Productivity

Today was the most productive Saturday I've had in a long time. Aside from the fact that I accidentally slept in (only until 10am), I was able to accomplish all that I had on the schedule for the day. With my departure for Michigan looming near and the knowledge that I will probably be staying at work late next week to finish a couple projects, I had to actually make a plan for my day.

This is what went down:
+ iTunes updating. How did I get so many songs without track names, artists and/or albums? And why am I so OCD that I need to manually update it all?
+ Christmas shopping which, for the first time this holiday season, included more gifts for other people than for myself. The score today -- Stephanie: 4 Other People: 6
+ I had to write a check for $1 to get out of the parking garage. I made several purchases but completely spaced getting validation. FYI - you can't use a theater validation unless you've been there long enough to actually see a movie (clever). The lady was even kind enough to explain to me that if I didn't have a dollar bill then four quarters would work too. That was news to me. I had no idea four quarters = one dollar.
+ Card shopping with Brian. We both suck at picking out cards.
+ Dinner with the fam to celebrate Annie's birthday.
+ More shopping. A very blog-worthy story came from this trip. Stay-tuned.
+ Present wrapping while watching Love Actually. It has become tradition for me to watch this movie while wrapping my heart out.
+ An episode of Dawson's Creek with Emily and Chelsea. I'm glad they share my love for the creek.
+ Em getting pissed because Max always has to be picked up so dramatically. It's true. (Anyone who has seen one of his stretches knows what she's talking about.)
+ To Do list updating. I'm sure I've previously expressed my love for good To Do list.

My favorite conversation of the night went something like this:

Me: She has a giant crush on him.
Brian: A what?
Me: Giant crush.
Brian: I thought you said "va-giant crush".
Me: (Laughing so hard I could have been a danger to other drivers on the road) What does that even mean?
Brian: I don't know. I was hoping it was going to be something good.

"Smarney in laughlin". "Va-giant crush". Apparently not hearing correctly is a family trait.

Light Bulb

Lindsay and I, each sitting in our respective corners of the office, just had a ten minute phone conversation about our plans for the next five days, when it suddenly hit me that we could be having this conversation at home.

Disagreement

Today at lunch Lindsay, Stephanie and I went to a classy truck stop in West Valley called Maxie's. (Sidenote: Lindsay said she likes going there because she's usually the classiest person there. It's true.)

I thought to myself, "I want the grease!", so I got a grilled ham and cheese and the most delicious fries I've ever had.

It's now four hours later and my stomach is saying, "You can't handle the grease!". I have the worst stomach ache ever. Ok, maybe not the worst ever, but it hurts.

All the pain is worth the delicious fry/fry sauce combo.

Clarification Please

Why is there live music coming from the warehouse connected to my office? I hear a guitar and drums.

Does it turn into some sort of club after 6 pm?

Update: There is now singing. Harmonizing. "Don't Let Me Down" by The Beatles. I'm so confused.

Risky Business

The other day I was on a conference call with one of our vendors and she said something that left me momentarily speechless.

What they say: "You need to give us more budget in order for us to improve performance."

What I say: "You need to improve your performance before I will give you more budget."

Call me crazy.

Media glands? Seriously?

I'm a fan of giving blood. I'm not scared of needles and it makes me feel like I'm actually helping in some small way. I haven't done it for nearly two years because I got pretty sick the last time, but when I pulled into work this morning and saw the blood mobile in the parking lot, I figured it was time to give it another shot.

It was business as usual until, as the blood guy was finishing things up, he tried to have a conversation with me. He was actually pretty cute and I was expecting something other than what happened...

Blood Guy: "So, what do you do here?"
Me: "I'm a Media Strategist." (I note the look of confusion on his face.) "I put together media plans for our clients.
BG: (Now looking extra confused.) "The what?"
Me: "Media plans."
BG: "Media glands?"
Me: "PLANS. Like when we buy TV or Internet advertising space...we're a marketing company."

