My Darling Sweetheart!

Stupidly Efficient

Sometimes I surprise myself. I know I shouldn't talk about work, as that's a taboo topic in the blogging world and can get you on the fast track to unemployment, so I'll talk in general terms and not specifics. I have a project that needs to be done in three phases. The first to be completed in August one in September and one in October. I know in the back of my head that the August one is complete. And today I had the sudden realization that it's September 27th and my September portion hasn't been done yet. Now I hate to be late for anything! I have a tremendous fear of failure and that extends to letting people down, showing up late, missing a deadline, etc. I get nervous, my palms get sweaty, and I start to speak in incoherent sentences. Then when I have to face facts and confront my lateness, I start making excuses so that I don't look bad. It's not pretty, it's not honest and it's the opposite of what a responsible adult should be. So when it came to it, I tried everything to save myself from this situation. When finally, I apologized, gave my side of the story and made promises of working on the project right away, I come to see I've already finished the project. In fact I finished it two weeks ago! That's what I call stupidly efficient. I'm efficient enough to do all my work on time but stupid enough to not remember that I did it.

My Two Cents

Here are some of my silly Netflix Two Cents Mini-Reviews that I've written for TV shows and films I've rented on DVD. I'd thought I'd be nice and share with you folks. Enjoy:

• The Darling Buds of May (1991-1993) ~ Ok, my bags are packed and I'm all set. So, when do I move in with the Larkins?
• The End of the Affair (1999) ~ Worth watching for that romantic line about pantyhose and shoes!
• The Office (2001-2003) ~ Oh my goodness, you will laugh so hard that your pants will split. I guarantee. So save up for new pants!
• The Pacifier (2005) ~ Too funny!! The duck stole the show.
• Sullivan's Travels (1941) ~ It wrenches a tear right out of your eyeball!
• Woman of the Year (1942) ~ Keep a fire extinguisher handy, because the chemistry in this movie is EXPLOSIVE!
• Mean Girls (2004) ~ Any movie with pretty girls getting hit by buses is ok with me!
• Titus (1999) ~ If you like blood & guts, mutilation and torture, then this film is for you! Yes you but not me!
• What Women Want (2000) ~ I know what this woman wants, and it's for Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt to never make another movie. Ever again!

Sick Day & 10 Gratitudes

I'm taking a sick day today, because I'm truly sick. I'm physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted and stressed out to the max. I feel like I'm a flame of a candle that's burned through all the wick and wax and has made it's way to the metal ring at the very bottom. My energy source has run out and I need a new candle! Plus, my back is starting to show the tell-tale signs of stress-induced pain (similar to what happened to my neck). So I'm going to relax today and recharge my batteries. I have loads of work to do so I'm hopeful I'll get some stuff done as well!

The lovely Kelly and Penelope posted on their respective blogs 10 things they are grateful for. I really need to step back and appreciate the good things in life and stop dwelling on all the negative. Here are mine:

1. My family, they are my rock, my stronghold. I don't know what I would be without them.
2. God, to whom I pray to every single day and whom gives me the strength I need to get through life.
3. My dog, who's shamelessness, courage and heart full of joy and happiness amazes me every day.
4. Books, my mental stimulation, my career, my study, my comfort, and my escape.
5. Movies, that whisk me away to another world for 2 glorious hours.
6. The Internet, that feeds my insatiably curious mind.
7. Irish Breakfast Tea. Add some milk and honey and it warms both the body and the soul.
8. My bed, in which I lose myself in layers of fabric and travel to the land of dreams.
9. Elena Tverskaya, my red Toyota Corolla, who takes me everywhere I need to go. (Yes I name my cars. Always female, first name ethnic, surname Russian from Anna Karenina and based off the letters in the license plate. My other car was Filana Petrova).
10. New England. My home, my base. The part of the world that I'm the most connected to.

Avalanche

I can't believe I haven't posted in almost a week! I've been absolutely swamped. A coworker told me that graduate school was the biggest expender of time and to make of it what I can. I'm only into the second week and I already feed overwhelmed. This is when my non-existant time management skills should really come into play. My problem is, is that when I have too much on my plate, I go beserk. My inner multi-tasker goes on overdrive and is trying to do everything all at once, and everything ends up getting done at a slower pace with a poor end result. I really want to be able to approach my graduate studies differently. The richer and fuller academic experience is what I'm striving for, but my main problem is find the time to have that experience. I hope I can manage work, study and life in an organized and efficient way while maintaining my sanity. Any idea of how I'm supposed to do that because I haven't got a clue?

