Thursday's Roses

I'll eventually put up a "real" post, but for now, you have until midnight tonight to listen to today's "Roses".....

Listen here.

Check this out

I've blogged about Roula and Ryan's Roses before where someone who thinks their significant other may be stepping out on them can test that by seeing who they would send roses to. Well, they've started posting the session online the day of the thing. So, every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until midnight, it can be listened to.

Today's was really interesting and can be heard here until midnight tonight. In a nutshell, the girl said she'd gotten an STD from her supposed monogamous boyfriend and wanted to see who he would send roses to so she could possibly find out who else he was sleeping with. Long story short, he wouldn't play along so they had to tell him who they were and he said she was a psycho and then she said she was pregnant (and no one believed her). It was pretty wild. So, if you come across this today (Thursday), you should check it out. It comes in three parts, just click on them and you'll hear the whole thing.

In other news, I saw on the news the other day where you can have books emailed to you daily. Some are free, some are for a fee but I found it interesting and thought I'd pass it along. You can check it out here.

Weird Dreams

I've been having some weird dreams lately. The first one I'm going to share, rather than tell you the dream, I'm going to tell you the conversation I had with a co-worker about it. It went like this:

Me: I had this weird dream last night. I dreamed that I thought someone was trying to kill me.

Her: Oh no!

Me: So I would go to family member's houses to hide out and they would leave the doors and all open and then leave!

Her: I think that means that your family member's doors are open to you, if you need them.

Me: No, no. You don't understand. I would go to my family and say, "I think someone is trying to kill me. Can I hide out here for a while?" They'd say "sure" then open all the doors and windows and then they'd leave.

Her: Oh.

Me. Yeah. I think my family has a hit out on me.

The other dream wasn't quite as straightforward.

I dreamed that I woke up one morning tired (not such a stretch, by any means) and didn't want to go into work (not a stretch in the least). But I was really tired and didn't feel like getting up off the couch to go get ready. I finally decided to call in and say I would be late. It was weird because I was calling the supervisor I had when I was in law. Not only am I not in law anymore (thank goodness!!!!!) but the supervisor I was calling is no longer with the company. Anyway, I was calling in and didn't want to actually talk to my supervisor so I left a message with her assistant. After I'd called in, I was annoyed with myself for saying I'd be in later. After all, I'd just given birth to a baby and I deserved some time off! My family (you know, the ones who in my dreams a few days later put a hit out on my life? yeah those people) was visiting to help me out with the newborn - and apparently the delivery because it comes out in the dream that I gave birth at home. Anyway, I'm annoyed with myself and trying to decide if I should call back and say I won't be in at all that day when I look up at my sister and ask, "How long ago did I give birth?" and she said, "Ten days ago." I hadn't thought it had been that long ago. But then again, the baby I'd just birthed was running (literally) around the coffee table and chasing the dogs - at ten days old. But I was still trying to figure out how to not have to go in to work so I started thinking - out loud - wondering exactly how long I could get off for childbirth. Thing was, I hadn't told anyone I'd just had a baby (apparently nobody had noticed I was pregnant?). So, I decided I'd go to the doctor and get a note. So I called my doctor. Her nurse said she didn't have any openings for weeks (which is very unusual...I can almost always get in the same day) and asked what the issue was. I told her I needed a check up following childbirth and explained that neither me or the baby had seen a doctor since I'd given birth and I was told to come right in and they'd work me in. I was getting everything ready to go to the doctor and thinking about how I would ask for an extended period of time off - with a doctor's note so I'd get paid - when I woke up.

I have no clue what that dream means. Thoughts?

And what about you? Any interesting dreams lately? Or is it just me and Jamie? :o)

Expensive Reading Group

I've always wanted to participate in a reading group where a book that will be read is determined, followed by a book discussion. I did that a little bit online over at RWA Online but I've always wanted to do the face-to-face kind of discussions.

Then a few days ago it hit me. I AM doing that. It's called school! The instructors decide what books we'll read and then we have to come back and discuss them the next week.

It just goes to show that there is something to the old adage that you should be careful what you wish for because while, in theory this is what I wanted, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. ;o)

Okay, maybe I have a problem

Last year I took two weeks off during the holidays. During that time I changed some things around my house. I wanted to give it a more homey feel and I wanted it to be more reflective of my life. To that end, I took some baskets that I had and filled them with books waiting to be read and distributed them around my . . . living (in my defense, it is a big living room!).

