :(
- Go back out to car - notice tire almost flat. Big SCREW in tire. Lovely. At least I have a compressor in my trunk. Take out said compressor...plug has been cracked - won't fit into the cigarette lighter to power the compressor. I have to manually manipulate the contacts until I can jam it into the lighter outlet.
- Decide that the day has been stressful enough. Drive straight to Chewie and take him for a walk. I try to calm down and not get dead on my trip through the neighborhood.
I succeed and chronicle this mess of a Friday the 13th. The best part is, I don't even believe in this superstitious crap! I may have to change my tune now...
Apr. 12th, 2007
09:30 am - R.I.P. Kurt Vonnegut
May you continue your broadcast interviews from the afterlife.
sadApr. 10th, 2007
11:44 pm - Personality
I love these things...so much fun; and a good time waster if you're looking for one. Not sure of it's accuracy though... me? emotionally unstable?? They must have me confused with someone else... ;)
Check out the results of my personality test!
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