Thanks For... Ending?

So, yesterday was Thanksgiving. I doubt anyone is reading this, but just in case they are and they're in a different country (since I'm not sure if people from other countries know anything about U.S Thanksgiving), it's a holiday we celebrate the 4th Thursday of every November and pretty much involves stuffing ourselves with stuff like turkey (maybe ham or roast beef or tofurkey or whatever), mashed potates, stuffing, vegetables, bread and pumpkin pie. Or some other variation.

For me personally, it involves trying to appease my mother and father, who are no longer married. I would like to preface this by saying I know there are people out there who have bigger problems than mine. I've tried to remind myself of this so that I wouldn't feel so crappy... but it didn't work. So while I know things could be worse, they could also be better.

My sister and I are supposed to alternate parents; one year at my mom's and the next at my dad's. My parents split in 2005, so this is only the 4th year of this. This year was my dad's turn and previously, when we've spent the day with him, my mom has been invited to her friend's house, but this year her friend was out of town. So before we went to my dad's, we went to her house. We played a game and ate some snacks and I felt bad... but I am very much in the middle. So that's the first sucky thing.

The second thing is that no matter how much I try to tolerate my dad's wife and her family, I am miserable when I have to be around them. The topic of my dog came up and they got those looks on their faces because she happens to be a pitbull. None of them have ever so much as seen a picture of her, but because she is a pitbull, she must be deadly and vicious. My dog is like a daughter to me, so I take offense to that. Furthermore, I always feel like an interloper when I am around them. I feel like I am my father's niece, rather than his daughter. My father and his wife planned on going shopping this morning and invited her daughter to breakfast, right in front of me... but I wasn't invited. They talk about things in front of us, like they are supposed to be a secret, but we're not significant enough to be included. I've never liked how my father has freely admitted to loving his wife more than us, constantly puts her before everyone, but when he doesn't even treat us as well as her children - whom he doesn't even like, it feels really really crappy.

I just feel like I have to do with my father as I've done with several of my friends lately; they've shown me that when I really need them, they aren't around, even if I have been there for them in the past, so I have taken a step back from them and those relationships. I guess that's what I have to do with him. I know he's my father, and I will always love him, but I don't think it's fair to me to have to go through this.

Potential Devastating News

I had a hair appointment today and my hairdresser was running a few minutes late with the person before me, so I sat and waited for a few minutes. Since I don't do waiting very well, I pulled out my Blackberry and checked out CNN because... I don't really wait. Anyway, I discovered the most disturbing tidbit of information! Apparently the Screen Actor's Guild may be going on strike. Imagine a world with no new episodes of your favorite TV show (maybe even new movies) for months on end. It would be like... last year. I cannot handle two years in a row of indefinite hiatus's of my shows, especially not now. I am rarely anywhere besides work or home. I make my one trip a week to the grocery store, I get my hair done every five weeks and once a month or so I may hit up Target/Kohl's/the mall. My life revolves around Netflix and TV! And I'm not even being dramatic. I have no idea how much time I spend strategizing my queue at Netflix and figuring out which DVD's I want next, factoring in when they will be received (I go for movies during the week and TV shows on DVD for the weekends) and what is on TV the night I get them. Pathetic? Maybe... but I'm a lot happier than when I used to spend time and money (not to mention energy) going out to eat, the movies, clubs, etc...

This strike could endanger my couch potato existance! What am I going to do? Become an avid exerciser? Start gardening? Nature photography?

Please, anyone reading this that might have any influence, please do not let them strike. Or if they have to, can they do it during the time they'd normally be on hiatus anyway?

My Declaration of Independence

I had an epiphany of sorts recently. I am actually really happy with my current relationship status... or lack thereof.

I'm single, and have been for almost three months. I haven't been on any dates, I don't know of anyone I have any interest in dating. If I am not at work, more often than not, I am at home. And I am seriously, 100% fine with it.

I have no desire to be with anyone right now. I don't yearn for a guy of my own when I see a couple holding hands or doing some couply thing. I haven't even pondered how nice it would be to have a boyfriend that I could drag with me to the neighborhood block party I am supposed to go to (where I don't know anyone). I recently was reading about a tango class and I always wanted to take tango (or just about any dance) classes, but you have to have a partner. So I said "Aww, I need a boyfriend," and almost immediately thought... not really.

If I had a boyfriend, I'd have to spend time with him. I'd have to go places with him and do things I'm not really interested in. Like see Hellboy 2. I'd have to go to restaurants and watch everyone else eat yummy stuff and order mashed potatoes.

Part of the reason is my current health problem. I don't feel like doing very much. But also... I'm really content staying home with my dog and more or less staying on top of my housework. Netflix helps... my life pretty much revolves around it.

Anyway... I'm actually really content with this. For reals. Back when "Single" came out (Natasha Bedingfield... quite catchy tune) I was all digging it. It was a couple of years ago, before I met Loser Boy (I'll have to write several blogs on him someday) and totally embraced it, even as I made it my ringtone in hopes that some hot guy would hear it and totally love my confidence and taste in music (because he would see that, to me, a ringtone is never just a ringtone, but actually a meaningful expression of what was in my head and heart) and then I wouldn't be single. And then post-Loser Boy, I always wanted to be happy to be single, but that never quite worked.

But now, I am not looking for anyone. I don't even entertain the idea of a date. And if Loser Boy tried, I wouldn't have a problem staying away.

And it feels SO KICK ASS!

OMG, I AM a Disney Princess!

So I wanted to take Monday off and have a four day weekend. This didn't work for three reasons:

1) My boss told me I could take the day off as long as I was caught up with my work. At 8:00 in the morning, it was no problem. But then she and all my other bosses piled on extra little tasks. I felt like freaking Cinderella, being told I could go to the ball, as long as I had my work done... and then finding my list of chores growing exponentially until it would be impossible for me to go to the ball... or take Monday off. But despite the fact that I do not have a fairy godmother or very productive and vocally talented mice, I was able to get my work done by 5:00 - but it did involve me working through my lunch and breaks.

