Inane Ramblings of an Over Caffinated Mind

Got Hitched!

2007-07-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

The boyfriend and I are now husband and wife. Everyone keeps asking if anything is different, but after two weeks….not really. The ceremony was low key (City Hall – Justice of the Peace). The decision to get married and the actual event occurred in about a week and a half. Don’t ever say we’re not spontaneous people. Can’t really say the parents were pleased but at least I’m not disowned…yet.

The Reunion

2006-09-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

My 10-year high school reunion is coming up fast and furious. I’m still a little conflicted on whether or not I will be attending. On the one hand, I’m curious to see how everyone turned out. Have all those lame clichés come true? Did the school jock become the assistant manager at the local McDonalds and realizes the best years of his life has long passed? Did the head cheerleader gain 200 pounds and popped out a liter of rugrats each by a different man? And most importantly, did the school nerd’s acne clear up, grew 6 inches, became uber successful and married an international supermodel?

Then again, why do I even care? I have not spoken to these people in…oh say…10 YEARS. There is only one person I stayed in contact with after graduation and we pretty much drifted apart a few years back. Additionally, with the advent of MySpace, I can pretty much answer all those aforementioned questions without ever leaving the comfort of my own home. That is at once astounding and muy FREAKY.

Is That A Light At The End of The Tunnel?

2006-09-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

Why does my last vacation seem like a lifetime ago? I’ve been swamped with work for the last four months and there appears to be no end in sight. However, I’ve finally managed to talk the boyfriend into seconding the motion of me quitting my job without first securing another job. Yea!

That may seem rash and quite immature, but I would rather spend those 12 hours a day job hunting than slaving away at my never ending workload. Fortunately, in my field there’s never a shortage of openings. So, I’ve had “the talk” with my boss, outlined my needs for remaining in my current position and established a timeline. Now the interesting part begins.

At least the personal life is better – just celebrated our three year anniversary this past weekend. It’s amazing how time flies.

Welcome to Paradise

2006-05-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend’s dream vacation since childhood has always been Hawaii. And this year, we made that childhood dream come true.

After my horrendous trip to Beijing, I desperately needed some rest and relaxation. I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned this before, but I’m rather high strung and especially when it involves work. As an overachiever and inheriting the worrywart gene from my mother, I have this constant, massive knot in my right shoulder blade. It’s been there for so long, it’s even got a name, “Bumpy”. Bumpy and I go waaaay back. It took two days in Hawaii to get rid of Bumpy. Unfortunately, he’s reappeared, but man, those Bumpy free days were glorious.

We began our journey to paradise with the lovely island of Oahu. The Sheraton Moana Surfrider on Waikiki was our home while on Oahu. Although a tad crowded and rather touristy, we enjoyed the hustle and bustle environment quite a bit. We rented a car and decided to take a road trip up the East coast [Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay] to the famed surfing paradise of North shore. It’s one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen in my life. Now, I’m only 28, so I am hoping it will not be the most beautiful thing I will see in my entire life…but if it is, I can live with that.

We visited a few high traffic tourist sights such as Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl Crater and Nuuanu Pali Lookout. The wait for the ferry to the Arizona memorial was horrendous so we opted to take photos from afar and peruse the Bowfin Museum next door. I got up close and personal with a Kaiten - one man Japanese suicide torpedo!

Punchbowl Crater, known by early Hawaiians as Puowaina or "Hill of Sacrifice", is the burial ground for 35,000 victims of three wars - World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Many of the unmarked graves are dated Dec. 7, 1941. To see so many grave markers, all of fallen soldier, was awe inspiring.

The Nuuanu Pali is a rocky, near-vertical cliff covered by thick vegetation that rises about 2,000 feet from the level ground on the windward side of the island of Oahu. We visited on a windy day and all I can say is I am amazed I was not blown off the cliff. Despite the cold, bone-chilling wind, the view hold you in awe and we could not help but stand and stare at the majestic beauty of nature before us.

Our next stop involved a short plane ride from Oahu to the Garden Island - Kauai. While Oahu possessed the rugged cliffs, seemingly untamed mountain ranges and enough greenery to make you believe you were in a lost world, the creature comforts of a modern metropolis was still available. Kauai - not so much. We purchased a travel book at the airport and was rewarded with the location of the only Wal-Mart on the island. This was where we stocked up on bottled water, snacks, bug repellent [very important], snorkeling gear and various other knick knacks. Once you leave Lihue, there is nothing! And nothing seems to cost three times as much as usual.