Of course this doesn't include what I have on my bookshelf that's unread (the middle shelf - yes, it's dwindling somewhat but keep in mind, it is two books deep).

Or what's unread on my book carousel, which is one and a half sides of it.

Yet, when today's mail came and these came in

I got all excited. I was expecting the two on the left but the two on the right were a surprise (I'd won a contest and was expecting Margo Maguire's Wild but she threw in the other two for good measure!).

This doesn't include three others that have already shipped but not arrived or the ones that I pre-ordered and will be coming in the next few months. It also doesn't include the amazon order waiting for my gift card to come in.

School starts up again on Monday and pleasure reading will be put on hold again so I've been trying to get as much reading in this summer as possible and well, I'm kind of thinking I might not be able to read all my unread books by then...

Looking for Suggestions and a Giveaway

I'm on one of my book buying binges. It doesn't help that I know in a few weeks I'm going to have another $25 gift card to amazon.com or that I know in a few weeks after that, I'll have a $75 gift card to spend as I please (and trust me when I say, it will go towards books at amazon.com). Which is why I need your help. As you might remember, I've ordered so many books from them that amazon has started recommending books in different languages to me.

So, I'm looking for suggestions on books to put in my cart (so that I'm ready to go when the gift cards come in, because I can't wait . . . not that I have a problem or anything!). Have you read anything recently that you just loved? Why did you love it?

Or, tell me how you decide to give a new author a chance? Word of mouth? Website? And speaking of websites, what do you look for in an author website? Me, I like excerpts from books. I've bought several books after amazon recommended them to me (and I liked the cover or the title - or both) and I checked out the website. I'm telling you, a good excerpt and that book is mine. Which means an author without excerpts, well, I might still buy the book but the chances are better if I get a taste of it.

And what about book trailers? I still say that the trailer for The Fidelity Files was great! Sold me AND the book lived up to the trailer.

Oh, but about the giveaway. . . all you have to do is post a comment (maybe answer a question or two above, although I suppose that's optional) and you're entered to win a book that I have duplicates of.

Score one for Hollywood

So, I went to see The Time Traveler's Wife yesterday as planned. The night before I got my People magazine and they had a review of it. Normally I won't read a review before I see a movie because I don't want to be influenced by it but since I'd read the book, I didn't figure it could hurt.

Let's start with the reviewer gave it two out of four stars and says ". . . is a swoony love story that gets too caught up in explaining the mechanics and minutiae of its hero's wanderings woes, including a subplot in which a doctor discovers Henry is "chrono-impaired". "

Um, reviewer person? I have two comments about the "subplot" you diss in your review... 1) No more than ten minutes of the two hour movie were spend on that matter and 2) it was a BIG deal in the book, which you obviously haven't read.

She goes on to say she was put off by ". . . queasy-making scenes as Henry chatting up Clare when he's a 40ish adult and she's a young girl." Um, again, big part of the story, if you've read the book. But whatever. Who says you have to do your homework to get something published in a magazine that has the circulation that People does?

But this wasn't supposed to be a critique of one critic. No, it's supposed to be MY review of the movie.

Let me start by saying the book was over 500 pages long. I knew going in that there was no way they could cover everything from the book. I just didn't want them changing it so much that it was unrecognizable to the book.

Well, I loved the movie as much as I did the book. I found myself smiling quite a bit throughout it, much like I did while reading the book. For what it was able to include in the movie, it stayed pretty close to the book. Yes a few scenes were altered or combined but all-in-all the effect was still the same.

I will say that I'm not certain that I would have followed everything as well as I did, had I not read the book first but, I went with a friend who hasn't read the book and she enjoyed it as well. She didn't seem to have a problem following what was going on. Now, when I told her a few things they left out, she said that she wanted to read the book.

My opinion? I would've given it 4 out of 4 stars. :-)

Books made into movies

When the previews came out for The Time Traveler's Wife, I knew I wanted to see the movie. Then, I heard it was based on a novel.

You all are familiar with my book addiction by now so I probably shouldn't have to tell you that I had to buy the book and read it before the movie came out. Well, okay, you might not have known the last part about me - if I know it was a book first, I want to read the book first (and am kind of annoyed that someone pointed out that Julie & Julia is based on a book now!!! But I digress.) - before I see the movie. But yeah, I bought the book Saturday night and finished it Monday after work.

Loved it.

Which is kind of my point. I don't see how the movie can capture everything it needs to to tell the story that the book tells. I still want to see the movie but I don't want to be disappointed.

