Cute but psycho. Things even out.

New doggie!

2008-10-22T15:08:00.004-04:00

Hey all, just a quick post to let you know we got another dog! A originally wanted to wait until spring to find another dog, but last Thursday he got in the car and said "Want to go to the dog shelter?" and I wasn't about to argue. We found a cutie pie and the next morning, brought Anna the dog and Finn the cat to the shelter to meet him. Both were fairly indifferent, so we brought him home! We renamed him Dutch (after considering Foghorn Leghorn in memory of A's dad's fave cartoon character). So far he's been a great little dog -- he's mostly (knock on wood) house trained, he mostly ignores that cats, and he mostly comes when called. He irritates Anna a little, but once he gets neutered (Nov. 11), we are assuming he'll stop trying to hump her all the time! He loves people and is super friendly and cuddly. I brought him to work with me on Monday and he was a big hit. A has been working with him on commands, and he seems to have already mastered sit and is working on lay down. He's very excitable, but if you put down something soft, he will just curl up on it and go to sleep. Yay!!

In other news, fall has come....Rhody the Rhode Island Red chicken actually had frost on her feathers this morning, poor bird. In other chicken news, I saw our Bard Rock lay an egg yesterday! It was pretty cool. I noted upon picking it up that the egg was still warm, to which my sister said "duh, it just came out of that chicken's butt!". Hardy har har. Mom and Dad were also visiting for the day and seeing all the improvements we've made to the homestead.

That's it from here!! Back to work.

2008-08-21T10:06:00.005-04:00

Hello all! I always say I should be a better writer, and I plan to, I really do, but it just doesn't ever work out. Now summer is almost over and the academic year is about to start, which means swarms of students hanging around Athens again. It's hard to resist that start-of-the-year excitement, even when you're not in school anymore, because of course I was one of those nerdly kids who enjoyed school. This time of year also makes me want to buy office supplies, even though I don't technically need any.

I just got back from 5 days in Maine, which was pretty fun. It was nice to be away and although things weren't perfect, we did get to go sea kayaking, which was pretty awesome and not as scary as I thought it was going to be. I wish I had brought my camera on the boat, but I'm sure it would have gotten wet and ruined, so it's probably better I didn't. I've posted some of the better photos of the trip here -- the thing about Maine is, you just have to point and shoot and whammo! A perfect postcard shot. (if you ignore the random people in the frame)

What else? Am also excited for an upcoming trip to NYC for the U.S. Open! I've never seen professional tennis live before, and I'm totally going to be a squeeing fangirl when I see my favorite players.

We're also getting ready to start our bathroom renovation so we might finally have (gasp!) a closet! It will be like the lap of luxury over at our place. A place to store one's clothes? I thought only rich people had that! We also now have a lovely storage bench/window seat and A's mom made sweeeeeeet cushions for it. So the house is coming along.

Animals are all OK, except for the chicken that got eaten while I was away. We're not sure what killed it, but then A ate it. He reports it was quite tasty! And I'm glad I wasn't home to witness the carnivorous carnage.

That's about it from here. If I ever had any exciting news, I would post it, but alas, not much to report! Hope everyone is doing well!

March: In like a lamb, out like a lamb?

2008-03-31T14:20:00.006-04:00

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been remiss about writing, but things are busy, blah blah fishcakes. Truth is I'm somewhat lazy and I've been sick again too! I hate the stomach flu...let's just leave it at that.

Upcoming events include the fundraiser for work, and our 10th anniversary party! The party I think is going to be fun -- friends are coming in from out of town and hopefully lots of people will be there.

Other than that, we're waiting for Spring to arrive so we can do some home improvements. We got a new roof last week, which was super-exciting: now when it rains and/or the wind blows, it no longer sounds like the roof is going to come off. And - it's handsome! We got a kick-ass skylight in the porch area that's eventually going to become our bedroom and it is a great addition. Lets in more light than I even imagine. A is in love with the porch now.

In other news, isn't Wonder (left) disturbingly cute? He gave the other cats a rest from annoyance for a few days after he got his vaccinations, but now he's up to it again! Luckily, his 2 favorite activities are snuggling and going outside, so he's not really around to bug the other cats much.

Hope everyone is having a good Spring and staying healthy. Please send me some of those good vibrations....if I get sick one more time, I'm going to, well, be sick!

sicky

2008-01-09T10:28:00.000-05:00

So I have some kind of cold this week. I'm feeling much better today, although still very tired. I think a half day of work, sitting at my desk, has done me in. And my coffee? Not enough milk! And none to be had in this building, as far as I can tell. Darnit.

Woke up Monday with a sore throat and killer headache, plus, when I finally found the thermometer, I had a fever of 100.3! Yowsa. Needless to say, I stayed home and slept basically all day (I think I was awake for a total of 8 hours). Once I got some cold medicine -- for which I had to stand in line with all the druggies picking up their oxycodone (thanks Rite Aid in The Plains!) -- I felt much better. Yesterday I just chilled, slept outside on the hammock since the weather is unseasonably warm. I think I slept too much because then last night I couldn't sleep. Oh well!

We had crazy storms last night, like pouring rain and very high winds. I had to pee about 2am and you guys know what that means -- I had to go outside! It sucked but it really couldn't wait. Note to self: get chamberpot. Or, do you think I could get away with peeing in the cat box?

There's not much else going on, really. We have been watching Big Love and enjoying it. Also? JB got me Once, which I loved and this CD. She's going a little overboard on the 12 Days of Christmas gift-giving method, but I'm not complaining!

Hope you guys are having a good week.

Hi Peeps!

2008-01-03T10:52:00.000-05:00

Doesn't the cat on the right look like my old cat Hammie?

Could it be any colder? Wait, don't answer that.

It's been cold off and on so far, but last our pipes decided to freeze. Why God why? It's been colder at night before (it was a balmy 13 last night), so it's kind of confusing. The sad thing is we had this conversation right before we went to bed:

A: should I leave the taps running a little so the pipes don't freeze?

Me: nah, it won't be that cold tonight!

D'oh! What did I go and say that for?

It's been a weird week because of the holiday -- yesterday felt like Monday but was really Wednesday and I have no idea what day today feels like. It feels kind of like unbathed day, since we had no water this morning. I did brush my teeth at work but that's about the extent of my hygiene today. Sorry! Was that TMI?

Not too much going on. Christmas came and went, got a cute purse from my sis and I received a memo from JB that there are more presents on the way! Say it with me: WOO!

A's dad is doing fairly well considering. He has started to take some pain meds at night and has perked up some since then. He continues to amuse us with tales of his early-life debauchery. He so crazy!

Anna is loving being a basically inside dog. Wonder the Kitten won't stop attacking her, but she's been taking it very well. We would never leave them alone of course, but she mostly behaves herself, in that she doesn't try to eat him. It's kind of cute how persistent he is, but he doesn't seem to understand that she weighs 65 pounds and he weighs probably 6, so she could crush him with her left paw if she so desired.

I finished a kick-ass papier mache bowl for Jessie that I will have to post a photo of on here.

Hope you guys are having a good new year! Let's hear it for 2008!

Happy Holidays or whatever.

2007-12-27T14:46:00.001-05:00

Hey there. Sorry for the lack of updating, but things have been busy (sucky?) lately. We found out about a month ago (on my birthday no less) that A's dad's cancer has spread to his liver and there is nothing more they can do for him. He's been in hospice about a month, and although he's deteriorating physically, he continues to be as smart, funny, sarcastic and generally awesome as ever. Thanks so much to everyone who has been so supportive through all this. I know I could pick up the phone at 3am and call lots of people who will talk to me whenever I need it. You guys rock. A has been handling it OK (how well do you handle the death of your father?), and we've been trying to look at the bright side -- we have had lots of time with him, many good talks and we've heard some truly wacky stories about his misspent youth. We haven't always been the closest with that branch of the family -- usually seeing them once yearly on Christmas -- but I feel like we've gotten to know each other better through this experience. Christmas was bittersweet; knowing it was his last and trying to keep it together, but at the same time being so grateful that we could spend it with him.

