Yet another fresh start

For the clock-watchers among you, I believe this post is two minutes into my fresh start for Wednesday. Well... technically, it's only 9:00 pm where I am. But I haven't switched the clock on my computer; so it thinks it's midnight. Come to think of it, I don't think I've switched my watch to Pacific time either. How am I keeping up with the time? Luckily, my trusty cell phone automatically resets; and everyone I talk to from the East Coast keeps asking me what time it is here (so I've had lots of practice doing the 3-hour math). (Are y'all just being lazy or are you dumbing yourself down especially for me?)

Anyway... of course, my next topic is... the weather! Today's weather was pretty nice. Typical Oregon... it was sunny, then it rained, then someone threw some styrofoam off the roof, then it was overcast, then it was sunny again. Such shifts in the weather always make for beautiful skies, though. As I was driving across my favorite bridge (the 405) this afternoon, I was noticing the awesome blues and purples in the northern skies. I love the views on my daily route out here: my favorite would be Mt. Hood on the 205 bridge (if Mt. Hood would ever come out this time of year!), but I also enjoy viewing the West Hills on my morning commute, snow-covered pines as I came through the tunnel at the zoo last week, and the bridges themselves (is that weird?) as I come into view of the city from either direction. Sometimes, I find myself wanting to just drive around in circles to view it all over again! It sure is a beautiful town you guys have here, Mary & Norm.

Switching gears completely... CNN's Headline Prime is doing a little story on pet peeves right now. Their previous story was about Northwest Airlines' newest decision to start charging passengers a fee to select a decent (or if you're Northwest, you say "choice") seat upon check-in (especially on the Internet, where you can check in up to 24 hours before the flight). They asked for Airline Pet Peeves to be sent in to an e-mail address, and that full story is coming up on Friday. I'm sure there will be some great ones (of course, in addition to Northwest making the SILLY decision to charge a "modest" $15 per leg to allow those of us intelligent enough to check in online & skip the counter lines to select a coveted exit or aisle seat)... b/c those darn airlines... they sure do have some odd ways of appreciating their customers. Anyway, tonight's pet peeve story is about workplace annoyances. The CNN survey lists the following top five: condescending tones, public reprimands, micromanaging, loud talkers, and ringing cell phones. Can I just add "having to do others' jobs for them" to that list? That's my numero uno... definitely. I work with some intelligent people. I do. And several of them continually impress me. But some... oh geez, there are some... who are just amazingly infuriating. In fact, over lunch today (as I was browsing Office Furniture Unlimited looking for new more-ergonomical office digs), I was drawn to (and actually purchased) a little metal mantra for myself. It's going to have to sit on the desk or bookshelf in the office... because I'm really not the type of person who needs it in any other aspect of my life. It says "chill" in about a 1,000 point font.

Okay, well, I'm off to an early bedtime so I can put in another more-than-full day tomorrow. Before I do, though, I'll take a quick moment to reset my mindframe (or follow my new metal mantra) by recounting a few things that make me smile (as opposed to all those pet peeves CNN is trying to make me ponder): puppies who learn to swim, cuddle buddies, doing/finishing your taxes (depending on your level of weird-ness), CNN anchors saying "t'ed off" (instead of ticked off), and ultra-respectful Courtyard commercials wishing you a restful evening. I like this exercise... I think I'll continue it on my way to bed: comfortable pjs ...... stuffed animals to wrap your arms around ....... overhearing someone compliment you ....... not being able to stop smiling during a conversation (i.e., with lil' Nona) ....... much luv and x's & o's ....... me attempting to sing Dolly's part in Brad Paisley's "When I Get Where I'm Going" ....... playing the piano barefoot (and playing it well, of course) ....... Carolina victories (when cross the field our foe has fled) ....... late-night CMT music videos (what is it with me & country music lately?) ....... technology that makes it possible to say hi from any corner of the globe ....... puppy heads that smell like cotton candy ....... listening to your iPod and realizing you're singing out loud to your favorite playlist ....... making lists of things that make you smile .......