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 251:

1. Filthy :: mud stained carpet–grr
2. Therapist :: Doc Devie (muahaha!)
3. Duck :: …duck…goose!
4. Slant :: my cursive writing
5. Artist :: if you write, draw, paint, sing, or dance.
6. Lease :: When are you looking to move in?
7. Wish :: I’ll keep that to myself.
8. Doormat :: A good way to warn victi–er, visitors that people with a peculiar sense of humor are in residence.
9. Global :: …warming. What worries me is that giant meteoroid with Earth’s name on. (It’s out there somewhere.)
10. Apartment :: townhomes are better.

randomness…feed your mind and your blog

week of November 25: Giving & Getting Gifts

With the holidays upon us again, lots of us are doing gift shopping. Now lets blog about it.

1. Do you prefer to shop in stores or on the internet? Internet. It’s more precise; I know exactly what I want and I go for it. I hate dodging crowds of people who really don’t know what they’re doing. (I hope I don’t drive like I shop.)

2. Who on your gift list is the hardest to shop for? Imah, I’d say.

3. About how much do you end up spending during holiday gift shopping? Oh, I don’t want to think about it.

4. What is the best holiday gift you have ever received? A day with a friend. The worst? Fortunately, I can’t remember any bad gifts.

5. What gift do you want this year? A better future. (What I really want, I won’t get this year.)

Just a note before I go to bed (because I’ve been cheating myself out of sleep again), I’ve been working on getting my novel updated on Scroll Keeper Sagas. Please, my Girls, enjoy!

*yawn* So much I want to do, so little time. I like the quote from the old movie Journey to the Center of the Earth (James Mason, Pat Boone and Arlene Dahl): "I don’t sleep. I hate those little slices of death."

I agree. Sleep is a big waste of time. But, boy, do I fall apart without it!

Shalom and 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! 

Friday’s Feast 165:

Appetizer
If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why? I would be a greyhound because they’re fast and they have lean, graceful bodies.

Soup
What does the color purple make you think of? Royalty!

Salad
Approximately how long does it take you to get ready each morning? Oh dear. Do I have to answer that? I like to give myself 2 hours because me+rushing+morning=disaster.

Main Course
How many cousins do you have, and are you close to them? I have too many cousins to count. Unfortunately, I’m not close to any of them; the closest of them live across the state.

Dessert
Take your initials (first, middle, last) and come up with something else those letters could stand for. (Example: SFO = Sweet Funny Otter) There’s no way I’m using every single one of my initials, ok? Let’s go with YAH = You are hilarious! (said sarcastically)

Friday Fill-in #42:

1. October is a pretty month. Not as awesome as November, but, hey, they can’t all be perfect.
2. Thunderstorms don’t scare me! Sort of…
3. Haunted houses are interesting in real life. I avoid the carnival ones.
4. My favorite scary movie is Hangman’s Curse because of the plot twist. I can’t spoil it by telling.
5. Don’t mind me. (Said just before I carry out another devious scheme.)
6. It was a dark and stormy night and everyone was nervous because they couldn’t see where I was. Muahahaha!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to getting out of work if this storm keeps up, tomorrow my plans include Jewish movie night! and Sunday, I want to put up my new mirrors!

Whew! Can I remember all that’s happened this week? Well, I went bowling til midnight on Tuesday. C4’s had this guy pursuing her, and she decided to use a bowling night to get her friends to meet and critique him. He passed the test.

My Evil Twin and I played the first game as one person. In between turns, we gabbed about movies and such. Somehow, we got to talking about how she is a werewolf (I can’t remember why–because she’s always warm?) and how I am a vampire (because I am always cold and my movements tend to be graceful). Musing about it now, I think we got it backwards: she prides herself on being (or appearing) calm and impervious; I tend to be excitable and hot-headed–though I, too, have perfected a cold, emotionless side for certain circumstances. Maybe we’re both half-bloods. Intriguing…

On another topic! I have covered the gap where my closet door used to reside with a pretty, pink curtain. I used two sheer curtains and tied them together to the rod with sheer, pink ribbon.