There are a couple of exceptions where I liked the movie better than the book (The Constant Gardener, Under the Tuscan Sun and Message in a Bottle come to mind) but in those instances, I saw the movie first (in the cases of The Constant Gardener and Under the Tuscan Sun I would have never gone to see the movies if it depended on my opinion of the book!). In the case of Confessions of a Shopaholic, the previews didn't look anything like what I'd imagined when I'd read the book, so I wouldn't go see the movie. I didn't think I would like it. I still don't.

Anyway, my question to you is, do you like books that are made into movies? Will you go see a movie without reading the book first? Or do you wait until after you see the movie? Which do you typically prefer (if you do read and see the movie)? And why do you think that is?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Oh, and for the record, I still plan to go see The Time Traveler's Wife this weekend. Me and my best friend will be sitting in the 11:30 a.m. showing Saturday morning. I'll let you know what I think. :-)

My Life According to The Beatles

I totally stole this from Mel (who has a debut book out, by the way...Bite Me. You can totally order it here).

THE RULES: Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me. You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)"

Pick your Artist:
The Beatles

Are you a male or female:
Girl

Describe yourself:
A Taste of Honey

How do you feel:
I feel fine

Describe where you currently live:
Nowhere Man

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
Here, There and Everywhere

Your favorite form of transportation:
Flying

Your best friend is:
She's a Woman

You and your best friends are:
Free as a Bird

What's the weather like:
Here Comes the Sun

Favorite time of day:
Good Morning, Good Morning

If your life were a TV show, what would it be called:
You Won't See Me

What is life to you:
Getting Better

Your fear:
The Fool on the Hill

What is the best advice you have to give:
Don't ever change

Thought for the Day:
Let it Be

How you would like to die:
Too Much Monkey Business

Your soul's present condition:
Glad all over

Your motto:
Don't bother Me

You might have a problem if...

I've told you all how much of a book ho I am. Pretty much all my disposable income goes towards books.

I have a carousel FULL of books. A bookshelf that's three deep and two up full of books. Baskets of books all over the house. I even have some in my "linen" closet. As one of my ex-bosses used to tell people, I pretty much have boxes on every flat surface in my house.

I get most of my books through amazon.com. Seriously, I pay someone's salary over there - but I digress.

Anyway, at work we can earn gift cards up to $75 every quarter by being safe. I spend mine on books (at amazon.com). So a couple of weeks ago I got online and ordered $75 worth of books - most of which were pre-orders (I've never done that before but I LOVE the idea that for the next few months, books will just be showing up out of the blue :-) ).

Then, I realized that I'm about to receive a $25 amazon gift card (my credit card gives me "points" towards getting the gift cards) in a few days. The $25 will go towards books, of course. So, I was online looking for books I wanted to put in my "cart" so that I would be good to go when the gift card came in and this one was recommended for me by amazon...

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of Julia Quinn's. LOVE her books. But this is a translated book - ie NOT in English.

What is amazon saying? I mean, I realize they base their recommendations based on past purchases and what you've "viewed" but trust me when I say that I haven't been buying or looking at non-English books because I only speak/read English and sign language (and I'm pretty sure books aren't out in sign language). So, is what amazon is saying is that I've read all the books written in English? That if I want to read something "new" I have to go to translated books?

If that's the case, I'm going to need to stock up on the English to "other language" books! :-)

New Favorite Book

Sophie Kinsella has a knack for creating quirky characters that you love. And TWENTIES GIRL is no different.

For me it is kind of a cross between IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE and BRIDGET JONES' DIARY.

Lara Lington hears a not-so still small voice in her ear at her great aunt Sadie's funeral. The problem is, the voice is coming from great aunt Sadie's ghost! Sadie wants the funeral stopped until they can locate her favorite necklace and she won't let up on Lara until she successfully stops the funeral. With no warning and no time to come up with a better plan to stop/postpone the funeral, Lara declares that her dear old great aunt (who was 105 at the time of her death) did not die of natural causes, but was in fact murdered. When pressed for specifics, she's hard pressed to come up with details, particularly considering she never really met her great aunt Sadie but the word "murder" was enough to delay the funeral.

As if dealing with the fallout of the declaration of the supposed murder isn't enough, Lara is also dealing with a floundering business and the end of her latest relationship - not to mention her meddlesome aunt's ghost. And in typical Kinsella style, it is hysterical.

As the story unfolds, the relationship between Lara and Sadie grows. Yes, there is a romance thrown in for good measure but, for me, the heart of the story lies with Lara and Sadie.