Also during these past few months we had to put Morty to sleep and we have a new niece! A's sister had her baby Ava on December 4. Luckily she and mom are fine and have been cleared for travel, so they're winging their way to see the family as we speak. We're so glad they're going to be able to come -- A's dad (a.k.a. Grandpa Dude) wants so much to see his new granddaughter. As for Morty, well he just became very ill suddenly and was basically in complete liver failure by the next morning when we rushed him to the vet. I hate livers. LT hates kidneys, I hate livers. Poor little guy. It sucked really hard, but he was really suffering there at the end and maybe it told us something about going peacefully. We had him cremated and he's currently sitting in a tin on the shelf until we decide what to do with him. Anna was lonely and confused the first few weeks (she kept looking in the car every time we came home, as if to say "OK you took Morty away in this thing, where is he?") but now she's truly embracing her role as Only Dog. She's really a wonderful dog and truth be told, while we loved Morty so much (well I did anyway!), it's so much easier only having 1 dog who we can trust to run free during the day and not pee in the house. Anna's totally eating up all the attention -- being let into the house for loong periods of time for the first time in her life.

What else? My massage office is working out really well -- business has been good mostly (I sold lots of gift certificates for the holidays), although I haven't been doing that much massage since we're up in Columbus all the time. But I love how it's turned out so far.

I'm not sure what else to say right now. I hope everyone's holidays are going well. Will try and update this blog as I can but if I'm not back before then, Happy 2008!

Yes I'm a nerd

2007-10-30T09:40:00.000-04:00

So this weekend I went to The Office Convention in Scranton, PA. For those of you who haven't ever seen The Office, go and rent it now. No time to write the details but here is a picture, lest you don't believe me.

More details to come!

Yummiest dinner (and lunch leftovers) ever

2007-10-22T09:35:00.000-04:00

I'm apparently a cooking genius and whipped up the tastiest dinner last night, which I just enjoyed for lunch as well. Get this: chilled tuna pasta salad with red potatoes and carrots with a creamy dill sauce I made from scratch! Do I rock or what? The potatoes were a little questionable in the leftovers but otherwise, muy delicioso!

Monday is going along. Have been laughing like an idiot looking at LOLCats. Warning: I busted a gut looking at these while trying not to be too loud at work. Seriously folks, I was crying. Other than that, I've been doing a little work, eating leftovers, etc. but can't believe it's 12:30! What the hell dude? I should run to my office to put down the rug I bought this weekend.

Also this weekend? Super productive times! We finally put up the lamp my granny made us for our wedding (that, you know, we meant to put up in July!) in the back cabin, and it has multiplied the coziness in there by tenfold. Can't wait to hang the curtains we got -- it will be so cozy we'll never want to leave! Which might be a bonus when it's 20 degrees outside. I also devised an ingenious way to keep the neighbor dogs off our porch (plywood gate) and cleaned up the yard. Yay me!

Other than that, Wonder continues to be uber-cute one second and than annoying as all get-out the next moment! I think being on his own from such a young age taught him to 1) eat everything (SunChips, tortillas, cereal, ice cream, but not as I found out yesterday, carrots) and 2) just help himself to it. So he crawls up on your lap while you're eating, tries to jump on the dinner table and in fact ate some Crumbs rolls while we were out one day. That little sucker.

Oh, and my mom is currently on alert to be evacuated because of wildfires in and around San Diego, so keep your fingers crossed their new house, into which they just moved a month ago, is spared. Wildfires......never had those in Ohio.

Next blog: How I am a total nerd and am going to an Office convention. As in, dedicted to the television program The Office. Don't judge!

One more thing

2007-10-20T12:33:00.001-04:00

I went to a conference yesterday and although I asked for a veggie meal, they accidentally fed me chicken! I thought the raviolis tasted weird, but my table mate ate some filling and assured me it was fish. So I kept eating it, but dug most of the filling out because it didn't taste good. Then I ran across 1 cheese ravioli and began wondering what the other stuff was. My tablemates summoned the waiter and you guessed it! It was smoked chicken ravioli. They felt really bad and apologized profusely, as well as offered me things (piece of cake? potatoes? another salad? more bread?) which I declined. I mean, in the great scheme of things it's no big deal and they felt really bad, but I did feel kind yukky the rest of the day. Totally psychosomatic I'm sure.

I wasn't going to say anything to the conference presenters, but I was the only veggie so he made sure to ask me if my food was OK. I told him the story and he felt really bad too, but I assured him it was OK. Know what his boss said? "What happens now, do you go to hell?". I thought that was pretty funny.

So, poll: do you think I will go to vegetarian hell? :) Where, according to JB, you have to eat meat all day long.

Fall is here!

2007-10-20T12:22:00.001-04:00

The weather is absolutely beautiful today, so what am I doing? That's right, sitting inside, computing! I just worked on my website (www.erinnash.com) after a year of procrastinating actually doing anything with it. Got some good advice on an FTP program to use, and so I downloaded it this morning and got to work! It's pretty barebones right now -- I uploaded only the stuff I already had, but I'm going to be working more on it in the weeks to come. I swear.

I just met a super-cute dog! She's a 5 month old German Shepherd Mix named Blue that belongs to a friend of mine. She's so cute! And so soft too. There's a work picnic later today and Blue might be there, so I'll try and convince A to go. It sounds really nice -- hiking, eating, hanging outside, and dogs!! I think Anna will like it there. Morty, not so much.

The dogs in our neighborhood have been running amok this week. For some reason Oz the Weimeraner (sp?) decided he wanted to live at our house on Thursday and refused to leave. He's so sweet it makes me feel bad to be mean to him and yell at him to go away, but he was making Anna and Morty crazy. The same goes for Angel, the pit bull. She's just unbelievably sweet and cute, but Morty kind of wants her dead and although she's really submissive, I don't want to see what happens in the pit bull v. beagle showdown. I'm afraid Morty wouldn't come out of that very well. Plus? Those damn dogs feel free to make themselves at home on our bed! On top of all my clothes. That even our dogs aren't allowed on. I had to actually walk Oz all the way home on Thursday, because he just refused to leave and every time I tried to turn around and ignore him hoping he would go back home, he just came back to follow me. See? How could I be mean to him?

The leaves are starting to change and it's really feeling like fall. Things are beautiful on our new property. I'm looking forward to tromping around in the thinned-out woods with A and the dogs sometime soon. Plus A's mom is coming back to Ohio! Yay! And will hopefully be coming down to visit.

I should run but here are some weird dreams I've been having lately: that I won a Survivor-type reality show called The Last Soprano ("I don't even like the Sopranos!" was my refrain on the show), that I owned a gelato shop in Athens, and another one where I won The Amazing Race by burning a song on a CD the fastest. Why do I keep dreaming I win reality shows? It is because I know I'm a winner?

Gotta go make a covered dish for the picnic later. Bye y'all!

Protein is for the birds

2007-10-13T12:38:00.000-04:00

So....eating more protein. Is really hard if you're a vegetarian and picky like me. But you know what? I just heard on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me that pickiness is hereditary, so suck that! I blame mom and dad for the fact that I don't like nuts, melons, apples, raw carrots or any of the other millions of foods I don't like. The message here: IT ISN'T MY FAULT!

But anyway, I went to see my sister's acupuncturist for a variety of ailments, mainly this yukky eczema over my eye that has been plaguing (yes! plaguing!) me since last year. Her advice? among other things, eat more protein. And good, complete proteins like nuts (ew, see above), eggs and quinoa. I'm trying hard, but her suggestion to eat things with protein powder hasn't gone well. Because it tastes like ass. The whey vanilla kind is OK if you hide it in, say, pancakes, but I was a little concerned about the cholesterol in it, so I got some veggie protein instead. And it tastes even worse. Even A couldn't eat it, and he'll eat anything.

So the moral is, it's hard. (that's what she said). I'm trying new things, like eating Eggo Whole Wheat waffles with almond butter (complete protein, woo!). We tried smoothies, even bought a blender, but I'm also not a huge fan of plain yogurt either, and it's senseless to try and mask something you don't like (e.g. protein powder) with something else you don't really like (e.g. yogurt). But I'm trying. And, related or not, my eczema is MUCH MUCH better! Even the rash under my arms which randomly appeared has gotten better. So I will continue to press on.