16 Seconds in Time Square

My digital camera can take little mini videos, 16 seconds long. And the few I've taken I've been very happy with. Sure it won't compare with the work of Alfred Hitchcock or Steven Spielberg, but I like it.

Here is one called "16 Seconds in Times Square." Click on the picture below to watch it. If the link doesn't work, please let me know. Enjoy!

In Light of it All

I realized my neck injury was more than a result from my fury of cross-stitching. It's compounded by the fact that I've been suffering from high stress these past couple of weeks. Especially in preparation for graduate school and all the work that will come with it. It'll be difficult juggling part-time school, full-time work and a long commute. To add to that my classes are at night so I've been sick with worry over the safest way for me to get home. Boston late at night is not necessarily the safest place to be. And the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina have taken a toll on me emotionally. It gives me a sense that there is no security and that everything you have in life can be gone in an instant. In the end, if this disaster affects the economy, it means I'm in danger of losing my job if my company starts to go under. No job, no school. It's all one vicious cycle.
So I need to do now is take deep breaths, relax, sip on some honeyed Chamomile tea, listen to some Bobby Darin and Chet Baker tunes and de-stress!

Who Knew???

I have this horrible blinding pain in the left side of my neck that doesn't let up. And guess where I got it? From sitting in one position for three hours, cross-stitching. Yes that's right. Cross-stitching! The most I thought I would get was maybe a prick from the needle and some blood. But no, cross-stitching lures you in and doesn't let you go. You say to yourself, just one more line and I promise I'll put it down. A few hours later and you realize you still haven't brought yourself to set the job aside.

So today I went online and Googled the keywords "hazards of cross-stitching" (words I never thought I'd ever type) and come to find out, there is a name for what I'm suffering. It's called SNSS (shoulder and neck strain syndrome).

Here is a quote from the website I visited:

"SNSS, a group of pain symptoms originating with the muscles between the lower neck and the shoulder, is also the most common CTD (cumulative trauma disorder) of the upper body. Who Is Most Vulnerable? The people most vulnerable to SNSS are those who keep their shoulders elevated or shrugged for extended periods of time. Repetitive work with the hands and tucking of the chin to one side add to the vulnerability."

Who Knew??? So if you are a first-time cross-stitcher like me, or your thinking of making this dangerous sport your new hobby. Beware! SNSS may strike on your very first attempt, as I am proof!

Orientation

On Thursday I spent the whole day at graduate orientation in Boston. It was the usual, welcome to the school, here's a tour and some souvenirs. And they toss in lots of droning lectures on financial aid, health and wellness, technology, library services, academic life, etc. I got to give credit to some of the speakers because they did try to make things interesting for us. The technology guy was very chipper, cracked a lot of jokes (at his expense) to keep us awake and attentive. The best part came at the very end, when we got to meet the faculty department of our major. It was cool to see all the students I'll be in classes with for the next 2, 3, maybe even 4 years depending.

On a whole the day was pretty good. I got to socialize a lot with some great people from all over the U.S., and some from other countries too. And during one of our many tours, the most random thing happened. None other than Stephen King, the famous horror fiction writer, walked right by my group as we were headed towards another campus building. I was completely starstruck to say the least. It was a fitting moment since I was going to begin an academic career in something he is so involved in. All in all, it was a good day. Now I'm anxious for classes to start next week. Wish me luck, because I'll need as much of it as I can get.

Before I forget...

If you are an art-lover and a philanthropist, please take your wallet over to eBay and bid on French Toast Girl's painting for the Illustration Friday theme "Wise." All proceeds of the painting go to Mercy Corps' Hurricane Katrina relief fund. It's a good cause and if you win, you'll have a beautiful one-of-a-kind piece of artwork to adorn your home and the good feeling that your purchase helped those in need. The auction ends September 12th!