TWENTIES GIRL is about values, family and leaving your mark on the world - whether you realize you've done so or not. It's a touching, feel good story that had me laughing hysterically (thankfully I read it at home!) and getting emotional about the characters. Not only is it my favorite Kinsella book to date, it is quite possibly my favorite book of all time.

I highly recommend it.

Another something new

Did I mention that I joined the gym while I was on vacation a few weeks ago? Yeah. Not only did I join the gym, I signed up for trainer training. I wanted a few sessions where someone tells me what machines to use (or what weights to use) and how to do the "exercise" properly so that I can lose weight, firm up and gain upper body strength. I signed up for three sessions with the option to get more later - for a fee of course. He asked that I go to the gym at least three times before I met with him.

That meant that I couldn't meet with him on our originally scheduled time last week - I hadn't gone at all.

But this week I was better. I went to kickboxing on Monday. It was different than I expected it to be but it was definitely a good workout.

Tuesday was a spin class. It was my first one ever. It was a good workout but OMG my legs are STILL sore!!! And you know how when you get off the bike you're usually straddling it for a minute and then you swing one leg over the peddle area to "dismount"? Well, when I was in the straddle position the thought that went through my head was "I don't think I can lift my leg over that." Then later when I got home, I heard Harley bark outside and heard a noise that could have been some poor critter getting injured and as I "jumped" out of my chair to try to save it, I realized that if its survival depended on my ability to move quickly and stop my dog from injuring it, it was in sad shape. Seriously bad shape. I could barely move. Fortunately Harley came in almost immediately and he wasn't carrying any creatures in his mouth so I think it was just a false alarm (I hope!).

Wednesday we (a lady at work has been going with me. she lives in Tennessee and has been working with us this summer but she's going back in a couple of weeks so I'm losing my workout buddy) had planned to do the step aerobics but when I told her I was too sore, she confessed she was too, so we went to a resistance training class instead.

That's where we met the nazi instructor from hell. She would show us what to do and then stand over us and yell at us if we weren't doing it EXACTLY how she showed us. I'm not even kidding. She was very rude and offensive. Very unprofessional. And it was all made worse because SHE wasn't even doing the exercises herself! Totally ticked me off. My friend felt the same way and another lady flat out told her she was a bitch and walked out of the class. Okay, so she did come back but she also told me she didn't like the instructor.

We were going to to Yoga last night but we didn't for two reasons: 1) my friend had another commitment and 2) nazi instructor was subbing for the regular yoga instructor. So I gave my body the day off.

But, I had been three times in the week so I was able to meet with my trainer. Now, remember, all I want to do is learn how to work the machines properly - the ones that will best help me reach my goal - that's it. And I'm fine with paying a professional to do it. He has me fill out a form and starts asking me some questions. He uses some thing to "pinch" my fat and then tells me he needs to weigh me.

Uh, that's not happening! And I let him know that. I haven't been letting my doctor weigh me but I'm going to let someone at a gym do it? Don't think so. So, what does he do? He says I have to give him a number...of my weight. Uh, hon, if I was going to TELL YOU my weight, I would have just let you weigh me. We'll pass on that option too. Then he wanted to take my measurements. Like I was going to go there? That'd be a no!

Now, for those that might think I needed to let him weigh and measure me I have this to say...it's not important to me if they think I'm making adequate progress. It's only important if I think I'm making adequate progress. I'm not doing this for them - I'm doing it for me. For me, that's the bottom line. Their opinion doesn't really matter to me - only mine does.

But anyway, then he had me do some squats so he could evaluate some things about my body? I'm not sure. I made sure he understood that I didn't quite have full function/control over my legs yet and he supposedly took that into consideration.

We did a couple of machines (so he could note some more things about me) and then we went back so he could ask me how many reps/how much weight/etc. I wanted to do. Um, yes I'm a trainer virgin but I thought that was your job to know? I basically told him that too - only a little nicer (I think).

He tried to plant the seed that I would need more sessions with him than the three I signed up for and ultimately I might get more but again, it will be because I want to, not because I'm being pressured to.

Overall, it's all been a decent experience. The one real stand out BAD experience was the nazi instructor but then, I don't have to take her classes if I don't want to. :)

And then there were two

Have you been watching The Bachelorette this season? Is it just me or does it seem like each season the producers want to just up the drama?

I haven't been deleting the episodes after I watch them but because my DVR is almost full and because the season is almost over, I have been re-watching all of this season's shows this weekend.

