Road Trip

I live in Buffalo, NY.  The fam lives in Albany, NY.  Therein lies the eternal dilemma.  There is only one of me.  There are many of them.  All things considered it makes sense that I go there for all events.  And seemingly once or twice a quarter such an event arises– Thanksgiving, Christmas, Family Reunion, give or take an off Broadway show like Lion King. (Woot.)  This trip is by no means difficult.  But four and a half hours plus, give or take a speeding ticket, on the 90 alone, makes me a crazy person.  I am cranky the whole week prior to my trip because I’m dreading the drive.  And when I get there, all I think about is how horrible it is that I have to drive back.  Vicious cycle.  I know.

This week was particularly stressful because I needed to work, attend class, pack, and the goal is to make it to my sister’s by Wednesday to see my darling niece and spend the day with her Momma (it’s her birthday.)  Acknowledging my days as a careless, irresponsible college student are (mostly) history, this girl can’t make the drive after work and class starting at 9pm anymore.  I will fall asleep and drive the Tucson into a tree.  Boyfriend requested I avoid all the trees with my car, so I made arrangements to stay with my Aunt (pronounced Aunt not Ant) and Uncle at the mid-way point in Syracuse, making me feel horribly old in the process. 

Last night I managed to get my laundry done, bake some pumpkin cupcakes, and organize (actually less organizing and more consolidating) my life, loading it into the Tucson in preparation for my long day today.  And with that I went to bed – the objective being: get as much sleep as possible before tomorrow.  Well just when I thought everything was going as well as could be expected – a 3am it thundered.  In NOVEMBER. In BUFFALO. A freaking thunderstorm.  To you this might not be a problem.  To boyfriend’s cone-headed dog this is a CRISIS.  He whines, gets kicked out of the room (inducing more whining), runs his head (read cone) into the door, moves furniture, knocks down the baby gates, I think you get the picture?  This makes sleeping IMPOSSIBLE. 

As you might imagine, when my alarm went off a couple of hours later I was in no mood to be getting out of bed.  PLUS. Boyfriend has the day off making me more annoyed - because who really wants to get out of bed alone?  I showered, got my bags ready for the car, went to pack my lunch and on my way stepped in a puddle of dog pee. (There is never dog pee on the floor.) PERFECT. Seriously, perfect.  I didn’t have my tights on yet – luckily.  After a couple trips to the car I was ready to drag myself to work, class (this is the worst class in the history of the world) then begin my journey back to the 518.  I kissed boyfriend goodbye and he mentioned it wasn't too late for me to change my mind - I could stay and relax(!?) with him for the week. (I am going to miss him very much.  But not so much the dogs.)

That’s when I got the email that class had been canceled.   And all my logistical strategizing was for not.  So now, my kind, generous and awesome boss has given me permission to leave a little early and I get to make the trip to Albany all in one shot tonight.  (This is great news.)  Wish me luck.

I'm In Love

                This week I was introduced to the wonderful world of Google Docs.  And I’m in love.    We were assigned a group project in the worst class in the history of the world – more on that in December when it’s all over, I need to wait until I have all the material necessary to illustrate for you the horribleness the I am enduring this first semester back to school.

                In one day, we successfully started and completed a portion of this assignment which was, true to form, obviously due that evening.  We were able to do so with Google Docs.  I am honestly not sure how I survived undergrad without this kind of technology.  Have you seen it?  Or am I the last one to know?  Just in case you have not – I’ll sing its praises here briefly.  And no, I’m in no way being compensated by the Google people for this little promotion.  

                As you can probably imagine – group work isn’t exactly my ‘thing.’  Organizing more than two people’s schedules, brainstorming, discussion, meeting, etc. – sounds like a nightmare.  Especially that meeting part.  Is there anything worse?  I submit to you, there is not.  Therefore, when one of our more technically inclined group members suggested the creation of a Google Document, I think he changed my life for the better.  If I were more of an exclamation point user this would have been an ideal scenario.

                When considering I’m just finishing my first semester of many as an MBA students I feel this tool will be my best friend for the next 2-3 years.  The capability I appreciate is this – sit at home, work, wherever there might be an internet connection – far away from other group members and simultaneously brainstorm via the IM feature and contribute to the file with zero face time.   I am so so so grateful to know this now.  Rather than, say, my last semester of school.  And if you have any group projects, meetings, etc.  I would suggest you might research how Google Docs could benefit you too.  Brilliantly done Google – to you I vehemently say – Thank you.   

I'm Upset

        Boyfriend sent me a Youtube clip today for reference - per a previous conversation regarding Willow Smith and her so called 'song.'  Something nonsensical about whipping her hair.  (Our conversation was regarding Jimmy Fallon and Bruce Springteen making a mockery of the whole thing.) Actually - less of a mockery and more of an improvement.

        Youtube has begun forcing one to suffer through a 'preview' before loading videos lately.  I find this implementation irritating to begin with.  Well in my attempt to fully appreciate the genius that is Jimmy Fallon I had this advertisement forced upon me.




   Uhhhhhh...

    Just a couple of problems with this. Actually I have many issues with it.  I'll just list a few.
           1. As boyfriend so eloquently stated - I'm not equipped to shoot for the drain.
           2. There is a cushion-y bath mat in the shower.  Not sure how to avoid that.
           3. What if it gets on me.
           4. I'd have to bleach the shower when I got out.  Forcing me to continue to run the water and  therefore negating my previous efforts to conserve.