Instead of heading straight to our hotel on Poipu Beach, we opted to check out Wailua Falls. Waterfalls impress me to no end and I have no idea why. We even attempted to hike to the bottom of the falls, but didn't quite make it. I personally blame the mesquitos who decided that I would make a perfect lunch. The couple coming back up also informed us that it was nearly impossible to cross the other side of the stream to walk to the waterfall pool. Kauai contains the wettest spot on earth - Wai'ale'ale mountain. It's been an especially rainy winter so all the water ways were flowing full force!

Although Hawaiian culture is evident around Oahu, it was much more pervasive on Kauai. We took in a Luau and witnesses a spectacular show exhibiting the traditional dances of the Pacific Islanders - including the breath taking Samoan Fire Dance.

We definately could have used more time on Kauai. There is so much to do and see with so little time. Again, we rented a car and decided to roam about the island beginning with the sights on the south shore near Poipu and head east up the coast. The next time around, we will be sure to take the helicopter tours and perhaps a guided canoe trip along the Napali coast.

This was, by far, the best vacation of my life...next up either the Greek Isles or the Amalfi Coast. What can I say, I work to live and live to play.

And Ladies & Gentlemen, This Is The Next Economic Powerhouse

2006-05-24T18:49:00.000-07:00

I would like to start out with NEVER EVER AND I MEAN NEVER fly Air China! In case you didn’t understand how strongly I felt about that, I really mean N – E – V – E – R!!

So, I was minding my own business at work as always and trying to stay out of trouble when a Beijing Project landed on my desk. Now oddly, most people jump at these types of opportunity (or so my boss tries to convince me), but I was less than thrilled. This only meant that I had to travel to Beijing sooner or later. And knowing my luck, my Beijing trip would most likely be scheduled to coincide with my Hawaiian vacation.

Well, weeks go by and all is quiet on the Eastern front. There is rumbling here and there about going to Beijing, but nothing is ever confirmed. Then my boss tells me that I will not be taking the first trip since she will go instead. RELIEF! More rumbling here and there and the next thing I know, I am on a 13-hour flight headed to Beijing. My luck never ceases to amaze me. The absolute best part was that I would now be leaving for my Hawaiian vacation straight from Beijing. The only consolation was that I didn’t have to fly from Beijing to Dallas and double back another 8 hours to reach Hawaii. [Shudder]

Needless to say, my boyfriend was completely against the idea of me traveling so close to our vacation. We had spent months, not to mention a considerable amount of money, planning this trip. But I assured him that NOTHING would go wrong. I mean c’mon, how hard is it…I had a ticket from Beijing to Osaka straight to Honolulu…it was a done deal.

My trip started out fabulously. I was delayed for six hours at Chicago O’Hare airport. Now, you would think that a non-stop flight to Beijing would be predominantly filled with Asian passengers and that some, if not most, of those Asian passengers may not be able to communicate fluently in English. Now, if I were a company, who knew, hours in advance, that a flight would be delayed for an extended period of time, I would send someone who could speak Mandarin to facilitate communication and answer client questions and concerns such as, “How the hell am I going to catch my connecting flight, when I am delayed 6 fucking hours.” Of course, I possess logic and am not going bankrupt so I guess that explains their lack in judgment.

Since I can speak Mandarin, I became a troop leader of sorts for those individuals who could not speak English. I marched me and my minions to the service counter and got us all squared away with meal and accommodation vouchers as well as connecting flight information. Again, you think with a name such as Customer Service Counter, you could very well expect some customer service – yeah, what was I thinking? They give nothing away without you asking for it. Greedy, capitalistic bastards.

Anyway, finally get to Beijing. Business goes well but unfortunately I worked Beijing office hours as well as US office hours since I was also the lead on a project going full force in the US. Let me tell you, roaming charges are a bitch in China. My week trip landed me a $560 cell phone bill and I made no personal calls.

I had never been to Beijing before and here’s what I learned on my trip:

Sandstorms are pretty cool but rather dirty

Squat toilets require strong leg muscles as well as the ability to hold your breath for an extended amount of time

Beijing cab drivers are either the dumbest samples of our species I’ve ever encountered or I’ve seriously been scammed.

Beijing discos are fun – especially if you have been up for 30 hours straight

Now we reach my most favorite part of my trip – going to Hawaii! So I begin my last day in Beijing with a skull-splitting headache induced by number 4 above. Headed over to the Silk Market for some dirt-cheap shopping and aggressive bargaining. Called a cab and head toward the airport. Of course my cab driver has no clue where the International terminal is [see 3 above] and it’s so difficult since there are only two damn terminals. We head into the wrong terminal and spend a good 15 – 20 minutes trying to exit that terminal since it’s bumper-to-bumper traffic.