First let me say, I can't believe Stephen got let go on week one. He was so cute and funny. Mark made it to week seven I think and you know what? I didn't even remember him from the show!

But I digress.

In week two the guys had to vote for who they wanted off the show. I clearly remember being disappointed that they couldn't vote for Wes because he already had a rose. Re-watching this weekend I didn't feel the same (intense) animosity towards him. Maybe it's because I know he was finally found out and booted from the show. I just know that watching it again, I was surprised that he'd evoked such a strong (negative) reaction so early.

I fell in love with Jake and Kiptyn all over again. I was a bit disappointed in Jake for coming back and telling on Wes. Not that I didn't want Wes discovered and sent home, but you know, I'm not really sure what the problem was. Maybe I thought he should have come forward sooner, I don't know. Definitely made Wes look doubly bad though. Yet, Jillian kept him.

And Ed? OMG, she let him come back??? I told my friend (the one that got me hooked on the show) that if it was me, I wouldn't have let Ed come back. I understand why he did what he did but he made his choice and she'd likely be abandoned again by him. Not to mention that Michael was as cute as can be and he got the boot so he could stay. Didn't care for that. (Michael call me!)

Wes finally screwed up and admitted to having a girlfriend and finally got the boot. Jillian had the overnight dates and Ed was "unable to perform" and yet, she still kept him - over Reid. Seriously, what's up with that?

The previews suggest that one of the departed guys comes back and proposes. My friend and I suspect it's Reid but it could also be Michael - or even Jake maybe? I seriously doubt it would be Wes, who for the record, never denied having a girlfriend. No, he would just say, I can't believe you're asking this again sort of thing. A non-answer.

Anyway, so, it's down to two - Ed and Kiptyn. As I said, Kiptyn was an early front runner in my book and I'd love to see him get the final rose. Ed, not so much. I liked Ed and all but he ditched her once and I think it was the work of the producers that got him back more than him wanting to come back. After all, they had to be involved for him to know where she was - and in what room.

Tomorrow The Men Tell All airs. My friend and I have a little bet (if you can call something that has no pay off if you "win" a bet) on whether Wes will show up. She says no because he made such a fool of himself and was outted as having a girlfriend. I say he will show up because he was quite proud of making it to the final four WITH a girlfriend. Not to mention I don't think he'll pass up another opportunity to promote his CD.

In any event, I can say that watching the show when you know the outcome (at least to this point anyway) is a lot less stressful than the first time through. I got so aggravated with her for making such stupid choices the first time through. The second time through, not so much. And Tanner P and his foot fetish? Creepy the first time through - comical the second time through. But all of it, drama packed, don't you think?

So, what do you think? Will Kiptyn or Ed get the final rose? Who will show up and get down on bended knee to propose? And, will Wes show up for tomorrow's tell all?

Inquiring minds want to know. :o)

Your Secret is Safe with Me

I had lunch with SCG today. We were supposed to meet up tomorrow but this morning he sent me a text message, asking if we could go today instead.

Rather than text him back, I called him and gave him a bad time about changing dates on me (particularly since he's the one that set the date to begin with). Then, we started talking about our vacations (we were both off last week and I'm still off this week). We told each other what we'd been doing and after a while, we set a time that I'd come pick him up and hung up.

Two hours later I pulled into his parking lot and he was waiting out front. We were going to his favorite pizza place about 23 miles away and when we do that, lunch is never less than 2 hours long.

And we'd already covered everything we were going to talk about when I called to confirm lunch!

So, for the next two hours I started a lot of sentences with: "I probably shouldn't tell you this but..." I guess what I'm saying is that I am usually pretty good about keeping secrets but, if you've told me a secret well, ever, there's a good possibility that SCG now knows it too. That's not going to be a problem, is it?!? :o)

Contest

Everyone who knows me knows that I'm a book ho. There isn't much I wouldn't do for books. The list is pretty short. For example, I won't promote an author I don't like and I won't promote a book I don't like, even if I do like the author.

Which makes a particular contest really easy for me. You see, Eileen Cook is running a contest for a $75 gift card to the book store of your choice (details here). And, if you've been paying attention, I like Eileen's books - including What Would Emma Do?

I interviewed Eileen here. I believe I'd sent Eileen the questions before I'd actually read What Would Emma Do? But, I'd read Unpredictable and loved it, so I was excited about spotlighting Eileen on my blog. In fact, I even blogged about Unpredictable here. (It should be noted that promoting Unpredictable wasn't a part of the contest - just a bonus here because I really, really liked it!) By the time I posted the blog post, I'd read What Would Emma Do? and loved it!