   I mean I'm all for conservation within reason.  But GE, let's be serious. And sanitary.  Please?

Too Hot to Handle

                Last night I burned my tongue.  This is not unusual.  I’d say it happens at least twice a week.  Boyfriend has offered some enlightened suggestions to prevent this from happening, such as, letting my food cool down prior to eating it – but this has been going on for years.  I’m not sure why I can’t convince myself to wait an extra two minutes to eat my food.  But I think it has something to do with the fact that I’m starving by the time I decide what it is that I want to eat which means I’m famished by the time it’s prepared?  Or I’m just a slow learner, either way; these are the food items that cause me so much pain and suffering.

                Homemade Pizza

                Microwave Lunch (like maybe it’s sooo tasty I just can’t wait for it to cool down or something?)

                Hot Tea

                Soup

                Testing macaroni to see if it’s done cooking

I’ve accepted this as an eternal problem.  Which might lead you to believe that I don’t whine about it like it’s a new problem every single time.  You would, in fact, be mistaken making such an assumption.  There are two things I’m great at.  Burning my mouth and whining.  How convenient the two go hand in hand.  

Just Might Make *You* Believe?

As I watched the Country Music Awards this week boyfriend tried to argue that the reason he does not enjoy is because “every song is depressing.”  Coming from the man who does not listen to one minute of country music if he can avoid it, I consider him an unreliable source.  After pointing that out, he then proceeded to use Lady Antebellum’s “Hello World” that was playing as an example that it “just sounds sad.”  I argue that country music is peaceful, inspiring, applicable and even fun.  And just to prove it to you skeptics – here is a short list of my life to date favs.  There really are so many, difficult to choose, and I probably add to it daily. 

1.       Sugarland – Just Might Make Me Believe

2.       Dixie Chicks – The Long Way Around  (Lyrics that inspired my blog title)

3.       Sugarland – Already Gone

4.       Dwight Yoakum – Suspicious Minds

5.       Toby Keith – Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue

6.       Faith Hill & Tim McGraw – I Need You

7.       Garth Brooks – Callin’ Baton Rouge

8.       Reba McEntire – Just When I Thought I’d Stopped Loving You

9.       Lady Antebellum – American Honey

10.   Craig Morgan – Love Remembers

       Listen, Enjoy, Don’t Hate.  Happy Friday. :) 

Tis the Season

                Thanksgiving is coming up, as you all are probably aware.  Unless you’ve been shopping lately, then one might be led to believe we’re skipping my favorite holiday this year and just celebrating Christmas.  Personally, I don’t appreciate Christmas music until – the day of.  Maybe Christmas Eve.  But to those radio stations who decided the day after Halloween was a great day to start I say – please stop.  At the very least allow me to progress naturally through the calendar holiday schedule with no confusion or opposition from another upcoming holiday.

                As I said, Thanksgiving is my fav holiday.  It always has been.  EVERYONE from my mother’s side of the family goes to Albany for the occasion.  There are *many* of us. Approx 25 people at dinner – giver or take.   And as significant others get adopted into the family it’s only gotten to be a bigger production.   We aren’t that sentimental of a group.  We don’t have many traditions really.  But I do know two things will happen.  The majority of the group with gets up early in the morning to run a 5k and the “kids” will be cleaning up after dinner.  By kids I mean the third generation.  And by the third generation I mean those of us who don’t try and sneak away quietly to avoid the chaos.  This does, however, generally insure that none of us contribute much to preparation and the "grown-ups" seem to like it that way.

                One year we tried to get up with the “Aunts” and go black Friday shopping.  We realized the error of our ways and have never repeated that mistake.  One year my nutritionist cousin made a pumpkin pie with a fiber one pie crust – I made the mistake of “trying a piece.”  Last year my niece was a tiny blob of newborn, this year she is a tiny, crazy person.  All I know is I’m looking forward to another Thanksgiving enjoyed with the whole fam – and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Lorena

      "Did you know your boyfriend hit me over the head with a 52 inch plasma television earlier tonight? Everyone says they're so thin and light, but let me tell you, when wielded properly, they're quite a weapon."  ~Lorena

            I love HBO's True Blood.  I mean love.  I am, in fact, currently in mourning because I have to watch some stupid Broardwalk Empire show on Sunday evenings because the vampires are off-season.  I've even read all the books. There was some debate whether I was unwise to do so and jump ahead of the seasons.  I don't regret it.  They are excellent.                                                                                                                 

            I hate Halloween.  Ok.  Well maybe not hate.  But I don't prefer.  I'm not clever enough to create a costume.  Nor am I generally inspired to do so.

            I also hate pictures of me.  And this time I do mean hate.  But as I made an exception on the Halloween front this year...I guess I'll also show you how True Blood inspired me this Halloween.  Now I realize I'm one in a million people who chose True Blood characters.  But I feel like I did a-ok.  

  

   Meet Lorena - she is a vampire - and my inspiration for a Halloween costume.

 

           Here is my attempt at impersonating her.  This character is usually crying tears of blood and ruining her dresses.  I decided I'd like to re-use my dress for something less costume and more formal - like a wedding so I chose no tears.

   

         The fangs were a fan favorite at the party.  The red lipstick got on them and made them look bloody.  I love them.  I may or may not be wearing them now.  Don't judge. Halloween was super fun this year.  Saw some friends I miss and got to play vampire for a night.  Nice little Saturday if you ask me.