*Awkward silence. I'm pretty sure he still doesn't get it.*

BG: "So how long have you been doing that?"
Me: "Two and a half years."

*Awkward silence. Apparently he starts to laugh.*

BG: "I'm sorry I'm laughing."
What I heard: "Smarney in laughlin."

*Awkward silence. Now I'm the one confused and I just smile in response because I have no idea what he's talking about and am too distracted to think of anything to say.*


BG: "It's just that I want to ask you another question, but I don't know where to go from there. That's why I'm laughing."

*Awkward silence. It dawns on me that he didn't actually say "Smarney in laughlin" but it's too late to formulate any sort of response. Plus, my arm is now straight up in the air and I'm putting on pressure to stop the bleeding.*

BG: "I've just never met one of you before."

By then it was over. The conversation had more than derailed so I just smiled and nodded. He lost me at media glands and I just couldn't get past it.

Although he may not be great with conversation, he's exceptional with the needle. Not a bruise in sight. Maybe next time he should skip the small talk.

My iPod Delivers

At the end of the day I had a project I needed to rush to complete so I broke out the iPod to help me concentrate. I opted to listen on shuffle as opposed to my usual setting of Brandi Carlile's live songs and, surprisingly, shuffle did not disappoint.

I'll admit, I have a lot of junk on my iPod. Almost every CD I own is on there and I own some lame CDs. Which is why I was so surprised when I didn't have to skip any songs.

Here's what I got:

• Downpour - Brandi Carlile
• Whisper - A Fine Frenzy
• River - Sarah McLachlan
• Such Reveries - Duncan Sheik
• Ireland - Tori Amos
• Sunday Morning Song - Howie Day
• Angels We Have Heard on High - Josh Groban
• Gone - Brandi Carlile
• Was It You? - Spoon
• Falling Slowly - Once Soundtrack
• Girl - Across the Universe Soundtrack
  
• Annie Waits - Ben Folds
• I Just Can't Live a Lie - Carrie Underwood
• Home - Michael Buble (Live)

C'mon - giving me Brandi Carlile right off the bat and again halfway through? I like it.

Thank You, Santa.

Have I ever mentioned that I love John Krasinski? Well, I do. And if I can't see him in person then seeing him super, super sized would be the next best thing.
I don't even know what I would do if I had to walk past this gigantic Jim billboard every day. I probably would never make it to work. I'd just stop and stare and forget that I even had anywhere to be.

Thanks, Danny, for hookin' a girl up.

The Great Debate

In the midst of an afternoon email fight with a co-worker (maybe not as much a fight as my expression of him being wrong) I stumbled upon this gem on Carlee's blog.

Carlee and I fought this fight last year and apparently she's looking for a repeat and taking it to the masses. And, if I do say so myself, it's very well written. I think she was on the debate team or something. Anyway, my point is that I was laughing so hard a one point that tears were streaming down my face.

You should really read the whole thing, but here is the sentence that made me pee my pants:

It's the same reason I don't write/sing songs about Hanukkah, soggy bread, sex before marriage, cinnamon or Miracle Whip - I just don't believe in them.

Three of the things on her list I actually DO believe in, but I get the point. And it's also hilarious.

Something To Look Forward To

I'm pretty excited for Juno. Michael Cera is fantastic and, from the previews, it looks like he won't disappoint.

I have three words for you: George. Michael. Bluth.

And PLEASE tell me you've seen Superbad. If you haven't, you should. Just ignore all the F-bombs and you'll be fine.

Plus, in Juno he'll be reunited with Jason Bateman. Delightful.

Wanna See Something Embarrassing?

I'm sure you do. Gross.

New Love

Broken Filter

Last weekend I went to my favorite nail salon for a mani/pedi. After I arrived and picked out my color I was called over to my chair by the "new girl". Apparently it was only her second day there. Lucky me.

Not only was it the worst mani/pedi I've ever gotten, but we actually had this conversation:

As she's massaging (read: barely touching) my leg she points to two quarter-size bruises near my knee and looks up at me.