Here's a pretty picture I took last week in our yard.

I'm mostly moved in to my new massage room - yay! I think it's very zen in there and enjoy being there, so that's awesome. Have only done 2 massages there yet, but this week I've got some more scheduled.

I've also been putting more hours in at Children Services helping out with home visits. It's not the funnest job ever -- lots of running around and hanging out in the houses of people who don't really want me there, because I work for Children Services, but the kids I'm working with are so super cute. And it's been eye opening to see what the caseworkers really do and how much they really care about these families. They kind of rock!

That's about it from here. 5 weeks till my birthday yo! I've got plenty of suggestions if you need a gift idea :) . I'm all about skipping gifts on Christmas, but my birthday is all about love, adoration and GIFTS! I have to hint very strongly to A to get him to pay attention ("I like this _______. Are you listening? My birthday is soon, are you listening?") but he usually gets it and comes through with something nice.

Later y'all!

Long time no see people!

2007-10-10T14:47:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone! So it's been a really long time since I posted here, I admit it. The past year has been busy and strange and kind of difficult and lots of things happened, but here I am!

A and I moved again, which we swear was not in our gameplan, but this just came up and it was the perfect (?) opportunity. Those of you who know us know we moved to Athens because we wanted to build our own house using alternative construction. So we've been living here and there in the Athens area for the last 8 years, but hadn't gotten around to that house thing yet. Randomly in June, I was perusing the ads in The Athens News as I do every Monday and Thursday, and came across an ad for a straw bale house and 5 acres for sale. The price seemed insanely low, so without consulting A, I called the guy and made an appointment to see it that evening. Then when I got home I informed A we were going to look at it! I am normally not that type of wife, but in this case, I was overly bossy. Shut up! I am NOT bossy normally!

Anyway, long story short, we loved the place and made an offer the next day. It's an unusual place, with 2 very small cabins, 1 bathroom, an outhouse and lots and lots of trees. We moved in June (recommendation: hire students to move your stuff next time. They come cheap and although aren't always the sharpest about household-related stuff, they work hard) and have been enjoying the oddness of sleeping back in the woods, about 800 feet back from the main house. It sounds really luxurious to have a separate bedroom and it has been fun so far, but ask me again when it starts getting really cold! We need to do SO.MUCH.STUFF before winter, and haven't historically been good at doing stuff like that in a timely manner, but we're trying! The straw bale cabin roof is a must-do, as is getting some insulation in there. A, per usual, is all "I CAN DO THAT!", I'll just get a book! Here's hoping he doesn't injure himself because we have no health insurance!

In other news, I have a new massage office (will take some pictures soon) that I have just moved into. It's kind of scary to be out on my own, but the price is right and I looooove having my own space. Going tonight to do some more decorating but most everything is there already. Had the inaugural massage on Saturday! Thanks Sara for being my guinea pig.

Have just been busy at work and doing massage and house things and new kitten things (see left, ain't he cute?) but I'm going to try and keep this updated more than I have been for the last year.

To sum up, here's how the last year went:
* major move x 2
* planned my first fundraiser! And it made money!
* new massage office!
* some friends moved away from Athens
* met some cool people who just moved to Athens
* reoccurance of stupid depression and anxiety, necessitating going back on medication
* many declarations of my awesomeness from my boss and massage clients
* my memory is getting worse and worse and I no longer remember what else I did in the past year!

Next blog topic: trying to eat more protein sucks! See you all soon!

Nerf is a jerk

2006-08-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

So here is Nerf. This is a common stance for her, the one I call "plaintive wailing". She is a stupid stupid cat, that Nerf. Pardon me for saying so (you know I love all cats) but that cat is missing a few million neurons in her tiny little brain. Anyway, so as most of you know, we moved this weekend (more on that later) and Nerf was very very confused by our new house. "Where have you taken me?" she seemed to be saying as she whined ALL.NIGHT.LONG. "Where are we? Where is my hidey-hole? Where am I supposed to flee in this little house?" she whined and whined and whined. At 2am, with both of us awake, we attemped to banish her outside of the bedroom. Of course all she did then was scratch at the door and make an even bigger nuisance of herself, so we gave up. Annoying cat!!

So yes, we moved. It was a minor disaster, what with me getting mad at a flowerpot for being in my way (terracotta conspiracy!) and kicking the thing, injuring my toe and thus rendering me virtually useless for moving large pieces of furniture. Several people swooped in and saved the day, including our neighbor (who seemed delighted to get out of the house and even brought us donuts!), and then my lovely sister and father and brother-in-law. They drove down from Columbus and everything. They RAWK! It was really freakin' hot and humid and disgusting, but you know what they say, the family that sweats buckets together.....er, I'm not sure where I was going with that. Anyhoo, most of our stuff is in the new house, save some kitchen crap and all that random stuff you end up with once you pack your belongings. My brother-in-law had a great shirt on that was perfect for moving (I wonder if he wore it purposely or just happened to have it on?). It said "I'm not a pack rat, I'm a collector". How appropos. I've gotten better, but I definitely keep things that I probably have no reason to.

That's about it from here. If we ever get the energy to unpack, ya'll should come over for a barbeque.

Erin Nash, LMT

2006-08-17T09:44:00.000-04:00

So I've gone and done it, I've passed the boards! I now have 3 more initials to add to the end of my name, how cool is that? I was at the airport, on the way to Philly, when my sis called with the news. I was buying buckeyes at Cheryl's cookies, for a certain buckeye-loving friend of mine, and I started jumping up and down (and possibly shrieking, I'm not sure). The Cheryl's ladies thought I was a little nuts, but that's OK. Then I called everyone I know and then I got on a plane! It's quite exciting being licensed, although it doesn't really change all that much. I can use those 3 initials and charge more, plus I can advertise and I'll finally be able to get rid of those stupid cards that said "student of massage therapy".

It turns out I'm kinda smart and I got a 92 on both sections of the test! How awesome is that? [pats self on back].

Work is crazy and I really need to be going but I just wanted to share. From now on, please don't forget to address all correspondence to Erin Nash, LMT!!

Yeah I'm a slacker, so sue me

2006-08-07T12:26:00.000-04:00

It's just so hard to blog when one has nothing new to report. I am STILL waiting on the results of the Medical Board exam, and really, not much else is happening. Summer is passing quickly and I can't believe it's August already. Last month I went to Chicago for Mar-Mar's baby shower, which was fun. I was a surprise guest, and the mom-to-be was definitely surprised. Fun was had by all, I got to stay with my friend Anmol, and we saw some Chicago sights. Struggled with an unfortunate bout of heat exhaustion on the day I left (oy vey, it was terrible), but all in all, had a good time. I am off to the city of brotherly love this weekend to visit with friends from Haverford. Adam just had a birthday, Finn made a daring escape attempt, and I accidentally Netflixed a movie I'd already seen. Sadly, that's about it. Haven't seen any new movies with Clive Owen!!

OK I just spilled water all over myself and must therefore flee. Bye all!

Edited to add: Just saw this tidbit from Toni Collette regarding her latest role and found it too hilarious not to repeat: "Miramax wanted me to shave my underarm hair, which I did not want to do. I was playing a junkie. I did end up keeping it. I felt that since I was creating the character, I should be in control of all bodily hair." BWAH! I'm totally in control of all my bodily hair, aren't you?

Edited to add #2: Most of you who know me know I am slightly obsessed with Pride & Prejudice, the newer version with Keira Knightley. Yes, I was reading another article about it, OK? But I found this hilarious tidbit about Judi Dench: But perhaps the most arresting memory that they take away from being on set with living legend Judi Dench is not her boundless fascination with acting but her penchant for subversive needlework. "She makes these like needlework embroideries on set in the tedium of filming", says MacFadyen, "but they are all: 'You Are a Cunt'. And she gives them as presents. And it's Dame Judi Dench. And she is doing this beautifully, intricate, ornate work. You kind of see the work materializing as the shoot goes on. Like: 'You Are a Fucking Shit.' Knightley remarks: "I love that! She gives this fantastic air. She just sits there and she embroiders and you think: 'Oh, that's so nice! It's Judi Dench. It's so quaint; she's embroidering a cushion,' and you go: 'What are you embroidering?' And (it says): 'Fuck!' Apparently she's got hundreds of them just covered in swear words or rude sayings."