Shortly thereafter What Would Emma Do? was listed in my top 9 favorite books of 2008 (Unpredictable also made the list but again, it's not part of the contest so consider this another bonus thing :o) ).

And then, not long ago, I saw that Eileen has another book coming out. . . The cover is absolutely awesome and I cannot wait for it to hit the shelves!!!

But back to What Would Emma Do? So in this contest we have to promote the book and well, I know of no other way than to tell you that I've personally read it and highly recommend it. And, if you go for that bonus kind of thing and you're ordering What Would Emma Do?, do yourself a favor and order Unpredictable too. I promise you won't be disappointed. :o)

Good Dog

I live in a relatively small town and every Friday I have a paper delivered to my house. I don't subscribe to the paper - and it's a daily paper, by the way - but on Friday's they deliver the paper to everyone. Why, I have no idea.

But, what that means is that every Friday morning, as I pull my car out of my driveway, I see the morning paper in the driveway. Then, every Friday evening, I pick it up as I retrieve my mail and dump it in the trash can in the garage so that I can haul it out on Monday morning.

Every Friday.

Well, this morning I was pulling out my car and sure enough, the paper was there like it always is. But, down the street I saw a suspicious looking dog. No, really, he was suspicious looking! It looked like he had something in his mouth but I couldn't tell what it was. He was watching me as my car approached the house he was in front of. His head was down but his eyes were following me, as if if he would do that, I wouldn't catch on to what he was doing.

Then I saw it, he had a neighbor's paper in his mouth! And as I pulled up along side him, he darted off into his backyard with the paper. The paper had come from his neighbor's driveway.

It struck me as funny and you know what makes it even funnier? There wasn't a single driveway (mine included) with a newspaper on it when I got home this evening.

I can only imagine how many newspapers are lined up in my neighbor's backyard. LOL

What happens when you ignore your email

Back when Hurricane Katrina did its damage, one of the facilities of my company was destroyed and for a long while there were pleas out to the employees of that facility to check in and let someone know they were okay. I remember there were several employees that went unheard from for a long time - to be honest, I don't know if they were ever heard from.

So, in an effort to avoid that type of situation again, my company implemented this emergency program wherein you have to call in to a specific number and "retrieve" messages and let someone know you were safe - or not. And every year they "test" that system to be sure it still works. They do this at the beginning of hurricane season - which is currently underway. (It was utilized last year when Ike hit this area as well.)

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago we all received an email asking us to confirm/update our emergency contacts (since Katrina it is required that we have at least one emergency contact in our profile, not our home number). It directed us to list our cell number first, since it would likely be on us if we "fled" town. Well, I refuse to give my cell number as a contact number and just confirmed that my step-father was still listed in the system. Check that task off my "to do" list.

Once the deadline for that had passed, we received another email telling us to test the feature ourselves by calling in to the designated number on June 18 - this past Thursday. Well, I'm getting ready to take two weeks off and I haven't participated in this exercise in the past so I decided to let it slide this year as well.

Then last night I received a phone call from my step-father. We typically communicate via email so I was a bit surprised to see that he was calling me. First words out of his mouth were "Are you alright????"

Me: Um, yeah. Why? What's going on?

To make a long story short, when I hadn't called in to the designated number as instructed, my step-father, as my emergency contact, was contacted! He said he was told it was a "test" but he was told that they were trying reach me to be sure I was okay!

Oy vey!

He said he figured I was okay but since my company had called him saying those things, he just wanted to be sure.

Oops!

Next year I'll do what I'm told. lol

This is how I want to do it

About online dating...it's not working for me. And I know why it's not working - for one thing, my heart's not in it. Readers of my blog and a few (very few) select friends know I've tried online dating. I know it's like the new way to meet people but I'm really not comfortable with the concept and deep down I've felt like if I did meet someone that way, I'd never want to admit that to the people who didn't know how we met - which is the mass majority of people. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with online dating if you want to do that - the problem is with me and I know that too.

Another reason it's not working for me is because I don't post pictures. I know men are very visual beings and with that whole "don't want people to know" thing working against me, I haven't been able to bring myself to post pictures. For a lot of men, that's a deal breaker - which is fine. But, here's the deal, I've been a paid member on two services and created a profile on a third (they still send you matches but you can't communicate with them). All three of the services have matched me with men I know. Yes, I know that that means they're signed up too but it still makes me uncomfortable and if they found out I had subscribed (I'm no longer a subscriber to any online service) to these services, I'd want it to be because I chose to tell them - not because they recognized my picture. Stupid? Yes, absolutely, but it's still how I feel.

