Sick and Tired

I tend not to call in sick very often. I guess it's because I genuinely like my job and my work environment. I am also relatively healthy most of the time.

It's also because all of the design projects in my department funnel through me. So whether a job is ready to go to print, or a new design request is coming in from another department, if I'm not there, things sort of just...stop. Everything I process is usually extremely time sensitive, so missing a day on something, can mean completely missing a deadline.

This morning, I got up and felt awful. Stuffy and congested. Coughing. Worn out. Scratchy throat. However, I knew that yesterday at the end of the day, I received a design request for coupon pads to be produced--and they were wanting them to be delivered by Monday. Today is Wednesday. They needed to be designed, printed, cut, padded and delivered by Monday. Again, today is Wednesday. Am I making my point?

So I dragged myself into the shower, went to work, got a coupon designed and approved and sent to the printer. I told my co-workers that I still felt sick and that I was going to head home. I will now describe to you, the level of coolness that I have in my co-workers. These things really were said to me before I left work:

Co-worker A - "I just poured this cup of fresh orange juice. Do you want it? You should have it if you are sick."

Co-worker B (in response to my asking if there was anything urgent needed from me before I left) - "It's just urgent that you go home and feel better."

Co-worker C (in response to me telling him I would be bringing him 2 new design jobs to work on before I left) - "I can just come over and pick them up from you since you don't feel good."

I don't know what it is...but when you are sick and people are nice to you, it makes being sick suck just slightly less.

I have to go now. I have to eat some chicken soup, watch as many back to back Friends episodes as I can in one afternoon, do a few Sudoku puzzles and make sure I have taken the maximum dosage of Emergen-C and Zicam.

Hopefully, by tomorrow, I will be back to being a productive member of society and I will be there to assist in whatever urgent art-related emergency might be occurring in Franklin, Tennessee on a random Thursday in February.

Job Insecurity

My husband works for one of the major record companies here in the Nashville area. Last week, 29 people in his building of employment and multiple other employees of the same company located throughout the country lost their jobs. Luckily, he was not one of the casualties. Not this time.

I don't think I ever realized how stressful a day like that would be on him and on me--and he didn't even end up losing his job. I also used to work in that building, and when he sent me that e-mail telling me that layoffs were happening, it felt like we were waiting for people we knew to be picked off by snipers. They were picked off one by one. It was awful.

It was horrible to hear the names of friends and old co-workers on that list. People of all levels were cut, from assistants to managers and everything in between. I thought of the single income families. I thought of the girl who recently got engaged. I thought of the people who have children and babies...and it just made me sad. I am genuinely sad for the people who were asked to leave their jobs. A friend of mine who has been through a job layoff in the past told me that it feels very much like a divorce.

A few days have now passed and we've had time to process it all, but it's taken it's toll on us. My husband has had trouble sleeping. I am trying to fight off a cold, but I think I am losing. It seems all we really want to do is sit in front of the TV and try not to think about it--but we still do.

Change is not always a bad thing. Sometimes it opens new doors for people. I just hope that for the majority of these people, these changes are just God's way of pushing them towards another door that they otherwise would have walked past.

May many doors be opened...

What Happens in Vegas...

As the saying goes, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But here is what I can tell you about my experience:

We experienced Vegas with our good friend "P".

We stayed at the Monte Carlo.

The main purpose of the trip was to celebrate "P" 's birthday and see The Beatles Cirque du Soleil show, "Love" at The Mirage. The show was amazing. It was beautiful and moving and gave me goosebumps. I would see it again in a heartbeat.

We had drinks at the Revolution Lounge before the show.

We went to the biggest, cheesiest gift shop in Vegas.

We checked out Fremont Street to experience "old" Vegas and got to meet Vegas Vic.

I had countless vodka gimlets over the course of the weekend. Vodka gimlets are my new favorite drink.

Lions and Fountains and Paris...oh my!

We only got about 4 hours of sleep on our last night there--and it was worth every second of sleep that I missed.



Other highlights:

I received a kiss on the hand by a complete stranger.

I saw Elvis.

Jello shots. (In addition to the vodka gimlets.)

I posed with meat in the wee hours of the morning after the Jello shots.

Free drinks while playing the penny slots.

There was laughter, tears and lots of snoring due to the incredibly dry air (and maybe the drinking?). Funny, constant, loud, multi- person, synchronized snoring that even led to one person having to get out of bed and walk across the room to stop another person who was snoring. Names will be withheld to protect the parties involved.

I wore an orange corduroy mini-skirt (which was, hands down, the shortest skirt I have ever worn in my 36 years) with black tights and tall, sexy black boots. It was Vegas and I was going to a Beatles show--it somehow felt appropriate.