Move along...nothing to see here

2006-06-28T15:58:00.000-04:00

Hey folks! As it says above, there's really not much going on here. I've been watching an assload of movies, as I have all this free time, and seemed to have developed a full-blown love of Clive Owen in a very short period of time. The accent - so yummy! The voice! The bod! Y-U-M. My friend asked me if I had a Clive film festival this weekend, and while it seems like I did, I didn't plan it in advance. Saturday while A was at work, King Arthur was on TV, then we got a video on Sunday evening and I was all, hey you've wanted to see Sin City for a while, let's get it (see how I made it seem like it was all his idea?). Then JB told me that I really needed to see Beyond Borders, so I went on Tuesday and rented that. I tried to hide it from A because I knew he would make fun of me, but then he saw it! haha. And, you guessed it, made fun of me. I apologize for NOTHING! He's hot do you hear me? HOT!

That's really it, sadly. I rejoined Netflix and so far we've just gotten Entourage, which isn't as good as I had heard. And I just saw in People that they did a poll and something like 60% of people preferred Jeremy Piven to Adrien Grenier!? Wha? I mean, Piven is OK, but Grenier has that hair and is just so mussed and cute. People are weird man.

Laters!

Oh lordy

2006-06-22T14:29:00.000-04:00

Just a quick note to say you must watch this. It's Henry Rollins' Love Letter to Ann Coulter (please note: teeny bit of rough language at the end, you might want to watch the volume if you're at work).

Consummatum est, motherfuckers!

2006-06-21T19:03:00.000-04:00

Done! Finished! Finito! The Boards, they be OVER!

Yes, they're done. On Tuesday I went into the Ohio State Fairgrounds a girl and came out a woman. Not really, but it was a life-altering event. The test itself was OK -- I feel mostly confident in my performance -- but it was a very stressful 3 months since school ended waiting and worrying about them. There were a few disasters big and small:

* I forgot clean underwear and had to borrow some from my sister (gross schmoss, we're related!)
* I went the wrong way on the highway on the way there. Only a momentary delay, as I knew where I was and got us right back on the way
* I momentarily forgot my box of #2 pencils in the car and had to rush back to get them
* The power went out during the first test for about 10 minutes. I was near the end and could mostly see my test, but the poor folks in the middle just had to sit there in the dark

It was really nice to see all my classmates again....everyone seems to be doing well.

So now I have all this free time that I don't have to spend studying or worrying about the test or feeling guilty for not studying, and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself! Perhaps A and I will go rollerblading, as I found some safety gear for him at Target. Ahh, Target, you come through again.

Maybe I should start taking opinions as to what hobby people think I should take up.

Also went to a retirement party at my old office. Most people weren't there (rude much??) but of course Mr. Craftsman was. I completely ignored him and he ignored me, it was lovely!! Had some snacks and got to hang with the people I do like. Plus a very very old friend was there, all the way from DC. Wow!

That's it from here! Hope everyone is doing well. Oh, I saw The Lake House last weekend and it wasn't bad! I didn't expect it to be good and it really wasn't, but entertaining nonetheless. We also rented Match Point, which was great! Especially for a Woody Allen joint. Definite 2 thumbs up.

Me again

2006-06-16T17:49:00.000-04:00

Who'd you expect? Just a quick update to say hey all and thanks for everyone's support for the boards on Tuesday. It's almost time!!! I got the greatest study care package EVER today (thanks JB!). All the sugar will, I'm sure, help me concentrate on studying. I have recruited A to help with a practice test, and I've got some super study sessions planned for Sunday and all day Monday. Then it will be zero hour and no time to study no mo'. It will be good to see all the folks from my class, as well as Mark (our intrepid instructor). All the instructors come and hang around asking "What did they ask?" as you come out. I believe some of them bring snacks too! Mark, I'm looking at you!

I've got my entrance materials in my car so I won't forget them, and I bought a dozen #2 pencils and sharpened them all in preparation. A made fun of me for it but I figure 1) it's best to be prepared and 2) there are likely to be others who need a pencil and 3) it was 99 friggin' cents for a box of them.

That's it from here! Back to the studying grindstone. Ooh, check this out. It's tres funny.

Missing notecard update

2006-06-12T13:40:00.000-04:00

I found them! And am now fully-able to study muscles to my heart's content. They were actually in a bag full of notecards I had rejected as unimportant, so I'm going to blame A on this one (shh, don't tell him!).

It's basically the SSDD around here (you know, same shit, different day). Studying, studying and feeling like I should be studying. Had the last real review class on Sunday -- next Sunday's is optional (although, let's face it, they were all optional for slackers like me) and will involve kind of a free-for-all of question answering and whatnot. I'm undecided as to whether or not I will go -- I feel like I could get more productive studying done on my own, but the question is, will I? It just doesn't seem to warrant the 160 mile round-trip drive when I will be heading back up there to take the actual test Monday night. I did recover my Illustrated Atlas of Skeletal Muscles that I had accidentally left behind last weekend, so that's good. It has PURTY pictures that help my brain understand things.

Other than that, the weather has been nice and cool and I gave Morty a bath and Anna's butt a silly-looking haircut! I would have trimmed her all over but she was shaking and giving me the puppy dog eyes so I took pity on her and let her go. So she kind of looks normal (for her) from the front, but her butt is all trimmed and her tail is so pathetically small when you take away all that hair it makes me laugh. Poor girl! Morty was FILTHIER than anything I've ever seen and of course now is back to being just about as dirty. Silly doggie.

Had a KILLER headache yesterday and I was recovering at home this morning. It's still there, lingering, but it's about 98% better than yesterday, for which I am thankful. I was pretty darn miserable yesterday. BOO HOO!

Laters!

I'm SPECIAL!

2006-06-07T19:55:00.000-04:00

And I have the sticker to prove it! On my hand. Because, really, I'm 5 and I like putting stickers on myself. Not too much going on, I'm in the coffeehouse sort-of studying but really surfing the web and buying shit from iTunes. Most recent acquisition: Lori McKenna. Sort of an alt-country, folksy-type chick. Check her out! Or throw me a line and I'll burn you a CD.

Haven't been doing much except studying and then spending the rest of my time thinking "I should be studying!". I did get some quality studying in yesterday, in 2 separate sessions no less! Took 2 mock exams and did OK -- not as great as I would have hoped, but a good starting point. I did poorly pretty much on the stuff I knew I needed to study anyway, so that's good. I seem to have misplaced a huge chunk of myology notecards -- all the important muscles, as a matter of fact, that we pulled out for the final. I cleaned a good deal yesterday and thought I would find them for sure, but no luck. If I were a pile of notecards, where would I be?

Here's the back of A's newly-bald head, in case you were wondering what he looks like without his baby hair!!

Also yesterday I went to get an estimate on the damage to my car. Seriously, it's so insignificant you can barely even tell unless you're looking at it directly and guess what the damage was? Seven freakin' hundred dollars!! WTF dude? Both places came up with about the same amount, which really blows my mind. I mean, 8 years ago when that asshole lawyer RIPPED OFF the bumper of my Honda, it only cost $500! Anyway, the person who hit it seems OK and her insurance agent is supposed to call me this week. . Why such a pain in the ass? They said it's also going to take 2 days since they have to pain, which is even more annoying.

That's really about it from here.

The weather hates me

2006-06-03T09:54:00.000-04:00

I really really need to study and the freakin' weather just isn't cooperating -- sunny and 75? How am I supposed to sit inside and study when the weather is like that? I had a dream, I had an awesome dream last night that the boards were over! And I was so happy...must buckle down and study. And no one's even emailing me to distract me! What's up with that?

I'm in a coffee shop and the woman beside me apparently ordered 9 things, because they keep calling her name! (which, by the way, is Darcy -- Mariya, potential name?? People will think you're obsessed with Jane Austen but it's better than Robert Langdon). I believe I accidentally ate another Erin's sandwich -- they called "ERIN" so I went up and was briefly surprised to see my sandwich on an english muffin, but I figured what the hell, they're really busy (some huge crowd of strange-talking foreigners -- Dutch maybe?), so I'll just eat it. But then a few minutes later, I hear "ERIN" again and then I hear some talking and she doesn't come back with a sandwich but then they call her a little bit later. WHOOPS. I really would have preferred a croissant, but whatever. Think they still have that sandwich back there and I could eat it too?