All of this results in me arriving at the check-in counter with 35 minutes before take off. Air China informs me it’s their policy to close the gates 45 minutes before take off and there is absolutely no way to check me in. At this point, I freak out. I run to the management counter and tell them there must be a way to get on that plane – no, no and um….no. I tell the Air China lady, “Fine, I can’t get on that flight, tell me when the next flight is because I have to get back to the US today.” I was promptly informed I would have to wait until tomorrow. And all of this was surmised without ever looking up any flight information. I implore again and Air China lady tells me, it doesn’t matter what I want or don’t want, I was not going anywhere until tomorrow. At that point, she simply walks away. The freaking out quadruples at this point.

Anyway, I ended up calling Expedia and was told there was another flight leaving in four hours – with Fucking Air China of course – and a connecting flight in LAX to Hawaii [FUCK ME! 5 hours doubling back in the Pacific!] Expedia asked if I still had my paper tickets because I could fly stand by on the next flight. OH MY FUCKING LORD! Stupid ass Air China Lady never gave me my tickets back. I return to the management counter and she’s nowhere to be seen. I ask another agent about my tickets and I get this stupid stare [that seems to be prevalent in Beijing] and a shrug. So, all this costs me another $1,400 and 10 hours wasted of vacation time. Of course I have not been refunded for my unused ticked yet because Expedia and United have decided that it's the other party's responsibity to either credit or refund me. No one knows anything. United Customer Service tells me I needed to go to the airport ticket counter to fill out a lost ticket form. When I arrive at the airport, the ticket counter has no clue what I am talking about. I call customer service again and was told to be a good little dog and continue to chase my own tail until I drop dead of exhaustion.

So, anyone thinks me and my luck should let it all ride on red in Vegas?

Long Time No Blog

2006-05-21T22:22:00.000-07:00

Man, it’s been a while since I’ve written! But I have a good excuse. I have logged more than 20,000 miles since January…for work and for pleasure. So I guess I’ll be sharing all the ups and downs of life of the frequent flier.

My Funny Valentine

2006-01-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

So we’ve decided to place a limit on how much we spend on each other for Valentine’s this year. $50. I’m usually a big spender so that’s pretty much going to be an impossible task. Therefore, I began exploring gift ideas that don’t involve a lot of dough.

Thus far, the only thing I’ve come up with is a threesome. Those are relatively cheap, aren’t they? I say I invest that $50 bucks in shots at a hot local bar and viola!

Easier said then done. How exactly do you approach someone about joining a threesome? Do you just mosey on up and say, “Hey baby, you’re hot! Wanna jump in the sack with me and my boyfriend?”

Sigh.

Even if I found someone, I just don’t know if I swing that way. What am I suppose to do with a woman? I’m sure the boyfriend has plenty of ideas, but I would like to enjoy the experience as well. And then, there’s always the jealousy factor. I’m pretty sure the sight of my boyfriend doggy styling some other woman will send me over the edge.

Sigh.

Anyone have any Valentine’s gift ideas?

She's Not That Into Sex

2005-11-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I really wonder what the hell is wrong with men. During an IM conversation today, a good friend of mine (male), was telling he how “dangerously horny” he was. Since he’s been dating the same woman for quite a while, I thought maybe they had ended their relationship. Turns out…no…she’s not that into sex.

But it’s not what you would normally think of when someone says, “she’s not that into sex.” Apparently, she likes and enjoys sex…just not everyday, twice a day, nymphomaniac into sex. So he made some reference to visiting a “booty call” friend of his in another state that supposedly is a nymphomaniac. I suggested that maybe the more logical solution was to work on his girlfriend and maybe increase her interest to his level. According to him, either you have it or not, it cannot be taught. Interesting.

This of course leads to me inquiring if his girlfriend might have an issue with his visit and is their relationship over. The reply was a resolute NO. Why in the hell would give me the impression that there’s anything wrong with their relationship or that they would break up? Heck no, she was marriage material!

Seriously, what’s wrong with men?

Happy Holidays!