Notice the tassells? Those were Imah’s idea. Now, all I have left for my royal bedroom is to install my mini chandelier and put up those huge mirrors on opposite walls from each other–for a dance studio effect. (Also, Imah’s idea.)

I must say farewell now. Work demands to be done. Bills demand to be paid. And this thunderstorm might knock out my internet again.

Shabbat Shalom! 

Friday’s Feast 164:

Appetizer
When was the last time you were surprised? The last time someone jumped out from behind a corner and screamed at me–that would be about two hours ago. I have the funniest co-workers.

Soup
Fill in the blanks: My eyes are my best feature, but I wish they were even more expressive than they are–maybe not. I’ve made people nearly laugh themselves to death with my expressions.

Salad
If you were a Beanie Baby, what would you look like and what would your name be? I’d be a pink and black, winged, lightning-bolt-wielding tiger named…Sparky. ROAR.

Main Course
Name two things you consistently do that you consider to be healthy habits. My stretches and exercises. That’s it.

Dessert
What brand of toothpaste are you using these days? Do you like it? Why or why not? I buy what’s cheapest.

Friday 5: Lasts:

1. What was the last thing you baked? Pizza.
2. What was the last thing you tried on for size? Discounted summer blouse.
3. What was the last thing you purchased on credit? Nothing.
4. What was the last thing you put a postage stamp on? My brother’s birthday card.
5. What was the last thing you took a photo of? Hold on, let me check my Katana…me in my new "U BUG ME" t-shirt.

Friday Fill-in #41:

1. Once upon a time in a land with no physical entrance…(that’s how many of my stories could begin.)
2. Children screaming and laughing simultaneously. Oh, the joy.
3. Boiling white tea and ginger.
4. Way down under.
5. Keys excite mystery; locks bring bafflement.
6. Have you seen the Rafim? They’re so creepy!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going to shul, tomorrow my plans include continuing the final editing on my novel, and Sunday, I want to get it all done! (It’s a long shot, but what the hay?)

My bad mood has broken. I say broken because I really feel I had to break a part of myself to come free from this depression. I haven’t been as low as when it came to a head in a long time. Even now, there’s something weird…blank, missing…I’m just not sure if that missing thing is good or bad. Times like this *almost* make me wish I was a guy…but not quite. (No offense, guys.)

Getting a little more upbeat, I went shopping with Imah last night–originally to buy some cheap, sugarless soda pop to help ease my nausea–and came home with A Knight’s Tale. The DVD and the soundtrack. I love the movie and the music…well, it’s rocks me. My favorite song is "We are the Champions". I’ve had it playing every moment I’ve been home since it arrived here. Ok, not every moment. I also enjoy "We Will Rock You," "Lowrider," and "Taking Care of Business." But "We are the Champions" gives me the feeling of empowerment that I need right now. I’ve always been deeply affected by music.

On a final and most exciting note: I have finished my novel!!!!!!! I’m now in the final editing stages., following which I will immediately move on to volume 2 (I want to write the whole series before I try to publish).

I’d like to thank Her Majesty for her awesome help including typing up part of my story which was lost when my old computer died (Has anyone ever called you ‘Lightning Fingers?"). Thank you, also, Camp W girls for your interest and enthusiasm in the first chapters I released to the public. Finally, thanks to my (awesome-as-usual) co-workers for your interest and encouragement–and, specifically, you, Chauncy, for all the great advice and nagging. I don’t think I could have finished without you!

Speaking of nagging, Imah told me my title was boring. I’ve changed it several times. I can’t seem to get anything to fit. Then, I struck it–gold. It is now, simply: The Legend of Ruach. Yes, that’s also the name of the series. Hey, if Stephenie Meyer can do it, so can I.  

Rock on. Shalom! 

Unconscious Mutterings, Week 243:

1. Crook :: …or by nook
2. Career :: …woman
3. Freckles :: cute
4. Scramble :: the best kind of eggs
5. Mistake :: Make sure it’s really your friend’s brother you’re yelling at on the phone–not their DAD! (Got to be one of my top most embarrassing moments ever.)
6. Telephone :: Interesting game when you’ve got enough people.
7. Thank you :: That is what "Todah" means. (toe…duh!) 
8. Obstruction :: traffic.  Oh! That totally reminds me of a pic I found today
   
9. 24/7 ::  TOO…MUCH…COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10. SciFi :: I love it. Firefly/Serenity. Star Wars. The Core. A friend is getting me interested in Eureka. 