That's it from here. Just random ramblings to prevent me from having to go home and study. Ooh! I know! I can go to the farmer's market. Why am I procrastinating so much? If you have any ideas, email me.

xoxo. Happy Weekend.

Worst.Blogger.EVER!

2006-05-31T15:46:00.000-04:00

OK so clearly I lied below when I said I was trying to be better and blog more. And the Miami trip? That is so, like, 2 trips ago. I have been travelling alot for work (excuse? not really, since I can access this thing from anywhere. Wait, did I say that out loud?). Went to Huntsville the beginning of May, just got back Monday night from a combo Washington DC/Baltimore/Jersey Shore trip with J and R. Fun fun fun! I think I got a little too used to the life of leisure at the beach....we did basically the bare minimum in terms of keeping ourselves functioning -- sleep and eat. Other than that, there was some music swapping (thanks J for owning everything under the sun!) and beach lounging. The weather was beautiful and then I get home after a long hard day of travelling and it's 90 friggin' degrees? WTF?

Anyway, to recap the last few months:
* Huntsville was very educational - new CAC director's training, where I learned that I'm not doing anything right! To the right is a picture of their amazing training facility. hee. But seriously, everyone felt the same way and it was kinda nice to be surrounded by other people who feel like they have no idea what they're doing. The blind leading the blind, as it were. I also had a nice massage at the Healing Arts Center, where they were very nice to me despite the fact that I didn't know they didn't take credit cards and didn't have enough cash (whoops!). If you're ever in Huntsville, definitely go. The people of Huntsville, I give you much love and adoration for your ridiculous levels of niceness. Why are ya'll so nice all the time?

* DC was fun, my conference was not as educational as Huntsville, but I got to meet all of the other crazy Ohio CAC people, which was entertaining! Them folks is nuts, I tell you whut. We ate alot, drank alot and had some fun (while learning, yes, learning!). The weather was nice in DC and we were right downtown so there was plenty to do within walking distance and I even conquered my ineptitude with public transportation and successfully navigated the Metro like 3 times! Go me.

* Headed to Baltimore on Wednesday the 24th to stay with an old friend from high school. You know, the one who was crazy and kinda slutty but who is now settled down with 2 kids. She's still rockin' like Dokken though, and her kids are uber-cute. One of them asked me the next morning "Am I ever going to see you again?" and my heart melted a little. Not enough to want to reverse A's vasectomy, but just a little. Unfortunately, Amtrak decided to have a meltdown of major proportions that day and yours truly got stranded in the Baltimore bus station. It's definitely not as bad/scary as you would imagine it being -- in fact, it was very well-lit and safe and clean. J had to come from PA to pick me up because it was going to take me forever to get somewhere I could meet her. So she picked me up, after a brief panicked period of being lost in downtown Baltimore, and we headed to the shore.

* New Jersey kicks ass. I wish I could live at the beach and be a bum. Well, a massaging bum, only working enough to pay for pancakes at the Sand Dollar and copious amounts of ice cream that you always seem to eat at the beach from Salty's. There was wireless in the house and waves right outside so what could be better? Think I could convince A to trade in his baker's duds for a beach umbrella and defect with me to NJ? Sadly, it probably wouldn't take much!

I had to fly home out of DC (long story, someone else paid for the ticket), so I spent most of Monday training, busing and metro-ing to National Airport. I was just kicking all kinds of public transportation ass. Made it home safely although I did a double-take when the pilot said it was 90 degrees. Jigga what? Jigga who?

Thankfully, it's supposed to cool down tomorrow. I'm back at work, being ultra-productive if you ask me (blogging time excluded of ourse). All my new office furniture came while I was away and is currently being assembled by our maintenance guys (thanks CJ and Rob!), so I'm kind of treading water over here waiting for that to happen. I have a huge box with chairs in the middle of my office that people keep having to trip over to get to the cabinet. And I'm pondering - should I go to a retirement party for someone I like at my old office? I'm not sure if I would be permitted in the building again! hee.

Other than that, just freaking a little about the massage board exam which is 3 weeks from yesterday (eeek!). I must study. I must! Being overconfident is wrong, wrong I say!

Listening to: Veronica Mars Soundtrack (shut up, it's good!)
Reading: Last Orders by Graham Swift (although it's so full of British-speak I had to consult a translator)
Most recent obsession: Pride and Prejudice (the version with Keira Knightley. A doesn't know it yet, but I bought it at Target on my way out of town and amused myself in the hotel by watching it! Alot. The dude who plays Darcy is superhot.)

Hope everyone's doing well! I don't want to promise I'll be better about blogging, so I just won't.

SMOOCHES!

p.s. I almost forgot! I got a new car! And it's orange. And was promptly hit by someone, who I know but who shall remain nameless. At least she offered to pay for it. Here it is!

April? Already?

2006-04-19T15:46:00.000-04:00

Finn says Hi!

Sorry it's been so long since I said hello you all. I thought my life was really boring (and it is) but it was brought to my attention that some people actually like to log on and see what I'm up to. So, here is what's been going on lately!

My job is going well. I have been working on organizing things and concentrating on getting everything off the ground. We have been in this "Yeah, let's do that in the future" kind of state rather than "This is what we do". It's funny, we had our first real case since I got here, and afterwords, we all sat around and someone said "So what do we do now?" haha. We all laughed and I decided an impromptu planning meeting never hurt anyone, so we had one! People are looking to me for leadership, so I'm just going to decide things and worry about it later. Someone needs to make the executive decisions around here and I guess that's me.

Today I had a good time with my labelmaker and tagged and inventoried all the equipment we've got so far. Next week, hopefully, I will get to actually buy new equipment, then I can tag that too!

Other than that, I'm keeping busy with family visits (A's mom has been in Columbus), and I've got my Medical Board Exam Review class every Sunday from 1-5. The first session was really boring, in that we kind of already took this review class the last quarter, but I suppose it's good to keep it fresh. The weather has been nice since I got back from Miami (oh yeah, I didn't talk about that at all!), so we've been spending some time in the yard and outside. Tonight some dude is coming to hopefully mow our shamefully bedraggled lawn and we got a reel mower so we can keep it up. I wish I had some more time this weekend to play in the yard, but I've got the Calliope dress rehearsal Saturday, since I can't make the actual concert, and then I'm going up to Cols to have dinner with an old friend, spend the night, have breakfast with another old friend (it's old home week!), then my board review class. So really, no free time there, sadly.

Have been watching the 5th season of Six Feet Under the last few days and it's just so good. I was so sad to see that show go, as it was definitely worth all the hype it got. And Peter Krause is way hot. With regard to the movies, go see Slither! It's super-duper cheestetastic and really hilarious. Plus, contains a recurring musical joke featuring Air Supply -- what could be better?

Hope everyone is doing well. I will try and be a better blogger and write more often, including all the sordid details of the Miami trip.

Hi there!

2006-03-26T12:13:00.000-05:00

Hi folks. I'm not keeping up on this blog like I should, be but whaddarya gonna do? I've been busy with the end of school and starting my new job, as well as planning and packing for my upcoming trip to Florida - yahoo! The dreary-ass Ohio weather is really starting to get old, so the prospect of beach and sun sounds fantastic. My new job is going well....got to make a mega-trip to Staples, which of cours excited me because I'm an office supply nerd. Also got going on some actual procedures instead of just sitting around reading things and learning. Plus, did I mention the puppy?? I knew this was my dream job when I went into work on Thursday and the cutest little beagle-dachsund puppy was wandering around the office. SO CUTE!! By boss found him on her road and brought him in. He found a home almost immediately, at which I am not surprised. He was teeny tiny but his little face was adorable and he could wag his tail faster than I thought possible.

Also this week saw A's mom, who is visiting from NJ. Had a good time, just hanging out and drinking coffee and eating soup. She seems very well. We hope she'll come down and hang with us for a while.