Me: Oh yeah...I don't know where those came from.
New Girl: Hmmm. Your boyfriend did it?
Me: Ummm...(awkward laughter)...no, I think I just bumped it on something. I bruise really easily.

I glanced over at Lindsay to make sure she had caught the conversation. She had. Let me break this down for you.

1. I don't have a boyfriend that beats me.
2. Why would she automatically assume that just because I have a bruise that it came from my boyfriend?
3. If my boyfriend did beat me, you, new girl, would not be the person I would confide in.
4. If I were to confide in someone at the nail salon it would be Tracy the best acrylic nail tech ever, or Kim my eyebrow waxer, or Lani my favorite pedicure lady. Not you, sucky new girl. Not you.

During the course of my visit she also told me how she doesn't like to wear a lot of clothes because they make her look fat and that she broke her cell phone because she threw it against the wall while fighting with her boyfriend.

New Girl's got issues and I will be avoiding her at all costs.

You Can't Make Me

Sometimes I just don't want to blog. Lately that sometimes has been all the time.

In fact, for the past week or two I've been avoiding the computer entirely (except when at work because it might be part of my job to love the internet). For nearly the entire holiday weekend I managed to avoid mindlessly surfing the internet. Not even Perez could lure me in.

What's wrong with me?

Time

Sometimes I wonder why it feels like there is never enough time to get anything done at work. Is it because I'm blogging at 11:00 am? Possibly, but I don't think so. I'm pretty sure it's because meetings are taking over my life.

I looked at my calendar this morning and realized that, of the 9 hours I will be in the office today, I only have 3.5 hours to do work. (No, I was not channeling Big Black there.) My lunch hour is even scheduled and while it does include free food, I hate not being able to get out of here for a while.

My point is, how can I be expected to get any work done when I have no time in the day to actually it? If you figure it out, let me know.

Step By Step

I just loaded New Kids on the Block: Greatest Hits into iTunes.

No, I didn't just buy the CD. Yes, I'm kind of excited about it.

Things About Me

1. I like to keep the TIVO "clean". Too many shows backed up stresses me out.
2. I have an addictive personality. I get obsessed with things (TV shows, music, etc.) pretty easily.
3. I think it's sexy when guys drive a stick shift.
4. I'm generally unaware of my strengths and very conscious of my weaknesses.
5. I didn't wear my hair curly until I got to college. Try straightening your hair in 90% humidity - not fun (or pretty).
6. I originally wanted to go to college in a big city. I never would have survived.
7. I played tennis for two years in high school and I wasn't good. I took lessons between the two seasons and when I came back my coach apologized for not paying attention to me the year before.
8. I HATE humidity.
9. I once slept for 17 hours straight.
10. I want to have a house with a wrap-around porch someday.
11. Fall is my favorite season. I love the changing leaves and it's one of the things I miss most about Michigan.
12. I didn't drink diet soda until I lived with Tatum. It was Dr. Pepper all the way before that.
13. I didn't call pop "soda" until I moved to Utah. I still feel guilty about switching over.
14. I got glasses during my senior year of high school.
15. I sleep diagonally with my head in the right corner and my feet in the left corner of my bed.
16. I used to talk in my sleep. I haven't shared a room with anyone for a couple years so no one has been able to repeat back to me the crazy things I say.
17. I brush my teeth first and then wash my face. Always in that order. Morning and night.
18. I go through phases of being addicted to Peanut Butter Cup Blizzards from Dairy Queen.
19. Once I was addicted to Root Beer Freezes from A&W.
20. I am in love with Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights.
21. I don't know how to swim. I can't even float. It's sad...

22. I only like to order a non-water beverage at a restaurant if at least one other person orders one. If everyone else orders water I feel the need to follow suit.