Wow. I am beyond words. Ok. That’s not really true. If it was, I wouldn’t be blogging right now. Anyway, I just finished reading Eclipse this evening after work. Wow. Wow. Wow. Oh. I said that already. It was incredible!! I can’t wait for Breaking Dawn!!! (When is it coming out? A whole freaking year?!?!)

Good thing I have something else to take up my attention.  Something I’m even more obsessive about. Something that had me hyperventilating just a little while ago… my novel. 

I just finished typing up the final battle scene (I like to write my stories by hand and then type them up) and it hit me: I’m finished. Done. The story’s over. All I have left is the epilogue–the final wrap-up and the laying of the foundation for volume two.

Hence the hyperventilation.

I’ve never actually written and finished a novel before. Short stories, sure. I’ve even got some novels in the back-log that have been fully outlined.  But not written. Not finished.

True, I’m not actually finished yet, but I’m not about to stop. After all, volume 2 is my favorite in the series.  So, I have a strong motivation. Plus, there’s that other series I want to do…er, two other series. My back-log of stories is more like a flood.

I just can’t believe I’m this close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Goodbye words–hello happy-dance!

Unconscious Mutterings, Week 242:

1. Singles :: …group: meet once a week.
2. Blaze :: a burning red stallion with a mane of fire (if that isn’t taken, I’ll take it!)
3. Sandwich :: grilled cheese…mm…with tomato soup.
4. Outside :: …the box
5. Gooey :: sticky yet yummy.
6. Industry :: high, shiny skyscrapers
7. Exclusive :: club
8. Warranty :: Is this valid if I drop my phone in the toilet?
9. Magical :: My world. (That’s why I can be nearly a century old and look so good!)
10. Heels :: My new ones. See the pic below.

randomness…feed your mind and your blog

week of sept 23: Do you prefer…

1. day or night? Night…that’s when I come alive!

2. chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla rules, baby.

3. coffee or tea? COFFEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. renting a movie and staying home or going out to the theater? Staying home. That way I can scream, laugh for an obnoxiously long period of time, pause to use the bathroom, etc.

5. regular books or audio books? Wow. Um. I’m finding that I really enjoy audio books. I practically can’t go to sleep anymore without some voice talking. Every once in a while, though, I get a reader with a voice I can’t stand. It really ruins a book I may have otherwise liked.

6. driving to a faroff destination or just taking an airplane? Roadtrip!!

7. hamburger or hotdogs? Egh. What’s wrong with chicken? Hehe. I like hotdogs if they’re spicy.

8. listening to music or watching tv? Listening to music!!!

9. Desperate Housewives or Survivor? (both are tv shows) *click* Oo! House!

10. homecooked meal or fancy restaurant? Homecooked. Hands down. All the way.

I got a little picture-happy with my new phone’s digital camera the other day. Most of the stuff I posted on my myspace photo albums, though.

I’m sure I’ve said this before, but the end of my novel is in sight. I have finally finished the final battle scene and am now working on the wrap-up…including laying a foundation for volume two.  

To end this post, here’s some of my pics (taken with my new phone–no, it isn’t the best, but I love it):

My favorite stuffed animal in the whole wide world: Lamby (no "B" in the pronunciation); I’ve had her forever. 

Two other stuffed animals–Hadassah (the pink unicorn) & Starmist (the white unicorn). They’re relatively new.

An awesome lamp that Imah let me have:

Last but not least, my favorite pic from the fair. Too bad it’s so blurry. 

…famous last words of a hypochondriac. 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m getting really sick of having to answer the question: "So, are you all moved yet?" It’s been practically a month, and we’re still moving stuff out of the old place. Imah tells me we should finish this week, but I don’t see how.

Tomorrow. Ah yes, we get to push ourselves to the max to get our stuff out by tomorrow…and this before I have to work a late shift at my "old" job and then be up and at ‘em the next morning for my new job. Oy vey.