That's about it from here! I really need to go home and clean, but who wants to do that? I hope everyone is doing well and if I don't write before Weds, I'll be home from Florida next week.

Laters!

Long time, no blog!

2006-03-15T15:21:00.000-05:00

Hey guys! Good to see you all. Sorry it's been so long since I updated. I've had a busy week -- ended one job (yay!), started another, and am in the midst of finals (like, the final finals!). Quite exciting. My new job is going really well, in that people are very nice here and seem actually glad to have me here! Quite a change from the crap I've been putting up with since the fall, as most of you know. I've learned tons in the past few days, and still have a giant binder and a folder full of pamphlets to go through, in addition to some books and one or more DVDs. My brain, she is full! I just got my phone and voice mail set up, and tomorrow I'm getting set up with email and my computer.

Yesterday was awesome -- my official first part-time day-off!! Ran errands, made my husband dinner (Best.Housewife.EVER!), prepared a tasty dish for our post-massage-final party, had breakfast with a pal and generally was very very productive! It was quite novel to hit the grocery store at not-9pm in the evening, which is usually the only time I have to go.

Finals have gone well so far -- 1 down, 1 to go. The one I was more stressed about (essay test, can't fake your way through that!) was yesterday, and the anatomy multiple choice test is tomorrow. I am somewhat concerned about it, but I feel basically competent, plus it's multiple choice, and I think I can get something like a 49 and still pass. Not that I'm going for that, but it takes the pressure off a little.

Other than that, not much here going on. A is starting a new job on Monday at a local bakery. I'm already scheduled to go to 2 conferences in May for my job (I TOLD you they were excited to have me here!), and may try and hit the beach after my 2nd conference.

Now I must away to be a productive employee and read the reams of paper waiting for me. Thanks everyone for your well wishes!! Email me if you want my new work contact info (phone, email, etc.).

Saturday/weekend update

2006-03-06T08:52:00.000-05:00

So I stayed most of the day at the climbing competition, and did some massages, not alot, but some. Made some dough and met some cute little climbing kids (one of which was wearing a shirt that said "I do my own stunts" heh), got some studying done, so overall, not a bad day.

Watched the Oscars last night which were good (Jon Stewart), mostly predictable (damn why didn't I join an Oscar pool this year?), and yet ultimately disappointing. Crash? I mean, it had a great ensemble cast and was very well written and acted, and contained Important Themes, but it was a little anvillicious for my taste. Did you know we have race problems in America? And hey, what about those race problems? Geez, aren't those race problems a problem? I appreciate that the movie went there but it could have done it with alot more subtlety and grace. Brokeback Mountain was all about subtlety and quietness and grace. But you guys know I think that already. Anyway, Ang Lee won, and I learned 2 important lessons: Hollywood LOVES the montage and it's apparently hard out here for a pimp, "You Know, What with the Rent, the Gas Money, the Sexual Subjugation of Women, Etc." (E!Online)

Last Monday here!

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT!

2006-03-04T11:53:00.000-05:00

Here I am, at a children's climbing competition. Yes, you heard correctly. I was asked to do chair massages here for the participants and their parents. $5 a pop I decided to charge! I'll be rolling in the bucks right? Well so far I've been here about 2 hours and not a one. The competition has really just gotten started though, as they're running behind. Conveniently, a computer lab about 100 feet away! Sadly, my self esteem was getting hammered watching 7 year olds climb up this wall I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. How can little tiny kids climb that high? Apparently it will get busier in the afternoon, so I'm going to leave and study for a bit, which I desparately need to do. Will check in later.

p.s. Battlestar Galactica ruled last night!

In like a lamb, out like a....SHIT!

2006-03-03T16:56:00.000-05:00

OK so we're screwed. Wednesday, March 1 was warm and mostly sunny. Therefore, all hell will break loose and we'll have a blizzard towards the end of the month. Come to think of it, I'm going to Florida on the 28th or 29th (I can't remember which) so bring it on Mother Nature! As long as my plane gets out before the worst of it.

It's been a great week, the countdown has begun to my last day here. It's sad after 6 years to have to leave because of, well, you know.....but he randomly took a vacation day my last day her, so at least we won't have to have the awkward conversation where I ask him to get the hell out of my farewell lunch!

That's it from here. Have a packed weekend planned, plus I should be studying. Later folks!

Awesome news!

2006-02-27T08:58:00.000-05:00

The Olympics are officially over, but this picture will be cool forever!

Two words for ya: NEW JOB! I'm so excited! Those of you who are close know I was really excited about the job with Children's Services and then really bummed when they didn't call. Well it turns out that was only because someone was sick! And they finally called last week, I went in and met with them, and I just accepted the job! I'm really excited, mostly because of the work but also because this is the type of job I have always wanted -- able to make a good wage on 25 hours a week, flexibility, and I can work from home occasionally too! Of course my immediate reaction was to run out and buy a laptop.

I will be the Program Coordinator for the Athens County Child Advocacy Center. For those of you who, like me, had no idea what a CAC is (look at me, already using the lingo!), here is a good overview of their purpose. I'm really excited (did I say that already?). It's a new program that is just starting up, so it's not going to be easy, but I think it will be just the amount of challenge I'm looking for right now.

That's really the news for now! Had a great weekend, was just really happy and not stressed, which was great! I need to start stressing now about finals, but I just want to enjoy this for a bit. My thoughts are with my friend LMA whose dad is having surgery as we speak for lung cancer.

Happy Dance!

2006-02-23T13:24:00.000-05:00

This morning I had a very very good phone call. Most of you know what I mean, so I won't elaborate until I get more details, but I have a meeting tomorrow morning and then I should know something definite. But things are looking up!

It's been a pretty good week so far....work has been busy enough to make the days fly, but not crazy. School has been good too, but ask me again after tonight, when we have our big muscle test. After that....only 2 big tests left-- FOREVAH!

Hope you all are doing well. I will post later when I know what's going on.

Post-Valentine's Day

2006-02-15T10:38:00.000-05:00

So how was everyone's Valentine's Day? Mine was OK -- I had to work and then I had class, so I didn't get to see much of my valentine. But he did come in and see me at work and I gave him the valentine I made out of conversation hearts glued onto paper. The hearts said such pithy things as "URA Star" and "[heart] of Gold". He was foreseeing being embarrassed to be seen with it about town, so he made me put it in an envelope for him - hee!

Speaking of my sweetie, here he and I are at his cousin's wedding in 2001! His cousin's wife recently came across a Christmas card from 2001 that she had meant to send us and never did. She included some pictures of us from that year which I just think are so cute. Look how young we look! Not even 30 yet...... Youth is so wasted on the young!

haha, just kidding. I know, I know, I'm still young.

Anyway, not much else going on here. Just waiting around for a certain call, worrying about finals, etc. Have a study session tomorrow to get ready for the final exam in massage class, and have been studying here and there for the big muscle test in anatomy. Tonight in clinic, I am the receptionist! Which means I get to sit on my ass and don't have to give 3 massages in a row. It will be nice to have a break.

My friend Jane did my astrology chart and then read it for me, which was really interesting. It was right on target about alot of things, kind of eerily so. That kind of stuff is so weird. So I guess my really difficult time is when some planet was in some house (forgive me, I can't remember - I think Pluto or Saturn were involved??), which apparently was the last few years leading up to age 32 and I guess now that I'm past that, I shouldn't have to worry about it until I'm in my 60s. So that's nice.

Here's another photo. Also from 2001, before the bad thing went into the bad house. And before I got glasses.

That's about it from here. Saw Capote this weekend and recommend it. Also finally saw the Wallace and Gromit movie, which rocked! The little bunnies in the movie are just so darn cute. And did you watch the dog show last night? The terrier juggernaut on Best in Show (43 titles since 1907) continued, but the dog who won was so delightfully ugly-cute, I didn't mind. I was rooting for the Scottish Deerhound who was very graceful looking (and hounds have only won 3 times since 1907) and he was from Ohio, but no luck. The pug was cute too. Oh, let's face it, I love all dogs and they were all adorable.

Have a great post-Valentine's day!

Almost TGIF!

