Friday’s Feast 191:

Yesterday put my current position into perspective. Let me review since I’ve been away so long. I have been working in a different position lately. Let’s call this new position "Go-go Girl." So, as Go Go Girl, I have a specified set of duties. That’s cool. What irks me is that anytime someone needs something, they call me and I’m just supposed drop what I’m doing. Not easy when I have pickle juice covered gloves on. And I have a hard time going back to what I was doing. (*grr* What the dickens was I doing?!)

I’ve gotten a lot better at being the Go Go Girl, thanks to previous Go Go Girls who have taught me their tricks of the trade. Yesterday, however, I get to work and am told I am going to work in the old position (of which I was "Queen"). It threw me for a loop. I didn’t realize how accustomed I was to the fast-paced-never-stop-til-you’re-done rhythm of being a "Go Go Girl." In my old position, I’m dealing with customers, waiting (and waiting…and waiting…) on them to decide what they want to order, to find their money (or discover "oops!" they don’t have their money!), and (s…l…o…w…l…y…) count their money. Y…i…p…p…e…e…!

So, I came to work today thinking, "Wow. Being Go Go Girl isn’t all that bad!" *cough* Yeah, if only I’d thought that on a day that wasn’t a Friday. The idea might have lasted a little longer than a few hours. Gah! *Pulls out hair* This is so stressful! Today was especially bad because we were running low on product. And because I was not "Go Go Girl" yesterday, the state that my product was left in was less than ideal. Grr.

Oh, that’s not the best part. If I wasn’t before, this week has definitely earned me the honorary title of "Messiest Worker of the Decade." Every single day this week, I have exploded bags of onions–on Wednesday, the onions went down my shirt. That was nice–all my co-workers making such comments: "Do you smell onions?" "Is that a new cologne?" "Wow. Need some deodorant?" Yeah…nice. I’m not going into the messes I made with the various sauces. *shudder*

It sounds a lot funnier here, but as I’m usually rushed and harried, I’m afraid my sense of humor often fails me. Looking back really helps. Hey, I could be the modern Louisa May Alcott with stories like these.

The food fight at my Sisters’, for example. Pieces of bread hard enough to feel like shrapnel were hurled across the table. Some of them (I can’t imagine who threw them) dinging one of the boys on the forehead and again down his shirt. Then, one of those square take-out boxes from an Asian restaurant bounced off my head. In retaliation, My Evil Twin tossed the liquid contents of her glass in her brother’s face. Her brother then tried a few times to splash me without his sister knowing. I ended his attempts by imperiously and indignantly informing him that I was wearing a white shirt and how dare he be so perverted as to try and get me wet (I’m close enough with them that hurling insults back and forth is a sign of affection). My words caused a burst of laughter at which my brother-from-another-mother shrank back to glare at me in the frustrated silence of failure.

Ah yes, good times. I love my *other* family.

Unconscious Mutterings, Week 254:

1. Interview :: job (yikes!)
2. Army :: marching
3. Unwrap :: gifts from a special person 
4. Evolve :: super powers! Mine are clairvoyance and telekinesis. What’s yours?
5. Bus :: money (grr, I hate buses.)
6. The real thing :: 
7. Streak :: meteor. Blast these blinkety-blankety clouds! I want to see the Geminids!
8. Gorge :: Oo, I need to name the one nearby…
9. Spicy :: Where? I love spicy foods! Love, love, love!!! Hot Tamales candy, too!
10. Course :: Stay the… (not good advice if you’re on the highway to hell, LOL!)

randomness…feed your mind and your blog

week of December 16 2007:

Happy Holidays random word association I say, you think:

1. santa: hat (they’re cute)

2. holiday carols: Nothing beats "I have a little Dreidel"

3. snow: Makes me think of the song "Snow" on the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby. (That movie is hilarious!)

4. mistletoe: ick–don’t make me whack you with a bough of your Christmas tree!

5. season: holidays

6. candy cane: peppermint–good for upset stomach

7. eggnog: *gag*

8. presents: 8–one for each day of Chanukkah!

You know what’s funny…when Chanukkah was ended, I was surprised to still see decorations all around town. It wasn’t until I declared to my Girlz that I would dedicate a certain tree decked in all blue lights to the Prince of Arrakis as a Chanukkah tree that I realized my folly. Duh! They may be called Holiday decorations, but they’re still just for Christmas. Nothing like your friends laughing at you to set you straight. LOL!