I had the opportunity to utter the words, "I would give you another inch, but I am stuck because you are on my hair."

It's been a long time since I've laughed this much in one weekend.

Happy birthday, "P"! If you read this, thanks for celebrating with us!

Possibilities

Tomorrow I am taking a flight to Vegas.

Just being able to say those words is exciting to me. I'm not a big gambler or a wild, partying woman. Let's be realistic--I am 36 years old, and most days I just want to get some additional sleep. However, there is just something about the possibilities involved in having a Las Vegas trip ahead of you that is just, I don't know...exhilarating.

There are the incredible shows, the possibility (however slight) of winning money, the lights, the excitement, the feel of the constant pulse of life going on around you at all hours. Want to get married on a moment's notice? No problem. Steak dinner at 3:00 am? I could tell you were to go to get it at that time and for under $10.00! Want to drink a ninety-nine cent margarita while strolling down The Strip? Easily accomplished!

Money is flowing all around you. Huge bets are being placed. You can watch thousands of dollars being won and lost everywhere you turn. The shopping! The live music! The incredible hotels and resorts! It's sexy, it's beautiful, it's extravagant and every time I go, I am reminded why I love, love, love it there!

Viva Las Vegas! See you when I return...

Northeast Travels

Over Christmas, I had the opportunity to go into New York City for the day, like I normally do each year. New York City is just a little over an hour's car drive from my parents' house in Pennsylvania.

There are a few things that I like to do every time that I go.

I devoured two hot dogs and a papaya juice at Gray's Papaya.

I admired the Christmas Tree In Rockefeller Center.

I went to Little Italy and had a wonderful, romantic dinner with the husband at La Mela.

There were also a few new experiences this time. One thing that I did this time that I've never done before, was that I went to Hello Deli and had the pleasure of meeting Rupert (who frequently appears on David Letterman). I also ate a chicken salad sandwich while I was there, and watched other people come in and visit with Rupert. He was so nice to everyone!

This time, we rode the subway (since the traffic was so bad) and the coolest thing happened. Out of nowhere, this little Tejano musical duo walked onto our car and just started playing music. One guy had an accordian and one guy had a guitar and they just started playing and singing in Spanish as the subway moved along. I was amazed by their ability to balance and keep playing as the subway car started up, moved along, and stopped. We took a picture when we got off and before the subway moved on. (Don't you love how the people on the subway are just reading their newspapers like this is completely normal?)

Finally, on our way back to PA, we made a stop in North Arlington, New Jersey to visit a Sopranos landmark. Pizzaland Pizza! We stopped in, ate a slice and enjoyed the ambiance. Yo, you guys, it doesn't get any more Northeast than that!

Feeling Territorial

It seems as though someone was trying to break into our garage. Our garage door is bent and one of the windows on our garage door is cracked. No one got in and nothing is missing, but I already feel violated. We have a security system on our house and new security measures are already in place. We've called the police. However, deep down, I really just wish I could be sitting on my front porch with a shotgun all day. Is that a natural reaction?

The Queen of Useless Talent

I was tagged by Eccentric Blonde on Five Little Known Things about me. Here goes nothing...

1. Before cell phones were all the rage and people actually used real phones with handsets to put up to their ear and dial, I had developed an unusual talent. I could identify my close friends and family's phone numbers just by sound of the pressing the digits on the phone. At one time, my husband tested me on this, because he thought I was making this up. The odd thing is, I can still "hear" in my head what my home number, my best friend's number and my boyfriend's (now husband) number sounded like when I dialed those digits. What can I tell you...I am the Queen of Useless Talent. Welcome to my kingdom.
   
   
2. I am a little bit of a Star Wars nerd. I love the original Star Wars trilogy. I collected the trading cards as a kid. I had an Empire Strikes Back pillow case. I bought a white vest because Princess Leia wore white on Hoth in the Empire Strikes Back. The worst part of the confession...yes, I got teary-eyed when the Lucasfilm logo flashed up on the screen for the first time in years when they re-released the original Star Wars trilogy in theaters with the new footage and new special effects. It was an emotional moment for me.
   
   
3. I was once an accidental shoplifter. I was shopping at the mall as a teen, digging through racks of cheap earrings just to browse. When I got home, apparently two pairs of earrings had fallen into my purse without my knowledge. I must have bumped the rack with my purse or something. The worst part was that they were extremely ugly. I think they were plastic dice or something. Also, I didn't have my ears pierced at the time, so they were useless to me. I was afraid to try to return them, because I thought I might get charged with shoplifting or something. I've never intentionally stolen anything since.
   