2006-02-09T15:06:00.000-05:00

Just a quick check-in to say hello and things are (mostly) going well. It's been an interesting week, full of more-than-usual highs and lows. I've discovered that my Dansko clogs have spoiled me for any other shoe and I'm apparently incapable of wearing anything but them or sneakers! What can I say, my feet are picky. A had to actually bring me my clogs from home since there's no way I could wear these shoes (previously-comfortable Doc Martens for god's sake!) any more.

It's cold but sunny and it's almost Friday! Those things combined work well for me. Had lovely pad thai with tofu for lunch, which caused my mouth to burn for 20 minutes or so, but it was worth it. Class tonight (A&P - snoozeville!), but Veronica Mars was excellent last night and I have 2 massages this weekend and plans to see Capote. I'm easy to please I guess. I also need to get some serious studying in, because we have our big muscle test in 2 weeks and I am in no way prepared. Pulled out my notecards and was struck at how little I remember. Bad Erin!!

Hope yous alls is doing well. Smooches!

Long Time, No Blog

2006-02-06T16:04:00.000-05:00

Hey there people! Sorry it's been so long since I updated you on my boring life. Let's see...what's happened since my last entry? N-O-T-H-I-N-G!! haha. Actually, some stuff did happen - A's mom came home from Africa on Friday (yay!), and we talked to her twice in a 2-day span! First time in the last 2 years. She seems welll and we're hoping she'll make it out to Ohio to visit. I propose that SE Ohio is a perfect place to relax back into the U.S. and get back into the swing of things. It's very laid back here and not too many people are in your face all the time.

Other than that, which was the real big news, my dad had surgery (he's recuperating well at home now), I failed one massage test and got 100% on the other (go figure) and I've gotten some of the nicest comments ever in our clinic. Which is nice, considering the vibe at my day job makes me feel like a bad bad empoloyee. Which I' m not, by the way, but whose ass you kiss is often more important than doing a good job. A sad-but-true fact I have come to realize.

We have seen some great movies lately, including Brokeback Mountain (again), The Corpse Bride, The Constant Gardener and Grizzly Man. All were good but in extremely different ways. I'm getting psyched up for the Oscars and the big party I go to annually, and I'm trying to see as many things as I can. May see Capote this weekend if it's still here, and I'd like to see Good Night and Good Luck but I'm not sure if it's still playing. I never did get around to seeing The Squid and The Whale, because I get really tired of seeing intimate indie pics set in NYC, like there's nowhere else that people have intimate family relations. Maybe that's what I liked about Junebug so much -- that it wasn't set in New York!

And finally, finally, my sister has stopped making fun of me for my love of Veronica Mars because she's now hooked too!! Mwuhahaha! I successfully forced her to watch it and now she and her hubby are (somewhat) obsessed. Go Me! Rob Thomas, you owe me one.

Hope you kids are having a good February! It finally feels like winter and we got snow and everything!

Holy Weather Batman!

2006-01-18T11:42:00.000-05:00

OK, this weird weather has got to stop. I know, it's typical Ohio weather, but good lord, 70 one day and 32 the next? 52 yesterday and now you can't see anything, it's snowing so hard!? Dude.

Not much going on here this week. Did massages basically nonstop all weekend, including my day off on Monday. Think I may have gotten a new regular client (knock on wood) which is cool. Have clinic again tonight, which means 3 massages in a row, one of which is on our instructor's daughter, who also happens to be a Licensed Massage Therapist, so....eek! Slightly nervewracking. Got my application to take the massage boards in June done, including the 3 notary signatures, passport-style photos and the recommendations of 2 people who said I was of "good moral character". Fooled them huh? haha. Now I've just got to come up with the $250 and mail the sucker in.

Feeling jealous of Mariya, who's in the Bahamas!! NO FAIR!

Puppies and Kittens and Rainbows, oh my!

2006-01-12T09:23:00.000-05:00

LOBSTAH!

Just felt like sharing this funny picture with you. Hat? No, that's what my hair always looks like.

So this week is almost over. Thankfully, it's been much better than last week -- no flat tires or tow trucks in site, and I didn't fall down the stairs once. Good times. My clinicals went well last night -- I even got a tip!! $5, shh, don't tell Hocking College.

I just read an awesome interview with Jason Dohring, my TV boyfriend (OK, one of many) from Veronica Mars. He is so cute! And also says "dude" alot, which I totally dig. Dude! It's just such a great all-purpose word and can relay virtually any emotion. You practically don't have to think at all in your interactions with people -- just say "dude".

I've officially thrown in the towel here at work, which is kind of relaxing and refreshing! I'm just looking now for something else and beginning to get psyched about my upcoming new career (knock on wood that I pass the boards in June!). I had 3 massages in a row last night, and I've got 6 more scheduled from now until Monday, so go me! Hopefully some of these people will turn into long-term clients.

And.......BEST NEWS EVER!!! A's mom is coming home from Africa in 3 weeks!! From today, as a matter of fact. She has been gone for 2 years and we miss her like crazy. Best.Mother-in-Law.EVER. Seriously, duuuuuuuuuuuuuuude.

In other news, we learned Reflexology this week, which was really cool. It hurts like hell in some places and is tough on your thumbs when you're the giver, but your feet feel so awesome afterwords.

Our dogs are doing fine, despite the fact that they had been eating co nta minated dog food. I guess over 100 dogs have died, so we're thanking our lucky stars. There was a sad article in The Athens Messenger yesterday about a poor chow who lost her companion dog and who now has permanent liver damage and has to be fed Ensure through a syringe because she can't eat solid food. It was sad but the picture was so pathetically cute.

That's it from here! Hope everyone is having a good week. It's almost over people!!

Bounjourrrrrrrrrrrrr 2006!

2006-01-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

So this is my first entry of 2006! How are all of your 2006s going? I have to say, mine did not begin in an auspicious manner, as my slippers and the carpet on our stairs conspired against me at 10am on Jan 1 and I fell down the stairs on my ass. all....the....way.....down. It would have probably been amusing to watch as I bounced down each succeeding step on my ass, while, I believe, I was yelling "I'm faaaaaalllling down the staaaairs!!!!" for, I guess, A's benefit. I scared the shit out of him, but since I landed mostly on my padded buttocks, all was well. I was a little sore the next few days and I currently can't really move my neck (possibly related only to stress and not the fall), but otherwise: no harm, no foul. A has forbidden me to wear my slippers on the stairs anymore, and, like a good wife, I have mostly been complying.

Anyway, the year seems to have really begun now that I am back in school and everyone's back here in Athens. Uptown is teeming with students jaywalking every which-way, making it dangerous to be both a driver and a pedestrian, and the faculty are all back and all of them decided to submit proposals all at one time. It's a stressful time, but I have my Happy Bunny mini sign book to cheer me up (current sign: It's cute how stupid you are) and my new cat calendar - yes, I love cats, so sue me. For some reason, after having received NO calendars last year, got like 7 this year. Where to put them all? Some are freebies -- 2 alone from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, like aren't you guys supposed to be raising money instead of sending me 2 separate calendars? -- but 3 of them were actual gifts and need to be deployed somewhere. Perhaps I will bring them in and leave them for my coworkers, since our employer has decided they are too cheap to provide the calendars they used to give everyone which very helpfully told us when exams and the end of the quarters were, as well as university holidays and whatnot. .

Other than that, not much going on but the winter doldrums. Getting excited about finally being out of school, and about our clinic every Wednesday night. I'm going to get to work on so many different people! It will be interesting for sure and, let's face it, better than sitting in a lecture. I'm not crazy about the 3-nights-a-week thing, but I keep telling myself: IT'S ONLY 10 WEEKS. Say it with me now.

In other news, I love the new mug I got from Mar-Mar. It says "Childless Whore" and has a picture of a well-dressed young woman, sitting quietly drinking coffee and reading a book! I lurv it. Mar rocks.

Ciao dudes!

Au Revoir 2005

2005-12-30T08:19:00.000-05:00

So, 2005 is almost at an end. I like this time of year, because I am a cheeseball and enjoy making bad end-of-the-year jokes such as "See you next year" or, the one I just made: "I'm giving up egg and cheese sandwiches for the rest of the year!". Oh, I just crack myself up.