Anyway…*sigh* I’m afraid I haven’t been able to blog much lately. Life sometimes, augh. First, I was sick, then things started piling up on me. Eek! It didn’t help my mental state when Yochanan was unable to email me for a while. Fortunately, the Prince of Arrakis has found a new internet cafe from which he can continue to share the wealth of his knowledge and creativity with me.  

Meanwhile, I’ve been deluging myself with music by Sarah Brightman, Bond, and Moby, reading Dune, and watching DVDs based on the books by James Herriot (loving it!). I just picked up Angel, Season 1 from the library–on impulse. I hope it doesn’t scare me too much.  

I’m also in the process of getting Israeli dancing started at my synogogue. Feedback has been very positive and enthusiastic. We may even take occasional "field trips" to the dance in Tacoma. Yay! Can’t wait to get started! I just need my CD back that Her Majesty was fixing for me.

There’s a big, all-store review coming up at work on Tuesday. It has the bosses in a tizzy, and their nervousness has infected me. I hope that’s not why my tummy was upset today. I thought I was passed that. I haven’t made myself physically sick by anxiety since junior high. (No, I still don’t take pressure well. I recall hide-and-seek with horror. "Blast it! Just find me already! I can’t take this anymore!") 

It seems whatever the Prince suggests I must do. Though I’ve been considering trying yoga for some time, it wasn’t until Yochi suggested it that I actually took the action off placing holds at the library on anything yoga.

As for other social matters, Imah and I have upgraded our phone plan to include unlimited texting and internet! Yay! We have also gotten myspace IM.

Just for fun, here’s what ringtones I’ve downloaded since getting my Katana:

Allegretto by Bond, Bad Day by Daniel Powter, Deliver Me by Sarah Brightman, Dragostea Din Tei by O-Zone, Explosive by Bond, Fuego by Bond, Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira, Imperial March from Star Wars, Israel National Anthem, Pink Panther Theme, Shut Up and Drive by Rihanna, Suerte by Shakira, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Phantom of the Opera, The Sweet Escape by Gwen Stefani. Nice, diverse set, eh?

I really need to keep myself well rested for that store review. Laila tov! 

I’m supposed to be celebrating my birthday tomorrow (proud Scorpio, right here!), but it looks like only one person is coming (my awesome friend, C4). She’s important enough that I’m not going to cancel (I mean, hey, she might blow up! LOL!).

So, I’ll blog about a more cheerful topic. I have an Israeli pen pal (or should I say "email pal, typing pal, keyboard pal"?). We’ve mostly been talking about books, movies, sci-fi in general and dancing. He’s been given an Italian mobster nickname "Triple Toe Tony" because he occasionally dances like a madman. (I’m jealous. My dancing nickname is Dizzy Devie. How boring. )

It got me thinking about nicknames. That and one I’ve recently earned myself. They’re calling me Spider Woman at work. I think I had that nickname at school, too, but junior high was so long ago.

Yay. Another nickname. I wonder if I can count the ones Yochi made up (he’s my pen pal). Eh, like I can remember them all.  

Anyway, eventually, I’ll be buying myself a website. I just don’t know what to call it. I’m leaning toward Duchess of Darkhaven, but Princess Yaffa is more Jewish. I like that. Then, I was thinking Princess of Zion. Jewish with a hint of Matrix. How cool is that? LOL!

Ah, well…I won’t have the money to spare before next year. Plenty of time to think about it. 

Oh! I almost forgot! I’m still working on the final draft of my novel. I’m re-separating chapters. While I was writing it, that wasn’t a big deal. So now, I’m actually making chapters out of a huge blob of fascinating story. Nice, huh? But slow. It’s all on the computer and I have limited access. Phooey.

*perks up* I’m going to email my pen/keyboard pal now!

Shalom! 

Unconscious Mutterings, Week 246:

1. Las Vegas :: one of my favorite TV shows
2. Linus :: security blanket
3. Struck :: …by lightning
4. Movie :: …night
5. Anxious :: upset stomach
6. Bandit :: stick-up
7. Picks :: tooth…
8. Lasso :: YEEHAW!
9. Dinner :: …for a dozen
10. Bargain :: …shopper

randomness…feed your mind and your blog

week of Oct21: Scary Stuff

Since Halloween is drawing near, lets blog about scary stuff….

1. What’s your favorite scary movie? Scary book? Movie: Hangman’s Curse. Book: probably The Oath.

2. Who is scarier, Freddy Kruger(nightmare on elm street), Jason(friday the 13th) or Michael Myers(halloween)? I don’t know; I’ve never watched any of them.