2005-11-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving at the Inane household was the same ol’. I was planning on taking vacation for the entire week, but had to bust my ass Saturday through Tuesday to finish up some Sarbanes-Oxley related crap before I could take time off. Why is it when sleaze-bag, multi-millionaire assholes decide to rip off the masses for millions of dollars, I end up being the poor slob paying the piper? I can go on and on and on about the uselessness of the entire Sarbanes-Oxley legislation, but I like you people so I shall spare you the pain.

Invited my only sibling over – the rest of the family is overseas. The boyfriend exerted utmost effort in the preparation of the Annual Thanksgiving Feast via a trip to the local Boston Market to pick up turkey, mashed potatoes, corn and a $1.50 pumpkin pie. Normally, I would be quite skeptical of anything costing $1.50 and claiming to be “edible”, but it was actually pretty good.

The rest of the evening was spent playing poker. Although I am absolutely meticulous when it comes to my professional life, in all other aspects of my life, I am quite absentminded. After spending an evening with my brother playing poker, I’m beginning to realize the trait runs in the family. Luckily we were not playing for money.

I think the best part about Thanksgiving is decorating for Christmas. Prior to meeting the boyfriend, I was never into holiday decorations. Now, I love it and truly look forward to it. We bought our first wreath together – I don’t know why I think that’s so special, but it was nice to be in the store negotiating qualities of a wreath we could both live with. Whereas my wreath would be completely gaudy and just screaming Christmas at the top of its lungs, the boyfriend’s taste is more understated.

We have the most exquisite handmade Christmas ornaments all over the house and the tree, courtesy of the boyfriend’s grandmother. She makes them all year round.

Now if it would only snow in Texas, then it would truly feel like Christmas.

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

2005-11-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

What do we think about engagement rings? Overrated, archaic, outdated symbol of commitment? Or pretty, pretty, sparkly rock of love to be admired and envied by all who shall lay eyes on it?

The boyfriend and I engage in various odd topics prior to drifting off to dreamland. The other night we were discussing engagement rings. Not that we’re getting hitched or anything but somehow the topic came up. A close friend of mine has a two carat engagement ring that I absolutely ADORE. She also received another two carats (two one carat side stones) on her second wedding anniversary. The boyfriend just thought the entire concept of spending so much money on diamonds was ridiculous. I argue that it’s a symbol of love and anything less than one carat is just <shudder> unthinkable!

I do believe I am slowly morphing into someone I used to despise.

Someone Pay Me to Look Pretty, Please?

2005-11-17T20:11:00.000-08:00

Job hunting – may I say it’s not exactly the world’s most pleasant pastime? For the last six months, the disgruntle factor with my work environment has been steadily climbing. Thoughts of just never walking back into the office again have crossed my mind NUMEROUS times along with thoughts of winning the lottery.

What is it that’s kept me going you ask? Well, it sure isn’t the money. Don’t get me wrong, they do compensate me to live in a lifestyle that is comfortable, but we all want more, don’t we? I suppose it’s my sense of loyalty – a sickness if you ask me. The project I’m currently involved in started in March and will not wrap up until early January 2006. At that point, I believe I can walk away with a sense of accomplishment and closure.

In pursuit of greener pastures, I’ve initiated the process of securing a new occupation. Don’t know if anyone has had the opportunity to visit Monster.com lately, but they do offer a rather nifty feature of a partially public resume. This allows employers to search your resume, but it keeps your contact information and current company private. Interested parties contact you through an anonymous redirect email. However, my paranoid nature leads me to constantly inquire, “Exactly how PRIVATE is this, really?”

Sufficed to say, there’s a certain sense of security and confidence that is derived from my employed status when dealing with potential new employers. I’ve had two telephone interviews this week but have not heard about the current status of either. Normally, I would be freaking out and stalking the recruiters. However, since I am drowning in work, I have no time to obsess over how many hours have elapsed since I’ve heard from these recruiters.

Hopefully someone will offer me an insane amount of money just to sit around and look pretty. Ah, a girl can dream, can’t she?

Biggest Sap On Earth

2005-11-17T19:51:00.000-08:00

Not that this is a recent observation, but I am pretty certain that I am the biggest sap on earth. The other night, the boyfriend and I were bored out of our skulls and actually watching Country Music Television. It was a top 25 Video Countdown for Kenny Chesney. For those of you not into country music, you may know ol’ Kenny from his 5 second (soon to be annulled) marriage to Renee Zellwegger.

So, Kenny has these songs, "Who You'd Be Today" and "There Goes My Life" – and I was bawling like a baby. I’m a sucker for sad songs. Anything remotely sad actually gets the waterworks going. Does that make me an empathetic person or a pathetic person?