So…I had an interesting week. My wonderful digestive system decided to give me its fits, and I’m recovering from that still. It actually wasn’t so bad yesterday and part of the day before…it just relapsed today.

You know how, on Homeward Bound, Chance sticks his head out the moving vehicle, his ears fly up, and he proclaims, "Tada! Bat dog!" I couldn’t help but remember that this Tuesday. Maybe it was because I was so hot. It was a hot day, and, with the help of our former neighbor’s son, we moved the heaviest piece of furniture we have…the Wardrobe. I couldn’t help but smile to myself when the kid asked if I could actually carry it with him. Guys are so cute like that. And I love surprising them. No, I can’t carry it with my nearly sixty-year-old mother; with a strapping young man…watch and be amazed.

Not to say that it was a breeze. Aah no! I did manage, however, to keep my panting to a minimum. I’m good at that. *grin*

When Imah and I got into the van (our helper followed with our Wardrobe in his truck), I stuck my head out and let the breeze ripple through my lengthening hair. (I’m experimentally growing it out right now. I’m sure I’ll hate it and just chop it all right back off.) That’s when the Bat Dog thought hit me.

Then, I realized I wasn’t scared. I don’t take speed well. I’m sure I’m developing an early heart condition thanks to the way Imah drives. And forget about taking me to any kind of theme park. The carousel is about as extreme a ride I can take. Anything more, forget it!! And, hey, I have a medical excuse for this: something about my equilibrium and whatnot being damaged from an excess of childhood ear infections…though I’ve suspected for the past few years, that part of my ears may be healing. My hearing hasn’t gotten any better–but at least it isn’t bad enough to be a real "hearing impairment."

So…Wednesday. Eh-heh. I went with Imah to Seattle to get some computer training for the new job. The action began before we even got onto the ferry. The bloody vessel was full! As Imah cursed profusely and I screeched at her "Don’t run down that pedestrian! Don’t get us killed! Look a cop!" we headed back to the office to get our boss to drive us to the ferry (so we could just walk on).

He did, and we jumped out of his vehicle and ran all the way to the ferry–with the ferry people calling at us to hurry up! Fortunately, the ferry ride was uneventful. I worked diligently on my novel.

After the ferry, however, we got a cab, and, only after he started driving, did he mention he didn’t know the address. We called the training place and got like three different addresses from them. The one we could find–and where the taxi dropped us off–turned out to be merely a "landmark." We still had another mile to go.

Well, Imah had had enough of getting crumby directions and she wasn’t about to go walking about Seattle with directions of equal faultiness. I was wearing strappy heels–so you guess my opinion. She got someone from the training place to pick us up.

In my opinion–and Imah’s as well–the training was rather trivial. Certainly not worth all we had come through. While waiting for another cab to come take us to the ferry, we stopped at a little coffee shop to get some iced coffees and eat our lunches.

Turned out we just missed a ferry and had to wait over an hour for the next one. At this point, Imah and I couldn’t take each other’s company and we parted. I spent my time writing my novel and then doing some personal journaling when the streets shops called to me temptingly. I would have done some window shopping if I hadn’t been alone. Imah’s just told me too many freaky stories about the streets of Seattle.

On this ferry ride, we both went outside. I worked on my novel until I came to a point where an exciting battle scene–one of the final ones–takes place. I’ll need more time for that. So, I enjoyed the scenery and hot/cool breeze. Fortunately, nothing happened on this trip either–except for our ferry being escorted by the Coast Guard. But the captain assured us all there was nothing to worry about, it was a routine thing, blah, blah, blah. Whatever. I thought it was pretty cool, myself.

Oh yeah, and I saw my first ever pelicans! They seemed to like the heat coming from the ferry’s smoke stack. I couldn’t help but cry out, "Hey, it’s Nigel!" Imah asked me what I meant, and I told her, "Oh, it’s another Finding Nemo thing." I seem to be quoting that movie a lot lately–like every time I see this certain co
-worker (at my old job), we both make these ripple movements with our arms and chant: "I like to move it, move it!" Let me tell you, we get some priceless looks.

I’d better go. We have some more…issues…awaiting us.