3. Do you believe in wherewolves, vampires and or zombies? Of course! I’m a half-breed of the first two. (Don’t ask how that happened.)

4. Are you superstitious? Why or why not? Why, no! It’s bad luck to be superstitious.

5. Are you afraid of the dark? I love the dark. (I prefer half-light, though, so I do still sleep with a small light on.)

6. Who is your favorite movie monster? I’d say Mystique, but the mutants don’t like being called monsters. Twilight hasn’t been made into a yet–neither has The Golden Compass. I know! Wookiee from Star Wars! (I still want a Wookiee…)

Master of Finances, forgive me! I got a bit spending-happy with my cell phone. 2 new ringtones (Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield) and two games (one’s a brain teaser, the other’s a card game). At least the games were super cheap. I probably didn’t even spend more than $10 for all 4 items, but I’m not supposed to be spending at all. That is the ultimate price for my new boots, sunglasses, and coat.

*Knocks myself on the head* He-llo? See the title of your blog? You’re not a princess anymore! You’re in exile!! *shrug* She never listens to me. 

Pardon the schizophrenia there. Have a great week, everyone! (Or should I say: shavuah tov!)

Friday’s Feast 162:

Appetizer
How are you today? Honestly? A little slow.

Soup
Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis. House, Bones, Heroes.

Salad
What’s the scariest weather situation you’ve experienced? Thunderstorms. They terrify me…and yet, they’re beginning to fascinate me.

Main Course
If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be? Israel.

Dessert
What do you usually wear to sleep? …pjs. (If I deem it cute–or if it’s pink–I like it!)

Blah. What a week. I had fun at work, but it was all too short. The rest of my week was blah. And bleh. Yeah, definitely some bleh, too. I’m glad tomorrow’s Friday. I hope my favorite co-workers are at work tomorrow!

Shalom and farewell. Have a great weekend! 

No, I was not planning this, but, as of Tuesday the 18th, I will have my new phone. The Sanyo Katana II–in pink, of course. (Click here to see it.) I’m so excited; I really hate my current phone, and I was losing hope that I would get another in my favorite color.

Imah liked the sound of the Katana’s features so much that she’s getting one, too. That worried me at first…until she assured me (in a tone of disgust) that she wasn’t going a pink one. She’ll be getting the black instead.