Birthday

2005-10-15T15:24:00.000-07:00

Ah, birthdays…I love them. The day I start becoming depressed about my birthday will probably be the day I’ve gained 50 pounds and made an appointment for botox. Since I basically weigh the same as I did when I graduated high school and have been carded the last three times I tried to order an alcoholic beverage, I’ll say that my chances of keeping that botox needle from my face is looking good.

Of course my fantaburiffic boyfriend got me all the right things. Our place was filled with screeches of joy when he finally presented me with my gifts: spa package from Elizabeth Arden Red Door salon and a very generous gift certificate to a shoe store. Yes, I know…I am the stereotypic girl. SHOES!

After the hellish week I’ve had (accountant…quarter close…Sarbanes-Oxley audits…the horror…the horror), I am drooling at the thought of being pampered for a day. I am also clearing my schedule for a half-day trip to the shoe store. You cannot be rash about shoe purchase.

Of course, I’ve also decided to give myself some birthday presents because after all…who loves me more than me? So, I raided Victoria’s Secret. Although I don’t know if that’s more of a present for the boyfriend or me. However, there’s nothing like making your knockers look fabulous to celebrate a birthday! I highly recommend it.

The parental units actually managed to remember my birthday. It’s been the oddest thing. For the first 18 years of my life when I lived under their roof, they forgot my birthday more often than they remembered. Ever since I moved out, they’ve remembered every single one. Would that be the old adage, “distance makes the heart grow fonder?” I certainly agree. We’ve never gotten along better and it could be the 12,000 miles between us, but that’s just a hunch.

Dinner plans are at a restaurant I've been dying to try. They have Candied Apple Creme Burlee as a dessert item. Need I say more. It's unfortunate that my birthday only rolls around once a year. It's my favorite holiday!

Good Ol' Childhood Memories

2005-10-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry
In the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

~”Because of You”, Kelly Clarkson

Give Me a Break!

2005-09-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

Psychologist: I failed England

01:17 AM CDT on Saturday, September 24, 2005

Associated Press

FORT HOOD, Texas – A West Virginia school psychologist said Friday that he realized he had failed Lynndie England when he saw the Army private posing in prisoner abuse photos at Abu Ghraib.

Mr. Denne's testimony supported Pfc. England's core defense that she was overly compliant and she did what her soldier boyfriend, Pvt. Charles Graner, told her to do.

Of Course it’s not her fault. Nothing is ever anyone’s fault anymore. It’s the TV…no, no…it’s the radio programs…damn it; I tell you it’s really the aliens that are to blame for all the wrong in this world. I swear!

Since when is “overly compliant” a defense for humiliating another human being who is in your care and at your mercy? If the “I was only doing what I was told” type of strategy didn’t work for the Nazi’s during the Nuremberg Trials, do you really think that it's going to hold any water 60 years later?! Yes, I do realize there is a large difference between systematically executing and enslaving millions of people versus torturing and humiliating prisoners, but that’s only degrees of severity in the same crime. Wrong is wrong. And if you cannot tell the difference between right and wrong, you probably should not have been in the military in the first place. Don’t get me started on that woman even procreating!

I could even understand if they were trying to argue that the woman was mentally challenged. That she did not possess the intelligence to comprehend her actions. If that was the case, it would be the military’s responsibility for allowing her to be in the military in the first place. But nowhere in the article did I see that.

“Overly Compliant” [Shakes Head In Disgust]

You Want Me To Do What?

2005-09-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

“Are you swamped or do you have time for a special project?”

Let me ponder that for a second. Should I continue IMing or should I sign myself up for the unknown so called “special project”?

“No, not too busy. What do you have?”

Then I proceeded to spend quite a few hours surfing the web checking out Random Dating Website. Apparently, Random Dating Website is now offering products for those no longer pathetic and single.

Personally, I do not have the patience to complete those mind numbing questionnaires you must complete to evaluate your personality and relationship with your significant other, but I am getting paid for this so I got cracking.

Do you think questions such as: Do you agree with the following statements - “I regret ever marrying my spouse” and “I am ashamed to be seen out in public with my spouse” an indicator that there may be a problem in your marriage? One video testimonial, in which Random Happy Spouse is spectacularly surprised at how Random Dating Website could know so much about him and his marriage from the questionnaires, thoroughly amused me. Hmmm…do you think it could be from questions such as which most and least describes you? Assertive, submissive, leader, follower. I too am shocked how Random Dating Website can know so much just from you telling them that you regret marrying your spouse and you’re an assertive, controlling, ambitious corporate climber.