Because everyone else is doing it and I ALWAYS give in to peer pressure, here is my best-of list for this year:

Best Movie: Brokeback Mountain
Best Discovery (TV): Veronica Mars
Best Discovery (music): The Ditty Bops
Best Purchase: massage table (followed closely by my iPod!)
Best Concert: Nickel Creek at the Newport 10/20
Best Trip: Maine!!

Yeah, that's all I have. I could sit here all day and think of the best of everything but 1) no one cares and 2) it's Friday and I don't feel like it!!

I am instead amusing myself today keeping track of the ass-kissing going on around me.

Another year is ending and one is beginning. Hopefully, this year I will:

graduate from massage school
pass the Ohio boards and become a licensed massage therapist
quit my office job and do massage therapy full-time
move back to the country
welcome a new niece or nephew in May
not go to my 15th high school reunion because that number just freaks me out

among other things...

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy New Year's and an even better and brighter 2006.

Erin, circa 1988

2005-12-27T08:35:00.000-05:00

Here's a treat for you all - a picture my dad found of me, my freshman year in high school, for some dance (Sadie Hawkins maybe?). I believe my hair, while not as awful as some 80s hair, is crimped. Check out the scary wallpaper that lined the hallway in my parents' house. Doesn't it look just like flowers growing on a trellis? Yeah, no. Sadly, I thought I was so fat then and now I'm thinking "gee I was so skinny!"

So....the holidays.....went fairly well, considering. Didn't get too much family overload, not too much stuff. It was nice to see everyone, and of course there was good food to be had. Got a duplicate gift of something I bought for myself with a birthday gift card (my bad - it was still on my wishlist), but that only means I get to return it and have a bunch of money to spend at Best Buy. There are worse things, man...the dogs got some Greenies, the cats got some Pounce, A got some clothes, which is good, because he'll never buy them for himself and me buying him undershirts is a little too 50s housewife for me.

Back at work now, which is fairly quiet and no one is here. Looking forward to more short weeks this week and next. Of course, next week I'm back to school which means BYE BYE SOCIAL LIFE! If by "social life" you mean "free time", which I do.

Got the Brokeback Mountain soundtrack as a late birthday gift, which kicks ass.

Hope your holidays were good!!

Brokeback Mountain

2005-12-22T12:33:00.000-05:00

I have to say, since I haven't already, I highly recommend Brokeback Mountain. I had the good fortune to see it in NYC when I was there (since it likely won't come to Athens for a while, if EVER). I had huge expectations going in and I was not disappointed. This movie is so touching and heartfelt, so quiet and beautiful. Run, don't walk, people, when it comes to your local theater.

I'm off for the holiday now! Have about 4 hours of work left (unless we get our early - please please!) and then I have a blissfull 4 days off! Of course, alot of it will be filled with family and overeating, but there will be presents too. Despite what people seem to think of me, I'm not totally anti-Christmas -- I object on principal to the fact that it's the only religious holiday that is also a federal holiday (shut up Bill O'Reilly), but I don't object to the general feeling of hope and goodwill people seem to have this time of year (those come in between the bouts of screaming at people in the stores and in the mall parking lot and the tearing out of hair thinking "What do I get Great Uncle Harry the Pervert?"). I do not object to gift-giving, but I do object to the required "I must get _________ something" that causes people to give me crap I don't want, can't use, and that they probably bought at my mortal enemy Wal-Mart . I would much rather people put their money to good use, donating to some worth causes in my name. Or do nothing, I don't care!

A and I are going to Rock N' Roll Karaoke at Casa tonight. Watch out world, here I come!! I've never done it before, and I'm not sure I'm going to get up and sing/embarrass myself. I will definitely tie a few on (don't have to work tomorrow, yay!) and see how it goes from there. A has to work in the morning, so I will have the pleasure of burrowing under the covers and laughing as he heads out into the cold, cruel world. Yes, I'm a mean wife, but he's gotten to stay in bed after me plenty of times in our 13+ years together, I can gloat just this one time! (I reserve the right to gloat Monday too).

Happy Holidays y'all!

It's the most wonderful time....of the year!

2005-12-21T15:22:00.000-05:00

That is, the time of year with lots of free days off.

This week has been surprisingly busy at work, although since I'm off school, I have so much free time in the evenings it's lovely. Since I last wrote, we spent about $2,500 to replace our furnace, which isn't as big of a deal as it sounds. We had been meaning to do it since we moved in, but had just been too lazy. So our new furnace is 90%+ efficient, which should help on the heating bills.

Also since I last wrote, I won a pair of kick-ass new Dansko clogs on Ebay, scheduled a 90-minute massage tomorrow that will pay for them, and ate LOTS of chocolate. I must stop eating sugar. I'll stop next year, ha ha ha ha.

Recommended reading for today: Rolling Stone's The Magical Victory Tour Great commentary on Dubya's proclivities when it comes to explaining away what we're doing in Iraq. I love it because it calls Scott McClellan a "spokescreature". FUNNY.

Appropos of nothing, here's a cute picture of my cat, Finn. Love and kisses to you all!

Chipper Chipper Chipper

2005-12-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

So I'm in somewhat of a festive mood today. Who knows why, maybe it's the prospect of 4-day weeks facing me for the next 3 weeks (yay!) but I'm chipper as....well, something chipper. Like a woodchipper maybe? Despite the fact that it's cold as hell and our furnace has stopped working!

My new favorite toy are my I [heart] the office stickers -- fun things like I [heart] new toner, painting my nails with whiteout, using my good looks to get to the top (currently gracing my monitor), answering the phone in a foreign accent and the flask in my bottom drawer. I went around and let everyone choose one. And I didn't stick the I [heart] kissing ass and I [heart] backstabbing on certain people's computers like I really wanted to!! Go me.

I'm currently listening to good music, updating my iPod and thinking about all of the CDs I burned on Friday instead of working. Keeping my eye on some Dansko clogs on Ebay and waiting for the furnace guy to call. Oh, and working too!

Jus enjoying being off of school for a while and actually having some free time. Had a great weekend, got to hang with my sweetie alot, read SO MUCH (finished 2 books in the last week and got 3 more at the libary on Saturday) and saw King Kong. Not as great as all the reviews I read, which convinced me to see it, but it was definitely good in some parts. EW has a great little piece on the best times to hit the bathroom, which I would have appreciated before I went to see it. The island part was super creepy, and I like Adrien Brody, despite his somewhat odd-looking face, but overall it was just way too long. I know, Peter Jackson, you think you couldn't have possibly cut anything else out, but next time you have that dilemma, call me. I can help you out.

Hope everyone is having a good Monday (is that an oxymoron?).

Could the weather BE any crappier?

2005-12-15T11:54:00.000-05:00

The weather sucks today. It's cold and rainy, and there's still leftover snow and ice everywhere making it even more treacherous. I guess it could be worse -- could be much colder and freezing everywhere. Once again had a lovely egg & cheese for breakfast, but much later than yesterday, since I had to work on a proposal first thing. I had my coat on until 9am, does that tell you anything?

The week is almost over, for which I am grateful. Not that I ever really am, but I'm REALLY NOT in the holiday spirit this year. Being in school is becoming a trial, and I'm just so tired. The conspicuous consumerism of our country is never clearer to me 1) at the holidays and 2) when I go to New York City. I feel the greed trying to suck me under and sometimes I cannot resist. Just say no people! Stop buying shit!

Oh yeah, and Happy Holidays.

Individuality through conformity!

2005-12-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

All I was trying to do was post a comment on someone else's blog and here I am with my very own. I have a very boring life and probably won't update this, but it's kind of fun having somewhere to post my thoughts. Of course, right now my mind is blank. Typical. Right now, my favorite things, in no particular order, are:

* Veronica Mars
* vacation days
* being out of school for the holiday break
* my new Happy Bunny mini sign book (Thanks Leslie!) Current sign: Not listening
* breakfast egg and cheese sandwiches
* The Colbert Report

My current pet peeves are:

* office coffee
* the fact that I'm not home sleeping
* super-cold weather (I'm tired of winter already - bad sign, considering it's December)
* Bill O'Reilly and his stupid-ass "War on Christmas"

Hope your holiday season is going well.