But anyway, back when I was married, I tried to talk my then husband into taking ballroom dance classes with me but he refused. Shortly after we separated I started taking country western dance classes by myself. Then in 2000, I took swing and country western dancing with my nephew. And with Dancing with the Stars, it's really brought back the desire to take dancing classes. So anyway, a couple of weeks ago I pulled up Jessica Trapp's website and was looking around and was reminded that she belly dances (she's such a neat lady and so interesting!!!). Next thing I know, I'm googling "belly dancing classes Houston". I came across Dance Passion, a place that teaches not only Belly Dancing but also salsa, swing, country western, ballroom, hip hop and more. For me, I want group classes because private lessons are obscenely expensive and this school has group classes.

To make a long story short, a new session of classes started this week. I was interested in ballroom, salsa and belly dancing. The ballroom classes started on Monday but I was exhausted after work and couldn't bring myself to make the trek across town (no place near me offers classes - this place is 35 miles one way) for the class. I did, however, have the energy to go on Thursday for the belly dancing. It was immediately followed by the salsa class but I hadn't decided if I was going to do both. That is until I saw the big crowd waiting to get in to the salsa class. I figured if it was that popular, it had to be fun, so I signed up for it as well.

And here's where I get to the point of this post (yeah, I know, long way around)...they told us to find a partner. At the time I thought that would be the awkward part - the part where I felt like a loser because I didn't come with a partner. I didn't go look for anyone, instead, a tall, good-looking man approached me and asked me to be his partner. And for the next 30-45 minutes (before they made us start changing partners), he was my dance partner. He was nice. He was encouraging. And we had a good time.

But, the point is, we didn't have to fill out a 700 question compatibility thing or be compared on 29 points (or whatever it is) to find out we have something in common. We'd both signed up for the class of our own free will and without doing anything else, we know we have something in common. I like that - a lot. Is he going to be the next man in my life? Probably not. That's not the point. The point is, I don't have to do things that make me uncomfortable to meet people. If I just go out and do the things I like doing, I'm going to meet people with common interests without trying. All while having a good time to boot.

Bottom line, I think I'm done with the online dating thing. I know it works for a lot of people - and that's great - but it's not for me. I'd rather meet someone in a situation where we know off the bat that we have a common interest and see where that takes us. If it goes somewhere, great. If not, that's okay too. But in the meantime, I'm still having fun. And that's really what it's all about now, isn't it? :)

My boyfriend and his wife

The other day we had a luncheon at work in recognition of my upcoming service anniversary with the company. Technically it's supposed to be with people from your workgroup but, as much as I love my job and group, I really haven't connected with many people from my workgroup. So, I asked my boss if I could invite a few people outside of the group - and he said yes.

Which is how SCG got to be included in the guests. Well, if you've been following my blog, you know that mine and SCG's relationship has evolved over time. He's one of my favorite people and he's one of my closest friends now. And, if you've been following my blog, you also know he's married.

Now, when I talk about him to family members I always go, "My friend, SGC - you know, my married friend..." and then I proceed with the story. I have to do that so that they don't try to marry us off. I mean, not only is bigomy illegal, I don't share well.

Anyway, I don't expect to throw in that disclaimer when I'm dealing with non-family members - like work people. Yes, I talk about SCG a lot but not really any more than I do other friends of mine and SCG and I have discussed how people misinterpret our relationship and he basically said it was their problem, not ours and I've kind of taken up that torch and run with it myself since then.

But back to the lunch...I was actually more comfortable than usual at the event (I hate being the center of attention, which is why I wanted people I love and trust at the lunch with me) but my boss was making a mini-speech and he asked me what I'd ordered for my gift. Well, I haven't ordered it so he asked me what I was considering and the conversation went something like this...

Me: Well, there is a ring I'm looking at but I'd really like to see it in person rather than choosing it from a picture. There's also a crystal vase and bowl I was looking at. I was also considering a grill but I don't cook.

There were a few dazed looks and I realized that cooking has nothing to do with grilling so I felt a little uncomfortable and then followed it up with

Me: And he (pointing at SCG) doesn't grill.

SGC: No. No, I don't grill. I don't cook either.