Empty

2005-09-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

Ever get this strange feeling that your life is entirely empty and if you dropped off the face of the Earth tomorrow, nothing would skip a beat?

I get that feeling often and it’s quite unnerving. The disappearing into nothingness doesn’t quiet bother me as much as the fact I feel empty.

Of course I know that people will miss me if I should evaporate, but life would still go on. It’s like losing a tooth. Yes, you notice it at first and you are self-conscious of the gaping void, but over time, the shifting of the other teeth cover up any remnant of the missing tooth. And eventually, it’s as if you’ve never had it in the first place.

Who is to blame for this emptiness? Why me of course! Maybe I am just suffering a bout of craziness. I don’t know what could be missing from my life. Career…check…financial stability…check…loving companion…check...good health…check. What more can a girl ask for?

I don’t want a child…way too much responsibility.
I don’t want religion…way too plebian, way too needy.

There’s a voice inside that screams, “Throw it all away! Throw it all away!” Is it the career, the financial stability, the status quo that is the root of all this overwhelming emptiness? Can I not appreciate what I have? Am I only satiated by the constant adrenaline rush associated with acquiring something whether it be status, love or the perfect body?

I probably just need to grow up.

In Her Shoes

2005-09-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

Just finished my new Chick Lit book, "In Her Shoes". I haven’t quiet decided whether or not I actually enjoyed the book.

For those of you who have never heard of the book, it’s about two sisters and their struggles with each other and life. That’s part of what I didn’t enjoy about the book. The sheer cliché ness of it all. Oh, the poor beautiful yet irresponsible and learning disabled younger sister. Alas, the sad plain yet successful and caring older sister. PLEASE! The books dilemmas/predicaments are trivial at best.

Yet I found myself devouring the book in two days. Ironic. I only picked up the book because I was bored to death at the Tampa airport, trying to kill the two hours I had before take off. And I am forever fascinated with SHOES!! I had recently seen a trailer for the movie starring Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette. I have this habit of reading the book prior to watching the movie and thereby guaranteed to forever disappoint myself with the big screen adaptation. But I continue to hope one day Hollywood gets it right.

I suppose the book fascinated me because I don’t have any sisters, only a younger brother. I don’t have any close female friends with whom I spend any real quality time. So in short, I absolutely have no idea what goes on between two females either bonded by blood or close friendship. After reading the book, I don’t know if I actually want to experience that. Then again, I’m don’t fit the profile of either character in the book.

Good book if you’re in the mood for some light mindless reading and occasional outburst of “What the hell is wrong with these women?!”

New York City

2005-08-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

Day One

For my boyfriend's 32nd birthday, I decided to take him to New York City since he's never been. Our trip to Taipei, Taiwan earlier this year was definitely good practice. The country mouse had already seen traffic congestion, crazy sadistic driving, overcrowding everywhere, dirty streets and lots of walking.

We arrived on Thursday afternoon and checked out Time Square by our hotel. A friendly little New York pigeon decided to give my boyfriend a little welcome present. I suppose I should not have been pointing and laughing, but hey, you know you would do the same thing. Since our flight lasted through lunch and everyone knows how the airline likes to starve us these days, we were ravenous by the time we landed. So, where do you go eat in fabulous Time Square, that's right folks, that would be Applebee's. One thing I noticed about the touristy places was the predominance of chain restaurants. We did get a wonderful view of the CBS video board. Who can ever get enough of Two and a Half Men commercials?

The place definitely picked up when night fell. We just made our way up and down 7th and Broadway. It's fun trying to shove your way through crowds. We found our way into Toy R Us...don't ask why, but we did enjoy an impressive Lego collection.

Day Two

Day two started out gloomy, rainy and humid. We didn't want to venture out in the rain for lunch so we just ended up dining at Shula's Steakhouse. I must say...excellent chicken. Neither one of us had the steak. The bread was so yummy.......Atkins my butt. The concierge was kind enough to provide us with umbrellas and the subway train to take to the American Museum of Natural History. What trip to New York City is complete without a whirl on the fantabulous New York Subway system. And just our luck, a slightly deranged man was also in the station. He desperately wanted to know, "When the fuck is hell going to freeze over, Bitch?" I must say no one could quite provide him with an adequate response and therefore he felt the need to reiterate himself over and over and over. Ah, gotta love those friendly NY citizens.