2) Also during the "Well, you can have the day off IF" speech, I was informed that due the holiday Tuesday, I'd have to be on the phones for at least part of the day on Wednesday. So, it's possible that I won't get to my own work until Thursday. If I don't work Monday... that'll be a lot of work. And I knew I would spend my whole weekend obsessing over it.

3) I've been told all the bosses are going to be working on a project Monday and will be so busy, they might not have time to annoy me with little tasks they don't have time to do because they're so busy doing nothing. I might actually have a productive day!


However, despite my concerns that my 4-day weekend would be somewhat spoiled with concerns that I'd get stuck working 3 hours of overtime Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I probably should have done it anyway. Now I've spent the whole weekend bummed that I have to go to work Monday.

On a related note, my boss told me she also wants to put me on the phone Monday, December 1st. It's the Monday after Thanksgiving, and also the first day we'll be using a new program to view customer accounts. Our company historically screws up whenever we have a new anything, so there is a 99.9% chance this will be a craptastic day (and a 92% chance the whole week will be a nightmare). However, it was pointed out to me by the person who knows better than anyone that if I give her 7 day's notice, she cannot deny me that day off. Considering how bad that day will be and the fact that I'm not getting my 4 day weekend... I'm going for a 5 day weekend.

Oh, and a little update to my previous post... no gifts. Nobody has even asked if I am registered. And no checks! I'm waiting for my grandmother to ask me about it.

Gift Registries ROCK!

So, I didn't go to work today... which means a crossing off very few things on my massive to do list and lots of screwing around on the internet. So... I delved into gift registries.

Now, I am not some social freak that has never heard of a gift registry. On the contrary, I've actually complained on more than one occasion that registries should not be limited to new babies, homes and weddings... we should have them for all gift-giving affairs. Granted, you can now set up wish lists on many websites... but my Nana, who shakes in fear at the sight of the computer yet loves to give me prezzies... that doesn't do a fat lot of good.

Anyway... I have a new home. It's my first time living on my own. I need a great many things. Now, since I love to shop, half the fun of buying a new home was shopping for all my fun new stuff. And I did a lot of that while I was waiting for my house to be built. I even went all the way to Covina, CA to IKEA and bought a buttload (actually, an SUV load) of stuff. I went all over town and bought loads and loads of items. My dad, luckily, moved out of his house and in with his then-fiancee a couple of months before my house was done... so I inherited dishes and furniture and other items.

And yet... I still need more. I have next to no bakeware. I need stuff to put on my walls. I don't have a mixing bowl. And I am sure there is a ton of other stuff that I need and I don't even know it exists!

So, today I set up a registry at Target.com! And it just so happens that this morning, I finally got around to mailing my new home announcements out. I have a big family with aunts, cousins, etc... and my parents and grandparents have sent them gifts and money for years so, according to my Nana, it's time for them to send ME gifts and money! Yay!

An Ode to Food

Since I had my gallbladder removed a month ago, and was very ill for a month and a half before that, so I haven't had much to eat besides mashed potatoes, pudding and yogurt for two and a half months. It's not that other food doesn't appeal to me, or that I don't crave anything... I just cannot eat most things without pain and nausea. So I thought I might blog about all the delicious foods and drinks I am missing.

Birthday Cake (especially Costco Buttercream cake) - It broke my heart that my birthday actually came and went and we could not spend some time together. You know how I love you, specifically your frosting, but right now it would leave me in agony. Rest assured, as soon as I am able, we will spend some quality time together.

Islands's Hawaiian Veggie Burger and Fries - I've been thinking about you all day and my mouth just waters as I imagine the tangy taste of pineapple mingling with the veggie pattie and bread, so yummy and yet messy that I must eat you with a fork and knife. And the fries, so salty and scrumptious... I can practically taste you in my mouth.

Roberto's Bean Burrito & Tostada - I don't know if I will ever eat you without suffering again... but I know there will come a day that the taste will be worth the price. The delicious beans, cheese, that green sauce... your sour cream is easily the best sour cream I have ever had!

BJ's Tomato and Cheese Pizza - You are absolutely the best pizza I've ever had. You melt in my mouth. So thick and cheese and soft. And don't even get me started on a Pazookie dessert.

Starbucks - I miss you so every day that I am thisclose to taking a chance and getting a frappuccino or iced caramel macchiato. So sweet and filling... dessert in a drink.

Macayo's California Burrito - I know our last encounter didn't go so well. Don't blame yourself. It was right before my surgery and NOTHING stayed down. I can't wait until we meet once again and I see you before me, bigger than I remembered, filled with beans, rice, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. We'll have good times again.

California Pizza Kitchen - I admit that I tend to prefer taking your food home and sticking it in the fridge, then eating it cold... but that doesn't make your pizza damn awesome! We will find our way to each other again. Someday.


There's probably other things I have thought of over the last few weeks that I can't recall at the moment. I actually feel better now. :)

I'm Full of Anticipation!

This is a big week for me. Tonight is a big night! Yes, new episodes of One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl... but that's actually what I am taping. Tonight, is the premiere of Heroes!!! It's really more of an event, actually. The countdown show and 8, a special 2-hour episode from 9-11... 3 hours of TV goodness! My head is practically spinning with excitement.

And then...

Thursday is the premiere of the best show on TV, The Office! I. Am. So. STOKED.

I would jump up and down and squeal, but it would kill me. Just like Diet Dr. Pepper, apparently. I had a little bit and died a little death. I think I'll hold off on that for another three weeks or so.