He's a Love Hound

I've spoiled my dog ever since he was a little puppy. I've always bathed him with lots of love and affection. I spend countless hours playing with him, petting him and brushing his fur. And in my family, he's the center of attention. Now, mind you things haven't changed in the least bit, but he's started to develop a new habit. When I sit at my computer, typing away at my blog or surfing the internet, he gets a bit frustrated and annoyed. I pet him a little while, then my hand falls away to type something on my keyboard. So, he takes things into his own hands. He's developed the habit of brushing himself with the sleeves of a heavy winter jacket that rests on the back of a chair. He cleverly sneaks up underneath the jacket and walks back and forth swinging his hips to get the full effect. When the journey beneath the layers of fabric ends, he's left with one armsleeve resting on his body as though a human hand were patting his back. It's absolutely hilarious and being the shameless and innocent creature he is, he's unphazed by my laughter. Gotta love dogs!

Summer's Lease Has All Too Short a Date

Although the season doesn't technically end for a few more days, summer is truly over. Gone are the luxuriously lazy hot days and cool revitalizing nights. We leave behind the frosty glasses of lemonade, the aroma of cocoa butter from suntan lotion and the warmth of the summer sun. I like to look back at things with a sense of romantic nostalgia. Sure I've complained about the 90 degree whether and the humidity that drenches my skin in sweat and turns my normally tame mane into a fro. But, what I haven't admitted, is that I had been looking forward to summer this year like I never have before and spent my summer days in quiet admiration. Now that it is over, I realize that I will probably never have another summer quiet like it. And as I look ahead to Fall, I see great changes in my life. The road ahead is taking me in a new direction. I'm hopeful all will turn out for the best and that I'll have another wonderful summer to look forward to.

Eternal Optomist

I don't care what people say about how slow we were to action to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, I am still amazed at the generosity of people. So many people, so wholly unconnected with the situation are willing to lend their support to these people in need. And not just people, animals too. I was tremendously moved by this one picture of a young girl, who became homeless after the devastating hurricane hit, yet she saw an abandoned dog in need and took it upon herself to take care of him. She didn't need to do that. Goodness knows she wasn't in any better circumstances, but she found the compassion to help this poor animal. And I hear of people, so desparate to be able to do something. And those that can do and do greatly, sometimes sacrificing their own lives to do so. It brings me to tears. I truly believe that in everyone there is some goodness, no matter what those eternal pessimists think.

9/6/05: If you want to see the picture I'm talking about in the above post, here is a link.

Littera Scripta Manet

I read a very interesting article on NPR.org about authors and the books that changed their lives. And it got me thinking. I've made my career out of books. I've been a bookseller, an editorial and production intern and am now working full time for a book publisher. Books have become a big part of my life. So what books have changed my life? I listed a few below (besides the obvious). If you've got some of your own, I'd love to hear them too!

1. Johnny Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo ~ Not because of it's anti-war message, which is pretty potent in in of itself, but because of how this triggers the power of imagination. "Johnny" is a war veteran who's lost all of his limbs and 4 out of his 5 senses when a hand grenade exploded in front of him. Yet he is kept alive, a prisoner in his own body. I couldn't believe the power of imagination and that a book could transport you into someone else's life.
2. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott ~ Single-handedly gave me an overwhelming appreciation of our past. I have a deep admiration for bygone eras and a simpler way of life. It also made me proud of where I'm from, since the story is based in Massachusetts, my home state.
3. Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy ~ "It's a difficult question for any man to answer... whether to follow his dreams no matter what... or to give in slowly and let life lead him where it will." That's a quote from the movie, not the book, but it sums up the entire novel. Reading this book made me realize that I need to take my life into my own hands and let no one take advantage of me!
4. DK's Guide to Owning a Pupppy (Out of Print) ~ I would read this book for hours and hours, dreaming, wishing and hoping that I would one day own a puppy. That dream came true 13 years ago and this book was my guide to raising my very first pet.
5. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ Simply because Elizabeth Bennett is the model woman. She knows how to behave in society, but doesn't take anyone's crap and isn't afraid to speak her mind. She's a loving sister, daughter, friend and finally wife. What women who reads this doesn't want to be just like her? I know I did, and still do.

Katrina

I am so heart broken over the events of the week. I can't believe what utter chaos and destruction Hurricane Katrina has brought to the Gulf area. It's amazing how in an instant you can lose everything you have. I see images of people suffering so incredibly, and I really wish I could do something! But I am so many miles away and all I can do send money in hopes that it will be used to help those who are so desparately in need of assistance. It's so easy for us to take for granted the things that we have. We should really just take a moment appreciate what we have and who we have in our lives and say a prayer for those who are less fortunate, but not at all less deserving.