23. I am not a morning person. I wish I was.
24. I love to read. My love for reading started with The Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley Twins.
25. I'm slightly obsessive compulsive (self-diagnosed). I used to have a thing about checking the locks before I went to bed.
26. I would prefer to wear flip-flops 365 days a year.
27. I love To Do lists. I like to make them, work off of them and cross things off.
28. I love my cat, Max. And I like to think that he loves me back.
29. I am afraid of change and will usually do what I can to avoid it.
30. I typically don't remember my dreams.
31. My favorite candy bar is the PB Twix, but when that was discontinued for a while (like 10 years or something) I settled for the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
32. I love the feeling of climbing into clean sheets after getting out of the shower.
33. I love the smell/feel of warm laundry straight from the dryer.
34. I get a pedicure on a regular basis.
35. I think Daylight Savings is backwards.
36. I am obsessed with Brandi Carlile. I think she's amazing and would love to be her friend.
37. I saw the ocean for the first time when I was 23 years old.
38. I once watched You've Got Mail every Sunday for an entire semester in college.
39. I would never wish to go back to high school but I miss my friends from that time in my life and wish I kept in better touch.
40. I love music. I love the way it can bring out such strong emotions and pull memories to the surface.
41. I cry every time I watch Extreme Home Makeover after they yell, "Bus driver, move that bus!" and the family sees their new home for the first time. Without fail.
42. I was Salutatorian of my graduating class and spoke at my high school graduation.
43. I love black and white photos of buildings or cities.
44. In my mind even numbers are "good" and odd numbers are "bad". All of my favorite numbers are even.
45. I used to race kids to computer class in middle school so I could play Oregon Trail or this dungeon typing game that I can't remember the name of.
46. I only rode the bus to school for two years - 7th and 8th grade.
47. My nickname as a kid was Boo. I don't have a lot of memories with people calling me that but apparently one day I was just over it.
48. I miss my mom's cooking.
49. I'm anxious for my children and nieces/nephews (when they all eventually get here) to have close relationships because I wasn't close to most of my cousins.
50. I love seeing movies in the theater.
51. When I was a kid I wanted to own a candy store like the one Charlie goes to in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with wooden shelves and the ladders that roll. Either a candy store or a book store with a similar look.
52. I change out of my work clothes as soon as I get home. I'm probably in my pj's earlier than anyone you know.

53. I wish I could sing well. I would love to take voice lessons.

54. I want to gossip and talk bad about people less. It's hard.

55. I cheated my way through geometry in 8th grade. The proofs got me every time!

56. My name for four years in high school Spanish was Eva Maria.

57. I used to ride my bike everywhere as a kid. There wasn't a part of town that Brandi and I hadn't explored on our bike rides.

58. I would rather be cold than hot.

59. I decided one day in high school that I wanted to go into advertising. No reason, really. And I did it.

60. My mom made me peanut butter toast and chocolate milk for breakfast most mornings growing up.

61. In kindergarten I got a paper cut on my eyeball as I was flipping over a piece of green construction paper.

62. As a kid I had a serious fear of Freddy Krueger.

63. I still get the chills every time I see a picture of him.

64. I admire each of my siblings for very different reasons. They are pretty awesome people.

65. I wore sweat suits to school a lot in second grade. Pastel colored sweat suits. Yup.

66. I went through a phase where I had to have the legs of my sweat pants pulled up mid-calf, even walking to school or on the playground in the single digit temperatures. I thought it wasn't cool to wear them any other way. I was wrong.

67. My mom was a substitute teacher in my elementary school. I used to stay after school with her and pretend I was teaching the class.

68. In third grade I read at an 8th grade reading level.

69. I love to putt-putt golf.

70. I would LOVE to vacation in Europe.

71. I wish I spoke another language fluently.

72. I've been in love.

73. I've had my heart broken.

74. I'm a picky eater. I don't like tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, any type of bean, peppers...the list could go on and on.