Finally, arrived at the Museum. Of course, there was a crowd. You would think that an automated kiosk for ticket purchase would speed the whole process along. Think again. We checked out the African Mammals first. I don't believe I enjoy staring at stuffed animals, but they were very interesting. Somehow those lions and tigers always looked bigger on television. We also checked out the life and cultures of the African, Asian and Islamic people.

Last but not least, we checked out the dinosaur floor. I personally would never touch anything that a million other grubby, germy hands have fondled, but my boyfriend decided he could not pass up the opportunity to feel a 6 million year old fossil. He currently has a stuffy nose and a sore throat. Now what does this teach us kiddies? Each fossil contained interesting hypothesis on what the dinosaur may have looked like, stood and used their various strange appendages...like the plates on a Stegosauraus. I found it interesting how each hypothesis was followed by a disclaimer that they cannot know for sure if any of what they had just stated was true since you cannot determine behavior from fossils. Man, I love scientists!

On our way out, my boyfriend insisted he saw Tyne Daly (Cagney and Lacey/Judging Amy) passing us in the elevator. I'll take his word for it. I'm not exactly the most observant person on earth. He spots celebrities in the airport all the time. Such a people watcher.

By this time the rain had let up and we decided to stroll down to Columbus Circle via Central Park. We got to see the Lake, the Meadows...did I mention this is a 20 block stroll? By the time we reached Columbus Circle to check out the indoor shopping, we were both so tired, we just wanted to sit at the fountains across the street and stare into space. After we got our second wind, it was more walking over to 58th and 7th to catch the subway to ..... the Empire State Building.

Although it probably wasn't crowded by NY standards, there was a long long line to get up to the observation deck. I am just thankful the party in front of us was not stinky. They were overly perfumed, but I would rather take that any day over stinky B.O. Well, what seems like hours later, we finally reach the observation deck. The view was spectacular. I liked the Empire State Building observation tower much more than I liked the Taipei 101 observation deck mainly because it's outdoors. I think I am sloooowwly overcoming my fear of heights. Then again, an eight foot tall fence does provide some sense of security. Some little baby almost got jacked up by my boyfriend. That's what you get punk for yanking on a stranger's back pack! My boyfriend thought he was being picked pocketed. Only in New York.

Just because we did not get enough walking in yet for the day, we decided to walk back to our hotel...another 10 blocks or so. We passed Bryant Park, which was blaring with salsa music and full of happy dancing people...in the rain. Walked passed the Garment District....lots of beads. When we finally got back to our hotel, I was pretty certain that I would never regain the feeling back in my feet. It's amazing what a hot shower can cure.

For our day two dining pleasure, we chose Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Yes, I know...how very unoriginal, but I don't think either one of us was in any condition to travel very far from our hotel. With that said, I still thought it was a good idea to tread another 8 blocks in my three inch heels. If any of you are interested in seeing close ups of what a three inch heel can do to a foot over 16 blocks, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to show you the lovely puss filled photos.

On our way back, we saw a swim suit model in the middle of a photo shoot in the median. Must be a fun job having hoards of people stare at you while you work.

Day Three

Since day three was also hot, humid and cloudy..we decided not to wait any longer on checking out the Statue of Liberty. Again, we piled into the subway 'cause we just cannot get enough of public transportation and thought we had our whole route mapped out. WRONG! Due to construction, several stops in lower Manhattan were not running that day. Yipee! MORE WALKING! The positive thing is that we stopped just short of the World Trade Center site. I feel eerie every time I see the place. To me it's just a massive grave yard.

We strolled over to Robert Wagner park and checked out the view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. So tiny from that distance. The length of the line to purchase tickets for the Statue of Liberty and the length of the line for the ferry to get to the Statue of Liberty left much to be desired. We're not patient people. It was then on to explore the rest of Battery Park and the financial district.

So, up Broadway we went. We had to get a picture with the Bull. Several Russian tourists were having fun molesting the Bull's boys. Crazy tourists....my turn! We checked out Trinity Church, but could not find any evidence of hidden treasure like in National Treasure. The architecture was amazing and the stained glass windows were beautiful.

Now were were really hot since the sun decided to show its face again. I don't think it was a good idea for us to have hiked under the World Trade Center Path to get to the Chamber's station, but we came to that realization too late. Subway stations are not well ventilated. We were also very perplexed as to which train to take to get us to Chinatown and Little Italy. I must admit the London Tube system is much more understandable.