Hmmm, can't imagine why people would think we were boyfriend and girlfriend from that! Particularly when he followed it up by making me tell a work story from before my time with this company - and one I wouldn't tell except to my close personal friends.

I spent the rest of the day repeating "No, he's really not by boyfriend! He's married!"

In any event, I had dinner last night with my "boyfriend" and his wife. I told her what had happened and she seemed to get a kick out of it. We left their house to go eat and she told me to sit up front and I said, "well of course I should sit up front with my boyfriend". We both laughed and I got in the back seat.

One of the things I really like about SCG though is, his love for his wife. It's obvious. I've never heard him speak disrespectfully of his wife. When he talks about things he wants to do (like hopping on a harley and traveling across country), he always wants to do them with Mrs SCG - always. When he is excited about something, he wants to share it with her. He makes time to spend time with just her - without the kids - on a regular basis. And they've been married 19 years. I don't know about you but I think that's pretty cool.

So, as far as faux boyfriends go, I could do a lot worse. :o)

The weekend

Numbers and I go way back. Back in junior high (we called it intermediate school here), I was in all the accelerated math classes. Same in high school. That is, until I got in to Trig in my junior. That's when numbers and I parted company. Sure, we run into each other from time to time but it's not the same. We just don't understand each other anymore.

Which causes a problem when I have to use numbers to count points when doing the Weight Watcher's (WW) program. For example, a few months back I discovered Stouffer's Cheddar Potato Bake. Have you had these before? I love them. I haven't followed WW for a while now but calculated them to be 6 points. Not bad, in the big scheme of things.

Well, I decided to go back to following WW and counting points last week and I picked up a couple of the CPB dinners. But, not 100% certain of the point value, I calculated it up Saturday when I was going to have one. Yep, 6 points. Then, when I decided to fix it up, I was pulling it out of the box and noticed something I'd never seen before. "Serves 2" Huh? What do they mean serves 2? That's when I checked the back and saw that it was 6 points per serving and that it had 2 servings in the box. So not good. When you get 21 points in a day, you don't want 12 of them going to a small portion of potatoes that someone thought was enough for two people.

This was followed yesterday by discovering that my 6 point peanut butter toast was actually 9 points! I also discovered that a serving of bread was one slice, so forget any sandwiches. And yet, for some reason, I'm not losing any weight. Go figure.

But, in other news, I got my hair cut Friday. Here's the deal...I got my hair cut New Year's Eve last year. I went in and told the person (this was a different salon - across town) I wanted my hair cut. I wanted a long layer at the bottom of my hair and I wanted to get bangs cut (I haven't worn bangs in a couple of years). She went wacking away at my hair and I came out with something totally different than what I'd asked for but it was actually very cute. I liked it a lot. I got more compliments on this haircut than any other I can ever remember. So, I was a little nervous when, six weeks later, I went to my usual spot and got my hair cut. The lady asked if I wanted the same hair cut and I said yes and away she went. She actually did a good job - I still liked it.

Then, another six weeks go by and I go to get my hair cut again. I got someone else, who looked vaguely familiar to me. I told her I wanted the exact same hair cut and she said okay and started wacking away on my hair. I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention until I realized she was using some sort of razor on my hair. And then I remember where I know her from...she's the crazy razor lady I blogged about here. I freaked out and our conversation went something like this:

Me: What are you doing?

Her: It's a razor.

Me: (the light going on as to where I know her from) Why are you using it on my hair?

Her: I only did one side.

She says this like it's not a big deal because she's only done one side - not like I should let her do the other side so they match. And if the the truth is known, I didn't let her do the other side. Sad thing is, the overall cut was so bad, I don't think anyone noticed the portion that had been razored.

Me: Did I ask you to use a razor on my hair?

Her: No.

Me: Then why did you?

Her: I only did one side.

Me: I asked you to give me the exact same hair cut I had! Why would you use a razor on my hair???

Her: I only did one side.

Me: Don't do anything else to my hair!

Her: Okay.

Me: I still need my eyebrows waxed.

Yes, she really did my eyebrows after that, so I deserved what I got there.

Anyway, I went Friday to get my hair cut/fixed at the same place. I got the person who had cut it the second time and had done a good job. She asked if I wanted the same cut and I said "not exactly. It got butchered the last time I got it cut so I need it fixed now." She said okay and as she cut, she pointed out where the last person had munked it up, as if it mattered at that point.

She cut things that shouldn't have been cut and after several days of playing with it, I realized why the cut looks familiar. Here is what my hair looks like.....

I only wish I was kidding!

How was your weekend?