75. I have a secret crush on the bald guy from Miami Ink. I guess it's not so secret anymore.

76. I love to laugh.

77. My favorite movie used to be Fools Rush In. I'm not really sure why because it's not good.
78. I sleep with a fan on every night. No matter how cold it is outside.
79. I don't like to drink out of restaurant glasses without a straw.
80. I prefer to spend Friday nights at home watching a movie or reading a book.
81. I'm sort of a clean freak. I like my surroundings to be tidy.
82. I didn't fly on a plane until spring break of my junior year of high school.
83. I worked at Blockbuster for two summers during college. I loved it.
84. I got my first job ever as a Freshman in college at the Creamery on 9th. I only lasted two weeks.
85. My first concert was New Kids on the Block in 3rd grade. I loved Joey and Jonathan.
86. I'm not a spontaneous person, but sometimes I wish I was.
87. I've never been out of the country. Canada doesn't count.
88. I would like to visit the New England states (the furthest I've gone is up-state New York) and Oregon.
89. I went to Cedar Point at least once a year between 8-12th grade, maybe even before that.
90. I drove a red convertible my last two years of high school. It was technically Geoff's, but I used it while he was on his mission.
91. Sometimes I like a good cry. It just feels good.
92. I was the Vice President of my senior class in high school.
93. I have a testimony that I don't share enough.
94. I have a strange love for Jon & Kate Plus 8 on TLC. I can't explain it; I just love them!
95. I get embarrassed very easily.
96. Sometimes my face turns red even when I'm not actually embarrassed.
97. I wish I was better at saving money.
98. I'm a horrible story teller. I have a tendency to give too much background information and go off on a lot of tangents. The audience stops listening and I feel like an idiot.
99. I'm not good at anything relating to fractions. I can't add, multiply, divide them - nothing.
100. My worst years of seminary attendance were when it was taught by my mom in my basement. (Sorry Mom!)
101. As much as I like to complain, life is good.

New Low

I honestly thought my life couldn't get any more boring...but it has. You may have noticed a lack of posts lately. It's not because I've been busy. It's because I have absolutely nothing to blog about.

So naturally I'm blogging about having nothing to blog about.

Six Hours

I'm about to share an insight into my personal hygiene that might be too much for some to handle. Consider yourself warned.

I don't floss.

Well, up until a month ago I didn't floss. (Unless, of course, it was two days before a dentist appointment. Which makes zero sense. If a dentist could be fooled into thinking you floss regularly just by flossing two days before an appointment then it wouldn't be necessary to floss daily, right?) But one day I decided that I wanted to join the ranks of those, most likely made up of dentists and dental hygienists, who floss daily.

So, I made it a goal. I got ambitious and had a little goal-setting session with myself and guess what was the first on the list--that's right, "floss daily". It's actually written on my list of current goals. Ellen DeGeneres told me that if I write it down, it will happen. She was right.

It's been a over a month now and I've been surprisingly consistent. But every night, as I'm going through the motions with no real conviction to the cause, I think about how great life used to be when I could just brush my teeth and climb into bed guilt free.

I figure it takes roughly one minute to floss, so over the next year I will spend six hours flossing my teeth. Six hours that could be spent watching TV a little longer or checking PerezHilton.com one more time or reading one more blog - you know, the really important stuff in life.

Doesn't seem so insignificant now, does it?

I Heart Tim Riggins

Let's talk for a minute about Friday Night Lights.

Natalie told me for months how much I would love this show and I didn't believe her. I hated the movie, why would I like the show? One night I randomly picked up season one on DVD (it was only $20) and watched the entire season in three days. It was fantastic and I finished it just in time for season two's premiere.

During my season one marathon Natalie sent me a text asking me if I had an FNL boyfriend yet. I replied that I thought maybe it would be Tim Riggins. I was a little embarrassed about it.

Now I'm 100% sure it's Riggins and I'm not ashamed. I love, love, love him. He might even be number one of of all of my TV boyfriends.

Yes, that's right. He's beating out Jim Halpert and McDreamy even though the character is a 17 year old, drunken, man-whore delinquent. But he's an adorable 17 year old, drunken, man-whore delinquent. Adorable.

I just needed to get that off my chest. And if you're not watching, you should be. You won't regret it.