We finally managed to muddle our way over to Canal Street. Oh, the joy of cheap shopping. It was everything for $5. You can't beat that! $2 T Shirts! So what if they disintergrate after one wash? Amazingly enough, neither of us bought anything. I think it had more to do with us being tired grouches than the price of the goods. We meandered down Mulberry Street (Yummy Gelatos) and back up Mott toward Canal. I like fresh fish and all, but being splashed by your dinner was not attractive. I also saw a bucket of frogs....poor froggies!

I was in search of cheap shopping further down Canal Street (like anything was going to be cheaper than $2). Then I realized further down Canal meant Lower East Side. Crazy about cheap stuff, but not that crazy. So we decided next stop was SoHo. Great shops, lots of stuff to buy...but man, the crowd was INSANE. I lost my will to shop. Good thing we found a subway station and hopped on to head back to the 42nd Street Time Square Station. Don't you think with a name like 42nd Time Square Station you would think it would drop you off at 42nd? Well, you would be fooled.

Dinner on Day Three was SUPER casual. I picked Yoshinoya. Looked a lot better than it tasted. My boyfriend ended up grabbing a few cheeseburgers from the worldn's largest McDonald's. There were trivia screens everywhere. I learned that the potato and cucumber farmer will never have to worry about not having a job as long as McD is operational. It's INSANE how much fries and pickles they serve.

We were going to pick up a few suvenirs but somehow being stared at by 5 shop employees while I'm perusing the goods made me feel uncomfortable (not to mention tempted to lift something).

It was back to the hotel to crash. So very very tired.

Day Four

We're headed home! Yipee! My boyfriend say Shirley Manson (Garbage) at the airport. Who would have though a woman with bright orange red hair and alabaster skin would be so noticeable? I just have to mention that the Westin at Time Square ROCKS! It has a Heavenly Bed (aka pillow top mattress) and Heavenly Shower (aka dual shower heads that deliver great water pressure). The room was large by most hotel room standards. I know where I'm staying on my next trip to the Big Apple!

Happy Birthday Kitty Cat! Hope you had a great time!

To Protect and To Serve...Ourselves

2005-08-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Guardsmen took "rent" from Iraqi Businessmen

First, the prison abuse and now extortion. I'm thinking the U.S. Military needs a new PR department and most importantly stricter screening of new recruits and perhaps several more ETHICS courses during training.

It saddens and angers met to read articles related to these matters. There are numerous US Military personal who are serving honorably in the US miliatary and defending the principals by which they lead their lives. However, articles of honor and civic duty are not as captivating nor as lucrative as articles that feature the basest of human instincts.

While the rest of the world may have military forces that abuse and exploit the civilians, the US Military is SUPPOSE to be above those petty, immoral acts. I know it's naive of me to think that we can be the perfect shining example for the rest of the world, but that is the standard we must attain. A country cannot accuse others of being the "Axis of Evil" and goes about committing atrocities itself. Either you live up to the standards you demand others live by or you shut your trap, withdraw from the countries you invades and fix your own mess at home!

March of the Penguins

2005-07-31T18:53:00.000-07:00

I am an animal nut so I LOVED this movie.

Now I want a penguin chick. Unfortunately, he/she will grow up to a 4' tall 100lb. adult penguin. I had no idea penguins got so large. Then again, it is the EMPEROR penguin.

Brief Synopsis - the documentary details the journey the Emperor Penguins make each mating season to their breeding ground, the subsequent courtship and the long winter that each male penguin endures to protect the precious life in the egg.

The entire process is facinating, but it's a testament to nature how each penguin knows it's time for mating. The film opens with one lone penguin popping out of the sea onto the ice. Then as if by clockwork, another penguin, followed by another and another and another. And pretty soon, there's a whole army of penguins commencing on their practiced march to the breeding ground. Makes you wonder what triggers the entire process? Is it a chemical thing with in the Penguins themselves? Is it the change in weather in the sea? The film states that differing group of Penguins all arrive at the breeding grounds from differing directions on the same day or even the same hour. FACINATING.

As I was watching the movie, I was thinking that humans have no idea about sacrificing for their children. These penguins trek 70 miles to their mating spot and endure -80 degree cold, go without food for up to 120 days all to keep an egg warm. Talk about dedication. Once the eggs hatch, the males and females take turns making the ~70 mile trek each way to fetch food for the chick. Now, that's love. The odd thing is the penguins do not remain family. Once the Antarctic summer begins, the male and female penguins will return to the sea and the baby chick is left to fend for itself.

It's amazing how hardy these little creatures are. Makes you reflect on this whole thing called nature.