   
4. I once climbed into a metal Salvation Army drop box in the heat of the summer, because I had accidentally put my favorite hairbrush in a bag that I dropped in the box. My Mom gave me a boost so I could get in and she helped me climb back out. I got my hairbrush back though! :)
   
   
5. I still know the words to a song about a Stegosaurus that I learned when I was in Kindergarten or first grade. It went like this, "I am a Stegosaurus, I'm a funny-looking dinosaur, and on my back there's funny-looking plates and on my tail there's more." I don't know why I still remember this, but I do. (You are now leaving the kingdom of the Queen of Useless Talent...I hope you enjoyed your visit.)
   

Now tagging The Pink Pig...

Will the Scales Tip in My Favor?

So, apparently I work with a pretty competitive group of people. First it was the Christmas tree decorating competition. Now, it's our version of "The Biggest Loser". See the below e-mail that was sent out to our whole company by my friend and co-worker, Lenny.

Did you put on a few pounds over the break? Want a little support in shaking it off?

Since we miserably lost in the Christmas tree competition, we thought this might be the perfect opportunity to save face for all of us in the marketing department. So, in keeping with the Christmas tree competition, we want to issue a re-match. We would like to "throw down the gauntlet" in a little weight loss / fitness competition. At the end of the challenge, the healthiest department standing is the winner...

This is a competition not only to challenge each other to lose weight, but to incorporate healthy habits in to our lifestyles as well. Here are a few things to note about the challenge:

1. No one will have to disclose their actual weight -- only pounds lost. This will be completely based on the honor system.

2. Even if you don't have any weight to lose, you can still earn points for your team / department by regularly exercising.

3. This competition is a 12-week challenge -- the team earning the most points will win a prize ... yes, a good prize.

4. Sissies need not apply because Marketing is bringing their "A-game".

5. Cheaters will be branded with a hot iron circle C so that everyone knows you are a well-upholstered liar. Note - we have also consulted with key ecumenical spiritual leaders on this issue as well and have been cautioned that it is possible that any cheaters in this competition could face eternal consequences.

Think you can take us down? If so, we'll have a meeting this Friday at noon in the cafe to go over the rules, program and point system. The challenge will start Monday and run for the next 12 weeks.

I am ready for the challenge and a little friendly competition. Let the games begin! The Design department is totally going to TAKE MARKETING DOWN. Nothing like a little competition to make weight loss and fitness interesting. I'll keep you posted...

I'm a Wimp

Is it so wrong that I really don't think I can go see Charlotte's Web because the spider freaks me out--even in the television previews? I don't care if it sounds like Julia Roberts. It is still a fairly realistic looking SPIDER. Yeah, I just don't think I can do it. I will see any and every non-spider-related horror movie out there, but I don't think I can make it through Charlotte's Web.

Resolutions

It's January and it's time for change. Time to get rid of the old and make room for the new. Time to be the person you've always wanted to be. Time for....resolutions! Here's what I've got so far:

• Sign up for electronic payments for all bills since I feel like one of the last 20 people on earth who still pay my bills with paper checks. (Already knocked this one off the list, and paid 3 bills electronically. This feels like a good start.)
• Clean out the underwear drawer. I mean, for crying out loud. Why am I holding onto bras that have underwire on one side, and nothing on the other? No one wants to be lopsided. Maybe buy some cute new underwear to make this exercise more fun.
• Sudoku puzzles. I must conquer. Did my first one last night--again, a good start.
• Exercise. And this is not just some nebulous, fuzzy, hard to measure resolution. I want at least 2.5 hours of exercise per week. Deep down...I still want to train for a marathon someday, but 2.5 hours is a start for 2007. I even plan to throw in a little extra time in the next few weeks, since I plan to ski in about 6 weeks.
• Be accountable, think about and write down everything that I eat. Always. Even on weekends.
• More bubble baths.

...and last but not least....

• Gradually chip away at this fake dinosaur egg until the Stegosaurus fully emerges.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Day. Traditionally, it is a time to look back, look ahead and make resolutions. 2006 was a pretty good year. Looking back, it's a pretty cool summary. Here are some of the highlights:

• I went skiing in the mountains of Colorado and successfully conquered my first black diamond slope.
• I saw Oasis, James Taylor, Tony Bennett and Nickelback in concert.
• I found a new job that I love.
• I celebrated my 10 year wedding anniversary.
• I met Lassie.
• I soaked up the sun in Jamaica.
• I went to a private party with Poison.
• I rode multiple roller coasters in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
• I went hiking in the mountains of Georgia.
• I turned 36.
• I sprained my ankle and had my first ambulance ride.
• I explored New York City over the Christmas holiday.

Here's to making new memories in 2007!