Once I have my new phone, I’ll be taking a lot more pictures.   Oo…thousands of ideas swirling through my head! I’m so excited!! Watch out, Girlz!

~~~~~~~~~~

On another note, I’ve decided not to go into my…uh, adventures this week. Let’s just say that the lack of sleep made me giddy, the pain-killers made me woozy, and the caffeine (to compensate for the pain-killers and lack of sleep) made me hyper. I’m just glad I didn’t get hurt or get reprimanded by my boss for rowdiness.

Oh god…they all probably thought I was *on* something. Well, I was. I did admit to being on pain-killers and caffeine. Most of my co-workers seemed to enjoy (and encourage) my behavior this week, though. One of them even said I should act like that more often.

Right…

I think I’ve scared enough people. LOL! 

So, I went to hang out with my Girlz and their family yesterday evening, and C4 told me of her plans to go see Stardust. Of course, I had to go, too–even though I had planned not stay up late because I had things to do in the morning. It was sooo worth it. We kidnapped My Evil Twin so that I had someone to bury my face into for the scary stuff (I’m sensitive when it comes to movies; spirits and ghosts I can handle–animated dead bodies…heck no! Ew, ew, ew!!!!).

It was so awesome. Very Princess Bride-esque. Awesome special effects; great suspense; lovable characters (even the bad ones, lol). And that adorable Tristan (played by Charlie Cox)–with the longer hair and the white jacket. Yu-u-ummy!

*ahem* So, yes; I loved the movie. I am totally going to own it. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t get home until after midnight. And guess what was on tv? Stargate! I haven’t seen that show in over two months! So, I watched the rest of that episode…and another Stargate came on!! Argh! I stayed up to watch that one, too, because I was so keyed up from watching Stardust (stupid hot Tristan and stupid, freaky, animated, dead body!).

Finally, at 2 a.m. I went to bed…with the Hunting Fear audiobook because I can’t go to sleep without some voice talking. (Yeah, "Hunting Fear" sounds like the perfect bedtime story, doesn’t it?) I got up at 9 because that was as late as I could push it. I didn’t have any coffee because my tummy is still troubling me.

Stupid tummy! I needed coffee today. It was great that my shift was short–because I never did wake up. Maybe that was a good thing, too. My customers were determined to be troublesome today, but I was too out of it to respond. "Is that all I can do for you? That’ll be such-and-such-a-price. Here’s your change. Thank you. Have a great day." I may have even shared a drooping smile or two.

On a final note, I’m getting good at working on my novel regularly–a little each day. Soon will come the final, ultimate battle! Muahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unconscious Mutterings, Week 237:

1. Darling :: sweet talk
2. Majesty :: Her… (don’t mess with Her Majesty–she has swords and she knows how to use them!
3. Pebble :: …s, Fred Flintstone’s daughter
4. Fate :: destiny
5. Instant :: coffee–not bad in a pinch
6. Screen :: flat (tv or computer monitor–I love them)
7. Unplugged :: me without coffee *shudder*
8. Dairy :: ice creeeeeeeeeeeeeeam!
9. Benefactor :: cha-ching!
10. Market :: I’ll trade you this [worthless] cow for that [untameable] horse.

It started troubling me Friday at work, but fortunately I had a short shift. Unfortunately, the buses couldn’t get their schedules right. I missed one and the girl I was waiting with said we should try the one across the street–it would take us to the same place. This second bus was never known to be late. Guess what? It was.

Fortunately, it picked us up in time that we didn’t miss the second ferry. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it home before Imah could unlock the door for me (I still don’t have my own house key yet).

No sweat. I was bored anyway. I called my Girlz, and they picked me up and took me home (to my home-away-from-home). We had a blast there…as always. I’m hoping to go over there today, too. It depends on if I can get all the paperwork done by closing time today.

*Growl* That means NO INTERRUPTIONS!!

I could have sworn yesterday was Monday. No other day could be so hellish.

See how my mood of the day graphic is "WTF?!" ("What the Fudge" as one of my co-workers says.) Yeah, that sums it up nicely.

I may have mentioned how I have a semi-phobia of buses. Well, I’m forced to ride one to get to my restaurant job (yes, I’m still working there). Unfortunately, Imah dropped me off at the ferry without checking the bus schedule for me (which she usually does). So, I take the ferry and there’s no bus for me at the other side.

Well, you may say "hey, that’s great!" but I had to be at work in twenty minutes, the next bus wouldn’t make it in time, and work was miles away.

I think Imah and I made twenty calls back and forth to each other. I also called my manager for the day and gave him my situation. To release my anger and agitation, I walked about halfway to work and waited (at Imah’s command), tired and soaked with sweat, at a bench for the next bus.

I was still pissed. (And I get to take the bus tomorrow and Friday. Yipee. ) Still, I took that time to work on some calming techniques. After all, I couldn’t go into my customer service job wanting to bash people’s heads in.  LOL!

Amazingly, it worked. I set up the proper posture and began thinking positively. Somehow, I was ok. Mostly. I shrank a little at what I would have to face at work.

Fortunately, I had the best ever manager that day. He’s really great about making us all feel we’re part of a team, and energizing us to do our best. When I remorsefully explained to him what happened (once I arrived 45 minutes late), he told me he’d let it slide. I had no control over what happened, I had called him to let know I’d be late, and it’s not like this happened all the time. "Don’t worry about it," he said, clearly trying to make me feel better.

My shift, short as it was, actually went well. I usually think my best days at work depend on who I’m working with. When certain people are there, I know I’ll have a good day. Yesterday had enough of the right people–and they were in great spirits.

Halfway through my shift, my awesome manager went around and gave everyone a pin. Still feeling bad about being late and not knowing he was giving them to everyone, I gaped when he gave me a pin. He just grinned and said something like, "You’re gonna be part of the team, you’re gonna dress like us." That was cool. Although, I still look at the pin like, "What the dickens am I doing with this?" I’ll just say it’s my "I have an awesome manager" pin. Yeah. That works.

Oh, for the record: today, dull as it was, was just fine. I watched Princess Bride last night while snacking on popsicles and pears. I slept in this morning. Then, I worked on some more unpacking. My room is done for the time being. All I need now is the pink carpet and mirror panels to cover two of my walls (for a dance studio effect). Oh, and (I decided today) a white board to write my schedules (work, exercise, special events) on. That old chalkboard–much as I love it–is not going to work.

It’s so nice to see my clocks up (I’m an admitted clock freak), my posters posted, my Sasha Cohen memorabilia, my stuffed animals peeking curiously at their new surroundings, my canopy drooping luxuriously over my bed. Oh, the ecstasy of opening boxes. *gasp* "There that is!" "Oh, I found it!" "Wow! I can’t believed I lived without that!"

It’s beginning to feel like home.